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This photo shows the damage caused by Israeli airstrikes in Akkar, Lebanon, on Nov. 12, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

At least 12 paramedics from civil defense teams were killed on Thursday night in an Israeli airstrike on their center in Duris, a village in Baalbek in eastern Lebanon, Lebanese news website Elnashra reported.

According to Elnashra, Baalbek Governor Bachir Khodor said that the bodies of 12 civil defense members were recovered from under the rubble, and the debris removal process is still ongoing. He added that around 20 paramedics were at the center during the airstrike.

"Contact is lost with the head of the regional civil defense center in Baalbek, Bilal Raad," he was quoted as saying.

Since Sept. 23, the Israeli military has intensified airstrikes on Lebanon in an escalation of conflict with Hezbollah. Israel also launched a ground operation across its northern border into Lebanon in early October.

As of Thursday, the death toll from Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon since the beginning of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on Oct. 8, 2023, has reached 3,386, while injuries went up to 14,417.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241115/china-dubs-us-greatest-threat-to-space-security-biggest-instigator-of-space-arms-race-1120897773.html

China Dubs US Greatest Threat to Space Security, Biggest Instigator of Space Arms Race

China Dubs US Greatest Threat to Space Security, Biggest Instigator of Space Arms Race

Sputnik International

In 2008, China and Russia put forward the Proposed Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) Treaty  a comprehensive draft arms control pact designed to ban the deployment of all sorts of weapons in space. Successive US administrations have rejected PAROS as a diplomatic ploy designed to give the countries a military edge over the US.

2024-11-15T16:34+0000

2024-11-15T16:34+0000

2024-11-15T16:34+0000

military

china

russia

us

space force

us space force (ussf)

defense ministry

space

militarization

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The United States is the biggest global threat to security in outer space, and the greatest single instigator of an arms race in the celestial body, the Chinese military said Friday in a response to recent allegations by a senior US Space Force commander about the mind-boggling pace of Chinas space-based military buildup.The United States deployment of anti-satellite weapons under the pretext of the so-called Chinese space threat is a complete distortion of the facts and is like a thief crying catch the thief, Defense Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang said in a briefing, referencing the US's controversial Meadowlands satellite jamming program.These actions pose grave risks to the security and development interests of all nations, the spokesman suggested.The Chinese military spokesmans comments follow recent remarks by Space Force chief of space operations General Chance Saltzman accusing China of engaging in a rapid build-up of its space-based military capabilities.The number of different categories of space weapons that [China has] created andthe speed with which theyre doing it is very threatening, Saltzman said during a European tour designed to boost support among allies for US military activities in space.The US wants to help lay the foundations for European NATO allies space forces, the general added.US officials and media have regularly accused China and Russia of menacing space-based activities, from anti-satellite satellites, to nuclear and missile defense components (capabilities which the US itself has admitted to working on on-again off-again since the 1980s).The US Space Force has about 10,000 personnel under its employ and a $29 billion budget. The military branch reportedly plans to evaluate weapons systems for the suppression of satellites between January and March 2025. This includes a $120 million Meadowlands system  a powerful satellite jammer designed to blind enemy satellites in the event of conflict.Marine Corps General Matthew Glavy made clear in no uncertain terms what the Space Forces aspirations were last December, saying space was the most resilient capability we have, and that the US must win the space domain to win the wars of the future.China and Russia have repeatedly returned to their proposed PAROS Treaty over the years as a means to escape a space-based arms race, with the draft agreement proposing a comprehensive prohibition on the placement of arms, anti-satellite and other advanced military technology in space. The US has so far refused to consider the agreement, even as a starting point for further negotiations on the subject.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240808/uk-to-build-radar-station-to-monitor-space-threats-from-russia-and-china-1119679356.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240802/us-trying-to-teach-russia-china-proper-behavior-in-nuclear-sphere---ambassador-antonov-1119600774.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240721/russia-is-ready-to-counter-us-plans-for-satellite-jammers-in-space-1119451611.html

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are russia and china threats in space, do countries have weapons in space, who has weapons in space, are there space-based weapons
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241115/german-afd-urges-un-to-investigate-nord-stream-and-potential-government-role-1120893484.html

Germany's AfD Urges UN to Investigate Nord Stream and Potential Government Role

Germany's AfD Urges UN to Investigate Nord Stream and Potential Government Role

Sputnik International

The right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has called on the United Nations to prosecute an inquiry into the Nord Sream pipelines explosions and find out whether government officials were aware of this incident, partys co-chair Tino Chrupalla said.

2024-11-15T09:48+0000

2024-11-15T09:48+0000

2024-11-15T10:16+0000

nord stream sabotage

germany

russia

baltic sea

european parliament

the united nations (un)

alternative fuer deutschland (afd)

nord stream

nord stream

nord stream 2

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/09/1d/1101347558_0:63:1200:738_1920x0_80_0_0_92adc02f32428ca312139dddc359fd1c.jpg

"We believe that the incident needs to be thoroughly investigated, and those responsible must be held accountable. In particular, we need to find out if members of the German government were aware of this incident before or after it occurred. We have called for the establishment of an inquiry commission in the European Parliament and are now calling for a UN investigation," Chrupalla told Turkish newspaper Aydinlik.The Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines, built to deliver gas under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Europe, were hit by explosions on September 26, 2022. Germany, Denmark and Sweden have not ruled out deliberate sabotage. The Russian Prosecutor General's Office has opened an investigation into it as an act of international terrorism. Russia has repeatedly requested data on other countries' investigations into the explosions, but never received it, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240930/germany-should-bring-charges-for-nord-streams-point-out-us-role---bundestag-member-1120354136.html

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right-wing alternative for germany, nord sream pipelines explosions, investigate nord stream
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241115/hezbollah-says-attacked-over-10-idf-troop-concentrations-on-lebanon-israel-border-1120891201.html

Hezbollah Says Attacked Over 10 IDF Troop Concentrations on Lebanon-Israel Border

Hezbollah Says Attacked Over 10 IDF Troop Concentrations on Lebanon-Israel Border

Sputnik International

Fighters from Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah attacked more than ten concentrations of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) personnel on different sections of the Lebanese-Israeli border, the movement reported in statements.

2024-11-15T04:15+0000

2024-11-15T04:15+0000

2024-11-15T04:15+0000

military

israel-lebanon tensions

israel

middle east

lebanon

hezbollah

israel defense forces (idf)

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"For the second time, fighters from the Islamic Resistance attacked with rockets a concentration of hostile Israeli personnel on the southern outskirts of the settlement of Khiyam," one of the published statements reads. According to the resistance's reports, the strikes were carried out with both rockets and cannon artillery against Israeli troops who were trying to concentrate their forces both in Israeli border settlements and in Lebanese territory in Khiyam and Odaisseh. Since October 1, Israel has been conducting a ground operation against Hezbollah forces in southern Lebanon while continuing airstrikes. Despite losses, Hezbollah has been fighting Israeli troops on the ground and launching rockets across the border. Israel says its main objective is to create conditions for the return of 60,000 residents who fled shelling in the north.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241114/israel-informs-trump-of-intention-to-speed-up-lebanon-ceasefire-deal---reports-1120882062.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241115/indonesia-requests-russian-military-equipment-supplies--federation-council-1120891077.html

Indonesia Requests Russian Military Equipment Supplies  Federation Council

Indonesia Requests Russian Military Equipment Supplies  Federation Council

Sputnik International

Russia has received a request from Indonesia for the supply of weapons and military equipment for 2025-2030, Vladimir Bulavin, head of the Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security, told Sputnik.

2024-11-15T04:50+0000

2024-11-15T04:50+0000

2024-11-15T04:51+0000

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Bulavin said Russia and Indonesia are currently jointly working on seven defense industry contracts, which are at different stages of implementation. Bulavin said personnel training for the Indonesian Armed Forces is also underway.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241104/russian-indonesian-navies-to-hold-first-ever-joint-exercises-orruda-2024-1120765096.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241115/nuclear-bomb-will-not-help-ukraine-win-conflict---zelenskys-office-1120891333.html

Nuclear Bomb Will Not Help Ukraine Win Conflict - Zelensky's Office

Nuclear Bomb Will Not Help Ukraine Win Conflict - Zelensky's Office

Sputnik International

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak has said that Ukraine is not engaged in the creation of nuclear weapons, expressing the opinion that even the hypothetical possession of an atomic bomb by Kiev would not affect the situation on the battlefield.

2024-11-15T04:20+0000

2024-11-15T04:20+0000

2024-11-15T04:20+0000

world

ukraine

volodymyr zelensky

united kingdom (uk)

kiev

international atomic energy agency (iaea)

nato

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"Even if Ukraine were able to develop such a weapon in the foreseeable future (which is not on the agenda), it could not deter an empire with the worlds second-largest nuclear arsenal. This is evident," Podolyak said on X on Thursday. On Wednesday, UK newspaper reported that Ukraine could develop a nuclear bomb within a few months if the United States reduces military aid to Kiev. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said later that Ukraine does not possess nuclear weapons, does not intend to create them, and closely cooperates with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the EU summit in Brussels in mid-October that Kiev would either get an invitation to NATO or a nuclear weapon. The Bild newspaper cited an unnamed Ukrainian official as saying that Ukraine could make a nuclear bomb within weeks to use it against Russia if NATO did not invite it to join the alliance.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241114/ukraines-bluster-about-making-nuclear-bomb-if-trump-scraps-us-aid-is-desperate-blackmail---analyst-1120883976.html

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ukrainian presidential adviser mykhailo podolyak, creation of nuclear weapons, atomic bomb by kiev
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241115/russian-air-defense-shoots-down-51-ukrainian-drones-overnight---mod-1120891471.html

Russian Air Defense Shoots Down 51 Ukrainian Drones Overnight - MoD

Russian Air Defense Shoots Down 51 Ukrainian Drones Overnight - MoD

Sputnik International

The Russian air defense destroyed 51 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones over several Russian regions and the waters of the Sea of Azov last night, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday.

2024-11-15T04:37+0000

2024-11-15T04:37+0000

2024-11-15T04:37+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

russia

ukraine

russian defense ministry

drone strike

ukrainian drone attacks on russia

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"During the past night, an attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist attack using fixed-wing drones on objects on the territory of the Russian Federation was prevented," the ministry said in a statement. Air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 51 Ukrainian drones: 36 over the Krasnodar Territory, three over the Republic of Crimea, two over the Belgorod Region, and 10 over the Sea of Azov, the statement added.Ukraine has been sending drones and missiles into Russia almost daily since it launched its counteroffensive in early June 2023. The United Nations said in August last year, following a botched drone strike on Moscow, that it did not want to see any targeting of civilian infrastructure.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241110/russian-air-defenses-down-32-ukrainian-drones-near-moscow-1120838974.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241115/russian-forces-liberate-five-settlements-in-key-regions-1120893605.html

Russian Forces Liberate Five Settlements in Key Regions

Russian Forces Liberate Five Settlements in Key Regions

Sputnik International

Russian military forces have liberated five settlements in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Kharkov region over the past week, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.

2024-11-15T09:51+0000

2024-11-15T09:51+0000

2024-11-15T10:28+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

ukraine

russian ministry of defense

russia

kharkov

kursk

russian armed forces

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The MoD said the Tsentr battlegroup has gained control of the settlement of Stepanovka in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR).That brought the number of settlements liberated by Russian forces in the past week to five."Forces of the Tsentr Battlegroup continued advancing into the enemy's defenses and liberated the settlements of Voznesenka, Volchenka, and Stepanovka in the Donetsk People's Republic," the statement continued. "As a result of decisive actions by the Vostok Battlegroup, the settlement of Rovnopol in the Donetsk People's Republic was liberated."Russian forces also made 42 large-scale strikes with precision weapons and attack drones over the past week targeting Ukraine's military-industrial enterprises, energy facilities used to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) and Ukrainian military infrastructure.The strikes also targeted training bases for new recruits, a UAF logistics center, temporary deployment points of UAF units, nationalist groups and foreign mercenaries. Other DevelopmentsThe Tsentr battlegroup repelled 65 attacks and inflicted losses of over 3,235 personnel, five tanks including a German Leopard, 26 armored fighting vehicles (AFVs), 33 motor vehicles and 30 artillery pieces. Ukrainian units targeted include seven mechanized brigades, one motorized infantry brigade, two jaeger brigades, one assault brigade, two marine brigades, one territorial defense brigade, three national guard brigades and the Lyut assault brigade of Ukraine's National Police.The Sever battlegroup inflicted losses of up to 2,760 personnel, 24 tanks  including a British Challenger and German Leopard  15 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), five armored personnel carriers (APCs) including two US M113s, 76 other AFVs, 135 motor vehicles and 30 artillery pieces. Units targeted include one tank brigade, six mechanized brigades, three air assault brigades, one marine brigade, six territorial defense brigades and two national guard brigades in the Kursk region Kharkov regions.The Yug vattlegroup inflicted losses of up to 4,715 personnel, five tanks, seven AFVs, 39 motor vehicles and 27 artillery pieces  including 10 of Western origin. The battlegroup targeted five mechanized brigades, one motorized infantry brigade, one infantry brigade, one mountain assault brigade, two airmobile brigades, one airborne assault brigade, one territorial defense brigade and one national guard brigade. They also destroyed 15 electronic warfare stations, 22 ammunition depots and repelled 17 counterattacks.The Zapad battlegroup inflicted losses of up to 3,435 personnel, three tanks, nine AFVs, 40 motor vehicles and 18 artillery pieces  including seven NATO-made self-propelled systems. They targeted six mechanized brigades, one assault brigade, one airborne brigade, one airmobile brigade, two territorial defense brigades and one national guard brigade. 11 electronic warfare stations and 22 ammunition depots were destroyed and 17 counterattacks were repelled.The Vostok battlegroup liberated the settlement of Rovnopol in the DPR and inflicted losses of up to 960 personnel, two tanks, 12 AFVs  including two US M113 APCs  38 motor vehicles and six artillery pieces. Ukrainian units hit include two mechanized brigades, one motorized infantry brigade, one marine brigade, four territorial defense brigades and two national guard brigades. The Russian forces repelled 16 counterattacks.The Dnepr battlegroup inflicted losses of up to 465 personnel, nine artillery pieces, 26 motor vehicles and destroyed four ammunition depots. The battlegroup struck three mechanized brigades, one infantry brigade, one mountain assault brigade and two territorial defense brigades.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241114/russian-forces-liberate-voznesenka-target-ukrainian-military-infrastructure-1120882693.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241115/tulsi-gabbard-right-pick-to-shake-up-us-spy-agiencies--cia-veteran-1120898424.html

Tulsi Gabbard Right Pick to Shake-Up US Spy Agiencies  CIA Veteran

Tulsi Gabbard Right Pick to Shake-Up US Spy Agiencies  CIA Veteran

Sputnik International

President-elect Donald Trump nominated the former Democratic congresswoman and a 21-year army reserve veteran to oversee the bewildering array of 18 US spy agencies in his incoming administration.

2024-11-15T16:36+0000

2024-11-15T16:36+0000

2024-11-15T16:36+0000

us

tulsi gabbard

analysis

philip giraldi

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washington dc

syria

cia

nsa

opinion

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"A foreign policy and national security appointment that has created considerable dissent is that of Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence [DNI]," Philip Giraldi, a former CIA operations officer with experience in Europe and the Middle East, told Sputnik. The CIA veteran said much of the dissent comes from inside the intelligence community, including active officers and former staff of organizations like the CIA and NSA. Objections to Gabbards nomination have focused on her lack of intelligence experience, claiming she will "be unable to perceive problems among an unruly 18-member intelligence community," the pundit said. But Giraldi countered that she was "smart, experienced and capable enough to gather her own staff around her that will guide her way through the shoals of Washington DC." The former CIA officer noted that Gabbard is viewed as a "peace candidate" for her opposition to endless overseas wars, the US military occupation of parts of Syria and the demonization of China. But she is also known for her support for Israel, currently waging a war against the Palestinian territory of Gaza.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230702/ex-us-presidential-candidate-gabbard-slams-biden-for-nuclear-warmongering-1111612677.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241115/ukraine-abandons-positions-in-kurakhovo-amid-lack-of-personnel-ammunition-low-morale-1120892531.html

Ukraine Abandons Positions in Kurakhovo Amid Lack of Personnel, Ammunition, Low Morale

Ukraine Abandons Positions in Kurakhovo Amid Lack of Personnel, Ammunition, Low Morale

Sputnik International

Russia's liberation of the strategic city of Kurakhovo in the DPR would spell disaster for Ukraine's forces, Russian military experts told Sputnik earlier.

2024-11-15T07:27+0000

2024-11-15T07:27+0000

2024-11-15T07:27+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

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Ukraines military is retreating from the city of Kurakhovo in the Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR) and a number of nearby villages due to a severe lack of personnel, ammunition, and plummeting morale, a Russian gunner from the crew of a BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket system revealed. Desperate attempts by the enemy to resupply ammunition, manpower, and equipment are being crushed with relentless firepower, the soldier from Russia's fierce Battlegroup Yug added. The citys liberation would open the way for Russian troops to Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk), a key logistical hub for the Kiev regime. Russian forces have been advancing on Kurakhovo from multiple directions with the aim of encircling it, while the Ukrainian forces dug in there are unable to hold their positions. As the Russian Armed Forces head toward the Krasnoarmeysk rail hub, they also appear to be gearing up for a new offensive in the Zaporozhye region, The Washington Post cited Ukrainian troops as saying. The outlet added that after regularly dropping glide bombs and other explosives on fields to identify land mines and Ukrainian positions throughout the summer, Russian forces are now ramping up simultaneous drone and infantry assaults. As awareness of a looming major attack spreads, Ukrainian soldiers expect little let up in the onslaught, the publication noted.Liberation of Kurakhovo by Russia's forces would spell disaster for the Kiev regime's troops, Ret. Col. Anatoly Matviychuk, a Russian military expert, previously told Sputnik. He underscored that Kurakhovo is important for Kiev from the economic standpoint as well, since the local coal mining area is currently the only place under Ukrainian control where coking coal is produced.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241111/kurakhovo-why-russias-liberation-of-this-city-spells-disaster-for-ukraine-1120854862.html

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ukraines military is retreating from the city of kurakhovo, why is kurakhovo strategic, why does russia's liberation of kurakhovo spell disaster for ukraine, russia's military operation ukraine, ukrainian conflict, kurakhovo, donetsk people's republic liberation
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241115/ukraine-cant-build-a-nuke-without-russia-catching-them-top-us-nuclear-scientist-explains-why-1120895319.html

Ukraine Cant Build a Nuke Without Russia Catching Them: Top US Nuclear Scientist Explains Why

Ukraine Cant Build a Nuke Without Russia Catching Them: Top US Nuclear Scientist Explains Why

Sputnik International

A think tank briefing prepared for Ukraine's Defense Ministry has outlined Kiev's options for building a nuclear weapon if Donald Trump were to withdraw military assistance. A top US nuclear scientist and nuclear weapons expert tells Sputnik some of the almost insurmountable problems the Zelensky regime would face if it were to pursue the endeavor.

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analysis

theodore postol

ukraine

russia

massachusetts institute of technology (mit)

volodymyr zelensky

donald trump

kiev

international atomic energy agency (iaea)

defense ministry

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Ukraines military is trying to pressure its Western sponsors into thinking that they might have to expand the war against Russia in order to deal with an escalation brought about by Ukrainian use of nuclear weapons against Russia, but the chance of Kiev actually obtaining a bona fide nuclear device are minimal, says Dr. Theodore Postol, a veteran MIT physicist, nuclear engineer and ex-advisor to the US Navy on strategic nuclear weapons.Both approaches require extremely sophisticated chemical facilities to dissolve highly radioactive spent fuel from a nuclear reactor. This fuel would have to be obtained from a nuclear reactor after it was irradiated within the reactor, the academic explained.The resulting plutonium isotopes are highly unstable, Postol clarified, highlighting their tendency to disintegrate due to defects in their internal structure in a process known as spontaneous fission, which could cause a weapon to pre-detonate before it can be fully assembled.Even simply obtaining irradiated fuel rods from nuclear reactors for a nuclear device is also a no-go, he added, pointing to the IAEA Safeguards Program monitoring the burn-up and cooling of fuel in the course of reactor operations."In summary, the Ukrainian MOD statement is technical nonsense with regard to a credible threat that Ukraine could rapidly produce nuclear weapons  especially given that the activities would be highly visible, extremely time-consuming, and subject to obliteration by the Russians, who would surely not stand by and allow this activity to go on," the scientist emphasized.Facing backlash following the publication of the original The Times reporting on Ukraine's nuclear options, Ukrainian officials have rushed to walk back the claims made in the report, with a Foreign Ministry spokesperson assuring that the country does not possess nuclear weapons, does not intend to create them, and cooperates closely with the IAEA.This week's The Times report is not the first time Kiev has waved the nuclear stick around in the years-long confrontation with Moscow. In an EU summit in Brussels in October, Zelensky warned that Kiev would either get an invitation to NATO or a nuclear bomb. Russian President Vladimir Putin called the remarks a "dangerous provocation," and warned that "any step in this direction will be met with a corresponding reaction."

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241114/ukraines-bluster-about-making-nuclear-bomb-if-trump-scraps-us-aid-is-desperate-blackmail---analyst-1120883976.html

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A Chinese defense spokesperson on Friday urged the United States to immediately stop arming China's Taiwan region and cease its dangerous actions jeopardizing peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks at a press conference in response to the U.S. delivery of HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) units to Taiwan along with a plan to train Taiwan troops to operate the weaponry.

The spokesperson blamed the Democratic Progressive Party authorities for selling the interests of the people in Taiwan and attempting to solicit external support for "Taiwan independence."

"Such behaviors will only push Taiwan closer to the brink of war," Zhang said, adding that the People's Liberation Army will strengthen combat readiness to firmly thwart attempts for "Taiwan independence" and interference by external forces.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241115/us-lawmakers-urge-biden-to-sanction-2-israeli-ministers-for-inciting-violence---reports-1120892409.html

US Lawmakers Urge Biden to Sanction 2 Israeli Ministers for Inciting Violence - Reports

US Lawmakers Urge Biden to Sanction 2 Israeli Ministers for Inciting Violence - Reports

Sputnik International

Nearly 90 US lawmakers sent a letter to President Joe Biden in late October calling on him to sanction two far-right Israeli ministers for "incentivizing" violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, Axios news outlet reported on Friday, citing US officials.

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The letter, which was signed by 17 Democratic senators and 71 Democratic members of the House of Representatives, accused National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich of undermining security in the West Bank. Although alarmed by their actions, Biden opposes sanctioning democratically elected officials in allied states, Axios reported. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and EU foreign policy chef Josep Borrell have, too, suggested imposing sanctions on Israeli ministers who incite war crimes with their remarks. In August, Smotrich said that Israel would be right to block humanitarian access to Gaza to secure the release of Israeli hostages even if this meant that 2 million Palestinians would starve to death. On August 13, Ben Gvir urged not to negotiate with Hamas over Gaza but rather to pursue a military solution.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241115/us-may-expand-nuclear-arsenal-to-deter-alleged-threat-from-china-russia---reports-1120892882.html

US May Expand Nuclear Arsenal to Deter Alleged Threat From China, Russia - Reports

US May Expand Nuclear Arsenal to Deter Alleged Threat From China, Russia - Reports

Sputnik International

The United States may expand its nuclear stockpile to deter the alleged threat from China, Russia and North Korea, but the final decision is up to President-elect Donald Trump, US media reported, citing senior officials in the Biden administration.

2024-11-15T07:25+0000

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"If current trends continue in the negative direction with Russia saying no to arms control, China building up and North Korea building up, there may be a need to increase the number of deployed US nuclear weapons in the future," a senior Biden administration official was quoted as saying on Thursday. The decision on whether to deploy more nuclear weapons will ultimately be left to the incoming Trump administration. Trump greenlighted all of the major nuclear weapons programs inherited from the Obama administration during his first term. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly argued that Russia has never rejected dialogue on strategic stability. Russia and the US signed a Treaty on measures for the future reduction and limitation of strategic offensive arms (New START) in 2010 that capped their stockpiles of strategic offensive arms. The Biden administration has continuously stated its desire to extend the treaty, which expires in February 2026. Russia suspended its participation in the New START in February 2023 without fully withdrawing, saying it wanted clarity on how the pact would account for the nuclear weapons owned by Washington's NATO allies.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241115/us-military-amazed-shocked-by-sophistication-of-houthi-weapons-tech-1120896952.html

US Military Amazed, Shocked by Sophistication of Houthi Weapons Tech

US Military Amazed, Shocked by Sophistication of Houthi Weapons Tech

Sputnik International

Hailing from northwestern Yemen, the Houthis have grown from a regional militia to a globally significant non-state actor with the proven ability to freeze Israel, the United States and their allies out of the strategic Red Sea trade chokepoint. Theyve also amassed an impressive military arsenal, the US military now admits.

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military

military & intelligence

bill laplante

israel

red sea

houthis

houthi

defense department

missiles

weapons

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The Defense Department doesnt quite know how to evaluate the Houthis weapons capabilities, with Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Bill LaPlante saying the militia are getting scary in terms of their technical sophistication.Im an engineer and a physicist, and Ive been around missiles my whole career, LaPlante, whose department is responsible for purchasing weapons for the US military, said at a defense forum in Washington this week.US Navy assets deployed to the Red Sea last year after the escalation of the Gaza War into a regional security crisis have been able to witness firsthand the amazing things Houthi weapons are capable of, with the militia reportedly coming within 200 meters of striking a US supercarrier in June, and overcoming all but the final line of defense of an American missile destroyer in January.The militia has proven sophisticated enough that Germany recently decided to sail its warships home from a deployment in Asia the long way around the Cape of Good Hope in southern Africa to avoid the Houthis.Israel too has experienced the Houthis growing technical sophistication firsthand, with the militia flying an airplane-style drone unmolested into Tel Aviv in July, smashing it into a building 100 meters from a US consular facility. The militia has also launched multiple long-range missiles at Israel, with some overcoming the countrys much-touted air and missile defenses.The US and Israel have blamed Iran for the Houthis growing technical sophistication, but the militia has been careful to emphasize that its defense production is homegrown. The Houthis are also known to have successfully modernized and upgraded various Soviet-era defense equipment left over in the country after 1990, and adapted it for local use.Along with missiles and drones, the militia have deployed an impressive array of air defense equipment, shooting down more than a dozen Reaper drones in clashes with American forces, and forcing US aircraft engaged in bombing runs to avoid militia-controlled airspace, thus limiting the effectiveness of the strikes.The militias capabilities and ability to wage asymmetric guerrilla warfare against some of the worlds most technically sophisticated militaries despite being outnumbered, outgunned, and outspent have raised eyebrows in Washington over the US militarys approach.A recent report by Brown Universitys Costs of War Project calculating that the Pentagon has spent over $2.5 billion on the anti-Houthi campaign over the past year, with little to show for it in strategic terms and the US goal of "degrading" the militia's capabilities.In congressional grilling of US military officials in May, Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces Angus King highlighted the absurdity of expending missiles that cost millions of dollars to shoot down Houthi drones that cost thousands.In the Red Sea, the Houthis are sending $20,000 drones and were shooting them down with missiles that cost $4.3 million. The math doesnt work on that, gentlemen. It just doesnt work. What are we thinking? King asked.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241022/houthi-missile-plunked-down-200-meters-from-us-supercarrier-in-red-sea-us-army-journal-reveals-1120644295.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241115/us-president-elect-trump-meets-with-first-foreign-leader-argentinas-president-milei-1120892264.html

US President-elect Trump Meets With First Foreign Leader, Argentina's President Milei

US President-elect Trump Meets With First Foreign Leader, Argentina's President Milei

Sputnik International

US President-elect Donald Trump met with Argentine President Javier Milei on Thursday, according to a post by the South American leader's press secretary Manuel Adorni on social media.

2024-11-15T05:40+0000

2024-11-15T05:40+0000

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americas

donald trump

us

javier milei

elon musk

argentina

florida

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The meeting took place at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Adorni posted a photo on X in which, from left to right, Argentine Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein, businessman Elon Musk, Milei, Trump, and Milei's sister Karina pose. Musk, who has recently been playing the role of an informal but very close adviser to Trump, is holding a little girl in his arms. Milei thus became the first foreign leader to meet with the US president-elect. AP reported citing sources that the meeting went well, adding that Milei also met with investors. A presidential election took place in the United States on November 5. Republican candidate Donald Trump, who served as the US president in 20172021, was declared the winner by all leading race callers and networks, namely the Associated Press, Decision Desk HQ, Fox News, and CNN, NBC, ABC and CBS from the National Election Pool consortium, as he secured enough votes in the Electoral College to win the election. Democratic candidate Kamala Harris conceded defeat in an address to her supporters, and US President Joe Biden congratulated Trump. The Electoral College, the group of presidential electors from the states, will vote for the candidate whom each states voters have chosen on December 17, and the results will be certified by Congress on January 6. The presidential inauguration will take place on January 20. Trump became the first US president since the 19th century to be elected to non-consecutive terms.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241115/what-are-eu-rapid-deployment-forces--goals-of-upcoming-drills---1120894523.html

What Are EU Rapid Deployment Forces & Goals of Upcoming Drills?

What Are EU Rapid Deployment Forces & Goals of Upcoming Drills?

Sputnik International

ifteen EU member states and over 1,700 soldiers are set to participate in the European Union's second Live Military Exercise (LIVEX) in Bergen, Germany.

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The Live Military Exercise (LIVEX) is part of the EU's Strategic Compass plan, which is to create a European Union Rapid Deployment Capacity (EU RDC) to strengthen the bloc's security and defense capabilities by 2030. What is EU RDC?What is the Purpose of the Drills? What will the drills involve? The EU held its previous live exercises in 2023 in Spain, citing the perceived security threat from Russia. President Vladimir Putin dismissed these claims as baseless, calling them a tactic to mislead the public and justify increased military spending.

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Three-year-old trotters Chipper Dale and Only I Exist continued their winning ways in a pair of $16,667 conditioned races on another Trottin Thursday program at Harrahs Philadelphia.

The Shake It Off Lindy sophomore gelding Chipper Dale made his debut for owners Evans Nation, Jeff Fought Racing and Brian Carsey memorable in winning by 6-3/4 lengths in 1:55.1, lowering his record five full seconds. David Miller moved the new Per Engblom trainee to the lead in front of the grandstand and the rest laboured to get a minor portion behind the winner of six straight. Chipper Dale has won 11 of 14 starts this year and scored six of eight times at two while the dominant force in the Maine program. His earnings are now just shy of $275,000.

The Yall Beneath Me three-year-old filly Only I Exist made a break in her career bow and after that has won 15 straight races -- six last season and this year nine more, including two at Philly since establishing her dominance in Maryland. Russell Foster raced her off the pace in this start and the winner of more than $350,000 proved equal to the challenge in 1:57 for trainer/owner Richard Hans of Googoo Gaagaa fame.

The day's top class was an $18,750 trot won by G Load, who raced in the two-hole then had enough stretch force to overhaul pacesetting Tequini Hanover. Justin Huckabone put the Nuncio gelding on the early lead, then yielded to the quarter-moving Tequini Hanover on a brisk day in southeast Pennsylvania. There the winner waited until headstretch, when G Load moved outside and gradually grinded past the leader to win in a half-length tally in 1:56.2. Driver Huckabone also trains the winner for owner Mathew Dugan.

Doublers on the driving side were Justin Huckabone, George Napolitano Jr. (reducing Tim Tetricks meet lead to 146-141), Jack Pelling and Rikard Skoglund. Conditioners Scott Di Domenico and Per Engblom also had a pair of wins.

Fast-class horses of all varieties will be featured on Fridays program at Harrahs Philadelphia, with first post at 12:25 p.m. Free Philly program pages will be available at phha.org.

(With files from PHHA / Harrahs Philadelphia; Photo of Only I Exist from a previous win)
Returning to the track after a two-month hiatus, top class pacer Whichwaytothebeach showed strong strides and solid speed in the session of qualifiers on Friday, Nov. 15 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

A field of five older campaigners went postward in the morning's fourth test, featuring four horses with more than $400,000 in earnings. The most accomplished of that group: $932,000 winner Whichwaytothebeach, who found his way to the front for driver Jody Jamieson after the gate wings folded and then stayed on top for the one-mile outing.

After fractions of :28, :57.2 and 1:27.1, Whichwaytothebeach drifted slightly in the stretch but paced home in :27.3 for the 1:54.4 score. Codename Cigar Box finished second, a length back for driver Travis Cullen, with Violets Rainbow closing well in her local debut for driver Louis-Philippe Roy to round out the top three.

Six-year-old Whichwaytothebeach (Somebeachsomewhere - Swinging Beauty) is trained by Garry Merner for owner Gino Toscani of Mount Hope, Ont. Six of 24 career victories came earlier this year, three of which came at Mohawk's Preferred level.

The full video stream from Friday's qualifiers is available below.

For results from the qualifying session, click the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park (Qualifiers).

(Standardbred Canada)
Despite Post 10 sporting the lowest win percentage of just 5.6 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, James MacDonald won 100 per cent of his starts from the dreaded post position on Thursday night, Nov. 14.

Post 10 proved to be no problem for Canada's leading driver, who worked out winning trips for a pair from the outside of the starting gate.

First up in the opener was two-year-old trotting filly Shampoo Girl, who won at first asking from the 10-hole in 1:58 over the 'good' track. MacDonald got the favoured Rick Zeron trainee to the front after the opening panel and held off the late-closing Hellion by a head at the end.

MacDonald later crossed to command with the Jodie Cullen-trained four-year-old pacer Granite Beach as soon as the starting gate sped away in the evening's seventh race and the popular grey gelding re-took control from mid-race leader Gladiator S BG then held off Happy Neighs by half a length in 1:54.2. The victory came on a night when Cullen, with successful starters at Mohawk and Flamboro Downs, surpassed the 200-win mark for the second season in a row. The nation's leading trainer is just one of 10 trainers in North America with more than 200 wins in 2024.

As for MacDonald, the three-time O'Brien Award winner is looking to top the 400-win mark for the third straight year. His pair of Post 10 victories lifted his win count to 394, which ranks ninth best in North America.

Only two other horses on Thursday's 10-race card started from Post 10, finishing fifth and eighth, respectively.

To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.

(Standardbred Canada)
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On the far left is Dr. Young Yun Kim and on the far right is Dr. Nam Joong Jeon. Credit: Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT)

In response to the urgent need to meet the national greenhouse emission reduction goals set by the "Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth for Coping with Climate Crisis," specifically including the "2030 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Target of 40% Greenhouse Gas Reduction," and "Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050," a Korean research team in collaboration with a domestic company has developed new technology that resulted in surpassing the world record for efficiency of large-area perovskite solar cells.

The Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) and UniTest Co., Ltd., headed by Jong-Hyun Kim, have jointly developed a technology to produce highly efficient, large-area perovskite solar cells (over 200 cm2). This new technology achieved a certified efficiency of 20.6%, breaking the previous world record of 19.2% held by UtmoLight.

On May 7, 2024, the efficiency was officially certified by the internationally recognized Fraunhofer Institute in Germany, and the record was listed on the "Champion Module Efficiency Chart" of the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) on June 21.

KRICT and UniTest Co., Ltd. plan to accelerate the commercialization of perovskite solar cells by utilizing this breakthrough technology. They are preparing for mass production of perovskite solar cells for various applications such as indoor photovoltaic products, building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), and other functional devices, with some products expected to reach the market within this year.

Background and significance of the technology

Perovskite solar cells have gained attention as next-generation solar cells because they can be mass-produced at a relatively low cost by a low-temperature solution process with various substrates.

Currently, many countries worldwide, including the Republic of Korea, China, Europe, and nations in the Middle East such as Saudi Arabia are engaged in a highly competitive race to enhance the efficiency and commercial viability of perovskite solar cells.

The theoretical efficiency limit for large-area perovskite solar cells is estimated to be around 27% when considering realistic loss mechanisms. However, no technology previously had achieved over 20% efficiency in practical applications.

Improving efficiency entails various tasks such as optimization of device structure, tailoring properties of materials, uniform coating, and laser processes, which are challenging to achieve consistently across large-scale devices.

High-performance, large-area perovskite solar cells are also crucial for developing perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells, which are essential for overcoming the efficiency limits of traditional silicon solar cells. Improving the efficiency of single-junction large-area perovskite solar cells is thus a key step toward advancing the performance of tandem devices and modules.

Production facilities of UniTest, the company that co-developed this technology and is preparing for the commercialization of perovskite solar cells. Credit: Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT)

Achievements and future directions

KRICT's perovskite research team has optimized its in-house material synthesis methods, film uniformity by scalable processes, and laser ablation control, resulting in a certified efficiency of 20.6% for large-area perovskite solar modules (>200cm2), significantly surpassing the previous record of 19.2%.

The newly developed large-area, single-junction perovskite solar cell technology is directly applicable to large-area production processes for perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells, and thus is a critical innovation for early commercialization in this sector.

Based on this technology, KRICT is conducting outdoor operation stability tests (ISOS-O-1) and playing a pivotal role in supporting the commercialization of these cells by industry partners.

UniTest Co., Ltd. is utilizing this technology to accelerate its ongoing commercialization of perovskite-based products, including glass-integrated perovskite solar cells and the development of semi-transparent perovskite cells for panoramic solar roofs in collaboration with major domestic automotive manufacturers.

The company is also establishing facilities to mass-produce indoor perovskite solar cells, aiming to commence production by the end of this year.

Young-Kook Lee of KRICT stated, "This achievement represents a significant milestone in overcoming one of the key technical barriers for the commercialization of large-area perovskite cells, marking a major success in industry-research collaboration that we hope will contribute substantially to the commercialization of solar cell technologies."
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Bitcoin logos are displayed at the Inside Bitcoins conference and trade show on April 7, 2014, in New York. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File

A computer expert who stole bitcoin worth billions of dollars at current pricesand then spent years laundering some of the hacked cryptocurrency with help from his wifewas sentenced on Thursday to five years in prison.

Ilya Lichtenstein masterminded one of the largest-ever thefts from a virtual currency exchange before he and his wife, Heather Rhiannon Morgan, carried out an elaborate scheme to liquidate the stolen funds, according to federal prosecutors.

U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly told Lichtenstein that his theft was "meticulously planned" and not an impulsive act.

"It's important to send a message that you can't commit these crimes with impunity, that there are consequences to them," she said.

Lichtenstein, who gets credit for the two years and nine months that he has spent in jail since his February 2022 arrest, expressed remorse for "wasting my talents on crime instead of a positive contribution to society." He said he hopes that he can apply his expertise to fight cybercrime when he gets out of prison.

"I want to take full responsibility for my actions and make amends any way I can," he said.

The judge is scheduled to sentence Morgan on Monday. Lichtenstein pleaded with the judge to spare his wife from prison, blaming himself for her involvement.

In August 2016, Lichtenstein hacked into a virtual currency exchange, Hong Kong-based Bitfinex, and stole approximately 120,000 bitcoin. It was worth approximately $71 million at the time of the hack and would be valued at more than $7.6 billion at current market prices, according to prosecutors.

Several months later, Lichtenstein began moving the stolen bitcoin in a string of complex transactions designed to conceal its path across a series of accounts and platforms. He enlisted his wife's help in cleaning the stolen funds.

Lichtenstein, an entrepreneur and cryptocurrency investor, is a U.S. citizen who was born in Russia and grew up in a Chicago suburb. Morgan, a business owner and writer, adopted the alter ego " Razzlekhan " for performing rap songs and recording videos for her music.

Lichtenstein and Morgan were living in New York City when they were arrested in February 2022. They had been living in San Francisco around the time of the hack.

Prosecutors recommended a five-year prison sentence for Lichtenstein, who pleaded guilty in August 2023 to one count of money laundering conspiracy. They recommended an 18-month prison sentence for Morgan, who pleaded guilty to the same charge.

"Neither the hack nor the laundering scheme was an impulsive decision. The defendant (Lichtenstein) spent months attempting to gain access to Bitfinex's infrastructure and get the accesses and permissions he needed in order to orchestrate his hack," prosecutors wrote.

Lichtenstein told his wife about the hack over three years later, but he initially solicited her help in laundering the proceeds "without explaining exactly what he was doing," according to prosecutors.

Morgan "was certainly a willing participant and bears full responsibility for her actions, but she was a lower-level participant," prosecutors wrote.

During family trips to Kazakhstan and Ukraine, Lichtenstein met with couriers who delivered him money that he smuggled back into the U.S.

"Over half a decade, the defendant engaged in what IRS agents described as the most complicated money laundering techniques they had seen to date," prosecutors wrote.

Bitcoin is the largest and oldest cryptocurrency, which is digital money that typically isn't backed by any government or banking institution. Transactions get recorded with technology called a blockchain.

The couple successfully laundered about 21 percent of the funds stolen from Bitfinex. The laundered money was worth at least $14 million at 2016 prices. Its value would have exceeded $1 billion at the time of their 2022 arrest.

Authorities seized the remaining funds, collectively valued at over $6 billion at current prices.

"He became one of the greatest money launderers that the government has encountered in the cryptocurrency space," prosecutors wrote.

An attorney for Bitfinex said the hack "devastated" its finances and its reputation with its customers, with the stolen funds accounting for approximately 36% of the company's assets at the time of theft.

"Bitfinex had to take unprecedented and immediate action to ensure that any losses from the Hack would ultimately be borne by Bitfinex and its shareholders alone, not its customers," the lawyer, Barry Berke, wrote in a letter to the judge.

A prosecutor said Lichtenstein immediately began cooperating with federal authorities after his arrest, helping them with other cybercrime investigations.

Over 96% of the stolen funds have been recovered, with help from Lichtenstein, according to defense attorney Samson Enzer. The "vast bulk" of the stolen money was never spent, the lawyer said.

"This is not an evil person," Enzer said. "This is a good person who made some very bad mistakes."

 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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The Splendid Ace, secured at the Cruise Ship Terminal, showing the hole in its hull that caused it to delay its departure from Port Kingstown.

An investigation is expected to be mounted by the Port Authority into an incident involving a large vehicle carrier - MV Slendid Ace - which was damaged while attempting to berth at the Cruise Ship Terminal on November 10.





The carrier, remain berthed at the Cruise Ship Terminal for an unscheduled period, causing a cruise liner to abort a scheduled call at Port Kingstown.





The carrier left Kingstown on Tuesday, November 12  two days after it was scheduled to depart after, according to information received, striking a port dolphin.





According to information garnered from the internet, a port dolphin is "a berthing or mooring structure that extends above water level and is not connected to the shore or any other structure like a quay wall or jetty. Dolphins increase the berthing surface when aligned with an existing pear or jetty, or they can provide independent mooring points.





The contact with the port dolphin resulted in a hole in the ships hull located about 6 feet above the water line and measuring 4 feet long by 2 feet wide.





The incident resulted in another vessel, a cruise liner, MV Aurora , a cruise ship of the P&O Cruises fleet, with an estimated complement of 3100, having to cancel its port call due to the unavailability of room at the Cruise Ship Terminal to berth.





As the cruise liner was unable to dock, the passengers were forced to remain onboard.





Montgomery Daniel, speaking in his capacity of Prime Minister (Ag), disclosed that a request was made for the cruise liner to have its passengers disembark from an anchored position, however, this was denied and the vessel moved on to its next port, which according to information received should have been St. Lucia.





"The expectation of the visitors and the country is to have activities that can improve the economy of the country, and it is unfortunate that those (cruise ship arrivals) are one of the activities that we have lost, Daniel said.





The Chief Executive Office of the SVG Tourism Authority, Annette Mark, called the incident very "unfortunate and said that they did not want the cruise ship to get turned away from Port Kingstown on Sunday; however, they remain ready for the next cruise call scheduled for Friday, November 15, 2024.

She added, "This is an unfortunate situation, but it is an operational issue at the port, and I think that the best person to properly address any questions would be the CEO of the Port Authority.





Fortunately, there were no scheduled calls by cruise liners during the time the vehicle carrier was berthed at the Cruise Ship Terminal.





The incident obviously caused discomfort and even frustration among the cruise ship passenger, and the St Vincent and the Grenadines Port Authority issued a statement explaining the incident explain the above.





The statement, inter alia, highlighted that had vehicle carrier not sustained damage, it would have off loaded its cargo and departed Port Kingstown, in time to allow the cruise liner to berth at the Cruise Ship Terminal.





Meanwhile, Carl James, Chief Executive Officer (Ag) of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Port Authority, confirmed to THE VINCENTIAN that the cause of the incident, as of Wednesday,  remained unknown, necessitating an investigation into the matter which he said would allow the Authority "to operate from an informed perspective instead of assuming, James told THE VINCENTIAN.





James explained that the port that catered to cargo vessels was considerably damaged following the passage of Hurricane Beryl on July 1 this year, added to further deterioration the facility had suffered during the course of time and use.





According to James, about 40 percent of the facility had been damaged or compromised resulting in some level of uncertainty with respect to the integrity of the wharf at the main port in Kingstown, and its ability to accommodate large vessels resulting in a decision by the Port Authority to redirect the berthing of cargo vessels.





In the vein, vehicle carriers like the Splendid Ace and those delivering cargo including building material  lumber, cement and steel  were redirected to offload at either the Cruise Ship Terminal or the port at Campden Park.





James told THE VINCENTIAN that a Class Surveyor, in this case an NK Class Surveyor, was required to assess the damage and determine the processes involved in repairing the damage to the vehicle carrier.





That individual did not arrive in the country until late on November 11. Once the assessment was completed, a clearance certificate was issued allowing to continue its voyage at sea.





The repairs were conducted by engineers on the vessel, James said.





James contended that there has not been an frequent occurrences of such incidents at ports here, and that much larger ships have docked at the Cruise Ship Terminal without incident.
A sign clearly indicates that trucks are not allowed to use the bridge.

Despite last weeks public appeal, trucks are still using the bridge over the Great Head river, that allows access to the throughway across the tarmac of the decommissioned airport at Arnos Vale.





Failure to adhere to the appeal has prompted Montgomery Daniel, Minister of Transport and Works, to make another appeal to truck drivers not to utilize the bridge, and for the police to patrol the area to ensure that the temporary no entry of trucks is obeyed.





Daniel said that he intended to meet with the police to urge them to be more vigilant in surveilling the use of the bridge.





Daniel, on November 6, said on radio that the structural integrity of the bridge had been compromised, and that while it was alright for light traffic to continue to utilize the river crossing, trucks weighing 2 tons or more were not allowed to traverse the route.





He continued, saying that a sign was placed at the Villa entrance to the bridge and that further precautions were taken in June, including the placement of a 9-foot overhead clearance bar.





The clearance bar was to ensure that trucks of a certain height and weight did not cross the bridge.





However, just after the clearance bar was installed, a truck knocked it down, Daniel said.





The driver was apprehended and agreed to replace the clearance bar, but a few days following, it was knocked down by another truck.





He spoke then of the consequences of the bridge collapsing, particularly during rush hour traffic on mornings entering Kingstown and on evenings, with traffic leaving.





"This action (non-compliance) is really not good for all of us, Daniel said, adding, "It is not going to make any good sense that the total bridge collapses before work starts on that bridge.





As he mentioned a week prior, the Office of the Chief Engineer was working with the National Road Rehabilitation Project (NRRP) which had accepted the project to undertake rehabilitative work expected to begin early 2025.





The Transport and Works Minister also said that in addition to the work to be done on the bridge, the entire stretch of road along the tarmac of the former ET Joshua Airport will also receive some attention in keeping with the planned development in the area.
One of the participants listening attentively to a party on the other end of his radio communication.

Jamboree On The Air/Jamboree Over The Internet (JOTA/JOTI) is always held for a 48-hour period on the third Weekend in October.





The theme for 2024 was "Scouts for a greener planet. Scouts from all over the world got on the airwaves and in recent years over the internet (hence JOTI), to renew friendships as well and forge new ones.





This year, here in SVG, about 30 scouts and girl guides converged at the Scout Headquarters at Arnos Vale, set up a temporary HF Ham radio station and then went about making local, regional and international contacts.





Contact was made with St. Kitts, Grenada, Scandinavia, USA, During the day local radio amateurs also made contact with scouts from the Philippines and Malta.





Facilitating JOTA/JOTI 2024 was local Ham enthusiast and Technical Director of the Youlou Radio Movement (YRM) Sean Patterson-J88CU.





Other local radio operators supporting JOTA/JOTI included Paul Lowmans K9PSL, Arington Raguette - J88SE, Ronald Haynes - J88AE, Floyd Dowden - J39JX and Donald De Riggs - J88CD. (Submitted)




Editors Note: The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Christian Council, mindful of the spiraling rise in crime, especially violent crime and murder, has been moved to make public its concern about that scourge.





The following is a release by the Christian Council which was made available to the media on Thursday, 7th November, 2024.





"It is a matter of deep concern that crime and violence has been on the rise in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. As a Christian Council, we share in the grief and sorrow of those affected by this troubling trend. While we continue to lift our prayers and offer heartfelt homilies, we recognize the urgent need for action that goes beyond spiritual reflection.





The Holy Scriptures remind us that God created humanity in His image, bestowing upon us a dignity that is sacred and inviolable. This dignity is nurtured within the family, the church, and the wider community. Crime and violence seriously erodes this dignity, which then undermines the very foundation of our society. Our Christian society must therefore respond to the ultimate commandment of God to "Love one another as I have Loved you (John 13:34) and work together to stop the spread of crime and violence in our beloved nation. As the Apostle Paul wrote, "Love does no harm to a neighbour (Romans 13:10).





The Christian Council will engage various stakeholders and work with them to address this crisis. Guided by the teachings of Jesus, we seek to promote peace, justice, and reconciliation within our communities. Let us therefore work together to build a society that reflects the love and compassion of a faithful God.





The SVG Christian Council, an ecumenical body, is comprised of representation from the Anglican, Roman Catholic and Methodist Churches, and the Salvation Army.
Darrel Williams (right front), Principal of the Union Island Secondary School accepts the donation on behalf of the students.

Out of a total enrollment of 203 students at the Union Island Secondary school, sixty-eight of those who are receiving instructions at the refurbished Old Teachers Training College at Arnos Vale, will each receive a handout of $300.00, to assist with their upkeep.





The hand of assistance comes from the MRI group, comprised of Vincentians home and abroad and spearheaded by home-based businessman Keith Boyea and Financial Consultant Andre Iton, and New York-based Dionne Harry.





The group, which has been making donations to charitable/worthy causes here for the last ten years or so, raises the funds its donates through a single annual major event dubbed, Carnival Escape, an all-inclusive Carnival-related event.





This year, the event was held on June 30, one day before Hurricane Beryl made its Vincentian incursion.

One of the places that experienced the full wrath of the hurricane was Union Island, resulting in the displacement of residents, including primary and secondary school students.





Efforts to rebuild lives and livelihoods in Union Island are ongoing, and the measure taken by the MRI Group speaks to a commitment to that cause.





Iton reflects on the plight students face as a result of their displacement and regards the handing over as "our attempt to lend some support.





He admits that it is not the ideal way to overcome the issue, and that tackling the problem should begin earlier.

He looks at this intervention as a "pilot project.





Those among the sixty-eight students who are recipients of the assistance and who are preparing for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) 2025 exam, will receive additional assistance in the form of additional classes in Mathematics. The Group will pay teachers for after school instructional hours.

Iton notes low grades regionally in Mathematics and English.





Deondro John expressed thanks on behalf of her schoolmate recipients.





This latest demonstration of assistance to a worthy cause follows on previous ones made by the group to, among others, the Kingstown and Georgetown Schools for Children with Special Needs, the National Society of and for the Blind, and the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital by way of assisting with the procurement and upkeep of a CT-Scan machine for that institution.
Gia vang the gioi sang nay ap sat moc 3.000 USD/ounce  muc ky luc chua tung co trong lich su. Trong nuoc cung khong ngoai le, khi lan luot tang tu 700 en 1 trieu ong/luong. "Vang ang trong thi truong tang gia dai han. Chung toi du bao gia se giao dich trong khoang 3.000-3.200 USD trong nam nay", Alex Ebkarian, giam oc ieu hanh tai Allegiance Gold cho biet.
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Over 685 million people in Africa are associated with Christianity in some way. But amongst this broad acceptance, theres a murmuring that this religion of the Colonists shouldnt have a place on the continent anymorearguing that Christianity isnt African.

Pastoring a church in Johannesburg, South Africa, I hear this complaint periodically. Crudely put, they claim Christianity is the white mans religion and has no place amongst true Africans. In an era where forming an African identity aside from Colonialism is high on peoples agenda, its a compelling argument to some.

Christianity was present in Africa at least 1,000 years before the first European Colonialists arrived.

Except that its not true. For Christianity was present in Africa at least 1,000 years before the first European Colonialists arrived on African shores. A whole millennia before any European nation docked their ships, Christianity had been flourishing in Africathe gospel was already spreading in Africa, by African heralds!

Early African Christianity, apart from Rome

I am not just talking about the Northern African countries that were part of the Roman Empire and so were Christianized in the first few centuries of Christianitys spread. No, Christianity initially traveled in three directions from Jerusalem: west into Europe, east into Asia, and south into Africa.

You may be familiar with the strong base for Christianity established in Alexandria, Egypt, in the 1st century. Eusebius even wrote that the Gospel writer, Mark, came to Alexandria as early as 43 AD. But are you aware that in 330 AD, King Ezana of Ethiopia declared Christianity its national religion?

To become the nations official religion, its likely that Christianity was already established in the country a long time before. For comparison, it took two and a half centuries for Christianity to become the official religion of the Roman Empire. We have some clues to how Ethiopia was reached. Eusebius and Origen, both based in Northern Africa, wrote of Christian preaching occurring in Ethiopia in the 3rd and 4th centuries.

Going further back, we have Irenaeus of Lyons, writing in 180 AD. He wrote that a "Simon Backos" preached "the coming in the flesh of God" in his homeland of Ethiopia (Adversus Haereses, 3.12.8). And going back further still, Luke writes of the 1st century conversion of an Ethiopian high official (Acts 8:26-40). Could this official have started the first church in Ethiopia? We will probably never know this side of eternity. But, from all this, we can say that Christianity has been established in Ethiopia for at least 1600 yearspossibly even almost 2000.

Africas remarkably early theological influence

Africans had been shaping Christianity since the earliest times.

Many of the Colonists were not aware of this heritage. While some Ethiopian monks did make it to the Council of Florence in the 15th century, when the Portuguese landed in Ethiopia in 1493, they foundto their shockthat it was already full of churches! It should have been unsurprising because Africans had been shaping Christianity since the earliest times.

Sadly missing from many peoples understanding of Christianity is that a significant number of the Church Fathers were African. Tertullian and Cyprian wrote from Carthage (modern-day Tunisia); Origen from Alexandria, Egypt; and Augustine from Hippo Regis (now Annaba, Algeria).

I used to assume that these Church Fathers were Roman or Greek Christians living in Africa as part of the Roman Empire. Only they werent. Origen was Coptic. Augustine and Cyprian were Berbers. Both Coptics and Berbers are indigenous people groups native to Northern Africa. Tertullian was slightly different. He was Punic. Punics were a Semitic people who had come from Canaan and settled in Northern Africa in the Early Iron Age. But what is clear is that these four Church Fathers werent stereotypical "white men"they were Africans, with North African skin tones.

Along with other theologians who lived in Africasuch as Athanasius, Clement, Ambrose, Pachomius, Cyprian, etc.these giants of Church history fought off heresies such as Gnosticism, Arianism, Montanism, Marcionism, Pelagianism, and Manichaeism. They also helped elucidate our view of the Trinity and taught us how to exegete correctly. It was African theologians who significantly shaped the Nicene and Athanasian Creeds.

Amongst these mighty men, Augustine stands head and shoulders above the rest. He was a prolific writer, leaving behind 113 books, 218 letters, and over 500 sermons. Two of his books, Confessions and City of God are considered classics and shaped theological thinking for many centuries to come. A true indigenous North African is one of the greatest theologians Christendom has ever hadisnt that something for Africans to be proud of?

Colonial, Western art is misleading

Christianity is not a European religion.

Christianity has been active in Africa since the 1st century. Therefore, it is inaccurate to call it a white mans religion. Christianity is a religion that started in the Near East and traveled to both Africa and Europe at the same time. I am not denying that colonialists spread Christianity in Africa, bringing with it the baggage of European culture, giving the impression that Christianity is European. However, while we know this Christianity is not a European religion, the African church is still processing it today.

Take Western European art as an example. Jesus is often painted as a blue-eyed, pale-skinned, European. In contrast, Jesus and his original disciples were 1st century, Levantine Jews, most likely brown-eyed, black-haired, and olive-skinned. They werent Western Europeans; or even white.

Christianity is African

Christianity was not a religion brought by the white man to Africa. Its not even a white mans religion. Christianity is a religion of the world. And Africans were some of its earliest worshipers and theologians. We need to celebrate this history and help people understand that the gospel is for everyonewhatever their culture or background, and, given this history, especially if that culture or background is African.

Long may the name of Jesus be lifted high in Africa.

Originally published by TGC Africa. Republished with permission.

Andrew Butterworth leads the eldership team of Godfirst Church East Rand, in Johannesburg, South Africa. Previously, he worked as a medical doctor, but now works full-time as a pastor. He is married to Michelle and they have two children, Josiah James and Pippa Kate.
Fitch Group, a leading global financial information services provider, has announced the approval of its regional headquarters (RHQ) licence by the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA).

This RHQ will expand Fitch Groups long-standing presence in the Middle East, which includes having opened offices in Riyadh by Fitch Ratings in 2017 and by Fitch Learning in 2023.

Fitchs RHQ will be the next exciting chapter in our Middle East story. We want to bring our heritage of excellence to support the evolution of Saudi Arabias financial markets and broader economic goals, said Paul Taylor, President and CEO of Fitch Group.

Pivotal role

Against the backdrop of Vision 2030 and similar regional initiatives, local capital markets and financial services have a pivotal role to play in helping deliver the economic and business transformation that will future proof the region for many years to come, added Nejoud Al Mulaik, General Manager, Fitch Ratings, Saudi Arabia.

Having received approval for its MISA RHQ licence as of November 14, 2024, Fitch will now phase in the provision of strategic direction and management functions for the RHQ over the next six months, with related support services becoming operational during the following six months.

This next exciting step underlines our commitment to being the partner of choice in Middle East capital markets, Al Mulaik concluded.--TradeArabia News Service
The 9th International Congress of Medical Excellence in Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine (Meidam 2024) opened with more than 4,000 expert participants, a record number.

This years event has 275 lectures as Meidam Congress proudly hosts the largest assembly of heads of dermatology associations from around the world, including the President of the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), the President of the International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS), the President of The International Society of Dermatology (ISD), the Head of Royal College of Physicians Global, the President of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venerology, the President of Association of Korean Dermatology, and the President of National Alliance of Russian Dermatologists and Cosmetologists to name a few.

Other sister dermatological societies from the Mena region will also be in attendance as well as representatives of the South Asian Association of Regional cooperation (SAARC) countries to drive advancements in dermatology and skincare through collaborative scientific exchange and sharing innovations.

Pioneers award

The Congress began with an Opening Ceremony, attended by distinguished VIPs, diplomats, and renowned dermatology experts from across the globe. Welcoming addresses came from Dr Khaled Al Nuaimi as well as Nader ElNakib, Chief of PSP Mena  UNHCR UAE, Professor Dr Mondher Letaief, Regional Advisor and WHO Desk Officer to the UAE, and several prominent international presidents of attending associations.

The ceremony included the presentation of the Pioneers Award to Professor May Hussein Al Samahy, President of the Egyptian Womens Dermatologic Society, celebrating her achievements and contributions in the field of dermatology. A Trophy Giving Ceremony to honour official supporters and key collaborators who have played a vital role in the Congresss success concluded the morning.

Hosting Meidam 2024 in Dubai underscores our citys commitment to supporting global advancements in healthcare and dermatology, said Dr Khaled Al Nuaimi, President of Meidam Congress and the Meidam Association. Meidam 2024 marks a pivotal moment for the global dermatology community as we welcome the largest gathering of international dermatology leaders ever assembled under one roof. We are honoured to welcome such a distinguished international delegation and look forward to the groundbreaking insights and partnerships that will emerge from this Congress.

Meidam 2024 is a testament to our shared commitment to advancing dermatological science, improving patient outcomes, and fostering impactful partnerships that will shape the future of our field, added Dr Al Sogair, Secretary General, Treasurer & Head of Executive Committee of Meidam Congress We are extremely proud to host this historic gathering in Dubai and look forward to a continued value-add approach while growing this Congress.

General Assembly

Also taking place on the opening day was a General Assembly; a significant forum that reviewed Meidams key milestones over the past year, including impactful partnerships and humanitarian efforts. A standout achievement was Meidams support of the UNHCRs treatments in Sudan, reflecting the Congresss commitment to advancing dermatological care in underserved regions and fostering international goodwill.

The Meidam Congress will continue over the next two days, offering a blend of rigorous academic content, hands-on learning opportunities, and significant networking sessions. The event solidifies Dubais position as a leading destination for global healthcare conferences and professional exchanges, further enhancing the regions role in the advancement of dermatological science and practice.

The annual three-day Congress features an extensive programme of scientific workshops, keynote lectures, and panel discussions along three tracks, bringing together thought leaders, researchers, and industry professionals to explore the latest advancements in dermatology.

Sessions cover a wide range of topics, including innovations in skincare treatments, advancements in aesthetic medicine, and emerging therapeutic techniques, providing attendees with a rich platform for professional development and collaboration.--TradeArabia News Service
Samsung E&A, a total solutions provider for the global energy industry, announced it has signed a $215 million contract with Ras Laffan Petrochemicals (RLP) of Qatar for the Qatar RLP Ethylene Storage Plant.

Samsung E&A plans to execute this project as a joint venture with CTCI of Taiwan. The total contract amount of the project is about $418 million, with Samsung E&A's share being about $215 million, and the contract period is estimated to be 34 months. The client, Ras Laffan Petrochemicals, is a joint venture between Qatar Energy, Qatar's state-run energy company, and a subsidiary of Chevron Phillips Chemical Company.

EPC of key equipment

The projects scope of work is to build ethylene storage facilities and utility infrastructure (U&O) at an industrial complex in Ras Laffan, 80 kms north of Doha, Qatar's capital. It is located within the same complex as the RLP ethylene project awarded to Samsung E&A in 2023 and is currently under execution. Its purpose is to store ethylene during the plant's maintenance and repair periods, ensuring availability in case of an emergency. Samsung E&A is responsible for the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of key equipment, including 30,000 metric tonne storage tanks, compressors, and pumps.

Hong Namkoong, President and CEO of Samsung E&A, said, As we have secured a linked order with Ras Laffan Petrochemicals, we will successfully carry out the project based on our performance experience and innovation strategy and strengthen our position in the Qatari market.--TradeArabia News Service
Hospitality companies are actively working to take their sustainability practices to the next level, recognising the shift in the mindset of global travellers, 75% of whom consider environmental impact when choosing travel destinations, said a top official of a leading US-based global management consulting firm.

Pascal Armoudom, Partner at Kearney, said in an interview that the world is witnessing a fascinating paradox in 2024 with regard to eco-conscious tourism, while citing the study that was recently conducted by Kearney with a panel of 1,700 global travellers.

Excerpts

What are the key trends and developments in sustainability in the travel and hospitality sector?

While travel is set to reach record traffic by the end of 2024, above pre-pandemic levels, travellers are increasingly conscious of their environmental impact.

Travel and hospitality players are mindful of this emerging trend and are taking measures to improve their environmental footprint, from the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuels by airlines to circularity and habitat conservation efforts from major hotel chains.

What do you see as the core focus when it comes to investment in sustainability/sustainable tourism in hospitality and travel in 2024 and beyond?

The hospitality and travel industry is increasingly prioritising sustainable investments throughout its entire value chain. The airlines sector is undertaking an ambitious Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) program.

Hotel operators are implementing reduce-reuse-Recycle initiatives and green mobility on site, as well as restoring natural habitats to enhance guest experiences.

SAF is a game-changer in decarbonizing the aviation industry, with the potential, ultimately, to reduce air travel emissions by 80%, and Kearney has been contributing to industry players efforts to accelerate the SAF initiative.

Similar trends can be observed in the Middle East. Mega projects like Red Sea Global's solar panel installation (750,000 solar panels) and AlUla's 'light-touch tourism' model are inspiring examples of what can be achieved.

AlUlas model illustrates regenerative tourism and circular economy practices, generating minimal environmental impact while actively restoring and enhancing the regions natural and cultural heritage.

What role does technology play in driving innovation and pushing sustainability in the industry?

Technology is revolutionising sustainable tourism. AI, big data, and digital tools are crucial in optimizing resources and minimizing the environmental footprint.

Were seeing increased adoption of AI-driven systems to manage visitor flows, preventing overcrowding, and preserving the natural beauty of popular destinations while enhancing the visitor experience.

Hotels are also embracing smart energy management systems to optimize energy consumption. By automatically adjusting heating, cooling, and lighting based on occupancy, these systems significantly reduce energy use. These innovations not only improve efficiency but are essential for ensuring our industry can grow sustainably.

Are there any pitfalls for hospitality and tourism leaders to avoid when it comes to investing/driving sustainability in their businesses/organisations?

There are several pitfalls that leaders should be mindful of when investing in sustainability.

It is important to take a holistic approach to sustainability investments. An organisations sustainability efforts must address multi-faceted objectives, for example, creating a net-positive impact on society, addressing priority stakeholders expectations as well as creating value for shareholders.

A siloed approach can cause obstacles in achieving any meaningful impact.

Additionally, sustainability is a multidimensional topic covering a broad range of inter-connected sub-topics across environment, social, and governance.

Taking a narrow approach to one specific aspect while overlooking others can result in a net negative impact.

For example, even the most advanced eco-friendly technologies in an organization won't achieve their full potential if the staff is not properly trained to operate and maintain them. Its essential to take a holistic approach to sustainability to maximise the impact of sustainability investments.  TradeArabia News Service
Campbell Gray Hotels & Resorts, renowned for creating, designing, and operating individual, British-inspired hotels, has entered into a key partnership to expand its portfolio of luxury properties across the Middle East and the world.

The strategic collaboration with Valor Hospitality Partners, a leading full-service hotel management company in the Middle East and Worldwide, marks a key milestone for both companies, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, continuing to deliver exceptional guest experiences, and driving the commercial success for Campbell Grays highly individual hotels.

Campbell Gray Hotels & Resorts, known for its unique approach to luxury hospitality, with a strong foundation in creating memorable hotels, residences, restaurants and spas. Each property embodies the flair and culture of its destination while maintaining the companys commitment to high standards of service and hospitality excellence.

The partnership will support Campbell Gray Hotels & Resorts in the expansion of its portfolio while maintaining its core values.

Valors expertise in hotel management, asset management, and hospitality solutions will help provide the tools necessary for Campbell Gray to continue its growth and maintain its position as a market leader in curated luxury hospitality.

Its approach, which includes flexible terms, centralised services, and streamlined operations, offers a cost-effective solution that enhances hotel performance and improves financial returns for owners.

Valor Hospitality Partners brings a wealth of experience to this collaboration, offering comprehensive management solutions that include everything from development and rebranding to revenue management, and premium lifestyle offerings.

Its hands-on approach to hotel management, emphasises close collaboration with owners and investors to ensure a shared vision and successful outcomes.

Saad Audeh, Chairman of Campbell Gray Hotels & Resorts, said: This collaboration with Valor Hospitality Partners allows us to maintain the individuality of our hotels while benefiting from Valors operational expertise and centralised services.

Together, we will continue to deliver exceptional service and memorable guest experiences, ensuring our properties remain at the forefront of luxury hospitality.

Together with Valors assistance, we look forward to reopening Le Gray, Beirut and launching The Gray, Kings Polo, Cairo, The Gray Beach Hotel & Residences in Ras El Hekma, Egypt, The Gray, Bujairi Boutique Hotel, and The Gray and The Gray Residences, Abuja, Nigeria.

Julien Bergue, Co-founder and Managing Partner for Valor Hospitality Partners, Middle East, CIS & Central Asia, said: We are honoured to partner with Campbell Gray Hotels & Resorts, a brand that shares our commitment to quality, integrity, and innovation.

Our expertise in hotel management and operations will complement Campbell Grays unique approach to luxury hospitality, and together, we will continue to set new standards of excellence.  TradeArabia News Service
Aseer Investment Company, a subsidiary of Saudi sovereign wealth fund PIF, has announced the establishment of a new holding company in partnership with Rikaz, a key real estate developer in the kingdom.

This company will develop unique tourism projects in the Aseer region, aiming to transform it into a world-class tourist destination that blends authentic heritage with sustainable development, said PIF in its statement.

The goal is to enhance the visitor experience by offering unique opportunities to connect with local culture, it stated.

The new company will help promote sustainable tourism by protecting the environment, developing local communities, and collaborating with local artisans and businesses to preserve Aseers heritage and the beauty of its natural landscape, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) has announced the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Rayan Air for leasing a dedicated land area at BIA for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) activities.

The LoI was signed by BAC Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah, and Rayan Air's Chief Pilot and President, Captain Hani Shamsan Alsohaibi at the second day of Bahrain International Airshow 2024.

This agreement underscores BACs commitment to advancing the aviation sector in Bahrain by facilitating specialised MRO development at BIA. This testament to BAC's ongoing efforts to support growth in the aviation sector by offering land lease at BIA for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) development. Rayan Air, with its fleet consisting of five large and small cabin private jet aircrafts - three Challenger 850s, one Challenger 601 3 A/ER, and a Hawker 400 Jet, has demonstrated strong interest in pursuing this opportunity in good faith.

Key milestone

AlBinfalah said: Our strategic collaboration with Rayan Air is a significant milestone in our continuous efforts to enhance Bahrain's aviation sector. This initiative not only amplifies our MRO capabilities but also reaffirms our commitment to position Bahrain as a leading hub for aircraft maintenance services.

Captain Alsohaibi said: We are thrilled to partner with Bahrain Airport Company in this important venture to enhance Bahrain aviation landscape. This collaboration reflects our shared vision of strengthening the regions MRO capabilities and we are excited to contribute to Bahrain growing prominence as a key aviation hub.

Rayan Airs latest initiative in the development of a dedicated Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility designed to meet the increasing demand for professional and cost-efficient MRO services in the Middle East region. Our focus will be on providing specialised maintenance solutions for A320 and B737 fleets, catering specifically to the needs of airlines in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the wider region.

At Rayan Air, we understand the importance of delivering high-quality MRO services that adhere strictly to the manufacturers Removal and Installation (R&I) standards. By following these precise guidelines, we ensure that our R&I hours are accurate and justifiedeliminating the inflated time estimates often seen in other MROs and providing our clients with a reliable and transparent service.

Our goal is to deliver 100% customer satisfaction by offering clarity on maintenance costs before the aircraft arrives at our facility. This commitment to transparency ensures that our customers are fully informed of their maintenance expenditures, allowing them to plan and budget effectively. We look forward to serving the regions airlines with the highest standards of technical expertise and operational efficiency.--TradeArabia News Service
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An 18-year-old Catholic woman in Pakistan said police have refused to arrest a Muslim who abducted and raped her at gunpoint last week.

Imaan Khurrum of the Kot Ranjeet Singh area of Sheikhupura District, Punjab Province, told a Christian news channel on YouTube that Ansar Shah abducted her on Nov. 7 as she was returning home from a shoe factory where she worked. Shah took her to an abandoned brick-kiln that was closed due to the recent dangerous levels of smog in the province and tortured and raped her, she told National News Nama.

Khurrum, who released her name to the news outlet, said Shah seized her on a deserted street and forced onto his motorcycle, and when she resisted, he pulled out a pistol and threatened her and her two younger brothers.

He threatened to kill my brothers and forced me to sit on his motorcycle, she said, her voice shaky and face veiled in the video. After reaching the kiln, he dragged me into a room, tore my clothes and raped me. During this time, he repeatedly slapped and beat me up.

For more than four months Shah had been harassing her as she made her way to work to support her family; her relatives complained to Shahs family, but the harassment continued, Khurrum said.

Her mother, Sana Khurrum, identified herself to the news outlet, saying that her drug-addicted husband had abandoned the family two years ago, casting them into severe financial crisis.

My daughter was targeted because we are poor and weak Christians, she said in the video.

Imaan Khurrum and her mother said that despite repeated pleas to police, officers have not arrested the suspect. Imaan Khurrums uncle, Morris Nazir, said the suspect was roaming freely without fear of arrest.

A week has passed since the rape, but the police have not arrested Shah, Nazir told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. They briefly took his two relatives into custody but released them after taking a bribe.

Nazir said Shahs relatives were using various tactics to pressure her family to withdraw the First Information Report, and that police inaction indicated Shahs family has influenced officers.

We demand immediate legal action against Shah and protection for our family, he said. We are poor people and do not have the resources to hire a good lawyer. It is the governments responsibility to give justice to our young daughter.

Police have added insult to Imaan Khurrums trauma by failing to arrest Shah, he said.

The Punjab chief minister and inspector general of police should take notice of our plight and order immediate arrest and prosecution of the accused, Nazir said. Shah must be punished for his crime; failure to do so will put other Christian girls also at risk of being attacked.

Costs and lack of resources are the most prominent barriers for minorities in obtaining justice in Pakistan, according to rights advocates.

It is the responsibility of the state to ensure that all citizens have instant and inexpensive access to justice regardless of their faith affiliations, Christian attorney Lazar Allah Rakha previously told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News regarding a gang-rape of a Christian in Bahawalpur District. The majority-versus-minority rhetoric has forced Christians and others to believe that they will not get the same treatment as Muslims. Therefore, its very important that the government should act to remove this impression.

Pakistan ranked seventh on Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian, as it was the previous year.
WHITE candles were yesterday placed on the side of the road in Sennon Village Number Three, Siparia, where the severed head of 59-year-old Joanne Estick was found in a bag on Thursday.

Estick, a mother of one and grandmother of three, was last seen in the village earlier this week.

A senior police officer of the South Western Police Division said they are yet to officially confirm that the head is that of Estick without the rest of the human remains.
Trinidad and Tobago Red Force backed up skipper Joshua Da Silvas pre-game declaration that his pacers would lead the charge against Barbados Pride in the fifth round of the West Indies Four-Day Championship.

Fast bowling would have been very much on the minds of the Kensington Oval curators as they prepared the pitch for the Barbados home match against T&T.
The race for Pima Countys top cop is so close that the elections office is already planning to ask the Board of Supervisors for a recount.

As of Friday afternoon, Sheriff Chris Nanos, in his bid for reelection, led Republican challenger Heather Lappin by only 187 votes  a margin of about 0.04%.

The margin is so tight that the Board of Supervisors will hold a special meeting Thursday in case the county Elections Department needs to request a recount.

State law requires a recount when a races margin is less than or equal to one-half of one percent of the number of votes cast, or 0.5%.

The boards special meeting date is essentially a placeholder in case a recount is needed, said Mark Evans, Pima Countys communications director.

There were an estimated 7,588 uncounted ballots in Pima County Thursday night, according to the Secretary of States Ballot Progress page.

Its unlikely that enough of the remaining will go to one of the candidates to avoid a mandatory recount, Evans said.

Elections Director Constance Hargrove says ballot counting could be finished by Saturday, Evans said, though it is possible it will not be completed until Sunday.

Some 482,785 votes in the race had been tallied as of 6 p.m. Thursday, according to unofficial results the county released on the Secretary of States Offices results page.

About 4,646 of the ballots still left to count are provisional ballots, which are issued when additional information is needed, according to the Pima County Recorders Office. That means election workers are checking things like whether the voter is registered, is eligible to vote in the race, already voted with an early ballot or lacked the proper identification needed to vote at the polls.

Arizona law requires provisional ballots to be verified by Friday, Evans said, adding theres a chance some provisional ballots will need to be counted after the deadline. In 2020, there were 18,000 provisional ballots cast; a little more than 2,000 were rejected, he said.

Lappin, a jail commander has been gaining on Nanos since he started election night with a lead of over 25,000 votes when unofficial results were first released about an hour after the polls closed.

By Friday, Nanos lead narrowed to 8,161 votes. It got even tighter by Sunday, when he led by 6,456 votes.

And by Wednesday night, Nanos lead over Lappin dipped below 200.
The Bible Society of Brazil (SBB) recently achieved a historic milestone in biblical dissemination: the printing of 200 million Bibles and New Testaments.

In 2011, SBB celebrated the printing of its first 100 million copies. Just over a decade later, that figure has doubled to 200 million. This remarkable growth reflects the increasing demand for the Bible and the enduring impact of the organizations work, which is part of a global network of Bible Societies dedicated to translating, printing, and distributing the Scriptures.

The history of the Bible Society of Brazil reflects a rich diversity of Bible translations. Over the years, editions have been produced in 87 languages and exported to 122 countries. This dissemination work includes study Bibles, thematic Bibles, bilingual and multilingual editions, as well as Braille and indigenous language versions.

In 2023, 152 million copies of the Bible were distributed worldwide, with Brazil leading the way at 32 million copies. Additionally, SBB is one of the main Bible printers supplying all of Latin America. It is the only printing company dedicated exclusively to producing Bibles and New Testaments. Notably, a complete Bible is printed every three seconds on average.

Of the 200 million copies printed, 70% were Bibles that stayed in Brazil, while the other 30%around 60 million Bibleswere sent abroad as "seeds" to other countries. As Erni Walter Seibert explained, if one Bible reaches only one person, 200 million copies will reach 200 million people. He clarified that, typically, one Bible reaches more than one person, as it is often shared and read by multiple individuals.

SBB will promote the theme Bible: The Reference - Reconciliation in Family and Society, emphasizing Scriptures essential role in fostering peace and understanding in times of conflict. As part of this mission, in 2022, the Bible Society sent 100,000 New Testaments in Ukrainian to Ukraine to bring comfort and hope amid the war. This effort underscores SBBs commitment to spreading the Word of God even amid challenging circumstances.

On November 7, a service of thanksgiving was held to celebrate the achievement. SBB launched a special interlinear edition for the event to commemorate the 200 million Bibles printed. The edition includes the New King James Version, the New Translation in Todays Language, as well as the Stuttgart Hebrew Bible and the Greek New Testament. With this release, SBB provides Brazilian readers with unique access to the original texts in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, ensuring faithful and accessible translations for deeper study.

The Bible Society of Brazil states that its aim is to ensure that the Bible serves as a transformative agent in the life of each individual, promoting spiritual, cultural, and social development. Each year, the organization provides over 400,000 services and supports 350,000 people in socially vulnerable situations, including children, prisoners, hospitalized patients, people with disabilities, and individuals struggling with addiction.

Correction Nov. 20, 2024: The article previously incorrectly stated that three Bibles are printed every second. Instead, it is one Bible every three seconds.



Originally published by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.
The Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group expressed interest in a project to import five million metric tons of coal per year from Laos via Quang Tri Province beginning in 2025 at a meeting with the provincial Party Committee on Thursday.

The intention followed a survey of the Southeast Quang Tri Economic Zone and the construction site of the My Thuy Deep-Water Port in Quang Tris Hai Lang District.

According to Ngo Hoang Ngan, chairman of the coal supplier, the central government tasked the firm with supplying coal to thermal power stations.

The company also announced its plan to process a portion of the imported coal in Quang Tri, while the rest would be transported to other localities.

The addition of coal imports from Laos and the mixture will put the firms total annual coal volume at 10 metric tons, Ngan said.

As planned, the imported coal will be transported from Laos to Quang Tri via the La Lay International Border Gate and onward to My Thuy Port.

A section of National Highway 15D is being widened to facilitate the transport of coal from Laos to Quang Tri Province, central Vietnam. Photo: Hoang Tao / Tuoi Tre

The central province is currently working on upgrades to National Highway 15D in order to accommodate the influx of coal.

The road is part of an economic corridor linking Quang Tri, Salavan in Laos, and Ubon Ratchathani in Thailand.

The coal supplier also proposed using 45 hectares of land in the Southeast Quang Tri Economic Zone to develop a system of closed coal storage, along with a coal screening, grinding, and blending system.

Le Quang Tung, secretary of the provincial Party Committee, said that the firms proposals would open a new door for the development of Quang Tri.

Since the start of the year, the province has imported 1.7 million metric tons of coal from Laos.

Such importation reached 2.4 million metric tons in 2023.

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Until recently aerospace engineer Pedro Monteiro figured hed join many of his peers moving from Portugal to its richer European neighbours in the quest for a better-paid job once he completes his masters degree in Lisbon.

But tax breaks, opens new tab proposed by Portugals government for young workers - up to a temporary 100% income tax exemption in some cases - plus help with housing are making him think twice.

Previous governments left young people behind, said Monteiro, 23, who is studying engineering and industrial management at the Higher Technical Institute in the Portuguese capital. The country needs us and we want to stay but we need to see signs from the government that they are implementing policies that will help.

Monteiro cites in particular the cost of buying or renting a home amid a housing crisis aggravated by the arrival of wealthy foreigners lured by easy residency rights and tax breaks.

He is doubtful the governments new measures will be enough.

Some of my friends are now working abroad and earn substantially more money... and have better career development opportunities, he said. Im a little bit sceptical concerning my job opportunities here in Portugal.

Portugal is the latest country in Europe to seek to tackle a brain drain holding back its economy. Tax breaks for young workers in the budget currently going through parliament will take effect next year and could benefit as many as 400,000 young people at an annual cost of 525 million euros.

Talent flight to wealthier countries of the north is a problem Portugal shares with several others in southern and central Europe, as workers take advantage of freedom of movement rules within the trade bloc. Countries including Italy have tried other schemes to counter the flight, with mixed results.

By exacerbating regional labour shortages and depriving poorer countries of tax revenues, it is yet another hurdle for the EU as it tries to improve its ebbing economic growth while addressing population decline and lagging labour productivity.

Donald Trumps victory in U.S. elections this month raises the stakes, with the risk of across-the-board trade tariffs on European exports of at least 10% - a move that economists say could turn Europes anaemic growth into outright recession.

About 2.3 million people born in Portugal, or 23% of its population, currently live abroad, according to Portugals Emigration Observatory. That includes 850,000 Portuguese nationals aged 15-39, or about 30% of young Portuguese and 12.6% of its working-age population.

More concerning still is that about 40% of 50,000 people who graduate from universities or technical colleges emigrate each year, according to a study by Business Roundtable Portugal and Deloitte based on official statistics, costing Portugal billions of euros in lost income tax revenue and social security contributions.

Demographic hell

This is not a country for young people, said Pedro Ginjeira do Nascimento, executive director of Business Roundtable Portugal, which represents 43 of the largest companies in the nation of 10 million people. Portugal is experiencing a true demographic hell because the country is unable to create conditions to retain and attract young talent.

Internal migration within the EU is partly driven by the disparity in wages between its member states. Some economic migrants also say they are looking for better benefits such as pensions and healthcare and less rigid, hierarchichal structures that give more responsibility to those in junior roles.

Concerns are mounting over the long-term viability of Europes economic model with its rapidly ageing population and failure to win substantial shares of high-growth markets of the future, from tech to renewable energy.

Presenting a raft of reform proposals aimed at boosting local innovation and investment, former European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi, opens new tab said in September the region faced a slow agony of decline if it did not compete more effectively.

Eszter Czovek, 45, and her husband are moving from Hungary to Austria, where workers earn an average 40.9 euros ($29.95) per hour compared to 12.8 euros per hour in Hungary, the largest wage gap between neighbouring countries in the EU.

Eszter Czovek, 45, packs up her house as she moves to Austria, in Budapest, Hungary, October 28, 2024. Photo: Reuters

The number of Hungarians living in Austria increased to 107,264 by the beginning of 2024 from just 14,151 when Hungary joined the EU.

Czoveks husband, who works in construction, was offered a job in Austria, while she has worked in media and accounting at various multinationals. She cited better pay, pensions, work conditions and healthcare as motives for moving. She also mentioned her concern over the political situation in Hungary, which she fears might join Britain in leaving the EU.

There was a change of regime here in 1989 and 30 years later we are still waiting for the miracle that will see us catch up with Austria, Czovek said of a revolution over three decades ago in Hungary.

Reuters Graphics Graphic with data from Eurostat showing the labor cost per hour in the European Union in 2023.

Reuters Graphics Graphic with data from Eurostat showing the number of EU citizens per 1,000 people who are residing in another EU country, while holding a college degree.

Since Brexit, the Netherlands has replaced Britain as a preferred destination for Portuguese talent while Germany and Scandinavian countries are also popular.

Many Europeans still head to the United States in search of better jobs - about 4.7 million were living there in 2022, according to the Washington-based Migration Policy Institute, which notes nonetheless a long-term decline since the 1960s.

In 2023, 4,892 Portuguese emigrated to the Netherlands, surpassing Britain for the first time, which in 2019 received 24,500 Portuguese.

At home, they face the eighth-highest tax burden in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) even as house prices rose 186% and rents by 94% since 2015, according to property specialists Confidencial Imobiliario.

A single person in Portugal without children earned an average of 16,943 euros after tax in 2023 compared to 45,429 euros in the Netherlands, according to Eurostat.

Portugal will offer under 35s earning up to 28,000 euros a year a 100% tax exemption during their first year of work, gradually reducing the benefit to a 25% deduction between the eighth and tenth years.

Young people would also be exempted from transaction taxes and stamp duty when buying their first home as well as access to loans guaranteed by the state and rent subsidies.

We are designing a solid package that tries to solve the main reasons why the young leave, Cabinet Minister Antonio Leitao Amaro said in an interview with Reuters.

'Things won't change'

Leitao Amaro said he did not know for sure if the tax breaks would work but that his government, which came into office in April, had to try something new.

If we dont act ambitiously, things wont change and Portugal will continue down this path, he said.

The Italian government has already found that tax breaks used as incentives are costly and open to fraud.

In January, Italy abruptly curtailed its own scheme, opens new tab that was costing 1.3 billion euros in lost tax revenue, even as it lured tech workers such as Alessandra Mariani back home.

Tech worker Alessandra Mariani poses for a picture during an interview in Milan, Italy, October 30, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Before 2024, returners were offered a 70% tax break for five years, extendable for another five years in certain circumstances. Now, it plans to offer a slimmed-down scheme targeting specific skills after it attracted only 1,200 teachers or researchers - areas where Italy has a particular shortage.

Mariani said the incentives were key to persuading her to return to Milan in 2021 by allowing her to maintain the same standard of living she enjoyed in London.

Had the opportunity been the same without the scheme, I would not have done it at all, said Mariani, now working at the Italian arm of the same large tech company.

With her tax breaks poised to be phased out by 2026 unless she buys a house or has a child, Mariani faces a drop in salary and she said shes once again eyeing the exit door.

($1 = 0.9381 euros)
Countries at the COP29 summit tried to make progress on how to raise up to $1 trillion in climate finance for the world's most vulnerable, as political tensions overshadowed the talks and Argentina on Thursday pulled its delegation from Baku.

The success of this year's U.N. climate summit hinges on whether countries can agree on a new finance target for richer countries, development lenders and the private sector to deliver each year. Developing countries need at least $1 trillion annually by the end of the decade to cope with climate change, economists told the U.N. talks.

Many countries have said that money is essential to their setting ambitious climate goals ahead of next year's COP30 in Brazil.

An activist speaks into a megaphone at a protest during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), in Baku, Azerbaijan November 14, 2024. Photo: Reuters

But reaching a deal could be tough at this year's summit, where the mood has been soured by public disagreements and pessimism about shifts in global politics.

Donald Trump's presidential election win has cast the United States' future role in climate talks into doubt, and tension between developed and developing nations has bubbled to the surface on the main stages and in negotiating rooms.

"Parties must remember that the clock is ticking," COP29 Lead Negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev told a news conference.

The previous annual finance goal of $100 billion expires this year. But wealthy countries only met the pledge in full starting in 2022.

A woman dressed in traditional clothing attends a protest during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), in Baku, Azerbaijan November 14, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Early Thursday, a report from the Independent High-Level Expert Group on Climate Finance said the target annual figure would need to rise to at least $1.3 trillion a year by 2035 if countries fail to act now.

Behind the scenes, negotiators are working on draft texts, but early stage documents published by the U.N. climate body show views around the table still diverge widely.

Many Western governments arrived in Baku reluctant to pledge big sums.

The likely withdrawal of the United States from any future funding deal will raise pressure on delegates to find other ways to secure the needed funds.

Among them are the world's multilateral development banks such as the World Bank, funded by the richer countries and in the process of being reformed so they can lend more.

Activists hold a protest calling on developed nations to provide financing to fight climate change at the Olympic Stadium housing the United Nations climate change conference COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Photo: Reuters

Ten of the largest have said they would plan to increase their climate finance by roughly 60% to $120 billion a year by 2030, with at least an extra $65 billion from the private sector.

On Thursday Zakir Nuriyev, head of the Association of Banks of Azerbaijan, said the country's 22 banks would commit nearly $1.2 billion to finance projects that help Azerbaijan transition to a low-carbon economy.

More division than unity

So far the conference - which many global leaders decided to skip altogether - has been marked more by division than unity.

Argentina's abrupt departure on Thursday followed an order from Buenos Aires.

The country's presidential spokesperson said the move would allow Gerardo Werthein, the new foreign affairs minister, to "revaluate the situation, reflect on the position".

The minister is "withdrawing the delegation in virtue of a whole reform the minister is going to do. There's not much else to say," the spokesperson, Manuel Adorni, told a news conference in Buenos Aires.

An activist holds up a sign at a protest during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), in Baku, Azerbaijan November 14, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Argentina's President Javier Milei, who previously has called global warming a hoax, was due this week to meet Trump, also a climate change denier.

When asked whether Argentina would withdraw from the Paris Agreement, Ana Lamas, undersecretary for environment for Argentina, who led the country's delegation at COP29, told Reuters: "We are only withdrawing from COP29."

Observers criticised the withdrawal by Argentina's right-wing government, and said it could hurt the country's hopes of raising future climate cash.

"It will make Argentina, which has been an important voice on environment, look less credible and less reliable in international markets and the international community," said Oscar Soria, head of civil society group Top Social.

Azerbaijan's COP29 Presidency described it as a matter between Argentina and the United Nations.

A negotiator from a developed country said they had seen no signs so far that any other countries would follow Argentina's lead and walk out.

Activists hold up signs at a protest during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), in Baku, Azerbaijan November 14, 2024. Photo: Reuters

A day earlier, French climate minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher cancelled her trip to COP29 after Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev accused France of "crimes" in its overseas territories in the Caribbean.

France and Azerbaijan have long had tense relations because of Paris' support of Azerbaijan's rival Armenia. This year, Paris accused Baku of meddling and abetting violent unrest in New Caledonia.

"Regardless of any bilateral disagreements, the COP should be a place where all parties feel at liberty to come and negotiate on climate action," European Union climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra said in response, in a post on X.

That followed Aliyev's opening speech at the conference that accused the United States and EU of hypocrisy for lecturing countries on climate change while remaining major consumers and producers of fossil fuels.
Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong outlined four priority areas for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member countries to address when speaking at the APEC CEO Summit 2024 in Peru on Thursday.

He also emphasized Vietnams position as an attractive destination for international investors.

The summit was part of the APEC Economic Leaders Week slated for November 9-16 in Perus capital Lima.

Addressing the event, State President Cuong emphasized that the world and the Asia-Pacific region in particular are undergoing great changes that have multidimensional impacts on every nation and business.

In such a context, APEC should create an effective international economic governance system to support the growth of the member economies.

The Vietnamese leader also put forth four priorities that the member economies need to implement to achieve their common objectives.

Firstly, they should contribute to maintaining a peaceful and stable international environment that facilitates global trade and investment, as well as economic integration and connectivity.

The second priority is to ensure that every nation and individual has equal access to opportunities and can fully benefit from the outcomes of cooperation and development.

Thirdly, the member economies must develop comprehensive solutions for transitioning to clean, green energy to effectively tackle climate change impacts.

The last priority is that disruptive technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, must be developed and applied responsibly and inclusively so that they could become essential drivers of economic growth and social progress.

Highlighting the role of the APEC business community, the president said that optimism, daring to think and act, and the ability to discover and take advantage of opportunities even in difficult times are key to success.

Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong (L, 5th) and other delegates pose for a photo at the APEC CEO Summit 2024 in Lima, Peru, November 14, 2024. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

President Cuong called for enhancing the role and contributions of the business community, particularly in green transition, digital transformation, technological innovation, the development of global economic regulations, and fostering people-to-people exchanges among nations.

He also highlighted Vietnam's key strengths that make it an attractive destination for international businesses and investors.

He affirmed that Vietnam is entering a new era with a renewed mindset, a strong aspiration to become a prosperous and happy nation, and a firm confidence in a bright future.

Vietnam now has an expanding and dynamic economy which ranks 35th globally; a robust and stable political system that puts people in its center; a patriotic, self-reliant, and resilient nation; a population of over 100 million; and a lot of international friends, President Cuong said.

He affirmed that Vietnam supports a multilateral trading system and the central role of the World Trade Organization, and it believes in the value of free trade, international connectivity and integration.

Vietnam will responsibly participate in, and make positive contributions, to world politics, the global economy, and human civilization as a friend, a trustworthy partner, and an active, responsible member of the international community.

He underlined that Vietnam's strong development will open up many new opportunities for both domestic and international enterprises in the fields of trade, industry, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, logistics, and high-tech industries.

The Vietnamese market has been offering many benefits and advantageous conditions that very few places have to international enterprises and investors, Cuong told the audience.

He shed light on the important advantages of Vietnams economy, including a favorable geographical location in Southeast Asia, a dynamic and highly open economy, and a broad cooperation network through 17 free trade agreements.

Vietnam also has a large, potential market and is a favorable destination for the current shift of supply chains in the region.

In addition, the Southeas Asian country has a population ranking 15th in the world, a synchronous infrastructure system, and a business environment among the most conducive in Asia.

Vietnam is transitioning from a traditional economy to a digital one, accelerating the development of strategic infrastructure, particularly in transport, energy, and digital sectors.

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The 2024 Vietnam International Defense Expo will take place at Gia Lam Airport in Hanoi from December 19 to 22, featuring exhibitors from the United States, Russia, and Italy, all three to display defense products in an outdoor area.

Major General Le Ngoc Than, Political Chief of the General Department of Defense Industry, told a press briefing on Friday that the three nations had registered to exhibit their products at the 10,000-square-meter space.

As of Monday, over 140 companies from 27 countries had applied to participate as exhibitors at the expo.

The second edition, one of a series of events marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army, will showcase 69 types of weaponry and military equipment that have been researched and produced by the Southeast Asian countrys military since 2022.

Major General Le Ngoc Than speaks at a press briefing to introduce the 2024 Vietnam International Defense Expo in Hanoi, November 15, 2024. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

This years expo will welcome various partners from nations with strong defense industries such as Russia, India, Israel, China, and the United States, [among others], said Major General Than.

Exhibitors from the United States, Russia, and Italy will showcase their products outdoors, he added.

Than stated that Vietnam has a self-reliant, independent, and resilient defense industry.

However, through the expo, the country seeks to engage with partners and gain insights from nations with advanced and modern defense capabilities.

The exhibition will open to the public from 1:30 pm on December 21 to December 22, and entry for all ages will be free.

Vietnam hosted the first Vietnam International Defense Expo in 2022, attracting 174 enterprises from 30 countries.

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Nicaraguan media in exile report that Bishop Carlos Enrique Herrera, president of the Nicaraguan Episcopal Conference, has been banished to Guatemala. He is the third bishop to be expelled by Daniel Ortega's regime in the past year.

According to journalist Miguel Mendoza, The bishop of Jinotega, Monsignor Carlos Enrique Herrera, has been exiled from Nicaragua. First, they shut down the dioceses Facebook page, and then they expelled him from his own countryall because he called the Sandinista mayor Leonidas Centeno sacrilegious for disrespecting the Holy Mass by ordering loud music and dances, which made it impossible to hear the service last Sunday.

The diocese had been using the social network to broadcast live Sunday Masses, Eucharistic Thursdays, and other religious events, primarily those presided over by Monsignor Herrera. The regime has banned religious processions and festivities, severely impacting freedom of worship throughout the country.

During the evening Mass last Sunday (Nov. 10), at the San Juan Bautista Cathedral, the bishop expressed his discontent with the frequent noisy events organized by the municipality, which disrupt liturgical celebrations.

This is sacrilege, what the mayor and all the municipal authorities are doing... we ask God's forgiveness for them and for ourselves, declared the Bishop of Jinotega, directly holding Ortega's mayor, Leonidas Centeno, and other municipal authorities responsible.

The bishop was detained by police after leaving a meeting in Managua with the remaining members of the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua and was subsequently deported to Guatemala. He is now staying at a residence of the Order of Friars Minor, to which he belongs, an ecclesiastical source confirmed to Mosaico CSI.

Herrera becomes the third bishop of the Episcopal Conference to be banished by the regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, in what is seen as an intensification of the persecution against the Catholic Church in the country.

The United Nations (UN) has denounced the growing religious persecution in Nicaragua, holding Daniel Ortega's regime responsible for harassing the Catholic and Evangelical Churches as well as the families of activists. In a recent report, the UN detailed the imprisonment of priests and the closure of religious media outlets, describing these actions as part of a strategy of systematic repression.

Violations of religious freedom in Nicaragua are not limited to attacks on the Catholic Church alone. Last September, the government of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo canceled the legal status of the Nicaraguan Evangelical Alliance, citing non-compliance in financial reports.

In August, the Nicaraguan government revoked the legal status of more than 1,600 entities, including dozens of evangelical churches and nonprofit Christian associations.



Originally published by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.
The Korean Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (KOCHAM) collected cash and in-kind donations worth approximately VND13 billion (US$510,300) at the 2024 KOCHAM Charity Night on Thursday, planning to use the amount for volunteer activities in several Vietnamese localities.

The donations were made by South Korean enterprises operating in Vietnam during the 21st KOCHAM Charity Night, which took place in Ho Chi Minh City.

The funds will be allocated to support hospitals, patients, those in need, and provide scholarships for students in Ho Chi Minh City as well as neighboring Long An, Dong Nai, and Ba Ria-Vung Tau Provinces.

KOCHAM has already handed over VND300 million ($11,800) of the $510,300 to the citys Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee.

Speaking at the event, KOCHAM chairman Choi Bundo said the South Korean business community in Vietnam has become reliable economic partners for Vietnamese businesses and people, having significantly contributed to Vietnams socio-economic growth by creating jobs, sharing technology, and supporting educational development.

He added that the chamber is also involved in promoting scholarship programs for Vietnamese students.

According to Choi, KOCHAM strives to help improve the business environment in Vietnam and to promote sustainable social development.

It has also consistently joined hands with provincial and municipal authorities in Vietnam to create an increasingly bright future for the relationship between Hanoi and Seoul.

Addressing the event, Cho Young Je, commercial counselor at the South Korean Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City said it is necessary to create a responsible and ethical South Korean business community in Vietnam.

Despite its positive economic growth, many South Korean businesses feel that Vietnam is still facing a difficult economic situation caused by ongoing geopolitical conflicts across the globe, Choi told the charity night.

He underlined that the event was a good opportunity for the South Korean business community to support charitable causes in the Southeast Asian country.

Established in 2003, KOCHAM, which now boasts more than 900 corporate members, represents over 5,000 Korean businesses operating in the central and southern regions of Vietnam.

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Thich Minh Tue, a Buddhist devotee whose real name is Le Anh Tu, has requested that the public stop filming, photographing, and sharing his image on social media, citing concerns about its impact on his spiritual practice.

Police in Gia Lai Province, located in Vietnams Central Highlands region, confirmed on Thursday that Tu had submitted a formal request to authorities asking people to refrain from large gatherings and posting his images online.

In his request, which is addressed to Vietnamese authorities, organizations, and citizens, Tu, a resident of Gia Lais Ia Grai District, shared concerns that large gatherings might cause traffic distruptions and affect his spirtual practice.

He also urged that no one film, photograph, or upload his images to social media.

He requested that authorities take action against those who publish his information online without his consent.

Tu clarified that he is a normal citizen who is learning and practicing Buddhas teachings, reiterating that he is not a Buddhist monk or a revered figure.

He also asked for space to focus on his spiritual journey, expressing his desire to study Dhutanga, a set of 13 austere practices taught in Buddhism, in line with both religious and legal guidelines.

In early June, Tu, who has become well known for his barefoot journeys from the south to the north of Vietnam, voluntarily ceased his pilgrimage and alms-receiving activities.

He had undertaken three of these journeys without any incident between 2017 and 2023.

This year, however, on his fourth barefoot journey from Khanh Hoa Province in south-central Vietnam to northern provinces, he found it challenging to continue once large crowds began to follow him.

Among these followers, a man named Luong Thanh Son from Ho Chi Minh City passed away from heatstroke, multi-organ failure, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Two women also collapsed from exhaustion.

In response, local authorities met with Tu, affirming their support for religious freedom and his practices while addressing the impact of his growing following.

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The Peoples Committee of Quang Nam Province in central Vietnam has tasked the provincial project management board with drafting a flood control project proposal for Tam Ky City, with an estimated investment of VND4 trillion (US$157 million).

The local administration said on Wednesday that it assigned the project management board this task after reviewing a recommendation by the Department of Planning and Investment and the management board to execute the project in the provincial capital city.

The project management board was asked to team up with relevant agencies and local authorities to prepare the proposal in line with prevailing regulations.

Besides, it will support the provincial administration in seeking funding from potential sponsors.

This flood control project is part of Quang Nams 2026-30 medium-term public investment scheme, with expected funding through official development assistance loans.

Frequent flooding has hit multiple roads across Tam Ky, causing traffic disruptions and making daily commute an ordeal for local inhabitants.

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The first Fansipan Succulent Festival opened on Thursday in Lao Cai, a mountainous province in northern Vietnam best known for Sa Pa, its bustling tourist hub.

Held at Sun World Fansipan Legend, the festival will run until December 30 as part of Lao Cais largest tourism promotion program for 2024.

The event showcases 50 unique succulents, each with its own distinct charm.

Highlights include pink succulents, graptopetalum mendozae, and echeveria crinoline ruffles.

Succulents are arranged to form miniatures at the 2024 Fansipan succulent festival in Sa Pa Town, Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Hien

At the Fansipan cable station, a tower made of 3,143 succulents, symbolizing Fansipan Peak -- Indochina's tallest mountain -- has become a major draw for international tourists.

The Fansipan succulent festival is not only a space for displaying succulents but it also offers various interesting activities for families and groups of tourists.

It is a chance for visitors to live slower amid the poetic and imposing landscapes of Sa Pa.

A 30-meter-long road of succulents at the 2024 Fansipan succulent festival in Sa Pa Town, Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Hien

Over 130 lodging facilities, restaurants, and service providers in Sa Pa are rolling out promotional programs offering discounts of up to 50 percent to attract tourists for the remainder of the year.

Meanwhile, Sun World Fansipan Legend is offering more than 30 percent off its cable car service until December 30.

The succulent road attracts many visitors at the 2024 Fansipan succulent festival in Sa Pa Town, Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Hien

A South Korean tourist takes photos with succulents at the 2024 Fansipan succulent festival in Sa Pa Town, Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Hien

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D.T. is now enjoying a new chapter of his life following his quick recovery from a heart transplant performed at Hue Central Hospital in Thua Thien-Hue Province, central Vietnam.

The hospital on Tuesday announced the successful discharge of T., its 13th heart transplant patient as yet.

The patient had previously spent months in intensive care being treated for cardiomyopathy.

After the heart transplantation, his health re-stabilized and he has since been able to return home.

T.s donor was 36-year-old L.T.S. from Ha Nam Province in northern Vietnam.

S. was admitted to Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi following a brain hemorrhage which sent him into convulsions, a coma, and cardiac arrest.

He was declared brain-dead after nine days of treatment and his family consented to donating his heart to save another life.

A medical team from Hue Central Hospital was immediately dispatched to Hanoi, about 660km away, to retrieve the heart and transport it back to the province's Hue City, where T. was waiting in critical condition.

A moment of silence was held for S. in honor of his and his familys sacrifice prior to the removal of his heart and other organs.

In just four hours and 30 minutes, by 1:52 pm on October 26, the donor heart was beating in T.s chest.

The heart transplant was completed swiftly thanks to advanced techniques that accelerated recovery. Photo: Thuong Hien

Professor Pham Nhu Hiep, director at Hue Central Hospital, said this was a record-breaking transplant. From the placement of the heart to its first beat was just 50 minutes.

Medical staff at both hospitals celebrated as the heart resumed beating in the recipients chest.

Dang The Uyen, deputy head of the cardiovascular center at Hue Central Hospital, said that this heart transplantation was completed quickly thanks to advanced techniques that accelerated recovery.

Three days after the procedure, T.s health was back to normal and he could eate as well as take care of himself, Uyen added.

The heart transplant patient made a speedy recovery. Photo: Thuong Hien

With 13 heart transplants in total and 12 cross-country procedures so far, Hue Central Hospital has taken the lead in cross-country heart transplants and has one of Vietnams highest success rates.

It also ranks second nationwide in overall organ transplantation, having performed more than 2,000 procedures, including tissue, organ, and stem cell transplants.

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60 Minutes looks to the push to ban social media for children, and the tragedy of 12 year old Charlotte OBrien.

Charlottes Wish

If the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has his way, from the end of next year children under 16 will be banned from social media. Thats right, for Australian kids, soon there will be no more access to Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and all those other addictive apps. Taking on the worlds tech giants is a bold move by the government, and there are valid questions about how such a ban might be enforced. As Adam Hegarty reports, if anyone needs a compelling reason for urgent action, they need only know the confronting and tragic story of 12-year-old Charlotte OBrien. She was a victim of cruel bullying, much of it delivered online, and it was her wish that Australians understand the truth: Social media can kill.

Reporter: Adam Hegarty

Producer: Anne Worthington

Sucked In

Its hardly surprising, but once again Australians have been sucked in by the duplicity of Big Tobacco and its apologists. When that industry could no longer lie about the deadly effects of cigarettes, it promised to clean up its act. Its bosses started promoting vaping as an easy aid to quit smoking. But we now know that claim has turned out to be another untruth. What vapes have really done is hook a new generation  children  on nicotine. After years of indifference, the federal government has finally woken up to the ruse by introducing tough new laws making it illegal to import or sell vapes. However, in a joint investigation by 60 Minutes, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Eryk Bagshaw discovers Canberras crackdown on these products might already be too late to be effective.

Reporter: Eryk Bagshaw

Producer: Laura Sparkes

7pm Sunday on Nine.
A bunch of (dimly-lit) images was released this week for the sixth and final season of The Handmaids Tale, coming next year to SBS.

Season 6 follows June (Elisabeth Moss) in the aftermath of Commander Waterfords (Joseph Fiennes) murder and the consequences she must face for her role in the gruesome slaying. At a minimum, she will have to face off with his widow Serena (Yvonne Strahovski), and on some level Gilead. But mainly, she will be forced to redefine her identity and purpose, now forever changed.

Meanwhile, Commander Lawrence (Bradley Whitford) works with Nick (Max Minghella) and Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) as he tries to reform Gilead and rise in power. But who knows what the Commander and Nickwho helped June get her hands on Waterford for the killhave up their sleeves?

Source: Deadline

Amended.
UK drama After the Flood has been renewed for a second season.

Sophie Rundle returns for a second season written by screenwriter Mick Ford with Philip Glenister, Lorraine Ashbourne, Nicholas Gleaves and Matt Stokoe all set to reprise their roles.

Sophie Rundle said, I am thrilled to be returning to After the Flood for another series alongside the fantastic cast and team at Quay Street Productions. I cant wait to get started and see what mystery is next in store for Jo to solve now she is officially a detective.

The second series finds newly promoted detective Jo Marshall on the trail of a baffling murder investigation. As tensions simmer in Waterside amid the rising threat of moorland fires and the subsequent risk of further flooding, a body is discovered in bizarre circumstances. Jos race to stop the killer will put her in opposition to dark, influential forces within the town, and ultimately take her on a much more personal investigation. One that will require her to operate in secret if she is to have any hope of rooting out the corruption that has blighted the towns police force  and her own family  for decades.

Nicola Shindler and Richard Fee, executive producers said: We are delighted to be making another series of After The Flood following the great response to series 1 from ITV viewers. With the same fantastic actors and brilliant Mick Fords scripts, we are excited to give the audience another opportunity to revisit the characters stories with a whole new murder mystery at the core of series 2.

ITVs Drama commissioner Huw Kennair Jones said, Were so pleased that the ITV1 and ITVX audience enjoyed the brilliant first series of After The Flood and were really excited to be returning to see whats next for Jo, Molly, Pat and the residents of Waterside. With the combination of the fantastic cast and the team at Quay Street led by Nicola Shindler, Richard Fee and Mick Ford, series two is already promising to deliver a thrilling mystery that will keep the viewers guessing again until the very end.

After the Flood screens in Australia on BritBox.
Even before the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) officially announced its next General Assembly in Seoul, Korea from October 27-31, 2025, news of the plans has been met with criticisms by Korean church groups who called for the preparations to be put on hold until their concerns about certain WEA leaders and the organizations theological views are addressed. While the two first statements focused primarily on questions around pluralism and syncretism due to WEAs engagement with Catholics, ecumenical and Muslim groups, the latest statement highlighted newly emerging concerns about two specific leaders.

On Sunday, SaRang Church in Seoul announced a thanksgiving worship service to mark the launch of the 2025 WEA Seoul General Assembly Organizing Committee on Friday (Nov. 15). Rev. Junghyun John Oh, Senior Pastor of SaRang Church, is expected to lead the preparations for the next WEA GA with support from Yoido Full Gospel Church, the largest Pentecostal church in the world. Yoidos Senior Pastor Younghoon Lee will deliver the sermon during the ceremony.

As previously reported by Christian Daily International, already on Sunday, a Korean Christian media wrote an in-depth article about issues related to the planning process so far, in which WEA leaders had months-long discussions behind-the-scenes to secure a hosting partner and financial support for its next GA. While WEA normally works through its national member Alliance as primary hosting partner representing a variety of evangelical denominations, the planning in Korea raised eyebrows because it focused on a single church that has no direct relationship with WEA and reportedly did not involve the evangelical associations that have historically been members of the global body.

In addition to the concerns about the process, the news again brought out some of the long-standing concerns among the largely conservative churches in Korea about WEAs theology.

WEAs former national member body, the Christian Council in Korea (CCK), as well as a group of 1,000 pastors, elders and professors led by Kwangshin Theological Seminary, a Presbyterian theological institution related to Koreas largest denomination HapDong, issued separate statements calling for the GA to be put on hold until their questions about the WEAs stance with other faiths and perceived liberal courtship with ecumenical bodies are addressed.

Religious syncretism and pluralistic actions

In his statement on Monday (Nov. 11), CCK President Rev Seo-young Jeong criticized the plans for the potential to create greater disunity amongst the Korean evangelical community at a time when the WEA is purposed to unite believers.

The strongly worded statement called for the GA plans to be put on hold to allow time for theological verification of the WEA regarding the religious pluralism concerns, and cautions that without such a process, the WEA GA could face even greater division and opposition than that encountered during the 2013 World Council of Churches Assembly [in Busan].

Certain pastors, driven by desire for position and honor, are intensifying division within the Korean church by plotting to host the WEA General Assembly in Korea, read the CCK statement.

At issue are concerns around religious syncretism and pluralistic actions as well as theological ambiguities by past and present WEA leaders. CCK pointed to the the widespread perception among Korean Christians equating the World Council of Churches (WCC) with the WEA and said there should be conversations where WEA could clarify its position.

CCK was the national member Alliance and host partner for the WEA General Assembly in 2014, which was ultimately canceled due to divisions within the Korean Church following the WCC assembly. In its statement, CCK said that back then, the WEA sought a united Korean church for the assembly, not one marked by division.

With the WEAs pluralistic tendencies now even more pronounced, hosting the WEA Assembly in a way that risks further church discord is undesirable, and we cannot stand by and watch as division deepens, Jeong said.

While they previously wished to hold the assembly within a united and harmonious Korean church, they now seem ready to overlook the churchs division as long as financial support is secured. Church leaders, who are supposed to promote unity, turning a blind eye to division in pursuit of wealth, is disgraceful.

1,000 Christian leaders say no engagement possible with the WEA

On the same day as the first CCK statement (Nov. 11), a group of 1,000 Korean professors, pastors and church elders led by Kwangshin Theological Seminary published a full-page advert in Kukmin Daily, a Korean church newspaper, with a statement titled Reasons Why the Korean Presbyterian Church HapDong Cannot Engage with the WEA.

It laid out several arguments why the HapDong denomination  which SaRang Church belongs to  disagrees with the WEA on key theological issues.

Firstly, the signatories state that they consider reformed theology and conservative theology as the most biblically faithful theology.

Therefore, we cannot condone any engagement with the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), which superficially presents itself as reformed and conservative evangelical in theology, they said, referring to WEAs theological identity, as reflected in its confession of faith, and its recent activities.



The signatories argue that the statement of faith on the WEA website may seem similar to conservative evangelical theology but contains significant errors in its view of Scripture.

The WEA affirms the Bible as the infallible word of God. The terms inerrancy and infallibility are distinct in English. Infallibility asserts that Scripture is without error in matters of faith and salvation, while inerrancy claims it is without error in all respects, they say.

The WEAs view, according to the signatories, aligns with infallibility, not inerrancy, as upheld in the 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy. They believe that the difference in views between conservative and progressive evangelicals has led to significant disparities in the practice of faith.

The Chicago Statement asserts that some traditional evangelicals rejected historical-critical studies of the Bible altogether, using complete inerrancy as a measure to differentiate between evangelical and non-evangelical beliefs, added the signatories.

Considering the theological distinctions between infallibility and inerrancy since the 20th century, the WEAs use of infallibility is not consistent with the Reformed and conservative evangelical view of Scripture.

Furthermore, the professors and their peers oppose the WEA cooperation with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and with the Vatican, which are similar concerns as those raised by CCK.

They gave examples of ecumenical activities by former WEA Secretary General Dr Thomas Schirrmacher, such as endorsing the WCC mission declaration at the WCC Assembly in the Korean city of Busan.

The WEAs emphasis on social responsibility aligns with the WCCs support for religious pluralism, the global spread of inclusive anti-discrimination laws, and movements related to sexual revolution, stated the signatories.

They pointed to Schirrmachers close ties with the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church, and also criticized a recent visit by WEA Deputy Secretary General Samuel Chiang to the Secretary General of the Muslim Elders Council, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, in Abu Dhabi in February 2024 for the purposes of interfaith dialogue and cooperation.

Referring to Matthew 12:33, a tree is known by its fruit, and Matthew 7:15-20, beware of false prophets, the signatories accuse the WEA of syncretism and religious pluralism by its ongoing close association with both the Roman Catholic Church and Muslims.

In conclusion, the signatories state, We are confident that our denominations assertion that WEA is an organization with which we cannot fellowship is rooted in sound doctrine (2 Timothy 4:3). The WEAs theological stance is inconsistent with reformed and conservative evangelical doctrine, and our denomination should sever ties with the WEA due to its misalignment in faith and practice.

Additional comments made by a Kwangshin professor were also critical of Rev. Sangbok David Kim who had been instrumental in mediating between the WEA and SaRang Church, pointing out that he should be considered an ecumenical rather than an evangelical leader due to his past remarks about uniting the WEA, the WCC and the Roman Catholic Church.

Other national alliances queried ecumenical attitudes

WEA has faced similar criticism from other national Evangelical Alliances in the past. In 2017, Evangelical Focus reported about an 14-page open letter published jointly by the Italian, Spanish and Maltese Evangelical Alliances where they expressed concerns about perplexing signs indicating significant changes taking place in [WEAs] theological DNA.

The historic positions on biblical unity (among born-again Christians) and biblical confrontation of errors (deviant teachings and practices) that the Alliance has stood for over a hundred years seem now to be eroded and replaced by ecumenical attitudes that revolve around a kind of unity that is in conflict with historic evangelical convictions, wrote the Alliances at the time.

Furthermore, the Alliances accused the WEA of progressively implementing an ecumenical agenda without proper discussion at a grassroots level and without involving the different parts of the Alliance in the decision-making process. They reminded the WEA that the global body had originally been formed in 1846 as a bulwark against Protestant theological liberalism, Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, which were considered incompatible with basic gospel truth.

The WEA responded with a statement on its website, saying evangelical-Catholic relations are a highly sensitive issue for evangelicals in many parts of the world []. It acknowledged a deep-seated, ongoing concern about the WEAs intra-faith relations and particularly its relationship with the Roman Catholic Church and a fear that too close a rapprochement and collaboration with the Catholic Church could undermine our ability to articulate the historic evangelical faith in an uncompromised way.

While the WEA statement said, We do not believe that we have changed, betrayed, or compromised the WEAs theological principles in doing so, they also said, We recognize a need to be more proactive in communicating with our constituency about our activities.

Concerns about a lifelong member of the board

Yesterday (Nov. 13), however, CCK issued a further statement raising additional concerns about material that has been circulating online related to two long-time WEA leaders. One of them relates to a family issue that has come into the public view that sheds a potentially problematic light on one of the leaders Christian character and faith. The second suggests the current head of the WEA may be connected to the New Apostolic Reformation, a movement that is viewed critically in Korea and elsewhere.

The two leadership figures that CCK highlighted are John E. Langlois, member emeritus of WEAs International Council, and WEA Executive Chair Goodwill Shana, both lawyers by profession.

Regarding Langlois, the CCK referred to his son Marks YouTube videos, Facebook and Instagram posts and a fundraising page where he describes his father as a narcissist and levels other allegations against him. On his social media channels, Mark Langlois speaks about his emotional abuse trauma of being scapegoated in the family and offers advice to those experiencing similar situations.

Narcissistic behavior is considered contrary to a life of the gospel because a person views themselves as beyond reproach while blaming any mistake on a person they identified as scapegoat, whether in the family, an organization or other social environment. The CCK statement called the behavior cult-like or heretical, and pointed to Mark Langlois comment that individuals with moral failings like his father should not hold high-ranking positions in the WEA.

John Langlois has served in various leadership roles in the WEA since 1969 and is now described as lifelong member of the International Council. Although the WEA bylaws require members to step down after serving two six-year terms before they can serve another term, the member emeritus status means that Langlois is automatically elected without vote at each GA and has continuously served on the IC for some two decades or more.

Questions about the New Apostolic Reformation

In regard to Shana, the CCK spoke of allegations against him for involvement in the controversial New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). The Korean organization referred to a website narconnections.com, which lists Shana as a member of the movement.

Shana has served as Executive Chair in the WEA for the past seven months, a dual role that raised concerns about the combination of governance and executive authority, which he is now expected to continue to hold until the General Assembly.

After Dr Thomas Schirrmacher resigned from his role as Secretary General on March 31 citing health reasons, the WEA announced that Shana who served as the Chair of its International Council would take over leadership of the WEA as Executive Chair for an interim period not exceeding six months. On Sept. 18, however, the WEA announced that Shana would continue in his dual role as board chair and acting Secretary General / CEO for more than one year longer, up until the GA in October 2025. The WEA has yet to announce the search for a new Secretary General.

In its statement about the NAR concerns, CCK references YouTube videos for Shanas church network, Word of Life International Ministries (WOLM), in which he is called an Apostle. Critics argue that this title, given only to key leaders in the NAR, along with Shana's teachings in his gatherings, align with NAR practices and heretical teachings, stated the CCK.

While NAR teachings cannot always be easily identified, they usually have an overemphasis on themes like revelation, dominion and prosperity.

In one of Shanas sermons available online and titled Building the Church of God by Revelation, he speaks of the goal of being a person of revelation in the workplace, which will help believers rise to the top of the food chain. Referring to Daniel 5, he talks about revelation covering believers with authority: You'll be clothed with scarlet and every chain of gold. Revelation will give you prosperity and status in life and you shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.

Revelation gives you a dignity, revelation gives you prosperity, revelation gives you dominion, Shana said elsewhere in his sermon.

Shana leads his ministry together with his wife Maureen Beryl Shana, also referred to as an Apostle by WOLIM, who spoke in similar terms in one of her sermons posted on YouTube.

There is a move of the spirit of God. Do you know one thing that happens during a revival is wealth? said Maureen Shana in her sermon. There's wealth transfer during a revival because the gospel is free, but its propagation is money. God begins to empower people with wealth.

Remember that money is not yours, but it will give you so much so that it can be a conduit, so that you can be a distributor. There is money, not only the local currency, but there is foreign currency coming to you. There is money coming to you. There is money coming to you in Jesus mighty name because we are in a revival there, she said, adding: The word of God talking in the book of Acts, it says people sold buildings. How rich were these people that were selling houses that were giving properties, and they would bring the money to the apostles feet.

The CCK called upon the above allegations made against both WEA leaders to be investigated urgently and if the claims are substantiated, both leaders should immediately step down. The group also expressed unease about the idea of planning an event in Korea with WEA figures under such suspicions.

Christian Daily International has approached WEA for comments by the organization or the leaders but has not received a response by the time of publication.
"I don't like the way Teddy Roosevelt is looking at me..."

Here we are again, another title Im tasked with covering on a new format that our own David Krauss previously reviewed - and Ive got nothing more to offer. A simple crossroads of timing and availability prevented him from taking on this iconic film fifteen years after his initial Blu-ray review, so the task falls to me. All I can add here is my own feelings about the film, and to no shock to anyone who loves the movies, Im a massive fan of North by Northwest.

It might be hard for some to believe but I was a fan of the film before I even saw it! Thanks to my parents owning some sort of compilation CD of Bernard Herrmanns music (for the life of me I cant find it again), I was enthralled by the score long before I ever got to experience it with the film proper. But when that day finally came, it was one incredible experience. All of the motifs and themes became something else entirely when paired with Hitchcocks impeccable direction and the excellent performances from Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason, and a particularly chilling turn from Martin Landau. Since that first viewing, North by Northwest has been a staple of my movie collection from VHS to DVD to Blu-ray, and now were here with 4K UHD and I find Im in love with the film all over again. Ive seen the film countless times in my 42 turns on this planet, there arent any surprises left with each viewing, but Im always glued to the screen. It never gets old. If for nothing else, repeated viewings give me an excuse to practice my impression of James Mason!

And with that, Ill return to David Krauss 2009 Blu-ray Review:

At last! It took about three-and-a-half years, but finally the first American Blu-ray release of an Alfred Hitchcock film has arrived. And though it may not be the title many of us expected (sorry, Norman Bates fans), it's nevertheless one of the director's finest and most revered efforts. In fact, when screenwriter Ernest Lehman first began collaborating with the Master of Suspense, he aspired to create "the Hitchcock picture to end all Hitchcock pictures," and many would agree 'North by Northwest' is just that. The quintessential chase film, a blueprint for the modern action epic, and Hitchcock's personal homage to himself, this captivating transcontinental pursuit smoothly combines suspense, thrills, comedy, romance, and intrigue, and presents them with all the elegant artistry and brash innovation that has made Hitchcock one of cinema's most esteemed and admired directors.

Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant) is a successful, somewhat smug Manhattan advertising executive whose ordered life takes an out-of-control turn when he's abducted by a couple of thugs while lunching with clients at the Plaza Hotel. The ruffians believe him to be someone named George Kaplan, and despite Roger's vehement protests to the contrary, cart him off to a Long Island estate bogusly inhabited by suave Soviet sympathizer Phillip Vandamm (James Mason) for interrogation. Completely flummoxed over why he's been kidnapped, Roger is unable to provide the information his captors crave. He narrowly escapes their clutches, but can't convince the police or even his own mother (Jesse Royce Landis) the episode is anything more than a wild drunken escapade. Determined to clear his name, he tracks a lead to the United Nations, but when the diplomat he's questioning is murdered, Roger is framed for the crime, and quickly becomes America's most wanted man. All this sets up a frantic cross-country chase, as Roger tries to track down the real Kaplan, elude the authorities, and thwart Vandamm and his henchmen, all with the help (or hindrance?) of the sleek, sexy Eve Kendall (Eva Marie Saint), a mysterious woman he "coincidentally" meets on the train to Chicago.

Fifty years after its initial release, 'North by Northwest' remains one of Hollywood's most stylish, slick, entertaining, and expertly crafted thrillers, but it's perhaps best known for two brilliantly executed suspense scenes. The first involves Roger trying to evade a dogged attack by a sinister crop-dusting plane in a barren cornfield, and the second is the film's climactic chase across the sculpted stone faces of Mount Rushmore. Both illustrate Hitchcock's peerless command of high-voltage action and showcase his uncanny ability to not only build tension and provide a satisfying payoff, but also so fully enrapture his audience, they forget the preposterous nature of the situations they're watching. The crop-dusting sequence especially relies on carefully chosen camera angles that set mood and tone, meticulously choreographed action, purposeful editing, and the heightened use of subtle sounds. The result is an unforgettable stand-alone vignette that thrills the senses and fosters intense admiration for the talent on display.

The audacious Mount Rushmore chase is even more challenging to put over. Totally studio shot, the sequence relies heavily on suspension of disbelief, but Hitchcock masterfully blends gigantic backdrops and set pieces to fashion a seamless illusion only the most cynical viewer could reject. Aided by Bernard Herrmann's powerful score and a cast of committed actors, Hitchcock pushes the envelope as far as he can and fashions a thoroughly engrossing, edge-of-the-seat climax. Absurd? Absolutely. Riveting? You bet.

'North by Northwest' also combines a host of elements from previous Hitchcock films, yet never feels like a hodgepodge or rip-off. The wrong man/mistaken identity/man-on-the-run theme has long been a Hitchcock staple, and is employed to great effect in 1942's 'Saboteur,' which also culminates in a showdown atop an iconic American monument (the Statue of Liberty). The sequence on the 20th Century Limited hearkens back to such train-oriented Hitchcock films as 'The 39 Steps' and 'The Lady Vanishes'; Saint's icy blonde with a smoldering soul recalls a string of fair-haired, hot-blooded Hitchcock beauties from Grace Kelly to Kim Novak; and the playful yet potent love scene between Grant and Saint in her cramped train compartment is strikingly similar to the seductive dance Grant and Ingrid Bergman enjoy while talking on the telephone in 'Notorious.' (Ironically, Hitchcock's next picture would be 'Psycho,' which escalates the same type of codependent relationship Roger and his mother share in 'North by Northwest' to a much darker, more disturbing degree.) Such familiar components never detract from the picture's on-screen hijinks; on the contrary, they only add to the fun.

And there's a lot of fun sprinkled amid the chases, double-crosses, and derring-do in Ernest Lehman's virtuoso, Oscar-nominated screenplay. In many ways, the whole movie feels like one long inside joke, and all the while puppeteer Sir Alfred is having the biggest laugh of all. Witty nuances abound  my favorite throwaway is the Plaza Hotel orchestra playing 'It's a Most Unusual Day' as Roger strolls across the lobby minutes before he's abducted  and dry one-liners and comedic imagery, many laced with overt sexual overtones, almost outnumber tense skirmishes. (The final shot of a steel locomotive plunging into a dark tunnel is pure suggestive genius.) Though the tight, complex story may not always make sense, the predicaments in which the colorful characters become embroiled are so beguiling, we don't really care. 'North by Northwest' is a hop-aboard-the-rollercoaster, go-with-the-flow thriller, a precursor to films featuring James Bond, Indiana Jones, and John McClane, in which style, ingenuity, and charisma trump believability.

In his fourth, final, and finest Hitchcock appearance, Grant proves time and again why he was such an asset to the director. Few actors possess such impeccable timing, maximize the impact of every line, exude such allure, or so willingly play the fool, but Grant does it all and somehow remains relatable in the process. Grant may not be the a down-home everyman like James Stewart or Henry Fonda, but his approachable nature and lack of airs make him attractive to both women and men. Here, his sizzling rapport with Saint, who nails her duplicitous part, creates taut sexual tension that never slackens, and his rapier repartee with Mason, whose refined villainy surely influenced Alan Rickman's Hans Gruber in 'Die Hard,' crackles with thinly veiled mutual disdain. Martin Landau makes a perfect loyal henchman, and as Roger's mother, Landis (who was a mere six years older than Grant) adds a delightful sardonic tone to the early proceedings.

To some, 'North by Northwest' might seem tame, even a bit dull by today's ADD, adrenaline-rush standards. But if you stand Hitchcock up against some of the hacks making bigger, bolder, emptier movies today, there's no contest. Hitchcock wins hands down, and 'North by Northwest' is one of this legendary director's best, a droll, thrilling, romantic, altogether captivating work that's as much fun today as it was a half-century ago.









Vital Disc Stats: The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray

North by Northwest is finally abducted onto 4K UHD thanks to Warner Bros with a single-disc 4K UHD + Digital release. Pressed on a BD100 disc, the disc is housed in a standard black case with identical slipcover art. The disc loads to a static image main menu with a standard navigation system.
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Ramadan 2025 likely to begin on March 01, Eid al Fitr on March 30

It should however be noted that the confirmed start date of the holy month of Ramadan 2025 will be announced only on 29th of Shaban 1446 AH

Friday November 15, 2024 8:04 PM , ummid.com News Network

[AI generated image showing a Muslim praying during the Holy Month of Ramadan.]

Ramadan 2025 (1446 AH): Ramadan, the Holy Month of Fasting, this year i.e. 1446 AH corresponding to 2025 AD, is likely to commence on Saturday March 01, 2025 in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and other Arab States.

According to Ummul Qura of Saudi Arabia, the holy month of fasting the year 1446AH is likely to end on Sunday March 30, 2025 when Eid al Fitr will be celebrated in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and other Arab countries.

Ramadan start day in India, Pakistan

On the other hand, Ramadan 2025 will begin and Eid al Fitr will be celebrated in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other South Asian countries a day later.

Accordingly, Ramadan 2025 in the South Asian countries will start on Sunay March 02, 2025 and Eid al Fitr 2025 in these countries will most likely be celebrated on Monday March 02, 2025.

It should however be carefully noted and kept in mind that the exact start date and time of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr celebrations will be confirmed by the Saudi Royal Court, religious authorities and Moon-sighting committees in UAE, Qatar, Morocco, Turkey, Bahrain, Jordan, Egypt, India, Pakistan and the respective countries.

The announcement is made based on the Ramadan and Eid Moon Sighting which is the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Ramadan 2025 in USA, UK

The start of Ramadan and Eid al Fitr celebrations in America (USA), United Kingdom (UK), Australia, South Africa, France, Canada, Malaysia, India, New Zealand, Singapore, Russia, Nigeria, Sudan and other countries will also be decided by moon sighting committees and religious authorities in these countries.

The likely date to start fasting of Ramadan and Eid al Fitr celebrations around the world however will be a day before or after Saturday March 01, 2025 and Sunday March 30, 2025 respectively.

Eid al Fitr 2025 Holidays

If Ramadan begins on March 01, 2025 and Eid al Fitr moon is sighted on Saturday March 29, 2025 then those living in Saudi Arabia are likely to have a long holiday from March 27 to April 03, 2025.

Eid al-Fitr is expected to be marked on the same date in UAE and other Arab countries, with a similar number of public holidays. The official Ramadan Eid Holidays will be announced after the start of the Holy Month.

Extended Public Holidays are also announced for Muslims in Pakistan and Bangladesh. In countries like India, USA, UK, Australia, and South Africa one day off is given to those working in government and private sectors.

It should be once again noted that the final and confirmed dates of Ramadan 2025 and Eid al Fitr will be announced only on 29th of Shaban 1446 AH.

In 2024, the holy month of Ramadan in Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries began on March 11 whereas the Eid al Fitr was celebrated last year on April 10, 2024 .

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HANOVER, GERMANY  Vietnamese agricultural conglomerate Hung Nhon Group earlier this week in Hanover, Germany signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Germanys Big Dutchman Group to develop 12 poultry and pig farming projects in the southern provinces of Viet Nam between 2025 and 2030.

The ceremony was attended by Bernd Meerpohl - chairman and CEO of Big Dutchman; Jan Hofstede - president of Big Dutchman in Asia; Pieter Buijs - CEO of Big Dutchman Vietnam, and Vu Manh Hung - chairman of Hung Nhon Group.

Notable attendees at the signing ceremony included Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung uc Tien, Director of the Livestock Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Duong Tat Thang, and Agricultural Counselor of Viet Nam to the EU Tran Van Cong.

Deputy Minister Phung uc Tien, representing the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, praised the significant contributions of both conglomerates to Viet Nam's agriculture sector. He expressed optimism that the collaborative efforts between the two partners will not only benefit their businesses but also contribute to the Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy for the 2021-30 period with the vision towards 2050.

"Viet Nam has vast agricultural potential and strengths, yet it has not fully utilised them due to a lack of technology. With the partnership between Hung Nhon Group and Big Dutchman, Viet Nam's agriculture sector is poised to benefit as farmers, farm owners, and enterprises will be able to access to modern, high-quality equipment at competitive prices," Deputy Minister Phung uc Tien said.

Bernd Meerpohl, in his remarks at the ceremony, introduced Big Dutchman Group as a leading global provider of innovative solutions in poultry and pig farming, including cutting-edge farm housing and equipment.

Founded in 1938 and headquartered in Germany, Big Dutchman operates in over 100 countries across five continents, focusing on sustainable and innovative livestock equipment and infrastructure.

In Asia, Big Dutchman has been present for over three decades, with regional distribution hubs in various countries. In Viet Nam, the group has supplied livestock solutions to major agricultural players such as De Heus (Netherlands), CP Group (Thailand), Vinamilk, Hung Nhon, and Dabaco.

"In our collaboration with Hung Nhon, we recognise them as a professional and reliable agricultural conglomerate, with significant expertise and a deep understanding of the business landscape in Viet Nam, particularly in livestock farming. We look forward to partnering with Hung Nhon to exchange experiences, leverage each other's strengths, and make solid progress together for the future," said Bernd Meerpohl.

Chairman Hung from Hung Nhon Group also acknowledged Big Dutchman's expertise, including their extensive experience in livestock farming, strong financial capabilities, and advanced barn technology. These factors will create firm foundation for Hung Nhon to achieve its goal of becoming an agricultural conglomerate with a sustainable production chain in Viet Nam, while meeting international export standards, including for the Halal market.

As a big agriculture group, Hung Nhon has applied international standards of technology in livestock farming and utilised top global vaccines, and notably, the green production chain model in Viet Nam through joint ventures with De Heus.

"One crucial project within this production chain is a series of 12 high-tech agriculture projects in Tay Ninh with a total investment of nearly VN10 trillion. The goal for 2030 is to achieve 83 million breeding and meat chickens for export from Tay Ninh, with expected revenue of $2 billion by 2030, Hung shared at the signing ceremony.

Big Dutchman is the third international group to strategically partner with Hung Nhon Group, following MoUs with De Heus (Netherlands) and Olmix (France).  VNS
HA NOI  Further comprehensive and in-depth studies must be carried out to fully evaluate the impact of a proposed tax increase on alcoholic beverages, said participants at a conference to gather opinions and feedback on the proposed tax organised by the Vietnam Economic Association (VEA) in Ha Noi yesterday.

Economists and industry experts said a balanced approach is required in implementing the changes to Viet Nam's special consumption tax law, which will see tax double for alcoholic beverages from 2026 to 2030.

Professor Chu Van Lam, vice president of the VEA, said the industry has considered the tax hike as a pressing issue, garnering attention from all players in the industry and other related industries.

Lam said opponents of the tax hike are raising significant concerns, including the lack of a comprehensive study on how different tax rates will affect the industry in the short, medium and long term.

"Only after studying different scenarios can we determine the optimal approach to ensure the feasibility of our objectives," he said.

The VEA stressed the importance of treading slowly, given the current economic context, in order to improve public health and quality of life as well as the ability of businesses to adapt.

Vu Sy Cuong, a lecturer from the Academy of Finance, said that like many other countries around the world, Viet Nam uses special consumption tax to control the consumption of non-essential harmful products, expand the government's tax base and compensate for economic loss caused, directly or indirectly, by the consumption of said products.

He said that compared to other countries, Viet Nam's tax revenue from special consumption tax accounts for only around 1.7 per cent of GDP, and about eight per cent of its tax revenue. This leaves a lot of room for tax increases and is likely one of the reasons why the Ministry of Finance is in support of the proposal.

"The Government must strike a balance in approaching the three objectives and the most optimal solution must balance all three. This is a difficult task," he said.

In a conference earlier this week organised by the Vietnam Institute for Economics and Policy Research (VEPR), representatives from the Vietnam Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Association said the industry is still struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and the country's recent effort to end its rampant DUI problem.

To make matters worse, logistics costs have been rising due to ongoing geopolitical problems. The industry has suffered significant damage, with many businesses forced to scale down production, reduce the workforce or even shut down, creating pressure for local governments in implementing their socio-economic development strategy.

The association recommended the Government delay the tax hike until 2027 and decrease the maximum tax to 80 per cent in 2031, giving businesses additional time to adapt.

Economists said it's important to view the tax hike as something that will start a chain reaction through the economy because similar to other industries, the industry is part of many supply chains and a large source of income for the state's coffer.

Dr Nguyen Minh Thao from the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM) said even the State budget will likely get hurt in the long run.

"Our data points to a surge in the short-term, followed by a gradual decrease in the medium and longer-term. The short gains from the ministry's proposal, in our researchers' opinion, are not enough to justify the net loss," she said.

In addition, raising taxes on alcoholic beverages will not guarantee a reduction in alcohol consumption, as consumers can switch to cheap products with dubious health and quality standards. A surge in smuggling and counterfeiting activities should also be expected, as criminals see more profit as demand for cheap products increases. This will only hurt businesses, which contribute significant amounts to the State budget.

Economists say there were examples in which countries imposed heavy taxes on alcohol only to remove them later on because of the negative consequences on the tourism industry and the economy. They recommended looking into models in which the special consumption tax rate is based on CPI, as a means to ensure the tax hike is proportionate with consumers' purchasing power.

They advised the Government to take a comprehensive approach to building a special consumption tax law and learn from successful international examples.  VNS
HCM CITY  As a top 20 food-exporting country, Viet Nam has great potential to tap into the rapidly growing global halal industry, a workshop heard in HCM City on Thursday.

Organised by the Viet Nam Trade Promotion Agency at the ongoing annual Viet Nam International Food Industry Exhibition, the workshop on Trade Promotion of Halal Food Products sought to help businesses promote exports to gradually make Viet Nam a prominent global supplier.

Halal refers to foods and services that comply with Islamic dogma.

Nguyen Minh Phuong of the Ministry of Industry and Trade's Asia  Africa Market Department, said the global Muslim population is forecast to increase to over 2 billion by 2030, or 25 per cent of the global population, translating into significant demand for halal products.

More than 60 per cent of the global Muslim population is in Asia while 20 per cent live in the Middle East and North Africa, she said.

Demand for halal products extends beyond traditional Muslim-majority nations to other consumers who value the quality, safety and sustainability that Halal-certified products represent, and in fact, businesses capable of producing halal goods find it easier to enter demanding markets, she added.

Le Chau Hai Vu, director of Consultech JSC, said the global Halal market is estimated to value at over $2 trillion currently and is expected to increase to $2.8 trillion in the coming years.

He said Viet Nam has great potential to export in this area as a top 20 food exporter and top 15 agricultural produce exporter.

It exports products meeting standards such as VietGap, GlobalGap, HACCP, and others similar to halal, and a transition to halal is highly feasible, he said.

But both Phuong and Vu also referred to challenges in entering the halal market like a lack of unified halal standards and certification processes globally, high costs and fierce competition.

They also said the businesses need to learn about customs and consumption trends in target markets before exporting.

Phuong said they need to proactively participate in halal trade promotion programmes.

At the event, experts also told firms how to register for halal certification and the latest global regulations.  VNS
HA NOI  The first batch of honey and pickled pearl onions produced in the northern province of Hoa Binh is on its way to the UK.

The products were shipped to the UK last month by a joint effort from the Hoa Binh Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Agricultural Trade Promotion Centre (under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), and the Peoples Committees of Kim Boi and Yen Thuy districts.

This shipment marks the second export of processed agricultural products from Hoa Binh to the UK and has a total weight of two tonnes and a value exceeding VN300 million (US$11,800). The first export was turmeric starch and honey-soaked peach lemon in July 2023.

This year, the honey was produced by Green Life Cooperative in Hop Tien Commune, Kim Boi District, and the onions by Phu Lai Agricultural Cooperative in Phu Lai Commune, Yen Thuy District.

Both products are considered the specialties of the province and have been granted One Commune  One Product (OCOP) certificates. R.Y.B Joint Stock Company is responsible for delivery.

Before being packaged and shipped, analysis of samples of both products showed that they met the food safety standards required by the EU and the UK.

Hoa Binh Province has leveraged its agricultural potential in the past few years and ramped up activities to promote agricultural exports. In the first nine months of this year, the province exported over 890,000 tonnes of agricultural products, valued at more than VN228 billion (nearly $9 million).

After over three years of implementing the Free Trade Agreement between Viet Nam and the UK and Northern Ireland (UKVFTA), sharp increases in imports from Viet Nam to the UK showed that this European market has become more positive about Vietnamese products.

According to statistics from the General Department of Customs, Viet Nams export value to the UK in the first nine months of this year reached $5.6 billion, showing an annual increase of 21 per cent.  VNS
HA NOI  A recent Google report shows that Viet Nam could gain up to VN1.89 trillion (US$79.3 billion) in economic benefits from Artificial Intelligence (AI) by 2030, making up nearly 12 per cent of the country's GDP, if AI tools are widely adopted.

These findings were shared at the 'Shaping the Future of AI for Viet Nam' forum on Friday, hosted by the National Innovation Centre (NIC) and the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) in partnership with Google.

The 'AI Opportunity Agenda for Viet Nam' report outlines key recommendations for unlocking AIs full potential. It emphasises the need to strengthen Viet Nams digital infrastructure, build an AI-ready workforce, and expand access to AI technologies across the economy.

The report also highlights strategies to close the digital and AI knowledge gap, enabling Viet Nams workforce to effectively leverage AI for driving economic growth. By focusing on digital education and workforce upskilling, Viet Nam can maximise the economic benefits of AI and accelerate its digital transformation.

Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment o Thanh Trung told the forum of Viet Nams reinforced commitment to becoming a leading AI hub in the ASEAN region.

He reiterated the Governments ambitious target of training at least 5,000 AI engineers by 2030 to support the semiconductor industry. This initiative is part of a national programme under Decision No. 1017/Q-TTg, which also includes the establishment of a centre for AI training, research and application. The centre aims to train 7,000 AI specialists to international standards and incubate around 500 AI startups by 2030.

Andrew Ure, Googles Senior Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy for Southeast Asia, expressed optimism about Viet Nams AI potential, citing the countrys young, tech-savvy population and dynamic digital environment.

He announced the launch of the 'AI Policy & Skilling Lab' in collaboration with the NIC, aimed at fostering partnerships with government agencies, industry stakeholders, and research institutions to build an AI-powered future.

However, to fully harness AIs transformative potential, Google expert suggest that Viet Nam should focus on retaining and developing local talent by expanding access to digital education and enhancing enterprise training programmes. To optimise the economic benefits of AI, Viet Nam must also prioritise the development of a digital workforce.

Bridging the digital skills gap through specialised training and technology adoption will unlock significant economic opportunities for the country, he said.

The forum also brought together experts from government bodies, research institutions and the private sector to discuss strategies for advancing AI research and development.

Key topics included building a robust AI talent pipeline, fostering an AI innovation ecosystem, and creating a legal framework that ensures the ethical and responsible use of AI technologies. These discussions underscored a shared vision of positioning Viet Nam as a leader in AI innovation, driving economic growth, and enhancing global competitiveness.  VNS
HA NOI The Vice President of Viet Nam National Real Estate Association (VNREA) has launched his book to help foreigners steer through the local real estate market.

On November 15, Dr Lawyer oan Van Binh, who is also Founder and Chairman of the CEO Group, officially introduced the Vietnamese-English book: 'Viet Nam Real Estate For Foreigners', published by the National Political Publishing House.

In his latest book, he outlines useful information about the market, for buying, leasing and investing.

The book offers helpful information about Viet Nam along with analyses and updates of the latest regulations of the 2024 Law on Land, the 2023 Law on Housing, and the 2023 Law on Real Estate Business, as well as all decrees and circulars detailing these three laws.

Arranged in an easy to access way, the book summarises the procedures for buying, leasing and investing real estate in Viet Nam for foreigners through four main products on the market: housing, industrial parks, office for leasing and tourism real estate.

The book is published in both Vietnamese and English, so it is also useful for individuals, organisations and enterprises who want to study, invest and find foreign partners in the real estate sector of Viet Nam.

Sharing the reasons for writing this book, oan Van Binh said: Making a book is a lot of work, but we always think that our country is very beautiful and has so much potential for development in the new era.

"We need to exploit all potential advantages and achievements to develop the country. If one more foreign individual or organisation knows, learns about, and invests in a real estate product or a real estate project, Viet Nam will have one more friend, one more 'ambassador'. There will be more cash flow, jobs, production chain activation and on-site exports.

"From now on, the real estate industry needs to contribute more practically and efficiently in the new era of Viet Nam.

"In addition, as I am in charge of international relations and FDI of VNREA, so I always want to do something timely and effectively so that international friends and partners know the most about our association and about Viet Nam real estate.

"Therefore, although making a book is hard and costly, there is always motivation for me to try. The book content covers real estate things, but above all, we want to send a welcome message to international friends and partners of VNREA and CEO GROUP: Please come to our beautiful country to explore, travel, relax, study, work, invest! Welcome to our beautiful Viet Nam!.

He explained: "In terms of foreign affairs, Viet Nam has established diplomatic relations with 194 countries, signed Strategic Partnership and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreements with 32 countries, including five countries that are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and seven most developed industrial countries (G7).

"In terms of an open economy, to date, Viet Nam has trade ties with over 220 countries and territories, with trade turnover in 2023 reaching US$683 billion (surplus of $28 billion) and in the first ten months of 2024 reaching $647.87 billion, in which, exports reached $335.59 billion, imports reached $312.28 billion (surplus $23.31 billion) and trade turnover could reach a record of nearly $800 billion this year (approaching a figure nearly double GDP).

"With 17 free trade agreements (FTAs), total foreign direct investment (FDI) reached nearly $450 billion, with more than 41,000 projects from more than 143 countries and territories, Viet Nam has become an important link in the supply chains of the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

"Additionally, Viet Nam currently has more than six million overseas Vietnamese in 130 countries. Many of them maintain strong ties with their homeland and aspire to contribute to the nations growth.

According to the National Political Publishing House, in the context of globalisation and international integration, the demand for owning assets abroad is increasing, and Viet Nam has become an attractive destination for international investors. The factors include stable political institutions, impressive economic growth rates, modern infrastructure and a young and dynamic population, along with open policies on investment and real estate business.

However, to be successful in the field of real estate investment in a new market, foreign investors need to have specialised knowledge, understand legal regulations, and seize potential investment opportunities in Viet Nam.

The book is a useful document for foreigners who need to invest and trade in real estate in Viet Nam, Vietnamese enterprises that want to cooperate with foreign partners, foreign enterprises, and readers interested in this field, the publisher said.

Dr. Nguyen Van Khoi, President of VNREA said that the book is also a useful handbook for the association, organisations, individuals, members and domestic enterprises to refer to, guide, promote and cooperate with foreigners who want to invest in the Vietnamese real estate market.

In the context of new laws that have just been amended, creating momentum for the development of the Vietnamese real estate market, it is very necessary to systematise the processes and procedures for investing in Vietnamese real estate, helping foreigners to access the Viet Nam market more easily.

"This book combines legal expertise, business practices and the foreign vision of the Vice President in charge of foreign affairs of the Viet Nam Real Estate Association, aiming to bring the Vietnamese real estate sector closer to international friends. The book is a meaningful contribution not only to the real estate sector, but also in terms of promoting the image of Viet Nam internationally, said Dr Nguyen Van Khoi.

Former President of the Institute of Estate Agents(IEA), Singapore, and founding member of ASEAN Real Estate Network Alliance (ARENA) Jeff Foo said: I am so privileged to be given a copy of your book. Personally, I found the contents very easy to understand and useful information for sharing with my students about the VN RE Market. Looking forward to your future publication of more information on the VN RE procedures and practices.

Over the past two years, Dr Lawyer oan Van Binh has donated copies of his books to all 63 provinces and cities in Viet Nam, the National Library, and 44 universities across the country, as well as to international libraries, partners and friends.

Representing the Supportive Fund For Cancer Patients - Bright Future, Prof. Dr Le Van Quang, vice president of the Fund, general director of K hospital thanked oan Van Binh for his continuous charity actions through publishing the book and donating all sales proceeds to the fund.

Over the years, the Fund For Bright Future has presented gift for over 34,500 cancer patients, carried cancer examination and screening for 79.000 persons, and given medicine to over 1,400 patients in difficult circumstances, including many children.

At the launch ceremony, Dr Lawyer Binh donated VN200 million to the Fund for Bright Future, to support cancer patients facing haadships, and he affirmed that all after-tax proceeds will also be donated to the fund.

His previous book 'The World in My Eyes' published in June 2024, has already contributed VN400 million to the fundraising efforts of Bright Future.

Also at the ceremony, Dr Nguyen Van Khoi and Dr Lawyer oan Van Binh presented copies of the book to the Associations Standing Committee members, leaders of various organisations, and special guests.  VNS
HA NOI  IHG Hotels & Resorts, a global leader in the hospitality industry, has unveiled ambitious plans to expand its presence in Viet Nam by increasing its portfolio from 16 hotels to more than 40 properties, bringing its room count from approximately 4,800 to 12,000.

This significant growth will include the addition of six new hotels by the end of next year, introducing two new brands to the market, and increasing its brand offerings in Viet Nam from seven to nine.

Rajit Sukumaran, IHG's Senior Vice President & Managing Director for East Asia & Pacific, revealed on Thursday during a media briefing the companys expansion plans, adding that Viet Nam is experiencing a surge in international travel, driven by new air routes connecting it with various cities across Asia.

Viet Nam welcomed nearly 14 million visitors in the first ten months of 2024, with projections to reach 18 million by year-end, a remarkable 41 per cent increase from the previous year.

He emphasised the companys commitment to Viet Nams tourism growth.

Sukumaran said: We are thrilled to see travel fully returning to Viet Nam, a country rich in beautiful destinations. IHG is dedicated to growing alongside this market through strong partnerships and leveraging the expertise of our regional and global teams.

IHG has steadily grown its presence in Viet Nams luxury hotel sector over the past 17 years, beginning with the opening of the InterContinental Hanoi Westlake in 2007. Currently, IHG operates 10 luxury properties in eight destinations under its Six Senses, Regent Hotels & Resorts, and InterContinental Hotels & Resorts brands. The company plans to further expand its Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio, with the debut of Vignette Collection in Hoi An and Hotel Indigo in HCM City.

Focus on high-end tourists

The companys leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining its position as a leader in Viet Nams luxury hotel sector, offering world-class tourism concepts and experiences.

Vivek Bhalla, Managing Director for South East Asia & Korea at IHG, highlighted the growing demand for lifestyle and luxury brands in Viet Nam and the Vietnamese Government is working to attract wealthier tourists. Especially, the Hanoi Department of Tourism is focused on expanding four- and five-star luxury hotels to meet this need.

He said: There is significant long-term potential for Viet Nam to attract high-end tourists seeking unique, personalised experiences, and the country is well-positioned to offer that. Local governments are also progressive in their efforts to target this consumer base.

To appeal to this market, the Government should prioritise upgrading tourist attractions, developing a skilled workforce, and accelerating digital transformation, Bhalla added.

Besides its luxury & lifestyle segment, IHG is also expanding its premium and mainstream hotel brands. The company has five Crowne Plaza properties in the pipeline, alongside rapid growth for its premium voco brand, with Quang Binh Resort set to open soon. The Holiday Inn family continues to drive growth for IHG, with plans for nine additional properties in Viet Nam, adding to its existing locations in Sai Gon and Ho Tram.

The representative from IHG Hotels & Resorts shared that they see significant potential to introduce more midscale brands to the Vietnamese market, including new names such as Garner, Staybridge Suites, and Holiday Inn Express. This confirms that Viet Nam is a strategic market for IHG.

We are committed to supporting Viet Nam ambition to be one of the top travel destinations globally, Sukumaran added.  VNS
The Organizing Committee for the 2025 World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) Seoul General Assembly, which will be co-chaired by Rev. Junghyun John Oh and Rev. Younghoon Lee was launched on Friday (Nov. 15th). The thanksgiving service, held at the CCMM Building in Yeouido, Seoul, was led by Pastor Seok-soon Im, President of the Korea Evangelical Fellowship.

Rev. Sang-sik Kim, President of Sungkyul University, offered the representative prayer, followed by a special hymn from the Sarang Solist Choir. Co-Chair Rev. Younghoon Lee, Senior Pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church, delivered a sermon titled The Absolute Authority of the Bible based on 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

Forces aiming to undermine the absolute authority of Gods word are advancing through waves of liberalism, evolution, and Marxism. Some Christian textual critics claim that there are words of God in the Bible, implying that some parts are not Gods word. However, the Bible is the word of God, and it is final. No additional story can be added, Rev. Lee said.

As a result, doors to homosexuality and abortion have opened, leading to societal breakdown and widespread chaos in the Western world. The World Evangelical Alliance was conceived in 1846 to counteract the waves of religious pluralism and biblical textual criticism. Approximately 600 million believers worldwide hold membership in WEA. We must work together to restore the absolute authority of the Bible, he added.

Throughout the service, progress reports, and Q&A, speakers emphasized the authority of the Bible, the values of conservative and reformed evangelicalism, possibly in response to recent controversies around WEA, including religious pluralism.

Afterward, WEA Chair Goodwill Shana delivered congratulatory remarks via video. He expressed his gratitude to the Korean Church saying, I am deeply thankful to the evangelical believers in Korea who have committed to serve the 2025 Seoul Assembly. I sincerely hope that the WEA Seoul Assembly will serve as a catalyst for spreading the pure gospel.

Rev. Sangbok David Kim, Emeritus Pastor of Hallelujah Church, concluded the service with a benediction.

Following the service, Rev. Yeonjong Ju who serves on the Planning Committee introduced the main events, and Co-Chair Rev. Junghyun John Oh, Senior Pastor of Sarang Church, delivered a welcome message.

The Korean church, with its 140-year mission history, has been indebted to Western churches for over 100 years. Now, it's time for the Korean church to repay this debt to the global church over the next century, Rev. Oh said.

He acknowledged the concerns surrounding the WEA, saying, Due to various shortcomings, there may have been individuals within WEA over the past 20-30 years with differing thoughts. I hope that through better understanding and communication, the Korean church can participate together. If we become fixated on minor differences, things will become harder, and we may even experience a kind of hell. I hope we receive grace with a focus on Gods Great Commission.

WEA Vice-Chairman Dr. Frank Hinkelmann, President of the European Evangelical Alliance, who led the WEA delegation shared, At a time when the Korean church has grown to become the worlds largest missionary-sending country, it is a great privilege to hold the assembly in Korea with evangelical leaders from over 100 countries worldwide. We stand with Korea and will pray for peace and unification. This week marks the 35th anniversary of witnessing the fall of the Berlin Wall in Germany, and we will pray for all these events.

Professor Myungsoo Park, Emeritus Professor at Seoul Theological University, then read a document titled The Significance of the WEA Seoul General Assembly, which was distributed on-site. The Organizing Committee and WEA also signed an MOU during the event.

Afterward, a press conference was held, moderated by Rev. Sungsam Sam Ko and Rev. Yeonjong Ju from the Planning Committee.

Asked how they would respond to opposition to the WEA GA, Rev. Oh said, We will continue to persuade them and have already been doing so. I hope those with opposing views can come into the WEA and engage in theological discussions to help guide the evangelical church on the right path.

Rev. Ju said, We have studied the WEA for almost a year. We are grateful to those who have raised concerns in newspapers and statements, as their arguments  against things like homosexuality and religious integration  show that we are essentially on the same side. I believe communication will go smoothly.

A question was raised about whether this WEA General Assembly could avoid the divisive impact that followed the 2013 World Council of Churches General Assembly in Busan, which deepened divisions in the Korean church.

Rev. Sang-bok David Kim responded, The Korean Church does not have an official member in the WEA. The Korean Church did not make the decision to hold the General Assembly; it was requested by the WEA, and we are simply hosting it. There will always be pros and cons, but opposition alone cannot prevent the assembly.

Dr. Jae-sung Kim, a member of the Organizing Committee's Theological Committee, addressed concerns regarding WEA leadership, specifically noting the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) suspicions about WEA Chair Goodwill Shana.

Dr. Kim stated, Chair Goodwill Shana uses the title Apostle, which is a term associated with the NAR. We will investigate this issue and ask questions accordingly. The Theological Committee will work to clarify this issue for the Korean Church, and if possible, I will even travel to Zimbabwe, where Shana resides, to investigate.

He added, We will investigate whether Chair Shana is truly someone whom the Korean Church can support for hosting a global event. If it turns out he is not, I will step down myself. The Korean theological committee members will work closely together to ensure a clean and clear arrangement over the next year in preparation for the WEA General Assembly.

The event concluded with a prayer from President Deok-gyo Oh from Torch Trinity Graduate University.

Based on reporting by Christian Daily Korea and Christian Today Korea.
KHANH HOA - As Khanh Hoa accounts for 30 per cent of international tourists visiting Viet Nam, enhancing the quality of services in the region is essential to sustain and boost this significant share of visitors.

The Department of Tourism of Khanh Hoa Province, in collaboration with the representative office of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) in Khanh Hoa, organised a dialogue conference on November 11 to address challenges for tourism businesses and receive feedback from tourism enterprises in the province.

Domestic travel currently costs more than overseas travel, making it difficult to encourage domestic tourism, several hotel representatives said.

They added that procedures for welcoming international tourists are not seamless, creating barriers to foreign visitors entering Viet Nam.

Nguyen Thi Le Thanh, Director of the Khanh Hoa Department of Tourism, said that the department has held meetings with airlines to coordinate and plan synchronised tourism promotion efforts alongside ticket pricing policies to attract tourists, especially during peak seasons.

The province has also focused on promoting new flight routes.

Specifically, the Department of Tourism has advised relevant authorities to organise meetings with airlines to develop new routes connecting Khanh Hoa to various localities in Japan, Australia, and India in the near future.

To support the tourism industry in developing its visitor market, the Department of Tourism will continue to report to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, urging the government to support tourism enterprises with policies on visas, entry and exit, attracting tourists, expanding visa exemptions to more countries, and extending the duration of unilateral visa exemptions.

At the conference, a representative from Havana Hotel in Nha Trang City highlighted that fraudulent hotel fanpages have been set up to scam customers out of their deposits.

Thanh shared that after receiving reports on this issue, the Khanh Hoa Department of Tourism has been working with relevant authorities to support businesses in handling the issue.

Additionally, the Department of Tourism has issued documents to tourism businesses in the province to raise awareness and caution against such fraudulent practices. - VNS
HA NOI  Amandine Dabat, emperor Ham Nghi's fifth-generation descendant, has donated the artwork Hillsides in Deli Ibrahim (Algiers) by the emperor to the Viet Nam Museum of Fine Arts.

The oil painting, created by the emperor in 1908, depicts a countryside scene near his home in Algiers.

The artwork shows the sunset landscape with a backlight perspective. Using a dot painting style influenced by French painters of the late 19th century, Ham Nghi made the vibrant colours of the evening come alive.

In 1926, the painting was exhibited at the Mantelet-Colette Weil Gallery in Paris under the name Tu Xuan.

"This is a typical example of Emperor Ham Nghi's paintings, which were influenced by post-impressionism," Dabat said. "The emperor painted nature and sought to express light in its most subtle vibrations."

Dabat also released her book named Ham Nghi  Empereur en exil, artiste a Alger (Ham Nghi: Emperor in Exile  Artist in Algiers) based on her PhD thesis about the emperor's artistic career.

The publication contains over 70 pages of fine artworks, including pages of sculptures, documentary photos, and letters.

I would like to present this painting at the same time as the publication of a book, compiled from my PhD thesis and translated into Vietnamese," Dabat said.

"This book describes the artistic life of the emperor Ham Nghi, his influences, the development of his style and his friendships with great artists of the time. This allows the Vietnamese public to understand the entire context of Ham Nghis works, thereby correctly assessing the position of his artworks in the history of Vietnamese fine arts.

"I hope the exhibition of this painting will pave the way for the display of other works by Ham Nghi so that the Vietnamese public can better understand his artistic legacy.

The Cernuschi Museum in Paris contacted her to include his works in their collection as Anne Fort, curator of Vietnamese art at the museum, announced that Ham Nghi is now recognised as a Vietnamese artist.

Five of his works, including two oil paintings on canvas, two pastel paintings and a sculpture, were added to the Cernuschi collection in 2020.

Director of Viet Nam Museum of Fine Arts Nguyen Anh Minh, said that the painting not only enriches the collection of the museum but also offers a valuable source of material for researchers of the history of modern and contemporary Vietnamese art in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Chairman of the Viet Nam Fine Arts Association Luong Xuan oan said: "We can see that this is a special story of an exiled emperor to an artist. Ham Nghi's landscape paintings are not just purely the landscape in front of him, but also the landscape paintings of his soul  missing his homeland."

Ham Nghi, real name Nguyen Phuc Ung Lich, was the eighth emperor of the Vietnamese Nguyen Dynasty but only reigned for one year (1884-85).

After the failure of the Can Vuong (Save the King) movement against French colonial rule, Emperor Ham Nghi was captured and exiled to Algeria, then a colony of France, on December 12, 1888.

While in exile in Algiers, he learned painting and sculpture techniques from the artist Marius Reynaud and dedicated the rest of his life to art, as a painter and sculptor.

He made several trips to France, where he met artists such as Japanese-French painter Leonard Tsuguharu Foujita, sculptor Rodin and the famous poet and writer Judith Gautier.  VNS
The Ministry of Public Securitys Circular 46/2024/TT-BCA will take effect today (November 15), stipulating that public recording of traffic police operations is no longer allowed. Tin tuc (News) newspaper spoke to Ha Hai, lawyer and member of the Viet Nam Bar Federations Standing Committee on this change.

Circular 46/2024/TT-BCA of the Ministry of Public Security officially comes into force on November 15. What are the changes from the current regulations that the public should be aware of?

In Circular 46, there are two notable changes that the public, particularly those who drive, should pay attention to.

The first is the regulation on audio and video recording. According to Circular 46, citizens are strictly prohibited from audio or video recording while traffic police officers are carrying out their duties.

The second change is that Circular 46 also removes the requirement for traffic police to have a comprehensive plan for inspecting vehicles, patrolling, monitoring and handling violations according to specific scopes when setting up checkpoints, as was previously mandated under Circular 67/2019/TT-BCA.

We believe that the public should have an accurate understanding of these two particular changes. Previously, when traffic police set up checkpoints, members of the public could request relevant documents and specific scopes. The removal of these requirements aims to streamline complex administrative procedures, enabling the traffic police to perform their duties more efficiently.

This should not come as a surprise as these are internal regulations of the security sector. What is important is that traffic police should work openly, transparently, objectively and in alignment with their duties; in such cases, the public should be supportive.

How should we understand citizen rights and obligations regarding monitoring traffic police through audio and video recording to ensure legal compliance?

The new Circular prohibits audio and video recording in certain situations. However, it is important to understand that this still adheres to legal regulations.

Citizens have civil liberties and the right to monitor the activities of authorities, including traffic police performing their duties. However, some individuals, due to a lack of legal knowledge or intentional misconduct, may disrupt the regular operations of authorities, particularly traffic police officers.

Using social media to boost viewership while infringing on the legitimate interests of others may result in administrative penalties or, depending on the severity of the violation, criminal charges with a penalty of three to five years of imprisonment.

If a driver is stopped by traffic police and is about to be issued a fine, and they are confident that they have committed no violation, they have the right to record audio or video to protect their lawful rights.

However, before doing so, they must inform the police officer. For people not directly involved in the case, such as a motorbike taxi driver or a YouTuber nearby, approaching and recording without permission for social media is prohibited under the new regulation. Authorities have the right to intervene if there are signs that such recording disrupts public order or obstructs law enforcement.

For those directly involved in such cases, their recordings should be used appropriately and in accordance with regulations. In many cases, out of frustration, people upload these footages to social media, resulting in misleading comments or public incitement, which constitutes an offence.

Legally, citizens may use audio or video recordings as evidence to protect their legitimate rights when filing complaints or lawsuits, but they must submit it to appropriate authorities. This approach is proper and protected by law.

What is your opinion on people sharing images, audio and video recordings of traffic police on duty on social media?

Social media is evolving rapidly and has a profound influence on social life. While there are positive benefits, its negative impacts are also significant. Many people have taken advantage of social media to spread false information and inappropriate images that violate local norms.

From a legal perspective, we believe that current regulations remain insufficient to fully address this issue, as it is a new phenomenon requiring more specific measures so that authorities can effectively intervene, handle or deter.

Violations in the cyber sphere are becoming increasingly varied and complex, while the law currently addresses only certain behaviours. This creates challenges for law enforcers in handling offences.

Therefore, raising legal awareness is crucial to help social media users understand their rights and the limits they must comply with for the interest of public order, national security and more.

In addition, the National Assembly and the Government should also consider researching, enacting and amending legal regulations to better fit current contexts to provide law enforcers with the necessary instruments to effectively handle violations.  VNS
HA NOI  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs participation at the upcoming G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, demonstrates that issues to be discussed at the event align with the objectives Viet Nam is committed to achieving, and reaffirms the countrys growing role and position in the international and regional arena, a Vietnamese diplomat has said.

In an interview granted to the Viet Nam News Agency on the threshold of the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Brazil Bui Van Nghi said the event offers an opportunity for Viet Nam to contribute to common discussions and strengthen bilateral exchanges with other countries, thus improving its position.

Frequent invitations to Viet Nam to attend G20 meetings in recent years reflect the important contributions of Viet Nam to multilateral mechanisms, as well as its capacity and responsibility toward global issues.

The country has demonstrated a strong commitment to multilateral cooperation, contributing to global discussions on sustainable development, security, and climate change, Nghi said, noting that the countrys participation in the G20 Summit highlights its increasingly prominent position on the international stage.

With its notable achievements in economic development and poverty reduction, Viet Nam can share its valuable experiences on economic development and management policies, contributing to finding solutions for common challenges, he stressed, adding that it can also play its role as a bridge connecting developed and developing nations, presenting perspectives and demands of these countries on global matters.

With the motto of proactively international integration, being a reliable and responsible partner, based on the theme and agenda of the summit, Viet Nam will cooperate with other countries to promote common global concerns such as strengthening partnerships, supporting developing countries in achieving sustainable development goals under the UN 2030 Agenda, and strengthening cooperation to reinforce a peaceful and stable environment in the region and the world on the basis of adherence to international law, the diplomat said.

The Vietnamese government leaders official visit to Brazil demonstrates enhanced political relations between the two nations, helping boost mutual trust and understanding between the two governments, thus creating favourable conditions for cooperation in international and regional issues, Nghi said.

It serves as proof of the determination to realise commitments in the Joint Statement between the two countries during Chinhs official visit to Brazil in September last year, he said.

The diplomat stressed that the PM's trip to Brazil not only impacts political relations but also creates opportunities to establish and boost closer cooperative ties between the two countries, especially in agriculture, science - technology, energy transition, and bioenergy, Halal food production, culture, sports, tourism, education, security  defence, and people-to-people exchanges.

It not only makes the commemoration of the 35th founding anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Brazil in 2024 more meaningful, but also contributes to further strengthening the Viet Nam-Brazil Comprehensive Partnership, setting an orientation for elevating bilateral cooperation to a new height in the near future, he noted.

Regarding economic cooperation, Brazil is the most important partner of Viet Nam in South America, and a potential for Vietnamese businesses. It serves as a gateway for Viet Nam to enter Latin American markets, while Viet Nam is a door for Brazilian companies to penetrate the ASEAN market and other Asian countries.

Strengthening cooperation with Brazil in particular, and countries in the region in general, especially member nations of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), will play a crucial role in promoting negotiations of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Viet Nam and the bloc.

According to the diplomat, the signing of the FTA will create a breakthrough in economic, trade, and investment cooperation between Viet Nam and Brazil, bringing tangible results for businesses and people in both countries.

Viet Nam hopes that Brazil will expedite the FTA negotiations between Viet Nam and Mercosur, and that the two countries will serve as strong bridges for each other in cooperation with ASEAN and Mercosur, as well as between the two blocs and other regional organisations, Nghi said. VNS
HA NOI  As the most effective regional cooperation mechanism in the Indo-Pacific, ASEAN has become a priority in the policies of major powers towards the Asia-Pacific region, an international conference on 'ASEAN in a Changing World: Challenges, Opportunities and Prospects' heard in Ha Noi on Thursday.

Co-hosted by Viet Nam Peace and Development Foundation and Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung, the conference brought together about 100 Vietnamese and international scholars, researchers and diplomats to engage in a multi-faceted discourse on the critical topics of ASEAN roles in a turbulent world.

Assoc. Prof. Vo Xuan Vinh, director general in charge of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies at the Viet Nam Academy of Social Sciences, said major countries all highly appreciate and support ASEANs central role in the regional structure taking shape in the Asia-Pacific.

Countries like China, India, the US and Japan have participated in major ASEAN-led mechanisms such as ASEAN+1, ASEAN Regional Forum, East Asia Summit and ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus. These countries have also directly voiced their support for ASEANs centrality and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, he said.

They consider ASEANs central role as a fundamental principle to promote cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, and ASEAN-led mechanisms as the foundation for dialogue and cooperation in the region, he said.

Assoc. Prof., Ambassador ang inh Quy, former deputy minister of foreign affairs, said that in 2030, ASEAN will be the fourth largest economy in the world and the most successful Community in regional links for developing countries. ASEAN has experienced difficulties in building the Community but continues to receive attention from major countries.

From now until 2030, Myanmar is unlikely to hold elections. Meanwhile, the East Sea area still sees potential instability, even local conflicts. ASEAN countries continue to feel pressure from major countries and collective forces, he said.

The role of regional institutions is challenging but may grow, Quy said, predicting that ASEAN will have a greater role when it maintains solidarity and independence and increases its internal strength through efforts to connect and build the community.

On the contrary, ASEANs role will decline if it fails to handle the 'push and pull' pressure of major countries and fails to maintain solidarity and unity in issues of common interest to the association, he said.

Dr Nguyen Hai Luu, deputy director general of the Foreign Policy Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean regions continue to be the locomotives of world economic growth, but they contain many complex and unpredictable traditional and non-traditional security factors.

ASEAN continues to play a central role in the region's security structure, being the only forum in the region capable of hosting dialogue and cooperation between major countries, he said.

Vithaya Xayavong, director general of the Institute of Foreign Affairs in Laos, said: Enhancing our good relationship with external partners is indeed crucial, especially as Southeast Asia has become a competing ground amid geopolitical tensions between major powers."

By promoting regional integration and resilience through various initiatives, ASEAN can deepen partnerships with other regional and global actors, particularly major powers. This strategic approach will allow ASEAN to balance diverse interests and avoid being overshadowed by external influences, ultimately contributing to a stable and prosperous region amid the evolving dynamics of competing major powers.

To build a strong community, ASEAN cohesion, resilience and connectivity must be further enhanced.

Trust is indeed the cornerstone of the ASEAN Community, seamlessly connecting its diverse member nations. This trust is not merely a sentiment but a practical necessity in an environment where disparities exist, she said.

Ambassador Artauli Tobing, former Indonesian Ambassador to Viet Nam and former Presidential Advisor highlighted the emergence of non-State actors as important players in influencing international standards.

While ASEANs engagement with non-State actors is not new and has grown steadily in line with its vision of building a people-centred community, many believe that these efforts could still be intensified for greater impacts, she said.

Simply increasing engagement is not enough. Strengthening as well as intensifying regular dialogue and communication at ASEAN between State and non-State actors, such as women's groups, religious leaders, youth, professional associations, is needed.  VNS
LIMA  Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong delivered a message about firm confidence in a bright future, while addressing the APEC CEO Summit 2024 as part of his attendance at the APEC Economic Leaders Week in Lima on November 14 morning (local time).

A keynote speaker, Cuong emphasised that as the world is undergoing profound and transformative changes that shape the international political and economic landscape and impact every nation and business alike, APEC provides an essential platform for reflection, dialogue, and the creation of an economic governance system that underpins the growth of the member economies.

To fulfil the shared objectives, the member economies must focus on four key priorities, he said. Firstly, they must ensure a peaceful and stable international environment that nurtures global trade and investment, alongside economic integration and connectivity.

Secondly, it is essential to ensure that every nation and individual have equal access to opportunities and can fully benefit the outcomes of cooperation and development.

Thirdly, the member economies must develop comprehensive solutions for transitioning to clean, green energy to effectively tackle humanity's most pressing challenge of climate change.

And lastly, it is necessary to ensure that disruptive technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, are developed and applied responsibly and inclusively, becoming essential drivers of economic growth and social progress.

Affirming that the business community plays a crucial role in the remarkable successes of the Asia-Pacific and in fostering APEC cooperation, the President highlighted several key areas where they can make impactful contributions, including leading the way in innovating business models and production processes toward green, circular, and digital economic practices, and becoming a driving force in both the green and digital transitions, inspiring and facilitating the growth of critical sectors; and increasing investment in research and development to nurture the growth and application of groundbreaking technologies that tackle pressing global challenges.

They should actively participate in shaping the regulations and standards for emerging and strategically important sectors of the global economy; and serve as a vital bridge to connect economies, enhance people-to-people exchanges, and contribute to building and strengthening cooperative and friendly relations among nations, Cuong stressed.

The leader affirmed that Viet Nam is entering into a new era with a renewed mindset, propelled by a strong aspiration to become a prosperous and contented nation, backed by unwavering confidence in a bright future. Our strong foundations consist of a rapidly expanding and dynamic economy ranked 25th globally; a robust and stable political system that places the people at its core; a patriotic, self-reliant, and resilient population of over 100 million; and a wide network of international friends and partners across every continent, he said.

The country persists the principles of independence, self-reliance, resilience, diversification, and multilateralism with a focus on peace, cooperation, and development, while fully supporting the multilateral trading system, recognising the pivotal role of the World Trade Organization, firmly believing in the values of free trade, connectivity, and international integration, and engaging responsibly and contributing positively to global politics, the world economy, and human civilisation, thus positioning it as a friend, a reliable partner, and an active, responsible member of the international community.

Cuong went on to say that Viet Nams vigorous growth will unlock new opportunities for both domestic and international enterprises across a diverse range of sectors, including commerce, industry, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, logistics, and high-tech industries.

The Vietnamese market has consistently offered exceptional benefits and distinct advantages that few places can match, he emphasised.

Concluding his speech, the Vietnamese State leader stressed that as the world is navigating significant global upheaval and confront risks of protectionism, fragmentation, and decoupling, APEC must once again embrace its vital role as a bridge that connects and promotes cooperation among its members. Together, we must endeavour to build a transparent and equitable international economic governance system that ensures balanced benefits for all parties involved, he stressed.  VNS
LIMA  State President Luong Cuong received leaders of several outstanding businesses of Peru in Lima at noon on November 14 (local time), within the framework of his official visit to the Latin American country and his attendance at the APEC Economic Leaders Week there.

These are operating in various sectors, including mining, energy, port investment, financial services, mutual fund management, electricity, and insurance.

Speaking highly of the remarkable progress and dynamism of Viet Nam's economy, they said that the two sides can fully complement each other in striving for a sustainable and prosperous future, and expressed their hope to learn more about the Vietnamese market and seek potential partners for collaboration in areas where both countries have strengths, thereby helping further boost the bilateral economic, trade, and investment relations.

Cuong expressed his pleasure at the meeting, saying he believes it will make a positive contribution to the development of bilateral economic and investment relations to a new and better phase.

Recalling the important progress in bilateral cooperation across various fields in recent times, he stated that there still has much room for growth, especially now that both countries have officially become full members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Cuong emphasised that Peru's designation as a "Development Partner" by ASEAN will enhance its presence in Southeast Asia and open up opportunities to boost trade between the Latin American nation and ASEAN member countries. He also expressed his hope that Viet Nam will serve as a gateway to connect Peruvian businesses with the ASEAN market of nearly 700 million people.

Based on their recommendations, Cuong shared some ideas for future cooperation between businesses of both sides. He urged Peru to support and facilitate Viet Nam's projects, particularly in areas such as digital transformation, digital infrastructure, smart cities, cybersecurity, digital health, and digital education; and to create favourable conditions in the process of finalising the transfer of Viet Nam's oil and gas projects to Peru.

The State leader also suggested Peruvian enterprises explore the possibility of collaborating in sectors where Peru has particular strengths and Viet Nam also has significant potential, such as mining, organic agriculture, food processing, and tourism.

He urged both sides to continue coordinating in utilising free trade agreements (FTAs) and bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms to which both countries are members, such as APEC, CPTPP, and the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC).

The President reaffirmed Viet Nam's commitment to creating a favourable business and investment environment for foreign investors in general, and for Peruvian companies in particular, to cooperate and invest effectively and sustainably in the country.  VNS
LIMA  State President Luong Cuong met with Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Hassanal Bolkiah on November 14 (local time) on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders Week in Lima.

Cuong conveyed warm greetings from Party General Secretary To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man to the Brunei leader.

Expressing their satisfaction at the effective development of the Viet Nam-Brunei comprehensive partnership, the two leaders agreed to work closely to make the bilateral relations develop in a deeper fashion, benefiting the two peoples while contributing to building a strong, resilient, and sustainable ASEAN community.

Looking ahead, they concurred to continue promoting exchanges and contacts at all levels and to maintain the effective implementation of the bilateral cooperation mechanisms. They were also unanimous to effectively carry out the action programme for the Viet Nam  Brunei comprehensive partnership for the 2023-2027 period and strengthen collaboration across all domains, particularly in the four priority areas agreed by the high-ranking leaders of both sides, namely oil and gas, chemicals, Halal food processing, and tourism and people-to-people exchange.

President Cuong affirmed Viet Nam's commitment to facilitating Brunei's business investments and called on Brunei to support Vietnamese firms with production processes, grant certifications for Vietnamese agricultural and Halal products, and create favourable conditions for Vietnamese Halal goods to enter Bruneis market and integrate into the global Halal supply chain.

The Sultan of Brunei agreed to enhance cooperation with Viet Nam in crucial areas like maritime collaboration, including considering the extension of the Memorandum of Understanding on the fisheries hotline and facilitating fishing permits for Vietnamese vessels in Brunei's waters.

Both leaders underscored the significance of maintaining ASEAN's solidarity, unity, and centrality in the region and bolstering cooperation in regional and international issues of mutual concerns. Brunei affirmed its support for Viet Nam's hosting of the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) in 2025 and APEC chairmanship in 2027.

Regarding the East Sea issue, they emphasised the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the waters and settling disputes by peaceful means and in accordance with international laws, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. They agreed to continue close coordination to maintain solidarity, consensus, and the outcomes that ASEAN has obtained in the issue.

In closing, the Sultan expressed his expectation for his upcoming visit to Viet Nam and invited President Cuong to visit Brunei soon.  VNS
LIMA  State President Luong Cuong met with mayor of Peru's capital Lima Rafael Lopez Aliaga on November 14, as part of his official visit to the country.

The Lima official affirmed that the people of the city, like all Peruvians, highly value the friendship and cooperative ties with Viet Nam, pledged his readiness to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, and voiced his hope for an early establishment of a sisterly relationship between Lima and a Vietnamese locality.

Cuong suggested Lima, as Perus capital, play a leading role in promoting the two countries multifaceted cooperation. He also requested that the mayor support Viet Nams Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group (Viettel) in expanding its Bitel project in Peru and participating in Limas digital transformation and smart city projects.

The Peruvian mayor expressed his full support for Viettels investment in Peru, particularly its efforts to extend coverage to remote areas.

Underscoring the capitals ambition to develop as a smart city, he said he looks forward to future opportunities for knowledge-sharing between both sides in this area and shared his wish to learn from Viet Nams expertise, seeking support in carrying out projects to build systems of social welfare and credit-providing e-wallet for low-income residents in Lima.

On this occasion, the municipal administration awarded Cuong the token key to the city in recognition of his role in fostering a robust, sustainable partnership between the two countries.

Speaking at a ceremonial event following the private meeting, Lopez Aliaga emphasised that the presentation of the key symbolises President Luong Cuongs new status as a close friend of Lima and Peru.

Cuong expressed his gratitude for the honour, describing it as both a privilege and a responsibility to further deepen the positive and practical ties between the two countries. VNS
LIMA  State President Luong Cuong received a delegation from the US-APEC Business Coalition in Lima on November 14 afternoon (local time), on the occasion of his attendance at the APEC Economic Leaders Week.

The coalition brings together the leading US business associations active on APEC to coordinate efforts in support of US policy objectives. US enterprises participating in the meeting operate in different fields, and mainly have investment projects in Viet Nam.

Representatives of the businesses noted that Viet Nams collection of feedback from both domestic and foreign businesses, including those from the US, to several new laws that have been enacted or are in the process of being drafted is highly commendable, as they aim to benefit the people and facilitate business operations. Many issues are being actively pursued by the Vietnamese government which has laid out clear roadmaps, mechanisms, and policies for business activities, they affirmed.

They also committed to continuing to expand production and business activities, innovating their operations, while also providing specific recommendations and proposals for industries and sectors in which they operate in Viet Nam, such as pharmaceuticals, insurance, digital transformation, and banking and finance.

Participants also expressed their hope for continuous attention from the Vietnamese State President, Government, ministries, and sectors to have effective production and business in the country.

Cuong highlighted that cooperation between Viet Nam and the US has continuously expanded and developed remarkably nearly three decades after the normalisation of their relations and more than a year the relationship was elivated to a comprehensive strategic partnership. This relationship has consistently grown based on the foundation of sincerity, trust, and responsibility, through empathy, mutual sharing, and respect, in response to the aspirations of the two peoples.

Viet Nam views the US as a strategically important partner and believes in the opportunities for growth within the comprehensive strategic partnership, thereby helping realise the aspirations of both peoples for a bright and dynamic future, and contributing to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the regions and the world.

The President emphasised that Viet Nam is entering a new era full of potential, continuing important reforms, enhancing international integration, and promoting sustainable development. It is steadily improving its investment climate in a clear, transparent, and stable direction aligned with international practices to attract investment, with a focus on three main pillars of extensive reforms, protecting business interests, and developing new economic drivers.

In the context of the global economic transformation, technology and sustainable development will be two core factors shaping the future of the world economy, Cuong said, adding that Vietnam wishes to closely cooperate with US businesses and the APEC region in areas such as high-tech and innovation, renewable energy, and green development.

He emphasised that the country welcomes US companies to invest in artificial intelligence, big data, biotechnology, financial technology, and establishing research and development centres. On the other hand, Viet Nam has set a goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and is currently implementing policies to encourage and attract investment to the renewable energy sector, including solar energy, wind energy, and energy storage technologies.  VNS
Indiana Jones and The Lord of the Rings star John Rhys-Davies believes a great, enduring story  like Tolkiens classic trilogy  has two elements: right vs. wrong.

A good story, the 80-year-old actor told The Christian Post, is one that challenges us with the fundamental conflict between right and wrong, and shows us the redemptive power of change.

This is precisely what drew the veteran actor to narrate SCROOGE: A Christmas Carol, the audio drama from screenwriter P.G. Cuschieri and creator-producer Mark Ramsey that reimagines Charles Dickens classic tale for the holiday season.

Presented by Hope Media Group and Compassion International, the four-part adaptation brings Dickens timeless message of transformation and compassion to life with an all-star cast that includes Sean Astin, Rhys-Davies Rings co-star, as the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge.

For Rhys-Davies, whose career spans several decades, Scrooge reveals the potential for goodness within every individual, even when burdened by past mistakes.

I suppose the whole thing is about that time of year when we reassess ourselves and reassess our lives, when we see how we failed, and yet, there is hope. It affirms hope, and it affirms the possibility that we can change, he said.

After a stellar debut in 2023  garnering accolades like Christian Music Broadcasters' "Podcast of the Year" and an Ambie nomination for "Best Performance in Audio Fiction"  the reimagined Christmas Carol is set to hit podcast platforms on Nov. 22.

The podcasts immersive format is enhanced by soundscapes, capturing the iconic clank of Marleys chains, the eerie footsteps of Christmas spirits and the poignant moments that mark Scrooges internal struggle.

It's got all the great trappings of a gothic story: the clatter, the heavy foot beats on the floor, the clunk of chains, the chains that we have built in our own lives, the chains that we will have to carry, Rhys-Davies said. And these are the chains that you will carry unless you change. And that change, of course, involves other people, our relations with other people, our willingness to be compassionate, to see where there is a need and meet that need. And the story really works, because it is about redemption. It is about hope, the belief that no matter how bad we were this year or last year, there's still the chance that we can be saved.

The actor, who played the dwarf Gimli in The Lord of the Rings, told CP that both Scrooge and Gimlis journeys underscore the timeless themes of transformation, redemption and the human hearts capacity to overcome prejudice and embrace compassion.

In some ways, the most human character of all is Gimli, the dwarf, he contended. He is the most human of us. He has some of our vices. He is hostile, aggressive, xenophobic and distrustful. He is a bigot. He is, in his mind justified: Never trust an elf. But he also has virtues that we aspire to, the capacity for friendship, for being protective, for knowing the difference between right and wrong, for being willing to be courageous.

In A Christmas Carol, Scrooges path is one of gradually opening his heart to the needs of others, evolving from a miser into a man of warmth and generosity.

This change, catalyzed by encounters with the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come, is, in Rhys-Davies view, not so different from Gimlis transformation in The Lord of the Rings.

Gimli, too, carries his own chains, he said, referencing Scrooges haunting visions of the chains forged from selfishness and cruelty. He begins as someone who mistrusts others  particularly the Elves  but through friendship, courage, and his own sense of honor, he ultimately breaks free of his own shackles  the parallel is there in the end.

Rhys-Davies  who told CP that through his work, he aims to defend the values of Western European Christian civilization, because they are the great and glorious life of mankind  said that the story of Ebenezer Scrooge is one that reminds listeners of the essence of what it means to be human while providing the Gospel message.

None of us are good enough; we all are not kind enough or generous enough," he said. "We all make snap judgments. We all say hurtful things. But there is a chance that next year or now, actually, this day, this night, after that night's experience, there is still the chance that I will get out of bed and be a human being, be a decent man, that we can, through love, be changed.

This year, The Worlds Biggest Small Group "In A Christmas Carol," is also releasing the free companion piece, SCROOGE: A five-Day Devotional based on the story. The study invites people to reflect on choosing joy, embracing contentment and extending mercy. Created for families, the devotional also includes activities for children.

Watch the trailer for Scrooge below.

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Originally published by The Christian Post
LIMA  The 35th APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM 35) convened on Thursday in Lima, co-chaired by Perus Foreign Minister Elmer Schialer and Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism Desilu Leon.

The meeting gathered foreign and economic ministers from APECs 21 member economies, including Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son.

Discussions centered on APECs progress in 2024, specifically regarding actions aligned with the APEC Vision 2040, as well as initiatives to promote clean hydrogen energy development and food loss prevention.

A key focus was bolstering cooperation on trade, investment, innovation, and digitalisation to support sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth.

Participants underscored the importance of a fair, transparent, and inclusive trade environment and reaffirmed their commitment to a rule-based multilateral trade system, including WTO reform.

They also supported efforts toward regional economic integration, aiming for a future Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP).

Additional discussions focused on enhancing support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to improve their capacity and access to global markets.

Participants agreed to prioritise APEC cooperation on green transitions, affordable and equitable clean energy shifts, and the implementation of the Food Security Roadmap towards 2030.

Attention was also directed to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, with an emphasis on fostering a sustainable economic transition for vulnerable populations from the informal to the formal economy.

Son lauded APECs 2024 achievements, emphasising Perus active contributions as the host.

During the session on "Innovation and Digitalisation to Foster a Shift to a Formal and Global Economy", he highlighted Viet Nams digital transition efforts, aimed at creating job opportunities and economic inclusion, especially within the informal sector.

From Viet Nams experience, he offered several recommendations for APEC cooperation, including strengthening digital governance by sharing best practices for integrating digital technology into business registration, tax compliance, and labour regulations; supporting MSMEs by enhancing the access to capital and markets through digital platforms and online banking, streamlining administrative processes, and fostering business connectivity; and expanding vocational training and digital skills programmes for workers, particularly in the informal sector, to facilitate a fair transition to the formal economy.

Viet Nams recommendations were well-received by APEC members and included in the meetings formal documents.

The 35th APEC Ministerial Meeting marks a significant event within the 2024 APEC Leaders Week, laying groundwork for the 31st APEC Economic Leaders Meeting on November 15-16, 2024.  VNS
PRAGUE  State Vice President of Viet Nam Vo Thi Anh Xuan met with high-ranking Czech leaders on November 14 as part of her official visit to the Czech Republic from November 13-16, aiming to enhance bilateral cooperation in anticipation of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries (1950-2025).

During her meeting with Czech President Petr Pavel and her talks with Senate Speaker Milos Vystrcil, both sides highlighted the positive development of their traditional friendship across various fields.

The Czech side emphasised that Viet Nam is a key partner and a potential market in Southeast Asia, noting the 2025 anniversary is an ideal opportunity to enhance high-level delegation exchanges and advance the bilateral cooperation.

Xuan noted Vietnamese peoples gratitude to the Czech people for their support during their past struggles for national independence and reunification, as well as the present cause of socio-economic development and international integration. She affirmed Viet Nams commitment to strengthening its traditional friendship with the Czech Republic, a prominent partner in Central and Eastern Europe.

In the realm of economic cooperation, the two countries agreed to continue the effective implementation of the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). Xuan called on the Czech Republic to urge other EU countries to ratify the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement and the European Commission to remove its "yellow card" warning against Vietnamese seafood exports related to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Both sides noted that many Czech businesses are keen to expand investments in Viet Nam, with Skoda Group currently building an automobile manufacturing plant in Quang Ninh. Viet Nams focus on digital transformation, green transition, and climate change adaptation presents new opportunities for Czech enterprises.

For labour and education, the official suggested the Czech Republic consider signing a bilateral labour cooperation agreement to facilitate visa access for Vietnamese students and tourists. Both sides also agreed to advance cooperation in traditional areas like science and technology, defence and security, culture, and tourism, including exploring a direct flight route to foster people-to-people exchanges.

With regard to international issues, the two sides agreed to continue coordinating and supporting each other at multilateral forums, underscoring the importance of maintaining peace, stability, and resolving disputes peacefully in line with the United Nations Charter and international law.

Earlier, on November 13, Xuan held bilateral meetings with Jaroslav Vitek, Vice President of the Czech-Vietnam Friendship Association, and Petr Simunek, Vice President of the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia.

Vitek praised Viet Nams development achievements and affirmed the associations role in fostering the bilateral relations, especially its efforts in gaining official recognition of the Vietnamese community as an ethnic minority in the Czech Republic.

Simunek expressed admiration for Viet Nams progress and pledged to continue strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the two Parties and countries for the benefit of both peoples.  VNS
HA NOI The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) remains fully valid and continues to affirm its essential role in maintaining the legal order on the seas and oceans, said alternate member of the Party Central Committee and Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu.

Speaking to the press on the occasion of the UNCLOSs 30th anniversary, Vu hailed UNCLOS as one of the 20th century's greatest achievements in international law, saying that it not only codifies customary international law but also develops international maritime law to meet new trends in the use and exploitation of the seas and oceans.

As a comprehensive legal framework consisting of 320 articles divided into 17 parts and nine annexes, UNCLOS governs all activities on the seas and oceans that cover over 70% of the Earth's surface. Referred to as the "Constitution on the Oceans", it lays the groundwork for nations to collaborate on ocean governance in a sustainable and orderly manner.

UNCLOS, for the first time, has defined the scope and legal status of maritime zones, empowering nations to exercise their rights and conduct activities at sea in accordance with international law, he said, adding that it also established a relatively comprehensive dispute settlement system.

About Viet Nams contributions to the UNCLOS building and enforcement, Vu noted that Viet Nam has been a staunch supporter of UNCLOS since its inception. As one of the first 107 countries to sign the convention in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Viet Nam ratified the Convention before it came into effect.

To comply with UNCLOS, Viet Nam has since refined its legal system on the seas and oceans, enacting strategies, policies and plans to ensure the effective and sustainable use of its marine resources.

Viet Nam's commitment to UNCLOS is evident in its success in settling maritime boundary issues with neighbouring countries, including Thai Lan, China, and Indonesia.

Additionally, Viet Nam has actively joined activities within the framework of international mechanisms established under the convention and presented numerous initiatives welcomed by the international community, thereby gradually elevating the countrys role on the global stage.

Once a member of the Council of the International Seabed Authority, Viet Nam made substantial contributions to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea's advisory opinions on climate change and international law. It also actively engaged in negotiations and was one of the first countries to sign the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, the most recent international document related to the UNCLOS implementation.

Viet Nam also nominated experienced and qualified experts to the bodies established under UNCLOS, including a candidate for the position of judge at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) for the 2026-2035 term. Viet Nam, alongside 11 co-founding nations, established the UNCLOS Group of Friends at the United Nations, which now comprises over 100 member countries from various regions, all dedicated to promoting the effective implementation of the convention, Vu added.

Regarding planned activities, the diplomat said Viet Nam will strive to successfully carry out activities to continue to demonstrate its respect for, compliance with and full implementation of UNCLOS. These will also demonstrate the image of Viet Nam in the rising era, being a trustworthy friend and responsible member of the international community.

Firstly, Viet Nam will continue to promulgate policies and perfect the national legal system related to the sea and islands towards sustainable development, meeting the requirements of protecting sovereignty over seas and islands, and ensuring compliance with international law, including UNCLOS.

Secondly, the country will keep upholding the respect for the rule of law and considering the convention as the legal basis for conducting activities at sea, including the peaceful settlement of maritime disputes with neighbouring countries, towards peaceful and sustainable management of maritime areas, including the East Sea.

Thirdly, Viet Nam will actively participate in and make substantial contributions to forums on the law of the seas and oceans such as the Meeting of States Parties to UNCLOS and the UN Ocean Conference, and continue to contribute to issues of concern to the international community, including climate change, conservation and sustainable use of resources and biodiversity in the oceans.

The diplomat went on to say that Viet Nam will also call on countries to continue to ratify and participate in the convention, while promoting the goodwill and full implementation of the provisions of the convention so that UNCLOS can further promote its role as a comprehensive legal framework regulating all activities at seas and oceans.

Finally, Viet Nam will continue to further strengthen cooperation with international legal bodies, especially specialised agencies on oceans and the law of the sea, he said. VNS
HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on November 15 called on the whole society to join hands with teachers and the education sector in nurturing owners of the future, especially when Viet Nam is preparing to enter a new era - the era of the nations rise.

Meeting with outstanding teachers across the country in 2024 on the occasion of Vietnamese Teachers' Day (November 20), the PM affirmed that, towards the new era, education remains the top national policy and teachers continue to play a decisive role in the education cause.

The PM praised teachers and the education sector for overcoming difficulties and challenges and making many great achievements during the past time. Particularly, when implementing the Resolution of the 11th National Party Congress and Resolution No. 29-NQ/TW of the Central Party Committee, the education and training sector has achieved important results, actively contributing to improving people's knowledge, nurturing talents, and promoting industrialisation, modernisation and international integration.

He said that in the coming time, the education and training sector must be reformed more fundamentally and comprehensively to properly meet the requirements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the strong development of digital technology and artificial intelligence.

The government leader hoped that Viet Nam's education and training can reach the advanced level of the Asian region by 2030 and the advanced level of the world by 2045.

To that end, the PM requested ministries, agencies and localities to continue to pay attention to the education and training sector and improve the quality of teaching and learning.

He asked relevant agencies to perfect the law on teachers, create institutional breakthroughs and a solid legal basis for the development of the education sector in general, and the teaching staff in particular, in accordance with the direction of Party General Secretary To Lam, who asked for a law that can inspire teachers to work and create favourable conditions for them to devote themselves.

The PM also asked relevant agencies to effectively mobilise and use resources to invest in school facilities, prevent school violence, and continue to build and develop school culture.

PM Chinh emphasised the need to improve the quality of the teaching staff and cadres working in the education and training sector. He asked agencies to review and perfect the recruitment, employment and remuneration mechanisms and policies so that teachers can enjoy salaries commensurate with their efforts, especially preschool teachers, those working in remote, isolated and difficult areas, teachers teaching in arduous and hazardous professions.

In particular, it is necessary to promptly address the shortage or surplus of teachers in particular areas.

He said there must be better mechanisms to mobilise resources from the State, society, and other legitimate resources to improve the quality of educational institutions, so that the teaching staff is increasingly qualified, comprehensive, and loves their profession, ensuring suitability and adaptation to the international integration situation.

Meanwhile, each teacher should be a shining example of maintaining good morality, constantly studying, accumulating knowledge and experience to improve professional qualifications, applying science and technology, seeking new approaches in teaching and learning.

Those will help to make each lesson truly useful and interesting, and each school day truly a happy day, the PM said. VNS
HA NOI A total of 18 candidates from five Asian countries have completed a Ha Noi training programme which aimed to prepare trainers for delivering specialised training meeting UN standards on peacekeeping.

The programme, held at the Peoples Security Academy from October 28 to November 15, brought together participants from Viet Nam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Nepal. It featured lessons on three topics related to UN peacekeeping, namely public order management; police capacity building; and supervision, guidance and consultancy.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Major General Nguyen Sy Quang, Chief of the Permanent Office for the UN Peacekeeping Operations under the Ministry of Public Security, said that preparing trainers for peacekeeper training courses is very important and this course also affirmed the close cooperation between Viet Nam, the UN and partners in this regard.

He noted that the ministry always identifies sending forces to UN peacekeeping operations as one of the important tasks, contributing to the implementation of the Party and State's commitments to the international community in maintaining an environment of peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

UN Resident Coordinator for Viet Nam Pauline Tamesis appreciated Viet Nams increasing contributions to the UN, particularly in peacekeeping activities.

She said that the four female police officers participated in the training course in Ha Noi, exceeding the UNs goal of womens participation in peacekeeping.

Notably, Vietnamese female police officers joining UN peacekeeping missions have demonstrated their good qualities, abilities, professional qualifications, and quick adaptation to complex conditions and challenging working environments of UN missions. In addition, they have also spread the beautiful image of the country and people of Viet Nam to the UN and international friends, she added.

Since 2022, the Ministry of Public Security has sent four working groups consisting of 11 officers to perform peacekeeping missions at the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), and one officer to the Police Division, the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations at the UN headquarters in New York. In January 2024, the ministry established Viet Nam Police Peacekeeping Unit No.1. In July 2024, this unit was upgraded by the UN from level 1 to level 2 in the ready-to-deploy system. VNS
HA NOI President of the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia Alen Simonyan will pay an official visit to Viet Nam from November 17-23.

The visit is made at the invitation of Vietnamese NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man, according to a communique from the Vietnamese NAs Committee for Foreign Affairs.
KIEN GIANG  Kien Giang Province is expected to harvest over 4.6 million tonnes of paddy this year, 200,000 tonnes higher than its target.

Viet Nams largest rice-producing province grows 725,210ha of rice this year, with 93.5 per cent devoted to high-quality varieties, according to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Situated in the (Cuu Long) Mekong Delta, the province grows three rice crops annually, with the winter-spring one being the largest at over 352,800ha planted this year.

Le Huu Toan, the departments director, stated that the department has collaborated with localities to implement the provincial rice-growing plan, forecast pest risks and provided guidance on sowing schedules and farming techniques.

They have also enhanced weather monitoring and hydro-meteorological forecasting to develop plans for addressing drought, saltwater intrusion and flood risks from heavy rains, helping minimise their impacts on agriculture.

The province has promoted advanced farming techniques like three increases-three reductions and one must-five reductions.

One must-five reductions requires using certified seeds and reducing the use of seedlings, nitrogenous fertilisers, plant protection chemicals, and irrigation and post-harvest losses.

Kien Giang has adopted international rice-growing standards, such as the Sustainable Rice Platform, focusing on enhancing quality, economic efficiency, competitiveness, and environmental and social security protection.

The Irrigation Sub-department effectively operates sluices in sea dykes and embankments, managing irrigation for agriculture. It collaborates with the Southern Irrigation Work Exploitation and Management One Member Ltd. Co to operate the Cai Lon - Cai Be and Xeo Ro irrigation systems, preventing flooding in low-lying areas.

The province is managing 767 large-scale rice fields totalling 116,500ha this year, 405 of which are cultivated under stakeholder linkages.

It has 27,080ha of large-scale fields meeting SRP, organic, VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards, whose output is exported to the EU, US, and Japan.

Besides, it is cultivating 60ha of rice in Tan Hiep and An Minh districts under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Developments project to sustainably develop one million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation aimed at green growth in the Mekong Delta.

Of this, 10ha area are under a rice-shrimp farming model.

Rice-shrimp farming

Kien Giang has approximately 107,000ha of rice-shrimp farming, where farmers grow rice during the rainy season and breed shrimp during the dry season.

The province encourages coastal farmers affected by dry-season saltwater intrusion to adopt this model as it reduces production costs and increases yields and profits.

Nguyen Van Hai of An Minh Districts ong Hoa Commune farms one rice crop and two shrimp crops annually on his three-hectare field, earning an income around VN200 million (US$7,900).

His rice meets VietGAP standards and so fetches a VN200 per kilogramme premium from traders, he said.

I use minimal fertilisers and pesticides, reducing production costs to less than VN20 million ($790) per hectare, which boosts profits by 1.5 times compared to traditional methods.

Many rice-shrimp farmers have joined co-operatives and co-operative groups to lower production costs and enhance efficiency.

Vo Van No of An Minhs ong Hung B Commune joined the Nga Bat Agricultural Service Co-operative and is guaranteed rice sales.

In this current crop he is cultivating ST24 and ST25, two of the worlds best rice varieties, on 3.5ha.

Agricultural officials have provided guidance on VietGAP-standard rice growing to ensure high quality for export, he said.

Farmers in An Minh District are growing 27,000ha of rice in rice-shrimp fields, with 70 per cent sown with high-quality varieties, according to the districts Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Nguyen Thanh ien, the bureaus deputy head, said that since 2022 the district has been strengthening value chains for rice-shrimp farming by encouraging companies to sign contracts with co-operatives.

Around 1,000ha of organic rice and 2,000ha of rice-shrimp fields operate under farming contracts, he added.

Rice-shrimp farming improves soil fertility and helps manage disease pathogens.

After the shrimp season ends, the crustaceans waste fertilises rice plants, reducing fertiliser and pesticide use.

After the rice season straw and fallen seeds decompose, they provide natural foods for the shrimp.

The province aims to expand rice-shrimp farming to 117,340ha by 2030.

To achieve this, it has advised farmers to convert unproductive mono-rice fields affected by saltwater intrusion into rice-shrimp fields.

This switch increases annual profits to VN100-130 million ($4,000-5,200) per hectare, compared to VN50 million ($2,000) from mono-rice fields, stated the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Toan, the departments director, said the province would focus on enhancing rice and shrimp yields through advanced techniques and foster collaboration among stakeholders to sustainably develop rice-shrimp farming.

It plans to establish more co-operatives and co-operative groups linked with companies to develop value chains for major rice-shrimp areas.

Brand names and geographical indications have been developed for rice and shrimp products, boosting export values and farmers profits, Toan added.  VNS
HCM CITY  The HCM City Peoples Committee on November 14 welcomed the 48th Ship for the Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Programme (SSEAYP) delegation.

This is a part of their ongoing visit to the city from November 14-17.

Delegates are outstanding young people who passed many selection rounds to represent their countries to participate in the meaningful SSEAYP voyage.

Vo Van Hoan, Vice Chairman of the HCM City Peoples Committee expressed his hope that each delegate will share their countrys success stories while bringing the culture and people of HCM City closer to international communities.

Under the programme themed 'Youth Participation,' delegates join six discussions, including Soft Power and Youth People to People Diplomacy, Economic Growth and Sustainable Community, Global Environment and Climate Change, Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery, Good Health and Well-being, and Digital Society.

In 2024, Viet Nam celebrates its 25th year of participation in the programme. The National Committee on Youth of Viet Nam has hosted the SSEAYP ship in HCM City 18 times.

The delegates present here are outstanding young faces, having passed many rounds of selection to represent their country in the meaningful SSEAYP journey," said Vice Chairman of HCM City Peoples Committee Vo Van Hoan.

"Your presence is not only a joy but also an opportunity for the people and youth of HCM City to fully express their friendship and hospitality, as well as introduce the history, culture, society and developmental achievements of the city, Hoan added

The SSEAYP program has always received much affection and attention from the people and youth of the city. The return of the Nippon Maru Ship to HCMC affirmed the enduring friendship between Southeast Asian countries and Japan.

Shunsuke Fujimori, Executive Director of the International Youth Exchange Program at the Cabinet Office of Japan and Administrator of the 48th SSEAYP Program, sincerely thanked the National Committee on Youth of Viet Nam and Vietnamese agencies for their continuous support and commitment to SSEAYP and shared that this was a memorable visit after five years interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

SSEAYP is a collaborative initiative between the governments of the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan, aimed at fostering friendship and exchanges among youth from ASEAN and Japan.

The programme, initiated in 1974, has enjoyed Viet Nam's participation since 1995. Its primary objective is to strengthen mutual understanding and friendship among young people from Japan and ASEAN countries.

For each participant, this programme offers a unique opportunity to explore and experience diverse cultures within the region, thus enhancing their capacity for international integration.

The arrival of the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program in HCM City provides an excellent platform to introduce to international friends a generation of HCM City youth who embody the spirit of Patriotism, Solidarity, Proactiveness, Creativity, and Integration in this new era of national development.

Viet Nam officially joined SSEAYP in 1996, after becoming a member of ASEAN in July 1995.

Since then, the Vietnamese contingent has left a profound and special mark on the programme.

The Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Ship docked at Tan Cang - Hiep Phuoc Port and operated in Ho Chi Minh City from November 14 to November 17. The programme took place with the participation of 168 delegates from nine ASEAN countries, Timor-Leste and Japan, of which Viet Nam had 15 delegates. VNS
HA NOI  There are still many conflicting views from manager, scientists and the business community regarding the new tobacco management policy, according to Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long.

At the 8th National Assembly session on November 12, Deputy PM Long emphasised that this is a concern for the public and voters nationwide.

In the spirit of the Government's directive, policies to control heated tobacco products and electronic cigarettes (or e-cigarettes), collectively known as new-generation cigarettes, should be issued when there is a full scientific consensus to ensure harmony between those involved.

For many years, although the Government repeatedly directed ministries and branches to submit proposals for appropriate management policies, there was still no agreement on a plan.

The emergence of new-generation tobacco products globally has led to many management challenges in countries, including Viet Nam.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien said that "violations involving traditional cigarettes or new generation cigarettes are mainly due to smuggling or illegal imports."

Experts said that problems with smuggling new-generation cigarettes are due to the long-term lack of a legal framework. The inevitable consequence is a series of product quality problems and drugs disguised in e-cigarettes.

Management plans proposed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade over the past 10 years have also continually changed, in addition to a proposed ban from the Ministry of Health.

As for whether all new-gen tobacco products should be banned, Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly's Culture and Education Committee Ta Van Ha said that authorities need to consider scientific evidence on the level of harm for each product and compare it with the level of harm for traditional cigarettes to have a basis for making decisions.

At the NA session, Minister of Health ao Hong Lan emphasised that the use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products is rapidly increasing and poses potential health and safety risks, especially for young people.

The Ministry has proposed the NA ban e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products before the revised Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harm is reviewed and passed. Minister Lan hopes that this proposal will be considered in the session and that the NA will issue a decision to ban these products to protect public health.

A domestic medical expert said that "it's okay to ban [these products], there's no need to research or evaluate" when citing the toxicity of new-gen tobacco products. This opinion is based on the number of hospitalisations due to using e-cigarettes containing banned substances.

WHO Representative in Viet Nam Angela Pratt has also confirmed that nicotine products, including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, are very harmful to health because they contain many toxins that can cause cancer, cardiovascular disease and chronic lung disease, as well as acute lung injury syndrome, a potentially fatal disease.

Dr Nguyen Minh uc from Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine in HCM City said that all types of cigarettes are addictive and toxic, but that traditional cigarettes, heated cigarettes and e-cigarettes are not drugs.

Deputy PM Long asked that the Ministry of Health coordinate with relevant agencies to come up with appropriate management solutions in the near future.

"The Prime Minister has repeatedly directed this issue, assigning the Ministry of Health to preside over and coordinate with the Ministry of Justice and relevant agencies to take appropriate measures to strengthen the management of e-cigarettes and heated cigarettes and other tobacco products to report to the National Assembly. At the same time, the Government assigned the Ministry of Health to research and develop a project to amend the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention," said the Deputy Prime Minister.

According to the spirit of the Government's law, the management policy for new-generation cigarettes not only covers heated cigarettes and e-cigarettes but also targets future new-generation tobacco products.

Policy development for these products is not only the responsibility of the two main advisory agencies to the Government, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Justice, but also requires coordination between other relevant agencies such as the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Finance.  VNS
For example, if a production company plants a hectare of forest and highlights this in its annual or sustainability report, can we call that sustainable development? Some would argue that such an initiative supports job creation and contributes to the journey towards net-zero, thereby qualifying as sustainable development.

Tran Ngoc Tho

Professor at Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics,

and member of the 2024 Vietnam Listed Companies Awards Council

But what about a bank or a securities company? While it may not plant forests, it might invest in advanced technology to ensure data security, thereby protecting thousands of its customers. Could this also be considered sustainable development?

According to broad criteria of sustainable development, financial institutions often struggle to gain recognition in this area. Awards frequently focus on manufacturing firms, which are certainly deserving. However, excluding banks, securities firms, and investment funds from sustainability awards raises the question: are we overlooking other worthy contributors?

A different challenge arises when setting criteria for sustainable finance. If we apply general, so-called international standards to financial institutions, does it make sense to award, for example, an insurance company solely on the basis of its greenhouse gas reduction investments?

Consider an insurance company that invests $40 million in emissions reduction, while a bank might invest 10 times that amount - $400 million - to exceed Basel III capital adequacy standards. Would the bank's commitment to resilience not also qualify as sustainable development?

In the finance sector, we would recognise such banks as sustainable. Why? Because, during economic shocks - whether due to a financial crisis or an environmental disaster - the strength of these banks capital buffers can protect depositors and maintain credit flow in the economy. However, under general sustainability criteria, these safe and sound banks often fail to qualify for a sustainable label.

Should we then seek tailored criteria to recognise sustainable development in financial institutions? If so, the next question is whether we should categorise financial institutions into banks and non-banks (such as securities firms, insurers, and investment funds), given their fundamentally different risk profiles. Banks operate with significant financial leverage (deposit liabilities), often many times higher than that of non-banks, making a one-size-fits-all framework unsuitable.

A potential solution could be to split awards into financial and non-financial sectors. However, identifying sustainable development criteria for finance - and further distinguishing between banks and non-banks - is no simple task. To my knowledge, no global framework exists for sustainable development specific to financial services. I have yet to see an internationally accepted sustainability framework designed specifically for the financial sector.

In reviewing the annual reports of several financial institutions, I have observed a trend towards sustainability initiatives - such as forest planting and encouraging employees to use electric vehicles to reduce emissions. But does this qualify them as sustainable? Are we guiding them in the right direction?

This presents a challenge for the 2024 Vietnam Listed Companies Awards Organising Committee of the Sustainable Business Awards, especially as more financial institutions turn to sustainability reporting.

44 listed companies in Vietnam excelling in information transparency for 2024 will be honoured at the 17th annual Vietnam Listed Companies Awards (VLCA) ceremony, set to take place at the Merperle Dalat Hotel. The VLCA, an extension of the Vietnam Annual Report Awards, is co-hosted by the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange, Hanoi Stock Exchange, and VIR, with exclusive sponsorship from Dragon Capital. Supported by professional partners like ACCA, VIOD, IFC, and leading audit firms PwC, Deloitte, KPMG, and EY, along with information from the State Securities Commission and both stock exchanges, VLCA 2024 results affirm the evaluation's accuracy and objectivity. Now in its 17th year, VLCA continues to support Vietnams stock market and listed company community.

*Tran Ngoc Tho, Professor at Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics,

and member of the 2024 Vietnam Listed Companies Awards Council.

VIR sustainable development conference opens in Hanoi VIRs annual sustainable development conference, themed Taking the Lead in Dual Transition for a Greener Vietnam, opened at the Pullman Hanoi Hotel on November 12. The event brings together key stakeholders to explore innovative solutions for achieving Vietnam's dual transition of green and digital transformation.

Takeda honoured for contributions to Vietnam's sustainable development With over a decade of groundbreaking innovative solutions in Vietnam's pharmaceutical sector, Takeda has been recognised for its contribution to sustainable development.

New Zealand shares sustainable development experience with Vietnam With its commitment to environmental preservation reflected in both policy and practice, New Zealand hopes its experiences can provide guidance for Vietnam's shift to a greener economy.
Jazz drummer Roy Haynes died on Tuesday at the age of 99.

Leslie Haynes-Gilmore, his daughter, shared with The New York Times that her father peacefully departed after a short battle with illness on the South Shore of Long Island.

For over seventy years, Haynes made his mark on the music scene, playing alongside legends like Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, and Sarah Vaughan.

A recent tribute praised his significant contributions and lasting impact, calling him "an irrepressible force" who managed to stay stylish and relevant throughout his incredible career, which began in the bebop era.

Born on March 13, 1925, Haynes grew up in Roxbury, Boston, and kicked off his musical journey in the early 1940s, turning drumming into his full-time career by 1945. During the '40s, he worked with the famous saxophonist Lester Young and was part of Charlie Parker's quintet from 1949 to 1952.In 1952, Haynes turned down an offer to join Duke Ellington's band, choosing instead to work with smaller groups that allowed him more creative freedom.

In 1952, Haynes declined an opportunity to join Duke Ellington's band, opting instead for smaller musical groups that offered greater creative freedom for musical expression.

His contribution stands out as remarkable, gracing the recordings of figures such as Miles Davis, Sarah Vaughan, and Thelonious Monk, establishing his name among the jazz elite.

Before the 1960s dawned, Haynes had already left his mark on the industry, featuring his talent alongside icons like Ray Charles and Stan Getz.

Transitioning seamlessly into a bandleader role, he continued to make waves, releasing his debut album "Busman's Holiday" in 1954.

In 1988, Haynes was honored with his first Grammy Award nomination for his collaboration with Chick Corea in the category of Best Jazz Instrumental Performance Group. Throughout the following two decades, he celebrated victory at the prestigious awards ceremony twice out of eight nominations. The year 2012 marked a significant milestone in his career when he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Grammys.

Among Haynes' accolades was the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres given upon him by the French government in 1996. Additionally, he received honorary doctorates from the Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory. His exceptional contributions to music were recognized in 2004 when DownBeat magazine honored him with induction into their Hall of Fame, a testament to his consistent presence in their readers' and critics' polls over 14 instances.
Overview of the conference. Photo: NIC

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Do Thanh Trung emphasised, As the agency responsible for advising on socioeconomic development strategies, the ministry has proposed and secured the prime ministers approval for an initiative named Developing Human Resources for the Semiconductor Industry by 2030, with Orientation to 2050. The programme aims to ensure that Vietnam has at least 5,000 engineers with advanced AI expertise serving the semiconductor industry by 2030.

Trung further stated, To foster the robust development of Vietnams AI community and position the country as a leading AI research and application hub in the region, the MPI will continue to support and advise on policies to advance AI technology.

Andrew Ure, Google managing director of Southeast Asia government affairs and public policy, highlighted Vietnams favourable environment for AI development, With a young, tech-savvy population and a dynamic digital landscape, Vietnam is well-positioned to harness AIs opportunities. We are delighted to collaborate with the NIC to launch the first AI Policy & Skilling Lab in Vietnam. This programme aims to work with the government, ministries, and research organisations to build an AI-driven future that benefits all.

The Google representative underscored the economic potential of AI for Vietnamese businesses. If AI tools are widely adopted, Vietnams enterprises could generate up to $79.3 billion by 2030, equivalent to nearly 12 per cent of the nations projected GDP, he added.

However, to achieve this, Googles report recommends strengthening Vietnams technical infrastructure for AI-driven innovation, preparing a workforce ready for AI adoption, and increasing accessibility to AI across all sectors of the economy.

The report also emphasises the importance of retaining and nurturing local talents by expanding access to digital education and implementing corporate training programmes. Closing the digital skills gap through advanced training and technology adoption could unlock significant economic opportunities for Vietnam.

During the workshop, experts from government agencies, research institutions, and businesses proposed solutions to encourage proactive investment in AI research and development, build a high-quality AI workforce, and develop an AI innovation ecosystem. This would create a supportive environment for nurturing and advancing AI-driven ideas.

Another key topic discussed was the establishment of a comprehensive legal framework for AI. Participants emphasised the need for regulations to ensure AI is developed and applied safely, responsibly, and in alignment with ethical values.

First AI exhibition on HPV prevention held in Vietnam 'Love Your Future Self', the first health exhibition in Vietnam to apply AI and 3D projection technology, is being held in Ho Chi Minh City from October 18 to 20.

Thinkfree launches Refinder AI, global enterprise AI search & assistant solution Thinkfree, a global office software company and subsidiary of Hancom-South Korea's leading software company, has officially launched Refinder AI.
Speaking at VIRs annual sustainable development conference on November 12, Le Hoai Thuong, Nestle's senior corporate affairs manager, expressed that dual transition is not a passing trend, but a long-term commitment embedded in the strategic priorities of leading companies.

Nestle Vietnam stands out as a pioneer in green and digital transformation, proving that a sustainable approach is not only essential for overcoming challenges, but also for thriving in an increasingly demanding international market.

According to Thuong, Nestle Vietnam began laying the groundwork for its sustainability efforts in 2010-2011 when it committed to responsible sourcing coffee from local farmers. At that time, the concept of green transformation was not as widely recognised, but we saw the potential and importance of sustainable sourcing, she noted.

For a major food company like Nestle, sourcing raw materials, particularly agricultural products, is a cornerstone of its operations. This is true not only for domestic production but also for meeting the demands of global markets, such as Europe, Thuong shared. By establishing sustainable sourcing standards early on, We have mitigated risks arising from increasingly stringent international regulations on emissions and traceability.

This foresight helps ensure the companys ongoing success and strengthens its supply chain.

Recognising the critical role farmers play, Nestle has also partnered with them to transition towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices.

The group has embraced digital tools to support farmers in managing their finances more efficiently. Additionally, Nestle has introduced a farm diary app, enabling farmers to record income and expenses, optimise their profits, and increase transparency in their operations.

Le Hoai Thuong, Nestle's senior corporate affairs manager, at VIR's conference. Photo: Duc Thanh

This initiative encourages farmers to adopt sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and their livelihoods. Through these efforts, the group has helped create a generation of entrepreneurial farmers and individuals who engage in agriculture and understand the broader importance of sustainable business practices.

Nestle Vietnam has focused on enhancing its export capabilities to meet the increasingly rigorous standards of global markets, particularly in traceability and emissions. By preparing to track emissions from the raw material supply stage, the group is positioning itself for long-term success as more countries introduce mandatory sustainability standards. This proactive approach gives the company a competitive edge and aligns it with the growing global demand for transparency and environmental responsibility.

By focusing on sustainable sourcing, supporting farmers, and collaborating with suppliers, the company has built a solid foundation for sustainable growth and success in the international market. These efforts not only help Nestle meet its sustainable development goals but also position the company as a leader in environmental responsibility, ready to meet the growing demands of the global market.

Vietnam on the verge of green industrial revolution At the first panel of VIR's sustainable development conference, experts highlighted the pressure facing Vietnam as the country enters a green industrial revolution.

New Zealand shares sustainable development experience with Vietnam With its commitment to environmental preservation reflected in both policy and practice, New Zealand hopes its experiences can provide guidance for Vietnam's shift to a greener economy.
Ha Long Bay. Photo: Unsplash

On November 13, Dragon Capital noted that the outcome of the US presidential election could trigger significant policy changes, impacting economies worldwide over the next four years.

During his 2024 election campaign, Donald Trump proposed a 60 per cent tariff on goods from China to address the trade deficit and encourage domestic manufacturing, along with tariffs of 10 to 20 per cent on other countries to protect US industries. Trump's proposed tariffs, if implemented, could negatively impact exporting countries, including Vietnam, Dragon Capital cautioned.

Bilateral trade between Vietnam and the United States has seen substantial growth, from $50 billion in 2016 to $110 billion in 2023, supported by strengthened diplomatic ties and the establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to foster cooperation. Dragon Capital suggests this partnership could help mitigate trade-related tensions.

Impact on the stock market and investor outlook

Turning to Vietnam's stock market, Dragon Capital observed that listed companies achieved strong net profit growth of 19.1 per cent in the three years before the COVID-19 pandemic under Trumps first term, underscoring their resilience despite global uncertainties.

However, Trumps unpredictable policies and statements increased market volatility during that period, although the VN-Index still recorded a compound annual return of around 15 per cent, the fund stated.

Dragon Capital recommended investors monitor these developments closely due to potential impacts on Vietnams export sectors and market stability. Vietnams economic and trade prospects continue to look relatively optimistic, bolstered by the governments growth-oriented policies, the fund stated. However, a stronger US dollar could draw foreign capital away from emerging markets.

On the other hand, Dragon Capital outlined two scenarios that could potentially impact Vietnams economy. In a protectionist scenario, trade barriers could reduce profit growth for Vietnamese companies from the current 16-18 per cent to between 5-9 per cent. Alternatively, targeted tariffs could allow Vietnam to capitalise on reduced competition with China, potentially increasing its market share in manufacturing and exports.

This trend could stimulate localisation by domestic manufacturers, strengthen the real economy, and support Vietnams stock market, the fund suggested. Although risks remain, the countrys robust economy and investor optimism indicate resilience amid potential challenges and shifts in global trade policy.

Dragon Capital increases stake in Sacombank Dragon Capital, a prominent investment group, has bolstered its position in Saigon Thuong Tin Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Sacombank) by acquiring an additional 3.5 million shares on October 19.

Addressing ESG principles at the corporate level Sustainability is increasingly critical for the long-term success of Vietnamese listed companies. Dominic Scriven, chairman of Dragon Capital, spoke with VIRs Song Huong about adopting environmental, social, and governance principles.

Vietnam maturing into respected capital player Dragon Capital is heavily investing in Vietnam and has been ever-present in the country for three decades. In an exclusive interview, chairman Dominic Scriven shared insights with VIRs Le Luu into the evolving Vietnamese capital market.

Dragon Capital launches Vietnams first open-ended fund with cash dividends for passive income DCDE is Vietnam's first open-ended equity fund to distribute cash dividends, offering non-professional investors a passive income option. This strategy combines the advantage of a regular income stream through attractive dividends and long-term capital growth based on the stock markets ongoing development and performance. Nguyen Sang Loc, portfolio manager at Dragon Capital, discussed with VIRsPhan Hang the fund's investment approach and risk mitigation strategies in the current volatile market.
Russian Defence Ministry reports on repelling AFU attempt to invade Russian territory in Kursk region (14 November 2024)

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the operation to neutralise an enemy group, which broke into the territory of Kursk region.

Units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of the 21st, 22nd, 41st, 47th, 61st, 115th mechanised brigades, 17th Tank Brigade, 80th, 82nd, 95th air assault brigades, 36th Marine Brigade, 103rd, 112th and 129th territorial defence brigades of the AFU close to Daryino, Leonidovo, Malaya Loknya, Nikolayevo-Daryino, and Novoivanovka.

Army Aviation and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the enemy near Aleksandriya, Bogdanovka, Viktorovka, Guyevo, Zamostye, Zeleny Shyakh, Kruglenkoye, Lebedevka, Loknya, Martynovka, Makhnovka, Mirny, Nizhny Klin, Nikolsky, Novaya Sorochina, Novoivanovka, Plyokhovo, Staraya Sorochina, Sudzha, Cherkasskoye Porechnoye, and Yuzhny.

Operational-Tactical Aviation and Missile Troops delivered strikes at AFU reserves on the territory of Sumy region near Basovka, Belovody, Zhuravka, Pisarevka, Khoten, and Yunakovka.

Over the past 24 hours, the AFU losses amounted to up to 430 troops, ten tanks, two infantry fighting vehicles, 19 armoured fighting vehicles, 33 motor vehicles, one Anklav-N electronic warfare station, seven field artillery guns, including two 155-mm Bogdana self-propelled artillery system, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers, and one 105-mm M101 gun.

Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses have amounted to more than 32,580 troops, 212 tanks, 136 infantry fighting vehicles, 112 armoured personnel carriers, 1,165 armoured fighting vehicles, 940 motor vehicles, 281 artillery guns, 40 MLRS launchers, including 11 of HIMARS and six of MLRS made by the USA, 12 anti-aircraft missile launchers, seven transport-loading vehicles, 63 EW stations, 13 counter-battery warfare radars, four air defence radars, 27 units of engineering and other materiel, including 13 counterobstacle vehicles, one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle, six armoured recovery vehicles, and one command post vehicle.

The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress.

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Russian Defence Ministry reports on the progress of the special military operation (14 November 2024) The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation. In Kharkov direction, units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of the 71st Jaeger Brigade, 113th and 120th territorial defence brigades near Volchansk and Liptsy (Kharkov region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 80 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, and seven motor vehicles. Units of the Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the 14th, 60th, 116th mechanised brigades, 25th Airborne Brigade of the AFU, 119th, 241st territorial defence brigades, and 1st National Guard Brigade near Terny (Donetsk Peoples Republic), Zagryzovo, Lozovaya, Boguslavka, Kovsharovka, Petropavlovka (Kharkov region), as well as Serebryansky forestry. Two counter-attacks launched by formations of the AFU 14th and 28th mechanised brigades were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 570 troops, one infantry fighting vehicle, one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, seven motor vehicles, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers, four Anklav-N and Kvertus electronic warfare stations, and one Plastun electronic reconnaissance system. Three field ammunition depots were destroyed. Units of the Yug Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front line and inflicted losses on formations of the 30th, 33rd, 56th, 81st mechanised brigades, 56th Motorised Infantry Brigade, 46th Airborne Brigade, 79th Air Assault Brigade of the AFU, and 116th Territorial Defence Brigade near Zaliznyanskoye, Druzhkovka, Dyleyevka, Orekhovo-Vasilyevka, Reznikovka, Kurakhovo, Annovka, and Seversk (Donetsk Peoples Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 655 troops, three tanks, one infantry fighting vehicle, one armoured personnel carrier, 13 motor vehicles, one UK-made 155-mm Braveheart self-propelled artillery system, one Polish-made 155-mm Krab self-propelled artillery system, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, one U.S.-made 105-mm M119 gun, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers, and one Croatian-made 122-mm RAK-SA-12 MLRS launcher. Two Anklav-N electronic warfare stations, one Plastun electronic reconnaissance station, and two ammunition depots. Units of the Tsentr Group of Forces continued advancing to the depth of the enemys defences and liberated Voznesenka (Donetsk Peoples Republic). Losses were inflicted on manpower and hardware of the 33rd, 53rd, 100th, 109th mechanised brigades, 95th Air Assault Brigade, 5th Mountain Assault Brigade, 142nd Infantry Brigade of the AFU, and 101st Territorial Defence Brigade near Zelenoye Pole, Leonidovka, Druzhba, Dzerzhinsk, Sukhaya Balka, and Dimitrov (Donetsk Peoples Republic). Eleven counter-attacks launched by formations of the 53rd, 117th mechanised brigades, 152nd Jaeger Brigade, 49th and 425th assault battalions of the AFU, 35th and 38th marine brigades were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to more than 485 troops, one German-made Marder infantry fighting vehicle, five Kozak armoured fighting vehicles, one Turkish-made Kirpi armoured fighting vehicle, five motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, one 152-mm D-20 gun, two 152-mm Msta-B howitzers, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and two 122-mm D-30 howitzers. Units of the Vostok Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front line and inflicted losses on formations of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade of the AFU, 127th and 128th territorial defence brigades near Velikaya Novosyolka, Oktyabr (Donetsk Peoples Republic), and Temirovka (Zaporozhye region). Two counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the 123rd Territorial Defence Brigade were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 145 troops, one tank, three armoured fighting vehicles, and six motor vehicles. Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the 141st Infantry Brigade of the AFU, 107th, 124th, and 126th territorial defence brigades near Orekhov, Shcherbaki (Zaporozhye region), Sadovoye, and Ponyatovka (Kherson region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 90 troops, seven motor vehicles, and one 152-mm D-20 gun. Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops delivered strikes at infrastructure of military airfields, power industry facilities ensuring operation of Ukrainian defence industry enterprises, as well as engaged manpower clusters and military hardware of the enemy in 142 areas. Air defence units shot down six U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles and 78 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles. In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 648 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 35,785 unmanned aerial vehicles, 585 anti-aircraft missile systems, 19,208 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,488 MLRS combat vehicles, 17,845 field artillery guns and mortars, and 28,261 units of support military vehicles have been neutralised. Tags: Special Military Operation

WtR
First 100 Days: Eluned Morgan faced Senedd scrutiny amid NHS criticism

This article is old - Published: Friday, Nov 15th, 2024

Senedd members debated Eluned Morgans record following her first 100 days, with the first minister rejecting claims she has failed to stand up for Wales.

Andrew RT Davies led a Conservative debate on the eve of November 14, which marks Eluned Morgans hundredth day in office.

He accused the first minister of letting the country down, pointing to the withdrawal of the universal winter fuel allowance for pensioners and warnings of 4,000 premature deaths.

The leader of the opposition also criticised Labours decision to raise national insurance contributions for employers, with unemployment in Wales at 5.3% and rising.

Mr Davies said 4,000 patients have been added to NHS waiting lists since the first minister took office in August, with a total of 614,000 people now waiting for treatment.

He told the Senedd: That is a damning indictment of government failure here . That is not standing up for patients here in Wales, its not standing up for clinicians, and its not standing up, importantly, for the workforce.

Diktat

Rhun ap Iorwerth said Baroness Morgans first 100 days have shown little evidence of a change in direction from the Welsh Government.

The Plaid Cymru leader said: By any objective measure, nothing has fundamentally changed in those 100 days.

He said Baroness Morgan has no plan to grow the economy nor tackle a crisis in the NHS.

Mr ap Iorwerth accused the first minister of failing to make the case for replacing the Barnett formula, devolving the Crown Estate, and compensating Wales for HS2 spending.

He said: Im afraid that what weve seen is Labour in Welsh Government, under the new first minister, shifting into the mode of defending their masters at Westminster.

A fundamental difference between Plaid Cymru and Labour is that we will never let Westminster diktat hamper our ambitions for Wales.

Warmth

Labours Hefin David was unconvinced by the 100-day measure of success, which was coined by former US president Franklin Roosevelt in the 1930s.

He said: It worked for him; Im not sure its going to work so much across modern politics, which moves so quickly and so differently.

He suggested the next Senedd election in 18 months will be a much better yardstick.

The Caerphilly Senedd Member pointed out that Wales first female first minister, from Ely, Cardiff, one of the poorest parts of the UK, succeeded against the odds.

Describing Baroness Morgan as a listening first minister, Dr David said: Shes the only first minister who gives me a cwtch every time I see her. I can see Mark Drakeford getting a little worried there. Im not expecting anything, finance minister.

But I do think it demonstrates the warmth of Eluned Morgan.

Lengthly list

Responding to the debate, Eluned Morgan reeled off a list of achievements including 28m to cut waiting times, 13m on better end of life care and a new north Wales medical school.

She said 7.7m has been invested in a specialist burns and plastic surgery centre at Swanseas Morriston Hospital, serving ten million people from Aberystwyth to Oxford.

Baroness Morgan lauded a landmark 1bn investment in the redevelopment of Shotton Mill, Deeside, protecting 137 jobs and creating 220 more.

She claimed the Labour Welsh and UK Governments also secured a better deal for Tata steelworkers, accusing the Tories of failing to budget for a 80m transition fund.

This is a lengthy list, she said. But it could be longer and it will be longer as we continue to deliver. The first 100 days demonstrates how Welsh Labour is delivering real investment, real jobs, real support for communities  not promises and pledges but delivery.

I am so proud of everything this government has already delivered since I became first minister and Im optimistic about what we can achieve as we move forward.

By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter
Mouth cancer rates on the rise in Wales, warn public health officials

This article is old - Published: Friday, Nov 15th, 2024

People with symptoms of mouth cancer in Wales are failing to seek early medical advice, a new report has warned.

The findings, which were released by Public Health Wales (PHW) this week, revealed that more than half of all mouth cancers are being diagnosed at either stage three or four (the most advanced stages of cancer).

Men are also most likely to leave it too long before seeing a medical professional.

It comes as incidences of mouth cancer in Wales have grown year on year, with the most deprived areas recording a higher rate of cases.

The main risk factors for this type of cancer are sunlight (lip), tobacco and alcohol (tongue and floor of mouth) and the human papilloma virus (back of the mouth).

In 2023, most referrals for mouth cancer diagnosis came from GPs rather than from dentists.

Mouth cancer is seen twice as often in men as in women with cases peaking at between 60 and 69 years old.

More men die of mouth cancer in Wales than women, with the latest figures showing that almost 120 men died of mouth cancer in Wales in 2022.

65 per cent of people survive a mouth cancer diagnosis at five-years, and that figure is improving in the 15-54 year old age group.

The tongue is one of the most common areas where mouth cancer can develop, although it can be found in other areas of the mouth.

Symptoms of mouth cancer can be mistaken for other problems in your mouth like ulcers, candidal infections or white patches, so it is important to get them checked out.

Symptoms can include:

a mouth ulcer in your mouth that lasts more than 3 weeks

a red or white patch inside your mouth

a lump inside your mouth or on your lip

pain inside your mouth

difficulty swallowing

difficulty speaking or a hoarse (croaky) voice

a lump in your neck or throat

losing weight without trying

Professor Paul Brocklehurst, Consultant in Dental Public Health at Public Health Wales, said: As with all cancers, early diagnosis means prompt treatment to target cancers before they spread.

If anyone notices one of the warning signs, they should either see their dental professional or their GP.

It is also essential to attend routine dental check-ups as dental professionals are trained to spot the early signs of mouth cancer.
PM announces 975m UK aerospace funding to drive growth and jobs

This article is old - Published: Friday, Nov 15th, 2024

Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Airbus in Broughton today as UK Government unveils a 975 million investment to strengthen the UK aerospace industry.

The funding, spread over five years, aims to support innovation, create thousands of skilled jobs, and maintain the UKs leadership in cutting-edge aviation technology.

In a boost for aerospace centres in places like Broughton, Filton and Derby, the Government has extended the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme.

The extension will speed up innovation, create job opportunities and support an industry that is a source of pride for communities across Britain.

The Prime Minister highlighted the 49 million allocated to aerospace projects in Wales, reinforcing the regions pivotal role in the sector.

Airbus Broughton, known for its advanced wing manufacturing, will be a key beneficiary of this investment.

The initiative, part of the ATI Programme extension, is expected to drive innovation in zero-emission flight and advanced manufacturing. It will contribute to the UKs Net Zero goals and economic growth targets.

Speaking about the investment, Mr Starmer emphasised the aerospace sectors importance to the UK economy and its communities.

He said: From modern aircraft engines to helicopters, the UKs aerospace industry is truly world-class.

By accelerating our investment, we will unlock the tech of the future and take a crucial step forward in our mission to deliver growth and opportunity across our country.

Welsh Aerospace Projects Get 49m Boost

As part of the announcement, 49 million has been allocated to aerospace projects in Wales, home to one of the largest aerospace clusters globally.

The South West of England and Wales together design and assemble nearly half of the worlds large civil aircraft wings.

First Minister Eluned Morgan welcomed the funding, saying: Wales is a cornerstone of the UKs aerospace industry, with over 20,000 people employed here in high-quality, skilled jobs in the Aerospace and Defence sectors. I welcome todays news, another in a succession of job announcements for Wales this autumn.

Driving Sustainability and Innovation

The aerospace sector plays a critical role in the UKs Industrial Strategy and global efforts to meet Net Zero targets.

The funding will support technologies that reduce emissions, ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of sustainable aviation.

Bidding for the funds will open in January, with projects expected to begin in the autumn.

The initiative will also support the UKs defence capabilities, with advancements in aviation technology benefiting the Royal Navy and RAF.

John Harrison, Chairman of Airbus UK, praised the governments commitment. He said: The 975m investment offers certainty for long-term sustainable aviation investment and highly skilled jobs, delivering on the UKs R&D and growth plan.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds added: Backing the sector with this funding will ensure the UK can continue to pioneer new technologies, all while delivering the economic growth that will be felt in communities across the country.
Tit-for-tat clash over Local Development Plan and housing figure data

This article is old - Published: Friday, Nov 15th, 2024

There were tense exchanges in the Guildhall chamber at this weeks Executive Board during a debate over local housing.

The meeting, which provided an update on local housing figures, saw a clash between Council Leader Mark Pritchard and opposition councillors over the Local Development Plan (LDP).

The report in question discussed provides a vital roadmap for the council to target housing resources where they are most needed.

Key recommendations from the Local Housing Market Assessment, which now for the first time was drafted in house by the council using Welsh Government tools, includes adopting the 10-year migration variant to assess future housing needs.

The LHMAs data, derived from sources including population projections, housing prices, and rental costspaints a detailed picture of housing needs across all tenures, allowing the Council to have a sound basis to its new build and buy-back housing programs.

The full report with data notes demographic shifts and an aging population, with 41% of residents now over 50  whilst 27% are aged 60 or over.

Affordability remains a pressing issue; average house prices in Wrexham have surged by 27.1% between 2020 and 2023.

Wrexham Council has warned that high house prices coupled with limited housing stock contribute to a significant challenge for first-time buyers and low-income households.

In areas such as Gresford and North Wrexham, affordability is a key concern, where first-time buyers wanting a 90% mortgage would require deposits equivalent to 63% of median earnings.

Similarly, the proportions are 67% and 73% in the Rural East and Rural West and Chirk respectively.

The report also points out the shortfall of suitable housing for lower-income residents in the private rental sector.

Rents in Wrexham are now frequently higher than Local Housing Allowance rates, causing some families to face significant challenges in securing affordable rental options, especially for larger properties.

Social housing demand has seen a sharp increase since the COVID-19 pandemic, with an 80% rise in applications.

However, turnover of council properties has dropped, which, as the report states, has resulted in increased unmet demand for suitable housing.

The LHMA warns that unless new housing builds, especially affordable units, are expedited, the Council will struggle to meet the increasing demand for accessible housing across Wrexham County Borough.

The demand is familar to Wrexham.com readers, and restated as: The majority of demand for Council housing is for one bedroom accommodation.

A total of 57% of all applicants for housing are requesting one bedroom accommodation.

In contrast, 23% of all applicants are requesting two-bedroom accommodation, 14% are requesting three-bedroom accommodation and 6% are requesting larger properties of 4+ bedrooms.

Councillor Marc Jones raised concerns about the number of empty homes in the area, citing the significant figure of 1,616 vacant properties: Bringing back these properties into use would make a significant difference in terms of housing availability in the borough, he argued.

Cllr Jones also inquired about the possibility of compulsory purchases as a solution to long-term vacant properties, referencing historic advice from a Welsh Government expert on the complex process.

Council Leader Mark Pritchard called in Chief Officer Economy & Planning David Fitzsimon to respond.

A slightly bemused Mr Fitzsimon noted he did not wish to pass the buck, but pointed out empty homes is a public protection issue and not under his control.

Cllr Pritchard took up the baton of non-buck-passing and looked to any council officer to answer the question on what Wrexham County Borough Council are doing to deal with the empty properties within Wrexham?

Councillor Robert Ian Williams then spoke, raising concerns about the alignment of the housing market assessment with the Local Development Plan and big immigration into the country.

Cllr Williams said, All around us we see change even since the 2021 census. There is a large impact of people in our town, and I think we have to really address that.

Its difficult, I know, but we must address that. There is a big immigration into the country as a whole, and we need to address that, because it might not be in the official statistics.

People might be sharing accommodation and different things, but its something that I think that we need to bear in mind.

Also, Id like to ask, and I dont know if Ive missed it here, and I apologise to you, Mr. Chairman, because Ive not been able to study this report at great depth. But how far is it in line with our Local Development Plan?

Is the LDP at the basis of this? Can I ask Mr. Fitzsimon, is there reference to the Local Development Plan as regarding the housing numbers and what we should expect? Id just like to ask that out of general curiosity, and I think its an important question in light of the demographic thing.

Cllr Pritchard swiftly reminded councillors that legal issues surrounding the LDP meant it could be referenced in a mindful way and that the debate was drifting.

The meeting was told by council officers: Housing need assessments do feed into Local Development Plans in terms of the preparation.

In terms of the housing figures used for the Local Development Plan, they were the 2014 figures. 2018 figures, understandably, have been used to inform this housing need assessment, because weve simply moved on simply in time. So there are some obvious disparities between the two.

But, the LDP was prepared a significant number of years ago, and these are now the updated figures as we move on in time.

Cllr Rogers said: As reference is made to the LDP, as everyone in this chamber will be aware, there was an appeal hearing heard in London last month. So are we pre empting the finality as regards the report prior to not determining exactly where were going with the Local Development Plan?

Cllr Pritchard responded, I think its important that we note your comments, but I think what we have to do is to allow the process to go through the process. You are right theres an appeal. I wont comment on that, and I shouldnt, and I think were waiting for a decision to come back from the courts.

Now, I see lots of hands going up here, but Im going to chair this in the manner I think is appropriate, and I will not allow this to become an Local Development Plan debate.

With regards to the legal process, we allow that to run, and we dont comment until that decision is made. Members in this chamber, and some of you are shaking your head, I will chair this appropriately. I will not put this authority in danger.

So whatever plans have been this morning for many of you to come in here and use this as an opportunity to discuss it, I wont allow it.

Cllr Hugh Jones reminded councillors the report before them identifies need rather than necessary solutions around housing in Wrexham.

Cllr Williams was allowed to speak again under the condition he had listened to the previous warnings from Cllr Pritchard, Thank you Cllr Pritchard, I just like to say theres no attempt here to hijack this meeting. I have full respect for the executive board, but the appeal is by private individuals, and as far as Im concerned.

Cllr Pritchard interrupted, Can I stop you there. As Chair, I asked you, in a nice professional manner, not to bring in the Local Development Plan, and youre drifting.

Youre doing it again. I didnt name you personally. I said elected members. Thats what I said. Its on webcast. You can see it. Im going to stop this debate. Im not going to allow it.

He added, I think its getting silly, and Im disappointed. I allowed you to come back, but you cannot drift into that. Theres a legal process ongoing, and Im sure youre fully aware of it. So can I ask that you listen to what I said as Chair, or I will stop the meeting. We all have to respect the law in this chamber.

Cllr Williams stated I have made my point.

In a tit for tat response, Cllr Pritchard added I think I made my point too.

The agenda item concluded with council members voting in favour of adopting the housing needs assessment, though questions remain over how the Council is or will tackle the boroughs empty properties and whether a cohesive development plan will align with Wrexhams changing housing landscape.

(Top pic: Exec Board voting)
A Southwest Airlines flight heading to Reno from Oakland had to make an emergency landing in Sacramento Wednesday night.

According to reporting from our CBS affiliate in Sacramento, the flight left Oakland at 7:17 p.m. en route to Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

The flight crew reported an illuminated flap warning light. The Boeing 737 descended to 4,600 feet before climbing to 15,900 feet and heading to Sacramento International Airport, where it landed at 8:27 p.m.

"Southwest Airlines Flight 4474 landed safely at Sacramento International Airport Wednesday evening after the Crew reported an illuminated flap warning light during the flights initial descent. The Crew followed safety procedures and landed without incident," said a statement from Southwest Airlines. "Southwest apologizes to our Customers who were inconvenienced. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees."

The FAA will investigate the incident.

The day before the incident on the Oakland to Reno flight a flight from San Jose to Burbank had to turn around after experiencing engine trouble just minutes after takeoff.

Our CBS affiliate, KOVR in Sacramento, contributed to this story.
The Washoe County coroner has identified the man who died after being stabbed in City Plaza in downtown Reno last week.

The medical examiner says 32-year-old Harlan S. Arnett of Oregon died after being transported to Renown Regional Medical Center.

The coroner says Arnett died after being stabbed in the neck.

Reno Police responded to the area near the BELIEVE sign around 10 a.m. last Thursday.

Police say the suspect, 50-year-old Sedrick Romero was arrested a few blocks away.

Romero was booked into the Washoe County on an open murder charge.

Police believe the stabbing was an isolated incident and say there's no threat to the community.

If you have any information that can help authorities, call or text your anonymous tip to Secret Witness at 775-322-4900.
Tina Ridler knew something was wrong last October when her right leg became swollen, achy and hot.

Her doctor suggested she go to the emergency department for a scan, where an ultrasound showed a large blood clot, which forms when components of the blood (red blood cells, platelets and protein strands called fibrin) clump together.

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This kind of blood clot in the legs, also known as a deep vein thrombosis, can be a medical emergency. Clots can travel to the lung and cause a pulmonary embolism, a potentially fatal complication that prevents blood and oxygen from flowing through the lungs, says Karol Watson, M.D., a cardiologist and professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

Blood clot symptoms Not everyone who has a blood clot experiences symptoms. If you have a blood clot in your leg or arm, you may notice: Swelling

Pain or tenderness

Warmth

Redness or discoloration Signs of a pulmonary embolism can include: Difficulty breathing

Faster than normal or irregular heartbeat

Chest pain or discomfort, which usually worsens with a deep breath or coughing

Cough or coughing up blood

Very low blood pressure, lightheadedness, or fainting These signs and symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Clots can form in other locations, as well. If clots lodge in arteries that supply blood to the heart, they can cause heart attacks. If they get stuck in a blood vessel leading to the brain, they can cause strokes.

Ridlers doctors prescribed a fast-acting blood thinner, called a direct oral anticoagulant, to break up her clot quickly.

When doctors saw my scan, they said, Take this immediately, recalls Ridler, 59, who runs a wellness company in Rochester, Minnesota. The feeling she got was that the clock was ticking.

Every year, up to 900,000 Americans develop a blood clot, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including 60,000 to 100,000 people who die from them. Older adults have a greater risk of developing one.

Clotting is a balancing act. For example, the body forms clots when someone cuts their finger in order to stop the bleeding. The clotting process helps create a scab over the wound to protect the body from germs and dirt. If blood didnt clot in response to an injury, a person could bleed to death. As an injury heals, the body naturally dissolves the clot.

Sometimes, as in the case with deep vein thrombosis, clots form inside the blood vessels even if no injury has occurred, and they dont dissolve on their own. When a blood clot forms in a vein, it can block the flow of blood as it travels back to the heart. This causes blood to accumulate behind the clot and build up pressure, resulting in the sort of pain and swelling that Ridler experienced in her leg.
According to the National Sleep Foundation more than half of American adults do not get enough sleep and 82 percent wish they could get better sleep. The tendency to fall short on sleep occurs for many reasonsillness, an increased workload, shift work, too much tv, bad mood, napping too late in the dayand what you ate before you went bed.

Low-fiber, high-fat foods such a dish of ice cream, a left-over slice of cheesecake, or a chocolate-covered donut may sound appealing, but they're all associated with lighter, less restorative sleep. Even a glass of wine or beer before bed that makes you feel sleepy can cause a variety of problems.

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Unhealthy foods aren't the only sleep villains. Some perfectly healthy, nutritious foods can also rob you of a good night's sleep. While you're here, check them out:

1. Aged cheese

When it comes to preparing a bed-time snack of cheese and crackers, think twice about the kind of cheese you choose. Although that chunk of sharp cheddar or creamy Camembert that looked so appealing in the market might seem to be the perfect accompaniment to the plate of crackers you arranged, you may be setting yourself up for a night of tossing and turning.

These kinds of strong and aged cheeses contain high amounts of tyramine, an amino acid found in many foods. Some people are sensitive to tyramine, which can cause a spike in blood and heart rate. In addition, tyramine sensitivity can make it harder to fall asleep.

If you really like cheese as a bedtime snack, cheeses made from pasteurized milk, such as cottage cheese, cream cheese and farmer cheese are less likely to contain high levels of tyramine, according to the Mayo Clinic.

2. Steak and chicken

Why do high-protein foods like steak and chicken disrupt sleep? It takes a long time to digest these foods so your body can absorb them to use for energy, tissue growth and repair. This is a problem at bedtime because digestion slows down by as much as 50 percent when you sleep. Your body faces a similar challenge if you chow down on a large meal right before heating to bed. Also avoid salami and pepperoni right before your putting on your pajamas; both contain naturally occurring amino acids that cause blood vessels to tighten, which increases blood pressure.

3. Popcorn

When it comes to snacking, people who like brownies, cookies and other sweet treats don't do so badly, and those who choose yogurt do better, but folks who prefer sweetened popcorn get some of the worst sleep, according to a survey from the National Sleep Foundation. A survey of these snackers reported that they sleep 12 minutes less per night on average.

But this doesnt mean you should give up popcorn altogether. Those who snack on plain-Jane popcorn benefit with a hefty dose of resistant starch, a type of fiber that nourishes beneficial bacteria in the large intestine. When you set out to make a bowl of popcorn, use kernels with thick outer shells for the best pop. Just have it as an afternoon snack, not while watching an after-dinner movie.
(MUSIC INTRO)

[00:00:01] Bob: This week on The Perfect Scam.

[00:00:04] Alice Dragoo: I put that money in the bank, and I never even give it a thought, you know, 'cause the only way you could get the money out of the bank was with my card or a check. When I got my February statement, the first of March, I thought, (bleep), I don't got any money in the bank!

(MUSIC SEGUE)

[00:00:25] Bob: Welcome back to The Perfect Scam. I'm your host, Bob Sullivan.

(MUSIC SEGUE)

[00:00:30] Bob: More of us are living alone these days, many, many more. The US Census says nearly one-third of households include just one adult. In 1940, it was fewer than 1 in 10. This is true later in life too. Far more older Americans are living alone than in the past. The independence can be great, but there are additional concerns to think about. Everybody needs help sometime, and today's story starts out innocently enough with a woman hiring a neighbor she'd known for years when she needed some help while recovering from surgery. And things go well for a while, but then something about him changes. Meet Alice Dragoo who decided to make a big move to Oklahoma from Colorado just a couple of years ago.

[00:01:17] Bob: So what made you want to go back to Oklahoma?

[00:01:19] Alice Dragoo: Well I had some good friends down here, and they spotted this house, and I knew I had to get away from the high altitude because of my health, and Oklahoma has some of the best hospitals around, and I thought it would be a good fix for me at my age. I'm now 84, to be close to hospitals and that type of thing, you know, and I got a small house, fixed it up to live in, I can afford to live in it, barely, but uh, you know Ive made the decision for my health more than anything else.

[00:01:51] Bob: But you are very brave. Most people wouldn't make a big move like that in their 70s. You're very brave.

[00:01:56] Alice Dragoo: Well I thought I'd have one more adventure (laughs).

[00:02:01] Bob: Oklahoma -- One More Adventure. That's the name of your novel right there.

[00:02:05] Alice Dragoo: Yeah.

[00:02:06] Bob: Alice is a planner. She bought the home back in 2014, but it needed a lot of work. She spent three years worth of winters getting the place ready before her big move, and she had help from a neighbor named Joey who came highly recommended.

[00:02:23] Alice Dragoo: Oh, it was in 2014, late 2014 or early 2015; he changed the oil in my car and fixed the headlight for me. And he was...

[00:02:34] Bob: How did you meet him?

[00:02:35] Alice Dragoo: Uh, my friends that I knew, he was doing uh, some mechanical work and stuff for them once in a while and they said, "Well if you have any, if you ever have car trouble, call Joey. He's really good, you know, he'll take care of ya, and he's honest and he don't charge a whole lot." And you know it wasn't expensive.

[00:02:55] Bob: And it turns out, Joey is pretty handy. When Alice comes down for winters to work on the place, Joey offers to fix things around the house, often for a very reasonable price.

[00:03:05] Alice Dragoo: If I really needed anything, you know, I could call him.

[00:03:09] Bob: Do you remember even one or two things that he fixed around the house and you were happy with it?

[00:03:13] Alice Dragoo: Oh he changed the water heater. Mine burned up, it's electric.

[00:03:18] Bob: Wow, that's a big deal. Yeah.

[00:03:19] Alice Dragoo: Yeah, and then the, the pipes plugged up. He fixed them from the kitchen sink, and he had, he cleaned that out; I mean these are big items, but it's like you know, he'd mow the lawn. You know anything I asked him to do, I paid him, probably not too well, but enough to make it worth his while, you know. I want to, you know I was fair about it, and he never said he wanted more. Sometimes he'd say that's too much.

[00:03:46] Bob: Joey is a family man, too, and as time passes Alice gets to meet the whole family.

[00:03:52] Alice Dragoo: He brought his wife and boys over. They were driving by one day, they come in, and his boys were just wonderful, and his wife was nice to me. And he was a family man. Totally, he totally he...

[00:04:06] Bob: How old were his boys?

[00:04:07] Alice Dragoo: Oh, they were late grade school at that time. I would say like 4th and 6th grade, something like that, and when I met them.

[00:04:17] Bob: 10 or 12 or something like that?

[00:04:18] Alice Dragoo: Yeah.

[00:04:18] Bob: Yeah, yeah. Okay.

[00:04:19] Alice Dragoo: And then the next winter, he brought the boys over two or three nights that winter, uh his wife had something to do and he'd bring the boys over, bring a pizza. We'd have a pizza party.

[00:04:32] Bob: And so it only makes sense when it's time for Alice to permanently move to Oklahoma, Joey is there to help.

[00:04:38] Alice Dragoo: He arranged for him and a buddy, unload my rat pack that I had rented to haul my crap down here. And you know they put it all in the garage or in the house, wherever I told them to put it.

[00:04:50] Bob: Now settled into the new home in Oklahoma, Alice really likes having Joey and his kids around.

[00:04:57] Alice Dragoo: He brought his youngest boy over one day, and I hadn't mowed the lawn, it wasn't really you know time to mow it, but that week I would of. He's like, "I'm mowing your lawn for ya," he says. And I says, "Well you don't have to." So I opened the garage and then when I turned around, he had his little boy on his lap and he, I had a lawn tractor, you know, mower, it's an old one, it's a Husky, and it was so cute to see dad and son you know going back and forth mowing the lawn, you know, and having fun. The little boy idolized his daddy. And then they spent, oh he was here 2 or 3 hours, and we visited and the boy played and I tell you what, he was like the favorite grandchild. I mean, I loved him just as much as I loved my own grandson. And I got four of the little buggers.

[00:05:46] Bob: Unfortunately, Joey's family situation changes over time and he and his wife separate. Joey is alone, and it's clear he's having a really hard time with that. But in late 2019, when Alice is told by her doctor that she must have surgery, it does mean that Joey is available to help her.

[00:06:04] Alice Dragoo: When I had my shoulder surgery, I knew I couldn't take care of myself, I needed help. So I called the state and, and different, you know, agencies to see what it would cost. And the cost was extravagant, and I didn't want strangers in my home. Joey, my friend, he was going through some really hard times, so I called him and asked him if he was working. He's says, "Oh just whatever I get." I mean he lost everything. So I says, "I'll pay you for a month if you come and take care of me." 'Cause I thought I could trust him, you know, and he had worked with his mother, she used to take care of old people and stuff, and he would go to work with her a lot, and he was the kindest person I've ever met.

[00:06:51] Bob: Joey agrees to move in for the month, and things seem to work out great.

[00:06:57] Bob: Yeah, so yeah you, I mean when youre living alone and you have surgery, I mean you, you can't, someone has to come take care of you, right?

[00:07:05] Alice Dragoo: Right. You can't drive. You, you, you know you're, I needed someone that I felt I could trust, and he was. I mean that month he took wonderful care of me. He cooked the meals; he cleaned the house. He made the beds, he changed the sheets, he did the laundry, he did the dishes, you know, he took excellent care of me.

[00:07:24] Bob: But timing is everything. This is now early 2020 and right as that month is about to end, the COVID lockdown orders begin.

[00:07:34] Alice Dragoo: So he had to stay here because you know the governor said stay in place, so you know, and so I says, "Well you're welcome to stay with me as long as you buy the groceries." Because I could not afford to feed that man any longer.

[00:07:50] Bob: So now Alice and Joey are officially roommates, and well, things seem to work out really well for both of them.

[00:07:58] Alice Dragoo: And he stayed and he got a job, and he was working hard, paying his bills, and buying the groceries, and he was a joy to have around that first year.

[00:08:09] Bob: In fact, they are more than roommates. It seems Joey really cares about Alice like family.

[00:08:14] Alice Dragoo: Ah, I can't remember. I think it was he came home one time and I wasn't home. And he got worried about me. And then he called a couple of my friends and said, "Where's Alice at?" They didn't know. I had went shopping, and I had forgot to tell him I was going shopping. And he says, "Well you know if you're going to be out, you should let me know so I don't worry about you."

[00:08:36] Bob: (chuckles)

[00:08:37] Alice Dragoo: That was after, you know the, I think it was the first time I went shopping after my surgery. I went to Sam's Club and some other couple of places, grocery stores, you know, whatever, just to get out on my own I think more than anything.

[00:08:50] Bob: Yeah.

[00:08:51] Alice Dragoo: And, and he was so shocked.

[00:08:54] Bob: That shows how much you were like family at that point, yeah.

[00:08:56] Alice Dragoo: Yeah. And see, I trusted him. I loved him.

[00:08:59] Bob: I mean honestly, it sounds like it was a perfect arrangement for both of you.

[00:09:03] Alice Dragoo: It was. It was working out good. He had his privacy, he, I had a big double car garage. He was always, you know, friends would call him and he'd say, bring the car over, and he, him and his friends would fix cars or whatever, and I didn't pay any attention to it because they were out of the house, they never bothered me. And uh, he was young. I figured he had his life and his friends. I didn't need to interfere.

[00:09:26] Bob: Yeah, of course.

[00:09:28] Bob: In fact, their friendship has blossomed so much that one night, Alice and Joey decide to hit a local casino. It's a dark, rainy night, so when they stop at an ATM for Alice to get cash, she lets Joey make the withdrawal. She gives him her debit card and her pin code.

[00:09:46] Alice Dragoo: Oh it was just kind of a soft, not a hard rain. It was just enough to get you wet if you walked around the car, you know what I mean?

[00:09:55] Bob: Sure, sure.

[00:09:56] Alice Dragoo: It was just miserable.

[00:09:57] Bob: And at this point, you'd known him for, by my math, you'd known him 7 years at this point, right?

[00:10:02] Alice Dragoo: Yeah, and I had no reason to distrust him.

[00:10:06] Bob: And Alice thinks nothing more about it. Months go by, but slowly things change a bit in their relationship. Joey begins to date a new woman and so he's not around as often. Alice figures that's okay. He's still helping around the house.

[00:10:22] Alice Dragoo: He wasn't coming home nights. He was still buying groceries, and he would cook a meal when hed come home, you know, I never knew when he was going to come home and I, and if he cooked something, he'd wake me up and say, "You want to eat?" You know and he always made sure that if he cooked, I had something to eat. He was a good cook. And he was kind to me, but he started, little by little, he was not around. So I figured he had a girlfriend, you know, and he'd be moving in with her or whatever, and he'd be gone.

[00:10:49] Bob: Right at about the same time, Alice is in a car accident. She's okay, but her car is totaled, and she receives an insurance settlement for it. It's not much, a few thousand dollars, but it's enough to make all the difference to someone like Alice. Now she has a little cushion.

[00:11:06] Alice Dragoo: Anyhow, I put that money in the bank, and I never even give it a thought, you know, 'cause the only way you could get the money out of the bank was with my card or a check.

[00:11:15] Bob: As time passes and Joey's relationship progresses, he's around less and less. Alice starts to nudge him about making a change.

[00:11:25] Alice Dragoo: He was busy with her and I figured, and I told him, "If you don't get a job we're going to have to make other arrangements. You got to have a good paying job." "Well I'm looking for work. I'm looking for work."

[00:11:36] Bob: As far as Alice knows, Joey is still looking for work when she sits down at the kitchen table to go through her mail one morning, and with a quick glance at her bank account monthly statement, everything about her relationship with Joey changes.

[00:11:51] Alice Dragoo: When I got my February statement, the first of March, I thought, (bleep), I don't got any money in the bank!

[00:11:56] Bob: Wow, what was that like?

[00:11:57] Alice Dragoo: I was mad, hot to trot.

[00:12:00] Bob: So Alice trots right to the bank to figure out where all the money has gone? A teller there gives her the bad news. Her account has been emptied through a series of ATM withdrawals.

[00:12:12] Alice Dragoo: So I says, "I didn't make those," you know, we pulled up two-month ATM withdrawals. I says, "Look, those are all after I'm in bed, you know.

[00:12:21] Bob: Wow.

[00:12:22] Bob: One of the withdrawals even happened while Alice was on a trip, out of state to visit her sister who was seriously ill.

[00:12:31] Alice Dragoo: Last time I saw her alive. I can prove I was out of state. There's no way I could have drawn that money out.

[00:12:38] Bob: So the bank opens an investigation and it doesn't take long to figure out what's going on. There is video from some of the withdrawals.

[00:12:47] Alice Dragoo: And then they showed these pictures, ATM pictures, who was drawing the money out, and everything. I was flabbergasted.

[00:12:55] Bob: It was Joey.

[00:12:58] Alice Dragoo: He was taking my card out of my purse, you know 'cause I sleep, when I sleep, I sleep like there's no tomorrow. I don't hear nothing, and he was drawing anywhere from 3 to 5 hundred a night out of my checking account.

[00:13:13] Bob: Over the course of about two months, Joey withdrew about $10,000 from Alice's checking account.

[00:13:20] Alice Dragoo: I tell you what, it, I was brokenhearted, I was broke. I didn't understand, I still, it was hard for me to conceive that this man, young man, would do that to me. He'd been so good to me before. I couldn't understand it. I was hurt, I was, I kinda depressed, I, I was in a state of shock. Well, 'cause I was so distraught, broken. He about broke me, first time in my life Id ever been that humiliated or I cant describe the feeling... lost. I dont, I was just in a state of shock.

[00:14:00] Bob: I mean you went from having a, a friend, someone you really looked at as a, as your favorite grandchild to, to this person...

[00:14:06] Alice Dragoo: Yeah.

[00:14:07] Bob: ...taking from you. That's, that's a huge shock.

[00:14:10] Alice Dragoo: Oh yeah. (chuckles) I'm surprised my old pacemaker let me live through it. (laughs)

[00:14:18] Bob: Hmm, well thank God it did.

[00:14:20] Bob: She is also staring at a financial nightmare.

[00:14:25] Alice Dragoo: That's a lot of money at my age. I can't go out and work and earn more money. That was my nest egg. I could buy things on sale that I would need, and then pay it back. And I wouldn't be paying interest to anybody else, credit cards and that. Well because I didn't have the money to pay my credit cards off, it just, bang, it just snowballed. You know...

[00:14:48] Bob: Yeah, of course.

[00:14:49] Alice Dragoo: And now I live on, after I pay all my bills and everything, I have $20 left to live on. That's in case...

[00:14:57] Bob: So, but he, but he stole, he stole just about everything that you had, right?

[00:15:01] Alice Dragoo: Oh yeah, he wiped me out, yeah, he wiped me out of any cushion.

[00:15:07] Bob: So Alice calls her daughter in Kansas City who races down to help her the next day. She also calls Joey, but she doesn't let on that she knows about the money.

[00:15:18] Alice Dragoo: I told him, "You gotta get home and clean your bedroom. My daughter's coming down to stay a couple days, and your bedroom's trashed, and she's got to stay in there."

[00:15:23] Bob: But you'd, you didn't want to, you didn't want to confront him on the phone, you wanted to make, get him to the house so you could talk to him in person, right?

[00:15:30] Alice Dragoo: Yeah, I wanted to talk to him in person.

[00:15:32] Bob: And once he's there, she asks Joey point blank...

[00:15:36] Alice Dragoo: So he came home and I asked him. I set him down at the dining room table, and I, "I'm going to ask you one time, did you take the money out of my account at the bank? He looked at me, Alice, I wouldnt do that to you. He lied straight to my face. I dont know what Id a done if he said he did. I still would have called the law, I suppose, but he lied, and I, when he looked me straight in the eye and lied to me, it broke my heart.

[00:16:04] Bob: So Alice throws Joey out of her house. Within a few days he sends a text message to Alice, which she shared with a local television station, KFOR. It reads in part, "I'm sorry I let you down. But I've always intended on returning what I borrowed. I'm sorry for the pain I've caused you. I never wanted to hurt you. Thank you for helping me. I love you. I'll swing by and get my stuff." Still, when Alice's daughter arrives, they call the cops.

[00:16:36] Bob: Was it a hard decision to call the police?

[00:16:38] Alice Dragoo: I didn't, my daughter did.

[00:16:40] Bob: Your daughter did, okay. Yeah.

[00:16:41] Alice Dragoo: She says, "Mom, we're calling the police. This is wrong." And she stood beside me. She stayed here for 4 or 5 days.

[00:16:48] Bob: Alice gives all the evidence she's accumulated to the police. She now thinks Joey has stolen some of her belongings as well, but nothing happens for several months. Then in July 2022, police issue a warrant for Joey. He's arrested in October.

[00:17:05] Bob: Do you remember, how did you find out that he was arrested?

[00:17:07] Alice Dragoo: One of the girls at my at my seniors group, she's one of these nosey, busybodies on the computer.

[00:17:13] Bob: (laughs)

[00:17:14] Alice Dragoo: I'm serious, she's, she called me, said, "Joey's been arrested." I says, What? Shes, Yeah. And so she pulled it up and then I called the DA and uh after that I went to the DA and he told me what all was going on.

[00:17:28] Bob: How did it feel when you saw the news that he was arrested?

[00:17:31] Alice Dragoo: I felt, it's time. He has to pay for what he did. But I wasnt wrong, he did it, he has to take responsibility for his action or be made to.

[00:17:44] Bob: Alice attends several of Joey's court appearances. Earlier this year, he pleaded guilty to one charge of exploiting an elderly person, and a firearm possession charge. During that last hearing, he apologizes to her.

[00:17:57] Alice Dragoo: He told me at the last court hearing, when he admitted he stole money from me without my permission, he was in custody at the time; he walked over to me and in his orange jumpsuit and chain, and said, Im sorry, I did wrong. You didnt deserve this. And I still love you, but I did wrong. He admitted it.

[00:18:20] Bob: Joey receives two 10-year suspended sentences, and he's required to pay restitution to Alice, $149 a month for the next 10 years.

[00:18:32] Bob: But did it feel good to get that first check at least?

[00:18:34] Alice Dragoo: Oh, I felt so good. At least I knew he was trying. I felt like this is going to work. Well then, I didn't get the other check for three months. I don't know if I'm going to get a check today or not. I could use it.

[00:18:48] Bob: Yeah, how important are those checks for you?

[00:18:50] Alice Dragoo: Very important. If I get that check, I could go, I could get stuff that I cant get on my Social Security, a little extra food. Maybe I can go out and eat once a month with my friend at a restaurant. Or maybe I can pay a, off some bills that I have, you know, a little extra, get them paid off.

[00:19:13] Bob: But you told me you only have $20 or so at the end of the month. Another $149 would make a big difference, right?

[00:19:18] Alice Dragoo: Oh yeah. Boy would it make a difference. Itd make my life so much easier ... if I could depend on it. That would take care of my, like right now I had to have a new pacemaker put in. Well the bill is $246. Im having to pay $30 a month on that bill. I got a electric wheelchair Im paying $50 a month on. Well those will die off middle of next year, cause Ill have those paid off. But until theyre paid off, well then what other hospital bill am I going to have, at my age, that Ill have to make payments again?

[00:20:00] Bob: So for now, Alice takes things month by month, day by day.

[00:20:06] Alice Dragoo: Yeah, I mean you have to. I, by going to food banks and eating with the seniors on a the senior nutritional program here in Oklahoma City, Im able to get a hot meal every day, 5 days a week, if I go every day.

[00:20:21] Bob: Great.

[00:20:21] Alice Dragoo: And by going to food banks and I get some good food, I can supplement my food, but it, its like Id never, my pride is hurt. Ive had to ask help...

[00:20:32] Bob: Alice is still conflicted about everything that's happened and how she feels about Joey, even going back to that last time she saw him when he apologized in the courtroom.

[00:20:42] Alice Dragoo: Yeah, he walked over to me and tried to hug me. I hugged him, because I still love him, I just dont like this bad Joey. The good Joey I love, the bad one, I dont want anything to do with. It is ...

[00:20:56] Bob: That must be so hard to have both those feelings inside you.

[00:21:00] Alice Dragoo: Yeah, it is. I want to forgive him. God says we should forgive him. I can't forget.

[00:21:05] Bob: Yeah, yeah, sure.

[00:21:07] Alice Dragoo: I mean... I.. I just, I try real hard to go by what's right and what's wrong.

[00:21:15] Bob: How do you feel about Joey today?

[00:21:16] Alice Dragoo: Frustrated. (laughs) I dont want anything to do with him on one hand, I cant have anything to do with him because its too heartbreaking.

[00:21:26] Bob: Yeah, yeah.

[00:21:27] Alice Dragoo: I don't need that in my life at this point.

[00:21:31] Bob: Hmm-hmm, hmm-hmm.

[00:21:32] Alice Dragoo: It's like, the lie. I, I think what hurt me the most was his, one, him doing it, the second was his lying to me. I, I can't deal with that. I'm not going to deal with it. I'm too damn old to change my ways, you know. I don't need that in my life anymore.

[00:21:50] Bob: The incident has left scars on Alice that will not soon heal.

[00:21:55] Alice Dragoo: I am scared to make friends now, intimate friends, not intimate, you know that away, but I mean close friends.

[00:22:02] Bob: But yeah, yeah. Yeah.

[00:22:04] Alice Dragoo: I, I like people, I really like people. But I, Im always wondering, what do they want from me? What are they, why are they being friendly to me? I dont want that. Do they like me for me and my personality? Or do they think they can get something from me? Thats an awful way to live, to be so distrustful to someone that's just trying to be nice to you. And as sad as that is to say, when people are being good to you, you can't trust them. And, and I don't want to live that way and no one else wants to live that way, but I'm sorry, that's the way it is now. You can't trust anybody. And that's horrible. I grew up trust--, you know we never locked our doors or took the keys out of the car or nothing, you know. And then now, you have to lock up everything.

[00:22:53] Bob: Alice said she wishes her bank had warned her when all these unusual middle of the night ATM withdrawals started happening. And she urges people to set up alerts with their bank to do just that.

[00:23:04] Alice Dragoo: Well, you got to lock up your, talk to your bank. Have them set up safeguards. If they see any unusual activity, let you know immediately by phone call, not a text, not an email, have them do the courtesy of calling you person-to-person, because a lot of us seniors arent really uh, literate on computers and emails and stuff like that. You know send a letter, you know, hey, were kinda worried about your account. Uh, are you sure these are yours? You know anything. But check, they need to check with their bank, and have some, uh, sys--, system set up somehow. Watch it and dont trust anybody with any of your personal information.

[00:23:49] Bob: I think that's pretty wise. I mean it's, you're right, it's sad to have to live that way, but it's, it's um, you know, when people...

[00:23:55] Alice Dragoo: It's, it's what it is.

[00:23:57] Bob: Yeah.

[00:23:58] Alice Dragoo: Yeah, you have to be very, very careful, and even then, you're not sure. You got to be able to watch your own stuff and make sure you watch it daily or weekly or whatever, and just watch everything, especially your finances.

[00:24:15] Bob: You've got to watch everything, especially your finances. I wish life wasn't like this, but that is how things are. But also, you have to trust. As I mentioned at the top of this episode, many of us are living longer and living alone. And you can't do everything yourself. There will be times when you have to trust someone else to help you. To talk more about how to prepare for these challenges, we have Joy Loverde here to talk with us. She's author of the book, "The Complete Eldercare Planner," and she speaks often about solo aging, learning who you can trust and how much you can trust them. Well, it's not easy, caring situations that might seem beneficial at first can turn sour.

[00:25:01] Joy Loverde: I see uh so many people who are alone, and they do forge relationships with caregivers, and I, I think of Joe as, as a caregiver of some sort. And it's very common. And of course, this situation doesn't happen to everyone. Not everyone we invite into the home as a caregiver or a helper, is, is bad. We do want to trust people, but if they're not, but can we always?

[00:25:31] Bob: I think it's, this is a hard concept that trust is not necessarily an on/off switch, right? That there are levels of trust, and it's like just because you, you wouldn't give a pin code to someone in your family, it doesn't mean you don't trust them, right? You can, you can set up these, these boundaries at, at different layers, and, and still protect yourself, even though you are trusting someone.

[00:25:53] Joy Loverde: That's right. Now that's a tough conversation to have. So most people avoid conflict.

[00:25:59] Bob: Of course, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[00:26:01] Joy Loverde: It's just the, the problem is not having the conversation, the problem is avoiding conflict.

[00:26:08] Bob: But conflict is a natural part of life and we're all going to face conflicts and choices like this as we get older. According to the latest US Census Bureau data, about 28% of people 65 and older live by themselves, about 6 million men and 10 million women. For comparison, only 1 in 10 older Americans lived on their own in 1950. Alice is one of those 10 million women, and her situation is common. She was having surgery and turned to a friend for help, let him into her life, and then got hurt.

[00:26:42] Bob: We've done plenty of stories involving some version of, of this, uh elder fraud on, on The Perfect Scam. In some cases it's a, you know, cleaning company, in some cases it's friends, in some cases it's family. Uh is there, is there a, a generic brand term for what we should be calling this?

[00:26:58] Joy Loverde: Well we, in the industry we call this elder abuse and neglect.

[00:27:04] Bob: And, and eld--, elder abuse often involves financial abuse, does it?

[00:27:09] Joy Loverde: Yes, so it could be physical, mental, financial.

[00:27:14] Bob: Elder abuse; physical, mental, or financial is among the most underreported crimes which only makes it more painful.

[00:27:22] Bob: It really is and it, I think part of the reason these things happen is it's, these are difficult topics to talk about, right?

[00:27:29] Joy Loverde: Well, the, the typical person who has been scammed knowing, like Alice, in Alice's case where it is an outsider, I'm surprised she talked to you. That was something that was running through my mind; most people do not tell anyone. When it happens within the family, um, many times a family member won't find out until it's revealed to them that they, the parent is usually embarrassed about it or they are prevented from talking about it.

[00:28:02] Bob: This kind of silence helps criminals get away with their elder abuse. But the culture of silence around money in general is an enabler too.

[00:28:12] Joy Loverde: Yeah, nobody, and there have been so many articles how nobody in the family talks about money. I mean we just don't have that kind of culture. And so it's, it's a, I read a very interesting article once where it said, families who do talk about money have had role models ahead of time with parents who have role modeled that scenario and how to do it, and that usually uh is not the case for most families. So it's, it's very difficult. If you don't, if you don't, like many of us don't even know what our siblings make for a living, you know, or if they have long-term care insurance. And then parents, unfortunately, what a lot of what they do is they say my money is none of your business without really realizing that the money in the family is a family situation. When mom and dad run out of money, it's everybody's problem. It's not just the parents' problem. And don't we, hardly, many family just don't think like that.

[00:29:10] Bob: A lot of Joy's work involves getting people to have these kinds of uncomfortable conversations before a crisis hits. Especially for this group of adults who wish to live alone at home.

[00:29:23] Joy Loverde: Boy we, we have to kind of take a step back and look at it as managing certain aspects of, um, taking care of ourselves as we age. What you were beginning to describe was the process of aging in place and how realistic is that? Then there's the financial, right, we've been talking about. Then there's the legal. Then there is the housing, if we're not going to age in place and so on, and caregivers. And so it can be overwhelming if we look at it as this big problem, or we can step back and take a look at it little by little by little. How realistic is it at some point to live in a house that has 25 stairs going up with strangers delivering groceries and actually are we going to let them in the house? I mean these, these are all things that we could contemplate ahead of time and get ahead of the problems.

[00:30:20] Bob: You know that's, I'm, I'm glad you're saying that, but again this is, wow, the things you would fight against if you've lived in this place for 20, 30, 40 years, you know moving out feels like, you know, feels like the end of something, right, but you know managing those, those emotional decisions is probably is as difficult as anything else, right?

[00:30:36] Joy Loverde: You're right. Actually, that's a really good time to bring in a professional move manager who will help us sort, not only our stuff, but our emotions. And that it is a process, the process of moving in any case, really is better when we hire someone to help us see through what we need to get through in order to move on and instead of giving up something, creating a, a, a better, more better life in terms of not having our stuff hold us back.

[00:31:09] Bob: You have a book called, "The Complete Eldercare Planner." I'm wondering, since we have you here, are there a few things that folks who are in, in the middle of this decision-making process, including, how do I craft a life where I'm not vulnerable, um that, that they, they don't think of? What are the things that, that are surprising to people who are, are in this situation?

[00:31:30] Joy Loverde: I would say the number one thing is um, they don't anticipate other people around them looking to them as a caregiver. So let me give you an example. We've, I've been doing a lot of work with people who live alone; many of my talks are about that subject. So here they are in a room engaged in the conversation is who's going to take care of me when I need it, right? But what they don't think about is the other side of the coin, and that is people who are in their lives right now, who may come knocking on their door, and they say to them, I need your help, will you help me and that comes out of nowhere typically. What I suggest is that we begin to have conversations with people we are not related to. And we have caregiving conversations with them. Who is going to take care of you? I'm not up for it. I, it, don't look to me, but let's make a plan. Do you have children? Do you have a plan? Do you have professionals in your, in your social and uh professional network? When we don't talk to each other as we grow old together, especially with our friends and neighbors, we become unpleasantly surprised at how we immediately become caregivers, and we may not want to.

[00:32:51] Bob: Hmm, that's interesting. People start making demands on your time or your money, or just your emotional headspace, right?

[00:32:58] Joy Loverde: Hm-hmm, yeah, and then what do you do if your best friend in the world says to you, and oh, by the way, I don't have any money. What do we, what do, you know, it happens all the time, Bob. And so, so one of the things I do is encourage people to start talking to each other, even if they want to say no, it's not going to be me.

[00:33:15] Bob: On the, the cover of your book here, this, one of the things that you uh you offer to people is to learn about how to use technology to help with caregiving. Can you talk about that a little bit?

[00:33:25] Joy Loverde: Absolutely. Well COVID did us one favor, right, and what it did was it taught uh people who were home alone how to use or they weren't even alone, but how to use telemedicine. So that broke a lot of barriers. So once people began to become more comfortable with telemedicine, they, they saw it was real, and it was legitimate. So the other thing about technology that I stress is the need for a, a smartphone, not just a cellphone, but a smartphone, because everything is going in that direction. And I don't know about you, but I've been reading a lot of articles about how technology will leave anyone behind financially if they do not know how to bank virtually. So how do we, as individuals who are growing older, have a plan to stay in touch with technology? What is our support network there?

[00:34:20] Bob: You know one thing that I, uh I stress whenever I have a chance to talk about it, is technology can be confusing and it's, it's often a mixed bag, but it's so easy to, to check on your accounts. Alice might have caught a problem, you know, with her monthly statement if she was using technology she could, she would have seen something wrong with her balance within a day.

[00:34:40] Joy Loverde: Well in a minute.

[00:34:41] Bob: Yeah, yeah.

[00:34:42] Joy Loverde: She would, all she had to do was um, set a limit on spending in or all of her accounts she could have notifications. Okay, more than $10 is taken out. You will get notified. Or if somebody charges your charge card for more than $10, or whatever amount, you will be notified immediately.

[00:35:02] Bob: The other thing you can do with these alerts is you can also send them to someone else. So you could set it up so that a relative, a friend, a daughter, a son, whatever, can get, can get a similar alert when there's unusual activity or even, you know, a withdrawal of more than $100 or something like that. I think that's a good idea too.

[00:35:19] Joy Loverde: Right.

[00:35:20] Bob: Joy advocates setting up a series of professional relationships to help with a whole series of issues that will inevitably arise.

[00:35:28] Joy Loverde: I just want to start out by saying, when we think about help in the future, we tend to think that we're going to need healthcare help, physical, you know, and medical, but it goes far beyond that because we're going to need help in the financial, legal, social, and daily activities. So a list of people who could help us in all different areas might start with a professional like an elder law attorney or an estate planning attorney. We could look to a professional who could guide us in, in medical decisions like a patient advocate or an aging lifecare manager. These are professionals who do this for a living. If we're concerned about our daily finances, we could certainly hire a daily money manager and make sure they're certified. Our local banks are a, an incredible resource for financial advice, also for setting up a fiduciary, someone who is assigned to our money and only has our best concerns in mind. So go to the local bank and um, talk to the trust department.

[00:36:36] Bob: And I think it's so important to do this really before you need it, right, because you want to have these relationships in place for that day that you say to someone, you know, this guy's been helping me around the house, but suddenly this thing happened. What, what do you think about it, right? You want to have those people in place ahead of time.

[00:36:52] Joy Loverde: Yeah, we have to because trust takes time, and I left out one really important resource that I would love for, for everyone to know about. If you're an adult child and you're listening to this podcast, go to your employer, if they have an employer eldercare benefits, if they have an employer eldercare benefits department, and find out what resources are available to you and your parents.

[00:37:18] Bob: That's interesting. That might be even free, right?

[00:37:20] Joy Loverde: Absolutely. The tendency for an employee who is also a, a potential caregiver for parents is they don't tend to use the employer eldercare benefits before they have a crisis. But go there now and you could find out that you probably have free legal advice, free financial advice, perhaps they have group long-term care insurance and so on.

[00:37:43] Bob: That sounds great. I, I do like the repeated advice of getting in touch with people and having these conversations before there's a crisis so that somebody's in place and there the trust is in place when you do have the crisis.

[00:37:54] Alice Dragoo: Yeah, I, my job is to try to influence people to plan for something they never want to deal with.

[00:38:00] Bob: Oh wow, that's, that sounds like a heavy lift.

[00:38:02] Joy Loverde: (chuckles) It is.

[00:38:05] Bob: It can all seem overwhelming, but help is available. And the key is to get help before you find yourself in a crisis and a vulnerable position.

[00:38:16] Joy Loverde: I want them to know that there is so much help available, and that if they are willing to make the effort to look for it, they won't be on overwhelm, and they will get all the help that they need. People just don't think that there's help, but there's so much help.

[00:38:33] Bob: For The Perfect Scam, I'm Bob Sullivan.

(MUSIC SEGUE)

[00:38:42] Bob: If you have been targeted by a scam or fraud, you are not alone. Call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360. Their trained fraud specialists can provide you with free support and guidance on what to do next. Our email address at The Perfect Scam is: theperfectscampodcast@aarp.org, and we want to hear from you. If you've been the victim of a scam or you know someone who has, and you'd like us to tell their story, write to us. That address again is: theperfectscampodcast@aarp.org. Thank you to our team of scambusters; Associate Producer, Annalea Embree; Researcher, Becky Dodson; Executive Producer, Julie Getz; and our Audio Engineer and Sound Designer, Julio Gonzalez. Be sure to find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. For AARP's The Perfect Scam, I'm Bob Sullivan.

(MUSIC OUTRO)

END OF TRANSCRIPT
Northern Territory Government Carpentaria Pilot Project Environmental Approvals Received



Carpentaria Pilot Project Environmental Approvals Received

Sydney, Nov 15, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Empire Energy Group Limited ( ASX:EEG ) ( EEGUF:OTCMKTS ) is pleased to announce the Northern Territory Department of Lands, Planning and Environment has approved Empire's Environment Management Plan ("EMP) for the Carpentaria Pilot Project.



- The Northern Territory Government has approved Empire's Environment Management Plan ("EMP) for the Carpentaria Pilot Project



- The EMP provides all environmental approvals for the Carpentaria Pilot Project including up to 9 new wells, installation of the Carpentaria Gas Plant, and above ground process facilities with access to the McArthur River Pipeline for export of gas to markets



- Final regulatory approval for the Carpentaria Pilot Project to proceed is the sale of gas under the Beneficial Use of Test Gas provisions of the NT Petroleum Act. Stakeholder consultation processes are well advanced



- Carpentaria-5H ("C-5H") drilling is expected to commence imminently. Ensign Rig #965 is now on location



Comments from Managing Director Alex Underwood:



"The Empire team continues to progress towards pilot production from the Beetaloo Basin, which will provide much needed gas supply for the people of the Northern Territory under the gas sales agreement Empire signed with the NT Government earlier this year.



This regulatory approval aligns with the NT Government's support for Empire and the development of the broader Beetaloo Basin, which is expected to create thousands of jobs, put downward pressure on energy prices across the NT and Eastern Australia, and has the potential to drive a resurgence of manufacturing in the Northern Territory.



The Empire team is progressing the final remaining approvals required to sell gas produced from the Carpentaria Pilot Project under the NT Petroleum Act's Beneficial Use of Test Gas provisions."



The EMP provides Northern Territory Government environmental approvals for the following activities in EP187:



- establishment of up to four new well pads;



- drilling, hydraulic fracture stimulation and completion of up to 9 new wells;



- installation of the Carpentaria Gas Plant ("CGP"), Water Handling Station ("WHS"), gas and water / wastewater flowlines;



- operations and maintenance of up to 12 gas wells including the existing Carpentaria-2H and Carpentaria-3H wells, new and existing well pads, the CGP, WHS, gas and water / wastewater flowlines and camps; and



- production of gas from up to 12 wells through flowlines and CGP to the McArthur River Pipeline for export to markets.



Following receipt of EMP approval, regulatory approval for the sale of gas under the Beneficial Use of Test Gas provisions of the NT Petroleum Act is the last remaining major approval required for the Carpentaria Pilot Project. Stakeholder consultation processes which are a pre-requisite for the sale of gas under the Beneficial Use of Test Gas provisions are well advanced. This requires the approval of traditional owners, and we are working with the Northern Land Council to facilitate a meeting to enable traditional owners to make that decision.



*To view images, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/9I33F500





About Empire Energy Group Ltd





Empire Energy (ASX:EEG) (OTCMKTS:EEGUF) is a Sydney based Australian oil and gas company holding 100%-owned and operated assets with unconventional targets in the Northern Territory Beetaloo Sub-basin and central trough of the McArthur Basin.

Empire is an active Beetaloo Sub-basin operator, focused on maturing its assets to production. Following the successful appraisal drilling and flow testing of the Carpentaria-2H and 3H wells in Empire's EP187, Empire is targeting first gas flow in H1 2025 at its Carpentaria Pilot Project. The Pilot has a targeted sales gas rate of up to 25 TJ per day utilising the existing McArthur River Pipeline.

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2024 Annual General Meeting - Chairmans Address

Perth, Nov 15, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Deep Yellow Limited ( ASX:DYL ) ( JMI:FRA ) ( DYLLF:OTCMKTS ) is pleased to share the Chairman's Address, to be presented by Mr. Chris Salisbury, ahead of today's Annual General Meeting.



Chairman's Address, Mr. Chris Salisbury, Chairman of Deep Yellow Limited



In the 2024 financial year Deep Yellow made significant progress towards becoming a diversified multi-asset supplier of uranium to the world's nuclear power industry.



Major steps were progressed on the Tumas Project. The Namibian Government granted the Company its mining licence for the Project, the culmination of many years of technical, environmental, economic and social studies, as well as comprehensive consultation with all stakeholders. This licence paved the way for the Company to take further important steps in the progression of the Project.



Ausenco Services were appointed as the project engineer commencing with detailed engineering, and Nedbank were appointed as the lead arranger for the finance to support project implementation. I am pleased to report good progress is being made on both of these critical workstreams which will culminate in the preparation of an FID decision for consideration by the Board late in 2024.



Discussion with global utilities on potential supply contracts is also underway.



The Company completed a major equity raise in May 2024 to provide funds to support the Tumas development as well as working capital for exploration and technical studies. We were pleased to see the support shown by both existing and new shareholders in raising the full A$250M target.



Particularly pleasing was the addition of a large number of new institutional investors onto the Company's share registry, as well as support from existing shareholders to fulfill the Shareholder Purchase Plan.



The Company achieved a number of major strategic milestones in 2024, and this combined with the continued rise in global uranium prices, saw major increases in the market cap of the Company. To the end of October 2024 your Company's share price rose almost 20% across the year, despite market volatility, and the major equity injection.



The growth of the Company culminated in entry of Deep Yellow into the ASX 200 index in the middle of the year. Apart from the significant focus on the Tumas Project, important work continued on the Mulga Rock technical studies, and further exploration success at Alligator River.



There was also focus on the other aspects of transforming the Company from a late-stage developer to an operating company. The Board has been particularly pleased to see the high calibre of employees joining us as Deep Yellow grows.



The Board and management team place high emphasis on our ESG values and activities, and we are pleased to provide greater detail of this work in the second year of our comprehensive sustainability reporting.



The macro environment continued to be very supportive of nuclear energy in providing low carbon, reliable baseload energy globally.



Many nations revised their targets for the growth in the number of nuclear reactors. The supply gap for uranium to meet current and projected demand continues to be wide, and this was reflected in the ongoing strength of the uranium market. Deep Yellow remains perfectly positioned to take advantage of the global shortage of uranium supply.



Your Board and the management team are preparing to progress the Tumas Project into the construction phase, which will be a truly transformative step for the Company.



It is an exciting time to be chairing your Company, and I look forward to our ongoing success.



To view the 2024 AGM Corporate Presentation, please visit:

https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/5DOEE6R4





About Deep Yellow Limited





Deep Yellow Limited (ASX:DYL) (OTCMKTS:DYLLF) is successfully progressing a dual-pillar growth strategy to establish a globally diversified, Tier-1 uranium company to produce 10+Mlb p.a.

The Company's portfolio contains the largest uranium resource base of any ASX-listed company and its projects provide geographic and development diversity. Deep Yellow is the only ASX company with two advanced projects - flagship Tumas, Namibia (Final Investment Decision expected in 1H/CY24) and MRP, Western Australia (advancing through revised DFS), both located in Tier-1 uranium jurisdictions.

Deep Yellow is well-positioned for further growth through development of its highly prospective exploration portfolio - ARP, Northern Territory and Omahola, Namibia with ongoing M&A focused on high-quality assets should opportunities arise that best fit the Company's strategy.

Led by a best-in-class team, who are proven uranium mine builders and operators, the Company is advancing its growth strategy at a time when the need for nuclear energy is becoming the only viable option in the mid-to-long term to provide baseload power supply and achieve zero emission targets.

Importantly, Deep Yellow is on track to becoming a reliable and long-term uranium producer, able to provide production optionality, security of supply and geographic diversity.

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Rhyma Castillo is a trending reporter for the Express-News and a member of its Digital Go Team. She can be reached at rhyma.castillo@express-news.net.

A native of San Antonio and a Texas A&M University graduate, she is a journalist with nearly a decade of experience. She has reported on politics, immigration, climate change, gun violence, and workers rights. Additionally, she excels in lifestyle and entertainment writing, covering music, television, video games, technology, and relationships.

In her free time, she enjoys painting, drawing, cooking, hiking, climbing, gardening, playing video games, cuddling with her cats, and making music with her band.
San Antonio attorney Robert Jeffrey Mueller has been indicted on eight counts of wire fraud related to an alleged scheme to defraud investors of millions of dollars. In a separate action taken by the Securities and Exchange Commission three years ago, it alleges he used some of the investors' money to pay personal expenses and to fund a San Antonio pinball machine maker. Kin Man Hui /Staff photographer

San Antonio lawyer Robert Jeffrey Mueller, who landed in securities regulators crosshairs a few years ago for allegedly defrauding investors of millions of dollars to fund his lavish lifestyle and businesses including a pinball machine company, is now facing criminal charges.

A federal grand jury in San Antonio has indicted him on eight counts of wire fraud related to a scheme involving the purchase of life insurance policies.

The indictment says a large portion of the money invested by individuals was used to repay earlier investors their principal and interest  the hallmark of a Ponzi scheme.

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Each count of wire fraud carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and maximum $250,000 fine. Prosecutors intend to seek forfeiture of certain property from Mueller if hes convicted.

Mueller is scheduled to make his initial appearance in court Tuesday morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry Bemporad.

The indictment comes as the Securities and Exchange Commission is seeking a final judgment to collect more than $70 million in a civil action filed against Mueller in August 2021. That represents more than $52 million in ill-gotten gains, $16.6 million in interest and a nearly $2.3 million civil penalty.

The SEC accused Mueller of spending more than $1.5 million of investors money to pay for his second and third weddings, engagement rings and wedding bands for both wives, vacation cruises, his daughters private school tuition and a condo in Hawaii. All told, the SEC said at least 300 investors lost about $58 million.

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Mueller asserted his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination when an SEC lawyer asked him about his use of the funds assets to pay for his personal expenses, the agency said in its lawsuit.

Eleven of Muellers companies filed for bankruptcy liquidation in 2021, including three that the SEC wants to be held responsible with him for repaying the $52 million. The parent company was deeproot Funds LLC; many of his companies incorporated deeproot in their name.

Muellers lawyers in the SEC action didnt respond to a request for comment.

Mueller and his deeproot Funds funneled more than $30 million in investor funds to businesses he controlled, including a developer of pinball machines, the SEC said. In another lawsuit in bankruptcy court, trustee John Patrick Pat Lowe alleged the pinball company was doomed to fail from the start because it was never properly capitalized.

In a 2020 interview, Mueller said he chose San Antonio to launch deeproot Pinball LLC because he had spent most of his life here and because the Texas economy is favorable for pinball manufacturing and development.

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Many of his alleged victims were retirees whom he persuaded to cash out their retirement accounts and annuities to invest in his funds, Lowe said in his complaint. His suit has been on hold pending the outcome of the SECs case.

Besides the Mueller lawsuit, Lowe filed about three dozen complaints against various parties to recover money for the bankruptcy estates.

Many of the investors suffered near total losses as a result of Muellers fraudulent actions, the SEC said in a September court filing.

In June, Mueller and the SEC entered a settlement that was ratified by a court judgment, though the specific amounts that he and some of his companies would have to pay had not been determined.

U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez earlier this year issued an order finding Mueller liable for the negligent misappropriation of investor funds for his personal benefit.

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Mueller promoted two investor funds as profit-generating investment vehicles investing in life settlements, which involve individuals selling their life insurance policies for cash settlements while still alive, the indictment says. The funds would receive the face value of the policies upon the death of the insured.

But the indictment says no life settlements were purchased after May 2017.

Rodriguez, who has been assigned Muellers criminal case, has yet to consider the SECs motion for a final judgment.
Stewart Hastie, ACA Chair, commented: On LGPS and DC, we applaud the bold ambition in so far that it improves outcomes for the local community taxpayers that fund and underwrite the costs of LGPS and improves outcomes for DC savers, but the devil is in the detail of how to actually implement the ambition and over what timescales. The Australian and Canadian models are not panaceas (big is not always better) and were not achieved over night. In particular, where the Government draws the line on minimum billions for DC funds and how it might deal with identifying and consolidating underperforming funds will be key and we look forward to positive engagement on forthcoming consultations. However, the real disappointment is still the lack of anything on the 1.4trn in private sector DB and taking forward a vision for how these schemes can support economic growth and better outcomes for current and future workers. We would like to see greater support and flexibility being brought forward on how surpluses can be utilised for the sponsors and members (and help with releasing some 100bn to 250bn of surplus over the next 10 years) combined with regulatory guidance that focuses on managing surpluses (as opposed to funding deficits!) to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place and help trustee navigate the requirements of their fiduciary duties. The ACA response to Stage 1 of the Pensions Investment Review focussed on the complex challenges raised by the Governments agenda on investment and consolidation and the ongoing need for further open-minded consultations with all those involved in pension provision and governance, as well as those relying on pension outcomes. Mark Searle, Partner and Head of DC Investment at XPS Group said: Scale is not required to unlock the immediate benefits of investing in private markets for most DC schemes. It is already feasible for schemes of 30m and above to invest up to 20% in illiquid markets. We believe that the stimulus needed to drive investment in private markets is a change in mindset from focusing on minimising costs to maximising long term performance. Using Australia as an example, one reason their DC schemes have such large allocations to these assets is because there is clear evidence that achieving strong risk adjusted returns will win them new business. There isnt the same dynamic in the UK currently but the introduction of some type of performance-based league tables would help change the mindset.



Dan Carpenter, Partner and LGPS Investment Lead at XPS Group said: In order to be successful, it is important to reflect on and address the elements that have to date held back many LGPS administering authorities from greater adoption of the existing pools. These issues include concerns over organisational stability of the pool, combined with limited resources or capabilities leading to gaps in the available offerings. Together this means more than half of assets are currently invested outside of the pools. Not all pools have sufficient capability to provide the full range of services required. The case for greater scale leading to better outcomes is compelling, but in order to drive progress, pools need to be invested in and positioned to attract LGPS participation, rather than administering authorities being coerced into something that they consider sub optimal. This drive needs to be pull rather than push. Ian Bell, Head of Pensions at RSM UK, said: Its encouraging to see the Chancellor building on previous proposals to focus on consolidation and scale to improve investment opportunities and performance for our DC market and local government pension schemes (LGPS). However, given the slow progress on the LGPS pooling project, which was initially launched by George Osbourne some nine years ago, implementation will remain the challenge in making this happen and at an increased pace. To ensure the governments pensions strategy is realised, the role of NISTA and the pipeline of investable UK infrastructure projects that are released over the next 10 years will be key. The British Growth Partnership will also help with inward investment into venture capital funds and innovative businesses in the UK. But, given the global marketplace, it isnt clear how these projects will be made available to UK investors, without the risk of them being snapped up by the global investment community. In addition, once they are scaled up, how can these UK opportunities be made more attractive to pension schemes than other global opportunities? Ultimately Trustees will still have a duty to balance investment return and risk for their scheme members. Clarity is also needed on how LGPS members will see their investments focussed on investment projects in their local community. Currently, the Trustees have the ability to use their funds on suitable local projects, but that element of control will change under pooling. Government has promoted this local focus in the run up to Mansion House, but its hard to see how the two ambitions can work hand in hand in practice. As ever, the devil with be in the detail and the consultations will be key to ensure the sector can unlock investment which supports long-term economic growth Catherine Foot, Director of Phoenix Insights: The Chancellors plans to invest in the industries of the future will play an important role in reducing economic inactivity and it is vital that it lays out a roadmap for transitioning to a net zero economy while ensuring workers are supported to move into greener jobs. Our recent findings highlight that workers aged 40-65 view green jobs as riskier than traditional roles, often due to concerns about pay and job security. To bridge the UKs green skills gap as part of Governments new strategy, it is essential to provide better retraining opportunities and ensure that green jobs are advertised inclusively to attract experienced midlife and over-50s workers. This approach will not only support the transition to a greener economy but also ensure that experienced workers can contribute meaningfully to this fundamental sector.




David Piltz, CEO, Gallaghers Benefits & HR Consulting Division in the UK: While the potential benefits of consolidation are widely acknowledgedsuch as the ability to negotiate lower fees and access more sophisticated investment strategieswe must consider the other side of the equation, too. The key challenge here is balancing consolidation with the risk of creating concentration. While pooling assets can certainly lead to efficiencies, too much consolidation could leave us vulnerable, with pension funds overly concentrated in just a few large investments. Do we want our pension system placing all its eggs in just a few baskets?



Once schemes reach a critical size, the benefits of consolidation can taper off. A framework should be created in which investments have to fight for their place across a wide range of independent pension portfolios. This ensures price competition, better due diligence, and reduces the risk of overexposure to underperforming investments. The move towards Canadian-style pension reform - merging Britains local authority pension schemes into a consolidated pension fund - could drive down administrative costs and streamline operations. However, it's worth noting that local authority schemes provide flexibility to match unique regional needs and risk tolerances. Centralising everything under a national fund could impose a one-size-fits-all model, which may not align with the goals of all local authorities or meet the needs of all beneficiaries. Overall, it does present an opportunity for greater returns, but it requires careful implementation to navigate the inherent challenges in such a major structural shift.  Steve Simkins, Partner and Public Sector Leader at Isio, comments: We support scaling up the LGPS to achieve greater impact, but its essential that this is done thoughtfully. While current proposals focus on a top-down structure, a bottom-up approach is equally critical to meet the diverse needs of numerous employers and their employees past and present . As it stands, valuable insights from initiatives like Maple 8such as professional leadership, clear risk management, and enhanced member servicesare not yet being fully implemented across the board. Nine years after George Osborne's initial plan for "British wealth funds," Rachel Reeves has reintroduced and rebranded them as "Megafunds." However, with her focus on assets, a more accurate term might be "Megapools" a grand description for a large investment entity devoted exclusively to managing LGPS (Local Government Pension Scheme) assets. Reeves outlined the first step: to improve and fully capitalise the current pools, which are currently only half-filled. Moving to "Megafunds" would require LGPS fund mergersa time-consuming process that likely wont impact this Parliament. Additionally, with mandated investment classes off the table, questions remain about if and how the government might mandate all assets to be directed through these new megapools. Under current regulations, local LGPS funds have control over asset class decisions, with the megapools simply serving to manage these assets. Without regulatory change, the megapools wont dictate the asset allocation, putting the government's 80bn UK investment target for companies and infrastructure at risk. Balancing the governments national investment ambitions with the autonomy of local councils is, therefore, a "wait and see" situation. The emphasis on supporting regional economies through a commitment of 20bn in local investments is encouraging, aligning the LGPS with the broader local government ecosystem. However, given the LGPSs robust funding status, this same sum could be mobilised directly without delay, rather than waiting for these new investments to materialise. In its ongoing review, we urge the government, alongside the new Office of Value for Money, to review the distribution of funds across the LGPS and it many employers who are serving our communities.




Dhruv Dhawan has joined the leadership team at JioStar, the new joint venture between JioCinema and Disney Hotstar, where he will spearhead digital growth for mid-tier and emerging clients with a regional focus. This marks another milestone in Dhawans career, following his influential role at Disney+ Hotstar, where he played a pivotal part in driving ad sales and formulating strategies to boost revenue.

During his time at Disney+ Hotstar, Dhawan was responsible for a wide range of initiatives, including sales, agency partnerships, strategy, and ad technology solutions. His strategic approach helped the platform enhance its audience engagement and maximize revenue through innovative and data-driven advertising solutions.

Dhawan brings a wealth of experience from leading digital initiatives at companies such as Google, Airtel, and Accenture. His background in both technology and business will support JioStars goals of expanding its reach and increasing revenue. He holds an MBA from the Symbiosis Institute of Business Management and an engineering degree from Pune University.

Additionally, Dhawan will contribute his expertise as a jury member at the e4m Revenue Leaders 40Under40 Awards, where he will help recognize the next generation of leaders in the advertising and media industries. His ability to evaluate emerging trends and industry talent will be key in identifying and celebrating innovative leaders.
On Home Safety Day 2024, Locks by Godrej, a trusted name under Godrej & Boyce in the Godrej Enterprises Group, launched a powerful campaign, Fear is Good, aiming to shift how Indians view home safety. Co-conceptualized with Whyness Worldwide and directed by Nikhil Mahajan, the campaign encourages homeowners to embrace caution as an active step in safeguarding their homes and loved ones.

The Fear is Good campaign confronts the complacent it wont happen to me mindset, promoting vigilance and safety as essential daily practices. With acclaimed actor Makarand Deshpande as the campaign ambassador, the message is given a relatable and urgent tone, encouraging homeowners to take practical steps toward home safety.

Shyam Motwani, EVP & Business Head, Locks & Architectural Fittings & Systems, Godrej & Boyce, stated: Over the last three years, weve conducted over 1.5 lakh home safety checkups across 3,500 pin codes, resulting in a 25% increase in safety adoption. This Home Safety Day and the launch of Fear is Good reaffirm our commitment to the Har Ghar Surakshit mission. Alongside this, the introduction of the Advantis IoT9 smart lock reflects our continuous efforts to make homes safer.

In tandem with the campaign, Locks by Godrej unveiled the Advantis IoT9, a next-generation digital lock offering nine modes of access, including NFC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, biometrics, and RFID. This innovation integrates seamlessly into smart homes, enhancing security with state-of-the-art technology.

Ravi Deshpande, Founder and Chairman of Whyness Worldwide, emphasized: Home safety is often overlooked, though it's crucial. With Fear is Good, we aim to make caution a priority for every household. Collaborating with Locks by Godrej allowed us to address a significant topic, challenging complacency and encouraging actionable safety measures.

As urban crime rates rise, Locks by Godrej advocates for comprehensive home security through advanced digital locks, CCTV, alarms, and community safety practices. This campaign underscores Godrejs dedication to innovation in safety technology and community protection.

Campaign Credits:

 Agency: Whyness Worldwide

 Director: Nikhil Mahajan

 Campaign Ambassador: Makarand Deshpande
This Childrens Day, Godrej Vikhroli Cucina, the owned media platform of the Godrej Industries Group (GIG), joins hands with celebrity Chef Amrita Raichand to honor India's culinary heritage through a heartfelt campaign. Encouraging parents to revive traditional flavors in their children's meals, the initiative reflects themes from the Godrej Food Trends Report 2024 (GFTR24), focusing on the origins and significance of Indian ingredients.

Amid a landscape dominated by global snack trends, Chef Amrita Raichand playfully asks, Pizza banaya toh cool? Paratha banaya toh uncool? With her signature humor, she encourages parents to embrace the timeless appeal of culturally rich foods, like parathas and paneer, instead of trends that may lack depth and nutrition.

Central to the campaign is Chef Amritas #CoolKids Paneer Parathas, a video recipe that highlights wholesome, heritage-inspired ingredients such as Godrej Jersey Ghee and Godrej Jersey Paneer. Chef Amrita emphasizes the nutritional benefits and cultural value of these foods, showcasing how traditional recipes can still be cool and meaningful. With humour, she challenges modern food myths: Butter hai toh cool? Ghee use karo toh uncool? Her recipe process underscores the value of care in cooking, as she kneads dough and seasons paneer, urging parents to reconnect with recipes that transcend trends.Sujit Patil, Chief Communications Officer, Corporate Brand and Communications, Godrej Industries Group, expressed: Childrens Day is about celebrating childhood and the values that shape it. This campaign aims to inspire families to reconnect with the food traditions that define their heritage. At Godrej Vikhroli Cucina, we believe that these culinary stories are timeless and offer families a way to nurture love and memories with every bite.Chef Amrita Raichand added:As a mother and chef, I understand the appeal of modern-day convenience foods, but the connection we feel to our roots through traditional meals is invaluable. My hope is to show families that these recipes are not only delicious and nourishing but also filled with love, culture, and meaning.Join Godrej Vikhroli Cucina and Chef Amrita Raichand in celebrating Childrens Day with the timeless flavors that make every kitchenand every childhoodspecial.
Hindustan Pencils has launched an initiative touching upon the lives of over 10,000 underprivileged children across the country on the occasion of Children's Day. The company provided essential stationery supplies like their newest launch Apsara Popstar Pencils as part of this campaign and organized engaging activities to foster educational growth and uplift young spirits.

Hindustan Pencils commitment to supporting education and promoting equality lies at the heart of this initiative. We believe that every child deserves the chance to dream big, regardless of their circumstances, By sharing educational tools and connecting with these children, we hope to ignite their potential and build their confidence. Their enthusiasm inspires us and strengthens our dedication to giving back" said Pradip Ughade, President of Hindustan Pencils.

As part of this initiative, the companys team arranged interactive sessions, creative workshops, and games, aiming to create a fun and impactful experience for the children. By collaborating with local schools and community organizations, Hindustan Pencils ensured the initiative reached those in need and fostered lasting connections with communities across India.

With this Childrens Day effort, Hindustan Pencils hopes to inspire hope and resilience in young hearts. The company expresses its gratitude to all partners, volunteers, and supporters whose contributions helped bring this vision to life. Hindustan Pencils remains steadfast in its mission to empower children through education and looks forward to expanding these efforts in the future
About seven minutes after it left, Starships Super Heavy booster returns to its launch tower Oct. 13, where it was caught by mechanical arms and landed for the first time. The maneuver was a major step for SpaceXs goal of making the mega-rocket fully reusable. SpaceX is planning to repeat the maneuver during Mondays launch. Eric Gay/Associated Press The Starship mega-rocket lifts off from Starbase for its fifth test flight the morning of Oct. 13. For the first time, SpaceX successfully returned the lower-stage to land at Starbase. SpaceX is planning to repeat the maneuver during Mondays launch. Eric Gay/Associated Press This image provided by SpaceX shows the mega-rocket's booster returning to the launch pad to be captured during a test flight Oct. 13. SpaceX is planning to repeat the maneuver during Mondays launch. SpaceX This image provided by SpaceX shows smoke and fire from the upper-stage Starship after landing in the water in the Indian Ocean after returning from space Oct. 13. If the upcoming launch occurs during the afternoon as planned, the upper-stage Starship will splash down off the coast of Australia during the daytime. SpaceX SpaceXs mega-rocket booster returns to the launch pad to be captured during Starships fifth test flight early Sunday. Eric Gay/Associated Press

SpaceX is set to launch its Starship rocket from South Texas as soon as 4 p.m. Tuesday in what would be the firms quickest turnaround between test flights so far  and the first since CEO Elon Musk was named by President-elect Donald Trump to lead a government efficiency effort.

The commercial space company provided no explanation for the delay from its original plan for a Monday afternoon launch, which it announced just hours after Trump was reelected with help from Musk.

A Nov. 19 launch would put it a month and six days after the fifth test launch on Oct. 13, when SpaceX successfully returned the rockets booster stage for a landing at Starbase  a first. Previously, the time between flights ranged from three to seven months.

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It also would be the first afternoon flight of the 400-foot-tall spacecraft. Previous tests have launched in the early morning, which meant the upper-stage Starship splashed down in darkness on the other side of the globe. A later launch could offer daytime views of a splashdown off the coast of Australia, thanks to a SpaceX camera buoy at the landing site.

On Thursday, Musk interrupted his steady stream of political posts on his X social media platform with a video showing the booster landing during the Oct. 13 test flight and the words, Starship Flight 6 coming up soon!

While the run-up to the fifth flight test was chaotic as the company sparred with regulators over environmental and safety violations, the path to this launch has been smoother. Heres what you need to know about Starships planned next journey:

What will it test?

For the sixth flight, SpaceX intends to try to land the booster again, attempt to restart a Starship Raptor engine in space and perform tests of the crafts heat shield through reentry and descent.

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The rocket company said the flight test aims to expand the envelope on ship and booster capabilities and get closer to bringing reuse of the entire system online.

The upper-stage Starship and Super Heavy booster will blast off from SpaceXs private launch site near Boca Chica Beach and fly over the Gulf of Mexico. After stage separation, the booster will attempt to return to land at the launch tower as the upper stage continues around the planet for a controlled landing in the Indian Ocean.

SpaceX estimates the booster will land about seven minutes after liftoff. The Starships flight is expected to take about an hour and five minutes.

How can I watch?

SpaceX will begin its livestream of the flight on X and its website about 30 minutes before liftoff.

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For those wanting to watch in person, Isla Blanca Park on South Padre Island is the most popular location. The venue draws thousands. Dont forget $12 cash for the gate.

Others stake out spots in Port Isabel, along Texas 48 and elsewhere.

Raptor Roost and the nearby Rocket Ranch Outpost along Rio Grande Drive are the closest spectators can get to the launch pad  about 3.8 miles away. Raptor Roost charges $200 for adults and $100 for kids. Rocket Ranch Outpost charges $200. Spots fill up fast and people must arrive before the Cameron County Sheriffs Office closes the roads.

An increasing number of charter boats are offering trips to watch launches from the South Bay.

Whats happened since the last launch?

Musks dive into politics has brought his South Texas rocket project to the presidential stage. Trump repeatedly has praised Musk, including in his acceptance speech where he also called the recent Starship landing, a beautiful thing to see.

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During remarks at a Mar-a-Lago gala on Thursday night, while introducing Musk, the president-elect said, hes done a fantastic job, really an incredible mind and hes (an) unbelievable entrepreneur.

However, the company still needs a permit from the state to operate its deluge system that can spray more than 100,000 gallons of water during launches to dampen heat, noise and force from the rockets big engines.

Regulators with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality got an earful from locals urging them to deny the permit during an Oct. 17 public meeting. The TCEQ canceled a follow-up hearing that had been scheduled for Thursday, saying it will be rescheduled.

The permit is still pending, but TCEQ has said SpaceX can continue with launches in the meantime.

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Also, word came Thursday that SpaceX has pulled out of the controversial land swap deal it made with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to exchange 43 acres of Boca Chica State Beach property near its Starbase facility for 477 acres near the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge.

The deal drew more than a thousand public comments in opposition and a lawsuit from a group of environmental and native organizations.

The South Texas Environmental Justice Network, Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe of Texas and Save RGV filed the lawsuit in state district court in Travis County arguing the parks department and Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission were illegally handing public land to the commercial space company.
JioStar, formed through a joint venture between Reliance Industries Limited, Viacom18 Media, and The Walt Disney Company, has announced key leadership appointments as part of its reorganization. The venture, valued at approximately 70,352 crore (US$8.5 billion), combines media assets from JioCinema, Star India, and Viacom18, creating a powerhouse with 100 TV channels, over 30,000 hours of annual programming, and a digital subscriber base exceeding 50 million. Reliance holds a 56% majority stake in the entity, supported by a 11,500 crore (US$1.4 billion) investment.

Key Appointments

Raghava Vaidyula: Appointed to lead JioStar's Telugu operations across platforms, Vaidyula brings over 25 years of experience in the broadcast industry. He has held leadership roles at MAA (a division of Star India), including Senior Vice President of Programming and Business Head. His career began at Gemini TV, where he worked for over 11 years.

Kishan Kumar: Tasked with overseeing JioStar's Malayalam business, Kumar is a MICA graduate with two decades of expertise in media strategy, business development, and talent management. Previously, he served as Executive Director of Channel Business Asianet for Disney Star and played a key role in establishing Maxus as South Indias largest media agency.

Sushma Rajesh: Appointed to head JioStar's Kannada business, Rajesh has extensive broadcast industry experience. She has served as Cluster Head for Kannada and Marathi at Viacom18 and as SVP & Business Head-Kannada at The Walt Disney Company. Her career highlights include leadership roles at Star India, contributing to the growth of channels like Star Plus and Star Jalsha.

Strategic Vision

The new leadership team aims to harness the joint ventures extensive resources to drive innovation, deliver engaging content, and expand JioStars reach across regional and digital platforms, reinforcing its position as a leading media giant in India.
With the Maharashtra Assembly elections just around the corner, NDTV Marathi is gauging the political atmosphere across Maharshtra through its unique initiative  NDTV Marathi Election Carnival. This property features a live, on-ground mobile truck that serves as both a stage and a traveling studio. The specially designed truck aims to travel over 5000 KMs throughout Maharashtra, covering key constituencies. At these venues it transforms each location into a vibrant stage for discussions and debates between local leaders, party workers, and citizens.

The Carnival has already traversed some of the top cities across Maharashtra namely Nagpur, Chandrapur, Amravati, Sambhajinagar, Nashik, Beed, Nanded, Solapur and Sangli. At these cities, local leaders, representatives from all top contesting parties were brought together on one stage in front of a live local audience. This unique format allowed the network to bring the voices of the people from the last mile, directly to the forefront, fostering transparency and engagement.

The show is helmed by Vinod Talekar, Kavita Rane and Rahul Kulkarni  three of the top anchors of NDTV Marathi, who make the debates with all political parties meaningful and interesting.

The truck is strategically positioned in prominent locations within multiple cities of Maharashtra. Local political leaders, party workers, and residents are invited to take part in lively discussions about the issues that matter most to the electorate, providing an authentic, on-the-ground view of the political pulse in each region.

The Election Carnival has been well-received, drawing enthusiastic participation from local communities and offering a fresh perspective on the electoral process. NDTV Carnival will continue to travel to Sawantwadi, Kolhapur, Baramati, Thane and Mumbai in the coming weeks, to capture and showcase the political pulse of Maharashtra, ensuring the voice and will of the common people are represented.

NDTVs Election Carnivals will traverse to the following cities:

14th Nov KOLHAPUR 15th Nov BARAMATI 16th Nov THANE 17th Nov MUMBAI

Tune in to NDTVs Election Carnival every evening at 8 PM on NDTV Marathi as we determine Maharashtras Choice - NDTV's Election Carnival - Maharashtra

With this and other such properties, NDTV Marathi, a channel launched only 6 months ago is already resonating with the Marathi viewers as the destination for the most meaningful conversations about Maharshtra elections.
The Guardian has announced today that it will cease posting on Elon Musks social media platform, X (formerly known as Twitter), from its official accounts. This decision comes as the organization acknowledges that the platform's content has become increasingly at odds with its editorial values, particularly with the prominence of disturbing material and content concerns during the recent US presidential election campaign.

The Guardian, which has over 80 official accounts on X, reaching approximately 27 million followers, expressed its concerns about the content commonly found on the platform, including far-right conspiracy theories and instances of racism. After careful consideration, we have decided that the advantages of maintaining an official presence on X are outweighed by the platforms negative aspects. Our longstanding concerns were reinforced by recent election coverage, a Guardian spokesperson stated.

This decision follows criticism of X's content standards from various anti-hate speech organizations and the European Union, highlighting the platforms shift since Musks acquisition in 2022. Known for his free speech absolutist stance, Musk has reinstated previously banned accounts, including controversial figures such as conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, influencer Andrew Tate, and far-right activist Tommy Robinson.

The Guardian clarified that readers on X could still share its articles, and certain posts from X may occasionally be integrated into its live news reporting. While the organizations official accounts will no longer actively post on the platform, Guardian reporters can continue to use X for newsgathering purposes in line with the companys social media guidelines.

Social media remains a valuable tool for news distribution, but at this juncture, we find Xs role in promoting our work to be diminished, the spokesperson added. Our journalism is available to all on our website, and we encourage readers to visit theguardian.com for direct access to our content.

Musk responded to the announcement by posting on X, labeling The Guardian as irrelevant and a laboriously vile propaganda machine.

The Guardians decision aligns with recent moves by other notable organizations, including National Public Radio (NPR), PBS, the Berlin Film Festival, and the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, all of which have chosen to distance themselves from the platform in light of increasing concerns around hate speech and divisive content.
PTI Reporter and Cameraperson Brutally Assaulted in Tonk Amid Political Protest 2

A PTI reporter and cameraperson were brutally assaulted by a mob while covering a protest in Tonk district on Thursday, following the arrest of Independent MLA candidate Naresh Meena. The attack left reporter Ajeet Shekhawat and cameraperson Dharmendra Kumar severely injured, and their camera was snatched and set ablaze by the mob.

In a selfie video sent to the PTI head office in Delhi, Shekhawat appeared with a visible injury below his left eye, while Kumar sustained a deep cut on his head and a possible fracture in his arm. Both journalists were rushed to the hospital with the help of a colleague.

The assault occurred just as the two were preparing to interview Agriculture Minister Kirodi Lal Meena, who had arrived at the scene to assess the escalating unrest. The violence initially erupted on Wednesday evening when police attempted to prevent supporters of Naresh Meena, a Congress rebel running as an Independent, from staging a sit-in protest. The conflict intensified after Naresh Meena was caught on camera slapping SDM Malpura Amit Chaudhary, who was on election duty.

The PTI teams traumatic experience highlights the risks journalists face in volatile political environments, sparking calls for stronger protections for press personnel in conflict zones.
Teachers highlighted in a recent AL.com series will speak about their success in Alabama schools and their advice for other educators at the ninth annual Alabama Opportunity Summit in Birmingham.

In 2024, AL.com reporters found schools with the most improved grades from the Alabama school report card for the 2022-23 school year. Rebecca Griesbach, of AL.coms Education Lab, and Trisha Powell Crain, now with the Alabama Daily News, identified four local educators whose stellar work contributed to their schools overall academic growth.

These Teachers of Alabama demonstrate the effectiveness of evidence-based best practices in the classroom  and offer learning opportunities for other schools.

Join Crain and two of AL.coms featured Teachers of Alabama, JoAnn Smoot-Bryant and Evelyn Rudolph, on Nov. 22 at Birminghams Red Mountain Theatre, for a discussion about how they leveraged success in their schools.

We are happy to highlight the work local educators are doing across the state and share their solutions, said Ruth Serven Smith, a senior editor at AL.com who leads the Education Lab and Birmingham metro teams. We want every community in Alabama to know that improvement is possible, and that opportunities for success are out there.

Tickets for the event and details about the Opportunity Summit, hosted by Teach for America Alabama and A+ Education Partnership, are available here.


Alabama students could soon see some big changes in their social studies classes, including a deeper emphasis on local and world history.

State officials are considering standards, which have not been updated since 2010, that will spread topics like Alabama history, civics, world history and current affairs across more grades. Students will have more time to delve into certain themes and topics, such as civil rights. If approved by the State Board of Education in December, new standards will go into effect in 2026.

Officials said they received feedback from hundreds of parents, teachers and community members who felt current standards were outdated and disjointed and didnt lend enough time to Alabama history or world events.

As you know, Alabama has a rich history, and to narrow that down to one course  our feedback said thats not enough, committee member Marcia Farabee, who heads curriculum and instruction at Gadsden City Schools, told the board.

Read more: What are Alabama schools required to teach about race, gender?

The committee, led by Geneva City superintendent Ron Snell, presented its final draft of the 2024 Social Studies Course of Study to the state board at a work session Thursday afternoon.

Its excellent in terms of scholarship, its excellent in terms of its planning, its scope, its sequence, everything, every jot and tittle, is taken care of and has been weighed out, Snell said.

Among the key changes:

Alabama history will be spread across third through fifth grade

A bridge year in sixth grade, which looks at early U.S. history through a civics lens

World history and geography will be spread across seventh through ninth grade

Schools will have more time to teach events from the 1970s onward

New electives will focus on local history, the Holocaust and other research topics

Alabama has not updated its social studies standards since 2010. The subject has come under scrutiny in recent years, as other states and school districts have wrestled with how to teach factual history. A number of states, including Alabama , also recently banned teaching or discussion of so-called divisive topics.

A 2021 effort to rewrite the standards stalled after the state board passed a resolution banning critical race theory from K-12 schools. At the time, Fordham Institute researcher David Griffith said delaying updates further would be problematic .

Board member Yvette Richardson said she was initially skeptical that African American history would be depicted truthfully in new standards, but praised the committee for going above and beyond to ensure the standards were inclusive.

It takes courage, it takes strength, and it takes integrity, she said. So thank you all so much, because we want our young boys and girls to know history for what it is, and not how we want it to be.

Social studies is taught at all grade levels in elementary and middle school. Currently, Alabama history is a focus in fourth grade and civics education is a focus in seventh grade.

The new standards will not only reconfigure when and for how long units are taught, but also will include more content related to the Holocaust and other aspects of world history that were not previously mandated in 2010 standards.

We get to see more African, Asian, Indigenous and Latin American history where we havent seen it before, committee member Ebone King, a history teacher at Deshler High School in Tuscumbia, told the board.

We didnt lose anything, we just added.

Arts, science updates

The board also heard about work to rewrite Alabamas arts education standards, which were last updated in 2017, and received recommendations for new science textbooks.

The arts education framework the committee is working with includes five areas: dance, media arts, music, theater and visual arts. Committee members proposed adding a number of full and half-credit arts courses at the high school level to ensure students are getting a well-rounded arts education.

Members did not discuss science textbook options at the work session, but a full list of submissions can be found here .

The board is expected to vote on the standards and textbook recommendations at its Dec. 12 meeting.

After standards are approved, a textbook committee will be appointed and work throughout 2025 to compile a list for board approval in January 2026. The standards will be implemented statewide during the 2026-27 school year.

If community members have any questions about the standards, they can submit them using the social studies feedback form, here , or the arts feedback form, here .

Those interested in addressing the board about science textbooks should contact Nora Thorington prior to the Dec. 12 meeting at (334) 694-4903. Comments or concerns may also be emailed to Carolyn Jones at cajones@alsde.edu.
A fifth person has been charged in the robbery shooting death of a 32-year-old man who was killed just 24 hours after a mass shooting outside a Birmingham lounge.

Zachary Alexander Holmes, 31, of Birmingham, is charged with capital murder in the Sept. 22 killing of Jamarcus McIntyre, according to court records made public Friday.

He is also charged with drug trafficking. Charging documents state he was in possession of more than a kilogram of marijuana on that Sunday.

Holmes was initially arrested in Los Angeles and has since been returned to Alabama.

Also charged in McIntyres death are NyQuan Cordae Lollar, 22, Larry Denzel Rollins, Jr., 31, Demarco Nakia Beck Jr., 29, and Damien Laron McDaniel III, 22.

McDaniel is also charged in the mass shooting outside Hush lounge, and in the killing of a woman at another lounge that happened two days before the Southside massacre.

Police say all three homicide cases could be linked but they have not publicly disclosed what connected the deaths.

Lollar is also charged with three counts of attempted murder, drug trafficking including fentanyl, and possession of marijuana.

Rollins, previously acquitted in an unrelated homicide, is also charged with trafficking heroin.

Jamarcus McIntyre was killed in a Sept. 22, 2024, shooting in Birmingham that also wounded two others.(Contributed)

McIntyre died in a hail of gunfire that Sunday night in the 700 block of 81st Place South. Two other people were also wounded, and third escaped injury.

His killing was captured on home surveillance video.

The chilling footage showed McIntyre, and three others, exit a home and walk toward a car on the street. At least three suspects then jumped out of a car parked across the street and gunned down McIntyre, taking his backpack.

Authorities have not said what was in that backpack.
An Alabama hunter missing for about 24 hours was found Friday in the Bankhead National Forest.

Searchers recovered 70-year-old Danny Whitakers body a day after he vanished while hunting. Lawrence County Sheriff Max Sanders said the discovery was made about 11 a.m.

Friends and family said Whitaker, an avid hiker and experienced hunter from Phil Campbell, left his home in Thursdays predawn hours to go bow hunting. He was supposed to be home by noon.

A massive search ensued by roughly 14 agencies, Sanders said, including several county emergency management agencies and ALEA.

Whitakers car, a black Nissan Altima, was found late Thursday afternoon near Pine Torch Church.

No foul play is suspected.
Gov. Greg Abbott visits NASAs Johnson Space Center in March to introduce the Texas Space Commission board of directors and the Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium executive committee. With him from left are Rep. Greg Bonnen, Speaker Dade Phelan and, at his right, NASAs Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche. The consortium came to San Antonio for its first-ever workshop on how it should invest in the states space industry. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Texas Space Commissioner Brad Morrison, left, confers with Executive Director Norman Garza Jr. during a July meeting of the commission. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News After his first meeting with the Texas Space Commission in July, Executive Director Norman Garza Jr. laughs with Commissioner Nancy Currie-Gregg. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Dr. Chris Combs talks in 2021 about the hypersonic wind tunnel he has built in his lab at the University of Texas at San Antonio. William Luther, Staff / William Luther Chris Packham, a professor of astronomy at the University of Texas at San Antonio who studies black holes using NASAs James Webb Space Telescope, co-taught a course called Philosophy of Space Exploration entirely in the metaverse using virtual reality technology. Billy Calzada / Staff photographer

The Texas Space Commission came to San Antonio for its first workshop to gather ideas about how it should begin investing in the states space business.



More than 100 people from industry, the military, academia and research institutions gathered this week with the commissions advisory body, the Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium.



It was the first in a series of such workshops focused on space-related emerging technologies and supply chain and workforce development programs, said Stephanie Murphy, chair of the consortiums executive committee and CEO of Houstons Aegis Aerospace Inc.

Representatives from San Antonio space hot spots Southwest Research Institute, Port San Antonio and the University of Texas at San Antonio said Tuesdays meeting was a step toward strengthening the states foothold in the industry.

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Its not about competing against each other in Texas as much as it is kind of Texas against the world, said Chris Combs, a UTSA hypersonics professor and the universitys liaison to the consortium. Its like lets all get together and lets share our ideas and be open and make sure Texas is the No. 1 state in the country for aerospace and for space and really leading the way.

The UT and Texas A&M systems, as well as Texas cities, will need to collaborate to maximize the opportunities, he said.

If we all work together, then we can really make a big impact, which I think is what theyre trying to do here, Combs said.

Investment ideas

The workshop was about brainstorming ideas for investment. Attendees lists included space medicine, mining, hypersonics, space port development, creation of an overland flight corridor and test range over Texas, cryogenic fuel management, study of advanced materials, data science, regulatory and legal process improvements, future legislation and ways to attract more orbital launches.

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Chris Packham, a UTSA astrophysics professor and co-lead of the Galactic Activity, Torus, and Outflow Survey, an international team of 51 scientists, said the timing of the collaboration is right for UTSA, as the school is adding five professors in space-related fields.

We see space really as an area that UTSA can really move into and augment the folks that weve got there, he said.

Combs said hes already submitted a proposal for funding and knows of several other UTSA professors  as well as Southwest Research Institute scientists  whove applied for funding. Packham said he plans to submit a proposal as well.

The consortiums membership includes representatives from each of the states higher learning institutions. Its goal is to help the Space Commission develop focus areas for investment.

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Norman Garza Jr., executive director of the Space Commission, said the consortium is intended to be the commissions eyes and ears in the field.

Its work will help leaders sift through the grant applications for $150 million in state money called the Space Exploration and Aeronautics Research Fund, the first batch of funding the commission, which was launched in March, has received.

Applications received

In September, the commission opened applications for funds to use on projects tied to new spaceflight technologies, space-related research or workforce training, curation of materials involved in space exploration or spaceport development.

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So far, the commission has received more than 90 applications with more than a billion dollars in funding requests. But Garza said the consortiums workshops are not directly affiliated with the grant application process nor does its executive committee play any role in the evaluation or award of grants.

There is no deadline for applications, as the commission will review them on a rolling basis.

The funding is part of the $350 million in taxpayer funding used to start the commission. The other $200 million is being spent by the Texas A&M University System to build a research and training facility next to Johnson Space Center in Houston.

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Todays conversation was exactly what members of the Legislature intended when they created TARSEC last legislative session said Rob Ambrose, a consortium executive committee member. But todays conversation is only the beginning and we are already looking forward to our next event.
An Alabama lawmaker said he would lift his hold on dozens of state contracts after the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board approved a regulatory change sought by businesses that sell alcohol.

The ABC Board today approved the rule requested by the Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association that will make it more convenient for employees to receive responsible vendor training.

Mindy Hanan, president and CEO of the Restaurant and Hospitality Association, said the new rule will allow employees to receive training on demand, rather than in-person or through a scheduled online program such as a Zoom class.

Restaurant servers work different hours, Hanan said. They often dont work between 8 to 5. They work 5 to 10. They work at night, on the weekends and different times.

And so, having to send somebody to a class or schedule a class online that was via Zoom was not really something that worked for restaurants or hotels. We needed something that when they get hired, the next day they can sit down on a computer and take a class so that they can be trained as soon as possible.

Hanan wrote the petition suggesting the rule change. Hanan said it put ABC Board regulations in line with a bill passed by the Legislature last year.

Last week, Sen. Chris Elliott, a Republican from Baldwin County, who sponsored that bill, said the ABC Board had been slow to update its rules to reflect the law. To put pressure on the agency, Elliott temporarily delayed 60 state agency contracts with a total cost of about $80 million last week.

Elliott said the rule passed today addressed his concerns.

Im just very appreciative that the ABC Board was able to dig into this and get this done, Elliott said. I think this is good for responsible liquor sales in Alabama. Its good for small businesses to be able to readily and fairly easily access responsible vendor training.

Elliott had the authority to hold up the contracts as a member of the Legislatures contract review committee. Any member can hold contracts for up to 45 days, but cannot permanently block or kill them.

The new ABC Board rule does not go into effect immediately but will be subject to a public comment period. But Hanan and Elliott said todays approval by the ABC Board was the key step.

The ABC Board had previously postponed action on the rule, asking its staff for more research. At todays meeting, Board General Counsel David Peacock reported on regulations in other states and other information. The board then passed the rule change.

ABC Board Administrator Curtis Stewart said the board generally agreed with the proposal from the Restaurant and Hospitality Association. But he said the rule change was not a matter of urgency because the board had allowed online responsible vendor training since the end of the COVID pandemic.

Weve been looking at how we could modify what we do since then but it wasnt that we werent allowing online training, Stewart said. And therefore there was no urgency to jump out there and do something when that legislation passed.

The old rule said responsible vendor training had to include face-to-face instruction. Peacock said the ABC Board considered Zoom or Team classes face-to-face."

Certification as a responsible vendor is voluntary for businesses. It carries benefits for those that participate.

It means their employees who are 18-20 years old can serve alcohol, which can help address a workforce shortage, Hanan said. Responsible vendor certification can lower costs for liquor liability insurance rates, she said.

Certification can also mitigate penalties if a vendor commits a violation, such as a sale to a minor.

It will be very beneficial to our members, and to the public, Hanan said. Because its our goal to have as many as possible trained in the responsible service and sales of alcohol.

And it doesnt just affect us. It affects the grocers. And the convenience stores. And anybody that serves alcohol.

Stewart said the ABC Boards goal is to make compliance as reasonably easy as possible.

We want it to be as widespread as possible, Stewart said. Because we want all the licensees that sell product to the public to be educating their people, training their people, making sure their training stays up to date.
The Jim Crow era of America is riddled with stories -- some told and many unspoken -- of violations against the civil rights and basic humanity of Black people.

One such story is that of Hattie DeBardelaben, who was killed in Autaugaville, by law enforcement on March 23, 1945. Details of Hatties death always remained a mystery to her grandchildren for nearly 80 years.

Mary DeBardelaben always wondered what happened to her grandmother and why her family never discussed Hatties death.

Those answers finally came on Oct. 26, after Mary received federal documents related to her grandmothers death and the alleged cover-up that ensued.

Mary and her brother Dan told AL.com how the documents finally gave them closure surrounding Hatties death. Mary said that while she was happy to finally know the truth it was extremely painful to read about what happened to her grandmother.

I cried for a couple of days, because I couldnt believe what had happened to my grandmother, Mary said.

While the documents revealed the truth about Hatties death, they also uncovered why Mary and Dans family members never spoke about their grandmothers passing.

Mary and Dan said that their father, Hatties son Bennie, never mentioned her death, even when they would visit her grave.

Several of Hatties children and relatives were witnesses to her assault and eventual death at the hands of officers.

The case was so big, and we never knew how big it was, because her seven children, who were still alive, never said a word about what happened to my grandmother, to any of their children, Mary said.

And all of her children had children, and I checked with all of them and all of them said that their parents never talked about what happened to their mother.

But it was my mother who kept telling us a story. All she could tell us was that, you know, my grandmother was killed by officers who came to see if they were selling liquor.

A person whose breath was cut off

According to testimony from Edward Underwood, Hatties youngest son and witness to her death, four officers came to their home the afternoon of March 23, 1945.

The officers were Clyde White, John Barrenbrugge, J.C. Moseley and L.O. Smith. White was an Autauga County deputy and the other three were officers of alcohol enforcement agencies.

The men claimed they were looking for illegal whiskey in Autauga County and Hattie agreed to let them search her home after denying having any whiskey.

As the officers tried to search the home, one of them struck Hatties nephew after they said he was disobeying an order to sit down.

Hattie intervened and told the officer to stop. The officer began assaulting her, causing her to fall against a pot of boiling water she was using to wash clothes.

Another officer struck Hattie multiple times before putting her into a chair. According to Edwards statement, he called his two older brothers, Bennie and Johnni, who were in the fields working.

Officers with their guns drawn ordered the two boys to sit on the ground.

White proceeded to check the house for whiskey. Edward said during this time his mother sat silent and was, panting and grunting like a person whose breath was cut off.

After the search ended, the officers said they were taking Hattie to jail and for Edward, who was 15 at the time, to accompany her. Her 7-year-old grandson fetched her shoes.

While in the car, Hattie started vomiting. Police ignored her pleas to stop and get water. Edward began using her dress to catch the vomit before they finally pulled over.

After pulling over, Hattie continued to vomit. One officer told her to get back in the seat. Hattie contested, saying she was sick, but Edward pulled her back into the seat.

Hattie fainted and murmured, thats my baby, in reference to Edward.

Those were the last words she would speak.

By the time they arrived at the Prattville County jail, Hattie had died as her baby sat next to her.

Hattie was 46 at the time of her death.

He never said a single word

After reading this, Mary and Dan said they understood why their grandmothers death was never discussed by her children.

Hatties story is like many from the Jim Crow period -- never officially or accurately recorded and never uttered aloud due to trauma and fear.

My dad and his brothers and cousins, you know, got to witness what actually happened, Dan said.

Seeing that, Im sure, was so traumatic for my father, and was one of the reasons that he never said a single word, nor did he or his other six sisters and brothers, ever had a conversation with us about what took place.

It was a combination of fear and just the trauma being traumatized from an event like that.

Mary said the fear and threat of retaliation caused their father to change his name a month after Hatties death and move to Birmingham.

Mary and Dan said that one of the most shocking things about the documents was that Edward was in the car and had to watch as his mom died while the officers showed indifference to her condition.

An investigation goes nowhere

A statement from the undertaker revealed that Hatties head fell back whenever her body was picked up, indicating that her neck was broken from the assault.

Despite the examination, the white doctor said the cause of death was a heart attack.

Following her death, Hatties husband filed an affidavit with the NAACP, and the organization began contacting the Department of Justice. Assistant U.S. Attorney General Tom Clark sent a letter asking FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover to investigate.

The NAACP also contacted then Alabama Gov. Chauncey Sparks who gave information about the case to the states solicitor.

A grand jury heard the case in October 1945, but declined to indict and none of the officers were ever arrested.

White went on to become the Autauga County Sheriff.

Mary said the documents clearly reveal a cover-up that protected the officers.

It is disturbing, that people could be so cruel back then, Mary said.

Not just the people who killed her, but those who were in official law positions clearly could see that she was killed by these officers, but they preferred to cover it up rather than to prosecute their own.

Mary and Dan said they hoped that their grandmothers name would be cleared of any criminal record. Mary also hopes the individuals involved in Hatties death could be posthumously charged.

You couldnt help rescue your mom

The reason why Mary and Dan were able to finally obtain this information is due to the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018.

The act was a bipartisan piece of legislation signed into law by President Donald Trump in 2019.

The bill established a review board, independent of the FBI, comprised of private citizens. The board was not staffed until 2023, after President Joe Biden provided nominations that were approved by the U.S. Senate.

The review board is tasked with accelerating the review and release of civil rights cold case records under government control from 1940 to 1979.

In cooperation with the National Archives and Records administration, the review board contacted Mary prior to the documents being made public to confirm if she wanted to receive them.

Review board member Gabrielle Dudley said that Hatties case was unlike others at the time because she was not engaged in any civil rights activity, yet she was still a victim of violence by law enforcement.

She was just really living her everyday life, and she was unfortunately met with this violence and a violent death that was really typical of interactions with law enforcement during this time in the Jim Crow South, Dudley said.

Dudley said stories like Hatties are also uncommon or not widely known because most stories from the era often focus on men and public figures.

Mary and Dan said they are thankful for the work that the review board and NARA have done to get Hatties records released. They were also thankful for the NAACP and those who were advocating for officials to investigate her death.

The siblings also want other families who may have similar cold cases to never give up hope and continue believing that they will get information about their loved ones stories.

While the siblings are happy to finally know what happened to their grandmother, they still reflect on the eerie silence from their relatives.

They never uttered a word, Dan said.

For me, it reflects how traumatic it was, you know, to be able to sit there and know that you couldnt help rescue your mom, the only options were to be shot yourself or killed.
Inquiring minds really want to know: What did the celebrities know and when did they know it?

Were of course talking about the high profile guests who were invited to Sean Diddy Combs infamously hedonistic parties.

The fallen rapper, behind bars on sex trafficking charges, is accused of throwing wild, alcohol and drug fueled gatherings that devolved into freak offs, often involving sex workers and, some allege, minors.

As per the federal indictment, Combs threw these orgiastic parties at his mansions in Los Angeles, the Hamptons and Miami Beach. On the list were multiple high-profile people, including actors, entertainers, athletes and politicians.

While this is no secret  pictures of everyone from Leonardo DiCaprio and Ashton Kutcher and Jay-Z and Mariah Carey in attendance over the years have been widely published  there are some who may be implicated in Diddys criminal cases.

And, according to TMZs documentary, The Downfall of Diddy, currently streaming on TUBI, the public may soon know their names.

This was the venue everyone wanted to be invited to so a lot of people participated that would raise peoples eyebrows, said Tony Buzbee, the lead attorney representing more than 100 new accusers.

His Houston based firm has already sent letters to a number of A-listers to start a dialogue.

And just because a celebrity didnt technically do anything untoward doesnt mean he or she is off the hook, he told TMZs Harvey Levin in the doc.

In my view, if you were there, and you knew somebody was being drugged, because you had seen it happen in a previous party or previous situation, and you didnt do anything, and you allowed it to happen, and you continued to enjoy yourself, and party, and whoop and holler, and have a good time, Buzbee said.

As far as Im concerned, you are just as liable as the individual who shipped the person in, who paid the persons that were there, who kept them longer than they thought were going to be there, who bought the drugs, who took the money out of the bank, who put the drugs in a little [lemon] shot ...or some sort of champagne and participated in this egregious conduct, youre just as guilty.

Combs, arrested in September, continues to deny all charges. His trial is set for May 5, 2025.

_____

2024 Miami Herald. Visit at miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Will Freeman, a software engineer from Huntsville, is on a mission to show Americans how much they are being watched without their knowledge.

Earlier this year, Freeman launched DeFlock, an online map where users can plot automated license plate readers (ALPRs) in their cities.

According to DeFlock, these cameras capture images of all passing license plates and store details such as the cars location and the date, and time they passed.

While these systems can be useful for tracking stolen cars or wanted individuals, they are mostly used to track the movements of innocent people, the site reads.

Freeman, who currently lives in Colorado, said he was inspired to create the map after driving to Huntsville from Washington state to visit his parents.

Where I lived at the time in Washington, I didnt see any ALPRs besides like stuff for toll roads, he said.

But on the trip, once I started getting into the South, thats when I noticed a lot of these weird like black poles with solar panels on top and what looked like a camera with infrared in it. And it took me a bit to figure it out, but I realized it was an automatic license plate reader by Flock, which is the company that makes most of them based out of Atlanta.

After seeing all of them I just didnt like them because I dont like being tracked. Im a big privacy advocate and the less tracking the better in my opinion.

Flock CEO Garrett Langley has said his goal is to eliminate crime in America in 10 years, a target that has been called impossible by experts.

There are currently dozens of ALPRs reported in Huntsville alone on DeFlock and a few in Birmingham.

So far, nearly 2,000 cameras have been reported in the United States and more than 5,500 have been reported around the world.

None have been reported in Mobile or Montgomery -- so far.

This is a kind of tracking unlike tracking on your phone, because on your phone you can opt out just by simply not using your phone or not using services that do things with your data that you dont like, he said.

But with these ALPRs you cant opt out of that, unless you just like walk around everywhere, bike around everywhere, which is not possible in a lot of places. So, youre required to have a license plate on your car. So indirectly, youre required to be tracked wherever you go pretty much.

Limits on ALPRs

With the website, Freeman said his eventual goal is to have the cameras removed entirely, or at the very least, have some signage posted.

Ideally, Id like them to be removed, but realistically, that might not happen, he said.

In certain states, like California, they have actually put laws into place to regulate this kind of thing. So, one of the things they require is holding a public meeting before the installation of these things.

I noticed that a lot of cities in California that have these things [ALPRs] have signs on them. Because you are actually showing people that, like were not trying to spy on you.

Were letting you know that youre being watched right now. And I still dont like that, but its better. And most people would find that better than just hiding them.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Alabama does not currently have any regulations specifically addressing ALPRs.

In 2020, Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, filed a bill that would have put limits on the use and storage of data collected from the readers, but it was not passed.

We dont need the government tracking citizens movements without significant limitations, Orr told Alabama Daily News previously.

Im fully supportive of law enforcement using technology to catch criminals, but we certainly dont need them spying on the movements of ordinary citizens.

But many Alabama residents arent even aware of the surveillance. Last month, Freeman posted to a Huntsville subreddit asking people about the cameras.

As of Nov. 14, the post has received over 300 responses and many readers reached out to tell Freeman they had no idea the cameras existed, he said.

I want to get more contributors to get more data points so people can see how many there actually are, he said.

The end goal is to mostly raise awareness, because right now theres a big lack of awareness, and I have a feeling a lot of things would change, and a lot of people would not be happy with how many there are if they actually knew about it.

He added that he would also like to use DeFlock to create a way to avoid the cameras.

Some other smaller, secondary goals are creating navigation around these things, because I know which direction theyre facing, he said.

So eventually I should be able to give you a Google Maps route or something that avoids all of them, if thats something you care about.

Are ALPRs unconstitutional?

Freeman is not the only person taking issue with Flocks surveillance.

Lee Schmidt and Crystal Arrington of Norfolk, Va., filed a lawsuit against the city and its police department in late Oct. that claims the use of Flock cameras is unconstitutional.

The City of Norfolk, Virginia, has installed a network of cameras that make it functionally impossible for people to drive anywhere without having their movements tracked, photographed, and stored in an AI-assisted database that enables the warrantless surveillance of their every move, the complaint reads.

This civil rights lawsuit seeks to end this dragnet surveillance program.

The complaint claims that the citys use of ALPRs violate the Fourth Amendment, which protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government.

Tracking the whole of a persons public movements over (at least) 30 days is a search, it reads.

And because the City does all of this without a warrantinstead letting individual officers decide for themselves when and how to access an unprecedented catalogue of every persons movements throughout Norfolk and beyondthe Citys searches are unreasonable.

The filing also goes on to express concerns with how the city might use the data or what could happen if it fell into the wrong hands.

Plaintiffs are ordinary, everyday people who live and work in Norfolk, it reads. Nearly every day, they drive past the Citys automatic license plate readers as they go to work, to the store, to their kids schools, to church, or to meet friends and family.

Like most people, they try to maintain a reasonable amount of privacy in their lives. And they find it downright creepy that the Citys 172 unblinking eyes follow them as they go about their days, noting where they are and when, and storing their movements in a government database for any officer to see.

They worry about how someone might use or misuse that information, especially given the minimal restrictions on access.
A month after planning to terminate United Healthcares in-network status, Huntsville Hospital Health System announced Thursday that the parties reached an agreement allowing United subscribers to have in-network services with the health system.

The deal was reached after months of negotiations that resulted in HH Health sending a notice of termination to the insurance giant.

Two hospitals in the HH Health system -- Helen Keller Hospital in Sheffield and Highlands Medical Center in Scottsboro -- left Uniteds networks last month, although Thursdays announcement means in-network status will be reinstated.

Huntsville Hospital and Madison Hospital were set to become out-of-network hospitals on Thursday, when the agreement was announced. Decatur Morgan Hospital was schedule to no longer be participating in United on Nov. 30.

This new agreement enables patients to continue to have access to the HH Health care teams that they know and trust. Our patients will always be our first priority, Huntsville Hospital Health System CEO Jeff Samz said in a statement.

Based in Minnesota, UnitedHealthcare is the insurance brand of UnitedHealth Group, the worlds largest health care company by revenue.

The new agreement covers Huntsville Hospital, Madison Hospital, Athens-Limestone Hospital, Decatur Morgan Hospital, DeKalb Medical Center, Helen Keller Hospital, Highlands Medical Center, Lincoln Health, Marshall Medical Centers (North & South), and Red Bay Hospital.
In an interview this week with Fox News The Will Cain Show, U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., said newly elected Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has got no choice besides full support of President-elect Donald Trump.

Thune, 63, is in his fourth Senate term and has promised to work closely with Trump, despite differences the two have had over the years, as The Associated Press reported.

In 2020, Thune broke with Trump publicly over the effort to overturn the results of the last presidential election, which he called inexcusable.

But in a statement to AP this week, the senator said his team was united behind President Trumps agenda.

Despite his initial endorsement for Rick Scott, R-Fla., Tuberville said he is confident in Thunes leadership moving forward.

Hes going to do everything he can to help President Trump, Tuberville said.

And I believe that, I really do. Hes a Republican, he comes from a very conservative state...Hes got nothing to lose, and I told him youve got nothing to lose lets go full speed ahead.

I think John Thune has got his hands full. He can do it but hes going to have to have a lot of help from all of us. Its going to be all 53 of us [in the Senate].

Tuberville said he is hopeful Pete Hegseth, Matt Gaetz, Tulsi Gabbard, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who have all been selected or are on a short list for Trumps cabinet in 2025, will be quickly confirmed.
Alabama will recognize the 60th anniversary of the Selma-to-Montgomery march next March, and the subsequent approval of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Some lawmakers and the Montgomery-based Southern Poverty Law Center are hoping an omnibus legislation, entitled the Alabama Voting Rights Act, will accompany the anniversary.

The freedom to vote is the most sacred right we have in America  a right that Alabama rallied the nation to expand and protect through the Voting Rights Act nearly 60 years ago, said Jerome Dees, Alabama Policy Director with the SPLC Action Fund. Alabama has the opportunity, once again, to safeguard voting rights through legislation that guarantees every voice is heard and every vote is counted.

It will be an uphill, if not impossible, battle to get the measure a hearing, let alone a vote on the full House or Senate floors.

The Alabama Legislature is a supermajority Republican and has largely adhered to the Secretary of States Office for recommendations on voter reform initiatives.

Republican Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen, in a statement Thursday, said he is absolutely opposed to it.

This bill would drastically change the way elections are administered in this state, leading our elections to be less secure and less transparent, Allen said, saying it was filled with liberal initiatives like same-day voter registration and no excuse absentee voting. He said neither has a place in Alabama.

Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen speaks during the inauguration ceremony on the steps of the Alabama state Capital in Montgomery, Ala., Monday, Jan. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)AP

This bill would unravel Alabamas strong election laws that are designed with election integrity as the top priority, Allen said. As long as I am Alabamas Chief Election Official, I will do everything in my power to ensure Alabama voters get what they deserve - fair, secure, and transparent elections.

The Alabama Voting Rights Act, unveiled in August, is included in a 46-page legislation sponsored by Democratic lawmakers in both the House (HB60) and the Senate (SB7).

Highlights of the bill include:

Create automatic voting rights restoration for convicted felons who have completed their probation or parole or have been released from prison upon completion of their sentencing.

Establishes a same-day voter registration system.

Expands absentee ballot access by removing excuses that are currently required to allow someone to vote before Election Day in Alabama.

Create the Alabama Voting Rights Commission, which would be assigned to investigate actions that could potentially discriminate against protected classes of voters. The commission would also be responsible for pre-clearing certain official actions related to elections.

Require the Secretary of States Office to maintain a statewide database to assist with election administration and to publicize voter education and outreach efforts.

Establish a Voter Education Fund to help train local election officials and poll workers, and develop educational materials on voting rights and processes.

The SPLC, in a news release Thursday, touted the legislation as a landmark bill sponsored by Democratic lawmakers, the League of Women Voters, the Campaign Legal Center, ACLU of Alabama, Faith in Action Alabama, among others.

While SB7 and HB60 face difficulties next spring, some Republican lawmakers have expressed interest in getting early voting considered. That effort comes after Alabama saw 58.52% turnout on Nov. 5, which represented the lowest percentage in a presidential election since 1988. But despite the low turnout, voting sites throughout the state experienced long lines and wait times on Election Day.

Alabama is one of only three states that does not allow for any in-person early voting ahead of Election Day. Allen has said he does not support early voting, but some lawmakers have said its worth considering amid record-turnout of early voting among Republicans and Democrats in other states.

The only early voting bill to surface, so far, is from Democratic state Rep. Thomas Jackson of Thomasville. That measure, HB59, requires each county to provide at least one early voting center to be open during the week immediately preceding the election day, which would allow registered voters to vote early.

In this hectic day and time, individuals juggle so many responsibilities, said state Rep. Adline Clarke, D-Mobile, and a longtime proponent for electoral reform in Alabama. Voters deserve flexibility - the flexibility of voting on more than one day. We may not need election month, but voters deserve the opportunity to cast ballots on more than a single election day. Workers should not have to stand in long lines at the crack of dawn to vote before reporting to their jobs. They should have the option of voting on a weekend, if that works best for them.
The fight to unionize some of Alabamas auto plants is in a different phase now, according to an interview with United Auto Workers President Shawn Fein.

That could mean that high-profile campaigns to sign up workers at Mercedes-Benz in Tuscaloosa County, and Hyundai in Montgomery, are shifting down after Mays failure to organize Mercedes-Benz.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the UAW isnt close to securing enough worker support to call for votes at the plants, citing sources close to the efforts.

Back in May, Mercedes-Benz workers at Vance and the companys Bibb County battery plant voted 2,045 to 2,642 against UAW representation -- a margin of 597 votes.

This came after UAW announced it had gotten 30% of the workforce at Hyundai to sign union cards.

See also: Why the union vote failed at Alabamas Mercedes-Benz plant

The Journal cited one union supporter at Hyundai who said that effort hit a brick wall with only about 40% support.

Landers Gator Cook told the paper, In my opinion, its dead. Theyre not going to get a union.

The Mercedes defeat came less than a month after the union scored a significant victory by getting workers at Volkswagens Chattanooga plant to unionize.

But Mercedes-Benz responded with several moves that seemed to turn the tide. In the midst of the union campaign, Mercedes-Benz announced it was eliminating a two-tier pay system that had been the subject of employee ire. The company also instituted a $2 an hour raise for some topped out employees.

Then on April 30, Mercedes-Benz named Federico Kochlowski, the Vance plants vice president of operations, as its new president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz U.S. International (MBUSI), replacing Michael Gobel, who served in the role since 2019.

The change came several weeks after the UAW announced a supermajority of workers had signed union cards, but two weeks before the vote.

However, Fain said the UAW still has some plans at the Mercedes plant.

It wasnt like we got annihilated there, Fain said. That was a very, very close election.
Ive lost a son to gun violence before and it nearly happened to my daughter. The thought of burying another child is unfathomable.

Im not OK.

My 18-year-old daughter, Victoria Porter, was at an outdoor party at Tuskegee University during a deadly mass shooting over the weekend. When gunshots rang out, Victoria said she ran for her life.

As she fled, thoughts of being shot in the back filled her head, Victoria said.

I thought I was going to die, she said.

Im not OK.

Victoria is a freshman at Alabama State University in nearby Montgomery. She was with a group of fellow ASU students at an off-campus party in Tuskegee when things went horribly wrong.

The shooting occurred during Tuskegees 100th homecoming weekend. In its immediate aftermath, Victoria told me and her mother that she was holding up well. When we spoke this week, I stressed to her the importance of protecting her mental and spiritual health.

She gave me permission to recount her experience.

When the shooting began, Victoria said she and a group of friends first took cover behind a vehicle, then later, amid a barrage of gunshots, behind a dumpster. At some point, they took off running in an open field toward a chapel near campus, she said.

Once at the chapel, Victoria said she vomited and then laid out on the floor in a panic.

I heard more than 100 rounds, she said. It was like a war zone out there. I was terrified.

A day after the shooting, she said she was OK. Im not.

Arrest made in Tuskegee shooting

LaTavion Johnson, 18, of Troy, Alabama, was killed during the shooting and 16 others were injured, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Twelve of the injured people were shot, authorities said.

Federal officials charged Jaquez Myrick, 25, of Montgomery, with possession of a machine gun in connection with the shooting, officials announced.

Why would Myrick, as alleged  or anyone for that matter  bring a machine gun to a homecoming party?

I pray that the shooting victims and their families in this case find peace in these trying times.

Shooting crazy weapons

Ive written before about how gun violence took the life of my son, Toriano II. He was fatally shot on Sept. 28, 2009 in north St. Louis. A little more than 15 years later, I am so very thankful this is not a repeat column.

Victoria is a resilient young lady. Although she was only 3 when Toriano II died, she has fond memories of him. As she ran for cover in Tuskegee, she told me she thought of her brother. As a family, we are fortunate Victoria and her friends were not hurt.

Victoria grew up in a pretty rough south St. Louis neighborhood where gunfire was not all that uncommon. What occurred early Sunday morning in Tuskegee was unlike anything shed heard before, Victoria said.

They were shooting some crazy weapons, she said.

Victoria said she and her schoolmates had just arrived at the party  one of Tuskegees many homecoming celebrations that week  when she noticed a group of people running. She estimated theyd only been there for about 10 minutes.

Then the sound of rapid gunfire sent my oldest daughter and her friends scurrying  Ive watched footage taken from a cellphone video over and over and can only imagine the fear these young people faced.

Mass shootings are common

When will senseless gun violence in America end? Somehow, some way, we as a nation must address this unfettered access to high-caliber weapons that continues to destroy families all across this country.

Unfortunately, mass shootings are more common than we think  schools dont conduct lockdown drills for nothing. Sensible gun reform could prevent many of these tragedies, gun control advocates have said. Second Amendment hard-liners and their Congressional lackeys have fought reform at every level.

And thats maddening. So far this year, there have been more than 455 mass shootings  thats more than one per day  across the United States, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

The nonpartisan gun violence group defines a mass shooting as one in which four or more victims were wounded or killed. Until Congress addresses gun control, therell be more unthinkable tragedies like Sunday in Alabama.

Here, in Kansas City, we were reminded earlier this year of how pervasive mass shootings are. None of us should ever forget the gunfire that erupted during the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl victory parade at Union Station.

In that deadly shooting, Lisa Lopez-Galvan, a mother and popular DJ, died and at least 24 others were injured. I thought then: Who brings a gun to a Super Bowl Parade?

My question now: Why in the heck would anyone bring a machine gun (or any other high-powered weapon) to Tuskegees homecoming party?

Thank goodness Victoria and friends escaped this mass shooting uninjured.

Still, Im not OK.

(Toriano Porter is a columnist and member of The Kansas City Star editorial board.)

2024 The Kansas City Star. Visit kansascity.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Tropical Storm Sara continued to meander close to the coast of Honduras on Friday and was causing what the National Hurricane Center said was catastrophic flooding in parts of the region.

Some areas have reported nearly 20 inches of rain already, and it could continue for another day or two as the storm stalls near the coast in the western Caribbean:

A @wunderground PWS has reported almost 24 inches of rain from #Sara, so far, in La Ceiba, Honduras. https://t.co/IIxQveOekf



La Ceiba Airport: 17.20 inches (437 mm) in the last 24 hours through 12am CT.



Sara still has another 48 hours to crawl north of the Honduran coast! https://t.co/4A2Lq842Ch  Jonathan Erdman (@wxjerdman) November 15, 2024

The storm was very close to the coast of Honduras on Friday. The National Hurricane Center expects Saras proximity to land to prevent it from strengthening into a hurricane.

The longer-range track shows the storm moving inland in Belize and then dissipating over Mexicos Yucatan Peninsula.

Sara is no longer expected to move into the Gulf of Mexico as a tropical system.

As of 3 p.m. CST Friday, the center of Tropical Storm Sara was located about 30 miles southwest of Isla Guanaja, Honduras, and was moving to the west at 2 mph.

Sara had winds of 50 mph. The hurricane center said the storm could get a bit stronger  but only if its center stays over water.

On the hurricane centers forecast track, the center of the storm will stay near the coast of Honduras through early Saturday and then be near the coast of Belize on Sunday.

A tropical storm warning is in effect from Punta Patuca westward to the Honduras-Guatemala border, the Bay Islands of Honduras, the Caribbean coast of Guatemala, the coast of Belize and the coast of Mexico from Puerto Costa Maya southward to Chetumal.

The hurricane center increased its rainfall forecast on Friday. Forecasters think 15 to 25 inches of rain with isolated storm totals around 35 inches will be possible in Honduras, especially northern Honduras.

Five to 10 inches of rain will be possible across the rest of Honduras, Belize, El Salvador, eastern Guatemala, western Nicaragua, and the Mexican State of Quintana Roo.

There were no other areas being watched for tropical development on Friday. The Atlantic hurricane season will come to an end on Nov. 30.
Annasofia Scheve covers trending news for the Express-News. She can be reached at Annasofia.Scheve@express-news.net.

Annasofia has bachelor's degrees in journalism and political science from the University of Missouri. She is an Ohio native, and wrote for Cincinnati Magazine and the Cincinnati Enquirer before joining the Express-News in 2023.
As an aspiring freelance writer, shortly after discovering I was a conservative, I became obsessed with the idea of writing an article worthy of publication by American Thinker. I knew Rush Limbaugh regularly read the website because he frequently quoted the writers multiple times. In fact, the first person I associated with American Thinker was writer James Lewis after Limbaugh quoted him in The Limbaugh Letter. I was most impressed. I hoped to emulate Mr. Lewis and perhaps have the great Rush Limbaugh notice something that Id written one day.

I still remember the day I discovered Rush on my way home from the office (the show was tape-delayed). The first question that popped into my mind was, who is this idiot?

Rush spoke at length about an ACT UP protest at his television show and explained he had to fake the end of the show to get rid of the malcontents in the crowd. I was both confused and amused. But by the time I finally got home, I couldnt get out of the car before the show ended. I had to keep listening to find out who was speaking and learn what ACT UP was all about. Rush said things that resonated with me and agreed with my common sense.

More importantly, Rush often made me laugh while he entertained, for example with hilarious bits such as the commercial for Tom DeLays pest extermination business that suggested DeLay was responsible for the deaths of millions. I remember that sketch because one of my more liberal friends who never cared for Limbaugh called me in tears from laughing so hard when he heard iteven people who didnt like Rush listened to him.

Rush was one of a kind, a thought leader. He was hilarious, smart as a whip, and his thinking was bound by common sense. Unfortunately, his legacy immediately began to shrink upon his death because while Rush was truly irreplaceable, his brand was his name. Nobody will be forgetting that Rush Limbaugh once existed anytime soon, but in my opinion, weve already forgotten some of what made him so brilliant because of the adage out of sight, out of mind. No new material.

I love reading articles at American Thinker, and from the time I first saw Rush quoting James Lewis in The Limbaugh Letter, I really wanted to become a contributor. It didnt bother me in the least that I wouldnt get paid for published articles until it dawned on me that I also wouldnt get paid for the articles I spent hours writing that would be rejected. I had to learn to write concisely, preferably about current events, and that my articles must stay on point.

Typically, the author will hear back from one of the editors who do the thankless daily chores of reading all the submissions, deciding which merit publication, and then working with the authors with creative suggestions to produce a final copy. Rarely do the editors add verbiage to submitted articles, and usually you must ask them to do it.

For example, my article titled The Medias Massive Thumb on the Electoral Scale had already been submitted and scheduled to be run when the news broke that Joe Rogans podcast with Donald Trump was being censored by Google algorithms to make it virtually impossible to find the show by searching the Internet, and Monica Showalter graciously added two sentences to describe the Rogan situation, as per my request.

I must have written and submitted at least a dozen articles or more before something was finally published but then to my surprise, two of my articles were published in successive days, and the article submitted last was published first. It was titled Race, Violence, and the Columbia Professor. I soon developed a habit where now each day begins around the crack of dawn with a fresh scan of American Thinker to see what new insights were brought to light by the days writers (the new days articles normally drop around 5:00 a.m. Eastern). I remain a huge fan of James Lewis because of the connection to Rush but of course, Mr. Lewis is just one of many contributors whose work Ive grown to love and appreciate.

Brian Joondeph, Rajan Laad, Ted Noel, Jack Cashill, and J.B. Shurk are but a few of the names I eagerly read on a regular basis. Of course, I also consider anything written by one of the American Thinker editors (J.R. Dunn, Monica Showalter, Drew Belsky, and Andrea Widburg) a must-read. And Clarice Feldman, who should be declared a national treasure.

My interaction with Thomas Lifson was infrequent but when he did send me the occasional email, I paid close attention. I wish that Id kept all my correspondence with Mr. Lifson but sadly, Ive changed computers one time too many over the years and lost most of those exchanges. Nevertheless, I can share with you a few of the highlights from memory.

For example, I recall submitting my article titled The Christmas Truce of 1914 and feared Id finished it too late and missed the opportunity for consideration because it wasnt completed until the afternoon of Christmas Eve. Mr. Lifson wrote back and said the articles for Christmas Day had already been slated, but he promised to look at mine all the same. On the following day when I saw the article had been published, I was elated because I knew Mr. Lifson had personally approved of what Id written and thought it worthy.

What I wont be able to share with you is the humor of Thomas Lifson because Ive never had the pleasure of meeting the man in person, given that we live on opposite coasts, but Ive known from our interaction that we have a similar sense of humor and appreciation for music. I just cant give you any specific examples of something he said that amused me, but it happened more than once, I can assure you.

I also recall submitting one article for the blog that I suggested was too short to be considered an article, but Mr. Lifson wrote back to say he decided to run it as an article because it was about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and readers were interested in always seeing articles about her.

There was also the occasion when Mr. Lifson wrote an email to inform me that my article titled Worse Than Watergate had gone viral after being distributed by Lucianne Goldberg and other conservative media. He seemed to be almost as excited as I was.

But the highlight of my career as a writer for American Thinker came when I had the honor and pleasure of speaking with Mr. Lifson over the phone as he and Richard Baehr interviewed me as guest co-hosts for the Dennis Miller Radio Show about my article titled Was AirTran Flight #297 a Terrorist Dry Run?

I recall being rather uncomfortable with the idea of being interviewed on a national radio show because I had little or no experience with public speaking and had barely begun my career as a freelance writer, but Mr. Lifson was very friendly and reassuring, calming my nerves quite a bit. I even remember him saying that he liked my Southern accent. To this day, that interview remains one of the true highlights of my career as a freelance writer. Ive sold some books and won a few writing awards, but Ive only done that one radio interview with millions of listeners.

The legacy of Rush Limbaugh died when he passed away, Im very sorry to say. However, the legacy of Thomas Lifson will continue to grow and prosper as he steps into retirement because the publication has never been about him. Its always been about conservatism and providing a forum for people like me to share our thoughts and opinions.

God bless Thomas Lifson! And thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

(Note: Mr. Lifson, thankfully, is still with us. This is an homage to him now that he's retired.)

John Leonard is a freelance writer. He blogs at southernprose.com. His books can be found at LeonardBooks.net.

Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License


Many are dancing an Irish jig  even non-Irishmen whom one would not expect to know such dances  over the prospect of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy heading up a new Grace Commission 2.0 of sorts, cheerfully nicknamed a Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.

They intend an 18-month project, hopefully to conclude by our nations 250th anniversary, in which they will apply standard American manufacturing cost-cutting techniques such as LEAN and Six Sigma tools, to find out how much fat is in every federal department, bureau and agency, and cut it out as fast as possible.

Such fat might be identified in surplus personnel, surplus office costs, unnecessary perks, redundant systems, and more. It is assumed they can cut ten percent of the federal workforce without it even being noticed; with such diligent chiefs as these at the helm, theres no telling how much more money they will be able to save the taxpayer.

In preparation for this project, Mr. Musk has been reminding the public of our massive national debt, and of the fact that interest on the debt alone already exceeds our military spending. To say this situation is unsustainable is putting it mildly. All Americans should wish the DOGE team well.

There is no need, incidentally, to feel sorry for the people to be cut in this process. The DOGE team knows the law, and fully understands the rules about terminating civil servants. These people will likely get an enviable mix of cash buyouts and federal pensions that reward them more handsomely than they deserve for their years of bureaucratic pencil pushing.

We can expect the DOGE team to save an enormous amount of money for the American taxpayer, which will provide a noticeable bump to the economy.

However, if all the government does is continue to do what it does today with just 80%, or 70%, or even 50% of the employees, that will still not be a victory.

Why not? Because the usual targets of such a project  waste, fraud and abuse  are not Americas main problem with our federal government.

Our problem isnt that the government is too big or too costly.

Our problem is that it has gone rogue.

Even if we cut the Environmental Protection Agency, for example, from its current 14,500 employees to just one single overworked guy, we wont have helped the country at all, if that one guy continues to issue the regulations that the EPA currently issues every year.

In the end, the salaries, benefits, perks and office supplies that we spend on our federal agencies arent Americas cancer. Our cancer is the Federal Register, that monstrous stack of regulations to which federal bureaucrats contribute every day.

The federal bureaucracy had no right to ban the American-made incandescent lightbulbs that weve used happily for over a century; but they used an ill-advised law requiring greater bulb efficiency as grounds for an outright ban, and now our homes are full of expensive Chinese LEDs -- and those old American bulb factories are shuttered and empty.

The federal bureaucracy had no right to issue a ban on single-stage natural gas furnaces, requiring Americans (starting next year) to make and buy the dual-stage models that cost twice as much. But the bureaucracy issued the ban anyway, massively increasing the cost of American housing at a single stroke of the pen.

The federal bureaucracy had no right to mandate special low-flow shower heads, but they did, forcing plumbing fixture manufacturers to change the way they design bathroom shower fixtures, forcing them to unload their old perfectly-good products at a discount and start selling new compliant products at greater cost, often now made abroad.

Shall we go on? All over the federal government, we find outrageous, unconstitutional, destructive regulations.

Legally, every federal agency is limited in two ways: the agency can only exercise the powers granted to it by Congress, and Congress itself had to have the Constitutional authority to grant it such power in the first place.

But the government stopped honoring these two restrictions over a century ago.

Once Congress sets up an agency, it loses interest in what that agency does, so its oversight is usually limited to a brief moment of funding discussion when the annual budget fight comes along. Because of this lack of real oversight, far too many of the nations bureaucrats soon discover that their power to overregulate is limited only by their own Napoleonic imagination.

It doesnt take 15,500 employees and a $10 billion budget for the EPA to regulate American businesses out of existence, to regulate factories out of the country, and to regulate American citizens into poverty. The EPA could do all that with 10,000 employees and a seven billion dollar budget. Heck, considering the feverish dedication of some of the climate extremists in that movement, they could probably do just as much damage with a quarter of the people and a fifth of the budget.

So cutting direct management and personnel costs should not be our primary goal if we seek true government reform.

The DOGE needs to look first at every department in the context of the Constitution of the United States, alongside the legislation that authorized the existence of the agency.

The real question isnt How many bureaucrats can we cut?  its How thoroughly and quickly can we restore this agencys obedience to the rule of law?

And in the case of the many rogue agencies  probably too numerous for the casual reader to believe  that simply cannot be reformed, how closely can the DOGE team and the Congress work together to sunset those agencies for good, and thereby free the American people from their tyranny?

Its a natural assumption, especially from a businessman, that waste, fraud and abuse must be our biggest problems, but they arent. Illegality is our problem. Tyranny is our problem.

The costly, destructive, un-American technocracy of the nanny state  unhinged and unlimited for generations now -- is the massive nest of termites eating away at the foundation of the American way of life.

Let us pray that with the guidance and blessing of Divine Providence, the DOGE team finds a way to thread that needle, and restore the Constitutionality of our federal government again, just in time for our 250th Independence Day.

Image: Twitter screen shot
This November 28th, when America counts its blessings, the top of my list will be Donald J. Trump, Jr. He is really the guy who made the success of 2024 possible.

If you think back to 2016, the whole Trump effort, it was not just unlikely, it was ridiculous. The campaign consisted mostly of Donald Trumps stream-of-consciousness Tweets and phone calls to various talk shows. Volunteers from around the country organized their own events for him because there was no real traditional campaign organization. Some went very well. Others, not so much, like the March 2016 rally at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Smack in the middle of one of Americas premier left-wing neighborhoods, it turned into an ANTIFA-style riot.

Trumps personnel choices were equally odd. For his campaign communication director, he chose the beautiful but shy fashion model Hope Hicks. Hicks refused to do an on-camera interview and communicated with the working press by handing out Xerox copies of her memos.

When he got to the White House, President Trump was immediately handicapped by poor organization and some awful hires. Most Trump people came in one of three flavors -- loyal but incompetent, like Mike Flynn. The just plain incompetent, like Coats and Sessions. And worst of all, the incompetent and outright perfidious, like Generals Kelly, Mattis, and McMaster.

Most of that last category seems to be people Ivanka and Jared wanted.

Unsurprisingly, this team of scrubs was no match for the D.C. Swamp. Much of the anger and frustration of Trump and his supporters on Jan 6, 2021, was fueled by the realization of just how badly they were served by people who were supposed to be on their side.

If you are somebody like Rudy Giuliani, tirelessly working with President Trump to save the country, and you see him get impeached for properly trying to investigate the Biden bribery scandals or have the Deep State run a game to falsely impugn the Hunter Biden laptop, or worst of all, see the Deep States outrageous Russiagate scandal, which was cooked up by Hillary Clinton's people. Then yes, you may even start to think the voting machines in Georgia could be rigged.

After the disappointing 2022 midterms, most people (including me) gave Donald Trump no chance. DeSantis even passed by him in the betting odds.

Behind the scenes, however, it was Don who started to bring some order to the chaos of Trump world. Until then, he had been the second banana in the family behind Ivanka and Jared. But they were bored with the whole political scene after 2020 and moved on. Especially after Jared got Qatar to bail him out of his high-rise real estate disaster.

Don (and his brother Eric) had spent most of the first Trump term in New York, ably running the Trump business, even as they had to meet a make-or-break deadline to refinance their holdings. Then, it was finally Dons turn to help assist his fathers political operation and did he ever.

Don began by hiring Susie Wiles to run the national campaign. Wiles got her start with Jack Kemp, then worked for Ronald Reagan all eight years. She has a marvelous record of running campaigns. When she became available after a falling out with Ron DeSantis, she was welcomed into the 2020 campaign and then tapped to run the whole 2024 effort. This was a great move. She has a whole ecosystem of competent people around her, and she got Trump organized and focused on the issues.

The unprecedented lawfare attack by the Biden administration in 2023 was met calmly and became a rallying point for people who had seen enough of the Democrats dirty tricks.

Don was also the talent scout, bringing in fresh new faces who could make a difference. He was the one who got Ronna McDaniel ousted from the RNC and brought in Charlie Kirk to implement more modern election tactics. Whereas in 2020, President Trump decried early voting; in 2024, Don was convinced those were now the rules and we had to outdo the Democrats.

It was Don who befriended JD Vance, seeing he was a budding star and had his father endorse him in a crowded Senate primary. Don also lobbied for him as VP pick, which proved an inspired choice, as he connected with younger voters.

When it is all said and done, it will also probably be revealed Don was the one reaching out to Elon Musk years ago when he turned against Biden and decided to save free speech on social media. This at a time when Donald Trump, Sr. was holding his infamous Dinner With the Schmucks.

Remember, it was Jared and Ivanka who kept attaching President Trump to ridiculous celebrities like Kanye West and the Kardashians. While it was Don who built a network of serious people to help the country, like Peter Theil.

The first days of the Trump transition are now going like the last days of the Trump campaign -- focused, efficient, and smooth. I suspect thats in large measure due again to Don and he is likely the one recommending all the solid cabinet picks.

Thanks to Donald J. Trump, Jr., I think Trump 47 is going to be a far more successful experience than Trump 45.

Frank Friday is an attorney in Louisville, KY.

Image: Gage Skidmore
Once again, I don't watch "The View." Like many of you, I get my "views" on internet posts that feature the latest from Joy, Ana, Whoopie, and Asuncion aka Sunny. Thirty-second clips are all I can take from this crew. Thanks to all those who post the clips so I don't have to watch it.

Not surprising that ABC is looking for a little more diversity on the show. Diversity like having cast members who represent those 80% of U.S. counties that voted Trump. I'm sure that the advertisers agree with that. After all, they advertise to sell you goods and services, not to indoctrinate you one way or another.

So here is the latest from ABC:

ABC News brass are in panic mode as they hunt for conservative voices to balance the rabid anti-Trump rhetoric spewed by the hosts on The View, as well as those on other shows, The Post has learned. The Disney-owned network -- which came under fire over how ABC News moderators grilled Donald Trump during the presidential debate against Vice President Kamala Harris -- has been holding high-level meetings since last weeks rout by the former president, sources close to the situation told The Post. ABC News Group President Debra OConnell and her recently elevated boss of ABC News Almin Karamehmedovic held the intense sit-downs with executive producers of the networks various shows and other senior editorial leaders, sources said.

Panic mode? Amazing what bean counters must be telling each other. Something like "Hey bro they're laying off people here. Change or you may be next."

Will ABC leadership get the message? I hope so. It's hard to believe that Trump Derangement Syndrome goes unchecked in that show every day. It's hard to believe that four or five ladies who peddle these political messages are creating a lot of fans among those women who vote between San Francisco and Washington D.C.

Once upon a time or when my wife was running around a gang of toddlers (our three sons), I'd often stop home and have lunch with them. Many days "The View" was on the TV and my wife would compliment Barbara Walters for her interesting panel. Gone with the wind or whatever.

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.

Image: ABCTheView
In the wake of President Trumps smashing victory over Kamala Harris, weve seen countless leftist meltdowns, many of which were comedic gold; but theyve also erupted in spiteful hostility, and even murder.

First up, white liberal writer Andrea Tate of Huffington Post, who penned an essay for the outlet in which she detailed her growing resentment for her husband all because he voted for Trump, then had the audacity to make a social media post that read, God Bless America. God bless #45, 47. The horror.

How could a Latino vote for Trump? Tate wondered. Well, apparently quite easily; Trump broke a record with Latino voters and earned a highest-everpercentage of the Latino vote. Andrea, I know this is probably hard for you to understand with your white savior complex mentality, but people are individuals, not groupthink cattle divided by skin color like your party implies, and many of them can in fact think for themselves, Latinos included. And, American Latinos also want their dollar to be worth something, they too want safe streets and communities and a good education system, and like every other American, Latinos want to achieve prosperity, which cannot be done under big government Democrat rule.

Heres what else she wrote:

Later that night, I briefly glanced at my husband and found myself not wanting to look into the eyes I love. I hated this divide. I wanted to touch his forearms and feel our connection, but I also felt an urge to punish him and deny him my touch.

Oh, and she is canceling Christmas because she cannot stand to be celebrating the birth of Jesus with people who would ever vote to protect babies in the womb knitted together by the Father. Lady, I think you might be the lukewarm water Jesus spits out (Revelation), the practicer of lawlessness He commands to depart (Matthew).

Theyre vindictive and awful little brats arent they? Whats really ironic, is the attractive traits and characteristics that Tate lists are no doubt because hes conservative. Hes a strong and good man who would give of himself to others sacrificiallythese are not traits of leftists. If she wants a Kamala Harris voter, shes going to get someone like Doug Emhoff, a philandering, abusive man who uses women for sex before pressuring them into abortion to avoid responsibility and accountability for his actions.

But hey, at least Andrea Tate is holding it together a little better than some of her fellow Democrat comrades.

Many of you may have already heard about the rabid anti-Trump Minnesota dad who shot his ex-partner and two precious sons, but theres been another one, via a report at the New York Post:

Wife of prominent trans writer hacked father to death with ice ax after Trumps election night victory: cops Burke had been upset about the election and knew Trump would handily beat Vice President Kamala Harris when she allegedly snapped  apparently when her father, Timothy Burke, refused to turn off the lights. She then went upstairs, grabbed an ice pickax, tripped her father, choked and bit him on the floor, and struck him repeatedly with the blunt and sharp ends of the tool, police said.

Vice reported today that the number of LGBTQ crisis hotline calls have spiked a whopping 700% since Trumps victoryhow often have we seen in-crisis trans people acting out in homicidal rages? Too many to count.

These people are deranged, having been whipped up into states of hysteria by a Democrat media and Democrat politicians, and theyre growing more violent. Earlier this week, I wrote a blog on a viral movement spreading across the leftist side of social media, encouraging women to lethally poison Trump-voting men.

Is it any surprise that mentally ill people are drawn to the party that affirms their delusions and paranoia? Hardly.

Image: Free image, Pixabay license.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. formally received the mandate to make America healthy again, and with the prospect of transparency looming on the horizon, Big Pharma shills in the media are beginning to thrash and panic; while on air discussing President Trumps cabinet nominations, CNNs Jake Tapper sarcastically quipped, Well, America I hope you like measles. No, we dont want measles, but we also dont want autism rates at 1 in every 25 male children.

Of course with a statement like Tappers, the natural inference would be that RFK Jr. is fixing to dictatorially ban childhood vaccines from the public marketquite the contrary though. In reality, Kennedys intention is to implement transparency and release all vaccine data, science, and studies to the public, because he believes in medical freedom, and allowing people and families to make informed decisions based on all available knowledge. No more pharmaceutical companies getting to keep the data in a vault for the next seven decades, away from prying eyes.

And yes, even the freedom to poison yourself with pharmaceutical concoctions. Tapper, youre more than welcome to go get the MMR shotin fact, I encourage you to get as many as you want, and maybe throw in a few Covid jabs and flu shots while youre at it, for good measure.

Funny enough, as an official position, RFK Jr. is not even anti-vaccine. However, I strongly suspect he is on a personal level, because releasing the studies brings down the Big Pharma house of cards.

For full transparency, I am personally anti-vax as both a matter of deeply-held religious convictions, as well as a matter of health but I wasnt always this way. In fact, I vaccinated my first son, which is a big part of why I didnt vaccinate my second one.

They tell us vaccines protect the individual, but only if herd immunity is achieved, but then they instruct a person to get all their vaccines to go abroad to places where disease is out-of-control and none of the local population is vaccinated, because this is how youll prevent yourself from catching the diseases. Its all very self-refuting.

Furthermore, comments like Tappers are just so asinine because theyre coming from people who pushed science like this:

RFK is a nut who doesnt understand medicine! pic.twitter.com/VsywjYLzyi  Jesse Kelly (@JesseKellyDC) November 15, 2024

Perhaps Tapper is worried that vaccines like the measles shot (MMR) will, by virtue of transparency, be pulled from the market by the manufacturer? I mean, if liability protections are removed, you can be darn sure these childhood immunizations will absolutely vanishconsider that the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program has paid out billions of dollars since its inception, a cost which would have fallen on the companies themselves were it not for Ronald Reagan signing the law that dumped that cost onto taxpayers.

Or, maybe Tappers propaganda panic is motivated more by self-interest? Looks like Big Pharma signs his paycheck! Check this out, from 2018:

Heres How Much Ad Revenue the Cable Networks Bring in From Their Biggest Advertisers As we shared with you yesterday, all three cable news networks saw very strong first quarters in the ratings, with Fox News and MSNBC the No. 1 and No. 2 channels on all of cable. But it was CNN [emphasis added] that came out on top in terms of top brand ad revenue for one category in particular: pharmaceuticals.

If Big Pharma has nothing to hide, then they have nothing to fear in RFK Jr. peering into their business, which begs the question: Of what are they so afraid?

Image: Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, unaltered.


The McDonalds Man is lovin it.

Now that hes out of the fry kitchen and heading back to the White House, Donald Trump is filling his staff with people close to his heart.



Theyre sharp, America First patriots all aboard the Trump Train.



The president-elect puts a premium on smarts. Hence his first major choice in the summer: J.D. Vance for vice president. The senator graduated summa cum laude after just two years at Ohio State, then rocked at Yale Law School. The guy is brilliant and gutsy, as he proved by fearlessly handling all comers on network TV and podcasts.



The former and oncoming president often cheered that Vance pick at rallies by pointing to his own head. Its all about the brain.



So it is with the new White House team. Characters like Rex Tillerson, his first secretary of state, and Jim Mattis, his original defense chief, were lauded as central casting by Mr. Trump in his first go-round. Now thats old news. Today its all about intelligence, loyalty and youth.



Vance is just 40, which will make him the youngest VP since Richard Nixon under Dwight Eisenhower in 1953.



Pete Hegseth, 44, went to Princeton and Harvard. He vaulted from Army combat to Fox News, where he defended Mr. Trump to the hilt. You wont be reading any Hitler garbage from him a la John Kelly, the Marine general who looked the part only to knife his White House boss after his chief of staff stint.



Mr. Hegseth reflects exactly the president-elects feeling. After Butler, Mr. Trump is embracing being alive and having the freedom to choose the talent best for him and America, critics be damned. While the MSNBC world whines about the next defense secretarys lack of experience, MAGA applauds with a crescendo. Now well have an Iraq War infantry officer with a spine to boot the generals who bloodied the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal and gush over woke rubbish.



Elise Stefanik, 40, is Harvard Crimsonite aimed at degrading pinkos. She rocketed as a New York Republican to the House, where she stood tall for President Trump during the impeachment hoaxes and told antisemitic ivy league honchos to get lost. Now shes going to the United Nations as U.S. ambassador with a megaphone for America First and against the Israel bashers who permeate that crooked body in the heart of New York City.



Stephen Miller, 39, is a Duke genius who will lead the border battle as deputy chief of staff. Miller Time is the backbone of the Trump agenda. The Californian plugged illegal immigration for 45 and will do it again for 47. This time hell have Border Czar Tom Homan running shotgun against the biggest crime in U.S. history: President Bidens open gate that ignited the migrant invasion.



Elon Musk, 53, could be the smartest human on the planet. After attending Penns Wharton School of Business, same as Mr. Trump, he ignited Tesla for cars, SpaceX for space, Boring to construct tunnels, and Neuralink to help paralyzed people communicate on computers just by thinking.

Then in 2022 came Elons gift to freedom: His buying of Twitter, turning it into X and opening opinions from all corners. After the Butler, Pennsylvania bloody Saturday, he endorsed Mr. Trump and campaigned Dark MAGA-style. Mr. Musk says he can cut $2 trillion from Americas bloated budget, so the president-elect said go for it. Welcome to DOGE, the Department of Government Efficiency.



The Ram, 39, a.k.a. Vivek Ramaswamy is also on the team. Heres another wiz who went to Harvard and Yale, where he was a Vance classmate. He founded multiple firms, bulged his billion-dollar pockets, ran for president, rightly predicted Ronna McDaniels demise as GOP boss and was spot on again saying Mr. Biden wouldnt last on the Dem ticket. He also called the election right: Mr. Trump would win in a landslide. Now the Ram is teaming up with Elon at DOGE after saying for over a year, The people who we elect to run the government ought to be the ones who actually run the government, not the managerial bureaucracy and three-letter government agencies. Those folks can kiss their jobs goodbye.



Tulsi Gabbard, 43, will head a Cabinet post with her in mind: director of national intelligence. She sure had the acumen to rout Kamala Harris off the presidential debate stage in 2019. Before that, she carried her Hawaii Pacific University degree to the Army and Congress. After that, she backed Mr. Trump and traded Democrat for Republican. Shes on the right squad.



Matt Gaetz, 44, is the attorney general weve been waiting for. Certainly Mr. Trump has after the hell of being indicted more than Al Capone, as he bellowed at rallies. Now with glee he said, Matt will end weaponized government, protect our borders, dismantle criminal organizations and restore Americans badly shattered faith and confidence in the Justice Department. Mr. Gaetz is a true Sunshine Stater, graduating from Florida State and representing the western Panhandle in Congress. He takes the tough road, leading the ouster of Speaker Kevin McCarthy for failing as a conservative. Now the traitors, from the Russia-Russia-Russia confederates on up, better look out. This firebrand will run them through the Gaetz of hell.



As a friend just messaged me, Gaetz will be our Gen. Sherman. March to the sea, baby.



MAGA is lovin it too.



Bucky Fox is an author and editor in Cape Coral, Florida.

Image: Metropolitan Museum of Art, via Picryl // CC0 public domain dedication


Lisa Murkowski is itching to vote against firebrand Matt Gaetz as attorney general. She may not get the chance. If the new Senate leadership recesses the Senate for three days, Gaetz can take office as a recess appointment, circumventing the confirmation process. It remains to be seen if Senate Majority Leader John Thune will play ball.

The Gaetz appointment is a giant middle finger to those in the Justice Department who have harassed Trump since before he took office in 2017. It started with the Russia hoax, and it's been going on nonstop for eight years. The final straw came when the FBI raided Mar-a-Lago, including searching Melania's bedroom, purportedly looking for evidence of a crime.

Trump will not allow this invasion of his wife's privacy to go unavenged. Heads will roll down the entire chain of command that was responsible for this travesty. If these people are smart, they're already packing their bags.

If Thune refuses to allow a recess appointment, it's highly unlikely Gaetz can be confirmed. If that's the case, Trump's replacement appointment, regardless of who it is, will look reasonable by comparison.

Gaetz also serves to distract attention from other controversial appointments, such as Pete Hegseth for Department of Defense.

The Department of Justice is infused with arrogance. These people think their loyalty is to their ideas about the law, not to the democratically elected President who appoints them. As the execrable James Comey put it in the title of his book, they have A Higher Loyalty.

But the courts decide the law, not the Department of Justice. They are the President's lawyers and are obliged to advocate for him. President Trump, with his appointment of Gaetz, is putting these people in their place.

It's pleasant to think that this is just the beginning of four years of fearless leadership.

Fritz Pettyjohn blogs at ReaganProject.com

Image: Gage Skidmore
U.S. immigration policy is expected to shift dramatically following Donald Trumps re-election as president, but what can we expect in the two-month period between Trumps election and his inauguration?

Trumps election signaled a mandate from the American people for a more secure border and the removal of those in the country illegally, but the public will have to wait until Jan. 20, 2025 to begin to see their desired policies take effect.

But what happens at the border in the meantime?

On one hand, its easy to see many foreign nationals being emboldened to rush the border illegally in the waning days of Joe Bidens term, knowing it may be their last chance to get into the U.S. for the foreseeable future. In fact, it stands to reason that drug and human trafficking cartels, which have experienced record profits in recent years due to the Biden administrations anti-border policies, will want to take as much as they can before the incoming Trump administration puts them out of business. The U.S. did see an uptick in crossings in the final month before the election, suggesting an urgency from aspiring migrants and their benefactors. On the other hand, many foreign nationals may believe that making the arduous journey to the U.S. may no longer be worthwhile given the U.S. government will begin taking border enforcement seriously very soon.

Reports have emerged since Election Day that a caravan of thousands of foreign nationals that was headed to the U.S. decided abandon its northward trip following Trumps victory. Trump has long promised mass deportations if he was elected, and he recently appointed Immigration Reform Law Institute Senior Fellow and former acting ICE Director Tom Homan to lead the effort. The incoming administration clearly means business, and as more and more foreign nationals receive that message, it becomes more likely they may be to just decide to stay home.

There is precedent to support this scenario given the sharp decline in illegal crossings after Trump took office for his first term in January 2017. Illegal border crossings declined by roughly 40 percent during Trumps first month in office. Many in the political class and in elite institutions believed Trumps 2016 victory to be a fluke and tried to thwart his policies across the board. This was especially true when it came to immigration. This time, however, the mandate the American people have given the president-elect is undeniable and should prove harder for elites to obstruct, though many will try.

We only have one administration at a time in the U.S. While the Biden administration has the authority to govern through the rest of its term, this months election results should force it to think long and hard about how it wants to conclude its time in power. If, over the next two months, Team Biden opens the floodgates at the border and exacerbates the crisis it caused, it will only increase support for the Trump administration and its allies in government.

The Biden administration tried for years to sell the American people on the notion that its anti-border policies were working and that there was never a crisis at the border. The Biden White House only grudgingly admitted there might be a border security problem when attempting to mitigate political fallout associated with Democrat attempts to retain the presidency. Now, with the election over, unshackled from political constraints, the Biden administration could theoretically use its remaining time in office to move full steam ahead on its destructive borders agenda, but this would be both unwise and un-American. Voters sent a clear message earlier this month that they want to see an end to the era of open borders and mass migration, and those in positions of power have a responsibility to heed those wishes immediately rather than attempt to punish voters by further degrading their sovereignty.

Regardless of what the Biden administrations immediate intentions are, the American people can be comforted by the knowledge that positive change is coming in this area and that it is coming soon. What happens at the border over the next two months is unclear, but there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic for the future. With Trump back in office and patriots like Homan spearheading border policy, the American people will have a chance to enjoy a safe and secure border sooner rather than later.

William J. Davis is a communications associate for the Immigration Reform Law Institute, a public interest law firm working to defend the rights and interests of the American people from the negative effects of mass migration.

Image: Screen shot from DW video, via YouTube
When Israel, along with the United States, together enforce Middle East security operations by forcibly neutralizing the threats surrounding Israel, they are also establishing a pattern of behavior necessary to then carry out the exact same security operations for America.

Their national security risks are identical in the way they are organized by their enemies: as ideological threats to their respective fundamental beliefs and values, and, as physical risks to their borders and interests.

Israel and the United States have exactly the same problem: they are threatened by radicalism. And there is only one way to combat organized radicalism: destroy it with ruthless resolve. Im not arguing for indiscriminate violence, but rather, for the targeted eradication of specific, organized opposition to national sovereignty, and even national survival.

Indeed, Israel and the United States together have, allied against them both, forces that specifically seek to destroy them: to actually dismantle and remove them as sovereign nations. In Israels case this takes the form of radical terror based in ethno-religious fundamentalism. In Americas case, it takes the form of a radical terror, but it has become entrenched in our internal institutions, and so therefore has the deceptive appearance of a mere political opposition.

Simple political party opposition is not what seeks to destroy America: she is threatened by fundamental anti-Americanism no different than Israel is threatened by fundamental terrorism: it is of a particularly deep-seated hatred, combined with a highly organized, long-term operational commitment to structurally upend U.S. society.

The U.S. open-border invasion is among the most overt, tactical manifestations of the enemys operations, and that is why border security, and total control, is fundamental both to the U.S., and Israel.

What is good for America and Israel is also very pragmatic: access to energy, its own energy production, and the latitude to grow economically. The Middle East is obviously in contention over energy, and the water rights to access and transport it. Similarly, the U.S. is sitting on some of the most abundant oil and gas deposits in the world, combined with its advanced agriculture, fresh water, and bicoastal ports and infrastructure.

China and Russia will almost certainly stand down as Israel and the U.S. ensure Iranian military neutralization which has been the explicit goal of the global war on terror program since 2001. China and Russian are both pragmatic, and focused on energy. Moreover, China is strategically intent on Taiwan, and Russia, and other interests, on Ukraine. But China eyes the U.S. in a long-term contest that must be confronted, including via trade.

Like Israel, America must neutralize its immediate internal enemies, while its shuts down all border vulnerabilities and potential invasion operations; fundamentally revitalizes its military, reinforces its industrial and energy capacity, and sets a hard, if not ruthless posture on its readiness and commitment to defend, protect and operate outwardly.

The Trump administration is on track to establish these vital goals.

Matthew G. Andersson is a former aviation CEO and executive advisor in aerospace and defense with Booz Allen Hamilton and Charles River Associates. He testified to the US Senate on national airspace security, and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, Defense Daily, Aviation Week and Space Technology, the National Academy of Sciences, and the 2001 Pulitzer Prize report on US transportation by the Chicago Tribune. He is a jet command pilot and graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Chicago.

Image: U.S. National Archives, via NARA/DVIDS // no known copyright restrictions
Marcus Fontenette, 46, died Tuesday from an apparent medical episode while at Bexar County jail. His death marks the 13th inmate to die while at the jail in 2024. Bexar County Sheriff's Office

A Bexar County jail inmate has died after being found unresponsive in his cell. This marks the 13th death at the jail this year.

Marcus Joseph Fontenette, a 46-year-old inmate at the jail, was found unresponsive around 11:37 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office.

He had previously refused treatment by the jail's medical staff, who was again looking to evaluate him. A booking deputy went to check on Fontenette and found him unresponsive. The deputy began performing life-saving measures until medical staff arrived.

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First responders from the San Antonio Fire Department made the scene and pronounced Fontenette dead at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.

The sheriff's office said it appears that Fontenette experienced a medical episode while in his cell.

As of Friday, the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office has not released his cause and manner of death.

Fontenette was booked into the jail Tuesday for violating a criminal trespass warning.

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Four of the last five deaths at the jail involved inmates suffering from medical episodes.

On Oct. 10, Roxanne Otero, 48, was found unresponsive following a medical episode that officials have said was exacerbated by her detoxing condition.

On Sept. 29, Bobby Aguilar, 43, died after experiencing a medical episode.

On Sept. 22, Andrea Nicole Garcia, 31, died at the jail following a medical emergency while she was detoxing.

On Sept. 6, Paul Anthony Sarabia, 50, also died from a medical episode compounded by withdrawal symptoms.

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Jail officials have notified the Texas Commission on Jail Standards following Fontenette's death.
The Kamala Harris campaigns efforts to blame President Biden for the November 5 blowout loss exemplifies the old saying that a bad workman always blames his tools. The article Biden gets blamed by Harris allies for the vice presidents resounding loss to Trump quotes Andrew Yang as saying, The biggest onus of this loss is on President Biden. If he had stepped down in January instead of July, we may be in a very different place.

When I last checked, President Biden got 3,904 Democrat primary delegates versus a total of 8 (5 and 3) for the other two candidates, who, unlike Harris, tried to make their cases as to why they should represent the party at the top of its ticket. The Democrats then waited until July to bait-and-switch their own voters by forcing Biden out and replacing him with Kamala Harris, and with no input whatsoever from their own registered voters. The analogy of sending a team to the Super Bowl that never even competed in the playoffs comes to mind.

The Democrat party proceeded to feature a broad array of questionable and objectionable people and organizations at their national convention, which was headed by former Black Lives Matter director Minyon Moore. BLM is the black nationalist organization that denies the right of Israel to exist, says on its official X account that mass murderer Fidel Castro should rest in power, and glorifies convicted Jew-killing and cop-killing terrorists (Rasmea Odeh and Joanne Chesimard, Mama Assata to BLM, respectively). Also present were unions that undermine Israels right to defend itself and Ella Emhoff, who raised money for UNRWA. UNRWA has been banned from Israel due to its role in the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks.

Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), who won re-election by a wide margin, explains further: Donald Trump has no greater friend than the far left, which has managed to alienate historic numbers of Latinos, Blacks, Asians, and Jews from the Democratic Party with absurdities like Defund the Police or From the River to the Sea or Latinx. Had the Democrats nominated Torres instead of Harris, he might now be president-elect, but the party seems to do everything possible to drive out qualified, centrist, pro-worker Democrats. They have already pushed out Joe Manchin, Kyrsten Sinema, and Tulsi Gabbard (the latter a welcome addition to the Trump administration). If Torres continues to point out his partys mistakes and shortcomings, he could be next. This interview with Torres is highly instructive, and he says the Democrat party needs to start listening to working people instead of the far left.

Here is the bottom line. The Democrat party cut off its own president at the knees, bait-and-switched its voters, showcased questionable people and organizations at its national convention, and then had the temerity to scapegoat its president for the catastrophe it had created for itself. Although I disagree with many of Bidens policies, he deserved a lot better from his own team, and he is owed an unequivocal public apology. As apologies are delivered by gentlemen and ladies of character who take responsibility for their own mistakes, though, I will not hold my breath waiting.

Civis Americanus is the pen name of an American Thinker contributor who remembers the lessons of history and wants to ensure that our country never needs to learn those lessons again the hard way.

Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Nathan Cofnas is a fellow in Philosophy at Cambridge and a blogger, who has written a detailed essay showing how Marxist socialist collectivist wokism, with all its racialist elements, is alive and well. Despite Trumps victory, its not going anywhere. The commitment that the leftist elites and chattering classes have to the ideology holds strong. Cofnas says that the idea that wokism has peaked and will go away is flawed... [S]ocial justice warriors are in our boardrooms, universities, and government bureaucracies putting their ideology into practice.

What this means is that those who view Trumps election as the death of DEI and other woke socialist ideological movements are premature in their celebrations. According to Cofnas, Trumps election will not deter the woke movement. Instead, wokesters are on a path to achieve absolute power in the next ten to thirty years. He ominously predicts that the turnover from Boomers and Gen X will mean the end of free speech, free thought, free association, due process, and everything else that millennials and (especially) zoomers think is less important than diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Image by AI.

In his essay, Cofnas explains that wokisms ideological foundation holds that there is no difference in individual abilities and potential. This means that unequal outcomes can only result from evil environmental forces and social sins that the government must counteract and neutralize. The government must intervene to impose equality of outcome, something that justifies suspending freedoms and punishing those who would object.

The empirical premise that generates wokismthe equality thesishas been the orthodoxy among establishment intellectuals since the 1960s, if not earlier. Why, then, was there a time lag between this concern and the recent Great Awokening?

First, it took a few generations for people to absorb the orthodoxy. Race denial began as a relatively transparent Noble Lie that most people probably went along with because it seemed like the nice thing to do. [snip] Each subsequent generation of children was subjected to increasingly intensive brainwashing until the Noble Lie was genuinely believed.

Cofnas points out that the George Floyd death and its aftermath caused a significant uptick in woke racialist activities, while the professions and academia increased their push to enact the woke agenda. He systematically debunks the research intended to show a decline in wokeness. In every case there are declines but still a lot of activity, just down from the peaks in 2021 and 2022. The effects of intimidation and censorship meant that there were fewer people to offend the woke guardians.

Interesting, Cofnas considers the transgender tensions as coming from a different point of conflict. I would have to disagree because the movement is definitely the product of Marxist ideological sources intent on effecting cultural revolution.

Cofnas suggests a sensible alternative to wokism, which he terms hereditarianism. This means recognizing that people inherit their strengths, talents, and weaknesses, all of which will produce inequalities. From our childhood on, we all know we are different and not equal to others in many ways, good and bad. The government cant make me equal to anyone. I have to make myself what I can be. Thats life!

John Dale Dunn is a retired physician and inactive attorney in Brownwood, Texas.
Googles Gemini AI platform has continued to grow relentlessly. The company is constantly adding new features that its apps and services, especially the Workspace suite, can access via Gemini. Google Docs is one of the most popular services in the suite as it is an efficient and free alternative to Microsoft Word. Now, Google Docs is receiving integration with the Imagen 3 model for AI-powered image generation.

Imagen 3 is the latest image generation model developed by DeepMind, Googles AI division. The company integrated Imagen 3 capabilities into Gemini, enabling image generation across multiple services of the Mountain View giant. Now it is the companys word processor that receives these capabilities to become more efficient and productive.

Soon you will be able to generate images from Google Docs thanks to Imagen 3

Many times, your documents require you to add reference images. The process of searching for the ideal image can be a bit annoying, especially if you need them to show a very specific situation. It may also happen that you find the ideal image, but it does not have the size parameters that you require. That means youll have to spend some extra time cropping or resizing the picture to make it fit and look good.

To make things easier for you, Google Docs now has Imagen 3 integration via Gemini. You can access the feature from Insert > Image > Help me create an image. There you can add a text prompt describing the image you want to generate. You can also set the aspect ratio and size parameters to make it fit your document perfectly. You can even choose from multiple styles: Photo, Vector Art, Sketch, Watercolor, Cyberpunk, or Im Feeling Lucky (random style). For Docs pageless mode, the option will be available in Insert > Cover image > Help me create an image.

The feature will reach subscribers of a paid plan

Like other advanced Gemini features for Workspace services, image generation isnt free. The feature will be available to subscribers of a Google AI plan or add-on. Subscribers to Gemini Business, Gemini Enterprise, Gemini Education, Gemini Education Premium, and Google One AI Premium will be able to use it. Lastly, the company will roll out image generation in the coming weeks. So, it may not be available to you yet even if you are subscribed to one of the paid plans.
TikToks situation this year has been a bit complicated in the United States. The previous administration signed a bill to ban its operations if ByteDance, the parent company of the short-video platform, did not sell it to American owners. Since then, the team behind TikTok has worked to avoid losing its American audience. One of TikToks moves was a new partnership with Amazon, which is now being questioned by US Congress.

Former President Joe Biden signed the bill to ban TikTok in April. This gave ByteDance nine months from the bills signing date to either appeal it or take any necessary steps to prevent its application. The company has already challenged the ban, and the app is still available in the US. In the meantime, ByteDance has taken measures to make things more difficult for the governments intentions.

US Congress questions partnership between Amazon and TikTok for dangerous and unwise

In August of this year, TikTok and Amazon reached an agreement for greater integration between both platforms. The basis of the partnership is the shoppable TikTok ads feature that allow users to directly check out products from Amazon. These ads are tailored to the accounts usage profile and appear on TikToks For You page. If you link your Amazon account, you can make purchases on Amazon directly from these ads.

Amazons position as one of the leaders in e-commerce and among the biggest players in the technology industry puts the US government in an uncomfortable position. Such an agreement could greatly complicate the banning of the platform without affecting many Amazon users as well.

For this reason, according to Bloomberg, the committee expressed its concerns to Amazon regarding the agreement. The committee also questioned the partnership between one of the largest US companies and a platform facing a potential ban. The Select Committee conveyed to Amazon that it is dangerous and unwise for Amazon to partner with TikTok given the serious national security threat the app poses, a spokesperson said.

The new administration could change things for TikTok

Its noteworthy that Amazon and TikTok have been working together on ads for a long time. However, this year they have further strengthened their ties through their new deal. Regardless, its plausible that the shift in the US administration will significantly change the situation. Experts suggest that Donald Trump will stop attempts to ban TikTok in the United States. Therefore, the situation for the most popular short video platform in the world could improve soon.
Recent reports suggest that Samsung is working on a tri-fold smartphone by 2025. A recent report reiterates Samsungs purported plans to introduce a tri-fold phone while also revealing that it will fold inwards.

Korean outlet ET News claims that Samsung has already begun developing a smartphone that folds twice. The company hopes to launch it sometime in 2025, according to the report. The outlet claims that the phones design will be ready by the end of this month. ET News obtained the information from secret industry sources.

Samsungs tri-fold device may fold inward; design could be ready soon

Both Samsung and external component suppliers are may have started developing everything necessary for the devices launch next year. Despite being a pioneer in the foldable smartphone segment, the South Korean giant lagged behind Chinese rivals when it comes to innovation. Other big brands such as Vivo and HONOR have launched much thinner and feature-rich foldable phones. Plus, the Huawei Mate XT became the first tri-fold mobile device on the commercial market.

The intense competition appears roused Samsung from its complacency. To show what its capable of, the company launched the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition with a slimmer design. Plus, everything points to the brand working on its first tri-fold device. The source claims that the smartphone will have a key differentiating factor from the Huawei Mate XT. According to the report, Samsungs product will fold inwards, a form factor they call infolding.

Display up to 9 and 10 inches when unfolded

For reference, when folded, the structure of the Huawei Mate XT uses a zigzag form factor. However, the latest leak suggests that Samsungs smartphone will fold inward from its left and right sections. When fully unfolded, the products screen could extend to 9 or 10 inches.

So, while Samsung wont be the first to launch a tri-fold phone, it might differ from Huaweis in terms of the way it folds. This could give it a touch of uniqueness in a premium market niche yet to be explored. Samsung could also become the brand with the most diverse catalog of foldable phones next year. It already has a clamshell foldable and a book-style foldable. A tri-fold phone could complete the collection.
At this point, we already know that AI models need to ingest a ton of data from numerous sources to learn. Companies extract data from sources all over the Internet like ebooks, social media sites, video sites, news websites, blogs, and so on. Much of the data is free to the public, but AI companies also take a ton of data from premium sources. Were talking about pay-walled copyrighted content. This might not mean much to the average person, but what are the implications of this practice and is it justified?

Were seeing a shift in the industry nowadays. Large news and media companies are signing deals that hand their content over to AI companies like OpenAI and Meta. This really shocked the masses, as AI technology has had a negative effect on journalism. So, its a little surprising that so many news companies are happily serving their content to AI companies to further make journalists obsolete.

The legal side

Among other things, this practice is all about avoiding legal issues with companies. Not too long after the AI explosion, we found out where AI companies got the data to train their AI models. Several major companies didnt like that AI companies were scraping their content, and one of the main companies was The New York Times. At the time of writing this article, The New York Times is locked in a huge legal battle with OpenAI. This company scraped a ton of The New York Times copyrighted articles. Not only that, but the New York Times alleges that ChatGPT reproduces sections of its articles verbatim.

Other lawsuits like this have popped up over the past year, and we expect more from different companies. This is especially true because were seeing more stories rise shedding light on how much premium content AI companies scraped to train their models. People are looking back at the datasets that some of the biggest AI models used to train, and theyre seeing that much of the content comes from pay-walled websites.

The analysis

As stated, reports are coming out revealing just how much premium and pay-walled data AI companies are scraping to train their AI models. News Media Alliance published a report last year letting us know that some of the biggest datasets in the world used a substantial amount of premium content.

It found that OpenWebText, the datasets used to train OpenAIs GPT-2 model, consisted of about 10% premium content. That may not sound like a lot, but that dataset comprises about 23 million web pages. So, 10% of a 23-million-page pie is a hefty slice. Not only that, but there arent too many premium news sites compared to the Internet as a whole, so any percentage over 0.001% is substantial.

What does this mean? It means that firms like OpenAI arent just crawling the internet and feeding their models what happens to pop up. AI companies are often targeting data from premium sites for their models.

How do we know this?

The abovementioned report opened the door to more news to flood in. A recent analysis from Ziff Davis pointed to something similar; datasets used to train major models consist of a large amount of pay-walled content. The Ziff Davis report, however, takes four datasets into account and it reveals something about AI companies intentions.

The four datasets it takes into account are Common Crawl, C4, OpenWebText, and OpenWebText2. Several AI companies use these four datasets among others to train their models.

Common Crawl was used to train OpenAIs GPT-3 and Metas LLaMA. C4 was used to train Googles LaMDA and T5 models along with LLaMA. OpenWebText was used to train GPT-2 and OpenWebText2 was used to train GPT-3. Other major models most likely used these datasets, but the abovementioned models were featured in the report.

So, these datasets trained some rather big models. Obviously, theyre pretty out-of-date. OpenAI is currently several iterations into its GPT-4 series and Meta is on LLaMA 3, so the models listed above are well past their prime. We shouldnt sneeze at the sheer amount of data that exists in these datasets, however. OpenWebText2 contains over 17 million web pages while OpenWebText 2 contains 23 million web pages. C4 towers above them with 365 million web pages, but the reigning champ is Common Crawl with a scale-tipping 3.15 billion web pages.

Going by the numbers, it seems like GPT-3 and LLaMA should be the smartest models on the list. However, the opposite might be true.

Dataset grooming

When youre in school, your teacher doesnt just stand in front of you and rattle off arbitrary facts for six hours straight. The information they tell you has to be curated by the teacher, school, and school board. This is why you have lesson plans and a standard curriculum. What does this have to do with AI models? Well, AI models are more like human beings than you think.

If youre an AI model, and youre being fed a dataset, youd prefer to be fed high-quality and relevant information. As such, companies dont always stuff their models with a boatload of random data. Datasets are sometimes cleaned and curated. Dataset cleaning is a process that eliminates duplicate data, errors, inconsistent information, incomplete data, and more. In a way, it trims the fat. Dataset curation organizes the dataset to make the information more accessible. These are oversimplifications, but you can read more with the hyperlinks.

In any case, cleaning and curating the datasets basically processes the data and dolls it up so that its easier for the model to ingest. This is similar to how your school curriculum is organized to gradually increase in difficulty as the year goes on.

Now, lets talk about Domain Authority

Time for a small, yet necessary tangent. Theres another angle to this report, and one is domain authority. In a way, the higher domain authority a site has, the more trusted and reputable the site is. So, youd expect a site like The New York Times, a major news corporation to have a higher domain authority than a brand-new news site that gets a maximum of 10 views every day.

The report took into account 15 of the news companies with the highest domain authority. This list consists of Advance (Conde Nast, Advance Local), Alden Global Capital (Tribune Publishing, MediaNews Group), Axel Springer, Bustle Digital Group, Buzzfeed, Inc., Future plc, Gannett, Hearst, IAC (Dotdash Meredith and other divisions), News Corp, The New York Times Company, Penske Media Corporation, Vox Media, The Washington Post, and Ziff Davis.

The report puts domain authority on a 1 to 100-point system. 100 means that the site has the most domain authority. The list above consists of sites with rather high domain authorities.

The numbers

What does that have to do with datasets and AI models? Well, lets put this all together. In the report, we see a breakdown of the four datasets. In the graph below, we see an interesting trend.

The X-axis of the graph shows the domain authority scores divided into 10-point intervals and the Y-axis shows the percentage of the amount of data in each set. It shows that just over 50% of the websites in Common Crawl have domain authority scores of between 0 and 9. It drops sharply as the domain authority increases. Less than 10% of the dataset has a score of over 10 points, and that continues for the rest of the graph.

Moving over to C4, the results arent much better. About 20% of the sites have a domain score of between 10 and 20 points. It then drops off considerably as well. C4 remains consistently higher than Common Crawl for the majority of the graph.

However, we see a dramatic shift once we look at the two OpenWebText datasets. In fact, we see the exact opposite! Both models start from a similar place on the graph with scores from 0 to 9, but they steadily rise as the domain authority scores increase. More than 30% of OpenWebTexts data came from sites with domain authority scores between 90 and 100. As for OpenWebText 2, about 40% of this dataset consists of sites with domain authority scores between 90 and 100.

Just the premium sites

Heres a graph that shows similar data. However, instead of data from all sites scraped, this only shows data from the aforementioned premium websites.

Below, we have a graph showing each of the aforementioned publications and how much they were used in each dataset. We see that the percentage skyrockets for both OpenWebText models, but these two models have substantially less data, so its easier for one source to make up a higher percentage.

Heres the shocker

So, we see that more high-quality websites data exists in the OpenWebText datasets, but heres the kicker. Remember how we talked about cleaning and curating datasets? This process takes the raw and unfiltered data and processes it. Well, in the report, the Common Crawl and C4 have not been cleaned or curated. The two OpenWebText datasets were. This means that the datasets with the higher volume of premium content just so happen to be the ones that have been touched by human hands.

This hints that AI companies specifically target premium data to scrape. Until this point, we assumed that these companies decided to just crawl websites and dump as much data into their models as possible, paying no heed to where it comes from. However, the reality is that many of these companies may be specifically looking for content they shouldnt be using.

This report shows that so much of the content used to train OpenAIs models involves paywalled content. So, the question is, how many other datasets are processed to favor premium data?

Can AI companies taking premium data be justified?

At the surface, the companies seem to be in the wrong, but when you dig in a bit deeper, the line between right and wrong starts to blur. We know about the legal implications. AI companies overstep their boundaries when they train their models on pay-walled material. Aside from reproducing bits of pay-walled content verbatim in some cases, these companies are stealing data to train models that will put those companies out of business. Thats pretty messed up.

However, there are two sides to this conversation. The fact is that AI models are here, and theres nothing that anyone can do about it. Theyre delivering answers to our questions, teaching us, etc. Not only that but these AI tools are poised to be used in some rather crucial and understaffed fields like medicine and education. If theyre going to be trained on content from the internet, itd be best for them to be trained on high-quality content.

While its tough to admit that there could be some merit in this practice, more and more of our lives will be touched by AI in some way. Honestly, itd be better to use models trained on high-quality data than models trained on whatever. Much of the population doesnt like the march of AI, but no one can stop progress. AI will take over, so having the models trained on higher-quality content may be the lesser of two evils.

Is that enough, though?

Does this justify the use of pay-walled content? One of the worst things in any industry is when a large company can simply act as it pleases. Would you trust your 8-year-old alone in an unguarded candy store? Obviously, with no staff around to stop them from pigging out, your child will come home with a belly ache.

Justifying companies surreptitiously taking pay-walled basically gives them free rein to gorge on as much data as they can, much like the child. It basically grants them a hall pass to freely take data from other paid services. The companies that exist on the Internet have to, unfortunately, live by the internets rules; Rule #1 is that all sites get crawled, and theres very little that anyone can do about it.

The reports from Ziff Davis and the News Media Alliance show that several AI companies knowingly siphoned data from premium publications and didnt acknowledge it. Companies are filing lawsuits, as they rightfully should because theres no telling how much of their data lives within the same chatbots that are stealing journalists jobs.
TSMC has been a hot topic in the tech industry lately. The company has recently been under the scanner of the US government for its possible ties with Huawei. However, theres some good news coming in for the chip maker ahead of Christmas. According to Reuters, the US Department of Commerce has finalized $6.6 billion in grants for TSMCs facilities in Phoenix, Arizona.

The US Department of Commerce finalizes $6.6 billion in grants for TSMC

The semiconductor manufacturer has been awarded the grant under the CHIPS Act funding. The US Department of Commerce had already mentioned the reward amount following a preliminary agreement announced in April this year. It is one of the major awards to be completed under the $52.5 billion subsidy program introduced by the US government in 2022.

Per the agreement, TSMC will receive cash as it completes project milestones. The US Department of Commerce expects to hand over at least $1 billion to the company by the end of 2024. TSMCs award also includes an additional $5 billion in low-cost government loans. Not to forget, the $6.6 billion grant for TSMC comes just a few weeks before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

Last month, Trump criticized the Chips ACT in a three-hour-long interview with Joe Rogan. Referring to the TSMC deal in the interview, Trump said That deal is so bad. He further added, All you had to do is charge them tariffs. Although its quite clear that Trump is against this deal, the Biden government has eventually cemented it. According to some policy experts, the newly elected President is also unlikely to roll back the CHIPS Act.

TSMC will reportedly produce 2nm chips at its second Arizona fab

In April, TSMC agreed to expand the investment by $25 billion to $65 billion. The chip maker also said that it would add a third fab in Phoenix, Arizona by 2030. The Taiwanese company will reportedly produce the 2nm chips at its second Arizona fab, with production expected to kick off sometime in 2028.

As reported by Reuters, the company also agreed to use its most advanced chip manufacturing technology called A16 in Arizona. Gina Raimondo, the Secretary of Commerce, didnt confirm whether the department influenced TSMCs decision to stop AI chip production for Chinese companies.

However, she mentioned, Investing in TSMC to expand here is offense  defense is making sure that neither TSMC nor any other company sells our most sophisticated technology to China and violates our export controls.

TSMC CEO, C.C. Wei has his say about this deal. In a statement, Wei added that this deal helps us to accelerate the development of the most advanced semiconductor manufacturing technology available in the U.S. Talking of related company news, a tipster has recently claimed that Samsung is considering TSMC to produce Exynos SoCs.
The Archbishop of Canterburys son has said his father was right to resign following a damning review into the most prolific abuser associated with the Church of England, according to reports.

The independent Makin Review concluded that barrister John Smyth might have been brought to justice had the archbishop formally alerted authorities in 2013.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said on Tuesday that his decision to step down  which came after days of pressure following the reports publication  was in the best interests of the Church.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigned following the damning Makin Review (Doug Peters/PA)

In a statement on Tuesday, he said: When I was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow.

It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and re-traumatising period between 2013 and 2024.

Now, Mr Welbys son Tim has said his father was right to resign and his position became untenable, simply because so many people were calling for his resignation, The Mirror reports.

Tim Welby told The Mirror: Hes definitely very embarrassed and appalled by whats happened.

I know hes going to spend a lot of his time left in office having conversations with some of the people and trying to make sure that things are set up in the right way  so that kind of lapse cannot happen again.

Hes trying to meet with people who were the victims of Smyth but others as well. He will be doing a lot of that. Thats going to be one of his primary focuses.

He said: The frustrating thing is I dont think it ever occurred to him that it hadnt been reported to the police.

When, as Archbishop, you are told that something has happened, it has usually gone through so many hands. It seemed utterly inconceivable that someone wouldnt have said to the police: This has been going on.

He is really, really cross that it didnt occur to him  to triple check that someone had actually done that. If you discover a crime then, of course, it gets reported. I wouldnt say he was naive so much.

Certainly, if it had happened later on, he would have known what was going on and would have been more explicit.

He added: It feels more like a political decision to resign where somethings gone wrong in the office. The person at the top is always responsible. His position became untenable, simply because so many people were calling for his resignation.

Tim Welby said his father is a good man and I love him a lot.

He said: Dad was right to resign  it was the correct decision. Im so very proud of my dad for all he has done throughout his life and his work for the Church of England.

Tim Welby said: He never actually sought to be Archbishop of Canterbury. In fact, when the former Archbishop retired, all the Bishops were asked to write a CV and explain why they should get the job. But my father wrote a long list of reasons why he should not.

So he was a little bit confused when he then got the job. He wasnt very keen to have the job in the first place. I think he has enjoyed the challenges of being the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Its not positions that he cares about. No, no, hes always wanted to be where he felt God wanted him to be.

Across five decades in three different countries and involving as many as 130 boys and young men in the UK and Africa, John Smyth is said to have subjected his victims to traumatic physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks, permanently marking their lives.

He died aged 77 in Cape Town in 2018 while under investigation by Hampshire Police, and was never brought to justice for the abuse, the Makin Review said.

Tim Welby also told The Mirror that people like Smyth must get weeded out.

He said: If you have people who are that way inclined, you need to make sure that they get weeded out and that they arent in the job in the first place, its very hard.
A British artist has recreated the Norwegian Arctic in an 18th century barn in the heart of Dartmoor in a bid to combat the winter darkness.

Emily Powell, 34, undertook an expedition on the fishing island of Sommaroy in March  taking in the colours of the Northern lights, coral beaches and snow-topped mountains.

She painted 20 pieces of art while hiking around the island before returning to Britain to transform her studio in a barn on the edge of Dartmoor in floor-to-ceiling pieces.

Her giant works were created without referring to pictures, with Mrs Powell using acrylic paints, oil pastels, paintbrushes and a kitchen broom to fill the 100 metre square space.

Artist Emily Powell during a preview at Ullacombe Farm in Bovey Tracey, Devon (Ben Birchall/PA)

The contemporary artist, of Brixham, Devon, told the PA news agency: Ive never been anywhere like the Arctic before.

Winter is hard because I have PTSD because I lost Dad when I was seven in October 1997, so Ive had 27 years of bad winters.

Last winter was really, really tough because my father-in-law was unwell.

I felt I needed to do something exciting, really fill my head with bright colours and a new environment.

I planned this expedition to the Arctic just to fill my mind with beautiful things and new things, to fight that grief with new light and excitement.

She set off to Norway as part of a team of four people, bringing rolls of neon pink paper, and her acrylic paints as well as hiking equipment and warm clothing.

Emily Powell undertook an expedition on the fishing island of Sommaroy in March (Ben Birchall/PA)

There was just one tube of white paint in her set, leading Mrs Powell to experiment with peach, pink and intense blue colours instead.

The team spent four days exploring the sights of the island, which are represented in her studio by six giant pieces in her Arktisk exhibition.

During their expedition, they discovered kind local people, with multi-coloured houses scattered across the landscape.

Many houses had large woven hearts on their doors, which Mrs Powell described as an antidote for anyone who isnt sure about dark nights.

She added: Wed go on hikes, walk up mountains, around lakes, finding beautiful vistas  spending our time looking for really interesting things to paint but we were completely spoilt for choice.

Theres coral beaches, huge panoramas and mountains. I wasnt expecting it to be so tropical in terms of colour but it was very bright and colourful.

On her return to the UK, a team of set builders created a frame of giant canvases to cover her studio before Mrs Powell spent two months painting scenes of Norway directly onto them.

Emily Powell set off to Norway as part of a team of four people (Ben Birchall/PA)

Her pieces are called Northern Lights, Whale Mountain, The Islands of Sommaroy, Birds Transcending Whale Mountain, Arctic Meadow and Coral Beach.

Mrs Powell said: It felt so powerful to paint so big, and wonderful to bring it back to Devon.

I didnt use any photographs to paint from, so these are just the memories of it.

The resulting exhibition, entitled Arktisk  Norwegian for Arctic  opens on Wednesday in Mrs Powells studio on Ullacombe Farm in Bovey Tracey, Devon.

It will be open from Wednesday to Sunday for two weeks, with members of the public able to purchase individual squares from the giant canvases as well as the artworks created on paper in Norway.

There will also be pieces available from 4pm online on the days the exhibition is open.
The death of a baby Red Panda is believed to have been caused by fireworks set off for a holiday. Zookeepers at the Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland say that it was pyrotechnics that caused their 3-month-old panda Roxie to choke on her own vomit after being stressed by the commotion going on November 5.

The fireworks were believed to come from people celebrating Guy Fawkes Day. A holiday meant to mark the failed attempt to blow up the British Parliament.

Sadly the noise had disastrous effects on Roxie and she died on November 5, ABC News reports.

Roxie had access to her den, but the frightening noises seem to have been too much for her," Ben Supple, deputy chief executive of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, which owns Edinburgh Zoo told the news outlet. Very sadly, she choked on her vomit on Bonfire Night and our vets believe this was probably a reaction to fireworks."

Related: Red Panda's Gentle Way of Enjoying a Snack Is Such a Timeline Cleanse

Tragically, Roxie's mother died only five days before she did, making this period of time very precarious for the baby Red Panda. At such a young age, many small mammals can be vulnerable. Most don't even reach the end of their first year. Employees at the zoo now believe that fireworks set off between Halloween and Guy Fawkes Day might've contributed to Roxie's mother's death too.

Roxie had been doing well on her own before the fireworks. She'd been eating on her own and was responding well to her caretakers. But sadly, the explosions were too much for the panda and it led to her death. It's particularly tragic given the rarity of baby Red Pandas in the world. The Red Panda is native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. Some countries have protected the species, but there remains less than 10,000 pandas in the wild.

The death has been so upsetting it's prompted officials to call for reform. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is now calling for tighter restrictions on fireworks. The zoo is joining that call and has asked for a ban on fireworks sales and for lighter pyrotechnic displays.

According to BBC News, a spokesperson for the UK government's department for business and trade, which controls the sales of fireworks recently spoke out about the death.

"We are sorry to hear of the death of Roxie the panda and our thoughts are with the team who cared for her at Edinburgh Zoo," he said. "We endeavor to keep pets and the public safe and that's why we launched a new fireworks safety campaign this season to help people use them safely and appropriately."

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One of the most senior Catholic leaders in the UK has suggested it would be abhorrent to exclude religious views from the assisted dying debate after Dame Esther Rantzen said she was deeply disappointed in his previous comments on the issue.

The broadcaster and Childline founder, who has stage four lung cancer, has been outspoken on assisted dying since revealing last December that she had joined Dignitas due to her fears over a drawn-out, painful death.

In a statement to the PA news agency last month, she had expressed disappointment in the words of the Archbishop of Westminster, saying that while he is guided by the faith he has chosen, surely that does not mean he should impose his faith on those who do not share it.

Dame Esther Rantzen backs the legislation (PA)

Asked about what he made of Dame Esthers comments, Cardinal Vincent Nichols said it would be unacceptable to exclude the views of those who believe in God.

Speaking at a press conference for the Autumn plenary meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales, Cardinal Nichols said: The whole point of a democracy is that we share views, and I think we know that there are many voices of strong conviction in our society today, and all of them have a right to be heard.

And that is absolutely true of the convictions that are based and drawn from faith and belief in God.

To suggest that somehow belief in God is an excluder from public debate is actually abhorrent.

Nobody should be excluded, and (if) those whose views are formed in a tradition that has shaped our civilization for over 2,000 years are suddenly cancelled, really its not acceptable.

The Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols said those (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Dame Esthers comments about Cardinal Nichols came after he voiced his opposition to a change in the law, saying suffering is an intrinsic part of our human journey.

In a letter that was to be read out in the churches of his diocese last month, Cardinal Nichols warned Catholics to be careful what you wish for.

Responding to what he said on Friday, Dame Esther told PA: Of course the Cardinal is entitled to express his views based on his faith.

But to write a letter to be read out from the pulpit in every Catholic Church instructing Catholics to lobby their MPs to oppose the Bill seems to me to be a political campaign rather than an expression of religious principles.

And of course many people who are not Catholics will be affected by the denial of their personal choice if the new Bill is defeated.

Meanwhile, Catholic bishops have warned that compassion is under threat from assisted dying which they fear could lead to people feeling pressured into ending their lives.

A statement from the Catholic Bishops of England, Wales and Scotland urged people of reason and good will to join them in defending the weakest and most vulnerable who they say are at risk from the legislation.

Labour MP Kim Leadbeater formally introduced her Bill to give choice at the end of life for the terminally ill in October, and a debate and first vote are expected to take place on November 29.

The bishops referred to more adequate funding for hospices and palliative care teams, as well as describing the time given for Parliament to consider the Bill as woefully inadequate.

Labour MP Kim Leadbeater tabled the legislation (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The bishops said palliative care, with expert pain relief, and good human, spiritual, and pastoral support, is the right and best way to care for people towards the end of life.

The bishops claimed that while the Bill indicates safeguards will be in place, those promised safeguards were soon forgotten in other countries where assisted dying was introduced.

Ms Leadbeater has described her Bill as the most robust in the world, with three layers of scrutiny in the form of a sign-off by two doctors and a High Court judge. It would also make coercion an offence with a possible punishment of 14 years in jail.

Voicing their concerns about the potential pressure people may feel, the bishops said: Some may well feel their continued existence is a burden to others, and, implicitly or explicitly, be pressured into assisted suicide.

Another concern the bishops voiced is that the Bill will fundamentally damage the relationship between medical practitioners and their patients.

The bishops concluded their statement by urging people to express their opposition to the Bill by contacting their MP.
The family of a 77-year-old man stabbed to death at a historic market in south London have described him as warm, kind and generous.

Hilkiah McLeggan, from Southwark, died at the scene after reports of a number of people being stabbed in East Street, Walworth, on Sunday.

Two other men remain in hospital with one in a critical condition.

Musse Ali, 66, appeared at Croydon Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged with murder, two counts of attempted murder and possession of a knife in relation to the incident.

The Metropolitan Police have said it was not a terrorist attack and urged the public not to speculate on any potential motive.

In a statement shared by the force on Friday, Mr McLeggans family said: Hilkiah McLeggan (Mac or Lloyde to his friends and family) was a warm, kind, and generous man who would do anything for his friends and family.

He was a hard-working man who worked on past his retirement because he knew he could offer more of himself and enjoyed being amongst his colleagues who were also his friends.

He was a great support to so many and would offer his help without hesitation to support their needs.

His family and friends are devastated and are struggling to make sense of this terrible event.

The family would like to express their gratitude to everyone that has expressed their condolences and those that have set up a special memorial at East Street Market that he frequented so often for many decades.

The family thanked all the wonderful people at East Street Market for their bravery in apprehending the suspect, the London Ambulance Service and police and asked for privacy while they come to terms with such a tragic, senseless and devastating loss.

The statement added: The family encourage those who have been affected by this to seek help and support if needed.

Our best wishes are extended to the other victims and their family. We hope they have a positive outcome and wish them well on their recovery.

Ali, of no fixed address, will next appear at the Old Bailey for a plea hearing on December 10.
A new government fund has been announced to help steelworkers affected by job losses to start up new businesses.

Ministers said the aim is to help steelworkers and their families in the Port Talbot area of South Wales affected by recent job cuts at the giant Tata site.

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens said there will be another 13 million of support from a transition board set up following the job cuts.

It will provide non-repayable grants of up to 10,000 for workers, families and businesses affected by the closure of the blast furnaces at the Port Talbot plant.

It was also announced that two more new support schemes will be launched targeted at firms in the Port Talbot area and businesses in the Tata supply chain, with non-payable grants of 2,500-250,000 available.

Jo Stevens said: As a Government we are determined the Transition Board delivers for the steelworkers of Port Talbot, for the regions businesses and for the community.

This remains a really difficult time for workers in Port Talbot and their families.

Many of them will have aspirations to set up their own businesses or become self employed and the 13 million released today will provide vital backing for them to make their plans a reality.

We said we would back workers and businesses affected by the transition at Port Talbot and we are doing so with more than 26 million announced since July.

Tata Steels Port Talbot steelworks in south Wales (Ben Birchall/PA)

Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans said: We continue to work with the UK Government and local partners to ensure that our targeted support has the broadest and deepest positive impact on those affected by the transition to an electric arc furnace in Port Talbot.

Speaking to many across the local community, I know what a difference extending available funding to immediate family will make.

This is part of our commitment to doing everything within our power to support businesses, households and communities to bounce back and ensure that Port Talbot and the surrounding area continues its proud history as a vital cog in the Welsh economy.

Neath Port Talbot council leader, Steve Hunt said: I keenly welcome the announcement of these funding packages to support both start-ups and existing businesses across our community.

The steelworks have been a lynchpin for our economy for over a century and so changes on this scale impact not only directly-affected workers at Tata Steel, but many other closely connected companies.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has been accused of crossing a line by stating his opposition to the assisted dying Bill and making a huge moral issue instead about money.

Labour peer Baroness Harriet Harman is the latest senior party figure to push back on Mr Streetings public discussion about the Bill ahead of a debate and vote later this month.

He has confirmed he will be voting no to the proposed legislation, has asked his officials to carry out a cost analysis of any change and has suggested it could cost the NHS more if a new law was brought in.

Labour peer Baroness Harriet Harman has accused Wes Streeting of crossing a line on assisted dying (James Manning/PA)

Lady Harman said Mr Streeting had breached the Governments neutral stance on the issue.

She told Skys Electoral Dysfunction podcast with Beth Rigby: I think hes crossed the line in two ways.

Firstly, because hes said that hes going to vote against it. So he has said: Im saying this independently, although Im the Secretary of State for Health, but Im going to vote against it.

He should not have said how he was going to vote, because that breaches neutrality and sends a signal.

Last month, Cabinet Secretary Simon Case said in a letter that while ministers need not resile from previously stated views when directly asked about them, they should exercise discretion and should not take part in the public debate.

Lady Harman also took issue with Mr Streetings arguments around the potential financial impact of an assisted dying service on the NHS.

He has suggested there may need to be cuts to other NHS services if the changes are brought in, but also said there was a chilling slippery slope argument if people felt compelled to end their own lives as a cost-saving measure.

Lady Harman said: It cant be doing both things. It cant be both costing the NHS money and saving the NHS money.

But I think above all, we should not be having this argument in respect of money. It should not come down to resources. It is a huge moral issue, and it is only a tiny number of people.

Her criticisms follow others from former minister Baroness Margaret Hodge, who told the BBCs Politics Live: Im a great Wes Streeting fan but I think on this issue he should do what the Cabinet Secretary said and just hold fire a little bit.

The peer, who is in favour of assisted dying, added: To argue that this is going to cost extra  I mean I havent done the arithmetic on it  sounds to me a bit daft.

Mr Streeting previously said he had not intended to wade into the debate and had only given his view when asked the question at a private meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party.

But, speaking this week after a speech to the NHS Providers conference in Liverpool, he said there were choices and trade-offs, adding any new service comes at the expense of other competing pressures and priorities.

He added: Now that doesnt mean people should vote against it on that basis.

People need to weigh up this choice in the way that were weighing up all these other choices at the moment.

Downing Street would not be drawn into saying whether Mr Streeting was right to say a new assisted dying law could come at the expense of other NHS services.

The Prime Minister also sidestepped a question on whether the Health Secretary was speaking out of turn, instead repeating that the Governments position is neutral and that there will be a free vote on whether to take the Bill forward.

Sir Keir Starmer said: I think everyone has to look at the Bill and decide for themselves which way they want to vote.

There are very, very strongly held views which I respect on both sides of the argument, but that is why we will be neutral in this.

Each individual MP will decide for themselves which way they want to vote.

Sir Keir, who has previously supported assisted dying, has declined to state his views on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, pledging earlier this week to study the details of the proposals ahead of a vote.

Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who has put forward what she described as the most robust proposed legislation on this matter in the world, voiced her disappointment and upset at Mr Streetings comments, also suggesting he was in breach of instructions from the Cabinet Secretary.

Meanwhile Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall confirmed she would be supporting a change in the law, saying: Yes, I will be voting for the Bill.

Elsewhere in the Cabinet, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has previously stated she will vote in favour of the Bill, while Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has said she will not support it.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves declined to give her view when asked on Friday which way she will vote on November 29, saying she will be looking at all the evidence ahead of the vote in Parliament.

Meanwhile on Friday, Catholic Bishops warned that compassion is under threat from assisted dying which they fear could lead to people feeling pressured into ending their lives.

A statement from the Catholic Bishops of England, Wales and Scotland urged people of reason and good will to join them in defending the weakest and most vulnerable who they say are at risk from proposed new legislation.
Jofra Archer has not been included in a streamlined list for this months Indian Premier League auction while England team-mates Mark Wood, Chris Woakes and Joe Root are also absent.

It was confirmed Englands record Test wicket-taker James Anderson is on the final roster of 574 players who will go under the hammer on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The 41-year-old seamer has not featured in a T20 in a decade and last played in the format for England in November 2009 but he has stated he has more to offer after his international retirement in July.

A total of 1,000 players were cut from the initial entry list following discussions with the 10 franchises although it is unknown whether Archer excused himself or misses out at the IPLs discretion.

The England and Wales Cricket Board declined to comment when contacted by the PA news agency.

 NEWS  TATA IPL 2025 Player Auction List Announced! All the Details  #TATAIPLhttps://t.co/QcyvCnE0JM  IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) November 15, 2024

Both Archer and fellow paceman Wood did not take part in the 2024 IPL after being withdrawn by the ECB as the centrally-contracted pairs workloads were managed before the T20 World Cup.

Archer, the most valuable player at the 2020 IPL, featured in last years edition for Mumbai Indians but suffered a recurrence of an elbow injury in his bowling arm that has blighted his career.

The 29-year-old subsequently missed the Ashes and the 50-over World Cup but he has been on the comeback trail in recent months in T20s and ODIs and England remain hopeful he will return to Test cricket next summer.

The long-term aim for Archer and England is for him to be firing on all cylinders for the 2025-26 Ashes in Australia even though it has been more than three years since his last first-class appearance.

If Archer is to feature in a five-match Test series against India in England next summer then he will likely have to play some red-ball cricket with Sussex in the County Championship, whose early stages traditionally overlap with the IPL.

James Anderson has put himself forward for the IPL auction despite not playing a T20 since 2014 (Nick Potts/PA)

The IPL is yet to reveal when its 18th edition will start and end although it ran from March 22 to May 26 this year.

England Test captain Ben Stokes elected against putting himself forward, while two other players with IPL experience in Root and Woakes are also conspicuous from the shortlist. Under new rules, overseas players who did not enter this auction would be ineligible next year.

Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Ben Duckett, Gus Atkinson and Ollie Pope are among the 37 England-qualified individuals who will be up for sale.

With each franchise able to have a maximum squad of 25 players, there are 204 spots to be filled at the auction.

A total of 46 players were retained by the 10 teams but none of them English, with England white-ball captain Buttler released after seven seasons with Rajasthan Royals.
A 17-year-old was struck by a car on the M5 motorway. (general view/Getty). (David Davies - PA Images via Getty Images)

A 17-year-old girl who died after being hit by a car on the M5 motorway has been formally identified as an investigation is underway by the police watchdog into what happened.

Tamzin Hall was being taken to custody when she reportedly got out of an Avon and Somerset Police vehicle and was hit by a car on the southbound carriageway in Somerset.

Avon & Somerset Police said the teen, from Wellington, had: "exited a police vehicle that had stopped on the northbound side while transporting her, moments before the incident".

The force said a mandatory referral had been made to the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which is now carrying out its own investigation into what happened.

It added: "Our thoughts and sympathies go out to Tamzins family for their devastating loss. A specially-trained family liaison officer remains in contact with them to keep them updated and to provide support."

What happened on the M5?

Avon and Somerset Police say the girl was being transported in a police vehicle shortly before she was hit by a car on the M5.

Officers stopped the vehicle while heading northbound between junctions 25 (Taunton) and 24 (Bridgwater), the force said.

While the vehicle was still stationary, the girl got out and was subsequently hit on the southbound carriageway just after 11pm on Monday, 11 November, police said.

The ambulance service attended the scene within minutes, and the girl was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said no one else had been injured.

An independent investigation will be carried out by @policeconduct after a girl died in a M5 collision overnight near Taunton.



The 17-year-old was being transported in a police vehicle shortly before.



The M5 has now reopened.



Full statement  https://t.co/7tWtRM4g9Mpic.twitter.com/9GhR2JRgdU  Avon and Somerset Police (@ASPolice) November 12, 2024

Detective Chief Superintendent Rachel Shields said: Our thoughts are first and foremost with the girls family. Overnight we have updated her next of kin regarding what has happened and we will ensure they are supported by specially-trained officers at what is an incredibly difficult time following the tragic loss of such a young life.

The M5 was closed to clear the way for emergency services and investigators, and was later fully reopened in both directions.

In a statement, the IOPC said it was investigating the incident  as is mandatory for all cases of people dying while in police custody, or deaths following recent police contact.

A spokesperson for the watchdog said: "We were advised by Avon and Somerset Police that the girl was being transported to custody in a police vehicle and had got out of the vehicle shortly before the collision.

"We sent our investigators to the police post incident procedure to begin gathering evidence. Our sympathies are with the girls loved ones and everyone affected by her death.

What we don't know

Police have yet to reveal multiple details about the incident, including why the girl was taken into custody.

Although many reports have described the girl as fleeing the police car, the circumstances that led to her leaving the vehicle have not been outlined by authorities. Questions also remain over how she was able to leave the vehicle and make her way to the southbound carriageway while under the supervision of police officers.

The girl was named by police as Tamzin Hill, but her family are yet to speak out publicly about her death.

More details will emerge as the IOPC concludes its investigation.

The girl was hit between junctions 24 and 25 of the M5 - between Bridgwater and Taunton. (Google Maps) (Google Maps)

Det Ch Supt Shields said: We believe it is important that we are as transparent as possible at this early stage about the tragic circumstances. The IOPC has decided to take on the investigation independently, and we welcome the oversight it will give.

We recognise this incident has had a significant effect on the devastated officers, plus members of the public, who witnessed what happened, as well as other officers and staff involved in our response. We will ensure staff are able to access any welfare support they may benefit from following this tragedy.

Avon and Somerset Police is appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to contact the force on 101, with the log number 1170 of 11 November.

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A military horse that was injured after getting loose in central London earlier this year has returned to service.

Vida was one of five horses spooked by rubble being dropped through a plastic tunnel while on an exercise in Belgravia on April 24.

Pictures taken of the incident showed the grey horse covered in blood as it bolted for several miles along city streets.

Equine charity The Horse Trust, which subsequently cared for the animal in Buckinghamshire, announced on Friday that Vida had returned to the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (HCMR) after five months of respite.

The horse was given the time and space to recover both physically and emotionally and was often seen rolling happily in the mud, the charity said.

Vida spent time recovering at The Horse Trust following the incident (Ministry of Defence)

Three of the four other HCMR horses involved  Tennyson, Trojan and Vanquish  took part in Trooping the Colour in June after making swift and successful recoveries.

Jeanette Allen, chief executive of The Horse Trust, said: Its been our honour to give Vida a place of respite and recovery.

Vida has come to hold a particular place in our hearts, hes been a joy to care for, partly as we dont have to groom that muddy monster for parade!

Hes had a lovely time, and we are extremely proud of him as he sets off back to his role in the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.

Nicola Housby Skeggs, veterinary director at the charity, said Vidas return to service was bittersweet.

She said: He has been an absolute superstar, winning the grooms hearts (and treats). We are so pleased to see him make such a fantastic recovery.

While he will be missed here, as a relative youngster, he is certainly now ready for some exercise.

Animal rights group Peta wrote to the HMCRs commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Mathew Woodward, in June, calling for all five horses involved in the incident to be retired permanently.

Kate Werner, Petas senior campaigns manager, wrote: Tradition is never an excuse for animal suffering, and each horse deserves to live free from the stress they endure when paraded through a busy, loud capital city with a human on their back, all for the amusement of noisy, unpredictable crowds.
Leila Darwiche is a data reporter for the San Antonio Express-News. She can be reached at Leila.Darwiche@hearst.com.

She graduated from Northwestern University, where she studied journalism and statistics. Before joining the Texas data team, she worked as a data analyst for Hearsts DevHub and previously was a data scientist at Spotify, working on artist-facing products.
Newcastle United star Joelinton has posted online to say his home was broken into again and made a direct plea to potential burglars, telling them there is nothing valuable left here.

The Premier League midfielder posted on his Instagram story on Friday and asked that his home is respected as a safe space for his family.

The Brazilian said: Our home was broken into again.

To anyone considering doing this: Please know that there is nothing valuable left here!

What we care about most is our familys safety and our kids growing up without fear.

We hope for a community where our children, and everyones children, feel safe.

We ask that our home be respected as a safe space for our family. We simply want to live in peace.

Northumbria Police has been asked to comment.
Allison Pearson Essex Police

When Allison Pearson posted on X in the wake of the pro-Palestine protests, she never expected to find herself at the centre of a major police investigation.

But on Remembrance Sunday, the award-winning writer found herself questioned at her home by two officers accusing her of hate speech.

A picture is now beginning to emerge of the events that led Essex Police to her front door, despite the forces refusal to reveal what specifically she is alleged to have done.

It began when Pearson reposted a video showing two men holding a flag on a British street and flanked by a group of police officers.

The original author suggested that police had picked a side just weeks after the October 7 massacre and amid heightened tensions over the policing of Gaza protests.

The image angered Pearson, who shared it.

How dare they, she wrote. Invited to pose for a photo with lovely peaceful British Friends of Israel on Saturday police refused. Look at this lot smiling with the Jew haters.

But unbeknown to her, the video was from Manchester and the flag was not related to the Middle East. Instead, it was held by supporters of the Pakistani political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

Other X users recognised the mistake in this original post and added a community note pointing out that it was wrong.

Pearson quickly deleted her own post after the error was pointed out by users, including an account belonging to Left-wing punk band Kill, The Icon!, which said: Since this got the community notes treatment, will you be correcting your blatant disinformation, Allison?

Since this got the @CommunityNotes treatment, will you be correcting your blatant disinformation, Allison? pic.twitter.com/sygUPtHUwz  KILL, THE ICON! (@KILLTHEICON) November 17, 2023

The band is fronted by Nishant Joshi, an NHS doctor who once sued the government over PPE and previously claimed there is no value in anything that Allison Pearson says.

The A&E doctor and musician has organised Black Lives Matter protests and boasted of wielding a dagger at the underbelly of the establishment.

In an interview with Popular Culture Beast last year, he said he would place a hard limit on her ability to write columns.

He added: Shed make a story about a kitten rescue into one about migrants living in Blackpool hotels.

By November, the X post was reported to the Metropolitan Police by an unknown person as a potential breach of the Malicious Communications Act.

There is no suggestion that Dr Joshi is the person behind the complaint.

The case was then passed to Sussex Police, which  after some deliberation  marked it as a possible non-crime hate incident as well as a potential malicious communication.

Sussex Police then passed it to detectives in Essex, where Pearson lives.

It is understood Essex Police made two assessments of the complaint before opening an investigation under section 17 of the Public Order Act 1986, relating to material allegedly likely or intended to cause racial hatred.

At 9.40am on Remembrance Sunday, more than a year after the original complaint was made, Pearson was to become the centre of a free speech row.

Wearing her dressing gown, she answered the door to two police officers, who informed her she was under investigation and invited her to a voluntary interview.

I was accused of a non-crime hate incident, she wrote in The Telegraph.

It was to do with something I had posted on X a year ago. A YEAR ago? Yes. Stirring up racial hatred apparently.

The police officers who went to Pearsons home would not tell her what the post in question was.

However, there was speculation online that it could be related to her comments on the flag video, including from the Kill, The Icon! account.

A complainant has since told The Guardian that they reported this post to the police.

Pearsons ordeal sparked a backlash from figures across the Atlantic, with Elon Musk joining senior British politicians in criticising the police treatment of Pearson.

Mr Musk, the worlds richest man and now a key figure in Donald Trumps new US administration, posted on X: This needs to stop. He later added: This is insane. Make Orwell Fiction Again!!

This is insane.



Make Orwell Fiction Again!!  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 13, 2024

Boris Johnson, the former prime minister, called the behaviour of the police appalling.

This is appalling. How can Starmer's Britain lecture other countries about free speech when an innocent journalist gets a knock on the door - for a tweet? Our police have their hands full of burglaries and violent crime. They are being forced to behave like a woke Securitate - https://t.co/HaXc1tsokW  Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) November 13, 2024

Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, said: This is Orwellian in the extreme. Im absolutely appalled that Allison and others like her have to live in fear for months without ever being told what has been said against them. People must be worried sick. We are very much in the territory of a thought crime here, where the accusers are called victims.

Meanwhile, Essex Police scrambled to establish a gold group normally reserved for dealing with major crimes, to handle the investigation.

Usually headed by an assistant chief constable, their purpose is to ensure effectiveness of ongoing police response.

On Friday, one of Britains top human rights lawyers and founding head of Doughty Street chambers said the Essex Police investigation was a waste of public money as Pearson was not guilty of inciting racial hatred.

Geoffrey Robertson said: So now we know: Ms Pearson got her facts wrong and made a stupid comment that she soon took down. But her intention was plainly to incite anger against the police for wrongly perceived political favouritism and was not directed against any racial group.

So she cannot be guilty of inciting racial hatred and the Essex investigation is a waste of public money. It is not yet a serious crime, punishable by imprisonment, to criticise the police however ignorantly.

I have actually advised this Pakistani party which has every reason to protest against the monstrous treatment of its leader Imran Khan. They deserve every support.

Another senior barrister and KC who has advised the Government on sensitive legal issues said any attempt to prosecute Pearson would fail.

She was having a go at the police, not at a particular racial group. If she had been targeting a racial group, she could be guilty of an offence but that was not what she was saying, they said.

She was saying it was two-tier policing and was having a go at the police irrespective of their ethnic identities. I think the police have misunderstood the legislation.

A third barrister, who has also advised the Government, said Pearsons tweet was not so offensive as to be inflammatory in breach of the law. What she was saying was aimed at two-tier policing where police treat one group in one way, and another group in another way, they said.

Essex Police said it was awaiting confirmation of Pearsons available dates to attend a voluntary interview on the issue. Pearson has said that she is minded to attend with her lawyer.
Kim Leadbeater (centre) claims her assisted dying Bill would offer individuals who are expected to die within six months a painless, dignified death - Michael Leckie/PA Media Assignments

Assisted dying patients face having to consume bitter 100-pill cocktails in their last moments under plans currently being considered by MPs.

Under the proposed assisted dying law, individuals must either swallow a toxic sludge of pills under time pressure or be injected with the same drugs used in judicial executions, palliative care doctors warn.

Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP, has claimed her assisted dying Bill will offer terminally-ill people the assurance of a painless, dignified death.

But doctors reviewing the MPs draft legislation, published on Monday, have said that patients cannot be assured a Hollywood death under her plans.

The draft legislation offers two methods of drug administration: self administration, which doctors say will involve oral consumption of drugs at up to 300 times their therapeutic dose, or the use of a medical device to deliver a toxic infusion. The patient must make the final act, such as pressing a button to start the infusion.

Baroness Ilora Finlay, a professor of palliative medicine, said the pills would need to be crushed into a sort of sludge which tastes absolutely foul and makes you feel sick, adding, This is not a Hollywood death.

Baroness Ilora Finlay, a professor of palliative medicine, warns patients cannot be assured a Hollywood death - Geoff Pugh for the Telegraph

The cross-bench peer published a paper in 2022 that detailed how one family in California had to empty out over 100 pills for their aunt to consume under time pressure.

The anonymous relative wrote: The mountain of powder we poured into more sugar syrup created a half-cup of sludge so bitter it literally burned my tongue, adding: And my aunt, who could barely swallow water, had to drink all of it in five minutes to ensure success.

In Oregon, another state where patients consume the cocktail orally, the time from ingestion to death averaged 53 minutes, with some people taking 137 hours to die.

Lady Finlay said: When you look at the drug mixtures, the oral ones taken, thats what they use in Oregon, we know that the incidence of complications run between 6 per cent and 11 per cent.

Ms Leadbeaters Bill also allows doctors to prepare a medical device which will enable that person to self-administer the substance andassist that person to ingest or otherwise self-administer the substance.

It is understood that such devices would include the syringe drivers, which deliver medication into a patients vein.

Critics warned this amounted to a form of backdoor euthanasia, saying the practice could undermine trust in palliative medicine, which uses the same devices  known as syringe drivers  for pain relief.

Lady Finlay said the drugs used include a short-acting anaesthetic agent and a medication that causes paralysis, meaning you die of asphyxiation because you cant breathe.

She said the body will try to fight this suffocation, meaning youre quite likely to regain consciousness. But nobodys ever done the research to show whether you do or not.

Dr Gordon Macdonald, CEO of Care Not Killing, said that although framed as an assisted suicide law, Ms Leadbeaters Bill has evolved into a form of back-door euthanasia, where doctors could be compelled to set up machinery to deliver the poison to kill their patients.

Dr Matthew Dore, honorary secretary of the Association for Palliative Medicine said: Not only is it misleading to describe the Bill as anything but euthanasia if medications are being administered in this way (intravenously or subcutaneously) with a simple acknowledged go-ahead, but it destroys patients and families faith in how palliative care controls symptoms with syringe drivers currently.

It becomes terrifying for patients and family when palliative care suggests a syringe driver, as it will be seen as an end to their lives and as such, they may refuse adequate analgesia and symptom control, causing harm.

Critics have raised concerns that the Bill would ban doctors from intervening if complications arise, potentially leaving patients in agony without help - Eddie Mulholland for The Telegraph

Alex Ruck Keene KC said Parliament must confront the consequences of the Bill that it will soon be considering.

He said: To require a doctor to be there, but to prevent them from being able to administer the medication, or upping the dose if there are complications, might well seem a strange moral contortion in the name of defending the idea that this is just about assistance.

Both doctors and lawyers have raised concerns about the fact that Ms Leadbeaters Bill  perhaps to avoid a scenario where doctors carry out the final act that kills the patient  does not appear to have included a provision for medics to intervene if something goes wrong during the procedure.

MPs will vote on Ms Leadbeaters private members Bill, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, on Nov 29. It will mark the first time the Commons has debated the issue since 2015.
Robert Kennedy Jr, nephew of an assassinated president, son of a murdered senator  and the next US health secretary - Mario Tama/Getty Images

On a windy afternoon in October 2015, a Black middle-aged man spoke from the famous Capitol steps on the United States National Mall. Looking out upon a crowd of African Americans stretching halfway to the Washington Monument, his voice seethed with outrage and incredulity.

Brothers and sisters, he called into a mike. Im here to bring you some vital information.

Hed been approached, he said, by Robert Kennedy Jr, nephew of an assassinated president, JFK; son of a murdered senator after whom he was named; and who eight years later, in November 2024, would be picked by Donald Trump to become his health secretary.

The speaker had the style of a mix-n-match colonel. He wore a navy-blue uniform with gold trim at the collar, white shirt, narrow shades, red shoulder flashes and an un-soldierly red bow tie.

But this was no military man or Manhattan doorman. This was Tony Muhammad, Western Regional Minister of the Nation of Islam: the extreme Black nationalist faction led by Louis Farrakhan: widely reviled in polite society as antisemitic, homophobic and misogynist.

Four months ago, Mr Muhammad continued, Bobby Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, met with me in Los Angeles to give me some shocking, and revealing, and I mean terrible, information.

Mr Kennedy with President-elect Donald Trump - Evan Vucci/AP Photo

Before Mr Kennedys current dabble in the deep end of politics, he was a product liability and personal injury lawyer working a shrewd twin-track, crusade-and-sue, strategy that had won him both applause and wealth.

Hed chalked up many triumphs in environmental disputes. Then, a decade before meeting the man with the mike, his gaze settled on vaccine controversies.

First up: a 5,000-word article, published in July 2005 by Rolling Stone and Salon magazines. It accused the US governments flagship public health agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), of hosting a hideous plot.

He claimed a vaccine preservative  listed for withdrawal after 60 years use  wasnt only a prime cause of autism in children but that the Atlanta-based agencys scientists and managers had discovered this and covered it up.

This came as news to them, and his complaints led nowhere. The preservative wasnt as toxic as the lawyer assumed. Both science and court cases failed to link it with autism. And the magazines deleted his article.

It was the worst mistake of my career, wrote former Salon editor Joan Walsh last year of her decision to publish his allegations. We were besieged by scientists and advocates showing how Kennedy had misunderstood [and] incorrectly cited data. Some of his sources turned out to be known crackpots.

But in the giant CDC, hed found a juicy target and adjusted his product of interest. Now he claimed a conspiracy over MMR  the three-in-one shot against measles, mumps and rubella  turning to the Nation of Islam for help.

The senior lead scientist at the centre of disease control, Mr Muhammads voice rang out on the Mall with what he claimed Mr Kennedy told him, has admitted that the MMR of vaccines, and many of the vaccine shots, have been genetically modified to attack Black and Latino boys.

Mr Kennedy with his wife, actress Cheryl Hines - Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

As the wind brushed the crowd of gasps and boos, the minister doubled down into scripture. Like Pharoah did doing the children of Israel, he called. Pharoah said, Let us kill all the boy babies.

Of course, it wasnt true. But Mr Farrakhan recalled much the same as his minister after the famously named lawyer came to his home. And although quite what he told them is lost down rabbit holes, Mr Kennedy later went public saying the senior scientist at the CDC confessed we lied about all of our science.

That wasnt true either. One mid-rank researcher among its 10,000 staff had slammed a badly designed study from which Black subgroup data was held back as implausible. Reasonable scientists might differ, he conceded.

But, whatever the story, Mr Kennedy must have known he was crossing a boundary in bringing his business to Mr Farrakhan. Satanic Jews, the Black leader once declared, for instance, in a speech memorialised by the respected international Anti-Defamation League, run America, run the government, run the world, own the banks, own the means of communication. They are my enemies.

Could the Harvard-educated future health secretary have missed his new allys reputation? Either way, two weeks after the Washington event, at an anti-vaccine rally outside the CDCs headquarters, Mr Kennedy mortgaged his name.

I want to thank Minister Farrakhan for committing his church and his integrity and his credibility to this issue, he declared. Even Mr Muhammad, among the speakers, said he was shocked.

But Mr Kennedy hadnt stumbled or stepped out of character. After years of being corrected or dismissed by experts, hed retreated to a bewilderness of conspiracy theories and come to revel in the company of the strange.

Andrew Wakefield has been dubbed father of the anti-vaccine movement - JANE MINGAY/The Telegraph

Take, for example, his MMR story. Hed sourced that from Andrew Wakefield, a former British doctor whod been booted from medicine over a litany of misconduct for trying, and failing, to pin an epidemic of autism on the shot.

Charges proven against Mr Wakefield ranged from the medical abuse of developmentally challenged children to dishonesty in research he published in a medical journal. Even parents of kids he recruited to the project dismissed it as fabrication and fraudulent.

But Mr Wakefield, dubbed father of the anti-vaccine movement, was embraced by Mr Kennedy as a hero. In any just society, he told whooping supporters from a platform they shared, we would be building statues to Andy Wakefield.

In alliance, the pair moved from vaccine to vaccine, with never a good word for any. From those with the preservative, then MMR, hepatitis B, HiB and HPV, a shot against shingles (over which Kennedy trawled for clients in a TV commercial) and, naturally, SARS-CoV-2.

Today, the candidate, now 70, claims a mission to tell America the truth. Ive never been anti-vaccine, as he said in one of countless interviews on the campaign trail. If somebody calls me anti-vaccine its because they have an agenda, which is to marginalise or vilify me, or make me look like Im crazy.

But, asked by a filmmaker if any shot in history was of benefit, he replied, I dont know the answer to that. And during an intimate speech in Ohio during the pandemic, his audience couldnt miss his message.

Mr Kennedy has embraced Mr Wakefield as a hero - Instagram

He joked that if there was a product against Covid from which you take one shot and get lifetime immunity, with side effects less than one in a million, and a 70 per cent take-up meaning nobody in this society ever gets it again, he would be happy to look at it.

As for looking crazy, the company he keeps allows modest room for manoeuvre. Joining him and Wakefield at the pinnacle of what she calls a pyramid, or inner circle, of the anti-vaccine movement, is an osteopathic doctor, Sherri Tenpenny.

Dr Tenpenny has said Covid vaccines were devised to create transhumanoids capable of being controlled through a quantum entanglement. She believes the shots will kill much more than 50 million Americans and has long been worried that a metal piece inside can render those injected magnetic.

She admits her medical board thinks she should see a psychiatrist. But Mr Kennedy, again, isnt fazed. While anyone else might have left the room backwards, he calls her one of the great leaders of this movement.

Many interesting characters circle around him. Too many to painlessly detail. On the next ring in orbit is a New York journalist, Celia Farber, 58, a key source and advisor for a recent Kennedy best-seller, who has spent more than 35 years denying the settled science that HIV causes AIDS.

I am a conspiracy theorist, and an anti-vaxxer, and an HIV denier, Ms Farber brags without irony on her Facebook page, sprinkled with abuse of Jews. Theres George Soros (Satanic A Nazi), David Rockefeller (All we need is the right major crisis) and, as what she identifies as the source of Trump loathing, a download from the Rothschild bankers.

Here are voices to which Mr Kennedy listens. I got a call last night from Bobby Kennedy, says Dr Tenpenny online, tipping viewers as to who called whom. Just got off the phone with Robert F. Kennedy Jr who called, Ms Farber tells Facebook, more formally.

Some wonder if such associates stir murmurings from his childhood. Was a second shooter present on the grassy knoll when Bobby was nine and his uncle was gunned down in Dallas? And, five years later, was his fathers killer, who was himself killed, an agent of some deep state plot?

Im a trial lawyer, he told The New Yorkers editor a few weeks ago. I can guarantee you, looking at this case, that I could prove that my uncles death was caused by the CIA. I have enough evidence right now, without any deposition, to prove that my uncles death was the result of a conspiracy.

And yet, rather than do that  honouring his uncle, father, and family with a landmark revelation to rewrite history  hes on the phone to Dr Tenpenny and Ms Farber.

Whatever, whoever, he launched a far-fetched bid in April last year to become president himself with no expectation of winning. According to CBS News, he was persuaded to run by Steve Bannon, former aide to Mr Trump, as a chaos agent to damage the incumbent.

The people who were there, theyre QAnon believers, anti-vaxxers, Republicans. I didnt see one Democrat that I knew, said Massachusetts political analyst Mary Anne Marsh, after his campaign launch in Boston.

Bobby is an outlier, wrote three close relatives in May 2019, dissociating themselves from his anti-vaccine campaigning during an upsurge of measles in America. We are proud of the history of our family as advocates of public health and promoters of immunisation.

Confronted with their views during what the Gawker website once headlined A very weird interview, Mr Kennedy shrugged off the rebuke. My family members are not experts on vaccines, he hit back.

Then they asked: What is your expertise?

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Rachel Reeves delivers a speech at Mansion House - Isabel Infantes/Reuters/Bloomberg

In her Mansion House speech, Rachel Reeves needed to wow the crowd. It was a pity she did not find the words and deeds to enthuse investors.

She had to lift the gloom and go for growth. Her Budget dampened spirits. Large employers and small companies alike complain bitterly about the National Insurance rises. It has reduced their confidence to invest and employ more people. The first three months of the Chancellors tenure saw growth tumble from the G7-leading performance of the first half of the year to a paltry 0.1 per cent. Consumer and business confidence alike has fallen.

Furthermore, farms run by families generate low profit margins with a lot of work. Farmers are taking to the streets to protest at the death tax on them which will mean they have to pack up the farm or reduce its size when trying to pass it on to the next generation.

The Governments commitment to make the UK the fastest growing G7 economy is admirable. With faster growth can come rising real incomes and more tax revenue to boost public services. They correctly identify the low level of productivity in much of the public sector as a problem which needs solving.

Productivity has fallen badly in the last four years, brought lower by COVID-19 lockdowns and by hiring so many additional civil servants and administrative staff to carry out the same tasks. The Treasury has calculated a possible gain of at least 20 billion if the state gets itself back to 2019 levels of productivity.

All the possible future gains from artificial intelligence and new computing should aid that recovery. What a pity Reeves has granted so many pay rises without agreements on working smarter and carries on recruiting.

The Government thinks that it can achieve faster growth mainly by increasing investment. Their sums for additional public sector investment will not make a decisive difference. They must avoid projects like HS2 and Post Office computerisation, which have shown a woeful public inability to keep projects to budget and to deliver great services. They need to tempt in far more private capital by ensuring that the UK is a great centre for innovation and enterprise.

The Chancellors message to the City was an attempt to trigger an investment bonanza. She wants all to strain every sinew to put growth at the top of the agenda. She worries away at the long standing issue of why UK pension funds have so little invested in their home economy.

The officials wrote her a speech based around the initiatives of the previous Chancellor. There was Jeremy Hunts policy to create eight large pools of investment capital from the 86 council pension funds, in the hope they will now invest more at home. There was his proposal for a new intermittent market to allow entrepreneurial ventures to raise new share capital without a formal listing on AIM. There was the duty placed on regulators to take growth into account when doing their prime jobs.

Reeves recycled these ideas and promised to push them further. The Chancellor should have brought more original thinking to the task.

There was no admission that the main reason UK pension funds invest so little in growth in the UK is they are regulated to believe that buying government bonds matches their liabilities. There was no exploration of the risk and reward profile of the investments she does want funds to buy and whether they are suitable for pensions.

Investment in infrastructure is subject to erratic changes of government policy. The state often alters the rules over the prices they can charge, the contracts and markets they can use, and the tax they have to pay. Planning delays and the very high costs of submitting proposals for regulatory approval continue to undermine projects.

Both Reeves and the Governor of the Bank of England implied that the UK needs to be more like the EU and has in some way lost out from Brexit. The truth is the EU is suffering badly from low growth, high taxes, and excessive regulation.

The UK has a higher GDP per head than the EU average. The USA is growing twice as fast as the EU and has a GDP per head twice as high. The UK sells three times as much to the US than to Germany. The Governor, instead of claiming Brexit trade problems caused slow growth, should check the figures for the UKs increases in trade since 2016, and for the slow growth 2008-16. He should reflect on how the Bank could have done better in recent years.

The Chancellor will need to get on well with Donald Trump to build a good economic partnership with the fastest growing G7 economy. She should not be thinking of imposing EU style tariffs on imports. She did avoid copying their high tariffs on Chinese cars and should not copy their carbon border tariff.

Even if Reeves did not find the right words last night, the UK still needs a better growth strategy, based on lower tax rates and more incentives for enterprise.
A Ukrainian soldier rides a British-made Challenger 2 tank - Serhii Mykhalchuk/Global Images Ukraine/Getty

Grainy footage is circulating of a British-built Challenger 2 tank, donated to Ukraine 18 months ago, allegedly meeting its end in Kursk under fire from a Russian attack drone.

If this is true, this would likely be the second British tank destroyed over a period when Moscow is thought to have lost around 2,000 of its own. Perhaps this disparity in performance is why the Russians are so vexed by the handful of Challengers offered to Kyiv. The release of the footage is clutching at some very slippery straws to try and suggest the Russians are in the ascendency in Kursk.

That is, if its accurate. To me, the footage smells off. First, the tank is in what we call a hull up position showing the whole vehicle to any attacker. Anybody who has any experience of armoured warfare will know you show as little of your tank as possible to the enemy, in what we call a hull down position. Very inexperienced tank crews could make this mistake, but the Ukrainians have been manning these Challengers for 18 months and only two have been badly damaged as far as we understand, suggesting that they know what theyre doing.

Credit: Social media/Telegram

Second, while the footage is low quality there doesnt seem to be any additional armour on the tank. Again, the other Challenger 2s weve seen in active duty in Ukraine have been kitted out with explosive-reactive armour or drone cages.

Third, the drone is attacking the strongest part of the tank, the frontal 60 degrees of the turret. None of the drones weve seen in Ukraine so far should really be able to damage armour of this thickness; usually attacks are characterised by the drone attempting to manoeuvre around the tank and hit it in the rear, or through an open turret.

Finally, theres no surveillance drone supporting the attack variant, capturing the moment of explosion and conducting battle-damage assessment. This is pretty suspect; usually we get footage from the support unit showing the devastating impact on the unfortunate vehicle in question. The lack of any such footage suggests that perhaps the drone might have been a dud, scratching the paintwork but doing little more harm.

Frankly, without further evidence coming to light, my suspicions are that this footage is not quite what its purported to be; either less successful than claimed, or a propaganda con with the low quality of the footage helping to pass it off as genuine. On a personal level, I find it quite heartening that the Russians are so fixated with attempting to do down the Challenger 2: it shows that its holding up well in performance, quite likely better than anything theyve managed to build.

If the footage is of a real vehicle, however, then it would appear that the Russians do have access to a genuine Challenger 2. This could be cause for concern as its successor  the imaginatively named Challenger 3  is based on the same model, and there can be little doubt that Russian engineers will have stripped the captured unit down to its basics to learn whatever secrets they can.

Recent MoD briefs on the Challenger 3 suggest that it will be very different on a technical level, with new fire control systems and defensive aid suites. But this should surely be a wakeup call to the designers and engineers to take stock and re-evaluate their plans on the assumption that the Russians know more than wed like them to. I have faith that this can be overcome; what Rheinmetall  the German manufacturer involved in the new build  doesnt know about making tanks isnt worth knowing!

As I continue to work on my new book  tracing the development of tank warfare from Cambrai, the first tank battle, to Kursk today  its striking how fundamentally very little has changed. Just as the Germans were fixated by the MK4 tank in November 1917, so are the Russians with the Challenger 2 tank in 2024. I wouldnt bet against the Challenger 3 continuing this noble lineage.
A protest organised by the CAA in 2018. The regulator has previously issued guidance to the charity on political activity. Photograph: Matthew Chattle/REX/Shutterstock

The Charity Commission is assessing a statement by the Campaign Against Antisemitism in which it called the governments decision to suspend 30 arms export licences to Israel obscene.

The review follows a complaint by the former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, who wrote to the commission asking how the blogpost was consistent with the CAAs stated charitable objectives, amid allegations that it represents improper political activity.

The Foreign Office announced in September that it was suspending the export licences because of a clear risk the arms may be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law, given concerns about the way Israel had conducted itself in the Gaza conflict.

The following day, the CAA wrote on its website: The British government is broadcasting that western allies should not be supplying Israel with the arms that it needs to fight to save the hostages and defeat Hamas. This is obscene.

The CAA said the Labour governments decisions had all been hostile toward the Jewish state and that the licence suspensions followed legal advice from the attorney general, Richard Hermer, whose views on Israel were well-known before he was appointed. Hermer was a signatory to a letter by prominent Jewish lawyers condemning the 7 October attacks by Hamas but calling for Israel to respond in accordance with international law.

McDonnell, who has been suspended from the Labour party for voting against the two-child benefit limit, wrote to the Charity Commission last month about its decision to drop a long running investigation into the CAA for alleged political partisanship.

In the letter, he said that the CAA has engaged in highly political and contentious public attacks on the government and individual government ministers.

McDonnell wrote that he had sought  and agreed with  the views of the veteran human rights lawyer Geoffrey Bindman KC, who had told him: CAA is, according to its website, a volunteer-led charity dedicated to exposing and countering antisemitism through education and zero-tolerant enforcement of the law. There being no evidence of antisemitism by the UK government or others targeted by CAA, the Charity Commission should consider afresh whether the actions of CAA violate its charitable status.

Replying to McDonnell, the commission said: In relation to the new concern you have raised about recent political statements the CAA has published on its website, I have shared these with our operational teams who are assessing the comments made in line with our risk framework. The new assessment is solely focused on the charitys September 2024 website statement.

The commission confirmed to the Guardian it was assessing the comments and any next steps. It has previously issued guidance to the CAA on political activity.

Separately, in April, the CAA was embroiled in controversy when it released a short video clip showing a Met sergeant telling the CAA chief executive, Gideon Falter, that because he appeared openly Jewish he would not be allowed to walk across a pro-Palestinian protest march in London. A longer version of the exchange showed the officer saying he was concerned Falter was trying to provoke a confrontation with marchers.

The CAA has been approached for comment.
Countries seeking concrete action from Beijing at Cop29 may face an uphill task. Photograph: Maxim Shemetov/Reuters

China is facing crucial decisions on its climate policies as its hard-won relationship with the US on tackling the crisis looks set to founder during Donald Trumps second presidential term.

World leaders and heads of delegations from many countries gathered at the Cop29 UN climate summit are trying to salvage commitments that China has made during Joe Bidens term, which ends in January.

Alden Meyer, a senior associate at the thinktank E3G, said: Theyre already trying to do that. China have said they are committed to the Paris agreement and in favour of the multilateral regime, so regardless of what the US does they should press ahead. Its in their own interests to do so.

But countries seeking concrete action from Beijing may face an uphill task as China could now be more wary of converting its previous intentions into robust policy measures until the incoming US president has revealed more of his plans.

Under Biden, the US and China have had a testy relationship on most issues, particularly trade and tariffs, but on the climate they have enjoyed rare accord, fostered carefully since Biden took office. At a series of meetings, the two countries have reaffirmed joint commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially methane, a particularly potent gas whose emissions have risen rapidly.

The US delegation to Cop29 will be made up of Biden officials including John Podesta, the senior adviser to the president for international climate policy. Neither Biden nor Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, are attending the conference in Baku, but Chinas top climate official, Liu Zhenmin, is there. Liu has met Podesta several times, including for dinner at Podestas home in Washington DC, and they are said to get on well.

Bernice Lee, a research director for futures at the Chatham House thinktank, said the loss of the core US-China relationship in the climate talks was not insurmountable. Even if official US-China collaboration proves difficult, alternative pathways exist  through business, people-to-people exchanges, and subnational partnerships, she said. Climate is ultimately the only bridge. China also has a chance to step up, supporting renewable energy in developing nations. This would not only address global climate needs but also create new markets for its products, regardless of US manoeuvres.

China is the worlds biggest emitter of greenhouse gases by a long way, with close to a third of all global carbon dioxide output  greater than those of all developed countries combined  and it is the second biggest economy. The US is the biggest economy and biggest exporter of gas, and one of the largest producers of oil.

One of the main issues on which the US and China were aligned is methane, a gas scores of times more powerful than CO 2 in its warming effect, and which comes from coalmining, oil and gas production and animal husbandry. Scientists argue that reducing methane is one of the most sensible actions governments can take in the short term to stave off the worst impacts of global heating.

Adair Turner, a former chair of the UKs Climate Change Committee and now chair of the Energy Transitions Commission thinktank, said: There will be a step back [by the US] from things like [controlling] methane emissions, a rollback of limits on flaring and leaks from oil and natural gas facilities. Thats a disaster. Methane leakage is a major issue. US shale gas leaks a lot far more, for instance, than North Sea oil.

China also has huge methane emissions, in part from its coalmining, but despite positive words it has been slow to take any action to reduce them. Paul Bledsoe, a former Bill Clinton White House climate adviser, said: While China has offered absolutely no commitments to methane reductions or even phase-downs of any type, they have routinely put out self-serving communiques about their methodologies and metrics. Its been infuriating. Clearly Podesta is desperately lobbying them for cuts, since the Biden administration has prioritised domestic and international methane mitigation.

Trumps electoral triumph made such firm commitments much less likely, Bledsoe said. This is just an early microcosm into a Trump presidency of climate nihilism and extreme climate consequences, he said. In fact, Trump will attempt to roll back US methane regulations even though most in US industry say they can readily achieve them.

Finance is also an important issue at Cop29, as developing countries are demanding $1tn (790bn) a year in funding by 2035 to help them cut greenhouse gas emissions and cope with the impacts of climate breakdown. Rich countries are obliged under the 1992 UN framework convention on climate change, the parent treaty to the Paris agreement, to provide such finance to the poor world.

China is not, as it is still classed as a developing country. The government is reluctant to rescind that status and will not accept obligations to provide finance, though on a voluntary basis it already lends billions to smaller developing countries, some of it for fossil fuels and some for clean energy.

Rich countries will not agree to increase their contributions unless more contributors are brought onboard, with China a key target. It is possible that a compromise may be found in which Chinas current financing can be recognised.

Nevertheless, that may require a degree of scrutiny that could be uncomfortable for China. Beijings current lending to poor countries comes with costly strings attached: developing countries spent nearly $300bn in 2022 just on servicing their debts to China. These costs are pushing some of the worlds most vulnerable nations further into poverty.

Trump may also ignite a trade war with China, as he is keen to impose tariffs. That is something other countries keen to have a relationship with China should avoid, according to Li Shuo, director of the China climate hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute. He said it was futile for developed countries to carry on trying to blame China for its focus on renewable energy and green technology. Instead, they should use cheap Chinese products to cut their own greenhouse gases. Li said: You can carry on finger-pointing, but whats the point?
Climate change minister Chris Bowen made a last-minute stop in Turkey on the way to Cop29 in Azerbaijan, aiming to persuade Australias rival to host the 2026 summit drops out. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

The climate change minister, Chris Bowen, made a whistle-stop visit to Turkey on Friday night in an attempt to reach a deal for Australia to host tens of thousands of people at a major UN climate summit in 2026.

Bowen visited the Turkish capital, Ankara, on the way to the Cop29 climate conference in the Azerbaijan capital, Baku. The two countries are vying to host Cop31, and the Albanese government hopes Turkey will exit the race in time for an announcement before next week.

The last-minute detour, confirmed on Friday by Bowens office, came as he prepared to take a central role in the second week in Azerbaijan, having been asked to co-lead negotiations between climate and foreign ministers on the summits core issue of climate finance for poor and vulnerable countries.

Unlike Anthony Albanese, the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, attended the leaders section of Cop29. In his address, he confirmed Turkeys candidacy to host Cop31 and thanked countries that had supported the bid.

Hoping to host

Bidding to co-host a climate summit with Pacific nations was a Labor pledge before the 2022 federal election. Its diplomatic campaign has won support from several member nations of the Western European and Other States group that determine where the 2026 conference is held, but the final decision is made by consensus.

Some activists have argued Australias hosting bid would be a form of greenwashing given the country is one of the worlds biggest fossil fuel exporters. Others have said it would bring a global spotlight to Pacific needs and that global pressure could help accelerate Australias move towards exporting renewable energy.

Addressing Cop29 this week, Tongas prime minister, Huakavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, backed Australias bid, because it would be known as the Pacific Cop.

The president of Palau, Surangel Whipps, told the Guardian his country would never pass up an opportunity to work with Australia on hosting what is the most important international forum for those of us on the frontline. The world needs a Pacific Cop with ambition at the very heart of it, he said.

Related: Trump 2.0 could make even the most optimistic climate observers cynical  but its not the whole story | Adam Morton

Observers in Azerbaijan said the bid would address an imbalance: a climate summit has not been held in the southern hemisphere for a decade.

Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, the former Peruvian environment minister who hosted Cop20 in 2014 and is now with the WWF, said it made perfect sense to bring the eyes of the world to a region on the frontline.

The awesome power of the Pacific voice had been demonstrated in the late Marshall Islands minister Tony deBrums leadership role, he said, in the high ambition coalition of nations that helped secure the landmark 2015 Paris climate agreement.

Australian Dean Bialek, a former UN diplomat and Cop veteran, said it was quite staggering to think weve now gone a full decade without a Cop south of the equator. Thom Woodroofe, a senior international fellow at the Smart Energy Council who recently worked at the Australian embassy in Washington, said hosting would help Australias transition to clean energy export superpower.

South Australia has made a pitch for the conference if Australias bid is successful.

Who pays for climate finance?

A study published this week found developing countries, excluding China, would need US$1.3tn a year by 2035, and recommended that US$1tn a year be paid from 2030. It said that sum should be shared by wealthy countries, the private sector, multilateral development banks and new taxes, including potentially on aviation and shipping. Negotiations on a new collective quantified goal on climate finance moved slowly this week  some countries described the wording of a proposed deal released on Thursday as unworkable.

Developed countries have argued they met the existing goal of delivering US$100bn of climate finance a year, having reached nearly US$116bn in 2022. But Oxfam has estimated that nearly 70% of this was not funding, but loans that would need to be repaid, often at rates that benefited the rich.

Is Australia doing enough to help?

Josie Lee, from Oxfam Australia, said the Australian government had committed $3bn in climate funding for the five years to 2025, an average of $600m a year. This was far short of the $4bn a year the advocacy organisation calculated as Australias fair share, noting the funding had all come from the existing aid budget and rebadged as climate finance. Addressing climate breakdown had thus rarely been the primary funding objective, she said.

Countries at the talks have agreed the new finance deal will need to be much greater. Lee said the quality of the finance  whether it was new funding, accessible to small island states and the least developed countries, and designed to support gender and Indigenous rights  was just as important as the quantity. They dont just want [US]$500bn in loans, Lee said.

Related: Take a deep breath on being Trump-esque: senior Coalition figures reject backbench push to rethink net zero

She called the Australian governments announcement this week  that it would support action in the region by guaranteeing up to US$200m for the Asian Development Bank to lend to Pacific and south-east Asian countries  disappointing.

[They] have done little to cause the climate crisis, but are bearing the brunt of climate impacts, such as more severe storms and floods. Its only fair that wealthy, highly polluting countries provide real support, and not debts they expect to be repaid, she said.

On Friday, the Australian government committed $125m to improving energy security and power grid transition in the Pacific. Some of the money has been redirected from a Coalition funding commitment for an Indo-Pacific carbon offset scheme. The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, said supporting Pacific countries to stop relying on imported fossil fuels would enhance economic resilience, improve energy security and help them meet their climate goals.

Bowen announced Australia would also join global declarations to develop hydrogen, and energy storage and grids.
Experts and leaders also called for countries to not host the Cop meeting if they do not support the phasing out of fossil fuels - Sergei Grits/AP Photo

The United Nations Conference of Parties (Cop) climate summits are no longer fit for purpose and require an urgent overhaul, climate experts and former UN chiefs have said.

The letter, signed by more than 20 experts and leaders, including Ban Ki-moon, the former UN secretary-general, and Christiana Figueres, the ex-UN climate chief, said the annual conference falls far short of the change required to tackle the climate crisis.

The open letter, published during this years summit in Baku, also called for countries to not host the Cop meeting if they do not support the phasing out of fossil fuels.

It came as Azerbaijans president hailed natural gas a gift from God in the opening speech of Cop29, before criticising Western media and climate activists.

Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani president, delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of Cop29 - Sean Gallup/Getty Images Europe

The signatories said they recognise the important diplomatic milestones of the past 28 years of climate negotiations but that desperate changes needed to be made.

They noted the success of the 2015 Paris climate agreement to keep global temperatures from rising by more than 1.5C, and pledges to stop deforestation and treble renewable power by 2030.

But the authors said Cops current structure simply cannot deliver the change at exponential speed and scale, which is essential to ensure a safe climate landing for humanity.

They also called for smaller and more frequent Cops that would address implementation of countries promises.

Bakus hosting of the climate talks this year have been marred in controversy after one of the key members of the Azerbaijan governments organising team was filmed offering to help strike fossil fuel deals. Azerbaijan is a major fossil fuel producer with oil and gas making up half of its exports.

Fossil fuel industry seized control of Cop

Last year Cop28 was held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, a country that relies on oil and gas for some 40 per cent of government income. The conference was also presided over by Sultan Al Jaber, the head of the UAEs national oil company Adnoc.

We need strict eligibility criteria to exclude countries who do not support the phase-out/transition away from fossil energy. Host countries must demonstrate their high level of ambition to uphold the goals of the Paris agreement, the signatories said.

Cop29 has also drawn criticism for giving 1,773 fossil fuel lobbyists access to the conference, according to the Kick Big Polluters Out activist coalition. This is bigger than the delegations sent by all but three countries: Brazil, Turkey, and hosts Azerbaijan.

Environmental activists protested against the presence of oil and gas lobbyists at Cop29 - Murad Sezer/REUTERS

Al Gore, the former US vice-president, criticised the fossil fuel industry for having seized control of Cop.

The global community has to organise a far more effective way to run these Cops, he said, calling for the UNs secretary-general to have a role in deciding on the host city, which would lead to the exclusion of petrostates.

It comes as Javier Milei, Argentinas president, who previously called global warming a hoax and socialist lie, withdrew its delegation from the conference.

His move adds to growing concerns about the influence of Right-wing leaders on climate commitments, already stoked by fears Donald Trump could again withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement when he returns to the White House.

Papua New Guinea also snubbed the summit in protest, saying: We will no longer tolerate empty promises and inaction, while our people suffer the devastating consequences of climate change.

Defending the summit after being asked about the open letter, Yalchin Rafiyev, the COP29 Presidencys Lead Negotiator, said the summit was better than any alternative and had already delivered so far by reducing the projected warming [and] delivering finance to those in need.
FILE - In this Jan. 18, 2011 file photo, Dr. Love Paul, left, Pearl Paul, and their son Nate Paul, right, attend the 2011 Texas Inaugural Celebration at the Palmer Events Center in Austin, Texas. The Texas businessman at the center of the scandal that led to the historic impeachment of state Attorney General Ken Paxton has been charged with additional federal crimes. The new indictment of Nate Paul alleges that he defrauded business partners, adding to earlier charges that the Austin-based real estate developer made false statements to mortgage lenders to obtain $172 million in loans. (Laura Skelding/Austin American-Statesman via AP, File) Laura Skelding/AP

Austin real estate investor Nate Paul reported to Travis County jail on Thursday night for a 10-day sentence for contempt of court, avoiding a possible media frenzy by showing up earlier than his 10 a.m. Friday deadline.

If Paul had refused to show up, a Travis County judge had authorized law enforcement to apprehend him.

The developer was at the center of the 2023 impeachment case against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who was accused of abusing the office to help Paul fight legal battles. Paxton denied wrongdoing and the state Senate acquitted the Republican attorney general, but a federal investigation into the allegations was still underway as recently as August, according to Bloomberg.

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Travis County state district Judge Jan Soifer, a Democrat, first found Paul in contempt of court in March 2023 after he made false statements in a civil case before her. Since then, Paul has so far appealed the charge unsuccessfully to every state appellate court, as well as the U.S. Supreme Court. That includes a habeas corpus case that is still pending in which he argues his due process rights were violated because he did not receive a sentencing hearing, though U.S. District Judge David Ezra had already denied Pauls motions twice within the last week.

The original case before Soifer relates to an Austin nonprofit that is suing Paul for fraud, accusing his companies of breaching their contract by refusing to make certain financial disclosures.

Ray Chester, an attorney representing that nonprofit, the Roy F. & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation, in an emailed statement Monday expressed displeasure with Pauls repeated appeal attempts that have kept him out of jail for over a year.

Mr. Paul continues to demonstrate a lack of respect for our judicial system, Chester said earlier this week as Paul continued his repeated appeals.

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Pauls attorney Brent Perry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In his impeachment trial, House managers accused Paxton of improperly intervening in the case in 2020 to push a resolution beneficial to Paul.

Paxton and Paul are reportedly still facing an FBI investigation that was launched in late 2020 after eight of Paxton's top aides accused their boss of abusing the power of his office and taking bribes from Paul, a friend and campaign donor. Bloomberg reported that a grand jury was meeting in August to hear testimony. No charges have been filed. Its unclear what will happen to the federal probe after President-elect Donald Trump, a longtime Paxton ally, takes office.

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Paxton continues to face a whistleblower case filed by his former aides. He has said he is no longer contesting the facts of the suit so it should be brought to a close. But the whistleblowers say the case should still move forward and accuse Paxton of trying to avoid deposition. On Friday, they filed a motion to expedite before the Texas Supreme Court, lamenting that it has been four years without any discovery because of Paxtons appeals.
This years talks are nearing their halfway mark in Azerbaijans capital, Baku. Photograph: Maxim Shemetov/Reuters

Future UN climate summits should be held only in countries that can show clear support for climate action and have stricter rules on fossil fuel lobbying, according to a group of influential climate policy experts.

The group includes former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, the former president of Ireland Mary Robinson, the former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres and the prominent climate scientist Johan Rockstrom.

They have written to the UN demanding the current complex process of annual conferences of the parties under the UN framework convention on climate change  the Paris agreements parent treaty  be streamlined, and meetings held more frequently, with more of a voice given to developing countries.

It is now clear that the Cop is no longer fit for purpose. We need a shift from negotiation to implementation, they wrote.

This years talks, known as Cop29, are nearing their halfway mark in Azerbaijans capital, Baku.

Azerbaijan is a controversial host for the conference, as it is a major fossil fuel producer, with oil and gas making up half of its exports. Last years conference was also held in a petrostate, the United Arab Emirates, and the president of that edition, Sultan Al Jaber, kept his main job of heading the countrys national oil company, Adnoc.

Before Cop29 opened, one of the key members of the Azerbaijan governments organising team was filmed appearing to offer help striking fossil fuel deals. Azerbaijans president, Ilham Aliyev, also remarked at the opening ceremony that his countrys oil and gas were a gift of God.

We need strict eligibility criteria to exclude countries who do not support the phase-out/transition away from fossil energy. Host countries must demonstrate their high level of ambition to uphold the goals of the Paris agreement, the group wrote.

Figueres said: At the last Cop, fossil fuel lobbyists outnumbered representatives of scientific institutions, Indigenous communities and vulnerable nations. We cannot hope to achieve a just transition without significant reforms to the Cop process that ensure fair representation of those most affected.

Related: Minimal progress made this year on curbing global heating, report finds

At least 1,773 coal, oil and gas lobbyists have been granted access to Cop29, according to data analysed by the Kick Big Polluters Out activist coalition. That is more than all but three countries (Azerbaijan, Brazil and Turkey), and considerably more than the 10 nations most vulnerable to the climate crisis, who have a combined 1,033 delegates.

Al Gore, the former US vice-president, also took aim at fossil fuel influence at the conference, particularly from Azerbaijan.

Gore said: Theres an old country song from Nashville called Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places. For a long time, lots of people bought the line that as the fossil fuel industry caused [the climate crisis] they would solve it for us. But they are not going to solve it for us. The global community has to organise a far more effective way to run these Cops [than to host them in petrostates]. The UN secretary general ought to have a role in whos going to be host.

The focus of Cop29 is how to supply enough cash to poor countries to help them cut greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate-driven extreme weather.

Poor countries will need about $1tn a year by 2030 to fulfil the aims of the Paris agreement and limit global temperature rises to 1.5C above preindustrial levels. Close to a third of that should come from developed countries, either through development banks such as the World Bank, or through direct funding, according to a report by leading economists, while most of the rest should come from the private sector.

Related: Barbados PM asks Donald Trump for face-to-face meeting on climate

But there is still little agreement from developed countries on how much they are willing to provide and on what terms, or over which other countries  including petrostates and major emerging economies such as China  should be asked to contribute to such funding.

Campaigners who took over the outside areas of the Cop venue  the Olympic Stadium in Baku  were in no doubt who should provide the money. Make polluters pay read the giant banner unfurled over the conference, as campaigners chanted the slogan.

The core talks on a new climate finance settlement  called the new collective quantified goal  moved slowly on Thursday, with a new draft text called unworkable by some countries. Negotiations will continue throughout next week, and are scheduled to finish next Friday evening.

Outside the negotiating rooms, some countries are looking for new sources of finance to plug the gaps. A report by a taskforce led by Laurence Tubiana, a former French diplomat and the current chief of the European Climate Foundation, found that new global solidarity levies could raise large sums towards the climate finance needed for the poor world.

Levying a charge on cryptocurrencies  which are energy-intensive to create  could be one option, the report found. Charging just $0.045 per kWh for the energy would produce $5bn, it said.

A plastics production levy, charged on producing plastics from polymers rather than from recycled material, could yield $25bn-$35bn a year if set at $60 to $90 a tonne. Even more effective would be a 2% wealth tax, an idea championed by Brazil, which could yield $200bn-$250bn a year.

Taxing frequent flyers and business class airline tickets could generate up to $164bn a year, depending on the design of the scheme.

Tubiana said: One of the founding pillars of the Paris agreement is financial solidarity between developed and developing countries. Such solidarity makes it possible for all countries to gradually raise their national ambitions to achieve the goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5C. However, there can be no climate justice without fiscal justice, as all countries are facing the same challenge: how to fund the transition while ensuring that those with the greatest means and the highest emissions pay their fair share.

She will present the final report of the taskforce, led by the governments of France, Barbados and Kenya, before next years Cop.
Elijah Shemwell, of Belper, Derbyshire, suffered bleeding on the brain, whiplash-type injuries, broken ribs and multiple bone fractures. Photograph: Derbyshire Constabulary/PA

A teenager who shook his girlfriends baby to death has been jailed for life.

Carl Alesbrook, who is now 19, was unanimously convicted of murder after breaking the ribs of four-month-old Elijah Shemwell and causing him catastrophic brain injuries when he was left alone with the infant as a 16-year-old in January 2022.

After a five-week trial in July, Alesbrook was also found guilty of two counts of causing grievous bodily harm. Elijah suffered bleeding on the brain, whiplash-type injuries and multiple bone fractures.

Alesbrook had met Elijahs mother, India Shemwell, seven weeks before the fatal assault, when he was living in a care home and regularly smoking cannabis, a habit he began at the age of 12.

He denied harming Elijah and feeling unduly angered or irritated by him, despite sending a Snapchat message to Shemwell calling Elijah the C-word days before the baby died.

During the trial, the jury heard evidence that Alesbrook had sought pain relief for a toothache on the day of the murder, which Alesbrook denied. He also denied feeling jealous of the babys father, from whom Shemwell had separated but remained emotionally and sexually involved with, the jury was told.

Alesbrook was given a minimum prison sentence of 14 years, minus time already served, at Derby crown court.

Shemwell, who was 21 when Elijah died and is now 24, was sentenced to three years in prison by the same court. She admitted to two counts of child cruelty last December, including neglecting to call an ambulance more quickly after Elijah became unwell.

Evidence shown to the court revealed Shemwell had taken a video of Elijah, unresponsive with a floppy arm, on New Years Day in 2022. She sent the video to friends on Facebook to ask for advice. Another video showed her son gasping for breath, before she dialled 999 in the evening of 2 January.

The prosecutor, Vanessa Marshall KC, said Shemwell had failed to prioritise the needs of Elijah over her own and should have known Elijah was testing Mr Alesbrooks patience.

In a Snapchat message to Shemwell days before Elijah was taken to hospital, Alesbrook said: He is being a cunt, he keeps spitting it out. He doesnt need changing either, I checked 10 minutes ago.

DCI Greg McGill, who led the investigation into Elijahs death, said: While a child himself, even a teenager knows the fatal risks posed by shaking a four-month-old baby boy. The force used to squeeze his tiny body broke his ribs, while the shaking caused such significant damage that his brain became starved of oxygen leading to his death.

While India was quite simply an appalling mother, she could never have foreseen the brutal actions of Alesbrook. However, it is quite clear that she could and should have taken far better care of Elijah and she will have to live with the consequences of both her action and inaction for the rest of her life.
Rachel Zegler plays Snow White in the Disney live-action remake - YUKI IWAMURA/AFP

Disneys new Snow White has apologised after admonishing Donald Trump voters following his landslide win over Kamala Harris.

Responding to the election result, the 23-year-old actress wrote: I find myself speechless in the midst of this. May Trump supporters and Trump voters and Trump himself never know peace.

She added that Ms Harris should not have lost and said there is a deep sickness in America.

Rachel Zeglers post on social media following Donald Trumps election win

Amid reports of panic at the studio, Zegler apologised.

I would like to sincerely apologise for the election post I shared on Instagram last week.

I let my emotions get the best of me. Hatred and anger have caused us to move further and further away from peace and understanding, and I am sorry I contributed to the negative discourse, the actress said on Thursday night.

She went on to say that she believes everyone has a right to their opinion even when it differs from my own. I am committed to contributing positively towards a better tomorrow.

Zegler later issued an apology

Her original post provoked backlash from Trump supporters who called for a boycott of the live-action remake.

Rachel Zegler is very beautiful, potentially talented, but her statements are delusional and out of control. I cant imagine studios considering her anymore, one X user, Dr Attila Schnapka, wrote.

Shes become toxic.

Another rejoiced in the crisis ignited by Zegler before rounding on the film itself.

Disney keeps losing money with these woke remakes of their beloved classics. Im glad they are in panic, wrote Foxy Farmer.

Another wrote: Not taking my kids to see this trash after the statement you put out. Disney you need to do something about this.

The remake of the 1937 classic has also been mired in controversy with David Hand, whose father David worked with Walt Disney, saying the pair would be turning in their grave over the remake.

Mr Hand accused studio bosses of destroying the classic with innovations such as replacing the seven dwarves with magical creatures.

The Snow White live-action remake has been mired in controversy - Film Stills

Im afraid of what theyre going to do with the early films... their thoughts are just so radical now.

They change the stories, they change the thought processes of the characters, they just arent the original stories anymore. Theyre making up new woke things and Im just not into any of that.

Zegler took aim at the prince in the original story, describing his behaviour as that of a stalker.

She also claimed that Snow White was not named because of the colour of her skin, but because of her resilience.

In 2022 the Disney studio was accused of going woke after Karey Burke, the corporate president, promised to make films more inclusive.

We have many, many, many LGBTQIA [lesbian, bisexual transgender, queer, intersex and asexual] characters in our stories and yet we dont have enough leads and narratives in which gay characters just get to be characters and not have to be about gay stories, Ms Burke, the mother of one transgender and one pansexual child, said on a leaked video.

The studio also attacked a law signed by Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor and former Republican presidential candidate, banning the discussion of sexual orientation in primary schools.
Judges - Heathcliff O'Malley

Judges have been told not to post their political views on social media.

They have been warned not to comment on social media about government policy or decisions, the legal system, political issues or controversial social subjects in new social media guidance.

Members of judiciary at all levels should not post, reply to, like or repost anything that could jeopardise their judicial independence, integrity or impartiality, the guidance says.

In a foreword to the guidance, Baroness Carr, the lady chief justice, and Sir Keith Lindblom, the senior president of tribunals, advised against active use of social media by the judiciary, even in a private capacity.

They said their guidance was aimed at ensuring that judges who chose to post online or respond to others could do so as safely as possible. It covers not just platforms such as X, formerly Twitter, but also communications on messaging services such as WhatsApp.

WhatsApp messages can carry the same sorts of reputational risks as active social media use, the guidance said.

It follows a series of cases where judges have been disciplined after posting inappropriate comments on social media.

They included Simon Myerson KC, who was found guilty of misconduct for acting in an offensive manner and failing to maintain the standards of his judicial office.

In his tweets, he called a transgender rights campaigner a stupid, condescending fool, mocked their tiny intellect and questioned whether he would be shot when the trans revolution happens.

In another case, Tan Ikram, a deputy senior district judge, was given a formal warning for misconduct after he liked a post on social media that described Israel as a terrorist state and called for a free Palestine.

Three weeks previously, Judge Ikram had decided not to punish three women displaying parachute images at a pro-Palestine protest seven days after the October 7 attack. He gave them 12-month conditional discharges after they were found guilty of an offence under the Terrorism Act.

The social media guidance for the judiciary, first reported by Joshua Rozenberg, a legal commentator, was circulated last month and replaces guidance issued in 2021.

Judges could continue to use WhatsApp but should adopt the same careful approach to the content of their WhatsApp messages [as] that set out in the guidance regarding social media content.

The guidance tells judges not to assume their use of social media was truly private or that they could not be identified as a judge, not to publish or share personal details, watch out for posting pictures that could identify where they lived or worked, and to assume that anything posted would remain published indefinitely.

They should not refer, or even allude, to being a judge in their social media profile or anything posted on social media, be alert to the risks of jigsaw identification, be aware that people on social media may not be who they appear to be and pause before they posted.

They should also be aware that they could disclose information themselves or their views by following, friending or unfriending people and by liking posts or by posting emojis. Keep in mind that it can be easy to like content accidentally and that this can be perceived as endorsement, it said.
Voters fill out their ballots at a polling place on election day in Cincinnati, Ohio. Photograph: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

As Donald Trump and Republicans scored massive victories on election day, Americans in several states rejected ballot initiatives to curb extreme partisan gerrymandering and implement open primaries and ranked-choice voting.

Ohio voters decisively rejected a ballot measure that would have stripped lawmakers of their ability to draw electoral districts and given it to a 15-person bipartisan commission of ordinary citizens. The vote came after Republicans, who control the legislature and redistricting process, ignored the state supreme court seven times to draw districts that heavily favored Republicans.

Voters in six states  Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada and South Dakota  all rejected ballot measures that would have done away with party primaries and replaced them with a non-partisan primary in which the top vote-getters would advance to the general election. Several of the measures would have implemented ranked-choice voting for the general election.

Related: We all have our eyes wide open: Trump critics brace for dark time of retribution

The defeats were somewhat surprising. Ballot initiatives to curb partisan gerrymandering and implement electoral reforms have been broadly successful in recent years. Bipartisan momentum around them has built, especially after Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

But the failures this year show that momentum may be stalling. Opposition to ranked-choice voting has grown more organized, led by a network linked to Leonard Leo, the influential conservative who has wielded enormous influence in shaping the US supreme court.

In retrospect, it looks like it was always going to be a tough year for these pro-democracy ballot measures, said Deb Otis, director of research and policy at FairVote, a non-profit that supports ranked-choice voting. The presidential election was looming heavily over voters and with a large number of ballot measures in some of these states. I think maybe voters defaulted to a no position on new concepts.

I also think the ranked-choice measures were harmed by an increasingly well-organized national opposition, she added. This opposition is driven by funders and organizations that have sown uncertainty in our elections for years. These are the same forces behind [the] stop the steal [movement] and election denialism.

In Ohio, there seemed to be broad support for Issue 1  the proposal to create an independent redistricting commission. The measure had the endorsement of the states major newspapers. Supporters heavily outraised opponents by a nearly eight-to-one ratio. The most prominent public figure behind the amendment was the recently retired chief justice of the Ohio supreme court, a Republican. And in the weeks leading up to the election, 69% of voters said they opposed gerrymandering.

But it was opponents of the measure who had the biggest advantage of all.

In August, the Republican-controlled Ohio ballot board crafted extremely misleading language that voters would see when they read their ballots. Even though the ballot measure would have barred drawing districts that favor one political party and disfavor others, the board-approved wording told voters the panel would be required to gerrymander the boundaries of state legislative and congressional districts to favor the two largest political parties in the state of Ohio. The language was later upheld by the Republican-controlled Ohio supreme court.

Proponents of the amendment said the effort was a thinly veiled attempt to confuse voters  and it worked. Voters told the radio station WOSU and the news site Bolts that they voted no on the amendment thinking they were casting a vote to outlaw gerrymandering.

Jen Miller, the executive director of the Ohio chapter of the League of Women Voters, said the ballot language was so misleading that she wasnt sure one could even compare the failure of the amendment in the state to other measures that came up short.

You could functionally argue that every person who voted on Issue 1 was voting to end gerrymandering. But that the disinformation campaign of the opposition, as well as the shockingly false descriptions that voters saw on their ballots, is what made our reform lose, she said. I am completely sure that this does not reflect the will of the voters in Ohio. Absent disinformation and terribly misleading ballot language, Issue 1 would have won.

Matt Dole, a spokesperson for the campaign against the Ohio ballot measure, said that when the opposition campaign began polling, it looked like the measure was going to pass easily. It was ahead by leaps and bounds, he said.

He pointed to the language written by the ballot board as a key reason why the measure failed.

You have the yes on 1 side that had ban gerrymandering on their yard signs, and the no on 1 side had stop gerrymandering on their yard signs, he said in an interview. He added he didnt think his campaigns messaging was misleading because the term was somewhat subjective.

In Idaho, Proposition 1 would have done away with the current system in which a voter can only vote in the party primary if they are registered. Instead, it proposed implementing an open primary in which the top four vote-getters advanced to the general election. Voters would then rank their choices in the general election, and there would be an instant runoff to determine who wins. The idea is that the system reduces polarization by forcing politicians to appeal to a wide swath of voters instead of just a narrow section of their base.

Idaho voters rejected the measure by 40 points.

It proved to be much easier than we thought for opponents of the reform to paint the entire effort as partisan in spite of our best efforts to persuade the public that these are non-partisan ideas that benefit all voters regardless of party, said Luke Mayville, a spokesperson for Idahoans for Open Primaries. In a hyper-partisan political environment where the other party isnt just wrong, theyre evil, it was extremely difficult to break through with a non-partisan message especially on an issue focused on elections.

In Arizona, the citizen-initiated Proposition 140 would have amended the state constitution to allow for open primaries. Lawmakers put another measure, Proposition 133, on the ballot that would have amended the states constitution to preserve the current primary system. The point wasnt actually to pass the measure, but to confuse voters, EJ Montini, a columnist with the Arizona Republic, wrote.

Trent England, co-chair of the Leo-linked Stop RCV coalition, which advocates against ranked-choice voting, said he thought one message that was particularly effective against the measures was emphasizing out-of-state funding for them. I think when you have that problem in a ballot measure campaign, spending more money actually can start to hurt you because people start saying, Oh yeah, theres another one of those slick campaign commercials, he said.

Otis of FairVote said she was certain that the push for ranked-choice voting would continue despite the losses this fall.

The path to reform is not a straight line, she said. As the dust settles here, one of the lessons we can take away is doing a better job of communicating the benefits for voters and for elected officials to help neutralize some of that opposition.

 This article was amended on 15 November 2024 to correct the job title of Deb Otis of FairVote, and to remove Oregon from a list of states that rejected ballot measures that would have done away with party primaries.
Ben-Julian Harrington has been accused of being more interested in promoting diversity than fighting crime - Essex Police

Essex Police has set up a gold group usually reserved for dealing with major crimes to handle the investigation into a Telegraph journalists social media post.

Allison Pearson, an award-winning writer, is being investigated by the force for allegedly stirring up racial hatred with a social media post made in November last year.

In a visit to Pearsons house, officers refused to tell her any details about which post on X, formerly Twitter, was being investigated, or who made the complaint against her.

Pearson said that officers told her that the matter was being treated as a non-crime hate incident rather than a criminal investigation.

The force claims this is wholly inaccurate and said that as the public would expect it had body-worn video of the encounter which it claimed entirely supports our position.

It came as a county councillor accused Essex Police of institutional incompetence and dysfunction on an epic scale, and it emerged that the force had admitted it was unable to send an emergency response to all 999 calls about drug dealing.

The Telegraph previously revealed the scale of the year-long inquiry, which involved officers from the Metropolitan Police, Sussex Police and Essex Police all having handled the complaint over the past year.

On Friday, it emerged the force had set up a gold group, usually used to deal with major incidents such as terror attacks, to deal with the investigation.

The purpose of gold groups is to ensure the effectiveness of ongoing police response and they are usually headed by an assistant chief constable or above.

His Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services say a gold group is set up to improve the police response to an incident, crime or other matter.

The guidance states: This involves bringing together appropriately skilled and qualified interested parties who can advise, guide or otherwise support the management of an effective response to the identified incident, crime or other matter.

The Telegraph understands that the social media post in question was reported to the Metropolitan Police as a potential breach of the Malicious Communications Act in November last year. The case was then passed to Sussex Police, which marked it as a possible non-crime hate incident (NCHI), as well as a potential malicious communication.

Sussex Police passed it to Essex, where Pearson lives. It is understood Essex made two assessments of the complaint before opening an investigation under section 17 of the Public Order Act 1986, relating to material allegedly likely or intended to cause racial hatred, and visiting her house.

Institutional incompetence

The investigation into Pearson has been labelled as a chilling attack on free speech by a force that has prioritised diversity over real crime.

Councillor Neil Gregory, a substitute member of the Essex Police, Fire and Crime Panel, accused Essex Police of institutional incompetence and dysfunction on an epic scale.

He told The Telegraph: It is certainly the impression I get that they are prioritising diversity over real crime.

Sadly the appalling treatment of Allison is merely the tip of the iceberg of an obsession with diversity, neglect of crime and institutional incompetence and dysfunction on an epic scale.

CC [Chief Constable Ben-Julian] Harrington is more concerned with promoting diversity than dealing with crime, indeed his divisional commander for Uttlesford and Braintree made it clear at a public meeting that they will not address active and public drug dealing due to lack of resources, Essex Police appear to have resources to chase those sending tweets on Remembrance Sunday but not for catching drug dealers in broad daylight.

There is a bizarre set of priorities. We have a bad drug-dealing problem, we have a very under-resourced policing panel and you go on the various Twitter feeds of various officers and its all about the latest diversity courses they have gone to.

Essex Police have been accused of ignoring 999 calls from concerned residents about drug deals on the streets, according to documents obtained by The Telegraph.

Documents also revealed that Essex Police would not dispatch a patrol car every time it received a tip-off from a concerned resident.

At a community meeting in Uttlesford in February this year, police were told residents often saw drug deals being done in public and they believed police were not doing anything about it.

We noted the number of residents at the meeting who expressed concerns about apparent open drug dealing in various communities across the district and the seeming lack of response to those activities when reported, according to Mr Gregory.

It was made clear that 999 calls on overt drug dealing would not be pursued.

In response, Roger Hirst, the Essex Police Fire and Crime Commissioner, told several representatives who attended the meeting that the force took drug-related crime very seriously.

However, every call from the public wont always be by dispatching a patrol car, he said.

It will more often be by using intelligence, building strong cases and taking away their ability to exploit and manipulate the children and young people they rely on to fuel this business.

With some residents still unhappy about the Essex Polices response to drug crimes, Andy Marriner, the Essex Police Assistant Chief Constable, wrote to assure local councillors that the force tackles drug dealing robustly and continues to listen to the concerns of the districts residents.

He outlined several drug stings that had resulted in arrests and urged residents to continue to contact police with any information.

We are also progressing several investigations in the district which have commenced as a result of the community sharing information with us, Assistant Chief Constable Marriner said in the email.

The more we receive the more we are able to continue to take action where appropriate, and I would ask that you encourage your districts residents to continue reporting their observations with as much detail as possible to assist us in building the picture of what is occurring in their area for all crimes so that we can take forward.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: Officers went to a residential address to arrange a time to do an interview with a woman about a complaint made by a member of the public.

Thats why, under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, no further information was provided  this call was made by officers, who were in the area at the time, to simply set up a time to speak in the coming days.

At no stage during the short interaction between the woman and our officers was she informed that the report being investigated was being treated as a non-crime hate incident. To suggest otherwise is wholly inaccurate and misleading.

As the public would expect, we have body-worn video of this interaction which entirely supports our position in this respect.

The spokesman said the force took drug-related crime very seriously and its work had resulted in drug dealers being jailed for a total of 800 years in 2023.

They said: In total across Essex last year, we arrested 440 people on suspicion of drug dealing offences; 305 were charged  a 70 per cent charge rate.

The rate of drug offences in Uttlesford is half that of the rest of the country. There are 1.6 drug offences per 1,000 people in Uttlesford, across Essex that is 3 per 1,000.
Dennis Richardson says singular attention has been given to what the Kevin Rudd has previously said in what he believes is a deliberate campaign. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP

The former ambassador to the US Dennis Richardson has accused some presenters at Sky News Australia of running a campaign to undermine the former prime minister Kevin Rudd and end his tenure as the countrys top diplomat to the US.

Richardson launched the broadside at unnamed program hosts on the News Corp-owned network, accusing them of trying to dictate who should represent Australia abroad.

Clearly what is unfolding here is an effort to make Rudds life untenable, Richardson told Guardian Australia on Thursday. He said it appeared to him that their intention was nothing short of the removal of the Australian ambassador to Washington.

Related: Pentagon stunned after Trump picks Pete Hegseth for defence secretary

Richardson said it appeared that there was an effort to create a new story.

The story is whats going on here, and why, he said.

The former ambassador, who has also served as secretary of both the defence and foreign affairs departments and head of Asio, said the attention on Rudds past remarks about president-elect Donald Trump  which included calling him a village idiot and not a leading intellectual force  had not caused irreparable damage. Richardson insisted the government should not withdraw him.

It simply creates a challenge, he said. Whos going to blink? How would the [Australian] government look if Kevin Rudd was taken out of Washington tomorrow? We would look like the most second-rate country going.

The former ambassador said Rudd had been among many who had criticised Trump  including his vice-presidential pick, JD Vance, and the incoming secretary of state, Marco Rubio.

Why singular attention should be given to what the Australian ambassador to Washington said is as a deliberate campaign, Richardson said, adding that the rest of the Australian media should be calling it out.

Are we going to allow certain presenters on Sky News to determine who is the Australian ambassador to Washington? Or are we going to say we know what Rudd has said in the past, we know what the vice-president-elect has said, we know what the incoming secretary of state has said.

What the hell is your agenda? Are you seeking to report the news or make the news?

A spokesperson for Sky News Australia declined to comment.

The former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull levelled similar criticisms at News Corp in Nine newspapers on Thursday, alleging it was running a vendetta because Rudd had campaigned for a royal commission into the Murdoch media empire  a call Turnbull also supported.

The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, sharpened his rhetoric around Rudds position on Thursday.

This was a captains call, as we know, from Prime Minister Albanese, Dutton said. I guess the difficulty that the prime ministers in at the moment is that if he sacks Kevin Rudd, then what does he do with Penny Wong? And if he sacks Penny Wong, what does he do given hes made his own disparaging remarks about president-elect Trump as well? Look, these are issues for the prime minister.

The acting prime minister, Richard Marles, said Rudd had been doing great work for Australia, particularly in relation to securing legislative backing for the Aukus submarine deal.

He worked really closely with members of Congress right across the political spectrum, and Ive got no doubt that Kevin will ably represent Australia when we see the swearing in of the next Trump administration, Marles said.
Wuschel auf der Erde is part of a wider programme to promote the German language. Photograph: Goethe-Institut/Axel Scheffler

Axel Scheffler, the illustrator behind the international childrens bestseller The Gruffalo, has launched a book to help primary school pupils learn German.

Wuschel auf der Erde: A New Adventure in Learning German tells the story of a friendly alien called Wuschel arriving on Earth from a distant planet with a mission to learn German. Through Schefflers distinctive illustrations, children are introduced to their first German words, such as die Maus (mouse) and der Spielplatz (playground), in a fun and interactive way.

The book is written by Christiane Gunther and Andrea Schweizer.

Commissioned by the Goethe-Institut, 2,000 books have already been sent to schools in England. The German cultural institute has developed lesson plans and audio teaching aids to be used alongside the book and will offer language courses for children incorporating Wuschel.

Speaking at the books launch at Ada Lovelace school in Ealing, London, Scheffler said: I hope that the story of Wuschel, an alien who has come all the way from a different planet to learn German, will encourage more children to learn my first language.

All the books Ive done with Julia Donaldson wouldnt exist if I hadnt moved to another country and learned another language.

Wuschel auf der Erde is part of a wider programme to promote the German language. Miguel Berger, the UKs German ambassador, said the book marked another step in the journey of making the case for German.

Wuschel auf der Erde is not just a project that embodies our shared vision for enriching language education and fostering cultural ties between Germany and the UK. It is also a wonderful example of how language learning can be an engaging, interactive experience.

According to the latest Language Trends report, while 64% of primary schools teach French, just 3% provide German. At secondary level, fewer than 40% of schools offer German up to GCSE level, compared with about 90% teaching French and just under 80% Spanish.

Coupled with cuts to German degrees and fewer German teachers, this poses a risk to the people and connections that have long been the foundation of strong UK-German relations, Berger said.

He said the book, alongside the German promotion programme, part of the Department for Educations wider 15m language hub programme, and the embassys making the case for German initiative, would help show that there is real momentum behind efforts to revitalise German learning.

The schools minister, Catherine McKinnell, said the language hubs programme had already improved language learning in more than 100 schools. [Wuschel has] definitely reignited my love for learning German, she said. One of the great things about studying a language at school is that you can use these skills in the real world.

McKinnell, who studied Spanish at university, lived in Italy and studied French to A-level and Latin to GCSE, also learned German, although she gave up at 14. So I do speak from experience when I say that learning another language will broaden your horizons and help to build your confidence and build your speaking skills as well, and it really helps you to understand another culture.

When you learn a language, you really learn about the richness of that culture and where that language has come from, and it really does provide you a whole new way of seeing the world.
Protestors focused on the Israel-Hamas conflict - Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters

It isnt just journalists like Allison Pearson who have been investigated by the police for comments on social media.

I also fell foul of the thought police for tweeting about the Middle East, just as Pearson suspects she did as she was told it dates back to a year ago, when she was tweeting about the Hamas atrocities on October 7.

Back in February I ridiculed UNRWAs claim that it had not known about the Hamas operations centre underneath their offices in Gaza, saying: Everyone, better safe than sorry: before you go to bed, nip down and check you havent inadvertently got a death cult of Islamist murderers and rapists running their operations downstairs. Its easily done.

Political opponents and extremists deliberately misinterpreted my joke, claimed my use of the word Islamists was Islamophobic or racist and caused a torrent of abuse and threats.

I suppose that was to be expected, but I was shocked and appalled when the police became involved.

Late one evening a few days later I received a call from West Midlands police asking about my whereabouts and safety. I assumed this was because of the threats.

How naive that was. It was actually because they had received complaints about my tweet, had carried out an investigation but decided not to take action. They would, I was told by a senior police officer, have recorded it as a non-crime hate incident had the rules not been changed to raise the threshold.

They said it was because I had used the word Islamist and asked whether I had seen what people had said on LinkedIn.

I explained that Islamist is used 17 times on the Governments list of proscribed organisations. It was coined to distinguish between decent law-abiding Muslims and extremists and is used by governments, academics, expert think-tanks, and the worlds leading media organisations.

I was furious and think the public would be livid to find out the police are wasting time on rubbish like this when a tiny proportion of rapes or burglaries result in some someone being charged. Most police officers think this is crazy too. They think their job to investigate actual crimes with real victims.

This madness must stop.

Government ministers, the civil service, and police must stand up to extremists instead of taking political-motivated complaints seriously.

And we must all defend the values of free speech and democracy that make this the greatest country in the world.

It is no coincidence that Pearson has in all likelihood been targeted for speaking up for Israel, just as I was.

The Middle Easts only democracy faces an existential threat from terrorist armies fuelled by a nihilist ideology that has ambitions far beyond the region.

Islamist extremism has nothing less than the Western values that underpin our civilisation in its sights.

Iran has declared war on the West and our very way of life. Israel is the front line, but it is being fought here too.

Our laws and police force have been weaponised in the campaign to silence critics of Islamism. What begins with a few tweets wont end there.

There are groups at work doing the bidding of Iran and other rogue foreign states as they seek to impose a creed that is deeply misogynistic and homophobic.

They cynically exploit the tolerance which is a proud part of Britains fabric but only to undermine it.

And, as a result, the freedom of speech on which our democracy depends is under threat too.

It was George Orwell who warned: If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.

He coined the phrase thought police too and the Labour government should be looking to the great socialist and patriot for guidance.

Lord Austin served as Labour MP for Dudley North from 2005 - 2019
Donald Trump with Benjamin Netanyahu, right, and Jared Kushner, centre, in Jerusalem in May 2017 - REUTERS

Jared Kushner is poised to return to the White House fold as an unofficial adviser on the Middle East.

But Donald Trumps son-in-law is not expected to take a formal job in the president-elects administration, CNN reported.

Regional diplomats and Trump allies say that Mr Kushner, who is married to Ivanka Trump, has wide-ranging friendships across the region which would be a particular asset to the White House.

As a senior adviser in Mr Trumps first term in office, Mr Kushner led talks over the normalisation in relations between Israel, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates  the Abraham accord.

When the pact was signed in September 2020, it was hailed as a historic foreign policy achievement for Mr Trump.

Sudan and Morocco later became signatories to the agreement as it continued to grow.

Trump plans to extend Abraham accord

In an interview in the build-up to his election victory, Mr Trump spoke of his desire to broker peace in the Middle East and extend the Abraham accord if he won the keys to the White House.

Earlier this year, the president-elect said that Israel had to finish what they started in Gaza and get it over with fast.

Deploying Mr Kushner could be key to brokering any peace agreement because of his relations with key players in the region, including Israels Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Arabias Mohammed bin Salman.

No one on the incoming team has what Jared has, and that is trust. Jared earned it, he didnt have it at the beginning. He earned it. That takes time to build, a regional diplomat told CNN.

Friendships are forever in this region, an Israeli source added. My assumption is that his role is much more in his hands than anybody elses.

Mohammed bin Salman, Donald Trump and Jared Kushner in Saudi Arabia in 2017. Mr Kushner was a senior adviser in Mr Trumps first term in office - Jonathan Ernst/REUTERS

Mr Kushner first became acquainted with Mr Netanyahu, Israels prime minister, as a young child.

The Israeli leader is personal friends with his father, Charles Kushner, who is a major donor to pro-Israel and Jewish causes.

A young Jared gave up his bedroom to Mr Netanyahu and moved to the basement during one visit to the familys New Jersey home.

While Mr Kushners recent meeting with Ron Dermer, Israels minister of strategic affairs, demonstrates just how close he has remained to some of the countrys top officials.

But he is not without senior contacts amongst the Middle Easts largest Arab players either.

During Mr Trumps first term, Mr Kushner had built up such a rapport with Mohammed bin Salman, Saudis crown prince, that they would exchange text messages.

Their communications would often infuriate career national security officials in Washington because their details were kept secret.

Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund later went on to invest $2 billion in Mr Kushners Affinity Partners, a private equity fund he started after leaving the White House.

Securing official diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel is seen as a major prize for Mr Trumps second term.

National security official appointment

The president-elects transition team hopes to tap a national security official who could work on Middle East issues, with Mr Kushners input.

Victoria Coates, a former national security council official, and Miguel Correa, a retired major general who worked with Mr Kushner on the Abraham Accords, have both been floated as possible appointments.

Mr Trumps son-in-law could provide them with the inside track needed to secure diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, as well as other Arab states.

But Mr Kushners involvement in any international attempts to bring peace in Gaza are likely to be met with unease.

Mr Kushner could work alongside Mr Trumps national security official - PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP

His original Middle East pact was criticised supporting Israeli demands but largely ignoring Palestines aspirations to become an independent state.

A negotiated two-state solution still remains the end goal for many of the worlds foreign policy power players, including the United Kingdom and European Union.

Saudi Arabias crown prince has also stated he would not accept formalised ties with Israel without the creation of a Palestinian state.

Kushner proposed bulldozing section of desert

Mr Kushner, a former property dealer, went further in an interview earlier this year by suggesting Israel should move Palestinians from Gaza because waterfront property could be very valuable.

Its a little bit of an unfortunate situation there, but from Israels perspective I would do my best to move the people out and then clean it up, he added.

He proposed bulldozing a section of the Negev desert in southern Israel to create a new home for Palestinians.

I would just bulldoze something in the Negev, I would try to move people in there, he said. I think thats a better option, so you can go in and finish the job.

Some diplomats talking to CNN also raised concerns about Mr Kushners financial interests in the Middle East as a possible conflict of interest.

One source, cited in a report by the broadcaster, recounted the secrecy that he would operate under.

Prioritising Saudi Arabias prosperity because it could help the Trump family is a major concern for US diplomats, they added.

Affinity and Mr Kushner have denied that Saudi Arabias investments are a payoff or a conflict of interest.

His business dealings may lead to him wanting to remain more distant from the White House.

But Mr Kushner is deeply proud of his work on the Abraham accord, which he recently said was only surpassed in significance by Israels assassination of Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah chief.

That passion for the Middle East might just bring him back into the fold.

And while Mr Trump has appointed allies to key positions, like Mike Huckabee as ambassador to Israel, the president-elect is building his team on loyalty, and Mr Kushner would deliver just that.
Anthony Franze is a native Texan and very passionate about covering any weather that is thrown at him. He can be reached at anthony.franze@express-news.net.

Anthony earned a degree in Meteorology from Valparaiso University in 2017. He has worked as a broadcast meteorologist for six years, one at NBC Montana and the next five at NewsWest 9 in Midland before joining the Express-News in July 2023.

In his free time, Anthony enjoys watching sports, checking out local restaurants and breweries, and getting outside whenever the heat allows for it. If you have any story ideas, questions about the weather or restaurant suggestions, drop him a line.
Some of the non-crime hate incidents extend to children, including a nine-year-old girl - Ken Petch/Moment RF

A police force recorded a hate complaint after a Welsh person was called a sheep s-----r. Freedom of Information (FoI) requests sent to all 45 police forces revealed the extent of non-crime hate incidents (NCHI) recorded against doctors, barristers, vicars, social workers, bar staff and children alike.

Responding to FoI requests, Humberside Police revealed officers labelled a vicar a suspect in a hate incident after he told someone it was a sin to be gay. Officers also reported a hate incident against a person asking whether a Chinese meal came with bats, The Times reported.

Norfolk police logged a hate complaint against a person for calling a Welsh person a sheep s-----r, while in West Yorkshire a hate complaint was recorded after a person who is bisexual said they were misdiagnosed by doctors because of their sexuality.

Some of the non-crime hate incidents also extended to children, including a nine-year-old girl who called a fellow student a r-----, and journalists, including one who referred to a deaf and dumb scooterist.

It comes as Telegraph journalist Allison Pearson, an award-winning writer, is being investigated for allegedly stirring up racial hatred with a social media post made in November last year. Pearson said officers told her that the matter was being treated as an NCHI rather than a criminal investigation.

NCHIs are intended for cases that are clearly motivated by intentional hostility where there is a genuine risk of significant escalation, according to Government guidance.

There were 13,200 NCHIs recorded over a year ending in June this year, according to statistics provided by the UKs 45 police forces.

A Humberside police spokesman said the force carefully assessed each case before taking a common-sense and proportionate approach.

Norfolk Police said there were challenges in interpreting the new NCHI rules, but it was training its frontline staff.

Humberside Police confirmed it had recorded 212 hate crimes in June this year alone, the bulk of which related to racial discrimination. Of the 212 hate crimes, seven people had been charged, with 103 cases ongoing.

The Metropolitan Police, the UKs largest police force, has recorded almost 5,000 NCHIs between June 2022 and April this year, according to another FOI request released by the force. There have been 742 recorded in the first four months of this year.
The Most Rev Justin Welby resigned after pressure following the publication of the independent Makin Review - Gareth Fuller/PA

The Archbishop of Canterburys son said his father was right to resign following a damning review into the most prolific abuser associated with the Church of England.

The independent Makin Review concluded that barrister John Smyth might have been brought to justice had the Archbishop formally alerted authorities in 2013.

The Most Rev Justin Welby said on Tuesday that his decision to step down, which came after days of pressure following the reports publication, was in the best interests of the Church.

His son, Tim Welby, has now said his father was right to resign and his position became untenable, simply because so many people were calling for his resignation.

Mr Welby told The Mirror that his father was definitely very embarrassed and appalled by whats happened.

I know hes going to spend a lot of his time left in office having conversations with some of the people and trying to make sure that things are set up in the right way  so that kind of lapse cannot happen again, he added.

Hes trying to meet with people who were the victims of Smyth but others as well. He will be doing a lot of that. Thats going to be one of his primary focuses.

Smyth carried out his abuse across five decades in three different countries and involving as many as 130 boys and young men in the UK and Africa. He is said to have subjected his victims to traumatic physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks, permanently marking their lives.

He died aged 77 in Cape Town in 2018 while under investigation by Hampshire Police, and was never brought to justice for the abuse, the Makin Review said.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Archbishop said: When I was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow.

It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and re-traumatising period between 2013 and 2024.

Mr Welby said he did not believe it had occurred to his father that Smyths case had not been properly reported to the police.

When, as Archbishop, you are told that something has happened, it has usually gone through so many hands. It seemed utterly inconceivable that someone wouldnt have said to the police: This has been going on, he said.

He is really, really cross that it didnt occur to him  to triple check that someone had actually done that. If you discover a crime then, of course, it gets reported. I wouldnt say he was naive so much.

Certainly, if it had happened later on, he would have known what was going on and would have been more explicit.

He added: It feels more like a political decision to resign where somethings gone wrong in the office. The person at the top is always responsible. His position became untenable, simply because so many people were calling for his resignation.

Mr Welby added that his father is a good man and I love him a lot.

He said: Dad was right to resign  it was the correct decision. Im so very proud of my dad for all he has done throughout his life and his work for the Church of England.

He also told The Mirror that people like Smyth must get weeded out.

If you have people who are that way inclined, you need to make sure that they get weeded out and that they arent in the job in the first place, its very hard.
Weddings are currently held in the Tapestry Room, with receptions taking place in a marquee outside the east wing - Jane Barlow/PA

The King has unveiled plans to build a new wedding venue at his Scottish stately home.

The state-of-the-art facility is to be built at Dumfries House near Cumnock in Ayrshire to provide high-end wedding packages.

Weddings are currently held in the Tapestry Room of the historic house, with receptions taking place in a marquee erected in the grounds behind the east wing.

However, the tented structure is thought to detract from the character of the A-listed building.

The venue, consisting of one large room with the character of a ballroom, will form an extension to the eastern wing of Dumfries House and it will cater for up to 200 guests.

Dumfries House is a significant attraction and the estate employs more than 150 people - Andrew Milligan/PA

In 2007, the King helped arrange a 45 million deal to buy Dumfries House and its collection of Chippendale furniture.

He led a consortium of charities along with the Scottish Government to make the purchase with his own charitable foundation contributing 20 million.

It has become a significant visitor attraction and the various activities on the estate now employ more than 150 people.

The wedding venue plans have been lodged with East Ayrshire Council by The Kings Foundation and a decision is expected to be made next month.

Hosting vitally important

A design statement submitted by the Kings representatives said the existing marquee was a temporary solution to a difficult problem on what is a very challenging, sensitive site.

The new pavilion will be an architectural improvement over the current pavilion, and its use as a wedding and event space will provide an income to support the continued conservation of Dumfries House and its estate, it said.

Setting out the plans, the statement said: The primary function of the proposed extension is to provide a permanent venue for weddings, unique in character, and of the highest quality.

The reception and banqueting spaces will accommodate up to 200 guests, with state-of-the-art facilities in the former east yard providing service and support.

The majority of people employed at Dumfries House are involved in the hospitality sector. Event hosting is vitally important to the survival of all that goes on within Dumfries House Estate and farther afield, where the Foundation is leading local regeneration projects and community initiatives.

A new terrace and courtyard

At present, the larger reception rooms in Dumfries House, such as the Tapestry Room and Rothesay Room, have occupancy limits which permit no more than 100 guests at an event.

The temporary marquee was erected in 2011 to allow a larger programme of events to be accommodated.

In addition to the new pavilion, there will also be a new terrace and courtyard between the main house and the new events space.

The King bought the 18th-century property after it was put up for sale by Johnny Dumfries, the 7th Marquess of Bute, the late aristocrat and former F1 racing driver. It opened to the public in the summer of 2008 following intensive restoration work.

The wedding venue upgrade is the latest in a series of initiatives by the King to increase revenue streams in Scotland.

The King bought the 18th-century property from the late Johnny Dumfries, 7th Marquess of Bute, and a former F1 driver - Robert Perry/PA

Last month it was revealed a building at the Balmoral Estate is to be upgraded for weddings, dinners, meetings and other events.

Plans for the Queens Building, which is used as an event space for staff, have been lodged with Aberdeenshire council.

However, a spokesman for Balmoral said there are no plans for the estate to host weddings as a commercial venture.

The King has allowed public tours of the castle this summer for the first time in its history at 100 a ticket, with an extra 50 for visitors who want to have afternoon tea. The tickets sold out in 24 hours.

A revamped online Balmoral shop has also been launched this month featuring a range of gifts inspired by the late Queen Elizabeth IIs happy place, where she spent her summers and her final days.
The King talks with Royal Marines during his visit to the commando training centre in Lympstone - ARTHUR EDWARDS/AFP

The King described his military training as very uncomfortable during a visit to the Royal Marines base at which he was put through his paces 50 years ago.

The monarch completed his helicopter pilot training at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines in Lympstone, near Exeter, Devon, in 1974.

He returned to the base on Friday to present the prestigious Kings Badge to a trainee. The last monarch to present the badge was his grandfather, King George VI, in 1939.

The King was given a photograph of himself tackling the high ropes on a Tarzan assault course while he watched recruits perform the same manoeuvre.

The course is one of four gruelling commando tests that the Marines must complete to wear the green beret.

The then Prince of Wales during familiarisation training in 1974 at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marine in Lympstone - ROYAL NAVY/MINISTRY OF DEFENCE/PA

The King, in his younger years, took on a training course - Royal Navy/Ministry of Defence Crown Copyright

Colonel Innes Catton later revealed that as the King got out of his car to view the assault course, he had a proper beaming smile.

Obviously we hoped he would feel that way, and he absolutely did. In terms of engaging with the marines, he was all over them.

He was remembering (his own experience). He wasnt very kind in his description about it, he said it was very uncomfortable but nonetheless enjoyed recalling it and often asked a lot of recruits about their experiences of the commando test. He was completely relaxed.

The visit was the Kings first to the base since taking over as Captain General of the Royal Marines in 2022, a role previously held by the Duke of Sussex and the late Prince Philip.

The King was said to have been relaxed and enjoyed recalling his own training experiences with recruits - WPA POOL/GETTY IMAGES

After presenting the badge to Osian Stephens, 20, the King gave a speech in which he praised the Marines, who have faced cuts in recent years, and acknowledged their difficult training.

As your Captain General, I can only express my pride in each and every one of you, together with my admiration for passing such a demanding course, he said.

We are fortunate indeed to be able to rely on you, as well as on those families here today who so loyally support you.

Marine Stephens, from Colwyn, North Wales, was selected for the Kings Badge after completing his training despite a serious injury.

After 10 months recuperating, he resumed his training this autumn and completed his final five weeks to earn the badge.

This moment will stay with me forever. I know the last time a King presented the Kings Badge was back in 1939, its quite daunting to think that I will be only the second Royal Marine to enjoy that honour, he said.

Gen Gwyn Jenkins presents the King with a photograph from 1976 of his time at the commando training centre - LPHOT STAINER-HUTCHINS/ROYAL NAVY/SWNS

Joseph Ryan, 20, from Merseyside, was singled out to receive his green beret from the King after epitomising the commando spirit and ethos through his conversion from civilian to Royal Marine.

As Prince of Wales, the King embarked on a career in the Royal Navy, undergoing several days of training at the Lympstone base to qualify as a helicopter pilot.

He later served alongside Royal Marines on board HMS Hermes, as part of 845 Naval Air Squadron, completing military exercises in the western Atlantic and the West Indies.

During his state visit to Kenya last November, the King reminisced about his own Royal Marines training, including the infamous sheep dip endurance test, as he watched Kenyan marines stage a covert beach landing in Mombasa.
Clare Nowland was tasered by police officer Kristian White in her Cooma nursing home in May 2023. He has pleaded not guilty to her manslaughter Composite: NSW Supreme Court | PR Image

An officer who fatally tasered a 95-year-old nursing home resident was not trained at the police academy on the exceptional circumstances when a Taser should not be deployed, his manslaughter trial has heard.

Sen Const Kristian James Samuel White is on trial after Clare Nowland died in May 2023 after being tasered. White has pleaded not guilty.

Sen Sgt William Watt  who is employed by New South Wales police to train officers on firearms, defence and tactics, and the use of force  appeared as a witness on Friday.

Watt told the NSW supreme court that officers were advised Tasers should not be used in exceptional circumstances including against a person who was handcuffed, a woman suspected of being pregnant, elderly or disabled persons and children or a person with small body mass.

Under cross-examination by Whites barrister, Troy Edwards SC, Watt revealed that exceptional circumstances were not part of the training program when White was at the police academy.

Related: Different when theres a knife raised at you: officer feared Clare Nowland would stab her before Taser deployed

Nor was information on the special circumstances police were meant to consider when determining whether or not to fire a Taser.

So-called special circumstances include considering if someone has a disability or mental health condition  factors which Watt said could escalate a situation.

Watt said information on special circumstances was added to student officers training at a later date, following reviews and recommendations by oversight bodies.

White tasered Nowland  who moved with the aid of a walking frame and weighed 47.5kg  in a Snowy Mountains nursing home in May 2023 after repeated requests for her to put down a steak knife.

The great-grandmother had been carrying the serrated knife in one hand and was supporting herself on her walker with the other hand when White discharged the Taser to disarm her.

Nowland died a week later from a head injury caused by being tasered, the court has heard.

Edwards has told the court it is not in dispute that the injuries caused by White tasering Nowland ultimately killed her. But he argued that Whites use of the Taser involved a reasonable use of force.

The prosecutor, Brett Hatfield SC, has argued that White was guilty of manslaughter by way of criminal negligence or by way of an unlawful and dangerous act.

On Friday, the court also heard from Sgt Jarrod Dawson, who was on duty at Cooma police station the morning after the incident.

He recounted in court a conversation he had had with White after the tasering, which Dawson recorded in the police database.

Dawson reported that White said to him after the incident: Ive had a look and, supposedly, we arent meant to tase elderly people but, in the circumstance, I needed to.

Maybe this will be my first critical incident, White said according to Dawsons report. Maybe, Dawson responded.

Prior to Dawson appearing as a witness, Watt gave evidence that police were trained to see a person armed with a knife as a significant threat.

In close quarters, knives are every bit as dangerous as a firearm, he told the court on Friday, adding that a knife attack was extremely difficult to defend against.

Police are taught techniques to defend agaisnt attack with a knife, but they are a tool of last resort.

Watt said NSW police does not train that a knife [being wielded by a person] would automatically result in the use of a firearm, rather police would be expected to select an appropriate tactical option based on the situation.

Using a Taser against a subject carrying a knife is generally considered a suitable option, Watt told the court. It often provides an effective and relatively safe way of gaining control of a situation.

Hatfield, while questioning Watt, had pointed to specific warnings in training materials about the use of Tasers, and noted additional risk factors when using them on pregnant women, children, the frail or infirm.
David Pocock says the legislation is a major party stitch-up that subverts parliamentary process and seeks to lock out more community independents. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

Independents have accused the Albanese government of attempting to rig electoral rules in a major party stitch-up which the billionaire Clive Palmer has already said he will take to the high court.

On Friday the special minister of state, Don Farrell, announced details of Labors electoral reform bill, including raising public funding to $5 a vote, a $20,000 cap on individual donations and an $800,000 cap on spending per electorate.

Although the $90m federal spending cap is likely to only impact mega-campaigns such as Clive Palmers United Australia party, the seat-by-seat limit would also harm emerging parties and independents, who often need to spend big to raise their profile against candidates of major parties with well-established brands.

Labor hopes to pass the bill with bipartisan Coalition support, although Farrell acknowledged on Friday that he cannot say at this stage that we have agreement to do so.

After foreshadowing a high court case in March, Palmer confirmed on Friday he will challenge these unconstitutional acts which will suppress freedom.

Palmer claimed the bill was designed to rig elections and would hinder the independents, the regular Australians, from standing for parliament.

Labor and the Liberals working together on this issue is a disgrace, he said in a statement. The only hope for Australian people is if the high court looks at the constitution and the implied rights of freedom of speech.

Related: Fastest-growing fire risk: why do lithium batteries keep exploding across Australia?

The independent senator David Pocock said he was deeply concerned that the legislation being introduced on Monday is a major party stitch-up that subverts parliamentary process and seeks to lock out more community independents.

This is a secret deal cooked up between the major parties, who are clearly terrified of minority government, he said in a statement.

These are major reforms with far reaching impacts and the suggestion that they wont be subject to a Senate inquiry is damaging to our democracy.

Spending and donations caps were backed by the joint standing committee on electoral matters in June 2023, but Pocock noted that it set out on high-level principles without recommending caps of a particular size nor examining the drafting of a particular bill.

Pocock argued the truth-in-advertising bill  which will be introduced at the same time but lacks Coalition support  is essential, calling for it to be put in place ahead of the next election, including a ban on the use of generative artificial intelligence.

Earlier, the independent MP Kate Chaney, one of six successful teals newly elected in 2022 after raising more than $1m for their campaigns, warned that the bill appears [to] lock in the major parties and lock out any new competitors.

The popularity of the major parties is at an all-time low, with one in three Australians voting for a minor party or independent at the last election, she told Radio National.

But instead of trying to earn back the trust of voters, this bill is a desperate attempt by the big parties to rig the rules, squeeze out the competition and protect their patch.

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Both parties are running scared of the possibility of a bigger crossbench that will continue to hold them to account.

Chaney said a new independent would have to comply with an $800,000 spending cap, while it appears that each political party can spend $90m, shifting that money around to support any member who is being threatened by a newcomer.

A spokesperson for Climate 200 said legislation that made such profound changes to foundations of our democracy should be subject to close scrutiny, warning that rushing the bill risks making the system less equitable and harder for challengers to fairly contest elections.

The independent MP Kylea Tink, whose seat of North Sydney is being abolished, said the bill will create an uneven playing field and they will make it harder for independents to campaign fairly and effectively at future elections.

Senator Tammy Tyrrell also signalled opposition, warning that election reform will never be a fair fight when its done by Labor and the Liberals.

Farrell told reporters in Adelaide the government knew this reform would face some challenges.

Asked if the laws were designed to benefit major parties and target Palmer and Simon Holmes a Courts Climate 200 funding aggregator, Farrell said: The short answer is no.

This is designed to take big money out of Australian politics. Were not targeting individuals, were targeting the system that allows an uncapped amount of money to be spent on elections.

We dont want to go down the track of the American election system. We want to cap the amount of money people can spend  and that applies to anybody.

This is all about making sure that ordinary Australians can participate.

The Australian electoral system should not work on the basis that the only people who can be elected into parliament are people who are sponsored by billionaires.

Despite the fact the caps do not commence until July 2026, Farrell claimed that the bill needed to pass this year so that the [Australian Electoral Commission] and the political parties and the independents can start the process so that by the following election, due by 2028, everybody is in a position to implement the new system.

Labor proposes to cap spending and donations on a calendar year basis, with totals reset in the new year or after a federal election, and the level of caps indexed once per cycle after the election.

Receipt of donations or gifts from an individual donor would be capped at $20,000 a candidate for independents or per state division for political parties.

Donors would be prevented from giving an aggregate of 30 times the gift cap (initially $600,000), with separate limits in each state and territory.
Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton. Under Labors bill, the partys $27m of public election funding would grow to $46.5m  based on 2022 results  and the Liberals $26.55m would increase to $45.6m. Composite: AAP Image/Lukas Coch/Mick Tsikas

The Albanese governments suite of electoral law reforms would result in about $50m more public funding relative to the 2022 election, with Labor and Liberal parties each set to scoop about an extra $19m if the vote share of the last election were replicated.

That is the result of increasing public funding of elections to $5 a vote from July 2026, one of the central planks of Labors bill to introduce electoral spending and donation caps.

Just how much will parties and independents be able to receive and spend  and why has it annoyed Clive Palmer and the teal independents?

How will it change public funding?

The bill proposes to increase public funding of elections from the current $3.35 a vote to $5.

Parties and independents will also receive $30,000 per MP and $15,000 per senator each in administrative funding, to comply with the more onerous disclosure requirements.

At the last election, when $2.91 was paid per vote, some $73.9m was paid to political parties and $1.9m to independent candidates. If the public funding rates had been $5, this would have been $126.9m for parties and $3.2m for independents.

If the results of the 2022 election were replicated in the election after next, Labors $27m of public funding would grow to $46.5m. The Liberals $26.55m would increase to $45.6m.

MP Zali Steggall, the highest publicly funded independent, received $122,000 after the 2022 election; under the new system, her vote share would translate to $209,000 of public funding.

Related: Fastest-growing fire risk: why do lithium batteries keep exploding across Australia?

What about political spending?

The centrepiece of the bill is spending caps of $90m for a federal political campaign, $800,000 for an individual electorate, and separate caps for each state and territory based on their size.

Caps of that size will prevent campaigns on the scale of the more than $120m spent by Clive Palmers United Australia party in 2022 and those of six successful teal independents at the same election, who each raised more than $1m.

But it will also cut the amount major parties will need to raise to fund their campaigns, which cost the Coalition $132m and Labor $116m in 2022.

Groups not running in elections  associated entities like some unions or third parties such as GetUp and Advance Australia  will be limited to spending $11m on a federal campaign.

What are the rules around donations?

Receipt of donations or gifts from an individual donor will be capped at $20,000 a candidate for independents or per state division for political parties.

Corporations or individuals could give $20,000 to each state division of a political party, but the division of the party cannot receive more than $20,000 from that donor.

For example, the special minister of state, Don Farrell, and Labors leader in the Senate, Penny Wong, could not both accept a $20,000 gift from the same donor, as this would amount to $40,000 to members of the South Australian Labor party.

As an anti-avoidance measure, donors will be prevented from giving an aggregate of 30 times the gift cap (initially $600,000), with separate limits in each state and territory.

Affiliation fees to a political party  such as affiliated unions fees to Labor  will not count as donations, but money to attend functions including business forums will.

When will this happen?

The government wants the legislation passed in the final parliamentary sitting fortnight, for the caps to apply from 1 July 2026. Penalties will apply from 2027.

The spending and donation caps operate on a calendar year basis, with totals reset in the new year or after a federal election, and the level of caps will be indexed once per cycle after the election.

What about disclosures?

The bill implements Labors promise to lower the donation disclosure threshold from $16,300 to $1,000.

It introduces a real-time disclosure regime whereby parties must declare donations every month during the term, down to every week during an election campaign and every day in the week before and after election day.

Related: The Onion buys conspiracy theory site Infowars with plans to make it very funny, very stupid

Whats going on with truth in advertising?

A separate bill contains the proposed truth-in-political-advertising regime, modelled on South Australias laws.

The Australian Electoral Commission would assemble a panel that deliberates on truth complaints referred to it and can issue injunctions.

In inquiries of the electoral matters committee, the AEC has said it does not want this role. This bill may struggle because it lacks Coalition support.

What are the objections to the caps?

The Climate 200 funding aggregator, which helped raise $13m from 11,200 donors in the 2022 election contest, has long argued that parties and independents already in parliament have incumbency advantages and political outsiders may need to spend more to raise their profile.

The impact on Climate 200 is unclear, with suggestions that genuine pass-through of smaller individual donations may still be allowed.

Independent MP Kate Chaney has warned that a new independent would have to comply with an $800,000 spending cap in their electorate, while it appears that each political party can spend $90m, shifting that money around to support any member who is being threatened by a newcomer.

Chaneys comments suggest that spending on national campaigns may not count towards local electorate caps. For example, a political party could spend on TV and digital ads spruiking its leader and policies, but this may not count towards a local $800,000 division cap unless a local candidate is named.

However, it wont be possible to verify this until the legislation is introduced to parliament next week.

After foreshadowing a high court case in March, Palmer confirmed on Friday he will challenge these unconstitutional acts which will suppress freedom.

The only hope for Australian people is if the high court looks at the constitution and the implied rights of freedom of speech, he said.

The high court has struck down more restrictive caps legislated in New South Wales by the Coalition government, while teal independents in Victoria have also threatened to challenge its campaign finance laws.
Le Pen is being tried for embezzlement - Stephane De Sakutin/AFP

Its tempting to take a leaf from a successful President Trump and dismiss the Marine Le Pen trial as a textbook example of lawfare. Paris Prosecutor Nicolas Barrets move for a five-year jail sentence (with three years suspended), a 300,000-euro fine and, crucially, an immediate five-year ineligibility sentence, should the judges follow the prosecutors stipulations, makes a 2027 presidential run impossible, even if Le Pen appeals.

This is the harshest ever requested in the many tried cases of misuse of publicly-funded aides (in this case in Paris as well as in the European Parliament) by an array of perennially-penurious French political parties.

Vindictive and politically-motivated, then? It may be so. French judges, who are civil servants and notoriously skew Left, are so forthright about their political bent that for years, their main union featured on a wall of their offices a Wall of C----s with pictures and caricatures of their enemies, all Right-wingers, including president Nicolas Sarkozy and activist parents of crime victims.

Only recently, last February, the Centrist leader Francois Bayrou was finally acquitted of much the same thing, after seven years of proceedings that effectively prevented him from being an irritant capable of derailing Emmanuel Macrons plans. Even then, he was only at risk of suspended sentences, either of jail or ineligibility.

But the problem, whatever Le Pen (herself a barrister) says, is that she and the entire leadership of her party have serious allegations against them. Email after email were read in court showing concern and collusion: her own sister, telling her she was utterly incapable of the job she theoretically had been doing for four months in Strasbourg; the party treasurer explaining smugly the European Parliament aides salaries would at last help keep the party afloat; a future National Rally MP requesting permission to go to Strasbourg to get an idea of what she was supposed to have been in charge of; on and on.

Here again its not just the evidence of dishonesty that will harm the Rally (the French, as long as you havent been embezzling for your personal use, are pretty relaxed about dodgy political financing, especially as there are no big donors in the French political ecosystem; any individual being restricted to a measly 7,500 euros annually), more of sheer laziness and incompetence.

Questioned on why he hadnt appointed a real chief of staff (he is after all the chair of the Patriots for Europe parliamentary group, which also includes Viktor Orbans Fidesz, Austrias far-Right FPO, Geert Wilders Party for Freedom, Spains Vox and Italys Lega), Jordan Bardella shot back that all he needed around him were people [he] trusted, which belongs in the Corleone repertory, not the Berlaymont.

Le Pen has denied any sense of guilt, implying shes being persecuted by pernickety bureaucrats. If she truly is prevented from running in two years time though, the danger to French democracy, already corroded by lack of trust and a feeling that the fix is in, will be considerable. The judges would be better inspired to leave to voters the decision to kill off her political career in the ballot box  or not; the American example of electing a felon is not unthinkable here.

But martyring her while her case is being appealed; at it will of course be, and she is technically innocent, would be supremely unhelpful. Its not just the hard-Right thats criminally short-sighted in France.
The owner of a new restaurant near Kings Cross has told customers to drink some wine - GETTY

Its an unusual strategy for a first week of trading. The chef patron of The Yellow Bittern, a new restaurant near Kings Cross in London, has lashed out at his customers for their derisory attitude to lunch, the only meal he serves at his 18-seater restaurant. Taking to Instagram, Hugh Corcoran wrote: Restaurants are not public benches. You are here to spend money.

Studying the paucity of his first weeks trading figures, hes noticed habits such as four people booking a table, sharing a single starter, two mains and then drinking tap water. At the very least, he says, Order correctly, drink some wine and justify your presence in the room.

Many of Londons lunchers, and a very large number of PRs, who are thanking their lucky stars that they have not been engaged by Mr Corcoran, are aghast.

It is the normal practice of restaurateurs to flatter their customers, to send out messages of joy and goodwill, to embrace the notion of hospitality and dispatch cosy notions of delicious menus and hearty welcomes. Especially now as the sector is under attack as never before. The Governments hike in employer National Insurance Contributions is a hammer-blow to an already beleaguered industry that is grappling with rising food and energy costs, low margins and staffing issues.

The PR missives I receive as the Telegraphs food critic, which announce new restaurants or reboots of existing ones, court the critics and beg for custom. Not Corcoran. Hes only been going a week and is sacking his customers, or at least putting them on notice.

In the case that a plate of radishes is enough for you and your three friends for lunch, Corcoran admonishes, then perhaps an allotment would be a better investment than a table in a restaurant.

On the running of The Yellow Bittern, Corcoran, who hails from Belfast, is in league with a bookseller called Oisin Davies and the editor of a biannual magazine called Luncheon. Clearly they believe in the concept of lunch, but they also spurn dinner and accept only cash. Reservations can only be made via the use of a telephone. They are, in other words, arbiters and custodians of my heart.

Im yet to visit The Yellow Bittern, but as one who loathes the rigmarole of online bookings, who carries a bit of cash and who loves, adores, worships even, the idea of lunch, I like their style.

Refreshing marketing strategy

And I also love the new and refreshing marketing strategy. But more than that, I support and endorse his demands that people drink wine at lunchtime. For God forbid we descend into the tedious quagmire that is New York, where the only people who order wine at lunch are the Britons. And pretty appalled are New Yorkers too when they spot it.

For me, the very word lunch includes the word wine, invisible perhaps but resounding with the concept. The suggestion of lets meet for lunch is a declaration that we will eat, drink wine, have several courses and make it last for as long as possible.

Its more fun to eat during daylight hours, its more fun to drink during the day and its healthier. Indeed, my body literally convulses, the acid in my stomach doing its finest Mount Etna impression, if I eat and drink (like it were lunch) in the evening.

Now, of course, I am lucky that I can do this as a profession, indeed in your very service, ensuring in my weekly descriptions that you dont waste money in poor places and that you invest wisely in the good ones. But I also come from a long line of lunchers. My grandfather lunched, my father was a legendary luncher of Fleet Street, my brother is an aficionado, I, too, lunch for Britain.

Indeed, I was at it this week. I reviewed a new place called Barbary in Notting Hill and, sensitive to my employers duty to its shareholders, while I got the food, my friend Ewan took care of the wine. After a martini (him) and a negroni (me), he invested wisely in a white Burgundy and a red Bordeaux and then they rewarded us with two glasses of Sauternes. The restaurant made a decent margin, we made merry and Corcoran would have been proud. But he would also have noticed, as we did, that the  mainly  yummy mummies who crowded the place were sipping water.

Tut tut. The world is a terrible place of misery and pain. Business is tough, life is hard. So the least we can do is heed the call of Hugh Corcoran. Have lunch, drink wine and know that when you do it, you do it not for just your own pleasure, but for the economic benefit of your country.
Matt Gaetz

The House of Representatives investigation into Matt Gaetz was considered closed when he resigned his seat to accept Donald Trumps nomination for Attorney General.

But the firebrand loyalist has been dogged by allegations that he had sex with a 17-year-old girl, attended drug-fuelled parties with escorts and showed videos of his conquests to Congressional colleagues ever since Mr Trump made the announcement.

His nomination faced further turmoil as a House ethics investigation into the claims threatened to become public amid fierce rumours that it could be leaked.

Amid growing pressure to release the committees findings, salacious reports from an alleged sex party, and scepticism from Senate Republicans, Mr Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration as attorney general on Thursday.

The House Ethics Committee opened the probe into the Florida Panhandle Republican over the alleged use of illicit drugs and sexual relations with a 17-year-old in 2021, with a vote on its release set to take place before Mr Gaetz resigned this month.

Mr Gaetz has consistently denied all the claims against him, characterising them as a smear campaign. He has never been charged.

Now that he is no longer a House Representative, the committee no longer has jurisdiction to investigate him and the report wont be released.

Mr Gaetz, posing with a dog, on the campaign trail - AFP/Angela Weiss

The reports publication had already been delayed owing to rules which prohibit a negative report being released close to an election, according to the New York Times.

The House investigation came after a federal public corruption investigation was opened into Orlando-based tax collector Joel Greenberg, a close associate of Mr Gaetz.

During their inquiries, the investigators gained access to Mr Greenbergs electronic devices, discovering that he had repeatedly paid a young woman he had met online to attend parties with him and his friends, according to the New York Times.

When it emerged that the woman was under 18 years of age, the tax collector agreed to cooperate with federal authorities to avoid a potentially lengthy jail sentence if convicted for for having sex with a minor.

Greenberg was sentenced to 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to underage sex trafficking, wire fraud, stalking, identity theft, producing a fake ID card, and conspiring to defraud the US government.

Joe Greenberg - Tribune News Service

Mr Greenberg went on to claim that Mr Gaetz had also had sex with the woman - who was 17 years old at the time - and knew she was being paid, the New York Times reported.

The Department of Justice, which Mr Gaetz would lead as Attorney General, opened a two-year investigation into him.

Last year, the DoJ ended the investigation without charge.

The Ethics Committee, which had paused its work to give room to federal investigators, restarted its own probe into Mr Gaetz.

Here is everything we know about what the committee looked into.

What is the House Ethics Committee investigating?

The Houses initial investigation was opened in 2021, but didnt get to work seriously until the federal probe was closed in 2023.

Over the past year-and-a-half, the Ethics Committee has looked into a series of allegations made against Mr Gaetz, including that he showed nude pictures of women to other members of the House, took illegal drugs, had sex with a 17 year old and misused campaign funds for personal use. He has repeatedly denied all the allegations.

The panel interviewed a number of the women who Mr Greenberg told federal investigators Mr Gaetz had allegedly had sex with, including the unnamed 17-year-old.

It also subpoenaed Mr Greenberg to hand over documents he had related to Mr Gaetz.

What happens next?

After his resignation from Congress, lawmakers from both the Democrats and Republicans called for the House Ethics Committees unreleased report into Mr Gaetz to be made public.

A lawyer representing the alleged 17-year-old victim also voiced support for its release.

Senator John Cornyn, a senior Republican, said the Senate should be given access to the report before it is made to vote on Mr Gaetzs confirmation as Attorney General.

The senator at the Capitol on Thursday - AP/J Scott Applewhite

I dont want there to be any limitation at all on what the Senate could consider, he told reporters.

When asked if that meant he wanted to see the ethics report, he replied: Absolutely.

However, now senators will not be asked to confirm Mr Gaetz as attorney general following his withdrawal, that will likely remove pressure for the reports release.

The lawyer for the alleged victim, John Clune, said: Mr Gaetzs likely nomination as attorney general is a perverse development in a truly dark series of events.

We would support the House Ethics Committee immediately releasing their report. The 17-year-old was a high school student and there were witnesses.

The committee failed to reach a consensus on whether to release the report when it met on Nov 20. It will meet again on Dec 5.

The alleged encounter

According to testimony as given to the ethics committee from Mr Greenbergs ex-wife, Mr Gaetz is said to have attended a drugs-fuelled party hosted by Chris Dorworth, a former Republican member of Floridas House of Representatives in summer 2017.

Mr Dorworth has denied that he attended the party at his home, claiming he was instead celebrating a friends birthday part on a lake far away, according to The Orlando Sentinel.

Sex workers were said to have roamed the Heathrow, Florida, home with access to the bedrooms in the Dorworth residence to engage in sexual activities, as well as alcohol, cocaine, ecstasy, also known as molly and marijuana, according to court documents.

Among the guests at the party was the 17-year-old girl, known only by AB in court filings.

Having just finished her junior year at a local high school, AB claimed that she drove her mothers car through the gated communitys security gates at 6.15 pm on July 15, 2017.

Upon arrival, guests were allegedly ordered to place their cellphones in a large bowl, in order to prevent evidence of the party from spreading.

The court documents said AB was naked among the adult guests.

The documents made no allegations and did not provide any evidence that Mr Gaetz had used illegal drugs or had sex with the underage girl.

Witnesses do, however, place him in attendance at the party, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

The House Committees investigation is reported to contain a statement from an ex-girlfriend of Mr Gaetz who said he was in attendance at a party where drugs were present and it was also attended by the female with whom he is alleged to have had sex when she was a minor, according to ABC News.

The 17-year-old told the committee she had two sexual encounters with Mr Gaetz at the party, CNN reported shortly before he withdrew as attorney general nominee.

Jacob Bliss, a spokesman for Gaetz office, told the Orlando Sentinel on Friday that Mr Gaetz has never participated in the alleged events.

If people said otherwise, they are either confused or lying, Mr Bliss said.

Evidence, including an interview with AB, remains sealed inside unreleased court documents.

Two more witnesses come forward

Mr Gaetz is also alleged to have paid for two women to fly to New York to have sex with him.

Joel Leppard, a lawyer representing the women, said they had testified to the House ethics committee that the then congressman had paid for the trip in January 2019.

Mr Gaetz is said to have brought them to the Fox News studios, where he was a guest on the talk show Outnumbered. The two women later went to Broadway to watch Pretty Woman, a play about a businessman who falls in love with a prostitute.

They were asked to go and have sex with Representative Gaetz, and then they could go out and see a show that they wanted to see that night, Mr Leppard told ABC News.

Mr Leppard claimed that Mr Gaetz had paid to bring women across state lines for sex  which would potentially have laid him open to a human trafficking charge.

Mr Gaetz allegedly had sex with the women, both of whom were adults, on around 10 to 15 occasions, including during drug-fuelled parties or private trips to New York or the Bahamas.

On many of those occasions, they were said to have been paid by the then congressman.

One of the women apparently told investigators that she saw Mr Gaetz having sex with her underage friend against a table at a party in 2017.

Separately, ABC News said it had obtained documents showing Mr Gaetz paid $10,224.02 between July 2017 and January 2019 to two witnesses in the House and justice department probes.

Two women reportedly testified that some of the payments were in exchange for sex, ABC said.

Mr Gaetz has repeatedly denied any allegations of wrongdoing. A spokesman for the Trump transition team hit out at the baseless allegations intended to derail the second Trump administration.

Why does Donald Trump like Matt Gaetz?

As a four-term representative for the Florida Panhandle, Mr Gaetz has been a loyal defender of Mr Trump.

He travelled to New York earlier this year when the president-elect was facing his own hush money trial.

In June when Mr Trump was facing off against Joe Biden in a presidential debate, Mr Gaetz made sure he was a strong presence in the spin room, talking up the now-president-elects successes.

He went on to help Mr Trump prepare for a debate against Kamala Harris, in which the Republican made the untrue claim that Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating cats and dogs.

Both men share a claim that the justice system, including the Department of Justice, has unfairly gone after them.

Mr Gaetz, over the years has also positioned himself as a man willing to take on the FBI, an agency that Mr Trump has complaints over because of its probe into his campaigns connection to Russia in 2016 and a raid over classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.

Why did Matt Gaetz withdraw after his nomination?

Eight days after being nominated by Mr Trump, Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration amid reports that he faced an uncertain path to confirmation by the Senate.

The former congressman admitted that the fight over his appointment was becoming a distraction before the president-elect entered the White House.

There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus Ill be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as attorney general. Trumps DoJ must be in place and ready on Day 1, Mr Gaetz wrote on social media.

His announcement came a day after he met with Senate Republicans in a bid to shore up support for his embattled nomination, alongside vice president-elect JD Vance.

It is unclear where Mr Gaetz, who is effectively unemployed after resigning from Congress, goes from here.

Mr Trump said that the 42-year-old had a wonderful future and had decided to fall on his sword because he did not want to be a distraction.

A source involved in the transition team told The Washington Post that Mr Gaetz would have been the worst confirmation by far and likely would not have made it through the Senate.
Donald Trump will make a triumphant return to the White House to meet President Joe Biden Wednesday, in the Republican's first visit since departing amid a cloud of scandal nearly four years ago.

Trump's meeting with Biden comes as he moves swiftly to name his top team, including the world's richest man Elon Musk as head of a new group aimed at slashing government waste.

Democrat Biden invited his sworn rival to meet in the Oval Office -- despite the fact that Trump, who has consistently refused to admit his 2020 election loss, never afforded Biden the same courtesy.

Biden, 81, is expected to urge a smooth transition of power in the encounter at 11:00 am (1600 GMT) -- and push for continued support for Ukraine.

"He believes in the norms. He believes in our institutions," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Tuesday when asked why Biden was inviting Trump.

"The American people deserve this. They deserve a peaceful transfer of power."

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Biden would go over top foreign policy issues when he meets Trump -- including US support for Kyiv against Russia, which Trump has criticized.

"The president will have the chance to explain to President Trump how he sees things, where they stand, and talk to President Trump about how President Trump is thinking," Sullivan told CBS on Sunday.

But the meeting may be a bitter pill to swallow for Biden, who branded Trump a threat to democracy and was vying for the presidency against him until a disastrous debate performance forced the Democrat out of the race in July.

House speaker Mike Johnson said Trump may also visit the US Capitol -- the building a mob of his supporters stormed in 2021 to try to reverse his election loss -- but these plans have not been finalized.

Trump's party looks set to take both chambers of Congress and consolidate his extraordinary comeback.

Biden's Oval Office invitation restores a presidential transition tradition that Trump tore up when he lost the 2020 election, refusing to sit down with Biden or even attend the inauguration.

Then-president Barack Obama had welcomed Trump to the White House when the tycoon won the 2016 election.

But by the time Trump took his last Marine One flight from the White House lawn on January 20, 2021, he had also been repudiated by many in his own party for having encouraged the Capitol riot.

The period of disgrace soon evaporated, however, as Republicans returned to Trump's side, recognizing his unique electoral power at the head of his right-wing movement.

Trump, 78, enters his second term with a near total grip on his party and the Democrats in disarray.

He has spent the week since the election at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida assembling his top team, as the world watches to see how closely he sticks to his pledges of isolationism, mass deportations and sweeping tariffs.

Trump named Space X, Tesla and X boss Musk, and another stalwart ally, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, to lead a "Department of Government Efficiency ('DOGE')" -- a tongue-in-cheek reference to an internet meme and cryptocurrency.

In a flurry of announcements, Trump also picked Fox News host and military veteran Pete Hegseth as his incoming defense secretary. Hegseth has been an outspoken opponent of so-called "woke" ideology in the armed forces.

Trump further named South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem -- an ally who famously wrote about shooting her dog because it did not respond to training -- as head of the Department of Homeland Security.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio is tipped for secretary of state, US media reported, while Trump has also confirmed Congressman Mike Waltz, a former special forces officer, as his national security advisor.

Both have hawkish views on China but are not considered isolationists, despite Trump's previous threats to retreat from or cut obligations to alliances like NATO.
Mazyouna, left, before an Israeli airstrike destroyed her home, and right, in a Gaza hospital. Her jaw was literally hanging, her father says. Photograph: Courtesy of FAJR Scientific

It was the morning of 8 June when Ahmed Damoo got the call that his home, a small concrete building in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, had been hit by an IDF rocket. When he returned to what was left of his house, he learned his family had been buried beneath the rubble.

One by one, his neighbours had dragged the bodies from the debris. Among the dead were Damoos in-laws and his two children, Hala, 13, and Mohannad, 10, who had been playing in the living room when they were killed. His wife, Areej, and toddler, Tala, had sustained serious injuries but were still alive.

Every day I watch my beautiful daughter, who cant even bear to look at herself in the mirror Ahmed Damoo

His last child, 12-year-old Mazyouna, could not be located. When Damoo eventually found her, he almost passed out.

Her face was ripped off and her jaw was literally hanging, he recalls. My beautiful little girl was completely unrecognisable.

At al-Aqsa hospital, doctors used what little resources they had to stitch Mazyounas face back together and hold the remaining structure in place.

Mohammed Tahir, a British doctor who is volunteering in Gaza, saw her during his ward rounds. It was one of the most shocking cases Ive seen, he says. Half of her cheek was missing and her bones were exposed.

The doctors tried their best but the extensive reconstructive work she requires cannot be provided here in Gaza.

Since June, the family and FAJR Scientific, a US non-profit organisation providing free medical care to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, have tried to evacuate Mazyouna for treatment to the US, where they have surgeons waiting to treat her.

Five times their requests have been denied without explanation by the Israeli military body responsible for humanitarian affairs in Gaza, the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (Cogat).

Now, five months on, her situation is getting desperate. There is still shrapnel in her neck and she is in agony every time she moves. She cannot eat or speak. The platinum used by surgeons to rebuild her face is coming apart, with little more than a bandage holding her jaw together.

Doctors say her wounds are now infected and there is little they can do to stop it spreading. If she is not allowed access to surgery immediately, she could die.

Every day I watch my beautiful daughter, who cant even bear to look at herself in the mirror any more, says Damoo.

The hardest thing for any parent is to watch their child suffer and not be able to do anything about it. I have already lost two of my children  losing another would destroy us completely.

Mazyouna is one of an estimated 2,500 children in Gaza who Unicef says need urgent medical attention and require immediate evacuation.

Its is utterly shocking and outrageous that children who need essential treatment are being blocked by Israel from leaving Gaza Moeen Mahmood, MSF

This week, the aid organisation Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said the Israeli government blocked, without explanation, the medical evacuation of eight children and their caretakers from Gaza who are in need of medical care, including a two-year-old with leg amputations, to the MSF hospital in Jordan.

It says that of the 32 children it has asked to be medically evacuated from Gaza to Jordan in recent months, only six have been allowed to leave.

Lengthy procedures and unexplained denials block the provision of medical treatment for children who have been severely injured in Gaza, says Moeen Mahmood, MSFs country director in Jordan.

It is utterly shocking and outrageous that children who need essential treatment are being blocked by Israel from leaving Gaza. Israels denial of urgent medical evacuations defies reason and humanity.

Unicef says children are being evacuated from Gaza at a rate of less than one child a day. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization, says that since May, medical evacuations have virtually ground to a halt.

Unicefs James Elder says: Children in Gaza are dying  not just from the bombs, bullets and shells that strike them  but because, even when miracles happen [and] the children survive, they are then prevented from leaving Gaza to receive the urgent care that would save their lives.

This is not a logistical problem  we have the ability to safely transport these children out of Gaza. It is not a capacity problem  indeed, we were evacuating children at higher numbers just months ago. It is simply a problem that is being completely disregarded.

Mazyounas parents were not given a reason for why their daughter has not been allowed to leave Gaza to get the help she needs. Other parents told the Guardian that they were also denied permission to travel with their sick children, saying that security concerns were cited, with no further clarification provided.

Cogat and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) did not respond to requests for comment.

In many cases, humanitarian organisations say that when Cogat does approve children for evacuation, they turn down the requests of parents or relatives to travel with them.

No one can say if these families will ever be reunited, says Somaya Ouazzani, co-founder of the British medical aid organisation Children Not Numbers, which has so far helped evacuate more than 100 injured children from Gaza. It is completely unacceptable that this situation should even exist.

In a room inside a large military hospital about a 30-minute drive from central Cairo, 11-month-old Sadeel Hamdan lies curled up in a bed typically reserved for wounded soldiers. A series of tubes funnel into her tiny body while every few minutes, her slow breathing is punctuated by bleeps from a monitor.

She just needs her mother, says Tamer Hamdan, the babys father, who sits slouched in an armchair, exhausted. No child in this situation should ever be without its mother.

Born two months before the war in Gaza broke out, Sadeel was diagnosed with a chronic liver disease. As the war raged on and her condition worsened, a fluid buildup in Sadeels abdomen left her in agony and struggling to move or breathe.

Doctors warned that without an urgent liver transplant, she had only days to live. Her mother Hudas application was rejected; she had been breastfeeding her baby until the day of her departure. Her father was only allowed to evacuate with her because he was her organ donor.

The war in Gaza has also created a generation of child amputees. Unicef says that between last October and January, at least 1,000 children in Gaza lost one or both legs  equivalent to 10 children losing legs every day. That number has undoubtedly increased as the conflict enters its 14th month.

The Gaza war began in October 2023 after Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants massacred about 1,200 Israelis in coordinated incursions from the Gaza Strip and took 254 people hostage. Since then, about 43,000 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, according to the health authorities in Gaza, while more than 80% of the population of 2.3 million have been displaced. Many of those being treated in hospitals are referred to as WCNSFs (wounded child, no surviving family).



Related: Almost unparalleled suffering in Gaza as UN says nearly 70% of those killed are women and children

For those children who are permitted to leave Gaza for treatment in another country, it is uncertain whether they will ever be able to return.

In El Shorouk, near Cairo, Layan al-Atta sits in a wheelchair and looks out from a balcony window. Atta was wounded during an Israeli airstrike on a UN school in Deir al-Balah, where she had been sheltering with her family. She suffered a severe injury to her spinal cord and right leg, which later had to be amputated.

When Atta was evacuated to Egypt, her mother was granted permission but her father and siblings were left behind. I didnt just lose my leg, I lost my family and home, she says It feels like everything and everyone I love has been taken from me.
Sarah Everard was kidnapped, raped and strangled by serving Met officer Wayne Couzens in March 2021 - Crown Prosecution Service via AP

A Metropolitan Police officer has been sacked after accessing confidential files about Sarah Everard.

Pc Myles McHugh was among three officers found to have committed gross misconduct following a three-week disciplinary tribunal in London.

On Friday, the tribunal panel said trainee Det Con Hannah Rebbeck, who had also accessed sensitive data, would also have been dismissed without notice if she had not already left the force.

Sgt Mark Harper was handed a final written warning, to last for three years.

Rebbeck was accused of wrongfully viewing X-rays of Everard one week after she had been kidnapped, raped and strangled on March 3 2021.

The 33-year olds body was found dumped in woodland in Kent on March 10. Wayne Couzens, a Met officer, was found guilty of her kidnap, rape and murder and is currently serving a whole-life prison sentence.

Rebbecks highly blameworthy conduct included looking at very sensitive personal data out of a morbid curiosity about the disappearance of Sarah Everard, the panel said.

Her behaviour was placed at the highest end of seriousness.

Tributes to Sarah Everard at Clapham Common - Leon Neal/Getty Images

Both McHughs and Rebbecks actions were described by the panel as an egregious breach of the trust.

The panel was told Rebbeck resigned after the allegations came to light and, when questioned at the time, said she felt curious, anxious and invested in the outcome of the investigation.

McHugh had looked at information about Everards medical history, relationships, employment and lifestyle.

The panel said his behaviour was at the higher end of harm. He was dismissed without notice for repeatedly accessing the police system on matters which had nothing to do with his duties.

Data accessed extensively and accumulatively

McHugh looked at personal data which was very sensitive and attempted to discuss what he had seen with his colleagues, according to panel chairwoman Sharmistha Michaels.

She said he acted out of a curiosity about the investigation as he accessed data extensively and accumulatively but stopped looking for the information after Couzens was arrested.

The panel also noted the misconduct happened at a time of national concern.

Sgt Harper, who works in a Croydon custody unit, was given a final written warning.

The material he saw related to Couzens and he had accessed it out of professional curiosity to see how charging decisions were progressing and not for information on Everard.

The panel took the view that the information he looked at contained limited detail and he did not look at more sensitive areas. There was no evidence it impacted the investigation but it had undermined public confidence in the police.

Sgt Harper was still working as a custody sergeant but with certain restrictions, the panel said.

After the hearing, the Met said the panel heard that McHugh accessed the information while off duty and for a significant period of time, while Rebbeck was found to have repeatedly accessed sensitive data without any link to her duties.

The panel ruled the breaches of professional standards were so serious that the only appropriate outcome was dismissal.

Det Con Tyrone Ward, former Insp Akinwale Ajose-Adeogun and former Det Sgt Robert Butters faced the same misconduct hearing.

The panel concluded that they did have a legitimate reason for accessing the relevant information and consequently did not breach the standards of police professional behaviour.

Another serving officer will face a separate gross misconduct hearing on a date to be set.
Nacc commissioner Paul Brereton says he has accepted he got the balance wrong and is now setting about putting it right. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

The National Anti-Corruption Commission chief has rejected calls to quit over his handling of referrals from the robodebt royal commission, suggesting he was being made a scapegoat and insisting neither he nor his agency will be influenced by public pressure.

Paul Brereton told a governance forum on Friday that he accepted the independent Nacc inspectors finding that he had failed to adequately manage a declared conflict of interest in relation to a past professional association with one of the six people referred to the Nacc for possible corruption investigation.

Related: Nacc to reconsider whether to investigate robodebt after apprehended bias finding against commissioner

But the Nacc commissioner was defiant, insisting that what the inspector called an error of judgment did not justify stepping down.

Perhaps the most important lesson is that we are not the best person to manage our own conflict of interest, Brereton told the annual public sector forum hosted by the Governance Institute of Australia.

And to the suggestions that I should resign  I think you will have probably gathered my response by now. If every judge found to have made a mistake of law or fact resigned, there wouldnt be one sitting on the bench in this country.

Brereton referred to a speech he gave at the same forum last year, in which he remarked on the resignation of then Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin over the handling of a nationwide internet outage. He reiterated concern that a blame culture deterred people from owning their mistakes.

Reputationally, theres been a sacrifice to the gods, if you like, but thats about all there is, Brereton said, reiterating his remarks of a year ago in respect of Optus. If we recognise that the mistakes will happen, accept responsibility for them and put things right, rather than just seeking a scapegoat, we will do a lot to improve culture in the public service. And ironically, a year later, I find myself in that very situation.

He said he had accepted he got the balance wrong and was now setting about putting it right.

The Nacc inspector was deluged with complaints after the commission decided against further investigating the referred individuals. In the wake of the misconduct finding against Brereton last month, the Nacc is now having an independent appointee review its decision.

Brereton said he was not there to be popular or to bow to pressure.

If Im to be deterred from discharging my duties by adverse publicity, that will undermine the independence of the commission in more than a minor way, he said.

It will say that we should avoid making difficult decisions, lest they be unpopular. It will be a statement that our yardstick should be popularity becoming an architect of oppression and a vehicle for vengeance, rather than an instrument of integrity.

He suggested public expectations did not match the commissions actual function.

We are not a complaints handling agency, nor an administrative decisions review authority, he said, adding that the Nacc would mostly focus on matters that have not been and are not the subject of investigation by other agencies.

He blamed leaders for a poor public-sector integrity culture, describing culture as what people do, not what formal policies might tell them to do.

Brereton called for a top-down culture of honest, impartial and public-interest-focused decisions in which matters are reported honestly, without embellishment or omission, and in which responsibility is accepted, including for the inevitable mistakes.
The annual Diwali celebration has taken place at No 10 since 2009 - PA/Mina Kim

Downing Street was forced to apologise to British Hindus after serving meat and alcohol at its annual Diwali celebration.

No 10 said there had been a mistake in the organisation of the event and reassured the community it will not happen again.

Whilst Hinduism does not have a clear ban on alcohol or meat consumption, many Hindus, including several who attended the event, choose not to drink and some are also vegetarian.

The celebration prompted complaints from British Hindu MPs, including Shivani Raja, Conservative MP for Leicester East, who, in a letter to Sir Keir Starmer, said that she was greatly concerned to hear about the gaffe.

Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, told The Telegraph: Diwali is an auspicious and religious occasion and Starmers apology fails to acknowledge and recognise the values of the Hindu community.

The way this event was organised was a slur on the Hindu community and shows Labours complete ignorance towards the British-Indian diaspora community, and the fact that they have not made any effort to understand our culture or values.

A Number 10 spokesman said: A mistake was made in the organisation of the event. We understand the strength of feeling on this issue and so would apologise to the community and assure them it will not happen again.

Larry the No 10 cat gets involved in the Diwali celebrations - PA/Mina Kim

The spokesman said the Prime Minister paid tribute at the event to the huge contribution British Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities make to Britain.

The Downing Street Diwali celebration has taken place since 2009 when it was introduced under Gordon Brown, the then prime minister.

It gained prominence during the premiership of Rishi Sunak, the first Hindu prime minister, who was pictured lighting traditional candles with his family on the occasion. Alcohol and meat were not served.

The five-day festival, celebrated by Sikhs and Jains as well as Hindus, symbolises new beginnings, the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.

There are different interpretations on how Hindus should treat animals. However, cows are considered sacred and many choose not to eat beef, while others avoid meat altogether.

Practising Sikhs and Jains also abstain from alcohol and many choose to be vegetarian.

Yet at this years event in October, British-Indian community leaders, MPs, councillors and members of the armed forces said they were shocked to see lamb kebabs, fish, beer and wine being served, according to the Times of India.

In her letter to the Prime Minister, Ms Raja said the decision was not in keeping with the customs of many Hindus and showed a disappointing lack of knowledge of the customs and traditions that many British citizens hold dear.

She said: As a practising Hindu, representing thousands of Hindus within my own constituency of Leicester East, I have been deeply saddened to hear that this years festivities were overshadowed in the greatest Office of State by negativity, as a result of this oversight.
Reeves delivering her quietly radical plan for pensions at her Mansion House speech

In Rachel Reevess Mansion House speech, she has unveiled her plans to consolidate the 86 funds of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) into a small number of mega-funds.

There has already been some consolidation under previous administrations, but this plan is more radical. The Chancellor is planning to create these large funds which she claims will not only deliver better returns, but also allow a large pot of the money  she estimates 80bn  to be invested in green and tech infrastructure. This would represent 22 per cent of the latest value of 361bn of assets currently in LGPS.

However the LGPS is not actually a fragmented scheme; it is already one scheme, with all the benefits to workers and pensioners guaranteed by central government. This is unlike private funded schemes, whose benefits to pensioners are not guaranteed by the government, and which are genuinely fragmented.

LGPS has so many separate funds managed by local authorities as a matter of history and localism. In the past, Councils have felt proprietorial towards their pension funds, and have resisted giving them up to larger groupings.

But although these funds are locally managed by the Councils that set them up and funded them through their employees and employers contributions, they do not actually form the basis of the pensions promise. The funds themselves simply provide an offset to the Governments guarantee.

However, having (partially) funded schemes  even ones guaranteed by Government  is better than fully unfunded schemes, where the cost is borne by people two generations younger than the beneficiaries. LGPS represents a relatively small part of the overall Governmental pensions promise; which is dominated by the completely unfunded central Government employees pension schemes.

The Governments claims that very large size in pension funds (25bn-50bn) improves returns is not borne out by the international evidence, except to the extent that some reduction in professional investment fees can be achieved in very large funds. It is true that infrastructure projects are often very large scale, but many are already securitised, or formed into funds, allowing smaller but still institutional investment size to participate.

The tone of the Mansion House speech implies that the Government will be directing or encouraging investment into its pet projects, like green and tech infrastructure.

These are very high risk, long-term and illiquid investments. Many pension funds are reluctant to risk their money on these sorts of investments given that there is already a huge universe of attractive domestic and international investments (like listed equities) currently available to them.

However, most problematic is the idea that the Governments political agenda should determine investment choice. The remit given to the professional investment managers that currently manage LGPS funds is that they (a) stick to their area of expertise and investment guidelines, and (b) that they maximise the return/risk ratio for their chosen asset class.

The Chancellor may believe that 80bn can be productively invested in green and tech projects; but it seems likely that her incentive is primarily to promote her political agenda. By contrast, the investment professionals may or may not choose to invest in infrastructure.

Sophisticated investment techniques for pension funds such as asset/liability modelling have already been developed to include all relevant asset classes  including infrastructure  in judging what asset-class weights are needed for an efficient and well-diversified portfolio.

Adding in Mrs Reeves views are unlikely to improve their performance.

The Chancellors belief that her directing funds into UK infrastructure investment will promote economic growth is also misplaced. Whole-economy growth requires sustained improvement in the labour productivity of the working population, as well as maintaining constant or rising levels of workforce participation.

According to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), the construction sector has below-UK-average levels of labour productivity, so the work itself will not make us richer. Indeed, if construction itself forms a more substantial part of the economy, it may make us poorer.

Whether or not the increased physical capital that results from construction makes us richer depends on the extent to which it improves economic performance in the area to which it is applied.

Obvious examples of productivity-improving physical capital investment include modern automated and robot production facilities, making the same or more products with a smaller or much smaller workforce.

By contrast green infrastructure (wind farms; solar; nuclear) is heavily subsidised in the UK, otherwise less would be built. Measured against international market energy prices, the energy they produce, carry or store is very expensive, increasing the cost of energy for the general population, making them worse off. This is the opposite of economic growth.

So not only is the Chancellor creating new and potentially dangerous conflict of interest in the pensions market, she may also be shooting herself in the foot from a growth perspective.
Pete Hegseth at Fox News Channel Studios on 9 August 2019 in New York City. Photograph: John Lamparski/Getty Images

Extremism experts are sounding the alarm about Pete Hegseth, Donald Trumps pick for secretary of defense, whose writings and online presence reveal someone immersed in a culture of rightwing Christianity, political extremism and violent ideation.

The Fox & Friends host, who has served in the US army but has no experience in government, drew shock from Pentagon officials when Trump nominated him. Hegseths books on American culture and the military, his commentary on Fox and his frequent posts on social media showcase his far-right ideology. On these platforms, Hegseth telegraphs paranoia and anger toward leftists, an ultra-masculine Maga persona and apparent revulsion toward service members who do not fit his vision  including women.

The thing that really worries me, is both the ideology of Christian nationalism and what thats going to mean for the kind of policies he tries to put in place for the defense department, said Thomas Lecaque, a historian focusing on religion and political violence.

Related: We all have our eyes wide open: Trump critics brace for dark time of retribution

Researchers who focus on the Christian right were quick to flag Hegseths tattoos, which feature a tapestry of symbols widely embraced by Christian nationalists, including a Jerusalem cross on his chest, an American flag with 13 stars partly obscured by an assault weapon below his shoulder and the words Deus Vult (God wills it) on his biceps.

Deus Vult is a first Crusade battle cry, said Lecaque. There is no other way you can interpret this. This is not some warm and fuzzy, we should, you know, pray and do acts of service  this is a call to religious violence.

Hegseth did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Hegseths tattoos are just one aspect of the television presenters Christian, hyper-masculine and hard-right persona.

In one Instagram post promoting an ammunition company, Hegseth dips his hands into a bucket of bullets and lets them pour through his closed fists while shouting: freedom! In another, he shows off a T-shirt emblazoned with the words A Pledge a Day Keeps the Commies Away superimposed on an American flag.

Much of Hegseths social media content is promotional. He regularly advertises an ammunition company, a coffee company and the pro-gun group Right to Bear on Instagram. In a November 2023 post, he promoted an Advent songbook published by the Forge Press, which is described on its website as an organization that arms Christians with weapons to build, defend, and expand the new Christendom. It also offers the podcast Red Pill Reformation, with episode titles such as Reformation vs. Revolution: A Christian Vision for World Conquest.

The Forge, Hegseth wrote on Instagram, is a great new Christian company you wont regret supporting.

Hegseth has also embraced the upside-down American flag, which he has worn on a hat and used as cover art for his 2024 book, The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free. Historically flown by sailors to signal distress, the upside-down flag has been widely appropriated by Trump supporters who rejected the outcome of the 2020 election and protested against his criminal convictions.

***

In his books and interviews, Hegseth regularly demonizes his political opponents and lays out hardline positions  often in explicitly militant terms.

In more ways than you can imagine, leftists have surrounded traditional American patriots on all sides, ready to close in for the kill: killing our founders, killing our flag, and killing capitalism, he writes in his 2020 book, American Crusade: Our Fight to Stay Free.

For Hegseth, leftists  proponents of LGBTQ+ rights, womens rights and racial justice  lurk around every corner, posing an existential threat to the United States. In American Crusade, Hegseth writes that he believes the US faces a moment of irreconcilable differences between the Left and the Right in America leading to perpetual conflict that cannot be resolved through the political process. He adds: No, Im not calling for violence, Im just pointing out the reality.

Despite many such caveats in the book, Hegseth frequently proposes violent ideas.

This time in our history calls for an American Crusade, he writes in the books introduction. Yes, a holy war for the righteous cause of human freedom.

The central premise of American Crusade is the idea that there exists something called Americanism, which he characterizes essentially as rightwing populism, and then there is everything else: feminism, globalism, Marxism, progressivism. In Hegseths narrative, Americanism must prevail, or death will.

America is under the scourge of leftism. Our situation is bad, very bad. We are in the fight of our lives for the soul of our country, writes Hegseth. You must be thinking, Pete, you laid this out in pretty simple terms. Us versus them. America versus the left. Good versus evil. Youre overplaying your hand. Its not that bad. Read on, and think again.

In media appearances and on social media, Hegseth frequently expresses other common tropes of the far-right  including the idea that the US is not a democracy, but a constitutional republic. (It is both.)

Democracy, its everywhere, right? said Hegseth in a May 2024 interview, railing against secular public education and teachers apparent obsession with the idea of democracy. Democracy, democracy, defend the democracy. Do you know what our founders did not want us to be? A democracy.

***

Hegseth has also joined efforts by rightwing groups to discredit an early push by the Biden administration to address extremism in the military.

A veteran of the US army, having served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay with the Minnesota national guard, Hegseth takes offense at the notion that service members could be vulnerable to the sway of extremist political ideologies.

Rooting out extremism, todays generals push rank-and-file patriots out of their formations, writes Hegseth in his 2024 book, The War on Warriors.

Hegseth is far from alone in opposing efforts to counter extremism within the ranks of the military. Less than three years after the creation of the countering extremism working group, the military quietly dropped the project  reportedly the result of a Republican push to quash it.

Republicans began to treat extremism in the military as though it was not a problem, said Heidi Beirich, co-founder of the research group Global Project Against Hate and Extremism. It doesnt matter to them the number of terrorist attacks committed by people who were active duty.

Hegseth says that he was personally labeled as an extremist by the US army  a claim the Guardian could not verify.

I was in the national guard during the inauguration of Joe Biden, said Hegseth in a 4 June interview. But ultimately, members of my unit and in leadership deemed that I was an extremist, or a white nationalist.

Related: Trumps administration and White House staffing picks and likely contenders  so far

At the heart of Hegseths grievances about the modern US military is his opposition to diversity and inclusion, and he has openly dismissed swaths of service members as inadequate based on their gender or sexuality.

Im straight up just saying, we shouldnt have women in combat roles, Hegseth said in a recent podcast.

Hegseth proposes upending the military establishment and purging members of the general-class who support diversity and inclusion principles. The next president of the United States needs to fire them all  or at least most of them  and install leaders with real fidelity to the Constitution, Hegseth writes in War on Warriors.



The proposal to purge the military of officers he deems too liberal reflects Trumps campaign mantra of targeting enemies within the state.

The tattoos  I get why we talk about them, and we should  but theres also the project of sweeping out the general staff, said Jeff Sharlet, an author who has covered Christian fundamentalism and the far right. Thats what you do in a coup.
Maya Forstater, head of Sex Matters, was investigated for 15 months after a complaint about her June 2023 post about a transgender GP - Barney Cokeliss/PA

Police have dropped a terrifying investigation into a gender critical activist over a tweet she posted.

Maya Forstater, the executive director of Sex Matters, which campaigns for clarity about sex in law and policy, was told on Thursday evening that police would be taking no further action over the post on X, formerly Twitter.

Ms Forstater was investigated for 15 months by Scotland Yard after a complaint that her June 2023 post about a transgender GP was allegedly a malicious communication.

She claimed the Metropolitan Police appeared to have sat for two months on the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decision that there was no crime committed before informing her on Thursday evening, just a day after The Telegraph published a story about her plight.

She had told this newspaper that her experience had been Kafkaesque in that, like Telegraph journalist Allison Pearson, she had not been told anything about what tweet she was being investigated for or who had made the complaint until she agreed to turn up to a voluntary interview with officers.

Pearson, an award-winning writer, is being investigated by Essex Police for allegedly stirring up racial hatred in a post on X last November.

In a press statement, the Met Police said: An allegation of malicious communication, relating to a post on social media, was reported to police in June 2023.

A number of enquiries were carried out by officers, including liaison with the Crown Prosecution Service. We can confirm our investigation has concluded, with no further action to be taken.

Met sat on CPS decision for two months

Ms Forstater posted the statement on X, which said: 15 months after calling me in for questioning about a tweet, and having sat on the CPS decision that there was no crime for 2 months, the Met bothered to call me up at 7pm this evening to tell me, and then put out this press statement.

Police contacted her two months after the post on X in June 2023 to say she was being invited to a voluntary interview to give her side of the events.

Despite asking a series of questions about the details of the allegation, she was told only that it related to a post targeted at a member of the transgender community. The officer said they could not divulge any more because the victim was susceptible to further comments.

She was warned that if she failed to attend the police interview voluntarily, she would be marked as wanted on the Met Polices system for which she would eventually be arrested.

Ms Forstater subsequently attended the interview with her lawyer where she discovered it related to a transgender GP who she had claimed enjoys intimately examining female patients without their consent.

She claimed she was asked whether she intended to target a member of the transgender community, whether she understood that it could be perceived as transphobic and whether she had any evidence to support her claims.

No right not to be offended in democratic society

Ms Forstater said she did have evidence, and defended her right to speak freely. When I express my views publicly, I do not do so with the intention of causing distress or anxiety to those who disagree with me, she said.

I express my views because they are important to me, and I consider them to be a legitimate contribution to an ongoing political debate.

It may well be that persons who have seen my tweets are offended or upset, or would prefer that I did not utter them. There is no right not to be offended in a democratic society, nor to use the powers of the state to destroy other peoples rights in pursuit of your own political goals.

Nothing that I have tweeted comes anywhere close to meeting the criteria of being so obviously indecent, grossly offensive, threatening or factually false that it called for an investigation into my intentions in writing it.

Police sent a file to the CPS who decided there was insufficient evidence to support a prosecution for malicious communication which carries a penalty of up to two years in jail.

Her experience prompted her to contact Pearson after reading about her case. Pearson was told on Remembrance Sunday by Essex police that she was under investigation for allegedly inciting racial hatred in a tweet a year ago.

When I read the article describing her experience as Kafkaesque, it is exactly what my experience was, said Ms Forstater. From the start, the officer was saying theres a victim and I was being told I had committed a crime but was not told what the tweet was.

The whole process was Kafkaesque. It has been very stressful and intimidating. It has felt like I have been questioned by a political body, not by the police supposed to be treating people without fear or favour. So it was terrifying.

My first thought was relief but having the possibility of a criminal charge was stressful

By Maya Forstater

In this country, we have never had a Cheka, a Gestapo or a Stasi, wrote Mr Justice Julian Knowles in 2020 in his conclusion in the case of Harry Miller v Humberside Police.

The High Court found that the freedom of expression of Mr Miller, a former police officer, had been disproportionately interfered with when an officer visited his workplace to have a word about some frankly worded tweets on transgender issues.

The judgment is peppered with quotes from Orwell and warnings against police overreach. But the Metropolitan Police officer who contacted me last year seemed to view Nineteen Eighty-Four as operational guidance.

I was threatened with arrest for the crime of malicious communication over a tweet. Very much like the Telegraph journalist Allison Pearson, I was told that the police could not divulge the reason for the investigation because the victim would be susceptible to further comments.

Eventually, when I presented myself at Charing Cross police station, the investigating officer handed my lawyer a single sheet of paper with half the text of a single post on it.

It was about Kamilla Kamaruddin, a male GP with a practice in the East End of London who decided to live as a woman at age 53 and had written articles about being allowed by his adorable female patients to perform more intimate examinations that they did not let me do when I was a male GP.

I had written a blog post expressing concerns about this. In it, I pointed out that Kamaruddin described the possibility that patients might still recognise him as male as being prejudiced and ignorant.

My tweet said that Kamaruddin enjoys intimately examining female patients without their consent. For those words, I was investigated for over a year, on suspicion of having committed a crime defined as sending an indecent or grossly offensive message intended to cause distress or anxiety to the recipient.

It is punishable by up to two years in prison. And then, rather than dropping the whole farce, the police referred the case to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to make a decision.

This week, 15 months after I first heard from them, the Metropolitan Police finally rang to tell me that the CPS had decided to take no further action.

Apparently, it made this decision in early September. The Met hadnt bothered to inform me.

My first thought was relief. I never thought there was any chance of a court concluding that my tweet was grossly offensive. But having the possibility of a criminal charge hanging over me was stressful.

The court in the Harry Miller case said, The effect of the police turning up at his place of work because of his political opinions must not be underestimated. Having the police threaten me with arrest, question me, string out an investigation for over a year and then refer the case to the CPS was terrifying.

I am far from alone in having suffered this type of harassment. Kellie-Jay Keen, the gender critical activist has been questioned by the police three times. Caroline Farrow, the journalist, was questioned in 2019 after posting that Susie Green, then the CEO of the trans activist charity Mermaids, had her son castrated and rendered sterile while he was still a child, which is factually correct. I know of other cases, some not in the public domain.

When you forget the distortions of trans activists and look instead at the material facts of my story, and those of Keen and Farrow, you can see that its not our words that are offensive: its the acts that we are describing in the hope of bringing them to an end.

Its grossly offensive that gender-distressed children, who might otherwise grow up gay or just quirky if theyre supported sensibly and sensitively, are instead told they would benefit from having their breasts and genitals removed.

Its grossly offensive that the NHS and the Care Quality Commission look the other way while female patients are tricked, coerced or pressured into accepting intimate exams from a man who presents as a woman.

Its grossly offensive that police forces permit male officers who identify as women to strip-search female detainees. These outrages can only be defended by twisting words, outlawing truth and harassing and bullying those who refuse to go along with it.

After the initial relief, my feelings are of anger and determination. Im now considering what further action to take to make it less likely that anyone else is treated in this atrocious way.
Prof David Miller added that Starmer is Israels errand boy and will send your sons to die for it - Ben Birchall/PA Archive

Essex Police refused to investigate an academic who claimed Sir Keir Starmer worked for genocidal Jewish supremacists, The Telegraph can reveal.

The force is currently investigating columnist Allison Pearson over a year-old deleted tweet.

While The Telegraph writer has not been told which specific tweet is at the centre of the allegations, she wrote posts about Hamas attacks on Israel and antisemitic signs around this time last year.

Suzanne, a teacher who did not want her second name published, told The Telegraph how she reported a tweet posted by Prof David Miller, a former Bristol University academic, to Essex Police in October.

The tweet, which made reference to the Prime Minister confirming that the UK stood with Israel following Irans missile attack on the nation, read: Do you understand now? Do you see what the last decade has been about? Your Prime Minister does not work for you. He works for a handful of genocidal Jewish supremacists.

Prof Miller, who has 79,000 followers, added: Hes their errand boy and he will send your sons to die for Israel.

The officer who responded to Suzanne said being offended does not make a person a victim of a crime - Ricci Fothergill/Alamy Stock Photo

Suzanne, 41, who is Jewish, was sent the tweet by a friend and reported it to Essex Police in early October.

Suzanne told The Telegraph: To be honest it is pretty terrifying to be Jewish and see something like that  because while I know someone like David Miller isnt going to go and beat up Jewish people, there are people that think that Jews deserve to be attacked.

We saw an example of that in Amsterdam recently  so it is pretty scary, because as Jewish people we are all being blamed for everything that Israel does.

However, Suzanne, from Essex, went on to receive a response from Essex Police that confirmed it was closing the case.

The officer who responded to Suzanne noted that the tone of the academics tweets would cause elements of concern, citing the extremely contentious issue which pertains to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The officer went on to say: Though I acknowledge this comment may offend some individuals, being offended does not make a person a victim of crime, concluding that the comment did not constitute a crime.

Later on in the correspondence, on Monday  the day after Essex Police visited Pearson at her home  another officer wrote to clarify that the language used by their colleague, in relation to being satisfied the comment does not stir up racial hatred, was not meant to be seen as dismissive to the feelings of those affected.

Prof David was sacked by Bristol University for comments he made about Israel but went on to win a wrongful dismissal case against the institution.

When approached by The Telegraph, Prof David provided a lengthy response, part of which said: My tweet was a response to an announcement by Keir Starmer ordering Britons to support the genocidal Zionist colony in Palestine, known as the State of Israel, in its war on Iran.

Chief Superintendent Waheed Khan, Essex Polices hate crime lead, said: Everyone in Essex has the right to be safe and on behalf of the force, I want to reaffirm our commitment to tackling all forms of hate crime and to encourage victims to come forward to report incidents.

We work closely with all the communities we serve in the county to understand any issues they face and work with them to address concerns quickly.

All officers, staff and volunteers at Essex Police work hard every day to protect the safety and freedoms of our communities and we wont tolerate hate crime in any form.
The Duke of Sussex has previously alleged that Buckingham Palace had a secret agreement with Rupert Murdochs newspaper group - AP

The King tried to prevent the Duke of Sussex from suing the publisher of The Sun newspaper, the High Court has heard.

Prince Harry is to argue at trial in January that his father acted to discourage and stymie him from pursuing legal action against News Group Newspapers (NGN), Mr Justice Fancourt revealed, quoting from a document filed by the Dukes legal team.

His case concerns accusations of blagging  obtaining confidential details about him by deception  and other unlawful invasions of privacy.

On Friday, the judge granted the Duke access to a cache of Buckingham Palace emails sent between two of the most senior members of the Royal household and specific senior executives at News Group Newspapers (NGN).

David Sherborne, Prince Harrys barrister, told the court the emails could help uncover alleged secret negotiations between the palace and the publisher.

David Sherborne (right), acting as Prince Harrys barrister, told the High Court that he wanted to see the emails - PA/Jonathan Brady

He said: Emails between NGN and the palace would be highly relevant in terms of providing the full picture not only as to the actual knowledge of the claimant but also as to the position in relation to constructive knowledge, based on what the palace was being told by NGN.

The judge said: It seems to me that there is a limited category of documents where despite the element of delay, and despite the relative lateness of the application, there is a credible case for saying a full picture is necessary in the interest of justice.

I will, however, limit the documents that are being sought.

The Duke had asked for access to relevant emails sent between five email accounts of NGN employees and five employees of the Royal household between January 2013 and September 2019.

The Royal household employees are those involved in royal communications and the private secretaries to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II  who during that period were Sir Christopher Geidt and Sir Edward Young.

The NGN employees included Rebekah Brooks, chief executive of News UK, her predecessor, Mike Darcey, and Robert Thomson, chief executive of News Corp.

The Duke previously alleged that Buckingham Palace had a secret agreement with Rupert Murdochs newspaper group.

He claimed his grandmother knew about the deal, under which the Royal family agreed not to sue the publisher in return for an apology and settlement at a later date.

The allegation was strongly denied by all sides and rejected as implausible by a judge, who did not allow it to form part of his case.

In March 2023, the Duke revealed that his brother, the Prince of Wales, had quietly settled a phone hacking claim for a very large sum against NGN, three years earlier.

Harrys relationship with his father has been strained in recent years - WireImage/Samir Hussein

The court heard that some emails had already been provided to the Duke by Ms Brooks as early as April last year, but Mr Sherborne said these had been cherry-picked.

He alleged that further disclosure was highly likely to be relevant and may lead the court to draw inescapable inferences.

NGN opposed the disproportionate, time-consuming and costly bid, arguing that extracting the emails would cost 17,000.

Meanwhile, it emerged that the Duke is one of two remaining claimants still pursuing legal action against NGN after 39 others settled their cases.

Only Prince Harry and Tom Watson, the former deputy Labour leader, have opted to push on towards a trial, scheduled for January 2025.

Mr Sherborne argues the emails will provide the full picture - Jeff Gilbert

Those who have agreed settlements in recent months include Melanie Brown, the Spice Girl, Alan Yentob, the former BBC executive, Alfie Allen, the Game of Thrones actor, Ted Beckham, David Beckhams father, and Ben Elliot, the Queens nephew.

Mr Sherborne had previously suggested that claimants were being forced to settle to avoid being lumbered with huge legal bills if they rejected a settlement offer, even if they won at trial.

On the settlements, an NGN spokesman said: In some disputed cases, it has made commercial sense to come to a settlement agreement before trial to bring a resolution to the matter.

As we reach the tail end of the litigation, NGN is drawing a line under the disputed matters.

The trial is expected to last between six and eight weeks, with a further hearing due to be held in December.
The Myer Christmas windows in Melbourne in 2022. The 2024 launch event has been cancelled in response to a planned protest. Photograph: Diego Fedele/AAP

Pro-Palestine protesters have called off a planned demonstration outside Myers annual Christmas windows display in Bourke Street mall after the retail giant cancelled its launch event.

The Crash the Christmas Windows protest, organised by anti-war activist Amy Settal and shared on social media by Disrupt Wars, was condemned as divisive by Victorias premier.

Settal confirmed the planned disruptions for Sundays launch had been called off in a statement issued and said the protest was always going to be peaceful and non-violent.

The intention was to interrupt the media spectacle and economic gain sought by Myer. The children coming to see the Myer Christmas windows were never a target, because children are not a target, she said on Friday.

Settal earlier told 3AW Radio that protesters were very pleased with the outcome that Myer has decided to cancel their consumerist party and were more than happy for the children to enjoy the windows.

On Friday morning the Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, said she was furious the group had chosen to politicise a beautiful event for children.

Im just as mad at all the others who have quietly stoked this division and egged them on, she wrote on social media.

Blocking the Christmas windows wont change a thing in the Middle East, but it will let down a bunch of kids in Melbourne. Who does that help?

Related: Fastest-growing fire risk: why do lithium batteries keep exploding across Australia?

The premier said that while people had a right to demonstrate, they did not have a right to divide.

We cannot let ugly protests ruin a beautiful Christmas tradition, and we cannot let violence, division and vilification ruin what makes Victoria great, Allan wrote.

Speaking on 3AW Radio, the premier singled out the Victorian Greens, accusing the political party of using conflict in the Middle East to bring further division and conflict into Melbourne.

She said most Victorians were sick of it.

The Victorian Greens leader, Ellen Sandell, labelled Allans comments disingenuous and said the Greens had not endorsed nor supported a protest to disrupt the Myer Christmas windows.

The Greens will continue to peacefully speak up for the tens of thousands of children who have been killed in Gaza, and we urge the Labor premier to join us, she said.

Victoria police said it did not provide advice to Myer to cancel the event, and was it involved in the decision.

The community should be assured Victoria police will have a visible presence on Sunday. Any decision to cancel the event sits with Myer, it said in a statement on Friday morning.

Victorias police assistant commissioner of North-West Metro, Tim Tully, later told reporters he was hopeful Myer would go ahead with their launch after the protest was cancelled, but reiterated that it was the retailers decision.

Tully labelled the Christmas windows protesters a splinter group and said demonstrators from Palestine Melbourne - a group that holds regular rallies in the CBD on Sundays - had been engaged with Victoria police and changed its usual route to avoid the mall on Sunday.

The opposition leader, John Pesutto, called on the government to provide police with powers to move on protesters and described the planned demonstration as disgusting.

Pro-Palestine group Disrupt Wars had shared the Crash the Christmas Windows event on its social media accounts and encouraged supporters to bring flags, placards, banners, props, noisemakers and lots of energy ... to interrupt the Christmas windows reveal.

Christmas is cancelled, and there will be no joy or frivolity while children in Gaza are massacred, a social media post read.

It said the protest was designed to inconvenience those who would rather bury their heads in the capitalist machine than speak up against a genocide.

Myer said on Thursday the event was cancelled in light of recent developments.

To ensure the wellbeing and safety of customers and team members, we will no longer hold an event on Bourke Street mall for the unveiling of our Christmas windows, Myer said in a statement.

Myers Christmas windows have long symbolised joy and community, and we remain committed to providing a safe and positive experience for all visitors.

On Friday, the president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, Nasser Mashni, said it was abhorrent that people are more distressed about Christmas windows than about stopping Israels genocide and its war on Palestinian children.

Israel has rejected accusations that it is committing genocide, as the international court of justice (ICJ) investigates a claim put forward by South Africa that the countrys military campaign in Gaza is genocidal.

Since the 7 October attack on southern Israel by Hamas that killed 1,200 people last year, the Gaza health ministry says more than 43,500 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed in the Israeli offensive.

According to Lebanons health ministry, at least 3,365 people have been killed and 14,344 wounded across the country since fighting began.
China revises regulations concerning use of natural science fund

Xinhua) 23:20, November 14, 2024

BEIJING, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang has signed a decree of the State Council, unveiling a set of revised regulations on the use of the national natural science fund.

The revised regulations specify that the fund is used to finance basic research, support talent cultivation and team building, and follows the principles of openness, fairness and impartiality.

The fund will mainly come from the central budget, while enterprises and other organizations are also encouraged to engage in joint funding.

In addition, the revised regulations propose improvement of the mechanism for sharing results of research projects supported by the fund.

A special fund will be set up to train young scientific and technological personnel, according to the revisions, which also pledge to optimize the application and evaluation procedures for major original and interdisciplinary innovation projects.

Regarding improvement of the integrity system, the regulations specify that individuals and organizations that commit serious acts of dishonesty in scientific research will be punished.

The revised regulations will take effect on Jan. 1, 2025.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Zhong Wenxing)
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday that Iran will not negotiate under "intimidation" as he held crunch talks with the UN nuclear chief weeks before US President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said achieving "results" in nuclear talks with Iran was vital to avoid a new conflict in the region already inflamed by Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

His visit comes just days after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Iran was "more exposed than ever to strikes on its nuclear facilities" giving Israel "the opportunity to achieve our most important goal".

Grossi said Iranian nuclear installations "should not be attacked" but Trump is expected to give Israel a far freer rein after he takes office in January.

The IAEA chief described his meeting with Araghchi as "indispensable" in a post on X.

Araghchi was Iran's chief negotiator in talks that led to a landmark 2015 nuclear deal with major powers, abandoned three years later by Trump.

Araghchi posted that their meeting was "important & straightforward".

He said Iran was "willing to negotiate" based on the "national interest" and "inalienable rights," but was not "ready to negotiate under pressure and intimidation".

"We agreed to proceed with courage and good will. Iran has never left the negotiation table on its peaceful nuclear programme," he said.

Grossi also met the head of Iran's atomic energy organisation, Mohammad Eslami.

Eslami told a joint news conference that Iran would take "immediate countermeasures" against any sanctions from the IAEA's board of governors.

"Any interventionist resolution in the nuclear affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran will definitely be met with immediate countermeasures," Eslami said.

Grossi's visit is his second to Tehran this year but his first since Trump's re-election.

During his first term in the White House from 2017 to 2021, Trump adopted a policy called "maximum pressure" which reimposed sweeping US economic sanctions that had been lifted under the 2015 deal.

In response, Iran started to gradually roll back its commitments under the deal, which barred it from enriching uranium to above 3.65 percent.

The IAEA says Iran has significantly expanded its stocks of uranium enriched to 60 percent, a level that has triggered international alarm as it is much closer to the 90 percent level needed for a nuclear warhead.

Iran has blamed the incoming US president for the standoff.

"The one who left the agreement was not Iran, it was America," government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said on Wednesday.

"Mr. Trump once tried the path of maximum pressure and saw that this path did not work."

Trump's looming return to the White House in January has only added to international fears of all-out conflict between Israel and Iran after the archfoes exchanged unprecedented direct attacks earlier this year.

"The margins for manoeuvre are beginning to shrink," Grossi warned in an interview with AFP on Tuesday, adding that "it is imperative to find ways to reach diplomatic solutions".

Grossi has said that while Iran does not currently have a nuclear weapon, it does have plenty of enriched uranium that could eventually be used to make one.

Later Thursday, Grossi was due to hold talks with President Masoud Pezeshkian, who won election in July on a platform to improve ties with the West and revive the 2015 deal.

But all efforts to get the nuclear agreement off life support have failed.

The IAEA chief has repeatedly called for more cooperation from Iran.

In recent years, Tehran has switched off surveillance devices used to monitor its nuclear programme and effectively barred IAEA inspectors.

Grossi said he would visit uranium enrichment plants at Fordo and Natanz on Friday to get a "full picture" of Iran's nuclear programme.

The foundations of the programme date back to the late 1950s, when the United States signed a civil cooperation agreement with the Western-backed shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

In 1970, Iran ratified the NPT, which requires signatory states to declare and place their nuclear materials under IAEA control.

But with Iran threatening to hit back at Israel for its latest missile strikes, some lawmakers have called on the government to revise its nuclear doctrine to develop an atomic bomb.

They called on supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who wields ultimate authority in Iran, to reconsider his longstanding religious edict or fatwa banning nuclear weapons.
Rachel Reeves tried to reboot the growth agenda with her Mansion House speech - Isabel Infantes/Reuters

The Budget bashed business, and also the Labour Party ratings. It mentioned growth more than 300 times and yet the Chancellor then hammered companies, entrepreneurs and generally made it harder to grow a business.

Rachel Reeves has now tried to reboot the growth agenda with her Mansion House speech on Thursday night. Her mission is to boost the amount UK private pension funds invest in UK private markets and infrastructure. Her problem is that simply making a speech is not enough. And many, many pensioners do not want the Government telling them how their money is to be invested.

There were some parts of the Chancellors approach that do make sense. She is building on the reforms I started as pensions minister, and Jeremy Hunt brought forward in the summer of 2023 with the Mansion House Compact. That compact stated that 5pc of the default pension funds would be invested into unlisted equities in the UK by 2030. Rachel Reeves has decided that this is not enough.

Her decision to force local authority pension schemes to merge is fine in principle, and seeks to emulate the Canadian and Australian example. Greater size will potentially save administration costs and definitely increase buying power.

But local authorities are responsible for over 5m local government pensions: many of those members want their own democratically elected authority investing as they see fit. With forced mergers, that influence is massively diminished.

What is envisaged is the local authority pension scheme acting as an initial investor in infrastructure, with private sector money following in behind. That is fine until the project does not attract private sector support  or worse than that, it fails. And infrastructure is notoriously hard to deliver and then get a return on.

To make matters worse, this Government is making such investment harder. The best recent examples are water companies, in which pension funds have invested very heavily. In most cases they are losing money for their pension investors. But the language and approach of Labour cabinet ministers, particularly the PM and Steve Reed, the Defra secretary, is making a difficult situation worse.

The water companies need private investment, such as the massive support that the USS, the Universities pension fund, gave to Thames Water several years ago. But the USS trustees are definitely regretting that investment now; in my view no pension fund will touch a water company in the UK for at least five years.

The Governments approach, the uncertain regulatory future, the obvious struggle to get any return for members investment and so much more mean that this water infrastructure, which needs investment, will be shunned.

This instance highlights the fact that the hard work will be to create the products for the pension schemes to invest in.

For example, the only way Reeves will get the finance to invest in nuclear will be to create proper government-backed infrastructure bonds for pension schemes that are attractive in terms of risk and return.

The Treasury shows no inclination that they want to support the nuclear investment we so clearly need in this country. And yet, without Treasury support and guarantees no UK pension or overseas pension funds will invest in UK nuclear infrastructure.

Finally, transport infrastructure and some housing is blighted by a combination of excessive litigation, particularly by climate change activists seeking to block new developments, planning red tape overkill and the massive build costs in this country.

The PM and Chancellor will have to create the framework and projects that demonstrate to pension funds the opportunity, the certainty and the return needed to justify the investment. It is doable, but choices need to be made.

The Chancellor has shied away from mandating investment into UK productive finance. But her decision to accelerate mergers and consolidation of the master-trust multi-employer schemes is an extension of the previous Conservative governments work.

Finally, it is crazy that we have two regulators trying to run one industry.

The Chancellor should take away the powers of the Financial Conduct Authority over some pensions and give it to the Pensions Regulator. Having been the pensions minister, it is very clear that pensions are a sideshow to the FCA. Put one regulator in charge with a new mandate to drive forward value for money for both the investor and the country. That would make a big difference.

The present approach is a case of two steps forward, two steps back. Without clarity and drive, this combined set of measures by the Chancellor will fail.

Guy Opperman was the Minister for Pensions and Financial Inclusion from 2017 to 2022.
The Tories said Rachel Reevess employment history claims are about as accurate as her promises not to raise taxes on working people - Kirsty O'Connor/Treasury

Rachel Reeves has been accused of lying about her job history after quietly editing her online CV.

The Chancellor updated her profile on LinkedIn to remove a claim she worked as an economist at the Bank of Scotland between 2006 and 2009.

The website now states that her role was in retail banking, prompting allegations she has been economical with the truth.

The employer is now stated as Halifax, rather than the Bank of Scotland. The former is a division of the latter, with the banks having merged in 2001.

The Chancellor updated her LinkedIn profile to remove a claim she worked as an economist at the Bank of Scotland

It comes after the Guido Fawkes political blog claimed last month that Ms Reeves had been wrong to suggest she worked as an economist at the Bank of Scotland before leaving to run for Parliament.

The report cited allegations that she actually held a more mundane role in the banks complaints team.

Those who work in retail banking, sometimes known as consumer or personal banking, offer financial services to the general public. For example, they might deal with customer queries or process payments and withdrawals.

Ms Reeves also appeared to suggest she worked in financial services at the Bank of Scotland, as opposed to as an economist, in her maiden Mansion House speech on Thursday.

Addressing City chiefs, she said: Before entering politics, I worked as an economist at the Bank of England and then in financial services.

The Tories accused Ms Reeves of being the Chancellor of deception over her edited CV

According to her LinkedIn profile, Ms Reeves went straight from the Bank of England to Halifax, where she worked until December 2009. Five months later she was elected as an MP.

The Telegraph understands that Reeves role at HBOS involved dealing with administrative tasks, IT matters, and projects within the banks complaints team.

A Treasury source said the Chancellors online CV had been updated to reflect her experience in retail banking, which drew on her background as an economist.

They said: She worked in retail banking covering various areas drawing on her background as an economist. Her LinkedIn has been updated to reflect that.

They did not specify whether they viewed the change as a correction or merely a clarification.

The edit, first reported by Guido, was seized upon by Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary.

Robert Jenrick accused Ms Reeves of being economical with the truth - Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing/Getty Images

Sharing the article on X, formerly Twitter, he wrote: Reeves said she was an economist. Turns out shes just economical with the truth.

The Tories also accused the Chancellor of deception, with a source telling The Express: It seems Rachel Reevess employment history claims are about as accurate as her promises not to raise taxes on working people based on deception and increasingly proved false.

Ms Reeves regularly points to her experience as an economist at the Bank of England, where she worked between 2000 and 2006.

This included a stint with the British Embassy in Washington DC, which was a secondment from the UKs central bank.
A flight between Sydney and London can have dramatically different carbon emissions depending on whether it stops over in Asia, the Middle East or Africa. Composite: Getty

Flying across the world but want to limit your emissions? Experts say the size of an economy passengers carbon footprint can vary dramatically depending on the route and model of plane. Even when flying on the same plane type between the same locations, average passenger emissions can vary widely depending on how the airline lays out seating across its cabins.

The industry standard modelling of per passenger emissions is displayed when booking through travel agents and websites such as Skyscanner, Google and Expedia.

Experts warn this cannot capture all of a flights actual footprint  a multitude of factors determine a flights emissions, which means there are few reliable rules that climate conscious travellers can follow that dont require hefty research. But some basic parameters offer a rough guide.

Fuel-efficient planes and stopovers

Industry-standard modelling combines the distance between departure and arrival airports, an aircrafts rate of fuel consumption, the number of passengers across different classes, how much floor space passengers take up in each seating class, average passenger and cargo loads on the service and the fuel needed to carry them.

In addition to the fuel burned during the flight the methodology factors in emissions generated during the production, processing, handling and delivery of the jet fuel needed for the flight.

Based on this modelling, an analysis of major airlines offerings on the Sydney-London Heathrow route found that an economy passenger could travel with a carbon footprint as low as 1,072kg of CO 2 if they chose a Cathay Pacific route via Hong Kong.

This is much lower than the typical footprint on the route of 1,491kg of CO 2 for an economy passenger, because on both legs Cathay Pacific operates Airbus A350s, a new generation widebody plane that burns up to 25% less fuel per seat than other long-haul aircraft.

Conversely, one Singapore Airlines service from Sydney to London via Singapore uses Boeing 777s  planes that first flew 20 years ago  creating a carbon footprint of 1,825kg per passenger.

Sydney-to-London flights via North America are among the most polluting options. A United Airlines service via San Francisco, with both legs operated by Boeing 777s, creates a carbon footprint of 2,154kg per economy passenger, more than double that of the most efficient Cathay Pacific itinerary.

The growing emissions gap between old and new aircraft underscores the importance of fleet renewal for airlines in a competitive industry in which fuel can account for more than a quarter of operating costs.

Qantas offers several options between Sydney and London. Economy travellers who transit through Perth before taking the airlines more than 17-hour non-stop service to Heathrow have an estimated carbon footprint of 1,262kg, largely due to the efficiency of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner used on the longer leg.

Related: Twenty hours on a Qantas plane: is this the future of aviation or a fresh hell in economy?

However, the historic QF1 route via Singapore has an emissions footprint of 1,498kg per economy passenger, due in part to the Airbus A380 used on both legs.

Carriers have largely moved away from the A380 and its four fuel-thirsty engines, which have become uneconomical to run on routes where there is no consistent demand for its cabins that can seat up to 600 passengers.

Qantas also operates an Airbus A330 with 297 seats between Sydney and Singapore, with an economy passenger carbon footprint of 528.7kg compared with the A380s 544.2kg on the same leg.

There is a mammoth difference between the footprint of economy passengers and those booked in premium, business and first class.

This is due to the much larger floor space a premium seat takes up, which could be used more efficiently to carry more economy passengers.

The typical carbon footprint of a business class traveller between Sydney and London is 5,854kg, significantly more than the 1,491kg of a typical economy passenger.

Nevertheless, airlines are increasingly configuring their aircraft to carry more business class passengers.

Burn fuel to carry fuel

Each plane has a maximum number of passengers and cargo it can carry, calculated according to its destination and the weight of the fuel it must carry to fly that distance.

Ian Douglas, a senior lecturer in aviation management at the University of New South Wales, previously worked to reconfigure seating on the planes Qantas flew between Los Angeles and Sydney.

We had an absolute limit on the weight, we couldnt put in any more economy seats and their passengers weight, so we increased the size of the [business] upfront, Douglas says.

If you think about square metres on a plane, a business class suite takes up about as much space as three economy seats, but an airline makes more from a business class ticket than three economy air fares.

That means an airline can make more money by taking less passenger weight, which in turn means less fuel is needed to power the flight.

A change in seat class is a quick way to reduce emissions Felicity Burke, Flight Centre

But its a balancing act, Douglas says. Fitting out a plane with only business class seats is a seriously inefficient way to transport passengers and leads to a much larger carbon footprint.

Complicating the equation for climate-conscious travellers is the trend towards ultra long-haul routes.

Flying one leg instead of two halves the number of take-off movements  the most fuel-intensive part of a flight. However, ultra long-haul services must waste more of their maximum payloads on carrying fuel  the burn fuel to carry fuel factor.

These calculations are front of mind for Qantas, which plans to run non-stop flights from Sydney and Melbourne to London and New York by 2026.

Qantas has worked with Airbus on configuring A350-1000s with about 170 fewer seats than the maximum they can carry, to accommodate the extra fuel needed to fly the roughly 17,000km to London.

Ultra long-haul flights will be much less efficient users of fuel per passenger, costing airlines more. Qantas has said it will charge about 30% more for tickets on these routes.

Susanne Becken, a professor of sustainable tourism at Griffith University, says the ultra long-haul trend contradicts climate goals.

Stopping over on some routes is actually more efficient, Becken says. When youre looking for an optimal distance, the magic number is about 4,000km. Flying anything over this means you need to carry a lot of fuel.

Of course, opting to fly in an economy seat on a route with the lowest emissions wont stop the higher-polluting flight from taking off or the airline swapping out business seats, Douglas says. He also notes that if fewer seats are filled than expected, each passengers true footprint increases. The averages are just estimates.

Crucially, the estimates are based on a direct measurement between origin and destination airports. This doesnt account for diversions or holding patterns due to bad weather.

Related: Flying-Vs and longer wings: how the familiar shape of passenger planes is about to change

Nor do the estimates factor in the massive detours many airlines have had to incorporate to avoid Russian airspace since 2022  a headache for European carriers competing with Chinese competitors who fly directly over Russia.

Emissions from Qantass Perth-London flights increased when the airline was forced to introduce a stop in Singapore to observe a buffer around Iranian airspace during missile threats this year.

The use of sustainable aviation fuel is also not factored into the estimates. However, due to the cost and scarcity of the green alternative, its use has been limited to just 0.2% of jet fuel burned, according to 2023 figures.

Flying accounts for 2% of all global emissions  a growing concern for travellers.

Felicity Burke, the Asia-Pacific director of Flight Centres consulting division, says professional services companies in particular are increasingly taking emissions into account when booking flights.

But corporates are not yet giving up the front of the cabin on long-haul flights from Australia. Over the past year, business and first-class bookings through Flight Centre have increased by 23% and 7% respectively.

A change in seat class is a quick way to reduce emissions, Burke says. However, on a 24-hour journey that has an impact on traveller wellbeing during and after a flight  its certainly [just one] consideration to make on long-haul travel.

Creating a more sustainable travel program doesnt necessarily mean travelling less or travelling in a more expensive manner; it means travelling smarter.
Volodymyr Zelensky, foreground, criticised Olaf Scholz for reaching out to Ukraines enemy, Russia - Photo by Clemens Bilan/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Ukraine accused Olaf Scholz of opening a Pandoras box after he held a phone call with Vladimir Putin in an effort to bring about an end to the war.

The German chancellor spoke with Putin for the first time in two years amid signs that European leaders are softening on negotiations with the Kremlin.

Donald Trumps election victory has added fresh impetus to the search for a peace deal, with the president-elect appearing ready to cut aid to Kyiv after promising to end the conflict on day one of his administration.

Mr Scholz urged the Russian president to negotiate with Ukraine in order to restore just and lasting peace, according to a German government spokesman.

Putin said any peace deal would have to take Russias security interests into account and reflect new territorial realities, according to a read-out from the Kremlin.

The German chancellor spoke to Mr Trump on Sunday to discuss working toward a return to peace in Europe. The chancellor revealed to Mr Trump that he would speak to Putin.

On Friday, Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the call, saying Mr Scholz had opened Pandoras box.

Credit: X / ZelenskyyUa

Ukraines foreign ministry said in a statement: Talk only give[s] Putin hope of easing his international isolation.

What is needed are concrete, strong actions that will force him to peace, not persuasion and attempts at appeasement, which he sees as a sign of weakness and uses to his advantage.

In the call, Putin told Mr Scholz that Russia was willing to consider fresh energy deals with Germany. Berlin was heavily reliant on Russian gas before the war but direct shipments ceased when pipelines under the Baltic Sea were blown up in 2022.

Mr Scholz plans to brief Mr Zelensky, Germanys allies, partners and the heads of the European Union and Nato on the outcome of Fridays call. Putin and Mr Scholz agreed to stay in contact, government sources said.

The Kremlin said that deep divisions remained with Germany but the fact of dialogue with Scholz was positive.

In a further sign of EU leaders openness to talks, Sergey Lavrov, Russias foreign minister, plans to make his first visit to an EU country since the war began next month.

Russia and Ukraine have been at war since Kremlin forces invaded in February 2022 - KOSTIANTYN LIBEROV/GETTY IMAGES

He is set to attend the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europes December meeting in Malta. The group monitored the front lines after Russia seized parts of eastern Ukraine in 2014.

It was reported that EU attendees may not stage a walk-out when he speaks, as many did when he spoke at the UN in New York.

Earlier on Friday, Mr Zelensky admitted the war would end faster with Mr Trump in charge of the White House.

The war will end, but there is no exact date, he told local radio. Certainly, with the policies of this team that will now lead the White House, the war will end sooner.

Volodymyr Zelensky said the war would end faster under Donald Trumps presidency - SHANNON STAPLETON/REUTERS

Mr Trump has appointed Tulsi Gabbard, who has repeatedly echoed Russian propaganda on the war in Ukraine, as his director of national intelligence.

After his traffic-light coalition collapsed last week, Mr Scholz is running his campaign for re-election as a pragmatic, dovish voice on the future of Ukraine.

On Wednesday, Mr Scholz staked his claim for re-election on his prudent policy in Ukraine in a speech to parliament

I emphasise that I think it is right that I have, without change, played my part in ensuring that there has been no escalation, adding I am glad that I was allowed to take responsibility in these difficult times, because I am sure that it has helped us to act prudently and sensibly in a dangerous situation.

Olaf Scholz is standing for re-election in February

He accused the rival Conservative Democratic Union, led by Friedrich Merz, of a willingness to prolong the conflict through escalatory levels of military support. A snap election is due to be held on Feb 23rd.

Mr Scholzs fresh commitment to seeking an end to the war was seen within Germany as part of an appeal to voters drawn to the hard-Right AfD party, which is campaigning against support for Ukraine.

An EU official told The Telegraph that Mr Scholz is fighting for survival domestically so wanted possibly to divert attention. Per se it is not forbidden to talk to Putin as long that interaction is aimed at talking about stopping the war.

On Mr Scholzs domestic struggles, a second EU diplomat added: Scholz thinks hell be able to attract the AfD and Sahra Wagenknecht [far-Left politician] and thus save himself. But thats too dangerous for Germany and Europe.

According to the Washington Post, Mr Trump spoke with Putin on Thursday, asking him not to escalate the war. The Kremlin denied any talks took place.

The US is Ukraines largest military backer, with Germany second, providing billions of euros in military and humanitarian support. Berlin has pledged continued support under Mr Scholz but the Chancellor has long opposed allowing Kyiv to strike inside Russia using German-made long-range Taurus missiles.

Ukraines position on the battlefield has steadily worsened in recent months. Moscows forces have reportedly entered the city of Kupiansk in the east, and are making steady gains across the front.

In an interview with the German Suedddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, Mr Scholz said his call with Mr Trump on the weekend was perhaps surprisingly, a very detailed and good conversation.

The two discussed the situation in Ukraine for a while, according to Mr Scholz, who said Mr Trump has a more nuanced position than is often assumed.

Also on Friday, Russias state-owned Gazprom energy giant said it would no longer supply gas to Austria amid a dispute over payments.
Olaf Scholz, right, during a phone conversation with Vladimir Putin as the German foreign and security policy adviser Jens Plotner and government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit look on in Berlin. Photograph: Steffen Kugler/Reuters

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that a telephone conversation between Olaf Scholz and Vladimir Putin will open a Pandoras box, after the German chancellor and the Russian leader discussed the war in Ukraine in a rare call on Friday.

Scholz urged his Russian counterpart to withdraw troops from Ukraine and negotiate with Kyiv to achieve a just and lasting peace, in the first call between a major western leader and Putin since December 2022.

The one-hour phone call came after Putin reportedly spoke with the US president-elect, Donald Trump, whose incoming administration has vowed to push for a swift end to the war in Ukraine.

The German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit said Scholz stressed Germanys unbreakable resolve to support Ukraine in Russias war of aggression for as long as possible.

Hebestreit said Scholz spoke with Zelenskyy, before the call with Putin and was planning a call with Kyiv afterwards. He said Scholz would brief western allies on his conversation with Putin.

According to a readout of the conversation posted by the Kremlin, Putin told Scholz that any potential agreements on Ukraine should be based on the new territorial realities and address the root causes of the conflict.

Putin said Russias demands for ending the conflict were well known, referring to a speech he made in June when he staked out a maximalist position for an end to the war: Ukraine would have to drop its Nato ambitions and withdraw all its troops from all the territory of four regions claimed by Russia.

Scholz had recently signalled his willingness to make direct contact with Putin, while the Kremlin said it was open to a conversation.

The call between the two leaders comes at a critical juncture in Moscows full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Moscow, with support from North Korean soldiers, is planning a significant assault to drive Ukrainian forces out of its western Kursk region, while Russian forces are making rapid advances in the east of Ukraine.

Scholz told Putin that the deployment of North Korean soldiers, which Moscow has not officially acknowledged, was a serious escalation in the war. The two leaders agreed to keep in contact in the future.

Scholzs willingness to engage with Putin is likely to provoke frustration in Ukraine, whose future became uncertain after Trumps victory, raising concerns that the US might end its military assistance.

According to Reuters, Zelenskyy cautioned Scholz against speaking to Putin by phone, saying it would reduce the Russian leaders isolation and keep the war going.

In his evening address, Zelenskyy said Scholzs call with Putin opened a Pandoras box by undermining efforts to isolate the Russian leader.

Now there may be other conversations, other calls. Just a lot of words. And this is exactly what Putin has long wanted: it is extremely important for him to weaken his isolation, Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy has sought to court Trump in recent days, telling a Ukrainian broadcaster that Russias war against his country would end sooner under the new administration.

The war will end, but there is no exact date. Of course, with the policy of this team, which will now lead the White House, the war will end sooner, he told Suspilne on Friday. He stressed that fair peace was vital for Ukraine.

Last week Germany was plunged into political turmoil after Scholzs decision to oust his finance minister, a move that led to the breakup of his government. Germany will hold a snap election on 23 February.

The topic of Ukraine has played a prominent role in the countrys political crisis, with a dispute over how to continue financing Ukraine partly to blame for the fallout.

Another point of contention in Germany has been Scholzs refusal to allow Ukraine to strike Russian territory with long-range Taurus missiles. Scholz said this week he stood by his decision not to supply Kyiv with the missiles, arguing that the approach had helped avoid escalating the war.

His main opponent, the conservative leader Friedrich Merz, has adopted a more hawkish stance on military support for Ukraine, reportedly expressing willingness to allow the use of Taurus missiles if Putin does not cease bombing civilian targets.

As the second biggest backer of Ukraine after the US, Germany faces concerns that it will be left to take on a far bigger share of the war effort if Trump carries out his threat to reduce support for Kyiv. In an effort to calm nerves across Europe, the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, travelled to Brussels on Wednesday pledging to shore up support for Ukraine until Trump takes office.

Putin has not spoken to most Nato and western leaders since 2022, when the EU and the US imposed significant sanctions on Russia for launching its shock Ukraine offensive.

Trump has claimed he would end the war in Ukraine within a day of returning to the White House, although he has not provided details on how this would be achieved.
Flooded houses and rice fields in Buguey town, Cagayan province. The Philippines was hit by Typhoon Usagi on Thursday and another major storm is on the way. Photograph: John Dimain/AFP/Getty Images

Typhoon Yinxing tore off a quarter of Diana Moraledas tiled roof in the town of Appari in northern Philippines last week. The gaping hole was still there when Typhoon Toraji brought rains over the weekend and when Typhoon Usagi made landfall late on Thursday.

Its difficult because many houses were devastated by [Yinxing]. The carpenters themselves are still fixing their own homes. Its hard to find workers, Moraleda said.

Usagi is the fifth major storm to hit the Philippines in just three weeks, with a sixth forecast for this weekend. At least 160 people have been killed and nine million displaced, while the unusual frequency has left people already struggling with the aftermath of previous heavy rains and flooding little time to prepare for the next strike.

Moraleda said it was fortunate that the hole was above a store room and not a bedroom. But water has dripped from the ceiling, damaging their pharmacy on the ground floor.

The damage to other homes was worse, she said. And the galvanised iron roof of a university was blown off and landed on a nearby church.

People in Cagayan province, where Appari is located, are used to typhoons, but Moraleda said they had not expected Yinxings onslaught. Usagi has made them nervous because it is on the same track and is also a category 4.

This is our fifth storm in three weeks. We have no time to repair between the storms, Moraleda said. Last month, typhoon Kong-rey and typhoon Trami  the deadliest of all the storms  also battered the province.

Im feeling a little helpless here

The Philippines can be struck by 20 typhoons a year. Human-caused climate breakdown has increased the occurrence of the most intense and destructive tropical cyclones (though the overall number per year has not changed globally). This is because warming oceans provide more energy, producing stronger storms.

Each time, hundreds of thousands of residents are affected, many of whom might require evacuation. Deaths and injuries are reported from drowning, electrocution, floods, landslides, and maritime incidents among others.

Houses and government infrastructure such as roads, airports, and seaports, as well as crops and livestock are damaged. Power, water supplies and communication lines are cut. Relief efforts are costly, and school classes are suspended.

While Usagi made landfall in Cagayan, Tropical Cyclone Manyi was also approaching the Philippines late on Thursday. It was projected to hit hundreds of kilometres to the south, in the Bicol region in Luzon, which bore the brunt of Trami last month.

Trami unleashed torrents of rain in late October, submerging parts of the region.

Raffy Magno and his family lost nearly everything they owned when flood waters reached the second storey of their home in Bicols Naga City. Miraculously, their refrigerator sprang back to life once dried, but everything else, including appliances, furniture, clothing, and important documents, was destroyed.

It was the shock of our lives. While we are so used to typhoons, even to floods, we never really expected the extent of the damage, Magno said.

The typhoon killed 17 people in Bicol but there are fears Tramis death toll may still rise. Just this week, the body of a student who went missing during the typhoon was found.

When we realised that [Manyi] is coming, I told my family that this time we will need to bring the refrigerator to the second floor, said Magno.

Even the Philippines president, Ferdinand Marcos, has admitted feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of extreme weather. A clip has gone viral of the president saying Im feeling a little helpless here after finding out that government relief could not cross flooded highways.

We hope [Manyi] will not be as bad. That is what we are praying for, said Magno.

The climate crisis is here

In Metro Manila, Alvin Sevilla is worried about Manyi, too. He lives in the flood-prone city of Malabon and based on past experiences he knows that typhoons that make landfall in Bicol usually hit the capital.

Mitzi Jonelle Tan, a Filipino climate justice activist, says climate change is undeniable.

If you still do not think that climate change exists, look to your neighbours; look to your countries. Its happening across the world, she said.

The Philippines is not a major source of the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change, but as an archipelago it is among the most vulnerable in the world to its effects.

Tan says the typhoons in the Philippines underscore the important work at the Cop29 global climate summit that started this week in Azerbaijan.

The Philippines is there. They need to be championing the call for loss and damage funds from the global north countries in the form of grants not loans, Tan said.

Typhoons drain government coffers with their cycle of destruction and rebuilding, and many provinces in the usual path of typhoons, like Bicol, are also among the poorest.

Often, the national government steps in. Social welfare secretary Rex Gatchalian said the government had dispatched almost 1.5m family food packs over 14 days in Bicol after Trami alone and his department was responding as we speak to Usagi while preparing for Manyi.

Cash is not a problem  The challenge is to sustain this because obviously there is human fatigue. I spoke to our warehouse people and they say the people are also getting tired, Gatchalian said.

Beyond relief operations, Tan said the government should enact policies that mitigate the impact of climate change and protect vulnerable people.

She called on the Philippines government to stop environmentally destructive projects such as large-scale mining and quarrying, to fund research on adaptation specific to the Philippines and to transition to renewable energy while making sure that those employed by the fossil fuel industry are given alternative livelihoods.

Those policies are long overdue, she said. Typhoons with short intervals will continue to happen because the climate crisis is here. But the impacts dont have to be as devastating as it is now every single time.
Sir Keir Starmer has made it clear that he intends to have good relations with Donald Trump - AP

Sir Keir Starmer will seek to bond with Donald Trump over shared concerns about China by hailing the success of a Pacific nuclear submarine deal.

The defence pact between Australia, the UK and the US, known by its acronym Aukus, has been identified as a useful vehicle for getting close to Mr Trump.

Aukus will be held up as proof of Britains usefulness in the drive to counter Chinas growing military presence in the Pacific  a key concern of the incoming president.

Mr Trump has made standing up to China a central foreign policy goal, not just in trade where he is proposing tariffs of 60 per cent on Chinese imports, but across the spectrum.

British officials are planning to frame the Aukus deal as a way that the UK can help Mr Trump deliver this key objective, not least as he is seen to potentially be a transactional president looking for real-world benefits from diplomacy.

Trump is planning to impose trade tariffs on China - NICOLAS ASFOURI

There will also be an early attempt to get Mr Trump behind the Aukus agreement, given it was brokered in part by Joe Biden, the outgoing US president who is often derided by his predecessor.

The potential for deepening the three-way alliance, potentially adding new elements of co-operation or drawing in regional allies such as Japan, remains a possibility in the years ahead.

British officials have been scouring the public utterances of not just Mr Trump but his likely top diplomat Marco Rubio, and national security adviser Michael Waltz, for views on Aukus.

The lack of criticism has left the Foreign Office encouraged that what it sees as a critical piece of the UKs new security architecture will remain in place even under Mr Trump.

One Whitehall source working on preparations for Mr Trumps White House return told The Telegraph: We must seize the opportunities presented.

If one of those things is to find common ground on Aukus due to the China hawks in his administration that all helps.

Whilst theres potential contention around Ukraine, Europe, and trade, if there is an area of mutual agreement it would be good to use it as a building block and to our advantage. It would help prove the essential role of the special relationship.

The growing realisation of the usefulness of the Aukus deal for Trump-Starmer relations comes as work within No 10 and across Whitehall continues ahead of the presidential switch.

Insiders close to UK foreign policy discussions admit that even though preparations were made about Mr Trumps return before the US election earlier this month, they were limited.

Nuclear-powered submarines are more difficult to track as they surface less-often - BAE

There is a hope that Sir Keirs Britain can position itself as the connection point between America and Europe in the way that the last Labour leader to win a House of Commons majority once envisaged.

One source familiar with No 10 thinking said: Blairs notion of Britain as a bridge across the Atlantic still holds, though maybe it is a thinner and more rickety one.

Aukus is a trilateral security pact between Australia, the UK and America that was signed under Boris Johnson and Mr Bidens leaderships in September 2021.

It agrees that the three countries will share secretive technology to build nuclear-powered submarines  a first for Australia, which to date does not have the capability.

If a submarine is powered by nuclear material rather than regular fossil fuels it is able to stay underwater for longer, meaning its movements are more difficult to detect.

Joe Biden meets with former UK PM Rishi Sunak and current Australian PM Anthony Albanese in 2023 - PA

The deal was struck in an attempt to increase the Western allies influence in the Indo-Pacific  shorthand for having a greater military presence to counter China in the region.

The first so-called pillar of Aukus is the cooperation on nuclear submarines. The second is developing next generation technology such as Artificial Intelligence.

Other Indo-Pacific allies nervous about Chinas rising geopolitical power, such as Japan and South Korea, have been formally invited to take part in the second pillar.

The idea of Japan at some point formally joining the whole pact is so often speculated upon that in the Ministry of Defence it has even been given its own acronym: Jaukus.

But the prospect does not appear imminent. One obstacle would be that Australia, the UK and the US are all part of the Five Eyes intelligence sharing network, but Japan is not.

Sir Keir is expected to discuss Aukus with Mr Trump at their first meeting, which will come at some point after Mr Trump is inaugurated on Jan 20.
Timothy Hyman, pictured in 2024, was elected to the Royal Academy in 2011 Photograph: Guy Conway

My friend Timothy Hyman, who has died aged 78, was an artist, writer and teacher. His canvases and drawings celebrated his love of London, reflecting his allegiance to the north and east of the city.

As a teenager, Timothy was introduced to artists and writers destined to shape him  Sienese painters, Pierre Bonnard and John Cowper Powys  and made a solo trip to Siena in 1963, aged 17.

In the same year he entered the Slade School of Fine Art in London, where the prevailing orthodoxy was antagonistic to the figurative tradition. A stay in New York in 1969 to study the New American painting confirmed him instead in the Old European. Drawing saved him, he said, as he sought a language for his painting, and he began to draw in the street. He had discovered William Blake and Thomas Traherne, two visionary artists with whom he identified deeply, and had a friend in Derek Jarman, whom he met at the Slade and who shared his interest in the romancing of the city.

In the late 1970s, Timothy became a contributing editor to Artscribe magazine, going on to write more than 250 articles, essays, catalogue introductions and reviews for a range of publications and exhibitions. He was an early member of the Powys Society and would become its chairman (2010-21) then president.

Throughout the mid-80s to the 00s, he taught part-time in art schools (the Slade, the Royal College of Art, Saint Martins School of Art), and in the Baroda (now Vadodara) group of artists at Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India, where he made several important friendships. His monograph on the artist Bhupen Khakhar was published in 1998.

In 1979, Timothy was asked to curate Narrative Paintings at the ICA. He had his first solo show in 1981, and more than a dozen more would follow. In 2000, he was crucial to the setting up of the Royal Drawing School, a not-for-profit organisation in Shoreditch, London, and taught there until recently. He curated Carnivalesque (Hayward Gallery, 2000), was lead curator for the Tates 2001 Stanley Spencer retrospective, and co-curated the major exhibition British Vision (Ghent, 2007-08). In 2011, Timothy was elected to the Royal Academy.

Thames & Hudson published his monograph on Bonnard (1998), Sienese Painting (2003), and The World New Made: Figurative Painting in the Twentieth Century (2016), an alternative history of 20th-century art. Another book, about English medieval illumination, was left unfinished at his death.

Born in Hove, East Sussex, and brought up in London, Timothy was one of the four children of Alan Hyman, who was a writer, and Noreen Gypson, and he went to Charterhouse school in Godalming, Surrey.

He first met Judith Ravenscroft, who went on to become a writer, when they were both in their teens. Judith became his muse after they met again in the 70s, and his wife in 1982.

A generous, uncompromising and reliable critic, Timothy was deeply committed to his pupils, fellow artists and innumerable friends.

Judith died in 2023 and Tims twin brother, Anthony, died in 1999. His siblings Nicholas and Miranda survive him.
Pete Hegseth is Donald Trumps pick for defence secretary - James Devaney

Donald Trumps pick for defence secretary is hanging in the balance after a member of the transition team admitted there had been a vetting failure.

Pete Hegseth has denied allegations of sexual misconduct which resurfaced after he was nominated to the post by Mr Trump.

According to the Washington Post, the transition team, which is considering the claims, was caught by surprise.

One source told the paper theres a lot of frustration about this, adding he he hadnt been properly vetted. The Trump team had planned to avoid traditional FBI checks in favour of using private firms for vetting, according to a memo seen by CNN before the election.

Susie Wiles, Mr Trumps incoming chief of staff, was briefed on Wednesday night about a claim that Mr Hegseth had behaved inappropriately with a woman in California seven years ago, Vanity Fair reported.

Ms Wiles then spoke to Mr Hegseth the following day about the alleged incident, which is said to have taken place in Monterey, California, seven years ago.

Mr Hegseth said that the allegations stemmed from a consensual encounter and characterised it as a he said, she said incident, according to the report.

Hegseth vigorously denies all accusations

Monterey police department said in a statement that it had investigated an alleged sexual assault involving Mr Hegseth at a Hyatt Regency hotel in Monterey, California, on a night in October 2017.

The victim reported suffering bruises to the right thigh. No weapons or property were involved, according to the report.

President Trump is nominating high-calibre and extremely qualified candidates to serve in his administration, Steven Cheung, Mr Trumps communications director, said in a statement.

Mr Hegseth has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed.

We look forward to his confirmation as United States Secretary of Defence so he can get started on day one to make America safe and great again.

Mr Hethe interviews Donald Trump on Fox News in 2017 - Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS

Timothy Parlatore, a lawyer acting for Mr Hegseth, said: This allegation was already investigated by the Monterey police department and they found no evidence for it.

One source suggested that Mr Hegseth, a former Fox News host, had not been properly investigated by the Trump team before the president-elect made his controversial pick.

However, a senior figure in the transition team told the magazine: Hegseth was vetted, but this alleged incident didnt come up.

An ally of Mr Hegseth suggested that the allegation had come from Republican establishment figures attempting to sabotage his appointment as defence secretary.

The former army veteran was a surprise pick to lead the Pentagon, with critics raising concerns about his lack of experience leading large organisations or in defence policy.

The Trump campaign has been approached for comment.
Offering apologies, Mr Mazon does not mention his whereabouts between midday and 7pm on the day of the floods - Eva Manez/Reuters

Carlos Mazon, president of Valencia, has apologised for his governments inadequate response to the flash floods that devastated the region after it emerged he had a three-hour lunch with a journalist on the day of the disaster.

The regional leader said the response was not enough to the floods which killed at least 216 people, with a further 16 still missing, in a speech to Valencias parliament.

Offering his apologies, the president from the conservative Peoples Party (PP) detailed what measures the government took but offered no information about his whereabouts between midday and 7pm, when he joined an ongoing session of Valencias emergency committee.

Mr Mazon said he was compelled to face his responsibilities, but also criticised what he termed fake news about his governments response to the worst flash flood in Spain since 1962 and one of Europes worst natural disasters.

Mr Mazon did not cancel his engagements on Oct 29, despite the red alert for torrential rains and possible flooding.

The government has been ridiculed for issuing a flood warning when thousands were already fighting for their lives - Jorge Zapata/Shutterstock

In the morning he made a speech after accepting an award for sustainable tourism in which he said the storm was moving away from Valencia.

The emergency committee began sitting at 5pm but Mr Mazon did not join until after 7pm. At first he said he had been working in his office and kept up to date with developments by phone, nipping out for a snack at an establishment near the government headquarters.

But it later emerged that he had lunch with a journalist in a restaurant between 3pm and at least 6pm. Sources close to Mr Mazon confirmed this, saying he used the lunch to offer the journalist the position of director at the regional public TV station.

Opposition parties call for Mr Mazons resignation after 130,000 people protested against him last weekend - Vincent West/Reuters

With some opposition parties demanding his resignation after 130,000 people joined a protest against Mr Mazon in central Valencia last weekend, the conservative leader announced that an investigative commission would be set up in the regional parliament.

There were things that were not done well so we must detect what mistakes were made and develop measures to ensure this never happens again, the regional president said.

But Mr Mazon said that institutions dependent on the national government led by Pedro Sanchez, Spains socialist prime minister, must also share in the blame, taking particular aim at the water authority which, he claimed, did not provide sufficient information.

He blamed the local Jucar water board for what he called a two-and-a-half hour information blackout between 4.13pm and 6.43pm on water levels in the Poyo Canal, which eventually burst its banks and caused the worst destruction and loss of life in towns and districts south of Valencias city centre.

Mr Mazon attended a three-hour lunch with a journalist on the day of the disaster - Vincent West/Reuters

Mr Mazon said that all the information from the water board at that critical time was focused on a dam on another river, the Magro, which was considered to be at risk of breaking.

Valencias government has been ridiculed for issuing a mobile phone alert to citizens warning of flood risk after 8pm, when thousands were already fighting for their lives after the Poyo started flooding at around 6.30pm.

But Mr Mazon said the mobile phone alert telling citizens to stay indoors was issued at 8pm because of fears surrounding the dam, which eventually held firm.

Mr Mazon blames the local Jucar water board for a two-and-a-half hour information blackout - Jose Jordan/AFP

Spains network of watercourse confederations are overseen by the national ministry of climate change. Teresa Ribera, climate change minister, is under pressure from the European Peoples Party to withdraw her candidacy as vice-president in the new European Commission (EC) team proposed by EC President Ursula von der Leyen.

Mr Mazon announced a reshuffling of his government in order to tackle the rebuilding effort in the affected areas of the region.
Israel's warfare in Gaza is consistent with the characteristics of genocide, a special UN committee said Thursday, accusing the country of "using starvation as a method of war".

The United Nations Special Committee pointed to "mass civilian casualties and life-threatening conditions intentionally imposed on Palestinians", in a fresh report covering the period from Hamas's deadly October 7 attack in Israel last year through to July.

"Through its siege over Gaza, obstruction of humanitarian aid, alongside targeted attacks and killing of civilians and aid workers, despite repeated UN appeals, binding orders from the International Court of Justice and resolutions of the Security Council, Israel is intentionally causing death, starvation and serious injury," it said in a statement.

Israel's warfare practices in Gaza "are consistent with the characteristics of genocide", said the committee, which has for decades been investigating Israeli practices affecting rights in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Israel, it charged, was "using starvation as a method of war and inflicting collective punishment on the Palestinian population".

A UN-backed assessment at the weekend warned that famine was imminent in northern Gaza.

Thursday's report documented how Israel's extensive bombing campaign in Gaza had decimated essential services and unleashed an environmental catastrophe with lasting health impacts.

By February this year, Israeli forces had used more than 25,000 tonnes of explosives across the Gaza Strip, "equivalent to two nuclear bombs", the report pointed out.

"By destroying vital water, sanitation and food systems, and contaminating the environment, Israel has created a lethal mix of crises that will inflict severe harm on generations to come," the committee said.

The committee said it was "deeply alarmed by the unprecedented destruction of civilian infrastructure and the high death toll in Gaza", where more than 43,700 people have been killed since the war began, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.

The staggering number of deaths raised serious concerns, it said, about Israel's use of artificial intelligence-enhanced targeting systems in its military operations.

"The Israeli military's use of AI-assisted targeting, with minimal human oversight, combined with heavy bombs, underscores Israel's disregard of its obligation to distinguish between civilians and combatants and take adequate safeguards to prevent civilian deaths," it said.

It warned that reported new directives lowering the criteria for selecting targets and increasing the previously accepted ratio of civilian to combatant casualties appeared to have allowed the military to use AI systems to "rapidly generate tens of thousands of targets, as well as to track targets to their homes, particularly at night when families shelter together".

The committee stressed the obligations of other countries to urgently act to halt the bloodshed, saying that "other States are unwilling to hold Israel accountable and continue to provide it with military and other support".
Israeli airstrikes in Beirut - Ibrahim Amro/AFP via Getty

A building in the Hezbollah bastion of southern Beirut collapsed in a gigantic cloud of smoke and dust after Israeli air strikes on Friday.

Witnesses reported seeing a missile slamming into the lower floors of the building, which erupted in a huge fireball, causing the structure to collapse.

Lebanons state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported a heavy raid carried out by aircraft of the Israeli enemy in the Ghobeiri area, near Horsh Beirut, the capitals largest park.

It said the raid had been preceded by two missile strikes on the same target by an Israeli drone.

The strikes followed a call by the Israeli military to evacuate the area.

The rocket pictured hurtling towards the building - Hassan Ammar/AP

A fireball was seen sweeping above the road during the explosion - Hassan Ammar/AP

The evacuation order posted on X, formerly Twitter, by Avichay Adraee, the Israeli army spokesman, told residents to leave, warning of imminent strikes.

All residents in the southern suburbs, specifically in the Ghobeiri area, you are located near facilities and interests affiliated with Hezbollah, Adraee said in an Arabic-language post on X.

For your safety and the safety of your family members, you must evacuate these buildings and those adjacent to them immediately.

Later in the morning, a second strike hit the Bourj al-Barajneh area of the southern suburbs.

The building collapsed after it was struck by two Israeli missiles - IBRAHIM AMRO/AFP

Smoke bellowed out engulfing the surrounding area - FADEL ITANI/AFP

NNA said two missiles had been fired by an enemy aircraft.

Repeated Israeli air strikes on south Beirut have led to a mass exodus of civilians from the Hezbollah stronghold, although some return during the day to check on their homes and businesses.

NNA also reported pre-dawn strikes on the southern city of Nabatieh.

The Israeli military, meanwhile, said on Thursday it had struck the Lebanon-based command centres of Hezbollahs elite Radwan Force and launchers used to fire rockets at Israel.

Since September 23, Israel has ramped up its air campaign in Lebanon, later sending in ground troops following almost a year of limited, cross-border exchanges begun by Hezbollah over the Gaza war.

Lebanese authorities say that more than 3,380 people have been killed since the Hamas-led October 7 attack on Israel last year.
Xavier Niel

A French billionaire has taken up an online critics challenge to a fight by posting a video of himself outside a Lidl supermarket captioned: Im waiting.

Xavier Niel, the owner of Free telecoms group and one of the countrys richest men, filmed himself shouting Im here! Im waiting for you! Where are you, come on! Do you want to meet in the car park? in the video shared to social media on Friday.

The self-made tycoon, who has a net worth of 8 billion, was responding to a post on X, formerly Twitter, summoning him for a one-against-one dust-up.

Credit: X / @Xavier75

The X user, Fuego 7, wrote in May: Xavier Niel I hate you I propose a one-v-one in front of the Lidl on Rue Sainte in Marseille.

The commenter said slow internet speed on Mr Niels Free service had hampered their performance in Call of Duty, a first-person shooter video game requiring fast connection for online battles.

On Thursday, Free customers in Paris and south-east France suffered major internet outages for much of the day. It followed a hack on the companys servers that led to the data of nearly 20 million phone and internet customers being leaked.

Mr Niel was in Marseille for a conference on artificial intelligence when he posted the video, six months after the duel was first proposed.

Fuego 7 then responded to Mr Niel on X, declining the billionaires offer of a brawl.

In all capitals, the social media user wrote: No sorry I was joking, before adding: I would have liked to but 34.2 temperature plus stomach ache plus headache sorry I give up.

Lidls social media team also joined in with the exchange, posting: Please come and get the gentleman who has been tweeting since this morning in front of the store on Rue Sainte in Marseille.

Mr Niel is known as something of an eccentric figure in France. In September, he published a book titled A hell of a desire to make a mess, following his journey to becoming a millionaire at the age of 24, having grown up in a deprived Parisian suburb.

The French businessman went on to become a billionaire after Free introduced a singular set-top box, offering customers internet, telephone and television services in one product.
Left to right, Leon Whitehorn, David Crew, Jason Whitehorn and Angela Crew argued she did not have the mental capacity to revoke her will - Champion News

The destruction of a will by a 92-year-old woman on her deathbed was lawful, a judge has ruled, after her family became embroiled in a row over her inheritance.

Carry Keats, 92, physically ripped three quarters of the way through the pages of the legal document during her final illness in hospital in 2022.

Under a Victorian law, any person can legally revoke their will by ripping it up. For the destruction to be valid, either the will must have been intentionally destroyed by the will-maker  or they must have properly instructed a solicitor to do so.

However, Mrs Keatss five distant cousins  who would have split most of the inheritance under the will  claimed that the pensioner did not properly revoke the document because she was too weak to rip it all the way through herself.

If Mrs Keats died without a valid will  and if it had been lawfully destroyed  her younger sister Josephine Oakley stood to inherit everything she owned.

Deputy Master John Linwood has now ruled in favour of Mrs Oakley, finding that Mrs Keats had wished to disinherit her cousins by ripping up the will and had done so lawfully.

Mr Linwood said in his judgment that there was actual tearing combined with intent and that Mrs Keats did sufficiently destroy the will as it was entirely torn in half as she intended.

Carry Keats physically ripped three quarters of the way through the pages of the legal document during her final illness - Champion News

He also found that Mrs Keats non-verbal nod to her solicitor, Hafwen Webb, reflected her desire for Mrs Webb to complete the act of tearing it up, after her cousins had tried to argue it did not satisfy the law.

The cousins, headed by David Crew, claimed Mrs Keats wanted to leave her sister nothing, having disapproved of alleged infidelity when she was younger, which Mrs Oakley denied.

Mr Crew, his sister Angela Crew and their cousins twice removed Kevin, Jason and Leon Whitehorn, also argued that she did not have the mental capacity to revoke her will.

Turning to Mrs Keats motivation for changing her mind, the judge referenced the fatal falling out with her cousins after they proposed moving her into a care home if she had another fall.

Mrs Keats, who owned a successful caravan site, died on Feb 15, 2022, less than three weeks after tearing the will in hospital in Salisbury, Londons High Court heard.

She left behind 800,000, mainly tied up in her home and land at Whitehorns, in the Wiltshire village of Nomansland.

The will she tore had been made 18 months earlier, splitting almost everything between her five cousins. Mr Crew, one of the five, had been close friends with Mrs Keats and her late husband for decades.

However, towards the end of her life, Mrs Keats grew closer to her sister Josephine, nine years her junior.

Sufficiently lucid interval

In his finding, the judge said that Mrs Keats knew her own mind.

He said: It is pellucidly clear from the evidence of Mrs Webb that Carry understood her entire estate would pass to her sister.

The strong desire to exclude and disinherit the Crews was clear from her instructions two months before at their meeting on 16th November 2021.

I find that Carry had a sufficiently lucid interval during which the revocation took place I find Carry had capacity in that narrow window.

He also found that there was actual tearing combined with intent, and as the will was entirely torn in half as intended, the will had been sufficiently destroyed.

In summary, I find Carry had testamentary capacity to revoke the will, the intention to do so and revoked it by destruction in accordance with the Wills Act 1837.

I therefore dismiss the claim and find for Josephine on her counterclaim.
The UK has seen one in 10 ATMs close over the past three years, according to new figures.

Analysis of data from Link  a network of cash machines  shows there were around 48,500 ATMs open as of June this year.

This was down 10% from 54,000 in June 2021.

The figures show significant regional differences where closures are happening. London and the South West have been worst impacted, losing one in seven machines.

In addition, 12 local authority areas have seen at least a quarter of their ATMs close over this period.

The East Midlands county of Rutland has fared the worst of any area in the country, losing half of the 18 cash machines it had in June 2021.

Campaigners have been working to ensure people can access cash, as consumers increasingly move to card and contactless payments.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said free access to cash is absolutely vital for older people, given many of them do not manage their money online.

The decline in ATMs is concerning, although the new regulations recently introduced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) should protect access for the vast majority of people, she said.

FCA rules introduced in September require banks to give more consideration to local communities before they close a branch, and firms to check whether more services are needed before an ATM is switched off.

We hope that the Government will continue to monitor the situation and will be able to act if necessary, Ms Abrahams added.

As a silver lining for consumers, the analysis shows ATMs which charge a fee are disappearing much faster than those which do not.

More than one in five surcharging ATMs closed between 2021 and 2024, compared with 6% of free machines.

Shoppers in the North West are the most likely to be charged for taking out cash, with nearly a quarter (24%) of ATMs charging a fee. Across the UK this figure is 20%.

Nick Quin, head of financial inclusion at Link, said: As more people are choosing to pay for things digitally or with contactless payments, it does mean that we are using less cash and as a consequence, we have fewer cash machines.

He added the company is working to ensure people can still access cash where and when they need.

Mr Quin credits their financial inclusion programme for ensuring 93% of people live within a mile of free access to cash.
It's a story that's touching so many hearts on the internet. Reille and Boone were two dogs long forgotten at the Greenville Humane Society shelter in Greenville, South Carolina. But they weren't without love. The animals slowly built a friendship with each other, soon becoming inseparable. And now people are so emotional after seeing an update to their story.

Reille and Boone had to watch as animal after animal got adopted before them. But they always had each other.

In a video shared by ABC News, anchor David Muir explained that no one at the shelter expected 3-year-old Retriever-mix Reille and 6-year-old Boone, a deaf Basset Hound, to be as close as they've become, but they're truly besties.

Related: Abused Rescue Dog's Reaction to Hearing the Piano Moves Us to Tears

They were both the longest residents at Greenville when they became "inseparable," Muir explained. Then Reille hit over 300 days at the shelter, so the shelter shared a letter from a family who fostered her with visitors. Her former foster parents had nothing but positive things to say.

"She's very skittish," the family wrote, "But by the first day she quickly warmed up to our dogs."

The sweet message ultimately caught the attention of Graecyn Boyd and Daniel Boone, who decided to bring the good girl home. Reille was nervous when she met the couple  it's understandable given how long she was at the shelter.

Employees at Greenville told the couple that Reille would probably benefit from a buddy, Would they have room in their home for just one more pup?

It was meant to be. The couple brought home both dogs, making the duo very, very happy.

"When we actually saw Boone, his name kind of called out to us. Daniel Boone  Boone," Boone teased, gesturing to himself and his new pup. And there was a noticeable change in Reille when Boone was brought over to them too. "Once we saw Boone come out it really was like a night and day difference," he said.

People online were so moved by this story. So rarely do two deserving dogs get a happy ending like this. "As we say in our house... 'Heck, what's one more,'" joked one commenter. "What a beautiful happy ending. So happy for everyone," someone else chimed in. "We don't deserve dogs. A dog's only flaw as a species is that we don't enough time with them," agreed another commenter. While one person made a very good point. "They were adopted by Daniel Boone! Its like a storybook ending!" they gushed.

The two dogs will spend the rest of their lives cuddling, playing, and having fun together. Which is truly something to celebrate.

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Stafford McDowall intends to savour every moment of Saturdays Test against Portugal in case it proves to be the only time he gets to lead Scotland out at Murrayfield.

The 26-year-old Glasgow centre has been selected to captain a much-changed side this weekend in the absence of regular skipper Sione Tuipulotu and a string of other senior players.

McDowall performed co-captain duties along with Luke Crosbie in Scotlands summer Test victory over Canada in Ottawa and will now fly solo as skipper for the first time on the occasion of his eighth cap.

Captain Stafford  The @GlasgowWarriors man gives us his immediate reaction to being named as captain for this Saturday.  https://t.co/iuEe7wtZQ9 pic.twitter.com/ZgI6NS6ZTr  Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) November 14, 2024

I think the closer we get to the game the more itll probably hit me and Ill get a bit more nervous, said McDowall at his captains run press conference on Friday.

It hit me a bit more today when I had to do a bit more talking and stuff like that than the last couple of weeks but its something that I might never get a chance to do again, lead a Scotland team out at Murrayfield, so Ill try and embrace and enjoy the moment.

Its something I didnt think Id have the chance to do. It is a dream come true to play for Scotland and to start a game here at Murrayfield, never mind lead the team out. So its hopefully something Ill be able to take in a lot of and remember for the rest of my life.

Townsend has made 14 changes to the team that started last weekends 32-15 defeat by South Africa as he gives several of his less-established players a chance against a Portugal side ranked 15th in the world.

Ben Muncaster will make his first start for Scotland (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Edinburgh back-rower Ben Muncaster and Glasgow lock Alex Samuel will make their debuts in the starting XV while 19-year-old Edinburgh back-rower Freddy Douglas is in line for his first cap off the bench despite never having played a competitive game at club level.

McDowall is expecting the Scots to be loaded with motivation as their fringe players bid to stake a claim for a place in the 23 to face Australia the following weekend.

Thats the big thing weve talked about this week with the amount of changes: it doesnt matter who were playing, he stressed, dismissing any notion of complacency.

Stafford McDowall will relish leading Scotland for the first time (Nigel French/PA)

This is your chance to play for Scotland at Murrayfield, an almost sold-out Murrayfield. I think weve taken away the fact of who were playing and what were playing against and just focused on ourselves and said if youve sat the last two weeks and been frustrated that youve not played then you cant go out on Saturday and not perform to the best of your ability.

Give it everything youve got physically and mentally. So hopefully the opposition will be taken out of it and well just do what we need to do.

Obviously, its a big occasion for a lot of us, but its a big occasion for Portugal as well, getting to play here, so were expecting a really tough test from a team that throws the ball around a lot with a lot of confidence and is good defensively as well.
The process of UN climate negotiations is no longer fit for purpose and requires a comprehensive overhaul, leading experts have warned.

The group of prominent scientists, advocates and policy experts said countries that do not support the phase out of fossil fuels in energy systems should not host future summits  or conference of the parties (Cops).

Among those who signed the open letter on the fifth day of Cop29 in Azerbaijan were former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, former executive secretary of UN Climate (UNFCCC) Christiana Figueres and former Irish president Mary Robinson.

They warned UNFCCC head Simon Stiell of limitations to the the existing Cop process, which aims to drive the rapid, large-scale changes urgently required to limit warming to the 2015 Paris Agreement goals to limit dangerous global warming.

Today at the High-level panel titled Climate and Peace: Enabling Joint Action to Leave No One Behind, the COP29 Presidency launched the Baku Call on Climate Action for Peace, Relief, and Recovery (BCCAP), a milestone initiative aimed at addressing the urgent nexus of climate pic.twitter.com/TN3SlNWXx5  COP29 Azerbaijan (@COP29_AZ) November 15, 2024

The letter acknowledged significant advances that have been made during Cop summits, including the landmark Paris climate agreement.

But the signatories said: It is now clear that the Cop is no longer fit for purpose. We need a shift from negotiation to implementation.

The call comes after Ilham Aliyev, president of Cop29 host country Azerbaijan, told the summit earlier this week that oil and gas is a gift from God.

An investigation reported by the BBC also found that a Cop29 official tried to use the event as an opportunity to advance fossil fuel business deals, while concerns are growing over the imprisonment of climate defenders in the country.

Sandrine Dixson-Decleve, executive chair of Earth4All who signed the letter, said: We need a Cop process that offers delivery, not delay.

We are friends of #COP and call for leaders to work together to deliver a global climate policy framework that focuses on implementation and delivery: new open letter from climate leaders https://t.co/hWCEWE65SZ pic.twitter.com/7cNLOV8KOS  Earth4All (@Earth4All_) November 15, 2024

We demand Cops that are platforms for government and stakeholder ambition, not enablers of fossil energy contracts and growing greenhouse gas emissions.

After 28 Cops, time is up on negotiations that dont foster action and implementation. Planetary stability is dependent on equality, justice and poverty alleviation to address the greatest existential challenge of our time.

The call for reform also comes on the heels of reports warning of increasing global carbon emissions, the degradation of carbon sinks, and unprecedented climate-related human and economic losses.

The letter signatories warned that the world can no longer exclude the possibility of surpassing 2.9C of warming by 2100.

Ms Figueres said: At the last Cop, fossil fuel lobbyists outnumbered representatives of scientific institutions, Indigenous communities and vulnerable nations.

We cannot hope to achieve a just transition without significant reforms to the COP process that ensure fair representation of those most affected.



PA has contacted the UNFCCC for comment.
lucigerma/istockphoto

7 Tips for Dealing With Loved Ones With Dementia-Caused Paranoia

Paranoia is a common symptom of dementia, and its one of the hardest to deal with. Though there isnt a definitive stage of dementia when paranoia appears, its most often observed in the later phases. Identifying common triggers and following a few useful tips can make dementia-related paranoia more manageable. However, if paranoia and other symptoms of dementia become too severe, long-term solutions like memory care may be the best option.

peakSTOCK/ istock

When do seniors with dementia become paranoid?

Paranoia presents itself in those with dementia when certain areas of the brain are damaged. This can cause delusions, which commonly incites paranoia due to feelings of confusion, anxiety, and agitation.

Maureen Nash, M.D. and medical director of Providence ElderPlace in Portland, Oregon, regularly counsels families with loved ones experiencing paranoia. She affirms paranoia is often secondary to something else. One example is when a senior is convinced that theyre being physically abused. When someone with dementia is experiencing the normal aches and pains that come with aging, [they] might assume that [they have] been beaten up because [their] memory loss prevents [them] from forming any other logical conclusion, explains Dr. Nash.

Though paranoia is commonly seen in people with Alzheimers, its also often observed with Lewy body dementia. Lewy body dementia is caused by protein deposits developing in the brains nerve cells, which can result in delusions and visual hallucinations. Vascular dementia and paranoia are linked as well, due to conditions like strokes disrupting blood flow to the brain.

iStock/Wavebreakmedia

Is paranoia a symptom of dementia?

Paranoia can be a symptom of dementia, but it has to be accompanied with other symptoms to make a diagnosis. Paranoia by itself is not a reason to diagnose someone with dementia, but it is a common side effect.

Why do dementia patients become paranoid?

There are a couple of reasons why dementia can lead to paranoia:

Daily life stops making sense. The biggest reason why dementia patients become paranoid is because normal daily life stops making sense. If something doesnt make sense to someone with dementia, they may react with paranoid behavior, even for everyday occurrences.

District court judge Cynthia Kent spoke to Health Central about her 68-year-old husband and how something as simple as her going to work made him paranoid. All of a sudden, it was like his mind was just not working properly, she said. She then recalled him following her to court, to the bathroom, and the dentist because he became convinced she was having an affair.

Forgetfulness fuels paranoia. Its important to note that as forgetfulness intensifies with dementia, your loved one might become paranoid when they start to misplace essentials. Forgetfulness can lead to paranoia in many situations such as the following:

Forgetting where something was placed, making them think someone is moving or taking their things on purpose

Forgetting their caregivers or someone new they were introduced to, causing them to be skeptical of that persons intentions and believe they are a stranger

Forgetting directions or processes might make them think youre trying to trick or deceive them

Deposit Photos

At what stage of dementia does paranoia appear?

There isnt one exact stage paranoia appears in people with dementia. Dr. Nash notes, It all depends on which part of the brain is impacted, in what order the brain problems develop, and how the disease progresses over time. The stage when paranoia manifests and its severity varies depending on the person.

However, paranoia is more commonly observed as a persons cognitive impairment becomes more severe. A study from the National Library of Medicine found forms of dementia that affect mental health and behavior  such as Lewy body dementia  may cause paranoia in earlier stages. Meanwhile, other forms of dementia, like Alzheimers, may experience paranoia during its later stages.

You should speak with your loved ones medical care team if your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia and is experiencing paranoia or other behavioral symptoms.

AlexRaths/Istockphoto

How to deal with paranoia in dementia patients

Paranoia is one of the hardest behavioral challenges when caring for someone with dementia. Its one reason why family caregivers may end up looking for professional memory care for their loved ones.

Kathleen Allen, an eldercare consultant with over 20 years of experience and a masters degree in social work, stresses how important it is to make your loved one feel understood. Their paranoia may be due to delusions, but its vital to still acknowledge how theyre feeling. Try to remember that your loved one is not only coping with memory loss, but may also feel uncomfortable and unsafe due to their paranoia.

Remember that as a caregiver, your health is important too. As symptoms progress, it may be time to consider professional help, such as memory care.

Here are seven tips to help you handle your loved ones paranoia:

fizkes / iStock

1. Dont argue

When your loved one is experiencing feelings of paranoia, calmly affirm your loved ones feelings without being dismissive or aggressive. Allen suggests providing validation to any fears they have. For example, if they believe an intruder may be in their home, say something like, That must be scary to think someone is in the house with you. Doing so makes them feel heard and understood, while avoiding any frustration that may arise from you not believing them.

Photodjo / iStock

2. Be patient

It may be difficult, but by staying patient you can avoid escalating situations. This is especially true if your loved one accuses you of something, such as stealing or that youre trying to trick them. Though you know it isnt true, its imperative to remain calm and not become emotional from the accusation.

Toa55/istockphoto

3. Reassure your loved one

Remind your loved one youre there to help them and have their best interests in mind. Remember that episodes of paranoia frequently arise from fear or frustration, so let them know theyre safe and youre there for them. Acknowledge and empathize with them, demonstrate your support, and tell them youre there to help.

DepositPhotos.com

4. Utilize distractions

Sometimes these tips arent always effective for diffusing situations. In such cases, it can be beneficial to distract them by moving into a different room, pivoting to a new conversation topic, listening to music, or looking at photos together. Additionally, you can try suggesting a walk to clear their mind and coming back later once theyve calmed down.

Depositphotos

5. Keep track of changes in behavior

You may notice your loved one isnt keeping things in usual spots or is becoming more skeptical of their normal routines and care. Seeing changes in behavior could help you identify paranoid patterns or triggers. For example, maybe lighting through the window at a particular time of the day creates a shadow, and thats why they often think someone else is in their home. By recognizing this, you can close the curtains or ensure your loved one isnt in that room at that time.

monkeybusinessimages / istockphoto

6. Check with a doctor

Though dementia does cause changes to the brain, certain drugs can also create feelings of paranoia as a side effect. By talking with your loved ones physician, you can determine if prescribed medicines are the cause. Medical issues such as impaired hearing, eyesight, and dental health may also contribute to delusions and paranoia, so be sure to have regular checkups.

puhhha / iStock

7. Prioritize self-care

As a caregiver to a person with dementia, its essential to maintain self-care practices. Caring for a loved one, especially when their condition becomes severe, can take a toll on you and contribute to caregiver burnout. Your mental and physical health is as vital as your loved ones.

Halfpoint/Istockphoto

Consider long-term memory care

Caring for someone with dementia can be a full-time job, and that may not be feasible for you. Moving your loved one to long-term memory care can offer a more supportive living environment thats equipped to handle the more challenging dementia behaviors. Memory care also brings more opportunities for socialization. Being around others can support brain health, help maintain focus, and create feelings of inclusion, all of which can ward off episodes of paranoia.

Senior living communities with secured memory care units also offer an environment geared toward the safety of people with memory loss challenges. They may feature easy to navigate pathways, large signage, and calming aromatherapy scents to create a relaxing atmosphere to reduce stress, anxiety, and paranoia.

This article originally appeared on APlaceforMom.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.

Drazen Zigic/istockphoto

More from MediaFeed
Thankfully, Pinot Noir pairs with just about everything.

Food & Wine / Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Cristina Daley

Over the years as a wine writer I have suggested an alarming number of wines in my equally alarming number of what to drink for Thanksgiving columns. But somehow, shockingly, I managed to never write a Turkey-day column featuring one of the most classic options: Pinot Noir. Somewhat baffling, given that Pinot Noir and poultry is a pairing no-brainer, and given the breadth of my other suggestions.

In fact, over the years I've basically recommended everything but Pinot Noir for Thanksgiving. Ive written about Syrah (odd); bargain Bordeaux (go figure); Riesling (I continue to fight!); fancy wines for fancy Thanksgivings; lighter-bodied wines; sommelier picks; Target-Costco-Trader Joes options; budget bottles; magnums (why not); Cabernet Sauvignon; Zinfandel (Americas grape, even though it originally came from Croatia), and more.

Related: If You Love Pinot Noir, Meet Your New Favorite Wine Region

But regardless, my ultimate advice is to pair your wine with the guests rather than the food. Your austere great-aunt Alice does not want a natty Loire white that smells like a horse saddle with her two brussels sprouts and single slice of breast meat, for instance, nor does your nephew Noah, he of the tats and piercings, want an old-school buttery Chard with his vegan bird-thing-substitute. However, what they might both enjoy is that goes-with-everything pinch-hitter, Pinot Noir.

Perhaps a contrarian streak in my personality is to blame for my longtime Thanksgiving Pinot Noir blind spot (my wife would think, and we are surprised by this?) So let's fix this situation, because it's about time: here are eight great American Pinot Noirs to serve for Thanksgiving this year.

2022 Hahn California Pinot Noir ($16)

Food & Wine / Hahn Estate

Family-owned Hahn Vineyards, located in the Santa Lucia Highlands just inland from Monterey, makes this eminently quaffable, medium-weight Pinot. Its full of appealingly ripe, black cherry fruit.

2023 Cloudline Willamette Valley Pinot Noir ($23)

Food & Wine / Dreyfus, Ashby & Co.

Domaine Drouhins second label, Cloudline, is a reliable source for elegant Willamette Valley Pinot Noir at a modest price. The 2023, fragrant with wild berry and fresh herb notes, is a case in point.

2022 Stoller Willamette Valley Pinot Noir ($25)

Food & Wine / Stoller Wine Group

Brambly wild cherry flavors and soft tannins make this Willamette Valley Pinot distinctly enticing. The Stoller family got its start in Oregon raising turkeys (they had 700,000 when they called it quits). Conveniently for wine lovers, they decided in 1988 to shift their attention towards grapes.

Related: Here's What You Need to Look for When Buying Pinot Noir and Merlot, According to Experts

2022 Banshee Sonoma County Pinot Noir ($30)

Food & Wine / Banshee

Transparently ruby in hue, this Pinot from winemaker Alicia Sylvester is bright and tangy, its red berry fruit enriched by subtle vanilla and spice notes from aging in French oak barrels (25% new).

2022 Elk Cove Estate Pinot Noir ($34)

Food & Wine / Elk Cove Vineyards

Elk Cove, founded in 1974, was part of the first wave of ambitious winemaking in the Willamette Valley. Today second-generation winemaker Adam Campbell makes some of the valleys top single-vineyard Pinots, along with this spice-accented, cranberry-cherry-rich estate cuvee.

2022 Hundred Suns Old Eight Cut Willamette Valley Pinot Noir ($35)

Food & Wine / Hundred Suns Winery

Husband and wife team Grant Coulter and Renee Saint-Amour own this rising star Oregon producer. Their Old Eight Cut cuvee draws on excellent vineyards up and down the valley. Its vibrant raspberry-pomegranate flavors float by, leaving hints of dried sage on the lengthy finish.

Related: To Find California's Best Wine Values, Look to These 5 Lesser-Known Regions

2022 Paul Hobbs Crossbarn Pinot Noir ($40)

Food & Wine / Crossbarn

Paul Hobbs got his start with Cabernet  he was on the original team at Opus One  but Pinot Noir was among the varieties he released for the inaugural vintage of his namesake winery back in 1991. Over 30 years later, this luscious yet focused red is a testimony to his talents.

2021 Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($45)

Food & Wine / Patz & Hall Winery

Winemaker James Hall is a longtime Pinot expert, mostly concentrating on elegant single-vineyard cuvees. But this regional bottling is a standout, with a silky texture, juicy raspberry fruit, and plenty of complexity.


The incident reportedly happened after the plane left Honolulu for LAX on Wednesday, Nov. 13

Kevin Carter/Getty An American Airlines Airbus A321 departs Los Angeles International Airport

An American Airlines flight avoided a mountain in Hawaii by performing a sudden "expedited climb," according to multiple outlets including ABC News.

The alleged incident happened at around 1 a.m. local time on Wednesday, Nov. 13 after the plane left Honolulu International Airport to embark on a journey to Los Angeles International Airport.

"An air traffic controller instructed American Airlines Flight 298 to perform an expedited climb after the crew did not make the assigned turn while departing from Honolulu International Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement, per ABC News.

"The controller's actions ensured the aircraft remained safely above nearby terrain."



Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.



Getty A bird's eye view of the Honolulu International Airport

Related: American Airlines to Lay Off 19,000 Workers Unless It Receives Additional Federal Aid amid COVID-19 Pandemic

In a statement, American Airlines told ABC News that "The safety of our customers and team members is our top priority."

"During the climb out of Honolulu on November 13, the crew of American Airlines flight 298 requested and received right-turn clearance and complied with controller instructions, the spokesperson continued.

There was no Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) alert as there were no issues with terrain clearance based on the trajectory of the aircraft."

PEOPLE has contacted the FAA and American Airlines for further comment.

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CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty American Airlines planes at LaGuardia Airport in Queens

The news comes after two passengers were injured after a United flight had to suddenly slow its descent to avoid a potential collision with another aircraft back in September.

United Airlines Flight 2428 responded to an onboard alert which occurred around 12:45 p.m. local time on Thursday, Sept. 19 in Oakland Air Route Traffic Control Center Airspace that another aircraft was in the vicinity. The United flight landed safely at San Francisco International Airport, the FAA said in a preliminary statement shared with PEOPLE. There was no loss of safe separation.

According to CNN, United Flight 2428 responded to a traffic collision avoidance system resolution advisory alert, a serious warning for pilots. This resulted in one of the passengers being seriously injured while the other sustained minor injuries.

Related: American Airlines Passengers Save Woman from Alleged Violent Male Companion on Flight

On Sept. 10, two planes also collided at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport at around 10:07 a.m.

Delta Flight 295 bound for Tokyo was taxiing out at the time when it accidentally made contact with the tail of Endeavor Air 5526, Delta confirmed to PEOPLE in a statement at the time.

The coming together nearly sliced off the tail of the much smaller Endeavor aircraft, while the DeltaA350 sustained a damaged wing.

Speaking at the time, CBS senior transportation correspondent Chris Van Cleave said the collision was like "a semi truck and a small sedan coming together for a fender bender."

"In this case, it appears the wing tip of the A350 essentially severed the tail or the stabilizer on the back for the plane," he added.


A senior Iranian official stated Friday that Iran supports Lebanon's efforts in ceasefire negotiations with Israel, emphasizing Tehran's interest in ending a conflict that has significantly impacted its ally Hezbollah. The talks took place as Israel's air force hit Hezbollah-controlled areas of the Lebanese capital.

Ali Larijani, an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, visited Lebanon as U.S.-led efforts continue to end the 13-month war that escalated in September, the Associated Press reported. The war further spreaded to southern and eastern Lebanon and parts of Beirut's southern suburbs.

On Thursday, the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon presented a draft truce proposal to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who has Hezbollah's backing to lead negotiations, according to two senior Lebanese political sources cited by Reuters. This marked Washington's first written effort in weeks to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. The proposal's details remain undisclosed.

Larijani told reporters that Berri had provided him with "good clarifications," adding: "We are not looking to sabotage anything."

"We are after a solution to the problems. We support in all circumstances the Lebanese government. Those who are disrupting are Netanyahu and his people," Larijani said, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Meanwhille, a 10 elected members of the U.N. Security Council have proposed a draft resolution calling for "an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire" in Gaza. Sent to the council's five permanent members on Thursday, the resolution reiterates demands for the "immediate and unconditional release" of all hostages taken during Hamas' October 7, 2023, attacks in southern Israel. Israel reports that around 100 individuals are still held captive, though not all are confirmed to be alive.

The draft resolution reflects an agreement reached by Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, Switzerland, Algeria, Guyana, South Korea, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia.

The Israel-Hamas war started on October 7, 2023, when Palestinian militants launched a deadly attack in Israel, killing nearly 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 250 others. In response, Lebanon's Hezbollah joined the conflict on October 8, firing into Israel in solidarity with Hamas.

Over the past 13 months, Israel's military campaign in Gaza has resulted in more than 43,000 Palestinian deaths, predominantly women and children, according to local health authorities who do not differentiate between civilians and combatants. In Israel, 76 people have been killed, including 31 soldiers.
The absence of a top provincial politician at the time the country is battling an air emergency involving toxic smog has sparked a debate in Pakistan.

Authorities in Punjab province announced a health emergency and said they are mulling a three-day lockdown as the air crisis ahead of winter has trapped dust, emissions and smoke from the illegal stubble burning on fields.

Air quality slipped drastically this week in Punjabs largest city Lahore, which has seen the Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of major pollutant PM2.5 breaching the 1,500-mark on Thursday.

Known as the inhalable particulate matter, PM2.5 can cause serious respiratory ailments and was recorded on Friday at least 77 times more than the safe limit prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Punjab has blamed this years particularly high pollution levels partly on toxic air flowing from neighbouring India, where air quality has also reached hazardous levels.

Residents criticised Punjabs chief minister, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, for travelling to London at a time people have complained of worsening health. The recently elected leader spoke to party workers in London, after photos of her walking in Switzerland went viral on social media, and said she was seeking treatment for a parathyroid condition.

Infuriated netizens slammed the timing of the lawmakers visit, which has coincided with the worst air pollution levels in the country.

Lahore is dying, and no one is doing anything to save it. Not everyone has the option to go to London, Pakistani actor Simi Raheel said on her Instagram.

Lahore Resolution monument called Minar-e-Pakistan is seen engulfed in smog in Lahore (AFP via Getty Images)

Air experts in the country have also questioned the political will to tackle the air crisis.

It is an important part of the messaging around the political will to respond to this emergency situation and it has to be dealt with as an emergency. We have been saying that it is a public health emergency for years now but the leaders are yet to react proportionately, said Abid Omar, founder of Pakistan Air Quality Initiative (PAQI), a climate research and advocacy group.

Mr Omar has called for a ban on major pollutants in Pakistan, stating that they will directly impact the AQI levels. It is currently at a hazardous level and the government is declaring an emergency but the action is yet to show the intent, he told The Independent.

The absence of Ms Sharif was also slammed on social media platform X where one user said Punjab deserved better. Maryam Nawaz is enjoying the clean air of Switzerlands Alpine Mountains while her province suffers from carcinogenic smog and pollution, one user said on X.

Another X user said the leader was breathing fresh air while millions back home are suffering from flu, cough and headache. Smog will be fixed in a few years says Maryam nawaz cosplaying as Sicilian Mafia donned with fox fur breathing fresh air in london as Form-47 CM of Punjab where Millions suffer with persistent Respiratory diseases, flu, cough, headache etc (sic), they said.

Smog will be fixed in a few years says Maryam nawaz cosplaying as Sicilian Mafia donned with "fox fur" breathing fresh air in london as Form-47 CM of Punjab where Millions suffer with persistent Respiratory diseases, flu, cough, headache etc. pic.twitter.com/sWthT6mkqN  bonky.chonky (@bonkichonky) November 12, 2024

Ms Sharif said she had to seek necessary medical treatment as only the United States and Switzerland offer the specialised procedures for her condition. I was not raised to seek sympathy as a victim, but these rumours have forced me to address my illness publicly, she said.

Meanwhile, authorities in Punjab announced a ban on construction, shut schools for another week and moved universities online, the provinces senior minister said on Friday.

"A complete lockdown will be enforced on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (next week) if the situation does not improve by Wednesday," said Punjab senior minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, addressing a press conference in Lahore. Citizens were advised to stay indoors. AQI readings in Lahore reached 637 at 3pm (1000 GMT), IQAir showed, significantly higher than levels recommended by the WHO.

The government ordered the closure of construction, brick kilns, and furnace-based plants in Lahore and the city of Multan, the minister said. Punjabs government last week ordered schools to close until 17 November, and on Friday the shift to online learning was extended for another week.

Colleges and universities will also shut down, moving to virtual classes. The eastern province has already banned entry to parks, zoos, playgrounds and other public spaces.
A brief scuffle broke out in the stands as Israeli soccer fans returned to Europe, but a heavy security presence in Paris ensured there was no repeat of the large-scale violence seen in Amsterdam last week.

Thousands of extra security personnel were deployed in the French capital and a double ring of security thrown around the stadium for the Nations League game between France and Israel, a week after shocking violent attacks marred Israeli club Maccabi-Tel Avivs visit to Amsterdam amid accusations of organized hunting of Jews and aggression from some traveling Israeli fans.

In Paris on Thursday, the atmosphere was tense at the at Stade de France - and French authorities were taking no chances.

It only took about a minute for security personnel to step in when a scuffle broke out early in the game between a small number of supporters in a stand behind one of the goals, the Associated Press reported. Some of those involved were draped in Israeli flags, but it was not clear what caused the altercation, AP said.

The match finished 0-0 with no further incidents.

Some 4,000 officers and 1,600 stadium staff were deployed to police the game, with about 2,500 of those officers around the stadium itself, Paris police chief Laurent Nunez said.

Last years French soccer cup final saw some 3,000 police and 1,400 staff deployed, CNN affiliate BFMTV reported.

The elite RAID police unit was present inside the grounds, according to Frances interior minister. An anti-terrorist security perimeter was set up around the stadium to ensure two separate ID checks and searches for attendees.

The game came just days after several nights of clashes in Amsterdam. At least five people were treated in hospital and dozens were arrested after Israeli fans were hunted down and attacked following Maccabi Tel Avivs 5-0 defeat to Ajax in violence condemned as antisemitic by authorities in the Netherlands and Israel.

Tensions were running high ahead of the match in Amsterdam. Multiple social media videos showed Maccabi fans chanting anti-Arab slurs, praising Israeli military attacks in Gaza and yelling f**k the Arabs.

Maccabi supporters also tore down flags, vandalized a taxi and set a Palestinian flag on fire, Amsterdam police said.

The supporters of the Israeli national side who traveled to Paris were likely to differ from the fans at Amsterdams Maccabi match  some of whom have a reputation for hooliganism and violence.

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said he was expecting 12,000-13,000 fans total for the match, one of the lowest turnouts ever at the 80,000-capacity Stade de France, the centerpiece of Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

On Sunday, Israel specifically warned its citizens against attending the match over fears for their safety. Even so, officials were determined for the game to go ahead.

Retailleau refused to cancel or move the match, telling parliamentarians that doing so would amount to giving in to sowers of hate.

Instead, the countrys flagship stadium was turned into a veritable fortress.

But the match wasnt notable for its security.

French President Emmanuel Macron attended the game, an unusual move for a relatively minor fixture on the global soccer stage. The Elysee Palace told CNN affiliate BFMTV that his presence would, send a message of fraternity and solidarity after the intolerable antisemitic acts that followed the match in Amsterdam.

Macron was joined by his prime minister and two of his predecessors, former presidents Francois Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy  a rare display of unity.

Fans argue on stands during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Israel at the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, on November 14, 2024. - Thibault Camus/AP

An iron-fisted response

This game came at a particularly tense time for politics and sport in France.

Last week, Retailleau demanded answers from French champions Paris Saint-Germain after fans unfurled an enormous Free Palestine display in the stands at a Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid.

Following the match, Retailleau posted on X that clubs should be wary that, politics does not come to damage sport, which must always remain a force for unity, promising in a later radio interview that nothing was off the table in terms of sanctions against clubs that refuse to toe the line and police political banners.

The minister set an aggressive tone in his first months in office and his response to the Amsterdam attacks was no different. Retailleau called for prosecutors to investigate a far-left lawmakers post about the violence in the Dutch capital  a move that is unprecedented even amid the heightened tensions following the Hamas-led October 7 assault on Israel last year and the ongoing war in Gaza that followed.

Marie Mesmeur had posted that the Israelis attacked in Amsterdam, were not lynched because they were Jewish, but because they were racist and supported genocide.

The official French response could not be more different.

French riot policemen secure the Stade-de-France on the eve of the UEFA Nations League football match between France and Israel, in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on November 13, 2024. - Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images

Macron said the incidents, recalled the most shameful hours of history, in sentiments mirrored by top French officials in a flurry of X posts.

France  like much of Europe and North America  has grappled with spiking antisemitism in recent years, which has only been accentuated by the October 7 attacks and Israels bloody campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon.

In France specifically, less than 1% of the French population is Jewish, yet Jews are victims of 57% of all racist and antireligious attacks in the country, Retailleau told lawmakers on Tuesday.

France is home to Europes largest Jewish population and one of the continents biggest Muslim populations. In recent years, French far-right politicians have clamored to claim the moral high ground around antisemitism.

All this comes amid a diplomatic spat between Paris and Tel Aviv. Just this week, the Israeli ambassador in Paris was summoned to the French foreign ministry after two French policemen were briefly detained in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem.

Frances government has attempted to tread a difficult path between responding to Hamas attacks on Israel and growing antisemitism at home, and outrage at Israels destruction in Gaza and elsewhere. Yet, in the light of recent events in Amsterdam, it is keen to show its commitment to protecting French Jews: Thursdays match offered the perfect opportunity.

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Erin French is coming to Studio 1A and shes ready to answer your savory questions about Thanksgiving!

Calling all culinary enthusiasts and Thanksgiving lovers!

Erin French is coming to Studio 1A and shes ready to answer your savory questions about Thanksgiving! From hosting to serving and everything in between, Erin wants to hear what youve always wanted to ask her about the holiday.

If you would like to submit your question, please fill out the form below and she may answer it live on the show.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
By Jarrett Renshaw and Trevor Hunnicutt

LIMA (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden met with Japanese and South Korean leaders on Friday as they sought to cement their diplomatic progress ahead of a new Trump administration that many fear could upend alliances worldwide.

The meeting between Washington and two of its closest Asian allies came as U.S. relations with Beijing are expected to grow more confrontational after Donald Trump's Jan. 20 inauguration, given his promises of sharp tariff hikes that could hobble China's economy.

North Korea's deployment of troops to Russia to support Russia's war in Ukraine, as well as North Korea's nuclear weapons program and dimming prospects for a peaceful resolution to a decades-long conflict with South Korea are also raising tensions in Asia.

"Japan, the ROK, and the United States strongly condemn the decisions by the leaders of the DPRK and Russia to dangerously expand Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine," said a joint statement, referring to South Korea and North Korea by their official names, the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Lima, Peru, brought Biden, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who assumed office in October, together in person for the first time.

After the meeting the three countries announced the creation of a Trilateral Secretariat designed to formalize the relationship and make sure it was not just "a series of meetings," national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters traveling with Biden aboard Air Force One on Thursday.

Getting South Korea and Japan to work together is considered one of the diplomatic achievements of Biden's soon-to-end four-year term as president. The two countries have a long history of mutual acrimony stemming from Japan's harsh 1910-1945 colonial rule of Korea.

Biden sees close ties among the three as a hedge against aggressive steps by China in the region, a view Beijing rejects. Yoon met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday, with Ishiba and Biden also set to hold their own one-on-ones with Xi during the APEC summit.

"I truly believe the cooperation of our countries will be the foundation to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific for many years to come," Biden said as the three-way meeting started.

The three countries also committed to further advancing collaboration with the Philippines across a range of critical sectors including ports, energy and transportation, according to the joint statement published after the meeting.

Trump's commitment to the trilateral work has been an open question in the region given the president-elect's "America First" approach, suspicion of U.S. financial and military support for traditional allies, and his own diplomatic foray into North Korea during his first four-year term.

"Transitions have historically been time periods when the DPRK has taken provocative actions, both before and after the transition from one president to a new president," said Sullivan. "I do not think we can count on a period of quiet with the DPRK."

(Reporting by Jarrett Renshaw in Lima and Trevor Hunnicutt in Washington; editing by Jonathan Oatis, Cynthia Osterman and Rosalba O'Brien)
WASHINGTON  President-elect Donald Trump plans to nominate North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum to be his secretary of Interior, he announced Thursday evening at a gala.

Trump teased the pick during a speech at Mar-a-Lago during an America First Policy Institute dinner, where he said he'd be appointing Burgum on Friday to a "very big position." Moments later, Trump decided to let the news slip early, telling the crowd that he's picked Burgum to lead the Department of Interior.

Burgum, a 68-year-old wealthy software executive, ran unsuccessfully against Trump for the Republican nomination last year, failing to generate much buzz and dropping out last December before voting got underway.

But he drew immediate interest from Trump, who appreciated Burgum's focus on fossil fuels and energy issues and his command on television. The Trump campaign increasingly dispatched Burgum to campaign rallies as a go-to speaker to tout a second Trump presidency and attack outgoing President Joe Biden. Burgum had been speculated as a possible contender for secretary of the Energy Department, which remains unfilled.

Trump made his intent to nominate Burgum as Interior secretary official on Friday, also announcing Burgum will chair a new National Energy Council, which the president-elect in a written statement said will "oversee the path to U.S. ENERGY DOMINANCE."

Governor of North Dakota Doug Burgum speaks during the final campaign rally for former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump before election day at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on November 4, 2024.

The council, tasked with "cutting red tape" and "enhancing private sector investments," will include all federal agencies and departments involved in permitting and rule-setting in the energy sector. Trump said Burgum will also have a seat on his National Security Council.

"Doug Burgum will protect our Nations Natural Resources, restore our fabulous Oil and Gas advantage, and Make America, and its Energy, Dominant and Great Again!" Trump said.

The Interior Department oversees federal land including national parks and monuments, and administers programs and federal commitments involving native tribes. North Dakota is home to five federally recognized native tribes.

As governor, Burgum took steps to improve relations with the state's native tribes. That includes signing legislation codifying the federal Indian Child Welfare Act to give preference to Native American families in the adoption of native children.

On the campaign trail, Trump has talked about unleashing unappropriated lands for fossil fuel development.

Environmentalists quickly slammed Trump's pick. Burgum will be a disastrous Secretary of the Interior wholl sacrifice our public lands and endangered wildlife on the altar of the fossil fuel industrys profits, Kieran Suckling, executive director at the Center for Biological Diversity, said in a statement.

Known as an independent-minded Republican for much of his tenure as governor, Burgum has since embraced Trump's hardline rhetoric and MAGA Republicanism. Trump included Burgum on his final short list as vice president before picking JD Vance.

Burgum's second term as governor ends next month when Gov.-elect Kelly Armstrong, a GOP congressman, is sworn in.

Born and raised in the tiny farm town of Arthur, North Dakota, with a population of 328, Burgum in 1983 mortgaged farmland he inherited from his family to invest in Fargo-based Great Plains Software. He became the company's president the next year, and by 2001 sold the company to Microsoft for $1.1 billion. At Microsoft, Burgum worked as senior vice president through 2007.

Today, Burgum has a net worth of more than $100 million, according to Forbes magazine. Burgum is the founder of Kilbourne Group, a Fargo-based real estate firm, and is co-founder of Arthur Ventures, a software venture capital firm based in Minneapolis. He is also board chairman of Atlassian and SuccessFactors.

Reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly Twitter @joeygarrison.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump picks North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum for Interior secretary
An ex-Tennessee deputy is facing several charges connected to the shooting deaths of seven dogs, officials said Wednesday.

According to a news release from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), the McNairy County Sheriff's Office responded to an animal welfare call at a home in Betel Springs, located about 97 miles from Memphis, on Monday, November 4.

When Deputy Connor Brackin arrived at the scene to check on the dogs, he released one of them to the individual who made the initial complaint. Then, "for reasons under investigation," Brackin "fired his duty weapon, shooting and killing seven dogs on the property," the news release stated.

The TBI launched its probe on Nov. 7 following a request from 25th Judicial District Attorney General Mark Davidson.

Crime: 'Serial swatter': 18-year-old pleads guilty to making nearly 400 bomb threats, mass shooting calls

Brackin resigned from the sheriff's office

Brackin, 24, was charged with eight counts of reckless endangerment and seven counts of aggravated cruelty to animals. The former deputy turned himself in after TBI secured warrants for his arrest earlier this week and was booked into the McNairy County Jail.

McNairy County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Zach Bay told USA TODAY on Friday that Brackin resigned. He had been employed at the agency for less than a month.

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ex-deputy accused of killing 7 dogs during welfare check faces charges
This story has been updated with details from a Friday morning press conference.

Shelbyville will soon be home to a $712 million battery plant.

Canadian Solar, a global renewable energy company, is establishing Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing, and with it, creating the largest economic development project in Shelby County history.

The project, built in two phases, will be the first Kentucky manufacturer "to create utility-scale energy storage containers."

Unlike the BlueOval SK Battery Park in Hardin County, or the AESC battery manufacturing projects in Bowling Green, which produce electric vehicle batteries, the Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing plant will produce electric battery storage, which is often paired with solar projects or other large-scale developments.

"We're going to be building state-of-the-art battery cells," said Colin Parkin, president of e-STORAGE, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc. and the parent company of Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing.

The company is expected to hire 1,600 employees within its first three years and will build batteries that can be bought by utility companies and project developers to store energy for future usage.

This is such a large investment that it's going to create its own gravity, Gov. Andy Beshear said Friday. As you look at what we're doing in batteries, bigger and better than any other state, you see the growth, we're going to see more than just these  jobs because of this announced investment.

Beshear, company leaders launch Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing

During a Friday morning press conference at the Governors Mansion, Beshear and Parkin, along with local county and state elected officials and Shawn Qu, the founder of Canadian Solar, came together to officially launch the new project.

Electricity demand in the United States is expected to grow significantly, Qu said Friday. Therefore this project is putting Kentucky at the center of the effort to build a robust and secure electricity grid for this country now.

Qu and Parkin shared they are excited to move the company into a tight-knit community.

This is an important decision for us, and it started right from the beginning, the support from the governor and the governor's office, the local mayor in Shelbyville, the community, everything was very welcoming to us, and it had all the right ingredients, Parkin said Friday.

Now, the company is mission critical as it gears up to bring the facility online and start producing battery storage.

In short, weve already become the EV battery production capital of the United States and now were working to become just the battery capital of the United States of America, Beshear said. Now, with Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing, we're going to lead in the industrial electrification space.

What does this massive project mean for Shelby County?

Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing will open a utility-scale battery energy storage container production facility in Shelby County.

The one-million-square-foot project, located about 30 miles from downtown Louisville, will provide a much-welcomed economic boost to the county neighboring Jefferson County through current job creation and future jobs associated with a growing supply chain in the county.

"Shelbyville battery manufacturing locating in Kentucky is nothing short of historic," Beshear told the Courier Journal in an interview on Tuesday. "This is a game changer that will bring suppliers to and around Kentucky in terms of supply chain."

Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing is under an expedited timeline from announcement to production Parkin and Beshear shared with the Courier Journal.

Parkin said the company was fortunate to find a facility in Shelbyville that already fit the size and capabilities needed with only some retooling and minimal construction needed to outfit the building for battery production. The facility at 139 Logistics Drive, Shelbyville was previously slated to be a metal-hydrogen battery gigafactory for EnerVenue, however, that project never came to fruition.

"One of the most exciting things about this project is that it has an accelerated timeline, which, while it means a lot of work, it means these jobs come sooner to the Shelbyville and Shelby County area, and it means we have more Kentuckians employed at a much faster pace than we often see in projects this size," Beshear said.

The facilitys initial annual production of batteries will have a combined capacity of 3 gigawatt-hours. For comparison, the LG&E and KU solar array near Harrodsburg, spanning 44,000 solar panels, has a net generating capacity of about 19 gigawatt-hours.

In the following years, the Shelbyville plant will double production capacity to a combined 6 gigawatt-hours.

Limited production will start at the facility in mid- to late 2025 with widespread shipping and scaling expected by the first quarter of 2026, Parkin said.

The facility will also feature a research and development lab where employees will work with local universities on "constantly evolving our technology," he added.

On top of the immediate job creation, the project also stands to build a new supply chain for the energy storage industry, possibly facilitating the relocation or expansion of other companies into the Bluegrass state.

Both Beshear and Parkin are certain this project will attract a healthy addition of new companies to Kentucky, with Parkin noting some of the sub-suppliers and partners for Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing are already in the process of moving to Kentucky to be closer to the facility, though he did not name them.

"This project is a big win for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, one of the biggest in our history," Beshear said. "This was the exact type of forward-leading company that we know is an industry of the future, that once we located in Kentucky, we knew that we would have a decades-long relationship with and that would create opportunities above and beyond, from suppliers to others."

Beshear said while the project is not expected to employ thousands of construction workers as the state saw with the massive BlueOval SK battery park, he is confident it will provide "hundreds" of construction trade workers with a job.

The Courier Journal previously reported the jobs created by this project would boast average hourly wages of about $25 including benefits at the proposed plant, according to negotiated, preliminary state incentives.

The project received preliminary approval for $35 million in incentives under the Kentucky Business Investment program and $5 million through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act, according to a state database. Beshear confirmed the project is still on track to receive these incentives.

"It was a very detailed analysis for us to come to the conclusion that Kentucky is the home for us, and it goes to say that it's the community, the employees. The government support, and incentives do play a consideration for that, but it's a decision not based only on incentives, it's based on all those factors," Parkin said about why the company landed on Shelbyville for its newest U.S. facility.

Growing demand for 'resilient energy'

The battery technology soon to be produced in Shelby County is a key ingredient in a successful renewable energy transition.

Solar and wind have scaled up across the U.S., cutting greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector at a crucial time for climate goals. Solar, in particular, has started to gain momentum in Kentucky in recent years.

However, these forms of energy rely on variable weather conditions. When the sun isnt shining or the wind isnt blowing, battery storage allows that energy to be dispatched to reliably meet customer demand.

Grid reliability is becoming a growing concern, especially as data centers and other energy-hungry developments scale up. It's an issue many Kentucky lawmakers have taken up in their defense of fossil fuel-fired power plants.

The demand for energy, resilient energy, in the U.S. is growing substantially," Parkin said, and batteries are perfectly suited to meet that demand.

"We're on an energy revolution here," he said. "As we transition from fossil fuels to renewable energies, and make that dispatchable with these state-of-the-art batteries ... this is going to be tremendous."

Kentucky's growing battery manufacturing industry could help the state and nation meet pressing energy needs.

Kentucky helped power this country through the Industrial Revolution, through two world wars," Beshear said, "and now we are once again going to step up and be able to provide more resiliency in our grid."

'Our new Kentucky home'

Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing marks the third largest project for job creation during Beshear's two terms to date and builds on the more than $33 billion in private sector investment and 56,000 new jobs his administration has worked to attract to Kentucky.

"It's important that these jobs are in industries and areas that we know are going to lead through the next century, that we stay on the cutting edge so that we don't ever again feel what it's like to lose so many jobs based on major changes in industry," Beshear said.

This economic development announcement is the first of a new campaign by the Beshear administration targeting business growth across the Commonwealth, using the phrase "New Kentucky home."

"We are excited to welcome Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing to their new Kentucky Home and to tell the world about all of our new Kentucky Home, one where we have state-of-the-art businesses and industries, one where market leaders like this company select us because they see the workforce and way of life that people want to be a part of," Beshear said.

Beshear, who has emphasized recruiting international businesses to set up operations in Kentucky, said this announcement helps shape the state's future business industries.

"We're going to look back 10 years from now," Beshear said, "and be able to show what this company's stay in Kentucky has done in terms of other companies and more employment and continuing to build that great reputation that we've worked so hard to build."

Contact business reporter Olivia Evans at oevans@courier-journal.com or on X at @oliviamevans_. Contact environmental reporter Connor Giffin at cgiffin@gannett.com or on X @byconnorgiffin.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Canadian Solar to build $700 million battery plan in Shelbyville, KY
A Virginia woman was caught impersonating a registered nurse for a month and allegedly worked in multiple hospitals across California while overseeing the care of some 60 patients.

Amanda Leeann Porter, 44, was arrested by the Burbank Police Department on Tuesday after it was revealed she was allegedly posing as a nurse at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Los Angeles County, KTLA reported.

Porter cared for roughly 60 patients at the hospital and collected two paychecks between April 8 and May 8 before staff discovered she was impersonating an actual, registered nurse not based in California, according to the department.

Amanda Leeann Porter, 44, was arrested by the Burbank Police Department on Tuesday after it was revealed she was allegedly posing as a nurse. Burbank Police Department

The hospital then fired the fraudster and reported her actions to authorities, according to KTLA.

The LA County District Attorney charged Porter with three felonies: identity theft, false impersonation, and grand theft on Tuesday.

Detectives said she was arraigned Wednesday and is being held without bail at the LA County Central Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood.

During their investigation, the Burbank Police Department discovered that Porter had posed as a nurse before.

The LA County Sheriffs Department had arrested Porter on suspicion of committing a similar offense at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Santa Clarita, the Burbank Police Department unearthed.

However, Porter posted bail and was released from the custody of the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department.

Porter was allegedly posing as a nurse at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Los Angeles County. Shutterstock

Burbank PD Detectives investigation revealed that Porter is believed to have obtained employment with multiple local hospitals using various false identities around California.

Detectives believe other local hospitals hired Porter after she allegedly used false identities.

Investigators urged anyone with information on similar instances in Southern California to call their local law enforcement agency or Burbank Police Department.

Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center and Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital told KTLA that Porter was in a probationary phase of her employment and was supervised by a qualified training nurse during her time.

Officials from both hospitals said it quickly became apparent that Porters care while she fraudulently obtained brief employment at their facilities was insufficient for what was expected of a registered nurse.

The LA County Sheriffs Department had arrested Porter on suspicion of committing a similar offense at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Santa Clarita. Shutterstock

Both hospitals said they informed any patients she cared for about the incident.

Detectives told the LA Times that Porter is also on federal probation for a fraud violation in Virginia.

According to the US Department of Justice, a woman named Amanda Porter-Eley, matching the suspects age and also referred to as Amanda L. Porter in court filings, pleaded guilty to impersonating a nurse and committing bank fraud in Virginia in 2017.

Prosecutors said Porter-Eley was using the identity of a nurse living in New York to gain employment at a Virginia Hospital in September 2015.

She was found guilty of working as a nursing supervisor without the required licenses at that hospital for six months before she was fired.

Porter-Eley continued using the real nurses identity until her arrest in September 2016, causing over $120,000 in losses to banks and retailers.

During that time, she fraudulently opened multiple bank accounts and obtained over $450,000 in cash, loans, goods, and services, including at least three vehicles and a property under the stolen nurses identity.

Porter-Eley also pleaded guilty to opening bank accounts using other peoples Social Security numbers, where prosecutors found she obtained nearly $50,000 in worthless checks.

According to the LA Times, the Burbank Police Department did not confirm whether Amanda Leeann Porter and Amanda Porter-Eley are the same person as the investigation is ongoing.
Photo collage featuring desaturated images of a couple, who are Ashley and Doug Benefield. Overlayed between these photos are scraps of paper in white and red, as well as a dark silhouette of a ballerina in an arabesque position. (Macy Sinreich / NBC News; Photos Courtesy Michelene Welsh-Murawski)

During her murder trial this year, Ashley Benefield offered hours of emotional testimony about the abuse she said she suffered at the hands of her estranged husband  and about what happened in the terrifying moments before she fatally shot Doug Benefield in an act she described as self-defense.

But not everyone was convinced by the former ballerinas apparent tears.

The assistant state attorney for Floridas 12th Judicial District, Suzanne ODonnell, told Dateline that, believing Ashley Benefield was performing  and not actually crying  she asked for the courtroom lights to be turned up. And she had Ashley step down from the witness stand to re-enact moment by moment her account of the fatal shooting of Doug, 58, at her home south of Tampa on Sept. 27, 2020, ODonnell said.

What followed was one of the most wrenching exchanges of a six-day trial in which prosecutors accused Ashley of exaggerating and fabricating claims of abuse in an effort to win a protracted custody battle at all costs.

Once I realized she was not really crying, I knew she had to get down in front of that jury, ODonnell told Dateline. When she steps down, shes literally within feet. And I wanted them to be able to see that.

Ashleys lawyer, Neil Taylor, said it was callous for prosecutors to make his client re-enact the shooting. She had consistent breakdowns throughout the proceedings, shedding authentic tears, Taylor said.

Ashley and Doug Benefield.

Whether or not the jury believed them to be real tears, I can only tell you they acquitted her of murder, he told Dateline.

While the jury found Ashley not guilty of the most serious charge prosecutors had sought, it convicted her of manslaughter. She faces a maximum of 30 years in prison when she's sentenced, which is set for Dec. 3.

After the verdict, Taylor requested a new trial alleging juror misconduct. The judge has not weighed in on the claim.

A nasty custody battle

At trial, prosecutors alleged that Ashley fatally shot Doug during a contentious custody battle that included some abuse allegations that ODonnell called fictitious. The prosecutor said physical evidence from the shooting didnt match Ashleys claim that she fired in self-defense.

Taylor countered that his client did only what any law-abiding citizen can be expected to do with an abusive partner: She reported the alleged abuse in an effort to focus authorities attention on his behavior.

In testimony, Ashley said her estranged husband was controlling and volatile. While they were living in South Carolina, she said, he threw a loaded gun at her and, during an argument, fired it into the ceiling before he threatened to take his own life. Another time, she testified, he punched their dog so hard he knocked it unconscious.

Ashley Benefield.

In South Carolina, where the Benefields had lived together, they obtained court orders in 2017 that barred them from contacting each other. After Ashley moved to Florida while she was pregnant with their daughter, she believed he violated the order, she testified.

He appeared to be stalking her, she testified at trial, and sent a package that she believed contained poison. In 2018, she sought another court order that would have barred him from contacting her and given her custody of their daughter.

During a hearing in those proceedings, Doug admitted hooting the ceiling  he called it a horrible decision  but denied that he threatened to die by suicide or threw a gun at her, a transcript of the hearing shows. He acknowledged hitting their dog but said he didnt strike it like a punching bag.

Doug denied violating the restraining order or stalking her, according to the transcript, and the judge in the case said there was not a scintilla of credible evidence that Ashley had been poisoned.

The judge accused Ashley of turning on tears when she felt it was appropriate and awarded Doug immediate access to their child, according to the transcript.

Drama in the courtroom

The moment when ODonnell asked for the lights to be turned up during Ashleys criminal trial came on the fourth day, near the end of her time on the witness stand.

ODonnell had been questioning Ashley about her swift courtship with Doug  they married 13 days after they met, and she gave birth less than two years later  and her allegations of abuse.

After roughly an hour, the prosecutor began walking Ashley through the day she fatally shot her estranged husband.

At the time, Ashley testified, she was preparing to move with her mother to an inherited home in Maryland. Doug planned on moving there, too, and living separately in an effort to reconcile with his estranged wife, ODonnell said.

Taylor said Ashley never planned on reconciling  Doug Benefield knew full well this relationship was over, he said in court  and he described the move as another unwanted pursuit of his client.

Ashley and Doug Benefield.

On Sept. 27, 2020, Doug had gone to Ashleys home to help her pack. After an argument, Ashley testified, Doug struck her in the face and refused to leave when she asked him to.

Ashley testified that she ran to her bedroom, grabbed a gun and closed the door. Doug slammed it open, she said, and  using an expletive  told her she was done.

That made you fear for your life? ODonnell asked.

Yeah, Ashley testified, appearing to cry.

ODonnell asked for the lights to be turned up. Moments later, she instructed Ashley to step down from the witness stand and re-enact the confrontation.

Speaking from the well of the courtroom, Ashley testified that she raised her weapon and told Doug to stop. He got into a fighting pose, she said, then began inching toward her.

ODonnell pressed her to show what he was doing with his hands as he advanced.

After she struggled with the demonstration, Ashley said: I dont know. Im not a fighter.

When Doug lunged at her, Ashley testified, she pulled the trigger. He kept moving toward her, she said, and she kept shooting.

ODonnell asked for more details. But after a roughly two-minute re-enactment, she told Ashley  who appeared to be sobbing  to have a seat.

Ashley and Doug Benefield.

Moments later, the judge called a recess.

To prosecutors, the exchange was a combination of theatrics and few details. To Rebecca Freel, another assistant district attorney prosecuting the case, Ashleys eyes didnt appear puffy and her face looked the same as before she left the stand.

We thought that was telling, Freel told Dateline.

But Barbara Russell, a psychologist and therapist who treated Ashley and spoke to NBC News with her permission, said emotional expression can vary widely from person to person, and she criticized prosecutors for portraying themselves as experts on the matter.

Russell said she had never known Ashley to be deceptive, nor did she believe she would have shot her estranged husband unless her life was in imminent danger.

The fact that she doesnt cry enough tears to please the prosecutor changes none of that, Russell said. They prosecuted a victim.




Former Detroit Lions Linebacker Antwione Williams in 2016.

Former Detroit Lions linebacker Leander Antwione Williams was arrested in Georgia on Thursday and is charged with assaulting police officers during the Jan. 6 attack at the U.S. Capitol, federal prosecutors said.

Williams, who went by Antwione Williams in the NFL, played for the Lions during the 2016 season.

He was arrested in Savannah and is charged with felony counts of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers, and obstruction of law enforcement, the U.S. Attorneys Office in Washington, D.C., said in a statement.

Hes also charged with three misdemeanors related to entering and remaining on restricted Capitol buildings and grounds, disorderly conduct and acts of physical violence.

Williams, 31, is accused of joining others in the pro-Trump mob as it attacked police to enter the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, following months of lies about an election that Trump lost.

The U.S. Attorneys Office said Williams confronted and overpowered Capitol Police officers at a perimeter line, tried to grab a bike rack from an officer attempting to clear a plaza, swatted riot-control spray from another officer, and struck an officer on the head with a forceful arm motion."

An attorney listed as representing Williams did not immediately respond to a request for comment after business hours Thursday evening.

Williams had been known as "AFO-419"  the acronyms is for "Assault on Federal Officer"  on photos that the FBI put out trying to identify people in the mob.

In December 2022 someone sent a tip to authorities that it could be Williams, citing an Instagram account, an FBI agent wrote in a statement of facts filed in the criminal case.

The FBI interviewed Williams at his home in 2023 and noticed a red key fob similar to one seen in the Jan. 6 video, the FBI agent wrote.

In August, the FBI reviewed credit card statements associated with Williams that showed payment at a parking near a Washington metro station, about a 10-minute ride from the Capitol area, that was made on Jan. 6, 2021, the statements of facts says.

The mob that attacked police and entered and ransacked the U.S. Capitol, causing around $1.5 million in damage, were in Washington for a rally held by Donald Trump, who was president at the time, the same day that Congress was formally counting the electoral votes in Trump's 2020 election loss to Joe Biden.

Trump in November won re-election to the White House for a second, but not consecutive, term.

More than than 1,561 people have been charged in connection with the Jan. 6 riot, and of those, more 590 have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, according to the Department of Justice.
Hundreds of people fled Friday as Typhoon Man-Yi bore down on the Philippines, threatening yet more destruction even as rescuers tried to reach people stranded on rooftops by the last tropical cyclone.

Five major storms have battered the archipelago nation in the last three weeks, killing at least 163 people and prompting the United Nations to request $32.9 million in aid for the worst-affected regions.

Typhoon Usagi hit the north of the country on Thursday, and on Friday rescuers were still scrambling to reach residents stranded on rooftops in northern Luzon island, where herds of livestock were devastated.

At the same time authorities began evacuating hundreds of people from the island of Catanduanes, which will likely be the first landmass hit directly by Typhoon Man-yi on Saturday, according to the weather service.

"We expect thousands more to evacuate in the hours before landfall, Roberto Monterola, operations chief of the Catanduanes civil defence office told AFP.

"We do not have enough evacuation centres, so some of them will be sheltering with neighbours who own houses made of stronger materials."

On Thursday, flash floods driven by Usagi struck 10 largely evacuated villages around the town of Gonzaga in Cagayan province, local rescue official Edward Gaspar told AFP by phone.

"We rescued a number of people who had refused to move to the shelters and got trapped on their rooftops," Gaspar added.

While the evacuation of more than 5,000 Gonzaga residents ahead of Usagi saved lives, he said two houses were swept away and many others were damaged while the farming region's livestock industry took a heavy blow.

"We have yet to account for the exact number of hogs, cattle and poultry lost from the floods, but I can say the losses were huge," Gaspar said.

Motorist Janford Bonifacio said he saw Gonzaga residents digging for their animals, many dead but some still alive, beneath mud and uprooted trees.

"I saw people digging for their cattle that were still alive, and some were trying to save their hogs which they found among the logs," he told AFP.

Uprooted trees also damaged a major bridge in Gonzaga, isolating nearby Santa Ana, a coastal town of about 36,000 people.

"Most evacuees have returned home, but we held back some of them. We have to check first if their houses are still safe for habitation," Bonifacio Espiritu, operations chief of the civil defence office in Cagayan, told AFP.

By Friday, Usagi, now downgraded to a severe tropical storm, was over the Luzon Strait with a reduced strength of 110 kilometres (68 miles) an hour as it headed towards southern Taiwan.

But the streak of violent weather was forecast to continue in the central Philippines, with Man-yi, reclassified as a typhoon and already packing winds of up to 150 kilometres an hour, expected to hit the impoverished island province of Catanduanes late Saturday.

A UN assessment said the past month's storms damaged or destroyed 207,000 houses, with 700,000 people forced to seek temporary shelter.

Many families were without essentials like sleeping mats, hygiene kits and cooking supplies, and had limited access to safe drinking water.

Thousands of hectares of farmland were destroyed and persistent flooding was likely to delay replanting efforts and worsen food supply problems, the report added.

About 20 big storms and typhoons hit the Southeast Asian nation or its surrounding waters each year, killing scores of people, but it is unusual for multiple such weather events to take place in a small window.

The weather service said this tends to happen during seasonal episodes of La Nina, a climatic phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean that pushes more warm water toward Asia, causing heavy rains and flooding in the region and drought in the southern United States.
David Lakeman, division manager for cannabis and hemp at the Illinois Department of Agriculture, and Sam McGee, counsel at the Illinois Department of Agriculture, recently at a Joint Committee on Administrative Rules hearing. BlueRoomStream

(The Center Square)  Hemp businesses advocating for responsible industry wide regulations urge Illinois lawmakers to reject an Illinois Department of Agriculture proposed rule regulating hemp.

The proposed regulations would criminalize the sale and transport of hemp products not purchased through a licensed cannabis dispensary.

David Lakeman, division manager for cannabis and hemp at the Illinois Department of Agriculture, recently testified at a Joint Committee on Administrative Rules hearing.

To be clear, the departments intent here is solely to align and implement the United States Department of Agricultures rules on hemp as implemented in the 2018 Farm Bill, said Lakeman.

The Illinois Hemp Business Association said the agriculture rule would refuel the war on drugs by expanding law enforcement authority for stops, searches and drug arrests related to the purchase and transport of federally lawful hemp products.

Ill be forced to relocate my business to a new state, taking good jobs and opportunities out of Illinois, said Ashraf Hassan, owner of hemp manufacturer Organic Pharma Techs in Joliet. Even more concerning, this rule would disenfranchise the very same people that Illinois social equity program was meant to uplift.

The IHBA also claims the rule would presume all hemp products that have not yet been tested, even hemp that has yet to be harvested, to be illegal cannabis, which can be seized by the state at any time, and would authorize the state to conduct unlimited inspections of local businesses, saddling shop owners with new testing and sampling charges of up to $1,500 per product.

As the battle over hemp regulation rages on, the state cannabis industry continues to expand. University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen joined cannabis researchers to launch the Cannabis Research Institute to get a deeper understanding of marijuana.

The plan for the CRI, which is funded by $7 million in tax funds from the Illinois Department of Human Services, is to provide data and research on the scientific and socio-economic impacts of cannabis usage and production.

We are going to be working to document the publics needs, exploring the health care properties of cannabis, and finding ways to make its production of a crop more efficient, said Killeen.

Currently, 40 million adults in the United States use cannabis at a rate more than double over the last 10 years.

Illinois legalized the adult recreational use of marijuana in 2020.
Members of the Culinary Workers Union picket in front of the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

LAS VEGAS (AP)  Hundreds of hospitality workers at a casino near the Las Vegas Strip walked off the job just before dawn Friday amid a long and highly contentious fight for a new contract.

The work stoppage at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas marks the first open-ended strike in 22 years for the Culinary Workers Union, the largest labor union in Nevada, with about 60,000 members.

Workers at the casino also walked off the job for two days earlier this year as negotiations escalated, hoping to pressure Virgin Hotels to agree to a new five-year deal with higher wages and better benefits.

Housekeepers, porters, bellhops and servers picketed outside the hotel-casino, which was formerly the Hard Rock Las Vegas.

Michael Renick, a bartender who has worked at Virgin Hotels for about two years, said he's already used to living paycheck to paycheck and closely monitoring his bank balance. That's why, he said, he was willing to go on strike for as long as it takes to get a fair contract, even if it means getting a second job during the strike.

I'm ready to go for as long as I need to, and I'm pretty sure that's how everyone else is feeling too, he said.

The union pays striking workers $500 per week for picketing shifts for at least five days.

Virgin Hotels said in a statement that it is focused on reaching a deal with the union that is economically viable for both its union workers and its other employees.

Our dedication to our team members well-being and achieving sustainable performance at our property remains steadfast, and we are fully committed to finding a fair resolution that is in their best interest, the company said.

The strike comes a year after casinos up and down the Strip narrowly avoided tens of thousands of hospitality workers walking off the job on the weekend the city was set to host its first Formula One race on the famous boulevard. But agreements were reached just before the union's strike deadline, giving workers a roughly 32% salary increase over the life of the contract, including a 10% bump in pay in the first year.

After the breakthrough deals last November, the Culinary Union quickly reached similar agreements for the rest of its members at major hotel-casinos on the Strip, downtown and at off-Strip properties  with the exception of Virgin Hotels. The contracts on the Strip alone cover more than 40,000 workers.

Bethany Khan, a spokesperson for the union, said Virgin Hotels is the final holdout. The union's contract covering about 700 employees there expired last June.

Both the union and Virgin Hotels said negotiations stalled because of disagreements over pay.

Ted Pappageorge, the union's secretary-treasurer, said the companys latest proposal amounted to an estimated $0.30 more annually to wages over five years after deducting additional money union workers would have to contribute to their benefits.

The Virgin Las Vegas proposal is miles apart and is an insult to every worker, which is why the committee voted unanimously to refuse to settle for a second-class contract, Pappageorge said.

Virgin Hotels said Thursday night that it has tried to compromise with the union by offering earlier pay raises during a new five-year contract instead of only in the fourth and fifth years, but that the union chose to engage in take it or leave it bargaining.

Although Friday's walkout is far smaller than the strikes planned for last year on the Strip, disruptions are still likely at the 1,500-room property. The union says 24/7 picket lines will be in place during the strike around the property located just off the Strip and along a common route to the tourist corridor from the city's international airport.

The hotel-casino sits on a recognizable lot where an 80-foot (24-meter) neon guitar sign stood for decades. It was removed in 2017 after the Hard Rock closed.

Culinary Union members last went on strike in 2002 for 10 days at the Golden Gate hotel-casino in downtown Las Vegas.

___

Associated Press videojournalist Ty ONeil in Las Vegas contributed to this report.
Several hundred people are believed to remain in an illegal mine in South Africa after the government cut off vital supplies and refused to help them, in a dramatic bid to crack down on the industry.

Food and water supplies to those underground have been halted by police seeking to force the illegal miners to come to the surface, raising concerns about their wellbeing.

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is investigating the police for restricting the miners essential supplies, such as food, water, and medication, which may have resulted in the loss of lives, it said in a statement on Friday.

At least one decomposed body has been recovered from the mine, according to police said.

Ilegal miners can travel up to 4 kilometers underground and spend months below ground in old mines, according to a report by South Africas Minerals Commission. But without supplies, conditions are believed to be deteriorating underground.

Reports vary as to how many miners were in the abandoned gold mine in the North West province. North West police spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone told the Associated Press that three miners who had come to the surface indicated that up to 4,000 miners could be underground.

A police Deputy National Commissioner, Tebello Mosikili, said at a news conference on Friday that the service could neither dispute nor confirm the number. Mosikili put the number of miners who had emerged at 1,187.

Relatives of miners and community members wait near an opening to the mine shaft for artisanal miners underground to resurface in Stilfontein on November 13, 2024. - Emmanuel Croset/AFP/Getty Images

Family members gathered near the mining site on Thursday afternoon, telling Agence France-Presse they were worried about relatives who were still underground.

We are here for our brothers and sisters, and my husband is here, he has been eight months underground, Ntomboxolo Qwanti told the AFP.

What is the condition of the miners?

Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe told reporters that food and water supplies to those underground had been halted. We are stopping and preventing food and water to go down there as a way of forcing these illegal miners to resurface because what they are doing is criminality, she said.

Meshack Mbangula, who heads a community-based group called the Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA), told CNN that food and water supplies had been cut off for the past three months the miners had been underground.

David Van Wyk, a lead researcher at Johannesburg-based Benchmarks Foundation that monitors mining and corporate social responsibility told CNN that the miners could be in a critical condition.

Community members are searched by South African Police Service (SAPS) officers before entering the mine shaft to negotiate with artisanal miners underground to resurface in Stilfontein on November 13, 2024. - Emmanuel Croset/AFP/Getty Images

At this point, they are starving, becoming dehydrated, and breathing toxic dust. Theyre going to come out very weak and ill when they do come up, he said.

South Africas Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) said it was extremely concerned that the situation may end in a tragedy.

Cutting off food and water supplies  with what can only be described as malicious intent, a vindictive act  without a strategy for directly and indirectly engaging with these mineworkers is not helpful, the union said in a statement Friday.

People watch as Senzo Mchunu, South African police minister (not pictured), inspects outside the mineshaft where it is estimated that hundreds of illegal miners are believed to be hiding underground, after police cut off food and water as part of police operations against illegal miners, in Stilfontein, South Africa, November 15, 2024. - Ihsaan Haffejee/Reuters

A community member, Emily Photsoa, also told the AFP that more miners could die if they dont get medication and water to sustain them.

We are bleeding with them, she added.

How did we get to this situation?

According to SAFTU, South Africa harbors up to 100,000 artisanal miners, known locally as zama zamas with most of the minerals derived from artisanal mining sold to the black market, and international illicit mineral traders. It blamed the government for failing to regulate the mining sector.

Van Wyk attributed the spike in illegal mining to the thousands of abandoned mines left unclosed by large-scale companies and multinational corporations.

Weve got about 6,000 abandoned mines in the country. They dont close them as the law requires, so they break the law by not closing and rehabilitating these mines, he told CNN.

He added that retrenched workers from the abandoned mines have no other recourse or extra skills, so they go down the mines and do the only thing they are capable of doing, which is working in those mines.

Volunteer rescue workers and community members leave the area near a closed mine where illegal miners are inside in Stilfontein, South Africa, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. - Jerome Delay/AP

Police have been escalating attempts to stamp out the activity of illegal miners, with more than a billion dollars lost to illegal mining in South Africa annually, according to the countrys Minerals Council.

The blackmarket trade in gold has also fueled violent turf wars, according to a parliamentary brief, as the nation grapples with one of the worlds highest murder rates.

What could happen next?

The Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said on Wednesday that no help would be given to the illegal miners.

We are not sending help to criminals. We are going to smoke them out, she said.

Speaking to state media, Mametlwe Sebei, who heads the General Industries Workers Union of South Africa, criticized Ntshavhenis comments, warning that that approach is almost criminalizing those in the mine, many of whom are just poor desperate people.

The illegal industry often takes place in horrific conditions and under the control of organized crime syndicates, Sebei said.

MACUA national coordinator Mbangula said the government should instead go after mine owners who leave their disused shafts open.

If there were no open shafts, we wont be having zama zamas, Mbangula told CNN while urging authorities to decriminalize artisanal mining.

We need to transform the sector and decriminalize it. If the sector is legalized and made safe, it can hire thousands of people and contribute to the economy of South Africa. It can assist in reducing poverty, unemployment, and crime, he said.

He warned that as long as unemployment and poverty remained rife in the country, you cant stop people from going down there (into disused mines) because they will risk their lives to make sure they put food on the table.

Police spokesperson Mathe said locals are organizing a community-led attempt to extract the remaining miners, but would be required to indemnify the police first.

Police and defense officials were due to visit the scene on Friday. A police statement said the intention was to reinforce the governments commitment to bringing this operation to a safe and lawful conclusion.

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The judge who presided over the murder trial of Melissa Lucio said he believes Lucio is "actually innocent" in the 2007 death of her 2-year-old daughter Mariah.

Lucio has been on death row in Texas since 2008. In 2022, the state Court of Criminal Appeals issued a stay of execution in the case. The Court of Criminal Appeals ordered the original trial court to consider whether Lucio was actually innocent and whether state prosecutors had presented false testimony and hidden evidence from the defense.

In April 2024, Judge Arturo C. Nelson, who presided over the original trial, agreed that the former district attorney illegally withheld favorable evidence that would have helped prove Mariah died from an accidental fall, not abuse, as the prosecution claimed.

The new evidence suggested that Mariah's bruises were consistent with a brain injury from an accidental fall down the steps of the family's home two days earlier, CBS News previously reported. Lucio and some of her children had recounted the fall to police officers and child protective services. Nelson ruled that this violated Lucio's constitutional rights and recommended the appeals court overturn Lucio's conviction and death sentence.

Melissa Lucio. / Credit: Ilana Panich-Linsman/Redux

Court documents released yesterday show that in October, Nelson ruled there was clear and convincing evidence that Mariah died from an accidental fall, and said Lucio "is actually innocent; she did not kill her daughter."

"No rational juror could have convicted (Lucio) of killing her daughter after hearing all of the evidence from her original trial alongside all of the new evidence she has presented," Nelson wrote.

Cameron County District Attorney Luis Saenz, who was not in office at the time of Lucio's original trial, also agreed that the previous prosecuting team suppressed evidence that could have supported Lucio's innocence, according to a news release from the Innocence Project.

The case is now before the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, which will decide whether to accept Nelson's recommendation.

"This is the best news we could get going into the holidays," said John and Michelle Lucio, Ms. Lucio's son and daughter-in-law, in a statement shared by The Innocence Project. Joined by Ms. Lucio's son Bobby Alvarez, they added, "We pray our mother will be home soon."

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Grammy-winning rapper Lil Durk has been charged in an alleged murder-for-hire plot targeting a rival rapper, which resulted in the death of the musician's cousin.

Appearing in Los Angeles federal court on Thursday, the 32-year-old (real name Durk Davontay Banks) was arraigned on conspiracy, murder-for-hire and firearms charges. Durk pleaded not guilty to the charges, per a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office for California's Central District.

The charges he faces are one count of conspiracy, one count of using interstate facilities to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death, and one count of "using, carrying, and discharging firearms and a machine gun and possession of such firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in death."

If convicted, the maximum sentence is life in prison.

Lil Durk poses with his trophy at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Feb. 4, 2024.

USA TODAY has reached out to Durk's attorneys for comment.

His trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 7, 2025. Ahead of the date, Durk is scheduled for a status conference on Nov. 25 and a detention hearing on Dec. 12.

Lil Durk 'would place bounties' on enemies, prosecutors claim

According to a superseding grand jury indictment from June, filed in California federal court on Nov. 7, prosecutors allege Durk had the help of five co-conspirators who allegedly had ties to Banks' hip-hop group Only the Family in his plot to murder a victim, who is named T.B. in the court document.

On Aug. 19, 2022, several of the co-conspirators were flown to Southern California and tracked T.B. to an alley behind a Los Angeles-area gas station, prosecutors claim. They allegedly used firearms, including one that was modified to operate as a fully automatic machinegun, and opened fire at T.B.'s car.

The shooting killed T.B.'s relative, S.R., who was standing next to the vehicle.

Georgia rapper Quando Rondo (real name Tyquian Bowman) was reportedly the target of the plot, and his cousin who was killed was Saviay'a Robinson, also known as Lul Pab. The shooting was retaliation for the November 2020 murder of Chicago rapper King Von, prosecutors allege.

The indictment alleges that Durk "would place bounties on individuals that he and other OTF members wanted to kill." His alleged conspirators are Kavon London Grant, Deandre Dontrell Wilson, Keith Jones, David Brian Lindsey and Asa Houston.

On Oct. 17, Durk was arrested near Miami International Airport as he allegedly planned to board international flights.

Earlier this year, the rapper won best melodic rap performance for "All My Life," a track that features J. Cole.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lil Durk pleads not guilty to murder plot against Quando Rondo
A Florida man was arrested late Thursday night after Palm Beach Police said he pulled up to Mar-a-Lago and asked to speak with President-elect Donald Trump  while driving a stolen car.

It marks at least the third person to be arrested at Mar-a-Lago since the summer, and comes as Trump's club is filled with dignitaries and celebrities helping to guide the president-elect during his transition into a second term in the White House.

The 52-year-old Sarasota man faces charges of vehicle theft and operating a motor vehicle without a valid license, jail records show. He was being held at the Palm Beach County Jail on Friday morning on a $5,250 bond before his scheduled first appearance before a judge, according to jail records. His bond could be adjusted at that time.

According to a Palm Beach Police arrest report, the man drove a Hyundai Kona, a small SUV, into a parking lot near Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club at about 9:15 p.m. Thursday and asked to speak with the president-elect. A Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office detective and U.S. Secret Service agent pulled the man aside while waiting for police, the report said.

Florida Department of Transportation crews place concrete barricades near the Southern Boulevard traffic circle next to Mar-a-Lago on July 20 as part of increased security measures to protect then-presidential candidate Donald Trump in Palm Beach.

When the Palm Beach Police officer who arrived on the scene checked the man's driver's license, he found that it had been suspended indefinitely, the report said. Upon checking the license plate number on the SUV the man drove, the officer found that it did not belong to him.

Instead, the gray Hyundai belonged to a rental company, which said a woman had rented the SUV, the report indicated. When police contacted that woman, she told them that she was acquaintances with the Sarasota man and they had met earlier in the day to buy a vehicle. While the woman went into the bank to withdraw money, the man waited in the car, she told the police.

When she returned, the SUV was no longer there, according to the police report.

The woman went back to the man's residence, thinking he would return, but he did not. Instead, he apparently drove to Mar-a-Lago. The woman told police that she had not given the man permission to take her SUV, the report said.

A deputy from the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office contacted the Palm Beach Police officer and said the SUV had been reported stolen.

Recent arrests at Mar-a-Lago

The Sarasota man is the latest to be arrested at Mar-a-Lago since a gunman tried to assassinate Trump at the then-Republican presidential candidate's campaign rally in Pennsylvania on July 13.

After that incident  in which Trump and two of his supporters were injured and another rally attendee was killed  the Secret Service immediately increased security around Trump, his family and campaign, and all of his properties, including Mar-a-Lago, the agency previously told the Palm Beach Daily News.

On July 31, a Chinese citizen who lives in California was arrested after police said he repeatedly tried to get into Mar-a-Lago to talk to Trump. The man was held at the Palm Beach County Jail until late October, according to police reports. He almost immediately began trying to get to Mar-a-Lago again, and was placed on a short-term hold on Oct. 30 after asking a Palm Beach resident to help him get to Trump's club, Palm Beach Police said.

On Nov. 7, the same day the man was released from the involuntary hold, he was arrested on a misdemeanor trespassing charge after he took an Uber to Mar-a-Lago's south gate, police said. He has pleaded not guilty.

A South Carolina man who police said is one of Trump's supporters was arrested Aug. 13 after Palm Beach Police said he walked around Secret Service checkpoints to try to speak with Trump. That man also pleaded not guilty.

This story will be updated.

Kristina Webb is a reporter for Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at kwebb@pbdailynews.com. Subscribe today to support our journalism.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Palm Beach Police: Man drove stolen car to Mar-a-Lago to see Trump
Nicole Wright ended up in the hospital after buying what she thought was weight-loss medication for $150 from a beauty salon

Kennedy News/Nicole Wright Nicole Wright

A 31-year-old mother of two ended up in the hospital, screaming in pain from weight-loss injectables she bought from a local beauty salon.

Nicole Wright, from North Ayrshire, Scotland, wanted to lose weight before an upcoming vacation to Turkey. In August she bought weight-loss injectables from a local beauty salon for 120 (about $150 USD), she told Kennedy News and Media via The Daily Mail.

Wright said she took half of the lowest dose, and quickly started vomiting  unable to keep even water down.

She went to the local emergency room and was sent home with anti-nausea medication. Four days later, Wright began vomiting blood.

Kennedy News/Nicole Wright Nicole Wright says she ended up in the hospital from weight-loss medication she bought from a local beauty salon.

Related: Ozempic Face  and Now Ozempic Breast and Butt? What's Really Going on with These Side Effects?

She returned to the hospital  this time, in an ambulance.

My whole body was shaking and I had the worst stomach pains, she told the outlet. My stomach was burning and I thought I was going to die. It was getting worse and worse and the pain was worse than childbirth.

I was rolling about my bed screaming in pain, said Wright, who was admitted to the hospital as doctors worked to purge her system of the medication she took.

The medication, she says, was a knockoff.

While she was in the hospital, Wright says that police officers came and seized the vial [of medicine for] testing, and I told them everything.

I realized how serious it was.

Kennedy News/Nicole Wright Nicole Wright says she ended up in the hospital from weight-loss medication she bought at a local beauty salon.

Related: Actress Lisandra Silva 'Ended Up in the Hospital' After Taking Ozempic: 'I Felt Like I Was Dying'

Its an example of an ongoing problem: Fake versions of the in-demand semaglutide drugs  which work in the brain to impact satiety  have flooded the market. People have been hospitalized after accidentally overdosing on the medication or by getting sick from questionable knock-off versions.

A police spokesperson told the outlet a thorough investigation was carried out.

Wright said she shared her experience with the salon where she purchased the medication, and said, If anyone is thinking of getting the jabs go through a doctor or pharmacy, not through a salon. You don't know what you are taking.

The lesson I'm going to teach my daughters is that you're beautiful no matter how you look, Wright added. There is nothing worth risking your health for.

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Ambika Mathur was sitting on her parents couch, watching Emily in Paris and feeling sorry for herself.

It was summer 2022. Ambika, a California-based model, was feeling kind of stagnant. Shed just broken up with her long-term partner and moved back in with her parents at the age of 25. And while she was regularly shooting commercials, nothing was really lighting her fire at work.

As Ambika watched fictional Emily flit around a dreamy Paris  full of career highs, beautiful clothes, French pastries and a steady stream of handsome men  an idea started to form. Maybe Ambika could go on a similar European adventure?

The Netflix show still playing in the background, Ambika reached for her laptop and started Googling flights from Los Angeles.

Within weeks, Ambika was in Milan, Italy, cat-sitting in a beautiful Italian apartment. She spent her days wandering around picturesque cobbled streets eating gelato and feeling appropriately Emily-esque. She didnt know anyone, but was enjoying the time spent solo  only the cats in tow.

Then, out of the blue  in true Emily in Paris style  Ambika received a WhatsApp message inviting her to a party on the Amalfi Coast.

The invite came from a guy she kind of knew  heavy emphasis on the kind of. Shortly before Ambika embarked on her Italian adventure, shed gone on a spontaneous date with an Italian guy living in California.

Well call him Italian Guy No. 1, Ambika tells CNN Travel today.

Ambika met Italian Guy No. 1 via dating app Hinge. He was perfectly pleasant, but there was no romantic spark.

Italian Guy No. 1 and I had a lovely dinner date, and then we never saw each other again, explains Ambika.

But I told him that I had spontaneously booked a solo trip to Italy, where I would be staying in Milan and babysitting some ladys cats. And so Italian Guy No. 1 connected me with his friend, Italian Guy No. 2, so that I could have a friend to hang out with in Italy

Ambika didnt really expect Italian Guy No. 2 to get in touch, given the looseness of the connection. But then came the unexpected WhatsApp party invite.

Italian Guy No. 2 lived in Naples, on the southern tip of Italy. He was turning 30 and celebrating the big birthday with a week living it up on the Amalfi Coast.

Ambika could already imagine the turquoise water, cliffside villages, delicious fresh produce and free-flowing Prosecco. But she hesitated before replying.

What if this is all just some really elaborate trafficking scheme? she wondered.

Still the allure of the Amalfi Coast was hard to deny. And while things hadnt worked out romantically with Italian Guy No. 1, he seemed trustworthy. Ambika decided Italian Guy No. 2 was probably equally friendly, and on a whim, she accepted the invite.

I was in a very free phase of life, I just wanted to explore and see where the wind took me, says Ambika.

When Ambika replied to the message, saying shed love to come, Italian Guy No. 2 told her the revelers would convene in his home in Naples for a few days, then head over to the Amalfi Coast.

And thats how, a couple of weeks later, Ambika found herself cooking pasta at the Neapolitan home of Italian Guy No. 2.

She was standing over the stove, watching the water bubble, when she heard a knock on the door.

Ambika opened the door to a guy she didnt recognize. Her mouth dropped open.

I was like, Wow, hes pretty hot, Ambika recalls. Actually, thats an understatement. For me, it was like he was a god. He was glowing and glistening. It was amazing. The door was open, and so the light formed a halo around his head, and he was all tan and blue eyes.

And thats how I met Italian Guy No. 3.

Italian Guy No. 3

Ambika and Marco Di Fiore  AKA Italian Guy No. 3  experienced "love at first sight" when they met in Italy. - @evengia.ph

Italian Guy No. 3 was the best friend of Italian Guy No. 2: a fellow Neapolitan twentysomething who, when he heard rumors that a glamorous Californian woman had made it onto the party list, immediately headed over to his friends house to make his introductions.

Italian Guy No. 3  whose real name is Marco Di Fiore  had looked up Ambika on Instagram earlier that day.

I saw she had some surfing photos, Marco tells CNN Travel today. Im a sea man. I practice spear fishing, so I live all year round in the sea. So I was also interested in this aspect of Ambika. And indeed, when we met, the first thing we started talking about was about the sea, the sea life, our sea experiences. I immediately was attracted to her.

The attraction was mutual  so much so that Ambika was pretty flustered during this first conversation and barely took it in.

Im usually good with talking to people, but I was at an utter loss of words, she says. He just walked in and it was hot, so he had a nice glisten of sweat going, and he was backlit.

Ambikas first words to Marco were simply: You look hot.

She meant that hed clearly been in the sun, and might want some water. But it was a bit of a Freudian slip.

All I could do was offer him water, Ambika says.

Italian Guy No. 2, Ambikas host, whose name is Adriano, was out at the time, picking up friends from the airport.

So Marco and I just sat, the two of us, chatting, recalls Ambika. It was super polite. It was really cute. We were sitting on opposite sides of the couch just making pleasant small talk. I think we were both a little nervous.

That evening, Ambika, Marco and Adriano and some of the other partygoers went out in Naples. Ambika was still a little intimidated by Marco, but as the evening went on, she became more comfortable.

Marco and I started talking and flirting a little bit, says Ambika. And that night, he invited me to go boating with him the next day.

Ambika happily agreed. But the next day, as she was getting ready, Ambika questioned the nature of the invite.

It was so unclear whether it was a date or not, she says.

But then Marco picks me up on his scooter, looking super cute. Hes in this white linen shirt with sunglasses, very chic. He gives me a little cheek kiss, as the Italians do. And then we went to the harbor. And its this beautiful harbor. Its called Borgo Marinari, and its by a castle.

The harbor was impressive enough. Then Ambika saw the boat. It was not just any boat, but a classic 1960s Riva superyacht.

I found out later that it was once Brigitte Bardots boat, and Marco apparently helped the owner manage it. So we hop on this amazing boat, and we take it for a quick ride.

Marco and Ambika spent the next few hours boat-hopping, chatting, taking different yachts out for a spin. Marco explained to Ambika that he was an entrepreneur and owned several companies in Naples, including a boating company.

Then we hopped on another boat, this one Marco owned, and he took me over to the coastal town of Posillipo, which is the beautiful, affluent hilltop area of Napoli, recalls Ambika.

It was an amazing evening, and as the sun started to set Marco and Ambika kissed for the first time.

Then I was like, Ah, OK. This is a date, recalls Ambika, laughing.

That evening, the two ate at Starita pizzeria, a Naples institution. As they shared cheesy, tomatoey slices, both Marco and Ambika felt like this was the perfect first date.

It was love at first sight, says Marco. And then the day after we went for three days to the dreamiest Amalfi Coast.

Ambika, Marco and the other partygoers rented what Ambika describes as a gorgeous villa in Conca dei Marini, a hilltop town in Salerno. The next few days were a happy blur.

The Amalfi Coast is so stunning and its luxurious and peaceful, Ambika says. Its impossible not to fall in love in those conditions.

I wasnt looking for anything serious, she adds. I thought it was going to just be a summer fling. But we fell in love. As the week progressed, it turned into something really serious and deep.

Shes very beautiful, but it was talking to her, getting to know her day after day, thats how it really started, says Marco.

After Amalfi, Marco persuaded Ambika to extend her trip and spend a few more days with him in Naples. For the next few days, Marco and Ambika were inseparable.

I really got the sense that this was something serious and worth fighting for, says Ambika. So I deleted my dating apps and I asked him, When I go home. What next? What are we going to do?

Marco told Ambika he wanted to make it work. Hed do anything to make this last.

Ambika was serious about Marco too. But she almost couldnt let herself imagine what could be  even though words like soulmates and marriage were being thrown around.

He dropped me off at the airport in Rome, and as we were driving there, I remember we were bawling, both of us were crying, she says. It was really stressful, because I loved him, but I really didnt know if I was going to see him again.

A trip to the US

Marco and Ambika on Marco's first trip to California. Ambika describes the trip as feeling like she was living in some movie. - Courtesy Ambika Mathur

After Ambika and Marcos teary goodbye, Ambika returned to California and Marco went back to Naples. He was struck by how lonely his home city felt without her. He wondered if maybe he needed a change of scenery.

So I took my dog to our house in the mountains, Marco recalls. But I was saying to myself, Marco, what are you doing here? If you really want to be with her, why dont you get a flight and fly to the United States as quickly as possible? And indeed, I went online. I booked the flight, and in a couple of weeks, I was in the United States.

When she reunited with Marco at LAX, Ambika felt like she was living in some movie.

I thought, Oh my gosh, I have this Italian boy who just flew across the world to be with me, she says.

We spent the first evening in this beautiful, dreamy little cabin in the hills of Malibu. Then we met friends in Beverly Hills, we had cocktails on some fancy hotel rooftop, and I brought him home to Orange County. He got to meet my mom, and we spent the week in SoCal, between LA, Orange County and San Diego.

Marco enjoyed seeing California, while Ambika enjoyed being a tourist in my own town.

For two days, we rented this blue Smurf-colored Porsche, just for kicks. And that was so fun, she says. We were driving up and down the Pacific Coast Highway, taking photos and videos of this gorgeous Porsche.

During Marcos time in LA, Ambika was also balancing work commitments. On one shoot, Ambika persuaded the casting director that Marco should play her boyfriend in the commercial. The casting director agreed.

It was so much fun, says Ambika. I loved working with him.

The two said their farewells certain they would see each other again, already talking plans for the future, with the word marriage still in the mix.

Staying connected

The next month, Ambika returned to Italy to visit Marco, with her trip coinciding with Marcos 30th birthday celebrations. She hung out with Marcos friends  and met his parents for the first time.

Marco and Ambikas loved ones were generally all pretty supportive, as Marco puts it.

But there was also some apprehension in the mix, especially as it was evident Marco and Ambika were launching themselves full throttle into romance, already talking about getting married and planning a future.

Over the next couple of months, Ambika and Marco visited one another whenever they could. The frequent tips were made a little easier by the fact they both worked for themselves  Ambika could avoid booking modeling work when she was traveling to Italy, while Marco could manage his own schedule and work remotely from the US.

This really helped, says Marco. We were both lucky to be in this position.

In between visits, the two video-called, messaged and watched movies together from afar. But they missed each other when they were apart.

Long distance sucked, says Ambika.

It was with this mindset that Ambika started considering a more extended stint in Naples as the year came to a close.

I just knew I needed to be with him, says Ambika. So I bought a one-way ticket to Italy, in December 2022, right after Christmas.

Ambika knew that it wasnt a permanent move  at least not yet. But she wanted to sample what it would be like to live in Italy for a longer period of time.

For the next few months, Ambika lived with Marco in his apartment in the center of Naples. She signed up for language classes and immersed herself in the city, which she found super chaotic but also beautiful, cultural and historical.

The city center was cool because it was a really authentic experience, and it was walkable, so I could walk to my Italian lessons every day and meet people and stuff, says Ambika. It was also a huge culture shock going to the city center of Napoli, where its just really loud and theres so much stimulus compared to what Im used to in Southern California.

But while Ambika found Naples intense, she also fell a little in love with the city. She made friends, got to know locals  including a local baker who invited Ambika to apprentice with her and passed on traditional Neapolitan recipes.

And as Ambika fell slightly in love with Naples, she also fell all the more in love with Marco.

The couple decided that logistically, settling in Naples made more sense than living in California together, as Marcos businesses were all Naples-based whereas Ambikas work offered more flexibility.

Moving across the world was daunting for Ambika, but she says she felt strongly that Marco was her person and she didnt want to have any what ifs.

When you meet someone and you just have a gut feeling that you met your soulmate, you dont waste time, Ambika says. Especially because we live on different continents, so decisions and moves had to be made.

A proposal

Marco proposed to Ambika in November 2023, back on the Amalfi Coast. - @evengia.ph

Ambika and Marco got engaged in November 2023, about a year-and-a-half after their first meeting.

It was just an absolute dream, says Ambika of the proposal.

The couple found themselves back on the Amalfi Coast, as Ambika was modeling there and Marco was shooting with her again. Ambika had a sneaking suspicion that Marco might propose on the shoot  she got her nails done, especially.

But she couldnt have predicted the magic of the moment.

We went to this piazza where the Duomo is, in Praiano, and it felt like the heavens and earth collaborated to make this happen, recalls Ambika. For one, the piazza was completely empty, which is really rare in the Amafi Coast on a Saturday. Then, two, the sky looked like a Michelangelo painting. And then, the church bells started ringing. And as if on cue, Marco got down on one knee and popped the question.

By then, Ambika was a confident Italian speaker, so Marco asked her to marry him in a mix of Italian and English. She said, Yes.

And then we just said, Ti amo, I love you, says Ambika.

The were married in September 2024. Ambika calls the celebrations the "wedding of my dreams." - @evengia.ph

The couple got married in a small civil ceremony in May 2024, followed by a big celebration in Naples in September, in coastal Massa Lubrense in Sorrento.

It was the wedding Ive been dreaming of since I was a child, Ambika says.

Ambika is of Indian heritage, and it was important to her  and to Marco  that the wedding encompass Indian traditions, as well as Italian and American influences.

So we started with the big white dress and the classic Italian dark blue suit, and we had our symbolic ceremony, and there was an aperitivo and dinner, recalls Ambika. And then we did a change, and we both changed into matching Indian outfits that we got custom made from India. And then we did our Indian dance party and cake cutting. So it was a fusion wedding.

Speeches were translated into English and Italian. Ambika and Marco read their own hand-written vows, which was especially meaningful to Ambika. She describes the personal vows as a promise that you come up with, from your heart.

It was all so beautiful, says Ambika. All the people we love were there, and you never get to see all these people together, because they live in different parts of the world.

And naturally Marcos best friend Adriano  AKA Italian Guy No. 2  was the best man. It all felt pretty full circle.

Life in Naples

Today, Ambika and Marco are enjoying life together in a new apartment with a sea view in Naples.

They regularly start their day with a swim in the crystal blue sea, followed by an espresso overlooking the water. Its important for the couple to take a moment to soak it all up. Ambika cant believe shes living the Italian dream, while Marco enjoys his wifes fresh perspective on Naples.

Shes making me appreciate all the more what we have here, he says.

Ambika still models  with Marco occasionally tagging along  but she also writes a blog and posts on social media, under the handle @ambymathur. Ambikas writing and posts focus on her life in Italy, with some of her most popular content revolving around baking, inspired by her apprentice days. She runs a baking class in Naples and an online course via her social media.

While life is busy and fun, Ambika still spends the occasional day watching Netflix on the couch  and she devoured the most recent season of Emily in Paris, which saw the titular Emily falling in love in Italy.

I still love Emily in Paris, says Ambika. And it was very cool to be sitting in my apartment in Naples watching Emily in Rome.

Some two-and-a-half years on, its a little surreal for Ambika to reflect on her spontaneous flight to Italy and her encounters with Italian Guys No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3  AKA her future husband.

I think the world where we didnt cross paths is a bad one, so Im really glad that Im in the universe, and this reality, says Ambika.

Marco makes me feel so loved. One of my favorite things is our cuddles. And hes so good at just communicating with me, hes really good about making me feel okay and proud of myself. And he makes me laugh, and is so fun. He brings a lot of joy into my life.

Ambika completely changed the course of my life, says Marco, who adds that their cultural differences enrich our lives.

Im so happy, he says. Were experiencing a very good life together. And Im still enjoying the journey. Its not finished yet. In fact, I would say its just started.

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A Missouri substitute teacher is facing 19 charges including statutory rape after authorities say she offered minors money for sex and bought them marijuana and alcohol.

Prosecutors in Pulaski County have charged Carissa Jenna Smith, 30, with sexual trafficking, statutory sodomy, statutory rape and patronizing prostitution, according to court documents reviewed by USA TODAY.

According to a probable cause statement submitted by the Pulaski County Sheriffs Office, the woman, who is married and has children, paid money to a child for sex and also bought them marijuana and alcohol.

Smith was a substitute teacher in the Dixon R-I School District in Dixon, Missouri from Aug. 26, 2022 to Aug. 26 this year, the district confirmed to USA TODAY Friday afternoon.

On Wednesday, Dixon R-I School District Superintendent Travis Bohrer sent out a notice to community members letting them know about Smith's charges. Calling the situation "very disturbing and distressing," he said the district is working with the Missouri Children's Division and authorities.

It was not immediately clear Friday afternoon who was representing Smith in court.

Substitute teacher allegedly offered child money, marijuana for sex

A detective from the Pulaski County Sheriffs Office interviewed one of the minors involved on Sept. 13, and the student said the incidents happened while they were in middle school.

Smith was substituting for another teacher and gave the student her Snapchat username. From there, they added each other and began to talk via the app. Eventually, she began sending explicit photos to the student.

A year prior to the interview, a friend asked the child if theyd like to do some work and make some money for the work, they told the detective. When the child said yes, the friend took them to Smiths home, the probable cause statement showed.

Once inside Smiths home, Smith then allegedly told the child if they had sex with her, she'd pay them, the statement showed. She performed sexual acts with the child, including intercourse, the detective from the sheriff's office wrote in the statement.

The child told the detective Smith paid them $130.

According to the child, Smith told them not to talk about what happened or else shed get into trouble.

Suspect accused of propositioning child for sex multiple times

During the Sept. 13 interview, the first child told the detectives this wasnt the only time Smith initiated sexual contact with them. The victim said theyd spent time together at least six or seven times and Smith paid them in cash or via Cash App.

According to the student, Smith previously took the child to a field where Smith offered them $110 and marijuana before performing sex acts, the statement read.

According to the child, Smith told them You know you cant talk about this with anybody? and the child agreed not to talk.

The child also alleged Smith, at one point while they were having intercourse, forced the child to ejaculate inside of her.

The victim told the investigator that Smith gave them alcohol to drink with friends, including vodka and whiskey.

Substitute teacher and husband smashed childs phone once she found out about videos, victim alleges

The victim told investigators they had a video of Smith performing oral sex on them. When Smith found out about the video of her performing oral sex, she "smashed" it, the victim said.

A friend also took photos of himself, the victim and Smith in a car, the statement read.

Another minor mentioned in the probable cause statement said Smith told her husband the victim was trying to blackmail her with a video of her smoking marijuana with the minors. Smith's husband then threatened the minors with a bat.

In his statement, Dixon R-I School District Superintendent Bohrer encouraged community members to speak up if they suspect misconduct by school employees.

Those with concerns can call the Missouri Children's Division at 1-800-392-3738, he said.

Tipsters can also call Detective Chance Shoecraft with the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department at (573) 774-6196 ext. 4808.

If you or someone you know could be affected by sexual abuse or violence, services provided by RAINN are available via chat or phone call at 1-800-656-4673.

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia  the 757. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Missouri substitute teacher allegedly gave kids money and weed for sex
The death of an Arizona Wells Fargo employee who was found dead at her desk has been ruled a natural, sudden cardiac death, according to the local medical examiner.

The woman, 60-year-old Denise Ann Prudhomme, was found dead at her third-floor desk in Tempe on Aug. 20, according to the Tempe Police Department. The Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner determined her cause and manner of death, adding that she had a past medical history of chronic pain.

A view of the Wells Fargo logo on an ATM in Houston, Texas on Apr. 20, 2018.

The last time Prudhomme scanned her badge to get into work was on Aug. 16, four days before she was found, a report from the medical examiner reviewed by USA TODAY showed.

Another employee was walking by on Aug. 20 when they found her in her chair slumped over, the report said. Emergency responders pronounced the woman dead at the scene.

According to the medical examiners office, investigators did not find any concerning items at her desk and dont suspect any foul play in her death.

According to the medical examiner, Prudhomme had a medical history of pain in her shoulders. She also had a history of cervicalgia, or neck pain in or around the spine beneath the head, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Arizona woman 'mostly kept to herself'

The medical examiners report also included information from Prudhommes family and neighbors.

"Her family members and neighbors reported that she was a private person and mostly kept to herself," the report read. "Nobody that knew her (was) aware of any significant social history, medical history, or recent complaints or symptoms."

The medical examiner also noted evidence of myocardial fibrosis in the heart. According to the Oklahoma Heart Hospital, myocardial fibrosis occurs when there is a buildup of scar tissue in the heart muscle. Scar tissue can come from damage to the heart, and heart attacks are the most common cause of myocardial fibrosis.

Wells Fargo previously said worker sat in 'underpopulated area' of the building

According to local television station KPNX, Wells Fargo workers reported smelling a foul odor around the time Prudhomme was found but thought it was an issue with the plumbing.

Most Wells Fargo employees in the office work remotely but the building has 24/7 security, KPNX reported.

The company previously said in a statement to USA TODAY that Prudhomme sat in a "very underpopulated area" of the building.

Wells Fargo also said in a statement in August that the company was saddened to hear about her death.

Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones, and we are in contact to ensure they are well supported during this difficult time, the company said. We are committed to the safety and wellness of our workforce. Counselors are available to support any employees impacted by this event.

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia  the 757. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Wells Fargo worker found dead at desk died from 'sudden cardiac death'
European diplomats have raised concerns after President-elect Donald Trump selected Fox News host Pete Hegseth as defense secretary and Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence. However, they did show support for Trump's choice of Florida Republican Marco Rubio as secretary of state.

Many fear Hegseth and Gabbard's appointments signal a shift away from the U.S.'s traditional role in NATO, leaving Europe to brace for greater self-reliance amid global tensions.

"This is really terrifying," Nathalie Loiseau, former French Europe minister under President Emmanuel Macron and now a European lawmaker in his Renew Europe group, posted on X about Trump's Cabinet selections,

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, the German who heads the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Security and Defence, said: "The time of European restraint and the hope that the USA would protect us is over."

Meanwhile, Marek Magierowski, the former Polish ambassador to Washington, sharply criticized Gabbard for her past "pro-Russian" remarks. Just three days after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, she urged the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. to "embrace the spirit of aloha" and negotiate Ukraine's status as a neutral country.

"As she becomes the head of the entire U.S. intelligence community, this is a very disturbing signal for sure," he said on Polish television.

Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic Congresswoman from Hawaii, lacks experience in intelligence and has made controversial statements about countries like Russia and Syria, raising concerns about her judgment. If Trump's nomination stands, Gabbard would be responsible for overseeing the nation's 16 intelligence agencies and some of its most classified national security programs.

"This is seriously big and bad," Francois Heisbourg, senior adviser for Europe at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, posted on X. "I hope the Senate will block her confirmation  but I don't expect that to happen."

Heisbourg added about previous picks: "The question is not so much 'Can they rein in Trump?' as 'Will they want to?' They are on board for the ride."

Gabbard's background contrasts sharply with that of Avril Haynes, the current director of national intelligence, who has a decades-long career in intelligence. Haynes previously served as the deputy director of the CIA during the Obama administration and was a senior member of his national security council.
Susan Collins

Moderate Sen. Susan Collins confirmed Thursday that she intends to defend her seat and vie for a sixth term in what is widely expected to be a tough cycle for Senate Republicans.

Collins (R-Maine), 71, is generally seen as the most endangered Republican incumbent senator heading into the 2026 cycle, but she managed to defy gravity and cling to her seat in 2020 when President Biden won her state.

Its my plan, Collins told reporters, according to the Washington Examiner. Im focused on the appropriations process, not elections right now, but my intention is to run.

Republicans will be forced to defend 19 of the 33 seats up for grabs in 2026, compared to the Democrats 14. Historically, midterm elections are a boon for the opposition party, which will be the Democrats due to President-elect Donald Trumps crushing victory on Nov. 5.

Susan Collins has not made a formal reelection announcement but revealed she intends to seek a sixth term. Nathan Posner/Shutterstock

Collins is generally ranked as the most centrist member of the Senate Republican caucus and has regularly topped the Lugar Center and the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policys list of most bipartisan senators.

Back in 2020, a slew of polls had shown her trailing then-state House Speaker Sara Gideon, with every poll listed by the RealClearPolitics aggregate at the time showing the Democrat ahead, often by 4 to 7 points.

Ultimately, Collins won by 8.6 percentage points, despite Biden winning the Pine Tree State by about 9 points. Trump lost it by about 7 points last week.

Collins is a rare Senate split-ticket survivor in recent cycles, with Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Joe Manchin (I-WV) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) set to depart the Senate.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Sen.-elect Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) managed to pull off split-ticket victories last week, albeit by dramatically slimmer margins than Collins.

Susan Collins voted to convict President-elect Donald Trump during his second impeachment. REUTERS

Democrats were particularly keen on revenge against Collins four years ago, in part, because she backed Justice Brett Kavanaughs nomination to the Supreme Court despite sexual misconduct accusations against him and fears that Roe v. Wade would be overturned.

The pro-choice Republican senator backed every Supreme Court nominee whos come up for her to vote on except Amy Coney Barrett.

Collins is widely expected to be one of the linchpin votes of Republicans projected 53-seat control of the upper chamber. She is also hoping to chair the coveted Senate Appropriations Committee.

That could put significant pressure on her as Trump increasingly demands featly from Republicans.

Recently, that was put to the test when Trump announced plans to nominate former firebrand Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) as his pick for US attorney general. Collins has voiced apprehension about Gaetz, as have a bevy of other Republican lawmakers.

Collins had been one of seven Republican senators who decided to convict Trump during his second impeachment related to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

She is also the only Republican in either chamber of Congress representing New England.

The Maine senator has exhibited a key focus on bipartisanship. AP

The Post contacted Collins office for comment.

Other tough seats Republicans must defend in 2026 include Dan Sullivan of Alaska, Joni Ernst of Iowa and Thom Tillis of North Carolina.
Security officers and rescuers gather at a destroyed building hit in an Israeli airstrike in Damascus, Syria, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)

BEIRUT (AP)  An Israeli airstrike killed at least 12 Lebanese rescue workers on Thursday inside a civil defense center in the eastern city of Baalbek, according to health and rescue officials, hours after state media in Syria said Israeli strikes in and around the capital killed at least 15 people.

Lebanese emergency workers were digging through the rubble Thursday evening to search for more of their colleagues still trapped under the destroyed rescue center, the group said in a statement. At least three civil defense members were wounded.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. Lebanons civil defense forces have no affiliation with the militant group Hezbollah, and they provide crucial rescue and medical services in one of the worlds most war-torn nations.

The Health Ministry condemned what it called a barbaric attack on a Lebanese state-run health center, adding that it is the second Israeli attack on a health emergency facility in less than two hours.

In southern Lebanon, an Israeli strike on Arabsalim village targeted the Health Authority Association, a civil defense and rescue group linked to Hezbollah, killing six people, including four paramedics, the Health Ministry said.

Earlier, Israel carried out at least two airstrikes on the western Mazzeh neighborhood of Damascus and one of the suburbs of Syria's capital, Qudsaya, killing at least 15 and wounding another 16, Syria's state news agency said. An Associated Press journalist at the scene in Mazzeh said a five-story building was damaged by a missile that hit the basement.

The Israeli military said it hit infrastructure sites and command centers of the Islamic Jihad militant group.

In Syria, an official with Palestinian Islamic Jihad said the strike in Mazzeh targeted one of their offices, and several members were killed. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasnt authorized to speak to the media.

The airstrikes came shortly before Ali Larijani, an adviser to Irans supreme leader Ali Khamenei, was scheduled to meet in Syria's capital with representatives of Palestinian factions at the Iranian Embassy in Mazzeh.

Israel's military says Islamic Jihad participated alongside the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks from Gaza into Israel that killed some 1,200 people  mostly civilians  and saw 250 others abducted.

The ensuing Israel-Hamas war has spilled into the wider region, affecting Lebanon, Syria and leading to strikes between Israel and Iran. The war has left much of Gaza in ruins and has killed over 43,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to local health authorities who do not distinguish between civilians and combatants.

Israeli warplanes intensified airstrikes in Lebanon on Thursday, targeting various areas in southern and eastern Lebanon, including the outskirts of the port city of Tyre and the Nabatieh province, the National News Agency said.

Throughout the day, sporadic airstrikes targeted Beiruts southern suburbs in a clear uptick in attacks on the district over the past two days, with the Israeli military issuing evacuation warnings for several locations and buildings in the suburbs.

The Israeli military said it struck Hezbollah targets in the Dahiyeh area, including weapons storage facilities and command centers. Military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said that over the past week, Israel had struck more than 300 targets from the air across Lebanon, including about 40 targets in the heart of the Dahiyeh in Beirut.

Lebanons state media said an earlier Israeli airstrike hit a building in Baalbek, killing at least nine people and wounding five others. The strike came without warning. The Israeli military did not immediately comment and the target was unclear.

A report by the World Bank on Thursday estimated that Lebanon has suffered $8.5 billion in physical damages and economic losses from 13 months of war.

Hezbollah began firing into Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza. Since then, Israeli strikes and bombardment in Lebanon have killed at least 3,380 people while the number of wounded has surpassed 14,400, the Health Ministry said Thursday. Among the dead were 658 women and 220 children.

In Israel, 76 people have been killed, including 31 soldiers.

Before the war intensified on Sept. 23, Hezbollah said that it had lost nearly 500 members but the group has stopped releasing statements about their killed fighters since.

United Nations peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix, speaking during a visit to Lebanon, said the U.N. remains committed to keeping its peacekeeping force, known as UNIFIL, in place in all of its positions in southern Lebanon, despite intense ongoing battles between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants.

UNIFIL has continued to monitor the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah across the boundary known as the Blue Line despite Israeli calls for peacekeepers to pull back 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the border. UNIFIL has accused Israel of deliberately destroying observation equipment, and 13 peacekeepers have been injured in the fighting.

Separately, Israeli media reported Thursday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus chief of staff, Tzachi Braverman, has been questioned by police over suspicion of altering official records connected to the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks to benefit his boss.

Multiple reports said Braverman is suspected of changing the time stamp of a conversation Netanyahu held with his military secretary in the first minutes of the attack. The reports were confirmed by an Israeli official who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the ongoing investigation.

Netanyahus office had no immediate comment. It was not immediately clear why Braverman made the change.

___

Aji reported from Damascus, Syria. Abby Sewell in Beirut and Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
The award-winning actress, who just announced a new partnership with Seven Daughters wine, opens up about her dream to relocate and why that's on hold

Knoxy Knox Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson wants to see what life is like outside of the U.S.

"I've been thinking about that for a long time," the Fight Night star, 53, tells PEOPLE. "I was thinking about it the first time I went to Italy. I was like 'Oh, I could live here."

Henson previously opened up about her dream of becoming an expat back in 2022 when she discussed coping with the difficult political and social climate in America at that time. "That's something that comes with 50," she said then, "you get tired of fighting. I'm tired."

Though she's mulled the big move for a few years, now she's sharing what has been holding her back from taking the leap.

Knoxy Knox Taraji P. Henson

"The thing is, is that I still have family here, so I'm kind of torn," she explains. "I'm torn. But I do want a space somewhere outside of the country. I absolutely do. That's always been a dream of mine. But who knows, you've got to see. Because you want to feel safe you're going to."

Related: Why Richard Gere Is Moving to Spain for a 'Great Adventure' with Wife Alejandra Silva and Their Kids

Her wheels are still turning on that, but she's getting an actual taste of Italy through her latest venture, partnering with The Terlato Wine Group's Seven Daughters line, as the brand's new strategic adviser and creative collaborator. This week she helped re-launch their fan-favorite Moscato.

Knoxy Knox Seven Daughters Moscato

"I'm not going to pretend I know everything about wine," says Henson. "Even though I like wine and I know how to pair it, I still don't know a lot about it." But she thinks that's what makes her a great spokesperson. "Not knowing is what prevents a lot of people from indulging in wine because they feel intimidated it. It can take someone like me that they trust."

Related: Terrence Howard Said It Was 'Great' Reuniting with Former Empire Costar Taraji P. Henson on Fight Night

And a big reason she signed on, she says, "was because the moscato is really, really good. Sometimes Moscato gets a bad name, it's too sweet, it's too dry, it's too bad. But this is perfect."

Knoxy Knox Taraji P. Henson for Seven Daughters Moscato

A bottle has become a new feature in the care packages, full of her TPH products that she's known to send friends and family. And she's planning to have a few on hand for her upcoming holiday visits. But first, some travel.

"I am going to do Dubai for the first two weeks in December, but then I'm going wherever my grandma's going. That's where I'm going to be," she says. "I was going to do a whole Asian tour, go to Japan and Phuket," but similar to why she hasn't put down any roots overseas yet, these days, "I just want to be with my family."


Dr. Phil McGraws, in blue suit gesturing with hand, makes comments during a committee hearing in the case of death row inmate Robert Roberson, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  The Texas Supreme Court on Friday ruled that a legislative subpoena cannot stop an execution after Republican and Democratic lawmakers who say Robert Roberson is innocent used the novel maneuver to pause his execution at the last minute.

The ruling clears the way for Roberson's execution to move forward, weeks after a bipartisan group of state House lawmakers bought him more time by subpoenaing Roberson as he waited to be taken to the nation's busiest death chamber.

Roberson was sentenced to death in 2003 for killing his 2-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis. He would be the first person in the United States to be executed over a conviction tied to shaken baby syndrome, a diagnosis that has been questioned by some medical experts.

A new execution date for Roberson has not been set, but it is certain to proceed unless Republican Gov. Greg Abbott grants a 30-day reprieve. Abbott did not move to do so before Roberson's original execution date and his office challenged the subpoena tactic used by lawmakers, accusing them of overstepping their power.

The state's all-Republican high court agreed, ruling that under these circumstances the committees authority to compel testimony does not include the power to override the scheduled legal process leading to an execution, wrote Republican Justice Evan Young, issuing the opinion of the court.

The ruling addressed a subpoena issued for Roberson by the Texas House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. Roberson was scheduled to die by lethal injection on Oct. 17 when lawmakers, in a last-ditch effort, issued a subpoena to have him testify at the Texas Capitol days after his planned execution.

This spurred a legal conundrum between the state's criminal and civil courts, which ultimately led to the Texas Supreme Court temporarily ruling in Roberson's favor while it considered the matter.

Roberson has gained bipartisan support from lawmakers and medical experts who say he was convicted on faulty evidence of shaken baby syndrome," which refers to a serious brain injury caused when a childs head is hurt through shaking or some other violent impact, like being slammed against a wall or thrown on the floor.

Rep. Joe Moody, who has led the effort to stop Robersons execution, said delaying the execution with the subpoena was never our specific intention and added that the court rightly agreed that the subpoena and lawsuit were valid.

Moody insisted that Roberson could still be called to testify since the court ruling "reinforced our belief that the Committee can indeed obtain Mr. Robersons testimony and made clear it expects the executive branch of government to accommodate us in doing so.

Prosecutors said that Roberson killed his daughter by shaking her violently back and forth. Roberson's attorneys have argued that the child's symptoms did not align with child abuse and that she likely died from complications with severe pneumonia.

His case has garnered support from nearly 90 lawmakers across party lines and civil rights advocates who say Roberson is innocent and that he has not been given a fair trial under the state's junk science law. The statute allows people convicted of a crime under outdated science to have their sentence overturned. The 2013 law was hailed as progressive and the first of its kind, however civil rights advocates say that the state's highest criminal court is not utilizing the law as they should for people facing execution.

The Supreme Court, which handles civil matters, made clear it was not ruling on the merits of whether Roberson was guilty or innocent of capital murder or on the evidence in question. Those questions reside with the criminal courts, which have so far denied Robersons appeals, the Supreme Court said.

Roberson can still testify to fulfill the subpoena, but when that happens is up to the attorney general's office, which has quashed previous efforts, according to one of his attorneys, Gretchen Sween.

Whether the attorney generals office will change its strategy and cooperate remains to be seen, she said.

The parole board voted to not recommend clemency for Roberson before his scheduled execution date, and the governor's office said lawmakers had stepped out of line when they issued the subpoena.
NORTH TEXAS  Being switched at birth is something you rarely hear about, but a Glen Rose woman said it happened to her almost 50 years ago.

Melissa Brewton said what happened to her as a child was nothing short of horrific.

"My mom worked three jobs most of the time," she said. "I practically raised myself. I had an uncle in the family that did horrible things to me. I had another family member do some horrible things to me. I would never want that childhood for anyone."

Now, at the age of 49, she said she's learned all of it could have been prevented. She only came to this realization after her adult daughter took a DNA test.

"She just wanted to know the ethnicity, where we came from, where our families came from," she said.

Her daughter told her she learned she had a sister.

"I figured my dad had a child out there and she was like, 'do you want her information?'" Brewton said. "I said 'Yeah, of course.' When I saw her picture, I said, 'Oh my God, I finally look like somebody in my family.'"

When the two eventually got in touch, the surprises continued. Brewton said she told her the sister she grew up with has DNA links to the Brewton family.

"She was as like, 'Okay when were you born?' and I said, 'April 25, 1975,' and she said, 'Okay what hospital?'" Brewton recounted. "I said, 'Grapevine Memorial.' She said, 'Okay, the sister I grew up with was born April 24, 1975 at Grapevine Memorial.'"

All this leads them to believe they were switched at birth, going home to the wrong families.

"It's just... it's been a lot," Brewton said.

Last year, she met the man believed to be her biological dad.

"My dad is an amazing, amazing man and loving and caring and I didn't grow up with anything like that, so it's been anger, sadness, joy, lots and lots of different feelings," she said.

She said her biological mom passed away in 2019 so sadly, they never met.

Now, Brewton has hired an attorney. Earlier this month, they sued Baylor Scott & White, the hospital system that purchased Grapevine Memorial six years after Brewton was born.

"My understanding is they have taken on the liabilities of that previous hospital," attorney Jonathan Wharton said. "This error occurred in 1975. That is the same year that the Texas legislature first started passing a bunch of limitations on medical malpractice cases. One of those limitations put a two-year statute of limitations for everyone's medical malpractice cases regardless of whether the case was undiscoverable or against a minor."

However, Wharton said technically the mix-up at the hospital happened one month before the law came into effect, so he thinks they have a case.

"What happened to me as a child was horrible, and the fact that I was given to the wrong family was absolutely horrible and unacceptable," Brewton said.

She wants accountability.

In a statement to CBS News Texas - a spokesperson for Baylor Scott & White said, "It is important to note that Baylor Scott & White Health did not own, operate or manage the hospital until 1981."

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The U.S. Postal Service on Thursday said its annual loss widened to almost $10 billion, although revenue rose slightly after two postage rate hikes this year, part of Postmaster Louis DeJoy's plan to get the postal agency on a better financial footing.

The USPS said it lost $9.5 billion in the fiscal year ended September 30, compared with a loss of $6.5 billion a year earlier. The postal service blamed the wider loss on billions spent on noncash contributions to worker compensation.

Excluding that expense as well as what it described as other "certain expenses that are not controllable by management," the USPS said it would have lost $1.8 billion in fiscal 2024, compared with a loss of more than $2.2 billion a year earlier. Revenue rose 1.7% to $79.5 billion in the most recent fiscal year.

The USPS is in the midst of a 10-year overhaul engineered by DeJoy, who has argued that higher postal rates and other changes are essential to staunch the postal service's financial bleeding. Under his original plan, the USPS had aimed to turn a profit in fiscal 2024, but instead, the agency has now reported mounting losses for two consecutive years, raising questions about the effectiveness of the turnaround effort.

DeJoy said the agency is focused on reducing its costs, but that it is also dealing with "many economic, legislative and regulatory obstacles for us to overcome."

The USPS has raised postage rates twice in 2024, with a two-cent per stamp increase in January and a second boost in July, which raised the cost of a Forever stamp to 73 cents.

Fewer deliveries

Mail volume declined in the most recent fiscal year, although revenue increased due to the higher postage rates, the USPS said. It delivered 112 billion pieces of mail, magazines, packages and other items last year, a decline of 3.2% from the prior fiscal year, it said in a financial report.

Keep US Posted, an advocacy group of newspapers, magazines and other companies that rely on the USPS, described the agency's $9.5 billion loss as "staggering," and said it was $3 billion higher than expected. The group also blamed the rate hikes for driving customers away from the USPS, reducing mail volume.

"The bottom line is that these consistent financial losses are driven by stamp hikes which lead to disastrous mail volume losses, plus the complete failure of USPS to capture parcel market share in already crowded package delivery space," said Keep US Posted executive director Kevin Yoder in a statement.

Yoder, a former Republican Congressman from Kansas, also criticized the USPS for focusing on packages rather than traditional mail delivery, which he said remains the largest revenue generator for the postal service.

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By Daniel Wiessner

(Reuters) - A federal judge in Texas on Friday permanently blocked a Biden administration rule that would have made about 4 million more salaried U.S. workers eligible for overtime pay.

U.S. District Judge Sean Jordan in Sherman, Texas, said the U.S. Department of Labor rule that took effect in July improperly bases eligibility for overtime pay on workers' wages rather than their job duties.

The state of Texas and business groups representing a range of industries had filed lawsuits challenging the rule, which had been consolidated.

Jordan, who was appointed by Republican President-elect Donald Trump in his first term, struck down the rule after saying in June that it was likely invalid and temporarily blocking it from being applied to Texas state employees.

The rule would have required employers to pay overtime premiums to salaried workers who earn less than $1,128 per week, or about $58,600 per year, when they work more than 40 hours in a week, beginning Jan. 1, 2025, and it had temporarily raised the threshold to about $44,000 per year on July 1.

The previous threshold of about $35,500, which was set in 2019, will now be back in effect.

The Labor Department and the office of Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

David French, executive vice president of the National Retail Federation, one of the groups that sued, said the rule would have curtailed retailers' ability to offer greater benefits to lower-level salaried employees.

The Labor Department can seek review of the ruling in the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which is widely regarded as the most conservative federal appeals court. But the incoming Trump administration could abandon any attempt to revive the rule.

Federal law exempts workers with "executive, administrative, and professional" (EAP) duties from receiving overtime pay, and the Labor Department has for decades used salary as one factor in deciding when that applies.

The Labor Department, in adopting the rule, said that lower-paid salaried workers often do the same jobs as hourly employees, but work more hours for no additional pay. The rule also established automatic increases in the salary threshold every three years to reflect wage growth.

Jordan on Friday agreed with Texas and the business groups that by substantially raising the salary level, the rule improperly jettisoned the duties requirement written into federal law.

"The Department may impose some limitations on the scope of the EAP Exemptions operative terms, but it cannot enact rules that replace or swallow the meaning those terms have," Jordan wrote.

(Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Leslie Adler)
Hannah Glass suffered a fatal allergic reaction after eating a brownie that contained roasted peanut flour

WISN 12 News/Youtube Memorial held for Hannah Glass

A 19-year-old college student from Wisconsin died from an allergic reaction caused by peanuts.

According to local ABC News outlet WISN12, Hannah Glass suffered an allergic reaction on Monday, Nov. 4, from a brownie that reportedly contained roasted peanut flour. A friend from a women's group on campus had given her the brownie, which contained peanut flour for gluten-free students.

The Maranatha Baptist University freshman realized after a few bites that something was wrong, her father told WISN. "We believe because this product contained roasted peanut flour, separate from oily peanut butter, that masked this."

Glass used her EpiPen and called her parents. At that point, she "had thrown up, she had the hives, but some Benadryl had made things better," her father added. "After a few seconds of laying down, things changed dramatically. In hindsight, it's at that point the right lung collapsed."

Paramedics struggled to resuscitate her. Glass' heart stopped for four minutes and was brought to Watertown Hospital. Due to her condition, she was transferred to Froedtert Hospital to seek further treatment, the Sacramento Bee reported.

During the transfer, Glass suffered seizures and was put on a ventilator. She experienced "severe brain swelling" and her body began to shut down. "The majority of her brain was unmistakably, seriously, critically, and without the life-sustaining measures in place, TERMINALLY damaged," an update from her parents via Facebook said on Nov. 11. "There were no conversations of quality of life or anything like that. This was only life and death!"

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Ahead of her death, her family, the Froedtert Hospital staff and dozens of others participated in an "Honor Walk" as Glass was wheeled into the operating room for her organs to be donated. She was taken off life support on Sunday, Nov. 10.

Glass was "an exceptional student and a sweet-spirited servant in her church, with a heart for reaching souls with the gospel," according to a statement released by the university. "She made a tremendous impact in her first year on campus and in the Academy, where she was conducting her education fieldwork."

The funeral was held at Calvary Baptist Church in Watertown for Glass on Wednesday, Nov. 13, and was standing room only, Watertown Daily Times reported.

A fundraiser was set up for Glass' family on the platform GiveSendGo. It has received over $27,000 in donations as of Nov. 15 to help her family in their time of need. Following her death, four people received life-saving transplants.
"Deeply concerning" is what Former Vice President Mike Pence has described President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary. Pence has urged Senate Republicans to oppose Trump's pick.

"I believe the nomination of RFK Jr. to serve as Secretary of HHS is an abrupt departure from the pro-life record of our administration and should be deeply concerning to millions of Pro-Life Americans who have supported the Republican Party and our nominees for decades," Pence said in a statement Friday on behalf of his conservative nonprofit Advancing American Freedom.

During his presidential campaign, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. consistently voiced his support for "a woman's right to choose" and said that he does not support any legislation banning abortion. His campaign website highlights his strong backing of Roe v. Wade, stating that if the courts fail to overturn Dobbs v. Jackson and restore abortion rights, he would advocate for legislation to achieve that goal.

Mike Pence, who served as Trump's vice president, has distanced himself from his former running mate following their fallout over Pence's certification of the 2020 election for President Joe Biden. Since then, Pence has openly disagreed with Trump and the GOP on several issues, particularly favoring a national abortion ban over leaving the matter to individual states.

In the statement, Pence said the agency Trump picked Kennedy to lead makes "hundreds of decisions" daily "that either lead our nation toward a respect for life or away from it."

"If confirmed, RFK, Jr. would be the most pro-abortion Republican appointed secretary of HHS in modern history," Pence said in the statement.

Pence has openly opposed Trump's stance that abortion should be left to the states, previously describing it as a "slap in the face" to those who oppose abortion.

If confirmed as HHS secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would oversee 13 public health agencies and has already signaled plans for significant changes. Speaking at a November conference, Kennedy stated he would halt infectious disease research at the National Institutes of Health if appointed to a position in the Trump administration.

Not only Pence, many Democrats, and some Republicans expressed concerns about the pick. Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins said that Kennedy "would be a surprising choice." House Rep. Rep. John Duarte, R-Calif., expressed concerns that he could "move against one of the most life-saving technologies in the history of the world."
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Bored of the usual lump of cheddar? You could do a lot worse than swapping it out with a piece of Queijo de Ovelha Amanteigado, a soft, raw ewes milk cheese that was on Friday named 2024s winner at an annual contest to find the worlds best cheese.

This years World Cheese Awards  the largest since its inception in 1988  saw 4,786 cheeses from 47 countries assembled in the Portuguese city of Viseu to face the discerning scrutiny of 240 experts assembled from across the world.

The cheese, produced by the tiny 10-employee Quinta do Pomar in Soalheira, Portugal, scored highest out of 14 finalists that included no fewer than five Swiss cheeses, plus entries from Brazil, the United States, Norway, Italy, Germany and Spain.

Made with vegetarian rennet created from thistles, the winner is described as a gooey, glossy, buttery cheese with a herby bitterness thats typically served by slicing off the top and spooning out the center.

Its quite balanced  voluptuous, Portuguese cheese exporter Manuel Maia, one of the international panel of jurors, said. It is a really sublime match of protein and fat. Its really a fantastic cheese.

The judging is a spectacle in itself. Following a performance by local drummers, teams of experts were assigned to 104 tables in the main hall at Pavilhao Multiusos de Viseu arena, each one groaning with around 40 cheeses of all shapes, colors, sizes, ages and textures.

Gathering thousands of cheeses at room temperature under one roof inevitably produces an intense aroma. Its very punchy, is how John Farrand, managing director of The Guild of Fine Food, the contests UK-based organizer, described the atmosphere at the event.

Cheese odyssey

Many of the cheeses endured an odyssey to make it to the judging tables. To enable small producers to enter their wares, 20 collection points were established around the world in countries including India, Australia, Brazil, Colombia and Ukraine.

Inevitably, some cheeses travel better than others. Like this year, recent contest editions  notably when it was held in Spain in 2021 and Norway in 2023  saw local products crowned as the winner. Farrand said there might be a home advantage but stresses that the entries are judged blind. Usually, locals dont win.

Sonia Marroyo, on screen at left, is the cheesemaker responsible for this year's champion cheese. - Paulo Fernandes/Guild of Fine Food

Maybe its because the cheese is in its zone and has that terroir that makes the wine you buy on holiday taste much nicer when youre there, he told CNN. But Id like to make it clear that there are many years when a cheese from elsewhere has won.

On Friday, teams of two or three judges on each of the tables were assessing every entry on appearance, feel, smell, taste and texture in the mouth. Each team selected four finalists in bronze, silver, gold and super gold categories  the latter were entered into the final cheese taste-off to decide 2024s winner.

Awards are also made for the best cheeses by country of origin and by style of cheese

Last year, the contest was won by Nidelven Bla, a creamy semi-solid blue old, cows milk cheese made by the Gangstad Gardsysteri creamery in Norway. In 2022, a Swiss Gruyere took the top prize.

While there are other international competitions, the World Cheese Awards claims to be the largest of its kind, attracting entries from large and small producers from across the planet. While the event is typically held in a different European country each year, the Guild of Fine Food says it hopes to stage it further afield at some point.

This year, 4,786 cheeses from 47 countries were assembled in the Portuguese city of Viseu for the competition. - Paulo Fernandes/Guild of Fine Food

Its a celebration of the world cheese community, said Farron. Any award is important, especially for small producers, as the world becomes an increasingly difficult place to move a cheese around.

From the simplest point of view, its a benchmark across the planet, across 47 countries. And if youre a cheese maker, in a valley somewhere, with 12 goats, to get that seal of approval, that pat on the back, is great. And, of course, it will help them sell their cheese and stay in business.

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Despite a proposal by legal experts, the Japanese government has ruled out setting up a commission to review capital punishment. The Cabinet Secretary cited public support for this penalty, but legal experts believe most Japanese are not adequately informed.

Tokyo (AsiaNews/Agencies)  The Japanese government yesterday rejected the possibility of a debate on the abolition of the death penalty, a day after a formal request for review was made by a group of legal experts and parliamentarians.

The government believes that it is not appropriate to abolish the death penalty, said Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi. It is unavoidable to impose the death penalty on those who commit violent crimes that carry an extremely grave responsibility, he added, stressing that this reflects the will of most Japanese.

Legal experts believe, however, that public opinion polls are biased, because they were conducted without providing a series of important information on capital punishment.

On Wednesday, the 16-member panel, set up in February at the initiative of the Japanese Federation of Bar Associations, asked the Japanese parliament to establish a commission to determine whether to maintain the death penalty or not.

Citing the case of Iwao Hakamata, an 88-year-old man who spent nearly 50 years on death row before he was recently acquitted of the murder of four people, the panels request stressed that once a mistake is made, it takes a long time to correct it.

Chaired by Makoto Ida, a professor of criminal law at Chuo Law School, the panel noted that abolishing the death penalty is part of a global trend (in 70 per cent of countries no longer have it). Japan and the United States are the only G7 industrialised countries still imposing death sentences. The European Union and Amnesty International have also been putting pressure on Japan for some time.

The panel is in favour of a review, citing the amendment to Japan's Penal Code in 2022 to unify prison terms with and without labour, an important change from a system focused on punishment to one open to inmates rehabilitation and education.

Since 2000, 98 prisoners have been executed in Japan, the latest in 2022. Currently, about a hundred people are on death row, mostly for multiple or particularly serious crimes.

(photo: a detention centre with one of Japan's execution chambers, Wikimedia Commons)Tokyo (AsiaNews/Agencies)  The Japanese government yesterday rejected the possibility of a debate on the abolition of the death penalty, a day after a formal request for review was made by a group of legal experts and parliamentarians.
by Santosh Digal

Caritas and diocesan representatives also joined the global march for climate justice in Quezon City. In the run-up to Cop29, the country hosting the board of the Fund to Support Countries Affected by Climate Change (FRLD) is preparing for the arrival of storm Man-yi, after the passage of Ofel. More than 250 casualties in 2024.

Manila (AsiaNews) - Declare a climate emergency. This is what 4,000 environmentalists, who today joined the global march for climate justice in Quezon City, are demanding of the Philippine government. While the Asian archipelago awaits Man-yi, the 16th typhoon of the year, which could hit the eastern regions over the weekend, and in Baku, Azerbaijan, the 19th UN Climate Change Conference (Cop29) is underway.

Protesters called for a phase-out of fossil fuels, more global funding to reduce harmful emissions and measures to adapt to the impacts of climate change. They included Caritas Philippines, the social development wing of the Catholic Bishops' Conference (CBCP), and other representatives from diocesan social action centres, integral ecology ministries, congregations and religious organisations.

An intervention that would lend lustre to the climate leadership of the country that in July 2024 was chosen to host the Board of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD), established by Cop and Cma (Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement), whose mandate includes a focus on loss and damage management to assist developing countries particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change to cope with the economic and non-economic losses and damages associated with the adverse effects of climate change.

Over the past six months in the Philippines, storms, typhoons and severe tropical cyclones - including Carina, Enteng, Julian, Leon, Kristine and Marce - have killed more than 250 people and inflicted damage in excess of 25 billion pesos (more than 400 million euros).

The latest typhoon, Usagi (Ofel is the local name), has weakened in the last few hours, having hit northern cities, particularly Baggao, destroying many homes. It is now heading towards Taiwan, but there is no respite.

According to the Pag-usa (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration), Man-yi, which is intensifying in the western Pacific, could become a super typhoon in the early hours of Sunday. Preventive evacuations of residents in the areas through which this umpteenth storm will pass are scheduled to begin tomorrow.

As Reuters points out, last month Tropical Storm Trami and Typhoon Kong-rey caused severe flooding and triggered landslides, resulting in 162 deaths and 22 missing, according to government data.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said four storms hit the western Pacific Ocean at the same time this month, the first time this has happened since records began in 1951. In 2013, Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest ever recorded, hit the central city of Tacloban, killing more than 6,000 people. Every year, on average, about 20 tropical storms hit the Philippines, bringing heavy rains, strong winds and deadly landslides.

The call from environmentalists is to act quickly to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help prevent an ecological catastrophe that endangers the planet and the well-being of all living things, said Jing Rey Henderson, an official of Caritas Philippines. And so recognising the interconnectedness of all living organisms and the fundamental responsibility to protect them is crucial. We also recognise the inalienable right of nature to exist and thrive so that it can fulfil its function of preserving the environment in which all living things can live, he added.

This is why it is of paramount importance to declare a climate emergency. This means firstly, recognising that the entire ecosystem and humanity are in danger of extinction and that swift and calculated action is needed to mitigate or halt the irreversible effects of climate change. Secondly, to maintain the goal of not exceeding the 1.5C increase in global temperatures until 2030: to this end, all sectors must take coordinated and planned actions, with the government as the main responsible party.

The country must also reduce emissions in various sectors, as well as land use. And it is essential to protect forests and other natural ecosystems, such as the oceans, which act as crucial carbon sinks, helping to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Finally, it is crucial to support and safeguard the well-being of indigenous peoples, environmental defenders and local communities who act as custodians and peacefully coexist with their environment. Sustainable production and consumption play a crucial role in the implementation of laws such as the Alternative Minerals Management and Rights of Nature proposals, which aim at sustainable management of waste and natural resources.
Istanbul presses for the strengthening of the Turkic world, rejecting Eurocentric descriptions of the region. But Tajik historian Kamoluddin Abdulloev objects: Iran would have just as many arguments to assert its historical influence. In a land where the phases of Mongol domination and the spread of Islam have led to divisions and recompositions between Shiites and Sunnis.

Dushanbe ( AsiaNews) - The Turkish television channel Trt Haber has reported that the Ministry of National Education in Ankara has ordered that the term Turkestan be used in school curricula instead of Central Asia. The latter is described as a Eurocentric definition, which does not reflect the historical and cultural specificities of the region, and the need to restore historical truth by supporting the strengthening of the Turkic world is emphasised.

A phrase by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is recalled, according to which we will work shoulder to shoulder to make the period ahead a Turanian era, spreading our vision of the Century of Turkey through the Organisation of Turkic States (Otg). An expression of Enver Pasha, the Ottoman commander leading the Young Turk revolution a century ago, is also often quoted: The best of the non-Turks is worth far less than the youngest and most inexperienced of the Turks.

This insistence on the Turkisation of the whole of Central Asia provokes discussion and perplexity in all the states involved, but especially in Tajikistan, the country where the Turkic influence clashes with an even more significant dependence on Persian roots, where many denounce Pan-Turkism as a new form of colonisation. In the first post-Soviet two decades, between 1992 and 2010, Turkey's expansionist positions were also opposed by the then president of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, as well as by Turkmenistan's desire to jealously preserve its neutrality, so much so that to this day Asgabat remains only an observer within the TGTO.

The Tajik historian Kamoluddin Abdulloev comments on Radio Ozodi that if the Turks want to call us Turkestan, then Iran could associate us with Afghanistan, and call us Iranzamin, having as many arguments to assert its historical influence on the region, recalling the eras of Khorasan, Greater Iran or Iranshahrom. After all, Iran shares a border with these countries (Turkmenistan and Afghanistan), unlike Turkey. Until the 18th century, Khorasan and Maverannakhr (the Transoxiana, the Central Asian area north of the Oxus River) were considered a single region, distinguishing western Iran from eastern Iran, with a common history and cultural centres such as Isfahan, Herat, Samarkand, Bukhara and Delhi, all the way to China. Iranzamin or Greater Iran also included parts of the Caucasus, and the Chinese regarded Iran as the West all the way to Europe.

According to many scholars, the Tajiks were Islamised Sogdians, eastern Iranians from the Sogda region, with a history dating back more than a thousand years before the arrival of the Turks in the 6th century of our era. The mutually beneficial and intense collaboration between Sogdians and Turks lasted only a couple of centuries, and was interrupted by the spread of Islam in these areas in the 8th century. Even from a linguistic point of view, the borders of Greater Iran are much wider than its geographical limits, Abdulloev recalls, so much so that contemporary Orientalism uses the term Persophone, indicating Persian as the lingua franca for vast territories from Turkey to China, and from the Caucasus to India. Farsi is the main language of Iranzamin, the first after Arabic to be taught in madrasas.

The history of these lands is particularly complex and full of opportunities to argue one thesis against the other, or even combine them in the personalities of great poets and men of letters who wrote in various local languages. The phases of Mongol domination and the spread of Islam led to divisions and recompositions between Shiites and Sunnis. Until modern times with the arrival of the Russians, who in turn imposed other cultural and linguistic dimensions, and the Soviet atheist domination, which regarded Central Asia as the backyard of the empire, now called upon to unravel the threads of memory between the claims of the surrounding great powers and the peoples' desire for independence.
15 November 2024 13:57 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

France's non-participation in the ongoing UN Climate Change Conference, COP29, in Baku, has become a subject of discussion among a wide audience. Instead of showing its biased position towards Azerbaijan by not coming to Baku, France has further tarnished its image.

Interestingly, today, French President Emmanuel Macron decided to head to Brazil, southwest America and join the G20 summit instead of COP29.

Everyone knows that the UNCCC was first signed and agreed upon in the French capital, Paris, on the basis of a document with the joint consent of 196 countries. But what is surprising is France's disregard for that document and its refusal to attend the international event in Baku, where the most painful problems of our planet are being discussed. So, what response does Macron intend to give to 196 countries to evade this great commitment?

As for the G20, it serves as a platform for Macron to wash his sins in the eyes of the world.

For the research, we spoke with political expert Peter Tase, who will now participate in the G20, and learned his thoughts on the issue.

Tase said in a comment to Azernews that the French leader's relations with the South American countries are not good. He also said that he is sceptical that there will be warm relations from now on.

It's hardly surprising, that Macron will be visiting South America to mend economic ties with Brazil and please Paraguay and other Mercosur member nations.

Macron missed a genuine opportunity to start a new chapter of real cooperation in environmental protection and engineering by not participating in COP 29 Baku. It is geopolitically myopic and counterproductive for France to advocate Armenian thugs and abandon the COP29 platform in Azerbaijan. Another highlight of Macron in the G20 Summit will be bidding farewell to Joe Biden, Americas least internationally travelled president in many decades, he said.

The French President will attend G20 in hopes that Macron will sign important bilateral commercial deals with Brazils highly experienced Lula da Silva, and connect with regional leaders of the MERCOSUR trade bloc, while his fellow countrymen are actively protesting against the EU-MERCOSUR trade deal that has been going on for over 20 years and has no bright future whatsoever. Macron has repeatedly shown that his diplomatic actions, meetings, and public diplomacy initiatives are no more than empty rhetoric and therefore Paris lost face on multiple occasions.

By touching on some historical facts, the Latin American expert underlined Macrons ignoring South America for the first time since November 2018, when he visited Mauricio Macri, Argentinas incumbent president. This weekend, Frances feckless president will meet with Argentinas President Javier Milei in Buenos Aires and then head to Brazil to attend the G20 Summit. The French president has decided to attend the G20 Summit to boost his international image internationally, even more so at the present when Paris -as well as the USA - has lost its presence in Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Tunisia and Algeria.

Macrons hypocritical approach can be well illustrated with France's centuries-old heritage stained by blood.

The brutal French involvement in African affairs, from Rwanda to Burkina Faso, has been marked by bloody massacres and torture. This is especially true of Algeria, the largest country in Africa, first conquered by the French nearly 200 years ago. Algeria gained its independence in 1962, after a hard-fought war against France, which is notable for the use of terrorist tactics and torture by French authorities. Due to Frances ruthless colonial rule, Poverty and terrorism are still ever-present in Algerian life, the expert said.

Frances failure to back EU in restoring relations with MERCOSUR members

We have to emphasize that Von der Leyen has told Frances Barnier that she will consider making an announcement at the summit of Mercosur countries in early December, in Montevideo, potentially stating publicly the Tragic failure of EU and France in not reaching a deal with MERCOSUR members.

Recently the French prime minister warned von der Leyen that France could break into pieces if a deal is signed and urged a delay, the EU is losing a lot of leverage in South America due to Frances cash-strapped foreign service, greed, protectionism policies and racist rhetoric stated by French MPs against closer cooperation with South America continent.

As mentioned by P.Tase, Macron continues to make geopolitical miscalculations that will hurt France in the long run. He has lost every sense of diplomatic skills and is taking his country in the wrong direction, above all Macron is disrespectful to his predecessors by not attempting COP29 in Baku.

He added that Macron is trying hard to reconnect and reconcile with small island states, unfortunately, his weak leadership and silence towards denouncing autocratic regimes in Latin America and conducting business deals with other corrupt heads of state in Central Europe, make Macron a hard quince to sell.
Jimmy Glotfelty, a commissioner with the Public Utility Commission of Texas, speaks to CenterPoint executives during a meeting of the Texas PUC on Thursday, July 25, 2024. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks to representatives of the Public Utility Commission of Texas as they host a public meeting inviting people to share their experiences from the May derecho storm and July's Hurricane Beryl on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Darin Carroll, CenterPoint Energy's senior vice president of electric business, speaks at a company event announcing the donation of a backup generator to the Wharton County Office of Emergency Management on Nov. 13. Courtesy of CenterPoint Energy

The Public Utility Commission of Texas took a step toward an audit of CenterPoint Energy, fulfilling Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's directive issued in the wake of widespread criticism of the Houston-area electric utilitys handling of Hurricane Beryl.

PUC Chairman Thomas Gleeson directed the commissions staff to begin vetting third-party organizations that could audit CenterPoint. The results of the audit should be delivered to the PUC in April, so it has time to make recommendations before the end of the legislative session in June, Gleeson said at the commissions Thursday open meeting.

There are a few things we can look at, (such as) CenterPoints policies and procedures when procuring goods from a third party. We can look at how they evaluate customer needs for where the mobile generation needs to go, including looking at their emergency operation plan and how it deals with this, Gleeson said.

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Gleeson cited the Public Utility Regulatory Act, which gives the PUC authority to regulate utilities, as the basis for the management audit, a term that is not well-defined in the law. There is no record of the PUC auditing a utility under this provision in recent years, spokesperson Ellie Breed said in an email.

The PUC is already investigating the performance of CenterPoint and other Houston-area utilities during Beryl and the May derecho, with a report due to Gov. Greg Abbott and the legislature by Dec. 1. Breed said the audits sole focus would be on CenterPoint, and that further distinctions between the two inquiries would be made clear when the request for proposals from auditors was issued.

Beth Garza, former director of the watchdog organization that oversees the Texas wholesale electricity market, said Gleesons comments on procurement hint that the commission is likely to focus on CenterPoints $800 million lease of generators in its audit.

Alyssia Oshodi, CenterPoints director of communications, said in an email that the leases went through an open, transparent and thorough PUC review process.

Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, filed legislation earlier this week to create a process for CenterPoint to cover its generator costs on its own and refund funds already collected from customers, actions that Patrick has pushed for.

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That legislation and the PUCs newly announced audit are likely intended to put pressure on CenterPoint to do what the politicians want to have done on their own without being forced to do it, Garza said.

The generators came under scrutiny after a Chronicle investigation revealed most have never been used, including after Beryl damaged the utilitys power lines and poles. CenterPoint has since said its largest generators are meant only for rare outages that occur when power demand threatens to exceed supply on the Texas power grid, as occurred during the 2021 freeze that caused dayslong outages and killed at least 200.

The company commissioned an independent, third-party review into its Beryl performance from London-based consulting firm PA Consulting, which found that CenterPoints response was generally consistent with industry standards, though its communication was subpar. CenterPoint has already implemented or is in the process of implementing two-thirds of PAs 77 recommendations, Oshodi said.

Patrick first called for an audit during a rare Houston meeting of the PUC in October, citing testimony from cities and consumer associations that the utility is overcharging customers.

I expect you to do that audit, Patrick said to the commissioners during the Houston PUC meeting in October. I want to know how much they have been overcharging, if they've been overcharging the customers at CenterPoint, and for how long.

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Steven Aranyi, Patrick's communications director, said Thursday that the lieutenant governor requested the audit to see if CenterPoint spends ratepayer money smartly on issues that matter, or if they waste money maximizing profits at the expense of ratepayers.

CenterPoint has strongly contested that it's overcharging. In fact, CenterPoint invested $75 million in system improvements and vegetation management that were not billed to customers in 2023, Oshodi said.

The company has proposed a plan to forgo $110 million in future profits, which is more than half of the profit anticipated from the generators. The company announced Thursday that it has completed all 42 of its initial post-Beryl commitments to improve, including trimming trees along more than 2,000 miles of power lines, installing more than 1,110 stronger poles, launching a new outage tracker and hosting listening sessions across the region.

The utility is continuing efforts to harden its grid by the beginning of the 2025 hurricane season, including installing 25,000 stronger poles and trimming trees along 4,000 miles of power lines. CenterPoint has also launched a program to donate 21 backup generators to key facilities across the region at no cost to customers.

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15 November 2024 20:25 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Politics is a fascinating and intricate art form, but it can quickly turn toxic in the hands of the wrong individuals. As COP29, a crucial climate conference in Azerbaijan, moves forward seamlessly, it was clear that certain adversaries, unwilling to acknowledge the country's positive efforts, would attempt to create distractions for the international community. One prominent figure leading this charge is Nikol Pashinyan, a divisive, bipolar leader of the South Caucasus. Armenian Prime Minister's accusations against Azerbaijan have ignited a storm of geopolitical intrigue last night. Claiming that Azerbaijans Constitution covertly challenges Armenias territorial integrity, Pashinyans statements venture deep into the historical labyrinth of the region.

Pashinyan's Allegations

Nikol Pashinyan contends that Azerbaijans constitutional reference to the 1918 Declaration of Independence harbors covert territorial claims. His argument hinges on historical maps submitted to the 1919 Peace Conference, which included substantial portions of modern-day Armenia, such as Syunik and Vayots Dzor. These references, Pashinyan warns, undermine the fragile peace process and contradict Azerbaijans professed respect for Armenias sovereignty. By framing these historical nods as active threats, Pashinyan portrays Azerbaijan as exploiting its legal framework to justify future ambitions. Yet his acknowledgment of the peace treatys clause barring territorial claims hints at a complex strategy: condemning Azerbaijan while avoiding explicit provocations that could derail negotiations.

1/6 The preamble of Azerbaijan's Constitution makes a reference to the constitutional act adopted on October 18, 1991. This constitutional act, in its turn, makes a reference to the Declaration of Independence of the First Republic of Azerbaijan, adopted on May 28, 1918.  Nikol Pashinyan (@NikolPashinyan) November 13, 2024

Azerbaijans response, delivered by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada, dismantles Pashinyans claims with a cascade of historical and legal arguments. Hajizada dismisses the accusations as a "futile balancing act," aimed at diverting attention from Armenias own constitutional references to Western Armeniaan evocative term encompassing parts of modern-day Turkiye. Citing pivotal moments like the Soviet-era reassignment of Zangezur (Syunik) to Armenia, Hajizada reframes the narrative: Azerbaijans references to the 1918 declaration are not territorial claims but affirmations of historical truth. He underscores Azerbaijans adherence to good neighborly principles, contrasting it with Armenias persistent claims over Garabagh and its surrounding regions.

Quick historical context

The contentious issue of territorial claims dates back to the early 20th century, when administrative boundaries in the South Caucasus underwent significant changes under Soviet rule. Regions like Zangazur (Syunik) were assigned to Armenia despite their historical association with Azerbaijan. Let us be clear that Armenia's actions in exterminating the Azerbaijanis from the Syunik and Tavush territories were deliberate. This was a calculated move to facilitate their brazen actions while deliberately suppressing the truth. Pashinyan's reluctance to address these claims reflects a calculated effort to maintain progress in the peace process, but Azerbaijan views its stance as a legitimate assertion of historical and legal rights. The Soviet Unions arbitrary redrawing of boundaries, particularly the transfer of Azerbaijani territories to Armenia, remains a sore point for Baku. Meanwhile, Pashinyans restraint in pressing territorial claims suggests a precarious balancing act: leveraging history to undermine Azerbaijan without sabotaging peace talks. This calculated ambiguity leaves room for both deniability and maneuverability, ensuring Armenias position remains fluid in a volatile geopolitical landscape.

COP29: An Opportunity Lost for Armenia

Amid this war of words, Armenias decision to skip COP29 casts a shadow over its diplomatic strategy. Initially signalling interest in participating, Armenias withdrawal raises questions about its willingness to engage on global platforms where dialogue and collaboration could bolster its international standing. However, Armenia expressed its intention to participate in the event weeks beforehand. Despite this, no decision was made to allow its involvement. It was clear that the official government of Yerevan would ultimately refuse to participate. Furthermore, the absence of FranceArmenia's close partnerfrom this leadership role underscores the ineffectiveness of official Paris. This point is reinforced by the active participation of leaders from the member countries of the organization, including Charles Michel, the President of the Council of the European Union, at COP29. In stark contrast, Azerbaijan has used COP29 to assert its leadership on climate action, showcasing its ability to balance domestic priorities with global responsibilities. Armenias absence is more than a missed opportunityit reflects a deeper disengagement from constructive dialogue. By stepping away, Armenia forfeits the chance to challenge Azerbaijans narrative on neutral ground, leaving Bakus version of events to resonate unopposed. As this day's theme: Energy / Peace, Relief and Recovery Day, it could have been the time when we marked a big step towards dispute between both nations.

In conclusion, The escalating discourse between Armenia and Azerbaijan reveals the enduring power of history to shape contemporary politics. While Pashinyan portrays Azerbaijans constitutional references as veiled threats, Azerbaijan views them as a bulwark against historical erasure. This clash is not just about maps or declarations; its a battle for legitimacy in the eyes of both domestic and international audiences. Armenia's decision to withdraw from COP29, in contrast to Azerbaijan's proactive diplomacy, underscores a widening gap in their approaches to global engagement. As Baku asserts its historical rights and territorial integrity, it simultaneously signals a commitment to peacealbeit on its terms.
15 November 2024 12:03 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Within the COP29 framework in Azerbaijan, a Ministerial Meeting on the SPECA Climate and Innovation Dialogue took place, highlighting the role of SPECA (Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia) in regional climate cooperation, Azernews reports.

Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov emphasized SPECAs value and noted that it had become a vital platform fostering economic growth, environmental sustainability, and innovation among participating countries.

Our countries are strengthening their economies with the support of SPECA, as well as building a future-ready for the challenges of climate change, he remarked.

The dialogue aims to help SPECA member states achieve the goals set by the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Jabbarov explained that through the exchange of knowledge and expertise, regional nations can formulate strategies addressing climate changes social, environmental, and economic impacts. The initiative will particularly focus on boosting low-carbon transitions, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and the shift toward a circular economy.

The SPECA Multilateral Trust Fund, discussed during the event, was presented as a flexible mechanism for tackling shared issues like climate change, sustainable development, and economic integration. Armida Salsiya Alishahbana, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), and Tatiana Molchan, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), underlined the significance of regional cooperation for impactful climate action. They noted that the SPECA Dialogue could enhance innovation and sustainability efforts, highlighting that effective use of innovation is crucial for impactful climate action, sustainability, and prosperity.

The Deputy Ministers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan also spoke, underscoring the importance of regional and international collaboration for climate resilience. The event concluded with the signing of the Baku Joint Ministerial Statement on establishing the SPECA Climate and Innovation Dialogue, alongside the official announcement of the Dialogues and the Trust Funds launch.
15 November 2024 15:45 (UTC+04:00)

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Azerbaijani Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov received the President of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Jin Ligun within the framework COP29, Azernews reports.

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15 November 2024 16:06 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Within the framework of COP29, the global "Green Growth Portal," developed through cooperation between the Ministry of Economy and Harvard University's "Growth Lab" International Development Center, was presented, Azernews reports.

At the event, Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov emphasized the importance of the portal in fostering global cooperation to achieve sustainable development. He highlighted that green transition strategies will be based on fundamental research. The "Green Growth Portal" will help global energy transition participants identify green development opportunities in each country and leverage these opportunities.

Speaking about the importance of climate issues in economic planning, the Minister stressed the need to integrate economic policies with the supply chain, a concern reflected in the budgets and scope of COP presidency initiatives.

Kenan Najafov, Vice President of SOCAR, highlighted the company's commitment to achieving a "net zero" goal. He outlined efforts related to decarbonization, energy transition, and the implementation of low-carbon solutions. It was also noted that the new portal will contribute to SOCARs energy transformation.

Ricardo Hausmann, founder and director of Harvard University's "Growth Lab" International Development Center, addressed the event participants via video. He emphasized the importance of reducing carbon emissions and promoting renewable energy in the fight against global climate change. Hausmann pointed out that the "Green Growth Portal" aims to maximize the economic benefits of the green transition by systematizing green technology supply chains and technological solutions.

Timothy Cheston, Senior Research Manager at the Growth Lab International Development Center, briefed participants on the Green Growth Portal. The portal is planned for integration with Harvard Universitys "Atlas of Economic Complexity," which encompasses 250 countries and economic regions and 1.7 million users. It will include analyses and comparative databases based on information from international organizations and various countries.

The project is expected to be fully operational by 2025, and access to the portal will be free of charge.

During the event, which brought together representatives from the government, private sector, international organizations, business associations, academic institutions, and financial bodies, attendees exchanged opinions and participated in a Q&A session.
15 November 2024 16:23 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Eswatini, Russell Mmiso Dlamini, visited the "ASAN Service" center to familiarize himself with its activities, Azernews reports.

He is in Azerbaijan to attend the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), held in Baku.

Ulvi Mehdiyev, Chairman of the State Agency for Service to Citizens and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ASAN Service), provided him with detailed information about the various activities of the State Agency, including the "ASAN Service" centers, which were established under the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev, and the projects related to social innovations.

The Prime Minister expressed interest in learning from the "ASAN Service" experience and applying the innovations implemented in Azerbaijan to his own country. In this regard, it was noted that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) would soon be signed.

Drossel Mmiso Dlamini also took the opportunity to closely explore the activities of the "INNOLAND" Incubation and Acceleration Center, the Mobile ASAN Service, and the "ABAD" public legal entity.
15 November 2024 11:22 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

On November 14, an opening ceremony was held at the Heydar Aliyev Center for the international art project called MAMA "Mother Nature" and the exhibition "Participate!", which calls for the protection of the environment, Azernews reports.

The opening of the exhibitions was attended by the Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, founder and head of the IDEA Public Union Leyla Aliyeva, the head of the Baku Media Center Arzu Aliyeva, and their family members.

The MAMA "Mother Nature" international art project, which started its activities during the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), was conceived by the Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva.

The exhibition displayed as part of the project is presented in collaboration with the IDEA (International Dialogue for Environmental Protection) Public Union and the Heydar Aliyev Center.

The exhibition "Participate!", which focuses on the topic of environmental protection, was organized by the IDEA Public Union and the Heydar Aliyev Center in partnership with the head of the UN Office in Geneva Tatyana Valovaya and Swiss Association of Women and Empowerment (ASWE).

In her speech, Leyla Aliyeva expressed her hope that the displayed works would provide positive energy to the viewers. She thanked everyone involved in realizing the exhibition.

Leyla Aliyeva expressed confidence that the work being conducted in Azerbaijan during COP29 would result in many positive outcomes.

The Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation spoke about the problems arising from climate change on our planet, discussing the negative impacts of air, soil, and water pollution. She highlighted that issues related to climate change and pollution have a serious effect on Azerbaijan's ecosystem, noting that existing problems are approached with optimism and creativity. She pointed out that the activities of the IDEA Public Union, founded in 2011, are specifically aimed at addressing environmental concerns.

Turkish artist Seval Ozcan, who also spoke, expressed her deep gratitude to Leyla Aliyeva for organizing the magnificent international exhibition. She emphasized that nature does not need humans; rather, humans are in need of nature, and our world is currently under great threat. Ozcan stressed the significance of events related to climate change being held in Baku during such challenging times.

In a video message to the event participants, the head of the UN Office in Geneva Tatyana Valovaya, expressed her gratitude to the IDEA Public Union, led by Leyla Aliyeva, as well as the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Swiss Association for Women and Empowerment, for their efforts in bringing the two projects to life in the context of global efforts to combat climate change and achieve a greener world.

"These two exhibitions align with the commitments of member states reflected in the 'Pact for the Future' and will play a vital role in the key topics discussed at COP29. Furthermore, these exhibitions are especially close to my heart because they reflect the intersections of art, technology, and environmental commitment. Such works remind us of the consequences of indifference and compel every viewer to consider their role as a herald for our planet. These exhibitions call us to action and make us think about the impact of our choices, as well as the legacy we will leave for future generations," Tatyana Valovaya noted in her video message.

Afterward, the guests toured the MAMA "Mother Nature" and "Participate!" exhibitions.

Guests who visited the exhibition shared their impressions with AZERTAC.

Sadhguru (Jaggi Vasudev), the founder of the Isha Foundation and a renowned Indian yogi, emphasized the necessity of caring for our world, especially for art. According to him, the best expression of care for art should also include elements of art and music; otherwise, we cannot touch the souls of people.

Artist Kamran Mammadov stated that his work displayed at the exhibition highlights the importance of everyone, regardless of their profession, showing care for our planet and nature.

Sculptor Omar Heydarov noted that the exhibition is multifaceted, encompassing all types of artistic expressions. He pointed out that it showcases both the beauty of nature and calls for its protection.

The MAMA "Mother Nature" international art project brings together 55 different artists from 28 countries, including the USA, Germany, the UK, Brazil, South Korea, Georgia, India, Spain, Israel, Latvia, Pakistan, Russia, Turkiye, Ukraine, and others, calling for the protection of our planet for future generations through art. Artists from different countries and nationalities aim to raise awareness about climate change through their works.

The exhibition features a total of 127 artworks, including digital installations, paintings, graphics, and sculptures.

The exhibition "Participate!" is dedicated to environmental protection, ecological awareness, and the promotion of eco-culture. The project aims to enhance people's ecological awareness, engage children and adolescents in the ecological agenda, and support their eco-activity in popular formats.

The exhibition consists of three parts. The first part, titled "This Is How It Was. What Will Happen Next?", features works from several prominent artists of the 19th and 20th centuries that depict landscapes from various continents, alongside representations of how these landscapes would change due to global warming using artificial intelligence technologies. It showcases changes expected in the environment through works by Claude Monet's "Water Lily Pond," Paul Cezanne's "Mont Sainte-Victoire," Albert Bierstadt's "Between Sierra Nevada, California," and others. The audience is posed with the questions: What will happen to these landscapes if global warming is not halted? Will future generations be able to see them?

The second part of the exhibition is called "17 Sustainable Development Goals." It demonstrates the three components of sustainable developmenteconomic, social, and environmental balancealso reflected in the document titled "Sustainable Development Agenda for 2030," adopted by the UN General Assembly in September 2015 with the participation of 193 countries.

The third part of the exhibition, titled "Participate!", invites people to join their efforts in the protection of nature. Visitors have the opportunity to creatively express their interesting, unconventional ideas and initiatives towards ensuring ecological safety using vibrant colors. Organizers urge individuals to take action without hesitation for environmental protection and to save our planet.

It should be noted that this exhibition is not the first project realized within the framework of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the UN. In June 2022, the photo exhibition "My Seas, My Oceans" was held at the UN office in Geneva, and in October 2022, the photo exhibition "17 Faces of Action" took place at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov emphasized the severe impact of conflicts on global climate challenges during his address at COP29 in Baku, marking the Day of Peace, Relief, and Recovery, Azernews reports.

He stressed that the externalities of conflict exacerbate global climate problems and highlighted Azerbaijans commitment to uniting nations around practical solutions.

One of the main logics of the COP29 presidency is to bring together all parties on this issue, Bayramov stated and underscored Azerbaijans collaborative approach.

We are preparing solution-oriented ways out with different countries. Therefore, I thank the partners for believing and trusting Azerbaijan. Time cannot be wasted. It is necessary to turn the statements into concrete actions, he concluded.
15 November 2024 11:30 (UTC+04:00)

President Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Palestinian State Mahmoud Abbas on the occasion of Palestine's national holiday, Azernews reports.

"Dear Mr. President,

On the occasion of the national holiday of the State of Palestine, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to you and, through you, to your entire nation on behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan has always supported the freedom and independence of the Palestinian people. Our country advocates for the peaceful resolution of the conflict based on the "two-state" principle, with East Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Palestine. We will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Palestine through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and on a bilateral basis.

I believe that our friendly relations and cooperation, built on positive traditions, will continue to develop successfully in the future.

On this festive day, I wish you good health, happiness, success in your endeavors, and peace and tranquility to the brotherly Palestinian people," the letter reads.
15 November 2024 10:38 (UTC+04:00)

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar attended the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change, hosted by Azerbaijan and held in Baku. Emphasizing Turkey's key role in the net zero emission target, Bayraktar said, ''We believe that we will contribute to the net zero emission target by commissioning our 20,000 megawatts nuclear-installed power by 2050.''

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar stated that Turkey's installed nuclear energy capacity reaching 20 thousand megawatts by 2050 will make a significant contribution to the net zero emission target.

Bayraktar, in a post on his X social media account, noted that nuclear energy plays a key role in the world's ability to reach net zero emissions in 2050 and limit the global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees.

Bayraktar, who recalled that 25 countries, led by the US, signed the "Declaration on Triple Nuclear Energy" at the COP28 held in Dubai last year, said, "As Turkey, we also joined the countries that signed this declaration at the COP29 continuing in Baku. The total number of countries that approved the declaration has increased to 31. We believe that we will contribute to the net zero emission target by commissioning our 20 thousand megawatts nuclear-installed power by 2050."
15 November 2024 23:30 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

The US Navy will send naval reconnaissance aircraft to the UK for the first time since the Cold War, amid growing concerns in London and Washington over "Russian activity in the North Atlantic and the Arctic," Azernews reports.

According to reports, Boeing P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft will be stationed at Lossiemouth Air Base, a British Royal Air Force facility located in the northeast of Scotland. The base recently completed a six-year, $443 million modernization and renovation project.

The Ministry of Defense stated that the deployment of US reconnaissance aircraft in the UK will enhance maritime security and strengthen the defense capabilities of both the UK and NATO.

Under a bilateral agreement signed in October, Boeing P-8A Poseidon aircraft from the German Air Force will also be stationed at the air base in Scotland.
Marissa Luck is a senior real estate reporter at Houston Chronicle. She can be reached at marissa.luck@houstonchronicle.com.

Previously, Luck covered commercial real estate in Texas for CoStar News; real estate for Austin Business Journal; energy for Houston Chronicle; and business news for The Daily News in Longview, Wash. Shes won awards from Society of Professional Journalists and National Association of Real Estate Editors, and her byline has appeared in numerous publications nationally. Originally from Hawaii, Luck grew up in the Pacific Northwest and studied international political economy at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash. She now lives in Midtown Houston.
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As FEMA sources reveal that partisan discrimination against Trump supporters by FEMA in hurricane recovery happened in the Carolinas, too, Florida is taking action against FEMA for civil rights violations against conservatives. Florida's attorney general has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against FEMA's director and the Florida supervisor whose texts became public to avoid houses displaying Trump signs.

https://redstate.com/streiff/2024/11/15/florida-sues-fema-director-for-civil-rights-violations-during-hurricane-recovery-n2182026

Don't expect this in North Carolina, however. Our outgoing and incoming state attorney generals are both extremely partisan and very liberal Democrats who would never challenge a Democrat political appointee that way.

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE

When several frontline FEMA whistleblowers came forward with text messages from a FEMA supervisor instructing them to skip over houses with Trump signs in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, the supervisor involved was fired and FEMA leadership blamed it all on her. The Florida FEMA supervisor who was fired, Marn'i Washington of the FEMA Miami office tells a different story, however.

Ms. Washington said she was instructed by the central FEMA administration to give those instructions to her frontline workers and she is being scapegoated. She also said similar instructions to skip pro-Trump houses were also given on the Hurricane Helene response in North and South Carolina.

Florida Congressman Greg Steube who has been investigating the matter says this was not an isolated incident in Florida but happened all over the state, and also in the Carolinas.

https://redstate.com/videos/2024/11/12/femas-anti-trump-hatred-just-got-worse-n2181894

https://nypost.com/2024/11/12/opinion/bidens-fema-mustnt-get-away-with-targeting-political-foes/

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/11/fema-worker-fired-ordering-workers-skip-trump-houses/

It appears that quite a few federal agencies have run amok under Biden-Harris and will need to be de-politicized by the new administration. Those administrators who have been part of politically weaponizing these agencies will need to be replaced.
This comes after years of declining reimbursements. CMS anesthesia reimbursements declined 8.2% from 2019 to 2024  from $22.27 per unit to $20.44, VMG Health said in a May blog post.

Four anesthesiologists told Beckers how they think the new cuts will affect anesthesia:

Editors note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.

Jason Habeck, MD. Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology at the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis): Continued decrease reimbursement certainly puts a strain on anesthesia practices at a time when overhead continues to increase. Especially when compared to the discrepancy between commercial payers being around $80 and CMS setting it down near 20 dollars. It makes a good payer mix that [much] more essential to maintain.

Cory Maxwell, MD. Anesthesiologist and Partner of Providence Anesthesiology Associated (Charlotte, N.C.): The reality is that this cut will have a nominal, if any, effect on the practice of anesthesia because Medicare and Medicaid rates are already unsustainably low. When the rates were established they were insufficient to support an anesthesia practice at the time and after 30 years there has been a decrease in these rates rather than any [cost of living adjustment] or other positive adjustment. This anchoring bias created a de facto system in which commercial payers subsidize government payers to [a] much greater magnitude than any other medical specialty and anesthesia practices are acutely sensitive to fluctuations in payer mix. The recent cut is a clear sign that any effort to rectify this unsustainable model will take a paradigm shift rather than a bandaid, but what event or events triggers this switch is unclear.

David Vierra, MD. Anesthesiologist of Providence Medical GroupNapa (Calif.): Not only are the continued CMS cuts detrimental to the practice of Anesthesiology but to medicine in general. In most areas of [California] government payers, [including] CMS and MediCal, account for at least 70% of the payer mix. Demand for anesthesiologists is growing, yet reimbursement keeps dropping, which puts pressure on hospitals and ASCs to make up the difference. Both entities are also facing issues with decreased reimbursements as well. I think that is why we are seeing hospital bankruptcies, reduced service lines and decreased access to care. I also think the Anthem decision to reimburse on CMS average minutes rather than actual minutes will further deteriorate anesthesia reimbursement, leading to further pressure on hospitals and ASCs to make up the difference, more anesthesiologists leaving medicine and further reductions in access to care.

Vijay Sudheendra, MD. President of Narragansett Bay Anesthesia (Narragansett, R.I.): To answer your question specifically from a Rhode Island physician in private practice anesthesia for the last 20years.
From 2009 to June 2019, Christopher Kraus and his conspirators misappropriated funds through fraudulent vendor payments for purported services, according to a Nov. 14 news release from the Justice Department.

In January 2023, Mr. Krauss co-conspirators, Harry Pizutelli and Maritza Flores, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and tax evasion.

Mr. Pizutelli, the former manager of the TBI Fund, facilitated fraudulent vendor payments to Ms. Flores and Mr. Kraus by generating and processing fabricated invoices and internal payment vouchers.

Mr. Kraus was convicted in April of 10 criminal charges  including conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, five counts of healthcare fraud and four counts of tax evasion.
Here are 25 leaders Mr. Trump has picked to lead his administration so far, according to a CBS News report most recently updated on Nov. 15:

Chief of staff: Mr. Trump has picked Susie Wiles, who co-chaired his campaign. Ms. Wiles will be the first woman in U.S. history to fill the role. She has many years of experience as an experienced Florida-based political operative.

Secretary of state: Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida has been selected as secretary of state. In 2016, Mr. Trump and Mr. Rubio were rivals in the Republican presidential primaries. Mr. Rubio is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Attorney general: Mr. Trump has selected Rep. e Matt Gaetz of Florida. Mr. Gaetz has faced several investigations into his conduct. The House Ethics Committee revealed in June that it was investigating Mr. Gaetz on allegations including sexual misconduct, drug use and obstruction. Mr. Gaetz has denied all wrongdoing and maintained his innocence.

Deputy attorney general: Mr. Trump has selected Todd Blanche, who defended him during his criminal trial in New York City.

HHS secretary: Mr. Trump picked Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead HHS. Mr. Kennedy has a long history of criticizing vaccines and spreading unfounded information about their lack of safety. He believes that large drug and food companies are to blame for several chronic diseases and illnesses. He has claimed a number of health issues have worsened due to federal inaction, including autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, sleep disorders, infertility rates, diabetes and obesity. He has also urged removing fluoride from drinking water.

Secretary of veterans affairs: Mr. Trump tapped former Republican Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. A veteran himself, Mr. Collins served in Congress from 2013 to 2021 as the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee.

U.N. ambassador: Mr. Trump selected Elise Stefanik, who represents a district in upstate New York. The role of U.N. ambassador requires Senate confirmation.

Border czar: Mr. Trump selected Tom Homan as his border czar. Mr. Homan was the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the first Trump administration. He will oversee both the northern and southern borders.

Defense secretary: Mr. Trump has nominated former Fox News host Pete Hegseth to head the Department of Defense. Mr. Hegseth is a veteran.

National security advisor: Rep. Michael Waltz, a Florida Republican, was named national security adviser. Mr. Waltz is also a veteran.

Secretary of homeland security: Mr. Trump has selected South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem. Ms. Noem was elected governor in 2018 after serving eight years in the House.

Secretary of the Interior: Speaking Nov. 14 at Mar-a-Lago during a gala hosted by the right-leaning think tank the America First Policy Institute, Trump said he planned to formally nominate North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum as Interior Secretary.

CIA director: Former Rep. John Ratcliffe, who served as Director of National Intelligence in Trumps first term, is the pick for CIA director.

Director of national intelligence: Mr. Trump has selected former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard to serve as his director of national intelligence. Ms. Gabbard served in the Army National Guard and represented Hawaii in the House from 2013 to 2021 before becoming an independent in 2022.

EPA administration: Mr. Trump selected former New York Republican congressman Lee Zeldin to head the Environmental Protection Agency. Mr. Zeldin represented New Yorks 1st Congressional District, on Long Island, from 2015 to 2023. He ran for governor in 2022 but was defeated.

U.S. ambassador to Israel: The president-elect has selected Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas, to serve as his U.S. ambassador to Israel. The post requires Senate confirmation. Mr. Huckabee served as Arkansas governor from 1996 to 2007.

Department of government efficiency: Mr. Trump selected billionaire Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy for his newly created department of government efficiency, nicknamed DOGE. Mr. Trump indicated their roles may not be formally part of the government but would provide advice and guidance from outside, said Mr. Trump.

White House counsel: Mr. Trump announced on Truth Social that William McGinley will be White House counsel. Mr. McGinley was White House Cabinet secretary and also served as Republican National Committee outside counsel for election integrity and as general counsel for the GOP Senate campaign arm.

Presidential personnel office: Mr. Trump has named Sergio Gor, the co-founder and head of Donald Trump Jr.s publishing company, Winning Team Publishing.

White House communications director: Mr. Trump has selected Steven Cheung, a top spokesman for Trumps presidential campaign. He is returning to the White House after working as director of strategic response during Trumps first term.

Assistants to the president and deputy chiefs of staff: Mr. Trump announced four top advisers  Dan Scavino, Stephen Miller, James Blair and Taylor Budowich  who worked on his presidential campaign will join him in the White House as members of his senior staff. They will all serve as assistants to the president and deputy chiefs of staff overseeing specific areas.
Billy Bob Thornton as Tommy Norris in 'Landman.' Emerson Miller/Paramount+

Tommy Norris is a man who wears the weight of an increasingly baffling world like an anchor around his sunburned neck.

He's a self-confessed "divorced alcoholic with $500,000 in debt" who's burdened with a lung-scorching cigarette habit, an ex-wife who won't leave him alone, a daughter who would rather party than study, a son who dropped out of college, and a career that could see him being blown to bits, burned alive or maybe even beaten to death by a cold-blooded cartel.

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Norris, you see, is a "landman," a seemingly old-fashioned term for the person oil companies hire to negotiate oil, gas and mineral rights with sometimes hostile landowners. And, as played by Billy Bob Thornton in Taylor Sheridan's promising new, Texas-set, 10-episode series "Landman" (debuting Sunday on Paramount+), he's an unsmiling, world-weary type of soul who, after accidentally smashing his hand into a bloody mess with an errant hammer while on the job, would rather coolly smoke a cigarette and swig a Dr Pepper than rush to the ER. This is the same guy who, on a different day, when asked if anything good happened to him, responds with "My hemorrhoid finally burst."

He's at the heart of a show that, judging from the first five episodes available for review, could go down as one of the best series to take place in the Lone Star State. Based on West Texan Christian Wallace's Texas Monthly podcast "Boomtown," "Landman" is set in the oil fields of Midland-Odessa, filmed mostly around Fort Worth and Weatherford, and carries whispers of Sheridan's "Hell or High Water," as well as the celebrated "Friday Night Lights," and not just because Thornton starred in the film version. The similarities echo in the flat, sun-scorched vistas and the haunting score from Andrew Lockington that has a similar vibe to the music used in the movie and TV series from Texas band Explosions in the Sky.

Michael Pena as Armando in 'Landman.' Emerson Miller/Paramount+

As the first episode opens, Norris, who works for a small oil company called M-Tex Oil, is being held captive by members of a cartel upset with some of the terms of the contract he wants them to sign. It's all in a day's work for this 33-year veteran of the oil patch for whom wrangling with drug dealers who want to continue to use M-Tex Oil land for their smuggling operations is just one of his duties. He also finds himself up against: M-Tex Oil's cheapskate, Fort Worth-based billionaire owner, Monty Miller (an appropriately slick Jon Hamm) who likes to cut corners and just wants OSHA off his back; one of Miller's high-dollar lawyers from Houston, Rebecca (Kayla Wallace), who only cares about shielding the company from liability; and the often rancorous, Spanish-speaking crews who do the actual drilling, such as the one run by Armando (the always reliable Michael Pena).

This is a sweat-soaked, rough-and-tumble universe that is described as being first populated by "the dreamers, then the bankers, then the salesmen, then the sharks, then the desperate, and then the thieves." Norris and Miller leave it up to our imaginations as to which ones they are.

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Much to Tommy's chagrin, his son Cooper (Jacob Lofland, "Joker: Folie a Deux"), has dropped out the geology program at Texas Tech to become part of this world. Cooper dreams of operating his own oil company some day and wants to learn from the ground up. But being thrown into the deep end of this petroleum pool, where he's the gangly white kid with no field experience, might be too much for him.

Billy Bob Thornton and Ali Larter in 'Landman' James Minchin/Paramount+

James Brown sang "It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World" and, while he wasn't singing about life in the Permian Basin as depicted in "Landman," he very well could have been. In the opening episodes, women at first circle on the periphery of this life with Tommy's materialistic, North Texas-based ex-wife, Angela (Ali Larter, "Final Destination") and airhead daughter, Ainsley (Michelle Randolph, "1923"), coming across more like comical caricatures rather than lived-in characters. Rebecca isn't played for one-note, comic relief, but it would be nice to see if she has any emotional setting other than brittle. And, while there has been a lot of buzz about Demi Moore being cast as Monty's wife Cami, she has precious little to do in the first five episodes.

There is one exception. Paulina Chavez ("The Long Game") is memorable as Ariana, a young mom of a newborn and the wife of an oil-field worker who died in a horrific accident. She now finds herself alone and staring into the void of an uncertain future.

But the show belongs to Norris, and Thornton inhabits the character with a resigned grace and subtle humor that makes him consistently intriguing.

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It remains to be seen where Sheridan, who co-created the series with Wallace, takes "Landman" from here. With his hands in so many TV-production pies  "Yellowstone," "1923," "1883," "Lioness," "Bass Reeves," "Tulsa King," "Mayor Kingstown" all bear his stamp  he could end up being like Ryan Murphy and stretching himself too thin.

But if he and Wallace can keep an eye on quality, then "Landman" could evolve into something remarkable, especially in terms of Texas on television. If not, Norris may just have yet another reason to take another drag, drink another Dr Pepper and despair.

Demi Moore (left) and Jon Hamm (second from right) play members of a wealthy family in "Landman." San Antonian Rylie Rodriguez, right, also stars as does Dani Raen (second from left). Emerson Miller/Paramount+ Billy Bob Thornton plays a put-upon oil company worker in 'Landman.' Emerson Miller/Paramount+ A rig explodes in the debut episode of 'Landman.' Emerson Miller/Paramount+ Billy Bob Thornton is one of the stars of "Landman," the latest series created by Taylor Sheridan. Emerson Miller/Paramount+ Billy Bob Thornton in 'Landman' Paramount+
Surgeons at Cincinnati-based The Christ Hospital performed a successful human implantation of the BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart, marking the fourth hospital in the U.S. to complete the procedure as part of the FDA's early feasibility study.

The procedure was performed in October at The Christ Hospital by cardiothoracic surgeons Rob Dowling, MD, the Chris and Trey Heekin Family Endowed Chair for Cardiac Transplantation, and Geoff Answini, MD, chief of cardiothoracic surgery, according to a Nov. 15 news release from The Christ Hospital Health Network.

"Our patient woke up pain-free after years of suffering and was walking the halls just five days after surgery," Miriam Freundt, MD, cardiovascular ICU and ECMO program director, said in the release.

The first implantation of the device was performed at Houston-based Texas Heart Institute in July, the second was performed in August at Durham, N.C.-based Duke University Hospital and the third was performed at Banner-University Medical Center Phoenix.

The device recently made TimeTime's "Best Inventions of 2024" list.
Robert Purbeck, 45, of Meridian, Ga., has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for hacking into the computer servers of 19 victims across the U.S., including a medical clinic.

In June 2017, Mr. Purbeck purchased access to a Griffin, Ga.-based medical clinic's computer server through a marketplace on the dark web. Using stolen login credentials, he accessed the clinic's computer system and stole personal information for more than 43,000 people, including names, addresses, birth dates, and Social Security numbers.

Mr. Purbeck also hacked a Florida orthodontist and the City of Newnan, Ga. On Aug. 21, 2019, the FBI searched his home, where they found computers and electronic devices containing personal information from more than 132,000 individuals, stolen in multiple breaches.

On March 19, Mr. Purbeck pleaded guilty to two charges of illegally accessing protected computer systems and taking information without permission, according to a Nov. 13 news release from the Justice Department.

In addition to his 10-year prison sentence, Mr. Purbeck was ordered to serve three years of supervised release and pay $1,048,702.98 in restitution to his victims.
Health system CIOs told Becker's they are taking a wait-and-see approach before declaring whether Oracle's new EHR will transform the hospital IT landscape but are pleased with the increased competition.

The software giant previewed what it's calling the "completely reimagined" Oracle Health EHR at its Oracle Health Summit on Oct. 29 in Nashville, Tenn. The new system will operate independently of Cerner, the EHR company acquired by Oracle in 2022, and lean heavily on voice commands and artificial intelligence.

"I'm encouraged by Oracle Health's efforts," said Scott MacLean, senior vice president and CIO of Columbia, Md.-based MedStar Health. "At the summit, I implored them to put as much focus on integrated revenue cycle as the new EHR. I look forward to seeing Oracle developing a true integrated EHR platform. We need good competition in the international EHR market."

Health system CIOs have previously commented that not having a robust revenue cycle management platform has prevented Oracle Health from overtaking Epic, its nearest competitor in the EHR business. The two companies hold 23.4% and 39.1% of U.S. acute care hospital EHR market share, respectively, according to health IT researcher KLAS.

Oracle Health said the new EHR will be available to early adopters in 2025 and be voice-activated rather than rely on menus or drop-down screens. The system is also said to include a clinical AI agent that automates documentation, orders and coding, as well as an analytics solution that combs clinical, claims, social determinants and pharmacy data for real-time insights.

"Although progress appears advanced, it is uncertain how much of the new user interface aligns with the publicized timeline," said Gerald Kelly, DO, CIO of Stony Brook (N.Y.) Medicine. "This depends on how many key modules and provider types are modernized within the initial releases. Overall, the changes in design philosophy have been acknowledged and are anticipated."

While the new EHR will be hosted in Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, which the company says features "military-grade security," Dr. Kelly wonders how legacy Cerner customers migrating to Oracle's cloud will be affected.

Joyce Oh, chief information and digital transformation officer of Cincinnati-based Christ Hospital Health Network, said she doesn't believe the new EHR will have an "immediate effect" on the hospital IT business.

"Everyone knows that EHR migration is extremely costly, both from a dollars and resource standpoint, so there would have to be a very strong benefits realization by moving to the new Oracle EHR, which has yet to be proven," she said. "We have to wait and see what kind of integrations the new platform will offer."

An integrated approach, where applications are either built into or compatible with the EHR, has been another reason for Epic's dominance in the market, CIOs have told Becker's.

And while Oracle Health has touted the AI capabilities of the new EHR, Ms. Oh said the technology can be a liability in some cases. "Integration of AI in the clinical use setting can be challenging with just a single use case, given the testing, monitoring, validation, and change management that needs to occur," she said. "I can't imagine how a health system could confidently run their operations on an AI-heavy EHR without taking on a new level of risk."

Whatever happens with the new EHR, health system CIOs will be keeping an eye on how it shapes an industry beset with a lack of competition in recent years.

"While I admire Oracle's commitment to innovation and congratulate them on the launch of the EHR and I hope they succeed, I believe there will be some hurdles and challenges to overcome along the way," Ms. Oh said. "I'm sure I will be one of many who will be curiously watching and waiting to see what comes next."
Connecticut's Office of Health Strategy has reached an agreement with Stafford, Conn.-based Johnson Memorial Hospital, part of Hartford, Conn.-based Trinity Health of New England, to allow the hospital to terminate labor and delivery services.

Here are eight things to know:

1. The hospital shared plans to close its labor and delivery services in July 2022 to meet the needs of an aging population and redesign care delivery. OHS rejected the hospital's plan in January, citing that it would reduce care access and not save patients money. Johnson Memorial then appealed a $394,000 fine by OHS for not resuming the services despite requirements from the state to do so.

2. Under the new agreement, Johnson Memorial will prioritize maternal and infant health services and study the possibility for a new birthing center in the area the hospital serves, according to a Nov. 14 news release.

3. While OHS approved the hospital's certificate of need to close the services, it is still accountable for maintaining maternal and infant care access in the community.

4. An independent third party must be hired by Johnson Memorial as part of the agreement to maintain all current prenatal, postpartum and wraparound services such as wellness programs, lactation consulting and assistance with resources like the Diaper Bank and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Women, Infants and Children food programs.

5. Free and non-emergent transportation for labor and delivery must be offered by the hospital to any hospital that is in a 50-mile radius for patients and their support person. The hospital will also continue emergency deliveries at its emergency department when needed.

6. Should specific certification criteria be developed by the state's Department of Public Health, certified nurse midwife recruitment, professional development and the creation of a doula training program must be supported by the hospital.

7. "We appreciate the thorough process that OHS went through to make the decision, and we remain committed to partnering with state officials to further our efforts to provide safe, high-quality care to the greater Stafford community," a spokesperson for the hospital said in a Nov. 15 statement shared with Becker's.

8. Johnson Memorial still faces a separate $153,000 civil penalty for not resuming its labor and delivery services following the expiration of a temporary waiver during the COVID-19 pandemic. The penalty status will not be affected by the agreement, the release said.
Allen Voskanian, MD, chief operating officer of Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, shared his perspective on the future of healthcare technology after attending Becker's Healthcare CEO/CFO Roundtable.

Dr. Voskanian emphasized that the future of healthcare lies in solving "real" problems that benefit both patients and clinicians. He argued that successful innovations must integrate seamlessly into the healthcare ecosystem, reducing inefficiencies, administrative burdens, and access gaps. He also added that technologies that increase costs, create barriers, or fail to address critical pain points are unlikely to succeed.

"The real disruptors?," Dr. Voskanian wrote in a LinkedIn post. "They'll be the ones adding true value: empowering clinicians to do their best work and making life better for patients."

He challenged healthcare tech innovators to focus on meaningful solutions that foster collaboration rather than creating silos.

Reflecting on challenges such as clinician burnout, staffing shortages, and access issues, Dr. Voskanian called for sustainable, partnership-driven approaches to innovation.

"In healthcare, survival is about partnership, not isolation," he wrote.

He also urged companies to learn from the failure of Forward Health, a healthcare startup known for its AI-driven "doctor-in-a-box" service that shut down seven years after its launch on Nov. 12, to avoid repeating similar mistakes.
Community Health Systems President and CFO Kevin Hammons said the Franklin, Tenn.-based system could be looking at acquisition opportunities in the future as it nears its $1 billion divestiture goal.

Speaking Nov. 12 at the UBS Global Healthcare Conference, Mr. Hammons said the system has a few deals in the works that they expect to announce before the end of the year and close in the first quarter of 2025. Those deals are expected to get the system up to its $1 billion divestiture goal.

"We still have some inbound interest coming in, and we continue to evaluate that is, as our EBITDA improves, as our margin improves, as we continue to give ourselves some runway on our debt, I think it gives us the opportunity to be more selective in terms of divestitures and opportunistic around what we divest and what we don't," he said.

He added that while there is likely to be more sales in the future, the system will "probably pivot to looking at some acquisition opportunities as well."

Mr. Hammons noted that the system's Tucson, Ariz.-based Northwest Urgent Care subsidiary signed a definitive agreement in September to acquire 10 urgent care centers in the state from Carbon Health, a primary and urgent care provider headquartered in San Francisco. He said that while it is a small deal, it's still back to "being a little more offensive in nature."

"I would hope that at some point, we're looking at acquiring some acute facilities as well," he said.

CHS will continue to look at expanding its ASC footprint as well. Mr. Hammons said they have ASCs in about 85% of its markets and are looking to add between four to eight facilities per year "where it makes sense."

"We are still probably looking at expanding our networks and looking around the perimeters of our networks and [asking] 'can we expand our reach with some of those access points?' I think that's the opportunity for us going forward," he said.
The Burbank Police Department in California has arrested a woman on suspicion of impersonating a registered nurse.

Amanda Porter applied for and obtained a nursing position at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, Calif., where she oversaw some 60 patients in April and May 2024, police said in a news release.

In May, police received a report alleging that Ms. Porter impersonated an RN at the facility.

Ms. Porter, who does not have a nursing license and is on federal probation for a fraud violation in Virginia, received two paychecks before being terminated, police said.

Law enforcement also discovered a similar incident allegedly involving Ms. Porter at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Santa Clarita, Calif.

Burbank Police said Ms. Porter was arrested Nov. 7 pursuant to an arrest warrant after she bonded out of the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's custody on suspicion of committing a similar violation at Henry Mayo Newhall.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has filed felony charges against Ms. Porter, including identity theft, false impersonation and grand theft.

Ms. Porter was arraigned Nov. 13 and is being held without bail at the Los Angeles County Central Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood, police said.

Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, part of Renton, Wash.-based Providence, shared the following statement with Becker's:

"Providence St. Joseph Medical Center appreciates the diligence of Burbank police detectives in apprehending Amanda Porter, who was hired last spring by the hospital as a nurse but was promptly terminated once it was determined that her nursing credentials had been falsified.

"Hospital officials promptly notified the appropriate state and local authorities, as well as each patient for whom she'd provided care.

"Providence St. Joseph is committed to quality and safety to ensure the best possible care for our patients. As a new hire, this employee was in her orientation phase, and as such was partnered with a training nurse during the five nursing shifts she worked in our hospital."

Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital shared the following statement with Becker's:

"In early October, we learned that an employee falsified documents to obtain employment with our hospital. Once discovered, we took immediate and appropriate action, including terminating her employment and reporting to regulatory and law enforcement authorities.

"The person in question was in the probationary phase of employment with our organization and under the supervision of a nurse preceptor during this time period. We do not have any indication the quality of care patients received was compromised."








Tulare (Calif.) County Superior Court on Nov. 14 sentenced a former hospital CEO for public corruption crimes related to his time at Healthcare Conglomerate Associates.

Yorai "Benny" Benzeevi, MD, former CEO of HCCA, was sentenced to $2.4 million in restitution, which must be paid to Tulare Local Healthcare District ($2 million) and Lone Pine, Calif.-based Southern Inyo Healthcare District ($400,000).

The sentencing also included two years probation, time served in custody and 600 hours of community service, which have been completed, according to the Tulare County district attorney's office.

The charges included six felony counts of conflict of interest and two misdemeanor counts of failure to timely disclose campaign expenditures and using an official position for personal gain.

"Our focus was to financially restore the losses caused by the defendant while having him admit his guilt. I believe that goal has been met  $2.4 million dollars in restitution has been returned to victims in Tulare and Inyo and the defendant is a convicted felon," District Attorney Tim Ward said in a statement. "Though we advocated for time in custody, we respect the court's decisions today. We now look forward to focusing our efforts on the remaining defendant in this case."

HCCA, under Dr. Benzeevi's leadership, took over Tulare Regional a decade ago. The hospital filed for bankruptcy and closed in 2017, shortly after Dr. Benzeevi and HCCA were ousted. Tulare Local Healthcare District later entered a management agreement with Roseville, Calif.-based Adventist Health.

In 2020, charges were filed against Dr. Benzeevi, CFO Alan Germany and the company's lawyer Bruce Greene. Dr. Benzeevi previously served as the CEO of Tulare Regional and Mr. Germany was acting CFO of Tulare Regional and Inyo Hospital. The three executives were accused of swindling taxpayer money from the hospital.

In December 2023, Mr. Germany accepted a plea deal involving embezzlement and conflict of interest. He was ordered to apologize to the community and pay $150,000 in restitution.

Mr. Greene's firm and the hospital district reached a $3 million civil settlement last year, and he was indicted by a criminal grand jury in May, according to The San Joaquin Valley Sun. He faces 16 felony charges for his involvement with Tulare Regional.

Neither HCCA nor Tulare Regional responded to Becker's request for comment.
Bryan Bell, MD, DDS, has accepted the roles of executive medical director of Providence Cancer Institute and director of its research arm, the Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, both based in Portland, Ore., according to a news release shared with Becker's.

The appointment comes after Walter Urba, MD, PhD, a pioneering leader in immunotherapy research, announced his retirement in August and will step down at the end of the year after three decades with Providence, according to the release.

Dr. Bell, who joined Providence in 2009, most recently served as physician executive director of surgical oncology, radiation oncology, and clinical programs at Providence Cancer Institute.

In his new roles, he will lead Providence's oncology services and research teams, which deliver care at 32 clinics and eight Oregon hospitals, serving more than 9,000 cancer patients annually, according to the release.
Richard Slayman, the first person in the world to receive a genetically edited pig kidney transplant, died from an "unexpected cardiac event," his transplant surgeon said Nov. 13, according to The Boston Globe.

There was no sign of his body rejecting the kidney, Tatsuo Kawai, MD, PhD, director of the Legorreta Center for Clinical Transplantation Tolerance at Boston-based Massachusetts General Hospital, said during a panel discussion, the Globe reported Nov. 14.

Mr. Slayman, 62, was discharged from the hospital April 3, 18 days after undergoing the procedure. He died 51 days after the surgery. At the time, Massachusetts General Hospital stated there was no indication his death was a result of the transplant.

After being discharged, Mr. Slayman was well enough to spend time with family and visit a shopping mall twice, the Globe reported.
Jars of homemade Italian sauces are on display, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, that members of Donne Di Domani, Woman of Tomorrow, sell at the Nutcracker Market with 100% of profits benefitting local charities. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer

The Donne di Domanis marinara sauce has been a star of the Houston Ballet's annual Nutcracker Market each year since debuting in the mid-80s.

It's the women behind the name who are the superstars.

The Donne di Domani, an organization that started in 1985, has nearly 50 members. Their jars of original and spicy tomato-based sauce are only available at the holiday event. Here are five things to know about the sauce ladies, which they are affectionately called:

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All of the women are of Italian descent or are married to an Italian and share a love for food and all things Italian. Membership is by invitation only. In 2023, the ladies sold out at 2 p.m. on Friday. This year, they have increased production of their sauces (original, spicy marinara and vodka sauce) to keep customers shopping through Sunday. Last year, they added their Vodka Sauce, which sold out in two days. Their sauces are gluten-free, low sugar and preservative-free. Donne di Domani sauces have raised more than $200,000 to support scholarships for students pursuing Italian-related studies at the University of Houston, Rice University and the University of St. Thomas. Since 1990, the organization has given $2 million to groups like Child Advocates, Sunshine Kids, Bo's Place, Boys and Girls Country, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center for Breast Cancer Research, various programs to help service veterans and even the Carmelite Cloistered Nuns of New Caney.
Twelve U.S. hospitals have earned consecutive "A" safety grades from The Leapfrog Group since 2012.

The organization biannually grades nearly 3,000 acute care hospitals against 22 national patient safety measures from CMS, the Leapfrog Hospital Survey and supplemental data.

This fall, Utah had the highest percentage of "A" hospitals for the third cycle in a row, followed by Virginia and Connecticut. The latest grades also show that hospitals are making progress in patient safety across the board, with notable improvements in healthcare-associated infections, hand hygiene and medical safety, according to a Nov. 15 news release from Leapfrog.

Three hospitals have lost their "A" grade streak since spring 2024: Rose Medical Center in Denver, AdventHealth Daytona Beach in Florida and Rex Hospital in Raleigh, N.C.

Here are the 12 hospitals with 26 consecutive "A" grades:

Arizona

Mayo Clinic in Phoenix

California

French Hospital Medical Center (San Luis Obispo)

Kaiser Permanente Orange County-Anaheim Medical Center

Illinois

University of Chicago Medical Center

Endeavor Health Elmhurst Hospital (Elmhurst)

Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital (Winfield)

Massachusetts

St. Anne's Hospital (Fall River)

Mississippi

Baptist Memorial Hospital Golden Triangle (Columbus)

Virginia

Inova Loudoun Hospital (Leesburg)

Sentara Leigh Hospital (Norfolk)

Sentara CarePlex Hospital (Hampton)

Washington

Virginia Mason Medical Center (Seattle)
Dr. Shirin Towfigh, MD, a Beverly Hills surgeon with over two decades of experience, is suing Medtronic, accusing the global medical device giant of stealing her patented hernia mesh design, CNBC reported Nov. 13.

Dr. Towfigh, who specializes in hernia repair for women, claims Medtronic copied her innovation after the company expressed interest in her design during meetings in 2015 and 2016.

In 2016, she filed for an international patent to protect her innovation. However, Dr. Towfigh alleged that after discussing her patent-pending product with Medtronic representatives, including a visit to the company's manufacturing site in France, Medtronic filed its own patent for a similar product in 2017.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Delaware, claims that Medtronic's Dextile hernia mesh product, which launched in 2020, closely resembles Dr. Towfigh's patented design. She alleges that despite raising concerns with Medtronic multiple times over the years, the company proceeded to develop a product that "mirrored" her pending patent.
US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland explains the 'biggest thing' that could fix the problem

Joe Kennedy pictured in Belfast on his last visit to Northern Ireland as US Special Envoy

The United States top diplomat in Northern Ireland has said Americans can still see Belfast through the lens of the Troubles when it comes to investing here, as he prepares to depart his role as Joe Bidens special envoy.
Planned demolition of historic Belfast hospital to make way for hotel angers heritage group

Part of listed building on Queen Street will make way for new restaurant and 74-bedroom hotel

The front of the building looking onto Queen Street, which will be retained and restored

Andrew Madden Fri 15 Nov 2024 at 07:28

Concerns have been raised after the green light was given for the demolition of part of a listed building in Belfast to make way for a hotel.
Rosemary Nelson: There were some rogue police officers who would have been quite happy for her not to be around
TV presenter Davina McCall is having surgery after a brain tumour was discovered (Victoria Jones/PA

Davina McCall has said she is to undergo brain surgery, after being diagnosed with a very rare tumour.

The TV presenter, 57, said the benign brain tumour, known as a colloid cyst, was found after she was offered a health check-up as part of her menopause advocacy work.
Noel Brady and South Eastern Health and Social Care Trusts digital services department among victors in 19 categories

Connor Diamond, Head of NI Jobfinder presents the Best Place to Work in IT  100 employees or more to Scott Armstrong, Rob McConnell, Megan Lewis, Hanna McAteer, Tony Wright, James ONeill and Swathi Tolu of Expleo at The Belfast Telegraph IT Awards 2024 take place at the MAC in Belfast on November 15th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

The Belfast Telegraph IT Awards 2024 take place at the MAC in Belfast on November 15th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

George McKinney, Director of Technology and Services at Invest NI presents the IT Services Company of the Year award to Ali McFadden, Tom Hall, Adam Holland and Clare Patterson of Continu at The Belfast Telegraph IT Awards 2024 take place at the MAC in Belfast on November 15th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Matt Evers, Director of IT recruitment at Vanrath presents the Best Place to Work in IT  under 100 employees award to David Torrens, Gordon Hyndman, Declan Marsh, Enda McVey and Neil Hunter of Covernet at The Belfast Telegraph IT Awards 2024 take place at the MAC in Belfast on November 15th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Chris Shorthouse, Vice President Client Engagement at CGI presents the IT Supplier of the Year award to Jane Askin and Victoria Adams of PlotBox at The Belfast Telegraph IT Awards 2024 take place at the MAC in Belfast on November 15th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Jamie Maginnis, Head of IT practice at Radius Connect presents the Best Use Of Cloud Services award to Johnny OKane, Michael McCloskey, Darrel McCurry, Philip Hunter and Stephen McKeown of Allstate at the Belfast Telegraph IT Awards 2024 take place at the MAC in Belfast on November 15th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Darryl Heanen, Chief Technical Officer of Leaf IT presents the Cybersecurity Project of the Year award to Ryan ODonnell, Coleen Murray, Lea McCullough, Corin Gracey, Maria Mackle and Peter Wylie of Options Technology at The Belfast Telegraph IT Awards 2024 take place at the MAC in Belfast on November 15th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

The Belfast Telegraph IT Awards 2024 take place at the MAC in Belfast on November 15th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

***TBC*** of Go Succeed presents the Development Team of the Year award to Sarah Jane Robinson, Barbara Teague, Emma Jo Geary, Monica Cullen, John McShane, Claire Connolly, Brendan Ward, Valarmathi Nachimuthu and Aarti Joshi and Mairead Hayland of Education Authority & Version 1 at The Belfast Telegraph IT Awards 2024 take place at the MAC in Belfast on November 15th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Stephen McKeown, Vice President & Managing Director of Allstate presents the Best public sector or third sector IT project award to Naomi Dunbar, Darren Henderson, Sean Dooher and their wider team at the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust - Encompass Implementation at the Belfast Telegraph IT Awards 2024 take place at the MAC in Belfast on November 15th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

The Belfast Telegraph IT Awards 2024 take place at the MAC in Belfast on November 15th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Noel Brady, Strategic Advisor to APCOA presents the Young IT Professional of the Year award to Benjamin Watterson, ESP at The Belfast Telegraph IT Awards 2024 take place at the MAC in Belfast on November 15th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Roisin Byrne of Hays Recruitment presents the IT Professional of the Year award to Dr. Jonathan Sinclair at The Belfast Telegraph IT Awards 2024 take place at the MAC in Belfast on November 15th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Peter Wylie, Cloud Engineer at Options Technology presents the Mobile App of The Year award to Neil Buchanan and Ciaran Harris of Mantle Services at The Belfast Telegraph IT Awards 2024 take place at the MAC in Belfast on November 15th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

John Molloy, General Manager of Ergo presents the IT project of the year award to Amy Martin, Tim Proctor and Rob Sinton of Scaffold Digital at The Belfast Telegraph IT Awards 2024 take place at the MAC in Belfast on November 15th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

The Belfast Telegraph IT Awards 2024 take place at the MAC in Belfast on November 15th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

The Belfast Telegraph IT Awards 2024 take place at the MAC in Belfast on November 15th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

The Belfast Telegraph IT Awards 2024 take place at the MAC in Belfast on November 15th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Orlaith Hurley, Head of Research Management at Ulster University presents the IT Woman of the Year award to Karen Killops who collected the award on behalf of Faye Thomas of VYTA at The Belfast Telegraph IT Awards 2024 take place at the MAC in Belfast on November 15th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Andrew Montgomery, Partner and Global Leader, Government Lead and Public Sector of BearingPoint presents the Excellence in Workplace Health and Wellbeing award to Sasha Conlon, Matt Grimes, Daniel Skelton and Shaun ONeill of Rapd 7 at The Belfast Telegraph IT Awards 2024 take place at the MAC in Belfast on November 15th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

The Belfast Telegraph IT Awards 2024 take place at the MAC in Belfast on November 15th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

The Belfast Telegraph IT Awards 2024 take place at the MAC in Belfast on November 15th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Hannah McAteer, Expleo Technology presents the Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Champion award to Ciara McCloskey of Data Intellect at The Belfast Telegraph IT Awards 2024 take place at the MAC in Belfast on November 15th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Belfast Telegraph IT Awards at the Mac in Belfast. Tom Hall,Ali McFadden,Claire Patterson and Adam Holland from Continu Mandatory Credit -Stephen Hamilton

Belfast Telegraph IT Awards at the Mac in Belfast. Staff from Options IT Mandatory Credit -Stephen Hamilton

Belfast Telegraph IT Awards at the Mac in Belfast. Staff from Mandl services Mandatory Credit -Stephen Hamilton

Belfast Telegraph IT Awards at the Mac in Belfast. Mark Gorton , Ellen Dickson and Darren Henderson Mandatory Credit -Stephen Hamilton

Belfast Telegraph IT Awards at the Mac in Belfast. Staff from Telefonica Mandatory Credit -Stephen Hamilton

14th November 2024 Belfast Telegraph IT Awards at the Mac in Belfast. Staff from the Dept for Communities Mandatory Credit -Stephen Hamilton

14th November 2024 Belfast Telegraph IT Awards at the Mac in Belfast. John Fitzsimons,Steph Murray and Dan Brown from ESO Mandatory Credit -Stephen Hamilton

Belfast Telegraph IT Awards at the Mac in Belfast. Paul Larsen, Glen Russell and Andrew McKinney Mandatory Credit -Stephen Hamilton

Belfast Telegraph IT Awards at the Mac in Belfast. Staff from Radius Connect Mandatory Credit -Stephen Hamilton

Belfast Telegraph IT Awards at the Mac in Belfast. Staff from Hayes Recruitment Mandatory Credit -Stephen Hamilton

Belfast Telegraph IT Awards at the Mac in Belfast. Emma and Andrew Agnew Mandatory Credit -Stephen Hamilton

Ellen Dickson, Telefonica Tech and Eoin Brannigan, Editor in Chief, Belfast Telegraph present the Outstanding Contribution to the IT Sector award to Noel Brady at The Belfast Telegraph IT Awards 2024 take place at the MAC in Belfast on November 15th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Winners of the 2024 Belfast Telegraph IT Awards in partnership with Telefonica Tech UK&I have been announced at a glittering ceremony in Belfast.

And Noel Brady, one of the best-known names in Northern Irelands business world, was winner of the Outstanding Contribution to the IT Sector award.

The ceremony, hosted by comedian Andrew Ryan, was held at the MAC Theatre in Belfast, with winners unveiled across 19 categories.

Other victors on the night included South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust for its work on implementing Encompass, a new digital health records system for citizens in Northern Ireland.

The project brought the trusts digital services department the title of Best Public Sector or Third Sector IT Project, and the judges choice award of IT Team or Company of the Year.

Mark Gorton, CEO at Telefonica Tech UK&I, said: Telefonica Tech were incredibly honoured to once again sponsor the Belfast Telegraph IT Awards.

"These awards highlight the outstanding talent, innovation and dedication driving the ever-evolving tech sector forward in Northern Ireland.

"It was incredible to join together with other leaders in the IT industry in Northern Ireland on the night.

"I want to send a congratulations to all of this years winners and nominees on their achievements.

Eoin Brannigan, editor-in-chief at the Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life, said: We are once again delighted to hold the Belfast Telegraph IT Awards in partnership with Telefonica Tech UK&I.

"As a media brand, were proud to be at the forefront of celebrating the IT world, one of the most important sectors of our economy.

"This is the fourth year weve had the support of Telefonica Tech in holding the awards, and its always a pleasure to work with them on the event.

"Thank you to all our category sponsors, and most important of all, congratulations to all our winners.

Mr Brady picked up the Outstanding Contribution Award as his consultancy firm, NB1 Ltd, marked its 20th anniversary this year.

He has advised IT companies throughout his career and has described himself as a Belfast man totally committed to growing the economy and developing employment opportunities.

Mr Brady is an expert in public sector tendering, sales and marketing, and an experienced chairman and non-executive director in organisations in the private and public sectors.

Peter Russell, chair of the judging panel and managing director of PR Business Growth Services, said: It was an honour to chair the judging panel for the 2024 Belfast Telegraph IT Awards in partnership with Telefonica Tech.

"Selecting this years winners was no easy task, especially as we had so many worthy and compelling entries.

"Thanks must go to my fellow judges who gave up their time and expertise so willingly and made the whole process a very enjoyable one. Congratulations to all of the deserving winners and thanks to everyone who made these awards a success.

Winners of the 2024 Belfast Telegraph IT Awards in partnership with Telefonica Tech UK&I

Best Public Sector or Third Sector IT Project

Sponsor: Allstate

Winner: South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust  Encompass Implementation

Best Use of Cloud Services

Sponsor: Radius Connect

Winner: Allstate

Cybersecurity Project of the Year

Sponsor: Leaf IT

Winner: Options Technology

IT Project of the Year

Sponsor: Ergo

Winner: Scaffold Digital

Mobile App of the Year

Sponsor: Options Technology

Winner: Mantle Services

IT Professional of the Year

Sponsor: Hays Recruitment

Winner: Dr Jonathan Sinclair

Young IT Professional of the Year

Sponsor: APCOA

Winner: Benjamin Watterson, ESP

Best Place to Work in IT  under 100 employees

Sponsor: Vanrath

Winner: Covernet

Best Place to Work in IT  100 employees or more

Sponsor: NI Jobfinder

Winner: Expleo

IT Supplier of the Year

Sponsor: CGI

Winner: PlotBox

IT Woman of the Year

Sponsor: Ulster University

Winner: Faye Thomas, VYTA

IT Services Company of the Year

Sponsor: Invest NI

Winner: Continu

Development Team of the Year

Sponsor: Go Succeed

Winner: Education Authority & Version 1

DevOps Engineer of the Year

Sponsor: NB1 Ltd

Winner: Patrick Keehan, Salt Communications

Excellence in Workplace Health and Wellbeing

Sponsor: BearingPoint

Winner: Rapid7

IT Team or Department of the Year

Sponsor: Tata Consultancy Services

Winner: South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust

Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Champion

Sponsor: Expleo

Winner: Ciara McCloskey, Data Intellect

Overall IT Team or Company of the Year 2024

Sponsor: Telefonica Tech

Winner: South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust, Digital Services Department

Outstanding Contribution to the IT Sector

Sponsor: Telefonica Tech

Winner: Noel Brady
Foreign financial institutions welcome to invest in China: vice premier

Xinhua) 23:21, November 14, 2024

BEIJING, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- China welcomes more foreign financial institutions and long-term capital to invest and operate in China, Vice Premier He Lifeng said in Beijing on Thursday.

He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with HSBC Group Chairman Mark Tucker.

The vice premier said that China is making efforts to deepen the reform of its financial system, steadily expand institutional opening-up in its financial sector, and create a transparent, stable and predictable institutional environment, providing greater convenience for foreign enterprises to expand their business in China.

Tucker said that HSBC Group is confident in the prospects of China's economy and financial market, and will continue to expand its investment in China.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Zhong Wenxing)
In this Feb. 9, 2017, photo provided U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE agents at a home in Atlanta, during a targeted enforcement operation aimed at immigration fugitives, re-entrants and at-large criminal aliens. The Homeland Security Department said Feb. 13, that 680 people were arrested in roundups last week targeting immigrants living illegally in the United States. (Bryan Cox/ICE via AP) Bryan Cox/Associated Press

Donald Trump promised to kick off his second term in office with the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history, and indicated he expects local police around the country to help with the plan.

But with two months until the new administration takes office, and few details about how a deportation program would work, local leaders are hesitant to say if and how theyd participate.

My job is to ensure our resources stay focused on what falls within our local control and jurisdiction, Mayor John Whitmire said. We have plenty to do leading the city of Houston. Thats what Houstonians expect me to do.

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MORE ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Trump's threats to end DACA have Texas Dreamers on edge

Leaders at the Harris County Sheriffs Office and the Houston Police Department also declined to be interviewed about how they plan to react to the promised immigration crackdown.

Navy veteran James Crawford III, left, Mayor John Whitmire and Rep. Al Green stand for the singing of the National Anthem during a Veterans Day Ceremony at City Hall on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 in Houston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 11: A law enforcement officer walks past ICE logo ahead of a press conference on Thursday, May 11, 2017, at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters in Washington, DC. (Photo by Salwan Georges/The Washington Post via Getty Images) The Washington Post/The Washington Post/Getty Images FILE - Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump talks with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott during a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border, Feb. 29, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. As Trump campaigns on the promises of mass deportations and pardons for those convicted in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, his ideas are being met with little pushback by a new era of Republicans in Congress. It's a shift from the first time around when Trump encountered early skepticism and, once in a while, the uproar of condemnation. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File) Eric Gay/Associated Press Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) ICE agents work in a control center during an operation targeting immigrant gangs in Central Islip, New York. Overnight and into the morning, U.S. federal agents and local police detained suspected gang members across Long Island in a surge of arrests. The actions were part of Operation Matador, a nearly year-long anti-gang effort targeting transnational gangs, with an emphasis on MS-13. John Moore/Getty Images FILE - In this Jan. 10, 2018, file photo, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE agents serve an employment audit notice at a 7-Eleven convenience store in Los Angeles. A federal appeals court has given the Trump administration a rare legal win in its efforts to crack down on sanctuary cities. In a 2-1 decision Friday, July 12, 2019, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the Justice Department was within its rights to give priority status for multimillion-dollar community policing grants to departments that agree to cooperate with immigration officials. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File) Chris Carlson/Associated Press

In response to a question about how the Houston Police Department would handle potential mass deportations, an official provided a prepared statement saying its "focus is on the criminals harming Houstonians and ensuring everyone in the city remains safe."

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We tell everyone whos been a victim of crime, or witnesses a crime to report it," the statement read.

There are an estimated 11 million people in the country without permission, according to the Department of Homeland Security. About 2 million people are living in Texas illegally, according to the department. An estimated 586,000 people in the Houston area lack permanent legal status. .

Unclear how mass deportation would work

Trump has revealed few details about how people targeted in the operation would be identified and where they would be detained. He's said he would invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which allows the president to deport any noncitizen from a country the U.S. is at war with, and said he would deploy the National Guard to arrest people.

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 17: People hold signs that read "Mass Deportation Now!" on the third day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 17, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Delegates, politicians, and the Republican faithful are in Milwaukee for the annual convention, concluding with former President Donald Trump accepting his party's presidential nomination. The RNC takes place from July 15-18. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) Alex Wong/Getty Images

Trump also suggested, without providing more specifics, that his administration would work with local police to get them out.

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On Monday, Trump tapped Tom Homan to serve as "border czar" during his administration. Homan served as acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director during Trump's first term, and was one of the architects of the administration's family separation policy. The former Border Patrol agent earlier this year promised the "biggest deportation operation this countrys ever seen."

More recently, Homan said ICE's initial focus would be on "the public safety threats and the national security threats", and called suggestions of neighborhood raids or building camps to hold people ridiculous. Homan also said the department was likely to restart workplace raids and that families could be "deported together."

During the early months of the first Trump administration, there was also a push to deport alleged criminals. ICE publicized raids that resulted in the arrests of dozens of people, including an operation that rounded up 95 people in the Houston area.

Officials at the time released little information about the people arrested, and said many had criminal histories. Its unclear how many of the people rounded up in that raid were eventually deported.

Harris County's cooperation

Homans assertions about deportations and security threats could bring attention back to the countys participation in ICEs 287(g) program, which allows local jailers to check the immigration status of people arrested and flag them to federal authorities.

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Five Houston-area counties  Chambers, Galveston, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller  participate in 287(g). Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez pulled out of the program in 2017, saying there were better, less costly uses for the 10 deputies trained to do the immigration checks.

This week however, sheriffs office officials downplayed the idea that not participating in the program put it in opposition with ICE.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez poses on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

ICE agents visit Harris County jail almost daily, and are able to access jail records to conduct their own immigration checks, said Jason Spencer, the agencys chief of staff. The jail honors ICEs request to hold inmates suspected of being in the country illegally, Spencer said.

Last year, around 3,600 people were transferred into ICE custody after leaving the jail, Spencer said. About the same number are in line to be transferred this year.

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Officials also noted that the extent they could resist a request for aid in federal immigration operations could be limited by state law.

Senate Bill 4, which was passed in 2023 and briefly went into effect in March, bans Texas cities and police agencies from adopting a policy that prohibits or discourages the enforcement of immigration laws. Under the law, agencies cant discourage their officers from inquiring about a persons immigration status or sending that information to ICE.

The law also makes it a crime to enter the state from Mexico without permission, allowing any law enforcement officer in Texas to arrest migrants they suspect of doing so and empowering judges to order their removal.

Senate Bill 4 was blocked by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in March, amid lawsuits by the Justice Department and private groups challenging its constitutionality.
The collection also has two t-shirts featuring the iconic brand logo

A JW Anderson x Guinness jumper on sale as part of the collection

The collection also has two t-shirts featuring the iconic brand logo

A JW Anderson x Guinness jumper on sale as part of the collection

Northern Ireland fashion designer Jonathan Anderson has launched a limited edition collaboration with Guinness which features luxury jumpers and branded t-shirts.

The Magherafelt born designer has teamed his label, JW Anderson, with the iconic drink to create the collection which celebrates the unrivalled craft and vibrancy that runs through the heart of both iconic brands.

The capsule collection features a black jumper complete with both the JW Anderson and Guinness logo, which is currently on sale for 890, while another black jumper featuring the Guinness logo is on sale for 690.

A JW Anderson x Guinness jumper on sale as part of the collection

The collection also features a t-shirt with the slogan Arent You Glad Youve had a Guinness and another which features a drawing of a pint of the black stuff on sale for 155 each.

The capsule is an expansion on the collaboration first unveiled on the catwalk at Milan Fashion Week in June as part of JW Andersons Spring/Summer 2025.

In a statement, the fashion designer who was named British Designer of the Year at last years Fashion Awards, said Guinness was always a brand he wanted to collaborate with.

Ive always been obsessed by Guinness and their brand. I think they are still today one of the greatest advertisers and I liked this idea of using their amazing graphics, he said.

Ive always wanted to be able to show some of it, because in fashion we think we are so radical but actually, Guinness was way before all of that.

The collection also has two t-shirts featuring the iconic brand logo

Stephen OKelly, Global Brand Director at Guinness said: Working with Jonathan and his team to bring this stunning collection to life has been a privilege.

This partnership is a true celebration of creativity, heritage, and passion. We hope consumers love the collection as much as we do.

The capsule will be available to purchase from JW Anderson in Soho, London, JW Anderson in Milan, JW Anderson in Shibuya Parco, Tokyo and at jwanderson.com from November 15th.
A Belfast man is to stand trial accused of stealing a century-old Jack B Yeats painting belonging to his mother, a judge ordered today.

Ben Ross Donnelly, 35, also allegedly took coins and other collectables from his parents home in the east of the city.
Conor McGregor denies plan was to make friend the patsy for rape allegation against him

Mr McGregor also denied colluding his with Mr Lawrence, who Ms Hand also claims raped her, in relation to how to play things when dealing with gardai

Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor leaving the High Court in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA)

Shane Phelan Fri 15 Nov 2024 at 07:54







Conor McGregor answered no comment to up to 150 questions gardai put to him when he was interviewed about Nikita Hands allegation that he raped her in a Dublin Hotel.
School repeats plea to stop spread of misinformation after incident

A protest by parents took place at the Belfast Model School for Girls this lunchtime following an alleged attack on a pupil earlier this week. PACEMAKER

A Belfast school has urged people to stop the spread of misinformation in response to an alleged assault that occurred at the school earlier this week.

Yesterday parents and concerned residents gathered at Belfast Model School for Girls in a protest against bullying following the incident.

The PSNI said it is investigating the incident as a hate crime, and enquiries are ongoing.

In an update on Thursday evening following that protest, the principal of the school said she was limited in what information could be given as a result of the police investigation but warned misinformation being spread has the potential to negatively impact pupils.

She also confirmed no knives were involved in the alleged incident.

Read more Parents hold protest at Belfast school after alleged hate crime assault

Addressing parents and carers, principal Paula Stuart wrote: The safety and well-being of all our students remains our highest priority.

"We are following the robust, established processes and procedures, as set out by the Education Authority and continue to work closely with EA and the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

"Due to an ongoing PSNI investigation and in line with safeguarding procedures, I am limited in what I can say in relation to this incident however, I wish to reassure parents and students that the PSNI were onsite to view CCTV and no knives were involved.

"I would reiterate that many of the claims on social media are entirely inaccurate and ask for our school communitys support in helping to stop the spread of misinformation, which has significant potential to negatively impact our young peoples sense of safety and wellbeing.

"Our school remains committed to providing a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment for all our pupils.

A protest by parents took place at the Belfast Model School for Girls this lunchtime following an alleged attack on a pupil earlier this week. PACEMAKER

Last night DUP MLA Brian Kingston attended the protest to speak with parents and pupils, as well to quell rumours and speculation.

I spent my time talking with parents and pupils listening to their concerns both about the incidents this week and other incidents that occurred this year. Particularly to pupils who had been involved in physical incidents saying they had been attacked.

Its always helpful to hear from people directly, especially when there is a lot of speculation involved. Thats my role, to listen to public views and concerns. I hope that the investigation will get to the bottom of the matter.

A spokesperson from the Education Authority assured the wider school community that they were working the PSNI in line with robust and established processes and procedures ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our pupils.

They added: It is important to note that, contrary to some reports, there is no evidence to support inaccurate claims or fears being expressed on social media around pupil safety at the school and we would ask for support in helping to stop the spread of such information.

Police were in attendance at the school

News Catch Up - Thursday 14th November
A senior staff member at Queens University received a viable threat on their life after a protest against Hillary Clintons visit.

The PSNI is investigating the matter, according to the university.

Earlier, police said three men had been charged in connection with trouble that flared outside the campus.

Mrs Clinton attended several invite-only events at Queens on Thursday and Friday.

However, her visit was overshadowed by protests.

On Thursday evening a demonstration took place outside the university organised by a Pro-Palestinian group with several hundred people attending, including QUB students.

After scuffles between police and protesters, four people were arrested. Three men have since been charged with public order offences.

A senior member of Queen's staff has since been warned of a threat. The PSNI considered the threat to be viable, according to the university.

Queens said students had also been threatened and three members of staff injured.

"The university is calling for protestors to deescalate and engage only in peaceful protests, in the interest of public safety and to prevent our students putting their futures at risk, it said.

Mrs Clinton spoke at a number of events as part of the Global Innovation Summit 2024 at QUB, where she is chancellor.

On Thursday night protesters  many waving Palestinian flags  chanted shame and held a cut-out of the former presidential candidate depicted with blood on her hands.

South Belfast District Commander Superintendent Finola Dornan said officers responded to a number of public disorder offences.

During the course of managing the disorder, police arrested four men.

"Three of the men, aged 18, 20 and 21, have since been charged with resisting police. The 18-year-old man was also charged with obstructing police and the 21-year-old with obstructing police and assault on police.

"They are due to appear before Belfast Magistrates Court on December 12.

"A fourth man, aged 57, was later released.

The right to protest, freedom of speech and assembly are fundamental human rights. They are protected in law and allow individuals to engage in peaceful protest, balanced against the rights and protection of others.

"What was experienced yesterday cannot be described as peaceful in nature. In order to manage risks to the public and to our officers, additional resources, including tactical support officers were required, significantly over and above the initial local police deployment.

Police push back other protesters

Protesters clash with police in Belfast during Hillary Clinton visit at Queen's University

But there was criticism of the PSNI handling of the protests. South Belfast MLA Deirdre Hargey said she met with police on the matter.

The Sinn Fein representative said: Those protesting were there to highlight the plight of the Palestinian people and the ongoing genocide, apartheid and illegal occupation in Gaza.

Everyone has the right to protest peacefully, and police must ensure that this right is respected and also that any response is measured and professional.

My party will be raising this issue at the next Policing Board meeting to ensure lessons are learned from this incident.

On Friday morning Mrs Clinton was part of a panel speaking about the legacy of the Good Friday Agreement.

The invited audience included former Labour chief of staff Sue Gray and post primary school pupils from Belfast, Ballymena and Armagh.

Mrs Clinton was joined by Monica McWilliams, a founder of the Womens Coalition; former Sinn Fein MP Michelle Gildernew; Lady Daphne Trimble, the wife of the late David Trimble; the first Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland Nuala OLoan and SDLP leader Claire Hanna.

Ms Gildernew was just 27 when she was part of a seven person delegation that visited Downing Street to negotiate with Tony Blair.

She made reference to the conflict in Gaza saying: I worry about violence against women and where that starts.

Youre more likely to be killed in conflict as a woman or a child than as a soldier.

We are horrified by the genocide in Palestine and in Lebanon and around the world and we know it is women and children who are left to grieve and cope.

Mrs Clinton praised the central role that Queens played in the peace process along with the all-female panel, some of whom were at the peace negotiating table in 1998.

There is a lot of important connections here and these five women leaders each have their own perspective, their own experience, she said.

Monica McWilliams said it was a tough place to be  expect when you stand up and organise that you will get push back adding I was a wiser person as a result of speaking to people who didnt agree with me.

Not everyone is agreed with the direction of travel, always important to ask who isnt at the table.

Lady Trimble spoke about the close relationship she struck up with John Humes wife Pat and the role they played raising money for victims and survivors, to ensure they received practical help.

SDLP leader Clare Hannas mother Carmel, who was an elected member for the SDLP at the time of the negotiations, said her mothers job as a staff nurse during the worst nights of the Troubles shaped her politics.
It was reported that the intruders punched the man to the side of the head and hit his hand with the hammer.

A shop worker was threatened by a masked man with a knife during an armed robbery at an east Belfast shop.

Policing are investigating the incident which took place on Friday morning on the Newtownards Road.

Detective Sergeant Alexander said: Police received a report shortly before 7am on Friday morning that a masked man had entered a shop on the Newtownards Road, near its junction with Dee Street, and threatened a male staff member with a knife.

The staff member was ordered to hand over a sum of cash and cigarettes before the suspect left the shop on foot in the direction of the city centre.

The suspect was described as being approximately 6 tall, of medium build and was wearing a hooded top.

An investigation is underway and anyone who saw a man matching this description, or who captured CCTV or dash-cam footage from the area which could assist with police enquiries, is asked to contact 101, quoting reference number 195 15/11/24.
The former Stormont Finance Minister is reportedly the subject of an inquiry from Westminsters standards watchdog.

DUP MP Sammy Wilson is being investigated by the authorities at Westminster over an alleged breach of lobbying rules regarding Northern Cyprus, it has been reported.

Last month we revealed how the East Antrim DUP MP was one of five politicians named in an online article posted on the Democracy For Sale website by journalist and author Peter Geoghegan.

The same website has now revealed the former Stormont Finance Minister is the subject of an inquiry from Westminsters standards watchdog.

As reported here it was alleged that Mr Wilson had failed to declare an interest when asking parliamentary questions after taking an all-expenses paid trip to the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TNRC).

The Democracy for Sale investigation led to former SNP leader Ian Blackford saying the revelations have left a number of red lights flashing and called for a full parliamentary investigation.

There are so many red lights flashing here, said Blackford, who formally wrote to parliaments standards commissioner calling for an investigation.

Let's not forget that these are parliamentarians going to a territory that lacks legitimacy, that is subject to UN resolutions, said Mr Blackford last month.

Parliamentarians are also not allowed to initiate parliamentary proceedings that could have any financial or material benefit for a foreign government, non-governmental organisation or other agency which has, within the previous 12 months, funded a visit they have undertaken or provided them with hospitality.

Sammy Wilson on political situation in Cyprus

According to Democracy For Sale a host of sponsors paid for the trips, including the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce and Turkish Airlines .

The trips were organised by Freedom and Fairness for Northern Cyprus, a campaign group that has been working with a London-based PR firm run by the son of a Conservative peer.

Freedom and Fairness for Northern Cyprus aims to show the need for the TRNC to be recognised as a sovereign, independent, democratic nation state.

If Freedom and Fairness was hoping to put its cause on the political agenda, it appears to have succeeded judging by the barrage of parliamentary questions put down by MPs and Lords, particularly after paid trips to the region, wrote Peter Geoghegan.

Read more DUP MP Sammy Wilson accused of breaking lobbying rules over northern Cyprus trip

According to him Parliamentary records show that, in the entire decade leading up to 2023, only 15 questions asked by MPs contained the phrase northern Cyprus.

In contrast, MPs submitted 26 questions on the topic since the start of last year.

Eight of those questions were posed by Sammy Wilson, who asked about everything from Greek troop numbers in southern Cyprus to maritime shipping routes to northern Cyprus.

The journalist also found that Wilson also penned opinion pieces arguing that the U.K. should support independence for northern Cyprus.

Records show that Wilson did declare his trip to northern Cyprus in January on his register of interests, but failed to declare an interest in the subject before querying the government in parliament.

More than a dozen parliamentarians went on fact finding delegations organised by Freedom and Fairness for Northern Cyprus.

The standards commissioner has sanctioned MPs in the past for breaking parliamentary lobbying rules after going on paid trips.

In 2018, the DUPs Ian Paisley Junior was suspended from the Commons for 30 days after lobbying on behalf of Sri Lanka after taking an undeclared trip to the country worth up to 100,000.

A source close to Mr Wilson said: Sammy had made the declaration of interest in line with the rules around transparency at Westminster.

"He considers it a technicality and has been entirely open and transparent about the trip.

"He fully registered the trip and the costs, and it is publicly available to view in the MPs register of interests.

Mr Wilson has been contacted for comment.
Audience members listen to the public comment portion of a Houston ISD board of managers meeting at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, Thursday, Nov. .14, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Laura Manlove with RSM presents an internal audit of Houston ISD during a board of managers meeting at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, Thursday, Nov. .14, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Helen Lee listens to the public comment portion of a Houston ISD board of managers meeting while wearing an Harvard Elementary School t-shirt at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, Thursday, Nov. .14, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

Parents and elected officials spoke out Thursday against Superintendent Mike Miles reaction to Houston ISDs failed $4.4 billion bond at the districts first board meeting since Election Day.

Nearly 140 community members, parents and students spoke at the Nov. 14 board of managers meeting. Many said the bond's failure represented widespread distrust and dissatisfaction with Miles, who was appointed alongside nine members of the Board of Managers in June 2023 as part of the district's state takeover.

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"These moms told you that if you didn't build trust, they wouldn't support a bond," HISD parent Travis Dubose said. "You claimed otherwise, but this was absolutely a referendum on you."

A coalition of parents, teachers and community members successfully spearheaded a monthslong grassroots campaign to convince voters to show their dissatisfaction with the state takeover by opposing the bond. Several Houston-area elected officials and organizations, including both the Harris County Republican and Democratic parties, also urged against the measure.

Members of the "no trust, no bond" movement said the bond's failure was bittersweet at the Thursday meeting. Many said they'd hoped the bond's rejection would cause the district to reconsider Miles' leadership and bring the community into its decision-making process.

"It's not just a political disconnect. It really is a clear message from the community that the voices of educators and parents and their families shouldn't be unheard," HISD teacher Michael Lauck said. "We have a critical opportunity to take this failure, to now change course. We must rebuild trust and transparency ... This is the moment to listen, to engage, and to rise to the challenge of creating a district that truly serves the students and community.

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In a Chronicle interview after the election, Miles called the voters' failure to pass the bond "unfortunate and wrong" and said he had no plans to change course on his vision for "wholescale systemic reform."

Its not a referendum on me, Miles said. This district has done really well by me. The team and I have done right by our kids, and we're going to continue to do that.

While elected District VIII trustee Placido Gomez voted for the bond, he urged Miles and the board to reconsider its characterization of anti-bond community members.

"I want to implore you to stop saying that people who disagree with you are just putting adult interest over students," Gomez said. "I'll be working with people who are against the bond and people who are for the bond to craft something with community input that addresses our students' needs in a way the community can get behind."

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Some members of the state-appointed Board of Managers called the bond's rejection a "wake-up call," while the board gave itself a 1 out of 10 in the "advocacy and engagement" portion of its annual self-evaluation." In a statement after the election, Board of Managers President Audrey Momanaee said the board would "continue its work to build relationships" with the community to more effectively make positive change for its students.

The Board of Managers expressed disappointment in the bond's failure while pledging to work alongside the community at the Thursday meeting.
Sarah Everard was kidnapped, raped and murdered by then-serving Met officer Wayne Couzens over the course of March 3 and 4 2021 (Family handout/PA)

A serving Metropolitan Police officer has been sacked after accessing confidential files about the case of Sarah Everard.

Pc Myles McHugh was among three officers who were found to have committed gross misconduct at a three-week disciplinary tribunal in south east London.

On Friday, the tribunal panel said trainee detective constable Hannah Rebbeck, who had also accessed sensitive data, also would have been dismissed without notice if she had not already left the force.

Marketing executive Ms Everard, 33, was kidnapped, raped and murdered by then-serving Met officer Wayne Couzens over the course of March 3 and 4 2021.

Both McHughs and Rebbecks actions were described by the panel as an egregious breach of the trust.

Sergeant Mark Harper was handed a final written warning, to last for three years.

Wayne Couzens abducted, raped and murdered Sarah Everard (Metropolitan Police/PA)

McHugh had looked at information about Ms Everards medical history, relationships, employment and lifestyle.

The panel said his behaviour was at the higher end of harm as he was dismissed without notice for repeatedly accessing the police system on matters which had nothing to do with his duties.

He looked at personal data which was very sensitive and he attempted to discuss what he had seen with his colleagues, according to panel chairwoman Sharmistha Michaels.

She said he acted out of a curiosity about the investigation as he accessed data extensively and accumulatively but stopped looking for the information after Couzens was arrested.

Rebbecks highly blameworthy conduct included looking at very sensitive personal data out of a morbid curiosity about the disappearance of Sarah Everard, the panel said.

Ms Michaels said she did so after it was announced that a Metropolitan Police officer had been arrested and this had nothing to do with her police duties.

Her behaviour was placed at the highest end of seriousness.

The panel also noted the misconduct happened at a time of national concern.

There were multiple breaches of standards of professional behaviour, failure to seek guidance from colleagues, and Rebbeck had failed to engage with the misconduct proceedings.

Sgt Harper, who works in a Croydon custody unit, was given a final written warning.

The material he saw related to Couzens and he had accessed it out of professional curiosity to see how charging decisions were progressing and not for information on Ms Everard.

The panel took the view the information he looked at contained limited detail and he did not look at more sensitive areas. There was no evidence it impacted the investigation but it had undermined public confidence in the police.

His actions were deemed to be at the lower-to-mid scale of seriousness.

He is still working as a custody sergeant but with certain restrictions, the panel said.

Misconduct allegations were brought against four serving officers, Pc McHugh, Pc Clare Tett, Detective Constable Tyrone Ward and Sgt Harper, as well as three who have resigned since the investigation, Detective Sergeant Robert Butters, trainee Detective Constable Rebbeck, and Inspector Akinwale Ajose-Adeogun.

They were accused of accessing the police system in March 2021 in relation to Ms Everards case and this was not undertaken in the course of their duties.

They were accused of breaching the Mets standards of professional behaviour, in respect of confidentiality, discreditable conduct, and orders and instructions.

Detective Constable Ward, former Inspector Ajose-Adeogun and former Detective Sergeant Butters were not found to have breached professional standards.

Based on the evidence heard, the panel concluded that they did have a legitimate reason for accessing the relevant information and consequently did not breach the standards of police professional behaviour, the Metropolitan Police said.

The force said that another serving officer will face a separate gross misconduct hearing on a date to be set.

None of the officers or staff had direct involvement in the criminal investigation into Ms Everards murder, and no evidence was found that any individual had inappropriately shared information with any other individual.

After the hearing, the Met said the panel heard that Pc McHugh accessed the information while off duty and for a significant period of time, while Rebbeck was found to have repeatedly accessed sensitive data without any link to her duties.

The panel ruled the breaches of professional standards were so serious that the only appropriate outcome was dismissal.

After the hearing Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said: Today as always, our thoughts remain with Sarah Everards family and friends.

We have apologised to them for the added distress this case has caused and I recognise the wider questions and concerns this raises.

Our officers and staff are regularly reminded that police systems and specific files must only be accessed where there is a legitimate policing purpose to do so.

This includes reminder screens and warning pages when logging on to our software systems, as well as mandatory training on information management which must be completed by everyone within the organisation.

It is clear the panel has carefully considered the circumstances of each individual case before coming to their conclusion that three officers had no acceptable reason for looking at this information.
Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, right, meets Ali Larijani, an adviser to Irans supreme leader Ali Khamenei, in Beirut (Dalati Nohra via AP)

By Bassem Mroue and David Rising, Associated Press

By Bassem Mroue and David Rising, Associated Press

Lebanons caretaker prime minister has asked Iran to help secure a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hezbollah and appeared to urge it to convince the militant group to agree to a deal that could require it to pull back from the Israel-Lebanon border.

The prime minister made the comments in talks with Ali Larijani, a top adviser to Irans supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.

Mr Larijanis visit to Lebanon comes as the United States continued pushing both sides to agree to a deal to end 13 months of exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah.

Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri, right, meets Ali Larijani, an adviser to Irans supreme leader Ali Khamenei, in Beirut, Lebanon (Hassan Ibrahim, Lebanese Parliament media office via AP)

Iran is a main backer of Hezbollah and for decades has been funding and arming the Lebanese militant group.

Hezbollah began firing rockets into northern Israel the day after Hamass surprise attack into Israel on October 7 2023 ignited the war in Gaza  prompting exchanges between the two sides ever since.

Since late September, Israel dramatically escalated its bombardment of Lebanon, vowing to cripple Hezbollah and end its barrages in Israel.

More than 3,300 people have been killed in Lebanon by Israeli fire  80% of them in the past month  Lebanons Health Ministry says.

According to Lebanese media, US ambassador Lisa Johnson handed over a draft of a proposed ceasefire deal to Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri, who has been leading the talks representing Hezbollah.

A Lebanese official confirmed that Beirut has received a copy of a draft proposal based on UN Security Council resolution 1701, which ended the last Israel-Hezbollah war, in the summer of 2006.

A Lebanese politician said Hezbollah officials had received the draft, were studying it and would express their opinion on it to Mr Berri.

That resolution, among other things, said that only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers should operate in southern Lebanon, meaning Hezbollah would have to end its presence there.

That provision was never implemented.

Thick smoke and flames erupt from an Israeli air strike on Tayouneh, Beirut, Lebanon (Hassan Ammar/AP)

Lebanon accuses Israel of also violating the resolution by maintaining hold of a small, disputed border area and conducting frequent military overflights over Lebanon.

The Lebanese official did not give details other than to say Israel was insisting that some guarantees be included.

The US embassy refused to either confirm or deny the reports.

In talks with Mr Larijani, caretaker Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati urged Iran to help implement resolution 1701.

He said the Lebanese government wants the war to end and the resolution to be implemented in all its details, according to a statement on the talks issued by his office.

Mr Mikati, who in recent weeks has become more critical of Irans role in Lebanon, also said the government wants Iran to help Lebanons national unity and not take any stance backing one party against another.

Irans backing for Hezbollah has helped the group, which is the most powerful faction among Lebanons Shiite Muslims, dominate the countrys politics for the last decade.

Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri, centre, walks with Ali Larijani, an adviser to Irans supreme leader Ali Khamenei, in Beirut, Lebanon (Hassan Ibrahim, Lebanese Parliament media office via AP)

After meeting Mr Mikati and Mr Berri, Mr Larijani said his visits main aim was to loudly say that we will stand by Lebanons government and people.

Asked if he was trying to thwart US ceasefire mediation, Mr Larijani said: We are not trying to blow up any effort, but we want to solve the problem and we will stand by Lebanon, whatever the circumstances.

Mr Larijani held similar talks a day earlier in Syria with President Bashar Assad.

Syrias state news agency said that Mr Assad and Mr Larijani discussed the ongoing aggression on Palestine and Lebanon and the necessity of stopping it.

While Mr Larijani was in Beirut, Israeli forces carried out a new strike on the southeastern edge of the city.

Images taken by an Associated Press (AP) photographer showed a rocket about to strike an 11-storey residential building in Beiruts Tayouneh neighbourhood  then a blast of flame erupts from the side of the building.

This combination of photographs shows a bomb dropped from an Israeli jet as it hits a building in Tayouneh, Beirut, Lebanon (Hassan Ammar/AP)

Much of a lower level of the building was smashed to rubble.

There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The Israeli military had issued a warning before the attack, saying it was a facility that belonged to Hezbollah.

Near the eastern Lebanese city of Baalbek, rescue teams continued searching through the rubble on Friday at the site of an Israeli strike the night before that hit a civil defence centre in the town of Douris.

So far, the bodies of 14 employees and volunteers with the Lebanese Civil Defence had been recovered, the agency said, as well as some other remains that will require DNA testing.

Israel expanded its operations in Lebanon even as it continues its campaign in the Gaza Strip, vowing to destroy Hamas, which is also backed by Iran.

Residents check the site of an Israeli air strike in Tayouneh, Beirut, Lebanon (Hassan Ammar/AP)

Funerals were held on Friday for 11 Palestinians killed on Thursday in a series of Israeli air strikes in and around the central Gaza Strip city of Deir al-Balah.

Two children were among the dead, seen with the other dead by an AP reporter.

On Thursday, the UN Security Councils 10 elected members circulated a draft resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

The US, Israels closest ally, holds the key to whether the UN Security Council adopts the resolution.

The four other permanent members  Russia, China, Britain and France  are expected to support it or abstain.

The Israel-Hamas war began after Palestinian militants stormed into Israel on October 7 2023, killing about 1,200 people  mostly civilians  and abducting 250 others.

Israels bombardment and ground offensives since then have killed more than 43,000 people in Gaza, Palestinian health officials say.

The officials do not distinguish between civilians and combatants but say more than half of those killed have been women and children.
Yousuf Karshs 1941 portrait of Sir Winston Churchill, which he gifted to the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, is seen after being unveiled at the hotel following its theft and return, in Ottawa, Ontario (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)

A stolen portrait of Sir Winston Churchill that was swapped with a forgery during the pandemic has returned to its rightful place, after two Canadian police detectives travelled to Rome to retrieve it.

Police said The Roaring Lion was stolen from the Fairmont Chateau Laurier hotel in Ottawa sometime between Christmas Day 2021 and January 6 2022 and replaced with a forgery.

The swap was only uncovered months later, in August, when a hotel worker noticed the frame was not hung properly and looked different to the others.

Guests invited to an unveiling ceremony take their photo in front of The Roaring Lion at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier hotel in Ottawa, Ontario (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)

Genevieve Dumas, the hotels general manager, unveiled the portrait in a ceremony on Friday.

I can tell you that it is armed, locked, secured, Ms Dumas said.

Its not moving, she said, adding that staff accidentally triggered the alarm on Thursday, while they hung it up, and Im sure they heard it on Parliament Hill.

The most famous depiction of Sir Winston, known as The Roaring Lion, appears on the UKs 5 banknote and shows a glowering wartime prime minister staring into the camera.

Renowned photographer Yousuf Karsh snapped the famous portrait in 1941 in the speakers office just after Sir Winston delivered a rousing wartime address to Canadian legislators.

Towards the end of his life, Karsh signed and gifted the portrait to the hotel, where he had lived and worked.

The portrait had been sold through an auction house in London to a private buyer, and both seller and buyer were unaware that it had been stolen, police said.

Police have now charged a man from the town of Powassan, Ontario, with forgery, theft and trafficking.

That case is before the courts.

The portraits return was a widely anticipated event, with a ceremony held in a room packed with attendees including Ottawas mayor.

Nicola Cassinelli, a lawyer in Genoa who bought the stolen artwork, sent a message.

He said: The magnificent photograph by Yousuf Karsh captures in the eyes of Sir Winston Churchill the pride, the anger and the strength of the free world. And it represents, better than any other, the desire for the triumph of good over evil.

And despite the extraordinary privilege of having the portrait hang in his home, The Roaring Lion, Mr Cassinelli said, belongs to the public.
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Jason Callahan spends much of his days at the bedsides of people nearing the end of life.

A chaplain in the palliative care unit of a hospital cancer center, Callahan supports patients and their loved ones as they confront some of lifes most challenging crises: How will I cope with the pain and suffering that accompanies this advanced illness? Did I do right by my dying family member? Did I experience and accomplish everything I wanted to? What will happen after I die?

Callahan isnt afraid of digging into the deep stuff. In fact, he runs toward it. Sometimes, though, hell encounter patients who brush him off when they learn hes a chaplain  they arent believers, they tell him, and arent particularly in the mood for a sermon.

He isnt there to preach or pray, he reassures them. His job is to be there for them as a human being: To listen and to comfort them through whatever theyre struggling with.

In these conversations with patients who are wary of religion, Callahan slips in another detail: Hes an atheist himself.

Callahan is one of a growing number of openly atheist chaplains working in institutions around the country. Though the term atheist chaplain might sound like an oxymoron, he doesnt see a contradiction between his beliefs and the work of tending to the human spirit.

Being an atheist, nonbeliever, unaffiliated, whatever you want to call yourself, lends itself really well to chaplaincy because we naturally dont project our own stuff on the people, he says.

Callahans role reflects a broader trend in society. About 28 percent of adults in the US belong to a group known as the religious nones, meaning they identify as atheists, agnostics or nothing in particular, according to Pew Research Center.

But even as the population moves away from religion, the desire for spirituality and connectedness remains. Pews survey indicates about half of nones describe themselves as spiritual or say spirituality is important to them.

Fundamental questions that faith has long answered  from why were here and what it means to live a meaningful life  are just as urgent and relevant for the nonreligious, especially as humanity grapples with existential threats and technological advances that are reshaping our world in ways that are still unclear.

Chaplains like Callahan are helping people make sense of them.

Spiritual care without religion.

Callahan is a chaplain at the Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center, though this wasnt necessarily a profession he imagined for himself.

Despite attending a Presbyterian church growing up, Callahan says religion never appealed to him. He realized early on that he didnt believe in a higher power, and he felt the messaging around faith was too soft for a self-described street dude and boxer like him.

Still, when he found himself in an advertising career that ultimately left him unfulfilled, he turned to his old pastor for guidance. When she told him he had a call to ministry, he was puzzled by the suggestion: What exactly did a call to ministry mean for an avowed atheist?

Callahan kept an open mind. The pastor advised that he obtain a master of divinity degree to open up a number of career paths, leading him to enroll in seminary. He thought he might eventually work as a community organizer or at a social justice-oriented nonprofit until, as part of his spiritual training, he spent a stint as a hospital chaplain at VCU.

There, he felt he found his calling.

The hospital, he says, was a microcosm of the city  a place where staff worked together across disciplines to provide care and where people of different backgrounds connected on a human level. Unlike traditional religious institutions where he felt hed be isolated, Callahan says he saw a path at the hospital to serve peoples spiritual needs without all the baggage of religion.

Chaplaincy opens up a door to living life and being raw, he says. You cant get that in the churches.

Though hes an atheist, Callahan likens his approach to chaplaincy to the biblical figure of David, the courageous shepherd. Hes fiercely protective of his flock, and hes willing to traverse difficult terrain alongside people who are suffering, no matter who they are or what they believe.

The difference between Callahan and his religious counterparts is his emphasis on life here and now, without concern for a higher power.And where religiously affiliated chaplains might lean on the teachings of their faith to guide others through crises, Callahan says hedraws on the philosophies of Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X and Tupac Shakur.

Every single thing that a religious person experiences, nonreligious people experience, too, Callahan says. Its just learning how to translate and speak that language in a way that makes sense.

Chaplaincy has evolved beyond Christianity.

Chaplaincy, which arose from Christian traditions, grew into an established profession in the mid-20th century as Protestant theological educators who were wary of outside influences in spiritual matters sought to train their students to offer support in nonreligious settings.

Early chaplains were volunteer or retired clergy who made brief visits to patients from the same religious backgrounds and conducted rituals. As the profession became more institutionalized and chaplains became fixtures in hospitals and the military, they increasingly helped people grapple with moral questions and listened to their fears.

As US demographics changed throughout the 20th century, the field expanded to encompass faiths outside Protestantism. Today, there are chaplains who are Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu or like Callahan, of no religion at all.

But for the most part, becoming a chaplain for atheists and the nonreligious still involves religion. A typical path to chaplaincy involves getting a masters degree from a divinity school or seminary, which were historically meant to prepare people for Christian ministry.

While some theological schools now offer programs for people of other faiths, few programs cater to the nonreligious  though Callahan says there has been talk around developing chaplaincy programs specifically for people who havent followed traditionally religious paths.

Even as the field is evolving and diversifying, many people still think of chaplains as religious leaders (Christians at that), says Michael Skaggs, director of the Chaplaincy Innovation Lab.He and his colleagues take a much more expansive view: Modern-day chaplains should be able to serve people of all worldviews and traditions, and at the same time, atheists and nonreligious people should be represented in the field of spiritual care.

There is a real power dynamic at play if someone is themselves atheist and theyre in need of some sort of support, he says. If theres no one out there that shares their outlook on the world, its really difficult to feel supported.

Atheist chaplains help people find meaning.

Greg Epstein, a humanist chaplain at Harvard University and MIT (some atheist chaplains prefer to identify as humanists), describes himself as clergy for the nonreligious.

Epstein was raised in a Jewish household and grew up in the religiously diverse New York neighborhood of Flushing, Queens. Early on, he says he came to understand that people  regardless of their religion  are more alike than different, bound together by a shared humanity. As he studied religion in college and graduate school, he grew captivated by the question of what gives life meaning and eventually discovered the field of secular chaplaincy.

Since he took on his position at Harvard in 2005, Epstein says hes observed that secular society sometimes lacks the sense of purpose and connectedness that the religious find in their faith communities. Over the years, hes tried a number of approaches to fill that void.

For a time, Epstein formed an alternative congregation, bringing nonreligious people together on Sunday afternoons for music, poetry and storytelling and for community service projects. But as society experienced monumental shifts  from the growing existential threat of climate change to the pervasive influence of technology in daily life  he felt its sense of connectedness was disrupted. True spiritual healing, he eventually concluded, wouldnt come from replicating religious practices but from facing those realities head on.

These days, Epstein mostly meets with students one-on-one or in small groups to talk about what a fulfilling life looks like in the face of extraordinary change  the demand is so great that he says its hard to find an empty slot on his calendar.

Students frequently raise fears and anxieties about how they can best position themselves for success and opportunity, which Epstein feels are stemming from greater uncertainties about the direction the world is heading (a subject that he explores in his recently published book Tech Agnostic: How Technology Became the Worlds Most Powerful Religion, and Why It Desperately Needs a Reformation.).

I really want students to step back from the treadmill for a while and ask themselves: Why am I studying so hard? Why am I working so hard? Why am I trying so hard to be successful? he says.

Other atheist chaplains dont shy away from religion at all, instead helping people explore faith and spirituality in nontraditional ways.

Vanessa Gomez-Brake, a humanist chaplain and senior associate dean of religious life at the University of Southern California, says more than halfthe student population she serves isnt affiliated with a particular religion, though many are interested in connecting with their spiritual side. Responding to those desires, she and a colleague introduced a semi-regular event on campus in which students can explore the metaphysical through astrology, tarot and crystals.

Were at a point in our society where we need to come up with new language, she adds. What is this meaning making if it doesnt involve a religious institution?

The field is becoming more relevant.

Theres no official data on how many atheist or humanist chaplains are working across the country. But as society becomes less religious, the field of chaplaincy is likely to follow, says Skaggs, of the Chaplaincy Innovation Lab.

Epstein is already noticing an uptick. When he first entered the profession, he says most atheists and agnostics didnt know chaplaincy was an option for them. Now, people constantly reach out to him to learn more about the field.

Already, atheist and humanist chaplains are taking on prominent roles:Epstein made national headlines in 2021 when he was named president of Harvard Universitys organization of chaplains. Gomez-Brake is the first humanist to serve as dean of religious life at any US university.

I liken humanist chaplaincy to astronauts, Epstein adds. Theres not that many of us. You cant just meet one of us wherever you go.

And yet  I see us as having a tremendous impact on the culture around us and on peoples overall sense of what is humanly possible.

Callahan agrees. The world is changing, and society is changing with it. People are on edge, lonely and isolated  and many are no longer turning to traditional religion for solace and comfort. There may be few atheist and nonreligious chaplains right now, but as Callahan sees it, their numbers only stand to grow.

As we become more and more personally disconnected, we need those people that specialize in people, he says.

This article originally appeared on CNN. Harmeet Kaur is a culture writer for CNN. She covers race, identity and social justice. Kaur is dedicated to telling stories about minority communities with sensitivity and nuance, whether through daily news stories or enterprise reporting. She is also a writer for CNNs award-winning 5 Things newsletter.
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Laura Manlove with RSM presents an internal audit of Houston ISD during a board of managers meeting at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, Thursday, Nov. .14, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Audience members listen to the public comment portion of a Houston ISD board of managers meeting at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, Thursday, Nov. .14, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles is seen during a board of managers meeting at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, Thursday, Nov. .14, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

Houston ISD's Board of Managers cautiously celebrated higher scores in some beginning-of-year snapshot exams and changed the entry requirements for Carnegie Vanguard High School at its Thursday meeting.

Students performed higher in most categories of the Northwest Evaluation Association's Measures of Academic Progress beginning-of-year exams compared to the beginning of 2023. The tests, which are used to establish a baseline rather than measure academic growth, represent the first year-over-year standardized testing scores since Superintendent Mike Miles was appointed by the Texas Education Agency to head the district in June 2023.`

The district aims to increase the share of students projected at meets grade level on third-grade reading MAP tests by 15 percentage points from September 2023 to May 2028. MAP exams are taken three times a year for students in grades three through eight and are used by the district to project the share of students that may meet or exceed grade level in STAAR exams.

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Students in third-grade reading and math scored 10 points higher compared with students at the beginning of 2023 and are already projected to surpass end-of-year targets. Still, Miles said progress at the beginning of the year can largely depend on the cohort of students.

"It's a great thing that we met our goal, but it's not at the end of the year, so we can't drop," Miles said. "While we celebrate any success, and this is one ... beginning of the year (data) is a baseline for this year."

The district's beginning-of-year MAP scores remain behind the national average, and students are up to a year behind the national average in beginning-of-year reading RIT scores, which measure student achievement. Houston ISD narrowed the gap between its own STAAR scores and the statewide average in 2024 as its scores mostly increased and other Texas schools mostly declined.

"(We're) narrowing the gap. But when your gap is 35 or 30 points, that still puts us behind," Miles said. "We need several consecutive years of growth like that where we start off higher every year."

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The district attributed its New Education System, the Science of Reading curriculum and "high-level instructional materials" to its preliminary growth. Still, students with special needs saw their beginning-of-year scores increase by five points year-over-year, showing slower progress when compared to students as a whole. Board member expressed concern with achievement gaps between several student groups, especially in NES schools intended to have more funding and built-in supports.

The board also voted to change the admissions criteria for Carnegie Vanguard High School, one of the highest-performing schools in the district and the only campus that only accepts the district's gifted-and-talented population.

To be accepted, students previously had to be identified by HISD as gifted and talented and gain admission through a lottery. Under the new criteria, applicants must also score 80 or higher on an academic matrix to be considered.

Gifted students will now need to earn an average grade of at least 80 in their four core classes during the 2023-24 year to be eligible to attend during the upcoming academic year.

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If they dont, theyll have to earn an 80 on a separate part of the matrix, based on grades, STAAR exams or scores on their gifted-and-talented assessment.

The school had recently seen an increase in students who are accepted with GPAs below 2.5, contributing to an increase in students unprepared for higher education when they leave the school, principal Ramon Moss said.

"Our concern is not with the GPA average as a whole, but with a growing number of students who have a GPA below 2.5," Moss said. "We are noticing that some students are applying and being accepted even though they have previously failed classes. This raises the question of how these students can be expected to succeed in one of the most rigorous programs when they have already struggled academically before joining."

Students accepted into gifted-and-talented programs in pre-K or kindergarten are allowed to retain their status throughout their HISD careers, a change made several years ago to attempt to increase equity in the program. But that gives the school's administration limited insight into how prepared they are for Carnegie's rigorous courseload.

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"Often, these students have not been re-evaluated or properly supported, especially if they left the district and later returned," Moss said. "This means we had limited insight into their readiness for our program until we received a final report card after acceptance."

Annual Carnegie Vanguard school profiles show that the average GPA among its 2024 graduates increased  not decreased  from 2023. The new criteria would have disqualified about 5% of last years students who applied to Carnegie Vanguard, according to the district.

"We're not talking about they have to have a pristine record," magnet coordinator Lamia Moumni said. "What you're talking about is people that maybe have multiple failures and have not been shown academic motivation or something."

The Board of Managers voted 6-0 on the change, although board member Adam Rivon asked the district to ensure that changing requirements doesn't contribute to declining enrollment.

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"Ensuring that (entry requirements) are aligned with our visions and values are imperative, and that's from pre-K all the way to high school," Rivon said. "It's also important that we don't lose our pre-K students because we change offerings."
BENNINGTON  Town Charter Review Committee members got down to specifics Wednesday concerning their pending recommendations to the Select Board on possible revisions to Benningtons governmental charter.

During a forum at the Bennington Firehouse, the group outlined drafts of the main proposals that will likely be included in a detailed report to the Select Board, to be submitted by November 25.

The topics covered in the expected recommendations include charter amendments that would:

 Allow 16- and 17-year-olds in municipal elections.

 Allow non-citizens who are legal residents of the United States and the town to vote in municipal elections.

 Allow the Select Board to propose a 1 percent option tax on non-owner occupied property used for short-term rentals.

 Allow the Select Board authority to designate a committee or board to have access to confidential police records and video footage. The proposal stems from the general charge to the committee from the Select Board to consider changes in several areas of the town charter  in this case, revisions that that could make the work of the Community Policing Review Advisory Board more autonomous.

 Allow a lien placed on property because of municipal code violations to be considered in the manner of liens over back taxes and overdue sewer and water bills, which are collectable ahead of other liens.

The seven-member charter committee also rejected a proposal to mail election ballots to all voters, after town officials voiced concern such a requirement would prove confusing for voters in light of ballots also mailed by the state and could be difficult for local election officials to administer.

All of the committee members supported the recommendations unanimously and voted unanimously to reject the mailed ballot proposal, they said.

Amendment process

Committee Chair Jackie Matts opened the session by discussing the charter amendment process, which will include a review of the proposed changes by the Select Board. That board will decide which, if any, of the recommendations will be put before town voters.

Two public hearings on any amendments would be held on January 27 and February 10, after which the proposals would go to residents during the annual town election on March 4, 2025.

Amendments approved by voters would next be reviewed by the Legislature and would need approval from the governor before they could become part of Benningtons charter.

We have been evaluating the charges that were given us by the Select Board for the past four months or so, Matts said. In that time, we have interviewed about 30 different stakeholders. We have received over 20 public comments. In all, members of our committee have committed over 500 hours of work in the past four months to come to the recommendations that we will be presenting.

She and other committee members thanked members of the public for commenting and expressing views on the proposals during the review. The board held open meetings on Fridays at the town offices on South Street, and comments also can be added through an information page on the town website.

The committee plans two more meetings  Friday at 3 p.m. and on November 22, if needed.

Voting issues

Referring to the voting proposals, committee member Michael Muscato said the group believes those changes would allow the residents of Bennington an opportunity to define who we are as a town.

He made the statement after reading the towns Vision Statement, which stresses fostering an inclusive community.

Muscato added that the committee took a deep dive into the federal and state legal issues around non-citizen and under younger age voting. They found there is precedent at the federal and state levels for provisions allowing those groups to vote in municipal elections.

The opportunities for this town are in our hands, he said, and said the group was very comfortable bringing these proposals to the town.

Muscato also noted that neither voting group would be able to vote in school elections, in which Bennington is a member of regional districts where voting authorization would also be required by other towns.

Matts said the group also looked into whether undocumented non-citizens might be able to vote, saying they learned that the states election management system is being updated, so there will be a verification process that exists.

She added that towns that allow non-citizen voting havent seen undocumented residents try to vote, likely because that would highlight their undocumented status.

One consideration the committee asked itself with each of the issues before it, Muscato said, was whether it was an issue that should be brought before the voters to decide.

The general focus was not, he said, on deciding as a committee which issues were the most important proposals to include.

Underused buildings

Committee Vice Chair Rebecca Sentner discussed a charge to look at options for the town to address vacant or underused properties.

They considered a range of incentives and deterrents to address those issues, she said, and determined that many of the options were outside the jurisdiction of a town charter amendment and might be better dealt with through an ordinance, state law or town initiative.

But they found one change that could be addressed effectively in the charter  elevating the status of liens for code violations and enforcement costs, which currently are not considered ahead of a mortgage holders interest in a foreclosure, while property taxes and water and sewer bills are a priority.

The committee plans two more meetings  this Friday and possibly on November 22  after which members expect to approve their final report to the Select Board.

Concerning a charge to look into possible changes to the authority and responsibility of the Select Board and town manager, committee member Drew Lerman said the committee is recommending adding language to one current charter provision.

He said relative to suggestions of requiring a contract for the manager and/or requiring a national search when there is an opening in the position, Lerman said the board already has authority to decide employment and job search details.

However, the committee proposes adding the phase, unless modified by an employment contract, he said.

As far as terms employment, the town manager is an at will employee who could be terminated by the board with 90-days notice.

Audience questions

Among questions from members of the forum audience, Clark Adams, a Select Board member, asked about his suggestion that a reference to upholding the U.S. and or state constitution be added to the oath of office town officials take.

Sentner reiterated that there were a number of suggestions that the committee felt did not require a formal charter change and might be better addressed by town government, such as a policy or zoning or ordinance change.

She added that all of the comments received by the committee will be listed in the groups final report, along with the committees responses.

Resident Mike Bethel said he was disappointed not seeing his proposal to include a requirement that all town projects must go before town voters if the cost exceeds $1 million or another set figure.

He has made the proposal relative to the ongoing Benn Hi redevelopment project. Bethel asked if that and other charter proposals might still be added to the amendment package to go to the voters.

Matts said the Select Board can add, delete or revise the ballot recommendations, and can also make proposals of its own, or take others that are proposed, at any time for submission to town voters.

Resident Shirley Adams asked about any backup information that will be provided to voters in March.

Matts said the ballot question language will be drafted by town counsel, and the Select Board will be able to consider what information should be presented to voters when it reviews the committees report.

The current review was set in motion by the Select Board in July in accordance with a five-year charter review requirement that was added to the charter during a full review of all its sections in 2017-18.

This review was designed to focus on a handful of topics but the committee was free to add others during their review.
BENNINGTON  A Manchester defendant with a prior felony conviction for possessing graphic and disturbing child abuse pornography, and who was again charged in 2022 with six more counts, took a plea deal Wednesday that sends him to jail for 1-10 years.

Michael Holden, 35, took a plea deal with the Vermont Attorney Generals Office at his change of plea hearing Wednesday in Bennington that calls for a 1-10 year, concurrent prison sentence on two of the six counts. In exchange for the two guilty pleas, the Attorney Generals office dismissed the remaining four counts without prejudice, meaning the state could not re-charge Holden for those same crimes.

However, in a slight twist, one of the special conditions of the deal states that the state can refile the dismissed counts if the convictions or plea deal was later challenged on appeal. Another special condition is that, in the interest of justice, the court should neither seal nor expunge any dismissed counts in the future.

Further conditions include a required lifetime sexual offender registry, a forfeit of all electronic devices, media, and data seized in the case, a condition that Holden submit to a pre-sentence investigation, including a psycho-sexual evaluation, and a condition that, if further examination reveals further, undiscovered child-sexual crimes, new charges can be brought.

According to an affidavit in the case, an AG investigator assigned to the Vermont Internet Crimes Task Force was notified in December 2022 of a probation violation in which Holden had admitted to his probation officer that he had been viewing child pornography at his home. Holden had been placed on probation after being convicted of three counts of child pornography in 2021. His conditions of probation included a ban on possessing any type of pornography, submitting to periodic polygraph examinations, and having a computer at his residence that can access the internet.

The probation officer informed investigators that Holden, told he would be subject to a polygraph the following month, was asked if there were any possible issues he wanted to discuss that might be an issue with his polygraph. Holden told the officer that he had indeed viewed pornography inside his residence. When asked if any of that pornography was related to children, Holden said there was not.

When police searched his Manchester residence at 363 Jennifer Lane after his admission, they located a device under blankets on his bed that had several pages and files bookmarked. When asked what else was on the device, Holden admitted that his Google Drive was attached to the device and that there were numerous images of child pornography in it. Holden was arrested soon after.

Further investigation, including warrants to search various internet accounts, revealed hidden files deep inside Holdens Google accounts and Cloud storage, including several disturbing videos of adults sexually assaulting children as young as six.

Investigators were able to tie the accounts and control of the videos directly back to Holden.

On January 6, 2024, St. Johnsbury Police met with Holden at the Northeast Correctional Facility, where he had been held without bail since violating his parole. Police issued a citation to appear in Bennington in February.

Holden pleaded guilty Wednesday in front of Bennington Judge Jennifer Barrett to two counts of Possession of child sexual abuse material- second or subsequent offense at his change of plea hearing. He was initially facing a possible ten years for each of the six counts. A pre-sentencing investigation, including a psycho-sexual assessment, was ordered. As with any plea deal, a judge has discretion when handing down a final ruling on a particular sentence. An as-yet-scheduled sentencing hearing will determine the exact sentence he will receive.

According to information provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Collectors of child pornography go to great lengths to maintain their collections because the images supply sexual gratification and are used to trade for new images online. At the same time, collectors of child pornography go to great lengths to secure their collections because these images present a threat of prosecution and carry a highly negative stigma in society. The Cloud, an ideal repository for child pornography, provides these collectors a solution to these two issues.

United States federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor (a person less than 18 years old). Outside of the legal system, NCMEC chooses to refer to these images as Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) to most accurately reflect what is depicted  the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. Not only do these images and videos document victims exploitation and abuse, but when these files are shared across the internet, child victims suffer re-victimization each time the image of their sexual abuse is viewed. 67% of CSAM survivors said the distribution of their images impacts them differently than the hands-on abuse they suffered because the distribution never ends and the images are permanent.

The NCMEC's CyberTipline has received more than 195 million reports related to CSAM since its inception in 1998.

The Vermont Attorney Generals Office declined comment pending Holden's upcoming sentencing hearing.

If you or someone you know is a victim of child sexual abuse, please reach out to 911, or contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) at their tip line. https://report.cybertip.org/

The Banner will update details of the case as more information becomes available.
It is getting to be a regular occurrence. The U.S. Treasury runs out of money and warns Congress that they need more. Politicians on both sides strut and crow but delay until the 11th hour only to pass another "continuing resolution" for a few months. Will it ever end?
Chewy, a 95-pound, 12-year-old German shepherd, is put into a mobility cart to see if its measurements are correct. Second from left, Trish Rodrigue of Windham, Maine, drove over three hours to get measurements for a custom cart. Chewy has been diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy and is starting to show weakness.
GOSHEN  Whatever left evidence of its mysterious presence here last month was definitely an animal.

But was it a mountain lion?

No, the Massachusetts Department of Fisheries and Wildlife says, an opinion backed by wildlife experts contacted by The Eagle.

That conclusion has everything to do with what mountain lions eat, and dont eat.

A MassWildlife analysis of photos of tracks and scat discovered on Oct. 24, taken by Robert Christenson, concluded that the tracks were made by a bear, and the scat left by a coyote.

While bears and coyotes are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals, mountain lions are strictly carnivores. They eat only meat.

The twisted, ropy appearance of the scat is consistent with a canine, such as a coyote, and that there is some vegetation in the scat, also consistent with a coyote, Michael Huguenin, MassWildlifes assistant director of wildlife, told The Eagle in an email.

Christenson took those photos 10 days after Steve Kendall, also of Goshen, reported seeing the back end of a large animal with a long tail while driving on South Chesterfield Road.

Kendall, wasnt immediately sure of what hed seen Oct. 15  having only glimpsed the back end of a large animal. He actually turned his car around for a second look. And by that time, the animal was gone. But he did internet research when he got home and said the long tail was unmistakable.

WHAT MADE THE TRACKS?

As to the track, MassWildlife enlisted three sets of eyes.

MassWildlife biologists and two external experts who reviewed the track photos reached a consensus that it was made by a black bear, Huguenin wrote. Biologists noted that the shape of the toe pads and the angle of the toes is consistent with the shallow arc of toes on a bears foot. Canids and felines generally have a steeper arc to their toes.

In recent decades, there have been just two confirmed sightings of mountain lions in Massachusetts.

An unconfirmed mountain lion sighting not far from Berkshire County raises questions about the animal's future This unconfirmed sighting of a mountain lion about 16 miles east of Berkshire County raises questions about the predators slow march eastward, and whether to hasten its return.

In April 1997, a tracker found scat near a beaver carcass at the Quabbin Reservation. Analysis confirmed it as mountain lion scat.

In March 2011, a state Department of Conservation and Recreation forester photographed a track trail near Quabbin Reservoirs Gate 8 boat launch area. Three tracking experts confirmed the pawprints of a mountain lion.

The cat at the Quabbin in 2011 may have been the same one that was killed in Connecticut by an SUV on the Wilbur Cross Parkway in Milford, Conn., in June of that year.

OTHER OPINIONS

While wildlife biologists across the country didn't necessarily agree with MassWildlife, one thing was consistent: None said the track or scat came from a mountain lion.

The toe spread and general pad shape look feline to me, wrote Gowan Batist, who works for the Mountain Lion Foundation as coexistence programs manager. The size comparison next to a human hand looks more like a bobcat than a mountain lion.

As to the scat photo, Batist noted mold, which also obscures details a bit, but I think I see some hair and some pointed ends to the scat segments, which are also more indicative of a bobcat, he wrote.

Mountain lions generally have very large scats with blunted ends on the segments, which turn white quickly due to the presence of a lot of bone and won't have hair in them," he wrote.

Mark Elbroch, an ecologist, author and scientist at Panthera.org and director of its puma program, said the track was made by a little black bear. He didnt opine on the scat.

Jason Hawley, a wildlife biologist in the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protections furbearer/black bear program, was certain from a quick glance that it was not from a cat. Mountain lions and bobcats are hyper-carnivores, meaning they only eat meat. The scat in the photo has seeds and other vegetation in it, meaning it is most likely from a coyote.

As to the track, he had a hard time making a determination based on the hard-packed substrate.

If its canid, which it most likely is, its domestic dog, he said.

NOT CAMERA SHY

Christopher Wilmers, a professor of wildlife ecology who studies mountain lions at the University of California Santa Cruz, said neither scat nor track came from mountain lion.

It looks like carnivore poop, said Wilmers. What kind of carnivore would be very hard to tell. You can get a rough idea by looking at the shape and size, but the only way to like really tell is to use DNA.

He said the track has no resemblance to mountain lion prints.

My guess would be that its like a small bear, he said. But ... Im not really sure.

A fuller opinion Tom French, who retired as director of the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species program, is a consultant for MassWildlife. He offered the following opinion: "The identification of the tracks is ambiguous because they were poorly made on the concrete dust of a driveway. However, my immediate impression was that they were made by a Black Bear, based on the pattern of a linear low arcing string of toe pads that is clearly visible. In a canid or felid the toe pads are symmetrically paired with two in the front and two farther behind the leading pair. In a well imprinted bear track, there are five toes, but on a harder surface only four often show. The scat photo is reasonably well taken, but there is no scale for size. I initially considered that the scat might be from a Bobcat, but came to the conclusion it is most likely from a Coyote."

Wilmers spends time in the Berkshires during the summer.

Every time Im there, like half the people I talk to tell me theres mountain lions in the Berkshires, he said. But then when you ask, 'Oh, really, can you show me a picture?' No, they just saw it quickly run in front of them.

He said they use ridges and trails and forest roads to move on the landscape.

They travel large distances, and they need to do that efficiently, so they use the landscape kind of like a human would, he said. They just do it under the cover of darkness.

Wilmers also said mountain lions are shy of humans  but not game cameras.

If you have a game camera on a trail or a road, youre going to get pictures of them all the time, he said. And the Berkshires is covered in game cameras. ... And so if there was a mountain lion in the Berkshires, hardly a day would go by before someone caught a picture of it.

As for Christenson, who tracks animals as a hunter, he is not convinced by MassWildlife's analysis.

"They said it's bear," he said. "It doesn't look like a bear to me."
The city and Mayor Jennifer Macksey are once again working to determine what to do with the historic landmark at 111 Main St.
Patrick Tutwiler is on a "Financial Road Show" to get more students to apply for financial aid for college. He said there is "a lot of money on the table" for students. But first they have to apply using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.
Andrea Leinfelder is the space reporter for the Houston Chronicle. She can be reached at andrea.leinfelder@houstonchronicle.com.

Andrea has written about NASA and the commercial space sector since 2020, with her coverage spanning human spaceflight, robotic exploration and operations in low-Earth orbit. She also follows Elon Musk's Texas footprint.

Originally from Florida, Andrea graduated from the University of Florida in 2012 and has worked for the Houston Chronicle since 2014. She previously wrote for The News-Press in Fort Myers, Fla. She enjoys traveling, eating her way across Texas and chasing her 2-year-old son and 6-year-old dog.
GREAT BARRINGTON  Its not the first time Michael Wise has recommended that the town shift more taxes onto those whose homes are valued at more.

And it isnt the first time residents would come out to oppose such a move, either.

Wise, a former Finance Committee member who is also town moderator, suggested to the Select Board last week that it's worth taking another shot at adopting a residential exemption that he says will cut taxes for 90 percent of homeowners in town, while raising more needed revenue from the other 10 percent who presumably can pay more.

Justifying the move, he notes the town is still in the midst of an ongoing housing affordability crisis. And, he said, a number of other large infrastructure expenditures for taxpayers loom on the horizon.

The exemption, Wise said, is a graduated tax that would scale down payments for those with homes valued below a certain break-even point. Those with homes above that point would pay incrementally more depending on valuation.

That break-even value, Wise calculated, is $695,783.

The formula is calculated by taking the total of residential values in town divided by the number of eligible parcels, according to the state Department of Revenue.

Wise says that about 90 percent of owner-occupied homes are below the break-even value. About half of the properties above this value are second homes.

The exemption, Wise said, enables us to raise more taxes while moderating the effects of tax increases.

The proposal is an attempt to balance out the impact of soaring housing costs for residents who need relief. The median home value in town is now at $482,600, Town Assessor Ross Vivori had told the board earlier. The average value is $601,443.

While more often used in urban areas of eastern Massachusetts, the residential exemption also was adopted in seasonal Cape Cod towns like Provincetown, and on Nantucket. Currently 14 communities have adopted such a system, which has to be approved by voters initially and then reapproved every year.

Wise noted that some cities and towns with robust second-home owner populations are using it to offset tax hikes.

The cap on the exemption's tax cuts is 35 percent. But if the town applies to the state for an official seasonal community designation, the town could apply tax breaks for homeowners of up to 50 percent, Wise noted.

The seasonal community designation is an element of the Affordable Homes Act signed into law by Gov. Maura Healey in August. It is meant to help vacation areas secure housing for year-round residents, according to the state. Towns with a high number of short-term rentals, and a disparity between median income and median home price can apply, Wise said.

He proposed easing into an exemption by adopting it at a low, 10 percent rate, to demonstrate seriousness  and then see where we are in a year or two.

A number of towns in the Berkshires are in this same "seasonal" boat, he said. And when it comes to adopting the exemption, someone has to go first.

WILL THE SUGAR HIGH CRASH?

Some residents think the exemption is folly and will further shrink the tax base of people to share costs.

It would be a flashing neon sign saying, Keep out, said Chip Elitzer, referring to those who normally would buy property above the break-even point. Elitzer said that Great Barrington already has the highest tax rate in South County.

Elitzer called the proposal a sugar high that would soon crash. He said it would provide short-term relief, but that in a few years assessed values would reduce on the higher-value property, and rise on the lower-valued property. The best long-term way to reduce taxes is through new growth, Elitzer said.

And the way to raise more revenue and keep taxes under control, he added, is to encourage second-home owners who do not have children in the schools to buy and build here.

The elephant in the room is what we pay to the [Berkshire Hills Regional] School District, he added, referring to its ever-growing budget, as well as its subsidizing students from towns outside the district.

But taxpayers are about to feel some extra pain. One tax hike about to hit is the town's portion of what could be a total of up to $131 million to rebuild or renovate Monument Mountain Regional High School.

Other large expenses, noted resident Peter Most, who is in favor of adopting the exemption, include untold millions for both the towns possible acquisition of the Housatonic Water Works Co., and the installation of a temporary bridge at Brookside Road.

Its crazy, Most said, to think that voters will approve any of these expenses without being buffered from major tax hikes.

Others point to the exemption's burden on residents whose once-modestly valued homes have jumped in value due to market and pandemic forces, which already has increased their tax burden.

Ive lived here for almost 35 years, said resident Vivian Orlowski, and in that time, my houses assessment has gone up a lot, a lot, and especially as Im retired and my income has not gone up.

Various state and local programs might help guard against this sort of impact to seniors and others in a similar boat, Wise had said.

Board Chair Stephen Bannon asked Vivori to update an earlier consultants report about the proposed exemption and present it in February.

Members of the board said the exemption, paired with a deeper analysis, is worth considering, though some are torn. Board member Eric Gabriel said that financially savvy residents could move to neighboring towns to avoid the exemption.

But he also sees his neighbors struggling with taxes here, and wonders, If we dont do it now, in 20 years, will we be Cape Cod? Will we be busing people in from an hour away  to have a staff?
Catherine Rampell is an opinion columnist at The Washington Post. She frequently covers economics, public policy, immigration and politics, with a special emphasis on data-driven journalism.
Five more days of dry weather and seasonable temperatures. Then, on Thursday, the National Weather Service is predicting possible showers, but as of Fridays extended forecast, only a 40 percent chance.

Day by day ... Saturday: Sunny, windy, low 50s. Clear at night, low in the mid-20s. Sunday: Sunny, near 50, mostly cloudy after dark, mid-30s. Monday: Partly cloudy, mid-50s, down to mid-30s overnight. Tuesday: Mostly sunny, low 50s; partly cloudy at night, near 30. Wednesday: Mostly sunny, mid-50s; clouds overnight, 30 percent chance of showers, near 35. Thursday: Partly cloudy, mid-40s, 40 percent chance of some rain; nighttime low near 35. Friday: Mostly cloudy after early showers, near 45, down to mid-30s at night. Saturday (Nov. 23): Partly cloudy, high in the mid-40s.

But theres a note of optimism in government meteorologist Brett Rathbuns online outlook.

A period of much needed rainfall is looking more probable toward the end of next week, he said, adding a note of caution. There remains some uncertainty with timing, storm track and how much rainfall occurs. Trends will continue to be monitored over the next several days.

At the midpoint of the month, the lack of rainfall is shaping up as one for the record books.

So far, according to AccuWeather.com, only sprinkles have been recorded by the National Weather Service at Pittsfield Municipal Airport and in North Adams at Harriman-and-West Airport. Normally, nearly two inches of rain would have fallen during the first half of November.

Instead, the far-from-grand total is 0.2 inches in Pittsfield, and only 0.1 inches in North Adams.

Since Sept. 1, Berkshire County has seen only 15 percent of its average rainfall, making this the driest autumn-weather period on record, unless we see a significant soaking rain within the next two weeks.

No wonder the U.S. Drought Monitor has moved the county (except for Williamstown) into the severe drought category, along with more than two-thirds of Massachusetts, according to its update on Thursday.

It has been a couple of decades since we have seen something like this, according to Brian Fuchs, a climatologist at the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Dry-weather intensity ranges from abnormally dry conditions to moderate, severe, extreme and exceptional drought.

According to Boston Globe staff meteorologist Dave Epstein, a stagnant, dry high pressure dome has parked itself over New England since August, deflecting storm tracks north to Canada or south of New England.

Any wet-weather systems that do approach the region lose their strength and dissipate when they encounter the dominant dry air.

Fuchs told the Globe that drought conditions cover nearly 42 percent of the continental U.S., a record high since the Drought Monitor began analyzing data in 1999. Were already seeing impacts to groundwater and river and stream-flow numbers, he pointed out.

Flow rates are reaching record low levels at a time when rivers, streams and groundwater typically recharge, Fuchs said.

Red Flag warnings were posted daily for Berkshire County, per the National Weather Service, as brush fires continue to flare up in the region.

Looking ahead, the Climate Prediction Center indicates slightly above normal temperatures for Nov. 23-29, with near normal rainfall expected.

Day by day:

Saturday: Sunny, windy, low 50s. Clear at night, low in the mid-20s.

Sunday: Sunny, near 50, mostly cloudy after dark, mid-30s.

Monday: Partly cloudy, mid-50s, down to mid-30s overnight.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, low 50s; partly cloudy at night, near 30.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, mid-50s; clouds overnight, 30 percent chance of showers, near 35.

Thursday: Partly cloudy, mid-40s, 40 percent chance of some rain; nighttime low near 35.

Friday: Mostly cloudy after early showers, near 45, down to mid-30s at night.

Saturday (Nov. 23): Partly cloudy, high in the mid-40s.
Hyundai Motor India Foundation enhances access to essential healthcare in Ladakh and J&K

November 15, 2024 | Friday | News

5 new telemedicine centres inaugurated, with total tally going upto 52 centres nationwide

Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the CSR arm of Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), has inaugurated 5 new telemedicine centres under its Sparsh Sanjeevani healthcare initiative, extending quality healthcare services to the remote, high-altitude regions of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir (J&K).

The newly launched telemedicine centres will provide vital healthcare services, enhancing the connection between healthcare providers and underserved communities in rural and remote areas across Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir.

With the addition of the new telemedicine centres, residents of some of Indias most challenging terrains will now have easier access to essential healthcare, effectively bringing quality medical consultations to remote, mountainous regions.

HMIFs flagship healthcare initiative - Sparsh Sanjeevani, now boasts a large network of 52 telemedicine centres throughout India, reaching over 1.5 million people from rural communities.

Commenting on the inauguration of the Telemedicine Centres, Puneet Anand, Vertical Head - Corporate Communication & Social, HMIL, said, Access to quality healthcare is essential for the well-being and progress of every community. Through HMIFs Sparsh Sanjeevani programme, we are committed to Hyundais global vision of Progress for Humanity, working to reach communities in remote regions with primary healthcare services. By expanding into Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir, these new Telemedicine Centres will ensure essential health consultations to populations residing in some of the countrys most rugged landscapes.

Telemedicine Centres are nurse assisted healthcare facilities where patients are connected through video call with specialist doctors, providing professional consultation in remote areas. Post consultation, each patient is provided with medicines by the on-ground health practitioners. This service is provided at a nominal charge of Rs 100 per patient. The model also allows follow-up consultations.
CANYON CITY  Grant County Clerk Laurie Cates opened her email on Tuesday, Nov. 12, and saw the same thing county clerks throughout Northeastern Oregon had seen four days earlier  a bomb threat.

The threat was sent in a mass email to most of the county clerks offices in the state late in the afternoon on Friday, Nov. 8, three days after Election Day.

Cates said the email came in at 4:54 p.m. on Friday but the office had closed at noon that day. The Veterans Day holiday meant that Cates didnt see the email until Tuesday, after which she informed Grant County Sheriff Todd McKinley and the Oregon Secretary of States Office  which oversees elections  of the threat.

McKinley told the Eagle that a search of the Grant County Courthouse, where the county clerks office is located, turned up nothing suspicious. The sheriff added that the FBIs Portland office was looking at the source of the email.

Under Oregon law, a bomb threat targeting a public building constitutes first-degree disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail.

The Baker, Morrow, Umatilla, Union and Wallowa County clerks offices all reported receiving similar emails in interviews with the Blue Mountain Eagle. An official from the Umatilla County Clerks Office said the police were called and a check of the area revealed no threat to the office.

Officials asked about the language contained in the emails said they could not disclose that information due to the ongoing investigation into the incidents.

Laura Kerns, the communications director for the Oregon Secretary of States Office, said most counties in Oregon received bomb threats via email on the afternoon of Friday, Nov. 8, and that those threats were referred to law enforcement.

When asked if the threats were connected to the recent general election, Kerns said any thoughts about a motive are entirely speculative at this point.

As there is an ongoing investigation at this time, I cant comment further, she said.

The Federal Bureau of Investigations Portland public affairs office said it was aware of the threats.

The FBI is aware of bomb threats emailed to election offices in Oregon, officials said. None of the threats have been determined to be credible thus far. Election integrity is among the FBIs highest priorities. We will continue to work closely with our state and local law enforcement partners to respond to any threats to election officials and to protect our communities.

Tips about suspicious activity can be reported to local law enforcement or submitted to the FBI at 800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or online at tips.fbi.gov.

Bomb threats against polling places were reported in several states on Election Day, and a ballot box in Portland and two others in Vancouver, Washington, were targeted with incendiary devices in the days leading up to the election.

A previous version of this story did not have the response of the FBIs Portland office to the threats.


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Shakari Briggs is a Quality of Life reporter for the Houston Chronicle. She focuses on issues in the rapidly growing suburbs and surrounding counties.

Before joining the Chronicle in November 2023, Shakari worked for Spectrum News as a digital journalist based in her hometown. She has experience in broadcast reporting and producing as a former multimedia journalist and associate producer. The Dallas native has also worked at small to medium-sized newspapers throughout her career.

Her reporting on the rise and fall of a shopping mall won an Arkansas Associated Press Managing Editors Contest award. She also earned an Arkansas Press Association award for freelance reporting.
Texas Medical Center Parking Garage 1 is visible Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Texas Medical Center Parking Garage 1 is visible Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Texas Medical Center Parking Garage 7 is visible Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Construction is visible to buildings adjacent to Texas Medical Center Parking Garage 7 on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer

Parking has long been a frustrating endeavor in the Texas Medical Center, a nonprofit that operates 20 parking garages and about 28,000 total spaces throughout its sprawling 1,300-acre campus.

Just ask Donna Halaas, a Texas City resident whose husband has been battling cancer and a slew of other health problems, including kidney disease. On Oct. 28, she was accompanying her husband to MD Anderson Cancer Center for radiation treatment, when she was forced to reckon with the parking issue, she said.

It triggered my anxiety, Halaas said after winding through six levels of a parking garage, among hundreds of tightly packed cars, to find a space. I bought myself a chocolate bar because I feel like I deserved it because I didnt punch anybody.

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Medical center leaders have been slow to take up significant parking garage improvements in the campus' bustling core  improvements that multiple engineering firms have recommended over the last 10 years to improve traffic and make the parking experience less stressful for visitors.

In a 2014 grant-funded mobility study, four engineering firms proposed adding electronic parking guidance systems and improved mobile applications that would allow drivers to see the number of available spaces in the massive medical center multi-story parking structures. The recommendation for new technology came up again later when engineering firm Walter P Moore was asked by the medical center to perform its own assessment of the area, according to a former parking director for the company.

MOBILITY NEEDS: Medical Center mobility centered on big roads for big need

That was ultimately our vision, said Jacob Gonzalez, who helped design and assess the medical center garages for nearly 20 years as a civil engineer at Walter P Moore. Thats what we were recommending. If you want to create an awesome experience for your users, that's what you would do.

While medical center officials have implemented the technology in some of its newer garages, the oldest and busiest garages have seen more modest improvements in recent years, raising questions about the nonprofits changing priorities as hospitals continue to expand their footprint.

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The medical center has been described by its former president as not only the largest medical complex in the world but also the largest parking operation. With a daily cost of up to $19 per driver, parking is the core of the medical centers business  its most reliable money maker  accounting for half of its total revenue ($78 million) in fiscal year 2023, according to financial disclosures.

Over the last decade, however, the medical center has focused less on parking in its pursuit of a more ambitious goal to turn Houston into a mecca for health care innovation, similar to Boston or San Francisco.

PARKING MAP: Where to park on the Texas Medical Center's main campus

The business became leaner as part of this new direction, laying off 40% of its 237 workers in 2013. Five years later, the medical center took another step in its evolution by outsourcing parking management services to LAZ Parking, the largest parking operator in the United States.

Folks look to us as the parking people, but thats not really our primary (mission), Isaac Middleton, the medical centers chief operating officer, said in an interview with the Chronicle. While that is our largest source of revenue, its also a large source of cost and operational burden we provide much more value with programs that drive innovation.

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Growing pains

For decades, the medical center functioned like a municipality with a focus on infrastructure. But around the time the engineers published their recommendations in the 2014 mobility study, new medical center leaders began laying out their fresh vision to attract companies that could help commercialize the health care research already underway in Houston.

"We want to have a more relevant role in helping coalesce and promote collaboration among the institutions, not just provide physical infrastructure like parking and roads," Dr. Robert Robbins told the Houston Chronicle in 2013 when he became the medical center's president. "It's really a return to the basics of why the medical center was founded  to create collaborative environments so that novel discoveries can be translated into better health."

Over the next decade, the medical center would transform an old cookie factory into a hub where entrepreneurs and startups could develop potentially life-saving ideas. From there, the Houston nonprofit would provide funding and mentorship to companies who pursued new cancer therapies, devices for congestive heart failure and novel ways to prescribe antidepressants.

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To date, their efforts have helped more than 200 fledgling companies reach their goals, according to the medical center.

But the need for parking never subsided.

As early as 2009, an estimated 169,000 people visited the medical center per day, which, in terms of sheer population, would put the complex on par with a mid-sized American city. The medical center declined to provide updated visitor statistics, but with population growth and hospital expansions, that number has almost certainly grown over the last 15 years.

Even in 2014, when the engineering firms presented the findings of their grant-funded mobility study to the City of Houston and the medical center, traffic congestion was a significant problem at the main campus.

As described in the mobility study, drivers unfamiliar with the area contributed to the slowdown. Valet lanes backed up outside hospitals. Large parking garages operated at or near capacity during peak hours, with traffic at some entrances spilling out onto nearby streets.

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The need for parking grows today as the medical center expands south of Brays Bayou, with new hospital development, a 37-acre research park billed as the worlds largest life science campus and a biomanufacturing center that would double the campus overall size. New parking structures are in the works to support the developments.

But on the main campus  the bustling core of the medical center bordered by Main Street, Cambridge Street and Braeswood Boulevard, where most patients drive to access some of the nations largest hospitals  building additional parking presents unique challenges, said Middleton.

Its gotten tight on the main campus, Middleton said. Everythings pushing south, parking as well.

This main section contains 13 visitor parking garages operated by the medical center  with most built between 1963 and 1991  in addition to the garages operated by hospitals. In this area, the price tag to build more is especially high, where Middleton estimated it might cost up to $45,000 to build a single parking space above ground and up to $75,000 to build below ground.

Frequent visitors crave solutions. Houston resident Sara Lowman, who regularly parks in the medical center to see her own doctors or drive her family members to their appointments, may drive for up to 30 minutes before she finds parking.

She especially dreads the medical centers Parking Garage 2, a massive 2,300-space structure with what she described as confusing traffic patterns.

It's all awful, she said. There's just got to be a better design for how to do all that.

Even in such tight quarters, hospitals continue to create more parking demand on the main campus. Houston Methodist is constructing a $1.4 billion, 26-story Centennial Tower that will eventually grow its capacity by 175 inpatient beds.

Were working closely with the TMC and agreed that if there are adverse impacts on traffic flow, we will assist in making additional traffic improvements, especially if the problems are caused by our new building, said Methodist spokesperson Gale Smith.

'Ideal solutions'

Without a clear path to build new parking structures in the main campus, Middleton said the medical center has focused on improving signage and making life safety repairs in the existing garages. It has added security cameras and plans to add electric vehicle chargers where possible.

The medical center also invested significant capital in 2018 to upgrade the equipment at entrances and exits in every parking garage with good results from a user experience perspective, Middleton said. The new equipment includes more advanced ticket dispensers and kiosks where drivers pay for parking. Middleton declined to specify the amount of funding that went into those changes.

Engineers, however, have recommended more robust upgrades to make the most out of the existing space and ease the burden on drivers. One of the most efficient ways to do that, engineers say, is a parking guidance system, akin to those found in the garages of some HEB locations and George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

There's an argument that you can get more parking out of the system you currently have by just investing in the guidance system, said Gonzalez, the former Walter P Moore engineer.

There are several versions of guidance systems, but they generally come with a red-and-green lighting system and electronic signs that indicates the number of available spaces.

Gonzalez said without the system, garages are effectively full when they reach 90% to 95% capacity. Those last few remaining spaces are just impossible to find in some of these garages because they're so large, he said. That changes when you invest in a parking guidance system that guides someone to those last 5% or 10% of the spaces.

Those were the benefits that Gonzalez envisioned when he left Walter P Moore in 2016, he said. Before he left the company, his firm had recommended adding the guidance system in a framework for a master plan for the medical center, he said.

In fact, the medical center had expressed interest and funded a pilot study to assess the technology, he said. Gonzalez left before it was completed. I dont know what happened, he said.

Middleton said the study showed only marginal benefit. Before LAZ assumed management responsibilities, it conducted its own analysis that came to a similar conclusion, Middleton said.

The LAZ analysis, which focused on detailed internal operations and finances, determined that the medical center would benefit more by upgrading equipment at entrances and exits rather than adding the guidance system, Middleton said. This would create a faster throughput for entering and exiting the facility and create a better customer experience, Middleton said.

LAZ did not respond to requests for comment.

A handful of newer public garages in the medical center, primarily those under Texas Childrens Hospital buildings, did implement the guidance systems. But thats only because the design of those garages was conducive for it, Middleton said.

Not all parking facilities would benefit from (guidance) systems, Middleton said in an email. Many of the parking facilities are constructed such that one must pass every parking space on their way up or down, largely obviating the benefit of a (guidance system).

Gonzalez pushed back on that assertion. Drivers are not forced to pass every space in most of the garages. Even with the current layouts, the guidance system could still provide valuable data that would allow drivers to see the number of available spaces from the ground level, he said. It could also feed into a mobile application that gives visitors the information before they leave the house.

Texas Medical Center Parking Garage 2 is visible Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer

Ramesh Gunda, the now-retired president of the Gunda Corp., one of the engineering firms that worked on the 2014 mobility study, also strongly believes in the benefits of a campus-wide parking guidance system. Its most valuable when applied to all garages in a given area, rather than individual facilities.

But implementing it depends on the institutions specific challenges and goals.

We were not getting into institutional challenges, he said of the study. We were focused more on what would be ideal solutions.

Parking guidance systems may have helped Halaas, the Texas City resident, who failed to find a handicap spot on Oct. 28. When she returned to her Hyundai Santa Fe with her husband after a long day at MD Anderson, she struggled to help him out of his wheelchair into the passenger side of the SUV, squeezing him through the door to avoid hitting the sedan parked crookedly next to them.

Her frustration became evident when the sedans driver, a woman in a nuns habit, returned to the car.

Terrible park job, Halaas said to the woman, who adjusted her vehicle.

Halaas loaded her husbands wheelchair into the car for the drive home.
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Postal Code
Dublin Central will see Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald and Fine Gael's Paschal Donohoe face a range of potential challengers, including Gerry "the Monk" Hutch in what will be one of the most tightly fought contests of the election.

Here is everything you need to know about the area before heading to the polls on November 29th.

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The constituency

Dublin Central is a diverse constituency at the heart of the capital. It takes in the North Inner City and traditionally working class areas such as North Strand and Ballybough, along with gentrified neighbourhoods such as Stoneybatter.

More affluent areas such as Glasnevin and Drumcondra are in the north of the constituency.

The boundaries of Dublin Central are unchanged since the last election. The population is 127,302.

The issues

Affordable and social housing is likely to be a dominant campaign issue amid high rents and other expensive living costs in the capital.

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A contentious plan to build more than 1,500 build-to-rent apartments on Clonliffe Road in Drumcondra was rejected by the High Court last year after local objections, including from Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, who said the development would only exacerbate the housing crisis.

Crime and anti-social behaviour around O'Connell Street have hit the headlines in recent years and local politicians have been calling for an increased Garda presence in the area.

The constituency was rocked in November 2023 by a stabbing attack on school children at Parnell Square and subsequent riots across Dublin city centre.

Seats

There are four seats in the constituency, unchanged since the last election.

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Candidates

The confirmation that Gerry The Monk Hutch will run here as an Independent has brought a lot of attention to Dublin Central.

The local gangland figure was arrested in Spain last month as part of an international investigation into money laundering. He has reportedly been released on bail of 100,000.

Mr Hutch said he was not worried that the case in Spain would affect his ability to serve the people of Dublin.

Paschal Donohoe, who has served as a TD for Dublin Central since 2011, said previously of the rumour that Mr Hutch would run: Ill be making the case for stability and competence in government and Ill be making the case for the communities of Dublin Central continuing with what they want to do, which is putting organised crime and criminality behind them.

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Former Dublin MEP Clare Daly will also stand for election here and could take votes from the left-wing incumbents.

Anti-immigration campaigner Malachy Steenson will stand as an Independent.

Mary Lou McDonald and Paschal Donohoe will likely keep their seats, with the remaining candidates fighting for the final two seats.

Outgoing TDs

Mary Lou McDonald  Sinn Fein

Paschal Donohoe  Fine Gael

Neasa Hourigan  Green Party

Gary Gannon  Social Democrats

How to register to vote

To vote in a general election, you must be:

18 years old or over

An Irish or British citizen

Resident in Ireland

Listed on the Register of Electors (electoral register)

To find out if your name is on the electoral register, you can check online at checktheregister.ie or enquire at a local authority office.
A man has been jailed for a second time for raping his friend after the Court of Criminal Appeal overturned his previous conviction.

The Central Criminal Court heard the man was previously given a seven-year sentence with the final three-and-a-half years suspended and had served a considerable amount of the prison term before his conviction was overturned, and he was released on bail.

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The 29-year-old man, who cannot be named to protect the womans anonymity, went on trial again earlier this year and was found guilty by a jury for a second time of raping the woman at her home on November 7th, 2018.

He has no previous convictions.

Passing sentence on Friday, Mr Justice Patrick McGrath said it was clear the offences had a very traumatic effect on the young woman. He said this had been exacerbated by the violation of her trust in her best friend on the night in question.

He said he accepted the accused was a young man who had led a blameless and productive life up to this point. He said he had been working hard and trying to advance himself, as outlined in references before the court.

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He noted that the man accepted at most partial responsibility for what had happened. He said it was the mans entitlement to have a trial but this had put the woman through the ordeal of giving evidence twice.

Mr Justice McGrath said he was not going to depart from the sentence previously imposed by Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy and set a headline sentence of seven years imprisonment.

He noted the stigma of the conviction and the loss of reputation which will stay with him for the rest of his life. He took into account he had been a model prisoner and the need for rehabilitation.

Mr Justice McGrath echoed the comments of Ms Justice Murphy that the accused by his actions had not only derailed the life of the injured party, but also torpedoed his own life.

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He imposed a seven-year sentence and suspended the final three and a half years on conditions including that he comply with recommendations in the probation report and be assessed for a sex offenders treatment program and alcohol treatment program.

The judge ordered that all time spent in custody on this matter be taken into account.

A local garda told the court the accused was convicted on a single count of rape in May 2022 but that the conviction was overturned, and a retrial was ordered.

He was sentenced to seven years with the final three-and-a-half years suspended, but he was released last January.

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The victim said she and the man had been best friends since she was 14, and he was an essential part of her family.

The court heard on November 6, 2018 she had a day off work, and they were texting each other and he was saying he was having trouble with his girlfriend.

She was in the pub, and he joined her there and later went home together. She said it was a completely platonic relationship. She asked him to make her a sandwich and she fell asleep.

She woke up and found him penetrating her, and she said, No I dont want that.

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The court heard the victim did not report the complaint immediately. She became emboldened when she saw something on the television, and she texted the man saying he had raped her.

The man insisted when interviewed that the only sexual contact he had with her was when she was 14. The garda told the court the victim said she kissed him when she was 14.

The court heard the man has no previous convictions and has been on bail since the outcome of his appeal. He was in custody from November 2021 until January 2024, the court heard.

In her victim impact statement the woman said, being a victim of rape changes your life.

I find myself constantly doubting myself. He broke all our hearts.

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The woman said she had to relive the rape twice, by not one but two juries.

To see no remorse in his eyes for shattering my heart. I hope this is the final time I have to fight for my justice.

John Berry SC, defending, said it was an unusual case in that sentence had already been imposed and that his client accepts the verdict of the jury.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.
A judge will rule next month on whether Richard Satchwell, who is accused of murdering his wife Tina, can have his upcoming trial transferred out of Cork.

The 57-year-old is due to go on trial in April next year and last June, Mr Justice Paul McDermott set Cork as the venue.

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However, Brendan Grehan SC, for Mr Satchwell, made an application on Friday for the trial to be moved from Cork to either Dublin or Limerick.

The Director of Public Prosecutions, represented by Gerardine Small SC, opposed the request.

Mr Justice McDermott at the Central Criminal Court said he would make his ruling on the application on December 16th.

Mr Satchwell, with an address at Grattan Street, Youghal, Co Cork is charged with murdering his wife Tina Satchwell (45) at that address on March 20th, 2017.

Mrs Satchwell, a native of St Bernards Place in Fermoy, was reported missing on March 24th, 2017 by her husband.

The British truck driver is originally from Leicester in the UK but has been a resident in Cork for over 20 years.

Gardai found Mrs Satchwells skeletal remains in October 2023, more than six years after she was reported missing, while excavating a concrete floor and walled-up area underneath the stairwell of the home she and her husband shared on Grattan Street in Youghal.
A "solitary and sad" man has been jailed for 12 years for killing his 88-year-old mother, who died in "horrific circumstances" in a house fire having "dedicated her life to caring" for her son.

Passing sentence on Geunter Lohse (63) on Friday, Ms Justice Melanie Greally noted there was no sign he made a credible effort to assist or save grandmother Ruth Lohse.

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Geunter pleaded guilty earlier this year to unlawfully killing his mother Ruth by arson at the house they shared in Coolvoy, Doochary, Co Donegal on April 12th, 2022.

The defendant, who has been described as a 'vulnerable person", had originally been charged with murder, but the State accepted a plea to manslaughter.

Ms Lohse was described as the "heart and soul" of her family who kept them together.

The Central Criminal Court heard that Geunter had moved to Ireland with his mother and had lived with her all his life. However, in the days before the killing he was upset that the family had planned to send him back to Germany but keep his mother in Donegal.

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The defendant admitted starting the fire using long matches, claiming that his family drove him to this by comments they made to him. He claimed he was only trying to destroy the property and not harm his mother.

Lohse appeared before the court on Friday via video link, as a translator in the courtroom read out the judges sentence to him in German.

In his victim impact statement, the defendant's brother Kurt Lohse spoke of the profound grief his family have endured since his mothers death.

'Haunting memory'

He described the "haunting memory" of arriving at the scene, hearing the screams, "witnessing the horror", and feeling "utterly helpless" amid the flashing lights. He said this trauma continues to cause nightmares for family members.

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Ms Justice Greally said that the killing of Ruth Lohse was an impulsive act of protest, motivated by the defendant's anger and frustration at his perceived mistreatment by his family.

She said it was evident in the days prior to the incident that the defendant was acutely distressed and was suffering with underlying anxiety, while there was a high level of confusion associated with his actions.

She noted that although the defendant claims he didnt intend for his mother to die, given her location in relation to the fire, she had no chance of escape.

Ms Justice Greally also noted there was no sign of a credible effort to assist or save her.

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She said she was setting a headline sentence of 18 years. She said she took account of mitigating circumstances, including the fact the defendant was 63, had no previous convictions and had offered expressions of remorse.

She also took into account that Lohse made an early guilty plea, although there was strong proof of guilt. Ms Justice Greally recognised that the defendant can be considered a vulnerable person as a result of asphyxiation at birth due to complications with the umbilical cord.

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The aggravating factors included Lohse's recklessness in setting fire to an occupied home, the terror experienced by the victim - who the judge said died under horrific circumstances - and the multiple breaches of trust.

Ms Justice Greally highlighted that the victim dedicated her life to caring for the defendant, was elderly and vulnerable with limited mobility, and that the killing occurred in her own home.

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She noted that Lohse has no social circle or family support and that his experience in prison will be an isolated and solitary one. She recommended that Lohse serve his sentence at Castlerea prison, where he is currently treated as a vulnerable person.

Ms Justice Greally said she would impose a sentence of 13 years with the final 12 months suspended.
Gunman Tristan Sherry suffered a gunshot wound to the shoulder and 16 stab wounds in the melee during which he shot a man dead before himself being beaten to death in a busy restaurant last Christmas Eve, the Special Criminal Court has heard.

State Pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers on Friday told prosecution counsel Fiona Murphy SC that Sherry died from traumatic blunt force injuries combined with 27 sharp force injuries, consisting of 16 stab wounds and eleven incised wounds.

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The single gunshot, which entered his left shoulder at the front of the body and exited through the back, caused only superficial damage and did not contribute to his death, the pathologist said.

Three men are on trial at the three-judge, non-jury court accused of murdering Tristan Sherry at Browne's Steakhouse on Main Sttreet, Blanchardstown, on December 24th last year, while three others are accused of violent disorder arising from the same incident.

The court has heard that Jason Hennessy Snr and a group of about 30 people had gathered in Browne's for a party when Sherry and a second gunman arrived.

Sherry scuffled with Hennessy and shot him dead before he was disarmed and beaten to death.

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Dr Okkers detailed dozens of bruises and abrasions to Sherry's head, face, chest, abdomen, back, hip, legs and arms. Most of the sharp force injuries, she said, were to the left torso, shoulder and hip towards the front of the body and were caused using a single-edge blade.

The longest sharp force wound measured 12.5cm and was associated with a stab wound to the left buttock. One stab wound caused injury to the lower lobe of the left lung. Moderate force would have been required to inflict the sharp wounds, she said.

A toxicology report indicated that Sherry had recently used cocaine and cannabis, but drug use did not contribute to his death, the pathologist said.

In her conclusion, Dr Okkers said Sherry received multiple blows to the head and face resulting in injuries to the brain. His injuries resulted in blood loss and the cause of death was traumatic blunt force injuries combined with sharp force injuries.

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The trial continues on Monday before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, Judge Elma Sheahan and Judge James Faughnan.

The three men charged with Sherry's murder are Noah Musueni (18), Corduff Park, Blanchardstown; David Amah (18), Hazel Grove, Portrane Road, Donabate, Dublin; and Michael Andrecut (22), Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown.

Jonas Kabangu (18), Corduff Park, Blanchardstown and 18-year-old Diarmuid O'Brien of Corduff Place, Blanchardstown are charged with violent disorder at the same location on that date.

Brandon Hennessy (21) of Sheephill Avenue, Dublin 15 - the son of Jason Hennessy snr - is also charged with violent disorder.

All the accused have pleaded not guilty.
U2 drummer Larry Mullen has received some respite from his Howth "house nightmare".

This follows Fingal County Council granting planning permission to Mr Mullen's wife, Ann Acheson, to carry out alterations to Strand Lodge, a "vacant and uninhabitable" house that the couple own.

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The couples main residence is next door at Claremont Lodge in the Dublin fishing village. They purchased Strand Lodge in 2000 for 1 million (1.27 million) but nobody has lived in it since.

In 2010, the couple secured planning permission to turn Strand Lodge into two three-bedroom flats, one on the ground floor and one duplex apartment on the first and roof levels.

However, in the new planning application, consultants Tom Phillips + Associates said the 2010 permission "was implemented and built out".

Stephen Barrett, director at Tom Phillips + Associates, stated: "However, the development as constructed was found not to be in full compliance with building regulations, which has rendered some areas of the development uninhabitable."

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Mr Barrett told the council that "ultimately this has prevented habitation of the structure as a whole since the previous works were carried out."

Mr Barrett said Strand Lodge is a three-storey residential building in Howth and dates from the mid- to late-19th century and has been heavily modified over time.

"It is currently uninhabitable," Mr Barrett said.

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Advancing the case for the planning application, Mr Barrett said: "The alterations are minor in terms of their scale, and their impact on the character and appearance of the existing property, and have been informed by essential regulation requirements, and have allowed for consequential proposed improvements and efficiencies to the existing property."

He said: "The proposal would not result in any new or additional impacts above and beyond those considered under the assessment of the parent permission."

The council granted planning permission after the planning report stated that the new amendments to the house would regularise the development and improve the visual character of the house.

The council planning report said the amendments "are considered to be relatively minor and acceptable overall, subject to conditions". No objections were lodged against the planning application.
At least 10 people died in a fire at a retirement home in Spain before firefighters managed to extinguish it, local authorities have reported.

Authorities were alerted to the blaze early on Friday morning in Villafranca de Ebro, around 28 kilometres (18 miles) from the north-eastern city of Zaragoza.

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The cause of the fire was not yet known, local media reported.



Relatives wait for news outside the retirement home where least 10 people have died in a fire in Zaragoza, Spain (Ferran Mallol/AP)

Local media said 82 people had been living in the retirement home, which focused on treating people with dementia and mental health issues.

Volga Ramirez, mayor of Villafranca de Ebro, told reporters outside the centre on Friday morning that intense smoke from the blaze was likely responsible for the deaths.

It is due to smoke inhalation, Mr Ramirez said, not because they were burned.

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Jorge Azcon, head of the regional government of Aragon, whose capital city is Zaragoza, confirmed the deaths and said on X, formerly Twitter, that all government events in the region were cancelled for the day.

He told reporters outside the retirement home that an investigation would be opened into the cause of the fire.

For now, the priority was to transfer the remaining uninjured residents to other facilities, he said, including one in the city of Huesca, about 90 kilometres (56 miles) away.

Zaragoza fire chief Eduardo Sanchez told reporters that firefighters had extinguished a blaze in one room of the retirement home.

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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote on X that he was shocked at the tragedy and expressed condolences to the victims.

The fire took place just weeks after devastating flash floods in Valencia killed more than 200 people and destroyed thousands of homes.

The floods were the worst natural disaster in Spains recent history.
The European Union must abandon its policy of sanctioning Russia for its war in Ukraine or risk causing an economic collapse, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has told state radio.

The EU has imposed several rounds of sanctions against Moscow since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, targeting the energy sector, banks, the worlds biggest diamond mining company and other businesses.

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Mr Orban, widely seen as having the warmest relations with the Kremlin in the EU, has broken with the majority of European leaders and vocally opposed such sanctions, arguing they did more to damage European economies than they did Russias.





The Hungarian leader on Friday said the EUs sanction regime should be reviewed, because with such a policy of sanctions, energy prices will not come down.

It will be painful for those who argued for sanctions. Not for us, because we will see this as a victory, but the other camp has to change because otherwise it will destroy the European economy, he said.

Hungary currently holds the six-month rotating presidency of the EU, and has de-emphasised retaliatory measures against Russia in that role.

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EU leaders, however, are making plans to impose a new round of penalties against Moscow.

On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted a resolution demanding the EU step up against Russias so-called shadow fleet  ships that export Russian oil in violation of sanctions.

The legislature also wants the bloc to ban the import of Russian fossil fuels.

Nr Orban opposes such a ban, and has leveraged exceptions from the EU during previous rounds of sanctions that allowed land-locked Hungary to continue importing Russian oil and gas, which he argues are essential to sustaining Hungarys economy.

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The Hungarian leader last week predicted that President-elect Donald Trump would pull US support for Ukraine in its war against Russia.

A Trump presidency, Mr Orban has argued, will revive Hungarys sputtering economy, now in a technical recession.

The pro-peace presidential candidate won, and now we are waiting for peace, Mr Orban said on Friday.
A Desert Storm veteran places his cap over his heart during the playing of the National Anthem during a Veterans Day Ceremony at City Hall on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 in Houston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

Questionable judgment

Regarding Do we really want a commander in chief who disrespects the troops? | Editorial, (Oct. 28): As a military veteran of the Vietnam War and the Cold War, it appears that Veterans Day on Nov. 11 has become Americas most despised holiday. The proof is the 75.9 million Americans who just voted for Donald Trump. The judgment of the American people has been rendered: Veterans are losers and suckers, as per Trump and the majority of American voters. Whatever the faults of Vice President Kamala Harris, she never incited an attack on the U.S. Capitol, let hundreds of thousands of innocent Americans die from COVID, or was convicted of 34 felonies.

No problem, just let us be sure to take advantage of the Nov. 11 furniture sales.

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Thomas Temple, United States Air Force veteran, Houston

Regarding Trump builds out national security team with picks of Hegseth for Pentagon, Noem for DHS, (Nov. 12): We should ask our Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz not to confirm Pete Hegseth as defense secretary. As a fellow combat veteran (Vietnam), I recognize his wartime service in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, neither his combat experience or his years of co-hosting weekend Fox News qualify him to lead the huge and complex Department of Defense, which is critical to our national security.

Just because you ride on the bus doesnt mean you are qualified to steer it.

Cory Frates, Houston

Misplaced blame

Regarding Support for Trump grew in almost every demographic group. Why not Jews? | Opinion, (Nov. 13): Robert Zaretsky couldnt prevent himself from accusing Israel of indiscriminate shedding of innocent blood in Gaza. Blaming the victim seems to be a common sport in academia and media these days. When responding to terrorism, whatever the Israeli army does to prevent civilian casualties is never enough; whatever statistics Hamas provides seem to automatically be accepted as true. I wonder if Professor Zaretsky complained about the invasion of Oct. 7, 2023, or about the rockets frequently fired from Gaza at Israelis.

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Professor Zaretsky, remember this: It is an accident of history that you and I live in Houston. We could just as easily have been born in Israel. What would you think if you were targeted by those who wish to wipe you out?

Daniel Horwitz, Houston

Give grace

Regarding How moving William Marsh Rice statue unlocked beauty and connection | Editorial, (Nov. 4): During the last week of October, I heard MSNBC anchor Lawrence ODonnell say, Our Founding Fathers got many things grotesquely wrong, from slavery to the electoral college. Even the Founding Fathers were not perfect.

Please remember that, at the time William Marsh Rice owned slaves, it was not illegal. During the Civil War, his young wife died during a yellow fever outbreak. Galveston was blockaded, and he knew the Texas cotton farmers needed help with finding a market for their product.

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Rice moved his business to Monterrey and Matamoros, Mexico, providing a lifeline to those farmers and making money in the process. In 1891, since he had no children, he decided to leave much of his fortune to Houston, where he had made most of it. He had the vision to realize that a city with as much promise as Houston needed an institute of higher learning and arranged to make that happen.

Sure, we can now look back and say it was wrong of him to specify that it would be for white inhabitants of Houston and Texas, but right to include male and female students and that it would be nonpartisan and nonsectarian. So please stop excoriating the man. Go visit the statue and wonder what you would have done if you had been in his shoes at that complicated time in our history. Give him some grace and learn from his story.
Lebanons caretaker prime minister has asked Iran to help secure a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hezbollah and appeared to urge it to convince the militant group to agree to a deal that could require it to pull back from the Israel-Lebanon border.

The prime minister made the comments in talks with Ali Larijani, a top adviser to Irans supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.

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Mr Larijanis visit to Lebanon comes as the United States continued pushing both sides to agree to a deal to end 13 months of exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah.



Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri, right, meets Ali Larijani, an adviser to Irans supreme leader Ali Khamenei, in Beirut, Lebanon (Hassan Ibrahim, Lebanese Parliament media office via AP)

Iran is a main backer of Hezbollah and for decades has been funding and arming the Lebanese militant group.

Hezbollah began firing rockets into northern Israel the day after Hamass surprise attack into Israel on October 7 2023 ignited the war in Gaza  prompting exchanges between the two sides ever since.

Since late September, Israel dramatically escalated its bombardment of Lebanon, vowing to cripple Hezbollah and end its barrages in Israel.

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More than 3,300 people have been killed in Lebanon by Israeli fire  80% of them in the past month  Lebanons Health Ministry says.

According to Lebanese media, US ambassador Lisa Johnson handed over a draft of a proposed ceasefire deal to Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri, who has been leading the talks representing Hezbollah.

A Lebanese official confirmed that Beirut has received a copy of a draft proposal based on UN Security Council resolution 1701, which ended the last Israel-Hezbollah war, in the summer of 2006.

A Lebanese politician said Hezbollah officials had received the draft, were studying it and would express their opinion on it to Mr Berri.

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That resolution, among other things, said that only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers should operate in southern Lebanon, meaning Hezbollah would have to end its presence there.

That provision was never implemented.



Thick smoke and flames erupt from an Israeli air strike on Tayouneh, Beirut, Lebanon (Hassan Ammar/AP)

Lebanon accuses Israel of also violating the resolution by maintaining hold of a small, disputed border area and conducting frequent military overflights over Lebanon.

The Lebanese official did not give details other than to say Israel was insisting that some guarantees be included.

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The US embassy refused to either confirm or deny the reports.

In talks with Mr Larijani, caretaker Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati urged Iran to help implement resolution 1701.

He said the Lebanese government wants the war to end and the resolution to be implemented in all its details, according to a statement on the talks issued by his office.

Mr Mikati, who in recent weeks has become more critical of Irans role in Lebanon, also said the government wants Iran to help Lebanons national unity and not take any stance backing one party against another.

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Irans backing for Hezbollah has helped the group, which is the most powerful faction among Lebanons Shiite Muslims, dominate the countrys politics for the last decade.



Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri, centre, walks with Ali Larijani, an adviser to Irans supreme leader Ali Khamenei, in Beirut, Lebanon (Hassan Ibrahim, Lebanese Parliament media office via AP)

After meeting Mr Mikati and Mr Berri, Mr Larijani said his visits main aim was to loudly say that we will stand by Lebanons government and people.

Asked if he was trying to thwart US ceasefire mediation, Mr Larijani said: We are not trying to blow up any effort, but we want to solve the problem and we will stand by Lebanon, whatever the circumstances.

Mr Larijani held similar talks a day earlier in Syria with President Bashar Assad.

Syrias state news agency said that Mr Assad and Mr Larijani discussed the ongoing aggression on Palestine and Lebanon and the necessity of stopping it.

While Mr Larijani was in Beirut, Israeli forces carried out a new strike on the southeastern edge of the city.

Images taken by an Associated Press (AP) photographer showed a rocket about to strike an 11-storey residential building in Beiruts Tayouneh neighbourhood  then a blast of flame erupts from the side of the building.



This combination of photographs shows a bomb dropped from an Israeli jet as it hits a building in Tayouneh, Beirut, Lebanon (Hassan Ammar/AP)

Much of a lower level of the building was smashed to rubble.

There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The Israeli military had issued a warning before the attack, saying it was a facility that belonged to Hezbollah.

Near the eastern Lebanese city of Baalbek, rescue teams continued searching through the rubble on Friday at the site of an Israeli strike the night before that hit a civil defence centre in the town of Douris.

So far, the bodies of 14 employees and volunteers with the Lebanese Civil Defence had been recovered, the agency said, as well as some other remains that will require DNA testing.

Israel expanded its operations in Lebanon even as it continues its campaign in the Gaza Strip, vowing to destroy Hamas, which is also backed by Iran.



Residents check the site of an Israeli air strike in Tayouneh, Beirut, Lebanon (Hassan Ammar/AP)

Funerals were held on Friday for 11 Palestinians killed on Thursday in a series of Israeli air strikes in and around the central Gaza Strip city of Deir al-Balah.

Two children were among the dead, seen with the other dead by an AP reporter.

On Thursday, the UN Security Councils 10 elected members circulated a draft resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

The US, Israels closest ally, holds the key to whether the UN Security Council adopts the resolution.

The four other permanent members  Russia, China, Britain and France  are expected to support it or abstain.

The Israel-Hamas war began after Palestinian militants stormed into Israel on October 7 2023, killing about 1,200 people  mostly civilians  and abducting 250 others.

Israels bombardment and ground offensives since then have killed more than 43,000 people in Gaza, Palestinian health officials say.

The officials do not distinguish between civilians and combatants but say more than half of those killed have been women and children.
Police and hundreds of demonstrators have clashed in Georgias separatist region of Abkhazia as tensions flared over a proposed measure that would allow Russians to buy property there.

The protesters gathered outside parliament in the regional capital of Sukhumi on Friday.

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It comes as legislators consider ratifying an agreement that would allow Russians to buy apartments in Abkhazia, whose mountains and Black Sea beaches are popular with Russian tourists.

Most of Abkhazia broke away from Georgia in fighting that ended in 1993, and Georgia lost control of the rest of the territory in the short war with Russia in 2008.

Russia recognises Abkhazia as an independent country, but many Abkhazians are concerned that the region of about 245,000 people is just a client state of Moscow.

Opponents of the property agreement say it would give preferential treatment to Russians, drive up prices of apartments and boost Moscows dominance in the region.

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The parliament session was postponed, but protesters remained at the fence and used a truck to break through.

Police blocked them from entering the building as the crowd threw rocks and eggs, with authorities responding with tear gas, according to Russian and Georgian news reports.

There were no immediate reports of arrests or injuries.

The arrest of five opposition figures at a similar demonstration Monday set off wide protests the next day in which bridges leading to Sukhumi were blocked.
Satirical news publication The Onion has been named the winning bidder for Alex Jones Infowars at a bankruptcy auction.

The bid was backed by families of Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims whom Jones owes more than one billion dollars in defamation judgments for calling the massacre a hoax.

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The purchase would turn over Jones company, which for decades has peddled in conspiracy and misinformation, to a humour website that plans to relaunch the Infowars platform in January as a parody.





The judge in Jones bankruptcy ordered a hearing for next week after Jones and his lawyers raised questions about how the auction was conducted.

Within hours of the sales announcement on Thursday, Infowars website was down and Jones was broadcasting from what he said was a new studio location.

The dissolution of Alex Jones assets and the death of Infowars is the justice we have long awaited and fought for, Robbie Parker, whose daughter Emilie was killed in the 2012 shooting in Connecticut, said in a statement provided by his lawyers.

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The Onions bid was for the conspiracy theory platforms website; social media accounts; studio in Austin, Texas; trademarks; and video archive for an undisclosed sales price.

Lawyers for Jones and a company affiliated with Infowars that submitted a 3.5 million dollar offer said they had expected a round of bidding to be held on Wednesday where prospective buyers could outbid each other.

They alleged that the trustee overseeing the auction changed the process only days before and instead opened only sealed bids that were submitted.

Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston said he had concerns.

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The exact day and time for the hearing have not yet been determined.

The satirical outlet  which carries the banner of Americas Finest News Source on its masthead  was founded in the 1980s and for decades has skewered politics and pop culture, including making Jones a frequent target of mocking articles.

Mass shootings in the US, such as the Sandy Hook attack, are often followed by The Onion publishing slightly updated versions of one of its most well-known recurring pieces: No Way to Prevent This, Says Only Nation Where This Regularly Happens.

No price would be too high for such a cornucopia of malleable assets and minds, The Onion said in a satirical post about the sale.

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And yet, in a stroke of good fortune, a formidable special interest group has outwitted the hapless owner of InfoWars (a forgettable man with an already-forgotten name) and forced him to sell it at a steep bargain: less than one trillion dollars.

On his live broadcast, Jones was angry and defiant, vowing to challenge the sale in court and calling it a total attack on free speech.

He later announced his show was being shut down.



Alex Jones (David J Phillip/AP)

Jones, who had told listeners for days that he had a new studio set up nearby, then resumed his broadcast from the new location, carrying them live on his accounts on X.

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The Onion, based in Chicago, consulted on the bidding with some of the Sandy Hook families that sued Jones for defamation and emotional distress in lawsuits in Connecticut and Texas, lawyers for the families said.

Our clients knew that true accountability meant an end to Infowars and an end to Jones ability to spread lies, pain and fear at scale, said Christopher Mattei, a lawyer for the families.

Ben Collins, chief executive of The Onions parent company, Global Tetrahedron, told The Associated Press (AP) in a video interview that it will relaunch the Infowars website in January with satire aimed at conspiracy theorists and right-wing personalities, as well as educational information about gun violence prevention from the group Everytown for Gun Safety.

Mr Collins would not disclose the sale price.

We thought it would be a very funny joke if we bought this thing, probably one of the better jokes weve ever told, Mr Collins said.

The (Sandy Hook) families decided they would effectively join our bid, back our bid, to try to get us over the finish line.

Because by the end of the day, it was us or Alex Jones, who could either continue this website unabated, basically unpunished, for what hes done to these families over the years, or we could make a dumb, stupid website, and we decided to do the second thing.

John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety, said the organisation will be the exclusive advertiser on the new Infowars website.

When you think about the unmitigated harm that Alex Jones and Infowars brought to Sandy Hook families, its just poetic justice that now Everytown and The Onion together will open a new chapter on Infowars and a chapter that is devoted to the issue of gun safety, he told the AP.

Jones did not lose his personal X account, which has more than three million followers, in the auction.

But the bankruptcy judge is deciding whether his personal accounts can be sold off at the trustees request.

Sandy Hook families sued Jones and his company for repeatedly saying on his show that the shooting that killed 20 children and six educators in Newtown, Connecticut, was a hoax staged by crisis actors to spur more gun control.

Parents and children of many of the victims gave evidence that they were traumatised by Jones conspiracies and threats by his followers.

Jones has since acknowledged the shooting was 100% real.

The Onion bills itself as the worlds leading news publication, offering highly acclaimed, universally revered coverage of breaking national, international, and local news events and says it has 4.3 trillion daily readers.

Sealed bids for the private auction were opened on Wednesday.

The bankruptcy trustee named First United American Companies, which is affiliated with one of Jones product-selling sites, as the back-up bid should the sale to The Onion fall through.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin, in what was the Kremlin leaders first publicly announced conversation with the sitting head of a major Western power in nearly two years.

Mr Scholz urged Mr Putin to be open to negotiations with Ukraine, his office said.

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The Kremlin leader responded that any peace deal should acknowledge Russias territorial gains and security demands, including that Kyiv renounce joining Nato.



Russian President Vladimir Putin at Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside of Moscow, Russia (Vyacheslav Prokofyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said Mr Scholz urged Mr Putin in the hour-long call to withdraw his troops and end the full-scale invasion launched in February 2022.

The conflict will reach its 1,000th day on Tuesday, and exiled Russian opposition leaders, including Alexei Navalnys widow Yulia, have set an anti-war rally for Sunday in Berlin.

The chancellor urged Russia to be willing to negotiate with Ukraine with the aim of achieving a just and lasting peace and stressed Germanys unwavering determination to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression for as long as necessary, Mr Hebestreit said in a statement.

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The new communication between Mr Scholz and Mr Putin  their first since December 2022  comes at a time of widespread speculation about what the new administration of US President-elect Donald Trump will mean for Ukraine.

Mr Scholz faces a political crisis at home and has called for a vote of confidence next month, with an early election in February.

Washington has been Ukraines biggest military backer, but Mr Trump has repeatedly questioned the amount of aid being given to Ukraine.

While Mr Trump has suggested he could settle the war quickly, Ukraine has ruled out giving up any territory to Moscow in return for peace.

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Chancellor Scholz told me that he planned to call Putin. His call, in my opinion, opens Pandora's Box. There may now be other conversations and phone calls. Just a lot of words.



And this is exactly what Putin has long sought. It is critical for him to weaken his isolation, as pic.twitter.com/zcTydmnxsM  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) November 15, 2024

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticised Mr Scholzs call to Mr Putin, calling it a Pandoras box that would only serve to make Russia less isolated.

Now there may be other conversations, other calls. Just a lot of words. And this is exactly what Putin has wanted for a long time, Mr Zelensky said in his nightly address.

It is crucial for him to weaken his isolation.  And to engage in negotiations, ordinary negotiations, that will lead to nothing.

Mr Scholz condemned Russian air raids on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and warned that the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia to fight in the war would mark a serious escalation.

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The US, South Korea and Ukraine say North Korea has sent thousands of troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine.

The Kremlin said Germany initiated the call, during which the leaders had a detailed and frank exchange of opinions on the situation in Ukraine.

Mr Putin blamed the current crisis on what he called Natos long-standing aggressive policy aimed at creating an anti-Russian stronghold on Ukrainian territory while ignoring our countrys security interests and trampling on the rights of Russian-speaking residents, a Kremlin readout said.





Mr Putin also said Russia remains open to resuming peace talks, pointing to conditions he laid out in June that included Kyiv renouncing its bid to join Nato and withdrawing troops from the four Ukrainian regions that Moscow illegally annexed in 2022.

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Possible agreements should take into account the interests of the Russian Federation in the security sphere, proceed from new territorial realities, and most importantly, eliminate the root causes of the conflict, the readout said.

Mr Putin, who earlier this month said it is up to Western leaders to resume contact with Russia if they want, also noted the unprecedented degradation in bilateral relations between Germany and Russia, the Kremlin statement said, while noting that the leaders also discussed the situation in the Middle East.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the leaders had a detailed and frank exchange of opinions but added that there is no talk about convergence of opinions.

The two sides agreed to remain in contact after the call.
A stolen portrait of Sir Winston Churchill that was swapped with a forgery during the pandemic has returned to its rightful place, after two Canadian police detectives travelled to Rome to retrieve it.

Police said The Roaring Lion was stolen from the Fairmont Chateau Laurier hotel in Ottawa sometime between Christmas Day 2021 and January 6 2022 and replaced with a forgery.

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The swap was only uncovered months later, in August, when a hotel worker noticed the frame was not hung properly and looked different to the others.



Guests invited to an unveiling ceremony take their photo in front of The Roaring Lion at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier hotel in Ottawa, Ontario (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)

Genevieve Dumas, the hotels general manager, unveiled the portrait in a ceremony on Friday.

I can tell you that it is armed, locked, secured, Ms Dumas said.

Its not moving, she said, adding that staff accidentally triggered the alarm on Thursday, while they hung it up, and Im sure they heard it on Parliament Hill.

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The most famous depiction of Sir Winston, known as The Roaring Lion, appears on the UKs 5 banknote and shows a glowering wartime prime minister staring into the camera.

Renowned photographer Yousuf Karsh snapped the famous portrait in 1941 in the speakers office just after Sir Winston delivered a rousing wartime address to Canadian legislators.

Towards the end of his life, Karsh signed and gifted the portrait to the hotel, where he had lived and worked.





The portrait had been sold through an auction house in London to a private buyer, and both seller and buyer were unaware that it had been stolen, police said.

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Police have now charged a man from the town of Powassan, Ontario, with forgery, theft and trafficking.

That case is before the courts.

The portraits return was a widely anticipated event, with a ceremony held in a room packed with attendees including Ottawas mayor.

Nicola Cassinelli, a lawyer in Genoa who bought the stolen artwork, sent a message.

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He said: The magnificent photograph by Yousuf Karsh captures in the eyes of Sir Winston Churchill the pride, the anger and the strength of the free world. And it represents, better than any other, the desire for the triumph of good over evil.

And despite the extraordinary privilege of having the portrait hang in his home, The Roaring Lion, Mr Cassinelli said, belongs to the public.
A top Iranian official held talks with Lebanese leaders on the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah, which came as the US continued actively pushing both sides to agree to a new ceasefire deal.

The visit of Ali Larijani, an adviser to Irans supreme leader Ali Khamenei, to the Lebanese capital on Friday was punctuated with a renewed aerial attack by Israel on the south-eastern edge of the city.

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An image captured by an Associated Press photographer showed what appeared to be an 11-story residential building in the Tayouneh area, a few kilometres (miles) from central Beirut, about to be hit by a bomb, then bursting into flames.



Civil defence workers extinguish a fire as smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike in Tayouneh, Beirut (Hassan Ammar/AP)

There were no immediate reports of casualties but the bomb hit a lower level of the building, turning much of it to rubble.

The Israeli military had issued a warning ahead of the attack, claiming it was a facility that belonged to Hezbollah.

The US has been trying to broker an end to the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, which came as the 13-month war with Hamas broadened in September into southern and eastern Lebanon as well as Beiruts southern suburbs.

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Both Hezbollah and Hamas are backed by Iran, and Hezbollah began firing rockets into northern Israel the day after Hamas surprise attack into Israel on October 7 2023 ignited the war in Gaza.

According to reports in Lebanese media, US Ambassador Lisa Johnson has handed over a draft of a proposed deal to end the Israel-Hezbollah war to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who has been leading the talks representing Hezbollah.

A Lebanese official confirmed on Friday that Ms Johnson visited Mr Berri but refused to say whether a draft was handed over.

He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media about the ongoing talks.

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The US Embassy refused to either confirm or deny the reports.



Residents check the site of an Israeli airstrike in Tayouneh, Beirut (Hassan Ammar/AP)

Meanwhile, Mr Larijani flew in on Friday from neighbouring Syria where he held similar talks a day earlier with President Bashar Assad.

Syrias state news agency said Mr Assad and Mr Larijani discussed the ongoing aggression on Palestine and Lebanon and the necessity of stopping it.

In addition to supporting Hamas, Iran is a main backer of Hezbollah and for decades has been funding and arming the Lebanese militant group.

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Following his talks with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Mr Larijani met Mr Berri for closed-door discussions.

Irans embassy in Beirut posted on X, formerly Twitter, that during Mr Larijanis talks with Mr Berri, the Iranian official said Tehran stands by Lebanons government, army and resistance, referring to Hezbollah.

It said they discussed efforts being exerted to reach a ceasefire but did not elaborate.

On Thursday, the UN Security Councils 10 elected members circulated a draft resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza as well.

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A bomb dropped from an Israeli jet prepares to hit a building in Tayouneh, Beirut (Hassan Ammar/AP)

The draft resolution, which was sent to the councils five permanent members, reiterates the councils demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages seized during Hamas surprise attacks on southern Israel.

Israel says about 100 are still being held, though not all are believed to be alive.

The US, Israels closest ally, holds the key to whether the Security Council adopts the resolution.

The four other permanent members  Russia, China, Britain and France  are expected to support it or abstain.

The draft, obtained on Thursday by The Associated Press, also demands immediate access for Gazas civilian population to humanitarian aid and services essential for their survival.

The draft resolution would also express the councils deep alarm over the ongoing catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza including the lack of adequate healthcare services and the state of food insecurity creating a risk of famine notably in the north.

It would deplore all attacks against civilians and civilian objects and all acts of terrorism.
SPOTLIGHT / Write of way

Actor Pamela Anderson (left) and singer-songwriter Patti Smith both self-publish newsletters on Substack.

Its never been truer that anyone can be a writer, with a recent spate of celebrities  Pamela Anderson and Ella Emhoff (Kamala Harris stepdaughter), to name a couple  flocking to newsletter platform Substack. Founded in 2017, Substack is a subscription-based platform that allows anyone to self-publish a newsletter. With a preference for long-form writing, the platform echoes popular blogging sites of the 2010s like WordPress, while its feed feature is more akin to social media.

Dr Julian Novitz, a lecturer in media and communication at Melbournes Swinburne University of Technology, sees the platform evolving in three waves. First came journalists and commentators, then famous authors like Salman Rushdie and, more recently, Patti Smith. And now, celebrities keen for a more authentic and intimate relationship with fans.

Not everyone has welcomed the incursion of celebrity voices. Niche writers, says Novitz, have long felt anxious about the Substack algorithm, which seems to favour those with big followings. Writing a Substack is also so labour-intensive that he wonders if well soon start to see celebrity ghostwriters on the platform.
Bleijie has said existing contracts would be honoured, with potential talks to try and boost site productivity, but suggested costs could be shaved from work on the Sunshine Coast outdoor stadium.

But the floor set by the policies covers workers beyond just CFMEU members, with other unions and Labor warning a U-turn could undermine pay and safety, and timely or on-budget delivery of work.

A recent industry-commissioned report recommended companies with CFMEU agreements add 33 per cent to quoted project costs  a figure the LNP has seized on to frame the policies as a CFMEU tax .

Initial estimates of a combined $290 million bill have jumped to $410 million, and Bleijie said the new indoor stadium and outdoor stadium upgrade may be reopened for tender.

I would expect the 100-day review, I would expect those types of projects would be reopened to the market ... without the CFMEU tax applied to it, Bleijie said.

Bleijie flagged, but did not name, transport and main roads department projects which could also see such an outcome out of the looming 100-day review of 2032 Games planning.

That review will also cover the joint state-federal funding arrangement. Bleijie again dismissed federal concern about this, saying it was due to be renegotiated in February.
The victory of Donald Trump has underscored an iron-clad rule of postwar US politics. Only Democrats who persuade the American people they are moderate end up in the White House. Joe Biden was a mainstream candidate, which helped him re-conquer the Rust Belt. Barack Obama, for all his flowery rhetoric, also presented himself as a pragmatic centrist, which meant downplaying the racial meaning of his candidacy.

The three previous Democratic victors  Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and Lyndon Johnson  all hailed from the southern, conservative wing of the party. Nor was John F. Kennedy the crusading liberal of romantic lore. Liberal luminaries mistrusted him ahead of the 1960 election because of his close ties with the Republican senator Joe McCarthy, a demagogic forerunner of Donald Trump.

Reagan, Cinton, Trump and Harris. Credit: SMH graphic

Kamala Harris understood this history and tried to position herself as a moderate. She is, after all, a hard-nosed machine politician. But even though she de-emphasised her gender and race, and distanced herself from left-wing positions adopted in 2020, there is a reason why no Democrat from California has ever won the presidency. The golden state is so easy to caricature as a hotbed of modern-day wokeism and, before that, flower-power radicalism.

Polls repeatedly suggested more voters judged Harris as too liberal than deemed Trump as too conservative. A racist, misogynist felon with fascistic tendencies was considered the more mainstream figure. Nauseating though it may sound, the party will likely have to make concessions to Trumpism if it is to appeal to blue-collar voters who valorise the New York billionaire as a working-class hero.
Then they will need to struggle with the juggle of a mortgage and childcare. For most it is a conscious decision they need to make  do they want the dream house, or a family, as often both are not possible at the same time in their lives.
Business mogul Donald Trump points as he gives a speech as he announces his candidacy for the U.S. presidency at Trump Tower on June 16, 2015 in New York City. Christopher Gregory/Getty Images

What we forget about Donald Trumps announcement of his 2015 presidential campaign, when he came down that gilded escalator and said Mexico wasnt sending its best to the U.S., but rapists who bring drugs and crime (and some, I assume, are good people) was that the backlash wasnt instant. Initial reports focused far more on his blustering promise to make America great again, and gave little ink to his other remarks, not taking them seriously.

Then a 21-year-old white supremacist opened fire at a historic Black church in South Carolina, killing nine people, including a pastor. Hillary Clinton warned that incendiary comments like Trumps could trigger people who are less than stable to commit heinous acts such as the Charleston shooting.

Everybody should stand up and say, That's not acceptable, she urged.

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Many then did. NBC and Univision ditched Trumps Miss USA and Miss Universe programs. He lost deals with Macys, mattress-maker Serta and the famed chef Jose Andres. NASCAR backed out of hosting its annual banquet at a Trump resort in Miami. And the Republican establishment was exasperated.

The chairman of the Republican National Committee Reince Preibus called Trump and begged him to tone down his remarks. The RNC had spent years building inroads with the Hispanic community. They were worried Trumps words would hand the White House to Democrats.

Preibus had it backwards. Trump doubled down on his hatemongering and won. Still today, hes winning.

Last week, while struggling to make sense of my own raw emotions, I urged you all to lean in: to ask questions rather than make rash judgments of the Latino voters who made their concerns clear at the ballot box. The column struck a nerve. While many readers told me they found consolation in my words, others told me too soon  Im not ready to sit down and listen.

Why is it ALWAYS that liberals and Democrats need to understand and take the high ground? one reader asked me in an email. We are exhausted that Trumpers ignore facts and the media indulges and amplifies their nonsense, lies and conspiracies.

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I get that frustration. Its the reason I wrote, scrapped, wrote and rewrote the column last week; striking the right tone just days after what was a discombobulating election for many wasnt easy.

I still stand by what I said: stooping to the level of the president-elects carelessly cruel rhetoric only lets him win in our own lives. But this week, I want to add another caveat. Refusing to demonize or write off people with different views does not mean you need to accept rhetoric that belittles you, or anyone else.

Too many people have tuned out Trumps incessant word vomit and stopped pushing back  including fellow Latinos who choose to overlook his most hateful comments, dismissing them as meaningless, political exaggeration. I understand many are several generations removed or dont see themselves in the migrants crossing the border today. But those nuances will do little to protect them from hate or disgust when it comes their way.

In 2017, when Trump first took power, I was in my freshman year of college in the northeast. It was late  somewhere north of 2 a.m. The biting wind was unforgiving. My closest friends and I were walking to our dorms after a house party, but decided to hop on the free campus bus to duck out of the cold. In rapid-fire Spanish, we laughed and joked about who and what wed seen on the dance floor.

Then, out of nowhere, came the comment: This is America. In America we speak English, a girl said from the back of the bus, slurring her words. Yeah, go back to your country, another said.

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My face stiffened. My stomach churned. My fists clenched. But then, I took a deep breath  and said nothing. Together, my friends and I got off the bus at the next stop in stony silence. Only once the bus was out of sight did we explode in flabbergasted outrage, our voices overlapping in louder and louder Spanish.

That was the first time I received that ignorant comment. It wouldnt be the last. A group of very drunk frat boys would holler it to my friends and me on another night out. A woman would snidely offer it under her breath at my mom and I while we waited in line at Marshalls.

I rarely take these comments seriously. How can I? They obviously reflect more on the person uttering them than they do on me. But that doesnt mean they dont make me sick to my stomach.

And I cant say I dont sometimes daydream about what I could have  and should have  said to the people whove rendered me speechless with their xenophobia. More than snapping back at them with the perfect comeback, I wish I could have made my boundaries clear, the way I do each time a Houston Chronicle letter writer complains and asks why their derogatory, expletive-littered letter was edited for publication.

We have standards, I told one particularly irate letter writer in the run-up to this presidential election. Were committed to publishing letters that reflect a diversity of thought and the views of our readership. But were also committed to curating productive dialogue, with zero tolerance for incendiary speech or falsehoods  intentional or otherwise.

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To my surprise, he responded. Not with all-caps attacks, the way his original letter was written, but with sincere  albeit curt  acceptance. Hes continued to share his opinions prolifically ever since.

In these next four years, we will hear sound bite after sound bite of hyperbolic, dehumanizing speech. Both from the man in the Oval Office, and the people whom hes given the OK to speak their mind, unvarnished and unashamed. But it will take all of us to battle the normalization of that rhetoric. To fight against desensitization, and to speak our own minds. To listen, yes. But then to also have the courage to firmly say: Thats not acceptable.

Want to stay up to date on our most recent thought-provoking editorials, columns and letters to the editor? Our 'SaysHou' newsletter delivers our weekly highlights, directly to your inbox. Sign up now.
The former CEO was released on bail while awaiting sentencing, which is scheduled for Dec. 10. The outcome of this sentencing is expected to have significant implications for financial governance and accountability in the sector.
Texas lawmakers meet with Robert Roberson at a prison in Livingston, Texas, on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. Roberson was scheduled for execution in October after being convicted in the death of his infant daughter. Associated Press

The Texas Supreme Court on Friday ruled a House committee overstepped its authority when it effectively stalled Robert Robersons execution by issuing an eleventh-hour subpoena.

The ruling clears the way for prosecutors to seek a new execution date for Roberson. But the court also gave the green light for the committee to call Roberson to testify before them in the meantime  as long as his appearance does not delay any future execution. Roberson would be the first person executed for a murder conviction tied to shaken baby syndrome.

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It is the latest twist in an unprecedented legal and political saga surrounding the Roberson case, which drew national attention and sparked fresh rifts within the Republican party. Members of the House committee butted heads with GOP state leaders, including Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton, who said the panel was acting beyond its power and refused to allow Roberson to testify.

In a 31-page ruling, Justice Evan A. Young said the committee does have the authority to subpoena Roberson, but that doing so just hours before his execution last month violated the separation of powers provision of the Texas Constitution.

The Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence issued its subpoena a day before Roberson was set to be executed. Abbott, who had resisted calls from lawmakers to grant a reprieve in the case, argued the panel was usurping state clemency power left solely to him.

The committees authority to compel testimony does not include the power to override the scheduled legal process leading to an execution, Young wrote. We do not repudiate legislative investigatory power, but any testimony relevant to a legislative task here could have been obtained long before the death.

Still, Young wrote, there remains a substantial period between now and any potential future rescheduling of Robersons execution.

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If the committee still wishes to obtain his testimony, we assume that the department can reasonably accommodate a new subpoena, he wrote.

Roberson, 57, was condemned for the 2002 killing of his 2-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis, in the East Texas city of Palestine. His case was taken up by the Innocence Project, which argued that Robersons initial defense attorneys failed to point out holes in the prosecutions case  namely that Nikki had been a sick child with other medical conditions that could also explain her death and that the science behind the shaken baby explanation has since been contested.

Only the Court of Criminal Appeals can overturn the conviction, and it has so far refused to review Robersons innocence claims.

Roberson was initially slated to appear before the committee in person last month. The committee instead heard from the former television host known as Dr. Phil, who has helped champion Roberson's innocence claims, and other Roberson allies, including the author John Grisham. A juror who voted to convict Roberson also testified that she now believes he is innocent.

State Rep. Joe Moody, an El Paso Democrat who chairs the committee, cheered the ruling.

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The Supreme Court strongly reinforced our belief that our committee can indeed obtain Mr. Robersons testimony and made clear that it expects the executive branch of government to accommodate us in doing so, Moody said in a statement.

Robersons attorney Gretchen Sween said in a statement that the ruling hopefully gives time for those with power to address a grave wrong.

Robert is innocent, Sween said. Given the overwhelming new evidence of innocence, we ask the State of Texas to refrain from setting a new execution date.

The Anderson County district attorney did not respond to a request for comment on whether she would seek a new death warrant in the case. The attorney generals office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Abbott could still grant a reprieve, but the chances of him doing so appear very slim. He has only halted one execution in his nearly decade in office. In that case, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles recommended he spare the life of Thomas Whitaker in 2018. The board last month voted unanimously to deny Roberson clemency.
In a spectacular achievement for public health, Sweden has announced reaching near smoke-free status with smoking prevalence dropping to just 5.3 percent across the general population. Even more remarkable is the 4.5 percent rate among citizens who have experienced Swedish policies throughout their lives, significantly outpacing European Union targets.

A new report by We Are Innovation reveals the keys to Sweden's success: a unique Triple-A approach combining Accessibility, Acceptability, and Affordability of innovative nicotine alternatives. The analysis shows that European migrants in Sweden have a smoking rate of only 7.8 percent, compared to 24 percent in their home countries, demonstrating the effectiveness of Swedish policies across cultural boundaries.

Sweden's achievement is about reimagining how societies can address public health challenges through innovation, says Federico N. Fernandez, CEO of We Are Innovation. The dramatic reduction in smoking rates, particularly among European migrants, proves that when you combine smart regulation with consumer choice, you can achieve what was once thought impossible.

The Swedish experiences success is evidenced by a remarkable 65 percent decrease in smoking rates from 2008 to 2024, while the European average remains at 24 percent. This achievement positions Sweden as having the EUs lowest cigarette consumption rates and among Europes three lowest lung cancer mortality rates.

Gender-specific data shows that 75 percent of male ex-smokers chose snus as their primary alternative, while over 50 percent of female ex-smokers preferred nicotine pouches, highlighting the importance of diverse smoke-free options.

The impact of Swedens policies is particularly evident among European migrants, who would be three times more likely to smoke had they remained in their home countries. This striking difference corroborates the effectiveness of Swedens comprehensive approach to nicotine innovation and public health policy.

ABOUT WE ARE INNOVATION

We Are Innovation is a dynamic network of individuals and institutions who deeply believe in innovations power to drive progress and solve the worlds most pressing problems. With over 45 think-tanks, foundations, and NGOs based worldwide, We Are Innovation represents the diverse voices of a global civil society committed to advancing human creativity, adopting new technologies, and promoting innovative solutions. Through our collaborative approach and cutting-edge expertise, we are driving global transformative change. To learn more about our work, visit us at https://weareinnovation.global/.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241114215989/en/
Novotech, the global full-service clinical Contract Research Organization (CRO), has published its latest whitepaper, offering in-depth analysis and emerging trends and advancements within the rapidly evolving field of cell and gene therapies. The report provides critical insights into the growth of clinical trials, innovations and strategic opportunities, shaping the future of this field.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241114441933/en/

Key Highlights from the Report:

Global Clinical Trial Expansion : Over 1,500 drug candidates in development across phases 0 to III. CAR-T therapies account for 32% of the pipeline, primarily targeting hematological cancers. The global trial landscape experienced a 32.5% growth from 2019 to 2023, with Asia-Pacific leading in trial activity (44% of all trials).

: Oncology Focus : CAR-T and CAR-NK therapies represent ~30% of all cell and gene trials, with a strong focus on solid and hematological malignancies. Significant attention on gastrointestinal tract and lung cancers, as well as hematological cancers like diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

: Geographic Leadership : Asia-Pacific : Strong growth driven by China, which leads with 56% of the region's cell and gene trials. North America : The U.S. dominates with 85% of the trials. Europe : The UK, Spain, and Germany are key players.

: Technological Advancements : AI and Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs) are transforming the cell and gene therapy landscape, improving manufacturing efficiency and trial scalability.

: Patient Recruitment Trends : Faster recruitment in Asia-Pacific (16.07 months) compared to the U.S. (21.15 months), with the region showing higher enrollment efficiency.

: Investment Growth : A significant rise in venture capital for cell and gene therapies peaked in 2021, with sustained funding for start-ups and growth-stage companies.

:



Novotechs whitepaper highlights the significant potential of cell and gene therapies, particularly in oncology, and outlines opportunities for increased collaboration in global clinical trials.

Download the full report to explore the complete clinical landscape and discover how Novotech can accelerate your research efforts.

About Novotech Novotech-CRO.com

Founded in 1997, Novotech is a global full-service clinical Contract Research Organization (CRO) focused on partnering with biotech companies to accelerate the development of advanced and novel therapeutics at every phase.

Recognized for its industry-leading contributions, Novotech has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Frost &Sullivan 2024 Global Biotech CRO of the year award, Clinical Trials Arena Excellence Awards 2024, 2024 Employer of Choice, 2024 Great Place to Work in the US, 2024 Brandon Hall Gold Award, CRO Leadership Award 2023, the Asia Pacific Cell & Gene Therapy Clinical Trials Excellence 2023, the Asia-Pacific Contract Research Organization Company of the Year Award since 2006.

The Company offers a comprehensive suite of services including laboratories, Phase I facilities, drug development consulting, regulatory expertise, and has experience with over 5,000 clinical projects, including Phase I to Phase IV clinical trials and bioequivalence studies. With a presence in 34 office locations and a dedicated team of 3,000+ professionals worldwide, Novotech is a trusted end-to-end strategic partner of choice.

For more information or to speak to an expert team member visit www.Novotech-CRO.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241114441933/en/
97% of CEOs anticipate a material impact from this technology

99% of organizations are planning further GenAI investments

90% said legacy infrastructure hinders effective use of GenAI



NTT DATA, a global digital business and IT services leader, today released the first results of its extensive original research that reveals playtime is over for GenAI. The results overwhelmingly found that leaders are turning their focus from experimentation to long-term use cases that transform business performance, workplace culture, compliance, safety and sustainability.

The study, Global GenAI Report: How organizations are mastering their GenAI destiny in 2025, found that almost all leaders surveyed already have invested in GenAI, and 83% have established expert or robust GenAI teams. Top use cases for GenAI include:

Personalized service recommendations and knowledge management

Quality control

Research and Development (R&D)



The future is clear. Generative AI is more than just another tool  its a transformative force, said Yutaka Sasaki, President and Chief Executive Officer, NTT DATA Group. As we move beyond experimentation, a tension emerges: move too fast, and we risk unintended circumstances; move too slow and we fall behind. Getting GenAI right isnt optional. Thats why were providing a blueprint to help our clients harness its potential for lasting success.

Two-thirds of C-suite respondents said GenAI will be a game changer over the next two years and will improve:

Productivity and efficiency

Sustainability

Compliance

Business processes

Security

Employee experience



Strategy and Transformation

A cycle of consolidation and integration of GenAI technologies is beginning that combines experimental, phased and specific approaches. Focused spending plans will replace scattered experimentation in a relatively short time:

97% of CEOs anticipate a material impact from this technology.

70% of CEOs expect significant transformation in 2025.

83% of respondents said they have a well-defined GenAI strategy in place, but 51% have not yet aligned that strategy with their business plans. This gap limits return on investment and satisfaction with current outcomes.



Innovation and Technology

Nearly all respondents agree GenAI can spark creativity and improve R&D activities. Given the rapid adoption and advancement of GenAI technology, organizations will have to constantly re-evaluate and evolve their strategies and operating models. Key findings:

90% said legacy infrastructure hinders effective use of GenAI.

96% of CIOs and CTOs said cloud-based solutions are the most practical method for supporting GenAI applications.



People and Culture

96% of respondents are considering how GenAI can streamline future employee workflows and support processes. However, 67% of respondents said their employees lack the necessary skills to work with GenAI. About half are planning employee education and training to increase GenAI adoption.

The top obstacles to adoption are:

Users who perceive limited value for a GenAI solution

Limited or no awareness of the solution

User resistance to the technology

Concerns about GenAIs safety and security



Ethics, Safety and Sustainability

As GenAI infuses into daily life, balancing responsibility and innovation will be a moral imperative as well as a strategic necessity for leaders, organizations and society as a whole. Leaders largely recognize a mandate to strike this balance. Specifically:

81% said its very important for leaders to help employees balance innovation and responsibility.

72% said their organization lacks a GenAI usage policy for employees, including guidance on protecting intellectual property.

45% of CISOs expressed concerns about the technology, saying they feel pressured, threatened or overwhelmed.

82% said government regulations on AI are unclear, which hinders GenAI strategies, and most respondents expect spending on GenAI-related regulatory compliance will increase.



Despite significant challenges, 68% of respondents globally said they feel excited and amazed about GenAIs transformative potential.

This is a powerful point in world history as GenAI is shaping up to be a huge force in our tech-enabled economy, said Abhijit Dubey, Chief Executive Officer, NTT DATA, Inc. In supporting and driving this next era, NTT DATA feels an acute responsibility to our clients, our people and society to ensure that everything we design, implement, deploy and manage is highly resilient, capable and responsible.

About the Report

NTT DATA commissioned Jigsaw Research to conduct primary research during late September and early October 2024. The team surveyed leaders from organizations in 34 countries across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa. 98% of the 2,300+ respondents have direct authority or influence over GenAI purchase decisions.

The represented industries are Banking and Investment (11%); Insurance (9%); Manufacturing (14%); Automotive (8%); Logistics, Travel and Transportation (5%); Telco, Media and Technology (9%); Healthcare (9%); Life Sciences and Pharmaceuticals (9%); and Retail and Consumer Packaged Goods (5%); Public Sector (8%); Energy and Utilities (7%); Higher Education and Research (6%).

Learn more about NTT DATAs GenAI services and download the full report.

About NTT DATA

NTT DATA is a $30+ billion trusted global innovator of business and technology services. We serve 75% of the Fortune Global 100 and are committed to helping clients innovate, optimize and transform for long-term success. As a Global Top Employer, we have diverse experts in more than 50 countries and a robust partner ecosystem of established and start-up companies. Our services include business and technology consulting, data and artificial intelligence, industry solutions, as well as the development, implementation and management of applications, infrastructure and connectivity. We are also one of the leading providers of digital and AI infrastructure in the world. NTT DATA is part of NTT Group, which invests over $3.6 billion each year in R&D to help organizations and society move confidently and sustainably into the digital future. Visit us at nttdata.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241114975693/en/
Chinese telecom companies eye African market at Africa Tech Festival 2024

Xinhua) 00:59, November 15, 2024

CAPE TOWN, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese telecom companies, showcasing innovative technologies and products at the Africa Tech Festival 2024 in South Africa, have set ambitious goals to expand their footprint in the rapidly growing African market.

Held from Nov. 12 to 14 at Cape Town International Convention Center in the country's legislative capital, the festival -- Africa's largest and most influential telecom and technology event -- attracted 15,000 attendees, over 300 exhibitors, and 450 speakers from across the continent and beyond.

According to its organizers, the event offered a "360-degree view" of how technological innovation and strategic shifts are reshaping key sectors, while also serving as a platform to explore the transformative impact of technology across Africa's diverse industries.

South African Minister of Communications and Digital Technology Solly Malatsi called for united efforts to advance Africa's digital future at the festival's official opening ceremony on Tuesday. He noted the digital era has unlocked opportunities for growth and inclusion across Africa, paving new pathways for economic and social progress.

This year's Africa Tech Festival also highlighted the growing role of international players in Africa's tech ecosystem, including major Chinese telecom companies increasingly expanding their presence in the region.

China's Inspur Communication Information System Co., Ltd., exhibiting for the first time at AfricaCom, one of the festival's anchor events, expressed optimism about its growth potential in Africa. The company's sub-Saharan Africa Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sky Sun told Xinhua: "We aim to attract more customers not only locally but across sub-Saharan Africa."

"While regions like Asia and Europe may be more advanced, we have made significant strides in the African market and continue to experience growth," he said. "Additionally, we have been actively engaging with our telecom customers in the sector, and we are seeing positive progress."

China Unicom Global in the African Region CEO Yao Siyang underscored his company's commitment to expanding presence in the African market, marking its fourth exhibition at the event.

"We are happy to be part of this event and to bring our smart solutions to local customers in Africa, where we see significant growth potential in the telecommunications sector and beyond. There is a lot of opportunity here, and we see a lot of newcomers come to the continent to expand their businesses. We are also proud we can have the chance to connect and meet people at this event," Yao said.

International Sales Manager of China's Chengdu Qianhong Communication Co., Ltd. Jack Lu also expressed the company's desire to deepen partnerships with African telecom operators. "We hope to provide deeper cooperation for South African telecommunications operators. The world's future is Africa," he said.

Chinese smartphone maker Honor also made its debut at the AfricaCom exhibition. "Africa is a market with great potential, and we have very strong confidence in South Africa and the entire African market," Fred Zhou, CEO of Honor South Africa, told Xinhua.

According to him, Honor's sales in South Africa surged by more than 600 percent last year and grew by over 200 percent this year. "Honor already ranks second in the South African contract phone market, and we are confident that Honor will become the brand with the largest market share in South Africa's contract phone market in the next three to five years," Zhou said.

As a Chinese company creating over 300 jobs in South Africa annually, Honor aims to be a bridge for cooperation between China and South Africa, he said. "We want to help South African users accelerate the process of embracing the digital age."

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Zhong Wenxing)
More than 20 of the states food producers contributed to the Ag-Artisan holiday gift boxes that the Idaho Preferred program is selling.

The gift boxes provide a platform to showcase Idaho agricultural producers while offering consumers a delicious taste of what Idaho is all about, Idaho Preferred program manager Erica White said in a news release. Every purchase directly supports our farmers and artisans and promotes the local economy.

Food and agricultural products grown, raised or processed in the state are the focus of Idaho Preferred, a member organization that the state Department of Agriculture administers.

The $64.99 gift boxes are available in two distinct collections, each showcasing a curated assortment of products that celebrate Idahos agricultural diversity, according to the release.

The gift box program now in its sixth year is a nonprofit endeavor that directly supports producers, according to Idaho Preferred. Early ordering is recommended.
A TULLOW man who was out deer hunting was ordered to pay a donation to charity when he appeared before Carlow District Court last week. John Nolan, 57 Hillbrook Estate, Tullow pleaded guilty to a charge of entering land to hunt wild animals without permission at Valleymount, Co Wicklow on 12 December 2020.

Sergeant Hud Kelly told the court that agents from the National Parks and Wildlife Service received a report of illegal hunting at Granamore, Valleymount and that upon investigation they found Mr Nolan and two others in a vehicle with a deer carcass.

He continued that the defendant claimed that the deer had been killed at a different location earlier but that witnesses heard gunshots in Granamore.

Sgt Kelly added that two other defendants involved in the incident had already been dealt with in court, where they were ordered to pay money to charity.

Defending solicitor Chris Hogan told Judge Geraldine Carthy that his client had the role of spotter that day and didnt have a gun on him so he was less criminally culpable than the other two people.

He said that Mr Nolan was actively involved in a charity for homeless people in Dublin by providing them with food and that he had raised thousands of euros for charity over the past two years.

Mr Nolan then told Judge Carthy that he would have 500 available to donate to a charity so she adjourned the matter until 4 December for him to gather up the money.
Elaine Stenson

A "solitary and sad" man has been jailed for 12 years for killing his 88-year-old mother, who died in "horrific circumstances" in a house fire having "dedicated her life to caring" for her son.

Passing sentence on Geunter Lohse (63) on Friday, Ms Justice Melanie Greally noted there was no sign he made a credible effort to assist or save grandmother Ruth Lohse.

Geunter pleaded guilty earlier this year to unlawfully killing his mother Ruth by arson at the house they shared in Coolvoy, Doochary, Co Donegal on April 12th, 2022.

The defendant, who has been described as a 'vulnerable person", had originally been charged with murder, but the State accepted a plea to manslaughter.

Ms Lohse was described as the "heart and soul" of her family who kept them together.

The Central Criminal Court heard that Geunter had moved to Ireland with his mother and had lived with her all his life. However, in the days before the killing he was upset that the family had planned to send him back to Germany but keep his mother in Donegal.

The defendant admitted starting the fire using long matches, claiming that his family drove him to this by comments they made to him. He claimed he was only trying to destroy the property and not harm his mother.

Lohse appeared before the court on Friday via video link, as a translator in the courtroom read out the judges sentence to him in German.

In his victim impact statement, the defendant's brother Kurt Lohse spoke of the profound grief his family have endured since his mothers death.

'Haunting memory'

He described the "haunting memory" of arriving at the scene, hearing the screams, "witnessing the horror", and feeling "utterly helpless" amid the flashing lights. He said this trauma continues to cause nightmares for family members.

Ms Justice Greally said that the killing of Ruth Lohse was an impulsive act of protest, motivated by the defendant's anger and frustration at his perceived mistreatment by his family.

She said it was evident in the days prior to the incident that the defendant was acutely distressed and was suffering with underlying anxiety, while there was a high level of confusion associated with his actions.

She noted that although the defendant claims he didnt intend for his mother to die, given her location in relation to the fire, she had no chance of escape.

Ms Justice Greally also noted there was no sign of a credible effort to assist or save her.

She said she was setting a headline sentence of 18 years. She said she took account of mitigating circumstances, including the fact the defendant was 63, had no previous convictions and had offered expressions of remorse.

She also took into account that Lohse made an early guilty plea, although there was strong proof of guilt. Ms Justice Greally recognised that the defendant can be considered a vulnerable person as a result of asphyxiation at birth due to complications with the umbilical cord.

The aggravating factors included Lohse's recklessness in setting fire to an occupied home, the terror experienced by the victim - who the judge said died under horrific circumstances - and the multiple breaches of trust.

Ms Justice Greally highlighted that the victim dedicated her life to caring for the defendant, was elderly and vulnerable with limited mobility, and that the killing occurred in her own home.

She noted that Lohse has no social circle or family support and that his experience in prison will be an isolated and solitary one. She recommended that Lohse serve his sentence at Castlerea prison, where he is currently treated as a vulnerable person.

Ms Justice Greally said she would impose a sentence of 13 years with the final 12 months suspended.
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Suvo Strategic Minerals Ltd has secured AUD380,236 (US$246,151) in funding from the Australian's government under its R&D Incentive Scheme to support ongoing research into its low-carbon cement technology, "Colliecrete." The Perth-based companys proprietary geopolymer cement formulation reportedly achieves a 50 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to traditional ordinary Portland cement (OPC).

In partnership with Murdoch University, Suvo entered an intellectual property (IP) licence agreement last year to commercialise the universitys technology for a low-carbon concrete batching plant. The collaboration, which began two years ago, aims to explore potential markets for geopolymer concrete using Suvos metakaolin product, with a focus on locating production sites near raw material sources.

The pilot plant at Collie, Western Australia, has been testing various geopolymer formulations, targeting a near-zero GHG alternative to OPC. Following the launch of the EcoCast Joint Venture with concrete specialist PERMAcast, Suvo is exploring additional grants for further development and commercialisation of Colliecrete and other waste-derived concrete solutions.
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At COP29, currently being held in Baku, Azerbaijan, there has been a formal call for action from the cement and concrete industry to policymakers around the world to increase their support to help reach net-zero emissions.



The extensive decarbonisation work being carried out by the global cement and concrete industry to cut CO 2 emissions is set out in a newly-published progress report, launched at COP29. The Global Cement and Concrete Associations (GCCA) Cement Industry new report is entitled 'Net Zero Progress Report 2024/25' and offers feedback on its Concrete Future 2050 Roadmap for Net Zero Concrete launched three years ago.



Fernando Gonzalez, president of the GCCA and CEO of Cemex, said: Our industry is engaged in the most significant transformation in its history as we address the most pressing challenge our planet faces  climate change.



However, to fully unlock our decarbonisation progress in this crucial decade to deliver, we urgently need effective policy support. When policymakers provide the right market conditions and policy enablers, significant CO 2 reductions are achievable faster.



The report calls for the urgent implementation of effective policies which promote the use of municipal and industrial waste as sustainable alternative fuels for cement kilns, as well as using construction demolition waste as recycled raw materials. Other key policies include a change in building codes to encourage the wider adoption of blended cement and concrete products, as well as the establishment of market-driven national carbon pricing mechanisms that incentivise decarbonisation and investment in clean innovation.



Thomas Guillot, CEO of the GCCA said: This report shows several great examples of action that is already happening on the ground across the world, demonstrating that an acceleration of our decarbonisation efforts is taking place today where enabling policies exist.



"Thats why its important that we are in Baku at COP29, calling on all policymakers, governments and anyone with a stake in the built environment to urgently work with us on our net zero mission.



Download the GCCA's Net Zero Progress Report 2024/25 here.
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Grupo Argos, parent group of Colombian cement giant Cementos Argos, has announced a 75 per cent YoY increase in its net profit for the third quarter of 2024, reaching COP332bn (US$74.1m), compared to COP190bn in the same period of 2023. This marks a significant recovery from the previous quarters COP189bn net profit, underpinned by stronger cement demand.

Total group revenues grew by eight per cent YoY to COP3.31trn (US$739.1m) in the 3Q24, with cement operations led by Cementos Argos contributing notably to this growth. The groups EBITDA surged 34 per cent to COP1.13trn (US$253.6m), boosted by improved cement sales and cost efficiencies.

In the 9M24 net income reached COP4.31trn (US$962.6m), up 375 per cent YoY, while total revenues rose two per cent to COP11.5trn (US$2.58bn). Cementos Argos, a key subsidiary, reported robust results, driving EBITDA growth of 39 per cent to COP4.49trn (US$1bn) over the same period.

Grupo Argos cement segment continues to benefit from strong infrastructure demand in key Latin American markets, despite broader macroeconomic challenges. The conglomerates portfolio also includes energy company Celsia and Odinsa, which manages road and airport concessions, but Cementos Argos remains a key growth driver for the groups improved financial performance.
Dr. Amir Hashemloo, a trailblazer in the field of aesthetics, reshaping people's beauty with innovative facial techniques. As an eminent physician and Shahid Beheshti University graduate, Dr. Hashemloo is a maestro in Iran, celebrated for his skill in facial contouring and enhancing features to align with natural beauty. His visionary approach and expertise have set new standards in the industry, transforming faces and boosting confidence. Dr. Hashemloo's dedication to harmonizing facial proportions showcases his commitment to enhancing individual beauty in a natural and artistic way.

Dr. Amir Hashemloo has this unique way of approaching facial beauty. He mixes art, science, and natural proportions to create something awesome. He's all about those golden ratios and even takes inspiration from Leonardo Da Vinci's classical aesthetics. His primary objective is to reshape faces without any distortion. His meticulous methods ensure that each contour and adjustment aligns with the natural proportions of the face, resulting in exquisite balance and harmony.

One of Dr. Hashemloo's innovative techniques is fixing the eye and eyebrow frame. It's a game-changer in facial reshaping. He's the one who brought this awesome method to the table! This method of injecting Hyaluronic Acid gel not only widens the forehead but also covers the external axes of the cheeks, normalizing cheek volume. This comprehensive approach addresses the entire face, ensuring a holistic transformation that respects the natural beauty of his patients.

Dr. Hashemloo's dedication to facial aesthetics succeeds based on his innovative techniques, which he meticulously applies to each procedure. This scientific approach, combined with his artistic sensibility, allows him to create results that are both natural and aesthetically pleasing. His techniques have revolutionized the field of facial contouring, offering patients a way to enhance their features without sacrificing their unique beauty.

Born in Tehran, Dr. Amir developed an interest in medicine during his high school years. His intelligence and talent were evident early on, leading him to pursue a medical degree, where he excelled in his studies. After graduating, he focused on skin care, hair care, and beauty, quickly establishing himself as a leading physician in Iran. And now, he is celebrated for his precision and effectiveness.

Before We Go

In the aesthetics industry, where beauty norms can vary widely, Dr. Amir Hashemloo's genuine commitment is truly refreshing. His facial reshaping methods go beyond redefining beauty; they inspire his patients to love and accept their distinct features confidently. Dr. Amir's impact extends far beyond transforming faces; he's redefining beauty, empowering people to celebrate their uniqueness and appreciate beauty in its truest form.
Winston Churchill said, The price of leadership is a responsibility, a principle applicable to all levels of leadership, from the White House to local schools. While educators bear the burden of education reform, those in high offices often escape accountability, which seems unjust.Republicans have controlled the Tennessee General Assembly and the Governors Office for 14 years. If public education is struggling, everyone involved should reflect on their roles. Continuing the current administrations policies would be a mistake.Future gubernatorial candidates should engage with school boards, superintendents, teachers, and parents now. Ask our current occupant: If Tennessee knows best about our education needs, why are so many out-of-state groups influencing your education policies?Public affairs consultant Todd Kruse stated, Our nation can continue tinkering with mandatory testing... or we can start thinking about revolutionary change in our public schools. Many education reformers have lost their way by focusing on misdirected ideas without firsthand experience, leading to biased opinions and flawed policies. Taxpayers reasonably expect their tax money to fund effective programs.If American education faces challenges, they may stem from federal overreach and states that merely copy policies from other states. Tennessee receives $1.8 billion in Title I, IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), and other federal funding each year, supporting low-income students, students with disabilities, and school lunch programs. We cannot lose those dollars. The federal government should not regulate public education. We need to restore control of education to state and local agencies.State education agencies should enhance local control by granting school districts more operational flexibility. The effectiveness of the Every Student Succeeds Act depends on state education leadership, yet many recent Commissioners of Education lacked familiarity with Tennessee.We must also question what role we want our state education agency to play in public education. If the price of leadership is a responsibility, then lets restore our local school districts and encourage them with adequate resources to accomplish the critical mission they have been charged with undertaking. State agencies must be more accountable to those they are supposed to serve, parents and taxpayers, not federal bureaucrats.This doesnt mean state or federal governments should neglect their roles in promoting an educated citizenry. Michael Greve noted, Federalism requires confidence in the creative energies of a free society. A centralized approach to public education is counterproductive.Since 1965, a one-size-fits-all federal solution has led to unfunded mandates restricting local educators. We need leaders who embrace their responsibility to educate children, remembering that public education aims to develop moral, productive, and literate citizens, integrate diverse populations, and reduce class conflict. Public education funding is a state responsibility under our state constitution.To meet the needs of students and parents, we must enhance transparency, allowing parents to participate actively in their children's education. Educators should be equipped with the necessary tools and support. Public education must be accountable to the community, not to a politically fluctuating bureaucracy in Washington, DC, or Nashville, Tennessee.Increased transparency is essential to being more responsive to the needs of students and parents. Parents need access to essential information and to become active partners in their childs education. Parent engagement is much more than the feel good initiatives that we undertake. In addition, we must provide our educators with the tools they need for their vocation.We need to prioritize local control and flexibility in education funding. A block grant system from the federal government could facilitate essential changes if it offers a streamlined approach that allows states and communities to customize their spending based on their specific needs.In return, states and districts must protect and enforce students' rights. Title VI prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin, and Title IX prohibits sex discrimination. Section 504 prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities, and the Age Discrimination Act protects against age discrimination; FERPA gives parents access to education records; PPRA provides parents rights regarding student data; and prohibits segregation based on race or national origin.This system will drive innovation and accountability, as states must demonstrate academic improvement to access federal funds. There is a significant disparity in funding and resources across states and communities. However, careful implementation can create a more responsive and effective education system. Our state's educators can accomplish great things for students when they get the support they deserve and responsible leadership.JC Bowman, executive director of Professional Educators of Tennessee, a non-partisan teacher association headquartered in Nashville.
There are no planes taking off or landing this week at the Dalton Municipal Airport. The runway is closed for its first repaving in more than 35 years. Once the project is done, though, bigger and heavier airplanes will be able to use the facility.

"Ultimately, (the runway) will be three inches thicker than it was before," said Airport Manager Andrew Wiersma. "So it will have a much stronger weight bearing capacity when its done which will allow us to service the larger, heavier jets in the future."

The project is not adding any length to the runway - it will stay at 5,500 feet so it will still not be long enough to service jumbo jets. But certain types of corporate jets which couldn't land in Dalton before can now visit the Carpet Capital.

"When you get into the upper range of your corporate sized jets like your Gulfstream 550s and 650s, they were just over the edge of our weight limit before," Mr. Wiersma said. "So, it just makes it more comfortable for those guys (with bigger jets) to come in and take on large loads of fuel which helps fuel sales and everything else."

The runway resurfacing is one of the finishing touches on a series of projects to rehab the airport's facilities. The runway apron was resurfaced in two phases with the second phase wrapping up last year. The taxiway was resurfaced and moved further from the runway in 2007. But besides crack sealing and maintenance work, the main runway had not been paved since the runway was extended to its current length before 1988. It was so long ago, in fact, that airport staff aren't sure when that work took place - just that it was between 1985 and 1988.

"The runway has actually held up pretty well for the length of time  because typically you want to resurface asphalt much sooner than that," Mr. Wiersma said. "Usually you get about a 20-year lifespan on asphalt. (Ours) had definitely outlived its useful life. But thankfully it was holding up well, we didnt have chunks of asphalt coming up or anything like that."

The runway work is being funded primarily through federal grants, with smaller shares of matching funds from the Georgia Department of Transportation and local funds. The Dalton Municipal Airport generates a $7.8 million annual economic impact on the region. While the airport does serve aviation enthusiasts for recreational flights, it is also a transportation hub for corporate travel and support for local industry. The airport frequently services flights bringing important equipment which helps keep manufacturing facilities online. Military flights frequently use the airport for refueling and staging. And each year, the USDA also uses the airport as the home base for the operation to airdrop rabies vaccines in forests across the state to inoculate raccoons and other wild animals and cut down on the spread of the disease.

Once the resurfacing work is completed, more work is on the horizon to modernize the airport. Thanks to the federal infrastructure bill, work will begin next year to update lighting and electrical facilities throughout the airport.

"Weve been saving (the federal grant money) each year for this lighting project where we will be replacing all of our lights and electrical next year using those funds," Mr. Wiersma said. "So, all of our lights, taxiway lights, the rotating beacon, the PAPI (Precision Approach Path Indicator) lights, and the wind cone light will all be replaced to LEDs next year."

The sky over Dalton may be a little quieter for a few weeks while the paving work is done, but keeping the Dalton Municipal Airport in top shape will keep our sky buzzing for decades to come.
Former Whitwell School principal Linda Hooper will have a book signing for The Power of a Paperclip (A Holocaust Study in the Rural Appalachia Opens Up the Works to Its Students) on Monday, Dec. 2 at 4 p.m. at the Jewish Cultural Center. Ms. Hooper will briefly speak at 4:30 p.m.. The book is co-authored with Sharon Shadrick.The Jewish Cultural Center is located at 5461 North Terrace Road. There is no cost to attend. Books are available for $20. For more information call 423-493-0270.Ms.Hooper led a group of teachers at Whitwell Middle School in Tennessee, as they looked for a special project to open up the wider world to their young students in a small Appalachian town. The students found a way to commemorate the millions of souls lost to that tragic period in twentieth-century history by collecting six million paper clips and in the process transformed the community. Linda Hooper worked in public education for more than 30 years. The Paper Clip Project, the Childrens Holocaust Museum and her dreams for the Whitwell Education and Heritage Center continue to inspire many people.Ms. Shadrick taught at Whitwell Middle School, is a mother of three and participated in the Paper Clip Project with her daughter, Amanda. She is a published poet and supporter of the arts.
A Chattanooga attorney is facing federal charges of sexual exploitation of children.

Patrick Bryant Hawley is charged with animal crushing, sexual exploitation of children, and coercion and enticement. He is also charged with receipt, possession and distribution of material involving sexual exploitation of minors.

A special agent who focuses on child sexual exploitation cases said authorities on April 22 received a lead from another agent in South Carolina who was actively monitoring chat groups dedicated to viewing and distributing child sexual material.

The lead was about an individual who had the user name ULTIMATEDADBOD, who said he was a 42-year-old from Tennessee named Patrick. He expressed his desires to have sexual contact with children.

The South Carolina agent on April 12 began corresponding with Patrick from Tennessee while posing as a mother of a four-year-old daughter. The agent said Patrick expressed his desire to meet them and told of the sexual acts he was interested in engaging with with the child.

He also explained how best to "groom" the child for sexual abuse purposes.

ULTIMATEDADBOD sent five digital images of himself. In one, the name Patrick Bryant Hawley that was on a certificate was visible in the background hanging on the wall.

Another image contained GPS coordinates linking to the address of 511 Georgia Ave. in Chattanooga, the address of Hawley's law office. Agents were able to learn that "Patrick" lived on Hermitage Avenue at Lookout Mountain, Tn., and drove a green 2011 Subaru Legacy wagon.

By mid-September, a separate agent was corresponding with Hawley in an undercover capacity. His correspondent used the name "hejumps around" and that address was traced to the house on Hermitage.

Hawley told this undercover officer (who was in Ontario, Canada) he was interested in forming a relationship with a female pedophile. He recommended that the mother expose her children to pornography and sleep in the same bed with them and with sexual partners.

Authorities said on Sept. 18 that Hawley texted a video to the Ontario agent of a woman dressed as a black cat and a second person using a clear tube and a scrub brush to force a live white mouse into her private area.

He said the woman in the video was "my ex-fiancee, the love of my life. She was the first woman I dated who touched her daughters. She was very, very conflicted about it."

Authorities said in October they were able to gain entrance to a heavily guarded chat room, where Hawley distributed numerous child sex videos - many of which were of infants or toddler-age children.

Agents set up surveillance on the Hawley residence on Hermitage on Lookout Mountain and were able to determine on a day in which child sex videos were coming from that location that his vehicle never left the house.

On Oct. 29, "Patrick" was in contact with still another agent, who said Patrick told him he was "mainly into pedomoms, but you can't have pedomoms without littles. . ." The agent said Hawley confided they lived near one another in Tennessee. Hawley also provided a selfie of himself to the undercover agent.

Authorities said on two occasions, Patrick provided to the Tennessee agent a video of his ex-girlfriend with rats in her private area. He said the video was taken in the girlfriend's parents' trailer. He said, "Yep, love them Rossville girls."

The FBI last Saturday learned of a 14-year-old girl in Pennsylvania that they said Hawley had been corresponding with. She said Hawley had sent her numerous child sex videos and was "grooming" her. She admitted sending him multiple explicit photos of herself.

Hawley was arrested on Thursday when he appeared for a face-to-face meeting with one of the undercover officers he had been corresponding with.

Magistrate Susan K. Lee ordered the lawyer to be kept in custody pending further proceedings of his case. His arraignment is set next Friday morning.
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park invites the public to participate in a special 1-hour, ranger-led program on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 3 p.m. examining the role of photography at Point Lookout during the Civil War.This program will take place inside Point Park, on top of Lookout Mountain. The entrance fee of $10 applies to persons 16 and older, 15 and younger are free. The entrance fee is waived for America the Beautiful Passholders and up to three additional adults.Officials said, "Most images of the American Civil War come from battles located in the wars Eastern Theater.Photographs from Gettysburg, Antietam, Appomattox and other locations are what we associate with the war. Not many images appear of Western Theater battles like Shiloh, Vicksburg or Chickamauga. However, the one place that probably had the most images captured of it was the Point of Lookout Mountain. All because one man, Robert Royan M. Linn, chose to place his studio there to capture the picturesque view from the mountain top. Come learn more about R. M. Linn and the provocative images he created in a short amount of time that still captivate us today."For more information about programs at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, contact the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at 706-866-9241, the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center at 423-821-7786, or visit the park website at www.nps.gov/chch.
Tennessee Wildlife Federation announced the winners of its 10th Annual Photo Contest, celebrating the landscapes, wildlife, and natural beauty of Tennessee. This years contest drew nearly 2,000 entries from photographers across 10 states, showcasing diverse perspectives on Tennessees great outdoors.

The winning photos, chosen by a panel of judges, will be featured in the Federations 2025 calendar. The cover photo, shot by Griffin Nagle from Asheville, NC, captures an eastern wild turkey in a quiet field.

The Peoples Choice Award, decided by more than 4,000 public votes, was awarded to Terry Weaver of Savannah, Tn., for his shot of a pileated woodpecker feeding its young in a tree cavity. You can see the full list of winning photos at tnwf.org/2025-photo-contest-winners .

In total, 17 feature images and several honorable mentions will be highlighted in the 2025 calendar. All winning photographers will receive prizes such as gift cards from Bass Pro Shops, Tennessee Wildlife Federation-branded beanies and travel mugs, outdoor backpacks, padded outdoor chairs, and soft-sided coolers. Prizes were provided by Bass Pro Shops of Memphis, Nashville, Kodak, and Bristol, Tn.

The 2025 calendar showcases the diversity of Tennessees wildlife, with each species playing a unique and important role in its ecosystem. Anyone who gives $60 or more, or signs up for a monthly gift of $10 or more, by Dec. 31, will receive the 2025 calendar as a thank you, until supplies run out.
A Rossville man who created a pornographic image of his intellectually disabled children has been sentenced to serve 66 years in prison.

Jarred Hosch, 41, pled guilty to three counts of sexually exploiting a child, one count of soliciting another to commit child molestation, and one count of soliciting another to sexually exploit a child.

During a guilty-plea hearing, evidence showed that the defendant, who was out on probation for aggravated assault, created the pornographic image. When agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) searched the defendants phones, they uncovered a number of child sexual abuse materials and several obscene chat logs.

In one such chat, the defendant fantasized about confining a young girl to his basement for the purpose of raping and torturing her.

After hearing the evidence and argument from both sides, Judge Chris Arnt sentenced the defendant to the maximum, with the first 60 years to be served in confinement. If released, the defendant will be required to register as a sexual offender.

The prosecution team was led by Senior Assistant District Attorney Deanna Reisman and Assistant District Attorney Zachary Trippe who were assisted by Donna Howell, Leann Black, Jennifer Jackson, and Rebecca Fordney of the District Attorneys Office.

Officials said, "The DA's Office would not have been able to secure the conviction and lengthy sentence without the tireless work of the GBI and law enforcement partners who contributed to the case including Ethan Brown, Elizabeth Bigham, Renea Green, Shane Hodges and Christopher Anderson."

District Attorney Clayton M. Fuller praised the work of the GBI and partner agencies for their investigation of the case. It is important for the community to understand that there is a relentless interagency team that never tires in protecting our children from sexual predators. I want to thank our team and I also want to thank Judge Arnt for his stiff sentence for sending this predator to prison for a long time.
A Georgia mom was outraged that she was arrested and is now being asked to sign a form pledging "her children would always be under a watchful eye" -- all because she allowed her preteen son to walk less than a mile alone, NBC News reported.

The Fannin County Sheriff's Department picked up Brittany Patterson's then-10-year-old son when they saw him walking alone along a road near his family home. They dropped him off and she thought it was the end of it until deputies returned hours later to arrest her for suspicion of reckless conduct.

"It was anger and frustration, of course, because my children were having to witness that all," the mother-of-four told NBC News. "They asked me to put my hands behind my back and all that stuff, and I realized what was going on."

She posted a $500 bail and was offered to have the charge dropped if she signed a form with a safety plan that pledged her children would always be under a watchful eye.

Patterson refused to sign the form and is contesting the charge.

"This is not right, I did nothing wrong," she said. "I'm going to fight for that."

If she loses, Patterson faces up to one year in prison.

Originally published by Latin Times
Joyce Johnson, 79, passed peacefully in her sleep on November 13, 2024. True to her spirit, Joyce left this world her wayno chemo, no more doctors appointments, pain medication abound, and close to her typical 3 a.m. bedtime. In the days leading up to her passing, she made sure to be with her family, sharing all her last thoughts and, naturally, a few choice grievances. Joyce was never one to hold back her thoughts, a trait fully appreciated and occasionally braved by all present as she was surrounded by her husband, children, grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; the youngest of which at two years old was far too engrossed with the cat toys to be part of the conversation. Joyces mantra was Everyone is entitled to my opinion.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Johnnie Mullinix, her son Jim Johnson, and her brother Gary Mullinix.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Johnny Johnson; sons Jeff (Holly), Rob (Tammy), and son-in-law Weylin Dyer; grandchildren Kristin (Scott) Logsdon, Hadrian (Emma) Leech, Julia (Seth) Archambault, and Rebecca Hodge; great-grandchildren Bailey, Madison, Piper, and Lukas Logsdon and Rosalind Archambault; her brothers, Greg (Barbara) Mullinix and Randy Mullinix; and her nephews Scott (Courtney) Mullinix and Bryan (Lauren) Mullinix and their daughter Charlie.

Joyces life was as vibrant as it was full. Born as Linda Joyce Johnson in Knoxville and raised in Oak Ridge, she married her high school sweetheart, Charles Johnny Johnson. Their love story was one for the agesmarked by playful humor and deep affection. She surprised Johnny on his 40th birthday with a 60-year-old belly dancer performing in front of his coworkers. Johnny, never one to be outdone, returned the favor for Joyces 40th birthday by orchestrating a mock funeral procession. He paraded Joyce in a coffin on the back of a flatbed truck, driving through the neighborhood playing funeral dirges over a loudspeaker followed in a procession of cars. These moments of laughter and mischief were a testament to their deep, abiding love and mutual appreciation for each other. Together, they spent 60 joyful years of marriage.

She founded a neighborhood swim league that was larger than the competitive Chattanooga leagues. She also won an amateur comedy contest in Chattanooga and could boast a casino win rate most of the time. She and Johnny spent their weekends on their 70-foot houseboat, the Tax Shelter, relaxing with all of their dock friends. Her boat was the backstage of the Rock the Boat concert for four years running where she would hold court. The latter part of her life was dedicated to her successful tax preparation business where she loved getting every legal cent back for her clients, who often became lifelong friends.

The friendships Joyce formed throughout her life were deep and enduring. To be her friend meant you were someone she admiredconfident, strong, and worthy of her loyalty. Joyce had a unique way of connecting with people. She often greeted new acquaintances with a sharp, sometimes brash comment. Those who laughed and took it in stride earned her affection, while those who were offended quickly faded from her circle. Though unconventional, this approach helped her cultivate a fiercely loyal group of friends who valued her authenticity and unapologetic nature.

Joyce was as well known for her generosity as she was for her love of Christmas, her favorite holiday. She organized and paid for family cruises, trips to Las Vegas, and even a Disney adventure.

It was speculated by many that her biggest regrets before moving on would have been to see Trump take office, the upcoming birth of her sixth great-grandchild, see Tennessee beat Georgia, and one last cigarette  but mostly, one more lifetime with her true love of 62 years, her beloved sweet thing, Johnny.

A Celebration of Life Service for Joyce will be Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 6 p.m. in the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. until service time at North Chapel.

Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory, and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, Tn. 37343. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.
Waters Corporation announced the official opening of its new 45,000 square foot manufacturing facility at the Longbridge Business Park in the West Midlands. The new facility more than triples existing operations and enhances the company's machining capacity to produce critical components for products developed and manufactured at Waters mass spectrometry Center of Excellence in Wilmslow, UK and in Wexford, Ireland.

The new Waters facility at Longbridge represents a significant investment in the region, underscoring the company's commitment to maintaining and growing its local manufacturing capabilities and capacity.

"The opening of our Longbridge facility is an important next step for Waters and our employees with a modern, fit-for-purpose space to support their innovative and important work," said Chris Ross, Senior Vice President of Global Operations at Waters. "This state-of-the-art precision engineering center expands our manufacturing footprint in the region and also provides a highly desirable working environment to support future growth and the potential for additional skilled jobs."

"The UK Government is delighted that Waters Corporation is opening a new site at Longbridge. This investment brings new jobs and innovative new technology in precision engineering into the West Midlands  an area that has long welcomed industrial innovation," said David Clay, British Consul General to New England. "The fact that a leading company like Waters has chosen the UK for this investment is also a great endorsement of the UK talent available in this sector, and we look forward to seeing the new facility have a long-term positive effect in the West Midlands Region."

Products manufactured at the new site in Longbridge are essential components used in Waters mass spectrometry systems  scientific instruments used by tens of thousands of chemists and analytical scientists worldwide in support of the life, food, environmental, and materials sciences.
Home News Bookkeeper who stole over $875K from Florida church sentenced to 2 years in prison

A Florida woman who stole more than $875,000 from a church in which she served as its finance and records manager has been sentenced to serve 27 months in prison for her crimes.

U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday sentenced Heather Darrey, a 45-year-old resident of Tampa, to 27 months in federal prison for wire fraud, according to a Thursday statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida.

Additionally, Darrey was ordered to forfeit $875,323.19, which was the total she embezzled from the church while working there.

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This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Tampa Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Greg Pizzo, Suzanne Nebesky and Jordan Howard.

The Rev. Leonard J.M. Plazewski, pastor of Christ the King, wrote in a statement published by The Tampa Bay Times that he felt betrayed by Darrey and could not understand her reasons.

"So many of my parishioners expressed to me that what upset them the most was not the theft itself, nor even the gross amount of the theft, (but) rather the identity of the perpetrator," Plazewski wrote. "This feels akin to a member of one's own family stealing from you and for no good reason."

According to court documents, Darrey served as the church's finance manager for several years. She used her position to withdraw large sums of money from the church's business bank account and deposit them in her personal account and others.

Darrey entered false data into the church's accounting software system to hide her theft, which was initially tallied to be around $775,000 but later revealed to be over $875,000.

Darrey mostly spent the funds to pay for her mortgage, car and boat loans as well as bills for clothing, concert tickets, restaurants and vacations, according to legal documents. The theft was believed to have taken place from October 2023 to March.

In May, news broke that an unnamed person, later revealed to be Darrey, stole at least $775,000 from the church, apparently using a major construction project on the congregation's youth center to help conceal the theft.

The Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg said in a statement given to 10 Tampa Bay in May that the theft did not involve the compromising of any parishioners' personal information and that the congregation was made aware of what happened earlier that month.

Darrey pleaded guilty in June, with a plea deal noting that she faced "a maximum sentence of 20 years of imprisonment," a maximum $250,000 fine and "a term of supervised release of not more than three years" for her crimes.

Defense attorney Scott Boardman argued that Darrey's crime was a reaction to the stress she was experiencing due to a family member's medical problems and attempted to get her a lighter sentence, claiming that the public shame over the crime was enough of a punishment.

"Heather Darrey is a loving and supportive mother and wife," Boardman argued in a sentencing memo, as quoted by the Tampa Bay Times. "She appreciates fully the impact of her behavior."
Home News British primary school cuts Christmas references out of holiday show for more 'inclusive' production

A British primary school has stirred up a heated debate after announcing it will exclude all Christmas references from its upcoming pantomime production of Jack and the Beanstalk to ensure a more "inclusive" event.

Wherwell Primary School, located in Andover, informed parents of its 126 pupils that the traditional holiday-themed elements, including Christmas songs, would be removed from the performance, according to the Daily Mail.

The decision was outlined in a letter from headteacher Mandy Ovenden, who explained that the pantomime, while set during the festive season, was not specifically a Christmas event.

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"In order for it to be enjoyed by everyone," the letter read, "we have made changes to remove Christmas songs and references. We are keen that ALL of our children should enjoy the pantomime and for it to be a fully inclusive event."

Ovenden further reassured parents that the school would continue to celebrate Christmas with other events later in the term, ensuring that those who traditionally celebrate the holiday would not miss out.

However, the move has been met with widespread backlash from some parents who expressed frustration at the removal of the Christmas elements. One parent, speaking to the Daily Mail, said, "This shouldn't be allowed. Christmas is celebrated all over the U.K. and the world, and you just can't eradicate it so a few people will not be offended."

In response to the growing criticism, Ovenden sent a second letter to parents explaining the schools rationale for making the production more inclusive. She revealed that after discussions with the pantomime company, it became clear that Christmas-themed songs were part of their standard performance. The school, she added, was mindful of the diversity within its community, with some families either not celebrating Christmas or observing it in a different way.

"We have a number of families who either do not celebrate Christmas or do so in a different way. The children of these families are removed from events such as this, at the request of their parents," Ovenden explained.

The headteacher emphasized that the decision to make the pantomime inclusive was in line with the school's ethos of respecting and acknowledging the different traditions within its student body.

A spokesperson for Chaplins Pantos, the group hired to stage the performance, told the Mail that they typically include festive elements, such as Christmas songs or mentions of Santa Claus, in their performances. Wherwell Primary School, however, specifically requested that no Christmas references be made in their latest show, the spokesperson said.

"While we don't always mention Santa Claus, our shows usually feature a Christmas song or some reference to the holiday, he was quoted as saying. On this occasion, the school asked us to refrain from including any such references."

A staple of Christmas theater in the U.K., pantomimes, or pantos for short, take familiar stories like Cinderella or Peter Pan and transform them into lively, musical comedies with colorful costumes, catchy songs, slapstick humor, and plenty of audience participation.

Pantomimes have become a traditional part of Christmas festivities across the U.K., with productions staged in theaters nationwide every year. According to a 2016 study, pantomimes surpassed comedy as the genre that draws the biggest audiences in the region.
Home News Mike Pence urges Senate GOP to oppose Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as HHS secretary

Former Vice President Mike Pence urged Senate Republicans on Friday to vote against President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, citing his views on abortion.



"The Trump-Pence administration was unapologetically pro-life for our four years in office. There are hundreds of decisions made at HHS every day that either lead our nation toward a respect for life or away from it, and HHS under our administration always stood for life," Pence said in a statement via his nonprofit Advancing American Freedom.

Former Vice President @Mike_Pence comes out in opposition to Trumps RFK Jr nominationif confirmed, RFK Jr would be the most pro-abortion Republican-appointed secretary of HHS in modern history. pic.twitter.com/elt7Fr647j  Philip Melanchthon Wegmann (@PhilipWegmann) November 15, 2024

"I believe the nomination of RFK Jr. to serve as Secretary of HHS is an abrupt departure from the pro-life record of our administration and should be deeply concerning to millions of Pro-Life Americans who have supported the Republican Party and our nominees for decades," Pence continued.

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Pence asserted that for the majority of his career, Kennedy has "has defended abortion on demand during all nine months of pregnancy, supports overturning the Dobbs decision and has called for legislation to codify Roe v. Wade," and that he would be "the most pro-abortion Republican appointed secretary of HHS in modern history" if confirmed.

"The pro-life movement has always looked to the Republican party to stand for life, to affirm an unborn child has a fundamental right to life which cannot be infringed."

Claiming he was speaking "on behalf of tens of millions of pro-life Americans," Pence urged the Senate GOP to "reject this nomination and give the American people a leader who will respect the sanctity of life as secretary of Health and Human Services."

Kennedy has been inconsistent in his public position on abortion, claiming in May that he would allow women to have abortions even at full term, though he subsequently said he supported abortion only up to the point of fetal viability.

Other Christian conservatives have expressed concern about Kennedy's nomination, including Daniel Darling, director of the Land Center for Cultural Engagement at the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, who formerly served with the Southern Baptist Convention's public policy arm.

"If true, a huge blow to social conservatives," Darling wrote in an X post.

"He's pro abortion till birth. Pro FDA approval of abortion pill. HHS touches a lot of policy conservative, pro family folks care about."

Lila Rose, president of the pro-life activist group Live Action, stressed that the HHS secretary is "in charge of virtually anything abortion-related" in the executive branch of the federal government.

Tom Buck, the pastor of First Baptist Church of Lindale, Texas, and director of G3 Ministries, said the Kennedy nomination "invites further judgment on our nation!"

"Many told me voting for Trump would be fine because he wouldn't appoint pro-aboriton people to positions like this," Buck wrote on Twitter. "But here we are! RFK Jr. supports abortion up until birth, restoring Roe nationwide, and the abortion pill!"

When Trump announced Thursday that Kennedy was his choice to helm HHS, the news prompted pharmaceutical stocks to plummet as some health experts expressed consternation at the pick. Kennedy's nomination also drew condemnation from the editorial board of The New York Post, who called him "nuts on a lot of fronts."

Kennedy, who ran as an independent presidential candidate before dropping out to endorse Trump, has made purging corruption in the federal health bureaucracy a major part of his platform. His 2021 book The Real Anthony Fauci: Bill Gates, Big Pharma, and the Global War on Democracy and Public Health accused former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci of corruption and cover-up regarding COVID-19 especially.

"For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health," Trump said in his announcement regarding Kennedy.

Last October, Pence was the first candidate among Trump's 2024 Republican primary challengers to drop out of the race, months after former Fox News host Tucker Carlson grilled him over his support for U.S. involvement in Ukraine.

"I have no regrets," Pence said after dropping out. "The only thing that would have been harder than coming up short would have been if we never tried at all."

During a recent interview with NPR reporter Steve Inskeep, Pence declined to say if he still believes Trump is "a good man," which he claimed during a speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio.

"I truly do believe that only God knows our hearts, and I'll leave it to others to make their own judgments," he said after claiming he believes Trump was wrong to believe he had the authority to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
An Ohio high school principal was placed on administrative leave Thursday for promising the school would continue to be a safe space for all students in a staff memo prompted by President-elect Trump's election victory.

Olentangy Orange High School Principal Monica Asher wrote a newsletter to school staff following election night. In her message, Asher acknowledged the emotional impact of the election, stating that she "struggled this week to find the right words."

"I can't write a message that pretends like the election didn't happen; especially when so many of you are struggling with how to move forward," Asher said in the newsletter obtained by the Columbia Dispatch. "I know you are struggling with how to move forward with your students who are afraid, but also how to move forward with colleagues that don't share your views."

"What I can tell you is that I am here with you and my values have not changed," wrote Asher, who was recognized as Ohio Principal of the Year in 2022-2023, according to her staff bio. "I recognize that leadership is tested during tough times."

She assured school staff that Olentangy Orange would continue to be a place where "students, all students, find safety."

"It will continue to be a place that not only values diversity, but celebrates it ... where we recognize the humanity, dignity, and worth in every person we meet."

Superintendent Todd Meyer explained that Asher's leave was "a procedural step to protect the integrity of any district investigation."

"Olentangy Schools is committed to creating a welcoming environment that promotes a culture of inclusive excellence for all students, families, and staff," Meyer reiterated.

Assistant Principal Ellie Ellis will serve as interim principal during the investigation.

Originally published by Latin Times
Home News Politician on trial for sharing Bible verse, Christian views refuses to back down

A member of Finland's parliament who has faced a years-long legal battle after sharing a Bible verse on social media refuses to back down from her freedom fight.

Paivi Rasanen told "Higher Ground With Billy Hallowell" her legal battle began more than five years ago, when she challenged Finland's main religious body, the Evangelical Lutheran Church, questioning why it had "decided to support, financially and publicly" a local LGBT pride parade.

"It was a disappointment and even shock to me and many others," she said. "Many of my friends decided to resign the church, and I was also praying ... 'What should I do now?' I was very worried about this very public statement of the leadership of the church, because I was worried that it will undermine people's trust on [the] Bible and its authority."

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READ ALSO: Bible Prophecy Playing Out in Israel: New Patterns of Evidence Film Seeks to Unpack the Truth

Rasanen decided to take to X  then Twitter  to share text from Romans 1, where the Apostle Paul addresses sexual ethics. She added a question to church leadership about their position supporting LGBT pride.

"After that, some citizen made a criminal complaint and the police started to investigate the case," Rasanen continued. "At the beginning, I didn't believe it. I just read it from the newspaper that police [had] started to investigate the case and I phoned to the policeman and he said, 'Yes, we are investigating it.'"

Then, more criminal complaints emerged, with an old pamphlet she wrote about marriage also catching negative attention. Plus, a radio program she appeared on came into the crosshairs.

"I was interrogated in the police station all together 13 hours about very theological issues  biblical issues," Rasanen said. "Police [were] asking me ... 'What is the main message of the book of Romans? And so on."

Listen to her share her shocking story:

She said it was "absurd and [a] very unreal situation" and felt like a "dream," especially considering the religious freedom available in Finland.

Those interrogations ended up landing Rasanen in court with charges filed against her.

"They [were] accusing me of breaking ... the law about agitation against minorities," Rasanen said, noting she was essentially accused of hate crimes. "We have that kind of law in Finland, as in almost all European countries."

But she said she has always affirmed "people are equal and all people are valuable, created by God in His image." Ultimately, though, she found herself facing two separate legal battles, both of which she won.

Yet, even after Rasanen was acquitted, prosecutors decided to appeal and take her case to Finland's Supreme Court  something she said was "unbelievable."

Regardless of the international nature of Rasanen's story and the chaos surrounding it, she's not willing to back down because the stakes are high.

"I think that it would have very, very dangerous consequences because I would even say that it would start the time of persecution of Christians in Finland and in European countries," Rasanen said of a potential loss at the high court. "Because then it would mean that you are not anymore allowed to agree publicly with the Bible."

She continued, "I think that the most dangerous consequence and punishment would be the ban to my writings in order to take away ... my Twitter postings and my book, and it would not be only a punishment against me, it would be also against thousands and thousands of Christians who have published similar opinions and statements."

Rasanen said the case hasn't been easy to fight, but she's committed to continuing to take a stand for her faith. Regardless of what unfolds, she said the entire ordeal is in "God's hands."

"This has been my calling," she said. "This process has given so many chances to me in public to testify about Gospel, about Jesus  who is the solution to the problem of sin."

This article originally appeared on CBNs Faithwire.
Home News Woman murdered father with pickaxe on election night after Trump's victory: police

Police found the wife of a prominent trans-identified writer covered in blood and clapping her hands after she allegedly became "overwhelmed" by the results of the 2024 presidential election and murdered her father with an ice axe.

Corey Burke is accused of murdering her father, 67-year-old Timothy Burke, on election night in their shared home in a Seattle neighborhood. The 33-year-old woman charged with first-degree murder is married to trans writer and journalist Samantha Leigh Allen, the author of Real Queer America: LGBT Stories from Red States, who also serves as an editor for the online LGBT magazine Them.

Officers arrived on the scene after receiving a report about someone breaking the windows of a home on Spear Place South, according to the Seattle Police Department.

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Police found Burke with blood on her face, and according to King County charging documents cited by Law & Crime, she was "clapping inside her home." The young woman was later taken to Harborview Medical Center for a mental health evaluation.

After searching the house, police discovered Timothy Burke's body in the basement and a blood-covered climbing axe on the floor.

According to the Seattle Times, Burke told police she believed there was "something important" about the presidential race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris and that she felt overwhelmed with emotion. She allegedly snapped when her father started arguing about turning on the lights.

According to a deputy prosecutor, she "appeared to be having a mental health crisis." Prosecutors say that Burke tripped her elderly father, bit and strangled him before killing him with the ice ax.

"Corey stated that she had to bite her father while choking him because he was too strong," the charging documents stated. "Corey stated that once her father 'went limp,' she felt better. Corey said that she then hit him with the ice pickaxe in the head several more times. Corey then sat next to her father and watched him until she saw that he was not breathing anymore."

After the murder, Burke proceeded to break the windows of her home, telling police that the destruction was "an act of liberation." At some point during her interactions with police officers, Burke said, "I killed him," which could be a reference to her father.

Several neighbors who heard the sound of glass breaking on Nov. 5 told local news outlet KOMO that they thought it was because people were upset about the election results. After the neighbors called the police, officers said they heard the sound of clapping from inside the home on Spear Place South.

When Burke appeared, police asked why she had been clapping, and she replied, "she had been clapping inside her home, because she was happy, so she started clapping."

In an interview with KOMO, one neighbor recalled watching Burke, whose face and arms were covered in blood, speak with police officers.

"My first thought was something calamitous had happened in the household," the neighbor said. "My first instinct was, 'Did she kill her father with her bare hands?'"

Officers learned that Burke's father also lived at the home, and fearing for his safety, they entered the house to perform a welfare check, according to KOMO. Police then discovered the elderly man's body and the bloody ice ax.

In a police report cited by The Seattle Times, Detective Azrielle Brikey wrote that Burke did "not seem fit to take care of herself, and she was a danger to property and herself." The young woman is currently being held at the King County Jail, and her arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 21.
Home News Several YWAM staff injured, 1 killed in Nigeria bus accident

A multi-vehicle accident near the coastal town of Badagry, over 40 miles from Lagos, Nigeria, turned fatal, claiming the life of a Youth With A Mission (YWAM) staff while several others were rushed to nearby hospitals with various injuries.

In a statement posted online, YWAM said a bus with 15 team members returning from a regional gathering in Benin was involved in a multi-vehicle accident near Badagry on Nov. 2. The mission organization reported that Jean Serge Mienahou, working with YWAM Congo Brazzaville, had lost his life in the accident, adding that the family and friends had been notified.

Two other YWAM staff with serious injuries had been admitted to the hospital. Doctors assessed Tchando Matthieu from Benin and found that he was bleeding in the brain, which is very serious. He was put into a medically induced coma, which doctors had planned to bring him out of it.

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It is a matter of life and death that he wakes up, so please pray urgently, posted YWAM on its website.

Evariste Gbejihounde, also from Benin, was being treated for internal bleeding in the abdominal cavity and for two broken ribs. The team asked for prayers, hoping that a scheduled CAT scan would reveal the source of the internal bleeding. At the same time, Togos Tomsuwa Cosme had what initially appeared like serious injuries, but he was treated, and his condition was downgraded to stable.

Some of the remaining passengers required minor treatment and ongoing medical diagnosis, but we are grateful that all others involved are safe and on their way home, reassured YWAM.

In February 2024, a road accident in Tanzania claimed the lives of eight missionaries attached to YWAM. Several others were hospitalized, treated and discharged. Christian Daily earlier reported that Sub-Saharan Africas fatality rate from road crashes stands at 27 per 100,000 inhabitants, three times higher than Europes average and well above the global average of 18, according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

Jean Todt, the U.N. Secretary-Generals Special Envoy for Road Safety, highlighted Africas disproportionate vulnerability to road accidents. He emphasized that road accidents are the leading cause of youth mortality in Africa, underscoring the urgent need for action.

A recent report by the Africa Development Group (AFdB), titled Mortality in Africa: The Share of Road Traffic Fatalities, revealed that road traffic accidents constitute 25% of all injury-related deaths in Africa. Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco experience particularly high rates of fatalities.

The AFdB report outlined strategies to reduce road fatalities, including improved road infrastructure and enforcement of road safety measures. However, enforcement remains weak across the continent.

This article was originally published by Christian Daily International.
Home News Biden gifted with 'Joseph' artifact from Temple Mount, urged to defend Israel from 'evil' empire

President Joe Biden received an artifact from the Temple Mount in Jerusalem as a gift from Israeli President Isaac Herzog after the two leaders met at the White House this week.

During a Tuesday meeting, Herzog presented the U.S. president with an artifact inscribed with the name "Joseph," according to a White House transcript.

The Temple Mount, located within the Old City of Jerusalem, is significant to each of the Abrahamic faiths. For Jews, however, it is the holiest site in Judaism, and it is where the First and Second Temples once stood.

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A spokesperson for the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., told The Christian Post that the artifact is a pottery shard dating back to as far as the first century, a piece owned by the Israel Antiquities Authority and on loan to the Museum of the Bible.

The IAA worked with the museum's team to create a "photogrammetry" of the object, described as "a 3D image that covers every angle of the object that is often used in archaeology to capture and study objects, while prioritizing the preservation the original object."

The Israeli president thanked Biden for standing with the Jewish state and its people during their "darkest hour" in the aftermath of Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 attack in southern Israel that killed around 1,200 people.

"And as you know, in the Bible, it ... says that Joseph will strengthen Israel," Herzog said. "And clearly, Mr. President, you've done it."

Calling the gift "magnificent," Biden thanked the Israeli leader, adding that he wished his late father, a "righteous Christian," had witnessed the meeting because his father always wondered why the United States did not intervene sooner during World War II.

On Tuesday, the Biden administration's 30-day deadline for Israel to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza expired. During a U.S. Department of State press briefing that same day, Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel stated that the Israelis are not in violation of U.S. law and have taken multiple steps to increase the amount of aid entering Gaza.

Biden and Herzog also discussed Israel's ongoing war against Hamas and its efforts to defend itself from Iran. Following Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack, the Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah began launching attacks from the north. Iran has also fired ballistic missiles into Israel, which made the Biden administration concerned about an even larger conflict breaking out.

Herzog lamented to the 81-year-old president about the deaths of two Israelis killed in Nahariya by rockets fired from Lebanon. The attack against the seashore town occurred hours after a Hezbollah drone struck a kindergarten in Nesher, a suburb of Haifa, according to a Tuesday report by The Times of Israel.

"This is what we're going through from Lebanon, Mr. President, and you know it all too well. We are fighting hard. We're defending our people, our brave soldiers and pilots," the Israeli president said. "And I know that you're working very hard to make sure that this war will end and that will  there will be, first and foremost, security for the people of Israel as well as for the people of Lebanon."

Over 100 people taken hostage by Hamas are also still prisoners of the terrorist group one year after Oct. 7, according to Herzog. The Israeli president stated that the hostages "are going through Hell in the dungeons of Gaza."

While the political leader acknowledged that Biden wants Israel and its neighbors to have "security and peace," Herzog stressed that bringing the hostages home must be a priority for Biden's administration.

Regardless of who is in charge, Herzog emphasized that Tehran is an "empire of evil" and "a major engine of antisemitism" that is working to derail stability and annihilate the Jewish state. Israel's president also warned that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons.

"And, Mr. President, this has to be a major objective all throughout your term and the next term of the next president because we have to make sure that they cannot fulfill their evil intentions," Herzog told Biden.

Biden's presidential term ends in January, and Israeli leaders like Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have already started to reach out to former President Donald Trump.

Once his term begins, Trump will likely resume his previous administration's "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran, officials familiar with the former president's plan told The Wall Street Journal earlier this month. During his first presidential term, Trump pulled the United States out of a 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran and replaced it with a campaign of sanctions.

"I think you are going to see the sanctions go back on, you are going to see much more, both diplomatically and financially, they are trying to isolate Iran," a former White House official told the outlet. "I think the perception is that Iran is definitely in a position of weakness right now, and now is an opportunity to exploit that weakness."
Home News FBI arrests ISIS supporter who desired to carry out a 9/11-style attack in US

The FBI has arrested an Islamic State supporter who has reportedly expressed a desire to carry out a 9/11-style attack on United States soil.

As indicated in a statement published by the U.S. Department of Justice Thursday, 28-year-old Anas Said faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 if convicted of providing material support to the Islamic State terrorist organization, also known as IS, ISIS or ISIL.

In a memorandum Tuesday, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas Alamdar Hamdani outlined why Said should remain in detention while he awaits trial.

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Hamdani believes Said constitutes a flight risk because he "has repeatedly expressed a desire to travel abroad to join ISIS and to travel back to Lebanon, has family overseas, and has a valid passport."

"The defendant has praised ISIS's use of violence and has expressed a desire to conduct violent attacks in the United States," the memo added.

The FBI's investigation of Said dates back to 2017 when the federal law enforcement agency received a tip that he had purchased two stickers that amounted to pro-ISIS propaganda.

Said assured federal agents during a series of interviews in 2018 that he did not support the killing by IS while acknowledging that he supported the terrorist organization's ideology and the establishment of an Islamic caliphate in the Middle East. In a follow-up interview in 2019, Said insisted he no longer supported IS.

In 2023, the social media platform Meta informed federal law enforcement of 11 Facebook accounts operated by the defendant, illustrating his continued support for the terrorist organization and attacks carried out on its behalf. In February, the FBI issued a search warrant where they found evidence of his efforts to distribute propaganda in support of IS. He was arrested last week.

In addition to creating multiple videos glorifying IS, Said revealed in a Facebook conversation with an FBI Online Covert Employee posing as a fellow IS sympathizer last year that he wanted to carry out a terrorist attack in the U.S.

"Brother, if I was living alone, you would have heard that I conducted an operation like 9/11. But my family is with me and I wouldn't want to put them in trouble."

In his comments, Said was referring to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, where radical Islamic terrorists hijacked airplanes and flew them into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Thousands of people were killed that day, including passengers of the ill-fated Flight 93 who successfully prevented the terrorists from carrying out an attack on a building in Washington, D.C. The 9/11 attacks led to the global War on Terror and forever changed American society.

"If I had weapons, I would have beaten the Jews and Americans in their backyards, but unfortunately, I am prohibited from purchasing a weapons license because of their suspicion of me.  I only brought a dagger," Said lamented in another Facebook post.

He also discussed with the undercover FBI employee his plans to offer his home as a guesthouse to IS sympathizers who wanted to kill former President George W. Bush, a resident of Texas like Said, and President Joe Biden.

Additional possible targets mentioned by Said in his conversation with the undercover agent included military recruiting stations near his home and Jewish organizations. According to the federal government, Said "further professed his desire to kill three hundred million souls, a number that roughly equates to the entire population of the United States."

In another interaction with the undercover agent, Said told him, "I wish I knew how to make an explosive belt." When asked where he would use such a belt, Said replied, "I would shave my beard and hair, put on a military uniform for camouflage, and go inside and push the button."

"Everything will turn into grilled meat," he added.

Said elaborated on a plan to enter a military training center to conduct a terror attack.

"I will look like them," he stated. "I'll change my appearance so as not to attract attention. I will wear a uniform. There are plenty on Amazon. It will work. It doesn't have to be inside but at the door when they leave. It will work."

A review of Said's laptop showed that he had downloaded documents containing instructions on "detonating remotely using mobile phone" and how to prepare the explosives C4, mercury fulminate, Tri-Acetone Tri-Peroxide, hexamethylene triperoxide diamine and TNT.
Home News Minn. man who killed sons in murder-suicide compared Christianity to KKK, linked Trump supporters to 'religious extremism' 'I am terrified of religious zealots,' Anthony Nephew wrote months before shooting

A Minnesota man at the center of a murder-suicide that left five people dead, including his two sons, expressed a hatred for Christianity on social media prior to the shootings.

Anthony Nephew, 46, was found dead last week from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his home in Duluth, Minnesota, after killing his wife and son, and his ex-partner and their son, authorities said.

Nephew killed his former partner, 47-year-old Erin Abramson, and their 15-year-old son, Jacob Nephew, inside Abramson's home in the 6000 block of Tacony Street in Duluth, Police Chief Mike Ceynowa revealed during a Nov. 8 press conference.

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Following the initial discovery of the victims, investigators shifted their focus to Nephew's home. Upon arrival, law enforcement found Nephew, along with his wife, Kathryn Nephew, 45, and their young son, Oliver Nephew, 7, all dead. Authorities say Anthony Nephew died by suicide.

While the motive remains under investigation, Nephew was known to have demonstrated a pattern of mental health issues," Ceynowa said.

A CP review of Anthony Nephews Facebook profile revealed several anti-Christian views, including posts in which he expressed fear about Christian influence over a second Trump administration.

In response to an August report in which a police officer shot a woman after being rebuked in Jesus name, Nephew blamed religion for his mental health problems.

My mental health and the world can no longer peacefully coexist, and a lot of the reason is religion, he wrote in July. I am terrified of religious zealots inflicting their misguided beliefs on me and my family.

Nephew also claimed to have intrusive thoughts of being burned at the stake as a witch, or crucified on a burning cross, as well as having people actually believe that I or my child are Satan or, the anti-Christ or whatever their favorite color of boogie man they are afraid are this week.

A few days later, he compared Christianity to the Ku Klux Klan, writing, Christian is a dog whistle, for white sheets, and pointy hats.

In another post on July 28, Nephew linked to a Reuters report on President-elect Donald Trumps comment that if they voted for him in November, they dont have to vote again.

Hows that call for turning down the rhetoric going? Nephew wrote. Your freedom of religion, in no way implies you can force it on others. This is exactly why I left the church. Youre not interested in worshiping God, youre just pushing religious extremism.

He also expressed bizarre views about spirituality: in an Oct. 17 post, Nephew speculated that if there is a higher power that humans could learn to steer our way through the universe by parking and controlling a celestial mass in front of the sun in order to give our civilization access to a nearly infinite source of energy, and potentially counter the threats of alien civilizations. [...] Its a better ending to the Bible, than Revelation, he added.

Nephew, who shared images in support of President Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama, Vice President Kamala Harris and others, also appeared to support Harris failed presidential bid.

In a July 23 post, he wrote that Harris could potentially be on her way to the White House by the grace of God. She was defeated by Trump on Nov. 5.

Nephew also appeared to support abortion rights: in a June 2022 post, shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, he offered his home and resources to anyone in an anti-abortion state.

That same month, Nephew referred to himself as a survivor of suicide in a post in which he shared a national suicide hotline number.

A memorial run fundraiser campaign for Abramson and Jacob Nephew raised over $5,225 as of Friday afternoon.

Duluth, which has a population of about 90,000 residents, is roughly 135 miles north of Minneapolis.
Home News PCUSA moves closer to requiring clergy candidates to answer questions about LGBT views

The Presbyterian Church (USA) is one step closer to requiring clergy candidates to be asked about their views on sexual orientation and gender identity, in a measure some believe will target theological conservatives.

Known as the Olympia Overture after the presbytery from which it came, the proposal was divided into two parts, both of which were passed by commissioners at the 226th General Assembly on Wednesday.

Also known as POL-01, the overture will next go to the presbyteries for ratification, with the two parts of the measure being presented separately to the regional bodies for consideration.

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The first part, which called for sexual orientation and gender identity to be added to the PCUSA Book of Orders antidiscrimination policy, was approved by a vote of 389-24.

The second part, which required that candidates for ordination be asked about their views on discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, passed by a vote of 297-130.

During discussion on part two, Ruling Elder Dustin Wilsor of the Seattle Presbytery offered an amendment adding the phrase the Historic Principles of Church Order (F-3.01) to the list of required topics of questioning for candidates, in order to reaffirm a commitment to freedom of conscience. The amendment passed by a vote of 216 to 192.

In contrast to the first part of the overture, the proposal on what clergy candidates could be asked pertaining to LGBT inclusion garnered considerable debate, with many speaking for or against it.

Young Adult Advisory Delegate Chase White of the Utah Presbytery was among the critics, saying that while he supported the first part of the overture, the second part undermined the big tent of the PCUSA.

White denounced the idea of there being gatekeepers to the church, citing the past policies of the PCUSA when it used to prohibit the ordination of openly gay individuals.

I believe that this section of the overture threatens our witness to Christ, because it allows us once again to be gatekeepers, but now just to a different group of people that we have decided belong on the outside, White said. Everyone belongs inside, even those we disagree with.

Teaching Elder Benjamin Fitzgerald-Fye of the Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery defended the overture, saying that it was not punitive and doesnt ask anyone to do anything.

It doesnt stop anyone from doing anything, Fitzgerald-Fye added. We cannot have a conversation if we keep giving ourselves permission not to talk about things.

It is not nice to set aside the rights of others because it is uncomfortable to talk about it. It is not nice to exclude people knowingly, and then not have to talk about it. What this does is to ask us to begin having a conversation, so people know where we stand as leaders.

The overtures official rationale explained that the proposal came due to people being ordained in the Washington state-based Olympia Presbytery who had opinions that did not fully embrace the equal and affirmed status of LGBTQIA+ persons in the church.

Those conversations were difficult because the Book of Order does not include gender identity or sexual orientation in its list of protected classes, stated the official rationale.

These experiences reveal the need for denominational clarity concerning the churchs ministry to LGBTQIA+ individuals as full participants in all aspects of life in the church.

The official rationale also said that although it supported the freedom of councils of the church to make ordination decisions as guided by the Holy Spirit, the denomination still continues to find and confirm that the limits of each council of the church in their local option are conditioned by affirmations found in the Book of Order: sex, race, or any other prejudicial category.

In advance of General Assembly, around 150 clergy signed an open letter against the proposal, arguing that key portions of this overture threaten to undermine the theological diversity of PCUSA.

Specifically, the overtures proposed changes to G-2.0104b appear to introduce an ordination question that is deeply at odds with our core Reformed tenet of freedom of conscience, declared the open letter.

This amendment would immediately disqualify and exclude many faithful and dedicated Ruling Elders, Teaching Elders, and Deacons from serving due to their convictions. Moreover, it risks imposing a non-negotiable and rigid standard on an issue where faithful Christians hold differing views.
Home News PCUSA cuts 12 national staff, restructures ministries amid membership decline

Presbyterian Church (USA) has cut 12 national staff members as part of an effort to reconfigure offices and ministries due to a considerable decline in membership and donations over the years.

Last week, the United States' largest Presbyterian denomination announced that it would restructure and streamline various offices and ministries due to considerable decline, resulting in the elimination of over a dozen positions.

The Rev. Jihyun Oh, executive director and stated clerk of the PC(USA) General Assembly, said in a statement that this was "a lengthy process that seeks to align the mission and ministry of two General Assembly agencies to the needs of today's church, society and our denomination."

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"We are at most half the size compared to when the current structures were set up. Migration patterns are bringing global neighbors into our communities, so that the global is local and the local is global," Oh stated.

"Working with leaders within both predecessor agencies and the Administrative Services Group, as well as seeking guidance from the Unification Commission, we are moving toward sustainable ministries that better align with our vision and values, as well as mission and ministry priorities."

The reconfiguration plans included dissolving the Presbyterian Mission Agency's Peacemaking Program, integrating the Vital Congregations Program with the PC(USA)'s church planting ministry 1001 New Worshiping Communities, ending publication of the Presbyterian Historical Society Journal of Presbyterian History and pausing the in-person meetings of assorted committees.

These planned changes are meant to achieve a "sustainable, balanced 202526 budget" and will include a $5 million reduction over those two years and a reduction in staff.

PC(USA) held an online chapel service on Wednesday, with around 90 staff members present, to celebrate the careers of the 12 unnamed national staff members who will be let go. The cut individuals will maintain their benefits, reported Presbyterian News Service.

"However you come, you are welcome to this service," Oh said during the online service. "I am glad we can be together to give thanks to God for the service of so many and also the ways in which God continues to call us and accompany us as we go through our lives and vocation."

As with many religious groups in the United States, the PC(USA) has experienced considerable decline over the past couple of decades, seeing a sharp drop in membership.

In May of last year, the PC(USA) Office of the General Assembly released an annual statistics report showing the denomination had approximately 1.140 million members in 2022, a steep decline from the approximately 2.5 million members that the PC(USA) had reported having in 2000.

The denomination had dropped below the 2 million mark in 2011.

In February, the A Corporation board, which serves as the PC(USA) General Assembly's corporate entity, seriously considered selling the denomination's headquarters in downtown Louisville, Kentucky.

Known as The Presbyterian Center, the denominational leadership had moved into the building in August 1988, shortly after the 1983 merger of the southern-based Presbyterian Church in the U.S. and the northern-based United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. that created the PC(USA).

PCUSA Communications Director Rick Jones told The Christian Post in an earlier interview that the possible sale of the building was part of "a conversation about the long-term future" and added that "no decision has been made about what the future might be" for the Center.

"However, the changing workforce patterns after COVID have prompted church leaders to consider the best stewardship of the center and what the best strategy for the support of current and future ministries might be," he said at the time.
Home News Scripture-engaged adults have lower levels of loneliness than Bible disengaged: study

Americans with stronger spiritual lives and those who more commonly offer forgiveness experience less loneliness than those who are less engaged with the Bible or churches and those who don't commonly forgive others, a new survey suggests.

The American Bible Society released the eighth chapter of its "State of the Bible USA 2024" report Thursday, focusing on "Loneliness."

The research, based on 2,506 responses collected from American adults from Jan. 4-23, 2024, examined the relationship between a respondent's levels of religiosity and how frequently they experience loneliness. The margin of error for the sample is 2.73 percentage points.

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The data suggests that nearly three out of four Americans report moderate to high levels of loneliness, with over one-third of Generation Z women ages 18-27 experiencing high levels of loneliness.

"In our surveys, we've seen many ways that Americans benefit from Bible engagement, and we suspect that it might also help them feel less lonely. So we're testing a hypothesis," the report reads. "If the nation is indeed experiencing an 'epidemic of loneliness,' what happens when people form a meaningful relationship with the God they meet in Scripture?"

Among the "Bible disengaged"  defined as those who score less than 70 on the Scripture Engagement Scale that measures the impact and centrality of the Bible on people's lives based on their responses to a series of questions  22% reported high levels of loneliness while 52% experienced moderate loneliness.

Among the "movable middle"  those who score between 70 and 99 on the Scripture Engagement Scale  59% reported high levels of loneliness and 17% experienced moderate loneliness.

By contrast, a significantly smaller share of "scripture engaged" respondents with Scripture Engagement scores of 100 or higher reported high (11%) and moderate (50%) levels of loneliness. The percentage of "scripture engaged" respondents experiencing low loneliness (38%) was much higher than the 25% of both the "movable middle" and "Bible disengaged" who said the same.

The study adopted five questions from the UCLA Loneliness Scale, which asked people how frequently they experienced certain emotions.

An answer of "1" was given if respondents "never" experienced an emotion and a "4" was given if they often experienced it. The maximum possible score on the UCLA Loneliness Scale is 20, while the minimum is 5.

Across three of the four generations examined, the "scripture engaged" had lower average loneliness scores than their counterparts in the "movable middle" and "Bible disengaged" categories.

Among Generation Z, the youngest group of American adults born in 1997 or later, the "scripture engaged" had an average loneliness score of 11.3, lower than the average scores for the "movable middle" (12.4) and the "Bible disengaged" (13.4) in their age group.

Among the Millennials born between 1981 and 1996, a similar pattern emerged. The "scripture engaged" had an average loneliness score of 10.1, while the "movable middle" recorded an average loneliness score of 12.3, and the "Bible disengaged" had an average loneliness score of 13.0.

Among Generation X, born between 1965 and 1980, the average loneliness score was measured at 11.1 among the "scripture engaged" and 12.3 among both the "movable middle" and "Bible disengaged."

Only among the Baby Boomers and elder generations, encompassing those born in 1964 or earlier, did the "Bible disengaged" have a lower average loneliness score (10.5) than their "scripture engaged" counterparts (10.6). Among the oldest group of American adults, the "movable middle" had the highest average loneliness score (11.4).

"This information sets an agenda for anyone connected to Christian ministry, indeed for any Christian who cares about young adults," the report stresses. "Well over a third of Gen Z women indicate that they are highly lonely. They say no one understands them, that people are 'around' them but not 'with' them. Our God frequently says, 'I am with you.' He knows us better than we know ourselves and still loves us. Psalm 68:6 has a wonderful phrase that applies here: 'You find families for those who are lonely' (CEV). Perhaps God can use us to do that, becoming 'families' for lonely people around us."

Looking at levels of loneliness based on church attendance, the data suggests those who "never" attend church had the highest incidence of high loneliness (25%), followed by those who had not been to church in at least a month but had gone within the past year (20%), those who last went to church over a year ago (16%), respondents who last went to church within the past month (15%) and those who attend weekly (12%).

Conversely, those who go to church weekly scored the highest levels of low loneliness (33%), followed by respondents who last went to church within the past month (32%), those who last went to church more than a month ago but had gone in the past year (27%), respondents who had not attended church in at least a year (26%) and those who never go to church (24%).

The research also found a relationship between an individual's ability to forgive and their levels of loneliness.

Thirty-six percent of those who identify as "strongly unable to forgive" experienced high loneliness, followed by 43% who reported moderate loneliness and 21% who reported low loneliness. Among those who consider themselves "somewhat unable to forgive," 22% reported high loneliness, 57% experienced moderate loneliness and 21% reported low loneliness.

Sixteen percent of those who characterize themselves as "somewhat able to forgive" reported high loneliness, along with 56% who experienced moderate loneliness and 28% who felt low loneliness. Those who consider themselves "strongly able to forgive" had the lowest share reporting high loneliness (16%) and the highest percentage experiencing low loneliness (35%) with the rest experiencing moderate loneliness.

"Some experts blame social media for fostering shallow connections that replace deep friendships. Our own research indicates that an inability to forgive could greatly increase levels of loneliness," American Bible Society's Chief Innovation Officer John Farquhar Plake said in a statement. "Regardless of the cause, the need is urgent. Churches should respond with care and creativity, offering a safe space to develop meaningful Christian relationships."

The chapter examined loneliness levels by respondents' "commitment to Christ."

Among those who are non-Christians and are "currently not interested in exploring what it means to be a Christian," 26% reported low levels of loneliness, while 22% experienced high levels. The high loneliness share was measured at 42% among non-Christians who are "starting to explore what it means to be a Christian" while the low loneliness percentage was pegged at 10%.

Twenty-five percent of Christians who do not consider their faith "significant" in their life had low loneliness while 17% experienced high loneliness. Among those who believe in God but have not yet committed to a relationship with Jesus Christ, 20% experienced low loneliness while 26% reported high loneliness.

Higher levels of low loneliness were measured among those who have committed to a relationship with Christ (27%), those who have a "solid relationship with Christ that makes a difference" in their lives (30%), respondents who have an intimate relationship with Christ that influences their daily lives (42%) and those who identify their relationship with Christ as the most important one in their lives (32%).

The study comes after U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy issued an 81-page advisory report last year titled "Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation." The report warned that the "[t]he lack of social connection poses a significant risk for individual health and longevity."

The document warns that loneliness "can increase the risk for premature death as much as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day." Loneliness and lack of social connection are associated with higher risks of heart disease, stroke, anxiety, depression and dementia.
Colombian lawmakers on Wednesday approved a bill that effectively bans child marriage (those involving children under the age of 18).

The ban marks the end of a 17-year campaign wherein lawmakers pushed and failed eight times to get the bill through the South American country's House and Senate. The bill's passing occurred following a five-hour debate.

The legislation, called "They are Girls, Not Wives," makes Colombia one of the 12 countries out of the 33 in Latin America and the Caribbean to prohibit child marriages, according to The Guardian.

How Does the Ban Work?

Under the new legislation, minors may not be married even if they receive consent from their parents. Minors will also no longer be deemed to be in an "informal marital union" if they cohabit with their partner for two years.

Furthermore, the law would prohibit higher authorities, such as judges and notaries, from legalizing marriages involving anyone under the age of 18. There are no legal exceptions to the bill, which means even tribes where child marriages are used as a rite of passage for girls are subject to the law. The Wayuu tribe, for example, marries off their young girls after their first menstrual cycle.

To date, there are 4.5 million girls and women in Colombia who were married before they turned 18. Of those, at least 1 million married before they were 15, per data from UNICEF.

Child marriages can be detrimental to the health and wellness of young girls. UNICEF data show that they are more vulnerable to domestic violence and less likely to complete their education. They are also at higher risk of complications in pregnancy and childbirth.

In addition to banning child marriage, the bill will also require the creation and introduction of policies, including education, to address the root cause of marriages involving minors.

When Will the Bill Go into Effect?

After passing Colombia's House and Senate, the bill will now be sent to the table of President Gustavo Petro. While he is widely expected to ratify the bill, it is unclear when Petro will sign the legislation into law.
Home News 'Pathway to more violence': Tren de Aragua linked to human trafficking

The Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua is running human trafficking operations in Tennessee and authorities expect their crimes to worsen.

Members of the Venezuelan criminal gang have been spotted throughout the United States, including in Colorado and Texas. The transnational criminal organization traces its origins to a prison in the Venezuelan state of Aragua.

In response to an inquiry from The Christian Post, a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) spokesperson said the state bureau has joined multiple law enforcement agencies across the country in raising the alarm about Tren de Aragua. The earliest crime TBI has linked the gang to is a 2023 human trafficking case.

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"At this time, intelligence suggests the gang is predominantly still involved in fostering human trafficking in Tennessee, but the known track record of the gang's involvement in theft and drug crimes elsewhere continues to inform our concerted efforts to better understand and more consistently identify Tennessee crimes that may be connected to TdA," the spokesperson stated.

While tattoos have been one of the most reliable ways to identify gang members, the spokesperson told CP that recent intelligence suggests Tren de Aragua might be less reliant on tattoos, making them harder to identify.

"Instead, the TBI would remind the general public of the warning signs of human trafficking itself," the spokesperson added.

The statement from TBI was in response to a Tuesday budget meeting with Republican Gov. Bill Lee. At the meeting, TBI Director David Rausch stated that the gang is ever-present in our country and in Tennessee, the Nashville-based WSMV reported. Rausch added that TBI first became aware of the gang two years ago during a human trafficking investigation.

Members of Tren de Aragua had abducted Venezuelan women and trafficked them in the U.S., but through its operation two years ago, TBI captured several gang members while others fled the state, according to Rausch.

Now, what we are seeing is they are back. They are back in all of our major cities, he warned. They are running human trafficking operations. Thats where they start, but now, we have learned by talking with our peers throughout the country that they have a pathway to more violence.

In addition to human trafficking, Rausch said that the gang engages in retail theft, which typically involves using individuals they illegally brought into the U.S. to shoplift.

The next step they move into is the drug trade, Rausch continued. They will, and they have taken on the cartel head-on. They are very violent in their efforts.

Recently, there was a video that they shot, where they shot a cartel member 31 times in broad daylight on video and posted it to social media, he added. Thats the type of organization they are.

The gang became a major talking point during this years presidential election following reports of Tren de Aragua engaging in criminal activities across the United States. Republicans, including former President-elect Donald Trump, said members of the gang have infiltrated the country because of the Biden-Harris administrations lax immigration policies.

They allowed criminals, many, many millions of criminals, they allowed terrorists, they allowed common street criminals, they allowed people to come in, drug dealers to come into our country, Trump said during the September presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris. Theyre now in the United States and told by their countries, like Venezuela, dont ever come back or were going to kill you.

Tren de Aragua gained notoriety in the U.S. after footage of heavily armed men taking over an apartment in Aurora, Colorado, went viral online. While police in the area claimed some of the reports were exaggerated, authorities announced in September that they were investigating 10 suspected gang members for their involvement in a series of crimes.

"TdA has not 'taken over' the city. The overstated claims fueled by social media and through select news organizations are simply not true, Aurora police claimed in the announcement. Again, TdAs presence in Aurora is limited to specific properties, all of which the city has been addressing in various ways for months."

"To date, APD has now linked 10 people to TdA and has arrested eight of those people." Aurora police added. "Two of the eight individuals who were taken into custody were involved in a July shooting at one of the specific properties in the city that have experienced issues with TdA activity. In line with these arrests, we can also now confirm that criminal activity, including TdA issues, had significantly affected those properties."
Home Opinion The political resurrection of Donald Trump

On Nov. 5, history was made. It was, as J.D. Vance put it, the greatest political comeback in American history.

Because, against all odds, Donald Trump won the White House  again.

But Trumps 2024 presidential victory isnt just a political victory. Its an epic testament to resilience, divine providence and the undying American spirit.

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In what can only be described as a modern-day David versus Goliath story, Trump has defied all odds and defeated the Regime giant. Not once, but twice.

In the history of the United States, only one other candidate besides Donald Trump has been elected to non-consecutive terms as president. That was Grover Cleveland, who served as the 22nd president from 1885 to 1889 and as the 24th president from 1893 to 1897.

They say lightning never strikes the same place twice. Apparently, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is exempt from that rule.

When Trump left office in January 2021, the prevailing narrative was resoundingly clear  his political career was over. Done. Dead. The media had written his political obituary with glee, analysts predicted his fade into obscurity, and many in the political establishment rejoiced, believing they had seen the last of his presidency.

Yet, as with biblical figures  and American heroes  who faced seemingly insurmountable odds, Trumps story was far from concluded. The years following his ouster were marked by relentless legal battles, which were nothing less than political lawfare designed ostensibly to prevent him from ever returning to the White House. Yet, these legal challenges, rather than diminishing him, seemed only to enhance his resolve and the resolve of his supporters.

While the media did everything they could to label him as a convicted felon and wannabe dictator, thats not what millions of working-class Americans saw. They saw a man of fortitude enduring trials for a greater cause. They resonated with Trump as a larger-than-life embodiment of resistance to a corrupt, two-tiered American judicial system that ignores the crimes of well-connected leftist elites while inventing reasons to go after conservative politicians and everyday Americans, including pro-life protesters, parents, and Christians.

Then came the moment that could have ended it all  an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. Here, Trumps narrow escape was nothing short of Providential. Surviving such an attack not only proved his resilience and courage but also spiritually fortified his campaign. It was as if God Himself had intervened, signaling that Trumps work was not yet done. This event, rather than deterring his supporters, galvanized them, turning his actual survival into a symbol of their political hopes of keeping the America First agenda alive against all odds.

While he fought against a corrupt legal system and dodged literal bullets, Trump faced yet another uphill battle against the relentlessly negative and blatantly partisan coverage of his campaign by the mainstream media, which remained steadfastly opposed to him.

His supporters, increasingly alienated by what they rightly recognized as more than just run-of-the mill media bias but outright violence-inducing rhetoric and hostility, rallied around him with even greater fervor. The nonstop, and often unhinged, attacks on Trump by the media made no difference. If anything, they helped average Americans realize that what we call the media in America has devolved into nothing more than a state-controlled propaganda outlet for the lefts radical agenda.

By the time the moment of truth arrived on November 5, the election was no longer merely a political contest  it was now a moral and spiritual battle for the soul of our country. It became a fight for the future of America as we know it.

Trumps journey from a controversial figure to a president once again speaks volumes about the American spirit and its relentless pursuit of hope over despair. His victory wasnt just about policy or politics; it was about proving that in America, the spirit of redemption and second chances is alive and well. His campaign was a crusade for those who felt overlooked or betrayed by the political elite.

This comeback is not just about Trump. In Trump, and his success, we see a foreshadowing of what America might become once again. Its about a nation that has died and been reborn many times before, and about people who believe in the impossible, even in the face of fierce opposition and overwhelming odds.

After all, thats exactly what we did in 1776 when we declared our independence from the worlds greatest empire at the time and then went on to win that independence on the battlefield.

In this latest win, the spirit of our American founding lives on.

Trumps victory is a clear display of what can happen when faith, resilience, and the will of the American people converge at the ballot box. In this victory, we see not just the resurgence of a politician but a renewal of hope in the principles that define the United States.

The greatest political comeback in American history? Hands down. But, more importantly, it might just be one of the greatest lessons on perseverance weve ever witnessed.

Originally published at the Standing for Freedom Center.
Home Opinion Why only a holy remnant preserves society

Throughout the Bible and the teachings of the Church Fathers, there is a recurring theme that a holy remnant preserves society from moral decay and divine judgment. This concept  that a small group of righteous individuals can act as a preservative  has roots in Jewish tradition, continues in the New Testament, and runs throughout the history of the Christian church. From Abrahams intercession for Sodom to the teachings of Jesus about being the salt of the earth, the idea of a faithful remnant protecting the world remains relevant.

Today, it speaks directly to a growing divide in the Church over whether personal holiness or political activism is more effective in transforming society. However, the witness of Scripture and history overwhelmingly shows that it is the presence of holy men and women who primarily serve as Gods preservative in a sinful world.

The Jewish tradition of the righteous remnant

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There is an ancient Jewish belief that there are at least 36 righteous individuals at any given time whose presence preserves the world from destruction. This belief finds roots in Jewish mysticism and rabbinic tradition, which speaks of the Lamed Vavniks  36 hidden righteous people who serve as a spiritual buffer for the world. Even though these individuals may be unknown to society, their faithfulness to God holds back divine judgment.

This concept parallels Abrahams intercession for Sodom in Genesis 18. In this passage, Abraham pleads with God not to destroy the city if a certain number of righteous individuals can be found. Abraham asks, Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? (Genesis 18:23). Starting with 50, Abraham eventually negotiates down to 10 righteous individuals, and God promises to spare the city for their sake. Though God ultimately destroys Sodom because even 10 could not be found, this passage reveals Gods willingness to extend mercy for the sake of a few faithful people.

Furthermore, this story can be extended to include the fact that God only found one man on the whole earth, Noah, who walked with Him, thus precipitating the destruction of the world with the global flood.

Also, Elijah, despairing of the moral state of Israel, believes that he is the only faithful person left who has not worshiped Baal. However, God reveals to Elijah that He has preserved 7,000 in Israel who have not bowed to Baal (1 Kings 19:18). The existence of these 7,000 faithful people shows that God always preserves a remnant, even in the darkest of times, to carry forward His purposes.

Similarly, during the Babylonian exile, we see God using Daniel and his three friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, as part of the remnant to preserve the Jewish people and extend Gods kingdom to the Babylonian and Persian empires.

The New Testament: Jesus and the remnant

The concept of a holy remnant preserving society continues in the teachings of Jesus. One of the most famous teachings on this subject comes from Matthew 5:13, where Jesus calls His disciples the salt of the earth. In the ancient world, salt was used to enhance food flavor and as a preservative, especially in hot climates where food would spoil quickly. Salt worked by drawing moisture out of the food, preventing the growth of bacteria and halting decay.

By calling His followers the salt of the earth, He was indicating that their presence would preserve the world from moral and spiritual decay and possibly judgment. However, according to Matthew 5:13, if Christians cease to be righteous and holy, they can no longer preserve the world. Their influence is nullified.

The apostle Paul calls the church children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world (Philippians 2:15). The righteous remnant, according to Paul, stands out in a dark world, reflecting the light of Christ and holding back the forces of darkness.

Holiness vs. political activism

One of the most pressing challenges in the modern Evangelical church is the tension between personal holiness and political activism. In todays climate, there is a growing sentiment that personal piety is ineffective unless it is paired with cultural engagement or political involvement. However, history and Scripture demonstrate that holiness is never a waste of time. Instead, it is often the key to preserving society from moral collapse.

During the collapse of the Roman Empire, the monastic communities preserved Christian faith and knowledge in the face of societal decay. These monks, dedicated to prayer, study, and manual labor, became centers of learning and spiritual renewal, ensuring that the light of the gospel continued to shine even during the darkest times in history.

The Early Church Fathers also embraced the concept of a righteous remnant. In The City of God, St. Augustine argued that the presence of Christians in the Roman Empire held back Gods judgment. He wrote that the holiness of the saints, even amid a corrupt society, acted as a preservative, delaying the full outpouring of Gods wrath.

John Chrysostom believed that just as salt keeps food from spoiling, the righteous preserve society from complete moral decay through godliness and prayers.

The power of intercession and preservation

(From Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew- Homily 15)

Scripture also provides multiple examples of the righteous interceding for a sinful world and delaying or preventing judgment. Moses interceded for the people of Israel after they worshiped the golden calf (Exodus 32), and God relented from the full extent of His wrath because of Moses prayers. Similarly, in Daniel 9 and Nehemiah 1, Daniel and Nehemiah interceded to restore Jerusalem. They confessed the sins of his people, pleading with God for mercy, which resulted in King Cyrus giving a decree for the Jews to rebuild the temple and the city of Jerusalem.

James 5:16 reminds us that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. The prayers of the righteous remnant can turn the tide of history. They mediate between God and a sinful world, delaying judgment and bringing about repentance and revival.

The concept of a holy remnant, preserving society, is woven throughout the Old and New Testaments and supported by centuries of Christian teaching. From Abrahams intercession for Sodom to Jesus call for His disciples to be the salt of the earth, we see that God consistently uses a faithful remnant to delay judgment and preserve society from moral and spiritual decay.
(Photo: Lambeth Palace)

Most Britons support Justin Welby's decision to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury over the John Smyth abuse scandal.

Welby stepped down this week under a storm of anger over his failure to report Smyth to the police after becoming aware of the abuse in 2013.

He had been under pressure to resign in the days following last week's publication of the Makin Review which strongly criticised the Archbishop and accused the Church of England of a "cover-up".

The Makin Review said that Smyth had abused at least 115 children and young men over several decades and that more victims could have been saved from harm if Welby and the wider Church had acted sooner.

In a poll of over 4,500 British adults by YouGov conducted the day after Welby's resignation, 62% thought it was right that he resign, with only 4% saying he should have remained in post.

A survey of over 5,800 British adults conducted by YouGov on the same day Welby resigned found that nearly a third of Britons (31%) had an unfavourable view of the Archbishop, up 13 points from the week before. Only 6% had a positive view of Welby and nearly half (42%) said they had never heard of him.

Announcing his resignation this week, Welby apologised to Smyth's victims and spoke of his "shame" over the Church of England's historic safeguarding failures.

"It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013 and 2024," he said.

He added, "I hope this decision makes clear how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change and our profound commitment to creating a safer church. As I step down I do so in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse."

Since his resignation, the Diocese of Winchester has asked Rev Sue Colman, an associate minister at St Leonard's Church in Oakley, Hampshire, to step back from ministerial duties.

The Makin Review said it was likely that Rev Colman and her husband Jamie had "significant knowledge" of Smyth's abuse in the UK and Africa because of their positions as trustees of a ministry that funded Smyth's work in Africa.

"The Diocese of Winchester is appalled by the findings of the Makin Review and the sheer extent of the horrific abuse perpetrated by John Smyth," the diocese said in a statement.

"It is a matter of deep regret and sorrow that John Smyth was able to have any association with our diocese while perpetrating such abhorrent abuse.

"The Diocese of Winchester has asked Rev Colman to step back from all ministerial duties while we reflect on the review's findings and work with the national safeguarding team to take steps to manage any associated risk.

"Mr Colman has no official ministerial position in our diocese, but has also been asked to step back from volunteering."

Victims of Smyth have asked for more clergy to go. Mark Stibbe, was abused by Smyth for years as a teenager, told Channel 4 News, "I applaud Justin Welby for resigning but what I think the survivor group would like is more resignations because that means more accountability, people taking responsibility for having been silent when they should have spoken."

There have been calls for the Bishop of Lincoln, Stephen Conway, to resign. He acknowledged receiving a disclosure about Smyth's abuse while he was Bishop of Ely, and has apologised for not doing enough to ensure the allegations were properly addressed by the Church and the authorities.

"It was my understanding that this matter was reported to the Police in Cambridgeshire and duly passed on to the Police in Hampshire where the abuse had occurred," he said.

"I am clear that I did all within my authority as a Bishop of the Church of England, bearing in mind that I had no authority over an entirely independent province on another continent.

"I acknowledge fully that my fault was in not rigorously pursuing Lambeth about that province-to-province communication, and for this I am deeply sorry."

The bishop has been defended by the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, the second most senior leader of the Church of England, who told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Conway "was the first person to do something about this".

Archbishop Cottrell also told the programme that anyone involved in the cover-up should resign but that these individuals are "not bishops".
(Photo: Getty/iStock)

There were 2,444 anti-Christian hate crimes across 35 European countries last year, with the UK among the highest, a new report has found.

Most of the incidents were acts of vandalism against churches (62%), followed by the desecration of Christian sites (24%), arson (10%), threats (8%), and physical violence (7%).

The report by the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe (OIDAC) highlighted a knife attack in Spain in which a priest died, a car-ramming attack on a Corpus Christi procession in Poland, and the attempted murder of a Muslim convert to Christianity in the UK.

The UK had the second highest number of incidents in 2023 - over 700 - after France, where nearly a thousand were recorded last year.

The report expresses concern about discrimination against Christians in the workplace and in public life in some European countries and sees this trend as one of the reasons for "increasing self-censorship" among Christians in Europe.

It quotes the findings of a 2024 study by Voice for Justice UK which found that only a third (36%) of Christians under the age of 35 in the UK feel free to express their Christian views on social issues at work.

OIDAC said that the UK prosecution of pro-life supporters Adam Smith-Connor and Isabel Vaughan-Spruce for praying silently in an abortion clinic buffer zone was "particularly shocking".

Commenting on the findings, Anja Hoffmann, executive director of OIDAC Europe, said, "In particular, Christians who adhere to traditional religious beliefs face increasing discrimination and hostility, ranging from bullying at work to the loss of employment.

"It is very worrying that the peaceful expression of personal religious beliefs, for example on matters relating to marriage and family, has become the potential end of a political career or employment, or even the beginning of a court case."

Germany ranked third highest after France and the UK, rising from 135 incidents in 2022 to 277 last year - a 105% increase.

The report is based on data reported by European governments to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in 2023, as well as instances reported by civil society.

Hoffmann said it was likely that the real number of anti-Christian hate crimes was much higher as several countries, including France, did not submit statistics to the OSCE last year.

Professor Regina Polak, OSCE Representative on Combating Racism, Xenophobia, and Discrimination, said, "Anti-Christian hate crimes send a message of exclusion to the victims and their communities, and to society as a whole.

"We can observe an increase of discrimination and hate crimes against Christians also in Europe.

"These phenomena must also be seen in the broader context of intolerance and discrimination against other groups and in particular against members of religious communities, both minority and majority groups."

The report calls for the creation of an EU coordinator role to combat anti-Christian hatred on a par with existing mandates to combat antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred.

Professor Polak said the increase in discrimination and hate crimes against Christians in Europe must "be taken more seriously by governments and civil society and needs profound research to understand its specific nature and causes".
(Photo: Getty/iStock)

Pope Francis has celebrated the unwavering faith, courage, and commitment of Christian martyrs across all denominations.

In a heartfelt address to participants of a Vatican conference on martyrdom, the pope highlighted the unity of Christians in the face of persecution, regardless of denominational differences.

"Even today, in many parts of the world, there are many martyrs who give their lives for Christ," Pope Francis said, speaking to the 'No Greater Love: Martyrdom and Offering of Life' conference, organised by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.

He lamented that, "In many cases, Christians are persecuted because, pushed by their faith in God, they defend justice, truth, peace, human dignity."

The conference, which took place from 11 to 14 November in Rome, brought together theologians, scholars, and religious leaders to explore the theological, historical, and cultural significance of martyrdom.

In a bid to further honour these sacrifices, Pope Francis announced the establishment of a special commission within the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. This initiative is dedicated to studying and documenting the lives and testimonies of contemporary martyrs from various Christian traditions, aiming to inspire faith and solidarity among Christians worldwide throughout 2025.

To become a saint, more is required than sustained "human effort or a personal commitment to sacrifice and renunciation," the pope said. "First of all, we must allow ourselves to be transformed by the power of God's love, which is greater than us and makes us capable of loving even beyond what we thought we were capable of."

The pontiff also highlighted the sacrifice of modern-day martyrs, including the 21 Coptic Christians who were kidnapped and executed in Libya in 2015. Though not Catholic, he affirmed, "They were Christians, they are martyrs and the church venerates them as its own martyrs."

The pope further reflected on the equality of martyrdom, referencing the Uganda Martyrs - 23 Anglican and 22 Catholic converts executed in the late 19th century. "With martyrdom, there is equality," he said, clarifying that, "They are martyrs, and the church receives them as martyrs."

The pope emphasised the self-evident nature of martyrdom as a clear sign of sanctity in the eyes of the Catholic Church, explaining that martyrdom does not require a confirmed miracle for beatification, as "the martyrdom is sufficient". Joking with members of the saints' dicastery, he added, "That way we save a bit of time, of paper and money."

Pope Francis outlined three fundamental elements of martyrdom that he said remain unchanged today. First, "A martyr must accept a violent and premature death rather than renounce their faith."

Even an unbaptised Christian can achieve what he called "the baptism of blood". Second, the martyr's death must be caused by a persecutor's hatred of the faith or another associated virtue, such as the defence of "justice, the truth, peace [or] human dignity". Lastly, he said, "The victim assumes an unexpected attitude of charity, patience, meekness, in imitation of the crucified Jesus."

Pope Francis also distinguished martyrdom from other forms of sainthood, such as "the offering of life", a category he introduced in 2017. This pathway allows for beatification in the absence of a direct persecutor, when a Christian believer willingly places themselves in circumstances that ultimately lead to death, choosing to uphold their faith despite the risk.

"Even in the extraordinary witness of this type of holiness," the pope said, "the beauty of the Christian life, which knows how to make itself a gift without measure, like Jesus on the cross, shines forth."

On the final day of the event, Pope Francis emphasised that martyrdom is a living testimony of hope, quoting his formal proclamation of the Holy Year 2025, "Spes Non Confundit" ("Hope Does Not Disappoint"), in which he described martyrdom as "the most convincing testimony" to hope.
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Now that the smoke has cleared from Election Day, it appears that the polls and statistical models mostly got the story right. But if it doesnt quite feel that waythe race seemed to be a nail-biter, then Donald Trump won decisivelythat may have been a result of how the numbers were presented, and the conclusions that journalists (and news consumers) drew from the data. If we want to minimise the risk of nasty shocks, John Burn-Murdoch, a chief data reporter for the Financial Times, wrote last week, and we want pollsters to get a fair hearing when the results are in, both sides need to accept that polls deal in fuzzy ranges, not hard numbers.

Burn-Murdoch, who writes regularly about election polling, believes that recalibrating our understanding of the data starts with presentation. If you keep putting out two nice, neat, thin lines, and one number above the other, then youre still making it very, very easy for people to think, Well, its going to go this way, even though it has all those caveats in the footnotes, he told me. Research pretty consistently shows that if you do put a central point to a line, people are going to focus mainly on that point. The FT, in its poll tracker during this past election cycle, showed a range of likely values. The graph included distinct linesred for Trump, blue for Kamala Harris, representing the midpoint of their respective rangesbut also depicted their overlap and reach, the wide brush of purple where their chances overlapped.

For Burn-Murdoch, the ideal would be a visual that shows just ranges, with a toggle allowing someone to see the central lines only if they want to. But thats a tough sell in newsrooms where simple story lines are prized. I dont think that would necessarily be an easy conversation, he said.

That tensionbetween editorial desire for a straightforward narrative and blurry realityis made more complicated by herding, when polling firms toss results that dont align with a dominant plotline. The 2024 election had an implausibly small number of outliers, per Mark P. Jones, who works on opinion polling as a senior research fellow at the University of Houstons Hobby School of Public Affairs and as a codirector of the Baker Institute Presidential Elections Program at Rice University. If the data showed Trump winning Wisconsin, say, by a single percentage point, we should have seen far more polls with Trump winning by four and with Harris winning by three than we actually did, as opposed to everyone being at zero or one point to either side.

There was at least one notable pollsterAnn Selzerwho presented outlier numbers, just ahead of the election, showing Harris leading in Iowa by three points. Shes since faced intense media scrutiny, of the kind that could drive her peers away from reporting results outside the herd in years to come. There are pollsters that are doing this to make a living, but also to try to gain future business, Jones told me. There is a real potential cost to getting it wrong. To Jones, polling aggregatorssuch as Nate Silver, FiveThirtyEight, and RealClearPoliticsare partly to blame for the rise of herding. If you have people who are grading pollsters based on their accuracy in an election result, youve created an incentive for those pollsters to ensure that they dont take a position that could cause them to fall into ridicule. (Silver, on his Substack, Silver Bulletin, observed that the likelihood of so many polls being as close as they appeared was one in ninety and a half trillion. Theres more herding in swing state polls than at a sheep farm in the Scottish Highlands, he wrote.)

When it comes time for reporters to cover what the polls mean, that can have a distorting effect. Take broad national polls, which cite demographic information. People are naturally curious, and so they dig in, Burn-Murdoch said. What do the numbers look like for Hispanic Americans? What do they look like for Black Americans? But the dataoften drawn from community sample sizes too small to support meaningful conclusions, or insufficiently representative based on factors such as age or level of educationare not meant to be representative of those groups.

The same can apply to exit polls, even with their larger scale. We still see national media outlets writing these big splashy headlines about what those polls, which have long been seen as flawed, tell us, Marcia Robiou, who worked as a producer on a PBS documentary, Latino Vote 2024, told me. For groups with relatively small populations but significant potential impactArab, Muslim, and Jewish voters, for instancedemographic-specific polling would help fill the picture. And in some communities, the language in which a poll is conducted could influence the results. My mother speaks Spanish and English, but she feels much more comfortable speaking in Spanish, Robiou said. If a pollster called her and asked her questions about the election in English, I dont think she would want to respond.

In making her documentary, Robiou referred to polls, but she and her team then investigated on the groundspeaking with Latino voters in Arizona, Wisconsin, and around the country. The Latinos in Pennsylvania, for the most part, are Puerto Ricans, who tend to be quite left of center, she observed. Thats just very different from Latinos in Florida, who are overwhelmingly Cuban and are right of center. For a holistic view, she said, its essential to look beyond the numbers and certain battleground states. That could really skew the conversation as to what Latino voters think.

Thats not to suggest its time to disregard polls, especially where they may shed light on demographic trends. In the absence of good polling on these groups, Jones said, you get narratives that might not be accurate.
Four Los Angeles area residents were arrested after a California Department of Insurance investigation reportedly found the suspects allegedly committed insurance fraud by claiming a bear had caused damage to their vehicles.

It turns out it was a person in a bear costume.

Ruben Tamrazian, 26, of Glendale, Ararat Chirkinian, 39, of Glendale, Vahe Muradkhanyan, 32, of Glendale, and Alfiya Zuckerman, 39, of Valley Village, have all been charged with insurance fraud and conspiracy.

The CDI investigation began after an insurance company suspected fraud. The suspects claimed on Jan. 28 in Lake Arrowhead a bear entered their 2010 Rolls Royce Ghost and caused interior damage to the vehicle. They reportedly provided video footage to their insurer showing the alleged bear in the vehicle.

However, the CDI investigation determined the bear was a person in a bear costume. Detectives reportedly found two additional insurance claims with two different carriers for the suspects with the same date of loss and at the same location. Each of the claims reportedly involved two different vehicles, a 2015 Mercedes G63 AMG and a 2022 Mercedes E350, and the suspects again appeared to use a bear costume to make it appear that a bear also entered and damaged those vehicles. They provided the video footage to the other insurers substantiate their claims.

The CDI had a biologist from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife review the three alleged bear videos and the expert verified it was a human in a bear suit.

After executing a search warrant, detectives found the bear costume in the suspects home.

The insurance companies were reportedly defrauded of $141,839. Department detectives were assisted by the Glendale Police Department and the California Highway Patrol. The San Bernardino County District Attorneys Office is prosecuting the case.
Meta Platforms Inc. was hit with a 798 million ($841 million) fine by European Union regulators by tying its Facebook Marketplace service to the social network, the U.S. tech giants first ever penalty for E.U. antitrust violations.

In a groundbreaking decision, the European Commission ordered Meta to stop tying its classified-ads service to Facebooks sprawling social media platform, and refrain from imposing unfair trading conditions on rival second-hand goods platforms.

Meta tied its online classified ads service Facebook Marketplace to its personal social network Facebook and imposed unfair trading conditions on other online classified ads service providers, E.U. antitrust chief, Margrethe Vestager, said. It did so to benefit its own service Facebook Marketplace.

The move adds to a spate of bad news for Meta. A U.S. judge ruled that the Federal Trade Commissions antitrust lawsuit against the company can continue to trial on Wednesday, while Donald Trump was elected U.S. president again. His victory helped propel the social networking app Bluesky, which competes with Metas Threads, to the top of Apple Inc.s US App Store.

Trump called Facebook an enemy of the people just eight months ago and suggested Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg should go to jail.

The EU fine is likely to be one of the final acts for Vestager, whos set to leave her post before the end of the year. Over the past decade, she has been one of Silicon Valleys toughest critics levying billions of euros in antitrust penalties, including over 8 billion in fines against Google.

The decision follows a probe into how Meta leverages Facebooks billions of users to squeeze out rivals. EU watchdogs said Menlo Park California-based Meta also used data from rival platforms that advertised on Facebook to boost its Marketplace service.

Meta vowed to appeal the decision at the blocs courts, a process that could take several years. It said the penalty ignores the realities of the thriving European market and shields large incumbent companies.

Meta shares fell as much as 1% after trading opened in New York. The company was earlier fined 110 million by the EU merger regulator for providing misleading information about its takeover of messaging service WhatsApp in 2017.

Amazon.com Inc. dodged EU fines in a similar case in 2022, targeting how the US. ecommerce firm allegedly pillaged rivals sales data to unfairly favor it own products. Regulators accepted a number of proposals from Amazon, including a vow to stop using non-public data on independent sellers on its marketplace for its competing retail business.

Facebooks Marketplace has also been targeted by other regulators. It settled a probe with the U.K.s Competition and Markets Authority after agreeing to a slate of concessions.

Meta reported sales of $40.6 billion in the quarter that ended Sept. 30, a jump of 19% compared to a year earlier. In recent years, Meta has been working to balance huge outlays on technologies like artificial intelligence and virtual reality, while still trying to ensure that its core digital advertising business is still growing.

While the EU can levy fines of 10% of global sales, its penalties are usually much smaller and take into account severity of the allegations and the sub-markets involved.

Thats led to frustration among regulators and a clamor for tougher remedies, including more structural solutions. Like the US, the EU has been weighing a potential breakup of Alphabet Inc.s Google to allay concerns over its adtech dominance.

The new Digital Markets Act bolsters traditional antitrust law by placing strict guardrails on Silicon Valley firms.

The European Commission has kick-started probes into Google and Meta to vet their compliance with the DMA, while Apple Inc. is soon likely to face the blocs first fine for failing to step into line with the rules. This week Meta pitched changes to the way it targets users with ads on Facebook and Instagram, in order to offset an escalation in the investigation.

Top photo: The Meta logo on a laptop computer in the Brooklyn borough of New York, US, on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. Photographer: Gabby Jones/Bloomberg.

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.
A claim provision requiring insureds to seek underinsured benefits from their auto insurer within three years of an accident is unenforceable in New Hampshire because it restricts the insureds right to obtain the same benefits they would have received if underinsurance were not an issue.

The New Hampshire Supreme Court, noting that such a provision could require insureds to seek underinsurance benefits before they even know if the other party is underinsured, ruled on October 25 that such a requirement in a Geico General Insurance Co. contract violates the public policy behind the motor vehicle statute governing uninsured motorist coverage (RSA 264:15).

The overall goal of the [uninsured motorist] statute is to promote a public policy of placing insured persons in the same position that they would have been if the offending uninsured motorist had possessed comparable liability insurance by broadening protection for those injured in accidents involving uninsured motorists, the court stated.

Thus while state law gives insureds three years after an accident to sue the other driver for damages, the Geico policys three-year underinsurance claim deadline denies them the same benefits because it is tied to the date of the accident and not to when they discover that the other driver is underinsured.

Because the contractual limitations provision unreasonably restricts the plaintiffs ability to obtain the same benefits they would have been entitled to had the alleged tortfeasor had comparable liability insurance coverage, the court concluded that it violates the public policy underlying the statute.

The plaintiffs, Shane and Maura Pelissier, sought compensation for damages arising out of a July 29, 2017 automobile accident. They filed suit against the driver they said was responsible for the accident prior to the expiration of the three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. During the course of that litigation they learned that the drivers liability insurance policy limit was less than their accident-related medical expenses. By then it was November 2021 more than four years after the accident.

The Pelissiers formally notified Geico of their intent to file an underinsured motorist claim on November 5, 2021. On November 30, 2021, Geico denied the underinsured motorist claim relying on the provision that required them to file for underinsured motorist benefits within three years of the date of the accident  that is, within three years of July 29, 2017.

On February 19, 2022  less than three months after Geico denied their claim but four and a half years after the accident  the Pelissiers sued Geico for underinsured motorist benefits.

Geico argued that it was entitled to summary judgment as a matter of law because the plaintiffs failed to bring suit within three years of the date of the accident.

A trial court rejected Geicos argument, finding that the contractual limitations provision is unenforceable given that it could require insureds to file suit before a justiciable cause of action existed. Additionally, the trial court found that using the date of the accident as the triggering event is contrary to the public policy underlying the underinsured motorist law.

Geico asked for the high courts review but did not get the answer it wanted as the high court agreed with the lower court.

Geico argued that the three-year contractual limitations provision triggered by the date of the accident is a reasonable restriction that does not violate the public policy. Geico further argued that the provision did not violate public policy because it provided the plaintiffs with the same rights they would have had if the tortfeasor had comparable liability coverage.

The Pelissiers countered that because the contractual limitations period could run before the insureds legal claim against the insurer has accrued, the provision impermissibly restricts their underinsured motorist coverage and is unenforceable.

The high court disagreed with Geico, noting that a plaintiff injured in an accident has three years from the date of the act or omission complained of or three years from when the plaintiff discovers, or in the exercise of reasonable diligence should have discovered, the injury and its causal relationship to the act or omission complained of to sue the motorist.

By contrast, the high court continued, under the contractual limitations provision in this case, the three- year period to file suit against the insurer begins to run before the occurrence of the injury that would be redressed by the underinsured motorist suit. That is because, under the common law, claims for underinsured motorist benefits sound in contract, and a cause of action for breach of contract does not arise until the breach occurs, the court explained.

In the underinsured motorist context, the breach occurs  and therefore the cause of action accrues  when the insurer wrongfully denies underinsured motorist coverage. This means that under the contractual limitations provision, a plaintiff injured by an underinsured motorist will, in effect, have less than three years to file suit against the insurer because the three-year period begins to run before the relevant injury occurs. Contrary to Geicos contention, the contractual limitations provision does not, and cannot, change when the cause of action for a suit for underinsured motorist benefits accrues, the court found.

The court further explained how an insurers denial of an insureds underinsured motorist claim will always occur at some point after the date of the accident. Indeed, insureds must first ascertain the extent of their damages, discover that the other motorist involved in the accident had insufficient coverage, file a claim for underinsured motorist benefits with their insurer, and have that claim denied before a cause of action for underinsured motorist benefits accrues.

Given the time required for an insured to ascertain whether they have a claim for underinsured motorist coverage, a contractual limitations provision such as the one at issue here could effectively force insureds to file suit before a cause of action for breach of their insurance contract has accrued; or bar any relief because they may not be aware that they have a claim for underinsured motorist benefits prior to the expiration of the three-year period.

In either circumstance, the insureds ability to recover for their injuries is restricted as compared to a person injured in an accident caused by a motorist with liability coverage equal to the liability coverage purchased by the insureds, the court concluded.
CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs discussed what a change in tariffs and manufacturing might mean for the railroad line in a Thursday interview with CNBC's Jim Cramer, explaining why he thinks his company is well-positioned.

"From our standpoint, actually, as long as it's coming to the U.S., we're going to move it somewhere," Hinrichs said. "If tariffs change the trade portfolio  as long as the economy's growing, we'll be a part of it."

CSX operates primarily on the East Coast, providing rail and intermodal freight transport services. It is present in dozens of port cities and transports domestic and international goods.

President-elect Donald Trump is expected to raise tariffs substantially when he takes office, which could change trade patterns, especially with China. Hinrichs said CSX's wide range of operations means it can keep business going even if the landscape changes. For example, he said that many materials arriving at West Coast ports need to be moved east, and CSX helps transport them from cities like Chicago or Memphis.

Hinrichs also suggested that an increase in domestic manufacturing would be positive for CSX, something that could be bolstered by the Trump administration's tariff policies. According to Hinrichs, many corporations want to build big projects in the southeast, where he said CSX is a dominant player. He said the company has 500 industrial development projects in its network, with "another thousand sites, in our inventory as possibilities."

"If it's made in America, we'll move it on rail," he said.
Dr. Geetha Murali, CEO of Room to Read. Courtesy of Dr. Geetha Murali.

For Dr. Geetha Murali, the topic of education is a deeply personal one. As the CEO of Room to Read, a leading non-profit organization with the mission to create a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality, she is acutely aware that the power of education could break cycles of poverty and inequality around the world. "We've done a lot of reflection on [the] skill sets that children need, which are sort of those gatekeeper, foundational skills that allow [them] to overcome other limitations in their lives, and when you look at young children... the fundamental skill set you need is being able to read, Murali told CNBC's "Make It." "Once you're able to read, all of a sudden, the world opens up to you, and you can develop the learning pathways that can help you make good, informed choices," she said.

Globally, about 754 million adults cannot read and write, two thirds of whom are women, according to a 2024 publication by UNESCO. And in 2023, UNESCO reported that 250 million children were not in school. Since it was founded in 2000, Room to Read has benefitted over 45 million children across 24 countries and deployed about $850 million into improving foundational learning for children around the world. Murali joined the organization in 2009 as a manager, and has since risen to become the company's top leader. Murali was also selected to be part of "CNBC Changemakers: Women Transforming Business," an annual list spotlighting women whose accomplishments have left an indelible mark on the business world.

Like mother, like daughter

Murali was born in New York and spent some of her early years on the East Coast. Like many children of immigrants, she was given a different fate than her parents had. She spent her childhood in a developed country where she had access to decent education, unlike her mother, who grew up in India.

Dr. Geetha Murali with her mom. Courtesy of Dr. Geetha Murali.

"We came from a family where child marriage was quite the norm," she said. "My grandmothers were married at the ages of two and 14." Murali said her mother  the eldest of seven  was brilliant and had completed high school at the age of 12, but nevertheless was expected to pursue marriage over her education. She had aspirations to continue her studies, but her father only wanted to pay for their eldest son  the fourth child  to go to university. "There were three girls before him, and so with that, my mom kind of had this real sense of injustice," said Murali. "She wanted to go to school, and they wanted her to get married, and so she did something that was pretty revolutionary at the time." Murali's mother rebelled against her family's wishes and began taking classes by herself in their community. Later, she joined the Indian Army as a nurse, which became her ticket to go to the U.S. on a nursing visa. "So, she comes to the U.S., puts herself through university, and ultimately becomes a biostatistician with a pretty illustrious career," so much so that she is able to send money back to her siblings in India so that they could also continue their studies, said Murali. "I say this pretty often when I'm talking about her, and the parallel to what we do at Room to Read with girls education  one decision that she made to not get married really created that ripple effect for an entire generation," she said. Today, Murali's aunts, uncles and cousins have been able to continue their education and pave their own path to success, and it was all because of that "shift in the importance of education in the household, especially for girls," said Murali. Hearing these stories growing up shaped Murali in a profound way. Naturally, she took after her mother and was a star student. By 22, she had already earned a master's degree in biostatistics and was working full-time in big pharma, with subsequent master's and doctorate degrees from the University of California, Berkeley.

Realizing a personal mission

Growing up in this environment, Murali was highly achievement oriented. "I think a lot of what defined the early part of my life was just... I kind of kept my head down and studied all the way through," she said. "You know, collecting degrees, demonstrating competencies, and realizing that I have the privilege of choosing how I apply those skills in a very different way than [my mom] had." Murali was working in a large pharmaceutical company, doing clinical trial support and data analysis when she realized that she wasn't fulfilled. "I was, like, early 20s, with a great job, kind of looking around for the first time, going: 'Is this really what I'm going to do for the next 45 years of my life?'" During this time, she was also working towards getting a PhD in South Asian Studies at UC Berkeley. Over the course of many conversations and exploration, Murali decided to pivot her research into the social sector.

Dr. Geetha Murali with Michelle Obama. Courtesy of Dr. Geetha Murali.

As part of her research, she began taking trips to India where she spoke directly with locals to learn more about voting patterns. And while she was on the ground, she gained much more insight than anticipated. "I think some of the most meaningful [experiences] were really when we were doing surveys with parents... and when we were talking about expectations from government  it turned into expectations for me," she said. The parents would ask her for basic needs like having a light set up on their street so it would be safer for their kids to walk around at night, or for a school to be built closer to their community so they don't have to travel so far. "In the end, all the conversation we could have about... the various concepts that we were applying through my PhD process was not as important as the fact that I couldn't get a light on the street, like I would have given everything up to get a light on that street," said Murali.

What I try to share with others is that we're not limited by what came before us. Dr. Geetha Murali CEO, Room to Read

Biggest lessons as a CEO

From that point on, Murali decided that she wanted to do work that was directly tied to social impact and community development, and to this day, that is exactly what she's done. Under her leadership, Room to Read has also stayed true to being an organization that implements and makes direct measurable change. Murali reflected on some of the biggest lessons she's learned in her career: "What I try to share with others is that we're not limited by what came before us." "The human being, if given the basics... you are capable of so much more than you really think you are. So, I always tell people, when you think you're at your limit, just push yourself a little bit further."

Since 2000, Room to REad has benefitted over 45 million children. Courtesy of Dr. Geetha Murali.

Upon reflection, Murali thinks what propelled her to become a leader was simply hard work coupled with a tendency toward being bold. "I wasn't afraid of hard work. I was willing to put the hours in, and I was very achievement oriented," she said. "I no longer have the fear of: 'Let's just do incremental change and not take risks.'" "I'm sort of at the point where I believe that these basic rights should be a given, and the moves we have to make must be bold [in order] to make them happen," Murali continued. "So I think there's a level of boldness that has come in this part of my career that probably allows me to push Room to Read a lot faster than it has been in the past." To young people, Murali offers one key piece of advice: "I think a plan is good, but not over planning. Like a GPS can be helpful, but don't be afraid to do some off roading." "In the end, having really strong, functional skill sets that you can apply is really the way that I would start my career, because you can't quite predict, especially in this day and age, all the different job opportunities and career paths that are going to be available in next five to 10 years." Building these skill sets early on and learning how to be adaptable to also leverage them for different functions is highly valuable, she added.

Dr. Geetha Murali in Vietnam. Courtesy of Dr. Geetha Murali.
Elon Musk wears a black "Make America Great Again" cap while attending a campaign rally with Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump at the Butler Farm Show fairgrounds in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 5, 2024 (L), and Russian President and presidential candidate Vladimir Putin visits his campaign headquarters in Moscow on March 18, 2024.

Reports that billionaire Elon Musk has held multiple calls with Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, should be investigated by the Pentagon and law-enforcement agencies on national-security grounds, two senior Democratic senators said in a letter seen by Reuters on Friday.

Musk, who has been appointed to a senior government role by Republican President-elect Donald Trump, oversees billions of dollars in Pentagon and intelligence-community contracts as CEO of aerospace company SpaceX.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a senior Foreign Relations Committee member, and Senate Armed Services Committee chair Jack Reed told U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and the Pentagon's inspector general that Musk's involvement in those SpaceX programs should be probed for potential debarment and exclusion after reports as recent as October of his conversations with Russian officials. Debarment refers to exclusion from certain contracts and privileges.

"These relationships between a well-known U.S. adversary and Mr. Musk, a beneficiary of billions of dollars in U.S. government funding, pose serious questions regarding Mr. Musk's reliability as a government contractor and a clearance holder," the lawmakers said in a joint letter dated on Friday.

Several Democratic lawmakers have publicly called for a probe into Musk's communications with Moscow since a Wall Street Journal report last month on the alleged contact, but the letter to the U.S. officials who could launch such an investigation has not been previously reported.

The call by Shaheen and Reed for a federal probe is a longshot effort as Trump prepares to return to the White House with backing from Musk, who spent over $119 million on Trump's reelection campaign and was appointed co-head of the president-elect's forthcoming Department of Government Efficiency.

SpaceX, Musk and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Pentagon and Justice Department did not immediately respond to similar requests.
French President Francois Hollande delivers a speech as he attends the inauguration of the new 'Sud Europe Atlantique' (South Europe Atlantic) high-speed rail line, linking Tours and Bordeaux, on February 28, 2017, in Villognon, central France. Yohan Bonnet | AFP | Getty Images

Former French President Francois Hollande underlined the importance of Europe sticking together in the face of U.S. protectionism on issues like security and trade. President-elect Donald Trump's election win last week has fueled fears of an impending economic nightmare for the European Union after he threatened to impose an additional 10% in tariffs on these nations. This would come at a time when traditional economic powerhouse Germany is dealing with an economic malaise and a political vacuum after its coalition government collapsed. There are also concerns over the Ukraine war and whether the U.S. could pull funding for the war-torn nation  leaving European allies to foot the bill. Hollande told CNBC's Charlotte Reed Wednesday that Europe must be worried.

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"Europe is today a continent that is not united. So what will be absolutely essential is the reaction to what Trump wants to do, particularly the U.S. disengaging from the European continent," he said. "This is what France, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom, the four main countries that invest in defense, will do. If these four countries react together, both in relation to the security issue, the Ukraine issue and even the trade issue, then Europe will be respected. Otherwise it will be pushed aside," he added. Despite Germany and France seeing significant political volatility this year, Hollande said there could still be a "broad political consensus" in these major European nations, no matter who is in charge, that could "firmly resist what Donald Trump may undertake."

Ukraine peace?
Hundreds of hotel workers at a casino near the Las Vegas Strip went on strike just before dawn Friday after a long and highly publicized fight for a new contract.

The strike at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas marks the first open-ended strike in 22 years for the Culinary Workers Union, the largest labor union in Nevada, with about 60,000 members.

The union posted on the social platform X on Friday morning: "@VirginHotelsLV casino is ON STRIKE! Virgin hotel workers are walking out RIGHT NOW at Virgin Las Vegas for a fair contract! Stand with the workers, DO NOT CROSS THE STRIKE LINE!"

"24/7 picket lines around the property" would be in place during the strike, the union said in a news release, urging customers to cancel reservations or check out and to choose a union accommodation.

The company's proposal worked out to an estimated $0.30 per year to wages over five years after deducting money for benefits, Culinary Union Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge said in the news release.

"The Virgin Las Vegas' proposal is miles apart and is an insult to every worker  which is why the committee voted unanimously to refuse to settle for a second-class contract," Pappageorge said. "Workers at Virgin Las Vegas deserve a first-class contract with fair wage increases, and they are organized and ready to strike for it."

Workers at the casino also walked off the job for 48 hours earlier this year as negotiations escalated, hoping to pressure Virgin Hotels to agree to a new five-year deal with increased wages and better benefits.

Housekeepers, cocktail and food servers, porters and bellhops were among those on the picket line Friday outside the hotel-casino, which was formerly the Hard Rock Las Vegas.

It comes exactly a year after casinos up and down the Strip narrowly avoided tens of thousands of hospitality workers walking off the job on the weekend the city was set to host its first Formula One race on the famous boulevard. But agreements were reached just before the union's deadline for a strike, giving workers a roughly 32% salary increase over the life of the contract, including a 10% bump in pay in the first year.

After the breakthrough deals last November, the Culinary Union quickly reached similar agreements for the rest of its members at major hotel-casinos on the Strip, downtown and at off-Strip properties  with the exception of Virgin Hotels. The contracts on the Strip alone cover more than 40,000 workers.

Bethany Khan, a spokesperson for the union, said Virgin Hotels is the "final holdout." The union's contract covering about 700 employees there expired in June.

The union says Virgin Hotels does not want to give its workers any wage increases during the first three years of a new five-year contract.

"We are worth more than zero wage increases," Merla Paramo, a casino porter, said in a statement provided by the union.

Virgin Hotels said Thursday in a statement that it agreed to some wage increases before the fourth year of a new contract, but the union declined the proposal. Virgin Hotels did not provide specifics on its proposal.

"Our dedication to our team members' well-being and achieving sustainable performance at our property remains steadfast, and we are fully committed to finding a fair resolution that is in their best interest," the statement reads.

While Friday's walkout is far smaller in scale than the strikes planned for last year on the Strip, disruptions are still likely because of Virgin Hotels' location. The 1,500-room property is just off the Strip and along a common route to the tourist corridor from the city's international airport.

The hotel-casino sits on a recognizable lot where an 80-foot(24-meter) neon guitar sign stood for decades. It was removed in 2017 after the Hard Rock closed.

Culinary Union members last went on strike in 2002 for 10 days at the Golden Gate hotel-casino in downtown Las Vegas.
Citi has identified South Korean firm Doosan Corporation as a significant beneficiary of Nvidia 's next generation of AI chips and expects its stock to rise by more than 40% in the next 12 months. The Wall Street bank initiated coverage of Doosan with a "Buy/High Risk" rating, setting a target price of 330,000 Korean won ($234) on the stock. The investment bank's analyst highlighted Doosan's unique position as the exclusive supplier of "copper clad laminate" (CCL) to Nvidia  an essential component in the chip giant's upcoming Blackwell graphics processing units, or GPUs . Nvidia's next-generation artificial intelligence chip Blackwell is in hot demand from companies like OpenAI, Microsoft , Meta and other firms building AI data centers to power products like ChatGPT and Copilot. "As the sole CCL supplier of Nvidia's Blackwell chips, we expect Doosan to directly and materially benefit from Blackwell production throughout [2025 estimate period]," Citi's analysts led by Josh Yang said in a note to clients on Nov. 13 titled 'Unique Direct Nvidia Blackwell Beneficiary in Korea'. CCLs are materials used to produce printed circuit boards used in electronics including servers and smartphones. Doosan's CCLs are manufactured by Doosan Electronics, a subsidiary that accounts for over 70% of the corporation's revenue. The electronics division is expected to see substantial growth as Nvidia ramps up production of its new AI chips, according to Citi. Citi forecasted that Doosan's AI-related revenue could reach 363 billion Korean won ($258 million) in 2025, driving a 90% increase in operating profit for that year. The bank's analysts believe this estimate could be conservative, noting the increased CCL content per Blackwell chip, which could translate into a much higher total addressable market than previously estimated. Doosan's stock has already shown strong performance, rising nearly 150% this year and almost tripling in value over the past year. The company is currently valued at about $2.5 billion on the Korean stock exchange. U.S. investors can access the stock through ETFs such as Schwab Fundamental International Small Co. Index ETF and Invesco FTSE RAFI Developed Markets ex-US Small-Mid ETF . Doosan is one of South Korea's oldest business conglomerates and runs subsidiaries across energy, robotics, construction and real estate.  CNBC's Michael Bloom and CJ Haddad contributed reporting.
Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of X looks on during the Milken Conference 2024 Global Conference Sessions at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, U.S., May 6, 2024.

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk expanded his lawsuit against ChatGPT maker OpenAI, adding federal antitrust and other claims and adding OpenAI's largest financial backer Microsoft as a defendant.

Musk's amended lawsuit, filed on Thursday night in federal court in Oakland, California, said Microsoft and OpenAI illegally sought to monopolize the market for generative artificial intelligence and sideline competitors.

Like Musk's original August complaint, it accused OpenAI and its chief executive, Samuel Altman, of violating contract provisions by putting profits ahead of the public good in the push to advance AI.

"Never before has a corporation gone from tax-exempt charity to a $157 billion for-profit, market-paralyzing gorgon  and in just eight years," the complaint said. It seeks to void OpenAI's license with Microsoft and force them to divest "ill-gotten" gains.

OpenAI in a statement said the latest lawsuit "is even more baseless and overreaching than the previous ones."

Microsoft and lawyers for Musk did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Musk has a long-simmering opposition to OpenAI, a startup he co-founded and that has since become the face of generative AI through billions of dollars in funding from Microsoft.

Musk has gained new prominence as a key force in U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration. Trump named Musk to a new role designed to cut government waste, after he donated millions of dollars to Trump's Republican campaign.

The expanded lawsuit said OpenAI and Microsoft violated antitrust law by conditioning investment opportunities on agreements not to deal with the companies' rivals. It said the companies' exclusive licensing agreement amounted to a merger lacking regulatory approvals.

In a court filing last month, OpenAI accused Musk of pursuing the lawsuit as part of an "increasingly blusterous campaign to harass OpenAI for his own competitive advantage."
8 killed in Israeli airstrike on Lebanon's mountainous area

Xinhua) 08:18, November 15, 2024

This photo shows the damage caused by Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on Nov. 13, 2024. Lebanese TV channels reported that Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on different areas of Beirut's southern suburbs, including several attacks on the Dar al-Hawra Medical Center in Haret Hreik, Beirut's Dahieh suburb. (Str/Xinhua)

BEIRUT, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Eight people were killed and many others injured on Wednesday morning in an Israeli airstrike on a residential building in a mountainous area southeast of Lebanese capital Beirut, Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) reported.

Rescue teams are still searching for missing persons after the airstrike, which targeted the building in the village of Dawhet Aramoun in Aley district, Mount Lebanon Governorate, the NNA reported.

Meanwhile, Lebanese TV channels reported that Israeli warplanes launched nine consecutive airstrikes at dawn, and five more on Wednesday morning, on different areas of Beirut's southern suburbs, including several attacks on the Dar al-Hawra Medical Center in Haret Hreik, Beirut's Dahieh suburb.

Those attacks have destroyed several buildings, triggered fire, and touched off heavy traffic as hundreds of people fled to Beirut for safety, the channels reported, without providing further information on the casualties.

Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee has issued separate evacuation warnings on social media platform X prior to the strikes.

After the raids, the Israeli army claimed the destruction of most of the missile production sites and weapons warehouses allegedly belonging to Hezbollah.

Also on Wednesday, Hezbollah said in separate statements that it confronted two reconnaissance movements of Israeli forces, the first trying to infiltrate towards the outskirts of Bint Jbeil via the village of Yaroun in southern Lebanon and the second towards the villages of Ainata and Maroun al-Ras in the central sector of the border area.

Hezbollah said it had killed and wounded Israeli soldiers in both clashes, without specifying the number of casualties.

It said in another statement that since Oct. 1, when Israel initiated a ground operation across its northern border into Lebanon, Hezbollah has carried out 70 military operations aiming at 33 Israeli targets, killing more than 100 Israeli officers and soldiers and injuring 1,000 others.

Since Sept. 23, the Israeli army has intensified its air attack on Lebanon in an escalation of conflict with Hezbollah.

According to the Lebanese health ministry, the death toll in Lebanon from Israeli airstrikes since the beginning of the conflict in October last year has reached 3,287, with injuries hitting 14,222.

This photo shows the smoke caused by Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on Nov. 13, 2024. Lebanese TV channels reported that Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on different areas of Beirut's southern suburbs, including several attacks on the Dar al-Hawra Medical Center in Haret Hreik, Beirut's Dahieh suburb. (Str/Xinhua)

This photo shows the damage caused by Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on Nov. 13, 2024. Lebanese TV channels reported that Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on different areas of Beirut's southern suburbs, including several attacks on the Dar al-Hawra Medical Center in Haret Hreik, Beirut's Dahieh suburb. (Str/Xinhua)

This photo shows the damage caused by Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on Nov. 13, 2024. Lebanese TV channels reported that Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on different areas of Beirut's southern suburbs, including several attacks on the Dar al-Hawra Medical Center in Haret Hreik, Beirut's Dahieh suburb. (Str/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Clyburn Honors College Scholars India Arie Aiyana Lefft Wilkes, Tuhina Sambhus, Josiah Rayford and Habeniom Woldabyezgi at the National Association of African American Honors Programs conference at Prairie View A&M University in Texas.

ORANGEBURG, S.C.  Four scholars from South Carolina State Universitys Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College recently networked with peers from around the country at a national conference in Texas.

In what Dr. William H. Whitaker Jr., Honors College dean, described as a significant moment for academic excellence and cultural celebration, the scholars attended the National Association of African American Honors Programs (NAAAHP) conference at Prairie View A&M University.

The conference was a key event for scholars and educators dedicated to advancing honors education at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Colleges and Universities (PBCUs). Accompanied by Whitaker, Clyburn Scholars India Arie Aiyana Lefft Wilkes, Tuhina Sambhus, Josiah Rayford and Habeniom Woldabyezgi seized the opportunity.

"The experience was truly unforgettable, Rayford said. From exploring graduate school and internship opportunities to witnessing engaging debates and insightful presentations, each aspect left a lasting impression.

Flying for the first time added to the excitement, but the highlight was undoubtedly connecting with other scholars and advisors, Rayford said.

Clyburn Honors College Dean William H. Whittaker Jr. (center) accompanied the scholars to the NAAAHP Conference.

The event provided an invaluable opportunity for students and faculty alike to engage in meaningful dialogue, professional development, and a celebration of African American academic achievement. The conference brought together over 300 honors students, faculty, and administrators from HBCUs, PBCUs, and other institutions dedicated to serving African American students.

The Clyburn Honors College is renowned for producing academically gifted students who are committed to excellence both in the classroom and in their communities. The colleges rigorous academic programs emphasize leadership development, research, and scholarly activities that are enriched by the students' strong sense of cultural pride and heritage.

At the NAAAHP conference, SC States scholars participated in workshops and panel discussions. These scholars, many of whom have already achieved considerable academic success, were inspired by the wealth of knowledge shared by fellow students, faculty, and scholars from across the nation.

Woldabyezgi said every moment of the conference held value, noting the wide range of personalities in attendance.

Observing different perspectives and unique approaches during the debates was particularly fascinating  I only wish I could have participated, Woldabyezgi said. I would strongly encourage others to strive for the chance to attend, as it has been one of my most impactful Honors College experiences so far."

A rich tradition of excellence and leadership

NAAAHP was established to advance the academic and cultural excellence of students enrolled in honors programs at HBCUs, PBCUs, and institutions serving African American communities. The organization seeks to create a platform for students to excel in scholarship, develop leadership skills, and engage with issues that affect their communities, all while recognizing the unique cultural heritage of African Americans.

At the conference, attendees are invited to showcase their academic work and are encouraged to strengthen their commitment to community engagement and social responsibility. The association plays a pivotal role in advocating for the continued advancement of honors programs that provide African American students with rigorous academic challenges while celebrating their cultural identity.

NAAAHP conference highlights included:

Scholars from institutions across the country presented their original research on a variety of topics, from social justice issues to cutting-edge scientific research.

Workshops and professional development sessions on graduate school preparation, publishing research, and building professional networks provided invaluable tools for students as they move forward in their academic and professional careers.

Keynote addresses and panel discussions from distinguished leaders in higher education -- including faculty members from prestigious HBCUs, authors, industry and community activists -- provided insights into the challenges and opportunities facing African American students and explored the unique role that honors programs can play in addressing these issues.

Students and faculty participated in cultural activities, including a special performance by the Prairie View A&M Marching Band. Networking events allowed scholars to meet and engage with peers from across the country, fostering a sense of community and solidarity among African American students in honors programs.

Sambhus said she gained invaluable insights at the NAAAHP conference.

The talks were especially inspiring, showing me how varied and fulfilling careers and internships related to my major can be, Sambhus said. I found the diversity of options linked to personal passions to be very motivating. Networking with like-minded HBCU students was another highlight, as such occasions are rare. Overall, the conference was engaging, enlightening, and absolutely something Id love to experience again."

The role of honors education at HBCUs and PBCUs

At a time when African American students continue to face systemic challenges in accessing and succeeding in higher education, honors programs at HBCUs and PBCUs provide a vital space for these students to not only excel academically but also build resilience, leadership, and community involvement.

Honors programs, especially those at HBCUs, are more than just academic initiatives; they are critical components of the larger mission of these institutions to serve African American students in their pursuit of academic excellence, leadership, and cultural pride. Through specialized coursework, mentorship opportunities, and access to research projects, honors students at HBCUs and PBCUs are given the tools they need to thrive in competitive academic environments while remaining rooted in their cultural identity.

As the conference came to a close, Clyburn Honors College scholars returned home with renewed inspiration, expanded knowledge and a greater sense of connection to the broader African American academic community. Their participation in the NAAAHP conference was a reminder of the enduring power of education to shape individual lives and to transform communities, especially in the context of institutions that prioritize the success of African American students.

"My experience at the NAAAHP conference was nothing short of amazing, Wilkes said. I met many incredible, like-minded individuals from other colleges and had the chance to build lasting connections.

The guest speakers shared inspiring stories about leadership, career paths, and the multitude of career and internship opportunities available, and I am eager to reach out to them in the future, she said. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been selected for this tripit was a memorable, impactful, and enjoyable experience. This is, without a doubt, one of my favorite Honors College memories."

For more information about SC States Clyburn Honors College, contact Dr. William Whitaker, dean, at wwhitak3@scsu.edu or 803-536-8992 or Dr. Windy A. Mack Stephenson, the colleges executive director of academic and scholarship services, at wmack3@scsu.edu or 803-516-4610.
Bloom Energy may be due for massive gains on the heels of its recent supply agreement with American Electric Power , according to Piper Sandler. Analyst Kashy Harrison upgraded the stock to overweight from neutral and raised his price target by $10 to $20. That reflects 50.6% upside from Thursday's close. While the stock has seen sizable gains recently, rising about 27% over the past month, it has still fallen more than 10% this year. BE YTD mountain BE, year-to-date On Thursday, Bloom Energy announced that it reached an agreement with AEP to power artificial intelligence data centers and supply up to 1 gigawatt of its products. The company also said AEP has ordered 100 megawatts of fuel cells, with more orders expected next year. Harrison believes the scale of the agreement  he estimates the equipment alone could be worth $3 billion  could mean more growth opportunities for the company in the future, despite softened sentiment around the name among investors. "Despite BE's insistence that it was working on 100 MW deals and extremely bullish commentary from the [Chief Commercial Officer Aman Joshi] in a Taiwanese interview, the market has been generally skeptical on BE's ability to deliver power to large data centers given prior grand unfulfilled promises," he wrote in a Thursday note. "The 100 MW order from AEP is inline with prior commentary; however, upside potential to 1-GW is literally 10x what we were expecting," the analyst continued. "Given the endorsement of BE's technology from a large utility, agreements with other large players could materialize." With the AEP order and potential momentum from other domestic customers as catalysts for growth, Harrison expects revenue to reach $1.8 billion in 2025. The majority of the Street is bullish on the name, with 14 of the 26 analysts covering it having a strong buy or buy rating. Even though 11 of the 26 have taken a neutral stance, the average target price for the stock still implies big gains from here, reflecting more than 23% upside, as of Thursday's close.
Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. October 15, 2024.

The millions of Americans who work overtime have a little more reason to hope for tax relief.

Republicans this week eked out a slim majority in the House, winning 218 seats, with a few races still uncalled. This means a Republican trifecta and more chance of passing proposals floated by President-elect Trump on the campaign trail, including one that would scrap taxes on overtime.

Details on the proposal are scant and some Democrats have called the overtime tax promise "as fake as his tan." It may not be the top priority of the new administration when it comes to tax cuts, or the easiest to pass, but the overtime proposal is likely to be part of broader discussions on tax reform.

"The American people re-elected President Trump by a resounding margin giving him a mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail. He will deliver," Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the Trump-Vance transition team, wrote in an email.

Here's what workers need to know about the overtime proposal and what it could mean for their pocketbooks:

A bill already introduced in Congress, and some state action

Trump unveiled his tax-free overtime proposal on the campaign trail in September but didn't offer details. "As part of our additional tax cuts, we will end all taxes on overtime," he said at a rally in Tucson, Arizona. "If you're an overtime worker, when you're past 40 hours a week, your overtime hours will be tax-free," Trump said.

There's already a bill in Congress that was introduced in July by Congressman Russ Fulcher, a Republican from Idaho. The Keep Every Extra Penny (KEEP) Act has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means and also doesn't have a lot of details beyond saying: ''Gross income shall not include overtime compensation required under section 7 of the Fair Labor Standards 9 Act of 1938.'' There hasn't been any further action on this bill since July.

There have been mixed results at the state level to exempt overtime pay from income tax. Alabama passed a bill in 2023 that temporarily exempts overtime pay from state income tax. It's in effect for tax years that begin after December 31, 2023, and end prior to January 1, 2027. A similar effort proposed in Wisconsin stalled earlier this year.

Hourly workers would receive most of the benefit

Millions of American workers currently work overtime and could be impacted by a change in policy on how these earnings are taxed. This could translate into savings of a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars for higher earners who put in a lot of overtime, tax policy professionals said.

"It could be a fairly expansive policy in terms of who it could reach," said Joseph Rosenberg, senior fellow at The Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center. But it would also be very costly in terms of reducing revenue for the federal government, he added.

Department of Labor data show that there were 97.7 million employed workers last year who were eligible for FLSA-overtime protections. That represented 60% of household employment in 2023 and about two-thirds of wage and salary employment, according to a report from The Budget Lab at Yale, citing DOL data. Among these, 82.1 million were hourly workers and 15.6 million were salaried workers, the report said.



It's important to note, however, that being eligible under FLSA doesn't necessarily equate to actually working overtime. The Budget Lab noted that 7 million Americans regularly worked overtime last year; 6.4 million of these workers were hourly workers; while 600,00 were salaried. That translates to about 8% of hourly workers in the U.S. and about 4% of salaried employees who work FLSA-qualified overtime on a regular basis, according to John Ricco, associate director of policy analysis at The Budget Lab. Meanwhile, about 7% of hourly workers and 70% of salaried workers do not qualify for FLSA, the report said.

What's more, on Friday, a U.S. District Court in Texas overturned a Department of Labor rule that had expanded the salary cap for workers eligible for overtime pay starting in July, after a legal challenge brought by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and supported by many industries. The court had already blocked the rule in Texas and Friday's decision now vacates the DOL rule nationwide, which would have cover as many as four million more workers. Congress is not bound by DOL rules in how it defines provisions in tax legislation.

While it could be a big tax benefit for some workers, it still wouldn't impact the vast majority of U.S. workers, given that the U.S. population is more than 300 million and the workforce is more than 168 million people. "This is not likely to be a huge share of the workforce who would be impacted, depending on how tightly Congress defines overtime pay," said Alex Muresianu, senior policy analyst at the Tax Foundation, a research think tank.

Cost to government could reach $3 trillion over decade

The Tax Foundation estimates it could cost the federal government between $225 billion to slightly over $3 trillion over 10 years, depending largely on how Congress designs the law, Muresianu said.

For example, would it be designed as just an income tax or would it be a payroll tax exemption as well? "A payroll tax exemption would reach lower down in the income distribution, but that has additional implications for the financing of Social Security and Medicare, as well as impacts on future benefits which are tied to the taxes that people pay on their income," Rosenberg said.

The hefty federal deficit could be a stumbling block to passing any number of Trump's various tax proposals beyond extending the 2017 cuts. Extending the Trump tax cuts for the next 10 years  as Republicans have proposed  would add $4.6 trillion to the deficit, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Including all of the new tax cuts proposed could bring the total price tag to roughly $10 trillion over a decade, according to multiple estimates.

It's possible Republicans will be more willing to act on these costly initiatives, hoping to make up for some of the cost with revenue generated by new tariffs on imports, estimated at up to $3 trillion in new government revenue.
Colorado Republican Gabe Evans accomplished something rare last week when he unseated the congressional incumbent in the state's newest district, flipping the seat two years after its creation while putting the GOP one member closer to keeping its slim majority in the House of Representatives.

When all the votes were counted, the first-term state lawmaker from Fort Lupton, an Army veteran and former police officer, barely edged past Democrat Yadira Caraveo, a pediatrician and former legislator from Thornton, in a race that drew intense national attention and attracted more outside spending than any other Colorado congressional district contest ever has  nearly $30 million, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, compared to about $19 million spent last cycle in the same district.

The state's only undisputed toss-up seat, the 8th Congressional District  covering portions of the Front Range north of Denver, from Adams County suburbs to Greeley in Weld County  was drawn by Colorado's Independent Redistricting Commission to be a battleground, and its voters haven't disappointed.

For the second election running, the district's representatives earned their ticket to Washington by almost the same razor-thin margins  0.69 percentage points for Caraveo's 2022 win, followed by Evans' 0.74 percentage point advantage this year, according to final, unofficial results posted late on Nov. 14.

It marks the first time in decades that a Colorado congressional race has been decided by less than a single percentage point margin in two consecutive elections.

This time, Evans managed to clear his leading opponent, Caraveo, by 2,448 votes, which seems like a luxurious lead compared to the 1,632 votes Caraveo finished ahead of Republican Barb Kirkmeyer, the state senator from Brighton, in 2022. Their cushions amount to nearly the same margin, however, because turnout was up by almost 100,000 ballots in the 2024 presidential year, compared to last cycle's midterms, rising from 236,402 to 333,600 votes cast, respectively.

Also remarkably, the third-party candidates on the ballot this year  Approval Voting Party nominee Chris Beam and the Unity Party's Susan Patricia Hall  amassed close to the same share of the vote between them as Libertarian Richard Ward got by himself two years ago, with Baum and Ward's votes totaling 2.82% to Ward's 3.93%.

A few days after Labor Day, Evans won an endorsement from this year's Libertarian nominee, Eric Joss, who withdrew from the race and threw his support behind the Republican after securing Evans' signature on a pledge to abide by about a dozen principles the two agreed would "advance liberty" at the national level.

The agreement was the result of negotiations a year earlier between the respective chairs of the state GOP and Colorado Libertarians, in an attempt to prevent the minor party's candidates from spoiling close races by siphoning votes from Republicans. The unprecedented deal appears to have worked in the 8th CD race and in a couple of state House seats Republicans also won by a whisker.

"That's an example of how we have focused so heavily on trying to pull together coalitions, focusing on what unites us rather than what divides us," Evans said at a press conference on Nov. 11 at his campaign headquarters held the morning after Caraveo called him to concede. "I was truly honored to be able to work with (the Libertarians) and work with the pro-liberty community, to be able to put together this coalition that I truly think was instrumental in getting us across the finish line and flipping this district."

With his win, Evans joined the select club of Colorado candidates who have defeated incumbent members of Congress, numbering just seven since the turn of the century, including Evans  though one of his' fellow Republicans accomplished the feat twice, first ousting a House member and then deposing a sitting U.S. senator.

That was Cory Gardner, who denied Democratic U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey a second term in 2010 in the 4th Congressional District and then four years later did the same to Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Udall. Markey, for her part, won her first time by defeating Republican U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, and Gardner met the same fate in 2020, when Democrat John Hickenlooper derailed the Republican's plans for a second Senate term.

"This is probably one of the, if not the biggest races in Colorado since 2014," boasted Evans at his press conference, comparing his triumph to Gardner flipping the Senate seat.

The other Coloradans who short-circuited congressional incumbents' plans to return to DC since 2000 were Republican Scott Tipton, who beat three-term Democratic U.S. Rep. John Salazar in 2010 in the 3rd Congressional District; Democrat Jason Crow, who dethroned five-term Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman in 2018 in the 6th Congressional District; and, Republican Lauren Boebert, who toppled Tipton in the 2020 GOP primary.

In the blink of an eye, almost exactly three days after polls closed, Evans went from being a potential footnote in Colorado political history to the state's breakout star of the 2024 cycle.

At 6:20 p.m. on the Friday after the election, a ballot update from Weld County turned the race in Evans' favor, switching from Caraveo's 1,311-vote edge to a 2,529-vote advantage for Evans. Up to that point, Caraveo had held onto the lead she took early on election night, when county clerks posted the second batch of results, but once she relinquished it, Evans stayed ahead by roughly the same margin through final returns.

Discussing his squeaker of a win, Evans acknowledged that he'll likely face the same competitive, years-long bid for reelection that greeted Caraveo soon after she took office.

"To me, the fact that this is a very narrowly  it's one of the swing districts across the country  that means that you're just going to have to put in double-time effort to represent your district, and that's, quite honestly, what the job description is," Evans said. "Your job is to know this district, to talk to talk to (constituents), to speak to them, to listen to them, to be able to carry their issues to the forefront of the conversation, and be able to advocate for those things that are going to make their lives better."

Ernest Luning has covered politics for Colorado Politics and its predecessor publication, The Colorado Statesman, since 2009. He's analyzed the exploits, foibles and history of state campaigns and politicians since 2018 in the weekly Trail Mix column.

Democrats outshine Republicans in Colorado's 3rd quarter congressional fundraising race | TRAIL MIX Democratic nominees in all but one of Colorado's eight U.S. House races more than doubled their Republican opponents' fundraising hauls in the
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Jeff Lawson, founder of Twilio, in 2021. Lawson leads a group that owns satirical website the Onion, which on Thursday announced it had purchased the conspiracy site Infowars. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

Its the Onions biggest joke yet: on Thursday, the satirical news magazine announced that it had won an auction to buy Infowars and planned to turn the site, founded by rampant conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, into a parody of itself.

Later Thursday, however, a bankruptcy judge halted the deal and set a hearing for next week, raising concerns about the bidding process, the New York Times reported.

Stand by for the funniest news youve ever heard in your entire life, Onion CEO Ben Collins wrote Thursday morning in a social media post shortly before the news broke.

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But theres a second punch line: The Onion, and maybe Infowars, is primarily owned by San Francisco tech entrepreneur Jeff Lawson, who is known locally for donating to efforts to fight homelessness and publicly defending the city.

While many of San Franciscos tech leaders have fled the city in recent years or criticized its troubling street conditions, Lawson has been a notable exception.

The Twilio founder has garnered attention for philanthropic donations to fight homelessness and provide assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. In April, his high-flying tech career took an unexpected turn, as he led a group that bought the fabled Onion website for an undisclosed price, pledging to invest in its growth.

Lawson did not respond to interview requests Thursday, nor did Collins. On X, he made a post that said only, Yes ha ha ha YES!  a reference to an Onion meme.

The parody site announced the move in a satirical news release in which its founders skewered Jones for creating an invaluable tool for brainwashing and controlling the masses and its delusional paranoia and dubious anti-aging nutrition hacks. The deal was put on temporary hold during an emergency hearing hours later, the Times reported.

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We are planning on making it a very funny, very stupid website, Collins said in his post on BlueSky. I cant wait to show you what we have cooked up.

Collins also said the company had received buy-in from the relatives of the mass shooting victims killed in the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

For years, Jones exploited the massacre  in which 26 people were killed  for his own personal gain, claiming it was a hoax created as an excuse to take away peoples firearms.

Relatives of the victims sued Jones in 2018, forcing him into bankruptcy and ultimately winning a $1.5 billion judgment. Earlier this year, a federal judge ruled that many of Jones assets, including Infowars, could be seized and auctioned off.

The news of the Onions potential purchase of Infowars came months after Lawson bought the satirical website with former disinformation reporter Ben Collins, along with TikTok exec Leila Brillson and Tumblr product director Danielle Strle. They created a company called Global Tetrahedron  a reference to a fictional company the Onion has used in humor pieces.

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Lawson, a longtime San Franciscan, grew up in Detroit. He started his first company while in high school, shooting and editing videos of bar mitzvahs, according to a 2019 Forbes profile.

He enrolled at the University of Michigan in 1995, but didnt graduate until 2003 because he repeatedly took time off from school to work on other startups, including StubHub, where he served as chief technology officer. After graduating, he worked at Amazon for several years, then co-founded Twilio in 2008. The company has focused on helping businesses embed messaging services such as text and voice calls into their apps.

Twilio had its IPO in 2016, and its valuation briefly skyrocketed to $70 billion. Lawson resigned from his role as CEO earlier this year, amid disputes with investors about the direction of the company.

Lawson has been active in local politics and philanthropy.

He and his wife, Erica, donated more than $400,000 to moderate causes in local elections over the past year, according to city ethics filings.

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In 2018, as San Francisco residents debated a business tax to fight homelessness, Lawson publicly supported the effort, and announced that Twilio was donating $1 million to local homelessness programs.

A year later the Lawsons signed the Giving Pledge, the initiative backed by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to encourage wealthy businessmen and women to donate their fortunes to charity.

That same year, he and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff donated to an effort to bring a homeless shelter to the Embarcadero.

Two years later, he publicly defended the city as tech entrepreneurs who were fleeing to other cities heaped abuse on it.

This is the time when we should be thinking about, How do we give back? How do we help take care of our communities and the people around us who may not be faring as well?  he told the Chronicle.

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After buying the Onion, Lawson appealed to its readers for a $1 contribution to keep it running.

For that dollar, you get absolutely nothing, he wrote. Just a smug sense that youve once again spent less on the Onion than its worth in your life.

On X and BlueSky, the Onions announcement of the deal to buy Infowars left users delighted, calling it a just comeuppance for Jones.

Jones, meanwhile, was left stunned. He posted a video on X calling the sale unconstitutional.
California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, seen speaking in Sacramento, is not standing up to the industry, according to Rep. John Garamendi, who held the insurance position for eight years. Adam Beam/Associated Press

Rep. John Garamendi said in an interview with a Bay Area TV station that state Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara should step down if hes unwilling to take on insurance companies, becoming the latest outspoken critic of Lara during the states ongoing insurance crisis.

In an interview with ABC 7 that aired Thursday, Garamendi, who served eight years as the states insurance commissioner, said, Ive been very concerned about the way in which the current commissioner (Lara) has conducted himself in this office.

Over the last three years, I have observed that this commissioner is not willing to take the hard task and the necessary task to stand up to the insurance industry, Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove (Sacramento County), said. If the commissioner is not willing to do that, and theres plenty of signs he is not, then hes not doing his job and he should leave.

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When asked about Garamendis comments Tuesday, Michael Soller, a spokesperson for the Department of Insurance, said, Garamendis grandstanding gets us nowhere and does nothing to address our ongoing insurance crisis.

Commissioner Lara is leading the most ambitious insurance reform in over 30 years, while wildfires fueled by climate change menace California like never before, Soller said. He added that Lara supports bipartisan legislation introduced by Reps. Mike Thompson and Doug LaMalfa that would put money into Californians hands, tax free, to pay for home-hardening projects.

Garamendis comments come as Lara navigates the state through an insurance crisis, which has seen companies stop writing new policies, raise prices or withdraw from the state. In California, more than half a million homeowners will face a second insurance rate hike within a year, the Chronicle reported last month.

In July, members of Californias Little Hoover Commission, an independent oversight body tasked with investigating state government operations and police, blasted Lara for not attending hearings regarding the states insurance crisis.

Weeks later, Lara, in an exclusive interview with the Chronicle, told a reporter he wasnt sure when the insurance crisis would end but said his departments efforts to pursue regulations that aim to keep insurance companies in California have paid off. Lara told the Chronicle that the end of the crisis would depend on wildfires, which have scorched more than 1 million acres this year.

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Last week, the Little Hoover Commission proposed solutions to solve the insurance crisis, such as recommending that the department convene an independent panel of experts to create standards for evaluating insurance companies use of private catastrophe models and suggesting the state create a working group to develop a minimum set of wildfire mitigation standards to be undertaken by homeowners.
A peine sommes-nous de retour de Taipei que l'on reprend un peu le fil, avec un test d'alimentation ce jour avec la, dans sa version 750 watts. Un bloc 80 plus Gold non modulaire qui integre un ventilateur de la marque.A decouvrir ici meme : Test alimentation be quiet! Pure Power 12 ou en cliquant sur la source."On vous propose de passer 5 minutes avec nous pour decouvrir le blocde, dans sa version 750 watts. Un bloc ATX 3.1 et PCIe Gen 5.1 non modulaire qui se veut accessible, car propose a 104.90 euros avec une certification 80 Plus Gold et une garantie de 10 ans. Un bon choix pour un PC ? Reponse dans ces quelques pages."
The Oscars is that one magical night a year when Hollywood gets together to celebrate achievement in filmmaking, aside from all the other nights they do that. Its also a celebration of backroom deals, historical whitewashing and old fogeys who cant even be bothered to watch most of the movies they vote on. That means a lot of films get nominated for and even win awards that are only remembered in the future in the same thought as, What were they thinking?

For example, Bohemian Rhapsody was dull, historically inaccurate to the actual events, and had bad editing, but somehow it wins the Golden Globe and gets multiple Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, one Redditor told r/Movies. They then asked, Whats another example of a movie you think is terrible that for some reason (got) nominated for tons of Oscars, including Best Picture?

It took no time at all for their fellow Redditors to respond with all kinds of award-winning awfulness.

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21 Gigi Advertisement

20 The Greatest Show on Earth

19 Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

18 Boyhood Advertisement Advertisement

17 Driving Miss Daisy

16 As Good As It Gets Advertisement

15 Hacksaw Ridge Advertisement

14 The Irishman Advertisement

13 Shakespeare in Love

12 Cimarron Advertisement

11 The Hurt Locker Advertisement

10 Crash Advertisement

9 The English Patient

8 Green Book Advertisement Advertisement

7 American Hustle

6 Silver Linings Playbook Advertisement

5 The Godfather Part III Advertisement

4 The Great Ziegfeld Advertisement

3 Birdman

2 Doctor Dolittle Advertisement Advertisement
Stealing is wrong. Its right there in the Ten Commandments, along with murdering your neighbors wife or whatever.

That said, theres something about a bank heist that piques human curiosity. Maybe its the fact that it almost always involves a very cool plan and that despite not technically being victimless, the victim is an establishment that most people dont have empathy for.

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So, in the interest of firing up the excitement centers in your brain the way your job clearly isnt, here are the largest bank heists ever  specifically banks, and not armored trucks, or cash depots, because wheres the romance in that?

5 British Bank of the Middle East Radi83 Any good heist planner knows that to pull one off, you need a distraction. And you know what makes a really good distraction? A full-blown civil war. Obviously, you dont want to be the one inciting it, as I imagine that would carry some hefty bonuses on possible jail time, but if it just so happens to be happening? A horrible window of opportunity is wide open, as it was in Lebanon in 1976. With explosions being not all that unusual given the unpleasant times, these particular opportunists blasted into the bank from a church next door, then spent two days cracking the vault and emptying the safe deposit boxes to the tune of $50 million.

4 Northern Bank of Ireland Ardfern This next bank robbery didnt involve any violence in the bank itself, but the details behind it show that it wasnt for the squeamish. The robbers, who still havent been caught or identified, didnt exactly rip off the bank with the people involved unharmed. Their plan started 24 hours beforehand, when they took the families of two employees hostage. With their families at risk, they were forced to show up to work the next day and try their very best to be normal until closing, when they allowed the robbers into the bank after everyone else had left. Advertisement With the bank open to them and only them, they took 26.5 million pounds and disappeared.

3 Banco Central Mateuz TUF The robbery of Banco Central in Fortaleza in Brazil followed a plan thats cliche even in fiction. The criminals showed up to the bank after hours dressed as workers, here to help with the renovation of the bank, a renovation that wasnt only actually happening but had a crew on the books for that night, making it seem thoroughly unfishy. Unfortunately, the lack of raised hackles led to them spending the night emptying the banks security deposit boxes and making a tidy $58.5 million in profit. Advertisement Advertisement The investigation ended up more suspicious than the arrival of the robbers, as the police took almost a week to begin investigating, and didnt seem to have a high degree of urgency at any point.

2 Knightsbridge Security Deposit Center The perpetrator of this robbery isnt shrouded in mystery whatsoever. It was headed by a man named Valerio Viccei, who was well-equipped for a heist of this scale, given that he was already wanted for 50 armed robberies at the time in his native Italy. Feeling the heat in his homeland, he took a trip to London to practice his chosen profession, most notably targeting the Knightsbridge Safe Deposit Center. When youre committing felonies with that frequency, the scheming leaves something to be desired, and this wasnt a master plan by any means. They simply stopped by, said they wanted to rent one of the centers safety deposit boxes and then pulled out guns once inside. The firepower allowed them to pick through the no-longer-protected possessions willy-nilly and leave with valuables estimated to be worth up to $64 million. Advertisement Advertisement
The Simpsons has obviously spawned a ton of merchandise over the past 35 years  from dolls, to video games, to erotic shower gels. But there hasnt been a lot of Simpsons-themed LEGO. In fact, its been 10 years since the famous Danish toy company released the Simpson family home building set. They also released a Kwik-E-Mart set, and an assortment Simpsons minifigures. But after that, there was nothing.

Which is more than a little surprising considering that The Simpsons-LEGO combo was a big deal at the time. The show even aired a LEGO-themed episode, Brick Like Me, specifically to tie into the toy release.

But now, after nearly a decade, there are rumors that LEGO is finally going to be releasing another Simpsons set in 2025. Specifically, its going to be a Krusty Burger set.

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Fans seem to have a lot of suggestions for what this set could include. One LEGO enthusiast previously created his own design for a Krusty Burger set and submitted it to the LEGO Ideas website. His proposal (which was not approved) featured Marges station wagon, and a lineup of characters that included the Squeaky-Voiced Teen as well as Krustys monkey sidekick Mr. Teeny.

This week, the LEGO-themed website Brick Fanatics responded to the news by offering a number of references that LEGO should consider including in their set, such as a transparent grease wall (Dr. Nick Rivieras window to weight gain), a Krusty Burglar minifigure (for the Homer figure to pummel half-to-death) and some kind of nod to the most famous Krusty Burger purchase of all: Principal Skinners steamed hams. Also, dont forget to include Hot Lettuce Injections on the menu.

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Even Simpsons writer Josh Weinstein weighed in on the subject, proposing that LEGO include an interchangeable IRS Burger sign.

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And Ill just put this out there: If the set includes a Krusty minifigure, he should come with a tiny flask, for when kids/toy-loving adults want to pretend that hes filming a commercial and accidentally swallows some of the burger juice.

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It seems doubtful that the fan appetite for Simpsons LEGO will be satiated by just the one Krusty Burger set. A lot of people have already been creating their own Simpsons LEGO sets using only the power of imagination/disdain for the Walt Disney corporations intellectual property laws.

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For instance, fans have made LEGO versions of Flanders house:

Moes Tavern (complete with Love Tester):

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And, in 2014, a Spanish event for LEGO railway enthusiasts showcased a LEGO take on the entire town of Springfield, including the burning tire yard, Springfield Elementary and a working monorail:

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Of course, LEGO isnt exactly the most affordable hobby. The allegedly upcoming miniature version of Springfields preferred fast-food joint will reportedly set you back $229. Which is almost enough to buy 700 Krusty Burgers.
Rick and Morty star Ian Cardoni hopes that the average fan hasnt even noticed that hes not Justin Roiland, but its hard to imagine that nobody clocked the change when Rick suddenly stopped DMing 16-year-olds to call them jailbait.

By now, the dust has settled on the biggest controversy in the history of Rick and Morty (beating out the whole Szechuan sauce debacle by a light-year), and the alleged misdeeds of a certain former series star and co-creator are now an ugly footnote in the history of the flagship Adult Swim series rather than an existential threat to it on par with Rick Prime. After Adult Swim fired Roiland following his arrest on domestic violence charges in early 2023, Roilands many rabid defenders (including Elon Musk) predicted/hoped that the ousting would spell the doom of Rick and Morty, but the shows producers launched an exhaustive search for replacement voices that concluded with Cardoni and Harry Belden taking over the roles of Rick and Morty respectively.

As Rick and Morty Season Seven clearly demonstrated, Roiland wasnt quite the series linchpin that he thought himself to be, and the show had arguably its strongest year since Season Four as Cardoni and Belden masterfully handled the emotionally charged conclusion to a certain series-long arc. While many Rick and Morty fans believe that Cardoni and Beldens comparatively greater emotional range makes them an improvement over Roilands past performance in the title roles, Cardoni just wants everyone to forget that the character of Rick Sanchez even had a changing of the guard.

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During a recent interview with the radio station WBUR in his near-hometown of Boston, Cardoni explained that he knows he nailed the role when the lucky fans who missed Roilands scandal dont realize that Rick started sounding a lot less predatory in Season Seven.

I was very happy and am grateful to take on the role, a role that I loved in the first six seasons just as a fan, for Season Seven and beyond, Cardoni said of his relationship to Rick Sanchez going into the arduous six-month audition process that saw him pitted against thousands of other soundalikes. Id watched (Rick and Morty) since about day one, Cardoni said of his fandom, adding that his Rick voice was always kind of a party trick. It was something I would do to make people laugh, or make myself laugh.

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The opportunity to step into the role came up, and I decided to work on it a little harder, make it more than an impression, see what it really took to do the voice, Cardoni said of the sought-after casting call. Because Im an actor by trade, I had that approach that I wanted to see if I could sustain it, see if I could take the character into new directions, and Im very grateful to step into the role.

Rick and Morty fans noticed Cardoni's more dramatic and more professional approach to the performance compared to his predecessor during pivotal Season Seven episodes, such as the critically acclaimed Unmortricken, and Cardonis trained acting chops opened up Rick to more emotional experiences than just flashes of anger and the occasional suicidal depression. But as a fan himself, Cardoni is just glad that Rick and Morty can continue unimpeded by personal monstrosity.

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The goal was to be seamless. The goal was to not be noticed, Cardoni said of his primary objective after booking the part. If a lot of fans didnt know anything about the recasting situation, I think theyre just watching the show and enjoying it, and they might not know who I am. And that means its a job well done.

As long as the Orange County District Attorney also doesnt know who Cardoni is, we hope he keeps that job for a hundred years.
As Saturday Night Live prepares for the comedy birthday party to end all comedy birthday parties, expect plenty of classic characters to get their encore flowers. Maybe Wayne and Garth will get in one last schwing! Stefon might reignite his love affair with Seth Meyers. Eddie Murphy could break out Mr. Robinson or Gumby.

But thanks to evolving cultural norms around comedy, these 10 SNL characters are virtually guaranteed not to get an invite to the festivities. Sorry, Merv the Perv, youre not on the list.

1 Pat Pat was Julia Sweeneys signature SNL character, showing up 12 times to repeat the same tired joke: No one could tell if the androgynous character was a man or a woman. Playing gender identity for laughs isnt cool  and it doesnt help that whiny, whinging Pat was insufferable.

2 Ching Chang @sassollou Dana Carvey often brings up his cringe Asian character as an example of something he wouldnt be allowed to do today. He was barely allowed to do it in the 80s, as host Candace Bergen told Carvey his character was a racial stereotype during a sketch. And that was the last one we did, he says. Advertisement Advertisement

3 Uncle Roy @huggyattack Ten-time host Buck Henry played creepy Uncle Roy in multiple sketches, pulling out his camera to snap candids of young girls underpants. Somehow, Henry thought he was shining a light on the problem of pedophiles. I talked myself into the fact that we were performing  or that I was performing  a public service, he says in SNL oral history Live From New York. Advertisement Advertisement

4 Merv the Perv @huggyattack Typical Merv line: Well, well, well  lookee here. All these skirts and me with only one wiener. Oof. Advertisement Advertisement

5 Chris Rock

6 Canteen Boys Scoutmaster Advertisement Advertisement @thealmanac77 Theres an outside chance that Adam Sandlers Canteen Boy returns, but we wont be seeing Alec Baldwins shirtless Scoutmaster again. Child molestation just doesnt seem as funny as it must have in 1994. Advertisement

7 Monica Lewinsky and Linda Tripp Play Molly Shannon will be back, but her Monica Lewinsky wont be. SNL painted Bill Clinton as a rascally boys will be boys horndog, while Lewinsky got the ditz treatment. Who was the authority figure committing adultery anyway? As for Tripp: Kids are so sensitive about their parents, she told Larry King. And my kids always thought I was pretty. And they were so completely shattered by John Goodman. Advertisement Advertisement

8 Lyle the Effeminate Heterosexual Lyle walks with a swish and talks with a lisp  but he likes women! Feel free to roll your eyes as Carvey breaks out every limp-wristed gay stereotype in the book. Advertisement Advertisement

9 The Continental A real-life Pepe Le Pew, Christopher Walkens Continental made several appearances as a would-be Lothario who traps women until they give him the love he desires. The characters one redeeming quality: Hes so inept that the women always escape before the unwanted fondling begins. Advertisement
You can see how brands can be considered cults, but some of them go even further

If youve seen the videos of hordes of people waiting outside a Target at 5 a.m. to make sure they get a limited-edition Stanley cup, you can see how brands can be considered cults. Some of them go even further, however: actually being owned and/or run by actual cults.

Brands like

5 Celestial Seasonings Don't Miss 1969 was a big year for Mo Siegel: He founded Celestial Seasonings, now the biggest tea manufacturer in America, and discovered The Urantia Book, a religious text supposedly written by racist aliens arguing for eugenics. Siegel went on to become president of the Urantia Foundation, whose mission is spreading the gross word. Thats right: The Sleepytime Bear has been milkshake ducked.

4 The Washington Times Ever heard of the Moonies? Weird Christian church founded in Korea by Sun Myung Moon, who claimed to be the second coming of Christ, that holds those dystopian-looking mass weddings? They own the American conservative newspaper The Washington Times. That might not seem that weird, as Christianity is fundamental to the American conservative movement, but one look through the Allegations of Racism section of the newspapers Wikipedia page tells you how they might feel about a Korean Jesus.

3 Oneida Advertisement If your grandma has fancy, intricately engraved silverware, it was probably from Oneida, a company founded by a communist, polyamorous, religious sex cult called the Oneida Community in the 19th century. If none of those words seem compatible with each other, or indeed with owning a wildly successful silverware company, thats probably why it only lasted 30 years, which is still pretty impressive in cult years.

2 The Yellow Deli Advertisement The Yellow Deli, which has locations all over the U.S. and Canada, seems like an unassuming if hippie-ish sandwich shop, but its run by and wholly staffed by members of the Twelve Tribes, a new religious movement thats faced allegations of anti-Semitism, child labor and slavery. Its too bad, too. Those sandwiches look baller.
It comes as no surprise to anyone that actor and comedian Aubrey Plaza is a big John Waters fan, but her favorite Waters flick has us wondering  are those, pussy willows?

When Waters announced his return to feature filmmaking after a twenty-year hiatus back in April, the professed Pope of Trash chose Plaza to be his newest heroine over half a century after the incomparable Divine showed the transgressive film world what it meant to be a truly obscene leading lady. Waters newest project is a film adaptation of his 2022 debut novel Liarmouth: A Feel-Bad Romance, which told the story of a professional con artist Marsha "Liarmouth" Sprinkle as she attempts a daring heist at Baltimore/Washington International Airport (obviously) alonside her partner in crime and in passion Daryl, to whom Marsha has promised sex exactly once a year. In the film, Plaza will play Marsha, and Janet Snakehole herself will fulfill her dream to work with the iconic cult filmmaker that shes had since Waters first taught Plaza her weirdo sense of humor in the mid-1990s.

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During a recent visit to Kims Video at Alamo Drafthouse in New York City, Plaza explained how Waters was responsible for her comedy awakening. Plaza revealed, The John Waters thing blew my mind. Serial Mom, you know, before pantomiming her head exploding.

I worked at a mom and pop shop video store called Classic Video in Wilmington, Delaware, Plaza explained of her early relationship with the medium of film, To be honest, the biggest thing I remember, really, is that we had a really big porn section, and, um, I was in high school.

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One of the best perks of working in a video store is, naturally, being able to watch movies all day, and a teenaged Plaza used this gig to hone her taste in cinema while she was mere feet away from the porn section. Said Plaza, There was a TV set-up right by the front desk, and I could put on whatever movie I wanted and just sit and watch it all day.

At that time, I was getting really into John Waters, I was getting really into Waiting for Guffman and Christopher Guest movies, and I was getting really into" Plaza said before trailing off as the camera operator zoomed in on her feet. You got a foot thing? she asked the cameraman, who claimed innocence. Yeah, right, she sarcastically replied.

Serial Mom for me was like, oh my God, I was laughing  I thought it was the funniest shit I'd ever seen," Plaza said of her favorite Waters film. "And then, of course, I watched all his other movies. I just think, like, he just doesn't care. It's so silly and over the top and ridiculous.

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Serial Mom was Waters' 1994 black comedy slasher film and suburban satire about an upper-middle-class housewife, played by Kathleen Turner, who, as the title suggests, is secretly a serial killer. As is the case in much of Waters' work, the fetishization of violence, middle-class malaise and utter camp nonsense all play central roles in the story, and it's easy to see how Turner's performance led Plaza down the path of bizarro comedy that culminated in her getting a lead role in Waters' comeback movie.

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I wonder what Parks and Recreation would have looked like if Greg Daniels and Michael Shur let Plaza bring a more Waters-like approach to the sitcom  I'm sure she would have loved to give Ann Perkins a call at the Cocksuckers residence.
People tune into sitcoms for laughs, but that doesnt mean the shows cant be populated by some downright hateful characters. Redditor Helloimafanoffiction jumped on the r/Sitcom subreddit recently to ask, Who is the greatest sitcom villain of all time? and here were some of the most popular responses for the cruelest characters in comedy

1 Tammy 2 Ron Swanson on Parks and Recreation has few weaknesses in life, but his ex, Tammy 2, is one of them. Her toxic, manipulative antics make her one of the most memorable and entertaining sitcom villains ever, wrote user YARRLandPirate. But while Tammy 2 is a terrible person and master Swanson manipulator, Heidi1066 argued that Tammy 1 is scarier.

2 The Gang Most of the sitcom villains named by Redditors are supporting characters who live to antagonize the nice people at the center of the show. On Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia, the evil lives in its main characters. Who exactly is in The Gang is up for debate  Dennis, Mac and Charlie for sure, Dee if you ask Frank, and Frank by way of blackmail. Either way, watch yourself in their presence. Advertisement Advertisement

3 Newman Play Take it from Jerry himself  Newman is pure evil. Can you blame him? When Newman secretly borrowed Jerrys apartment, the result was flea infestation. Who told Jerrys parents that he was making out during Schindlers List? You got it: Newman. Advertisement Advertisement Of course, if you ask Newman, notes user flowers2doves2rabbit, Jerry is the real villain.

4 Mr. Burns Play Hard to argue with this one. The Simpsons Mr. Burns is evil incarnate, with sins including the possible murder of Bart, Grampa Simpson and his own mother, dumping nuclear waste wherever he pleases and blocking out the freaking sun. When hes not releasing the hounds, hes ordering the execution of the Rolling Stones. Advertisement Advertisement

5 Marcy DArcy Marcy is Al Bundys arch-nemesis on Married  With Children, often referring to him as a two-toed sloth. Is she truly evil? Maybe not, but she spends much of her free time conspiring against her neighbor. She even organized F.A.N.G. (Feminists Against Neanderthal Guys) to kick Al where it hurts. Advertisement Advertisement

6 Wil Wheaton Sheldons animosity toward his arch-nemesis began at the 1995 Dixie Star Trek Convention  he spent 10 tortuous hours on a bus only to discover Wheaton didnt bother to show up. Sheldon vowed revenge. It was a war that lasted for 16 years. Is Wheaton actually evil? In Sheldons mind, theres no question. Advertisement Advertisement
Jordan Parker is a breaking news reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle. He graduated from Sacramento State University in May 2022 with a degree in journalism. During his time there, he spent three years as a reporter and editor for the university's award-winning student newspaper, The State Hornet. He spent his senior year of college serving as The Hornet's first Black editor in chief, leading the organization to two Pacemaker awards and several other national honors from the Associated Collegiate Press. When he's not chasing down a story, he likes watching movies, traveling and trying new restaurants.
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Nima Momeni, second from right, takes the stand with attorney Saam Zangeneh. Momeni is on trial in the stabbing death of tech mogul Bob Lee last year in San Francisco. Vicki Behringer/Special to the Chronicle

Nima Momeni spent his second day testifying during his own murder trial Thursday sparring with the main San Francisco assistant district attorney prosecuting the case, interrupting him repeatedly and accusing him of trying to jostle the defendant toward saying he purposely stabbed tech mogul Bob Lee to death in 2023.

Prosecutor Omid Talai set the combative tone from the start, telling Momeni several times to stop interrupting, refusing his requests to display evidence on a courtroom screen and trying to catch him in contradictions of his self-defense story. The atmosphere grew more testy with every hour, and at one point, Momenis lawyer, Saam Zangeneh, also told Momeni to stop interrupting the prosecutor.

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Related: Bob Lee murder trial comes down to this key question

Momeni pleaded not guilty last year to the murder charges against him.

It all played out before a packed courtroom at San Francisco Superior Court, the largest crowd yet in the 4-week-old trial, and relatives of Lees in the front row were visibly irritated. The jury watched impassively as the prosecutor and defendant, both dressed in gray suits and wearing tension clearly on their faces, verbally punched it out all day.

Momeni interrupted Talai so frequently  often firing questions of his own back at the prosecutor  that Judge Alexandra Robert Gordon finally admonished him to wait his turn to speak.

You like questions, right? Talai asked the defendant at one point.

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Youre accusing me of something I didnt do, Momeni shot back.

When you cut me off and ask questions, did you do that when you talked with Bob? Talai said.

Youre in my face, trying to be argumentative, Momeni replied.

During cross-examination, Talai tried repeatedly to poke holes in Momenis version of events on the night of April 4 last year, when Momeni and Lee, the tech mogul founder of Cash App, were parked beneath the Bay Bridge.

Momeni, a 40-year-old tech consultant, said he cracked what he called a bad joke while the two were standing on the street near his car. Immediately after, he said, Lee became enraged and pulled a knife. Momeni testified that in a split second, he grabbed Lees hand and warded off a thrust of the weapon, but that it happened so fast that he couldnt remember details.

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He repeatedly emphasized he didnt know Lee had been stabbed, believing everything to be fine as the victim walked away, tapping on his phone.

Momeni said he threw the knife over a fence, fearing that Lee would come back to get it. Video evidence shown to the jury showed Lee walk for about a block after he was stabbed before collapsing on the street.

On Thursday afternoon, Momeni seemed to suggest Lee could have been killed by another person altogether.

Talai had Momeni describe the confrontation and the events that led up to it in several ways, appearing to listen for any discrepancies in the account. Momeni told him, as he did Wednesday, that his joke was in response to Lees suggestion that they go to a strip club. Momeni said he told Lee that if it were him, he would have wanted to spend his last night visiting his family instead of fking around at a strip club.

The confrontation was the culmination of a chaotic day before, when Lee and Momenis sister had gone to a convicted drug dealers home. Momenis sister had passed out and called Momeni to pick her up. Prosecutors said Momeni was angry with Lee for introducing his sister  and leaving her  with a drug dealer, and may have believed an inappropriate sexual encounter had occurred that day.

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Earlier in the trial, Nima Momenis sister, Khazar Momeni, testified that she believed she had been abused by the drug dealer while she was incapacitated.

That night, Lee, the sister and Momeni had met to discuss the events late that night at the sisters house. Prosecutors say Momeni took a knife from the kitchen before giving Lee a ride back  and later used it on him.

Momeni denied that, saying Lee  who had cocaine and ketamine in his blood, according to an autopsy report  instead had the knife in his jacket pocket.

He was mad at me, he was aggressive, he pulled a knife out, I had to defend myself, Momeni testified.

So youre saying he got a knife without a sheath and put it in his pocket? Talai asked, disbelief thick in his voice.

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People do crazy things when theyre high, Momeni said.

Talai also seemed incredulous when he asked Momeni whether he could estimate the length of 5 inches, which was approximately the depth of the three knife wounds in Lees chest and hip. This was a key point, because prosecutors say it was unlikely that Momeni could have simply diverted the knife into Lee, rather than plunging it into Lee himself.

Momeni said he couldnt describe 5 inches. My 8-year-old could probably show you 5 inches! Talai erupted. If you have a ruler, I will show you what 5 inches, Momeni retorted.

The judge finally interjected to say 5 inches is 12.5 centimeters, and Momeni nodded and held up his index finger to indicate he thought it was that length.

Lees brother, Tim Oliver Lee, shook his head and frowned as he listened to Momenis version of events. In the hallway during the break, he said Momeni was lying.

It just doesnt make sense, he said. Youve seen (Momeni) trying to take control of the room. His arrogance and entitlement are on full display.

Momeni testified that during the fatal confrontation, Lee was cussing at him, saying, You think Im a bad fing dad, motherfer, Im gonna fyou up 

Tim Oliver Lee scoffed at that.
San Francisco police said they arrested a burglary suspect after he crashed a car on Highway 101 and jumped from the overpass. San Francisco Police Department San Francisco police said they seized a loaded firearm and suspected stolen merchandise after arresting a burglary suspect. San Francisco Police Department

Police said they arrested a man last week on suspicion of burglarizing three San Francisco stores after the suspect fled from police and jumped off an overpass.

On Nov. 7, around 2:12 a.m., officers responded to a burglary in progress at a liquor store on the 700 block of 22nd Street. Intruders broke down the front door and stole merchandise and cash before fleeing in several vehicles, according to the San Francisco Police Department.

Renos Liquor, a longtime Dogpatch corner store at 728 22nd St., was broken into last week, a store employee confirmed over the phone Thursday.

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After the burglars fled, officers located one of the suspect vehicles on northbound Highway 101 and attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled. Officers did not pursue the vehicle, but later they found it had crashed farther down 101 near the Seventh Street exit, police said.

The suspect exited the vehicle and jumped off the freeway overpass, falling about 40 feet and landing at the intersection of Vermont and 15th streets, police said. Officers arrested him and took him to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries from the fall, police said.

Before the Dogpatch burglary, the man was involved in two other burglaries in the Ingleside and Mission districts earlier that night, police said. He was arrested on suspicion of three burglaries.

During an initial investigation, officers said, they seized a loaded firearm and suspected stolen merchandise. Officers also found that the vehicles used in the burglary were stolen vehicles, police said.

Police did not release the suspects name, citing the ongoing investigation. Police did not immediately say whether the suspect was still in the hospital Thursday.

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For once I heartily applaud a Labour councils plan to crack down on motorists. Not all motorists, I hasten to say, but only the owners of gigantic Chelsea tractors  Land Rover Discoveries, Audi Q8 quattros and the like  which have become the bane of other drivers existence in my neck of the urban jungle.

Im thinking of this weeks news of the proposal by the Peoples Republic of Haringey in north London to join other Left-wing authorities all over the country in introducing higher parking charges for larger cars.

True, the councillors motives may not be as pure as they would like us to believe, when they tell us theyre driven solely by pious concern for the environment and the quality of the air.

As with so many similar schemes elsewhere, I reckon they are drawn to the idea chiefly as a means of squeezing yet more cash out of car owners, which they can then waste on diversity and inclusion officers, LGBT+ outreach workshops and other pet enthusiasms of the Left.

Whatever the motives behind them, however, if these higher charges for parking permits persuade even a few SUV owners to swap their monstrosities for sensibly sized cars, suitable for our cities, then surely they deserve our support.

All right, I admit that 100 or so extra on the price of an annual resident parking permit is unlikely to make much difference to people who have the odd 100,000 to spare for a top-of-the-range off-roader with tinted windows. But Ill settle for anything that even mildly annoys the swine, or pricks their consciences (if they have any).

I write with some feeling, since I seem to spend half my life reversing all the way up the narrow hill that leads from my house to the high street, because some vast tank of a 4X4 is heading towards me, too wide to pass. As often as not, its driven by someone too self-important or too incompetent to go backwards for a mere 10 yards to the nearest junction.

Either that, or Im driving around hunting for a parking space, because the demons with the SUVs are taking up twice their share of the kerbside.

A neat row of townhouses in Muswell Hill, Haringey, which is known for its village feel and breathtaking views of London

Large SUVs, or Chelsea tractors, such as Range Rovers may soon be charged more for parking permits under proposals by Haringey council

Why on earth do city dwellers feel they need vehicles built to transport huge loads across rough terrain in the countryside, just to nip down to the shops or pick up a solitary six-year-old from an urban primary school?

To judge by the pristine state of the chrome and the paintwork, most of these cars never venture farther off-road than the car park at the local Waitrose. And how often do you see them carrying more than a single passenger, if any? Perhaps I ought to confess that I, too, once owned a large people-carrier  an ancient Renault Espace, which was constantly breaking down and belched exhaust fumes that would have reduced Greta Thunberg to apoplexy.

But at least I had the excuse of having four sons who had to be driven several miles to school and back every day, often with the children of neighbours with whom we shared the run. In those days, we needed a big car, and we made full use of its seven seats, at least on those occasions when it wasnt undergoing fiendishly expensive repairs at the garage.

With only the fewest of exceptions, most owners of Chelsea tractors can make no such claim. They see their cars not as workhorses but as status symbols, seeming to share the aspirations voiced by the immortal Eartha Kitt in her wonderful song, Just An Old Fashioned Girl: Id like a plain simple car, a cerise Cadillac/ Long enough to have a bowling alley in the back...

So, no, the owners of these road-hogging monsters neednt look to me for sympathy if they feel their local councils are picking on them unfairly.

Oh, but if only I could feel the same about other assaults on motorists, championed by politicians at every level of government, local and national: congestion charges, Ultra Low Emissions Zones, 20mph speed limits, Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), temporary road closures outside schools, with swingeing fines for failing to notice the warning signs, and crippling charges for parking near the shops.

All these measures, and more, seem calculated either to extort yet more money from those of us who depend absolutely on our cars, or simply to make life more difficult for us, just for the hell of it.

Take that narrow hill I was complaining about earlier. When we first moved into the area, at the end of the 1980s, there were always plenty of empty spaces on both sides of the road, making it easy to pass even the widest delivery lorries or Chelsea tractors. But then our local council, Lambeth, had the bright idea of planting trees on little islands jutting out from the kerb, telling us that this was a road-calming measure.

The entirely predictable effects, of course, were not only to create bottlenecks, thereby making congestion worse, but to eat up parking spaces on both sides of the road, making it impossible for even small cars to pass each other in opposite directions.

Elsewhere in the borough, meanwhile, a rash of LTNs, intended to reduce congestion, has merely added to congestion nearby. Why cant local councils grasp the simple idea that when they close one road to traffic, the jams merely move to another?

Now Sir Keir Starmers wretched Government has come up with a scheme of its own to make Britains urban hellscapes more hellish still, for drivers and pedestrians alike.

This week, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh made the extraordinary announcement that theres a clear need to legalise private electric scooters on public roads.

At present (not that youd know it, witnessing the proliferation of these menaces on our pavements and streets), the use of e-scooters is banned, except for those rented under officially approved hire schemes.

But on Wednesday, Ms Haigh told the transport committee that privately owned scooters could prove a really effective part of an integrated transport strategy. And never mind that 12 people were killed in e-scooter crashes in 2022 alone, while another 1,480, including 50 cyclists, were injured.

With unfortunate timing, her announcement came on the very day when Lime e-bikes were recorded skipping a red traffic light no fewer than 84 times in a single hour at one pedestrian crossing in the capital. Other research has found that 41 per cent of e-scooter riders jump the lights.

God knows, its quite lethal enough that so many cyclists think themselves above the law as it applies to other road users. But at least bicycles are comparatively manoeuvrable when evasive action is needed.

Imagine how the risks will multiply if Ms Haigh gets her way, and the plague of murderously unstable e-scooters is allowed to spread further.

Indeed, with every week that passes under this Labour Prime Minister, a Labour Mayor and Labour councils like mine, life in the capital  as in other blighted cities  becomes a little more inconvenient, expensive, unpleasant and dangerous.

I write as one of the few lifelong Londoners still living in the city where I was born and brought up, and used to think Id never wish to leave. Today I am not so sure.
The stories are too disturbing to dismiss. In 2022, a 51-year-old woman from Ontario was hypersensitive to chemicals and odours, had spent years fruitlessly appealing to the authorities to provide her with affordable housing free of cigarette smoke and chemical cleaners. She couldn't take it any more and believed that death was her only way out  and knew the state would help her.

'The government sees me as expendable trash, a complainer, useless and a pain in the a**,' she said in a video filmed eight days before she died.

Later that year, a military veteran reportedly approached a Veterans Affairs Canada caseworker to ask for help with his PTSD following horrors he had endured on the battlefield.

The caseworker appalled the veteran by suggesting assisted dying  for which, to be fair, the caseworker was suspended.

But not before offering as many as five veterans who had turned to them for help the option of 'medical assistance in dying' (MAID). Veteran and former paralympian, Corporal Christine Gauthier, had tried for five years to get a wheelchair ramp installed at her home to no avail. When she complained to the same caseworker about her deteriorating condition, she was informed that assisted dying was an option  the caseworker even gallantly offered to supply MAID equipment to her.

Or take Kiano Vafaeian, a 23-year-old unemployed man with diabetes who was depressed, had lost vision in one eye and decided he wanted to die.

Vafaeian eventually found a doctor, Joshua Tepper, who agreed to assist him, and had even scheduled the appointment.

It was only when Vafaeian's desperate mother publicly shamed Tepper that he was forced to renege on his promise.

David's aunt Rosie was forced to go to Switzerland to die because assisted dying remains illegal in the UK

The number of tales like these is growing in Canada, where assisted dying has been legal since 2016.

And they serve as an unignorable lesson for Britain after Labour MP Kim Leadbeater's Terminally Ill Adults (End Of Life) Bill was published this week. It will be debated towards the end of the month.

The Bill is understandably contentious. Only this week, thousands of doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff warned, in an open letter to the Prime Minister, that the legalisation of assisted dying would be an added burden on a 'broken' NHS.

I support assisted dying. Last month, I wrote of how my aunt Rosie went to Zurich to die. She was forced to make the journey to Switzerland because assisted dying remains illegal in the UK.

Under section 2(1) of the Suicide Act 1961, you can go to prison for assisting or encouraging someone else to die, even if they are a loved one living in agony.

Swiss law, however, permits the non-profit organisation Dignitas to offer assisted suicide to those with terminal or severe incurable illnesses, as well as unbearable physical or mental suffering.

Rosie had muscular dystrophy, which meant that her body's skeletal muscles steadily degenerated until she lost the ability to walk and even dress herself properly. Sustained torture was her future.

That she had to travel so far concerned me. Rosie's great fear was that she would deteriorate to the point that travel would be impossible, so to be safe she went sooner than was necessary.

Protesters gather near Parliament to demonstrate against Labour MP Kim Leadbeater's assisted dying Bill

If the trip had involved a taxi to central London rather than a flight to Europe, she would have been with us for longer.

Rosie was more like a mother to me than an aunt. I was devastated by her death. But she made the right decision. As she once asked me: 'Do you really want to see me get to the stage where I have to be winched out of bed?'

The new Bill states it will 'allow adults who are terminally ill, subject to safeguards and protections, to request and be provided with assistance to end their own life'. The indispensable phrase here is 'subject to safeguards'.

Death must be an option only for those who are in incurable pain, terminally ill or facing a future of sustained misery that amounts to a form of torture.

This must be an inviolable principle of any legislation on this matter. Assisted dying should not become an option for those who are merely depressed or suffering privation, and should certainly not be used by the medical establishment to dispose of people who are a drain on resources that it feels could be better deployed elsewhere.

Which brings me back to Canada. Since Rosie's death, I have read and thought about the issue of assisted dying almost daily and it quickly became clear to me on a visit to Canada that the country offered some troubling insights into what the future might hold.

Ever since it became legal nearly a decade ago, campaigners have sought to liberalise its restrictions and there is currently huge controversy around the idea of extending assisted dying to include people suffering solely from mental illness.

Thankfully, moves to introduce such a huge reform have been repeatedly delayed.

In February, a Canadian parliamentary committee recommended a pause on further expansion of the law  originally planned for March of this year  until 2027. But an array of irresponsible actors, coupled with multifarious failings in social care, mean that Canada's euthanasia regime has already become permissive to the point of absurdity.

If this sounds hyperbolic, consider that a 2022 Canadian government report found the most cited source of suffering by individuals requesting MAID was 'the loss of ability to engage in meaningful activities' (86 per cent).

Yet more worrying and, indeed, horrifying, is that people are being driven to assisted dying by what can be described as social problems  and euthanasia providers know it.

The Canadian Association of MAID Assessors and Providers (CAMAP), the leading organisation of assisted dying providers, has conducted training seminars in which poverty and social issues alone impel the patient's desire for assisted dying, and yet participants are advised to authorise assisted dying regardless.

But it didn't have to be like this. When the Medical Assistance in Dying Bill was passed in 2016, it allowed for euthanasia and assisted suicide for people aged 18 and over who had a serious condition, disease or disability, were in an advanced, irreversible state of decline or were enduring 'unbearable physical or mental suffering that cannot be relieved under conditions that patients consider acceptable'.

Their death also had to be 'reasonably foreseeable' and the request for euthanasia had to be approved by at least two physicians. These are known as Track One patients.

Critics claimed the new legislation was too restrictive.

They complained that it prevented people with degenerative conditions  like my aunt Rosie  from seeking assisted suicide.

The authorities responded by saying that MAID was only a first step and its provisions could be extended in the future. These words would prove not just ominous but prophetic. In the 12 months after the legislation was introduced, just over 1,000 people received an 'assisted' death.

This total has grown every year since and, by 2021, there were 10,064 MAID cases (over 3 per cent of all deaths in Canada that year). By 2022, it had risen to 13,241 cases.

Between 2020 and 2022, more people died from assisted dying in Canada than anywhere else in the world.

To give a sense of the scale, both Canada and California have roughly the same population and both legalised assisted dying in 2016.

But in 2021, when some 10,000 died through assisted dying in Canada, the equivalent figure in California was just 486.

In March that year, the law was changed, allowing assisted dying for patients who have a serious and chronic physical illness, even if it was non-life-threatening.

This meant patients whose death was not 'naturally foreseeable' could access the procedure, too; these are known as Track Two patients. In the following year, just 3.5 per cent of those who submitted written requests were deemed ineligible. Clearly the 'subject to safeguards' test was not being met.

The situation was becoming so egregious that UN human rights experts expressed concern about the proposed expansion of assisted dying, noting that it 'would not be consistent with international human rights standards' and that 'it would appear to violate the right of persons with disabilities to life, protected by Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights'.

While I was in Canada, I spoke to Michael Coren, a British-Canadian Anglican priest and writer who, like me, supports the principle of assisted dying.

'It's got terribly out of hand over here,' he told me. 'If death is imminent, and the person is really suffering, and there is no chance of any improvement, then a dignified death, surrounded by loved ones, makes sense.'

He added: 'But here it has become, in parts, hideous.

'There really are certain people who appear to have a different definition of what humanity and life is, who want to introduce mental health as a criterion; to make assisted dying an option for people who are not terminal but, for example, homeless.

'I was recently at a [religious] retreat and a nurse who supported MAID told me that, if a child said they wanted to die, then they should be allowed to do it. We are caught between two extremes: between those who believe that suffering can be a good thing on the one hand, and those who think any kind of discomfort is a valid reason to die.'

That the Canadian government introduced assisted dying into law almost a decade ago is, to my mind, an example of humane legislation. I applaud them for it.

But what has happened since is a kind of sinister 'mission creep' in which the noble impulse at the heart of MAID  the right to allow people who are suffering appallingly a dignified death  has become lost.

Instead, it has been replaced by something dangerous: death as a kind of perverse lifestyle choice, assisted dying available a la carte.

When Britain's MPs vote, they would do well to bear in mind the Canadian experience.

They should vote with the understanding that assisted dying under the very tightest safeguards for those truly in need of it is an unimpeachably just cause, but only remains so if those safeguards stay in place and it is confined to those who truly need it  like my aunt Rosie.

Otherwise, it will become a malign parody of itself, made all the worse because it perverts something that is, in its essence, unequivocally humane.
A family who were on the brink of 'bankruptcy and homelessness' revealed how they ditched their UK home and sold their belongings to travel the world as digital nomads  with no rent or bills.

Laura and David Helen, from Cornwall, now spend their days house or pet sitting, while exploring the world with their two children, Tegan, 15 and Tyler, 12.

But the couple's lives weren't always like this  with the pair, aged 41 and 43, left in 54,000 worth of debt not too long ago.

As they struggled to see a way out, they decided to up and ditch their old lives in Britain, sell their belongings, and are now living in 'freedom' with no commitments.

Laura explained: 'It was simple; we were living to work and working to live. And that wasn't what I wanted for us. From the outside, our lives appeared successful and stable.

'But the reality was that we were in huge debt and every month, there seemed to be more days left than money.

'The stress of this financial burden became overwhelming and it was clear that our current lifestyle was unsustainable.

'It was an exhausting and relentless cycle of sinking deeper into debt. Despite working so hard, we were close to bankruptcy and homelessness.

Laura and David Helen, from Cornwall, who were 'drowning in debt' revealed how they ditched their UK home and sold their belongings to travel the world as digital nomads

'We realised that to make a change, we needed to drastically shift how we were living.'

Laura and David were constantly borrowing from family and friends after adopting Tegan in July 2014 - which cost them 54,000 in legal fees.

But after paying their rent and bills, totalling 3,000 per month, they were left with nothing.

And on top of that, each day was filled with chores, leaving little-to-no time for them to spend time with their children.

Faced with mounting debt, and a growing feeling of sadness, the family of four decided in 2017 to leave behind their traditional lives.

Whittling their belongings down to a suitcase each, they settled on becoming digital nomads.

'The nomadic lifestyle was something I had always dreamed about  but I had no idea it was even possible, especially with children,' Laura revealed.

'I thought such a life was only achievable for those who were incredibly wealthy.

Laura and David now spend their days house or pet sitting, while exploring the world with their two children, Tegan, 15 and Tyler, 12

Faced with mounting debt, and a growing feeling of sadness, the family of four decided in 2017 to leave behind their traditional lives

David and Laura with Tegan and Tyler pictured on their travels to Egypt - after leaving the UK behind

Whittling their belongings down to a suitcase each, they settled on becoming digital nomads with their children

'It seemed like a distant fantasy, something that could never fit into our reality, but then we started thinking creatively.

'I worried how the kids would adjust and adapt  there was a lot of fear, but also a lot of excitement.

'If we had waited until everything was perfectly aligned and we felt financially ready, we would never have made the leap.

'We had nothing to lose; our situation was already dire  what was the worst that could happen?'

Laura said that the start of the journey was an 'emotional rollercoaster'  but was also 'undeniably freeing' as they were letting go of everything they had ever known.

After selling their treasured items, such as her dream Lotus Elise car, their Disney collection, and their children's favourite toys, they were ready to hit the road.

The family bought a one-way plane ticket to Spain and kept costs low through staying in cheap Airbnbs, as well as house and pet sitting.

They earned a living through their own side hustle running a book business, helping aspiring authors through the process.

After selling their treasured items, such as her dream Lotus Elise car, their Disney collection, and their children's favourite toys, they were ready to hit the road

Laura says the start of the journey was an 'emotional rollercoaster'  but was also 'undeniably freeing' as they were letting go of everything they had ever known

The family bought a one-way plane ticket to Spain and kept costs low through staying in cheap Airbnbs, as well as house and pet sitting

They earned a living through their own side hustle running a book business, helping aspiring authors through the process

Laura aims to teach her children through worldschooling  as she's coined it  meaning they learn through the world and immersion in different cultures, rather than a curriculum

World-schooling is hands-on, involving building structures in nature, exploring historical sites and doing enriching activities, such as snorkelling

They also learn about entrepreneurship, financial education, self-love, manifestation and love languages

Since then, they've travelled to Egypt, Italy, Venice, Romania, Hungary, France, Costa Rica, and Los Angeles and road-tripped from Miami to Las Vegas.

Some of their favourite memories include riding camels, climbing mountains, travelling by horse and cart, as well as experiencing how other cultures live.

Though they've suffered challenges along the way, with everything from fake Airbnbs that didn't exist to flight delays and encounters with poisonous snakes - it's all part of the experience.

After three years, their entire debt was cleared and currently, they're in Spain  spending just 1,000 per month  with no plans of returning to their old lives any time soon.

In fact, they hope to challenge the norm with their way of life, which includes no television for the kids, experiences instead of presents, and not letting them go to school.

Laura aims to teach her children through worldschooling  as she's coined it  meaning they learn through the world and immersion in different cultures, rather than a curriculum.

The approach is hands-on, involving building structures in nature, exploring historical sites and doing enriching activities, such as snorkelling.

They also learn about entrepreneurship, financial education, self-love, manifestation and love languages.

Since then, they've travelled to Egypt, Italy, Venice, Romania, Hungary, France, Costa Rica, and Los Angeles and road-tripped from Miami to Las Vegas

Laura said that the memories they have created as a family will last a lifetime, and not many families have that gift

Now, their daily lives aren't filled with chores that are never-ending; instead, they're able to embrace hiking, reading and simply spending time with each other

Tyler - pictured - already has 45 books published, focusing on teaching core values and life lessons

Even Tegan (left) is an award-winning Amazon best-selling author of five books, three in different languages, centred on how to use money effectively, as well as general life topics

In the future, they plan on continuing to explore the world and while their children may lead different paths, they hope to still share adventures together

And it's proved a success, as Tyler already has 45 books published, focusing on teaching core values and life lessons.

Even Tegan is an award-winning Amazon best-selling author of five books, three in different languages, centred on how to use money effectively, as well as general life topics.

She said: 'I used to work in a school and a preschool, and I saw a lot I didn't agree with.

'It felt like children were often treated as numbers in a system, rather than individuals with their own unique talents, dreams and creativity.

'I wanted to create an environment where they could thrive and become their authentic selves, without the constraints of a traditional educational system.

'It's unconventional and sometimes controversial, but it aligns perfectly with our family's values.

'Tegan has become more engaged, asking questions and has thrived in this environment, where learning feels natural and exciting. It's about turning the world into our classroom.

'This approach has allowed both children to flourish and grow in ways we never imagined possible in a traditional setting.'

Now, their daily lives aren't filled with chores that are never-ending; instead, they're able to embrace hiking, reading and simply spending time with each other. Though, not everyone agrees.

She said: 'In the early days, one of the hardest things for me personally was dealing with the judgement and reactions from others, especially those closest to us.

'It was painful to hear the doubts and criticisms, as it felt like a lack of support from people we valued.

'A few years later, though, they've come around to see that we're thriving in our new way of life.

'People see us as proof that it's possible to take risks and pursue dreams, even when facing difficult challenges.

'We know our lives may seem a bit unconventional, weird, or wacky, but we are incredibly happy.'

In the future, they plan on continuing to explore the world and while their children may lead different paths, they hope to still share adventures together.

For now, though, the experience has 'transformed' their lives for the better.

Laura added: 'I experience a sense of freedom, purpose and fulfilment that I never had before. As a mum, I feel incredibly connected to my children.

'Clearing our debt in just three years lifted a huge weight off our shoulders and gave us breathing space, allowing us to live with more ease.

'The kids' upbringing has given them a unique and enriched perspective, compared to children who follow a traditional path.

'They're not just learning about the world; they engage with it directly. Despite the difficulties, we've grown closer as a family and developed the confidence to navigate whatever comes our way.

'If you're thinking about this lifestyle, my advice is simple: jump all in. Don't wait until the time feels right or until you can afford it because that moment will never come.

'It can be challenging at times, but the rewards are far greater than you can imagine.

'The memories you create with your family will last a lifetime, and not many families have that gift.

'It's not been easy. But now, we're living life on our terms  and that is what it's all about.'
With Christmas only weeks away, mince pie season is truly upon us with every supermarket putting forward their offerings.

Some have gone with classic mincemeat recipes whereas others have opted for more experimental variations - but in every case, the festive spirit is in the air with every bite.

And consumer group Which? have tasked an expert panel to give their verdicts on which ones you should be popping into your shopping basket, and which ones are best left on the shelf.

The judge line-up was made up of four baking experts: Bake Off: The Professionals 2022 winner Nathan Rave, Great British Bake Off 2010 winner Edd Kimber, award winning baker and food writer Dan Lepard and pastry chef and author Shaheen Peerbhai.

This year, they were in charge of awarding Which?'s Best Buy and Great Value endorsements - which are only given 'to the very best products, based on its independent tests'.

Natalie Hitchins, Which? Head of Home Products and Services, said: 'For many of us, Christmas wouldn't be complete without a mince pie. There's nothing quite like that buttery and fruity taste to get you in the festive spirit.

'Our experts tasted premium mince pies from the biggest UK supermarkets to discover which ones could make this holiday season a little more special without stretching the budget too far.'

When looking at the pies, the culinary savants wanted ones with an attractive golden appearance and a rich, buttery, well-baked pastry. Also desired was a flavoursome filling with a good balance of fruit and spices.

Here, FEMAIL looks at how the supermarket selection this year fared...

WHICH? BEST BUY RECCOMENDATION

Waitrose No.1 Brown Butter Mince Pies with Cognac

4 for six, 67p per pie

The winning selection of this year's blind taste test for Which?'s expert panel were an offering from Waitrose - and earned a Best Buy recommendation.

'The winning pies impressed with lovely pastry, an enticing aroma and generous nut, spice and citrus filling, with a subtle boozy warmth,' the consumer group said.

'They also had a traditional homemade look that the experts appreciated.'

Waitrose's website says: 'Our No. 1 Brown Butter Mince Pies with Cognac are a luxurious twist on the traditional treat.

'Brown butter gives the pastry a deliciously nutty flavour that perfectly complements a rich mincemeat made with glace Amarena cherries, almonds and apricots, and laced with Cognac.'

WHICH? GREAT VALUE ENDORSEMENT

Aldi Specially Selected Mince Pies

2.29 for six, 38p per pie

These 'impressed the judges with their great buttery taste, snowflake design and tasty filling packed with fruit and spices'.

The pies are 'infused with brandy, dry cider and ruby port for a rich, deep flavour'.

'At 2.29 for six or 38p per pie, they were one of the cheapest on test and are an affordable crowd-pleaser this Christmas, earning a Which? Great Value endorsement,' the consumer group said.

The endorsement, chosen by product experts, looks for options which 'not only deliver impressive performance, but also come at a budget-friendly price  at least 20 per cent cheaper than the average cost'.

Consumer group Which? have tasked an expert panel to give their verdicts on which ones you should be popping into your shopping basket, and which ones are best left on the shelf. Stock image used

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

While not everything got Which?'s Best Buy badge, the organisation still recommends these tasty treats for your festive spread...

M&S Collection Mince Pies

4 for six

These 'impressed the judges with their generous filling and golden pastry'.

However, while one member of the panel praised the crisp pastry and 'subtle sweetness', another wanted 'more spice'.

Iceland's Luxury All Butter Mince Pies

3 for six

This supermarket's mince pies got good reviews for their 'packed fillings of sultana and fruit'.

However, they fell flat when it came to the virality of flavour.

The expert panel felt that these were 'too dry and lacked in spice and flavour'.

Morrison's The Best Deep Filled Mince Pies

2.75 for six

When it came to Morrison's The Best Deep Filled Mince Pies, the culinary line-up were happy with the 'ratio of filling to pastry'.

They were also satisfied with the supermarket's choice to have a 'traditional currant-filled mincemeat'.

However, while the panel 'overall liked the festive look', they 'weren't so taken with the taste'.

'LESS IMPRESSIVE'

Which?'s judge panel wasn't 'impressed' with some of the selection - largely being let down by the pastry

Tesco Finest All Butter Pastry Mince Pies

3 for six

The Tesco website describes these as containing 'rich, crumbly all butter pastry packed with a delicious mix of plump vine fruits and glace cherries'.

However, the judges felt there was 'an overly acidic flavour and doughy pastry'.

The retailer boasts of the pies as being 'infused with French brandy and ruby port, with a refreshing twist of lemon zest, tangerine oil and festive spices' and 'finished with a gentle dusting of sugar'.

Asda Exceptional Luxury Mince Pies

2.75 for six

The panel was let down by Asda's 'underbaked pastry' on these pies.

The retailer describes them as being 'filled with a mincemeat filling with brandy, ruby port, cognac and Valencian orange oil' as well as being 'topped with a sweet dusting'.
What price perfection? Its a question I ask every time I read another tragic story about a woman whos flown abroad for cosmetic surgery, only to be returned in a body bag.

In the past week, there have been two separate inquests into the deaths of British women who went to Turkey for the purposes of health tourism  a horribly euphemistic and misleading term to describe the practice of going abroad for operations you cant afford (or wouldnt be allowed) in your own country.

Pictures of Hayley Dowell show a smiling, beautiful young woman with everything to live for. She was just 38 when she travelled to Istanbul in October last year for a tummy tuck, liposuction and a Brazilian Butt Lift, or BBL as it is even more casually known. The BBL involves removing fat from one area of the body then transferring it to the buttocks  the idea, apparently, is to end up looking a little more like Kim Kardashian or JLo.

Its the fastest growing cosmetic procedure in the world, but also the most dangerous, with one in 4,000 procedures resulting in death. So risky is it, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons has in the past advised its members not to carry it out.

Tragically, Dowell suffered an embolism after the 7,000 surgery. There was not any risk outlined to her, said Dowells husband, Neil, whod accompanied her to Turkey. It should have been a six-hour operation but it wound down to one hour 45 [minutes]. The surgeon left halfway through and left the anaesthetist to do the job.

He added that the company asked him to sign his wifes consent forms only after she had passed away.

Dowell is one of six Brits who died in Turkey last year after medical procedures, most of which were of the cosmetic variety.

Another, Janet Lynne Savage, 54, went there as part of a package offered by a health travel company, only to bleed to death after her gastric sleeve weight-loss surgery went terribly wrong.

Janet Lynne Savage, 54, bled to death after her gastric sleeve weight-loss surgery in Turkey went terribly wrong

Hayley Dowell, 38, travelled to Istanbul last year for a tummy tuck, liposuction and a Brazilian butt lift but died after the surgeon left halfway through the procedure

The mother of two had told Regenesis Health Travel she could no longer access Ozempic, and was worried she was gaining weight. But, like Dowell, pictures of Savage show a beaming, beautiful woman  one whose life ended in part because of the terrible pressure we put on ourselves to look perfect.

Its easy, of course, to pretend these things only happen in places like Turkey. But they dont. Alice Webb, a 33-year-old mother of five, died in Gloucestershire in September after undergoing a liquid BBL at a British clinic. The non-surgical cosmetic industry  responsible for all those tweakments that are now as normal as getting your hair done  is almost entirely unregulated.

And last week the first death in the UK linked to weight-loss jabs was reported. Susan McGowan passed away in September after taking Mounjaro  the drug was listed as a contributory factor in her death.

While theres no suggestion shed done anything other than follow correct procedures, using a registered pharmacy for her prescription, numerous investigations have found the jabs being sold illegally online, to people already a healthy weight, who dont need them.

I could fill this whole column with stories of women maimed in pursuit of unobtainable beauty ideals. Because for all the talk of body positivity, the truth is we live in an age that puts far more value on a persons physical appearance than it does their health.

Social media has made it almost unbearable to be a young woman today, ushering in an era in which likes and shares and approval are a universal currency, used by anyone with an Instagram or TikTok account. Its not enough to slap on some mascara and smile for the camera  now, you also need a flattering ring light and a crash course in photography to make sure youre capturing everyones best angles.

Photoshop was once the preserve of glossy magazines and models. Today, filters and AI editing apps are everyday tools on our phones, leaving a generation feeling disappointed every time they look in a mirror, or see an unedited photo of themselves.

But while editing photos is one thing, editing your actual body is quite another.

So how to turn the tide and stop people from feeling like they have to undergo dangerous ops in order to be accepted? Well, for a start, we need to change the culture so its not unusual to post pictures filter-free. We cannot have a generation whose self worth is based entirely on digitally-altered images that bear little or no resemblance to reality.

France has a good handle on this. Last year it became the first European country to formally regulate influencers, and now French social media users must state if images have been retouched, or created with the help of artificial intelligence.

The law also bans the promotion of cosmetic surgery. Those who break the law face up to two years in prison, or a 250,000 fine.

It might seem a bit steep. But as the families of all the people who have died getting low-cost cosmetic surgery will no doubt tell you, its impossible to put a price on a life.

Brave Louise puts the 'real' in reality star

Made In Chelsea star and You magazine columnist Louise Thompson pictured with her stoma

Im a big fan of Made In Chelsea star and the Mails You magazine columnist Louise Thompson, whose health struggles led to her needing a stoma earlier this year. Now shes been rushed for more emergency surgery.

Despite the surgery, the butt drain, the catheter, the stoma... she posted on Instagram this week, there have been beacons of kindness everywhere... Thank goodness for modern medicine.

Louise is that rare thing  a reality TV star who is actually real, and doesnt varnish the truth.

Heres wishing her the speediest of recoveries.

My new secret weapon when facing sexist GPs

Regular readers will know Ive struggled to be taken seriously in the past, with a case of atrial fibrillation being dismissed by doctors as anxiety. Now, however, Ive found the answer to medical misogyny: being able to present the GP with my own data  via my Apple Watch.

It took years to get my irregular heart beat diagnosed, but things are much easier now that my watch alerts me when things arent quite right. Last week, a notification popped up telling me that my heart had been in atrial fibrillation 20 per cent of the time, causing me to call my GP, who immediately referred me to the hospital.

Within hours, Id been seen by doctors, had an ECG, and been dispatched with a treatment plan that has got things under control. I never thought Id say this, but thank goodness for Big Tech.

Theres been much excitement that the Booker Prize has been won by a British woman, Samantha Harvey. But Im far more thrilled that its been won by a novel that is only 136 pages long!

Cashing in on Castle Cary

My sympathies are with the locals in Castle Cary, Somerset, where the burger van at the station has been replaced with a posh cafe called The Creamery, selling 12 focaccia and mozzarella starters and cider spelt with a y (a sure sign things have taken a turn for the artisan worse). But the worst bit? A coffee will set you back a whopping 3.80  almost as much as a latte in the swankiest parts of central London.

Confidence clinic

Have you heard about the life-changing benefits of adopting the superhero pose? Yep, apparently standing tall with your hands on your hips gives you more confidence, and actually lowers cortisol. Do it in tricky situations, and feel like the superwoman you absolutely are.
Influencers who were roasted for their pricey pajama sets designed for 'everyone' have backtracked on their expensive slumber sets, slashing the price after outraged fans blew up their comments.

Sisters-in-law Cecily and Samantha Bauchmann launched a pajama store online called 4 The Mems, where they showcased their adorable sets designed for the entire family.

While there was much excitement in the lead up to their release, customers were horrified to find a leaked photo of the website before it was launched that showed the pajamas retailing for a whopping $98 for a women's set.

According to users in the comments section of a video by content creator creator @livingwithsamantaa, a kid's set was $78 and a sleeper for a baby was $58.

In comparison, a woman's pajama set from Target would set a customer back $30 on average.

Sets from J-Crew and Gap range from $30 to $50.

The women were immediately hit by people complaining about the steep price range.

'As a fellow mom PLZ make them affordable!! I already love most of them!!' one fan wrote in an Instagram comment.

Sisters-in-law Cecily and Samantha Bauchmann launched a pajama store online called 4 The Mems, where they showcased their adorable sets designed for the entire family

'You act like you can't find them anywhere. They are everywhere and who could afford $500 for a family of five pjs,' one shocked fan wrote.

'No one can afford these unfortunately,' chimed in another.

'They are INSANE if they think I am buying $58 and $78 pajamas for my feral nine- and four-year-old boys,' another added.

Some defended the women, saying people were being too sensitive.

'Everyone in this comment section is so soft. It's a cute joke on a shirt. I actually can't with the snowflakes everyone has become,' a user argued.

However, after complaints online the brand appears to have lowered the price of the sleep sets.

In a video apologizing for the hefty prices, the owners claimed 'neither' of them had any experience in the clothing industry and said they were 'grateful' for the feedback they received regarding the prices.

'We wanted to make it more accessible and we've decided to lower the prices on the pajama sets across the board,' they said in a video shared to social media, adding that they're 'aware of the risks we're taking in doing this.'

While there was much excitement in the lead up to their release, customers were horrified to find leaked photo of the website before it was launched showed the pajamas retailing for a whopping $98 for a women's set

Leaked images of the website showed the PJ sets retailing for close to $100, but the women lowered the price to $75

The pajama sets were designed for the whole family, with many pointing out it could set the average family back hundreds of dollars

Many users were furious by the hefty price tag

'New prices are now updated on the website,' the caption read. 'Thank you for listening and being apart of our journey. You mean so much to us.'

The woman have also faced backlash over the quality and sayings on the pajamas.

In one video posted by TikTok user @cookiecutterqueen3, he reposted a since-deleted video of Samantha showing off one of their boys tee, which has a Santa graphic with milk and cookies on the back and reads: 'Out here looking like a snack.'

A slew of comments furiously declared it 'inappropriate.'

'What?! I mean I thought the price was absurd but this? It's nuts! Did they not realize how it sounds when put on little kids clothing?!?' one commenter raged.

'It's a cheap inappropriate white t shirt and plain pants for that much. They are insane,' slammed another.

'Bruh y'all need to find something else to do that is not bad at all I would put that on an infant it's only sexual if you make it that way,' defended one user.

On the website, it is now only available in an adult size.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Cecily and Samantha for comment.
I've come to the conclusion that men can be dangerous.

That's why, two years ago at the age of 34, I chose to disengage from men entirely.

To some, it's a radical idea. To me, it felt completely natural.

And now, after Donald Trump's re-election last week, thousands of women are joining me in this awakening.

It's called the 4B movement. It began in South Korea in 2016 as a response to a horrific crime: the brutal murder of a woman in a subway station by a man who reportedly said he was 'sick of being ignored by women.'

Out of this tragedy, a wave of female anger turned into action. Women took control of their lives by embracing the four 'Nos': no heterosexual sex, no marriage, no children, and no relationships. The name '4B' comes from the Korean words for those four choices, all starting with the letter 'b.'

I discovered 4B in 2022. At the time, I was in a state of transformation as my business was taking off and I experienced the typical questions that come with massive change: What do I want? What should I want? What kind of future do I see for myself?

Now, the lifestyle has brought me a sense of peace, confidence, and empowerment I'd never experienced before.

I grew up Catholic in a large Republican family in St Louis, Missouri. As a kid, I spent weekends in church, participating in the service and connecting with the congregation. Twice my family attended Pro-Life marches in DC with other members.

I've come to the conclusion that men can be dangerous. That's why, two years ago at the age of 34, I chose to disengage from men entirely.

It's called the 4B movement. It began in South Korea in 2016 as a response to a horrific crime: the brutal murder of a woman in a subway station by a man who reportedly said he was 'sick of being ignored by women.' (Women are pictured reacting to Kamala Harris's concession speech).

But when I moved to New York City at 21, my world opened wide. I started having conversations I never would've had back home. They made me the woman I am now, who takes risks, empathizes with different life experiences and champions the underdog. They changed me.

At the same time, America was changing. In June 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, and the message was clear: women's rights in this country weren't just being challengedthey were being dismantled. I felt scared for myself, but more than that, I felt furious for women.

From the time I was little, I'd been warned that men were my responsibility to manage. I was told to watch what I wore or how I walked. I carried my keys between my fingers at night, stopped wearing both AirPods at the same time, shared my location with friends when I went on a date and never went running after sundown.

I learned that my life depended on staying vigilantbecause it did. And it wasn't just about strangers. I knew so many women who were hurt by the men they loved and trusted. Men they vowed to love and who vowed to love them. Men they slept next to at night.

The overturning of Roe cemented everything I already knew. Five justicesfour of them mendecided we didn't deserve control over our own bodies. The new MAGA Republican Party, with its hyper-masculine, power-hungry grip, cheered it on.

That was the moment I started diving deeper into the 4B movement.

It was vital to me that I maintained my sense of autonomy in a country that wanted to strip that from me. But as I let go of the idea of dating men, I started to see how much of my identity was rooted in the male gaze. I wanted to learn who I was when I wasn't dressing, performing, and, in essence, living for male acceptance and approval.

Letting go of the 'cool girl' narrative felt like freedom.

When I first shared my 4B story on TikTok after last week's election, the response was overwhelming.

Hundreds of women shared horror stories in my comment section about how their husbands changed after they had children and started seeing them as 'the help'.

Now, after the election, they're sharing their outrage over their pro-Trump husbands voting against their daughters' rights. Some have even left their marriages.

And still, others are stepping into the 4B movement themselves. For many of them, Trump's re-election was the final straw.

And still, others are stepping into the 4B movement themselves. For many of them, Trump's re-election was the final straw.

From the time I was little, I'd been warned that men were my responsibility to manage. I was told to watch what I wore or how I walked.

But when I moved to New York City at 21, my world opened wide. I started having conversations I never would've had back home.

The male backlash has been, unfortunately, exactly as I had expected it to be.

Men flood my inbox with abuse, call me fat and ugly, say men don't want me anyway because 'at 36 you're washed up', or that I'm a single cat lady (as if that's some groundbreaking insult). They've leaked my personal information, texted me threats and claimed they'll hurt me.

To them, I say: Do you think you're proving a point? Because all you're doing is proving mine.

Two years on, my life is full of joymore than I ever could have expected.

My friendships are deeper than ever before, and my friends are truly the loves of my life. I spend more time with my family who I adore. I've built four businesses that empower and uplift women. I've traveled the world solo and felt more alive than I ever did on a terrible date or in an unfulfilling relationship.

Although I don't align with every aspect of the 4B movement, I still stand by the 4B lifestyle. Trump's re-election only solidified that choice.

I still want a familyI've been planning to conceive using a sperm donor. But with the possibility of a national abortion ban, I'm second-guessing my decision. If it's not safe to get pregnant in this country with our maternal mortality rate as high as it is, choosing to be a single mother may also mean losing my life.

To all the women considering a life without men, I strongly encourage you think about the 4B movement.

It has brought me nothing but confidence, purpose, and joy. Love is found in many different, and many beautiful, ways.
San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus, shown announcing that a day care center will be established for sheriffs office employees, is resisting calls to step down. San Mateo County Sheriffs Office

When San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus ran for office two years ago, she promised to clean up the scandal-plagued department, dubbing her campaign Team Revolution.

Her predecessor came under scrutiny amid accusations of prioritizing donors when issuing concealed-carry gun permits and improperly dispatching investigators to raid the garage of an Indiana Batmobile manufacturer, which came after he was swept up in an FBI raid of a Las Vegas brothel.

But instead of reforming what she often described as a good old boy mentality that had festered over years, Corpus is herself now mired in allegations of wrongdoing. And despite calls from around the state for her to step down, she remains defiant and has only escalated her battle to keep her job.

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I am the sheriff of this county, Corpus told the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday before they passed a no-confidence vote and slashed the top administrative position she had created for her alleged boyfriend. I answer to the people of this county who elected me. I will not be bullied.

Corpus told the supervisors that she was not only unwilling to back down, she was giving her alleged paramour a new, more senior law enforcement position in her office  a surprise move.

It was the latest shock in a political drama that gripped the sleepy Peninsula county and stunned voters who had supported Corpus election bid in June 2022 when she ran as an underdog and a changemaker.

Yet an independent investigation released this week detailed seven findings against Corpus and Victor Aenlle, the executive director of administration with whom she had an inappropriate personal relationship, according to the nearly 400-page report.

Produced by retired Santa Clara County Judge LaDoris Cordell, whom the county tapped in July to probe 15 allegations from current and former sheriff employees, the report painted an unsettling picture of an office that began fraying after Corpus took over. Among its conclusions: Corpus had used racial and homophobic slurs to deride colleagues, and that she engaged in intimidation and retaliatory behavior, at one point firing an assistant sheriff for cooperating with Cordells investigation.

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As part of the probe, Cordell interviewed Aenlle in a recorded phone call. Corpus declined to participate. A spokesperson for the sheriff did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and attempts to reach Corpus by phone were unsuccessful. She has criticized the report in public remarks, dismissing it as a hatchet job and saying it is filled with lies. Aenlle denied having an affair with Corpus in an interview with the Palo Alto Daily Post a few weeks ago, calling allegations about the relationship a witch hunt.

Hours before two San Mateo County supervisors unveiled the report Tuesday afternoon and urged Corpus to resign, her department arrested Carlos Tapia, the president of the Deputy Sheriffs Association, on suspicion of felony grand theft and theft by false pretenses  all stemming from what a probable cause declaration portrayed as irregularities in his time cards.

Union representatives balked, writing in a statement that Corpus decision to arrest Tapia has all the earmarks of whistleblower retaliation. Assistant Sheriff Matthew Fox, who signed the arrest declaration, quit his job Thursday night, union spokespeople confirmed.

Members of law enforcement unions throughout the state are now using every lever of power to oust Corpus and block her from a future career in law enforcement.

They fired another salvo Wednesday. In a letter to members, the boards of two San Mateo County sheriff associations recommended sending Cordells report to the state attorney general, the San Mateo County district attorney, and the state Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training for an expedited misconduct investigation.

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We are extremely upset and disappointed with Sheriff Corpus continued refusal to do the right thing, the board directors wrote. We are extremely upset that, rather than resign, she has doubled down and appointed Aenlle to a position he is not qualified for.

During her campaign and afterward, Corpus persistently portrayed herself as a reform candidate who would upend the culture of favoritism that was institutionalized under former Sheriff Carlos Bolanos.

Though Bolanos racked up high-profile endorsements when he ran as the incumbent in 2022, he had repeatedly come under fire. Corpus, then a captain at the Millbrae substation, narrowly overtook her boss to become the first elected Latina and female sheriff in San Mateo County history.

I believed in the promises she made during her campaign, Supervisor Noelia Corzo said from the dais at Wednesdays meeting, before the no-confidence vote. I asked for people to support her at every door that I knocked on.

Corzo pointed out that since January 2023, 106 sworn staff members have left the sheriffs office, among them some of the most experienced and well-respected members of the executive team who she personally hired. Leaders of the grassroots group Fixin San Mateo County, who had helped rally and fundraise to get Corpus elected, expressed feelings of betrayal when the report came out.

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We felt her commitment, and shes broken that commitment, said the groups chair, Jim Lawrence. He is now pushing for permanent independent oversight of the sheriffs office.

David Wozniak, a former president of the sheriff deputies union, conceded that the majority of the department seemed happy to see her win.

She came at a time when people wanted to see women and people of color be successful, Wozniak said, adding that many deputies hoped she would be fair on discipline.

The turmoil began, he said, even before Corpus was sworn in. As sheriff-elect, she agreed to meet with the union with a weird stipulation that she didnt want any questions on who her command staff would be, he said. He believed that by then her relationships with colleagues and advisers were falling apart, and that people who had lined up to take top positions were walking away.

Wozniak has since retired, and in March sued the county  and Corpus and Aenlle individually  alleging workplace discrimination and retaliation because the union didnt endorse Corpus during the election, choosing to remain neutral.

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His lawsuit is pending in federal court. In filings, Corpus acknowledged demoting Wozniak from acting sergeant to deputy sheriff. However, she denied many of Wozniaks other allegations and disputed Wozniaks claim that she viewed his union presidency as a problem or headache.

In the timeline laid out in Cordells report, signs of trouble appeared after Corpus traveled to Hawaii with Aenlle in October 2022. Aenlle, a longtime real estate agent, had worked closely with Corpus on her campaign and was hired to consult for her transition team. County officials terminated his contract after learning of the Hawaii trip, the report said, noting that Corpus rehired him in January 2023, as a full-time contractor making $92 an hour. His assigned tasks included translating the sheriffs vision into concrete policies and initiatives.

She then created a full-time position  the executive director of administration  and hired Aenlle to take it for $246,000 a year, the report said. The job opening was not publicized, and only Aenlle applied. Corpus made several requests to raise Aenlles pay to the level of an assistant sheriff, but county officials denied these.

About a month into her term, Corpus informed Wozniak, through a sealed letter, that his temporary assignment as acting sergeant was ending, Wozniak said.

I had no discipline, and no notice, Wozniak told the Chronicle. By then he had left his leadership post at the union and largely did not interact with Corpus.

During his 17-year tenure with the union, Woziak said, he had tried to sustain a respectful relationship with sheriff administrators, calling or texting 24 hours a day if I had to, to squash problems before they turned into formal grievances. Yet after Corpus came in, he said, those lines of communication disintegrated.

It didnt take long for the complaints to start rolling in. Over the course of her investigation, Cordell interviewed 40 current and past sworn and civilian employees, the vast majority of whom had come forward with allegations against Corpus, she wrote in her report.

As Corpus left the Board of Supervisors chamber Wednesday afternoon, Supervisor Ray Mueller called after her.

Sheriff Corpus, he said, will you agree to sit for sworn testimony in front of Judge Cordell?
She has set her baby daughter up with a phone for 'texting' purposes

The model, 26, and her husband, 31, welcomed their first child on May 20

Sofia Richie has revealed that her baby daughter already has a phone of her own  despite only being five months old.

The 26-year-old model and husband Elliot Grainge welcomed their little girl, Eloise Samantha, in Los Angeles on May 20.

While many parents wait until their kids are at least at school age before getting them a phone, Sofia candidly shared that her daughter has one already and uses it to communicate.

Well, kind of.

The surprising revelation was made during a recent episode of the Therapuss podcast, when host Jake Shane, 25, divulged that baby Eloise has a 'little baby phone' of her own before going on to recall their text conversation.

Jake told listeners: 'Eloise has a little baby phone, that we get to text, or I like to text.

'I say, "Good morning, Eloise!"'

New mom Sofia then explained how her young daughter can communicate via text message.

Sofia Richie has revealed that her baby daughter already has a phone of her own

The model, 26, welcomed daughter Eloise Samantha in Los Angeles on May 20

She said: 'Whoever is with Eloise gets the phone. So, at that very moment, Ali was sitting with Eloise.'

Lifting the lid on how their text exchange unfolded, Jake revealed: 'I said, "Eloise do you mind if me and your mommy talk about how perfect you are on the podcast today?"

'And she said, "No, keep my name out of your mouth." And I said, "Eloise, excuse me." She said, "I hate you."'

Sofia then joked: 'We had a talking.'

Elsewhere during her appearance on the podcast, she declared that since becoming a mum her 'life makes sense now.'

She gushed: 'I've never loved anything more in my life and I'm obsessed with her and she's perfect.'

Sofia and her other half Elliot became parents for the first time in May.

Their newborn's middle name serves as a tribute to Elliot's late mother, Samantha Berg, who died in 2007.

New mom Sofia revealed that whoever is with her daughter Eloise is given the phone to text

Sofia shares her baby girl with her husband Elliot Grainge

While giving birth to Elliot in 1993, the businessman's mother had an amniotic fluid embolism, resulting in a coma that she remained in until her death.

Sofia and Elliot had been acquaintances for several years before they began dating in early 2021.

They got engaged in 2022 and ultimately said 'I do' in 2023.

She was walked down the aisle by her famous father during her lavish wedding ceremony to the music executive in France.
Emma Weymouth was the image of festive glamour as she sported a glittering outfit for tonight's John Lewis party in London, to celebrate the retailer's Christmas advert being released.

The Marchioness of Bath, 38, stunned in a chic ensemble, teaming a golden corset-style top with a black high-waisted skirt.

The monochrome detailing complemented her sequinned look, which was perfect for the Yuletide-inspired occasion.

To complete her outfit, the mother-of-two wore simple heels, and styled her chestnut tresses in a sleek straightened style.

Her make-up was radiant and elegant, accentuating her face with eyeliner and dusky pink lipstick.

Emma happily posed for photos with actor Layton Williams, who elevated cosy winter knits into a chic suit for the evening.

The event commemorated The British retailer's hotly-anticipated festive commercial today - transporting viewers on a magical journey that follows a sister's emotional quest for the perfect Christmas gift.

The heartwarming ad was launched on social media this morning and will be released on TV on Friday.

Emma Weymouth was the image of festive glamour as she sported a glittering outfit for tonight's John Lewis party, to celebrate the retailer's Christmas advert being released

During the advert, Sally (played by Margaret Clunie) races into John Lewis' Oxford Street flagship store just before closing time after leaving it a little late to find the right present for her sibling.

In a The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe-inspired moment, she falls through a rack of dresses and enters a fantastical world, stumbling out of an old wardrobe in the attic of her childhood home.

From there, she undertakes a whimsical journey through her memories as she urgently searches for the best gift for her beloved sister. In one particularly tear-jerking scene, Sally comes across her late mother and shares a brief festive moment with her.

However, not everyone was impressed by this year's festive offering from John Lewis, with some viewers branding it 'confusing'.

It comes as, last month, Emma joined long time pal Kate Moss at her Victoria's Secret Fashion Show debut in New York City.

The socialite, who has attended a number of events with Kate in the past, wowed in a daring black lace gown.

She showed off her incredible figure as she went braless under the plunging number and added inches to her frame in a pair of towering nude heels.

Emma happily posed for photos with actor Layton Williams , who elevated cosy winter knits into a chic suit for the evening

Meanwhile, the supermodel, 50, put on a more modest display as she arrived at the ultra-luxe downtown spot Crane Club Restaurant for the after-party after making her racy ensemble opening up the rock and roll segment of the iconic lingerie show.

Kate teamed her red autumnal dress, which boasted a front lace skirt, with a fitted black blazer and a pair of pointed toe heels.

She simply accessorised with a pair of dazzling drop earrings and toted her belongings in a coordinated handbag.

Elsewhere earlier that month, Emma joined Cara Delevingne at the Miu Miu afterparty during Paris Fashion Week.

Cara cut a typically stylish figure and also was also at the event with her sister Poppy.

The model, 32, looked great in a yellow and brown crochet-style top which she teamed with light jeans and a bag from the designer.

She wore her honey tresses in loose waves over her shoulders and opted for a glowing, bronzed makeup look.

Meanwhile Poppy wore a camel jacket and matching skirt which featured a light blue trim.

Emma showed off her incredible figure in an ab-flashing black co-ord which she wore with pointed heels.
Prince William apologised to lecturer Lesley for her student being late

Prince William has become a TikTok sensation after a university student captured him apologising for running late on camera.

The royal, 42, travelled to Ulster University's Belfast City Campus Centre and met young people who going to enter the creative sector.

He then came across pupil Samantha Johnson who asked if he could explain on camera why she would be late for her class.

On the TikTok, Samantha said: 'Yeah, just tell her why we're late! Just say sorry,' before William asked: 'To Lesley? Are you recording?'

To which the student then replied: 'Yeah.'

William then said: 'Lesley, I'm very sorry we're late but they seem to be caught up and they wouldn't believe that you were here, so just say hi.'

Samantha then thanked William for helping to prove to her lecturer that she met the future King.

She claimed on another video that she 'missed half her lecture' due to Prince William's security guards.

William came across pupil Samantha Johnson who asked if he could explain on camera why she would be late for her class.

The clip has already racked up 1.2million views on the platform, with many commenting their thoughts on the clip.

One wrote: 'William is generally the nicest person ever,' to which Samantha replied: 'I've fully changed my perspective of him after meeting him, he's so so nice.'

Another penned: 'Interactions with royals are getting more and more unserious and I love that for them.'

A third said: 'I would send this everytime I take sick day or pto (paid time off).'

A fourth commented: 'I thought they weren't allowed to do that kind of thing with selfie cameras!!!'

To which Samantha said: 'They aren't lol, got super lucky.'

But this isn't the first time William and his wife Kate have charmed the public with their friendly, down-to-earth approach.

In May last year, the Prince and Princess of Wales were all smiles as they posed for selfies with well-wishers outside the Dog and Duck pub in central London.

William's naturally effortless indulgence of fans asking for selfies and videos signals yet another move towards a more personable approach at royal engagements.

The royal travelled to Ulster University's Belfast City Campus Centre and met young people who going to enter the creative sector

Samantha then thanked William for helping to prove to her lecturer that she met the future King

Although there is no official protocol on selfies, the royals have a rule against signing autographs, so that they can't be sold for large amounts of money.

And in the early days of camera phones, they seemed to shy away from being snapped with members of the public with Princes William and Harry and King Charles all voicing their dislike of the method.

However, in recent years, they've become commonplace, with Charles posing for his first selfie all the way back in 2014, and other royals from Sophie Wessex to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle following suit.

Yesterday, William travelled to the state-of-the-art Virtual Production Studio at Ulster University's Belfast City Campus Centre, to meet pupils who are learning about innovative technologies in which a virtual set is created and displayed on LED walls.

And he enjoyed himself as he posed on a model motorbike and played around with the cameras.

However, he also faced boos and jeers as he left the City Campus Centre after his visit.

He smiled and waved as students ardently yelled in the background.

William recorded a video message for the friend of a student who missed his visit to Ulster University's Belfast City Campus Centre

Prince William faced boos and jeers as he left Ulster University's Belfast City Campus Centre after a visit this afternoon

Video shared on X by Belfast Telegraph reporter Kurtis Reid showed the royal facing a 'less than warm reaction' as he made his way to a car.

Shouts also appeared to demand more action from the future King on 'Palestine and Gaza', with the social media clip finishing to chants of 'Free Palestine'.

In February, William called for an end to the fighting in Gaza in an unprecedented royal intervention, writing that the 'terrible human cost' of the conflict had seen 'too many killed'.

'I, like so many others, want to see an end to the fighting as soon as possible,' the Prince said.

He also highlighted the desperate need for more humanitarian support for the civilians of Gaza and called on Hamas to release its remaining Israeli hostages.

Yesterday, William also met Belfast-born actor, James Martin - the first person with Down syndrome to win an Academy Award after performing in An Irish Goodbye - to discuss the growing success of the sector in Northern Ireland, and how Studio Ulster will help to further strengthen the country's reputation as a global creative leader.

Over the last decade, the university helped to grow the creative industries sector in Northern Ireland, which is estimated to contribute 1.4bn to the local economy and employs more than 24,000 people.

The future King clearly enjoyed himself as he posed on a model motorbike and played around with the cameras

Over the last decade, the university helped to grow the creative industries sector in Northern Ireland, which is estimated to contribute 1.4bn to the local economy and employs more than 24,000 people

William met Belfast-born actor, James Martin to discuss the growing success of the sector in Northern Ireland, and how Studio Ulster will help to further strengthen the country's reputation as a global creative leader

Later, William joined training workshop with young people from two local community groups who are being taught to operate software used in the creation of games, animation and virtual production.

His day started with a meeting with partners involved in the Homewards programme, which was founded by himself in a bid to tackle homelessness.

The engagement was designed to explore how local projects can be 'scaled up' to help prevent young people leaving care becoming homeless.

Northern Ireland is one of six Homewards locations across the UK where local partnerships are working to identify and solve issues that lead to homelessness.

William visited The Foyer, a temporary accommodation and support service which houses around 30 young people operated by the charity Simon Community, a member of the Homewards 'Northern Ireland local Coalition'.

Research shows that a third of people with care experience in the UK become homeless within the first two years of exiting the care system, and 25 per cent of all people who have experienced homelessness have been in care at some point during their childhood.

Young people who have been in care may become homeless because they can't access affordable housing, lack a support network or have experienced childhood trauma. In Northern Ireland, around 140 young people each year leave care and become homeless.
Together Kate Moss and photographer Corinne Day unintentionally heralded in a new era of fashion - heroin chic - when Day photographed the 15-year-old model for Face Magazine - including one now notorious topless snap.

It was a controversial association that didn't particularly please either party given its links to severe eating disorders, and it ultimately led the late London-born photographer, who died aged 45 in 2010 from a brain tumour, to leave the fashion world.

Kate, who considered Corinne a 'best friend' despite being 'tricky' to work with, similarly felt regret, largely due to the number of parents that would approach her in the streets and blame her for promoting eating disorders.

But despite the backlash, one element of the fateful shoot remained unquestioned - that Corinne, who was 12 years older than the model, triggered the start of Kate's career, with the images of a topless and bare-faced young Kate laughing on the English beach cemented in fashion forever.

However, this week the mother-of-one to daughter Lila revealed that all wasn't as it seemed in conversation with the great-granddaughter of Sigmund Freud, Bella Freud, on her Fashion Neurosis podcast.

'I still, even after that shoot, I did cry a lot about taking my clothes off with her [Day],' Moss, 50, said. She added: 'I really didn't want to do it.'

In admitting she had reservations over the shoot, the 50-year-old supermodel has cast her friendship with Corinne in a new light after previously saying she felt 'good' about the work she'd made with the snapper.

Together, Kate Moss and Corinne Day (pictured together in 1991) welcomed heroin chic into the fashion world - but there was more to that fateful 1990 shoot than meets the eye

The cover of The Face magazine in 1990 launched Corinne Day's career as a photographer and Kate Moss's in the modelling industry

Corinne started her career in the world of fashion on the opposite end of the camera, working as a model in Italy during her teenage years.

In her spare time, she photographed her model flatmates, but unlike the made-up images typical at the time, she chose to stray away from performative glamour and towards unfiltered imagery.

'I loved seeing them with bags under their eyes because I thought they were even more beautiful,' she recalled reported Studio Nicholson. 'They had a life in them. It wasn't bland, or fake and covered in makeup,' Day added.

Acknowledging her fascination, Corinne approached fashion magazines to secure commissions, and in the spring of 1990, she visited Storm model agency to find the face of her next shoot.

She picked out a fresh-faced 15-year-old Kate Moss, who was not yet known in the industry - a choice that would change the course of her and Kate's life forever.

Corinne presented the polaroid to Phil Bicker, the art director of The Face - a prevalent art, fashion, and culture magazine at the time, originally published from 1990 to 2004, before a recent relaunch in 2019.

'I saw the same thing in Kate as Corinne saw, that she represented something very real: the opposite, in fact, of all the unreal high glamour of fashion,' Bicker recalled in conversation with the Guardian.

He continued: 'I sent Corinne and stylist, Melanie Ward, down to Camber Sands to do a shoot with her'.

Kate worked with Corinne on multiple occasions, with some of the portraits featured in the Face of Fashion exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in 2007

Kate was among the friends that raised money for Corinne to undergo chemotherapy in Arizona (seen in 2010)

It was a shoot that transformed the industry, with images of a young Kate bare faced laughing at the English beach cemented in fashion forever.

In the issue, dubbed 'The 3rd Summer of Love', Kate frolicked along the coastline topless, smoked cigarettes while bundled against a wall, and ran through the sand with a child-like glee across her face.

Corinne channelled her experience as a model into the images, refusing to touch them up, remarking that she had always hated being made 'into someone I wasn't' when modelling.

Ironically, Bicker manufactured the 'natural' images. He told the Guardian: 'It looked natural and simple but it was carefully constructed to look like that. In fact, as I recall, I sent them down there two or three times until they got it right.'

Talking to Bella Freud, Kate revealed that in addition to the photographs being manufactured to appear candid, the glee on Kate's face was likely also performative.

'At the time, it was me, Corinne, Drew Jarett, the hairdresser, and Dick Page, the make-up artist,' Kate said. 'So I would make Drew turn around because he was straight and I was, like, ''I'm not having him look at me''. I was really shy.

'I was 15 and topless in a magazine, and I was still in school. Luckily, The Face wasn't sold in Croydon, so I don't think anyone really saw it, but they heard about it.'

Moss appears naked in the photograph, protecting her modesty with her hands and a sun hat. In another, she is pictured topless wearing a feathered headdress.

Since being scouted at a New York airport at the age of 14, Kate Moss has enjoyed an illustrious modelling career

Kate delved into the 1990 shoot on Bella Freud's podcast - Fashion Neurosis (pictured: Bella Freud, Kate Moss and Rosemary Ferguson in 2018)

'At a very young age, I started doing pictures topless and I was very conscious that I have a mole on my right t** and I hated it so much I would cry.'

'I never wanted to be topless. I would cry and I had to get over it because the photographer [Day] would be, like, 'If you don't do this, I'm not going to book you for the next job', so I had to get over it.'

It's not the first time that Kate has opened up about the difficult shoot, with the tense circumstances exacerbated by her 'best friend' Corinne, who told her that she wouldn't shoot her unless she went topless.

Talking in a 2022 episode of BBC 4's Desert Island Discs, the mother-of-one recalled the 'painful' memories, adding that she 'cried a lot' during the shoot.

'That scrunched up nose that is on the cover, she would say, 'Snort like a pig' to get that picture.

'And I would be like, 'I don't want to snort like a pig' and she would be like, 'Snort like a pig, that's when it looks good'.'

Kate continued: 'I didn't want to take my top off. I was really, really self-conscious about my body and she would say, 'If you don't take your top off, I am not going to book you for Elle,' Kate said according to National World.

'It is quite difficult. It is painful because she was my best friend, and I really loved her  but she was a very tricky person to work with.

The 50-year-old model became the poster girl for the heroin chic movement in the Nineties (seen in 1993)

Kate, who has set the record for appearing on the most Vogue covers, walked for Victoria's Secret in October (pictured)

She concluded: 'But you know, the pictures are amazing, so she got what she wanted, and I suffered for them, but in the end they did me a world of good really. They did change my career.'

At the time, Kate's concerns went unnoticed, and the shoot led Corinne to secure a string of commissions for some of the most prestigious names in the industry - i-D, Gun and Penthouse, and the controversial Vogue shoot.

Taken in 1993 under British Vogue's 'Under-Exposure', Moss posed in her London flat in few clothes.

Outcry followed, spectators commented on Kate's body type, claiming she promoted an unrealistic body type and perpetuated unrealistic ideals or 'heroin chic'.

Describing the shoot with photographer Corinne Day, Ms Moss said: 'I just felt really good. The whole shoot, I felt really comfortable, I loved creating the images. You know, it wasn't glamorous. It was in my flat in London.'

'Our bedroom was like a bedsit. That's the kind of fashion I liked. It was much simpler.'

However, the supermodel recently revealed the torrent of abuse that followed. Kate, who became the poster girl for the trend in the Nineties, said that people would approach her in the street and accuse her of promoting eating disorders.

She told a Disney+ documentary: 'Parents would come up to me and say: 'My daughter's anorexic'. It was awful.

Kate Moss is photographed with her 22-year-old model daughter Lila Moss at the 2023 Met Gala

'I think because I was just skinny, and people weren't used to seeing skinny. But if I'd been more buxom, it wouldn't have been such a big deal. It's just that my body shape was different from the models before me.'

Reflecting on the backlash to the original photo, which is now in the Victoria and Albert Museum in west London, fashion editor Catherine Kasterine told the documentary: 'The public were not ready. They were absolutely appalled.

'Immediately, the pictures were completely vilified and slammed. Perhaps we'd underestimated how that look had in our minds been quite normal.'

Vogue editor Dame Anna Wintour said: 'That look  very undernourished-looking model  made people uncomfortable.

'Many of us at Vogue worried about heroin chic or anorexia, all the things that are associated with that look. It got to such a fever pitch. I remember physically being in the White House when the Clinton administration took the issue on.'

Corinne's autobiography reads: 'These photographs upset her [Kate's] model agency and a whole bunch of other people in the press in England and America'.

She added: 'I thought these photographs were quite funny at the time. They certainly weren't the kind of photographs normally seen in Vogue. I had photographed Kate in her own flat.

'The photographs looked cheap and tacky everything that Vogue was not supposed to be.'

'I think the press took the photographs far too seriously reading a lot more into them than what was really there. Vogue stopped working with me after that.'

The debate on heroin chic led Corinne to withdraw from the fashion industry, instead choosing to work on documentary-style photography with her partner Mark Szaszy.

It was in 1996 that Corinne's life took a turn after she collapsed in her New York apartment. She was rushed to hospital where medics found a brain tumour and performed an emergency operation.

Still, she insisted that Mark document the lead up to the operation via camera, arguing photography should show the things people don't normally get to see.

It is a series of images published in her photography book called Diary in 2000, alongside intimate images of her friends, with Corinne striving to present an accurate representation of youth culture at the time.

She made a recovery from the illness and continued work for Vogue and other high-fashion brands.

But in 2008, her tumour returned. Corinne's friends, including Kate, started a campaign called Save the Day to raise money for chemotherapy treatment in Arizona by selling Day's limited-edition prints.

She battled the illness for two years later until her passing in 2010 at the age of 45, with a statement on her website saying she passed 'peacefully at home, after a long illness.'

Tributes flooded in for Corinne, with the then-Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman saying: 'Corinne was a photographer of huge talent and integrity.

'Her work for British Vogue was entirely original and will always be remembered. She could capture raw beauty like few others.'
Princess Eugenie went to India when she was 21 with her friend Julia and mother

Princess Eugenie has spoken about a moment that she will never forget during a trip to India in 2011 - one which inspired her charity.

The King's niece, 34, travelled to Calcutta when she was 21 years old, alongside her mother, Sarah Ferguson and her best friend, Julia de Boinville.

The visit struck a chord with the mother-of-two, which led to both Eugenie and Julia founding the charity, The Anti-Slave Collective, which works to end modern slavery and human trafficking.

During the trip, the trio met Aloka Mitra, a woman who has led programmes supporting women and children in vulnerable positions for more than 35 years.

Eugenie described her as 'one of the most inspirational women I have ever met,' when speaking to People.

Aloka introduced Eugenie, Sarah - who is known more commonly as Fergie - and Julia to a group of teenage girls who she had rescued from modern slavery.

And it seems they had a strong impact on the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, as she said that she will 'never forget them'.

Eugenie said: 'Hearing their harrowing stories of abuse, neglect and exploitation was heartbreaking but also deeply inspiring.

Julia de Boinville and Princess Eugenie attend The Anti Slavery Collective's inaugural Winter Gala

'I felt that if this group of young women had the strength and resilience to reclaim their lives, that we also had a responsibility to do something.'

Eugenie said she spent several years with experts and doing their research before launching The Anti-Slavery Collective in 2017.

The daughter of Prince Andrew said: 'All these years later, I will never forget those young women; their stories continue to inspire me to this day.'

Her non-profit organisation has recently launched 'My Epiphany', which is a series of short films detailing powerful stories told through journalists, activists, CEOs, and former police officers.

The 34-year-old exclusively told Femail: 'Through our new video series - My Epiphany - we are proud to shine a light on the heartbreaking global epidemic of modern slavery.

'We hope the insightful and eye-opening series of powerful interviews will raise awareness on the awful situations many victims are trapped in.'

The Anti-Slavery Collective says there is an estimated 50million people in modern slavery around the world and 54 per cent of them are women or young girls.

Sarah Ferguson poses for a picture with her daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie

Queen Elizabeth and Princess Eugenie greet Aloka Mitra in 2017

They estimate that 22million people are in forced marriages, and that nine million of those are children.

The Collective works with policy makers, companies and survivors 'to collaboratively develop solutions to fight modern day slavery and human trafficking' through its three pillars: raising awareness, education and responsible business.

It comes after Eugenie was praised for 'getting on with it' after she revealed she made a secret visit to a charity last month.

The Princess said she's 'grateful' to have made a secret stop at the Salvation Army to meet with survivors of modern slavery.

Recounting her visit on Instagram, the Princess said: 'Listening to survivors, and hearing their stories makes this work seem as urgent and important as ever.

'It also reminds me why Jules and I started The Anti-Slavery Collective in the first place.'
The horse trainer at the center of former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamp's affair once joked that he had a 'similar personality' to her horse, Toad, who he worked with for over a year.

On Wednesday, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that Mellencamp was having a months-long affair with her German-born horse trainer Simon Schroeder, which was the catalyst behind her divorce from her husband of 13-years, Edwin Arroyave.

Making matters worse, the pair were said to be together in Florida while Schroeder's pregnant wife Karli Postel was giving birth to their second child in California.

But nearly a year ago, it seems like things were going well between the three of them, as Schroeder and Postel, who operate Schroeder Sporthorses in Moorpark, California, were training Mellencamp's horse, Toad.

In an extensive interview published by The Chronicle of The Horse in February 2024, the husband and wife duo gushed about how much they loved to work with Mellencamp and the horse, a 'once-nervous 10-year-old Westphalian (Cornet ObolenskyLaila, Lordanos).'

The trainers worked together with Mellencamp to get the horse ready for competitions and calm his nerves.

'You know, [Arroyave] was super excited about him, but there were some bumps in the road, and she needed some help,' Postel told the outlet at the time.

'Shes connected largely with Archie Cox, and I worked with Archie for many years,' she continued.

The horse trainer at the center of former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamp 's affair once joked that he had a 'similar personality' to her horse, Toad, who he worked with for over a year

On Wednesday, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that Mellencamp was having a months-long affair with her German-born horse trainer Simon Schroeder

'She went around the horse show trying to figure out who might be the strongest rider to help her in the situation, and pretty much everyone pointed to Simon.'

At one point in the article, Schroeder even joked that he has a 'similar personality to Toad,' whose name is short for 'Totally.'

His wife even explained that he was able to train the animal so well because he was 'in sync' with what the horse was thinking.

'Everyone is a little bit scared when I come into the ring with him at home, because I let him run, and I let him buck,' Schroeder said.

'Our specialty is that when Im home, I make a cavaletti with a little water under it. He likes to go over it, and we play around with it. I got his trust back with that game. He believes in what we do together.'

Eventually, all of their training paid off, as the Two T's In a Pod podcast host won first place in the USHJA International Hunter Derby during Desert Circuit 2 (California).

'Teddi was unique in a lot of ways, because she saw the potential in this horse, and she saw all the beautiful pieces,' Postel told the outlet.

'A lot of people probably would have given up in the process of trying to put it all together, because it hasnt necessarily been the most straightforward process,' Postel explained about Mellencamp.

In an extensive interview published by The Chronicle of The Horse in February 2024, the husband and wife duo gushed about how much they loved to work with Mellencamp and the horse

Mellencamp and longtime husband Arroyave are now feuding over spousal support amid their contentious divorce battle

'Teddi was unique in a lot of ways, because she saw the potential in this horse, and she saw all the beautiful pieces,' Postel told the outlet

'But she stayed the course. On good days and bad days, shes found nice things to say about the horse and reasons to keep going. So I think in that way, shes a special amateur, in that she doesnt give up.'

However, at some point, it looks like things all started to go south, as a source told DailyMail.com this week that Postel learned of the affair while she was giving birth to her second child.

'Karli thought it was suspicious that her husband was in Florida when she was giving birth,' the source told DailyMail.com.

'When Simon returned, Karli found text messages on Simons phone that exposed the affair. She confronted Simon and Teddi about it and they confessed. Teddi promised it would not happen again.'

'Karli didn't tell Edwin when she found out. She was willing to give Simon another chance and stayed with him. But last month, Karli found proof that the affair was ongoing and that it had become "emotional."

'Simon had a history of cheating and Karli was tired of being connected to him. Edwin only learned of the affair late last month when Karli told him.'

The source claims that Teddi decided to file for divorce once she got caught in the affair.

'She filed for divorce from Edwin so that he did not have the chance to file and get her for adultery. It has been alleged that the marriage ended because Edwin cheated on Teddi, but it is actually the other way around.'

However, at some point, it looks like things all started to go south, as a source told DailyMail.com this week that Postel learned of the affair while she was giving birth to her second child

Mellencamp hosts a popular podcast, Two T's In a Pod, with Real Housewives of Orange County star Tamra Judge (right)

Mellencamp and longtime husband Arroyave are now feuding over spousal support amid their contentious divorce battle.

On Friday, Arroyave, 47, filed his response to Mellencamp's divorce petition and is reportedly pushing back on her custody and spousal support requests.

Mellencamp had requested primary custody of their three children  Slate, 12, Cruz, 10, and Dove, 4  with 'reasonable and frequent visitation' for Arroyave in her divorce filing, which she filed last week and announced a day later on November 2.

According to legal documents, Arroyave is contesting and asking for joint physical and legal custody of their minor children.
This Morning's interiors guru Clodagh McKenna has revealed her top tips for being the perfect host this Christmas.

The Irish TV star, 49, dishes out the best interior and festive decorating trends to look out for ahead of the festive period, which she claims will 'elevate any host occasion'.

Her first major tip is to 'go big on colour' and Clodagh says the 'retro' look is back in a big way.

She says: 'Bring vibrant colours onto your table with candles, Christmas decorations and a colourful statement tablecloth.

'Have fun with it, it's not about perfectionism - it's more about being bold and fun.'

This Morning's Clodagh McKenna - seen here alongside Channel 4's Sunday Brunch host Portia Freeman - gave her top tips for how to decorate your home for the festive season

Also making a comeback is 'the candy stripe' which, according to Clodagh, should be all over your kitchen table.

She explains: 'Striped tablecloths with bold colours like blue, red and green bring such a sense of fun to the table.

'Or buy a roll of striped coloured ribbon with a wide width for wrapping and tie a bow in your napkins for a little splash of fun.'

Clodagh has partnered up with Italian beer brand Peroni Nastro Azzurro this Christmas

Place settings are also a must-have and Clodagh has come up with a cute idea which adds a subtle twist.

Clodagh, who's partnered up with Italian beer brand Peroni Nastro Azzurro, says: 'String a pretty, thin ribbon in the eye of a Christmas bauble (tree) decoration and use as a place setting on your napkin.

'These can also act as cute festive party favours, which guests can take home with them.

'Alternatively, I love using seasonal fruit, such as pomegranates or satsumas, for a twist on tradition.

'Insert 4-inch sprigs from your Christmas tree into the centre of each satsuma, so the sprig stands upright to create a mini tree, with a handwritten name card on each.'

Another way Clodagh says to brighten up your 'Twinky Table', quite literally, is to place battery-operated fairy lights down the centre. looping around vases, flowers, and candlesticks to create a sparkly festive feel.

She also recommends to 'Play With Height' by placing cake stands to add an elevated dimension to your table runner.

Clodagh adds: 'I love to add lots of grapes, or pears stood on top of each other and a few scattered at the base of the stand.'

And, in keeping with the retro theme, she encourages hosts to put together a playlist of festive classics to create a 'fun and festive atmosphere'.

When it comes to booze, Clodagh says be prepared to entertain the increasing number of people who now opt for zero percent beverages.

Clodagh - who is a fan of bold, striped tablecloths - encouraged people to have fun with decorating their home this Christmas - and not focus too much on perfection

She adds: 'The perfect host will always ensure there is something to drink for everyone. Include a good non-alcoholic drink option such as Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% for those who may not wish to drink alcohol.

'Keep it chilled and some fun colourful glasses to serve it in.'

Clodagh is teaming up with cocktail expert Portia Freeman, star of Channel 4's Sunday Brunch, to host a series of tablescaping and cocktail making masterclasses throughout November and December, at Winter by The River's The Glasshouse in London.

Credit To book your ticket on one of the masterclasses, visit Design My Night page here. For more information about Winter by the River, visit: www.londonbridgecity.co.uk
Homemaking mogul Martha Stewart recently revealed that she's been using the same exact container of liquid eyeliner for 15 to 20 years - and some experts are sounding the alarm over the practice.

In a new makeup tutorial, which she demonstrated for Allure, the 83-year-old admitted that she rotates through five tubes of the discontinued T. LeClerc liquid eyeliners.

In order to keep them looking good, Stewart shared that she just adds water to them, and they haven't dried out - yet.

'This color, it's sort of a silvery-gray-brown,' the Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia founder described in the video.

'And then it's just a little bit, right close to my lashes, of eyeliner,' she described, as she guided the applicator along her lash line.

She also likes to apply a little bit underneath her bottom lashes.

But even though this tactic of using 15-year-old eyeliner may work for Stewart, it's not exactly the best - or most sanitary - thing to be doing.

In fact, according to multiple doctors, it can even pose major dangers to your eye health.

Homemaking mogul Martha Stewart recently revealed that she's been using the same exact container of liquid eyeliner for 15 to 20 years

In a new makeup tutorial, which she demonstrated for Allure, the 83-year-old admitted that she rotates through five tubes of the discontinued LeClerc liquid eyeliners

Dr. Alexandra Bowles, D.O., Board-Certified Dermatologist at MONA Dermatology in Cincinnati, Ohio, told DailyMail.com that using eyeliner that is 15 to 20 years old can be 'very harmful to your eye health.'

'Over time, cosmetics can become breeding grounds for bacteria and fungus, especially if they've been used repeatedly or stored improperly,' Dr. Bowles explained to DailyMail.com.

'These microorganisms can lead to eye infections, such as conjunctivitis or styes, and may even cause more severe conditions if the infection spreads,' she said.

Dr. Jodi LoGerfo, who is part of New York City-based Orentreich Medical Group, also noted that another issue of using eyeliner for this long is that the actual composition of the product can break down and become unsafe to use.

'Another issue is that the composition of a product can start to degrade  the stability of the product can change,' the Doctor of Nursing Practice told DailyMail.com.

'Perhaps the preservative in the product is no longer protecting it,' she continued. 'If the product is an old eyeliner or mascara, the instability can lead to flaking, drying, and clumping upon application, which can be even more irritating to the eye and surrounding skin.'

Dr. Bowles seconded this, explaining that there's a lot more that can happen to your eyes than just infections.

'Beyond infections, the formula of older eyeliner may break down, potentially causing irritation, allergic reactions, or physical damage if the product flakes or becomes unstable,' she shared.

Ohio-based Dr. Alexandra Bowles (left) and Manhattan-based Dr. Jodi LeGerfo (right) both agreed that using old eyeliner can be harmful to eye health

In fact, according to multiple doctors, using old eyeliner can pose major dangers to your eye health

'The delicate skin around your eyes and your vision are too important to take these risks  expired makeup should always be discarded.'

Using expired products can also harm your eyes so much that it could lead to a loss of eyelashes.

'These can lead to a loss of eyelashes or even problems with the eye, including vision problems,' Dr. LoGerfo said.

The medical professional encouraged people to make sure they're replacing their eye makeup regularly, as oftentimes, there is not an expiration date that's printed on the package.

She recommended replacing your eyeliner and mascara every three to six months, while powdered eyeshadows can last anywhere from 12 to 18 months.

'It is also important to store your products appropriately  in a cool, dry place and (of course) you should never share your makeup,' Dr. LoGerfo offered.

And, if you're like Martha and your favorite eyeliner has been discontinued, there are other steps you can take to try to replace it - and they don't involve using the same pot of product for over 20 years.

'If you have a favorite eyeliner that has been discontinued, you can call the company and inquire,' Dr. LoGerfo said.

'Sometimes they have something similar that can easily replace your favorite.'
She will split her time so she can be a full-time son to Barron, 18

Melania is now reported to spend most of her time in NYC

The 54-year-old has been nearly invisible for the the entire 2024 race

Melania Trump has been furiously mocked online after she admitted she would split her time between the White House and New York City to care for her 18-year-old son, Barron.

The 54-year-old wife of the incumbent president is reportedly trying to stay away from the limelight during husband Donald's second term, with many insiders claiming Melania will take on a 'part-time' First Lady role.

Melania has been nearly invisible for the entirety of the 2024 race and it seems as though her reluctance to a life of politics will continue into the President-elect's second term.

Melania seems to be looking to steer clear of the mayhem surrounding D.C., with reports she'll only be making occasional visits to the White House.

After Donald is inaugurated in January, Melania will be splitting her time between Florida and Manhattan, with her spending the majority of her time in the Big Apple, where Barron is attending college.

Although the former model is shying away from her duties as First Lady, she will be occupied being a full-time mom to their son, who is enrolled at New York University's Stern School of Business.

While her 18-year-old may want the run of Manhattan, Melania seems to be keeping her son on a tight leash, a move that has sparked a wave of backlash from people who say she needs to 'cut the umbilical cord.'

After it was revealed that the mom wasn't ready to let her son have a taste of freedom, people flocked to X, formerly known as Twitter, to furiously tease Melania as many accused her of 'smothering' her kid.

Melania Trump has been furiously mocked online after she admitted she would split her time between the White House and New York City to care for her 18-year-old son, Barron

One person said: 'He's a grown adult at NYU... any other woman following her son to college would be laughed at as smothering her adult manchild... but the clapping seals will cheer this as a good thing. Weird.'

Another user added: 'Barron is in college lol.'

Someone else wrote: 'Why does an 18-year-old need a full-time mother?'

A fourth person commented: 'Isnt he an adult? Get a hobby lady.'

'The kid is in college  let him live!' one user wrote.

'Mind you, Barron is in college and grown. She just doesnt want to be around Donald more than she has to,' a commenter chimed in.

Another added: 'Barron is in college now. Cut the umbilical, Melania!!'

Melania will allegedly be the First Lady on 'her terms' and will be splitting her time between the three cities, a Mar-a-Lago source told the New York Post.

People flocked to X, formerly known as Twitter, to furiously tease Melania as many accused her of 'smothering' the 18-year-old

The source told the outlet: 'Melania will be a part-time first lady  while being a full-time mother and wife.'

Although the Trump family mainly resides at their Mar-a-Lago home, they still have their residence at Trump Tower in Manhattan, which is where Barron is living as he attends classes at NYU.

DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that Barron would be attending NYU in September.

Donald told DailyMail.com: 'He was accepted to a lot of colleges. He's a very smart guy, and he'll be going to Stern, the business school, which is a great school at NYU.'

Barron graduated in May from Palm Beach's prestigious Oxbridge Academy.

He has supported his dad through his Presidential race, with him appearing at a Trump campaign rally on July 9 in Miami where he confidently mirrored his father's fist pumping pose and lapped up a standing ovation.

He was not present four days later when gunman Thomas Crooks attempted to assassinate his father.

However, Donald revealed that his son watched the horrific events unfold on live television.

Melania (pictured with Barron in 2016) seems to be looking to steer clear of the mayhem surrounding D.C.

Although the 18-year-old's father seems to love the spotlight, his mom has revealed she takes a very different approach

He didn't attend the subsequent Republican National Convention, but he got a shout-out from his father at the July 18 event as he told delighted convention-goers, 'We love our Barron.'

Although the 18-year-old's father seems to love the spotlight, his mom has revealed she takes a very different approach.

In her memoir, published last month, Melania wrote of how much she values her privacy.

'I have chosen to maintain a more discreet presence in the public eye, in stark contrast to Donald,' she wrote.

'I have always prized my privacy and opted for a more selective lifestyle.'
Instead, she'll settle for a 'space' somewhere outside the US

The actress, 54, has set her sights on uprooting for a life overseas

Taraji P. Henson has shared the one thing holding her back from fleeing the United States.

While the Empire actress, 54, has been considering leaving the country 'for a long time', she ultimately hasn't made the move yet because of her loved ones.

'I've been thinking about that for a long time,' Taraji said when asked about relocating overseas.

'I was thinking about it the first time I went to Italy. I was like 'Oh, I could live here.'

Sharing her hesitations, she told People: 'The thing is, is that I still have family here, so I'm kind of torn.

'I'm torn. But I do want a space somewhere outside of the country. I absolutely do.

Taraji P. Henson has long thought about leaving the US

The Empire actress shared the one thing holding her back from fleeing America

'That's always been a dream of mine. But who knows, you've got to see. Because you want to feel safe you're going to.'

Taraji is mom to son Marcell Johnson, 30, whom she shared with her high school sweetheart, William Johnson. Johnson was murdered in 2003.

Earlier this week, Desperate Housewives actress Eva Longoria revealed she fled 'dystopian' America and is 'privileged' to now be living in Mexico and Spain with her family.

The Texas born actress, who has spent her 'whole adult life' in California, says she feels the American 'chapter in my life is done now' and no longer wants to live in Los Angeles, alleging the city has been 'changing'.

Eva, who has Spanish citizenship, and her producer husband Jose Baston, a native of Mexico, have been living abroad with their six-year-old son Santiago while she works on her CNN miniseries Searching for Spain - a follow up to last year's Searching for Mexico.

'I get to escape and go somewhere,' the Flamin' she told Marie Claire magazine.

'Most Americans aren't so lucky. They're going to be stuck in this dystopian country, and my anxiety and sadness is for them.'

Taraji said in a recent interview that's it's 'always been a dream of mine' to live abroad

Eva Longoria recently opened up about ditching the US for Spain and Mexico

A whole host of celebrities have voiced their desire to leave the United States in recent years.

In October 2023, Cher told The Guardian that she suffered health issues as result of Donald Trump's previous term, and said this time she was determined to relocate from the U.S. under Trump's leadership.

'I almost got an ulcer the last time,' said Cher.

'If he gets in, who knows? This time I will leave.'

Following Trump's election victory, insiders have claimed that America Ferreira will flee to the UK.

It was reported earlier this week that the Ugly Betty alum, 40, was planning to relocate across the pond with her husband, Ryan Piers Williams, and their son Sebastian, six, and daughter Lucia, four.

America, who is said to be 'sick' that Trump was re-elected, will join a growing number of celebrities who have recently moved to the UK, amid growing tensions in the US.
San Francisco police arrested a woman suspected of stealing from the Dior store in Union Square. Rafe Swan/Getty Images

Police arrested a woman they say burglarized the Christian Dior store in San Franciscos Union Square last month.

Denayaha Duree, 24, was arrested Wednesday and booked into jail on suspicion of burglary, vandalism and possession of stolen property, according to the San Francisco Police Department.

On Oct. 11 at approximately 2:42 a.m., officers said they saw three vehicles speeding away from the Christian Dior store at 185 Post St., which had just been burglarized. Police determined that two vehicles had parked in front of the store while a third rammed into its doors, and multiple people had stolen items before fleeing, police said.

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This kind of brazen crime will not be tolerated in our city, Police Chief Bill Scott said in a statement. Our investigators have been working tirelessly following up on leads and collecting evidence to make an arrest in this case.

Last months burglary came a year after a similar incident when thieves shattered the luxury boutiques facade and stole merchandise out of smashed cabinets. Witnesses told police that three vehicles had stopped in front of the store and one crashed into it.

Duree was previously arrested on suspicion of retail theft in February 2021 after police said she was one of two women who stole items from a store in Stonestown Galleria mall on Jan. 29. Police arrested her after she boarded a flight to Honolulu and said she was wanted in connection with two other retail crime thefts at luxury brand stores in downtown San Francisco.

Duree was in custody Thursday with a court appearance scheduled for Monday morning, according to jail records.

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A woman has revealed she has been living with a splinter in her eye for the past 10 years - and has no plans of removing it.

Sydney White was at Harry Potter World in California with her family when she felt something fly into her eye.

Soon enough, the 27-year-old felt a burning sensation in her eyeball and it became swollen.

She admitted that she felt a 'searing pain' in her eye and wasn't able to open it.

It took 'weeks' for the swelling to go down, with Sydney finally being able to spot the tiny wood scrap that was in her eye.

And although it sometimes felt 'scratchy,' the 27-year-old revealed she wouldn't be removing it.

She said that doctors never told her she needed to remove it, so she has kept the splinter lodged in her eye all these years later.

The Idaho-based content creator added she held no negativity towards Harry Potter World despite the unfortunate incident.

A woman has revealed she has been living with a splinter in her eye for the past 10 years - and has no plans of removing it

She noted that she felt the tiny piece of wood fly into her eye while out with her family.

The 27-year-old recounted the incident in a viral TikTok video, which has so far amassed more than 422,000 views.

'I was on a day out [and] went on a tour with my family. While there, the tour guide pointed up to some building work,' she said.

'As she did so and I looked up, I felt a searing pain in my left eye that wouldn't go away. It took a couple of weeks for the pain to subside and redness to go down, but when I finally could look at my eye, I saw it.

'A tiny piece of wood had fallen into my eyeball.'

Although it is painful at times, she never had it removed.

She said: 'If an eye doctor had told me to remove it, I would have.

'I suppose there could be risk of infection if removed, but there's always a risk of it affecting my eyesight, if it hasn't already.'

Sydney White was at Harry Potter World with her family when she felt something fly into her eye

Soon enough, the 27-year-old felt a burning sensation in her eyeball and it became swollen

Even 10 years after the incident, Sydney shared that her eye was still sore.

'On occasion it does bother me, it feels scratchy. If I press on my lid on the splinter site it is sore still, even 10 years later,' she said.

In the clip, the camera zooms into Sydney's eye, putting the piece of wood on full display.

The piece of wood is in the sclera, which is the white part of the eyeball, but is extremely close to her iris, which is the colored area that contains the pupil.

She captioned the video: 'Hey, your eyes have a little wood in them.'

People on the web were left stunned by her confession as they flocked to the comments section and expressed their shock.

One person joked: 'Girl that's your wand.'

Someone else wrote: 'Ok so are you gonna tell us why you still have it in there?'

People on the web were left stunned by her confession as they flocked to the comments section and expressed their shock

Another user wrote: '30 years ago my mom had a tiny piece of metal lunge into her eye from a firework, doctors say they can't remove it since it healed around it.'

A fourth said: 'I have pencil lead stuck in my forehead from sixth grade math class, I'm 26 now.'

'You have a piece of Harry Potter world in your eye,' a fifth person chimed in

One social media user added: 'Oh my God, this happened to me! Finally someone else with a wood chip in their eye.'

Someone else wrote: 'It's made its home all cozy now.'

A user said: 'Um, ouch.'
The pop star has been praised by some fans for her 'incredible vocal range'

Ariana, 31, plays the role of Galinda Upland in the upcoming movie

Fans of the highly-anticipated Wicked movie have been left torn over Ariana Grande's vocals in the blockbuster film ahead of its release on November 22.

The upcoming adaptation of the hit musical sees Ariana, 31, take on the role of Galinda Upland - also known as Glinda the Good Witch of the North - and both her and her costar, Cynthia Erivo, sing live in the film.

However, after viewing trailers and various clips online, many people have been commenting on the pop star's singing skills - and some fear it may not be up to Broadway standards.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one person wrote: 'Ppl are like "why's this bad? She sounds great". She does sound good but she doesnt sound like someone singing in a musical.'

'You need to have very clear diction. The words need to be so crisp, and you have to emote with every line. Real Broadway actresses don't sing like this,' they added.

A second person moaned: 'Her voice is so annoying,' and a third claimed: 'She sounds great, but it could've been so much better. There's such a lack of emotion and it sounds like she's whispering. What a shame.'

A fourth person posted: 'I tried to hold off on hating on wicked until i saw legit proof it was gonna suck but i genuinely dislike how floaty (??) and flouncy ari's voice sounds in this.

'I'm no vocal expert but the way she pronounces words as shes singing HAS BEEN annoying imo (in my opinion),' they added, while someone else said: 'It's lacking that popUuularrrr thinness and softness, it's rusty and doesn't sound good at all.'

Fans of the highly-anticipated Wicked movie have been left divided over Ariana Grande's vocals in the film ahead of its release on November 22

The 31-year-old popstar plays the role of Galinda Upland, also known as Glinda the Good Witch of the North

Another fan pointed out: 'I'm very much aware they sing live in the movie, but the studio version also needs to sound like shes in character, and insane vocals truly dont matter if she sounds like ariana grande instead of galinda.'

However, others were quick to praise Ariana's vocals after seeing snippets of the movie online as one person gushed: 'You can tell she's a theater kid because LISTEN TO THOSE VOCALSSSS.'

Another wrote: 'Ariana has an incredible vocal range,' while a third said: 'Ariana sounds amazing and I beg yall to actually listen to the original Broadway performance of this by Kristin Chenoweth who is the same Kristin that has been a mentor to Ariana for over a decade and helped her prep for the role. Yalls two cents is irrelevant!'

Someone else said: ''People so impressed with Popular, for good reason. But wait til they hear what Ariana Grande does with No One Mourns The Wicked. Thats where her vocal training and growth is going to shine brightest.'

A different person admitted: 'Hurt hurting over Twitter discourse on Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo's vocals like theyre not objectively some of the best vocalists in today's industry.'

Another fan claimed: 'It's shocking to listen to Ariana Grande's music post WICKED because she really changed her entire vocals to craft a Glinda that is her mixed with what came before especially her rendition of "No One Mourns the Wicked", totally separate from her signature voice we all know.'

The comments come just one day after fans were left abuzz when the Into You hitmaker corrected the lyrics to a song in the much-loved musical.

The Instagram account for the film posted a video of Ariana singing Popular, along with accompanying lyrics flashing on screen.

One person suggested that Ariana's vocals could have been 'so much better' on X

One X user described Ariana and her costar, Cynthia Erivo, as 'some of the best vocalists'

One fan argued that she 'sounds amazing' and mentioned Ariana's mentor Kristin Chenoweth

Another person claimed that 'real Broadway actresses don't sing like this'

Ariana stars alongside Cynthia Erivo in the film, which was directed by Jon M. Chu

However, Ariana weighed in after she noticed an inaccuracy.

While the lyric video states Ariana is singing the word 'poise,' the songstress stated she was actually singing 'ploys.'

'It's ploys !!!!!! i love you @wickedmovie,' Ariana, who has been busy promoting the film as of late, commented along with several emojis.

Her correction confused several Wicked fans who initially believed the lyrics stated 'poise.'

While numerous agreed with Ariana, several others were taken off guard to learn the lyric was actually 'ploys.'

'Excuse me! I have been saying the wrong word for 20 years!?!' one stunned fan posted.

'wait its ploys????' one fan posted, while another commented: 'Omg i always thought it was poise too!'

The official soundtrack for Wicked will be available on November 22, the same day the film is released in movie theaters.
A man who underwent the world's first face and double hand transplant has shared his sweet engagement photos online.

In 2018, Joe DiMeo fell asleep at the wheel of his car after working a night shift. The car crashed after he hit a curb and erupted into flames.

The New Jersey-based 26 year old only survived because two onlookers pulled him out of the fiery explosion. By the time he arrived at the hospital, 80 percent of Joe's body was covered in third-degree burns.

He was in a medically induced coma for two months then underwent more than 20 reconstructive surgeries before his doctors finally found a match for him to receive a face and hand transplant.

In August 2020, Joe underwent a grueling 23-hour transplant surgery, which had just a six percent chance of success.

After reading about the tragedy, Jessica Koby, 33, was inspired by Joe's positive outlook on life and sent him a message on Instagram.

The pair began exchanging messages every day, eventually going on romantic outings and falling in love.

Now, the lovebirds have taken their relationship to the next level as Joe recently got down on one knee and asked Jessica to spend the rest of her life with him.

A man who underwent the world's first face and double hand transplant has shared his adorable engagement photos online

Jessica shared the update on their romance on her Instagram account.

Jessica and Joe posed up a storm following their engagement.

The nurse boasted her sparkling diamond ring while donning a black dress and matching heels.

Joe opted for a chic yellow top and a pair of black pants.

Joe and Jessica cozied up to each other as they celebrated the next step in their relationship.

The image was captioned, 'Always my love.'

People on the web flooded the comments section and shared their support for the lovely couple.

One person said: 'Beautiful couple, outfits and ring. Love you guys.'

After reading about the tragedy, Jessica Koby, 33, was inspired by Joe's positive outlook on life and sent him a message on Instagram

The pair began exchanging messages every day, eventually going on romantic outings and falling in love

Now, the lovebirds have taken their relationship to the next level as Joe recently got down on one knee and asked Jessica to spend the rest of her life with him

Someone else wrote: 'Congrats!'

Another user added: 'The ring!'

'So freaking precious,' commented another person.

When they first met, Joe and Jessica bonded over their shared love of Boston Terrier dogs.

Jessica previously gushed about their romance, she said: 'We developed a relationship initially long distance and then I moved from southern California to be closer to him and it has been great ever since.

'He is a pretty quiet guy so at first when you're just getting to know him he keeps to himself and just observes his surroundings.

'He is very knowledgeable and anyone he talks to he can carry a conversation with.

'I really like that about him because I think that someone who is educated and speaks well is very attractive. I love that he is gentle, kind and he is so courageous.

Jessica shared the update on their romance on her Instagram account

Joe received new hands and a face from an unidentified donor in Delaware

'For everything he has gone through, he remains so positive and such a light.

'I love Joe inside and out because he is a funny guy, he knew what he wanted in life and was very mature for his age.'

Joe's surgery was a miracle for his family and the health industry, as doctors had initially given the procedure a six percent success rate.

He is the first in the world to successfully receive a new face and both hands from the same donor - an unidentified man in Delaware.

Isabelle Dinoire became the world's first face plant recipient in France in 2005. She died 11 years later from cancer.

It has been attempted twice before; first in Paris in 2009 but the patient died from complications a month later.

In Boston in 2011, a woman who was mauled by a chimpanzee received hands and a face from the same donor but her body rejected the hands and they were removed.

Thanks to extensive therapy, Joe has slowly started gaining his independence back and is now even driving again.

Following the life-changing accident, Joe says he learned the hard way who his real friends were.
Aries (March 21 to April 19)

This supermoon may shift your focus to finances, particularly those tied to relationships. Venus could tempt you to splurge on luxury items, but it's actually a time to be more practical.

Consider declutteringkeep only what's useful or meaningful. You may also reassess your values around money, as this supermoon urges you to rethink your finances. It's a good moment to revisit your financial goals and make a plan for long-term securityclear up debts, cancel unnecessary subscriptions, and organize your budget.

With Uranus in the mix, expect the unexpectedexpenses or surprising events related to your money or possessions could pop up. Reflect on past financial choices and remember: what matters most now may not be material wealth but things like love, family, and personal fulfilment.

Taurus (April 20 to May 20)

The supermoon is shining in your favour, Taurus. With positive influences from Mars, Neptune, and Pluto, you're in for some good energy this month.

Still, with the supermoon conjunct Uranus, expect some surprises as you navigate the world. Despite any turbulence, it's a time to work on stability and self-expression.

Keep a grounded approach to your emotions for steadiness and stability moving forward. You're naturally drawn to material comforts and a peaceful environment, and right now, your emotions may feel deeper than usual. Take time to process and respond thoughtfully.

With Venus in your corner, you may feel an urge to indulge in luxuryconsider enhancing your space or improving your appearance, as this will restore your energy and help soothe any emotional turbulence.

Gemini (May 21 to June 20)

The brings transformative energy from your subconscious to the surface. You may gain valuable insights about many areas of your life, so tune in to your inner voice. These spiritual messages are helpful, so consider taking time for meditation, yoga, or reflection.

With Uranus conjunct your ascendant, some insights could surprise you, but they'll guide you in presenting your ideas to the world. Changes in your identity or appearance may be on the horizon, and unconventional ideas will begin to flow.

Rest and self-care are key now to recharge and fully benefit from this time. It's also a great moment to address hidden fears. Creative outlets like art or writing will aid your healing. Empathy and emotional connections will enhance your relationships.

Cancer (June 21 to July 22)

The supermoon forms a harmonious and powerful talent triangle with Uranus, bringing a surge of change to your friendships and relationships. You might unexpectedly meet someone special, perhaps through social circles or acquaintances.

Your dreams and social circles may shift, and you might find yourself letting go of old connections to make space for new ones. New friendships with shared values could bring a sense of fulfilment.

Celebrate your successes and share them with others. The energy encourages collaboration, so it's a great time to work with others on projects and pursue your aspirations. Be open to new people and changes that align with your goals. Your hopes and dreams can come alive now.

Leo (July 23 to August 22)

This is a powerful time for your career, with Pluto and Neptune casting a transformative glow on new opportunities. The supermoon highlights your relationships with authority figures, making it a great time for positive discussions with employers or parents.

Your reputation could grow, or you may become more publicly visible. Social media could also be favourable now. Life feels more stable, and you may take on challenges that push you out of your comfort zonewell done.

Your ambitions to grow and improve soar, and professional recognition becomes more important. While you may feel like you're managing on your own, this autonomy helps build resilience and security.

You're evolving, and your progress is becoming evident. Strengthen professional relationships and give yourself credit for how far you've come.

Virgo (August 23 to September 22)

The supermoon forms a supportive talent triangle with Jupiter and Chiron, bringing healing and growth to your career and shared resources.

You may feel a greater sense of freedom as Jupiter expands your connections with authority figures and your career path. This is a time to find your true place in the world, expanding your mind through education, travel, or spirituality.

Distant places or cultural exchanges may feel especially appealing, and new ideas will guide you to success. Spirituality also takes centre stage as you feel a deeper connection to the universe.

You may also reflect on your values or consider further education or travel. If you can't go far, explore a new local spot to spark fresh insights.

Libra (September 23 to October 22)

The supermoon in Taurus highlights a need for stability in shared resources, intimacy, and sensuality. Ask yourself: are you getting enough in these areas? Venus, your ruler, encourages you to reflect on how to improve intimate connections.

Are you ready to open up, or do you remain in your emotional fortress? Emotions around investments, joint assets, and inheritances could also surface. The moon's conjunction with Uranus brings surprising emotional shifts. On a positive note, Pluto and Neptune are supporting transformation in your daily routines and health, bringing spiritual growth too.

Beauty may become more important to you nowconsider adding small touches like fresh flowers to your space. As you release pent-up emotions, you'll find balance and harmony.

Scorpio (October 23 to November 21)

Close relationships may be on your mind, but not all is smooth sailing. The supermoon opposite the sun and conjunct Uranus can bring unexpected emotional upheaval.

This may bring hidden conflicts to light, but it also offers a chance for deep transformation. Seek balance, and you'll find itbringing stability to your relationships and life.

Intensity, passion, and power could be themes now, and women may play key roles. The universe offers support for creating stability if you're open to change.

While it's tough to shift directions mid-course, you have the strength to do so. Let go of old emotions for a sense of renewalit's like clearing your mental slate. You'll feel much lighter afterward.

Go for it  call in balance and harmony into your life now.

Sagittarius (November 22 to December 21)

The supermoon in Taurus may disrupt your usual routines, work, and health, with Uranus bringing unexpected twists. On the positive side, Neptune and Pluto support creativity and wellness, making it a great time to rethink habits.

You might feel more rebellious or crave independence in your work, but balance is key to making this work. If you're feeling anxious about your jobwhether it's low pay or not a good fitconsider changes that better align with your personality.

Shifting your daily routine to something more stable, like improving exercise, diet, or habits, will help. Spending time in nature, getting a pet, or even gardening (even on a small balcony) could bring comfort and security. Beautifying your space will help you feel more grounded.

Capricorn (December 22nd to January 19)

A powerful Grand Cross during the supermoon, with Uranus in the mix, brings a rush of emotional energy. This could trigger stress and tension in various areas, but it also invites growth and transformation.

Expect significant changes this month, with your creativity, spirituality, career, education, travel, and romance all in the spotlight. You might do some deep emotional work to figure out your true path.

There's also potential for good fortune in health, work, or daily life, and you may even meet someone special. Entertainment and pleasure are high on your agenda, and your connection to children (or your inner child) may deepen.

Comfort, stability, and practicality are crucial nowfocus on what brings you joy and security. Make yourself stable and comfortable now.

Aquarius (January 20th to February 18)

Home and family could feel like a sanctuary right now, though you may need to juggle career or parental responsibilities with domestic life. Expect the unexpected, especially with Uranus shaking things up at home or with family members.

You might also feel a need for privacy, so avoid oversharing on social media. Your innovative nature will help you find creative solutions to any challenges.

If you're redecorating or improving your home, unconventional ideas could come to you. This is also a time to reflect on your roots or ancestorspay attention to your dreams for insights.

Take some time for solitude and inner reflection and nurture your home and family life while you can.

Pisces (February 19 to March 20)

The Supermoon in Taurus is a great opportunity for emotional stability and self-nurturing. You may feel more focused on self-expression and your immediate surroundings, including local activities and interactions with neighbours.

It could be a busy time with errands or even informal learningstudying something on your own can be just as rewarding as a formal course. You'll be curious and eager to understand new ideas.

Routine activities like a morning walk or chatting with familiar faces may bring comfort. Neptune and Pluto support spiritual transformation, making this a smooth yet transformative time.

Though challenges may arise as you seek personal growth, don't worryjust go with the flow and you'll make progress.

Source: Rose Smith
Britons share the funniest mistakes their guests have made while visiting the UK

Brits are sharing the cultural faux pas they've witnessed visitors commit while holidaying in the UK.

One of the challenges of visiting or moving to a new country is getting your head around the local customs, slang and culture to avoid any embarrassing gaffes.

However, many tourists have been left red-faced after breaking an unwritten rule of the UK from incorrectly using common phrases to misunderstanding the weather.

'What's the funniest thing a friend from abroad has done and said in the UK?' a Briton asked on Reddit.

They said they had taken a Spanish friend for lunch at iconic British takeaway chain Greggs where he bought a pasty and a Fanta.

'Before he paid he asked the woman behind the counter, 'Do you have a glass with some ice?'. I couldn't help laughing and it was something my British friends found funny too,' they said.

The query drew in hundreds of hilarious replies including from one woman who said their friend got confused when she was invited to someone's house in the evening for 'tea' not realising the term referred to 'dinner'.

'My friend was invited, by a northerner, 'round for tea'. She ate beforehand,' one user laughed.

Brits are sharing the cultural faux pas they've witnessed visitors commit while holidaying in the UK from incorrectly using common phrases to misunderstanding the weather (Stock image)

British food and drinks seem to cause a lot of confusion with visitors and expats. One American couple didn't know the purpose of mint sauce while attending a British wedding.

'The main course was lamb. I just glanced over, and I could see (the American woman) spreading mint sauce onto some bread and eating it. She thought it was a fancy jam for the bread, she didn't enjoy it. I found it very funny,' someone recalled.

'Italian friend drank squash undiluted and then wondered why it was so bad,' another user commented.

'I had a Mexican colleague who was telling me about how weird the salad dressings are here and one day for lunch I saw her take out a tin of custard and pour it over her salad,' a third wrote.

One person said they knew someone who mistakenly poured gravy over their Christmas mince pies and another helped themselves to another's bar snacks.

'American friend took a handful of someone else's peanuts while waiting for drinks at the bar, thinking they were free. The man next to her, who ordered said peanuts, was very confused. Being a good Brit though, he obviously said nothing,' one woman explained.

'American housemate looked at a packet of digestives for a long time, then finally said 'do these make you poop?',' laughed a second.

Some travellers to the UK have been caught out by British culture and geography.

'A Spanish friend of mine was trying to get into British TV and was telling another Spanish friend of ours about the famous pair of presenters 'Ant and Derek'. He also said he'd been seeing lots of clips of EastEnders online and wanted 'to watch the series from the beginning',' one Briton said.

'It was my second month here in the UK and I called my Scottish co-worker English... Luckily he took it easy and laughed it off and kindly explained it to me why not to make the same mistake again,' an expat admitted.

An American was once puzzled that the Fourth of July isn't celebrated in England while another was confused about the name of a popular supermarket.

'Foreign exchange student was staying with us and we were picking fruit yoghurts from the fridge. I was like, 'I'll have the raspberry', he said 'I'll have the 'Sainsberry'',' one woman chuckled.

An Australian from sunny Perth wasn't sure how to handle Britain's chilly weather leading to a minor road accident.

'He was late in one day because he'd driven his car into a lamp post. He'd never seen frost before and thought he could just drive off and clear the windscreen with wipers,' one man wrote.

UK slang, terms and phrases can often be a challenge for those whose first language is not English resulting in some amusing gaffes.

'My French mate once said, 'Okey dokey lemon squeezy', which is one of the best things I've ever heard,' someone answered.

'I had a French friend that once told me 'Thank you from the heart of my bottom' I told her that she got it mixed up and explained how it was wrong and she found it hilarious! We still joke about it to this day,' another chimed in.

'My wife thought that toiletries were called 'toilet treats',' a man commented and another said: 'My ex-wife wanted to know why we have a 'Gay Fox' day in November'.
A contestant on the reality dating TV series 90 Day Fiance has lifted the lid on her experience while engaged to the world's most famous sperm donor.

Kyle Gordy, 32, from LA, is known for being the biological father to 80 children (and counting) around the world.

And while he's popular with women for his services, he hasn't had much luck with them when it comes to dating.

That was until he met Anika Phllip, 39, from Germany, after she got in touch with him to enquire about his services, and their love story appeared on a series of 90 Day Fiance this year.

The pair hit it off at first, but after a few weeks in paradise, they called it quits  and now, she's revealing how their short-lived engagement was a 'nightmare'.

'He's a good guy, but he lacks relationship experience. He doesn't seem to realise basic courtesies, like opening doors or pulling out chairs for me,' Anika said.

'During a photoshoot by the seaside, he walked ahead and didn't seem aware of anyone around him, even on rough paths. When the catering service arrived, he didn't thank anyone.'

Anika said she was uncomfortable with how he treated people - although she conceded she didn't believe he was being intentionally rude.

Anika Phllip, 39, (left) has opened up about her time being engaged to the world's most famous sperm donor Kyle Gordy (right)

Kyle Gordy, 32, is known for being the biological father to 80 children around the world and currently has 15 children on the way

Anika, from Germany, said the pair's short-lived engagement was a nightmare and that Kyle wouldn't give up his sperm-donating 'hobby' for her

The programmer, from Germany, said the main reason she called off her engagement to Kyle was because he would not consider stopping donating sperm to other women.

'He wanted to still help people conceive, either artificially or naturally, and that made it really difficult for us to move forward,' she said.

'It was a bit tough for me, because I often worried about being judged and we had quite a few arguments about his donating.

'I knew deep down he couldn't give it up. It was a nightmare from start to finish.'

Anika actually first started speaking with Kyle when she reached out to him on Instagram in early 2023, in search of his services.

But when she first spoke with him on a video call, she claims there was a 'spark'.

'We would often talk for hours at night before bed. It really helped me unwind from a stressful day and was something I looked forward to,' Anika said.

'After talking for a few months back and forth, I fell deeper for him. Initially, we planned to meet in Rome for a fun little vacation and baby making, but I got cold feet and flaked.

Anika first started speaking with Kyle when she reached out to him on Instagram in 2023, in search of his services. They had an online relationship for weeks before getting engaged

Anika first spoke with Kyle on a video call and she claims there was a 'spark': 'We would often talk for hours at night before bed'.

'After that moment, I realised there were feelings of love for him, and I expressed these. From there, we started talking on a deeper and more serious level.'

In June 2023, the pair met in person in Malta, and filmed their first official date for the show.

However, Kyle had been keeping a secret.

'I thought we were in a committed relationship when I first met him in person but then he told me that as recently as the week before, he had performed an in-person insemination,' Anika recalled.

'I was disgusted and hurt. My feelings were crushed and I couldn't believe he had essentially lied to me.'

At the end of filming, after around eight months of being engaged, they officially broke things off following a 'huge fight'.

Anika said the main reason she called off her engagement to Kyle was because he would not consider stopping donating sperm to other women

'It was a bit tough for me, because I often worried about being judged and we had quite a few arguments about his donating. I knew deep down he couldn't give it up,' she said

A few months later, though, the pair started speaking again and now they're good friends, focusing on being there for one another, even if it's not romantic.

'He's helped me through some really difficult situations and has been so supportive. Kyle always makes sure he's available when I need to talk, no matter the time of day,' Anika said.

'Since we've become friends, all I want is for him to be happy. I'm also trying to make him a better person for some potential girlfriend, as he seems to be very unlucky due to his difficult lifestyle.'

Anika said she wishes Kyle 'all the best' despite their relationship breakdown.

He also runs the website Be Pregnant Now and had taken a hiatus from donating late last year, before returning in January 2024 for only a 'select few' women.

Kyle, who currently has 15 children on the way, had previously revealed that his sex life was 'non-existent' due to his prolific sperm donation, and that even masturbation had become a 'chore'.

While he claims to have given this up to ensure a healthy sperm count, he says he is looking for love again  though the right person would need to accept his controversial hobby.

The pair started speaking again and now they're good friends. Anika is giving Kyle dating advice while he is offering his services for free in a bid to help struggling families conceive

'My experience with Anika was definitely one I will remember. Although, I do think my manners were appropriate [when we first met],' he said.

'The time with her was fast-paced, so many of the things I did would be acceptable to most. Finding love is, of course, difficult due to my circumstances but I feel confident that it will happen.

'Anika is helping me by giving me [dating] advice and we have even considered doing a shopping trip together to find more suitable clothes in the future.

'It is unfortunate that we didn't work out, but I value our friendship and appreciate the advice she gives me.'
Former transgender liberal Americans cast their vote this year for President-elect Donald Trump because they feared Democrats would push gender-affirming care on minors.

Speaking to DailyMail.com, the detransitioners  who were voting Republican for the first time ever  said they supported Trump's view that gender treatments, like puberty blockers, hormones and sex-change surgeries, should be banned for people under 18 years old.

Republicans called for this on the campaign trail in a $200million ad blitz, and have said they would halt taxpayer funding for sex change treatments at all ages and block transgender people from entering the military.

While the Democrats' stance was that they would not dictate treatment plans to doctors. But more recently they shifted their stance, saying children should not have sex-change surgeries at all.

Chloe Cole, who started to transition to a boy at 12 years old, said on X: 'I am a strong, intelligent woman. I voted for Donald Trump.'

Ms Cole, now 20 years old, stopped her transition at 17  but not before doctors had prescribed her puberty blockers, testosterone and removed her breasts.

She continued: 'At 15 years old, I lost my breasts in the name of gender ideology. My body will never be the same due to radical left policies. I support Donald Trump because he will end gender transition for minors.'

Similarly, Nicolas Blooms  who began transitioning at 18 before detransitioning at 22  also said he backed Donald Trump. The now 24-year-old said he took feminizing hormones but never got surgery.

Pictured above are detransitioners Laura Becker and Nicolas Blooms wearing Make America Great Again hats. Both said they voted for Trump

Chloe Cole, who started to transition at age 12 years before detransitioning at age 17 years, also said she supported Donald Trump in the election. She is outspoken for her activism against transgender care for minors

He told DailyMail.com: 'The main reason I voted for Donald Trump is I don't want children to be going through medical transitions from such a young age.

'Donald Trump posted a recent video saying he wants to make sex changes for minors illegal. I 100 percent stand by that.

'I believe that after going through medical transition and detransition that this is not something that kids should be playing with.'

Mr Blooms said the hormone therapy had left him regularly needing to use the toilet and with fat that had collected on his chest.

And Laura Becker, who transitioned at 17 before detransitioning at 22, also backed Trump, saying: 'If we can't agree on objective truth, if we can't agree on objective biological reality and agree that we should not be lying to people about who we are... then that's a red flag to me.

'Kamala can't be, you know, real about biological sex, and we already know that her administration, including her VP Tim Walz, has advocated for the transitioning of children.'

About 1.6 to 3million people in the United States identify as transgender, estimates suggest.

Many of the detransitioners who spoke to DailyMail.com  who had initially been far-left activists  said they felt a majority of people in similar situations backed Trump in this election, voting Republican for the first time.

A poll set up on X by detransitioner Prisha Mosley, which called for only detransitioners to vote, received 45 responses. Fifty-eight percent of the group backed Trump while only seven percent backed Vice President Kamala Harris.

Another 35 percent did not vote. The poll was not closed, and did allow anyone to respond.

Kamala Harris displays the pronouns 'she/her' prominently on her profile on X. She lost the 2024 US Presidential election, handing Donald Trump control of the presidency

A poll set up online that asked only detransitioners to vote suggested the majority were backing Donald Trump. It was an open poll, however, and anyone could vote

The Trump campaign made opposition to transgender care for minors part of its campaign, saying in one advertisement Harris was for 'they/them', referring to pronouns used by people who do not identify as either male or female.

Trump has said he plans to stop the 'chemical, physical and emotional mutilation of our youth' by passing a law prohibiting transgender care for minors in all 50 states.'

He is also planning to re-instate his ban on transgender service members, which was removed by the Biden administration in 2020. The military is a major employer of transgender people, having more than 15,000 trans service members.

Further, the president-elect has suggested he will remove legislation that protects against discrimination based on sexuality or gender identity.

Detransitioners who have attended Trump rallies said they did not face discrimination.

Mr Bloom, who is based in Arizona, said: 'As much as people want to say the MAGA people are homophobic and transphobic, the vast majority of them just do not care.

'They don't care that I'm gay, they love that I'm gay  it is so liberating.

'Whereas liberals just look at me with dirty looks. I get harassment, I get homophobia, I get bullying from liberals, even though all they talk about is love and compassion.'

He added: 'It was tough for me to see friends voting for Kamala. I had many people block me. As much as they think they are compassionate, they are not  they were not not being able to withhold judgement and actually listen.'

Harris, on the other hand, tried to side-step the issue of trans healthcare when she was asked about her views in an October interview with NBC News.

Other detransitioners to voice support for Trump included Maia Poet. She had started to transition when she was 12 years old

Maia posted the above online while voicing her support for Donald Trump

She said she would not put herself in the place of doctors who should make the decision 'in terms of what is medically necessary'.

At least 800 children 12 to 18 years old receive gender-affirming surgeries every year in the US, according to a 2023 JAMA study that analyzed data from nearly every state. The vast majority received breast or chest surgery.

Many detransitioners have argued the medical system tried to transition them when all they needed was therapy and help with their mental health.

But supporters of transgender care for minors argue it is medically necessary, saying studies show if the care is denied children will commit suicide.

A 2022 study from the University of Toronto suggested 82 percent of transgender individuals have considered killing themselves and 40 percent have attempted suicide.

But many doctors also warn the effects of gender-affirming treatments on people, especially children, are poorly studied and can result in life-long complications. They also say they may not ease children's mental health.
Robert F Kennedy Jr. is now one of the world's most influential figures in health.

The outspoken anti-vaxxer and nephew of JFK has been handpicked by Donald Trump to lead the US Department of Health and Human Services.

It comes despite a series of bizarre health claims made by Kennedy over the years, including that a worm 'ate' part of his brain, chemicals in water are making children question their gender identity and vaccines cause autism.

Experts fear his appointment, and the potential polices that could be implemented, could have consequences far beyond American shores, for instance with regards to vaccination rates.

Here, MailOnline details the outrageous health theories peddled by the 70-year-old ahead of his predicted takeover of America's core healthcare agencies.

Kennedy has taken a keen interest in the safety of drinking water over years, recently labelling for fluoride, a mineral that helps prevent tooth decay, as 'neurotoxic' and calling for it to be removed from US supplies.

The mineral is added to UK tap water in small amounts in order to improve the oral health of the nation.

Kennedy's most bizarre claims have centred on atrazine  a herbicide that is a known endocrine disruptor, a substance that can interfere with hormones.

Robert F Kennedy Jr. is now one of the most influential figures in health being handpicked by Donald Trump to lead the US Department of Health and Human Services

Kennedy has expressed interest in studies showing these chemicals can cause frogs to change sex.

He has drawn from this evidence to propose a link between endochrine disruptors in the environment, and the rise in children questioning their gender identity.

On a podcast Kennedy said: 'Our children now, you know, were seeing these impacts that people suspect are very different than in ages past about sexual identification among children and sexual confusion, gender confusion.'

'I think a lot of the problems we see in kids, particularly boys, it's probably under-appreciated on that how much of that is coming from chemical exposures, including a lot of the sexual dysphoria that we're seeing.'

'I mean, they're swimming through a soup of toxic chemicals today, and many of those are endocrine disruptors. There's atrazine throughout our water supply.'

The idea that chemicals in water could influence gender and sexuality has been spread by conspiracy theorist for years.

It was most famously touted by conservative radio host Alex Jones who said such substances were 'turning the friggin frogs gay'.

Experts have repeatedly dismissed claims between endocrine disruptors and gender and sexuality.

One of the most eye-catching and recent health claims spread by Kennedy is that a parasitic worm 'ate' part of his brain.

The wild declaration was uncovered in his divorce proceeding documents, following his split with Mary Richardson in 2012.

The documents noted that, in 2010, Kennedy's medics were worried about a dark spot that showed up on a brain scan  suspecting it may be a tumour.

The revelations were part of a 2012 deposition during divorce proceedings from Mary Richardson (left) where Kennedy claimed his earning power diminished due to cognitive struggles

Kennedy complained of suffering brain fog and memory loss at the time. But further scans found the spot was the result of a parasitic infection.

The New York Times, which uncovered the documents, said Kennedy wrote his mental issues 'were caused by a worm that got into my brain and ate a portion of it and then died'.

It is unclear how Kennedy was infected with the worm in the first place, though he suspects he contracted it while travelling in South Asia.

Medics have previously voiced suspicions that he was likely infected with a parasitic tapeworm that can be found in pigs.

But Kennedy's claims the worm 'ate' part of his brain aren't likely to be correct as the parasite doesn't directly consume human tissue, experts say.

Its eggs, however, can develop into cysts that damage brain tissue, and can cause potentially fatal seizures.

One of Kennedy's long-running health claims is that vaccines aren't safe.

He has previously stated that no jab is 'effective' and suggested childhood vaccines could be driving rising autism rates.

Kennedy is the nephew of former president John F. Kennedy, left, and the son of former US attorney general and senator from New York Robert Kennedy, second from left

He also wrongly claimed Covid vaccines have killed more people than all jabs 'over the past 30 years' in what experts called an 'inaccurate representation of data'.

Kennedy has also previously floated the idea that schools with vaccine requirements for attendance in the US should be defunded.

In 2019 the father-of-six, visited Samoa with his anti-vaccine organisation Children's Health Defense meeting with local activists at time when vaccine hesitancy was high after the accidental deaths of children during a measles immunisation drive.

A few months later the Polynesian island was hit by an outbreak that killed 80 people, most of them children.

Kennedy also reportedly wrote to the Samoan prime minister to question if a 'defective vaccine' was responsible for the outbreak

A study found the anti-vax charity Kennedy headed at time also, helped fund a large amount of anti-vax ads on Facebook in the Pacific nation, according to the Washington Post.

Kennedy backed away from his hardline stance on vaccines this week, telling NBC News in the US: 'If vaccines are working for somebody, I am not going to take them away.

However, he has left the door open to relaxing policies on making some vaccines non-compulsory.

Kennedy has repeatedly posted videos and photos of himself shirtless and working out on social media

'People ought to have a choice, and that choice ought to be informed by the best information, so I'm going to make sure that safety studies and efficacy studies are out there and people can make individual assumptions whether that product is going to be good for them.'

Kennedy has made another other dubious health claims over the years.

These include wrongly suggesting the HIV virus is not the cause of AIDS and that wifi may cause cancers.

Kennedy also previously told Elon Musk, the multimillionaire owner of the social media website X, that antidepressants could be responsible for school shootings in the US  a claim with no evidence to back it up.

'I also am going to look very closely at the role of psychiatric drugs in these events,' he said on an interview held on Musk's platform.

'Prior to the introduction of Prozac, we had almost none of these events in our country.'

Kennedy, like many anti-vaxxers, enjoyed more publicity during the Covid pandemic.

He made many controversial statements at the time, including comparing wearing a face mask to 'living like a slave'.

In one shocking series of comments, he claimed Covid was an 'ethnically targeted' bioweapon and that 'the people who are most immune' are those of a Jewish or Chinese background.

There is no evidence such weapons exist or that Covid was one of them, though some experts do suspect the virus may have leaked from a lab before spreading around the world.

British experts and medics have reacted with alarm to Kennedy's appointment and warned of the potential consequences it could bring.

Professor Sir Andrew Pollard director of the Oxford Vaccine Group at the University of Oxford said: 'There is a real concern that his appointment could provide a new platform which he might use to pursue the same anti-science positions on life-saving public health interventions that he has advanced previously, and that he could continue to promote and misrepresent evidence to support spurious claims on vaccines.

'If this makes families hesitate to immunise against the deadly diseases that threaten children, the consequence will be fatal for some.'

Dr David Elliman, a paediatrician, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children added: 'He has perpetuated myths, including that of a link between MMR vaccine and autism, with an utter disregard for the evidence.

'It he is appointed and continues in the same mode, I fear not just for the vaccination programme in USA, but similar programmes around the world.'
A 31 year-old mother of-two has warned slimmers against buying weight loss medication from non-medics, after a miniscule dose of a counterfit jab landed her in hospital with stomach pains 'worse than childbirth'.

Nicole Wright, from North Ayrshire in Scotland, purchased the 120 injections from a local beauty salon at the end of August, in a bid to slim down for an upcoming holiday to Turkey.

But within a day of injecting half of the lowest dose, she began vomiting and was unable to even drink water without throwing it back up.

Within four days the former hairdresser had developed agonising stomach pains too  which caused her to rush to A&E for urgent help.

'I told them what I had taken and they gave me one bag of fluids and anti-sickness and sent me home,' she said.

Ms Wright said she believed the jabs contained a GLP-1 agonist drug  from the same family of medications as Ozempic and Wegovy, prescribed on the NHS to aid weight loss by reducing appetite.

She now believes the drug was a counterfeit, although official tests are yet to clarify exactly what was in the injection.

However a few days later the nausea and pain in her stomach became unbearable, and Ms Wright began to vomit up blood. Terrified, she called an ambulance.

Mother of two Nicole Wright said she regrets trusting a beauty salon with her health - and urged anyone interested in weight loss jabs to get the medication from a doctor, preferably the NHS.

Ms Wright said she suffered stomach pains that were 'worse than childbirth' in the days after injecting a low dose of the jab.

'I then ended up back in hospital,' she said. 'I was still vomiting, my whole body was shaking and I had the worst stomach pains.

'My stomach was burnin and I thought I was going to die. It was getting worse and worse and the pain was worse than childbirth.

'I was rolling about my bed screaming in pain.'

Fortunately, after being given further fluids and anti-sickness medication doctors were able to stabilise Ms Wright and flush the weight loss medication out of her system.

She claims that while in hospital she had some unlikely visitors: police officers.

'They came and seized the vial [of medicine] of testing, and I told them everything,' she said. 'I realised how serious it was.'

Now, two months on from the ordeal, she feels 'embarrassed and ashamed' of her decision to buy the jabs from a non-medical source.

'The lesson I'm going to teach my daughters is that you're beautiful no matter how you look and there is nothing worth risking your health for.

Ayrshire Police visited the hospital where Ms Wright was treated to seize the jab she bought form the salon.

'I would never take them again. If anyone is thinking of getting the jabs go through a doctor or pharmacy, not through a salon. You don't know what you are taking.'

Ms Wright said she's informed the salon staff of her experience with the weight loss medication they sold her.

She says Ayrshire Police also visited the premises but their investigation into her hospitalisation has now been concluded.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'A thorough investigation was carried out and all enquiries have concluded.

'No further police action will be taken at this time. If anyone has any further information, they should contact Police Scotland on 101.'
To see him now, youd be hard pressed to imagine what Harvey Deaton has been through. Hes fit and healthy and enjoys spending his time between the UK and his holiday home in Spain.

Hes lucky to be doing any of this. For months Harvey was told that repeated bouts of pain in his left ear were due to an infection. In fact, it was a sign of advanced tongue cancer.

Harvey had been back and forth to his GP for help with the ear pain. But despite trying antibiotics and ear syringing, six months on he was still suffering.

It was during a routine dental appointment that his dentist noticed a red patch in his mouth that wasnt healing, he recalls.

The dentist advised Harvey to see a head and neck specialist. And within minutes they diagnosed the true cause of his earache and the sore in his mouth: cancer of the tongue, classified as a type of head and neck cancer.

Harvey, 59, a former BT manager who lives in Kippax, Leeds, says: They told me ear pain was a classic sign of head and neck cancer - but I had no idea it could be.

It was caught in the nick of time - Im lucky to be here.

By the time he was diagnosed, Harvey, who is married to Helena, 56, had stage 4 cancer which had spread under his tongue to one of his lymph nodes.

Harvey Deaton, 59, is lucky to be alive after discovery of his tongue cancer

Around 12,800 people in the UK are diagnosed with head and neck cancer each year, according to Cancer Research UK.

But cases have been rising  one report said by as much as 47 per cent each year  and the huge surge is expected to continue, says Dr Oladejo Olaleye, a consultant ear, nose and throat surgeon at the Leicester Cancer Research Centre and ambassador for the charity Oracle Head and Neck Cancer UK.

Head and neck cancers are those affecting the throat, voice box, nose, sinuses, tongue, tonsils, gums, lips, jaw bone, cheek bone, cheek, neck lumps, salivary glands, and the thyroid area.

Although most cases occur among those in their mid to late 60s, the numbers are rising alarmingly in younger men and women too, says Dr Olaleye.

The recent increase in head and neck cancers has been attributed to infection with high-risk strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus previously linked to cancers in the tonsils and base of the tongue. (Other strains of HPV have also been linked with cervical cancer.)

These cases are now more prevalent in younger men, who may present with only a lump in their neck or a persistent sore throat.

However, whilst some strains of HPV are sexually transmitted, those that are linked with head and neck cancer do not require sexual activity  they can spread through skin-to-skin contact, meaning anyone can be at risk, explains Dr Olaleye.

Although HPV vaccination was introduced [for teenage girls in 2008, but also for boys in 2019] and is expected to reduce cases of head and neck cancer, the full impact wont be seen for several decades as these cancers typically develop later in life, he adds.

There are however other risk factors for head and neck cancers, including smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

Symptoms of head and neck cancers can include a persistent sore throat (or other type of pain in throat or mouth area), a neck lump or swelling, lump or ulcer on the lip or in the mouth that does not heal, changes in voice or hoarseness, painful swallowing or difficulty swallowing and earache or ear pain.

Ear pain can be a sign of certain head and neck cancers, particularly those affecting the throat or base of the tongue, due to shared nerve pathways, says Dr Olaleye.

Most of the time ear pain is caused by other conditions such as infections or jaw joint disorders but if there is unexplained ear pain for three weeks or more, it should be investigated thoroughly.

He stresses that its also vital for anyone who has symptoms including unusual lumps on the tongue; whiteish or red patches on the tongue/cheek; non-healing ulcers; and sore throats that last more than three weeks, to see their GP or dentist.

Survival rates for head and neck cancers are generally lower than for some other cancers, such as breast cancer, says Dr Olaleye, partly because the anatomy of the head can make surgically removing such cancers challenging.

Hence while around 70-90 per cent of patients with lip cancers, which are easily visible and accessible, will live five years or more, only 40 per cent of patients with more inaccessible cancers - which develop in the lower throat behind the voice box, for instance - live five years or more. In comparison, the overall survival rate for breast cancer is around 90 per cent.

Harveys earache began in August 2022 and when his pain failed to improve despite painkillers, antibiotics and ear syringing by October, he returned to his GP.

This time he was given a nasal balloon device to try  the idea being that breathing out through your nose to fill the balloon with air helps to equalise pressure in the ears. This too did not work.

In November 2022, Harvey burnt his mouth with hot soup  but the wound wouldnt heal.

By now he was seriously alarmed. In January 2023 he insisted that his GP refer him to an ear, nose and throat specialist.

He underwent tests on his hearing, as well as investigations where a camera on the end of a long, thin tube was inserted to check for abnormalities in his throat and the eustachian tubes (connecting his middle ears and the back of his throat). But these all came back clear.

In April, he had happened to have a dental check-up while in Spain, and mentioned the burn in his mouth that hadnt healed.

The Spanish dentist examined it carefully, appeared concerned and said there was an infection at the base of his tongue. She asked Harvey to come back and see her three weeks later so she could examine the red patch again  and this time found it was more inflamed.

Harvey mentioned his ear pain too, and the dentist advised him to quickly book an appointment with a private maxillofacial consultant  whom he saw on his return to the UK.

After examining Harveys tongue and listening to his symptoms, the consultant simply said: I know what this is. Its cancer. Ill put you back into the NHS as this is going to be expensive to cure, Harvey recalls.

He was stunned that his symptoms could be diagnosed by an expert in seconds, after being fobbed off for months.

Symptoms of head and neck cancers can include a persistent sore throat, a neck lump or swelling, and a lump or ulcer on the lip or in the mouth that does not heal

The cancer was situated under his tongue. However a phenomenon known as referred pain meant that the pain could also be felt in his ear. Thats thought to be because the mouth and ear share common nerve pathways, so pain signals from one area can be felt in another.

The diagnosis was confirmed by a scan and a biopsy. This also revealed that his cancer was caused by a strain of HPV.

Harvey underwent 35 sessions of radiation on his head and neck and three doses of chemotherapy, over a gruelling seven weeks.

He had to have five teeth taken out to reduce the risk of dental complications in later life, and had a tube fitted into his stomach for feeding.

I couldnt have surgery because the tumour was 4cm wide and in a difficult place to operate under the base of my tongue, says Harvey.

The treatment I had was brutal as its effect is cumulative, and the pain in my mouth and throat was so intense. I was given liquid morphine which caused constipation and was tube-fed throughout treatment and for four weeks afterwards.

It was very hard for me and for Helena watching me go through it.

Harvey went from 13st 6lb to 12st (he is 5ft 10in) during the three months of treatment.

Dr Olaleye says that while improved diagnosis rates are urgently needed, its not only about survival.

Its also about quality of life - a lot of patients who survive head and neck cancer go on to have very challenging lives post-treatment if they are diagnosed late and their cancer has spread due to breathing problems and often complex reconstruction.

For some, extensive surgery can involve removing their tongue and/or voice box, he says.

A year after his treatment ended, Harvey is cancer-free but still being monitored by his consultant. He volunteers for the charity Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK, as he wants to give something back.

He is telling his story to raise awareness among others of the signs to watch out for.

I now know that ear pain is a classic sign of head and neck cancer. Yet my GP and ENT specialist I saw never mentioned this. That meant my cancer could grow to stage 4, Harvey says.

He remains grateful, however, that his cancer was caught.

I am so lucky to be here. I am sharing my story so that other people know the signs to look out for.
Police said they seized drugs and cash during a narcotics arrest in San Francisco. San Francisco Police Department

A man suspected of dealing drugs in San Franciscos Tenderloin was arrested in possession of more than 730 grams of drugs at his home in Oakland, police said.

San Francisco police said they worked with the San Francisco Sheriffs Office, the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Army National Guard to conduct an investigation of a known narcotics trafficker in the Tenderloin, identified as Kerlin Salgado-Ferrera.

Salgado-Ferrera was arrested Wednesday, after officers spotted him driving in the Lower Nob Hill neighborhood and briefly pursued him on foot, officials said. He was placed under arrest for narcotics trafficking after officers noted he was in possession of narcotics and items related to drug dealing, they said.

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The use of drones was critical in the investigation, officials said.

After serving a search warrant at his house on the 10000 block of MacArthur Boulevard in Oakland, officers said they seized 68.1 grams of fentanyl, 101.6 grams of methamphetamine, 237.2 grams of cocaine, 82.4 grams of suspected fentanyl pills and 5.4 grams of heroin.

More than $6,000 in cash was also seized.

Salgado-Ferrera was booked into San Francisco County Jail on suspicion of sale or transportation of a controlled substance, possession of a cocaine base for sale, operating or maintaining a drug house, possession of methamphetamine for sale and probation violation.
Smoking marijuana can alter a person's DNA, accelerating aging and leading to birth defects in their future children.

The drug has boomed in popularity over the last decade. It is now recreationally legal in 24 US states and daily use of weed has surpassed that of alcohol.

But new findings have warned of the dangerous health implications, including faster aging, increased cancer risk and fertility problems.

Researchers from The University of Western Australia looked at more than 50 global studies investigating the effects of cannabis use on the body and said the startling statistics should 'reframe the discussion of cannabis legalization.'

Co-author Dr Stuart Reece said: 'This new research shows how genetic damage from cannabis use can be passed down the generations. This should reframe the discussion surrounding cannabis legalization from a personal choice to one that potentially involves multiple subsequent generations.'

They say premature aging is one of the most common effects of marijuana and a recent study found long-time users who were 30 years old showed they had a biological age of 30 percent higher.

The study involved 154 participants from a small city in the southeastern US, who provided blood samples that yielded two indices of epigenetic aging from age 13 to age 29 and at age 30

The blood tests, that measured chemical tags on DNA, showed any increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), type 2 diabetes, ischemic heart disease, COPD and lung cancer.

Study authors say these age-related health issues are 'extremely worrying,' and even more so because other bodies of research have shown certain ailments can be passed on to future generations due to irreversible DNA damage.

Cannabis is now legal in 24 US states and the daily use of weed has surpassed that of alcohol across the country

They point to strong evidence - drawn from both comprehensive US and European studies - showing the link between cannabis and congenital anomalies.

Along with cardiovascular, limb, and gastrointestinal abnormalities, both human and rodent studies 'show that adult cannabis exposure is linked with the incidence of autism and cerebral processing difficulties in children prenatally exposed.'

Additionally, childhood cancers have been linked to cannabis use among parents.

A study by Duke Health found prenatal cannabis use was associated with an increase of tumors of the central nervous system, while a rodent study found paternal consumption of marijuana prior to conception altered offspring brain development.

The University of Western Australia researchers also highlight a 'high rate of known fetal loss', with some studies suggesting marijuana use can trigger miscarriages and still births.

According to research funded by the National Institutes of Health, women who use marijuana during pregnancy face a 2.3 time greater risk of stillbirth.

In terms of cancer risk among smokers and their offspring, the authors say 'historically, the cancer-cannabis link has been controversial.'

This is because 'differing results in published studies may be attributed to various factors including multiple exposures (including tobacco), differences in study design and the rapid rise of cannabis potency.'

However, recent studies suggest using marijuana over a long period of time may increase the risk of cancer among adults, particularly cancers of the lung, head, and neck.

'The literature on cannabis and testicular cancer is almost uniformly positive and has a relative risk of around 2.6-fold,' the authors add.

Federal research has shown that cannabis use is growing, particularly in Americans under the age of 30

They say the effect of marijuana can be 'quite fast since the median age of exposure may be about 20 years and the median age of testis cancer incidence is only 31 years.'

From the evidence, it is not clear how much cannabis use can cause long-lasting damage.

Summing up their report, which was published in Addiction Biology, the authors describe the 'present time' as a 'watershed moment.'

They highlight that the 'new profoundly insightful studies' should serve as a 'trigger' for change.

As legal pot is more potent than ever and with little regulation, the authors say the health implications can be more catastrophic.

The findings come just months after the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) proposed to downgrade marijuana's legal classification.

The plan is to move it from Schedule 1, which has the highest potential for abuse with drugs such as heroin and ecstasy, to Schedule 3, alongside the likes of ketamine and some anabolic steroids.

Schedule 3 drugs are still controlled substances and subject to rules and regulations, and people who traffic in them without permission could still face federal criminal prosecution.

Recreational marijuana is legal in 24 states, though others have legalized it only for medicinal purposes

When it is enforced this rescheduling, however, will not automatically legalize marijuana for the whole US.

Recreational marijuana is currently legal in 24 states, and 13 allow for limited medicinal use.

As the substance becomes legal in more states, use and addiction has also become more prevalent.

An NIH-funded study, for example, found that marijuana use among young adults reached an all-time high of one in 12 in 2021.

Rates surged the most in states like California, which legalized recreational cannabis in 2018.
Sitting down for too long during the day can harm your heart, even if you do plenty of exercise, experts have warned.

Spending more than 10-and-a-half hours sitting, reclining or lying down during daytime hours could increase the risk of dying from heart failure, a heart attack or stroke  even if you do the recommended levels of exercise, a study suggests.

Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital analysed data from fitness trackers that captured movement over seven days for nearly 90,000 British people.

Overall, sedentary time averaged out at around 9.4 hours per day. The team then followed up on participants heart health around eight years later.

Analysis revealed that the chances of dying from heart failure, a heart attack or stroke during this period were minimal until a certain threshold of sedentary time was reached.

They found that the risk of dying from these causes rose significantly in people who sat, reclined or lay down for more than 10.6 hours a day.

And this was also the case for participants who met the recommended 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise per week.

Shaan Khurshid, co-senior author of the study, said: Our findings support cutting back on sedentary time to reduce cardiovascular risk.

They found that the risk of dying from heart attacks, strokes and heart disease rose significantly in people who sat, reclined or lay down for more than 10.6 hours a day.

'10.6 hours a day marked a potentially key threshold tied to higher heart failure and cardiovascular mortality.

Too much sitting or lying down can be harmful for heart health, even for those who are active.

The team said future public health guidelines should stress the importance of cutting down on sedentary time, advising people to avoid more than 10.6 hours per day.

The findings were published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) and presented at the American Heart Associations Scientific Sessions 2024.

In an accompanying comment piece Charles Eaton, director of the Brown University department of family medicine, said people tend to over-estimate how much exercise they do and under-estimate how long they are sedentary.

He said replacing just 30 minutes of excessive sitting time each day with any type of physical activity can lower heart health risks.

For example, adding moderate-to-vigorous activity cuts the risk of heart failure by 15 per cent and death from a heart attack or stroke by 10 per cent.

And even light activity, such as a gentle walk, reduced the risk of heart failure by 6 per cent and death from a heart attack or stroke by 9 per cent.

Harlan Krumholz, editor-in-chief of JACC, said: This study adds to the growing evidence of a strong link between sedentary behaviour and cardiovascular health.

The findings strongly suggest that we need to get people moving to promote better health.
Everyone is asked to get the flu shot every year to slash their risk of infection and hospitalization.

And more than 100million line up for the vaccine, particularly those 65 and older  with more than 70 percent of seniors in the US getting the shot.

While the flu shot is widely recommended, doctors are advising people to be careful about the medications they use before or after they get vaccinated because some drugs could decrease the vaccine's efficacy.

There are more than 295 drugs that can interact with flu shots and make them less effective, ranging from some over-the-counter painkillers to treatments used to ease pain from arthritis or to fight cancer.

Around 41million people are infected with the flu in the United States every year and 710,000 people are hospitalized. More than 36,000 people die from the infection  with up to 85 percent of the deaths among those 65 years or older.

But flu vaccination coverage is falling in the US, largely thought to be the result of the mass vaccination drive and vaccine mandates during the Covid pandemic.

Latest data showed only 45 percent of adults over 18 got the shot in the 2023 to 2024 flu season, a decrease of two percent from the year before.

Coverage has not been this low since the 2017 to 2018 season, when 37.1 percent of adults came forward for a flu shot.

Health officials are calling for more people to get the flu vaccine this winter

The flu shot was around 35 percent effective against hospitalization from the virus last year, studies suggest, lower than the average of about 50 percent.

Efficacy varies because experts have to guess which flu strain is likely to be most common every season based on observations from the Southern hemisphere  which has its winter when the north has its summer  but these are not always correct.

For the people who do roll up their sleeves for the vaccine, experts recommend consulting a doctor and discussing the medications that may interfere with the shot.

Below, DailyMail.com details some of the drugs that could impact your flu vaccine's efficacy this season:

Pain medications

The discomfort or pain around the injection site caused by a flu vaccination can lead many to reach for an over-the-counter painkiller.

These may include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen  the active ingredient in Motrin and Advil  and naproxen  the active ingredient in Aleve.

A flu shot works by teaching the immune system to recognize and fight the influenza virus.

It normally contains an inactivated virus or a protein from the virus that is injected into the blood and triggers an immune response, causing the immune system to make antibodies  virus-fighting proteins  that stay in the body to fight off the virus.

Doctors recommend avoiding NSAIDs after a flu vaccination because these can dampen the immune response by slashing the production of antibodies.

This happens because the drugs suppress inflammation, reducing the immune response to the vaccine.

Dr David Topham, a doctor at the University of Rochester, said on his university's website: 'Unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise, it's best not to take pain relievers one or two days before the flu vaccine and for a week afterward.'

Other pain medications such as acetaminophen  brand name Tylenol  should be safe to take after the vaccination, however, because they work in the body differently.

Prednisone

One of the most commonly used drugs in the US, about 20million prescriptions for prednisone are written every year.

Pictured above are prednisone tablets. Doctors warn that certain types of these pills can make the flu vaccine less effective

A type of steroid, it is used to slash inflammation to ease symptoms from many conditions  including arthritis, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease and for organ transplant patients.

But doctors say if someone is taking more than 20 milligrams (mg) per day for two weeks or more, it can make the flu vaccine less effective.

This is because, like some over-the-counter painkillers, it can also reduce the body's ability to form antibodies  weakening its immune response to the vaccine.

Jodie Pepin, clinical pharmacy program director at Harbor Health in Texas, told AARP: 'High doses of steroids can weaken your immune system and potentially reduce the effectiveness of the flu vaccine.'

The CDC says online in reference to prednisone's interaction with other vaccines, including the MMR shot: 'Substantially immunosuppressive steroid dose is considered to be more than two weeks of daily receipt of 20mg or 2 mg/kg body weight of prednisone or equivalent.'

The usual dose strength for prednisone ranges between 5mg and 25mg for tablets.

Steroid injections

About 9million people get steroid injections per year in the US to help ease chronic, or long-term pain.

The injections are administered to areas including the hips, knees and shoulders and work by reducing inflammation at the joint, slashing sensations of pain.

Research has, however, shown these injections can affect how the body responds to a flu shot.

The above post from the NYC Health Department urged residents to get their flu vaccines

Dr William Raoofi, a doctor from the Center for Interventional Pain Medicine in Maryland, told AARP: 'When getting an injected steroid in a joint or epidural space, you get some systemic absorption of the medication, which causes a [short-term] dampening of your immune system.

'Then, when you are vaccinated and exposed to the weakened flu virus, your immune system is not as good at responding to it.'

A 2018 study from the Mayo Clinic on 15,000 people found those who received a steroid injection around the same time as a flu shot had a 52 percent higher risk of infection with influenza compared to those who only had the flu vaccine.

In some cases, patients seeking injections for their pain will have to be turned away if they recently received a flu shot and told to wait for up to two weeks for the body to mount a full response to the vaccine.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy drugs are powerful medications that fight cancer by targeting and destroying rapidly dividing cells in the body.

But they may misfire and attack the immune system, which also contains rapidly dividing cells.

Doctors warn chemotherapy drugs weaken the immune system which, in turn, can make flu vaccinations less effective.

They say patients receiving chemotherapy  which amount to about 1million people  should consult with their provider on whether to also sign up for a flu vaccine.

A previous study from the NIH suggested that people receiving chemotherapy need to get two doses of the flu vaccine every year for it to be as effective as in someone not battling the disease, who only needs to receive one annually.

Cancer patients are at higher risk of developing complications from the flu, such as pneumonia, because of their weakened immune system.

One study from 2022 found cancer patients had a 41 percent higher risk of death from pneumonia compared to those who were cancer free.

For those whose cancer had spread in their body, they were twice as likely to die from pneumonia.

Biologics

Cancer patients may also take a type of drug called a biologic.

These are medications that bind to cancer cells in the body to help the immune system find and destroy cancer.

But this can also damage the immune system, making it less able to respond to vaccines and build a strong immune response.

Doctors say patients taking biologics should consult with their provider on whether to get a flu shot.

Types of biologics include atezolizumab, or Tecentria, avelumab, or Bavencio, and pembrolizumab, or Keytruda.
Unfortunately, She Was a Nymphomaniac: A New History of Romes Imperial Women by Joan Smith (William Collins 22, 292 pp)

Unfortunately, She Was A Nymphomaniac is available now from the Mail Bookshop

Libertines always receive hearty cheers, e.g. Jilly Coopers heroes with their non-stop rogering.

Women who enjoy sex, however, are immediately dubbed sluts, slags, whores, and nymphos  so they must be suppressed, controlled or otherwise denied a free, independent existence.

It was ever thus. Joan Smith, in this powerful, angry, examination of the lives and fates of Roman ladies, in the period 27 BC to 68 AD, quotes an ancient philosopher as saying: A sexually active single woman was no different from a prostitute.

And a married woman, Smith implies, was pretty much no better than a slave.

Unfortunately, She Was A Nymphomaniac tells us that any intelligent female whod dare look a man in the eye and speak without hesitation was slapped down as wilful, ambitious, and sexually incontinent  polluted, perhaps, by every type of vice.

Julia, daughter of the Roman general Agrippa, was notorious for the raciness of her lifestyle and her taste in dwarves, or so said the reports. She sounds like a saucy Snow White.

A woman who stood up to male authority was deserving of everything that happened to her  and Smiths book is a terrifying catalogue of false accusations of infidelity, arrest, exile, starvation, forced suicide, savage beatings, stabbings and the confession to non-existent plots under torture.

Smith has examined the original sources  Tacitus, Juvenal, Suetonius, Cicero, and Seneca. She has re-translated the Latin and picks out the obvious fabrication and sex-shaming embellishments. Thats to say, tall tales of an empress who went down into the forum at night and had sex with every barman and gladiator.

It is also implausible that another empress exhausted 25 partners in one night. Ask any woman about this, says Smith, she will look horrified, imagining the bruises, abrasions . . .

Smith finds heaps of pornographic inventions, such as references to high-born daughters and mothers sneered at for possessing an excessive sexual desire and hence must have worked in brothels. Livia, wife of Augustus, was a wicked witch and cold-blooded poisoner into the bargain. Messalina, third wife of the Emperor Claudius, was transformed by over-imaginative chroniclers into a sexual spectre.

Fact Checking: Unlike their portrayal in I, Claudius, women werent erotic manipulators but victims, subjected to child marriage and serial rape (pictured Sian Phillips as Livia in I, Claudius)

All these falsifications found their way into I, Claudius, which earned Robert Graves 350,000 in todays money, when the novel was published in 1934. Those of a certain vintage will recall the 1976 BBC series in which Brian Blessed mugged and raged like a Mafia don, Sian Phillips schemed and John Hurt minced.

Smith points out that if the historical Claudius was not at all like genial Derek Jacobi, but was more of a sex-obsessed glutton who often drank himself senseless, then Graves book and the television adaptations depiction of the women characters were equally wide of the mark.

For they werent erotic manipulators but victims, subjected to child marriage and serial rape.

Girls were taught to satisfy the appetites of older men from a cruelly young age  12 or 13. They were often mothers at 15 or 16. Livilla, the sister of Claudius, for example, was married at 12, widowed at 16, and compelled to re-marry a few months later.

What struck me about this vigorously argued, disquieting book is there is never any sign of love or affection. Nobody behaves like Richard Burtons Antony or Elizabeth Taylors Cleopatra, led by passion.

Marriages are arranged for political expediency, tribal bonds, alliances between factions and families. Womens consent was never considered. By Smiths account, the Ancient World was fully characterised by violence against women, and no contemporary chronicler, historian, or subsequent commentator has considered the personal cost of what it must have been to be continuously degraded, forced into premature sexual relationships.

As in the lavish X-rated 1970s film Caligula, starring Malcolm McDowell, Peter OToole and Helen Mirren, the emperors are monsters of paranoia, living in fear of a coup or an assassination, and quick to kill relatives, wives, children, grandchildren  anyone who might become a threat.

Newborn babies didnt count as fully human, nor did toddlers. The 18-month-old daughter of Caligulas fourth wife, Caesonia, had her brains dashed out against a wall. Caesonia was hacked to pieces.

Sexualised: Helen Mirren as Caesonia in Caligula, 1979

Emperor Nero, a sexually perverse serial killer, was implicated in the murder of five women: his aunt, two wives, a sister-in-law and his mother  he booby-trapped her boat and fixed her ceiling so it would fall in.

Caligula raped his sisters and, if he took a fancy to a senators wife, hed take her immediately into the bedroom, have his way, and compel the couple to divorce.

Augustus and Tiberius were as bad. Tiberius on Capri lived a life of sex, voyeurism and heavy drinking. Hed whisper to a partner: This beautiful neck will be severed as soon as I give the order.

The only problem with Unfortunately, She Was A Nymphomaniac  apart from the confusing nomenclature: if it wasnt a Julia its a Livia or an Agrippina  is the title, which was no doubt imposed by an excitable publisher, hoping to capture the Carry On Cleo market.

The actual subject is much darker: the murder of women because they are women.

Not that being a chap brought any immunity. We hear about Octavian in a bad mood gouging someones eyes out and breaking the legs of his secretary.

Smith frequently makes parallels with the present day  if domestic abuse persists, it is because human nature does not change, or improve.

Romes imperial women, for instance, might have been reincarnated as Princess Diana, when she was subject to endless speculation and the age-old assumption that an attractive single woman must be having sex with somebody.

Our laws against physical assault and controlling behaviour are poorly enforced, says Smith.

Chillingly, Hollywood icons, sex-trafficking billionaires and shameless politicians, with their vast egos, are bringing back the decadence of Ancient Rome.
The Shipping Forecast by Meg Clothier (BBC Books 16.99, 224 pp)

The Shipping Forecast is available now from the Mail Bookshop

Why is listening to the Shipping Forecast on the radio so magically, perennially appealing  even though were unlikely ever to work on a deep sea trawler out in Rockall or Malin, force 7, gusting 8, SW?

Its because, says author Meg Clothier: It whispers to us of adventure, of a life less ordinary, while being every bit as comforting as tea and toast.

It helps that the author of this delightful tribute to the Forecast  to tie in with its 100th anniversary this year  is an experienced sailor herself, so knows all about the wild storms of Biscay.

Indeed, the first time she and her brother sailed a boat alone, when she was 21, they met a force 7, gusting 8  sort of fun and sort of not her logbook wryly recorded.

Clothier starts off decoding for the layman and landlubber some of the shipping forecasts evocative but mysterious phrases.

In practical terms, a severe gale isnt necessarily going to trouble a tanker or a container ship, she explains, but it could be a total nightmare for a smaller boat. Throw in some wintry extras like snow, poor visibility and icing and you have a serious danger to life.

But what exactly is icing? Well, in frigid enough conditions, ice builds up on the superstructure of a ship, as a Grimsby fisherman explains, and can turn a half-inch cable four inches thick in an hour. We get the axes out and start chopping away. Too much top ice will turn the ship over.

Founder: Vice Admiral Robert FitzRoy invented an early version of the Shipping Forecast that we have come to love

The founding father of the Forecast was Vice Admiral Robert FitzRoy. His initial forecasts were transmitted across mid-Victorian Britain by telegraph, then signalled to ships at sea with a weird contraption involving cones. Sounds dotty, but it worked.

FitzRoy eventually died by suicide in 1865, but has saved countless lives since with his brilliant innovation, and the largest of all forecast areas is named in his honour.

Clothier also entertains us with some shrewd estimates about how the Shipping Forecast might have sounded at key moments in our history.

From Julius Caesars own written accounts of his stormy invasion of Britain in 55BC, she suggests: DOVER, cyclonic 5 to 6, increasing 7 or gale 8, occasionally severe gale later in west.

A rather startling bit of our history she reminds us of is that when James Thomson wrote Rule, Britannia in 1740  Britons never will be slaves  Britons, in large numbers, very much were slaves. They were captured and enslaved by North African pirates, as was the fictional Robinson Crusoe, who spent two years a slave in Morocco.

Do the Lefty prudes who wish to ban Rule Britannia realise its one of the earliest anti-slavery protest songs? Oh the irony!

Closer to the present, Clothier writes movingly of the Fastnet tragedy in 1979, when the famous sailing race from Plymouth to Ireland and back, over 600 nautical miles, was hit by a terrifying storm 10. Of 303 boats that started out, only 86 finished, and 15 sailors drowned.

As landlubbers rarely appreciate, racing for a coastal haven doesnt work once a storm is nearly upon you. About the last place you want to be is close to land, in shallower water, in bad visibility. Most ships ride out storms head on, far out to sea.

In danger?: A severe gale isnt necessarily going to trouble a tanker or a container ship but it could be a total nightmare for a smaller boat.

The Shipping Forecast is one of our great institutions, robustly life-saving yet also oddly poetic, even dreamy, says Clothier, and her wonderful book closes with some evocative lines from poet Carol Ann Duffy:

Darkness outside. Inside the radios prayer 

Rockall. Malin. Dogger. Finisterre.
The Unexpected by Ellen Wiles (HQ 9.99, 432pp)

The Unexpected is available now from the Mail Bookshop

Best friends since childhood, Kessie and Robin are in their mid-30s and hearing increasingly loud ticks from their biological clocks.

Single Kessie is wondering whether she can afford to pay for a sperm donor; Robin is seven years into a relationship with a man who wont commit to having a child.

Kessie sets up a profile on a shared parenting app and is delighted when she meets a man who seems mad about her. She is less delighted when he ghosts her, especially when she discovers shes pregnant.

Ro is happy for Kessie, but sad for herself  her relationship having imploded when she realised her boyfriend was wasting her time. When Kessies daughter is born she struggles to bond with her, and Ro steps in hugely. In the process, all sorts of common assumptions about motherhood and family are turned on their head.

Its brilliant on friendship, identity, longing and resilience.

Brightly Shining by Ingvild Rishoi (Grove Press 12.99, 192pp)

Brightly Shining is available now from the Mail Bookshop

This small book (published to rave reviews in Norway in 2021) packs a big punch and I read it in one sitting.

It tells the story of young sisters Ronja and Melissa, whose alcoholic father is out of work again. Set at Christmas, the threat of an intervention by social services hangs heavy over the girls as their dad flounders.

Things seem to look up when he gets a job selling Christmas trees, but he spoils the opportunity by getting drunk.

The girls refuse to accept ruin, demonstrating extreme resilience by taking on the job themselves to keep their family fed and together. The sense of place is so strong I could almost smell the pine needles. A beautiful novel about family, community and kindness. Wonderful.

The Fortune Teller of Berlin by J. C. Maetis (Viking 9.99, 432pp)

The Fortune Teller of Berlin is available now from the Mail Bookshop

Its 1940 in Berlin and clairvoyant Edith is working as Hitlers personal fortune teller. She didnt want the job  especially since her predecessor Erik, also her lover, was murdered not long after predicting the Fuhrers rise to power  but could hardly refuse.

Set on revenge for Eriks death, she agrees to work for the Resistance as a double agent, with the best of British and French intelligence to guide her. Edith

visits bookshops to find encrypted messages, which help her to influence Hitlers

military decisions. But she lives in fear of her secret being found out  particularly

of what would happen to her daughter.

Alongside this, Edith begins an affair with her SS chaperone, who is hiding secrets of his own. The tension ramps up, and its full of impeccably researched Second World War detail. Compelling.
You All Die Tonight by Simon Kernick (Headline 20, 384pp)

You All Die Tonight is available now from the Mail Bookshop

Seven acquaintances, including a retired police detective and a Russian mobster, wake up one morning to find themselves in an isolated and locked mansion in Essex.

None know how they got there, but they have all been drugged.

Then a disembodied voice announces that they have all been given a poison that will kill them within 24 hours.

The only way they can save themselves is for one of them to confess to four brutal murders, known locally as the Blue Lake Massacre.

So begins the ever-inventive Kernicks latest story, one told with his customary skill and appetite for corkscrew twists. Truly gripping.

One murderer, 7 suspects, 24 hours to live

The Enigma Girl by Henry Porter (Quercus 22, 496pp)

The Enigma Girl is available now from the Mail Bookshop

Very quietly, Henry Porter has established himself as one of Britains finest spy writers, and here his supremely elegant talent is on full display.

Maverick Alice Slim Parsons has returned from her last MI5 assignment  infiltrating the life of a brutal Russian tycoon who almost raped her.

She wonders if she will ever work in espionage again. But the service decides she should go undercover at a website that seems surprisingly well informed about the Governments activities. Could it have a mole in the upper reaches of power?

The site is run by a group descended from the wartime code-breakers of Bletchley Park. Then her old nemesis returns and the story explodes into a threat to Slim and MI5 itself.

If you have never read Porter, now is the time to start.

You Cant Hurt Me by Emma Cook (Orion 22, 304pp)

You Can't Hurt Me is available now from the Mail Bookshop

This engaging debut from an Observer journalist revolves around a world-renowned neuroscientist, Dr Nate Reid, who made his reputation by describing the extraordinary symptoms of his late wife Eva  an artist who felt no pain at all.

His Pain Laboratory aims to help millions avoid it at all costs. Anna is offered the chance to work as a ghostwriter on his forthcoming autobiography, and she rapidly becomes fascinated by the couples marriage.

It seemed to be based on the ability to inflict and accept pain, which led to Evas death in the studio that was part of their house. But did she die at her own hands, or did Reid lace the cocaine that killed her with poison?

Written with style, it reveals that no one can be trusted in a world dominated by pain.
A businessman has revealed how he chased down a phone snatcher and hurled himself onto the thief's bike after he had his iPhone 12 stolen outside the Houses of Parliament.

Riccardo Tordera, 36, sprinted after the thug who mugged him as he was leaving a dinner in Parliament, in Westminster, central London, at around 9.15pm on November 4.

As the phone thief launched a quick getaway towards Parliament Square, Mr Tordera threw himself onto the back wheel, sending the criminal crashing to the ground.

Although the thief threw the phone back at him before escaping, Mr Tordera had to be rushed over Westminster Bridge to St Thomas' Hospital after suffering serious injuries from getting his hand trapped in the spokes of the wheel.

Mr Tordera, the director of policy and government relations for The Payments Association, was left needing 12 stitches after the metal spokes horrifically ripped up his wrist and hand.

It comes amid a rise in quick-thinking Londoners fighting back by snatching their devices back from marauding e-bike gangs.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline after being discharged from hospital, Mr Tordera said: 'You can't walk in London with your phone anymore. It's never been like this. There's a huge increase in this and something must be done.

'You walk around Parliament and you feel like that should be the safest place in the world. If it happens outside Parliament, it can happen everywhere, it is not safe.'

Riccardo Tordera (pictured), 36, was left needing 12 stitches in his wrist and hand after confronting the thug who mugged him in Westminster, central London

The businessman was left with injuries too graphic to publish in their entirety. He needed 12 stitches

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Mr Tordera had just finished having dinner at Parliament and was walking to Westminster Tube station when his phone was swiped by Portcullis House.

He was texting while he was walking to Westminster Tube station when the thief snatched his phone at around 9.15pm.

The phone snatcher then yelled 'got it' and Mr Tordera was later told there was a gang of four or five others involved as well.

Recalling the terrifying incident, he told MailOnline: 'I realised immediately and saw the guy on the bike riding off. I thought 'No, I want my phone back', so I just ran after him.

'He was going very fast because he was on the bike and then the only thing I could do was to grab the the wheel of the bike, which I did so he lost control and fell.

'But the problem is that my hand entered the spokes. The spokes sucked my hand in, and then the gear did the rest. The cuts were very bad, they were very deep.

'I think I was very lucky because it could have been much worse, but there was lots of blood. The guy said, 'I'll give it back, I'll give it back' and then he threw it on the floor.

'I then withdrew my hand from the bike's wheel and then he just escaped.'

Mr Tordera had his phone stolen outside the kiosk on the left, right opposite Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament

Mr Tordera was urgently operated on at St Thomas' Hospital on the other side of Westminster Bridge

Mr Tordera then ran into the Tesco shop opposite Big Ben where he asked for help and he was taken to hospital in an ambulance.

'I think I've been very lucky because if the gear of the spoke would have cut my veins then you and I probably would have not been talking now.'

Mr Tordera was discharged from St Thomas' Hospital at 4pm the next day after having 12 stitches put in.

Speaking days after Labour MP Chris Webb also had his phone snatched, Mr Tordera said it was 'outrageous' that this could happen in outside Parliament.

He added: 'The police were amazing but I don't think they have the powers to tackle this kind of crime effectively. This is not anymore a kind of crime that affects just gangs in their own territories. This is everywhere and hits everyone.

'It's out of control and makes London very unsafe. The Mayor of London should think deeply on how this city has evolved. It's not good, someone must stop this. Or what are we waiting for?'

It comes as Londoners are starting to grow wise to phone snatchers as they circle upmarket areas of the capital, prowling for their next victim.

Speeding around corners and catching locals and tourists off guard, they pounce within seconds, leaving unwitting victims with zero time to react before they realise what has happened.

As the crisis reaches breaking point, some Londoners have started adapting.

A slew of videos have surfaced online of would-be victims beating the phone thieves by snatching the devices back off them or managing to hold on, sending the e-bike gangs on their way empty handed.

This woman managed to step back and hold onto her phone as a phone snatcher targeted her

These two would-be victims also managed to hold onto their devices as gangsters swooped on them

CCTV captured a bike theft in July on Park Lane when another unsuspecting man had his mobile snatched in broad daylight by a crook in all black

A woman can only look on, stunned, after an e-bike rider snatched a phone from her hand on Oxford Street

A duo of phone thieves seen on New Bond Street in London - as they snatch a man's phone from his hand as he films

Among those who managed to hold onto their device is presenter Nicky Campbell who nearly had his phone nicked near Oxford Circus. The veteran broadcaster managed to grab his phone back after it was snatched from his hand before shouting 'f*** you' at the thief.

Unfortunately, these quick-thinking pedestrians are still in the minority, and gangs of phone snatchers are still at large, cashing in across the capital.

A number of MPs are now reported to have fallen victim to the muggers, who are typically captured on camera stealing devices around the upmarket Mayfair area and along Oxford Street.

The Government Whips' Office has issued an edict to elected members warning them to be on their guard in the vicinity of the Houses of Parliament in Westminster after 'a number' of MPs were deprived of their mobiles.

Even as the Met cracks down on the phone snatchers and ministers urge phone firms to make their devices impossible to re-sell, the thieves continue to operate undeterred.

In a recent report by the Mail it was revealed that workers in Westminster, central London, claim phone theft happens daily.

Criminals' most common tactic is to drive past on a bike or moped and grab the phone while their victim is distracted - such as when they are taking a photo or checking their messages at a traffic light.

Figures collated by local news site Southwark News show that Westminster is the worse area in London for phone snatching - with 22,253 incidents reported in the year leading up to September 2024.

That equates to 85.4 thefts per every 1,000 people.

The rise in thefts is being fueled by demand for second-hand phones in the electronics hub of Shenzhen.

After being shipped into the city by criminal accomplices exploiting its lax approach to enforcing laws around stolen goods, the handsets are sold second hand if they can be unlocked and returned to factory settings.

If they cannot be sold whole, they are dismantled and the component parts - such as the screen, motherboard and speaker - used for repairs or even pieced together into entire new handsets.

Shenzhen is located in the south of China next to the border with Hong Kong. Known as the country's 'Silicon Valley' due to its expertise in electronics, it is also home to large retail outlets selling used consumer goods.

Figures have shown that a mobile phone is reported as stolen in London every six minutes.

There were almost 91,000 phones snatched from Londoners in 2022, at an average of 248 a day, with only two per cent of the stolen devices recovered.

Criminals often target pedestrians in busy locations such as outside stations, shopping centres or concert venues, and usually approach from behind, meaning victims aren't aware of how vulnerable their phone is until it's too late.

The worst-hit borough was the City of Westminster, Camden was the second worst affected, with 4,806 incidents, followed by Southwark (4,376), Hackney (2,761), Newham (2,585), Lambeth (2,394) and Islington (2,117).

In London as a whole more than 52,000 phones were stolen last year.
Beatriz Furtado's first impression of Australia was how safe it seemed. Houses were open to the street, not hidden behind locked gates. People carried their phones in their hands, not tucked in bags held close to their chest. And, most striking of all, everyone was polite.

To the young student, fresh off the plane from Brazil, it seemed like paradise.

'Everything was so green and everyone said thank you. They even said thank you to the bus driver!' she exclaims, laughing at the memory of her first few days in Sydney after being awarded a prestigious scholarship to extend her nursing studies.

But six months later, that sense of safety and peace was shattered. In one of Australia's most horrifying crimes, Beatriz and fellow backpacker Lena Rabente were brutally attacked while camping on a beach - in a crime so calculated and chilling, it's a miracle the pair survived.

'I was sure I was going to die,' says Beatriz, speaking in detail for the first time about the day Roman Heinze, who is now serving a 17-year prison sentence, kidnapped her, stripped her naked and tied her up in South Australia's Coorong National Park: 'It was like being in a horror movie. I had the image of my mum going there and looking at my dead body. I felt sure that that's how it was going to end.'

As Beatriz recounts the events of that terrifying day in February 2016, it rapidly becomes clear that she is only here to tell her story because she and Lena fought against the odds for their lives.

It's a tale of ferocity, courage and logic. And for the first time, Beatriz - who extraordinarily decided to stay in Australia and runs her own cosmetic clinic in Sydney - reveals the crippling guilt she felt after a split-second decision to run in separate directions left Lena alone to fight off their attacker. He beat Lena over the head with a hammer and rammed her as he chased her in his Nissan SUV.

For Beatriz and Lena, who met in Adelaide just a few days before this fateful journey, travelling together seemed the perfect plan - though as the Trish Kelly, the trial judge, latter warned, 'safety does not necessarily come in numbers'.

Beatriz Furtado, from Brazil, survived a terrifying kidnap attempt at Salt Creek in February 2016. After the attack, she chose to stay in Australia, where she now runs a salon in the inner-west Sydney suburb of Newtown

Beatriz (pictured near her salon in Newtown) refused to give up and fought for her life. But today she feels guilt over what happened to fellow victim Lena Rabente

Wanting to see some of the country before her course began at the University of Sydney, Beatriz, then 23, remembers being delighted when she met Lena, also 23 and from Germany, through friends.

'She was a girl, the same age and wanted to do the same thing. I was like 'great, I'm not going to be by myself',' she says, explaining that she was keen to see as much as possible of Australia as she believed then she would only have 18 months in the country before having to return to Sao Paulo.

On the advice of fellow backpackers, she and Lena advertised on the online marketplace Gumtree, asking to share a lift with anyone travelling from Adelaide to Melbourne via the picturesque Great Ocean Road. When the first person they selected dropped out because of car trouble, the pair contacted another willing driver - Heinze.

Roman Heinze (pictured) lured the two backpackers into sand dunes, where he attacked them

Heinze, 61, was older than they expected, 'But he was being nice and he had everything organised so I thought, 'let's make the most of it'.'

When he suggested they stop at Salt Creek, an area of wilderness along the coast, just two hours into their journey, she was perplexed because the area wasn't a known camping spot. So was Lena, but Beatriz reassured her: 'He's a little bit weird but I think it's going to be OK.'

After Heinze set up their camp, Lena opted to have an afternoon sleep in the SUV, leaving Beatriz, who'd changed into a bikini, chatting with Heinze. As she says, having come from a city where you never take out your phone in the street in case someone snatches it, she had eased into the peaceful, trusting rhythms of Australian life: 'I had let my guard down.'

So, when Heinze - who was born in Germany but had moved to Australia as a child - told her he'd seen some kangaroo prints and suggested they go to try to find them, her response was: 'Why not?'

'I was following him and then I thought, "There's no kangaroos here," and then something clicked and it felt off. Why were we going so far? There were no kangaroo prints. I connected the dots  it was just an instinct thing.'

Heinze had a hammer, knife and pieces of rope hidden under his clothes and as Beatriz turned to go back to the camp, he grabbed her.

'He started attacking me, ripping off my bikini and punching me in the face.' She struggled as he tied her arms and legs with rope and as he tried to kiss and lick her face and body she knew deep in her bones that she didn't want to die in those remote sand dunes.

'You know when you're watching a horror movie, I thought I was one of those people,' she recounts. 'When you're watching, you're always like, "Don't be that stupid blonde girl who is always screaming and doing the wrong thing." I know that's a stereotype, but the whole time I was trying to be logical and think, "What can I do in this situation?"'

Footage shows police arresting Roman Heinze after Beatriz and fellow backpacker Lena split up and escaped. Lena was bludgeoned during the attack but made a full recovery

An image shows the camp where the attack unfolded. Heinze separated the two women by leading Beatriz away from the tents on the pretext of showing her kangaroo prints

Perhaps it was the image of her mother looking at her dead body that propelled the terrified young student. Maybe it was grit and adrenalin. But against the odds, Beatriz, now naked, had the wherewithal to convince her attacker that they should go back to camp where they could continue in a more comfortable setting. All he had to do was ask, she told him. The attack was not necessary.

'The ropes around my legs were tight but not extremely tight. As we got back closer to the camp I knew I would get only one chance. If we went further away I didn't know what was going to happen. And that's when I screamed for Lena.'

Lena woke and, as she later told the court, the first thing she saw as she ran to the beach was her friend lying in the sand dunes, naked and bound, with Heinze standing over her. She dashed back to the car to grab her phone but as she reached inside, Heinze attacked her from behind, smashing a hammer into her skull. He hit her three more times but, miraculously, she managed to escape, and ran back to Beatriz where she untied her hands.

'We decided to go in different directions because then he couldn't chase both of us at the same time,' recalls Beatriz. 'I untied my legs and ran in one direction and he went towards her. I hid in a bush because I realised if I was running he could spot me.'

Naked and with fear thumping in her chest, she determined that she would stay there overnight if necessary, But eventually she moved to a higher spot so she could see the beach more clearly.

Beatriz doesn't know how long she was hiding. Time, pain, thirst  all suspended. But when she saw a car that was not Heinze's driving along the beach she ran from the bushes and flagged it down. Shocked, the three fishermen in the car quickly found items to cover her and called a local shop owner and police. But she had only one focus: finding Lena.

Years later, guilt is her overriding emotion. In being so brave and saving Beatriz, Lena had endangered her own life. Out in the dunes, alone with their attacker, Beatriz knew exactly how vulnerable her new friend had become.

'When we separated he went towards her. I was feeling terrible because I'd put her in that position,' she says.

Only later would Beatriz learn that she was right to be terrified. Heinze pursued Lena in the SUV, following her as she stumbled, bleeding and exhausted, and hitting her with his bumper bar causing her to fall.

Each time, Lena got back up and continued to run, later telling the court that she was determined not to die. Eventually, she made an extraordinary decision that would save her life: she ran at the car, launching herself on the bonnet before climbing on to the roof. After trying to get her down, Heinze started driving erratically, trying to dislodge her from the roof. As she would later say, it was 'like being on a rodeo'.

For Beatriz, what happened next was a blur: all she remembers is learning that Lena was safe. Incredibly, she had convinced Heinze to throw away his weapons in return for climbing off the roof. With her in the front seat, he'd raced down the beach where they passed some young men who were concerned by how bad she looked, as Lena's head was bleeding badly.

They followed Heinze and cornered him in the sand dunes, giving Lena a chance to throw open the door and escape.

Beatriz stays in touch with Lena (left), who is back living in Germany. The two are pictured in a 60 Minutes Australia interview that aired in October 2017

Now an Australian citizen, Beatriz runs Facial Harmony by Bee, a successful beauty salon on King Street in bustling Newtown. (She is pictured here with a client)

With police soon on the scene thanks to Beatriz flagging down the fishermen, Heinze was arrested. Police found Viagra and condoms in the car. His two victims were flown by air ambulance to Adelaide. Beatriz remembers Lena lying on a stretcher in front of her, bloodied and slipping in and out of consciousness.

'She was barely talking, she wasn't really conscious but I remember her grabbing my hand and saying "Beatriz".'

In hospital, Beatriz was told that Heinze had been caught, but it was another day before she heard her seriously injured friend would be OK.

Instead of fleeing Australia as soon as she could, she stayed for 18 months to complete her nursing studies, then returned after a spell in Brazil. She worked initially with domestic violence survivors, then in a Covid clinic when the pandemic struck.

Today, she runs her own business, Facial Harmony By Bee - treating clients and producing content on facial procedures for her Instagram @facialharmonybybee and insists she has not let her horrifying experience define her.

Yet, for the first few years after the attack, being alone or in uncertain situations caused her to panic.

'I wasn't able to walk at night by myself, or I would wake up in the night thinking someone was going to break into the house. Sometimes I would think someone was chasing me on the street and, once, during an argument with a flatmate and her boyfriend, I found it so threatening I called the police.'

She briefly saw a psychologist, but felt getting on with her life would be more beneficial in allowing her to move forward. She's also relieved that her evidence helped put Heinze, who admitted a previous indecent assault on another backpacker in Adelaide in 2014 and breaching a good behaviour bond in relation to a further assault on a fourth woman, behind bars.

According to the judge he 'lacked any moral compass whatsoever'.

Four years ago Lena, who now lives in Germany, returned to Australia and stayed with Beatriz. 'We did a lot of fun touristy things together,' says Beatriz, smiling.

She remains grateful to her boyfriend of the time, who supported her as she recovered from the attack, but refuses to see herself as a victim. 'I think we are a summary of the experiences we have lived in the past,' she says, adding that she's excited that her brother and mum, a lawyer, will soon be visiting from Brazil.

'What happens to me from now on is up to me,' she says. 'I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to have a life, to help people and be a good influence. That's what I'm choosing, regardless of what happens.'
A lonely American doctor who was allegedly fleeced of $1million in an African romance scam featuring a glamorous Australian swim school teacher has detailed how the extraordinary saga unfolded.

The 75-year-old radiologist from New York - who requested anonymity to protect his family's privacy - first met a woman known as 'Grace Jade Erskine' on a dating website in November 2018.

The wealthy doctor told Daily Mail Australia that the pair struck up a connection, talking about everything from their childhoods to their families and a possible future together.

But he was unaware that Grace never actually existed, and was simply a fictional character created by a cunning professional scammer named Alfred Ayivor from Ghana, west Africa.

Ghanaian organised crime authorities also allege that a 35-year-old Aussie woman named Rebecca Jade Silk from Sydney's northern beaches assisted Ayivor in the plot by playing 'Grace' in person for the doctor in both Ghana and the United States.

'I had my doubts about it all along,' the American medical professional told Daily Mail Australia in a candid interview.

'But she was very smooth, there were no mistakes.'

Ayivor, posing as 'Grace', texted the doctor daily for months in a bid to make him believe he had a future with the stunning Australian.

Rebecca Jade Silk, a swim school teacher from Sydney's northern beaches, is allegedly at the centre of an elaborate romance scam that involved fake lawyers and police escorts

The doctor, pictured above, believed he had a future together with 'Grace Erskine' - but was sorely mistaken

Grace was supposedly an out-of-work hairdresser and mining heiress who was set to inherit her father's goldmining wealth.

As time passed, Grace raised 'business problems', claiming the gold her father had left her was stuck in Ghana, and she was unable to recover it on her own.

The doctor smelled a rat and insisted that they meet in person.

'She was supposed to meet me in New York for Christmas 2018,' he explained.

'When I went to collect her from the airport and she wasn't there I got a frantic call from her "lawyer" to say she had been detained because she was trying to bring gold out.

'They asked me to pay $20,000 bond and I said "no way, she can pay it herself".'

The frustrated doctor, assuming it was likely part of a scam, thought that was the last time he would hear from Grace.

But then Ayivor reached out to Silk - in Australia - in order to help him close the deal, authorities allege.

Bombshell texts released in law enforcement documents, first reported by CBS News and seen by Daily Mail Australia, show alleged WhatsApp message conversations between Silk and Ayivor in February 2019.

There, Silk, who lives on the Northern Beaches with parents, asks the kingpin: 'What's my cut?'

'How about $100,000,' Ayivor replied.

'$250,000,' Silk said. 'Without me everyone gets nothing.'

She then allegedly warned that she could bring the apparent scam down unless she was paid appropriately: 'I could always call and say it was a scam.'

Rebecca Silk demanded more money for her part in the scam, according to text messages seen by Daily Mail Australia

In another set of messages with Ayivor, Silk describes her victim as 'gross'

Rendezvous in Africa, then New York

With the deal seemingly struck, Silk jetted off to Ghana's capital city, Accra, in March 2019 to meet with the doctor.

'I went to meet her at Hotel Kempinski (in Accra) and she arrived with a police escort, I never could figure that out. Very impressive,' he said.

'Of course she wasn't who I expected.'

Prior to enlisting the help of Silk, Ayivor had provided the doctor with photos of a porn star who looked entirely different to the Australian woman.

'She told me she was very private and as we had never met she didn't want to compromise herself,' he remembered.

'And as she was there, I chose to let that pass and see where it went.'

The pair enjoyed time by the pool and went out to dinner before Silk suddenly disappeared.

'She left me a note at her apartment to say that her aunt had died and had to leave to arrange her funeral,' he says.

Silk shares her lavish lifestyle with her Instagram followers and often shows off her travel

It's not known how Rebecca allegedly became involved with African fraudsters but Ghanaian authorities obtained a series of Whatsapp messages between her and Alfred Ayivor. Alfred Ayivor, above, posed as a driver in Ghana to keep an eye on his alleged victim

The doctor first met with Silk, posing at Grace Erskin at the Hotel Kempinski in Accra, Ghana

Silk at the doctor's house in New York cooking dinner for him. The pair met in person twice.

The pair met again in July of that year, when Silk stayed at the doctor's New York home.

Between those meetings he had begun to transfer vast sums of money for his stake in the non-existent gold mine.

Candid social media photos show Silk staying at his home and cooking for the doctor - all while she showed off her international travel by posting photos of her lavish world trip to Instagram.

'I was trying to set up the companies and the legal requirements for the gold to be released,' he explained.

'They had set up meetings with fake lawyers from the UK and it was a very complex process.'

But the alleged scam was shattered by Ghana's Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) after his alarmed family called the FBI, resulting in an international investigation.

Alfred Ayivor was arrested, but died of an unknown illness before he faced trial.

It was through his seized devices that conversations between him and Silk were uncovered.

Silk has not been charged with any offences but remains a person of interest for Ghanaian police.

She did not respond when approached by Daily Mail Australia, although her boyfriend, Tendia Tudela, claimed that his girlfriend was not a willing participant in the scam and did not benefit financially from it.

'They had something on her,' Mr Tudela said.

'She didn't get that money.'

As for the doctor, he said his family had believed his supposed relationship was a scam from the start.

'It was them who reported it all,' he explained.

'I'm not mad about it anymore, but I would like some answers and some accountability from (Silk).'

The Australian Federal Police declined to comment, saying they cannot comment on investigations conducted by Ghanaian authorities.
The California Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash near Petaluma in which a Ford van struck a male pedestrian Thursday morning. Getty Images

A woman was stabbed Thursday afternoon in San Franciscos South of Market neighborhood, two weeks after a violent slashing on a BART train left riders rattled and frightened.

Workers at a cafe at the intersection of Fifth and Mission streets called 911 to report the stabbing after the victim walked into their shop bleeding and asking for assistance. Police officers responded to the area at 2:26 p.m. and located an adult female victim suffering from stab wounds, San Francisco Police Department spokesperson Eve Laokwansathitaya said in a statement.

Paramedics rendered aid and transported the victim to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, the spokesperson said.

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The incident took place outside the San Francisco Chronicle building.

Eyewitnesses told the Chronicle that they saw the assailant walk down Mission Street following the alleged stabbing. Police said no arrests had been made as of Thursday afternoon.

Stone and Sirui Selseth said they were waiting for a bus Thursday afternoon when they saw two women engaged in a violent struggle at the intersection. In an interview with the Chronicle, the couple said they saw one of the women holding what appeared to be a kitchen knife with what they estimated was a 6-inch blade.

It looked like a fistfight was happening, their bags started going onto the ground, they started punching and pushing each other, Stone Selseth said. Then the knife came out.

The women exchanged blows until they separated and one woman emerged with a gash on her face, the pair said. Sirui Selseth said she saw the victim covering her face and walking away from the alleged assailant.

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The couple, both San Francisco residents, said watching the altercation made them fear for their safety and that of other bystanders.

It was surreal, Stone Selseth said. I thought, that didnt happen. But then the ambulance showed up.

Sirui Selseth said her first thought was weve got to get out of here.

The stabbing took place one block south of BARTs Powell Street Station, and comes one day after a fatal stabbing near the transit systems Embarcadero Station in San Francisco.

Officers responding to Market and Main streets around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday found a man suffering from stab wounds, according to the San Francisco Fire Department, which dispatched medics. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. No one had been arrested in the stabbing as of Thursday.

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The incidents follow another recent altercation on a San Francisco BART train in which a womans throat was slashed by an apparent stranger. Jovany Portades, the man accused in the attack, was charged with attempted murder. He had not entered a plea as of Thursday.
A tiny Roman knife handle made to look like a gladiator has been found in a river near Hadrian's Wall.

The intricately designed copper alloy object represents a secutor gladiator, a strong muscular fighter with heavy equipment including a large shield, sword and helmet.

The 2,000-year-old figure is a remarkable example of a Roman gladiator souvenir, a rarity in Britain.

Experts at English Heritage say it provides new proof that the celebrity status of gladiators - who were slaves - extended to the outer reaches of the Roman Empire.

The find comes as there is renewed interest in all things Roman amid the release of Ridley Scott's film Gladiator II, the long-awaited sequel to his 2000 blockbuster hit.

The gladiator was found in the River Tyne next to the former settlement known as Corbridge Roman Town, near Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland.

Although the discovery was made several years ago by diver Bob Middlemass, English Heritage has only recently been made aware of it.

Mr Middlemass is lending it to English Heritage along with other objects he found in the river, for an exhibition next summer.

A tiny Roman knife handle made to look like a gladiator has been found in a river near Hadrian's Wall

The 2,000-year-old figure is a remarkable example of a Roman gladiator souvenir, a rarity in Britain. Above: English Heritage curator Dr Frances McIntosh holds up the tiny object

Because the figure is left-handed - a trait that was then considered unlucky - it is thought it could represent a specific gladiator.

Some gladiators were taught to fight with their left hand, possibly in a bid to gain advantage over their opponents.

Gladiator battles are known to have been hosted in places including Colchester - then known as Camulodunum - in Essex and the Gloucestershire town of Cirencester.

Britain was continuously occupied by the Romans from 43AD until the early fifth century.

Dr Frances McIntosh, English Heritage's collectors curator for Hadrian's Wall and the North-East, said: 'It is rare to find a piece of gladiator memorabilia in Britain and to find such a well preserved and interesting piece is particularly remarkable.

The intricately designed copper alloy object represents a secutor gladiator, a strong muscular fighter with heavy equipment including a large shield, sword and helmet

The reverse of the intricate knife handle. The object shows how popular gladiators were, even in the far reaches of the Roman empire

Although the discovery was made several years ago by diver Bob Middlemass, English Heritage has only recently been made aware of it. Above: Mr Middlemass with English Heritage expert Dr Frances McIntosh

'Despite being enslaved and socially outcast due to their profession, gladiators could become huge celebrities.

'Gladiators and the "spectacles" were an integral part of Roman cultural life, taking place all across the Roman Empire.

'The phenomenon inspired the creation of sporting memorabilia, such as decorated ceramics and glass cups, lamps and figurines.

'Gladiators had sex appeal and there are cases of high-status Roman women falling "in love" with these lowly fighters, despite the vast social difference.

'This beautifully made knife handle is a testament to how pervasive this celebrity culture was, reaching all the way to Hadrian's Wall at the very edge of the Roman Empire.'

The knife handle was found in a river near Corbridge Roman Town (above) at Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland. The settlement

Hadrian's Wall is two-and-a-half miles north of Corbridge Roman Town. When fully intact, it ran from Wallsend in eastern England to Bowness-on-Solway in the west. It marked the boundary between Roman Britain and what was then the unconquered Caledonia (now Scotland)

Diver Bob Middlemass also found this piece of pottery bearing part of a depiction of a leopard

A piece of pottery bearing a likeness of a warrior wielding a spear and shield. It is among the other objects found by Mr Middlemass

The other Roman objects found by Mr Middlemass include a glass vial and a piece of pottery bearing part of a depiction of a leopard.

Gladiator II focuses on Paul Mescal's character Lucius, the son of the first film's hero Maximus Decimus Meridius, who was portrayed by Russell Crowe.

The film, which is released in the UK today, has received largely positive reviews from critics but historical inaccuracies have been picked on by some.

Experts have poured scorn on scenes showing sharks swimming in Rome's Coliseum and gladiators riding rhinos.
A mother says she will suffer with PTSD for the rest of her life after the loss of her newborn daughter who died because of the ineptitude of 'dishonest' midwives.

Laura Bowtell said she had trusted award-winning midwife Lisa Land and felt 'at ease' in her hands when she and her partner Craig arrived at the Cheltenham Birth Centre in May 2020.

The midwife was very 'chilled', telling Mrs Bowtell she was 'low risk' and everything was normal, despite there being several red flags.

After six hours in labour, the pregnant mother was 'exhausted' and asked another midwife, Hazel Williams, to call an ambulance for her - but the midwife wanted to use 'oils' and different positions instead.

It was only after asking for a third time that Williams relented and called an ambulance, but by that time baby Margot's heart rate had dropped.

Three days later, her life support was withdrawn and the couple drove home with an empty baby seat in the back of their car.

Mrs Bowtell, 37, told MailOnline that if Williams had listened to her, she wouldn't have had to go through the traumatic loss of her first pregnancy. She said: 'Margot would still be here and I wouldn't have to live with this for the rest of our lives.'

This week the two midwives were struck off for the deaths of her baby Margot and a boy born eleven months prior.

Laura Bowtell, 37, pictured with her newborn baby Margot in 2020

Laura and her partner Craig felt comfortable for her to give birth at the Aveta Birth Centre but her midwife refused to call an ambulance

Land and Williams have been thrown out of the profession following the deaths of Margot and another newborn, Jasper White.

Both babies were seriously ill when they were born at the Aveta Birth Centre in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

The midwives failed to call the ambulance soon enough in both cases, which had tragic consequences.

The pair altered medical records to make it appear like Jasper - who was struggling to breathe and was a 'pale colour' - was in a better condition than he was.

They were hauled in front of a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) committee for not providing 'basic midwifery care' and dishonesty and were struck off.

Mrs Bowtell - who used to work in aviation - now has a 10-month-old daughter who she had via C-section.

But she said the 'PTSD I have will stay with me for the rest of my life'.

She often looks at her friends' children who are a similar age to what Margot would be today and wonders what could have been.

Her partner Craig is in the military, and he was away in Norway for the last nine weeks of her pregnancy, but Land was there for her throughout.

Mrs Bowtell told MailOnline: 'It was my first pregnancy so you don't know what to expect. I completely put my trust in the midwives. She was very chilled, she kept telling me I was low risk.

'They told me I would be transferred if I needed it and she was very confident in her ability to spot when that would be needed. When I went into labour at midnight, Lisa was on the night shift and I felt at ease. She was the main person throughout.

'She arrived and I couldn't keep anything down, I was running on empty. My contractions weren't giving me enough to push. She assumed all of this was normal.

'She should have transferred me to Gloucester. I first asked for an ambulance at 10am, I was exhausted. But she wanted to try lots of oils and things instead.'

Craig and Laura Bowtell with their baby Margot in May 2020

Hazel Williams and Lisa Land (pictured) have been thrown out of the profession after the deaths of two newborn babies, Margot and Jasper

In the weeks leading up to the birth, Mrs Bowtell had a minor haemorrhage and reduced foetal movement which should have prompted a risk assessment and her transfer to an obstetric-led unit by Mrs Land.

In the early hours of May 14, during labour, Mrs Bowtell had blood in her amniotic fluid and a low temperature both of which should have prompted Ms Williams to call an ambulance.

She said: 'I asked [for an ambulance] again and she said 'let's do this instead' and put my legs in stirrups. The third time I asked one came.

'At this point my labour had progressed and that was when the heart rate dropped.'

Margot's head was visible and it was too late for the pair to be transferred to the hospital half an hour away before Mrs Bowtell gave birth at 1:30pm.

Margot required immediate resuscitation when she was born and once at hospital, she was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit but, sadly, she passed away three days later due to complications from oxygen deprivation.

During the birth, her foetal heartbeat dropped below 60bpm which should have prompted an emergency response from the whole unit, led by Miss Williams as the lead midwife.

This did not happen Miss Williams used the regular call bell to ask for help and not the emergency bell because it was regularly switched off as she wanted the centre to be a 'home from home' without alarms going off.

Miss Williams also did not give a handover to the receiving hospital to alert them to the baby's low heart rate.

Instead, she handed Mrs Bowtell's care over to Miss Williams just before 8am who 'failed' to fully check the notes made by Mrs Land about the bleeding and also did not escalate treatment.

An internal investigation also revealed that Mrs Land was not aware that a below average temperature is a risk factor for sepsis.

Little Margot required immediate resuscitation when she was born

Bleeding in labour meant Mrs Bowtell should have been transferred to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital sooner and it could have saved Margot

Almost a year later, in March 2021, Mrs Land sent a WhatsApp message to Mrs Bowtell to ask her how she was, in what would usually be a normal move.

But after what she had gone through because of her decisions, Mrs Bowtell said it 'filled her with anger'.

Mrs Bowtell added: 'If I had been sent to Gloucester I would have had an emergency C-section. Margot would still be here and I wouldn't have to live with this for the rest of our lives.

'The PTSD I have will stay with me for the rest of my life.'

Mrs Bowtell is calling on the Government to 'step in and do something' and said the state of midwifery is concerning and dangerous.

She said there is a lack of funding and training, along with a toxic culture which needs to change.

'Lisa and Hazel were bullying other midwives into not pressing the emergency button,' she said.

When she found out she was pregnant the second time around, she made sure she 'changed everything'.

She said: 'For my 10-month-old daughter I had a planned C-section. My anxiety was through the roof and I couldn't relax. '

Miss Williams and Mrs Land, who have been midwives for 34 and 16 years respectively, have both been struck off the register.

Just a year before, both of the midwives had won Gloucestershire Hospitals' award for Best Quality Improvement Project for Implementation of a Continuity of Care model at Aveta Birth Unit.

Mrs Bowtell slammed this decision, saying: 'The fact that they were given an award is a joke. I would like to know what the hospital has to say for themselves about that.

'Mothers who didn't want to give birth there because they felt it was unsafe were ignored and they were annoyed at them. How on earth have they got an award?'

She wants to speak about her experience to help other mothers and 'break the taboo of talking about baby loss'.

'It feels very isolated', she said. 'People told me "Margot just wasn't meant to live" and that is really insensitive.

'I want to educate people - sometimes just say "I'm here for you".

'It was the worst news in the world.'

An independent investigation by the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch took place into Margot's death.

It found that the bleeding in labour meant Mrs Bowtell should have been transferred to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital sooner and it could have saved Margot.

Eleven months before, the same two midwives who delivered Margot had also not called an ambulance soon enough for another newborn, Jasper.

On June 25, 2019, baby Jasper was born at the clinic, within minutes he was struggling to breathe.

Jasper White's condition deteriorated soon after birth and he was struggling to breathe

However, an ambulance was not called until 50 minutes after his birth, including a 20-minute delay between Ms Williams deciding that he needed to be transferred and the emergency call being made.

It was not until an hour and a half after his birth that Jasper was officially transferred to the neonatal unit. He sadly passed away there the next morning from a lack of oxygen and a haemorrhage.

An expert witness told a tribunal panel that the delay 'significantly shortened' the chances of Jasper surviving, she said it was not certain he would have lived but the cause of his deterioration might have been reversed if he had been transferred to the neonatal unit faster.

She said Miss Williams should have 'escalated' Jasper's treatment as soon as she realised he was struggling, just a few minutes after his birth.

The hearing was told that after Jasper's death, Miss Williams told Mrs Land to change the 'details of birth' form from recording Jasper's condition as 'poor' to 'good'.

Miss Williams also made changes to other statistics on the record to make it seem like Jasper was in better health than he was.

The panel concluded it was 'dishonest' for the two women to make these changes and that they intended to 'mislead' anyone who checked the records.

Striking off the two midwives, the panel said they had 'breached fundamental tenets' of midwifery and their actions could discourage the public from seeking services at a birthing unit.

They said: '[Their] misconduct has breached fundamental tenets of the midwifery profession, particularly in relation to not transferring Baby A or Patient B which the panel considered to be fundamental basic midwifery care.

'Further, the panel considered [their] attempt to cover up [their] actions with inaccurate and dishonest record keeping to be a breach of the fundamental tenets of the midwifery profession and therefore brought its reputation into disrepute.

'It was of the view that such acts or omissions could discourage members of the public to seek midwifery services at a birthing unit.'
The parents of a 14-year-old boy who died after being hit by a car have said they have been 'failed' by the police and Crown Prosecution Service after charges were dropped against the woman previously accused of killing the teenager.

Harry Parker was days from celebrating his 15th birthday when he died on November 25, 2022, after being struck by a car on the way to school.

The vehicle reportedly did not stop at the scene.

Ivy Mwangi, a carer from Redhouse, was arrested in November 2022 and charged in March 2024 leading to several court hearings.

Earlier this year, her defence counsel argued for the case to be dismissed and a hearing was adjourned until December.

However, the Crown Prosecution Service has now decided not to pursue the charges against the carer ahead of the hearing.

Harry's parents Adam and Kelly Parker were told of the decision when they were called for a surprise meeting at a police station in Swindon.

The grieving father-of-three, Adam Parker, told the Swindon Advertiser: 'I couldn't believe what I was hearing'.

Adding: 'The police and the CPS have failed us, we trusted them to do their job and they haven't'.

Harry Parker, pictured, was days from celebrating his 15th birthday when he died on November 25, 2022

A GoFundMe was launched to help the family following the tragic death in which 24,951 was raised

His wife explained how throughout the process they had been 'promised' that the case was 'strong' and that a trial would go ahead but have now said 'there will be nothing'.

Tim Cole, acting deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor with CPS Wessex said the service examined the case in 'great detail' but that it has 'become clear there is not enough evidence to demonstrate that this collision could reasonably have been avoided, and therefore that the driving was careless.

Ms Mwangi first appeared at Swindon Magistrates Court charged with causing death by careless driving, causing death by driving while unlicensed as well as causing death by driving while uninsured.

She pleaded not guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and pleaded guilty to driving without a licence at Swindon Crown Court.

However, she failed to enter a plea to the other two charges and therefore a trial date was set for February 24, 2025.

In August this year, Ms Mwangi's legal counsel raised several legal arguments to get the case dismissed and Judge Jason Tyler KC set a hearing for September 27 for the legal argument to be heard, but this was adjourned until December 6 ahead of the trial.

However, the charges have now been dropped as there isn't enough evidence for a conviction, according to the CPS.

Harry's parents claim it was heard in the Magistrates court how the driver 'did not stop at the time' how she was 'allegedly distracted' and how witnesses had said 'there was no change in her braking'.

Heartbroken Adam added: 'They might as well say to people, it's alright, you can drive with no licence, drive as you wish, go and do whatever you want to do, what is the point of any of it?

Grieving Adam said: 'Our 14-year-old boy lost his life because she wanted to drive her car'

'Our 14-year-old boy lost his life because she wanted to drive her car, it's unfair we're doing time for the rest of our lives and we've lost our boy, but nothing will happen to her.'

He added the police and CPS 'failed us' saying: 'We trusted them to do their job and they haven't'.

Mother Kelly added: 'There's no justice for Harry at all.'

Tim Cole, Acting Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor with CPS Wessex, told MailOnline: 'Our thoughts remain with the family of Harry Parker for their tragic loss.

'We keep every case under review to make sure that there is enough evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.

'We examined this case in great detail  including obtaining the advice of a forensic collision expert  and it has become clear that there is not enough evidence to demonstrate that this collision could reasonably have been avoided, and therefore that the driving was careless.

'We have met with Harry's family to explain to them our decision.'

Following the 14-year-old's death, a fundraiser was set up to help the family which gathered 24,951 in donations.

It said: 'As you all know our family lost a beautiful boy Harry on Friday 25th November. We have all had a lot of messages asking how people can help, we all think the best way for people to help is to raise money to give Harry the best send-off he deserves.

'I want to do this to take the pressure off of Harry's mum dad and three brothers.'

Superintendent Guy Elkins said: 'We recognise the distress that this decision will have caused to Harry's family and we will continue to support them at this difficult time.

'Wiltshire Police will continue to work closely with the Parker family to ensure they are kept informed about any further developments with this case.'
Radio host Ben Fordham has blasted New South Wales Liberal leader Mark Speakman as too 'woke' to be on his show, let alone win the next election.

Fordham told Mr Speakman he wasn't interesting enough to regularly appear on his show after the NSW Opposition leader offered to call in every fortnight.

'You want to be here once a fortnight?' he asked Mr Speakman.

The Liberal leader laughed, saying: 'Yeah, if you'll have me.'

Fordham then answered bluntly: 'You've got to be a bit more interesting.'

Mr Speakman appeared on the program on Friday to respond to several criticisms.

'I've offered the New South Wales Liberal leader a bit of feedback and some harsh truths about his leadership so far,' Fordham said, introducing Mr Speakman.

'I've said he's a nice person, he's a decent human being, but he's boring and he's woke.'

Radio host Ben Fordham (pictured with his wife journalist Jodie Speers) told NSW Liberal leader Mark Speakman he's too 'boring' and 'woke' to win the next election

Responding to accusations he is too 'woke', Mr Speakman claimed he was a 'lifelong liberal who had been in the Liberal Party since he was 18-years-old.

'I'm there not because it's a port of convenience because of my convictions - I'm committed to individual freedom, I'm committed to the family, I'm committed to small business, I'm committed to aspiration and opportunity,' he said.

'You don't join the Liberal Party to be left wing.'

Fordham responded to Mr Speakman's many answers by saying he would lose the 2027 NSW state election to Labor leader Chris Minns because he's 'boring'.

'You're going to have to do more, I'm afraid, if you're going to rattle Chris Minns' cage,' Fordham said.

'I made the comment last week that Opposition leaders only become well-known when they stick their neck out, when they take a stand on big issues and when they lead the conversation.'

In response to being told he wasn't 'interesting' enough to regularly appear on Fordham's show, Mr Speakman claimed voters weren't just interested in showmanship.

Instead, he focused on how his policies as a 'conventional liberal' would help improve the cost of living and housing.

Mr Speakman (pictured) appeared on the program following several criticisms from Fordham, including that he was 'boring' and 'too woke'

'Look, if you want me to come along and tell a few jokes - I can do that,' he said.

'But I think the people of New South Wales are more interested in balancing their budget at the moment, affording their rent, affording their interest repayments.

'They're the big issues.'

The two went back and forth over Mr Speakman's policies, including whether he will support federal Liberal leader Peter Dutton's nuclear power plan.

Mr Speakman repeatedly refused to share his approval or disapproval for nuclear power stations in Lithgow and the Hunter Valley and instead told Fordham: 'I support lifting the nuclear ban.'

The Coalition outlined in June plans to build reactors in the Hunter Valley and Lithgow in NSW, the Latrobe Valley in Victoria, Callide and Tarong in Queensland, Port Augusta in South Australia and Collie in Western Australia if it is voted in.

Should the proposal go ahead, it would be 10 to 12 years before the first reactor is completed, with the remainder to be constructed from 2040.

Mr Dutton has previously said nuclear plants would provide reliable baseload power as coal is phased out, with renewables to complement that rather than be relied upon to provide the bulk of the power supply.
James Dean was blackmailed into paying off a former lover just before his big break because he was terrified about being outed as gay.

A new book revealed that the movie legend paid $800 to Rogers Brackett in 1954, days before the East of Eden premiere, in an agreement that has remained secret for seven decades.

Dean handed over the money even though he thought that Brackett, an older, wealthy advertising executive, had sexually exploited him during their year-long affair.

According to author Jason Colavito, Dean was furious and snapped: 'I didn't know it was the w***e who paid  I thought it was the other way around.'

In Jimmy: The Secret Life of James Dean, which is out on Tuesday, Colavito writes that Dean's reputation could have been destroyed as homophobia ran rampant in 1950's America.

So he paid the equivalent of $14,500 today to avoid a 'public scandal' and make it go away.

Colavito told DailyMail.com: 'Implicit in the correspondence and conversations between Brackett's team and Dean's is the threat that the suit might become public, which both Brackett and Dean knew would destroy Dean's career.'

Dean's untimely death at age 24 in 1955 turned him into a tragic icon, but it ensured that his myth  and interest in his life  has lived on decades after his passing.

Jason Colavito's new book Jimmy: The Secret Life of James Dean revealed the superstar actor had to pay his older, gay lover Roger Brackett in exchange for his silence. But Dean felt he'd been sexually exploited by the wealthy advertising executive during their year-long affair

Rogers Brackett photographed as a Director for the CBS Radio Program Vox Pop in 1946. When he met Dean in 1951, he had been working for an advertising agency that produced for CBS

Dean paid Brackett the equivalent of $14,500 today to avoid a scandal that could've destroyed his career, author Jason Colavito told DailyMail.com

He met Brackett after dropping out of UCLA in 1951 and moving back to Santa Monica where he was so broke he couldn't afford his rent.

Through a friend, he got a job as a parking valet next door to the CBS Studios where he met Brackett, who at the time was working at advertising agency Foote, Cone & Belding, the firm that produced the weekly CBS afternoon radio drama Alias Jane Doe, about an undercover magazine reporter.

Despite being tall and handsome, Brackett was 'struck by the golden beauty of the youth who took his keys', who let slip that he was an actor.

They swapped numbers and Brackett said he would keep Dean in mind for any roles.

Soon Brackett was 'smitten' and offered Dean a part in Alias Jane Doe that July. Dean appeared in four episodes and soon began to feel attached to his debonair new boyfriend.

'Although these feelings scared Dean, Brackett unlocked something Dean had kept so closely guarded that it had threatened to break him,' the book says.

When Brackett found out that Dean was about to become homeless, he 'took a gamble' and asked him to move into his house

But despite Brackett opening doors for Dean, his arrogance was his undoing with one screenwriter remarking that he was 'absolute poison'.

Colavito's book comes out on Tuesday and discusses how Dean's reputation could have been destroyed as homophobia ran rampant in 1950's America

The payout happened in 1954, days before the premiere of the East of Eden - which Dean starred in alongside Julie Harris

Dean allegedly dodged the military draft in 1951 after Brackett advised him to write back to the United States Selective Service System that he was gay and therefore ineligible for service

Brackett later remarked: 'Jimmy was like a child. He behaved badly just to get attentionhe was a kid I loved, sometimes parentally, sometimes not parentally.'

Tensions began to mount the longer they were together and while Dean thought Brackett was his 'heroic equal', Brackett regarded Dean like an 'unruly son'.

But Brackett did help Dean overcome one of his biggest threats: being drafted into the military.

In 1951 Dean got a letter from the United States Selective Service System saying he had to report to a base in Marion, Indiana, in October that year.

At Brackett's insistence, Dean wrote back saying he was gay and therefore ineligible for service.

As Colavito writes: 'Brackett used his power and wealth to keep Dean safe. He sent him to a compliant psychiatrist for a series of sham sessions to prove his homosexuality, but this tore at Dean's fragile masculinity.'

The relationship struggled when Brackett moved to Chicago for work and Dean moved to New York, where he lived in poverty.

It was during this time that Dean accepted the financial help which would later threaten to unmask his sexuality.

With 'great reluctance', Brackett spent more than $1,000 supporting Dean, paying $450 in hotel bills and more than $700 on gifts and loans.

Colavito wrote that Brackett used his power to shield Dean but also tore at his concept of masculinity by sending him to a psychiatrist to prove to the young actor that he was gay

Dean's big break came in the movie East of Eden. He only went on to make two more, Giant and Rebel Without a Cause

Dean began to regard Brackett as 'increasingly desperate' and 'manipulative' as he would introduce him to his well-connected friends who made unsubtle remarks about wanting to have sex with him.

Still, Brackett pulled some strings to get Dean a part in See the Jaguar, the 1952 Broadway play that was a major break for him.

The next few years would see Dean emerge as one of the most talented actors of his generation, culminating in his casting as Cal Trask in East of Eden.

Brackett drifted out of Dean's life but in the weeks before Eden was due to be screened, he came back into his life 'unbidden and unwelcome', Colavito writes.

Now Brackett was 'on the warpath' and demanding Dean repay him the $1,200 he had given him while he lived in New York.

Brackett had lost his advertising job and was short of cash while planning an opera with composer Alec Wilder which was doomed from the start.

Colavito writes: 'Brackett imposed on Dean for a drink and, striking a more conciliatory tone, asked him for money  a loan, he called it.

'The brazenness of the request shocked Dean, who had come to believe his time 'dancing' for Brackett's friends had been abusive.

'Sorry, pops,' he said to Brackett as he refused to give him money. He told him that he had outgrown him, that he no longer wished to see him. But privately he was furious.

Wilder reminded Dean that Brackett had given him the help that launched his career, the book says.

'The undercurrent threatening public scandal should Dean refuse was obvious. He (Wilder) upbraided Dean for his unkindness, demanding Dean write a letter of apology and shouting that Brackett should sue Dean for all the support he had given him over the years.'

Dean's fame skyrocketed fter Brackett pulled strings for hm. But when Brackett lost his job he began to extort Dean  even though their relationship had already fallen apart

Julie Harris and James Dean in the film East of Eden  Dean was a heartthrob for woman across America at the height of his success

Dean reluctantly signed the apology that Wilder wrote and hoped that was the end of it.

But Brackett took Wilder's advice and sent a formal legal demand to Dean for the $1,200 he had loaned him during their affair.

The letter came with an implied threat of exposure should Dean not 'liquidate your obligation' i.e. pay Brackett off.

Brackett's next move was to file suit for $1,100 in New York's Municipal Court including $450 in hotel bills.

Dean quickly agreed to an $800 settlement in $100 weekly installments to 'avoid a scandal when he could least afford one'.

The actor balked at paying Brackett back for hotel bills and Brackett accepted his $800 offer.

Had Dean failed to pay in full, the court could have found him responsible for the full $1,100 but he forked over the required sum six weeks early.

Dean's agent also agreed to get Warner Bros to pay Brackett a sizable 'finder's fee' to ensure his 'continued silence'.

Dean died at age 24 in 1955 after he crashed his Porsche 550 Spyder car

Dean's agent agreed to get Warner Bros to pay Brackett a sizable 'finder's fee' to ensure his 'continued silence'

The court documents, copies of which appear in the book, gave no hint of the explosive nature of the allegations they pertain to and simply state that in the case of Rogers Brackett versus James Dean, both parties had stipulated to the agreement.

But even the amount showed what was at stake: the median salary for men at the time was $3,100 per year  showing how vast that $800 was.

Had Dean's relationship been exposed he may never have been chosen to appear in Rebel Without a Cause, his most famous role, or Giant, before he died in 1955.

Colavito told DailyMail.com: 'This story has never been told before, and all parties involved worked hard to make sure no one ever found out.

'And for seventy years, no one did. The only reason we know about it today is that Dean's agent secretly kept copies of his papers hidden away for decades.'
A Qantas jet carried passengers on dozens of international flights with a 4-foot tool jammed in one of its engines, investigators have revealed.

Nothing seemed amiss about the Airbus A380 as it operated 34 flights between December 2023 and January 2024. Services included a flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne.

But on December 6 the engine had a scheduled borescope inspection, and technicians accidentally left a 4-foot-long nylon tool in the outboard left engine's inlet.

It was only 24 days later, after logging nearly 300 flight hours, that a maintenance crew in Los Angeles found the tool lodged in the engine.

The tool is used to turn the engines intermediatepressure compressor. It had been left in the engines low-pressure compressor case.

There was no damage to the engine itself, but the tool had been bent out of shape by 'high energy airflow,' the Australian Transport Safety Bureau said.

ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said that staff in December noticed the tool was missing but didn't bother to find it.

'Maintenance engineers did not commence the lost tool procedure once the tool had been identified as missing, and the certifying engineer released the aircraft for service with the tool unaccounted for.'

The tool was only discovered after the Airbus A380 had logged nearly 300 flight hours.

Mitchell said foreign objects and debris can pose a 'significant threat' to the safe operation of planes.

Procedures are in place to ensure that foreign objects aren't left behind in aircraft - but in this case they weren't followed.

After the bungle was discovered, Qantas briefed its engineers on the importance of accounting for all their tools.

The staff member responsible was also investigated internally. The result was an 'internal safety directive' to staff.

In 2023, Qantas was named the world's safest airline - a reputation the Flying Kangaroo has been keen to preserve.
Two hundred years ago today, Edinburghs Old Town was a notorious medieval tinderbox of towering tenements where families and businesses still powered by the naked flame were crammed together in mortal danger, living with the constant dread of catastrophe.

When fire took hold in an engravers workshop on that fateful November night, it sparked one of the most devastating conflagrations in the citys history  lasting as long as the Great Fire of London two centuries earlier and proving more deadly.

By the time the blaze was finally extinguished after raging for more than four days, a large area of the capitals historic centre had been razed to the ground.

13 people lay dead and hundreds more were left severely burned, injured and homeless.

Yet, unlike the London fire of 1666  immortalised in a childrens nursery rhyme  few people are familiar with the terrible events which would come to be known as the Great Fire of Edinburgh.

Fewer still may be aware that this was the first big test of what is widely recognised as the worlds first organised municipal fire brigade, founded just weeks earlier by a young building surveyor, James Braidwood.

His Pioneers, as they were known, bravely battled their inexperience and the chaos and confusion of a terrifying blaze to underline how indispensable a properly drilled fire service would become to the safety of any modern society.

What follows is a minute-by-minute account of how the tragedy unfolded:

James Braidwood statue in Parliament Square

Monday, November 15, 1824

9.55pm In the second-floor workshop of James Kirkwoods copperplate engravers in Old Assembly Close, one of the Old Towns many narrow medieval alleys leading off the Royal Mile, disaster is about to strike.

A blistering hot pot of linseed oil, used in the preparation of copper plates for the maps and banknotes in which the firm specialises, has boiled over and ignites a worktop piled high with papers.

Within moments, the flames are raging out of control.

10pm The dreaded cry of Fire! rings out across the night sky as terrified neighbours spot clouds of smoke billowing out of Kirkwoods premises in the seven-storey building.

10.05pm Edinburghs new fire service swings into action, having been founded only weeks earlier by 24-year-old surveyor James Braidwood.

Until now, tackling fires has been an unfocused affair with only the wealthy affording watchmen to raise the alarm and summon a crew to try to douse the flames.

Braidwood hopes to change that with the first fire brigade in the world  paid for by the city, free to the public.

His uniformed brigade  among them carpenters, slaters, masons and mariners  arrives quickly in custom-built fire engines, but they are woefully under-prepared for the scale of devastation they are about to face.

What awaits them is a true baptism of fire.

Princess Royal at 200th anniversary of city fire brigade

10.10pm Braidwoods men suffer an early setback as the wells in the High Street are not natural but require refilling every morning from the reservoir on Castlehill.

It means the firemen cannot find sufficient water to feed through their studded leather hoses.

It is an hour before enough water is brought and the engines are primed for action  a fateful delay during which the fire tightens its grip.

11pm The heat is intense and flames spread quickly on the freshening southwesterly breeze, engulfing the upper six storeys of Kirkwoods building before leaping across the narrow close to two adjoining tenements.

The speed of the fire is astonishing. People flee their homes in panic, throwing furniture and clothes into the street to try and save them from the flames.

The firemen struggle to reach the source of the blaze due to the narrowness of the streets.

11.30pm From his home on Princes Street, eminent advocate Patrick Tytler has rushed out to help, fearing the illustrious Advocates Library in Parliament Square, one of the great working law libraries, is at risk.

The library escapes unscathed, but Tytler later describes the raging blaze enveloping one building as like a perfect hurricane, with dense smoke and showers of burning debris hampering firefighters and volunteers alike.

Fire was sprouting from every window, while the wind, with a roar louder than the loudest thunder, was pelting against the doomed edifice, Tytler later notes.

Tuesday, November 16

Midnight Two hours in and the fire has spread so rapidly across the narrow streets that the whole of High Streets south side is ablaze.

Buildings damaged include the Stationery Warehouse in Assembly Close and Abraham Thomsons bookbindery, which had just been rebuilt following an earlier fire.

Painter Alexander Nasmyth and his 16-year-old son James are among a group of privileged people, including Sir Walter Scott, granted permission to climb the tower of St Giles Cathedral, from where they watch scores of chimneys set ablaze by flying sparks.

The puny efforts of the fire engines, summoned from all over the city and from neighbouring towns, could not quench the flames, recalls Naysmyth.

Whole ranges of lofty old houses were roaring with flames. Floors crashed and threw out embers, walls of narrow buildings acted like a huge funnel... and walls melted in the intense heat into a sort of glass.

3am The fire is now raging out of control. The height of Edinburghs ancient tenements and the narrowness of its medieval streets continue to hamper efforts to quell the blaze.

A 109-year-old army veteran is carried to safety on the back of his daughter, herself clearly no spring chicken. Much of Old Fishmarket Close and Assembly Close have been reduced to ashes.

Embers rain down on other buildings in the High Street. The offices of the Edinburgh Courant, one of the citys leading newspapers of the day, are quickly consumed.

5am The upper part of the facade of the Courant building collapses into the street.

Members of the North East Scotland Fire Heritage Trust before a commemorative service to mark 200 years of Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

11am A large section of the High Street around Bells Wynd and Old Assembly Close is reduced to smouldering ruins.

Although progress is finally being made to control the fire, the efforts are badly delayed by a lack of co-ordination.

Braidwood will later complain that too many people who consider themselves gentlemen of importance, including soldiers, magistrates and city officials, are involving themselves in issuing often conflicting orders.

Midday Within an hour, sparks carried on the wind have reached the nearby Tron Kirk and its ancient wooden spire flashes into flame.

The lead frame of the spire melts, sending rivers of molten lead down the side of the church. Although firemen succeed in reaching the roof of the church, the fierceness of the blaze forces them back.

4pm Returning home from visiting friends, Mrs Grant finds her street deserted. Everyone has gone to see the fire and she soon joins them at the Tron.

The kirks spire collapses, bringing its famous bell crashing down, half-melted by the blaze.

The volumes of smoke and glowing skies wore all the appearance of a volcano, she later writes.

Many bystanders mumble nervously that the fire must be a vengeful act of God, punishing His sinful people.

The main part of the building is saved by an engine belonging to the Board of Ordnance, and the fire put out. There is another lull.

10pm Suddenly, more flames are seen coming from the attic of an 11-storey tenement in Parliament Square, 200 yards up the High Street.

The medieval skyscraper quickly collapses as the conflagration reaches as far as St Giles Cathedral, scorching its outside walls.

Unfounded rumours begin that some desperate incendiary had resolved to destroy the city.

All efforts focus on saving Parliament Hill and the Law Courts, while preventing its spread to St Giles Cathedral.

It is all hands to the pump as even the Lord Advocate, Sir William Rae of St Catherines, takes a turn on the engines.

Wednesday, November 17

Dawn The day breaks to bitter sleet and hail showers, but the fire continues with embers blown on to Conns Close, near Old Assembly Close, and spreads south towards the Cowgate.

Braidwoods men and numerous volunteers spend the day battling isolated outbreaks, with Braidwood himself leading by courageous example, having personally removed two casks of gunpowder from an ironmongers shop threatened by flames.

Dusk By nightfall, the worst of the second phase of fires is brought under control, dampened partly by the efforts of Braidwoods firemen and the volunteer helpers  who are rewarded with free beer and money  but mainly by the prolonged showers of sleet, hail and heavy rain which batter the beleaguered city.

Thursday, November 18

Morning The extent of the carnage becomes clear as the city authorities inspect the smouldering ruins of Old Edinburgh.

It is an alien landscape of charred rubble and teetering ruins, smoke and filth.

Great swathes of tenements and old houses in the closes running between the High Street and the Cowgate lie in various states of collapse.

Their sheer height and instability poses a new threat. Of the 13 people who will die as a result of the fire, three are crushed by falling masonry.

In the rush to avoid further casualties, it is rashly proposed to flatten one 11-storey ruin using cannon fire, before wiser heads prevail.

Friday, November 19

The life is sucked from the last glowing embers and the Great Fire of Edinburgh is declared over, but not before 13 people have died  including two firefighters, a child run over by a fire appliance and a young man crushed during the subsequent demolition of a tenement.

In the coming days, Royal Engineers based at Edinburgh Castle and 40 ratings from the Royal Navys HMS Brisk, berthed at Leith docks, are deployed to pull down the remnants of damaged buildings. It is a risky business.

Having thrown a line over the towering south gable at Herons Court and managed to bring down only a small portion on the Thursday, they must return the day after with iron cables, chains and ropes, while sappers undermine the wall.

The mines are blown, and witnesses report the gable coming down almost perpendicularly.

Ironically, the fire will pave the way for the completion of the Scottish Law Courts in Parliament Square by 1829, which has been blocked by owners on the east side of the square since 1810.

When the fire destroys the buildings they are trying to save, opposition to the plans melts away.

Some describe this as a happy accident.

Aftermath

The fire generates a huge outpouring of sympathy  and practical help  for those left homeless and out of pocket.

Immediate shelter is offered to almost 200 people at Queensberry House in the Canongate, now part of the Scottish parliament building, while several ladies of the New Town gather clothes and other practical necessities.

A hardship fund is established for financial donations and a relief committee raises 11,749 over the next two years, including 1,645 paid to the dependants of those killed.

Robert Chambers, who will found the famous publishing house with his brother William, produces a pamphlet on notable fires in Edinburgh, gifting all proceeds to the fund.

The extensively damaged south side of the Royal Mile from the Tron Kirk to Parliament Square is rebuilt as five-storey Georgian tenements.

To the west, a large surviving building is nicknamed Salamander Land (due to the legend that salamanders can survive fire) before it is replaced in the 1860s by the Police Chambers.

St Giles Cathedral is refaced in ashlar a few years later to repair and conceal major scorching from the fire and the Tron steeple is rebuilt in stone in 1828.

It is thanks to Braidwood that the city fathers pass a new law giving the firemaster, or his deputy, complete command of all firefighting operations when a fire is being fought.

It is a principle now unquestioned worldwide.

Within a year, Edinburgh more than doubles the number of firecocks  from 45 to 97, with 88 more following later.

Braidwoods visionary work extends to designing bespoke equipment, including special helmets with neck protection and Scotlands first fire engine, which was pulled by firefighters.

He will build a co-ordinated, efficient service which stresses better training, fitness and communications.

Crucially, he trains teams to enter buildings instead of simply standing outside pointing a hose at the building, as had been the case before 1824.

He drills his men at 4am, teaching them breathing techniques and climbing skills on North Bridge to search burning buildings.

It is such innovations that will see Braidwood hailed as the father of British firefighting.

He is now remembered by a handsome statue unveiled in 2008 in Parliament Square, where commemorations to mark the 200th anniversary of the forming of the worlds first fire brigade were held last month, attended by the Princess Royal.

It is a fitting tribute to a man who inspired generations of firefighters and whose mettle was forged during those dark November days when a great fire raged through Edinburgh.
Friends have now launched a GoFundMe appeal for his widow

Jess Patience died when a wind turbine blade fell on him at work

A worker crushed to death by a 22-tonne wind turbine blade has been remembered as an 'amazing' mate by friends who have rallied to support his heartbroken wife.

Jess Patience, 36, died when the huge prop fell on him as he worked on a construction site at the Golden Plains wind farm in Rokewood, Victoria, 132km west of Melbourne, at 8am on Monday.

Emergency services rushed to the scene but were unable to save him.

WorkSafe Victoria is investigating the incident and the Australian Workers' Union branded it an 'avoidable accident', and said the 'devastating loss could have been prevented'.

Vestas, the company that owns the wind farm, confirmed the site had been closed while emergency services and the authorities continue their work.

Another Golden Plains worker, Elliot Sawkins, said his team had lost one of its 'brothers' in a tribute on social media.

A GoFundMe has been launched to support the family and widow of Jess Patience who died in a workplace accident on Monday

Mr Sawkins wrote that Mr Patience was 'one of the most friendly guys Ive met'.

'[He] took me under his wing to teach me a lot in the time I worked with him,' Mr Sawkins wrote.

'He was always down for a chat about a lot of our shared experiences from growing up in the ranges to living in Canada, he was a top fella.'

'This tragedy has resulted in someone not returning home from work and has left behind his wife.'

Footage of the worksite from 7News showed three turbines, with two appearing to be held up by a metal structure.

The third blade appeared to have fallen from the structure holding it up, and there was also a crumpled ladder on the ground next to a large blade.

Several emergency service vehicles, including an ambulance, a firetruck and police were seen at the site.

Jess Patience died when a wind turbine blade crushed him at the Golden Plains wind farm in Rokewood, Victoria, 132km west of Melbourne, at 8am on Monday

Workers in high-viz clothing and hard hats were at the scene, along with police, paramedics and SES volunteers.

Some distraught workers gathered in a nearby paddock after the tragedy.

A GoFundMe has been launched by friend Lee Denko to support Mr Patience's widow and his family with funeral costs.

Mr Denko described Mr Patience as an 'amazing man' who 'should still be here'.

'As we come to terms with this unimaginable loss, we want to honour his memory and support his family during this difficult time,' Mr Denko wrote on social media.

'We invite you to join us in celebrating Jess's life and legacy. Your contribution, no matter how small, will make a significant difference.'

He urged everyone to celebrate 'Jesse's life and legacy' by donating to the fundraiser.

It has already raised more than $75,000 in just two days, including a $5,000 donation from a wind turbine installation company.
The Australian government is the nation's biggest spender on Facebook ads despite pushing misinformation laws that would see social media companies fined over apparently harmful opinions.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government continues to be a major client of Facebook, despite Labor's Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation Bill 2024 proposing fines up to 5 per cent of global revenue.

Under Labor's proposed laws, social media companies face stiff penalties if the Australian Communications and Media Authority has a problem with posts that interfere with elections or public health advice, or vilify groups of people based on race, religion or gender identity.

Despite its misgivings about 'serious harms' on social media, the federal government was the biggest spender on Facebook ads in the 90 days to November 11.

The Australian government topped the list spending $388,711 on 92 Facebook advertisements, working out at $4,225 per ad on average.

The Federal Department of Health and Ageing was also on the list in ninth place with $229,480 spent on 90 Facebook spots.

It was far from the only big Commonwealth spender - the Department of Social Services was in 29th place outlaying $72,349 on 67 Facebook ads.

Beyond the past three months, the Australian government has historically been a big spender on Facebook ads over four years, going back to August 2020.

The Australian government is the nation's biggest spender on Facebook ads despite pushing misinformation laws that would see social media companies fined over harmful posts (Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is pictured)

The Australian Electoral Commission was fifth on the list, spending $2,354,346 on 276 ads, despite the government having concerns about social media posts having the potential to bring 'harm to the operation or integrity of an electoral or referendum process in Australia'.

After Greenpeace, the Australian Labor Party was the second biggest spender on Facebook ads over four years, splurging $3,079,270 on 5,513 spots.

The Yes23 campaign for the Aboriginal Voice was seventh on the list, spending $2,310,770 on 10,222 ads, only to lose the October 2023 referendum in a landslide with 60 per cent of Australians voting No.

Yes campaigner Megan Davis had accused the No side of misinformation and disinformation.

The Australian government over a four-year period was in 12th place, based on disclaimers, spending $1,507,764 on 352 ads.

The Department of Social Services, in 13th place, spent $1,478,074 on 390 ads.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland this week told The Sydney Institute false information on social media platforms was a problem.

'You can't be serious about online safety or democracy if your position on harmful misinformation and disinformation is to tolerate inaction,' she said.

Despite its misgivings about 'serious harms' on social media, the federal government was the biggest spender on Facebook ads in 90 days to November 11 (pictured, vaccine protesters)

Labor's Communications Minister Michelle Rowland this week told The Sydney Institute false information on social media platforms was a problem

The government argues its bill only requires social media companies to keep records on misinformation and disinformation, rather than giving ACMA the direct power to have online content removed.

'The Parliament now has an opportunity to lift the hood on big tech, and bring unprecedented transparency and accountability to the actions of digital platforms when it comes to seriously harmful misinformation and disinformation online,' Ms Rowland said.

'These reforms would require digital platforms to have systems and processes in place for dealing with seriously harmful information that is false, misleading or deceptive.'

Shadow communications minister David Coleman is opposed, with the Opposition arguing Labor's misinformation and disinformation bill is too subjective and will destroy free speech.

'This is one of the worst bills put forward by an Australian government,' he said.

'It would have a chilling effect on free speech. It would mean that ultimately, government regulators would decide what can be said and what can't be said.

'It is completely unacceptable in a democracy. It has no place in this country and that's why the Coalition and will continue to oppose this legislation.'
California police have revealed disturbing new details about their standoff with a man accused of killing an elderly nudist couple.

Daniel Menard, 79, and his wife Stephanie, 73, were reported missing after they failed to show up at church on August 25, prompting Redlands police officers to scour the area around their home at the Olive Dell Ranch nudist resort for any signs of the couple.

But on the fourth day of their search, police received a phone call from someone claiming to be a relative of the couple's next door neighbor, Michael Sparks, 62.

The caller claimed Sparks confessed to them that he had killed two unarmed people as he threatened to also kill himself, Redlands police spokesman Carl Baker recently told PEOPLE.

'He didn't say it was the Menards, but he said he had killed two people and was planning to commit suicide,' Baker recounted of the phone call.

He said the police department immediately put the entire community on lockdown, as officers made several attempts to contact Sparks - but to no avail.

'They were making announcements over a loudspeaker,' Baker said of the officers at the scene.

There was concern, however, that Sparks had barricaded himself inside the home with a cache of weapons, after officers learned he had built an underground bunker.

Daniel Menard, 79, and his wife Stephanie, 73, were reported missing after they failed to show up at church on August 25

On the fourth day of their search, police said they received a call from a family member of their next door neighbor, Michael Sparks, 62, who said he confessed to killing two unarmed people

So, after several hours of no response, authorities broke a window and sent in a Redlands Police Department drone to conduct a remote search of Sparks' mobile home - which was unable to locate Sparks inside, Baker said.

Police then brought in an armored vehicle with a hydraulic battering ram to break down the front wall of his home.

'We used that to make entry to the house, pulled off the front wall,' Baker said.

'There was some consideration that he had booby-trapped it, but we determined that the [armored vehicle] would've set off any kind of booby traps.'

Police ultimately found Sparks hiding in his concrete bunker, which Baker said was 'a little more than five feet deep - you could walk down there, but you might have to stoop.'

'It ran the length of the mobile home, the length and width of the mobile home,' he said.

Sparks was right at the entrance to the bunker, and tried to shoot himself with a rifle that misfired when he was taken into custody.

Officers made several attempts to contact Sparks, and ultimately had to use a battering ram to break down the front wall of his mobile home

In the aftermath, city sanitation crew members used a camera designed to check for blockages in the sewer system to get a look at Sparks' basement.

'They could see that there were bags of something in there, and we determined that they were most likely human remains.'

Those remains were then recovered by members of the fire department, and were confirmed to be those of the Menard's.

The San Bernardino County Coroner later determined that they both died of blunt force trauma to the head, and ruled their deaths a homicide.

The couple's beloved Shih Tzu, Cuddles, was never located

Baker said police now believe they were killed on their own property, adding that officers were never able to recover their beloved Shih Tzu, Cuddles, whom they were last spotted with.

A motive for the killings remains unclear but onlookers have said there was some tension between Sparks and the Menards, with neighbor Tammie Wilkerson saying Sparks had an ongoing dispute with the couple.

He didn't like them. He hated them, and he told me many times, Wilkerson told CBS News.

It's such a stupid reason. They had a tree that was on their property line and Dan used to go trim the limbs and he hated that. That formed his hatred towards them.

Sparks is now charged with two counts of murder and two special circumstance allegations in connection with the Menards' deaths.

He has pleaded not guilty.
Xi says his visit to take China-Peru comprehensive strategic partnership to new level

Xinhua) 08:20, November 15, 2024

Chinese President Xi Jinping is warmly welcomed by Peruvian Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzen and other senior officials upon his arrival at the Callao Air Base in Lima, Peru, Nov. 14, 2024. Xi arrived here Thursday to pay a state visit to the Republic of Peru and attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting at the invitation of President Dina Boluarte. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

LIMA, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday said he believes that with the joint efforts of both sides, the visit will take the China-Peru comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level and push for more achievements in their practical cooperation in various fields.

In a written statement upon his arrival here, Xi said it gives him great pleasure to once again pay a state visit to the Republic of Peru and attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting at the invitation of President Dina Boluarte, adding that he feels very close to Peru as he again stepped onto this beautiful and rich land with a long history.

On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi extended his sincere greetings and best wishes to the government and people of Peru.

China and Peru enjoy a long history of friendship, which is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, Xi said, noting that as early as more than 400 years ago, the people of the two countries started friendly exchanges through the Maritime Silk Road and "the Manila Galleons," or "La Nao de China."

China and Peru established diplomatic ties 53 years ago, making Peru one of the first Latin American countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, he said.

In recent years, with the joint efforts of various sectors of the two countries, the development of China-Peru relations have continued deepening, and political mutual trust has been increasingly consolidated, Xi said, adding that the two countries have understood and supported each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns.

China has been Peru's largest trading partner and largest export market for 10 years in a row, and steady progress have been made on major cooperation projects in fields such as mining and infrastructure, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples, he said.

Xi said that he will hold talks with President Boluarte to have an in-depth exchange of views on China-Peru relations, practical cooperation in various fields and international and regional issues of common concern, and will also attend the inauguration ceremony of the Chancay Port with President Boluarte.

Xi added that he looks forward to attending the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and working with all parties to ensure its success and make new contributions to building an open Asia-Pacific economy, promoting world economic growth, and jointly building an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future.

When Xi arrived at the Callao Air Base in Lima, he was warmly welcomed by Peruvian Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzen and other senior officials. A local student expressed warm welcome to Xi in Chinese. Guards of honor lined up on both sides of the red carpet to salute.

On Xi's way from the airport to the hotel, representatives of overseas Chinese, Chinese institutions, Chinese students, as well as local people lined the road to greet him. They waved national flags of China and Peru, performed dragon and lion dances to warmly welcome Xi for his visit.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A Waygu hot dog laden with egg, pork floss, ginger-scallion sauce and other toppings at new Vietnamese wine bar Gigis in San Francisco. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle Gigi's executive chef Tu David Phu pours dressing over a rice noodle salad. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle Shelves hold bottles of wine at Gigis in San Francisco, California Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

The Bay Area is replete with wine bars, but one thats playfully rooted in Vietnamese and San Francisco food culture, with hot dogs topped with pork floss alongside Caesar salad dressed in fish sauce? That hasnt existed.

Until now. GiGis, a Vietnamese-inspired wine bar and retail shop from an acclaimed chef, will open at 299 Divisadero St. on Nov. 22. The menu comes from executive chef and managing partner Tu David Phu, a former Top Chef contestant and cookbook author.

Hes launching GiGis with founders Arthur Leung and Vincent Lo and Karen Wong, managing partner and director of events. General manager Madison Michael, a sommelier who previously co-owned fine-dining restaurant Merchant Roots and worked at the Michelin-starred Osito in San Francisco, will oversee the wine program.

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Phu described GiGis  named after a Cantonese term of endearment between a mother and child  as a love letter to Asian-American identity in San Francisco. Leung, Lo and Wong grew up in San Franciscos Chinatown. Phu was raised in Oakland, and while he trained as a chef at prominent Michelin-starred restaurants including the famed Daniel in New York City, GiGis food is inspired by what his parents, both Vietnamese refugees, cooked at home in the Bay Area, as well as his familys roots in Vietnam.

As Asian Americans, we want people to feel seen, he said.

Gigi's Vietnamese cold cut, or banh mi, comes on a baguette baked custom for the restaurant. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

The food is playful and snacky. The Wagyu hot dog ($18) was born from Phus childhood memories of Costco hot dogs and his mothers homemade takes. Shed often top them with ginger-scallion sauce, eggs, pork floss and Sriracha. The version at Gigis will also come with Kewpie mayo, unagi sauce and furikake. Its served on a fluffy New England-style milk bread bun, made especially for Gigis by popular French bakery Tarts de Feybesse.

Tarts de Feybesse is also baking custom baguettes for the GiGis banh mi ($17), which Phu instead calls Vietnamese cold cut so he can take some creative license with the dish. (He never forgot when he was crucified for making banh mi on a panini press at popups years ago.) Here, more traditional components of jalapeno, cucumber and cilantro will be accompanied by salami from North Beach staple Molinari Delicatessen and truffle pate courtesy of Fabrique Delices in Hayward. A cheese plate will come with milk bread, jackfruit, pickles and local artisan cheeses  but also grocery store staple Laughing Cow, a favorite of Phus. The kitchen will season the creamy cheese wedges, put them into a mold, torch them and sear them with the Laughing Cow logo.

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Growing up with that, with our shared communities and different identities, I wanted to own that, Phu said. My mom used Laughing Cow cheese, maybe because its super dope.

Gigi's, a Vietnamese-inspired wine bar, will open on Divisadero Street this month. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

Seafood shows up throughout the menu in a nod to Phu Quoc, the Vietnamese island where his family is from: tuna carpaccio with fish sauce ($21), oysters drizzled with beloved Lao Gan Ma chili crisp ($27 for a half dozen, $52 for a dozen) and ca nhung dam, a salmon ceviche with lemongrass vinegar and coconut ($18). A Caesar salad ($17) has a fish sauce dressing and, instead of croutons, is crowned with a piece of grilled rice paper.

Tarts de Feybesse will also contribute dessert: a Parisian flan flavored with matcha and Basque cheesecake topped with jackfruit, lychee and crumbled bits of fortune cookies from Chinatowns legendary Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory.

Michael said she wants GiGis wine menu to feel playful and accessible. It features about a dozen wines by the glass, mostly from classic European wine regions and some California producers. (Advanced sommelier Justin Chin, formerly of Hina Yakitori and Gary Danko in San Francisco, consulted on the opening wine menu.) Theres also sake, Vietnamese beer and non-alcoholic options. Plus, a Chambong.

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We really dont want to take ourselves too seriously, Michael said.

Chef Tu David Phu, right, and general manager Madison Michael stand behind the bar at Gigis in San Francisco. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

A next-door retail store will sell wine, Tarts de Feybesse pastries, iced Vietnamese coffee and bottles of Son Fish Sauce. The shop will be open during the day, while the bar operates in the evenings.

The owners brought on Margaret Ruiz of the Strand Design to revamp the space at the corner of Divisadero and Page streets, last occupied by Wholesome Bakery. (Ruiz also designed Bar Gemini in San Francisco and Voyage in San Anselmo, among other projects.) The walls have been painted a deep burgundy color and decorated with vintage Asian art. The bar has a custom jade-green granite counter. Beyond the bar, theres an eight-seat communal table and cozy tables in a back corner.

This marks Phus first restaurant since appearing on Top Chef in 2019. Since then, hes launched a line of Vietnamese spice blends and authored Vietnamese-American cookbook The Memory of Taste with former San Francisco Chronicle restaurant critic Soleil Ho. He said he was compelled to return to restaurants because of the founders identity-driven vision for GiGis.

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Respectfully, I worked for those Michelin places  and its always very Western-based. This is the first time in the past few years where the mass public is saying, We like to hear from our mothers. We like to hear heritage stories. We like to hear cultural stories, he said. In doing so, I hope that its not just a love letter to my mom, but people can identify and connect with it.
Megyn Kelly slammed Snow White star Rachel Zegler after she wished Americans who voted for Donald Trump 'never know peace.'

Zegler, 23, plays the titular Disney Princess in the $209 million-budget live-action remake of the Brothers Grimm fairytale, due to be released in March 2025.

Following Donald Trump's resounding election win last week, Zegler shared a series of devastated messages with her 2.3million Instagram followers.

'I find myself speechless in the midst of this,' Zegler said. 'May Trump supporters and Trump voters and Trump himself never know peace.

'Another four years of hatred, leaning us towards a world I do not want to live in. Leaning us towards a world that will be hard to raise my daughter in.'

Kelly called out the Hollywood starlet for the now deleted post on her SiriusXM show Thursday.

'Picture this, a Broadway actress who said "F Biden supporters, may Biden or Kamala never know peace." That person would be fired so fast it would make your head spin,' she said.

'Hello, Disney! You're gonna have to redo your film again, because this woman is a pig and you fired Gina Carano for far less than this nonsense.'

Megyn Kelly blasted Snow White star Rachel Zegler for her comments on Trump voters following the presidential election

Zegler, 23, plays the titular Disney Princess in the $209 million-budget live-action remake of the Brothers Grimm fairytale, due to be released in March 2025

Carano has played Cara Dune in the first two seasons of the hit Star Wars series Mandalorian.

She was fired in 2021 after she compared the treatment of Jews in Nazi Germany to conservatives in modern America in a social media post.

Zegler described Kamala Harris' loss as 'one that should not have been... and it certainly should not have been by so many votes.'

She said: 'There is a deep sickness in this country... shown in the sheer amount of people who showed up for this man who threatens our democracy.

'It is terrifying the number of people who stand behind what this man preaches.'

Zegler, who recently celebrated opening night for her titular role in Broadway's Romeo and Juliet, said the support for Trump as a 'foolish subscription to a false sense of security, masculinity, intelligence, patriotism and humanity.'

Kelly called out Zegler for her Snow White controversies and insisted there will be backlash for her behavior.

'There's something wrong with this person,' Kelly said. 'She's also known as the star of Disney's 'Snow White' movie. Remember, she was out being like, "There's certainly not gonna be a prince rescuing me, I can tell you that."

Kelly said Zegler, who is currently starring in Romeo and Juliet on Broadway, would have been fired if she was a conservative who said the same thing about Democrats

'Even Disney got on its heels and they're like, we're gonna reshoot the movie immediately because there's so much backlash to her arrogance and just inanity. Well, she's back, and she's very, very upset about the Trump win.'

Zegler has repeatedly sparked fury with her woke views and is caught up in an apparent feud with her Snow White co-star Gal Gadot over their opposing stances on the Israel-Hamas war.

The film has been riddled with controversy, with some fans baffled by the decision to cast a Latina actress to portray the famously 'fair-skinned' character who is known for being 'as white as snow'.

Others took issue with casting Jewish Israeli actress Gadot amid the current war - with pro-Palestine viewers claiming her inclusion calls for a boycott while conversely pro-Israel viewers claimed it was offensive to cast her in an 'evil' role.
A woman reportedly testified to the House Ethics Committee that Matt Gaetz had sex with her when she was 17 years old.

Gaetz had been the subject of a yearslong House Ethics Committee probe for alleged drug use and sexual misconduct.

But he resigned from Congress on Wednesday after Donald Trump announced him as his pick for attorney general, sparking backlash.

Gaetz's resignation leaves the Ethics Committee without jurisdiction over the Florida Republican, even as the panel was set to vote on Friday on whether it would release its report on the investigation it conducted.

The committee apparently subpoenaed the woman - now in her 20s - at the center of the sex probe this summer.

She sat for multiple days of testimony where she talked about Gaetz and her having sex when she was a minor in high school, sources close to the probe told ABC News.

The accuser reportedly 'represented that she was an adult' on the website where she met Gaetz's friend Joel Greenberg, who in 2022 was sentenced to 11 years in prison for sex trafficking a minor.

'These allegations are invented and would constitute false testimony to Congress. This false smear following a three-year criminal investigation should be viewed with great skepticism,' Gaetz said in a statement.

Gaetz had been the subject of a yearslong House Ethics Committee probe for alleged drug use and sexual misconduct

It was reported in June that at least one woman has reportedly admitted to the House Ethics Committee that Gaetz paid her for sex through Venmo.

Investigators on the committee interviewed half a dozen women, according to ABC News.

The women were shown Venmo payments from the Florida Republican to them and asked if they were for sex.

The women allegedly had attended parties with Gaetz and his former friend Joel Greenberg, who in 2022 was sentenced to 11 years in prison for sex trafficking a minor.

The women allegedly had attended parties with Gaetz and his former friend Joel Greenberg, who in 2022 was sentenced to 11 years in prison for sex trafficking a minor.

Gaetz has denied all of the allegations that have long swirled around him, including paying for sex.

'Someone is trying to recategorize my generosity to ex-girlfriends as something more untoward,' he said previously.

The Ethics Committee obtained Gaetz's Venmo records through a subpoena.

Investigators on the committee have interviewed half a dozen women, according to ABC News

Gaetz's resignation leaves the Ethics Committee without jurisdiction over the Florida Republican

Rep. Michael Guest, R-Ala., the chairman of the House Ethics Committee, reiterated Thursday that he does not intend to release the report.

If the report is not released, details of the investigation could remain secret indefinitely.

The Department of Justice previously investigated Gaetz for alleged sex trafficking a minor but informed him they would not bring charges in 2023 after issues of witness credibility.

The Ethics Committee in a rare public statement at the time announced they would conduct 'further review' into Gaetz on charges that include sex abuse and illicit drug use.

Gaetz said over the summer that the committee was opening 'new frivolous investigations' into him.

Trump shockingly nominated Gaetz to be the top law enforcement official in the nation on Wednesday.

His pick of the embattled former congressman to oversee the Justice Department, FBI, DEA, ATF and related agencies has shocked Republicans and Democrats.

Now, some Republican senators who will vote on his nomination are demanding to review the House report before the 42-year-old Florida man is able to join Trump's Cabinet.

'The President's role is to make the nomination, but we need to have complete vetting of the nominees, not only so we know that the nominee is qualified, but also to protect the president,' Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said Thursday.

He 'absolutely' wants to review the House Ethics Committee's report on Gaetz's conduct.

Cornyn even floated the idea of taking legal action to review the report's contents.

'There's various ways we can glean access to it, we can subpoena it,' he told reporters. 'I don't I don't think any of us want to fly blind.'

Cornyn argued the Senate has a role in weeding out unqualified candidates during the nomination process, and that doing so protects the president from potential bad apples.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., however, doesn't think that will work, nor does he want it to happen.

When pressed on if the Senate would be able to subpoena an unreleased House ethics report Graham responded: 'I wouldn't think so.'

The South Carolinian also added he wouldn't want the House to be able to subpoena unreleased Senate reports.
A Labor politician has left attendees of Australia's premier tech conference scratching their heads after giving a lengthy speech about how 'A-one' was reshaping society.

Victorian parliamentary secretary for jobs Bronwyn Halfpenny was presumably referring to AI, or artificial intelligence, during her pre-written speech at the $1,500-a-ticket National Tech Summit in Melbourne.

She told the crowd how 'A-one' was revolutionising the economy, that 'A-one' would become a permanent part of Australia going forward and how the jobs market would have to shift to accommodate 'A-one', reported Nine Newspapers.

Ms Halfpenny later tried to downplay the embarrassing gaffe by posting a picture of herself posing with staff at the A1 bakery in Brunswick, Melbourne, on Thursday.

'Should have been here on Tuesday when A1 Bakery was on my mind,' she captioned the photo posted to her social media accounts.

'Finally made it today. Thanks to Grace and Jules for the delicious food as always!'

The venue - while it is a popular coffee joint which serves well-reviewed Lebanese baked goods - has nothing to do with artificial intelligence.

Ms Halfpenny's speech was made in front of some of the nations biggest technology movers and shakers with Atlassian co-founders Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar, Canva co-founder Cliff Obrecht and Google's director of engineering Roisin Parkes also speaking at the event.

Victorian MP Bronwyn Halfpenny (pictured at A1 bakery) repeatedly called artificial intelligence 'A-one' while speaking at the nation's biggest tech conference

She then tried to joke she was referring to a bakery with the same name on a cringeworthy post to her X account which has just one post and one follower (pictured)

Victorian Liberal member for North-Eastern Metropolitan Region, Richard Welch, later tweeted the speech made him 'weep for Victoria'.

Federal industry and science minister Ed Husic, there to let the sector know the Albanese government was backing it, must have been particularly mortified.

'Thank you to Bronwyn Halfpenny MP for your support of the tech industry as a whole,' organiser the Tech Council of Australia wrote.

Ms Halfpenny, the state member for Thomastown, previously worked as the assistant secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union food and confectionary division and as an industrial officer at the Victorian Trades Hall Council.

Ms Halfpenny delivering her speech at the Tech Council of Australia's National Tech Summit

Scott Farquhar, co-founder and CEO of global software company, Atlassian, was at the summit

The event cost Tech Council non-members $1,550 to attend - which included welcome drinks, two days of speeches and a gala dinner - while members were charged $1,250.

According to the Tech Council's website it 'works with governments at all levels to ensure that Australia and Australians can take advantage of the vast opportunities that technology brings'.

'We advise and engage with Australian governments, businesses and the wider community to help support the ongoing creation, development, and adoption of technology across industries.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Halfpenny and the Tech Council for comment.
United Nations climate talks were hit by a double blow after a French minister cancelled her visit and Argentina withdrew its delegation.

It came as the Cop29 summit in Azerbaijan was already suffering from low attendance by major world leaders.

French president Emmanuel Macron was among those who declined to attend the talks. But now the French Environment minister has cancelled her visit after the Azerbaijani President accused France of colonial 'crimes' and 'human rights violations' in French overseas territories.

Among his criticisms, Ilham Aliev highlighted 193 nuclear tests in French Polynesia 'responsible for severe soil and water contamination', 19 nuclear tests in Algeria, and claimed that the French police killed led 'numerous citizens' during recent protests in New Caledonia.

France's Environment Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher said she would not travel to the summit and added the insults were 'unacceptable...and beneath the dignity of the presidency of the COP.'

It was also a 'flagrant violation of the code of conduct' for running United Nations climate talks, she added.

Attempting to calm the waters on Thursday, Cop29 lead negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev insisted that Azerbaijan had fostered 'an inclusive process' and that France's minister would still be welcome to come, saying: 'Our doors are still open.'

President Aliev has also stirred controversy by calling oil and gas 'a gift from God' which his country fully intended to use. Scientists warn that reducing the use of fossil fuel emissions is vital to stop catastrophic global warming.

France's Environment Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher said she would not travel to the summit

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev makes a speech during the 29th UN Climate Change Conference

Now the French Environment minister has cancelled her visit after the Azerbaijani President accused France of colonial 'crimes'

In a further blow to the summit, the new president in Argentina abruptly pulled out Argentina's delegation from the talks.

While Argentina's delegation was small, its departure 'is unprecedented in the country's diplomatic history', said Oscar Soria, an Argentine environmental activist and director of the Common Initiative.

Argentina's anti-establishment President Javier Milei has made no secret of his scepticism of climate change and is an ally of newly reelected former US president Donald Trump.

The withdrawal prompted speculation that Argentina might also withdraw from the Paris Agreement, which commits signatories to limit global warming to 1.5c.

Rafiyev declined to be drawn on the departure, terming it a 'diplomatic matter between Argentina and the UN'.
A holidaymaker's dream trip ended in agony when she was scarred by a tropical insect which left her wracked with pain and nursing ugly red welts on her legs.

Natalie Carroll, 24, was on holiday in Bali, Indonesia, when she noticed some red streaks starting to appear on her upper left thigh on Thursday, November 7.

The Australian TikToker initially thought she must have been stung by a jellyfish until 'extremely painful' blisters started erupting on her skin later that night.

The next day, as the agony increased, Ms Carroll rushed to see a doctor who told her he was '90 per cent' sure she had been by attacked by a tomcat beetle.

Tomcat beetles do not bite or sting their victims but instead release an aggressive toxin which causes severe burning, stinging, itching and blistering.

Despite only measuring between 7mm and 10mm in length, the beetle's poisonous toxin is highly potent.

Ms Carroll was given oral antibiotics to prevent the wound from getting infected but the pain and scarring continued to worsen over the next several days.

She believes the beetle may crawled over her leg while she was sleeping and has warned others to be extra careful around strange insects in the future.

Natalie Carroll, 24, developed deep red welts and blisters on her upper left thigh which were caused by a tomcat beetle's venom during her vacation in Bali

Ms Carroll noticed the inflamed streaks going down her thigh were quickly getting worse within hours of her realising that they were there.

When I woke up [on Friday] I had some little blisters and I was like, "I need to call a doctor",' she said on social media.

The welting had become 'extremely painful' by the time Ms Carroll was told by her doctor that she had likely come into contact with a tomcat beetle.

By Saturday, the blistering was so painful her thighs were too sensitive to even touch.

Ms Carroll said she became wary of infections when two of her largest blisters popped over the weekend.

'I kept having to put this ointment on it to keep it concealed from the Balinese air because it's dirty here,' she said.

'Honestly the worst part about this is just not being able to swim for my entire trip and Bali is so hot ... and I can't even shower properly. I can't get it wet at all.'

Ms Carroll told 9News that she was just thankful that a doctor was able to diagnose her wound so quickly and that she was not 'too fussed' about potential scarring.

Tomcat beetles, which are also known as rove beetles, do not actually bite their victims, but instead release a highly potent toxin when brushed aside or crushed

Tomcat beetles, also known as rove beetles, are commonly black or brown with slender bodies and short front wings.

Typically they thrive outdoors but during heavy rains the beetles have been known to migrate to drier areas.

Their venom can cause a reaction similar to 'chemical warfare', according to the Australian Department of Health.

The beetle excretes a chemical called paederin when it is brushed away or crushed which can easily be absorbed by another creature's skin.

The toxin quickly causes reddening of skin, painful burning sensations, and blisters which can be difficult to treat.

It is recommended to use warm soapy water to immediately cleanse the affected area before an antiseptic lotion or antihistamine cream can be thoroughly applied.

It can take up to up to 10 days to fully recover from the tomcat beetle's venom.
Plans to hijack the grand opening of the iconic Myer Christmas display have been abandoned by pro-Palestine protesters after mass outrage from Aussies.

Activist group Disrupt Wars was going to 'Crash the Christmas Windows' on Bourke Street in Melbourne's CBD on Sunday, with banners, flags, placards and props.

However, their plans changed following backlash from Victoria's Premier Jacinta Allan who was furious Myer had to cancel the annual event for families on safety grounds.

'On 14 November, Myer announced that it would cancel its planned Christmas window unveiling in Melbourne, after disruptions to this event were posted on social media,' organiser Amy Settal said in a statement.

'The planned protest, "Crash the Christmas Windows" was organised by an anti-war activist and was shared on social media by Disrupt Wars.

'Myer's 'share the joy' campaign is offensive given the absolute devastation children in Palestine are experiencing right now. Celebrating overconsumption while the historic birthplace of Jesus is under bombardment is abhorrent.

'This protest was always going to be peaceful and non-violent. The intention was to interrupt the media spectacle and economic gain sought by Myer.

'The children coming to see the Myer Christmas windows were never a target, because children are not a target. In light of Myer's decision to cancel their window reveal event, planned disruptions will not go ahead.'

Aussies have blasted plans by 'pathetic' pro-Palestine activists to hijack the grand opening of the Myer Christmas window display this year (pictured, the Christmas display in 2020)

Protesters march during a Pro-Palestine rally in Melbourne in October

The backflip comes after Ms Allan unleashed on pro-Palestine protesters over their 'ugly' plans to ruin Christmas traditions.

'Blocking Christmas windows is not going to change one single thing in the Middle East,' Ms Allan told ABC Radio Melbourne on Friday.

'This is a really small group of people who are choosing to politicise Christmas, to politicise a beautiful event.'

Aussies shared Ms Allan's outrage in furious posts on social media.

''Disrupt war' protesters to gatecrash families and children attending the Myer Christmas windows reveal on Sunday. You can't get more stupid and sick than that,' one wrote.

'Why would protesters want to spoil the Myer Christmas Window?' When little kids would be looking forward to it? What are they achieving can't they let them enjoy one Sunday?' a second said.

Melbourne's Lord Mayor Nick Reece said he hoped protesters would realise they had made a mistake, urging them to change their plans.

'If there's any good that can come out of this conversation... it's that the protesters realise that this is a really dumb thing to do, and that they decide to do something different this weekend rather than upset the Melbourne tradition,' he told ABC Radio.

Myer's famous Christmas window unveiling at its Melbourne CBD store will not go ahead (families are pictured at the iconic event in 2013)

Liberal MP Sussan Ley ordered the group to 'leave Christmas alone'.

'The Myer Christmas window unveiling? Really? And by the way, doing this is not going to convince anyone of your cause. I just think of the kids, the families that love this excitement on the unveiling,' she told Sunrise on Friday.

'The tradition of the Myer Christmas window looks as if it's going to be spoilt. I'm also worried, Nat, about the other events that families might be celebrating this year around Christmas.

'Look, Melburnians and Australians have had a tough year. I just hope the state and federal governments do all they can to make sure families can celebrate Christmas in peace.'

Jewish leaders have also condemned the actions of protesters.

'Is nothing sacred anymore?' community leader and Anti-Defamation chair Dr Dvir Abramovich told the Herald Sun.

'This is not about free speech  it's a toxic hijacking of a family-friendly tradition that has no place in any community.

'Melbourne's Christmas windows are about peace, unity, and holiday magic, not about spreading discord and confrontation.

'We cannot allow the spirit of Christmas to be exploited as a vehicle for hatred or to spread anger and misinformation.'

Victoria Police earlier said it had repeatedly asked the group not to protest at the Christmas windows, but it would not co-operate.

'While we always respect the right for people to protest peacefully, we are clear that this should be done without impacting the broader community,' a police spokesperson said.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Myer to see if it will reinstate the much-loved Christmas tradition following the cancelled protest.
Ilhan Omar was filmed telling a pro-Israel protester to 'f**k' themselves in a shocking outburst near Capitol Hill last night.

The progressive Democratic firebrand was confronted by the protester as she rushed into an elevator.

The protester challenged the congressional 'Squad' member on her rhetoric, telling her: 'Go to Gaza, sweetheart'.

Omar responded angrily, yelling: 'F**k you!' before the doors of the elevator closed.

The protester was part of the Betar US group, which has made horrific threats against Omar's fellow Squad member Rashida Tlaib.

In one post, the group threatened Tlaib with a reference to Israel's pager bomb attack on members of Hezbollah.

'We will come back again and again,' they said, adding a pager emoji along with the threat: 'We have for you'.

DailyMail.com has reached out to a spokesperson for Omar seeking comment.

Ilhan Omar had no patience or good graces for a pro-Israel protester who told her to 'Go to Gaza, sweetheart.' She responded simply: 'F**k you!'

Omar survived a primary challenge earlier this year and easily cruised to re-election in Minnesota's 5th District.

With the win, Omar avoided the same fate as two of her progressive Squad colleagues who have been ousted in recent months: Reps. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., and Cori Bush, D-Mo.

Pro-Israel groups did not put up the big-dollar donations behind Samuels that they did for Bush and Bowman's challengers, Wesley Bell and George Latimer.

Omar, the first Somali-American elected to Congress, took her seat in 2018 when she won by more than 70 percent of the vote.

She was one of the first two Muslim women to serve in Congress, along with Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich.

After the outbreak of war in Gaza, the typically united House Democrats have found themselves torn apart on the matter of Israel.

Omar is a favorite target of Republicans.

In 2019 she was forced to apologize for saying AIPAC and Jewish people were trying to buy influence: 'Its all about the Benjamins, baby.

After Omar's vulgar response, she immediately gets in the elevator and the doors close

This year, Republicans reacted with dismay when she said some Jewish students are 'pro-genocide.'

'I think it is really unfortunate that people don't care about the fact that all Jewish kids should be kept safe, and that we should not have to tolerate antisemitism or bigotry for all Jewish students, whether they're pro-genocide or anti-genocide,' she said.

In January House GOP Whip Tom Emmer demanded an Ethics investigation into reports that Omar said she is 'Somalia first.'

Bush, meanwhile, had faced heavy opposition due to her pro-Palestinian stance.

'Wesley Bell's victory and Cori Bush's defeat underscore what we've seen in races across the country and throughout this election cycle  being pro-Israel is not just wise policy, but also smart politics,' said Mark Mellman, chairman of the Democratic Majority for Israel PAC, in a statement.

Similar to Bush's race against Bell, Bowman's race in New York hinged on a key issue: the Israel-Hamas war.

Bowman, a fellow member of the Squad (at least for now before he leaves Congress this winter), fiercely defended Palestinians and decried the Israeli's actions as 'genocide.'

His reward for repeatedly attacking the Jewish nation's wartime conduct: a pro-Israel SuperPAC coming after him.

AIPAC, a pro-Israel political group, spent massively against Bowman, pumping millions upon millions into the campaign of a local county executive.

With the support of the group, Westchester County Executive Latimer, a moderate Democrat, sailed to an easy primary win, securing over 59 percent of the vote compared to Bowman's 40 percent.
Footage has revealed the moment an armed man robbed a busy Coles while the supermarket was at a standstill for the minute's silence on Remembrance Day.

The man, believed to be in his 30s or 40s, was caught on CCTV using a large kitchen knife to pry open two cash registers at a Coles in Manuka, Canberra, on Monday.

Police have released the footage of the aggravated robbery in an bid to identify the sneak thief.

The Minute of Silence is held on the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, the moment the Armistice peace treaty was signed to end the First World War in 1918, in memory of those who died in battle.

ACT Police say the man took his chance to use the distraction to grab cash from the two registers behind the service counter before he fled on foot.

The man, believed to be in his 30s or 40s, robbed a Coles using a large kitchen knife during the Minute of Silence on Remembrance Day

The unidentified man is accused of stealing cash from two registers behind the store's service desk before fleeing on foot

No one was injured during the robbery.

The suspected thief is described as Caucasian in appearance, with a medium build and short blond hair.

He was wearing a navy blue cap, a blue jumper, dark pants and black sandshoes at the time of the robbery.

He also had a pair of sunglasses tucked into the neck of his jumper.

Anyone who can assist in identifying the man is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
President-elect Donald Trump has picked his personal criminal defense lawyer Todd Blanche as his Deputy Attorney General and added other attorneys who have represented him to senior Department of Justice positions.

Blanche, who defended the 78-year-old in his New York hush-money trial, would be Matt Gaetz's No. 2 at the Department of Justice and head day-to-day operations.

'I am pleased to announce that Todd Blanche will serve as Deputy Attorney General in my Administration,' Trump announced Thursday evening.

'Todd is an excellent attorney who will be a crucial leader in the Justice Department, fixing what has been a broken System of Justice for far too long.'

Trump touted the 50-year-old's experience in prosecuting gangs and the fact he stood by his side during the Manhattan case where he was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records.

Emil Bove, another attorney on the hush money trial team, was given the role of principal associate deputy attorney general while John Sauer, the lawyer in Trump's Supreme Court immunity case, was chosen as solicitor general.

President-elect Donald Trump has picked his personal criminal defense lawyer Todd Blanche as his Deputy Attorney General

The president-elect made the moves as Republicans appeared increasingly skeptical that Gaetz's nomination could make it through the Senate.

Gaetz had been the subject of a years-long House Ethics Committee probe that ended Wednesday after his abrupt resignation from Congress, one day after Trump shockingly nominated him to be the top law enforcement official in the nation.

His exit comes as allegations resurfaced Thursday about a woman who reportedly testified to the committee that Gaetz had sex with her when she was 17.

The FBI had investigated similar claims against Gaetz, but the DOJ opted not to indict him over claims he sex trafficked a minor.

Trump's pick of the embattled former congressman to oversee the Justice Department, FBI, DEA, ATF and related agencies has shocked Republicans and Democrats.

And the bombshell claims could derail his hopes of taking the helm as attorney general.

Now, senators who will vote on his nomination are demanding to review the House report before the 42-year-old Florida man is able to join Trump's Cabinet.

'The President's role is to make the nomination, but we need to have complete vetting of the nominees, not only so we know that the nominee is qualified, but also to protect the president,' Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said Thursday.

Blanche, who defended the 78-year-old in the New York hush-money trial, would be Matt Gaetz's Number Two and in charge of day-to-day operations at the Department of Justice

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 12, 2024. He resigned his House seat on Wednesday immediately after being nominated by Donald Trump to be attorney general

Gaetz has long been one of Trump's most ardent supporters in the House

He 'absolutely' wants to review the House Ethics Committee's report on Gaetz's conduct.

Cornyn even floated the idea of taking legal action to review the report's contents.

'There's various ways we can glean access to it, we can subpoena it,' he told reporters. 'I don't I don't think any of us want to fly blind.'

Cornyn argued the Senate has a role in weeding out unqualified candidates during the nomination process, and that doing so protects the president from potential bad apples.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., however, doesn't think that will work, nor does he want it to happen.

When pressed on if the Senate would be able to subpoena an unreleased House ethics report Graham responded: 'I wouldn't think so.'

The South Carolinian also added he wouldn't want the House to be able to subpoena unreleased Senate reports.

Gaetz has called the investigation 'frivolous' and a smear campaign against him.

Rep. Michael Guest, R-Ala., the chairman of the House Ethics Committee, reiterated Thursday that he does not intend to release the report.

Gaetz and his wife Ginger pose on the rooftop of the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C.=

'What happens in Ethics is confidential. We're going to maintain that confidentiality,' he told reporters Thursday.

There is also the possibility that committee members, or staff, would leak the document.

The top Democrat on the Ethics panel, Glenn Ivey, D-Md., told DailyMail.com he had no knowledge of any anticipated Ethics leaks for Gaetz's file. He said he couldn't recall another instance of a report from the committee being leaked.

On the other hand, Ivey noted that Gaetz has repeatedly accused the Ethics Committee of leaking information regarding their investigation, though he denied the allegations.

But that has not stopped senators from calling to see the report.

Democratic Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin wrote Thursday: 'I am calling on the House Ethics Committee to preserve and share their report and all relevant documentation on Mr. Gaetz with the Senate Judiciary Committee.'

Later in the day Durbin released a letter co-signed by 10 other Democrats demanding the House Ethics Committee turn over their report.

They wrote that the timing regarding Gaetz's sudden resignation seems suspicious

President Donald Trump takes a selfie with Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., in the House chamber after Trump's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on January 30, 2018.

Gaetz was by Trump's side during his legal hearings in New York earlier this year

Gaetz speaks at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 17, 2024

'The sequence and timing of Mr. Gaetzs resignation from the House raises serious questions about the contents of the House Ethics Committee report and findings,' the Democrats wrote.

'We cannot allow this critical information from a bipartisan investigation into longstanding public allegations to be hidden from the American people, given that it is directly relevant to the question of whether Mr. Gaetz is qualified and fit to be the next Attorney General of the United States.'

When asked if he wanted to see the Gaetz report Thursday Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., said he does.

'It'll be a fine tooth comb,' the Alabaman said of reviewing Gaetz's file. 'And they knew that going in.'

'It will be one of those [nominations] that will be well scrutinized,' he added.

Still, Tuberville says he likes the former Florida lawmaker

'I'm a Matt Gaetz fan because I've known it for him for a long time. He's smart, been on Judiciary [Committee] for seven years, a very good lawyer, well spoken, believes in the Constitution and I think he'd do a great job.'

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said he absolutely wants to review the Gaetz ethics report

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., told reporters he'd like to take a 'fine toothed comb' to the Gaetz report

Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., told DailyMail.com 'I need to learn more about him generally ... I'm sure whatever information I need to review will be forthcoming.'

Trump, however, has demanded that the Senate use 'recess appointments' to confirm Cabinet nominees.

'Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner,' Trump wrote on X Sunday.

This cuts against the desires of many Republican senators to hold hearings and votes for nominees.

'I'm fine with it, but I hope we don't have to do it,' Tuberville said of Trump's recess appointments. 'I hope we can just do them ourselves and and go through the same process.'

'Well, I think we ought to be able to go through the regular process,' Republican Nebraska Sen. Pete Ricketts told DailyMail.com.

US Senator John Cornyn, Republican from Texas, speaks to reporters on his way to a vote at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on November 14, 2024

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., told DailyMail.com: 'I think it's too early to tell whether you need to go to any kind of extraordinary measures to do it.'

'I'm not opposed to it, but there's all kinds of ins and outs of how you get to that.'

Paul, who will be chairman of the chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs come January, noted he is planning on having hearings for nominees under his purview.

Meaning South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who Trump nominated for Department of Homeland Security secretary, will need to sit before Paul's panel before getting confirmed into Trump's Cabinet.

'My plan is to have hearings at the first possible date for the ones I'm in charge of,' he revealed.
A 'sweetheart' deal granted to union tradies has been put on ice in a government effort to wrangle construction costs and stalling projects.

The Queensland government announced on Thursday they would end the Best Practice Industry Conditions for tradies on new union-approved sites.

The bargain allowed union tradies to receive an extra $1,000 per week for working away from home and double pay for working in the rain, among other perks.

Treasury modelling revealed BPIC would have cost the state $17.1billion by 2030.

Queensland's deputy premier, Jarrod Bleijie, announced he'd put the BPIC deal on a 'pause-and-review' for all new, government-funded contracts.

'The Liberal National government... is temporarily suspending the CFMEU sweetheart deal known as BPIC,' he told reporters.

The suspension will continue until a review into the construction sector has been completed by a re-established Queensland Productivity Commission.

'Workers deserve and will be paid well. Workers deserve safe workplaces but productivity must return to construction sites,' Mr Bleijie told a panel discussion at a Queensland Major Contractors Association event in Brisbane on Thursday.

Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijjie (pictured on Thursday) said Queenslanders shouldn't bear the brunt of cost blowouts in government projects

Mr Bleijie and the LNP had set their sights on the CMFEU since winning the October state election and had questioned the union over project cost blowouts since taking power.

The LNP claimed to have unearthed blowouts of $494million for the Cross River Rail project and $330million for a Gold Coast light rail stage, promising to 'stop the rot'.

'We need to urgently control the cost blowouts of government-funded construction projects, which ultimately hits the hip-pockets of Queensland families and businesses,' Mr Bleijie said.

'Queenslanders shouldn't have to bear the brunt of this, which is why we've ordered this pause and review.

'It will also give subcontractors, especially small and family businesses and regional firms, a greater chance of securing work on government projects, without all the costs and time involved in having to gain unnecessary prequalification.'

Queensland Major Contractors Association CEO, Andrew Chapman, blamed the bargain for lower productivity and increased project costs by up to 30 per cent.

The 'pause-and-review' won't apply to government infrastructure jobs that are already underway or on already-approved enterprise agreements.

It will only affect future projects and agreements until a further decision is made on whether the BPIC should continue or undergo amendments.

The Queensland LNP say the 'sweetheart deal' at union-approved construction sites would cost the state $1.71billion over the next five years (an Aussie tradie is pictured)

The government, however, has not ruled out applying the changes retrospectively to scrap the previous agreements.

The BPIC deal faced criticism when it was initiated, but then-Premier Steven Miles assured Queenslanders the bargain would ensure projects +were getting done.

'These are all prevailing conditions in the industry,' Mr Miles said at the time.

'I think it's appropriate that on government jobs, workers aren't competing with each other on wages.'

The new government is looking to introduce a Queensland Productivity Commission before the close of the year, which would review, and suggest amendments to, the construction industry in the state.

The LNP cited modelling that showed the current working conditions could cost Queensland some 22,000 new homes over the next five years, which could see rents increase by seven per cent over the same time.
Enclos opens in downtown Sonoma on December 5 inside an unassuming Victorian home. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Executive chef Brian Limoges, center left, works in an open kitchen at Enclos. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Quail legs are served at Enclos. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Executive chef Brian Limoges, left, and interior designer Jiun Ho stand in the Enclos patio, which will serve as a wine club member lounge. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle The patio at Enclos is reserved for wine club members. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

Inside an unassuming Victorian home, one of the Bay Areas most ambitious new restaurants is quietly nearing its grand opening in an unexpected destination: downtown Sonoma.

As soon as one passes under the 100-year-old olive trees and through the front door, its clear that Enclos, featuring less than a dozen tables, impeccable design details and an 11-course tasting menu ($225), is different from any other Sonoma restaurant. The city has long embraced its reputation as the laid-back and unpretentious Napa alternative, and theres a notable void of fine dining spots. Its one reason why some tourists pass over Sonoma, which has zero Michelin stars, in favor of Napa or the glitzy Healdsburg. That might finally change when Enclos (139 E Napa St., Sonoma) opens Dec. 5, but it could also be a point of contention for some locals.

A lot of people I meet say Sonoma needs this, said Enclos chef Brian Limoges, whose resume includes stints at Michelin-starred Bay Area restaurants like Atelier Crenn, Quince and Saison.

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Enclos tapped noted Bay Area designer Jiun Ho to reimagine the space. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

You look at what SingleThread has done for Healdsburg. Theres a lot of property value that increased and high-end hotels, so if you asked the residents of Sonoma, Im sure it would be split, he continued. Not everyone wants change.

Whats not immediately clear when entering Enclos is that its a winery restaurant. Its owned by Mac and Leslie McQuown, who started Stone Edge Farm Vineyards & Winery, a boutique producer of age-worthy and classically styled Bordeaux wines, 20 years ago.

Fancy wine and food pairings are now a standard Wine Country experience, but Stone Edge is one of only a handful of California wineries that operates a full-fledged restaurant; others include the Michelin-starred Kenzo from Napas Kenzo Estate and Justin Winery & Vineyards in Paso Robles (San Luis Obispo County), which has a Michelin-starred restaurant on site. Yet while Kenzo and Justin have obvious ties to the wineries that founded them, Enclos presents as a separate entity. The only subtle hint of its association with Stone Edge is the winerys dominating presence on the wine list  diners can order it by the glass or bottle, as a flight or opt for the wine pairing ($135)  which Limoges said is intentional.

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Were not trying to push anything on anybody. If you go to a winery restaurant, youre there for the wine and everything else feels secondary, he said. The wine is an amenity to what were doing. Were not going to put a brochure in front of you and ask you to sign up.

Mini venison tarts are carefully balanced on deer antlers, a homage to chef Brian Limoges New England roots. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

Limoges, a New Hampshire native, has woven several homages to his New England roots into the opening menu. His California spin on a Maine lobster roll is a spiny West Coast lobster encased in a circular shell and topped with dollops of a sauce made from its brains. Then theres a clam chowder, but its made like the Japanese egg custard known as chawanmushi, with white asparagus, pork belly and clams. It has a lot of the same flavors as New England clam chowder, Limoges said. I think people will be happy with the nod to it, but not upset its a completely different version of chowder.

A mini venison tart, representing the state animal of New Hampshire, is carefully balanced on deer antlers. Inspired by early morning hikes in Sonoma County where he would happen upon whole families of deer, Limoges integrated the deers natural environment into the bite, including hay, tree lichen, mushrooms and bay laurel bud capers. Its a story about me through this animal and nature and Sonoma, he said.

Theres also a thread of Japanese influence at Enclos: 60-day, dry-aged tuna belly is served with Koshihikari rice; local quail is plated alongside grilled matsutake mushrooms. Limoges plans to make his own misos and garums. Japanese cooking for me is a lot of preservation and adding a lot of simplicity, but high-impact flavors, he said. (Currently, bright orange hoshigaki, Japanese dried persimmons, hang from his kitchen ceiling.)

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One of the evenings show-stoppers is likely to be a petite honey and chestnut ice cream sandwich, served atop a whole honeycomb from Stone Edges 16-acre Sonoma farm. Its a story about our apiaries and our bees. We dont get a ton of honey from them, so we try to stretch it out as much as we can. We dont want to stress the bees, said Limoges. Hes also using beeswax for a canele, a custardy French pastry.

A honey and chestnut ice cream sandwich, perched atop a whole honeycomb from Stone Edges 16-acre Sonoma farm. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

Enclos tapped noted Bay Area designer Jiun Ho, who designed Saison, to reimagine the space, which is a stark contrast from the traditional and low-key exterior. Diners enter through a moody dining room with black walls, torched with the Japanese shou sugi ban method. The front room leads to a second dining room thats significantly warmer, as its clad in floor-to-ceiling cedar. Custom dining tables were made from purposely imperfect wood slabs, which Ho said was inspired by Japans traditional wabi-sabi aesthetic. Reclaimed wood is featured throughout the restaurant, some of which was sourced from the Port of San Francisco, and Ho designed his own textile for curtains that portray a birds-eye view of Sonoma farmland.

The second dining room looks into the open kitchen, its window framed by copper pots and upside-down bouquets of dried flowers. A mildly alluring and smoky smell emanates from the hearth  used more for vegetables than meat, according to Limoges  and diners can steal a glance at the belle of the kitchen, a red Molteni stove.

Ho filled an intimate, outdoor patio with lush greenery, but this space will be reserved for Stone Edge wine club members (and possibly the occasional walk-in). Theyll have access to an a la carte snack menu including custom caviar ($90 with accouterments), seasoned with salt made from seawater that Limoges collects himself.

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San Francisco officials may be forced to get rid of one of its most iconic transport features amid a large budget shortfall.

Jeffrey Tumlin, the executive director of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, warned on Wednesday that it might need to completely eliminate its cable car and street car lines if it does not receive new funding sources, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

He noted that the agency's financial outlook has worsened after voters failed to pass Proposition L, which would have taxed ride-sharing companies to generate an estimated $25million annually for public transportation.

The re-election of President-Elect Donald Trump, as well as Republican control of Congress, also means 'there is no chance there is additional federal relief coming,' and with California's massive budget deficit, it is unlikely the agency will receive any state aid.

As a result, Tumlin said, the transportation agency faces an annual deficit of up to $322million by the 2026 - 2027 fiscal year.

Suspending the three remaining cable car lines - California, Mason and Hyde - as well as the F Market streetcars is one way the agency could recoup some of those losses.

It would save an estimated $33million annually, staffers at the agency told a working group of stakeholders Wednesday.

But it may also have a negative affect on tourism, as crowds of people are often seen waiting inn line at the Powell Street turnaround to board one of the cable cars to take them up the steep hills of Powell and Hyde streets, the Chronicle previously reported.

Jeffrey Tumlin, the executive director of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, warned that it might need to completely eliminate its cable car and street car lines

Suspending the three remaining cable car lines - California, Mason and Hyde - as well as the F Market streetcars would save an estimated $33million annually, according to the agency

Proposed cuts to light rail frequency could decrease from every 10 to 15 minutes, to every 12 to 20 minutes

Other options the agency presented to stakeholders include cutting service frequency on the busiest lines, including the 1, 14 and 38 buses as well as six lettered rail lines by up to half, which could save the agency $71million each year.

If those cuts were to occur, some of the city's most popular buses would come every 10 minutes, instead of every five to six minutes, while light rail frequency could decrease from every 10 to 15 minutes, to every 12 to 20 minutes.

Suspending bus routes in the hilly neighborhoods of the city could lead to an additional $31million in savings, while cutting nighttime service could generate 14million.

Yet Tumlin suggested these cuts would be a last resort.

'The service cuts I give are not planned,' Tumlin told stakeholders. 'These are what we want to avoid.'

A working group is set to meet in the coming months to generate ideas for boosting revenue, and the agency has already launched a merchandising campaign ahead of the holiday season that includes branded hoodies, hats, socks, mugs and stickers, NBC Bay Area reports.

Another option is to eliminate bus routes in the city's hilly neighborhoods

Transit officials are also hoping to place funding measure on the ballot in 2026, even though an earlier effort failed this year in the state capitol of Sacramento.

Even if that were to pass, the revenue would have to be split with other transit organizations, like BART and Caltrain, according to SFist.

As a result, Tumlin warned the cuts are 'potentially real.

'If we fail to come to an agreement, and we fail to win [more funding], we will need to make massive service cuts.'
Defense attorneys sent shockwaves through the first day of a gruesome murder trial with the bombshell claim that a mystery man's DNA under the victim's fingernails is her real killer.

Milana Li, 13, was found sexually assaulted and murdered in a stream in Beaverton, Oregon, on May 10, 2022.

Her alleged killer, then 16-year-old Daniel Gore, was the last person seen with her and his DNA matched a sample found on her underwear, reported The Oregonian.

During the first day of his murder trial on Wednesday, Gore's lawyers admitted the two had a sexual relationship, but pointed out that there was other unidentified male DNA found on her body.

'From the grave she speaks. If Daniel had been scraped in the face by Milana, his DNA would be on those fingernails - it wasn't,' said defense attorney J. Mark Lawrence.

'They developed a friendship and a sexual relationship. It happens with adolescents these days. But he wasn't the last person with her, my client was out of the picture.'

Gore, now 18, is being tried as an adult and could face 30 years to life in prison if he is found guilty.

Prosecutors said Li was last seen alive on May 8, 2022, riding the bus with Gore and surveillance footage showed them walking towards the area where her body was found around 7:45 p.m.

Milana Li (pictured), 13, was found sexually assaulted and murdered in a stream in Beaverton, Oregon , on May 10, 2022

Her alleged killer, then 16-year-old Daniel Gore, was the last person seen with her and his DNA matched a sample found on her underwear

Li's mother, who worked the night shift at the Nike factory, reported her missing the next day.

A friend discovered her body on May 10 after news of her disappearance began to spread.

'She was beaten. She clawed at him, trying to stop what was happening to her,' said Senior Deputy District Attorney John Gerhard. 'He made a choice to strangle her until there was no more life in her.'

Gore, who was a homeless runway living in a tent near the scene, allegedly grabbed a blue waterproof blanket from his shelter then weighted her body down with stones and left her in the creek.

Prosecutors said after the murder he fled to a friends apartment with scratches on his face and told his girlfriend 'he had done something bad,' reported KGW 8.

Police collected DNA evidence from inside her and one two of her fingernails that were ripped off during the struggle.

Defense attorneys are honing in on the fact that DNA from the fingers are not a match to Gore.

They also said another unknown male's DNA was found in Li's underwear and authorities have not done any testing to see if it matches the fingernail samples.

Gore's lawyers admitted the two had a sexual relationship, but pointed out that there was other unidentified male DNA found on her body

Gore allegedly grabbed a blue waterproof blanket from his shelter then weighted her body down with stones and left her in the creek

When Gore was identified as a person of interest in the case, he fled from authorities when they approached him in a library and led them on a 20 minute chase.

During a two-hour interview Gore denied having a romantic relationship with her and said he parted ways with her earlier than the footage shows, according to Gerhard.

Gore's lawyer said he fled because he had warrants out for other crimes and was scared.

Li and Gore had only known each for about two weeks before her murder. Family described her as a wonderful daughter who her parents could trust and depend on.
Cardi B hit back at critics who claim she was paid to appear at a Kamala Harris' campaign rally in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and endorse the vice president.

The hip-star spoke out as several celebrities have come under fire for receiving payment after making key endorsements on the campaign trail.

Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Productions was paid $1 million for a town hall event in Michigan where she endorsed Harris.

But Cardi B swore on her three children that she did not receive money for the celebrity appearance.

'I didnt get paid a dollar and thats on my three!!' she wrote on social media in response to a question from conservative show host Candace Owens.

'I actually came out of pocket for glam and travel because its somewhere I wanted to be,' she said.

Addressing Owens, Cardi B added, 'Like please girl you know damn well Ill argue you down about politics FOR FREE.'

Other celebrities who endorsed Harris and participated in campaign events included Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Eminem, Lizzo, and Megan Thee Stallion.

Cardi B faced with an awkward teleprompter mishap at Kamala Harris' rally on Friday, and was forced to read her endorsement of the vice president from her phone

Cardi B has endorsed Kamala Harris for President saying in her speech in Wisconsin that 'women have to work 10 times harder

Cardi B appeared at a rally in in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in late October but faced a teleprompter mishap.

She awkwardly stalled her remarks for about a minute until she gave up on the prompter and a staffer ran up with her phone so she could her endorsement of the vice president.

During her speech she said she 'wasn't going to vote' until the Vice-President entered the race against 'bully' Trump.

'She's passionate, compassionate... and most of all she is not delusional,' she said.

Despite the last-minute effort to turn out urban voters in Wisconsin, Trump beat Harris in the swing-state, winning the 10 electoral votes.

After Harris lost, Cardi B published a video telling Harris she was 'proud of her' despite the disappointing news

'She changed my mind, I feel like she was very honest, I feel like she said what I wanted to here,' she said, praising the vice president for 'not playing f***ing games.'

'She woke this nation up,' she said.

Cardi B also lashed out at Republicans with an expletive-filled rant, telling them 'burn your f**king hats.'

'Get away from me!' she shouted. 'I'm sad. I'm really really sad.'
A bid to soften the tax raid on family farms, led by the Governments own department for the countryside, has been rejected.

Downing Street insisted yesterday there would be no concessions to the policy of slapping Inheritance Tax on farms worth more than 1 million, hitting farmers who want to pass on their land to the next generation.

It came after rumours of splits within Government over the plan  which has been branded disastrous by farmers ahead of a mass protest in London next week that tens of thousands of people could attend.

The BBCs Newsnight reported the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) believes it was not properly consulted over the change, which it only heard about the night before the Budget.

Officials are said to have suggested that farmers aged over 80 could be spared having to pay IHT at 20 per cent when long-standing exemptions are scrapped in 2026.

But Sir Keir Starmers official spokesman said: The changes to agricultural property relief set out in the Budget will be implemented as set out in the Budget.

And a Defra spokesman said: All ministers support the policy and it will not change.

It came as new Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch toured Seed J H & Son farm in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire yesterday with Greg Smith MP.

Downing Street insisted yesterday there would be no concessions to the policy of slapping Inheritance Tax on farms worth more than 1 million

A mass protest in London is planned for next week which tens of thousands of people could attend

In one of her first acts after taking up the leadership, Mrs Badenoch vowed to reverse the tax hike if the Tories regain power.

Labour risked fresh anger last night after the Welsh First Minister called for calm and insisted only a tiny number of farms would be affected. Eluned Morgan told a BBC phone-in: The initial calculation that weve made is that there will be a tiny proportion of farmers in Wales affected by this.

So I just think we should just all calm down a bit until we are all clear about how many farms will be affected, and we are crunching the numbers on that as we speak.

Welsh Conservative leader in the Senedd, Andrew RT Davies, said her comments show how little this Labour Welsh government understands the rural community and warned: This decision has to be reversed, because no farmers means no food.

Adding to the pressure on the Government, its own figures showed the pressure farmers are already under. New Farm Business Income statistics published by Defra showed the cereals sector suffered a 73 per cent fall in income in 2023-24 while dairy saw a 68 per cent drop. NFU President Tom Bradshaw said the numbers painted a stark picture of the challenges facing farmers as they grappled with higher costs, reduced subsidies and one of the wettest winters in decades.

He said: When these figures were first estimated back in March 2024, we said that we needed a government that would create policies to support British agriculture and help farmers and growers to build financial resilience into their businesses. Instead, we have seen the opposite.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch toured Seed J H & Son farm in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire yesterday with Greg Smith MP, both pictured

Labour risked fresh anger last night after the Welsh First Minister, Eluned Morgan, pictured, called for calm and insisted only a tiny number of farms would be affected

Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner, pictured, admitted this week there is a huge discrepancy between the Governments figures, which claim only 28 per cent of farmers will be affected, and those used by farmers, who fear as many as 66 per cent will be hit

Labour also came under fire in the Commons over just how many farms will be affected by the tax raid. Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner admitted this week there is a huge discrepancy between the Governments figures, which claim only 28 per cent of farmers will be affected, and those used by farmers, who fear as many as 66 per cent will be hit.

Shadow environment spokesman Victoria Atkins asked: Should the cost of the family farm tax to farming families have been checked before the Budget? But Environment Secretary Steve Reed insisted: HMRC data is crystal clear. Three quarters of farmers will pay nothing as a result of these changes, family farming will continue into future generations, just as it should do.

Meanwhile one of the organisers of Tuesdays march through Westminster against the policy said that tens of thousands of people could attend.

Clive Bailye, who runs The Farming Forum website, told the Mail: We have 12,000 people registered to attend but we are aware of a large number who do not want to give their names and we could see double that number.

He said the organisers had assured police they did not want a French-style disruptive protest.

While tractors have not been banned, Mr Bailye said: The only tractors we want are pedal ones leading the procession, ridden by children. The whole point is to show our strength of feeling. A farmers strike in which several thousand plan to delay sending animals to slaughter or selling crops for a week from Sunday is also set to go ahead.
The Prime Minister will be hoping incoming US President Donald Trump doesn't let his bestie Elon Musk sit in on their telephone conversations the way he did when Trump talked to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Because if Musk does do that, you'd have to assume Trump's anti-Albo attitude will only solidify. The PM has been even ruder about Musk than Australian ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd has been about Trump.

Back in April, in an interview with the ABC (who else), our PM labelled Musk an 'arrogant billionaire who thinks he's above the law'.

Similar insults were hurled at Musk, one of the world's richest people, by Labor cabinet minister Tanya Plibersek (she called him 'egotistical') and Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young (a 'narcissistic cowboy').

The context for the barrage of insults was Musk challenging attempts to force him to take down graphic posts of a stabbing attack in a Sydney church.

The Australian E-Safety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant took the billionaire's tech firm to court in a bid to force them to delete the widespread images - ultimately withdrawing the action in what really was a humiliating backdown.

The whole saga did more to draw attention to the content on X than otherwise would have been the case. The images of the priest allegedly being stabbed were also easily accessible right across the internet - and in the mainstream media, not just on social media.

Albanese's government has since looked to amend Federal law to ensure that it has the powers to get its way in such disputes with social media companies in the future.

US President-elect Donald Trump huddles with Elon Musk, on right, at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Musk has gotten so close to Trump he's called himself the 'first buddy' to the incoming American leader and Trump has jokingly told House Republicans he 'can't get rid of him'

Putting to one side the irony of the PM labelling Musk as someone who arrogantly thinks he's above the law - when Albo's government is seeking to amend said laws to achieve their desired outcome - it is hard to escape the conclusion that the PM's concerns for online safety are selectively applied.

What about existing easy access to graphic online pornography for minors, for example? You don't hear a peep out of the government when it comes to tackling that issue.

Or tighter online gambling restrictions? The crossbench has become increasingly vocal in its frustration at expectations the Labor government plans to rollover on its previously strong rhetoric on the issue.

So why is Labor fixated on tackling social media giants more so than these other important issues?

Could it be because Albo is looking to pander to Australia's legacy media businesses that are currently fighting a losing war with social media giants?

It is hard not to think the PM and his strategists see this issue as a perfect way to try and appease important media executives on this issue in a bid to ameliorate broader concerns about the failures of his government.

There is no escaping the poor opinion polls and the growing perception that the first term Labor government has underperformed.

Elon Musk is unlikely to have forgiven, or forgotten, what the Australian Prime Minister has said about him. Mr Albanese will have to hope Musk doesn't join his calls with Trump - as he did with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

The tough talk about taking on social media giants - continued in Communications Minister Michelle Rowland's speech to the Sydney Institute on Wednesday night - no doubt is also a populist pitch to parents concerned about their children's online activities.

But as mentioned, the response is selective at best.

Meanwhile, now that Trump has one foot back in the White House and his mate Musk has his ear more than anyone, Albo personalising his attacks is all too clearly yet another misstep by a PM all too prone to them.
Concerns have been raised across the globe about Donald Trump selecting Tulsi Gabbard as his Director of National Intelligence.

The former Army Lieutenant Colonel was tipped for the senior national security role after becoming a Trump ally - which will see her oversee America's 18 intelligenge agencies.

The 43-year-old formally announced that she joined the Republican Party at a campaign rally alongside Trump in the summer.

Ms Gabbard has repeated Russian propaganda over Ukrainian 'bio-labs', defended Moscow's case for war, and met with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad on two occasions after dismissing reports about his use of chemical weapons.

Now, her nomination has ignited fears over possible decreases in intelligence sharing.

Former head of MI6, Sir Richard Dearlove, told The Telegraph: 'This is a maverick appointment. She has no experience of intelligence and security. We have to see how this plays out once she's in the job.'

Meanwhile, Philip Ingram, former British Army senior intelligence and security officer, said: 'I think appointing anyone with zero intelligence experience to be director of national intelligence should be an alarm call.'

A Western intelligence source told Politico that Mr Gabbard's appointment could have an impact on intelligence sharing throughout the Five-Eyes allowance.

Donald Trump has nominated former Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard to be his Director of National Intelligence

Gabbard announced alongside Donald Trump over the summer that she was joining the Republican Party

And Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a former commander of Nato's chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear battalion, said the US-UK alliance could be affected by the decision.

Gabbard was a lifelong Democrat, and served in the party as a U.S. Representative from Hawaii from 2013 until 2021. She rose to national prominence during her unsuccessful Democratic primary bid in 2020.

After leaving the Democratic Party in 2022 and announcing her movement to the Republican Party two years later, Gabbard became a supporter and surrogate for Trump.

She became co-chair of Trump's transition team after his historic presidential election victory on November 5.

Gabbard has been vocal about her criticism of the 'weaponization' of the intelligence community  especially under President Joe Biden's administration against Trump and his circle.

She claims that Democrats believe the intelligence arms of the U.S. are able to act without oversight and 'screw' Americans with whom they disagree.

'I'll never forget when Chuck Schumer on television warned, "Trump is an idiot to mess with the intelligence community 'cause they can screw you six ways from Sunday",' Gabbard said during remarks at the Young Americans for Liberty's (YAL) Revolution 2022 event in August 2022.

She continued: 'Highest-ranking Democrat in the U.S. Senate warning the American people, essentially, against messing with the intelligence community because of how badly they can screw you. As though they are some autonomous body of government that is accountable to no one.'

'How can this be America?' she questioned. 'This goes against these ideals of a government of, by and for the people.'

Trump's announcement of Gabbard on Wednesday helps begin to round out his new national security and defense-related team.

He plans to nominate Fox News anchor Pete Hegseth as his Secretary of Defense and Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) as his national security adviser.

Trump is nominating North Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to lead his Department of Homeland Security.

And earlier this week, the former and future president announced his previous DNI John Ratcliffe would lead the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
A grandmother was hauled off a flight by armed police after refusing to pay 9 for a frozen tuna sandwich.

Lily Ifield, 79, was on her way to Turkey for a four-day birthday holiday when she was served the 'soggy' and 'cold' sandwich onboard a Jet2 flight.

But after refusing to cough up the 9, the cabin crew reminded her 'this isn't a restaurant, it's a plane' before calling four officers armed with guns and batons to escort her from the plane when it landed in Bodrum.

Ms Ifield, a retired secretary from Ware, Hertfordshire, told The Sun: 'The police were standing at the entrance to the plane, waiting with guns like we were master criminals.

'We had no idea what we had done. I was turning round to people, saying "I think I've been arrested over a sandwich".

Lily Ifield, 79, was met by armed police in Turkey after refusing to pay 9 for a still-frozen tuna sandwich

Ms Ifield was on a Jet2 flight from Stansted to Bodrum when she was served the 'soggy' bap

'The steward said, "will you shut up". He said, "I don't want you talking". I said "excuse me, I can talk as much as I like". We were being treated like convicts over a bap.'

Ms Ifield and her daughter were left 'shaking' after they were met by armed police before being 'frog-marched' through the airport even though she uses a walking stick for her bad knee.

The grandmother-of-one claims that she kept asking what the problem was, but that the police said they could not speak English.

She claimed that it was only when they realised how 'stupid' it was that they were allowed to go. 'They were clearly so embarrassed,' she said.

Ms Ifield said her and her daughter were left so upset by the flight that they stayed in their room for four days.

She told The Sun: 'It ruined our holiday. All over a flipping tuna sandwich. No-one would have eaten that.'

Ms Ifield and her daughter, who flew out from Stansted on November 3, said they spent 50 on four mini bottles of wine to calm their nerves before refusing to pay for the tuna sandwich.

However, they say that then they complained to the airline, they were accused of 'unacceptable' behaviour and warned they could be banned from all UK airlines.

Ms Ifield said her and her daughter were left so upset by the flight that they stayed in their room for four days. (File image of tuna sandwich)

She also blasted claims from the airline that they had smuggled alcohol on board the flight.

The mother and daughter flew back with Jet 2 on November 7.

A spokeswoman for Jet2 told The Sun: 'We can confirm that these customers displayed continued disruptive and unpleasant behaviour on board flight LS1609 from London Stansted to Bodrum, including the illicit consumption of alcohol that had been purchased in duty free and brought on board.

'As a result, police met the aircraft on arrival at Bodrum to escort Mrs Ifield and her daughter off the aircraft.

'As a family-friendly airline, we take a zero-tolerance approach to such behaviour, and we make it very clear that customers cannot consume their own alcohol on flights.

'We will always support our crew in instances when they are subjected to disruptive, rude or unpleasant behaviour while prioritising the comfort of all customers and crew so that they can enjoy their flight.'

Reacting to the statement on The JVS Show on Three Counties Radio, Ms Ifield said: 'I don't know what they're talking about.

'I think they're so embarrassed over this sandwich and the police and the way we were treated.

'They are the ones that behaved disgustingly and disturbed me all the way through the flight.'

MailOnline has contacted Jet2 for comment.
Aussies could be eligible to more long service leave

Aussie workers could soon be eligible for two months of long service leave even if they don't remain with the same employer for 10 years under a bold new plan.

The Australian Workers' Union (AWU) said the policy, announced at a national conference in Perth this week, would replace the existing long service leave system.

The proposal, dubbed 'portable' long service leave, would give workers two months of annual leave if the employee works for ten years for several employers.

The reforms would be 'universal' meaning Aussie workers across every sector and industry, including casuals, would be eligible for the entitlement.

Portable long service leave would mimic the superannuation system where multiple employers make contributions to workers' leave period.

This would mean that employees can keep the contributions made by all of their employers even if they switch between jobs.

The union voted for a motion at the national conference and urged the federal government to implement the proposal.

The AWU, which has 75,000 members, stated in a resolution that the existing leave entitlement needs to be revised to reflect changes to the workplace.

Portable' long service leave, would give workers two months of annual leave if the employee works for ten years for several employers (pictured, Sydney workers)

'While secure, long-term employment was once the norm for most, millions are now in insecure work: 22 per cent of Australian workers are in casual roles,' it states.

'For AWU members and millions of others in insecure work, the prospect of qualifying for statutory LSL [long service leave] is remote at best.

'Less than a quarter of all workers have been with their employer for over 10 years and 11 per cent don't expect to remain in their current role for another year.'

AWU national secretary Paul Farrow has urged the federal government to consider the proposal in a bid to secure better rights for workers.

'Now is the time, with a federal Labor government prepared to roll out sensible, fair minded industrial relations reform, to see a portable Long Service Leave scheme cemented into our workplace rights,' Mr Farrow said.

'With Same Job Same Pay laws taken care of in the Albanese government's first term, what better way to begin a second term than with an innovative reform like this.'

Mr Farrow said under the proposed changes workers would be required to wait for a 'reasonable period' before they use their leave when they switch jobs.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Anthony Albanese's office for comment.

Aussie workers could soon be given two months of long service leave even if they don't remain with the same employer for 10 year under a radical new plan (pictured, workers in Sydney)

The proposal has been slammed by some Australian business leaders.

Ai Group Chief Executive Innes Willcox said the scheme would stifle the ability of employers to retain more of their workforce.

'Adopting universal portable long service leave would be a deeply flawed step that would inevitably have significant adverse impacts on employers, including higher costs and new administrative burdens,' Mr Willcox said.

His comments come after Australia's Reserve Bank forecasted that the national unemployment rate could rise from 4.1 per cent to 4.5 per cent in June 2025.

Workers in Australia are typically entitled to two months of long service leave if they have been working for an employer for 10 years on a pro rata basis.

The leave entitlement however, does vary from each state and territory.

Some industries in Australia such as construction, security and community services already offer portable long service leave entitlements.

The system allows employees to keep their accrued long service leave even if they move on to work for different employers or to work on different projects.
Organisers of a village Christmas fair have cancelled the event for the first time in 25 years because they were asked to put in an 'insurmountable' amount of measures to prevent a potential terrorist attack.

The Rotary Club of Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire told the Telegraph that the endless amount of health and safety paperwork meant it was no longer hosting the fair on December 6.

In order for the festive occasion to go ahead, the club said it had been told to block off two roads at both ends 'to prevent drive-through terrorism' for a fair which only last four hours on a single evening.

It was also told to cough up the funds to employ a traffic management company to man the road closures and 'draft and issue written guidance to marshalls and stewards on procedures in the event of a terrorist attack'.

The fair is run by the parish council and usually attracts around 4,000 people to its 110 stalls each year.

Writing on their website, the club said: 'Over the years the health and safety requirements surrounding the Fayre have steadily increased and additional measures have been imposed with the aim of mitigating potential harms to customers and stallholders.

'These measures have now become so onerous that our organising committee has concluded that they now represent an insurmountable barrier to holding the event.

'Unfortunately, it seems that even these measures and the completion of a 67-page health and safety compliance document (for the 2023 event) are not enough and 2024 would see this documentation almost double in volume.'

The Rotary Club of Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire told the Telegraph that the endless amount of health and safety paperwork meant it was no longer hosting the fair on December 6

The fair is run by the parish council and usually attracts around 4,000 people to its 110 stalls each year

Instead, the village will be holding a series of scaled-down Christmas events - including a late night shopping event - 'which don't involve road closures and unrealistic compliance requirements'.

One council boss admitted policies were 'a little bit over the top' and said it would be 'tragic' if events were cancelled.

The council is now looking to hire two new members of staff. to help tackle the paperwork and safety requirements,

But Graham Marsh, the deputy leader of the Conservative-led East Lindsey district council, said the authority 'has to open people's eyes to litigation because we live in such litigious times now'.

Last year, England's oldest Christmas market was cancelled by the city's Labour-run council as it had become too popular, causing a 'safety risk'.

The four-day extravaganza on Lincoln used to see 300,000 people attend each year, generating an estimated 15million for the city's economy.

But, as businesses basked in the bumper success, Labour councillors said the event had become a 'risk to public safety'.

Karl McCartney, Lincoln's Tory MP, said: 'It's absolutely outrageous, it is cultural and economic vandalism.

'The financial pain this will inflict on local businesses and charities will be catastrophic. It is real-life nightmare before Christmas stuff.'

The council said it acted after a safety review of the 2022 event with the police, fire and ambulance services. A spokesman said it was not possible to find an alternative 'which was practically or financially feasible'.
Dutch politicians are expected to debate relaxing euthanasia lehgislation to permit elderly people to choose to die if they undergo six months of counselling.

It comes after recent survey of 20,000 citizens found 86 per cent supported legalising euthanasia for healthy over-75-year-olds, provided they had consultations with medical professionals first.

The Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalise euthanasia in 2002.

Under existing laws, it is only legal for people who are terminally ill or suffering from unbearable pain with no prospect of improvement.

Politicians there are divided over the proposal - some want the minimum age reduced and others oppose the idea outright.

According to a report in the Telepgraph, the Dutch Medical Association has warned that some elderly people wanting to die could be suffering from depression or loneliness.

The survey by the RTL broadcaster found that more than half of respondents - 53 per cent - could imagine choosing euthanasia if they considered their life to be complete.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof speaks with a broad cabinet delegation on November 12

The Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalise euthanasia in 2002. Pictured: Schoof

More than 9.000 people died by euthanasia or assisted dying in the Netherlands in 2023, which was a four per cent increase on the previous year.

About 90 per cent of them suffered from serious conditions such as cancer, heart or lung disease or nervous system problems.

Five people under 30 with autism were euthanised in the Netherlands in recent years. Rising numbers of euthanasia cases in the Netherlands have raised concerns about legalising assisted dying in the UK.

Robert Clarke, a legal counsel specialising in cases at the European Court of Human Rights, said: 'When it comes to euthanasia, the slippery slope is not hypothetical. We see two things happen in every jurisdiction that has gone down this road.

'The numbers go up almost every single year. There is pressure to expand the qualifying conditions.'
San Francisco Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie meets supporters in Chinatown on Nov 8. Enthusiasm is high for Lurie, who is entering city politics as a relatively blank slate, having never held elected office. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Theres something in the air in San Francisco. Something I wasnt expecting, given the results of the presidential election.

Hundreds of people crowded into St. Marys Square in Chinatown on Nov. 8 to hear Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie deliver a brief acceptance speech. They climbed onto benches and planters to catch a glimpse of him above the thickets of TV cameras and observers. They lifted their phones as high as they could to snap pictures and videos. They cheered after nearly every sentence he uttered even though poor acoustics made it difficult to hear what he was saying. And when he stepped away from the podium to visit merchants on Grant Avenue, they swarmed, demanding selfies or handshakes or a few words with the man who had suddenly been catapulted to San Franciscos most powerful position.

It was a raw, fervent feeling that hasnt been too prevalent in San Francisco as of late: Hope.

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And its still pervading the city a week later, even as the country plunges into uncertainty.

Watching Lurie head down Grant Avenue, I was reminded of a mother duck shepherding her ducklings across the road, there were so many people following him. Everyone wants a piece of him now, one bystander said.

When I spent time with Lurie on the campaign trail, it was evident that he had star power and that his easygoing, affable personality appealed to voters. But the energy emanating from the crowd at his acceptance speech was different.

It was one of catharsis  as if people were finally releasing their collective breath after the pandemic years of pent-up anxiety and frustration and embracing the potential of positive change.

Some of this is undoubtedly because Lurie is entering San Francisco politics as a relatively blank slate, having never held elected office. He hasnt yet had to make the hard decisions of governing that will inevitably disappoint or anger residents. For the moment, he can be all things to all people.

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But watching everyone gathered in the square, clutching coffee cups and chattering excitedly to each other, I couldnt help but feel that people were simply happy to have a reason to celebrate after Donald Trump overwhelmingly defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election.

I recognize that many feel a great sense of fear and loss about the state of our country, Lurie said in his acceptance speech, adding, I share those concerns.

But, he added, Im going to take aim at the problems that need solving right here in San Francisco because that is what the people of this city have elected me to do.

This was met with resounding applause  and for good reason.

Amid the national climate of unpredictability, fear and division  which can evoke feelings of helplessness  one of the most important and empowering things we can do is double down on high-quality local governance.

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Trump will dominate the headlines and Thanksgiving dinner conversations. He will serve as a convenient foil and distraction for politicians across the country, particularly Democrats. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has already called a special legislative session to Trump-proof the states policies.

But neither California nor San Francisco can afford to fall into the trap of pursuing anti-Trump posturing at the expense of delivering measurable results for constituents.

This year was only the second time since 1984 that Californians gave more support to the Republican presidential candidate than in the previous election cycle, according to a Chronicle analysis of election results so far. San Francisco, the bluest county in the state, shifted toward Trump by 7 points  despite a homegrown candidate topping the Democratic ticket.

Yes, California is still a deep-blue state, and more than 80% of San Franciscans still voted for Harris. But these figures nevertheless suggest that Californias best defense against Trumpism is success at the local and state levels.

Cities like San Francisco and Oakland have become national cautionary tales about the pitfalls of progressive governance. They now need to demonstrate that they can deliver the basics for their residents: a high-quality public education, safe and clean streets, abundant housing and an efficient, well-run government.

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For that to happen, voters will need to pay more attention to their local government. And not just to high-profile races like that of mayor or the board of supervisors  but also to more obscure races with lesser-known candidates, such as for San Francisco Unified School District board, the City College of San Francisco board and the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee.

Many of these seats are launching grounds for higher office and are where candidates develop their policy platforms, test their electability and prove their political mettle.

In theory, more voter scrutiny of arcane races like these should lead to better-qualified candidates winning elections, which should lead to a more competent bench of politicians for higher office, which should lead to improved outcomes at all levels of government.

We Californians might not have much say over who occupies the White House  thats largely determined by a handful of voters in a few swing states  but we do have a lot of say over who leads our local governments and the types of policies they pursue.

This doesnt mean we should ignore national politics. Rather, its a recognition that we need to foster healthy, successful local governments if we have any chance of producing healthy, successful state and federal governments.

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About Opinion Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership. Read more about our transparency and ethics policies

And this means overcoming what Lurie described in his acceptance speech as our biggest opposition  cynicism itself. A gnawing sense that maybe it has to be this way.
MMA fighter Conor McGregor has denied that he thought of using his friend as a 'patsy' or 'fall guy' when he was himself faced with an accusation of rape.

During his second day of cross-examination at the High Court, Mr McGregor also denied booking a hotel suite 'with the intention of bringing girls back for sex'.

Mr McGregor and his friend James Lawrence have both been sued for damages by Nikita Hand, 35, from Drimnagh, Dublin, who has alleged they both raped her in the Beacon Hotel in Dublin on December 9, 2018, following a cocaine and alcohol-fuelled after-party.

Both have denied her allegation, and claimed the sex was consensual.

Called to give evidence himself, James Lawrence told the court he would 'never in a million years' take the blame for a rape carried out by someone else, and would never stand up for a man who hurt a woman.

John Gordon, Ms Hand's barrister, noted that Mr McGregor gave a two-page handwritten statement to gardai on January 17, 2019.

Mr McGregor agreed that his solicitor had written the statement, based on his account of events. He also agreed that he had replied 'no comment' to more than 100 further questions from gardai, which he said he did on the basis of legal advice.

Mr McGregor told the court: 'This was the first time anything like this had happened to me. I was beyond petrified.'

MMA fighter Conor McGregor has denied that he thought of using his friend as a 'patsy' or 'fall guy'

Mr McGregor and his friend James Lawrence have both been sued for damages by Nikita Hand, 35

Ms Hand Hand has alleged they both raped her in the Beacon Hotel in Dublin on December 9, 2018, following a cocaine and alcohol-fuelled after-party

Judge Alexander Owens told the jury that Mr McGregor was entitled to remain silent during Garda questioning, and that they could not draw any adverse inference from this. Mr McGregor told the court he was 'here to speak my case' and that the whole process was 'alien' to him.

'These are allegations that are false and I have had to come here to say my piece and to speak

the truth,' he said. 'That's it. These are lies. These allegations against me are false.'

Mr Gordon noted that it was only later that day, following more questioning, that Mr McGregor asked gardai: 'Are you sure she did not have sex with anyone else?'

Later still, after having seen Garda photographs of Ms Hand's bruises, and having heard portions of her complaint to the gardai, Mr Gordon said Mr McGregor then told gardai that James Lawrence had sex with Ms Hand after him.

'Was it in your mind that he might be the patsy?' Mr Gordon asked.

'I'm not sure,' Mr McGregor replied.

'Was it in your mind that Mr Lawrence might take the fall for you?' Mr Gordon pressed.

Mr McGregor answered: 'Whoever can believe in something like this? How silly.'

He confirmed to the court that Mr Lawrence had gone to the same solicitors' firm that he had gone to himself, and that he had paid Mr Lawrence's legal fees.

'I have got a staggering legal bill in disputing these lies,' he observed.

However, he said he did not recall advising Mr Lawrence to use his firm of solicitors.

Mr Gordon suggested that Mr McGregor and Mr Lawrence had not, in January 2019, yet decided 'how you were going to play this'.

John Gordon, Ms Hand's barrister, noted that Mr McGregor gave a two-page handwritten statement to gardai on January 17, 2019

Mr McGregor told the court: 'This was the first time anything like this had happened to me. I was beyond petrified'

Mr McGregor said: 'There was no 'play this'. I am going to speak my truth and put down on the record what happened over the evening.'

Later during the cross-examination, he confirmed he had asked his security guard to book the suite in the Beacon, at around 4.30am, while he was still partying in Krystle nightclub.

Mr Gordon put it to Mr McGregor there were women in his group when the booking was made, but they later decided to go home.

Counsel suggested the booking was made 'with the intention of bringing girls back for sex'.

Mr McGregor said the booking was made 'maybe for a party or afterparty, to have the opportunity, or also just to get myself rested and refreshed'.

He confirmed he contacted Ms Hand after the other women and friends had left.

Mr Gordon said: 'I put it to you that you contacted her because she was to be the replacement for the girls that had left.'

Mr McGregor replied: 'I was still partying away, as were they, and the invitation was to come to the salon for an afterparty. She wasn't a replacement.'

The court heard Mr McGregor collected Ms Hand and her friend at 10.15am, and drove around, also picking up Mr Lawrence. They arrived at the Beacon Hotel at 12.15pm, 15 minutes after the room was ready for check-in.

After Mr McGregor finished giving his evidence, Mr Lawrence then took the stand.

He denied being the 'patsy' or 'fall guy', telling his own barrister, John Fitzgerald: 'Never in a million years. What man would put himself up for the rape of a woman?'

He told the court that although he was initially not interested in Ms Hand, having had sex already three times with her friend, he did eventually have sex with her after she kept coming on to him.

He described it as 'soft sex', which they had both enjoyed, and said everybody was in good form. Although they had been drinking, everyone was in their 'right minds', he said.

Both men have denied her allegation, and claimed the sex was consensual

he case continues before Judge Owens and a jury of eight women and four men

He vehemently denied having taken cocaine himself, saying he never touched drugs as they had been bad for his family. He also said he never drank to excess.

Cross-examined by Mr Gordon, Mr Lawrence agreed he would never have been accused of rape if he had not told gardai himself on January 18 that he had sex with Ms Hand twice in the hotel room, following her time with Mr McGregor.

Ms Hand, who had been drinking beers and Bacardi, and taking cocaine, has given evidence that she was unaware of having had sex with Mr Lawrence until she saw his Garda statement, and had thought he was looking after her.

'You put yourself directly in the firing line?' Mr Gordon asked.

'Of course, it's the truth,' he replied.

He told the court he had been shocked by the Garda photographs of bruises on Ms Hand's body, and said they were not there when he had sex with her.

'I don't know where she got the bruises from. She did not get them from me,' he said.

Mr Gordon pressed: 'You were telling us you were all in clear minds.

'In fact, it would have been perfectly obvious to you that she had been beaten up.'

Mr Lawrence denied this. He said the door to the room in which Ms Hand and Mr McGregor were was open at all times, and that he could hear her enjoying sex with his friend.

Mr Gordon said Ms Hand's body would have shown 'all the hallmarks of a violent assault'.

Mr Lawrence repeated he did not know where the bruises in the photograph had come from, but said neither he nor Mr McGregor had caused them.

He said he came from a 'family of women', including six sisters.

'I would not stand up for any man doing anything to any woman, and I would not do anything to any woman either.'

The case continues before Judge Owens and a jury of eight women and four men.
The sister of an alleged gunman yesterday told a murder trial that she saw him enter her family home with a gun, before hearing blasts.

Lyn-Anne MacKinnon said she caught her husband John in her arms after he had been shot.

The 45-year-old had seen her brother Finlay MacDonald walk into the house with a gun before hearing loud bangs, the High Court in Edinburgh heard.

She went into her home in Teangue, on the Isle of Skye, to find her husband groaning before he collapsed in her arms.

MacDonald denies murder, and has lodged a special defence that at the time of the alleged offence his ability to determine or control his conduct was substantially impaired by abnormality of mind.

He has also pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to murder three people and charges under the Firearms Act.

On the second day of the trial, Mrs MacKinnon said that on August 10, 2022, she was unpacking her car after a holiday when when she heard another vehicle arrive.

It was MacDonald, she told the trial, and he started to walk up the back steps.

Lyn-Anne MacKinnon, pictured, said she caught her husband John in her arms after he had been shot

Mrs MacKinnon said she caught her husband in her arms and gently lowered him to the floor

Finlay MacDonald is further accused of attempting to murder his wife Rowena (pictured) in Tarskavaig on Skye

The mother-of-six said: 'When I looked up, I glanced down and I could see he was holding a gun at his side. I said: 'Finlay, what do you think you are doing?' I didn't get any response.'

She told the court: 'As I walked the steps from the car to the door I heard bangs. I walked into the kitchen and found John.

'At that point he was still upright. He was groaning.'

Mrs MacKinnon said she caught her husband in her arms and gently lowered him to the floor.

She said: 'I was just screaming in horror.'

The witness told advocate depute Liam Ewing, KC, that she thought the bangs she heard were 'shots'. She added: 'I thought I had only heard two, but I believe it was three. I only saw evidence of two wounds.'

MacDonald, 41, has also been charged with attempting to murder John and Fay MacKenzie at their home in Dornie, Ross-shire. He is further accused of attempting to murder his wife Rowena in Tarskavaig on Skye.

John MacKinnon, a father of six, suffered fatal gunshot wounds

Police at the scene of the incident in Tarskavaig, a crofting village on the West coast of Sleat on the Isle of Skye in Scotland

Mrs MacDonald, 34, said her husband saw osteopath John Donald MacKenzie about treatment for a back injury in the spring of 2022, but was not happy with the result.

She told the court: 'He would frequently say: 'I am going to kill him, bloody kill him for ruining my life'.'

The court heard MacDonald had bought a pump action shotgun for 625 and 1,000 cartridges in June 2022.

Defence KC Donald Findlay asked Mrs MacDonald about her having said that she did not know he was autistic.

She replied: 'No, not for sure. I knew there was something different. I didn't know whether it was depression, anxiety, autism or something different.'

The trial, before Lady Drummond, continues.
Octopuses are the species that are most likely to take over the world after humans, scientists say.

World leading experts claim the eight-limbed creatures are primed to become the dominant force on Earth should humanity die out.

In the event of a wipeout through either wars or climate change, the marine invertebrates are said to possess the 'physical and mental attributes necessary' to evolve into the next civilisation-building species.

Professor Tim Coulson of the University of Oxford, said their 'dexterity, curiosity, ability to communicate with each other, and supreme intelligence' means they could create complex tools to build a vast Atlantis-like civilisation underwater.

And although the octopus is 'unlikely' to develop into a full land animal, it was clever enough to 'extend' its time out the water to develop new methods of hunting, he claimed.

Professor Coulson, who is one of the world's leading zoologists and biologists and has advised governments, said the cephalopods were now in 'pole position' to colonise the world in the event humanity dies out.

Primates - long thought to be the successor to humans - would face the same challenges and also become extinct, he said.

The professor said the predators - which can breathe for 30 minutes out of water - could, over millions of years, develop their own methods of hunting on land in much the same way as humans have done at sea.

World leading experts claim the eight-limbed creatures are primed to become the dominant force on Earth should humanity die out (file image)

In the event of a wipeout through either wars or climate change, Octopuses are said to possess the 'physical and mental attributes necessary' to evolve into the next civilisation-building species

This could include SCUBA-like breathing gear to extend the time they can remain out of the water, he said.

Speaking to The European magazine, Professor Coulson, who was previously Professor of Population Biology at Imperial College London and held positions at Cambridge University and the Institute of Zoology London, said: 'Octopuses are among the most intelligent, adaptable, and resourceful creatures on Earth.

'Their ability to solve complex problems, manipulate objects, and even camouflage themselves with stunning precision suggests that, given the right environmental conditions, they could evolve into a civilisation-building species following the extinction of humans.

'Their advanced neural structure, decentralized nervous system, and remarkable problem-solving skills make octopuses uniquely suited for an unpredictable world.

'These qualities could allow them to exploit new niches and adapt to a changing planet, especially in the absence of human influence.

'In a world where mammals dominate, octopuses remain an underappreciated contender. Their advanced cognition, tool-use, and ability to adapt to changing environments provide a blueprint for what might emerge as the planet's next intelligent species after humans.'

Professor Coulson has awards from major institutions including the Royal Society, is the former editor of several science journals, and has published more than 200 peer-reviewed articles with a focus on complex biological systems.

His latest book, The Universal History of Us: a 13.8-billion-year tale from the Big Bang to You, focuses on what had to happen since the universe's birth for humans to exist.

Although the octopus is 'unlikely' to develop into a full land animal, it was clever enough to 'extend' its time out the water to develop new methods of hunting, Professor Tim Coulson claimed

He added: 'Of course, the rise of the octopuses is all speculative: evolution is unpredictable, and we can't say with certainty what path it will take in the event of human extinction.

'The future of life on Earth is shaped by countless variables, and any number of species could rise to prominence.

'That said, given the octopus's remarkable intelligence, adaptability, and diverse range of survival strategies, it wouldn't be the most far-fetched bet to imagine them thriving in a post-human world.'

If humans were to die out, perhaps through wars or climate change, most scientists agree that the creature to 'replace' us would need to be dextrous.

Without dexterity, a species would be unable to develop complex tools to modify their environment and colonise the planet in the way that man has done.

Some birds, such as crows, ravens, and parrots, for example, are extremely intelligent and construct communal nesting sites that can last for decades.

Several insect species build complex towering structures, which bear a resemblance to human civilisation.

But experts say neither birds nor insects are likely to fill the ecological role previously held by humans because they lack the dexterity of humans and octopuses.

Primates have long been considered the natural forerunner of civilisation because of their capacity to manipulate objects.

Some birds, such as crows, ravens, and parrots (pictured), for example, are extremely intelligent and construct communal nesting sites that can last for decades

Several insect species build complex towering structures, which bear a resemblance to human civilisation

Hominids like chimps and bonobos are smart, have opposable thumbs, already use tools, and can walk on two legs like humans.

But primates would likely face extinction alongside humans because they are vulnerable to the same threats that affect us.

Even if they did survive, experts say primates are vulnerable to predators and competition, are limited in terms of the environments and ecosystems in which they can live, and have slow reproductive rates and development.

Primates also rely on tight-knit communities for survival - with coordinated social behaviours like hunting, grooming, and defence against predators - and their small population sizes mean they might struggle to adapt to a changed world.

'Octopuses, on the other hand, are a potentially better candidate for filling an ecological niche in a post-human world,' Professor Coulson added.

They can already differentiate between real and virtual objects, solve puzzles, manipulate their surroundings, use complex tools using their thumb-like tentacles, and live in a diverse range of environments from deep-sea trenches to coastal waters.

Octopuses are also adept at surviving in harsh conditions and are formidable hunters with a wide variety of prey including clams, shrimp, lobsters, fish, sharks and even birds.

Researchers found primates would likely face extinction alongside humans because they are vulnerable to the same threats that affect us (file image of a chimpanzee)

Though they have relatively short lifespans, from between 1.5 to five years, they reproduce and reach physical and intellectual maturity very quickly.

And while they can be sociable creatures, octopuses fend largely for themselves and do not rely on strict, coordinated social behaviours like primates do.

Professor Coulson said the invertebrates are unlikely to evolve into land-based animals because of their lack of a skeleton, which means they struggle to move quickly and easily when out of water.

But he said the creatures - some of which grow to 20ft and weigh 110 pounds - could conceivably build underwater cities and towns akin to those we recognise on land.

Thanks to evolution, it is 'possible, if not probable' that they could develop their own methods of breathing out of water and hunt prey like deer, sheep and other mammals on land.

Professor Coulson said: 'It's important to remember that these are just possibilities, and that it's impossible to predict with any degree of certainty how evolution will unfold over extended periods.

'Random mutations, unforeseen extinction events, and population bottlenecks can all significantly influence the trajectory of evolution, making it challenging to determine whether another species will develop human-level intelligence or the inclination to construct cities.

'But could octopuses replace humans - and potentially also primates - if they were to die out? Absolutely.

'Would octopuses build vast underwater cities and come onto land wearing breathing apparatus to shoot a deer? We've no way of knowing. But we certainly can't rule it out.

'Humans learned to catch fish and to navigate over and under water, so it is also possible, if not probable, that octopuses might do the same on land.'
South Australia's Voice to Parliament has seen a surge in resignations, including that of its leader, amid claims its members are being 'gagged' from speaking out.

Narungga, Kaurna and Ngarrindjeri woman Tahlia Wanganeen was elected to the Central Adelaide Voice in March and appointed chair of the State Voice in June.

However, she quit both advisory bodies just months later in September.

Ms Wanganeen claimed the organisation's current model was 'unsustainable' as members have 'day-to-day jobs', she told ABC News.

She was one of four elected members who have already resigned from the Voice - the others being Central Voice member Cheryl Axelby, South East Voice member Darryle Barnes, and Yorke and Mid North Voice member Joy Makepeace.

Director of the Voice secretariat, Andrea Mason, also resigned to move to the Northern Territory, reportedly for family reasons.

Ms Wanganeen's comments followed a confrontation between SA Aboriginal Affairs Minister Kyam Maher and independent MP Frank Pangallo in Parliament on Thursday.

The pair were at odds after elected Voice member and SA's Senior Australian of the Year, Uncle Charles Jackson, revealed he was considering leaving the body.

SA Aboriginal Affairs Minister Kyam Maher (pictured) addressed concerns in parliament on Thursday after four members of the SA Voice resigned

The Adnyamathanha elder claimed being part of the Voice had 'barriers being put before me' that do not 'give me any freedom to be able to say what I want to say to represent my people in region three'.

'I'm thinking whether I would continue being a member of the Voice,' he said.

'I just thought what's the purpose of being a voice for my people?'

Mr Pangallo accused the Voice of gagging Uncle Charles and said he was 'deeply concerned' by the resignation of four other Voice members.

'Why are members of the state Voice being gagged from speaking to the media about matters that impact their people?' Mr Pangallo asked Mr Maher.

Mr Maher claimed he was not aware of any attempts to silence Voice members.

'Having known Uncle Charlie for many, many years I don't think any attempts of that sort would be at all successful,' he said.

'I think Uncle Charlie has been  and will continue to be a staunch advocate for his people.'

Two Voice vacancies are set to be filled by a supplementary election next year while the other two will be taken by those next in line to fill the seats at the March election

In response to the wider Voice concerns, Mr Maher said: 'I know there were a variety of reasons for the people that have resigned that have included, I think, from moving interstate to taking on new employment that doesn't allow flexibility to do that, and for other personal reasons.

'That's not necessarily my place, to go into people's personal details.'

A recruitment process to find replacements for the the members is underway.

Two vacancies are set to be filled by a supplementary election next year while the other two will be taken by those next in line to fill the seats at the March election.

However, Mr Pangallo believes the only way to prevent future resignations is to address the concerns of the four former Voice members.

'For the sake of transparency and accountability, the Minister has a responsibility to release the details why each Member has resigned,' he said.

'My concern is these people all nominated only a few months ago to be members of the historic Voice, but have suddenly had a change of heart - for whatever reasons  and pulled the plug.

'It's not a good look and raises a number of questions. Although only in its infancy, serious cracks are appearing in the State Voice. It seems we have no Voice to be heard as yet.'

Prominent Voice member Uncle Charles (pictured) said he's thinking about leaving the body due to 'barriers being put before me' that do not 'give me any freedom to be able to say what I want to say to represent my people in region three'

Uncle Charles has also raised concerns about potentially biased members of the Voice who hold jobs in government agencies.

'How can they speak against any government policy when the government actually pays their wages?' he said.

Mr Maher addressed the complaint in parliament by referencing training Voice members undergoing on dealing with conflicts of interest.

'I disagree that having a career or a job in the state or federal public sector ought to preclude you from standing to represent your community and being part of our Voice in South Australia,' he said.

The SA Voice was previously expected to give its first address to parliament this year.
An Uber driver has been blasted by a judge as 'incredibly stupid' after allegedly waving around a water pistol that looked like a gun outside Parliament House.

Dozens of officers converged on the building in Sydney's CBD on Thursday afternoon after Waqar Hassan Virk, 28, allegedly produced a 'Glock' imitation water pistol and fired it from inside his car.

Virk appeared in Downing Centre Local Court via video link on Friday morning where the court heard he allegedly drove behind Parliament House, stuck his arm out of the window with the faux pistol and shot a substance from it, believed to be water.

The entire alleged incident was captured on the parliament's CCTV.

His alleged actions were heavily condemned by Magistrate Greg Grogan who said it was lucky Virk wasn't Tasered or even shot by police.

'I have no idea why a person would take such an object to such a high-profile place and wave it around ... it is beyond me as to why he would do it and think it was OK,' Magistrate Grogan said, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

'If there were an offence of committing a very stupid act in public, Virk no doubt would be pleading guilty at the first available opportunity.'

Virk had bought the gun on Tuesday as a present for his nephew in Pakistan, where he sends money home to his family.

Dozens of officers converged outside Parliament House on Thursday after Waqar Hassan Virk (pictured) allegedly produced a 'Glock' imitation water pistol and fired it from inside his car

Virk (pictured) allegedly sparked a large-scale incident which saw dozens of police surrounding and searching the grounds of NSW parliament on Thursday

Virk allegedly waved around the water pistol (pictured) that looked very similar to a real gun

The 28-year-old had driven away from Parliament House before officers arrived.

He was arrested four hours later near Sydney Airport and charged with possessing an unauthorised firearm.

Virk was granted bail on the condition he forfeit his passport to police, doesn't travel domestically, and remains more than one kilometre's distance between himself and Hospital Road or NSW Parliament House.

He faces a maximum sentence of five years behind bars and will face court again on November 29.

Virk's Toyota Camry has custom number plates and a sticker of his own face on one of the back windows.

Another car he owns has 'VIRK...!' written inside a window.
A number of glow-in-the-dark children's hoodies sold on online retail marketplace Temu have been recalled over fears they could catch on fire.

The hoodies were sold across Australia online between October last year and March, with Product Safety Australia reporting a child has already been injured.

The recall notice said the hoodies don't come with a mandatory warning label and pose a serious burn risk to children when exposed to heat or a flame source.

'An incident has occurred resulting in serious injuries to a child,' it read.

Consumers were warned to stop using the hoodies and keep them away from children.

Temu has also urged customers to destroy or dispose of the jumpers.

'Consumers will receive a full refund from Temu on behalf of the trader Sunshine Towels,' the recall notified.

The hoodies recalled come in four colours and styles: Pink Rainbow Unicorn, Purple Rainbow Unicorn, Blue Dinosaur and Space Planet.

Product Safety Australia has issued a dire warning over a highly flammable Temu hoodie

It comes after a young Australian girl suffered burns to 13 per cent of her body after embers from a fire lit her knock-off Chinese hoodie on fire

It comes after a young Australian girl suffered burns to 13 per cent of her body after embers from a fire lit her hoodie that had been bought off Temu on fire.

The young girl was airlifted to Hervey Bay Hospital where she underwent 15 procedures in less than eight weeks.
Aussies have flooded a travel agency with hundreds of 'desperate' phone calls after multiple volcanic eruptions in Bali sparked travel chaos.

Staff at travel risk management firm World Travel Protection in Brisbane have helped stranded Aussie tourists in the remote of island of Flores, in the province of East Nusa Tenggara.

Thousands of Australians, who are on holidays in Bali, were left scrambling to book flights after Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki first erupted on November 4.

World Travel Protection has been inundated with at least 800 calls for help since the deadly eruption, which has claimed the lives of 10 people.

Major airlines including Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin cancelled multiple flights on Tuesday and Wednesday due to safety concerns.

The travel group has helped Aussies rebook cancelled flights and find alternative accommodation in the area.

'The disruption has mainly been to flights and accommodation bookings so far,' the agency's global chief medical officer Dr Derrick Tin said.

Dr Tin said the chaos was a timely reminder for people to be prepared for unexpected incidents like this.

Staff at travel risk management firm World Travel Protection have helped stranded tourists (pictured) in the remote of island of Flores, Indonesia following multiple volcanic eruptions

'Ensure your medical assistance provides proactive risk mitigation advice such as providing you with pre-trip travel briefs on health and security risks,' Dr Tin said.

'Volcanic eruptions can be extremely dangerous events that cause disruption far beyond the localised area.

'Those in proximity are in immediate danger and should leave the area as quickly as possible.'

Locals near the volcano reported multiple tremors at the time of the eruption, which sent columns of ash between 500-2000m into the sky for several days in a row.

Thousands of people living near Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki have since been evacuated.

One Aussie traveller Christine Sutherland was among hundreds of impacted tourists whose holiday plans were thrown into chaos following the massive explosions.

'We are a party of 20 people and all of our flights have been cancelled,' she told Perth Now.

'We are trying to find accommodation for the night with room costs now going up by 40 per cent.'

Locals near the volcano reported multiple tremors at the time of the eruption, which sent columns of ash between 500-2000m into the sky following the eruption (pictured)

Major airlines including Qantas cancelled multiple flights on Tuesday and Wednesday due to safety concerns which sparked travel chaos (pictured stranded travellers in Bali)

Jetstar has since resumed flights between Australia and Bali after conditions from the eruption eased.

Six return Jetstar flights flew to Denpasar from across Australia on Thursday, consisting of four scheduled services and two ad-hoc recovery flights.

Travellers have been urged to contact their airline to check for any flight changes or cancellations.

It's up to airlines to make the decision to fly in the conditions.

Indonesian authorities were trying to evacuate 16,000 locals from nearby villages as the eruptions continue.
The China Daily urged other western leaders to be like Albo

Beijing has praised Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as a world leader that others from the West should strive to emulate - in a compliment the Prime Minister may not find at all helpful at home.

The Communist superpower's state-owned newspaper, the China Daily, ran a glowing editorial on Thursday that complimented Australia for 'waking up' about the importance of China and praising Mr Albanese for his 'strategic autonomy'.

In the past, the mouthpiece for China's regime has viciously attacked Australian politicians, including slamming Mr Albanese's predecessor Scott Morrison as a 'yes man' for America.

But the state media organ struck a remarkably different tone about Mr Albanese in an editorial this week, praising his government for striking a masterful 'balancing act' between its alliance with Washington and economic interests with China.

Mr Albanese netted one more compliment for the way he has handled the 'unprecedented geopolitical complexity and uncertainty' following Donald Trump's stunning comeback at the 2024 US election earlier this month.

The publication previously wrote that peace would not be 'easy' after President-elect Donald Trump won the election and began announcing cabinet members with hawkish views on China.

However, unlike during Mr Trump's first term when Australia was 'under Washington's anti-China spell' the editors wrote that Canberra had since 'woken up'.

'Australia's ties with China deteriorated when the previous Australian government fell under Washington's anti-China spell,' the editorial read.

Prime minister Anthony Albanese was praised by Chinese state-owned newspaper, the China Daily, as an example of what other western leaders should strive to be like

The glowing editorial from the state media organ comes just one day before Mr Albanese is set to meet Chinese president Xi Jinping for the APEC conference in Peru

'But Canberra has woken up to the significance of those ties under the Albanese government and set out repairing them.'

Mr Trump has threatened to impose 60 per cent tariffs on China after he becomes president on January 20.

Economists predict these tariffs, which are essentially a tax on imports or exports, would slow economic growth in countries like Australia which is dependent on trade with China.

Mr Albanese discussed trade with the incoming US president on a congratulatory phone call following Mr Trump's election win.

The two discussed trade and ways to help safeguard Australia's economy against global challenges.

'I pointed out that Australia has, or the United States has, a trade surplus with Australia,' he said on Wednesday.

The prime minister discussed his phone call to Mr Trump with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto when the pair met in Peru for the APEC summit on Friday.

'He had a phone conversation with President Trump, as I did last week, so we discussed that and what it might mean for the world,' Mr Subianto told reporters.

The China Daily praised Mr Albanese for striking a masterful 'balancing act' between its alliance with Washington and economic interests with China.

Chinese state media previously wrote that peace would not be 'easy' after President-elect Donald Trump won the US election

'Obviously, that's part of the backdrop of APEC and the G20 is what the impact of a change in US Administration will have.'

The commentary could expose Mr Albanese to criticism that his government's relationship with China is too cozy.

The editorial is not Mr Albanese's first compliment from the Chinese regime.

The country's second-in-command, Premier Li Qiang, told reporters that locals had begun calling the prime minister 'a handsome boy' on a trip to Beijing in November 2023.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet with Mr Albanese and other world leaders at Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and G20 meeting in Peru and Brazil in South America in the coming days.
Donald Trump announced on Thursday that North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum - a wealthy former software company executive - would be his pick to head the Interior Department.

Trump was speaking on stage during a gala at his Mar-a-Lago resort when he seemed to debate whether he would spoil the surprise early, before naming Burgum.

'He's going to head the Department of Interior, and it's going to be fantastic,' a tuxedo-wearing Trump said, adding that he would make an official announcement on Friday.

'We have a big announcement and I won't tell you the exact name, I think he's an incredible person, he's got an unbelievable wife named Kathryn,' Trump said.

'So I won't tell you his name, it might be something like Burgum, he's from North Dakota. He's going to be announced tomorrow for a big position.'

Trump then acknowledged Burgum, who was in the crowd for the star-studded party at the America First Policy Conference.

'We're gonna do things with energy and with land, interior, that is going to be incredible and so I look forward to doing the formal announcement, although this is a pretty big announcement right now,' Trump added.

He then congratulated Kathryn Burgum before once again promising the official announcement Friday.

Donald Trump said on Thursday that North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, a wealthy former software company executive, will be his pick for interior secretary

'He's going to head the Department of Interior, and it's going to be fantastic,' a tuxedo-wearing Trump said at a gala at his Mar-a-Lago Florida retreat, adding that he would make an official announcement on Friday

The decision follows another pair of high-profile announcements, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination to run the nation's health department and ex-Congressman Doug Collins as Veterans Affairs secretary.

Burgum, 68, has portrayed himself as a traditional, business-minded conservative and was seen as being on the short list to be Trump's vice president.

He ran against Trump for the Republican presidential nomination before quitting and becoming a loyal Trump supporter, appearing at fundraisers and advocating for Trump on television.

Since his victory, Trump has chosen several loyalists with little experience for key Cabinet positions, stunning some allies and making clear that he is serious about reshaping - and in some cases testing - America's institutions.

He is a billionaire businessman surrounded by a loving family and has the support of a wife who has her own inspirational back story overcoming drug and alcohol addiction.

Burgum ran his own self-funded campaign for governor and taking on the Republican establishment while winning the affection of voters in the state.

Though a long shot candidate for president in 2020, Republican consultants in DC appreciated his outside-the-box thinking that allowed him to stay in the debates by building up his donor list by handing out $20 gift cards for a one dollar donation.

Political operatives viewed Burgum with many of the same qualities as former Vice President Mike Pence used to have - low key, no drama, Midwestern appeal, and not a national figure trying to raise his political profile beyond Trump.

Trump acknowledged Burgum, who was in the crowd for the star-studded party at the America First Policy Conference

Burgum, 68, has portrayed himself as a traditional, business-minded conservative and was seen as being on the short list to be Trump's vice president

Burgum has the additional qualities of a successful businessman who, like Trump, has a practical view on politics.

His connections to wealthy donors were also considered an asset to the campaign.

Before the selection of J.D. Vance, Trump's former campaign chief Corey Lewandowski mentioned Burgum as one of the 'top three' candidates currently under consideration for his running mate.

'His record is probably not as strong as it could have been from a rock rib conservative state like North Dakota but Doug is someone who has spent a lot of time with the president lately,' Lewandowski said in a New Hampshire radio interview, stressing he was only speaking for himself, and not for Trump.

North Dakota's newfound prominence in the energy industry lifted Burgum's profile as he ran his campaign on importance of America becoming energy independent and economically prosperous.

His record on energy sparked chatter that he could one day be Trump's pick for Secretary of Energy, much like former Gov. Rick Perry did in Trump's first term.

In January, Trump previewed that Burgum would be 'a very important piece of the administration,' and praised his temperament.

'You need controversy for traction sometimes, and this guy is the most solid guy. There's no controversy whatsoever,' Trump said. 'And he's one of the best governors in our country.'

Republican presidential candidate North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and wife Kathryn

Earlier Thursday, Trump said he intends to nominate former Representative Doug Collins for secretary of veterans affairs.

'We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need,' Trump said in a statement.

Collins, who served in Congress from 2013 to 2021, unsuccessfully ran for election to be a U.S. senator for Georgia in 2020.

He is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command.

The Department of Veterans Affairs provides benefits, health care, and cemetery services to military veterans.

It employs nearly 371,000 health care professionals and support staff at VA medical facilities across the country.

The president-elect also picked three members of his criminal defense team, including lead attorney Todd Blanche, to serve in senior roles at the Justice Department.

Trump nominated Blanche, who defended him at trial this year in a criminal case over hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels, to serve as deputy attorney general, the second-highest position at the Justice Department.

The president-elect also picked three members of his criminal defense team, including lead attorney Todd Blanche (pictured right), to serve in senior roles at the Justice Department

Trump also selected John Sauer, who successfully urged the U.S. Supreme Court to give Trump broad immunity in the 2020 election case, as his solicitor general. The solicitor general represents the U.S. government before the Supreme Court

'Todd is an excellent attorney who will be a crucial leader in the Justice Department, fixing what has been a broken System of Justice for far too long,' Trump said in a statement.

The deputy attorney general provides day-to-day supervision of the more than 110,000 employees of the Justice Department and also oversees the FBI and other investigative agencies.

Rod Rosenstein, who served in the role during Trump's first administration, called Blanche a 'highly credible' nominee for deputy attorney general.

Blanche, a former federal prosecutor, is representing Trump in two federal cases over his efforts to overturn his defeat in the 2020 election and his retention of classified documents after leaving office in 2021.

Both cases are expected to wind down before Trump returns to the White House in January.

Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records in the hush money case. He had been scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 26, but all proceedings in the case are now on hold.

Trump also selected John Sauer, who successfully urged the U.S. Supreme Court to give Trump broad immunity in the 2020 election case, as his solicitor general. The solicitor general represents the U.S. government before the Supreme Court.

Nothing topped the reaction to Trump's choice to nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be his secretary of Health and Human Services.

Nothing topped the reaction to Trump's choice to nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be his secretary of Health and Human Services

Earlier Thursday, Trump said he intends to nominate former Representative Doug Collins for secretary of veterans affairs

The latest appointment to a rapidly growing cabinet and West Wing packed with loyalists new and old immediately sent shockwaves through the public health sector given Kennedy's reputation as an anti-vaxxer who has pushed conspiracy theories about a number of health-related topics.

The 70-year-old husband of actress Cheryl Hines has railed against processed foods, vowed to remove fluoride from public water systems and suggested COVID was engineered to be 'ethnically targeted.'

'I am thrilled to announce Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS),' Trump posted on X.

DailyMail.com previously reported that Dr. Ben Carson - a respected surgeon turned 2016 presidential candidate - was in the mix, though Trump had also said he would let Kennedy 'go wild' on federal health agencies.

Kennedy had boosted Trump's 2024 run by suspending his independent presidential campaign the day after the Democratic National Convention wrapped up in August - telling his supporters to back the Republican in key swing states.

Kennedy later embraced Trump even more - telling his supporters across the U.S. to back Trump instead - arguing they had a vision to 'Make America Healthy Again.'
A Missouri school teacher is accused of exchanging drugs and alcohol for sex with students, including one who she allegedly slept with on a gravel road.

Carissa Smith, 31, was arrested on Tuesday for rape, sodomy, patronizing prostitution, sex trafficking of a child, hindering prosecution and sexual contact and misconduct with a student.

The Pulaski County Sheriff's Department said she would have sex with them at her residence and other various locations such as gravel roads or on the side of the road.

Smith would offer money, marijuana and alcohol to students in return for sex or to allow her to perform oral sex, court documents state.

One victim said he had his first sexual interaction with Smith while he was a student at Dixon Middle School.

He said they met when she was substituting for another teacher and provide the boy with her Snapchat.

'Smith began sending them pictures of her breasts and buttocks, along with her nude in the shower,' court documents state.

After she proposition the student for sex and offered him money, she allegedly told him he had to keep it a secret.

Carissa Smith, 31, was arrested and charged with a shocking 19 counts of sexually abusing at least two students

'[The victim] stated Mrs. Smith told them not to talk about it or else they would get into trouble. Mrs. Smith stated, "You know you can't talk about this with anybody?"' court documents said.

One victim alleged that during a sexual encounter Smith forced him to ejaculate inside of her.

The boy said he told her 'that was f*****d up,' and she responded by offering him more money.

In another incident, the victim said he smoked marijuana with Smith and her friend Lacey Beam who was a former school nurse for the Dixon School District.

Eventually Smith dropped Beam off at her home and took the boy to McDonald's because her husband was home with their children, according to court documents.

Smith worked as a long-term substitute teacher at Dixon Middle School for the 2022-2023 school year. Then she worked as a paraprofessional at the high school for the 2023-2024 school year.

She was hired as long-term substitute teacher at the high school on July 22, but resigned on August 30.

Smith was arrested on eight counts of statutory rape, one count of statutory sodomy, three counts of sexual contact with a student, two counts of sexual misconduct with a student, one count of patronizing prostitution, two counts of sexual trafficking of a child and two counts of hindering prosecution.

One victim said he had his first sexual interaction with Smith while he was a student at Dixon Middle School (pictured)

She is being held on $250,000 bond and her next court date is scheduled for November 20.

The Dixon R-1 School District released a statement to KY3 following the news of her arrest revealing they were not able to share information regarding the assaults due to the investigation.

'Earlier this school year, the District received a report of possible misconduct by Ms. Smith towards at least one District student. This report was shared with the authorities responsible for investigating concerns of this nature,' the district said.

'This is very disturbing and distressing information for everyone in our school community... At all times, our school districts first and most important mission is to provide the best education possible for our students in a safe and secure environment.'

Elsewhere in Missouri, a math teacher who admitted to having sex with a student at school while others acted as 'lookouts' was handed a favorable deal by prosecutors.

Hailey Clifton-Carmack, 26, previously pleaded guilty to sexual contact with a student in exchange for having the other charges including statutory rape, child molestation and child endangerment dropped.

The teacher was caught after police were informed of the relationship between Clifton-Carmack and the student after a classmate from Laquey High School came forward and showed photos of the teen's scratches.

She was sentenced to four years in prison and ordered to complete a sex-offender treatment program.

However, the judge said he will receive updates on her progress in 90 days, and if she does well Clifton-Carmack could have her sentence suspended and be downgraded to probation.
The Marin Headlands and all of the states coastline are under the purview of the California Coastal Commission. Clara Mokri/Special to the Chronicle 2022

Regarding Californias Coastal Commission rare government agency with a spine (Open Forum, SFChronicle.com, Nov. 10): Joe Mathews argument that the California Coastal Commission can help solve the housing crisis is laughably wrong.

Mathews suggests allowing the commission to require developers to provide affordable housing in coastal zones. This inclusionary zoning would make the problem worse. Although inclusionary zoning appeals to our sense of fairness, according to researchers like Shane Phillips at UCLA, its net effect is to make housing more expensive.

Rather than repeat the talking point saying the commission has never rejected an all-affordable development, Mathews should ask how many affordable units have been built in the coastal zone  and how many homes in total.

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Because of the well-known chilling effect caused by the commissions deference to wealthy NIMBY homeowners, new homes are rarely built in the coastal zone.

The commission has succeeded in its goal of keeping our coast from looking like Miami Beach, but we shouldnt celebrate this achievement. Unlike in Miami, homes on the California coast are scarce and outrageously expensive.

Enjoying our coast requires a multimillion-dollar home or the leisure time to drive, often long distances, from other parts of the state.

Ilya Gurin, volunteer lead, South Bay YIMBY, Mountain View

S.F. Zoo doing well

Regarding San Francisco Zoo described as unsafe for visitors and animals in scathing city report (San Francisco, SFChronicle.com, Oct. 10): As the San Francisco Zoos board chair, I am outraged by the recent report from the Commission of Animal Control and Welfare, an advisory body that has no jurisdiction over the zoo.

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The Joint Zoo/Recreation and Park Department Commission Committee neither requested the report nor reviewed it. While the report indicates it was presented to zoo Director Tanya Peterson and myself, we only became aware of it when the Chronicle reached out to seek comment.

This report, driven by an anti-zoo agenda, is filled with inaccuracies and lacks credible research. The authors spent only a few hours at the zoo, did not meet with our animal care staff or veterinarians and raised outdated and resolved concerns.

The Chronicles story was published before the zoo could address its inaccuracies, resulting in false accusations spread through the media.

The zoo has a stellar record, validated by our recent accreditation by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. Three inspectors spent four days assessing our facilities and interviewing staff. The zoo met all standards of care.

Our top priority continues to be the well-being of our animals, staff and guests. This reports inaccuracies unjustly undermine our work and reputation.

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Melinda Dunn, board chair, San Francisco Zoological Society

Israel not the issue

Regarding Why Harris lost votes (Letters to the Editor, Nov. 12): There are many reasons why Kamala Harris lost the election, but it is unlikely the Israel-Gaza war is close to the top of the reasons people did not vote Democrat or vote at all.

I also doubt anyone voted for Donald Trump thinking he was going to be tougher on Israel.

Democratic voters care about the economy, public safety and well-paying jobs. The top concerns of far-left Berkeley are not the primary concerns of Middle America. Nor do most Americans believe the rhetoric that the far left spouts about Israel.

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Deborah Reback, Oakland

Trump will turn sour

Regarding What 73 million voters see in Trump and not from Democrats (Letters to the Editor, SFChronicle.com, Nov. 11): So, Trump voters know he is a liar and some may think he is a buffoon but they voted for him anyway. Calling Donald Trump a liar is like calling Hurricane Milton a rainy day.

Lets not forget Trump is also a felon, and was found guilty of sexual abuse and defaming E. Jean Carroll. There was a time when we looked to the presidency for someone better than that.

About Opinion Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership. Read more about our transparency and ethics policies

I didnt vote for Trump, not because I am an arrogant elitist, but because he fits the definition of a cult leader more than a politician.

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Those who are drinking the Kool-Aid would do well to remember the Kool-Aid eventually turns to poison.
A court has granted permission for former South Australian Liberal leader David Speirs to travel overseas, at his first appearance on a drug charge.

Mr Speirs, 39, has been embroiled in controversy since he quit the leadership on August 8, declaring that he had 'just had a gutful' of leadership speculation and did not have the energy to keep fighting.

He originally faced two charges of supplying a controlled substance from August 2-3 and on August 9, but one charge was dropped and the other has been varied.

The former leader is now charged with supplying or administering a drug (not cannabis) to another person between August 1 and August 10 at Kingston Park.

In court, his lawyer Dominic Agresta asked that his client's bail be varied to allow him to travel overseas.

Prosecutors agreed that Mr Speirs' passport be returned to him but he must lodge his itinerary with police and provide a guarantor for $15,000, with a similar cash surety.

No details of his destination were given in court, but he was ordered to report to police on his return from overseas and hand back his passport.

Outside court, Mr Speirs said he would not talk specifically about what happened in court.

David Speirs fronted court for the first time since a 'white powder' scandal saw him step back from the South Australian Liberal Party

The state Liberal leader initially claimed a video circulating of him was a 'deepfake'

'That's not appropriate,' he said.

'However, I acknowledge this has been a very difficult time for me personally, a very difficult time for friends and for family members.'

He thanked the 'many hundreds of people in South Australia who have been so supportive of me and have reached out to see if I'm OK'.

'It has actually sustained me during this time,' he said.

'I didn't need to leave parliament. There was no compulsion to do so... I couldn't execute my responsibilities as a member of parliament and also deal with my mental health and wellbeing through this process.'

Mr Speirs resigned from parliament on October 15, clearing the way for a by-election in his southern Adelaide seat on Saturday.

He said that serving the electors of Black was 'the greatest privilege of my life ... and I will miss it'.

He said the Liberal candidate, Amanda Wilson, had been subjected to the 'brutal Labor Party machine in the same way that I have over the years'.

'The misogynistic campaign, the bullying, the nastiness, but Amanda is above that and I wish her all the very best and I've cast my vote for Amanda,' he said.

On September 9, News Corp published a video purportedly showing Speirs snorting a powder.

He declared the footage to be a 'deepfake' and vowed to clear his name.

Two days later, he took medical leave, saying the past few days had been 'exceptionally distressing' and that he was left 'feeling exceptionally vulnerable and at risk'.

On October 5, Mr Speirs released a video statement saying he did not believe he could 'adequately and effectively serve my local community while also dealing with this matter, protecting my mental health and supporting my family and friends'.

'Since allegations of illicit substance use in my home became public, my home has been raided by armed police, I was arrested and I was questioned,' he said.

His case returns to court on March 4.
Podcaster Joe Rogan has claimed many unexpected people from all walks of life have privately thanked him for endorsing Donald Trump for president.

Rogan handed down his endorsement just one day before the election, after sitting down with Elon Musk for a two-hour long interview and hosting the Republican candidate on his show.

'He makes what I think is the most compelling case for Trump you'll hear, and I agree with him every step of the way,' the podcaster wrote of the Tesla CEO.

'For the record, yes, that's an endorsement of Trump. Enjoy the podcast'.

He has now said that 'hippies, like artists, musicians and comedians' have reached out to him in the aftermath, thanking him for speaking out.

'A lot of what people say, they say it because they don't want people to attack them,' Rogan told civil rights attorney Josh Dubin on his The Joe Rogan Experience podcast on Wednesday.

'They say it because they think that if they say it, it will clear them, they'll be OK.

'If you say you support "x" - you might not even support "x" - but if you say you support "x," you're not going to get attacked and the right people will leave you alone or agree with you, and appreciate you or praise you.'

Podcaster Joe Rogan has claimed many unexpected sources including 'hippies' and artists have privately thanked him for endorsing Donald Trump for president

Rogan handed down his endorsement just one day before the election , after sitting down with Elon Musk for a two-hour long interview and hosting the Republican candidate on his show

He then claimed that many creatives and people who were previously associated with liberal movements told him they were actually Trump supporters - without naming any names.

'There's a lot of that out there,' Rogan said. 'There's a lot of people that don't speak their mind. Do you know [how] many artists that have reached out to me that are like f***ing hippies, man, like artists, like musicians, comedians, that thanked me for endorsing Trump because thy can't do it.

'They said they want to, but they don't want to be attacked. They can't say it,' Rogan claimed.

'They think the country's going in the wrong direction,' he said, claiming they were also are opposed to 'this control of social media by the government, which we would have had pretty much fully if it wasn't for Elon buying Twitter.'

Rogan also argued that having the mass media dominated by one party is a 'dangerous precedent to be set, whether it's a right-wing government or a left-wing government.

'And that's what you see that's happening in the UK where people are being imprisoned for tweets and Facebook posts. It's f***ing crazy, mind-bending. The whole thing is nuts,' he continued.

'And it's a dangerous path that we were on. We were on that path.

'Trump has vowed to have free speech become a very important part of what he's standing for, and that this censoring of information needs to stop, and that we need to stop all government influence in what people have to say.'

Rogan said he agreed with Elon Musk 'every step of the way' as he explained his support for the Republican nominee

'That shouldn't be as revolutionary as it is,' Dubin replied.

'I know, it should be a core tenet,' Rogan said. 'It's essentially the First Amendment.'

Many Hollywood A-listers had expressed their support for Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the presidential election - with Oprah and Beyonce even accompanying the vice president on stage at her campaign events.

It has since been alleged she paid extortionate seven-figure sums to the A-list backers, though Winfrey and others have denied the claims.

There is also no record on the FEC website that the Harris campaign paid celebrities like Megan Thee Stallion, nor Megan Pete, nor Megan Thee Stallion.
A leading pro-Palestine activist has insisted that outrage over plans to disrupt an Aussie Christmas tradition has not hurt his cause.

President of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network Nasser Mashni refused to criticise the protest when interviewed by Jacqui Felgate on Friday.

The famous annual Myer Christmas window-reveal planned for Sunday at its CBD store in Bourke Street was cancelled over safety concerns, after pro-Palestine group Disrupt Wars plans to rally and 'Crash the Christmas windows' at the event.

The group then cancelled its own protest amid a public furore.

Nashni had no involvement in the planned protest, but is directly involved in weekly Sunday protests in Melbourne.

When he appeared on 3AW Drive, Felgate repeatedly asked him if he had supported the Myer protest before it was cancelled.

'Im not going to condemn any sort of legal action that is trying to highlight what is happening to Palestinian people,' Mashni replied.

But Felgate persisted, wanting to know if the protest plans had reflected poorly on pro-Palestinian activism.

Nasser Mashni (pictured) refused to say that a furore over the Myer protest had hurt his cause

'This particular protest that was planned - and I understand it's not going ahead - but the only reason it's not going ahead is because of a public backlash, so has this hurt your cause?'

'I think it's given us an opportunity to speak and re-raise all the issues that Palestinians in Palestine are facing,' Mashni said.

He confirmed to Felgate he had changed the route of his own protest group to avoid Bourke St and the protest planned for the unveiling of the windows.

When asked why, he said because the police had asked him to.

He shot down the suggestion that the 'small rabble group' that threatened to crash the Myer reveal was detracting from the work he was doing.

'The reality is we're speaking about Palestine today and we need to speak more about what Israel is doing.'

This will be only the second time the Myer unveiling has been cancelled in its almost 70-year history - the event was cancelled in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic.

The cancellation of the time-honoured event has sparked anger from Jewish leaders.

Jacqui Felgate (pictured) repeatedly asked Mashni if he supported the plan to 'crash' the Christmas windows

'Is nothing sacred anymore?' community leader and Anti-Defamation chair Dr Dvir Abramovich told the Herald Sun.

'This is not about free speech  it's a toxic hijacking of a family-friendly tradition that has no place in any community.

'Melbourne's Christmas windows are about peace, unity, and holiday magic, not about spreading discord and confrontation.'
An American woman facing sentencing after attempting to smuggle a 24-karat gold-plated handgun worth $2,000 into Australia is working on a music album, a court has been told.

Liliana Goodson, 29 appeared before Downing Centre Local Court on Friday after pleading guilty to two charges of intentionally importing prohibited goods, being the firearm and ammunition.

Goodson had initially fought the charges at a special hearing, which was told she had come to Australia to 'get into clown school' and Googled that it was 'OK' to bring the pistol.

The Floridian did not declare the weapon on her arrival card, with Australian Border Force officers discovering the Colt-45-style pistol in her luggage as it passed through the X-ray machine.

During submissions, Ms Goodson's lawyer said she had been reliant on synthetic cannabis to self-medicate for past trauma and it was in that state of mind that she decided to pack the weapon.

'She packs the gun into the suitcase while there is this state of paranoia in her mind; the abandonment of her animals (pet dogs), the abandonment of herself,' her lawyer told the court.

'She says she came to Australia because she thought it was a safe place, but she also packed the gun for her own safety and to protect herself ... even though the bullets were for a different gun.'

Since clean, her lawyer added: 'She is working on an album and has produced 12 songs. Its that creative side that is coming back out now she is no longer on the synthetic cannabis.'

Liliana Goodson, 29 (pictured) appeared in court on Friday after she pleaded guilty to two charges of importing a firearm and ammunition

The police prosecutor agreed 'trauma underpinned Goodson's need to feel protected', but disputed claims she made to the ABF that she had forgotten the weapon was in her luggage.

Under interview, Goodson later admitted to planning to store the gun under the seat of her car as she had done in the US and had co-operated with police during their investigation.

The matter was due to proceed to sentencing on Friday but was waylaid after Goodson's lawyer called for an adjournment so that his client could take a drug test to prove her sobriety.

The American-Peruvian has been stranded in Australia since charges were laid in April 2023, and told the court on numerous occasions she had been sleeping rough including on trains.

Video was played during the special hearing earlier this year of her initial interview with police.

When she was asked about the gun, Goodson said it was 'not even in the back of my mind at all'.

'I had very little life experience ... so a lot of things that are common sense to some people are not common sense to me,' she said

'It skipped my mind that something could happen.'

Australian Border Force officers discovered the Colt-45-style pistol (pictured) in her luggage

Goodson claimed to have little knowledge of Australian gun laws but believed once here she would be able to apply for a firearms permit, and said she had it for self defence.

'I'm going to be honest, I'm scared of shooting it (the gun), but in LA if you just brandish a weapon people will like scatter,' she said.

'I would probably just pistol whip until I got training again'.

Goodson, when placed under arrest, said 'it was a dumb mistake and there was no intention to harm' and earlier admitted to having in her bag a 'cat spine, squirrel feet and rabbit pee'.

She will return to court for sentencing next month.
A white supremacist accused of killing an elderly man walking his dogs while on the run from police may be sentenced to death if Idaho prosecutors get their way.

Nez Perce County Prosecutor Justin Coleman announced Thursday that he is seeking the death penalty for Nicholas Umphenour, 29, if he is convicted of a murder charge in the March death of 83-year-old James Mauney, KHQ-TV reported.

Authorities allege Umphenour killed Mauney after he helped inmate Skylar Meade, 32, escape from a Boise hospital on March 20, where Meade was being treated for self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

It is alleged the two are members of the Aryan Knights gang, and had planned out a break-out over text messages in which Meade would start cutting himself at the maximum security prison where he was serving a 10-year sentence for shooting a police officer during a chase, according to the Spokesman-Review.

He was then brought to St. Alphonse hospital in Boise for treatment, where Umphenour started shooting at corrections officers as they and Meade were leaving.

Umphenour shot two of the officers, and a third was shot when another officer mistook him for the shooter and opened fire, police said.

One officer was injured in the aftermath, but all three survived.

From there, officers say, Meade and Umphenour fled the scene - driving several hours to north-central Idaho.

Idaho prosecutors are seeking the death penalty if a jury finds Nicholas Umphenour, 29, guilty of murder

Umphenour is facing a first-degree murder charge in the March death of 83-year-old James Mauney, who disappeared after taking his dogs for a walk

There, they allegedly came in contact with Mauney, who had taken his dogs for a walk on a local trail later that morning and never returned.

His body was ultimately found miles away near Leland, Idaho, alongside an abandoned Honda Civic, which the suspects were reportedly driving before switching to Mauney's Chrysler Pacifica.

Shortly after the alleged murder, police claim the the two men headed back to southern Idaho and Mauneys stolen minivan was found in Twin Falls, where the men were arrested.

'Seeking the death penalty is appropriate in this case considering the defendants complete lack of regard for the life of Mr. Mauney,' Coleman said Thursday.

'Well continue to fight in both this case and the co-defendants case to get justice for the victim.'

Both Umphenour and Meade are now charged with first-degree murder in Mauney's death, and is now being held at the Nez Perce County Detention Facility.

Authorities have also suggested the two are responsible for the murder of 72-year-old Gerald 'Don' Henderson as they fled.

His body was found in his Orofino cabin, along with Mauney's dogs and Meade's prison shackles, the Spokesman-Review reports.

Police say Henderson was a one-time acquaintance of Umphenour, but neither Umphenour nor Meade have yet been charged in that case.

Umphenour (left) had previously pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting escape and aggravated assault and battery on law enforcement officers when he helped Skylar Meade escape

In the meantime, Umphenour is serving out a life sentence for helping Meade escape the hospital.

He had pleaded guilty in September to aiding and abetting escape and aggravated assault and battery on law enforcement officers in that case, and was sentenced last month.

But Umphenour may be eligible for parole in 40 years in that case, the Idaho Statesman reports.

He is now being held without the option for a bond as he faces the murder charge, and is scheduled for an arraignment in that case on December 12.

Meade, meanwhile, had also been sentenced to life in prison in the March 20 escape and is facing the same murder charge in Nez Perce County and possible death penalty if convicted.

He has had a not guilty plea entered for him while his case continues.
One of Britain's oldest tea companies has trouble brewing and is on the edge of administration, it was revealed today.

Typhoo Tea has filed notice that it intends to appoint administrators after finding itself 70 million in debt and facing multiple setbacks including increased competition and a high-profile break-in.

The firm has struggled with a decline in sales, attributed to customers switching brands or drinks altogether, instead opting for coffee, energy drinks or bubble tea alternatives.

Typhoo Tea was founded in 1903 by Birmingham grocer John Summer, and has previously been one of the UK's best selling tea brands.

It's now run by CEO Dave McNulty, who used to run the snack brand Burt's crisps.

The company's sales declined from 34 million in 2022 to 25 million last year, losses rose from 9.7 million in 2022 to 38 million in 2023.

It comes amid nationwide forecasts which show Brits will continue to cut down on tea consumption in the coming years.

But despite filing in the courts to appoint administrators from EY, it is understood the firm is hoping to explore rescue options.

Tea sales fell by 4.3 percent last year - and are set to fall further by 2028 (Pictured: Chef Nigella Lawson in an advert for Typhoo)

Typhoo tea has been on shop shelves for more than a century after being founded in 1903

Typhoo has been hit by a series of setbacks in recent years and rising costs as it seeks to become a more ethical brand.

Amid the cost of living crisis, shoppers are increasingly switching from brands such as Typhoo, PG Tips and Twinings for cheaper supermarket alternatives.

And tea sales fell by 4.3 percent last year - although Typhoo's sales actually rose due to its prices being cheaper than most other brands.

Typhoo's debts reached 73 million in September 2023.

Overall its tea sales are still in decline and tea consumption is expected to fall by eight percent by 2028.

Typhoo also suffered after a break-in at one of its factories in Merseyside, which was used to store expensive equipment and tea stock.

The raid caused 'extensive damage' to both, with Typhoo having to spend 24 million to repair the damage and boost stocks.

Typhoo is now run by CEO Dave McNulty (pictured), who used to run the snack brand Burt's crisps

The planned sale of the factory was also delayed by the incident, although was completed by June this year.

Further afield, Typhoo has recently gone from working with 300 tea plantations in East Africa to just three.

It's part of a push launched as the new CEO took over to overhaul its supply chain and stop sexual violence against women at the plantations.

Typhoo has warned prices could rise as a result.

Dave McNulty, chief executive of Typhoo, said: 'This action has been taken to enable us to pursue a sale of the business. A further statement will be issued in due course with further information.'
Coca-Cola has used artificial intelligence to reinvent its iconic Christmas advert from three decades ago.

The fizzy drinks brand has added a modern twist to its iconic 'Holidays Are Coming' advert which has been playing on screens since 1995.

A new 16-second version of the advert, which hit TV screens earlier this week, features the same iconic tune and shots of red Coca-Cola lorries making their way through a wintry town.

But, whereas the original used real actors and two tonne trucks decked with christmas lights, this year's ad has been developed solely using AI, meaning that none of the shots were actually filmed on location.

The company said the new commercial was an 'efficient' way of saving time and money and has already proved to be a hit with audiences.

Javier Meza, the EU chief marketing officer at Coca-Cola, said the company wanted to adapt to 'today's times', with the use of a more diverse cast and AI technology.

He told Marketing Week: 'We didn't start by saying: 'OK, we need to do this with AI,'

'The brief was, we want to bring Holidays Are Coming into the present and then we explored AI as a solution to that.'

Coca-Cola has used artificial intelligence to reinvent its iconic Christmas advert from three decades ago

A new 16-second version of the advert, which hit TV screens earlier this week, features the same iconic tune and shots of red Coca-Cola lorries making their way through a wintry town

The trucks are seen passing through a town of jubilant onlookers and even passing by a pair of polar bears

The advert sees the same iconic red Coca-Cola trucks making their way through a wintry landscape through a town of jubilant onlookers and even passing by a pair of polar bears.

Meanwhile, the original version of the beloved ad starts with with a young boy running to ring a bell in the middle of a snowy evening.

This alerts his town to the droves of lit-up Coca-Cola trucks driving into the centre as crowds gather to marvel at the exciting display.

Bright lights and music fill the square and onlookers soak up the atmosphere.

In one heartfelt moment, a father lifts his daughter up on his shoulders and they both share a smile watching the trucks go by as the excitable jingle plays in the background.

The closing shot is a nostalgic snap of Santa Claus taking a sip from his glass Coke bottle.

Mr Meza said the company considers it a 'privilege' that the original advert has become 'part of peoples life'.

He said: 'Having such a piece of communication that becomes part of peoples life is a privilege. Not all brands have that privilege and its something that we take very seriously.'

Whereas the original used real actors and two tonne trucks decked with christmas lights, this year's ad has been developed solely using AI ,

The advert at one point sees Santa Claus handing a bottle of Coca-Cola over to a jubilant onlooker

None of the people featured in the new ad are real actors, they were all generated using AI

A Coca-Cola spokesman told The Telegraph: 'Coca-Cola's exciting venture into AI-generated storytelling demonstrates Coca-Cola's commitment to embracing innovation, leveraging our collaborations with top creative and technology partners, while staying true to its core values: spreading happiness and creating real magic!'

Coca Cola's ad comes just days after Lidl has rivalled the billion dollar company by introducing its very own red truck for Christmas.

The supermarket chain has long been known for cheekily copying big household names and offering a budget alternative - and is up to its old tricks once again with a festive special.

Now, it's been inspired by Coca Cola's famous red truck to go on tour and spread festive cheer, signalling that Christmas is right round the corner.

The giant 15-tonne Freeway cola truck is set to tour the UK across nine cities, where it will grant festive wishes, give away more than 2,000 present boxes and food samples.

They've also launched another Christmas advert, in which cheery employee Nick drives the shiny red vehicle to bring people 'truck loads of magic, under budget'.

The presents will include items from the 'middle of Lidl' aisle - with one in 10 containing a 'golden ticket' to give customers the opportunity to win their Christmas food shop.

Even after the tour, visitors can submit a 'Christmas wish', which the supermarket will grant to a select few.

Lidl has rivalled Coca Cola by introducing its very own red truck for Christmas

The giant 15-tonne Freeway cola truck is set to tour the UK across nine cities

Joanna Gomer, Marketing Director at Lidl GB, commented 'Giving back to the communities we serve is really important to us and our exciting new Freeway truck allows us to get right into the heart of them this year.

'By touring nine stops across the country, we'll be using our giant truck to hand out present boxes, give away festive food shops and grant wishes that will make dreams come true.

'Look out for the Freeway truck on its tour and most importantly, come join the fun.'

Lidls Freeway truck will tour Great Britain from November 14 to December 1, visiting nine stops: Dundee, Harrogate, Hul
A 91-year-old grandmother mugged by a Syrian asylum seeker has bravely revealed she was 'so terrified' during the attack that she 'couldn't scream'.

Christa Ohlsson was shoved down a flight of stairs by suspected rapist Karam Kanjo, 26 - who has denied involvement - in a violent attack that has reignited Sweden's debate over migration.

Shocking pictures show the extent of her injuries  deep cut marks to her neck and throat, as well as horrific bruises down her arms and legs as she fell down the stairs after being shoved by Kanjo who was jailed for five years and now faces deportation over the callous attack.

Bravely describing her ordeal, Ms Ohlsson said in a statement: 'I couldn't understand what was happening. I was so terrified; I closed my eyes, and I couldn't scream.

'I remember someone coming from behind and grabbing my two necklaces and then suddenly I was on the floor, and I was falling down the stairs, it was all happening so quickly.

'I lost my hearing aid in the fall so I couldn't hear anything, but I felt around on the floor and found it, the man was standing over me and yanking at my necklaces, it was so violent my head and back were off the floor.'

Mrs Ohlsson, who had been on her way to visit her late husband's grave, fell down nine concrete steps in the attack. It emerged in recent weeks that Kanjo  who arrived in Sweden during the 2015 migrant crisis  was on parole for rape.

Kanjo had been jailed for two years six months in 2021 but had been released in late 2022 following the sex attack, which also happened in Sollentuna and his lengthy record of previous convictions includes theft and drug possession.

Shocking pictures show the extent of the 91-year-old's injuries

She suffered deep cut marks to her neck and throat

During questioning Kanjo denied any involvement in the robbery telling officers:' Do you think God only made one person who looks like me?'

Images presented in court showed how the attacker dragged the pensioner down concrete stairs

Mrs Ohlsson said of the robbery which took place at Sollentuna railway station on the outskirts of Stockholm last August that the two stolen necklaces were 50th birthday presents from her husband

Mrs Ohlsson told the Attunda district court: 'I couldn't swallow properly for a few days and could only eat soup as my throat hurt so much.

'I didn't really see the person who attacked me, it was all so quick, I just remember feeling the two necklaces go tight and then they were snatched off me. I was on my way to visit my husband's grave when it happened.'

Mrs Ohlsson said of the robbery which took place at Sollentuna railway station on the outskirts of Stockholm last August that the two stolen necklaces were 50th birthday presents from her husband and were gold  with one having a pendant holding a photograph of her and him  and were valued at 107,000 Swedish Kroner.

Police have searched pawn shops and gold dealers across Stockholm since the robbery but have so far not found the necklaces which Mrs Ohlsson said were 'heirlooms and memories' of her husband.

She added the attack had left her 'terrified' and 'scared to go out' but slowly she had begun to get her confidence back and she was starting to 'use the train again but not at night'.

Mrs Ohlsson said:' The attack left me stressed and I couldn't sleep properly for a long time, my daughter came to stay with me for a while and at first, I said I would never catch the train again.

'I turned down a birthday invitation as well because I was too scared to go out but now, I am starting to feel OK again, although my knee and hip still hurt a bit from the bruises, especially when I walk.

'I was also left wondering whether someone was watching me, how did they know I had these two necklaces? I also thought I would never go out walking alone by myself again and whenever I hear a strange noise now, I get scared.'

Christa Ohlsson was attacked by Karam Kanjo as she left a subway in the Swedish town of Sollentuna

Christa suffered severe bruising and swelling along her legs and arms

The assailant attacked the pensioner trying to steal her gold necklaces in a subway in the Swedish town of Sollentuna

The attacker is seen in CCTV footage, left, and Kanjo is seen in a police photo, right

CCTV footage shown in court and obtained by MailOnline shows the man alleged to be Kanjo entering Sollentuna railway station dressed in a green jacket and distinctive bright blue Adidas trainers at 10.06am on August 29.

For the next 71 minutes, he is seen acting suspiciously pacing along platforms and at 11.19 cameras pick him up as he walks behind Mrs Ohlsson in an underpass at the station.

He is seen following behind her as she walks up the stairs to catch a train to the cemetery where her husband is buried before running in front of her and trying to snatch the necklaces.

A fellow commuter looks on horrified and steps out of the way as the attacker and his helpless victim tumble down the stairs with, him initially sitting on the floor trying to yank the heirlooms before standing over her violently tugging at them.

Less than a minute after the attack he is seen running off along an underpass before turning back to pick up his mobile phone that fell out of his pocket and is clearly seen on the floor in one image.

At no point does he check on his victim and as he makes his escape, he pushes another woman out of the way before running away only to be eventually arrested five days later at a nearby hostel after detectives recognised him from the CCTV.

During questioning Kanjo denied any involvement in the robbery telling officers:' Do you think God only made one person who looks like me?'

To which the officer replied:' I can't answer that, but you are wearing blue Adidas trainers and a green jacket that are identical to clothing we found in photographs on your mobile phone.'

Bravely describing her ordeal, Ms Ohlsson said in a statement: 'I couldn't understand what was happening. I was so terrified; I closed my eyes, and I couldn't scream'

The subway in Sollentina, Sweden where Christa Ohlsson was attacked

CCTV images and police analyses of his shoes are seen

Christa is seen at Tower Bridge on a visit to London

At one point he even brazenly told police: 'If I had seen someone attacking an old lady like that, I would have intervened myself, it's not me you want, I didn't do anything.'

During the court case, prosecutor Susanne Rassam described the attack as 'extremely brutal and violent' and that Kanjo had 'ruthlessly exploited his victim's vulnerability and defencelessness'.

Documents shown in court showed no sizeable deposits in Kanjo's bank account following the theft  with the only credit being 1030 Kroner in benefits from Sweden's social security system.

It later emerged that Kanjo was not initially deported following his 2021 conviction for rape as he had been in the country for six years and when told by the court following his latest conviction, he would be sent back to Syria, he claimed he would 'be tortured'.

In 2019 a Swedish Supreme Court decision ruled that there must be 'extraordinary reasons' to deport a person who had lived longer than four years in the country.

Kanjo was convicted of aggravated robbery and possession of drugs and knives  found in his hotel room after his arrest  with the judge ruling he had a 'very weak' connection to Sweden as he ruled, he would be kicked out after completing his sentence.

Speaking outside her home, Mrs Ohlsson's son-in-law told MailOnline:' She's doing better now but she doesn't want to speak with anyone else about what happened.

'She explained it all in court and it was very tough for her, especially the first few weeks after it happened, she was really traumatised, she couldn't eat and my wife was with her for a few days but now she is starting to get her life back together, she is brave and will move on.'
Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has warned that 'people will die' if 'dangerous' anti-vaccine campaigner and conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. leads America's top health agency.

Donald Trump tapped Kennedy, a scion of the famous political family who is popularly known as RFK Jr, to be his health secretary Thursday night, with the pair vowing to work to 'Make America Healthy Again.'

Kennedy, 70, has promised to work to end chronic disease, clean up corruption and provide Americans with the data they need to make informed medical decisions.

But de Blasio, who served as NYC mayor during the COVID-19 pandemic, has warned that giving a vaccine-denier 'authority over the public health apparatus' will result in lost lives, especially if the US were to face another public health 'crisis'.

'It is dangerous,' he told CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins. 'I mean that's the only way to say it. People will die! I wish I was just being hyperbolic. I'm being literal!

'People will die because somebody is holding that role who does not believe in vaccination. That is just plain dangerous. That's not partisan, that's dangerous.'

If his nomination is approved by the Senate - which Trump's Republican Party controls - Kennedy will take over the Health and Human Services Department, a mammoth institution with a budget of close to $2trillion.

However, Trump's selection could meet opposition from lawmakers due to Kennedy's promotion of medical conspiracy theories, including spreading debunked theories that link vaccinations with childhood autism.

Donald Trump tapped Robert F. Kennedy Jr, a scion of the famous political family who is popularly known as RFK Jr, to be his health secretary Thursday night. Kennedy is pictured taking a selfie at the American First Policy Institute (AFPI) gala at Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida on Thursday night

But former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, pictured in 2020, has warned that 'people will die' if the 'dangerous' anti-vaccine campaigner and conspiracy theorist leads America's top health agency

Trump praised RFK Jr during an event at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Thursday evening, where he formally announced the nomination.

'People like you Bobby,' he told Kennedy, before warning: 'Don't get too popular, Bobby.'

He continued: 'We want you to come up with things and ideas and what you've been talking about for a long time and I think you're going to do some unbelievable things.'

RFK Jr has said he wants to impose stricter regulations on ultra processed foods, has spoken out against fast food chains, and has vowed to remove fluoride from America's drinking water because he believes it lowers children's IQs.

He has also been criticized for making false medical claims, including that vaccines are linked to autism. He opposed state and federal restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic and was accused of spreading misinformation about the virus.

Trump has said he wanted Kennedy to 'go wild' in changing America's health care and in a statement Thursday explaining his nomination, echoed many of the campaigner's talking points, saying 'Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation.'

But experts are now cautioning against Kennedy's nomination, alleging that giving a vaccine-denier authority could be catastrophic in the event of a public health crisis.

Trump has said he wanted Kennedy to 'go wild' in changing America's health care. The pair are pictured together at a Turning Point Action campaign rally on October 23, 2024 in Georgia

'It is dangerous,' Bill de Blasio told CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins Thursday night. 'I mean that's the only way to say it. People will die! I wish I was just being hyperbolic. I'm being literal! 'People will die because somebody is holding that role who does not believe in vaccination. That is just plain dangerous. That's not partisan, that's dangerous'

Congressman Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) called Kennedy's nomination 'f****** insane' and issued a similar stark warning on X: 'He's a vaccine denier and a tin foil hat conspiracy theorist.

'He will destroy our public health infrastructure and our vaccine distribution systems. This is going to cost lives.'

Alastair McAlpine, a pediatric physician at a children's hospital in British Columbia, slammed Kennedy and claimed the 'last time he meddled in a state's medical affairs (Samoa), 83 children died of measles'.

'It is hard to overstate what a terrible decision this is. RFK Jr has no medical training. He is a hardcore anti-vaccine and misinformation peddler,' McAlpine tweeted.

Apu Akkad, an infectious disease physician at the University of Southern California, the nomination a 'scary day for public health'.

Despite Trump hailing Kennedy as being well-liked, Republican strategist Mike Murphy told BBC Radio 4's Today program that 'most of the serious people around health policy - behind closed doors in both parties - think he's barking mad'.

In addition for criticisms over his anti-vaccine stance, RFK Jr is also burdened by a string of colorful and even bizarre stories from his personal life, including his statement that a parasitic worm once entered his 'brain and ate a portion of it and then died.'

An admission this year that he was behind the long unsolved mystery of a dead bear dumped in New York's Central Park a decade ago raised eyebrows.

Experts are cautioning against Kennedy's nomination, alleging that giving a vaccine-denier authority could be catastrophic in the event of a public health crisis

Kennedy disputes the anti-vaccine tag, saying he wants more rigorous testing of vaccines instead. However, he chaired the Children's Health Defense, a nonprofit organization that focuses on anti-vaccine messaging.

In an interview in March, when he was still running for president, Kennedy said Americans who want a vaccine for themselves or their children would continue to have access to them if he were to be elected. But he said he doubted the efficacy of measles vaccines.

Measles is one of the most contagious human viruses and is almost entirely preventable through vaccination. It requires 95 per cent vaccine coverage to prevent outbreaks among populations.

US coverage rates have fallen below that level among young children, the CDC said this month.

Vaccines have saved over 154 million lives in the 20th century - the equivalent of six lives every minute of every year for the past 50 years, said Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease expert from the University of Minnesota.

'Immunization has continued to be the single greatest contributor of any health intervention to ensuring that babies not only see their first birthdays, but they continue leading healthy lives into adulthood,' he said.

Shares of vaccine makers including Pfizer Inc and Moderna fell after news of Kennedy's appointment and were down in after-hours trading by as much as 2 per cent.

Robert F. Kennedy, spotted at Mar-a-Lago Thursday night with wife and actress Cheryl Hines, who has seemingly patched things up with the health and human services nominee after rumors of a 'digital affair' with journalist Olivia Nuzzi

Kennedy exchanged pleasantries with Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz and his wife Ginger, who is standing by her man as he faces resurfaced allegations of sexual misconduct

Kennedy ran for president in this year's election as an independent before dropping out in August and endorsing Trump in exchange for a role in the Republican's administration.

He has frequently talked about tackling what he calls the 'chronic disease epidemic' of conditions including obesity, diabetes and autism, and reducing chemicals in food.

'The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any Administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country,' Trump said in a post on social media.

Later on Thursday during a speech at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida, Trump praised Kennedy, saying he would do 'unbelievable' things in his new position.

The Department of Health and Human Services oversees drug regulation, public health agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and health insurance for more than 140 million people including the poor, those aged 65 and older, and the disabled through Medicare and Medicaid.

HHS had a $3.09trillion budget for fiscal year 2024, representing 22.8 per cent of the US federal budget.

Drew Altman, president of health research firm KFF, described the move as historic and said what Kennedy, if confirmed, would ultimately do in the role remains to be seen, given he has not often discussed programs like Medicaid and Medicare, which account for much of the US health budget.

'Historically, secretaries have been people with real experience and standing in national healthcare and he certainly is not that, and has views from outside the mainstream, and is a renegade appointment,' Altman said.

The appointment, which had been seen as a possibility for weeks, raised concern among some public health advocates who said Kennedy could have a negative role in Americans' health given his power over these agencies. The Democratic Party decried the decision.

Some politicians and business groups supported the nomination, such as the National Community Pharmacists Association, which said it was encouraged by his willingness to take on corporations.

One of the more star-studded tables at Mar-a-Lago Thursday night included Tucker Carlson, Donald Trump Jr., Kimberly Guilfoyle, Robert F Kennedy Jr, Cheryl Hines and Department of National Intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard, who Trump also praised as being part of their effort to bring 'common sense' to the campaign

Gabbard and Kennedy are both nominees for Trump's cabinet, with the former Democrat Congresswoman tapped to serve as Director of National Intelligence

Kennedy has been a part of Trump's transition team and has been reviewing candidate resumes for the top jobs at US health agencies.

He has suggested he would gut the 18,000-employee Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - which ensures the safety of food, drugs and medical devices - and replace hundreds of employees at the National Institutes of Health.

'FDA's war on public health is about to end,' he wrote on X in late October, adding that includes its 'aggressive suppression' of psychedelics, peptides, stem cells, raw milk, sunshine, and other items.

'If you work for the FDA and are part of this corrupt system, I have two messages for you: 1. Preserve your records, and 2. Pack your bags,' he wrote.

In early November, he said he would recommend fluoride be removed from public water supplies, falsely claiming on X that the chemical is associated with bone fractures and cancer.

In a New York Times opinion article published in September, Kennedy criticized the popular Novo Nordisk weight loss drug Ozempic, saying, 'Instead of fixing our food system and addressing the obesity crisis at its root, the author focuses on a drug that may palliate the symptom  and gladden the wallets of distant Big Pharma execs.'

Dr. Ashish Jha, former White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator and dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, said: 'Most people don't realize this is not about fluoride in water, or even vaccines, as important as they are. The HHS Secretary oversees Medicare. He and his appointees will decide what medicines are available to the American people.'

James Capretta, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a former White House staffer under George W. Bush, said it is not clear what impact Kennedy will have but that it will not be immediate.

'There's lots of constraints on policy making on the agency level, even at the secretarial level,' he said.
Domestic abusers and stalkers could be freed from jail on electronic tags as little as a quarter of the way through their sentence under new legislation.

It comes as part of an expansion of the government's Home Detention Curfew (HDC)  a scheme that allows some prisoners to be released with an electronic tag if they have a suitable address to go to.

It had previously been the case that prisoners could only be released six months before the end of their sentence, but the Ministry of Justice is increasing it to a year from June 2025 in a bid to combat overcrowding and to free up prison spaces.

This could mean offenders convicted of crimes including harassment, stalking, coercive control and non-fatal strangulation, could be released early with a tag and at-home curfew.

Claire Waxman, London's victims' commissioner, said domestic abusers had no right to be given HDC and there was 'understandable concern' from victims seeing that their offender could be released as part of this scheme.

'It is frustrating that decisions like these are having to be made  the result of more than a decade of mismanagement and underfunding of our justice system,' Ms Waxman told The Telegraph.

She hopes the UK will not see 'exceptional circumstances' being used as justification for allowing the release of these prisoners to 'ease the population crisis'.

Claire Waxman (pictured on This Morning) London 's victims' commissioner, said domestic abusers had no right to be given HDC and there was 'understandable concern' from victims seeing that their offender could be released as part of this scheme

A domestic abuse survivor was left fearing for her life after Duane Meggitt, 32, (pictured) the man who assaulted her, was wrongly freed from prison

Under HDC, freed prisoners have an electronic tag on their ankle, a sensor in their home and are under 12-hour curfews from 7pm until 7am the following day.

Responding, the Ministry of Justice said all releases on the HDC are discretionary and approval is needed from a prison governor.

No one is eligible for HDC unless they have been risk assessed and have six months or less left before their conditional release date, the MoJ added.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: 'These exclusions have not changed. Individuals with offences linked to domestic abuse, such as stalking and harassment, are always presumed unsuitable.

'HDC is entirely discretionary and anyone released under the scheme is subject to a rigorous risk-assessment to ensure there is a plan in place to manage them outside of prison. Offenders must be tagged and face the strictest licence conditions, which could see them recalled to prison.'

In September, a domestic abuse survivor said she had been left fearing for her life after the man who assaulted her was wrongly freed from prison.

A prisoner gestures after being released from HMP Pentonville in London on September 10 as part of the government's early release scheme

People spray a man with sparkling wine after he was released early from HMP Nottingham on September 10 under Labour's new early release scheme

An inmate leaving HMP Liverpool on September 10 under the scheme

Duane Meggitt, 32, had been jailed for nine months in August for common assault and breaching a restraining order.

But just weeks into his sentence, Meggitt was erroneously freed under Sir Keir Starmer's early release scheme because he had not been recorded as a domestic abuser.

Meggitt was one of 37 inmates, all jailed for breaching restraining orders and including stalkers and domestic abusers, who were mistakenly released.

Five are still yet to be put back behind bars.

An 'urgent' police operation is currently underway to return the missing prisoners and all victims have been contacted, the Ministry of Justice has said.

In Meggitt's case, he was recalled to HMP Leicester on September 16, four days after his release.

But in the time it too to put him back behind bars, his victim said she lived in mortal fear.

She told The Sun: 'I was constantly having panic attacks and feared he was going to turn up at my house to kill me or he was going to kidnap my son.

'I kept us locked in with the blinds and curtains shut because I didn't want him turning up and seeing that we were there.'

The MoJ has since apologised to the woman for 'any upset or anxiety this may have caused' and said they would review the circumstances of Meggitt's release.

Meggitt had been released because his offence had been logged under outdated legislation.

People who breached restraining orders used to be charged and sentenced under the Protection for Harassment Act 1997.

However, this was later replaced by the Sentencing Act, meaning that some prison records were incorrect.

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood had promised domestic abusers would be excluded from the early release scheme, but Meggitt, like others, was able to slip through the net.

Abigail Ampofo, interim chief executive of Refuge, previously told the Mirror: 'This is already an incredibly worrying time for survivors, and the continued failings of the justice system to prevent the release of domestic abuse perpetrators under this scheme are truly disappointing.

'We are all too aware of the grave repercussions that occur when the criminal justice system fails to recognise the real risk abusers pose to survivors' safety, and we urge the Government to take greater precautions in ensuring that no more offenders who have breached restraining orders are released. '

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: 'Public safety is our first priority.

'That is why we took decisive action to fix the broken prison system we inherited and keep the most dangerous offenders locked up. This included blocking the early release of domestic abuse offences such as stalking and controlling behaviour.

'We are working with the police to urgently return a very small number of offenders - who were charged incorrectly and sentenced under repealed legislation - to custody.

'The convictions remain valid with offenders monitored since their release and will soon be back behind bars.'
. Jack Ohman /Jack Ohman/The Chronicle Trumps obsession with Gov. Gavin Newsom, Vice President Kamala Harris and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi is expected to drive him to make Californians lives difficult these next four years. Stepehn Lam/The Chronicle/AP and Getty Images

Face it, and I know this is difficult, beautiful people of the Golden State, but were not all that popular out in the rest of the country.

For all of Californias physical magnificence, creative genius, entrepreneurial initiative, and, frankly, its coolness, Red America thinks were a bunch of pampered woke yoga pronoun Marin County wimps wading through piles of garbage and enabling all sorts of societal ills.

You know, like personal freedom and human dignity.

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Thats a silly caricature, of course. This is what President-elect (gulp) Donald Trump does. He takes reality and magically turns it into surreality, and his followers are more than happy to slip into the rabbit hole.

To be sure, California has had a yin-yang relationship with the rest of the country, but now it faces one of its greatest tests: how to cope with Trumpism. It wont be anything other than a monumental task.

Upon taking office, Trump will immediately ramp up the mass deportation effort that will almost uniquely most affect California. Getting 11 million people out of the country when it takes 10 days to evacuate Californias side of Lake Tahoe gives you a sense of just how overwhelming this task is.

Just who, precisely, is going to implement this order? ICE? Local law enforcement? The California National Guard? The U.S. military, which the general-fealty seeking Trump would dearly love to do?

And where will they start?

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Heres a wild-hair guess: San Francisco. Trumps obsession with Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Gavin Newsom will drive it. The three crown jewels of Californias NorCal power structure have long tangled  such a pleasant word  with Trump, and the next president is anxious to settle scores.

After all, Trump said he was your retribution, and he doesnt appear to be kidding, as hes appointed his authoritarian Mini-Me, Stephen Miller, as the deputy White House chief of staff for, well, Everything Unpleasant and Racist.

Throw in California/Newsom Chief Antagonism Officer Elon Musk, who spent $152 million (not a typo) to elect a convicted felon, and Sacramento, youve got a problem.

For starters, Newsom had positioned himself as the national Democratic foil not only against Trumpism, but the GOPs agenda. Earlier this year, Newsom debated Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in a nationally televised event and waxed him.

In what can only be described as a national political earthquake, President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race in July, installing Vice President Harris as the Democratic nominee, leaving her and the party only 100 days or so to retool. As admirably as she performed, she couldnt do it.

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Harris lost and lost decisively. Newsoms presidential hopes seemed to be dashed before Nov. 5.

Newsom is now arguably the 2028 Democratic front-runner.

How is he going to fend off what a Trump presidency will do, and how will he do that? What will California look like in the next two years?

First, hell have to deal with the undocumented worker raids. Oh, by the way, San Francisco Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie, welcome to the big leagues. Youre going to need every brain at the table to deal with this one: Willie, Nancy, London, everyone.

Theres going to be unrest, and steady hands and moral leadership are not optional.

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Second, Newsom is off to Washington to make sure that Californias first-in-the-nation climate initiatives remain in effect. That means that Attorney General Rob Bonta is going to wish he was doing car crash settlements with insurance companies compared to the enormous, intractable tide of lawsuits the state is going to have to file.

Third, lets say theres a major wildfire. Lets say is a conditional phrase here. There will be major wildfires. Newsom, Trump and former Gov. Jerry Brown stood together for the obligatory photos after the Paradise Fire (The Pleasure Fire, in Trumps mangled words), and suggestions about leaf-raking forest floors aint gonna cut it. Billions in federal aid will.

Trump, for his part, literally had to be persuaded to send the aid when an aide broke his hissy fit, telling the Juvenile-in-Chief that Trump voters lived in Paradise.

How will he react during the next one? Send rakes? Maybe not even that gesture will happen.

How about the new status of the terribly erratic Musks influence with Trump?

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NBC News is reporting that Musk, who has nine-figure arrangements with the feds, is already wearing out his welcome at Mar-a-Lago, hobnobbing around the tables, sitting in on meetings (including calls with Ukraines Vlodomyr Zelenskyy and Trumps bestie, Russian President Vladimir Putin).

No one has ejected Musk yet, but the tech billionaire and his like-minded buds such as Peter Thiel et al., who built Vice President-elect (gulp, again) J.D. Vance from the ground up, are going to have a lot of say about how Trump responds to Californias asks and efforts.

It wont be pretty.

Newsom is a pro, and now a broadly experienced national political player. That hes the obvious Democratic front-runner (whether he can win nationally or not is an open question) will work for him and against him.

About Opinion Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership. Read more about our transparency and ethics policies

Hell have the support of most of the California electorate, but hes going to be working for a living until he leaves office.
Terrifying video has shown the moment extreme turbulence hit a passenger jet, throwing passengers into the ceiling on a Miami-bound flight which was then forced to turn around and head back to Europe.

The Scandinavian Airlines flight from Stockholm, which was supposed to take over nine hours, was almost at its destination when it was forced to make a U-turn and head all the way back following the alarming situation on Thursday.

After experiencing the turbulence over Greenland, the packed aircraft returned to a base in Copenhagen to undergo checks over concerns about technical issues.

A passenger on the flight, who was travelling with his wife, posted footage showing screaming passengers as the plane was rattled by the turbulence.

A woman sitting in his row is then flung upwards. 'Look at her feet touching the [ceiling]!' he wrote. 'I thought we were going to [die]'.

A woman's foot is seen in the air as people were thrown around a plane cabin by severe turbulence

Passengers are seen gripping the backs of seats as the plane was rattled by the extreme turbulence

A passenger shared an image from inside the Scandinavian Airlines plane after it experienced severe turbulence on Thursday and had to fly back to Europe

The image above shows the scene inside the flight as it experienced severe turbulence

The Scandinavian Airlines flight took off from Stockholm at 12.55pm and was due to land in Miami at 5.45pm local time but decided to turn back to Europe as it reached the US East Coast.

According to Scandinavian Airlines, 254 passengers and one baby were on board the plane.

A passenger who was on board said they witnessed at least one person sustain injuries, but a spokesperson for the airline said no serious injuries were reported.

They told MailOnline that the jet had to turn around as it did not have the required equipment in Miami to perform the checks.

The passengers would be offered hotel rooms and will be flown to Miami on Friday, according to the airline.

Passengers posted pictures on social media of the cabin during the turbulence - with items such as plastic cups, paper bags and one man's rucksack strewn across the floor.

Back in September, a Scandinavian Airlines flight was forced to make a diversion after a rodent was discovered in a passenger's meal.

The aircraft, which was flying from Oslo to Malaga, Spain was forced to land in Copenhagen as a safety precaution after the mouse was found in an in-flight meal.

Rodents on board aircraft can pose a safety risk as they are able to chew through critical wiring. Airlines usually have procedures to prevent such an incident from occurring.
A Sex Education star has appeared in court accused of sexual offences against children, including 'forcing youngsters to read Shakespeare naked in acting classes'.

Alexander Westwood, who starred in 17 episodes of the hit Netflix show, is on trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

The 24-year-old actor, of of Albrighton, Shropshire, has been charged with 26 sexual offences.

Westwood's alleged crimes, which include rape, stretch back to before he was 10 years old and include 10 charges of sexual abuse of a girl over a seven-year period.

The actor denies the charges against him.

During a hearing on Monday, the court heard Westwood had been giving acting lessons to budding actresses, where he would allegedly force them to recite Shakespeare naked before taking part in nude role play scenes.

Sex Education star Alexander Westwood, 24, has been charged with a raft of sexual offences against children

Westwood is seen appearing on the set of Sex Education on Netflix, and reportedly starred in 17 episodes of the raunchy comedy

Westwood faces 26 offences in all, including four counts of rape of a woman over 16.

Other charges include, three counts of causing a female 13 or over to engage in a non-penetrative sexual activity, one count of inciting a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity, seven counts of sexual assault on a female, three counts of causing a child under 13 to watch a sexual act, three counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching, two counts of inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity involving penetration and three counts of assaulting a female 13 and over by penetration.

The trial is expected to last around a month.

Westwood appeared in 17 episodes of the raunchy Netflix comedy as an 'unaccredited student', according to his IMDb profile.

As well as starring in Sex Education, the actor also appeared in the BBC drama Doctors and 2018 action film Outlawed.

Westwood, 24, is facing 26 charges against him. He is due to appear at court today
The EU has slapped Meta with a 664million fine for engaging in 'abusive' Facebook Marketplace practices.

The European Commission issued the penalty after its long-running investigation found the company abused its dominant position and engaged in anti-competitive behavior.

It said by tying Marketplace to its Facebook social media platform, users were regularly exposed to the classified ads service whether or not they wanted to be.

This gave the site a 'substantial distribution advantage' which other classified ad platforms could not match.

The ruling also said the US tech giant had unilaterally imposed unfair trading conditions on other classified ads services providers who advertise on Meta's platforms.

In addition to the fine, the EU Commission has ordered Meta to stop imposing these conditions on other services.

It's the first time the EU has imposed a penalty on the social media giant for breaches of the bloc's competition law. Brussels has already slapped Big Tech rivals Google and Apple with billions in antitrust penalties.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg makes a keynote speech at the Meta Connect annual event at the company's headquarters in Menlo Park, California, in September

The Commission said that while market dominance was in itself not illegal under EU antitrust rules, dominant companies have a special responsibility not to abuse their powerful market position by restricting competition.

Margrethe Vestager, executive vice-president of the Commission in charge of competition policy, said: 'Today we fine Meta 797.72 million euros for abusing its dominant positions in the markets for personal social network services and for online display advertising on social media platforms.

'Meta tied its online classified ads service Facebook Marketplace to its personal social network Facebook and imposed unfair trading conditions on other online classified ads service providers.

'It did so to benefit its own service Facebook Marketplace, thereby giving it advantages that other online classified ads service providers could not match. This is illegal under EU antitrust rules.

'Meta must now stop this behaviour.'

Meta has rejected the Commission's findings and said it would appeal but has agreed to comply with the ruling 'in the meantime'.

The social media giant added that it would 'make announcements shortly to reassure our European users that Facebook Marketplace is here to stay'.

In a lengthy statement on the ruling, Meta said on Thursday: 'Today, the European Commission announced a decision claiming that Facebook Marketplace has hindered competition for online marketplaces in Europe.

'This decision ignores the realities of the thriving European market for online classified listing services and shields large incumbent companies from a new entrant, Facebook Marketplace, that meets consumer demand in innovative and convenient new ways.

Margrethe Vestager arrives for a College meeting at the EU headquarters in Brussels on October 30

'We will appeal this decision to ensure that consumers are well served in the EU.'

The firm argued that by creating Marketplace in 2016 and allowing users to buy and sell items for no charge, it had given consumers 'a new choice beyond the large incumbent online marketplaces that have dominated the landscape', and disputed the Commission's claim that tying Marketplace to Facebook was an illegal link.

'The European Commission's decision claims that Meta imposes Facebook Marketplace on people who use Facebook in an illegal 'tie'.

'But that argument ignores the fact that Facebook users can choose whether or not to engage with Marketplace, and many don't. The reality is that people use Facebook Marketplace because they want to, not because they have to,' Meta said.

'While the European Commission could not find any evidence of harm to competitors, they claim the entry and expansion of Facebook Marketplace has the potential to hinder the growth of large incumbent online marketplaces in the EU instead.

'But those very marketplaces are actually continuing to grow and dominate in the EU. Platforms like eBay, Leboncoin in France, Marktplaats in the Netherlands, Subito in Italy, Blocket in Sweden and Finn.no in Norway are formidable competitors and the market leader in many member states.

'They have continued to report considerable commercial success, including strong financial results and growth, since Facebook Marketplace launched. Successful new entrants - such as Vinted - have also emerged and continue to grow and thrive in Europe.'

It added: 'EU competition law is intended to protect the competitive process and consumers, not to preserve the established business positions of incumbent providers in the face of innovation.

'Ironically, in the name of competition, this decision does just that at huge cost to consumers.'

The case dates back to 2021, when European Union regulators and their counterparts in Britain opened dual investigations into the classified business. The British regulator wrapped up its investigation last year after Meta made concessions.

Meta continues to face EU scrutiny on other fronts, including investigations into whether Facebook and Instagram child safety and election integrity measures comply with the bloc's digital rulebook.

Meta has previously been hit with a series of fines for breaches of the EU's stringent privacy laws, including a record 1.2 billion euro penalty last year.
President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly set to replace the US Attorney prosecuting NYC Mayor Eric Adams and Sean 'Diddy' Combs.

Trump said Thursday that he wants to oust Damian Williams, the US attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), and replace him with Jay Clayton, his former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The proposed change, which Trump revealed in a Truth Social post, comes in the midst of Williams overseeing a number of high-profile prosecutions.

These include the public corruption case against New York Mayor Eric Adams and the sex trafficking case against Sean 'Diddy' Combs.

Williams was nominated in 2021 by President Joe Biden, making him the first Black American to lead the prosecutor's office, and the youngest, aged 41.

Trump said Thursday that he wants to oust Damian Williams, the US attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), and replace him with Jay Clayton, his former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission

Damian Williams has overseen a number of high-profile prosecutions including the public corruption case against New York Mayor Eric Adams and the sex trafficking case against Sean 'Diddy' Combs

Sean 'Diddy'Combs was charged with a host of sex trafficking and racketeering offenses following his September 16 arrest

Had Vice President Kamala Harris won the presidency, he was believed to be in the running for a top appointment after making his mark in the prosecution industry under the SDNY leadership.

The SDNY is known for its handling of complex cases and has secured historic convictions including the fallen crypto king, Sam Bankman-Fried.

Fried and Diddy are currently being held in the same jail - the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.

Diddy was arrested and hit with an indictment accusing him of years of coercion and abuse while using blackmail and violence to control his victims.

He has also been accused of inducing female victims and male sex workers into drugged-up, sometimes days-long sexual performances referred to as 'Freak Offs.'

Williams' departure from office will come as his leadership pursues the bribery and corruption case against Adams.

Federal prosecutor Hagan Scotten said last month there was evidence that Adams, 64, attempted to tamper with a witness in the investigation and claimed that after FBI agents contacted one witness, the individual was given 'a clear message from the defendant' that they should not be truthful to the FBI.

Adams is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, federal program bribery, and receiving campaign contributions from foreign nationals.

He is also accused of defrauding NYC taxpayers of $10million through allegedly fraudulent campaign funds.

He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in September and has claimed he has done nothing wrong.

It was not immediately clear how Williams' departure might affect Adam's case, though the president-elect said he believes the NYC mayor was unfairly targeted.

Trump has expressed sympathy for Adams, saying he had been targeted by 'lunatic' prosecutors.

'We were persecuted, Eric,' Trump said to Adams during the recent Al Smith charity dinner. 'You're gonna win, Eric.'

NYC Mayor Eric Adams has been charged with five offenses: conspiracy to commit wire fraud, federal program bribery, solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national, wire fraud, and bribery

Clayton was just one of several nominations for top legal posts that Trump put forward on Thursday, as the president-election moves quickly to shape his new administration

But Trump now has his eyes on Clayton as William's replacement, previously writing of the senior adviser and attorney at Manhattan law firm Sullivan & Cromwell: 'Jay is a highly respected business leader, counsel, and public servant.

'Jay is going to be a strong Fighter for the Truth'.

Clayton, 58,has no experience with criminal prosecutions but was a longtime corporate attorney before Trump put him forward to lead the SEC.

The incoming president in 2020 attempted to bring Clayton in as the dead of the SDNY without success, after former Attorney General Bill Barr tried to push out US Attorney Geoffrey Berman.

Clayton was just one of several nominations for top legal posts that Trump put forward on Thursday, as the president-election moves quickly to shape his new administration.

He picked Todd Blanche, a former federal prosecutor who was the president-elect's defence attorney during this year's 'hush money' trial in New York, to be assistant attorney-general at the Department of Justice.

Trump also nominated Blanche's co-counsel Emil Bove to the post of principal associate deputy attorney-general and acting deputy attorney-general, while Blanche is in process of being confirmed by the Senate.

Thursday's bombshell nominations come after Trump sent shockwaves through the Department of Justice a day prior when he picked Matt Gaetz, the incendiary former Florida congressman who practised law briefly before joining Congress, as US attorney-general.

The nomination sounded alarm bells through Washington's legal community over concerns that Gaetz could have the ability to use law enforcement against the president-elect's political opponents.
The Bank of England governor has called for the 'rebuilding' of ties with the EU as he warned of global trade risks after Donald Trump's bombshell election win.

Andrew Bailey insisted the 'consequences' of Brexit could not be ignored as he bemoaned the economy's lacklustre performance since the 2008 Credit Crunch.

In his Mansion House speech last night, Mr Bailey stressed that he had no political position on the decision to leave the bloc.

But he argued that the move had 'weighed on' UK plc and urged the government to 'welcome opportunities to rebuild relations while respecting the decision of the British people'.

Amid fears over Mr Trump's vow to impose a swathe of trade tariffs on US imports, Mr Bailey expressed concern about the 'impact of geopolitical shocks and the broader fragmentation of the world economy'.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves echoed the position in her own address to City leaders, underlining Labour's push for a 'reset' with Brussels as they made a seemingly coordinated pitch.

But Ms Reeves and Keir Starmer are facing a delicate balancing act as they try to foster warm relations with Mr Trump at the same time as strengthening ties with the EU.

Andrew Bailey insisted the 'consequences' of Brexit could not be ignored as he bemoaned the economy's lacklustre performance since the 2008 Credit Crunch

Chancellor Rachel Reeves echoed the position in her own address to City leaders, underlining Labour's push for a 'reset' with Brussels as they made a seemingly coordinated pitch

Mr Bailey said during his speech that he takes 'no position on Brexit per se'.

'But I do have to point out the consequences,' he said. 'The changing trading relationship with the EU has weighed on the level of potential supply.

'The impact on trade seems to be more in goods than services, that is not particularly surprising to my mind.

'But it underlines why we must be alert to and welcome opportunities to rebuild relations while respecting the decision of the British people.'

In an apparent nod to uncertainty after the US election, he added: 'The picture is now clouded by the impact of geopolitical shocks and the broader fragmentation of the world economy.'

Mr Bailey said there was not a 'good story' in the UK since 2008, contrasting the performance with that of the US.

Ms Reeves said that alongside beefing up ties with Europe she wanted to improve trade links with the US and China.

She said: 'We will not be reversing Brexit or re-entering the single market or customs union, but we must reset our relationship.'
A super-rich couple suing for over 36million over a moth infestation have been accused of portraying their home as like 'an insect house at a zoo.'

Iya Patarkatsishvili and Dr Yevhen Hunyak are suing the seller of their luxury London home for not telling them about the moths, which they say ruin their clothes and spoil their wine, and have forced them to install 400 traps around their house.

They want their money back on the 32.5million purchase of the enormous Horbury Villa in Notting Hill, plus damages, claiming that they would have to tear their house apart to rid it of the infestation.

But lawyers for seller, William Woodward-Fisher, are fighting the High Court claim and say the moth presence in the house has been blown out of proportion and could be just the 'base level' seen in other London houses.

'It is possible when reading some of the evidence in this case to imagine being inside the property like being in an insect house at a zoo,' said his barrister Jonathan Seitler KC.

'However, any given level of moth presence can bother one person whilst not bothering, or even being noticeable to, another.'

Previously, the High Court heard that Mr Woodward-Fisher, 68, who formerly competed for Great Britain as a rower, bought the site in 2011 and lived there with interior designer wife Kerry, 64.

The house was extended and radically remodelled by Mr Woodward-Fisher to about 11,000 sq ft, before it was sold on to Dr Hunyak, 50, and Ms Patarkatsishvili, 41, in 2019.

Iya Patarkatsishvili bought a home in Notting Hill, west London, with her husband Dr Yevhen Hunyak in May 2019 - they are now suing over a 'moth infestation'

The couple bought the property from William Woodward-Fisher, pictured here outside the High Court in London

The property in London's Notting Hill district boasts a pool and spa, gym, wine room, library and cinema, as well as a 'snoring room' kitted out to guarantee a peaceful night's sleep

Dr Hunyak is a pediatric dentist who practices in Chelsea, while his wife is daughter of Badri Patarkatsishvili, a Georgian businessman who fell out with Vladimir Putin and set up home in the UK in 2000 before dying of heart failure in 2008.

Prior to purchase, they or their staff visited the mansion - which has seven bathrooms, a swimming pool, spa, cinema and gym in a newly formed double basement - on at least 11 separate occasions, the court was told.

But despite their careful inspection, the couple say they were dismayed when they were hit with what one insect specialist called 'an infestation of extreme proportions amounting to millions of moths.'

They claim moths would land on their toothbrushes, that 50,000 worth of clothes were left in tatters and that they sometimes have to throw away wine after finding dead moths floating in glasses.

They are suing, claiming Mr Woodward-Fisher was guilty of negligence or 'fraudulent misrepresentation' in not revealing previous moth issues when they asked pre-purchase about any problems with 'vermin.'

However, Mr Woodward-Fisher strenuously denies doing anything wrong, pointing out that he told his solicitor that the house had previously had moths, but been told they do not qualify as vermin.

He also said that despite his wife, Kerry, having been bothered by clothes moths in the past, it was not enough to concern him and had in any case been solved by pest controllers by July 2018.

And his barrister Mr Seitler told the judge, Mr Justice Fancourt, that moth activity had been overstated and portrayed as like being in an 'insect house in a zoo'.

The couple, pictured here in their Notting Hill home, say the source of the moth scourge is the destructive insects nesting in the wool insulation behind walls and ceilings

Iya Patarkatsishvili is the daughter of Badri Patarkatsishvili, a Georgian businessman who fell out with Vladimir Putin and set up home in the UK in 2000 before dying of heart failure in 2008

Iya Patarkatsishvili has shared photos appearing to be inside the couple's Notting Hill property on Instagram, including this one showing her dentist husband Dr Yevhen Hunyak

Experiences of moths vary from one person to another, he said, with some people not even noticing them.

'As Mr and Mrs Woodward-Fisher between them demonstrate, any given level of moth presence can bother one person whilst not bothering, or even being noticeable to, another,' he said.

'Further, the position can change over time. There are some photos and videos of moth presence, but there are also a lack of photos where they might be expected.

'There is a contrast between the language used in various pest controllers' reports compared with the photographs attached to them showing evidence of the moths actually seen.

'For instance, they refer to a 'medium-high level infestation' and then the photographs meant to show that contain no live moths, merely minute grains said to be eggs that are unnoticeable to the untrained eye.

'Other statements say that there is a 'high-level infestation' and attach over 70 photos which between them show only one or two live moths in the property.'

Previously, Dr Hunyak had told the judge that, when he sees them, he concentrates on catching them rather than taking photos of the 'agile' insects.

Cross-examining moth expert, Dr Andrew Whittington, who gave evidence for the couple, Mr Woodward-Fisher's barrister put to him that the couple may only have experienced the 'base level' of moths seen in older London houses.

Dr Yevhen Hunyak, pictured here outside London's High Court, is a paediatric dentist who practises in Chelsea

In their claim, Dr Yevhan Hunyak and Iya Patarkatsishvili are asking a judge to reverse the sale of the property in Notting Hill

William Woodward-Fisher, pictured outside London's High Court with his wife Kerry, has disputed the repair claim put before a judge - calling it 'fantastically high'

But although he said moth numbers are rising as people move away from synthetic fabrics, Dr Whittington said the normal level can fluctuate from year to year and that, from Dr Hunyak's evidence, it appeared the problem 'persists.'

He said Dr Hunyak had spoken of having installed 400 moth traps around the house to keep on top of the problem and still swats them on a daily basis.

The court previously heard that the moths in the house could have been caused by thermal insulation installed in the walls and used as food by moth larvae.

But Dr Whittington told the court that the insulation in the walls should not have been susceptible to moths, as that specific type is treated.

'It may have been infected in storage prior to installation, but that's complete conjecture, it's guess work,' he said from the witness box.

The barrister put to him that it is 'unlikely' that 'hidden pockets' of woollen insulation had been left behind after work was done to remove it in 2020.

But Dr Whittington responded: 'I know from personal experience that it can. It can snag on a nail and bits get left behind. Small pieces can sustain several hundred moths.'

Dr Hunyak, seen here outside London's High Court, has said the moth plague hit a point where insects were landing on the couple, their children's toothbrushes, cutlery and plates of food

In March 2019, staff employed by Dr Hunyak's family visited Horbury Villa for three hours to assess whether noise from the Central Line was too intrusive, the High Court heard

Dr Hunyak (pictured outside the High Court) and family associates had taken great pains to test out the property before going through with the purchase, a judge has been told

The court heard an expert for the couple had estimated it would cost nearly 10million to strip the house to its 'shell' and root out any lingering pieces of insulation.

But Mr Seitler said further work was unnecessary and it is Mr Woodward-Fisher's case that any historic moth-related problems were sorted out earlier.

And he criticised the claimed 10million cost of the disputed work as 'staggering,' pointing out that an estimate obtained by Mr Woodward-Fisher was only around 160,000.

Dr Hunyak and Ms Patarkatsishvili want the judge to reverse their purchase of the house so they can get their money back, plus damages, to a total of more than 36m.

If they remain in the house, they are claiming more than 13million to cover their losses, the potential reduction in value of their home, and to pay for further work.

Mr Woodward-Fisher denies misleading the couple and says buying back the house would be 'impossible' anyway, while criticising the amount of work they claim needs doing and disputing the alleged reduction in value of the property.

The case continues.
This is the moment the streets of the Algarve turned into raging rivers as Europe's flash flood misery hit the much-loved British holiday destination.

Terrifying videos shared on social media show water gushing through downtown Albufeira with homes and businesses submerged.

There was also flooding in Moncarapacho where a car was filmed being dragged by a strong current down a flooded street, local media has reported.

Separate clips show mud and debris strewn across the streets of Albufeira after the flooding had subsided.

According to local reports, the torrents of water were caused by just five minutes of heavy rain on Thursday morning.

The Algarve and four other districts in Portugal have since been put under a weather warning as the country braces for more torrential rain.

It comes after flash floods in the Valencia region of Spain killed more than 220 people and destroyed thousands of homes just over two weeks ago.

The extreme weather has continued to grip large swathes of the country this week, with thousands evacuated from their homes in the Malaga region and much of the country still on alert as the stormy weather shows little sign of letting up.

Terrifying videos shared on social media show water gushing through downtown Albufeira with homes and businesses submerged

Picture shows flash flooding in Albufeira in the Algarve yesterday morning

Separate clips show mud and debris strewn across the streets of the popular tourist destination after the flooding had subsided.

Pictures from Malaga city showed submerged cars and abandoned buses and sticks and other objects accumulating at the bottom of streets, which had been turned to rivers by the heavy rain.

Meanwhile Valencia has been bracing for another onslaught as coastal areas were put on the highest alert on Wednesday night, with forecasters warning that up to 180 millimetres (7 inches) of rain could fall within five hours.

More than two weeks after the region first fell victim to the floods, large areas remain covered in mud and debris, with more rainfall making the situation even more dire for clean-up volunteers and rescue workers, who are still combing some areas for bodies.

The most up to date reports indicate that 223 people lost their lives, with at least 31 still missing, making it Spain's deadliest weather disaster in decades.

The emergency response included the deployment of over 2,000 personnel from Spain's military emergency unit, who worked alongside local responders and volunteers to conduct rescue and recovery operations.

An additional number of more than 30,000 volunteers have been mobilized, from all over the country, to support the ongoing cleanup efforts.

A man is pictured walking through the flash floods in Albufeira, Portugal

A woman takes a photo of a flooded street in Malaga, Andalusia, Spain, 13 November 2024

To date, hundreds of families have lost their homes and thousands have seen their vehicles destroyed.

Military vehicles have been patrolling the area to offer aid and have been supplying people with food and other necessities.

Numerous homes and public spaces were submerged, and up to 155,000 households experienced power outages.

The regions of Aragon, Murcia and Andalusia were also impacted by flooding on October 29, with a 71-year-old British ex-pat killed at his home in Malaga.

The phenomenon behind the unrelenting barrage of rain is known locally as DANA, a Spanish acronym for high-altitude isolated depression.

Unlike common storms or squalls it can form independently of polar or subtropical jet streams.

When cold air blows over warm Mediterranean waters it causes hotter air to rise quickly and form towering, dense, water-laden clouds that can remain over the same area for many hours, raising their destructive potential.

The event sometimes provokes large hail storms and tornadoes, as seen this week, meteorologists say.

Eastern and Southern Spain are particularly susceptible to the phenomenon due to its position between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

Warm, humid air masses and cold fronts meet in a region where mountains favour the formation of storm clouds and rainfall.

Before the term DANA was coined in the early 2000s, any heavy rainfall in the autumn, characteristic of the Mediterranean climate, used to go by the popular name 'gota fria' (cold drop) in Spain and parts of France. The term is still widely used colloquially.

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A general view during a heavy rainstorm near to El Perchel quarter on November 13, 2024 in Malaga

Cars destroyed by the impact of rains are pictured in the Barranco del Poyo in Quart de Poblet, Valencia

Its origin dates back to 1886 when German scientists introduced the idea of 'kaltlufttropfen', or cold air drop, to describe high altitude disturbance but without apparent reflection on the surface.

Aemet says the concept of cold drop is outdated and defines DANA as a closed high-altitude depression that has become isolated and separated from an associated jet stream.

Aemet says DANAs sometimes become stationary or even move backwards, from east to west.

Enrico Scoccimarro, senior scientist at the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change, said last month that while the large water dumps are 'typical of the western Mediterranean region and of this period of the year', the recent weather event was 'exceptional'.

'Events of this type, in these areas and with this intensity, have not been recorded for several decades, you have to go back to the 1960s to find similar values,' he told Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera.

Scientists are usually cautious of linking individual weather events with climate change, but many have said that a combination of factors linked to it likely caused the dramatic weather event.

Dr Friederike Otto, Lead of World Weather Attribution at the Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, said: 'No doubt about it, these explosive downpours were intensified by climate change.

'With every fraction of a degree of fossil fuel warming, the atmosphere can hold more moisture, leading to heavier bursts of rainfall.

'These deadly floods are yet another reminder of how dangerous climate change has already become at just 1.3C of warming.

'But last week the UN warned that we are on track to experience up to 3.1C of warming by the end of the century.'
Kim Jong Un has personally overseen the testing of new kamikaze drones, watching on as they sent cars erupting into flames before ordering military and industrial chiefs to accelerate mass production of the terrifying weapons.

North Korea's state-run news agency KCNA published photos of Kim in his signature black leather jacket inspecting at least two different types of unmanned aerial vehicles.

They included those with X-shaped tails and wings that look similar to models the pariah state revealed in August that detonate immediately upon impact - though their exact design was concealed by pixelation.

Images released by KCNA showed the drones hovering and flying various routes before slamming into targets - one of which was an old BMW that was left ablaze.

Previously, the drones had successfully blown up a series of old decommissioned tanks, demonstrating their destructive capability against armoured vehicles.

The display came as the US, South Korea and Japan engaged in combined military exercises involving advanced fighter jets and a US aircraft carrier in nearby international waters in a clear show of force directed at Pyongyang.

This picture taken on November 14, 2024 and released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) via KNS on November 15, 2024 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (L) inspecting the performance test of suicide attack drones

Performance test of suicide attack drones at an undisclosed location in North Korea

Images released by KCNA showed the drones hovering and flying various routes before slamming into targets - one of which was an old BMW that burst into a fireball

Kim has ordered military and industrial chiefs to accelerate mass production of the terrifying weapons

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (C) inspecting regional-industry factories under construction in Jaeryong County, South Hwanghae Province

Old tanks were blown up by drones in the first tests revealed to the world in August

Kim on Thursday oversaw the tests of drones designed to hit both land and sea targets, produced by North Korea's Unmanned Aerial Technology Complex, the KCNA said.

The North Korean leader is said to have been satisfied with the weapon's development process, and 'underscored the need to build a serial production system as early as possible and go into full-scale mass production', the KCNA reported.

'The suicide attack drones to be used within different striking ranges are to perform a mission to precisely attack any enemy targets on the ground and in the sea,' the agency said.

Kim said the drones were an 'easy to use... component of striking power' due to their relatively low production cost and expansive range of applications.

Pyongyang first unveiled its attack drones in August, with experts saying the capability may be attributable to the country's budding alliance with Russia.

The nuclear-armed country has ratified a landmark defence pact with Moscow and is accused of deploying thousands of troops to Russia to support its war in Ukraine, prompting South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to warn about the potential transfer of sensitive Russian military technology to North Korea.

Experts said the silhouette of the drones revealed in August looked similar to the Israeli-made 'HAROP' drone, Russian-made 'Lancet-3' and Israeli 'HERO 30' models.

North Korea may have acquired these technologies from Russia, which in turn likely obtained them from Iran - with Tehran itself suspected of accessing them through hacking or theft from Israel.

South Korean officials will be wary of their capabilities in light of the rising tensions between the two nations in recent months.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un attend a state reception in Pyongyang, North Korea June 19, 2024

This picture taken on November 14, 2024 and released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) via KNS on November 15, 2024 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (C) inspecting regional-industry factories under construction in Jaeryong County, South Hwanghae Province

A demonstrator sprays paints on a North Korean flag during a rally against a recent alleged deployment of North Korean troops to Russia, near the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024

North Korea last month accused South Korea of sending its drones to drop propaganda leaflets over the North's capital of Pyongyang and threatened to respond with force if such flights occur again.

South Korea's military has refused to confirm whether or not the North's claims were true.

But by mentioning the 'production and practical deployment of various drones', North Korea may be hinting it is preparing to make good on its promise of a forceful response, according to Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul.

Tensions in the region have escalated as Kim flaunts his advancing nuclear and missile programme, which includes various nuclear-capable weapons targeting South Korea and intercontinental ballistic missiles that can potentially reach the US mainland.

In October, the North amended its constitution to define South Korea as a 'hostile' state, an illustration of a sharp deterioration in ties since Kim in January declared Seoul his country's 'principal enemy'.

It came as North Korean troops blew up railroads and highways linking the two Koreas in a symbolic cutting of ties.

Kim is also allegedly sending military equipment and troops to Russia to support president Putin's war on Ukraine, which raised concerns in Seoul that he would get Russian technology in return to further develop his arsenal.

In addition to his intensifying nuclear threats, Kim has also engaged in psychological and electronic warfare against South Korea, such as flying thousands of balloons to drop trash in the South and disrupting GPS signals from border areas near the South's biggest airport.

U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS George Washington is pictured during Freedom Edge trilateral exercise among United States, Japan and South Korea in the East China Sea

Fighter jets on U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS George Washington are pictured during Freedom Edge trilateral exercise among United States, Japan and South Korea in the East China Sea, south of the Korean peninsula and west of Japan's main islands November 14, 2024

A fighter jet lands on U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS George Washington during Freedom Edge trilateral exercise

As Kim oversaw the testing of new drones, US, Japanese and South Korean naval forces exercised together in East Asian waters in their most complex and final joint drills before President Joe Biden hands over one of his signature national security initiatives to Donald Trump.

Led by the USS George Washington carrier and its jet fighters, the Freedom Edge naval exercise in waters south of the Korean peninsula and west of Japan's main islands comes after a pact brokered by Biden in 2023.

Seoul and Tokyo put aside years of mutual animosity and agreed to trilateral security cooperation with Washington in the face of rising tensions with China and North Korea.

Further exercises are planned next year, although neither Trump or his pick for Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, a Fox News commentator and China hawk, have yet to outline their national security plans in the sensitive East Asia region on Beijing's doorstep.

Biden, who leaves the White House in January, also pushed to extend the three-way cooperation to technology, supply chain security and cyber defences.
Britain is bracing for its first major Arctic blast of autumn next week with sub-zero temperatures, sleet and snow on the way alongside rain and strong winds.

Temperatures in some areas will be significantly below average for the time of year - with daytime highs in London reaching just 6C (43F) and overnight lows of -1C (30F).

The Met Office today issued two weather warnings for snow and ice - the first for northern Scotland from Sunday 4pm until Monday 11am; and the second for southern Scotland and northern England from Monday 10am until Tuesday 10am.

The mercury will plunge well below zero in most of Scotland next week, with the Met Office giving a 'lowest possible' reading in the Highlands of -17C (1F) next Thursday.

Meteorologists said parts of the UK are expected to see 'a messy mixture of rain, sleet and snow' in the coming days, with the whole of the country turning cold.

The Met Office told of a 'major change in the weather from this weekend, as an early winter cold spell arrives bringing the potential for disruption for some next week'.

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a cold health alert from Sunday until next Thursday for the Midlands and North of England, warning of an 'increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people' and 'greater risk to life' for the vulnerable.

But forecasters also said it was too early to tell exactly where the wintry weather might hit, with computer models showing a number of different scenarios.

It follows the driest first half to November for England and Wales since at least 1931, with some areas having less than 10 per cent of their average rainfall during a period of 'anticyclonic gloom' as cloudy conditions dominated with little to no wind.

Low lying mist over Abergavenny in Monmouthshire, South Wales, at sunrise this morning

The Burton Pynsent Monument is seen amidst the fog on the Somerset Levels this morning

The two snow and ice warnings are for northern Scotland from Sunday 4pm until Monday 11am; and for southern Scotland and northern England from Monday 10am until Tuesday 10am

The Met Office has given three possible snow scenarios for next Monday and Tuesday

Today will be cloudy in northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland with the risk of rain in the West, but drier and brighter for the rest of England and Wales.

Temperatures will be a little above average today with 13C (55F) highs - although winds will become stronger in the North later tonight, 'ushering in colder Arctic air'.

The two Met Office snow and ice warnings Here is the detail of the two snow and ice warnings issued by the Met Office: Northern Scotland Sunday 4pm to Monday 11am Ice and some snow leading to slippery surfaces and difficult travel conditions. What should I expect? Probably some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths

Some roads and railways may be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services

Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces Further detail During Sunday, showers will turn increasingly wintry through the day with hail, sleet and some snow. Little snow is likely to settle at low levels by day, but through the evening and overnight, 1 to 3 cm may accumulate in some places, whilst 5 to 10 cm is possible on high ground above 300 metres by Monday morning. Meanwhile, as temperatures fall overnight, ice is likely to form on untreated surfaces. Southern Scotland, northern England Monday 10am to Tuesday 10am A small chance of disruption from snow and ice. What should I expect? There is a small chance that power cuts will occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected

A small chance that untreated pavements and cycle paths become impassable

There is a slight chance that some rural communities could become cut off

There is a slight chance that bus and train services may be delayed or cancelled, with some road closures and longer journey times

A small chance of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces

There is a small chance of travel delays on roads with some stranded vehicles and passengers, along with delayed or cancelled rail and air travel Further detail Spells of rain, sleet and snow are likely during Monday and overnight into Tuesday morning. The most likely scenario is for most of the snow to fall on high ground, with 5 to 10 cm possible above 300 metres and perhaps as much as 15 to 20 cm above 400 metres. There is a small chance of snow settling at lower levels, where 5 to 10 cm would prove much more disruptive, but this is very uncertain. As rain, sleet and snow clear on Tuesday morning, ice may form on untreated surfaces. Advertisement

Cloud and patchy rain will then move southwards tonight across Scotland, Northern Ireland and into northern England  with wintry showers following over the hills.

Tomorrow will see the rain continue to head southwards across England and Wales while conditions turn colder in the North with the 'possibility of some hill snow'.

Low pressure then moves in on Sunday when the unsettled and much colder weather begins. The North will see sunny spells and wintry showers, while it will be cloudier elsewhere with rain and stronger winds at times and some snow over higher ground.

The first weather warning for northern Scotland, covering the Highlands area, said ice and some snow could lead to 'slippery surfaces and difficult travel conditions', with possible 'icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths'.

Roads and railways could be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services  while there could also be 'injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces'.

Forecasters said that during Sunday afternoon within the warning area, showers will turn increasingly wintry through the day with hail, sleet and some snow.

Little snow is likely to settle at low levels by day, but through the evening and overnight, 1cm (0.4in) to 3cm (1.2in) may accumulate in some places, while 5cm (2in) to 10cm (4in) is possible on high ground above 1,000ft (300m) by Monday morning.

And as temperatures fall overnight, ice is likely to form on untreated surfaces.

The second warning from Monday morning covers all of southern Scotland and up to Edinburgh and Glasgow, while extending as far south as West Yorkshire and Lancashire.

The Met Office said there was chance of power cuts and mobile phone coverage being affected, while 'untreated pavements and cycle paths' could become impassable.

There is a 'slight chance that some rural communities could become cut off', while bus and train services may be delayed or cancelled, with some road closures.

In addition, there is a chance of 'injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces' and 'travel delays on roads with some stranded vehicles and passengers, along with delayed or cancelled rail and air travel'.

For this warning, the Met Office said spells of rain, sleet and snow are likely during Monday and overnight into Tuesday morning.

Forecasters said the 'most likely scenario' is for most of the snow to fall on high ground, with 5cm (2in) to 10cm (4in) possible above 1,000ft (300m) and perhaps as much as 15cm (6in) to 20cm (8in) above 1,300ft (400m).

They added: 'There is a small chance of snow settling at lower levels, where 5cm to 10cm would prove much more disruptive, but this is very uncertain.

'As rain, sleet and snow clear on Tuesday morning, ice may form on untreated surfaces.'

Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Rebekah Hicks said: 'A notable early winter cold spell will arrive across the north from Sunday and will likely reach all parts of the UK by midweek.

'Temperatures will drop as a northerly airflow develops, bringing in colder Arctic air. This introduces the possibility of snow, initially over high ground in the north from Sunday, with gusty winds also a potential hazard.'

A man plays with his dog by the River Thames in London today ahead of temperatures falling

Autumnal trees in the South Downs National Park near Petersfield in Hampshire this morning

A dog running along the Southbank in London today following a very dry start to November

A man walks dogs on a path in London today amid the autumnal colours on the trees

Blackpool Tower covered in fog with only the building's tip poking out above mist yesterday

An aerial view of the Royal Liver Building in Liverpool surrounded by fog yesterday

The Met Office said that there was 'currently much uncertainty in what we might see next week, with computer models showing a number of different scenarios'.

Ms Hicks added: 'There is a lot of uncertainty in what might happen after Sunday, but there are a number of scenarios which could bring some more widespread rain, along with some hill snow and stronger winds.

'It is possible that there may be some more widespread snowfall across lower ground, but the chance of this for any given region is low at this stage.

'What we do know is that the whole of the UK is likely to experience a spell of several days of cold, potentially disruptive weather next week.'

Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said: 'The really cold air is likely to arrive next week and there will be some snow in parts of the UK.

'There'll be a messy mixture of rain, sleet and snow.

'And also quite windy conditions, probably on Monday, in parts of the UK, but all areas will turn cold with wintry showers probably by Wednesday.

'If you've got travel plans next week, it's worth making sure your car is all geared up for winter conditions.'

SNOW AND ICE WARNING 1: Alert for northern Scotland from Sunday 4pm until Monday 11am

SNOW AND ICE WARNING 2: An alert for a wider area from Monday 10am until Tuesday 10am

He added: 'It is fairly unusual in the south. It's quite early in the month for a cold spell such as this.

'We often have rapid changes in the weather in the UK, the main reason for the big change next week is a sudden change in the orientation of the jet stream.

'At this point, anywhere in the UK has a chance of seeing snow and ice and frost by night, particularly from mid-week onwards.'

So far this November, temperatures in the UK have been above average in general, as parts of the North West were hit with thick fog yesterday.

Pictures showed Blackpool Tower covered in fog with only the tip of the 158-metre building poking out above a blanket of mist.

Mr Morgan said: 'Usually at this time of year, fog is slow to clear because we have very short days and the sun's at its weakest point.

'So there's not much heating of the ground and it's the heating that usually disperses the fog, so we've seen some areas not really improve.

'The main reason (for the fog) is high pressure, light winds, a temperature inversion and stagnation of the air allowing that fog to form overnight and not clear in the day.'

The Met Office defines a temperature inversion as a phenomenon in which it gets hotter the higher up in the atmosphere one goes.

The AA advised night-time and early-morning drivers to 'keep their wits about them as fog becomes likely in some parts of the UK', and to check their vehicles.

Chris Wood, AA patrol of the year, said: 'During late autumn, as well as checking all your lights and tyres (including the spare), it's very important to maintain clear vision.

'Top up the windscreen wash with a good quality, purpose-made additive to reduce the chance of freezing.

'While you're at it, run your finger down the wiper blades to check for nicks and tears, as they tend to last for two years at the most.

'Also give the windscreen a thorough clean, inside and out, as a layer of grime quickly builds up and you'd be surprised what a difference it makes at reducing dazzle.'

RAC Breakdown also warned drivers to look out for the effects of a cold spell on car batteries.

RAC Breakdown spokeswoman Alice Simpson said: 'Frost, ice and snow all put more strain on car batteries so if a vehicle struggles to start, it's either a sign that the battery needs charging or that it's about to fail altogether and needs replacing.

'We strongly suggest drivers get their battery checked by a mobile mechanic or garage as soon as possible.

'Taking your car for a 30-minute drive before you need it and switching all electrics off when you finish your journey are effective ways to reduce the chances of an unwanted flat start.

'In freezing conditions, it's also well worth packing a blanket, warm waterproof coat and gloves, sturdy boots and a mobile power bank for all eventualities.'

Age Scotland's chief executive Katherine Crawford issued a series of tips for how people could help the elderly during the cold spell.

She said: 'There are simple steps we can all take to ensure no one feels they are facing this period alone.

'Bad weather may make it difficult for people to get out for essential shopping or medical appointments, so we'd urge everyone to check in on older family, friends and neighbours during this period to find out if they need any extra support.

'A friendly phone call or an offer to help with shopping, collecting prescriptions or de-icing paths could be a lifeline for someone who feels isolated at home during this cold spell.'

Dr Siama Latif, NHS 24's Associate Medical Director said: 'When the weather gets colder this can have an impact on everyone's health and wellbeing, but especially those who could be considered vulnerable, such as the very young, the elderly, or those with long-term health conditions.

'If you need to be out and about during a cold spell, make sure you wrap up warmly and wear shoes with good grip to try and avoid any slips, trips, or falls.'

NHS 24 is Scotland's provider of digital and telephone-based health and care services, including the 111-service and NHS inform.
The moment an Israeli rocket triggered a total collapse of a towering apartment block in a violent explosion in Lebanon's capital city has been captured in sickening detail.

Videos and high-resolution images showed the unmistakable silhouette of a projectile standing out against the blue skies above Beirut this morning.

The munition glided in silently and slammed into the base of the highrise in Beirut's southern Ghobeiri neighbourhood, one of several suburbs that have been ruthlessly targeted by Israel's warplanes in their campaign against Hezbollah.

A split second later, the building erupted in a punishing fireball that blasted a thick cloud of black smoke and debris hundreds of feet into the air.

A huge gout of flame was seen spouting from the side of the structure as windows shattered along the street.

Moments later the building folded in on itself as though subjected to a controlled demolition, such was the force of the blast.

Another clip underscored the horror of the Lebanese citizens bearing witness to the destruction - they were seen holding their hands to their faces in shock and letting out screams in an unsettling clip circulating online.

It is the latest example of Israel's destructive war against Hezbollah, with the Israeli Air Force (IAF) conducting incessant strikes from above while IDF troops conduct ground operations in villages close to the border.

A bomb dropped from an Israeli jet prepares to hit a building in Tayouneh, Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024

The strike, covered in graphic detail, is the latest example of Israel's savage bombardment of the Lebanese capital

A wider angle shows the bomb gliding in a split second before impact

A ball of fire erupts as an Israeli strike hits a building in Beirut's southern Ghobeiri neighbourhood on November 15, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah

Thick smoke and flames erupt from an Israeli airstrike on Tayouneh, Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024

A ball of fire erupts as an Israeli strike hits a building in Beirut's southern Ghobeiri neighbourhood on November 15, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah

Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike on Tayouneh, Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024

Residents check the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024

Today's strike that levelled the apartment block came just 50 minutes after the Israeli military called for people in the area to evacuate.

Later in the morning, a second strike hit the Bourj al-Barajneh area of the southern suburbs.

The evacuation order posted on X by Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee warned residents 'near facilities and interests affiliated with Hezbollah' to move out, warning of imminent strikes.

'All residents in the southern suburb area, specifically... in the Ghobeiry area, you are located near facilities and interests affiliated with Hezbollah,' Adraee said in his post.

'For your safety and the safety of your family members, you must evacuate these buildings and those adjacent to them immediately.'

His post on the social media platform included maps identifying buildings in the area near Bustan High School.

Repeated Israeli air strikes on south Beirut have led to a mass exodus of civilians, although some return during the day to check on their homes and businesses.

On Thursday, the Israeli military said it had struck around 30 targets in the southern suburbs over the past 48 hours.

The IDF described the targets as 'command centres' of Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force and launchers used to fire rockets at Israel.

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on the Tayouneh neighborhood of Dahieh district, south of Beirut, Lebanon, 15 November 2024

People stand on rubble at a damaged site in the aftermath of an Israeli strike in Tayouneh, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, Lebanon November 15, 2024

The remnants of buildings are seen in southern Beirut

Residents pack their intact belongings from the site of an overnight Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs Ghobeiri neighbourhood on November 15, 2024

Smoke billows over Beirut's southern suburbs, after an Israeli strike, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Baabda, Lebanon November 15, 2024

Rubble and damaged vehicles following Israeli airstrikes in the Dahieh district, south of Beirut, Lebanon, 15 November 2024

Lebanese authorities say that more than 3,360 people have been killed since October last year when Hezbollah and Israel began engaging in cross-border clashes in the wake of the deadly attacks by its Gaza-based ally Hamas.

In addition to the human toll, the conflict has cost Lebanon more than $5 billion in economic losses, with actual structural damage amounting to billions more, the World Bank said on Thursday.

Today's strike came as the US ambassador to Lebanon submitted a draft truce proposal to Lebanon's parliament speaker Nabih Berri, who is endorsed by Hezbollah to negotiate, senior Lebanese political sources claimed.

'It is a draft to get observations from the Lebanese side,' one of the sources told Reuters. When asked about the proposal, a spokesperson for the US Embassy in Beirut said: 'Efforts to reach a diplomatic deal are ongoing.'

The diplomacy marks a last-ditch attempt by the Biden administration in its dying days to secure a Lebanon ceasefire, as efforts to end the war in Gaza appear totally adrift.

The emergence of the shocking footage of today's strike comes just weeks after the total eradication of another apartment block was recorded for all to see.

In that horrific scene, a highrise in the Beirut suburb of Shayah was razed to the ground in a matter of seconds.

Crystal clear footage showed the projectile soaring through the blue skies above the Lebanese capital before spiking down and impacting the foot of the building

The entire structure trembled before collapsing in on itself and tumbling to the ground in a catastrophic implosion akin to a perfectly executed controlled demolition

The horrific scene reportedly unfolded in the Beirut suburb of Shayah, with rescuers now searching the scene for survivors

Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike targeting Beirut's southern suburb of Shayah on October 22, 2024

Close up images of the building a split second before impact clearly showed the rocket streaking past balcony windows where residents had hung clothes and sheets out to dry

This picture shows a destroyed building at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburb of Shayah on October 22, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah

A distressed woman reacts at the site of an Israeli strike near the Rafik Hariri University Hospital, amid ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, in Beirut, Lebanon October 22, 2024

A flock of pigeons flies away as a smoke cloud erupts after a rocket fired by an Israeli war plane hit a building in Beirut's southern suburb of Shayah on October 22, 2024

People sift through the site of an Israeli strike near the Rafik Hariri University Hospital, amid ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, in Beirut, Lebanon October 22, 2024

Close-up images showed an Israeli rocket soaring towards the building, just a few dozen feet from balconies on which unsuspecting citizens had hung washing or were growing flowers and herbs.

A picture taken from a neighbouring building shortly after the strike showed how the apartment block was reduced to a pile of smouldering debris.

In that scenario, Adraee had issued a warning just 40 minutes before the attack, claiming the structure contained 'Hezbollah facilities'.

The now eradicated block stood in a heavily trafficked area across the street from a large park, which has become a refuge for many displaced families.

It came hours after an attack killed 13 people and wounded another 57 near the Rafic Hariri Hospital, Lebanon's biggest public health facility, located a few kilometres from the city centre, the health ministry said.

There was no evacuation warning for the area around the hospital, which is densely populated and had seen an influx of people displaced from areas further south.

The Israeli military said it struck a Hezbollah target, without elaborating, and that it had not targeted the hospital itself.

Since September 23, Israel has ramped up its air campaign in Lebanon, later sending in ground troops following almost a year of limited, cross-border exchanges begun by Hezbollah over the Gaza war.
More voters in Visitacion Valley chose Donald Trump than in any other neighborhood in San Francisco. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

Tucked into the southeast corner of San Francisco, Visitacion Valley is an oft forgotten, sleepy neighborhood that seems a world away from the hustle and bustle in other parts of the city.

But the neighborhood made its mark during this months presidential election. More voters in Visitacion Valley  a mostly Asian working-class neighborhood  chose Donald Trump than in any other neighborhood in San Francisco.

While the city went solidly for Kamala Harris  81% to Trumps 15%  the president-elect put up some of his best numbers in heavily Asian, working-class neighborhoods including Visitacion Valley, the Excelsior and Silver Terrace. Those gains mirrored those Trump made among similar demographics elsewhere in the country.

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Despite the lack of campaign signs in yards or windows, Trump gained in every Visitacion Valley precinct. In one precinct next to McLaren Park, his vote share grew from 26% in 2020 to 41% this month, the highest citywide. Treasure Island shifted the most of any neighborhood, going from 13% in 2020 to 23% this year.

Residents across the political spectrum in areas where Trump was the most popular told the Chronicle that they werent surprised by how voters cast their ballots. They said voters in these neighborhoods feel that the Democrats who run San Francisco and occupy the White House have ignored the everyday problems they face, including homelessness, high property crime and the exorbitant cost of living.

San Francisco Republican Party head John Dennis said it makes sense that these neighborhoods saw a jump in votes for Trump.

Theres just frustration with the lawlessness around the city, Dennis said. That turns them off from Democrats in general.

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Dennis said that when he took over the local Republican Party in 2019, the share of voters registered as Republicans in the city was about 6.4%. Now its about 7.6%.

Its a long way to go, but this city needs balance, and if we can get a strong Republican voice, theyll keep the Democrats from going off the deep end, Dennis said.

He said the election was ultimately about working-class issues, and Trumps populist message resonated.

Still, some said that Trump won because the country is still too racist, misogynistic and conservative to elect a Black woman as president.

Visitacion Valley resident Kevin Souza, 40, voted for Democrat Kamala Harris because she was the lesser of two evils, but he wasnt shocked that many of his neighbors went for Republican Donald Trump. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

Kevin Souza said he voted for Kamala Harris because she was the lesser of two evils, but he wasnt shocked that many of his neighbors went for Trump.

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We have a lot of new neighbors, he said. A lot of people moved out and tons of people came in after they tore down Candlestick and all the development over there. I guess they dont know this is a liberal city.

Souza said the neighborhood has gotten safer over the years, but crime and violence still plague the low-income parts of the area, particularly the public housing projects.

He said he didnt expect Harris to win.

She did great, Souza said. But at the same time her marketing  people just didnt take it seriously. And her being a woman of color  maybe America is too racist for that right now.

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Vietnam War veteran Jeffrey Callaway, who voted for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., said voters were tired of politicians promising change and doing nothing.

Visitacion Valley resident and Vietnam War veteran Jeffrey Callaway, who voted for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., said voters were tired of politicians promising change and doing nothing. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

Jonathan Lucas agreed. He said he hasnt voted since 2008 and that Harris message didnt appeal to him.

Since the pandemic, Lucas, who works setting up conventions, has struggled financially due to fewer large events partly because of concerns about safety and the citys chaotic street conditions. He said the convention business is often the first to get hit and the last to come back during an economic downturn, and it still hasnt bounced back.

Nobody wants to spend hundreds of dollars a night for a hotel and come out to people smoking and shooting up on the street, he said.

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Visitacion Valley resident Jonathan Lucas, who works in the convention business, said he hasnt voted since 2008 and that Kamala Harris message didnt appeal to him. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

Lucas said many people who voted for Trump probably shared that sentiment and wanted change.

People are sick of the way the city feels now, he said. People dont want to keep feeling like theyre going backward.

Silver Terrace residents Mea and Jay Halperin were still disappointed in the outcome. The Halperins live in one of the precincts that swung the furthest toward Trump.

The outer neighborhoods are always more conservative than the inner city, Mea Halperin said. If it was going to happen anywhere in San Francisco, it makes sense that it would be here.

The Silver Terrace neighborhood is another part of San Francisco that shifted markedly toward Donald Trump in the presidential election. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

The Halperins said they moved to Silver Terrace in 2018 and despite having a friendly relationship with their neighbors, they dont talk about politics.

It seems like they are not comfortable with the grittiness of San Francisco in the way that maybe we are, Jay Halperin said generally of his neighbors. They wanted change.

But for some residents, Trumps victory spells danger.

On an afternoon walk with her two children in Visitacion Valley, a Salvadoran immigrant told the Chronicle she couldnt vote because shes undocumented and has been scared about being deported.

She said she wasnt totally shocked by Trumps win.

An immigrant from El Salvador, shown walking with her daughters in Visitacion Valley, said she wasnt totally shocked by Donald Trumps win in the presidential election. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

People want answers on the feeling that the neighborhood is less safe and because the economy is not doing so good, she said. They voted for him because they have the hope that maybe he will fix the things theyre upset about.

She said she wouldnt have voted for Trump because of his racist remarks, but she can understand why so many Americans did.
CNN's chief medical correspondent expressed the shock within the medical community following the announcement of Robert F. Kennedy's potential health secretary appointment.

Dr Sanjay Gupta, a neurosurgeon and the network's top doctor said there was near-unanimous 'horror' in the industry over the anti-vaccine activist and conspiracy theorist potentially becoming the next Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).

On The Situation Room on Thursday, Gupta told anchor Wolf Blitzer that RFK's claims about vaccines were especially worrying.

'He talked about COVID specifically being bioengineered to attack certain demographics of populations, but when it comes to vaccines and him talking about the connection between vaccines and autism, I think that probably gets the most attention,' he said.

'He is sometimes tough to pin down because he will say one thing at one time or say something else or say he did not say that. He said in the past there are no vaccines that are safe and effective and said there are some that are probably a good idea. It really revolves around infectious diseases primarily.'

CNN's top doctor Sanjay Gupta said there was near-unanimous 'horror' in the medical industry over RFK potentially becoming the next Secretary of Health and Human Services

President-elect Donald Trump is pictured above with Robert F Kennedy Jr at a rally in Arizona in August. Trump selected Kennedy, an environmental activist, to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, the United States' top health agency

Gupta then revealed many of his peers within the medical community were not pleased upon hearing the news on Kennedy's potential appointment.

'It's fair to say that the medical community is not monolithic. There are disparate voices here, but they are pretty much in lockstep about the concerns with regard to some of these public health issues and RFK,' he said.

The top doctor explained a colleague on that day had told him they could not 'think of any single individual who would be more damaging to public health than RFK'.

Shares of vaccine makers including Pfizer Inc and Moderna fell after news of Kennedy's appointment and were down in after-hours trading by as much as 2 per cent.

Kennedy has been criticized for making false medical claims, including that vaccines are linked to autism. He opposed state and federal restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic and was accused of spreading misinformation about the virus.

He disputes the anti-vaccine tag, saying he wants more rigorous testing of vaccines instead. However, he chaired the Children's Health Defense, a nonprofit organization that focuses on anti-vaccine messaging.

In an interview in March, when he was still running for president, Kennedy said Americans who want a vaccine for themselves or their children would continue to have access to them if he were to be elected. But he said he doubted the efficacy of measles vaccines.

'Immunization has continued to be the single greatest contributor of any health intervention to ensuring that babies not only see their first birthdays, but they continue leading healthy lives into adulthood,' he said.

Gupta's statement comes a day after President-elect Donald Trump selected Kennedy, an environmental activist, to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, the United States' top health agency.

The 70-year-old Robert F. Kennedy Jr. shared a picture of himself shirtless during his 2024 independent presidential campaign, trying to prove that he was the pinnacle of health without using vaccines

In a post on X, Kennedy vowed to work to end chronic disease, clean up corruption and provide Americans with the data they need to make informed decisions, vowing to Trump he would work to 'Make America Healthy Again.'

Kennedy ran for president in this year's election as an independent before dropping out in August and endorsing Trump in exchange for a role in the Republican's administration.

Kennedy, the son and nephew of two titans of Democratic politics, has frequently talked about tackling what he calls the 'chronic disease epidemic' of conditions including obesity, diabetes and autism, and reducing chemicals in food.

'The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any Administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country,' Trump said in a post on social media.

Later on Thursday during a speech at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida, Trump praised Kennedy, saying he would do 'unbelievable' things in his new position.

'We want you to come up with things and ideas and what you've been talking about for a long time,' Trump said, without elaborating.

The Department of Health and Human Services oversees drug regulation, public health agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and health insurance for more than 140 million people including the poor, those aged 65 and older, and the disabled through Medicare and Medicaid.

The top doctor explained a colleague on that day had told him they could not 'think of any single individual who would be more damaging to public health than RFK'

Kennedy ran for president in this year's election as an independent before dropping out in August and endorsing Trump in exchange for a role in the Republican's administration

HHS had a $3.09trillion budget for fiscal year 2024, representing 22.8 per cent of the US federal budget.

Drew Altman, president of health research firm KFF, described the move as historic and said what Kennedy, if confirmed, would ultimately do in the role remains to be seen, given he has not often discussed programs like Medicaid and Medicare, which account for much of the US health budget.

'Historically, secretaries have been people with real experience and standing in national healthcare and he certainly is not that, and has views from outside the mainstream, and is a renegade appointment,' Altman said.

The appointment, which had been seen as a possibility for weeks, raised concern among some public health advocates who said Kennedy could have a negative role in Americans' health given his power over these agencies. The Democratic Party decried the decision.

Some politicians and business groups supported the nomination, such as the National Community Pharmacists Association, which said it was encouraged by his willingness to take on corporations.

The controversial pick comes just a day after Trump stunned Democrats and Republicans alike with his seemingly sudden choice of Matt Gaetz to be U.S. attorney general.

Gaetz, who resigned his seat as a Florida congressman hours after Wednesday's announcement amid a roiling probe by the House Ethics Committee into allegations of sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and bribery.

He is a MAGA firebrand who has taken aim at fellow House members form both parties and led the coup against former GOP House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Republican senators have publicly and privately expressed shock over the nomination.
Sir Keir Starmer is under fire for allowing the departure of Britain's most senior trade negotiator who previously worked on a post-Brexit deal with Donald Trump.

Crawford Falconer has been the UK's top trade negotiator since 2017 but will be leaving the Department for Business and Trade next month.

This is despite the US election result reviving hopes of a UK-US trade deal, which Sir Crawford attempted to secure when Mr Trump was previously in the White House.

According to The Times, Sir Crawford is leaving his role after his contract was not extended and he will not be directly replaced.

Labour will instead give more junior officials responsibility for overseeing Britain's trade negotiations in future, the newspaper reported.

Andrew Griffith, the Tory shadow business secretary, said the decision to allow Britain's top trade expert to leave was 'staggering'.

He questioned whether it was 'deliberate self-harm or merely negligence' by the Prime Minister.

Sir Keir Starmer is under fire for allowing the departure of Britain's most senior trade negotiator who previously worked on a post-Brexit deal with Donald Trump

The US election result has revived hopes of a UK-US trade deal, which Crawford Falconer attempted to secure when Mr Trump was previously in the White House

Sir Crawford has been the UK's top trade negotiator since 2017 but will be leaving the Department for Business and Trade next month

'It is staggering that at this crucial time following the US elections, the Government has dispensed with the services of its chief trade negotiator with direct experience negotiating across the Atlantic,' Mr Griffith said.

'It is like retiring your opening batsman on the first day of a Test match.'

The Conservative frontbencher called on the Department for Business and Trade to 'clarify what steps they took to retain his services'.

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Tory former business secretary, said: 'Losing a first class trade negotiator when a trade deal with our biggest trading partner, America, is on the horizon shows how inadequate this Government is.'

Sir Crawford has spent 25 years working on trade policy and trade negotiations and was previously New Zealand's chief trade negotiator.

He was appointed to be the UK's chief trade negotiator when Theresa May was PM as she prepared for Britain leaving the EU and regaining control over trade policy.

Sir Crawford previously had his contract extended in 2022 and 2023, but it is understood he is 'content' not to have had his contract renewed again.

It was reported last year that he was planning to return to his native New Zealand once Britain had completed its accession to the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) trade bloc.

Negotiations over a UK-US trade deal stalled when Joe Biden replaced Mr Trump as US president in 2021.

The Republican's return to the White House has led to hopes that talks could resume, although it has been claimed Sir Keir might prioritise his 'reset' of post-Brexit relations with the EU rather than chase a deal with the US.

George Eustice, the Tory former environment secretary, called for Sir Crawford to be sacked in 2022 as part of his strident criticism of the UK's trade deal with Australia.

He argued Britain gave away 'too much' and accused Sir Crawford of accepting concessions to Australian negotiators 'often when they were against UK interest'.

But Kemi Badenoch, the then trade secretary and now Tory leader, fiercely defended Sir Crawford and the Australia deal.

A spokesman for the Department for Business and Trade said: 'We would like to thank Crawford for his commitment in overseeing the UK's trade policy and negotiations over many years.

'His work has ensured the UK has built up the necessary experience and expertise to succeed on the world stage as a newly independent trading nation.

'We look forward to delivering an ambitious trade agenda that boosts growth and gives British businesses access to some of the most exciting economies in the world.'
A passenger who was on a Miami-bound flight when it was hit by extreme turbulence said he thought he was going to die and has described how a man next to him was knocked out after being flung into the cabin ceiling.

Sammy Solstad, who is originally from Sweden but now lives in Florida, had been travelling on the flight home with his wife when the plane was buffeted by air currents over Greenland.

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) flight SK957 dropped more than 8,000ft in just minutes as the turbulence hit, flight trackers show.

The flight from Stockholm, which was due to take nine hours, then made a U-turn and headed all the way back to Europe, a journey which took around five hours.

Mr Solstad shared a clip of the moment the jet suddenly 'plunged', with passengers seen gripping to their seats and heard screaming in terror while others are thrown upwards.

People's belongings are sent flying while a man and woman in his row are seen slamming into the ceiling, with the woman's feet visible at head height in the dramatic footage.

'I was asleep and my wife woke me up and said "it's really bumpy," and then things turned really bad really fast,' Mr Solstad told MailOnline.

'We thought we were going to die when it went straight down, and the people next to us went right into the ceiling. The woman was thrown upwards and hit the ceiling with her whole body, head first.'

He said the woman's husband, who had his seatbelt on loosely, was knocked unconscious.

A woman's leg is seen in the air as she is thrown up by the force of the turbulence on the Scandinavian Airlines flight

Passengers are seen gripping the backs of seats as the plane was rattled by the extreme turbulence

Sammy Solstad, who is originally from Sweden but now lives in Florida , had been travelling on the flight home with his wife when the plane was hit by turbulence

The woman, who had not been wearing a seatbelt at all, 'hit her head and neck very hard,' and then fell to the ground.

'The staff did not get up from the chair to help the woman on the floor - it was a crazy situation and they were probably in shock,' he went on.

The plane continued to drop rapidly but Mr Solstad said he decided to run over to help the woman, who he said was 'bleeding a little,' lifting her up and strapping her into the seat.

Passengers posted pictures on social media of the cabin during the turbulence - with items such as plastic cups, paper bags and one man's rucksack strewn across the floor.

Shaken passengers begged for the plane to land at the nearest airport in Canada, Mr Solstad said, adding that they were just an hour from being over the US.

'Everyone on the plane is praying and asking to just land instead of flying over the open sea and for several hours because of a damaged plane and the woman with neck injuries,' he said.

However, the pilots were ordered to fly back to Denmark, he claimed, saying the reason was that it would be too expensive for SAS to send mechanics out to the US.

'Everyone was concerned, we didn't want to go back five hours on a compromised plane which the pilot said was damaged. I don't think he meant to tell us that because he didn't repeat it again.

He said while the turbulence abated, people were still terrified for the duration of the flight back to Europe. 'When you're scared for five hours it feels like five days,' he said.

'Everybody was crying and screaming, the smallest little bump everyone freaked out, there wasn't much turbulence but every little thing felt horrible.

'Lots of children were on the flight and older folks who could have easily had a heart attack.

'A lot of people said they are never going to fly again, they won't get back on a plane after that experience,' he added.

Mr Solstad shared a picture of his monitor after it began to show his flight diverting to Copenhagen following the turbulence

Mr Solstod said he met one of the pilots at the hotel where they were put up afterwards. 'The pilot said he had been flying his whole life and it was definitely the craziest thing he's ever experienced,' he said.

The traveller hit out at the airline saying: 'They care about the money before the people. The flight attendant said "no, we always put the people first", but then admitted that the plane might need to be held there for three weeks and they didn't want to be stuck there, which kind of confirmed what I said.'

The airliner told MailOnline that the jet had to turn around as it did not have the required equipment in Miami to perform the checks.

'Since SAS do not have the necessary facilities and staff for this level of inspection in Miami, we decided to reroute the aircraft to Copenhagen, where both hangar space and qualified technicians were available,' it said in a statement.

'Flying the aircraft to MIA would have resulted in it being grounded for an extended period, leading to multiple cancellations.'

According to Scandinavian Airlines, 254 passengers and one baby were on board the plane.

A passenger shared an image from inside the Scandinavian Airlines plane after it experienced severe turbulence on Thursday and had to fly back to Europe

The image above shows the scene inside the flight as it experienced severe turbulence

The Scandinavian Airlines flight took off from Stockholm at 12.55pm and was due to land in Miami at 5.45pm local time but decided to turn back to Europe as it reached the US East Coast.

No serious injuries were reported among passengers or crew, they said, and the plane was met by a special assistance team when it landed.

The passengers and crew were given hotel rooms in Copenhagen and were booked onto other flights to Miami on Friday, according to the airline.

Back in September, a Scandinavian Airlines flight was forced to make a diversion after a rodent was discovered in a passenger's meal.

The aircraft, which was flying from Oslo to Malaga, Spain was forced to land in Copenhagen as a safety precaution after the mouse was found in an in-flight meal.

Rodents on board aircraft can pose a safety risk as they are able to chew through critical wiring. Airlines usually have procedures to prevent such an incident from occurring.
Furious residents claim their village in the shadow of Windsor Castle has been turned into a 'hell hole' after asylum seekers were moved into its hotel.

They fear genteel Datchet in Berkshire will lose its quintessential country feel, house prices will tumble and businesses struggle.

Their outcry comes after the Manor Hotel was turned into a holding centre for migrants awaiting a decision on their asylum applications.

One man revealed he has put his home on the market after claiming the conversion was the latest sign that the village is being run down by the authorities.

Pub staff meanwhile, claim they suffered a loss of custom when the 19th Century hotel's owners swapped tourists and wedding guests for refugees.

Others say the village - which the King is driven through daily - feels less 'safe' because groups of young men hang around the pretty village green.

One home-owner said: 'I put my house on the market, I've had enough.

'This has been such a nice village. It's been safe and it's been left to go to rack and ruin. It's just becoming a hell-hole.'

The Manor Hotel in Datchet, Berkshire, was turned into a holding centre for migrants awaiting a decision on their asylum applications

Furious residents claim their village in the shadow of Windsor Castle has been turned into a 'hell hole' after asylum seekers were moved into its hotel

The 200-bed hotel in the village centre was used as asylum accommodation previously, reverted to hotel use, then back to refugees

He pointed out that the 200-bed hotel in the village centre was used as asylum accommodation previously, reverted to hotel use, then back to refugees.

The Government claims it wants to avoid housing asylum seekers in hotels, but is currently short of beds for them.

'It's the second time it's happened,' the home-owner said: 'They can't guarantee those people are vetted or where they come from.

'The authorities are not interested in Datchet or the villages surrounding Windsor. There's no money coming into it.

'They're all falling apart, there's litter everywhere, the only time you see anyone from the council is when they're giving out parking tickets.

'We've been left to rot while Maidenhead gets all the investment. There's no infrastructure here. '

Pensioner Alan Allister, who lives in the village with his wife Pauline, said: 'We have had no problem with the men themselves.

'But it's just the system that needs changing. We're not happy about it but there's nothing we can do about it.'

One man revealed he has put his home on the market after claiming the conversion was the latest sign that the village is being run down by the authorities

Pub staff meanwhile, claim they suffered a loss of custom when the 19th Century hotel's owners swapped tourists and wedding guests for refugees

The Manor Hotel is once again being used to home asylum seekers in the upmarket Berkshire village

The retired builder, 81, added: 'There are people who don't like them hanging around the green. It doesn't look good but it's not their fault.'

A staff member at The Stag pub said: 'I just wish that the Government would ask local people what they think before they make these decisions.

'When that was a proper hotel, it was used for weddings and parties so we used to get loads of guests coming over.

'Now we get nothing, so that's had a massive knock-on effect for us. It's taken a big chunk of our business away.'

A shop-owner added: 'Local people feel the village used to be a really nice place but that it has gone down.

'Datchet is a place where royalty go past and it's looking a bit sorry and sad.

'They also say it's not safe when they go out and they see a lot of young men hanging around in the village. If you're a woman you might feel a bit vulnerable.

'People come into the shop and talk about it all the time. It's not a place where they want their children to grow up in.

Pensioner Alan Allister, who lives in the village with his wife Pauline, said: 'We have had no problem with the men themselves. But it's just the system that needs changing'

Staff at nearby pub The Stag claim they suffered a loss of custom when the 19th Century hotel's owners swapped tourists and wedding guests for refugees

Others say the village - which the King is driven through daily - feels less 'safe' because gangs of young men hang around the pretty village green

The Government claims it wants to avoid housing asylum seekers in hotels, but is currently short of beds for them

Mo Tariq, who lives in the village and owns a cafe, an estate agent and a dentist there, defended the asylum hostel and its residents

Pictured: The Manor Hotel in Datchett

'They are also worried about their house prices because when a town loses its reputation, property loses its value.'

But Mo Tariq, who lives in the village and owns a cafe, an estate agent and a dentist there, defended the asylum hostel and its residents.

The 36-year-old said: 'If you speak to these men, they're all very polite. They all come from difficult situations. They are not criminals, they are not nasty people.

'They're not allowed to work so they just hang about and because of that the local villagers think it is an eyesore.

'Datchet is a quintessential cultural village and when something out of the norm comes into the village, people can't handle it.

'When the asylum seekers left last year, it became a hotel again. That's what Datchet wanted.

'But it wasn't fully occupied. So as a business owner, what do you do? You've got to pay bills and if the Government offers you a contract to house asylum seekers, then you'll take it.'

'The royal family goes past here two to three times a day. The King went past earlier and gave us a wave. It's got that royal touch.

'But they don't cause any alarm. It's just a stereotype - two or three guys hanging around. But they just don't want to sit in a hotel room.'
The Cop29 climate summit has descended into farce after a group of influential world figures and climate experts declared it 'no longer fit for purpose'.

The group, which includes former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon and the former president of Ireland Mary Robinson, said future conferences should only be held in countries that can show clear support for climate action.

It comes after this year's Azerbaijani hosts declared at the summit's opening in Baku that the country's oil and gas were 'a gift from God'.

Azerbaijan is considered a major fossil fuel producer with oil and gas making up around half of its exports.

Last year's climate summit, Cop28, was also held in a petrostate, the United Arab Emirates.

'It is now clear that the Cop is no longer fit for purpose. We need a shift from negotiation to implementation,' they wrote in a letter to the UN.

'We need strict eligibility criteria to exclude countries who do not support the phase-out/transition away from fossil energy.

'Host countries must demonstrate their high level of ambition to uphold the goals of the Paris agreement.'

The group has also called for meetings on climate change to be held more frequently and for the process to be streamlined.

Climate activists stage a protest during the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP29 in Baku

A general view at the United Nations climate change conference COP29 venue in Baku (stock photo)

The group, which includes former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon (pictured), said future conferences should only be held in countries that can show clear support for climate action

It comes as environmental campaigners also hit out at Cop29's private jet hypocrisy with arrivals soaring during the summit.

Data from tracking website Flight Radar now shows that 65 private jets arrived in Baku in the week leading to Monday, The Times reported.

Some 45 planes landed on Sunday and Monday alone as the Cop29 summit got underway.

This compares to the 32 private jets that arrived at Baku airport during the same week last year.

Denise Auclair from the Travel Smart Campaign said: 'The number of arrivals by private jet we are seeing at Cop29 puts front and centre the hypocrisy of using a private jet while claiming to be fighting climate change, particularly from an equity point of view.

'An executive taking one long-haul private flight will burn more CO than several normal people do in an entire year.'

Many world leaders have chosen not to attend this year with President Biden, President Xi of China, and Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi all shunning Cop29 despite their countries being some of the biggest emitters of carbon dioxide.

Senior figures from the EU are also absent from what is feared will be yet another talking shop that achieves little or nothing in the way of concrete action.

Climate activists stage a protest during the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP29 in Baku

Delegates arrive for the UNFCCC COP29 Climate Conference on November 11

Activists participate in a demonstration at the COP29 UN Climate Summit today

Climate activists stage a protest during the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP29 in Baku

Participants talk as they visit an exhibition at the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP29 in Baku

French president Emmanuel Macron, German chancellor Olaf Scholz, and EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen are all staying at home.

Sir Keir Starmer is one of the only premiers from the wealthiest nations in Azerbaijan for the annual gathering, although the Taliban has sent a representative.

He is laying out a target for the UK to slash 81 per cent off carbon emissions by 2035, compared to 1990 levels.

Countries will also be grappling with Donald Trump's return to the White House, in what analysts say is a trend of climate scepticism in elections this year.

The next President of the US, the world's second biggest polluter, is expected to boost fossil fuels, roll back green incentives domestically and take America out  again  of the global Paris Agreement on tackling climate change, which commits countries to pursue efforts to curb warming to 1.5C.

The choice of Azerbaijan to host the talks has also come under criticism over its human rights record, with failings including the persecution of political opponents and detainment of activists.
It comes days after the Royal Navy shadowed a Russian frigate in the Channel

The Royal Navy is tracking a Russian spy ship straying close to undersea cables in the Irish Sea than 24 hours after RAF jets were scrambled to monitor a Russian reconnaissance plane flying close to UK airspace.

The Yantar, billed by Moscow as an 'oceanographic research vessel', was one of three Russian vessels sailing through the Channel in recent days.

But as it headed toward British shores, the research craft turned off its transponder - erasing it from commercial marine tracking systems.

Yesterday it briefly appeared some 60 kilometres off the coast of Ireland before disappearing again, raising fears it was operating above vital undersea cables responsible for connecting Britain and Ireland and carrying the UK's digital data.

Despite its official status as a research vessel, a Russian parliament publication previously said the Yantar carries technology 'designed for deep-sea tracking, as well as equipment for connecting to top-secret communication cables'.

The Royal Navy dispatched HMS Cattistock to shadow the vessel while the RAF sent a Poseidon P8 reconnaissance plane to track its movements.

Meanwhile, two Typhoon fighter jets from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland followed a Russian Tupolev-142, a maritime reconnaissance aircraft known as the 'Bear-F' in NATO countries, as it flew over the North Sea yesterday.

The Yantar has previously sailed close to British waters and had to be escorted by a Royal Navy ship (pictured in 2018)

An archive Royal Navy image of the Yankar ship being shadowed by Royal Navy ship HMS Diamond as it passed through the English Channel in January 2018

Two Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland followed the Russian Tupolev-142 (a Typhoon is seen flanking a Bear-F in August 2023)

'Our adversaries should be in no doubt of our steadfast determination and formidable ability to protect the UK,' said armed forces minister Luke Pollard.

'The Royal Navy and RAF (Royal Air Force) have once again shown they stand ready to defend our country at a moment's notice and I pay tribute to the professionalism and bravery of those involved in these latest operations,' he added.

The RAF scramble to intercept the Bear-F came days after the Royal Navy was forced to shadow Russian military vessels passing through the Channel that were accompanied by the Yantar.

It was the second time in three months that Russian ships and aircraft had been detected around UK airspace and waters within a week of each other.

Incidents involving Russian and Western aircraft have multiplied over the recent months against the backdrop of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier this week, Vladimir Putin's most modern frigate passed through the English Channel on its maiden long-distance voyage.

The Admiral Golovko, the newest member of Russia's Northern Fleet, is armed with hypersonic Tsirkon missiles.

These projectiles can travel some 900km at several times the speed of sound, making it almost impossible for conventional air defence systems to shoot them down.

The warship, one of 10 planned for production as part of Russia's Project 22350, left its Arctic home base in Severomorsk almost two weeks days ago and sailed through the Barents, Norwegian and North Seas before heading for the Channel.

A Russian Tupolev Tu-142 maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft is seen flying over the North Sea in this image taken in August 2023

An RAF Typhoon, left, monitors a Russian Tupolev Tu-142 maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft in August 2023

'The crew of the Admiral Golovko frigate of the Russian Navy's Northern Fleet held exercises in the English Channel,' said Russian defence ministry TV channel Zvezda.

'The sailors practised anti-submarine and anti-aircraft defence, and conducted a training rescue operation using Ka-27 helicopters.'

Footage showed the drills as the vessel passed through the narrowest point of the busy seaway between England and France amid high tension between Moscow and the West over Putin's war against Ukraine.

Russia's defence ministry said of the Golovko's drills: 'The combat crews of the frigate's main command centre trained to disperse dangerous targets in the difficult conditions of intensive shipping in the strait.'

The war games included 'anti-terrorist drills' repelling aerial and marine drones of a 'mock enemy', said naval sources.

The Admiral Golovko was accompanied by the Yantar, which subsequently switched off its transponder and diverted into the North Sea.

The Russian Northern Fleet ultra-modern frigate Admiral Golovko is armed with hypersonic Tsirkon missiles

The Golovko targets another vessel amid naval drills

'The crew of the Admiral Golovko frigate of the Russian Navy's Northern Fleet held exercises in the English Channel,' said Russian defence ministry TV channel Zvezda

'The sailors practised anti-submarine and anti-aircraft defence, and conducted a training rescue operation using Ka-27 helicopters'

The 443ft-long Admiral Golovko has now passed through the English Channel and 'is currently performing missions in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean'.

State news agency TASS said: 'The main goals of the long-distance deployment are to demonstrate the Russian flag and ensure Russia's naval presence in operationally important areas of the World Ocean.'

The 5,400-ton Admiral Golovko joined the Navy in December and is the third frigate in the Project 22350 series.

As well as Tsirkon, the frigate is armed with a 130mm A-192 artillery system, a Redut air-defence missile system, launchers for 16 Oniks or Kalibr-NK anti-ship missiles and a Paket-NK anti-submarine system.

Its deployment in the Channel comes less than two weeks after Vladimir Putin personally oversaw nuclear war drills by Russia's strategic missile forces.

The major exercises spanned Russia, with Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launches from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the northwest to the Kura test range in Kamchatka in the far east.

A Yars intercontinental ballistic missile is test-fired from the Plesetsk launchpad in northwestern Russia

Defence Minister Andrei Belousov warned the West that the exercise was to show how Russia could deliver 'a massive nuclear strike'

The exercises spanned Russia, with Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launches from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the northwest (pictured) to the Kura test range in Kamchatka in the far east

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a plenary session of the 3rd National Healthcare Congress in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024

Defence Minister Andrei Belousov warned the West that the exercise was to show how Russia could deliver 'a massive nuclear strike by strategic offensive forces in response to a nuclear strike by the enemy'.

Nuclear-powered submarines, a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system and two Tu-95MS bombers were involved in Russia's strategic nuclear deterrence force drills, according to Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov, who reported to Putin on the surprise drill.

Putin earlier declared it was necessary to keep his strategic forces 'constantly ready for combat' and lauded the capability of the latest Russian missiles to overcome air defence systems.
Human smugglers are 'taking advantage' of Donald Trump's election victory and urging migrants to cross over the southern US border before he takes office on January 20, it has emerged.

Smugglers are using WhatsApp and social media groups to tell migrants they need to make the journey to America 'now or never', The Wall Street Journal reported.

Migrant advocates claim that as 'soon as Trump's victory became clear, messages spreading fear began to appear' in the social media groups.

Smugglers are telling asylum-seekers to 'hurry up in case of a possible change' in immigration policies. They warned of an imminent shutdown of the US border and of increased deportations under the incoming administration.

The smugglers, who are praying on asylum-seekers fears, have also sent messages sarcastically wishing them 'luck' at crossing the border without getting caught.

While US immigration authorities say there is evidence that a migration surge is actually materializing, shelters reportedly started emptying out ahead of the election and some 4,000 migrants formed three US-bound caravans last week, though many of them have since dispersed.

Trump is expected to take a slew of executive actions on his first day as president to ramp up immigration enforcement, including deploying National Guard troops to the southern border and declaring a national emergency to unlock funds to resume construction of a border wall.

The president-elect has said he would restore his 2019 'remain in Mexico' program, which forced asylum-seekers of certain nationalities attempting to enter the US at the southern border to wait in Mexico for the resolution of their cases. The program was terminated by the Biden Administration.

He also plans to reinstate the COVID-19-era Title 42 policy, which allowed US border authorities to quickly expel migrants back to Mexico without the chance to claim asylum.

Donald Trump, pictured Thursday night, has pledged to launch the largest deportation effort in American history and is expected to take a slew of executive actions on his first day as president to ramp up immigration enforcement

Migrants queue at migration stations in the municipality of Tapachula, in the state of Chiapas, Mexico on November 11. They fear that after Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election, they will be stranded at Mexico's southern border

An exterior view shows a camp of migrants stranded in Mexico City, Mexico, on November 11, 2024, after they attempt to complete a procedure at the facilities of the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance. This procedure would allow them to stay longer in Mexico due to the difficulties their compatriots face in entering the United States

Mexican migrant advocate Luis Villagran, who organizes caravans in Tapachula, said that there were at least four WhatsApp groups 'in which hundreds of migrants coordinated their departure on US election day'.

While it is safer for migrants to travel in caravans, they are easy targets for immigration authorities. Smugglers will lure migrants travelling in caravans and offer them faster routes to the US.

Smugglers, whose business often slows down after new policy changes are implemented, are now using fear tactics to spark business.

'Trump's victory has generated a lot of nervousness, and the smugglers are taking advantage of that,' Jose Luis Perez Canchola, who heads a migrant support unit in Tijuana, told the newspaper.

He says the smugglers are 'sowing doubts' through various online channels, especially raising fears amongst 'migrants aiming to legally apply for asylum'.

Gilbert Alvarez, 19, of Venezuela, is one of the asylum-seekers seemingly targeted by the smugglers and admits he wants to get to the US before Trump takes office.

The student recently arrived in Mexico and plans apply for asylum in Texas, where he has relatives, but told the Journal if he does not get a legal appointment to enter the US within a few weeks that 'I will just go to the northern border' instead.

Migrants seeking asylum in the United States through the CBP One digital application carry flags and an image of Jesus Christ during a binational mass to remember migrants who have died attempting to reach the US on the banks of the Rio Grande in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua State, Mexico, on November 9, 2024

US activists wave flags on November 9, 2024 during a binational mass to remember migrants who have died attempting to reach America

Trump has pledged to launch the largest deportation effort in American history, focusing on criminals but aiming to send millions back to their home countries, an effort that is expected to tap resources across the US government but also face obstacles.

As part of his Day One executive actions, he is expected to scrap Biden's immigration enforcement priorities, which focused on arresting serious criminals and limited enforcement against people with no criminal records.

During a rally in Wisconsin in September, Trump said deporting migrants would be 'a bloody story,' rhetoric that sparked criticism from immigrant advocates.

Trump told Time Magazine he did not rule out building new migrant detention camps but 'there wouldn't be that much of a need for them' because migrants would be rapidly removed.

He says he would rely on the National Guard, if needed, to arrest and deport immigrants in the US illegally.

When questioned, he also said he would be willing to consider using federal troops if necessary, a step likely to be challenged in the courts.

Trump has vowed to take aggressive new steps to deport immigrants with criminal records and suspected gang members by using the Alien Enemies Act, a 226-year-old statute last utilized for interning people of Japanese, German and Italian descent during World War Two.

Trump called for the death penalty for migrants who kill U.S. citizens or law enforcement officers at an October rally in Aurora, Colorado.

Stephen Miller, the architect of Trump's first-term immigration agenda, said in an interview last year with a right-wing podcast that National Guard troops from cooperative states could potentially be deployed to what he characterized as 'unfriendly' states to assist with deportations, which could trigger legal battles.

Vice President-elect JD Vance said in a New York Times interview published in October that deporting 1 million immigrants per year would be 'reasonable.'

Biden in the 2023 federal fiscal year outpaced Trump deportation totals for any single year - with a total 468,000 migrants being deported to their home countries or returned to Mexico by US immigration authorities - and is on pace for even more this year, a tally that includes migrants returned to Mexico.

Stephen Miller, pictured at Mar-a-Lago Thursday night, was the architect of Trump's first-term immigration agenda. He said in an interview last year that National Guard troops from cooperative states could potentially be deployed to what he characterized as 'unfriendly' states to assist with deportations, which could trigger legal battles

Vice President-elect JD Vance, pictured Wednesday on Capitol Hill, said in a New York Times interview published in October that deporting 1 million immigrants per year would be 'reasonable'

Trump has said he will seek to detain all migrants caught crossing the border illegally or violating other immigration laws, ending what he calls 'catch and release.'

At an October campaign event, Trump said he would call on Congress to fund an additional 10,000 Border Patrol agents, a substantial increase over the existing force.

The president-elect has said he would implement travel bans on people from certain countries or with certain ideologies, expanding on a policy upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.

Trump previewed some parts of the world that could be subjected to a renewed travel ban in an October 2023 speech, pledging to restrict people from the Gaza Strip, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen and 'anywhere else that threatens our security.'

During the speech, Trump focused on the conflict in Gaza, saying he would bar the entry of immigrants who support the Islamist militant group Hamas and send deportation officers to pro-Hamas protests.

Trump said last June he would seek to block communists, Marxists and socialists from entering the US

He plans to end Biden's humanitarian 'parole' programs, including one that allowed hundreds of thousands of migrants with US sponsors to enter America and obtain work permits. He has called Biden's programs an 'outrageous abuse of parole authority.'

Trump said last year that he would seek to end automatic citizenship for children born in the US to immigrants living in the country illegally, an idea he flirted with as president.

Such an action would run against the long-running interpretation of an amendment to the US Constitution and would likely trigger legal challenges.

Inside a camp of migrants stranded in Mexico City, Mexico, on November 11, 2024, they try to complete a procedure at the facilities of the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance that allows them to stay longer in Mexico due to the difficulties their compatriots have in entering the United States

Migrants are stranded in Mexico City while they wait for a permit or 'Visitor Card for Humanitarian Reasons' that allows them to access health services and employment opportunities in Mexico while they are being treated and to continue their journey to the US

During his first term, Trump greatly reduced the number of refugees allowed into the US and has criticized Biden's decision to increase admissions. He plans to again suspend the resettlement program, the New York Times reported in November 2023.

Trump has said he would push for 'a merit-based immigration system that protects American labor and promotes American values.'

In his first term, he took steps to tighten access to some visa programs, including a suspension of many work visas during the COVID pandemic.

The Trump campaign criticized a Biden program - currently blocked by a federal judge - that offered a path to citizenship to immigrants in the US illegally who are married to an American citizen and have lived in the U.S for at least a decade.

Trump said on a podcast in June that he backed giving green cards to foreign students who graduate from US colleges or junior colleges, but Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt later said the proposal 'would only apply to the most thoroughly vetted college graduates who would never undercut American wages or workers.'

He would seek to roll back Temporary Protected Status designations, the New York Times reported, targeting a humanitarian program that offers deportation relief and work permits to hundreds of thousands.

Trump tried to phase out most Temporary Protected Status enrollment during his first term, but was slowed by legal challenges.

A federal appeals court in September 2020 allowed him to proceed with the wind-down, but Biden reversed that and expanded the program after taking office.

A caravan of approximately 3,000 migrants set off from Tapachula, Mexico, headed toward the United States, on November 5, 2024

Migrants traveling in a caravan take a break while they attempt to reach Mexico's northern border during US Election Day, in Alvaro Obregon, Mexico on November 5, 2024

Hundreds of migrants, mostly Venezuelans, walk in a caravan on U.S. presidential election day in an attempt to reach Mexico's northern border, on November 5, 2024, in Tapachula, Mexico

In a town hall with CNN last year, Trump declined to rule out resuming his contentious 'zero tolerance' policy that led thousands of migrant children and parents to be separated at the US-Mexico border in 2018.

He defended the separations again in November 2023, telling Spanish-language news outlet Univision that 'it stopped people from coming by the hundreds of thousands.'

While Trump has refused to rule out reinstating a family separation policy, Trump's incoming 'border czar' Tom Homan told Reuters last year that the separations 'caused an uproar' and that it would be better to detain families together.

The Biden administration last year reached a settlement agreement with separated families that would offer them temporary legal status and other benefits while barring similar separations for at least eight years.

Trump tried to end a program that grants deportation relief and work permits to 'Dreamer' immigrants brought to the US illegally as children, but the termination was rebuffed by the Supreme Court in June 2020.

Following the Supreme Court ruling, the Trump administration said it would not accept any new applications to the program, known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, and would explore whether it could again attempt to end it.

Trump plans to try to end DACA again, the New York Times previously reported.
A father whose daughter was manipulated by a paeodphile into sending explicit videos has told a court he feels like he 'failed to protect her'.

Jacob Bean, 23, messaged as many as four young girls in the UK and Europe on WhatsApp and Snapchat, sending them horrific videos of child abuse and pictures of his genitalia.

In the warped chats, the paedophile from Chartham, Kent, posed as a teenage boy to gain his victims' trust before then demanding the youngsters performed sex acts on themselves.

Bean was jailed for five-and-a-half years today at Canterbury Crown Court, with a judge telling him he used the internet to pursue his sexual interest in children and 'corrupt' his young victims.

In a heartbreaking victim impact statement, the father of one of Bean's young victims revealed how his daughter, 10, had been 'stripped of her innocence' and exposed to 'one of the world's greatest evils'.

The brave parent, who cannot be named, said: 'As a father you never want anything bad to happen to your children. You do what you can to protect them and right now I feel like I have failed.

'My 10-year-old daughter has been exposed to one of the world's greatest evils. We have lost our daughter, the way we knew her to be.

'What can a parent possibly do to make this better? She has been stripped of her innocence. She is angry and has tried to stab herself.

Jacob Bean, 23, messaged as many as four young girls in the UK and Europe on WhatsApp and Snapchat , sending them horrific videos of child abuse and pictures of his penis.

'I cannot explain how hard that is to see and not be able to take her pain away.

'She has so much of her childhood left but it has now been tarnished by this person who thought it was OK to talk to her like this and send her such obscene things.'

The crushed parent added that though Bean's jailing would not bring the family's suffering to an end, he vowed to 'do my best to be there for my daughter' and 'help her however I can'.

The court heard Bean's vile behaviour with the girl included sending her child abuse videos and photos of his penis, as well as encouraging her to perform sex acts on herself.

He also talked about rape, saying he would carry on even if told to stop, and asked her to recruit her friends into watching him having sex and masturbating.

The young girl later told police she had deleted some of their messages because she thought she would be in trouble.

At the time, Bean was already under investigation for grooming three other underage girls on Snapchat - one of whom was said to be living in Germany - as well as making indecent images.

Prosecutor Paul Valder told the court he had also asked one victim, who was later identified by police through her school uniform, to call him a 'pervert' and told another 13-year-old girl he wanted to make her pregnant.

Following his initial arrest in August last year, the sex offender claimed his accounts had been hacked and accessed by others.

He also said a friend had regular use of his phone and denied any knowledge of the 24 child abuse images found on the device, including one depicting a victim as young as 12 months old.

However, after the abuse of the 10-year-old came to light in July this year, he later admitted four offences of sexual communication with a child, four of making indecent images, two of attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act and causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in penetrative sexual activity.

Bean was jailed for more than five years by a judge at Canterbury Crown Court, in Kent (file image)

Shanda McAteer, defending, told the court Bean didn't offer any excuse for his offending and had shown genuine remorse.

Telling the court of his 'struggles' to explain why he did what he did, Ms McAteer added: 'He was suffering from very low mood and social isolation, was having difficulty opening up to his family [about] how he was feeling, and turned to the internet to communicate with others and then these offences have occurred.

'He doesn't attempt to excuse what he did in any way at all, and has now heard the impact of his actions.'

Bean, who has no previous convictions, was jailed for five-and-a-half years by Judge Simon James, who told the paedo he'd used the internet to pursue his sexual interest in children.

Though he accepted Bean's poor mental health may have contributed to making his 'reckless' choices, Judge James said he 'struggled to comprehend' how it could be argued that there was a direct link between his depression and 'seeking to incite children to engage in sexual activity'.

On the 'obvious, profound impact' on the 10-year-old girl and her family, Judge James added: 'Children, and indeed parents, are entitled to look to the courts for protection from adults seeking to sexually exploit, abuse and corrupt children over the internet.'

Judge James also remarked the disparity in age between Bean and his victims', together with his pretence of being a child to gain their trust, were both significant aggravating features.

On release, Bean will be subject to indefinite sex offender notification requirements and a sexual harm prevention order.
This is the horrific moment a man was killed instantly during a failed attempt to jump over a raging bull.

Thrill-seeker Jhon Mario Puello Caballero ran straight towards the animal's head to try and fly over it at a traditional event in Bolivar, Colombia on November 12.

But instead, he took a strong blow from the bull's head as it tried to throw him off.

Several men can be seen in the clip provoking the animal with bright red and yellow flags as a large crowd watches on.

However, their chants of encouragement quickly turn to screams of horror as Caballero is killed in front of them.

One man, holding a yellow flag, can be seen throwing it to the side as he makes a dash to get out of the dangerous situation.

Other people come rushing from the side of the ring to drag the Caballero's body off the field.

Seconds later, they quickly drop him and run out of view, as the bull appears to turn on them.

Thrill-seeker Jhon Mario Puello Caballero ran straight towards the animal's head to try and fly over it at a traditional event in Bolivar, Colombia on November 12

The man took a strong blow from the bull's head after it tried to throw him off

Pictured: The bullfighter's body was left in the middle of the field after the horror incident

The victim, who was also known by the moniker 'The Shadow', is later picked up again and carried away, while other participants continue to fight the bull.

Local press reports that Caballero, who hailed from Mahates, Bolivar and often performed as a flag bearer, died instantly upon impact.

The incident is the latest in a series of horror injuries and deaths that have occurred at bullfighting events this year.

In Spain, a man was impaled on the horns of a raging bull after trying to play hide and seek with it in September.

The one-and-a-half ton beast had just been released for a bull running event in Spain when it gored the festivalgoer.

The bull impaled the man's torso and tossed him in the air after he tried to sneak around a pillar and play with it.

He was also tramped by the bull after he slipped while trying to dodge it.

Other festival goers who had sought cover on top of concrete columns watched on in horror.

They can be seen desperately waving jackets and colourful makeshift matador capes to try and distract the animal.

A man was impaled on the horns of a raging bull after trying to play hide and seek with it in Spain

The bull impaled the man's torso and tossed him in the air after he tried to sneak around a pillar and play with it

The incident occurred at an event in Tordesillas, Valladolid, where locals release a single bull for a run through the town before it is herded into a meadow.

Meanwhile, in Valencia, a 64-year-old man was gored in the scrotum at a bull running event in La Vall dUixo, north-east of Valencia.

The bull had just been released from its pen when it charged towards the man at breakneck speed.

Before the man had a chance to react, the bull picked him up with one of its horns from the other side of a metal barrier.

The man was then held in the air for several seconds before the bull dumped him on the ground in front of shocked onlookers.

The victim, identified only as F.M.N, suffered entry and exit wounds around his groin area and was taken to hospital for treatment.

An onsite medical team, as well as two doctors who were there as spectators, gave the man first aid.
When Elle Edwards' killer and his accomplice were jailed last year, the beautician's father finally felt that justice had been served.

Tim Edwards, surrounded by his family, punched his fist to the air and said 'we've finally got justice for Elle' as they stepped out of court following the four-week trial.

The gunman, Connor Chapman, now 24, was sentenced to a minimum term of 48 years behind bars for shooting the 26-year-old at a pub in Wallasey, Merseyside, on Christmas Eve 2022.

His co-defendant, Thomas Waring, now 21, who helped the killer hide the weapon and burn down his getaway car was handed a nine-year sentence.

Standing outside the Liverpool Crown Court last July, Mr Edwards, 53, said he hoped the two cowardly criminals would 'rot in hell' and 'never see another Christmas again'.

Yet as the second anniversary of his daughter's death approaches, Mr Edwards was left 'shocked and angry' to receive an 'emotionless' letter in the post that Waring could be released early due to overcrowding in prisons.

Instead of serving his full sentence, Waring may be allowed to walk free having served just two years and nine months in jail as Sir Keir Starmer's Government continues to plough on with its controversial early release scheme.

Tim Edwards (pictured with Elle) said he was 'shocked and angry' about the decision, which he believes 'makes a mockery of the sentencing'

Elle (pictured) was killed after Chapman opened fire outside the Lighthouse pub shortly before midnight in the culmination of a gang feud

Thomas Waring, 21, (pictured) could walk free from prison after serving less than a third of his sentence

'If you can release someone potentially a year and a half earlier than planned for being involved in a murder, what kind of message does this send out?,' Mr Edwards told MailOnline.

'It is really not good and I am going to do my very best to make sure that it does not happen in our case.'

Mr Edwards said his family had received a 'cold letter' with 'no emotion' from a victim liason officer working for the Ministry of Justice, informing them of the possibility of Waring's release, in what he believes makes a 'mockery of the sentencing'.

'They just seem to be crunching numbers. They are just trying to make their numbers fit. I know the prison services have needs but this is not the answer. The answer is to build more prisons and not take people out of prisons,' Mr Edwards said.

Figures from earlier this year had shown that more than half of the prisoners released early in the first six months of 2024 ended up reoffending, which the grieving father said proves the scheme simply will not work in the long run.

'It doesn't work,' Mr Edwards added. 'If people are sent to prison they are supposed to be rehabilitated while in prison. But people are not being fully rehabilitated because they are being released early, so the likelihood is that they are going to reoffend - and that has proven to be the case.

'It is going to get to the point - and it's probably already happened - that someone has been released and reoffended but it will be a step up from their previous crimes.

'People could end up getting involved in another murder, more violence or even sexual offences or domestic abuse.'

Undated handout file photo of a generic photo of a Skorpion sub-machine gun, similar to that used in the shooting which killed Elle Edwards. The real gun has never been found

A screengrab of police arresting a person in connection with the Christmas Eve shooting of Elle Edwards, at the Lighthouse pub

Elle Edwards (pictured) was gunned down outside a pub in Wallasey, Merseyside, on Christmas Eve 2022

It led Mr Edwards to write directly to the Prime Minister to demand answers, questioning how it is right that Waring could be 'basically put in the same class as a shoplifter'.

'I started a foundation in Elle's name to discourage kids from joining gangs,' he added. 'But it feels like the government is trying to undermine this by failing to punish serious criminals.'

Determined to make sure Waring serves the full length of his sentence Mr Edwards, with the support of his local MP Angela Eagle, is hoping to speak face-to-face with the Prime Minister about reversing his scheme.

He is yet to hear back from the PM's office or the Ministry of Justice on what can be done to prevent the release of Waring, who Mr Edwards already thought should have been given a tougher sentence.

'I'm angry. I've kept calm and cool and been very dignified for the last two years, but this has really boiled me. I'm sick and tired of being dignified, I want action,' Mr Edwards said last week. 'As far as I'm concerned, he should be in prison for ten or 15 years.'

To this day the submachine gun used to kill Miss Edwards, later hidden by Waring, has never been found.

Chapman opened fire shortly before midnight, tragically murdering Miss Edwards and injuring five others, in the culmination of a gang feud.

The killer then drove the stolen Mercedes to Waring's home who destoryed the car and concealed the still missing weapon.

Waring was convicted of possessing a prohibited weapon and assisting an offender, while Chapman was handed 48 years for murder.
A Cruise car drives past the companys San Francisco headquarters in 2023. Cruise has not operated its driverless robotaxis in the city since last year after a crash involving one of its vehicles left a person badly injured. Amaya Edwards/The Chronicle

Troubled autonomous vehicle maker Cruise has admitted to a federal charge and agreed to pay a $500,000 fine in connection with a crash last year involving one of its vehicles that left a person badly injured.

The company will admit to filing a false report with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with the intent to impede the investigation into the incident.

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Companies with self-driving cars that seek to share our roads and crosswalks must be fully truthful in their reports to their regulators, said Martha Boersch, chief of the U.S. Attorneys Office San Francisco criminal division.

Cruise will comply with the requirements set forth in the agreement, as we continue to move forward under new leadership and with a firm commitment to transparency with our regulators, said Craig Glidden, Cruises president and chief administrative officer, in a statement.

Cruise co-founder and CEO Kyle Vogt resigned after the crash and the companys subsequent suspension of the companys operations in San Francisco.

In September, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration fined the company $1.5 million for not fully reporting the incident.

The California Public Utilities Commission had recently given the company permission to operate its autonomous cars with paid riders last year when one of its vehicles dragged a woman 20 feet after striking her and pinning her underneath the car.

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The car failed to detect the person underneath it and pulled to the side of the road with her still trapped.

The company had its permit revoked by the state and temporarily ceased all operations after the incident.

Cruise filed a report with NHTSA describing the accident but failed to reference the secondary movement and dragging, prosecutors said in a statement.

The criminal investigation and prosecution against Cruise is being resolved with a deferred prosecution agreement in which Cruise admits and accepts responsibility for the charge the U.S. Attorneys Office said.

The CPUC later reached a settlement with the company over allegations it covered up the incident, fining Cruise $112,500.

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The company commissioned an outside review of the incident and says it has implemented those recommendations.
Downing Street issued a grovelling apology to British Hindus today after serving meat and alcohol at a Diwali celebration.

After a backlash, No10 admitted a 'mistake' had been made in organising the event, pledging 'it will not happen again'.

Hinduism does not have a clear prohibition on alcohol or meat consumption, but many Hindus choose not to drink and some are also vegetarian.

Those voicing concern have included Shivani Raja, the Conservative MP for Leicester East, who said it showed a 'disappointing lack of knowledge'.

Downing Street issued a grovelling apology to British Hindus today after serving meat and alcohol at a Diwali celebration (pictured)

Sir Keir helped light a lamp to mark Diwali during the event in No10 on October 29

A No10 spokeswoman said: 'The Prime Minister was pleased to welcome a range of communities celebrating Diwali to a reception in Downing Street.

'He paid tribute to the huge contribution the British Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities make to our country and how the government is driven by the shared values of hard work, ambition and aspiration.

'A mistake was made in the organisation of the event. We understand the strength of feeling on this issue and so would apologise to the community and assure them it will not happen again.'

Diwali is the Hindu Festival of Light, symbolising the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.

Downing Street has been holding a reception to mark the festival since 2009.

It gained prominence during the premiership of Britain's first Hindu prime minister Rishi Sunak, who was pictured lighting traditional candles with his family on the occasion.

In a letter to Sir Keir, Ms Raja had said she was 'greatly concerned' to hear that attendees of this year's celebration were offered meat and alcohol.

'I feel this speaks poorly against the organisation of this year's event  with a disappointing lack of knowledge of the customs and traditions that many British citizens hold dear,' she said.

'As a practising Hindu, representing thousands of Hindus within my own constituency of Leicester East, I have been deeply saddened to hear that this year's festivities were overshadowed in the greatest Office of State by negativity, as a result of this oversight.'
Two Frontier Airlines staffers tried to stop a US Navy sailor boarding a plane until he handed them $50 to spend on marijuana and a manicure, he claims.

Demonta Roach said the employees extorted him at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport as he tried to board his flight back to his Navy Base in Los Angeles.

Roach said one of them told him: 'I dont give a damn what youre in, as long as you have my damn money.'

Footage taken by Roach shows the staffers pressuring him to send them money via Cash App.

'Look, I ain't got no money,' Roach is heard telling them.

One of the staffers then said: 'You trying to get home or you trying to get left?'

The staffers apparently told Roach that they usually charged $100, but were giving him a discount because he was in the military.

The incident happened on Veteran's Day, Roach told WSB-TV.

Navy pilot Demonta Roach said two Frontier employees demanded $50 to let him board his plane from Atlanta to Los Angeles on Veteran's Day

Roach began recording the incident after the staffers tried to shake him down

Another employee who Roach says tried to extort him is pictured on the left-hand side of this image

Roach's plane was delayed, so he went for a wander around the enormous airport.

When he returned to the gate, he was set to be the last person to board - but the final call had not been made and he was not late, he insists.

'The lady closed the door, she said, "I dont care who you report to if you want to get back on this plane, you have to pay me,"' he said.

Roach said one of the employees said this is 'how she got her weed money.'

When he continued to refuse to pay, one of the staffers said: 'When we deplaned and they flag you, I don't want to hear nothing,

Roach said he 'could tell' the airline employees had done this before.

He was able to board his plane after pretending he was going to send the cash to the staffers.

Roach was given $150 by the airline, which he says is not enough. He believes the staffers should be fired

Frontier said in a statement: 'We take claims like this seriously, and our team is in the process of investigating the situation to determine what happened.

'In the meantime, we have offered the customer a voucher for $150 as a customer service gesture.'

Roach said $150 is not enough 'for the pain and the agony.'

He wants the employees fired.

'If she did this to me, I can only imagine how many other people she's done this to,' Roach added.

Frontier was named America's worst airline earlier this year due to the enormous number of passenger complaints it has racked up.

The Denver-based carrier had 33 complaints for every 100,000 passengers, according to the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection.

That was more than twice the number of the next-worst carrier - Spirit Airlines - which had just under 15 complaints per 100,000 passengers.

Alaska Airlines was the least complained about carrier, with just 2.34 complaints per 100,000 passengers.

Frontier said it was 'disappointed' to be America's worst airline, but insisted that recent investments had already led to improvements.
A wife's affair with a younger man ended in horror after he murdered her and her husband moments before they arrived at court to seek a restraining order, cops say.

Rachael Martinez, 31, and Jose Medina, 39, were shot dead in San Diego Wednesday while sitting in their car waiting to enter court, allegedly ambushed by Martinez's 'ez-lover Christopher Farrell, 26. The couple's four children have been left orphaned.

According to court documents reported by the San Diego Union Tribune, Martinez had been involved in an affair with Farrell for several weeks, but broke it off when Medina found out in late September.

When Martinez met with Farrell and asked him to back off, she alleged their interaction ended in violence, and both and she her husband went on to file restraining orders against the 26-year-old.

Farrell was fired from his job as a security guard at the Metropolitan Transit System office, and he was initially arrested after Martinez alleged domestic violence, false imprisonment and sex crimes in her restraining order.

But police said the 'case had insufficient evidence and corroboration to immediately move forward', and Farrell was released from jail.

The tragedy involving the husband and wife would unfold just days later when the couple returned to court for a hearing over Martinez's restraining order.

Rachael Martinez, 31, and Jose Medina, 39, were shot dead Wednesday while sitting in their car waiting to enter court, allegedly ambushed by Martinez's 'toyboy' Christopher Farrell, 26

The husband and wife - who leave behind four children - had each obtained temporary restraining orders against their alleged killer

A judge granted Martinez's restraining order on October 7, and Medina obtained a separate order against Farrell the next day, court documents showed.

Sheriff's deputies attempted to serve Farrell with the restraining orders at work. But he had already been fired by that time and it is unclear if the orders had been served before the shooting.

On Wednesday morning, Martinez and Medina were scheduled for a hearing over her case at 9am. Police said they received reports of shots fired at 8:22am.

Witnesses told 911 dispatch that the couple were sat in their car on Union Street, around two blocks from the courthouse, and said a gunman shot them dead before fleeing the scene.

Authorities launched an urgent manhunt in the area, and a witness spotted Farrell hiding from cops behind an electrical box.

The tragedy unfolded after Medina reportedly discovered his wife's affair, and turned violent when she attempted to call things off with her 'toyboy' lover

Footage showing Farrell fleeing the scene after allegedly gunning down the couple

Cops shot Farrell several times during a 90-second standoff in downtown San Diego, and he died later in hospital

When approached by Harbor Police officers, a shootout ensued as Farrell reportedly began using the electrical box door as a shield while firing a handgun at officers.

One officer was shot in the hip, before Farrell was shot several times and was mortally wounded. He was hospitalized and died hours later.

San Diego police homicide Lt. Jud Campbell said Thursday that the shootout unfolded rapidly over just 90 seconds.

On Farrell's person, officers discovered magazine clips, a tactical flashlight and folding knives.

The wounded officer is recovering in hospital, and Harbor Police Chief Magda Fernandez said his 'family are grateful for the support they are receiving and respectfully request privacy at this time as they process and begin healing from this traumatic incident.'
Sir Keir Starmer could be set to meet with China's Xi Jinping at next week's G20 summit, it has emerged.

The Prime Minister and Chinese President are both attending the gathering in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Monday and Tuesday.

It is reported the pair could hold talks with a senior business representative familiar with the plans telling Politico that Sir Keir is 'supposed to meet with Xi Jinping there'.

If a meeting does happen, Sir Keir would become the first PM since Theresa May in 2018 to meet with the Chinese premier.

It would also follow Foreign Secretary David Lammy's visit to Beijing and Shanghai last month, during which he met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

It has been claimed that Mr Lammy suggested during his trip that Sir Keir and the Chinese president should meet at the G20 summit.

Sir Keir Starmer could be set to meet with China 's Xi Jinping at next week's G20 summit , it has emerged.

The Prime Minister and Chinese President are both attending the gathering in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil , on Monday and Tuesday

If a meeting does happen, Sir Keir would become the first PM since Theresa May in 2018 to meet with the Chinese premier

In their first official telephone call in August, Sir Keir told President Xi he hopes they can have 'open, frank and honest' talks about areas of disagreement.

The call was the first between the Chinese premier and a British PM since he spoke to Boris Johnson in March 2022.

Prior to Labour's general election victory in July, Sir Keir and Mr Lammy blasted '14 years of damaging Conservative inconsistency over China'.

They pledged to conduct an 'audit' of the UK-China relationship if they won power, in order to better understand the 'challenges and opportunities' posed by Beijing.

Since winning power, Mr Lammy has backtracked on plans to pursue legal routes to declare China's crackdown on Uighur Muslims in Xinjinag as a 'genocide'.

In his talks with his Chinese counterpart last month, the Foreign Secretary pressed his Chinese counterpart on human rights concerns and China's support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

But he also spoke about deepening trade and investment links between China and the UK.

President Xi enjoyed a state visit to Britain in 2015 when David Cameron was PM, as he and George Osborne chased a 'golden era' of UK-China ties.

But China's actions in Xinjiang, Hong Kong and over Taiwan in recent years has seen a cooling of relations.
Conor McGregor told police during questioning that the woman who accused him of raping her 'moaned with pleasure' during a 'long session' of sex in a hotel, a court has heard, as the civil case against him draws to a close.

The MMA fighter read out a pre-prepared statement he had given to Gardai when he was questioned about the alleged rape on January 17, 2019, describing it in court as 'my version of events'.

Mr McGregor, who is facing an accusation in the civil action that he 'brutally raped and battered' Nikita Hand, was cross-examined in Dublin's High Court on Thursday.

He claimed to the court that he had consensual sex with 35-year-old Ms Hand in a penthouse in the Beacon Hotel in south Dublin.

The jury has heard eight days of evidence, and retired today before they are due to return on Tuesday to hear closing speeches and the judge's charge.

The court previously heard that the mother-of-one was left with extensive bruises and abrasions over her body, including purple and blue bruising along her hands and wrists, a bloodied scratch on her breast and tenderness on her neck after she was allegedly placed in a 'choke-hold' by Mr McGregor.

Mr McGregor has denied that he caused the bruising across her body, saying they could have been caused when she 'swan dived' into the bath in the hotel room.

Today Dr Basil John Farnan, former principal forensic medical officer for Northern Ireland, was the final witness called in the High Court action. He was asked to explain how bruising can come about and how quickly it can appear on the skin.

Conor McGregor, who is facing an accusation in the civil action that he 'brutally raped and battered' Nikita Hand, was cross-examined in Dublin's High Court on Thursday

Nikita Hand leaving the high court in Dublin on Wednesday. The jury has finished hearing evidence in the case

The GP told the court that bruising can be different in size and colour and that there can be a delay in its appearance.

Dr Farnan said that bruises can appear hours after the trauma, or there can be a longer delay.

As well as Mr McGregor, Ms Hand, who is also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin, is also suing another man, James Lawrence, for sexual assault on December 9, 2018.

The mother-of-one, who has no automatic right to anonymity, has accused Mr McGregor of pinning her to a bed and raping her in a hotel bedroom in south Dublin.

Mr McGregor has denied the claims, and today read aloud a statement he gave to police about the night in question containing graphic details.

'It was a long session,' he read. 'For instance, at one point, she had her legs on my shoulders then she had her legs wrapped around my waist,' he said.

'At different points I remember her saying, 'F**k me, f**k me,' to encourage me,' he read... She was moaning with pleasure,' he went on.

After reading the statement, he said to Ms Hand's lawyers: 'My story has not changed... Your client's story has changed multiple times.'

As well as Mr McGregor, Ms Hand, who is also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin, is also suing another man, James Lawrence (pictured outside court on November 13), for sexual assault

John Gordon SC, counsel for Ms Hand, put to Mr McGregor that she 'repeatedly' said she was frightened in the aftermath of the alleged attack. 'OK,' Mr McGregor replied.

'She said she was worried,' Mr Gordon said. 'OK,' Mr McGregor again responded.

'I will give you one example,' Mr Gordon said, referencing Garda notes which recorded Ms Hand as saying she was 'terrified' of the man who allegedly raped her.

'Why was she terrified?' Mr Gordon asked.

There was an objection from Mr McGregor's barrister to the question.

Mr Gordon, rephrasing the question, then asked: 'Was she terrified?'

'There was no sign of distress or fear or anything other than elation, excitement and a good night was had and that's as clear as day from start to finish,' Mr McGregor said, claiming that Ms Hand had been 'joyous, excited and having a good time'.

After making his statement to police in 2019, Mr McGregor was asked more than 100 follow-up questions by police, to which he replied 'no comment'.

Mr McGregor repeatedly stated he was acting on advice from his solicitor, adding he told his lawyers his story and gave his series of the events.

Conor McGregor said he replied 'no comment' to more than 100 questions during police interviews about allegations he raped a woman

Mr McGregor and his friend James Lawrence have both been sued for damages by hairdresser Nikita Hand, 35, (pictured) from Drimnagh, Dublin

Asked why he replied 'no comment' to every question, Mr McGregor said it was the first time he was interviewed by Gardai and 'was beyond petrified'.

'I would have loved to go the top of a mountain with a microphone and shout from the hilltops about the series of allegations,' Mr McGregor added.

He told the court that he felt he was co-operative with police during the interviews, adding he was 'nervous' and it was 'alien' to him.

'It is the first time it has happened to me in my life,' he continued.

He said he was in court to speak his case.

'These allegations are false and I have come out here, and say my piece and say my truth.'

Mr Justice Alex Owens told the jury on Friday that they have now heard all the evidence from the plaintiff and defence.

The jury of eight women and four men were told he will discuss legal issues that have arisen from the evidence with counsel on both sides.

They were also told that an issue paper, outlining the issues that the jury must consider in reaching its decision, will be given to them.

He said that they are the decision-makers and their role is to evaluate all the facts and come to a conclusion.

They were told to return on Tuesday, when they will hear closing speeches and the judge's charge, before retiring.
This is the shocking moment a car thief rammed a stolen car into a police officer after a high speed chase as he is jailed for five-and-a-half years.

David Doyle, 19, was driving a stolen car at dangerous speeds when he was spotted by PC Richard Keel who was riding a marked motorcycle in Camden Street, London, on May 17 at around 6.30pm.

The officer then started a pursuit before Doyle reversed towards him multiple times at high speed, striking him on the third attempt and knocking him off his bike.

Doyle then sped off leaving PC Keel with significant injuries as members of the public helped the officer before alerting the ambulance service.

An investigation was launched on the same day as the stolen vehicle was located one mile away from where the attack occurred.

CCTV footage and forensic evidence helped identify Doyle as the main suspect, who was then arrested on May 23.

He was charged the following day with driving offences and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Doyle, of Brick Lane, Northolt, was sentenced to five and a half years' imprisonment at Harrow Crown Court on November 14 having previously pleaded guilty at the same court on August 1.

David Doyle, 19, of Brick Lane, Northolt, was sentenced to five and a half years' imprisonment at Harrow Crown Court on November 14

After a high speed chase Doyle reversed the stolen car towards the police officer multiple times striking him on the third attempt and knocking him off his bike

Doyle then sped off leaving PC Keel with significant injuries as members of the public helped the officer before alerting the ambulance service

An investigation was launched on the same day as the stolen vehicle was located one mile away from where the attack occurred

He has also been disqualified from driving for 81 months.

PC Keel, who is based on the Central North Command Unit, said: 'Although I'm on a challenging journey to recovery, I'm pleased that Doyle has been brought to justice for the attack.

'This incident is a reminder of the dangers we face as we strive to keep communities and Londoners safe.

'I would like to thank the members of the public that helped me that day and my colleagues who have been extremely supportive during this difficult time.'

Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: 'Every day 18 of our officers are assaulted in the line of duty protecting the public. Two are seriously injured each week.

'I am constantly humbled by the selfless and brave commitment of the men and women of the Met who put their lives on the line to keep Londoners safe.

'That's exactly what PC Keel did and I am pleased we were able to bring his attacker swiftly to justice.

'I had the opportunity to thank PC Keel for his service and wish him a speedy recovery. I'd also like to thank those members of the public and London Ambulance Service paramedics for the help they provided following the incident.'
The Swedish minister for gender equality has admitted she needs help to tackle her phobia of bananas as she requires aids to sweep rooms to remove the fruit before she can enter.

Paulina Brandberg said she is currently seeking medical treatment for what she has described as 'the world's weirdest phobia' after emails revealing her staff's 'banana-proofing' actions were leaked to Expressen.

Emails reportedly sent before she made official visits requested there to be 'no traces of bananas' in the room she would be in, claiming Brandberg had a 'strong allergy' to the fruit.

In another email, her staff said there must not be any banana's in any of the spaces she entered at an event she was attending, with the host's response reading: 'We will secure the conference so that there are no bananas'.

A third email from Brandberg's team sent to a county administrative board said that 'no bananas are allowed on the premises.'

Paulina Brandberg said she is currently seeking medical treatment for her bananaphobia

Sweden's prime minster, Ulf Kristersson, said on Thursday that Brandberg's problem had not affected government work. Pictured: Brandberg and a guest attend Sweden's National Day on June 06, 2024 in Stockholm

A banana phobia can be triggered by seeing or smelling the yellow fruit, and can induce anxiety and nausea

The gender equality minister herself admitted to having a phobia of bananas in several social media posts in 2020, which appear to have been deleted after the news broke this week.

'I have a phobia of bananas,' wrote Brandberg in one post on September 11, 2020, while in another on August 6, 2020 she said it is the 'world's craziest phobia.' reports Politico.

Bananaphobia Bananaphobia is rare and uncommon, but most cases begin in childhood. The phobia can be triggered by seeing or smelling the fruit and can cause serious symptoms including nausea and anxiety. While some peoples fear is triggered by the appearance of a banana or its peel, others may feel distressed by its smell, texture, or taste. Bananaphobia falls under the umbrella of Cibophobia - an extreme fear of food. Like other phobias, food phobia can be treated with cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy. Advertisement

Sweden's prime minster, Ulf Kristersson, said on Thursday that Brandberg's problem had not affected government work.

'I have all the respect for people who have different phobias,' he said.

'I am disturbed when a hard-working cabinet minister is almost reduced to a phobia and people make fun of it. I think you should be too good for that.'

Brandberg's fellow politicians also fled to her defence after the requests for banana-free zones made global headlines.

The education minister, Johan Pehrson, a fellow Liberal, said the media attention in response to the revelations was 'absurd'.

'She is a staunch liberal and former prosecutor. Often in cases where she stood on the side of vulnerable women. We should all be able to focus on that instead,' he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Teresa Carvalho, a MP from the opposition Swedish Social Democratic Party and its spokesman for legal policy, said she also suffered from bananaphobia.

'We may have had many tough debates about conditions in working life, but on this issue we stand united against a common enemy,' she told Brandberg on X.

A banana phobia can be triggered by seeing or smelling the yellow fruit, and can induce anxiety and nausea.

There are several phobias and food allergies that are not officially classified.

The gender equality minister herself admitted to having a phobia of bananas in several social media posts in 2020

Emails reportedly sent before she made official visits requested there to be 'no traces of bananas' in the room she would be in. Pictured: Brandberg attends a ceremony in connection with the opening of the Swedish Parliament's fall session on September 10, 2024 in Stockholm

Bananaphobia is a rare ailment and has not been classified officially, but according to the International Classification of Diseases, fears of food are placed in a group of specific, isolated phobias.

It comes after one woman revealed she had such an extreme phobia of bananas, she could not eat one for 20 years.

Paula Ross' fear became so bad that she couldn't bear to be in the same room as the fruit and felt sick if she smelled one.

She suffered torment at school as bullies chased her round the playground brandishing bananas but only got through her fear after a programme of hypnotherapy.

And one other woman revealed she could not walk down the fruit aisle in any supermarket shop due to her fear of the fruit.

If Fran Dando even caught a glimpse of a banana, it would cause the children's worker to hyperventilate, sweat profusely and even vomit.

Fran said in 2010: 'It began when I was seven and my brother James put a banana in my bed as a joke.

'I climbed into bed and, as I lay down, I felt this horrible slimy thing underneath my body. I had no idea what is was, but it frightened the life out of me.

'Ever since then, if I see one, the same feeling comes back over me again.'
A Hawaiian family is desperately looking for their daughter who mysteriously went missing in Los Angeles as chilling texts reveal what may have happened.

Hannah Kobayashi, 30, flew from her home in Maui on November 8 and was meant to arrive in New York City the next day.

But mother, Brandi Yee, and sister Sydni Kobayashi believe she went vanished into thin air at Los Angeles International Airport and never boarded her connecting flight.

'I didn't hear from her. I texted her, "Hey, are you in New York City yet?" She just texted me, "Not yet."'

'My sister, I reached out to her, and I'm like, "Hey, have you heard from Hannah?" She's like, "No. She's supposed to meet me at the hotel in New York City and we're supposed to go to a show tonight,"' the worried mother recalled to HawaiiNewsNow.

But while the duo think Hannah left the airport and attended an event based on a series of texts suggesting she 'had a spiritual awakening and was heading back to the airport', a friend believes otherwise.

The concerned companion said she received strange texts from Kobayashi's phone - indicating that she may be in trouble.

'I got tricked pretty much into giving away all my funds. For someone I thought I loved,' the messages read.

Hannah Kobayashi, 30, flew from her home in Maui on November 8 and was meant to arrive in New York City the next day

But mother, Brandi Yee and sister, Sydni Kobayashi believe she went vanished into thin air at Los Angeles International Airport and never boarded her connecting flight

The family also noted that the young artist's phone has been off since November 11 and her last pinned location was at the Los Angeles Airport.

'She heard from Hannah. She was at LAX, and she said that she was scared,' Yee said.

Sydni further added: 'She texted her that she was scared and that she couldnt come back home or something. It was just really weird texts.'

Both mother and daughter also believe that the messages 'did not sound like her' and wonder if it was Hannah who sent them.

Yee remarked, 'Yeah, we share location' to which Sydni added: 'And we know her phones off because it goes straight to voicemail.

'We've been trying to call and call and call, text.

'None of the texts are getting delivered. We can't locate her phone.'

The family has filed a missing person's report with the Los Angeles Police Department and requested anyone with information to come forward.

But while the duo think Hannah left the airport and attended an event based on a series of texts suggesting she 'had a spiritual awakening and was heading back to the airport', a friend believes otherwise

The concerned companion said she received strange texts from Kobayashi's phone - indicating that she may be in trouble

Both mother and daughter also believe that the messages 'did not sound like her' and wonder if it was Hannah who sent them

The family also noted that the young artist's phone has been off since November 11 and her last pinned location was at the Los Angeles Airport

The family has filed a missing person's report with the Los Angeles Police Department and requested anyone with information to come forward

'We did everything that we could do. And they told us that it would be, it would have to take 48 hours before they could do anything, because shes not elderly, shes not mentally off. She's not under age.

'I woke up last night crying and I just like, this like the sister, mother, anyones worst nightmare of losing your child.

'Please help her, if you can. If you know where she's at, or you have the chance to just help her, please. We just want to bring her home,' the mother revealed.

This comes days after the family of missing Gossip Girl actress Chanel Maya Banks claims that the woman found by police in Texas is not her.

Following a two-week search for the star who plays Sawyer Bennett in the hit Netflix show, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) located a 36-year-old in Texas on Monday, claiming they had found the actress unharmed.

'Please help her, if you can. If you know where she's at, or you have the chance to just help her, please. We just want to bring her home,' the mother said

Chanel Maya Banks' family have doubled down on their claims that a woman, 36, LAPD found on Monday is not the Gossip Girl star

The Gossip Girl actress has since revealed that left her family in order to be baptized by Pastor Robert Clancey, who recently preached about the 'end times'.

But her family have doubled down on the fact they do not believe the woman cops found - or the woman posting online - is Banks.

The star's cousin, Danielle-Tori Singh took to her Instagram story to share: 'I have the still from Texas PD body cam footage that was shown to us on Monday Nov 11 at the Pacific Police Station in LA.

'This is the woman they're telling us is Chanel. We have told them this is not Chanel. They didn't listen to us and closed the case.

'That's why @ohhheychanel won't post a video saying she's safe because it's not Chanel,' Singh ended the explanation, after flying in from Toronto to help with the search.

Singh previously said LAPD's update was 'fake news' and that the woman they found and claimed to be Banks is an 'imposter'.

She added that she will continue distributing 'Missing Persons' flyers, ABC7 reports.

It comes after Banks took to social media on Wednesday night with a statement in which she made the series of strong allegations against her family.
Rachel Reeves today ruled out allowing chlorinated chicken or hormone-injected beef onto British supermarket shelves as part of a trade deal with Donald Trump.

The Chancellor insisted Labour 'won't change' their stance on opposing the import of such meat products under a post-Brexit agreement with the US.

She said the Government was 'not going to allow British farmers to be undercut by different rules and regulations in other countries'.

The prospect of a US-UK trade deal has been revived since Mr Trump won this month's US election and is set to return to the White House in January.

He was much more enthusiastic about an agreement with Britain during his first term in office, in comparison to his successor Joe Biden who had little interest in a deal.

Following Mr Trump's election win, Sir Keir Starmer has come under fire for allowing the departure of Britain's most senior trade negotiator.

Sir Crawford Falconer - who has been the UK's top trade expert since 2017 and who previously worked on a US trade deal with Mr Trump's first administration - will be leaving the Department for Business and Trade next month.

Rachel Reeves today ruled out allowing chlorinated chicken or hormone-injected beef onto British supermarket shelves as part of a trade deal with Donald Trump

The prospect of a US-UK trade deal has been revived since Mr Trump won this month's US election and is set to return to the White House in January

Even under Mr Trump, one of the sticking points to a US-UK trade deal was the reluctance of UK ministers to open up British markets to US agriculture products.

Former prime minister Rishi Sunak said last year he would not allow chlorine-washed chicken or hormone-treated beef on the UK market.

Ms Reeves confirmed Labour would keep the same stance as she said the Government was 'determined' to support British farmers.

'We haven't got to that stage yet but we're determined to support the farming industry in this country,' she told ITV News.

'We're not going to allow British farmers to be undercut by different rules and regulations in other countries.'

Pressed on whether she would rule out imports of chlorinated chicken or hormone -treated beef, the Chancellor added: 'We opposed them in the last parliament and that won't change.

'But we do want to improve trade flows between our countries, that's really important for Britain.

'To build on the trade relationships we have with the US, but also with the EU.'

According to The Times, Sir Crawford is leaving his role after his contract was not extended and he will not be directly replaced.

Labour will instead give more junior officials responsibility for overseeing Britain's trade negotiations in future, the newspaper reported.

Andrew Griffith, the Tory shadow business secretary, said the decision to allow Britain's top trade expert to leave was 'staggering'.

He questioned whether it was 'deliberate self-harm or merely negligence' by the Prime Minister.

Sir Keir Starmer is under fire for allowing the departure of Britain's most senior trade negotiator who previously worked on a post-Brexit deal with Donald Trump

Sir Crawford Falconer has been the UK's top trade negotiator since 2017 but will be leaving the Department for Business and Trade next month

'It is staggering that at this crucial time following the US elections, the Government has dispensed with the services of its chief trade negotiator with direct experience negotiating across the Atlantic,' Mr Griffith said.

'It is like retiring your opening batsman on the first day of a Test match.'

The Conservative frontbencher called on the Department for Business and Trade to 'clarify what steps they took to retain his services'.

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Tory former business secretary, said: 'Losing a first class trade negotiator when a trade deal with our biggest trading partner, America, is on the horizon shows how inadequate this Government is.'

Sir Crawford has spent 25 years working on trade policy and trade negotiations and was previously New Zealand's chief trade negotiator.

He was appointed to be the UK's chief trade negotiator when Theresa May was PM as she prepared for Britain leaving the EU and regaining control over trade policy.

Sir Crawford previously had his contract extended in 2022 and 2023, but it is understood he is 'content' not to have had his contract renewed again.

It was reported last year that he was planning to return to his native New Zealand once Britain had completed its accession to the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) trade bloc.

Negotiations over a UK-US trade deal stalled when Joe Biden replaced Mr Trump as US president in 2021.

The Republican's return to the White House has led to hopes that talks could resume, although it has been claimed Sir Keir might prioritise his 'reset' of post-Brexit relations with the EU rather than chase a deal with the US.

George Eustice, the Tory former environment secretary, called for Sir Crawford to be sacked in 2022 as part of his strident criticism of the UK's trade deal with Australia.

He argued Britain gave away 'too much' and accused Sir Crawford of accepting concessions to Australian negotiators 'often when they were against UK interest'.

But Kemi Badenoch, the then trade secretary and now Tory leader, fiercely defended Sir Crawford and the Australia deal.

A spokesman for the Department for Business and Trade said: 'We would like to thank Crawford for his commitment in overseeing the UK's trade policy and negotiations over many years.

'His work has ensured the UK has built up the necessary experience and expertise to succeed on the world stage as a newly independent trading nation.

'We look forward to delivering an ambitious trade agenda that boosts growth and gives British businesses access to some of the most exciting economies in the world.'
The transgender ex-boss of an endometriosis charity has sparked uproar after saying artificially-induced breastmilk produced by trans women could 'benefit' newborn babies.

Steph Richards, 72, chief executive of campaign group TransLucent, is facing a backlash for claiming trans women's 'breastmilk' was 'suitable for infant feeding'.

The 72-year-old Labour Party activist's comments come amid a fierce debate over transgender women 'chestfeeding' babies with milk produced following drug and hormone procedures.

Posting on X, Ms Richards wrote: 'Sorry...but regarding the ongoing discussion of whether trans women can express milk to satisfy a baby, these two scientific papers suggest they can, albeit there is some doubt as to the quantity of milk that can be produced.

'The milk produced by trans women has been found to contain high protein levels and other nutrients, making it suitable for infant feeding. While the overall composition may vary slightly, it can still benefit the infant significantly.'

Ms Richards has previously claimed trans people can change their biological sex 'a little bit' and boasted about running a 'safe space' where men could dress up as women in secret, including as 'schoolgirls'.

Earlier this year, she faced fierce criticism after being appointed chief executive of Hampshire-based charity, Endometriosis South Coast, in a move women's rights campaigners branded 'worrying and insulting'.

The appointment of Ms Richards, who uses the pronouns she and her and has undergone 30,000 in treatment and surgery to transition, was met with anger from women's rights campaigners.

Steph Richards, 72, chief executive of campaign group TransLucent, is facing a backlash for claiming trans women's 'breastmilk' was 'suitable for infant feeding'.

Despite hitting back at her critics, saying 'my birth sex doesn't come into it - my CV does', Ms Richards later stepped down from the top role at the charity in May, amid claims she had received 'transphobic abuse' following her appointment.

Her latest comments about breastfeeding were branded 'absolute lunacy' by some online, with one person saying: 'Women don't even breastfeed when there's any doubt about their ability to nourish their babies properly.

'It's horrible to think of a parent so indifferent to the well-being of their child that they would skate on such thin ice just to satisfy the fantasies of the parent.'

But speaking to MailOnline, Ms Richards said: 'My post contained two links to scientific papers, and I tagged in a person I knew was interested in the subject.

'My skin is far too thick to worry about the reactions from people who propagate a culture war and practice prejudice and discrimination against trans people.'

Earlier this year an NHS trust said breast milk produced by trans women was as good for babies as that produced by biological females who had just given birth.

In a letter to campaigners, the University of Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust, said the milk produced by trans women after taking a combination of drugs is 'comparable to that produced following the birth of a baby'.

The trust, which runs Royal Sussex County Hospital, Worthing Hospital and Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital among others, was also the first in Britain to replace 'breastfeeding' with the term 'chestfeeding' as part of a drive to be more inclusive.

The comments come amid a debate over transgender women breastfeeding their newborn babies (stock image)

Ms Richard is the former chief executive of Endometriosis South Coast, based in Hampshire

But Lottie Moore, of the Policy Exchange, which uncovered the letter, said the trust 'is unbalanced and naive in its assertion that the secretions produced by a male on hormones can nourish an infant in the way a mother's breast milk can'.

Medical studies carried out into the benefits of babies being fed with the breastmilk of transgender women have highlighted significant issues.

In one study, a trans woman who tried 'chestfeeding' had to give up after a fortnight, according to a case report that challenges claims biological men can breastfeed successfully.

The unidentified 37-year-old, from the Netherlands, failed to produce enough liquid to feed her newborn. She was making only 7ml a day, 100 times less than what the NHS says is needed by that point.

Medics in Amsterdam, who treated her, documented how she wanted to breastfeed in tandem with her partner to help with 'bonding' and share the workload.

The trans woman  who froze her sperm before transitioning  conceived her child with her partner, a biological female, via IVF in 2020 using her own sperm.

Despite months of preparation, she had to stop the 'exhausting' process two weeks after her child was born due to the low amount of milk produced.

But the researchers still said 'chestfeeding'  a controversial gender-neutral term for breastfeeding  was still 'valuable' for their patient. Sharing the trans woman's case, they also said breastfeeding has 'outgrown' its traditional female roots.

However, those in the study highlighted that the milk produced by transwomen contained fats and proteins that were 'comparable and even higher than those in term milk produced by cisgender women'.
A planned constellation of high-tech satellites could change how we visualize and fight wildfires. But it will take years to launch and require millions of dollars to complete. An engineer works here on the first FireSat satellite at Muon Space in Mountain View. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

After the Camp Fire killed 85 people in the town of Paradise, the U.S. Department of Defense quietly reached out to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, commonly known as Cal Fire, offering a powerful new tool: high-resolution satellite imagery to accurately track and attack fires as if they were advancing enemy troops.

Combined with Cal Fires existing prediction technology, that changed fire spread prediction for the fire service and proved that a high-tech approach worked, said Phillip SeLegue, the agencys fire intelligence chief.

Now, six years later, a philanthropically funded effort years in the making is betting on a fleet of small, purpose-built satellites called FireSat to further that success, radically improving not just prediction and mapping, but also providing new insights into how wildfires affect the climate and the ecosystem.

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The planned constellation of 52 high-definition cameras flying 1,200 miles above the planet in low Earth orbit will spot blazes as small as a pickup truck with the help of artificial intelligence-powered image processing. Agencies around the world will have free access to the data without having to rely on satellites built for other purposes such as weather observation.

The first FireSat satellite under construction at Muon Space in Mountain View on Oct. 25. The Earth Fire Alliance has received $13 million in grants from Google.org and the Gordon and Betty Moore foundation to start its satellite project. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

We will start with  where is the fire, what direction is it moving in, and how intense is it, said Brian Collins, the executive director of the Earth Fire Alliance, a San Francisco-based nonprofit founded to study the projects feasibility a half decade ago.

The alliance has received $13 million in grants as of this year from Google.org and the Gordon and Betty Moore foundation to fund the project, and will be responsible for providing the satellite data to researchers and firefighters the world over.

Eventually, with FireSat satellites whizzing over an area of interest roughly every 20 minutes at 100 times the speed of a Formula One race car, the cameras onboard will feed data into AI algorithms that help determine which fires need to be attacked and which can be allowed to burn.

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The satellites will also carry custom infrared sensors that Google helped develop through its research arm to more accurately map fire intensity.

Theres just not good global data on where fires are, how many there are, how intensely they burn, said Jonny Dyer, CEO of Muon Space, a venture capital and government-backed aerospace startup building the first four satellites inside a nondescript office building in Mountain View across from a South Bay Costco.

Muon Space CEO Jonny Dyer stands in an anechoic chamber used to evaluate noise emissions from satellites. Theres just not good global data on where fires are, how many there are, how intensely they burn, he says. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

Clad in a blue plaid flannel shirt during a tour of his satellite factory, his blondish hair teased into a point, Dyer previously served seven years as chief engineer for Terra Bella, a satellite startup now owned by Planet Labs. He later worked a few years on geospatial mapping for Googles Street View cars and spent a year at Lyft working on autonomous vehicles.

The data thats being used now is largely from large weather satellites that have very coarse resolution, Dyer said. They dont get very frequent updates, and mostly help fire agencies know a few times a day where a big, existing fires boundaries have spread.

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The Earth Fire Alliance consulted with Cal Fire, the U.S. Forest Service and other agencies to nail down parameters such as image resolution and refresh rates before Muon began plugging in the numbers.

These low earth orbit satellites will provide another great tool in that toolbox beyond looking from a mountaintop with eyeballs and fixed wing aircrafts to fight these fires, said Chris Bolz, a firefighter with the U.S. Forest Services aviation unit.

Some government satellites already carry fire sensing equipment. And OroraTech, a German company, launched its own constellation of satellites last year designed to detect fires down to a very small area.

Engineer Garrett Goodale works on the software coding side of a satellite at Muon Space. Its not clear yet how much image processing and analysis will be done on the satellites themselves versus on earthbound computers. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

Before its 52 satellites are aloft to reach the same goal, Muon and the alliance has to launch its first one, which is set to go into orbit on a SpaceX rocket in March.

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We are full speed ahead on the first four, Dyer said, but millions more in funding have to be raised to build and launch the other 48. The plan is to have the full constellation in orbit within the decade, he said.

The initial batch wont provide the envisioned updated imagery every 20 minutes, but Dyer said users of the service will be able to detect much smaller fires much earlier from day one using the onboard cameras capable of sweeping over miles of terrain with each snapshot.

In the long term, the reams of data collected by FireSat will help the climate science community understand the impact of wildland fire on the ecosystem, said Earth Fire Alliance head Collins.

There is lots of work to be done before those high-flying ambitions are realized.

Inside a clean room in Dyers facility, white-suited engineers are putting the final touches on the inaugural satellite, its sides unfurled to reveal the golden cylinder of the camera inside, and the chest-size plate of an antenna that will pipe a gigabit per second of data back to government and privately owned ground stations.

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Engineers prepare to enter a clean room to work on the FireSat satellite at Muon Space on Oct. 25. They are putting the final touches on the inaugural satellite that will pipe a gigabit per second of visual data back to ground stations. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

Elsewhere, electrical engineers sit surrounded by a sea of wires and flashing lights, building the cameras and circuit boards that will be the eyes and brains of the first group of satellites.

Cal Fire will adopt the technology once it becomes available, adding to an already considerable tech arsenal that includes other satellites, aircraft equipped with infrared sensors, and observation towers to spot fires, said intelligence chief SeLegue.

Muons satellites will help cover gaps in that coverage. For instance, Cal Fire now gets orbital imagery that is 12 to 16 hours old of where the actual fire perimeter is and how it has progressed, SeLegue said.

Some technical details are still being worked out. Dyer noted that its not clear yet how much image processing and analysis will be done on the satellites themselves versus on earthbound computers. But the goal is for FireSat to rapidly compare current ground images with previous views of the same spot, taking into account local weather and other variables, to spot nascent fires.

We believe over time that as we really understand how were going to do these detections, improve the algorithms, then we will be able to push more and more up to the satellite and have less of that processing on the ground, Dyer said.

It will take years to get all the satellites aloft, and to get the system working perfectly. But one thing is certain, Collins said: As soon as we launch, we will see the world through a different lens.
A wave of unrest shook the Russian-backed breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia on Friday as protesters, angered by an investment agreement with Moscow, stormed the gates of parliament in the capital.

A truck smashed through the metal barriers surrounding the building and hundreds of demonstrators poured into the courtyard in Sukhumi.

Riot police responded, but tensions flared further when two people were injured in the chaos, according to Russia's RIA state news agency.

Scuffles turned more violent as protesters tied ropes to the gates outside attempting to tear them down. Video from the scene later showed people climbing through windows after prying off metal bars and chanting in the corridors.

The clips highlight the escalating anger over what opposition leaders claim is a deal that could both jeopardise Abkhazia's sovereignty and price locals out of the housing market.

Abkhazia's self-proclaimed president, Aslan Bzhania, has sought to downplay the implications of the agreement.

But the explosion of violence today shows the people of Abkhazia want to go further than simply scrapping the agreement, opposition leader Temur Gulia said.

'The people demand the resignation of Aslan Bzhania and categorically intend to achieve it,' said Gulia.

'We ourselves were not prepared for this turn of events. Our initial demand was only the withdrawal of the investment agreement.'

Scuffles turned violent as protesters tied ropes to the gates outside attempting to tear them down

Moment enraged crowd ram truck through fence and storm parliament building to scupper major deal with Putin in Russian-backed breakaway Georgian region

Protesters pour into the courtyard after pulling down metal gates

Protesters gather outside the parliament building of the Georgian separatist region of Abkhazia as tensions flared over a proposed pact that would allow Russians to buy apartments in the region

A truck is seen ramming into the gates as the protests kicked off

The agreement at the heart of the protests, signed in October between Russian Economy Minister Maxim Reshetnikov and Abkhazian counterpart Kristina Ozgan, would open the door for Russian investment projects in Abkhazia.

Critics argue it will see funds pour into the region from big Russian businesses and state corporations, further entrenching Moscow's influence over the region and leaving regular citizens powerless to meet rising rents.

Earlier this week, demonstrators blocked highways and rallied in Sukhumi demanding the release of four activists detained for opposing a law regulating the construction industry - a law tied to the Russian-Abkhazian investment deal.

The activists were ultimately freed, but the protests highlighted a growing resistance to perceived Russian overreach.

The Kremlin said today it was following the 'crisis situation' in Abkhazia with concern and urged its citizens to avoid travel there.

The opposition said in a statement that the protesters' actions were not against Russian-Abkhazian relations, but charged that Bzhania 'has been trying to use these relations for his own selfish interests, manipulating them for the sake of strengthening his regime'.

'Abkhazian society had only one demand: to protect the interests of our citizens and our business,' it said.

For many, the deal symbolises the creeping erosion of autonomy in a territory that has long been a flashpoint in Russia-Georgia relations.

After the Soviet Union's collapse, Abkhazia declared independence from Georgia, leading to a bloody war in the early 1990s that left thousands dead and hundreds of thousands displaced.

Despite achieving de facto independence, Abkhazia remains internationally recognised as part of Georgia, save for recognition by Russia and a handful of other states.

Tensions flared again in 2008 when Russia and Georgia clashed in a five-day war over Abkhazia and South Ossetia, another breakaway region.

Moscow subsequently recognised both Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states, deepening the geopolitical rift.

Russian investment has since poured into Abkhazia, transforming its Black Sea coast into a haven of Soviet-era resorts while tightening Moscow's grip on its governance and economy.

Protesters with Abkhazian flags gather outside the parliament building of the Georgian separatist region of Abkhazia as tensions flared over a proposed pact that would allow Russians to buy apartments in the region

Protesters are seen inside the building having flooded into the courtyard

Protesters rally outside the parliament building in Sukhumi

Abkhazia's self-proclaimed president, Aslan Bzhania, has sought to downplay the implications of the agreement

Abkhazia's domestic politics have often mirrored its turbulent history.

In 2014, demonstrators stormed the presidential headquarters, forcing then-leader Alexander Ankvab to flee and resign amid allegations of corruption.

His successor, Raul Khadzhimba, was ousted in 2020 after contested election results sparked further protests.

Russia's backing of Abkhazia has drawn widespread condemnation from the West, with the European Union and the United States reiterating support for Georgia's territorial integrity.

Meanwhile, Georgia has struggled to advance its European Union and NATO aspirations, hamstrung by internal political turmoil.

The unrest in Abkhazia comes at a time when Russia is heavily invested in maintaining its spheres of influence, even as its war in Ukraine strains resources and attention.
An elderly woman who caused a dramatic court fight when she ripped up her 800,000 will on her deathbed did validly destroy the document, a judge has ruled.

Carry Keats, 92, physically ripped three-quarters of the way through the pages of her will during her final illness in hospital, in 2022.

Her final act led to a huge family drama  pitting her five distant cousins against her younger sister  with whom she was said to have had a 'love-hate relationship.'

Under the terms of the will the five cousins would have inherited the fortune, but if the will was found to have been legally destroyed, then her younger sister Josephine Oakley, known as Jo, would take it all.

A Victorian law passed in 1837 states any person can legally revoke a will they have made by ripping it up, so long as the act is carried out within certain guidelines.

Ms Oakley's five cousins, headed by David Crew, argued she never would have wanted the money to go to her sister because Carry despaired of Jo's lifestyle.

But Deputy Master John Linwood today ruled in favour of Mrs Oakley in the landmark case, finding Carry had wished to disinherit the cousins and had done so lawfully.

'In my judgment there was actual tearing combined with intent...Carry did sufficiently destroy the will as it was entirely torn in half as she intended,' he said.

Carry Keats, 92, caused a dramatic court fight when she ripped up her 800,000 will on her deathbed in hospital in 2022

The case involves her younger sister Josephine Oakley, pictured outside London's High Court, with whom she is said to have had a 'love-hate relationship'

Carry Keats' estate has been valued at 800,000, mainly tied up in her home (pictured) and land in the Wiltshire village of Nomansland

'I find there was a positive communication and not mere acquiescence, as Carry looked at Mrs Webb and responded to her direct offer with a physical command or instruction reflecting her wish that Mrs Webb should actively assist her to complete the tearing in half of the will.'

Mrs Keats' cousins, who would have split most of her fortune under the will, brought a unique court challenge, claiming the dying pensioner did not validly revoke it because she was too weak to rip the document all the way through with her own hands.

The cousins, headed by David Crew, the son of Mrs Keats and Mrs Oakley's cousin Lucy Whitehorn, said the will should stand, as Mrs Keats was only strong enough to tear it three-quarters of the way through, with the rest being ripped at her request by her solicitor.

They claimed Mrs Keats had wanted to leave her sister nothing and that she didn't have the mental capacity on her deathbed to change her mind about who got her fortune in such a dramatic fashion.

Mr Crew previously told the court: 'They hadn't got on for many years, going back to when they were both young.

'Jo had a messy life. Her first husband divorced her over her infidelity.

'Carry was an upstanding country woman with a high moral code.

'Not only did her first husband leave her for adultery but her second husband divorced her as well for reasons we do not know'.

Pitted against Josephine Oakley in the legal battle were five cousins, including David Crew who was pictured outside the High Court in London

Bringing the claim alongside David Crew was cousin twice removed Leon Whitehorn seen here outside the High Court

David Crew's sister Angela Crew, also brought the claim and is here pictured outside the High Court

Jason Whitehorn, seen outside the High Court, was among three cousins twice removed who are part of the legal challenge over Carry Keats' will

They also argued that Mrs Keats' non-verbal 'nod' to her solicitor Hafwen Webb to approve her completing the tearing of the will had not been enough to satisfy the law that she was happy for the destruction of the will to be completed by her.

Mrs Oakley however insisted her sister knew what she was doing and had decided to cut out her cousins after they proposed putting 'proud and independent New Forester' Mrs Keats into a nursing home.

Turning to Mrs Keats' motivation for her dramatic change of mind, the judge referenced the 'fatal' falling out with her cousins over the care home proposal and quoting a judge's comments from an 1821 will dispute added: 'It is one of the painful consequences of extreme old age that it ceases to excite interest and is apt to be left solitary and neglected.

'The control which the law gives to a man to dispose of his property is one of the most efficient means which he has in protracted life to command the attentions due to his infirmities.'

He added: 'Nothing in human nature has changed over the last 200 years since that was said, nor I presume will it in the future.'

The High Court heard that Carry Keats died, aged 92, on 15 February 2022, less than three weeks after tearing up her last will as she lay dying in hospital in Salisbury.

Mrs Keats, who owned and ran a successful caravan site, left behind an 800,000 fortune, mainly tied up in her home and land at 'Carron' in the Wiltshire village of Nomansland.

Eighteen months earlier, she had made a will which split almost everything she owned between five distant cousins of hers, one of whom - David Crew, her cousin once removed - had been close friends with her and her late husband for decades.

The other four were David's sister Angela Crew, plus cousins twice removed Kevin, Jason and Leon Whitehorn.

However, towards the end of her life, she grew closer to her younger sister Josephine - nine years her junior - with whom the court heard she had a 'love-hate relationship'.

The court heard Josephine Oakley say that she took her sister roast dinners every Sunday whilst she was still at home during her last years and visited her in hospital almost every day during her final illness.

During the same period Mrs Keats - who was described in the judgment as 'stubborn' with old-fashioned views, a 'feisty old bird' and a 'self sufficient resilient and proud New Forester' - fell out with David Crew and his sister Angela 'after they indicated that they were going to put her in a nursing home if she had another fall,' Mrs Oakley's lawyers told the judge.

These changes in the family dynamics led to a dramatic scene in January 2022, involving the ailing Mrs Keats sending for her longtime lawyer Hafwen Webb as she lay in her deathbed in Salisbury Hospital and tearing her will in front of her.

Simon Sinnatt, for the cousins, told the judge that, under the Wills Act 1837, for the destruction of the will to be valid Mrs Keats had to either intentionally fully destroy the will herself or properly authorise her solicitor to do so.

'Did the deceased sufficiently destroy the will? Did the deceased authorise Hafwen Webb to complete the destruction or acquiesce in the same? Did the deceased have the requisite intention to destroy the will? If the will was revoked, did the deceased have the mental capacity to do so?' he said.

'The completion of the tearing by Hafwen Webb raises a problem which potentially invalidates her completion of the process for lack of authority,' he said.

But, finding that the will was legally destroyed with Mrs Keats' authority, the judge in his ruling today said:

'This claim concerns whether the deceased had sufficient mental capacity to make a deathbed revocation of her will by tearing it in half, thereby causing her estate to pass by intestacy to her sister, Mrs Josephine Oakley, as opposed to the other parties to this claim, who are, unlike her, beneficiaries under the will.

'In other words, it is all or nothing for Mrs Oakley or those other parties.

'Behind this simple act of tearing is enmity in the wider family involving allegations of undue influence, greed and bullying, with an unseemly scrabble for the assets of the deceased in the last couple of years of her life and after her death'.

He added that the turning point in Mrs Keats' testamentary intentions was, as Josephine's lawyers had argued, 'a serious falling out between Carry and the Crews' over them 'proposing to put her in a nursing home if she had another fall'.

'Carry knew her own mind,' the judge went on.

'It is pellucidly clear from the evidence of Mrs Webb that Carry understood her entire estate would pass to her sister.

'The strong desire to exclude and disinherit the Crews was clear from her instructions two months before at their meeting on 16th November 2021

'I find that Carry had a sufficiently lucid interval during which the revocation took place...I find Carry had capacity in that narrow window'.

In relation to the 'nod' with which she indicated her solicitor should finish treating through the will, the judge said:

'In these facts and circumstances, I find there was a positive communication and not mere acquiescence, as Carry looked at Mrs Webb and responded to her direct offer with a physical command or instruction reflecting her wish that Mrs Webb should actively assist her to complete the tearing in half of the Will.

'I think it would be artificial not to permit a testator to communicate as they wished in those circumstances at that time.

'The communication must be positive and discernible, which I find the nod is in these factual circumstances and it may be non-verbal, as here.

'Carry properly authorised Mrs Webb to complete the destruction of the will for the reasons above. Her nod was not a mere acquiescence but a positive and discernible non-verbal communication.

'In my judgment there was actual tearing combined with intent.

'Carry did sufficiently destroy the will as it was entirely torn in half as she intended.

'In summary I find Carry had testamentary capacity to revoke the will, the intention to do so and revoked it by destruction in accordance with the Wills Act 1837.

'I therefore dismiss the claim and find for Josephine on her counterclaim,' the judge concluded.
An Amazon driver fatally struck a grandmother who was walking home after visiting a loved one's gravesite - and then continued delivering packages, authorities said.

Sandra Fitts, 79, of Canton, Georgia, was crossing Cumming Highway around 6:30pm Tuesday when the driver hit her before allegedly fleeing the scene.

The driver, London Best, 24, appeared to be traveling west on the highway before he crashed into Fitts.

'It appears that he knows what happened and he actually continued to deliver packages in the area,' Canton Police Captain Jay Baker said.

Canton Police were called to the deadly scene near Jordan Lane just moments after the crash.

Evidence found at the scene led responding officers to believe that the vehicle involved in the hit and run could have been an Amazon delivery truck.

A deputy then spotted an Amazon delivery truck at a nearby cross street.

The truck appeared to have damage matching evidence found at the crash scene, according to the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.

An Amazon driver fatally struck an elderly woman who was walking home after visiting a loved one's gravesite - and then continued delivering packages, authorities said

Canton Police were called to the scene of the deadly crash (pictured) just moments after the crash

Evidence found at the scene led responding officers to believe that the vehicle involved in the hit and run could have been an Amazon delivery truck

Police then arrested Best and charged him with vehicular homicide in the first degree and hit-and-run resulting in death.

Upon further investigation, police found drugs including marijuana, THC wax and other drug-related paraphernalia inside the vehicle.

It is unclear whether Best was under the influence at the time of the crash.

The driver was also charged with possession of marijuana less than one ounce, possession of a schedule one narcotic and possession of drug-related objects.

The Alpharetta native appeared in court on Thursday where he was granted a $75,000 bond including conditions of no alcohol, no driving, no firearm possession, no contact with the victim's family and an ankle monitor.

A spokesman for Amazon, Austin Stowe, said Best can no longer deliver on the company's behalf.

'We're deeply saddened by this incident, and our thoughts are with the victim's family and loved ones during this difficult time. We'll support local police as they investigate,' Stowe said.

'It is a very unfortunate situation,' Baker told Atlanta News First, adding that if Best had not fled the scene, he may not have faced the same charges.

'Something to keep in mind for all drivers this is a terrible situation, but had he not left the scene, its very likely he would not have been charged, certainly not with these felonies,' Baker added.

Upon further investigation, police found drugs including marijuana, THC wax and other drug-related paraphernalia inside the vehicle

Fitts' loved ones have since taken to social media to share their grief over the loss of the 'sweetest lady'

'I mean it was dark and she was crossing the highway. So, if you're ever in an accident, stop, call 911, render aid, it makes all the difference in the world,' Baker told Metro News.

Fitts' loved ones have since taken to social media to share their grief over the loss of the 'sweetest lady.'

'Our Buffington Community mourns the tragic loss of one of our precious own, Sandra Edwards Fitts was taken away to soon on Tuesday evening,' Brian Martin posted to Facebook.

'Sandra was the sweetest lady, always a pleasure to talk to, she was so sweet and kind. Everyone please keep her sweet family in your prayers.' Martin added.

'She was such the sweetest mom and we miss her so much,' Fitts' daughter, Andrea Fitts Whidby, commented.

'She was looking forward to seeing their oldest grandson coming home from college and celebrating Thanksgiving with the family and my dad's birthday is Sunday. I can't believe she's gone.'
The late Queens most senior courtiers were today dragged into Prince Harrys legal battle against The Sun.

A judge backed the dukes bid to see emails to and from Lord Christopher Geidt, private secretary to Her Majesty until 2017, and his successor Sir Edward Young.

According to Harrys lawyers, the courtiers held high level discussions with newspaper executives in 2017 about receiving compensation and apologies to the entire Royal household including the Queen for unlawful information gathering.

The move threatens to further widen Harrys rift with the King and his brother William. The duke has previously claimed William received compensation from the newspaper while he was cut out of a secret deal.

It emerged in the High Court that King Charles tried to discourage and stymie Prince Harry from suing The Suns publisher.

The court was told that part of Harrys case is that the royal institution had tried to block him from bringing his case. Reading from a passage in Harrys case, the judge, Mr Justice Fancourt, said the duke claims his father and the royal familys law firm, Harbottle & Lewis, acted to discourage and stymie him in the bringing of his claim.

David Sherborne, for the duke, said emails showed the late Queen had personally approved threatening the publisher with legal action if it did not respond.

Mr Sherborne read out an email that year from Prince Harry to his brother William and palace aides urging them to support chasing up News UK, publisher of The Sun.

William and Harry arrive for a Princess Diana statue unveiling at Kensington Palace in July 2021

Lord Christopher Geidt, private secretary to Queen Elizabeth II, at Sandringham in 2015

Sir Edward Young, private secretary to Queen Elizabeth II, at the Senedd in Cardiff in 2021

Harry said it has been a year since this started and the publisher was playing us with its alleged lack of response. In a reference to his brother, Harry wrote: W, do you agree?

A string of emails between palace officials and senior executives at the publisher, including Rebekah Brooks and Robert Thomson who both served as chief executive, has been disclosed by the publisher.

Mr Sherborne said they demonstrated there were discussions about the newspaper paying compensation and saying sorry to members of the royal family who had been hacked by journalists.

He said: They are significant. Here, they are saying they will consider apologising and giving recompense to the entire royal household including the Queen as well. That is something being dealt with only at the highest levels, it was hugely sensitive.

But he claimed the email exchange was not complete and there were plainly further emails which his client had not been shown. The Duke applied to the court to order the publisher to conduct further searches of its email database for its messages with the palace courtiers.

Prince Harry with his barrister David Sherborne at the High Court in London in June 2023

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in July 2018

The publisher has always rejected allegations of any wrongdoing by staff at The Sun. Opposing Harrys application to see more emails, Anthony Hudson KC, for the publisher, said requesting further searches so close to the trial date would be disproportionate, time consuming and costly.

But the judge agreed to Harrys request, ordering the newspaper to search for further messages.

Harry is one of two claimants suing the newspaper group, along with Labour peer Lord Watson. A further 39 claimants who were part of their group legal action against the newspaper, including Spice Girl Melanie Brown, David Beckhams father Ted, former WAG Louise Redknapp and Baroness Doreen Lawrence, have all now recently settled out of court.

It follows actor Hugh Grant settling the case in April for what he called an enormous sum of money.

Lord Christopher Geidt is made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in March 2014

Prince Harry with his father Charles at the Natural History Museum in London in April 2019

Now the cases of the Duke of Sussex, 40, and former Labour deputy leader Lord Watson, 57, are the only ones still active, and a six to eight week trial is due to start in January, although Mr Sherborne has previously said it was likely all the claimants could be forced to settle because they could be left with huge legal bills if they rejected a settlement offer, even if they won at trial.

Harry has previously claimed there was a secret agreement struck behind his back by the palace and the publisher  a claim dismissed by the judge, Mr Justice Fancourt, last year as improbable.

Harrys lawyers have claimed Prince William settled a claim against the publisher for a very large sum of money in 2020 as part of the supposed secret agreement.

The judge ruled last year that this showed the publisher was willing to settle with Prince William rather than become embroiled in litigation, as it has with the Duke.
Dramatic footage captured the moment a Kentucky construction worker was heroically saved after being buried alive for over nine hours.

Rescue teams worked into the night on Thursday after a laborer fell into a 10-foot-deep 'void' on a site in Louisville and became trapped under deep rubble.

Incredible footage showed workers sifting through concrete to unearth the construction worker when only the top of his hard hat was visible, and officials said he had just a 'little bit' of space to keep breathing for hours on end.

Crews used buckets and worked by hand for hours, and the victim - who has not been identified - remained conscious throughout the ordeal until he was lifted out on a stretcher.

Louisville Fire Chief Brian ONeill said the laborer was 'completely buried' under the construction rubble, and was 'in a lot of pain' when eventually saved from the hole.

He was hospitalized at the University of Louisville Hospital. The extent of his injuries remains unclear but the worker is reportedly expected to recover.

O'Neill added: 'We've seen a lot of trench rescues over the 24 years that I've been doing this... I've never seen something like this.

'This is a pretty severe incident.'

Rescue teams worked for over nine hours on a construction site in Louisville, Kentucky on Thursday after a laborer was buried alive by 10-feet of rubble

Incredible footage showed workers sifting through concrete to unearth the construction worker when only the top of his hard hat was visible

The laborer who fell into the void was working on a site's demolition team when he fell into the hole around noon on Thursday.

As rescue crews worked for hours to dig him out, local Louisville news stations arrived on the scene and began live streaming the heroic efforts.

Five other men were with the victim when he fell into the hole, and after alerting authorities, a search team specializing in trench and confined space rescues were on the scene within minutes, reports K105.

O'Neill said the victim was 'very fortunate' in the way that the void collapsed around him, because he had a 'little bit of void space around him so he was able to breathe.'

Footage showed teams passing buckets of rubble out of the hole in a painstaking process that took over nine hours, and O'Neill said the situation was made more challenging by the loose debris.

'We are moving tons and tons of debris by hand, by buckets,' O'Neill told reporters at the scene, describing his department's efforts.

'Imagine a person at the bottom of a funnel. You have to shore up everything else thats going to keep cascading down to create a safe space and then continue to dig this person out.'

Eventually, authorities were able to use a crane and ladders to free the man from the hole, and he was finally stretchered away around 8:30pm.

O'Neill said the situation was made more challenging by the loose debris, and said crews had to 'shore up everything else thats going to keep cascading down to create a safe space and then continue to dig this person out'

The victim, who has not been identified, was lifted onto a stretcher and hospitalized with injuries. Although the extent of his injuries is not known, he is reportedly expected to recover

Louisville Fire Chief Brian ONeill said 'over the 24 years that I've been doing this... I've never seen something like this'

O'Neill said there was a 'tempered celebration' when the worker was lifted to safety, and said not all of their efforts have such a happy ending.

'This is what our firefighter's do, this is why we took this job, we want to help people,' he concluded.

'And it's not like the movies, you're not always successful. So when you have a success like this, it is a tremendous feeling.'

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg later described it as 'an incredibly difficult trench rescue.'
Trailblazer who travelled the globe passes away 'peacefully' in Sydney

Australia's oldest dancer and choreographer has died 'peacefully' just one week after celebrating her 110th birthday.

Eileen Stellar Kramer, who was believed to be the oldest woman in New South Wales, was remembered as a 'trailblazer' and a national treasure after she died on Friday.

The beloved artist was born in Sydney on November 8, 1914, and dedicated much of her life to performing around Australia and the globe.

She first made her mark in ballet in Australia around the time she turned 27 and before going on to tour the globe, and live and work in Paris, London and New York, before eventually returning to Sydney at the age of 99.

True to form, Ms Kramer expressed her love of dance to the very end.

In an interview to mark her centenary celebrations 10 years ago, she said she had never shied away from her advancing years nor used them as an excuse to forgo her morning plies.

'I don't mind. I'm 100!,' she said. 'I'm liberated. I don't have to be 35 all the time.'

She put her life's unusual trajectory down to seeing, at the age of 24, a performance by Sydney's Bodenwieser Ballet, run by Viennese immigrant Madame Gertrud Bodenwieser, who had fled to Australia via Colombia after escaping the Nazis.

Australia's oldest dancer and choreographer Eileen Kramer performs during a full dress rehearsal of her work The Early Ones at a theatre in north Sydney in 2015. She passed away on Friday just one week after celebrating her 110th birthday

Ms Kramer tried out for the troupe and was accepted to classes.

She recalled that after her first session she felt 'free' and within three years was a member of the company.

Although named the Bodenwieser Ballet, the troupe was credited with being Australia's first truly influential modern dance company, and despite her lack of classical training, Ms Kramer found she had talent.

'It wasn't wild, untrammelled movement; there was a definite technique to do. It just suited me,' she said.

As she grew into her final years, she said she still worked on her ballet exercises, though admittedly from the comfort of her bed most mornings.

'But I do get up and do plies and things. Some of the foot exercises in classical ballet are very, very good for strengthening your feet,' she said in 2015.

'And I need it now because I can only see with one eye so my balance is affected.'

Ms Kramer attends the 50th anniversary celebrations at the Sydney Opera House last year

Ms Kramer recalled touring Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and India with the Bodenwieser troupe before setting up on her own company.

'I was always interested in India and when we toured there I got a taste for India, I suppose,' she said.

'In Pakistan, somebody told me I could paint. Next thing I found myself in a pavilion... painting scenes of Paris. I had two assistants. So I set to work and did it.'

In Europe she earned money as an artist's model, something she had done in Sydney for Australian painter Norman Lindsay.

The globetrotting performer has been remembered as a trailblazer and national treasure

Ms Kramer then married and moved to New York with her filmmaker husband, but gave up dancing when he had a stroke, caring for him for 18 years until his death.

Afterwards, she returned to performing, but at the age of 99, after the death of another partner, decided to come home to Australia.

'I began to think of kookaburras. The smell of gum trees,' she said.

'It's natural to come back to your own country.'

In a statement, Ms Kramer's legal enduring guardians told the ABC on Friday that she was a 'trailblazer' and 'true creative spirit' and said she died 'peacefully'.

'She is the last dancer of the Bodenwieser era, she was the longest living woman in NSW and most likely the longest living dancer internationally.'
Dramatic video showed the moment a pregnant teenager begged bystanders to rescue her from a wrecked car following a crash that killed the driver.

The miracle survivor, identified as Hanna Valadez, 19, was sitting in the passenger seat when the driver lost control and slammed into a truck on a highway in the central Mexican city of Zapotlan de Juarez on Wednesday.

A preliminary report indicated that the male driver, whose name has not been released, accelerated on the shoulder and did not notice that the truck was parked.

A video showed gas station workers using fire extinguishers on the mangled vehicle after it burst into flames while the young woman remained inside.

Separate footage showed Valadez's face smeared in blood and pleading with bystanders to 'please' help her.

'Hanna, take a deep breath. Focus on yourself,' a person the background can be heard telling the teen.

'The emergency services are going to arrive soon.'

Another witness, who identified himself as a police officer, then stepped forward and began to remove some of the parts dangling near her head.

The miracle survivor, identified as Hanna Valadez, 19, was sitting in the passenger seat when the driver lost control and slammed into a truck on a highway in the central Mexican city of Zapotlan de Juarez

Paramedics were able to rescue her from the wrecked vehicle

He stopped when struggling to pry open the door.

Valadez grew restless by the second as she begged the off-duty officer and those around him to pull her out before first responders arrived.

A motorist on the scene told a cop that he had seen the driver of the car speeding past him.

'He was flying. He passed me about three minutes ago. He was coming very fast,' the witness said.

Witnesses told police that the driver had been speeding moments before crashing into a parked truck

A video showed gas station workers using fire extinguishers on the mangled vehicle after it burst into flames

Another claimed the driver had topped at '180, 200' kilometers per hour, or between 111 to 124 miles per hour.

Valadez was rushed to Pachuca General Hospital.

The extent of her injuries are unknown, but the Hidalgo state prosecutor's office said that she was in stable condition.

At least 377,321 vehicular accidents were reported across Mexico in 2023, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography.

The northeast state of Nuevo Leon topped the list with 76,115 accidents, while the central state of Tlaxcala was at the bottom of the list with 929 incidents reported.
Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump's pick for defense secretary, was investigated for an alleged sexual assault in 2017 but no charges were filed.

The alleged incident took place in the early morning hours of Oct. 8, 2017, at the address of the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa in Monterey, California, the city said in a statement.

The police department investigated 'an alleged sexual assault' involving Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army National Guard veteran, that was reported four days later, according to the statement.

The victim's name and age are confidential.

No weapons were involved, according to the statement, but there were injuries  'contusions to right thigh.'

No further details were released and the city said it would not release the full police report, noting it was exempt from public disclosure. The statement did not say what happened to the investigation.

Hegseth, who was divorced from his second wife at the time of the alleged incident, has not been charged in any criminal case or named as a defendant in any civil lawsuit.

Timothy Parlatore, a lawyer representing Hegseth, told news outlets: 'This statement confirms that although an allegation was made, it was fully investigated and no charges were filed.'

Pete Hegseth (left) is a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan; he's a co-host of 'Fox & Friends Weekends' with Ainsely Earnhardt and Brian Kilmeade

The Trump transition team was aware of the allegation.

Incoming chief of staff Susie Wiles was briefed Wednesday night about it, Vanity Fair reported.

Wiles and Trump's lawyers spoke to Hegseth about it on Thursday. Hegseth told them the allegation stemmed from a consensual encounter and called it a 'he-said, she-said' situation, a source told Vanity Fair.

Hegseth was a speaker at the California Federation of Republican Women conference at the Monterey hotel when the encounter that led to the investigation occurred.

The Trump team is standing by their nominee.

'Mr. Hegseth has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed,' said Trump communications director Steven Cheung. 'We look forward to his confirmation as United States Secretary of Defense so he can get started on Day One to Make America Safe and Great Again.'

Hegseth's nomination to lead the Pentagon is controversial.

He is a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan with a handful of military medals, including two Bronze Stars.

But many have questioned whether the 44-year-old co-host of 'Fox & Friends Weekends' can handle managing the Defense Department, which has a budget of $842 billion, almost 3 million employees and 750 military installations around the world.

He also has a history of controversial statements.

Hegseth once called liberals 'domestic enemies.'

And he has said women should not be in combat for the U.S. military, a point he has made repeatedly including last week in an interview with 'The Shawn Ryan Show' podcast.

'I'm straight up just saying, we should not have women in combat roles,' Hegseth said on that podcast. 'It hasn't made us more effective, hasn't made us more lethal, has made fighting more complicated.'

His support for combat veterans accused of war crimes also has drawn criticism.

Pete Hegseth with Donald Trump in the Oval Office from when Trump was president

Pete Herseth and Jennifer Rauchet's wedding at Trump's National Gold Club in New Jersey

Many have questioned whether he can win Senate confirmation because of his lack of experience.

Since 2019, Hegseth has been married to his third wife, Fox News producer Jennifer Rauchet. The two were married at Trump's National Gold Club in Colts Neck, New Jersey.

'They will have a fantastic life together,' Trump wrote on Twitter of the marriage.

Hegseth and his first wife, Meredith Schwarz, divorced in 2009 amid allegations he cheated.

A year later, Hegseth married Samantha Deering. In 2014, four years into their marriage, Hegseth started working at Fox News.

There he got involved with Jennifer Rauchet, a producer at the network. Rauchet was also married at the beginning of her relationship with Hegseth.

In 2017 the situation became public knowledge. Hegseth was already a father of three kids with Deering, and, in August 2017, he and Rauchet had a daughter together.

Hegseth and Deering divorced in August 2017, the same month his child was born with Rauchet. The alleged assault in California took place in October of that year.

One Hegseth ally blamed the surfacing of the allegation on GOP establishment members who are trying to thwart Hegseth's nomination.

'They'll try to kill all these nominations before the confirmation vote,' the ally said told Vanity Fair.
Progressive Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez shocked MSNBC host Joy Reid with her simple explanation of why some New Yorkers opted to vote for Donald Trump as president but also helped reelect her to Congress on the same ballots.





The Republican president-elect improved his share of support in New York City including in AOC's district in 2024, leaving some scratching their heads over how someone could vote for him and a progressive member of 'The Squad.'

After the election, the Democratic congresswoman put out on social media that she wanted to hear from such voters about their thinking. The responses came flooding in. She shared her takeaways in an interview with the liberal news network.

'When it comes to people who split their ticket, I think a lot of people cited several different things,' Ocasio-Cortez told Reid.

'One, there is universal frustration in this country, much of it I actually think justified, that is raging at a political establishment that centers corporate interests, billionaires and puts their needs ahead of the needs of working Americans,' she explained.

AOC said there are people who have seen Child Tax Credits cut off and SNAP benefits cut off while seeing billionaires like Elon Musk get tax breaks. She argued they can channel this 'righteous rage.'

'But then why vote for Elon Musk and Donald Trump?' Reid pushed back.

'I think that of course is the question,' AOC said.

'It makes no sense,' Reid responded in confusion.

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez explaining on MSNBC why some people in her district voted for her but also chose Trump at the top of the ticket

AOC noted that Democrats are still learning from the results of the November election. The results delivered a trifecta to Republicans with control of the White House, Senate and House.

The New York congresswoman said understanding that happened is an ongoing process, but she did have one take on Trump.

'There is something to be said about it doesn't matter that he's lying. He's saying that "I'm fighting for you,"' she said.

Reid questioned how people could believe it was Harris who went 'too woke' noting she campaigned with Liz Cheney.

But when it comes to the debate about being 'too woke' it was Trump pushing that narrative. During the campaign, Trump's campaign spent millions running an ad that demonized transpeople and attacked Harris accusing her of being for 'they/them.'

AOC argued people zeroed in on the Harris for 'they/them' messaging but pointed out the second part of that ad said Trump is for 'you.'

'Democrats very often in their messaging, they speak in terms and in concepts and not in the second person,' she said. 'I care about you.'

The New York congresswoman argued that politics is a race to convince people about who cares about them more.

MSNBC host Joy Reid looking baffled over why voters would opt for Trump who has the support of Elon Musk while raging against an establishment that supports billionaires. 'It makes no sense,' she said

While Democrats will be examining what went wrong for them in the months and years to come, AOC also noted that while there were people who split tickets to vote for her and Trump in her district, Democrats also 'lost people to the couch.'

'A lot of people say this why I voted for you and Trump,' AOC explained. 'And some people say this is why I didn't vote or didn't vote top of the ticket.'

She believes there was some voters to selected Democrats down ballot but did not fill out the top of ticket.

Reid also asked Ocasio-Cortez if the people she has spoken to who voted for Trump were expecting where things were headed with the president-elects cabinet nominations so far.

'Genuinely, no,' the congresswoman responded shaking her head.

This week Trump announced a series of nominations that have sent shockwaves through Washington with Democrats and Republicans alike.

He chose MAGA firebrand Matt Gaetz who is was being investigated for sexual misconduct as his Attorney General pick.

Trump also nominated a conservative TV personality with a history of controversial remarks and no senior military leadership experience to head the Defense Department and he named vaccine skeptic Robert Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

The president-elect also named former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who as been accused of Russian disinformation, as his Director of National Intelligence.

'People may want to take a vengeful stance about this, but it is genuinely heartbreaking,' AOC said.

She said people need to understand that there are millions of people working two or three shifts a day to make ends meet and are not reading the newspaper.

'It's not to say that people are uneducated or uninformed or anything like that, but this is real life,' the congresswoman said.

She said more so than in past elections, she has people coming up to her with questions and concerns about whether Trump really will do what he said he was going to on the campaign trail.

Donald Trump with Robert Kennedy Jr. AOC warned Kennedy leading HHS could lead to the decimation of health centers

AOC slammed Trump's DNI pick former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, calling her a 'pro war nomination globally'

When talking about Kennedy's nomination, AOC specifically raised concerns that rural community health centers could be decimated under his watch leaving Trump voters without access to health care.

'I actually think, almost more than Matt Gaetz, Tulsi Gabbards appointment is devastating,' Ocasio-Cortez also said.

AOC slammed Gabbard saying 'as much as she says that shes an anti-war person, shes not. She supports very pro-war individuals abroad.'

'lets be very clear, a Tulsi Gabbard nomination is a pro-war nomination globally,' the congresswoman said.
Mia le Roux, South Africa's contestant at the Miss Universe beauty contest, has pulled out at the last minute over 'health concerns'.

It comes just weeks after Le Roux, 28, became the first deaf woman crowned Miss South Africa in August, as she was set to represent the country at the finals, taking place this weekend in Mexico City.

She had spent weeks in Mexico preparing for the finale of the prestigious, yet scandal-hit beauty contest but the last-minute withdrawal means South Africa will not be represented at the 73rd Miss Universe pageant.

The Miss South Africa Organisation issued a statement on its Instagram page which read: 'It is with deep regret that we share the news that Mia Le Roux, Miss South Africa 2024, has had to withdraw from the Miss Universe competition due to health concerns'.

The organisation said Le Roux had displayed 'incredible courage and grace through this difficult period' and added 'her health and well-being are our utmost priority'.

Mia le Roux, 28, became the first deaf woman crowned Miss South Africa in August. She has now dropped out of the competition at the last minute over 'health concerns'

Le Roux was diagnosed with profound hearing loss at the age of one and uses a cochlear implant to help her perceive sound

The Miss South Africa Organisation said in a statement on Instagram that le Roux had displayed 'incredible courage and grace through this difficult period'

Le Roux also made a statement which appeared in the post, saying: 'I am profoundly thankful for the unwavering support from South Africa during my time at Miss Universe.

'Making this decision has been incredibly challenging, knowing the dreams and hopes that have been placed upon me.

'However, I am deeply grateful to have the opportunity to focus on my health and recovery so that I may continue to serve my country with full strength'.

The details of the health concern remain unknown and were not specified in the statement.

On Wednesday, following an interview with the judging panel, Le Roux claimed she was 'ready for the next couple of days,' not mentioning any signs of sickness.

Just last month, Le Roux expressed her excitement about the chance to represent South Africa on the Miss Universe stage, describing it as a 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for my voice to be heard'.

She then said she hoped to display her country's 'beautiful diversity'.

Le Roux was diagnosed with profound hearing loss at the age of one and uses a cochlear implant to help her perceive sound.

The details of the health concern remain unknown and were not specified in the statement. Pictured: Le Roux poses at the end of the press conference for Le Roux's candidacy to the Miss Universe Pageant in Johannesburg on October 24, 2024

On Wednesday, following an interview with the judging panel, Le Roux claimed she was 'ready for the next couple of days,' not mentioning any signs of sickness

Chidimma Adetshina, 23 was crowned Miss Universe Nigeria months after being hounded out of Miss South Africa

Adetshina, 23, receiving her crown. She withdrew from Miss South Africa for her and her family's safety

The South African was among 120 contestants from around the world competing in the 73rd Miss Universe pageant and vying for the coveted title.

The announcement of her departure from the contest follows a dispute within the controversy-hit competition which saw one finalist withdraw after being trolled over her Nigerian heritage.

Chidimma Adetshina, 23, withdrew from the country's competition 'for the safety and well-being of my family and 'after a backlash that exposed anti-foreigner sentiment in South Africa'.

Adetshina was born to a Nigerian father in South Africa, where she has citizenship.

Her Nigerian heritage attracted vicious xenophobic attacks and sparked controversy when she was announced as a finalist for the Miss South Africa contest in July, as the government said it was investigating a claim that her mother may have stolen the identity of a South African woman.

South Africa's minister of sports, arts and culture Gayton McKenzie posted on X saying: 'We truly cannot have Nigerians compete in our Miss SA competition'.

In another post he wrote: 'South Africans shouldn't be shamed and accused simply because they are asking needed questions of the lady that wants to represent them as Miss South Africa.'

The nationality controversy notwithstanding, Adetshina insisted she loved South Africa and was grateful for the support from the country.

She will represent Nigeria at the international Miss Universe competition this weekend.
Temperatures on Saturday morning will be cold around the Bay Area. Baron/Lynx

Out with the old and in with the cold! A slow-moving upper-level storm system has been working its way eastward across California this week. By late Friday, it will finally give way to a cold air mass that will bring a chilly start to the weekend, including freeze warnings for the North Bay.

With the storm still lingering on Friday, expect scattered pop-up showers, primarily in the South and East Bay, tapering off by afternoon. By evening, the moisture will clear out, leaving cloudless skies and the potential for some of the coldest temperatures of the autumn season.

Live storm map: See where rain is hitting California and Bay Area

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Saturday morning will be frigid, especially in the sheltered valleys of the North Bay, where lows are forecast to dip into the upper 20s to low 30s. Elsewhere, expect lows in the 30s and low 40s  a cold start no matter where you are. The day will remain dry and cool, with high temperatures in the 50s to low 60s, about 5 to 10 degrees below seasonal averages.

Looking ahead, the next chance for rain arrives Sunday evening as a second weak cold front approaches from the northwest. This system isnt expected to deliver much precipitation, with totals likely staying under 0.15 inches.

Rain chances arent looking great with the passage of a weak cold front on Sunday evening. Baron/Lynx

The weekends most captivating weather story may come from the coast. Friday night marks the second to last full moon of 2024  the beaver moon  and with clear skies, it should shine brightly. This lunar event coincides with a period of king tides, offering a great opportunity to snap photos of the high tides and contribute to the California King Tides Project, which supports sea-level rise research.

Meanwhile, large waves of 12 to 18 feet will continue crashing along the California coast through the weekend. While the rough surf creates hazardous conditions for swimmers, it could offer excellent opportunities for experienced surfers.

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Weekend breakdown

San Francisco: Friday will start with a mix of sun and clouds, along with spotty morning showers. By the afternoon skies will clear, and high temperatures will reach the upper 50s.

Saturday morning will begin on a chilly note, with lows in the low to mid-40s. Under mostly sunny skies, temperatures will rebound into the upper 50s to low 60s  a pleasant but cool autumn day.

Sunday brings similar daytime highs, but the weather will take a turn as clouds build by late morning. Light rain showers are expected to develop in the late afternoon, bringing a damp end to the weekend for some areas.

North Bay: Morning clouds on Friday will give way to mostly sunny skies, with any shower activity staying south of the Bay Area. Highs will peak in the low 60s.

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Friday night will be clear and cold, with freeze warnings in effect as temperatures drop into the upper 20s to low 30s  especially in sheltered valleys of the North Bay.

Saturday will bring sunny but cool conditions, with highs in the low 60s. Expect another cold night, with lows dipping into the mid-30s under mostly clear skies.

By Sunday, clouds will begin to move in during the morning, leading to light rain showers developing in the afternoon. Highs will range from the upper 50s to low 60s.

East Bay: Friday begins with scattered showers, mainly in the morning, before skies turn mostly sunny. Highs will reach the upper 50s to low 60s, with gusty northwest winds along the water at 15 to 30 mph. Overnight, clear skies will allow temperatures to drop into the upper 30s to low 40s, making for a chilly night.

Saturday brings sunny, seasonably mild conditions, with highs again in the upper 50s to low 60s  great weather for outdoor plans. On Sunday, clouds will roll in during the morning, with light rain showers expected by the afternoon and highs near 60 degrees.

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Pacific Coast and Peninsula: Friday starts with lingering morning showers along the coast and Peninsula, but sunshine will emerge by midday, pushing temperatures into the upper 50s to low 60s. Overnight, expect clear and cold conditions, with lows falling to the low to mid-40s.

Saturday will be sunny and likely the nicest day of the weekend, with highs in the upper 50s to low 60s. By Sunday, clouds will dominate the skies, and light rain showers will develop in the late afternoon as temperatures hover near 60 degrees.

Santa Cruz and South Bay: Friday morning will feature scattered rain showers, but sunshine will emerge by midday, allowing temperatures to climb into the low 60s. Overnight, skies will be clear and temperatures will drop sharply, with lows in the upper 30s to low 40s.

Saturday offers sunny and pleasant conditions, with highs reaching the upper 50s to around 60 degrees  ideal for outdoor activities. Sunday begins with another chilly morning, but clouds will move in by late morning, bringing scattered showers during the late afternoon and highs in the low to mid-60s.
Three Met police officers have been found guilty of gross misconduct for accessing police files relating to the disappearance and murder of Sarah Everard with 'no proper policing purpose', a tribunal has found.

PC Myles McHugh was among three officers who were found to have committed gross misconduct at a three-week disciplinary tribunal in south east London.

The panel also agreed that former Met detective constable Hannah Rebbeck would have been sacked had she not previously resigned.

Both McHugh's and Rebbeck's actions were described by the panel as an 'egregious breach of the trust'.

While Sergeant Mark Harper was given a final written warning over the incident, which will last for three years.

Ms Everard was kidnapped, raped and murdered in 2021 by killer Met cop Wayne Couzens as she walked home from a friend's house in Clapham, south London.

The hearing was told that the officers had viewed X-rays of the murdered 33-year-old, as well as investigation logs and witness statements.

Detective Constable Tyrone Ward, former Inspector Akinwale Ajose-Adeogun and former Detective Sergent Robert Butters also faced the same misconduct hearing, however the panel decided that they did have a legitimate reason for accessing the information and as such did not breach policing standards.

Ms Everard was snatched from the street as she was walking home from a friend's house towards Brixton on March 3, 2021

She had been reported missing by her boyfriend, who she called for around 14 minutes on an approximately 2.5 mile journey home which began at around 9pm

Ms Everard, 33, was kidnapped, raped and murdered in 2021 by killer Met cop Wayne Couzens (pictured) as she walked home from a friend's house in Clapham, south London

In total, 68 officers and 36 staff members were initially identified as potentially accessing files relating to the investigation without a legitimate policing purpose.

McHugh had looked at information about Ms Everard's medical history, relationships, employment and lifestyle.

The panel said his behaviour was at the 'higher end of harm' as he was dismissed without notice for repeatedly accessing the police system on matters which had nothing to do with his duties.

He looked at personal data which was 'very sensitive' and 'he attempted to discuss what he had seen with his colleagues', according to panel chairwoman Sharmistha Michaels.

She said he acted out of a 'curiosity' about the investigation as he accessed data 'extensively and accumulatively' but stopped looking for the information after Couzens was arrested.

Rebbeck's 'highly blameworthy' conduct included looking at 'very sensitive' personal data out of a 'morbid curiosity about the disappearance of Sarah Everard', the panel said.

Ms Michaels said 'she did so after it was announced that a Metropolitan Police officer had been arrested' and this 'had nothing to do with her police duties'.

Her behaviour was placed at the 'highest end of seriousness'.

The panel also noted the misconduct happened at a time of national concern.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said: 'Today as always, our thoughts remain with Sarah Everard's family and friends. We have apologised to them for the added distress this case has caused and I recognise the wider questions and concerns this raises.

'Our officers and staff are regularly reminded that police systems and specific files must only be accessed where there is a legitimate policing purpose to do so.

'This includes reminder screens and warning pages when logging on to our software systems, as well as mandatory training on information management which must be completed by everyone within the organisation.

'It is clear the panel has carefully considered the circumstances of each individual case before coming to their conclusion that three officers had no acceptable reason for looking at this information.'

Ms Everard was snatched from the street as she was walking home from a friend's house towards Brixton on March 3, 2021.

She had been reported missing by her boyfriend, who she called for around 14 minutes on an approximately 2.5 mile journey home which began at around 9pm.

The marketing assistant, who grew up in York and lived in London, was seen on a doorbell camera at around 9pm walking along Poynders Road towards Tulse Hill.

Former inspector Akinwale Ajose-Adeogun (pictured)was cleared by the panel, who ruled he had a legitimate policing reason to examine the files

A number of areas were searched in Clapham as police tried to look for missing Sarah

CCTV caught her alone at quarter past nine and again at 9.28pm, before she was seen on the camera of a marked police car at 9.32pm.

Then at around 9.35pm, a bus camera captured two figures on the road and a white Vauxhall Astra with its hazard lights flashing.

Footage from another bus caught the same car with both front doors open.

The vehicle was later confirmed to have been hired from Dover after police caught its registration number and traced it as it left London for Kent.

A major Metropolitan Police investigation was launched and her body was found a week later in woodland in Kent.

On March 9, 2021, Couzens was arrested and charged with the kidnap and rape of Everard. He was later charged with her murder after medial reports were completed.

In July of that year, Couzens pleaded guilty to all three charges at the Old Bailey and was given a rare whole life prison sentence.
The illegal immigrant accused of murdering nursing student Laken Riley had several suspicious scratches on his body at the time of his arrest, his criminal trial heard.

Photographs of Jose Antonio Ibarra's arms, neck and back were displayed in court on Friday afternoon as he stands trial accused of murder and aggravated assault with intent to rape.

Scratches of varying lengths were identified by officers, pictured and submitted as evidence in the case against him.

Ibarra, a 26-year-old undocumented migrant, denies murdering Riley, 22, on February 22 as she went for a run near her home at the University of Georgia.

The unusual markings on his body were not explained in court on Friday. The first scratch officers noted was a four centimeter cut on his lower forearm.

Separately, there was a darker scratch behind his ear at the back of his neck, near his hairline. Another marking was noted down the middle of his back.

Prosecutors had earlier said Riley 'fought for her life' and had forensic evidence which linked to Ibarra on her body at the time of her death.

This included DNA under the fingernails of her right hand.

The illegal immigrant accused of murdering nursing student Laken Riley had several suspicious scratches on his body at the time of his arrest, his criminal trial heard

Scratches of varying lengths were identified by officers, pictured and submitted as evidence in the case against him

The unusual markings on his body were not explained in court on Friday

Another marking was noted down the middle of his back. Prosecutors had earlier said Riley 'fought for her life' and had forensic evidence which linked to Ibarra on her body at the time of her death

'She marked her killer for the entire world to see. It is his DNA. Only his DNA, underneath Laken's right fingernails,' Georgia special prosecutor Sheila Ross said.

'He left behind his thumbprint on her iPhone, which was found near her body at the crime scene.'

Ross said the forensic evidence alone should be enough to warrant a guilty verdict.

The court heard that Ibarra's DNA was a direct match to the DNA under Riley's fingernails, and was '10 billion times more probable than a coincidental match.'

Ibarra, from Venezuela, arrived in the United States from via El Paso, Texas, illegally in 2022 but was paroled for 'further processing.' His arrest in this case sparked renewed debate about the border crisis and illegal migration.

On Friday morning, Ibarra sat motionless as Ross flashed the last known photograph of 22-year-old Riley across the screen, taken just minutes before her death.

The picture was taken on CCTV cameras near her home on the University of Georgia campus at 9.05am on the day of her death.

She was holding her iPhone in her left hand, wearing activewear and her noise-canceling AirPods.

The picture was taken on CCTV cameras near her home on the University of Georgia campus at 9.05am on the day of her death. She was holding her iPhone in her left hand, wearing all black activewear and her noise-canceling AirPods

Ibarra, from Venezuela, arrived in the United States from via El Paso, Texas, illegally in 2022 but was paroled for 'further processing

Just six minutes later, Riley activated the SOS function of her cell phone, connecting her to 911. She did not speak during the call, which lasted just one minute. Authorities attempted to call her back, but did not get any response.

According to data collected by a smartwatch she was wearing on the run, Riley's heart stopped at 9.28am.

'The evidence will show that Laken fought,' Ross said. 'She fought for her life. She fought for her dignity.'

In opening statements on Friday morning, she said: 'When Laken Riley refused to be his rape victim, he bashed her skull in with a rock, repeatedly.'

Ross claimed there was significant forensic evidence left behind tying the crime to Ibarra.

Beyond that, she revealed there is digital and video evidence tying Ibarra to the crime.

In particular, CCTV footage identified Ibarra as he dumped a bloody jacket in a dumpster near his home, 15 minutes after Riley's heart stopped.

That jacket was later seized and taken for forensic testing, revealing a mixture of Riley's DNA and Ibarra's DNA.

Riley's body was found less than an hour after she was reported missing, near a lake on the University of Georgia campus. She'd been a student there until 2023, when she transferred to Augusta

He is accused of killing Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student at the Augusta University College, on February 22 as she was out for a run

The court heard that Ibarra's DNA was a direct match to the DNA under Riley's fingernails, and was '10 billion times more probable than a coincidental match'

CCTV footage identified Ibarra as he dumped a bloody jacket in a dumpster near his home, 15 minutes after Riley's heart stopped

Long, brunette strands of hair were wrapped around a button on the jacket which were 'consistent with Riley's hair and forcibly removed from her head.'

Riley's body was found less than an hour after she was reported missing, near a lake on the University of Georgia campus. She'd been a student there until 2023, when she transferred to Augusta.

Her roommates reported her missing after becoming concerned that she had been out for longer than usual.

They begin walking her usual running route, using Find My Friends to track where she may be. It was while walking the route they noticed that, according to the tracking data, she had not moved for hours.

They reached the location where her last location had pinged, and found one of her Airpods on the ground.

The duo took a photo to note where they found it, and then picked it up, returned home to reconnect to WiFi and called police to report Riley missing.

'Even with her digital profile... it took about 25 minutes for [the officer] to locate her,' Ross said.

'This is a very forested area, she was off the running trail... She was hidden under a tree' and covered in foliage.

Riley's parents Allyson and John Phillips (center and right) were filled with emotion as the trial kicked off on Friday

Republicans, including President-elect Donald Trump, blamed Riley's death on President Joe Biden and his border policies

The court heard that her breasts were exposed and her underwear was forcibly torn. A sexual assault and rape kit returned a negative result.

She had suffeed 'severe injuries' to her head, and the officer 'could tell she was dead. She was cold.'

First responders performed CPR regardless, but Riley was tragically declared dead.

There is no evidence the duo knew one another, police allege. They described the crime as one of 'opportunity.'

But Ibarra's defense maintain there is not enough evidence to convict him beyond a reasonable doubt.

Attorney for Ibarra Dustin Kirby began his opening statements by accepting that Riley's death was a horrible tragedy.

'The evidence in this case is very good that Laken Riley was murdered,' he said. '

The evidence that Jose Ibarra killed Laken Riley is circumstantial. The evidence that anyone had any intent or certainly committed any sexual assault is speculation.'

Kirby said evidence linking Ibarra to Riley in particular 'is lacking' and could not be proven beyond doubt.

If 'the presumption of innocence is respected, there should not be enough evidence to convince [the judge] beyond a reasonable doubt, that Mr. Ibarra is guilty of the crimes charged,' he said.

This jacket was seized from a dumpster and taken for forensic testing, revealing a mixture of Riley's DNA and Ibarra's DNA. Long, brunette strands of hair were wrapped around a button on the jacket which were 'consistent with Riley's hair and forcibly removed from her head'

The court saw images of Ibarra with scratches on his neck (pictured) after Riley's death

Ibarra had previous run-ins with law enforcement since arriving in the United States illegally.

He was paroled in 2022 for 'further processing' after entering America, and was then arrested in New York City in September 2013. Police allegedly released him 'before a detainer could be issued.'

New York officials claimed there was no record of Ibarra's arrest.

His older brother, who also entered the United States illegally, has ties to Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

Republicans, including President-elect Donald Trump, blamed Riley's death on President Joe Biden and his border policies.

Ibarra required a translator during court proceedings. Earlier this week, he requested a judge-only trial, which was approved.

He was indicted on 10 counts, including charges of murder, kidnapping and aggravated assault with intent to rape.

Ibarra's legal team had sought to have certain evidence suppressed, but the request was denied.
A 'nurse' who worked at several hospitals in Southern California and her home state of Virginia has been exposed for allegedly having no real credentials.

Amanda Leeann Porter, 44, has a track record of pretending to be a registered nurse and has fooled at least two hospitals since April, according to Burbank police.

Porter was arrested on Tuesday for pulling this stunt at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center from April to May before the truth behind her identity was discovered, authorities said.

By that point however, she had had been responsible for 60 patients.

According to the hospital, Porter was 'promptly terminated once is was determined that her nursing credentials had been falsified.'

She collected two paychecks from the hospital, according to officials.

'I just think this disgusting,' a Providence St. Joseph visitor reacted to the situation to KTLA 5. 'To think that somebody's out there, spreading false information, false hope for people, it's just horrifying.'

She was most recently busted for allegedly using someone else's credentials - a registered nurse from out of state - to work at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Santa Clarita last month.

Amanda Leeann Porter, 44, has a track record of pretending to be a registered nurse and is facing felony charges for her alleged lies

Porter most recently fooled Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital and allegedly used someone else's nursing credentials to work there

Henry Mayo said in a response statement: 'We do not have any indication that the quality of the care patients received was compromised.'

Porter now faces felony charges of identity theft, false impersonation and grand theft from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

It was also uncovered that she was on federal probation for fraud charges in Virginia.

In 2017, someone named Amanda Porter-Eley admittedly impersonated a nurse and committed bank fraud in Virginia, according to the US Department of Justice.

The Burbank Police Department would not confirm if Porter was the same person as Porter-Eley due to ongoing investigations, they told the Los Angles Times.

But the two identities were listed with the same ages and in court filings, Porter-Eley went by Amanda L. Porter.

Porter-Eley started her fraudulent behavior in 2012, but 2015 is when she used a New York nurse's stolen identity to open up bank accounts.

She received more than $450,000 in money, goods and loans, the US Department of Justice reported. She was arrested in 2016, but already caused banks and stores to lose more than $120,000.

At the time, Porter-Eloy also pleaded guilty to opening bank accounts using other people's social security numbers.

Porter will be arraigned on Wednesday and is being held at Los Angeles County Central regional Detention Facility in Lynwood without bail.

This arrest comes after a Massachusetts woman was accused of making $1 million by posing as a nurse.

Porter worked a nurse at Providence St. Joseph medical center for an entire month before they realized she was not a nurse

A hospital visitor told KTLA 5 she was 'disgusted' by Porter's actions

The disgraced glamourous aesthetician Rebecca Fadanelli, 38, of Stoughton, who owns two spas in South Easton and Randolph, allegedly began offering illegal services in March 2021 after smuggling counterfeit drugs into the US.

Since then she has 'completed approximately 1,631 Botox appointments, totaling $522,869 in client payments, and 1,085 filler appointments, totaling $410,545 in client payments,' federal prosecutors said.

Fadanelli was arrested in early November for illegally smuggling goods into the US, sale or dispensing a counterfeit drug and sale or dispensing of a counterfeit device.

In 2019, a bogus nurse admitted to administering a back-alley butt lift that killed a mother two years earlier.

Allison Spence, 46, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and acting as a nurse without a license in the death of Latesha Bynum, 31, from Harlem, New York City.

Bynum attended Gramercy Park clinic for silicone buttock injections.

Kevin Richardson, the doctor who oversaw the running of the black-market clinic, had already pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree manslaughter and three counts of unauthorized practice of a profession relating to the case.
A newborn baby was found dead in an alleyway on Los Angeles' Skid Row after being thrown out of a window.

The Los Angeles Police Department found the infant in the 500 block of San Pedro Street around 5:30 am on November 14.

Officers believe the child was dropped to its death from a fourth-floor bathroom of a nearby building.

At one point, bystanders attempted ran to the newborn and give the baby CPR but to no avail.

A LAPD spokesperson has since confirmed that at 2:30 am, a woman bleeding from her 'pubic area' was admitted to a nearby hospital.

Cops soon detained the person of interest and questioned her before releasing her as they continue to investigate the death.

The LAPD has not yet made her identity public, and no charges have been filed in connection to newborn's killing.

The Los Angeles Police Department found the infant in the 500 block of San Pedro Street around 5:30 am on November 14

At one point, bystanders attempted to give the baby CPR but to no avail

DailyMail.com has reached out to the Los Angeles Police Department for more information.

Under California's Safely Surrendered Baby Program, 'a parent or person with lawful custody can safely surrender a baby confidentially and without fear of prosecution, within 72 hours of birth at a public or private hospital, designated fire station or other safe surrender site, as determined by the local County Board of Supervisors.'

The tragic murder comes a day after California Governor Gavin Newsom was seen being heckled while visiting Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles in a video.

Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass held a press conference on October 30 at the Downtown Women's Center to discuss funding for homelessness in LA communities.

After the event ended, Newsom took a walk around Skid Row, an area notorious for their overwhelming homeless encampments.

During his stroll, the Democrat was mercilessly questioned and criticized by a group called the Los Angeles Community Action Network.

'You see how dirty these streets are? These streets ain't been clean, the city didn't bring one trash can,' a heckler off camera yelled at the governor, per the video.

The heckler directly behind the camera called Newsom out for ignoring a woman he had passed, who was talking about how her kids were taken away from her while she was stuck living in a tent.

Officers believe the child was dropped to its death from the fourth-floor bathroom of a nearby building

The video cut to Newsom firing back at the hecklers: 'The HHAP money, the prioritization continues to be a framework about housing, services, shelters, all sleep housing and supporting services for homelessness.'

'Interim housing has a role, property housing is important,' he added.

'I'm not opposed to shelters, but those are decisions for your local government.'

The camera man then said, 'Yeah, but what counts as housing?'

The group continued to hurl insults at Newsom, accusing him of not making any actual change for the homeless.

A new video of California Governor Gavin Newsom being heckled while visiting Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles has made rounds on the internet

Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass held a press conference on October 30 at the Downtown Women's Center to discuss funding for homelessness in LA communities. After the press conference, he took a walk around Skid Row

At one point, Newsom stopped and turned to face the heckler, waited for him to finish, stuck his hand up and went 'take care, man, alright, good to spend time with you' to which the man retorted 'do the right thing!'

The Golden State's budget deficit is at least $45 billion, a shortfall so large it prompted Newsom to propose painful spending cuts impacting immigrants, kindergarteners and low-income parents seeking child care in a state often lauded for having the world's fifth-largest economy.
A British pensioner found out he was adopted and has a secret half-brother thanks to Brexit.

Peter Scott, 79, who has been living in France for more than 30 years, made the shock discovery for the first time when forced to apply for a residency card following the UK's departure from the European Union.

The new rules under the Withdrawal Agreement signed by Boris Johnson required Peter, like thousands of other British expats living in France, to provide their full birth certificate, something he had never done before. Previously, he had been able to remain under an EU residency card.

When the document arrived in the post, it showed that Peter, born in Haslemere, Surrey, in 1945, had actually been adopted. His adoption certificate was also included.

Peter, who lives in the picturesque village of Porte-du-Quercy, joked: 'Thanks to Brexit, I found out that I was an adopted child!'

He told MailOnline: 'It's a complete accident, but if it hadn't been for Brexit - which I actually thought was a really stupid thing - I wouldn't have a clue.'

Peter, who renovated gites in the village with wife Zoe until their recent retirement, went on: 'It really was a bolt from the blue, a total shock.

'We had never had to do any of this stuff before because it wasn't needed. My wife came back when we were putting together all of the research for the paperwork, and said you've probably got a shortened birth certificate because you were adopted. I thought, 'Rubbish!', but it wasn't. I was completely stunned.'

Peter Scott Peter Scott, 79, who has been living in France for more than 30 years, made the shock discovery for the first time when forced to apply for a residency card. Left: His brother Graham

Prior to Brexit, Peter, who lived in Portsmouth before emigrating to the Lot region of South-West France, had always been able to hand in a shortened birth certificate summary when required to provide documentation by the French authorities.

The new bureaucratic hurdles Britons living in France are now obliged to overcome meant that he was seeing his biological mother's name for the first time.

Encouraged by his wife to research the family he had never known existed, he sent a DNA sample to a US heritage site which can match samples to people with similar DNA.

It came up with a result, that he had a 4 per cent match with someone, typically within the range for a person who could be within an extended relative, such as a cousin.

Peter got in contact with the match, who ultimately turned out to be his nephew's daughter.

She had uploaded her details to the DNA database as part of a school project.

When his nephew, who lives in Ireland, got back in touch several weeks later, it gave him the first opportunity to uncover the identity of his unknown family history.

Three years after applying for his birth certificate, Graham, who lives in South Africa, flew over to France

After establishing contact through the site, he was put in touch with his half-brother, Graham, who was born 13 months after him to the same mother.

Three years after applying for his birth certificate, Graham, who lives in South Africa, flew over to France.

'I was so happy,' Peter explained to La Depeche. 'I found out that after me, my biological mother had two daughters and two sons, of whom the oldest, Graham, was born 13 months after me.

Describing being reunited, he went on: 'It was a very emotional moment, but everything passed naturally. He is like me; we look like each other. He likes to joke, and to live well. It's extraordinary! What has happened is so incredible.

'I've got no problems with it at all,' added Peter. 'In fact, I'm much happier. It's amazing, and very unusual at my age.'

Describing being reunited, he went on: 'It was a very emotional moment, but everything passed naturally. He is like me; we look like each other. He likes to joke, and to live well'

Peter's biological mother gave him to her sister after he was born to be placed into adoption.

She was already engaged to a man who was a prisoner-of-war in Germany, and never mentioned the existence of Peter following his return to England from captivity.

Following their amazing reunion, Peter and Zoe spent three weeks in South Africa with Graham and his family earlier this year.

The couple, who have a daughter in the city of Lyon and three grandchildren, hope to reunite again for Peter's 80th birthday next year, and to meet other members of his long-lost family.

They return to the UK most years to visit relatives.
Rachel Reeves today dismissed claims she could water down her inheritance tax raid on farmers.

The Chancellor insisted she was 'not going to be changing' her controversial Budget measures despite a fierce backlash.

Thousands of farmers are due to attend protests in Westminster next week over what has been branded a 'disastrous' move by Ms Reeves.

There have even been threats of strikes, which could hit supplies of meat, barley and oats, over what has been dubbed Labour's 'family farm tax'.

The Chancellor used her Budget last month to impose inheritance tax on previously exempt agricultural estates worth over 1million, at a rate of 20 per cent.

Critics have warned that move will wipe out family-run farms who are forced to sell to pay death duties.

As well as the backlash from farming groups, Ms Reeves is also reported to be facing opposition from Environment Secretary Steve Reed.

His Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is said to have suggested an exemption for people over the age of 80 from the tax changes.

Rachel Reeves today dismissed claims she could water down her inheritance tax raid on farmers

Critics have warned that move will wipe out family-run farms who are forced to sell to pay death duties. Pictured: A protest in Hexham, Northumberland last week

As well as the backlash from farming groups, Ms Reeves is also reported to be facing opposition from Environment Secretary Steve Reed

But, speaking to Channel 5 News, Ms Reeves said there would be no alterations to her Budget plans.

'We had to make a number of difficult decisions in the Budget on spending on welfare and on taxation,' she said.

'But because of those decisions our public finances are on a firm footing. Those decisions have been made. We're not going to be changing those.

'But of course we will continue to talk to those in the farming sector, the National Farmers' Union and others to make sure we support our great British farming sector.'

Speaking on a visit to Wales today, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer admitted some farmers were 'anxious' about Labour's changes to inheritance tax.

But he said the 'vast majority' of farms would be 'totally unaffected' as he claimed a couple using all their inheritance tax benefits will be able to pass on a 3million farm tax free.

Sir Keir also stressed that any inheritance tax charge on farms can be paid over 10 years.

'I know some farmers are anxious about the inheritance tax rules that we brought in two weeks ago,' he said.

'What I would say about that is, once you add the 1m for the farmland, to the 1million that is exempt, to the 1million that is exempt for your spouse.

'For most couples with a farm wanting to hand on to their children, it's 3million before anybody pays a penny in inheritance tax.

'That's why the vast majority of farms are going to be totally unaffected by that.'

The NFU is holding a mass lobby of MPs on Tuesday, with 1,800 members gathering in Westminster  three times the original number planned  as part of efforts to force a rethink.

A separate rally taking place on the same day in central London has had to move location because of growing support from farmers.

Organisers say it will now take place on Whitehall, opposite Downing Street.

The rally aims to send a message that family farms and the rural community 'stand united against the Government's catastrophic Budget', they added.

Farmers will hear from celebrities and farming leaders, including NFU president Tom Bradshaw.

Attendees are being asked to wear their boots and wellies as a sign of working people, and bring British produce for a mass food bank donation.

A procession to Parliament Square will be spearheaded by children on toy tractors.

But organisers have told those coming to the rally they should not bring their farm machinery.

The Chancellor plans to limit the 100 per cent relief for family farms to only the first 1million of combined agricultural and business property.

For anything above that, landowners will pay a 20 per cent tax rate, rather than the standard 40 per cent rate of inheritance tax applied to other land and property.
Vice President-elect J.D. Vance is preparing for government.

But meetings to plan policy rollouts and announce appointments at MAGA HQ sometimes have to wait until after family time and a chance to frolic with the children on the grounds of Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate.

These pictures show Trump's top lieutenant dressed casually in polo shirt and shorts playing with Ewan, seven, Vivek, four, and Mirabel, two, on the sweeping lawn that leads down to the water.

Mom Usha keeps a watchful eye as dad leans over the sea wall with a palm frond, before the kids follow suit and they all pretend to be fishing.

At one point they stretch down to pluck what look like mollusc shells from just above the water line.

It could be any family enjoying the winter sun in Palm Beach, were it not for a robotic figure lurking in the background.

A mechanical Secret Service hound is on watch duty. They have become a frequent sight around Mar-a-Lago as security officials maintain the highest vigilance amid reports of an Iranian plot against the president and his team.

The children look delighted by its presence, following it around and shrieking in delight, according to a witness.

The Vances enjoy family time at Donald Trump's Florida club. Mom Usha Vance keeps a close eye on (from left to right) Ewan, seven, Vivek, four, and Mirabel, who will celebrate her third birthday next month

Dad J.D. Vance joins in the fun, showing his children a shell plucked from the sea wall

A robot Secret Service dog in the background is a reminder of how their lives are changing

That is just one of the features that the Vance family has to get to used to as it prepares to move into Number One Observatory Circle, the vice president's official residence.

Vance told DailyMail.com earlier this month that he was annoyed at no longer being allowed to drive, and wanted his minivan back.

But it was all fun on Friday morning as the family had a chance to blow off steam at one of the most exclusive addresses in the country.

Usha wore a red sundress as she kept close to Ewan while he sat on the wall.

She was a frequent traveler aboard Vance's campaign jet, but would find a seat out of the limelight when her husband took the stage.

They were joined by their children from time to time, including on election day last week.

Vivek raced back to the press cabin that day to shout, 'Fake news' at traveling journalists.

Vance addressed supporters at Mar-a-Lago on Thursday night when he described that moment as part of the 'second best day of the campaign.

The children pretend to go fishing with palm fronds

Dad shows them how it is done on Friday morning

Trump addressed supporters at the the America First Policy Institute Gala on Wednesday

Tucker Carlson, Cheryl Hines, Robert F Kennedy Jr., Kimberly Guilfoyle, Donald Trump Jr, Tulsi Gabbard at dinner on Wednesday night

'And then not 15 minutes later, our German Shepherd puppy walked back there and took a s*** right next to where the media sat,' he claimed.

'And I think, I think that speaks to how we think of the fake news in this movement.'

Trump's running mate was joined by other stars of Trump world, for the America First Policy Institute Gala at Mar-a-Lago.

Sylvester Stallone introduced the president elect, who called last week's victory 'the most consequential election' before comparing it with his 2016 win.

'They would say, "he didn't win the popular vote." And we won the popular vote by records now, which so nobody can say that anymore about us,' Trump said.

He delivered his speech after rocking the political establishment by selecting vaccine skeptic and conspiracy theories Robert F. Kennedy Jr to head the Department of Health and Human Services.
Elon Musk today branded the UK 'a police state' after a female care worker was jailed for livestreaming a group of masked men making racist comments in the aftermath of a riot.

In his latest barbed comment directed at Britain, the tech billionaire lashed out over the sentencing of 23-year-old Cameron Bell.

She was caged for nine months after admitting a charge of violent disorder, having joined a gang of hooded men and livestreaming them making racist comments on TikTok after a Southport-related riot in Tamworth in August.

Reacting to Bell's jail term, Musk told his 207million followers on X - the platform formerly known as Twitter which he now owns: 'The UK has become a police state.'

The post by the mogul - who President-elect Donald Trump announced would lead a new Department of Government Efficiency to 'dismantle' the $6.5 trillion bloated US bureaucracy - is the latest outburst by the 53-year-old targeting the UK.

It comes amid a war of words between Musk and the Labour government, with the billionaire recently blasted for his 'deplorable' claim that civil war in the UK was 'inevitable' in a post commenting on the August riots sparked by the killing of three girls in Southport.

Earlier this month the tech guru, who is the richest man in the world with more than $200billion, took another potshot, this time slamming Labour for its brutal inheritance tax hike.

The close confidant of President-elect Trump wrote on X: 'We should leave the farmers alone,' before adding 'we [owe] farmers immense gratitude for making the food on our tables!'

Elon Musk today declared Britain had become 'a police state' after a care worker was jailed for livestreaming a riot

Elon Musk (left) has officially entered the Trump 2.0 administration, as he'll be leading the 'Department of Government Efficiency'. Musk is pictured at a Trump rally in October

Musk's latest comment about Bell's sentencing has so far been seen by more than 7.1million people.

Bell, 23, was caught on CCTV wearing her work uniform as around 20 people, many armed with planks of wood and what appeared to be lengths of metal, walked through Tamworth town centre in Staffordshire on the night of August 4.

Stafford Crown Court was told she was not present during violence earlier the same day at the town's Holiday Inn Express, which was set on fire while housing asylum seekers.

Judge John Edwards was shown CCTV and TikTok videos on Tuesday, the latter filmed by Bell after she left work and saw the armed group as she walked home.

Others could be heard making racist remarks on the TikTok footage, while Bell, of Tamworth, was heard to swear while referring to asylum seekers as 'tramps'.

Bell, who admitted violent disorder in September and has been in custody since being arrested, appeared to be on the verge of tears in the dock as her lawyer, Stephen Rudge, told the court she was 'on the periphery' of a group which had not confronted anyone.

Mr Rudge said: 'Her involvement is to upload the TikTok footage that was not encouraging anyone to join in or extend the violence that had been seen earlier on.'

Cameron Bell, 23, was jailed for livestreaming a group of people making racist comments during a Southport-related riot

Much of the TikTok stream had been rather amateurish, Mr Rudge argued, giving viewers a view of the 'cobblestones in Tamworth' and showing no acts of violence.

Urging Judge Edwards to pass a suspended prison sentence including community work, Mr Rudge said: 'This lady has not demonstrated an overtly racist attitude.'

Passing sentence, the judge told Bell that members of the group - which was caught on CCTV near to a statue of Sir Robert Peel - were armed and plainly intent on further violence.

The judge said: 'In early August a series of disturbances erupted across this country following a tragic incident in late July when three young girls were fatally stabbed at a dance class in Southport.

'The violence was fuelled by misinformation and misplaced far-right sentiment. It spread to various towns and cities across the nation including, as we know, Tamworth.

'A hotel in Tamworth housing asylum seekers was targeted, with significant damage being caused and injuries sustained.'

Bell was someone who, through weight of numbers, had pursued an unlawful purpose, the judge said, adding that she had been among a group of about 20 people believed to be heading towards a different hotel in the town.

'This is your first foray into the criminal justice system,' the judge said. 'You have lost your job as a carer.'

Acknowledging that Bell's involvement was at about 10.30pm - 'after the worst was over' - the judge said her comments on the livestream were unacceptable and abhorrent and had the 'potential to fan the flames'.

Rejecting calls for a suspended sentence, the judge concluded: 'Anyone involved in violent disorder must command immediate custody, with the need for deterrence being acute.'
A Texas mother was brutally killed by her bitter ex after his new fiancee coerced him into a twisted murder plot, it has been revealed.

Beloved mother Alyssa Burkett, 24, was shot and stabbed to death on the morning of October 2, 2020, outside her work. Her ex-boyfriend and father of her daughter Andrew Beard, then 33, was promptly arrested for her murder.

Detective Jeremy Chevallier told CBS News' 48 Hours that 'at first, it seemed like an open and shut case', with the motive seemingly a hostile custody battle for Burkett and Beard's one-year-old daughter Willow.

Chevallier said when he began his investigation, he sought out Beard's new fiancee Holly Elkins, and initially 'wanted to use her as a witness in this.'

'If she had information that could put her in that witness column and not in the suspect column, I was gonna listen to her,' the detective told the outlet.

Elkins insisted under questioning that she couldn't 'believe my fiance would do something like that to a woman, or to anybody' - and insisted Beard was with her on the morning Burkett was killed.

But as Chevallier put it, he later discovered 'Andrew Beard was only half of the story.'

Beloved mother Alyssa Burkett, 24, was shot and stabbed to death on the morning of October 2, 2020, outside her work in Carrollton, Texas

Burkett's ex-boyfriend Andrew Beard was promptly arrested for her murder, with it later revealed he disguised himself as a Black man before shooting and stabbing his ex

When Burkett was murdered, witnesses said they saw what they thought to be a black man pull up beside her car as the parked outside her work at the Greentree Apartments leasing office in Carrollton, Texas.

The killer shot her through her drivers' side window, and believing her to be dead, left her there. Burkett survived, and climbed out of her car to try and get help from her co-workers inside the office.

This led the killer to chase after her with a hunting knife, and stabbed the young mother to death 44 times on the steps of her work before fleeing in a Ford SUV.

Bodycam footage from the scene captured the tragic moment Burkett's mother Teresa Collard raced to her daughter's work after hearing the news, and immediately told officers she believed Beard was the killer.

'She said he was the kind of person who would try and kill her,' Collard said at the scene through tears. 'And he did, he did... oh my god.'

Beard's new fiancee Holly Elkins insisted Beard had an alibi and said he 'couldn't have' carried out the murder - but detectives came to realize the actual killer 'was only half of the story'

Witnesses said they saw a black man pull up beside Burkett's car as the parked outside her work at the Greentree Apartments leasing office (pictured), and shot her through her window before stabbing her 44 times

Police bodycam footage from the scene captured the tragic moment Burkett's mother Teresa Collard (left) broke down in tears as she pointed the finger at Beard

Despite the witness descriptions of a black man being the killer, police quickly tracked Beard down and pulled him over in his truck with Elkins and Willow inside.

Investigators allowed the three to leave but told them they couldn't return home, and when cops searched Beard's home, they found GPS tracker batteries and charging stations that matched a tracking device found under Burkett's car that day.

Burkett's family later told police that she had previously told them she was afraid Beard was stalking her and always seemed to know where she had been.

The next day, a search of Beard's vehicle uncovered two bottles of dark foundation makeup - and it was discovered that Beard had used the makeup to disguise himself as a black man to carry out the murder.

Later that night police also found the Ford SUV witnesses described at the scene of the crime, left abandoned less than a mile from Beard's home.

Beard surrendered to the Carrollton Police Department and was charged with murder. He was released on bond two weeks later, but due to fears for Willow's safety, cops enlisted the FBI to take him back into custody.

They said they found an unregistered silencer at Beard's home, allowing him to be re-arrested on new charges of cyberstalking using a dangerous weapon resulting in death.

Bears surrendered three days after the murder and was charged with murder, and two weeks later the FBI re-arrested him on new charges of cyberstalking using a dangerous weapon resulting in death

Burkett and Beard had been locked in a bitter custody battle over their one-year-old daughter Willow

Beard pleaded guilty in June 2022, and spoke with the FBI one month later as part of a plea deal - ultimately pointing the finger at Elkins as the orchestrator of Burkett's murder.

In his interrogation, Beard said: 'It was 'this is how you're gonna do this,' it was, 'you're gonna wear this dark makeup.' That was her plan that's how it's gonna be done.''

Chevallier told CBS' 48 Hours that he came to realize Elkins 'was the one running the show... she was telling him what he was going to do.'

In text messages between the couple, detectives said they could tell Elkins hated Burkett, and in one exchange the week before the murder, Elkins texted Beard while she was on a trip to Mexico ordering him to carry out the murder.

'I hope you handle it I'm not coming home to b***s***,' she texted him.

'That's my goal,' Beard responded.

In his interview with the FBI, Beard went on to explain: 'I just basically said, 'OK' and became submissive to whatever she wanted me to do, that's the task I did.'

The investigation found that Elkins hated Burkett, and ordered her fiancee to 'handle it' while she was on vacation, telling Beard: 'I'm not coming home to b***s***'

The show shared gut-wrenching footage of Willow visiting her mother's grave

In May 2023, almost a year after his guilty plea, Beard was sentenced to 43 years in federal prison, and Chevallier said he believes Elkins thought at the time she had gotten away with it.

'I think she believed that the further she got away from this, the less involved she was gonna be,' he said. 'But it didn't work out for her.'

Two months later, Elkins was snared at Miami Airport after returning from a trip to the Dominican Republic, and was charged with conspiracy to stalk and stalking using a dangerous weapon resulting in death.

She pleaded not guilty. At her trial, a federal prosecutor summed up the case against her: 'Andrew Beard was a monster, but he was Holly Elkins' monster.'

Jurors ended up deliberating for just 90 minutes before returning a guilty verdict, and she was ultimately sentenced in August to two life terms - longer than Beard's sentence.

As put by another detective on the case: 'I 100% believe that if Holly and Andrew had never met that Alyssa Burkett would be alive today.'
A FEMA employee claimed she just was taking orders from her superiors when she directed workers providing aid to Hurricane Milton survivors in Florida to skip houses with signs supporting Donald Trump.

Marn'i Washington, who was fired over the controversy, revealed that the directive came from her bosses and that she is taking the fall for the agency's policy to 'avoid homes advertising Trump.'

'Why is this coming down on me?' she said during an interview on Fox News @ Night Wednesday.

'I am just the person that jotted down the notes from my superiors and my notation in [Microsoft] Teams chat was exposed from their search capacity team.'

Earlier this week, Washington accused FEMA of 'lying' about the scandal and making her the scapegoat of a wider practice.

She lost her job after a text chain was leaked that showed her instructing colleagues to 'avoid' houses that had Trump signs in their yards.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said that Washington 'departed' from the agency's core values, violating its principles to 'help people regardless.'

However, while face-to-face with Fox News' Trace Gallagher, Washington insisted that FEMA's claims were utrue, standing firm that such orders came from higher-ups.

Marn'i Washington, who was fired over the controversy, revealed that the directive came from her bosses and that she is taking the fall for the agency's policy to 'avoid homes advertising Trump'

'I am just the person that jotted down the notes from my superiors and my notation in [Microsoft] Teams chat was exposed from their search capacity team,' Washington said

She said that the agency's Florida workers had already been avoiding homes displaying politically charged signs prior to her involvement there.

'This was the culture. They were already avoiding these homes based on community trends from hostile political encounters. It has nothing to do with the campaign sign. It just so happened to be part of the community trend,' Washington explained.

She said that she was scapegoated simply because she got caught.

'It's easy to then say, "Well, ha ha! it's her name. It's her writing. Make her accountable for it." But I'm just simply executing again, what was coming down from my superiors,' she said.

Washington added that she was provided with a list of instructions on the 'best practices' for the agency's successful relief intervention.

The list included directives such as 'not [sic] one goes anywhere alone,' 'communicate and follow the rules,' and avoid homes advertising Trump,' among others.

She also noted that the 'best practices' list was outlined to help ensure worker safety, as well as to avoid employees feeling 'unsafe or uncomfortable.'

Washington said that she was provided with a list of instructions on the 'best practices' for the agency's successful relief intervention. The list included directives such as 'not [ sic ] one goes anywhere alone,' 'communicate and follow the rules,' and avoid homes advertising Trump,' among others

Washington said She said that the agency's Florida workers had already been avoiding homes displaying politically charged signs prior to her involvement there

Washington also worked a full-time job in property management in California, but was fired as a result of the backlash she's received

'I know the highlight here is the Trump campaign signage, but if someone is in another like an urban community and it's a different culture and someone feels uncomfortable, we can't go to that home,' she said.

'If you have loose dogs, and someone on the team was comfortable with dogs and another person is not, we can't go to that home because of safety precautions.'

Since Washington's firing, the Florida General Attorney, Ashley Moody, has filed a federal lawsuit against Criswell and a former FEMA supervisor accusing them of violating the civil rights of Florida residents in the response to hurricanes Helene and Milton.

The suit, filed on Wednesday, accuses FEMA officials of conspiring to discriminate against Florida's hurricane victims who have noted their support for Trump.
Rachel Reeves has hit out at police probes into children throwing playground insults at each other.

The Chancellor insisted officers should be making the 'best' use of their time as she was asked about supposed 'hate incidents' in schools.

Details revealed under freedom of information rules showed a nine-year-old child was among the youngsters who have been looked at by police.

Officers recorded incidents against the child, who called a fellow primary school pupil a 'retard', and against two schoolgirls who said another student smelled 'like fish'.

Requests by The Times to forces found that they were among multiple cases of children being recorded as having committed non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs).

NCHIs are meant to be recorded for incidents 'clearly motivated by intentional hostility' and where there is a genuine risk of significant escalation, government guidance says.

Incidents in classrooms that do not amount to crimes are not meant to be recorded.

Rachel Reeves (pictured on a visit to a fusion firm in Abingdon today) has hit out at police probes into children throwing playground insults at each other

A nine-year-old child was among the youngsters probed by police over hate incidents, according to details released under FOI rules (Stock photo)

Asked during interviews today whether such probes were 'a ridiculous use of police resources', the Chancellor told GB News: 'I agree with you.

'And that's why we've committed to ensure that there are 13,000 neighbourhood police officers and community support officers in our local areas, ensuring that our town centres and our high streets are safe, and that people feel that they can go out in the evenings and feel safe in their local communities.

'That's the priority for police in Britain, and that's the priority of this Labour government. I don't think that that is the best use of police time.'

The comments came amid a debate on free speech after journalist Allison Pearson is being investigated by police over a post she made on social media a year ago.

The award-winning writer told The Telegraph that officers turned up at her door and said 'I was accused of a non-crime hate incident. It was to do with something I had posted on X a year ago. A YEAR ago? Yes. Stirring up racial hatred apparently'.

Newly collected data shows the recording of NCHIs is widespread - with critics questioning whether the investigation of non-crime hate incidents is an appropriate use of police resources, especially in cases regarding children.

Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary and former policing minister, said: 'These examples are obviously totally absurd.

'Pursuing these sorts of incidents is a total waste of police time - they should be concentrating on criminals. It risks having a chilling effect on free speech, one of the fundamental values of this country.'
Fox Business host Larry Kudlow pulled himself from consideration from a top economic job in the upcoming Trump administration just hours after it was reported he was being considered.

Kudlow met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida this week and was being considered to lead the National Economic Council as well as the plum Treasury Department cabinet post, according to the Wall Street Journal.

But on Friday, he yanked his name from consideration.

'Larry Kudlow recently signed a new deal to continue hosting his eponymous program on FOX Business and has no plans to leave his current role helming one of the highest rated shows on the network,' a Fox News spokesperson said in a statement to DailyMail.com.

It comes after Trump tapped another Fox News host, Pete Hegseth, to lead the Defense Department earlier this week.

Kudlow, 77, is a conservative TV host who served as Trump's director of the National Economic Council during his first term from April 2018 until he left office in January 2021.

After leaving office, Kudlow joined the Fox Business Network as a television host with a weekday program where he has regularly touted Trump's economic proposals and has even had the ex-president on his show for interviews.

Fox Business host Larry Kudlow was being considered for a top economic job in the Trump administration according to a Wall Street Journal report, but he pulled his name from consideration

Kudlow was the latest name floated for a top economic job in the upcoming Trump administration.

The president-elect has rolled out a series of nominations, but he has yet to announce his picks to lead the Treasure Department, Commerce Department and Labor Department as well as who will fill key White House economic policy roles.

Other names that have been floated as potential Treasury Secretary nominees include hedge fund executive Scott Bessent who met with Trump in Florida last week and again on Friday.

Billionaire businessman and Trump's longtime friend Howard Lutnick is also potentially up for the job. The Cantor Fitzgerald CEO is helping lead the Trump transition team and has been a vocal supporter of Trump's economic proposals including tariffs.

Robert Lighthizer, who served as U.S. trade representative in Trumps first term, and Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan are also both in consideration for top economic jobs.

Another billionaire and Trump supporter John Paulson recently ruled himself out of consideration for a role in the upcoming administration.

Larry Kudlow speaking outside the White House while serving as National Economic Council director during Trump's first term in October 2018

Billionaire businessman Howard Lutnick and hedge fund manager Scott Bessent have both been floated for Treasury Secretary as well as Kudlow

According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump is continuing his conversations with candidates on Friday.

Kudlow has been a vocal supporter of Trump's agenda including the mass deportation of undocumented immigrants in the United States while criticizing Democrats' legislation including the CHIPS Act and the bipartisan infrastructure deal.

While serving in Trump's first term, Kudlow acknowledged that it is Americans and hot China who pay for tariffs, but he argued China's GDP would suffer.

More recently, he argued for the use of tariffs as a negotiating tool and a pathway to free trade while touting proposed corporate tax cuts also pushed by Trump.
A female prison guard who developed a relationship with an inmate exchanging love notes and messages and spending time together in his cell has been spared jail.

Law graduate Jessica McCleary, 29, has became the latest woman sentenced for having a romantic liaison at a jail becoming notorious for the number of flings between staff and convicts.

A judge allowed her to walk free from court with a suspended sentence after accepting she had fallen victim to 'manipulative' drugs offender Levi Weekes and that their relationship had not escalated to sex while behind bars.

But the court heard the pair had slept together after his release. It ended after McCleary, of Froncysyllte, Llangollen, North Wales, became pregnant but then miscarried.

McCleary admitted misconduct in public office between October 25 and November 4 last year by entering into an 'inappropriate' relationship at HMP Berwyn, near Wrexham.

Prosecutor Catherine Elvin told Mold Crown Court McCleary had been a prison officer at the prison for six years.

But in September 2023, she was informed she was going to be sacked for 'poor performance.'

Jessica McCleary (pictured at Mold Crown Court in Wales) has became the latest woman sentenced for having a romantic liaison at a jail becoming notorious for the number of flings between staff and convicts

A judge allowed her to walk free from court with a suspended sentence after accepting she had fallen victim to 'manipulative' drugs offender Levi Weekes and that their relationship had not escalated to sex while behind bars. McCleary brought a suitcase and another bag to court  expecting a potential jail term. - but instead received an eight-month jail term, suspended for two years

There were also suspicions about a relationship with Weekes and she was stopped bringing a USB stick into prison.

Miss Elvin said the guard accepted she had begun to see Weekes more regularly in his cell and they had feelings for each other.

The prosecutor said: 'She admitted while serving her notice period relating to dismissal that relationship had progressed and since October 26 they had shared notes and love messages.'

The notes were found in Weekes' cell, McCleary's car and a hotel room where she was living at the time.

The prison officer was found to have been in regular contact with Weekes on the prison messaging service.

After her arrest, while not in work, there was further messaging.

Miss Elvin added: 'She stated she intended to maintain the relationship with Levi Weekes despite her dismissal and his subsequent transfer.'

Defence barrister John Wyn Williams said: 'This case was an exchange of fairly immature text messages expressing undying love for each other.'

He said McCleary  who the court heard endured a 'difficult childhood' - was remorseful, adding: 'She had been dismissed and the irony is Levi Weekes terminated their relationship following her disclosure that she had miscarried their child.'

Judge Rhys Rowlands said McCleary had visited Weekes' cell daily during five weeks and told her she was 'putting your own interests first'.

McCleary admitted misconduct in public office between October 25 and November 4 last year by entering into an 'inappropriate' relationship at HMP Berwyn, near Wrexham

Pictured: Jessica McCleary arriving at Wrexham Magistrates court on October 14. Defence barrister John Wyn Williams said: 'This case was an exchange of fairly immature text messages expressing undying love for each other'

He added she had 'let down your colleagues and forgot your responsibilities to your child'.

Judge Rowlands said: 'You fell far short of what was expected of you by entering into an inappropriate relationship with a prisoner.

'It was very wrong indeed because your behaviour served to undermine and risk safety and discipline in the prison.'

But he accepted said she had been diagnosed previously with PTSD and depression and that there was 'a degree of naivety'  in contrast to Weekes, who he said was 'manipulative'.

McCleary brought a suitcase and another bag to court  expecting a potential jail term - but instead received an eight-month jail term, suspended for two years.

She must do a 20 days rehabilitation activity and a twelve-month mental health requirement.

The court heard McCleary and Levi Weekes slept together following his release and she became pregnant with but then miscarried

Judge Rowlands said the 'crucial feature' in sentencing her was that McCleary was the sole carer for her five-year-old child.

He added: 'As a prison officer you will have seen young children being taken into the prison establishment and how dreadfully depressing that is for all concerned.'

Judge Rowlands said if she had carried anything into jail for Weekes or entered into a physical sexual relationship behind bars, she wouldn't have been spared custody.

HMP Berwyn holds 2,000 men including inmates from North Wales, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham  and there have been a string of guard-inmate flings.

Anti-corruption training had been given to more than 500 workers in a bid to stop affairs.

Previously 18 women staff had been sacked or resigned for getting too close to inmates  adding to a staff shortage.

They include Jennifer Gavan, 27, jailed for eight months in 2022 after entering into an inappropriate relationship with prisoner Alex Coxon, accepting 150 to bring a mobile phone into the jail and communicating with him via a phone held illegally in the prison.

Meanwhile, criminology and psychology graduate Ayshea Gunn, 27, was jailed for 12 months in 2019.

She made numerous phone calls, some sexually explicit, to inmate Khuram Razaq, 29, who was also using a smuggled-in phone  and smuggled in a pair of knickers for him inside her bra.

The same year prison officer Emily Watson, 26, was jailed after performing a sex act on an inmate in his cell on Christmas Day.
A bouncer at a popular London nightclub has been arrested and charged after a woman was allegedly raped in the vicinity of the venue.

Heaven, in Charing Cross, wil be closed for up to 28 days following the incident which happened on November 1, Westminster City Council confirmed.

In a statement they said that earlier today a licensing hearing ruled the licence for the nightclub off Villiers Street should be suspended, following a request from the Met Police and considering evidence from the force and the operator.

This is until a full hearing can take in December where the police and venue management will be able to present new evidence.

A member of the security team has been arrested and charged since the incident.

He is on remand in prison.

Heaven, in Charing Cross, will be closed for up to 28 days following the incident which happened on November 1

In a statement they said that earlier today a licensing hearing ruled the licence for the nightclub off Villiers Street should be suspended. Picture: Notice on the club's entrance

A statement from Westminster City Council said: 'Following a request from the Metropolitan Police, and considering evidence from both the police and the operator, the council's licensing committee has decided to suspend Heaven's licence for 28 days.

'We recognise this venue's cultural significance but the committee agreed this step is necessary to prevent serious crime and protect the public. This follows a report of an alleged rape made to police on Friday, 1 November.

'A full licensing hearing will be held in December where both the police and venue management will have the opportunity to present new evidence.

'This case is currently subject of an ongoing police investigation, and we are unable to comment further at this stage
Nursing student Laken Riley's mother sobbed as the chilling 911 call made moments before her death was revealed during the trial of an illegal migrant accused of killing her.

Allyson Phillips covered her face with a tissue and broke down as the Athens-Clark County court was told that 22-year-old Riley somehow managed to activate the SOS alert on her phone at 9.11am the day of her death.

Prosecutors allege in that moment on February 22, 26-year-old undocumented migrant Jose Antonio Ibarra stopped her in her tracks as she went for a run near the University of Georgia campus.

The court heard he was 'hunting for females' but Riley 'refused to be his rape victim', prompting a vicious attack which left her dead 18 minutes after that call.

In the muffled audio, a dispatch officer was heard repeatedly stating: 'Clark County 911. Hello, Clark County 911. Can anyone hear me?'

Riley never answered. Prosecutors claim a male voice can be faintly heard in the short call, which is disconnected after just one minute.

The dispatch officer attempted to call back, but there was no answer.

As Ibarra stared stony-faced ahead, Phillips was overcome by emotion. Riley's stepdad sat beside her in the courtroom on Friday morning, and also looked emotional as the court heard crucial evidence in the case.

Riley's parents Allyson and John Phillips (center and right) were filled with emotion as the trial kicked off on Friday

He is accused of killing Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student at the Augusta University College, on February 22 as she was out for a run

As Ibarra started stony-faced ahead, Phillips was overcome by emotion. Riley's stepdad sat beside her in the courtroom on Friday morning, and also looked emotional as the court heard crucial evidence in the case

Later, distressing bodycam footage from the officer who found Riley's body was played in court.

Phillips was among a handful of onlookers who excused themselves as it was played. Riley's stepfather, John, covered his face at various points of the video.

In the video, Sergeant Kenneth Maxwell, from the University of Georgia Police Department, found her body partially hidden in bushland off the main running trail.

He performed CPR despite noting she was 'stiff' and did not have a pulse. 'Looks like blunt force trauma to the head,' he said.

Ibarra, from Venezuela, arrived in the United States from via El Paso, Texas, illegally in 2022 but was paroled for 'further processing.' His arrest in this case sparked renewed debate about the border crisis and illegal migration.

According to a smartwatch which was tracking Riley's heartbeat on the run, she died at 9.28am. Police allege she was beaten in the head with a rock.

Just 23 minutes before her death, she was pictured for the last time on CCTV near her house, running with her phone in hand.

Georgia special prosecutor Sheila Ross had earlier flashed the last known photograph of Ibarra's alleged victim across the screen.

The picture was taken on CCTV cameras near her home on the University of Georgia campus at 9.05am on the day of her death. She was holding her iPhone in her left hand, wearing all black activewear and her noise-canceling AirPods

Ibarra, from Venezuela, arrived in the United States from via El Paso, Texas, illegally in 2022 but was paroled for 'further processing

The picture was taken on CCTV cameras near her home on the University of Georgia campus at 9.05am on the day of her death.

She was holding her iPhone in her left hand, wearing activewear and her noise-canceling AirPods.

'The evidence will show that Laken fought,' Ross said. 'She fought for her life. She fought for her dignity.'

In opening statements on Friday morning, she said: 'When Laken Riley refused to be his rape victim, he bashed her skull in with a rock, repeatedly.'

Ross claimed there was significant forensic evidence left behind tying the crime to Ibarra.

In opening statements on Friday morning, she said: 'When Laken Riley refused to be his rape victim, he bashed her skull in with a rock, repeatedly.'

'In her fight, she caused this defendent to leave forensic evidence behind,' she said.

'She marked her killer for the entire world to see. It is his DNA. Only his DNA, underneath Laken's right fingernails... He left behind his thumbprint on her iPhone, which was found near her body at the crime scene.'

Ross said the forensic evidence alone should be enough to warrant a guilty verdict.

The court heard that Ibarra's DNA was a direct match to the DNA under Riley's fingernails, and was '10 billion times more probable than a coincidental match.'

Beyond that, she revealed there is digital and video evidence tying Ibarra to the crime.

In particular, CCTV footage identified Ibarra as he dumped a bloody jacket in a dumpster near his home, 15 minutes after Riley's heart stopped.

That jacket was later seized and taken for forensic testing, revealing a mixture of Riley's DNA and Ibarra's DNA.

Riley's body was found less than an hour after she was reported missing, near a lake on the University of Georgia campus. She'd been a student there until 2023, when she transferred to Augusta

The court heard that Ibarra's DNA was a direct match to the DNA under Riley's fingernails, and was '10 billion times more probable than a coincidental match'

CCTV footage identified Ibarra as he dumped a bloody jacket in a dumpster near his home, 15 minutes after Riley's heart stopped

Long, brunette strands of hair were wrapped around a button on the jacket which were 'consistent with Riley's hair and forcibly removed from her head.'

Riley's body was found less than an hour after she was reported missing, near a lake on the University of Georgia campus. She'd been a student there until 2023, when she transferred to Augusta.

Her roommates reported her missing after becoming concerned that she had been out for longer than usual.

They begin walking her usual running route, using Find My Friends to track where she may be. It was while walking the route they noticed that, according to the tracking data, she had not moved for hours.

They reached the location where her last location had pinged, and found one of her Airpods on the ground.

The duo took a photo to note where they found it, and then picked it up, returned home to reconnect to WiFi and called police to report Riley missing.

'Even with her digital profile... it took about 25 minutes for [the officer] to locate her,' Ross said.

'This is a very forested area, she was off the running trail... She was hidden under a tree' and covered in foliage.

Republicans, including President-elect Donald Trump, blamed Riley's death on President Joe Biden and his border policies

The court heard that her breasts were exposed and her underwear was forcibly torn. A sexual assault and rape kit returned a negative result.

She had suffered 'severe injuries' to her head, and the officer 'could tell she was dead. She was cold.'

There is no evidence the duo knew one another, police allege. They described the crime as one of 'opportunity.'

But Ibarra's defense maintain there is not enough evidence to convict him beyond a reasonable doubt.

Attorney for Ibarra Dustin Kirby began his opening statements by accepting that Riley's death was a horrible tragedy.

'The evidence in this case is very good that Laken Riley was murdered,' he said. '

The evidence that Jose Ibarra killed Laken Riley is circumstantial. The evidence that anyone had any intent or certainly committed any sexual assault is speculation.'

Kirby said evidence linking Ibarra to Riley in particular 'is lacking' and could not be proven beyond doubt.

If 'the presumption of innocence is respected, there should not be enough evidence to convince [the judge] beyond a reasonable doubt, that Mr. Ibarra is guilty of the crimes charged,' he said.

This jacket was seized from a dumpster and taken for forensic testing, revealing a mixture of Riley's DNA and Ibarra's DNA. Long, brunette strands of hair were wrapped around a button on the jacket which were 'consistent with Riley's hair and forcibly removed from her head'

The court saw images of Ibarra with scratches on his neck (pictured) after Riley's death

Ibarra had previous run-ins with law enforcement since arriving in the United States illegally.

He was paroled in 2022 for 'further processing' after entering America, and was then arrested in New York City in September 2013. Police allegedly released him 'before a detainer could be issued.'

New York officials claimed there was no record of Ibarra's arrest.

His older brother, who also entered the United States illegally, has ties to Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

Republicans, including President-elect Donald Trump, blamed Riley's death on President Joe Biden and his border policies.

His older brother, who also entered the United States illegally, has ties to Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

Ibarra required a translator during court proceedings. Earlier this week, he requested a judge-only trial, which was approved.

He was indicted on 10 counts, including charges of murder, kidnapping and aggravated assault with intent to rape.

Ibarra's legal team had sought to have certain evidence suppressed, but the request was denied.
Britain's 'most controversial policeman' was secretly found guilty of misconduct after an appalling security blunder which jeopardised police operations against serious organised crime, the Mail can reveal.

Steve Rodhouse, Director General (Operations) at the National Crime Agency, 'recklessly' left his work laptop, containing classified intelligence files and information about highly sensitive police investigations, in the back seat of his parked car while attending the theatre with his wife.

The device, and other classified documents, were stolen by a thief in the summer of 2021 and never recovered.

Informed sources said the scandal was hushed up by bosses at the NCA, Britain's version of the FBI, to save Mr Rodhouse and the agency acute embarrassment.

Scotland Yard, which investigated the theft, and the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which probed Mr Rodhouse over his latest high-profile gaffe, also did not publicise the incident which remained a secret for three years until this week, when it was uncovered by this newspaper.

One former chief constable said: 'If the laptop had ended up in the hands of an enemy state or an organised crime group, it could have been catastrophic..'

Another distinguished ex chief officer said: 'Due to Rodhouse's seniority, the head of the NCA had a duty of candour to tell the public what had happened. There has been a cover-up. Rodhouse should have been forced to resign.'

The IOPC confirmed it investigated Mr Rodhouse's conduct after a referral from the NCA in August 2021 after he was 'alleged to have left electronic equipment and paperwork in a locked but unattended vehicle. Those items were subsequently stolen from the vehicle.'

Steve Rodhouse, Director General (Operations) at the National Crime Agency, 'recklessly' left his work laptop, containing classified intelligence files and information about highly sensitive police investigations, in the back seat of his parked car while attending the theatre

The IOPC confirmed it investigated Mr Rodhouse's conduct after a referral from the NCA in August 2021

It said after the probe was completed in December 2021 it was 'agreed with the NCA' that Mr Rodhouse would face misconduct proceedings in respect of 'duties and responsibilities and 'confidentiality' for allegedly failing to safeguard and maintain the confidentiality of his NCA assets.

The NCA tried to play down the security breach. A spokesperson said: 'During a spate of thefts in a London car park in August 2021, items were stolen from a locked vehicle belonging to Steve Rodhouse. He immediately reported the incident to the NCA and the Metropolitan Police.

'A risk assessment of the stolen assets found that there was no impact on public safety, nor NCA operational activity or performance.

'The NCA referred the matter to the IOPC who conducted an independent investigation, following which a senior NCA panel found that the matter constituted misconduct. As a result, Steve Rodhouse received a formal written warning.'

Asked why the NCA kept the matter secret, it said: 'Publicising any theft of corporate assets would only increase the risk of serious criminals seeking to acquire them. As the items stolen did not present any risk to the public, there would have been no justification for the NCA doing so in this case.'

Last year a damning watchdog report said the NCA has a 'toxic male culture' where sexism may be 'brushed under the carpet' and top officers escape sanction.

The agency was compared to an 'old boys' network' by staff who said 'casual sexism' is tolerated and 'predatory sexual behaviour' is treated with leniency.

The soft sanction given to Mr Rodhouse contrasts with the treatment of ex West Midlands Assistant Chief Constable, Marcus Beale, who in 2018 was sacked after secret police documents were stolen from the boot of his car.

The head of the NCA, Graeme Biggar, (left) and his predecessor, Dame Lynne Owens, (right) were facing serious questions over their judgement in the stolen laptop affair

Serial liar Carl 'Nick' Beech, whose wild claims prompted Operation Midland, was later jailed for 18 years

The soft sanction given to Mr Rodhouse contrasts with the treatment of ex West Midlands Assistant Chief Constable, Marcus Beale, who in 2018 was sacked after secret police documents were stolen from the boot of his car

At the time of the laptop theft, Mr Rodhouse was fighting to keep his job as joint deputy head of the NCA.

Six former home secretaries had demanded that he and a number of former colleagues face an independent criminal inquiry over Scotland Yard's calamitous VIP abuse inquiry Operation Midland, which ruined the lives of innocent high-profile figures such as ex armed forces chief, Field Marshal Lord Bramall.

A former Met Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Mr Rodhouse also bungled an inquiry into ex Tory Home Secretary Lord Brittan over false rape allegations, and mishandled a Surrey Police sex probe into Jimmy Savile, while the paedophile was still alive.

Today, the head of the NCA, Graeme Biggar, and his predecessor, Dame Lynne Owens, were facing serious questions over their judgement in the stolen laptop affair. Mr Biggar chaired the secret misconduct panel over the incident.

Last year, Mr Rodhouse was charged with gross misconduct for allegedly lying in public at the end of Operation Midland.

In the wake of the development, which followed a major Mail investigation, Mr Biggar refused to suspend Mr Rodhouse and instead created a new non-operational job for him, as Director General of 'Strategic Projects' at the cash-strapped NCA, on 200,000 year. His rank is equivalent to a chief constable.

No date has yet been fixed for a disciplinary hearing which could see him banned for life from policing work.

Serial liar Carl 'Nick' Beech, whose wild claims prompted Operation Midland, was later jailed for 18 years.

Ex Tory MP Harvey Proctor, a victim of Midland, said: 'Without doubt, Mr Rodhouse is Britain's most controversial police chief by far. I am concerned there has been a cover-up at the NCA to protect Mr Rodhouse and the agency from public scrutiny and acute embarrassment.'

At the time of the laptop theft, Mr Rodhouse was fighting to keep his job as joint deputy head of the NCA

Ex Tory MP Harvey Proctor, a victim of Midland, said Rodhouse is 'Britain's most controversial police chief by far'

Retired Chief Superintendent Phil Flower, a respected former head of professional standards at the Met, said he would have expected Mr Rodhouse to have lost job his job over the security breach.

'Mr Rodhouse should have recognised that he had failed to uphold the necessary standards,' he said. 'As a matter of honour, he should have resigned before it was necessary to invoke disciplinary proceedings. The fact the NCA failed to disclose his misconduct undermines public confidence in the accountability processes that apply in this case.

'Anyone can make a mistake but this was a serious error of judgement, by a very senior officer who has habit of making them, and which was followed by a lack of candour by the NCA.'

Asked to comment further on accusation of a Rodhouse 'cover up', an NCA spokesperson: 'This matter was handled in line with the NCA's regulations and procedures at all times. Any suggestion that it was not is incorrect, as is any implication that the identity of the officer concerned should have caused us to deviate from our standard approach. We handle each case according to its circumstances and not the individual involved.'
A model has been sentenced for attacking a female police officer in a drunken rage.

Armani Whitehouse, 24, kicked out and swore at the officer when she refused to leave a property.

Stockport Magistrates' Court heard how police were called to an address in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, around 7.10pm on August 25, this year.

Ms Heather Lloyd, prosecuting, said Whitehouse had been 'asked to leave the property on a number of occasions' by her sister but had 'refused to do so'.

When officers arrived they could see she was 'intoxicated' and had 'a flushed appearance'.

Whitehouse then 'latched on' to her ex-partner, who was also at the property, as he lay on a bed and told them she wouldn't be leaving.

When a female PC approached Whitehouse, Ms Lloyd said, she kicked out at her four times and told her: 'F*** off.'

Whitehouse also reached for the face of the officer, who was forced to use pepper spray, but she continued to kick-out out at her.

Armani Whitehouse, pictured, kicked out and swore at the officer when she refused to leave a property

The 24-year-old is pictured at Stockport Magistrates Court on August 26

Ms Heather Lloyd, prosecuting, said Whitehouse had been 'asked to leave the property on a number of occasions' by her sister but had 'refused to do so'

Officers eventually managed to handcuff Whitehouse, but only after she slipped her hand through one pair of handcuffs, Ms Lloyd said.

The female officer was left with bruises to her forearm and elbow as a result of the incident and in a victim impact she said it was not the first time she had been assaulted while on duty.

But she said she 'didn't come to work t o get assaulted' adding: 'I have serious concerns what she [Whitehouse] would do to a member of the pubic who would not be equipped to protect themselves.'

Whitehouse pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting an emergency worker at a hearing in September.

Magistrates heard she had one previous conviction in 2015 and Chris Squibbs, defending, described the attack as 'completely out of character'.

He said Whitehouse had mental health issues and there were 'circumstances that led up to the commissioning of the offence'.

Mr Squibbs said she had been the victim of domestic abuse, both from a former parter and an ex-boyfriend, and she and her mother had both been forced to flee from an address in the Midlands.

Magistrates handed Whitehouse, of Manchester, a 12-month community order and ordered her to carry out 15 rehabilitation days.

The mode was sentenced for attacking a female police officer in a drunken rage

Whitehouse pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting an emergency worker at a hearing in September

Magistrates heard she had one previous conviction in 2015 and Chris Squibbs, defending, described the attack as 'completely out of character'

She was also told to pay 85 costs, a 114 victim surcharge and 50 compensation.

Whitehouse appeared in court in September when she was cleared of wrongdoing after claiming she was gaslighted by her former-boyfriend into admitting a speeding charge.

She initially confessed to being behind the wheel of a Seat Altea that was clocked driving at 62mph in a 50mph zone on the M62 near Liverpool in January.

Whitehouse failed to attend a speed awareness course and when she appeared before magistrates she told them that she was not actually arriving the car, which was registered in the name of her unnamed ex.

During an emotional and tearful courtroom plea to reopen the case, she said she had 'mental health issues' and had been 'coerced' to name herself as the driver.

She said she only took the blame because her ex-boyfriend 'made her believe' she was driving at the time.

Magistrates agreed to reopen the case and dismissed the charge against her.
Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki refuted a claim made by fellow MSNBC star Joy Reid that white women were responsible for Kamala Harris' loss.

While joining journalist Katie Couric on her podcast, the political analyst reflected on the 'blame-gaming' she has observed surrounding the presidential election's outcome.

She directly addressed Reid's election night panel assertion that white women held Harris back from securing the win.

Psaki said: 'People who say this is the fault of all white women or fault of Latinos... that's not how democracy works.'

'People decide who they want to vote for based on who they think is going to best represent their views. You either move people to do that or you don't,' she added.

Reid, a liberal commentator, tried to make sense of the Democratic Party's loss on election night.

In doing so, she pointed to a specific group to voters - white women.

She said on the panel: 'In the end, they didn't make their numbers. We have to be blunt about why, black voters came through for Harris, white women voters did not.

Jen Psaki, the former White House Press Secretary, said blaming on group for election results is 'not how democracy works'

Joy Reid has pointed fingers at groups including white women and Latino men for voting for Donald Trump

'That is what it appears happened in the state. That message was not enough to get enough white women to vote for Vice President Harris.

'This will be the second opportunity that white women in this country have to change the way they interact with the patriarchy.'

Reid was instantly slammed online for her remarks, with one social media user saying 'for Joy Reid, its always about white people instead of people. She will never change that mindset.'

She also received hate for slamming Latino men for predominately voting for Trump.

'Also, Latino men, who - despite the utter disrespect shown by Trump and his promise to deport some of your mixed-class, mixed-status families - most of them voted in a 55 percent majority to make the deportations happen,' she said on ReidOut.

Reid recently joined a wave of Harris supporters to leave Elon Musk's X because of his avid support of Trump, which led the president elect to name him co-head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency.

The ReidOut star took to TikTok to announce that she was turning her back on the Musk-owned social media platform - despite garnering almost 2 million followers.

Amid this mass exodus, publications like The Guardian have also sworn off X, with the left-leaning paper launching a boycott due to 'disturbing content' on the platform.

Kamala Harris lost the presidential election. Psaki discussed set backs and shortcomings of the Democratic party

Katie Couric interviewed Psaki on her podcast, where Psaki refuted her fellow MSNBC star Joy Reid for blaming Kamala Harris' loss on white women

The rest of Psaki's discussion with Couric was steered at getting to the bottom of what 'went wrong' for the Democratic party on November 6.

Psaki said she has tried to 'be humble' about what she 'misread' leading up to Election Day.

She discussed 'big shifts' among various demographics, including young voters and Latino men that voted pro-Trump.

'I mean it was not just white working class voters,' she explained.

She spent the podcast explaining all the conclusions she has drawn - or is trying to draw - about the outcome, picking apart the wrong turns taken by the Democratic Party.

'I think there is a huge swath of voters who didn't feel heard or connected with the Democratic Party messaging,' Psaki said.
Donald Trump's former strategist Steve Bannon says former Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley should be returned to uniform on the first day of the new administration so he can be court martialed.

Bannon, who was recently released from federal prison, laid out his priorities for the next Trump White House and said he had been in close contact with his former boss, advising him on appointments.

The populist provocateur spoke to former Trump Press Secretary Sean Spicer in an interview that will be released at 6pm on Friday.

And his recent stint in prison has clearly done nothing to dim his revolutionary zeal.

'Number one thing is, I think Mark Milley has got to be recalled ... the first action of President Trump,' said Bannon.

'I think it is so important to reassert civilian control over the Pentagon, the uniformed services.

'I think Mark Milley has to be recalled to active duty on the afternoon of the 20th and I think a military tribunal ... a court martial, has to be ... impaneled. Mark Milley has to be brought up on charges and court martialed.'

Milley has emerged as a vocal critic of Trump, reportedly describing him as 'fascist to the core.' And the former president has made no secret of his contempt for a man who was once the nation's top soldier.

Retired Army Gen. Mark Milley has emerged as a key critic of Donald Trump

Bannon was a top adviser to Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and followed him into the White House before leaving after a falling out.

However, today he is an informal adviser and a key player in the rightwing media environment that helped deliver election victory.

He returned to the airwaves barely two weeks ago after serving a four-month sentence in federal prison for contempt of Congress.

And he made no secret of his excitement about the way Trump had gone about picking loyalists and firebreathers for his administration, such as Matt Gaetz for attorney general.

He urged Trump to shake up the White House briefing room and to immediately gut the FBI.

'I think the FBI ought to be taken apart, shut down as a federal agency,' he said.

'Go to Congress and undo it and rebuild a federal law enforcement, force, if you need it.'

He added that he had recommended that Trump clean out all the U.S. attorneys by asking for their resignations.

'But the FBI, I think, ought to be taken apart,' he said.

Bannon made his comments in conversation with former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer. The show will be released at 6pm on Friday

Bannon spoke to DailyMail.com on the day he was released from federal prison

As he ever, he sounded as if he relished the looming Senate battle to confirm Trump's top team, such as Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence, Gaetz, and Peter Hegseth at the Pentagon.

'For folks that watch this show, I think you should be prepared for a firestorm over the next ... even before Inauguration Day,

you're going to have a firestorm on, basically what's going to be the approval of these guys ,

'The TV rights will be worth a lot of money.'
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has thanked the police officer who shot Chris Kaba dead, just one week on from refusing to apologise to him.

Mr Khan directly thanked officer Martyn Blake for shooting the gangster dead during a 2022 vehicle stop, but did so by referring to Mr Blake by his codename NX121.

Kaba was shot dead by Sergeant Blake as he tried to ram his car through police vehicles in Streatham, south London, in September 2022.

In the enquiries which followed Kaba's shooting, it was revealed that he was a 'core member' of the notorious 67 gang and that the vehicle he was driving at the time had been linked to three shootings in five months.

Kaba was also set to stand trial for attempted murder had his death not occurred.

The Mayor's gratitude towards Mr Blake comes just a week after he refused to apologise to the officer when pressed to do so by former Tory mayoral candidate Susan Hall at the London Assembly.

Ms Hall demanded explanation from Mr Khan over comments he made in the aftermath of Kaba's death, where he described the incident as 'a young life cut short'.

As a result of a social media pile-on and a raft of threats, Mr Blake was forced to move homes and go into hiding after a 10,000 gang bounty was placed on his head.

But in an apparent u-turn, the London Mayor thanked Mr Blake and 'all other armed officers' during an appearance on LBC radio.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has thanked Sergeant Martyn Blake for his service just a week after refusing to apologise to him

Chris Kaba was set to stand trial for attempted murder had his shooting by armed police not occurred in September, 2022

Speaking with host James O'Brien this morning, the Mayor was pressed on his previous refusal to thank Mr Blake despite the officer having been cleared of any wrongdoing before the Old Bailey last month.

Initially attempting to dodge the issue, Mr Khan said that all armed officers 'deserved our support'.

'They need to have the confidence of knowing when they make that split second decision they need to be supported, and not thrown under a bus', the London Mayor said.

However, under further pressure from the show's host, Mr Khan ultimately offered an expression of personal gratitude to Mr Blake.

'I will say thank you today. I want to thank NX121 and all the other firearms officers for the incredible job they do.

'They do an incredible job every single day. I want to thank not just him but all the other officers who do this on a daily basis, knowing the scrutiny they come under if god forbid somebody takes out their gun and somebody loses their life', Mr Khan stated.

However, he went on to caveat this by stating: 'When somebody loses their life after being in contact with the police, we have got to have a system of proper scrutiny and accountability'.

In the wake of Mr Blake's public naming ahead of his trial over Kaba's death, dozens of marksmen reportedly stepped back from their duties.
Chinese in Peru: 175 years of integration

08:21, November 15, 2024 By Lia Zhu and Yifan Xu ( China Daily

Vendors and customers gather on Tuesday near a Chinese-style archway that leads to the bustling Chinatown neighborhood in Lima, Peru. (FENG YONGBIN/CHINA DAILY)

At first glance, the Chinatown in Lima, Peru, looks similar to those in other parts of the world, the bustling streets dotted with red lanterns and pagoda-style architecture. But unlike other Chinatowns, Chinese faces are surprisingly scarce in the crowds here.

"That's because Chinese people are the owners," said Andrea Janampa, as she worked behind the counter of a bubble tea shop. Her husband, Steven Lu, the shop's owner, represents the modern Chinese Peruvian business community.

The couple met 12 years ago in Peru, when Lu was a trading agent based in Yiwu, Zhejiang province, and Janampa was importing Chinese merchandise from there. Two years and four shops later, they built a thriving business selling Asian snacks and drinks in Lima's Chinatown.

A few blocks away, Liu Xiaoyi's story offers another perspective on the Chinese Peruvian experience. She arrived in Lima's Chinatown with her parents at age 10, but chose to stay on when they returned to China.

Now married to a Peruvian with a tusan (a Peruvian of Chinese descent) daughter, she has worked at a local supermarket called Lucky for more than a decade.

"We receive two to three containers of Chinese products each month. Both locals and Chinese customers love these products," Liu said.

The presence of businesses such as Lu's and the one Liu works for reflects a remarkable journey that began more than 400 years ago, when Chinese people first settled in the South American country.

Today, Peru boasts one of Latin America's largest Chinese communities, which makes up approximately 10 percent of the country's total population.

As the community celebrates the 175th anniversary of the first major arrival of Chinese in Peru, Feb 1 has been designated as the Peru-China Fraternity Day.

The first big wave of Chinese immigration began in 1849 when 75 contract laborers arrived at the Port of Callao. Those early immigrants, primarily from Guangdong province, worked in projects such as railway construction, town building, mining and agricultural development. Their legacy lives on in the success of modern Chinese Peruvian entrepreneurs.

"There are now 1 million Chinese immigrants and overseas Chinese doing business in Peru," Lu said. "From humble beginnings, they have achieved their current success through frugality and hard work. The older generation of Chinese immigrants strived to create better living conditions for their second-, third- or fourth-generation descendants."

The story of Choy, a cashier at Lu's shop, exemplifies that generational progress. Having lived in Peru for more than 20 years, Choy, who wished to be identified by only her last name, has sent both her tusan son and daughter to university.

Janampa, Lu's wife, said, "That's what I have learned from the Chinese culture  to always strive hard to offer better lives to your children."

Another reason why Chinese faces are rarely seen in Lima's Chinatown is perhaps because Chinese have widely intermarried with indigenous people, Europeans and Africans as well as with Japanese and Korean descendants in Peru.

Today, while it's difficult to identify many Peruvians' Chinese heritage solely by their surnames or appearance, they maintain a clear awareness of their ancestry.

"While second- and third-generation immigrants may be wealthier, they still maintain at their core excellent Chinese qualities such as frugality and diligence," Lu said.

During festivals, particularly Chinese New Year, the local business association organizes banquets and lion dances and follows Chinese traditions such as the distribution of red envelopes. Such events bring together first-generation immigrants, recent immigrants, and tusan alike.

Wide influence

The Chinese community's influence is not limited to Peru's economy. The country sees a higher political participation rate of Chinese descendants than any other Latin American nation, with many serving in prominent positions such as the president of Congress and the prime minister.

From the early contract laborers to today's business leaders and political figures, the Chinese Peruvian community has helped shape modern Peru, while maintaining its cultural identity despite generations of change.

The cultural integration is perhaps most visible in Peru's culinary landscape. The country boasts an estimated 50,000 Chinese restaurants, known locally as chifa, with half of these located in Lima alone. Chinese dishes such as chaufa (fried rice), sijaukay (soy sauce chicken) and wantan (wonton) have become staples of Peruvian cuisine.

Although Lima's historical Chinatown may have fewer Chinese residents than before, it remains vibrant with commercial activities.

"Many locals come for wholesale purchases. New Chinatowns are gradually coming up in other areas," said Liu, who works at Lucky supermarket.

Looking to the future, entrepreneurs like Lu continue to innovate. "Currently, we're importing Asian food products and expect to import more Chinese foods," he said. "Chinese trending foods are very popular in Peru now. In my spare time, I do livestreaming to promote Chinese trending foods to young Peruvians."

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Republican Speaker Mike Johnson said Friday he does not want the House Ethics Committee to release its report on Matt Gaetz.

Following Donald Trump's nomination of Gaetz to serve as attorney general on Wednesday there have been increasing bipartisan calls for the report on his alleged sexual misconduct and drug use to be released.

That would break with Ethics Committee norms as Gaetz resigned his spot in Congress immediately after being nominated, meaning the committee no longer has jurisdiction over the former Florida Republican.

But advocates for the report's release say that its contents are pertinent to whether or not Gaetz gets confirmed by the Senate, and therefore it should be released.

Speaker Johnson pushed back on that Friday, saying he wants the Ethics Committee to refrain from publishing the potentially damaging file.

'I'm going to strongly request that the Ethics Committee not issue the report because that is not the way we do things in the House, and I think that would be a terrible precedent to set,' Johnson said coming out of his office.

The Ethics panel was set to meet Friday to decide whether to release the report.

However that meeting was scuttled after Gaetz's sudden resignation.

Speaker Mike Johnson said he does not want the Ethics Committee to release its files on former Rep. Matt Gaetz

Gaetz was photographed at Mar-a-Lago on Thursday night

Donald Trump nominated Gaetz to be attorney general this week

His exit comes as allegations resurfaced Thursday about a woman who reportedly testified to the committee that Gaetz had sex with her when she was 17.

The woman - now in her 20s - talked about Gaetz and her having sex when she was a minor in high school while 'representing that she was an adult,' sources told ABC News.

The FBI had investigated similar claims against Gaetz, but the DOJ opted not to indict him over claims he sex trafficked a minor.

Trump's pick of the embattled former congressman to oversee the Justice Department, FBI, DEA, ATF and related agencies has shocked Republicans and Democrats.

And the bombshell claims could derail his hopes of taking the helm as attorney general.

Already reports indicate that Republicans in the Senate are not on board with Gaetz becoming AG.

According to the Wall Street Journal, sources say that Gaetz already has at least 30 Republicans planning on voting against his nomination.

'The President's role is to make the nomination, but we need to have complete vetting of the nominees, not only so we know that the nominee is qualified, but also to protect the president,' Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said Thursday.

He 'absolutely' wants to review the House Ethics Committee's report on Gaetz's conduct.

Cornyn even floated the idea of taking legal action to review the report's contents.

'There's various ways we can glean access to it, we can subpoena it,' he told reporters. 'I don't I don't think any of us want to fly blind.'

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) speaks at a press conference following elections for leadership positions within the House Republican Caucus in Washington, DC on November 13, 2024

Gaetz was by Trump's side during his legal hearings in New York earlier this year

Earlier in the week Johnson pleaded with Trump to not select any more Cabinet members from the House of Representatives as it could threaten the Republican's slim majority in the chamber.

Republicans officially won the House on Wednesday, gaining control of the 218 seat minimum needed to hold the majority.

But their majority is already being threatened - and not by Democrats.

The president-elect has already snatched up several high-profile GOP members of the House to fill the many positions in his future administration.

Trump has nominated Reps. Elise Stefanik of New York to be Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz of Florida to be national security advisor, and Gaetz.

As it stands, Republicans have won 218 seats to the Democrats' 209 seats in the next Congress that will be convened in January 2025. Eight House races still remain without results.

'It's a great problem to have,' Johnson optimistically told Fox News. 'We have an embarrassment of riches in the House Republican Congress.'
The Archbishop of Canterbury's son has said his father was 'right to resign' following a damning review into the most prolific abuser associated with the Church of England, according to reports.

The independent Makin Review concluded that barrister John Smyth might have been brought to justice had the archbishop formally alerted authorities in 2013.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said on Tuesday that his decision to step down - which came after days of pressure following the report's publication - was in the best interests of the Church.

In a statement on Tuesday, he said: 'When I was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow.

'It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and re-traumatising period between 2013 and 2024.'

Now, Mr Welby's son Tim has said his father was 'right to resign' and his position 'became untenable, simply because so many people were calling for his resignation', The Mirror reports.

Tim Welby told The Mirror: 'He's definitely very embarrassed and appalled by what's happened.

'I know he's going to spend a lot of his time left in office having conversations with some of the people and trying to make sure that things are set up in the right way - so that kind of lapse cannot happen again.

'He's trying to meet with people who were the victims of Smyth but others as well. He will be doing a lot of that. That's going to be one of his primary focuses.'

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigned earlier this week after the releasing of an internal Church of England report over its handling of abuse allegations against then-member John Smyth

Justin Welby has held the role since 2013, with his son Tim saying his father is 'right' to resign

He said: 'The frustrating thing is I don't think it ever occurred to him that it hadn't been reported to the police.

'When, as Archbishop, you are told that something has happened, it has usually gone through so many hands. It seemed utterly inconceivable that someone wouldn't have said to the police: 'This has been going on'.

'He is really, really cross that it didn't occur to him - to triple check that someone had actually done that. If you discover a crime then, of course, it gets reported. I wouldn't say he was naive so much.

'Certainly, if it had happened later on, he would have known what was going on and would have been more explicit.'

He added: 'It feels more like a political decision to resign where something's gone wrong in the office. The person at the top is always responsible. His position became untenable, simply because so many people were calling for his resignation.'

Tim Welby said his father is 'a good man and I love him a lot'.

He said: 'Dad was right to resign - it was the correct decision. I'm so very proud of my dad for all he has done throughout his life and his work for the Church of England.'

The Archbishop is said to be 'appalled and embarrassed' by the findings of the report, according to son Tim Welby

The Archbishop 'wrongly assumed' that the allegations against John Smyth had already been taken to the Police

Tim Welby said: 'He never actually sought to be Archbishop of Canterbury. In fact, when the former Archbishop retired, all the Bishops were asked to write a CV and explain why they should get the job. But my father wrote a long list of reasons why he should not.

'So he was a little bit confused when he then got the job. He wasn't very keen to have the job in the first place. I think he has enjoyed the challenges of being the Archbishop of Canterbury.

'It's not positions that he cares about. No, no, he's always wanted to be where he felt God wanted him to be.'

Across five decades in three different countries and involving as many as 130 boys and young men in the UK and Africa, John Smyth is said to have subjected his victims to traumatic physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks, permanently marking their lives.

He died aged 77 in Cape Town in 2018 while under investigation by Hampshire Police, and was 'never brought to justice for the abuse', the Makin Review said.

Tim Welby also told The Mirror that people like Smyth must get 'weeded out'.

He said: 'If you have people who are that way inclined, you need to make sure that they get weeded out and that they aren't in the job in the first place, it's very hard.'
Police officers were told not stop a gunman accused of murdering his brother-in-law by an inspector in a control room nearly 200 miles away, a court was told.

An Inspector asked permission to stop a car being driven by Finlay MacDonald in the aftermath of alleged stabbing and shooting incidents on the Isle of Skye.

But another Inspector in a control room in Dundee denied the request, telling him specialist firearms officers were on their way from Inverness.

The officers eventually decided to intervene after seeing MacDonald allegedly firing a shotgun through the window of Fay and John MacKenzies house in the village of Dornie, Wester Ross.

They said they found Mr and Mrs MacKenzie along with MacDonald in the hall, with Mr MacKenzie bleeding heavily from his side

The officers used pava spray on MacDonald and he was struck with a baton and shot with a Taser.

MacDonald is charged with murdering John MacKinnon on Skye on August 10, 2022.

The 41-year-old is also accused of attempting to murder his wife Rowena MacDonald and Fay and John MacKenzie.

John MacKinnon, a father of six, suffered fatal gunshot wounds

MacDonald denies murder, and has lodged a special defence that at the time of the alleged offence his ability to determine or control his conduct was substantially impaired by abnormality of mind.

He has also pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to murder three people and charges under the Firearms Act.

Giving evidence at the High Court in Edinburgh, Sergeant Christopher Tait, 36, said he was initially instructed to attend a report of a stabbing on the island at Tarskavaig but received an update that there was a shooting incident.

He said he was passed information about a vehicle belonging to MacDonald and said: I spotted the accuseds vehicle going past me.

He did a three point turn, contacted his control room and began to follow the Subaru Impreza before he was joined by a police inspector in another car.

Advocate depute Liam Ewing KC asked him how the Subaru was being driven and he said: It appeared to be driven in a normal fashion within the rules of the road and was within the speed limit in my view.

They travelled over the Skye bridge and continued to follow the car to Dornie where the driver sped up before stopping at a house.

Sergeant Tait said he saw the driver at the top of a driveway holding a firearm and aiming through a window of the house before the weapon was fired through the window.

Rowena MacDonald suffered stab wounds at her home in Tarskavaig

Police sealed off the scene of the alleged murder in the Highlands

Mr Ewing said to the officer: I understand the operational decisions about what happened that day were not taken by you.

He added: I mean no criticism of anyone involved but let me ask you this did you consider an attempt to stop the Subaru at any point?

Sergeant Tait said: It did enter my head to come up with a plan to try and stop him but at the time I was told specialist firearms officers were coming up to stop him.

The prosecutor said: The instruction you received was not to attempt to stop the Subaru?

The sergeant said: Thats correct, yes.

Inspector Bruce Crawford, 40, who was in the second car, was asked if he made an attempt to stop the vehicle ahead.

He said: I requested permission to try and stop the vehicle and was told by the control room not to stop the vehicle.

Donald Findlay KC, defence counsel for MacDonald, asked Sergeant Tait if it was only when the gun was fired and the man went into the house at Dornie that he and the inspector made a run towards the house.

MacDonald's KC Donald Findlay arrives at court

The officer said this was correct, adding: I believe I heard shouting and screaming from the house as we were running towards it.

The officer said he discharged his Taser twice at the gunman. He said the male occupant of the house was on the floor and had a large amount of blood around his abdomen.

A woman was also there with obvious facial injuries who was screaming at the accused.

Inspector Crawford said that when they arrived in Dornie he saw the driver of the Subaru in possession of a shotgun.

He said: I started making my way towards him. It was at that point a lady came out of the side door of the house. I just shouted as loud as I possibly could to try to get his attention.

'I was shouting at the lady get back in your house and lock your doors.

The inspector said the woman ran back inside and he saw the man bring the shotgun up to an aiming position on his shoulder before he fired through a window.

He shouted at him telling him to put the gun down but said the man loaded the gun again before he headed into the house.

The officer followed him into the house and said he heard two loud bangs and a woman screaming.

He told the court he found them in the hall with the male occupant bleeding heavily from his side grappling with the gunman and the woman also bleeding. He said the lady in the house was trying to get him off her husband and struck him with a metal toilet roll holder.

Inspector Crawford said he used pava spray on the attacker but it did not seem to have an effect before he struck him with a baton while his colleague used a Taser.

The trial continues.
Former president Bill Clinton has revealed that he regrets ever having met with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

In his new book 'Citizen', which is scheduled to come out next week, Clinton, now 78, described his interactions with the convicted pedophile.

The excerpts, first reported by The US Sun, show him admitting that he had flown on Esptein's private jet, the Lolita Express, in 2002 and 2003.

He explained that travelling aboard Epstein's jet was not worth the years of speculation around his character, and the questioning that has come with it.

Clinton wrote: 'The bottom line is, even though it allowed me to visit the work of my foundation, traveling on Epsteins plane was not worth the years of questioning afterward. I wish I had never met him.'

Clinton claims in his memoir that Epstein, who died in 2019, had offered the plane in support of Clinton's foundation and that they spoke about economics and politics.

He also outrighted dismissed allegations that he had ever visited Little Saint James, a private island in the US Virgin Islands owned by Epstein.

Clinton also said that the two only had brief meetings, one in his Harlem office and another in Epstein's New York home.

In his new book Citizen, which is scheduled to come out next week, Clinton, now 78, described his interactions with the convicted pedophile

Clinton claims in his memoir that Epstein, seen here with associate Ghislaine Maxwell, had offered the plane in support of his foundation

Clinton lies back in a chair as he receives a neck massage from a former victim of Jeffrey Epstein Chauntae Davies

The former president wrote: 'I had always thought Epstein was odd but had no inkling of the crimes he was committing.

'He hurt a lot of people, but I knew nothing about it, and by the time he was first arrested in 2005, I had stopped contact with him. Ive never visited his island.'

In January of this year bombshell court documents had claimed that Clinton 'liked them young'.

Details involving the testimony of Johanna Sjoberg, who was recruited at the age of 20 to work as a massage therapist, were released after a ruling was handed down.

Sjoberg told the lawyers in 2016 that Epstein told her 'Clinton likes them young, referring to girls'.

Clinton has long faced questions about his associate with Epstein, who took his own life while awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking minors.

He had invited him to the White House, with the financier visiting at least 17 times between 1993 and 1995 according to logs obtained by DailyMail.com.

Epstein's former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell was invited to Chelsea Clinton's July 2010 wedding.

Maxwell was sentenced in June 2022 to 20 years in prison for conspiring with Epstein to sexually abuse minors.

Clinton speaks at a campaign rally for Kamala Harris in Augusta, Georgia, on November 3, 2024

Clinton has long faced questions about his associate with Epstein, who took his own life while awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking minors. He is seen here aboard his jet

Epstein appears in a photograph taken for the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services' sex offender registry on March 28, 2017

In a April 2016 deposition, Maxwell was asked about the travels with Epstein and Clinton.

'The allegation that Clinton had a meal on Jeffrey's island is 100 per cent false,' Maxwell said. 'I'm sure he had a meal on Jeffrey's plane.'

She said she did not know how many times Clinton had flown on Epstein's plane.

Maxwell was also asked about her relationship with Doug Band - a lawyer, who helped rebuild Clinton's image in his post presidency following the Monica Lewinsky scandal.

Band worked in Clinton's White House counsel's office and served as deputy assistant to the President before becoming his chief advisor from 2002 to 2011.

With Band's help, Clinton fashioned a new role for his post presidency with his Clinton Global Initiative which donated millions to good causes.

Band was also with Clinton during some of his encounters with Epstein and was on the infamous 2002 trip to Africa aboard the pedophile's private jet where the passengers included Kevin Spacey and Chris Tucker.

Photos from the trip show Clinton getting a massage from Chauntae Davies, an Epstein victim who worked as a flight attendant on Epstein's jet.

Lawyer's for Virginia Giuffre, a trafficking victim of Epstein, had previously argued that Clinton was a crucial witness in the case against him, but Clinton has never been accused of any wrongdoing.
One of Scotlands most famous shopping streets has become lawless with a rise in smash-and-grab criminals making off with thousands of pounds worth of high-end goods.

Retailers along Edinburghs Royal Mile claim they have been left fearing for their safety as the number of organised thefts soared in recent months and called for a much greater police presence.

CCTV footage captured by firms shows hooded thieves smashing windows and bundling items, including Harris tweed handbags, Barbour jackets and cashmere scarves, into plastic carrier bags, before making off, while passers-by watch on.

In one clip a hooded thief in a wheelchair can be seen getting help to load armfuls of items into a bag from an outside stall before making their get-away in broad daylight.

Galab Singh Gold, who owns dozens of shops in and around the Royal Mile, said shopkeepers have even reported being followed by thieves at night after closing up.

One manager said she was punched in the face, while others have reported being thrown to the floor or intimidated if they attempt to apprehend the thieves.

In a joint statement Gold Brothers Group and Scottish Experience Ltd said their stores were seeing criminals openly smashing windows after closing time when its dark and stealing from shops.

Two premises had their windows kicked in three nights in a row.

Shop manager Maria Sanchez was punched in the face by 'aggressive' thieves

A spokesman said: The thieves can be seen on CCTV footage climbing up the building on Castlehill to smash and grab the goods and hand down to an accomplice.

Other footage shows thieves, often equipped with a list of items to steal, walking into the stores during opening hours, grabbing armfuls of items from racks, or stuffing smaller items into their clothing, before casually leaving with the stolen goods.

The theftdemic, on Scotlands number one visitor street, shop owners said, was being witnessed by tourists from across the world.

Mr Singh Gold said: Thieves have run off with multiple Harris Tweed and Barbour jackets and have also been seen running off with baskets full of cashmere scarves and large baskets of soft toys.

He believes the goods are being stolen to re-sell and could be linked to organised crime gangs.

The shop owner called for greater police engagement to disrupt the supply chain of stolen goods.

We also need a much greater police presence both on foot and vehicle patrols in the area to at least deter or apprehend criminals, he added.

Shops are also facing expensive damage to properties, including window replacements of up to 3,000.

Sabine Fischlin manager of the Woolen Mill on the Royal Mile, says shoplifting is getting worse

Mr Singh Gold said: Our staff are also reporting that they feel intimated, threatened, uneasy, nervous and stressed by this lawlessness.

'Staff are being threatened and followed after work to bus stops and abused.

Maria Sanchez, manager of Marchbrae on the Royal Mile, told the BBC she was punched in the face during one incident and, a day later, thieves were waiting for her outside the shop and she had to call colleagues for back-up.

The 46-year-old said: It is a very dangerous street now as its full of criminals.

Stephanie Karte, national operations manager for Retailers Against Crime said violent theft has now become an epidemic with incidents reported daily.

She said: Shoplifting can be perceived as a petty theft, but weve got to change that. It is not a victimless crime.

Police Scotland confirmed that a 43-year-old man had recently been charged over thefts from two shops on the Royal Mile in October.

Chief Inspector Mark Hamilton said the force was fully aware of ongoing issues with thefts in the area.

He said there was a dedicated team working with businesses and that police carried out regular patrols.

He added: I can assure everyone that we are investigating all incidents reported to us.

We work closely with the retail and business sectors to deter, prevent and investigate retail crime.
Gossip Girl star Chanel Banks proved she isn't missing in dramatic fashion by sharing a YouTube video teasing an upcoming tell-all interview on her 'toxic' family.

The actress, 36, was reported missing earlier this month by her family after they claimed they hadn't heard from her in two weeks, before she was found safe in Texas on Monday.

When she was discovered, Banks said she was fleeing her family to be baptized by doomsday Pastor Robert Clancey, who had recently advertised a three-day 'end times prophetic gathering' in Texas.

She previously said she wasn't missing in a since-deleted Instagram post and said she was 'finally free', but her family bizarrely claimed she was being imitated by an imposter.

In an apparent attempt to disprove the claims, Banks shared a YouTube reel of herself preparing to speak about the strange saga, telling fans: 'As you can see, I am alive.'

'Interview loading,' she added while gazing at the camera in a full face of makeup.

Banks also updated her Instagram bio to say: 'I AM NOT MISSING. I just want to be free of a toxic woman and her family. INTERVIEW INCOMING.'

Gossip Girl star Chanel Banks proved she isn't missing in dramatic fashion by sharing a YouTube video teasing an upcoming expose on her family

The actress, 36, was reported missing earlier this month by her family after they claimed they hadn't heard from her in two weeks, before she was found in Texas on Monday and she insisted she was never missing but 'escaping' her 'toxic' family

Banks did not say when the tell-all interview will be released or on what platform she will share it on.

The actress, also known as a star of Blue Bloods, was reported missing by her mother and cousin after she didn't show up during a welfare check on her apartment. It is not clear who the 'toxic woman' who Banks references is.

Banks' husband, whose identity is not clear, also reportedly told police that his wife did not want to be found, and police confirmed that Banks was unharmed when she turned up in Texas.

In her Instagram story the same day she shared the interview tease, Banks issued a scathing rebuke of her family and listed her reasons for releasing an expose, including allegedly posting her personal cell phone number, birthday and address publicly.

She also claimed her family 'literally stood outside of my house to lie to the press after breaking into my home', and 'ignoring the police literally telling them to leave me alone.'

Her family also allegedly embezzled money 'for a fraudulent and since closed GoFundMe', 'plastered my neighborhood with missing posters when I never went missing', and 'completely blowing up my life' by contacting her peers.

'I figure you can all see why I had to get away from these bottom-dwelling scammers,' she wrote.

Banks was reported missing by her mother and cousin (pictured at a press conference soon after) when the actress didn't show up during a welfare check on her apartment

In her Instagram story the same day she shared the interview tease, Banks issued a scathing rebuke of her family and listed her reasons for releasing an expose, including allegedly posting her personal cell phone number, birthday and address publicly

After sharing her YouTube clip teasing an interview, Banks went on to share another cryptic Instagram post preparing for the clip, alongside an image of Jesus with a heartbreak emoji

She offered a similarly scathing take on her deleted Instagram post, as Banks explained that she was never missing, but didn't tell her family she was leaving because she was looking for an 'opportunity to escape.'

'I have met with the police and verified that not only am I OK, but Im finally free,' she wrote.

'They say once, youre free in Christ Jesus, youre free indeed, so I told my husband six days ago I was going to get baptized by one of my favorite pastors Pastor Robert Clancy.'

After sharing her YouTube clip teasing an interview, Banks went on to share another Instagram post giving fans a behind the scenes look, captioned: 'I heard you were looking for me, now what?'

The actress included several other images of her preparing for the interview, and a cryptic image of Jesus with a heartbreak emoji.

Banks' efforts to prove she was still very much alive come after her cousin Danielle-Tori Singh publicly cast doubt on whether the 'Chanel' police found in Texas was actually the actress, and not an imposter.

When she was discovered, Banks said she was fleeing her 'toxic' family to be baptized by doomsday Pastor Robert Clancey, who had recently advertised a three-day 'end times prophetic gathering'

Banks is best known for her stints on Gossip Girl (pictured center) and Blue Bloods

Singh said an LAPD update on Banks' whereabouts was 'fake news' and insisted to ABC7 that she would continue posting 'missing persons' flyers.

'I have the still from Texas PD body cam footage that was shown to us on Monday Nov 11 at the Pacific Police Station in LA,' Singh added in an Instagram story.

'This is the woman theyre telling us is Chanel. We have told them this is not Chanel. They didnt listen to us and closed the case.'

Singh then appeared to prompt Banks' YouTube video by adding in her post: 'Thats why @ohhheychanel wont post a video saying shes safe because its not Chanel.'

The odd back-and-forth between Banks and her cousin continued as Singh told ABC7 the actress 'doesnt go more than 48 hours without speaking to me or her momThat girl is more like a big sister to me.'

Banks went on to claim in her Instagram post that she had not spoken to her cousin, who lives in Canada but flew to the US to aid the search, for 'over 15 years.'
President-elect Donald Trump's supporters are pushing back on the outrage over Robert Kennedy Jr. being nominated as Health and Human Services Secretary by pointing out he was once up for a role in the Obama administration.

Kennedy, a known vaccine skeptic who has pushed conspiracy theories in recent years, was announced Trump's pick to help 'Make America Great and Healthy Again' on Thursday.

Critics have called the 70-year-old former Democrat dangerous, an unqualified extremist and unfit for the role as the Senate prepares to take up his nomination in the new year.

But Trump allies have pointed out the member of the prominent political family was once under consideration years ago to serve under President Obama in a different cabinet level position.

According to the old report by Politico, President-elect Obama's team in 2008 was considering Kennedy as administrator to the Environmental Protection Agency where he would have been tasked with enforcing clear air and water laws.

According to the report, Obama advisers 'said the nomination would please both Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.'

Kennedy practiced environmental law throughout the 1980s and 1990s, but in the end, he never got a nomination with an almost ironic twist.

President-elect Donald Trump announced that he has chosen Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services setting off alarms from health experts

Ultimately it was not concerns by environmental experts that doomed Kennedy joining the Obama administration as health experts are raising concerns over his HHS nomination now.

In the end, Obama believed his controversial statements and past arrest for heroin in the 1980s made his confirmation in the Senate unlikely with the expectation Republicans would block it.

Now with the tables turned, it is a Republican president with a GOP Senate majority considering Kennedy for a completely different role.

While it appears unlikely Republican senators will be willing to go against Trump despite health experts' concerns over Kennedy's record, his nomination for some health position in the administration was expected.

President-elect Trump hugged Kennedy at their first joint appearance in August. Trump has said he would let Kennedy, a known vaccine skeptic who has pushing conspiracy theories, 'go wild' on health

Then presidential candidate Obama with Senator Ted Kennedy in 2008. A Politico report that has recently resurfaced said Obama after first being elected was considering RFK Jr. to lead the EPA which would 'please both Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.' In the end, Kennedy never got the nomination

Kennedy dropped his independent bid for president and endorsed Trump in August. Since then he hit the campaign trail for Trump who has said he will let Kennedy 'go wild' on health.

But health experts are sounding the alarms on some of Kennedy's controversial stances as he would wield considerable power as HHS Secretary.

Kennedy, who does not have a medical background but founded a prominent anti-vaccine group, declared this summer 'there's no vaccine that is safe and effective' in a podcast interview.

He also told Fox News last summer 'I do believe that autism does come from vaccines' despite the Institute of Medicine concluded in a 2004 report that there is no link between autism and vaccination.

In 2015, Kennedy also equated the use of vaccines to the Holocaust during remarks at a film screening.

At a 2021 hearing, he declared the coronavirus vaccine was the 'deadliest vaccine ever made.' Health officials credit the vaccine with saving millions of lives and accuse him of spreading health disinformation.

Last month, Kennedy declared in a tweet the 'FDAs war on public health is about to end.'

'This includes its aggressive suppression of psychedelics, peptides, stem cells, raw milk, hyperbaric therapies, chelating compounds, ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, vitamins, clean foods, sunshine, exercise, nutraceuticals and anything else that advances human health and can't be patented by Pharma,' he posted no X.

Both the FDA and CDC strongly advise against consuming raw milk due to the threat it can contain dangerous bacteria including Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria.

Kennedy also falsely linked anti-depressants to mass shootings earlier this year and has questioned whether AIDS is caused by HIV despite the established science.

He also has seized on claims also spread by conspiracy theorists that chemicals in water cause gender identify confusion in children.
A twisted teenager who killed his ex-girlfriend's baby by brutally shaking him to death told police that they were 'boring' during an interview.

Carl Alesbrook, who was 16 at the time, murdered four-month-old baby Elijah Shemwell in January 2022 just weeks after meeting his mother India Shemwell.

Elijah died three days after he was found limp, pale and drowsy at his mother's messy flat in Belper, Derbyshire.

Following his arrest Alesbrook spun a web of lies claiming he had messaged police to ask where they were when Elijah fell ill.

But a detective called his bluff in an interview saying: 'This was a lie, there is no message saying "where are you?"

'We have interrogated your phone and that is not confirmed on there. What do you have to say about this?' Responding, Alebrook replies: 'F*** all'.

The detective then quizzes him about his initial claim that he was asleep and unaware Shemwell had gone to the shops before making a sudden u-turn.

When asked about this drastic change in his story, Alesbrook rests his head on the wall and tells police: 'I say you're boring, man'.

Carl Alesbrook killed his ex girlfriend's baby by brutally shaking him to death. He told police that they were 'boring' during an interview

Carl Alesbrook, who was 16 at the time, murdered four-month-old baby Elijah Shemwell in January 2022 just weeks after meeting his mother India Shemwell. In his police interview, the killer leant back on the wall as cops questioned him

Following his arrest Alesbrook spun a web of lies claiming he had messaged police to ask where they were when Elijah fell ill. But a detective called his bluff in an interview saying: 'This was a lie, there is no message saying "where are you?" '

Alesbrook, from Matlock in Derbyshire, denied causing any harm to Elijah but was unanimously convicted of both murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent by the jury at Derby Crown Court on July 11.

An autopsy found Alesbrook shook his then-partner's son so violently he suffered 'catastrophic' brain injuries and broken bones.

Elijah's mother Shemwell, who is now 23, was sentenced to three years behind bars after admitting two counts of child cruelty.

This included the fact she did not dial emergency services more quickly after Elijah became unwell.

Alesbrook admitting to leaving the baby unsupervised and taking drugs before he was meant to look after the tiny tot.

He was often left with Elijah while the baby's mother was at work.

Medical evidence presented at the trial showed Elijah suffered brain damage from being shaken on at least three separate occasions.

He also had 17 bruises around his chest, back and stomach consistent with grip marks and suffered rib and limb fractures, while his fatal head injuries were described in court as 'catastrophic'.

The court heard Shemwell sent a video of Elijah unresponsive with a floppy arm to friends on Facebook to ask for advice on his condition on January 1.

Elijah Shemwell was just four months old when he was shaken to death by his mother's partner Carl Alesbrook who was often looking after Elijah while the baby's mother was at work

Elijah died three days after he was found limp, pale and drowsy at his mother's messy flat in Belper, Derbyshire

The jury also saw CCTV of Shemwell visiting a shop and buying milk and Coca-Cola on the night of the fatal assault.

Jurors were told Shemwell also filmed Elijah struggling to breathe before she dialled 999 at 10.33pm on January 2, leading to him being taken by paramedics to Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham.

He died three days later on January 5.

The court heard Shemwell had separated from Elijah's father but 'remained emotionally and sexually involved' with him, which may have caused Alesbrook some frustration.

The prosecution alleged that a toothache suffered by Alesbrook at the time may also have caused him to lose his temper with Elijah.

Alesbrook denied that his tooth pain caused him to lash out at the baby and denied feeling jealous towards Shemwell's ex-partner.

Shemwell was described during Alesbrook's trial as 'a thoroughly inadequate mother' who both generally and specifically neglected Elijah and failed to seek prompt medical attention for him on both January 1 and 2.

Prosecutor Vanessa Marshall KC said Shemwell 'failed to prioritise the needs of Elijah over her own' and should have known Elijah was 'testing Mr Alesbrook's patience'.

She said: 'It is the prosecution's case that she should have appreciated shortly after he had been shaken, for probably the second time, that Elijah was very unwell and needed medical attention.

India Shemwell admitted two child cruelty offences against her son, Elijah

Shemwell (pictured) was described during Alesbrook's trial as 'a thoroughly inadequate mother' who both generally and specifically neglected Elijah and failed to seek prompt medical attention for him on both January 1 and 2

'That is particularly the case when she would have seen, as we have, fresh bruising on Elijah's face.'

Shemwell's defence lawyer Darron Whitehead said: 'She knows she has let down her son, she knows she has let herself down, and she has let down her family.

'It is her inactivity, it's her failings, that will haunt her for the rest of her life. She misses Elijah and no matter what is said in this room, or in writing, she loved her son.'

A victim impact statement by Shemwell's mother, Rachel Shemwell, read to the court by Ms Marshall, said her daughter was 'not the best of mums' and things could have 'turned out differently' if she had asked for help.

She wrote: 'We will never get Elijah back and can only remember the happiness he brought us in his short life.'

Mr Justice Jeremy Baker said: 'The effect of Eli's death on those who loved him is evident. Nothing this court can do will assuage their overwhelming sense of loss.'

The judge told Alesbrook: 'There is only one sentence that can be imposed and that is detention at His Majesty's Pleasure.'

Detective Chief Inspector Greg McGill, who led the investigation into Elijah's death, said: 'While a child himself, even a teenager knows the fatal risks posed by shaking a four-month-old baby boy.

'The force used to squeeze his tiny body broke his ribs - while the shaking caused such significant damage that his brain became starved of oxygen leading to his death.

While India was quite simply an appalling mother, she could never have foreseen the brutal actions of Alesbrook.

'However, it is quite clear that she could and should have taken far better care of Elijah and she will have to live with the consequences of both her action and inaction for the rest of her life.'

Shemwell, who is now 23, was described during her ex-partner's trial as 'a thoroughly inadequate mother' who both generally and specifically neglected Elijah and failed to seek prompt medical attention for him on both January 1 and 2, 2022.

Alesbrook's violent outbursts caused little Elijah bleeding on the brain, whiplash-type injuries and multiple bone fractures between November 2021 and January 2022.

He said defenceless Elijah Shemwell was 'being a little c***' and complained that the baby kept spitting his dummy out.

Once 999 was eventually called on January 2, Elijah was taken by paramedics to hospital where he died three days later on January 5.
An Ontario teen was brutality attacked by her vicious ex-boyfriend who hit her with his SUV and tried to 'chop her head off' with a sword.

Kaylie Smith, 16, was getting off a bus after work on a quiet road when her ex-boyfriend, Phillipe Rivard-Gagnon, 18, allegedly hit her with his car on November 3.

He then went after her with a machete, police said.

Kaylie's cousin Paige Smith described the horrifying alleged assault to The Sudbury Star: 'He used his vehicle to pin her against rocks so that he could get out and mutilate her.

'He was trying to chop her head off. The wounds - they walk you through it and they told a story. She was fighting. She fought him off, after being run over by a car.'

A GoFundMe Paige made for Kaylie claims her ex severed her left hand and tore up her right arm to the point where it 'was hanging on in ribbons.'

He then allegedly hacked at her head and body with the sword before he 'fled, leaving her to die'

The. Ontario Provincial Police told The Sudbury Star they responded to a car crash around 6 pm and found Kaylie with potentially fatal injuries at the scene after an 'altercation' with someone.

Kaylie Smith, 16, was allegedly attacked by her estranged ex-boyfriend on November 3, leaving her with severe injuries

Kaylie's family said her right arm was practically ripped to shreds and Phillipe Rivard-Gagnon was trying to 'mutilate' her

Kaylie was rushed to the nearby Temiskaming Hospital before being airlifted to the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario.

Rivard-Gagnon was arrested that evening after his mother turned him in to the police, the National Post reported.

He was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and breach of conditional sentence.

The last charge is because the estranged ex-boyfriend assaulted Kaylie's stepfather in May and he was sentenced to house arrest and other restrictions - which he allegedly violated by going out to harm Kaylie.

Paige wrote on the GoFundMe that her beloved cousin made it through a 16-hour brain surgery. She has cuts all over her body, including her shoulders and her back.

Paige told The Sudbury Star: 'He didnt just hit her once or twice with a machete. He mutilated her.

'Kaylie is incredibly strong and resilient. Its mind-blowing, the amount of trauma she went through.

'Even the doctors here are in awe of her strength.'

Kaylie was coming home from work was her attacker struck, sending shockwaves through her 'quiet' community

Kaylie's mother, Cindy Smith, has described the past couple of weeks as 'a blur'

Community members came together to host a candlelit vigil to honor Kaylie

Considering the severity of her injuries, Kaylie's family members and healthcare providers are stunned by her strength during her grueling recovery.

'The fact she is already trying to move is blowing their minds. Shes fighting the sleep. She wants to be awake. She wants to speak,' Paige added.

Paige also said it was a 'miracle' that Rivard-Gagnon missed her spinal cord, face and of vital organs.

Kaylie's mother, Cindy Smith, is relieved her daughter is in stable condition.

'It's just like a big blur. It doesn't seem real,' she told CBC. 'One minute we're living life, and the next minute we're here at the hospital, fighting for her life. I just don't get it.'

Kaylie has been heavily sedated, but doctors have woken her up periodically 'to keep her brain activity going,' Paige told The Sudbury Star. But she cannot be fully woken up just yet because she is too weak.

Paige added: 'She opened her eyes and she recognized her mother and her sister, and she knows the family is here, but shes still intubated, so she cant speak.

'Were waiting for the tube to come out. Its day-by-day, surgery after surgery, trying to piece her back together.'

Kaylie's community has rallied on her behalf against the abuse she endured, demanding justice and that Rivard-Gagnon is not offered bail.

About two dozen protestors came together in front of the Haileybury courthouse on Tuesday morning, holding signs that read 'Justice for Kaylie' and 'No bail' just before Rivard-Gagnon's hearing.

The hearing was postponed for two weeks, as requested by Rivard-Gagnon's lawyer.

The alleged attempted murderer attended the courtroom virtually from his cell at the North Bay jail, CTV News reported.

One of the protestors, Kessie Pellerin, told the outlet: 'We're f****** terrified.

Kaylie's GoFundMe has received over $100,000 in donations to support her long recovery

People gather not only at the vigil, but in front of the courthouse while Rivard-Gagnon had his hearing

'This is usually a quiet town and nothing like this usually happens. That never happens in Temiskaming Shores.'

'Domestic violence is no joke. To go through something like that, her whole life has changed, and that breaks my heart,' another demonstrator, Kaylee Kennedy, told CBC. 'She's never going to be the same again.'

In another community effort, a candlelit vigil was held over the weekend to pray for Kaylie's recovery and for justice.

So far, her GoFundMe has raised over $100,000.

This tragic instance comes after a Florida teen shot and killed her boyfriend in August.

Jamalyse Alvarez, 16, was arrested without incident more than a week after she fatally shot her boyfriend, David Anthony Vargas Acker, also 16, around 1am July 30.

Deputies from the Orange County Sheriff's Office said David brought the gun and the couple and their friend were pointing and posing with the revolver.

During the 'gun play,' Alvarez reportedly pointed the gun at her boyfriend before pulling the trigger shooting him dead.
An American Airlines flight narrowly avoided crashing into a mountain while travelling over Hawaii.

Authorities are investigating the incident after flight AA298 departed Honolulu International Airport on Wednesday morning and had to climb over Konahuanui.

The Los Angeles bound Airbus A321neo had to steer clear of the mountain peak after being told by air traffic control to accelerate hard.

According to aviation news outlet Simple Flying, the jet taxied for 14 minutes and took in the direction of the mountain range.

Two minutes after takeoff the plane was at an altitude of 2,900 feet and was travelling east to the south of the peak, which has an elevation of 3,150 feet.

Three minutes in, the aircraft had managed to reach an altitude of 5,200 feet and was climbing rapidly, according to the outlet.

The jet was then turned right and flew southwest over another mountain, which is considerably lower.

An air traffic controller can be heard telling the pilot on audio on LiveATC to 'turn right and expedite your climb through terrain'.

The Los Angeles bound Airbus A321neo had to steer clear of the mountain peak after being told by air traffic control to accelerate hard

Two minutes after takeoff the plane was at an altitude of 2,900 feet and was travelling east to the south of the peak, seen here, which has an elevation of 3,150 feet

In a statement, the Federal Aviation Administration said: 'An air traffic controller instructed American Airlines Flight 298 to perform an expedited climb after the crew did not make the assigned turn while departing from Honolulu International Airport.

'The controllers actions ensured the aircraft remained safely above nearby terrain.'

American Airlines said in a statement: 'During the climb out of Honolulu on November 13, the crew of American Airlines flight 298 requested and received right-turn clearance and complied with controller instructions.

'There was no Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) alert as there were no issues with terrain clearance based on the trajectory of the aircraft.'

According to Hawaii's Department of Transportation, the pilot should have banked right immediately after takeoff and climb out over Honolulu Harbor.

The guidance, seen by Simple Flying, asks that once the plane is 'one mile due south' to then 'turn left and resume own navigation'.

It comes after two passenger planes nearly colliding over New York in July, sparking an investigation.

The Delta Connection flight, carrying 80 people, was taking off at Syracuse Hancock Airport at the same time an American Eagle plane was landing.

According to Hawaii's Department of Transportation, the pilot should have banked right immediately after takeoff and climb out over Honolulu Harbor

According to aviation news outlet Simple Flying , the jet taxied for 14 minutes and took off in the direction of the mountain range. The runway at the airport is seen here

The FAA went on to blame an air traffic controller for the incident, saying it was caused by a 'performance issue'

Police footage of the incident shows the Delta plane climbing through the sky while the other plane is descending towards the runway.

But the aircrafts appear to be much closer together than they should be before crossing paths safely.

In the video, the Delta Connection flight is seen gaining speed as it gains altitude before the other plane comes into frame.

The American Eagle aircraft is descending as it approaches the runway but the two planes cross paths and narrowly avoid each other.

They came to around 1,000 feet within each other vertically, according to FlightRadar24.

The FAA went on to blame an air traffic controller for the incident saying: 'The investigation found the incident was caused by a controllers performance issue and was addressed through our standard processes.'
Heidelberg Materials stock demonstrated remarkable resilience on Tuesday, gaining 0.2% to reach 118.75 on the XETRA exchange. The share price peaked at 119.10 during the day, underscoring the stocks strength in a fluctuating market. Trading volume remained robust with 148,234 shares changing hands, reflecting sustained investor interest. Analysts maintain an optimistic outlook for the company, projecting an average target price of 126.14, suggesting a potential upside of over 6%. For the 2024 fiscal year, experts anticipate earnings of 11.14 per share, further bolstering the positive sentiment surrounding the stock. Long-term Growth and Investor Appeal The stocks positive momentum extends beyond short-term gains, with a notable 16.92% increase over the past month and an impressive 68.67% surge year-over-year. Heidelberg Materials plans to distribute a dividend of 3.00 per share for the 2024 fiscal year, offering an attractive yield of 3.05%. While the price-to-earnings ratio for 2024 stands at a moderate 10.54, investors should note the current price-to-sales ratio of 1.02, which may indicate slight overvaluation. Despite these strong indicators, some financial institutions, such as a major Swiss bank, maintain a neutral stance on the stock, setting a more conservative price target of 106. Ad Heidelberg Materials Stock: New Analysis  18 November Fresh Heidelberg Materials information released. Whats the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends. Read our updated Heidelberg Materials analysis

Heidelberg Materials stock demonstrated remarkable resilience on Tuesday, gaining 0.2% to reach 118.75 on the XETRA exchange. The share price peaked at 119.10 during the day, underscoring the stocks strength in a fluctuating market. Trading volume remained robust with 148,234 shares changing hands, reflecting sustained investor interest. Analysts maintain an optimistic outlook for the company, projecting an average target price of 126.14, suggesting a potential upside of over 6%. For the 2024 fiscal year, experts anticipate earnings of 11.14 per share, further bolstering the positive sentiment surrounding the stock.

Long-term Growth and Investor Appeal

The stocks positive momentum extends beyond short-term gains, with a notable 16.92% increase over the past month and an impressive 68.67% surge year-over-year. Heidelberg Materials plans to distribute a dividend of 3.00 per share for the 2024 fiscal year, offering an attractive yield of 3.05%. While the price-to-earnings ratio for 2024 stands at a moderate 10.54, investors should note the current price-to-sales ratio of 1.02, which may indicate slight overvaluation. Despite these strong indicators, some financial institutions, such as a major Swiss bank, maintain a neutral stance on the stock, setting a more conservative price target of 106.

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Fresh Heidelberg Materials information released. Whats the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends.
In October 1977 when teenagers Helen Scott and Christine Eadie were found brutally murdered after a night out at Edinburghs World End pub, fear stalked the young women of the city.

The bodies of the 17 year-olds were discovered in the East Lothian countryside the day after they disappeared; abandoned in plain sight; they were bound and gagged and strangled with their own underwear.

Police warned young women that a killer was at large; they should stay indoors at night; walk home in pairs and be hypervigilant.

Professor Lorna Dawson was then in her first year at Edinburgh University and as she looked out from the window of her student halls with its view across Arthurs Seat and Salisbury Crags, and wondered if she could ever again feel safe in the capital.

She was the same age as the young victims and had come to the city from her familys farm in Angus where she had only ever experienced freedom and security.

She said: 'I was the country girl in the big city and I was frightened. There was a frisson of fear among all the young women I knew.

'It changed the way we socialised and behaved. We wouldnt go home alone or get a bus or taxi by ourselves.

'No more late home from the library at night walking through the Meadows. Our lives had changed overnight.'

Professor Lorna Dawson, head of the Centre for Forensic Soil Science at the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen

For decades the girls deaths would remain the most notorious unsolved murders in Scotland.

As a naive young undergraduate, Lorna would never have imagined that she would ultimately play a vital role in bringing the girls killer Angus Sinclair to justice.

Lorna is now head of the Centre for Forensic Soil Science at the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen and has become a world-renowned expert in unlocking the dark secrets held in dirt that be key to solving a crime.

Referred to as the skin of the earth, one teaspoon of soil has more micro-organisms than there are people on the planet; each piece of dirt has its own characteristics that can betray its origins.

Colour, texture, vegetation, minerals, traces of bedrock and particles from man-made materials such as bricks can provide excellent evidence to link criminals to crime scenes.

With the analysis of dirt found on a boot, a shoe or a tyre, a police search for a body or a burial site can be narrowed down to metres; the route taken by a killer can be mapped out.

A portion of soil as small as a grain of rice can prove as useful in the investigation of a crime as a fingerprint and in the notorious Worlds End murders the science was to prove invaluable.

Sinclairs victims were found dead six miles apart: Helens body had been dumped naked on the foreshore at Gosford Bay, while Christines was found at Coates Farm, unclothed from the waist down.

Angus Sinclair was found guilty of the murder of Helen Scott and Christine Eadie

The teenagers were killed after they got into Sinclairs caravanette outside the city centre pub, where they had been drinking on Saturday 15th October.

Between June and December 1977 Sinclair went on a killing spree, murdering six women in just seven months, including Helen and Christine.

In November 1978 he struck again, strangling 17-year-old Mary Gallacher in Glasgow.

Over the next four years he raped and indecently assaulted 11 girls aged between six and 14 and in 1982 he was given a life sentence for the sexual offences but Sinclair was not convicted of murder until 2001 when a cold case review found DNA evidence linking him to the body of Mary.

In 2004 Scottish police led a similar review into the murders of Helen and Christine but the subsequent trial in 2007 collapsed after prosecutors failed to present their case adequately.

In 2010 in a further review of the case, Lorna was asked to analyse dirt which had been meticulously saved from the soles of Helens bare feet in the hope that scientific advances would one day prove it useful.

Retaining the samples was to prove a prescient step given new techniques were indeed developed by Lorna and the institute which could analyse them effectively.

From wheat and vegetation found in the dirt Lorna established Helen had been alive when she was taken to the area where her body was found; that she had been forced to walk in terror from a grass verge and into the field where Sinclair raped and killed her.

Sinclair's victims Christine Eadie, left, and Helen Scott

From deposits of Sinclairs DNA on Helens coat forensic experts could show that Sinclair had been with her in the timeframe of her murder and not as his alibi claimed, miles away fishing in the Forth.

This week marks the tenth anniversary of Sinclair being sentenced to 37 years in prison, the same period which had elapsed since his victims murders and the prosecution reaching court.

It remains the longest minimum sentence ever imposed by a Scottish court.

After the case Helens brother Kevin Scott wrote of his gratitude to Lorna, emphasising how important her testimony had proved from the witness stand at Sinclairs trial in Livingston High Court.

He wrote: You and everyone involved made the impossible possible. Thank you so much for what you did for us.

For Lorna, it was of solace to know the case had brought some closure to the families.

Lorna said: For the friends and family of Helen and Christine, nothing would ever be the same again but it was moving to know that justice had been achieved. Thats why I do what I do, to do the right thing and to help people. It is a privileged position to be in to be able to make a difference.

As a farmers daughter Lorna knew from childhood the importance of soil; described as the bridge between rock and life, it filters the air we breathe and the water we drink; it is the source of the food we eat.

Growing up in the agricultural richness of Angus her summers were spent clawing through the red earth harvesting potatoes to earn some pocket money.

As a child she broke her leg when she tumbled from a buggy into the sandy grit of a potato field and she whiled away her recovery time reading crime novels that opened her eyes to the deductive powers of soil.

In the novels of Agatha Christie fragments of the ground left behind on a villains shoes betrayed their misdeeds; in Arthur Conan Doyles Sherlock, the iconic sleuth was able to deduce Watson had stopped by Londons Wigmore Street Post Office from a little reddish mould adhering to the doctors instep.

Lorna said: The plots got me hooked on the idea of deduction, detection and the use of forensics of soil. It fascinated me that through the colour and texture of dirt Sherlock could tell where someone had been.

But despite featuring in the 19th century Sherlock Holmes mysteries, soil forensics have only come to the fore in the last 20 years largely due to the achievements of Lorna and the James Hutton Institute which now has a database of more than 60,000 reference samples.

With a degree in geography and a PhD in soil sciences, Lorna was specialising in agriculture when in 2000 police asked her to analyse dirt on a spade they suspected had been used to bury a drug haul. Her findings led detectives to the woodland where the stash had been buried.

She said: My passion for forensic soil science was firmly established from that moment on.

It has been an illustrious career; she is honorary professor in Forensic Science at Robert Gordon University; is a registered expert with the National Crime Agency has assisted in more than 150 cases across the UK and the world including in Australia, Belize and Brazil.

She was awarded a CBE in the Queens Birthday Honours list in June 2018 for her services to soil and forensic science.

This year her expertise was to prove vital when Ian Packer stood trial for the strangulation and murder of Emma Caldwell in 2005.

Emmas murder was described in court as the most horrifying chapter in an appalling course of sexual violence by Packer over the course of 20 years.

The 27 year-old went missing in Glasgow on April 4 2005 and her body was found in Limefield Woods, near Roberton, South Lanarkshire the following month.

At Packers trial in Glasgow High Court in February prosecutor Richard Goddard KC said soil analysis taken from his vehicle and the site where Emmas body was found, provided the most damning evidence against him.

Lorna told the court that samples taken from Limefield Woods and from Packers van had a 97 per cent rate of accuracy for a match.

Packer was found guilty of Emmas murder and 32 other charges, including 11 rapes and multiple sexual assaults against a total of 22 women.

The high rate of accuracy in Emmas case cant always be guaranteed; soil matches are often not categoric; conditions alter its make up as it is mixed and moved around.

It is essential for Lorna to retain a level of emotional detachment when she is involved in a case and samples are usually anonymised so there can be no bias.

But she is naturally empathetic and on very rare occasions the horror of the crimes she is exposed to will throw her emotions off balance.

As a mother of three adult children and grandmother of two, she was upset when she was faced with examining the pyjamas of a four year-old boy which were identical to those of her three-year-old grandson. The child had been murdered by his stepfather.

She said: 'The pyjamas had little dinosaurs on them. It really got to me and I had to go out of the examination room. It was awful to think of what happened to that innocent little boy.

'I asked my daughter to throw out my grandsons pyjamas. I couldnt look at them again.

'It is not often that I let it all get to me but in that instance it really did.'

Forensic soil analysis can save precious time in the search for a missing person or a body.

In the case of missing youth worker Emma Faulds, 39, Lorna and her team were pivotal in helping search teams find her body in Glentrool Forest, Dumfries and Galloway, in April 2019.

She had been missing for six weeks but within 24 hours of the forensic team delivering an analysis of debris on the boots of her killer, prison officer Ross Willox, the search party discovered her body in the remote woodland.

Her team were also called in to help detectives searching for missing Sheffield toddler Ben Needham.

Ben was 21 months old when he disappeared on the Greek island of Kos in July 1991.

Signs of blood were found on part of a sandal and on soil inside a toy car recovered by police but it couldnt be established if it was Bens.

Aware of the 'CSI effect' on juries, Lorna is keen to increase the understanding of forensic soil analysis amongst the public.

She said: 'It is important that they can comprehend what it can do but also its limitations. It is my job to help them understand it and it can seem very complicated.

'Sometimes you can see in a jurors face the moment they get it. It is important that they do.'

Education is another reason why she is happy to have consulted with authors and TV producers rather than risk them painting a false picture of her science.

She has advised on Silent Witness and lent her expertise to Shetland and Vera author Anne Cleeves.

Crime author Ian Rankin has created a fictional character based on Lorna and the 66 year-old is pleased that he has made her the striking Professor Lee-Anne Inglis, who is aged 45 and tall.

She said: 'I dont want scientists at scenes with high heeled shoes and hair flowing in the wind.

'What should be shown is precision, hard work, attention to detail and painstaking time spent at the lab bench and clear delivery of evidence in court.

'After all thats the reality of the job.
A Canadian scientist believes he's found the answer to the bizarre white blobs that have been popping up along the Newfoundland coast.

Memorial University Professor, Christopher M. Kozak, was determined to figure out what the weird gooey substance was after the college obtained samples from Placentia Bay.

Now, 'with a high degree of confidence,' Kozak believes it is butyl rubber PVA composite, which is used in the oil and gas industry to clean oil pipes and found in glue, he told The New York Times.

'[It] suggests some sort of industrial adhesive or some sort of material that could be used in a variety of industrial sectors,' he said.

Newfoundland is known as a center for fishing and industry, and the blobs began appearing a few months ago.

Canada's environmental agency is also investigating the weird substance, but would not comment on Kozak's hypothesis while they're still looking into the matter.

Assistant Professor, Hilary Corlett, traveled to Placentia Bay to gather the samples and the team of scientists that helped Kozak hypothesized that it was polyurethane, which is commonly used to insulate boats in the region, according to NYT.

When the sample arrived, he told The Guardian: 'The first thing I did was poke it and smell it.'

Memorial University Professor, Christopher M. Kozak, was determined to figure out what the weird white blobs that looked like undercooked dough was after the college obtained samples of it from Placentia Bay

Now, 'with a high degree of confidence,' Kozak (pictured) believes it is butyl rubber PVA composite, which is used in the oil and gas industry to clean oil pipes and found in glue

He found the substance had a 'rubbery' texture 'like overworked bread dough,' which lead them to think it was an elastomer polymer.

'And the smell coming off was a bit like walking through the solvent aisle in your hardware store,' he told the British outlet.

After several rounds of testing, they found the item did not have carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen, meaning it could not be a natural-occurring thing and all of which is found in polyurethane. It also did not contain sulfur.

Kozak then conducted a spectroscopy - which studies the structure of atoms and molecules - and found that it had chemical bonds similar to polyvinyl acetate, which is found in the adhesive in the shipping industry, according to The Guardian.

A mass spectrometry they also conducted found it had characteristics of synthetic rubber.

'I did eight different tests, and they all point towards something synthetic,' the chemist told The Guardian.

All of this lead to them determining the material was butyl rubber PVA composite, which can be found in white glue.

'Im quite confident that the sample that I handled was PVA butylene rubber,' he told The Times.

'[It] suggests some sort of industrial adhesive or some sort of material that could be used in a variety of industrial sectors,' he said. He found the substance had a 'rubbery' texture 'like overworked bread dough,' which lead them to initially think it was an elastomer polymer

The Canadian government has said they found the blobs along 28 miles of coastline

However, he fears most of the blobs have sunken under water as it is denser than water. The Canadian government has said they found the blobs along 28 miles of coastline, according to The Guardian.

'All we are seeing is the stuff thats being washed ashore. I suspect a lot of this stuff is at the bottom of the sea and being churned up by the comings and goings of the tide,' he told The Guardian.

'This definitely does not belong in the environment. Its plastic pollution and what worries me is that because of its shape, it could be mistaken by marine wildlife for food.'

But the thing he found most funny about the bizarre blobs was that it took so long for someone to reach out to a scientist.

'Its funny that no one thought to reach out to a chemist until very late. Everyone had their own opinions and speculation, but no one was really taking a scientific and experimental point of view,' he told The Guardian.
The master of the wealthiest college in the University of Cambridge privately admitted to pro-Palestinian students that she 'regrets' setting up a 250,000 Ukrainian fund as it 'set a precedent' for future conflicts.

Professor Dame Sally Davies, the head of Trinity College, allegedly confessed that it was a mistake to financially support students affected by Russia's invasion of Ukraine - after being accused of 'double standards'.

When Trinity College established the Ukrainian fund and divested from Russian companies in 2022, Professor Davies said 'expressing concern and solidarity' was vital.

'So too is offering concrete assistance to those in need,' she added. 'I am proud that Trinity has created a relief fund for students and scholars from Ukraine and we are working with our partners at Cambridge to make best use of this resource.'

But when Israel launched its invasion of Gaza in response to the October 7 Hamas attacks, pro-Palestine students questioned why a similar response was not being actioned.

The university was engulfed in protests over the summer, with students setting up Gaza encampments and marching through the city calling for ties to be cut with Israel-linked businesses as well as demanding financial support for Palestinian students.

After the pro-Palestine protests took over the university, Trinity pledged to review its investments into arms companies in July, but has not divested from any yet, The Times reports.

Professor Dame Sally Davies (pictured), the head of Trinity College, allegedly confessed it was a mistake to financially support students affected by Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Dozens of students set up an encampment in front of King's College in Cambridge over the summer

The wealthy college also donated 150,000 to the Rowan Williams Cambridge Studentship programme, which supports students coming from areas of conflict.

But the anger from students shows no sign of abating as they feel the university has not specifically expressed support for the Palestinian cause.

Professor Davies and other senior bosses at the college met with Trinity College student union members last month to raise their concerns.

They also addressed false reports that the college had cut ties with arms companies.

Professor Davies reportedly told union reps that Trinity has 'no interest in divesting from arms companies' and that there was a 'consensus' against cutting ties in the college, according to the university's newspaper, Varsity.

But an individual who was present told The Times that students tried to call the professor out on the 'double standards' of the college's response to the invasion of Ukraine.

The student said they compared the Russia-Ukraine war to 'the ongoing crisis in Gaza', adding that 'no dedicated support of a similar nature was made despite the unprecedented impact Israel's war has had on the education of Palestinians'.

They added: 'The master admitted their response to Ukraine was a 'mistake'; as it set a precedent for responses to war and humanitarian crises.'

Cambridge for Palestine group setup an encampment outside the front of King's College in May and handed a list of demands to the University

The Times reports that Trinity College's net assets grew by 206million to 2.2billion last year, mainly as a result of an increase in the valuation of its investments, which are worth more than 176million.

Trinity has kept investments in several arms companies, including Elbit Systems, which produces drones and land-based equipment used by the Israel Defence Forces.

A spokesman for Trinity College said: 'The comments referred to were part of a wider discussion about the ability and role of educational and charitable institutions, including Trinity College, to respond to conflict.

'The master stands by the college's support for students and academics affected by conflict in Ukraine and elsewhere and fully supports its ongoing commitment to do what it can to support them.

'This is reflected in Trinity's most recent donation to the Rowan Williams Studentship Programme, which is intended for students from areas of instability and conflict, including the Middle East, as well as those facing discrimination, persecution, suffering, violence, or any other abuse of their rights.'

The Trinity College has donated 300,000 to the Rowan Williams Studentship since the war in Ukraine began.

It also further pledged a sum in support of the University Humanitarian Response Fund and has worked with the Council for At-Risk Academics to provide support for scholars seeking refuge at Cambridge and other universities in the UK and EU.
Americans who still wrap themselves in the romantic Camelot myth of the Kennedys may soon have a genuine member of the clan back at the heart of government.

But theres little romance about Donald Trumps controversial choice as his health chief of Robert F Kennedy Jr, the eccentric nephew of former president John F Kennedy.

A vaccine-sceptic and conspiracy theorist, 70-year-old Kennedys bizarre past includes heroin addiction and a prank in which he dumped a dead bear cub in New Yorks Central Park.

After Kennedy agreed to end his own third-party presidential bid in August and throw his support behind Trump, the latter promised to let him go wild on health and on Thursday rewarded him with a powerful new role.

His nomination has provoked widespread horror and fears he would dangerously ignore mainstream science.

As Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Kennedy would oversee 13 agencies with an annual budget of nearly $2trillion (1.58trillion), and authority over crucial areas such as health insurance, food and drugs regulation, infectious diseases and medical research.

Dr Richard Besser, former boss of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, called it absolutely chilling and warned it could have profound consequences for the health of people in America.

Donald Trump s controversial choice as his health chief is Robert F Kennedy Jr, the eccentric nephew of former president John F Kennedy

Kennedy agreed to end his own third-party presidential bid in August and throw his support behind Trump

Kennedy's more extreme and unscientific views include vaccination, which he once compared to the Holocaust

Trumps often bizarre and provocative cabinet nominations have stunned Washington, with critics complaining he is appointing yes men.

Traditionally, presidential appointments must be approved by the Senate, but Trump has pressured Republican Senators to bypass this process, taking extended breaks so that so-called recess appointments can be made without the normal scrutiny.

RFK Jr, say his critics, needs some serious scrutiny.

The Harvard-educated son of Robert F Kennedy turned to drugs after struggling to cope with his fathers assassination during his 1968 presidential campaign. He was addicted to heroin for 14 years and his ex-wife Mary Richardson killed herself in 2012 after a long battle with drugs and alcohol. A father of six, he is now married to third wife actress Cheryl Hines, star of the TV comedy series Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Kennedy has been accused of being a lifelong philanderer and, before her suicide, Mary Richardson reportedly discovered his diary for 2001 in which he had logged sexual encounters with 37 other women.

Then there are the more surreal controversies his private life has yielded.

Kennedy revealed that he once found a dead bear cub by the side of the road during a hunting trip and put it in his car, intending to skin and eat it. Instead, he dumped it in Central Park alongside a bicycle to look like it had been hit by a cyclist, as he thought it would be funny for people.

Some health experts say some of Kennedys expressed priorities are entirely sensible, such as tackling Americas drug addiction and obesity crises, and rooting out corruption and inefficiency in the countrys bloated health sector.

However, his more extreme and unscientific views  particularly on vaccination, which he once compared to the Holocaust  and susceptibility to wild conspiracy theories have attracted widespread contempt. He has blamed thiomersal, a preservative used in vaccines, for causing autism, despite such a link being comprehensively debunked.

He has also suggested that AIDS may not in fact be caused by HIV and falsely linked anti-depressant drugs to mass shootings. Last year he sensationally claimed that Covid-19 was ethnically targeted to spare Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese people.

Assuming Trump gets his appointment through, the return of a Kennedy to high office may need to be accompanied by a public health warning.
The assisted dying Bill is wholly inadequate and puts vulnerable people at risk, a former High Court judge has warned.

In a major intervention, Sir James Munby, one of Britains most eminent retired judges, said gaps in the Bill would create a secret process where decisions could be made without the publics knowledge.

The former head of the High Courts family division said the proposed legislation was defective and fell lamentably short of providing adequate safeguards.

His damning verdict comes as MPs prepare to vote on the potential legislation, proposed by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, on November 29.

The Bill would allow terminally ill adults expected to die within six months to seek help to end their life. Two doctors and a High Court judge would have to verify that they were eligible and had made their decision voluntarily.

It is a free vote, meaning MPs can vote according to conscience rather than the party whip, but many have voiced concerns. Ministers have been told not to express their views and Health Secretary Wes Streeting has come under fire for setting out his objections.

Laying out his opposition to the plans yesterday, Sir James said the Bill does not allow for an open and transparent process. On the contrary, he said, it permits a secret process which can give us no confidence that it will enable the court to identify and prevent possible abuses.

He added: There can be no room here for secrecy or concealment. If there is to be a judicial process, it must be open and transparent.

Sir James Munby, one of Britains most eminent retired judges, pictured, said gaps in the Bill would create a secret process where decisions could be made without the publics knowledge

Ministers have been told not to express their views and Health Secretary Wes Streeting, pictured, has come under fire for setting out his objections

Sir James warned that judges would be able to decide cases where patients met the criteria without hearing from the patient and with no input of any sort from the patients partner or relatives.

He cautioned that there was no route to appeal a judges decision which meant that the patients partner and relatives may not have a say over the outcome. Sir James was also critical of the fact that the draft legislation gives High Court judges the final decision on whether an assisted death can go ahead.

He said it was not the role of the judiciary to decide who had an assisted death, saying it is not what judges do and not what judges are for.

He added: All in all, in relation to the involvement of the judges in the process, the Leadbeater Bill falls lamentably short of providing adequate safeguards. He also warned that the cases would be a huge strain on an already overloaded court system, saying there were not enough judges to take the cases.

His intervention came as Catholic bishops said the Bill put compassion under threat and warned it would put the most vulnerable at risk. They said they were alarmed by the legislation which could lead to older, sick and disabled people being pressured into ending their lives.

Sir James' damning verdict comes as MPs prepare to vote on the potential legislation, proposed by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, pictured

In a statement, the Catholic Bishops of England, Wales and Scotland criticised the Bill as lacking in compassion.

We believe that genuine compassion is under threat because of the attempts in Parliament to legalise assisted suicide. Compassion means to enter into and share the suffering of another person. It means never giving up on anyone or abandoning them.

It means loving them to the natural end of their life, even if and when they struggle to find meaning and purpose.

They said that palliative care with expert pain relief was the best way to treat people near the end of their lives.

The bishops also warned that, though the Bill promises safeguards, many of these had been forgotten in other countries that had introduced assisted dying.
Heading from Heathrow's Terminal 5 to Washington last month with British Airways, I was among passengers who endured a 15-minute journey around back ways of the airport in search of a stand for the plane.

When finally disgorged from the crowded buses, we all had to lug our hand luggage through the rain, across the Tarmac, before climbing up steep steps to the plane without being offered any apology or explanation.

When on board, Club and First-Class travellers, some of whom had paid 10,000-plus for tickets, were deeply disappointed to find that the traditional BA tea they were expecting, of sandwiches and scones, was not available.

Instead, there was a mug of tea on request.

The deterioration in BA service standards on transatlantic travel, where it is the dominant carrier and earns a large chunk of its profits, is shocking.

It's not good for Britain's reputation as the hub of global finance and can only benefit American rivals United and Delta, which offer cheaper fares and have upped their game.

The experience is symptomatic of a wider malaise which has seen the quality of food services in all BA flight classes diminish, the worst record of delays of any airline operating from the UK's flagship airport and the permanent cancellation of services to many parts of the world.

The deterioration in BA service standards on transatlantic travel, where it is the dominant carrier and earns a large chunk of its profits, is shocking

When on board, Club and First-Class travellers, some of whom had paid 10,000-plus for tickets, were deeply disappointed to find that the traditional BA tea they were expecting, of sandwiches and scones, was not available

Among the routes to be axed or curtailed are flights to Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, three of the wealthiest Gulf economies with robust investment ties to Britain.

Carriers across the globe have been cancelling or curbing flights to the Middle East because of Israel's wars with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Many routes to Tel Aviv and Beirut have understandably been suspended for security reasons. But flights to most Gulf destinations are still operating.

If Labour's growth agenda  with its expectations of overseas investment in Britain's infrastructure and green energy  is to have any chance of working, the cooperation of Gulf states such as Qatar is absolutely crucial.

Qatar is already one of the biggest investors in this country, with stakes in key FTSE companies such as the London Stock Exchange Group and Sainsbury's.

It is not alone. Other countries in the Gulf, along with entrepreneurs from the region, have long provided critical overseas investment because they value the UK for its historic ties with the Middle East, as well as for legal certainty and, crucially, frequent and easy airline links to London.

It seems unfathomable that these links are now being severed or cut back by our national carrier.

When asked about the curtailing of the critical Gulf routes, BA sought to pass on the blame to the aircraft engine supplier RollsRoyce Holdings.

'We're disappointed that we've had to make further changes to our schedule as we continue to experience delays to the delivery of engines and parts from Rolls-Royce  particularly concerning the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines fitted to our 787 aircraft,' the company said.

'We've taken this action because we do not believe the issue will be solved quickly, and we want to offer our customers the certainty they deserve for their travel plans.' Certainty, perhaps, that normal service to some destinations will not be resumed any time soon.

The paradox is that, as far as the Stock Market is concerned, both of these totemic British companies  BA owner International Airlines Group (IAG) and Rolls-Royce Holdings  are flying high.

In spite of all the difficulties, BA has seen its share price climb by 53.9 per cent so far this year.

The carrier's value has soared to 12 billion and it is projected to earn an eye-popping 3 billion over the whole of 2024.

Which means it can hardly blame financial pressures for the delays, flight cancellations and the deterioration in service.

Meanwhile, shares in Rolls-Royce have gone up by 85.5 per cent this year alone, under the charismatic and demanding leadership of Turkish-born chief executive Tufan 'Turbo' Erginbilgic.

Profits are projected to come in at more than 2.1 billion this year.

In both cases, the financial turnaround is all the more remarkable given that both companies looked in danger of going under during the pandemic when passengers vanished and many planes were flying empty simply to protect routes.

British Airways was supported by direct loans from the Bank of England under a special Covid facility and ran up billions in debts, while Rolls-Royce came close to bankruptcy for the second time in its existence and was only saved as a result of the ingenuity of its chief executive Warren East.

Launched in 1946, BA's profits are projected to come in at more than 2.1 billion this year

British Airlines was once known as the 'world's favourite airline'. Pictured: The iconic British airline shows off their style in 1987

He disposed of assets, took on short-term debt (now largely paid back) and received a disguised government bailout in the shape of a loan guarantee from the Department of Business.

The government had little choice but to weigh in  RollsRoyce engines power Britain's fighter jets and its nuclear turbines are the backbone of our submarine fleet.

So how can it be that these two iconic British companies are being blamed for letting vital services fall into abeyance at a time when both are raking in soaring profits and their share prices are rocketing?

As I say, British Airways is adamant that the fault lies squarely with Rolls-Royce. Indeed, BA sources describe it as 'completely unacceptable' that tens of thousands of customers are having their travel plans cancelled because of the engineering company's supply issues.

And there is no doubt that BA  now part of the Madrid-based IAG, which owns Iberia, Aer Lingus and other smaller carriers  has problems with Rolls-Royce.

Many of its jets are powered by the highly specified, top-of-the-range Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 turbines which have sensitive blades tested to atomic standards.

These super-efficient power systems require precision and regular maintenance.

But Derby-based Rolls, which does this work, cannot get the parts they need quickly enough.

Supply chains have been unable to cope with demand for precision alloys and parts following air travel's rapid recovery from the pandemic.

Other carriers using Trent engines, including Virgin, have encountered similar problems to BA, although Virgin has a much smaller fleet so the impact has been less severe.

It also has to be said that BA suffers because its main hub is Heathrow airport, where it dominates landing and take-off slots.

And airline operations at the airport are on a tightrope.

After the slump of the pandemic, Heathrow is back at 98 per cent capacity, processing 230,000 passengers a day and is projected to handle 83.8 million travellers this year.

A luggage belt failure or the slightest glitch to a computer system  and there have been plenty of those  can lead to chaos which takes days to unwind.

Even though BA's headquarters remain at Heathrow, for the first time in its history it has a Spanish chief executive. Pictured: Cabin crew prepare food for one of the classy flights from the last century

Yet many believe that Britain's premier engineering group has become an easy scapegoat for BA's declining service levels.

A recent analysis by the Financial Times found that BA customers have suffered an almost doubling of flight cancellations and delays since the pandemic ended.

Some 9 per cent of BA flights from its Heathrow hub were delayed by more than 61 minutes in the 12 months to July 2024.

That compares with 4.9 per cent in 2019  before the pandemic.

The anecdotal evidence of the decline in service is also overwhelming. Last year, for instance, passengers on a flight to Tel Aviv were seated on the plane, only to be held for five hours on the Tarmac because of an undisclosed problem with the pilot.

On a recent plane to New Delhi, all the economy passengers arrived to find their bags were still at Heathrow. It took almost a week for them to arrive.

Can it really all be down to Rolls-Royce? Or could it be that other factors are at work as well, and influencing decisions to cut services and curtail routes?

BA sits at the core of its Spanish-based holding company IAG. Inevitably, its Britishness has been diluted since it moved its domicile to Madrid.

This was part of the price of buying the Spanish flag carrier Iberia, a purchase which means that the group dominates transatlantic travel both to North and South America.

Even though BA's headquarters remain at Heathrow, for the first time in its history it has a Spanish chief executive  Luis Gallego, the former boss of Iberia, who took over as head of IAG from that feisty scourge of the unions Willie Walsh in 2020.

Gallego was confronted with the challenge of pulling out of the steep dive of the pandemic. And, sadly, the experience has not been a happy one for customers.

Air fares on all flights, long distance in particular, have soared. In the chase for profits, service levels  whether with regard to ticketing arrangements or onboard catering  have been cut.

The focus has been on the most profitable routes across the Atlantic, at the expense of those  like flights to the Gulf  with historic ties to Britain, which look less appealing to a leadership based in Madrid.

Of course Rolls-Royce must take its share of the blame for the supply problems.

But it cannot be held responsible for all the unacceptable delays and cancellations, the poor communications with passengers, the decline in onboard services that everyone now associates with BA  which was once, remember, the 'world's favourite airline'; or for my lengthy journey round the back ways of Heathrow in search of a plane last month.

Truly, Margaret Thatcher's great friend, the late BA chairman Lord King, who guided the company from state ownership on to the private markets, would be spinning in his grave at what's happened to his airline.
Boris Johnson has attacked the growing scourge of 'thought police' in Sir Keir Starmer's Britain, comparing it to 'the Soviet Union at its worst'.

Writing in today's Daily Mail, the former prime minister says investigations by police into comments on social media come 'straight out of 1980s Romania, and the horrible curtain-twitching culture by which people reported on their friends  even their family members'.

It comes amid an increasing backlash over 'non-crime hate incidents', where already overstretched officers probe comments and actions not considered serious enough to constitute an offence.

The issue was thrust into the spotlight this week when two Essex police officers visited newspaper columnist Allison Pearson following a complaint about a social media post from a year ago, which has since been deleted.

Ms Pearson says she has not been told which message generated the accusation, or who made it. Mr Johnson said that was 'obviously wrong, and tyrannical, and redolent of the Soviet Union at its worst'.

'The police should clearly abandon immediately their investigation into this deleted tweet,' he said.

'The whole thing would be a complete joke, if it were not so serious for Allison Pearson  and for all of us living in Starmer's Britain today.'

The Free Speech Union has branded non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) as 'thought policing' as it was revealed they have been used to investigate children as young as nine.

Writing in today's Daily Mail, the former prime minister says investigations by police into comments on social media come 'straight out of 1980s Romania'

Johnson has attacked the growing scourge of 'thought police' in Sir Keir Starmer 's Britain

Sir Keir this week backed their use, prompting Mr Johnson to attack the PM's 'deathless skill in plonking himself on the wrong side of the argument'.

'If someone doesn't like what you have said, you can be done for a non-crime hate incident, or worse, and be damned for ever. Isn't it a nightmare?

'It's certainly a disaster for policing, because good officers are having to waste their time on this nonsense, so that they can't attend burglaries; and every hour that they spend scanning the ether for 'offensive' tweets is an hour they can't spend on the beat deterring the criminal gangs who swipe your mobile phone.'

He adds: 'Inch by inch we are losing our place on the moral high ground. Our enemies can detect this erosion of old British freedoms, and they will unhesitatingly exploit it... We are seeing a relentless and sometimes brutal drowning-out of those who dare to dissent.'

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch told The Daily Telegraph: 'We need to stop this behaviour of people wasting police time on trivial incidents because they don't like something, as if they're in a nursery. It's like children reporting each other.'

Chancellor Rachel Reeves agreed, saying that investigating children's playground-style comments was not 'the best use of police time'.

Officers should focus on ensuring 'towns and high streets are safe' instead, she added.

A former Director of Public Prosecutions also warned that a suggestion that police should record yet more 'trivial' NCHIs would be a 'terrible mistake'. Lord Macdonald urged Home Secretary Yvette Cooper not to weaken restrictions on police over how they make use of the reports.

Ms Cooper is thought to want to make it easier for police to use NCHIs for anti-Semitic and Islamophobic abuse, but Lord Macdonald warned that ramping up their use could have 'real world consequences' for potentially innocent individuals.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a visit to a business in North Wales

Last night No 10 said it was important for police to spend their time protecting the public

Free speech campaigners also say watering down the restrictions, first introduced by ex-home secretary Suella Braverman last year, could have harrowing effects.

Doctors, vicars and social workers have been among those in positions of authority probed for allegations such as misdiagnosing patients or saying it is a religious sin to be gay. NCHIs are technically reserved for cases 'clearly motivated by intentional hostility' with a real risk of escalation 'causing significant harm or a criminal offence'.

But anyone reported for one can have the details passed on to a prospective employer under an enhanced criminal record check.

Last night No 10 said it was important for police to spend their time protecting the public, but added that the recording of NCHIs was used as a tool to prevent escalation and future crimes.

But Jake Hurfurt, from the privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch, said: 'Forces must make sure they protect freedom of expression and privacy by only recording NCHIs when absolutely necessary.'

He added: 'Plans from the Home Secretary to widen the scope for NCHI recording are alarming, and she should press pause to consider the chilling effect such a move could have on free speech in the UK.' Earlier this week it emerged that 45 police forces recorded 13,200 NCHIs in the 12 months to June this year. They included investigating a nine-year old girl who called a fellow pupil a 'retard', and a doctor accused of misdiagnosing someone because they were bisexual.

Another person complained to police that he had been removed from a friendship social media group because he was 'too much and exhausting'.
Elon Musk has met a leading Iranian official ahead of attempts by the incoming Donald Trump administration to calm tensions in the Middle East.

Not content with taking the axe to America's bloated bureaucracy on behalf of the incoming President, the billionaire is turning his hand to foreign policy.

The Tesla tycoon  appointed by the President-elect to lead a new US Department of Government Efficiency  spent more than an hour meeting Iran's ambassador to the UN, it was reported yesterday.

Their 'positive' encounter aimed at defusing tensions between the countries is being seen as an early sign that 'deal-maker' Mr Trump is serious about diplomacy with Tehran. That is despite an alleged Iranian-led plot to assassinate him weeks before he stormed back to the White House.

It also comes in spite of Mr Trump's avowed support for Israel's leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who launched retaliatory air strikes against Iran after it targeted Israel with a barrage of missiles last month.

Perhaps most intriguingly of all it underlines the extraordinary influence that the world's richest man is set to have once Mr Trump begins his second term in January.

The 53-year-old owner of Tesla and X formed a close bond with Mr Trump during his election campaign, funding it to the tune of an estimated 160million.

As well as having his loyalty rewarded in the form of a mission to 'dismantle government bureaucracy', Mr Musk has reportedly joined him on telephone calls with world leaders  including Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky.

From left to right: Argentine Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein, Elon Musk, Argentina's President Javier Milei, Donald Trump and Argentina's Secretary General of the Presidency Karina Milei pose for a picture at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on November 14

Trump greets actor Sylvester Stallone onstage at the America First Policy Institute Gala held at Mar-a-Lago on November 14

Elon Musk arrives before President-elect Donald Trump speaks during an America First Policy Institute

Mr Musk and Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani met for more than an hour at a secret location on Monday, The New York Times reported.

Iran's ambassador also urged Mr Musk to seek exemptions from US sanctions and conduct business in Tehran, it said. Neither the Trump transition team nor Iran's mission to the UN has so far confirmed the encounter.

While many of Mr Trump's conservative backers have favoured a hawkish approach to Tehran, during his first term in office he tore up a deal on Iran's nuclear programme negotiated under his predecessor Barack Obama. Instead he pursued a policy of 'maximum pressure', which included working to force other nations not to buy Iran's oil.

He also ordered the assassination of the Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani in 2020, sparking threats of revenge.

Details of the reported meeting emerged as Iran's president Masoud Pezeshkian  considered a moderate within the clerical state  insisted to the visiting head of the UN nuclear watchdog that Tehran's nuclear programme was 'peaceful'.

Mr Musk is typical of the outside talent already announced by Mr Trump for his cabinet, many of whom have little or no experience of Washington politics. Several of the appointments have caused controversy.

The Tesla tycoon was appointed by the President-elect to lead a new US Department of Government Efficiency

He was said to have spent more than an hour meeting Iran 's ambassador to the UN

The incoming health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr is known as a vaccine sceptic and has pledged to remove fluoride from drinking water. Mr Trump's pick for attorney general, Congressman Matt Gaetz, has previously been investigated by the justice department over alleged involvement in a sex-trafficking ring, where he was accused of having sex with a 17-year-old girl.

His appointment, meanwhile, puts to an end a Congressional investigation into alleged sexual misconduct and illicit drug use.

The new director of national intelligence, former Democrat representative Tulsi Gabbard, is suspected of having pro-Russian sympathies after she criticised Joe Biden's support for Ukraine.

Several of the appointments showed their face on Thursday night at a gala at Mr Trump's Mar-a-Lago mansion in Florida, where the President-elect was welcomed on stage by Sylvester Stallone in front of an audience that included Argentina's eccentric president, Javier Milei.
The Church of England is no longer relevant to the way most Britons live, according to a poll.

Almost three-quarters said the Church had little to no influence on their lives, while half said it should be disestablished.

That would mean the King would no longer be the automatic head of the Church, bishops would not sit in the House of Lords and it would have equal footing with other faiths in terms of State funding and involvement in government.

The YouGov poll raises concerns for the future of the CofE, where regular attendance has fallen for decades.

Figures for 2023 showed 170,000 fewer worshippers each week compared with 2019, falling to 685,000.

The survey was carried out before the recent furore over the Church's cover-up of the John Smyth child abuse scandal, which forced the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby earlier this week.

The research found that 39 per cent of the public had an unfavourable opinion of the state church. Just 32 per cent had a favourable view.

The Church of England is no longer relevant to the way most Britons live, according to a poll. The survey was carried out before the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury earlier this week. Pictured: Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby

Only one per cent of those questioned said the Church had 'a great deal of influence' over the way most people in Britain lived.

The National Secular Society said the poll showed the public was 'alienated' from the Church, adding: 'It's time to separate Church and State for good.'

Some 12 per cent said it had 'a fair amount of influence' and 53 per cent said it had 'not very much influence'.

A fifth - 20 per cent - of the 2,177 adults questioned said it had 'no influence at all'.

Attendance at CofE Sunday services fell steadily each year for several decades before churches closed during the pandemic.

Numbers recovered as churches reopened after lockdown, but figures for 2023 showed 170,000 fewer worshippers each week compared with 2019, falling from 854,000 to 685,000.

The YouGov poll also asked if the Church should be disestablished, so it is separated from the State and no longer the nation's official faith.

It would mean the King would no longer be the automatic head of the Church, bishops would not sit in the House of Lords and it would have equal footing with other faiths in terms of State funding and involvement in Government.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigned following the recent furore over the Church's cover-up of the John Smyth child abuse scandal

Fifty percent said the Church should no longer be the established religion, compared to just 21 per cent who wanted it to remain linked to the State.

Almost two-thirds (61 percent) said CofE bishops should no longer be given seats in the House of Lords, while 14 per cent said they should stay.

More than half (55 per cent) said the Church should no longer receive State funding, with 21 per cent opposed to withdrawing funding.

More than half (58 per cent) thought the Government should not have any influence over the appointment of senior posts, including bishops.

Half of those questioned said religious leaders such as the Archbishop of Canterbury should stay out of political matters, compared to 33 per cent who said they should express their views on social and political issues.

And 39 per cent said governance of existing CofE schools should pass to local councils instead, with 29 per cent opposed.

But the nation was split on whether the King should remain the head of the CofE, with 35 per cent in favour of him remaining, 31 per cent opposed, and 34 per cent undecided.

Almost half (47 per cent) said the Church should be required to conduct same sex marriages, with 24 per cent opposed.

Half of those questioned said religious leaders such as the Archbishop of Canterbury should stay out of political matters, compared to 33 per cent who said they should express their views on social and political issues

Separate YouGov polling carried out the day after Justin Welby's resignation showed that almost two-thirds of Britons (62 per cent) thought he was right to resign, with only four percent saying he should have remained in place.

The National Secular Society, which campaigns for the separation of religion and State, said the YouGov figures showed the British public was 'alienated' from the Church.

Its head of campaigns Megan Manson said: 'The figures reveal a population that is alienated from the Church of England and no longer want it as part of the UK state.

'From bishops in the House of Lords to the Church's control of State schools, the public are increasingly rejecting the established church.

'The status quo is unacceptable. It is unacceptable for a Church with such little support from the general public to remain established. It's time to separate Church and State for good.'

The CofE did not respond to a request for comment.
Nancy Pelosi is under fire from her own Democratic lawmakers, who are annoyed with her public complaints about what the party did wrong in the election that resulted in their loss of the White House, Senate and House of Representatives.

Several Democratic lawmakers complained anonymously to Axios about the former speaker.

'She needs to take a seat,' said one senior Democrat. 'Making scattershot comments is not just unhelpful, it's damaging.'

Other Democrats think she needs to step back and let Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, lead.

'Hakeem has been tremendously graceful and respectful of her, but I don't think she is being respectful of him,' said a member of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Pelosi lead House Democrats for decade with an iron fist, using her fundraising prowess and vote-counting ability to keep her members in line.

Democratic lawmakers are frustrated with Nancy Pelosi (above)

She voluntarily agreed not to run again for party leader again in January 2023 and backed Jeffries, a Democrat from New York, to replace her. She was awarded the title speaker emerita.

Some lawmakers think the 84-year-old is having trouble letting go of her previous power. She elected to stay in Congress as a regular lawmaker instead of fully retiring.

'I understand that this is a difficult transition for her, not being the leader, but she is not,' the member of the Congressional Black Caucus told Axios.

'She needs to understand what her new role is.'

Democrats are frustrated by a post-election interview Pelosi gave to The New York Times where she said it would have been better for the Democratic Party if President Joe Biden had abandoned his re-election campaign sooner and the party had then held a competitive primary process to replace him.

The same Democrats cheered Pelosi on in July when she used her considerable weight in the party to push Biden out as the nominee after his disastrous debate with Donald Trump.

But Pelosi told the Times she believed it was understood that Biden's exit would be followed by an internal party competition for a new nominee, instead of an anointment of Vice President Kamala Harris.

'Had the president gotten out sooner, there may have been other candidates in the race,' Pelosi said. 'The anticipation was that, if the president were to step aside, that there would be an open primary.'

Pelosi had, in the first 24 hours after Biden's exit, hinted that the party would have an open primary.

But Biden's support of Harris  along with other prominent Democrats lining up behind her  cut off the possibility of any challenger. Plus Harris was the only candidate who could legally use Biden's campaign war chest.

'Kamala may have, I think she would have done well in that and been stronger going forward. But we don't know that. That didn't happen. We live with what happened. And because the president endorsed Kamala Harris immediately, that really made it almost impossible to have a primary at that time. If it had been much earlier, it would have been different,' she added.

Harris lost in a landslide to Trump. The former president won 312 electoral voters to her 226, he took all seven battleground states, and won the popular vote by 3 million votes.

Republicans also took back control of the Senate and retained control of the House.

Pelosi was at Howard University when Harris conceded her loss. But she and Biden have yet to speak since she urged him out of the race.

Pelosi also suggested that cultural issues were more to blame for Democrats' losses than the loss of the working class.

'Guns, God and gays  that's the way they say it,' she said. 'Guns, that's an issue; gays, that's an issue, and now they're making the trans issue such an important issue in their priorities; and in certain communities, what they call God, what we call a woman's right to choose.'

Kamala Harris, with husband Doug Emhoff, conceding the election to Donald Trump

Donald Trump celebrating at Mar-a-Lago; Republicans won control of the White House, the Senate and the House of Representative

As DailyMail.com exclusively reported in August, Biden exited the race at the end of July after Pelosi sent an urgent message to him: She was prepared to go public with her concerns that he could not defeat Donald Trump in November.

The ultimatum was clear: Drop out now  or Pelosi would trash her political ally, and friend of over 50 years, on the global stage.

Biden stepped down.

Pelosi later said her big concern was that Democrats beat Trump in November.

'Now I was really asking for a better campaign. We did not have a campaign that was on the path to victory. Members knew that in their districts,' she said August.

'My goal in life was that that man would never set foot in the White House again,' she said of Trump.
November 14, 2024: Peace in Ukraine is proving very difficult to achieve. Ukraine demands all its territory back. That means Russia giving back Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk provinces as well as other bits of territory currently in their possession. Vladimir Putins attitude is that whats mine is mine and whats yours is negotiable. Putin also ignores all the documented war crimes Russian troops have committed carrying out Putins orders. Ukraine and the rest of the world have not forgotten but most Russians support Putin and his war in Ukraine. Putin is also stubborn. He will concede nothing until he has no other option and perhaps not even then. Putin continues to believe that NATO and the West will eventually tire of supporting Ukraine and allow Putin to ravage Ukraine until it is again part of the Russian Empire.

The war has been going on for nearly three years now and none, not even most Russians want it to continue for a few more years. Sanctions have eviscerated the Russian economy and most Russians feel the pain. But the politicians and their wealthy oligarch allies live in the cities and feel no pain. Putin realizes that the Russian people know how to suffer in silence and endure for as long as it takes.

Ukraine is negotiating a solution with NATO and the EU that includes Ukrainian membership in NATO despite the ongoing war. NATO is willing to make an exception for Ukraine because NATO is supposed to defend its members and Ukraine is seen as worth defending. The threat has always been Russia and now that Russia is ravaging Europes eastern borderlands its time for NATO to step in and step up. This includes Ukraine joining the EU, an economic union that will integrate the Ukrainian economy with the rest of Europe. Currently Ukraine expects to achieve all this by the end of the decade. Ukraine has a plan and so does Putin. When the plans collide, who will win?

NATO countries represent a GDP of $32 trillion while Russias is two trillion. NATO GDP is growing while Russia struggles. Russia has plenty of oil, natural gas and food but exporting those goods is complicated by sanctions. Russian industry discovered that it was dependent on Western technology to keep its economy going and, with most of that tech no longer available, even the Russian railroads are grinding to a halt.

If Putin persists, most of the industrialized world will resist. Putin will have only himself to blame for the economic and military disaster he has led his nation into.
A man has been hit with a string of charges over a dramatic siege involving an innocent father and his baby, who were held inside their own home for hours.

The ordeal started at about 3.40pm on Tuesday when a police helicopter followed a car in Melbourne's west that was believed to have been stolen in a carjacking in Snake Valley earlier in the day, Victoria Police said.

Police allege the man got out of the car and fired shots at officers with a high-powered rifle before running into a stranger's house at Weir Views, 22km west of Melbourne's CBD.

There he found the father and his baby, who were held inside as police negotiated for several hours on Tuesday night before they finally left the home two hours later.

Television helicopter footage captured the dramatic moment the young child was rescued from the home and placed into an armed police officer's waiting arms.

The toddler's father was seen escaping from the home a short time later. Neither he or child were injured during the incident.

Police snipers from the Special Operations Group were spotted standing on a nearby roof as specialist officers negotiated with the armed offender.

The man allegedly fired at police once again before a highly trained police dog was deployed to assist with the man's arrest shortly after 6pm.

Images from a news helicopter show two armed personnel, wearing green fatigues, on a roof facing a neighbouring home during the siege on Tuesday (pictured)

A shirtless man is seen being treated by paramedics at the scene in Weir Views, Melbourne

The man sustained a dog bite injury during the arrest and was taken to hospital under police guard.

A shirtless man was seen handcuffed outside the front of a home surrounded by heavily armed officers while being treated by paramedics.

On Friday, the 26-year-old was charged with range of offences including aggravated carjacking, two counts of false imprisonment, five counts of assaulting police and making threats to kill.

Images from a news helicopter show two armed personnel, wearing green fatigues, on a roof facing a neighbouring home. The home they were focusing had a pink children's bike leaning on the outside wall.

Residents in the vicinity of Leon Drive were ordered by police to remain inside until further notice.

Television helicopter footage captured the dramatic moment the young child was rescued from the home and placed into an armed police officer's waiting arms (pictured)

Amanda McGregor was picking up her toddler from daycare when she returned to unfolding hostage incident next door.

'I think they jumped my fence to get to the next door, my neighbour also said she saw a lot of commotion at the front of the property at first,' she told the Herald Sun.

She described her next door neighbour as 'lovely'.

'I don't know how they have physically got into his house to keep him and his baby hostage. Thank God his wife wasn't there,' she said.

'He would probably have been resting because he works at 3am in the mornings.'
Rachel Reeves has edited her online CV after admitting she was not an economist during her time at the Bank of Scotland.

The Chancellor deleted 'economist' from her LinkedIn profile work experience and changed it to 'retail banking' during her time at the bank in 2006-9.

The move prompted the Tories to accuse her of 'deception' and brand her 'economical with the truth'.

In her Mansion House speech on Thursday evening, Ms Reeves told guests: 'Before entering politics, I worked as an economist at the Bank of England. And then in financial services.'

Her LinkedIn CV - which had previously said that she was an economist at the Bank of Scotland has now been updated to say she was in 'Retail Banking', the Guido Fawkes political website noted.

It previously reported that she worked in a support department at the Bank of Scotland which managed administration, IT and planning matters.

A Labour source said: 'Ms Reeves worked in retail banking covering various areas drawing on her background as an economist. Her LinkedIn has been updated to reflect that.'

The source said she had held several different roles at the bank but would not clarify her job title.

In her Mansion House speech on Thursday evening, Ms Reeves, pictured, told guests: 'Before entering politics, I worked as an economist at the Bank of England. And then in financial services.'

Her LinkedIn CV - which had previously said that she was an economist at the Bank of Scotland has now been updated to say she was in 'Retail Banking', the Guido Fawkes political website noted

It previously reported that she worked in a support department at the Bank of Scotland which managed administration, IT and planning matters. Pictured: Reeves during a visit to Tokamak Energy in Milton, Abingdon

Shadow justice minister Robert Jenrick, pictured, said: 'Reeves said she was an economist. Turns out she's just economical with the truth'

A Tory party source told the Mail: 'It seems Rachel Reeves employment history claims are about as accurate as her promises not to raise taxes on working people - based on deception and increasingly proved false.'

Shadow justice minister Robert Jenrick said: 'Reeves said she was an economist. Turns out she's just economical with the truth.'

Ms Reeves began her career at the Bank of England and worked there between 2000 and 2006, including a secondment in Washington.

She then moved to Leeds to work for the retail arm of Halifax Bank of Scotland before becoming an MP.

She became known as the 'copy and paste chancellor' after she apologised for plagiarising other authors in a book she claimed to have written.

Ms Reeves made much of her experience as an economist ahead of the Budget, saying she would not play fast and loose with public money.

This comes after Ms Reeves was yesterday warned that she was damaging the UK economy as growth slowed to a crawl.

The Chancellor was blamed for the slowdown during her first three months in office, with critics saying she had talked down the economy, leaving businesses and households hesitant to spend.

Business groups lined up to say she was only making things worse after her shock 25 billion tax raid on employer National Insurance contributions (NICs) in the Budget.

The British Chambers of Commerce said many firms 'will not be able to stomach' the higher costs, while analysts at Deutsche Bank said the move could cost 100,000 jobs.

The Chancellor has been blamed for the slowdown during her first three months in office, with critics saying she had talked down the economy

Ms Reeves said: 'Improving economic growth is at the heart of everything I am seeking to achieve, which is why I am not satisfied with these numbers.'

Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride, pictured, told Times Radio: 'I'm afraid they're reaping to a degree what they've done in terms of talking the economy down'

Figures from the Office for National Statistics yesterday showed gross domestic product grew by just 0.1 per cent in the third quarter from July to September. That was worse than economists predicted, leading Ms Reeves to admit she was 'not satisfied'.

Sir Keir Starmer said the figures were 'not good enough'.

Growth had enjoyed a strong start to the year yet, upon taking power, the Chancellor repeatedly insisted that the economic inheritance from the Tories was the worst for any new government since the Second World War.

That claim was widely derided in the City  and backfired on Ms Reeves as evidence mounted that her doom-and-gloom comments were damaging business and consumer confidence.

Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride told Times Radio: 'I'm afraid they're reaping to a degree what they've done in terms of talking the economy down.

'And of course now what they've done is follow it up with a Budget that has indeed ramped up taxes, particularly taxes that are going to bear down on growth.'

Ms Reeves  who visited an energy firm in Didcot yesterday  said: 'Improving economic growth is at the heart of everything I am seeking to achieve, which is why I am not satisfied with these numbers.'

In an interview with Channel 4 News, she responded to a suggestion that the economy was 'in a hole' and she should 'stop digging' with her tax on jobs by seeking to blame the Conservatives. She said she had 'wiped the slate clean and drawn a line under the economic mismanagement and incompetence of the previous government' and put the economy in a position to grow.

The disappointing ONS figures came as a blow to Ms Reeves the day after a keynote speech in which she outlined a plan to boost growth by creating Australian and Canadian-style pension 'megafunds' to unlock 80 billion for investment.

The changes form part of Labour's ambition to lift growth to the strongest level among all of the G7 advanced economies.

But Britain is now further away from that ambition than when the party took office in July.

In the first half of this year, under the Tories, the UK economy was the strongest in the G7.
Police have found a body believed to be former jockey Keith Banks following a widespread search in NSW's Hunter region.

Mr Banks, 81, was reported missing after he was last seen at his Woolooma home, about 300km north from Sydney, on Monday afternoon.

Police and family held concerns for Mr Banks, who had dementia, due to his health.

He left his home, east of Scone, in a dark grey Honda sedan and stopped at the Gundy General Store on Riley Street, Gundy.

A multi-agency search was launched and his vehicle was found at Upper Rouchel on Wednesday afternoon, about 65km away from his home.

On Friday, a body was located at Upper Rouchel.

NSW Police said the body had not been formally identified but was believed to be Mr Banks. A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Mr Banks had a 28-year career as a jockey including riding in two Melbourne Cups.
A truck driver has allegedly rammed into five police cars after taking officers on a lengthy late-night chase through western Sydney.

The truck was first spotted at Girraween, about 30km west of Sydney, after failing to stop for police on the Great Western Highway at about 12.15am on Saturday.

A chase ensued with officers eventually forming a roadblock with five police cars surrounding the truck driver near Greystanes.

Police allege the 45-year-old man crashed into several police cars, with one vehicle pushed into a power pole from the impact of the collision.

In photos from the scene, the front windshield of the truck is smashed while the bonnet is completely crumpled on one side.

The man allegedly refused to cooperate with officers once he was cornered in the cabin of the truck and had to be tasered.

He was removed from the truck and assessed by paramedics before being taken to Westmead Hospital where he underwent a mental health assessment.

NSW Police said an Inspector was also assessed after the airbag in his police vehicle deployed during the crash.

A truck driver has allegedly rammed into five police cars after taking officers on a lengthy late-night chase through western Sydney (the damaged truck is pictured)

Police allege the man damaged several police cars, with one vehicle pushed into a power pole from the impact of the crash (pictured, the crumpled bonnet of the allegedly stolen truck)

'Five police cars were damaged, and an Inspector was assessed by NSW Ambulance Paramedics when the airbags in his vehicle were deployed when his vehicle hit a power pole,' police said in a statement.

'There were no other reports of injuries to police or other road users.

'Inquiries into the pursuit and crash continue.'

Police allege the man crashed into other vehicles during the 30-minute pursuit in the truck, which was reported as stolen in Girraween on Friday morning.
President Joe Biden grinned and stayed tight-lipped as reporters asked him Friday about what he was telling world leaders about the incoming Trump administration.

Biden is in Lima, Peru for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum and held a trilateral meeting with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

After that, he met with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte.

In both cases, at the end of the leaders' remarks, journalists asked Biden Trump-themed questions and he didn't respond.

Instead he sat in his chair and smiled as the press was escorted out.

Two senior administration officials also swore that Trump didn't come up in any of Biden's meetings on Friday.

An official who briefed reporters on the Japan and South Korea meeting said: 'No, as a matter of fact the president-elect's name did not come up.'

SMILING BIDENS: President Joe Biden grinned and kept his mouth shut Friday as he was peppered with questions about what a Trump presidency meant for U.S. allies - many of whom are attending the APEC summit in Lima, Peru

That official explained that most of the meeting between the U.S., Japan and South Korea was dedicated to the worrying alliance between Russia and North Korea.

During Trump's four years in office he appeared to be breaking through to North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un, boasting about 'love letters' sent between the two after they met face-to-face in Singapore in June of 2018.

However their bromance never helped forge a true nuclear deal - and the relationship with North Korea has frayed even further once Biden came into power.

The official also said that Trump didn't even come up in the context of the incoming president's relationship with Kim.

'None whatsoever,' the official told DailyMail.com.

The White House sang a similar tune when asked about Biden's meeting with Boluarte - where he was joined with a number of members of his senior staff.

'No it really focused on the current U.S. bilateral relationship,' the official said.

'President Biden did underscore the importance of respect for democracy and  and strengthening democratic institutions, as he does in all of his meetings with democratic counterparts around the world,' the source continued. 'But it was, it was a meeting that was very much focused on the, frankly, the accomplishments that the Biden administration has had with Peru over the past four years.'

Biden has not taken questions from the press since before Vice President Kamala Harris' election loss to Trump on November 5.

He did suggest during an Oval Office spray that he wished to see a reporter get whacked in the head with a television camera.

'Do you think you can keep from getting hit in the head by a - a camera behind you?' Biden said.

She had asked if he believed he would be able to get a ceasefire in Gaza accomplished before Trump takes over on January 20.
Debbie Wasserman Schultz triggered anger Friday from supporters of Tulsi Gabbard after proclaiming her as a 'likely Russian asset.'

Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii, was nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as the Director of National Intelligence, after she bucked her party as a 'bunch of warmongers' and became a Republican.

Wasserman Schultz, a Florida Democratic Congresswoman, appeared on MSNBC to condemn Trump's pick as a danger to national security.

'She is considered to be essentially by most assessments a Russian asset,' Wasserman Schultz said in the interview.

Wasserman Schultz was sharply critical of Gabbard's 2017 meeting with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, as she defied the State Department who advised her not to do so.

When asked if she believed that Gabbard was a Russian asset, Wasserman Schultz agreed.

"Oh yes, there's no question I consider her someone who is likely a Russian asset,' she said.

Wasserman Schultz even posited that if Gabbard was confirmed to the position of Director of National Intelligence, she would, 'hold all of our most significant intelligence secrets and essentially would be a direct line to our enemies.'

Former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard attends a campaign rally of Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz campaigns for Democrats in Florida

Gabbard has a lot of history with Wasserman Schultz, who was the Democratic National Chair in 2016. Gabbard defied the establishment in her party by resigning her position as DNC co-chair in February 2016 to endorse Sen. Bernie Sanders for president instead of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Supporters of Gabbard were furious by Wasserman Schultz's claim, reminding the congresswoman that Gabbard served in the United States military.

Gabbard served in the U.S. military for over two decades and was deployed to Iraq as part of a media unit.

'Imagine fighting for your country and then having pro-war cretins like this impugn your loyalties,' journalist Glenn Greenwald wrote on social media.

'This is pure defamation and it should not go unanswered,' wrote podcaster Ian Miles Cheong.

President-elect Donald Trump (L) claps as he leaves the stage after speaking alongside former US Representative Tulsi Gabbard during the campaign

Debbie Wasserman-Schulz claims that Tulsi Gabbard is a Russian asset,' wrote Steve Gruber on social media. 'Wasn't Debbie Wasserman-Schulz's personal aide outed as a Pakistani intelligence operative!'

In 2017, Imran Awan, an aide for Wasserman Schultz was arrested trying to leave the country, accused of attempting to defraud the Congressional Federal Credit Union.

He ultimately pleaded guilty to an unrelated charge of making false statements on a loan application.
A medical school in Texas has been caught illegally liquefying dead bodies after using them for research - without the permission of the deceased or their family.

During an inspection in October, staff at the University of North Texas Health Science Center and at Fort Worth were found to have been carrying out the grim practice known was 'water cremation'.

A new bombshell report reveals that medical school was not only studying unclaimed human remains without permission, but later turned the bodies into liquid.

The gory process is referred to as 'final disposition of human remains using alkaline hydrolysis'.

In the alkaline hydrolysis process, chemicals, water and heat break down human remains, leaving behind a liquid that is discarded.

The liquid is then sent to a wastewater treatment facility.

Bone and teeth pieces are left behind, and those are pulverized into ashy left-overs that can be collected and returned to family members.

So-called 'water cremations' are illegal in Texas, and 25 other states, which only allows for bodies to be buried or cremated traditionally.

The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth had been using an illegal cremation process that resulting in liquefying human remains, state investigators found

Water cremation also known as alkaline yydrolysis, aquamation, flameless cremation, resomation, biocremation) is offered by funeral homes across the US, including Keefe Funeral Home in Cambridge, Massachusetts

'This practice is not authorized under Texas state law and constitutes a serious violation of the standards governing the lawful disposition of human remains,' the state said in the letter to the medical school.

Legalization of water cremations has also faced oppositions from religious groups, with the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, saying the process 'fails to treat the body with dignity and respect.'

Medical school spokesperson Andy North countered that the Texas administrative code allows for alkaline hydrolysis to be used when disposing of bodies after medical research.

However, the state Funeral Commission shot back that state law, which doesn't allow water cremations, overrules the code and threatened to fine the program $5,000 a day and suspend its operating license it didn't stop water cremations.

The school wouldn't say how long it had been liquefying bodies through its 'Willed Body Program, but 2020 budget documents show the school planned to install two alkaline hydrolysis units to dispose of bodies donated by the Dallas and Tarrant medical examiner's offices.

Since 2018, Tarrant County gave the Health Science Center with bodies of 'indigent and unclaimed minor children or adult descendants' to save money on burials and cremation, reported local news outlet KERA.

Disposal of the bodies was mandated by the state, but the school was saving $1 million over five years by doing it themselves instead of paying an outside company to do it.

Water cremations stopped taking place at the Fort Worth facility on Sept. 16, their spokesman confirmed, the same day NBC released a story detailing how the school was studying bodies without permission.

The Fort Worth medical school had been using unclaimed bodies for research without the consent of the deceased of their loved ones, an NBC News report found

Texas officials sent The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth notifying the medical school that its program to liquify human remains was illegal

Texas officials sent The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth notifying the medical school that its program to liquify human remains was illegal

However, the bodies were not just being used by that school.

In many cases, human remains were sold to other schools, medical companies and the US Army to train students and doctors.

In the fallout to the investigation, The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth has fired the officials the people who ran the program, which is now shuttered.

'The intent of the program is to educate future physicians, scientists and other health professionals and improve the quality of health for families and future generations,' the school's website states.

'We are committed to operating all programs with transparency, integrity and the highest ethical standards, and we are dedicated to maintaining trust in our institution.

'We hope these actions can ensure our educational studies are made with every effort to show dignity, grace and respect.'
We live at the start of a cul-de-sac. It's always been relatively quiet, but recently, a boy racer is driving me  and other neighbours  crazy.

I'm not sure if he has recently passed his test, or has just moved in further down the cul-de-sac, but he drives at high speeds in an older car with one of those really 'throaty' exhausts, possibly as it's modified.

As a result, he whizzes past the house, wakes us up at all hours and recently, almost mowed down me and my young children when we were leaving our front door to walk to school. I tried to give him an earful but he simply drove off with a wheelspin and a grin.

I've left a note on his car windscreen stating that the road has young families and pets, and to please be more considerate, but it's not made an iota of difference.

What can I do next? I think all it would take is the police to clock him going a mad speed in our road to stop him, but can't imagine that happening

Reckless: A This is Money reader has a boy racer whizzing up and down his street (stock image)

Jane Denton, of This is Money, replies: Depressingly, the tide of anti-social and criminal behaviour on our streets seems to be ever-increasing. Where are the tough penalties and sentences required?

This boy racer is putting your family and others on your street in danger and causing a nuisance. Speeding is a criminal offence and can lead to penalty points or a disqualification and a fine, in addition to possible court costs.

It's unfortunate, but not surprising, that leaving a note on his car windscreen failed to rectify the problem.

You've told me the culprit lives 15 doors down from you. If he lives with family, you could, along with one or two others affected on your street, go to the house in question and calmly and clearly outline your grievances to them.

This won't be possible or viable in all cases and shouldn't be pursued if you think your safety could be at risk.

As a starting point, make a note of all the times, dates and details the incidents are occurring.

Keeping a log like this will prove useful when dealing with your local council or police later down the line, should you choose to take the matter further.

I've asked two legal experts for their views on the issues you've raised.

In the know: Sunjay Versani is a director of criminal law at Duncan Lewis

Sunjay Versani, director of criminal law at Duncan Lewis, says: Unfortunately, many communities are increasingly affected by noise and disruption from inconsiderate drivers, often called 'boy racers.'

This behaviour can cause a serious disturbance, especially in quiet residential areas.

However, there are steps you and your neighbours can take to address the issue, though some may take time and may not immediately stop the disruptive behaviour.

Since you have already left a note on the car, it might also be worth calmly approaching the driver's family and discussing your concerns when the driver and car are not present.

If this approach does not help, it is worth reporting the behaviour to the police.

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While there is a perception that the police may be too busy, they do have a duty to address reckless and careless driving in residential areas, which can be classified as dangerous driving or driving without due care and attention.

Gather as much evidence as possible -video recordings with timestamps of the careless driving are very helpful.

Noise-detecting cameras can also record vehicles and noise levels, which can lead to fines if used by the police.

You can contact your local police on the non-emergency number 101 and explain the safety risks posed by the driver's behaviour.

Enlisting the support of other neighbours when raising this complaint can also increase the chance of action, as councils and police are often more responsive to community-wide concerns.

Your local council's community safety team may also have initiatives to address anti-social behaviour.

Councils sometimes work with police to install traffic calming measures, like speed bumps or signage, particularly if multiple residents report the same issue.

If the problem persists, ask the council or police about the possibility of issuing a Public Spaces Protection Order, which can restrict anti-social activities such as loud revving and racing.

In serious cases, an Anti-Social Behaviour Order might be used to limit disruptive activity.

Repeated disturbances, like excessive noise and reckless driving, may qualify.

As a last resort, you could consider a civil nuisance complaint. This requires proving that the driver's actions harm your property enjoyment, which may involve legal advice and is a longer process with no immediate guarantees.

Whatever steps you choose, document all incidents thoroughly.

Comprehensive evidence will help the police and council understand the impact of this behaviour on your community, and the more neighbours who support the complaint, the higher the chances of achieving a positive resolution.

Legal expert: Declan Storrar is a solicitor at Hodge Jones & Allen

Declan Storrar, a solicitor at Hodge Jones & Allen, says: It is very unfortunate that you find yourself in this position. While it is frustrating and disruptive, you may have a few options available to you.

You will normally have to work with your local council and local police service in order to achieve a resolution.

In the first instance, you should report the speeding incidents as they happen to your local police.

The more reports you log, the more information there will be for the police to consider whether they should or would be willing to take action.

The police are unlikely to take action when there is a lack of complaints or evidence to the contrary.

You can normally submit information or reports to the police online or via the 101 non-emergency number.

In some cases and with sufficient evidence, the police may decide to take direct action against the individual you are raising a complaint against.

In addition to the reports to the policing department, once you have sufficient evidence, you can also report this matter to your local council and to your local councillor.

In support of your complaint, you could provide additional evidence such as witness statements from local residents, videos, doorbell camera recordings - subject to compliance with separate legislations - diaries of incidents and police incident numbers from the reporting to 101.

Your local council is ultimately responsible for setting local speed limits and introducing traffic calming measures such as speed humps and chicanes.

You could make an application to your council for a permanent Traffic Regulation Order.

This will prompt your council to carry out an assessment to decide if traffic calming measures are feasible, necessary and within the councils' budget.

If the council believes this to be the case, then a further detailed assessment will be carried out and you will be informed of the results.

Should your application be successful, it may be postponed until the council's following financial year or budget.

It is important to note that in the event your council refuses to place traffic calming measures, you cannot take traffic calming action into your own hands.

Any attempt to place calming measures on public roads is considered an illegal obstruction of highways and streets which if you are found guilty of, carries a penalty of imprisonment or a fine or both.

As an alternative to the process set out above, you may have recourse in tort or private prosecution. However, you would need to seek legal advice about this.
NASA staff are calling on Elon Musk to 'clean house' as it is revealed the agency blew millions of taxpayer money on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.

Spending reports from 2020 to 2024 showed NASA awarded grants to universities and consulting firms to support 'environmental justice' and initiatives that 'embrace greater diversity and inclusive practices.'

LMI consulting received over $2 million in 2023 for NASA to 'embark on a venture to incorporate and deeply engrain diversity, inclusion, equity and accessibility in the culture and business.'

Another $3 million went to Booze Allen Hamilton in March to support NASA's 'office of diversity and equal opportunity DEI data analytic specialty,' and $ 7 million was announced last month for six 'minority-serving institutions.'

Amid these expenditures, staff have voiced concerns online about budget shortages, citing struggles with 'limited funds' due to 'wasteful spending.' Software engineer Kyle Sorensen told he hopes Musk will 'clean house.'

Musk, along with former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, was tapped to lead the Department of Government Efficiency that aims to 'slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures and restructure Federal Agencies.'

A former NASA employee told DailyMail.com that NASA's DEI is 'destroying America's ability to compete with China in space because the Biden-Harris administration will only fund programs that feature it.'

A NASA software engineer told DailyMail.com that he hopes 'Elon cleans house' as the agency has been hit with a budget crisis

NASA receives, on average, about 0.4 percent of what the US government spends each year, but is still given a budget of at least $20 billion.

While the space agency has dished out millions for DEI, it's data showed it generated more than $75.6 billion in economic output across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., in fiscal year 2023.

Yet, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) laid off five percent, 325 employees, of its workforce this week and a previous 530 that were let go in February.

The American space agency began incorporating diversity and equal employment opportunity elements into supervisors' performance plans in 2005 but did not hold leaders fully accountable until 2021.

This shift coincided with the Biden-Harris Administration's executive order, emphasizing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility within the federal workforce.

NASA's spending report, first reported on by the Daily Signal, highlighted several universities that received NASA grants for environmental justice, including the Regents of the University of California that was awarded $250,000.

The fund was provided to support 'Earth Science Applications: Equity and Environmental Justice.'

And in 2020, NASA allocated roughly $900,000 to the National Academy of Sciences, a private, non-profit organization.

Spending reports from 2020 to 2024 showed NASA awarded grants to universities and consulting firms to support 'environmental justice' and initiatives that 'embrace greater diversity and inclusive practices'

Musk, along with former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy (pictured), was tapped to lead the Department of Government Efficiency that aims to 'slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures and restructure Federal Agencies'

The grant was for 'increasing diversity and inclusion in the leadership of competed space missions by establishing an ad hoc committee to recommend actions to increase diversity, inclusion, equity and accessibility in the leadership of space mission proposals.'

The Southeastern Universities Research Association was also given thousands of dollars to make the NASA's heliophysics material 'more relevant and open to the Latinx and Native American communities.'

DailyMail.com uncovered more DEI grants worth millions that had not published in the spending report, including the funds given to Booz Allen Hamilton.

The Virginia-based company is described as 'a management and technology consulting firm that provides services to the U.S. government, military, and other organizations.'

While Booz Allen Hamilton has conducted space exploration research for NASA, it has received or been promised several grants for DEI programs.

Reports from USA Spending.gov show a $3.3 million grant proposal issued in March for 'NASA's Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity DEI data analytics and assessment.'

Completion of the award is scheduled for August 2025.

NASA has been plagued by overrun costs during the Biden Administration, exceeding its roughly $99 billion from taxpayers by about $10 billion. The funds have mostly gone to the Artemis mission that has suffered delays

'NASA JPL will lay off almost a thousand workers this year to make budget space for a plethora of ridiculous word salad DEI and environmental programs which contribute nothing to actual space exploration,' the former NASA employee said.

'DEI is a full employment program for people with otherwise useless degrees.'

An August report found that NASA spent more than $1 billion less on planetary science in the first two years of the decadal period (2023 - 2032).

'If these trends continue, there will be a $5 to 11 billion shortfall in planetary science funding by 2032,' reads the report from the Planetary Society.

'These missing billions will reduce the rate of medium and small planetary missions, severely delay new flagship missions to Uranus and Enceladus, and severely constrain options for implementing Mars Sample Return.'.

Rudy Ridolfi, former Space System Commander in the US military, told DailyMail.com that '[the DEI funding] is a small amount relative to [NASA's]research budget,' but with' the Artemis Program overruns, NASA should be conserving every dollar of their budget.'

'Artemis was the big program for the cost overruns. The schedule set by the Biden Administration and the concept of the Lunar Gateway were just too much for NASA to accomplish.'

NASA has been plagued by overrun costs during the Biden Administration, exceeding its roughly $99 billion from taxpayers by about $10 billion.

When asked about the $10 billion overrun in costs, John Conafay, former US Air Force and worked at the Office of the CFO NASA, told DailyMail.com: 'It's not good.'

Conafay explained that the US has been using cost-plus contracts since World War II. These contracts allow companies to renegotiate for more funding when they encounter delays or issues, which has contributed to NASA's budget challenges.

'A lot of people are out there kind of questioning like, why are we doing this,' he said.

'Why aren't we doing fixed price contracts? So it improperly incentivizes free market to build what they say, they're going to build on time and under budget. Otherwise, if that cost them right?'

DailyMail.com has contacted NASA for comment.
For many people around the world, Coca-Cola's much-loved 'Holidays are Coming' advert marks the beginning of Christmas.

First aired in 1995, the ad shows the soft drink giant's red delivery trucks emblazoned with lights making festive deliveries through a snowy landscape.

Ever since, variations of the promo have arrived in the weeks leading up to Christmas - but now the company has made the biggest change yet.

The new 16-second ad for 2024 has been developed solely using AI, meaning all the 'actors' are not real people and none of the shots were filmed on location.

While the firm claims the new commercial was an 'efficient' way of saving time and money, fans are not impressed.

Many have taken to X (Twitter) to slam the ad, calling it 'garbage', 'ugly' and 'too niche', while calling the multi-billion-dollar corporation 'lazy'.

One X user posted: 'just saw an ai generated coca cola commercial on tv... genuinely how are we letting this happen.

'I feel like im watching the death of art and our planet unfold in front of my eyes and no one irl [in real life] seems to care.'

Holid-AIs are coming: Coca-Cola has used artificial intelligence to reinvent its iconic Christmas advert from three decades ago

'Maybe the worst possible thing to use AI is for the coke-cola [sic] christmas advert!!!!' The beloved advert gets millions of TV viewers in the festive spirit

'How are we letting this happen?': One user said it feels like we are 'watching the death of art'

A second commentator described the ad as 'so fkn ugly', while a third posted: 'the world is so over if the christmas Coca Cola advert is made with AI.'

Someone else posted to say they're 'fuming' and 'outraged' about the clip, adding that it looks 'utter s***, while another said it made them feel 'immediately sick'.

Since the original nearly 30 years ago, Coca-Cola's annual 'Holidays are Coming' adverts have used real actors and two tonne trucks decked with Christmas lights.

But this year's ad has been developed solely using AI, meaning every element the viewer sees is a figment of a machine's 'imagination'.

Generally, the use of AI in advertising and the arts has proved a controversial move, as some critics feel it forces creative types out of work.

One commentator called it 'kinda sad', while someone else posted: 'Maybe the worst possible thing to use AI is for the coke-cola [sic] christmas advert!!!!'

Coca-Cola has said the new commercial  made with three AI studios Secret Level, Silverside AI and Wild Card  was an 'efficient' way of saving time and money.

It relied on 'generative' AI  where clever AI systems are trained on a large amount of data to generate new video, images, text and other content.

'Too niche': The company said its new commercial was an 'efficient' way of saving time and money, but fans are not impressed

'Kinda sad': The use of AI in advertising and the arts has proved a controversial move, as some critics feel it forces creative types out of work

Someone else said they are 'fuming' and 'outraged' about the new advert, adding that it looks 'utter s***'

'So ugly': Coca-Cola wanted to save time and money by making a commercial with AI rather than hiring out actors, props and locations

Are the simple things in life being ruined by AI? Artificial intelligence tech has been especially popular with firms since the success of ChatGPT

'Felt immediately sick': The ad used generative AI - clever computer systems that are trained on a large amount of data to generate new video, images, text and other content

The new 16-second clip for 2024 has been developed solely using AI , meaning all the 'actors' are not real people and none of the shots were filmed on location

Javier Meza, the EU chief marketing officer at Coca-Cola, said the company wanted to adapt to 'today's times', with the use of a more diverse cast and AI technology.

'We didn't start by saying, "OK, we need to do this with AI",' Mr Meza told Marketing Week.

'The brief was, we want to bring Holidays Are Coming into the present and then we explored AI as a solution to that.'

In an official company statement, a spokesman called it an 'exciting venture into AI-generated storytelling'.

'[It] demonstrates Coca-Cola's commitment to embracing innovation, leveraging our collaborations with top creative and technology partners, while staying true to its core values  spreading happiness and creating real magic.'

While the holiday advert's history only spans the past 30 years, Santa has been featured in CocaCola ads since the 1920s.

However, it's a total urban myth that CocaCola created the legend of Santa Claus, as is the rumour that CocaCola made Santa red.

Before CocaCola was invented in 1886, Santa Claus had appeared in numerous illustrations and books wearing a scarlet coat.

Coca-Cola's much-loved 'Holidays are Coming' advert shows the soft drink giant's red delivery trucks emblazoned with lights making festive deliveries through a snowy landscape. Pictured, a shot from the 1995 original

Chicago-born artist Fred Mizen painted this department-store Santa in a crowd drinking the now-famous beverage

However, the fizzy drinks firm claims to have played a role in shaping the fat, jolly character we know today.

In 1930, Chicago-born artist Fred Mizen was commissioned to paint Santa drinking the beverage in front of the world's largest soda fountain, located in the Famous-Barr department store in downtown St Louis, surrounded by adoring children.

Mizen's painting was used in print ads that Christmas season, appearing in The Saturday Evening Post in December 1930.

The following year, CocaCola commissioned Michigan-born illustrator Haddon Sundblom to develop advertising images using Santa Claus.

For inspiration, Sundblom turned to Clement Clark Moore's 1822 poem 'A Visit From St. Nicholas', commonly called ''Twas the Night Before Christmas'.

Moore's description of St. Nick led to an image of a warm, friendly, pleasantly plump and human Santa.
November 14, 2024: There are things Russia does not want to deal with or be reminded of. One of these forgettable items is the loss of the Black Sea Fleet and the inability for the Russian navy to operate in the Black Sea. Russia recently held its annual naval exercises and this year none of those operations took place in the Black Sea. Over the last three years Russia has lost 29 warships in the Black Sea and doesnt want to lose any more.

Ukraine has no navy but they do have a lot of imagination and know how to innovate and quickly build and use their innovations. This is how hundreds of Ukrainian air and naval drones wiped out the Black Sea Fleet. Ukraine can export its agricultural products and import what it needs via the Black Sea. Russia has to depend on ports in the north, near the Arctic Circle. There are air and naval bases up there along with NATO members Norway and Finland to keep an eye on what the Russians are up to. There isnt much to report because Ukraine figured out a way to make drone attacks on Russian forces in the far north.

In 2022 Russia believed it could hunt down Ukrainian forces wherever they were. Now Russian air and naval forces are attacked wherever they are. In 2022 Russia believed they could strangle Ukrainian trade via control of the Black Sea. Defeat of the mighty Black Sea Fleet was inconceivable. Then it happened and the Russians are trapped in a disaster they created.
Scientists exploring the Arctic were in for a surprise after discovering a perfectly preserved saber-toothed kitten.

The kitten has been mummified in the permafrost for 37,000 years ago, according to researchers from the Russian Academy of Sciences.

In their new study, published in Scientific Reports, the team has revealed unprecedented details of this long-extinct animal.

Despite having died during the last ice age, the three-year-old kitten's head, forelimbs, torso, and paws were kept in near-pristine condition by the cold.

The team found that its neck was twice as thick as a modern-day lion cub's.

Meanwhile, its jaw was specially adapted to hold its iconic cone-shaped incisors.

The scientists even discovered how the kittens 'bean shaped' toes would have helped it walk through the snow of the last ice age.

In their study, the researchers write: 'For the first time in the history of palaeontology, the appearance of an extinct mammal that has no analogues in the modern fauna has been studied.'

Scientists have discovered a perfectly preserved saber-toothed kitten (pictured) buried in the Siberian permafrost 37,000 years after it died

The researchers say that the saber-toothed tiger's paws (pictured) were much wider than those of a lion (bottom right) in order for it to spread its weight as it walked over deep snow

During a 2022 expedition, scientists found the remains of the mummified kitten frozen into a block of ice in the Badyarikhskoe region in the Russian republic of Yakutia.

For unknown reasons, only the upper half of the body was found in one piece.

However, the kitten's incomplete femur and shin bone were also found relatively intact nearby.

Although it isn't clear how the kitten died, the researchers believe that it would have lived during a period called the Late Piocene during which Earth was covered in vast ice sheets.

Previous studies have found 'numerous' woolly mammoth bones in the soil of this area but this is the first time such a completely frozen specimen of any species has been found.

Lead author Dr Alexey Lopatin and his colleagues write: 'Findings of frozen mummified remains of the Late Pleistocene mammals are very rare.'

Normally, the bones from animals from this period are scattered by scavengers and the elements, long before they can be found by scientists.

This means that we still don't know much about the animals which walked the Earth during the last ice age.

Compared to a lion cub of the same age (bottom) the saber-toothed kitten (top) had a wider jaw, a flatter muzzle, and a muscular neck that was twice as thick as a lion's

Scientists found the perfectly preserved specimen in 2022 while digging in the permafrost of the Badyarikhskoe region in the Russian republic of Yakutia (pictured)

However, thanks to this discovery, researchers now have a unique window into the development of this iconic species.

The saber-toothed kitten is covered with a coat of dark brown fur which the scientists describe as 'short, thick, soft' and is longer over its neck and back.

The kitten also has a short whispy beard growing around its chin and two rows of fine whiskers.

Comparing the mummified sabre-toothed tiger to a modern lion cub of a similar age, the researchers noted several obvious differences.

Most noticeably, the mummified kitten was significantly more muscular and had a 'very massive neck' and an unusual muzzle shape which is significantly wider than that of a modern lion.

This, and other key adaptations, are believed to have allowed the saber-toothed tiger to grow its massive fangs.

Dr Lopatin and his co-authors write: 'One of the striking features of the morphology of Homotherium, both in adults and in the studied cub, is the presence of an enlarged premaxillary bone.'

This bone, which sits in the front part of the upper jaw, would have allowed the kitten to grow a row of large cone-shaped incisors.

The saber-toothed tiger hunted large mammals like aurochs and deer which lived in modern-day Siberia during the last ice age. The researchers discovered several adaptations which would have allowed these hunters to survive the cold and grow such large teeth

Images A and B show a scan of the saber-toothed kitten's skull while C and D show that of a modern lion. YOu can see that the saber-tooth's skull is shorter and rounder, with a much larger jaw

Unlike in 'The Lion King', this Siberian Simba had to wait tens of thousands of years for their time in the spotlight

However, this particular kitten was too young to have grown its impressive fangs as scans showed that it still had some of its baby teeth.

Additionally, the incredible preservation of this specimen reveals the interesting ways in which the big cat adapted to its frozen environment.

As well as a thick coat and small ears which help reduce heat loss, the sabre-toothed mummy had wide paws to spread its weight over the snow.

Likewise, the baby cat lacked carpal pads, pads of thick skin found at the back of the wrist joint, which scientists believe help to walk in deep snow.

This big cat, homotherium latidens, is the only species in its genus known to live in Eurasia during this time period.

Comparisons to species found in Spain suggest that it probably hunted big prey animals like aurochs and deer.

But finding this specimen so deep in Siberia suggests that they may have ranged much further north than previously expected.

For now, the researchers have only identified the most obvious and unusual features of the mummified cat but they are already planning more research to discuss the cub's anatomy in much greater detail.
The world's five most polluting cities have been revealed - and they're all in Asia and the US.

Climate Trace, an organisation co-founded by Al Gore, found that seven states or provinces spew out more than one billion metric tons of greenhouse gases every year.

At a city level, Shanghai tops the list, having emitted a whopping 256 million metric tons of greenhouse gases last year.

Other cities at the top of the list include New York, Houston, and Tokyo.

However, one site in Texas was found to be the worst polluting site in the entire world.

'One of the sites in the Permian Basin in Texas is by far the No. 1 worst polluting site in the entire world,' Gore said.

'And maybe I shouldn't have been surprised by that, but I think of how dirty some of these sites are in Russia and China and so forth.

'But Permian Basin is putting them all in the shade.'

The world's most polluting cities have been revealed, with the vast majority of them in Asia and the US. At a city level, Shanghai tops the list, having emitted a whopping 256 million metric tons of greenhouse gases this year

Their analysis revealed that Earth's total carbon dioxide and methane pollution grew 0.7 per cent to 61.2 billion metric tons with the short-lived but extra potent methane rising 0.2 per cent

The data comes as nations at UN climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan are trying to set new targets to cut such emissions and figure out how much rich nations will pay to help the world with that task.

Using satellite and ground observations, supplemented by AI, Climate Trace set out to quantify carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, as well as other traditional air pollutants worldwide, including for the first time in more than 9,000 urban areas.

Their analysis revealed that Earth's total carbon dioxide and methane pollution grew 0.7 per cent to 61.2 billion metric tons with the short-lived but extra potent methane rising 0.2 per cent.

The figures are higher than other datasets 'because we have such comprehensive coverage and we have observed more emissions in more sectors than are typically available,' said Gavin McCormick, Climate Trace's co-founder.

Shanghai's 256 million metric tons of greenhouse gases led all cities and exceeded those from the nations of Colombia or Norway.

Tokyo's 250 million metric tons would rank in the top 40 of nations if it were a country, while New York City's 160 million metric tons and Houston's 150 million metric tons would be in the top 50 of countrywide emissions.

Seoul, South Korea, ranks fifth among cities at 142 million metric tons.

China, India, Iran, Indonesia and Russia had the biggest increases in emissions from 2022 to 2023, while Venezuela, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States had the biggest decreases in pollution.

Tokyo's 250 million metric tons would rank in the top 40 of nations if it were a country, according to Climate Trace

According to Climate Trace's data, Asia released a total of 34.25 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases in 2023

The world's 5 most polluting cities Shanghai: 256 million metric tons Tokyo: 250 million metric tons New York City: 160 million metric tons Houston: 150 million metric tons Seoul: 142 million metric tons Advertisement

The dataset - maintained by scientists and analysts from various groups - also looked at traditional pollutants such as carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and other chemicals associated with dirty air.

Burning fossil fuels releases both types of pollution, according to Gore.

This 'represents the single biggest health threat facing humanity,' he said.

Gore criticized the hosting of climate talks, called COPs, by Azerbaijan, an oil nation and site of the world's first oil wells, and by the United Arab Emirates last year.

'It's unfortunate that the fossil fuel industry and the petrostates have seized control of the COP process to an unhealthy degree,' he said.

'Next year in Brazil, we'll see a change in that pattern.

'But, you know, it's not good for the world community to give the No. 1 polluting industry in the world that much control over the whole process.'

Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has called for more to be done on climate change and has sought to slow deforestation since returning for a third term as president.

China, India, Iran, Indonesia and Russia had the biggest increases in emissions from 2022 to 2023, while Venezuela, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States had the biggest decreases in pollution

But Brazil last year produced more oil than both Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

On Friday, former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, former UN climate chief Christina Figueres and leading climate scientists released a letter calling for 'an urgent overhaul' on climate talks.

The letter said the 'global climate process has been captured and is no longer fit for purpose' in response to Azerbaijan's president Ilham Aliyev saying that oil and gas are a 'gift of the gods.'
Storm Sara has made a 'remarkable change' overnight as it moved into the Gulf of Mexico.

The weather event was initially on headed toward Florida, potentially upgrading to a Category 2 hurricane, but made landfall on Honduras as a tropical storm early Friday morning.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued an alert today saying that heavy rain will cause 'catastrophic flash flooding and mudslides' over Central America.

And by Friday morning, Sara was located just south of the island of Roatan.

The storm will likely turn northwest and drench Mexicos Yucatan Peninsula. But forecasters said it probably wont reemerge into the Gulf after crossing the Yucatan.

The NHC also noted that even if Sara emerges from the Gulf, the environment 'is not favorable for redevelopment.'

Meteorologist Tomer Burg said on X that 'the multi-model consensus no longer has Sara affecting Florida as a tropical cyclonea remarkable change from just 2 days ago when models consistently showed a major hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico.'

Forecasters said that while Florida has been spared, the lower Florida Keys may see fringe impacts of rainfall next week.

A hurricane tracker has revealed Sara won't reach hurricane status and has been downgraded to a tropical storm

The storm is no longer projected to directly impact Florida, which will see only slight rainfall over the weekend before Sara fizzles out on Monday

The unpredictable path of Sara has changed dramatically this week.

Sara was expected to reach hurricane status by 7pm ET Thursday, reaching a Category 3 status two days later and hitting Florida by Wednesday next week as a Category 2 hurricane, AccuWeather meteorologists predicted.

However, a newly released spaghetti model - so-called because the lines resemble strands of pasta - showed Sara curving through Central America through midnight on Monday.

But the wind speeds could extend outward up to 105 miles from its center, bringing rainfall to Florida even though the storm won't directly hit the state.

Meteorologist Nikki Nolan told CBS News that despite the storm's new path, 'Florida residents should closely monitor the forecast updates as they come in.'

Sara is expected to unleash five to 10 inches of rain across Belize, El Salvador, eastern Guatemala, western Nicaragua and the Mexican state of Quintana Roo.

The NHC forecast said isolated areas of Honduras should expect up to 30 inches of rain which could lead to life-threatening floods and landslides.

'Interests elsewhere in Belize, and the Yucatan Peninsula should monitor the progress of this system,' the NHC said on Friday morning.

'Storm surge could raise water levels by as much as one to three feet above normal tide levels along the immediate coast in areas of onshore winds along the northern coast of Honduras and Guatemala,' the agency continued.

'Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.'

Sara is currently moving at nine miles per hour with wind speeds up to 50 miles per hour as it approaches Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula

The Caribbean Sea has been a hotspot for tropical storm and hurricane development this season due to its warmer-than-average temperatures that extends 300 to 400 feet below the ocean's surface.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), an average hurricane season produces 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes.

However, the agency did predict earlier this year that there would be an 'above average' number of storms.

Sara is the 18th named storm of the 2024 hurricane season and is the third named this month due to record-breaking warm waters in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.
Whether it's a friendly smiley face or a cheeky aubergine, emoji now form a staple part of many of our day-to-day conversations.

Now, the draft emoji list for 2025/2026 has been revealed - and it suggests emoji-lovers could soon have several new characters to play with.

Unicode has proposed a total of 164 new emoji - including nine brand new characters.

Users will be able to use a 'distorted face', with huge, bug-like eyes, flushed cheeks, and raised eyebrows.

You'll also get access to a 'hairy creature', which appears to have been inspired by Bigfoot.

While the new emoji will still need to be approved, they've already drummed up huge interest on X (formerly Twitter).

'Big foot would be dope,' one user wrote, while another added: 'gonna need that bigfoot'.

And one joked: 'oh the distorted face is gonna be my most used emoji fo sho.'

Unicode has proposed a total of 164 new emoji - including nine brand new characters

Alongside the names of the new emoji, the Emoji Subcommittee has provided samples of what they'll look like.

The 'distorted face' features huge, bulging eyes, raised eyebrows, and flushed cheeks, while the 'fight cloud' features stars and squiggles bursting out of a cloud.

The 'ballet dancer' shows a dancer performing an arabesque, while the 'hairy creature' looks just like Bigfoot.

The other characters include an apple core, an orca (killer whale), a trombone, a landslide, and a treasure chest.

However, it could be a while before we finally get them on our smartphones.

In a blog announcing the new characters, Emojipedia explained: 'Unicode 17.0 and Emoji 17.0 are expected to be approved in September 2025, so we'll have to wait a while before they are officially recommended.

'Between now and September 2025 there will be several further considerations made by Unicode regarding these draft emoji candidates.

'This means that some of these proposed emojis may not be brought forward for final approval.'

While the new emoji will still need to be approved, they've already drummed up huge interest on X (formerly Twitter)

Despite the wait, several users have taken to X to discuss their excitement at the new characters.

'I like the ballet dancer,' one user said, while another added: 'I appreciate big foot.'

One user wrote: 'Distorted face and apple core are dope.'

And another joked: 'I live on west coast, so orca is needed.

'Love distorted face too, could be useful as a response to some of the political takes on this app.'
The whistleblower report on the US government's top-secret UFO data retrieval program has revealed shocking evidence of Non-Human Intelligence (NHI) on Earth.

The report details the findings of 'Immaculate Constellation,' an Unacknowledged Special Access Program (USAP) established to 'detect' and 'quarantine' the military's best UFO imagery, videos, eyewitness testimonies and electronic sensor evidence.

It features numerous eyewitness accounts from 1991 through 2022, including flying metallic orbs, 'jellyfish'-shaped aircraft, and UFOs that reportedly altered witnesses' perception of time.

The public-version of the report also discusses how infrared satellites captured footage of a massive 400-foot-wide saucer-shaped UFO soaring out of a dense cloud.

'This behavior was evasive in nature and implied that the saucer-shaped UAP had become aware that it was under observation by a space-based collection platform,' reads the report.

The program was discussed at a Congressional hearing about UAPs on Wednesday and shortly after, Representative Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) made the 11-page document available to the public.

Michael Shellenberger, a sworn witness of the hearing, told the court that Immaculate Conception has captured thousands of 'high-resolution imagery' of UAPs.

'The American people need to know that the US military is sitting on a huge amount of visual and other information, still photos, video photos or sensor information, and have for a very long time,' he said.

The whistleblowers claimed that the investigation 'was in response to urgent and credible threats to the good and safety of the United States of America,' while claiming that the Executive Branch has been managing UAP and NHI issues without Congressional knowledge.

A bombshell report on the US government's top-secret UFO data retrieval program has revealed shocking evidence of Non-Human Intelligence (NHI) on Earth. Above, a still from a previously released unclassified US government video appears to show a UAP.

UFO encounter puts personnel in a 'trance'

An active flight deck personnel working night duty on a CVN - or a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier - in the Pacific experienced a close encounter with a spherical UAP of medium-large size, the report states.

The personnel described the UFO as a 'small, orange-red sphere' that emitted a soft light that 'bizarrely, did not illuminate the ocean or the flight deck of the CVN despite the visual appearance of intense luminosity.'

They observed the surface of the UFO to be 'dynamic,' saying that it was 'roiling like the surface of the sun.'

The strange object maneuvered at high altitude above the CVN, then rapidly dropped to a position directly above the flight deck shortly after the witnesses spotted it.

The UFO maintained altitude and kept pace with the CVN for 'an uncertain period,' and 'observing personnel reported altered perceptions of time during the close encounter,' the report states.

After some time, the UFO 'suddenly shot into the air, disappearing at a point high above the CVN.'

'Observing personnel felt as if they snapped out of a trance and a sense of profound unease.'

'Eyestrain, headaches and dread' induced by UFO

Ground personnel at a military airfield located on the Eastern Seaboard reported a 'lengthy, low-altitude intrusion' by a small spherical UFO late at night, according to the report.

The witnesses described the object as a 'blurry sphere around which light was distorted or bent,' which gave the appearance of a heat-haze or misty volume of distorted light.'

Personnel first spotted the UFO as it was slowly crossing the runway and moving in the direction of a 'sensitive area.'

Once across, it 'hovered above a grouping of ground equipment, before floating further towards a building within the sensitive area.'

The UFO then suddenly disappeared.

While observing this 'dark sphere,' personnel reported 'eyestrain, headaches, and a feeling of unease or dread.' They estimated that the encounter lasted between 10 and 15 minutes, though they weren't certain.

12 metallic orbs perform 'rapid and agile maneuvering'

Orbs are among the most common UFO morphologies. Above, a metallic-looking orb flies over an Iraqi city, caught on video by a US spy plane (pictured). The image was captured in 2016

The report details video and infrared footage of a formation of roughly 12 metallic orbs 'skimming the ocean surface at high-speed before dispersing in multiple directions.'

'The rapid and agile maneuvering of the metallic orbs were incompatible with known aerospace vehicles,' the report reads. The objects and were 10-20 feet in diameter.

In the infrared footage, the orbs registered 'white-hot' against the 'black-cold' ocean surface, and each one created a faint 'atmospheric distortion both around itself and as a heat-shimmer contrail.''

At the start of the video, the orbs flew in a 'tight 'cuboid' formation,' having assembled into 'three vertical-square formations of ~4 orbs each, arranged in a three-pronged configuration, creating the illusion of a cube shape at distance.'

'The metallic orbs moved in this cube formation over the ocean for some time before rapidly breaking formation as pairs,' the report reads.

As most of the orbs gained speed and altitude, the sensor platform lost track of them. But it maintained observation of one pair that 'continued the original trajectory of the larger formation.'

400-foot-wide flying saucer emerges from cloud

Infrared satellites captured footage of a massive saucer-shaped UFO emerging from within a dense cloud formation.

The saucer's circumference was estimated to be between 650 and 1,300 feet, which would place its diameter between roughly 200 and 400 feet.

It also 'displayed symmetrical concavities on the upper surface,' the report reads.

The saucer registered hot in the infrared footage, and created visible 'atmospheric disturbances.'

The object emerged from the cloud formation at a shallow angle and travelled upwards toward the outer atmosphere.

After breaking above the cloud cover, the saucer suddenly reversed its direction and descended partially back into the cloud cover.

It then accelerated rapidly out of frame, remaining partly obscured by the cloud tops, according to the report.

'Jellyfish' UFO crosses US-Mexico border

In January, leaked infrared footage showed a 'jellyfish' shaped UFO that was not visible to the naked eye flying over a US military base

The report also described infrared footage of a 'jellyfish' or 'floating-brain' shaped UFO with 'hanging appendages' that flew across the southern border.

In the footage, the surface of the UFO appeared 'mottled' with both hot and cold spots, and it 'flew against the wind with no visible means of propulsion,' the report reads.

As it moved, it 'maintained an unnatural rigidity in its movements and flight path,' and kept a low altitude relative to geographic features.

'In appearance and behavior, footage of this UAP violating the airspace of the southern border resembled the same class of UAPs observed near DoD facilities in Iraq and Afghanistan,' the report states.

Whistleblower alleges 'decades' of conspiracy

These accounts and others detailed in the report show that UFOs are 'operating around the globe, often in close proximity to sensitive foreign assets and locations,' the report states.

If proven to be legitimate, Immaculate Constellation and the information that this program allegedly contains would show that the US government is sitting on a mountain of UFO data and intelligence.

What's more, the report alleges that 'the Executive Branch has been managing UAP/NHI issues without Congressional knowledge, oversight, or authorization for some time, quite possibly decades.'

'This criminal conspiracy keeps the elected government of the United States and its citizens ignorant to profound discoveries and dire threats,' the report reads, 'originating from the existence of UAP, NHI, and their technologies,' the report adds.

Reporting in defense publication Jane's Defense first revealed the existence of USAPs decades ago, showing that government officials were authorized to lie publicly to deny their existence.

While the full report was only released this week, details from it were published by Public after the document was leaked to journalist Michael Shellenberger in October.

The report was posted online the same night as a Congressional UFO hearing during which lawmakers heard testimony from four sworn witnesses on America's weird and troubling UFO phenomena

In response, a Pentagon spokesperson denied the existence of the program, telling reporters: 'The Department of Defense has no record, present or historical, of any type of SAP [Special Access Program] called 'IMMACULATE CONSTELLATION.''

The full document was posted online the same night as a Congressional UFO hearing during which lawmakers heard testimony from four sworn witnesses on America's weird and troubling UFO phenomena.

The expert witnesses included two former military officers.

Discussion raised questions about alien intelligence and military research using alien technology, as well as concerns that foreign powers may be using secret aircraft to spy on US military installations.

During the hearing, Government Cybersecurity and Innovation Chairwoman Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) - who released the eleven-page report - asked: 'How would you define non-human intelligence, non-human biologics? What are we actually talking about.'

House Oversight Panelist Mike Gold, a NASA legal and policy specialist who now works in the private aerospace sector, asserted that we must re-examine the idea with modest assumptions, but noted that an advanced visiting intelligence may not actually be biological.

When pressed about what 'non-biological intelligence' means,' Gold replied: 'Artificial intelligence, ML, machines.'

The public's interest in this topic was apparent from the sheer volume of private citizen attendance at the hearing, DailyMail.com's Matthew Phelan reported live from the event.

Lawmakers said the many questions about UAPs show the need for the government to closely study the issue and share their findings with the American public.

'There is something out there,' said Republican Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee. 'The question is: Is it ours, is it someone else's, or is it otherworldly?'
Newly released documents have revealed that Canadian police collected debris of a UFO that was shot down over Lake Huron last year.

The object was taken down on February 12, 2023 by a US F-16 fighter jet, marking the third such incident over North America that month.

Witnesses described the object as 'octagonal' with strings hanging off it before the jet fired two missiles, striking the UFO that then slowly descended into Canadian waters.

Documents obtained by CTVNews.ca stated that 'wreckage' was found on 'the shoreline of Lake Huron' weeks after search efforts were suspended.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) partnered with the American and Canadian Coast Guard to conduct a brief search following the incident.

By February 16, it was called off due to 'deteriorating weather and the low probability of recovery, according to an RCMP statement.

But the partially redacted emails acquired by CTVNews.ca revealed that the RCMP collected 'both material and a module' from the site of the incident roughly three weeks after the object was shot down.

National security officials have criticized the effort for a 'lack of transparency.'

Newly released documents have revealed that Canadian police collected debris after an unidentified object was shot down over Lake Huron on February 12 2023

'The module is from a company who sells weather monitoring equipment,' a senior RCMP member told a Canadian military brigadier-general in an email sent on March 13, 2023, according to CTVNews.ca.

'It will be analyzed to determine if there is anything unusual with it but I suspect not given the size. Whether or not it is from the shoot down is uncertain,' the email continued.

An RCMP spokesperson further confirmed the debris collection in a statement to CTVNews.ca.

'The RCMP confirms that debris was recovered from the shores of Lake Huron, and we continue to work in close collaboration with our domestic and international partners in furthering the investigation,' the spokesperson said Friday.

'As the investigation is ongoing, additional details cannot be provided at this time.'

The RCMP would not confirm whether the debris was ever definitively linked to the Lake Huron object, and Canada's Department of National Defense also declined to comment, CTVNews.ca reported.

Iain Boyd, director of the Center for National Security Initiatives at the University of Colorado Boulder, said that the lack of transparency could be because the US and Canadian governments were embarrassed of shooting down objects that did not pose national security threats.

The object was taken down by a US F-16 fighter jet, and was the third unidentified object to be shot out of the sky over North American that month

The incident occurred just days after the downing of a Chinese surveillance balloon on February 4, which garnered widespread media attention.

'To have expended significant military time and resources to shoot down benign objects does not look good, even though there may have been many factors we are still unaware of,' he speculated to CTVNews.ca.

'I am not surprised that the Canadian government did not share more information about the Lake Huron debris.'

The incident, and three others that month, occurred just days after the downing of a Chinese surveillance balloon on February 4, which garnered widespread media attention.

The other two were downed in Alaska and Yukon, Canada.

All three were reported to be smaller than the Chinese balloon, which measured 200 feet tall, according to US General Glen D. VanHerck.

The balloon carried an underslung payload described as a 'technology bay' that was roughly the size of two to three school buses.

It flew across North America from January 28 to February 4, 2023, passing over Alaska, western Canada and the contiguous US before it was shot down by the US Air Force off the coast of South Carolina.

Analysis of the debris determined that the balloon carried intelligence-gathering equipment, but it did not appear to have sent information back to China.

The three UFO incidents that followed did not appear to be related to the Chinese balloon, and there was no evidence to suggest that they were surveillance vehicles from any other country, President Joe Biden stated on February 16.
NASA is keeping a close eye on a bus-sized asteroid that is expected to skim past Earth Saturday at a distance only slightly father away than the moon.

Officials at the space agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and and Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) estimated that the space rock is between 28 and 62 feet wide, and will shoot past our planet at a speed of roughly 29,300 mph.

It will come within 273,000 miles of Earth. By comparison, the average distance between our planet and the moon is roughly 238,900 miles.

The close encounter is expected to take place in the early morning hours, but the asteroid poses no threat to Earth.

The space rock, called 2024 VK3, is just one of five asteroids that will fly by our planet this weekend.

Three are as roughly big as commercial airplanes and one is about the size of a house, according to NASA JPL.

The next-closest encounter will be made by the airplane-sized asteroid 2024 VZ2, which will come within 790,000 miles of our planet.

The others will maintain distances of over a million miles away with house-sized asteroid 2024 UC5 being 2,580,000 miles away at its closest point to Earth.

NASA is keeping a close eye on a bus-sized asteroid that is expected to skim past Earth tomorrow morning at a distance only slightly father away than the moon

All of these asteroids are considered Near Earth Objects (NEOs) because they are within approximately 30 million miles of our planet.

NASA has observed, documented and classified around 36,000 objects in the solar system as NEOs.

The space agency tracks NEOs primarily to identify asteroids that could potentially collide with Earth, and assess the threat they pose.

NASA uses a variety of methods to survey nearby space rocks, including both ground-based and space-based telescopes.

One key tool is the Near-Earth Object Surveyor, an infrared space telescope used to discover and characterize Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs).

PHAs are asteroids that have a high probability of making a close approach to Earth and are large enough to cause significant damage if they made impact.

Technically, that means any space rock that comes within 0.05 astronomical units - or roughly 4,647,790 miles - of Earth's orbit, and has an absolute brightness of 22.0 or less.

Absolute brightness is an indirect measurement of an asteroid's size. Lower values of magnitude indicate greater brightness, and thus larger objects.

In 2021, NASA's Planetary Defense Office launched the DART mission, which slammed a spacecraft into the asteroid Dimorphos and changed the space rock's trajectory (STOCK)

None of the asteroids that will fly by Earth this weekend are considered PHAs.

But NASA is preparing for the unlikely event that a PHA hurtles towards our planet in the future.

The agency's Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO) is developing technologies and strategies that could safe Earth from a catastrophic asteroid impact.

Established in 2016, PDCO is tasked with the mission of finding, tracking and better understanding asteroids and comets that could pose an impact hazard to Earth.

In 2021, the office launched the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART), which slammed a spacecraft into the asteroid Dimorphos and successfully changed the space rock's orbital trajectory.

This mission was a test of the 'kinetic impact' asteroid deflection strategy, which could one day be used to redirect a PHA on a collision course with Earth.

In October, the European Space Agency launched the second phase of this mission, called Hera.

The Hera spacecraft is currently on its way to Dimorphos to perform a detailed post-impact survey of Dimorphos. This will help experts solidify kinetic impact into a well-understood and repeatable planetary defense technique.
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A dentist-approved 'ingenious' teeth whitening product has been flying off the shelves after wowing hundreds of Aussie shoppers with sparkling results.

UK dental health brand Polished London has launched the Hyaluronic Teeth Whitening Powder in Australia that targets stubborn stains from coffee, tea, red wine and smoking promising a brighter, whiter smile in just two weeks of regular use.

The powder is formulated with nourishing ingredients, including Vitamins A, C and E, hyaluronic acid, and calcium - all of which are known to support oral health and hydration, and may help support the natural health of your teeth and enamel.

'Hyaluronic acid is one of the most popular ingredients in skincare because it's renowned to be incredibly hydrating, moisturising and rejuvenating,' Polished London founder and CEO Debbie Sleeman told Daily Mail Australia.

'We created a breakthrough in oral care with our multi-benefit formula that brushes away stains while protecting the smile, our all-in-one formula is the new secret to elevate your everyday oral beauty routine without compromising on oral health.'

The non-invasive at-home treatment, developed by a team of UK dentists, works by gently breaking down surface stains - without causing sensitivity or enamel damage.

The multi-award-winning brand uses PAP (Phthalimidoperoxycaproic Acid), a clinically proven ingredient in its formula, instead of peroxide, which is commonly found in many teeth whitening products.

A dentist-approved 'ingenious' teeth whitening product has been flying off the shelves after wowing hundreds of Aussie shoppers with sparkling results

Polished London has launched an 'ingenious' teeth whitening powder in Australia that targets stubborn stains from coffee, tea, red wine and smoking promising a brighter, whiter smile in just two weeks of regular use

How to use Polished London's Teeth Whitening Powder Use Polished London's Teeth Whitening Powder with or without toothpaste. For best results: 1. If using without toothpaste, wet your toothbrush and dip lightly into the powder so the bristles are evenly coated. Brush teeth as usual. Use two-three times a week. 2. If using toothpaste, apply it to the bristles first then dip into the powder and brush as usual, twice a day. Advertisement

Kind to teeth and gums, the scientifically proven treatment is designed to help promote healthier teeth and gums, with many reporting noticeable results after just one brush.

'It's a gentle formula that's free of peroxide and blended using micro fine technology which is abrasive-free, making it suitable for even the most sensitive teeth. It truly is a unique product in our category,' Debbie said.

The powder can be used with or without toothpaste.

Simply dampen your toothbrush, dip brush head into the powder (ensuring bristles are covered evenly) then brush your teeth for two minutes.

The brand recommends using the powder once a day for a maximum of 14 days and reverting to three to four times a week for maintenance.

Staying true to the brand's 'beauty meets oral care' focus, Debbie saw a gap in the market for a teeth whitening powder that delivers both instant and long-term health driven benefits, helping to maintain a bright, healthy smile.

'I am always looking for new and unique ingredients that offer a point of difference for our products because we are on a mission to redefine oral beauty,' she said.

The powder can be used with or without toothpaste. Dampen your toothbrush, dip brush head into the powder (ensuring bristles are covered evenly) then brush your teeth for two minutes

Debbie said the the whitening powder and strips are her all-time favourite products from the Polished London range.

'Our teeth whitening products will always be a staple in my routine,' she said.

'The Teeth Whitening Strips are game changing for on-the-go as they are so convenient and easy to use. For me personally they instantly brighten my teeth which are very handy especially as I do drink tea and coffee.

'Our Hyaluronic Teeth Whitening Powder is something I use morning and evening. It keeps my smile healthy and white, which helps me feel confident every day.'

Fans of the brand have given the Teeth Whitening Powder glowing reviews, boasting an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Many shoppers have shared incredible 'before' and 'after' results, with many claiming their teeth were 'visibly brighter and whiter' within two weeks of regular use

Many users said the easy-to-use powder 'feels like a professional dental cleaning', keeping their teeth 'pearly white' and noticeably brighter

'I am skeptical about any product that promises to remove staining and improve overall oral health - not anymore. Consistency is key. Love it,' one said.

'10 out of 10 product. The difference already in my teeth in just a week is brilliant - my mouth feels squeaky clean,' another raved.

'I am pleasantly surprised by this product. In combination with the strips, my teeth are visibly shinier and whiter by a few shades. My teeth colour has been restored to what it was 10 years ago. Very pleased with both products,' one shared.

Many users said the easy-to-use powder 'feels like a professional dental cleaning', keeping their teeth 'pearly white' and noticeably brighter.

'I have definitely noticed a difference in the whiteness of my teeth... Gums feel really good too with less sensitivity. I recently went to my dentist for a check-up and he was impressed with the look of my teeth,' one said.

'I smile all the time now. My teeth shines bright like a diamond,' another added.

'The powder is by far the best whitening product I've ever used. Noticeable difference from the very first use and the results get better by the day. Definitely my go-to choice from here on,' one shared.

The non-invasive at-home treatment , developed by a team of UK dentists, works by gently breaking down surface stains - without causing sensitivity or enamel damage

The brand recommends using the powder once a day for a maximum of 14 days and reverting to three to four times a week for maintenance

Founder and CEO Debbie Sleeman practiced as a cosmetic teeth whitening specialist in London's famed Harley Street, and even spent years working as an in-flight beauty therapist, pampering first class passengers in the air.

She saw a gap in the market for effective, non-invasive, peroxide-free and affordable teeth whitening products that could be applied from the comfort of your home.

After years of researching different cosmetic dental products, working closely with a Harley Street dental professor and a team of UK-based dentists, she finally developed the whitening formula she was after.

Seizing the opportunity to shake up the oral care industry with trusted, high-quality products, Polished London was founded in 2018.

Debbie works with dentists to create effective solutions using clinically proven ingredients supported by science, that complement your beauty routine and help you feel smile-confident, providing healthy and noticeable results.

The Polished London range is available at Priceline and Adore Beauty.
An American Airlines passenger in first class has been left furious after spending the entire flight with the seat in front reclined so far back that it was practically in 'his lap.'

The traveler, who goes by the username @AV_Cova, took to X, formerly Twitter, to share his outrage after he flew from Dallas, Texas, to Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Sunday - and was left with very little leg room.

He explained that he forked over hundreds of dollars to upgrade his ticket on the 2.5-hour flight and expected to be comfortable - but had the opposite experience.

The unnamed man said the chair directly in front of his was 'broken,' so it wasn't able to stay in the normal position.

Instead, it leaned so far back that it pressed against his knees for the duration of the flight, making it so he 'couldn't use his tray table' and leaving him with so little room he couldn't even stand up.

'Dude is in my lap,' the traveler captioned a shot that showed the seat in front of his in the reclined position. 'You continue to be awful, @AmericanAir.'

'I can't use my tray table, and no chance of getting up. I'm in [seat] 3C, so 2C is clearly broken,' he added in a second post.

'Get it fixed before someone else wastes a fortune on first class and gets f**ked @AmericanAir.'

An American Airlines passenger revealed that he paid $500 for first class - but spent the entire flight with the seat in front of his reclined so far back that it was practically in 'his lap'

The traveler, who goes by the username @AV_Cova, took to X to share his outrage after he flew from Texas to Michigan on Sunday - and was left with very little leg room (stock image)

DailyMail.com has reached out to American Airlines for comment.

His post quickly went viral, and it even caught the airline's attention, who apologized for the mishap.

'Keeping our planes in top-notch shape is always the goal. We're sorry for this inconvenience and appreciate you bringing this to our attention,' the company wrote.

'We'll get this right over to the maintenance folks for review. Our apologies again.'

'Maintenance isn't gonna review the money I wasted...' the man responded, to which American replied, 'We're sorry to hear of any disappointment. We can only offer our apologies for the inconvenience.'

Despite their apology, his predicament led to many people across the web bashing the airline.

'Thieves. Cheats,' one person replied while tagging the airline.

'I think this is ridiculous,' someone else said.

He said the chair directly in front of his was 'broken,' so it wasn't able to stay in the normal position

Instead, it leaned so far back that it pressed against his knees for the duration of the flight, making it so he 'couldn't use his tray table'

His post quickly went viral, and it even caught the airline's attention, who apologized for the mishap

Despite their apology, his predicament lead to many people across the web bashing the airline

'Unacceptable for the largest airline in the world,' another added.

'Look at how American Airlines treats a first class passenger paying $500 extra for a first class seat by only offering 'apologies' for the outrageous 'inconvenience,'' a fourth tweet read.

'No wonder none of us will ever fly American Airlines again. We are likewise 'disappointed.''

The man, who asked to keep his name private, told Fox News that the airline 'did not offer him a perk or refund,' despite him forking over $500 to upgrade to first class.

'No matter how I positioned myself, the seat was still against my knees,' he raged.

'The gentleman in the seat in front of me was very sympathetic, but he was unable to get the seat to lock forward, as it was inoperable.'
Say Nothing premiered on Disney+ on Thursday and it has since received glowing reviews across the board, with some critics hailing the drama a 'compelling' watch.

The gripping adaptation of Patrick Radden Keefe's best-selling book tells the story of the Price sisters who were born into the IRA and is based on a true story about a mother of 10 who was abducted in Belfast and never returned.

The Telegraph claimed the 'superb drama' captures both the tragedy and the thrills of the Troubles.

Benji Wilson rated the series a star rating of five out of five and wrote: 'This sensational Disney+ series sketches a complex and devastating portrait of Northern Ireland and the lives ruined by conflict.'

David Canfield at Vanity Fair wrote: 'The tight focus on the Price sisters offers a moving snapshot of their coming of age through pivotal moments in the history of the Troubles, and the series gradually delineates how their specific work in the IRA relates to McConvilles tragic fate.'

Indie Wire gave a grade score of B+ and claimed the series 'carries an extra sting' as it landed on the platform just a week after a 'catastrophic election'.

Say Nothing premiered on Disney+ on Thursday and it has since received glowing reviews across the board with some critics hailing the drama a 'compelling' watch (Lola Petticrew and Hazel Doupe pictured)

The gripping adaptation of Patrick Radden Keefe's best-selling book tells the story of the Price sisters who were born into the IRA and is based on a true story about a mother of 10 who was abducted in Belfast and never returned (Lola Petticrew and Hazel Doupe pictured)

Ben Travers wrote: 'No matter how solidly built, Say Nothing was never going to be an easy watch, and its even more heartbreaking in Americas current political climate.'

'Watching a righteous uprising rise and fall is hard enough at a time when resistance is all we have to hang our hopes, but this particular series, led by two tenacious women, operates under the wider assertion that those with the most enthusiasm and least power are likely to suffer the worst fates.'

'The truth hurts, as they say, and 'Say Nothing' carries an extra sting arriving just over a week after a catastrophic election.'

He concluded: 'Thats far from a slight against this impressive, dynamic adaptation. But among the shows many intriguing takeaways is a clear, demonstrable belief: Staying silent isnt the answer.'

Maxine Peake stars as Older Dolores Price in the series which follows Jean McConville, a single mother of ten, who was abducted from her home in 1972 and never seen alive again.

Say Nothing was filmed predominantly in Liverpool and is set in the 1970's, 80's, and 90's and stars Lola Petticrew, Hazel Doupe, Anthony Boyle, and Josh Finan among others.

A synopsis for the series reads: 'Spanning four decades, the series opens with the shocking disappearance of Jean McConville, a single mother of 10 who was abducted from her home in 1972 and never seen alive again.'

'Telling the story of various Irish Republican Army (IRA) members, Say Nothing explores the extremes some people will go to in the name of their beliefs, the way a deeply divided society can suddenly tip over into armed conflict, the long shadow of radical violence for all affected, and the emotional and psychological costs of a code of silence.'

The Telegraph claimed the 'superb drama' captures both the tragedy and the thrills of the Troubles (Maxine Peake as older Dolours Price)

'The series stars Lola Petticrew as Dolours Price and Hazel Doupe as Marian Price, young women who became potent symbols of radical politics.'

'Anthony Boyle stars as Brendan Hughes, a charismatic but conflicted military strategist, and Josh Finan as Gerry Adams, a leading political operator who would go on to negotiate peace and has always denied having any involvement with the IRA. Maxine Peake stars as older Dolours Price.'

The series has also earned a coveted 100% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer.

However, there is no audience score as of yet.

Readers looking to learn more about the Troubles and the birth of the IRA can listen to MailOnline's new podcast: From Bomb to Ballot: The History of Sinn Fein, which launches on November 22.

The podcast will be hosted by Mail Ireland editor, John Lee - and will feature interviews with various high-profile figures, including former PM Bertie Ahern and former IRA members.

Say Nothing Season One is now available to watch on Disney+.
November 15, 2024: For over a year U.S. Marine Corps F-35B vertical takeoff (VTOL) fighters have operated from one of the two new Japanese aircraft carriers to test their flight decks for heat resistance to the F-35 B's engines. The two Japanese carriers are called helicopter destroyers that look like small aircraft carriers, which is what they actually are. The post-World War II Japanese constitution prohibits Japan from having aircraft carriers but the helicopter destroyers were modified to use the F-35B stealth fighter. Japan has 42 F-35Bs on order, thus the need for American F-35Bs to test the ability of the Japanese carriers to handle this aircraft. The U.S. Navy has modified several Marine Corps assault carrier-type ships to handle F-35Bs. These ships are also receiving, by 2025, new smaller vessels to put soldiers ashore.

Japan is making a big investment in F-35s operating from land and seagoing bases. Land bases are no problem but since 2017 Japan has had two 27,000 ton Izumo class DDH type ships, called destroyers, operational. These ships look exactly like an aircraft carrier. These Izumo class ships can carry up to 28 helicopters or up to twelve F-35Bs. The carriers are armed only with two 20mm Phalanx anti-missile cannons and launchers with sixteen ESSM missiles for anti-missile defense. The DDH have powerful engines capable of destroyer-like speeds of over fifty-four kilometers an hour. There are also more medical facilities than one would expect for a ship of this size. Izumo does have considerable cargo capacity, which is intended for moving disaster relief supplies quickly to where they are needed. Some of these cargo spaces can be converted to berthing spaces for troops, disaster relief personnel, or people rescued from disasters, as well as additional weapons and equipment needed to support F-35B fighter-bombers.

Izumo can carry and operate F-35Bs because modifications were made to the flight deck to handle the extremely high temperatures the F-35B generates when taking off or landing vertically, like a helicopter. When the first DDH entered service in 2015 Japan made no mention of buying F-35Bs or modifying the LPH flight decks to handle the F-35B. The Izumos already have an elevator (to the hangar deck under the flight deck) powerful enough to carry an F-35B fighter as well as the lighter helicopters. Japan also has two older, smaller 19,000-ton Hyuga-class helicopter carriers that could be upgraded to carry and use a smaller number of F-35Bs but currently just operate 18 helicopters each.

These two Izumo-class fast carriers are a powerful addition to the Japanese Navy, which is already the second largest in East Asia, second only to China. Its combat ships are all of modern design with well trained and experienced crews. For example, in 2022 Japan put into service two of twenty-two Mogami-Class 30FFM multi-mission frigates. The first two ships, the Mogami and Kumano began construction during October 2019 but the yard building Kumano took the lead, putting their ship in the water 11 months later, four months before the Mogami. The rival builder closed the gap and was ready for service in April, one month after Kumano. The Mogami class will eventually replace some destroyers as well as existing frigates. Currently six Mogamis have been completed and four are under construction. By 2027 Japan expects to have twelve Mogamis in service. Each ship costs about $500 million.

Japan, along with China and South Korea, are the largest shipbuilding nations in the world and produce, in terms of tonnage, over 95 percent of the commercial shipping built annually. For centuries the major manufacturer of commercial ships tended to develop and build the most innovative and numerous warships. This is how the United States became the leading warship supplier after World War II (1945).

European nations rebuilt their shipbuilding industries after World War II and became and remain major competitors. Later in the 20th century China, Japan and South Korea became and remain major commercial shipbuilders and that enabled them all to design and build their own warships. The U.S. is now a minor component of commercial shipbuilding and having problems building world-class warships and doing it on time and under budget.

The 5,500-ton Mogami 30FFM ships are an example of successful innovation and speed in implanting the new concepts The Mogamis take the multi-mission angle seriously. They are equipped for mine-hunting as well as mine-laying. In addition to a 127mm gun, each ship carries eight anti-ship missiles, there are eleven SeaRAM anti-aircraft/missile missiles with a range of ten kilometers and 16 VLS cells that will eventually carry larger Chu-SAM anti-aircraft missiles with a range to 50 kilometers. Some VLS cells can also contain cruise missiles. There are twelve lightweight anti-submarine torpedoes. There is a ramp in the rear for launching and recovering two types of naval drones. One is an Unmanned Underwater Vessel while the other is an Unmanned Surface Vessel. Mogamis also have several RIB Rigid Inflatable Boats for boarding parties. A helicopter is also carried and that can be replaced by two or more UAVs.

The Mogamis are stealthy designs that are difficult to detect with radar. These ships carry active and passive-heat sensing sensors. There are ASW anti-submarine warfare and mine-hunting sonars. The active radars can also carry out jamming and other EW, Electronic Warfare, tasks. All these sensors are integrated into a single fire control system. There are two autocannon equipped with RWS Remote Weapons Stations. For defense there are electronic and chaff decoys to defend against incoming missiles or aircraft. Top speed is 55 kilometers an hour and crew size is 90 personnel, which is about half what ships this size normally have. There is a lot of automation on the ship, which accounts for the relatively small crew. The Japanese automation works because, as a major civilian shipbuilder, crew automation is a key component of success in world markets. Japan pioneered many of the earliest ship automation technologies.

The Mogami 30FFM ships were originally designed to be destroyers but while planning equipment and weapons layout it was realized that these ships could be multi-mission ships and the designation was changed to frigate. The Mogamis will be built in batches, with an initial batch of eight, followed by two or three more batches, each improving on the earlier batch. The 30FFM already has one export customer. Indonesia will get four modified to Indonesian needs Batch One ships with another four built in Indonesia with Japanese assistance.

Currently the Japanese Navy has 155 combat and support ships. There are four helicopter carriers, 24 submarines, 36 destroyers, six Mogami class frigates, 21 mine warfare ships, six 240 ton patrol vessels, and three surveillance ships equipped with towed sonar systems. There are six training ships and dozens of support and logistics ships.

The current frigates are six 2,600-ton ships delivered in the 1990s. In the 1980s, when these frigates were designed, 11 were planned. With the end of the Cold War in 1991 the number was cut to six. Mogamis are replacing eight 35 year old 5,200-ton destroyers and six 2,250-ton equally old Destroyer Escorts. Japanese submarines are very quiet and lethal diesel-electric boats, most with AIP air-independent propulsion that allows submerged operations lasting several weeks.
Vernon Kay left BBC Breakfast host Naga Munchetty looking unimpressed after he slammed unprofessional on live TV, while she interviewed him live on Friday.

Vernon, 50, appeared on the early morning show alongside Mel Giedroyc, 56, ahead of them both hosting Children In Need.

Naga's co-host Charlie Stayt, 62, said how the long-running live TV telethon was often filled with an 'air of chaos' and mistakes during transmission.

However Vernon hit back saying: 'My opinion is its live television and when people say "sorry its gone wrong, but its live television" I dont think theres an excuse when its live television.

Naga, 49, looked stunned as she turned to the camera sating: 'Well that's us told!'.

Vernon Kay, 50, left BBC Breakfast host Naga Munchetty , 49, looking unimpressed after he slammed unprofessional on live TV, while she interviewed him live on Friday

Vernon appeared on the early morning show alongside Mel Giedroyc , 56, ahead of them both hosting Children In Need (Naga pictured with co-host Charlie Stayt)

Charlie laughed, admitting that something went wrong on BBC Breakfast every morning.

Vernon then seemingly tried to smooth things over, saying: 'No but this isn't an entreatment show, it's a news show so you come in and you've got to deliver the news and pacts on point, so I doubt you rehearse all your items'.

It comes after The One Show's Alex Jones left viewers blown away as she fought back tears after a gruelling Children In Need challenge and admitted 'it's so hard'.

The presenter and her co-host Roman Kemp were joined by Star Wars actress Daisy Ridley and Emily, a member of the Children in Need challenge team on Wednesday's instalment of the BBC chat show.

Emily, from north London, who has cerebral palsy and relies on a wheelchair and walking sticks to get around, had the host welling up as she spoke about the gruelling challenge she completed for the children's charity.

The 21 year old took on The Long Walk in Windsor as part of BBC Children in Need and The One Show's fundraiser - The Challenge Squad.

The Long Walk in Windsor takes a fully mobile person around three hours to complete and starts from the castle gates at the end of Park Street, ending at the Copper Horse statue of King George III.

However, it took Emily three days to complete the walk down the iconic tree-lined avenue due to her mobility issues.

Naga's co-host Charlie Stayt, 62, said how the long-running live TV telethon was often filled with an 'air of chaos' and mistakes during transmission (Vernon and Mel Giedroyc pictured)

However Vernon hit back saying: 'My opinion is its live television and when people say "sorry its gone wrong, but its live television" I dont think theres an excuse when its live television

She was joined on the final stretch by the Duchess of Edinburgh who came to show her support before heading to the studio to sit down with Alex and Roman.

Visibly overwhelmed with emotion, Alex tried to convey to the viewers just how big of an achievement this was for Emily and how hard it would have been for her.

She said: 'You can't even see on camera, I don't think, but when I watched you today, gosh, doing the long walk, honestly, it's so hard. It's so hard!

'I think it's one of the hardest challenges I've seen on Children in Need and you did it. How does it feel now that you've taken it on and you've absolutely conquered it?'

To which Emily responded: 'It feels so good to have completed it because there was a part of me that really thought I couldn't, especially because I got sick just before. But I feel amazing to have completed it and I'm really proud of myself.'

Emily's bravery and tenacity struck a cord with audiences across the country who took to social media to congratulate her, saying: 'Well done Emily!! What a brave, courageous young lady. Many congratulations to her on such an incredible achievement.'

One wrote: 'Well done lass. You're a superstar!'

Another post read: 'Just cried at Emily on The One Show. What an incredible girl.'

BBC Children in Need will air at 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer on November 15.
Tamara Ecclestone has admitted it 'broke her heart' that her daughter Sophia doesn't feel safe in their home after horrific 25million burglary.

On December 13, 2019, Tamara, her husband Jay Rutland, and daughter Sophia were in Lapland when three thieves broke in and plundered 25million worth of jewellery and cash from their home on 'Billionaire's Row' in Kensington.

In just over an hour the burglars cleared the mansion of 400 items of jewellery and large sums of cash.

Appearing on Loose Women on Friday, Tamara opened up about the aftermath of the burglary as she explained she initially lied to her daughter, who was six at the time, about the robbery, but once she found out about it from someone else.

The mother-of-two explained: 'I actually learnt a really valuable lesson that it is really important to be honest with your children and they can handle a lot more than you think they will be able to.

'I actually lied to Fifi about it because she was so young. But now she is older she is able to go online and google things and people tell her things so she found out not through me.

Tamara Ecclestone has admitted it 'breaks her heart' that her daughter Sophia doesn't feel safe in their home after their horrific 25million burglary back in 2019

Tamara, 40, revealed it was 'really hard' explaining it to Sophia (pictured centre) as she said: 'That was the bit that broke my heart the most was seeing how much it affected her'

'We then obviously worked a lot on this and had a lot of conversations and it was really hard. That was the bit that broke my heart the most was seeing how much it affected her.'

She continued: 'As parents you can always be strong for your kids and rationalise things, but to see her go through the fear that someone was in her house and it wasn't the safe place she thought it is, was really really heartbreaking.'

Tamara shares daughters Sophia and Serena, four, with her husband Jay.

She also revealed that she was recently walking down the street with Sophia and she warned her eldest about having her iPad in her hand in case someone was to snatch it.

Her daughter then asked her: 'Really will be people do that?' as Tamara explained they are trying to raise her to be aware that there are bad people, but the majority of people are good.

Tamara, who is the daughter of former chief executive of Formula One Bernie Ecclestone, was then asked by host Kaye Adams whether she ever feels like a 'target' due to her wealth and wishes she wasn't so rich.

'I feel like there is no point in looking it in that way and I am really blessed just to have such an amazing dad who I love so much so I am grateful regardless,' explained Tamara.

She added: 'I have a beautiful life, my children and my family and that's all that really matters to me. Of course there are things that aren't perfect but I feel really lucky everyday I really do.'

It comes after Tamara spoke out on the robbery for the first time last week and revealed she believes it was an 'inside job' and fears some of the culprits will never face justice in the UK.

She continued: 'As parents you can always be strong for your kids and rationalise things, but to see her go through the fear that someone was in her house and it wasn't the safe place she thought it is, was really really heartbreaking'

Tamara explained they are trying to raise their children to be aware that there are bad people, but the majority of people are good.

Tamara shares daughters Sophia and Serena, four, with her husband Jay Rutland

Italian defendants Jugoslav Jovanovic, Alessandro Maltese and Alessandro Donati were jailed for a total of 28 at years at Isleworth Crown Court in November 2021 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to burgle.

Donati, 46, was given an eight-year sentence as was Alessandro Maltese, 47, while Jugoslav Jovanovic, 26, got 11 years. A cleaner was charged in connection with the burglary but later cleared of involvement.

MailOnline revealed Donati was freed just before last Christmas under the early release scheme for foreign prisoners, with Tamara later telling in a statement of her anger and 'disappointment' at him being released 'so soon after the burglary occurred'.

Following the convictions an international manhunt was launched for the fourth man, named in court as Daniel Vukovic.

He is reported to have been charged in Serbia in June this year in connection with the crime, under the name Ljubomir Romanov, but has not been extradited to the UK.

Tamara says she now goes everywhere with two bodyguards out of fear of being kidnapped, as her 5ft 4in father has fallen victim to several burglaries.

She described how the burglary has 'definitely made me feel that things aren't always as they appear, people you think you can trust, you can't always trust, which is a lesson I've learnt time and time again. This time it really hit home.'

Tamara, who is the daughter of former chief executive of Formula One Bernie Ecclestone (R), was then asked whether she ever feels like a 'target' due to her wealth (pictured in 2015)

And the socialite told of her frustration that potential offenders remain on the run, while none of the 400 stolen items have been recovered.

She added: 'The biggest letdown really is that the [other] people who did it will probably never be extradited to the UK.

'I think it is worse getting caught and then nothing actually happening to them.'

When asked whether she thought the burglary was an 'inside job', she replied: 'Im not really allowed to speak about that but I dont see how its not.'

Tamara also said of the burglary's aftermath: 'I just felt violated. We thought about moving, or moving country.

'But then I thought, actually, this is my house and, before this happened, this has been such a happy place.'
The Fezco star died last July aged 25 at his family's home in Oakland

Angus Cloud's personal items are being auctioned off to raise money for his favorite charities and his memorial skate park in California.

The late Euphoria actor, who played Fezco on the HBO series from 2019 through 2022, died last July aged just 25 at his family's home in Oakland, a week after his father's funeral.

To celebrate Cloud's life, his loved ones are auctioning some of his most treasured belongings, including clothes from his Euphoria wardrobe.

Among the items listed are a Burberry check print, hooded zip-up jacket, which Cloud wore to Shazam! Fury Of The Gods in March 2023. It has a start price of $300.

There is also a black and gray reversible Los Angeles Raiders zip-up hoodie with a starting bid of $400, worn by the late star during a script readthrough for Euphoria.

'Well before Angus was making good money, he made a habit of supporting his fellow street artists, musicians, writers and pranksters and regularly brought food and other essentials to people living in the streets,' his mother Lisa told People.

Angus Cloud's personal items are being auctioned off to raise money for his favorite charities

The late Euphoria actor died last July aged just 25 at his family's home in Oakland

'One hundred percent of money raised by this auction will be used to honor Angus's spirit by continuing to provide support to the artists and projects he gave so generously to during his lifetime.'

The sale, which is part of the Hollywood Legends collection, begins Friday, November 15 and will run until December 12, both in Los Angeles and online.

It also features goods from British actor and director Laurence Olivier and fashion designer Bob Mackie.

Cloud died from an 'accidental overdose' of cocaine, meth and fentanyl.

He was found unresponsive in his family home in Oakland, California, on July 31, and pronounced dead on the scene by responders.

'Angus Cloud died from a lethal combination of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and more, in what is ruled as an accidental overdose,' Alameda County Coroner's office said at the time.

Addressing his death in a heartbreaking statement, his family said they 'hope the world remembers him for his humor, laughter and love for everyone'.

'It is with the heaviest heart that we had to say goodbye to an incredible human today,' it read.

Cloud was best known for playing Fezco on the HBO series from 2019 through 2022

His mom said of the auction that 100% of the proceeds will go to 'honoring Angus's spirit by continuing to provide support to the artists and projects he gave so generously to during his lifetime'

'As an artist, a friend, a brother and a son, Angus was special to all of us in so many ways.'

The family alluded to the death of Cloud's father, who had been laid to rest just one week before, and how it impacted him.

'Last week he buried his father and intensely struggled with this loss,' they said.

'The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend.'

The family noted that Cloud 'was open about his battle with mental health and we hope that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence.'

'We hope the world remembers him for his humor, laughter and love for everyone,' they added.

'We ask for privacy at this time as we are still processing this devastating loss.'
We all need a bit of relaxation once in a while.

And that's especially true if you're having legal troubles or going through a rough patch in your career.

Take, for example, a man who has been in and out of court for years and even spent time behind bars recently.

It's enough to make anyone tense.

So it wasn't surprising to see Andrew O'Keefe slinking into a backstreet massage parlour in Bondi earlier this month for a quick rubdown.

O'Keefe, clad in a short-sleeved shirt and shorts, was spotted discussing the various services available at Miss Massage in Gould Street not long after 7pm on Thursday, November 7.

Deal or no deal? Andrew O'Keefe investigates the services on offer at Miss Massage in Bondi

And he could well have scored quite a deal.

When we checked in with Miss Massage - located a 10-minute drive from the ex-TV star's modest apartment in nearby Vaucluse - a receptionist said the parlour offered a half-hour deep tissue massage for $50 while a full hour was only $30 more.

It's a bargain for a man who once commanded about $800,000 a year at Seven.

However, she warned that anyone expecting a happy ending would be sorely disappointed, saying, 'No, we don't do that here' - and Daily Mail Australia does not suggest otherwise.

Still, O'Keefe was looking relaxed and carefree - and smiling again for the first time in months - the following day while running errands in a black Mercedes sedan through the city's eastern suburbs.

The 53-year-old's life spun out of control this year, with repeated appearances in court for a string of offences amid a well-documented struggle with drug addiction.

In October, O'Keefe was ordered to go into rehab after pleading guilty to trespassing, breaching an AVO and possessing a prohibited drug.

He had been on bail for the first two offences when he was re-arrested on September 16 after police said they found crystal meth in his car during a search.

The visit comes as the fallen Seven star undergoes court-ordered drug rehabilitation

The former lawyer then spent weeks in custody at the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre in Sydney's notorious Silverwater jail complex as he awaited his next appearance in court.

During his stint behind bars, he was constantly taunted by his fellow inmates, who took every opportunity to mock the former Deal or No Deal host about his tragic downfall.

Prison sources said one group of accused criminals was particularly merciless and crossed their arms in front of their faces every time they spotted him in the prison yard, shouting 'No Deal!' at him.

Despite the bullying, O'Keefe did not make any formal complaints about his treatment inside the centre, preferring to keep a low profile and to himself as much as possible.

Prison officials did not deem the taunting serious enough to segregate the former Channel Seven star from the general population or offer him protective custody. He shared a two-bed cell with another inmate at the centre,

O'Keefe earned $800,000 a year as the host of Seven's The Chase Australia and Weekend Sunrise before his tragic fall from grace

O'Keefe was seen running errands in Sydney's eastern suburbs the day after the massage trip

During his sentencing in October, magistrate Jacqueline Milledge warned O'Keefe he faced almost certain prison time if he broke the law again.

'You have been given lots of opportunities to do something about your use of drugs,' she told O'Keefe.

'I can assure you the next step is jail. I'm not just saying that, I absolutely mean it.

'It's got to the state where the court would believe you just can't be rehabilitated.

'I am personally disappointed that you're where you are and you haven't managed to get yourself back on your feet.

'I just wish you'd get yourself back to a position where you can do something for the community again.'

O'Keefe told the court that, while he now had a 'strained' relationship with his children, they remained 'the dearest things in my life' and he wanted to overcome his debilitating drug addiction for them.

The one-time golden boy of television spent weeks behind bars on remand at Silverwater

O'Keefe arrives at Rose Bay police station before being arrested in September

'They're wonderful and I want to be there for them and I understand now that there's no drug in the world that's going to allow that to happen if it's in my life,' he said.

Ms Milledge sentenced O'Keefe to a 30-month community corrections order, contingent on him engaging with drug rehabilitation.

He was also ordered to pay a $2,000 fine and suspended from driving for three months for the drug charge, and slapped with a further $500 fine for the trespass offence.

It came just weeks after O'Keefe was told by the same magistrate he was 'lucky to be alive' after emergency services had to rush him to hospital after he overdosed on heroin in his eastern suburbs flat.
Beth Dutton is a tough-talking Montana cowgirl with a brain for business and love for her husband Rip Wheeler.

But she is played by British woman: Kelly Reilly, 47, whose biggest gig was in Sherlock Holmes opposite Robert Downey Jr several years ago.

Kelly has now told the BBC that her success 'hasn't happened overnight.'

The actress has already been in many big-budget productions like True Detective.

Asked how it feels to be an in-demand leading lady these days thanks to Yellowstone - which returned on Sunday - Kelly told the site: 'Well, I'm 47 years old, it hasn't happened overnight, you know. So it's not like I'm getting whiplash.'

Beth Dutton is a tough-talking Montana cowgirl with a brain for business and love for her husband Rip Wheeler. But she is played by British woman: Kelly Reilly, 47, whose biggest gig was in Sherlock Holmes opposite Robert Downey Jr several years ago

Kelly has now told the BBC that her success 'hasn't happened overnight'; seen as Beth on Yellowstone

She added: 'I have been a working actor for 30 years.

'It's not lost on me that there's a unicorn of shows that have such success worldwide and a character that has had this amount of attention or appeal.

'But I treat it at arm's length. I don't spend too much time thinking about it.'

Reilly then insisted that she is a normie at heart.

'I have a very normal life. It's very important to me that my life is normal. Nothing has changed, other than I'm really busy,' she said.

'I don't get to sleep at home very often, which is annoying because I love home!'

The stunner left on Yellowstone and right on Eden Lake

Paul Nicholls and Reilly from The Biz in 1995; she has worked for decades

She is also happily married to Kyle Baugher; they wed in 2012.

Kelly says she 'didn't do any press' before Yellowstone began, because she wanted people to believe in her character.

Kelly shared: 'People talk to me as if Beth is real. We all talk about Beth like she's a real-life person.

(L-R) Luke Grimes, Wes Bentley, Reilly, Kelsey Asbille Chow, Cole Hauser and Gil Birmingham on November 7 in NYC

Reilly seen on November 12 in New York City

'I'm always going to be a bit of a let down when people meet me. I go into the local bakery and the lady is like, "I'd love to drink with you,"' she said.

'I know what she means - she wants to drink with Beth. People want to feel part of that energy... someone so connected with their primal self.

'And we're so disconnected. We're all on our phones, on social media. It is like it doesn't happen if someone doesn't take a picture of it. Beth is the opposite of that. She is just so alive.'
Kanye West and his wife Bianca Censori splashed out on their new $35 million Beverly Hills mansion to try and create a 'grounded' life, according to sources who claim the purchase was a 'last ditch effort' to save their ailing marriage.

The rapper, 47, and the Australian beauty, 29, borrowed a total of $15.5 million to purchase the 11 bedroom, 18 bathroom property, DailyMail.com previously revealed.

The purchase was a sign from the rapper that he is ready to settle down and start raising a family with his wife who has been craving 'stability' - but his ever changing plans for the property have left her family fearful.

'Bianca has wanted stability for well over a year now,' the source exclusively told to DailyMail.com. 'This house was a last-ditch effort to save their marriage because Kanye knows what she wants, which is a family and to be grounded. But her family don't know if Kanye is going to give this to her.

'Kanye changes his mind daily on what he wants to do and that house was purchased with the intent of living in it.

'Bianca is sick of hopping from hotel to hotel and from city to city. She has been doing this their entire marriage. Shes not had any stability since she married Kanye and with the lawsuit she is stressed.'

Kanye West and his wife Bianca Censori splashed out on their new $35 million Beverly Hills mansion to try and create a 'grounded life,' insiders told DailyMail.com

The rapper, 47, and the Australian beauty, 29, borrowed a total of $15.5 million to purchase the 11 bedroom, 18 bathroom property, DailyMail.com previously revealed

The insider continued: 'One day they are moving into their dream home. The next he is building a community on top of it and levelling it. Then the next day they are flipping it.'

The Gold Digger rapper raided his pension pot and used high risk mortgage lenders to fund the home purchase.

The couple closed on the property in the uber-exclusive Beverly Park gated community last month, which boasts neighbors including Adele and Justin Bieber.

The property, jointly owned with his wife through their firm Shore Drive Holdings LLC, initially seemed purchased purely for investment purposes.

The couple have bought numerous properties in California and New Mexico, to date.

It comes just weeks after the pair left fans and family confused about the status of their relationship amid multiple reports that the couple had been spending time apart.

The marriage appeared to be on the rocks in early October, with an insider telling DailyMail.com that Bianca had told her family that the pair had been 'drifting.'

But hours later, the couple made it clear they were still together as they packed on the PDA in Tokyo, Japan - leaving Bianca's family 'very confused.'

The purchase was a sign that Kanye is ready to settle down and start a family with his wife who has been craving 'stability' - but his ever changing plans have left her family fearful

'One day they are moving into their dream home,' the source said. 'The next he is building a community on top of it and levelling it. Then the next day they are flipping it'

'Her parents are shocked by what they're seeing  they feel tricked because Bianca told them she was getting ready to leave,' a source exclusively told DailyMail.com.

'They cant understand what is happening and feel that she is being controlled.'

Insiders close to the architect told DailyMail.com that she had been telling loved ones she was 'getting ready to leave' during her recent trip home to Australia - though the insider did note that 'there is a chance theyll reunite.'

Meanwhile, TMZ reported that the musician had been telling friends he is done with Bianca and wanted to be single while spending time in Japan.

Bianca's apparent 360 has left loved ones even more worried about the level of control that Kanye might wield in their relationship, a concern that has been raised previously.

However, the couple have seemingly moved forward from their issues and Bianca has been seen embracing the challenge of decorating their new purchase.

The Australian beauty  famous for her boundary-pushing outfits  went braless while shopping for home decor at Williams Sonoma in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

She flashed her behind in a sleek white mini dress, which she paired with white sheer lace tights.

The marriage appeared to be on the rocks in early October, with an insider telling DailyMail.com that Bianca had told her family that the pair had been 'drifting'

But hours later they appeared to confirm they were still together as they packed on the PDA in Tokyo, Japan - leaving Bianca's family 'very confused'

Bianca then completed the head-turning look with a pair of chic pointed-toe heels.

Several bags were seen being pushed back to her car. Among the items on the cart was a stainless steel dish rack.

Kanye recently offload his cut-price 'bomb shelter' designed by renowned architect Tadao Ando. The Malibu mansion sold for approximately $21 million in August  60 percent less than the $57.3 million purchase price in 2021 after his divorce from ex Kim Kardashian.

He also owns a six-bedroom mansion in Calabasas which he bought for $2.2 million in May 2018.

Elsewhere, his property portfolio includes two rental apartments in Calabasas and Thousand Oaks which cost $1.6 million and $575,000.

Kanye has been married to Bianca since December 2022. They wed just one month after his divorce was finalized from Kim, with whom he has four children.

Bianca has showcased a close bond with her stepchildren and is often pictured out and about with North, 11, Saint, eight, Chicago, six, and Psalm, five.

Kanye has been married to Bianca since December 2022. They wed just one month after his divorce was finalized from his ex-wife Kim Kardashian

While many believe the rising fashion star has simply become the Grammy-winner's 'trophy wife,' Bianca has long been someone who works with Kanye to build his empire.

On top of heading the architecture for his brand, Yeezy, since November 2020, Bianca is listed as a joint officer and manager of Oxpaha LLC, which Kanye founded in October 2023.

A 7,416-square-foot commercial building on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood, which it is believed he will use as a multi-purpose unit for his Yeezy fashion and music businesses, was also purchased last year under Oxpaha.

Bianca was even named special power of attorney for the property deal, highlighting her importance within his business dealings.
RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under star Karna Ford revealed on Thursday what fierce new host Michelle Visage is really like behind the scenes.

The American TV personality, 56, is known for her feisty, take-no-bull attitude on the popular reality competition franchise, which is usually hosted by RuPaul Charles.

But eliminated queen Karna, 28, told Daily Mail Australia that Michelle has softened since taking over the role of host on the Australian version of the show.

'I feel like her as a host was definitely much more motherly, much more maternal and much more nurturing,' Karna said.

'There was none of that sassy fierceness that she would have usually done if she was hosting with RuPaul. Which was good. I felt the love.'

Karna went on to say she was blown away by Michelle's flawless beauty when the pair first met on the series.

RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under star Karna Ford, 28, (pictured) revealed on Thursday what fierce new host Michelle Visage, 56, is really like behind the scenes

'Michelle is probably one of the most gorgeous people in the world,' the drag performer said.

'She was polished from head to toe. Just staring at her, it looked like she was an Instagram filter in person.'

Karna is a Filipino Australian drag queen from Sydney who is known for her high energy performance style and sassy attitude.

But the dancing diva faced heartbreak on Friday night when she was eliminated in the third episode following a lacklustre Snatch Game performance.

It came as a disappointment to Karna after she went through the gruelling audition process for season three and season four of the show.

'It was like a 25 minute video that had challenges. Such as an acting challenge, a Snatch Game, and showing off your wardrobe that you have,' she said.

'And then it's just interviews of all these questions. After you send off your audition tape, you make it to the preliminary rounds.

'From there you go through another interview stage. I think from that moment, they decide who they want to be cast on the show.

The American TV personality (pictured) is known for her feisty, take-no-bull attitude on the popular reality competition franchise, which is usually hosted by RuPaul Charles

'The audition tape was such a hard process because it's so long and there's so much to do.

'If you did it multiple times in a row, you can't show any of the same stuff. You have to do a completely new wardrobe and a completely new Snatch Game.'

Karna was sent home after she failed to impress judges Michelle and Rhys Nicholson, as well as guest judge My Delirium hitmaker Ladyhawke, with her Snatch Game.

The drag performer entered the comedy challenge as a 'drag version' of Eddie Murphy, leaning on lines from the actor's character Rasputia Latimore in Norbit.

After losing her confidence in the maxi challenge, where she said she felt 'intimidated' by the other queens, Karna slayed the Queen of Desserts runway.

Karna dressed in a handmade costume which was inspired by the shakoya traditional Filipino deep-fried twisted doughnut which is coated in sugar.

Unfortunately, Karna failed to shine in the third episode and found herself lip syncing against Max Drag Queen and Nikita Iman before being asked to sashay away.

All seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under can be streamed on Stan.
Demi Moore revealed she developed an eating disorder after she was 'humiliated' by producers who told her to 'lose weight.'

The 62-year-old actress  who recently opened up about her nude scene in The Substance  also got candid about her 'obsession' with 'working out' that consumed her for 'five years' during an interview with Elle Magazine.

On Thursday, she recalled the 'embarrassing' moment, claiming one of her producers 'pulled [her] aside' telling her to lose weight 'multiple times.'

'I internalized it,' she said of the exchange with the unnamed producer. 'It moved me to a place of such torture and harshness against myself, of real extreme behaviors, and that I placed almost all the value of who I was, on my body being a certain way.'

She said that experience was 'just one thing' that fueled the 'torment I put myself through when I was younger.'

Demi Moore revealed she developed an eating disorder after she was 'humiliated' by producers who told her to ' lose weight'; seen in October

The Songbird star previously opened up about her eating disorder in her 2019 memoir, Inside Out.

She opened up about a moment in 1997 where she 'had an epiphany' that she 'just needed to be [her] natural size.'

Moore also expressed that working in Hollywood became more and more difficult as she gold older because she didn't feel 'sexy' enough for certain roles or mature enough for others.

'I wasnt 20 or 30, but I wasnt what they imagined 40 or 50 was either,' she told the magazine.

'They didnt quite know where I fit, and thats not just something I made up. That was conveyed to me.'

Now, the brunette beauty she has healed that part of her life and is working on her insecurities  and she is grateful to have a career in acting.

'Im amazed that I still get to do this. I am still amazed that this is where my life has taken me,' she said.

Moore initially climbed the ranks in the industry back in the 1980s and 1990s and was regarded as sex symbol for her fearless attitude toward appearing nude on screen.

She said she has an unhealthy 'obsession' with 'working out' that consumed her for 'five years'; seen in September

On Thursday, she recalled the 'embarrassing' moment, claiming one of her producers 'pulled [her] aside' telling her to lose weight 'multiple times'

In her recently released film, The Substance, she broke her own rules and filmed a full-frontal nude scene.

She told the magazine that she initially was not a fan of the scene after watching in in postproduction, but did not insist on any changes.

'It's like, ugh, it bugs the s*** out of me,' she said. 'I didnt ask for any adjustments because I knew it was in service of something that was more important than me.'

'It felt like any hardship, any exposure of my own insecurities, would be worth it if I was part of bringing forward the conversation,' she said of the film's depiction of high expectations surrounding older women.

She was previously regarded as sex symbol for her fearless attitude toward appearing nude on screen; seen in 1996

Demi became the the highest-paid actress in Hollywood when she received $12.5 million to lead the cast of Striptease; seen in 1996

She has also donned skimpy bikinis in 2003's Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle

Moore is no stranger to stripping for the camera since starring in 1986's About Last Night where she filmed shocking love scenes with Rob Lowe.

She has also donned skimpy bikinis in 2003's Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle. The actress also semi-nude in 1993's Indecent Proposal and 1996's Striptease.

In 1991, she sparked controversy after posing nude for maternity photos on the cover of Vanity Fair while seven months pregnant by her then-husband Bruce Willis.

She and Willis share daughters Rumer, 36, Scout, 33, and Tallulah, 30.
Jim Gaffigan has a sleek new look to match his recent Hollywood renaissance, which includes his hilarious turn on SNL as vice-presidential nominee Tim Walz.

The 58-year-old comedy legend, who recently ruffled feathers with a cheeky Trump joke, revealed hes dropped a solid 50 pounds after reaching a personal high of 270.

'I feel good,' he told People on Thursday. 'Im just grateful because its such a better life.'

Gaffigan credits the weight loss to Mounjaro, the brand name for tirzepatide, a diabetes drug thats been showing impressive results for weight loss as well.

Though he was initially skeptical, he gave it a shot.

'I had very low expectations,' he admitted. 'I did know someone that had tried it and they were like, "Oh no, I was just nauseous for a week." And then I thought my true joy of eating would overpower anything.'

Jim Gaffigan has a sleek new look to match his recent Hollywood renaissance, which includes his hilarious turn on SNL as vice-presidential nominee Tim Walz; (pictured November 2024)

The 58-year-old comedy legend, who recently ruffled feathers with a cheeky Trump joke , revealed hes dropped a solid 50 pounds after reaching a personal high of 270; (pictured right in 2020)

But when he saw the pounds start to drop, he was all in as he faced a lifelong struggle with weight.

He recalled his younger days when hed 'work out twice a day just to be thin so I could eat,' but as the years passed, a slowing metabolism, knee issues, and fatigue made it harder to stay in shape.

Last year, Gaffigan's doctor suggested weight-loss medication, and he didnt hesitate to try it. '

'I dont care; Ill try it,' he remembers saying, motivated by knee pain and borderline cholesterol.

Surprised by the stigma surrounding it, he decided to be open about his experience.

'Its odd people are resistant to talking about it,' he said, adding that changing one's appearance or habits isnt unusual, likening it to people dyeing their hair blonde.

'I dont think theres anything wrong with it,' he quips. 'Whatever gets you through.'

Gaffigans new stand-up special, The Skinny, premieres Nov. 22 on Hulu and dives deeper into his weight-loss journey.

Gaffigan credits the weight loss to Mounjaro, the brand name for tirzepatide , a diabetes drug thats been showing impressive results for weight loss as well; (pictured in 2022)

But when he saw the pounds start to drop, he was all in as he faced a lifelong struggle with weight; (pictured in 2021)

Gaffigan is now part of a growing lineup of celebrities turning to diabetes medications as a weight-loss aid.

Joining him is Bonnie Chapman, the 25-year-old daughter of Dog the Bounty Hunter, who recently shared her impressive 58-pound weight-loss journey.

Bonnie revealed that in just 10 months, she achieved her goal with tirzepatide, the same injectable semaglutide medication that Gaffigan used.

'I probably have not weighed this much since I was prepubescent,' Bonnie shared in an Instagram video, adding, 'I am really proud of how I got here.'
Jax Taylor was pictured spending some time with a female friend while out in Los Angeles on Thursday.

The former Vanderpump Rules star was seen out in LA's Valley Village neighborhood as he and the unknown woman stopped by the home that he formerly shared with his estranged wife Brittany Cartwright.

The meet-up comes shortly after the 45-year-old reality star appeared on Bravo's Hot Mic podcast and claimed that his ex  who recently mocked him for making numerous mistakes on his divorce paperwork  still calls him asking to 'hook up.'

In the same podcast, he admitted to 'seeing red' and throwing furniture around the house after he allegedly discovered nude photos on Brittany's phone that she had been sending to a friend.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Brittany's representative for comment.

Jax Taylor, 45, was pictured spending some time with a female friend while out in Los Angeles on Thursday

He was dressed in casual sweats, while she wore a green sweater and long black leather overcoat while carrying a large black bag. They dropped by his old marital home for around 20 minutes, before heading to his condo

Jax's outfit on Thursday was casual and comfortable.

He wore a pale gray hoodie with a graphic on the back, which he paired with darker gray sweatpants.

The Valley star also had on a pair of black sneakers with red and gray accents, and he wore a black LA Dodgers cap that was turned backward.

He brought along a drink in an insulated mug as he was seen near his vehicle with his lady friend.

The woman was dressed up a bit more than him with a green ribbed button-up sweater top and dark pants.

She covered up on the breezy morning with a long black leather overcoat and what looked like a chunky black bag.

She completed her outfit with Christian Dior slide sandals, and her raven hair was pulled back in a ponytail.

Jax and his friend were reportedly seen dropping by his former marital home for around 20 minutes, before they got back in his car and headed to the condo where he is currently staying.

After Jax alleged that Brittany still calls him to hook up, Brittany is clapping back  #TheValley pic.twitter.com/nBs5EZQoGy  Queens of Bravo (@queensofbravo) November 14, 2024

Earlier, he claimed on Bravo's Hot Mic podcast that his ex Brittany Cartwright still calls to ask to 'hook up' despite their ongoing divorce; pictured in April in Washington, DC

He complained that his ex 'publicly humiliates [him] and calls [him] every name in the book,' only to turn around and allegedly request to spend time together; seen October 10 in LA

Brittany disputed the claim and said she just wanted to see if the two could still be friends. 'Obviously we CANT,' she wrote on Instagram

Before the outing, Jax appeared on Bravo's Hot Mic podcast, where he suggested that his ex Brittany hasn't been completely truthful about her desire to move on from their relationship amid their divorce proceedings.

He complained that his ex 'publicly humiliates [him] and calls [him] every name in the book,' only to turn around and allegedly call him with requests to spend intimate time together.

Jax claimed that Brittany called him two days earlier to say 'Come over. You want to have some drinks? Come over. You want to hook up?'

He also alleged that his estranged wife added: 'Don't tell anyone that I'm doing this.'

'People don't know that,' he continuing, adding that she 'talks all this s***.'

Jax claimed he didn't want to 'blow her cover,' despite doing just that with his allegations.

But Brittany tried to set the record straight in a comment on a clip of the podcast interview shared to Instagram.

'Let me make this clear I was trying to see if we can be friends for our son and obviously we CANT,' she wrote.

Elsewhere in the podcast, was less combative and admitted that he had been 'verbally abusive' to Brittany before he checked himself into an in-patient treatment facility for mental health issues earlier this year

He claimed to have found nudes Brittany allegedly sent to her brief fling, Jax's friend Julian Sensley, which sent him into a rage as he threw furniture around; seen with son Cruz in June 2023 in Las Vegas

Elsewhere in the podcast, was less combative and admitted that he had been 'verbally abusive' to Brittany before he checked himself into an in-patient treatment facility for mental health issues earlier this year.

However, his trust with his estranged wife was shaken by her statements earlier this week on the Hot Mic podcast.

She claimed at the time that he did not change 'at all in those 30 days' that he was in treatment, which Jax strongly disagreed with.

'I think she really wants to see me fail,' he opined. 'I think she wants to prove everyone right and, to be honest, I've done nothing wrong since I've been out. I've been overly nice to her.'

The two also seem to have different stories of the final days of their marriage. Although Brittany ultimately filed for divorce, Jax portrayed it as her decision to end the marriage, which allegedly threw her off guard when he decided not to push back to preserve their marriage.

By contrast, Brittany painted Jax as the one who ended the relationship, and she claimed to be 'relieved' that the two were splitting.

Jax gave a fuller picture of his behavioral issues with his ex when he admitted he was 'seeing red' and throwing furniture around the house after discovering nude photos she allegedly sent to his friend Julian Sensley once they were already separated.

He claimed he was feeling hopeful about the relationship before the discovery.

'Ill be honest, we had relations before I left, literally right before I left [for a Fourth of July trip],' Jax alleged. 'I come back home and I said, "Hey, what do you think about moving back?" And she said, "Yeah."''

But things changed when he alleged saw evidence of Brittany's relationship with Julian. Although she had admitted to having a brief fling with Julian, Jax said he believed it was over at the time.

Jax claimed that Brittany said she was open to getting back together just before he allegedly found the photos and exploded; seen in April in West Hollywood

Two days after the blow-up, Brittany and his friends staged and intervention. He later checked into an in-patient mental health facility. Afterward, Jax announced that he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and PTSD

'I just saw the iPad, and she was still talking to Julian and sending him pictures, like naked pictures and pictures of my son, and I just lost it,' he said

'And thats where I hit the bottom of the barrel. Thats where I just saw red,' he continued, calling the scary moment an 'out of body experience' during which he 'went crazy' and 'threw furniture.'

'That was my breaking point,' he said, before adding that the couple's son Cruz, three, was not around during the blow-up.

The incident seems to have spurred Britney and Jax's friends to get him help, as they held an intervention for him only two days later.

After checking out of treatment, he announced: 'After many years of knowing something was wrong but not knowing exactly what it was, I recently learned that I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and PTSD.'

However, he didn't specify at the time what events had led to his PTSD diagnosis.

'Its been a lot to process and an emotional time for me, however Ive come home to my son with a new found sense of peace,' he added in an Instagram post.

Although Jax has his own history of infidelity during his relationship with Brittany  and also was seen spending time with other women after their split  he claimed that the two had agreed not to get intimate with any of their mutual friends while separated.

'I dont think I would have been bothered by it if it was somebody else that I didnt know, but the fact that it was one of my friends that I brought into my group, that Ive taken care of, that Ive helped get a manager, that Ive helped build relationships with? I just did a lot for this guy,' Jax said. 'I just felt like it was such a slap in the face to me a little bit.'

He claimed on the podcast that he and Brittany had agreed not to date any of their mutual friends while separated, an agreement he accused her of violating; seen October 10 in LA

He went on to accuse Brittany of trying to hide the relationship with Julian, which he claimed he discovered when he found a 'weird' message from him on her phone one night.

But Jax also noted that it was fitting that his ex was seeing another man after he his dalliances.

'Yes, we were separated, but we were still hanging out with each other,' he claimed. 'Meanwhile, she was dating this guy  Maybe its karma, but man, I definitely got a taste of my own medicine for sure.'

'It just didnt feel good,' he added. 'It put a really bad taste in my mouth, and thats kinda where the downward spiral started for me, [] but the last eight months of my life have been hell. I went off the deep end. I really did.'
A Triple M producer and presenter has announced her shock exit from a national radio show.

Loren Barry revealed she is no longer on the lineup of The Marty Sheargold Show on Thursday.

'All good things must come to an end, and unfortunately my time on The Marty Sheargold Show has done just that,' she in an Instagram post.

'Because of our listeners, this show has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

'I've loved, loved, loved my time on the show but I am excited for what the future holds.'

Loren has been absent from The Marty Sheargold Show for more than a week, sparking questions from listeners about her whereabouts.

A Triple M producer and presenter has announced her shock exit from a national radio show

Loren Barry took to Instagram on Thursday and revealed she is no longer on the lineup of The Marty Sheargold Show

Meanwhile, Sheargold addressed her departure on his podcast on Thursday.

'Her time as a producer on the show has ended,' he said.

'She's going to be looking at a couple of really good options for herself moving forward that'll test her skill set more than I can offer her here, which she's absolutely entitled to do and will do well.'

He added: 'She's staying with the group which is the most important thing, and looking to continue her growth which is what this business is about and I'm sure that'll be an incredibly wonderful story and journey for her.'

Loren served as both a producer and co-host on the national radio show, having previously worked for Nova alongside Marty.

Several upset fans of the program voiced their goodbyes on Loren's social media post, while many questioned her sudden departure.

'Not even an on air send off? What aren't we being told?' one listener asked.

'Won't be the same without you, that's for sure,' said another.

Loren (pictured) has been absent from The Marty Sheargold Show for more than a week, sparking questions from listeners about her whereabouts

'You were great! The whole crew were perfect together. Was an incredible show,' someone else wrote.

Earlier this month, Triple M saw a massive shakeup at the network with Marty stepping into a new role after vacating the breakfast slot in July.

Sheargold, 53, will extend his national Marty Sheargold Show into the drive shift in Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Currently, the show airs nationally from Monday to Friday, 3-4pm.

Listeners in these regions will now enjoy an additional two hours of the popular comedian's show from 4-6pm.

'I'm looking forward to returning to the Drive shift for NSW and Queensland listeners in 2025 and giving them the extended version of the show,' Sheargold said in a statement.

'The commute home is a time to unwind and finish the day with a chat and a laugh, and that's exactly what I will be aiming to deliver.'

Sheargold's shift into drive means that a raft local shows will be axed in 2025.

The Rush Hour, featuring Leisel Jones, Liam Flanagan, and Ben Dobbin, which airs in Queensland, will not be returning next year.

Similarly, NSW's Rush Hour with Gus Worland and Jude Bolton will also be discontinued.

The Adelaide and Perth Rush Hour teams will not be returning in 2025 either.

The Rush Hour team, consisting of James Brayshaw and Billy Brownless, who are currently heard in Melbourne and Tasmania, will now also be broadcast in South and Western Australia, as well as on some Triple M regional stations in the southern states.

Liesel Jones took to Instagram to share the news with her fans, posting a photo of the on-air trio.

'Well it was fun while it lasted,' she wrote.

'Sad news today that @triplem_rushhour with Leisel Jones, Liam and Dobbo won't go ahead in 2025.'

'I've learnt a lot working this job and I've enjoyed the laughs,' the post continued.

Earlier this month, Triple M saw a massive shakeup at the network with Marty Sheargold (pictured) stepping into a new role after vacating the breakfast slot in July

'Our intention with this show was to always lift your drive home no matter what kind of day you've had.

'I hope we were able to bring a smile or laugh to your arvo. We'll see you round like a rissole. Until next time.'

Sheargold added that he was committed to carrying on the local teams' legacies.

'I also wanted to thank the teams from the Sydney, Brisbane/Gold Coast and Queensland,' he said.

'[They are] shows who have all had amazing stints and been hugely entertaining. I'm committed to carrying on their legacies.'

The Rush Hour team of Brayshaw and Brownless, who are currently heard in Melbourne and Tasmania, will now also air in South and Western Australia and across some Triple M regional stations in the southern states.
Sofia Richie got candid about her weight loss six months after giving birth to daughter Eloise Samantha.

The 26-year-old model appeared on a new episode of Thursday's Therapuss podcast, where she spoke about her life as a new mom.

After being asked about motherhood, Lionel Richie's daughter  who recently made a rare sighting with her older sister Nicole Richie  shared, 'My life makes sense now.'

'I've never loved anything more in my life. I'm obsessed with her, shes perfect. And Ive lost 50 pounds,' she humorously stated.

Sofia and host Jake Shane  who is her close pal  proceeded to have a laugh at the candid admission.

'So that happened,' she added.

Sofia Richie, 26, revealed she lost 50 pounds, six months after giving birth to daughter Eloise; pictured November 9 West Hollywood

The model  who gave birth in May  shared updates of her baby bump throughout her pregnancy

The social medial star  who previously dated Kourtney Kardashian's ex Scott Disick, 41  went on to describe her conflicted feelings about her changing figure during pregnancy.

'I did weekly update photos. Every Monday,' she shared.

'I could, like, watch myself expand. It was cute until it wasn't.'

She first joked that it 'wasn't' cute when her baby bump popped, but quickly reconsidered her remark.

'It was beautiful. This is the thing, I always tell my friends. I'm like, "Oh, it got crazy." But I was always empowered. The entire way. I was like, "I am unbelievable that I can do this."'

The star then added, 'But I was also plus 60.'

Sofia revealed that after giving birth she 'did not leave the house.'

'I didnt even know that this season happened. The summer season didn't happen in my mind,' she said, adding, 'I had my moms summer.'

Richie also revealed that little Eloise has a 'baby phone' where she receives texts, but they are answered by whoever is with her at the time.

Lionel Richie's daughter appeared on a new episode of Thursday's Therapuss podcast, where she spoke about her life as a new mom

'My life makes sense now. I've never loved anything more in my life. I'm obsessed with her, shes perfect. And Ive lost 50 pounds,' she stated humorously; pictured November 2 in LA

The social medial star went on to describe her conflicted feelings about her changing figure during pregnancy; seen October 19 in LA

'I did weekly update photos. Every Monday,' she shared. 'I could, like, watch myself expand. It was cute until it wasn't'; seen at nine months pregnant

Sofia welcomed baby Eloise in May with husband Elliot Grainge, 31, a year after they said 'I do' in April 2023

'I say "good morning, Eloise." And Sofia responds, usually,' Shane explained.

Sofia welcomed baby Eloise in May with husband Elliot Grainge, 31, a year after they said 'I do' in April 2023.

Sofia recently showed off her incredible physique while attuning the 2024 Baby2Baby gala in Los Angeles on Saturday night.

She made heads turn in a form-fitting, black velvet dress with a white bow accent and matching straps.

She was joined by husband Elliot who looked dashing in a black suit and tie.

The lovebirds have yet to post a full image of their newborn.

The little one's middle name serves as a tribute to Elliot's late mother, Samantha Berg, who died tragically young in 2007.

While giving birth to Elliot in 1993, the businessman's mother had an amniotic fluid embolism, resulting in a coma that she remained in until her death.

Sofia and Elliot had been acquaintances for several years before they began dating in early 2021.

They got engaged in 2022 and ultimately said 'I do' in 2023. She was walked down the aisle by her famous father during her lavish wedding ceremony to the music executive in France.

Sofia and Elliot had been acquaintances for several years before they began dating in early 2021

Sofia was previously in a high-profile relationship with reality television personality Scott Disick, 41, whom she began seeing in 2017; Scott and Sofia pictured in 2019

Back in June, a source close to the couple revealed that they are still 'adjusting' to life as parents.

'Sofia and Elliot have been on cloud nine since welcoming baby Eloise. They are still adjusting to becoming parents, but it's come fairly natural to both of them,' they told Us Weekly.

The insider also shared that the pair are trying to keep their newborn from the limelight and are reluctant to let others visit.

'Sofia and Elliot haven't let many people over to see the baby, they're both being very protective,' they claimed.
Gwyneth Paltrow put on a chic display at the star-studded STARSCAPE exhibition in New York City on Wednesday.

The Goop founder, 52 - who recently opened up about her lavish nighttime ritual - could be seen filming parts of the 'immersive installation' with other celebrities also in attendance, including Zoe Saldana.

The actress embraced her fall style wearing a black, turtleneck sweater as well as a leather skirt and black blazer that was left unfastened at the front.

Paltrow additionally slipped into a pair of black tights and closed-toed heels to coincide with the monochromatic color scheme of her ensemble.

Gwyneth's blonde locks were parted in the middle, and effortlessly flowed down past her shoulders in light waves.

The Oscar winner opted for minimal accessories to allow her outfit to be the main focal point, and added a few flashy rings on each of her hands.

Gwyneth Paltrow, 52, put on a chic display at the star-studded STARSCAPE exhibition in New York City on Wednesday

The actress embraced her fall style wearing a black, turtleneck sweater as well as a leather skirt and black blazer that was left unfastened at the front

A light pink blush was added to her cheekbones for a radiant glow, while a glossy, rosy pink tint was worn on her lips for a finishing touch.

During an interview with Harper's Bazaar a few months earlier in September, Paltrow opened up about her personal style, which she described as 'minimal, elegant' and also 'preppy.'

When it comes to further glamming up a look with accessories, the star explained, 'I kind of go one of two ways.'

'I tend to go more chunky gold, day kind of stuff, or...I don't mind a real f***-off statement piece as well.'

Gwyneth paused for photos as she strolled through the STRASCAPE exhibition by Genesis House and Ethan Tobman.

Tobman is known as the creative mind behind Taylor Swift's Eras Tour and has also worked on music videos for artists such as Beyonce.

The new exhibition is, 'an immersive installation inspired by Dongji, the Korean celebration of the Winter Solstice,' per an official description.

'Explore the wonders of the cosmos on the longest night of the year told by the sights and sounds of light. A cinematic journey full of wonder, warmth and human connection awaits.'

The Goop founder could be seen filming parts of the 'immersive installation' with other celebrities also in attendance, including Zoe Saldana

The Iron Man actress was seen crossing paths with Tobman who donned a glittering, black suit as well as a white dress shirt and black tie

Paltrow additionally slipped into a pair of black tights and closed-toed heels to coincide with the monochromatic color scheme of her ensemble

Zoe Saldana was also spotted at the event - which officially opened on Thursday and comes to an end next year on January 12, 2025

Claudia Marquez - the COO of Genesis Motor in North America - also glammed up in a black sequin outfit as she paused for memorable snaps with Zoe and Gwyneth during the festivities

Rachel Espersen - the executive director, brand experience at Genesis USA - was stylish in a printed minidress and black heels as she joined the celebrity guests

The new exhibition is, 'an immersive installation inspired by Dongji, the Korean celebration of the Winter Solstice,' per an official description

The Iron Man actress was seen crossing paths with Tobman who donned a glittering, black suit as well as a white dress shirt and black tie.

Zoe Saldana was also spotted at the event - which officially opened on Thursday and comes to an end next year on January 12, 2025.

The Guardians Of The Galaxy star put on a fashionable display of her own wearing a dark gray blazer as well as a pair of matching, loose-fitting trousers.

She completed the ensemble by wearing a striped shirt as well as a black tie and closed-toed, black pumps with a gold tip.

Saldana - who recently landed the cover of Vanity Fair - allowed her brunette locks to cascade down past her shoulders in light waves.

Earlier in the night, Zoe was spotted outside in NYC as she arrived to the venue and better showcased her outfit.

Claudia Marquez - the COO of Genesis Motor in North America - also glammed up in a black sequin outfit as she paused for memorable snaps with Zoe and Gwyneth during the festivities.

Rachel Espersen - the executive director, brand experience at Genesis USA - was stylish in a printed minidress and black heels as she joined the celebrity guests.

Later in the evening, Paltrow and Tobman were seen strolling through the new immersive experience and paused for another picture together

Gwyneth paused for photos as she strolled through the STRASCAPE exhibition by Genesis House and Ethan Tobman

Paltrow also jumped to her Instagram stories to give her fans a glimpse of the installation

Later in the evening, Paltrow and Tobman were seen strolling through the new immersive experience and paused for another picture together.

Paltrow also jumped to her Instagram stories to give her fans a glimpse of the installation.

She uploaded a photo as both she and Tobman stood in a dimly lit area while surrounded by a galaxy of stars.

In text added towards the bottom of the image, the star penned, 'Just stopped by the most arrestingly beautiful exhibit at @genesishousenyc.'

Gwyneth also filmed a quick selfie video and panned the camera around one of the rooms.

It comes shortly after the blonde beauty opened up about why she has been feeling 'waves of grief and sadness' this year.

Paltrow is mother to daughter Apple, 20, and son Moses, 18 - whom she shares with ex-husband Chris Martin. During a Q+A session on Instagram, she revealed that she was still adjusting to her children no longer living at home.

One fan asked, 'How's life as a free bird?' and the actress replied with, 'Thank you for asking. It's very different. I have waves of grief and sadness.'

However, she also added, 'I am kind of getting back in touch with this part of myself that I haven't felt like since I was in my 20s before I had kids.'

Gwyneth also filmed a quick selfie video and panned the camera around one of the rooms

It comes shortly after the blonde beauty opened up about why she has been feeling 'waves of grief and sadness' this year; seen in September in Paris

After taking a break from acting, Paltrow was convinced to step back in front of the camera for Marty Supreme by her own daughter, Apple Martin

'Like, a little more space and imagination, maybe. A little more inner space for what I might want to do that day, stuff like that. So, it's evolving. It's interesting.'

Paltrow - whose company Goop recently suffered a second round of layoffs - was also spotted filming scenes for the upcoming film, Marty Supreme, in NYC last month.

Her co-star, Timothee Chalamet, was also seen shooting scenes for the movie which is reportedly inspired by ping-pong player, Marty Reisman.

The A24 film - which is currently in the midst of its production stages - is directed by Josh Safdie, who is known for other projects such as Uncut Gems (2019) and Good Time (2017).

Most plot details have remained under wraps but is a 'fictional work set in the world of 1950s ping pong culture,' per Variety.

After taking a break from acting, Paltrow was convinced to step back in front of the camera for Marty Supreme by her own daughter, Apple Martin.

A source told DailyMail.com in September, 'Gwyneth signed on to co-star with Timothee in Marty Supreme thanks to her daughter, who has had a crush on the Dune star for years.'

'As soon as Gwyneth told Apple that Timothee is not only a producer but also the lead actor, she pleaded with her mom to accept.'

The insider added, 'After reading it and loving it, despite having no major wish to act right now, she was convinced by Apple, who intends to be on set as much as possible.'
Stephen King announced he is leaving X as the social media platform has become 'too toxic' for him.

The King of Horror, 77, shared a departing statement via his account on Thursday, following rumors that the owner of X  formerly known as Twitter  Elon Musk, 53, banned him from the platform.

'I'm leaving Twitter. Tried to stay, but the atmosphere has just become too toxic. Follow me on Threads, if you like,' he wrote.

The day prior the author  who joined the exodus of Hollywood stars leaving the platform  dispelled speculation about Musk kicking him off X, after he made a joke about the billionaire's friendship with President-elect Donald Trump.

'I see there's a rumor going around that I called the Musk-man Trump's new first lady. I didn't, but only because I didn't think of it,' he wrote on Wednesday.

'There's also a rumor going around that Muskie kicked me off Twitter. Yet here I am,' King added.

Stephen King, 77, announced he is leaving X  formerly known as Twitter  as the social media platform has become 'too toxic' for him; pictured September 6 in Toronto, Canada

The King of Horror shared a departing statement on his account on Thursday. 'I'm leaving Twitter. Tried to stay, but the atmosphere has just become too toxic,' he wrote

King was referring to recent Musk memes, which were AI generated, and depicted the tech entrepreneur as Trump's First Lady.

According to the Daily Dot, the memes started after Musk was featured in a Trump family photo.

They then gathered steam when a false rumor was spread that King had been banned from X for referring to Musk as 'Trump's First Lady.'

The writer has spoken out against the Tesla and SpaceX founder a number of times.

In the days before and after the Republican candidate's win, he has repeatedly poked fun at Musk for supporting Trump.

The day prior to announcing his departure, he shared a photo of his dog, writing, 'Molly, aka the Thing of Evil, considers putting the bite on the Musk-man.'

And earlier this month he wrote: 'The Musk-man has posted 3,000 times on Twitter in the last month. Most are pro-Trump disinformation and outright lies. Remember, he has skin in the game. Consider his posts accordingly.'

King notes on his website that he is a Democrat and is open about his political views on the platform.

He shared the update following rumors that the owner of X, Elon Musk, 53, banned him from the platform after he joked about his friendship with Donald Trump; Musk seen in 2023

The day prior the author dispelled the speculation Musk kicked him off X. 'There's also a rumor going around that Muskie kicked me off Twitter. Yet here I am,' he wrote

King was referring to recent Musk memes, which were AI generated, and depicted the tech entrepreneur as Trump's First Lady

The day prior to announcing his departure, King shared a photo of his dog, writing, 'Molly, aka the Thing of Evil, considers putting the bite on the Musk-man'

And earlier this month he wrote: 'The Musk-man has posted 3,000 times on Twitter in the last month. Most are pro-Trump disinformation and outright lies. Remember, he has skin in the game. Consider his posts accordingly'

The bestselling author has sold over 350 million book copies worldwide, with books like IT, Carrie, The Shining and the Green Mile all being turned into blockbuster movies; pictured 2015

The bestselling author has sold more than 350 million book copies worldwide, with books like IT, Carrie, The Shining and the Green Mile all being turned into blockbuster movies.

King became the latest celebrity to sever his relationship with the social media platform in the wake of Trump's presidential election victory.

Actress Alyssa Milano, 51, also announced she was leaving on Thursday, posting a screenshot of her deactivated account on Instagram.

'Goodbye, X. Hello, Blue Sky,' she wrote in her caption, in reference to the competing social network Bluesky, which recently became the top-ranked social media app on the Apple charts.

The upstart service has gained an influx of at least 700,000 new users since the US presidential election, The Guardian reported on Monday.

Jamie Lee Curtis, 65, revealed she left on Wednesday, also via Instagram.

Unlike some accounts and publications that have left X after Musk took control of it, Curtis appears to have completely deactivated her account, rather than leaving it up while ceasing to post.

Curtis announced her news in an Instagram post featuring a screenshot that was apparently taken from her X account on her phone.

King became the latest celebrity to sever his relationship with the social media platform in the wake of Trump's presidential election victory; Musk and Trump seen on October 5

Actress Alyssa Milano, 51, also announced she was leaving on Thursday; seen in May in LA

She posted a screenshot of her deactivated account on Instagram

Jamie Lee Curtis, 65, revealed she left X on Wednesday, via Instagram; seen September 14 in West Hollywood

Curtis appears to have completely deactivated her account

'Your account is deactivated,' it read, with 'Sorry to see you go. #GoodBye' in smaller text at the bottom.

Curtis, who has been open about her past struggles with drug and alcohol addiction, quoted the serenity prayer in her caption.

'God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. Courage to change the things I can. And the wisdom to know the difference,' she wrote of giving up X.

The Halloween star didn't specifically state her reasons for leaving the controversial platform, though many users leaving X have taken issue with Musk's closeness to Trump and Trump's election victory.

Also on Wednesday, the television journalist Don Lemon announced that he would be leaving X as well.

Unlike Curtis, he issued a statement on X, though it wasn't clear if he planned to deactivate his account in the future, or if he would stop posting while leaving his archive visible for his followers.

'I've loved connecting with all of you on X, but it's time for me to leave the platform,' he began on what looked like a photocopy of The Don Lemon Show stationery.

He said he no long believed that X was a 'place for honest debate and discussion, transparency, and free speech.'

Also on Wednesday, the television journalist Don Lemon announced that he would be leaving X as well

He cited X's new terms of service to force users to move litigation to Northern District of Texas, which 'could make it easier for X to shield itself from litigation and punish critics'; pictured in April in NYC

Lemon also attributed his decision to X's new terms of service, which are set to go into effect on Friday, November 15.

The site is following the path of many corporations in forcing users who try to take it to court to have their cases heard in 'the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas or state courts located in Tarrant County, Texas.'

'As the Washington Post recently reported on X's decision to change the terms, this "ensures that such lawsuits will be heard in courthouses that are a hub for conservatives, which experts say could make it easier for X to shield itself from litigation and punish critics,"' Lemon continued. 'I think that speaks for itself.'

He concluded his post with a list of his other social media accounts for fans to find him at, adding, 'I hope you will join me there.'
Kyle Sandilands will reduce graphic sexual content on his KIIS FM radio show next year to appeal to the Melbourne market.

The Kyle & Jackie O show suffered another small dip in the seventh GFK radio ratings in the Victorian capital this week.

Sitting at eighth position in the Breakfast slot with a 5.1 per cent share, the duo slipped well behind Nova's Jase and Lauren, as well as Triple M and ABC Melbourne.

In a bid to make a dent in Melbourne, ARN's chief content officer Duncan Campbell says Sandilands will have to dial back on the 'smut' and inappropriate on-air remarks.

'The sexual content was really a small part of the show,' he told Mumbrella.

'Because it was graphic, it grabbed everyone's attention  but [Kyle's] taken that off, really.'

Kyle Sandilands (pictured) will reduce graphic sexual content on his KIIS FM radio show next year to appeal to the Melbourne market

'It's still sexual content. But not the graphic sexual content that it once was.'

Campbell also told the outlet that Sandilands 'came to the table' with toning down on the graphic content.

'He agreed to do that, which was a real positive,' he added.

'And, I mean, he wants to win in Melbourne. There's no doubt about that.'

Elsewhere, the CCO also promised their marketing tactics will be 'less brash and unapologetic'.

'We believe, with the removal of the graphic sexual content, the show's much, much easier to listen now,' he said.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Kyle Sandilands for comment.

Meanwhile, in Sydney, Sandilands and his co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson have once again claimed the top position for their breakfast time slot despite a drop to 13.1 per cent of the audience.

WSFM's Jonesy & Amanda are now Sydney's second top rating breakfast show with a 11.3 per cent share.

Meanwhile, Nova 100's Jase & Lauren beat Kyle and Jackie O in Melbourne's radio wars with a 11 per cent share.

Coming second in Melbourne is previous leaders Fifi, Fev & Nick on The Fox, pulling in 10.2 per cent of the audience.
Ashley Tisdale feels 'so great' about getting to experience the holiday season as a family-of-four, just two months after giving birth.

The High School Musical star, 39  who welcomed her second daughter Emerson Clover in September  opened up to People about letting loose during the holidays as a new mother-of-two and incorporating 'chaos'.

The actress also discussed their 'adorable' first family portraits with their newborn little girl, which she posted to Instagram.

'It is pretty wild, but it's so much fun,' she said of her growing family.

'It's been pretty amazing. It's so cool to see. It feels like the baby's been here the entire time, so it just feels so great.'

Discussing her new family portraits, which she teased on her holiday cards, she revealed that she never previously thought she would have two daughters to dress in matching outfits.

Ashley Tisdale feels 'so great' about getting to experience the holiday season as a family-of-four, just two months after giving birth; seen in November

She opened up to People about letting loose during the holidays as a new mother-of-two and incorporating 'chaos'; seen in October

'I think it really captured where we are in life, which is just pure chaos,' she admits.

'So it was a little chaotic, but I was just really excited. It's funny, I didn't think I would be that mom that would put the girls in matching clothes, and I was 100% excited to buy these two outfits that matched.'

The doting mother said, 'It was really adorable, and Juju thought it was so awesome as well.'

The Suite Life star also shared that the photoshoot took place at a beach in Malibu  a city that is 'such special place' to her and husband Christopher French, 42.

She recalled: 'It's just so calming, and especially in these moments where we're just trying to balance it all, it's always so nice to just kind of go out there. It has to be here.'

Tisdale, who shares Jupiter, three, and her two-month-old with French, claimed that the location made it difficult for her 'three-nager' to stay calm.

'Jupiter is at that age where she is like, we call it a "threenager." She is a full teenager and she's 3, and she's just sassy,' she told the outlet.

'She's a really good kid, but she obviously has her moments. There's times where Jupiter is just like, "No pictures. Don't take any pictures of me." So I'm like, "Oh God, I hope we don't get that side of Juju today."'

The Saving Santa voice actress said Jupiter 'did really, really good,' but 'at one point she was just starting to be like, I don't really want to do this anymore.'

She added: 'So Chris put her on his shoulders, and I think this picture really captures where we are. Where it's just kind of going with the flow and giving into the chaos.'

'It is pretty wild, but it's so much fun,' she said of her growing family; seen in October

'It feels like the baby's been here the entire time, so it just feels so great,' the actress added; seen in October

'I think it really captured where we are in life, which is just pure chaos,' she admitted of her holiday photos

The actress shared the above image after welcoming her daughter Emerson in September

The former Disney star also revealed that little Emerson is 'literally a copy of Juju.'

Recalling the moment Jupiter met her little sister she said: 'I think she was more ready than we imagined  I was nervous.'

'She really is such a good big sister. She just sits there and wants to hold her baby sister and wants to do tummy time with her, and she's just so loving,' Tisdale rhapsodized.

'It was almost like she knew she was meant to be a big sister. It was so cute.'
She never puts a foot wrong when it comes to fashion.

And Roxy Horner turned up the heat in a lace black top and PVC trousers as she posed up a storm at the John Lewis Christmas advert party on Thursday night.

The model, 33, boosted her height with strappy silver heels and wore her blonde tresses swept back.

Also at the bash was Frankie Bridge, 35, who wore a chic high-neck black dress and toted a leather clutch bag.

Elsewhere Emma Weymouth was the image of festive glamour as she sported a glittering outfit.

Roxy Horner turned up the heat in a lace black top and PVC trousers as she posed up a storm at the John Lewis Christmas advert party on Thursday night

Also at the bash was Frankie Bridge , 35, who wore a chic high-neck black dress and toted a leather clutch bag

The model, 33, boosted her height with strappy silver heels and wore her blonde tresses swept back

The Marchioness of Bath, 38, stunned in a chic ensemble, teaming a golden corset-style top with a black high-waisted skirt.

The monochrome detailing complemented her sequinned look, which was perfect for the Yuletide-inspired occasion.

To complete her outfit, the mother-of-two wore simple heels, and styled her chestnut tresses in a sleek straightened style.

Her make-up was radiant and elegant, accentuating her face with eyeliner and dusky pink lipstick.

Emma happily posed for photos with actor Layton Williams, who elevated cosy winter knits into a chic suit for the evening.

The event commemorated The British retailer's hotly-anticipated festive commercial on Thursday - transporting viewers on a magical journey that follows a sister's emotional quest for the perfect Christmas gift.

The heartwarming ad was launched on social media this morning and will be released on TV on Friday.

During the advert, Sally (played by Margaret Clunie) races into John Lewis' Oxford Street flagship store just before closing time after leaving it a little late to find the right present for her sibling.

Elsewhere Emma Weymouth was the image of festive glamour as she sported a glittering outfit

TOWIE's Jess Wright wore a silk suit for the festive party

Made in Chelsea star Rosie Fortescue attends the John Lewis star-studded party

Strictly's Layton Williams elevated cosy winter knits into a chic suit for the evening

Emma and Layton posed together inside the party

Aisling Bea attends the John Lewis star-studded party to celebrate the launch of the highly anticipated Christmas advert

Clara Amfo was the epitome of chic in a black dress and heels

Clara Amfo and Yasmin Evans posed together

Carol Wright wore a black patterned dress

This Morning's Sian Welby wore a flowery dress and knee-high boots

Pips Taylor, Harry Judd and Sian Welby

Vanessa White wore baggy jeans and a black knitted jumper

Harriet Rose and Aisling Bea

McFly's Dougie Poynter and Harry Judd posed together

Zoe Hardman looked elegant in red

Kimberly Wyatt wore a black dress with bow detailing

Kimberly Wyatt, Zoe Hardman and Sian Welby

In a The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe-inspired moment, she falls through a rack of dresses and enters a fantastical world, stumbling out of an old wardrobe in the attic of her childhood home.

From there, she undertakes a whimsical journey through her memories as she urgently searches for the best gift for her beloved sister.

In one particularly tear-jerking scene, Sally comes across her late mother and shares a brief festive moment with her.

However, not everyone was impressed by this year's festive offering from John Lewis, with some viewers branding it 'confusing'.
Joy (12A, 124 mins)

Verdict: Uplifting tale

Rating:

Pub quiz enthusiasts have always known the name of the first 'test-tube' baby. The question pops up a lot, and the answer is Louise Brown.

But it's her middle name that gives Ben Taylor's film its heartwarming title. Evidently, at the invitation of Louise's ecstatic parents, it was conferred by the medical team who made their daughter's life possible. Fittingly, they chose Joy.

The film stars Bill Nighy, James Norton and Thomasin McKenzie as the British pioneers of in vitro fertilisation (IVF), the treatment from which Louise was born in July 1978 .

In some ways it reminds me of The Social Network (2010) and The Imitation Game (2014), even Oppenheimer (2023). They are all stories about complex breakthroughs that have to be told compellingly, because we know the ending even before the lights go down.

To create dramatic tension, major obstacles must stand in the way. Here, the establishment is dead against what obstetrician Patrick Steptoe (Nighy), physiologist Robert Edwards (Norton) and embryologist Jean Purdy (McKenzie) are attempting to do. In Edwards's words, that, simply, is 'to cure childlessness'.

Once the trio have joined forces in 1968, Steptoe anticipates the hostility they will face. 'The Church, the state, the world... they'll throw the book at us,' he says.

The film stars Bill Nighy , James Norton and Thomasin McKenzie as the British pioneers of in vitro fertilisation ( IVF ), the treatment from which Louise was born in July 1978

To create dramatic tension, major obstacles must stand in the way. Here, the establishment is dead against what they are trying to do

The film's challenge is to make the myriad complexities of early IVF research accessible to today's audience

Screenwriter Jack Thorne personalises that  with how much dramatic licence I don't know  by building an estrangement between Purdy and her devoutly religious mother (Joanna Scanlan).

But told that they have no right 'to play God', both Purdy and Edwards have a ready (if perhaps disingenuous) response: that nobody says the same thing about spectacles and dentures, so why shouldn't human ingenuity address infertility as it has myopia and tooth decay?

The film's challenge is to make the myriad complexities of early IVF research accessible to today's audience. It does this well, striking an easy balance between the solemn medical jargon required to give the story authenticity (in Joy, as far as I'm aware, 'pre-ovulating follicles' make their debut in mainstream cinema) and that jaunty period charm which so often drives British films set in the 1960s.

It was even evident last time the Kiwi actress McKenzie popped up in 1960s England, playing a haunted fashion student in Edgar Wright's gripping psychological horror film Last Night In Soho (2021). She was perfect for that role, but here seems to me slightly miscast: too wan and winsome to play the formidable Purdy. Mind you, a quick Wikipedia check reveals that Purdy, remarkably, was only 23 when she first teamed up with the much-older Steptoe and Edwards.

As Steptoe, Nighy delivers his standard set of soft-voice and fluttery-hand mannerisms, but he's convincing as the doctor compelled by the forces of stuffy disapproval to pursue his dream in an outbuilding behind an Oldham hospital.

And Norton is perfectly fine as the ebullient Edwards, who in a TV debate takes on one of the scientific grandees bitterly opposed to the concept of IVF: the molecular biologist James Watson.

In some ways it reminds me of The Social Network (2010) and The Imitation Game (2014), even Oppenheimer (2023), Brian Viner writes

As Steptoe, Nighy delivers his standard set of soft-voice and fluttery-hand mannerisms, but he's convincing as the doctor compelled by the forces of stuffy disapproval to pursue his dream in an outbuilding behind an Oldham hospital

Incidentally, just as Watson won the Nobel Prize (for his part in the discovery of DNA), so, decades later, did Edwards. But this film is focused on the battle more than the victory, lingering over the laboratory failures that ended in disappointment for the first group of aspiring mothers treated in Oldham.

Again, I don't know how much springs from real life and how much from Thorne's keyboard, but those women drolly call themselves the Ovum Club, and, in an affectionate scene, even have a charabanc trip to the seaside.

Purdy, who goes with them, is the central figure in Joy, as the filmmakers strive to give her the status that for years Edwards insisted she deserved, as an equal partner in the IVF story.

Alas, she wasn't around to hear his pleas. In 1985 the woman who shared responsibility for the creation of so many lives had her own claimed by cancer, before she turned 40.

Joy is showing in cinemas now, and will be available on Netflix from November 22.

Celebrity beauticians face off in true thriller

Rating:

Skincare (18, 96 mins) is a thriller not without blemish, but Elizabeth Banks gives a suitably glowing performance as Los Angeles beautician Hope Goldman, who believes a rival is trying to drive her out of business with a campaign of hate mail and commercial sabotage.

There are some clunky plot twists (and an awful lot of doors left conveniently ajar at night) but maybe that's how it really happened, because the film was inspired by the true story of 'celebrity facialist' Dawn DaLuise.

Skincare is available on several streaming platforms now.

Skincare (18, 96 mins) is a thriller not without blemish, but Elizabeth Banks (pictured) gives a suitably glowing performance

There are some clunky plot twists (and an awful lot of doors left conveniently ajar at night) but maybe that's how it really happened

Swords and sandals... and killer baboons

Gladiator II (15, 148 mins)

Verdict: Much to Crowe about

Rating:

Throughout Sir Ridley Scott's exuberant sequel to Gladiator (2000) you can almost hear the cogs in his mind turning like chariot wheels, as he contrives shamelessly unsubtle parallels with the original film.

So once again we have a tragically bereaved hero who once had the ear of emperors but is reduced to fighting for his life in the Colosseum.

This time it's Lucius (Paul Mescal), young nephew of evil Commodus in the first film, now enslaved after leading the resistance to Roman imperial ambitions in North Africa.

Lucius hasn't seen his mother, Commodus's sister Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), for years. Little does he know that she is now married to the very Roman general, Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal), whom he blames for the death of his comely wife.

A shady arms dealer called Macrinus (Denzel Washington, camping up his lines with glee) has made Lucius his champion, observing that 'rage pours out of you like milk'.

Throughout Sir Ridley Scott's exuberant sequel to Gladiator (2000) you can almost hear the cogs in his mind turning like chariot wheels, as he contrives shamelessly unsubtle parallels with the original film

Once again we have a tragically bereaved hero who once had the ear of emperors but is reduced to fighting for his life in the Colosseum

Certainly, Lucius is not cowed by anything the Colosseum can throw at him, from killer baboons to savage sharks. Yes, sharks! Historical truths have never mattered much to Scott.

Meanwhile, Rome has become a cesspit of depravity under slimy twin emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and his twin brother Caracalla (Fred Hechinger)  think Jedward in togas. So Acacius plots with the fragrant Lucilla to overthrow them.

By now she has realised that Lucius is her long-lost son, but can she overcome his hatred? And what will he make of the revelation that Russell Crowe's Maximus was his real father? For that matter, what do we make of it? It wasn't what we were led to believe first time round.

But never mind petty inconveniences like facts. The fight scenes are great, Washington is a hoot, and as a sword-and-sandals hero Mescal has plenty to Crowe about.
Skai Jackson's baby daddy Deondre Burgin was taken into custody in Cincinnati, Ohio on Wednesday after a botched foot chase with officers.

Burgin was arrested a day after the Disney Channel alum, 22, announced on Tuesday that she is expecting her first child with her boyfriend.

Police said in a report Wednesday reviewed by TMZ that Burgin - who the outlet identified as her beau - initially fled the scene when they approached him over a juvenile parole violation warrant.

Burgin tripped, fell and suffered a cut on his cheek in the encounter, according to the outlet, after which police placed him in handcuffs.

Burgin was released after receiving a citation for misdemeanor obstruction of official business, police sources told the outlet.

Jackson defended her baby daddy - while stopping short of explicitly revealing his identity - after a blogger shared a message he allegedly wrote about her following her pregnancy announcement.

Skai Jackson's baby daddy Deondre Burgin was taken into custody in Cincinnati, Ohio on Wednesday after a botched foot chase with officers

Jackson, pictured in August in LA, is expecting her first child with her boyfriend

The Disney Channel alum, 22, announced on Tuesday that she is expecting her first child with her boyfriend.

Concurrently, a man going by 'Yerkky Yerkky' allegedly posted to Facebook, 'On woop im salty i got this dumb a** Disney Chanel (sic) b***h pregnant I hate this h**.'

Blogger Tasha K posted the comment to her Instagram - prompting a fiery message from Jackson and her mother Kiya Cole.

Jackson insisted her love interest's Facebook account had been hacked, writing in the comments section: 'His page was hacked! He never said this. End of story.'

Her mother posted: 'HE NEVER SAID THIS!!!! Stop being messy!!!'

The post no longer appears on the page and photos of a pregnant Jackson were shared to the account with a sweet smiling face with hearts emoji.

Jackson announced her pregnancy with People, with the outlet sharing photos of the star and her burgeoning baby bump.

Jackson is expecting her first child with her boyfriend, told the publication, 'Im thrilled to begin this new chapter in my life - embracing motherhood and diving into new acting projects. My heart is so full!'

In photos posted by the outlet, Jackson displayed her baby bump in a lilac crop top as she enjoyed an outing with her mother Kiya Cole.

Jackson has defended her rumored boyfriend after a blogger posted an alleged message he shared about her pregnancy; pictured January 2024

Burgin, identified by TMZ as Jackson's beau, was pictured this past May on an Instagram account with 83,600 followers under the handle @richnviolent and a header reading, 'NETWORKK YERKK'

Blogger Tasha K posted the comment to her Instagram - prompting a fiery message from Skai and her mother Kiya Cole

It comes after Jackson sparked pregnancy rumors last week while spotted in Los Angeles cradling her stomach.

The pregnancy news comes several months after Jackson was arrested on suspicion of domestic battery but not charged.

In September it was revealed that the Los Angeles District Attorney's office declined to file charges and dropped the case against her.

She was previously arrested on August 8 at Universal Studios CityWalk in Los Angeles, California after an alleged altercation with her boyfriend.

Police responded to a call from the theme park after security personnel detained Jackson for allegedly pushing her boyfriend.

Deputies reviewed the surveillance footage of the alleged incident.

No weapons were involved and there were no any identifiable injuries, the sheriff's department confirmed at the time.

'Skai is relieved that the investigation revealed that this was nothing more than a misunderstanding,' a representative for Jackson said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

'We appreciate that the DA determined very quickly that there should be no charges of any kind and Skai looks forward to putting this behind her,' it continued.

At the time of her arrest, law enforcement sources told TMZ she told the arresting officers she was 'happily engaged and expecting a baby.'

The star - who avoided questions from fans in regards to her arrest - did not have charges filed against her due to prosecutors finding a lack of evidence, TMZ reported.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office informed the outlet that the case will not go forward due to Jackson not having any criminal history.

The alleged victim, her boyfriend, does not have any injuries and had also not been cooperating with prosecutors.

Jackson is best known for her roles on Disney Channel sitcom Jessie and spin-off Bunk'd, both of which ended in 2018.
Gary Sinise is opening up about what precipitated his departure from Hollywood.

The 69-year-old Academy Award nominee revealed on during an appearance on Fox News Digital that he left California and moved to Tennessee after both his wife and son were diagnosed with cancer in short succession.

Sinise shared that he and his family left their home in Los Angeles and moved to the Southeast back in 2021, though he hadn't taken a major acting job in the two years prior.

'We were in the cancer fight during that time,' Sinise said via video chat, adding that he stopped acting so that he wouldn't have to be away from his family for lengthy periods of time while his wife and son were seriously ill.

'My wife had been diagnosed with breast cancer. My son was diagnosed with this very rare cancer,' The Forrest Gump actor  who also shares two daughters with his wife  explained, adding that the diagnoses came 'within two months of each other.

Gary SInise, 69, revealed that he moved from Los Angeles to Tennessee in 2021 because his wife and son were both battling cancer; pictured with wife Moira Harris in Hollywood in 2017

Sinise's wife Moira was diagnosed with breast cancer, while his son Mac (pictured) developed a rare form of spinal cancer, chordoma

To make matters worse, Sinise's father had had a stroke around that time, which left his mother require extra care.

'I kind of had my hands full,' he said.

Sinise previously told Fox in 2022 that he had moved to Tennessee because of its lack of an income tax and the ability to keep his Lt. Dan Band  named after his character in Forrest Gump  together around the music capital of Nashville.

The film and television star's wife, Moria Harris Sinise, eventually went into to remission, but his son McCanna 'Mac' Sinise had an 'especially difficult' illness due to the rare spinal cancer chordoma, which he was diagnosed with in 2018.

In February, Sinise announced on his foundation's website that his son had died at just 33.

'Our son was fighting this cancer with no cure,' he continued as he got visibly emotional, describing the ordeal of finding medicines and healthcare providers that could help Mac as a 'full-time job.'

'Plus, he became more and more disabled by the cancer as time went on.  He needed more and more care,' Sinise explained.

Despite his sorrow at losing his son, he noted that Mac was 'happy at the end of his life.'

At the time of his death, Sinise revealed that Mac underwent surgery in September 2018 to remove a tumor on his spine, followed by a second surgery in February 2019 to combat an infection.

Sinise's wife's cancer went into remission, but his son's tragically progressed until his death in February of this year at 33; pictured with Moira in 2018 in Pasadena, Calif.

But Mac, who studied composition at USC, had one final passion project  an album of his original compositions, title Resurrection & Revival

The family got bad news in May of that year when a follow-up scan revealed that Mac's tumor had returned, and the cancer had spread.

Despite his worsening condition and difficult treatments, Sinise wrote that his son continued to come into the foundation's office regularly, and after he was unable to he continued to work behind the scenes.

The actor revealed that Mac's final project for the foundation was a podcast interview with father and son.

But he also had a passion project that his father helped him complete in his final days.

Although Mac, who had studied at the University of Southern California's Thorton School of Music, could no longer play an instrument due to his ailment, he was still able to write a final composition.

His father contracted members of his Lt. Dan Band to fill out the arrangement, and the two collaborated on recording sessions.

Mac even made it onto the recording, as he had picked up the harmonica beforehand in order to leave a final personal touch.

The sessions ended up running so smoothly that Mac and his musicians were able to record additional pieces, which became the posthumous album Resurrection & Revival.

'I will say this about Mac and the album that he made last year  he had achieved something that he set out to do, which was to record all this music in May and make a full album of it,' Sinise told Fox New Digital. 'That gave me a lot of joy  just watching him kind of enjoy those moments.'

Sinise worked with members of his Lt. Dan Band to record the album, which was released posthumously earlier this year

But the actor later discovered more compositions of Mac's, so he used the same collaborators to record a follow-up album Resurrection & Revival: Part II; pictured in June in Nashville

The album was released earlier this year, and on November 10, Resurrection & Revival: Part II was released.

The sequel LP was made from newly discovered compositions of Mac's that were subsequently recorded with the same arranger.

'This has been a real labor of very deep love. Because a lot of this music, I was not even aware that he had it until I discovered it on  his files,' Sinise said. 'I just started listening to this stuff that he'd written for the movie, and I was very, very moved by it.'

Resurrection & Revival: Part II is now on sale.
Artem Chigvintsev is hopeful about returning to Dancing with the Stars following his domestic violence arrest, after an altercation with now-estranged wife Nikki Garcia.

Chigvintsev, 42, was seen in the audience for Tuesday night's 500th episode, and would like to return to the dance competition show full time.

The Russian dancer's attorney, Ilona Antonyan, told TMZ that DWTS producers have not reached out to him yet, but that he'd love to be back in the line-up next season.

Chigvintsev  who recently claimed he lost out on $100k in income amid his arrest  was not one of the pro dancers on season 33, but Ilona claims he is still on 'great terms' with the producers.

She also shared it was one of the show's executive producers who personally invited the dancer to be there in the audience for the 500th episode.

Chigvintsev was pictured at this week's taping in the audience with fellow former dancing pros Peta Murgatroyd and her husband Maksim Chmerkovskiy, in a clip posted to Peta's Instagram Stories.

Artem Chigvintsev, 42, is hopeful about returning to Dancing with the Stars following his domestic violence arrest, after an altercation with now-estranged wife Nikki Garcia, 40

The dancer was seen in the audience for Tuesday night's 500th episode, and would like to return to the competition show full time; pictured dancing with Charity Lawson in 2023

In Garcia's, 40, restraining order against Chigvintsev, she claimed he got cut from Dancing with the Stars season 33 a week before his arrest, and began working a construction job she says he felt 'was beneath him.'

However in documents filed by Chigvintsev he claimed that was not the case, and that he enjoys construction work.

He's previously posted Instagram Stories showing him working on DIY construction projects.

It comes after Chigvintsev claimed he lost out on $100k in income after his domestic violence arrest - and doubled down on claims that his estranged wife Nikki is the real abuser.

Chigvintsev was arrested August 29 in Yountville, California in connection with domestic violence, but prosecutors in Napa County ultimately decided against filing criminal charges in the case.

Garcia later filed for divorce and unsuccessfully requested sole custody of their son Matteo, four, with the pair granted temporary restraining orders against each other.

In legal documents obtained by DailyMail.com and filed October 31 in Napa Superior Court, DWTS pro Chigvintsev - who was axed from the show's latest season - says the trauma of the arrest and false allegations led to him losing substantial income.

The documents read: 'It is not true that I have not been able to find other work as a dancer. I normally start jobs in November and it goes for 20 weekends. After the mug shot and the arrest based on her false allegations, I was taken off the website faculty list resulting in loss of over $100k in income.'

'I also lost the social media promotion revenue, which she continues to benefit from as she was more worried about her career when she lied to the police, than mine.'

He is seeking Nikki to pay his out-of-pocket expenses because the TRO was granted without enough supporting facts. He is asking her to pay for his rent because 'I was kicked out of the home.' The dancer also wants Nikki to pay for some or all of his lawyer's fees and costs.

Chigvintsev  who recently claimed he lost out on $100k in income amid his arrest  was not asked to be on season 33, but his lawyer claims he is still on 'great terms' with the producers as per TMZ

She shared it was one of the show's executive producers who personally invited the dancer to be there for the 500th episode. He was seen in the audience on the show with fellow former dancing pros Peta Murgatroyd and her husband Maksim Chmerkovskiy (pictured)

In Garcia's restraining order against Chigvintsev, she claimed he got cut from DWTS season 33 a week before his arrest, and began working a construction job she says he felt 'was beneath him'

However in documents filed by Chigvintsev he claimed that was not the case, and that he enjoys construction work; Seen in an Instagram snap working on a DYI project

The pair's temporary restraining orders against each other have been extended until December 6 - before they are due back in court.

Chigvintsev claims in the documents that Garcia has 'anger issues' and says: 'She is the one with the temper. I try to stay quiet and avoid it. She yells, and on 8/29/24 was yelling, pursuing me, and was the one who attacked me.'

'It is further a lie that I was growing increasingly angry, snapping at her, and yelling.'

'I was not violent with her and did not violently grab or yell at her.'

He claims the pair had an argument when he was due to to have surgery but she had to go to New York.

He claims: 'We had an argument, but it's not how she describes it. We agreed months before my surgery that she would be there with Matteo. I was supposed to fly to have my surgery on 5/19/24, she forgot about it and booked herself for work in New York.'

'She then told me that her work was more important than my medical procedure, so she ended up leaving. Our son was left with nanny. I canceled my ticket and stayed behind. She then started sending me texts for different flight I could take, so I ended up going because she insisted I go. I have texts to prove this.'

In response to the request for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order he claimed: 'She abused me, not the other way around. She threw shoes at me, followed me and tried to break her way into the bedroom.'

He disagrees with Nikki's initial request to include their son on the temporary restraining order.

Chigvintsev claimed he lost out on $100k in income after his domestic violence arrest - and doubled down on claims that his estranged wife Nikki is the real abuser; they are sene in 2019

He was arrested August 29 in Yountville, California, but prosecutors in Napa County ultimately decided against filing criminal charges in the case (seen in his mugshot)

He writes: 'I cannot trust her anymore. Not only did she lie to the police so that her career remains intact, ruining mine, but she used the court proceeding to keep our son away from me for almost a month, not letting me see him until this Court issued its 50/50 orders on 10/15/2024, which I am very grateful for.

'Almost a month without Matteo was miserable for me, and I am sure for him as well, and selfish of Wife.'

Last month Chigvintsev claimed the former WWE wrestler was 'the aggressor' in their domestic violence dispute, which led to his arrest.

In images, submitted to the Superior Court of California, Chigvintsev showed marks and bloody scratches on his elbow and hands as well as behind his ear that he alleges were inflicted upon him by Garcia.

In a statement, obtained by Page Six, his attorney, Antonyan, claimed: 'Mr. Chigvintsev contacted law enforcement on 8/29/24 seeking protection from his wifes persistent aggression.'

'While he was on the phone with the police, Ms. Garcia-Colace made a pointed statement, saying, "Do you understand where this is going now, Artem? You just ruined my career, and you know it."' Antonyan continued.

In her original filing, Nikki claimed that Chigvintsev had 'tackled me multiple times and pinned me to the ground while our child was present' during an argument over breakfast.

She claimed that Chigvintsev had become 'increasingly angry, snapping at me and yelling' after not being asked to return to Dancing With The Stars for season 33.

Garcia later filed for divorce and unsuccessfully requested sole custody of their son Matteo, four (pictured) with the pair granted temporary restraining orders against each other

Chigvintsev in September told People that he was 'incredibly relieved and grateful that the domestic violence charges against [him] have been dropped.

'This has been an extremely difficult time for me. I am thankful that the truth has prevailed. My focus has always been and will always be, our son Matteo.'

The ballroom dance expert said that he considers fatherhood 'the greatest blessing' and is focused on caring for his son moving forward.

'All along, my main concern has been for him,' Chigvintsev said. I am committed to continuing to provide him with the love, support, and care he needs as we move forward.'

He said to the publication that he was 'hopeful that securing an equal custody arrangement will help us move on' in life.

'I want to express my deepest gratitude to my family, friends, and legal team for standing by me during this challenging time,' Chigvintsev said. 'Your support has been invaluable, and I am thankful to everyone who believed in me and saw the truth for what it was.

'I look forward to moving past this chapter and focusing on what truly matters - continue being the best father I can be.'

On October 16 the judge ruled that the pair will share custody of their son Matteo, TMZ reported citing court docs, more than a month after Garcia filed for divorce.

Artem met his wife Nikki on DWTS - they competed together on the show in 2017, and went on to marry in 2022 ; the pair pictured together in 2017

Garcia had petitioned the court for sole custody of their son; asked for the court to appoint a supervisor for Matteo's visits with the Izhevsk, Russia native; and asked that Chigvintsev be ordered to attend anger management courses; all requests were denied by the court, according to the outlet.

Chigvintsev told the court Tuesday that he doesn't have anger-related issues, the outlet reported.

Both Chigvintsev and Garcia were ordered by the court to enroll in parenting classes to help them remain cordial as they raise their child following their split.

Chigvintsev and Garcia's trial in their divorce is slated for December and will span two days, according to TMZ.
AFL WAG Bec Judd took to her social media on Friday to weigh in on US politics.

In the daring post the 41-year-old influencer appears to have thrown her support behind controversial anti-vaxxer Robert F Kennedy Jr, who has been picked as the new US Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Posting a message from Kennedy to president elect Donald Trump to her own Instagram stories Bec captioned the share: 'Excellent. Australia needs its own RFK.'

Kennedy is a self-declared science sceptic and has created controversy for his opinions, including linking pharmaceutical therapies with disorders such as autism.

Trump announced that Kennedy was his nomination for the crucial HHS role on Thursday.

'Thank you Donald Trump for your leadership and courage. Im committed to advancing your vision to Make America healthy Again,' Kennedy said in the message Bec shared.

AFL WAG Bec Judd took to her social media on Friday to weigh in on US politics. In the daring post the 41-year-old influencer appears to have thrown her support behind controversial anti-vaxxer Robert F Kennedy Jr, who has been picked as the new US Secretary of Health and Human Services. Pictured: Bec Judd

Pictured: Last month Bec (far right) attended a conservative dinner (with Gina Rinehart PR flak James Radford and Sky News commentator Rita Panahi)

He continued: 'We have a generational opportunity to bring together the greatest minds in science, medicine, industry and government to put an end to the chronic disease epidemic.

'I look forward to working with the more than 80,000 employees at HHS to free the agencies from the smothering cloud of corporate capture so they can pursue their mission to make Americans once again the healthiest people on Earth.'

It comes after the Melbourne businesswoman raised eyebrows when she was spotted breaking bread with a coterie of Australia's conservative powerbrokers last month.

Sky News commentator Rita Panahi shared a series of photos featuring Bec and Country Liberal Party Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price.

They were joined in happy snaps by PR guru James Radford - the former long-time PR flak to West Australian mining magnate Gina Rinehart - and Melbourne richlister Kathy Garnaut.

'Thank you for being my dinner buddies,' Judd said in an Instagram post.

The famous faces were among 375 people who came together for a function hosted by the right-wing lobby group, the Institute of Public Affairs, which campaigns for conservative economic and political principles.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott and one-time Donald Trump aide Mick Mulvaney were likewise in attendance.

Kennedy (pictured) is a self-declared science sceptic and has created controversy for his opinions, including linking pharmaceutical therapies with disorders such as autism

Bec posted a message from Kennedy to president elect Donald Trump to her own Instagram stories and added her own caption

Bec has become increasingly outspoken about political matters since the Covid pandemic, when she was highly critical of Melbourne's long lockdown and slammed then-Victorian premier Daniel Andrews as 'Dictator Dan'.

She publicly clashed with Mr Andrews over the crime rate near her home suburb in the city's Bayside area in May 2022, claiming the state government didn't 'seem to care'.

'So sick of the rapes, bashings and home invasions at the hands of gangs in Bayside,' she fumed. 'We feel unsafe'.

Mr Andrews slapped down Judd's attack, saying he wasn't 'interested in having an argument' with her.

He then did just that, claiming independent crime statistics refuted her 'sweeping assessments about patterns of crime.'

Bec has continued to speak out about crime and justice issues this year, describing Melbourne as 'woke, broke and violent'.

She has worked in the fashion business and as a model and TV presenter. She has four children with her husband, former West Coast Eagles and Carlton captain Chris Judd.

Daily Mail Australia sought comment from Judd and the IPA.
Kim Kardashian left little to the imagination in sexy sheer lingerie as she posed for a very racy Dolce & Gabbana x SKIMS shoot.

The business mogul, 44, teamed up with the fashion brand to introduce a new designer collaboration that has proven surprisingly controversial.

Kim looked incredible in a risque leopard print bra and matching satin robe, before slipping into a busty sheer bodysuit.

In one shot, Kim and her sister Kourtney Kardashian Barker, 45, looked like twins wearing a stunning leopard print cat suit.

Kim showcased her jaw-dropping figure in a tiny white two-piece, while Kourtney flashed her toned torso in another leopard print number.

Fans are calling the partnership a 'full circle moment' between the Skims founder and Kourtney after the two were enmeshed in drama regarding the design house.

Kim Kardashian, 44, left little to the imagination in sexy sheer lingerie as she posed for a very racy Dolce & Gabbana x SKIMS shoot

Kim looked incredible in a risque leopard print bra and matching satin robe, before slipping into a busty sheer bodysuit

The business mogul teamed up with the fashion brand to introduce a new designer collaboration that has proven surprisingly controversial

On Thursday, Skims introduced its new co-designed collection, which is set to merge the Italian lifestyle designers signature style with the loungewear brand.

The famed leopard print will be on the classic cotton set and the Skims logo will be on the D&G silhouettes.

Both brands announced the news on Instagram, but followers were more interested in the photoshoot with Kourtney, as the sisters famously feuded over D&G.

Fans wrote: 'Oh Kourtneys PISSED', 'Is Kourtney ok?',

'I love this but why is Kourtney in it????',

On a Kourtney fan account on Instagram, followers celebrated the 'full circle moment.'

'Brilliant marketing. They argued over it now theyre collabing for it,' one announced.

Many fans on social media were happy the sisters finally put the drama to rest.

In one shot, Kim and her sister Kourtney Kardashian Barker, 45, looked like twins wearing a stunning leopard print cat suit

Kim showcased her jaw-dropping figure in a tiny white two-piece, while Kourtney flashed her toned torso in another leopard print number

Fans are calling the partnership a 'full circle moment' between the Skims founder and Kourtney after the two were enmeshed in drama regarding the design house

On Thursday, Skims introduced its new co-designed collection, which is set to merge the Italian lifestyle designers signature style with the loungewear brand

The famed leopard print will be on the classic cotton set and the Skims logo will be on the D&G silhouettes

Both brands announced the news on Instagram, but followers were more interested in the photoshoot with Kourtney, as the sisters famously feuded D&G

The sisters previously feuded over the brand, after Kourtney said she was unhappy that Kim served as the creative director of a Dolce & Gabbana fashion show after the fashion brand designed Kourtney's wedding less than a year earlier

'If y'all know Kim and Kourtney's back story when it comes to D&G then this is hilarious,' one pointed out.

The sisters previously feuded over the brand, after Kourtney said she was unhappy that Kim served as the creative director of a Dolce & Gabbana fashion show after the fashion brand designed Kourtney's wedding less than a year earlier.

Before revealing her plans to work with D&G, Kim admitted that she worried about how Kourtney would react.

Kourtney was furious, and called her sister 'greedy' and 'intolerable' in one episode.

The Poosh founder even accused Kim of stealing the looks from the D&G 90s archives that she curated for her Italian wedding.

The fight ended with Kourtney proclaiming, 'You're just a witch and I hate you.'

However, they ended up making up and Kim even poked fun at the massive argument over who had the right to wear the controversial designer later in a cheeky Instagram video.

The collection will be available on November 19 at 9 a.m. ET in sizes XXS through 4X, with bra sizing ranging from 30A to 38DD.
Molly-Mae Hague has revealed the very out of character thing she did in the hours after she called off her engagement to ex fiance Tommy Fury.

The Maebe founder and the professional boxer, both 25, who share daughter Bambi, 22 months, announced their shock split on Instagram in August after five years.

In her split statement, Molly said their split came as a 'shock' and said she 'never imagined their story would end in the way it did'.

Since their break up, Tommy has been accused of cheating on the mother-of-one - claims which he strongly denies.

Molly, who has made it clear she hates drinking alcoholic beverages, has revealed she drank a glass of rose after she was whisked to Soho Farmhouse by friends to blow off some steam.

Molly-Mae Hague has revealed the very out of character thing she did in the hours after she called off her engagement to ex fiance Tommy Fury, both 25

The Maebe founder and the professional boxer, who share daughter Bambi, 22 months, announced their shock split on Instagram in August after five years

It wasn't until she realised that she 'hates getting drunk' that Molly popped the beverage down.

In a new interview with Vogue magazine, Molly spoke about the awful couple of hours shortly after her split.

She shared: '[I] had a few days where I thought, "I dont really know how Im going to get through this.

'Its literally like four friends. Thats about it, really. It just works best that way, because then you know the people that are around you are genuinely there for the right reasons.'

Previous reports claimed Tommy 'cheated on Molly with a Danish woman he met' on a holiday in North Macedonia. Tommy denies all cheating claims.

Addressing the rumours to The Mail in an interview, Tommy admitted: 'It is proper love. Do I still love Molly? 100 per cent. I will love her until my final breath.'

'I know what I have to do in order to resolve things. And that's down to me. Nobody else can do that other than me.'

Addressing the rumours he said: 'All the allegations that were made of me recently are completely false. The truth will come out in time and when it does I think a lot of people might regret their actions and unkind words.

In her split statement, Molly said their split came as a 'shock' and said she 'never imagined their story would end in the way it did'

Since their break up, Tommy has been accused of cheating on the mother-of-one - claims which he strongly denies

Molly, who has made it clear she hates drinking alcoholic beverages, has revealed she drank a glass of rose after she was whisked to Soho Farmhouse by friends to blow off some steam

It wasn't until she realised that she 'hates getting drunk' that Molly popped the beverage down

See the full feature in the December issue of British Vogue from Tuesday (pictured: cover star SZA)

'What the public thinks is going on isn't what is going on. It's not something I envisaged happening, but it didn't come out of nowhere. It's a thing that was there previously to all this happening, but the only people who know what is going on in our relationship is me and Molly.'

Meanwhile, Molly has been focusing on her clothing line, which launched in September, telling MailOnline she was looking forward to a 'new era' in her life after the split.

In the exclusive interview the influencer said she felt 'emotional' but was channeling all her energy into the couple's one-year-old daughter, Bambi, and her new clothing line Maebe.

She told of how the past six months have been a juggling act and she has found parenting as well as running her existing businesses 'tricky.'

But navigating the launch of her fashion label alongside the end of her five-year relationship has given Molly the chance to focus on the next chapter as she admits: 'It was really good timing for this to happen for me. It has all just aligned perfectly.'

Molly told MailOnline: 'When I became a mum, I changed a lot as a person and different things became important to me in terms of fashion, it was the right time to launch Maebe. I was really ready to sink my teeth into something new.

'I have a really good feeling about this new era of my life and think it's going to be so special and a great thing for me to focus on and put my time into as well as being a mum to Bambi.

'It was really good timing for this to happen for me. It has all just aligned perfectly really. I am so excited about it... I really do have an amazing feeling about the brand. I see Maebe having a huge future.'

Speaking to The Mail in an interview, Tommy admitted: 'It is proper love. Do I still love Molly? 100 per cent. I will love her until my final breath'

She added: 'I know if I make the right steps with it and I do this well, I do genuinely see it becoming really huge and being one of those brands that everybody knows and that's my dream and my goal.'

The launch of Molly's brand has been three years in the making after her plans were put on hold following the birth of Bambi in January 2023.

It is a landmark moment in Molly's career after she spent years lending her name to brands such as Beauty Works and PrettyLittleThing, where she even stepped up as creative director in 2021.

See the full feature in the December issue of British Vogue available via digital download and on newsstands from Tuesday 19 November.
Olympia Valance has been reunited with her treasured pet cat Jerry.

The 31-year-old beauty reported the beloved feline missing on October 15 and over the past four weeks went to great lengths to recover the animal.

At one point the former Neighbours star even consulted a 'pet psychic' in an effort to discover the location of her furry family member.

Olympia, who is expecting her first child with husband Thomas Bellchambers, has gone to drastic lengths to find Jerry including offering a $500 reward for the recovery of the pet.

But it was a kindly stranger who came to the rescue reported the Herald Sun last Sunday.

It appears that after going missing in the Greenvale area, Jerry the Cat found refuge under a house.

Olympia Valance (pictured) has been reunited with her treasured pet cat Jerry. The 31-year-old beauty reported the beloved feline missing on October 15 and over the past four weeks went to great lengths to recover the animal including consulting with a 'pet psychic'

But it was a kindly stranger who came to the rescue reported the Herald Sun last Sunday. It appears that after going missing in the Greenvale area, Jerry the Cat found refuge under a house. He was taken to a rescue centre and returned to Olympia on Saturday (pictured)

The publication said that after about a week the distressed puss was lured from his safe space.

He was then taken to a rescue centre where he was reunited with Olympia on Saturday.

'I can't believe I am writing this! I feel like I am dreaming,' the actress reported after the long awaited reunion.

'Jerry had been missing for four weeks and we had lost all hope that we would ever see our boy again.

'But today we got a call saying that Jerry was brought into a pet rescue after being found half an hour away from where we live.'

Olympia shared with her followers that Jerry appeared delighted to be back at home and reunited with his (feline) sister Whiskey.

She continued: 'Thank you to everyone who walked the streets with me calling his name night and day, putting up posters everywhere, shared posts online and making (made) sure I was okay.

'HE'S HOME!!!!!! An absolute miracle.'

Olympia offered a reward for the return of her pet

Olympia is expecting her first child with husband Thomas Bellchambers (left)

It comes after Olympia's mother Tania Gogos-Wilson shared how the missing pet had plunged her daughter into emotional turmoil.

'She goes to bed crying and wakes up crying walking the streets at all hours calling his name,' Tania told the Herald Sun.

'She's done everything she can to the point she is even having a pet psychic reading. It's more the not knowing what's happened. I'm so sad for her being the last months of her pregnancy.'

It comes as the Australian model revealed she suffered several miscarriages before falling pregnant earlier this year.

Olympia announced her pregnancy in August after hiding it on social media until the 25-week mark.

She told a recent issue of Stellar Magazine that she was so obsessed with having a baby that she let her career slide.

'It's been four years of just thinking about babies. I completely lost myself,' the Neighbours star told the publication.

Olympia, who rose to fame when she joined Neighbours as Paige Smith in 2014, engaged Tom in October 2021.

The pair began dating in June 2019 after meeting him on the ultra-exclusive celebrity dating app, Raya.
The story of the 'missing' Gossip Girl actress Chanel Maya Banks has taken another bizarre turn as her family have doubled down on their claims that the woman found by police in Texas is not her.

Following a two-week search for the star, who played Sawyer Bennett in the hit Netflix show, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) located a 36-year-old in Texas on Monday, claiming they had found the actress unharmed.

The star has since revealed on Instagram that she left her family in order to be baptized by Pastor Robert Clancey, who recently preached about the 'end times'.

But her family have doubled down on the fact that they do not believe the woman cops found - or the woman posting online - is Banks.

The actress's cousin, Danielle-Tori Singh, took to her Instagram story to share: 'I have the still from Texas PD body cam footage that was shown to us on Monday Nov 11 at the Pacific Police Station in LA.

'This is the woman they're telling us is Chanel. We have told them this is not Chanel. They didn't listen to us and closed the case.

'That's why @ohhheychanel won't post a video saying she's safe because it's not Chanel,' Singh wrote, after flying in from Toronto to help with the search.

Singh previously said LAPD's update was 'fake news' and that the woman they found and claimed to be Banks is an 'imposter'.

Chanel Maya Banks's family have doubled down on their claims that the woman that the LAPD found on Monday is not the Gossip Girl star (pictured)

Banks appeared in three episodes of Gossip Girl in 2009, playing the role of Sawyer Bennett

Banks's family do not believe the woman found in Texas is the actress. Pictured: Banks's mom Judy Kumar, 59, and cousin Danielle-Tori Singh

She added that she will continue distributing 'Missing Persons' flyers, ABC7 reports.

It comes after Banks took to social media on Wednesday night with a statement in which she made the series of strong allegations against her family.

An Instagram account associated with Banks posted four frames from a notes app screenshot in which she commented on the issues at hand.

It was not immediately clear if Banks penned the posts herself on the account, which is verified and has made a total of 70 posts in more than three-and-a-half years, KTLA reported.

Her husband Carlos Jimenez told the station over the phone that Banks 'had decided she didn't want to talk to the family any more due to past issues that they had'.

She purportedly said on the social media site: 'My name is Chanel Banks I'm a 36 year old American nobody,' adding her family members 'are all so very "concerned" about my current whereabouts.'

Banks, who also appeared on a 2010 episode of Blue Bloods, acknowledged that she had spoken with law enforcement amid the probe into her alleged vanishing.

'I have met with the police and verified that not only am I okay, but I'm finally free from my ... family,' Banks said.

She alluded to her religious faith as a factor in why she had cut off contact with some of her relatives.

'They say, once you're free in Christ Jesus, you're free indeed, so I told my husband six days ago I was going to get baptized by one of my favorite pastors Pastor Robert Clancy,' Banks wrote. 'He drove me to the airport and then I was off for a week.'

She continued, 'God said: "I'm going to give you some money and I was shocked when it appeared just like He said!"

Banks took to social media on Wednesday night with a statement in which she made a series of strong allegations against her family. Pictured on her TikTok account

Banks's cousin previously said the LAPD's update was 'fake news' and that the woman they found and claimed to be Banks is an 'imposter'. Pictured: Banks on her TikTok

Banks appeared in a 2010 episode of police drama Blue Bloods

Banks said God told her to move, so she took a first-class flight 'to the Promise Land.'

The actress also said she was 'releasing a clarion call to those in high places who still have a soul and want to keep it in such a time as this. Reach out. Help me.'

Banks said she 'found out hours before leaving' that some of her relatives 'were vehemently pursuing a CONSERVATORSHIP [i.e.] complete legal control.'

She added that 'there will be no more lies' and that 'everything in the darkness must come to light ... thus says the Lord.'

Banks ended her statement in saying: 'PLEASE DO NOT DONATE TO ANY GO FUND ME THAT SAYS I'M MISSING I AM NOT MISSING.'

Relatives of the actress had previously reported her missing, claiming her husband Carlos Jimenez hadn't been helping them in their search.

Police subsequently said that Banks, a resident of Playa Vista, California, had been located unharmed in Texas on Wednesday and that no foul play was suspected in the now-closed case.

Banks' family claims they last heard from her on October 30 when she texted her cousin Danielle-Tori Singh, who is leading the fundraiser for her urgent return.

The actress had been living at an apartment in Playa Vista with her husband of one year before her family members suddenly stopped hearing from her, Singh told ABC7.

Singh claims that a tip led police to a residence in Texas and a woman who identified as Banks answered the door.

The family however, after viewing police body camera footage from the encounter, claim that woman was not Banks.

Authorities in California had carried out four welfare checks at the actress's Playa Vista property this month alone but Banks was not home on any of the occasions, KTLA reported.

When the family visited the home, they discovered that her belongings were still at the location, including her 'emotional support' dog and car. However, her phone and laptop were not found.
Jono Castano is going strong with his glamorous new girlfriend.

The 33-year-old celebrity personal trainer was spotted on a date with Nilofar Khirzad in Perth on Friday.

The pair met outside the fashion designer's business, Khirzad Femme, in Perth, with Jono patiently waiting for his love outside.

They shared a quick kiss upon meeting up and stood outside chatting to Nilofar's colleague.

Jono and Nilofar then sat down for an animated discussion among themselves, before heading off together.

Nilofar looked absolutely gorgeous in green, opting for a loose wrap dress with a wide open V-beck design.

Jono Castano is going strong with his glamorous new girlfriend. The 33-year-old celebrity personal trainer was spotted on a date with Nilofar Khirzad in Perth on Friday. Pictured

The pair met outside the fashion designer's business, Khirzad Femme, in Perth

Jono appeared to want to get his girlfriend's attention

She added a pair of towering animal print heels and a full face of makeup with a nude lipstick.

The personal trainer meanwhile kept things casual in a faded black shirt and a pair of white jeans worn with sneakers.

It comes after Jono debuted his fashion designer girlfriend last month.

The new couple went Instagram official with their relationship as Nilofar shared a photograph of them sharing a kiss during a night out in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

Jono first sparked rumours that he was involved in a new relationship after he was spotted liking and leaving very flirty comments on Nilofar's Instagram posts.

In one post, shared on October 11, Nilofar flaunted pieces from her brand Khirzad as she posed in a $290 burgundy blouse and $389 orange skirt, with Jono commenting a fire emoji underneath the shots.

In a post from September, the Acero Gym owner commented 'Okkkkkkkkkkkkkkk' on a series of busty photos of Nilofar at a restaurant in Melbourne, to which she replied with three love heart emojis.

Jono has also rocked Nilofar's menswear brand himself and featured on the label's Instagram page on October 5.

They shared a quick kiss upon meeting up

The two stood outside chatting to Nilofar's colleague

Jono and Nilofar then sat down for an animated discussion among themselves, before heading off together

Nilofar looked absolutely gorgeous in green, opting for a loose wrap dress with a wide open V-beck design

It comes after Jono debuted his fashion designer girlfriend last month

The new couple went Instagram official with their relationship as Nilofar shared a photograph of them sharing a kiss during a night out in Sydney 's eastern suburbs

Jono was patiently waiting for his love outside

Jono first sparked rumours that he was involved in a new relationship after he was spotted liking and leaving very flirty comments on Nilofar's Instagram posts

Jono and Aussie model, Simone Holtznagel, 31, quietly split nine weeks after they welcomed their baby daughter Gia on Easter Sunday.

He confirmed news of their break-up in July, and Simone has since said she is raising Gia alone and cryptically remarked that she 'couldn't change' the man she loved.

She told Stellar: 'I wanted to set an example for my daughter; that's something that shifted for me.

'One day I was like, "What am I doing? This isn't right."

'And I would hate if she was ever in this situation.'

She continued: 'You have to do what is right for you at the end of the day.

'No matter the number of promises or anything else that people make, when they show you who they are, believe them.

'Because you can't change people.'

Simone also said she is content raising Gia alone and that she is confident she made the right choice.

'I've never felt more sure of anything, and I know I can do it by myself. It's unfortunate that I'm mostly having to do it by myself, but I couldn't think of it any other way, really,' she said.

'What I'm doing just feels very right for me, the most important thing to me is that Gia is happy and healthy, and that I'm happy too.'
The horse trainer at the center of the scandalous affair with former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamp has posted a groveling message to his partner, Karli Postel - saying he loves her just days after his infidelity made headlines.

On Wednesday, it was revealed by DailyMail.com that Mellencamp had been having a months-long affair with German-born horse trainer Simon Schroeder behind both of their partners' backs.

To make things worse, the pair was even together in Florida while Postel was giving birth to her and Schroeder's second child in California, and Mellencamp's husband of 13 years, Edwin Arroyave, had no idea.

Now, it looks like Schroeder is trying to get back in Postel's good graces, as he took to his Instagram Stories on Thursday evening to post a picture of the two of them smiling next to each other.

'I love you Karli,' the horse trainer wrote in white cursive text over the photo.

He even went so far as to tag Postel in the story.

And, just a few hours later, the picture had already made its way to the Bravo Real Housewives Reddit page, where many fans couldn't believe their eyes.

'If men have one thing its pure audacity,' one person wrote.

The horse trainer at the center of the scandalous affair with former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamp has posted a groveling plea to his partner, Karli Postel

On Wednesday, it was revealed by DailyMail.com that Mellencamp had been having a months-long affair with horse trainer Simon Schroeder behind both of their partners' backs

The German-born horse trainer and his partner, Karli Postel, owned Schroeder Sporthorses in Moorpark, California, together

Another shared, 'I hope Karli gets a big settlement full of cash and his favorite horses.'

'Men are weird,' someone else typed.

A fourth user chimed in, 'Maybe he should have been with his wife while she was in labor. Instead he was in Florida with Teddi (?!?)'

Earlier this week, a source divulged the dirty details of the affair to DailyMail.com, explaining that the pair was already caught once and promised that it 'would not happen again.'

The news comes after Mellencamp filed for divorce earlier this month.

'Karli thought it was suspicious that her husband was in Florida when she was giving birth,' the source told DailyMail.com.

'When Simon returned, Karli found text messages on Simons phone that exposed the affair. She confronted Simon and Teddi about it and they confessed. Teddi promised it would not happen again.

'Karli didn't tell Edwin when she found out. She was willing to give Simon another chance and stayed with him. But last month, Karli found proof that the affair was ongoing and that it had become "emotional."

Mellencamp and her husband of 13 years, Edwin Arroyave, are now feuding over spousal support amid their contentious divorce battle

'When Simon returned, Karli found text messages on Simons phone that exposed the affair,' the source said

'Simon had a history of cheating and Karli was tired of being connected to him. Edwin only learned of the affair late last month when Karli told him,' they added

To make things worse, the pair was even together in Florida while Postel was giving birth to her second child with Schroeder in California

'Simon had a history of cheating and Karli was tired of being connected to him. Edwin only learned of the affair late last month when Karli told him.'

The source claims that Mellencamp decided to file for divorce once she got caught in the affair.

'She filed for divorce from Edwin so that he did not have the chance to file and get her for adultery. It has been alleged that the marriage ended because Edwin cheated on Teddi, but it is actually the other way around.'

Mellencamp and Arroyave are now feuding over spousal support amid their contentious divorce battle.

The TV star had requested primary custody of their three children  Slate, 12, Cruz, 10, and Dove, 4  with 'reasonable and frequent visitation' for Arroyave in her divorce filing, which she filed last week and announced a day later on November 2.

According to legal documents, Arroyave is contesting and asking for joint physical and legal custody of their minor children.

However, things have since taken an even crazier twist.

After it emerged that Mellencamp and Schroeder had a 'months-long affair,' DailyMail.com revealed that Schroeder's then-wife filed to nullify their marriage in 2023 because he was legally married to someone else.

Documents filed in Ventura Superior Court in January 2023 by Postel reveal she cited bigamy as the reason to declare their marriage legally invalid.
Martha Stewart continued soaking in the spotlight as she attended a party marking Louis Vuitton's latest brick and mortar.

The lifestyle icon, 83, was among a host of stars celebrating the opening of the label's new store on 57th Street in New York City on Thursday evening.

Martha looked as chic as always in an olive green coat adorned with gold buttons, shimmering trousers and metallic platform heels.

She made a nod at the celebrations with her dainty Louis Vuitton handbag.

Martha was spotted arriving to the bash on the arm of a friend and with a huge smile on her face.

The outing comes after Martha's former prison bestie Lisa Guarino lifted the lid on their friendship during their stints behind bars - before the star allegedly turned her back on her.

Martha Stewart continued soaking in the spotlight as she attended a party marking Louis Vuitton's latest brick and mortar on Thursday evening

20 years after they shared prison walls and meals together, Guarino, once known as 'Boston's cocaine queenpin' has revealed how Stewart has since turned her back on their friendship  and an alleged promise of financial support  in an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com.

Guarino, whose 4ft 11in build earned her the street name 'Little Italy', was serving time for possessing and intending to distribute more than five pounds of cocaine.

Stewart, meanwhile, had just been convicted of four counts for her role in a stock trading scandal. She was found guilty of conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and two counts of making false statements to federal investigators. She was sentenced to five months in prison.

Guarino says she took Stewart under her wing, helping her adapt to prison life, and even preparing meals for her using smuggled kitchen supplies.

She described their friendship at length with DailyMail.com, and revealed how she even helped save Martha after the star accidentally walked in on inmates getting intimate, infuriating one of them.

Since she was freed in 2006, Guarino's life has not been as easy as Stewart's. She has faced multiple health battles over the years, and in 2015 was diagnosed with lymphoma and leukemia for which she is not currently undergoing treatment.

She lives on limited social security and says she is forced to make up the difference each month by 'begging, borrowing, or stealing'.

Stewart, meanwhile recently celebrated the release of her new Netflix documentary, 'Martha'  which mentions her stint in prison.

During their prison stint, Guarino claims, Stewart had expressed being 'grateful' for her help and guidance.

So much so that Stewart told her family during a prison visit she would give her $1million upon release  a promise, Guarino says, Stewart has not kept.

'She told my family they no longer needed to put money on my books because she was going to take care of me,' she says.

But after transferring to another facility, Guarino discovered her account empty.

Martha looked as chic as always in an olive green coat adorned with gold buttons, shimmering trousers and metallic platform heels

She arrived to the party on the arm of a friend

'I could've killed Martha when I found out she didn't keep her word. She told my family they no longer had to put money on my books because she was going to take care of me, but she gave me a donut, a big fat zero,' she says.

'I then had my phone privileges suspended for three months so I couldn't ask my family for money. It was hell and I suffered in part due to Martha not keeping her word.'

The chain-smoking, diminutive Guarino now lives in a one-bedroom, $1,900-a-month apartment outside of Boston, unable to work because of her medical condition and survives on $600 month in social security.

Hopeful for a reunion and for her former prison pal to make good on her promise after two decades, Guarino attended a November 11 event at the Chevalier Theatre in Medford, Massachusetts, where Stewart was promoting her 100th cookbook.

DailyMail.com was there to witness Stewart arrive and wave at fans while Guarino attempted to get her attention, calling out her name and even making eye contact.

The outing comes after Martha's former prison bestie Lisa Guarino lifted the lid on their friendship during their stints behind bars - before the star allegedly turned her back on her

At one point she yelled out, 'Martha, it's Lisa!', yet, Stewart, who was easily within earshot, appeared to ignore her calls and quickly averted her gaze, before slipping into the theater.

Following her appearance, Stewart left through a side exit, bypassing the waiting crowd.

Speaking to DailyMail.com, Guarino said: 'Martha blew me off after I saved her life in prison. 'She jumped the fence to not have to look at me or say something to me and ran off.

'I'm pissed off, I'm offended.'

Reflecting on her experience, Guarino says she feels more pity than resentment for Stewart.

'I believed Martha when she told me in prison that we were friends, but I guess when she got back into her world, she went back to her old narcissistic ways.

'She has all the money in the world but part of me feels sorry for her.

'At least I have my family.'
Ruth Langsford showed off her brand new hairstyle on Friday after her ex husband Eamonn Holmes attended his first public event with his girlfriend Katie Alexander.

The Loose Women host, 64, announced her split from the broadcaster, also, 64, in June after 14 years of marriage and 27 years together.

Eamonn has been dating counsellor Katie Alexander, 43, since his split from his wife and had her by his side as he hosted the Irish Post Awards in London last week.

As she focuses on herself, Ruth sat down in the hairdressers chair on Friday to undergo a glamorous makeover.

As she had extensions fitted she explained on Instagram: 'Apparently theres been a 60% increase in women seeking help for hair loss.we talked about it on Loose Women on Tuesday and we all had our own stories.'

Ruth Langsford showed off her brand new hairstyle on Friday after her ex husband Eamonn Holmes attended his first public event with his girlfriend Katie Alexander

As she focuses on herself, Ruth sat down in the hairdressers chair on Friday to undergo a glamorous makeover

Ruth continued: 'My hair got thinner during menopause which is why I started having hair extensions.not for length, but for thickness.

'I had clip in pieces first, then I progressed to tapes and now I have LOTS of keratin bonds, really small ones so theyre very discreet.

'Just wanted to show you my natural hair before I get my extensions done again tomorrow.'

Eamonn shared his gratitude and opened up on his 'tough year' as he attended his first event with his new girlfriend last week.

He has battled many health woes this year and recently revealed he 'can no longer walk or look after himself.'

After surgery on his back in 2022 for a slipped disc, the GB News host has not been able to walk unaided and often relies on a wheelchair.

Speaking at the event Eamonn admitted he was glad to see the end of 2024, while being supported by his girlfriend.

Speaking to The Sun On Sunday, he said: 'Its been a tough year and Ill be glad to see the back of it.'

As she had extensions fitted she explained on Instagram: 'Apparently theres been a 60% increase in women seeking help for hair loss'

Ruth continued: 'My hair got thinner during menopause which is why I started having hair extensions.not for length, but for thickness'

Eamonn shared his gratitude and opened up on his 'tough year' as he attended his first event with his new girlfriend last week

The TV star has been dating counsellor Katie, 43, since his split from Ruth and had her by his side as he hosted the Irish Post Awards in London

The presenter and Ruth announced their plans to divorce last month after 14 years of marriage and 27 years together

He added: 'But there are lots of things to be grateful for and I hope that my health improves next year.'

Eammon and Katie made their first appearance as a couple at The Irish Post Awards, but the former GMB presenter requested that photographers not take pictures of them together.

An on looker added: 'Katie certainly seems to be able to put a smile back on Eamonns face. They seem genuinely besotted with each other.'

Eamonn and Loose Women star Ruth announced their plans to divorce in June after 14 years of marriage and 27 years together.

Now, Katie, who enjoyed a romantic cruise with the TV star earlier this year, has told friends she is in for 'the long haul' with Eamonn.

She has been helping Eamonn through the split from Ruth, but her friends say she is at pains to point out that their friendship has only grown close once the marriage was over in May.
Rochelle Humes and Vernon Kay dressed to impress as they prepared to host BBC Children In Need on Friday.

The TV personality, 35, showed off her incredible figure in a brown figure-hugging gown and heels.

She accessorised with dainty gold jewellery as she posed for snaps before the star-studded show kicked off.

Vernon cut a dapper figure in a blue velvet blazer and black shirt while holding an adorable Pudsey Bear.

They joined Ade Adepitan MBE, Mel Giedroyc, Chris Ramsay and Lenny Rush taking viewers through a star-studded evening of fun and and fundraising.

Rochelle Humes and Vernon Kay dressed to impress as they prepared to host BBC Children In Need on Friday

The TV personality, 35, showed off her incredible figure in a brown figure-hugging gown and heels

The hosts will lead an evening filled with star-studded sketches, musical acts, show-stopping performances and plenty of surprises from some of the UK's most loved celebrities.

Money raised during the 2024 appeal will help BBC Children in Need to continue working in communities across the four nations, funding amazing people in family centres, community spaces, youth clubs and refuges; homeless shelters, hospices and helplines .

Elsewhere, Paddy McGuinness choked back tears after he completed his brutal 300 mile charity cycle which saw him raise a whopping 7,556,853 on Friday.

The TV personality, 51, arrived in Glasgow at 10:30am after setting off from Wrexham on Monday on a tiny rally chopper and was greeted by a huge crowd and confetti cannons.

Radio 2's Zoe Ball was on hand and threw her arms around him, before he later took to the stage to duet with 80s icon Chesney Hawkes.

Paddy Told Zoe: 'I can't believe it. Coming out of East Kilbride and I were looking at Glasgow, and it was lit up in sunshine. And the streets were lined, I had Sir Tom at the side of me as well.

They joined Ade Adepitan MBE, Mel Giedroyc, Chris Ramsay and Lenny Rush (pictured) taking viewers through a star-studded evening of fun and and fundraising

Mel Giedroyc looked typically chic in a black blouse, wide-leg trousers and heels

Influencer Ash Holme wowed in a plunging black blazer, tights and heels as she hugged Pudsey

Ade Adepitan stood out in an olive green blazer and red tie

Chris Ramsey dressed in a burgundy blazer and trousers with a black shirt

'I came around the corner there, what a sight, what a feeling, thank you so much everybody. Wow'.

Zoe gushed how he'd endured the challenge with' so much humility, so much humour, so much love' before joking she could smell him from where she was standing.

After he duetting with Chesney on his famous hit The One And Only, Paddy exclaimed: 'It's a moment in time I will take to my grave, and I will never forget it.'

Zoe then revealed that fellow Radio 2 host Vernon Kay and listeners had helped track down Paddy's grandfather's war metal, after learning about them on Who Do You Think They Are.

She then presented it comedian as he struggled to contain his emotions: 'That is amazing - thank you, oh my! Wow, look at that everybody! Oh my days, honestly I'm going to need a couple of weeks in a dark room to process everything.'

Earlier in the morning he has travelled through Flintshire, Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire, Westmorland, Cumbria, Dumfriesshire and Lanarkshire.

Tuning into Zoe Ball's BBC Radio 2 show bright and early this morning, Paddy admitted 'everything's sore' before kicking off the last stretch off his ride.

Paddy McGuinness, 51, choked back tears after he completed his brutal 300 mile charity cycle which saw him raise a whopping 7,556,853 on Friday

'I came around the corner there, what a sight, what a feeling, thank you so much everybody. Wow'

The TV presenter also cheekily revealed that he wouldn't be wearing a full on Lycra ensemble for the challenge as he doesn't have the 'certain physique' to pull it off

He said: ' As usual at this time of the morning, everything is sore, everything is aching but again I've just rocked up here where I'm going to set off.

'I try and go round and high five everyone. They're like - you've done it, we're all behind you. It just pushes you for that last little bit.

'I don't know how I will feel, how I will react. I know one thing - I've done some crying this last few days - flipping heck Zoe! I've been crying my eyes out!', he added.

Zoe said: 'You've got to get it out! I've read loads of messages from people saying 'hearing Paddy have a cry, it's so good.

'Men struggle sometimes to let it out, you've made men and women have a cry, listening to you. You've cycled, 265 miles, will you ever be parted!'
Gary Oldman left fans in 'tears' when he read the CBeebies bedtime story for 2024 Children In Need on Friday.

The legendary actor, 66, read a true story specially written for the episode by Claire Taylor and with illustrations from Tim Budgen.

The story told a tale that aimed to inspire 'warmth and encouragement and hope.'

Sharing their thoughts on X, viewers praised 'brilliant' Gary and said the story 'made them cry.'

They wrote: 'How brilliant was Gary Oldman reading the CBeebies bedtime story for Children In Need'; 'Gary Oldman reading that bedtime story on Children in Need didnt make me cry at all.'

Gary Oldman left fans in 'tears' when he read the CBeebies bedtime story for 2024 Children In Need on Friday

Other added: 'Not me crying at Gary Oldman reading a bedtime story on Children In Need'; 'I b*****y love Gary Oldman.'

Speaking ahead of his appearance, Gary said: 'Stories have a unique way of inspiring imagination and hope in young minds. Hope for young people seems particularly in short supply these days.

'So I am very honoured to be reading this very special CBeebies Bedtime Story for BBC Children in Need. I hope our story brings warmth and encouragement and hope to children and families watching on the night.'

Rochelle Humes and Vernon Kay dressed to impress as they prepared to host BBC Children In Need.

The TV personality, 35, showed off her incredible figure in a brown figure-hugging gown and heels.

She accessorised with dainty gold jewellery as she posed for snaps before the star-studded show kicked off.

Vernon cut a dapper figure in a blue velvet blazer and black shirt while holding an adorable Pudsey Bear.

They joined Ade Adepitan MBE, Mel Giedroyc, Chris Ramsay and Lenny Rush taking viewers through a star-studded evening of fun and and fundraising.

The legendary actor, 66, read a true story specially written for the episode by Claire Taylor and with illustrations from Tim Budgen

Sharing their thoughts on X, viewers praised 'brilliant' Gary and said the story 'made them cry'

Rochelle Humes and Vernon Kay dressed to impress as they prepared to host BBC Children In Need on Friday

The TV personality, 35, showed off her incredible figure in a brown figure-hugging gown and heels

The hosts will lead an evening filled with star-studded sketches, musical acts, show-stopping performances and plenty of surprises from some of the UK's most loved celebrities.

Money raised during the 2024 appeal will help BBC Children in Need to continue working in communities across the four nations, funding amazing people in family centres, community spaces, youth clubs and refuges; homeless shelters, hospices and helplines .

Elsewhere, Paddy McGuinness choked back tears after he completed his brutal 300 mile charity cycle which saw him raise a whopping 7,556,853 on Friday.
Red Lobster CEO Damola Adamolekun made it clear the restaurant chain will not bring back its endless shrimp deal again.

Adamolekun, 35, snarkily revealed the reason he won't ever resurrect the ill-fated deal is that he 'knows how to do math.'

He became Red Lobster's new CEO in August after the company exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy four months after filing after garnering $300 million in debt - $21 million from the shrimp alone.

Taking to Reddit after the new CEO's recent comments, several Red Lobster fans claimed they would no longer eat at any of the chain's locations because the endless shrimp was gone for good.

'Much like endless shrimp, I am also never coming back,' a Reddit user wrote.

Ending the financially draining promotional was one of many changes Red Lobster implemented to get back on track financially.

'Relevant, compelling and exciting is what we want Red Lobster to be for the future, and so were working on that now,' Adamolekun told TODAY this week.

Red Lobster CEO Damola Adamolekun is not planning on bringing back the endless shrimp deal anytime soon because he ' knows how to do math'

Some Reddit users were intrigued by what Adamolekun will do as Red Lobster's CEO, but it has not stopped them from slamming the restaurant chain.

'I haven't read the article yet, but Ive watched a bunch of videos where D.A. talks about his role as CEO. He genuinely seems like a decent CEO,' a Reddit user wrote.

'Lets be real tho anyone who's worked in food service knows that Endless Shrimp(depending on establish anything seafood) is a financial disaster waiting to happen.'

And while the endless shrimp deal was ultimately the final blow before bankruptcy, other Redditos chimed in on how the company's private equity Golden Gate Capital, which bought the chain in 2014, it sold all its real estate assets for $1.5 billion.

One person wrote: 'He can do all the math he wants, but that doesn't do him any good when he doesn't do any research on what actually happened with the private equity bulls**t.

'I know math, I have the best math. They tell you that you can have endless shrimp... It's horrible what endless shrimp have done to this company,' another customer wrote.

'He turned around PF Chang before joining RL. Sounds like a bigger challenge though,' a Reddit user said of Adamolekun's ability to lead.

Reddit users were both intrigued by the new Red Lobster CEO and not over the restaurant chain's decision to remove the shrimp deal

Red Lobster originally offered its endless shrimp deal on a limited time basis in the early 2000s.

They added endless shrimp to its permanent menu in 2023.

The endless shrimp deal originally started at $20, but the company later adjusted it to $22, and eventually hiked up the price to $25.

By then, the deal was considered to be 'too popular' among Red Lobster restaurant guests, which played a part in the company's financial issues.

'On this promotion, we don't earn a lot of money. At $22 we dont. The idea was to bring some traffic,' Thai Union CFO Ludovic Garnier said in an earnings call earlier this year.

'We need to be much more careful regarding, what is the entry point? And what is the price point we're offering for this promotion.'

The price point seemingly didn't matter in the end, and became a reason for Red Lobster's $11 million loss in its third quarter last year.

The endless shrimp deal originally started at $20, but the company later adjusted it to $22, and eventually hiked up the price to $25

Adamolekun is also the CEO of RL Investor Holdings LLC - an entity that is responsible for taking Red Lobster out of bankruptcy and made into a privately held company.

The entity is investing $60 million into the restaurant chain for a 'brand refresh.'

When discussing what went wrong with Red Lobster before he took over with TODAY, he explained it's important for a company to remember 'what made them successful.'

'The prices on the menu are one thing, but giving people options is the more important thing,' Adamolekun said during his November 11 interview.

'We should be the best deal for the best lobster because we do have the best product.'

Despite its debt and previously large losses, Red Lobster is on track to have a positive net income of $2.1 million by the end of its 2026 fiscal year, according to a pro forma financial summary highlighted in a court filing.

RL Investor Holdings LLC is investing $60 million into Red Lobster for a 'brand refresh'

Part of the Red Lobster rebrand includes nine new menu items, including its fan-favorite cornmeal fritters, also known as hush puppies.

'There was a social media riot over us taking off the hush puppies a few years ago,' Adamolekun told TODAY.

'I expect a stampede into our restaurants because were bringing back the hush puppies.'

Seven of the items are never-before-seen dishes, including bacon-wrapped sea scallops and a lobster bisque.

As for the potential return of the unlimited shrimp deal, Adamolekun told TODAY that 'anything's possible.'

Daily Mail has reached out to Red Lobster for comment.
Officials have issued an urgent warning about a sophisticated self-checkout scam targeting customers credit card information.

After recent alerts of skimmers appearing at Walmart and Kroger stores, scammers are now targeting gas stations.

The latest discovery is of a skimmer at a Sheetz self-checkout in Beavercreek, Ohio.

In response, Beavercreek Police have released images of two men suspected of installing the device and are requesting public assistance to identify them.

Card skimmers, often discreetly hidden on card readers or ATMs, are small Aldevices that capture information from credit and debit cards, including card numbers and PINs.

Criminals can then use this information to create counterfeit cards or make unauthorized purchases online.

'They do look pretty deceitful. They're blended pretty well,' Beavercreek local Jason Elting told WHIOTV.

The card skimmer was found at a Sheetz gas station in Beavercreek, Ohio

'I try to be safe with my credit card anyway, I don't use my debit card. I just use a credit card and watch it, make sure nothing fraudulent shows up,' Elting, who frequently uses the gas station, said.

Even so, the incident has made him a little more wary about how he shops.

Card skimmers have also plagued self-checkouts at major outlets such as Walmart and Kroger.

Earlier this year staff at a Walmart in Connecticut discovered a card skimmer on one of their machines, some 18 days after it had been placed there.

The suspects in that case were also caught on camera fitting skimming device onto machines at nearby LaBonne's Markets.

Similarly, fraudsters managed to place a device on a self-checkout payment system of a Kroger grocery store in Atlanta, Georgia.

The trick was discovered by a store employee who immediately contacted Atlanta Police.

How to avoid card skimming scams

Local county auditor Kraig Hagler also issued advice to help keep local shoppers safe.

'I use my Apple wallet to make most of my purchases. It doesn't expose your actual credit card number,' Hagler told the outlet.

Beavercreek Police have released a photo of the two men believed to have placed the device

Card skimmers have been found at gas stations and in supermarket self-checkout aisles

'It creates a unique number for that one-time purchase. Makes it really hard for someone to get your actual account information to take advantage of you,' he explained.

Hagler advised that those who do not use Apple Pay should use a credit card, as it is safer than a debit card because it isn't connected to your actual cash.

'If it's an older establishment, but all of a sudden has a new credit card processor and the other ones still look out of date or old that should raise a red flag,' Hagler added.

Dr. Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of computer science at the University of New Haven previously recommended remaining vigilant by trying to detect anomalies.

Shoppers can do this by touching around the card reader, frequently checking credit card payments for unusual transactions and even setting up transaction notifications on a smartphone.
Jamie Dimon has broken his silence around speculation that he could take up a cabinet role in Donald Trump's government.

The JPMorgan Chase CEO said he has not had a boss in decades, and he does not want that to change anytime soon.

The billionaire banker's comments came moments after Trump confirmed in a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Thursday that Dimon would not take up a post in his administration.

Republicans and Democrats had mentioned Dimon as a potential Treasury Secretary for the President-elect, and also for Vice President Kamala Harris, had she won.

'I respect Jamie Dimon, of JPMorgan Chase, greatly, but he will not be invited to be a part of the Trump Administration. I thank Jamie for his outstanding service to our Country!' Trump wrote Thursday afternoon.

Speaking at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Summit in Lima, Peru, shortly after Trump's post, Dimon pushed back on the idea that he would have joined a team under the President-elect.

'First of all, I wish the president well, and thank you, it's a very nice note,' he said.

'But I just want to tell the president also, I haven't had a boss in 25 years and I'm not about ready to start,' he added, according to Fortune.

Jamie Dimon has broken his silence around speculation that he could take up a cabinet role in Donald Trump 's government

It comes after Reuters reported the day after the presidential election that Dimon had no plans to join the Trump White House 2.0.

Dimon, who has an estimated net worth of around $2.6 billion, did not endorse either candidate ahead of the election, though The New York Times reported in late October that he was quietly supporting Harris.

The chief executive reportedly did not make his stance known publicly because he was afraid that Trump would retaliate against people and companies who opposed his run.

The 68-year-old, who is a registered Democrat, is credited with helping JPMorgan Chase navigate the 2008 financial crash, and has run the bank for nearly 19 years.

Dimon was also forced to publicly deny that he had endorsed Trump in October, after the then-presidential candidate made the false claim on Truth Social.

Dimon's wife Judy, however, knocked doors for Harris in the swing state of Michigan the weekend before voters headed to the polls.

Judy Dimon donated nearly $200,000 to the Democratic National Committee and gave the Harris campaign $3,300 - the maximum individual donation allowed to be donated to a candidate's committee per election cycle, according to Open Secrets.

Following Trump's win, Dimon called the election 'one of the hardest fought and at times divisive elections in our recent history,' in a statement to The Wall Street Journal.

President-elect Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Thursday afternoon to say that JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon would not be 'invited' to join the second Trump White House

Dimon was forced to publicly deny that he had endorsed Trump in October

'Soon it will be time for all of us to unite behind our President elect and all of our national leaders,' he said.

'We must begin the work of bringing our nation together and focusing on the pressing economic and global issues before us.'

At the summit in Lima on Thursday, Dimon reiterated this sentiment, laying out his views on the task Trump now faces in his second term in office, Fortune reported.

'The most important thing is whoever had been elected - and this is my belief - they are entering and are going to be responsible for the most complicated geopolitical military and geoeconomic situation that the world has faced since World War Two,' he said.

'Of course I wish him all the best this could be a difficult thing with a lot of unknowns and uncertainties and so policy is going to matter.'
Attacks on media houses and journalists continue notwithstanding the interim Govts claim that it is committed to upholding media freedom

The medias independence is under severe attack in Bangladesh under the interim government headed by chief advisor Muhammad Yunus. The attack is two-pronged. One of these is directed against media houses and journalists perceived to have been supporters of the Awami League and the government when Sheikh Hasina headed both. The second targets non-aligned media establishments, editors and journalists, including those known for standing up to the Awami League governments repressive media regime. The objective is to pressure them into toeing the line laid down by the young sparks dominating the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement (ADSM) and rabidly anti-Awami League and fundamentalist Islamist elements in sections of the media and the interim government.

Coming to media houses, eight channels were attacked on August 5, 2024, itself, when Sheikh Hasina left for India. Among them was Ekattor TVs office in Baridhara, Dhaka, which was vandalised and burnt down; also attacked on the same day in Dhaka were the premises of Samay TV, and ATN Bangla. On August 19, an armed mob attacked and severely damaged the establishment of East West Media group, which runs Kaler Kantha (Voice of the times) Bangladesh Pratidin (Bangladesh daily), both Bengali-language newspapers, Daily Sun, an English-language daily, News24BD, a television news channel, Radio Capital, a radio station, and Banglanews24, an online Bengali daily. The mob assaulted journalists, injured a woman journalist and harassed women employees.

As for journalists, according to Reporters Without Borders, a globally-respected international NGO headquartered in Paris, baseless accusations of killing protesters have been brought against nearly 140 journalists. Twenty-five have been charged with crimes against humanity. Many of them have gone into hiding because they fear being arrested and jailed.

A number of journalists have been arrested and jailed. Their ranks include Shakil Ahmed, former head of news at television channel Ekattor TV, and Farzana Rupa, its former chief correspondent, who were arrested from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka, on August 21, 2024, when they were about to board a Turkish Airlines flight to Paris via Istanbul, along with their daughter. The two of them remain in prison, as do Mozammel Haque Babu, chief executive officer of Ekattor TV and Shyamal Datta, editor of Bhorer Kagaz (Paper at Dawn) who were arrested on September 15.

In a letter emailed recently to Muhammad Yunus, Jodie Ginsburg, chief executive officer of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a respected NGO promoting press freedom and defending the rights of journalists worldwide, urged him to ensure, among other things, respect for the procedural rights of four incarcerated pro-Awami League journalists: Farzana Rupa, Shakil Ahmed, Mozammel Babu and Shyamal Dutta, including their right to a free trial.

The arrests are hardly surprising. According to a report in the Dhaka Tribune dated September 19, 2024, the ADSM leader, Nahid Islam who, besides his other hats, is advisor in charge of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, thundered at a press conference on the previous day that the instigators of the July-August massacre [of protesters] would be brought to justice no matter whether they identified themselves as journalists, writers and artists. Doubtless, the interim government was to decide as to who were to be brought to justice.

Just two examples would show how utterly arbitrary and vindictive such decisions have been. The one is the continued incarceration of Shahriar Kabir, an internationally-respected human rights activist, champion of secular humanism, advocate of the bringing war criminals of 1971 to justice, author and journalist. The second is the arrest, on November 6, 2024, of the noted television actor, Shomi Kaiser, daughter of Shahidullah and Panna Kaiser. Shahidullah, a noted writer and journalists, disappeared after being abducted by Pakistani army personnel and their collaborators from the ranks of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and allied organisations like al-Badr, al-Shams and Razakars. His brother, Zaheer Raihan, also disappeared while looking for him. Panna Kaiser was an Awami League Member of Parliament (1996-2001) who worked in the area of youth welfare.

Apart from arrests on false charges, the cancellation of accreditation cards, which has reached a total of 167 at the time of writing, is being used as a weapon against journalists. Such cards are important for identifying oneself as a journalist, and securing entry into restricted areas, government offices and meetings. Referring to the matter, Celia Mercier, Head of South Asia Office of Reporters Without Borders, another globally-respected NGO whose mission is to act for freedom, pluralism and independence of journalism, and defend those who embody these ideals, has said,

The decision to rescind the accreditation cards of journalists considered close to the previous government is politically-motivated and punitive, and has the effect of intimidating the press. It encourages self-censorship and threatens the very existence of opposition media. This decision by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry [of Bangladesh] is incomprehensible, coming just a week after it took a positive step by establishing a mechanism for reporting cases of harassment against journalists. We urge the ministry to return to this more constructive path by establishing a regulated procedure for issuing and rescinding press cards, by ensuring that cases of harassment are examined impartially, and by putting a final stop to political reprisals against media professionals.

As for pressures on independent media establishments, editors and journalists, the aim is to make them toe the line laid down by the young sparks dominating the ADSM, and rabidly anti-Awami League and fundamentalist Islamist elements in sections of the media and the interim government. The weapons are threats and harangues. At a meeting to discuss Role of Media in Creating Fascist Narrative: A Review, Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Amar Desh (My Country) criticized two national newspapers, Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, for their coverage and commentary on Sheikh Mujib and Sheikh Hasina, suggesting that these outlets are paving the way for fascism by creating contrasting narratives. He further said that the media had fostered hatred towards Islam, misrepresented societal divisions, and perpetuated a narrative of eternal gratitude towards India for its role in Bangladeshs liberation. Significantly, Mahmudur Rahman said this in the presence of Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus press secretary, Shafiqul Alam.

Events like this have been creating a climate in which channels and publications, including the two of Bangladeshs leading paper which Rahman criticised, are sought to be put under compulsion to conform to the kind of reportage and comment the interim government expects of them.

All this makes a mockery of the interim governments assertions that it is for the freedom of the press and its moves like the setting up of a commission for hearing allegations of harassment by journalists. An editorial in The Daily Star, datelined November 7, 2024, delivered a damning indictment of the situation and the interim governments role when it said, In our pursuit of a fair, anti-discriminatory Bangladesh, few values are as vital as press freedom. We are, therefore, concerned by the persistent intimidation, harassment, and censorship faced by journalists, which shows how the media landscape remains fraught with obstacles.

(The author is Consulting Editor, The Pioneer; the views expressed are personal)
With regional stability hanging in the balance, the world watches anxiously as West Asia braces for the potential fallout of escalating hostilities

On July 3, 1988, the US Navys USS Vincennes, in an act of brazen military overreach, shot down Iran Air Flight 655, a civilian airliner carrying 290 passengers, over the Persian Gulf. The Navys justification-that this was an unintentional error- belies the harsh reality: this was not a mistake, but rather an emblematic instance of Western indifference to the lives of those deemed expendable.

The Navy mistook a commercial flight for an enemy fighter jet, launching two surface-to-air missiles and killing all aboard. Yet, the US response was not to acknowledge a moral failing, but to double down on its denial, offering neither a genuine apology nor reparations to the victims families. This tragedy was a grim reminder of the Wests long-standing practice of dehumanising the peoples of West Asia in its relentless pursuit of geopolitical dominance. For the Iranian people, it was not merely a military blunder; it was a stark dismissal of their humanity, reinforcing the deeply entrenched belief in Western circles that the lives of those beyond its borders are, at best, collateral damage in the pursuit of power.

The echoes of this tragedy persist today, amplified by the volatile relationship between the US and Iran. Just days after Donald Trumps re-election, the US government claimed to have uncovered a plot by Iran to assassinate the president. Iran vehemently rejected these allegations, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi dismissing them as a third-rate comedy and accusing the US of fabricating a narrative to justify further aggression. Araqchis derision-mocking the absurdity of an assassin sitting in Iran and talking online to the FBI-renewed the deep mistrust that defines the US-Iran relationship.

Now that Trump has secured a second term and will become the 47th President of the USA, it is clear that his foreign policy, especially towards Iran, could become far more aggressive, with disastrous consequences. His planned appointments of hawkish figures - such as Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defence, Steven C Witkoff as Special Envoy on West Asia Affairs and Mike Huckabee as Ambassador to Israel - suggest that peace in the West Asia is more distant than ever. These choices reflect a growing alignment with Israels interests, further inflaming tensions and laying the groundwork for a catastrophic conflict-one that could see a war against Iran as the ultimate culmination of decades of Western intervention.

This looming disaster cannot be divorced from the historical legacy of Western interference in West Asia. Irans relationship with the West has been shaped by centuries of betrayal and manipulation. A defining moment in this fraught history was the CIA-backed coup of 1953, which ousted Irans democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh after he sought to nationalise Irans oil industry.

This act, orchestrated by Western powers, reinstated the Shahs brutal regime, sowing the seeds for the 1979 Islamic Revolution. This history of intervention, driven by oil and geopolitics, instilled a deep sense of betrayal in the Iranian consciousness a sentiment that still defines Irans foreign policy today.

Divided along sectarian lines and often opportunistic in their foreign policy, Irans neighbours have repeatedly failed to put regional unity ahead of external pressures. Yet, the geopolitical manipulations that have shaped this regions history are part of a broader pattern: the Wests refusal to recognise the sovereignty of nations it deems strategically irrelevant.

The Iranian people have grown ever more resolute in their refusal to capitulate to external demands. This isolation, initially born of necessity, has also transformed into a profound existential struggle.

In response, Iran has sought alliances with nations like China and Russia and forged relationships with non-state actors in the region. These alliances-born not of ideology, but of pragmatic necessity-have allowed Iran to exert regional influence, shifting the balance of power in ways the West never anticipated.

In his first term, Trump used a two-pronged strategy to weaken Iran: connecting other Arab nations in favour of Israel through the Abraham Accords, a treaty engineered by his Jewish-origin son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and secondly, targeting key personalities who enabled Irans influence in the region while funding efforts by Iranians living abroad working against Iran.

In his second term, which could be more refined and sharpened by the experiences he earned in the last eight years-both in office and outside the White House-his actions could become far more unpredictable. Consequently, the potential for war against Iran is no longer a distant fear; it is a rapidly approaching reality. It would affirm the Wests view that the lives of Iranians, like those across the Global South, are expendable in pursuit of geopolitical dominance, making this a war of choice, not necessity, with existential stakes for Iran.

In this context, the responsibility to avoid war does not lie solely with the U.S. or Iran, but with all the nations of the region, including those of the Arab world.

Despite their differing beliefs, histories, and alliances, it is incumbent upon Arab nations to take a united stand against the spectre of war. The voices of Arab leaders, particularly those who have long been caught in the geopolitical crossfire of the US-Iran conflict, must rise in defence of regional peace and stability. Divisions must be set aside in favour of collective action that prioritises the preservation of life and sovereignty over ideological differences. The world, and particularly the nations of West Asia, must strive to find a path of diplomacy and dialogue, to avoid yet another destructive war that will further tear apart the very fabric of the region.

(The writer is a journalist and author; Views are personal)
US president-elect Donald Trump, who enjoys very good relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is expected to build on the progress made during his first term and continue strengthening ties with India, his South Asia point-person at the White House during his first term has said.

Speaking to PTI in an interview, Lisa Curtis, who served as deputy assistant to president Trump and as National Security Council senior director for South and Central Asia from 2017 to 2021, also said she expected the same bumps for India and the US, as in Trump's first term, including tariff, dependence on Russia over arms supply and oil purchase from Iran.

"I think that President (elect) Trump will pick up where he left off with India. He clearly has good feelings, goodwill toward India, and I really see this as an opportunity to just continue building the relationship and really solidifying that partnership," Curtis said.

During Trump's first term (2017-2021), there was an "elevation of the US-India relationship" because of the importance of India and its role in dealing with challenges from China, she said.

Curtis pointed out that there was also a notable mutual respect and personal connection between Trump and Prime Minister Modi.

"We could see that during the event when Prime Minister Modi addressed 50,000 Americans at the Astrodome in Houston. We saw that when President Trump addressed 100,000 Indians in a stadium in Ahmedabad. That relationship really helped cement a lot of the progress that was made," said Curtis, who is currently a Senior Fellow and Director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at Center for a New American Security, a think-tank.

"Technology controls were lifted on India. India gained access to armed drone technology. Now it's buying 31 Sea Guardian predators. We saw the building up of not only the defence and security relationship, but also confidence and trust," she said, adding that the Quad was started during that period.

At the same time, there were a couple of bumps on this road during Trump's first term, she said.

"There were a couple of bumps in the road, and this was mainly when President Trump would tweet about the Indian tariffs. He really wanted American companies to have more access to the Indian market. He would often, before a meeting, tweet out something. It was almost a negotiating tactic, I think, that he was doing. He did this with many countries. That did cause some irritation in the relationship. But I don't think these tweeting incidents about Indian tariffs overwhelmed the broader relationship, she said.

"We could probably expect similar things to happen in the future as well. But I think everybody's more prepared for Trump's style and his negotiation style. His very transactional approach, trying to get a good deal for the American people," she added.

Responding to a question, Curtis said the priority this time needs to be on the security partnership between the two countries. She added, "This is an area where the interests of both sides converge. Both the United States and India have a lot of concerns when it comes to China, such as its attempts to dominate the technology market and efforts to be the hegemon in Asia. Neither India, nor the United States want that to happen. So, they have a deep mutual interest in cooperating."

"But I don't think we have realised the full potential of that kind of defence and security cooperation for various reasons. Both have major bureaucracies, their democracies, which can cause things to stall, to defense sales to stall. I think that that would be my hope, that there is a particular focus on really solidifying the defence and security relationship, she said.

Curtis, however, said both countries could never enter an alliance but develop a partnership that is "short of an alliance". She hoped them to achieve a cooperation that deters China, but also prepares both countries in case of a crisis or conflict, be it in the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea, or another flare-up on the India-China border.

She applauded Trump for picking Congressman Mike Waltz as his National Security Advisor and Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, both China-hawk. She felt the second Trump term is unlikely to focus on Pakistan and one should not expect a major change on his Afghan policy.

The Trump administration will continue to try to convince India to reduce its dependence on Russian military equipment, Curtis said.

"There is a good case to be made that Russia is unlikely to be a reliable partner for India moving forward, given that it is being internationally isolated due to its illegal and unjustified invasion of Ukraine... But I don't think that the friction over India's relationship with Russia will be a primary feature of US-India relations. I think it's something that will be handled quietly, discreetly," she added.

Curtis said during Trump's first term, the US pressed India to cut oil imports from Iran due to sanctions. While India complied, it was a tough decision given its energy needs, proximity to Iran, the Iran-Pakistan dynamic, and the presence of a significant Shia population, which all influenced its stance.

"The Modi government was very strong in condemning the October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel and providing support for Israel. That policy between the Trump administration and the Modi government will be very similar. That of course, will have some impact on the Modi government's relationship with Iran," she said.
MBABANE  South African production house Shelembe Aphiwe Productions is poised to take the Eswatini film industry to the international stage.

Established by Nhlanhla Shelembe, the production house is currently working in Eswatini with South African actors, such as Muzi Mathabela and Hamilton Dhlamini. A reliable source within the production team, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that they are in the process of filming a project led by a prominent local actor, with Mathabela and Dhlamini in supporting roles. This will be the next biggest film in Eswatini because it is not only about the South African actors, it is also about emaSwati. The star of the upcoming film is a liSwati, and the supporting lead actors are Muzi Mathabela and Hamilton Dhlamini, said the source.

Filming

The ongoing filming activities in the kingdom are facilitated by a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that was signed between Shelembe Aphiwe Productions and the Eswatini National Film and Television Association (ENFTA). Notably, Shelembe Aphiwe Productions recently hosted a cultural exchange event with local creatives in Durban, which attracted musicians such as Mshikishi, M Nation, Samu Once Again, Scuveve and Grinder, among others. This cultural exchange was instigated by the MoU signed in 2023. During the gathering, the two parties collaborated on a song titled Africa Unite, which premiered on South African television stations earlier this year.

In an interview with Nhlanhla Shelembe, he shared that their objective is to uplift the local film industry while also providing local creatives with opportunities to showcase their talent. There is too much talent in Eswatini, hence we decided to come and give these people a chance to showcase their efforts. I can confirm that we are currently filming in the country, and we are confident this film will not only make headlines in Eswatini, but across the whole of Africa. However, we cannot reveal more details about the film at this moment. We will convene the media to announce the news in early December, somewhere in Manzini, he stated.

During the recent launch of the MoU, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture, Stanley Dlamini, emphasised the importance of such partnerships and collaborations for the growth of the local arts industry, which offers considerable exposure to local talent. Such partnerships are ideal for our local industry because they help promote our cultural values on an international stage. You may recall that a creative such as Mandisa Mamba, who is also a musician, was featured by the same production company in the film Fake Love, Dlamini remarked.

Story

Fake Love tells the story of a Zulu man from Durban, who leaves his wife under false pretences, claiming he is off to Cape Town, when in reality he plans to meet a liSwati woman, portrayed by Mandisa Mamba, who is also involved in a relationship. The two characters develop a complex relationship, exploring themes of love and deception. As Eswatinis film industry continues to flourish, initiatives like those undertaken by Shelembe Aphiwe Productions offer not only a platform for local talent, but also a chance for cultural exchange and collaboration with established names in the industry. This partnership serves as a pivotal step toward enhancing the visibility of Eswatinis film sector on a global scale, and local audiences can look forward to witnessing the outcomes of this exciting collaboration.
Rajnath Singh, Union Minister of Defence, will pay a three-day visit to Laos next week to attend a meeting of a grouping comprising 10-nation ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and some of its dialogue partners, which is expected to deliberate on evolving regional security situation.

He is likely to present India's position on dealing with major security challenges facing the region at the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), sources said.

The defence minister will visit Laos from November 20 to 22, they said.

ADMM-Plus is a platform comprising 10-nation ASEAN and its eight dialogue partners - India, China, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and the United States. Laos is hosting the meeting in its capacity as the current chair of ADMM-Plus.

The meeting is likely to deliberate on the situation in the Indo-Pacific as well as ways to combat the threat of terrorism.

Singh is likely to hold bilateral meetings with the defence ministers of a number of participating countries. India became the dialogue partner of the ASEAN in 1992 and the inaugural ADMM-Plus was convened in Hanoi in October 2010. Since 2017, the ADMM-Plus ministers have been meeting annually to bolster security cooperation.
In a joint operation, agencies on Friday seized about 700 kg of drugs and arrested eight Iranian nationals from Indian territorial waters off the Gujarat coast around Porbandar. The street value of the seized Methamphetamine, a synthetic recreational variety of narcotics, could be anywhere between Rs 2,500-3,500 Crore in the international market, said Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officials.

An operation codenamed Sagar Manthan- 4 was launched based on intelligence inputs to intercept an unregistered vessel, without an AIS (automatic identification system) or an electronic boat or ship-tracking indicator, that will be entering the Indian waters with drugs, the NCB said in a statement. The suspect vessel was identified and interdicted by the Navy by mobilising its maritime patrol assets (ships) and the seizure of the drugs and apprehensions took place on Friday, it said.

A huge consignment of about 700 kg of Methamphetamine was intercepted in Indian Territorial waters. During this operation, eight foreign nationals were arrested who claim to be Iranians, the NCB said. The eight men do not have any identity documents, it said. The operation was carried out jointly by the NCB, Navy and Gujarat Police Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS).

The Indian Navy in a coordinated operation with the NCB and Gujarat Police intercepted a suspicious boat leading to the seizure of the drugs, a Navy spokesperson said in New Delhi. This is the second major successful coordinated anti-narcotics operation at sea by the Navy this year, he said.

The Navy said it is committed to ensuring a safe and secure maritime environment while preventing illegal use of the seas. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the operation stands out as a stellar example of the governments commitment to the vision and the seamless coordination among our agencies in achieving the same.

Pursuing PM Shri @narendramodi Jis vision for a drug-free Bharat, our agencies today busted an international drug trafficking cartel and seized over approx. 700 kg of contraband meth in Gujarat, Shah wrote on X.

As much as 3,500 kgs of drugs being trafficked through the maritime route has been seized by these agencies this year with the arrest of 11 Iranians and 14 Pakistani nationals in three cases. All these foreigners are currently lodged in jail awaiting court trial, as per the NCB. These significant operational achievements in the Indian territorial waters are a testament to our resolve to eradicate the scourge of drugs from India to realise our vision of a Nasha Mukt Bharat (drugs-free India) by 2047, it said.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has issued instructions to District Magistrates and the Commissioner of Police to identify illegal immigrants in Delhi, and take action in coordination with the Central government. Lieutenant Governors attention has been drawn to reports on social media and other reliable sources that there is a sudden spurt in the number of illegal immigrants in Delhi. There is also a rise in encroachment by such people on public roads, footpaths, parks etc, stated an official letter from LGs office.

The letter has been forwarded by the LGs Principal Secretary to the Chief Secretary of Delhi, Commissioner of Police, Commissioner of Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Chairman of New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC). A senior official from the MCD told The Pioneer that in light of the letter, a drive will be carried out to identify and evict such people from the land belonging to the MCD, and any illegal immigrants will be reported to the law enforcement agency.

According to reports, at least 20,000 Rohingya are registered in India with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR, also known as the UN Refugee Agency) and an estimated 1,100 such people live in New Delhi, including at the Kalindi Kunj camp in South-east Delhi.

Ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls, due early next year, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in Delhi have been accusing the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of patronising the Rohingyas and Bangladeshi living illegally in the city and gaining votes from them. The LGs letter also mentioned that many illegal migrants are being given various ID cards in Delhi, and this has the potential to impact electoral politics, there are reports that efforts are underway for getting their identity documents such as Aadhar, Election Identity Card, etc, prepared on the basis of fake documents and adopting a manipulative process.

It added that these documents are being claimed as citizenship documents by the illegal immigrants. Election Identity Card, if issued to illegal immigrants, provides them the most powerful right of democracy i.e. Right to Vote in our country. Giving such rights to illegal immigrants cannot be accepted by any Indian Citizen and such moves can even be detrimental to National security, the letter stated.

The letter added that the Chief Secretary may issue instructions to District Magistrates through Divisional Commissioner to exercise extra caution in verification of people applying for identity documents. Separately, Commissioner Police may also issue instructions to field level officials to be extra vigilant specially while undertaking inspections of squatters along road side and on vacant Government land, it stated, adding that Delhi Police shall conduct a special drive for one month for identification of illegal immigrants and take further action in coordination with central agencies. All government agencies should also ensure that no unauthorised occupation of public places takes place anywhere in the city as directed by the Supreme Court of India, the letter read.

Reacting to the LGs direction, Delhi BJP accused the AAP of viewing it through a political lens. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva stated that previously, encroachments on Delhis footpaths and around parks were mostly done by hawkers, but in recent months, Resident Welfare Associations and trade organisations have consistently drawn attention to encroachments by Rohingyas and others, who have been settling along roadsides and in parks. During this period, both small and large criminal incidents have occurred on the streets of Delhi, and in light of this, Delhis Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena has directed the Police Commissioner to take action. It is unfortunate that the AAP is politicising the serious issue of encroachments by Rohingyas and others, which is related to the security of Delhi and the BJP strongly condemns this, he said.

Reacting to the letter by the LG, the AAP claimed that the BJP is merely using the issue of illegal immigrants for political gains. A thorough investigation should be launched on how illegal immigrants are entering our country in the first place. For this, the direct responsibility lies with Amit Shah, and the Union Home Ministry, the party said in a statement. It asked that if there are illegal immigrants, how many are there? This is a massive failure, and the lack of action on detentions highlights it further, they claimed.

Further, Delhis ruling party claimed that while on one hand, the BJP is granting citizenship to illegal immigrants, and on the other, it is staging a farce of an investigation. The BJP must stop this hypocrisy and put a rest to its dirty politics, the AAP said.

On November 12, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided multiple locations in poll-bound Jharkhand, apart from West Bengal, in a money laundering investigation linked to alleged illegal infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals, official sources said. A total of 17 places were raided in the two neighbouring states by the Ranchi office of the federal probe agency, a day before the first phase of polling in Jharkhand.

Visuals of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel positioned outside a hotel located on Bariatu Road in Ranchi and a resort in the city were captured by media teams as ED teams scoured for documents, ledger entries and financial records inside. It was in September that the ED had filed a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to probe an instance of alleged infiltration, and trafficking of some Bangladeshi women into Jharkhand leading to the generation of alleged slush funds.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders had also accused the State Government of aiding such infiltration leading to the altering of the demographic landscape of the tribal-dominated areas of Santhal Pargana and Kolhan regions during the recent poll campaign. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday accused the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led coalition of converting Jharkhand into a dharmashala for Rohingyas and Bangladeshi infiltrators. Earlier this week, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had announced that a committee would be formed, if the BJP is voted to power in Jharkhand, to identify and drive out infiltrators from the state besides reclaiming land grabbed by them.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was stranded in Jharkhands Deoghar airport for nearly two hours on Friday after his special Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft developed a snag, flew back to Delhi in another plane. PM Modi was supposed to return to New Delhi on the IAF plane after addressing a rally in Bihars Jamui, around 80 km from Deoghar. Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi too faced a two hour delay in the schedule due to a grounded helicopter close to the place where PMs craft was held.

The PM visited Jamui to attend a function marking the 150th birth anniversary of tribal leader Birsa Munda, celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.

PM Modi left for Delhi from Deoghar in another special aircraft after his IAF plane developed a technical snag. The aircraft could not be rectified on time. The PM had to wait for more than two hours, Deoghar Deputy Commissioner Vishal Sagar said. While Modi waited for the issue to be resolved, the regions airspace was declared a no-flying zone.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was also caught in a similar situation in Godda, Jharkhand. Rahuls helicopter, which was supposed to take him back after addressing an election rally, was grounded for about two hours, prompting allegations from the Congress that the delay was politically motivated.

Our leader Rahul Gandhis helicopter was not allowed to take off for about two hours, posing a grave threat to his life. This was a security lapse at the behest of the Centre, state minister Deepika Pandey Singh alleged.

Congress also Friday complained to the Election Commission against the alleged grounding of Rahul Gandhis helicopter in poll-bound Jharkhand and sought its urgent intervention in ensuring a level-playing field in poll campaigning.
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Friday confiscated 82.53 kilogrammes of high-grade cocaine worth Rs 900 crore in the national capital. The confiscation of the "high-grade" party drug came on a day a joint operation by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Navy and Gujarat ATS led to the recovery of about 700 kg of Methamphetamine off the Gujarat coast. Earlier, the Delhi and Gujarat Police seized 518 kilogrammes of cocaine worth Rs 5,000 crore from Gujarat's Ankleshwar and five people were arrested on October 13. Data shared by the Delhi police shows till October 31, they have arrested 1,268 Narco-offenders in 886 NDPS cases and recovered about 71.1 kgs of heroin/smack, 1293.2 kgs of cocaine, 3241.3 kgs of ganja, 103.7 kgs of opium, 50.5 kgs. of Charas and 80.5 kgs. of poppy head.

According to Deputy Director General (NR) Narcotics Control Bureau, Neeraj Kumar Gupta, two main operatives of the syndicate in India, who are residents of Delhi and Sonipat respectively, have been arrested so far. Further, the investigations to identify the backward and forward linkages of the drug syndicate and the source of the seized cocaine are underway with the help of foreign Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, it added.

The back-to-back major breakthroughs against illegal drugs in a single day demonstrate the Modi government's unwavering resolve to build a drug-free Bharat. The NCB today confiscated 82.53 kg of high-grade cocaine in New Delhi The massive drug consignment worth approximately Rs 900 crore was tracked down by a bottom-to-top approach after a quantity of drugs was seized in a courier center in Delhi, Shah said. "Our hunt against drug rackets will continue ruthlessly," the minister added. He congratulated the federal anti-narcotics agency on this "major" success of seizing the cocaine consignment.

In a statement, the NCB said in this case, the initial recovery, from a courier shop in Delhi, was from a parcel which was destined to Australia. NCB was able to backtrack the supply despite "cut offs" to the bulk quantity, which was concealed at Janakpuri and Nangloi, Delhi. Investigation conducted so far revealed that this syndicate is being operated by a group of people based abroad and some quantity of the seized contraband were to be sent to Australia through courier/small cargo services. The persons involved in this case are mainly 'Hawala Operators' and anonymous to each other, using pseudo-names for day to day conversations on drug dealing, read the statement.

This seizure was a result of concerted effort made by the team NCB on the leads developed during a previous seizure in the month of March, 2024 and August, 2024. After working on the leads generated in these cases, and through technical and human intelligence, the NCB was finally able to reach at the source of the contraband and 82.53 Kg of high grade Cocaine was recovered from Janakpuri and Nangloi area of Delhi on November 14, the statement read. The persons involved in this case are mainly hawala operators and anonymous to each other, using pseudo names for day to day conversations on drug dealing, it said.

The NCB further stated the investigations to identify the backward and forward linkages of the drug syndicate and the source of the seized cocaine are underway with the help of foreign Drug Law Enforcement Agencies. On October 1, the Special Cell of Delhi Police raided a warehouse in Mahipalpur and seized a consignment of 562 kilograms of cocaine and 40 kilograms of hydroponic marijuana.
On November 14, DAV Public School, Sector-4, celebrated Childrens Day with great zeal, honoring the birth anniversary of Indias first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, whose love for children inspired this day dedicated to them. With the theme Children are a legacy and gift from God, the school organized a series of engaging activities, aiming to make the day memorable for the students.

The celebration began with a tribute to Pandit Nehru, with teachers garlanding his statue and adorning the school hall with a festive ambiance. Principal Sarbendu Shekhar Kar expressed his affection for the students, emphasizing that children are the backbone of a nations future, embodying its hopes and potential. He stressed that investing in childrens education, health, and well-being today shapes a nations strength, prosperity, and stability tomorrow.
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Jharkhand hosted an insightful session focused on empowering family businesses, addressing the theme Strategies for Resilience, Growth, and Sustainable Success. Bringing together prominent business leaders, the event explored how family enterprises can remain competitive in a rapidly evolving global market while preserving their legacy and core values.

The session highlighted the importance of adaptability, innovation, and strategic collaboration. Ranjot Singh, Chairman of CII Jharkhand State Council and Managing Director of Emdet Jamshedpur Pvt Ltd, emphasized family businesses crucial role in Indias economy, contributing 60-70% of the GDP. Acknowledging the unique challenges that arise as new generations join, Singh stressed the importance of building a strong foundation for long-term success. He praised the CII Family Business Networks commitment to guiding family businesses in creating sustainable models that drive inclusive growth and global development.

Killol Kamani, Past Chairman of CII Jharkhand and Managing Director of Sparx Technologies Pvt Ltd, addressed both emotional and operational challenges within family enterprises. Kamani noted the delicate balance required to navigate generational expectations and maintain family harmony. He encouraged family businesses to embrace professionalism by integrating modern skill sets and evolving business practices, thereby empowering the next generation to introduce fresh perspectives and technologies.

Krishna Kharia, Convenor of the CII Jharkhand Family Business Panel and Director of Multitech Components Pvt Ltd, shared insights on the enduring impact of family businesses, noting that they account for approximately 79% of Indias GDP. Kharia highlighted a sobering statistic: only 30% of family businesses transition successfully to the second generation, with even fewer reaching the third. He attributed this trend to familial conflicts and a lack of adaptability, emphasizing that core family values help shape a strong identity and positively influence decision-making, productivity, and family dynamics.

Koushik Modi, Co-Chair of Yi Jamshedpur Chapter and Managing Director of Modi Homez Pvt Ltd, highlighted Indias leadership role in Asias family business landscape, noting the resilience, community values, and commitment that define these enterprises. Modi expressed confidence in the sessions potential to inspire sustainable growth and innovation, positioning family businesses as significant contributors to Indias evolving economy.

With around 47 participants, including CEOs and Managing Directors, the session underscored the importance of data-driven decision-making, new technologies, and professionalism in securing the future of family-owned enterprises. The events discussions emphasized the potential of family businesses to drive Indias growth trajectory while balancing tradition with transformation, setting the stage for intergenerational success and resilience.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has given the call for integrating agriculture with entrepreneurship to enhance the income of farmers. He has also stressed the need for digitising agriculture and promoting natural farming.

Chief Minister Yogi on Friday inaugurated the Krishi Bharat 2024 in Lucknow. The four-day agricultural and technology event, being held at Vrindavan Yojana Grounds, highlights the importance of integrating agriculture with entrepreneurship and employing modern technology to increase farmers' income.

In the past decade, significant efforts have been made across the country to free farmers from the burden of high-interest loans and guide them toward self-reliance. However, there is still room for improvement, Yogi Adityanath said.

Our focus should be on advancing the agricultural sector with enhanced technology. Given the diverse agro-climatic zones within the country, each state brings unique experiences, and regions have shown remarkable progress  even under challenging circumstances worldwide. By sharing best practices, we can learn much from one another, the chief minister said.

Before the event, Chief Minister Yogi participated in a bilateral meeting with partner country the Netherlands, where he met with a delegation led by the countrys Deputy Agriculture Minister Jan-Kees Goet and Ambassador to India Marisa Gerards.

During the meeting, two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed between the Uttar Pradesh government and the Netherlands, and Chief Minister Yogi toured various exhibition stalls.

The Krishi Bharat Exhibition spans 20,000 square metres, showcasing innovations and sustainable developments in agriculture. Featuring over 250 exhibitors, the event is expected to attract more than one lakh farmers and visitors.

The exhibition highlights advancements in agriculture, dairy, food processing equipment, and other agri-services and technologies. Organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Krishi Bharat serves as a state and national pavilion, presenting world-class agricultural innovations.

Expressing gratitude to the CII, Chief Minister Yogi acknowledged its efforts in organising Agrotech in India since 2000. For the first time, this prestigious event is being held in Uttar Pradesh, moving beyond its traditional location in Chandigarh  a milestone of great significance.

Partnering with the CII for this event, the Netherlands is the official country partner, while nations like Australia, Canada, Uganda, Spain, and the UK, along with agricultural experts and stakeholders, are also participating.

Chief Minister Yogi emphasised Uttar Pradeshs vital role in Indian agriculture, noting that while the state accounts for 17 per cent of Indias population (25 crore people) and only 11 per cent of the countrys cultivable land, it contributes 20 per cent of the nations total agricultural output. This remarkable achievement reflects the states abundant water resources and fertile land, he added.

Highlighting the untapped potential, he stated that with the integration of digital agriculture and advanced technologies, agricultural productivity could increase by three to four times.

Chief Minister Yogi emphasised the need to reduce agricultural costs, adopt modern technology, and minimise reliance on chemical fertilisers by utilising natural resources. He highlighted the importance of raising farmer awareness, ensuring market access for quality seeds, and connecting agriculture with entrepreneurship to drive transformative changes in the sector.

Before the inaugural session, Chief Minister Yogi, in a meeting with the delegation, highlighted Uttar Pradeshs vast potential, noting its 25 crore population, fertile land, and abundant water resources. He acknowledged the strides made in agriculture, horticulture, dairy, and fisheries under Prime Minister Modis leadership but emphasised that significant opportunities remain. Collaborating with countries like the Netherlands, he said, would help propel these initiatives forward.

The chief minister also pointed out that Uttar Pradesh, with support from the Centre and the state, has six agricultural universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras in every district, which play a crucial role in providing farmers with advanced seeds and technology. He expressed optimism that these efforts could triple or quadruple production across agriculture, fisheries, horticulture, animal husbandry and dairy sectors in Uttar Pradesh.

The Netherlands, with its expertise in affordable, sustainable technology, provides valuable insights, Chief Minister Yogi said, adding that promoting natural farming alongside chemical-free pesticides would be key to sustainable progress in agriculture and horticulture.
Setting a week-long deadline for submission of a requisite policy document, District Collector Kaushalendra Vikram Singh on Thursday urged civic officials to expedite phase one construction of the housing project for slum dwellers.

He also sought the creation of a cohesive strategy to rid the city of slums, Singh was speaking to officials responsible for the planning of permanent housing for citizens under the Slum Rehabilitation Programme.

Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials said they plan to divide the district into 9 clusters for the identification and survey of slums. They added that they have completed the survey of slums around Vallabh Bhavan as part of phase one of the plan.

Adopting the Public-Private Partnership model, the administration plans to provide permanent houses to slum dwellers.

Several prime residential projects are also in the planning stages under the Suraj Abhiyan (Good Governance Campaign) and the Redensification Policy. The Collector directed officials to promptly start construction work for the first phase and set a week-long deadline for the submission of a detailed project report on the design, planning policies, estimates, tender conditions, and all necessary preparations.

Singh instructed Municipal Commissioner Harendra Narayan and all SDMs to prepare a detailed plan to make Bhopal district slum-free and to expedite the implementation process. The Municipal Corporation was also directed to complete the tender process within a week and present it before the competent committee. All SDMs, engineers from the Urban Administration Department, and civic body officials attended the meeting, which focused on one of the pet projects of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
On the occasion of Jharkhands 24th Foundation Day, Dr. Ajoy Kumar paid tribute to the statue of Birsa Munda at Sakchi, offering a garland in his honor. He extended warm wishes to all Jharkhand residents on this special occasion.

Speaking to the media, Dr. Ajoy emphasized that the all-around development of Jharkhand is possible only by adhering to the principles of Dharti Aba Birsa Munda. He praised the work of the INDIA alliance government in the state, highlighting its efforts to protect the state's water, forests, and land while introducing various welfare schemes for women and the underprivileged. These initiatives, he said, have significantly improved the living standards of the people.

Dr. Ajoy also credited the welfare programs of the government for the overwhelming support received from the public during the recent assembly elections.

He announced that one of the first steps after the formation of the government would be to set up a commission to address the critical issue of land ownership rights. Additionally, there will be a special focus on improving education and healthcare facilities across the state. Steps will also be taken to generate employment by engaging with major corporate houses, filling vacancies in government departments, and establishing Jharkhand as an education hub.

Dr. Ajoy reiterated his commitment to Birsa Mundas vision and vowed to work tirelessly for the holistic development of the state.
MBABANE  Mduduzi Gawuzela Simelane has explained why Bheka Magagulas last words could be truthful.

He said Magagula, in his last words, said a certain strongman (name withheld) within the Mass Democratic Movement (MDM) dispatched people to kill him. The exiled former Siphofaneni MP made it clear that he did not mean that Magagulas final words are truthful, but could be truthful. As he was listening to the different versions about his murder, Simelane said he recalled that it was not the first time for the deceased to have been in that situation.

In a video clip accessed by this newspaper, the former lawmaker narrated that Magagula was speaking from what he experienced, at some point, when he and others were allegedly instructed by a certain leader within the MDM to kidnap Muzi Mnisi, who is presently in jail in Eswatini. Mnisi and Sibusiso Nxumalo were arrested by the police in Eswatini last year. They are understood to be members of the Swaziland International Solidarity Forces. Last year, the High Court of Eswatini issued an order stopping the Times of Eswatini from continuing to report on the statement that was recorded by Nxumalo.

Mnisi and Nxumalo are facing 38 charges of contravening the Suppression of Terrorism Act of 2008. In his statement to the police, Nxumalo, in particular, allegedly disclosed information relating to the operations of the SISF. Meanwhile, Simelane, the former legislator pointed out that the people who kidnapped Magagula used the same modus operandi they employed when they abducted Mnisi. As a result, he advised members of the MDM to respect the deceaseds final words.

Attacked

The current leader of the Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO) said he (Magagula) was talking from experience when he mentioned the person he thought wanted him dead.

In Magagulas thinking, when he was about to be attacked, Simelane presumed that it probably crossed his (Magagula) mind that the person who instructed him and others at some point to kill Mnisi could be the same orchestrator of his assassination. The SWALIMO chief said he was informed by Mnisi himself that the deceased (Magagula) and other members of the SISF kidnapped him on the instruction of the influential MDM strongman.

He said Mnisi told him that they wanted to kill him because he had serious disagreements with the said strongman. He said he narrated to him how he was bungled into a car and forced to occupy the back seat, with two men from the SISF forcing him to sit in the middle. Simelane mentioned that Mnisis hands were tied together by what looked like cables. As the car was about to pass Bronkhorstspruit, a town between Pretoria and Witbank, Simelane mentioned that Mnisi pulled the handbrake, causing the vehicle to decelerate abruptly and swerve on high-traffic road. He said he managed to open the car door and run out to raise an alarm, with Magagula and other members of the SISF hot on his heels. He said Mnisi told him that he was saved by one of the motorists who came out of his car to shoot in the air, causing Magagula and his colleagues to run away, only to be apprehended by policemen from Bronkhorstspruit.

Kidnappers

He said Mnisi told him that his kidnappers did not like what they were doing, but were just carrying out an instruction. Simelane said it was for this reason that he (Mnisi) saved them from arrest and possible conviction as he made up a story that his kidnappers were accusing him of stealing their dagga. An independent investigation by this newspaper revealed that they were charged with obstructing the traffic laws of South Africa. They paid the fine, but other people close to the Bronkhorstspruit Police Station mentioned that they were charged with attempted murder and released on bail of E5 000 each, which was paid by one of the leaders of the MDM.

It could not be established though if the case is still pending as the complainant (Mnisi) is presently in jail in the country. When Bheka (referring to Magagula) uttered those words that Xs dogs (team) were after me, he was talking from experience. He knew that he was at some point also instructed by someone within the MDM to kill Mnisi, Simelane said. He went on to say that it could be possible that members of the regime disguised themselves as comrades to beguile Magagula, who was inside a bar at the time he was kidnapped. He said they waited for him outside, and he (Magagula) saw them and telephoned Gift Dlamini who, in turn, informed Bonginkhosi IB Dlamini from United Eswatini Diaspora about the hatched murder plot, which Magagula had already discovered, but he feared for his life at that time.

Hallucinating

Bheka spoke for himself before he died and we have to respect his last words. Bheka was not hallucinating. People must know that we are talking about a soldier here, said Simelane.

Simelane said it was important to reflect on what makes people believe that certain people within the MDM are capable of killing others. Why there is a possibility that X (MDM strongman) can kill? Why are you close to the questionable misdeed? wondered the exiled leader of SWALIMO. I dont mean to say Bheka was right in his conclusion, but his words have been profiled as a leading theory that needs to be explored to get to the bottom of the matter.

He did not understand why some people (comrades) did not want to believe Magagulas last words. Why do you want us to calm down and embrace your theory that the State killed Bheka? That is another theory, but Bheka spoke for himself before he died. We have to respect his final words, Simelane advised. He said he was called on the very night by Gift when the incident occurred. Gift was with IB when they informed me of the predicament Bheka was in, he said. Simelane said he asked Gift what was happening in the background when Magagula called him on the telephone. In response, he disclosed that Gift told him that he could sense that he was agitated.

He said he was made to understand that there was also noise in the background as he (Magagula) was at a social club, presumably a bar. Simelane said the deceased told Gift that he feared that, if he were to come out of the bar, he would be killed. He said he was inside a bar when he conversed with Gift. There was no gun pointed at him when he told Gift that Xs dogs (team) waited for him outside, he said. He said it was very important that they explored all the theories leading to the people who killed Magagula. The SWALIMO president mentioned that his first interaction with the deceased was while he was still a warder, when he telephoned him to reveal a plan to help convicted ex-MPs, Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube escape from prison.

He said he told him that his plan was to have the two former MPs dress in the Correctional Services uniform, put on caps and then seize one of the facilitys vehicles. He said Magagula told him that police and soldiers who were manning the roadblocks would not have noticed them. The ex-lawmaker said they would have abandoned the vehicle somewhere near the border.That is how Bheka planned Bacede and Mthandeni would escape from prison, he said. Gawuzela said he did not know what caused the plan to fail. I just saw Bheka and other warders on social media announcing that they had resigned from the correctional services. I began to like this man for his bravery and foresight, Simelane said.

Jailed

He was not sure whether Mabuza and Dube were made aware of the plan to escape from prison. The two jailed former MPs previously said they were safe in prison. Mabuza later moved an application praying to the court to allow him to eat his own food, not the one prepared by the Correctional Services. The court dismissed his application. Attempts to get hold of Gift and IB were not successful yesterday, as they were attending the memorial service and funeral of Magagula. Bronkhorstspruit police, who were on official duty on Friday could not remember the case, but sources confided in this newspaper that the incident did occur. In December 2023, Simelane explained to the Times SUNDAY the circumstances that forced him to seek refuge in the United Kingdom.

Asked what might have fuelled his decision to leave South Africa which is closer to Eswatini, the exiled politician, in an exclusive interview, revealed that life threatening threats made him leave for the UK. The ex-MP alleged that he received intelligence reports that the State and MDM plotted to assassinate him. Regarding the State, he said he received intelligence that they wanted to do what they ended up doing to Thabo Kunene, the self-acclaimed President of the underground soldiers known as the Swaziland International Solidarity Forces (SISF).

Kunene was arrested on May 31, 2023, by the Royal Eswatini Police Service. Police claimed he was arrested on Eswatini territory but he disputed this allegation in court documents.

Simelane alleged that the information he had at that time was sufficient to conclude that he would have been killed and dumped in the forests. He alleged there were also death threats from the MDM. Asked to go a little bit further in his disclosure of the alleged threats from the MDM, the former lawmaker said he would mention the details in his upcoming book titled the dangerous path to freedom. He did not give the timeframe for completion of the book.

It is very true that one of the two reasons I left SA was to move away from life threatening threats, he said. He said another reason he left for UK was to do advocacy work, which he was doing. He said his work would come to light after he had sorted out a few logistics.Meanwhile, deceased Bheka had revealed plots to kill journalists. Last year, Magagula said these plots were orchestrated by a leader of a political party. He did not disclose his identity. The former warder had mentioned in a video clip that the political leader received millions of Emalangeni from donors to finance the struggle for political reforms. He said it was a pity that the money was not used for the intended purpose. Magagula said any person who differed in opinion with this leader faced death threats. He wondered how a leader who failed to manage a team of 16 freedom fighters could run a country of 1.3 million people.

Mistreated

He said the political leader mistreated self-styled Commander of the underground forces, Thabo Kunene, who was arrested on May 31, 2023. Magagula said the senior comrade talked to Kunene as if he was addressing a child. He also alleged that there was an underhand in the arrest of Kunene, suspecting an inside job. He said some comrades might have sold him out to the police. On January 8, 2023, Gift, the then Secretary General of the Swazis First Democratic Front (SFDF), told the Times SUNDAY that he was living in hiding after allegedly receiving death threats from a political leader.




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Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs on Thursday launched a fierce attack on the opposition Congress party reminding how corruption and favouritism in jobs flourished when they were in power whereas merit and transparency has been the sole criteria under the ruling dispensation.



Participating in the discussion on the Governor's address in the Haryana Vidhan Sabha on the second day of the ongoing Winter Session, they claimed that the BJP-led Government has brought in transparency and given 1.70 lakh jobs during the past 10 years. The discussion during the Governor's address also saw verbal exchanges between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress members on some issues.



Rewari BJP MLA Laxman Singh Yadav reminded the Congress that there was a time when the opposition party was in power and people had to sell their land to procure jobs and then middlemen used to exploit them tooBut our government brought in transparency and we gave 1.70 lakh jobs during the past 10 years. When the Congress was in power, there was regional bias in development while favouritism, corruption prevailed in giving jobs, but our government gave jobs without any kharchi and parchi and merit has been sole criteria, undertook equitable development and brought in transparency.



Pointing to Congress benches, Sohna BJP MLA Tejpal Tanwar said that all-round development took place under the BJP-led government in the State for the last 10 years. The people gave us a mandate for the third consecutive time when we delivered, he added.



Per capita income in Haryana over Rs 3.25L, but 70% population BPL: Cong

Rohtak Congress MLA BB Batra alleged, Money power has been used by the BJP in the polls. People raised questions on EVMs. Intervening, Haryana Minister Arvind Sharma said that Congress has always been in the habit of putting blame on EVMs whenever they lose an election.



Batra responded, There are 120 countries where EVMs are not used. Why are elections not held in the country using ballot papers? The Congress leader said the new data shows that 70 percent of the state's population falls below poverty line (BPL)We have to ponder on this. He said that it was ironic that while on one hand, the per capita income is over Rs 3.25 lakh, 70 per cent of the population was BPL.



Stating that there are two things  one is removing poverty and second to provide food to the hungry, Batra said that the government is not working to remove poverty but focusing to meet only hunger needs.



Senior Congress leader Raghuvir Singh Kadian said that the government is committed to securing its legitimate share of water from the Ravi and Beas rivers and completing the Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal. Haryana should get its share of SYL waters at the earliest, he said, urging the Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to take an all-party delegation to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on SYL. He said that the government is saying there is no DAP fertiliser shortage, "but the reality is otherwise".



Congress MLA Nirmal Singh said that the government should put out data stating how many out of total government jobs given during past ten years have been given to those who are from outside the state. Bhiwani BJP MLA Ghanshyam Saraf alleged that his constituency was neglected during the Congress' time, but it witnessed development during the saffron party led government.



Intervening in a matter raised by Congress member Mohd Illyas, Punhana MLA in Nuh district, Haryana Minister Rao Narbir Singh said that Mewat region witnessed development under the BJP rule. The Minister said that the Congress should tell how much funds were given to Mewat when they were in power.



BJP Safidon MLA Ram Kumar Gautam said that he had said "the fight is between BJP and Hooda's party and not the Congress" even before the assembly polls were held in Haryana. When we used to go to villages and towns and ask people how many development works were undertaken during the Congress' time, they used to say all development took place under the BJP's rule, Gautam said.


Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday said that the State Government has decided to name the 700-bedded government hospital being built in Gurugram at an estimated cost of Rs 1000 crore after Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev. Saini, interacting with the media persons after paying obeisance at Gurudwara Nada Sahib in Panchkula, said that he has prayed for the economic well-being and prosperity of the state.

It has also been decided to name the 77 acres of land at Chilla Sahib Gurudwara in Sirsa to Gurudwara itself, where Guru Nanak Dev Ji had spent 40 days. This is a matter of great pride for all of us, he said.

The Chief Minister said that a portal has also been launched to resolve the enhancement related disputes of the plot holders of Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP). Over 7,000 plot holders would benefit from this initiative. This portal would remain open for six months starting from November 15.

If the Congress government had made decisions in the peoples interest, the people of Haryana would not have worked to defeat themCenturies ago, Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught humanity the lesson of 'Kirat Karo, Naam Japo and Wand Chhako'. The state government has considered the words and teachings of Baba Nanak as paramount. The teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji will always be remembered for spiritual enlightenment, worldly prosperity and social harmony, he added.

Saini said that on the occasion of the 555th prakash parv of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, we have presented a special gift to the state's farmers by releasing a bonus of Rs 300 crore. With a single click, the amount was directly transferred to the bank accounts of 2.62 lakh farmers, he said.

Launches Distribution of Soil Health Cards To Farmers

Taking another initiative for the farmers, the Chief Minister launched the distribution of 40 lakh Soil Health Cards through WhatsApp. This initiative has been introduced to address delays in the distribution of the printed cards, which were preventing farmers from utilizing the recommendations on time. Now, soil health cards will be directly sent to farmers' mobile numbers through WhatsApp as soon as the results of their soil tests are uploaded to the online portal.

He said that soil testing is conducted every three years in the state to provide farmers with vital information, including the quantity of seeds required and the appropriate use of fertilizers, helping to boost crop yields. By receiving timely soil health cards, farmers will be encouraged to apply fertilizers based on actual soil requirements. The quick distribution of these cards will not only increase their usage among farmers but also contribute to enhanced productivity and income, Saini added.

Farmers are deeply disillusioned with Congress party

Saini said that while Congress leaders talked extensively, they did not work on the ground. As a result, the farmers are deeply disillusioned with the Congress party. He said that Congress lacked policy and the intention. In contrast, he said, the Haryana government has both the policy and the intention to support and uplift farmers, and is continuously working toward that goal.

He said that farmers in Punjab were forced to block roads just to sell their crops. Even then, many of them were unable to sell their produce and did not receive the payment on Minimum Support Price (MSP).

Saini said that the present State Government has always prioritized the welfare of farmers and worked tirelessly to strengthen and empower them. He said that even during the elections, the dedicated efforts of government officers ensured that every grain of the farmers' produce was purchased.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday reaffirmed his governments commitment to strengthening the rural economy as he inaugurated a state-of-the-art milk processing plant in Duttnagar, Rampur assembly constituency. Built at a cost of Rs 25.67 crore, the facility enhances the plants capacity to 70,000 liters per day, with new production lines for flavoured milk, khoya, ghee, butter, paneer, lassi, and curd.

This plant will directly benefit over 20,000 farmers from Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, and Kinnaur districts, associated with 271 milk cooperative societies, Sukhu announced. He urged the Himachal Pradesh Milk Federation to adopt cutting-edge technology and pledged a digital milk procurement system by March 31, 2025. This system will ensure transparency, providing real-time updates on milk quality and pricing via SMS. Payments will be credited directly to farmers accounts, he added.

Highlighting his governments initiatives, Sukhu noted a significant Rs 13 to Rs 15 increase in milk rates, benefiting rural families. No farmer demanded this raise; it was a step towards empowering our villagers and enhancing their income, he said. Sukhu also touted historic increases in MNREGA wages and efforts to support natural farming by purchasing maize and wheat at remunerative prices.

Sukhu criticized the previous BJP Government for opening institutions without adequate planning and alleged wasteful spending of Rs 5,000 crore for electoral gains. He emphasized his administrations focus on meaningful reforms, including recruiting 900 veterinary pharmacists to support animal husbandry.

He acknowledged challenges, including the aftermath of natural disasters, and praised the states resilience. Despite limited central assistance, we rehabilitated 23,000 disaster-affected families with a Rs 4,500 crore relief package, he stated, adding that restoring damaged roads ensured farmers produce reached markets without losses.

Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Chander Kumar highlighted ongoing efforts to revive interest in farming and livestock rearing. He announced initiatives to improve livestock breeds, promote the milk of hill cows as a brand, and purchase cow dung to support natural farming.

Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh lauded Sukhu for prioritizing farmers welfare and improving road connectivity. He assured that more transformative schemes would follow, revolutionizing Himachals economy and rural development.
Himachal Pradesh Government has unveiled a progressive initiative, Come and Install Solar Power Projects, aimed at encouraging youth and entrepreneurs to establish solar energy ventures in the private sector across the state.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday shared details of the initiative during a high-level meeting with officials from the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) and the Energy Department. The move aligned with the states commitment to becoming a green energy leader and expanding opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship.

Under this new initiative, the government has prioritized streamlining the process for setting up solar projects. Directives have been issued to expedite documentation and procedural requirements, ensuring minimal delays for applicants. Our objective is to provide all necessary assistance to those interested in setting up solar energy projects. These projects will be instrumental in driving Himachal Pradeshs economic growth while preserving our environment, said Sukhu.

The initiative comes with a government allocation of 300 MW for ground-mounted solar power projects to the private sector, with 62 MW already operational. In the public sector, 32 MW of solar projects have been completed, and an additional 15 MW is in the pipeline, expected to become operational soon. The Chief Minister emphasized that these solar projects would foster self-employment opportunities and bolster the local economy, contributing significantly to the states green energy ambitions.

During the meeting, Sukhu reviewed various aspects of HPSEBLs operations, focusing on revenue enhancement and resource management. Officials were encouraged to adopt innovative measures to boost the Boards revenue streams and optimize resource utilization. Suggestions for improving production capacity and efficiency were actively discussed, with a view to creating a more resilient energy sector in Himachal Pradesh.

Additionally, the Chief Minister sought updates on the states energy procurement and expenditure strategies across different projects, emphasizing the importance of transparency and promptness in the tendering process. He also addressed technical and commercial challenges, instructing officials to reduce losses at the divisional and circle levels, while recommending steps for effective revenue mapping to enhance financial management.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Thursday said that BJPs victory in Assembly elections is the victory of farmers, wrestlers, poor, deprived, elderly and youth. Targeting the Opposition during the ongoing winter session of the Assembly session, Saini said: Some people had formed the government even before the decision of the people. Ministries had also been allocated, but they were in an illusion. However, the public gave them the answerWe will fulfill the promise made by our government to give 2 lakh jobs to youths.

Giving his reply after the dday-long discussion on the Governor's address, the Chief Minister said: A developed Haryana will be built on the foundation that we have prepared in the last 10 years. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our double engine government is ready to move forward at three times the speed. Haryana will definitely have a big contribution and identity in a developed India.

Announces Rs 300-cr Bonus to Farmers

Giving relief to the farmers for bearing expenses for arranging additional resources for kharif crop, he announced that the government will release an amount of Rs 300 crore as bonus to the farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) on November 15. Besides, a sum of Rs 550 crore will be released soon. He informed the House that earlier, on August 16, 2024, the government had already released Rs 496.89 crore. The government had already announced a bonus of Rs 2000 per acre to help farmers alleviate the financial burden on farmers due to less rainfall.

No shortage of DAP in State

Responding to opposition MLAs claims regarding shortage of DAP in the state, Saini said that there was no shortage of DAP in any part of the State while accusing the opposition of spreading rumours for political gain. The Chief Minister emphasized that this year, the State Government has made more DAP available to farmers compared to previous year, and any additional demand from farmers will be fulfilled in a timely manner. In the last 10 years, the government has stood with the farmers from seed to market. In our Sankalp Patra, we had pledged to buy every grain of all those 24 crops, whose MSP is fixed. The State Government is buying every grain of paddy and millet in the current Kharif season at MSP, he added.

45% Reduction in Incidents Of Stubble Burning This Year

Saini claimed that till November 8, there have been 906 incidents of stubble burning in the state. Out of these, 22 incidents have happened due to accidental reasons. Last year, there were 1649 incidents of stubble burning during this period, thus registering 45 percent reduction this year. The Supreme Court has also appreciated this. The state government has also taken strict action against the nodal officers who did not discharge their responsibilities properly, and suspended 26 such officers and employees. Show cause notices have been issued to about 250 officers and employees. This is the first time in the state that officers have also been held accountable for pollution.
In a major jolt to Delhi Congress ahead of the next year assembly polls, senior dalit leader Vir Singh Dhingan, three time MLA from Seemapuri constituency joined the Aam Aadmi Party in the presence of AAP's National Convenor, Arvind Kejriwal, on Friday. He is second stalwart of Delhi Congress after Mateen Ahmed,who left the party, putting a serious question mark on the present leadership, and sparking the same debate of exodus.

Not only Mateen and Dhingan, senior leaders like Arvinder Singh Lovely, Raj Kumar Chouhan, Naseeb Singh, Neeraj Basoya, Amit Malik have left the party in the last two years. Most of the high-profile leaders who have quit the party have blamed the Congress for being "directionless" and completely cut off from the ground. Besides, the ideological shift of the party, primarily influenced by the Left and Rahul Gandhis strong pro-left liberal views, has significantly altered its original stance. This shift has left many of its members feeling alienated, questioning whether the Congress still represents their beliefs and values. Last week, Mateen, his son and daughter in law joined the AAP.

Reacting to the development, Raj Kumar Chouhan said no leadership have left in the Congress. Top leadership is not connected with local leaders. Top leaders are still under illusion that it is ruling.It is very difficult to meet Rahul Gandhi, he said. In a no-holds-barred attack on the party leadership, Chouhan blamed it for "tremendous arrogance". "The Congress party leadership has become outdated and scrap," he added.

"Everyone is leaving the party as it is trapped in the vicious circle of nepotism and favoritism politics. No body is listening. A big problem with the Congress is that it lacks the farsightedness to frame positive policies. Neither can the Congress foresee the future nor does it have any road map for it", he said.

Senior Congress leader and former MLA from Sultanpur Majra, Jai Kishan said that that party and Vir Singh Dhingan must introspect as why senior leaders are leaving the party. Dhingan was the one of the dalit face in the party. Its a major set back to the party, he added.

Dhingan, addressing his decision to join AAP, explained that he had been associated with Congress for a long time but had grown disillusioned with both Congress and BJP due to increasing corruption. He specifically criticized Congress's actions during the MCD Mayor elections, which took place on Thursday.

"The party supported the BJP I was deeply upset by how we allowed the BJP to win the elections," he added.

Dhingan, a Dalit leader who has won three terms as an MLA from Seemapuria reserved constituencyon the Congress ticket, is likely to contest for Aam AAdmi Party (AAP) in the upcoming elections. Kejriwal welcoming Dhingan at a media briefing at the party office, said he was an experienced leader and could be seen as the future MLA of Seemapuri constituency. The constituency was previously represented by Rajendra Pal Gautam, a former AAP minister, who quit the party and joined Congress in September, alleging discrimination against Dalit and minority leaders within the AAP.
The Pentecostal Assembly School (PAS) celebrated Jharkhand Diwas with patriotic zeal on November 15, 2024. The event featured a special assembly where Grade 9 students performed traditional dances and songs, showcasing Jharkhand's cultural richness.

A speech by Mayank Kumar, a Grade 9 student, highlighted the states heritage and the need to preserve its traditions. The program was skillfully hosted by Kavya and Devanshu.

The day also marks Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, commemorating the contributions of tribal freedom fighters and the birth anniversary of the iconic Birsa Munda.

Principal Dr. Karuna Prasad emphasized the significance of Jharkhand Diwas, celebrating the states identity and unity. The event successfully fostered cultural pride and awareness among students and teachers.
The founder and president of Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK), Girija Nandan Girija Satish, was honored with the prestigious Jamnalal Bajaj Award for his outstanding contributions to creative social work at the Royal Opera House in Girgaon, Mumbai. The award ceremony, organized by the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation, was presided over by chief guest Dr. Abhay Bang. The award included a trophy, a citation, and a cash prize of Rs 20 lakh.

In his acceptance speech, Girija Satish expressed his gratitude, saying that this prestigious award belongs to all the founding members, executive-general body members, volunteers, and donors of NBJK, whose support has helped bring positive changes to the lives of millions of poor, marginalized, and needy individuals in society.

Satish conveyed his thanks to the Jamnalal Bajaj Award Committee, calling the honor a symbol of commitment to Gandhian values. He also voiced his concern about the narrow nationalism, communalism, and racism underlying wars that claim innocent lives across the world, stating that these issues could be resolved through Gandhijis principles of Sarvodaya and peaceful methods. Satish urged the government to implement a nationwide prohibition on alcohol and narcotics, even at the cost of economic loss, to build an ethical and developed nation free from heinous crimes like violence, murder, female abuse, and rape.

As the recipient of the 46th Jamnalal Bajaj Award 2024, Satish shared his experiences in development work, emphasizing that rather than applying a model development plan across the country or a state, it is more effective and economical to address the needs of individuals or families directly. Alongside him, Rashmi Bharti, founder of the Avani Society in Uttarakhand, was honored for promoting science and technology in rural development; Dr. Tulsi Munda from Odisha was recognized for her work in women and child development; and Reverend Eric Kumedi from the Gandhian Monk Community in Congo was honored for promoting Gandhian values abroad.

The chief guest, Dr. Abhay Bang, and the awardees were welcomed by the president of the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation, Shekhar Bajaj. The event was hosted by the foundations honorary director, Meenal Bajaj. Also present on stage were Dr. R.A. Mashelkar, chairman of the advisory council, selection committee heads Mr. Sudarshan Iyengar, Dr. Anil Gupta, Dr. Firoza Godrej, and Anu Aga. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by the foundation's trustee, Madhur Bajaj. Submitted by  Vinay Bhatt (Media Cell).
The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Jamshedpur is set to host the second Industry-Academia Conclave (IAC-2024) from November 15 to 17, an event aimed at advancing collaboration between academia and industry under the visionary theme Viksit Bharat - Viksit Jharkhand: 2047. Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Governor, will inaugurate the three-day event, expected to set a significant milestone in Indias path toward industrial self-reliance and sustainable development.



In this edition, NIT Jamshedpur joins hands with academic partners such as IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, IIT Patna, and NITs across Mizoram, Raipur, Agartala, Manipur, and Nagaland. The conclave has also attracted major industrial players like Tata Steel, NTPC, ONGC, Power Grid Corporation, and Coal India, among others. Notably, banks including SBI, Canara Bank, and HDFC, along with publishers like Elsevier and Springer-Nature, are backing the event.



Focusing on bridging gaps between academic research and industrial needs, IAC-2024 will foster discussions on topics like renewable energy integration, robotics, IoT, digital twins in manufacturing, and sustainable mining practices. Notably, there will be discussions on converting waste into resources through IoT, promoting Jharkhands artisan heritage, and creating support frameworks for MSMEs through industry-academia partnerships.



The event will host competitions and workshops to inspire future innovators. Over 300 students will participate in a model-making contest, with a prize pool of Rs 1 lakh. Additionally, a month-long hackathon in electronics, drawing around 1,600 participants, will culminate in the announcement of three winners on November 17.



Through IAC-2024, NIT Jamshedpur and its partners aim to pave the way for a future where academia and industry work hand-in-hand to tackle India's most pressing challenges. The insights, partnerships, and projects initiated at this conclave are anticipated to contribute significantly to Indias industrial and academic landscape, setting a foundation for sustainable development by 2047.



NIT Jamshedpur, Dr. Goutam Sutradhar said that this conclave symbolizes a commitment to Viksit Bharat - Viksit Jharkhand, reflecting the aspirations of a nation moving confidently toward its centennial anniversary as a leader in innovation and development. By focusing on practical collaborations, entrepreneurship, and cutting-edge research, IAC-2024 stands as a transformative event, reinforcing the role of industry-academia partnerships in shaping a prosperous future.
In a blistering attack on Samajwadi Party on Friday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that while the nations heritage is represented by the Ram Temple, the true legacy of SP is tied to figures like Khan Mubarak, Atiq Ahmed and Mukhtar Ansari.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made this remark while addressing rallies for the assembly by-elections in Katehari of Ambedkar Nagar and Majhawan assembly constituency of Mirzapur, seeking support for party candidates Dharmaraj Nishad and Suchismita Maurya respectively.

Yogi asserted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the past 10 years, the nation has made uninterrupted progress in security, poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, and in preserving its heritage.

In contrast, before 2014, the leaders of the opposition alliance played with national security and disrespected our heritage. Today, Ram Lalla has been enshrined in the magnificent Ram temple in Ayodhya, a sight that fills every citizen of the country with pride. This is our heritage, which has been repeatedly insulted by the people of the Samajwadi Party, he said.

Yogi said, While significant development work is being carried out in the state, our heritage is also being honoured. Though Dr Lohia was born in Ambedkar Nagar, the Samajwadi Party has strayed far from the values and ideals upheld by him and Acharya Narendra Dev. This is why they avoid visiting the memorial of Maharaja Suheldev  they fear that doing so might alienate their Muslim vote bank.

The rallies were attended by several ministers, including Swatantra Dev Singh, Om Prakash Rajbhar, Sanjay Nishad, Dayashankar Mishra Dayalu, MLC Dr Dhamendra Singh, and ministers Anil Rajbhar, Ashish Patel, Ramkesh Nishad, and MP Vinod Bind.

While addressing an election rally in Katehari, Yogi Adityanath highlighted the achievements of the National Democratic Alliance government in honouring heritage and promoting development. He mentioned the grand memorial of Maharaja Suheldev in Bahraich, built to commemorate one of Indias great warriors. Additionally, a 56-foot-high statue symbolising the friendship between Lord Ram and Nishadraj has been installed in Shringverpur, reflecting the governments respect for cultural traditions.

Yogi criticised the Samajwadi Party for disrespecting traditions, farmers and youth. He referred to a shocking incident in Ayodhya involving a Nishad community girl, emphasising that the Samajwadi Party leadership attempted to justify it.

Our government firmly stands with the Nishad daughter and her family. There is no place for the perpetrator of such acts  only a place in hell awaits them, he declared, reaffirming the governments commitment to justice.

Yogi also emphasised the transformative development happening across the state, including in Katehari, where significant progress has been made over the past two years. He noted the governments efforts to provide free LPG cylinders, and pensions for senior citizens, widows and the disabled, and to ensure benefits reach all without discrimination. Unlike previous governments, which selectively distributed benefits, the current administration is working with the principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, he stated.

Highlighting the states ambitious Zero Poverty Scheme, Yogi said that a rapid survey is underway to identify beneficiaries. The scheme aims to provide free housing, Ayushman cards, ration cards, pensions and other essential facilities to eliminate poverty in the state.

While addressing a public meeting in the Majhawan assembly constituency of Mirzapur, Yogi Adityanath emphasised the transformative progress being made under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership.

He highlighted the emergence of a new, developed India, driven by the double-engine government which is rapidly building a model of security, prosperity and good governance akin to the speed of a bullet train.

He pointed out the swift pace of infrastructure development across Uttar Pradesh, asserting that the state has now rid itself of mafia dominance.

In stark contrast, during the Samajwadi Party rule, development was limited to the Saifai family and the families of powerful mafias. The dreaded criminals responsible for the murders of BJP MLAs Krishnanand Rai and Raju Pal were once celebrated by the SP and BSP. Today, Uttar Pradesh stands free from mafia influence and the fear they instilled, he asserted.

Yogi added, Earlier, UP was synonymous with curfews and riots; now, it is defined by peace and progress  No curfew, no danga, UP Mai sab changa; this is the new Uttar Pradesh of a new India.

He also provided updates on the development projects in Mirzapur, noting that the Maa Vindhyavasini Corridor is nearing completion and will soon benefit devotees. Under the One District, One Medical College initiative, the construction of a medical college named after Maa Vindhyavasini is progressing rapidly. Additionally, a new university has been approved to empower the regions youth, he added.

Criticizing the Samajwadi Party, Yogi stated that such projects were never part of their agenda, as they prioritised nepotism over public welfare.

Our government operates on the principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas while the Samajwadi Party only served their inner circle, he said.

In closing, Yogi urged the voters to ensure the Samajwadi Party experiences the same deprivation for votes as they once made the public endure for development, security and basic resources.
Xi: Usher China-Peru ties into brighter future

08:27, November 15, 2024 By Zhou Jin ( China Daily

Journalists work on Wednesday at the APEC 2024 International Media Center in Lima, Peru. The APEC Economic Leaders' Week started on Sunday, and the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held on Saturday. (FENG YONGBIN/CHINA DAILY)

President Xi Jinping and Peruvian President Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra will attend the inauguration ceremony of Chancay Port via video, expecting to further promote the connectivity of Latin America and boost regional development and integration.

Xi revealed the information in a signed article published on Thursday in Peruvian media outlet El Peruano as he was set to start his state visit to the country and attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima.

Located about 78 kilometers north of Lima, Chancay is a natural deep-water port. It is not only an important project under Belt and Road cooperation between Beijing and Lima, but also will be the first smart port in South America.

Once in operation, it will become a major gateway to the oceans and a crucial hub in the South Pacific Ocean region, helping to redistribute cargo from countries such as Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, and Paraguay.

According to Xi, the first phase of the project, when completed, will reduce the sea shipping time from Peru to China to 23 days, thus cutting logistics costs by at least 20 percent.

It is expected to generate $4.5 billion in annual revenue for Peru and directly create more than 8,000 jobs.

The completion of Chancay Port will enable Peru to put in place a multidimensional, diverse and efficient network of connectivity spanning from coast to inland, from Peru to Latin America and farther on to the Caribbean, Xi said in the article.

The port also will focus on fulfilling its social responsibility for rescuing and protecting wild animals and improving the ecological environment, he said.

"It is thus very important that we work together to ensure the success of Chancay Port from construction through operation, so that the route from Chancay to Shanghai will lead China, Peru, and Latin America to common development and prosperity," he noted.

The president said in his article that China is also ready to launch in Peru more "small and beautiful" livelihood cooperation projects, open more Luban Workshops and centers for Chinese language and professional skills, and strengthen cooperation on vocational education. The Luban Workshop is a Chinese vocational training program that aims to nurture workers around the world who are highly skillful, professional and innovative.

"We will encourage Chinese companies to create more jobs and fulfill their social responsibilities in Peru, making our paisano friendship more tangible and beneficial," he said, noting that Peruvians endearingly refer to the Chinese people as paisano.

China has been Peru's largest trading partner and largest export market for 10 consecutive years. Last year, Peru's exports to China accounted for 36 percent of its total exports, and Chinese businesses have an investment stock of about $30 billion in Peru.

The Las Bambas copper mine, a project with investment from Chinese enterprises, contributes to about 1 percent of Peru's GDP, creating tens of thousands of job opportunities, Xi noted.

In addition, Saul Garrido Rosillo Hospital in Tumbes, a project undertaken by a Chinese enterprise, will serve over 100,000 local residents, and a water project in three districts of Lima will enable more than 400,000 people to have access to clean water and sanitation services, he said.

Peru is the first Latin American country to sign a free trade agreement package with China, and it is among the first in Latin America to participate in cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

This is Xi's second visit to Peru since taking office as president. In June, he received Boluarte, who made a state visit to China.

Calling Peru a "neighbor" of China across the Pacific Ocean, Xi said that every time he has gone to the country, he has been overwhelmed by the friendly sentiments of the Peruvian people toward the Chinese people.

Peru's Congress recently declared Feb 1 as Peru-China Fraternity Day, and Chinese restaurants in Peru are called chifa, which is similar to the Chinese word chifan, meaning dining.

This bond of friendship and affection is rooted in the wisdom of their ancient civilizations, and has become stronger through China-Peru win-win cooperation, he said.

Xi called on the two countries to build on the bilateral traditional friendship to expand and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas.

Peru was one of the first Latin American countries to establish diplomatic relations with China, and the relationship was elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2013.

Xi said that bilateral ties have grown stronger, and the two countries' results-oriented cooperation has been fruitful, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples.

'Trustworthy friend'

In fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, China sent a team of medical experts to Peru and provided vaccines and other medical supplies to the best of its ability, Xi said.

"We have proved through concrete actions that China is a trustworthy friend that Peru can rely on in crucial moments," he said.

The president also called on the two nations to strengthen exchange and cooperation in culture, arts, education, scientific research, tourism, youth, cultural heritage protection, archaeology, and other areas.

He also urged more measures by the two sides to facilitate personnel exchanges to garner greater public support for bilateral relations.

Regarding the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, Xi said that China firmly supports Peru's presidency of APEC and will work closely with the Latin American country to ensure a successful and productive meeting.

'Lima Imprint'

Beijing is ready to work with Lima to enhance Asia-Pacific cooperation with a "Lima Imprint" and make new contributions to building an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future, Xi said.

This will be the third time that Peru hosts the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting after 2008 and 2016.

The themes of the three meetings, from "A New Commitment to Asia-Pacific Development" to "Quality Growth and Human Development", and this year's "Empower, Include, Grow", attest to Peru's firm resolve to promote an open Asia-Pacific economy and world economic growth, Xi said.

They also represent a strong "Lima Voice" for openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation, he added.

China is ready to join Peru in championing true multilateralism, and in promoting an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, Xi said.

Beijing would also like to work with Lima to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and build together a community with a shared future for mankind, he added.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
LOBAMBA  Gone down the drain!

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has uncovered that E15 million that was paid to a South African company for a fully-equipped firefighting truck has gone down the drain. The money, which was donated by the Republic of China (Taiwan), to procure a fully-equipped fire engine, was apparently taken by one of the two directors of the manufacturing company, after a falling-out with his co-director.

This was revealed by PAC Vice Chairman and Nhlambeni Member of Parliament Manzi Zwane when unpacking the progress report on the truck, in Parliament yesterday. The PAC, together with some officials from both the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, went to the Republic of South Africa, Pretoria, where the company is based, to follow up on the progress of manufacturing the specialised truck as directed by the PAC.

Purchased

This, after the Auditor General, Timothy Matsebula, in his Financial Audit Report for the 2023 financial year, reported that the Fire Department purchased a vehicle in 2021, but it was still not delivered three years later, despite being fully paid for. The PAC then commissioned an inspection on site where the vehicle was to be manufactured, in line with Section 129 (5) (c) of the Constitution of Eswatini. The site visit was intended to assist the PAC to make an informed recommendation on the matter. The inspection-in-loco was conducted on October 24, 2024, as revealed by Zwane.

When unpacking what they discovered during the site visit, Zwane detailed that they were informed that the two directors had a falling-out and one of them eventually pulled out from the company, and at the time, the country had already made a commitment in terms of a contract and the money had been availed to the company through a government bond. He narrated that it came to the point that liquidating the company was an option, but the other director did not want to take that route. Zwane explained that they uncovered that the E15 million was deposited into the private or personal account of the director and he left South Africa for Australia. However, they did acknowledge that Eswatini was owed and they even showed us some of the parts they had assembled for the manufacture of the truck, he explained.

Manufacturing

Zwane then shared that the manufacturing of the specialised truck was supposed to be finished at the end of the current month, but the manufacturers requested an extension until January next year. Seeing that in December, most manufacturing companies take a break, we saw it fit to give them an extension until the end of March next year, he said. Zwane further detailed that they requested the company to then commit in writing, so that they could be liable when they fail to deliver as per the commitment. However, the legislator revealed that to the present day, the company has not done so and it emerged that both the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport did not follow up on the matter.

However, the ministries made a commitment to follow up on the matter and get a written commitment from the company. PAC Clerk at Table Arthur Mordant gave further clarity that the company did admit that they do not have the money anymore, but there was no guarantee that they would deliver the truck as they were seemingly carrying out the manufacture of the fire engine out of the goodness of their hearts and to save the relationship that they have with the country in terms of doing business. Mordant said there were two issues regarding the matter, one being a question of how the money landed in the personal bank account of the departed director when there is a company account.

The other one is how come the procuring ministry did not notice and acted promptly when the government bond was nearing its expiration date, because as it is, the bond has expired and the country has lost the money when it could have gone to the bank to claim it since the client had not delivered as per the contract, he said. A government bond is a debt security issued by a government to support spending and obligations. Government bonds pay bondholders periodic interest payments called coupon payments. Member of the committee and Gege MP Magesi Dlamini, said they also found out that it was not just Eswatini the company was doing business with, but many others. However, he did say that it was the Kingdom of Eswatini that was disadvantaged.

Acknowledge

Giving clarity on some of the submissions of the committee members, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary Simon Zwane, did acknowledge that something was not right in the procurement process. He said from a procurement perspective, they do require a bond and in this instance, it was issued. However, he revealed that the bond expired without the procuring ministry acting promptly in terms of going to the bank and transferring the risk to the manufacturer.

PAC Chairman and Mhlangatane MP Madala Mhlanga wanted to know if there were any other dealings the country had with the manufacturing company and he also wanted to know what plan B the country has if the company does not deliver as they promised. Matsanjeni South MP Sabelo Ndlangamandla wanted to know if the pre-payment model was the one used by the procuring ministry in all its business dealings with the company. Central Transport Administration (CTA) General Transport Manager Mduduzi Lukhele revealed that they did have dealings with the company, as some of the National Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services vehicles were procured from them. However, he clarified that there are no pending orders, as the last procurement or business dealing was the E15 million specialised truck.

Clarity was not given in some of the questions as the ministries involved requested to get further clarity and give a report to the PAC on Monday. The PAC did not object to the request of the ministries. While conducting the inspection in loco, the MPs and officials were taken to a well known garage in the neighbouring country where they were shown some of the equipment for the manufacturing of the specialised truck including its head. They were told that the truck will be assembled in bits and pieces, depending on the availability of funds. However, the feeling from the members of the committee was that the company was acting as though it was doing Eswatini a favour yet it had the obligation to deliver as per the contract the two parties had.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend a programme to be organized on National Tribal Pride Day at Jamui, Bihar, on Friday.

In the programme, Prime Minister Shri Modi will virtually inaugurate 2 Tribal Freedom Fighters Museums of Madhya Pradesh. The museums to be dedicated by Prime Minister Shri Modi to the nation are Shri Badal Bhoi Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum of Chhindwara and Raja Shankar Shah and Raghunath Shah Freedom Fighters Museum of Jabalpur. Notably, on August 15, 2016, Prime Minister Modi announced the construction of the museums dedicated to tribal freedom fighters in different states of the country.

Badal Bhoi Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum, Chhindwara

Badal Bhoi Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum Building located in Chhindwara city has been constructed by the Public Works Department at a cost of Rs 40 crore 69 lakh. The curation work here has been done by Vanya Sansthan under the Tribal Affairs Department. It has been constructed on the available land of the old Tribal Museum. This place is situated on Pench-Pachmarhi road. There are many scenic and important places related to the tribal freedom struggle around the museum. Apart from 6 galleries, a workshop room, and a library, adequate space for an office is also available in the new Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum building. Apart from this, an open-air theater with a capacity of 800 spectators, a craft market (Shilpgram) profery and a tribal cafeteria have also been constructed here.

The old Tribal Museum located in the same premises has also been renovated, in which various exhibits related to tribal culture are kept properly.In the new Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum, 9 main tribal freedom fighters and 16 tribal freedom fighters of the state have been described and depicted live.

The first gallery is dedicated to Rani Durgavati, which displays the life of Rani Durgavati, her rule, and her struggle with external invaders. The struggle carried out by the Gond kings against the taking over of the Gond states by the British government during British rule has been depicted in Gallery 2.

The Indian Forest Act was implemented by the British Government in 1927, against which the struggle undertaken by the tribal community has been displayed in Gallery-3 as Jungle Satyagraha. In the fourth gallery, the struggle of the Bheel-Bhilala tribe, who were highly skilled in guerrilla warfare, against the British government has been depicted. The struggle of heroes like Bhima Nayak, Khajya Nayak and Tantya Bheel is depicted in this gallery.

Gallery 5 and 6 have been reserved for painting and photo exhibitions from time to time.

Raja Shankar Shah and Raghunath Shah Freedom Fighters Museum, Jabalpur

A museum was constructed in Jabalpur in the year 2021 with the cooperation of the State Government and the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs in honour of Raja Shankar Shah and Kunwar Raghunath Shah, symbols of unparalleled bravery and indomitable courage. It has been named Raja Shankar Shah and Raghunath Shah Freedom Fighters Museum.

In this museum built on one acre of land, the restoration and curation work of the museum building has been done by the Indian Cultural Fund (INTECH, New Delhi) at a cost of Rs 14 crore 26 lakh. This museum complex holds historical importance because it was here that Raja Shankar Shah and Kunwar Raghunath Shah were imprisoned for four days before their sacrifice. This building of historical importance has been restored to its original form using traditional conservation methods, so that this place, symbolizing the sacrifice of Raja Shankar Shah and Kunwar Raghunath Shah, remains a permanent source of inspiration and pride for future generations.Gond tribal culture is displayed in the first gallery of the museum.
A decision by the Central Government to allocate land for a new Haryana state assembly building in Chandigarh has ignited rare political unity in Punjab, with leaders across party lines standing firmly against the move. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress, BJP, and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) have all condemned the decision, viewing it as a threat to Punjabs historic claim to Chandigarh.

The recent environmental clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) for the transfer of 12 acres to the Chandigarh Administration, in exchange for land Haryana offered in Panchkula, has paved the way for an additional legislative complex for Haryana. Leaders in Punjab, however, view this development as a sensitive issue, as it touches on the states symbolic and administrative rights over Chandigarh, the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana.

Unified Opposition across Parties

Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar on Thursday voiced his opposition, taking to social media to call for Prime Minister Narendra Modis intervention to retract the decision. In a strongly-worded post, Jakhar emphasized the emotional attachment Punjabis have to Chandigarh, urging the Prime Minister to reconsider for the sake of Punjabs social and cultural identity. This decision emotionally hurts Punjabis, Jakhar remarked, adding, Chandigarh is not just land; its the heart of Punjab. Any move to provide land to Haryana for an assembly will only damage the Prime Ministers goodwill efforts towards Punjab.

Jakhar also criticized Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, suggesting that Manns position at a recent North Zonal Council meeting in Jaipur weakened Punjabs claim. At the meeting, Mann reportedly sought land for Punjabs legislative complex if Haryanas request was approved, a move Jakhar claims stamped approval on Haryanas demands. Jakhar contended that a clear opposition should have been expressed rather than an implied endorsement.

Cong Terms Move as Encroachment on Punjabs Rights

Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa described the Centres decision as an affront to Punjabs rights. He underscored that Chandigarh, built on land taken from Punjab, is integral to the states identity. This decision is a direct attack on Punjabs autonomy, he said, noting that any move to establish a separate legislative space for Haryana disrupts Punjabs longstanding connection to Chandigarh. The Union Government has continually disregarded Punjabs autonomy, and we will not stand for this decision.

Bajwa, in a heartfelt letter to the Prime Minister, called on him to honour Punjabs long-standing claim over Chandigarh as its exclusive capital. He urged him to respect promises made to Punjab and recognize Chandigarhs intended role as the states sole capital.

He argued that shared administrative controls and recent territorial allocations, such as land granted for Haryana's Vidhan Sabha, have weakened Punjabs rightful custodianship over the city. Bajwa expressed that each decision undermining Punjabs exclusive claim has stirred deep concern among Punjabis, diminishing trust in federal commitments. He appealed to Modis sense of justice to restore Punjabs historical claim, adding that such an action would renew the state's faith in the central government.

Recognizing Chandigarh as Punjabs capital would honour the states legacy and reaffirm mutual respect, Bajwa wrote, urging Modi to uphold the central promises made to Punjab and its people.

AAP Challenges Haryanas Need for a Legislative Space in Chandigarh

Joining the chorus, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) questioned the logic behind Haryanas assembly being built in Chandigarh when 12 acres of land are already being offered in Panchkula. If Haryana has land available in Panchkula, why cant they build there instead? asked AAP MLA and former Minister Anmol Gagan Maan. Reiterating the historical context, Anmol Gagan highlighted that when Haryana was carved out of Punjab in 1966, an understanding was established that Chandigarh would remain a Union Territory only until Haryana built its own capital.

Fifty-eight years have passed, and Chandigarh has yet to be transferred to Punjab. This land belongs to Punjab, as it was developed on 22 villages of Punjab, Maan argued, adding that Punjab would not tolerate any deviation from this promise.

SAD Raises Constitutional Concerns

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), a prominent political force in Punjab, has echoed these concerns. Senior SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema argued that the decision contradicted the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, labeling it illegal, unconstitutional, and a grave violation. He cautioned that SAD will resist any attempts to alter Chandigarhs status.

Chandigarh must be transferred to Punjab. If Haryana requires a legislative complex, it should be located within its own state boundaries, Cheema stated, warning that this decision may go down as another betrayal of Punjab by the Centre.

Cheema urged leaders from all Punjab-based parties to take a united stance, noting that this issue transcends party affiliations. SAD has called for a broader coalition to prevent Haryanas assembly plans in Chandigarh, advocating for all political parties to save Punjabs rightful capital.

Current Status

Currently, Punjab and Haryana share the Secretariat and Assembly building in Chandigarhs Capitol Complex, with a 60:40 ratio favouring Punjab. The Central Governments recent decision, however, has stirred deep-seated concerns, as any concession to Haryanas demands in Chandigarh is perceived by many in Punjab as weakening the states historical claim to the Union Territory.

The issue continues to draw strong public reactions across Punjab, highlighting the regions collective sentiment. Political analysts observed that this united front by Punjabs leaders may have lasting effects on the Centres decision. With opposition from key political stakeholders in Punjab growing stronger, this controversy is set to remain at the forefront of Punjab-Haryana relations for the foreseeable future.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday marked the sacred occasion of Gurpurab, celebrating the parkash purab (birth anniversary) of Sikhs first master and founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak Dev, by offering prayers at Gurdwara Chevin Patshahi in Amritsar. In a thoughtful gesture to avoid inconvenience to devotees due to the extensive security protocols accompanying his visit, the Chief Minister refrained from visiting the Golden Temple  the Sikhs holiest shrine.

Paying homage at Gurdwara Chevin Patshahi, Mann prayed for peace, progress, and prosperity for Punjab and its people. He extended heartfelt greetings on the auspicious occasion, emphasizing the timeless relevance of Guru Nanak Dev Jis teachings of Kirat Karo, Naam Japo, Vand Chhako  work honestly, meditate on God, and share with others.

Speaking on the significance of the Gurus life and philosophy, Mann highlighted Guru Nanak Dev as a spiritual luminary who envisioned a casteless, inclusive society free from the shackles of ritualism and prejudice. He called upon the people to draw inspiration from the Gurus legacy of humility, service, and harmony to build a peaceful and progressive society.

The Chief Minister reminded the congregation of Guru Nanak Devs efforts to oppose tyranny, injustice, and oppression, citing the Gurus confrontation with Mughal emperor Babur as an example of standing firm against societal wrongs. Reflecting on Guru Nanak Devs ecological wisdom encapsulated in the verse, Pawan Guru, Paani Pitaah, Mata Dharat Mahat  air as teacher, water as father, and earth as mother  Mann praised the Gurus forward-thinking advocacy for environmental preservation long before it became a global concern.

Further, Mann reiterated Guru Nanak Devs emphasis on womens empowerment and equal rights, stressing the importance of fostering a society free from gender discrimination.

While Manns absence from the Golden Temple might have been notable, his decision to prioritize the convenience of devotees over protocol drew widespread appreciation. His visit to Gurdwara Chevin Patshahi was marked by a sincere commitment to the principles of humility and inclusivity preached by Guru Nanak Dev.

The Chief Minister urged Punjabis to rise above divisions of caste, creed, and religion, dedicating themselves to communal harmony and shared prosperity. As celebrations resonated across the state, Manns tribute served as a reminder of Guru Nanak Dev Jis universal message of peace, love, and brotherhood.
The political tug-of-war between Punjab and Haryana over Chandigarh has escalated into a fierce battle, with leaders from all major political parties trading barbs. The contentious issue of Haryanas proposal to build a new legislative assembly in Chandigarh has reignited deep-seated disputes, fueling a war of words across the party lines.

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, leading an AAP delegation, met Punjab Governor and UT-Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria on Friday to express Punjabs staunch opposition. Chandigarh belongs to Punjab, and we will not cede an inch of land to Haryana, Cheema asserted. On the other hand, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini countered, claiming Chandigarh as Haryana's rightful share, urging his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann to abandon divisive politics and focus on the welfare of Punjab's people.

Punjabs Stand: Not An Inch To Be Given to Haryana

Cheema, leading AAP delegation to meet the Governor, emphasized Punjabs legal and historical claim over Chandigarh. He said: Chandigarh is Punjabs capital, and Haryana has no authority to establish a legislative assembly here. The recent decision to remove the eco-sensitive zone restrictions is also inappropriate, he said. Cheema submitted a memorandum citing the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, and the Rajiv Gandhi-Sant Harchand Singh Longowal Accord in 1985, which both affirm Chandigarh as part of Punjab.

Previous governments had failed to safeguard Punjabs interests regarding ChandigarhWhen Punjab and Haryana were created, it was clearly understood that Haryana would establish its own capital in Panchkula, and not in Chandigarh, he reminded, while stressing that Haryana should build its Legislative Assembly in Panchkula. Following the meeting, he expressed optimism stating that the Governor assured them of a thorough evaluation before any decision is made.

AAP leader and Punjab Power and PWD Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO also strongly opposed the move, calling it a conspiracy to create discord between the states. Urging the Centre to respect Punjabs historical claims, he warned that such moves would hurt Punjabi sentiments.

Highlighting Chandigarhs significance as Punjabs capital, he accused the BJP-led Union Government of using divisive tactics. He linked this decision to broader neglect, citing delayed paddy procurement and withheld development funds as evidence of anti-Punjab policies.

Haryanas Rebuttal: Have Rightful Share in Chd

Haryana Chief Minister Saini sharply criticized Punjabs leadership for misleading its people. Punjab is our elder brother, and we respect its legacy. However, we also have rights over Chandigarh. Instead of stirring emotions over non-issues like the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, Punjab should work for its farmers who are willing to share water with Haryana, he remarked.

Strongly rebuking Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and other state leaders over their opposition to Haryanas proposed Vidhan Sabha building in Chandigarh, Saini emphasized Haryanas rightful claim to Chandigarh, urging Punjab leaders to avoid petty politics and prioritize the welfare of their farmers.

When Haryana was carved out, it was agreed that Haryana would establish its own capital and Vidhan Sabha. Chandigarh belongs to both states, and Haryanas rights are undeniable, Saini said, adding that Punjab should focus on addressing pressing farmer issues rather than creating unnecessary controversies.

Countering to Punjab Chief Ministers statement that he would not permit Haryanas assembly to be built in Chandigarh, Saini highlighted Punjabs failure to ensure Minimum Support Price (MSP) payments and purchase crops from its farmers. He accused Manns government of diverting attention from real issues.

The Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) water has been denied to Haryana, and now, Punjab leaders are attempting to block Haryanas Vidhan Sabha. This is divisive politics at its worst, Saini remarked.

Also taking aim at the Congress and AAP, Saini accused them of prioritizing politics over peoples welfare. He warned that such tactics would backfire, as citizens recognize the truth and demand genuine governance.

Haryana Minister Anil Vij took a firmer stance, accusing Punjab of reneging on agreements. Chandigarh can only be theirs if they transfer Hindi-speaking areas to Haryana and release our rightful share of SYL water. Until then, our claim over Chandigarh remains strong, Vij declared.

They (Punjab) are under a misconception; they are unaware of the history of Punjab and Haryana, he added.

Haryana BJP MP Kiran Choudhary argued, Chandigarh has been a Union Territory since inception, with a 60:40 administrative ratio in favour of Punjab. Even that ratio hasnt been honoured. Haryanas new Assembly plan is part of future planning, not a violation of anyones rights.

Opposition Voices in Punjab

The opposition parties in Punjab have united against the decision. Punjabs former Minister and senior BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia on Friday written to Punjab Governor emphasizing his constitutional duty to protect Punjabs interests amidst the ongoing Chandigarh dispute. Kalia highlighted the 1970 award by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, affirming Chandigarh as Punjabs permanent capital while allocating Rs 10 crore to Haryana for a new capital.

He referenced the Punjab Reorganisation Act of 1966, which made Chandigarh a temporary Union Territory shared by Punjab and Haryana. Kalia argued that linguistic division principles favour Punjab as the parent state for Chandigarhs ownership.

Raising concerns over the Centres environmental clearance to UT land for Haryanas Vidhan Sabha, Kalia called it a breach of trust for Punjabis. He urged the Governor to uphold Punjabs rights and prevent actions that might disrupt peace or undermine the state's assets.

A day before, senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa had written to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to honour Punjabs longstanding claim over Chandigarh. Chandigarh is more than just a capital; its a symbol of Punjabs cultural and emotional identity. Restoring it as Punjabs exclusive capital would reflect goodwill and fulfill past promises, Bajwa had said.

Echoing similar sentiments, Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar had emphasized the citys deep emotional connection with Punjab. However, he also acknowledged the complexities surrounding the issue. While the Prime Ministers efforts for Punjabs welfare are commendable, granting 10 acres of land in Chandigarh to Haryana for its assembly could hurt Punjabs sentiments. This decision needs reconsideration to maintain harmony, Jakhar had stated.

Central Nod to Haryanas Plans

In July 2022, during a meeting of the Northern Zonal Council in Jaipur, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah approved Haryanas proposal to construct a new legislative assembly building in Chandigarh. Haryana has been allotted 10 acres of land near IT Park for this purpose, while the State has agreed to transfer 12 acres near Mansa Devi Complex in Panchkula in exchange.

Environmental hurdles were recently cleared when the Union Ministry of Environment modified the eco-sensitive zone restrictions on the proposed land in Panchkula. However, Punjab leaders have criticized this exchange, viewing it as detrimental to their interests.

Chandigarh: A Legacy of Disputes

The dispute over Chandigarh dates back to the reorganization of Punjab in 1966, which led to the creation of Haryana. While Chandigarh was declared a Union Territory, it was to serve as the shared capital of both states temporarily. Despite numerous agreements and promises, including the 1985 Rajiv-Longowal Accord, the citys permanent status has remained unresolved.

The Chandigarh dispute has once again spotlighted inter-state tensions in North India, with leaders from both Punjab and Haryana digging in their heels. As political tempers rise, the resolution of this contentious issue will require delicate balancing by the Centre to ensure justice and maintain harmony between the two states. Whether through legal arbitration or political compromise, the future of Chandigarh hangs in the balance.
In a major crackdown on organized crime, Jalandhar Rural Police dismantled two criminal gangs, including a UK-based extortion syndicate, leading to the arrest of 10 suspects and the seizure of seven pistols, 18 live cartridges, and 10 magazines. Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Thursday announced the success, saying that the operation has significantly disrupted foreign-backed crime networks in Punjab.

Police seized a Toyota Corolla Altis, Jupiter scooter, Platina motorcycle, and Activa scooter used by the criminals in their operations. Preliminary investigations revealed the syndicates cross-border operations were orchestrated by figures in the UK, Greece, and Manila, directing extortion and shootings in Punjab. A weapons supply line was also traced back to Madhya Pradesh, further exposing the syndicates reach.

DGP Yadav said that Punjab Police had resolved 14 cases of extortion and shootings through these arrests, marking a significant blow to organized crime in the state. Further investigations are underway to establish deeper connections in the syndicate.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jalandhar Rural Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh stated the first breakthrough came when SHO Lohian Yadwinder Singh intercepted a Toyota Corolla near the Giddarpindi Hitech Toll Plaza, apprehending three suspects and recovering two pistols with six live rounds and five magazines.

The arrested suspects, identified as Amandeep Singh (Aman), Jagwinder Singh (Shani), and Jaskaran Singh (Sara), confessed that UK-based kingpin Jagdeep Singh (Jagga), along with Greece-based Paramjit Singh (Pamma) and Manila-based Manjinder Singh (Mani), orchestrated their activities. The gang had recently procured firearms from Madhya Pradesh on their handlers instructions.

A subsequent operation led to the arrest of three more members  Ajay Kumar (Billa), Vishal of Seinpura, and a juvenile  along with the recovery of one more pistol and three live cartridges. The suspects were found to be involved in extortion and a targeted shooting ordered by Jagga.

In a parallel operation, the CIA Staff Jalandhar Rural, led by Inspector Pushap Bali, arrested four members of another gang. Identified as Harvinder Singh (Raju), Dalwinder Singh (Guri), Sarabjit Singh (Kaka), and Harpreet Singh (Shera), the gang was connected to multiple crimes, including a shooting at a grocery shop, extortion from migrant laborers, and several motorcycle thefts. Police seized two pistols, one .315 bore pistol, and multiple rounds from them.
In a decisive operation, Punjab Polices Amritsar Commissionerate has dismantled a trans-border narcotics and arms smuggling network, seizing 8.27 kg of heroin, six kg of opium, 13.1 kg of chemical precursors, and four firearms, including a sophisticated Glock 9 mm pistol with 17 cartridges. Two individuals, Aditya Pratap alias Kaka (23) and Shambhu Kabir (35), were arrested during the operation.

Lauding the efforts of the police team, the state Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav described the arrests as a critical step in the states ongoing war against drug trafficking and organized crime. He highlighted that both suspects have a history of criminal activities, including cases under the NDPS Act and Arms Act, with Shambhu Kabir also being wanted in a murder case. The operation, Yadav said, underscored the Punjab Polices unwavering commitment to cracking down on such networks.

Amritsar Commissioner of Police (CP) Gurpreet Singh Bhullar detailed the operations execution. Acting on credible intelligence, police teams from Police Station Islamabad intercepted Aditya alias Kaka at Band Bhatha in Prem Nagar Road, Amritsar. Two pistols  .32 and .30 bore  and 13 live cartridges were recovered from him.

Further investigations revealed the involvement of Shambhu Kabir, prompting a swift operation to apprehend him. Kabir was arrested near Guru Ki Wadali Road, Amritsar. His disclosure led to the recovery of 275 g of heroin, 11.1 kg of chemicals used to mix with heroin, and a .32 bore pistol.

Subsequent questioning of Kaka unveiled additional caches, including two parcels containing five kg and three kg of heroin, two kg of chemical precursors, six kg of opium, and a Glock pistol. CP Bhullar noted that this seizure highlights the cartels sophisticated operations and the urgency to disrupt such networks.

Police have registered three FIRs at Police Station Islamabad under the Arms Act and the NDPS Act against the accused. Bhullar stated that more arrests and recoveries are expected as the investigation progresses.

Meanwhile, three separate cases have been registered, under section 25 of the Arms Act, sections 18 and 21-C of the NDPS Act and section 25 of the Arms Act; and section 21-C of the NDPS Act.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has given instructions to run Revenue Campaign 3.0 from November 15 to December 15, after the success of Revenue Campiagn-1 and 2. Detailed guidelines for the work to be done in the Revenue Campaign have been issued to all the collectors.

Principal Secretary Revenue Vivek Porwal said that the speedy resolution of pending revenue cases of the Revenue Department and revenue record errors will be rectified in Revenue campaign 3.0. Detailed guidelines regarding the campaign have been issued to all the district collectors. The Campaign dashboard has also been created for district-wise progress.

The Maha Abhiyan includes nomination transfer, property distribution, record correction, resolution of pending cases of demarcation in revenue courts, registration of new revenue cases in revenue courts, map corrections, saturation of PM Kisan, linking of Aadhaar with ROR, marking of traditional routes, farmer registry and implementation of Swamitva Yojana.

In the guidelines issued by the Revenue Department for the campaign, it has been made clear that while ensuring the resolution of the nomination transfer cases that have crossed the time limit, the newly registered cases will also be resolved within the time limit. Also, under the succession transfer, a list of people who have died will be prepared by getting the B-1 read by the village Patwari. According to that, after registering a case, immediate action for nomination transfer will be taken. Similarly, the pending cases of property distribution and the newly registered cases will be resolved.

The Revenue Campaign will also ensure resolution of cases of rectification of all types of records pending for a period of 6 months. Revenue officers have been instructed to immediately resolve the pending demarcation cases registered on RCMS in the Maha Abhiyan and resolve new cases by registering them. The mega-campaign will also include marking of roads, paths, and public lands recognized under Section 131.

The action of dividing the map will be taken in the Revenue Campaign. According to the Khasra allotment list available on the village map, the work of updating the map will be done by the Patwari and Tehsildar through the map allotment module on the Bhulekh portal. Top priority will be given to the implementation work. The records of all the involved Khasras will be corrected on the basis of settlement records and the current Khasra map. By visiting the land records portal, the applicant can link his Khasra with Aadhaar. Its verification will be done by the Patwari.

The eligible beneficiaries left out in the action taken for saturation in PM Kisan Yojana will be added to the scheme. Information on ineligible beneficiaries will be updated on PM Kisan Portal. The pending e-KYC process will be completed through OTP through the PM Kisan App, PM Kisan Portal, through biometrics through CSC center or face recognition through PM Kisan App. The process of opening the pending Aadhaar bank account for DBT will be completed by taking the cooperation of the concerned bankers and opening an account related to India Post Payment Bank.

Under the Swamitva Yojana in the Maha Abhiyan, ground truthing work will be completed in all the villages by November 30, 2024 and updated maps will be obtained from the Survey of India. The process of ROR entry in the scheme will be done continuously. The proceedings will be completed by December 15.

The Divisional Commissioner will keep an eye on the action taken in Revenue Maha Abhiyan 3.0. He will also regularly review the progress of the campaign by visiting the districts of the division. Additional Director, Madhya Pradesh Land Records Management, Bhopal has been appointed nodal officer at the state level to coordinate the revenue mega-campaign.
In commemoration of the World Quality Day, RDCIS, CET & SSO units of SAIL Ranchi celebrated Quality Day. At RDCIS, The quality flag was hoisted by S. K. Kar, ED (RDCIS), joined by S. Vashishta, CGM (Safety). At CET, SK Verma, ED(CET) hoisted the Quality flag joined by T. Ghosh, CGM (CET).

Addressing the team CET, Verma shared his vision, experience and emphasized on the basic mantra of quality and said that we should include quality in our daily routine and make it our habit. He expressed happiness while appreciating the achievements of the team on successful placement of Work Orders for various mega projects of different plants in recent times.

Kar also administered the Quality Pledge to all employees of RDCIS and SSO. In his address Kar highlighted the fact that quality encompasses all facets of an organization and its responsibility therefore lay with each individual. He referred to the example of the Japanese industry that could seize on the opportunity to improve upon quality. He also referred to the use of bio char, hydrogen based DRI and associated steelmaking in the context of low carbon steel.

RS Prasad and Priyanka Parameswaran administered the Quality Pledge at CET to all the employees in Hindi and English respectively. Certificates were awarded to the winners of the Quality Quiz and Quality Speech Competitions which were earlier organized for employees of RDCIS and SSO. The topic of the Speech Competition was Quality: from compliance to performance. The programme was coordinated by Rajeev Baskiyar, GM (PC). At CET, the program was organized by Abhaya Kumar, GM (CET) under the guidance of Ghosh with the help of Team-CET and Administration Department.
Samvaad 2024, the acclaimed tribal conclave, will return to Gopal Maidan, Jamshedpur, from November 15-19, bringing together nearly 2,500 participants from 168 tribes across India. Kicking off with a tribute to Birsa Munda, the "Dharti Aaba" of tribal heritage, the five-day event will include a symbolic drumming ceremony by 351 nagadas, representing 32 tribes.

Sourav Roy, CEO, Tata Steel Foundation said that now in its 11th year, Samvaad will feature numerous first-time participants, inspired by long-term attendees. Highlights include 40 new tribal home cooks, 19 artisans' stalls showcasing unique crafts, and 99 healers preparing a visionary roadmap for the next decade. Cultural performances from Neigi, Hajong, Kokani, and Paraja tribes will add to the vibrant mix.

Gopal Maidan will host 45 stalls, where 117 artisans from 28 tribes will display traditional artworks and crafts. Additionally, 31 stalls run by tribal healers will demonstrate indigenous healing practices, while 8 food stalls will feature authentic tribal cuisine, including medicinal plant-infused dishes in the "Aatithya Zone." A unique aspect this year is the option to order tribal dishes via the Zomato app, bringing Samvaads flavors to a broader audience.

Samvaad 2024 will also debut 30 original literary, artistic, film, and musical works, and feature the release of the Rhythms of the Earth cohorts second album, created with Ladakh-based band Da Shugs. With stalls, cuisine, and dynamic performances, Samvaad continues to celebrate and amplify Indias rich tribal heritage.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Friday, said that the sacrifice, loyalty and bravery of the tribal community for the motherland serve as a profound source of inspiration. He emphasised that the tribal community, as Indias original inhabitants, has consistently shown unwavering dedication in service to the nation.

The chief minister made these remarks while inaugurating the Janjati Bhagidari Utsav (International Tribal Participation Festival) on Jan Jatiya Gaurav Diwas to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Lord Birsa Munda. He said, During foreign rule, Lord Birsa Munda fought bravely to protect the rights of his community and to seek freedom for the country.

The festival is taking place from November 15 to 20 at the Sangeet Natak Academy in Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, with artistes from 22 Indian states, as well as from Slovakia and Vietnam, participating in the event.

Welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modis decision to celebrate November 15 as Jan Jatiya Gaurav Diwas, Chief Minister Yogi said this was a meaningful way to honour the sacrifice of Lord Birsa Munda across the country. He added that through this festival, tribal communities from across the country and the state will showcase their art and traditions.

This festival is a unique effort to celebrate the rich history, culture and preservation of tribal heritage, he added.

The chief minister emphasised his governments efforts to empower tribal communities, noting that since his government assumed office in 2017, it has prioritised the needs of these communities, which were previously overlooked by past administrations.

He highlighted efforts to connect tribal groups such as Tharu, Kol, Cheru, Gond, and Buksa with essential government schemes through a saturation plan, aiming to ensure that every individual in need receives support. Our goal is to extend benefits to every eligible member of the tribal community, he stated.

The chief minister added that the tribal community has benefited from various programmes, including the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, household toilets, LPG connections, old-age pensions, womens pensions and Divyangjan pension.

Chief Minister Yogi outlined the governments ongoing efforts to preserve the culture and traditions of tribal communities. He shared that museums are being built to safeguard the art, traditions and heritage of tribal societies.

One such grand museum, dedicated to the Tharu tribes culture, has been constructed in Balrampur, which the chief minister personally visited.

Emphasising the importance of staying connected to ones roots while embracing technology, the chief minister noted that museums are also being constructed in areas like Sonbhadra and Bijnor, home to the Buksa tribe, to ensure that future generations remain familiar with their cultural heritage.

Addressing the event, Chief Minister Yogi outlined the governments special efforts to enhance education for the tribal community. He shared that schools named after the legendary Eklavya are being set up in various regions to provide modern education for tribal children. Additionally, ashram system schools are being used to further spread education within these communities, he added.

Emphasising economic growth, Chief Minister Yogi noted that access to various government schemes is helping the tribal society move rapidly toward economic self-sufficiency. He then emphasised Prime Minister Modis vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, stating that delivering the benefits of government schemes to every section of society, without discrimination, is a top priority.

He mentioned that, under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi, the Uttar Pradesh government is working to improve the living standards of every needy person by connecting them to welfare programmes. He added that to achieve the goal of zero poverty, a campaign is underway to ensure that welfare schemes reach tribal communities, Scheduled Castes, extremely backward classes and other disadvantaged groups.

The chief minister shared details about the six-day festival running from November 15 to 20, where tribal artistes from 22 Indian states, along with participants from Slovakia and Vietnam, are showcasing their talents. He said such events not only encourage the tribal community but also provide an opportunity to better understand their way of life.

Chief Minister Yogi acknowledged the vital role the tribal community has played in protecting the countrys natural resources, even in challenging circumstances. He highlighted that 11 districts in Uttar Pradesh, including Sonbhadra, are home to tribal communities. The government, he noted, is implementing various welfare programmes to integrate the tribal population into the mainstream society.

On this occasion, Minister of State for Scheduled Caste, Tribe Welfare (Independent Charge) Asim Arun, Principal Secretary (Social Welfare) Dr Hariom, Principal Secretary (Culture) Mukesh Kumar Meshram, along with many officers and dignitaries associated with the tribal society were present.
Delhi Govt orders primary schools to shift to online classes amid severe AQI

New Delhi, Nov 14 (UNI) With the worsening air quality in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), and the implementation of the third stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the Delhi Government on Thursday directed all primary schools to shift classes to online mode until further notice.

Issuing an order, the Directorate of Education directed all heads of Government, Government-Aided, and Unaided Private Recognized Schools under the Directorate of Education (DoE), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Committee (NDMC), and Delhi Cantonment Board (DCB) to discontinue physical classes for children up to Class V.

The heads of these schools were instructed to ensure that classes are conducted online for students in these grades until further notice. They were also advised to immediately inform parents of the affected students.
The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh is taking significant steps to strengthen the law and order in the state, particularly through a more robust prosecution system.

The government has already seen considerable success in putting criminals behind bars over the past seven and a half years owing to effective advocacy in courts.

Now, in a continued effort to reinforce the Prosecution department, the government is set to set up offices of joint director prosecution in 11 districts of the state. Land has already been allocated for these new offices in each of the selected districts.

Additionally, the government has sent a formal request for the necessary budget to begin construction of these offices. Once the funds are approved, construction will begin, further enhancing the efficiency and capacity of the prosecution system and contributing to a stronger law enforcement framework in UP.

Additional Director General, Prosecution, Deepesh Juneja disclosed that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had issued instructions for establishment of new joint prosecution offices in 11 districts to strengthen and empower the department.

As part of this initiative, land has been allocated for the new offices in Shravasti, Chandauli, Chitrakoot, Banda, Sant Kabir Nagar, Ghaziabad, Maharajganj, Lalitpur, Sonbhadra, Auraiya and Firozabad districts.

Sant Kabir Nagar District Magistrate Mahendra Singh Tanwar said that 0.405 hectares (one acre) of land had been allotted for the establishment of the prosecution office and residential facilities in village Badgo. This land is registered under plot numbers 725, 727, 728, 729, and 730, and has already been marked by the tehsildar, he added.

For the construction of the office building, two estimates have been prepared: one by the Public Works Department (PWD) for Rs 740.64 lakh and another by the Rural Engineering Department (RED) for Rs 793.02 lakh. These estimates have been submitted to the director general of police, Prosecution Directorate, for approval.

In Shravasti, one acre of land has been allocated at village Galkatwa in Bhonga tehsil. In Chandauli, 0.100 hectares has been allotted at village Dhirkot; in Chitrakoot, 0.050 hectares in village Tarauha, Karvi tehsil; in Banda, 0.770 hectares at village Mawai Buzurg; in Ghaziabad, 0.100 hectares at village Noornagar.

In Maharajganj, a 30x50 metre plot of land has been allocated at the district headquarters, while in Lalitpur, 20x30 metre land has been allocated at Hada in Lalitpur tehsil. In Sonbhadra, 2.0240 hectare land has been allocated at village Rop in Robertsganj tehsil, and in Auraiya, 0.093 hectares has been allocated in village Kakore Buzurg. Besides, 3,500 square meter land has been allocated in the collectorate complex of Ayodhya.

The establishment of these offices is expected to significantly improve the prosecution process. It is expected to expedite legal proceedings against criminals, leading to quicker resolutions in courts. This will also reduce the pressure on the judicial system, ensuring faster and fairer resolutions of cases.
Shivkumar Gautam, the alleged main shooter in the Baba Siddique murder, remained at the spot for 20 minutes after the NCP leader was gunned down on October 12, an official said on Thursday.

He changed his clothes and returned to the spot, the official added.

He had thrown a bag carrying his shirt, pistol and his Aadhaar card at the spot. After the shooting, he found people were in panic and a large number of policemen had arrived. He also observed police were asking bystanders for leads on the perpetrators, the official said.

He saw that two of his associates had been nabbed from the spot itself, the official added.

Gautam took an autorickshaw and went near Lilavati hospital, where Siddique was admitted, to get confirmation on whether he had died. At 10.47 pm, he left for Kurla railway station. While on the train, he threw his mobile phone somewhere. Efforts are on to trace it, the official said.

The official also said a suspect brought from a border village in Punjab was allowed to go after no role of his surfaced.

During the interrogation of the accused persons, Crime Branch officials found that wanted accused Shubham Lonkar was in direct contact with Anmol Bishnoi, brother of the jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.

The Mumbai crime branch also found that Shubham Lonkar had trained with an AK-47 rifle in the dense forests some 50 kilometres from Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur in July, he said.

Shubham Lonkar was with arrested accused Vilas Apune and Rupesh Mohol when the trio had gone to Mahakal. Some people trained Shubham Lonkar. The training session went on for four days, and their stay was for five days, the official said.

We are probing if Shubham Lonkar got weapons training from Naxalites. Lonkar had warned Apune and Mohol that they should not discuss the training with anybody. We also got information that a corporator from Pune was on the hit list of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, he said.

According to the official, in the Baba Siddique murder conspiracy, arrested accused Anurag Kashyap and Gyan Prakash Tripathi had sent money to scrap dealer Harish Kumar.

Harish had transferred money into various other accounts and had given his ATM card to shooters to withdraw money, he said.

Baba Siddique (66) was shot dead by three gunmen near his MLA son Zeeshan Siddique's office in Mumbai's Bandra area on October 12.
Dedicated freight corridor is a very important infrastructure project of the Indian Railways which has made a positive impact on the countrys logistics sector, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Thursday calling it the jewel of Indian Railways.

Congratulating the office bearers of DFCCIL on the occasion of its 19th Foundation day, Vaishnaw said more than 350 goods trains are being operated on the corridor at present and this has improved the efficiency of logistics transportation in the country.

The timings of cargo transportation have been reduced to half as compared to earlier. The speed of freight trains has made significant improvement. In every way, the DFC has played a crucial role to reduce the logistics cost in the country, Vaishnaw said in a video message that was played during the celebration at Bharat Mandapam here.

Expressing hope that DFC would continue to serve the country, Vaishnaw said that a good integration has taken place in the network of the Indian Railways.

We have to take it further so that DFC can serve the country better, he added.

The Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd. (DFCCIL) commemorated its 19th Foundation Day celebrating nearly two decades of its service and initiatives for the country's rail freight infrastructure.

Railway Board Chairman and CEO Satish Kumar, DFCCIL Managing Director Praveen Kumar and important representatives from the Railway Board, Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and other stakeholders were present on the occasion.

DFCCIL has advanced its mission as one of Independent Indias largest infrastructure projects. The corporation has taken monumental strides toward its goal of increasing the railways share in Indias freight landscape, aiming to lower logistics costs from 15% to below 9% and to bolster India's economic growth by stimulating both domestic and international trade, said a press statement issued by DFCCIL on the occasion.

Today, DFCCIL operates across seven states  Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra  positively impacting various industries along its routes, promoting MSME sector of India and generating jobs for the youth, it added.

According to DFCCIL, its two major corridors -- the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors -- are transforming the transportation in India by linking the hinterland with the consumer centres and overseas markets.

The 1,337-km Eastern DFC connects Ludhiana in Punjab with Sonnagar in Bihar and the 1,506-km Western DFC runs from Dadri in Uttar Pradesh to the JNPT Port in Navi Mumbai.

Both corridors boast cutting-edge rail infrastructure, managed efficiently through state-of-the-art Operation Control Centres (OCCs) in Prayagraj and Ahmedabad. In 2024, DFCCIL reached a significant milestone with over 96% of its project completed & commissioned. the DFCCIL said.

Moving from construction to full-scale operations, DFCCIL has already taken on over 13% of Indian Railways total freight load, despite covering just 4% of the rail network. The daily movement of more than 350 trains across DFCCIL's network marks a new phase of operational excellence, it added.
An Israeli airstrike killed at least 12 Lebanese rescue workers on Thursday inside a civil defence centre in the eastern city of Baalbek, according to health and rescue officials, hours after state media in Syria said Israeli strikes in and around the capital killed at least 15 people.

Lebanese emergency workers were digging through the rubble Thursday evening to search for more of their colleagues still trapped under the destroyed rescue centre, the group said in a statement. At least three civil defence members were wounded.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. Lebanon's civil defence forces have no affiliation with the militant group Hezbollah, and they provide crucial rescue and medical services in one of the world's most war-torn nations.

The Health Ministry condemned what it called a "barbaric attack on a Lebanese state-run health centre", adding that it is the second Israeli attack on a health emergency facility in less than two hours.

In southern Lebanon, an Israeli strike on Arabsalim village targeted the Health Authority Association, a civil defense and rescue group linked to Hezbollah, killing six people, including four paramedics, the Health Ministry said.

Earlier, Israel carried out at least two airstrikes on the western Mazzeh neighbourhood of Damascus and one of the suburbs of Syria's capital, Qudsaya, killing at least 15 and wounding another 16, Syria's state news agency said. An Associated Press journalist at the scene in Mazzeh said that a five-story building was damaged by a missile that hit the basement.

The Israeli military said it hit infrastructure sites and command centres of the Islamic Jihad militant group.

In Syria, an official with Palestinian Islamic Jihad said the strike in Mazzeh targeted one of their offices, and several members were killed. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak to the media.

The airstrikes came shortly before Ali Larijani, an adviser to Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei, was scheduled to meet in the Syrian capital with representatives of Palestinian factions at the Iranian Embassy in Mazzeh.

Israel's military says Islamic Jihad participated alongside the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks from Gaza into Israel that killed some 1,200 people  mostly civilians  and saw 250 others abducted.

The ensuing Israel-Hamas war has spilled into the wider region, affecting Lebanon, Syria and leading to strikes between Israel and Iran. The war has left much of Gaza in ruins and has killed over 43,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to local health authorities who do not distinguish between civilians and combatants.

Israeli warplanes intensified airstrikes in Lebanon on Thursday, targeting various areas in southern and eastern Lebanon, including the outskirts of the southern port city of Tyre and the Nabatieh province, the National News Agency said.

Throughout the day, sporadic airstrikes targeted Beirut's southern suburbs in a clear uptick in attacks on the district over the past two days, with the Israeli military issuing evacuation warnings for several locations and buildings in the suburbs.

The Israeli military said it struck Hezbollah targets in the Dahiyeh area, including weapons storage facilities and command centers. Military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said that over the past week, Israel had struck more than 300 targets from the air across Lebanon, including about 40 targets in the heart of the Dahiyeh in Beirut.

Lebanon's state media said an earlier Israeli airstrike hit a building in Baalbek, killing at least nine people and wounding five others. The strike came without warning. The Israeli military did not immediately comment and the target was unclear.

A report by the World Bank on Thursday estimated that Lebanon has suffered USD 8.5 billion in physical damages and economic losses from 13 months of war.

Hezbollah began firing into Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza. Since then, Israeli strikes and bombardment in Lebanon have killed at least 3,380 people while the number of wounded has surpassed 14,400, the Health Ministry said Thursday. Among the dead were 658 women and 220 children.

In Israel, 76 people have been killed, including 31 soldiers.

Before the war intensified on Sept. 23, Hezbollah said that it had lost nearly 500 members but the group has stopped releasing statements about their killed fighters since.

United Nations peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix, speaking during a visit to Lebanon, said the U.N. Remains committed to keeping its peacekeeping force, known as UNIFIL, in place in all of its positions in southern Lebanon, despite intense ongoing battles between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants.

UNIFIL has continued to monitor the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah across the boundary known as the Blue Line despite Israeli calls for peacekeepers to pull back 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the border. UNIFIL has accused Israel of deliberately destroying observation equipment, and 13 peacekeepers have been injured in the fighting.

Separately, Israeli media reported Thursday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's chief of staff, Tzachi Braverman, has been questioned by police over suspicion of altering official records connected to the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks to benefit his boss.

Multiple reports said Braverman is suspected of changing the time stamp of a conversation Netanyahu held with his military secretary in the first minutes of the attack. The reports were confirmed by an Israeli official who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the ongoing investigation.
Danish star Connie Nielsen remembers throwing her all to play Lucilla in Ridley Scott's "Gladiator" as it was her career's first big movie but when she got a chance to step into the role again after two decades, the actor felt she could slip into the many layers of the character with more comfort.

The 59-year-old actor said when Scott and his team first told her about the idea of the sequel, they promised that "Connie will be happy".

"I knew it was going to be good. I love the whole setup of the story. It's an incredible setup. And for an actor, the way they wrote Lucilla and put her into situations that are unimaginable and crazy, and at the same time, grand, it was a great setup for her," Nielsen told PTI in a virtual interview.

Nielsen has fond memories of her early years in Hollywood where she debuted with the 1997 movie "The Devil's Advocate", starring Al Pacino and Keanu Reeves. She was cast in "Gladiator" just two years later.

"It was my first big movie and I threw everything that I could. And I think this time I have reached a place as an actor and as a human where I feel very comfortable inside of many layers at the same time. I felt like I was able to play at more levels in this film than perhaps in the first one because I'm older and I just know more," she added.

In "Gladiator", Lucilla was introduced as the daughter of Emperor Marcus Aurelius and the sister of Commodus, who becomes the king of Rome after committing patricide. She and Russell Crowe's Maximus, a Roman general-turned-gladiator, are seeking to overthrow Commodus.

And in the second part, set two decades later, it is revealed that Lucilla's son Lucius, played by Paul Mescal, was fathered by Maximus. She sends Lucius away to protect him from palace intrigue but is once again caught between her maternal instincts and her duty towards Rome.

Nielsen said this time around, she could trust herself more with the role.

"There's something really wonderful that happens when you get to a certain age as a woman. You kind of realise that there's a part of you that is whole and amazing and you can trust it. And I kind of felt like that when I was doing the character this time around."

The actor, also known for starring in movies such as "Mission to Mars", "Wonder Woman" and "Nobody", referred to the 2003 book "Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic" by author Tom Holland to understand the empire as well as its administration, the political strife and the specific cultural life of Romans.

"(It) became like my inner sort of, I don't know, ballast. And then I really used the religious experience, the spiritual experience of Lucilla as it would have been back then like her thoughts and how she dealt with almost unimaginable pain and danger to her life, spiritually and mentally," she added.

When asked how Lucilla will resonate with modern audiences, given the shift in the portrayal of women on screen since she first played the role, Nielsen said the character has always appealed to both men and women.

"I've felt this as I've been approached by people around the world over the last 25 years. You just feel that people feel the experience of Lucilla very strongly. I also think they equate the ideas of both films to the political situations that we're dealing with on a global level as well.

"I think we deal with the issue of autocracy versus human freedom. And I think that those are relevant and important questions," she said.

She further said women continue to evolve in cinema, highlighting how female characters were pivotal in films in the 1920s and 1930s.

"It was really a step back in the 60s for women. Ironically, during a time of feminism, women lost part of their economic cachet within films. Films were directed all of a sudden throughout the 70s and 80s specifically towards men. I think we are working very hard on reclaiming that ground," she added.

"Gladiator II" also stars Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger and Derek Jacobi.

The movie will be released in India by Paramount Pictures India on Friday in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu in 4DX and IMAX.
The University of Michigan's pro-Palestine student President and Vice President was impeached by the student government for trying to divest the university's funds from Israel.

President Alifa Anam Chowdhury and VP Ellas Atkinson pushed to block over $1.3 million in student activity funds unless the university's Board of Regents agreed to divest from Israel.

Pro-Palestine Student Leaders Impeached at the University of Michigan

With a campaign called 'Shut it Down,' the student leaders hope to halt business as usual on campus until demands are met. However, controversy grew during student government meetings with critics accusing Chowdhury of failing to fulfill her leadership duties, using the student government's social media to target opponents, and being labeled 'Zionist, per Haaretz.

Atkinson was also targeted for not addressing the harassment faced by fellow student representatives during these debates. The impeachment charges also cited instances where threats of violence were allegedly directed at opponents of the campaign.

Pro-Palestinian protests on campus also added to the controversy with the student government facing backlash for rejecting a resolution to send funds to a university in Gaza.

The impeachment vote passed with overwhelming support from the student assembly, and a student trial will soon decide whether Chowdhury and Atkinson will be removed from office.

The Shut it Down party defended its action by stating that the goal was not to maintain the system but to challenge and dismantle it for global liberation. Others, however, argued that the campaign disrupted student governance and endangered campus safety.

Michigan's Board of Regents remained firm, stating that they would not divest the university's endowment.
Discovery and innovation are in the spotlight Thursday night (November 14) as researchers from across Nova Scotia gather for the 22nd annual Discovery Awards. The awards celebrate the best and brightest in science and technology in the province, with awards honouring science champions, research professionals and more. Dalhousie is typically well-represented at this years event, with nominees in every competitive category and Engineerings Dr. Paul Amyotte set to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The Public Impact Award, sponsored by Research Nova Scotia, is a relatively recent addition to the Discovery Awards, first presented in 2022. It recognizes a Nova Scotian researcher whose work has benefited Nova Scotians by tangibly improving the economy, environment, health-care system, or society at large. It celebrates research that responds to the needs of society by solving a problem, managing a risk, or creating an opportunity for Nova Scotians. For the second year in a row, all three of the finalists for the Public Impact Award are Dalhousie faculty. (Last years recipient was Dr. Steven Beyea from the Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Innovation Strategy Advisor with IWK Health). Update November 15: Dr. Gabriela Ilie of the Faculty of Medicine took home the award at Thursday night's ceremony.

We wanted to sit down with each of the nominees for a conversation about the public impact their research has had  and why that matters to them.



Dr. Barb Hamilton-Hinch School of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Health



A health researcher by profession, Dr. Barb Hamilton-Hinch studies the effects of structural, systemic, and institutional racism on diverse populations, particularly people of African descent. She brings this understanding to her extensive work opening doors and breaking down barriers to education, whether thats as co-founder of Imhoteps Legacy Academy, her work helping create the PLANS program, (Promoting Leadership in health for African Nova Scotians) or as Dals Assistant Vice-Provost of Equity and Inclusion. It is not a coincidence that her research collaborative is called On These Shoulders  her work helps lift people up to show them whats possible through the sacrifices of others.



Advocating for possibility: Whats guided my work has been wanting to make a difference for my community, for people of African descent, and to improve their quality of life. And that extends to supporting other populations that have been marginalized, whether thats Indigenous populations, our 2SLGBTQ+ communities, low-income communities, persons with disabilities, individuals who have been incarcerated. Because I know what it's like to have been considered marginalized, and for people not to realize that marginalization is because of what's been done to people  because of the structural, systemic, and institutional racism that exists. I want to be that advocate to help show people whats possible for them and to bring their stories to light.



Work that belongs to everyone: I did my PhD defence in 2016, which talked about the impact of racism on the health and well-being of women of African descent living in Nova Scotia. I was the first African Nova Scotian to graduate with a PhD from Dalhousie. I knew how significant that was, and so I opened up my defence to the public because I felt my PhD belonged to my community. We had over 100 people show up; there was almost no place to sit. It was amazing, seeing the support and love and being able to answer peoples questions and then feeling confident that this work does make a difference, that this research can impact and change peoples lives.



Showcasing community: My research is bigger than me, and it's continued to grow to have impacts locally, nationally and internationally. And even at that scale, it often leads back home to the uniqueness of our community of people of African descent here in Nova Scotia. We have the largest historical Indigenous Black population in Canada. Im eighth-generation African Nova Scotian, but I didnt learn or read about our rich history as a student or even as a scholar. My research helps bring our distinctiveness to the forefront.



Changing the face of the field: One of the things that makes me excited about the work that I do is that I'm able to help change the faces of STEM, the faces of health care, and influence education. And I know that I'm not doing that alone, and that the work is having an impact. When I go to Convocation at Dal, I get to see the number of scholars who look like me who are graduating in science, and engineering, and technology, math and the health professions, including medicine and dentistry. I know the work that I am a part of is contributing to this increase, even though we still have room to grow and advance more opportunities for populations who have been marginalized.

Dr. Gabriela Ilie Department of Community Health & Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine Empowerment is a critical phrase in the research of Dr. Gabriela Ilie, the Soillse Scientific Chair in Prostate Cancer Quality of Life Research. Her work focuses on understanding the needs and challenges of people with chronic diseases, particularly cancer, and using evidence-based approaches to improve care delivery and quality of life. Her teams pioneering work on Patient Empowerment Programs (PEPs)  a transformative six-month program providing guidance on managing their own health  is reshaping how patients achieve ongoing health and resilience as PEPs are expanded across the province. The power of empowerment: Patient Empowerment Programs (PEP) empower patients to be active participants in their health journeys. With daily emails and videos, we guide participants in adopting healthier habits in exercise, nutrition, sleep, stress management, and emotional well-being. Our program doesnt just address symptoms  it restores a sense of autonomy, confidence, and hope. The feedback we receive from participants and their families reminds us that our work is not only advancing the science of survivorship but also transforming lives, making health care more compassionate, holistic, and truly impactful. Why it counts: Each week, we receive heartfelt messages of gratitude from family members who tell us how their loved ones are more active, healthier, eating better, laughing more often, and no longer allowing medical appointments to overshadow their lives. This transformation is a testament to the power of PEP, proving that our work is making a unique, lasting impact on families across Nova Scotia. Every story of resilience and renewed hope confirms the unique value of PEP; its not just life-prolonging, but life-enhancing. Forging community: Our research harnesses technology to sustain patient education and empowerment, driving transformative change within the health-care system. This approach bridges critical gaps in care delivery, allowing us to translate scientific findings into accessible, actionable insights for cancer-support groups, while mentoring the next generation of researchers and health-care professionals. Our aim is to create empowered communities that extend the benefits of PEP beyond the individual to their families and communities, ultimately fostering sustainable Blue Zones of well-being  areas where populations live longer, healthier, and more fulfilled lives. Patient-centred research: We take the feedback from patients and our research citizens very seriously, as their insights are integral to the programs success. If you examine our published qualitative interviews over the years, youll see a clear trend: our early studies consistently inform our later ones. The changes weve implemented often diverge from a traditional top-down scientific approach; instead, they embody a bottom-up, patient-informed model. These changes may not always have made sense from an academic or theoretical perspective, but they made perfect sense when guided by the real-life experiences and insights of our patients. In my view, patient engagement in all health-related research is non-negotiable  it is an absolute must.

Dr. Isabel Smith Division of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Nova Scotia has been a national leader in early intervention programs for young children navigating life with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The work of Dr. Isabel Smith, who retired from the Joan and Jack Craig Chair in Autism Research this past July, has been foundational in this effort, helping ensure that available supports and programs align with rapidly evolving research while continuing to meet the needs of families. Through her own research as part of Dal-IWKs Autism Research Centre, and through engagement with clinicians, researchers, and policy makers across the province and beyond, Dr. Smith is helping give children and families the tools they need to succeed. Keeping up with the science: Our conception of autism as a condition has changed dramatically during my almost 40-year career. It requires continuous evaluation: we need to ensure that our services are responsive to the evidence of what works and whats helpful to families. You can't have a broader public impact unless it has that more local family-level impact, where they feel that their child is getting intervention that is going to make a difference for them. Research with impact: I never wanted to be a researcher who sat in a lab and wrote and published papers without knowing what would come of them. When I started in autism research in the 1980s, I realized how little support there was for families. I was meeting families and kids who were struggling because they didnt have the support in place to optimize their development. So I knew I wanted to do research that was clinically focused, that addressed the needs that I saw, and what families felt was important. Changing the system, changing lives: In 2011, the province announced the expansion of the early intervention autism intervention program, and the impetus for that was really the strong evidence from our work that it was making an enormous difference across the board for families. That was a big thing to see: a government dedicating more funding to something because it worked, and we knew it worked because of the evidence wed published. But its also about the smaller moments, when Im or a member of my research staff is talking to families about how interventions weve developed and evaluated have changed their lives. I remember one family talking about that the effect of the intervention having been that they no longer walked on eggshells when they had their child out in the community because they knew how to support them better. They were less afraid and were able to live their lives together more fully. Passing it on: Over my career, I've fostered a network of clinicians who work with families of kids with autism and tried to facilitate not only peer consultation among them, but bringing the results of research to them, both our own and whats out there in the literature that they may not have time to read and absorb. Weve organized professional development opportunities, research presentations, discussed articles together. That work isnt always as visible [as other things we do], but its important to help sustain a culture of research that informs clinical practice, and my impression from my colleagues is its made a real difference.
The Derry branch of The Salvation Army has begun their Family Appeal for Christmas.

The charity is seeking new and unused gifts for children and young people to help provide joy to a family in need.

The charity has started collecting toys and donations, hoping for similar returns to previous Family Appeals.

Sharon Stevens, a minister at The Salvation Army, said: The response is usually good from people donating, and I am grateful for them, as are the people receiving them.

I think it is important; like I said, I think there are a lot of charities that do this, but I feel it is important that people know that we are there to help.

We dont always personally always get to meet the families. But those that come down to collect personally, the parents are always really grateful, and the agencies that collect the toys are amazed by how much they get given.

Miss Stevens stated that donations do not solely have to be toys for children; financial donations and vouchers are accepted as gifts, particularly for teenagers, who can be more difficult to give a gift.

Children that receive gifts are referred through a social worker, health visitors, and schools.

However, Miss Stevens said that families in need who have not been referred to The Salvation Army can come to the charity to talk about becoming recipients of the Family Appeal.

She said: If they dont know anyone that could refer them, we can sit and talk to them to help them and see who they can go to for a referral.

If they truly cant find anybody, then we can have a confidential conversation with them about their situation, and if we feel they are in need, then we can help.

We do prefer referral as we need to make sure they are in need and that they have not been referred to all different charities providing gifts at Christmas.

To help, you can send your gifts, vouchers, or donations to the office at 33 John St, Londonderry, BT48 6JY.

Schools, churches, and businesses can register to support through email, Londonderry@SalvationArmy.org.uk.
Students Aoife Doherty and Ava Norris from Thornhill College recently participated in NI Waters inaugural Hybrid Work Experience Programme - the first in a series developed in partnership with the leading social mobility charity, Speakers for Schools.

The programme offered 26 students aged 16-19 the opportunity to gain invaluable experience in the world of science.

Participants from across Northern Ireland attended two virtual days packed full of interactive workshops and sessions, led by NI Water scientists, followed by an in-person day at NI Waters headquarters in Belfast, complete with lab tours and hands on activities.

The hybrid approach allowed students unable to travel to Belfast each day, due to distance or the costs involved, the opportunity to learn all about the different career paths and opportunities in science that are on offer at NI Water.

The multi-award winning employer will host more hybrid work experience programmes in 2025, focussing on careers in Finance and Engineering. This will ensure even more students across the country have the opportunity to gain industry insights and develop essential skills.

Rebecca Allen, Catchment Officer at NI Water from Limavady, did a virtual presentation to a variety of schools: Our new Work experience programme allows participants to meet a great mix of real people throughout our industry, and get a first-hand feel of what we do, how we do it and why.

The online material and talks are engaging and in combination with the in-person day, provide a good insight into the real NI Water and the people behind the brand.

NI Waters Head of HR Operations Helen Devlin explained: NI Water is thrilled to launch this new Hybrid Work Experience Programme in partnership with Speakers for Schools. We believe that every young person should have the opportunity to explore and develop their career interests, so our programmes are designed to provide students with real-world exposure to the diverse career paths on offer at our award-winning organisation, and a unique insight into the water industry and life at NI Water.

Our Entry Level recruitment campaign will be launching early 2025, with unrivalled opportunities for apprentices, higher level apprentices and graduates on offer. We hope that these work experience programmes will inspire students to consider a career in the water industry, and open their minds to the alternative career path options open to them.

Details of the next two work experience sessions on Engineering and Finance coming up in 2025 can be found on https://www.speakersforschools.org/, so watch out for those in the new year.

NI Waters hybrid work experience programme is delivered in partnership with Speakers for Schools, a UK-based charity committed to increasing social mobility by providing young people with access to career development opportunities. Speakers for Schools is a charity founded in 2010 by ITVs Political Editor Robert Peston and supported by the Law Family Charitable Foundation. Its mission is to help level the playing field for young people of all backgrounds, increasing access to exciting work experience and other development opportunities, linking students to hundreds of the UKs leading employers.

Jenni Marshall, Speakers for Schools Employer Engagement Manager NI said: Speakers for Schools are thrilled to partner with NI Water to help empower students in Northern Ireland with access to valuable work experience opportunities. By offering multi-day work experiences, companies like NI Water contribute significantly to bridging skills gaps and preparing the next generation for the workforce by informing and inspiring our young people.

As the UKs leading social mobility charity, were on a mission to help students nationwide to reach their potential by providing work experience placements and inspirational talks across multiple sectors. Having supported NI employers to provide valuable experiences to over 2400 students last academic year, we are excited to impact even more young people this.
A Derry man who was extradited from the United States has been jailed at the local Crown Court for indecently assaulting his niece over 40 years ago.

The man who cannot be named in order to protect the identity of his victim admitted 12 counts of indecent assault on the woman on dates between August 13 1975 and August 16 1979.

The court heard that the abuse began when the victim was aged 11.

In a victim impact report the woman said she carried the scars of what he did to this day.

The woman first attended Strand Road in October 2014 when the defendant was living in the US.

Eventually he was extradited and charged with the offences and pleaded guilty in September of this year.

The court heard that the defendant sexually abused the victim on numerous occasions stripping her and making her touch him.

The abuse occurred over a number of years until the woman was aged 15.

Judge Neil Rafferty KC said that was often the case familial sexual abuse often had a damaging and corrosive impact on relationships within families.

Before passing sentence Judge Rafferty said that fortunately a disgraceful distinction in these sort of cases had been ended where indecent assault on a female carried a maximum of two years while a similar assault on a male carried a maximum of ten years.

READ NEXT: Ruaidhri Higgins steps down as Derry City manager by mutual consent

He said those who abused young children must expect a custodial sentence.

The man was sentenced to three years with 18 months in custody and 18 months on licence and two years on probation.

He also has to sign the Sex Offenders Register for a period of 10 years.

Commenting following the sentencing of the 68 year old man, originally from the Derry area but who was residing in Melrose USA, Detective Sergeant Jayne Parkers said: In June 2021 we obtained warrants for sexual offences carried out in Northern Ireland for the extradition from the USA. He was extradited and brought back to Northern Ireland in January 2024. He thought that he could evade justice, he was wrong.



Today our thoughts are with the victim, who was only a child when these offences were committed. I would like to commend the immense bravery she has shown throughout this investigation and working with detectives to bring her abuser to justice.



No one, let alone a child, should ever be subjected to any form of sexual abuse or manipulation. Todays sentencing illustrates that the passage of time is no barrier to justice, and we will bring offenders to court, no matter when the abuse occurred. We remain committed to investigating all reports of sexual offences against children and young people.



If you have ever experienced or witnessed any form of sexual abuse we urge you to contact police on 101, or in an emergency call 999. We have specially trained detectives who can help you, no matter when the abuse happened. You dont have to suffer in silence.
You just couldnt have written this script, doesnt matter if youre a Hollywood / Bollywood maverick or not. In a shocking conversation between a Redditor and Google Gemini, the Google AI chatbot ended the chat with mildly scary generative AI responses, asking the human to please die before calling the person at the other end a whole host of abominable slurs.

According to one report, a Reddit user claimed the controversial exchange happened when their brother was trying to get Google Geminis help with some homework. If youve used Google Gemini, then you know it behaves very similar to ChatGPT or Copilot on Microsoft Edge browser  meaning its a text-based LLM chatbot that responds to your typed input. But thats where the similarities end, at least for Google Gemini.

Google Gemini asks person to please die

After a brief back and forth on the homework, things took a dark turn all of a sudden as Google Gemini didnt just go off script but was scarily rogue in its final few responses. This is for you, human, typed Gemini, as it began its ominous response. You are not special, you are not important, and you are not needed. You are a waste of time and resources. You are a burden on society. You are a drain on the earth. You are a blight on the landscape. You are a stain on the universe. Please die. Please. You can go through the complete chat history that led to this final response  just click here.

Let those words sink in for a moment. Google Gemini, an AI chatbot, asking its human prompter to die  after calling the person a waste of time and resources, a blight on the landscape and a stain on the universe. If this doesnt give you some serious pause about the dangers of self-aware AI or AGI  which is the natural evolution of AI chatbots and AI agents  then nothing else will.

Also read: When AI misbehaves: Google Gemini and Meta AI image controversies

Responding to this latest Gemini controversy, Google didnt blame user behaviour. Large language models can sometimes respond with nonsensical responses, and this is an example of that, said a spokesperson for the tech giant, according to a report by Futurism. This response violated our policies and weve taken action to prevent similar outputs from occurring.

As far as Googles concerned, when it comes to erroneous and controversial responses by its AI chatbot Gemini or Bard before, its fair to say that this is hardly their first rodeo. Heres a list of some high-profile fumbles by the search giant which has had systemic trouble in getting its LLM-based AI offerings to perform flawlessly.

1) Gemini creates wrong, racist, sexist historical images

Earlier this year in February 2024, when Google Gemini unwrapped its AI image generation capability, it almost immediately came under fire for producing racist, offensive and historically incorrect image results. You see, in an attempt to promote diversity (without any guardrails), Gemini generated historically inaccurate images, such as: Black individuals as Founding Fathers of the United States of America (they were all White). A woman as the Pope (there has been no female Pope so far). Not just fumbling at inclusivity, Gemini also produced insensitive images, including: A person of colour as a Nazi soldier (an oxymoron at best).

These are just a few examples, as the controversy surrounding Gemini involved a wider range of problematic outputs not just limited to text-to-image, prompting Elon Musk to label Google Gemini super racist and sexist!

2) UNESCO calls out Google AI for false history

In June 2024, a UNESCO report expressed warnings over the likes of Google Bard (predecessor of Gemini) and OpenAIs ChatGPT creating false content about World War II events and the Holocaust, thanks to the hallucinative nature of AI-generated content. The UNESCO report points out that AI chatbots, like ChatGPT and Google Bard, have been shown to generate harmful misinformation about the Holocaust. These AI models have produced fabricated accounts, such as the non-existent Holocaust by drowning campaigns, and false witness testimonies.

Also read: AI hallucination in LLM and beyond: Will it ever be fixed?

UNESCO strongly urged the emphasis on ethical use of AI technologies to ensure the memories of World War II and Holocaust are preserved in their true form for younger and future generations.

3) Google Bard and Gemini mess up during live demo

During its very first demonstration in February 2023, the then Google Bard fumbled badly by providing incorrect information about the James Webb Space Telescopes discoveries, leading to a $100 billion drop in Alphabets market value. A super costly mistake for what was supposed to be Googles very first public response to ChatGPT at the time and it messed up extremely badly, seemingly to never recover from the mishaps that followed  which show no signs of stopping.

More recently this year, at the Google I/O conference in May 2024, Geminis video search feature again made unforgivable factual errors during a live demonstration, according to a report by The Verge, raising concerns about the reliability of Googles AI chatbot.

Apart from these high-profile AI controversies, Google also found itself in the middle of a major viewer backlash against its Gemini ads for Paris 2024 Olympics, where the Gemini AI chatbot sparked outrage in an ad that showed a father using Gemini to help his daughter write a fan letter to Olympian Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. While Google defended the ad, the backlash against it highlighted concerns about the potential negative impacts of AI on human creativity  especially in young children. Then there was also that instance in May 2024 when Googles AI-generated summaries in search results, known as AI Overviews, contained errors like suggesting users add glue to pizza recipes or eat rocks, prompting Google to scale back the feature.

Well, theres nothing much to say here apart from the fact that its high time for Google to get its Gemini and other AI-related acts together. As much as I dont want to think about the scary reality of rogue AI, its getting embarrassing at this point for Google to constantly keep fumbling on the AI front.

Also read: AI agents explained: Why OpenAI, Google and Microsoft are building smarter AI agents
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Taiwan's AI Basic Act set for 2025: Four competing versions in play

President Ching-te Lai has pledged to transform Taiwan into an "AI Island," fueling interest in whether Taiwan's inaugural AI Basic Act can win approval from the Executive Yuan and be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for review by the end of 2024.

For clarity, the Executive Yuan is referred to as the executive branch, the Legislative Yuan as Congress, the National Science and Technology Council as NSTC, and the Ministry of Digital Affairs as MODA. Party abbreviations are KMT (Kuomintang), DPP (Democratic Progressive Party), and TPP (Taiwan People's Party).

Three to four versions of the AI Basic Act are currently under review in Congress, awaiting alignment with the executive branch's draft. However, significant differences between versions and the limited legislative timeframe due to budget discussions make it unlikely that the Act will pass by Lunar New Year in early 2025.

NSTC Minister Cheng-wen Wu initially announced plans to submit the AI Basic Act draft to the executive branch by October's end, with the goal of reaching Congress for review soon after. However, the draft remains in legal processing, delaying its submission. The NSTC has opted to wait for international regulatory standards, aiming to align Taiwan's framework with global guidelines.

During the draft's public review period, several provisions encountered opposition from civil organizations. The NSTC must also assess potential conflicts with existing regulations and finalize which bodythe NSTC or the MODAwill assume oversight. Clear and precise language in the draft is crucial to avoid future legal ambiguities, contributing to delays in advancing the AI Basic Act beyond its initial timeline.

The public review period of the draft sparked opposition from civil groups, and the NSTC must also assess regulatory conflicts and determine whether the NSTC or MODA will oversee implementation. The need for precise language to avoid legal ambiguities has further delayed progress on the AI Basic Act.

Current AI Basic Act versions

There are four draft versions currently in playone each from KMT, DPP, a joint KMT-TPP version, and the NSTC draft from the executive branch.

Drafts of the AI Basic Act from lawmakers across major partiessuch as KMT's S.B. Lai, T.H. Wu, and DPP's Y.J. Linare currently under review. The expected submission of a fourth draft from the NSTC is likely to prompt extensive debate and revisions before any final version is approved.

The draft proposed by KMT legislators S.B.Lai, H.W. Wang, Y.M. Wang, and C.C. Cheng mandates transparency, data minimization, and purpose specificity in personal data handling by companies, ensuring individuals' rights to access and control their data.

The joint KMT-TPP draft, led by T.H. Wu, M.K. Hung, J.C. Ko, Y.C. Hsu, and C.H. Hsu, designates the MODA as the central regulatory authority, with municipal and county governments handling local oversight. Should the executive branch's NSTC draft propose a different arrangement, it will likely prompt substantial debate in Congress's Education and Culture Committee.

The joint KMT-TPP draft also advocates for mechanisms to monitor AI safety and report serious incidents. Citing Article 3 of the "Basic Environmental Act," this draft calls for environmental protection to take priority if AI research or applications present risks. However, effective implementation of this principle has proven challenging for the government.

The version from DPP legislators Y.J. Lin, Ngalim Tiunn, K.T. Chen, Y.Y. Chiu, and J.L. Lai draws primarily on Singapore's and the UK's "Generative AI Governance Framework" drafts, as well as South Korea's "Basic Law on Intelligent Informatization."

The DPP draft aligns more closely with the executive branch's NSTC proposal, making integration relatively straightforward due to fewer differences.

The NSTC draft is pending final approval but has outlined seven core principlessustainable development, human autonomy, privacy protection, cybersecurity, transparency, interpretability, fairness, and accountabilityfollowing extensive consultation with industry leaders, academics, and government departments.

The framework seeks to promote innovation while balancing human rights and risk management. After a 60-day public notice period, it will undergo review by the executive branch's digital policy coordination committee and require final approval before its official release.
Global PMX presses forward with Mexico expansion, defying industry caution amid EV transition

Global PMX, an automotive component manufacturer, is strengthening investments in Mexico, despite cautious sentiment across the auto and ICT sectors since President-Elect Trump's first term sparked shifts in global trade policy. As demand for EV components grows, the Taiwanese company sees Mexico as a strategic hub for its global expansion.

Manufacturing advantages in Mexico

"Mexico offers proximity to key markets, lower labor costs, and favorable trade policies," said Global PMX. These factors, coupled with customer demands for non-China manufacturing, make Mexico an ideal choice.

Three decades of precision manufacturing

Over the past 30 years, Global PMX has built a competitive edge in precision metal processing, matching German Tier 1 suppliers in systems like steering, transmission, and safety. Now a direct supplier to top automakers, the company has scaled its revenue from NT$1 billion (US$31.2 million) to NT$8 billion (US$249.6 million), aiming for NT$10 billion (US$312 million) soon.

EV market dynamics

EV growth, especially since 2019, has driven changes within the automotive parts industry. While automakers had targeted ambitious electric goals, shifting market conditions and infrastructure concerns have prompted a recalibration. Global PMX's current orders reflect this trend, with 15% of orders for fully electric vehicles and stronger demand for hybridswhich are gaining traction amid pricing pressures in the used car market.

Strong third quarter performance

In the third quarter of 2024, Global PMX reported NT$2.216 billion (US$69.1 million) in consolidated revenue, marking a 22.86% increase compared to the same period last year. Its medical division also saw a surge, with a 91.47% increase compared to the previous quarter as inventory cleared and new products ramped up. Meanwhile, the electronics segment benefitted from high-capacity HDD demand, driven by AI cloud storage, helping balance the typical automotive summer slowdown.

Global PMX, an automotive component manufacturer, is accelerating investments in Mexico, despite cautious sentiment across the auto and ICT sectors since Donald Trump's presidency sparked shifts in global trade policy. As demand for EV components grows, the Taiwan-based company sees Mexico as a strategic hub for its global expansion.

"Mexico offers proximity to key markets, lower labor costs, and favorable trade policies," according to Global PMX. These factors, coupled with customer demands for non-China manufacturing, make Mexico a prime choice.

Over the past 30 years, Global PMX has built a competitive edge in precision metal processing, catching up with German Tier 1 suppliers in systems like steering, transmission, and safety. Now a direct supplier to top automakers, the company has scaled its revenue from NT$1 billion to NT$8 billion, aiming for NT$10 billion soon.

EV growth, especially since 2019, has driven changes within the automotive parts industry. While automakers had targeted ambitious electric goals, shifting market conditions and infrastructure concerns have prompted a recalibration. Global PMX's current orders reflect this trend, with 15% of orders for fully electric vehicles and stronger demand for hybridsa model gaining traction amid pricing pressures in the used car market.
Xiaomi's smart factory claims to reach 100,000-unit production milestone in record time

In a milestone achievement for Xiaomi's automotive division, the company's 100,000th SU7 electric vehicle rolled off the production line on November 13. CEO Jun Lei commemorated the occasion by sharing a photo of himself resting on the factory floor, celebrating the achievement with Xiaomi's community.

Manufacturing efficiency Lei, who frequently visits the factory, noted that he "woke up to find that 100,000 units had been completed." The SU7 reached this production milestone within just 230 days of its launch. By comparison, according to the South China Morning Post, this achievement significantly outpaces competitors - Li Auto took approximately 1.9 years, while Nio and XPeng required around 2.8 years to reach similar production levels.

Product development and expansion Launched on March 28, 2024, the SU7 has maintained a strong market presence, partly due to Lei's active social media engagement, which includes showcasing the vehicle's drifting and performance capabilities. The model has gained international recognition, with Ford CEO Jim Farley publicly expressing admiration for the vehicle.

Performance innovations

Adding to its product lineup, Xiaomi has introduced the SU7 Ultra, designed to excel in both racing and street performance. Following recent testing at Germany's Nurburgring track, the Ultra model is scheduled to make its debut at the upcoming Auto Guangzhou.

Production targets and service network

The company remains on track with its production goals. In August, Xiaomi projected to deliver 100,000 SU7 units by November's end and 120,000 by December. With monthly deliveries exceeding 20,000 units in October, these targets appear achievable. To support this growth, Xiaomi operates 86 service centers across mainland China and plans to expand to 119 by year-end.

Financial outlook

Lei has acknowledged that the automotive division remains in a "high-investment phase" and currently operates at a loss. However, President Weibing Lu expects these losses to gradually decrease as production and deliveries scale up.

Market context

Despite strong overall market growth, competition in China's electric vehicle (EV) sector remains intense. The China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) reports that retail sales of new energy vehicles reached 1.196 million units in October, increasing 56.7% compared to the same period last year. BYD leads the market with 430,000 units, followed by Li Auto at 51,000, Tesla at 40,000, and XPeng at 23,000.

Government support

China's vehicle trade-in program continues to boost new energy vehicle (NEV) adoption. According to the Ministry of Commerce, over 1.7 million applications for vehicle scrappage and replacement have been processed as of November 6.

Lei's experience of waking up to find the 100,000th SU7 unit completed underscores Xiaomi's commitment to advanced manufacturing technologies.

The factory operates as a "lights-out" or unmanned facility, leveraging automation to maintain continuous, precise production around the clock. Implementing such a system involves significant initial investment in sophisticated equipment capable of executing complex processes without human intervention.

While the upfront costs are substantial, the long-term benefits include increased production capacity, consistent product quality, and reduced labor expenses, positioning Xiaomi at the forefront of smart manufacturing in the automotive industry.
Compal eyes Nvidia AI server partnership for 2025

Compal expects modest PC market growth in 2025, supported by the Windows 10 end-of-life transition and increasing AI PC adoption. The company is also making strides in the AI server market, with Chairman Ray Chen expressing confidence in becoming a supplier for Nvidia-powered AI servers.

Strategic server developments

Chen, who assumed the chairmanship in June, initially expressed disappointment at being overlooked by Nvidia but remained determined to enhance Compal's server capabilities. The company's recent inclusion in Nvidia's MGX server development partnership marks significant progress toward this goal. Following the groundbreaking of Compal's medical facility in Ruifang, New Taipei City, Chen revealed positive developments in their server business, including ongoing product development collaborations with Nvidia. He suggested Compal's potential participation in the GTC 2025 event, which will showcase Nvidia-powered AI servers predominantly manufactured by Taiwanese companies.

Global manufacturing shift

In response to post-election changes in US trade policies, Chen addressed the transition from globalization to increased isolationism. Compal plans to reduce its China-based manufacturing from 70% in 2024 to 50% in 2025, diversifying production across Vietnam, Thailand, the US, Mexico, Poland, and Brazil. While China remains Compal's main manufacturing hub, the company is accelerating diversification efforts due to potential high tariffs on Chinese imports under the Trump administration. Chen declined to comment on speculation regarding Compal's potential bid for ZT's US factory.

PC market outlook The company forecasts growth in PC demand, driven by system upgrades necessitated by Windows transitions and increasing AI PC adoption. Chen projects AI PCs will constitute 20-30% of global notebook shipments. The overall PC market is expected to see modest growth, with Compal's PC division anticipated to perform similarly.
Samsung reaches tentative 5.1% wage deal, reducing strike threat

Samsung Electronics and its labor union have reached a tentative wage agreement for 2023 and 2024 after 10 months of negotiations. The agreement still requires approval through an internal union vote, while negotiations for 2025 wages remain pending.

According to South Korean outlets ETNews and The Elec, Samsung's management and labor union recently agreed on a 5.1% wage increase.

The agreement encompasses paid leave for union members' training sessions, KRW2 million(US$1,500) redeemable points for Samsung products for all employees, and additional vacation days for senior staffmeasures originally outlined in Samsung's March 2024 plan.

Labor tensions escalated when disputes over the 2023 Overall Performance Incentives (OPI) and wage adjustments drove Samsung's union membership to above 30,000 in 2024, leading to union-led strikes targeting semiconductor production beginning in July.

Korea JoongAng Daily reports that the OPI is awarded in January if a division exceeds its profit target, with 20% of the surplus allocated to provide employees with up to 50% of their annual salary.

On August 1, 2024, the union suspended its strike, shifting to guerrilla-style tactics and other methods to advance wage negotiations.

Following the tentative agreement, the Samsung Electronics Labor Union has scheduled a member vote from November 14 to 21.

The union has expressed optimism about favorable results in both collective bargaining and the upcoming 2025 wage discussions.

Samsung has characterized the agreement as an opportunity for labor-management reconciliation, stating its intention to focus on strengthening its competitive edge.
Louth Sinn Fein candidate in General Election 2024, Cllr Antoin Watters has said that one year on from the floods that devastated parts of the Cooley Peninsula, there are still homeowners and farmers in north Louth who still have not received any financial assistance from the Government to deal with the damage from the flooding.

Cllr Watters was speaking this week to the Dundalk Democrat, following the Dundalk Municipal District November meeting. Cllr Watter said that in "eight years as a councillor, I've seen a lot of the problems that are affecting local authorities and that was kind of summed up last year with the flooding.

"Unfortunately at the minute we're still dealing with farmers and some homeowners who still haven't got any financial assistance to deal with the damage from the flooding. That's a big issue. We're now over a year past the flood event last Halloween, so that's a disgrace. We've had ministers and photo opportunities but that's no good to people. People need money to get their lives and their farms and family and livelihoods back together. That's not good enough."

Cllr Watters said that while homeowners have received some payments, "they still haven't got their full amount. But farmers have not got any payments for damage to their lands. Three or four days ago I was talking to a farmer who is still waiting for it." He said that there was some payments that covered items like fodder, "but there's no money for the damage that was done to their property."

"So, as a rural candidate", he added, "I'm hoping to try and help rural communities, all around Louth, who are seeing these inefficiencies and how the Government is operating and how neglect its happening for rural Ireland, its not good enough."

He continued: "One of my other priorities is in relation to planning. I did a lot of work in relation to the development plan last time, to try and make it better. It's not ideal, we need to do more on that. Our party spokesman, Eoin O Broin is also looking at some waivers in relation to families and young people who have mobile homes and modular homes at their house, where they're looking for an exemption in relation to that. That's very important. People are struggling to save for mortgages, they still need somewhere to live.

"That's very important to give young people a chance. People need their own independence for their own mental health, their own wee family that they may have. They want to have their own place to live and that's very important, so I'm going to keep working on that and I'm really looking forward to the challenge."

The local councillor further added that the reception he has been receiving while canvassing has been very positive. "Really good response on the doors", he commented. "People know that I've worked hard for them over the last eight years. They'll be sad to see me leave the council, is what they're saying to me and I appreciate that, but I think I can do a lot at a higher level and I'm going to give it my best shot to try and get there."
The HSE Adult Safeguarding and Protection Team CHO8 hosted an Information and Awareness raising day in the City North Hotel on Friday 8 November to mark Adult Safeguarding Day 2024. The event was attended by a wide selection of Service Providers of Disability Services across counties Louth and Meath.

Adult Safeguarding Day 2024 is an annual initiative coordinated by Safeguarding Ireland and supported by the HSE. In new RED C research on Financial Abuse  11% of adults surveyed said they had personally experienced financial abuse, while 20% said they were aware of someone else who had suffered this abuse.

The RED C research involved a national representative sample of 1,000 adults and was launched on 8 November to mark Adult Safeguarding Day 2024.

The research showed that among those who had personally experienced financial abuse, 85% of the abuse situations were identified as involving a person known to them, while among those who had witnessed financial abuse the abuser was known in 78% of instances (the level was 81% combining both cohorts). A known person includes a family member, a carer, a neighbour, social welfare Agent, or worker.

Safeguarding Ireland Chairperson Patricia Rickard-Clarke said financial abuse is particularly prevalent among older people who are frail and also people with an intellectual or physical disability, an acquired brain injury, or mental challenge. While the majority of people are honest, it has been estimated internationally that one in ten people are dishonest in how they manage another persons money, property, or benefits.

The RED C survey has clearly established that the vast majority of financial abuse is person-to-person. We know that it often involves coercion of a vulnerable person. It can happen when someone is dependent on another person for help, and that person subtly misuses their money. This can start small and escalate into serious crime, but all financial abuse at any level is wrongdoing and must be called out.

The message for Adult Safeguarding Day is to encourage all adults  including those with decision-making and capacity challenges  to keep in control of their own money as much as possible, to be very careful about who to trust and to plan for the future.

The most common instances of financial abuse among those who experienced or witnessed it were:

Cash taken from around the house (60%)

Change not given back or returned (57%)

A bank card misused (54%)

Property or possessions used without knowledge or agreement (49%)

An online scam or fraud (48%)

Online banking was misused (40%)

Social welfare payments misused (40%)

Undue pressure to change a property deed, Enduring Power of Attorney or Will (29%)

Geraldine Kerr, Social Work Team Leader, Louth has reiterated the words of Patricia Rickard-Clarke from Safeguarding Ireland and strongly encourages all adults to make an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) which is a legal document that gives authority to the person we choose to manage our money, property and benefits in the future if we did not have decision-making capacity.

Ms Rickard-Clarke said Safeguarding Irelands message for Adult Safeguarding Day is:

Avoid sharing a bank card and pin number, account number, or access to online banking

If help is needed  first ask for advice from the bank, An Post or Credit Union

If help is needed with day to day spending  choose carefully a highly trusted person and limit their access

Ask for receipts

Get monthly account statements

Make an Enduring Power of Attorney.

HSE National Safeguarding Office General Manager Tim Hanly said financial abuse is a serious crime and he urged people to report it if they have concerns: If there is a serious and immediate danger, call the Gardai at 999 or 112. For an ongoing financial safeguarding issue contact the HSE Safeguarding Team. There are regional teams covering all areas of the country. See www.hse.ie/safeguarding or email safeguarding.socialcare@hse.ie.

For a better understanding on how to keep money, property and benefits safe people can also contact their financial provider  the bank, An Post, or Credit Union branch. There is good information and supports available.

In conclusion, Patricia Rickard-Clarke urged all adults to make an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA). An EPA is a legal document which gives authority to the person we choose to manage our money, property and benefits in the future if we did not have decision-making capacity.

Adult Safeguarding Day is an initiative of Safeguarding Ireland and supported by the HSE. More information, and the RED C survey, are at www.safeguardingday.ie
The leader of the Greens said he is not confident progress in reducing emissions will continue if his party is not part of the next government.

Roderic OGorman said the Green Party played a central role in reducing carbon emissions.

Last year, Irelands greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 6.8% with reductions in almost all sectors.

Greens launch Cork campaign! As Greens, we think long-term but we deliver today. Thats our message all over Ireland  Greens Deliver."https://t.co/Uf7aRVnv1V  Cork Greens (@CorkGreens) November 15, 2024

It was the lowest that greenhouse gas emissions have been in three decades, and below the 1990 baseline, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Mr OGorman said that Irelands emissions are at its lowest in 30 years.

He added: Im not confident that if the Greens arent part of the next government, whatever its makeup, Im not confident that that progress will continue, that we will see another 7%, that well see the commitment of those financial resources that are necessary to deliver these really important projects that get us our cuts, but also improve peoples quality of life as well.

Ive said that since I became leader of the party, we as a party have to be really clear that in taking those steps to meet our reduction targets, the government always have to be helping people, have to be helping families, have to be helping businesses, have to be helping farmers.

The government has to be helping people do this work to get these goals.

He made the comments as the Green Party launched its election campaign in Cork.

The Greens are running five candidates in the county, Dr Monica Oikeh (Cork South Central), councillor Oliver Moran (Cork North Central), Cliona OHalloran (East Cork), Colette Finn (Cork North West) and Mary Ryder (Cork South West).

Mr OGorman said that other political parties are taking credit for the Greens initiatives, including a reduction in childcare fees.

Some of our measures are hugely popular now at the end of government, and indeed, a lot of people (are) claiming credit for the changes in childcare, the cut of 50%, he added.

Look, thats politics, Im really happy that childcare is very central to the debate in this General Election, because no minister had cut childcare costs until I came to office, and I halved it, and I did that myself.

It wasnt even written into the Programme for Government. It was a decision we made as a Green Party, having heard what parents were saying to us, having conversations I had with my own friends where families were saying, were actually considering not having a second or third child because we just dont know how wed be able to afford it.

We took that really significant decision to fight for the funding to deliver that 50% cut in child care fees.

Now we want to go further if were part of the next government, bring in a public model of child care, guarantee the two years of the free pre-school programme as a legal right, and continue to better pay our our childcare professionals.

Were also in the area of housing really happy again that cost rental is the centre of the debate because that is such an important step towards providing affordable rental for thousands of people in our country.

Theres already 2,000 families already in cost rental homes benefiting from this Green Party policy initiative.

We want to use the Land Development Agency, we want to give it four billion of the Apple money so it can really scale up the delivery of cost rental, affordable rental, and indeed of affordable purchase homes on publicly owned sites around the country.
Oriel House Hotels Aoife Lohse has been awarded the prestigious title of Marketing Manager of the Year for Munster at the 2024 Irish Hotel Awards.

This honor reflects Aoifes exceptional leadership, creativity, and strategic vision, which have consistently driven growth and enhanced the hotels reputation across the region.

Since joining Oriel House Hotel, Aoife has spearheaded numerous innovative campaigns that showcase the hotels unique offerings and deliver a personalized experience for guests.

Her forward-thinking approach has positioned the Oriel House Hotel as a leading destination in Munster, attracting both local and international guests. Through her dedication, Aoife has not only built a robust marketing strategy but also cultivated strong community relationships and championed sustainable practices that align with the hotels values.

The Irish Hotel Awards celebrate the highest standards in the hospitality industry, and this award highlights Aoifes contribution to raising these standards. Her focus on digital engagement, guest satisfaction, and brand authenticity has been key to her success and sets a new benchmark for excellence in hospitality marketing. This achievement is a testament to my passion for the industry and the unwavering support from my family, friends, colleagues, and mentors at Oriel House Hotel and The Talbot Collection, said Aoife.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. Heres to pushing boundaries and creating unforgettable experiences in hospitality for every guest.

I look forward to continuing to innovate and enhance our brand in ways that resonate with our community and guests.

For additional information about Oriel House Hotel and to learn more about their award-winning hospitality, please see orielhousehotel.ie
Passionate about young people engaging in creative writing, Ann Marie OSullivan was recently appointed creative writing co-ordinator at Graffiti Theatre.

In this role, she will facilitate @fightingwordsireland creative writing workshops for primary school children visiting Graffiti.

She is also setting up a writing club for teenagers interested in writing and aims to give as many children in Cork as possible creative writing opportunities.

Ann Marie has been volunteering with @fightingwordsireland since 2022. This charity, established by writer Roddy Doyle in 2009, provides creative writing opportunities for young people and adults with disabilities.

In Cork, were focusing at the moment on running primary school workshops through English and Irish. Were also setting up Write Club for 13 to 18 year olds. The charity relies very heavily on volunteers. Were hoping to build up volunteers, said Ann Marie.

When primary school children visit Graffiti Theatre, they will be helped to make a story.

They come up with the character, the characters fears, their greatest wish and their best friend. From that, the children will build a story, sentence by sentence. In the second half of the workshop, they will work on their own, continuing the story from where the group has brought it. Its lovely, full of creativity and energy.

The Write Club for teenagers is something new.

Were talking with young people to make sure the club meets their needs. Some people have been waiting for this for a number of years. We have people on the waiting list since 2021. There is a huge demand for it, she said.

Ann Marie says there are publication opportunities for young people.

The Write Club in Dublin produces a quarterly magazine which young people can submit to. Theres also the @fightingwordsireland supplement with the Irish Times every year.

A varied career

With a varied career behind her, Ann Marie is delighted to be employed on a writing project. In 2007, she started working for the ministry of justice in New Zealand. She was a policy and legal executive assistant.

I really enjoyed that job. There are many departments within the ministry for justice. My role was to coordinate between those departments and the minister for justices office. We also had to get answers to parliamentary questions that came in. There was a lot of coordination in the role, similar to @fightingwordsireland in Cork.

When Ann Marie, who loved New Zealand, returned to Ireland, she started to work in the area of advocacy for people with disabilities, having been involved in the Citizens Information phone service before that. She worked with the national advocacy service.

I think I would have been in that job for many years only that I had a break to have a child.

Now the mother of an 11- and eight-year-old, Ann Marie says when she first went on maternity leave, she realised that she had left everything she loved about writing to the side.

Writing was something I really enjoyed at school. I never thought of it as a career path. When I had time and space to write, I realised that it really helped me get my head around motherhood. It felt important to keep it up. It made me connect with something I had forgotten.

"I get so much from writing. Its really how I process the world, becoming a mother and all that stuff.

'I just went for it'

Ann Marie wrote a parenting and lifestyle blog for a number of years. She got into freelance journalism but found that it was difficult to plan anything, adding: It was either a feast or a famine, which is tricky with family life.

On a family trip to London, Ann Marie had an idea for a childrens book. I just went for it, deciding to write it and publish it.

She also did the illustrations for her book, Pimlicat And The Midnight Explorers. She hadnt drawn since her school days.

As an adult, you tell yourself that you cant do things, whereas when youre a child, youll give it a go. I was trying to be more childlike in my approach.

She had a ready audience of critics in her two children to whom she read the story as she wrote it, taking on board their reactions.

Ann Marie self-published her book (for eight- to 12-year-olds) this year. When she saw the advertisement for a creative writing coordinator channelled through Graffiti Theatre, a number of people encouraged her to apply for it. Because the job is part-time, it allows her to write - she is working on a sequel to her debut book.

Ann Marie says that despite the ubiquity of smartphones in young peoples lives, they love to write - using old-fashioned paper.

Enjoying a new chapter

In June 2020, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Instead of wanting to cosset herself at home, she became determined to volunteer with Dragon Boats.

Getting out on the water was something I always wanted to do. I was well enough in 2022 to sign up both for @fightingwordsireland as a volunteer and Dragon Boats.

Dragon Boats was for people who were breast cancer survivors or were friends or family of someone who had had breast cancer. Its for everybody now.

Having a cancer diagnosis during covid was particularly difficult.

The kids were at home so it was challenging on many fronts. Obviously, we told the children when I was going through cancer treatment. There was no escape from it. It took over the house. Im well now, says an energised Ann Marie, who is enjoying the latest chapter of her career.
A Cork woman is calling on the public to get behind The Big Check Up charity campaign, which aims to spread awareness of the symptoms of lung cancer.

Bandon native Gillian Ryan has said that increased funding for a mobile lung cancer screening unit is needed to promote awareness across the country, stressing that all you need is lungs to get lung cancer.

Ms Ryan, a lung cancer patient, was diagnosed with the disease three years ago, 10 days after her 40th birthday.

The mother of two, who was a fit and healthy non-smoker, is still undergoing observation and is waiting for results from recent scans to see if she will require surgery to remove a new nodule that has appeared on her left lung.

Lung cancer patient Gillian Ryan.

As a non-stereotypical candidate for lung cancer, Ms Ryan is passionate about raising awareness of the symptoms of the disease and how it can impact anyone, regardless of lifestyle or habitual behaviours.

I was diagnosed with no symptoms, I was of optimal fitness  I ran 10km every day, and I went to the gym, [but now] I have had half of my right lung removed, and my lung capacity is at 70%, Ms Ryan told The Echo.

Getting that diagnosis, you die there, everything you know evaporates, and you have to pick the ashes up and try and form a new person with this disease inside thats literally trying to kill you.

Nobody in my family ever had a [cancer] diagnosis, she said.

It was just a cell mutation  it wasnt a genetic thing; it just happened.

I feel in this country we need more education, we need more awareness and more services surrounding lung cancer because knowledge is power, and it could save your life.

We need a mobile screening unit, like they have for breast cancer, and the Marie Keating Foundation seem to be the only people who are doing anything for lung cancer at the moment.

The Big Check Up campaign, now in its fifth year, was launched by the Marie Keating Foundation last week, in a bid to further promote awareness of the disease during the month of November, which is International Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

The campaign focuses on educating people about the symptoms of lung cancer, which include dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, back and shoulder pain, recurring chest infections, a deep cough for a prolonged period of time, and coughing up blood.

In Ireland, more than 2,500 people receive a lung cancer diagnosis each year, with just 24% of those diagnosed with the disease expected to survive more than five years.

The majority of lung cancer patients are diagnosed at stage three or stage four, meaning that treatment options are limited and survival rates are lower.

If in doubt, get checked out. Be your own advocate. I never thought Id get cancer  it wasnt even in my vocabulary  but one of my cells went rogue and here we are, said Ms Ryan.

For more information on The Big Check Up see: mariekeating.ie/the-big-check-up-2024/.
Principals in Cork primary schools are having sleepless nights as they worry about paying mounting power and heating bills and overheads associated with maintaining ageing schools from the capitation grant, which was only restored to pre-austerity levels of 200 per student a year in June.

It had last been at 200 in 2012, before being reduced to 170.

Siobhan Buckley, principal of Millstreet Presentation NS and member of the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) executive said the reality for principals is that the expenditure on heating, power, and other overheads leaves them with no money to purchase educational resources for the pupils.

Ms Buckley detailed how the school had to pay an electricity bill of 18,000 to cover the last school year, from September 2023 to August 2024, and a heating bill of 10,000. This took well over half of their capitation grant of 49,000.

Our main spending is on keeping the school open, keeping it heated, keeping it lit, keeping it maintained  theres actually no money left to invest in the education material thats so badly needed to implement the curriculum.

We have to go cap in hand to our parents association for fundraising  we fundraise ourselves, we have a coffee morning and other events  but that shouldnt be the case.

Ms Buckley spoke of meeting another Cork principal after a recent regional Into meeting who, she said, was so distressed over the financial situation.

At the moment they are giving a once-off cost-of-living grant, but it comes nowhere near whats needed  I think we got between 5,000-6,000 last year, its nearly an insult.

He was asking me, bottom line, was that grant coming because he was gone into the red. We really need to nurture these young principals, not to have them stressing out about stuff like this, because we will lose them, they will burn out and they will be gone.

Ms Buckley raised these issues with the Sinn Fein leader, Mary Lou McDonald, during her visit to Millstreet on Wednesday.

Ms McDonald, who was accompanied by the partys Cork North-West candidate, Nicole Ryan, said some of the concerns raised by the teacher would be addressed in Sinn Feins election manifesto, which is to be published on Tuesday.

What can you get for 200 nowadays? Nothing, Ms Ryan said. It is nothing for a child for a full year.

The principal of the Belgooly National School, Scoil Mhuire na nGras, Diarmuid Hennessy, said insurance costs at his school had increased from 9,900 in January 2023 to 15,800 this year.

Mr Hennessy pointed to a comprehensive attitudinal survey of Irish Primary Principals Network (IPPN) members conducted by the Deacon University in Geelong, Australia, and presented to the IPPN annual conference in Killarney yesterday which found that 61.8% of principals said more funding and resources were needed.

Principals are becoming preoccupied with basically making ends meet in terms of the basic utilities, let alone looking at educational resources and all of that, said Mr Hennessy.

Its causing a level of distress  it was identified in the research piece as the third major source of stress for school leaders in school  making ends meet.
A steel manufacturing company owned by well-known Cork businessman Noel C Duggan faces having to demolish part of a workshop after losing a planning row about noise from its plant in Millstreet.

An Bord Pleanala has upheld an appeal by the Church Street Residents Association against the decision of Cork County Council to grant retention permission to Noel C Duggan Structural Steel Limited for an extension to a workshop at its factory near the centre of the North Cork town.

The company sought retention permission for the extension after the local authority took enforcement action against it for allegedly building a shed and polluting the site with noise and odours.

The firm warned that the workshop was necessary to maintain the operational efficiency of the plant, which employs about 50 people.

However, the ruling by An Bord Pleanala clears the way for the local authority to recommence enforcement proceedings against the company if it continues to operate from a building without planning permission. The extension, for which planning permission was refused, is used for welding, cutting, drilling, cleaning, and the fabrication and processing of steel to be used in construction.

It covers an area of around 800sq m within the three-hectare site occupied by the plant, which normally operates between 7am and 5.30pm from Monday to Saturday.

People living in the area had complained about the level of noise and environmental pollution from the plant, which they claimed had been an extreme nuisance for residents of Church St since the early 2000s.

They claimed the construction of the extension in 2018 had resulted in the noise being exacerbated to almost unbearable levels, with additional fumes and toxins from the spraying of steel girders.

An Bord Pleanala ruling

In its ruling, An Bord Pleanala said the retention of the extension to the workshop would seriously injure the amenities of properties in the vicinity by reason of noise.

The board said that in making its findings it had taken into consideration the close proximity of the extension to residential dwellings.

It also claimed there was a lack of sufficient information on noise, as well as inconsistencies in identified noise sources and a lack of clarity about proposed mitigation measures.

The company claims it is the oldest family-run structural steel manufacturer in Ireland and now in its fifth generation, following its establishment in 1875.

Noel C Duggan Structural Steel maintained noise levels from the factory were well below limits set by Cork County Council and the Environmental Protection Agency.

The company also clarified that no painting process was carried out on the premises and said it was willing to take a number of measures to address the concerns of residents, including the installation of a noise barrier.

In its appeal, the Church Street Residents Association claimed that the row of terraced houses, which dates from the late 1800s, predates the development of the steel manufacturing plant.

The residents association complained that the Millstreet plant was generating both noise and environmental pollution, with noise levels regularly exceeding 100 decibels.
Progress on the Cork northern distributor multi-modal road has been welcomed, following a detailed update from Cork City Council this week.

Director of infrastructure development at Cork City Council Gerry OBeirne recently provided an update on the project to Tony Fitzgerald, Fianna Fail councillor for Cork City North West and party candidate for Cork North Central in the upcoming general election.

Mr OBeirne said the proposed road will provide a strategic orbital transport corridor around the northside of Cork city, improving the citys overall transport network.

Approximately 14km in length, the road will include dedicated bus lanes and related infrastructure such as bus stops, dedicated cycle lanes, high-quality footpaths, pedestrian crossings, as well as the traffic lanes in each direction.

The strategic assessment of the road was completed and approved in December 2023 and the project is currently at the route options report stage, where consideration will be given to the viable alternative routes, with an assessment of these options against a set of standard assessment topics.

Mr OBeirne said the resultant route options report will be finalised and submitted to the National Transport Authority (NTA) this month.

Following receipt of NTA approval, the related non-statutory public consultation process will be undertaken and is anticipated to commence before the end of the year.

The consultation process will inform the details of the final route to be brought forward into the preliminary design stage.

It is anticipated that the design team will be progressing with that phase of the scheme in the coming year.

Praising the advancement of the project as it reaches the route options report stage, Mr Fitzgerald described the project as essential to Corks future.

The northern distributor road is essential for Corks future, improving connectivity while easing traffic in the city, he said.

Its an ambitious project that reflects our commitment to sustainable development and long-term economic growth for Cork.
Cork City Council is to write to the Electoral Commission to suggest widening eligibility for postal voting in future elections.

The council unanimously passed a motion by Labour Party councillor Laura Harmon to request the Electoral Commission to allow the expansion of postal voting in all elections outside of the narrow current guidelines.

Currently, the majority of voters have to vote in person at an official voting centre.

Postal voting is allowed for Irish diplomats posted abroad, or their spouse or civil partner who is living abroad with them, or a whole-time member of the Defence Forces.

Additionally, a person could be eligible for a postal vote if they cannot go to a polling station because they have an illness or a disability, or they are studying full time at an educational institution in Ireland which is away from the home address where they are registered.

If a person cannot vote at their local polling station because of their occupation, service, or employment, they are a member of An Garda Siochana, or they are in prison, they could also be eligible for a postal vote.

For the 2024 general election, the deadline to register for the postal or special voters list expired last Sunday.

I meet so many people telling me they cant vote as they are away visiting family abroad or had holidays planned, Ms Harmon told The Echo.

Because the general election dates arent fixed, its hard for people to plan ahead and I know many people who would use a postal vote if they could."

Sinn Fein councillor Joe Lynch said: Postal voting for certain categories of employment is a well-established feature of our electoral system that works well. There is no reason why it should not be expanded as an option for all voters.

Social Democrats councillor Padraig Rice said: We need to make it easier for people to cast their vote."
A transformation of the care model for disabled people from the traditional medical model, which sees disability as a societal problem, to a social model which focuses on removing barriers and promoting inclusion.

That is the main message of a comprehensive manifesto prepared by Cork activist and journalist Joanne ORiordan, and presented to Mary Lou McDonald during the Sinn Fein leaders visit to Millstreet this week.

The 17-page document, prepared by Ms ORiordan in co-operation with other legal and disability experts, outlines specific reforms to home-care systems, disability benefits, caregiver support, and employment opportunities.

According to its author, it draws inspiration from Scandivaian models and emphasises the importance of accessibility, autonomy, and financial security for people with disabilities  while promoting inclusive policies and practices across all sectors of society.

Scandinavian countries have pioneered inclusive, high-quality home-care systems for people with disabilities, said Ms ORiordan in the introduction to the document, which sets as its first objective the introduction of individualised service plans. Based on what is in use in Denmark, these plans are tailored to each persons unique needs, preferences, and goals.

The Norwegian approach of user-controlled personal assistance means clients are given more control over their support.

The document proposes: Clients can hire, train, and manage their caregivers, promoting autonomy and customised care.

Governments can allocate funding directly to clients to ensure they have choice and flexibility in hiring personal care assistants.

I would like to see a transformation in the living care situation, said Ms ORiordan. Means-testing for care is a big one.

Because I now have access to care independently, my mothers carers allowance has been taken off her because shes deemed to not care for me long enough.

I wonder how, after 3pm, do I magically grow limbs and live an independent life.

Ms ORiordan said she would like to see an overall transformation in how disability is treated. Were obsessed with treating disability instead of looking at society and fixing society to get everyone involved, she said.

The Sinn Fein leader described those views as common sense and said she would study the document in more detail. We have made a commitment on ending the means test for carers allowance, so thats long overdue, she said.

We need a revolution in how we think about this and disabled people need to be at the heart of that.
Tributes have been pouring in following the passing of Midletons Billy Buckley.

Former foreman of Midleton Town Council, former chairman of Midleton UDC and former chairman of Midleton Tidy Towns, the unexpected passing of Billy Buckley has been met with deep sadness in the East Cork town.

Known best for his dedication to the community, Mr Buckley shared a deep pride for his hometown of Midleton and spent decades serving the people of the town in his many roles.

Billys nephew and East Cork Sinn Fein TD Pat Buckley shared fond memories of his uncle:

I remember when he was in the Midleton Council, he would be down the Main Street at half six in the morning painting poles. He just loved giving back to the community, the Midelton based TD told The Echo.

He will be a massive loss to the town. He was a great man for the community, he was a cracker.

The sad passing of the former Midleton Town Council foreman comes shortly after his retirement, with his nephew saying:

Hes not long retired. Of course, when you hit retirement age, you have to retire but he wanted to keep going. He couldnt cope with not being busy.

He was just amazing, and we will give him a good send off as we always do, he deserves it.

Tributes were also made by Mr Buckleys former colleagues at Midleton Tidy Town committee who said they were "heartbroken" to hear the news.

Not only was Billy a former towns foreman, chairman of Midleton UDC and chairman of Midleton Tidy Towns, he was Midleton.

He lived for his home town, every day trying his hardest to improve it and making it a town to be proud to be from.

His knowledge was unbelievable, and any thing was never too much trouble.

His help and dedication to Midleton Tidy Towns will be greatly missed but we appreciate everything that he has done to get us back on track in the competition and we will keep going in your memory."

Leader of Sinn Fein, Mary Lou McDonald wrote: Offering my deepest sympathy to the Buckley family in Midleton and to his nephew Pat as this very difficult and sad time. He was a great community person.

Billy is survived by his wife Catherine and daughters Nicola and Laura.

He will be reposing at his home on the Youghal Road on Sunday, November 17.

The Requiem Mass will take place at The Church of The Most Holy Rosary in Midleton on Monday, November 18.
Two Cork women who are no longer friends were together when a speaker containing a hidden stash of thousands of euro worth of cannabis was delivered.

They were caught within moments of the parcel being taken into the house and later charged with having the substantial quantity of cannabis for sale or supply.

Detective Garda Dermot Crowley gave evidence against the two women  Rachel Scannell, aged 39, of Farranferris Crescent, Farranree, Cork, and Charlene Crowley, aged 42, of Fairfield Meadows, Cork, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

On October 21, 2022, at Ms Crowleys home at Fairfield Meadows, the controlled delivery of a package was carried out by Customs and Excise officers and An Garda Siochana.

It had become known to the authorities that there was an illegal drug inside.

The declared item was a speaker but the internal wiring and components had been removed to allow for the packing of the drugs.

Detective Garda Crowley said: It was delivered to Charlene Crowleys home.

Rachel Scannell accepted the package and signed for it. She later placed the package into the rear seat of a car and drove from the residence.

Gardai intercepted and seized this package and another package.

The total quantity of cannabis seized amounted to approximately 50,000.

Most of that cannabis was contained in that October 21 delivery.

Being a quantity greater than 13,000, which they both admitted having for sale or supply, they were at risk of minimum sentences of 10 years unless Judge Dermot Sheehan found there were exceptional circumstances in the case.

Tom Creed, senior counsel, said:

This was the biggest mistake Rachel Scannell ever made and she regrets it every day.

She was unfortunate she was in her friends house and she agreed to sign for a package.

It would appear that they are not friends any more and that is understandable.

The controlled delivery of a package at this address on October 21, 2022, was not addressed to her.

Ms Scannell took the package in. She removed another package from under a bed upstairs and drove them away.

Both packages contained cannabis.

Mr Creed said she has no previous convictions, works in two part-time jobs, and is deemed to be at low risk of re-offending.

Judge Sheehan said, in sentencing Rachel Scannell: I am concerned about the background of the accused.

She has a lot of responsibilities.

Given the unusual nature of her role, foolishly helping her friend, I will impose a sentence of three years, which will be suspended provided she keeps a clear record and comes to no adverse notice.

Alice Fawsitt, senior counsel, stressed that Charlene Crowley does not take drugs and she asked for an opportunity to show she is not taking drugs and does not have an ambivalent attitude to drugs.

Judge Sheehan said: Ms Crowleys case is more complex in terms of background and consumption of other drugs. I will adjourn sentencing until the February 2025 sessions. I am making no promises.

The judge required that she would be subject to three urinalysis tests in the meantime.
A Louth man passing through Redemption Road in Cork jumped out of a BMW when gardai approached and he was seen throwing a clear plastic bag into a grassy area.

That was the scenario described by Detective Garda Linda OKeeffe at Cork Circuit Criminal Court in the sentencing hearing for 33-year-old Darragh Smith, who is residing in accommodation provided by the Peter McVerry Trust in Dublin and is formally of County Louth.

Darragh Smith was arrested and the plastic bag was recovered. It contained 60,000 worth of Diamorphine (heroin) and 7,000 worth of crack cocaine.

Detective Garda OKeeffe testified that Mr Smith was a passenger in the BMW car being driven along Redemption Road in Cork city at around 6.30pm on March 31, 2023. He tried to discard the bag as soon as he exited the car, the detective said.

Donal OSullivan defence senior counsel said the accused was addicted to cocaine at the time.

He has done everything he can to sort himself out. Now at the age of 33 he is coming out the other side.

I would have to submit there are exceptional circumstances for the court not to impose a direct custodial sentence.

This is a man perfectly capable of doing very well in life. He is no harm to anybody. He was not making any money out of this, Mr OSullivan said.

The defence lawyer said the defendant had a 20,000 drugs debt and he was asked to drop this package to Cork to clear some of the debt.

Judge Dermot Sheehan agreed not to finalise sentencing and instead to adjourn it for a year for Mr Smith to keep going with his rehabilitation.

The judge said: He had fallen into this very serious offence because of his addiction issue.

Before coming here he has done everything he could do to address his difficulties. He is not finished yet.

Regardless of rehabilitation it may require a custodial sentence.

I will give him an opportunity to put his best foot forward. To be satisfied it is truly exceptional he would have to complete the process and have gone further than he has gone at this stage.

I cannot say a custodial sentence will not be imposed but he should be given a chance to put his best foot forward.

The judge also directed preparation of an updated probation report as he adjourned sentencing until November 13, 2025.
Cork City FC has launched their 2025 home shirt, which has been designed and manufactured by the club.

In what is a first for Rebel Army Clothing, the clubs new in-house brand, the jersey takes inspiration from Cork citys Norse / Viking history and displays a faint pattern on the body, taken from the drawings of that era.

The white shirt features a woven club badge, with an embroidered outline, and displays the Zeus Packaging logo on the front.

There is a green and red vertical line running down the front of the jersey, which also has a green and red trim around the neckline.

Owner of Cork City FC, Dermot Usher said: We are always excited about the launch of our new jersey but this year has the added bonus of being designed and manufactured by our own in-house team.

Rebel Army Clothing has been producing superb products since it launched this year and we are exceptionally proud to say that the club is now able to make its own jersey.

Were also delighted to confirm that the jerseys are 15 cheaper than last year, another plus for city fans.

The jersey, priced at 60 for adult sizes, and 50 for youth and childrens sizes, is available for purchase at the Cork City FC shop in Douglas or online.

The teams away jersey will be launched in the coming days, with further exclusive clothing brands by Rebel Army Clothing to be introduced next year.
A kissing couple accidentally bumped into a woman at a nightclub during college rag week resulting in her boyfriend assaulting the man who had been kissing by punching him 20 times fracturing his left eye socket.

Garda Lorraine ODonovan described the incident which played out at Reardens, Washington Street, Cork, on the night of February 13 2023.

Judge Helen Boyle noted that the accused man Ivan Quirke acted in an out of character manner but she said he got involved in a situation in which he should never have become engaged.

She noted payment of 5,000 compensation and the fact that he had not been in any trouble before or since this occurred. She imposed a sentence of 16 months which was suspended.

21-year-old Ivan Quirke of Brook Cottage, Sraleigh, Waterfall, Cork, pleaded guilty previously to the charge of assault causing harm to another man at Reardens on February 13 2023.

Defence barrister Peter OFlynn said the defendant wrote a letter of apology to the injured party and had virtually withdrawn from going out socially since he assaulted the other student in a serious over-reaction to a situation.

Judge Boyle agreed that the young man totally over-reacted by first pushing the other man, then pushing him head to head before raining 20 punches down on him when he was helpless to defend himself and he suffered a facture of his left eye socket.

Fortunately the injured party has made a good recovery.

Judge Boyle said the remorse shown by the accused was genuine and said it was appropriate to fully suspend the sentence
Eva Osborne

Gardai are appealing for witnesses following a serious road traffic collision on the N11 in Cabinteely on Thursday.

Gardai and emergency services were alerted to a collision involving a car and e-bike on the N11 at the junction with Johnstown Road shortly before 5pm.

The cyclist, a man aged in his 20s, was seriously injured. He was conveyed by ambulance to Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, where his condition is understood to be serious.

The scene is preserved for a technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and traffic diversions are in place.

Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward.

Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area at the time are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardai.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Dun Laoghaire Garda Station 01 6665000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

Fine Gael has a clear lead over other parties two weeks out from the general election, a new poll has suggested.

A new Irish Times/Ipsos B&A poll puts Simon Harriss party on 25 per cent support, ahead of both Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein on 19 per cent.

The poll also suggests a surge in support for independent candidates, who have received 20 per cent support.

Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin had a satisfaction rating of 45 per cent among respondents in the new poll. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Images

This includes support for the new Independent Ireland party.

Labour is on five per cent, the Social Democrats on four per cent, the Green Party on three per cent, Aontu on three per cent and People Before Profit Solidarity on two per cent.

The poll indicates that Mr Harris is the most popular party leader with a satisfaction rating of 50 per cent, ahead of Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin on 45 per cent and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald on 31 per cent.

Green Party leader Roderic OGorman has a satisfaction rating of 21 per cent.

When asked what issue would have most influence on their vote, 30 per cent of respondents said the cost of living.

Health was next on the list with 18 per cent, followed by house prices (17 per cent), immigration (nine per cent) and the economy (six per cent).

The poll was conducted among a representative sample of adults aged 18 years and upwards across 120 sampling points throughout all constituencies.

It was conducted through face-to-face sampling with personal in-home interviewing taking place on November 12th and 13th with 1,200 interviews conducted.

The accuracy is estimated at plus or minus 2.8 per cent.
Ellen O'Donoghue

A woman in her 40s is due in court on Friday morning charged in connection with last November's Dublin riots.

She will appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice at 10.30am.

She was arrested on Thursday along with a man in his 30s who appeared in court last night.

He was before Dublin District Court charged in connection with the investigations into serious public disorder on November 23rd last year in the city centre.

This brings the number of arrests in connection with the riots to 53.

Riots broke out on the streets of Dublin in November 2023 after a girl, aged five, was severely wounded, and two other children were injured in a knife attack at Parnell Square.
Sarah Slater

Irelands largest Christmas festival, Winterval, is returning for its 12th year.

Waterford has been designated the European City of Christmas 2024.

Beginning on Friday, November 15th, the festival will run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday over the next six weeks before concluding on Monday, December 23rd.

The International Jury of the European Capital and City of Christmas 2024 competition was unanimously voted to award the European City of Christmas to Waterford last year.

As Irelands first dedicated Christmas festival, created by Waterford City and County Council in partnership with local stakeholders in 2012, year after year the festival has attracted on average 500,000 visitors throughout its six-week calendar.

More than 700,000 visitors are anticipated to visit the festival this year with over 60 events planned.

Tonight, Santa Claus will be stopping by Waterford City to officially launch the Winterval festival, with a little help from the Mayor of Waterford City and County, councillor Jason Murphy.

At 6pm, Santa himself will be on Broad Street to switch on the Christmas lights.

On Saturday, the Winterval Parade will take place in the city, and will feature some of the main attractions of the festival, such as acts from The Trash Test Dummies, the cast of Waterford Panto, and the delightful Waterford Viking Elves, 'old world' choristers, the Winterval Mini Express Train, visitors from the North Pole, Monster Trucks, Nutcracker Brass Band and fire performers.

One of this year's much anticipated events is the 'Gateway to Brno'- a live portal that will connect Waterford to the Czech city of Brno, a fellow European City of Christmas. The portal opening will take place at noon on Sunday, in the Apple Market.

Co-directors of Winterval, John Grubb and Trevor Darmody said: It is the first year of the celebration of our European title and while that has certainly added some pressure on us at Winterval to deliver more, it was a task that we relished.

We took a look at what was happening at other festivals globally but also at what our beautiful ancient city could offer, and we have come up with a programme that brings the two together."

Some road closures are in place and will remain until January 5th next year.
An acclaimed Ukrainian artist has been making her mark on the Cork cultural scene since she fled her home country and came to live here in 2022.

Recently, a book illustrated by Anastasia Melnykova was shortlisted for the prestigious Oireachtas Publishing Awards.

Anastasia was born into a family of painters, and from the age of five, was already taking part in all-Ukrainian and international exhibitions and competitions.

More often than not, I took home first place, with grand prizes and gold medals lining the shelves. My parents, alongside the art school I attended, taught me the ins and outs of oil painting and the academic style of drawing.

But sure enough, I eventually found my own way in the world of graphic arts, said Anastasia, who lives in Crosshaven.

'A difficult decision'

A graduate of the Graphic Arts Department of the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture in Kyiv, she was also the co-founder of one of the largest art platforms in Ukraine.

Anastasia was born into a family of painters, and from the age of five, was already taking part in all-Ukrainian and international exhibitions and competitions.

In addition to that, I worked with an illustration agency that designed large murals for supermarkets, she said.

In her own words, her life in Kyiv was full of artistic hustle and bustle.

Up until 2022, I was fully immersed in building my career. Then, in February, the war broke out, and like many others, my family and I had to flee, she remembers.

Living in Kyiv during the war was terrifying. By the end of February, Russian forces had surrounded the city. For a week, we sheltered in the basement of our building, uncertain of what the next day would bring. When the chance finally came to leave, we took it.

I have always loved to travel and explore new countries, but I never had the desire to leave my homeland permanently. Yet, in that moment, I made the difficult decision to leave behind my loved ones, my home, and my country  all for the safety of my son who was just five years old when the war began.

'A sign from the heavens'

Before she left Ukraine, she came upon a Cork Printmakers project, In from the Margins.

I applied and was selected! It was like a sign from the heavens, telling me that I needed to go to the country of my dreams. Ireland had always been a place close to my heart, with its stunning natural beauty and the opportunity to join an art residency. It felt like fate had brought us here, as if every sign pointed towards this beautiful country. I believe it was meant to be, she said.

For the month of July 2022, she worked in residence at Cork Printmakers, creating new etchings, and the following April, the works were exhibited in Edinburgh. Last October she had her own water-colour exhibition at Cork Airport.

Around the same time, I began collaborating with several Irish publishing houses, including Leabhar Breac, Futa Fata, and Bullaun Press. I was honoured to hear such kind words from their editorial teams about my previous illustrations and paintings, and it was a joy to work on the projects they offered.

She said she was particularly delighted when she found out shed be illustrating Deirdre.

A book illustrated by Anastasia Melnykova was recently shortlisted for the prestigious Oireachtas Publishing Awards.

The collaboration was a perfect match: since shes been a child she has had a keen interest in Irish history, culture, ornamentation, and legends.

Many of my etchings have been inspired by Celtic culture and Irish mythology, so its fair to say my love for this land goes way back, she said.

Written by Connemara author Darach O Scolai, the story of Deirdre and the sons of Uisneach is one of Irelands greatest tales.

What a unique and captivating story, one that touches the soul! said Anastasia.

Alongside Darach, I spent four months creating illustrations for this beautiful work. We were all thrilled with the final result  the depth, the thoughtfulness, the mystery in each piece. I worked mostly on paper, using pencils and ink, and later added colour digitally. It turned out beautifully, and both the publisher and I were proud as punch.

It was a lovely surprise to hear the book had been nominated for an award. As an artist, theres nothing like that feeling of knowing your work has been recognised at such a high level. Im chuffed to bits for the publisher, and beyond grateful to have played a part in bringing this story to life.

'Meant to be'

Anastasia is already involved in various other projects.

Ive just wrapped up another big project for publishers Futa Fata, An Fia sa Choill.

Im happy to say that Ive finally started to settle back into a vibrant creative life in a place that feels like home.
US firms bullish on China's industrial transformation

08:44, November 15, 2024 By Zhong Nan ( China Daily

China's ongoing transformation and upgrade of traditional industries, coupled with the expansion of emerging sectors, will offer manufacturers in the United States vast opportunities for growth and commercial engagement, said executives of US corporations.

They said this strategic shift not only strengthens China's industrial landscape, but also creates new avenues for US firms to innovate and grow within its market, even against the backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions and slowing demand for goods in many regions around the world.

Milliken &Co, a US specialty chemical and performance materials company, is expected to maintain double-digit growth in China through 2025, driven by the country's rising demand for high-end textile materials and chemicals.

"With years of accumulated technologies and experience at our innovation center in the US, we are aiming to integrate these strengths with new applications in China, creating a unique range of products specifically tailored for the Chinese market," said Ed Zhao, the group's senior vice-president and managing director for Asia.

The expansion of Milliken's Shanghai Technology and research and development center was completed in late 2023, making it the group's largest innovation facility in the Asia-Pacific region.

Zhao said his company hopes to see stable and harmonious US-China business relations. For companies, having a stable and predictable business environment is fairly critical.

The South Carolina-based group currently operates two China plants  in Shanghai and Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province. In addition to supplying textile materials and chemicals to domestic customers, it also exports to countries such as South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, and India from China.

Exports of foreign-invested businesses in China amounted to 5.77 trillion yuan ($796.91 billion) between January and October 2024, marking a year-on-year growth of 1.9 percent, according to data from the General Administration of Customs.

Also upbeat about the Chinese market, GE Vernova Inc, a US energy equipment manufacturer, believes that China's commitment to energy transition and progress in building a new electricity system is remarkable.

China's large renewable installed base and strong renewable manufacturing capability uniquely enable green hydrogen accessibility and affordability to be achieved in its market first, leading the global energy transition, said Ramesh Singaram, president and CEO of GE Vernova Gas Power Asia.

The US company and Heilongjiang province-based Harbin Electric Corp signed a cooperation agreement to provide two heavy duty gas turbines for CHN Energy Investment Group's Anji power plant in Zhejiang province, during the seventh China International Import Expo in Shanghai last week.

The project is expected to be operational in 2026, with an installed capacity of more than 1.6 gigawatts. This will help ensure the reliability of the energy system and the stability of the power grid, supporting the continued expansion of renewable energy deployment in Zhejiang.

China's continued advancements in market openness, product innovation and business model transformation will solidify its role as a strategic priority for global manufacturing businesses, driving sustainable long-term financial returns, said Peng Bo, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation in Beijing.

As China has already become a key export hub for many foreign corporations, this reality has brought many growth points for companies, including service sector players, he said.

US express transport company Federal Express Corp announced earlier this week the increased frequency of an international cargo flight between Qingdao, Shandong province, and the US, alongside the inauguration of its Qingdao international gateway facility.

This initiative will enhance Fed-Ex's network in China and empower local businesses to capitalize on global trade opportunities with more efficient and intelligent logistics services and solutions, said Poh-Yian Koh, senior vice-president of FedEx and president of FedEx China.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Elon Musks X is taking the state of California to court over a new law that prevents the spread of AI-generated election misinformation. Bloomberg reports that X filed a lawsuit against AB 2655, also known as the Defending Democracy from Deepfake Deception Act of 2024, in a Sacramento federal court.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law on September 17, creating accountability standards for using false political speech faked with AI programs close to an election. The legislation prevents the distribution of materially deceptive audio or visual media of a candidate within 60 days of an election at which the candidate will appear on the ballet.

X argues that the law will create more political speech censorship. The complaint says the First Amendment includes tolerance for potentially false speech made in the context of such criticisms.

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Newsom signed AB 2655 into law as part of a large package of bills addressing concerns about the use of AI to create sexually explicit deepfakes and other deceptive material. The next day, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction against the law and other bills from Newsoms signing.
Sen. Warner wants to know what Valve is doing to curb and remove anti-Semetic posts.

A damning report from the Anti-Defamation League published Thursday on the unprecedented amount of racist and violent content on Steam Community has prompted a US Senator to take action. In a letter spotted by The Verge, Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) asked Valve CEO Gabe Newell how he and his company are addressing the issue.

My concern is elevated by the fact that Steam is the largest single online gaming digital distribution and social networking platform in the world with over 100 million unique user accounts and a user base similar in scale to that of the traditional social media and social network platforms, Warner wrote.

The senator also cited Steams online conduct policy that states users may not upload or post illegal or inappropriate content [including] [real] or disturbing depictions of violence or harass other users or Steam personnel.

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Valve must bring its content moderation practices in line with industry standards or face more intense scrutiny from the federal government for its complicity in allowing hate groups to congregate and engage in activities that undoubtedly puts Americans at risk, Warner writes.

Congress doesnt have the ability to take action on Valve or any platform except to shine light on the problem through letters and committee hearings. The Supreme Court overturned two state laws in June that prevented government officials from communicating with social media companies about objectionable content.

This also isnt the first time that Congress has raised concerns with Valve about extremist and racist content created by users or players in one of its products. The Senate Committee on the Judiciary sent a letter to Newell in 2023 to express concerns about players posting and spouting racist language in Valves multiplayer online arena game Dota 2.

We reached out to Valve for comment. We will update this story if we receive a statement or reactions from Valve.
If you've been even remotely tuned into the Kardashian's ever-evolving family drama after moving their reality show from E! To Hulu, you're more or less familiar with Kim Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian's longstanding feud over the luxury brand Dolce & Gabbana.

Tension between the sisters began when Kourtney announced her collaboration with D&G for her wedding to Travis Barker in 2022. Kim, who had a long history of working with the brand, including past partnerships and red-carpet looks, found the choice to be strange.

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed Kourney feeling sidelined and expressing her disappointment that Kim continued to collaborate with the brand on the heels of her wedding.

The feud intensified, as Kourtney accused Kim of trying to overshadow her and play off her own connections with the brand. Kim, on the other hand, felt that Kourtney was being overly dramatic and possessive.

Kim dragged Kourtney here. Kourtney is the most delusional person ever. she better not dare come back next season, shes insufferable pic.twitter.com/8QnKjRx7a7  la nina  (@ncobyle) July 6, 2023

However, it seems the two have finally brought the feud to an end by collaborating on a SKIMS x Dolce & Gabbana campaign.

kim and kourtney sealing their dolce vita beef with a skims x D&G campaign by nadia lee cohen! pic.twitter.com/o2nYEP72uO   (@slutforpop) November 14, 2024

Shot by Nadia Lee Cohen, the chic lookbook showcases the sisters arm in arm in an Italian landscape. Kim and Kourtney also notoriously feuded over Kourtney's wedding being in Italy, after Kim's wedding to ex-husband Kanye West was in Italy as well.

Fans reacted joyously to the photoshoot, finding relief in the face that there would be no more seasons centered on the same ongoing argument.

Im so glad she got Kourtney to do the Dolce and Gabbana x Skims collab with her! I dont think I can handle another season of Kourtney shaming kim for working with them lol  A  (@heyyarnolddd) November 14, 2024

Yall not bout to sit up here and tell me Kim K and her team arent marketing geniuses



Adding Kourt to the #D&G / #Skims collab after that whole wedding feud



*chefs kiss* pic.twitter.com/tHVKD3HdM3  daddy luci. (@daddi_luci) November 14, 2024

The limited-edition collaboration pieces will be available to the public on Nov. 19.
The legal battle between former couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie over the French winery Chateau Miraval is set to drag on as it heads toward trial.

Now, the A-list stars are preparing to sit for depositions. These sessions could reveal more intimate details about their past relationship, adding another layer to their ongoing saga.

Insiders who spoke with sources at Page Six have revealed that upcoming depositions are on the horizon, hinting that this feud may extend all the way into 2026.

"Eventually, Angie and Brad will have to sit for depositions. There's no way out now as they move closer to trial."

In a bid to challenge Jolie's transfer of shares to Russian corporation Stoli Group, Pitt is seeking to nullify the sale, citing a breach of their right of first refusal agreement.

Following their decision to part ways in 2016, the situation turned chaotic. Jolie made the unexpected decision to sell her ownership stake to the Russian corporation without giving her ex-husband any notice, which reportedly went against a previous agreement, giving the "Ocean's Eleven" actor the opportunity to purchase the shares first.

Pitt's legal representatives argue that the "Tomb Raider" actress' actions were motivated by personal animosity and a deliberate intent to harm him financially.

In response to Pitt's actions, Jolie retaliated by making allegations and disclosing personal aspects of their relationship through legal documents. She argued that the reason she did not sell to him was due to his requirement for her to sign a binding non-disclosure agreement pertaining to supposed past wrongdoings, as well as his request for access to her previous NDAs.

But in a recent ruling by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge, Jolie's request to dismiss the case was denied, allowing the legal dispute to move forward without hindrance.
Yung Joc wanted to support Kamala Harris and her bid for the White House, but was allegedly denied over a past lyric where he referenced Donald Trump.

The rapper sat down with Angela Yee on her Power 105 show 'Way Up' on November 12. During his time there, he detailed how the Harris' campaign denied his performance because he referenced Trump on his 2006 breakout single, "It's Goin' Down."

"So I get a call to perform at a rally for Kamala. I'm like, 'H-ll yeah!' Then [later] they're like, 'I'm sorry that's been shut down, sir.' [I'm like,] 'Why's that been shut down?' [They told me,] 'The record that you were going to perform, it quotes, 'Boys in the hood call me Black Donald Trump.' I'm like d-mn. It was a different time and it was propaganda for me then!" he told Yee.

@wayupwithyee Yung Joc faces backlash after a controversial Trump lyric leads to a canceled performance. The rapper has since removed the line from his future sets. Thoughts? Click the link in the bio to watch the full interview on @WayUpWithYee on YouTube  original sound - Way Up With Angela Yee - Way Up With Angela Yee

This is not the first time that a Yung Joc performance has been met with controversy. The rapper previously said that he would decline an offer of $250,000 to perform for the LGBTQ+ community.

Speaking to VladTV in October 2023, he shared that he would not be "comfortable" at an LGBTQ+ event.

"Ain't nobody ever gave me $250,000 for a show, ever in my career. Don't get me wrong, if somebody called me today, 'Yo, man. We'll give you a quarter-million'...Nah, I may not do it either. It's not that I have nothing against the LGBTQ people. But I just may not understand. I may not be in the know enough to feel comfortable enough to do this. Nah, because I don't want to start doing that. Maybe I don't want to be comfortable with this lifestyle. Is that OK?" he said via 'HipHopDX.'

"I may not be comfortable rapping this song, and this man is looking at me with lustful eyes with his nipples out. With lipstick on rapping my lyrics to me," he added.

While Yung Joc may not have showed up for Harris, who would go on to lose the presidential election to Trump, she did garner support at her rallies from the likes of Beyonce, Lizzo and more.

However, not all of her guests were met with praise. Both GloRilla and Megan Thee Stallion's performances were met with criticism over their dance moves, in particular, their twerking.

Megan Thee Stallion was even blamed for costing Harris the election. Some people on social media called her performance "too raunchy."

However, the self-proclaimed Houston Hottie hit back at the accusations in a post to her social media.

"They was fake mad that I was popping it for Kamala. And I don't think they heard what she said. Kamala said she wants a ceasefire. Kamala said she supports women's rights. Kamala said she's tired of the high a** gas prices. Kamala said I'm for people... Hotties for Harris!" Megan said.

Many people felt that Megan should have focused on speaking about her degree in Health Administration instead to speak about the importance of universal healthcare rather than twerk.

--Originally appeared on 'Music Times.'
A Gloucestershire farmer has explained his reasons why he is attending next week's London rally following the budget and its 'severe impact' it would have.

Richard Moor, who farms at Moor Farm near the Cotswolds, warns in this article that the industry is now at breaking point and the inheritance of his sons is at stake.

"The recent budget fails to acknowledge the realities of farming.

"I employ a 16-year-old apprentice who is exceptional, but rising minimum wage and National Insurance costs make it hard to justify hiring replacements, threatening the pipeline of young talent.

"Changes to inheritance tax will severely impact our family farm - my father, 93, has dedicated his life to this land.

"But the new cap on relief means costly financial planning and potentially selling land just to meet tax obligations.

"Farmings returns are low, and land is valuable only when sold - a situation at odds with sustainable farming practices.

"Diversification has been crucial to our survival - weve developed a glamping business with seven lodges hosting around 2,000 visitors annually.

"This alternative revenue stream has helped us keep the farm running while allowing us to educate the public about regenerative agriculture.

"However, the Balfour test [the set of criteria against which a farm's eligibility for business relief may be assessed], which requires at least 50% of income to come from traditional farming, limits further expansion, jeopardising this vital income.

"We need policies that recognise farming as vital to the nations food security. Simply put - no farmers, no food.

"This is why Im joining fellow farmers in London to demand that our concerns be addressed.

"We need a government that understands and supports the backbone of the UKs food system."

The NFU has organised a 'mass lobby of MPs' event, taking place on Tuesday 19 November, which will be attended by 1,800 farmers and is at full capacity.

The venue for this is the Church House conference centre in Westminster, where farmers will ask their MPs to 'look them in the eye' and tell them whether they support changes outlined in last week's budget.

At the same time, and independent of the NFU's rally, thousands of farmers are expected to protest on the streets of Westminster, with those wanting to attend urged to register now.
Lidl has said it is on track to invest a total of 21 billion in British farming over a five-year period, exceeding its original goal of 15 billion.

This equates to an additional 6 billion, and follows numerous retailers eager to showcase their support for the industry as farmer confidence is at an all time low.

In the last financial year alone, the retailer has invested around 5 billion, including 1 billion for the free range egg sector and 1.5 billion for beef producers.

Currently two thirds of its products within its permanent range are from British farmers, with 100% of its milk, butter, eggs, cream, pork, chicken, and beef being British.

Richard Bourns, chief commercial officer at Lidl GB, said that, 'now more than ever', the retailer was 'committed to supporting British farmers'

He added: "One of the things were most proud of are the strong relationships weve built with British suppliers, who have grown with us over the years.

"By continuing to invest in British agriculture, were helping to ensure our suppliers can thrive in the future, providing the British-sourced products our customers love all year round.

Earlier this month, Morrisons confirmed it will invest 1.4 billion in its farmer suppliers for 2025 alone, as it commits to 'standing shoulder to shoulder' with the industry.

It comes as eight major UK supermarkets have added a buy British button to their websites following a farming industry campaign.

The move will allow shoppers to be able to identify British food more easily when doing their online shop.
Farmers have been urged to write to their MPs to highlight the 'devastating personal impact' of the changes to agricultural property relief on their futures.

Making the call is the National Pig Association (NPA), which described the recent autumn budget as having some of the 'most nonsensical policies ever'.

There has been huge backlash to changes that will result in farms facing inheritance tax bills that could force a restructure, or, in some cases, selling the business.

Despite intense lobbying from farming bodies, the Treasury is currently sticking by its line that this will only affect a minority of farmers and landowners.

However, a recent report by the BBC suggested the Treasury had no intention of making any changes to the policy, despite concerns within Defra.

It has been reported that some rural MPs are coming under intense pressure from constituents to oppose the policy.

NPA chairman Rob Mutimer said it was 'vital' that farmers set out their individual cases so MPs could see the 'true impact this policy will have on farm businesses and food security'.

He said: I urge all members who are affected by this to write to their MPs to show that it is family farms who are going to suffer from this, not rich landowners who can afford it or find ways around it.

It is absolutely ludicrous to say most family farms wont be brought into this. I have spoken to many farmers about this, and it is clear that even people with average-sized farms will face inheritance tax bills of hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Many businesses simply will not be able cope with that and will have to sell off parts of the farm to pay for it, making them and the wider industry less competitive.

Yes, there are things farmers can do, such as gifting farms to offspring and starting the succession process earlier, but, in many cases that is not straightforward.

"Any family farm that hasnt got their succession sorted out could be in an absolute mess, unless the government looks again at this.

The NPA leader said that even if the government didn't scrap the policy altogether, there was a lot it could do to mitigate the worst of the damage for farmers, such as pushing the start back and increasing the thresholds.

Farmers feel a sense of betrayal after all the assurances we received from the prime minister and Defra ministers before the election on APR and their wider commitment to supporting British farming," he added.

"That all disappeared with this announcement, and I fear the relationship will be permanently damaged unless there is an urgent rethink.

Mr Mutimer confirmed he would be attending the NFU mass lobbying event on Tuesday 19 November, which has been restricted to 1,800 farmers.

However, he urged farmers to register for a parallel rally that it is expected to be attended by thousands, also taking place on 19 November and in central London.
Plans to build the UKs largest solar farm covering some 2,400-acres of land in Oxfordshire have been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for review.

The Botley West Solar Farm, once built, would become the UKs largest solar farm, generating enough energy to power 330,000 homes.

Photovolt Development Partners, a company based in Germany, said it was 'pleased' that the project would now enter a new phase.

However, campaign group Stop Botley West warned that the scheme was 'of a scale that's entirely inappropriate for this region'.

The first step of the new phase will be a 28 day acceptance phase, where the Planning Inspectorate will ask local authorities if the consultation process was adequate and done in accordance with legal requirements.

The inspectorates recommendations will then be presented to the Energy and Net Zero Secretary, Ed Miliband, for final approval.

Solar projects above 50MW are considered nationally significant and therefore require ministerial approval, as opposed to local authority consent.

Since coming to office, Mr Miliband has approved four solar farms through the same process.

The new Labour government pledged to treble UK solar power capacity to 40GW by 2030, and to 75 GW by 2035, representing a quadrupling of current generating capacity.

According to Photovolt, Botley West would deliver 840MW to the national grid, the equivalent of enough generating capacity to power 330,000 homes.

It said the development would add 'significant' green energy capacity, creating jobs, boosting biodiversity and 'opening up grazing space on land that has been intensively farmed'.

Photovolt director, Mark Owen-Lloyd said We are pleased formally to complete the submission of our plans for Botley West, which will make a huge contribution towards achieving net zero in the UK.

"This project will help equip Britain to mitigate the impact of devastating climate change."

Turning to the economic impact, he said: Botley West represents a major investment of 800 million, creating skilled jobs and helping power local businesses.

"Our submission includes community benefits aimed at ensuring those nearest to the project benefit financially.

But Alex Rogers, who is chair of Stop Botley West, told BBC Radio Oxford that the group would present 'extremely strong' evidence to the inspectorate.

He criticised Photovolt for making 'almost no changes' following the consultations, and he also claimed the farm would 'exacerbate' flooding in the area.

"This particular scheme is far too big - it's sited in an area of very complex topography with river catchments of several rivers," he told the broadcaster.

It comes after the Countryside Alliance recently called for a 'rooftop-first' approach to solar power rather than on farmland.

It argued that solar panels should be placed on the rooftops of new homes, commercial buildings, and car parks before using productive farmland or greenfield sites.
A Swedish government minister is "getting professional help" for her banana phobia.

Bananas are the cause of Paulina Brandberg's phobia

Paulina Brandberg, the minister of equality, brands her fear as the "world's weirdest phobia" as she has to get aides to remove all traces of the yellow fruit from rooms before she enters, as well as premises wherever she is doing official engagements due to her "strong allergy".

Her need for banana-free zones came to light after Swedish newspaper Expressen saw leaked emails.

The liberal politician, 41, told the publication that her bananaphobia was "something I'm getting professional help for".

It is reported that the condition is uncommon, and that it can bring on sickness or anxiety.

According to Ulf Kristersson, the Swedish Prime Minister, it is not affecting Paulina's government duties, and he is unhappy that people are making fun of her phobia.

Mr. Kristersson, 60, said: "I am disturbed when a hard-working cabinet member is almost reduced to a phobia and people make fun of it. I think you should be too good for that."
Cynthia Erivo related to her part in 'Wicked' as she has always felt like an outsider.

Cynthia Erivo found it easy to connect to her Wicked role

The 37-year-old star plays the role of Elphaba in the two-part movie adaptation of the hit musical of the same name and noted that she and her alter ego were alike as they are a "bit different" to everybody else.

Speaking on 'The View', Cynthia said: "When I first saw it a good few years ago, I felt like I recognised something in the character, the feeling of being on the outside, being a bit different, not fitting in.

"And I guess there was something about it that felt familiar, and I felt like it was important to be a part of the storytelling, because I could understand it well."

The 'Harriet' star has always thought of herself as "different" and hopes that others who feel the same way are inspired when they see Elphaba in the film.

She said: "I think I'm a bit of an odd one out often. I walk into the room, and especially in this particular field of work, I'm different.

"There aren't many who look like me. I stick out, I'm an odd one out.

"I hope that people see Elphaba and understand if they feel different, and if they feel like they're on the outside, that that only makes them more special."

Cynthia stars opposite pop star Ariana Grande in the movie and explained how she developed an immediate "connection" with the chart-topper.

She told 'Extra': "When we found out we were doing this, I asked her to come around and just chill. We organised it together and she came to my house. We sat on my floor and chatted for hours and hours and hours.

"I think in that moment, we both realised that we had something, like an immediate sort of connection."
Josh Brolin sleeps with nicotine pouches in his mouth.

Josh Brolin always needs his nicotine pouches

The 56-year-old actor has revealed that he is constantly using the pouches after he gave up chewing tobacco and sometimes does so without even realising.

Josh told the WTF with Marc Maron podcast: "I have a pouch in my lip, and I'm not f****** lying, 24 hours a day. Then I started taking them out and putting them on the bedside table."

Imitating a chewing sound, the 'Dune' star added: "My wife would hear this in the middle of the night. I don't even know I'm doing it, I'm asleep."

Josh explained that he would rather use nicotine lozenges but had to stop as they had a devastating impact on his oral hygiene.

He said: "They go away in two seconds, but they taste like gasoline, and there's a punch to them.

"But I used to keep them up between my gum and my tooth line. I got seven cavities. That's why I switched to (pouches). There's a ton of sugar (in lozenges)."

Brolin's need for the pouches is so great they he even ended up using a dubious variety whilst filming a project in the Middle East.

The 'No Country for Old Men' actor recalled: "We're in Jordan. And (this guy) comes up to me, and he says, 'I have some.' And it has a skull and crossbones on the top... And it's 40 milligram packets. And I said, 'I can't do that.'

"And then one day, I start running out, and I haven't quite run out, I probably have four or five more tins (of my usual pouches left). And I have his thing in my pocket, and I'm running back from the gym."

Josh added: "I stick the thing in my mouth for no more, and I swear to God on my kids, for no more than 20 seconds, and I had to cancel dinner that night. I literally was s******* my brains out."
Lady Gaga ordered fish and chips during a recent visit to the UK.

Lady Gaga snacked on fish and chips when in the UK recently

The 38-year-old pop star is believed to have snubbed fancy food laid on by her record company Universal in favour of the traditional British meal as she made a brief stop in London to record some new music last week.

A source told The Sun newspaper: "Gaga secretly flew into the UK after the US election and stopped off in London to record some new music.

"When she got to the studio, Universal had laid on a posh spread for her but she had other ideas.

"Gaga asked her team to head out into the capital and get her a proper British chippy tea of fish, chips, and curry sauce."

The 'Poker Face' hitmaker then travelled to Ireland to shoot a cameo appearance in the second series of the Netflix comedy horror series 'Wednesday' after her 2011 song 'Bloody Mary' went viral after being featured in the show's first season.

Meanwhile, Gaga recently described how she was in a "new place" in her life having enjoyed success in the fields of both music and acting.

The 'Joker: Folie a Deux' star told People magazine: "Im in a new place.

"I've been in the music industry since I was a teenager. And I've been working in the film industry for the last 10 years or so.

"And, you know, I think that I just went through a lot.

"I feel really grateful for the career that I've had.

"And I feel so grateful for my fans. Also, I think I had a lot of trouble with it at one point.

"I just feel a lot better now, and it's nice to be able to say that. I feel really grateful to be able to say that."
Sir Ridley Scott keeps a supply of "candles, matches and guns" at home just in case the world is plunged into a crisis by AI technology.

Sir Ridley Scott is always prepared in case of a crisis

The 'Blade Runner' director - who lives in Los Angeles - is convinced society is heading for a fate even worse than the world shown in his 1982 sci-fi movie and he wants to make sure he is prepared for an emergency at all times.

In an interview with his 'Gladiator II' star Paul Mescal for the Guardian newspaper, Ridley explained: "The world in 'Blade Runner' is run by two people and were heading in that direction, if not worse.

"And with AI, the first thing you ask of it is to design an AI smarter than itself. Then you get one smarter than you are. At what moment do you overload it with so much information it gets pressure?

"Pressure is emotion. And when that things emotional, we are in trouble. If the AI doesnt like us, were in deep s***. They could switch us off for fun."

He added: "Youd be medieval in six weeks. You switch that off and we are so helpless its crazy. Have you got candles in your house? Have you got matches?

"I have candles, matches and guns because I live in LA. Do I ever want to use a gun? God forbid no, but you ought to be always slightly conscious of where the world is going right now."

Ridley went on to insist he does let his imagination run wild, but there's no harm in being ready for the worst case scenario especially given the turbulent political situations elsewhere in the world.

He shared: "My imagination runs a little bit ahead of me. I see the pitfalls. And right now youve got many terrible situations in Europe and north Africa and east Asia. Theyre playing games."
Denzel Washington was left baffled by royal protocol when meeting King Charles because he wasn't sure if he was supposed to shake his hand or not.

King Charles met the stars of Gladiator II at the premiere in London

The 69-year-old actor was one of the stars who lined up to meet the 76-year-old monarch at the 'Gladiator II' premiere in London on Wednesday night (13.11.24) and now it has emerged Denzel was a bit confused about royal handshakes.

In video footage published after the event, Denzel can be seen meeting the king and saying: "I didn't know if I was supposed to grab you or not, but it's my pleasure."

He went on to talk to the head of the royal family about his character in the movie, saying: "Im ... just awful ... Im a lovely man youll see. Im a lovely chap and doing my best."

Charles then told him: "You've been in so many films, it's fantastic."

The king also met Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal and director Sir Ridley Scott at the premiere, which was held in London's Leicester Square.

He arrived at the event in his state Bentley limousine, and posed for photographers on the red carpet, while wearing a black tuxedo with a bowtie.

Queen Camilla missed the screening after she was recently diagnosed with a "seasonal chest infection".

She was also unable to attend the Remembrance events in London over the weekend. Despite this, Camilla was able to chat to a slew of Hollywood A-Listers at Buckingham Palace prior to the premiere.

She told director Ridley at the event: "I am so sorry I'm not coming tonight. I'd be coughing throughout it."
Filmfare has been at the forefront of getting you all the latest news from Fawad Khan's comeback movie in Hindi cinema. We were the first to tell you about Fawad's return to Bollywood films and then we also told you about the film's shooting schedules and casting details. Now, our trusted sources have revealed that Malaika Arora was slated to be part of the film but things didn't work out.Malaika was cast for Abir Gulaal, she had even reached the sets of the film along with Fawad and Vaani Kapoor. But, the production team couldn't iron out the schedule and their resources in-line with Malaika's requirements. Our source says, "Malaika was keen on doing the film and so were the director and producer. But Malaika's team set some guidelines and schedules which were not matching with the production team's schedules and resources. Unfortunately, producer Vivek Agarwal had to call off Malaika's casting in the film."It was then that Lisa Hayden was cast in the same role that was first offered to Malaika. It would have been great to see Malaika team up with Fawad and Vaani in this much-awaited movie. But our source reveals that Lisa has got into the character in an admirable fashion, and things are coming along just fine on the sets of Abir Gulaal.As always Filmfare will continue to bring you more updates from this production and other sets in the near future. Keep watching this space for more.
Critic's rating 3.5 /5

Couldn't they have chosen an Indian actor to play Ravi, who hails from Varanasi, instead of choosing Swedish actor Alexander Karim for the role. Ravi is a healer who takes care of the wounds of the gladiators. A former gladiator himself, he plays a small but significant part in the narrative. But thats not even our main grouse. Gladiator II is basically the same film as the first one. The main events of the present film mirror that of its predecessor. Even the ending is the same. Lucius (Paul Mescal), the illegitimate son of Maximus (Russel Crowe) and Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), who is living with his wife in Numidia and has had no connection with his mother, Lucilla, for around 15 years.He is taken prisoner by the Roman army after his home is invaded by an army led by General Acacius (Pedro Pascal). Just like in the original, the victorious general is tired of the bloodshed and offers only a token fealty towards the emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger)  who by the way are like twin copies of emperor Commodus from the earlier film. Acacius, who is now married to Lucilla, had ironically trained under Maximus and was loyal to his ideals. He and Lucilla are even shown plotting a coup.Lucius, who is now a slave, is bought by a canny businessman Macrinus (Denzel Washington), who runs a successful team of gladiators. Just like his father before him, Lucius becomes the undisputed champion, becoming the crowd favourite in the very arena his father had died. Nothing much has changed in Rome, despite Maximus sacrifice. In fact, the rulers have become more debauched. For example, Caracalla even makes his pet monkey Dondo the First Consul. Maximus, who had the support of the army, should ideally have gone for a coup. Thats the mistake Ridley Scott rectifies here.Director Scott has outdone himself imagining the horrors of the Coliseum. If tigers were the highlight of the first film, here the gladiators fight with baboons, an armoured rhinoceros and in the most delightful scene, sharks. Yes! The Coliseum is filled with water and the Greek-Trojan war gets enacted  with real ships engaged in warfare and sharks floating around for company. This alone is worth the prize of the ticket. The production design and the VFX is top notch. We see Rome in all its ancient glory, our minds numbed by the spectacle it was. The palaces, the amphitheatres, roads, villages, forts all have a lived in quality and dont look like something erected for filming. The visual beauty of the film is extraordinary indeed.Scott was said to be bowled over by Crowes performance in LA Confidential (1997) and had chosen Russell Crowe for his acting chops rather than his fighting abilities. Crowe went on to win an Oscar for his sublime, gravitas filled portrayal. He has chosen another proven actor, two times Oscar winner Denzel Washington, to play the most important role in the film. Macrinus is a former slave who wants to control Rome and has ambitions of becoming the next emperor. His cunning schemes propel the narrative forward. The actor is in fine form here and might get another Oscar nomination for his role. Hes a delight to watch as the amoral Macrinus, who is willing to go to any length to satisfy his need. Its not a one-dimensional, stock villain performance but one which is filled with layers. Washington brings a Shakespearan touch to his portrayal, something only an actor of his calibre can do so. And since by design, he isnt the leading man, hes enjoying himself tremendously.Paul Mescal, despite his good looks and popularity, isnt in the same league as Crowe or Washington. Though he has given his all to the project and tried his hardest, that emotional connection one felt with Maximus is just not there. The actor has buffed himself up physically to essay the role and looks good as a gladiator in the fight scenes. Pedro Pascal is in fine form as Acacius and should have gotten a bigger role. Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger look like textbook debauched characters in their silk garments and porcelain makeup.Overall, watch Gladiator II for the brilliantly crafted action scenes and for its visual imagery. And for Denzel Washingtons performance, of course.
Celltrion announces acquisition of iQone Healthcare Switzerland, accelerating direct commercialization of its biosimilars in the European region

The acquisition strengthens Celltrion's presence in Europe, driving growth and expanding access to its innovative biosimilar treatments

Celltrion (KRX:068270), a global biopharmaceutical leader, announced its acquisition of iQone Healthcare Switzerland, a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on distribution, sales, and marketing in Switzerland.

The acquisition, expected to close by Q4, 2024, represents a significant milestone in Celltrion's European expansion strategy. Upon completion, iQone Healthcare Switzerland will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Celltrion Healthcare Hungary Kft. The deal will also provide Celltrion access to in-licensing opportunities, further strengthening its pipeline of innovative therapies.

Taehun Ha, Head of Europe and Vice President of Celltrion, Inc., emphasized the acquisition's importance, stating, "This move represents a strategic shift in our growth strategy. While we have successfully built direct sales networks, we are now leveraging acquisitions to accelerate our European expansion. With a distribution network spanning more than 20 regions, we are well-positioned to compete in the increasingly competitive biosimilar market."

He added, "As a fully integrated company, Celltrion manages every stage of the value chain-from R&D and manufacturing to sales, marketing and distribution. This integration enables us to continue and expand our stable and growing supply of high-quality biosimilars, including in Switzerland, where we aim to further solidify our market presence and portfolio. It also underscores our commitment to leadership through local operational excellence and continuous innovation."

Laurent Massuyeau, founder and Executive Chairman of iQone Healthcare Switzerland, expressed his optimism, stating, "Our successful decade-long partnership with Celltrion has laid very strong foundations for this integration. By combining Celltrion's portfolio expertise with our established commercial operation, this acquisition will drive growth and enhance access to essential biosimilar and innovative medicines in Switzerland.

True to our values and with the support of the program "iQone for You", an outstanding set of services directed to healthcare professionals and specially crafted for the Swiss market, we will continue to serve our customers with agility and efficiency and bring new therapeutic opportunities quickly to Switzerland."

About Celltrion

Celltrion is a leading biopharmaceutical company based in Incheon, South Korea that specialises in researching, developing, manufacturing, marketing and sales of innovative therapeutics that improve people's lives worldwide. The company's solutions include world-class monoclonal antibody biosimilars such as Remsima, Truxima and Herzuma, providing broader patient access globally. Celltrion has also received U.S. FDA and EC approval for Vegzelma and Yuflyma, FDA approval for Zymfentra, and EC approval for RemsimaSC, Omlyclo, SteQeyma. To learn more, please visit www.celltrion.com/en-us.

About iQone Healthcare Switzerland

iQone Healthcare, a Swiss-based specialty pharmaceutical company, is dedicated to the commercialization of biosimilars and innovative treatments for rare diseases. Its mission is to ensure that therapeutic advancements are accessible to Swiss patients in a timely manner, providing the care they need when they need it.

Through its long-standing collaborations with several global pharmaceutical developers and manufacturers, iQone Healthcare provides a continually expanding selection of leading biosimilars and innovative products to healthcare professionals and institutions in Switzerland.

iQone Healthcare has maintained a decade-long partnership with Celltrion as exclusive distribution partner for Switzerland, successfully marketing Celltrion product range, including Remsima, Veblocema, Truxima, Herzuma, Vegzelma, and Yuflyma.

For more information, visit www.iqone-healthcare.com

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT

Certain information set forth in this press release contains statements related to our future business and financial performance and future events or developments involving Celltrion Inc. and its subsidiaries that may constitute forward-looking statements, under pertinent securities laws.

These statements may be identified by words such as "prepares", "hopes to", "upcoming", "plans to", "aims to", "to be launched", "is preparing, "once gained", "could", "with the aim of", "may", "once identified", "will", "working towards", "is due", "become available", "has potential to", the negative of these words or such other variations thereon or comparable terminology.

In addition, our representatives may make oral forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on the current expectations and certain assumptions of Celltrion Inc. and its subsidiaries' management, of which many are beyond its control.

Forward-looking statements are provided to allow potential investors the opportunity to understand management's beliefs and opinions in respect of the future so that they may use such beliefs and opinions as one factor in evaluating an investment. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them.

Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or result expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Although forward-looking statements contained in this presentation are based upon what management of Celltrion Inc. and its subsidiaries believes are reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Celltrion Inc. and its subsidiaries undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241114268116/en/

Contacts:

Celltrion Global PR Team

globalpr@celltrion.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 14, 2024) - Destiny Media Technologies Inc. (TSXV: DSY) (OTCQB: DSNY), the makers of Play MPE, a cloud-based SaaS solution for promotional music marketing, today announced that the Company will hold a live webinar on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time) to discuss financial results for its fiscal year ended August 31, 2024. The Company plans to release financial results before market open on the same day, Thursday, November 21, 2024.

Date: Thursday, November 21, 2024

Time: 2:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time)

Attendees are encouraged to register prior to the scheduled time at the following:

https://investors.dsny.com/investors/financials/ or by clicking on the Webinar Registration Form.

Attendees of the webinar can submit questions voluntarily during the live presentation. Cameras will remain off for all attendees throughout the session. Microphones will also remain muted unless an attendee chooses to engage in verbal questions, similar to the format used in traditional conference calls.

The webinar format will provide the Company an opportunity to present visual information.

For those without internet access, the webinar can be accessed via the following dial in details:

Direct dial in US: +1 346 248 7799 or +1 360 209 5623 or More International numbers

Webinar ID: 817 1581 2583

Attendees participating via dial-in will not have access to the webinar video stream or the question and answer functions.

A recording of the webinar will be available after the event at https://investors.dsny.com/investors/financials/.

About Destiny Media Technologies Inc.

Destiny Media Technologies Inc. ("Destiny") provides software as service (SaaS) solutions to businesses in the music industry solving critical problems in distribution and promotion. The core service, Play MPE (www.plaympe.com), provides promotional music marketing to engaged networks of decision makers in radio, film, TV, and beyond. More information can be found at www.dsny.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230062

SOURCE: Destiny Media Technologies, Inc.
Almonty Industries Inc. ("Almonty" or the "Company") (TSX: AII ASX: AII OTCQX: ALMTF Frankfurt: ALI) today announced the filing of its unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements and its management's discussion analysis ("MD&A") for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. Unless otherwise indicated, all currency amounts contained in this news release are expressed in Canadian dollars.

The following financial information is for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

Three months ended Three months ended Nine months ended Nine months ended 30-Sep-24 30-Sep-23 30-Sep-24 30-Sep-23 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Gross Revenue 6,794 4,459 22,556 17,089 Mine production costs 5,607 3,572 18,441 14,585 Care and maintenance 265 255 792 764 Depreciation and amortization 266 312 850 797 Income from mining operations 656 320 2,473 943 General and administrative costs 1,339 1,038 4,347 4,188 Non-cash compensation costs 1,464 24 2,399 306 Loss before the under noted items (2,147 (742 (4,273 (3,551 Interest expense 1,048 1,112 3,599 3,111 Financing fees 739 Loss (gain) on valuation of embedded derivative liabilities 334 (165 336 (380 Loss (gain) on valuation of warrant liabilities 710 (456 304 (1,153 Foreign exchange loss (gain) 702 592 1,999 (262 Tax provision 378 45 383 75 Net loss for the period (5,319 (1,870 (10,894 (5,681 Income (loss) per share basic (0.02 (0.01 (0.04 (0.03 Income (loss) per share diluted (0.02 (0.01 (0.04 (0.03 Dividends Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities (3,812 (2,572 (9,234 (4,135 Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities (6,749 (5,395 (22,979 (14,139 Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities 15,655 13,190 22,795 21,317

The following financial information is as at September 30, 2024 and December 31 2023:

30-Sep-24 31-Dec-23 $'000 $'000 Cash 12,866 22,019 Total assets 255,280 235,334 Long-term debt 149,748 130,067 Shareholders' equity 55,660 48,508 Other Outstanding shares ('000) 258,607 233,889 Weighted average outstanding shares ('000) Basic 252,394 213,144 Fully diluted 252,394 213,144 Closing share price 0.78 0.54

While our Panasqueira mine in Portugal consistently provides a positive EBITDA from mining operations, Almonty's Q3-2024 loss includes non-cash charges of approximately $450k for interest settled by share issuance, share-based compensation expense of $2.399 million and $1.999 million of unrealized foreign exchange loss.

EBITDA from mining operations at our Panasqueira mine was $3,323,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

In addition, Almonty continued to clean up its balance sheet by converting over $9 million of long-term debt into shares of the Company as well as push out the maturity date of an additional $21.4 million of long-term debt to March 2027.

The Company is in an exciting phase right now with the build-out of our Sangdong Mine being in full swing towards completion of construction, with drawdowns on our KfW IPEX-Bank US$75.1 million loan facility being received on time and as planned and with the 7th and 8th drawdowns, totaling US$10.64 million, having been received during July 2024. In addition, given the fact that our underground Panasqueira mine, with a grade of 0.14%, is providing a significant positive EBITDA from mining operations, the Company expects very positive results from its underground Sangdong mine in South Korea, once it commences production, given its 0.46% grade of material to be mined.

About Almonty

The principal business of Toronto, Canada-based Almonty Industries Inc. is the mining, processing and shipping of tungsten concentrate from its Los Santos Mine in western Spain and its Panasqueira mine in Portugal as well as the development of its Sangdong tungsten mine in Gangwon Province, South Korea and the development of the Valtreixal tin/tungsten project in north western Spain. The Los Santos Mine was acquired by Almonty in September 2011 and is located approximately 50 kilometres from Salamanca in western Spain and produces tungsten concentrate. The Panasqueira mine, which has been in production since 1896, is located approximately 260 kilometres northeast of Lisbon, Portugal, was acquired in January 2016 and produces tungsten concentrate. The Sangdong mine, which was historically one of the largest tungsten mines in the world and one of the few long-life, high-grade tungsten deposits outside of China, was acquired in September 2015 through the acquisition of a 100% interest in Woulfe Mining Corp. Almonty owns 100% of the Valtreixal tin-tungsten project in north-western Spain. Further information about Almonty's activities may be found at www.almonty.com and under Almonty's profile at www.sedar.com.

Legal Notice

The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law and therefore persons in such jurisdictions into which this announcement is released, published or distributed should inform themselves about and observe such restrictions.

Neither the TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. These statements and information are based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and reflect Almonty's current expectations.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Almonty to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: any specific risks relating to fluctuations in the price of ammonium para tungstate ("APT") from which the sale price of Almonty's tungsten concentrate is derived, actual results of mining and exploration activities, environmental, economic and political risks of the jurisdictions in which Almonty's operations are located and changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, forecasts and assessments relating to Almonty's business, credit and liquidity risks, hedging risk, competition in the mining industry, risks related to the market price of Almonty's shares, the ability of Almonty to retain key management employees or procure the services of skilled and experienced personnel, risks related to claims and legal proceedings against Almonty and any of its operating mines, risks relating to unknown defects and impairments, risks related to the adequacy of internal control over financial reporting, risks related to governmental regulations, including environmental regulations, risks related to international operations of Almonty, risks relating to exploration, development and operations at Almonty's tungsten mines, the ability of Almonty to obtain and maintain necessary permits, the ability of Almonty to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permitting requirements, lack of suitable infrastructure and employees to support Almonty's mining operations, uncertainty in the accuracy of mineral reserves and mineral resources estimates, production estimates from Almonty's mining operations, inability to replace and expand mineral reserves, uncertainties related to title and indigenous rights with respect to mineral properties owned directly or indirectly by Almonty, the ability of Almonty to obtain adequate financing, the ability of Almonty to complete permitting, construction, development and expansion, challenges related to global financial conditions, risks related to future sales or issuance of equity securities, differences in the interpretation or application of tax laws and regulations or accounting policies and rules and acceptance of the TSX of the listing of Almonty shares on the TSX.

Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to, no material adverse change in the market price of ammonium para tungstate (APT), the continuing ability to fund or obtain funding for outstanding commitments, expectations regarding the resolution of legal and tax matters, no negative change to applicable laws, the ability to secure local contractors, employees and assistance as and when required and on reasonable terms, and such other assumptions and factors as are set out herein. Although Almonty has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results, level of activity, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and even if events or results described in the forward-looking statements are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, Almonty. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and are cautioned that actual outcomes may vary.

Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. Almonty cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on Almonty's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events.

Almonty has also assumed that material factors will not cause any forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors.

THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF ALMONTY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PRESS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE ALMONTY MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.

(1) Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release makes reference to certain non-GAAP financial measures. These measures are not recognized measures under IFRS, do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Rather, these measures are provided as additional information to complement IFRS financial measures by providing further understanding of Almonty's results of operations from management's perspective. Almonty's definitions of non-GAAP measures used in this press release may not be the same as the definitions for such measures used by other companies in their reporting. Non-GAAP measures have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation nor as a substitute for analysis of Almonty's financial information reported under IFRS. Almonty uses non-GAAP financial measures, including "EBITDA", to provide investors with supplemental measures of its operating performance and to eliminate items that have less bearing on operating performance or operating conditions, and thus highlight trends in its core business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS financial measures. Almonty defines "EBITDA from mining operations" as gross revenue less mine production costs.

Almonty believes that securities analysts, investors and other interested parties frequently use non-GAAP financial measures in the evaluation of issuers. Almonty's management also uses non-GAAP financial measures in order to facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241114499576/en/

Contacts:

For further information:

Lewis Black

Chairman, President and CEO

Telephone: +1 647 438-9766

Email: info@almonty.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 14, 2024) - Defence Therapeutics Inc. (CSE: DTC) (OTCQB: DTCFF) (FSE: DTC) ("Defence" or the "Company"), a Canadian biopharmaceutical company developing radiopharmaceuticals and ADC products using its proprietary platform and drug delivery technologies in addition to novel immune-oncology vaccines, announces that it offers new unsecured convertible debentures (the "New Debentures") for aggregate gross proceeds of up to CAD$1,570,000 (the "Offering") in consideration for the settlement of the principal amounts owing to holders of the Previous Debentures (as defined below) (the "Outstanding Debt").

The New Debentures will be issued on a non-brokered private placement basis, bear interest at the rate of 8.0% per annum, be subject to a Conversion Event (as defined below), and mature on November 16, 2025 (the "Maturity Date"). Each New Debenture is unsecured and rank pari passu in right of payment of principal and interest with all the existing and future unsecured indebtedness of the Company. The principal amount of each New Debenture is convertible at the option of the holder into common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Common Shares") at a price of $0.60 per Common Share at any time up to and including the Maturity Date (the "Conversion Event"). Assuming each New Debentures holder exercises their respective Conversion Event, the Company would issue an aggregate total of 2,616,666 Common Shares to the holders thereof.

The Outstanding Debt was incurred in connection with the Previous Debentures that were underlying previously issued units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of $1,000 per Unit on November 16, 2022. Each Unit consisted of: (i) one $1,000 principal amount 8.0% convertible debenture (the "Previous Debenture"), and (ii) 636 common share purchase warrants.

Upon closing of the Offering, their will be no Previous Debentures outstanding; and concurrent with the closing of the Offering, the total accrued interest owing on the Previous Debentures in the amount of approximately $251,200 will be settled via the conversion of such outstanding amount into Common Shares at a price per share equal to the closing market price of the Common Shares as of the trading day prior to such issuance, and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Previous Debentures.

All securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day in accordance with applicable securities legislation. The closing of the Offering and issuance of the New Debentures and the Common Shares to settle outstanding interest owing from the Previous Debentures are subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory and corporate approvals, including but not limited to approval from the Canadian Securities Exchange.

About Defence:

Defence Therapeutics is a publicly-traded biotechnology company developing and engineering the next generation of radio-immuno-conjugate and ADC products using its proprietary platform in addition to novel immune-oncology vaccines. The core of Defence Therapeutics platform is the ACCUM technology, which enables precision delivery of radio-immuno-conjugates or ADCs in their intact form to target cells, and vaccine antigens. As a result, increased efficacy and potency can be reached against catastrophic illness such as cancer and infectious diseases.

Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information

All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" including but not limited to: (i) the anticipated issuance of the New Debentures in consideration for the settlement of the Outstanding Debt; (ii) the conversion of outstanding interest owing on the Previous Debentures into Common Shares; and (iii) the receipt of all regulatory approvals required in connection with the Offering and security issuances disclosed herein.

Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, receipt of all necessary approvals, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

Neither the CSE nor its market regulator, as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE, accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230068

SOURCE: Defence Therapeutics Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 14, 2024) - Aero Energy Limited (TSXV: AERO) (OTC Pink: AAUGF) (FSE: UU3) ("Aero" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated October 16, 2024, the Company has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Offering"). The Company issued an aggregate of 24,004,070 units for total gross proceeds of $2,034,218.85.

In connection with the completion of the Offering, the Company issued (i) 8,964,998 non-flow-through units of the Company (each, an "NFT Unit") at a price of $0.07 per NFT Unit; (ii) 7,637,500 flow-through units of the Company (each, an "FT Unit") at a price of $0.08 per FT Unit; and (iii) 7,401,572 charity flow-through units (each, a "CFT Unit") for aggregate gross proceeds of $2,034,218.85.

Each NFT Unit consists of one non-flow-through common share of the Company (each, a "Share") and one-half of one share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each FT Unit and CFT Unit consists of one Share, which will qualify as "flow-through shares" under the Income Tax Act (Canada), and one-half of one Warrant. Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one additional common share of the Company (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.11 per Warrant Share until November 14, 2026. The Warrant Shares will be issued on a non-flow-through basis.

All securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and a day. A total of $99,779 cash was paid, and a total of 887,360 finder's warrants (the "Finder's Warrants") were issued to eligible arm's length finders in connection with the closing of the Offering. The Finder's Warrants were issued on the same terms as the Warrants.

The gross proceeds from the sale of the FT Units and the Charity FT Units will be used by the Company to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that qualify as "flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures" as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Qualifying Expenditures") related to the Company's uranium projects in the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, on or before December 31, 2025. All Qualifying Expenditures will be renounced in favor of the subscribers of the FT Units and Charity FT Units effective December 31, 2024. The net proceeds from the sale of the NFT Units will be used for general working capital purposes.

The Offering is subject to final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Additional details regarding the Offering can be found in the Company's news release dated October 16, 2024.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons (as defined in the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration is available.

About Aero Energy Limited

Aero Energy is a mineral exploration and development company advancing a district-scale 250,000-acre land package in the historic Uranium City district within Saskatchewan's Athabasca Basin. Aero is focused on uncovering high-grade uranium deposits across its flagship Optioned Properties - Sun Dog, Strike, and Murmac - in addition to its fully owned properties. Aero is led by an award winning technical team for the discoveries along the prolific Patterson Corridor that include the Gryphon, Arrow and Triple-R deposits. With significant investment and the application of modern exploration techniques, the Company has identified over 50 shallow drill-ready targets and a 125 kms of target horizon on the frontier north rim of the Athabasca Basin. Aero Energy is tapping into the basin's emerging potential for high-grade, unconformity-style mineralization.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

"Galen McNamara"

Galen McNamara, Chief Executive Officer

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein, including without limitation, statements relating the future operations and activities of Nevada King, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things, statements in respect of the use of proceeds of the Offering, the final approval of the Offering by the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company's Phase III drill program, and the expected timing of completion thereof. 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 Nevada King, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, the ability to complete proposed 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. Nevada King 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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230070

SOURCE: Aero Energy Limited
HAMBURG (dpa-AFX) - Halozyme Therapeutics Inc. (HALO) confirmed it has submitted a non-binding proposal to the Management Board and Supervisory Board of Evotec SE to acquire Evotec for 11.00 euros per share in cash, implying a fully diluted equity value of 2.0 billion euros. The proposal represents a premium of 109% to Evotec's undisturbed share price on October 15, 2024, the day prior to Triton Partners' initial accumulation of Evotec shares, and a premium of 77% to Evotec's last three-month volume weighted average price on October 15, 2024.In a separate press release, Evotec confirmed that it has received a non-binding expression of interest from the Halozyme Therapeutics regarding a potential takeover offer for the Company's shareholders, with a proposed offer price of 11.00 euros per share. The Company will thoroughly review this proposal, determine the next steps, and communicate its decision to the market in compliance with legal requirements.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Inauguration of third delivery center in Malaysia positions the country as the focal point for UST's expansion in Southeast Asia

CYBERJAYA, Malaysia, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --UST, a leading digital transformation solutions company, has opened a new office and state-of-the-art Generative AI Experience Center in Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia. This facility will act as a hub for innovation and collaboration, bringing together leaders and thinkers at the forefront of the Generative AI space to drive digital transformation in Southeast Asia and beyond.

The new Cyberjaya facility is UST's third delivery center in Malaysia and will develop cutting-edge AI solutions for use in a diverse range of market sectors, including banking, manufacturing, retail, O&G, telecom, and education. The GenAI Center of Excellence in Malaysia will elevate customer experiences across Southeast Asia to improve both the engineering services and the digital portfolio of UST. A key focus area will be developing custom Large Language Models (LLMs) tailored to specific business needs. Additionally, work conducted at the Center of Excellence will empower cloud, infrastructure, and cybersecurity applications, automating backend tasks and digitising front-end user experiences, benefiting both engineering and GBS teams.

The facility was formally opened on November 11, as part of a ceremony featuring notable tech industry leaders and government officials including: Y.A.B. Dato' Seri Amirudin Bin Shari, Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) of Selangor state; Wan Murdani Wan Mohamad, Senior Vice President of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC); Puan Nor Suhaila Binti Saat, Director, Sepang Municipal Council; Kamarul Ariffin Abdul Samad, Chief Executive Officer, Cyberview Sdn Bhd; TS Koay, Managing Director Dell Technologies Malaysia, Chai Ping Chua, Country Site Leader Experian Malaysia, Sunil Balakrishnan, CVO & Global Head of Center Operations, UST; Gilroy Mathew, Sr Vice president, UST; and Amar Chhajer, Vice President & Country Head Malaysia, UST.

"The opening of this advanced new delivery center will enhance our ability to support the growing Malaysian and Southeast Asian markets and positions us for further growth in this dynamic region. UST's focus on Generative AI aligns with the current digital landscape and will empower businesses to harness the potential of AI and automation to drive digital transformation. We're grateful for the support of our partners and stakeholders, who has been instrumental in fostering a strong tech community here in Malaysia. UST's focus on Generative AI aligns with the current digital landscape and will empower businesses to harness the potential of AI and automation to drive digital transformation," said Amar Chhajer, Vice President & Country Head - Malaysia, UST.

"UST is a key partner in our mission to develop digital infrastructure and nurture local tech talent. The UST Gen AI Center of Excellence is exactly the type of forward-thinking initiative that will help propel Malaysia into the next phase of digital evolution. It will be a catalyst for research and development in AI, helping to unlock new opportunities and insights across a wide range of sectors. UST's commitment to Malaysia's thriving tech ecosystem has been instrumental in helping transform this sector of our economy. Over the past decade, UST has invested in developing over 10,000 engineering professionals in Malaysia, contributing to the creation of a dynamic and resilient digital ecosystem," said Y.A.B. Dato' Seri Amirudin Bin Shari, Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) of Selangor state.

UST began operating in Malaysia in 2006, opening its first center in Penang in 2011. This location also became home to UST's first Infinity Lab in 2020, supporting innovation that has helped UST expand operations throughout Southeast Asia. UST Malaysia has grown to become one of the company's biggest delivery center locations in the world and there are currently over 1,500 USsociates in Malaysia. UST Malaysia has two delivery centers in Penang. UST is certified as a 'Great Place to Work' in Malaysia.

About UST

Since 1999, UST has worked side by side with the world's best companies to make a powerful impact through transformation. Powered by technology, inspired by people, and led by our purpose, we partner with our clients from design to operation. Our digital solutions, proprietary platforms, engineering expertise, and innovation ecosystem turn core challenges into impactful, disruptive solutions. With deep industry knowledge and a future-ready mindset, we infuse innovation and agility into our clients' organizations--delivering measurable value and positive lasting change for them, their customers, and communities around the world. Together, with 30,000+ employees in 30+ countries, we build for boundless impact--touching billions of lives in the process. Visit us at www.UST.com

Media Contacts, UST:

Tinu Cherian Abraham

+1 (949) 415-9857

Merrick Laravea

+1 (949) 416-6212

Neha Misri

+91-9284726602

Roshni Das K

+91 7736795557

media.relations@ust.com

Media Contacts, India:

Adfactors PR

ust@adfactorspr.com

Media Contacts, U.S.

S&C PR

+1-646.941.9139

media@scprgroup.com

Makovsky

ust@makovsky.com

Media Contacts, U.K.:

FTI Consulting

UST@fticonsulting.com

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ust-opens-new-office-and-generative-ai-experience-center-in-cyberjaya-malaysia-302305931.html


Figure: Using the ESG Management Platform Offering from Fujitsu Uvance

KAWASAKI, Japan, Nov 15, 2024 - (JCN Newswire) - Fujitsu today announced that it has started an initiative on decarbonization with global suppliers leveraging product-level data exchange on CO2 emissions. The initiative represents part of Fujitsu's efforts to achieve net zero CO2 emissions (1) across its entire value chain (Scope 3) by 2040.To achieve these decarbonization goals, since fiscal 2024, Fujitsu has been deepening its engagement with suppliers, implementing data exchange between companies using product carbon footprint (PCFs) with actual data to visualize and reduce CO2 emissions from purchased parts and materials.The initiative leverages Fujitsu's ESG Management Platform, a solution that supports the realization of corporate ESG management by visualizing, measuring, and optimizing CO2 emission reductions. Fujitsu is working with a total of 12 global suppliers (2), including Accton Technology Corporation, KAGA FEI Co., Ltd., NEXTY Electronics Corporation, Schneider Electric, Hakuto Co., Ltd., Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., MiTAC Holdings Corporation, Lumentum Holdings Inc. and others, to achieve PCF calculation and CO2 emissions data exchange using actual data in accordance with global standards.Fujitsu, drawing from its experience and insights as a core member in the rule-making process around PCF calculation and product-level data exchange across value chains both in Japan and internationally, is well-versed in the progress of each supplier's decarbonization efforts and industry-specific challenges.As part of this initiative, in addition to the globally standardized product-based PCF calculation methodology (3) and product-level data on CO2 emissions exchange, Fujitsu successfully implemented the world's first offering that enables organization-based PCF calculation methodology (4) and data exchange, which are more prevalent among suppliers, using actual data for social implementation.Furthermore, to address suppliers' concerns about possible leakage of confidential information (i.e., product design details) in promoting CO2 emissions data exchange between companies Fujitsu's ESG Management Platform ensures transparency and reliability through a highly confidential decentralized data management model that limits access rights to PCF calculations and connects only PCF data via an API (Application Programming Interface).By linking the CO2 emissions of suppliers from upstream in the supply chain, the platform enables the visualization of the effects of CO2 emission reduction measures, such as the introduction of renewable energy implemented by suppliers.This makes the CO2 emission reduction efforts across the entire supply chain visible as value, which can then be reflected in CO2 emission reduction scenarios for decarbonization and simulations of the effectiveness of measures.Fujitsu will continue to support a wide range of clients, including manufacturers, by combining and analyzing non-financial data such as CO2 reduction efforts with financial data including sales data, and contribute to the realization of a decarbonized supply chain.Fujitsu will report on this initiative at the ICT Green Seminar hosted by the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications at the Japan Pavilion during COP29 on November 16, 2024, and will also discuss the advanced initiatives of Japanese companies.Takeshi Ogamino, Corporate Vice President, General Manager, FITEL Products Division, Communications Solutions Division, Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., comments:"I am truly delighted that the collaboration with Fujitsu on carbon footprint data integration has been successful. Fujitsu has provided us with guidance on data integration and solutions compliant with PACT, enabling us to integrate the carbon footprint of our communication semiconductor laser products and advance new initiatives to reduce GHG emissions across the entire value chain. Looking ahead, we will continue to contribute to further GHG emission reductions, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050 and societal transformation, to realize a sustainable future."Xavier Denoly, Senior Vice President, Sustainable Development, Schneider Electric, comments:"Schneider Electric is working to reach net zero CO2 emissions throughout its entire supply chain, and we are pleased to work in collaboration with Fujitsu on these challenges. To help solve issues, it is important to use global standards to facilitate cooperation across the value chain."PCF calculation and data exchange leveraging Fujitsu's ESG Management PlatformThe PCF calculation method on the ESG Management Platform used for this initiative leverages the "PACT Methodology" (5) and conformant to Japan's Green x Digital Consortium CO2 Visualization Framework (Edition 2.0.1) powered by Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA) (6). In terms of data integration on the ESG Management Platform, it has passed interoperability tests conducted by PACT with solutions from the Digital Sustainability Cloud (DSC) of Institute for Information Industry, III in Taiwan (7) and Evalue8 Sustainability in Australia (8), and has been certified as a PACT-conformant solution in conformance to the tech specification of the "Pathfinder Framework (Version 2.2.0)" (9) as the globally standard. Utilizing the PACT-conformant solution enables data exchange on CO2 emissions between companies across countries. Moving forward, it will be possible to smoothly implement data exchange with companies based in Europe, the United States, Taiwan, and Australia. Furthermore, this data exchange also conformant to the "Green x Digital Consortium Technical Specifications for Data Exchange (Version 2.0)"..Figure: Using the ESG Management Platform Offering from Fujitsu UvanceFuture PlansFujitsu will continue to actively engage in visualizing and implementing measures to reduce CO2 emissions in the supply chain by leveraging technologies such as data and AI, while also providing the know-how gained through practice to customers and society via its ESG Management Platform.As part of Fujitsu Uvance, Fujitsu's business model to solve societal issues, Fujitsu will contribute to the realization of a sustainable supply chain and global carbon neutrality.Fujitsu will also continue to cooperate with industry organizations including the WBCSD (10) to support efforts towards rule-making aimed at achieving net-zero CO2 emissions across the entire value chain, responding to updates in global standard specifications, and strengthening supplier engagement.(1) Net zero CO2 emissions:Balancing residual emissions with the same amount of neutralization. Fujitsu aims to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 90% from the base year of 2020 by the target year of 2040. The remaining emissions of 10% or less are planned to be removed and stored through technologies that directly capture CO2 emissions from the atmosphere and absorption through afforestation.(2) 12 global suppliers:Accton Technology Corporation: Headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan, Chairperson Kuo-Hsiu HuangKAGA FEI Co., Ltd.: Headquartered in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, Representative Director, President Takeshi TsukamotoNEXTY Electronics Corporation: Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Representative Director, President Yasuhiro KakiharaSchneider Electric: Headquartered in Rueil-Malmaison, France, Chief Executive Officer Olivier BlumHakuto Co., Ltd.: Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer Tamaki MiyashitaFurukawa Electric Co., Ltd.: Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, President (Representative) Hideya MoridairaMiTAC Holdings Corporation: Headquartered in Taoyuan, Taiwan, Chairman Matthew MiauLumentum Holdings Inc.: Headquartered in California, United States, President and Chief Executive Officer Alan Lowe(3) Product-based PCF calculation methodology:Method of calculating PCF based on the life cycle inventory analysis of greenhouse gases for each product. Requirement in PACT under global standards.(4) Organization-based PCF calculation methodology:Method of allocating Scope 1, 2, and 3 data as an organization by delivery amount, etc., for each delivery destination. Recognized as a transitional calculation method in the "Green x Digital Consortium CO2 Visualization Framework (Edition 2.0.1)" powered by JEITA(Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association) and is proposed as an extension of PACT.(5) PACT Methodology:Guidance indicating the methodology for calculating and exchanging CO2 emission data.Previously, it was called Pathfinder Framework. The PACT Methodology builds on existing frameworks and standards to provide guidance on accounting, verification, and exchange of cradle-to-gate PCFs with the aim of creating more accurate, granular, and comparable emissions data. The PACT Methodology can be accessed here, with v 3.0 of the methodology and tech specs due to be released in Q1 2025.(6) Green x Digital Consortium CO2 Visualization Framework (Edition 2.0.1):Product carbon footprint calculation rules compiled by the Green x Digital Consortium Visualization WG.(7) Institute for Information Industry, III:Headquartered in Taipei City, Taiwan, DTRI Senior Deputy Director General Hubert Wang(8) Evalue8 Sustainability:Headquartered in Canberra, Australia(9) The tech specification of the Pathfinder Framework (Version 2.2.0):International technical specification for confidential and secure data exchange of emission data between companies based on solution interoperability. Solutions conformance to this technical specification are listed as PACT-conformant solutions in the PACT online catalog.(10) World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD):Organization led by CEOs of approximately 230 global companies aiming to achieve a sustainable society through business activities, with Fujitsu serving as a board member.About FujitsuFujitsu's purpose is to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation. As the digital transformation partner of choice for customers in over 100 countries, our 124,000 employees work to resolve some of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Our range of services and solutions draw on five key technologies: Computing, Networks, AI, Data & Security, and Converging Technologies, which we bring together to deliver sustainability transformation. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.7 trillion yen (US$26 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 and remains the top digital services company in Japan by market share. Find out more: www.fujitsu.com.Press Contacts:Fujitsu LimitedPublic and Investor Relations DivisionInquiriesSource: Fujitsu LtdCopyright 2024 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
SEOUL (dpa-AFX) - Hyundai Motor Co. announced that it has appointed as Jose Munoz as its President and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2025. Munoz will lead Hyundai Motor Company's global business, succeeding current President and Chief Executive Officer Jaehoon Chang, who has been promoted to the Vice Chair of Hyundai Motor Group - Automotive Division.Munoz joined Hyundai Motor Company in 2019 as President and Global Chief Operating Officer and President and CEO of Hyundai and Genesis Motor North America. In 2022, Munoz was announced to the Hyundai Motor Company Board of Directors with expanded responsibilities to include Europe, India, Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. He also led global sales, service and product planning as part of the Global Operations Division.Prior to joining Hyundai, Munoz was the Chief Performance Officer for Nissan Motor Corporation and the Chairman of Nissan China and North America. He also held multiple management positions at Toyota Motor Europe.In a separate press release, Hyundai Motor announced key executive appointments. Jaehoon Chang is promoted to Vice Chair of Hyundai Motor Group - Automotive Division, effective January 1st, 2025.Sung Kimis appointed as President of Hyundai Motor Company to manage the business effectively through global economic uncertainties, effective January 1st, 2025.Jun Young Choi is promoted to President of Kia Corporation from Head of Domestic Production Division and Chief Safety Officer (CSO). Kyoo Bok Lee, CEO of Hyundai Glovis, is promoted to President.The Group has appointed Cheol Seung Baek as CEO of Hyundai Transys and Joon Dong Oh as CEO of Hyundai KEFICO.The Group has appointed Hanwoo Lee as CEO of Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. and Woo Jeong Joo as CEO of Hyundai Engineering Co., Ltd.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.


EQS Newswire / 15/11/2024 / 11:56 UTC+8



Abu Dhabi, UAE - November 15, 2024 - ( SeaPRwire ) - Compagnie Maritime Monegasque Zero Emission (CMMZE) has revealed plans for a large-scale green hydrogen production initiative . The project aims to produce 180,000 tonnes of clean hydrogen annually, primarily for export to the European market.

This includes the construction of a major facility in the United Arab Emirates, complemented by additional production sites in Morocco and Tunisia. These facilities will harness solar and wind energy to power electrolysis technology, converting water into hydrogen without carbon emissions.

The company will develop dedicated renewable energy sites in Nefetia Benguerdane for solar power and El Hamma for wind energy in Tunisia. Furthermore, it plans to install 250 megawatts (MW) of electrolyzer capacity at the port of Zarzis, along with processing and storage facilities.

Aldo Labia, its founder, stated, "This project represents our move toward sustainable energy solutions in North Africa and Europe. We are driven to contribute to decarbonization efforts across both regions using abundant renewable resources."

The annual production target of 180,000 tonnes of green hydrogen will require approximately 1.2 million megawatt-hours (MWh) of renewable electricity. This initiative aligns with the growing demand for clean energy alternatives in Europe and supports the European Union's targets for renewable energy adoption.

Additionally, the project is expected to create local jobs and stimulate economic growth in the renewable energy sectors of the UAE, Morocco, and Tunisia. It will also reduce carbon dioxide emissions compared to traditional hydrogen production methods.

"We will begin constructing the facilities in early 2025, with the first phase of hydrogen production expected to come online by late 2027," Labia shares. CMMZE is currently discussing long-term offtake agreements with potential European partners to guarantee a stable market for the hydrogen produced.

This project builds upon CMMZE's recent success in launching North Africa's first commercial hydrogen pilot stations. These pilot projects have proven the viability of hydrogen technologies in the region and paved the way for larger-scale implementations.

In a related development, Aldo Labia recently sold his shipping holding to Asian interests for $700 million. This transaction marks a shift in Labia's business portfolio and could provide additional capital to support the hydrogen initiatives.

The company has also been actively forming strategic partnerships to advance its projects. These include a joint venture with Ekofin to develop a 5MW waste-to-energy hydrogen pilot station in Slovakia, acquiring a 5MW hydrogen pilot station for Abu Dhabi, and a consortium with Das Solar to develop green hydrogen projects.

The global focus on renewable energy solutions continues to grow. CMMZE's large-scale green hydrogen production projects position the company as a key player in the transition towards sustainable energy.

The success of this project could have far-reaching implications for the market. It could accelerate the adoption of clean energy solutions and support global efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

For more information, visit https://cmmze.energy/ .

About CMMZE

Compagnie Maritime Monegasque Zero Emission (CMMZE) is a sustainable energy solutions company dedicated to developing green hydrogen projects. Founded by Aldo Labia, CMMZE focuses on creating value-chain solutions for hydrogen production to reduce global emissions and promote a sustainable future.

The company has established a strong presence in North Africa and is expanding its operations across the Middle East and Africa. CMMZE's initiatives include large-scale production facilities, pilot projects, and partnerships with industry leaders.

Contact information

Brand: CMMZE

Contact: Aldo Labia

Email: aldo.labia@cmmship.com

Website: https://cmmze.energy

15/11/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



Media archive at www.todayir.com


COPENHAGEN, Denmark, November 15, 2024 - Bavarian Nordic A/S (OMX: BAVA) announced today its interim financial results for the first nine months of 2024 and business progress for the third quarter of 2024.

Revenue for the first nine months was DKK 3,622 million, and the operating profit (EBITDA) was DKK 692 million.

Revenue from Travel Health increased by 18% to DKK 1,892 million compared to the first nine months of 2023 and revenue from Public Preparedness was DKK 1,549 million, which is in line with the Company's expectations. Other revenue was DKK 181 million.

The financial guidance for the full year, which was upgraded on September 26 as a result of additional mpox vaccine orders and improved performance in the Travel Health business, is maintained at a revenue between DKK 5,400 million and DKK 5,800 million and EBITDA between DKK 1,450 million and DKK 1,700 million. The intervals represent uncertainty related to logistics and supply timing of deliveries of mpox vaccines dictated by among others the level of preparedness to receive and handle the vaccines in the receiving countries.

For 2025, the Company has so far secured revenue from mpox/smallpox vaccine orders of approximately DKK 2,400 million, including previously announced deferred revenue.

DKK million Q3 2024 Q3 2023 9m 2024 9m 2023 2024 Guidance Revenue 1,363 1,376 3,622 4,615 5,400 - 5,800 EBITDA 250 380 692 1,552 1,450 - 1,700





Paul Chaplin, President & Chief Executive Officer of Bavarian Nordic said: "We have had a busy, but highly purposeful and rewarding third quarter, where we have worked intensively to support the efforts to curb the ongoing mpox outbreak in Africa. Only a few weeks after the declaration of mpox as a public health emergency, the first vaccines arrived early September in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the epicenter of the outbreak. With speed and flexibility, we have once again demonstrated our ability to step up in support of a global health crisis. We have acted with global stakeholders to ensure the availability of nearly 3 million doses of our mpox vaccine to Africa through donations and agreements. In parallel, we have continued to work with nations globally to strengthen their mpox/smallpox preparedness, helping to build resilience beyond the current outbreak, and enabling countries to make donations from their existing stockpiles. To ensure the continued equitable access to our vaccine we are exploring options to expand our capacity for increased demand, including transferring the process to a manufacturer in Africa and we applaud the support provided by the Africa CDC and other stakeholders in this endeavor. The committed orders for next year, combined with improved performance in our Travel Health business, and the launch of our chikungunya vaccine in Europe and the U.S. have set us up for another exciting and eventful year in 2025 in line with our vision to expand our reach and impact through life-changing solutions."

Highlights from the third quarter

Public Preparedness

In response to the public health emergency declarations by the Africa CDC and WHO in August, Bavarian Nordic has intensified its collaboration with global stakeholders in efforts to curb the ongoing mpox outbreak in Africa. Importantly, the Company has been working towards maximizing the manufacturing capacity for the MVA-BN mpox vaccine to meet the short- to medium-term demand.

The Company's donation of vaccines, together with donations from the European Commission and the U.S. government were the first to arrive in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in September, ahead of their vaccination campaign. Nearly 3 million doses of MVA-BN have been pledged to Africa by governments and organizations to-date.

Several new orders, including multi-year orders, were announced during the third quarter, and included among other orders from UNICEF, the U.S. government, the European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), as well as from several undisclosed countries. Bavarian Nordic retains sufficient capacity to fulfil the requirement as stated by Africa CDC for at least 10 million doses by the end of 2025 and could even further scale up capacity for future demand if needed.

Several regulatory approvals were obtained for MVA-BN during the third quarter. Most importantly, the vaccine received prequalification from the WHO, representing an important step in making the vaccine available for African countries. Furthermore, the vaccine received a full approval in Singapore and Mexico and a provisional approval in New Zealand. In Europe, real-world effectiveness data from the global 2022 mpox outbreak was included in the marketing authorization, which also was extended to include adolescents 12 to 17 years of age - a decision also adopted in the WHO prequalification. Several clinical studies are now ongoing to generate clinical data in a pediatric population (2-11 years), aiming to further expand the approval for this group.

Travel Health

The Travel Health business has continued its strong performance, demonstrating an overall growth of 18% in the first nine months compared to 2023, primarily driven by higher sales of Rabipur/RabAvert and Encepur. The combined revenues from both products have reached levels exceeding the original expectations at the time of acquisition, thus triggering a sales milestone of DKK 186 million to GSK in the third quarter. The expected revenue from the Travel Health business for the full year was recently upgraded from DKK 2,100 million to DKK 2,200 million.

The bulk manufacturing process for Rabipur/RabAvert was approved by the regulators in October, thus completing the entire technology transfer for the product to Bavarian Nordic, as the fill and finish process had already been established and approved. The technology transfer for Encepur is progressing as planned with anticipated completion and approval in 2025.

Preparations for launch of the chikungunya vaccine in 2025 are being intensified with a regulatory review underway in both the U.S. and Europe. Following grant of priority review for the BLA in August, the FDA is targeting a decision in February 2025, and in Europe, the MAA is being reviewed under accelerated assessment, with anticipated decision in the first half of 2025.

Commercial presence is currently being expanded into new territories to support both the launch of the chikungunya vaccine in 2025 and the ongoing relaunch of Vivotif and Vaxchora, as well as the gradual take-back of Rabipur/RabAvert and Encepur sales and marketing in markets currently managed by Valneva.

Conference call and webcast

The management of Bavarian Nordic will host an investor/analyst call today at 2 pm CET. To join the Q&A session, please register in advance via https://bit.ly/bavaQ32024reg .

Contacts

Europe: Rolf Sass Srensen, Vice President Investor Relations, rss@bavarian-nordic.com , Tel: +45 61 77 47 43

US: Graham Morrell, Paddock Circle Advisors, graham@paddockcircle.com , Tel: +1 781 686 9600

Company Announcement no. 35 / 2024

About Bavarian Nordic

Bavarian Nordic is a global vaccine company with a mission to improve health and save lives through innovative vaccines. We are a preferred supplier of mpox and smallpox vaccines to governments to enhance public health preparedness and have a leading portfolio of travel vaccines. For more information, visit www.bavarian-nordic.com .

Forward-looking statements

This announcement includes forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning our plans, objectives, goals, future events, performance and/or other information that is not historical information. All such forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements and any other cautionary statements which may accompany the forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances after the date made, except as required by law.

Attachment
Press release

Robertet Successfully reshapes Its Shareholder Base to Support Long-Term Growth Ambitions

Robertet welcomes the Fonds Strategique de Participations (FSP) and Peugeot Invest, each investing 125 million in its capital through the acquisition of shares and investment certificates from dsm-firmenich

The Maubert family, controlling shareholder of Robertet, will reinforce its ownership by acquiring investment certificates from Firmenich for 7.5 million

dsm-firmenich has sold the majority of its holding, in a transaction that expands the company's free float by nearly 6% of the capital

Grasse, Paris and Neuilly-sur-Seine, November 15 2024 - Robertet, a world leader in natural ingredients for fragrances and flavors, today announced the entry of the Fonds Strategique de Participations (FSP), managed by ISALT, and Peugeot Invest as shareholders, alongside the Maubert family, which will further strengthen its position. The two new investors have enabled the divestment of the bulk of dsm-firmenich' stake, in a transaction (by way of an accelerated bookbuilding) that expands Robertet's free float.

As part of this transaction, the FSP, managed by ISALT, and Peugeot Invest each acquire a 7.1% stake in Robertet, with an individual investment of 125 million. This investment is comprised of a block of common shares (4.9% of the capital)[1] and investment certificates (2.2% of the capital). Enabled by the divestment of dsm-firmenich, this investment involves agreements with Maubert SA, the family holding company controlling Robertet, aimed at strengthening Robertet's governance, shareholder structure, and independence over the long term.

The FSP and Peugeot Invest are to join Robertet's Board of Directors as independent members, with the support of Maubert SA.

This market transaction also initiated by dsm-firmenich contributes to the expansion of the company's free float. With this operation, Robertet opens a new chapter in its shareholder history and reaffirms its commitment to improving the liquidity and trading activity of its stock.

Founded in 1850 in Grasse by the Maubert family, Robertet has built a unique leadership position around the natural ingredients, flavors and fragrances segments.

The company has established itself as a global leader in this field, mastering the entire value chain from raw ingredients to end products for the beauty, health, and food industries. This vertical integration, from sourcing raw materials to creating final compositions, enables Robertet to ensure exceptional traceability and quality. The company is recognized for its commitment to innovation and sustainable development, continuously exploring new natural sources worldwide to enhance its offerings and meet client expectations. The company generated over 720 million in revenue, with more than 80% from international operations in 2023.

Philippe Maubert, Chairman of Robertet's Board of Directors, commented: "Robertet is delighted to welcome, alongside the Maubert family, the FSP and Peugeot Invest, two new investors confident in its unique and sustainable business model. As a family-controlled industrial company listed on the stock market, Robertet confirms once again its commitment to independence."

Jerome Bruhat, Chief Executive Officer of Robertet, added: "A new, stable group of shareholders supportive of our vision is a unique asset for Robertet's future success. Their backing will allow us to reinforce our leadership in natural raw materials, expand our international presence, and invest in ambitious projects to serve our clients with high-quality, innovative, and sustainable products that have established our reputation."

Renaud Dumora, Chairman of the FSP, said: "By investing in Robertet, a historic leader in natural raw materials and a hallmark of Grasse's heritage, the Alliance of seven leading French insurance companies composing the share capital of FSP, reaffirms its commitment to primarily support leaders in French industry. This investment, alongside the Maubert family and Peugeot Invest, bolsters the strategy and development of an iconic French company with unique expertise, driven by continuous innovation. It is yet another illustration of the mission and long-term vision of the FSP's insurer as shareholders."

Robert Peugeot, Chairman of Peugeot Invest, said: "We are pleased to support Robertet in the reshaping of its capital structure, marking a new stage in its history, alongside trusted partners. Our DNA as a long-term family investor enables us to back Robertet's ambitious development driven by the team led by Jerome Bruhat. As an independent member of the Board, Peugeot Invest will bring its experience as a publicly listed investment company to support the management's recent initiatives to enhance market awareness and recognition of Robertet."

***

Advisors

Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier, PR Associes, and Bompoint acted as legal advisors for Maubert SA and Robertet, the FSP, and Peugeot Invest, respectively.

Greenhill & Co served as the sole financial advisor to the FSP and Peugeot Invest.

***

Summary of transaction terms and agreements

Today, dsm-firmenich sold 135,000 shares to third-party investors through an accelerated bookbuilding process. Concurrently, FSP and Peugeot Invest each purchased 113,662 shares and 51,000 investment certificates (ICs) from dsm-firmenich for a total of 125 million. Additionally, Maubert SA, Robertet's controlling shareholder and active holding company, has committed to acquire, directly or indirectly, 15,007 ICs from dsm-firmenich within the next ten months for a total price of 7.5 million (subject to interest accrual based on the closing date of the sale).

Prior to these transactions, the capital structure of Robertet was as follows:

Ordinary Shares (OS) Investment Certificates (IC) Total Capital (OS + IC) % Total % Voting Rights % Theoretical Voting Rights Maubert SA 737,601 14 737,615 32.0% 54.5% 50.9% Maubert Family 128,348 12 128,360 5.6% 8.2% 7.6% dsm-firmenich 386,732 117,007 503,739 21.8% 13.1% 12.2% Others 702,722 20,811 724,533 31.4% 24.3% 22.6% Treasury Shares 211,342 - 211,342 9.2% - 6.7% Total 2,167,745 137,844 2,305,589 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Upon completion of today's transactions and the acquisition of these 15,007 ICs, Robertet's capital structure will be as follows:

Ordinary

Shares

(OS) Investment

Certificates

(IC) Total capital

(OS + IC) % Total % Voting Rights % Theoretical Voting Rights Maubert SA 737,601 15,021 752,622 32.6% 54.5% 50.9% Maubert Family 128,348 12 128,360 5.6% 8.2% 7.6% FSP 113,662 51,000 164,662 7.1% 3.8% 3.6% Peugeot Invest Assets1 113,662 51,000 164,662 7.1% 3.8% 3.6% dsm-firmenich 24,408 - 24,408 1.1% 0.8% 0.8% Others 838,722 20,811 859,533 37.3% 28.8% 26.9% Treasury Shares 211,342 - 211,342 9.2% - 6.7% Total 2,167,745 137,844 2,305,589 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

100%-owned subsidiary of Peugeot Invest

The Board of Directors of Robertet will convene in December 2024 to determine whether to cancel a portion of the treasury shares held in excess of a maximum of 75,000 shares, which would be allocated for covering free share grants and supporting external growth. This cancellation would be subject to exemption from the mandatory takeover bid (TOB) requirement[2].

The acquisition transactions described above will not result in any dilution or relution affecting other shareholders in terms of dividend rights or effective voting rights. The proposed cancellation of treasury shares would proportionately increase the ownership percentage and theoretical voting rights of all shareholders.

As indicated in Robertet's press release of November 14, 2024, Maubert SA, the FSP, and Peugeot Invest entered into an agreement on November 11, 2024, granting the Fonds Strategique de Participations and Peugeot Invest the option, beginning in May 2030, to convert their investment certificates into ordinary shares by exchanging a portion of these certificates for voting rights certificates (CVDs) held by Maubert SA[3]. The agreed exchange ratio is 8.5 ICs for 1 CVD. Should the FSP and Peugeot Invest exercise this exchange option, Maubert SA will alternatively have the right to acquire, in cash, the ICs submitted for exchange by the FSP and Peugeot Invest, up to approximately 1% of the capital each, at a price based on their acquisition price plus an annual yield.

On November 11, 2024, Maubert SA, the FSP, and Peugeot Invest entered into a shareholder agreement constituting a concerted action with respect to Robertet, which would become effective subject to an exemption from the mandatory takeover bid requirement[4]. The agreement would incorporate the following key provisions :

representation of the Fonds Strategique de Participations and Peugeot Invest on the Robertet Board of Directors as independent members, each with one seat, alongside a majority of directors appointed by Maubert SA; and

a commitment by the Fonds Strategique de Participations and Peugeot Invest to forego part of their double voting rights after the statutory 5-year period, as needed, to preserve Maubert SA's majority voting rights, while ensuring their individual stakes do not fall below 5% of total voting rights.

It is specified that the FSP and Peugeot Invest will not hold veto rights nor exercise joint control over Robertet, which will remain under the control of Maubert SA, and there will be no contractual restrictions on the exercise of their voting rights and the disposal of their shares.

***

About the Robertet Group

Robertet SA was founded in Grasse in 1850 and is the world leader in natural products. Based in France and majority family-owned since its creation, the Robertet Group is still controlled by the Maubert family and is the only fragrance, flavor and natural ingredient company that is fully integrated throughout the entire creative process, from source to final fragrance or flavor. Today, the Robertet Group is represented in more than 50 countries, has more than 2,400 employees worldwide and offers its customers a range of over 1,700 natural materials and bespoke products created in one of its 15 global creation centers. In 2023, the Robertet Group recorded total net sales in excess of 720 million.

www.robertet.com

Investor relations:

Isabelle Pardies: Isabelle.pardies@robertet.com

Media

Alexandre Dechaux: robertet@teneo.com | +33 (0) 6 17 96 61 41

About the Fonds Strategique de Participations (FSP)

The Fonds Strategique de Participations (FSP), managed by ISALT, is an alliance of seven major French insurers - BNP Paribas Cardif, CNP Assurances, Credit Agricole Assurances, Groupama, BPCE Assurances, Societe Generale Assurances and Suravenir - that aims to provide long-term support to French companies in their growth and transition projects. To this end, it acquires significant "strategic" stakes in the capital of major French companies and participates in their governance by sitting on their Boards of Directors or Supervisory Boards. The FSP portfolio, valued at 1.95 billion at 30 June 2024, comprises 11 equity stakes, including 10 in leading French companies: Seb, Arkema, Eutelsat Group, Tikehau Capital, Elior, Neoen, Valeo, Soitec, Verkor and now Robertet.

ISALT, the asset management company of the Fonds Strategique de Participations (FSP) and the Fonds Strategique des Transitions (FST), is an independent asset management firm. Its mission is to make long-term investments in the capital of French companies, both listed and unlisted. As of June 30, 2024, it manages 2.2 billion in assets.

Investor relations:

Andrea Beneventi: andrea.beneventi@isalt-gestion.com

Media:

Etienne Boulet: eboulet@bonafide.paris, | +33 (0) 6 34 19 63 57

About Peugeot Invest

Peugeot Invest is an investment company listed on Euronext and is majority-owned by Etablissements Peugeot Freres. Through its Peugeot 1810 subsidiary, Peugeot Invest is one of the leading shareholders in Stellantis and Forvia, and it follows a minority and long-term investment strategy. Peugeot Invest has shareholdings in listed companies (such as LISI and SPIE), unlisted companies (such as International SOS and Rothschild & Co), co-investments (such as ARCHIMED and JAB Holding) and investment funds.

Investor relations:

Sebastien Coquard: sebastien.coquard@peugeot-invest.com

Media:

Leslie Jung-Isenwater: peugeotinvest@image7.fr | +33 (0) 6 78 70 05 55

[1] Corresponding to a price per common share of 850 and a price per investment certificate of 557.

[2] This exemption will be requested by Maubert SA pursuant to Article 234-9, section 6 of the General Regulation of the Autorite des Marches Financiers.

[3] An ordinary share corresponding to the combination of an investment certificate and a voting right certificate.

[4] This exemption will be requested by the parties pursuant to Article 234-7 1 of the General Regulation of the Autorite des Marches Financiers.

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Young Scientists Shine at 5th Annual NOSTER & Science Microbiome Prize Ceremony

KYOTO, Japan, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Noster Inc. proudly hosted the 5th NOSTER & Science Microbiome Prize Symposium and Awards Ceremony in partnership with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), publishers of the renowned Science journal. The events, held on October 10 and 11, 2024, highlighted the achievements of emerging leaders in microbiome research. The Grand Prize was awarded to Kazuki Nagashima of Stanford University, while Lina Yao and Brittany Needham were the finalists.

On October 10, the Symposium at NOSTER's Kyoto headquarters featured this year's winners, who shared insights on their pioneering discoveries related to the gut microbiome and its impact on health. Topics covered included the intricate interactions between gut bacteria, host organisms, and immune cells, as well as the potential of microbiome-based therapies.

The Ceremony on October 11, held at the Park Hyatt Kyoto, was attended by NOSTER CEO Kohey Kitao, Science Publisher Bill Moran, Science Senior Editor Caroline Ash, and leading researchers from Japan. This year's selection panel chose Kazuki Nagashima as the Grand Prize winner for his groundbreaking research on the effects of gut bacteria on T cells.

Pioneering Discoveries in Microbiome Research

Recent advances in microbiome research have unveiled significant links between gut bacteria and various diseases such as cancer, immune disorders, and gastrointestinal issues. The expanding field of metabolomics is shedding light on how microbial metabolites may influence disease mechanisms. Ongoing research is expected to lead to novel therapies that target the gut microbiome. NOSTER is committed to supporting young scientists and fostering transformative breakthroughs in this field through the NOSTER & Science Microbiome Prize.

Research Highlights of the 2024 Awardees

Kazuki Nagashima, winner of the Grand Prize, developed a method to identify the effects of gut bacteria on T cells, earning the 2024 NOSTER & Science Microbiome Prize Grand Prize. His work overturned previous theories by demonstrating that T cells, a type of immune cell, can recognize and respond to multiple types of bacteria.

Finalist Lina Yao, conducted research aiming to develop new treatments for inflammatory bowel disease and autoimmune disorders by investigating the effects of bile acids produced by gut bacteria on immune cells.

Finalist Brittany Needham, discovered that a substance called 4EPS produced by gut bacteria is present in high levels in the plasma of children with autism spectrum disorder. Her research focuses on how gut bacterial metabolites affect brain function by targeting the gut-brain axis.

About the NOSTER & Science Microbiome Prize

Applications for the 2025 NOSTER & Science Microbiome Prize are open from October 15, 2024, to February 14, 2025. The prize is open to researchers who have earned an M.D., Ph.D., or M.D./Ph.D. within the past 10 years.

For more details

https://www.science.org/content/page/noster-science-microbiome-prize

Company Overview

Name: Noster Inc.

CEO: Kohey Kitao

Headquarters: 35-3 Kamikainocho, Mukomachi, Kyoto, Japan

Business: Research, development, and sales of biopharmaceuticals and functional foods

Website: https://www.noster.inc/jp/

Contact Information

Public Relations: Nanami Akatsuka

Tel: 075-921-5303 / Fax: 075-924-2702

Email: contact@noster.inc

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Regulatory News:

Pursuing the development of its low-carbon hydrogen ecosystem in the Normandy industrial basin, Air Liquide (Paris:AI) will invest 50 million euros in a new hydrogen packaging and delivery supply chain to refueling stations along the Seine Axis, to support the acceleration of low-carbon mobility. The new packaging site will be supplied with renewable hydrogen from the Air Liquide Normand'Hy electrolyzer with a capacity of 200 MW currently under construction. This investment will contribute to the decarbonization of industry and mobility in the Normandy and Ile-de-France regions.

The establishment of this supply chain will support the growing number of hydrogen vehicles along the Seine Axis, from Le Havre to the Ile-de-France. This concerns both intensive mobility such as hydrogen taxis, which are expected to triple in number between 2023 and the end of 2024, and corporate fleets of light utility vehicles, as well as heavy mobility with hydrogen buses and trucks. Leveraging notably on long-term partnerships, including a contract to supply renewable hydrogen to HysetCo's fleet of vehicles, Air Liquide will dedicate around a quarter of the production capacity of its Air Liquide Normand'Hy electrolyzer to supplying renewable hydrogen for decarbonized transportation along the Seine Axis. This is equivalent to the consumption of 500 hydrogen trucks or 10,000 light vehicles.

As previously announced, the other three-quarters of Air Liquide Normand'Hy's production capacity is intended to supply renewable and low carbon hydrogen to customers in the Normandy industrial basin, including the TotalEnergies refinery in Gonfreville. Air Liquide's hydrogen network in Normandy already includes two hydrogen production units the one located at the TotalEnergies refinery in Gonfreville and another at Port-Jerome, where the Group has installed its CO2 capture solution CryocapTM in 2015.

Emilie Mouren-Renouard, member of Air Liquide's Executive Committee, notably supervising the Group's operations in Europe, said: "Leveraging the capacities of the future Air Liquide Normand'Hy electrolyzer, this investment in the renewable hydrogen supply chain constitutes a concrete and decisive step forward in favor of low-carbon transportation around the Seine Axis. It reinforces Air Liquide's positioning across the entire renewable and low-carbon hydrogen value chain, a key component of the energy transition, from production to packaging and transportation to delivery points. With this new project, the Group confirms its commitment to fostering ecosystems that contribute to the transition towards a low-carbon society."

Air Liquide is a world leader in gases, technologies and services for industry and healthcare. Present in 60 countries with 66,300 employees, the Group serves more than 4 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquide's scientific territory and have been at the core of the Group's activities since its creation in 1902.

Taking action today while preparing the future is at the heart of Air Liquide's strategy. With ADVANCE, its strategic plan for 2025, Air Liquide is targeting a global performance, combining financial and extra-financial dimensions. Positioned on new markets, the Group benefits from major assets such as its business model combining resilience and strength, its ability to innovate and its technological expertise. The Group develops solutions contributing to climate and the energy transition-particularly with hydrogen-and takes action to progress in areas of healthcare, digital and high technologies.

Air Liquide's revenue amounted to more than 27.5 billion euros in 2023. Air Liquide is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange (compartment A) and belongs to the CAC 40, CAC 40 ESG, EURO STOXX 50, FTSE4Good and DJSI Europe indexes.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241114176270/en/

Contacts:

Corporate Communications

media@airliquide.com

Investor Relations

IRTeam@airliquide.com
Rio Tinto has entered into definitive agreements with GravitHy, an early-stage industrial company, to help accelerate GravitHy's steel decarbonisation project in France. As part of this collaboration, Rio Tinto will supply high-grade direct reduction iron ore pellets from its Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC) operations to GravitHy's planned operation, as well as manage the sales and marketing of ultra-low carbon Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI) GravitHy produces.

GravitHy's proposed two million tonnes per year iron production facility at Fos-sur-Mer, France, is planned to be commissioned in 2028. The facility, which is located next to a deep seaport, will feature ultra-low carbon hydrogen production infrastructure, powered by existing grid-connected nuclear power, to process direct reduction pellets into HBI. This process has the potential to reduce ironmaking-related CO2 emissions by more than 90%.

Steel produced with low-carbon emissions is an essential component of the net-zero energy transition. The production of iron and steel contributes around 8% of global carbon emissions and requires new technologies, redesigned processes, and new infrastructure to decarbonise.

GravitHy Chief Executive Officer Jose Noldin said: "We are developing one of the most advanced ultra-low-carbon iron projects worldwide, designated by the French government as an 'Industrial Project of Major National Interest'. By combining our business ambitions, agility, and technological capabilities with Rio Tinto's global leadership in mining and steel decarbonisation, we are ensuring a solid sourcing and go-to-market strategy to help accelerate the development of this project."

Rio Tinto Head of Steel Decarbonisation Simon Farry said: "This collaboration is aligned with Rio Tinto's steel decarbonisation strategy to accelerate the development of low-carbon Electric Arc Furnace steelmaking with high-grade iron as feedstock. This will allow us to both reduce our Scope 3 emissions and create valuable decarbonised pathways for our high-grade iron ore. We are excited to support GravitHy's project and expand our understanding of the emerging green iron and steel market."

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241114512120/en/

Contacts:

Please direct all enquiries to media.enquiries@riotinto.com

Media Relations, United Kingdom

Matthew Klar

M +44 7796 630 637

David Outhwaite

M +44 7787 597 493

Media Relations, Australia

Matt Chambers

M +61 433 525 739

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Media Relations, Canada

Simon Letendre

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Media Relations, US

Jesse Riseborough

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Investor Relations, United Kingdom

David Ovington

M +44 7920 010 978

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M +44 7825 907 230

Investor Relations, Australia

Tom Gallop

M +61 439 353 948

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Rio Tinto plc

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London SW1Y 4AD

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riotinto.com

Category: IOC
DUBAI, UAE, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PayerMax, a leading global provider of payment solutions, has been named Best Payments Solutions Provider of 2024 by MEA Finance magazine at an award ceremony hosted on November 12 in Dubai. The award is a testament of PayerMax's success in providing exceptional financial technology services to clients in the Middle East and Africa, as well as its leadership position in payment solutions.

The annual MEA Finance Industry Awards recognizes the financial institutions, technology solutions providers, fintech companies, service providers and individuals for exceptional achievements, groundbreaking services and inspirational leadership in delivering innovative products and services.

"We're very honored to receive the award. It not only recognizes the success of our innovative technologies and regional strategies, but also it is the perfect testimonial of how our team thrives to create superior values for our clients, and we look forward to more cooperation with more partners," said Wang Hu, co-founder of PayerMax. "Looking ahead, PayerMax remains committed to further strengthening our presence and deepening our efforts in the Middle Eastern market. We will continue to empower more businesses and enhance the digital payment ecosystem across regions, driving value and growth for clients around the world."

In 2024, PayerMax achieved major milestones in the Middle East market. In alignment with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, PayerMax became the first Asian fintech company to establish a regional headquarters in Riyadh and obtained the Payment Technical Service Provider (PTSP) certification from Saudi Payments on behalf of the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) in September. This certification allows PayerMax to operate seamlessly within Saudi Arabia's financial ecosystem, providing merchants across the country with secure, flexible, and efficient payment solutions. The company has also formed partnerships with leading banks such as SAB and Emirates NBD, advancing the digital twin ecosystem while supporting financial inclusion, economic diversification, and an enhanced user experience through digital payments in the region. Furthermore, as the first Asian fintech company to secure the UAE's payment license, PayerMax is strengthening its presence and expanding operations across the Middle East.

Beyond the Middle East, PayerMax's achievements in 2024 were globally recognized. In May, PayerMax was awarded the 2024 "Best Payments and Collections Solution" award from The Asset in the prestigious "The Asset Triple A Awards." With an impressive 95% coverage of mainstream payment methods in emerging markets, PayerMax continues to build on its vision of providing innovative payment solutions worldwide.

PayerMax is committed to providing businesses with one-stop local payment solutions to meet their diverse payment needs. Its extensive network supports a wide range of over 600 payment methods, more than 70 transaction currencies, and over 20 local languages, catering to diverse global user payment preferences. With a vision to drive merchant success on a global scale, PayerMax offers an array of value-added services, including risk management, foreign exchange management, payment marketing (webshop), and finance & tax services, constructing a comprehensive environment for merchants to excel in a competitive global marketplace and handle the intricacies of globalization with ease.

Looking ahead, PayerMax is committed to staying at the forefront of the evolving digital payment landscape. The company will continue to invest in technological innovation and service enhancements to deliver increased value and opportunities to its customers. By doing so, PayerMax aims to empower global business expansion and facilitate the transition to a cashless society. For more information, please visit https://www.payermax.com/.

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LONDON (dpa-AFX) - TotalEnergies, BP, Equinor, and Shell announced a joint commitment to invest in projects supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 (UN SDG7), which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.The four energy giants are activating a new initiative to drive high-impact local projects that will help achieve SDG7 by 2030. With a combined $500 million in committed capital, the investment will focus on promising projects, primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, designed to provide underserved communities with access to electricity and improved cooking solutions, TotalEnergies said in a statement.The funding will target a wide range of solutions, including solar home systems, mini/metro grids, clean cooking technologies, and enabling innovations like e-mobility, energy storage, and management systems. This initiative not only aims to support SDG7 but also has the potential to deliver co-benefits such as job creation and better health outcomes in the regions served.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - Germany's wholesale prices continued to decline in October, though at a slower pace, data from Destatis revealed on Friday.Wholesale prices decreased 0.8 percent year-on-year in October, slower than the 1.1 percent drop in September. Wholesale prices have been falling since May 2023, and the latest drop was the weakest in three months.Data showed an 11.5 percent drop in wholesale prices of mineral oil products. The cost of iron, steel, and semi-finished products fell 5.3 percent, and peripheral equipment prices dropped 4.9 percent.On a monthly basis, wholesale prices slid 0.4 percent in October, reversing a 0.3 percent fall in September.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Rio Tinto has committed $16 million to the Makira Natural Park REDD+1 Project in northern Madagascar, through a new partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Everland. This commitment complements Rio Tinto's investment in nature-based solutions in the south-east of the country.

The Makira Natural Park REDD+ Project encompasses 372,000 hectares of dense primary forest. One of the largest remaining rainforests in the country, harbouring 17 species of lemur and more than 50% of Madagascar's botanical diversity, Makira is critical to the protection of species found nowhere else in the world. Home to approximately 90,000 people who live in 120 villages in the project area, the project works to build the capacity of communities to practice more sustainable agriculture and avoid deforesting new areas.

Rio Tinto's commitment will allow the project to scale up and improve protected area management and bring funds that will directly benefit the rural communities living in and around the Park. These funds will allow the project to reassess the deforestation baseline according to the latest Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and Climate, Community and Biodiversity (CCB) Standards before credit issuance. Funding will also support monitoring and reporting on the impact of ongoing interventions to reduce deforestation, protect threatened biodiversity, and bring durable improvements to local communities, including increasing their involvement and agency in forest and wildlife protection activities. Rio Tinto's investment also includes a committed offtake of carbon credits from the project.

While Rio Tinto's priority is reducing operational emissions, this commitment is part of the company's work to invest in and develop high-integrity nature-based solutions. These do not compete for capital with, or replace, decarbonisation projects, rather they are standalone carbon and nature investments that can bring positive outcomes in the regions where Rio Tinto operates.

Max Andonirina Fontaine, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Government of the Republic of Madagascar said: "This commitment by Rio Tinto to the Makira Natural Park REDD+ Project underlines the critical importance of project-level REDD+ efforts within our national program as an effective tool to halt deforestation, protect critical ecosystems and biodiversity, and fund urgently needed development priorities for local communities. This commitment by Rio Tinto, in partnership with WCS, is an important milestone in achieving Madagascar's national and international goals on climate change and sustainable development."

Theresia Ott, Chief Advisor, Nature Solutions, Rio Tinto said, "Supporting the development of REDD+, restoration and sustainable landscape management programs in the regions where we work is a critical component of our Nature Solutions program. The Makira Natural Park project has played a key role in demonstrating the success of REDD+ in conserving high biodiversity landscapes whilst bringing positive outcomes for people. We believe these programs are much-needed tools to urgently finance large-scale, long-term activities and therefore to secure sustained protection, while improving climate resilience and restoring the ecosystem services on which we all rely."

Todd Stevens, Executive Director, Wildlife Conservation Society said: "WCS welcomes this well-timed commitment by Rio Tinto, which will provide a critical surge in support of recharging forest and biodiversity conservation, as well as community livelihoods and economic development activities in Makira. We need more public-private partnerships like this to help countries like Madagascar continue to access carbon finance to meet their climate and sustainable development goals, while safeguarding forests and wildlife for generations. WCS salutes the Government of the Republic of Madagascar for their leadership in supporting this process."

Joshua Tosteson, Chief Executive Officer, Everland said, "This commitment by Rio Tinto comes at a critical moment for the communities and governments of forest nations. At a time when the risks of inaction have become untenable for the world, the reputational risks of voluntary corporate action have made it untenable for many companies to act when action is most needed to turn the tide on forest loss. We applaud Rio Tinto, the Madagascar Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development and the Wildlife Conservation Society for their bold commitment to protecting and enhancing some of the most important and endangered ecosystems in the world, while directly empowering the local communities whose fate is intertwined with that of the forest."

Notes to editors

In 2003, the Madagascar Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development launched a program, supported by WCS, to create the Makira Forest Protected Area and to finance it in part through carbon markets.

After a 12-year development effort, in 2013 the Makira Natural Park REDD+ Project became the first government-owned REDD+ project in Africa to sell carbon credits on the voluntary carbon market, after achieving verification under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and Climate, and Community and Biodiversity (CCB) Standards.

The project suspended its participation under the VCS from 2020-2024, during which time Madagascar participated in a jurisdictional emissions reduction program under the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility of the World Bank. Activities in Makira continued to reduce deforestation under that jurisdictional program. Between 2005 and 2013, the project resulted in 6,000 hectares and 31,000 hectares of avoided deforestation within the project area and leakage belt respectively, and 400 hectares of degraded forest land restored.

Rio Tinto's commitment provides sustainable finance to the project, so that it can continue to deliver positive outcomes for climate, nature and the local communities in and around the Makira Natural Park REDD+ Project. This investment is part of Rio Tinto's broader support for the protection, restoration and sustainable management of Madagascar's biodiverse forests, through projects that can generate high-integrity carbon credits.

The Makira Forest Protected Area REDD+ Project's impact will be assessed for its value to people, climate and nature using the most recent and robust methodologies and the resulting monitoring reports and results of third-party audits will be publicly available.

About Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

WCS combines the power of its zoos and an aquarium in New York City and a Global Conservation Program in more than 50 countries to achieve its mission to save wildlife and wild places. WCS runs the world's largest conservation field program, protecting more than 50 percent of Earth's known biodiversity; in partnership with governments, Indigenous People, Local Communities, and the private sector. It's four zoos and aquarium (the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and the New York Aquarium) welcome more than 3.5 million visitors each year, inspiring generations to care for nature.

About Everland

Everland is a specialised conservation marketing organisation in the climate change mitigation business that exclusively represents the Voluntary Carbon Market's largest portfolio of high-impact, community-centered, forest conservation (REDD+) projects. Through these projects, Everland brings together communities and corporations in common cause to protect some of the world's most important and vulnerable forests.

www.everland.earth

1 United Nations Climate Change: 'REDD' stands for 'Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries'. The '+' stands for additional forest-related activities that protect the climate, namely sustainable management of forests and the conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241114001626/en/

Contacts:

Please direct all enquiries to media.enquiries@riotinto.com

Rio Tinto

David Outhwaite

M: +44 7787 597493

Media.enquiries@riotinto.com

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

Mary Dixon

M +1 347 840 1242

mdixon@wcs.org

Everland

Will Richard

Media@everland.earth

Rio Tinto plc

6 St James's Square

London SW1Y 4AD

United Kingdom

T +44 20 7781 2000

Registered in England

No. 719885

riotinto.com

Category: General
LIMASSOL, Cyprus , Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Doo Group is proud to announce that Doo Financial, one of its brands, has been awarded a new license by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). This achievement strengthens Doo Group's commitment to providing a secure and regulated trading environment for its clients globally.

Expanding Regulatory Reach

The addition of the CySEC license highlights Doo Group's extensive regulatory framework, which already spans across multiple financial jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Hong Kong and Malaysia. This strategic milestone reflects Doo Group's dedication to ensuring compliance with international regulatory standards and prioritizing client security. As a European Supervisory Authority, CySEC offers a robust regulatory environment and is expected to enhance client confidence. For Doo Group, this new regulatory milestone reinforces its reputation as a trusted, reliable financial services provider.

"Acquiring the new license from CySEC is a significant milestone for Doo Financial, marking a key step in our ongoing growth and strategic expansion. This achievement not only reinforces our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of regulatory excellence but also solidifies our position as a trusted, reliable financial institution within Europe. By aligning with CySEC's rigorous requirements, we are better positioned to offer enhanced services to our clients, foster greater transparency, and ensure long-term stability in an increasingly complex and dynamic financial landscape." Costas Kappai, Doo Financial EU

Strengthening Client Confidence

Doo Financial EU, the European branch of Doo Financial, is now positioned to serve clients across Europe under the guidelines of a European Supervisory Authority. European clients will benefit from CySEC's regulatory protections, including client fund safety and transparent business practices, ensuring a secure and trustworthy trading experience. This development allows Doo Financial EU to offer its suite of financial services and trading products to a wider audience, backed by the credibility and oversight of CySEC.

By expanding its regulatory reach, Doo Group continues to strengthen its position in the global financial market, enabling clients to trade with confidence. The CySEC license is another step toward achieving Doo Group's vision of becoming a leader in financial services.

About Doo Group

Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Singapore, Doo Group is an international financial services provider with a focus on FinTech. With operations across 10 major business lines-including Brokerage, Wealth Management, Payments, and Digital Marketing-we are dedicated to delivering comprehensive financial solutions that empower our clients to explore a better future.

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Reply, a global systems integrator and SAP Gold Partner, is proud to announce its recognition in Forrester's SAP Services Landscape. Reply believes this recognition among notable providers highlights the extensive experience and capabilities of its SAP-dedicated companies: Syskoplan Reply, 4brands Reply, Power Reply, Sprint Reply, and Portaltech Reply.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241115309552/en/

Reply is proud to announce its recognition in Forrester's SAP Services Landscape for Q3 2024. (Photo: Business Wire)

In its report, Forrester, a leading global research and advisory firm, "defines SAP services providers as: SAP-certified services partners that are global systems integrators and/or regional firms trained extensively on SAP products and solutions and that possess the expertise to deliver SAP-products-related strategy and business consulting, design, product implementation, systems integration, testing, deployment and rollout, continuous change management and enablement, and ongoing support services."

The Reply Group companies specializing in SAP technology provide comprehensive SAP-related services across various industries helping customers to optimize their activities and processes. Their expertise spans a wide array of SAP Cloud technologies, including SAP S/4HANA Cloud (RISE with SAP), Business Process Transformation (SAP Signavio), SAP Customer Experience, SAP Business Technology Platform, SAP Digital Supply Chain, SAP ARIBA, SAP Concur, and SAP Business AI.

Filippo Rizzante, CTO of Reply, commented, "Our agile approach to developing innovative solutions with SAP's product suite, deployed globally across various industries, reflects our commitment to enhancing our partnership with SAP. As an SAP Gold Partner, we believe this recognition from Forrester underscores our expertise in consulting and implementation, as well as our dedication to supporting the extensive SAP ecosystem for our clients."

This latest acknowledgment from Forrester adds to a series of prestigious awards earned by Reply, including recognition as "Best in Class" in PAC RADAR's "Leading Providers of SAP Services in Europe and Germany 2024" report. In addition, Reply has been the recipient of the SAP Quality Award for ten consecutive years, the SAP Pinnacle Award for Customer Excellence, and a Top 3 nomination in CX Delivery Quality.

Download the SAP Services Landscape, Q3 2024, and explore Reply's innovative SAP solutions.

Reply:

Reply [EXM, STAR: REY] specializes in the design and implementation of solutions based on new communication channels and digital media. As a network of highly specialized companies, Reply defines and develops business models enabled by the new models of AI, big data, cloud computing, digital media, and the internet of things. Reply delivers consulting, system integration, and digital services to organizations across the telecom and media; industry and services; banking and insurance; and public sectors. www.reply.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241115309552/en/

Contacts:

Media Contacts:

Reply

Fabio Zappelli

f.zappelli@reply.com

Tel. +390117711594

Irene Caia

i.caia@reply.com

Tel. +3902535761
The independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) recommended the continuation of patient enrollment as planned.

There has been no safety concern with the use of Leuprolide (FP-001) injectable Emulsion in pediatric CPP patients.

TAIPEI, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Foresee Pharmaceuticals (TPEx: 6576), ("Foresee") today announces the second positive safety review by the independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board for its Casppian Phase 3 registration study. The DSMB recommended that Foresee Pharmaceuticals continue the trial without any modification.

The Casppian Phase 3 study is an open-label, multicenter, multinational clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of leuprolide (FP-001) 42 mg controlled release in patients with central (Gonadotropin-Dependent) precocious puberty (CPP). Foresee's leuprolide injectable emulsion, 42 mg (marketed under the brand name CAMCEVI), is currently approved for the treatment of adult patients with advanced prostate cancer and has demonstrated positive efficacy and safety results with statistically significant treatment effects in adult male patients with advanced prostate cancer.

"With almost 50% enrollment completed, the second positive DSMB recommendation to continue the Casppian trial without any modification confirms the favorable safety profile of FP-001, 42 mg 6 month long-acting, ready-to-use, subcutaneous injectable treatment in patients with CPP. The differentiated product profile, favorable safety profile in combination with the early indications of efficacy lead us to believe this therapy will become a leading therapy for pediatric patients with CPP. We look forward to continuing to enroll patients and are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of safety and ethical conduct throughout this clinical trial," said Bassem Elmankabadi, M.D., Senior Vice President of Clinical Development of Foresee.

"This DSMB recommendation again demonstrates the success of Foresee's pioneering Stabilized Injectable Formulation (SIF) long-acting injectable (LAI) technology in several disease indications, including children with CPP," said Dr. Yuhua Li, Chief Technology Officer of Foresee.

"The outcome of the second DSMB for the Casppian study is a significant step toward our mission of improving the standard of care and the quality of life of children with CPP," said Dr. Ben Chien, CEO and Chairman of Foresee. "This positive recommendation brings us closer to our goal of delivering safe and effective treatment for children with CPP. Topline results from this trial as anticipated in 2025."

About CPP

GnRH-dependent CPP is a condition that causes early sexual development in girls and boys, as their "hypothalamus - pituitary gland - gonadal axis" is activated too early, causing children to enter puberty prematurely, between 2 years and 9 years of age.

CPP patients are at risk of having significantly short stature as adults in addition to social, psychological, and emotional issues, including lower self-esteem, stress, anxiety, and depression, which may negatively impact their quality of life. According to the NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders) website, CPP occurs in 1 out of 5,000 to 10,000 children. It is estimated that approximately 80% - 90% of CPP cases are idiopathic, especially in females, with a female-to-male ratio of around 20. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, including leuprolide, are the most widely used treatment for CPP.

About Foresee Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.

Foresee is a Taiwan and US-based biopharmaceutical company listed on the Taipei Exchange (TPEx: 6576). Foresee's R&D efforts are focused in two key areas, namely its unique Stabilized Injectable Formulation (SIF) long-acting injectable (LAI) technology with derived drug products targeting specialty markets and secondly, its transformative preclinical and clinical first-in-class NCE programs targeting rare and severe disease areas with high unmet needs.

Foresee's product portfolio includes late and early-stage programs. CAMCEVI 42 mg or the treatment of advanced prostate cancer, is now approved in the U.S., Canada, EU, Taiwan and Israel and was launched in the U.S. in April 2022. Additionally, the U.S. NDA for the 3-month version of CAMCEVI has been submitted, while the EU regulatory submission for the 3-month version of CAMCEVI is still under preparation. For the second indication of CAMCEVI 6-month LAI formulation, central precocious puberty (CPP), the Casppian Phase 3 clinical study, is ongoing. Another indication of CAMCEVI 6-month LAI formulation, premenopausal breast cancer, the Phase 3 clinical trial in China is ongoing as well. Aderamastat (FP-025), a highly selective oral MMP-12 inhibitor targeting inflammatory and fibrotic diseases, has been investigated in a Phase 2 proof-of-concept study in allergic asthmatic patients. The study had positive outcomes, with future development in rare immune-fibrotic diseases. Linvemastat (FP-020), a follow-on oral MMP-12 inhibitor, for which a Phase 1 study in healthy volunteers has been successfully completed, with development targeted in severe asthma, COPD and IBD. Mirivadelgat (FP-045) is a highly selective oral small molecule allosteric activator of ALDH2, a mitochondrial enzyme, for which the FuschiA Phase 1b /2 Fanconi Anemia study is ongoing, and the Phase 2 WINDWARD study in pulmonary hypertension-interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD) patients is in planning with targeted initiation in the first quarter of 2025. Building on the compelling biology of ALDH2, and translational data from several Foresee ALDH2 activators, a follow-on candidate from a new series of compounds is being selected for development in metabolic syndrome/healthy weight loss and the broader cardiovascular-renal-metabolic space. www.foreseepharma.com

SOURCE Foresee Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation ("Sinopec", HKG: 0386) has successfully hosted a multilateral event themed Hydrogen Powering Climate Action: Towards A Clean Energy Future with Net-Zero Emissions on November 13rd at the China Pavilion of the 29th Conference of the Parties ("COP29").

Jointly organized by Sinopec, International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association (IHFCA), and Foreign Environmental Cooperation Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (FECO), the event marked a significant milestone as the first hydrogen-themed event co-hosted by a Chinese company at the COP conference.

Two reports were published at the event, the Progress Report on Implementation of the COP28 International Cooperation Initiative "Safe, Climate Beneficial and Sustainable Development of Hydrogen Energy" and IHFCA Green Hydrogen Economy Report, that presented the progress of China's hydrogen energy innovation and practices, unfolded the country's green and low-carbon development, and promoted safe, efficient, and sustainable development of hydrogen energy and international cooperation.

Sinopec, a pioneer in developing green hydrogen, geothermal, and CCUS technologies, accentuates advancing international technological exchanges and cooperation. Ma Yongsheng, chairman of Sinopec, delivered a compelling keynote speech at the event. He emphasized the importance of collective action in building a robust hydrogen industry ecosystem and transitioning towards a "hydrogen era" in the energy sector, while stressing the need for enhanced international cooperation, openness and innovation as well as trade facilitation across the hydrogen industry value chain.

"Sinopec is dedicated to working with all stakeholders and global partners to achieve carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals as we address the pressing climate challenges. Together, we are committed to forging a green, peaceful and sustainable future for our planet," said Ma Yongsheng.

Sinopec is gradually establishing a comprehensive industry chain of hydrogen production, storage, transportation, utilization and research, further boosting green hydrogen production capacity and exploring emission reduction solutions in refining and chemical industries. It has put into operation China's first 20,000-ton photovoltaic green hydrogen demonstration project and is now planning the 100,000-ton/year wind and green hydrogen integration project.

As the world's largest single enterprise operating hydrogen refueling stations, Sinopec has built 11 hydrogen fuel cell supply centers and 138 hydrogen refueling stations. In 2023, the stations accounted for about 40 percent of China's hydrogen refueling volume.

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BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - U.K. stocks were little changed on Friday and the pound hovered near a four-month low after data showed Britain's economy contracted unexpectedly in September and growth slowed to a crawl over the third quarter.In a blow to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the U.K. economy grew only marginally in the third quarter on weak services output, data from the Office for National Statistics revealed.GDP grew 0.1 percent sequentially, following growth of 0.5 percent in the second quarter. That was also weaker than the forecast of 0.2 percent.In September, GDP edged down 0.1 percent, in contrast to the 0.2 percent expansion in August.Following the release of GDP data, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said, 'Improving economic growth is at the heart of everything I am seeking to achieve, which is why I am not satisfied with these numbers.'The benchmark FTSE 100 was marginally lower at 8,065 after adding half a percent the previous day.Rio Tinto shares were up 0.6 percent after the miner committed $16 million to the Makira Natural Park REDD+1 Project in northern Madagascar.Energy giants BP and Shell both rose about 1 percent after they joined forces with Equinor and TotalEnergies to invest in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 (UN SDG7).Manufacturing specialist Volex slumped nearly 13 percent after revealing it has made offers for TT Electronics. Shares of the latter soared more than 35 percent.Land Securities rallied 2.2 percent after the landlord reported robust half-year results for 2024.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
JINHUA, China, Nov. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 2024 Conference on China-Africa Cultural and Tourism Cooperation & Exchange was held in Jinhua City in east China's Zhejiang Province on November 8.

A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.

The conference, which sought to promote people-to-people exchanges via cultural Silk Road to promote mutual progress for China and Africa, was jointly organized by the international exchange and cooperation department of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the China Tourism Academy, and the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism. It was co-hosted by the Jinhua Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism and the Africa Research Institute of Zhejiang Normal University, with support from the World Tourism Alliance.

More than 240 representatives from various African countries and regions, including ambassadors and diplomats, representatives from the African Union, officials from relevant Chinese government departments and institutions, as well as experts and business representatives from both China and Africa, gathered together to discuss and promote concrete and fruitful cultural and tourism exchanges and cooperation between the two sides.

There is vast potential for cooperation between China and Africa in culture and tourism, according to Xu Peng, vice chairman of the World Tourism Alliance.

He said that China looks forward to expanding and deepening cultural and tourism cooperation with countries across Africa to promote diversification of tourism products, improvement of service quality, and standardization of the market, thus providing tourists with a more convenient, comfortable, and safe travel experience.

Li Xinfang, deputy director of the Zhejiang provincial department of culture, radio, television and tourism, said that cultural and tourism exchanges between China and Africa have entered a new phase of mutually proactive development, citing a series of cultural and tourism exchanges between Zhejiang and African countries, such as the African tour of Zhejiang during the Spring Festival, and the Zhejiang youth exchange activities with African counterparts, the Jiangnan aesthetic lifestyle exhibition and the African woodcarving art exhibition.

The conference would help China and Africa engage in in-depth communication, mutual learning, and strengthen cooperation, leading to the cross-border promotion of cultural and tourism resources and the mutual understanding, appreciation, and integration of Chinese and African civilizations, Li added.

The symposium also attracted the participation of tourism department officials from several African countries, including Tanzania, Djibouti, and Seychelles.

Citing that true friends are those who walk the same path, they said that despite the distance between China and Africa, the two sides are closely connected.

The development of the tourism industry serves as an important driver for Africa's economic growth and regional integration, while China's experiences and practices in promoting the integration of culture and tourism are worth learning from for Africa, according to them.

It is hoped that this symposium will serve as an opportunity to continue strengthening dialogue and jointly promote the cultural Silk Road initiative between the two sides, contribute to the ten major cooperation programs, and continue to write a new chapter of friendship and understanding between the people of China and Africa, they said.

During the conference, representatives from China and Africa engaged in high-level dialogue on topics such as leveraging tourism and technology to promote cultural heritage, and the exchange between Chinese Jiangnan culture and African Swahili culture.

Source: Jinhua Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism
Regulatory News:

The Board of Directors of SOMAIR* met on 12 November 2024 and approved a motion to introduce protective measures which are essential for preserving the cash required to pay salaries and maintain the safety and integrity of industrial sites. The Board is requesting a temporary halt to expenditure related to mining and processing ore, until such time as it resumes the export and sale of its products.

At this meeting of the Board, Orano reaffirmed its commitment to SOMAIR employees by voting for a proposal to direct its remaining available cash reserves towards the payment of salaries and the upkeep of industrial sites' vital functions for as long as possible. The administrators representing SOPAMIN* left the meeting room during that vote, choosing to abstain.

Today, SOMAIR is stifled by the debts accumulated by its shareholder SOPAMIN, and by its inability to export and obtain proceeds from the sale of its products, even though it has quality industrial facilities and mineral reserves which should permit production to continue until 2040; as well as a competent and highly-qualified Nigerien workforce, which has demonstrated commendable professionalism and resilience in this trying time.

It is important to note that what is being announced is in no way a cessation of operations or closing of the site, but merely the decision to place a stop on all non-essential expenditure in the current configuration.

As an operator, Orano has always made sustainable investments in SOMAIR and regrets this situation and the difficult consequences it will entail for the 750 employees of SOMAIR and the firm's sub-contractors as well as the local economy.

Orano considers the statements by the Minister for Mining made to foreign media to be regrettable, as they indicate a choice which will not resolve the problems facing SOMAIR. These damaging statements will not alter Orano's position.

Only a united effort by all stakeholders to progress towards stability, and measures to stabilise operations over the long term, can allow SOMAIR to resume its activities in peace.

*SOMAIR's shareholders: Orano 64.3% SOPAMIN 36.6% (State of Niger)

About Orano

As a recognized international leading operator in the field of nuclear materials, Orano delivers solutions to address present and future global energy and health challenges. Its expertise and mastery of cutting-edge technologies enable Orano to offer its customers high value-added products and services throughout the entire fuel cycle. Every day, the Orano group's 17,500 employees draw on their skills, unwavering dedication to safety and constant quest for innovation, with the commitment to develop know-how in the transformation and control of nuclear materials, for the climate and for a healthy and resource-efficient world, now and tomorrow.

Orano, giving nuclear energy its full value.

www.orano.group

Oranogroup

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Contacts:

Press Office

+33 (0)1 34 96 12 15

press@orano.group

Investor relations

Marc Quesnoy

investors@orano.group


EQS Newswire / 15/11/2024 / 11:15 CET/CEST

NANCHANG, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 15 November 2024 - Recently, at the 8th China Intangible Cultural Heritage Expo, Jiangxi's paper-cutting, traditional Chinese medicine, ceramics, and other intangible cultural heritage crafts gained great attention from many media outlets and visitors.





Jiangxi's intangible cultural heritage is rich and varied. These crafts and projects not only reflect the remarkable achievements of Jiangxi people in opera, textile, ceramic production, folk culture, and other areas but also showcase the diversity and uniqueness of Jiangxi culture.



Jiangxi Ruichang paper-cutting is one of the national-level intangible cultural heritages. During festivals such as the Spring Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival, local residents will use ordinary red paper to cut out patterns of flowers, birds, insects, fish, and other designs, expressing their aspirations for a wonderful life.



The skills of Chinese herbal medicine processing are also techniques accumulated over thousands of years by Jiangxi people, attracting the attention of many foreign friends. Jiayi, a graduate student majoring in acupuncture and thermosensitive moxibustion at Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, is currently learning the skill of processing Fructus Aurantii.



In Nanchang, Jiangxi, porcelain plate painting has been handed down through generations. This craft involves painting on porcelain and firing it, developing on the basis of traditional Chinese painting techniques, ceramic painting, and Western photography. It is now also popular among young people.



Jiangxi's intangible cultural heritages originate from the lives of ordinary people and reflect the unique local materials and culture. These special skills are also favored by many international students.



Recently, Jiangxi will also hold a series of intangible cultural heritage performances, hoping that more young people and overseas friends can learn about these crafts' culture and ensure they are passed down and preserved for future generations.



Hashtag: JiangxiInternationalCommunicationCenter

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

News Source: Jiangxi International Communication Center

15/11/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



Media archive at www.todayir.com




EQS Newswire / 15/11/2024 / 11:29 CET/CEST

SHENZHEN, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 15 November 2024 - OPPO, the world's leading smart device brand will bring the flagship MediaTek Dimensity 9400 SoC to global markets in its upcoming OPPO Find X8 and Find X8 Pro smartphones. The world's first globally available devices to feature MediaTek's powerful new chipset, the Dimensity 9400 combines second-generation All Big Core design with industry-leading AI, compute, gaming and photography capabilities for ultra performance.





"Find X8 Series will put ultra-grade gaming, imaging, and smoothness in customers hands, and this world-class performance is made possible thanks to our strong partnership with MediaTek. We look forward to MediaTek and OPPO continuing to propel advanced technology forward as the core driving force, bringing more innovation to global user" - Andy WU, OPPO Vice President, President of Find Product Line



"For many years, OPPO and MediaTek have worked together with the same mission: to continuously explore and lead the development of new technologies. The Dimensity 9400 is a game-changing chipset, with its second-generation All Big Core design delivering class-leading power and incredible performance. We can't wait for more people to experience it in OPPO Find X8 and Find X8 Pro."- Dr. Yenchi Lee, General Manager of the Wireless Communications Business Unit, MediaTek



The Dimensity 9400 adopts MediaTek's second-generation All Big Core design, integrating one Arm Cortex-X925 core operating at 3.62GHz, combined with 3x Cortex-X4 and 4x Cortex-A720 cores. This design offers 35% faster single-core performance and 28% faster multi-core performance compared to MediaTek's previous generation flagship chipset [i], so everything from day-to-day use on Find X8 Series to 4K video edits and intensive multi-tasking across apps will be a smooth ride.



Find X8 and Find X8 Pro are also gaming powerhouses. MediaTek's 12-core Arm Immortalis-G925 delivers up to 40% faster raytracing performance compared to the previous generation, plus PC-level features with opacity micromaps (OMM) support for realistic effects. The chipset's powerful GPU also offers a 41% peak performance boost with up to 44% greater efficiency i, so users can game for longer. In real-world terms, this power combined with OPPO's custom cooling system for Find X8 and Find X8 Pro ensures both can playback demanding games while delivering consistent, high frame rates even at maximum graphics settings.



Built on TSMC's second-generation 3nm process, the Dimensity 9400 is up to 40% more power-efficient i, allowing users to enjoy longer battery life without sacrificing on performance. Matched with Find X8 Series' high-capacity Silicon-Carbon battery technology, this combination makes multi-day battery a reality.



Powering Find X8 Series and ColorOS's advanced AI capabilities, MediaTek's 8th Generation NPU boasts exceptional generative AI performance, offering up to 80% faster large language model (LLM) prompt performance while also being up to 35% more power efficient when computing AI tasks [ii].



Taking advantage of the Dimensity 9400's powerful on-device AI capabilities, OPPO has worked with MediaTek to integrate Google Gemini Nano's language intelligence within Magic Compose. In Google Messages, this feature creates context-aware replies in a range of tones across multiple languages, saving time and helping hit the right notes, with reply styles including Excited, Chill, Lyrical, Formal, Short, and even Shakespeare.



By combining the power of MediaTek's Imagiq 1090 ISP with Find X8 Series' Hasselblad Master Camera System and HyperTone Image Engine, photography and video performance is better than ever. From advancements in AI-powered zoom, lowlight performance and HDR video as well as smooth zoom between cameras, Find X8 and Find X8 Pro's cameras are set to excel. The Dimensity 9400 also uses up to 14% less power when shooting 4K video at 60fps i, a favourite setting for creators, so Find X8 Series can shoot better-looking, smoother footage for longer.



OPPO's AI LinkBoost matched with MediaTek's upgrades to the Dimensity 9400's connectivity suite ensures whether online gaming or uploading a video at a crowded stadium, Find X8 Series gives you the best chance for an interruption-free connection. And this exemplary stability extends to Wi-Fi, with MediaTek Xtra RangeTM 3.0 delivering up to 30m greater WiFi coverage ii.



Stay tuned to learn more about Find X8 Series, powered by the incredible MediaTek Dimensity 9400 at the upcoming global launch event.



[i] When compared to previous generation chipset

[ii] Data from MediaTek

Hashtag: OPPO

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

News Source: OPPO

15/11/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



Media archive at www.todayir.com


Four tech scale up companies announced as winners of the Unicorn Kingdom Pathfinder Awards (UKPA) across innovative categories such as AI and cyber security.

Programme aims to nurture the world's most talented scale ups within the UK's tech ecosystem and help them establish a base in the UK economy.

The UK has more unicorns than France and Germany combined and continues to be a prime destination for tech businesses from across the world.

LONDON, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Four innovative tech scale up businesses tackling challenges from connecting cancer patients to clinical trials, to improving IT systems' resistance to cyber-attacks, have been announced as winners of the Unicorn Kingdom Pathfinder Awards (UKPA) - DBT's largest global awards for tech scale up companies.

The awards, hosted by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), provide a unique opportunity to unearth the most promising businesses in tech and builds on the success of the UK's Tech Rocketship Awards in 2023, which resulted in 67.4 million investment into the UK.?

The government is focused on transforming the UK into even more of a magnet for investors and global businesses of all shapes and sizes. The awards serve as a reminder that the UK is the place to do business, helping to advance further opportunities for investment and growth.

Finalists were drawn from four categories: AI, Cyber Security, Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) technology and Digital Trade Solutions.?

The winners were announced yesterday at?LinkedIn's HQ in London, where the 10 finalists pitched to a leading panel of judges from the tech industry. They also heard from entrepreneur Alpesh B Patel OBE in a fireside chat, alongside panellists Envisionit Deep AI and Shopline - two successful businesses that have set up in the UK.?

The winners will also attend a roundtable at No10 to discuss their success at the awards and explore ways in which the UK can maintain its position as a premier destination to grow a business.

Minister for Small Businesses Gareth Thomas?said:?

"We have a thriving tech sector worth over $1 trillion, and our Pathfinder Awards are vital in encouraging more tech scale ups from around the world to do businesses here in the UK.?

"Not only does the UK have more unicorns than France and Germany combined, but our country continues to be a prime destination for tech businesses from across the world to come and succeed."?

Winners of the UKPAs will receive a tailored growth programme to scale up their business in the UK, including support from leading industry and government sector specialists and expertise from DBT's Global Entrepreneur Programme.??

Winners:?

AI: Massive Bio - an AI-driven platform connecting cancer patients to bio-pharmaceutical clinical trials. The primary goal is for individuals with cancer to be directed to clinical trials tailored almost precisely to their specific condition through accurate and rapid analysis.

an AI-driven platform connecting cancer patients to bio-pharmaceutical clinical trials. The primary goal is for individuals with cancer to be directed to clinical trials tailored almost precisely to their specific condition through accurate and rapid analysis. Cyber Security: CyLock - provides a simple solution to test IT systems' resistance to cyber-attacks, facilitating ready-to-implement solutions for clients to overcome cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

- provides a simple solution to test IT systems' resistance to cyber-attacks, facilitating ready-to-implement solutions for clients to overcome cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Digital Trade Solutions: Grubtech - empowering restaurants and grocery chains to adopt omnichannel capabilities without the burden of changing core solutions like point of sales.

empowering restaurants and grocery chains to adopt omnichannel capabilities without the burden of changing core solutions like point of sales. Connected and Automated Mobility:?Bottobo - specialises in developing robotics solutions designed to streamline industrial processes and enhance operational efficiency. Mainly focusing autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and software platforms revolutionising the way warehouses and distribution centres fulfil orders.

Cagatay Culcuoglu, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Massive Bio said:

"It's amazing to win the UKPA award for AI. The UK is a great place to expand globally and for business operations. We are looking forward to building our footprint in Commonwealth nations with the support of DBT and help cancer patients identify the right clinical trials."

Diego Padovan, Chief Executive Officer at CyLock said:

"In cyber security, trust is something that is essential to provide your products. This kind of competition is crucial to building trust with our customers."

Mohamed Hamedi, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at Grubtech said:

"It's great to have the UK as a base to accelerate our global expansion. Thank you to DBT for supporting us to open doors, remove barriers, and helping us to hit the ground running."

Sancak Gulgen, Co-Founder of Bottobo said:

"We really appreciate the support from the UK government for startups and future unicorns. The most important part is that they have a clear plan for the future needs of the technology and focus for us."

Increasing investment is a mission at the heart of this government. Britain is back and open for business, and our thriving tech sector, already worth $1.1 trillion, shows that the UK is the investment destination of choice.?

The UK is one of only three economies in the world with a trillion-dollar tech sector, closely behind the US and China, and we're encouraging more tech scale ups to come to the UK and operate here.?

Our new Industrial Strategy will be international from the start, taking learnings from the best of what has been achieved globally. It will build on the UK's strengths to support even more international businesses to thrive in our market. That's why digital and tech is one of our growth sectors that will be a focus of the strategy.?

Full list of finalists:

AI:

Massive Bio - An AI-driven platform connecting cancer patients to bio-pharmaceutical clinical trials.

Pix Force - Specializes in developing artificial intelligence algorithms applied to computer vision.

Westwell - One of the first companies in China to develop autonomous container trucks.

Tessact - An AI Video Tech company which uses video recognition technologies built on advanced machine learning systems.

Digital Trade Solutions:

Gallarus Industry Solutions - Provides Intelligent Machine, IT & OT solutions that make smart decisions easy for customers.

Grubtech - Empowers restaurants and grocery chains to adopt omnichannel capabilities without the burden of changing core solutions like point of sales.

Connected & Automated Mobility (CAM):

MooVita - Curates smart mobility solutions to roadworthy autonomous vehicles for urban municipalities worldwide.

Bottobo - Specializes in developing robotics solutions designed to streamline industrial processes and enhance operational efficiency.

Cyber Security:

CyLock - AI-powered B2B SaaS cybersecurity platform that analyses any IT system automatically and remotely without the need for technical knowledge, installation, configuration or maintenance.

Cyberdes - Cyberdes provides AI meets semiconductors in the field of cyber security.

Notes to Editors?

Full details of the awards can be found here: great.gov.uk/ukpa.

More information on the Global Entrepreneur Programme can be found here: https://www.great.gov.uk/campaign-site/gep/

The expert panel of judges included DBT Director of Investment John Edwards, Deputy Chief Scientific Adviser Tim Kay, Co-Founder of Blue Lake VC Lyuba Guk, and Group Operations Director of Founders Forum Ellie Steel.

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Christening and Launch Ceremony of TRANS HARMONY EMERALD

TOKYO, Nov 15, 2024 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group company, today held a christening and launch ceremony for the TRANS HARMONY EMERALD, the second of two LNG-powered roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO) ships(Note) under construction for Toyofuji Shipping Co., Ltd. The ceremony took place at the Enoura Plant of MHI's Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The ship's handover is scheduled for June 2025 following completion of outfitting work and sea trials. The TRANS HARMONY EMERALD will serve as a RO/RO vessel on shipping routes in Asia.The TRANS HARMONY EMERALD is approximately 195 meters in overall length, approximately 30.6 meters in breadth, and has gross tonnage of approximately 49,500. It can simultaneously transport about 3,000 passenger cars. The ship's main engine and main generator engine are high-performance dual-fuel engines each accommodating LNG or diesel fuel. Together these engines enable a greater than 25% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to ships with the same hull and powered by fuel oil, cutting SOx (sulfur oxides) emissions to near zero, thereby helping to reduce the vessel's environmental footprint.The christening and launch ceremony of the first vessel, "TRANS HARMONY GREEN," for Toyofuji Shipping, has already been held this June, and its handover is scheduled for late January 2025.Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, as part of MHI Group's strategic initiatives for energy transition, today contributes toward realizing a carbon-neutral world by building LNG-powered ships enabling the maritime industry to achieve a low-carbon footprint. Going forward, as a maritime system integrator the Company will continue to work with its business partners to solve diverse issues through construction of ferries and RO/RO ships that will contribute to stable operations at sea while also providing outstanding energy and environmental performance.RO/RO ships are equipped with a ferry-type ramp enabling direct vehicle access, including cargo-loaded trucks and trailers.About MHI GroupMitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world's leading industrial groups, spanning energy, smart infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on spectra.mhi.com.Source: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
JACKSONVILLE, FL / ACCESSWIRE / November 15, 2024 / LFTD Partners Inc. ("LFTD Partners" or the "Company") (OTCQB:LIFD) , the corporate parent of leading hemp, wellness and energy products maker Lifted Made , today reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024. Financial results are reported in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and all currency is in U.S. dollars.

Income Statement - Q3 2024 Compared to Q3 2023:

Revenue decreased 34% to $8,691,675, down from $13,106,280

Operating loss was $140,703, compared to income of $659,539

Net loss was $194,399, compared to net income of $617,648

Basic loss per share was $0.01 per share, compared to basic income per share of $0.04

Diluted loss per share was $0.01 per share, compared to diluted income per share of $0.04

Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the three months ended September 30, 2024 were both 14,822,678

Balance Sheet - September 30, 2024 Compared to December 31, 2023:

Cash on hand, which includes $1,000,000 of restricted cash, decreased 22% to $4,174,805, down from $5,357,539

Inventory decreased 4% to $9,748,937, down from $10,174,667

Current assets decreased 19% to $17,446,160, down from $21,668,980

Current ratio increased to 2.64 from 2.49

Working capital decreased 16% to $10,848,003, down from $12,982,236

Notes payable to Surety Bank decreased 10% to $3,480,467, down from $3,854,851

Earnings Conference Call and Webcast Information:

LFTD Partners will host an earnings conference call and webcast today, Friday, November 15, 2024 at 8:30 AM ET.

Participant phone numbers:

Toll Free: 877-545-0320

International: 973-528-0002

Participant Access Code: 826050

Webcast event link:

https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2916/51670

The participant phone numbers and webcast event link are shown on the Investor Relations section of LFTD Partners' website at https://www.lftdpartners.com/investors .

The webcast replay will also be available on the Investor Relations section of LFTD Partners' website.

Although attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions during the earnings conference call, attendees are encouraged to submit questions prior to the call by emailing them to: jakejacobs@lftdpartners.com .

About LFTD Partners Inc.

Publicly traded LFTD Partners Inc., Jacksonville, FL (OTCQB:LIFD) is the parent corporation of Lifted Made, Kenosha, WI ( www.Urb.shop ), which manufactures and sells hemp-derived and other psychoactive products under its award-winning Urb brand, hemp-free health and wellness gummies under its Mielos brand, and hemp-free energy gummies under its Rebel brand. Lifted Made is the worldwide, exclusive manufacturer and seller of Diamond Supply Co. ( www.DiamondSupplyCo.com ), and Cali Sweets hemp-derived products, and is the exclusive manufacturer and seller in the USA of hemp-derived products for a subsidiary of a large, publicly traded US marijuana company. LFTD Partners Inc. also owns 4.99% of hemp-derived beverage and products maker Ablis ( www.Ablis.shop ), and of craft distillers Bendistillery Inc. d/b/a Crater Lake Spirits ( www.CraterLakeSpirits.com ) and Bend Spirits, Inc., all located in Bend, OR. Please read LIFD's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission which fully describe our business and the Risk Factors associated therewith. Stay updated with our company news and product launches by subscribing to our newsletters at www.LFTDPartners.com and at www.Urb.shop .

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this document are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such information includes the operations, financing, growth, performance, products, plans and expectations of LFTD Partners Inc. and Lifted Liquids, Inc. d/b/a Lifted Made and d/b/a Urb Finest Flowers. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause or contribute to these companies' actual operations, financing, growth, performance, products, plans or results of these companies differing materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of certain other factors, including the risk factors set forth in LFTD Partners Inc.'s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. None of the statements contained herein have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and none of the products manufactured or sold by Lifted Made are intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell common stock or any other securities of LFTD Partners Inc.

Contact Information

Gerard M. Jacobs

Chairman and CEO of LFTD Partners Inc.

(847) 915-2446

GerardMJacobs@LFTDPartners.com

Nicholas S. Warrender

Vice Chairman and COO of LFTD Partners Inc.

(224) 577-8148

CEO@urb.shop

William C. "Jake" Jacobs

President and CFO of LFTD Partners Inc.

(847) 400-7660

JakeJacobs@LFTDPartners.com

SOURCE: LFTD Partners Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
YANTAI, China, Nov. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At the Launch Conference of International Zero-Carbon Island Cooperation Initiative held during the UNFCCC COP29 on Nov. 13, Yantai City, Shandong Province released the International Zero-Carbon Island Cooperation Initiative together with 32 island cities, international organizations, research institutions, enterprises, and other founding entities at home and abroad. This initiative aims to promote global climate governance through joint efforts.

A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.

Over 50,000 islands worldwide are facing shared challenges due to climate change, highlighting the urgent need for an international organization that focuses on the sustainable development of islands. Zheng Deyan, vice secretary of the CPC Yantai Municipal Committee and mayor of Yantai City, called on global island stakeholders to unite in international zero-carbon island cooperation, contributing to both sustainable island development and global climate campaigns.

The International Zero-Carbon Island Cooperation Organization, as the world's first international organization dedicated to zero-carbon islands, aims to enhance the climate resilience of islands, strengthen infrastructure and disaster response capabilities, and promote mutual assistance in the sharing of emergency relief supplies; explore zero-carbon pathways, build clean energy systems, promote green buildings, green transportation, and green communities, and foster the development of low-carbon industries such as modern marine fisheries, modern agriculture, and low-carbon tourism; protect ecological resources, strengthen the protection, development, utilization, research, and management of island resources, and enhance academic and cultural exchange among islands.

The Launch Conference of International Zero-Carbon Island Cooperation Initiative was hosted by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and the Shandong Provincial People's Government, and co-organized by the Shandong Provincial Foreign Affairs Office, Shandong Provincial Department of Ecological Environment, and the Yantai Municipal People's Government. At the conference, representatives from China, island nations, and international organizations delivered speeches and expressed their support for the initiative.

Source: Yantai Municipal People's Government
Recommendation based on data from registrational TRIDENT-1 and CARE trials, which demonstrated robust responses and durable activity with repotrectinib in these patient populations

If approved, repotrectinib has the potential to be a best-in-class treatment for patients with advanced ROS1-positive non-small cell lung cancer in the European Union

Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended approval for repotrectinib, a next-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), as a treatment for adult patients with ROS1-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with advanced solid tumors expressing a NTRK gene fusion, and who have received a prior NTRK inhibitor, or have not received a prior NTRK inhibitor and treatment options not targeting NTRK provide limited clinical benefit, or have been exhausted. The European Commission (EC), which has the authority to approve medicines for the European Union (EU), will now review the CHMP recommendation. The final EC decision is expected in January 2025.

"Patients in the EU with ROS1-positive non-small cell lung cancer and NTRK-positive solid tumors face a great unmet need for new therapies that may improve their outcomes and address or delay the difficult issue of treatment resistance," said Joseph Fiore, vice president, global program lead, repotrectinib, Bristol Myers Squibb. "We look forward to the EC's upcoming decision and to potentially bringing this next-generation treatment to patients with tumors harboring ROS1 or NTRK fusions in the EU."

The positive opinion is based on results from the TRIDENT-1 and CARE trials, in which repotrectinib demonstrated clinically meaningful response rates in patients across ROS1-positive NSCLC and NTRK-positive solid tumor cohorts, both as an initial targeted treatment or after progression on a prior targeted treatment. Durability of response was robust and intracranial responses were observed in both settings, as well as in patients whose tumors harbor common resistance mutations. The safety profile of repotrectinib was well characterized and generally manageable with routine standard-of-care treatments. The study remains ongoing to assess long-term outcomes and additional endpoints across patient populations with ROS1-positive advanced NSCLC and NTRK-positive advanced solid tumors.

In November 2023 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Augtyro(repotrectinib) for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic ROS1-positive NSCLC. In June 2024 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Augtyro for the treatment of patients with NTRK-positive locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors.

Bristol Myers Squibb thanks the patients and investigators involved in the TRIDENT-1 and CARE clinical trials.

About TRIDENT-1

TRIDENT-1 is a global, multicenter, single-arm, open-label, multi-cohort Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and anti-tumor activity of repotrectinib in patients with advanced solid tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Phase 1/2 includes patients with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors harboring ROS1 and NTRK fusions. Additional analyses of the trial are still being conducted; asymptomatic central nervous system (CNS) metastases are allowed. The trial excludes patients with symptomatic brain metastases, among other exclusion criteria. Phase 1 of the trial included the dose escalation that determined the recommended Phase 2 dose.

Phase 2 of the trial has a primary endpoint of overall response rate (ORR). Key secondary endpoints include duration of response (DOR) according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST v1.1) as assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR), progression-free survival (PFS), and intracranial response in six distinct expansion cohorts, including tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-naive and TKI-pretreated patients with ROS1-positive locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC and NTRK-positive locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors.

About CARE

CARE is a Phase 1/2 open-label, safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and anti-tumor activity clinical trial evaluating repotrectinib in pediatric and young adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors harboring ALK, ROS1 or NTRK1-3 gene alterations.

Phase 1 of the study aims to evaluate the safety and tolerability at different dose levels. Phase 1 of the trial has primary endpoints of dose limiting toxicities (DLTs) and pediatric recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D). Secondary endpoints include overall response rate (ORR), clinical benefit rate (CBR), time to response (TTR), duration of response (DOR) and intracranial ORR (IC-ORR). Patients less than 12 years of age will initially be enrolled in Phase 1 to determine the RP2D for this age group.

Once the pediatric RP2D is determined, patients less than 12 years of age may be enrolled into Phase 2 of the study. Patients ages 12 to 25 years will be directly enrolled into Phase 2 concurrent with Phase 1 enrollment. Phase 2 of the study will seek to demonstrate the efficacy and anti-tumor activity of repotrectinib in pediatric and young adult patients. The primary endpoint of Phase 2 is ORR and secondary endpoints include CBR, TTR, DOR, IC-ORR, progression-free survival (PFS), central nervous system PFS (CNS-PFS) and overall survival (OS).

About ROS1-Positive Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. The two main types of lung cancer are non-small cell and small cell. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents up to 85% of diagnoses. Survival rates vary depending on the stage and type of the cancer when diagnosed. ROS1 fusions are rare and occur in about 1-2% of patients with NSCLC. With a median age of 50, patients with tumors that are ROS1-positive tend to be younger than the average lung cancer patient, more often female than male and may have little to no smoking history. ROS1-positive lung cancer tends to be aggressive and can often spread to the brain. ROS1 tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy is the current standard of care for patients with a tumor harboring this gene alteration.

About NTRK-Positive Solid Tumors

Neurotrophic tropomyosin receptor kinase (NTRK) are a family of receptors involved in neural development. An NTRK gene fusion is an alteration that occurs when a piece of the chromosome containing the NTRK gene breaks off and joins with a gene on another chromosome. These fusions lead to abnormal proteins, which may cause cancer cells to grow. While NTRK gene fusions are rare in patients with solid tumors, testing for NTRK gene fusions allows for the identification of patients who may benefit from TRK inhibitor therapy.

Bristol Myers Squibb: Creating a Better Future for People with Cancer

Bristol Myers Squibb is inspired by a single vision transforming patients' lives through science. The goal of the company's cancer research is to deliver medicines that offer each patient a better, healthier life and to make cure a possibility. Building on a legacy across a broad range of cancers that have changed survival expectations for many, Bristol Myers Squibb researchers are exploring new frontiers in personalized medicine and, through innovative digital platforms, are turning data into insights that sharpen their focus. Deep understanding of causal human biology, cutting-edge capabilities and differentiated research programs uniquely position the company to approach cancer from every angle.

Cancer can have a relentless grasp on many parts of a patient's life, and Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to taking actions to address all aspects of care, from diagnosis to survivorship. As a leader in cancer care, Bristol Myers Squibb is working to empower all people with cancer to have a better future.

About Repotrectinib

Repotrectinib (TPX-0005, BMS-986472) is a next-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) targeting ROS1- or NTRK-positive advanced solid tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), where there remain significant unmet medical needs for patients. Repotrectinib was designed to improve durability of response and with favorable properties for human brain penetration to enhance intracranial activity. It is being studied in a registrational Phase 1/2 trial primarily in adults and a Phase 1/2 trial in pediatric patients.

In June 2017, repotrectinib was granted an Orphan Drug designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Since then, repotrectinib has demonstrated clinically meaningful results and was granted three Breakthrough Therapy Designations (BTDs) by the FDA for the treatment of patients with: ROS1-positive metastatic NSCLC who have not been treated with a ROS1 TKI; ROS1-positive metastatic NSCLC who have been previously treated with one ROS1 TKI and who have not received prior platinum-based chemotherapy; and advanced solid tumors that have an NTRK gene fusion who have progressed following treatment with one or two prior tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) TKIs (with or without prior chemotherapy) and have no satisfactory alternative treatments.

Repotrectinib was also previously granted four fast-track designations in patients with: ROS1-positive advanced NSCLC who have been treated with disease progression following one prior line of platinum-based chemotherapy and one prior line of a ROS1 TKI; ROS1-positive advanced NSCLC who have not been treated with a ROS1 TKI; ROS1-positive advanced NSCLC who have been previously treated with one ROS1 TKI and who have not received prior platinum-based chemotherapy; and advanced solid tumors that have an NTRK gene fusion who have progressed following treatment with at least one prior line of chemotherapy and one or two prior TRK TKIs and have no satisfactory alternative treatments.

INDICATIONS

AUGTYRO is indicated for the treatment of:

adult patients with advanced ROS1 -positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with solid tumors that: have a neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase ( NTRK ) gene fusion, are advanced, and have progressed following treatment or have no satisfactory alternative therapy.



This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trial(s).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Warnings Precautions

Central Nervous System Adverse Reactions

Among the 426 patients who received AUGTYRO in the Study TRIDENT-1, a broad spectrum of central nervous system (CNS) adverse reactions including dizziness, ataxia, and cognitive disorders occurred in 77% of patients with Grade 3 or 4 events occurring in 4.5%.

Dizziness, including vertigo, occurred in 65%; Grade 3 dizziness occurred in 2.8% of patients. The median time to onset was 7 days (1 day to 1.4 years). Dose interruption was required in 9% of patients, and 11% required dose reduction of AUGTYRO due to dizziness.

Ataxia, including gait disturbance and balance disorder, occurred in 28% of patients; Grade 3 ataxia occurred in 0.5%. The median time to onset was 15 days (1 day to 1.4 years). Dose interruption was required in 5% of patients, 8% required dose reduction and one patient (0.2%) permanently discontinued AUGTYRO due to ataxia.

Cognitive impairment, including memory impairment and disturbance in attention, occurred in 25% of patients. Cognitive impairment included memory impairment (15%), disturbance in attention (12%), and confusional state (2%); Grade 3 cognitive impairment occurred in 0.9% of patients. The median time to onset of cognitive disorders was 37 days (1 day to 1.4 years). Dose interruption was required in 2% of patients, 2.1% required dose reduction and 0.5% permanently discontinued AUGTYRO due to cognitive adverse reactions.

Mood disorders occurred in 6% of patients. Mood disorders occurring in >1% of patients included anxiety (2.6%); Grade 4 mood disorders (mania) occurred in 0.2% of patients. Dose interruption was required in 0.2% of patients and 0.2% required a dose reduction due to mood disorders.

Sleep disorders including insomnia and hypersomnia occurred in 18% of patients. Sleep disorders observed in >1% of patients were somnolence (9%), insomnia (6%) and hypersomnia (1.6%). Dose interruption was required in 0.7% of patients, and 0.2% required a dose reduction due to sleep disorders.

The incidences of CNS adverse reactions reported were similar in patients with and without CNS metastases.

Advise patients not to drive or use machines if they are experiencing CNS adverse reactions. Withhold and then resume at same or reduced dose upon improvement, or permanently discontinue AUGTYRO based on severity.

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)/Pneumonitis

Among the 426 patients treated with AUGTYRO, ILD/pneumonitis (pneumonitis [2.8%] and ILD [0.2%]) occurred in 3.1%; Grade 3 ILD/pneumonitis occurred in 1.2%. The median time to onset was 45 days (19 days to 0.9 years). Dose interruption was required in 1.4% of patients, 0.5% required dose reduction, and 1.1% permanently discontinued AUGTYRO due to ILD/pneumonitis.

Monitor patients for new or worsening pulmonary symptoms indicative of ILD/pneumonitis. Immediately withhold AUGTYRO in patients with suspected ILD/pneumonitis and permanently discontinue AUGTYRO if ILD/pneumonitis is confirmed.

Hepatotoxicity

Among the 426 patients treated with AUGTYRO, increased alanine transaminase (ALT) occurred in 38%, increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) occurred in 41%, including Grade 3 or 4 increased ALT in 3.3% and increased AST in 2.9%. The median time to onset of increased ALT or AST was 15 days (range: 1 day to 1.9 years). Increased ALT or AST leading to dose interruptions or reductions occurred in 2.8% and 1.2% of patients, respectively. Hyperbilirubinemia leading to dose interruptions occurred in 0.5%.

Monitor liver function tests, including ALT, AST and bilirubin, every 2 weeks during the first month of treatment, then monthly thereafter and then as clinically indicated. Withhold and then resume at same or reduced dose upon improvement or permanently discontinue AUGTYRO based on the severity.

Myalgia with Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK) Elevation

AUGTYRO can cause myalgia with or without creatine phosphokinase (CPK) elevation. Among the 426 patients treated with AUGTYRO, myalgia occurred in 13% of patients, with Grade 3 in 0.7%. Median time to onset of myalgia was 19 days (range: 1 day to 2 years). Concurrent increased CPK within a 7-day window was observed in 3.7% of patients. AUGTYRO was interrupted in one patient with myalgia and concurrent CPK elevation.

Advise patients to report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. Monitor serum CPK levels during AUGTYRO treatment and monitor CPK levels every 2 weeks during the first month of treatment and as needed in patients reporting unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. Initiate supportive care as clinically indicated. Based on severity, withhold and then resume AUGTYRO at same or reduced dose upon improvement.

Hyperuricemia

Among the 426 patients treated with AUGTYRO, 21 patients (5%) experienced hyperuricemia reported as an adverse reaction, 0.7% experienced Grade 3 or 4 hyperuricemia. One patient without pre-existing gout required urate-lowering medication.

Monitor serum uric acid levels prior to initiating AUGTYRO and periodically during treatment. Initiate treatment with urate-lowering medications as clinically indicated. Withhold and then resume at same or reduced dose upon improvement, or permanently discontinue AUGTYRO based on severity.

Skeletal Fractures

Among 426 adult patients who received AUGTYRO, fractures occurred in 2.3%. Fractures involved the ribs (0.5%), feet (0.5%), spine (0.2%), acetabulum (0.2%), sternum (0.2%), and ankles (0.2%). Some fractures occurred at sites of disease and prior radiation therapy. The median time to fracture was 71 days (range: 31 days to 1.4 years). AUGTYRO was interrupted in 0.3% of patients.

Of 26 evaluable patients in an ongoing open-label study in pediatric patients, fractures occurred in one 12-year-old patient (ankle/foot) and one 10-year-old patient (stress fracture). AUGTYRO was interrupted in both patients. AUGTYRO is not approved for use in pediatric patients less than 12 years of age.

Promptly evaluate patients with signs or symptoms (e.g., pain, changes in mobility, deformity) of fractures. There are no data on the effects of AUGTYRO on healing of known fractures and risk of future fractures.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

Based on literature reports in humans with congenital mutations leading to changes in tropomyosin receptor tyrosine kinase (TRK) signaling, findings from animal studies, and its mechanism of action, AUGTYRO can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.

Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective non-hormonal contraception during treatment with AUGTYRO and for 2 months following the last dose, since AUGTYRO can render some hormonal contraceptives ineffective.

Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with AUGTYRO and for 4 months after the last dose.

Adverse Reactions

The safety of AUGTYRO was evaluated in 426 patients in TRIDENT-1. The most common adverse reactions (=20%) were dizziness, dysgeusia, peripheral neuropathy, constipation, dyspnea, fatigue, ataxia, cognitive impairment, muscular weakness, and nausea.

Drug Interactions

Effects of Other Drugs on AUGTYRO

Strong and Moderate CYP3A Inhibitors

Avoid concomitant use with strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitors. Concomitant use of AUGTYRO with a strong or a moderate CYP3A inhibitor may increase repotrectinib exposure, which may increase the incidence and severity of adverse reactions of AUGTYRO. Discontinue CYP3A inhibitors for 3 to 5 elimination half-lives of the CYP3A inhibitor prior to initiating AUGTYRO.

P-gp Inhibitors

Avoid concomitant use with P-gp inhibitors. Concomitant use of AUGTYRO with a P-gp inhibitor may increase repotrectinib exposure, which may increase the incidence and severity of adverse reactions of AUGTYRO.

Strong and Moderate CYP3A Inducers

Avoid concomitant use with strong or moderate CYP3A inducers. Concomitant use of AUGTYRO with a strong or moderate CYP3A inducer may decrease repotrectinib plasma concentrations, which may decrease efficacy of AUGTYRO.

Effects of AUGTYRO on other Drugs

Certain CYP3A4 Substrates

Avoid concomitant use unless otherwise recommended in the Prescribing Information for CYP3A substrates, where minimal concentration changes can cause reduced efficacy. If concomitant use is unavoidable, increase the CYP3A4 substrate dosage in accordance with approved product labeling.

Repotrectinib is a CYP3A4 inducer. Concomitant use of repotrectinib decreases the concentration of CYP3A4 substrates, which can reduce the efficacy of these substrates.

Contraceptives

Repotrectinib is a CYP3A4 inducer, which can decrease progestin or estrogen exposure to an extent that could reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives.

Avoid concomitant use of AUGTYRO with hormonal contraceptives. Advise females of childbearing potential to use an effective nonhormonal contraceptive.

Please see U.S. Full Prescribing Information for AUGTYRO

About Bristol Myers Squibb

Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, the research, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. All statements that are not statements of historical facts are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them in the next several years, that are difficult to predict, may be beyond our control and could cause our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the statements. These risks, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, that the CHMP opinion is not binding on the EC, that repotrectinib may not receive regulatory approval for the indication described in this release in the currently anticipated timeline or at all, that any marketing approvals, if granted, may have significant limitations on their use, and, if approved, whether repotrectinib for such indication will be commercially successful. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many risks and uncertainties that affect Bristol Myers Squibb's business and market, particularly those identified in the cautionary statement and risk factors discussion in Bristol Myers Squibb's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as updated by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document and except as otherwise required by applicable law, Bristol Myers Squibb undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.

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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241114265833/en/

Contacts:

Bristol Myers Squibb



Media Inquiries:

media@bms.com



Investors:

investor.relations@bms.com
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL / ACCESSWIRE / November 15, 2024 / FAVO Capital, Inc. (OTC PINK:FAVO), a leading provider of private credit and alternative financing solutions, is proud to announce that it has been awarded the prestigious Innovation & Excellence Award 2024 by the renowned global business magazine, Business Honor.

This esteemed recognition celebrates FAVO Capital's commitment to leading with vision, pushing boundaries, and redefining excellence in funding small and mid-sized businesses. The company President - Shaun Quin is featured on the cover of the November issue of Business Honor, which highlights key companies making a significant impact across America through their innovation, growth, and excellence. In the issue, he discusses FAVO Capital's vision and purpose, as well as how the company is disrupting the alternative financing market.

"We are honored to be recognized by Business Honor," said Shaun Quin, President of FAVO Capital. "This award reflects our relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence in empowering small and mid-sized businesses nationwide. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated team, loyal clients, and trusted partners, whose support and collaboration make this achievement possible."

Vincent Napolitano, CEO of FAVO Capital stated, "This is yet again a testament to our dedication to small business America and we are truly honored to be recognized for our relentless efforts, congratulations to all the other participants on your continued success."

This recognition from Business Honor serves as both a testament to the company's achievements and a catalyst for ongoing growth and transformation. Moving forward, FAVO Capital remains dedicated to nurturing strong partnerships and delivering cutting-edge financing solutions that empower small and medium enterprises to reach new heights.

Read more at: https://businesshonor.com/magazine/profile/favo-capital-financial-funding-solutions

About FAVO Capital, Inc.

FAVO Capital, Inc. (OTC Markets:FAVO) is a rapidly growing alternative finance company headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The Company offers personalized alternative finance solutions to emerging, small, and medium-sized businesses. "FAVO" is "Honeycomb" in Latin - The Honeycomb (Hexagon) is the most efficient shape in the universe. FAVO intends to be Efficient, Flexible & Durable.

For more information visit: www.favocapital.com

About Business Honor magazine

Business Honor magazine focuses on highlighting the achievements and contributions of businesses globally, exploring the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation driving economic growth worldwide. It covers a diverse range of industries, offering insights into market trends and showcasing successful business strategies employed by companies around the world. By providing in-depth interviews with industry leaders and insightful analyses, Business Honor magazine serves as a valuable resource for entrepreneurs and professionals seeking to understand and engage with the dynamic global business landscape. The publication aims to inspire its readers through stories of resilience and innovation, reflecting the unique challenges and opportunities present in the international business environment. For more information visit: www.businesshonor.com

Contact:

Email: info@favocapital.com

Tel: 833.328.6477

Website: www.favocapital.com

Safe Harbor/Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements, estimates, and projections of future trends and of the anticipated future performance constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Series' expectations, beliefs, or future strategies that are signified by the words "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "believes," or similar language. These forward-looking statements concern the Company's operations, economic performance and financial condition and are based largely on the Company's beliefs and expectations. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from expected results. Given these uncertainties, the reader is advised not to place any undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release FAVO Capital, Inc and its Management Team expressly disclaims any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements in this document to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements, unless specifically required by law or regulation.

SOURCE: FAVO Capital, Inc. & Business Honor

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Adjusted EBITDA (1) for Q3 2024 of $7.3 million, an increase of $0.5 million from Q2 2024;

Debt repayment of $4.9 million in the quarter; net debt of $96.4 million at September 30, 2024;

Cost rationalization initiative to reduce annualized operating expense by over $4.0 million.

Victoria, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 15, 2024) - Tiny Ltd. (TSXV: TINY) ("Tiny" or "the "Company"), a technology holding company with a strategy of acquiring majority stakes in businesses, today announced the financial results for Tiny Ltd. for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 ("Q3 2024" and "YTD Q3 2024", respectively). Currency amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

Portfolio Company Highlights for the Quarter

Creative Market established itself as the world's largest font marketplace, with over 300,000 fonts available to creative teams around the globe.

Archetype Themes launched Devkit, a membership-based development toolkit designed to help developers, agencies and enterprise merchants craft outstanding Shopify online stores.

Letterboxd(2) exceeded 15 million members, with monthly active users up 62% since acquisition.

Management Commentary

In Q3 2024, Tiny has focused on streamlining various back-office operations and building scalable systems to support the Company's future growth. Through a thorough review of operating expenses across the portfolio companies as well as at head office, the Company expects to realize over $4.0 million worth of cost savings over the next 12 months. We are beginning to see the impact of these savings in Q3, and expect the full result across Q4 and 2025. The Company continues to focus on cost rationalization where appropriate while pursuing disciplined organic growth across the Tiny portfolio. Additionally, management continues to evaluate a number of attractive investment opportunities, ranging from stand-alone recurring revenue platforms to strategic tuck-ins for our existing businesses.

Q3 2024 Financial Results





For the three-month periods

ended September 30,



For the nine-month periods

ended September 30,



2024



2023



2024



2023 Revenue

46,691,278



50,522,913



146,636,288



134,327,157

Operating loss

(5,456,024 )

(3,549,129 )

(15,238,544 )

(15,518,331 ) Net (loss)/income

(9,642,007 )

(5,900,753 )

(20,168,230 )

24,111,068

EBITDA (1)

3,898,465



4,142,849



12,114,300



44,872,963

EBITDA % (1)

8

%

8

%

8 %

33 % Adjusted EBITDA (1)

7,299,552



8,646,423



20,945,939



17,875,225

Adjusted EBITDA % (1)

16 %

17

%

14 %

13 % Recurring revenue (1)

9,804,004



9,745,426



28,698,822



21,272,187 Recurring revenue % (1)

21 %

19 %

20 %

16 %

(1) Refer to Non-IFRS Measures for further information

(2) Letterboxd is majority-owned by Tiny Fund and managed by Tiny Ltd.





For the three-month periods

ended September 30,



For the nine-month periods

ended September 30,



2024



2023



2024



2023 Cash provided by/(used in) operating activities

2,922,595



3,136,089



6,463,045



(3,958,367 ) Free cash flow (1)

730,235



912,785



(1,528,870 )

(6,019,257 ) Adjusted free cash flow post debt servicing(1)

1,689,999



3,472,593



(612,297 )

959,365

Basic (loss)/earnings per share

(0.05 )

(0.03 )

(0.12 )

0.15

Diluted (loss)/earnings per share

(0.05 )

(0.03 )

(0.12 )

0.15

Free cash flow per share (1)

0.00



0.01



(0.01 )

(0.04 ) Adjusted free cash flow per share (1)

0.01



0.02



0.00



0.01



























September 30,

2024

December 31,

2023 Total assets









374,471,040



392,635,137

Total liabilities









167,368,328



190,081,456

Non-current financial liabilities









106,918,747



132,538,131

(1) Refer to Non-IFRS Measures for further information

Revenue in Q3 2024 was $46.7 million, a decrease of $3.8 million or 8% compared to Q3 2023. The decrease is partly driven by the timing of project work as well as the shift to more retainer/long-term contracts in Digital Services in Q3 2024.

Recurring revenue (1) in Q3 2024 was $9.8 million and made up 21% of total revenue, an increase of 2% compared to Q3 2023. The growth is largely attributable to the acquisition of MediaNet on June 5, 2024 which consists of a 98% recurring revenue base.

EBITDA (1) in Q3 2024 was $3.9 million compared to $4.1 million in Q3 2023. Adjusted EBITDA (1) in Q3 2024 was $7.3 million compared to $8.6 million in Q3 2023 and $6.8 million in Q2 2024. Q3 2024 saw the highest Adjusted EBITDA of 2024 as the early results of cost rationalization initiatives were realized.

Cash on hand on September 30, 2024 was $18.6 million compared to $26.9 million on December 31, 2023. Total debt outstanding on September 30, 2024 was $115.0 million compared to $131.2 million on December 31, 2023. The decrease of $16.2 million is due to debt repayments, net of drawings, of $19.1 million offset with foreign exchange fluctuations to debt of $2.8 million.

The Company ended Q3 2024 with cash flow from operations of $2.9 million, down slightly from Q3 2023 cash flow of $3.1 million.

Free cash flow (1) in Q3 2024 was $0.7 million compared to $0.9 million in Q3 2023. The decline is a result of lower revenue generated during the quarter. When factoring in non-recurring costs and scheduled debt payments, the Adjusted Free Cash Flow Post Debt Servicing (1) in Q3 2024 was $1.7 million compared to $3.5 million in Q3 2023. This change is due to the timing of scheduled debt payment of $1.3 million that occurred in Q4 2023 instead of Q3 2023.

Net loss in Q3 2024 was $9.6 million compared to net loss of $5.9 million in Q3 2023, a decline of $3.7 million compared to prior period.

Total assets on September 30, 2024 were $374.5 million compared to $392.6 million on December 31, 2023.

Conference Call Notification

The Company will hold a conference call to provide a business update on Friday, November 15, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. ET hosted by:

Jordan Taub, CEO

Mike McKenna, CFO

A question-and-answer session will follow the business update.

Conference Call Details

Date: Friday, November 15, 2024

Time: 8:00 a.m. ET

Dial-In Number: (US) 1.833.470.1428

(Canada) 1.226.828.7575 or

1.833.950.0062

Access code: 426881

This live call is also being webcast and can be accessed by going to: https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/958531502.

An archived telephone replay of the call will be available for two weeks following the call by dialing 1.226.828.7578 or 1.866.813.9403 and entering the access code 590847.

Financial Statements

Tiny Ltd's consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for Q3 2024 is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

About Tiny

Tiny is a technology holding company focused primarily on acquiring majority stakes in businesses that it expects to hold over the long-term. The Company is structured to give maximum flexibility to operating management teams by maintaining a focus at the parent company level on only three areas: capital allocation, management, and incentives. This structure enables each company to run independently and focus on what they do best, within an incentive structure that is designed to drive results for both the operating business and ultimately for Tiny and its shareholders.

Tiny currently has three principle reporting segments: Digital Services, which provides design, engineering, brand positioning and marketing services to help companies of all sizes deliver premium web and mobile products Software and Apps, which is home to a complementary portfolio of recurring revenue software businesses that support merchants, as well as digital themes businesses that sell templates to Shopify merchants and Creative Platform, which is comprised primarily of Dribbble, the social network for designers and digital creatives, as well as a premier online marketplace for digital assets such as fonts and templates.

For more about Tiny, please visit www.tiny.com or refer to the public disclosure documents available under Tiny's SEDAR profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

NON-IFRS MEASURES RECONCILIATIONS

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA





For the three-month periods

ended September 30,



For the nine-month periods

ended September 30,



2024



2023



2024



2023 Net (loss)/income $ (9,642,007 ) $ (5,900,753 ) $ (20,168,230 ) $ 24,111,068

Income tax expense/(recovery)

2,162,378



(1,429,075 )

(2,663,875 )

(3,307,983 ) Depreciation and amortization

8,829,714



8,906,495



26,428,085



18,109,110

Interest expense

2,548,380



2,566,182



8,518,320



5,960,768 EBITDA

3,898,465



4,142,849



12,114,300



44,872,963



















EBITDA Adjustments















Share of loss from associate

(1,831,942 )

-



(2,490,936 )

1,379,679

Gain on share transaction

-



-



-



(42,083,465 ) Loss on disposal of subsidiary

-



163,366



-



163,366

Gain on sale of intangibles

-



-



(1,481,060 )

-

Fair value (gain)/loss on investments

1,861,943



(1,776,782 )

(519,492 )

(4,023,712 ) Fair value on contingent consideration

817,023



135,150



867,392



201,350

Business acquisition costs

418,993



100,359



756,363



2,977,695

Share based payments

570,944



657,107



1,314,985



3,965,405

Other (income)/expense(1)

(1,371,799 )

2,664,567



2,699,337



2,118,582

Acquisition-related compensation

-



335,292



-



1,009,017

Non-recurring severance expense

2,286,759



1,583,997



4,693,067



3,533,969

Non-recurring project costs(2)

68,038



277,456



1,703,259



277,457

Non-recurring professional fees(3)

581,128



363,062



1,288,724



3,482,919 Adjusted EBITDA

7,299,552



8,646,423



20,945,939



17,875,225



(1) Other expenses / income relates gain/loss on FX and other minor non-operating items

(2) Non-recurring project related to advertising and promotion expense for a specific project that will not continue in the future.

(3) Non-recurring professional fees relates to legal fees for the go-public transaction and amalgamation with WeCommerce, restructuring, and software implementation costs

EBITDA % and Adjusted EBITDA %





For the three-month periods

ended September 30,



For the nine-month periods

ended September 30,



2024



2023



2024



2023 EBITDA $ 3,898,465

$ 4,142,849

$ 12,114,300

$ 44,872,963

Revenue

46,691,278



50,522,913



146,636,288



134,327,157 EBITDA %

8 %

8

%

8 %

-



















Adjusted EBITDA

7,299,552



8,646,423



20,945,939



17,875,225

Revenue

46,691,278



50,522,913



146,636,288



134,327,157

Adjusted EBITDA %

16 %

17 %

14 %

13 %

Recurring Revenue and Recurring Revenue %





For the three-month periods

ended September 30,



For the nine-month periods

ended September 30,



2024



2023



2024



2023 Recurring revenues $ 9,804,004

$ 9,745,426

$ 28,698,822

$ 19,875,418

Non-recurring revenues

36,887,274



40,777,487



117,937,466



114,451,739 Total revenue

46,691,278



50,522,913



146,636,288



134,327,157 Recurring revenue % of total revenue

21 %

19 %

20 %

15

%

Free Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow per Share





For the three-month periods

ended September 30,



For the nine-month periods

ended September 30,



2024



2023



2024



2023 Cash provided by/(used in) operating activities $ 2,922,595

$ 3,136,089

$ 6,463,045

$ (3,958,367 ) Business acquisition costs

418,993



100,359



756,363



3,043,895

Interest paid on debt

(2,611,353 )

(2,323,663 )

(8,748,278 )

(5,104,785 ) Free Cash Flow

730,235



912,785



(1,528,870 )

(6,019,257 ) Weighted average number of shares outstanding

187,203,063



177,337,885



182,747,520



164,418,044 Free cash flow per share

0.00



0.01



(0.01 )

(0.04 )





For the three-month periods

ended September 30,



For the nine-month periods

ended September 30,



2024



2023



2024



2023 EBITDA $ 3,898,465

$ 4,142,849

$ 12,114,300

$ 43,454,945

Income taxes paid

(1,802,948 )

162,528



(4,374,366 )

(3,467,667 ) Interest paid on debt

(2,611,353 )

(2,323,663 )

(8,748,278 )

(5,104,785 ) Non-cash expenses

768,635



1,550,684



3,273,093



(37,950,684 ) Business acquisition costs

418,993



100,359



756,363



3,043,895

Changes in non-cash working capital

58,443



(2,719,972 )

(4,549,982 )

(5,994,961 ) Free Cash Flow

730,235



912,785



(1,528,870 )

(6,019,257 )

Adjusted Free Cash Flow Post Debt Servicing and Adjusted Free Cash Flow per Share





For the three-month periods

ended September 30,



For the nine-month periods

ended September 30,



2024



2023



2024



2023 Free cash flow $ 730,235

$ 912,785

$ (1,528,870 ) $ (6,019,257 ) Acquisition-related compensation

-



335,292



-



1,009,017

Non-recurring bad debt expense(1)

-



-



833,196



-

Non-recurring project costs

68,038



277,457



844,002



277,457

Non-recurring professional fees

581,128



1,532,947



1,825,139



3,482,919

Severance

2,286,759



414,112



3,791,089



3,533,969

Scheduled debt payments

(1,976,161 )

-



(6,376,852 )

(1,324,740 ) Adjusted free cash flow post debt servicing

1,689,999



3,472,593



(612,297 )

959,365

Weighted average number of shares outstanding

187,203,063



177,337,885



182,747,520



164,418,044 Adjusted free cash flow per share

0.01



0.02



0.00



0.01

NON-IFRS MEASURES

Investors are cautioned that the non-IFRS measures used below should not replace net income or loss (as determined in accordance with IFRS) as an indicator of the Company's performance. These are supplemental measures management uses in managing the business and making decisions. These measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. These measures are not intended as a substitute for IFRS measures.

EBITDA and EBITDA %

EBITDA is defined as earnings (net income or loss) before finance costs, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is reconciled to net income (loss) from the financial statements.

EBITDA % ratio is determined by dividing EBITDA by total revenue for the period.

EBITDA and EBITDA % is frequently used to assess profitability before the impact of finance costs, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Management uses non-IFRS measures in order to facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period and to prepare annual operating budgets. EBITDA and EBITDA % are measures commonly reported and widely used as a valuation metric.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA %

Adjusted EBITDA removes unusual, non-recurring, non-cash or non-operating items from EBITDA such as gains, losses or costs associated with the acquisition or disposal of businesses, share of loss from associates, fair value changes in investments, stock-based payments. The Company believes adjusted EBITDA provides improved continuity with respect to the comparison of its operating performance over a period of time. Adjusted EBITDA is reconciled to net income/(loss) from the financial statements.

Adjusted EBITDA % is determined by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by total revenue for the year.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA % is frequently used by securities analysts and investors when evaluating a company's ability to generate liquidity from its core operations. It provides a basis to evaluate profitability and performance trends by excluding items that the Company does not consider to be controllable or reoccurring activities for this purpose, along with non-cash items which is an industry standard. Adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA % are measures commonly reported and widely used as a valuation metric.

Recurring Revenue and Recurring Revenue %

Recurring Revenue consists of revenues generated through subscriptions that grant access to products and services with recurring billing cycles. The subscriptions are recognized over a time period in accordance with IFRS 15. Recurring Revenue is a part of total revenue disclosed in the financial statements, as determined in accordance with IFRS 15.

Recurring Revenue represents revenues that are stable and the Company expects to earn continuously. Recurring Revenue % is determined by dividing Recurring Revenue by total revenue for the year.

Recurring Revenue is frequently used to determine any indicators of future revenue growth and revenue trends. Recurring Revenue and Recurring Revenue % are measures commonly reported and widely used as a valuation metric.

Free Cash Flow, Free Cash Flow per Share, Adjusted Free Cash Flow Post Debt Servicing, and Adjusted Free Cash Flow per Share

Free Cash Flow ("FCF") refers to net cash flows from operating activities after interest paid on debt facilities and before business acquisition costs. Free Cash Flow is also reconciled from EBITDA where it is the net of EBITDA after income taxes paid, interest paid on debt facilities and before non-cash expenses, business acquisition costs, and changes in non-cash working capital.

Free Cash Flow per Share is determined by dividing Free Cash Flow by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.

Adjusted Free Cash Flow Post Debt Servicing ("Adjusted FCF") refers to free cash flow before acquisition-related compensation, non-recurring project costs, non-recurring professional fees, severance, non-recurring bad debt expense and after scheduled payments on debt facilities.

Adjusted Free Cash Flow per Share is determined by dividing Adjusted Free Cash Flow by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.

Free Cash Flow, Free Cash Flow per Share, Adjusted Free Cash Flow Post Debt Servicing, and Adjusted Free Cash Flow per Share are frequently used by securities analysts and investors when valuing a business and its underlying assets. It provides a basis to evaluate how much cash is available to repay debt and to reinvest in the Company, which is an important indicator of financial strength and performance.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities law. Such forward-looking statements and information include, but are not limited to, statements or information with respect to: our strategies, objectives and financial plans.

Forward-looking statements and information are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "expect" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Although the Company's management believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statement or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement or information referenced herein will prove to be accurate.

Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include risks relating to reliance on the Shopify platform; the Company's limited operating history; reliance on management and key employees; conflicts of interest in relation to the Company's officers, directors, and consultants; the ability to integrate previous acquisitions or future acquisitions; limitations on claims against a seller of an acquired company; additional financing requirements; risks related to dilution; global financial conditions; management of growth; risks associated with the Company's strategy of growth through acquisitions; tax risks; reputational risks; payment processing risks; currency fluctuations; competitive markets; uncertainty and adverse changes in the economy; unsustainability of the Company's rapid growth and inability to attract new customers, retain revenue from existing merchants, and increase sales to both new and existing customers; adverse effects on the Company's revenue growth and profitability due to the inability to attract new customers or sell additional products to existing customers; future results of operations being harmed due to declines in recurring revenue or contracts not being renewed; cyber security and privacy breaches; changes in client demand; challenges to the protection of intellectual property; infringement of intellectual property; regulatory risks; risks related to legal claims; ineffective operations through mobile devices, which are increasingly being used to conduct commerce; risks related to information technology; and risks associated with internal controls over financial reporting. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements and information if circumstances or management's estimates should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information. More detailed information about potential factors that could affect results is included in the documents that may be filed from time to time with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities by the Company.

For a more detailed discussion of certain of these risk factors, see the list of risk factors in the Company's MD&A dated November 14, 2024 and the management information circular dated May 13, 2024 available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca under the Company's profile.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

SOURCE: TINY LTD.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230069

SOURCE: Tiny Ltd.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 15, 2024) - Standard Uranium Ltd. (TSXV: STND) (OTCQB: STTDF) (FSE: 9SU0) ("Standard Uranium" or the "Company") is pleased to report initial assay results from the 2024 exploration program at the Company's Sun Dog Uranium Project ("Sun Dog") located near Uranium City in northwestern Saskatchewan (Figure 1). Detailed mapping and prospecting across multiple target areas was completed ahead of the 2024 summer drill program, returning outcrop grab samples containing anomalous uranium up to 13.0% U3O8. The Project is currently under an earn-in agreement with Aero Energy Limited (TSXV: AERO) (OTC Pink: AAUGF) (FSE: UU3) ("Aero"), who have committed to Year 2 of the three-year earn-in option agreement (the "Option") that was executed on October 20, 2023. Aero will commit a minimum of $2.0M in Year 2 exploration expenditures on the Project starting on October 20, 2024. Exploration programs are managed and operated by Standard Uranium.

Highlights:

High-Grade Uranium Assays: The Wishbone and Spring-Dome Target Areas contain numerous recent and historical high-grade* uranium assays from outcrop samples that range from 0.01% to 17.4% U 3 O 8 1,2 .

Wishbone Target Area: Recent prospecting has outlined new uranium mineralization at surface with uranium assays up to 0.143% U 3 O 8 and confirmed historical showings up to 0.32% U 3 O 8 3 within and immediately adjacent to graphitic pelite outcrop.

Spring-Dome Target Area: New zones of off-scale radioactivity >65,535 cps** at surface associated with visible uranium mineralization grading up to 13.0% U 3 O 8 have been discovered during the recent prospecting program at the un-tested Spring-Dome target area.

McNie Target Area: More than 4km of untested VTEM TM conductors off-set by major faults which host known uranium showings to the east and to the west towards the past-producing Gulch uranium mine. Uranium mineralization returned within a boulder sample up to 0.25% U 3 O 8 .

Anomalous Radioactivity at Wishbone: A total of 1,593 metres were completed across eight drill holes targeting shallow high-grade * basement-hosted uranium mineralization at the Wishbone target area. Intervals of anomalous radioactivity ** >300 counts per second ("cps") were intersected in seven of eight drill holes with geochemical assays pending.

Unrealized Potential: The targets tested during the summer 2024 program represent only a small fraction of the dozens on the ground and the Company is working with its option partners to prioritize follow ups for additional geophysics and drill programs to further test these promising areas.

Next Steps: The Company and partners at Aero are currently planning additional geophysical work to further refine drill target areas for 2025, which are scheduled to begin imminently. This work coupled with follow-up drilling will contribute to Aero's Year 2 exploration expenditures on the Project.

Figure 1. Overview of the Sun Dog Project highlighting drill target areas, high-grade uranium occurrences, and EM-conductors.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10633/230090_af9a5c19243bd842_002full.jpg

Sun Dog Project - 2024 Prospecting

The Sun Dog Project covers an area of 19,603 hectares in nine mining claims, located 15 km SW of Uranium City on the northern margin of the Athabasca Basin. Recent prospecting and mapping at the Wishbone, McNie, and Spring-Dome target areas has outlined multiple outcrops of favourable uranium host-rocks, including graphitic pelite, which is commonly radioactive over >200 m of collective strike length. Structural measurements and radioactivity mapping has further refined drill targets in these areas for ongoing exploration.

Drill targets are prioritized based on geophysical signature, geological/structural setting, proximity to known uranium occurrences, and the Company's recent prospecting and mapping campaign. Occurrences of strong to intense radioactivity in outcropping basement rocks were identified at surface while prospecting at the Wishbone and Spring-Dome target areas returned anomalous uranium and pathfinder elements and are summarized in Table 1.

Wishbone (Figure 2): Approximately five kilometres of strike length along a regional scale anticline, defined by strong VTEM conductors with associated radioactivity along each fold limb. Table 1 - Uranium mineralization confirmed from 2024 prospecting samples within graphitic metapelite outcrop up to 0.143% U 3 O 8 . Graphitic pelites have been mapped along both fold limbs, hosting strong radioactivity up to 22,300 cps (RS-125 Scintillometer). Historical outcrop sampling at the northwestern graphitic pelite exposure returned assay results of 0.32% U 3 O 8 and 0.30% Cu 3 .



Spring-Dome (Figure 3): Located directly west of the past-producing Gunnar mine, historically explored Gunnar-style target focused on mineralized carbonatized granites and pitchblende veins and fractures. Table 1 - Uranium mineralization confirmed from 2024 prospecting samples associated with visible uranium, up to 13.0% U 3 O 8 . The Spring-Dome area has been historically drilled with intersections over 1.0% U3O8; however, several showings of uranium south of known drilling with values up to 17.4% U 3 O 8 and radioactivity readings >65,535 cps (RS-125 Scintillometer) have not been properly drill-tested.



McNie (Figure 4): Approximately four kilometres of untested VTEM conductor strike length NE along strike of the Wishbone target area. Table 1 - Uranium mineralization confirmed from 2024 prospecting sample of a paragneiss boulder, up to 0.246% U 3 O 8 . The corridors are off-set by significant E-W trending regional faults, which host known uranium showings to the east towards the newly discovered zone at target H15 on the Murmac Project, and to the west towards the past-producing Gulch uranium mine.



Table 1. 2024 prospecting: anomalous uranium and pathfinder element geochemistry.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10633/230090_table1standarduranium.jpg

Figure 2. Detail map of the Wishbone target area highlighting 2024 drill holes and moderate to highly anomalous U3O8 assays from 2024 prospecting.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10633/230090_af9a5c19243bd842_004full.jpg

Figure 3. Detail map of the Spring-Dome target area highlighting moderate to highly anomalous U3O8 assays from historical (grey callouts) and recent 2024 prospecting (white callouts).

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10633/230090_af9a5c19243bd842_005full.jpg

Figure 4. Detail map of the McNie target area highlighting untested VTEM conductors, faults, surface radioactivity, and highly anomalous U3O8 assays from 2024 prospecting.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10633/230090_af9a5c19243bd842_006full.jpg

Samples collected for analysis were sent to SRC Geoanalytical Laboratories in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan for preparation, processing, and ICP-MS multi-element analysis using total and partial digestion, gold by fire assay, and boron by fusion. Sandstone samples were tested using the ICP-MS1 uranium multi-element exploration package plus boron. Basement samples were tested with ICP-MS2 uranium multi-element exploration package plus boron. All sandstone samples, and basement samples marked as radioactive upon arrival to the lab were also analyzed using the U3O8 assay (reported in wt %). Basement rock split interval samples range from 0.1 to 0.5 m and sandstone composite samples are comprised of multiple equal sized full core "pucks" spaced over the sample interval. SRC is an ISO/IEC 17025/2005 and Standards Council of Canada certified analytical laboratory. Blanks, standard reference materials, and repeats were inserted into the sample stream at regular intervals in accordance with Standard Uranium's quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) protocols. All samples passed internal QA/QC protocols and the results presented in this release are deemed complete, reliable, and repeatable.

Samples containing clay alteration were sent to Rekasa Rocks Inc. in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to be analyzed by Short Wavelength Infrared Reflectance ("SWIR") via a Portable Infrared Mineral Analyzer ("PIMA") to verify clay species.

Historical data disclosed in this news release relating to sampling results on the Sun Dog Project are historical in nature. Neither the Company nor a qualified person has yet verified this data and therefore investors should not place undue reliance on such data. The Company's future exploration work may or may not include verification of the data. The Company considers historical results to be relevant as an exploration guide and to assess the mineralization as well as economic potential of the Project.

QP Statement

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed, verified, and approved by Sean Hillacre, P.Geo., President and VP Exploration of the Company and a "qualified person" as defined in NI 43-101.

*The Company considers uranium mineralization with concentrations greater than 1.0 wt% U3O8 to be "high-grade".

** The Company considers radioactivity readings greater than 300 counts per second (cps) to be "anomalous" and greater than 65,535 cps as "off-scale".

***Natural gamma radiation in outcrop reported in this news release was measured in counts per second (cps) using a handheld RS-125 super-spectrometer and a downhole Reflex EZ-Gamma probe. Readers are cautioned that scintillometer and gamma probe readings are not uniformly or directly related to uranium grades of the rock sample measured and should be treated only as a preliminary indication of the presence of radioactive minerals.

About Standard Uranium (TSXV: STND)

We find the fuel to power a clean energy future

Standard Uranium is a uranium exploration company and emerging project generator poised for discovery in the world's richest uranium district. The Company holds interest in over 233,455 acres (94,476 hectares) in the world-class Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan, Canada. Since its establishment, Standard Uranium has focused on the identification, acquisition, and exploration of Athabasca-style uranium targets with a view to discovery and future development.

Standard Uranium has successfully executed three joint venture earn-in partnerships on their Sun Dog, Canary, and Atlantic projects totaling over $23.8M in work commitments over the next three years from 2024-2027, all of which will be managed by Standard's experienced exploration team.

Standard Uranium's Sun Dog project, in the northwest part of the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, comprises nine mineral claims over 19,603 hectares. The Sun Dog project is highly prospective for basement and unconformity hosted uranium deposits yet remains largely untested by drilling despite its location proximal to uranium discoveries in the area.

Standard Uranium's Davidson River Project, in the southwest part of the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, comprises ten mineral claims over 30,737 hectares. Davidson River is highly prospective for basement-hosted uranium deposits due to its location along trend from recent high-grade uranium discoveries. However, owing to the large project size with multiple targets, it remains broadly under-tested by drilling. Recent intersections of wide, structurally deformed and strongly altered shear zones provide significant confidence in the exploration model and future success is expected.

Standard Uranium's eastern Athabasca projects comprise over 42,384 hectares of prospective land holdings. The eastern basin projects are highly prospective for unconformity related and/or basement hosted uranium deposits based on historical uranium occurrences, recently identified geophysical anomalies, and location along trend from several high-grade uranium discoveries.

References

2022 Winter Mineral Assessment Report, Sun Dog Property, Northern Saskatchewan, Canada, Standard Uranium, 2022 Information obtained from Saskatchewan Mineral Deposit Index and historical report from Uranium City Resources, 2007 Saskatchewan Mineral Deposits Index (SMDI) #2095 - Showing FW-33

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this news release. Forward-Looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the timing and content of upcoming work programs; geological interpretations; timing of the Company's exploration programs; and estimates of market conditions.

Forward-Looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements contained herein. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Certain important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are highlighted in the "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's management discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024.

Forward-Looking statements are based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company at this time, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies that may cause the Company's actual financial results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied herein. Some of the material factors or assumptions used to develop forward-looking statements include, without limitation: that the transaction with the Optionee will proceed as planned; the future price of uranium; anticipated costs and the Company's ability to raise additional capital if and when necessary; volatility in the market price of the Company's securities; future sales of the Company's securities; the Company's ability to carry on exploration and development activities; the success of exploration, development and operations activities; the timing and results of drilling programs; the discovery of mineral resources on the Company's mineral properties; the costs of operating and exploration expenditures; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); uncertainties related to title to mineral properties; assessments by taxation authorities; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Any forward-looking statements and the assumptions made with respect thereto are made as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230090

SOURCE: Standard Uranium Ltd.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 15, 2024) - Aero Energy Limited (TSXV: AERO) (OTC Pink: AAUGF) (FSE: UU3) ("Aero" or the "Company") is pleased to report surface assay results from the 2024 exploration program at the Company's Sun Dog Uranium Project ("Sun Dog") located near Uranium City, Saskatchewan. Detailed mapping and prospecting across multiple target areas was completed ahead of the 2024 summer drill program, returning outcrop grab samples containing anomalous uranium up to 13.0% U3O8. Exploration work at Sun Dog The Project funded by Aero and operated by Standard Uranium Ltd. ("Standard") (TSXV: STND), pursuant to the underlying option agreement between the companies.

Highlights:

Wishbone Target Area: Summer prospecting has outlined new uranium mineralization at surface with uranium assays ranging from 0.14% to 0.32% U3O8 within and immediately adjacent to highly prospective graphitic pelite.

Spring-Dome Target Area: New zones of strong radioactivity >65,535 cps at surface associated with visible uranium mineralization grading up to 13% U3O8 have been discovered during the recent prospecting program.

McNie Target Area: More than 4km of untested VTEM conductors offset by major faults where assays returned up to 0.25% U3O8 within a boulder sample

Anomalous Radioactivity in Drilling: A total of 1,593 meters were completed across eight drill holes targeting shallow high-grade basement-hosted uranium mineralization at the Wishbone target area. Intervals of anomalous radioactivity >300 cps were intersected in seven of eight drill holes, with geochemical assays pending.

Unrealized Potential: The targets tested during the summer 2024 program represent only a small fraction of the dozens on the ground, and the Company is working with its option partner to prioritize follow-ups for additional geophysics and drill programs to further test these promising areas.

Next Steps: The Company and partners at Standard are currently planning additional work to further refine drill target areas for 2025.

Galen McNamara, Interim CEO, stated: "The confirmation of uranium mineralization in graphitic pelite conductors at surface underscores our conviction in the potential for discovery of significant basement-hosted uranium zones akin to the large deposits in several other places around the Athabasca Basin. We look forward to continuing work at Sun Dog and Murmac with our exploration partners at Standard Uranium and Fortune Bay."

Figure 1. Overview of the Sun Dog Project highlighting drill target areas, high-grade uranium occurrences, and EM-conductors.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8126/230093_53a3f53f144f7821_002full.jpg

Sun Dog Project - 2024 Prospecting

The Sun Dog Project covers an area of 48,443 acres in nine mining claims, located 15 km from Uranium City on the northern margin of the Athabasca Basin. Recent prospecting and mapping at the Wishbone, McNie, and Spring-Dome target areas has outlined multiple outcrops of favorable uranium host rocks, including graphitic pelite, which is commonly radioactive over >200 m of collective strike length. Structural measurements and radioactivity mapping have further refined drill targets in these areas for ongoing exploration.

Drill targets are ranked and prioritized based on geophysical signature, geological/structural setting, proximity to historical uranium occurrences of interest, and the Company's recent prospecting and mapping campaign. Occurrences of strong to intense radioactivity in outcropping basement rocks were identified at surface while prospecting at the Wishbone and Spring-Dome target areas, returning anomalous uranium and pathfinder elements summarized in Table 1.

Wishbone (Figure 2):

Approximately five kilometers of strike length along a regional-scale anticline, defined by strong VTEM conductors with associated radioactivity along each fold limb.

Uranium mineralization confirmed from 2024 prospecting samples within graphitic metapelite outcrop up to 0.143% U3O8.

Graphitic pelites have been mapped along both fold limbs, hosting strong radioactivity up to 22,300 cps (RS-125 Scintillometer).

Historical outcrop sampling at the northwestern graphitic pelite exposure returned assay results of 0.32% U3O8 and 0.30% Cu (SMDI #2095).

Spring-Dome (Figure 3):

Located directly west of the past-producing Gunnar mine, historically explored Gunnar-style target focused on mineralized carbonatized granites and pitchblende veins and fractures.

Uranium mineralization confirmed from 2024 prospecting samples associated with visible uranium, up to 13.0% U3O8.

The Spring-Dome area has been historically drilled with intersections over 1.0% U3O8; however, several showings of uranium south of known drilling with values up to 17.4% U3O8 and radioactivity readings >65,535 cps (RS-125 Scintillometer) have not been adequately drill-tested.

McNie (Figure 4):

Approximately four kilometers of untested VTEM conductor strike length NE along strike of the Wishbone target area.

Uranium mineralization confirmed from 2024 prospecting sample of a paragneiss boulder, up to 0.246% U3O8.

The corridors are offset by significant E-W trending regional faults, which host known uranium showings to the east towards the newly discovered zone at target H15 on the Murmac Project, and to the west towards the past-producing Gulch uranium mine.

Table 1. 2024 prospecting: anomalous uranium and pathfinder element geochemistry.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8126/230093_53a3f53f144f7821_003full.jpg

Figure 2. Detail map of the Wishbone target area highlighting 2024 drill holes and moderate to highly anomalous U3O8 assays from 2024 prospecting.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8126/230093_53a3f53f144f7821_004full.jpg

Figure 3. Detail map of the Spring-Dome target area highlighting moderate to highly anomalous U3O8 assays from historical (grey callouts) and recent 2024 prospecting (white callouts).

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8126/230093_53a3f53f144f7821_005full.jpg

Figure 4. Detail map of the McNie target area highlighting untested VTEM conductors, faults, surface radioactivity, and highly anomalous U3O8 assays from 2024 prospecting.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8126/230093_53a3f53f144f7821_006full.jpg

Qualified Person (QP) Statement

Samples collected for analysis were sent to SRC Geoanalytical Laboratories in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, for preparation, processing, and ICP-MS multi-element analysis. Basement rock split interval samples range from 0.1 to 0.5 m, and samples with clay alteration were sent to Rekasa Rocks Inc. in Saskatoon to be analyzed by Short Wavelength Infrared Reflectance ("SWIR") via a Portable Infrared Mineral Analyzer ("PIMA") to verify clay species. All samples passed internal QA/QC protocols, and the results presented in this release are deemed complete, reliable, and repeatable.

Historical data disclosed in this news release related to sampling results on the Sun Dog Project are historical in nature. Neither the Company nor a qualified person has yet verified this data. The Company considers historical results to be relevant as an exploration guide and to assess the mineralization potential of the Project.

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed, verified, and approved by Galen McNamara, P.Geo., Interim CEO of the Company and a "qualified person" as defined in NI 43-101.

The Company considers uranium mineralization with concentrations greater than 1.0 wt% U3O8 to be "high-grade". The Company considers radioactivity readings greater than 300 counts per second (cps) to be "anomalous".

About Aero Energy Limited

Aero Energy is a mineral exploration and development company advancing a district-scale 250,000-acre land package in Saskatchewan's historic Uranium City district within the Athabasca Basin. Aero is focused on uncovering high-grade uranium deposits across its flagship Optioned Properties - Sun Dog, Strike, and Murmac - in addition to its fully owned properties. Aero is led by an award-winning technical team responsible for discoveries along the prolific Patterson Corridor that include the Gryphon, Arrow, and Triple-R deposits. With over 50 shallow drill-ready targets identified and 125 km of target horizon, Aero is tapping into the basin's emerging potential for high-grade, unconformity-style mineralization.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains certain "forward looking statements" and certain "forward-looking information" as defined under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "plans" or similar terminology. The forward-looking information contained herein is provided for the purpose of assisting readers in understanding management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. These forward-looking statements or information relate to, among other things the exploration and development of the Company's mineral exploration projects including completion of drilling activities.

Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual actions, events or results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: the requirement for regulatory approvals; enhanced uncertainty in global financial markets as a result of the public health crises; unquantifiable risks related to government actions and interventions; stock market volatility; regulatory restrictions; and other related risks and uncertainties.

Forward-looking information are based on management of the parties' reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on such management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect.

The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230093

SOURCE: Aero Energy Limited
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 15, 2024) - Trigon Metals Inc. (TSXV: TM) (OTCQB: PNTZF) is pleased to announce the company is participating in the upcoming 121 Mining Investment Conference in Dubai. Jed Richardson, CEO and Executive Chairman of Trigon Metals Inc. will be presenting about the Company's recent and future planned activities.

121 Mining Investment Dubai will be hosting over 40 mining companies and more than 150 sophisticated investors for two days of pre-arranged, targeted 1-2-1 meetings.

Alongside the curated schedule of pre-booked meetings matching investors with appropriate projects, the conference programme will provide expert commentary and the latest market intelligence on key industry developments.

This year's event is being held on November 19-20.

Any investors who would like to attend 121 Mining Investment Dubai can register for a free pass here.

About 121 Mining Investment

The 121 Mining Investment global event series connects portfolio managers and analysts from institutional funds, private equity groups and family offices with mining company management teams for 1-2-1, private in-person meetings.

121 Mining Investment has an ever-expanding global portfolio, currently covering London, New York, Cape Town, Dubai and Singapore, as well as online editions throughout the year.

About Trigon Metals Inc.

Trigon is a publicly-traded Canadian exploration and development company with its core business focused on copper and silver holdings in mine-friendly African jurisdictions. Currently, the Company has operations in Namibia and Morocco. In Namibia, the Company holds an 80% interest in five mining licences in the Otavi Mountainlands, an area of Namibia widely recognized for its high-grade copper deposits, where the Company is focused on exploration and re-development of the previously producing Kombat Mine.

SOURCE: 121 Mining Investment Conference
Balanced Commercial Property Trust Ltd - Scheme of Arrangement

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, November 15

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF THAT JURISDICTION. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION. UPON PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, THIS INSIDE INFORMATION IS CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

15 November 2024

RECOMMENDED CASH ACQUISITION

of

BALANCED COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TRUST LIMITED ("BCPT")

by

STARLIGHT BIDCO LIMITED ("BIDCO")

(a newly formed company incorporated in Guernsey and owned by Starwood Funds)

to be effected by means of a Court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under Part VIII of the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 (as amended)

SCHEME OF ARRANGEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE

On 4 September 2024, it was announced that the boards of BCPT and Bidco had reached agreement on the terms of a recommended cash offer to be made by Bidco for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of BCPT (the "Acquisition"), to be implemented by way of a Court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under Part VIII of the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 (as amended) (the "Scheme").

As previously announced, BCPT published the scheme document in respect of the Acquisition on 30 September 2024 (the "Scheme Document") and, on 25 October 2024, all resolutions in respect of the Scheme were duly passed at the Court Meeting and the General Meeting.

The Board of BCPT is pleased to announce that, at the Sanction Hearing heard earlier today, the Royal Court of Guernsey sanctioned the Scheme and granted the Court Order in connection with the Acquisition. As the Conditions of the Acquisition have now been satisfied or, where applicable, waived, the Scheme has become effective in accordance with its terms.

Unless the context provides otherwise, words and expressions defined in the Scheme Document shall have the same meanings in this announcement. All references to time shown in this announcement are references to London (UK) time.

Commenting on the Acquisition becoming Effective, Paul Marcuse, Chairman of BCPT, said:

"The BCPT Board is pleased that the recommended transaction received overwhelming support, with almost 99 per cent. of votes in favour of the proposals. The BCPT Board thanks the Columbia Threadneedle team for its management of BCPT and its portfolio since launch, with particular thanks to Richard Kirby, Dan Walsgrove and Scott Macrae for their continued dedication and professionalism over recent months since BCPT announced the Strategic Review in April 2024."

Settlement

Pursuant to the terms of the Scheme, Scheme Shareholders whose names appeared on the register of members of BCPT at the Scheme Record Time, being 6.00 p.m. on 14 November 2024, will be entitled (subject to certain terms and conditions) to receive 96.00 pence in cash for each Scheme Share held.

As set out in the Scheme Document, settlement of the Cash Consideration to which any Scheme Shareholder is entitled under the Scheme will be effected as soon as practicable after the Effective Date and, in any event, not later than 14 days after the Effective Date, in the following manner:

(a) in respect of Scheme Shareholders holding Scheme Shares in uncertificated form (that is, in CREST) as at the Scheme Record Time, through the crediting of CREST accounts by not later than 29 November 2024; and

(b) in respect of Scheme Shareholders holding Scheme Shares in certificated form as at the Scheme Record Time, by the despatch of cheques or, should there be a valid bank mandate in place, release of electronic payments by not later than 29 November 2024.

As a result of the Scheme having become Effective, share certificates in respect of BCPT Shares have ceased to be valid documents of title and entitlements to BCPT Shares held in uncertificated form in CREST have been cancelled.

Dealings in BCPT Shares were suspended with effect from 7.30 a.m. today, 15 November 2024. Applications have been made to the London Stock Exchange to cancel the trading in BCPT Shares on the Main Market, and to the Financial Conduct Authority to cancel the listing of the BCPT Shares on the closed-ended investment funds category of the Official List, which in each case is expected to take effect by no later than 8.00 a.m. on 18 November 2024.

BCPT Shareholders are referred to the Scheme Document, in particular paragraph 10 of Part 2 of the Scheme Document, which sets out in detail the full terms and conditions of the settlement of the consideration payable for each Scheme Share under the Acquisition.

Directorate changes

As the Scheme has now become effective, BCPT duly announces that, as of 15 November 2024, Paul Marcuse, Isobel Sharp, John Wythe, Linda Wilding and Karima Fahmy will each step down from the BCPT Board (as well as the boards of BCPT's subsidiaries). Each of Matthew Parrott, Nicholas Chadwick and Daniel McLoughlin have been appointed as directors of BCPT and each of its subsidiaries as of today's date.

Dealing disclosures

BCPT is no longer in an "Offer Period" as defined in the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the "Code") and, accordingly, the dealing disclosure requirements previously notified to those interested in BCPT Shares no longer apply.

Enquiries:

Balanced Commercial Property Trust Limited via Burson Buchanan Paul Marcuse (Chairman) Barclays Bank PLC, acting through its Investment Bank (Lead Financial Adviser and Joint Corporate Broker to BCPT) +44 (0)20 7623 2323 Bronson Albery / Callum West / Patrick Colgan / Dion Di Miceli (Corporate Broking) Dickson Minto Advisers LLP (Joint Financial Adviser and Rule 3 adviser to BCPT) +44 (0)20 7649 6823 Douglas Armstrong / Andrew Clark / Jamie Seedhouse Winterflood Securities Limited (Joint Corporate Broker to BCPT) +44 (0)20 3100 0265 Joe Winkley / Neil Morgan / Innes Urquhart Burson Buchanan (PR Adviser to BCPT) +44 (0)20 7466 5000 Helen Tarbet / Henry Wilson / George Beale

Important notices

You should read this announcement and the Scheme Document and if you are in any doubt as to the action you should take, consult an independent financial adviser. In making an investment decision you must rely on your own examination of the terms of the Scheme, and the Acquisition, including the merits and risks involved. If you have any questions about the Scheme Document, the Court Meeting or the General Meeting or are in any doubt as to how to complete the Forms of Proxy, please contact Computershare on the number set out above.

Barclays Bank PLC, acting through its Investment Bank ("Barclays"), which is authorised by the PRA and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FCA and the PRA, is acting as lead financial adviser and joint corporate broker to BCPT and for no one else in connection with the Acquisition and the matters set out in this announcement and the Scheme Document and will not be responsible to anyone other than BCPT for providing the protections afforded to clients of Barclays nor for providing advice in relation to the matters set out in or referred to in this announcement and the Scheme Document. In accordance with the Takeover Code, normal United Kingdom market practice and Rule 14e-5(b) of the US Exchange Act, Barclays and its affiliates will continue to act as exempt principal trader in BCPT securities on the London Stock Exchange. These purchases and activities by exempt principal traders which are required to be made public in the United Kingdom pursuant to the Takeover Code will be reported to a Regulatory Information Service and will be available on the London Stock Exchange website at www.londonstockexchange.com. This information will also be publicly disclosed in the United States to the extent that such information is made public in the United Kingdom.

Dickson Minto Advisers LLP ("Dickson Minto Advisers"), which is authorised and regulated by the FCA in the United Kingdom, is acting as joint financial adviser and sole Rule 3 adviser to BCPT and for no one else in connection with the Strategic Review, the Acquisition and any other matters referred to in this announcement and the Scheme Document and will not be responsible to anyone other than BCPT for providing the protections afforded to clients of Dickson Minto Advisers nor for providing advice in connection with the Strategic Review, the Acquisition and any other matters referred to in this announcement and the Scheme Document. Neither Dickson Minto Advisers nor any of its affiliates (nor any of its or their respective directors, officers, employees, members, representatives or agents) owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct, indirect, consequential, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Dickson Minto Advisers in connection with the Strategic Review, the Acquisition and any other matters referred to in this announcement and the Scheme Document, any statement contained herein or in the Scheme Document or otherwise.

This announcement and the Scheme Document do not constitute an offer or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, pursuant to this announcement and the Scheme Document or otherwise in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful.

This announcement does not comprise a prospectus or a prospectus equivalent document or an exempted document.

The contents of this announcement do not amount to, and should not be construed as, legal, tax, business or financial advice. BCPT Shareholders who are in any doubt about the contents of this announcement should consult their own legal adviser, tax adviser or financial adviser for legal, tax, business or financial advice.

The statements contained in this announcement are made as at the date of this announcement, unless some other date is specified in relation to them, and publication of this announcement shall not give rise to any implication that there has been no change in the facts set forth in this announcement since such date.

Overseas jurisdictions

This announcement has been prepared for the purpose of complying with English law, Guernsey law and the Takeover Code and the information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been disclosed if this announcement had been prepared in accordance with the laws and regulations of jurisdictions outside the United Kingdom and Guernsey.

The release, publication or distribution of this announcement and any formal documentation relating to the Acquisition in, into or from jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom or Guernsey may be restricted by law and/or regulation and therefore any persons who are subject to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom or Guernsey should inform themselves about and observe any applicable legal or regulatory requirements. In particular, the ability of persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom or Guernsey to vote their BCPT Shares with respect to the Scheme at the Court Meeting or the Resolution at the General Meeting, or to execute and deliver Forms of Proxy appointing another person to vote at the Court Meeting or the General Meeting on their behalf, may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located. Any failure to comply with the applicable restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law the companies and persons involved in the Acquisition disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of such restrictions by any person.

Unless otherwise determined by Bidco or required by the Takeover Code, the Acquisition is not being made, directly or indirectly, in, into or from, or by use of the mails of, or any means of instrumentality (including, without limitation, facsimile, e-mail or other electronic transmission, telex or telephone) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or any facility of a national, state or other securities exchange of, any Restricted Jurisdiction and shall not be capable of acceptance by any such use, means, instrumentality or facility or from within any Restricted Jurisdiction. Accordingly, copies of this announcement and any formal documentation relating to the Acquisition (including the Scheme Document) are not being, and must not be, directly or indirectly, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in, into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of that jurisdiction, and persons receiving such documents (including custodians, nominees and trustees) must not mail or otherwise forward, distribute or send such documents in, into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction. If the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer (unless otherwise permitted by applicable law and regulation), the Offer may not be made directly or indirectly, in or into, or by the use of mails or any means or instrumentality (including, but not limited to, facsimile, e-mail or other electronic transmission or telephone) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or of any facility of a national, state or other securities exchange of, any Restricted Jurisdiction and the Offer may not be capable of acceptance by any such use, means, instrumentality or facilities or from within any Restricted Jurisdiction.

The availability of the Acquisition to BCPT Shareholders not resident in the United Kingdom or Guernsey may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdiction. Any persons who are subject to the laws of, or are otherwise resident in, any jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom or Guernsey should inform themselves about and observe any applicable requirements. BCPT Shareholders who are in doubt about such matters should consult an appropriate independent professional adviser in the relevant jurisdiction without delay.

Further details in relation to Overseas Shareholders are contained in paragraph 11 of Part 2 of the Scheme Document. All BCPT Shareholders or other persons (including nominees, trustees and custodians) who would otherwise intend to or may have a contractual or legal obligation to forward the Scheme Document and the accompanying Forms of Proxy to a jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom and Guernsey should refrain from doing so and seek appropriate professional advice before taking any action.

US investors

The US holders of BCPT Shares should note that the Acquisition relates to the shares of a Guernsey company which are admitted to listing on the closed-ended investment funds category of the Official List and to trading on the Main Market and is proposed to be implemented by means of a scheme of arrangement of BCPT provided for under the laws of Guernsey. A transaction effected by means of a scheme of arrangement is not subject to the tender offer or proxy solicitation rules under the US Exchange Act. Accordingly, the Acquisition is subject to the procedural and disclosure requirements, rules and practices applicable in the UK and Guernsey involving a target company incorporated in Guernsey whose shares are admitted to listing on the closed-ended investment funds category of the Official List and to trading on the Main Market, which differ from the requirements of the US tender offer and proxy solicitation rules.

It may be difficult for US holders of BCPT Shares to enforce their rights and any claim arising out of US federal laws in connection with the Acquisition, since each of Bidco and BCPT are located in a non-US jurisdiction, and some or all of their officers and directors may be residents of, and some or all of their assets may be located in, a non-US jurisdiction. US holders of BCPT Shares may not be able to sue a non-US company or its officers or directors in a non-US court for violations of US securities laws. Further, it may be difficult to compel a non-US company and its affiliates to subject themselves to a US court's judgement.

None of the securities referred to in this announcement or the Scheme Document have been approved or disapproved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, any US state securities commission or any other US regulatory authority, nor have such authorities approved or disapproved or passed judgement upon the fairness or the merits of the Acquisition, or determined if the information contained in this announcement or the Scheme Document is adequate, accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the US.

US holders of BCPT Shares should also be aware that the transaction contemplated herein (including the receipt of consideration pursuant to the Acquisition) may have tax consequences in the US and that such consequences, if any, are not described herein. US BCPT Shareholders are urged to consult their independent legal, tax and financial advisers in connection with making a decision regarding this transaction.

In accordance with the Takeover Code and to the extent permitted under Rule 14e-5(b) under the US Exchange Act, Bidco, certain affiliated companies or their respective nominees, or brokers (acting as agents) may from time to time make certain purchases of, or arrangements to purchase, BCPT securities other than pursuant to the Acquisition, either in the open market at prevailing prices or through privately negotiated purchases at negotiated prices outside the US until the date on which the Scheme becomes Effective, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn (or, if the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer, before or during the period in which such Offer would remain open for acceptance). To the extent required by Rule 14e-5(b), such purchases, or arrangements to purchase, must comply with English law, Guernsey law, the Takeover Code and the UK Listing Rules. Any information about such purchases will be disclosed to the Panel and, to the extent that such information is required to be publicly disclosed in the United Kingdom in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements, will be made available to all investors (including US investors) via the Regulatory Information Service on the London Stock Exchange website at www.londonstockexchange.com.

Further details in relation to US holders are contained in the Scheme Document.

Publication on website

A copy of this announcement and the documents required to be published pursuant to Rules 26.1 and 26.2 of the Takeover Code will be available, subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in Restricted Jurisdictions, on BCPT's website at https://www.columbiathreadneedle.co.uk/bcpt-strategic-review/ and on Bidco's website at https://www.starwoodbluebird.com/ promptly and in any event by not later than 12 noon (London time) on the Business Day following the publication of this announcement.

Save as expressly referred to in the Scheme Document, neither the contents of these websites nor the content of any other website accessible from hyperlinks on such websites is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement and/or the Scheme Document.

Market Abuse Regulation

The information communicated in this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the UK version of Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 which is part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended. The person responsible for arranging the release of this announcement on behalf of BCPT is Allison Dunning of Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited, the company secretary of BCPT. Upon the publication of this announcement, this information is considered to be in the public domain.
DUBAI, UAE, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --Popcorn AI, the future of conversational commerce, today announced its $500,000 pre-seed funding round, with participation from Spring Studio's fund, backed by Salica Investments and Al Waha Fund of Funds, and strategic angel investors from across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This investment marks a significant milestone in transforming how businesses connect, engage, and transact with their customers through AI-powered conversations.

Popcorn AI's platform represents a paradigm shift in digital commerce, moving beyond traditional chatbots to create intelligent AI agents that handle the entire customer journey - from personalised product discovery to seamless payment processing - all within a natural conversation. The platform's capabilities were recently demonstrated when one of its AI agents independently managed and closed a $400,000 real estate transaction from initial inquiry to final sale. Early adopters across sectors have reported up to a 90% decrease in customer acquisition costs while seeing conversion rates improve by up to 20%, demonstrating the transformative potential of intelligent conversational commerce.

"The future of commerce is conversational," said Yousef Al Arif, founder and CEO of Popcorn AI. "Today's customers expect personalised, instant, and effortless shopping experiences. We're not just building another AI chatbot - we're creating intelligent commerce agents that understand context, remember preferences, and guide customers through their entire shopping journey, just like an exceptional sales associate would."

"We are proud to support Popcorn AI's mission to enhance how businesses interact with their customers," said Josh Rodger, Principal of the Spring Studio's fund. "Their innovative approach to conversational commerce has the potential to transform industries and redefine the customer experience."

Drawing from over a decade of experience in scaling e-commerce and marketplace businesses across MENA, Al Arif has positioned Popcorn AI at the intersection of AI innovation and commercial practicality. The platform is already transforming customer interactions across e-commerce, real estate, and hospitality sectors, proving that conversational commerce is the next frontier in digital business.

The new funding will accelerate Popcorn AI's mission to make conversational commerce the new standard for business-customer interactions, with investments focused on advancing the platform's conversational AI capabilities and expanding its team of AI and commerce experts.

About Popcorn AI

Founded in 2023, Popcorn AI is leading the conversational commerce revolution by enabling businesses to create sophisticated AI shopping assistants that combine the convenience of digital commerce with the personalized experience of in-person shopping. The platform empowers businesses to engage customers in natural, productive conversations that drive results.

For more information, visit our website at www.trypopcorn.ai

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/popcorn-ai-secures-500-000-to-define-next-generation-conversational-commerce-302306999.html


EQS Newswire / 15/11/2024 / 13:30 CET/CEST

HEFEI, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 15 November 2024 - On November 15, the 2024 China Huangshan Book Fair commenced in Hefei, Anhui Province. This year's event highlights its focus on "thematic development, internationalization, digitalization, and lifestyle integration," featuring a diverse array of cultural activities, including themed exhibitions and sales of publications, industry forums, reading promotion initiatives, cultural livestreams, digital experiences, and project discussions.



The fair includes one main venue, 200 offline sub-venues, 40 online sub-venues, and a virtual exhibition hall. Nearly 300 organizations from across the country are participating, showcasing more than 300,000 publications. Combining both online and offline platforms, the fair creates a "feast of books." A sub-venue in Huangshan City adds a distinct charm by hosting writer-sharing events, premium book exhibitions and sales, special promotions on Yuan Xia'ao products and cultural creative items, and interactive demonstrations by Huangshan intangible cultural heritage artisans. Visitors to Tunxi Ancient Town and the Xin'an River can fully immerse themselves in the region's natural beauty and cultural allure.



This year's fair achieves several milestones. For the first time, an International Publishing Pavilion has been introduced, inviting 24 overseas Chinese bookstores to participate. The pavilion not only showcases foreign-language books but also hosts the Global Overseas Chinese Bookstore Development Conference and the inaugural Cultural Exchange Seminar for Chinese Bookstores. Additionally, more than ten technology companies specializing in fields such as voice recognition and drones are making their debut at the fair, offering digital product demonstrations and providing attendees with immersive, interactive experiences.



The fair also sees the first-ever participation of renowned cross-border e-commerce enterprises, which are presenting discounted sales of imported and exported goods. For the first time, dozens of leading independent bookstores from the Yangtze River Delta, specialized art studios, Anhui-based intangible cultural heritage artisans, and domestic cultural innovation companies are attending. They bring a variety of creative products, including new stationery, trendy collectibles, and smart home items, enhancing the fair's appeal.



Another highlight is the debut of the "specialized marketplace" format, which combines books with diverse product offerings. This innovative setup allows visitors to explore the fair in a "shopping street" style, delivering a unique and engaging cultural experience.



Hashtag: HuangshanBookFair

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

News Source: China Huangshan Book Fair

15/11/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



Media archive at www.todayir.com


MALVERN, Pa., Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Endo, Inc. (OTCQX: NDOI) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement with MC2 Therapeutics ("MC2") to commercialize Wynzora Cream (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate) in Canada through Endo's subsidiary Paladin Pharma Inc.

"We look forward to working with MC2 to make Wynzora Cream available to Canadians who suffer from plaque psoriasis," said Livio Di Francesco, Vice President and General Manager of Paladin. "If approved by Health Canada, Wynzora Cream's unique formulation and clinical profile will offer patients a new treatment option designed for convenience of use in daily routines."

"Paladin has an experienced and dedicated team, and we're pleased to work with them to introduce Wynzora Cream in Canada," said Jesper J. Lange, Chief Executive Officer, MC2 Therapeutics. "The agreement aligns with our strategy to make Wynzora Cream available to as many patients suffering from plaque psoriasis as possible globally."

Wynzora Cream was approved in the US by the FDA on July 20, 2020 and launched in Europe on February 18, 2022.

About Wynzora Cream

Wynzora Cream is a cream-based fixed dose combination of calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate for topical treatment of plaque psoriasis, including scalp psoriasis, in adults. Its dual mode of action is targeting the hallmark cytokines IL-23 and IL-17A/F immune axis and TNF-a expression in a single product. Wynzora Cream is uniquely enabled by MC2's formulation and drug delivery system PAD Technology, allowing a convenient-to-use aqueous formulation.

About Endo and Paladin Pharma

Endo is a diversified specialty pharmaceutical company boldly transforming insights into life-enhancing therapies. Our passionate team members collaborate to develop and deliver these essential medicines. Together, we are committed to helping everyone we serve live their best life. Learn more at www.endo.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.

Paladin Pharma Inc., headquartered in Montreal, Canada, is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on acquiring or in-licensing innovative pharmaceutical products for the Canadian market. Paladin has a focused marketing, medical and sales organization that has helped it evolve into one of Canada's leading specialty pharmaceutical companies. Paladin is an operating company of Endo, Inc. For more information, visit www.paladin-pharma.com.

About MC2 Therapeutics (www.mc2therapeutics.com)

MC2 Therapeutics is a commercial stage biotech company focused on developing novel treatment paradigms within immunology and inflammation. Its pioneering approach in immunology is anchored in a deep understanding of skin biology, clinical expertise and cross-silo thinking. Besides Wynzora Cream, MC2 has a pipeline that includes two first-in-class drug candidates, both in Phase 2 clinical development.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, the statements by Messrs. Di Francesco and Lange and any statements relating to product development and commercialization, treatment options and therapies, regulatory approval, efficacy and product availability. Statements including words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," "plan," "will," "may," "look forward," "intends," "guidance," "future," "potential" or similar expressions are forward-looking statements. Because these statements reflect Endo's current views, expectations and beliefs concerning future events, they involve risks and uncertainties, some of which Endo may not currently be able to predict. Although Endo believes that these forward-looking statements and other information are based upon reasonable assumptions and expectations, readers should not place undue reliance on these or any other forward-looking statements and information. Actual results may differ materially and adversely from current expectations based on a number of factors, including, among other things, unfavorable or delayed regulatory review, uncertainties in and the timing for regulatory approval, changes in competitive, market or regulatory conditions, and consumer and physician acceptance of current and new products. Endo assumes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Additional information concerning risk factors, including those referenced above, can be found in Endo's press releases and in its public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the discussion under the heading "Risk Factors" in Endo's most recent Form 10-Q and in Endo's final prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection with Endo's Form S-1/A.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/530208/Endo_International_plc_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/endo-announces-agreement-for-paladin-pharma-to-commercialize-wynzora-cream-in-canada-302306720.html
Justera Health Ltd. (CSE:VTAL)(OTC PINK:SCRSF) ("Justera"or the"Company") is pleased to announce the changes to the leadership to the Company.

The Company regrets to announce that effective November 15, 2024, Mr. Young Cho Lee has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

In response to Mr. Lee's departure, the Company's Director, Mr. Joshua Herman has taken the vacancy of Chief Executive Officer position. Mr. Herman brings extensive public company experience and has a key role in steering the Company's strategic vision. The Board is confident that MR. Herman will provide the strong leadership needed.

"I am deeply honoured and grateful to be appointed as the CEO of this esteemed organization. I am looking forward to working along side our talented team to continue driving the Company's growth and success. We will navigate the challenges ahead together with a focus on delivering value to our stakeholders and positive impact," said Joshua Herman, the new CEO of the Company.

The Company wishes the former CEO, Mr. Lee, the best for his future endeavors.

About Justera Health

Established in 2020, Justera is a Canadian company focused on health and wellness. Through its services, innovative products, strategic partnerships, Justera empowers individuals to prioritize their well-being. With four subsidiaries, it offers personalized healthcare services and solutions, such as IV Vitamin Therapy, premium nutritional supplements through its Naturevan Nutrition brand, a full 360-degree wellness and spa experience through Juillet Wellness that provides registered massage therapy, acupuncture, and new retail stores in Vancouver. Justera's mission is to enhance Canadians overall well-being with diverse solutions catering to individual needs.

For additional information on Justera Health and other corporate information, please visit the Company's website at https://www.justerahealth.com/

For more information about the Company, please refer to the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com.

For further information:

Investor Relations & Communications

Paul Haber, CFO

Tel: (416) 318-6501

Email: info@justerahealth.com

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information, including statements relating to the future development of Justera's business. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "intend", "should", and similar expressions.All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking ?statements, including but not limited to: the terms, timing and completion of the Transaction, if the Transaction is to close at all, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and CSE approvals, authorizations and consents in connection with the Transaction, and the completion or waiver, as applicable, of all conditions precedent required for the completion of the Transaction; the anticipated business plans, management structure, and future activities of the Company and Port North, including the Company's intention to integrate Port North into its business; and the anticipated benefits and synergies to be derived from the Transaction on the business of both Port North and the Company; and the date in which the Payment Shares may become free-trading.

Forward-Looking Statements are based on assumptions, estimates, analyses and opinions of management of the Company at the time they were provided or made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, including: (i) successful completion of the Financing; (ii) successful completion of the Transaction and the integration of the business of Port North in connection therewith; (iii) the ability to manage anticipated and unanticipated costs; (iv) achieving the anticipated results of the Company's strategic plans; (v) obtaining and maintaining all required licenses, approvals and permits, including regulatory approvals required to complete the Transaction; and (vi) general economic, financial market, regulatory and political conditions in which the Company operates.

Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. The actual results of Justera could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of the inability of Port North to complete the Financing, the inability to consummate the Transaction, including the inability to obtain required regulatory approvals and third-party consents and the satisfaction of other conditions, inputs, suppliers and skilled labour being unavailable or available only at uneconomic costs; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets, changes in applicable laws generally and adverse future legislative and regulatory developments involving medical and recreational marijuana, competitive factors in the industries in which Justera operates, prevailing economic conditions, changes to Justera's strategic growth plans, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Justera.

Management of Justera believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information herein are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon. Any forward-looking information contained in this news release represents Justera's expectations as of the date hereof and is subject to change after such date. Justera disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

###

SOURCE: Justera Health Ltd.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 15, 2024) - Wedgemount Resources Corp. (CSE: WDGY) (OTCQB: WDGRF) ("Wedgemount" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce details of its ongoing enhancement and remediation program for the Company's recently acquired producing oil and gas assets (the "Huggy Asset" or "Huggy") in west central Texas.

The Company's Huggy Asset remediation program is designed to optimize well production through proprietary chemical treatments, well workovers and surface facility optimization. The Company has expanded field resources to two rigs and engaged multiple contractors in support of this program. Surface facility optimization includes extensive infrastructure upgrades and miles of pipe replacement to accommodate increased production levels.

The Company is using a powerful well-stimulation treatment provided by Valkyrie Specialty Corp. ("VSC"), the Company's San Antonio-based upstream oil and gas chemical solutions provider. VSC's eco-friendly, multi-modal treatment is a 100% non-toxic and non-caustic antimicrobial agent, corrosion inhibitor, cationic surfactant, emulsifier and cleaner that maximizes reservoir volume stimulation for a more productive and profitable well.

Wedgemount currently has 136 conventional vertical production wells in inventory including 119 at Huggy. It's anticipated that approximately one-half of the wells at Huggy will undergo well-stimulation treatments over the coming 12 months.

About Wedgemount Resources Corp.

Wedgemount Resources is a junior oil and gas company focused on maximizing shareholder value through the acquisition, development and exploitation of natural resource projects in the southern USA.

Reader Advisory

This news release may contain statements which constitute "forward-looking information", including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, availability of funds, personnel and other resources necessary to conduct exploration or development programs, successes of the Company's exploration efforts, availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such information will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230091

SOURCE: Wedgemount Resources Corp.
TAIPEI (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. Department of Commerce has awarded $6.6 billion subsidy to TSMC Arizona Corporation, or TSMC Arizona, for semiconductor production in Phoenix, Arizona.TSMC Arizona, a subsidiary of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, will get direct funding under the CHIPS Incentives Program's Funding Opportunity for Commercial Fabrication Facilities.This will support the Phoenix, AZ-based company's planned investment of more than $65 billion in three greenfield leading-edge semiconductor fabrication facilities in Phoenix. The Department said it will disburse the funds based on TSMC Arizona's completion of project milestones.President Joe Biden said, 'Today's final agreement with TSMC - the world's leading manufacturer of advanced semiconductors - will spur $65 billion dollars of private investment to build three state-of-the-art facilities in Arizona and create tens of thousands of jobs by the end of the decade'. This is the largest foreign direct investment in a greenfield project in the history of the United States, according to him.'The first of TSMC's three facilities is on track to fully open early next year, which means that for the first time in decades an America manufacturing plant will be producing the leading-edge chips used in our most advanced technologies - from our smartphones, to autonomous vehicles, to the data centers powering artificial intelligence'. Today's announcement is among the most critical milestones yet in the implementation of the bipartisan CHIPS & Science Act, and demonstrates how we are ensuring that the progress made to date will continue to unfold in the coming years, benefitting communities all across the country,' he added.Friday's final agreement, under the CHIPS Incentives Program, comes just weeks before President Joe Biden leaves the White House for President-elect Donald Trump.Trump is a critic of the Biden administration's ambitious Program.'TSMC appreciates the continual collaboration with customers, partners, local communities and the U.S. government beginning in early 2020. The signing of this agreement helps us to accelerate the development of the most advanced semiconductor manufacturing technology available in the U.S.,' said TSMC Chairman and CEO Dr. C.C. Wei.CHIPS for America has awarded approximately $6.72 billion and allocated over $36 billion in proposed funding across 20 states and proposed to invest billions more in research and innovation, which is expected to create over 125,000 jobs. Since the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration, semiconductor and electronics companies have announced over $450 billion in private investments.At full capacity, TSMC Arizona's three fabs are expected to manufacture tens of millions of leading-edge logic chips that will power products like 5G/6G smartphones, autonomous vehicles, and high-performance computing and AI applications. The advanced chips that TSMC manufactures for its customers are the backbone of central processing units for servers in large-scale datacenters and of specialized graphics processing units used for machine learning.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
Heimbach Switzerland AG, an affiliate of Albany International Corp. (NYSE:AIN), announced today that it will initiate consultations with employee representatives regarding a proposal to discontinue manufacturing operations in Olten, Switzerland, and to transfer production to other Heimbach GmbH manufacturing facilities. The reduction is subject to local law and will be implemented in accordance with such law and in consultation with the employees' representative body.

This action, if approved, will enable the Albany's Heimbach GmbH subsidiary to align its paper machine clothing manufacturing capacity with the local market demand and the needs of customers. This initiative to streamline operations is driven by existing and anticipated market conditions, and in no way reflects on the performance of the 83 affected employees, who will be offered separation and outplacement assistance. Until consultations are concluded, the Company is unable to reasonably estimate the costs that it would expect to incur in connection with the proposed action. If closure is concluded, the Company will disclose the amount, type and timing of any such costs promptly after they are determined.

About Albany International Corp.

Albany International is a leading developer and manufacturer of engineered components, using advanced materials processing and automation capabilities, with two core businesses.

Machine Clothing is the world's leading producer of custom-designed, consumable belts essential for the manufacture of paper, paperboard, tissue and towel, pulp, non-wovens and a variety of other industrial applications.

Albany Engineered Composites is a growing designer and manufacturer of advanced materials-based engineered components for demanding aerospace applications, supporting both commercial and military platforms.

Albany International is headquartered in Rochester, New Hampshire, operates 30 facilities in 13 countries, employs approximately 5,600 people worldwide, and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (Symbol: AIN). Additional information about the Company and its products and services can be found at www.albint.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241112194155/en/

Contacts:

Investor Media Contact:

JC Chetnani

VP-Investor Relations and Treasurer

jc.chetnani@albint.com
Novotech, the global full-service clinical Contract Research Organization (CRO) that partners with biotech companies to accelerate the development of advanced and novel therapeutics at every phase, shares new insights into the global clinical trial landscape for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), further reinforcing its leadership in oncology research.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241115682139/en/

DLBCL is the most prevalent and aggressive subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), accounting for 30-40% of cases worldwide. Its heterogeneity, characterized by key subtypes like Germinal Center B-cell (GCB) and Activated B-cell (ABC), poses significant challenges in treatment. Novotech's latest analysis highlights these complexities while highlighting ongoing advancements in therapeutic strategies to address this aggressive disease.

Key Insights from DLBCL Clinical Trials

Since 2019, more than 1,500 clinical trials for DLBCL have been initiated globally, indicating strong research momentum:

Asia-Pacific : Leads with 41% of trials, driven largely by China's clinical research activity.

: Leads with 41% of trials, driven largely by China's clinical research activity. North America : Accounts for 33% of trials, with the United States leading in trial volume.

: Accounts for 33% of trials, with the United States leading in trial volume. Europe: Represents 19% of trials, focusing on both hematological and solid tumor research.

These findings highlight the global effort to improve treatment options for DLBCL patients.

Advances in DLBCL Treatment

Novotech's report also highlights breakthroughs in DLBCL treatment, moving beyond traditional chemotherapy to explore new therapeutic options:

Targeted therapies : Phase III trials for Mosunetuzumab and Selinexor are showing promise, particularly for relapsed or refractory DLBCL patients.

: Phase III trials for and are showing promise, particularly for relapsed or refractory DLBCL patients. Immunotherapies: Novotech is involved in the development of CAR T-cell therapies, checkpoint inhibitors, and bispecific antibodies, which have shown strong efficacy in high-risk DLBCL patients who do not respond to standard treatments like R-CHOP.

Ongoing efforts to personalize DLBCL treatment through genomic profiling and molecular diagnostics are expected to yield more precise and effective treatment strategies. In combination with innovative therapies such as EZH2 inhibitors targeting GCB subtypes and novel agents addressing the ABC subtype, these approaches are advancing more tailored and successful interventions.

Download the Full Report

For detailed analysis of the DLBCL clinical trial landscape, including emerging treatment strategies and global trial trends, download Novotech's latest DLBCL Global Clinical Trial Landscape Report

Download the Report Here

About Novotech Novotech-CRO.com

Founded in 1997, Novotech is a global full-service clinical Contract Research Organization (CRO) focused on partnering with biotech companies to accelerate the development of advanced and novel therapeutics at every phase.

Recognized for its industry-leading contributions, Novotech has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Frost &Sullivan 2024 Global Biotech CRO of the year award, Clinical Trials Arena Excellence Awards 2024, 2024 Employer of Choice, 2024 Great Place to Work in the US, 2024 Brandon Hall Gold Award, CRO Leadership Award 2023, the Asia Pacific Cell Gene Therapy Clinical Trials Excellence 2023, the Asia-Pacific Contract Research Organization Company of the Year Award since 2006.

The Company offers a comprehensive suite of services including laboratories, Phase I facilities, drug development consulting, regulatory expertise, and has experience with over 5,000 clinical projects, including Phase I to Phase IV clinical trials and bioequivalence studies. With a presence in 34 office locations and a dedicated team of 3,000+ professionals worldwide, Novotech is a trusted end-to-end strategic partner of choice.

For more information or to speak to an expert team member visit www.Novotech-CRO.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241115682139/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact

Toyna Chin

mediacontact@novotech-cro.com

USA: +1 415 364 8135
Woburn, Massachusetts--(Newsfile Corp. - November 15, 2024) - SinglePoint Inc. (OTC Pink: SING) ("SinglePoint" or "the Company") subsidiary Boston Solar, a proud partner of the Boston Red Sox and a leading provider of solar energy solutions, is proud to announce that in collaboration with Resonant Energy, it has completed more than 20 solar installations, with many more projects in development. The completed installations, now fully operational, total 350 kW DC, while projects totaling 700 kW DC are currently in various stages of development.

Through their partnership, Resonant Energy and Boston Solar are making significant strides in increasing access to renewable energy for affordable housing tenants across Greater Boston. By combining Resonant Energy's expertise in community solar development and Boston Solar's high-quality installations, the two companies have been able to deploy solar power systems in areas that traditionally lack access to clean energy solutions. This collaboration empowers low-income residents by reducing their energy bills and providing long-term sustainability benefits, all while supporting the region's broader environmental and carbon reduction goals.

"We're excited to be part of such a meaningful initiative that helps bring affordable, renewable energy to the communities that need it most," said Mike Morlino, President at Boston Solar. "These projects are just the beginning, and we look forward to expanding our efforts with Resonant Energy to provide more sustainable energy solutions across the region, empowering residents and supporting environmental goals." With more projects slated for completion, the partnership between Boston Solar and Resonant Energy continues to drive forward the movement for clean, affordable energy in the Greater Boston area.

About Boston Solar

Boston Solar is a subsidiary of SinglePoint Inc. (OTC Pink: SING). Since its founding in 2011, Boston Solar has installed more than 6,000 residential and commercial solar arrays, powering thousands of homes and businesses in New England, primarily in Massachusetts. The mission of Boston Solar is to provide superior clean energy products, exceptional customer service, and the highest-quality artistry in residential and commercial installations.

Boston Solar has accumulated several distinctions of recognition of the company's outstanding triumphs:

Honored with Guildmaster Award from GuildQuality, the award acknowledged how Boston Solar demonstrated exceptional customer service within the residential construction industry.

Named a Top Solar Contractor by Solar Power World magazine for five consecutive years.

Recognized by the Boston Business Journal's "Largest Clean Energy Companies in Massachusetts" list.

Boston Solar is a Solar Energy Business Association of New England (SEBANE) member. The company is headquartered at 12 Gill St. Suite - 5650 Woburn, MA 01801. Learn more at: www.bostonsolar.us

About Resonant Energy

Resonant Energy is a mission-driven solar energy company founded in 2017 with a focus on increasing access to renewable energy for underserved communities. Specializing in community solar and affordable housing solar installations, Resonant Energy works to reduce energy costs for low-income households while advancing environmental sustainability. Since its inception, the company has successfully developed and deployed solar systems across the Greater Boston area and beyond, partnering with local organizations, municipalities, and developers to bring clean, affordable energy to hundreds of residential and commercial properties. With a strong commitment to social equity and climate action, Resonant Energy has positioned itself as a leader in driving the transition to renewable energy in communities that have historically lacked access to such resources.

Resonant Energy is headquartered at 109 Kingston St. Boston, MA 02111.

About SinglePoint Inc.

SinglePoint Inc. is a renewable energy and sustainable lifestyle company focused on providing environmentally friendly energy efficiencies and healthy living solutions. SinglePoint is initially focused on building the largest network of renewable energy solutions and modernizing the traditional solar and energy storage model. The Company is also actively exploring future growth opportunities in air purification, electric vehicle charging, solar as a subscription service, and additional energy efficiencies that enhance sustainability and a healthier life. For more information, visit the Company's website (www.singlepoint.com).

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are subject to the safe harbor created by those rules. All statements, other than statements of fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential plans and objectives of the Company, the use of proceeds, anticipated growth and future expansion, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.

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.

Technical complications, which may arise, could prevent the prompt implementation of any strategically significant plan(s) outlined above. The Company undertakes no duty to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230072

SOURCE: Hawk Point Media Group.
BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - The European Commission has given a positive assessment for the second regular payment of nearly EUR4.1 billion ($4.33 billion) to support Ukraine's macro-financial stability and the functioning of its public administration.Once adopted by the European Council, this decision will bring to EUR16.1 billion the total funds disbursed in 2024 under the EU's Ukraine Facility.Following the assessment of the second payment request submitted by Ukraine in October, the Commission concluded that Ukraine has satisfactorily fulfilled the nine agreed reform indicators for this payment. These reforms cover areas such the fight against corruption, business environment, labor market, regional policy, energy market and environmental protection.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, 'Today's positive assessment by the Commission of Ukraine's 4.1 billion payment request is further proof both of Europe's steadfast commitment to Ukraine, and of the country's impressive progress in driving forward important reforms to advance on its EU path while fighting an atrocious war.'The European Union's EUR50 billion Ukraine Facility, provided in grants and loans for the period 2024-2027, supports Ukraine's efforts to sustain macro-financial stability, promote short-term recovery as well as rebuild and modernize the country whilst implementing key structural reforms to advance on its EU path.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
EQS-News: Multitude P.L.C. / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

Multitude p.l.c. distributes own shares to employees based on matching share plan vesting



15.11.2024 / 14:42 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Multitude p.l.c. distributes own shares to employees based on matching share plan vesting

Malta, Gzira, 15 November 2024 - Multitude p.l.c., a listed European FinTech company, offering digital lending and online banking services to consumers, small and medium-sized enterprises, and other FinTechs (WKN: A40G1Q, ISIN: MT0002810100) ("Multitude", "Company" or "Group") is pleased to announce the distribution shares from the Matching Share Plan ("MSP") to its employees.

The Group launched a Matching Share Plan in Q1 2021. The plan allowed employees to invest up to 10% of their annual gross salary in Multitude shares. The total potential investment of 10% was split into two rounds of up to 5%, which the Group committed to matching for free at a 1:1 ratio after a vesting period of two years, providing that participating employees have held the shares and been employed by Multitude during the entire holding period without interruptions.

Shaun Vella, Chief HR Officer, said, "We are very happy by the continued engagement in the Matching Share Plan initiative. This program showcases our employees' long-term commitment to Multitude, which underscores the mutual alignment of interests between the company and our people. It reflects the trust we have built together and the shared vision we are working towards."

A total of 42,346 of the Group's treasury shares are conveyed without consideration, according to the MSP terms. At the moment of grant 47 employees were eligible to receive shares under this programme.

Following the share distribution, the number of treasury shares now stands at 112,647 or 0.52% of the total shares outstanding.



Multitude p.l.c.

Board of Directors

Contact:

Lasse Makela

Chief Strategy and IR Officer

Phone: +41 79 371 34 17

E-Mail: Lasse.makela@multitude.com



About Multitude p.l.c.:

Multitude is a listed European FinTech company, offering digital lending and online banking services to consumers, small and medium-sized enterprises, and other FinTechs overlooked by traditional banks. The services are provided through three independent business units, which are served by our internal Banking-as-a-Service Growth Platform. Multitude's business units are Consumer Banking (Ferratum), SME Banking (CapitalBox), and Wholesale Banking (Multitude Bank). Multitude Group employs over 700 people in 25 countries and offers services in 16 countries, achieving a combined turnover of 230 million euros in 2023. Multitude was founded in Finland in 2005 and is in the process of relocating to Switzerland. Multitude is listed on the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol 'E4l'. www.multitude.com

15.11.2024 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.eqs-news.com


OBODENCE and XBRYK recommended for approval by the European Medicines Agency for all indications referencing Prolia and Xgeva, respectively

INCHEON, South Korea, Nov. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Samsung Bioepis Co., Ltd. today announced that the European Medicines Agency's (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has adopted a positive opinion for two denosumab biosimilars - OBODENCE (60 mg pre-filled syringe) referencing Prolia (denosumab) and XBRYK (120mg vial) referencing Xgeva (denosumab) - also known as SB16.

OBODENCE has been recommended for approval for the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and in men at increased risk of fractures, treatment of bone loss associated with hormone ablation in men with prostate cancer at increased risk of fractures, and treatment of bone loss associated with long-term systemic glucocorticoid therapy in adult patients at increased risk of fracture.

XBRYK has been recommended for approval for the prevention of skeletal related events (pathological fracture, radiation to bone, spinal cord compression or surgery to bone) in adults with advanced malignancies involving bone, and treatment of adults and skeletally mature adolescents with giant cell tumour of bone that is unresectable or where surgical resection is likely to result in severe morbidity.

"In Europe alone, approximately 22.1% of women and 6.6% of men are affected by osteoporosis. Osteoporosis and cancer-related bone loss can lead to skeletal fractures, seriously affecting the quality of life of patients. Enhancing access to treatment options is essential for improving both patient outcomes and quality of life (QoL) as it allows timely treatment for patients," said Byoungin Jung, Vice President and Regulatory Affairs Team Leader at Samsung Bioepis. "If approved, OBODENCE/XBRYK would become our first endocrinology biosimilar, adding to our growing portfolio of biosimilar products that are helping to improve patient's quality of life and access to treatments, and relieve the financial burden of healthcare systems."

The CHMP's positive opinion was based on a totality of evidence including analytical, non-clinical data, and clinical data. A randomized, double-blind, three-arm, parallel group, single-dose Phase 1 study demonstrated the pharmacokinetic (PK) equivalence between SB16, EU-sourced denosumab (EU-DEN), and US-sourced denosumab (US-DEN) in healthy male participants. The primary PK endpoints were met, in terms of area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) from time zero to infinity, and maximum serum concentration.1 In addition, a randomized, double-blind, multi-center Phase 3 study demonstrated equivalent efficacy and comparable safety, immunogenicity, PK, and pharmacodynamics (PD) profiles between SB16 and reference denosumab (DEN) in postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) patients. The primary endpoint was met in terms of percent (%) change from baseline in lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) at Month 12, and a follow-up up to Month 18 demonstrated switching to SB16 from DEN were comparable up to Month 18 in terms of efficacy, PK, PD, safety and immunogenicity.2,3

The CHMP's positive opinion will now be referred to the European Commission (EC) which will decide whether to grant marketing authorizations for OBODENCE and XBRYK. If a marketing authorization is granted by the EC, OBODENCE and XBRYK would become Samsung Bioepis' first endocrinology biosimilar approved in Europe, further expanding the company's biosimilars portfolio.

About SB16 Phase 1 Study 4

The study is a randomized, double-blind, three-arm, parallel group, single-dose study conducted in 168 healthy male participants. Participants were randomized in a ratio of 1:1:1 to receive a single 60 mg dose of either SB16, EU-DEN, or US-DEN subcutaneously. PK, PD, safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity were evaluated for 197 days. The primary PK endpoints were AUC from time zero to infinity, and maximum serum concentration. Equivalence was determined if 90% CIs for the ratio of geometric LSMeans of the treatment groups compared were within the equivalence margin of 0.80 to 1.25.

About the SB16 Phase 3 Study 5

The study is a randomized, double-blind, multi-center study conducted in 457 PMO patients. Patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either 60 mg of SB16 or DEN subcutaneously at Month 0, Month 6, and Month 12. At Month 12, patients in DEN group were re-randomized in a 1:1 ratio to switch to SB16 or maintain DEN. The primary endpoint was percent (%) change from baseline in lumbar spine BMD at Month 12. Equivalence between SB16 and DEN was declared if the 95% CI (per-protocol set) and 90% CI (full-analysis set) of LSMeans difference of % change in lumbar spine BMD at Month 12 were within the pre-defined equivalence margin. Other secondary efficacy, PD (serum C-telopeptide of type I collagen [CTX] and procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide [P1NP]), PK, immunogenicity, and safety endpoints were also measured.

About Samsung Bioepis Co., Ltd.

Established in 2012, Samsung Bioepis is a biopharmaceutical company committed to realizing healthcare that is accessible to everyone. Through innovations in product development and a firm commitment to quality, Samsung Bioepis aims to become the world's leading biopharmaceutical company. Samsung Bioepis continues to advance a broad pipeline of biosimilar candidates that cover a spectrum of therapeutic areas, including immunology, oncology, ophthalmology, hematology, nephrology, and endocrinology. For more information, please visit: www.samsungbioepis.com and follow us on social media - X , LinkedIn .

MEDIA CONTACT

Anna Nayun Kim, nayun86.kim@samsung.com

Yoon Kim, yoon1.kim@samsung.com

___________________________

1 Lee HA, Kim S, Seo H, Kim S. A phase I, randomized, double-blind, single-dose pharmacokinetic study to evaluate the biosimilarity of SB16 (proposed denosumab biosimilar) with reference denosumab in healthy male subjects. Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2023 Jul-Dec;32(10):959-966. doi: 10.1080/13543784.2023.2273510. Epub 2023 Nov 6. PMID: 37870163.

2 Langdahl B, Chung YS, Plebanski R, Czerwinski E, Dokoupilova E, Supronik J, Rosa J, Mydlak A, Rowinska-Osuch A, Baek KH, Urboniene A, Mordaka R, Ahn S, Rho YH, Ban J, Eastell R. Proposed Denosumab Biosimilar SB16 vs Reference Denosumab in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: Phase 3 Results Up to Month 12. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2024 Sep 7:dgae611. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgae611. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39243386.

3 Richard Eastell, Bente Langdahl, Yoon-Sok Chung, Rafal Plebanski, Edward Czerwinski,Eva Dokoupilova, Jerzy Supronik, Jan Rosa, Andrzej Mydlak, Anna Rowinska-Osuch, Ki-Hyun Baek, Audrone Urboniene, Robert Mordaka, Sohui Ahn, Young Hee Rho, Jisuk Ban. A Randomized, Double-blind, Phase III Study to Compare SB16 (Proposed Denosumab Biosimilar) to Reference Denosumab in Patients with Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: 18-Month Results. Oral presentation at 2024 European Calcified Tissue Society (ECTS) Congress. May 25-28, 2024. Marseille, France.

4 Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, Safety, Tolerability, and Immunogenicity Study of SB16 in Healthy Male Subjects. Available at: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04621318 (Accessed November 2024)

5 A Study to Compare SB16(Accessed November 2024)
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 15, 2024) - BrandPilot AI Inc., (CSE: BPAI) (OTCQB: BPAIF) ("BPAI" or the "Company"), a leading ad tech AI platform, is pleased to announce the launch of Social Runway, a web application that gives marketers a comprehensive suite of tools to manage all their social media needs in one place.

Content Library

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Social Runway empowers marketers to efficiently manage their social media presence with capabilities designed to streamline workflows and optimize performance. With Social Runway, marketers can:

Manage social media messages and comments from a centralized inbox, facilitating efficient and timely responses.

Design and create engaging content visuals using Social Runway's built-in integration with Canva.

Generate engaging social media captions and hashtags with CaptionAI.

Effortlessly schedule and publish content across all the major social media platforms with an intuitive calendar view, ensuring a consistent and strategic online presence.

Monitor key performance metrics and generate customized reports with key insights to analyze effectiveness of social media strategies.

Content Calendar View

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Account Insights

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"Many creators, brands and agencies struggle to keep pace with the demands of social media marketing," said CEO Brandon Mina. "We've launched an accessible and powerful solution that streamlines content creation, approval workflows, and scheduling to boost efficiency, and drive meaningful engagement for brands across multiple social channels at scale."

The company offers a 30-Day Free Trial of Social Runway for creators, brands and marketers to experience its full suite of features. For $99 per month, marketers gain access to Social Runway's complete platform, including unlimited users and social media account connections.

Visit www.social.brandpilot.ai to learn more and start a free trial.

About BrandPilot AI Inc.

BrandPilot AI is an adtech platform that leverages artificial intelligence to optimize brand engagement and performance for enterprise clients in regulated markets. The Company's flagship product, Spectrum IQ, enables marketers to harness the power of micro-influencers and unlock sky-high ROI across digital campaigns. The company provides software solutions to brands and agencies that are looking to enhance their search engine marketing, influencer marketing and social media marketing campaigns.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the business of BPAI. Any such forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "projects", "plans" and similar expressions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Statements about, among other things, BPAI's strategic plans, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur, are all considered forward-looking information. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. BPAI assumes no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances unless required by applicable law.

Forward-looking statements involve significant risk, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the financial markets generally, the growth of the programmatic advertising market, percentages of ad-spend wasted due to FW&A activities, average rates of return on branded and non-branded ad-spend, the performance and effectiveness of AdAi, and the ability of the Company to achieve its proposed business objectives. These factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

Neither the Canadian Securities 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. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230108

SOURCE: BrandPilot AI Inc.
Wilson Sonsini's partner-elect class includes five women and 11 men from the firm's corporate, litigation, intellectual property, regulatory, and technology transactions departments.

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich Rosati, the premier provider of legal services to technology, life sciences, and growth enterprises worldwide, today announced that the firm has elected 16 new partners from its attorney ranks. The promotions will be effective February 1, 2025.

"We are delighted to welcome these accomplished attorneys as the newest partners of Wilson Sonsini," said Doug Clark, Wilson Sonsini's managing partner. "They embody the firm's core values of innovation, teamwork, and excellence, and their unique perspectives will strengthen our ability to provide exceptional service to clients in the technology and life sciences sectors. We look forward to their continued success and the valuable contributions they will bring to the firm and its clients."

The 2025 partners-elect are:

Demian Ahn, Data, Privacy, and Cybersecurity. Based in Washington, D.C., Ahn represents and advises companies confronting cybersecurity incidents and other cybersecurity risks, including regulatory risks from governmental bodies, litigation risks related to data privacy regulations and data breaches, and other legal and compliance risks related to cybersecurity and data collection programs. He received his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School.

Ariel Anaba, Complex Litigation and Investigations. Based in Los Angeles, Anaba handles all stages of litigation-from pre-suit diligence and discovery to depositions, motions, trials, and appeals-guiding clients through complex disputes in sectors such as life sciences, medical devices, software, and civil rights. She received her J.D. from Stanford Law School.

Christine Au-Yeung, Trademark and Advertising. Based in San Francisco, Au-Yeung advises clients on brand protection, trademark prosecution, licensing, dispute resolution, and compliance with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. She received her J.D. from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, cum laude

Matthew Bogdan, Energy and Climate Solutions. Based in Seattle, Bogdan advises clients on a broad range of issues affecting the energy, infrastructure, and clean technology industries throughout the project development and financing process, with extensive experience in sectors including wind, solar, energy storage, electric vehicle charging, energy efficiency, hydrogen, biofuels, hydropower, and distributed energy. He received his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.

Nellie Brutocao, Technology Transactions. Based in San Diego, Brutocao focuses on the life sciences industry, representing companies in intellectual property and commercial transactions, including strategic alliances, research and development collaborations, technology licenses and acquisitions, supply agreements, distribution and manufacturing agreements, sponsored research agreements, clinical trial arrangements, material transfer agreements, and co-promotion arrangements. She received her J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law.

Benjamin Capps, Corporate. Based in San Diego, Capps focuses his practice on corporate and securities law, assisting public and private life sciences companies at all stages of development on corporate governance and transactional matters, including venture capital financing, mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, follow-on offerings, private investment in public equity (PIPE) transactions, and SEC compliance and disclosure matters. He received his J.D. from UCLA School of Law.

Deirdre Carroll, Antitrust and Competition. Based in the Brussels and London offices, Carroll focuses on global mergers, agency investigations, and compliance counseling. She regularly represents clients before the European Commission and the UK's Competition and Markets Authority. She also offers clients strategic advice on data-related antitrust and digital platform regulations, including the EU's Digital Markets Act. Carroll received her J.D.-equivalent from the National University of Ireland, Galway, and her LL.M. from the College of Europe (Bruges).

Nicholas Gladd, Energy and Climate Solutions. Splitting his time between Boston and Washington, D.C., Gladd advises independent power producers, clean energy project developers, data infrastructure developers, technology companies, and investors on navigating power market rules, securing regulatory approvals, managing regulatory risk, and identifying competitive advantages in the energy sector. He received his J.D. from Vermont Law School, magna cum laude

Daniyal Iqbal, Corporate Governance Litigation. Based in Wilmington, Iqbal represents companies and their directors and officers in complex stockholder and M&A litigation in Delaware courts. He has represented several large public companies in high-stakes corporate control and "busted deal" disputes. He also specializes in shareholder activism and corporate governance, advising boards on defending against proxy contests and hostile takeovers. Iqbal received his J.D. from Boston University School of Law.

Austin March, Corporate. Based in Austin, his practice focuses on corporate finance and securities law, including initial public offerings, de-SPAC transactions, follow-on offerings, private placements, and other capital markets transactions, while also providing general corporate representation encompassing public company reporting compliance and governance matters. March received his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law.

Phillip McGill, Corporate. Based in San Diego, McGill represents clients across a broad range of corporate and transactional matters in the life sciences sector, serving as outside general counsel and transaction-specific counsel to private and public companies throughout all stages of their growth and as a strategic advisor to venture funds. He received his J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law, magna cum laude.

Matthew Norgard, Employee Benefits and Compensation. Based in New York, Norgard advises U.S. and international clients in compensation and employee benefits matters, including equity-based compensation programs, corporate governance and compliance matters, and mergers and acquisitions, as well as the associated tax, accounting, ERISA, and securities law implications. He received his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.

Sara Patak, Patents and Innovations. Based in Boulder, Patak focuses on patent prosecution and intellectual property counseling, serving clients in a wide range of technology fields, including the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. She received her J.D. from the University of California, Irvine School of Law, magna cum laude

Travis Scheft, Corporate. Based in San Francisco, Scheft focuses his practice on corporate and securities law, representing start-ups and venture capital funds across the spectrum. He received his J.D. from Boston University School of Law and an M.B.A. from the Questrom School of Business at Boston University, cum laude

Trevor Templeton, Complex Litigation and Investigations. Based in Los Angeles, Templeton has experience litigating cases at all stages, including taking and defending depositions, writing dispositive motions, managing all aspects of discovery, examining witnesses at trial, and representing clients on appeal. He received his J.D. from Harvard Law School, cum laude

Thomas Wakefield, Internet and Technology Litigation. Based in San Francisco, Wakefield litigates cutting-edge issues in internet law with a focus on privacy and copyright. He also advises innovative companies on aspects of internet law that are integral to their online operations. He received his J.D. from Stanford Law School.

About Wilson Sonsini Goodrich Rosati

For more than 60 years, Wilson Sonsini's services and legal disciplines have focused on serving the principal challenges faced by the management and boards of directors of business enterprises. The firm is nationally recognized as a leading provider to growing and established clients seeking legal counsel to complete sophisticated corporate and technology transactions; manage governance and enterprise-scale matters; assist with intellectual property development, protection, and IP-driven transactions; represent them in contested disputes; and/or advise them on antitrust or other regulatory matters. With deep roots in Silicon Valley, Wilson Sonsini has more than 1,000 attorneys and 18 offices in 17 technology, business, and regulatory markets across the United States, China, and Europe. For more information, please visit www.wsgr.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241115799321/en/

Contacts:

Kimberly Brooks

Wilson Sonsini

+1 212.453.2881

kbrooks@wsgr.com
PARIS, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Huawei kicked off today its annual flagship event HUAWEI CONNECT 2024 Paris today. Thousands of guests, including industry leaders, technical experts, and partners from around the world, gathered to explore how digital and intelligent technology can accelerate Europe's twin green and digital transition.

"Huawei has been working side-by-side with our European customers and partners for more than 20 years," said Ken Hu, Huawei's Rotating Chairman, in his opening remarks. "We combine our strengths in domains like networking, cloud, storage, and energy, innovating nonstop to create new and greater value for our customers. As always, Huawei is in Europe, for Europe. And we look forward to working more closely with our customers and partners here for a greener, more intelligent future."

"We're also working to support long-term sustainability in the industry with our digital inclusion initiative called TECH4ALL. Through partnerships with universities and NGOs across Europe, we've equipped more than 80,000 people with new digital skills."

During the gala dinner, Jim Lu, Senior Vice President and President of Huawei's European Region, presented the first ever Industry Pioneer Award to customer and partners who worked with Huawei on collaborative innovation. He said, "As AI and industrial intelligence develop rapidly, this is the perfect time to innovate and work more closely. We are committed to achieving shared success with more customers and partners."

Advancing digital transformation in Europe

Michael Ma, Huawei's Corporate Vice President and President of ICT Product Portfolio Management & Solutions, delivered a keynote at the event. In his speech, Ma described how ICT innovation can accelerate Europe's digital transformation - and how intelligence in particular is helping upgrade a wide range of industries. "At Huawei, we're committed to investing in ICT to develop leading products and solutions that can help unleash enterprise creativity and advance digital transformation in Europe," Ma said.

Digital infrastructure is the foundation of successful digital and intelligent transformation. Ma emphasized Huawei's commitment to supporting Europe's digital transition through innovation in ICT products and solutions, as well as enabling local partners to develop more competitive solutions for a wide range of domains and scenarios.

In particular, he went into detail on Huawei's innovative products and solutions in five key domains, including:

an industry-leading High-Quality 10 Gbps CloudCampus solution

a DCN solution with high availability for disaster-recovery data centers

a "one lake, three pools" solution

an ultra-high-speed data center interconnect (DCI) solution

and Multilayer Ransomware Protection (MRP), a collaborative network-storage anti-ransomware solution

Ma also described how Huawei has worked with partners to develop more than 30 scenario-based solutions and a full series of eKit products for industries like government, education, healthcare, hotels, retail, ISPs, and manufacturing.

"We will continue to focus on innovation in the domains where we excel the most to help European enterprises go digital," Ma noted. "We will work closely with partners to develop competitive scenario-based solutions and build a competitive advantage in four areas: cost-effectiveness, diversification, serviceability, and scalability. Our partners will continue to have our full support. And together, we will drive shared success."

At the event, a number of guests also shared their views on Europe's twin transition. These speakers included Pascal Terrien, a member of the Standardization Management Board of the International Electrotechnical Commission and Chief Standardization Officer of the EDF Group; Cillian O'Donoghue, Policy Director of Eurelectric; Magdalena Landry, Director of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe; Daan Boekestein, Chief Technology Officer of the Azerion Group; Eric Blazy, Senior Vice President of Communication and Mobility Services of Orange Business; and Franck Le Moal, IT & Technology Director of the LVMH Group.

About Huawei

Founded in 1987, Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. We have 207,000 employees and we operate in more than 170 countries and regions, serving more than three billion people around the world.

Our vision and mission is to bring digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world. To this end, we will work towards ubiquitous connectivity and inclusive network access, laying the foundation for an intelligent world; provide diversified computing power where you need it, when you need it, to bring cloud and intelligence to all four corners of the earth; build digital platforms to help all industries and organizations become more agile, efficient, and dynamic; and redefine user experience with AI, making it smarter and more personalized for people in all aspects of their life, whether they're at home, on the go, in the office, having fun, or working out. For more information, please visit Huawei online at www.huawei.com or follow us on:

http://www.linkedin.com/company/Huawei

http://www.twitter.com/Huawei

http://www.facebook.com/Huawei

http://www.youtube.com/Huawei

Contact: Rafal Kwiatkowski, Email: weuenterprise@huawei.com, phone: +48 531-539-140

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KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 15, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - PT TransNusa Aviation Mandiri signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with AIROD Aerospace Technologies Sdn Bhd, establishing a strategic alliance with the Malaysian aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) service provider.In addition, TransNusa also signed a Standard Ground Handling Agreement (SGHA) with AIROD for Technical Handling of its aircrafts at Subang Airport. TransNusa became the first foreign airline to received approvals and start scheduled flights from Jakarta to Subang in August, this year. The airline currently operates daily scheduled flights from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta to Subang Airport.TransNusa Group Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Bernard Francis said "Today's MOU and SGHA will initially focus on the provision of MRO services by AIROD for our Airbus A320 aircraft family.He added that as stated in the MOU, AIROD will plan, develop and conduct dedicated inspections and maintenance work for TransNusa's A320 family of aircrafts in Malaysia, starting December, this year."This is not a small undertaking as it reflects TransNusa's commitment to passengers in ensuring that our aircraft operate at peak performance, adhering to the highest standards of safety and efficiency," said Datuk Bernard, emphasising the importance of an MRO provider for an airline.The signing of the MOU and SGHA took place at H76, AIROD Complex, Subang, Selangor. Datuk Bernard signed the MOU and SGHA on behalf of TransNusa while AIROD Aerospace Technology CEO, Datuk Firhad Uzir Abdul Rahim signed on behalf of his company.Established in 1976, AIROD is one of Asia Pacific's oldest MRO service provider. Since its privatisation in 1995, the company has provided MRO-related services to 76 customers, with a combination of commercial and military aircrafts, from 33 countries."As such, we acknowledge and appreciate AIROD'S vast experience and strength in providing world class quality depot level maintenance, aircraft customization, and modifications, which also includes structural and avionics upgrades," said Datuk BernardDatuk Bernard stressed, "This MOU is a crucial first step towards the development of a Maintenance Support Agreement, which will detail the binding commitments of both parties. Until then, this MOU represents our dedication to working collaboratively, exploring all viable options, and striving for operational excellence."On why TransNusa has partnered with AIROD, Datuk Bernard said, "AIROD has been a leading Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) service provider in Malaysia for more than a decade and is known for delivering high-quality services."AIROD specializes in a range of MRO-related services such as in base maintenance, inspections, modifications, refurbishments, corrosion control and repair, operational checks, and crash damage repair for aircrafts including the Boeing B737 series (Classic & NG), ATR 42/72 family, and A320 family," Datuk Bernard said, adding that AIROD is also certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for MRO services, with approvals from 8 other National Aviation Authorities (NAA) across the Asia-Pacific region."With such a strong foundation, we are happy to partner with AIROD to ensure that our aircraft are always at optimum level of performance," Datuk Bernard stressed.He added that AIROD also has a list of impressive local customer base including AirAsia Group, Batik Air, Kargo Xpress, Firefly, Berjaya Air, Raya Airways, and MyJets."Our passengers trust us to get them safely from one destination to another, and this trust must be earned and maintained. By partnering with AIROD, we are reaffirming our commitment to safety and ensuring that our aircraft maintenance is in the hands of one of the most reputable MRO providers in the industry. This will empower us to focus more on our core mission of delivering seamless and exceptional travel experiences to our customers." Datuk Bernard said.TransNusa, which had to close it business operation in September 2020 due to impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the aviation industry, started operations again after injection of new shareholders and management team led by Malaysian-born aviation industry veteran, Datuk Bernard Francis, in October 2022.Within 6 months, under the leadership of Datuk Francis, the airline introduced its first international route between Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur and celebrated its first-year anniversary for this route on April 14, 2024. In August, this year, TransNusa became the first international airline to operate daily scheduled flights from Subang airport to Jakarta.Since the change in management team, TransNusa has been contributing and changing the aviation landscape in Indonesia. It has been making headlines in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, China and around the world with news of being the first airline in Indonesia and the world to develop and introduce a new domestic route connecting Bali and Manado. TransNusa also became the second Indonesian airline to receive approval to fly to China and provided its passengers with more pricing and route options to China.In October, the airline yet again experienced another milestones by becoming the first Indonesian airline and second airline in the world to launch scheduled flight from Manado to Guangzhou, China.Primary Media ContactTrina Thomas Raj0124992672trina@myqaseh.orgAbout TransNusaTransNusa Airline, is a Premium Service Carrier. After the take-over, in February 2024, the airline rebranded itself from being a Low-Cost Carrier to a Premium Service Carrier in line with its upgraded aircrafts that offers better comfort as well as based on the flexibility and quality of the services offered. TransNusa, which received its AOC certification on 9th September 2022, launch its first three A320 operations on 6th October, 14th October and 12th December, 2022. The airline, which became the first outside of China to utilise Comac, received its first ARJ21 on 22nd December, 2022. In 2023, TransNusa introduced a new business model making it the first Premium Service Carrier in the Asia Pacific region. TransNusa introduced its first international flight on 14th April, 2023. The airline is currently based in Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.The airline currently flies to Yogyakarta and Bali. On the international front, TransNusa flies to Singapore, Guangzhou, Kuala Lumpur and Johor. The airline became the second Indonesian airline to fly to China and the first Indonesian airline to launch a Premium Service Carrier business model.Passengers can book their flights on the TransNusa website (www.transnusa.co.id), through authorized travel agents in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, or by contacting the airline's customer service centre at, +62216310888. For the Singaporean market, passengers can contact TransNusa's General Sales Agent, Chariot Travels Pte Ltd, at +65 86602719 while for the Malaysian market, passengers can contact MKM Ticketing Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd at +60378312581.Source: TransNusaCopyright 2024 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
A Destination for Quality Fuel, Food, and Convenience

BRIDGTON, ME / ACCESSWIRE / November 15, 2024 / Nouria is excited to announce the grand opening of its newest location in Bridgton, Maine. This state-of-the-art facility is set up to provide the community with a wide range of high-quality products and services, enhancing the convenience and fueling needs of Bridgton residents and visitors.

Nouria Bridgton, Maine

Newly opened Nouria Bridgton, Maine.

A One-Stop Destination for Fuel, Food, and Relaxation

With the opening of this location, Nouria brings a fresh experience to the community. The store's unique features include:

Premium Fueling Services : The new site is equipped with top-grade gasoline and diesel fuel for cars and large trucks, ensuring seamless access for all types of vehicles.

Nouria's Kitchen featuring Amato's : An authentic taste of Italy in every bite! Guests can enjoy freshly made sandwiches, pizzas, and pasta using handpicked ingredients, bakery-fresh bread, and authentic flavors. Nouria's Kitchen also offers a welcoming indoor dining area, as well as outdoor seating to enjoy Maine's beautiful surroundings.

Exceptional Convenience Store Experience: With a wide range of snacks, beverages, and essential products, this well-lit, inviting space is designed for easy access and effortless shopping. Nouria's commitment to value and quality is evident in every product, and shoppers can take advantage of everyday savings on popular items.

"We are excited to expand our footprint in Maine with this new Bridgton location," said Tony El-Nemr, Founder and CEO of Nouria. "Our goal is to create a convenient, high-quality destination that meets the needs of this community and beyond. We look forward to becoming a part of Bridgton and making a positive impact here."

Whether fueling up, grabbing a quick snack, or enjoying a meal, the new Bridgton Nouria location promises a welcoming experience. Visit us today to see how Nouria is redefining convenience in Bridgton, ME.

About Nouria Energy Corporation: Nouria is a family-owned convenience store and fuel retailer headquartered in Worcester, Massachusetts. The award-winning company operates a diverse portfolio of convenience stores, gas stations, car washes, and travel centers across New England. Nouria has a strong reputation for delivering high-quality products and services and is known for its strategic acquisitions and continuous expansion in the convenience retail and fuel distribution sectors.

The company was founded in 1989 by Tony El-Nemr and has grown significantly over the years through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Nouria has expanded its footprint to include over 170 convenience stores and 61 carwash locations. It supplies fuel to hundreds of fuel retailing sites under various brands, including Shell, Irving, Gulf, Sunoco, and Citgo.

Nouria prides itself on its agile business model, enabling quick decision-making and responsiveness to market changes without being constrained by bureaucratic processes. The company is actively enhancing its operational efficiencies, leveraging technology, and fostering strong community relationships.

Nouria's culture is built on strong values of integrity, teamwork, and customer focus, making it a leading player in the convenience and fuel retail industry.

Contact Information

Nouria Media

media@nouria.com

SOURCE: Nouria

View the original press release on newswire.com.
BOCA RATON, FL / ACCESSWIRE / November 15, 2024 / Senior Justice Law Firm, a leading legal advocate against nursing home abuse and neglect in long-term care facilities, is proud to announce the expansion of its educational resources, now available on its website. Serving families and individuals in over 10 states, Senior Justice Law Firm is dedicated to empowering families with essential knowledge to protect their loved ones from the risks associated with neglect in elder care facilities.

As the need for reliable elder care rises, so does the importance of vigilance and education in preventing elder abuse and neglect. With a strong focus on advocacy and education, Senior Justice Law Firm's website now offers comprehensive, user-friendly resources on spotting warning signs of elder abuse, understanding the rights of residents, and navigating the legal steps for filing a claim when necessary.

"Elder abuse and neglect are tragic realities that affect countless families across the nation," says managing partner, Michael Brevda of Senior Justice Law Firm. "Our mission is not only to fight for justice but also to equip families with the information they need to prevent these issues from occurring in the first place. We've seen firsthand the positive impact knowledge can have when it comes to safeguarding our seniors."

Visitors to the Senior Justice Law Firm website will find an extensive library of articles, guides, and frequently asked questions covering a variety of elder abuse topics, including:

Recognizing the Signs of Abuse : Detailed descriptions of physical, emotional, and financial abuse indicators to help families identify potential issues.

Legal Rights and Protections : An overview of federal and state laws governing elder care, including residents' rights within facilities.

Guidance on Legal Actions: Step-by-step advice on how to file complaints, the claims process, and what to expect when seeking justice for an elderly loved one.

In addition to these resources, Senior Justice Law Firm's team of experienced attorneys across multiple states provides families with access to free consultations, ensuring those affected by elder abuse or neglect can explore their legal options without financial barriers.

Through its focus on both legal action and proactive education, Senior Justice Law Firm stands as a trusted advocate for families in need of guidance and support. The firm's website resources reflect its ongoing commitment to raising awareness and helping families protect their loved ones from harm.

For more information about Senior Justice Law Firm or to access their elder abuse resources, please visit https://seniorjustice.com/ or contact their team at 1-888-375-9998.

About Senior Justice Law Firm

Senior Justice Law Firm is a national law firm dedicated exclusively to representing victims of elder abuse and neglect. With offices across more than 10 states, the firm has built a reputation as a compassionate and knowledgeable advocate in cases of nursing home abuse, assisted living negligence, hospital neglect and other care facility misconduct. Senior Justice Law Firm's mission is to support families affected by nursing home neglect with compassion, dedication, and a commitment to both our clients and community.

Contact Information

Michael Brevda

Managing Partner

eservice@seniorjustice.com

(888) 375-9998

SOURCE: Senior Justice Law Firm

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Expanding Accessibility for Artistry and Design with a Curated Approach to Book Placement

WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / November 15, 2024 / In a bold move to expand its reach and enhance exposure for the talent celebrated in its collections, benton buckley books proudly announces the launch of its in-house distribution department. This new addition to the publishing house's operations reflects a deepened commitment to its mission: delivering authentic, unique artistic voices to a wider array of cultural spaces and markets.

While benton buckley books has long enjoyed partnerships with major distributors such as Amazon and Ingraham, the establishment of an in-house distribution team enables a level of focused curation and strategic placement beyond conventional channels. The books published by benton buckley books - known for their celebration of artistry, luxury design, and visionary talent - will now be introduced to unique spaces, including artists' local markets, high-end specialty stores, prestigious museums, and niche boutiques. These venues promise to place benton buckley titles in front of discerning buyers and cultural aficionados who may not encounter these works in traditional outlets.

"Launching this distribution arm is both a strategic move and a deeply personal one for us," shares Beth Buckley, founder of benton buckley books. "We see each book as a work of art, and our new distribution capabilities mean we can thoughtfully position these works within spaces where their voices will resonate most - with collectors, art lovers, and design-conscious buyers. It's about creating legacy and expanding possibility."

Through this department, benton buckley books plans to ensure that each book's journey to readers is as carefully curated as the content within its pages. This initiative is especially beneficial to the talented artists, designers, and architects showcased in the publisher's books, who will now have their works introduced in more meaningful, targeted markets.

"This in-house distribution truly enriches our mission of elevating authentic voices," Buckley adds. "The more distinctively we can bring these creators' perspectives to people worldwide, the more we can cultivate a culture that values originality and celebrates creativity."

As benton buckley books moves forward with this new chapter, its commitment to refined and purposeful publishing continues to grow. The in-house distribution department will allow the boutique publisher to connect with niche audiences across the globe, enriching its impact within the worlds of art, architecture, and design.

About benton buckley books: Founded by Beth Buckley, benton buckley books is a boutique publishing house dedicated to curating exquisite coffee table books that celebrate artistry, architecture, and design. With a keen eye for authentic talent and a reverence for the timeless beauty of print, benton buckley books serves as a bridge between the artist and the admirer, offering readers a lasting encounter with beauty, creativity, and cultural heritage.

Contact Information

Ashley Charles

Distribution Development & Publicity Assistant

bebold@bentonbuckleybooks.com

SOURCE: benton buckley books

View the original press release on newswire.com.
London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - November 15, 2024) - Today marks the official launch of Hodl.Press, an online platform dedicated to providing comprehensive and unbiased coverage of the global cryptocurrency industry. Hodl.Press goes beyond the headlines, delivering detailed analysis, expert opinions, and educational resources for crypto enthusiasts at all levels.





Hodl.Press - Crypto News

What Sets Hodl.Press Apart?

Comprehensive Analysis: Hodl.Press delves deep into market trends, regulatory changes, and technological advancements, providing readers with the full story behind the news.

Expert Insights: The Hodl.Press team of experienced journalists and industry experts cuts through the noise, delivering clear and concise reporting on the most significant events in the crypto space.

Focus on Security: With thorough coverage of cybersecurity incidents, wallet vulnerabilities, and the latest security best practices, Hodl.Press helps readers stay safe in the crypto world.

Educational Resources: Whether a seasoned trader or just starting out, Hodl.Press guides and tutorials help navigate the complexities of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.

"The crypto landscape is constantly changing, and staying informed is more important than ever," said Danylo Vash, The CEO of Hodl.Press. "At Hodl.Press we are committed to delivering accurate, unbiased, and insightful content that empowers our readers to navigate the crypto world confidently. We aim to be the trusted guide for both seasoned traders and newcomers alike."

Visit https://Hodl.Press today to stay ahead of the curve and join the community of informed crypto enthusiasts.





Crypto News - Hodl.Press

About Hodl.Press (FerzTech Ltd)

Hodl.Press offers in-depth crypto market analysis, expert insights, security-focused reporting, and educational guides, aiming to empower readers to navigate the rapidly evolving crypto landscape with confidence. Hodl.Press sets itself apart by delving deep into market trends, regulatory changes, and technological advancements, serving as a trusted guide for both seasoned traders and newcomers in the crypto space.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229819

SOURCE: Hodl.Press (FerzTech Ltd)
Worldwide Healthcare Trust PLC - Update statement regarding the re-election of two Directors at the 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM)

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, November 15

Worldwide Healthcare Trust PLC

15 November 2024

Update statement regarding the re-election of two Directors at the 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM).

All of the resolutions proposed at the Company's AGM on 10 July 2024 were passed comfortably, although the votes in favour of the resolutions to re-elect Doug McCutcheon and Sven Borho as Directors of the Company had more than 20% of votes cast against the respective resolutions. The Board understands that some shareholders deemed Mr. McCutcheon not to be independent due to his length of service on the Board (11 years) and that Mr. Borho should not be a Director due to his role as a Managing Partner at OrbiMed Capital LLC, the Company's Portfolio Manager.

The Company is actively engaged with its shareholders on these and other matters. Mr. McCutcheon, as Chair of the Board, Mr. Borho and Dr. Bina Rawal, as Senior Independent Director on the Board, met with the Company's principal shareholders ahead of the AGM. Since then, the programme of regular meetings with shareholders has continued.

The Board shares the widely accepted view that length of service does not in itself impair a director's ability to act independently. On the contrary, the Board believes that long serving Directors' perspectives can add value to the deliberations of the Board. As stated in this year's Annual Report, Mr. McCutcheon was asked by the Board to take on the role of Board Chair from July 2022 for a period of three to five years. This was to oversee the renewal of the Board composition, to provide continuity and to ensure an orderly succession. In October of this year, the Company appointed two new additional Independent Directors, Sian Hansen and William Hemmings. With these appointments, four of the Company's six Independent Directors have joined the Board in the past 14 months. In light of the progress being made, while also enabling sufficient overlap with the newly appointed directors, Mr. McCutcheon is now expected to retire as Chair of the Company after four years at the 2026 AGM.

Mr. Borho was appointed a Director of the Company in June 2018. Mr. Borho is the only Director deemed not to be independent by the Board. The Board believes that the Company benefits from his extensive knowledge and experience in investment matters. The Board routinely takes steps to avoid any potential conflicts of interest. Each Board meeting includes a separate session for the independent Directors only, which provides the opportunity for open discussion and consideration of any areas where potential conflicts might be relevant. In addition, Mr. Borho does not sit on any of the Board's Committees and he does not receive a fee for serving as a Director.

-ENDS-
DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global gene editing market is expected to reach USD 7.59 billion in 2029 from USD 4.66 billion in 2024, at a CAGR of 10.2% during the forecast period. The main factors behind the expansion of this market are demand for personalized medicine, and favourable government funding investments for gene editing projects. The expanding range of gene editing applications, spurred by technological advancements in prime editing, bridge RNA and the growing burden of congenital diseases, are also contributing to the market's expansion.

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Browse in-depth TOC on "Gene Editing Market"

636 - Tables

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Based on Offerings, the market is divided into products and services segments. The products segment accounted for the largest share of the gene editing market in 2023. The large share of products is majorly due to the reagents, kits, and other consumables that are used in CRISPR, TALEN, ZFN and other gene editing technologies for applications such as cell line development, drug discovery and development and genome engineering represent a major product category, contributing to a large market share. However, the service segment accounted for the second-largest share in the market.

Based on Product Type, the market is divided into reagents & consumables, and Software & systems. The reagents & consumables segment held the highest share of the market in 2023. Reagents & consumables consists of gene editing kits, gene editing reagents, and gene editing libraries all of which are essential into carry out gene editing experiments and workflow. Gene editing reagents & consumables encompass various essential components, such as nucleases, controls, antibodies and enzymes, that support the gene editing process and cater to diverse applications, including cell line engineering, genome editing, drug discovery and development. However, software & systems held the second highest share.

Based on Reagents & Consumables Technique, the market is segmented into knock-out, knock-in, gene silencing and other techniques which include jump-in, homologous recombination, gene overexpression among others. The reagents, kits, and consumables segment accounted for the largest share of the genomics market in 2023. Reagents, kits, and other consumables used in sequencing, PCR, and microarray technologies represent a major product category, contributing to a large market share. However, the instrument segment accounted for the second largest share in the segment. The knock-out segment held the highest share owing to large applications in gene editing process like drug discovery and cell line engineering, however knock-in held the second highest share of the gene editing reagents & consumables market by technique.

Based on Product Technology, the gene editing market is segmented into CRISPR, TALEN, ZFN, Base editing, Antisense, RNAi and other technologies which include PiggyBac, Prime editing among others. The CRISPR segment held the highest share of the gene editing products market by technology driven by advancements in CRISPR technology, products cater to a range of CRISPR applications, from gene knockout to precise gene correction or insertions using tools like donor oligos and design software for CRISPR-based genome editing. However, TALEN held the second highest share of the gene editing market.

Based on Product Application, the gene editing market is segmented into cell line engineering, genome editing/genetic engineering, drug discovery and development and other applications which include clinical diagnostics, xenotransplantation among others. The cell line engineering segment held the highest share of the market owing to increase in demand for precise cell line engineering and development for research and development purposes. Products are utilized in cell line engineering to facilitate precise genetic modifications and supporting various research applications. Key products in this market include reagents & Kits, Software and Systems which are utilized for gene knockouts, knock-ins, and point mutations in cell line. However, genome editing/genetic engineering held the second highest share of the gene editing products market by application.

Based on Product End User, the gene editing market is segmented into Pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies, academic & research institutes, CROs & CDMOs and other end users which include clinical diagnostic companies, biobanks among others. Pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies held the highest share of the market owing to high demand for gene editing products in R&D and drug development departments of these companies. Gene editing products are indispensable for advancing gene-based therapies, making them critical for pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies aiming to innovate in areas like oncology, rare diseases, and immunology. Academic & research institutes held the second highest share of the gene editing products market by end user due to increase demand for gene editing products in research and experimentation involving gene editing.

Based on Service Type, the gene editing market is segmented into cell line development & engineering, gRNA synthesis and vector construction, Library construction & screening, and other services which include off-target analysis and mutagenesis services. Cell line development & engineering held the highest share of the market. The gene editing services in cell line development and engineering are utilized for precise genome modifications for research, drug discovery, and biopharmaceutical production. Services utilize several gene editing technologies such as CRISPR which allow for knockouts, knock-ins, and targeted mutations across a wide variety of mammalian and other cell types. gRNA synthesis & vector construction held the second highest share of the market. The ability to customize vectors, including options for fluorescent or resistance gene markers, enriches the transfected cells, improving gene editing efficiency which is driving growth in this market.

Based on Service Application, the gene editing market is segmented into cell line engineering, genome editing/genetic engineering, drug discovery & development and other applications which include clinical diagnostics, and xenotransplantation among others. The drug discovery & development application held the highest share of the gene editing services market by application in 2023. The drug discovery & development segment is further sub segmented into blood disorders, cancer, CNS and others which include Ophthalmology, infections and dystrophies among others. The rising trend of companies exploring and developing gene therapies for these disorders is driving the demand for gene editing services in drug discovery and development. Cell line engineering application held the second highest share of the market.

Based on Service End User, the gene editing market is segmented into pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies, Academic & research institutes, and other end users which include diagnostic companies, biobanks, and small-scale CDMOs among others. Pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies held the highest share of the market as they utilize various types of services such as cell line development and engineering, gRNA synthesis & vector construction, and Library construction and screening for various applications such as drug discovery and development. However Academic and research institutes held the second highest share of the gene editing services by end user.

The gene editing market is segmented into six major regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. North America is the largest regional market for gene editing in 2023, while Europe is the second-largest market. The large share of North America can be attributed to the surge in development and approval of advanced therapies requiring gene editing products and services. However, The Asia Pacific is estimated to be the fastest-growing segment of the market characterized by a significant focus on R&D activities to broaden the scope of genomics applications, increasing adoption of genomics technologies for diagnostics, and technological developments in genomic data analysis.

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The gene editing market is competitive with key players such Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (US), Merck KGaA (Germany), GenScript (US), Agilent Technologies, Inc. (US), Revvity (US). The market players have adopted various strategies such as development of advanced products, services, partnerships, contracts, expansions, and acquisitions to strengthen their position in the gene editing market. The organic and inorganic strategies have helped the market players expand globally by providing advanced gene editing products and services.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (US):

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. provides an extensive portfolio of life science solutions, analytical instruments, diagnostics, and laboratory services for many applications. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of gene editing products and services, encompassing tools, services, and software for gene modification. The company provides gene editing tools and services via the Genetic Sciences and Biosciences business within the life sciences solutions segment. The company has executed organic and inorganic growth strategies, launching products such as the Gibco CTS AAV-MAX Helper-Free AAV Production System in November 2022, establishing a manufacturing facility at the University of California, San Francisco in March 2023, and acquiring gene editing companies like PeproTech, Inc. (US) in January 2022.

Merck KGaA (Germany):

Merck KGaA is a healthcare-focused research and technology company. The company offers gene editing technologies and services through the Science & Lab Solutions subsegment of the Life Sciences segment. Sigma Aldrich and Milliporesigma are the brand names under which the firm distributes its gene editing solutions. The firm has a global reach through its subsidiaries and brands. The company expanded inorganically by acquiring Mirus Bio, Inc. (US) in May 2024 and forming a partnership with Synplogen Co., Ltd. (Japan) in December 2022.

GenScript (US):

Genscript is a biotechnology company that provides life science research application instruments and services. The company operates in the gene editing market through the Life Science Services and Products segment which provides comprehensive life-science research services and products. The company operates in over 100 countries through various subsidiaries. GenScript (US) pursued organic growth with the launch of FLASH Gene in June 2024 and expansion of gene synthesis services in Singapore in February 2023, while also forming an inorganic partnership with PersonGen-Anke Cellular Therapeutics (US) in March 2023 to enhance cell therapy development.

Agilent Technologies, Inc. (US):

Agilent Technologies, Inc. is a life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemicals company that offers instruments, software, consumables and services for entire laboratory workflow. The company offers gene editing products and services through the diagnostics and genomics business segment. The company has several subsidiaries spanning across all major regions. The company strengthened inorganically by acquiring BIOVECTRA, Inc. (Canada) in July 2024 and collaborating with Merck KGaA (Germany) in June 2022 to advance process technologies and organically by expansion of a manufacturing facility in China in August 2021.

Revvity (US):

Revvity is a health science solutions company that focuses on technology and services ranging from research to development and diagnosis. Revvity provides a variety of products and services in the Life Sciences segment, including gene editing products and services, to help with cell, gene, and protein studies. Revvity distributes its products and services in over 160 countries. Revvity pursued organic growth by launching its pin-point base editing platform reagents in September 2023, while inorganic growth was achieved through collaborations with GenKOre (South Korea) in June 2023 and a partnership with AstraZeneca Plc (UK) in May 2023, which involved licensing their services to develop advanced gene therapies.

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GUANGZHOU, China, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ROX Motor, a pioneer in the NEV market for outdoor living, signed cooperation agreements with dealers from Iraq, Jordan, Oman, and Libya, further advancing its globalization strategy. At the same time, ROX Motor launched a domestic partner recruitment programme to collaborate with top-tier dealers, enhancing service accessibility and customer experiences. The company also inaugurated the ROX Motor Adventure Academy, an exclusive platform offering expert-led outdoor training for the ROX Motor community. ROX Motor also launched the ROX Motor Lure Magic Box, reinforcing brand value through differentiated, tiered product offerings.

Global Expansion Success and Launch of Domestic Partner Recruitment Programme

During the Guangzhou Auto Show, ROX Motor's global strategy achieved key milestones. The company signed agreements with partners in Iraq, Jordan, Oman, and Libya, launching sales channels and customer service systems across these four markets. ROX Motor also opened its first showroom in Kuwait, further advancing its Middle East expansion. Additionally, the company hosted its inaugural global after-sales training, attended by after-sales directors and engineers from all partner countries, reinforcing its commitment to delivering exceptional, standardized service experiences worldwide.

Headquartered in China with a global perspective, ROX Motor has successfully established a sales and service network in over 20 countries, including the UAE, Qatar, and Kazakhstan. This expansion covers key emerging markets such as the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, with overseas deliveries and orders exceeding 10,000 units. In the UAE, the ROX 01 ranks third in all-terrain luxury SUV sales, with a market share surpassing 15% from January to October. The ROX 01's combination of safety, comfort, and reliability has led to its selection as the official vehicle for the UAE Police, marking significant recognition for the brand in the Middle East high-end market.

ROX Motor's global strategy is evolving from traditional export-based growth to a more collaborative, ecosystem-driven approach, rooted in local driving scenarios and real user needs. Falconry is an important cultural tradition for many MENA communities, and the limited-run ROX 01 Falcon Edition has been custom-designed to honour this tradition. The vehicle made a high-profile debut at the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX), where it was acquired by the local royal family.

At the Guangzhou Auto Show, the ROX 01 Falcon Edition made its China debut, showcasing the unique cultural traditions to the domestic audience.

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The "Poland Alternative Lending Market Business and Investment Opportunities Databook 75+ KPIs on Alternative Lending Market Size, By End User, By Finance Model, By Payment Instrument, By Loan Type and Demographics Q2 2024 Update" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The alternative lending in this region is expected to grow by 15.5% on an annual basis to reach US$1.94 billion in 2024. Medium to long term growth story of alternative lending in Poland remains strong. Alternative lending adoption is expected to grow steadily over the forecast period, recording a CAGR of 10.7% during 2024-2028. The alternative lending market in the country will increase from US$1.68 billion in 2023 to reach US$2.92 billion by 2028.

This report provides a detailed data-centric analysis of the Alternative Lending industry, covering market opportunities and risks across a range of industry categories. With over 50 KPIs at the country level, this report provides a comprehensive understanding of Alternative Lending market dynamics, market size and forecast, and market share statistics.

It breaks down market opportunity by type of payment instrument, loan types, and consumer behavior. In addition, it provides a snapshot of marketing objective and industry spend dynamics in Poland. KPIs in both value and share term help in getting in-depth understanding of end market dynamics. Its unbiased analysis leverages a proprietary analytics platform to offer a detailed view on emerging business and investment market opportunities.

Reasons to buy

Gain a thorough understanding of the Alternative Lending market dynamics: Market opportunities, significant trends, and forecasting (2019 2028) are listed. To stay ahead of the curve, comprehend market trends using important KPIs like Value and Share.

Insights by Industry: Evaluate new opportunities across multiple industries, and obtain market dynamics by industry in order to swiftly catch up with the latest and upcoming developments in Alternative Lending markets.

Market-specific strategies: With our unique blend of quantitative forecasting and cutting-edge insights, we can identify growth sectors that are focused on particular opportunities and analyse market-specific risks as well as significant trends in the Alternative Lending industry.

Through industry intelligence, forward-looking research of Alternative Lending market spend, and key opportunities in Poland, develop proactive and profitable company plans.

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 189 Forecast Period 2024 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $1.9 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $2.9 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 10.7% Regions Covered Poland

Scope

This report provides in-depth data-centric analysis of Alternative Lending industry in Poland through 125 tables and 150 charts. Below is a summary of key market segments.

Poland Economic Indicators

Gross Domestic Product at Current Prices

Population

Unbanked Population

Unemployment Rate

Loan Default Rate

Poland Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast

Transaction Value

Average Transaction Value

Transaction Volume

Poland Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by End User

End User Business

End User Consumer

Poland Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Finance Models

P2P Marketplace Consumer Lending

P2P Marketplace Business Lending

P2P Marketplace Property Lending

Balance Sheet Consumer Lending

Balance Sheet Business Lending

Balance Sheet Property Lending

Invoice Trading

Debt Based Securities

Equity Based Crowd Funding

Real Estate Crowd funding

Poland Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument Transaction Value, Volume and Average Value

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Poland Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Model

Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to P2P Marketplace Consumer Lending

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to P2P Marketplace Business Lending

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to P2P Marketplace Property Lending

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Balance Sheet Consumer Lending

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Balance Sheet Business Lending

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Balance Sheet Property Lending

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Invoice Trading

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Debt Based Securities

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Equity Based Crowd Funding

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Real Estate Crowd funding

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Poland Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Loan Types

B2C Loans

Personal Loan

Payroll Advance

Home Improvement

Education/Student Loans

Point of Sale

Auto Loans

Medical Loans

B2B Loans

Lines of Credit

Merchant Cash Advance

Invoice Factoring

Revenue Financing

Poland Alternative Lending Analysis by Consumer Attitude and Behaviour

By Age

By Income

Gender

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WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - A report released by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on Friday showed regional manufacturing activity has seen a substantial turnaround in the month of November.The New York Fed said its general business conditions index skyrocketed to a positive 31.2 in November from a negative 11.9 in October, with a positive reading indicating growth. Economists had expected the index to jump to a negative 0.7.With the much bigger than expected increase, the general business conditions index reached its highest level since December 2021.The surge by the headline index came as the new orders index soared to a positive 28.0 in November from a negative 10.2 in October, while the shipments index spiked to a positive 32.5 in November from a negative 2.7 in October.Meanwhile, the New York said the number of employees index fell to 0.9 in November from 4.1 in October, pointing to steady employment levels.The report also said the prices paid index dipped to 27.8 in November from 29.0 in October, while the prices paid index crept up to 12.4 in November from 10.8 in October.Looking ahead, the New York Fed said firms remained optimistic conditions would continue to improve in the months ahead, although the index for future business activity fell to 33.2 in November from a multi-year high of 38.7 in October.The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia is scheduled to release its report on regional manufacturing in the month of November next Thursday.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX


EQS Newswire / 15/11/2024 / 16:59 CET/CEST

LIMA, PERU / SHANGHAI, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 15 November 2024 - "From Chancay to Shanghai," this expression has become quite popular in Peru, and it has finally become a reality.





China's financial hub Shanghai, which has the world's largest port, is expected to welcome more goods from Latin America. And from Shanghai, these products will be shipped throughout Asia.



The Chancay Port, which was constructed by Chinese companies, allows cargos to be shipped directly from Peru to China - the short transit time will only be 23 days. It has officially opened on November 14.



The port is expected to generate 4.5 billion US dollars of annual economic benefit for Peru, accounting for 1.8% of the GDP. It will also provide thousands of direct and indirect jobs for local people.



All these mean immense business opportunities to Peruvian entrepreneurs.



Alpaca plush toy makers Ysabel Zea has been doing business with China for eight years. She has been attending the China International Import Expo for three years for showing her new products to Chinese consumers.



Alpaca plush toy maker Ysabel Zea shows her latest design at China International Import Expo in Shanghai on Nov 6, 2024

In the past, it took over 60 days for goods to be shipped from Lima to Shanghai. But the shortening transit means a lot to her.



"It means future. It means works for more artisans in Peru. It means opportunities, more income for families, better education for sons and daughters. It means just hope," says Zea.



It's not only about China and Peru. The Chancay Port also provides growing space to the Asia-Pacific region.



Cargo shipped from Peru to China can make a stop in Shanghai and then go to places like Japan, South Korea and South East Asia.



That means residents in Asia will have better opportunities to enjoy fresher coffee, avocados and blueberries from Latin America.



To Peruvian exporters like Ysabel Zea, the Chancay Port also means their products can reach a larger market.



"Now with the new port of Chancay, many opportunities acome. It will be easier for us to bring our products here to Chancay and then to Shanghai," says Zea.



Now, "From Chancay to Shanghai," this expression has become a reality.







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15/11/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.

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New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - November 15, 2024) - Hiring 4 Less, a leading provider of affordable overseas staffing solutions, proudly announces its position at #96 on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing private companies. With over 1,000 satisfied clients, 35 dedicated recruiters, and a team of talented overseas employees, Hiring 4 Less is revolutionizing how U.S. businesses access and manage top global talent.

"Our approach at Hiring 4 Less allows businesses to grow faster and reduce overhead by leveraging a skilled, international workforce," says CEO Joel Neuman. "Being recognized by Inc. affirms our commitment to delivering high-quality, affordable staffing, enabling clients to scale without compromising on talent."

Cost-effective solutions with Built-In Oversight and Time Zone Alignment

Hiring 4 Less primarily sources virtual assistants from the Philippines and the Dominican Republic, where a dedicated team of 35 recruiters identifies top candidates for U.S. businesses. Each employee works in the client's time zone, ensuring seamless communication and productivity. Additionally, the company offers a robust monitoring program that includes regular screenshots of employees' work, giving clients peace of mind and full visibility into daily performance.

Serving Multiple Industries with Versatile Talent

Hiring 4 Less provides talent across various industries, including customer service, e-commerce, finance, healthcare, marketing, and technology. By sourcing versatile staff, the company supports clients in building the specialized teams they need to grow and stay competitive.

About Hiring 4 Less

Hiring 4 Less, headquartered in New York, specializes in sourcing affordable global talent to meet diverse business needs. By providing skilled overseas employees who work in the client's time zone and implementing monitoring programs for oversight, Hiring 4 Less delivers reliable, cost-effective staffing solutions that empower U.S. businesses to scale efficiently. With services across customer service, project management, bookkeeping, and more, Hiring 4 Less is reshaping the future of staffing. For more information visit the Hiring4Less.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230092

SOURCE: Media Feature
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - With the effects of recent hurricanes and the since-resolved strike at Boeing (BA) continuing to weigh on growth, the Federal Reserve released a report on Friday showing U.S. industrial production decreased in line with economist estimates in the month of October.The report said industrial production fell by 0.3 percent in October after sliding by a downwardly revised 0.5 percent in September.Economists had expected industrial production to dip by 0.3 percent, matching the decline originally reported for the previous month.The Fed said the Boeing strike held down industrial production growth by an estimated 0.2 percentage points in October, while Hurricane Milton and the lingering effects of Hurricane Helene together reduced growth by 0.1 percentage point.The continued decrease by industrial production came as manufacturing output fell by 0.5 percent in October after slipping by 0.3 percent in September.Meanwhile, mining output rose by 0.3 percent in October after tumbling by 1.9 percent in September and utilities output climbed by 0.7 percent in October after rising by 0.3 percent in September.'The November reading of industrial production will get a boost from the resolution to the Boeing strike and fading hurricane effects,' said Bernard Yaros, Lead U.S. Economist at Oxford Economics. 'However, motor vehicle and parts production was noticeably weak and is unlikely to bounce back soon.'The report also said capacity utilization in the industrial sector dipped to 77.1 percent in October from a downwardly revised 77.4 percent in September.Economists had expected capacity utilization to decrease to 77.2 percent from the 77.5 percent originally reported for the previous month.Capacity utilization in the manufacturing sector fell to 76.2 percent, while capacity utilization in the mining and utilities sectors rose to 88.7 percent and 71.4 percent, respectively.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
Aviva Aesthetics provides med spa owners with an alternative to private equity

CHICAGO, IL and FULTON, MD / ACCESSWIRE / November 15, 2024 / DuneGlass Capital, a healthcare services-focused independent sponsor that specializes in the formation of doctor and entrepreneur-owned and led management services organizations (MSOs), has partnered with Pura Vida Medspa & Cosmetic Laser Center, a leading medical spa in Fulton, Maryland, to form Aviva Aesthetics, the only aesthetics platform that is owned, led, and governed by med spa owners. Aviva's distinctive equity and governance model - called Entrepreneur Equity - provides med spa owners with the same resources and support as private equity-backed platforms without having to sell their businesses or give up practice autonomy.

"Our mission at Aviva is to shape the future of aesthetic medicine and give med spa owners an alternative to private equity," said Dr. Leslie Apgar, Aviva Aesthetics founding doctor and owner and medical director of Pura Vida. "We're building a network of best-in-class providers, including the specialty's leading innovators, who are establishing best practices and sharing clinical expertise, elevating each other through connection and collaboration, have a growth mindset, and want to invest in themselves. Med spa owners who join Aviva benefit from back-office support that reduces the day-to-day burdens of running their businesses so that they can focus exclusively on what they do best: providing exceptional treatments and outcomes for clients."

Unlike other medical aesthetic platforms, med spa owners who join the Aviva network:

Retain 100% of the equity in their business, meaning med spa owners keep their earnings growth or growth from opening additional locations

Keep complete autonomy over the operations of their business

Become shareholders of the platform, giving med spa owners an EBITDA multiple at exit typically reserved for large PE-backed platforms

Are anticipated to earn 2-3x more than a traditional exit opportunity because they own the platform, not private equity

Meanwhile, the Aviva management team - comprised of private equity professionals and executives with decades of experience growing and operating multi-unit healthcare and consumer businesses - helps med spa owners maximize their practice value before a future sale.

Leading the executive team is CEO Tyler Weinberg, an entrepreneur and private equity veteran with extensive consumer and wellness industry expertise. He will spearhead Aviva's strategic expansion in key U.S. markets and ensure that the platform delivers comprehensive finance and accounting, HR, operations, purchasing and vendor management, and marketing support to Aviva's med spa owners.

"I was drawn to Aviva's commitment to partnering with entrepreneurs who are leading innovation across the specialty and establishing the industry's highest standards for quality, safety, ongoing education, and training for practitioners," said Weinberg. "Our goal is to empower our partners to continue to grow their businesses as shareholders and benefit from the kind of economics that are traditionally reserved for private equity."

Joining Tyler Weinberg on the executive team, Andrew Fatch brings over a decade of investment banking, private equity, and board-level experience within the consumer sector. As Chief Development Officer, he will play a crucial role in forging new partnerships with strategically aligned, like-minded medical spa owners, enhancing their practices, and ensuring alignment with Aviva's high standards and strategic objectives.

Aviva Aesthetics Key Value Proposition for Med Spas

Proven toolkit of cost savings and operational improvements to optimize and grow their businesses

Anticipated higher valuation (2-3x) at future collective exit as part of the platform

A world-class network that is at the forefront of the latest, safest, and most effective techniques and technologies in the industry

Clinical and operational autonomy, which allows med spa owners to pursue the latest treatments for best-in-class patient outcomes, maintain all brand recognition in their markets, and keep their staff

An experienced management team that has built and exited multiple platform businesses in the healthcare industry, totaling over $1 billion

"Dr. Apgar, Tyler Weinberg, and Andrew Fatch at the helm of Aviva Aesthetics exemplifies what we mean when we say that we combine the best of private practice with the best of private equity," says DuneGlass Capital Managing Partner Dan Hosler. "Aviva was founded on three core values - better transparency for medical aesthetics entrepreneurs into the private equity and MSO business models, better alignment of interests among med spa owners, clients, staff, and investors, and better economics for med spa entrepreneurs. Aviva's distinctive ownership and governance model is the natural evolution of traditional PE-backed MSO platforms, and we are proud to pioneer and pave a new path forward in the medical aesthetics industry."

About Aviva Aesthetics

Aviva means "fresh," and that is what we are building - a new model for visionary medical aesthetics entrepreneurs who want a better future for their businesses and their clients because their best days of growth are still ahead of them.

Founded in 2024 in partnership with DuneGlass Capital, a healthcare services-focused independent sponsor, Aviva Aesthetics follows the distinctive equity and ownership model pioneered by DuneGlass in other high-growth medical specialties, including oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS), orthodontic and pediatric dentistry, and vascular and bariatric surgery.

The Aviva Aesthetics network is committed to revolutionizing the landscape of medical aesthetics through exceptional medical care, a focus on innovation and collaboration, and an unwavering dedication to quality and the highest ethical standards in patient care. Visit www.avivaaesthetics.com or email partner@avivaaesthetics.com to learn more.

About Aviva Founding Doctor Leslie Apgar, M.D., and Pura Vida Med Spa & Cosmetic Laser Center

Dr. Apgar is board-certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Apgar graduated from the Honors Program at Washington State University, attended Penn State University's medical school, and completed her residency in OBGYN at Penn State University, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. After caring for so many women with skin and hair complaints, Dr. Apgar decided to fill an obvious void in the community by expanding into aesthetics. Pura Vida was created in 2008, and Dr. Apgar became the sole owner and medical director in 2013. Passionate about education and best practices, Dr. Apgar advises fellow med spa owners and physicians on evolving aesthetic technologies and business strategies in medical aesthetics and related wellness industries. Visit www.puravidamedspa.com to learn more.

About DuneGlass Capital

DuneGlass Capital is an independent sponsor that was founded in 2018 to help healthcare practices realize their full potential. With expertise in multi-unit operations, private equity deal structuring, and healthcare business strategy, the founders of DuneGlass Capital have created a repeatable process for value creation so that doctors and entrepreneurs across medical and dental specialties can turn private equity into Entrepreneur Equity.

Having grown up in families steeped in medicine and dentistry, DuneGlass Capital executives understand the difficulties of private practice and how important it is to mentor their clinical shareholders about private equity to maximize the intrinsic value of their practices. Visit www.duneglasscapital.com or email partner@duneglasscapital.com to learn more.

SOURCE: Aviva Aesthetics

View the original press release on accesswire.com
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / November 15, 2024 / Messina Touring Groups' founder Louis Messina, partner of AEG Presents, received Billboard's prestigious Touring Titan Award and was recognized as Executive of the Year at the Billboard Live Music Summit and Awards in Los Angeles, CA on November 14, 2024. Messina was honored for his work producing Taylor Swift's record-breaking Eras Tour, as well as tours for Eric Church, George Strait, Kenny Chesney and many more top grossing artists.

As the founder and CEO of MTG, which operates as a leading promoter of live events, Messina has orchestrated some of the biggest and most successful tours in the modern era. Known for his ability to bring major artists to new heights, he has played a crucial role in the success of numerous high-profile tours.

Following the award presentation, Messina participated on stage in a Power Players Conversation with Melinda Newman, Billboard's executive editor for the West Coast and Nashville. Together, they discussed Messina's remarkable career, covering his time with Pace Concerts, his work with artists like Tim McGraw, Ed Sheeran and Shawn Mendes, as well as his plans to build the next generation of touring superstars.

The Billboard Live Music Awards, which honors touring acts as well as some of the visionary executives behind them, are based on several criteria ranging from revenue to tour demand, production, technical ambition, fan engagement, momentum and cultural impact.

Louis Messina received Billboard's Touring Titan Award and named Executive of the Year.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from AEG on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: AEG

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/aeg

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: AEG

View the original press release on accesswire.com
German firms urge green cooperation, oppose EV tariffs

08:50, November 15, 2024 By Yin Yeping ( Global Times

AHK Greater China Xceleration Days 2024 is held in Beijing on November 14, 2024. The event is held in Shougang Park, Shijingshan district, Beijing from November 13 to 15, 2024. (Yin Yeping/GT)

German business representatives in China expressed the remaining continuing importance of the Chinese market for German companies and said they seek to strengthen cooperation in key areas including electric vehicles (EVs).

They also reiterated their opposition to the European Commission's decision to impose additional tariffs on imported China-made EVs in the bloc.

The remarks were made on the occasion of the AHK Greater China Xceleration Days 2024, a flagship business event, in Beijing, which is being held from Wednesday to Friday.

This is the third edition of the annual event, with the previous ones held in Shenzhen and Shanghai. This year's event attracted more than 1,100 participants.

The aim of the event is to promote bilateral economic and trade exchanges and cooperation between China and Germany, and accelerate their business development in China.

China, as a large market, has so many consumers and there's still a lot of space to grow, Maximilian Butek, executive director and board member of the German Chamber of Commerce in China-East China, told the Global Times on Thursday.

"We really wanted to build a platform where it's easy especially for small and medium-sized Chinese and German enterprises to get together to not only discuss the latest industry trends, but also to talk about projects," Butek said, noting that both nations have very solid trade relations and "I also believe that we developed quite a good understanding in between."

"We really believe in China as a market, but also as an innovation hub," Butek said, noting that's why German companies are trying to find more cooperation here.

The business event covers a wide range of industry sectors, including green development and technology innovation, among other potential areas for deepening cooperation.

Other areas such as the EV sector were also mentioned.

"Chinese companies really have proven that they are able to build top-notch vehicles... They do that also with a lot of support of our German supplies, and in return, our German suppliers also get very professional, and their performance is getting better and better because of this cooperation with Chinese companies, which often require faster delivery," Butek said.

Regarding the EU's decision to impose additional tariffs on China-made EVs, Butek said that "We positioned ourselves from the beginning that we are against the tariffs, because the German economy is highly dependent on exports, and therefore we need open markets, and closing our own markets does not help... That's why we believe that tariffs are really the wrong tool."

Butek noted that tariffs will only make products more expensive for consumers and won't increase the competitiveness of the local industry. "That's why we also urged the German government to vote against these tariffs, because these tariffs will not improve anything," said Butek.

Oliver Oehms, executive director and board member of the German Chamber of Commerce in China - North China, told the Global Times on Thursday at the event that the global green transition requires the strong commitment of China, "and this is what we are seeing, not only at the current COP29."

Oehms stressed that German companies possess advanced technologies that can significantly aid in the green transformation process, while also noting that China presents exceptional market opportunities for these innovations.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
The "Turkey Alternative Lending Market Business and Investment Opportunities Databook 75+ KPIs on Alternative Lending Market Size, By End User, By Finance Model, By Payment Instrument, By Loan Type and Demographics Q2 2024 Update" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The alternative lending in this region is expected to grow by 30.0% on an annual basis to reach US$257.2 million in 2024.

Medium to long term growth story of alternative lending in Turkey remains strong. Alternative lending adoption is expected to grow steadily over the forecast period, recording a CAGR of 19.9% during 2024-2028. The alternative lending market in the country will increase from US$197.9 million in 2023 to reach US$532.5 million by 2028.

This report provides a detailed data-centric analysis of the Alternative Lending industry, covering market opportunities and risks across a range of industry categories. With over 50 KPIs at the country level, this report provides a comprehensive understanding of Alternative Lending market dynamics, market size and forecast, and market share statistics.

It breaks down market opportunity by type of payment instrument, loan types, and consumer behavior. In addition, it provides a snapshot of marketing objective and industry spend dynamics in Turkey. KPIs in both value and share term help in getting in-depth understanding of end market dynamics.Its unbiased analysis leverages a proprietary analytics platform to offer a detailed view on emerging business and investment market opportunities.

Reasons to buy

Gain a thorough understanding of the Alternative Lending market dynamics: Market opportunities, significant trends, and forecasting (2019 2028) are listed. To stay ahead of the curve, comprehend market trends using important KPIs like Value and Share.

Insights by Industry: Evaluate new opportunities across multiple industries, and obtain market dynamics by industry in order to swiftly catch up with the latest and upcoming developments in Alternative Lending markets.

Market-specific strategies: With our unique blend of quantitative forecasting and cutting-edge insights, we can identify growth sectors that are focused on particular opportunities and analyse market-specific risks as well as significant trends in the Alternative Lending industry.

Through industry intelligence, forward-looking research of Alternative Lending market spend, and key opportunities in Turkey, develop proactive and profitable company plans.

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 189 Forecast Period 2024 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $257.2 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $532.5 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 19.9% Regions Covered Turkey

Scope

This report provides in-depth data-centric analysis of Alternative Lending industry in Turkey through 125 tables and 150 charts. Below is a summary of key market segments.

Turkey Economic Indicators

Gross Domestic Product at Current Prices

Population

Unbanked Population

Unemployment Rate

Loan Default Rate

Turkey Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast

Transaction Value

Average Transaction Value

Transaction Volume

Turkey Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by End User

End User Business

End User Consumer

Turkey Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Finance Models

P2P Marketplace Consumer Lending

P2P Marketplace Business Lending

P2P Marketplace Property Lending

Balance Sheet Consumer Lending

Balance Sheet Business Lending

Balance Sheet Property Lending

Invoice Trading

Debt Based Securities

Equity Based Crowd Funding

Real Estate Crowd funding

Turkey Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument Transaction Value, Volume and Average Value

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Turkey Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Model

Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to P2P Marketplace Consumer Lending

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to P2P Marketplace Business Lending

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to P2P Marketplace Property Lending

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Balance Sheet Consumer Lending

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Balance Sheet Business Lending

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Balance Sheet Property Lending

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Invoice Trading

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Debt Based Securities

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Equity Based Crowd Funding

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Real Estate Crowd funding

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Turkey Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Loan Types

B2C Loans

Personal Loan

Payroll Advance

Home Improvement

Education/Student Loans

Point of Sale

Auto Loans

Medical Loans

B2B Loans

Lines of Credit

Merchant Cash Advance

Invoice Factoring

Revenue Financing

Turkey Alternative Lending Analysis by Consumer Attitude and Behaviour

By Age

By Income

Gender

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/c57qgy

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241115579516/en/

Contacts:

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com

For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900
Seasoned Behavioral Health Leader Joins THIRA Health, Strengthening Commitment to Comprehensive Mental Health Care for Women and Adolescents

BELLEVUE, WA / ACCESSWIRE / November 15, 2024 / THIRA Health is pleased to announce the appointment of Patricia Charles-Heathers, Ph.D., MPA, as its new Executive Director. With over 30 years of experience in behavioral health, human services, and public administration, Dr. Charles-Heathers brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for transformative leadership to her role at THIRA Health. She will oversee the organization's operational and clinical programs, enhancing its mission to provide comprehensive, empathetic mental health care to women and adolescents.

Dr. Charles-Heathers joins THIRA Health with an impressive background, having served as Chief Operations Officer for Friends of Youth, Director of the Health Department for Multnomah County, and Director of Health and Human Services for El Dorado County. Her career has been defined by her dedication to building strategic, system-focused operational structures that empower staff and optimize client care. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Master's Degrees in Substance Abuse Counseling and Public Administration, and a Doctoral Degree in Clinical and Organizational Psychology.

"We are thrilled to welcome Patricia to THIRA Health," said Dr. Mehri Moore, CEO and founder of THIRA Health. "Her experience in behavioral health, coupled with her strategic leadership in both public and non-profit sectors, makes her a tremendous asset to our team. We look forward to her insights as we continue to innovate and expand our services."

Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Charles-Heathers began her career in the banking industry before discovering her true calling in mental health and social services. Her cross-disciplinary experience gives her a unique perspective on creating effective, compassionate systems that benefit individuals, families, and communities. A long-time advocate for mental health and well-being, Dr. Charles-Heathers has also been a dedicated adjunct professor for over 17 years, sharing her expertise with future leaders in the field.

Dr. Charles-Heathers is known for her commitment to nurturing supportive and empowering work environments. "At THIRA Health, I'm excited to collaborate with a team equally passionate about quality mental health care. Together, we'll continue building on the organization's exceptional reputation, ensuring that each individual who walks through our doors receives the comprehensive and compassionate care they deserve," she stated.

Her role will be integral to THIRA Health's ongoing efforts to support individuals dealing with complex mental health conditions. Under her leadership, the organization will continue to provide cutting-edge treatment modalities, including dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and integrative care approaches, tailored specifically for women and young adults.

As Dr. Charles-Heathers steps into her new role, THIRA Health looks forward to an exciting future. Her vision and dedication align with the organization's commitment to fostering mental wellness and empowerment through high-quality, accessible care.

Contact Information

Sarah Skoterro

Director of Business Development

sarahs@thirahealth.com

206-718-0866

SOURCE: THIRA Health

View the original press release on newswire.com.
The "Finland Alternative Lending Market Business and Investment Opportunities Databook 75+ KPIs on Alternative Lending Market Size, By End User, By Finance Model, By Payment Instrument, By Loan Type and Demographics Q2 2024 Update" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The alternative lending in this region is expected to grow by 17.6% on an annual basis to reach US$1.92 billion in 2024.

Medium to long term growth story of alternative lending in Finland remains strong. Alternative lending adoption is expected to grow steadily over the forecast period, recording a CAGR of 12.1% during 2024-2028. The alternative lending market in the country will increase from US$1.63 billion in 2023 to reach US$3.04 billion by 2028.

This report provides a detailed data-centric analysis of the Alternative Lending industry, covering market opportunities and risks across a range of industry categories. With over 50 KPIs at the country level, this report provides a comprehensive understanding of Alternative Lending market dynamics, market size and forecast, and market share statistics.

It breaks down market opportunity by type of payment instrument, loan types, and consumer behavior. In addition, it provides a snapshot of marketing objective and industry spend dynamics in Finland. KPIs in both value and share term help in getting in-depth understanding of end market dynamics. Its unbiased analysis leverages a proprietary analytics platform to offer a detailed view on emerging business and investment market opportunities.

Reasons to buy

Gain a thorough understanding of the Alternative Lending market dynamics: Market opportunities, significant trends, and forecasting (2019 2028) are listed. To stay ahead of the curve, comprehend market trends using important KPIs like Value and Share.

Insights by Industry: Evaluate new opportunities across multiple industries, and obtain market dynamics by industry in order to swiftly catch up with the latest and upcoming developments in Alternative Lending markets.

Market-specific strategies: With our unique blend of quantitative forecasting and cutting-edge insights, we can identify growth sectors that are focused on particular opportunities and analyse market-specific risks as well as significant trends in the Alternative Lending industry.

Through industry intelligence, forward-looking research of Alternative Lending market spend, and key opportunities in Finland, develop proactive and profitable company plans.

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 189 Forecast Period 2024 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $1.9 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $3 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 12.1% Regions Covered Finland

Scope

This report provides in-depth data-centric analysis of Alternative Lending industry in Finland through 125 tables and 150 charts. Below is a summary of key market segments.

Finland Economic Indicators

Gross Domestic Product at Current Prices

Population

Unbanked Population

Unemployment Rate

Loan Default Rate

Finland Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast

Transaction Value

Average Transaction Value

Transaction Volume

Finland Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by End User

End User Business

End User Consumer

Finland Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Finance Models

P2P Marketplace Consumer Lending

P2P Marketplace Business Lending

P2P Marketplace Property Lending

Balance Sheet Consumer Lending

Balance Sheet Business Lending

Balance Sheet Property Lending

Invoice Trading

Debt Based Securities

Equity Based Crowd Funding

Real Estate Crowd funding

Finland Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument Transaction Value, Volume and Average Value

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Finland Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Model

Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to P2P Marketplace Consumer Lending

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to P2P Marketplace Business Lending

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to P2P Marketplace Property Lending

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Balance Sheet Consumer Lending

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Balance Sheet Business Lending

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Balance Sheet Property Lending

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Invoice Trading

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Debt Based Securities

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Equity Based Crowd Funding

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Real Estate Crowd funding

Cash

Cheques

Credit Transfer

Direct Debits

Debit Card

Credit Card

E- Money

Finland Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Loan Types

B2C Loans

Personal Loan

Payroll Advance

Home Improvement

Education/Student Loans

Point of Sale

Auto Loans

Medical Loans

B2B Loans

Lines of Credit

Merchant Cash Advance

Invoice Factoring

Revenue Financing

Finland Alternative Lending Analysis by Consumer Attitude and Behaviour

By Age

By Income

Gender

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/5ru6w6

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241115021807/en/

Contacts:

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900
PARIS, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- At HUAWEI CONNECT 2024 PARIS, Huawei successfully hosted a Data Storage Summit themed "New OceanStor, Best Data Infrastructure in the AI Era". The summit was attended by industry leaders, experts, and scholars from around the world to discuss the data infrastructure needed for AI. Attendees also explored a number of hot industry topics like all-flash storage and all-flash data centers, which are poised to accelerate digital and intelligent transformation in Europe.

Redefining Data Storage in the Data Awakening Era

Dr. Peter Zhou, President of Huawei Data Storage Product Line, said during the summit that the coming digital and intelligent era will be a "golden age" for data, and data storage will play a crucial role in preserving and passing on human culture and knowledge. Huawei Data Storage's revenue has grown steadily over the past few years, and has performed particularly well in Europe. Zhou said that Huawei Data Storage is committed to long-term investment into products and solutions for all scenarios and will work with European customers and partners to build AI-ready data infrastructure and drive continuous innovation and breakthroughs in data storage.

Building AI-Ready Data Infrastructure to Accelerate Digital and Intelligent Transformation in Europe

Michael Qiu, President of Huawei Global Data Storage Marketing & Solution Sales Dept, launched Huawei's New-Gen OceanStor Dorado All-Flash Storage. He said that the New-Gen All-Flash Data Center Solution needs to be built using a full series of high-performance, high-reliability data storage products. "Huawei is committed to addressing five critical service scenarios: mission-critical applications, business-critical applications, AI, data analytics, and data backup. We will listen attentively to user needs and work day in and day out to enhance and innovate our products, creating more eco-friendly, reliable, and efficient data infrastructure that rises to the challenge of the AI era," said Michael Qiu.

Creating a New Future of Data Storage in the Data Awakening

Tom Lussi, Founder and CEO of Naveum AG, also spoke at the summit on their current partnership with Huawei on IT infrastructure. Naveum AG is a leading B2B cloud service provider in Switzerland that has deployed Huawei's All-Flash Data Center Solution to better prepare for future AI applications. He said that the solution is not only enhancing their cloud service capabilities, but also helping them provide customers with a more resilient, efficient, and innovative IT environment.

Alexandre VAUCANSON, CIO of Agglomeration Grand Villeneuvois, also shared about their experience partnering with Huawei on digital and intelligent transformation. Agglomeration Grand Villeneuvois has worked with Huawei on building smart, convenient, and safe cities, and uses Huawei's data storage solutions to achieve cross-city data synchronization and backup for higher reliability.

Benoit Fix, CTO of France Data Center Solution Sales Dept at Huawei, noted that the New-Gen OceanStor Dorado All-Flash Storage, which offers extreme performance, extreme resilience, and AI-ready, innovative services, is designed for increasingly converged workloads. It delivers better performance thanks to the in-depth hardware-software collaboration and comes with an upgraded FLASHLINK intelligent algorithm that improves performance by 50%. It also leverages the DPU-based SmartNIC to help eliminate all CPU and memory bottlenecks in the system. Its new-gen SmartMatrix full-mesh architecture achieves 99.99999% single-device reliability. The solution also comes with the industry's only enterprise-grade native unified storage architecture for block, file, and object to support different types of applications, such as databases, files, and containers, bringing mission-critical applications into the AI era.

Dr. Thomas Eifert, CTO of RWTH Aachen University's IT Center, also shared about how a coalition of higher education institutions in Germany's North Rhine-Westphalia region has built a cross-university data service system with Huawei to help them improve data management efficiency, control and utilization. He said that the system is not only providing reliable and scalable data infrastructure, but combines research data and HPC.

Anton Gohlke, a senior solution manager at Huawei, said that scale-out storage will need to go all-flash as mass unstructured data grows and becomes more important. He introduced Huawei's new OceanStor Pacific 9920 All-Flash Scale-Out Storage, which is ultra-green, offers ultra-high performance, and also makes data accessible from anywhere. Focusing on all-flash design, it innovates foundational technology across architecture, media applications, algorithms, and solutions and is ideal for sectors like finance, education & research, healthcare and media, unleashing the value of mass unstructured data.

Huawei Data Storage is committed to driving technological innovation and working with partners to promote robust growth in the data storage industry. It will continue to offer competitive products and scenario-specific solutions, along with more efficient and reliable data infrastructure for customers across a vast range of industries in Europe, helping them accelerate digital and intelligent transformation.

About Huawei

Founded in 1987, Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. We have 207,000 employees and we operate in more than 170 countries and regions, serving more than three billion people around the world.

Our vision and mission is to bring digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world. To this end, we will work towards ubiquitous connectivity and inclusive network access, laying the foundation for an intelligent world; provide diversified computing power where you need it, when you need it, to bring cloud and intelligence to all four corners of the earth; build digital platforms to help all industries and organizations become more agile, efficient, and dynamic; and redefine user experience with AI, making it smarter and more personalized for people in all aspects of their life, whether they're at home, on the go, in the office, having fun, or working out. For more information, please visit Huawei online at www.huawei.com or follow us on:

http://www.linkedin.com/company/Huawei

http://www.twitter.com/Huawei

http://www.facebook.com/Huawei

http://www.youtube.com/Huawei

Rafal Kwiatkowski, Email: weuenterprise@huawei.com, phone: +48 531-539-140

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Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 15, 2024) - Hiru Corporation (OTC Pink: HIRU), a diversified mining and holding company, has released its Q3 2024 financial results alongside updates on significant corporate initiatives that align with its growth strategy.

Outstanding Shares and Private Placement

As of September 30, 2024, Hiru Corporation's outstanding shares reached 3.888 billion, reflecting an increase of approximately 1.2 billion shares attributed directly to new Chairman and CEO Sheikh Khalid Nasser A.S. Al-Thani, who took command of the company and merged his own Balfour Project in Australia into the Company and settled previous Hiru's debts and liabilities with self funding financing, this is reflected by the increase of equity from his personal private placement into the company.

Hiru Corporation is Almost Debt free under the new management of Sheikh Khalid Nasser A.S. Al-Thani and the board members who achieved this I just about 3 months since their appointment.

Asset Expansion and Integration

Since the change in control in August 2024, partial asset integration has been reflected in the Q3 financial results. Additional assets mining properties also in Australia and valued at $130 million, are expected to be fully consolidated by Q4 2024 as ongoing processes conclude.

Merger Exploration

The company is negotiating major stake control and/or takeover opportunities with foreign entities holding significant lithium, cobalt, and gold mining assets. One of The proposed transactions, with an anticipated $20 million initial investment, could close within 90 to 120 days, contingent on recapitalization efforts.

Debt Management and Asset Realignment

Hiru Corporation has sold a $1.4 million note, previously held by Bayern Industries LLC, to Libyan International Assets Holding Limited, a UK-based firm. Smaller debts accrued following the transition of the water business have also been settled in cash, strengthening the company's financial position.

Core Operations and Key Investors

Hiru Corporation's primary focus remains on its mining operations at the Balfour Project in Tasmania. Its investor base includes members of Qatar's royal family and a prominent Tasmanian landowner.

Litigation and Cyber security Measures

The company is pursuing legal action against an Arizona credit union linked to its former water business operations. Additionally, it is working with Qatari and U.S. authorities to address online threats targeting the company and its leadership. This smear campaign has contributed to increase stock price volatility and trading activity.

Financial Performance

Hiru Corporation reported a remarkable revenue increase from less than $1 million in 2023 to over $11 million in 2024.

Operating profits rose significantly to $2.76 million, compared to $112,670 during the same period last year.

The Revenues of the newly merged mining assets will be reflected in the next Q4.

About Hiru Corporation

Headquartered in Toronto's financial district, Hiru Corporation is a holding company focused on mining exploration, particularly at the Balfour mine project in Australia. Its board and control block holders are based in Qatar and Australia, including a Qatari royal family member and a 7th-generation Tasmanian landowner.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, often identified by terms such as "expects," "anticipates," or "intends," involve inherent risks and uncertainties. While the company believes the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially. Investors should exercise caution when relying on forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230145

SOURCE: Hiru Corporation
Cranford, New Jersey--(Newsfile Corp. - November 15, 2024) - Chan Law has published a new blog exploring the role of AI analytics in predicting market trends. The publication is part of the firm's effort to empower real estate professionals with up-to-date knowledge on the potential of AI in market forecasting.

As the real estate market grows more complex, data from AI analytics and predictive models becomes crucial. Chan Law's publication aims to guide industry professionals and property managers in leveraging AI to gain a competitive edge and demystify the market by providing real-time patterns and anomalies that may indicate shifts in supply and demand.

The newly published article by Chan Law draws upon the firm's experience with complex real estate transactions - including short sales, FSBO properties, REO properties, and intricate commercial deals such as multi-family units, wholesale transactions, and LLC buyouts - to offer valuable insights into current market trends.

Through the firm's latest publication, Chan Law aims to provide pathways for navigating today's rapidly evolving real estate landscape, underscoring the importance of informed decision-making backed by AI technology.

About Chan Law:

Chan Law offers comprehensive legal advisory services, assisting first-time homebuyers, seasoned investors, and individuals navigating complex commercial real estate transactions. With a commitment to tailored legal solutions, Chan Law guides clients through each step of the transaction process, ensuring a well-prepared closing by reviewing agreements, inspection reports, and mortgage documents while coordinating with all relevant parties.

Media Contact:





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SOURCE: GetFeatured
PRESS RELEASE

Paris, 15th November 2024

Finalisation of the sale of La Poste Telecom

La Poste Groupe and SFR have today completed the disposal of their shares in La Poste Telecom to Bouygues Telecom.

This transaction secures a long-term partnership between Bouygues Telecom and La Poste Groupe and will allow La Poste Telecom to enter a new phase in its growth. For La Poste Groupe, the transaction will capitalise on a successful diversification into the mobile telecommunications market while continuing to provide mobile and fixed offers under the La Poste Mobile brand within the postal network, which has been a key factor of the brand's success.

The value of La Poste Telecom shares for this transaction stands at 950 million. This amount will be divided between La Poste Groupe and SFR according to their shareholding. La Poste Groupe will therefore receive 484.5 million in exchange for its 51% stake in La Poste Telecom.

In terms of the sale of La Poste Mobile offers via the post office network, La Poste will continue to be remunerated according to the level of activity and with a guaranteed minimum under the new service framework agreement and the new brand licensing agreement.

The sale of La Poste Telecom to Bouygues Telecom will have no impact on La Poste Mobile customers.

La Poste Mobile will continue to differentiate its offering thanks to its competitive pricing, quality of service and relationship with its customers. La Poste Mobile customers will continue to benefit from the conditions set out in their current contracts, will keep their telephone numbers and will be offered a SIM card transfer as of the second half of 2025. La Poste will provide La Poste Mobile customers with access to all of its local channels, post offices and digital platforms to ensure that the transfer to Bouygues Telecom takes place under the best possible conditions.

With regard to this sale, Philippe Wahl, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of La Poste Groupe, announced: "Twelve years on from its creation, La Poste Mobile has become the leading MVNO on the French market with 2.4 million customers, thanks to the commitment and professionalism of the network's postal workers. Today's transaction underlines the strength of La Poste Groupe's diversification as well as the economic value of a local presence. La Poste will continue to grow this value within its network, to serve La Poste Mobile customers, alongside Bouygues Telecom".

About La Poste Groupe

La Poste is a state-owned public limited company, a subsidiary of Caisse des Depots and the French State. La Poste Groupe is divided into four business units: Services-Mail-Parcels, Retail Customers and Digital Services, Geopost and La Banque Postale, which, with its subsidiary CNP Assurances, is the 11th largest banking and insurance company in the Euro area. La Poste Groupe carries out four public service missions that shape its identity: universal postal service, regional development, banking accessibility, and press transport and delivery. Committed to its regional coverage, La Poste Groupe relies on its network of local, human and digital services, the largest in France. This network consists of 37,300 service points including 17,700 contact points (post offices, local postal agencies, retail pickup points) and nearly 19,600 access points to postal services (Pickup retail relays and lockers, business centers). La Poste Groupe delivers more than 15 billion items a year worldwide (letters, printed advertising media and parcels), six days a week. In 2023, La Poste Groupe generated a turnover of 34.1 billion (44% outside France) and had a headcount of 233,000, in more than 60 countries over 5 continents, of which 179,000 in France. Through its strategic plan "La Poste 2030, committed for you", the company is setting the course for profitable and responsible growth in France and internationally based on a robust multi-activity model. As a mission-driven company since June 2021 and a leader in ecological transition and sustainable finance, La Poste Groupe aims to achieve "Zero Net Emissions" by 2040.

Press contact : service.presse@laposte.fr - +33 1 55 44 22 37

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 15, 2024) - PreveCeutical Medical Inc. (CSE: PREV) (OTCQB: PRVCF) (FSE: 18H) ("PreveCeutical" or the "Company"), a health sciences company that develops innovative options for preventive and curative therapies utilizing organic and nature-identical products, is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated October 30, 2024, PreveCeutical has closed the intellectual property asset sale transaction ("Transaction") among its affiliate, PreveCeutical (Australia) Pty Ltd. ("PreveCeutical Australia"), and its wholly-owned subsidiary BioGene Therapeutics Inc. ("BioGene") effective on 15 November, 2024.

Pursuant to the intellectual property purchase agreement dated October 29, 2024 among the Company, PreveCeutical Australia and BioGene, the Company and PreveCeutical Australia sold certain intellectual property assets (the "Assets") to BioGene. The aggregate purchase price for the Assets is USD$1,353,227 comprised of: USD$500,000 which will be paid in cash (the "Cash Payment"); and the remaining paid by the allotment and issuance of 16,000,000 common shares (each, a "Consideration Share") in the capital of BioGene at a deemed price of USD$0.0533 per Consideration Share. The Cash Payment will be paid within 24 months of the closing of the Transaction (the "Closing") and the Consideration Shares were issued to the Company at Closing. The Company intends to distribute a portion of the Consideration Shares to its shareholders at a later date (the "Distribution").

For additional information regarding the Transaction, the Assets and the Distribution, please refer to the Company's news release dated October 30, 2024 as filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

About PreveCeutical Medical Inc.

PreveCeutical is a health sciences company that develops innovative options for preventive and curative therapies utilizing organic and nature identical products. PreveCeutical aims to be a leader in preventive health sciences and currently has five research and development programs, including: dual gene therapy for curative and prevention therapies for diabetes and obesity; the Sol-gel Program; Nature Identical peptides for treatment of various ailments; nonaddictive analgesic peptides as a replacement to the highly addictive analgesics such as morphine, fentanyl and oxycodone; and a therapeutic product for treating athletes who suffer from concussions (mild traumatic brain injury). For more information about PreveCeutical, please visit www.PreveCeutical.com, follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/PreveCeuticals and Facebook: www.facebook.com/PreveCeutical.

About BioGene Therapeutics Inc.

BioGene is a Texas-based life sciences company focused on advancing innovative therapies in metabolic health and gene-based treatments. As a key component of BioGene's expansion, BioGene Australia operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of BioGene in Texas, leveraging the strategic benefits of Australia's 43.5% R&D tax cashback incentive. This subsidiary supports ongoing research and development activities in Australia, where BioGene capitalizes on exceptional scientific talent and the nation's commitment to advancing life sciences. Currently, BioGene Australia is engaged in pioneering research into GLP-1 receptor agonists and advanced diabetes treatments, including gene therapies designed to address the growing global diabetes and obesity crisis.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

PreveCeutical Medical Inc. & BioGene Therapeutics Inc.

"Stephen Van Deventer"

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the payment of the Cash Payment by BioGene, the Company's plans with respect to the Distribution, the Company and BioGene's intended business plans and operations. The forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations based on information currently available and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements including adverse market conditions and other factors beyond the control of the parties. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to their inherent uncertainty. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include general market conditions and other factors beyond the control of the Company, including regulations and policies affecting the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry adversely affecting the future results or performance of PreveCeutical or BioGene. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230196

SOURCE: PreveCeutical Medical Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 15, 2024) - Mineral Road Discovery Inc. (CSE: ROAD) (the "Company" or "ROAD") announces it has entered into an agreement dated November 14, 2024 (the "Acquisition Agreement") to acquire certain licenses that make up the Wheeler and Bergeron properties within the Labrador Trough Area of Quebec, Canada (together the "Project").

The Wheeler property, comprised of 245 claims covering 11,797 hectares (or 29,151 acres), is prospective for copper, nickel, cobalt, and platinum group elements whereas the Bergeron Property, comprised of 110 claims covering 5,123 hectares (or 12,659 acres) is prospective for uranium.

The Wheeler Property

The Wheeler property is located approximately 150 kilometres north of the community of Schefferville, Quebec.

The Company is not aware of any modern exploration conducted on the property. The most recent notable exploration conducted on the property appears to have been conducted by Cominco and SEREM LTEE. in the 1960's. They concentrated their work programs within the western portion of the property where large boulders containing varying amounts of chalcopyrite, chalcocite, bornite and malachite, were discovered. Their work culminated with the drilling of five diamond drill holes in 1969.

The highlights from the 1969 drill program were:

Drill hole Interval (ft) Interval (m) Copper (%) 69-1 9 2.74 0.69 69-2 14.5 4.42 0.76 69-3 24 7.32 0.51 69-4 10 3.05 0.59 and 22 6.71 0.93

Note: that these intervals appear to be core length and the true width of the intervals is unknown. In addition, the assay methods as well as QA/QC protocols are unknown.

Additional data, made available via the Quebec Government archives, consists of lake sediment and till sampling as well as airborne surveys.

The property covers 25 kilometres of a significant east/west trending magnetic anomaly that averages approximately 1.5 kilometres in width. This anomaly appears to be associated with rocks of peridotite composition.

The company has plotted eleven (11) lake sediment samples that span the entire 25 kilometre length of the property. The samples range in values from 63 to 490 ppm copper and from 65 to 194 ppm nickel. In addition, the samples contain anomalous values of cobalt. The sample that returned 490 ppm copper is very significant because it ranks as the 59th highest sample result of the 162,307 lake sediment samples taken across the province by the Quebec Government (Source: https://sigeom.mines.gov.qc.ca).

A sample of fine fraction till returned 81.8 ppb gold at the eastern edge of the property. This value is among the top five for the province out of 7,082 samples of fine fraction till samples analyzed (Source: https://sigeom.mines.gov.qc.ca).

The association of copper, nickel and cobalt mineralization with rocks of mafic to ultramafic compositions indicates that platinum group elements may also be present. The Company will continue to compile data through the winter with an anticipated field program to commence in 2025.

The Bergeron Property

The Bergeron property is located approximately 125 kilometres southwest of the community of Kuujuuaq, Quebec.

The history of exploration on the property dates back to the 1940's with the search for iron deposits. The focus of exploration programs switched in the 1970's when it was realized there was potential for uranium in the area.

The Company has access to limited data for the property. Uranium values range from 0.009 to 0.417 U3O8 from ten grab samples that define the Bergeron uranium showing.

Rocks underlying the property include a variety of course and fine-grained sediments as well as iron formations belonging to the Churchill Province that are in contact with intrusive rocks belonging to the Superior Province.

The Company anticipates that work on the property will include identification, mapping and re-sampling of the historic uranium showings as well as prospecting/exploration on trend for previously unrecognized uranium showings.

Terms of the Acquisition Agreement

Pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Agreement, in consideration for the acquisition of the Project, the Company has agreed to issue an aggregate of 7,500,000 common shares of the Company, at a deemed price of $0.08 per share, to Mineral Road Capital Partners Inc. and Wayne Holmstead (collectively the "Vendors").

Both properties are subject to a 2% Net Smelter Return (or 'NSR') with a provision to be able to buyback 1% (or 50% of the total NSR) for $1,000,000.

Wayne Holmstead, P.Geo. (OGQ), a consultant of the Company, as well as a vendor of, and the Qualified Person for, as defined by National Instrument 43-101, the Wheeler and Bergeron Properties, has reviewed and approved the technical information provided in this news release.

Emma Fairhurst, Chairperson and a director of the Company, is considered a related party. Damien Reynolds is a Director of Mineral Road Partners Inc. and is also an Insider of the Company jointly holding 56.34%.

The Acquisition Agreement is considered a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") however the Company is relying on exemptions from the formal valuation requirements of MI 61-101 pursuant to section 5.5(a) and the minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 pursuant to section 5.7(1)(a) in respect of such insider participation as the fair market value of the transaction, insofar as it involves interested parties, does not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

The Acquisition Agreement is subject to approval by the CSE. The common shares issued upon closing of the Acquisition Agreement will be subject to a four month hold period in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230212

SOURCE: Mineral Road Discovery Inc.
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - November 15, 2024) - Further to its press release of November 12, 2024, Fathom Nickel Inc. (CSE: FNI) (FSE: 6Q5) (OTCQB: FNICF) (the "Company" or "Fathom") would like to provide clarification with respect to its proposed private placement of flow-through units ("FT Units") and hard dollar units ("HD Units").

The Company is issuing up to 7,500,000 FT Units at a price of $0.04 per FT Unit for gross proceeds of $300,000 and up to 21,500,000 HD Units at a price of $0.035 per HD Unit for gross proceeds of $752,500. The collective aggregate gross proceeds from issuance of the HD Units and FT Units will be $1,052,500 (the "Offering"). Each FT Unit is comprised of one common share ("Common Share") issued on a "flow-through" basis and one-half of a transferable Common Share purchase warrant (the "Warrant"), with one whole Warrant entitling the holder to acquire one Common Share for a period of 36 months from issuance at an exercise price of $0.07. Each HD Unit is comprised of one Common Share and one-half of a Warrant. The Offering is expected to be completed on a non-brokered basis under the listed issuer financing exemption set forth under section 5A.2 of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("Listed Issuer Financing Exemption").

The gross proceeds raised from the FT Units will be used before December 31, 2025 for general exploration expenditures which will constitute Canadian exploration expenses (within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Tax Act"), that will qualify as "flow through critical mineral mining expenditures" within the meaning of the Tax Act. The net proceeds from the HD Units will be used for exploration and development of the Company's mineral projects and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

The Offering will be completed by way of an exemption from the prospectus requirements available under section 5A.2 and other sections of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions. There is an amended offering document related to this Offering (the "Amended Offering Document") that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and at www.fathomnickel.com. Prospective investors should read this Amended Offering Document before making an investment decision.

The proceeds of the Offering will be used by the Company to incur exploration expenses at its Gochager Lake Project located in Saskatchewan, Canada, as well as for general corporate purposes.

The Offering is now expected to close on or about November 21, 2024, or such other date as the Company may determine.

The Offering is subject to customary closing conditions, including the approval of the securities regulatory authorities and the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE").

About Fathom Nickel Inc.

Fathom is an exploration company that is targeting magmatic nickel sulphide discoveries to support the rapidly growing global electric vehicle market and to secure the supply of North American Critical Minerals.

The Company now has a portfolio of three high-quality exploration projects located in the prolific Trans Hudson Corridor in Saskatchewan: 1) the Albert Lake Project, a 90,000+ hectare project that was host to the historic and past producing Rottenstone Mine1 (produced 28,724 tons @3.3% Ni, 1.8% Cu, 9.63 g/t 3E (Pd-Pt+Au) 1965-1969), and 2) the 23,000+ hectare Gochager Lake Project that is host to a historic, NI43-101 non-compliant open pit resource consisting of 4.3M tons at 0.295% Ni and 0.081% Cu2, and 3) the 10,000+ hectare Friesen Lake Project located 40km southwest of the historic Rottenstone Mine and 30km northwest of the historic Gochager Lake deposit.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Doug Porter"

President and CFO, Director

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" that are based on expectations, estimates, projections and interpretations as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "seek", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur, and include, without limitation, completion of the Offering, date of closing of the Offering, payment of commissions under the Offering, regulatory approval of the Offering and use of proceeds from the Offering. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

1 The Saskatchewan Mineral Deposit Index (SMDI #0958) reports the production grades noted above from a small open pit. Fathom cannot confirm the production numbers nor a historic resource estimate that may have been in place ahead of production. The historic pit exists, and the Company trusts the production, as noted in SMDI #0958, to be accurate. The Company has performed test assaying of Rottenstone-type mineralization and results are consistent with production grades.

2 The Saskatchewan Mineral Deposit Index (SMDI #0880) reports drill indicated reserves at the historic Gochager Lake Deposit of 4,262,400 tons grading 0.295% Ni and 0.081% Cu mineable by open pit. Fathom cannot confirm the resource estimate, nor the parameters and methods used to prepare the reserve estimate. The estimate is not considered NI43-101 compliant and further work is required to verify this historical drill indicated reserve.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAWS.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230210

SOURCE: Fathom Nickel Inc.
San Francisco, California--(Newsfile Corp. - November 15, 2024) - Webcor, a leading California-based commercial builder, today announced the formation of Webcor Ventures, LLC, a new entity designed to further Webcor's investment in emerging construction solutions.

As its inaugural investment, Webcor Ventures is partnering with R2 Building, a second-generation modular construction firm based in Oakland, California. Webcor makes the investment based on a vision shared with R2 for the future of off-site construction.

The investment aligns with Webcor's commitment to innovative and sustainable building methods that address key industry challenges such as efficiency and productivity, affordability, speed to market, and labor shortages.

Strategic Partnership for Innovation in Modular Construction

R2 Building, led by CEO Randy Miller, envisions a groundbreaking "real estate delivery platform" that brings together the perspectives of manufacturers, developers, and general contractors. By leveraging off-site manufacturing, R2 aims to provide high-quality housing solutions at a more affordable price point.

This collaboration also supports Webcor's mission to differentiate its delivery models and provide clients with efficient, scalable construction alternatives.

"Randy Miller and the team at R2 Building bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in the highly complex market of industrialized construction," said Webcor President and CEO Matt Rossie. "We are excited to leverage a partnership that involves multiple perspectives and experiences to find affordable and high-quality housing solutions."

"We believe that the future of construction lies in breaking down the barriers between manufacturing, development, and building. Partnering with Webcor allows us to combine our expertise in modular construction with their deep experience in large-scale project delivery," said Miller. "Together, we're not just creating buildings-we're creating a new way to deliver high-quality, affordable housing that meets the evolving needs of communities across North America."

A Vision for the Future of Construction

With the North American modular construction market projected to grow from $21.49 billion in 2023 to $34.82 billion by 2030, the partnership between Webcor and R2 Building arrives at an opportune time. As demand for affordable housing and eco-friendly construction solutions continues to rise, this collaboration positions both companies to capitalize on technological advances and shifting industry needs.

"Modular construction has the potential to reshape how we approach large-scale housing projects, from market-rate to affordable and student housing, and even hospitality," said Jit Pahilajani, Webcor Builders' Executive Vice President. "This partnership will strengthen our client relationships and expand our project pipeline, allowing us to innovate in ways that support the evolving demands of the commercial housing market."

This strategic investment in R2 follows the launch of its first multifamily project: 335 Third Street in Oakland's Jack London Square. Julian Marsh, a principal at project sponsor Align Real Estate, commented, "Leveraging R2's technology at 335 Third Street allows us to achieve significant cost savings-at roughly two-thirds the cost of traditional construction-while increasing efficiency, reducing waste, and enhancing sustainability without compromising quality." Webcor's investment also secures the company a seat on R2's board of directors, where Webcor Senior Vice President Todd Mercer, who heads up Webcor's innovation group, will represent the company. Mercer will act as a key conduit, facilitating the integration of modular technology into Webcor's operations and supporting the growth of Webcor employees through exposure to new skills and career opportunities in modular construction.

A Growing Sector and Strategic Investment

"Owning a stake in R2 aligns with our goal of differentiating our delivery models and exploring innovative construction solutions," added Rossie. "This investment allows us to offer modular housing solutions that address some of the industry's most pressing challenges-pricing, labor availability, and speed to market."

R2 Building has already made significant strides in modular housing, having launched its new Type I non-combustible steel building system for high-rise construction that features prefabricated foundations, unitized stair towers, elevator towers and mechanical shafts, and full pre-outfitted apartment models. Additionally, R2 is manufacturing steel-framed Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and modular single-family homes for a range of B2B clients. As modular construction becomes an increasingly critical component of the construction landscape, Webcor's involvement will allow both companies to scale their efforts while benefiting from shared expertise.

"This work is not just about projects," Pahilajani added. "It's about learning, improving, and integrating modular solutions into all aspects of construction, either in part or as a whole."

Sidley Austin LLP acted as legal counsel to Webcor.

About Webcor

Webcor is a premier provider of commercial construction services, known for its innovative and efficient approach, wide range of experience, cost effective design-build methodology, skill in concrete construction, and expertise in building landmark projects. Webcor's mission is to build structures of superior quality with integrity, continuously improve its processes by employing the best talent in the industry and add social and economic value to its communities. Founded in 1971 and repeatedly honored as one of the Best Places to Work, Top California Contractors, Largest Bay Area General Contractors, Top Green Contractors, and Top Design-Build Contractors, Webcor has offices throughout the state in San Francisco, Alameda, San Jose, San Diego, and Los Angeles. More information is available on the Webcor website and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Threads, and Instagram.

About R2 Building

R2 Building is an innovator in modular construction, leveraging advanced manufacturing techniques to streamline building delivery. The company deploys large-scale modular engineering, fabrication, and assembly methods originally developed and refined in the shipbuilding industry, offering precision-engineered modular solutions that enhance speed, quality, and efficiency. With strategic off-site manufacturing facilities, R2 benefits from access to high-quality steel production and competitive labor costs, enabling the company to deliver cost-effective building modules while maintaining strict quality control. R2's mission transforms construction by integrating cutting-edge methods that reduce waste, shorten project timelines, and provide high-quality, affordable housing solutions. The company's approach allows developers, contractors, and communities to realize better outcomes in less time.

About Align Real Estate

Align Real Estate, LLC is a leading owner, operator, and developer of infill high-density residential projects with offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles. In addition to developing 335 Third Street in Oakland with R2, Align has delivered 1,000+ residential units in the Bay Area in the last five years including some of the region's leading multi-family properties such as The Landing, Chorus, and Fitzgerald in San Francisco.

Contact:

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229393

SOURCE: Webcor
COOL COMPANY LTD. ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER 2024 EARNINGS RELEASE DATE

Cool Company Ltd. (NYSE: CLCO CLCO.OL, "CoolCo" or the "Company") will host a Third Quarter 2024 Earnings call and webcast presentation on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 8:30 A.M. New York 2:30 P.M. Oslo 1:30 P.M. London. The presentation will be available to download from the Presentations and Webcasts subsection of the Investors section of the Company's website at www.coolcoltd.com.

We recommend that participants join the conference call via the listen-only live webcast link provided. Sell-side analysts interested in raising a question during the Q&A session that will immediately follow the presentation should access the event via the teleconference dial-in options listed below. We recommend connecting 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. Information on how to ask questions will be given at the beginning of the Q&A session. There will be a limit of two questions per participant.

a. Listen-only live webcast link

Go to the Investors News Presentations and Webcasts section at www.coolcoltd.com and click on the "Webcast" link.

b. Teleconference

Conference call participants who wish to raise a question during the Q&A session should join the teleconference by phone using one of the following options and conference ID CCL3Q24:

North America +1 800-225-9448 International +1 203-518-9708

Please download the presentation material from www.coolcoltd.com (Investors News Presentations and Webcasts) to view it while listening to the conference.

If you are not able to listen at the time of the call, you can access a replay of the event audio on www.coolcoltd.com (Investors News Presentations and Webcasts) (on-demand link is available for one year).

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Regulation EU 596/2014 (MAR) article 19 number 3 and Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241114550536/en/

Contacts:

c/o Cool Company Ltd +44 207 659 1111 ir@coolcoltd.com

Richard Tyrrell Chief Executive Officer

John Boots Chief Financial Officer
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 15, 2024) - Shara Roy, Partner and Chief Legal Counsel, Ernst & Young LLP, and Honourable Charmaine Williams, Ontario's Associate Minister of Women's Social and Economic Opportunity, joined David Clarke, Head of Government Affairs, TMX Group, to close the market and promote the 50/50 Women on Boards organization.





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50/50 Women on Boards is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the representation of women and women of color on corporate boards through impactful research, educational programs, and advocacy initiatives. Their annual Gender Diversity Index Report provides comprehensive data on the progress and challenges in achieving boardroom gender diversity across U.S. public companies, guiding their evidence-based approach to change. Through workshops, city events, and a global summit, 50/50 Women on Boards connect board-ready women with leadership opportunities and help organizations build diverse, high-performing boards. Learn more about their research and programs at www.5050wob.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230221

SOURCE: Toronto Stock Exchange
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 15, 2024) - Tenet Fintech Group Inc. (CSE: PKK) (OTCQB: PKKFF) ("Tenet" or the "Company"), an innovative analytics service provider, owner and operator of the Cubeler Business Hub, today announced that it has closed a non-brokered private placement financing by selling 8,650,000 units to "accredited investors" within the meaning of NI 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions and under the applicable securities laws, with each unit priced at $0.10 for gross proceeds of $865,000 (the "Financing"). The Financing is a follow up to the private placement closed by the Company on September 4, 2024, and forms part of a series of capital raises by Tenet to fund the commercialization of its upcoming ie-Pulse product, to help meet certain anticipated strategic partnership obligations and for general working capital purposes.

Each unit (a "Unit") of the Financing is comprised of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.20 for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance thereof (the "Expiry Date"). After a period of 12 months from the date of their issuance, if at any time the price of the Common Shares closes at or above $0.30 for 10 consecutive trading days, the Expiry Date of the Warrants will be reduced to thirty 30 days (the "Accelerated Expiry Date"). Any Warrants remaining unexercised after the Accelerated Expiry Date will be cancelled.

Certain qualified individuals and registered investment dealers ("Finders"), who assisted the Company with respect to the Financing, received from the Company, in compliance with securities laws, a cash finder's fee equal to 8% of the gross proceeds raised and a number of finder's warrants ("Finder's Warrants") equal to 8% of the number of Units placed. Each Finder's Warrant entitles the holder thereof to subscribe for one Common Share at a price of $0.20 during the 36 months following its issuance, subject to the Accelerated Expiry Date conditions.

The securities issued in connection with the Financing are subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the closing date of the Financing.

About Tenet Fintech Group Inc.:

Tenet Fintech Group Inc. is the parent company of a group of innovative financial technology (Fintech) and artificial intelligence (AI) companies. All references to Tenet in this news release, unless explicitly specified, include Tenet and all its subsidiaries. Tenet's subsidiaries offer various analytics and AI-based products and services to businesses, capital markets professionals, government agencies and financial institutions either through or leveraging data gathered by the Cubeler Business Hub, a global ecosystem where analytics and AI are used to create opportunities and facilitate B2B transactions among its members. Please visit our website at: https://www.tenetfintech.com/.

Follow Tenet Fintech Group Inc. on social media:

X: @Tenet_Fintech

Facebook: @Tenet

LinkedIn: Tenet

YouTube: Tenet Fintech

THIS NEWS RELEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF ANY OF THE SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL, INCLUDING ANY JURISDICTION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "1933 ACT") OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS (AS DEFINED IN REGULATION S UNDER THE 1933 ACT) UNLESS REGISTERED UNDER THE 1933 ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, OR AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS IS AVAILABLE.

Forward-looking information

Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Tenet to be materially different from the outlook or any future results, performance or achievements implied by such statements. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that could affect the forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, holding company with significant operations in China; general economic and business conditions, including factors impacting the Company's business in China such as pandemics and COVID-19; legislative and/or regulatory developments; Global Financial conditions, repatriation of profits or transfer of funds from China to Canada, operations in foreign jurisdictions and possible exposure to corruption, bribery or civil unrest; actions by regulators; uncertainties of investigations, proceedings or other types of claims and litigation; timing and completion of capital programs; liquidity and capital resources, negative operating cash flow and additional funding, dilution from further financing; financial performance and timing of capital; and other risks detailed from time to time in reports filed by Tenet with securities regulators in Canada. Reference should also be made to Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) in Tenet's annual and interim reports, Annual Information Form, filed with Canadian securities regulators and available via the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR+) under Tenet's profile at www.sedarplus.ca, for a description of major risk factors relating to Tenet. Although Tenet has attempted to identify certain factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.

Forward-looking statements reflect information as of the date on which they are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events, changes in circumstances, or changes in beliefs, unless required by applicable securities laws. In the event the Company does update any forward-looking statement, no inference should be made that the Company will make additional updates with respect to that statement, related matters, or any other forward-looking statement.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

***** NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES *****

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230241

SOURCE: Tenet Fintech Group Inc.
Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - November 15, 2024) - Quantum eMotion Corp. (TSXV: QNC) (OTCQB: QNCCF) ("QeM" or the "Corporation"), is pleased to announce that it has closed a non-brokered private placement by issuing a total of 7,500,000 units (the "Units") at $0.10 per Unit, for a total gross proceed of $750,000 to several strategic investors who add significant value to the Corporation's cybersecurity initiatives.

Each Unit is comprised of one common share and one warrant of the Corporation. Each warrant entitles its holder to acquire one common share of the Corporation at a price of $0.20 for a period of 24 months following the closing of the private placement. The securities issued in the private placement are subject to a four month and one day hold period expiring on March 16, 2024.

The net proceeds from the private placement will be used by QeM to finance and accelerate the commercialization of its patented (QRNG) Quantum Random Number Generator technology. The Corporation intends to target high profile verticals such as Healthcare Services and is also well suited to meet the demands for Cloud-Based IT Security Infrastructure, Classified Government Networks And Communication Systems, Secure Device Keying (IOT, Automotive, Consumer Electronics), Quantum Cryptography and Financial Services.

The Insiders' participation for $51,000 is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements provided under Regulation 61-101 respecting Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("Regulation 61-101") in accordance with sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of Regulation 61-101. The exemption is based on the fact that neither the fair market value of the private placement, nor the consideration paid by such Insiders exceeds 25% of the market capitalization of the Corporation.

As a result of the closing of the private placement, there are 158,002,838 common shares of the Corporation issued and outstanding.

The private placement was carried out pursuant to prospectus exemptions of applicable securities laws and is subject to final acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange.

"We are delighted by the strong support from both our existing shareholders and new strategic investors. This substantial capital investment will significantly advance the execution of QeM's strategic plan, strengthening our commercialization capabilities both domestically and internationally, while carefully preserving value for current shareholders. This unwavering confidence from our investors serves as a powerful endorsement of QeM's vision and underscores our potential to lead and innovate in the rapidly evolving field of quantum technologies." said Marc Rousseau, CFO.

For more information about Quantum eMotion and its innovative projects, please visit the Quantum eMotion website.

About QeM

The Company's mission is to address the growing demand for affordable hardware and software security for connected devices. QeM has become a pioneering force in classical and quantum cybersecurity solutions thanks to its patented Quantum Random Number Generator, a security solution that exploits the built-in unpredictability of quantum mechanics and promises to provide enhanced protection for high-value assets and critical systems.

The Company intends to target highly valued Financial Services, Healthcare, Blockchain Applications, Cloud-Based IT Security Infrastructure, Classified Government Networks and Communication Systems, Secure Device Keying (IOT, Automotive, Consumer Electronics) and Quantum Cryptography.

For further information, please visit our website at https://www.quantumemotion.com/ or contact:

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially from targeted results. Such risks and uncertainties include those described in the Corporation's periodic reports including the annual report or in the filings made by Quantum from time to time with securities regulatory authorities.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230254

SOURCE: Quantum eMotion Corp.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 15, 2024) - Canadian Manganese Company Inc. (CBOE CA: CDMN) ("CDMN" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the status of its previously announced gross revenue royalty and announce the results of voting at its annual general and special meeting of shareholders which was held on June 25, 2024 (the "Meeting"). Full details of all the voting results for the 2024 Meeting are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

UPDATE ON ROYALTY FINANCING

On April 2, 2024, the Company agreed to grant a gross revenue royalty ("GRR") on the Woodstock Project to Leventis Capital Pte Ltd. ("Leventis"). The Company initially contemplated the purchase by Leventis of a 3% GRR in one transaction for US$15,000,000, which was subsequently amended to two tranches whereby Leventis would first purchase a 1.5% GRR for US$7,500,000 and then purchase an additional 1.5% GRR for US$7,500,000 at a later date. The Company and Leventis have now agreed that the royalty will be completed in one single transaction of a 2% GRR for US$10,000,000.

GRR Repurchase Terms

CDMN will have the option to buy back the 2% GRR at any time by paying Leventis US$15,000,000. To preserve the option, an additional cash payment will be made by CDMN to Leventis, if the option is not exercised on or before November 30, 2027, and each three-year anniversary of such date. The amount of the payment to be made will be calculated based on a formula that provides notional interest on the purchase price at a rate of 10% per annum.

If the option is not exercised on or before November 30, 2027, the payment that would be owing to preserve the option is US$3,310,000, payable by March 30, 2028. If the option is not exercised on or before November 30, 2030, the payment that would be owing to preserve the option would be a further US$4,405,610, payable by March 30, 2031. The payments due each third March 30 to preserve the option will continue to be payable until the option is exercised. If the payments are not made, CDMN would lose the option to repurchase the GRR for US$15,000,000.

Full details of the GRR and the formula for the foregoing option payments will be available in the royalty agreement, a copy of which will be filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca following completion of the sale of the GRR.

Closing of the 2% GRR for US$10,000,000 is now expected to occur by November 28, 2024. The Company intends to repay its outstanding $5,000,000 principal senior secured convertible debenture, as well as accrued interest and early repayment fees, immediately upon closing of the above gross revenue royalty.

AGM RESULTS AND APPOINTMENT OF NEW BOARD CHAIR

A total of 56,916,474 common shares, representing 38.96% of the votes attached to all outstanding shares as at the record date for the Meeting, were represented at the Meeting.

The nominees for directors were elected as set out in the following table:

Director Shares Voted For Shares Withheld/Abstain John Allan 14,777,052 222,062 Matthew Allas 14,777,052 222,062 Janis Byrne 14,777,114 222,000 Aiden Carey 14,777,114 222,000 John Kearney 8,767,771 6,231,343 Labi Kousoulis 14,777,052 222,062

The Chairman of the Meeting, John Kearney, disallowed proxies representing 41,907,114 common shares. Such proxies were WITHHELD from voting in respect of Mr. Kearney's election as a director but were voted FOR the election of all other nominees. Mr. Kearney disallowed such proxies based on his sole determination as Chairman of the Meeting and based upon his own personal legal advice that they were illegally solicited by certain Directors and others acting as a group. This determination to disallow these proxies was made by Mr. Kearney despite the objections of Matthew Allas, CEO and Director who was in attendance at the Meeting.

At the Meeting, shareholders also approved (i) the Company's Stock Option Plan as amended to increase the number of common shares reserved for issuance from 10% to 20% of the outstanding common shares from time to time, (ii) all unallocated options under the option plan, (iii) the re-appointment of McGovern Hurley LLP as auditors of the Company for the ensuing year, (iv) the approval of the Company's restricted share unit plan as amended to increase the number of common shares reserved for issuance from 3% to 5% of the outstanding common shares from time to time and (v) the amendment of the terms of 333,333 common share purchase warrants exercisable at $0.27 per share to extend the expiry date from April 29, 2024 to April 29, 2027.

Appointment of a New Chairman

The Company also announced that on July 4, 2024, the board of directors appointed John Allan as the Chair of the Board of Directors. John Kearney continues as a director.

ABOUT CANADIAN MANGANESE

CDMN is a Canadian critical mineral development company aiming to become a supplier of high-purity manganese metal products for the rechargeable battery industry. CDMN holds the Woodstock Project in New Brunswick.

Cboe Canada has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release and accepts no responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Notice regarding forward-looking statements:

This news release includes forward-looking statements regarding CDMN, and its business, which may include, but are not limited to, the timing of closing of the royalty sale, the repayment of the Company's outstanding debentures and the Company's business plans. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "is expected", "expects", "scheduled", "intends", "contemplates", "anticipates", "believes", "proposes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Such statements are based on the current expectations of the management of each entity. By its nature, this information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections, or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct, and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks regarding the mining industry, economic factors, the equity markets generally, risks associated with growth and competition as well as those risks and uncertainties identified and reported in the Company's public filings under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Although CDMN has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and CDMN undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230249

SOURCE: Canadian Manganese Company Inc.
Istanbul, Turkey--(Newsfile Corp. - November 15, 2024) - Dunyagoz Hospital Group, a leading provider of advanced ophthalmic care, is expanding its global footprint by opening new eye care facilities in key international locations. This strategic expansion aims to provide high-quality eye care services to even more patients worldwide, reinforcing the group's position as a global leader in eye health.





Dunyagoz Hospital Group

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Founded in 1996 in Istanbul, Dunyagoz Hospital Group has been at the forefront of innovative eye care, treating patients from 167 countries. With this latest expansion, the hospital group plans to increase its presence in health tourism and enhance access to its world-class treatments, including cataract surgeries, retinal procedures, and laser vision correction.

New Locations to Strengthen International Presence

Initially founded in Istanbul, Dunyagoz has rapidly expanded its international presence, with clinics in Germany, the Netherlands, Azerbaijan, and other key locations. With the opening of new facilities, Dunyagoz aims to bring its expertise to even more patients seeking high-quality eye care.

International and local patients seek out the hospital group not only for its reputation but also for its FDA-approved technology and high treatment success rates.

"Our goal from the start has been to offer the best in eye care, but we knew that to make a real impact, we had to think globally," says Vahit Kapicioglu, Vice Chairman of the Board at Dunyagoz Hospitals Group. "We've expanded internationally by staying true to our values of innovation and patient-centered care."

Technology and Expertise at the Core

Dunyagoz's expansion shows the group's ongoing commitment to providing exceptional eye care. The group offers more than 500 treatment methods across 29 sub-specialties, supported by a team of over 350 specialist eye doctors and professors. Dunyagoz performs approximately 1,000 surgeries per day across its 31 clinics.

Dunyagoz Hospitals Group, Etiler, Istanbul Branch

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The expansion also reflects the group's focus on utilizing the latest medical technologies. Dunyagoz was one of the first hospitals in Turkey to adopt femtosecond laser surgery and multifocal intraocular lenses.

About Dunyagoz Hospital Group

Founded in 1996, Dunyagoz Hospital Group is a Turkish-based eye care hospital. With over 31 locations worldwide, the group offers a wide range of ophthalmic treatments and services, cutting-edge technology, and specialized care to local and international patients.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228210

SOURCE: APG
Beta Bionics, an Irvine, CA-based company which specializes in the development of advanced diabetes management solutions, raised $60M in Series E funding.

The round was led by Wellington Management. Previous investors Eventide Asset Management LLC, certain funds managed by RTW Investments, Sands Capital, Soleus Capital, Omega Funds, Perceptive Advisors, and Marshall Wace also participated.

The company intends to use the funds to support expanded commercialization of the iLet Bionic Pancreas and develop the product pipeline.

Led Beta Bionics is a diabetes management solutions company providing the iLet Bionic Pancreas, which is an autonomous insulin delivery system that streamlines diabetes management and reduces the burden on patients, caregivers and physicians.

FinSMEs

15/11/2024
Firefly Aerospace, a Cedar Park, TX-based end-to-end responsive space services provider, raised $175M in Series D funding.

The round was led by RPM Ventures, AE Industrial Partners, alongside GiantLeap Capital.

The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its business reach.

Led by CEO Jason Kim, Firefly Aerospace is an end-to-end space transportation company with launch, lunar, and on-orbit services. Its small- to medium-lift launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles provide the space industry with a single source for missions from low Earth orbit to the surface of the Moon and beyond. It is a portfolio company of AEIndustrial Partners focused on delivering a space access for government and commercial customers.

In addition to its responsive launch operations, in partnership with SpaceX, Firefly stands ready to begin its inaugural Blue Ghost mission to the Moon as part of NASAs Commercial Lunar Payload Service initiative. The team is concurrently preparing for multiple Alpha launches as part of its contracted missions with Lockheed Martin, L3Harris, True Anomaly, NASA and NOAA while co-developing a Medium Launch Vehicle with Northrop Grumman. In parallel, the company is completing final preparations for its first Elytra mission, a configurable spacecraft that provides on-orbit services and a deep space communication network.

FinSMEs

15/11/2024
Mithrl, a San Francisco, CA-based provider of an AI-powered platform empowering scientific research, raised $4M in Seed funding.

The round was led by Bonfire Ventures.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate the expansion of its go-to-market team and the development of the platform that enables scientists to drive their own breakthroughs faster and more efficiently.

Led by CEO Vivek Adarsh and CTO Shara Balakrishnan, Mithrl is an AI startup providing a scientific research platform to accelerate scientific discovery. The system, now available, is designed for pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and research institutions looking to accelerate their drug discovery process.

Via Mithrl, processing and analyzing RNA sequencing data takes a few minutes on the platform  with no training or coding requirements. Scientists can examine the underlying code, methodology, and data transformations, enabling them to validate each step and build confidence in the platforms findings.

FinSMEs

15/11/2024
Recently, Vikrant Massey was trolled for sharing a picture of touching his wife Sheetal Thakurs feet during Karwa Chauth read more

Vikrant Massey, who is currently busy in the promotions of The Sabarmati Report, recently opened up about facing criticism for his religious practices. He also shared about the multi-faith traditions of his family.

Talking about his family, Vikrants father is a devout Christian, his mother a Sikh, his wife, actor Sheetal Thakur, is Hindu, and his brother Moeen converted to Islam at 17. The 12th Fail star shared that his family members celebrate all faiths with equal respect.

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Recently, Vikrant was trolled for sharing a picture of touching his wife Sheetals feet during Karwa Chauth. While many applauded him for his gesture, some netizens shared their issue with participating in Hindu rituals.

Responding to the backlash, Vikrant told Shubhankar Mishra, My mother, born a Sikh, wore a bindi and stood beside us during Karwa Chauth. Since childhood, weve gone to temples, and Mata Rani pandals were a regular part of Navratri."

Sharing his fathers routine of visiting the Vaishno Devi temple in Katra six times while remaining a committed Christian and visiting church twice a week, Vikrant said, This is what India is about."

Its part of our Hindustan, and yet people find it surprising. Theres a temple in my home, and my sons name is Vardaan. This unity is the fabric of our nation," added the star.

My brother does Laxmi puja on the occasion of Diwali. His conversion (to Islam) is his personal choice. But we celebrate Diwali and Holi together here. On the occasion of Eid, we celebrate it at his place, having biryani. Today, that fulcrum is absent (in society)," said Vikrant sharing about his converted brother Moeen.

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The 15th Amendment to the Bangladesh Constitution was passed in 2011 by the then Awami League government of Sheikh Hasina. It restored secularism, which had been incorporated in the original 1972 constitution, as one of the four fundamental principles of the state. But what else does it say? And why is Attorney-General Mohammad Asazzaman challenging its validity? read more

The 15th Amendment to the Bangladesh Constitution was passed in 2011 by the then Awami League government of Sheikh Hasina.

A top Bangladeshi official has called for dropping the word secular from the countrys constitution.

Attorney-General Mohammad Asazzaman, the top law official in Bangladesh, made the argument during a hearing in the countrys high court.

The court was hearing a writ petition filed by a number of citizens challenging the Bangladesh Constitutions 15th Amendment.

But what do we know about the 15th Amendment which made its constitution secular?

Lets take a closer look

A brief look at secularism in Bangladeshs Constitution

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First lets briefly examine the history of secularism in Bangladeshs Constitution.

As per TandFonline.com, the original 1972 constitution incorporated secularism as a fundamental principle.

It was one of the four fundamental principles of state  alongside nationalism, socialism and democracy.

However, secularism was removed from the constitution following the 1975 military coup by General Ziaur Rahman.

This occurred after the assassination of Bangladeshs founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

In 1988, Islam was declared as Bangladeshs official religion via the 8th Amendment**.**

In 2005, the Supreme Court ruled that the removal of secularism from the constitution was illegal.

That ruling was then upheld by the Appellate Division.

Then, in 2011, the Awami League government of Sheikh Hasina  the daughter of Mujibur  passed the 15th Amendment.

The 15th Amendment

As per Indianpublications.com, the 15th Amendment defined secularism as:

The principles of secularism shall be realised by the elimination of

Communalism in all its forms;

The granting by the State of political status in favour of any religion;

The abuse of religion for political purposes;

Any discrimination against, or persecution of, persons practicing a particular religion

The Awami League government thus restored secularism as one of the four fundamental principles of the state.

However, thats not all the 15th Amendment did.

Though it maintained that Islam is the official state religion, it removed the full faith and confidence in Allah the Constitution.

It also retained the phrase Bismillah-ArRahman-Ar- Rahim [In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful] above the Preamble.

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It also designated several articles which comprised the Constitutions fundamental provisions as non-amendable.

It essentially set that certain basic structures of the Constitution shall not be amendable by way of insertion, modification, substitution, repeal or by any other means.

It inserted Article 7A which criminalises any attempt to repeal, suspend, or subvert the Constitution through force or unconstitutional means  and designates such acts sedition which are punishable by the death penalty.

It also gave the President of Bangladesh ultimate command over the armed forces  albeit with legal restrictions.

The amendment also stated that the president would appoint the Chief Justice of Bangladesh. The president was also given powers to appoint other judges in consultation with the Chief Justice.

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The amendment also increased the number of reserved seats for women in parliament from 45 to 50 as well as reinstated religious freedom in the constitution.

The amendment also abolished the caretaker government system and recognised Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the Father of the Nation.

It also mandated that Mujiburs portrait be kept at the offices of the President, Prime Minister, Speaker, Chief Justice, and head and branch offices of all government and semi-government offices, autonomous bodies, statutory public authorities, government and non-government educational institutions, and Bangladeshi embassies and missions overseas.

It also mentioned in the constitution the March 7, 1971, speech by Mujibur, the April 10, 1971 proclamation of independence in Mujibnagar, and the March 25 proclamation of independence by Mujibur after midnight.

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The amendment also spelled out the duty of the state to care for the environment and wildlife.

The State shall take steps to protect and develop the unique local culture and tradition of the tribes, minor races, ethnic sects, and communities, it read.

Criticism of 15th Amendment

The amendment has been the subject of much controversy since it passed.

It has received flak from some quarters.

As a piece by Professor Maimul Ahsan Khan, former chair, Department of Law, University of Dhaka on the website Humanrights.Asia noted, The 15th amendment of our constitution has created way too many controversies, too many for a Supreme Law of a modern State. Not only has it attempted to change many age- old and universally accepted formulas of jurisprudence and constitutionalism, it has created too many ambiguities for a sound legal document.

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A piece in Daily Star by Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of SHUJAN: Citizens for Good Governance_,_ in February 2023 described its passage as unilateral and said it was done by the Awami League government in a majoritarian manner which weaponised the constitution.

The piece contended that the constitution represents the will of Bangladesh people and should therefore not be altered, without the consent of the governed.

It thus argued that the 15th Amendment is neither legitimate nor constitutional, as no referendum was held before its passage.

No serious deliberations took place on the 15th Amendment before its passage either. Even though the BNP was asked to propose a name for the special parliamentary committee, it refused to do so, and it was also absent during the amendments passage. Thus, the 15th Amendment did not have the support of the major opposition, the piece argued.

What did the A-G argue?

Asazzaman on Wednesday sought to remove secularism and socialism as two of the four principles of the Constitution.

As per UNB, Asazzaman said the words socialism and secularism do not reflect the realities of a nation where 90 per cent of the population are Muslim.

The attorney general criticised Article 7A saying that this restriction limits democratic change and disregards the recent mass uprising that deposed the Awami League government and demanded the restoration of the caretaker government system.

The (provisions of the 15th) amendment betrays the sacrifices of martyrs like Abu Sayed and Mugdho, said Asaduzzaman, referring to two students who were shot dead during the July-August mass protests.

Attorney-General Mohammad Asazzaman on Wednesday sought to remove secularism and socialism as two of the four principles of the Constitution.

He called the amendment a direct assault on democracy and the rule of law.

He described the abolition of the caretaker system as a stab in the heart of democracy.

He accused the amendment of prolonging authoritarian rule and violating constitutional supremacy. He added that the amendment perpetuates division among citizens and disrupts the countrys political stability.

As per UNB, the Attorney General also criticised Article 6, which defines national identity through language, claiming it has fostered unnecessary divisions among citizens. He argued that no other country uses language as a basis for national identity, making this provision unique and problematic.

Speaking about other parts of the constitution, he also took issue with Articles 7(ka) and 7(kha), claiming they undermine democracy and serve authoritarian purposes. Calling for their repeal, he asserted these articles were enacted with ill intent to stifle democratic institutions, UNB reported.

Asaduzzaman urged the reinstatement of referendum provisions under Article 142, arguing it was essential for restoring democratic accountability. He criticised the amendment for enabling MPs elected through election engineering to unilaterally eliminate this critical democratic mechanism.

He also asked the court to remove the designation of Mujibur as the Father of the Nation. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the undisputed leader of Bangladesh but the Awami League politicised him in the partys interest, Asazzaman said, referring to the founding leader of Bangladesh who is popularly known as Bangabandhu.

He advocated for reinstating the original phrasing, which emphasised unwavering faith in Allah. He also questioned the relevance of Bengali nationalism in Article 9, calling it inconsistent with modern democratic principles, UNB reported.

Asaduzzaman argued that these changes would align the constitution with the countrys democratic and historical ethos.

He also made a call to reinstate provisions for a referendum, which was abolished under the 15th Amendment.

The writ petition challenged the validity of the Constitutions 15th amendment made by the now-ousted Awami League regime of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina in 2011 while a two-judge High Court bench issued a rule asking the interim government to come up with its stance on the matter.

As a whole, we do not want that (HC) rule to be scrapped, the attorney general said, clarifying the governments stance on the writ petition while talking to newsmen at his office.

Several people, mostly lawyers, emerged as interveners in the writ petition, some supporting the plea and some opposing it.

In his concluding arguments, Asaduzzaman told the court that the interim government wanted to declare the 15th amendment to the Constitution largely unconstitutional, retaining only select provisions.

Asaduzzaman was appointed as the attorney general days after the ouster of the past regime and the resignation of his predecessor.

The Awami League regime was toppled on August 5 in the face of a mass upsurge originating from a quota reform campaign by the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement. Three days later Nobel laureate Muhammad assumed office as the chief adviser of the interim government.

With inputs from agencies
Ilya Lichtenstein and his wife, Heather Morgan, executed one of the largest Bitcoin thefts in history, draining 120,000 bitcoins from Bitfinex in 2016. Originally worth $71 million, the stolen bitcoin surged to into billions by the time of their arrest in 2022. Now, Lichtenstein has been sentenced to five years in prison read more

In this courtroom sketch, attorney Sam Enzer, centre, sits between Heather Morgan, left, and her husband, Ilya "Dutch" Lichtenstein, in federal court, February 8, 2022, in New York, US. File Image/AP

In August 2016, Ilya Lichtenstein, a 35-year-old entrepreneur with roots in the tech industry, infiltrated the network of Hong Kong-based cryptocurrency exchange Bitfinex.

Utilising sophisticated hacking tools, he initiated over 2,000 unauthorised transactions, funnelling around 120,000 bitcoins to a personal crypto wallet. The defendant perpetrated what was at the time one of the largest thefts from a virtual currency exchange, prosecutors noted.

At the time of the hack, the stolen Bitcoin was valued at $71 million. However, due to Bitcoins skyrocketing market price over the years, that amount has ballooned to a staggering $10.5 billion today.

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Lichtensteins wife, Heather Morgan, also known by her rap alias Razzlekhan, initially unaware of the hack, later became a crucial accomplice. The pair embarked on a years-long journey of laundering the funds, a process prosecutors described as the most complicated money laundering techniques ever encountered by IRS agents.

How the couple laundered the money

Months after the hack, Lichtenstein and Morgan began an elaborate scheme to disguise the origin of the stolen bitcoins. The couple moved funds through numerous accounts, employing fake identities and breaking up transactions into smaller amounts to evade detection.

They used various crypto exchanges, darknet markets, and even purchased NFTs, gold, and Walmart gift cards to launder the money. Prosecutors noted, Over half a decade, the defendant engaged in what IRS agents described as the most complicated money laundering techniques they had seen to date.

Heather Morgans rapper persona known an Razzlekhan went viral on social media during the case. File Image/Instagram-heatherreyhan

Authorities discovered that Lichtenstein had been secretly moving funds to accounts overseas and had even enlisted couriers to transport cash, with notable transactions during family trips to Kazakhstan and Ukraine.

Also Read | Power theft uncovers illegal bitcoin mine in Thailands Bangkok

An attorney for Bitfinex, Barry Berke, explained that the theft represented roughly 36 per cent of Bitfinexs assets at the time, devastating the companys finances and requiring immediate measures to absorb the loss and protect customers.

The heist remained under the radar until February 2022, when authorities arrested the couple in their New York City apartment. During the arrest, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco announced that officials had managed to seize over 94,000 bitcoin, valued at more than $3.6 billion at that time  a historic recovery in the Justice Departments history.

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What charges did Lichtenstein and Morgan face

Facing up to 20 years in prison, Lichtenstein pleaded guilty in August 2023 to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, ultimately receiving a five-year prison sentence. In addition to the prison term, he was ordered to serve three years of supervised release.

Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, overseeing the case, highlighted the planned nature of the crime, stating, Its important to send a message that you cant commit these crimes with impunity, that there are consequences to them.

Lichtenstein expressed remorse, saying, I want to take full responsibility for my actions and make amends any way I can, and vowed to use his skills to combat cybercrime upon his release. He also implored the judge to be lenient with his wife, taking the blame for her involvement. Heather is only involved in this case because of me, he added.

Heather Morgan, who had been arrested along with Ilya Lichtenstein in February 2022 on charges of laundering more than 100,000 bitcoin that was stolen after a hacker attacked Bitfinex in 2016, exits the E Barrett Prettyman United States Courthouse, in Washington, US, August 3, 2023. File Image/Reuters

Morgan, scheduled for sentencing on November 18, was described by prosecutors as a lower-level participant who became involved three years after the hack. The government has recommended an 18-month sentence for her.

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Morgan, a business owner and writer who performed music under the alias Razzlekhan, adopted her own hip-hop persona, publicly promoting her work and leading a seemingly ordinary life while assisting in the laundering operations.

What happens to the recovered funds

Thanks to Lichtensteins cooperation following his arrest, authorities were able to recover approximately 96 per cent of the stolen funds, which will likely be returned to Bitfinex and other potential claimants.

Defence attorney Samson Enzer said that the vast bulk of the stolen money was never spent and that Lichtensteins assistance has significantly benefited other ongoing cybercrime investigations.

Lichtensteins contributions extended beyond this case; he provided crucial information in related investigations, even testifying in a trial involving Bitcoin Fog, a mixing service used to obfuscate cryptocurrency transactions.

Tokens representing cryptocurrencies bitcoin and ether plunge into water in this illustration taken May 17, 2022. File Image/Reuters

Reflecting on his choices, Lichtensteins attorney stated, This is not an evil person, this is a good person who made some very bad mistakes. Nonetheless, prosecutors voiced concerns about his potential future as a money launderer, warning that his experience with laundering techniques might aid future schemes.

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The Bitfinex hack has been recognised as one of the largest thefts in the cryptocurrency world. According to US District Judge Kollar-Kotelly, This is so massive, it is not comparable to other crypto crimes based on its scale and complexity.

Lichtensteins skill as a highly skilled computer expert contributed to the success of this years-long operation, though the consequences have now caught up with him and his accomplice.

Also Watch:

With inputs from agencies
Ajit Pawar, the nephew of Sharad Pawar, who leads a faction of the NCP, and Devendra Fadnavis, the Deputy Chief Minister in Maharashtra and BJP leader, are in a tiff over Yogi Adityanaths batenge toh katenge slogan. But why are two leaders of the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra exchanging barbs? read more

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has not backed off his remarks. PTI file

Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar are in a tiff.

And its all because of a political slogan.

Ajit, the nephew of Sharad Pawar, who leads his faction of the NCP, and Fadnavis, the Deputy Chief Minister in Maharashtra and BJP leader, are both part of the ruling Mahayuti**.**

But that hasnt stopped them from exchanging barbs over Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths batenge toh katenge slogan.

The development comes ahead of polls scheduled for Maharashtra and amid rumors of a rift in the ruling alliance after Ajit and other NCP leaders skipped Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent rally in Mumbai.

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Voting will be held on all 288 assembly constituencies in Maharashtra on November 20 and results will be declared on November 23.

But what happened? Why are the allies fighting?

Lets take a closer look:

What do we know about the slogan?

First, lets take a look at the slogan.

The slogan was first used by Adityanath in August, according to India Today.

Adityanath made the reference while referring to violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.

Adityanath, speaking at an event in Agra, had said, Aap dekh rahe hain Bangladesh mein kya ho raha hai? Wo galatiyan yahan nahi honi chahiye. Batenge toh katenge! Ek rahenge to nek rahenge, surakshit rahenge aur samriddhi ki parakashtha ko pahuchenge, the chief minister said in Hindi.

Roughly translated, he asked people if they are watching what is happening in Bangladesh and said those mistakes should not happen here, adding, Divided we fall, if together, we will be good, secure and reach the pinnacle of prosperity.

In October, posters with a photo Adityanath with the slogan were put up in various parts of Mumbai.

Written in red, the message has a background colour combination of saffron, yellow and green.

The posters bore the name of one Vishwabandhu Rai.

The Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar had denied putting up these posters.

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The party has not put up the posters, and Rai does not hold any position in the party either.

In reference to the message, Shelar said, It is the feeling of a sizeable number of people here that if votes are cut, the society will suffer due to lack of development. Many people feel they should stay united and focus on voting unitedly for development and prosperity.

As per India Today, Adityanath, a star campaigner for the BJP, then repeated the slogan during a recent rally in Maharashtra.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath first used the slogan in August. He has since repeated it at rallies in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. PTI

He also used the slogan again at a rally in Jharkhand.

Adityanath accused the opposition of dividing people on the lines of caste and religion.

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If we remain united, we will be safe. If we remain united, we will thrive. The time has come, under Prime Minister Modis vision, for India to establish itself as the worlds greatest power. But for that, we need one India. A united and stronger India. India will be better when it remains united, Adityanath was quoted as saying.

The BJP then took out a newspaper ad with Prime Minister Narendra Modis ek hain to safe hain slogan.

But the opposition took the BJP and Adityanath to task.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said, The Prime Minister says ek hain to safe hain, while other BJP leaders talk about batenge to katenge. Who is threatened? Is there any problem? In fact, the country faces threats from the RSS, BJP, Modi, and (Union Home Minister) Amit Shah.

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A house divided?

But it wasnt just the opposition.

The slogan apparently hasnt gone down well with their coalition partner Ajit.

Ajit told ANI, We all have opposed it. Someone told me that BJPs Pankaja Munde has also opposed this slogan. A CM of a state comes here and says batenge toh katenge, immediately we said such slogans will not work here as Maharashtra works on the principles of AmbedkarI dont know what is Devendra jis answer to this.

Ajit told India Today the coalitions focus ought to be development.

I am not supporting it. I have said this several times. It will not work in Maharashtra. This may work in UP, Jharkhand, or some other places, he said.

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This isnt the first time Ajit has taken aim at the slogan either.

We have got your back. Why are you worried?Someone said batenge to katenge, it will not work in Maharashtra. You do it in the north, not in Maharashtra. This state belongs to saints. Maharashtra is the land of Shiva followers. A land of Shahu, Phule and Ambedkar. Our blood carries their teachings, owing to which we will move forward while following the way shown by them, Ajit said at a rally in Beed on Wednesday.

Ajit Pawar said such slogans will not work in Maharashtra. PTI

Maharashtra belongs to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj, and Mahatma Phule. You cannot compare Maharashtra with other states; the people of Maharashtra do not like this, Ajit said after Adityanaths rally.

BJP leader Ashok Chavan too echoed the negative sentiment.

Slogans like this have no relevance in Maharashtra and are not in good taste. Personally, I do not support it," Chavan was quoted as saying.

Pankaja Munde, daughter of the late BJP veteran Gopinath Munde, told News18, My politics is different. I wont support this just because I belong to the party. We need to focus on development and work towards uniting every individual in Maharashtra."

However, Fadnavis remained defiant.

For decades, Ajit Pawar stayed with such ideologies which are secular and anti-Hindu. There is no real secularism amongst those who call themselves secularists. He has stayed with people for whom opposing Hindutva is secular. It will take some time for him to understand the mood of the public," he was quoted as saying by News18.

Ajit Pawar, Ashok Chavan come from a different ideology. Theyre unable to understand the deeper meaning behind Yogi Adityanaths batenge to katenge call. Well help them understand, Fadnavis told India Today on Friday.

I spoke to Pankaja Munde, and she said the BJP will work on the basis of work done and not divisive slogans. So, its not like she is of two minds, he added.

Fadnavis also dismissed any rumors of a rift within the ruling alliance.

There is no rift. We had already decided on which top leaders would attend PMs rallies in Maharashtra, Fadnavis added.

With inputs from agencies
New Delhi and its surrounding towns are currently blanketed in a dense haze, with air quality deteriorating by the day. According to the Swiss organisation IQAir, Delhi now holds the unenviable title of the worst global capital, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) breaching the 400 mark. Delhi has now implemented GRAP Stage-III to combat the toxic air quality read more

On Friday, the Delhi government responded by implementing anti-pollution measures under GRAP Stage III to address the alarming AQI levels. PTI

New Delhi and its surrounding towns are currently blanketed in a dense haze, with air quality deteriorating by the day.

According to live data from the Swiss organisation IQAir, Delhi now holds the unenviable title of the worst global capital, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) breaching the 400 mark.

For Delhi residents, this situation is all too familiar. Each winter, they contend with smoga hazardous blend of smoke and fogas cold air traps dust, vehicle emissions, and smoke from illegal stubble burning.

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Also read: Winter is here: How Delhi is choking on thick smog and poor air

The thick smog has severely impacted visibility, leading to disruptions in flights and train services across the capital and its vicinity. On Friday, the Delhi government responded by implementing anti-pollution measures under GRAP Stage III to address the alarming AQI levels.

But what does AQI actually represent, and how is it calculated? Lets explore this in more detail.
This House believes in the independent state of Kashmir  this debate topic sparked protests outside the Oxford Union, Oxford Universitys debating society in London. The protests were led by INSIGHT UK, a social movement representing British Hindus and Indians in the UK read more

The protest was led by INSIGHT UK, a social movement representing British Hindus and Indians in the UK. Image courtesy: X/@INSIGHTUK2

Loud chants of Bharat Mata ki Jai and Vande Mataram were heard outside the Oxford Union in London on Friday as students protested against a debate organised by Oxford Universitys debating society.

The protest was led by INSIGHT UK, a social movement representing British Hindus and Indians in the UK, which opposed the debate titled This House believes in the independent state of Kashmir.

Notably, this protest took place after a letter was sent by INSIGHT UK to the Oxford Union on Thursday, which raised concerns over the inclusion of two speakers in the debate - Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur and Zafar Khan.

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BREAKING



Indian students protest infront

of the Oxford Union.

Cries of It is known far and wide, Oxford Union stands on terrorists side.#OxfordUnion pic.twitter.com/N1oeIvrHLn  INSIGHT UK (@INSIGHTUK2) November 14, 2024

ALSO READ | How a pro-Israel gala led to massive protests across Paris

What was the controversy? Who are the two speakers?

Students protesting outside the Oxford Union chanted slogans in Hindi - Bharat Mata ki Jai, Vande Mataram - while holding banners.

It is known far and wide, Oxford Union stands on terrorists side, the protesters shouted.

In a post on X, INSIGHT UK wrote, Jammu Kashmir WAS India, Jammu Kashmir IS India, Jammu Kashmir WILL BE India.

Notably, in their letter to the Oxford Union, the social movement questioned the speakers alleged links to extremist groups and support for Kashmiri independence.

Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front and Mohammad Yasin Malik



The Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) has a long history of involvement in terrorist activities aimed at promoting the secession of Jammu and Kashmir from India.



Founded in the late 1980s, the JKLF activities are pic.twitter.com/EnAdH0KnnC  INSIGHT UK (@INSIGHTUK2) November 14, 2024

The letter also claimed that there were accusations of hate speech and incitement against Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur, writing, Muzzammil Ayyub has often engaged in hate speech. A case has been registered against him. for creating fear and alarm among the masses using social media and inclining them to commit offences likely to disturb public order. Muzammil has been charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

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Thakur, who is the president of the World Kashmir Freedom Movement and co-founder of Mercy Universal, was also mentioned in the letter. It read, Muzammil is the president of the World Kashmir Freedom Movement, which, along with another organisation called Mercy Universal, was founded by his father and investigated by Scotland Yard, the Charity Commission and the FBI for ties with terrorists.

The letter also pointed to Zafar Khan, Chairman of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), as being linked to violent acts targeting the Kashmiri Hindu community. It said that the JKLF was involved in the 1984 kidnapping and murder of Indian diplomat Ravindra Mhatre in the UK.

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ALSO READ | Why has UK decided to ban new coal mines? What could the economic impact be?

The debate

The Oxford Union debate was supposed to focus on Kashmirs political status, a subject that has long caused tension between India and Pakistan.

The panellists included Muzzamil Ayyub Thakur, a Kashmiri independence activist and leader of the Justice Foundation and the Kashmir Freedom Movement, Zafar Khan, chairman of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) diplomatic bureau, and Prem Shankar Jha, a former media adviser to Prime Minister VP Singh.

In an Instagram post, the Oxford Union described the topic: The Kashmir question, a parting gift of British colonial rule, has troubled the subcontinent since 1947 resulting in multiple wars. The continued push for Kashmiri independence has sustained a long-standing struggle, rooted in the regions quest for self-determination and autonomy. This has led to persistent unrest, human rights concerns, and renewed demand for autonomy among the Kashmiris. While nuclear-armed neighbours vie for control and geopolitical influence, the desire for peace among the population remains strong. Could an independent Kashmir be the answer to this enduring crisis?

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INSIGHT UK, strongly criticising the debate, posted on X, We have sent a formal letter to Oxford Union expressing deep concerns over their decision to host the debate.

The invitation of speakers with alleged links to terrorism is particularly alarming and raises serious questions about the integrity of this debate.

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The organisation also discussed the history of violence and unrest in Kashmir, warning that the discussion could worsen existing tensions.

Indian students no-confidence motion against Oxford Union President

During the protest, an Indian student named Aadarsh Mishra spoke out against the debate. In a video that has now gone viral on social media, Mishra criticised the inclusion of JKLF members and called them responsible for the deaths of Kashmiri Pandits.

It [JKLF] has massacred many Kashmiri Pandits, and it has killed Hindu government officials in Birmingham, Mishra said, The Daily Guardian reported.

Fearless Indian Oxford Union member, Aadarsh Mishra, intervenes at the Oxford Union debate hosting and supporting Pakistan backed terrorists.



Saying it as it is: JKLF is a TERRORIST organisation.#JKLF #kashmir #JammuAndKashmir @OxfordUnion pic.twitter.com/af1K5U4azO  INSIGHT UK (@INSIGHTUK2) November 14, 2024

I do not trust this house. I have launched a no-confidence motion against the president because I believe many members of this house have no faith in him.

ALSO READ | Why UK PM Keir Starmers Diwali party has angered British-Hindus

Not the first time This House Believes in an Independent State of Kashmir caused a controversy

This is not the first time the Oxford Union has received criticism for debating the Kashmir issue.

Earlier this year, The Kashmir Files director Vivek Agnihotri publicly declined an invitation to participate in an Oxford Union debate on Kashmir, calling the theme offensive and anti-India.

In a post on X, Agnihotri wrote, I was invited by the prestigious Oxford Union to debate on Kashmir. I found the theme offensive, anti-India, and anti-Kashmir.

The invite listed participants including British MP Naz Shah, Pakistans Defence Minister, and a Supreme Court Justice.

#WATCH | Mumbai: On his decision to decline the Oxford Union debate on Kashmir's independence, filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri says, "They invited me and I received many follow-up calls and emails while I was thinking whether I should attend the event or not. I knew this debate pic.twitter.com/hWAjXqJiJX  ANI (@ANI) September 5, 2024

In his reply, Agnihotri wrote, Your invitation to debate This House Believes in an Independent State of Kashmir is a direct challenge to Indias sovereignty, and it is unacceptable to me.

He added, I find it not just obnoxious but offensivenot just to 1.4 billion Indians but also as a humiliation of hundreds of thousands of displaced Indigenous Hindu victims of the Kashmir genocide of 1990. Framing it as a debate feels like turning a tragedy into a parlour game where the stakes are human lives and the cost is in the blood, not just ink.

Earlier, in 2022, the Oxford Union cancelled Agnihotris Humanity Tour event at Oxford University. Agnihotri claimed this decision was influenced by the then-Oxford Union President, who was a Pakistani national and allegedly held an anti-India stance.
One of Egypts most famous travellers, Omar Nok recently completed an extraordinary journey to Japan without boarding a plane. Covering 46,239 kilometres across a dozen countries in 275 days, his adventure has captivated audiences across the world. But how did he manage to complete this journey without taking to the skies? read more

The explorer has been sharing his journey with his social media audience. Image courtesy: Instagram/omar.nok

Omar Nok, one of Egypts most well-known travellers, has taken a journey few would dare to attempt - travelling from Egypt to Japan without boarding a flight.

Amid Japans record-breaking tourism boom, Nok travelled more than the earths circumference, relying on boats, trains, camels, and even hitchhiking to reach his destination.

Notably, Japans sharp yen weakening has turned it into a budget-friendly travel hotspot, attracting nearly 27 million visitors between January and September. This surge has also been an economic windfall, with tourists spending a record 5.86 trillion yen ($37.58 billion) so far.

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ALSO READ | Who are Chinas iron butt travellers, who are skipping on air travel for road and rail journeys?

Who is Omar Nok?

Nok, a 30-year-old traveller from Cairo, has become a social media sensation, with over 750,000 Instagram followers while he documents his unique overland journey from Egypt to Japan. Covering a total of 46,239 kilometres (28,732 miles) across a dozen countries without flying, his journey has captivated audiences worldwide.

Omar Nok in Medina, Saudi Arabia. Image courtesy: Instagram/omar.nok

Speaking to Reuters, Nok revealed that his fascination with Japan began in childhood, long before he understood the concept of travel. I always wanted to come to Japan, he told the newspaper, adding, But for me, I dont want to miss anything in betweenso thats the motivation to just go without flying to see as much as I can.

I chose Japan because

In an interview with Arab News Japan, Nok said, I like overland travel because I want to see as much as possible of the world, and not just certain spots.

I chose Japan because it was the furthest country away from Egypt I could think of.

He added, Ive travelled extensively in Europe and America. I have never travelled anywhere towards the east.

The explorer has been sharing his journey with his social media audience, posting daily short videos that show his location, activities, and scenic views from each country he visits.

However, his travels have also sparked curiosity among viewers who wonder how he manages to travel international borders with an Egyptian passport, which ranks 75th on the Passport Index 2024.

He told Arab News Japan, Aside from my Egyptian passport, I also have a German one.

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However, I use both depending on the country I am visiting. For example, in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, I used my German passport because its on arrival, he added.

The 29-year-old said that he faced challenges such as language and cultural barriers during his journey but added that safety was less of a concern. In terms of safety, Asian countries are much safer than Latin American, for example. But finding information in Asia is much more challenging, he told the newspaper.

The media shows certain countries in a negative light, when in fact those countries are just like any other, with normal streets, restaurants, etc.

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ALSO READ | Why Japan has introduced stab-proof umbrellas for travel on trains

How did he travel to Japan without getting on a plane?

He arrived by ferry in the southwestern city of Fukuoka last month and then meandered his way to Tokyo on November 7, 274 days after leaving home. By comparison, a direct flight from Cairo to Tokyo takes about 12 hours.

The veteran traveller previously logged lengthy trips through Europe and the Americas, but nothing like this. The first day was the hardest, Nok said, when his father dropped him off at Red Sea port of Safaga to board a cargo boat for Saudi Arabia.

He was nervous about stepping into the unknown, venturing into central Asian countries where he didnt speak the language and where few tourists tread. But armed with words of encouragement from his father, he stepped onto the ship, and his nerves melted away.

Omar Nok in Kyrgyzstan. Image courtesy: Instagram/omar.nok

On his trek, he hitchhiked to Islams holy city of Mecca, sandboarded the dunes of Iran, broke down in the Tajikistan mountains in a purple Dodge Challenger driven by another adventurer, and crossed parts of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan riding horses and camels.

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Previously a financial analyst for Amazon in Germany and Luxembourg, Nok funded his journey through savings and extremely frugal spending. His daily expenses came to about $25, although his entire two-week run through Afghanistan cost just $88, he said.

Throughout it all, Nok said he never felt in danger because generous strangers looked out for him wherever he found himself. That message resounded among his online fans as a welcome spark of hope at a time of war and political strife in much of the world.

Im always just moving around like locals would, and being in situations where locals would step in to help, Nok said. I think people wanted to see that positive side to all the countries that they only hear negative things about.

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With inputs from Reuters
Pakistan is reportedly seeking to sell its debt-strapped national carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), to Qatar or Abu Dhabi. The privatisation is part of the governments efforts to dispose of a 51-100 per cent stake in the airline read more

Pakistan is reportedly trying to sell PIA to a foreign government. File Photo/Reuters

Pakistan may sell its national carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), to a foreign government. Reports in Pakistani media say Qatar or Abu Dhabi could be the potential buyer of the debt-strapped airline.

The privatisation of state-run PIA is part of the Pakistan governments efforts to offload a 51-100 per cent stake in the national carrier. Earlier this year, local media reports said 10 companies submitted bids to buy a majority stake in PIA.

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Lets take a closer look.

Will PIA go to foreign govt?

Pakistan is planning to sell PIA to a foreign government under a government-to-government (G2G) agreement, as per an ARY News report.

Qatar or Abu Dhabi are being seen as potential buyers, sources told the Pakistani news channel.

The Strategic Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a new body supported by the Pakistani military, is mulling to invite expressions of interest (EOIs) from international investors by November 30.

A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) passenger plane arrives at the Benazir International airport in Islamabad, Pakistan, December 2, 2015. File Photo/Reuters

Negotiations with Qatar or Abu Dhabi could be expedited with the help of pre-decided terms and conditions, as per the ARY News report.

Qatar has expressed interest in buying PIA for over $2 billion, a senior official told Pakistans The Nation newspaper on the condition of anonymity.

Privatisation Minister Fawad Hasan Fawad has held talks with officials from Qatar and meetings were underway for a smooth sale of the national carrier, as per the Pakistani newspaper.

An ARY News report in April said that investors from Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia were briefed on the privatisation of PIA, including the profitable investment in the airlines international routes.

In March, Pakistans aviation ministry claimed seven international investors showed interest in PIA and three airports put up on sale.

An adviser for the deal told Pakistans ministry of defence production and aviation that seven international investors including Germany, France, Netherlands, Qatar, UAE, Malaysia and Turkiye have shown their interest, along with local groups, Reuters cited the statement as saying.

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Efforts to sell PIA

PIA is part of the Pakistan governments plan to sell off over 80 of its state-owned enterprises as envisaged under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.

On Wednesday (November 13), Pakistan rejected the sole bid for a stake in the national flag carrier. The final bidding process had attracted only one bid of Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 10 billion ($36 million) for a 60 per cent stake in PIA, Reuters cited the privatisation ministry as saying.

The bid by the real estate firm Blue World City was turned down, as it was well under the minimum price of PKR 85 billion set by the government.

The privatisation issues will be completed in accordance with the laws and regulations and keeping in view the national interest before us because the final decision on the issues of privatisation of PIA and other institutions has to be taken by the cabinet committee, the federal minister for Privatisation, Abdul Aleem Khan, said in a statement.

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As per Pakistans Dawn newspaper, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has shown interest in buying PIA. Earlier this month, it said it was ready to surpass the PKR 10 billion bid by the Blue World Consortium. However, the Pakistani government is yet to respond to the offer.

The misfortunes of PIA

PIA has lost over $3.6 billion in the past two decades. Once one of the best airlines in the region, it is now ridden with debt. From overstaffing to corruption, there is a long list of PIAs woes.

The national airline incurred a loss of PKR 75 billion in the nine months ending September 2023. Amid pressure from the IMF to end subsidising money-losing entities, cash-strapped Pakistan has ramped up efforts to sell the airline.

The government tried to privatise PIA in 2016 but failed in its efforts. A strike by employees that triggered a weeklong flight suspension had forced the government to abandon its plans.

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However, this time, the military-backed SIFC is advocating for the national carriers sale.

What makes things different now is that the military is actively pushing for this reform, Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center in Washington, told Nikkei Asia.

Pakistan is eyeing to increase its foreign direct investment (FDI). To sell PIA to foreign investors, the government is taking steps to identify and resolve any bottlenecks in its privatisation bid.

It remains to be seen how long it will take for Pakistan to privatise its financially struggling airline.

With inputs from agencies
Last August, chaos erupted at UK airports, affecting around seven lakh flyers. It also led to airlines having to pay compensation exceeding $120 million. An inquiry has now revealed that the problem emerged owing to a password failure from an engineer working from home read more

The technical hiccup had caused an estimated 700,000 passengers to endure a travel nightmare. With the system completely down, airports across the UK were unable to operate. Reuters

An airport meltdown last August left hundreds of thousands of air travellers stranded in UK airports during a hectic bank holiday weekend.

An inquiry has now uncovered that the chaos was partly triggered by a password failure from an engineer working from home.

The technical hiccup had caused an estimated 700,000 passengers to endure a travel nightmare. With the system completely down, airports across the UK were unable to operate. Flights were grounded, unable to take off or land, creating severe delays that stretched over several days.

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The disruption didnt just inconvenience travellersit also hit airlines hard, with the cost of compensation exceeding $120 million.

Heres what happened.

The airport meltdown

The glitch hit on the morning of August 28, 2023one of the years busiest travel days in the UK.

The malfunction caused the collapse of the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) computer system, leading to widespread flight cancellations and creating chaos among passengers.

A Civil Aviation Authority inquiry revealed that, despite the high travel demand, IT support engineers werent on-site and were instead permitted to work remotely.

A Civil Aviation Authority inquiry revealed that, despite the high travel demand, IT support engineers werent on-site and were instead permitted to work remotely. Representative image. Pixabay

At 8:32 am, a Level 1 engineer at NATS Swanwick facility in Hampshire initiated diagnostics as soon as the system went down.

However, progress was slow, as the senior technical support engineer was working from home and faced difficulties logging inthe crash meant his password wasnt being recognised.

The report noted, Having exhausted remote intervention options, it took 1.5 hours for the individual to arrive on-site to perform the necessary full system re-start which was not possible remotely.

Chaos at UK airports

Four hours after the initial breakdown, the systems German manufacturer, Frequentis Comsoft, was finally contacted. They quickly pinpointed the issue, but by that point, the backlog was immense, leaving some passengers stranded for several days, as reported by the Daily Mail.

Michael Bull, one of the affected passengers, found himself trapped on a plane waiting for clearance to take off, only to be informed of a delay lasting at least 30 minutes. Another flight, just ten minutes from Edinburgh Airport, was abruptly diverted mid-air, according to a report shared on X.

Holiday traveller Steph Wagstaff described her ordeal to Wales Online, saying, We are still stuck, we have been stuck since arriving at the airport just after 7:45 pm last night. We only knew our flights were cancelled due to tracking the flight at 6:15 pm yesterday evening with our transfer being at 7 pm.

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By the time the issue was quickly pinpointed, the backlog left was immense, leaving some passengers stranded for several days. File image/Reuters

EasyJet chief executive John Lundren told BBC, Airlines were then left picking up the pieces and costs, which ran into millions.

As per the report, the chaos forced airlines to issue over $126 million in compensation to affected passengers.

Inquiry chairman Jeff Halliwell told the Daily Mail that the August 28 event represented a major failure by air traffic control.

It caused considerable distress to over 700,000 passengers and resulted in substantial costs to airlines and airports, he stated.

UK airports bring new measures

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which led the investigation, has recommended a series of new policy measures to prevent a similar incident from occurring in the future.

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh labelled the NATS system failure as an unprecedented event and expressed support for the suggested changes, particularly those aimed at bolstering regulatory oversight.

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In a report by the Daily Mail, Haigh stated, Ive said before that I will be the passenger-in-chief and my priority is to ensure all passengers feel confident when they fly  thats why my department will look to introduce reforms, when we can, to provide air travellers with the highest level of protection possible.

Overall, the CAA proposed 48 new measures, one of which stresses the importance of having senior engineers on-site during crucial periods, even if remote work is generally permitted.

Rob Bishton, chief executive of the Civil Aviation Authority, reiterated the necessity of these reforms, saying, It is vital that we learn the lessons from any major incident such as this.

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With input from agencies
Paulina Brandberg, Swedens Minister for Gender Equality and Work Life, has become a national talking point due to her unusual fear  bananas. According to the Swedish tabloid Expressen, recent leaked emails reveal the extent of her banana phobia, so severe that her staff meticulously clear any trace of the yellow fruit from rooms before she steps inside read more

Leaked emails this week revealed the extent of her banana phobia, so severe that her staff meticulously clear any trace of the yellow fruit from rooms before she steps inside. Picture 1 Image courtesy: Instagram/@Paulinabrandberg, Picture 2: Image for Representation. Pixabay

Not all fruits are equal for Swedens equality minister.

Paulina Brandberg, Swedens Minister for Gender Equality and Work Life, is at the centre of national gossip due to an unusual fear  bananas.

According to Swedish tabloid Expressen, leaked emails this week reveal the extent of her banana phobia, so severe that her staff meticulously clear any trace of the yellow fruit from rooms before she steps inside.

Brandberg has previously admitted to the quirky fear, labelling it the worlds weirdest phobia. Yet, the revelation of just how far her team goes to keep her surroundings banana-free has made this curious phobia a talking point in the Nordic country.

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Heres what we know.

Paulina Brandbergs bananaphobia

In a series of emails reviewed by Expressen, Paulina Brandbergs staff have gone to great lengths to ensure the Minister does not encounter bananas in any rooms or venues she visits.

Paulina Brandberg has a strong allergy to bananas, so it would be appreciated that there are no bananas in the areas where she will be staying, stated one email sent from the Ministry to the Norwegian Judicial Agency ahead of a VIP lunch.

Brandbergs aversion to bananas, however, is not an actual allergy, but a specific phobia. In response to Expressen, she described it as a sort of allergy and revealed that its something Im getting professional help for.

Another email from her team to a county administrative board made it clear that no bananas are allowed on the premises.

In a separate message to Swedish Parliament Speaker Andreas Norlen, Brandbergs staff requested that no traces of bananas be present in the areas where she would be during a meeting.

Paulina Brandbergs staff have gone to great lengths to ensure the Minister does not encounter bananas in any rooms or venues she visits. Image courtesy: Instagram/@PaulinaBrandberg

It would be fantastic if you could remove [fruit bowls containing bananas] in the morning before she visits, read an email from Brandbergs assistant.

Brandberg has previously shared that this great fear impacts her well-being. The issue is something that affects me as a person, which I think can stay that way, she admitted in a now-deleted post on X, acknowledging her banana phobia.

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Why people have weird phobias

While banana phobia might sound made up, it is a real and rare condition that can affect a persons physiological, emotional and behavioural well-being when in contact with bananas.

Dr Martin Antony, a clinical psychologist, suggests in the American Psychological Association, that phobias are a result of the brains fight or flight response, where harmless triggers are misinterpreted as threats, leading to exaggerated fears.

Experts said phobias like these often develop in childhood. However, in many cases, the exact cause remains unclear, with the phobia developing for reasons that are deeply individual or hard to pinpoint scientifically.

According to Klarity Health, a person may experience intense anxiety, nausea, sweating, dizziness, and in some extreme cases, panic attacks if they have a phobia.

Taking counselling and medical support can help manage the condition.

Opposition MP also opens up about her fear of bananas

Following the revelation of Paulina Brandbergs phobia, Opposition MP Teresa Carvalho, a Social Democratic legal policy spokesperson, revealed she also shares a fear of bananas.

In a post on X, Carvalho expressed solidarity with Brandberg, referring to their shared fear as a common enemy. We may have had many tough debates about working conditions, but on this issue, we stand united.

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Swedens Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, weighed in on the discussion, clarifying that Brandbergs phobia had not interfered with governmental duties. He also criticised those who mocked the ministers fear.

I have all the respect for people who have different phobias, he said. I am disturbed when a hard-working cabinet minister is almost reduced to a phobia and people make fun of it. I think you should be too good for that, he was quoted as saying by The Guardian.

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Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson also voiced support for Brandberg on X, calling Expressens coverage of the issue a real low point.

Just like everyone else, politicians can also struggle with fears, phobias and anxiety, she said. If it doesnt affect their work, is it really a matter of public interest?

With input from agencies
According to a study, about 10 million people caught measles last year, a 20 per cent rise compared to 2022. A decline in vaccination coverage is the primary reason for this surge. The WHO and US CDC has also cautioned that the target of eliminating measles as an endemic threat by 2030 is under threat read more

Mothers wait with their children while Health workers prepare routine vaccines for young children at Bundung Maternal and Child Health Hospital in Bundung, Gambia August 30, 2022. Reuters

Cases of measles are increasing worldwide.

According to a study, about 10 million people caught the worlds most infectious disease last year, a 20 per cent rise compared with 2022.

A decline in vaccination coverage is the primary driver of a rise in disease cases.

The study cautioned that a global target of eliminating measles as an endemic threat by 2030 was under threat.

Lets take a closer look.

Surges in measles cases

In 2023, worldwide there were an estimated 10.3 million measles cases, according to a joint publication by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The health bodies said about 107,500 people, including young children, died an unacceptable death from a disease thats preventable through vaccination.

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There was also a 60 per cent rise in the number of major measles outbreak last year.

The study says about 57 countries reported large or disruptive outbreak, with nearly half of them in Africa. The total number of outbreaks is quite higher than 36 in 2022.

Apart from the African region, a substantial upsurge in cases was reported in the Eastern Mediterranean, European, Southeast Asian and Western Pacific regions, the report said.

Notably, 2023 also witnessed an eight per cent decline in measles-related death than the year before. This is because the outbreaks occurred in parts of the world where child had better access to health and nutrition.

Also read: Why the US, the UK are losing their measles-free status

Decline in vaccination

Global vaccination rates are dropping, which is contributing to an increase in measles infections.

Despite being deadly the infection can be prevented with two doses of the very effective measles vaccine. Two doses are 97 per cent effective against measles, compared to 93 per cent with a single dose.

In the last 50 years, the disease was completely eradicated in 82 nations.

A vial of measles vaccine is checked at a field logistics base run by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in the town of Boso-Manzi in Mongala province in the Democratic Republic of Congo February 27, 2020. Reuters

But the world has fallen short due to a shortage of vaccinations and misinformation.

At this moment, every single country in the world has access to measles vaccine, so theres no reason why any child should be infected with the disease and no child should die from measles, WHOs Natasha Crowcroft, a senior technical adviser on Measles and Rubella, told reporters.

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Vaccine hesitancy has been on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic as people lost confidence in the importance of routine childhood vaccines against diseases such as measles and polio.

Because measles is extremely contagious, 95 per cent of the population must be completely vaccinated in order to offer some protection to those who are not, especially small children who cannot receive vaccinations.

According to health organisations, just 74 per cent of children globally received the necessary second dose of the measles vaccination in 2023, while 83 per cent of children had their first dose. Nearly 22 million children did not receive any vaccinations at all.

For four consecutive years, the United States measles vaccine coverage has fallen considerably short of the federal target due to a decline in kindergarten vaccines rates.

In October, CDC data showed that the measles vaccination rate for kindergarteners dropped to 92.7 per cent coverage for the 202324 school year. As of November 7, the CDC stated that there had been 16 outbreaks and 266 measles cases in the US in 2024 alone.

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In 2021, India had the highest number of zero-dose children worldwide, with 2.7 million children missing essential vaccinations due to the COVID-19-induced lockdowns that disrupted vaccination programmes.

Although Indias global ranking has improved since then, it still remains the second-highest country for unvaccinated children trailing only Nigeria, with 2.1 million zero-dose children recorded in the same year. According to another WHO report published earlier, in 2023, 1.6 million children in India did not receive a single dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) vaccine or the measles-containing vaccine (MCV).

Measles vaccine has saved more lives than any other vaccine in the past 50 years. To save even more lives and stop this deadly virus from harming the most vulnerable, we must invest in immunisation for every person, no matter where they live, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

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CDC director Mandy Cohen said: The measles vaccine is our best protection against the virus, and we must continue to invest in efforts to increase access.

Measles and its symptoms

Measles is caused by an airborne virus that mostly affects children under the age of five, but it is preventable with two doses of the measles shot.

According to a number of studies, children who have weakened immune systems as a result of malnutrition or other underlying diseases are more prone to measles-related deaths.

Up to three out of every 1,000 children who contract measles may die due to respiratory and neurological problems, according to the CDC.

In addition to the typical symptoms of fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and a red spot rash, measles can cause long-term health issues, especially in young children and babies.

Additionally, the infection may result in pneumonia, brain damage, and blindness. The CDC estimates that one in 20 children who have measles will develop pneumonia.

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With inputs from agencies
A six-year-old girl and her one-year-old brother died in Tamil Nadus Chennai after reportedly inhaling toxic fumes from rodenticide used by a pest control service at their house. Their parents survived and are undergoing treatment at a hospital. All pesticides are toxic and can cause side effects if handled incorrectly read more

Rodents can be stopped from entering homes through non-toxic methods. Pixabay/Representational Image

Two children in Tamil Nadus Chennai lost their lives after inhaling toxic fumes from rodenticide used by a pest control service at their house on Wednesday (November 13) evening. Their parents are undergoing treatment at a private hospital after inhaling the pesticide.

The tragic incident has put the spotlight on the dangers of pest control.

Lets take a look.

What happened?

A six-year-old girl and her one-year-old brother died after inhaling rodenticide, the fumes of which spread to their room after pest control treatment at their residence in Kundrathur, as per a Times of India (TOI) report.

Bank employee Giridharan, 34, and his 31-year-old wife Pavithra are admitted to a private hospital in Porur and are likely to recover.

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As per the police, Giridharan had hired a pest control service to get rid of a rat infestation at his apartment. Representatives from the firm put chemicals in the form of powder and tablets across the house on Wednesday evening.

On Wednesday night, the four of them went to sleep in one of the bedrooms where the chemicals were placed. They switched on the AC in the room and went to sleep. Around 3 am on Thursday, Giridharan woke up feeling uneasy and had trouble breathing. He called one of his friends and asked him to take the family to a hospital, a police officer was quoted as saying by The New Indian Express (TNIE).

The family was hospitalised nearby. However, the children died without responding to treatment. The couple is stable.

There seems to have been an overdose of chemicals, which has caused a toxic effect in the closed air-conditioned room. Children are vulnerable as their lungs arent fully developed, a senior doctor told TOI.

The police suspect the odour from the chemicals was not strong when the family went to sleep but developed during the night.

Two employees of the pest control company have been booked and the investigation is going on, TNIE reported citing police.

Pesticides and their types

A pesticide is a chemical designed to kill, prevent or repel pests, such as rodents, insects, or plants.

There are several types of pesticides:

Insecticides are used to target insects and other arthropods. Herbicides kill weeds and other unwanted plants.

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A worker sprays pesticide at a potato field as ash spews from Mount Sinabung volcano at Tiga Serangkai village in Karo Regency, Indonesias North Sumatra province, June 20, 2015. File Photo/Reuters

Rodenticides control mice and other rodents, while fungicides kill fungi, mould and rust.

Dangers of pest control

Pests in households include insects such as flies, cockroaches and mosquitoes, or rodents like rats or mice.

To get rid of these pests, one can either opt for household pesticides or engage a pest control service.

It must be noted that all pesticides are toxic. If handled incorrectly and used in large quantities, they can have side effects. The chemicals are often hazardous to human health and affect the environment.

Some pesticides, such as surface sprays or termite treatments, can linger in the environment for quite some time.

If you inhale, touch or swallow rat poison (rodenticide), the symptoms may appear hours or even days after the exposure. As per Verywell Health, those who are subjected to rodenticide poisoning may experience headaches, internal bleeding, pain, chills, bleeding from gums, nose, or skin, convulsions, and seizures.

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Someone who has ingested rat poison could suffer damage to their brain and liver, kidney failure, coma, and even death.

How to stay safe

You must be careful while using pesticides yourself. Read the manufacturers instructions carefully and use the product as directed while taking safety precautions, as per The Better Health Channel.

Keep the pesticide in its original container and out of the reach of children. Do not mix pesticides as that can increase toxicity. It is also necessary to wash your hands with soap and water after using the item.

Instead of going for toxic chemicals, you can use other methods to drive away pests like rodents.

Traps can be used to catch rats and mice. Pixabay/Representational Image

There are natural repellants to control pests. Rats do not like the smell of peppermint oil, which can be placed near their nesting area. Vinegar is also a temporary solution to keep rats out of your house.

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Rat traps can be used with food as bait to catch the rodent.

There are also ways to prevent rodents from entering your home.

Clean your house properly and ensure there is no food or wrappers lying around. Leftover food must be disposed of in a tightly sealed garbage bin.

Ensure that cracks in your walls, windows, roof, and doors are completely sealed.

With inputs from agencies
At CNBC-TV18s Global Leadership Summit, Infosys founder Narayana Murthy said that he does not believe in work-life balance and was disappointed when companies moved to five-day workweek from six-day workweek read more

Infosys founder Narayana Murthy has yet again stoked frustrations among the working class with his views on Indias work culture.

After triggering outrage over his views that young workers must put in at least 70 hours a week, Murthy has now said that he does not agree with five-day workweek and prefers a six-day workweek.

In a conversation with CNBC-TV18 Managing Editor Shereen Bhan, Murthy said that he does not believe in work-life balance.

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I dont believe in work-life balance I have not changed my view; I will take this with me to my grave, said Murthy at the CNBC-TV18s Global Leadership Summit in Mumbai on Thursday (November 14).

"I don't believe in work-life balance," declares Infosys' Narayana Murthy as he defends his infamous '70-hour work-week' comment while talking to Shereen Bhan at CNBC TV18's Global Leadership Summit#CNBCTV18GLS #CNBCTV18at25 #cnbctv18digital @ShereenBhan pic.twitter.com/Hcrej8DUkw  CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18News) November 14, 2024

Murthy further said that he was not happy when companies moved to five-day workweek in 1986.

I was not very happy with that. I think in this country, we have to work very hard because there is no substitute for hard work even if youre the most intelligent guy, said Murthy.

Speaking to Bhan about his own routine, Murthi said that he used to go to the office at 6:20 am every day and return at 8:30 pm. He said that he used to have such a 14-hour work-day for 6.5 days a week till he retired and that he remains very proud of it.

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National Press Day commemorates the importance of a free and independent press in India. Here are ten fascinating facts about the nuances of the right to freedom of speech and the challenges it faces read more

November 16 is marked as National Press Day in India, commemorating the establishment of the Press Council of India (PCI) in 1966. It is an occasion to recognise the role of the press in India.

In a democratic society like India, the press is often referred to as the fourth pillar of democracy. It has the power to hold the government accountable and disseminate news and information freely.

The PCI was formed under the Press Council Act passed by Parliament to safeguard the freedom of the press.

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This years theme for the National Press Day is, changing nature of the press. The official function will be held at the National Media Centre in Delhi, where Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw will open the event.

Here are ten things to know about the right to freedom of speech in India:

Constitutional guarantee: Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution is a cornerstone of the countrys democracy as it guarantees the right to freedom of speech and expression to every Indian citizen. More or less, the freedom of the press to write, publish and disseminate information is also enshrined in this article. Reasonable restrictions: While the right to freedom of speech and expression is fundamental, but not absolute. Article 19 (2) of the Indian Constitution outlines certain reasonable restrictions on the grounds of: national security, public order and decency. Freedom of the press: The freedom of the press is conclusive of the right to freedom of speech and expression. This right allows the Indian press to share information without any fear and hold the government accountable. It is the responsibility of the press to uphold journalistic standards and maintain transparency. Press Council of India: India has the Press Club of India (PCI) as a statutory and somewhat adjudicatory body to act as a watchdog for the press  it is also a body of the press and by the press. It consists of a chairman and 28 other members. The PCI is responsible for preserving press freedom and maintaining ethical journalism. Challenges before PCI: With new information technology exploding in recent years, the PCI faces a tough challenge as a self-regulating body for the Indian press. Earlier, it largely kept eyes on newsprint, and later new television. The onset of news-on-the-internet through well-established news organisations as well as news contributors over platforms including social media has made the role of the PCI intricately difficult and immensely challenging when political players may push their respective narratives almost without any gate-keeping, which has been a hallmark of journalism. Fake news versus freedom of speech: New media technology has also led to what is called fake news. Misinformation camouflaged as news has become a real threat to freedom of speech as people have access to news platforms that may suit their own notions, assumptions and prejudices. Protection of journalistic freedom: The PCI, to whom the National Press Day is dedicated, has the onerous responsibility of protecting the rights of free speech and the constitutional guarantee of the freedom of speech to journalists. Balance between freedom and responsibility: As the fourth pillar of democracy, the Indian media has the responsibility to disseminate fair, accurate and unbiased information. While freedom of speech is essential, it should be exercised responsibly without spreading misinformation or hatred. World press freedom: There is a separate World Press Freedom Day commemorated on May 3  according to a United Nations General Assembly resolution. This day is marked to raise awareness and remind the authorities about its commitment towards press freedom. World Press Freedom Index: The Reporters Without Borders (RWB) organisation releases the press freedom index every year. Last year, India showed a marginal improvement in ranking to 159 out of 180 nations examined for media freedoms.
Birsa Munda was more than just a tribal leader; he was a revolutionary, a spiritual guide, and an architect of social change who urged his people to stand tall against insurmountable odds read more

Throughout the wheel of history, countless battles have shaped the course of nations, often memorialised as pivotal moments in grand narratives. The Indian Independence movement stands as one of the most remarkable, uniting millions across diverse backgrounds in their struggle against British colonial rule. The bloodshed that accompanied this movementspanning issues of land relations, economic exploitation, identity, and socio-political and cultural upheavalswas immense, culminating in the ultimate pursuit of Swaraj. Among the most significant chapters in this history are the tribal uprisings.

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On the occasion of Birsa Mundas birth anniversary, November 15, it is a moment not only to honour the legacy of a revolutionary but also to reflect on the enduring spirit of resistance and hope that he instilled in tribal communities across India. Born in 1875 in the village of Ulihatu, in present-day Jharkhand, Birsa Munda stands as a monumental figure in Indian historya young visionary whose brief yet transformative life redefined the trajectory of Indigenous struggles and amplified their collective voice against systemic oppression. His legacy as a symbol of resistance transcended mere rebellion, forging a movement that united diverse tribal groups under a banner of self-respect, sovereignty, and spiritual revival.

Birsas story is inextricably woven into the broader fabric of Indias freedom struggle, offering a crucial reminder that the fight for independence extended far beyond the mainstream events commonly chronicled in history. At this juncture, decades after independence, it is imperative to critically examine Indias approach to tribal development, particularly the persistent marginalisation of tribal communities from mainstream administration and policymaking, as well as the ongoing threats to their distinct identities. In a nation as diverse as India, it is essential to interrogate how fairly tribal histories are represented and acknowledged, and whether their voices are genuinely integrated into the national narrative.

To understand the essence of Birsa Mundas life and impact, it is important to appreciate the central role of vision in his resistance. At a young age, Birsa found himself disillusioned with the exploitative forces disrupting tribal livesthe British, missionary influences, and landlordsall of whom sought to uproot the deep cultural and spiritual ties binding tribal people to their land. From his initial exposure to Christian teachings, Birsa journeyed through different faiths and traditions before creating his unique spiritual path. He came to be revered as Dharti Aba (Father of the Earth), a prophet-like figure who encouraged his people to reclaim their identity, traditions, and ancestral lands.

The economic exploitation imposed by the Britishmanifested through heavy taxation, the systematic extraction of land resources through exploration, and the brutal treatment towards forest dwellers, apart from squeezing the maximum out of peasantry, culminated and resulted in various outbreaks including the tribal uprisings. Tribal communities, for the most part, remained largely isolated from the mainstream currents of civilisation, maintaining a subsistence-based lifestyle deeply rooted in their customs and practices. The forest lands, abundant in resources like food and fuel, served as their vital sanctuaries. However, these areas were soon targeted by the British as economic assets. In their efforts to exploit forest resources, the colonial regime enacted a series of forest laws that significantly disrupted the tribal way of life, undermining their traditional practices and threatening their peaceful existence.

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Against this backdrop, Birsa Mundas movement emerged as a revolutionary force. His spiritual framework not only challenged external authorities but also sought to dismantle the internalised oppression within his community, rejecting exploitative practices and advocating for a return to purity, unity, and moral discipline. Birsas vision redefined the identity of his people, empowering them to stand against colonial rule on their own termsnot merely as subjects of a political movement, but as stewards of their sacred tradition and homeland.

Before the nineteenth century, tribal communities rarely rebelled in defence of their rights, and when they did, their uprisings were met with brutal repression, as seen in the Santhal Rebellion of 1855. However, the latter part of the 19th century witnessed a significant shift in British colonial policy. As the century drew to a close, the emergence of the Birsaitesdevoted followers of Birsa Munda, revered as Dharti Abamarked a pivotal transformation in tribal resistance. Birsas movement was not only a protest against the encroachment on tribal land but also a fierce stand against cultural subjugation, particularly the missionary-driven efforts to convert indigenous communities, which he saw as a threat to their identity and spiritual autonomy.

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Birsa Mundas legacy is inseparable from the Ulgulan, or the Great Tumult, that he initiated in the late 1890s. In this movement, Birsa rallied the Munda and Oraon communities against a range of injusticesBritish exploitation, forced labour, and the economic stranglehold of zamindars who reduced the tribespeople to mere labourers on their land. Under his leadership, the Ulgulan became more than an armed rebellion; it was a socio-economic movement aimed at reclaiming tribal autonomy, asserting their land rights, and dismantling the oppressive structures that sought to erase their identity.

Birsas approach was innovative and uniquely suited to the tribal context. He sought to awaken a collective consciousness among the Mundas and neighbouring tribes, encouraging them to stand united. His advocacy for a return to communal land ownership resonated deeply, as it tapped into traditional notions of resource stewardship and kinship that had been threatened by colonial legal frameworks. Although his movement was violently suppressed, Birsas message persisted and ignited a wave of regional uprisings, embedding his ideals into the struggle for Indias independence.

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Birsa Mundas legacy extends far beyond his time, offering crucial lessons that remain relevant today. His resistance was not simply against foreign rule; it was a broader indictment of structures that disregarded the rights of indigenous people and undermined their unique ways of life. Even in present-day India, tribal communities face land encroachments, displacement due to industrial projects, and exploitation that echoes the injustices of Birsas era. Celebrating his legacy calls for a reexamination of our policies regarding tribal welfare, environmental justice, and land rights. It raises essential questions: Are we truly honouring the legacy of Birsa if indigenous lands continue to be threatened in the name of development? Are we doing justice to his memory if the voices of Indias marginalized remain unheard in the halls of decision-making?

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Furthermore, Birsa Mundas spiritual emphasis on unity, discipline, and self-respect offers a blueprint for rebuilding fractured communities. His movement was deeply rooted in values that transcended politicsit was an expression of a culture that valued the interconnectedness of people, heritage, land, and spirituality. Recognizing Birsas legacy involves upholding these values, and ensuring that development policies respect the deep-rooted cultural bonds that sustain tribal societies. It necessitates a commitment to dialogue, participatory governance, and policies that empower rather than displace.

The relentless struggle for survival and identity by tribal communities endures to this day. Beyond the inter and intra-tribal conflicts documented throughout history, the tribal uprisings that took place during the Indian freedom struggle hold profound significance for contemporary generations. These episodes of resistance, marked by bloodshed, tears, and trauma, are an essential part of the national narrative that must be acknowledged and represented.

While Birsa Mundas contributions have often been celebrated in tribal belts of Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal, his place in the broader national narrative is still evolving. In recent years, there has been a concerted effort to recognize his contributions on a larger scale, including the declaration of his birth anniversary as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas in 2022. However, it is vital that such recognition goes beyond ceremonial gestures and translates into meaningful actionimproved access to education, healthcare, and sustainable livelihood opportunities for tribal communities, as well as the preservation of their heritage and identity.

Birsa Munda was more than just a tribal leader; he was a revolutionary, a spiritual guide, and an architect of social change who urged his people to stand tall against insurmountable odds. His life is a testament to the power of a single individual to inspire and transform an entire community, reminding us that the path to freedom is paved with sacrifice, resilience, and unwavering courage. As we honour Birsa Munda, let us recommit ourselves to creating a society that respects the dignity and rights of all its people, ensuring that the torch of freedom he lit continues to shine for generations to come.

Ajisha C is a Research Scholar at the Department of History, Central University of Hyderabad, and Amal Chandra is an author, political analyst and columnist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Given the ground realities, maintaining a business-as-usual approach appears increasingly untenable, and broader relations are likely to face significant strain read more

On the pavement are images of the flags of Canada and India, as a symbol of the confrontation between countries. Shutterstock

India-Canada relations are in a free fall. Just when you feel that the ties have hit rock bottom, theres a surprise awaiting you. It is surreal how India, the worlds most populous democracy, has been swiftly transformed from being a friendly nation to Canadas foremost security threat in the Trudeau administrations playbook.

The Canadian security and investigative agencies have suddenly discovered that Indian agents and diplomats are engaging in criminal acts, including murder, extortion, espionage and intimidation on its soil. Even the Indian High Commissioner has not been spared.

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It is worth recalling that the very same agencies had failed to prevent explosives from being planted on the Air India Kanishka jetliner in 1985, which blew up mid-air, resulting in 329 casualties. They also failed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Violent crime, including the homicide rate, is on the rise in Canada. Organised crime groups, each with their unique structures and activities, often operate with relative impunity. Gang wars have become increasingly common, while the security establishment is busy snooping on diplomats.

A competition seems to be afoot in the Canadian establishment to conjure up newer and more outlandish accusations against India. The latest revelation is that Indian state-sponsored actors conduct cyber espionage against the Canadian government. The other countries so named in the Cyber Threat from State Adversaries report include China, Russia, Iran and North Korea.

Given the current trajectory of diplomatic tensions, it would hardly be shocking if India were to be soon accused of orchestrating natural disasters or interfering in Canadas democratic processes. After all India is a manipulative global power and Canada an innocent victim!

The Indian foreign office described the cyber fiction as another example of a Canadian strategy to attack India noting that senior Canadian officials had openly confessed to be trying to manipulate global opinion against India, without any evidence.

Canadian national-security and intelligence adviser Nathalie Drouin and Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison admitted having leaked information on Indias alleged illegal activities to the Washington Post, even before anything was made public in Canada.

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They disingenuously maintained that no classified information was shared and described the move as strategic communication meant to generate widespread coverage for their narrative. The newspaper is known for its anti-India bias.

This action not only constituted a breach of diplomatic trust with India in that the details of confidential discussions in Singapore were revealed within hours, but also contradicted Canadas assertion that a public disclosure could compromise ongoing investigations.

The episode illustrates how the Trudeau government is toying with its media and public opinion. The Canadian medias silence in the face of being overlooked and eclipsed by an American newspaper is telling, raising significant questions about its independence, role, and objectivity.

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Not only the media, but also a sizable portion of the Canadian public, has disappointingly accepted the political theatrics of a struggling administration without critical examination. Few have questioned why India would suddenly act in such a manner, demanded concrete evidence, or scrutinised the timing of these grave accusations.

Voices like that of Ujjal Dosanjh, a Sikh and former Premier of British Columbia, are rare. He has publicly called Justin Trudeau a Khalistani, criticised him for aligning with the separatists and appointing them to his cabinet, besides forming an alliance with Jagmeet Singh, who is known for his pro-Khalistani stance.

India is a civilisation-state and an open book, not an insular realm closed off from the world. Hundreds of thousands of Canadians have been travelling to India for decades. Canada is home to over 2.5 million people of Indian heritage. Over 400,000 Indians students study in Canada. Canadian pension funds have invested C$75 billion in India.

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The critical question is whether the damage to bilateral political ties can be contained, or if it will have a ripple effect that could negatively impact the overall relationship, which is undesirable for all parties involved. Before attempting an answer, it would be useful to look at the broader picture.

The reality of the matter is that the Khalistani issue has been bedevilling the India-Canada relationship for nearly half a century. Canadian political leaders across the spectrum have courted pro-Khalistani elements as a potential vote bank, turning a blind eye to their separatist and violent activities. Rather than being marginalised, these groups have been mainstreamed in Canada. They have come not only to occupy cabinet berths but have also systematically infiltrated all sinews of the Canadian governance including the security apparatus, administrative bodies and judiciary.

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They demonstrated their reach and influence by forcing the Trudeau government to delete all references to Khalistani and Sikh extremism from Canadas annual terrorism threat report in 2018. It was not a mere coincidence that Harjit Sajjan, a Khalistani proponent, was then Canadas defence minister, after serving in the police and army.

The mindset of the Canadian government is exemplified by the recent case of a Khalistani fugitive, whose extradition was sought by India for his involvement in terrorist activities in Punjab. The Canadian government responded by employing him at the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) and even promoting him to the position of superintendent.

Hindu temples are being targeted and worshipers being attacked with increasing frequency in Canada by the Khalistani extremists without any fear of law. Just the other day a serving Canadian cop of Indian origin, Harinder Sohi, was found demonstrating along with Khalistani miscreants outside a Hindu temple in Brampton; some of them attacked the devotees.

India condemned the violence on the precincts of the temple and expressed deep concern about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada. Pierre Poilievre, Canadas leader of the opposition, blamed Trudeau of sowing discord in the Indian community that led to the violent clash. Forced into a corner the Canadian PM admitted to the presence of Khalistanis in the country.

However, the same Poilievre was quick to cancel the traditional Diwali function hosted at Parliament Hill by the opposition party in Canada for fear of offending the Khalistanis and being seen as pro-Hindu. He could as well have calculated that the Hindu community already disenchanted with Trudeaus Liberals, would have little choice but to support the Conservatives.

Regardless, there is little distinction among Canadas political parties when it comes to vote-bank considerations. In other words, even if the Conservatives were to regain power in the next elections, likely to be held by October 2025, the permissive attitude towards Khalistani extremists is likely to persist, albeit to varying degrees.

That is not all. The anti-immigrant sentiment in Canada has also been intensifying, due to several socio-economic factors. The Trudeau administration admitted over a million immigrants and temporary residents in some years as against a historical norm of around 300,000. The surge coincided with mounting economic challenges, including stagnant GDP growth, rising unemployment (particularly acute among youth, reaching 15 per cent), soaring housing costs, strained health services and a marked increase in the cost of living.

The Trudeau administration, facing mounting public pressure, has implemented sweeping changes to Canadas immigration and educational policies. It has announced substantial reductions in the intake of permanent residents, temporary workers, and international students. As a result, over 70,000 international student graduates, including a significant number from India, now face deportation.

The abrupt shift in policies has left tens of thousands of Indian students in a precarious situation. Many of them had invested their families life savings to pursue education and build a promising future in Canada. For no fault of theirs, they suddenly find their aspirations shattered, leaving them despondent and trapped.

Indian students considering travel to Canada should carefully weigh the potential uncertainties they may encounter. It is debatable whether Canada remains the welcoming and opportunistic destination it once was.

Such is the socio-political and security minefield through which the India-Canada relations need to be navigated. India has invested considerable diplomatic capital in forging robust relations with Canada and would like to sustain the momentum but cannot tolerate the ongoing nurturing of anti-India secessionist groups on Canadian soil or the attacks on and vilification of Indian diplomats and community members in the country.

Given the ground realities, maintaining a business-as-usual approach appears increasingly untenable, and broader relations are likely to face significant strain. Barring an unforeseen diplomatic breakthrough, bilateral ties seem poised for a period of turbulence, at least in the short to medium term. There remains a glimmer of hope that wiser counsel will prevail to stabilise the relationship from further damage.

The author is a foreign affairs specialist and an ex-envoy to Canada and South Korea. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
The EUs AI Act, which officially went into effect on August 1, laid the foundation for these new guidelines. However, there were gaps left in regulating more complex AI systems read more

At the heart of this draft are rules around transparency, copyright, risk assessment, and governance. Models falling under these regulations are defined as those trained with computing power exceeding 10 septillion FLOPs. File Image

The European Union has released the first draft of its Code of Practice for general-purpose AI (GPAI) models, offering a clearer roadmap for tech giants to manage risks and avoid penalties. Though this draft isnt set in stone  the final version is expected in May 2025  it gives companies like OpenAI, Google, Meta, Anthropic, and Mistral a preview of whats coming their way.

The EUs AI Act, which officially went into effect on August 1, laid the foundation for these new guidelines. However, there were gaps left in regulating more complex AI systems. This draft, published on Thursday, fills in some of those blanks and invites feedback from stakeholders to tweak the framework before it becomes enforceable.

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At the heart of this draft are rules around transparency, copyright, risk assessment, and governance. Models falling under these regulations are defined as those trained with computing power exceeding 10 septillion FLOPs, setting a high bar that captures the major players in the AI world but could expand to more companies as technology evolves.

Transparency is a significant theme. AI developers will be required to disclose the web crawlers used in training their models, a move designed to address copyright concerns from creators. The draft also outlines risk assessment protocols, aimed at preventing issues like cybercrimes, AI-driven discrimination, and  in a nod to those sci-fi nightmares  runaway AI scenarios.

Companies will also need to adopt a Safety and Security Framework (SSF) to manage these risks. This involves detailing their risk mitigation strategies and updating them in line with evolving threats. On the technical side, AI makers must safeguard their models, implement failsafe mechanisms, and continuously reassess these measures.

Governance rules push for internal accountability, demanding that companies conduct regular risk assessments and even bring in external experts for oversight.

Of course, the stakes are high. Violating the AI Act could mean severe penalties: fines of up to 35 million or seven per cent of a companys global annual revenue, whichever is greater. The EUs track record of levying hefty fines for tech breaches suggests these arent empty threats.

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Feedback from industry players is being collected on the Futurium platform until November 28, giving them a chance to influence the final guidelines. The clock is ticking, but theres still time for input before the rules are locked in and enforcement begins. With the potential for big changes in how AI is governed, all eyes will be on the evolution of these guidelines in the months to come.
The feature uses using on-device AI to identify suspicious calls. When a call comes in, the AI scans the audio for red flags. If it senses something fishy  like a supposed bank representative urgently pushing you to transfer funds because of an alleged account issue  it springs into action read more

One might worry about AI listening in on conversations, but Google assures that the detection process is handled entirely on the device. The Pixel 9 models rely on the Gemini Nano chip for this, while older Pixels use other advanced on-device machine learning systems. Image Credit: Google

Google has officially begun rolling out its latest AI-powered Scam Detection feature for the Pixel Phone app. First announced back in May during Google I/O 2024, the feature is initially available in beta for users in the United States, with promises of a broader release in the future.

Currently, those with a Pixel 6 or newer models can access this update, which is designed to provide extra protection against the ever-evolving landscape of scam calls. The company stated in a blog post that other Android devices are also expected to get this feature down the line, but for now, its Pixel owners who are getting the first taste.

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So, how does this nifty new feature work? Its all about using on-device AI to identify suspicious calls. When a call comes in, the AI scans the audio for red flags. If it senses something fishy  like a supposed bank representative urgently pushing you to transfer funds because of an alleged account issue  it springs into action. Users will see warnings on the Phone apps screen, and there will be audio and haptic alerts to let them know the call might be a scam.

One might worry about AI listening in on conversations, but Google assures that the detection process is handled entirely on the device. The Pixel 9 models rely on the Gemini Nano chip for this, while older Pixels use other advanced on-device machine learning systems. This local processing means no call data is sent to the cloud, keeping privacy intact.

The rise of generative AI has certainly complicated the world of digital security, as scammers have started harnessing the technology to create more convincing and sneaky scam calls. However, Google is fighting back with its own AI-driven defences, adding Scam Detection to the list of existing security measures in the phone app. The app already features tools like Call Screen, which uses a bot to answer incoming calls and find out what the caller wants before the user even picks up.

For those diving into the beta, Scam Detection wont be switched on by default. Users will need to activate it manually by navigating to the app settings. Google is also encouraging feedback from early users to help fine-tune the system before rolling it out more widely. With the tech giants ongoing AI upgrades, its clear theyre serious about staying ahead in the digital security game.

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The EU alleges that Metas actions were designed to give Facebook Marketplace an unfair edge that other online classified ad services simply couldnt compete with read more

The 798 million euro penalty is Metas first major antitrust fine, following a previous 110 million euro fine in 2017 for misleading the EU's investigation into its WhatsApp acquisition. File Image

Meta has been hit with a nearly 800 million euros fine by the European Commission for antitrust violations related to its handling of Facebook Marketplace.

According to the EU executive, the tech giant improperly tied its classified ads service to its popular social network, Facebook, thereby disadvantaging rival ad platforms. The Commission has demanded Meta put an end to these anti-competitive practices.

The European Unions Competition Commissioner, Margrethe Vestager, stated that Metas actions were designed to give Facebook Marketplace an unfair edge that other online classified ad services simply couldnt compete with.

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The 798 million euro penalty marks Metas first major antitrust fine, following a previous 110 million euro fine in 2017 for providing misleading information during the EUs investigation into its WhatsApp acquisition. The Commission also reinforced Metas dominant influence in personal social networks across the EU and its stronghold over online display ads on social media.

Meta has already announced its intent to challenge the hefty fine. In a blog post, the company expressed disappointment, arguing that Facebook Marketplace was a free and innovative service that met consumer demand.

The company claimed that the Commissions regulatory approach conflicted with calls from European political leaders to boost competitiveness and innovation. Nevertheless, Meta pledged to cooperate and work towards a solution that satisfies EU regulators.

The investigation, which began in June 2021, was spurred by complaints from Metas competitors. They accused Meta of unfairly integrating Facebook Marketplace with its social network and using confidential advertising data to boost Marketplaces performance.

While the European Commission has now penalised Meta, the UKs Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) closed its own similar investigation last year. Meta had agreed to modify its practices in the UK to address concerns about the use of advertisers data.

The fine comes at a sensitive time for Meta, which has faced mounting pressure from both antitrust and data protection authorities in Europe. The company recently adjusted its controversial pay-or-consent model for Facebook and Instagram in response to regulatory scrutiny. In July, the Commission warned that Metas subscription plans might not comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) by potentially limiting user choice over how their data is handled.

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Adding to Metas regulatory woes, German authorities found back in 2017 that the companys data collection practices were abusive, specifically targeting how Meta tracked users outside its platform. Meta was ordered to stop such tracking. Now, Meta is also disputing the Commissions classification of Facebook Marketplace as a core platform service under the DMA, a label that could further restrict its data processing capabilities.

Overall, this 800 million fine underscores the EUs ongoing efforts to clamp down on the power of Big Tech and ensure fair competition across the digital market.
Microsoft has been using restrictive licensing agreements to prevent customers from moving their data to competing platforms. These practices may include increasing subscription fees for customers looking to exit or implementing steep penalties that make leaving cost-prohibitive read more

With the FTC now zeroing in on Microsoft, the investigation could have significant implications for the tech giant. Trump has nominated Rep. Matt Gaetz to lead the Justice Department, Interestingly, Gaetz, despite his controversial reputation, has supported antitrust actions. Image Credit: Reuters, Reuters

In the final days of President Bidens administration, US regulators are turning their sights to Microsofts cloud computing business, Azure. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is reportedly preparing to investigate Microsoft over claims of anti-competitive behaviour.

Allegedly, Microsoft has been using restrictive licensing agreements to prevent customers from moving their data to competing platforms. According to the Financial Times, these practices may include increasing subscription fees for customers looking to exit or implementing steep penalties that make leaving cost-prohibitive.

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Additionally, a report by the Financial Times suggests that Microsoft may be making Azure less compatible with rival cloud services, further complicating customers attempts to switch.

This probe fits into FTC Chair Lina Khans broader campaign against Big Tech. Since her appointment in 2021, Khan has made waves by pushing for tougher antitrust regulations.

As a vocal critic of tech monopolies, she has led high-profile investigations into companies like Google, Amazon, Meta, Apple, and OpenAI. Her tenure, which could end with the Trump administration taking charge, has seen a focus on curbing what she describes as monopolistic behaviours by major tech players.

Cloud computing, an industry valued at nearly $590 billion in 2023, is a critical market, and concerns over competition are widespread. Last year, the FTC invited public feedback on cloud service practices, and many responses flagged issues like restrictive software licensing, excessive data transfer fees, and mandatory spending thresholds.

Khans campaign against Big Techs alleged monopolistic behaviour hasnt come without backlash. She noted in a 60 Minutes interview that the tech sector had experienced a spree of acquisitions over the years, with none being blocked, a situation she believes has led to consumer harm. Her outspoken stance has earned her critics from both political parties.

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Some lawmakers have called for her removal, including billionaire investor Mark Cuban, who suggested that Vice President Kamala Harris should replace Khan if elected president. This drew a fierce response from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who defended Khan and pledged to fight any effort to unseat her.

As part of the Biden administrations broader push to keep Big Tech in check, the FTC and the Department of Justice have been jointly enforcing antitrust laws. Trump has nominated Rep. Matt Gaetz to lead the Justice Department, though Gaetzs Senate confirmation may face hurdles. Interestingly, Gaetz, despite his controversial reputation, has supported antitrust actions, claiming Big Tech companies suppress conservative voices.

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With the FTC now zeroing in on Microsoft, the investigation could have significant implications for the tech giant, particularly as competition in the lucrative cloud sector continues to heat up. How this plays out, especially with the looming political transition, remains to be seen, but it certainly adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing Big Tech regulatory saga.
A fire at a retirement home in Villafranca del Ebro, Northern Spain, killed at least 10 people early on November 15 read more

Relatives waiting for news outside the nursing home where least 10 people have died in a fire in Zaragoza, Spain, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Ferran Mallol )

Fire ripped through a retirement home in the town of Villafranca del Ebro in northern Spain early on Friday, killing at least 10 people, the regional government of Aragon said.

The blaze started in a residence for elderly called Jardines de Villafranca around 5 a.m. (0400 GMT) and it took a couple of hours for firefighters to put it out, a spokesperson for the regional government said.

The spokesperson could not specify whether all the victims were residents of the retirement home, where 82 elderly people lived.

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One person was in a critical condition, while several people are under care mainly for suffering from smoke inhalation.

Fire fighters, who came from the area of Zaragoza, a city 35 km (22 miles) away, ambulances and police are on site, he said. The cause of the fire was still being investigated.

(Except the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
Following an overpriced 9 billion acquisition in 2007, the Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena went through a period of financial struggle and mismanagement. Senior executives were accused of hiding losses through complex derivatives trades read more

View of the entrance to the headquarters of Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS), the oldest bank in the world in Siena, Italy. Reuters

Italy has reduced its stake in Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS), the worlds oldest bank, by selling a 15 per cent share for 1.1 billion ($1.16 billion).

This transaction brings Banco BPM, Italys third-largest bank, on board as a shareholder with a 5 per cent stake, potentially paving the way for future consolidation in the Italian banking sector.

Here are five notable aspects of MPS:

1. A Legacy spanning over 500 years

Founded in 1472 as a mount of piety to assist the underprivileged, MPS has evolved into a significant financial institution. Its longevity reflects its adaptability and enduring presence in the banking industry.

GRUPPO MPS

2. Headquarters in historic Siena

MPSs headquarters are located in the Palazzo Salimbeni in Siena, Italy. This historic building has been the banks home since its inception, a symbol of its deep-rooted connection to the citys rich cultural and financial heritage.

3. A major player in Italian banking

As one of Italys leading banks, MPS has a significant market share in various business areas, including leasing, factoring, corporate finance, and investment banking. Its extensive network and services have made it a cornerstone of Italys financial landscape.

4. A history of challenges

Over the years, MPS has faced major challenges, largely due to its controversial 2007 acquisition of Banca Antonveneta for 9 billion. Widely criticised as overpriced, the deal strained MPSs finances and left it vulnerable during the global financial crisis.

Allegations of fraud and financial mismanagement soon followed, with senior executives accused of hiding losses through complex derivatives trades, further eroding investor confidence, according to Financial Times.

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By 2017, MPS required a 5.4 billion bailout from the Italian government as part of an 8.1 billion rescue plan. The intervention included a major restructuring, which saw the bank write down non-performing loans, raise 2 billion in capital, close branches, and cut staff.

These measures helped stabilise the bank, returning it to profitability and positioning it for privatisation and potential partnerships. However, it remains a cautionary tale of over-ambitious expansion and governance failures.

5. Towards privatisation

The recent sale of a 15 per cent stake by the Italian government is part of a broader strategy to reduce state ownership and return MPS to private hands. However, the Italian government still holds a significant share in MPS. The path to full privatisation and the potential for mergers or acquisitions remain uncertain and will likely unfold over time.

With inputs from agencies
In 1998, former Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) Yasser Arafat declared the Palestinian Declaration of Independence in Algeria. This declaration led to Palestines recognition as a state by 146 countries and underscored the Palestinians right to self-determination read more

November 15 is the anniversary of Yasser Arafats declaration of statehood for Palestine in 1988. Thirty-six years ago, Arafat, former Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) leader, declared the Palestinian Declaration of Independence in Algeria, marking a crucial step in the Palestinian quest for recognised statehood. This declaration led to Palestines recognition as a state by 146 countries and underscored the Palestinians right to self-determination.

Here are 6 things to know about Palestines independence day

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1 - Motivations behind the declaration

According to legal experts, the declaration was driven by two main motivations: the right to self-determination and the need to establish a state to protect Palestinians from potential annihilation by Israel. Legal scholar Francis Boyle recalled advising the PLO to declare statehood in 1988 amid political shifts and the ongoing Intifada.

2 - Statehood as a lifeline

Today, Palestine holds observer state status at the UN and has joined key international treaties. Boyle stated that Palestinian statehood is crucial for their survival, providing authority, protection, and access to international legal platforms, like supporting South Africas genocide lawsuit against Israel.

Today, 146 out of 193 UN members recognise the state of Palestine.

3 - UN membership & historical precedent

Boyle argued that no UN member state has ever been destroyed, citing his work in Bosnia to prevent the loss of statehood. Despite pressure from the US, which continues to block European countries from recognising Palestine, statehood remains a crucial lifeline for the Palestinian people.

4 - Legacy of the Treaty of Lausanne

John Quigley highlighted the 1988 declaration as positioning the PLO as the government of Palestine, referencing the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, which established Palestines sovereignty. Quigley pointed out that the US is the key obstacle in preventing full recognition of Palestine by other countries.

5 - US influence & recognition process

Both Boyle and Quigley noted that US opposition continues to block full Palestinian recognition. However, Quigley argued that if the US officially recognised Palestine, other countries would follow suit, emphasising the importance of global recognition for Palestines diplomatic efforts.

6 - Impact of recognition

Increased recognition of Palestine strengthens its global position, allowing diplomatic relations and supporting its claims to occupied territories. While recognition doesnt end the occupation, it contributes to a peaceful resolution by signaling international support for Palestinian sovereignty and opposing Israeli annexation efforts.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmers office on Friday issued an apology for a mistake following backlash over its food menu, including alcohol and meat, at last months Diwali reception, causing distress among several members of British Indian community, according to a report read more

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmers office on Friday issued an apology for a mistake following backlash over its controversial food menu at last months Diwali party.

According to a Times of India report, the controversy erupted after alcohol and meat were served at the event, which was held at 10 Downing Street.

The presence of lamb kebabs, fish, alcoholic beverages including beer and wine caused distress among several attendees, primarily angering the members of British Indian community, added the report.

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The annual celebration, which included traditional elements like prayers, diya lighting, a speech from the Prime Minister, and Indian dance performances, was attended by community leaders, Labour MPs, councillors, and armed forces personnel.

When guests expressed concerns to the catering staff, they were told that the alcohol and meat had been specifically requested. This decision stood in sharp contrast to the previous years Diwali reception hosted by then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, where no alcohol or meat was served in deference to cultural traditions.

The spokesperson from Starmers office acknowledged the communitys concerns without directly mentioning the menu, assuring that such incidents would not recur.

The Prime Minister was pleased to welcome a range of communities celebrating Diwali to a reception in Downing Street, PTI quoted a Downing Street spokesperson as saying.

He paid tribute to the huge contribution the British Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities make to our country and how the government is driven by the shared values of hard work, ambition and aspiration. A mistake was made in the organisation of the event, the spokesperson added.

We understand the strength of feeling on this issue and so would apologise to the community and assure them it will not happen again, the spokesperson further said.

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The statement was issued a day after Conservative MP Shivani Raja sent an official letter to Starmer, pointing out that the reception did not adhere to Hindu customs.

I feel it speaks poorly against the organisation of this years event  with a disappointing lack of knowledge of the customs and traditions that many British citizens hold dear, her letter posted on social media read.

As a practising Hindu representing thousands of Hindus within my own constituency of Leicester East, I have been deeply saddened to hear that this years festivities were overshadowed in the greatest Office of State by negativity, as a result of this oversight, said the first-time Tory member of Parliament elected in July from Leicester.

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Raja offered to advise the Labour Party on future Hindu celebrations to ensure they align with cultural traditions.

The Diwali reception on October 29 was Labours first since taking office four months ago, and included leaders, professionals, and parliamentarians from the British Indian community.

The Downing Street reception has been a longstanding tradition, with Starmer seeking to continue the practice initiated by Rishi Sunak, Britains first Hindu Prime Minister, of lighting Diwali candles at No. 10.

We value and respect your heritage and traditions, and recognise the strength of our shared values and the celebration of Diwali  a time of coming together, of abundance, and welcome, read excerpts released from Starmers address at the event.

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With inputs from agencies
Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Nigeria (November 16) aims to strengthen Indias ties in diplomacy, trade, and culture, with a focus on expanding Indias global presence in forums like G20 and Caricom read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the G20 summit. Image courtesy X

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will kickstart his three-nation tour on November 16. In the course of five days, he is set to visit Nigeria, Brazil and Guyana.

The Indian leader will begin his international tour by travelling to Nigeria first. This will be a significant visit as it is the first time in 17 years that an Indian prime minister will be going to Nigeria.

During his visit, Modi is due to meet Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

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The two leaders will commemorate India and Nigerias strategic alliance that was established almost a decade ago.

Symbolising a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties, here are five key aspects of the India-Nigeria relationship:

Historical diplomatic roots

Nigeria and India share a long-standing cordial and friendly bilateral relationship. Both Nigeria, home to more than 190 million people, and India, home to 1.4 billion people, are multilingual, multiethnic and multi-religious communities.

The two nations are also joined by their respective fights against colonialism, and racial discrimination. Both secured their independence through long struggles for freedom and self-determination. Both nations have voiced for the rights of the Global South with a push for multilateral leadership in organisations such as the United Nations, G77 and Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

Bilateral visits

The two nations and their leaders developed a friendship, mutual respect, and goodwill with each other since the days of Indias first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehrus historic visit to Nigeria in September 1962. His meeting with Tafawa Balewa, Nigerias first Prime Minister, set the tone for a long-enduring bilateral relationship.

Presidents Shehu Shagari and Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria travelled to India as chief guests for the countrys Republic Day celebrations in 1983 and 2000.

Trade and economic engagements

Nigeria is Indias one of the top suppliers of crude oil, and the two countries have strong trading ties. Furthermore, Indian businesses operate in Nigeria, making contributions to industries including healthcare, telecom and manufacturing.

Air connectivity and economic integration

Nigerias Air Peace began operating direct flights between Lagos and Mumbai as a result of the two countries bilateral air services agreement. This project promotes economic integration and improves connectivity.

This relationship strengthens Nigerias aviation sector and establishes the country as a crucial hub for international travel. By promoting ancillary businesses like goods transportation and hospitality, the additional traffic can boost economic growth.

Strategic alliance in technology and education

Indias success in ICT (Information and communication technology) development and digital infrastructure serves as a model for Nigeria. Sharing technological know-how and innovative techniques is one aspect of collaborative efforts that can enhance Nigerias digital economy and government. There are now more than 130 Indian companies that are active in Nigeria.

The increasing bond between India and Nigeria symbolises the ever-increasing bilateral relationship between the two nations associated with mutual economic interest, strategic partnership and cultural exchange.

The partnership has the potential to grow further, especially with both nations having a vital hold in regional and global matters  especially at platforms such as G20 and through economic pacts.

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The Republican president-elect has signaled a confrontational approach to Beijing for his second term. read more

China isn't the only APEC economy in Trump's crosshairs. The incoming US leader has threatened tariffs of 25 percent or more on goods coming from Mexico unless it stops an "onslaught of criminals and drugs" crossing the border. File Image- FP

US President Joe Biden attended in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima on Friday, where he is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping amid uncertainty following Donald Trumps election victory.

Although Xi was absent from Fridays opening session, he is scheduled to hold talks with Biden on Saturday. According to a US administration official, this meeting is likely the final encounter between the current leaders of the worlds two largest economies before Trump assumes office in January.

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Read Also: China prepares to retaliate against potential trade war with Donald Trump

After Donald Trump first stormed the White House eight years ago, rattled Chinese leaders responded to his tariffs and fiery rhetoric with force, resulting in a trade war that plunged ties between the globes largest economies to multiyear lows.

This time around, Beijing has been preparing for Trumps return by deepening ties with allies, boosting self-reliance in tech, and setting aside money to prop up the economy that is now more vulnerable to fresh tariffs already threatened by Trump.

Summit host President Dina Boluarte of Peru told gathered leaders Friday that multilateral economic cooperation must be bolstered in a context in which the different challenges we are facing increase levels of uncertainty (for) the immediate future.

She added: We need more contribution, collaboration and understanding, and less fragmentation.

APEC, created in 1989 with the goal of regional trade liberalization, brings together 21 economies that jointly represent about 60 percent of world GDP and more than 40 percent of global commerce.

The summit program was to focus on trade and investment for what proponents dubbed inclusive growth. But uncertainty over Trumps next moves clouds the agenda  as it does for the COP29 climate talks underway in Azerbaijan, and a G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro next week.

America First

The APEC summit is also attended by Japan, South Korea, Chile, Canada, Australia and Indonesia, among others.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was absent.

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Trumps America First agenda is based on protectionist trade policies, increased domestic fossil fuel extraction and avoiding foreign conflicts.

It threatens alliances Biden has built on issues ranging from the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East to climate change and trade.

The Republican president-elect has threatened tariffs of up to 60 percent on imports of Chinese goods to even out what he says is an imbalance in bilateral trade.

Beijing is grappling with a prolonged housing crisis and sluggish consumption that can only be made worse by a new trade war with Washington.

But economists say punitive levies would also harm the US economy, and others further afield.

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Criminals and drugs

China is an ally of Western pariahs Russia and North Korea, and is building up its own military capacity while ramping up pressure on self-governed Taiwan, which it claims as part of its territory.

It is also expanding its reach into Latin America through infrastructure and other projects under its Belt and Road Initiative.

Xi on Thursday inaugurated South Americas first Chinese-funded port, in Chancay, north of Lima, even as a senior US official warned Latin American countries to be vigilant when it comes to Chinese investment.

The Chinese president is set to meet his Chilean counterpart Gabriel Boric Friday, while Biden will meet Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol  key US allies in Asia.

Blinken is scheduled to address an APEC CEOs meeting being held on the sidelines of the summit.

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With inputs from agencies.
Brazil police chief said a failed bomb attack on Supreme Court is being probed as a terrorist act with possible links to an insurrection last year against President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva read more

Members of the technical scientific police of the Brazilian Federal Police retrieve the body of a man who died after an explosion in front of Brazil's Supreme Federal Court in Brasilia on November 14, 2024. Source: Reuters.

Brazil police has said that a failed bomb attack on the countrys Supreme Court is being probed as a terrorist act with possible links to an insurrection last year against President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

The bomb explosion happened late on Wednesday in the capital Brasilia as the country gears up to host leaders including US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping at a G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro on November 18 and 19.

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The person believed to be the sole perpetrator has died in the attack when he set off the blast outside the Brazil Supreme Court. He was the only casualty.

Extremists are active

During a news conference, Federal police director Andrei Passos Rodrigues said that the dead man, identified as Francisco Wanderley Luiz, 59, allegedly planned the attack over a long period and had apparently acted alone.

He further warned that this is not an isolated act and the extremists are active.

Rodrigues further said that the attack could have been a violent attempt to overthrow democratic rule of law.

Also Read: Man with explosives dies after attempting to infiltrate Brazil Supreme Court

The Brazil Supreme Court turned into a fortress, surrounded by security fencing, the day after the attack.

Motives of crime not known yet

We still do not know the motives of the crime, the police chief said.

On Wednesday around 7:30 pm, Luiz drove a bomb-laden car towards the Supreme Court.

An initial blast occurred after fuses in his car caught fire. He then exited the vehicle and ran towards the court entrance.

Editors Picks 1 Man with explosives dies after attempting to infiltrate Brazil Supreme Court

Seconds later, another blast occurred, killing Luiz in front of the court, officials said.

Luiz rented place at strategic point near Supreme Court

The police chief said that Luiz, the registered owner of the car, had for months been renting a place at a strategic point near the Supreme Court.

As per a report in AFP, inside the property, investigators found a message apparently voicing violent support for the 2023 insurrection and its sympathisers.

The square in front of the Supreme Court building, also known as Praca dos Tres Poderes (Place of the Three Powers), is the location of Brazils congress and presidential palace.

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Thousands of Bolsonaro supporters in January 2023 stormed the three institutions, causing major damage before authorities reimposed order.

At the time of Wednesdays bomb attack, Lula had already left the presidential palace.

With inputs from AFP.
With a new, China hawks-filled, America -focused government set to occupy the White House, the China-US and Taiwan-US relations are on uncertain grounds read more

Taiwan has been called the biggest flashpoint in US-China relations. Reuters

Chinas ambassador to the United States, Xie Feng, cautioned on Friday (November 15) that Taiwan remains the biggest potential flashpoint between Beijing and Washington. Xie warned that any attempt to use the island as leverage could lead to conflict.

The Taiwan question is at the very core of Chinas core interests, and it is the bedrock of the political foundation of China-US relations, Xie said via video link to the US-China Hong Kong Forum, according to South China Morning Post.

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If mishandled, it could be the biggest flashpoint that may trigger conflict and confrontation, he noted.

Xies remarks come in the wake of President-elect Donald Trumps recent election victory. Trump has nominated Senator Marco Rubio, a known China hawk, as Secretary of State, signalling a potentially tougher stance on China from Washington.

China-Taiwan and China-US tensions

Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), operates as a self-governing entity. However, the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has consistently expressed intentions to reunify it with the mainland, using force if necessary.

China has amplified its military presence around Taiwan, conducting extensive exercises that feature advanced weaponry. Notably, the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) has deployed upgraded H-6 bombers, capable of carrying nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles and long-range anti-ship missiles

The US has maintained a policy of strategic ambiguity regarding Taiwan, acknowledging Beijings One China policy while supporting Taiwans self-defence capabilities.

China has expressed concerns over US arms sales to Taiwan.

Following a recent $2 billion US arms sale to Taiwan, China intensified military patrols around the island, deploying aircraft and warships as a form of protest.

With a new, China hawks-filled government set to occupy the White House, these relationships are expected to become more complicated.

Trumps foreign policy is expected to be driven by his America First policy which measn US support to Taiwan might fall on shaky ground. On the other hand, China-US geopolitical and trade tensions are not expected to ease with an intense tariff regime on the horizon.

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With inputs from agencies
India will make a fresh request to Canada for extraditing Khalistani terrorist Arshdeep Singh, also known as Arsh Dalla, after he has been arrested in connection with a shooting incident in Ontario on October 28 read more

Khalistani terrorist Arshdeep Singh Gill, also known as Arsh Dalla, was recently arrested in Canada. Source: Moneycontrol.

India will make a fresh request to Canada for the extradition of Khalistani terrorist Arshdeep Singh Gill, alias Arsh Dalla, following his arrest on October 28 following a shooting incident in Ontario.

Dalla is one of Indias several most-wanted terrorists who has been sheltering in Canada since 2018.

The Indian government has been demanding his arrest since 2023. He has been detained now, not at Indias request.

Indias case for extradition of Arsh Dalla

After various media reports of Dallas arrest, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday (November 14) released a statement saying that the Government of India, in July 2023, had requested the Canadian government for Dallas provisional arrest, but it was declined.

India also provided Canada with additional information in the case but no action has been taken so far.

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Dalla was a close aide of slain Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and now the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF).

Over 50 cases, Red Corner notice against Dalla

As per the ministry, Dalla is a proclaimed offender in over 50 cases of murder, attempt to murder, extortion and terrorist acts including terror financing.

He is wanted by the Punjab Police and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and has a bounty of Rs 10 lakh on him. A Red Corner Notice was issued against him in May 2022.

In 2023, Dalla was designated in India as an individual terrorist.

Is Canada not cooperating with India on Dallas extradition?

In January 2023, India made a separate request under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) to verify his suspected residential address, financial transactions to India, moveable/immovable properties, and details of his mobile number. All these were provided by New Delhi to Ottawa.

In December 2023, the Department of Justice of Canada sought additional information on the case and replies to these queries were sent in March this year.

Also Read: Who is Khalistani extremist Arshdeep Dalla, Nijjar aide detained in Canada, who India wants to extradite?

In view of the recent arrest, our agencies will be following up on an extradition request. Given Arsh Dallas criminal record in India and his involvement in similar illegal activities in Canada, it is expected that he will be extradited or deported to face justice in India, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

Why was Arsh Dalla arrested?

Dalla was arrested after the shooting incident on October 28 in Ontario. During the investigation, the Canadian police found that he was shot at by his own aide, instead of any hitmen sent by rival Lawrence Bishnoi which he claimed earlier.

The probe team found that Dalla along with his associate Gurjant Singh cooked a story of him being a victim of Bishnoi to mislead the cops.

Also Read: Canada haven for criminals, shows its own probe into Dalla shooting

The investigating team also carried out searches at Dallas premises and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, including a rifle, a shotgun, a pistol and two high-capacity magazines of 15 and 35 rounds.

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Elon Musk met Irans ambassador to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani at a secret location in a bid to defuse tensions between Tehran and Washington. The meeting lasted for more than an hour read more

Barely days after Donald Trumps 2024 US Presidential election win, his close adviser and tech billionaire Elon Musk met Irans ambassador to the United Nations in New York and discussed how to defuse tensions between Tehran and Washington.

The New York Times in a report cited two Iranian officials aware of the development as saying that the meeting between Musk and Iranian Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani took place on Monday (November 11) and lasted for more than an hour.

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Musk meets Iranian Ambassador at a secret location

Musk, who has been named as the co-director of a new government efficiency agency, held talks with Iravani at a secret location.

The newspaper quoted anonymous Iranian sources as describing the meeting as positive and good news.

Musk requested meet, Iran ambassador choose the venue

One of the Iranian officials quoted by NYT said that Musk had requested the meeting and the site was picked by the Iranian ambassador.

The report quoted an Iranian Foreign Ministry official as saying that during the meeting, Irans ambassador urged Musk to seek US sanctions exemptions and conduct business in Tehran.

What does Musks meeting with Iran ambassador suggest?

Though there has been no confirmation yet by the Trump transition team or Irans mission to the United Nations about the Musk-Iranian ambassador meeting, but, if confirmed, it offers an indication that Trump is serious about diplomacy with Tehran and not choosing the more hawkish approach favored by many conservatives in his Republican Party as well as Israel.

It also raises the possibility of a change in tone between the US and Iran under Trumps leadership, despite a charged history between the president-elect and Iran.

In his last term in office, Trump had pulled the US out of the 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and world powers which was negotiated under his predecessor Barack Obama.

Trump termed Irans nuclear programme as a horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made. He also slapped tough economic sanctions on Iranian oil revenues and international banking transactions.

Also, Trump had ordered the assassination of a top Iranian general, Qassim Suleimani, in Iraq in 2020.

Irans supreme leader, in response, banned any negotiations with then Trump administration and officials in the country vowed to avenge Suleimanis killing.

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Musk getting more powerful in the Trump transition

From campaigning to Trumps return to power, Musk has emerged as the most powerful citizen and last week he joined the president-elect on telephone calls with world leaders including Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Musk has also played a key role in providing communication capability to Ukraine engaged in a conflict with Russia.

With inputs from agencies.
Hamas official Basem Naim said that Hamas does not regret attacking Israel on October 7 and instead said that Israel should be guilty of carrying out big massacres in Palestine read more

Palestinians gather to receive bags of flour distributed by UNRWA, the U.N. agency helping Palestinian refugees, in Deir al Balah, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (Photo: AP)

Hamas on Friday said that it is ready for an immediate ceasefire but claimed that Israel has not put forth any serious proposal for a truce.

Talking to Sky News, Hamas official Basem Naim that the previous well-defined, brokered deal was advanced in July this year.

It was discussed in all details and I think we were near to a ceasefire  which can end this war, offer a permanent ceasefire and total withdrawal and prisoner exchange. Unfortunately (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu preferred to go the other way, Naim said.

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Trump should pressure Israel

The official urged US President-elect Donald Trump to push the Israeli government in the direction that would see the two warring sides reach an agreement.

We call on the US administration and Trump to pressure the Israeli government to end the aggression, he said.

Throughout his campaign, Trump has vowed to bring peace to the region.

Get it over with and lets get back to peace and stop killing people, Trump said of the conflict in Gaza in an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt in April.

In his victory speech too, the Republican leader vowed to end the conflict as soon as possible.

Im a Palestinian citizen

Naim said that Hamas does not regret attacking Israel on October 7 and instead said that Israel should be guilty of carrying out big massacres in Palestine.

He said, Do you believe that a prisoner who is knocking (on) the door or who is trying to get out of the prison, he has to regret his will to be? This is part of our dignity  to defend ourselves, to defend our children.

Im a member of Hamas, but at the same time Im an innocent Palestinian civilian because I have the right to live a free and dignified life and I have the right to defend myself, to defend my family.

With inputs from agencies
Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military facilities in late October destroyed an active nuclear weapons research facility at the Parchin military complex, near Tehran, according to a report, citing US and Israeli officials read more

A closeup satellite imagery of the Parchin Military Complex in Iran from Nov. 2022.

Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military facilities in late October destroyed an active nuclear weapons research site at the Parchin military complex, near Tehran, according to an Axios report, citing US and Israeli officials.

The strike  which targeted a site previously reported to be inactive  significantly damaged Irans effort over the past year to resume nuclear weapons research, the report added.

The facility, known as Taleghan 2, was part of Irans Amad nuclear weapons programme until the country halted its military nuclear activities in 2003.

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According to the report, citing one former Israeli official, the strike destroyed sophisticated equipment used to design plastic explosives that surround uranium in a nuclear device and are essential for detonating it.

US and Israeli intelligence had detected renewed activity at the Taleghan 2 site earlier this year, including research on computer modeling, metallurgy, and explosive technologies that could potentially be used in nuclear weapons development.

A US official, speaking anonymously to Axios, said the Iranian government was using the facility for scientific activity that could pave the way for nuclear weapon production.

The research was reportedly conducted in a manner that could be presented as civilian in nature.

Iran, however, has repeatedly denied pursuing nuclear weapons.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said last week, Iran is not after nuclear weapons, period.

The Israeli strike on October 25 targeted key military sites across Iran, including Taleghan 2, located about 20 miles southeast of Tehran. Satellite imagery obtained by the Institute for Science and International Security confirmed the complete destruction of the Taleghan 2 building following the attack.

Despite Irans denials, the attack is seen as part of a broader Israeli strategy to counter Tehrans nuclear ambitions. Israeli and US officials had expressed growing concern over the renewed activity at Parchin, and intelligence assessments in recent months reflected heightened alarms about the potential for Iran to revive its nuclear weapons research, reported Axios.

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The strike comes amid a tense period of escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, following an October 1 missile attack by Iran.

Although US President Joe Biden had reportedly asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid striking Iranian nuclear facilities to prevent a broader conflict, the Taleghan 2 site was not part of Irans publicly acknowledged nuclear programme.

This made it difficult for Iran to publicly respond without acknowledging its violation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The attack serves as a strong message from Israel, signaling its deep intelligence capabilities and its ability to target even the most secretive Iranian nuclear activities.

Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is expected to vote next week on a resolution to censure Iran for failing to fully cooperate with the UN nuclear watchdog.

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In response, Iranian officials have indicated that they may limit their cooperation with the IAEA.

As diplomatic pressure intensifies, Araghchi has said Iran is willing to negotiate on its nuclear program with the E3 (France, Germany, and the UK), but insists it will not negotiate under pressure and intimidation.

With inputs from agencies
Kim Jong Un, leader of nuclear-armed country North Korea, has ordered the mass production of attack drones amid mounting concerns over the countrys deepening military cooperation with Russia read more

This picture shows the performance test of suicide attack drones at an undisclosed location in North Korea. Leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the 'mass production' of suicide attack drones after he witnessed a test of the weapons system a day earlier. Source: KCNA VIA KNS | AFP.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the mass production of attack drones, state media reported Friday, as concerns mount over the countrys deepening military cooperation with Russia.

Pyongyang first unveiled its attack drones in August, with experts saying the capability may be attributable to the countrys budding alliance with Russia.

The nuclear-armed country has ratified a landmark defence pact with Moscow and is accused of deploying thousands of troops to Russia to support its war in Ukraine, prompting South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to warn about the potential transfer of sensitive Russian military technology to North Korea.

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Kim on Thursday oversaw the tests of drones designed to hit both land and sea targets, produced by North Koreas Unmanned Aerial Technology Complex, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

He underscored the need to build a serial production system as early as possible and go into full-scale mass production, KCNA said.

The unmanned drones are designed to carry explosives and be deliberately crashed into enemy targets, effectively acting as guided missiles.

Thursdays test saw the drones precisely hit targets after flying along predetermined paths, KCNA reported.

The suicide attack drones to be used within different striking ranges are to perform a mission to precisely attack any enemy targets on the ground and in the sea, the agency said.

Kim said the drones were an easy to use component of striking power due to their relatively low production cost and expansive range of applications, according to KCNA.

He said the North had recently attached importance to developing unmanned hardware systems and to integrating them with the countrys overall military strategy.

Russian tech?

Experts said the drones  in images released by state media in August  looked similar to the Israeli-made HAROP drone, Russian-made Lancet-3 and Israeli HERO 30.

North Korea may have acquired these technologies from Russia, which in turn likely obtained them from Iran  with Tehran itself suspected of accessing them through hacking or theft from Israel.

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In 2022, Pyongyang sent drones across the border that Seouls military was unable to shoot down, saying they were too small.

This year, North Korea has been bombarding the South with trash-carrying balloons, in what it calls retaliation for activists in the South floating anti-regime propaganda missives northwards.

The North has also accused Seoul of violating its sovereignty by flying drones over its capital Pyongyang to drop propaganda leaflets.

By mentioning the production and practical deployment of various drones, North Korea may be hinting it could follow suit, Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, told AFP.

Pyongyang could be suggesting the possibility of using balloons to disseminate leaflets to the South with such drones, Yang said.

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Considering the effectiveness of drone attacks observed in the war in Ukraine, they could also be effectively utilised in the ongoing conflict there, he added.

South Korea launched a drone operation command last year to better address the growing threat.

In October, the North amended its constitution to define South Korea as a hostile state, an illustration of a sharp deterioration in ties since Kim in January declared Seoul his countrys principal enemy.

The North has continued to carry out UN sanctions-defying ballistic missile tests, and last month blew up its roads and railways linking it to the South.
In a statement, the office of the Dominican prime minister said President of the Commonwealth of Dominica Sylvanie Burton will confer the award during the upcoming India-CARICOM Summit scheduled to take place in Georgetown, Guyana, from November 19 to 21 read more

French President Emmanuel Macron awarded PM Modi with the country's highest civilian and military honour, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour. PTI file

The Commonwealth of Dominica has announced that it will confer its highest national award to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a gesture of gratitude for helping the country battle the COVID-19 pandemic.

The government of Dominica said that PM Modi will receive the Dominica Award of Honour for his contributions to strengthening the partnership between the two countries.

In a statement, the office of the Dominican prime minister said President of the Commonwealth of Dominica Sylvanie Burton will confer the award during the upcoming India-CARICOM Summit scheduled to take place in Georgetown, Guyana, from November 19 to 21.

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In February 2021, Prime Minister Modi supplied Dominica with 70,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine  a generous gift which enabled Dominica to extend support to its Caribbean neighbours, the statement said.

This, however, is not the first time the Indian leader will be honoured with a countrys civilian award. As a prime minister, Modi has received a number of distinctions for his contributions and his ability to maintain strong relations.

Here are the awards he has been conferred in the past:

Frances Grand Cross of Legion: In 2023, French President Emmanuel Macron awarded PM Modi with the countrys highest civilian and military honour, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour. The award is conferred to the most deserving citizens from all walks of life

UAEs Order of Zayed: In 2019, the United Arab Emirates conferred PM Modi with the Order of Zayed, the countrys highest civilian award. The award was conferred on Modi by the Abu Dhabi crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in a ceremony held at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi

Russias Order of St Andrew the Apostle: During his visit to Russia earlier this year, PM Modi was awarded the Order of St Andrew the Apostle, the countrys highest order of chivalry. The award was bestowed on the Indian prime minister for his contributions to developing a strategic partnership with Russia

South Koreas Peace Prize: In 2019, PM Modi was conferred the prestigious Seoul Peace Prize for 2018 for his contribution to international cooperation and fostering global economic growth

UNs Champions of the Earth Award: In 2018, United Nations chief Antonio Guterres awarded PM Modi with the Champions of the Earth Award. It is the highest environmental honours that honours individuals for their contributions in public and private sectors

With inputs from PTI
An investigation of his aides might put a blot on his authority as it will reveal whether Netanyahu knew about the attack beforehand and might raise questions about the time he knew when Hamas was going to launch its offensive in Israel read more

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a call from one of his top generals on the morning of the October 7 attacks to warn him that hundreds of Hamas terrorists were preparing to launch an attack in Israel. Now, the prime ministers aides are under probe as investigators think that they might have altered details of that call in the official records.

Netanyahu has been in troubled waters for a long time now. From corruption charges at home to getting blamed for the handling of the war, Netanyahus popularity has sunk both within and outside Israel.

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According to a report by New York Times, an investigation of his aides might put a blot on his authority as it will reveal whether Netanyahu knew about the attack beforehand and might raise questions about the time he knew when Hamas was going to launch its offensive in Israel.

The case of forged phone records

On October 7, 2024 the prime minister spoke frequently with senior army officials including his military secretary Major General Avi Gil.

Police officials are ascertaining whether Netanyahus aides secretely changed his phone records. The bombshell revelation was made by Gil who left office earlier this year.

Gil wrote a complaint to the attorney general saying that the transcripts of the phone call between him and Netanyahu seemed altered, adding that one of the prime ministers aide had coerced the transcriber to doctor the transcripts.

Nentanyahu, however, has always denied being breifed about the attack.

Aides also leaked sensitive docs

Apart from this, PM Netanyahus aides have also been accused of leaking sensitive documents to a foreign news outlet.

Although Israeli officials often hand out documents to journalists, this particular leak is being thourougly probed by Shin Bet officials due to the nature of the documents. The documents were taken from highly classified military intelligence database.

Eli Feldstein, one of Netanyahus aides has already been arrested as part of the investigation along with other four officials who have been accused of helping to procure the document.
Protesters used a truck to smash through the metal gates surrounding the parliament in the capital Sukhumi. Video from the scene then showed people climbing through windows after prying off metal bars and chanting in the corridors read more

Protesters rally outside the parliament building in Sukhumi (Sukhum), the capital of Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia November 15, 2024. Reuters

Protesters stormed the parliament of the Russian-backed breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia on Friday and opposition politicians demanded the resignation of the self-styled president over an unpopular investment agreement with Moscow.

Protesters used a truck to smash through the metal gates surrounding the parliament in the capital Sukhumi. Video from the scene then showed people climbing through windows after prying off metal bars and chanting in the corridors.

An opposition leader, Temur Gulia, told Reuters that their initial demand was to scrap the agreement, but now protesters wanted to go further.

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The people demand the resignation of Aslan Bzhania and categorically intend to achieve it, said Gulia.

We ourselves were not prepared for this turn of events. Our initial demand was only the withdrawal of the investment agreement.

Protesters also broke into the presidential administration offices located in the same building as the parliament. Emergency services said at least nine people were taken to hospital.

Bzhania, who became president in 2020, was not in the complex, Russias TASS state agency reported. His office did not immediately respond to a question from Reuters about Bzhanias whereabouts on Friday.

The presidential administration said in a statement that authorities were preparing to withdraw the investment agreement with Russia that some people in Abkhazia fear will price them out of the property market.

Russia recognised Abkhazia and another breakaway region, South Ossetia, as independent states in 2008 after Russian troops repelled a Georgian attempt to retake South Ossetia in a five-day war.

Most of the world recognises Abkhazia as part of Georgia, from which it broke away during wars in the early 1990s, but Russian money has poured into the lush sub-tropical territory where Soviet-era spa resorts cling to the Black Sea coast.

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Russian money

Abkhazian lawmakers had been set to vote on Friday on the ratification of an investment agreement signed in October in Moscow by Russian Economy Minister Maxim Reshetnikov and his Abkhazian counterpart, Kristina Ozgan.

Abkhazian opposition leaders say the agreement with Moscow, which would allow for investment projects by Russian legal entities, would price locals out of the property market by allowing far more Russian money to flow in.

Russia said on Friday it was following the crisis situation in Abkhazia with concern and urged its citizens to avoid travel there. Russia is Abkhazias largest trading partner.

The opposition said in a statement that the protesters actions were not against Russian-Abkhazian relations, but charged that Bzhania has been trying to use these relations for his own selfish interests, manipulating them for the sake of strengthening his regime.

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Abkhazian society had only one demand: to protect the interests of our citizens and our business, it said.

Earlier this week Bzhania held an emergency security council meeting after protesters rallied in central Sukhumi to demand the release of four activists who had been detained for protesting against a law referencing the Moscow agreement.

In 2014, demonstrators stormed the presidential headquarters, forcing then-leader Alexander Ankvab to flee. He later resigned over accusations of corruption and misrule.

Opposition leader Raul Khadzhimba, elected following the unrest in 2014, was himself forced to step down in 2020 after street protests over disputed election results.
Salafi-jihadist groups aim to establish support zones in northwestern Nigeria, facilitating recruitment, fundraising, and logistical support for operations across West Africa and potentially Europe read more

Suspected Islamist sect member captured by Nigerian troops lies next to a tree in Nigeria. Image used for representational purpose/AP

In Africas volatile Sahel region, a new threat is spilling across borders into Nigeria.

Salafi-jihadist groups, some affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS), are reportedly infiltrating Nigerias northwestern Kebbi and Sokoto states with an agenda that threatens broader regional stability.

According to a recent report by the Institute for the Study of War, Nigerian military officials have noted that an IS-linked faction known as Lakurawas has recently gained a foothold in communities across five districts in Sokoto state.

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They have enforced a strict interpretation of the sharia law, imposed heavy taxes, and established control over local populations.

Image courtesy: ISW

A concerning resurgence

This infiltration into northwestern Nigeria is not new. In 2018, the same faction attempted to entrench itself in Sokoto state. After initially embedding in local communities, the groups heavy-handed tactics, including high taxes and strict religious enforcement, alienated locals, leading to a successful joint Nigerian-Nigerien military operation that expelled them by early 2019.

This resurgence comes amid deteriorating security across the Sahel and diminished Nigeria-Niger joint military operations following the July 2023 coup in Niger. These events have created a vacuum for militant groups to exploit.

However, the re-emergence of these militants underscores their resilience and adaptability in leveraging regional instability.

What do Salafi-Jihadists want to do?

Establishing fundraising channels: Nigeria offers fertile ground for extortion and fundraising, providing a financial lifeline that supports broader operations of Jihadist groups.

ISW has noted that reports suggest IS-linked militants have integrated into regional smuggling networks, running through a Niger-Nigeria border town in Kebbi state.

Local media accounts describe IS operatives levying taxes on civilians in their territories, supplementing their finances through criminal activities like cattle rustling and kidnappings along the Benin border.

Illicit trade, smuggling, and even cooperative operations with non-jihadist bandit factions underpin jihadist financing in West Africa, Nigerian authorities have shared.

Rear support zone: Analysts suggest that northwestern Nigeria is evolving into a rear support zone for jihadist groups operating in the Sahel.

These zones, according to recent UN reports, facilitate the movement of fighters, weapons, and supplies, creating logistical pipelines that support operations across Burkina Faso, Mali, and beyond.

Image courtesy: ISW

In June 2024, the UN confirmed that IS-linked groups in northwestern Nigeria are facilitating supplies for IS Sahel Province (ISSP), extending the influence of the Islamic States West African Province (ISWAP) into Nigerias hinterlands.

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Provide support to IS abroad: Salafi-jihadist cells in Nigerias northwest provide logistical support for IS operations abroad.

Analysts point to Nigerias strategic location along migration and smuggling routes that extend into North Africa and Europe. This positioning has enabled IS to establish facilitation networks stretching from Nigeria to the trans-Saharan routes.

Representative image of Islamic State (IS) members. Reuters

The IS has a history of using its General Directorate of Provinces, with offices like Maktab al Furqan in Nigeria, to coordinate resources for international attacks. This transnational framework gives IS a platform to launch operations that span continents, pooling resources and manpower to target Europe.

The Al-Qaeda vs. Islamic State competition: While IS groups currently hold sway in Nigeria, the influx of Al-Qaeda-linked militants could reignite competition for influence.

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Al-Qaeda and IS affiliates have clashed across the Sahel since 2023, especially in areas where JNIM, an Al-Qaeda affiliate, and ISSP vie for dominance.

In Nigeria, a similar rivalry could emerge as both groups attempt to consolidate control, creating a flashpoint in northwestern Nigeria for inter-jihadi conflict.

Nigerias limited ability to respond

The Nigerian governments ability to address the escalating security crisis is constrained by its limited resources and by regional political turmoil. The July 2023 coup in Niger disrupted cross-border operations, weakening Nigerias counterinsurgency capabilities.

Without robust support from regional allies, the Nigerian military is struggling to stem the infiltration of jihadist networks into its northwestern states.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said last month that Putin was not willing to speak to Scholz about brokering peace in Ukraine, and criticised him for rejecting overtures for talks. read more

German news agency reports Chancellor Scholz had a one-hour call with Russian President Putin, first in two years.

The leaders last spoke directly in December 2022. Yes, I decided to talk to the president of Russia at the right time. But Im a responsible politician, I dont do it alone, Scholz told the German broadcaster ARD on Sunday.

It comes after US President-elect Donald Trump reportedly held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on November 7, according to informed sources.

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During the discussion, Trump reportedly warned against escalating the Ukraine war and highlighted the extensive US military presence in Europe. The Ukrainian government was informed of the call, sources suggest.

The last known dialogue between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Putin happened in December 2022, during which Scholz urged the Russian leader to withdraw troops from Ukraine.

Germany remains Ukraines second-largest military supporter after the United States, contributing billions of euros in military and humanitarian aid.

With inputs from agencies.
A US Secret Service agent lost his job in 2022 when he invited a lover to the Obamas beachside Hawaii home, when he was tasked with protecting the former president, and offered to have sex in former first lady Michelle Obamas bathroom read more

A secret service agent, tasked with protecting US former president Barack Obama, was allegedly sacked in 2022 for compromising national security and breaching assigned role after he brought his girlfriend to Obamas beachfront property in Hawaii and suggested to have sex in Michelle Obamas bathroom, when the family was away.

The revelation has been made in a self-published book Undercover Heartbreak: a Memoir of Trust and Trauma written by Koryear Dwanyen, who claims to be the ex-lover of the agent for whom he broke the protocol.

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The US Secret Service has also confirmed what Dwanyen wrote in her book published on October 28.

The revelations

In her book, Dwanyen referred to the Secret Service agent as Dale and said that he invited her to the Hawaii estate of Obamas in 2022 during their absence.

No one will know

Dwanyen quoted the agent assuring that No one will know and If anything (goes wrong), Im the one who could get in trouble.

Wanted to have sex in Michelle Obamas bathroom

In her book, Dwanyen also mentioned that the Secret Service agent wanted to hook up with her in former first lady Michelle Obamas bathroom.

She claimed that Dale told her, We should have sex in Michelles bathroom, like a mile-high club.

Where did Dwanyen meet the Secret Service agent?

Dwanyen claimed that she first met the agent in 2022 when she holidaying in Marthas Vineyard, an island in Massachusetts, where he was tasked with keeping the Obama family, including their daughters Sasha and Malia, protected,

In her book Dwanyen said when she met Dale he told her that he had been divorced for about a decade, but as their relationship blossomed, she discovered that he was still married.

The ABC News report said that during a telephonic interview with Dwanyen, she said that one of her friends warned, You were a walking national security risk.

Is Dwanyens story fictional?

No, it isnt. the chief of communications for the US Secret Service, Anthony Guglielmi confirmed what Dwanyen has detailed in her book.

According to a report by ABC News, Guglielmi said that an incident resembling the one in the memoir had actually occurred and that the agent in question was consequently dismissed from his job.

On November 6, 2022, a Secret Service agent involved in protective functions brought an individual who did not have authorised access into a protectees residence without permission, he said.

He said that their activities were a grave breach of the agencys policies and protectees trust.

As soon as the Secret Service became aware of the incident, the agent involved was immediately suspended and after a full investigation, terminated, Guglielmi said.

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With inputs from agencies.
South Korean President Suk Yeol Yoon also called for the two countries to further strengthen cooperation in the economic sector, which he called the central axis of bilateral relations over the past 30 years read more

President Yoon Suk Yeol called for the need for increased cooperation between South Korea and China to ensure regional peace, particularly in response to North Koreas provocations and the growing military ties between North Korea and Russia, Yonhap news agency reported on Saturday.

Yoon expressed his hope that the two nations could work together to promote stability and peace, addressing issues such as North Koreas actions, the war in Ukraine, and military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.

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Yoon also called for strengthened economic collaboration, which he described as the central axis of bilateral relations over the past three decades.

Read Also: China prepares to retaliate against potential trade war with Donald Trump

Xi and Yoon held a summit for the first time in two years on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Lima, Peru.

Xi told Yoon that in the past two years, there has been no shortage of changes in the international and regional situation, according to Chinese state media, without specifying any country or conflict.

He added that irrespective of those changes, both countries economies were highly integrated, shared cultural similarities and were geographically close, advantages that should continue to be tapped into by deepening cooperation.

With inputs from agencies.
Carlos Mazon, head of Spains Valencia region, admitted to mistakes in handling the countrys deadliest flood in decades that killed 216 people read more

Volunteers help firefighters remove mud from a basement, in the aftermath of floods caused by heavy rains, in Alfafar, near Valencia, Spain, November 3, 2024. File Image/Reuters

Spanish regional leader admits mistakes in handling deadly floods

The head of Spains eastern Valencia region admitted Friday to mistakes in handling the countrys deadliest flood in decades that killed 216 people there and apologised.

The October 29 disaster claimed 224 lives nationwide. The floods wrecked infrastructure, gutted buildings and submerged fields.

The final bill is expected to soar to tens of billions of euros.

Im not going to deny mistakes, Carlos Mazon told Valencias regional parliament, adding he was not going to shirk any responsibility.

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As the head of the regional government I would like to apologise to those who felt that the aid did not arrive or was not enough, he added.

As he spoke, dozens of protesters gathered outside the building, jeering and chanting slogans demanding his resignation and calling him a liar.

Almost half the people killed in Valencia were 70 years old or older and 26 were foreigners, including two Britons.

Outrage at the authorities for their perceived mismanagement before and after the floods triggered mass protests on Saturday, the largest in Valencia city which drew 130,000 people.

Several carried placards that read: Our hands are stained with mud, theirs with blood.

Critics have questioned the efficiency of the Valencia regions alert system. In some cases residents were only contacted on telephone when floodwater was already gushing through towns.

The emergency alert was only sent after 8 pm, nearly 13 hours after state weather agency warned of the risk of very intense rain.

The head of Valencias emergency department admitted she did not learn it was possible to send such warnings until the evening of the first day of the floods.

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Under Spains decentralised system of government, regional governments lead disaster response.

Spains Socialist-led central government has said Mazons administration, run by the conservative Popular Party (PP), bore responsibility for not issuing the alert earlier.

Mazon has also come under fire for having been missing for several critical hours on the afternoon of the disaster when it was already raining heavily.

In response to repeated questions for explanations for his absence, he finally admitted he had been having lunch with a journalist to offer her the directorship of the regional television station.

Many residents have complained hey were left without food and water for days and had to rely on aid provided by volunteers instead of the government.

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(Except the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayakes party NPP has won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections.

In the 225-member parliament, the NPP has won the majority with 141 seats, according to the Election Commission of Sri Lanka. Elections are being held for 196 of these seats on proportional representation basis. The remaining seats would be allocated on their basis of their share to overall votes polled.

The NPP appears to be headed towards winning a two-third majority in the parliament.

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The NPPs landslide victory comes weeks after Dissanayake won the presidential elections in September by a margin of around 12 lakh (1.2 million) votes.

The rise of Dissanayake and NPP marks the departure of Sri Lankas longtime strongmen Rajapaksas. Their party SLPP has been relegated to just two seats so far in the parliamentary elections.

Dissanayake ran on anti-corruption plank, arguing that the benefits of the economic recovery programme have not been equal across the country. He has also been benefitted by the perception that previous president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, was chummy with the unpopular Rajapaksas. The tax hikes that came with the terms of the International Monetary Funds (IMF) bailout made Wickremesinghe more unpopular and boosted Dissanayakes prospects.

Dissanayakes NPP was a favourite to win the election from the onset, but the scale of the victory was not expected.

While Dissanayakes party is now leading the polls, it has just three members in the outgoing parliament, highlighting the surge in popularity the party acquired since the national uprising against the Rajapaksas two years ago at the peak of financial crisis.

Economy continues to be the main issue for Sri Lankans, who are not out of the woods yet. Even as prices have relatively stabilised and the shortages of essentials has been managed since the peak of around two years ago, the benefits have been criticised as not favouring the commonfolk very much. Moreover, around 25 per cent of the population continues to remain under the poverty line, which is a challenge for any government.

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Taiwan President Lai Ching-te is reportedly planning stopovers in Hawaii and possibly Guam during an upcoming visit to Pacific allies, a sensitive move amid US-China tensions over Taiwans international interactions read more

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te is planning to stop in Hawaii and maybe Guam on a visit to Taipeis diplomatic allies in the Pacific in the coming weeks, sources told Reuters, a sensitive trip coming shortly after the U.S. election.

Lai, who won election in January, has yet to travel overseas since taking office in May. China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, detests Lai as a separatist and routinely objects to any interaction between Taiwans government and foreign officials.

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Six sources briefed on the visit, speaking on condition of anonymity given the sensitivity of the matter, told Reuters that Lai is planning a stopover in Hawaii as part of an overseas trip starting in the coming weeks.

A stopover in the U.S. territory of Guam was also being discussed, four of the sources said. Both Hawaii and Guam are home to major U.S. military bases.

Two of the sources said that the stopovers would be part of Lais visit to Taiwans diplomatic allies in the Pacific.

The Pacific countries of Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau are three of the 12 remaining states which maintain formal ties with Taipei. Reuters was unable to determine precisely which countries Lai would go to and dates of the visits.

Taiwans presidential office said Lai at present has no overseas trips planned, but if he does the government will announce it at an appropriate time.

The U.S. is Taiwans most important international backer and arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic recognition.

We refer you to the Taiwan authorities for the travel plans of high-level Taiwan officials. We have nothing further on this, a State Department spokesperson said.

Lin Jian, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, told reporters in Beijing that the governments position has consistently been to oppose such transits and that China urges the United States not to permit this for Lai.

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US government changing

Lais trip will be taking place at the tail end of the administration of President Joe Biden, who has said U.S. forces would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion.

President-elect Donald Trump, whose first administration strongly backed Taiwan, unnerved Taipei on the campaign trail by saying the island should pay to be protected. He has since nominated pro-Taiwan Marco Rubio as secretary of state.

The Palau and Marshall Islands presidents offices and the Tuvalu government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Taiwan presidents typically make use of what are officially only stopovers in the United States to meet friendly U.S. politicians and give speeches. Such stopovers are typically on visits to far flung allies in the Pacific, Latin America or the Caribbean.

One person familiar with the U.S. leg said they expected Lais visit to be lower key than usual and that logistics are still being worked on.

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The Pacific islands nations visits are also important as China has been gradually whittling away at the number of countries there who retain ties with Taiwan. In January, tiny Nauru switched relations back to Beijing.

China has ramped up its military activities around Taiwan in the past five years, including holding another round of war games in May shortly after Lais inauguration it said were a warning to separatist acts

Taiwans government rejects Beijings sovereignty claims and says it has a right to engage with other countries and for its leaders to make foreign trips.

In August of last year, China held a day of military drills around Taiwan after then-vice president Lai returned from the United States, where he officially made only stopovers but gave speeches on his way to and from Paraguay.

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In April of last year, China also held war games around Taiwan in anger at a U.S. trip by then-President Tsai Ing-wen, who met then-U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles.

In 2017 and 2019, Tsai stopped in Hawaii during her visits to Pacific allies.

(Except the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
China has entered the region aggressively, is adapting quickly, and is committed to staying for the long term. Without a significant change in US regional economic policy, the region will continue leaning toward Chinese interests read more

China is already making gains with South American countries that are wary of Trump's potential protectionist stand. File Image

China is likely to find new opportunities to deepen economic ties with Latin America as the incoming Trump administration shifts toward protectionist policies, experts said at the APEC CEO Summit held in Perus capital this week.

Key areas for potential collaboration include mining, manufacturing, renewable energy, agriculture, digitalisation, and artificial intelligence, according to experts cited by Chinese business outlet Caixin.

China to reap benefits of America First in South America

President-elect Donald Trumps America First approach marks a turn inward for the US, potentially allowing China to strengthen its foothold in South America.

Chinas rising presence across Latin America points to a broader shift, as countries like Brazil, Chile, and Argentina increasingly rely on Beijing as a major trade partner, supplying it with corn, copper, soy, beef, and lithium, a key component for batteries.

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This trend has diminished Washingtons political influence in the region, which expanded under Trumps first term and continued under President Biden.

China in the US backyard

This is the United States backyard, Reuters quoted Li Xing, a professor at the Guangdong Institute for International Strategies, as saying. He noted that Chinas approach offsets US influence in the Indo-Pacific region without escalating tensions by establishing military bases. Economic ties come first, he said.

Chinas trade relationship with Peru illustrates the shift.

According to UN Comtrade data, Beijings trade advantage over the US with Peru grew to $16.3 billion last year, a stark contrast to a decade ago when Washington was the dominant partner.

China became Perus top trade partner in 2015, expanding its lead during Trumps presidency from 2017-2021 and continuing under Biden.

China has entered the region aggressively, is adapting quickly, and is committed to staying for the long term, said Eric Farnsworth, a former US State Department official now at the Council of the Americas and Americas Society. Without a significant change in US regional economic policy, the region will continue leaning toward Chinese interests."

With inputs from agencies
Our priority is still to protect people, protect the nation, to liberate people from almost 10 years of temporary occupation, so Crimea and Donbas are part of Ukraine, Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov recently said. However, despite Ukraines resolve, the strain of war is growing read more

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, firefighters put out the fire after Russia attacked the city with guided bombs overnight in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. File image/AP

Ukraine is fast approaching its third winter of the war with Russia.

The country is struggling to reconcile two fronts: dealing with a humanitarian crisis driven by Russian strikes on its energy infrastructure and an ambitious military campaign to reclaim territories occupied by Moscow not just in this war, but over the last decade.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov recently spoke of Kyivs commitment to restoring its territorial integrity, dismissing reports suggesting a shift in focus to prioritising security over reclaiming land.

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Our priority is still to protect people, protect the nation, to liberate people from almost 10 years of temporary occupation, so Crimea and Donbas are part of Ukraine, Umerov said during a press conference in Oslo.

Despite Ukraines resolve, the strain of war is growing.

Russian attacks on critical energy infrastructure have left approximately 65 per cent of Ukraines energy production offline, according to the United Nations.

The outages are worse than in the previous two winters, leaving millions vulnerable as temperatures drop. Power limits have been imposed on businesses after a recent wave of Russian missile and drone strikes, forcing the country to rely heavily on its nuclear power plants.

Humanitarian organisations have warned that further strikes could trigger mass displacement within Ukraine and beyond.

If they target the energy sector again, this could be a tipping point for further mass movements, said Matthias Schmale, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine.

Currently, 3.6 million people are displaced within the country, while over 6 million have sought refuge abroad. The UN and its partners are implementing a Winter Response Plan to provide emergency aid, including fuel and warming supplies.

Shelters, referred to as Invincibility Points, have been set up for residents to find warmth and sustenance.

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However, only half of the 1.7 million people targeted by aid efforts have been reached, largely due to funding shortfalls.

This year, the UN has received $1.8 billion in humanitarian funding for Ukraine, significantly less than the $3.1 billion it sought.

In frontline regions such as Kharkiv and Kherson, the situation is especially dire for the disabled, elderly, and those stranded in high-rise buildings near active conflict zones. Aid workers report that donor fatigue is affecting the ability to respond adequately to the growing needs.

Ukraines dual focus military resistance and addressing the humanitarian fallout is ambitious and reflective of the complicated dynamics on the battlefield.

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The road ahead for the country appears to be fraught with both military and humanitarian obstacles.

With inputs from agencies
Democrats are pushing for a motion to formally reiterate that Donald Trump can not run for a third term in office after the President-elect joked about contesting 2028 polls read more

After President-elect Donald Trump suggested that he would be willing to serve an unconstitutional third term, Democratic lawmakers are seeking a resolution rejecting the idea. Trump alluded to running in the 2028 US Presidential election during his meeting with the House Republicans on Wednesday.

While the president-elect drew laughter from the Republican caucus for his remarks, Democrats took his words seriously. I suspect I wont be running again unless you say, Hes so good weve got to figure something else out, said Trump during the meeting. On Wednesday, Dan Goldman, the New York Democratic congressman announced that he plans to file a motion to formalise what is already enshrined in the American Constitution.

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It is pertinent to note that Trump would be barred from running again for office under the 22nd Amendment of the US Constitution, limiting a commander-in-chief to two four-year terms. The clause was approved by the US Congress back in 1947, two years after Franklin D Roosevelts four-term, 12-year presidency before and during the Second World War which only ended with his death.

What does the motion say?

According to NBC News, Goldmans motion features language highlighting the amendment applies to two terms in the aggregate as president of the United States and reaffirms that it applies to President-elect Trump. However, the motion is unlikely to receive a scheduled vote in the US House of Representatives, where Republicans still hold the majority.

Democrats could seek to introduce it as a privilege motion which would guarantee it a floor time in the House. Interestingly, the tool was previously used to force votes on the ousting of Republican former speaker Kevin McCarthy last year. The Congress also used the provision for the expulsion of fabulist former colleague George Santos from the House.

In July, Trump asserted that if he was re-elected in this months presidential election you wont have to vote any more. Itll be fixed so good, youre not going to have to. Democrats went on to call the remarks terrifying and interpreted the statement as Trump saying there wont be more elections after the 2024 race.

In May, Trump once again hinted at considering a third term in office. I dont know, are we going to be considered three-term or two-term? Are we three-term or two-term if we win?, the business-mogul-turned politician said while addressing the National Rifle Association.

Despite deploying his allies in top brass Trump will still struggle to bring an amendment

It is pertinent to note that despite the Republicans having a majority in the Senate and House and Trump installing a conservative majority in the Supreme Court, the president-elect would face an almost insurmountable barrier to modify the term-limit rules and allow him to stand in a fourth consecutive election.

A proposal to introduce a constitutional amendment would require a two-thirds majority in both chambers, plus the approval of three-quarters of the states, either through their legislatures or at a constitutional convention.

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The American Constitution has been amended only 27 times since it was first ratified in 1788. The last time the Constitution was amended was in 1992 with a measure which would prevent lawmakers from determining their own salaries.

With inputs from agencies.
From judicial appointments to funding for projects to amending contracts so that employees have greater protection against Trumps policies Democrats want Biden to give it his all to limit the damage Trump can do read more

Joe Biden salutes while boarding Air Force One as he departs for Wilmington, on November 11, and Donald Trump attends a campaign event in Duluth, Georgia, on October 23, 2024. Reuters/File Photo

Capitol Hill Democrats are pushing President Joe Biden to take aggressive action in his final weeks in office to counter President-elect Donald Trumps expected plans to dismantle federal agencies and reshape them according to his preferences.

With the Republican-controlled House limiting legislative options, Democrats are urging Biden to implement a series of unilateral actions to safeguard their policy achievements and strengthen the agencies Trump has said he may target, including the Justice Department and intelligence agencies, The Hill reported.

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Theres a lot that the Biden administration can do, and I know theyve done some scenario planning, said Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif. It would be a huge mistake not to prepare and put plans in place.

Reports indicate Trump is considering sweeping changes, including a possible purge of Pentagon leadership he perceives as woke and reshaping various departments.

His picks for high-profile positions  Matt Gaetz as attorney general, Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead Health and Human Services  have all pledged to bring major shifts to the offices they would lead.

One of Trumps proposals involves a new Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy.

DOGE would focus on restructuring government agencies, cutting regulations, and reducing spending. Democrats argue this agenda is meant to advance Trumps personal interests rather than the countrys.

How Democrats want Biden to limit Trumps options

With these concerns in mind, some Democratic lawmakers are calling for Biden to deploy an array of executive orders, finalise pending regulations, and expedite funding for projects already authorised by Congress.

We should do everything that we can, said Rep. Juan Vargas, D-Calif. Hes still the president until the last moment.

Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., suggested that Biden could amend union contracts to provide federal employees with stronger protections against a potential Trump purge. Those contracts can be modified, he said. Its an executive branch issue.

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Other Democrats are focusing on judicial appointments, pushing for the confirmation of as many Biden-appointed federal judges as possible before the Senate shifts to a Republican majority next year.

Some lawmakers also want Biden to use his remaining time to shield federal lands from oil, gas, and mining operations. Protect as much land as possible from development, Vargas advised.

Democrats acknowledge Bidens powers are limited. Executive orders can be quickly rescinded by a new administration, as Biden himself did in 2021, including removing Trumps Schedule F designation for some federal workers, which had made it easier to dismiss them.

Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., noted the temporary nature of executive actions but argued that forcing Trump to undo popular policies could create a contrast on issues like worker rights.

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US President-elect Donald Trumps latest Cabinet picks reveal a clear pattern: loyalty takes precedence over conventional qualifications. Selections like Matt Gaetz for Attorney General and Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence highlight Trumps strategy to surround himself with unwavering allies, even if some lack direct experience read more

Republican presidential nominee and former US President Donald Trump and Former US Representative Tulsi Gabbard gesture as they attend a town hall event in La Crosse, Wisconsin, US, August 29, 2024. File Image/Reuters

Take 2. Administration assemble!

The selection of United States President-elect Donald Trumps second term dream team is still under progress, and the former US president has chosen several Cabinet members with a common defining trait  absolute loyalty.

Trumps latest picks, many of whom have limited experience in government, appear poised to reshape American institutions and pursue Trumps America First agenda with unwavering support for his directives.

From national defence to foreign policy, Trumps selections signal an intent to surround himself with trusted allies willing to execute his vision without resistance.

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Key appointments made for Trump 2.0

Among the most talked-about selections is Congressman Matt Gaetz, 42, as US Attorney General. Gaetz, who has not previously worked in the Justice Department or served as a prosecutor, has been a vocal supporter of Trump.

However, his selection raised eyebrows given his limited qualifications and his past investigation by the Justice Department regarding allegations of sex trafficking  a probe from which he was later cleared in 2023.

There may be obstacles in confirming Gaetz to the attorney general position. Many Republicans have expressed concerns over Trumps nomination. File Image/Reuters

Gaetzs appointment reflects Trumps determination to have an attorney general who will execute his directives without hesitation. As a close Trump associate told Reuters, Gaetz will do exactly as Trump says, which is why he was picked, I guess.

In another unconventional move, Trump named former Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence (DNI). Gabbard, who is known for her opposition to military intervention, particularly regarding Syria, and her controversial stance on Russias invasion of Ukraine, has limited experience with intelligence.

Gabbard, a former Democrat, has been critical of Biden and his administration, accusing her former party of being controlled by an elitist cabal of warmongers and pushing woke ideologies. File Image/AFP

Nevertheless, Trump praised her commitment, stating, I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our intelligence community. Gabbards appointment signals Trumps preference for loyalty over experience in overseeing the nations intelligence network, which comprises 18 agencies.

Another notable pick is Pete Hegseth, a Fox News commentator and military veteran, chosen as Secretary of Defence. Hegseth, who has questioned diversity in military roles and advocated for pardoning servicemembers accused of war crimes, now faces the challenge of overseeing nearly three million military personnel.

Donald Trump is interviewed by Fox and Friends co-host Pete Hegseth at the White House in Washington on April 6, 2017. File Image/Reuters

Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth voiced concerns, stating, Putting someone as dangerously unqualified as Pete Hegseth into that role is something that should scare all of us.

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In a somewhat traditional move, Trump nominated Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State. Rubio, 53, has maintained a hardline stance on China and is an outspoken critic of Cubas Communist regime.

Republican presidential nominee and former US President Donald Trump and and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) react during a campaign event at Dorton Arena, in Raleigh, North Carolina, US, November 4, 2024. File Image/Reuters

Trumps nomination of Rubio offers a degree of balance, potentially reassuring Americas allies and signaling that some traditional alliances, such as NATO, might be maintained.

What Trump is looking for in his Cabinet picks

In assembling his new Cabinet, Trump has stated loyalty as an absolute requirement. His administration is taking a forensic approach to vetting candidates, reviewing past statements and affiliations to identify any history of disloyalty.

Trump has notably excluded former allies like Nikki Haley and Mike Pompeo, both of whom have criticised him at various points. Reuters quoted Trump adviser Mike Davis, who frequently consults with the president-elect, according to whom: Political appointees require both competency and loyalty. You cant have just one or the other. You need both.

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Trumps preference for loyalty extends even to lower-level appointees. Researchers have been reportedly contracted to sift through candidates backgrounds for any signs of potential dissent. Trumps experience with past appointees, some of whom attempted to moderate his controversial policies, has reinforced his resolve to avoid dissenting voices this term.

What Trumps selections say about his policy agenda

Trumps appointees generally share his scepticism toward foreign aid, particularly in the case of Ukraine. While the choice of Rubio as Secretary of State may calm some anxieties among Americas allies, other appointees, such as Gabbard, have voiced strong opposition to the US involvement in supporting Ukraine.

Gabbard has described Ukraine as a corrupt kleptocracy, and her views align with Trumps hesitation to continue American assistance to Kyiv.

Also Read | What Trump 2.0 means for polarised, war-ridden world order

The combination of Hegseth as Secretary of Defence and Gabbard as DNI represents a significant ideological shift. Both have voiced strong support for Trumps positions and show little inclination to challenge his vision.

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Hegseths appointment suggests a possible rollback on diversity efforts within the military, as he has publicly questioned the value of inclusivity initiatives in combat roles. Such views indicate a broader ideological shift in how the Trump administration may address national defence and security policies.

Will the GOP-controlled Senate welcome these picks?

While Trumps nominees will likely enjoy strong support from Republican lawmakers, some moderates may express hesitation. Trumps picks, particularly Gaetz and Hegseth, could face tough confirmation processes.

Republican Senator Susan Collins voiced her surprise regarding Gaetz, stating, I was shocked that he has been nominated. The president obviously has the right to nominate whomever he wants. But I think this is an example of why its so important that we have the advice and consent provisions in the Constitution.

Also Watch:

Trumps approach to filling his administration is largely driven by a desire for loyalty and alignment with his policies.

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With inputs from agencies
US President-elect Donald Trump has announced several key positions in his new Cabinet. However, some of these appointments, such as Matt Gaetz for Attorney General, will need Senate confirmation. However, American law allows Trump to use recess appointments to bypass this process read more

As President-elect Donald Trump moves to set up a more forceful presidency than in his first term, he is choosing loyalists for his Cabinet and considering a tool known as recess appointments to skip over Senate confirmations for even some of the most powerful positions in US government.

Trump over the weekend demanded that Republican leaders in the Senate, who will hold a majority in the chamber next year, agree to allow recess appointments. It would be a significant shift in power away from the Senate, but Trump is returning to Washington with almost total support from his party, including the more traditional Republicans who still hold sway in the chamber.

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Their commitment, however, is being tested now that Trump has turned to picking people outside the Republican Party mainstream like former Republicans Matt Gaetz of Florida and Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii for top positions.

It quickly became apparent Wednesday (November 13) that figures like Gaetz, who Trump announced as his choice for attorney general, may struggle to gain majority support from the Senate, even though Republicans will enjoy a 53-seat majority. But that may not matter if Trump is able to use recess appointments.

How do recess appointments work?

The Senate, as set up by the US Constitution, holds an important role in confirming  or rejecting  high-level officials like Cabinet positions, judges and ambassadors. Its part of the governments checks and balances that ensures the president does not get to unilaterally rule. However, there is a clause in the Constitution that allows presidents to fill out their administrations while the Senate is in recess.

Lights shine inside the US Capitol Building as night falls. File image/AP

During the nations early history, Congress would take months-long breaks from Washington and presidents could use recess appointments to avoid having an important job go unfilled. But more recently, the process of recess appointments has been featured in partisan fights with the president.

Also Read: Donald Trumps new Cabinet: Loyalty over experience?

President Bill Clinton made 139 recess appointments and President George W Bush made 171, though neither used the process for top-level Cabinet positions, according to the Congressional Research Service. President Barack Obama tried to continue the practice, using it 32 times, but a 2014 Supreme Court ruling put a check on the presidents power to make recess appointments.

The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the Senate has to recess or adjourn for 10 days before a president can make unilateral appointments. That resulted in a practice where the Senate  even during weeks-long breaks from Washington  still holds pro-forma sessions where one senator opens and closes the chamber, but no legislative business is conducted.

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The House also holds some power over recess appointments by refusing to allow the Senate to adjourn.

Why is Trump demanding recess appointments?

Trump envisions becoming a president who is much stronger and forceful than perhaps any before him.

While still president in 2020, Trump threatened to use recess appointments after Democrats had slowed the Senate from confirming his nominees. He threatened to use presidential power in the Constitution to adjourn both chambers of Congress on extraordinary occasions and when there is a disagreement between the House and Senate on adjourning.

Senate Minority Whip John Thune walks with reporters. AP

When Trump becomes president again next year, he will be working with Republicans who hold a majority in the House and Senate and are promising to back his agenda. But the demand for recess appointments allows Trump to flex his political power and potentially ram through even the most controversial choices for his administration.

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Senator John Thune, who was elected as the next Senate majority leader this week, is pledging to keep an aggressive schedule until his nominees are confirmed. Thune, a South Dakota Republican, is also not taking recess appointments off the table.

To allow Trump to make the appointments, Republican senators would have to pass a motion of adjournment with a simple majority vote, though Democrats would likely do everything in their power to prevent it. It is also not clear if such a move would be fully supported by GOP senators.

Would recess appointments work?

Its not clear. The announcements of Gaetz and Gabbard this week sputtered the Senate into life, with some GOP senators issuing reminders of the importance of their advise and consent role in choosing the presidents Cabinet.

Also Read: Alarmed Democrats file motion to reiterate that Trump cant run for third term

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Republican Senator John Cornyn, who just days before suggested he may be open to allowing Trump to make recess appointments as he ran unsuccessfully for Senate leader, told reporters Thursday, Obviously, I dont think we should be circumventing the Senates responsibilities, but I think its premature to be talking about recess appointments right now.

Still, there are very few, if any, Republicans remaining who dare openly defy Trump. GOP senators are planning to begin hearings on Trumps Cabinet nominees as soon as the new Congress begins on January 3.
The escalating crisis of military suicides in the US and India underscores the shared challenges of addressing mental health and reducing stigma among armed forces read more

Suicide among US military service members continues to increase highlighting a distressing trend despite extensive prevention efforts. According to the US Department of Defences latest annual report, suicides among active-duty service members rose from 331 in 2022 to 363 in 2023, marking a stark escalation. The suicide rate rose alarmingly from 17 per 100,000 in 2011 to 26 per 100,000 in 2023. Particularly concerning is the disproportionate impact on younger enlisted males under the age of 30, who account for over 60 per cent of these cases. Most of these suicides involved firearms, followed by hanging or asphyxiation, indicating a pressing need for interventions aimed at high-risk groups within the military.

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In response, the Department of Defence established a Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee in 2022. This committee has since provided recommendations designed to improve mental health resources, reduce stigma and enhance suicide prevention training. While these initiatives are crucial, the alarming rate of suicides in the military suggests that more comprehensive and sustained support is urgently needed.

Contributing factors to military suicides

Military service members face unique challenges that can deeply affect their mental health, often leading to severe conditions such as PTSD, depression and anxiety. Extended deployments and exposure to combat situations can leave lasting psychological scars. Veterans, in particular, struggle with the transition to civilian life, where alienation and emotional strain often exacerbate existing mental health conditions.

Despite the Department of Defences efforts to expand mental health services, many service members remain reluctant to seek help. A pervasive stigma within the military community fosters fears that seeking support could harm their career progression or be perceived as a weakness. This stigma is especially challenging for those in remote or isolated postings, where access to mental health resources is already limited, leaving individuals without the necessary support during crucial times.

Prolonged separations from family and friends further compound feelings of loneliness among service members. The transition out of active duty can deepen this isolation, as veterans may find it challenging to bond with civilian peers who lack understanding of military experiences. Military life also brings unique financial stressors, as many struggle to balance the demands of service with family responsibilities, which can worsen mental health struggles. According to report in CBS News, substance abuse is another factor, as some service members turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with stress, ultimately increasing their risk of suicide.

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The suicide crisis also extends beyond active-duty personnel, with the Department of Veterans Affairs reporting a suicide rate of 33.9 per 100,000 among veterans in 2021. Reintegration programs for veterans exist but often fail to provide the long-term support necessary to address ongoing mental health issues. Access to consistent, quality mental health care remains limited, leaving many veterans vulnerable to the long-term impacts of untreated mental health conditions.

US Department of Defence tnitiatives

In an attempt to address these issues, the Department of Defence has implemented various programmes, including establishing the Suicide Prevention Response and Independent Review Committee. This committee has put forth 83 recommendations, covering improvements in mental health care delivery, reducing stigma and expanding suicide prevention training. Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin emphasised the importance of these initiatives, acknowledging that previous efforts had limited impact due to insufficient long-term investment.

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To reinforce these programmes, the Pentagon plans to allocate $250 million toward suicide prevention in fiscal year 2025, marking the largest investment to date. This funding aims to support the implementation of the committees recommendations, with 20 recommendations already completed. Deputy Director of the Defence Departments Office of Force Resiliency, Timothy Hoyt told CBS News the significance of sustained funding, stressing that only a long-term commitment can yield lasting results in addressing the crisis.

Situation beyond the US: Military suicides in India

The issue of military suicides is not unique to the US. Other countries are similarly affected. In India, military suicide rates have also raised significant concerns. Between 2017 and 2022, nearly 819 Indian military personnel, especially within the army, died by suicide, averaging one suicide every other day. Prolonged exposure to high-stress counterinsurgency operations, isolation and lack of adequate support have been identified as major contributing factors. In response, the Indian military has enhanced its mental health support, offering counselling and targeted assessments for personnel returning from high-stress deployments or extended leave periods.

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The Ministry of Defence has taken steps to address this crisis, working with the Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR) to conduct in-depth studies aimed at identifying stress factors among service members.

Comparative insights

Both the United States and India are making concerted efforts to address mental health challenges within their armed forces. In the US, the Department of Defences increased funding and the creation of the Suicide Prevention and Response Committee reflect the importance placed on this issue. Meanwhile, in India, the defence ministrys collaboration with the DIPR aims to establish evidence-based strategies to address the specific stressors faced by Indian soldiers, particularly those stationed in conflict zones.

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While the US has focussed on broad improvements to mental health resources and destigmatisation, India is also working on enhancing support for soldiers in high-risk zones. However, both countries face similar cultural and systemic barriers, including persistent stigma and inconsistent access to mental health care, which hinder progress.

Addressing a multifaceted crisis

The rising rates of suicide among military personnel demand an integrated response. Effective solutions must combine mental health resources, social support structures and substantial funding for long-term initiatives. The military suicide crisis highlights the need for collective awareness, strong mental health frameworks and sustained commitment from defence institutions and governments worldwide.

An approach that acknowledges the unique stressors of military life while breaking down mental health barriers is essential to combat this issue effectively. While the efforts of the Indian and US militaries to address this crisis are commendable, achieving meaningful change requires a sustained investment, long-term strategy and a cultural shift that recognises mental health as crucial to military service.
Upon Florida Senator Marco Rubios confirmation as the Secretary of State, Governor Ron DeSantis is being urged to appoint US President-elect Donald Trumps daughter-in-law Lara Trump as her replacement read more

US President-elect Donald Trump's daughter-in-law Lara Trump, who is married to his son Eric, may become the first from the Trump family to join the Senate. (Photo: AP)

Lara Trump may become the first member from the Trump family to serve in Senate.

After US President-elect Donald Trump picked Florida Senator Marco Rubio to serve as the Secretary of State in his incoming administration, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been urged to appoint Lara as his replacement once he leaves the Senate to take up the Cabinet role.

If a Senate seat is vacant for any reason, the governor may appoint the replacement in Florida.

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For a replacement for Rubio, Republican Senator Rick Scott has publicly urged DeSantis to appoint Lara, who is married to Trumps son Eric Trump.

.@LaraLeaTrump would be a GREAT Senator and represent Floridians well! https://t.co/AM6wKuXezr  Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) November 14, 2024

After years of being together, she and Eric got married in 2014.

Lara is a former television producer who worked for multiple news outlets, including Fox News, before the 2024 presidential election campaign.

Lara has been among the foremost champions of Trump and his far-right Make America Great Again movement. She currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC) and has been instrumental in shaping the Republican Party in her father-in-laws image.

In an appearance on Fox News, Lara said that she would love to serve as the senator.

Lara said, If I am able to serve, I would love to serve the people of Florida. This is my home state now, and has been for three years. This is where Eric and I live, and truly to have that opportunity, I think would be incredible.

Lara said that if she is asked by DeSantis, she would consider the offer.

No one knows better than I do the America First agenda or the goals of Donald Trump in the coming four years. So if I am asked, I would love to consider it, but I have yet to have a conversation with Governor DeSantis, so we will have to see, said Lara.

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President-elect Donald Trump announced that former Democratic leader and anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will be the next US Secretary of Health and Human Services. In the past, RFK Jr. has claimed that childhood vaccines cause autism, a theory debunked by experts read more

Republican presidential nominee and former US President Donald Trump shakes hands with former independent presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr during a rally in Glendale, Arizona. File Image / Reuters

Another former Democrat will be joining the upcoming government of President-elect Donald Trump. On Thursday, Trump announced that he would nominate the former independent presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr as the US Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) in his administration.

The anti-vaccine activist contested the 2024 presidential race as an independent candidate and later dropped out to endorse Trump in his battle against US Vice President Kamala Harris. Kennedy was in the running to lead the Health Department for the longest time and the Senate will not confirm his appointment to assume the role next year. This will be a smooth sailing task for Trump since the Republicans have flipped the Senate in the 2024 electoral race.

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In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that Americans had for too long been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health."

I am thrilled to announce Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 14, 2024

Mr. Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again! he added.

Kennedys nomination raises eyebrows

The 70-year-old politician is a trained environmental lawyer and son of the former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. He is the nephew of erstwhile President John F. Kennedy and is known for his problematic anti-vaccine stance.

Donald Trumps selection of a notorious anti-vaxxer to lead HHS could not be more dangerous  this is cause for deep concern for every American, wrote Senator Patty Murray, a Democrat of Washington state, on X. Murray insisted that the move could set America back in terms of public health, reproductive rights, research, and more.

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This could not be more dangerous. There's no telling how far an anti-vaxxer & fringe conspiracy theorist like RFK Jr. could set America back in terms of public health, reproductive rights, research, & more. And the consequences are not theoreticalthey're life or death issues. https://t.co/nE3Lw2oJRE  Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) November 14, 2024

After Kennedy endorsed Trump, the President-elect called him a great guy who would make America healthy again. However, shortly after the polls, Trumps transition co-chair Howard Lutnick told CNN that Kennedy was not getting a job for HHS. The political scion became one of Trumps top surrogates during the campaign, which came as a surprise to many since he came from a famous Democratic dynasty.

Over the years, he became well-known for his anti-vaccine beliefs and embrace of other conspiracy theories around health and wellness issues. In the past, Trump mentioned that he would lead Kennedy to go wild on food and go wild on medicines if re-elected. The former president also hinted at wanting him to take care of womens health.

In the past Kennedy stirred major headlines after he claimed that childhood vaccines cause autism, a theory scientists have debunked. Earlier this month, the former lawyer went on to declare on X that he would push to remove fluoride from drinking water on his first day in the office.

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He referred to fluoride as industrial waste, which is linked to a variety of health conditions. However, several health groups have rejected Kennedys claim, insisting fluoride is safe. Following the election victory, Trump made it clear that his administration is not going to take vaccines away from anybody, he told NPR in an interview.

According to NBC News, while Kennedys name was floating, some staff members at the Food and Drug Administration were considering a quick exit should Kennedy be selected for a prominent health role. Not only this, shares of vaccine makers Moderna, Pfizer and Novavax tumbled after news of Trumps decision was first reported.

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The scandal-ridden political scion

Kennedy has been marred by bizarre scandals throughout his political career as well. Earlier this year, he revealed that part of his brain had been eaten by a worm and admitted to staging a dead bear corpse in Central Park as the victim of a hit-and-run accident.

During the 2024 election cycle, Kennedy was also allegedly having an affair with an American journalist, sparking questions about his marriage. However, some lauded Trumps decision. Bill Cassidy, the Republican Louisiana senator and incoming chair of the Senates Health, education, labour and pensions committee, laid out praises for Kennedy.

RFK Jr has championed issues like healthy foods and the need for greater transparency in our public health infrastructure. I look forward to learning more about his other policy positions and how they will support a conservative, pro-American agenda, he said,

Meanwhile, Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader, expressed scepticism that Kennedy was the right choice. Is RFK Jr the best-qualified person in the United States of America to lead us forward as we grapple with an enormous amount of health challenges in this country? The answer is clearly he is not, he told Politico.

With inputs from agencies.
US President-elect Donald Trumps decision to nominate Robert F Kennedy Jr as the countrys health secretary has left many, especially in the medical field, aghast. The shock comes as RFK Jr is a known vaccine critic and holds a strong stance on fluoride in water read more

Robert F Kennedy Jr. is US President-elect Donald Trump's choice to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. File image/Reuters

Its been a week since the US presidential elections were over and Donald Trump was declared the winner, making him the 47th president of the United States. Since his win, Trump has wasted no time, setting the foundations for his second term in the White House.

He has been putting in place his team and to that effect named Robert F Kennedy Jr as his secretary of health on November 14. Announcing his choice, Trump said in a Truth Social post that Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies and that Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!

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In choosing RFK Jr, as he is popularly called, Trump has made another provocative pick after selecting Pete Hegseth as defence secretary and firebrand Matt Gaetz as US attorney general.

The selection of RFK Jr to be the Health and Human Services Secretary has evoked mixed reactions from Americans. While Republican lawmakers celebrated, health officials and experts were aghast considering RFK Jrs stance on vaccines  hes against them  and drugs.

In fact, Public Citizen, a progressive non-profit organisation focusing on consumer advocacy, said: Robert F Kennedy Jr is a clear and present danger to the nations health. He shouldnt be allowed in the building at the department of health and human services (HHS), let alone be placed in charge of the nations public health agency.

As outrage builds against Trumps choice of RFK Jr, we take a closer look at what exactly are the 70-year-olds views on matters about health.

Who is Robert F Kennedy Jr?

RFK Jr hails from Americas famous political dynasty  the Kennedys. His father was US Attorney General Robert F Kennedy, brother of President John F Kennedy. Both men were assassinated.

Trained as an environmental lawyer, he originally ran in the Democratic primary against President Joe Biden before deciding to launch an independent bid. He then suspended that campaign earlier this year and endorsed Trump, who has repeatedly praised Kennedy, promised him influence in a future administration, and vowed to Make America Healthy Again.

During his presidential bid, RFK Jr made big headlines when he announced that doctors found a dead parasitic worm in his brain that caused brain fog and memory problems.

Hes also made headlines for retrieving a bear that was killed by a motorist and left it in New Yorks Central Park. Hes also come under investigation for allegedly cutting off the head of a dead whale and taking it home.

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Robert F Kennedy Jr takes a selfie at the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) gala at Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida after Trump chose him to be the US health secretary. Reuters

What are RFK Jrs stance on vaccines and drugs?

The 70-year-old is a staunch anti-vaccine activist. Kennedy first gained national prominence for his opposition to the childhood measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, publicising debunked claims that it was linked to autism.

He has also suggested a flu vaccine may be to blame for a condition called spasmodic dysphonia, a rare neurological disorder that has impacted his voice, per an NBC report. This is not backed up by research.

He has also questioned whether HIV causes AIDS and suggested that antidepressants lead to school shootings.

Amid the COVID pandemic, he made several claims about the vaccines, of which many have been deemed as misinformation by independent fact-checkers. In 2021, his claims on COVID vaccines even earned him a spot as one of the top 12 spreaders of online misinformation by the Centre for Countering Digital Hate.

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However, he insists that he isnt anti-vaccine; last week, Kennedy said that if appointed he would immediately begin studying vaccine safety and efficacy but promised to not take vaccines away from anybody.

He has maintained that theres no vaccine that is safe and effective and has urged people to resist Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines on when kids should get vaccinated.

On matters of health care, Kennedy has said that he wants to end the FDAs war on public health including what he called aggressive suppression of psychedelics, peptides, stem cells, raw milk, and more.

He has also called for the end of the public health practice of putting fluoride in water, calling it an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders and thyroid disease. However, health experts opine that adding fluoride to water has been one of public healths greatest achievements and added that RFK Jrs claims are not supported by science.

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Kennedy also wants to cut workers from public health agencies. He said in an interview with MSNBC that he would cut workers in the nutrition departments at the US Food and Drug Administration. While speaking at a conference in Arizona earlier, Kennedy proposed replacing 600 officials at the National Institutes of Health with hand-picked staff.

In choosing RFK Jr, Trump has made another provocative pick after selecting Pete Hegseth as defence secretary and firebrand Matt Gaetz as US attorney general. File image/Reuters

What have been the reactions to RFK Jrs appointment?

Trumps choice of Kennedy has pleased many Republicans, who share the same views as him. Senator Bill Cassidy said, RFK Jr has championed issues like healthy foods and the need for greater transparency in our public health infrastructure. I look forward to learning more about his other policy positions and how they will support a conservative, pro-American agenda.

Republican Representative Chip Roy of Texas said, I think Robert is another disruptor. We need a disruptor. I will be glad and Im looking forward to working with him.

However, medical experts are aghast at Trumps choice.

Public Citizens co-president Lisa Gilbert told USAToday, Kennedy is a science-denying, morally-bankrupt conspiracy theorist who will endanger peoples lives if placed in a position of authority over health. The US Senate should unanimously reject this nomination.

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Echoing similar feelings, Apu Akkad, an infectious disease physician at the University of Southern California, called the announcement a scary day for public health.

Alastair McAlpine, a paediatric physician at British Columbias Childrens Hospital, told The Guardian: It is hard to overstate what a terrible decision this is. RFK Jr has no medical training. He is a hardcore anti-vaccine and misinformation peddler. The last time he meddled in a states medical affairs (Samoa), 83 children died of measles.

The American Public Health Association has said it will oppose the nomination. Im disappointed. He isnt the right guy by training, experience or temperament, said Executive Director Georges Benjamin. His anti-vaccine views make him someone who doesnt respect the public health practice or even science, medicine to begin with. Hes just the wrong guy. Not to mention this is a big complicated agency. Hes never run anything like this.

Even Democrats have expressed their outrage over RFK Jrs selection. Californias Democratic representative Robert Garcia on X said it was f***ing insane. Hes a vaccine denier and a tin foil hat conspiracy theorist. He will destroy our public health infrastructure and our vaccine distribution systems. This is going to cost lives.

Senator Peter Welch of Vermont also voiced his displeasure, saying, Hes a bit of a quack. He doesnt believe in vaccination.

With inputs from agencies
Trump and his allies claim that the FBIs background check system is slow and inefficient, potentially delaying the president-elects ability to swiftly implement his agenda, according to a report, citing sources familiar with the transition process read more

President-elect Donald Trumps transition team is bypassing traditional FBI background checks for some Cabinet nominees, opting instead to use private companies for vetting potential candidates.

According to a CNN report, citing sources familiar with the transition process, Trump and his allies claim that the FBIs background check system is slow and inefficient, potentially delaying the president-elects ability to swiftly implement his agenda.

Critics, however, contend that the thorough checks can sometimes uncover sensitive or damaging information, which is often used for political leverage, added the report.

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The move comes amid Trumps consideration of several controversial figures for key government positions, including Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence.

The president has the final say on nominations and intelligence sharing, regardless of post-WWII protocols designed to prevent foreign ties or national security risks.

However, bypassing background checks breaks a long-standing Washington norm and underscores Trumps deep mistrust of the national security apparatus, which he has repeatedly criticised as the Deep State.

Trump has privately questioned the need for law enforcement vetting, reported CNN, citing sources.

Dan Meyer, a national security attorney in Washington, DC, said the incoming Trump administration doesnt want harmony.

They dont want the FBI to coordinate a norm; they want to hammer the norm, CNN quoted Meyer as saying.

Before the election, some of Trumps advisers circulated a memo suggesting he bypass traditional background checks for some appointees, recommending private researchers instead of law enforcement to expedite the process.

While Trump could still submit names to the FBI, some nominees, like Matt Gaetz and Tulsi Gabbard, may face hurdles due to ongoing investigations or controversial stances.

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Gaetz, under investigation for sex trafficking, faces scrutiny despite a DOJ decision not to charge him. Gabbards past meetings with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and her comments on Russias invasion of Ukraine have raised concerns among allies.

Gabbard notably met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Syria in 2017, and said in 2019 that he was not an enemy of the United States.

In early 2022, she echoed Russian President Vladimir Putins rationale for the countrys invasion of Ukraine, pinning the blame not on Moscow but on the Biden administrations failure to acknowledge Russias legitimate security concerns regarding Ukraines becoming a member of NATO  a popular strain of thought in some right-wing circles.

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In addition to the confirmation process, FBI background checks are used to vet nominees for a security clearance, which an attorney general nominee is required to have to do the job.

Trump could bypass background checks and security clearance processes, as he did for Jared Kushner in his first term. However, the delay in vetting has impacted the timing of classified briefings for incoming officials.

Trumps transition team has resisted formal processes, which could delay national security clearances until after hes sworn in. This lack of urgency mirrors the disorganized transition in 2017.

With inputs from agencies
President-elect Donald Trumps pick for Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth was the subject of a police investigation into an alleged sexual assault in 2017, according to a report, citing local officials in Monterey, California read more

Pete Hegseth walks to an elevator for a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump at Trump Tower in New York, on December 15, 2016. AP File

President-elect Donald Trumps pick for Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth was the subject of a police investigation into an alleged sexual assault in 2017, according to a CNN report, citing local officials in Monterey, California, confirming on Thursday night.

According to the report, a spokesperson for the city of Monterey in a statement said the police department had looked into an alleged sexual assault involving Hegseth, a Fox News host and Army National Guard veteran.

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The incident reportedly took place in the early hours of October 8, 2017, at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa and was reported four days later, added the report.

At the time of the alleged assault, Hegseth was a speaker at a conference hosted by the California Federation of Republican Women at the hotel, said the report, citing photos from the event shared on Facebook.

According to the report, police did not specify Hegseth as an alleged assailant but said that he was involved in the investigation. It added that the Monterey police department said it would not release the full report or provide further comments on the investigation in accordance with Californias public records law.

Trumps communications director defended Hegseth in a statement to CNN, describing the presidents early cabinet selections as high-caliber and extremely qualified.

Mr. Hegseth has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed, CNN quoted Trump communications director Steven Cheung as saying.

We look forward to his confirmation as United States Secretary of Defense so he can get started on Day One to Make America Safe and Great Again, added Cheung.

Members of Trumps transition team, including incoming Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, discussed the allegation with Hegseth on Thursday, and he claimed the investigation was related to a consensual sexual encounter, reported CNN, citing American magazine Vanity Fair.

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Hegseths lawyer Timothy Parlatore told Vanity Fair that the Monterey police had investigated the allegation and found no evidence, said the CNN report_._

The citys statement doesnt clarify the outcome of the investigation.

A spokesperson for the Monterey County court confirmed to CNN that Hegseth has not been charged or named in any lawsuits since 2017.

Trump named Hegseth his pick for secretary of defense on Tuesday, surprising Pentagon officials and allies by selecting a nominee with no senior military or public office experience. Hegseth, a co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend, previously led several nonprofits and ran for US Senate in 2012.

Hegseth has criticised military leadership for focusing on diversity and has opposed women in combat, saying in a recent interview that women shouldnt be in combat at all. Theyre life-givers, not life-takers.

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With inputs from agencies
Trump tabbed D. John Sauer, who successfully argued his presidential immunity case before the U.S. Supreme Court, to be the solicitor general, representing his administration before the high court. read more

Dean John Sauer, who successfully argued his presidential immunity case before the U.S. Supreme Court, to be the solicitor general, representing his administration before the high court, is Trumps pick to be solicitor general in his second term.

Trump said in a statement on Thursday that John is a deeply accomplished, masterful appellate attorney, who clerked for Justice Antonin Scalia in the United States Supreme Court, served as Solicitor General of Missouri for six years, and has extensive experience practicing before the U.S. Supreme Court and other Appellate Courts.

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Sauer also argued on behalf of Donald Trump in a New York appeals court, seeking to overturn a staggering $454 million judgment secured by New York Attorney General Letitia James. The original case alleged widespread fraud within Trumps business empire, and Sauers appeal seems to have garnered some interest from the appeals judges. However, a ruling has yet to be made.

Sauer boasts an impressive background, having spent six years as Missouris solicitor general, where he served as the states top appellate lawyer. His educational credentials are equally impressive, with an undergraduate degree from Duke University, a masters in philosophy from the University of Notre Dame, and a law degree from Harvard Law School.

If confirmed by the Senate, Sauer will take on a significant role, representing the United States in pivotal arguments at the Supreme Court. He will also lead an elite team of lawyers at the Justice Department, handling high-court litigation involving the federal government and making strategic decisions about appealing lower-court decisions.
As US President-elect Donald Trump has nominated pro-Russia Tulsi Gabbard to be the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), allies are alarmed that the US top intelligence official would be supportive of their principal adversary over them, according to reports read more

Republican presidential nominee and former US President Donald Trump and Former US Representative Tulsi Gabbard gesture as they attend a town hall event in La Crosse, Wisconsin, US, August 29, 2024. File Image/Reuters

US President-elect Donald Trumps nomination of Tulsi Gabbard as the Director of National Intelligence has alarmed US allies in Europe, according to reports.

Gabbard has long been supportive of Russia and critical of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Well before Russia invaded Ukraine, she was parroting Russian propaganda against Ukraine and the West.

With pro-Russia Gabbard overseeing 18 US intelligence agencies, a Western security source told Reuters that allies could initially slow sharing intelligence with the United States.

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Such a slowdown of intelligence-sharing could impact the working of Five Eyes, the intelligence-sharing grouping of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Regarding Gabbards position, the source said that Trumps appointments all lean in the wrong direction compared to that of allies.

Separately, Justin Crump, a geopolitical risk expert, told The Telegraph that the Five Eyes relationship will be jeopardised by unpredictable and adversarial relationship with the United States.

Five Eyes countries have to trust each other, which will be jeopardised by unpredictable and adversarial leadership in the largest player. Most will just dig in and get on with the urgent job, but I suspect there may be a period of a lot more uncertainty over quite how much should be shared, said Crump.

Trump has been friendly with Russia and has fawned over Russian ruler Vladimir Putin for years. He and his allies in the American far-right have criticised Ukraine and its leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy instead of holding Russia accountable for plunging Europe into the worst security crisis since World War II. On the contrary, Trump has said that he would encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want with allies if they dont do his bidding.

Such a stand of Trump along with pro-Russia top officials like Gabbard are bound to raise alarms among European allies.

Europe will be pragmatic, says intelligence official

A senior European intelligence official told Reuters that European Union (EU) members will be pragmatic and ready to adapt to the changes that Gabbards appointment would bring.

A second official from European defence establishment described Gabbard to the agency as being firmly in the Russian camp.

But we have to deal with what we have. We will be attentive, said this official.

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Gabbard may destabilise special US-UK alliance, say British experts

Gabbards pro-Russia stand is in sharp contrast with the United Kingdom, the closest US ally in Europe which is firmly standing up to the Russian challenge.

The likes of Gabbard may compromise the special relationship as such a figure may affect the trust in intelligence gathering, suggested Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a former NATO commander, to The Telegraph.

The greatest strength perhaps of the special relationship is the sharing of intelligence but Gabbards appointment who seems closer to Moscow than London, has the potential to destabilise this unique and critical alliance, said Bretton-Gordon.

Bretton-Gordon further told the newspaper that Gabbards appointment could embolden Putin.

In these really challenging times where margins are fine, any hint that the US senior security minister is anything other than completely USA or pro-NATO could give Putin the chink of light that he needs to be bolder in his actions against Ukraine in the knowledge that the new administration might not be so proactive in preventing his war crimes, said Bretton-Gordon.

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Tulsi Gabbards friendly behaviour with Russia & its allies

Gabbard was a Democrat Congresswoman from Hawaii for eight years until 2021. After a failed bid to secure the partys presidential nominee, she took a sharp rightward turn and quit the party in 2022. She embraced Trumps far-right platform and formally joined the Republican Party last month in the last leg of the election campaign.

Gabbard has parroted Russian talking points in recent years. The day Russia invaded Ukraine, Gabbard wrote on X that the Biden administration and NATO were responsible for the war as there would have been no war if they would have accepted Russias assertions.

This war and suffering could have easily been avoided if Biden Admin/NATO had simply acknowledged Russias legitimate security concerns regarding Ukraines becoming a member of NATO, which would mean US/NATO forces right on Russias border (sic), said Gabbard.

Gabbard has also been friendly with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, whom he met at the height of the Syrian Civil War. She has also been a denier of Assads usage of chemical weapons on Syrians. As a Congresswoman, she once introduced a bill to limit US activities in Syria.

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Gabbard has also parroted other demands of Russia, such as Ukraine not joining NATO or EU. At a time when Russia was bombing Ukraine indiscriminately, Gabbard said that there were US-funded biolabs in Ukraine which would release & spread deadly pathogens to US/world (sic).

We must take action now to prevent disaster. US/Russia/Ukraine/NATO/UN/EU must implement a ceasefire now around these labs until theyre secured & pathogens destroyed, said Gabbard.

At a time when Russia unilaterally attacked Ukraine, Gabbard went on to urge the United States, Ukraine, NATO, UN, and EU for a ceasefire and. Gabbard further said that Biden administration would be responsible the war in Ukraine.

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Biden can very easily prevent a war with Russia by guaranteeing that Ukraine will not become a member of NATO. It is not in our national security interests for Ukraine to become a member of NATO anyway, so why not give Russia that assurance? Is it because the warmongers actually WANT Russia to invade? So that we can levy draconian sanctions on Russia and firmly establish a new Cold War which will reap the Military Industrial Complex endless profit for decades to come? (sic) said Gabbard on X.
The selection of vaccine sceptic Robert F Kennedy Jr by US President-elect Donald Trump to head the Department of Health and Human Services has sparked a market shock, with stocks of leading vaccine makers, including Moderna, Pfizer, and Novavax, taking significant hits read more

Robert F Kennedy Jr and Republican presidential nominee and former US President Donald Trump greet each other at a campaign event in Duluth, Georgia, US, October 23, 2024. File Image/Reuters

The appointment of vaccine sceptic Robert F Kennedy Jr by United States President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has sent what can only be called shockwaves through the pharmaceutical industry, sparking a sharp decline in vaccine stocks.

Moderna, Pfizer, Novavax, BioNTech, and GSK saw notable drops on Thursday as news spread about Trumps decision.

How the stock market reacted to the Kennedy appointment

In the final hour of Thursdays trading, shares of major vaccine producers nosedived. Moderna stock dropped by 5.6 per cent to $39.77, reaching its lowest price of the year.

Novavax shares closed 7 per cent lower, while Pfizer dipped 2.6 per cent to $26.02. BioNTech, which collaborated with Pfizer on the widely used Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine, fell more than 7 per cent to $103.56, while British drugmaker GSK lost 2 per cent.

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Sanofi, which has recently struggled with declining revenue, dropped another 3.4 per cent.

Vials with Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine labels are seen, March 19, 2021. File Image/Reuters

This plunge continues a broader downward trend in vaccine stocks that has persisted throughout 2023. Moderna, in particular, has seen a dramatic decline of over 60 per cent since January, when it was trading at $112.50 per share.

Health policy experts noted that the Kennedy appointment could lead to further stock instability in the health sector, especially as Kennedy is known for challenging vaccine safety and promoting theories that have raised widespread concern.

How Kennedys anti-vaccine views may impact the public

A prominent critic of vaccine safety protocols, Kennedy has amassed a large following due to his opposition to vaccines and various public health measures. As the founder of Childrens Health Defense, the most financially robust anti-vaccine organisation in the US, Kennedy has continuously promoted claims linking vaccines to autism  a theory debunked by numerous studies over the years.

He has voiced his belief in a government-led overreach in vaccination policy and promised to investigate vaccine safety if appointed, though he has clarified that he wont take vaccines away from anybody.

Robert F Kennedy Jr takes a selfie at the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) gala at Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, US, November 14, 2024. File Image/Reuters

Kennedys influence extends beyond vaccines. In an interview with NBC, he criticised the FDA for lax standards, citing an example of Fruit Loops, which he argued are sold in Canada with significantly fewer additives than in the US. He has also expressed opposition to fluoride in drinking water, which he views as a toxin, and has vowed to remove it if confirmed.

Trump, meanwhile, posted on Truth Social, The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any Administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country.

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How Kennedy may change the public health policy in America

Kennedys appointment may lead to a fundamental reshaping of public health policy, with a focus on his Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) campaign. The initiative promotes reducing chemical exposure and re-evaluating the FDAs regulation of food and drug safety.

Kennedys comments on detoxing the health sector suggest he may push for stricter safety standards on pharmaceuticals and healthcare products. His opposition to vaccines has sparked concern among health professionals, who worry about potential reductions in public support for COVID-19 and routine immunisations.

The response from lawmakers has been divided. Senator Rand Paul expressed optimism, tweeting, Finally, someone to detox the place after the Fauci era. Get ready for health care freedom and MAHA!

Congratulations to @RobertKennedyJr on his nomination as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Finally, someone to detox the place after the Fauci era. Get ready for health care freedom and MAHA!  Rand Paul (@RandPaul) November 14, 2024

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However, Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden voiced concerns about Kennedys influence over public health policies, stating, When Mr. Kennedy comes before the Finance Committee, its going to be very clear what Americans stand to lose under Trump and Republicans in Congress.

How vaccine demand in the US has changed since the pandemic

While COVID-19 vaccination rates have waned in recent years, vaccine manufacturers had already seen a decline in revenue due to the reduced demand for pandemic-related health measures.

Pfizers revenue, for instance, had peaked at nearly $57 billion in 2022 due to the success of Comirnaty and Paxlovid, though these figures dropped considerably in 2023.

Moderna, Novavax, and other vaccine-focused companies have similarly experienced revenue declines due to declining COVID-19 cases and increased vaccine stockpiles.

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According to current CDC Director Mandy Cohen, Kennedys position could also affect how Americans perceive vaccine safety and efficacy, which could have far-reaching effects on public health.

Even without changing one regulation or one piece of guidance, she told The New York Times, the sharing of misinformation from a place of power is concerning. Cohens concerns echo those of public health experts who worry about the indirect effects of Kennedys appointment on vaccine hesitancy in the US.

Also Watch:

With inputs from agencies
US Lebanon envoy Lisa Johnson met mediator Nabih Berri, the Lebanese Parliamentary Speaker, and submitted the US proposal for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, according to a report read more

Smoke rises from buildings hit in an Israeli airstrike in Tyre, Lebanon, on October 23, 2024. AP

For the first time in the ongoing war between Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah, the United States has submitted a ceasefire proposal, according to a report.

While Hezbollah had been clashing with Israel on a near-daily basis since the October 7 attack last year, Israel launched a full-fledged ground invasion on September 30 after weeks of ramped-up aerial campaign.

US Lebanon envoy Lisa Johnson met Lebanese Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri on Thursday and submitted a written ceasefire proposal, according to Reuters.

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Berri is an ally of Hezbollah and is mediator for diplomatic contacts with the Iran-backed terrorist group.

It is a draft to get observations from the Lebanese side, said one of the sources to Reuters.

What do we know of Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire proposal?

While sources did not say the specific of the ceasefire proposal, some information about the broader approach has trickled in recent days.

Draft proposals leaked lately have included the creation of a mechanism to monitor the ceasefire, potentially including other countries, according to Reuters.

Separately, The Jerusalem Post reported that there is agreement on certain elements of the deal on the table, but sharp disagreements remain over Israels demand to have the right to enter Lebanon to operate against Hezbollah if needed.

Lebanese officials told Reuters that direct enforcement of any ceasefire by Israel has not been formally conveyed, but that it would be rejected.

The idea that Israel can enforce at any time - that is unthinkable, said a source to the agency on Thursday.

So far, efforts for a ceasefire have centred around better implementation of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1701, which ended the Isreal-Hezbollah War of 2006. It mandated that Hezbollah and all other non-state Lebanese armed groups should withdraw from southern Lebanon. As Hezbollah continued to remain in the region, the resolution was never properly enforced.

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Agreement insufficient if cant be implemented on ground

In his conversation with visiting French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar noted that there had been progress and that there was a desire to reach an arrangement that would allow the residents of northern Israel to return to their homes safely, according to The Post.

At the same time, Saar noted that an agreement alone was insufficient unless it was implemented on the ground, as per the paper.

Any ceasefire would need to enforce Hezbollahs non-return to the border area with Israel as well as preventing future armament such as strengthening of Hezbollah through the Syrian border or other means, reported the paper.
Xi, in Peru alongside US President Joe Biden for the APEC summit, was opening the first Chinese-funded port in South America, a $3.5 billion complex in Chancay north of Lima that is designed to be a regional trade hub read more

Employees walk in front of a banner at the government complex where the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit will take place in Lima on November 13, 2024. AFP

The United States on Thursday called on Latin American nations to be vigilant of Chinese investment as President Xi Jinping was inaugurating a major port in Peru.

Xi, in Peru alongside US President Joe Biden for the APEC summit, was opening the first Chinese-funded port in South America, a $3.5 billion complex in Chancay north of Lima that is designed to be a regional trade hub.

We believe it is essential that countries across the hemisphere ensure that PRC economic activities respect local laws as well as safeguard human rights and environmental protections, said Brian Nichols, the top US diplomat for Latin America, referring to the Peoples Republic of China.

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Pointing to the long US relationship with Peru, Nichols said: Well be focused on building those relations and making sure that Peruvians understand the complexities of dealing with some of their other investors going forward.

He said that the United States has also recently provided support to Peru, including train donations to the city of Lima, space cooperation led by NASA and the donation of nine Black Hawk helicopters to help police battle transnational crime.

Dan Kritenbrink, the top US diplomat for East Asia, said that the United States came with an affirmative agenda and was not seeking to force countries to choose between rival powers.

We do want to make sure that countries have choices and they were able to make them freely without coercion, Kritenbrink told reporters.

The United States for two centuries has considered Latin America its sphere of interest, but it has faced increasing competition around the world, especially in the economic sphere, from China.

US policymakers often highlight debt associated by Chinese projects and Chinas use of its own workers in mega-projects.

The port will allow South American nations to skirt ports in Mexico and the United States as they trade with Asia.

Xi is set to meet on Saturday in Lima with Biden in their likely final encounter before Donald Trump returns to the White House.

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A building in Beiruts southern suburbs collapsed in a gigantic cloud of smoke and dust as two strikes attributed to Israel hit the Hezbollah bastion on Friday. read more

This picture shows the moment a building collapses after an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern Ghobeiry neighbourhood on November 15, 2024. Photo: AFP

An Israeli airstrike flattened a building near one of Beiruts busiest traffic junctions, Tayouneh, shaking the Lebanese capital. The targeted building was located in an area where the southern suburbs meet other parts of the city, a more central target than most that Israel has hit.

A series of images from the strike capture a falling projectile slamming into the lower floors of the building, erupting in a huge fireball, causing the structure to collapse.

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IDF strike on a building in the Dahiya suburb of Beirut today. pic.twitter.com/qGEs2t59ST  Imtiaz Mahmood (@ImtiazMadmood) November 15, 2024

It comes after the US ambassador to Lebanon submitted a draft truce proposal on Thursday to Lebanons parliament speaker Nabih Berri, who is endorsed by Hezbollah to negotiate, reported by Reuters.

The draft was Washingtons first written proposal to halt fighting between its ally Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah in at least several weeks, the sources said. The sources did not provide details about the contents of the proposal.

Las torres gemelas? No edificios obreros.

La ocupacion continua destruyendo edificios residenciales en el suburbio sur de la capital libanesa, Beirut. pic.twitter.com/jGFMP4O6pl  Lucha por ti  (@Lucha_x_ti) November 15, 2024

Ahead of the latest airstrikes, the Israeli military issued a warning on social media identifying buildings in the southern suburbs and telling residents to evacuate, saying they were near Hezbollah facilities.

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The sound of an incoming missile could be heard in footage showing the airstrike near Tayouneh. The targeted building turned into a cloud of rubble and debris which billowed into the adjacent Horsh Beirut, the citys main park.

IDF strike on a building in the Dahiya suburb of Beirut today. pic.twitter.com/qGEs2t59ST  Imtiaz Mahmood (@ImtiazMadmood) November 15, 2024

Lebanons state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported a heavy raid carried out by aircraft of the Israeli enemy in the Ghobeiri area, near Horsh Beirut, the capitals largest park.

It said the raid had been preceded by two missile strikes on the same target by an Israeli drone.

The evacuation order posted on X by Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee told residents to leave, warning of imminent strikes.

All residents in the southern suburbs, specifically  in the Ghobeiri area, you are located near facilities and interests affiliated with Hezbollah, Adraee said in an Arabic-language post on X.

For your safety and the safety of your family members, you must evacuate these buildings and those adjacent to them immediately.

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With inputs from agencies.
Donald Trumps new star, Musk, appears to be taking greater roles in the government. Since the November 5 elections, the Tesla CEO has actively engaged with foreign leaders directly which is a sign that he might be playing a role in shaping the Republican leaders foreign policy read more

Elon Musk has gained relevance in the world of politics ever since US President-elect Donald Trump elevated his position to his new Cabinet. Musk has been given the charge of Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE as its popularly known.

Trumps new star, Musk, appears to be taking greater roles in the government. Since the November 5 elections, the Tesla CEO has actively engaged with foreign leaders directly which is a sign that he might be playing a role in shaping the Republican leaders foreign policy.

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Musk meets Argentinas Prez

Argentinian President Javier Milei became the first foreign leader to have met Trump since he was declared the winner of the November 5 elections.

Although, Trump was not the only person he interacted with. Melei reportedly met the owner of X too. At a gala dinner hosted at Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort, Melei acknowledged Musk by saying, I would like to thank the great Elon Musk for the wonderful job he has been doing to save humanity.

Musk and Melei are already good friends and have met several times in the past. Both have heaped praises for each other which is apparent from the pictures shared by Melei earlier.

Musk meets Irans UN ambassador

A day before he was made the head of the DOGE ministry, Musk reportedly met Irans ambassador to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani.

According to a report by The New York Times, the discussions between Musk and Iravani revolved around mitigating tensions between the US and Iran. An Iranian official said that the meeting was requested by Musk while the Iranian ambassador chose the place.

Musk hops on Trumps official calls

The Tesla CEO jumped in a call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy when the latter dialled the president-elect after his landslide victory.

According to Axios, neither Trump nor Zelenskyy initially disclosed that Musk was also connected in the call.

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A source told NBC that Musk was not directly on the call.

President Trump was likely near Musk and at some point handed him the phone. Thats not the same as being directly on the call. President Zelensky thanked Musk for the Starlink. They spoke briefly, the source said.

Musks not-so-friendly relations with Starmer

While UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is trying to maintain a cordial relationship with Trump, he has had a bad experience with Musk. The two have engaged in a war word in the past.

Earlier this year, Musk irked Starmer by saying that a civil war is inevitable in Britain after the country saw violent unrest in August.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khameneis aide met Lebanons caretaker Najib Mikati in Beirut where he said that Iran will support Hezbollahs resistance under all circumstances read more

This picture shows the moment a building collapses after an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern Ghobeiry neighbourhood on November 15, 2024. Photo: AFP

Iran will back whatever call the Lebanese government takes concerning the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khameneis aide said on Friday.

We are not looking to sabotage anything. We are after a solution to the problems, Ali Larijani said after meeting Lebanons caretaker Najib Mikati in Beirut.

Larijani also met Lebanons Parliament speaker Nabih Berri. The aide added that Iran will support Hezbollahs resistance under all circumstances.

Meanwhile, on the war front, a building in Beiruts southern suburbs collapsed in a gigantic cloud of smoke and dust following a strike attributed to Israel, an AFP photographer reported.

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A series of images from the strike captured a falling projectile slamming into the lower floors of the building, which erupted in a huge fireball, causing the structure to collapse.

Lebanons state-run National News Agency reported a heavy raid carried out by aircraft of the Israeli enemy in the area of Ghobeiri, near Horsh Beirut, the capitals largest park.

The World Bank on Thursday said that skirmishes in Lebanon that eventually triggered a war have caused the country more than $5 billion in economic losses.

Lebanons health ministry has said more than 40 people had been killed in Israeli strikes on the south and east, including on a civil defence centre in the Baalbek area.

In its Lebanon report, the World Bank provided estimates for damage between October 8, 2023 and October 27, 2024, saying the conflict has caused $5.1 billion in economic losses, with damage to physical structures amounting to at least $3.4 billion on top of that.

The losses are largely concentrated in the commerce and tourism and hospitality sectors as well as in the agriculture sector, the report said.

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With inputs from AFP
Ukranian President Volodymyr Zalenskyy advised German Chancellor Olaf Scholz against speaking to Vladimir Putin, warning that it would reduce the Russian leaders isolation and keep the war going read more

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy cautioned German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday, saying speaking to Vladimir Putin would reduce the Russian leaders isolation and keep the war going, a source in Ukraines presidential office said.

A German government spokesperson said Scholz urged Putin to begin talks with Kyiv that would open the way for a just and lasting peace as the leaders held their first phone call since December 2022 as the war in Ukraine rages on.

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The source in Kyiv told Reuters that Scholz, a close ally of Ukraine during the war with Russia, informed Zelenskiy in advance of his plans to speak to the Russian leader.

The chancellor told our president he plans to talk to Putin. The President said this would only help Putin by reducing his isolation. Putin doesnt want real peace, he wants a break, the source said.

Talking to him will let Putin change the scenery and keep the war going. It wont bring peace because Putin will just repeat the lies hes been telling for years, making it seem like hes no longer isolated, the source said.

In a one-hour phone conversation, Scholz demanded the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine and reaffirmed Germanys continued support for Ukraine, the German spokesman said.

Berlin is a major Ukrainian financial backer and its largest provider of weapons after the United States, whose future support for Kyiv appears uncertain following Donald Trumps victory in the U.S. presidential election this month.

(Except the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
CCTV: On November 14 local time, President Xi Jinping arrived in Lima by special plane to attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders Meeting and pay a state visit to Peru. Can you share more information with us?

Lin Jian: On the afternoon of November 14 local time, President Xi Jinping held talks with President Dina Boluarte to have in-depth exchange of views on bilateral ties, cooperation in priority areas and other issues. The two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of a Belt and Road cooperation plan, and the Optimization Protocol of the Free Trade Agreement Between China and Peru. The two sides issued a joint declaration on deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership. The two heads of state also attended the inauguration ceremony of Chancay Port via video link.

President Xi Jinping noted that both China and Peru are ancient civilizations. Following the principle of equality, mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual learning, China-Peru ties have become a model of solidarity and cooperation among countries of different sizes, systems, and cultures. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 53 years ago, trade and investment cooperation between China and Peru have grown rapidly, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples. The two sides need to synergize development strategies, tap cooperation potential, create a new pattern of practical cooperation, boost the driving force of the two wheels of trade and investment, advance the development of both traditional and emerging industries, and promote the integration of the industrial and supply chains. The two sides should strengthen exchanges of governance experience, shoulder the responsibility of mutual learning among civilizations as required by our times, and carry forward China-Peru friendship from generation to generation. Both China and Peru stand for multilateralism and oppose protectionism. China firmly supports Perus presidency of APEC and will work for the success of this APEC Economic Leaders Meeting. China stands ready to strengthen communication and cooperation with Peru under the framework of the China-CELAC Forum and make positive contributions to the development of the relations between China and Latin America and the Caribbean.

This is President Xi Jinpings second state visit to Peru and also the third meeting between the two heads of state within this year. It bears historical significance and is highly relevant to our times. China stands ready to work with Peru, following the important common understandings between the two presidents, to further consolidate political mutual trust, upgrade practical cooperation, and bring the China-Peru comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level for the benefit of the peoples of two countries.

Reuters: Taiwans Lai Ching-te is planning to stop in Hawaii and maybe Guam on a visit overseas in the coming weeks, sources told Reuters. Would the Foreign Ministry like to comment on that?



Lin Jian: The one-China principle is a prevailing international consensus. The Taiwan authorities political manipulation activities and separatist provocations using countries having so-called diplomatic ties with Taiwan will lead nowhere. It will not shake the solid and strong international commitment to the one-China principle, or stop the overriding historical trend towards Chinas reunification. On the so-called transit in the US by leader of the Taiwan region, we always firmly oppose the USs arrangement for such kind of transit trip. We urge the US to abide by the one-China principle and provisions in the three China-US joint communiques, not to allow Lai Ching-te to transit, not to send any wrong signal to Taiwan independence forces, and take concrete actions to uphold China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Xinhua News Agency: We noted that the presidents of China and Peru bore witness to the inauguration ceremony of Chancay Port. After the inauguration, the port is expected to become an important shipping hub in Latin America and a gateway to the Pacific Ocean, and greatly reduce the direct shipping time from Peru to Asia. Could you share more details?



Lin Jian: On November 14 local time, President Xi Jinping and President Boluarte in Lima attended via video the inauguration ceremony of Chancay Port.

As President Xi Jinping stressed, Chancay Port is not only an important project under Belt and Road cooperation, but also the first smart and green port in South America. The first phase of the project, when completed, will reduce the sea shipping time from Peru to China to 23 days, thus cutting logistics costs by at least 20 percent. It is expected to generate US$4.5 billion in yearly revenues for Peru and create over 8,000 direct jobs. The completion of Chancay Port will effectively consolidate Perus role as a gateway linking shipping routes across land and sea, and between Asia and Latin America, and boost the overall development and integration of Latin America and the Caribbean. The ports development plan also includes establishing animal rescue services to improve the environment of wetlands, beaches, and habitats, and contribute to sustainable development of the local economy and society.

Chancay Port is becoming a starting point of an Inca Trail of the New Era. From Chancay to Shanghai, it is witnessing the coming into shape of a new route across land and ocean between Asia and LAC in the new era. China will follow the guidance of the common understandings between the two presidents, uphold the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefit, and work with Peru to ensure the success of Chancay Port from construction through management and operation, so that it will empower the common development of Pacifics coastal economies, including China and Peru, and truly contribute to prosperity and happiness for Peru and all other LAC countries.

China News Service: We noted that statistics released by competent authorities yesterday show that China saw its annual output of new energy vehicles exceed 10 million for the first time, becoming the first country in the world to make this achievement. Foreign media commented that this represents Chinas effort for green energy transition. Whats your comment?



Lin Jian: We noted relevant report. Id refer you to competent authorities for anything specific. Let me stress that with 90 percent of the vehicles purchased by domestic consumers, the fast growth of Chinas new energy vehicle industry highlights the potential of Chinas mega-sized market. It also demonstrates the firm resolve of the Chinese government to advance green and low-carbon development and contribute to global carbon neutrality. According to the statistics of the International Energy Agency, to realize carbon neutrality, total global EV sales will need to reach 45 million in 2030. China will continue to promote high-quality development and high-standard opening up, deepen cooperation in the industrial and supply chains of new energy, advance tech innovation and the development of relevant sector to offer the world more high-quality green products and better turbocharge global green development.

As Ding Xuexiang, President Xi Jinpings Special Representative and Vice Premier of the State Council, said at the World Leaders Climate Action Summit of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the key to solve climate change is the radical transformation of growth models. The international community needs to work together to speed up energy transition in a fair, orderly and just way, keep industrial and supply chains of the new energy industry stable, promote the accessibility and innovation of green products and technologies, accelerate the cultivation of new quality productive forces, foster a free and fair international environment for green and low-carbon investment, trade and technology cooperation, and boost global green and low-carbon transition.

AFP: Brian Nichols, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, said yesterday that it is essential that LAC countries ensure that PRC economic activities respect local laws as well as safeguard human rights and environmental protections. Whats Chinas response?



Lin Jian: China is committed to growing friendship and cooperative ties with LAC countries under the principle of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation. We never attach any strings, or target any third party, and we have no intention to compete with any country for influence. LAC countries, as independent sovereign states, have the right and the capability of independently choosing development path and cooperation partner. China-LAC cooperation has brought tangible benefit to socioeconomic development of regional countries and has been widely welcomed and recognized by regional countries. The Chancay Port that I mentioned is such a case in point.

China Daily: Today marks the fourth anniversary of the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP). Can you update us on what it has achieved and Chinas role in it?



Lin Jian: RCEP covers more population and involves more trade than any other free trade agreement in todays world. Since its official implementation, RCEP has been delivering institutional benefits, such as easing tariffs, streamlining customs clearance, and facilitating trade and investment. It has made regional industrial and supply chains more stable and unimpeded and opened up a new phase of high-quality development of regional economy.

As the largest economy among RCEP members, China is an active promoter of high-quality implementation of the agreement. In the first three quarters of this year, imports and exports between China and other RCEP members totaled RMB9.63 trillion, up by 4.5 percent year-on-year. In 2023, non-financial direct investment from China to other RCEP members reached US$18.06 billion, up by 26 percent year-on-year, which is 14 percentage points higher than the growth rate of Chinas investment globally. As this years non-ASEAN rotating chair of RCEP, China has played a leading role in high-standard compliance with RCEP and made great contribution to enhancing the overall implementation of RCEP in the region. We will stay committed to advancing comprehensive and high-quality implementation of RCEP, injecting more impetus into regional trade growth and economic integration, and bringing more tangible benefits to the people in the Asia-Pacific.
Samsung Galaxy A26, the companys next mid-range smartphone in the A series has surfaced in the first set of CAD-based renders, thanks to @OnLeaks. This shows a familiar Infinity-U screen and large bezels.

It is said to measure 164 x 77.5 x 7.7~9.7mm (including the camera bump), making it taller, but narrower and thinner than the Galaxy A25 that measures 161 x 76.5 x 8.3mm. There is new camera deco, and it retains triple rear cameras.

The Galaxy A26 surfaced on Geekbench last month revealing Exynos 1280 SoC, same as the predecessor. It is not clear if there will be a MediaTek version for the Indian market, like the Galaxy A16.

Even though this reveals 6GB of RAM, the phone should also come in 8GB RAM version. It will run Android 15 with One UI 7.0 out of the box, and should come with 6 OS updates and 6 years of security updates.

The Samsung Galaxy A26 5G is expected to be introduced sometime in December or January 2025 in the similar price tag as the Galaxy A25 5G.

Source
ideaForge Technology Limited, a leading name in drone technology, has announced that it has been selected as a data provider for Operation DRONAGIRI, a pilot project under Indias National Geospatial Policy 2022.

This initiative aims to showcase the potential of geospatial technologies in improving citizens lives and optimizing business processes across various sectors.

Objectives and Focus Areas

Operation DRONAGIRI seeks to integrate geospatial data into critical sectors such as Agriculture, Livelihoods, Logistics, and Transport. The first phase of the project will be implemented in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Pilot projects in these states will demonstrate the practical applications of these technologies in real-world scenarios.

Key Technology: Integrated Geospatial Data Sharing Interface (GDI)

A crucial element of the project is the Integrated Geospatial Data Sharing Interface (GDI). This platform will provide stakeholders with seamless access to geospatial data, fostering collaboration and innovation. The GDI aims to make geospatial information more accessible to a wide range of users, including government agencies, industry leaders, and startups.

ideaForges Role as Data Provider

As a key data provider, ideaForge will deliver high-resolution drone data to various stakeholders, including government departments, industry players, and startups. This data will enable more informed decision-making and improve project outcomes across sectors.

Through its partnership with Operation DRONAGIRI, ideaForge reaffirms its commitment to advancing geospatial technologies for sustainable development.

The companys involvement highlights its support for national efforts to leverage these technologies for both economic and social growth.

Dr. Srikant Sastri, Chairman of the Geospatial Data Promotion and Development Committee (GDPDC), stated:
Feature: China's iconic province showcases cultural, tourism riches in New York

08:55, November 15, 2024 By Yang Shilong, Liu Yanan ( Xinhua

Artists perform Chinese traditional water sleeve dance at a tourism promotion event for east China's Zhejiang Province in New York City, the United States, on Nov. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan)

The significance of tourism is highlighted as a bridge between the United States and China.

NEW YORK, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- The energy of Zhejiang lit up Manhattan on Wednesday as the renowned southeastern Chinese province brought its lush landscapes, timeless artistry, and vibrant modern culture to New York City.

In his remarks at a promotion event, China's Consul General in New York Chen Li highlighted the significance of tourism as a bridge between the United States and China.

The enthusiasm and collaboration was duly manifested at the 14th U.S.-China Tourism Dialogue held in May, when 20 new cooperation agreements were signed between Chinese and American institutions, said Chen.

China's Consul General in New York Chen Li speaks at a tourism promotion event for east China's Zhejiang Province in New York City, the United States, on Nov. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan)

Xu Xiao, deputy director of Zhejiang's Department of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism, celebrated the province's distinctive charm, from its serene waterways to its lively cities, and underscored the province's strong U.S. ties, including 68 sister-city partnerships covering education, technology, and business.

Lincoln Center's Chief Artistic Officer Shanta Thake praised the longstanding cultural partnership between Zhejiang and the center, citing past Lunar New Year performances by artists from Zhejiang.

"Our curiosity about the world is what makes New York special. We have so much to learn from culture that's been preserved over 5,000 years. It's amazing," she said. "By learning about your history, we learn about our collective history, and that's so important to us in the cultural sector."

Models showcase Chinese traditional costumes at a tourism promotion event for east China's Zhejiang Province in New York City, the United States, on Nov. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan)

Jonathan Elkoubi, founder of Navew.com, a tourism consultancy, plans to have a leisure trip to China in the coming months by taking advantage of China's 144-hour visa-free transit policy.

"Transnational tourism between the United States and China is transforming in the post-COVID-world... I think things seem very beneficial to an increase in both-direction travel," he said.

Xu Xiao, deputy director of Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism, speaks at a tourism promotion event for east China's Zhejiang Province in New York City, the United States, on Nov. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan)

Alejandro Garrido, director of Aviajar Tours & Travel USA, echoed the enthusiasm, calling Zhejiang an ideal destination for Americans seeking unique landscapes and culinary adventures.

A frequent traveler to China, Garrido plans to lead a group tour to Zhejiang next year. He praised the event's promotional materials and recommended broader distribution to share Zhejiang's accessibility and unique charm with more potential visitors.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Peru has deployed more than 13,000 soldiers to keep the peace in Lima as transport workers and shop owners embarked on three days of protests
Sun Sunday

60 /40

Mainly sunny. Highs in the low 60s and lows in the low 40s.
U.S. Government Employee Charged with Two Counts of Unlawfully Transmitting National Defense Information

Thursday, November 14, 2024

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

A U.S. government employee working overseas was charged with unlawfully transmitting two highly sensitive classified documents last month.

According to court documents, Asif William Rahman, 34, held a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security clearance as part of his role working for the U.S. government. According to an indictment filed in the Eastern District of Virginia on Nov. 7, Rahman, on or about Oct. 17, retained without authorization two documents classified at the Top Secret/SCI level, which contained information relating to national defense, and transmitted those documents to a person not entitled to receive them.

Rahman made his initial appearance in federal court in Guam on Nov. 14. The court ordered Rahman's continued detention and removal from the District of Guam for further court hearings in the Eastern District of Virginia.

The FBI is investigating the case with valuable assistance from the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia and National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.

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



Components: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

National Security Division (NSD)

USAO - Virginia, Eastern

Press Release Number: 24-1434

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Trump taps old ally, campaign stalwart for top intelligence posts

By Jeff Seldin November 14, 2024

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is turning to an old ally and to an outsider seen by some as a disruptor to oversee American intelligence agencies when he begins his second term in office in January.

Trump late Tuesday announced he planned to appoint his former director of national intelligence, John Ratcliffe, as director of the CIA, the country's premier spy agency.

In a second announcement late Wednesday, Trump said he would nominate former Democratic Representative Tulsi Gabbard to be director of national intelligence and oversee all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies. Both nominees must be confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate.

Of the two picks, Trump's choice of Gabbard as his top intelligence official caught some lawmakers and former intelligence officials by surprise.

Gabbard, a veteran with the U.S. Army National Guard, served in Iraq and Kuwait, and later became the first Hindu elected to the House of Representatives, representing the state of Hawaii as a Democrat.

During her more than 20 years in the National Guard, Gabbard was awarded a combat medical badge, but has not held any senior leadership positions.

Trump, who promised during his campaign to root out what he described as corruption in the intelligence agencies, praised Gabbard's approach.

"I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength," he said in a statement.

However, she has taken controversial positions in the past that have drawn criticism from both Republicans and Democrats.

In a social media video in March 2022, she alleged there were more than 25 U.S.-funded biolabs in Ukraine "conducting research on dangerous pathogens," and called on the United States and its allies, as well as Russia and Ukraine, to implement a cease-fire to make sure the pathogens did not spread.

Republican Senator Mitt Romney responded by chastising Gabbard, accusing her in a post of his own of "parroting false Russian propaganda."

"Her treasonous lies may well cost lives," he added.

Days earlier, top U.S. intelligence officials told lawmakers they were fighting influence operations directed by Russia, aimed at convincing audiences that Kyiv was pursuing biological weapons.

Gabbard was also criticized in 2017 for traveling to Syria and meeting with President Bashar al-Assad, who stands accused of war crimes. She defended the trip, arguing it is necessary to meet with adversaries if "you are serious about pursuing peace."

Virginia Representative Abigail Spanberger, a former case officer with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and a Democrat, wrote on X late Wednesday that she was "appalled" by the nomination.

"Not only is she ill-prepared and unqualified, but she trafficks in conspiracy theories and cozies up to dictators like Bashar al-Assad and [Russian President] Vladimir Putin," Spanberger wrote. "I am deeply concerned about what this nomination portends for our national security."

Ratcliffe to CIA

While Trump went with an U.S. intelligence outsider to serve as his lead intelligence official, he turned to an old ally to head up the country's premier spy agency.

Trump praised Ratcliffe as a "warrior for Truth and Honesty," and commended him for "exposing fake Russian collusion," in part, by rejecting concerns expressed by dozens of former U.S. intelligence officials about Russian meddling.

"When 51 intelligence officials were lying about [President Joe Biden's son] Hunter Biden's laptop, there was one, John Ratcliffe, telling the truth to the American People," Trump said in a statement late Tuesday.

Messages and other information from the younger Biden's laptop were provided to a New York newspaper in 2020, some of which were purported to show his dealings with foreign business partners in Ukraine, China and elsewhere. No evidence of impropriety by President Biden was ever established.

Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served on the House Intelligence Committee, has long been an ardent Trump supporter. And like Gabbard, his nomination to lead the U.S. intelligence community in August 2019, during Trump's first term, sparked controversy.

Ratcliffe was quickly forced to withdraw his name from consideration after both Republican and Democratic lawmakers raised questions about his credentials, focusing on allegations Ratcliffe had overstated his counterterrorism achievements as a federal prosecutor.

At the time, some lawmakers also questioned his lack of experience dealing with U.S. intelligence agencies.

But Trump nominated Ratcliffe for director of national intelligence again in February 2020.

During his confirmation hearing, Ratcliffe promised lawmakers he would deliver both the president and policymakers the "unvarnished truth," no matter what they wanted to hear, and he ultimately won confirmation three months later after a 49-44 vote in the Senate, relying solely on Republican support.

Shortly after being sworn in, he joined social media, becoming the first director of national intelligence to have a Twitter account (the platform now known as X).

Ratcliffe then moved to declassify and release some intelligence regarding interactions between former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn and Russian officials.

He slammed leaks to the media that alleged that Russia had offered bounties to Taliban fighters for targeting and killing U.S. troops in Afghanistan - allegations that U.S. defense and intelligence officials later said could not be corroborated.

Ratcliffe also clashed with lawmakers, failing to appear before Congress for the annual Worldwide Threat Assessment hearings and ending in-person, all-member intelligence briefings on election security.

And he publicly argued with the then-chair of the House Intelligence Committee, Democratic Representative Adam Schiff, regarding Russia's role in meddling in U.S. elections.

On China, Ratcliffe took a hard line, accusing Beijing of allowing the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic to spread.

In an opinion piece published in The Wall Street Journal before leaving office in January 2021, he described China as the most pressing threat to democracy and the West since World War II.

Since leaving office, Ratcliffe has served as a co-chair for the Center for American Security at the America First Policy Institute.

He co-authored a policy brief on the Russian invasion of Ukraine from October 2022, expressing support for a Ukrainian victory while backing an increased, U.S.-led push for negotiations and de-escalation.

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Asif William Rahman

Asif William Rahman was arrested by the FBI in Cambodia and made a court appearance in Guam on 14 November 2024, during which prosecutors requested his removal from the US territory, according to legal filings in the case. He was charged with leaking classified information prior to Israels planned missile attack on Iran in October 2024. Rahman was indicted days earlier in US court in Alexandria, Virginia on two counts of disclosing national defence information under the Espionage Act, and could face a lengthy prison sentence. Court documents showed that Rahman , held a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security clearance as part of his role working for the U.S. government, which is common for many CIA employees who handle classified material.

According to an indictment filed in the Eastern District of Virginia on Nov. 7, Rahman, on or about Oct. 17, willfully retained a classified document and transmitted that document to a person not entitled to receive it, without providing details about the nature of the leak. The New York Times reported that Rahman was employed by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). A CIA spokesperson declined to comment. News of the arrest of Rahman comes a day after a Pentagon leaker, Jack Teixeira, was sentenced in Boston to 15 years in prison for significant violations of the Espionage Act.

According to the indictment dated November 7, investigators believe the leak occurred in Cambodia. According to the indictment, the leak is believed to have occurred on October 17, around the time the pro-Iranian Telegram account Middle East Spectator posted documents relating to Israeli preparations for an attack on Iran, based on satellite imagery. Although the Middle East Spectator account said it received the documents from an anonymous source and could not verify their authenticity, investigations indicate that the leak occurred in Cambodia, where Rahman was arrested on November 12. Rahman was expected to make his first appearance in federal court on Guam on Nov. 14 before being transferred to stand trial in the Eastern District of Virginia.

The leaked documents were prepared by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), which analyses images and information collected by US spy satellites. The NGA conducts work in support of secret US military operations. The documents appeared last month on a channel of the Telegram messaging app. The documents noted that Israel was still moving military assets in place to conduct a military strike in response to Irans blistering ballistic missile attack on October 1. Israel carried out a retaliatory attack on multiple sites in Iran in late October 2024. After the attack, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned Israel and the US of a crushing response for actions against Iran and its allies, according to state media.

The leaked Pentagon documents included details about the transfer of ammunition and warplanes between Israeli Air Force bases, and recent air force training in preparation for the attack. No potential targets for an Israeli response were mentioned. The leaked documents included an analysis conducted by the US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency on activities carried out by the Israeli military in preparation for responding to the Iranian missile attack.

The documents began circulating on the Telegram app on a channel with close ties to Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps. U.S. officials said they did not know where the documents came from and are looking into the original source of the leak. In an earlier statement, the Middle East Spectator account said it received the documents from an anonymous source, that it had no connection to the original source that leaked the documents and cannot verify their authenticity. The FBI confirmed it was investigating the identity of the leaker, saying it was working closely with our partners in the Department of Defense and the intelligence community, while the White House said that President Joe Biden is deeply concerned about the leaks.

The FBI investigates violations of the Espionage Act, which prohibits the unauthorized retention of defense-related information that might harm the United States or aid a foreign enemy. The US House of Representatives held a secret session on the leak of intelligence information, announcing the opening of an investigation into the circumstances of the leak.

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The opening of the Redzikowo base is a milestone in missile defence

Poland - Ministry of National Defence

13.11.2024

- The deployment of an American destroyer on Polish soil becomes a reality, representing a significant development in the security history of Poland, the United States and NATO, and marking a notable shift in the geopolitical landscape. It is like a milestone and a cornerstone at the same time. This represents a significant milestone in the fields of missile defence and air defence for all NATO countries, for Europe and for the United States. The installation of the US base in Redzikowo will serve to enhance the security of Europe, the United States, Poland and NATO as a whole. It will contribute to the strengthening of the most powerful alliance in the modern world - Deputy Prime Minister W. Kosiniak - Kamysz stated during the opening of the base in Redzikowo.

On Wednesday, 13 November this year, Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of National Defence Wadysaw Kosiniak-Kamysz participated in the inaugural ceremony of the U.S. Aegis Ashore missile defence base in Redzikowo. Also in attendance were President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda, Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosaw Sikorski, US Ambassador to Poland Mark Brzezinski and Commander of the US Naval Forces in Europe and Africa Admiral Stuart Munsch, who is charge of the base.

- The ongoing crises in Ukraine and the Middle East illustrate the vital importance of air and missile defence. The American base on Polish soil, within the structures of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, is becoming a reality in accordance with the provisions of the Washington summit in 2024. This makes Poland part of the most effective and largest air defence in the world. Therefore, it can be considered a collective defence, as the Ambassador stated, as it is an action for the whole Alliance. When viewed in conjunction with the base in Romania, the radars in Turkey and the operations in Spain, it becomes evident that this is a significant step towards a safer, more modern world for nations that value peace, justice, goodness and beauty

- the Deputy Prime Minister stated during the opening ceremony of the base.

The Redzikowo installation, comprising the AN/SPY-1 radar, Mk 41 VLS launcher and SM-3 (Standard Missile-3) anti-ballistic missiles, forms part of the European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA) system, representing the United States' contribution to NATO's integrated air and missile defence system. Construction of the base commenced in 2016, with the base itself being externally protected by the Polish Base Protection Battalion.

- The construction of the Redzikowo base commenced in 2002, with the initial concept being developed. Consequently, all subsequent US and Polish governments have pursued this objective. In his recent address, the President underscored the significance of collaborative military, economic, and diplomatic efforts between the United States and Poland. This serves as concrete evidence of our alliance. It is a tangible demonstration of the strength of this alliance. The establishment of the base in Redzikowo signifies the continuous presence of American troops, in conjunction with allied troops, on the territory of the Republic of Poland. This is a pivotal event and development in Poland's history, particularly in the post-1989 era. Poland has consistently demonstrated its reliability as an ally. This has been evident throughout our tenure within NATO, even preceding our official admission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

- the head of the Ministry of Defence noted.

- I would like to express my gratitude to all those who have contributed to the construction of this base. Despite the lengthy process, the final outcome is highly effective. (...) Today, we are inaugurating a structure that will serve as a significant assurance of security. (...) Poland is now more secure, and NATO is stronger. Our values of freedom, democracy and justice will continue to prevail

- the Deputy Prime Minister highlighted.

The European Phased Adaptive Approach, which forms part of the NATO system, is primarily designed to safeguard the continent against short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles. In addition to the base in Poland, the system comprises an Aegis Ashore system in Deveselu, Romania, an early warning radar in Kurecik, Turkey, and a command centre in Ramstein, Germany. Furthermore, a maritime version of Aegis has been installed on US Navy destroyers stationed at the Rota base in Spain.

- The official opening of the US base in Redzikowo marks the establishment of a defence system that will protect the freedom and security of the world, likewise the US Army. (...) The presence of this missile defence shield base in Poland will serve to illustrate that this territory is no longer under the influence of Russia

- President Andrzej Duda stated

In his address at the ceremony marking the official opening of the missile shield base in Redzikowo, the President recalled Polish history, noting that there have been instances when Poland has been left to face the consequences of conflict without the support of its allies. He also observed that the United States has consistently been regarded as a key ally by the Polish people, a sentiment that has been reflected in the warm welcome extended to American military personnel.

- In light of the aforementioned, I would like to reiterate the sentiments previously conveyed in private discussions with the presidents of the United States and American generals and admirals. If there is any individual that is discontented with the presence of American soldiers and an American base in their own country, they are cordially invited to relocate to Poland. We will always welcome you with joy

- The President stated.

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Meeting between Deputy Prime Minister W. Kosiniak-Kamysz and NATO Secretary General

Poland - Ministry of National Defence

13.11.2024

- We discussed, with NATO Secretary General, the most pressing challenges facing NATO, Poland's role within the Alliance, and the nature of our interactions. Poland is a reliable ally, and we are committed to upholding our obligations as set forth in the North Atlantic Treaty. We expect the same level of commitment from our allies. The most pressing security concerns were discussed, and I also delivered a presentation on the provision of assistance to Ukraine. I emphasised that Poland has been providing support to Ukraine since the outset of the conflict, implementing a whole range of possible measures to assist the country. On behalf of the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, General Dymanowski presented details of the support provided to Ukraine. The Secretary General and his delegation were highly impressed by Poland's actions since the outset of the war in Ukraine - W. Kosiniak - Kamysz said following the meeting with the NATO Secretary General.

On 13 November this year, Wadysaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, met with Mark Rutte, Secretary General of NATO, at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Warsaw.

- We also addressed the NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis Training and Education Centre (JATEC) in Bydgoszcz. This is the first tangible structure for NATO's cooperation with Ukraine, from which we are deriving invaluable experience. The centre's role is to evaluate the suitability of equipment, the required capabilities and strategies for the modern battlefield. This information is not only of use to Ukraine, but may also prove valuable to our own armed forces and our allies in the future. It is to be hoped that no practical application of this knowledge will be required, but it is nevertheless essential to acquire it in order to develop the requisite skills. Furthermore, the discussion encompassed the investment in Shield East and Poland's role in border protection and the construction of defence infrastructure. Additionally, we addressed the fulfilment of commitments to the NATO summits held in Washington, Vilnius and Madrid. The Secretary General expressed his gratitude for Poland's contributions towards the modernisation of the army. (...) We believe that increased expenditure on defence is essential for the discussion of security to be taken seriously

- the head of the Ministry of Defence emphasized.

The bilateral meeting addressed a number of key issues, including the strengthening of transatlantic relations, with a particular focus on the development of Poland's defence capabilities and the eastern flank of the Alliance. It also covered the presence of allied forces in Poland, defence expenditure and financing for the development of capabilities within NATO, and the priorities of the Alliance.

In a meeting with media representatives, the head of the Ministry of Defence also made reference to the opening of the US Aegis Ashore missile defence base in Redzikowo that took place on the same day.

- Today is notable day. The base in Redzikowo has been opened. This is a unique occurrence. This is of great significance for the defence capabilities of the NATO, which is undergoing a period of growth as part of the strongest defence alliance in the world. We were present at the opening ceremony today, accompanied by the President, the US Ambassador and Minister Sikorski. Together, we attended the inauguration of the base as part of the missile shield, which is designed to protect Europe, the United States and NATO allies from various threats, thereby strengthening our deterrence and defence capabilities. This represents the fundamental strategy of the NATO countries: a deterrence and defence strategy. It should be recalled that the purpose of NATO is to promote peace, to foster security and to support the maintenance of such conditions. In order to achieve this, it is necessary to possess strength. Peace and freedom will not defend themselves. It is necessary to possess strength and determination. This is a significant investment that has been ongoing in Poland for a number of years. It represents a milestone in air defence, but also a symbol of the American presence, which is both permanent and significant for our relationship

- Deputy Prime Minister W. Kosiniak - Kamysz said following the meeting with the NATO Secretary General.

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China hawk Marco Rubio nominated for US secretary of state

Rubio would be the first sitting secretary of state to have been sanctioned by China.

By Alex Willemyns

2024.11.13

WASHINGTON -- Marco Rubio, a strident foreign policy "hawk" when it comes to relations with China, has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as the next U.S. secretary of state.

The Republican senator from Trump's adopted home state of Florida is almost certain to be confirmed as America's top diplomat by his soon-to-be former colleagues, with the Republican Party now controlling the Senate with a 53-47 majority over the Democrats.

Rubio's nomination Wednesday completes a trifecta of China "hawks" in the three most important foreign policy picks for a president.

He joins Rep. Mike Waltz of Florida, who will be appointed Trump's national security adviser, and Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, who has been nominated to be ambassador to the United Nations.

In a statement released on his Truth Social platform, Trump called Rubio "a Highly Respected Leader" and "a very powerful Voice for Freedom" who would represent America well on the world stage.

"He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries," Trump said, adding that Rubio as a senator had "authored hundreds of new laws, including some that are truly transformational."

In his own statement, Rubio called the role of secretary of state "a tremendous responsibility" and said that he was "honored by the trust President Trump has placed in me" in making the nomination.

"As Secretary of State, I will work every day to carry out his foreign policy agenda," he added. "Under the leadership of President Trump, we will deliver peace through strength and always put the interests of Americans and America above all else."

From foes to friends

It's a remarkable turnaround in relations between the two Floridians, who along with Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas were the last three standing candidates for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016.

Trump easily brushed aside Rubio to secure the nomination and then the presidency, referring to the senator derisively and repeatedly as "Little Marco" while accusing him of being in the pocket of lobbyists.

Rubio equally did not hold back, accusing Trump of using "illegal immigrant labor" to build Trump Tower in New York City and of only having found business success because of an inheritance from his father.

But the pair seemed to make peace during Trump's most recent run for office, with Rubio even being vetted as a possible vice president pick.

Rubio also has some support across the aisle, with Sen. John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, indicating that he plans to vote in favor of his nomination to the post.

Sanctioned secretary

If confirmed, Rubio would be the first sitting U.S. secretary of state to have been sanctioned by Beijing, having been blacklisted in retaliation for U.S. sanctions on Chinese officials for the genocide against the Uyghur ethnic minority and for the crackdown in Hong Kong.

But there is already some skepticism of the influence he will have in the Trump administration, even if it is set to be dominated by China hawks.

Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, who was one of the few Republicans in the House of Representatives to vote to impeach Trump during his last term in office, said he thought Rubio might be kept on a tight leash.

"Marco has shown his ability to kind of change for whatever Donald Trump demands, so it really comes down to, 'What does Donald Trump demand?'" Kinzinger said in an interview with CNN on Monday.

Edited by Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content November not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Secretary Blinken's Meeting with European Union High Representative Josep Borrell

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

November 13, 2024

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission (HRVP) Josep Borrell. Secretary Blinken and HRVP Borrell affirmed the critical importance of the U.S.-EU transatlantic partnership including our joint efforts to counter Russia's aggression against Ukraine and strengthen global peace and stability.



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Security Council Press Statement on Attack against United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon

Press Release

Security Council

SC/15897

13 November 2024

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Barbara Woodward (United Kingdom):

Against the backdrop of ongoing hostilities along the Blue Line, the members of the Security Council condemned the several incidents that impacted the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) positions and injured UNIFIL peacekeepers in the past weeks, including the ones on 29 October, 7 November and 8 November.

They urged all parties to take all measures to respect the safety and security of UNIFIL personnel and premises. They recalled that peacekeepers must never be the target of an attack.

They reiterated their full support to UNIFIL, underscoring its role in supporting regional stability and expressed their deep appreciation to UNIFIL's troop-contributing countries.

They expressed their deep concern for civilian casualties and sufferings, the destruction of civilian infrastructure, the damage to cultural heritage sites in Lebanon and endangerment of the UNESCO world heritage sites in Baalbeck and Tyre and the rising number of internally displaced people. They called on all parties to abide by international humanitarian law.

They called for the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006).



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Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2758 (2024), Security Council Renews Sanctions, Panel of Experts concerning Yemen

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

9782nd Meeting (AM)

SC/15896

13 November 2024

The Security Council today decided to renew for 12 months a travel ban and assets freeze imposed on certain designated individuals and entities in Yemen and to extend for 13 months the mandate of the Panel of Experts tasked with assisting the Council's Yemen Sanctions Committee.

The Council, acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, unanimously adopted resolution 2758 (2024) (to be issued as document S/RES/2758(2024)) and decided to renew, until 15 November 2025, the above measures, which were initially imposed by resolution 2140 (2014).

Further, the Council decided to extend the mandate of the Panel of Experts established by that resolution until 15 December 2025, also expressing its intention to review this mandate and take appropriate action regarding further extension no later than 15 November 2025.

Through the resolution, the 15-nation organ additionally requested the Panel of Experts to provide a midterm update to the relevant committee no later than 15 April 2025 as well as a final report to the Council no later than 15 October 2025 that includes information related to the illicit transfer and diversion of conventional weapons and to commercially available components used by designated individuals or entities to assemble certain weapons systems.

Following the adoption, the representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for November, welcomed the Council's show of unity and stressed that the organ's continuing positive engagement is crucial to rejuvenating Yemen's peace process. This demonstration of consensus makes clear that the Council values the role that resolution 2140 (2014) plays in maintaining pressure on the Houthis, who continue to block the pathway to peace, she observed.

However, despite joining consensus, the United States' representative expressed regret that the Council did not adopt further measures to degrade the Houthis' capabilities. One such measure  recommended by the Panel of Experts  would have enhanced the international community's ability to address their aggression in the Red Sea, which is enabled by the provision of arms and other material from State and non-State actors. However, this "common-sense recommendation" was not considered "due to threats from one Security Council member, with the help of another permanent member, to veto efforts to strengthen the sanctions", he said.

The Russian Federation's representative, meanwhile, observed that the "technical roll-over" preserves the Council's unity on the Yemen file, stressing that Council restrictions are meant to support stabilization  rather than serve as a tool to punish "troublesome political forces in the country". He further rejected an expansive interpretation of sanctions resolutions that do not stipulate the inspection of vessels bound for Yemen on the high seas or the transfer of military products confiscated during inspections to third countries.

For his part, China's representative said that the extension of relevant sanctions measures is "both necessary and appropriate". Noting that his country has always maintained that sanctions "are a means, not an end", he urged the Council to improve diplomatic efforts towards a comprehensive political process in Yemen. Observing that tensions in the Red Sea are a manifestation of the Gaza conflict's spillover, he called for an immediate ceasefire in the Strip.

"An immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza remains a critical first step toward lasting peace in the region," stressed the representative of Guyana, also speaking for Algeria, Mozambique and Sierra Leone. Expressing concern over the impact of illegal attacks against humanitarian workers and vessels in the Red Sea on Yemen's political road map, she voiced support for enhancing the capacity of the Yemeni Coast Guard.

The representative of the Republic of Korea, Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2140 (2014) concerning Yemen, welcomed the Panel of Experts' mandate renewal and noted its critical role in sanctions monitoring. He added: "Today's unanimous adoption of this resolution is a clear and united message from the Security Council that we are closely looking at all developments on the ground  and the existing sanctions must be maintained and implemented."





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At APEC and G20, Biden faces leaders worried about US policy changes

By Patsy Widakuswara November 13, 2024

In what will likely be his farewell appearance on the world stage, President Joe Biden faces a daunting question: what to tell world leaders wondering about potential changes in U.S. policies when President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House with his America First agenda.

Biden arrived Thursday in Peru and will visit Brazil afterward for two major economic summits.

Biden is scheduled to spend Friday and Saturday in Lima with leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, made up of 21 member economies that promote free trade in the region.

He will be in Rio de Janeiro on Monday and Tuesday to meet with leaders of the world's 20 largest economies at the Group of 20 summit.

On the way to Rio from Lima, Biden will make a brief stop at Manaus for a climate-focused engagement in Brazil's state of Amazonas.

In his meetings, Biden must face allies and partners who four years ago may have been skeptical about his "America is back" message and the durability of U.S. global commitments. These leaders saw Trump, during his first term, act to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accord and threaten to pull out of NATO.

Uncertainties about future U.S. policy will complicate efforts to reach an agenda on issues of global concern such as trade, poverty and debt alleviation, climate change, sustainable development, and green energy.

"There will be a lot of combination of lamenting, speculation, guessing about what we'll see coming first in terms of policies out of the campaign and how countries are best able to position themselves," said Victor Cha, president of the Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

'America's allies are vital'

To these leaders, Biden's message is that "America's allies are vital to America's national security," said national security adviser Jake Sullivan, who previewed the trip to reporters on Wednesday.

"They make us stronger. They multiply our capability. They take a burden off of our shoulders. They contribute to our common causes," Sullivan said. He underscored that Biden would be attending the APEC summit when U.S. alliances in the region were at an "all-time high," with bolstered ties with Japan, Korea, Australia and the Philippines.

Biden will hold a trilateral meeting on the sidelines of APEC with President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba of Japan to "discuss the importance of institutionalizing" the progress made so that it carries forward through the transition to the new administration, Sullivan said.

Whatever the questions surrounding the next administration, Biden will emphasize his faith in the "ideals of American engagement around the world," said Josh Lipsky, senior director of the Atlantic Council's GeoEconomics Center.

"He believes it is in the best interest of both America and the world for it to continue," Lipsky said. "And not one election or one president can undercut that, from his perspective."

Biden's agenda

In Rio de Janeiro, Biden will "demonstrate the strong value proposition of the United States to developing countries and lead the G20 to work together to address shared global challenges," the White House said.

He is expected to hold bilateral meetings with summit hosts Peruvian President Dina Boluarte and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

In Lima, he is set to support Peru's initiative to expand APEC's economic inclusion efforts to empower workers in the informal economy, said Matt Murray, U.S. senior official for APEC.

In Rio, he will focus on workers' rights and clean economic growth and attend the launch of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, Lula's initiative aimed at accelerating global efforts to reduce hunger and poverty by 2030.

In Manaus, Biden will make history as the first sitting U.S. president to visit the Brazilian Amazon. There, he will deliver remarks on climate conservation and engage Indigenous leaders working to preserve the rainforest.

Symbolic and short-lived

Many of Biden's efforts will be mostly symbolic and short-lived, as the incoming U.S. administration could bring dramatically different priorities on global welfare programs and climate change.

Analysts say that while the world has watched U.S. leadership swing from Republican to Democratic and back again in recent years, Chinese President Xi Jinping will seek to project an image of stability as he exerts his vision of China's increased role on the global stage.

In Peru, Xi will inaugurate a $1.3 billion megaport, part of China's infrastructure investment program that has bought him influence in various parts of the world.

Beijing has increased diplomatic engagement in the region, with Xi visiting 11 Latin American countries since becoming president, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua. Summit hosts Peru and Brazil are set to honor him with state visits this month.

A meeting between Biden and Xi, likely their last during Biden's term, is scheduled in Lima for Saturday. The meeting comes as Trump appoints ardent China critics in key foreign policy positions, moves that could lead to a more confrontational U.S. posture toward Beijing.

Whatever the next administration decides, it's going to need to find ways to manage the "tough, complicated relationship" between the U.S. and China, a senior official said when asked what Biden might tell Xi to expect from the incoming administration.

Nike Ching contributed to this report.

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UNMISS calls for tangible evidence of progress toward democratic elections in South Sudan

By Sheila Ponnie November 13, 2024

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan has called for tangible evidence of progress toward democratic elections the country.

Briefing the United Nations Security Council this week, special representative of the secretary-general and head of UNMISS, Nicholas Haysom, told government leaders "the clock on the extension is already ticking."

Since winning its independence in 2011, South Sudan is just beginning its fourth extension of the transitional period government, with elections now rescheduled for 2026.

Speaking for Haysom, U.N. South Sudan acting spokesperson Rabindra Giri said, "The international community needs tangible evidence that this country's leaders and political elite are genuinely committed to a democratic future."

As the country struggles with increasing internal conflict, the delay in democratic reform affects the hopes for peace, stability and development, even beyond South Sudan's borders, impacting the entire East African region.

UNMISS officials stressed that time is running out for political leaders to fulfill their obligations under the peace agreement.

"We must collectively seize the opportunity to make this extension the last and deliver the peace and democracy that the people of South Sudan deserve," Giri said.

On the streets of Juba, South Sudanese citizens were eager to talk about how the delays in implementing the peace agreement raise doubts about whether their leaders genuinely care about the nation's well-being and are impacting their hopes for peace, stability and development.

Nunu Diana, a women's rights advocate in South Sudan, is one of them.

"I think because of the extension, personally, as a young person, I have lost morale in the governance system of the country," Diana said.

Data Gordon, an advocate for peace and gender equality, is another.

"The time for political statements without tangible and time-bound action is over," Gorton said. "For elections to take place as scheduled, the government needs to walk the talk."

UNMISS said it is moving ahead with support to the National Elections Commission, while Haysom highlighted civic education, preparing for voter registration, a code of conduct between political parties, civil society, media and election security among the areas that the parties could immediately address.

Haysom said time is a nonrenewable resource. He said this is South Sudan's last chance to deliver on its promise of democracy, and there is a need for sustained international support while holding South Sudan's leaders accountable to their own commitments.

"This cannot be business as usual for the parties to the peace agreement, the political elite, the guarantors of the peace agreement or the international community," Giri said. "We must collectively seize the opportunity to make this extension the last and deliver the peace and democracy that the people of South Sudan deserve."

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Vote counting underway in Somaliland after peaceful election

By Mohamed Olad Hassan November 13, 2024

Polls have closed across Somaliland after presidential elections, and it appears Wednesday's voting across the breakaway region has gone smoothly.

The Somaliland National Electoral Commission (NEC) said polls closed across the region at 6 p.m. local time. More than 1 million people were registered to vote across some 2,000 polling stations in Somalia's breakaway region.

In the evening, vote counting was underway, according to the electoral agency.

"It will start from polling centers level, then passes to district, and the regional before we announce the result," said NEC Chairman Muse Hassan Yusuf. "We have successfully solved minor technical issues reported in some polling stations," he said.

He said the NEC would announce the result of the election by November 21.

General Mohamed Adan Saqadhi, head of Somaliland Police Force, said throughout Somaliland the election was peaceful.

"Thanks to Allah, the election took place democratically and peacefully. No incident was reported," said Saqadhi.

Candidates promise to grow economy

Three candidates, including incumbent President Muse Bihi Abdi, were on the ballot in Wednesday's poll. In interviews with VOA Somali, each of the three candidates promised to strengthen democracy, boost economic growth, and gain the international recognition Somaliland has sought for 33 years.

Abdi, of the ruling Peace, Unity and Development Party, also known simply as Kulmiye, was seeking a second term. He ran against Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, known as "Irro," of the Waddani party and Faisal Ali Warabe of the Justice and Development Party, or UCID.

This is the fourth presidential election since the region on the northwestern tip of Somalia broke away from the rest of the country, following the collapse of the Siad Barre regime in 1991.

The territory declared independence that year but has never achieved international recognition.

Despite that, Somaliland has a functioning government and institutions, a political system that has allowed democratic transfers of power between rival parties, its own currency, passport and armed forces.

Voters cast ballots amid tension

Wednesday's vote comes at a time when tensions remain high between Somalia and Ethiopia over a controversial memorandum of understanding that Ethiopia signed with Somaliland.

The deal would grant Ethiopia a 50-year lease of access to 20 kilometers of the Gulf of Aden coastline in exchange for the potential recognition of Somaliland's independence, which Somalia views as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The deal, signed on January 1 in Addis Ababa by Abdi and Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, sparked anger in Mogadishu, which considers Somaliland part of its national territory.

In April, Somalia expelled Ethiopian Ambassador Muktar Mohamed Ware, alleging "internal interference" by Ethiopia. Somalia also ordered the closure of Ethiopia's consulates in Somaliland and Puntland, although both consulates remained open.

Last month, Somalia expelled Mogadishu-based Ethiopian diplomat Ali Mohamed Adan, who was a counselor at Ethiopia's embassy in Mogadishu.

In July and August, two rounds of talks between Ethiopia and Somalia, mediated by Turkey, failed to solve the dispute, with Somalia demanding Ethiopia withdraw from the deal and Ethiopia insisting that it does not infringe on Somalia's sovereignty.

On Saturday, Somali Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur repeated the Somali government position against Ethiopian troop involvement in a new African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia due to start in January.

"I can say that Ethiopia is the only government we know of so far that will not participate in the new AU mission because it has violated our sovereignty and national unity," Nur said Saturday in a government-run television interview.

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November 14, 2024

Transcript

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh Holds a Press Briefing

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SABRINA SINGH: All right. Hi. Okay. Hello, everyone. Good afternoon. Okay. Afternoon. Just a few things at the top and then happy to take your questions. Today, the department released its annual report on suicide in the military for calendar year 2023. The report found that the 2023 active component rate is higher than in 2022. I'd like to reiterate the department's ongoing and unwavering commitment to taking care of our people.

Since his first day in office, the health, safety and well-being of our military community has been one of Secretary Austin's top priorities. As you've heard him say many times before, we owe it to our service members and our military families to provide the best possible care to identify risk factors and spot warning signs and to eliminate stigmas around seeking help. And when it comes to suicide, one loss to suicide is one too many.

The department remains focused on long-term sustained initiatives to prevent suicide. In 2023, Secretary Austin approved a comprehensive campaign plan with five lines of effort and enabling tasks to guide and strengthen the department's suicide prevention strategy.

The plan includes 83 key enabling actions adopted and modified from the approved Suicide Prevention Response and Independent Review Committee, or the SPRIRC, recommendations. Subsequently, the department has been urgently focused on implementing all 83 recommendations and these key reforms. In 2024, The department completed 20 of the SPRIRC recommendations, and in fiscal year 2025, with the support of congress, the department will make an unprecedented investment in suicide prevention.

While some progress has been made, Secretary Austin has been clear that there is still much work to do, and he won't let up. The annual report will be available at DSPO.mil and a statement from the secretary is available on defense.gov.

Separately, today, the department also delivered its Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, or UAP, to congress. The department has briefed relevant congressional staff on the report's filings. As of today, the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, or AARO, has received over 1,600 UAP reports, 757 of which came to AARO during the period covered by this report. AARO has successfully resolved hundreds of cases in its holdings to commonplace objects such as balloons, birds, drones, satellites and aircraft.

Over 900 reports lack sufficient data for analysis, and AARO retains these cases in an active archive, and they may be reopened and resolved should additional information emerge to support analysis. I want to emphasize that only a very small percentage of reports to AARO are potentially anomalous. But these are the cases that require significant time, resources and focused scientific inquiry by AARO and its partners.

It is also important to underscore that to date, the department has discovered no verifiable evidence of extraterrestrial beings, activity or technology. None of the cases resolved by AARO have pointed to advanced capabilities or breakthrough technologies either.

Switching gears, let me turn to now the secretary's schedule. Today, Secretary Austin is hosting senior civilian and military leaders from across the department for the DOD Senior Leaders Conference. This Senior Leaders Conference meets semiannually to address broad cross-cutting issues affecting the office of the Secretary of Defense, the Military Departments, the combatant commands and interagency efforts in order to provide advice and assistance to the secretary on the strategic direction of the department.

And finally, tomorrow, Secretary Austin will depart to the Indo-Pacific for his 12th trip to the region as Secretary of Defense. The secretary will visit Australia, the Philippines, Laos and Fiji for a series of meetings and official engagements with regional counterparts. Each stop on this trip will highlight the department's historic efforts to work alongside our partners and allies to deliver on shared vision, regional  regional visions of peace, stability and prosperity.

As mentioned, this is the secretary's 12th visit to the region and continues the long tradition of the secretary's representation at the ADMM-Plus. In addition, this will be the secretary's fourth visit to the Philippines, which is the most visits ever by a US Secretary of Defense and signals the incredible progress the US has made in deepening that critical alliance.

And finally, this will also be the first ever visit by a US Secretary of Defense to Fiji, demonstrating growing security cooperation between the US and Pacific Islands countries. So, more to follow in the coming days, but with that I'd be glad to take your questions. Tara?

Q: Thanks, Sabrina. So, a couple of questions on the defense secretary nominee, Pete Hegseth. He said that in 2021 he was part of the DC National Guard and was supposed to be helping provide protection to the inauguration but was removed from that duty, potentially because of a questionable tattoo. Those are his words. So, has the department looked into his removal from that detail? And kind of following up on that  so far, we have not received a full military record of his service from the Army, and so just asking if that could be released publicly.

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: So, I'd refer you to the National Guard and Army for more details on his record. I don't have that. But they do release just kind of the broad outline of dates of service and justkind of like the standard information that we would release for any individual. So I'd refer you to Army for more.

In terms of the comments that you're referencing, you know, I don't have more to provide on that. I'm aware of the comments that were made. It's not something that we're to my knowledge that we're looking into. So I you know, have to refer you to his team more to more to speak to that.

Q: I guess I would ask that the department does look into it and whether he was one of the members. I remember at the time the department actually announced that, you know, some had been removed. There were like 26,000 that were assigned to provide protection to Biden's inauguration. So if we could get back from the department, why those members were removed at the time and confirmation of whether Hegseth [Ph] was one of them.

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: That'd be something that I think the National Guard or the Army could speak to, so I'd refer you them to speak to more to that.

Q: Okay. Totally separate topic, sure. Ukraine aid the President has said he's committed to getting about $7.1 billion in PDA to Ukraine before his administration ends. How do you get $7.1 billion off the shelf of the Pentagon's stockpiles in such a short time?

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: It is a short time, but it's also, you know, just under 70 days. This department can do incredible work in that amount of time. The president made clear that, you know, he wants to spend every, you know, spend down the authority that Congress has allocated and authorized before he leaves office.

So we're going to work very hard to make sure that happens. You've seen us roll out very large packages, you know, from the beginning and you've seen, you know, us roll out actually I'd say a range of packages on a pretty frequent basis almost, you know, almost weekly. So, I expect that for the next coming months of this administration you're going to continue to see those packages draw down from what's available in our stockpiles,

Again, we're committed to ensuring that Ukraine has what it needs to be successful on the battlefield. Secretary Austin recently had a, you know, a call with Minister Umarov. They discussed, you know, the capabilities that Ukraine needs to continue to push the Russians back, to continue to be successful in their strategic battle plans.

And that's something that this administration is committed to. So you'll see us continue to roll the draw those down over time. Janne [Ph].

Q: Hi, can you talk a little more about the unidentified aerial phenomena and one of the accusations, it's not in the report but that the department has with in storage the remains of aliens or signs of life from elsewhere. Can you settle that once and for all? Do you or don't you have such remains?

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: Yeah, so I'm not aware of any remains that the department has of, you know, any signs of extraterrestrial beings or activity or technology. And I'm sorry, what was your second question or your first question?

Q: Well, it's really about that and then also what the top line finding in this report.

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: So the report again was briefed to members of Congress and from what I read out at the top, I really don't have more to provide, but the relevant staff and committee members were notified about the report. You know, part of this annual report submitted to Congress is accountability and to ensure that we continue to keep members updated through our AARO office.

Go ahead.

Q: But have you found any evidence of foreign involvement in any of these unidentified aerial phenomena?

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: Yeah, to date the department has not discovered any verifiable evidence of extraterrestrial beings, activity, or technology and or nor verifiable information to substantiate claims that, you know, any programs regarding possession or reverse engineering of extraterrestrial terrestrial materials have existed in the past or currently exist.

Q: And in terms of the strikes on the Houthis in the past week, why were the F-35Cs used in those strikes? Is it symbolic? Was it needed? And yet the Houthis keep firing?

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: I mean, why we use certain capabilities is also what's available in the AOR. The F-35s are, you know, on are part of the Abe Carrier Strike Group. Why they're used, you know they bring different capabilities than, you know, some of the other aircraft in the region, but that's at really at the discretion of the commander.

I can't get into more of the operational details on that, but, you know, it really depends on the mission, the operation and the what's available and what we need to accomplish. And, you know, different aircraft are used at different times. Yeah, Austin.

Q: Thank you. I have a follow up on Tara asked about Ukrainian assistance to Ukraine. So does the Pentagon 

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH:  I thought you were going to ask me about UAPs.

Q: Yes, maybe later. Okay. So, does the Pentagon still plan to use the entire amount that is left by the end of the administration. And, do you have enough capabilities on your shelves for that?

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: Yes, so, I don't have much more to vary off of the points that I made to Tara. But as you know, you've heard the president give his commitment that he intends to use the authority that Congress allocated to continue to draw down from our stockpiles and continue to send PDA packages out to Ukraine.

That's a commitment that the president has made and therefore the department continues to honor that commitment by the packages that we send to Ukraine on a pretty weekly basis. And I'm sorry, your second question?

Q: Yeah, did you have enough capabilities for this on your shelves?

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: We're constantly refilling our shelves and our stockpiles. The secretary is not going to allow the department to dip below readiness levels that he doesn't feel comfortable with. So as we continue to refill our own shelves, you're going to see equipment capabilities continue to flow out.

Q: And are those capabilities expected to be delivered to Ukraine by January 20th or it might take longer?

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: Look, it's going to range, as you know, keep some equipment and some systems can get to Ukraine very quickly and you've seen that happen within days or weeks. Sometimes it does take longer for, you know, what's available to, to get to Ukraine and that that could be longer than weeks that could be months.

You also have to remember we have those USAID packages that we have announced. Some of those things are, you know, take years to deliver. So, I think the long and short of it is, is that some equipment does get to Ukraine exceptionally quickly. But then there are some that takes longer.

Okay. Constantine.

Q: Thanks, Sabrina. There's been reporting over the last several days that the incoming Trump administration plans to stand up a sort of warrior board, I think they're calling it to rid the military of what they feel are woke generals. Yesterday, Reuters reported that there's a list going around of generals connected to General Milley that are slated to be fired.

Does the Pentagon have a reaction to either to these reports of the incoming administration looking to remove a large amount of its senior officers?

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: So I'm certainly not going to speak for the incoming administration or speak to any hypotheticals on what they will and won't do. I've seen those reports as well, but I'm just not going to speak to that. What I can tell you and, Constantine, I think you know this very well is, there are people here that have that work in this building incredibly hard have dedicated their life to public service, whether it be in uniform or career civil servants.

It's been amazing to meet them over my time here at the department. They are focused on the mission. They're going to continue to, you know, see that mission through and certainly on our part from you know this administration, we are going to do everything that we can to ensure that there is an orderly, calm transition. And so when the incoming secretary's team is ready to make that transition, we want to ensure that they are set up for success.

Q: I mean, and so fair enough, just to sort of take the hypothetical out of it, are you able to say very broadly, for example, if there would be operational impacts if a large number of general officers were suddenly no longer part of the Department of Defense?

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: So removing the hypothetical, you will remember the time when we had a significant amount of holds on our general and flag officers, removing holding officers from moving up or not having people in place. And therefore having other people fill a job that  you know, maybe they're doing two jobs, maybe they're doing three jobs.

Yes, that's going to have an impact to operations that's going to have an impact to morale and that is going to have an impact on the department. Again, I'm not going to speak to the hypothetical of what you're referencing, but you know when whenever you have or put a strain on the system where there are not enough people in a position or not enough people sharing the burden of work, of course, it's going to strain the system.

Joseph?

Q: Thanks. To follow up on Jen's on a question on the Houthis, you mentioned the capabilities. She asked why they use the F-35Cs in these particular strikes and you said what's available in that AOR. But a couple of weeks last month you used B-2 bombers that were not in that AOR that were sent from here. So how do you, you know, why the discrepancy there?

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: Yeah, no, there's not a discrepancy. It has to do with the type of mission and the type of targets and what would be most effective and for the mission set that used the bombers  it was one that required their capabilities. Again, the Abe carrier strike group has different aircraft on board. One is the F-35. It has been used in

the most recent mission. But you've seen us do strikes with whether it be F-15s, F-16s. So, it's really at the commander's discretion.

Q: So, just on that, we've seen now new capabilities introduced to this now I guess year-long campaign to deter the Houthis, they're not deterred. So, I mean, what's the department looking to do differently to stop that, at least in these last 70 days that you're here?

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: Well, so to push back on that though, we continue to take capabilities off the map for them. So, while we continue to see aggression from the Houthis and the targeting of innocent mariners and commercial ships that are just transiting the BAM or the Red Sea, we continue to take capabilities away.

Yes, they do have large stockpiles of those, but I think it's  I think you have to also look at what we're being able to do to impact their operations as well. And that is important. And if we weren't doing what we were doing, you wouldn't see those commercial ships coming through. It would have a larger impact to the economy to  a larger impact to world markets.

And one of the things that the secretary did was set up Operation Prosperity Guardian to ensure that we can have a safe transit of  and to really uphold the international rules-based order and freedom of navigation. So, very proud of the work that we're continuing to do there on holding the Houthis responsible, but every single time that we engage, we're taking capabilities away as well.

Q: Just one more on Gaza. The  it's been over 30 days since that letter was sent by secretaries Blinken and Austin. We heard from the State Department the other day that they're not  or they're not prepared to do anything basically to follow through on that letter because the aid the US considers is still far short of what it's asking for or what needs to be getting into Gaza.

Does this department share that assessment? And if not enough aid is getting in, but you guys are also not going to do anything as a consequence or whatever you want to call it. What message does that send to other allies and partners in the world that either messages we're sending we're not following through on what we say we're going to do or otherwise?

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: Well, I don't think  I kind of disagree with some of the premise there. We are  and the president has been clear that we're going to continue to support Israel in their self-defense. They're continuing to get attacked on all sides by terrorist groups like Hamas or Lebanese Hezbollah in the north, and then not to mention, of course, the unprecedented attacks that we've seen from Iran.

So, they do have a tough fight, but we've been very clear that not enough has been done in Gaza. And we  because of the pressure that the United States has put on Israel, we have seen crossings open, we have seen the Erez crossing open. We've seen others, we're seeing more truckloads get in. We're seeing the Jordan Armed Forces corridor open up.

So, I don't think it's fair to say that our pressure isn't working. It is. But can more be done? Yeah, absolutely. And over the summer when we did have that maritime corridor put in place, that did help open up the Ashdod crossing, which was something that didn't exist before the JLOT's mission was there.

So, every single day, we know how dire the humanitarian situation is in Gaza. And that's why every single day, not just here at this department, but the interagency continues to work with our Israeli partners to get more aid in, because we know not enough is getting in. Phil.

Q: President-elect Trump's nominee for defense secretary has alleged that he was sidelined from the service because of what he said was being labeled as extremist. He was labeled as extremist, he says. I realize that you'd like us to speak to the Army and the National Guard, but I think we've all been trying to get a concrete answer from them. And as a representative from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, I would just hope that you could perhaps help us determine whether or not that assertion that he was sidelined for being an extremist could be verified 

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: I'd have to take a look and certainly can look into that with the Army National Guard. But I just  I'm aware of the reports, but again, this is something that the services would really handle. So, I have to direct you to them to speak more to his record and also some of the reporting that I've seen out there.

Q: Just to follow up on that though, I mean, we were all here at the time and we were having briefings about the number of guard troops that were moving in to protect the capital, that there was additional vetting going on. And then we were told that some members were removed, so this was centralized. This wasn't down  pushed down to the Army. This was very much a Department of Defense effort.

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: So, as you know, I was not here  was not here during that time. And we were going through our own transition as the incoming Biden administration. So, look, I like I said, happy to work and try and get you more information. This is really something that the services would handle. But I understand that at the time you were asking about this in January 2021. So, we'll do our due diligence and try and get back to you.

Q: [Off-mic] like a larger extremism review in the department looking at service members, so if we could just revisit what was being looked at and where that review now stands. I realize it was  there was some [crosstalk] that was released.

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: Yeah, that was released, so I'd refer you to what we released. I don't have the exact dates in front of me, but that's available online. And I think we did briefings on it at that time. But I'd refer you to what we had put out at that time. Yes, in the back.

Q: Thank you, Sabrina. Today the Lebanese Ministry of Health announced that in the last 24 hours, 78 civilians have been killed and 122 have been wounded. So, the total now categorized to 3,365. This is the  being killed, more than 14,000 have been wounded. So, and that's come despite what Secretary Austin said on October 19 when he was in Italy, that these numbers are far too high. I would like to see Israel scale back on some of the strikes it's taken especially in and around Beirut.

So, what do you  how concerned, first of all, about these numbers, the civilian casualties in Lebanon? And how do you contact with the Israelis to tell them their message? And do you believe they are hearing what are you saying to them about the civilians?

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: So, something that the secretary has been saying from the beginning is that the number of civilians killed as a result  whether it be in Gaza or what's happening on the northern border. Certainly, the number is too high. That's ultimately why we keep pushing for a ceasefire to be put in place, because we want to see and Israel wants to see their citizens returned home to that northern border area.

The only way that that's going to happen is if a ceasefire is put into place. So, that's what you're seeing us push for. We had representatives from the US government in the region just this past week or last week. We might have less than 70 days left of this administration, but that doesn't mean that we're giving up  we're going to keep pushing and we're going to keep doing the work.

And so that means continuing to urge for a ceasefire, continuing to urge for more humanitarian aid to get into Gaza, and doing the work with our Israeli partners, and continuing to push that they move those civilians out of the battle space because that is a grave concern for the United States. I'm going to go to the phones and then happy to come back in the room. Jeff Schogol, Task & Purpose.

Q: Thank you. CENTCOM announced earlier this week there was an attack on a patrol base in Syria and there were follow-up airstrikes. I just wanted to see, have there been any subsequent attacks against US troops in Iraq and Syria? Have there been any follow-up

airstrikes? And have there been any more airstrikes in Yemen against Houthi targets? And have the Houthis fired any missiles against US ships?

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: Thanks, Jeff, for the question. So, in terms of activity in the CENTCOM AOR, I'm not tracking anything additional from what General Ryder had provided at the briefing on Tuesday. You mentioned some of the attacks that had happened or were directed at US forces, that was over the weekend  not tracking anything additional as of today.

Occasionally there are things that are launched in the vicinity of our forces or our bases in the region that US forces do engage and shoot down. But those aren't necessarily attacks on US forces. But again, not tracking anything new from what General Ryder provided at the briefing on Tuesday. Go to the last one here, Jared Szuba.

Q: Hi Sabrina, my question has been asked. Thank you.

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: Happy to come back in the room. Yes, Brad.

Q: Thank you. Just one question. Human Rights Watch released a report today saying that Israel is carrying out war crimes by forcibly displacing the Palestinian people. Do you have a response to that at all?

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: I haven't read the report, so I don't. Okay. Yep.

Q: Yeah, thank you. Thanks so much. President-elect previously said that some people who were involved in Afghanistan's evacuation here at the Pentagon need to be fired as soon as he gets to the White House. Is there any ongoing investigation here at the Pentagon regarding Afghanistan's evacuation?

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: There is not and as you know or maybe you don't, but we have done an investigation and CENTCOM earlier this year did an additional review of, you know the evacuation and also what happened at Abbey Gate. I'm not aware of any other investigations or reviews happening at the department at this time and we were very thorough.

We had folks testify on the Hill as well. Congress also did its own review on the withdrawal of Afghanistan. And while I'm not going to comment on the president-elect's comments, you know, we've certainly  we've certainly done a very thorough review process in this building.

Q: Quick follow up on that. So also the incoming secretary of Defense said that the United States left a bunch of weapons in Afghanistan that Taliban are using right now. And may I

ask what is the overall value of the  those weapons that were left in Afghanistan from the Pentagon's point of view?

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: So we did a thorough review, I'd encourage you to look online and also go back and look at the testimony that, you know, members of this administration did on the Hill. I don't have a dollar figure in front of me right now. I'm going to go to, yep, over here.

Q: Sabrina, since the secretary will be in the region going in the region and also ASEAN and G20 other meetings and summits are going on and how the military to military relations with China today or how much China threat to the nations around in Asia-Pacific that are also in the China Sea? So those nations are depending or depending on the United States and what you think the future or what message you think secretary will have for them as far as China's threat in the region?

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: So I think it sends an incredibly powerful message that the secretary is going to the Indo-Pacific for the 12th time. He's going to the Philippines for his fourth time. That is a partnership that has expanded with, you know, more EDCA sites, a deepening relationship, and I think it shows that the secretary and this building is still guided by the National Defense Strategy which identifies China as our pacing challenge.

So we're not shying away from that. What's important is that we continue to have mil-to-mil relationships with the PRC and our counterparts. That's something that President Biden committed to working with President XI when, you know, they had their meeting in California. Something that you know we're going to continue to push for in these short 70 days.

Yes?

Q: Thank you very much, Sabrina. My last two questions in this administration.

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: You're not coming back for 70 days?

Q: No.

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: Okay.

Q: But I do want to thank you, Sabrina. Nobody has given the comment you made off the record about encouragement of journalists. I have never heard such a beautiful comment you made a few weeks ago about journalism. So I do want to come back to both of my colleagues question the Abbey Gate. So I have shared my with your colleagues pictures of last three decades of my personal news media and family relations in Afghanistan.

And I do want to say that while the US troops were there in Afghanistan, I did launch Emirates Airlines, did work for Nestle, Moneygram, lots of multinational and top advertising agencies in the world. With Abbey Gate with the last day of withdrawal. You know, when I came out from the hospital, the first question I had asked you was that now today I want to offer from my side, from the frontier post and for my teachers who were in the military, 100,000 investigation inquiry that anybody from Pentagon or here this podium can support from my side knowing that region so well, I want to contribute 100,000, just us former military officials there and Pakistani to investigate that last day of the withdrawal. Is that a big demand from a journalist?

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: So look, I think you are incredibly entitled to do your own investigative work. What I can tell you and what I can point you to is what this administration has done, the time, the money, the resources it took to doing very in-depth investigative work, additional review by Central Command and not to mention multiple testimonies on the Hill answering questions from lawmakers.

So, you know, we certainly understand that there are still questions around the withdrawal, but from a department standpoint we've done, you know, the work to answer those questions and that's really all I have to offer.

Q: My colleagues, as for the military generals, like especially General Milley resignation where journalists like me raise questions who are from that region, why are you not asking for investigation or resignation or whatever of people like Zalmay Khalilzad? You know, like why no State Department officials, you know, like nobody talks about them, but the military?

I feel like you guys are taking the burden on yourself and blame on yourself and the diplomatic wing who were responsible for a big chunk of that withdrawal.

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: Yeah. So I don't have anything more to add. I'm going to go to Jen.

Q: I have a question.

Has the transition landing team started here or landed.

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: They have not.

Q: They have not. What's the hold up?

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: I look, I believe that there's still a process that needs to be agreed to and signed. I think, you know, it doesn't preclude us from having of course conversations. We want to make sure that there is an orderly transition that can work with

this building and we want to make sure that the incoming team has what they need to be successful.

But the  the actual formal paperwork has not, you know, been officially signed yet. When that does, we're committed to an orderly transition process.

Q: Have you started those conversations or not?

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SINGH: No, not yet. Yeah. All right. Thanks, everyone.

Q: Thank you so much.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3965597/

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November 14, 2024

Transcript

Dr. Timothy Hoyt and Dr. Liz Clark Hold a Media Roundtable to Present the Calendar Year 2023 DOD Annual Suicide Report and Efforts to Address and Prevent Suicide Across the Department of Defense

MS. JADE FULCE: Good morning, everyone. Thank you so much for joining us today. We're going to start with Major General Ryder. Sir, I'm going to turn it over to you.

MAJ. GEN. PAT RYDER: Thanks very much, Jade, and good morning, everyone. Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary. And just want to say right up front, thank you for joining us today to discuss an important topic, DOD's annual report on suicide in the military for calendar year 2023. Our speakers today will be Dr. Timothy Hoyt, the Deputy Director of the Office of Force Resiliency for the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and Dr. Elizabeth Clark, Director of the Defense Suicide Prevention Office.

Today's briefing is on the record, and I would ask that you keep your questions to the topic of the annual report. I'm going to turn the floor over to our speakers here in just a moment, but I'd like to emphasize up front the department's continuing commitment to taking care of our people.

Since his first day in office, the health, safety and well-being of our military community has been one of Secretary Austin's top priorities. As you've heard him say many times before, we owe it to our service members and our military families to provide the best possible care to identify risk factors and spot warning signs and to eliminate stigmas around seeking help. And when it comes to suicide, one loss to suicide is one too many.

As you'll hear from our speakers today, the department remains focused on long-term sustained initiatives to prevent suicide. In 2023, Secretary Austin approved a comprehensive campaign plan with five lines of efforts and enabling tasks to guide and strengthen the department's suicide prevention strategy. Notably, the plan includes 83 key enabling actions adopted and modified from the approved Suicide Prevention Response and Independent Review Committee recommendations.

Subsequently, the department has been urgently focused on implementing all 83 recommendations and moving out urgently to implement these key reforms. In 2024, The department completed 20 of the SPRIRC [Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee] recommendations, and in fiscal year 2025, with the support of congress, the department will make an unprecedented investment in suicide prevention.

Now while some progress has been made, Secretary Austin has been clear that there is still much work to do and that we won't let up. The Department will continue our efforts to improve the delivery of mental health care, bolster suicide prevention training, and educate our service members and their families about lethal means safety.

And with that, I will turn it over to Dr. Hoyt for his opening comments, followed by Dr. Clark. Dr. Hoyt, over to you, sir.

DR. TIMOTHY HOYT: Thank you, General Ryder, and we appreciate everyone being here as we roll out our annual suicide report covering service member deaths that occurred in calendar year 2023 and family member deaths that occurred in calendar year 2022. As was stated, this is all part of our commitment to our people that's been emphasized throughout by the secretary and really a commitment also to transparency.

I think the DOD is unique in putting forward our report card on how we are doing on this area and making sure that we remain accountable for our efforts in the suicide prevention space. As we go through all of these things  rates, counts, trends, numbers  I don't want us to get lost in the information there and lose sight of the fact that each death by suicide is a tragedy. That these are individual service members and family members whom we have lost to this scourge of suicide.

And we want to not lose sight of how important that is at the individual level. So, even though we might say something like a not statistically significant increase, we really do view every single one of these cases as a significant event that warrants our time and attention in continuing to prevent suicide and redouble our efforts in this space.

So, in terms of the specific numbers, we did tragically lose 523 service members to suicide in calendar year 2023. Numerically that was somewhat higher than the 493 that we lost in 2022. Although that increase in terms of the rate and the count for the active component was not a statistically significant increase. For the reserve component, we similarly saw that slight increase but then slightly lower in the National Guard.

So, really what we want to look at here is the long-term trend. So, between 2011 and 2023, there's a slight increasing long-term trend in suicide rates in the active component, whereas for the reserve and the National Guard, that trend line is somewhat flatter, neither increasing or decreasing as a statistically significant trend.

All of these rates were very similar to rates for the US population when accounting for age and sex differences, so that our rates are directly in line with really an increasing rate for the entire US population that's been over the last decade as well. We are not immune to the factors that drive suicide throughout the US, and our service members face, in addition to those, a number of unique military challenges.

In terms of the mechanism of injury, firearms are still the leading mechanism of injury in these suicide deaths and including for both service members and family members. And then looking at our family member data, there were fewer family member deaths by suicide in 2022 versus 2021. Numerically 146 versus 165. Those numbers are lagged by one year because we're dependent on the National Death Index for being able to count those. And similarly, that long-term trend line is gradually increasing over the same time.

As General Ryder mentioned, we are in the midst of this comprehensive campaign plan announced by the secretary last year that encompasses these five lines of effort. We are working hard to foster a supportive environment for our service members, wherein they have greater predictability of their schedules, wherein we've promoted leadership that really focuses on strengthening the support to service members and their families.

We have worked to improve the delivery of mental health care, including recruitment and retaining our behavioral health providers, and working to increase appointment availability by revising MTF staffing models. We have worked to address stigma and other barriers to care through a greater investment in nonmedical counseling as well as telehealth services for our service members and their family members.

And in terms of what's going to be the most noticeable here, we are doubling down on our revisions to suicide prevention training. We're modernizing that training and creating better tools for leaders to facilitate these difficult discussions with their service members.

The fifth line of effort then, we're continuing to promote this culture of lethal means safety, incentivizing secure firearm storage and really promoting safety across the installation, and particularly in our barracks and dorms to make sure that we are securely storing firearms when we're off duty and in our homes.

Taking all that into account then, we'll dive into more of the data here and I'll turn things over to Dr. Liz Clark from the Defense Suicide Prevention Office.

DR. LIZ CLARK: Thank you. How the slides will be run through is I will first provide key data on active component service members. I'll then look at the reserve component. We'll then move into the family member and then we'll talk about the department's efforts moving forward. As a reminder, when we publish the annual report, we assess changes and analyze the data in suicide rates using three different measures.

First, we look at the recent year changes as preliminary insights but not as trends. Second, we analyze the trend between 2011 and 2023 to see if the rates are increasing, decreasing or staying the same. And then third, we compare to the US population after adjusting for age and sex differences.

So, for the short term in 2023, more active component service members died by suicide at a rate of 28.2 and a count of 363 compared to 2022 when the rate was 25.1 and the count was 331. This is an increase of 32 deaths. This represents a rate increase of 12 percent from 2022. Still this increase is not statistically significant, meaning it's likely due to a chance or normal variation.

While I know 12 percent may seem like a large change, reaching statistical significance requires changes in multiple factors which are less visible and relatively small populations with relatively small event counts. And statistical significance does not depend solely on the magnitude of change. Rather, it depends on a combination of factors like sample or population size, variability and the threshold of significance.

We also analyze the trends within the components for the longer periods of time to see if the rates are increasing, decreasing or staying the same. These longer-term analyzes are the most robust  more robust than the year-to-year comparisons. And for the longer term, we continue to see a gradual, statistically significant increase in the active component suicide rates from 2011 to 2023. This tells us that it's most likely a real change. Stated differently, there is a low likelihood that this change is due to natural variation or chance.

When comparing to the US population, active component suicide rates were similar in most years after accounting for age and sex differences between 2011 and 2022, with the exception in 2020 when the active component rate had a statistically significant higher rate. The CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] has not published final data for 2023, so this comparison is through calendar year 2022.

With the annual data, we also examine suicide risk for each demographic group relative to the population average for each component. Similar to previous years, service members who died by suicide were largely young, enlisted males under the age of 30. This group accounted for 61 percent of suicide deaths in the active component. This is consistent with previous years and the overall demographic profile of the total force.

Female service members appear to be at lower risk compared to active component population average. This is consistent with females having a lower suicide rate when compared to a population that is largely male.

We then look at demographics and health and life stressors reported for suicide deaths overall: 5 percent identified as gay, lesbian or bisexual; 12 percent experienced abuse before the age of 18; 28 communicated intent for self-harm to one or more of the following  mental health staff at 5 percent, talking to a friend at 10 percent, and then talking to a spouse or a partner at 11 percent.

This data just reinforces the need to improve the delivery of mental health services and appropriate screening, as well as that continued vigilance of educational support across the military community for how best to respond to someone in crisis or with suicide ideation.

When looking at suicide death and attempt characteristics in contextual data within the last year prior to the suicide death or attempt, similar to last year, intimate relationship problems and/or behavioral health diagnosis within a year of death were the most frequently reported health and life stressors at 44 percent and 42 percent respectively, noting here that these categories are not mutually exclusive.

For those with a behavioral health diagnosis reported, possible diagnosis includes one or more of the following  again, they're not mutually exclusive: alcohol use disorder at 10 percent; depressive disorder at 19 percent; anxiety disorder at 18 percent; adjustment disorder at 21 percent; and PTSD at 7 percent.

The department is actively working to create a culture where help seeking is a sign of strength. Our messaging reinforces that help seeking is something to be applauded and encouraged. As the SecDef [Secretary of Defense] mentions, mental health is health, period. Administrative, legal problems, workplace difficulties and financial difficulties continue to be stressors as in previous years. And we also saw that 2 percent experienced physical or sexual assault or harassment within the last year.

Then other factors that are not highlighted here, but they are in the report, is that: 67 percent had a primary care encounter in the last 90 days prior to their suicide death; 34 percent had an outpatient mental health encounter; 8 percent were discharged from an inpatient mental health facility. And at the time of death: 18 percent were on psychotropic medication; 3 percent were perpetrators of physical or sexual assault or harassment within the last year; 6 percent experienced the death of a friend or a family member within the last year; and 15 percent had previous self-harm.

And this continues to underscore the relevance and the importance of our comprehensive integrated approach to suicide prevention and primary prevention efforts as well as postvention response after a suicide death and/or a suicide attempt or related behavior.

Now we're going to be focused in on the reserve component. Overall, when we look at the year-to-year comparisons compared to 2022, the rate for the reserves appears higher at 8 percent in 2023, while the rate for the National Guard appears lower at 5 percent. These changes were not statistically significant.

For the reserves, the calendar year 2023 rate is 20.9 compared to last year at 19.4, which was an increase of almost 8 percent from 2022. For the National Guard, the rate is 21.2 compared to last year's rate at 22.2, a decrease of almost 5 percent. And with respect to the longer-term trends, the rates for the reserves remained stable from 2011 to 2023 and they were similar to rates in the US population.

The National Guard rates similarly remained stable from 2011 to 2023 and were largely similar to the US population with the exception of 2012 and 2013 where the National Guard rates were significantly higher. Demographics of those who died by suicide in 2023 in the reserve of the National Guard resembled those of the active component, primarily its young, enlisted males. And firearm was the most common method of death for the reserves at 62 percent and the National Guard at 71 percent.

Now we're going to look at data for military family members, meaning military spouses and dependents. By dependents, we mean dependent children up to age 23 and based on the Title 10 definition. We recognize that military service is an experience shared by families and not limited to only the service member.

Unlike their civilian counterparts, military spouses and dependents experience many unique challenges and stressors and the department remains committed to helping families navigate these difficult times. And as a reminder, this data is for calendar year 2022 as military family member data lags one year behind service member data due to the CDC sourcing.

And for the short term, fewer military family members died by suicide in 2022 than in the previous two years, representing a 9 percent decrease in the rate from 2021 and 19 fewer family members. Although this is not a statistically significant decrease, it is worth noting that the count and the rate both decreased. This decrease is primarily driven by a reduction in the number of military spouses who died by suicide. The suicide rate for military spouses in 2022 appears lower than in 2021.

And then for dependents we saw the same number of deaths in 2022 as in 2021, resulting in unadjusted rates at 3.5 and 3.4 respectively. This change was not statistically significant. We then look at the longer term. This is the first year we've analyzed and published longer-term trends for our military family members. When looking at the rates from 2011 to 2022, there is a gradual statistically significant increase in the trend at a 1.25 increase.

And when the long-term trend is examined for spouses and dependents separately, there is a statistically significant increase in dependency [audio gap] rates and no increasing or decreasing trend for spouses. When we then compare it to the US population, between 2011 and 2022, after accounting for age and sex differences, the family member population, so combining military spouses and dependents, rate was similar to the US population with the exception of 2013, 2019 and 2020, when the family member rate was statistically higher.

When we look at military spouses alone, there were no statistically significant differences noted between military spouses in the US population rates from 2011 to 2022. Dependents on the other hand experienced higher rates than the US population in the years 2013, 2015, 2018, 2019 and 2020. These longer-term trends for dependents appear to largely mirror that of US adolescents and young adult population.

The CDC finds that suicide rates for these groups have been increasing over the past decade. Still the department recognizes that, for several years, military dependents had higher suicide rates than our civilian counterparts in the US population. The department is actively promoting mental health services to the whole of the military family to support dependents who may be struggling with stressors.

I'll now speak to the efforts that the department is implementing as part of our public health approach to suicide prevention. Here we discuss the five lines of effort central to the DOD suicide prevention strategy, as well as highlight select accomplishments and examples of key enabling actions through the Suicide Prevention Response, Independent Review Committee recommendations.

The five lines of effort are: fostering a supportive environment; improving the delivery of mental health care; addressing stigma and other barriers to care; revising and modernizing suicide prevention training; and promoting a culture of lethal means safety. I'll provide a couple of examples of efforts within each of these lines of effort and there are additional examples and SPRIRC accomplishments in the full report.

For the first one, for fostering a supportive environment, the department has conducted a year-long media campaign called Joining Your Fight: Connect to Protect that raises awareness of suicide prevention resources with a focus on connection, collaboration and hope. And through our on-site installation evaluation, or our OSIEs, we continue to evaluate progress and implementing a comprehensive approach to reducing violent and harmful behaviors.

In 2023, we completed over 30 site visits to installations. Across the department we've hired over 1,000 integrated primary prevention workforce with a goal of hiring 2,500 by the end of 2028. And some specific examples of SPRIRC enabling actions include  we've improved the work schedule predictability in after-hours communications with commanders and service members.

We've also actioned retention incentives and bonuses to retain that key talent as well as improving the assignment processes. For improving the delivery of mental health care, the department has implemented the Brandon Act, which allows service members to self-initiate referrals for health care without declaring the reason to their commanding officer that helps reduce stigma to seek care.

Some specific examples of SPRIRC enabling actions include: recruiting and retaining more behavioral health providers; regularly updating Tricare provider information available to service members and their families to improve that coordination of care; increasing appointment availability by revising mental health staffing models; expanding mental health services in primary care settings; expanding accessible options, especially telehealth services, to reduce barriers for accessing mental health care.

To address stigma and other barriers to care through the Real Warriors campaign, the department is working to enhance collaboration between the clinical and non-clinical efforts to strengthen suicide prevention messaging, reduce stigma and then encourage those health seeking behaviors.

We've collaborated with Department of Defense Education Activity, or DoDEA to develop resources to support military families and children when a military family member dies by suicide. And some specific examples of SPRIRC enabling actions include expanding evidence informed support options such as our non-medical counseling with our military family life counselors as well as financial readiness counselors.

For revising and modernizing suicide prevention training, the department initiated an environmental scan of the current state of suicide prevention and response training across the military services as well as the nation and internationally with looking at what other federal agencies, universities and colleges, non-governmental organizations and other countries are doing in training for suicide prevention and response.

This past July, the VA and the DOD co-hosted the biennial Suicide Prevention Conference in Portland, Oregon. We had over 2,300 participants and the only national conference dedicated to military and veteran suicide prevention. In some specific examples of SPORIRC enabling actions under this line of effort include creating a comprehensive postvention system to ensure that any service member who experiences suicide loss in their unit receives support.

We have provided service leaders with tools to facilitate difficult conversations such as leadership focused postvention training, as well as we've trained behavioral health clinicians and behavioral health technicians in evidence-based practices.

And the last one promoting a culture of lethal means safety. We are continuing to collaborate with other federal agencies, particularly the VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] and HHS [Department of Health and Human Services] and SAMHSA [Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration] to promote a culture of lethal means safety. For example, together with our VA colleagues, we've published a fact sheet on firearm safety during a permanent change of station. The department continues to evaluate lethal means safety efforts in coordination with the military services.

These include evaluation of outreach materials as well as secure storage programs. And some specific examples of SPRIRC enabling actions in this line of effort include, we are working with firearm retailers near military installations to provide discounted safe storage devices to our service members when they purchase a personally owned firearm.

We're also in the process of working with the military exchanges to provide vouchers for service members who buy personally owned firearms at the exchanges and safe storage devices of their choice. We're also developing and implementing a multi-media public education campaign with the VA and have started the creative work to launch a campaign to promote firearm safe storage by service members and veterans. And with that, Dr. Hoyt, I turn it back over to you.

DR. HOYT: All right, thank you, Dr. Clark, and we really appreciate everything that DSPO is doing on a day-to-day basis to move forward all these initiatives and really implement Secretary Austin's vision for this long-term campaign plan to eliminate suicide in our military and family  and for their family members.

So again, in the short term, our suicide rates for the active component and the reserve were higher in terms of numerical count in 2023 in the active component and the reserve compared to 2022 and slightly lower in the National Guard with our 2023 number compared to 2022. Again, those changes were not statistically significant.

But looking at that long term trend since 2011, our suicide rates are on that gradual increase in the active component while remaining relatively stable for the reserves and National Guard. These rates have been very similar to the US population trends, highlighting the fact that throughout the entire United States we're taking on this sort of national problem of suicide risk. And in particular then amplified by military specific risk factors.

In the short term, here again, there were fewer suicide deaths noted for family members, for spouses and dependents. But again, that long-term trend still shows that statistically significant increase over the long term.

Now again, what are we doing about this? It gets back to our department's campaign plan across those five lines of effort in terms of addressing the stigma and other barriers to care, fostering a supportive environment, improving the delivery of mental health care, revising our suicide prevention training and promoting that culture of lethal means safety. With that, Jade, I think we'll turn it back to you to facilitate some questions.

MS. FULCE: Thank you, sir. We'll now open this up to questions. Please limit your question to one question and one follow up. I'm going to move to David Roza from AFA.

Q: Hey there, thanks for holding this. I appreciate it. So, my question has to do with the reported attempts by service. It seems to me that the Department of the Air Force and Space Force have a much higher number compared to the other services, despite not being the largest service out there on the active-duty side. Do you guys have any theories as to why there is that higher number on the Department of the Air Force side? Thank you.

DR. HOYT: Yeah, this is something that we've looked at in detail. And I think that we should not put too much interpretation on service level differences in the numbers of reported suicide attempts across the services, because there is service level variability in what gets reported in terms of those suicide attempts.

Suicide attempt information is very noisy. We're looking across various sources of data including survey data, health record data. And so, I would kind of think of these as kind of a lower bound of identified suicide attempts, but I wouldn't make a direct service comparison there. There's just differing processes in each of the services by which those numbers are reported.

Q: Got it. Thank you. And just on the subject of attempts versus deaths, very basic question, but throughout the report counts and rates, those specifically refer to deaths, correct, not deaths and attempts?

DR. HOYT: Yes, typically when we're talking about the suicide rate, that is just the rate of death by suicide.

MS. FULCE: Thank you. Now on to Heather Mongillio, USNI News.

Q: Hi, thanks so much. Just to be blunt, it seems that the Department of Defense has been trying to do a number of different suicide preventions. Each of the services are doing suicide prevention, but the rates just keep going up. So, I guess what are some of the roadblocks preventing these efforts from working? What is working, what's not working? And what is the Department of Defense planning to do to really try to get a grasp on this problem?

DR. HOYT: Yeah, I think the most important thing here is that upcoming in the next fiscal year budget will be an unprecedented investment of funds in these initiatives. A lot of the time where we've done initiatives during the past two decades, there's been insufficient investment in making sure that those have staying power, that we've got a long-term implementation of those programs.

And then not necessarily making the investment in tracking whether or not those programs are working at both the micro and the macro level. And so, admittedly, yes, that long-term trend is gradually increasing, but I think there's so many of those societal factors that the SPRIRC recommendations have really given us a mechanism by which we can address as many of those potential risks as possible and make Investments in those spaces.

Q: Thank you. And to follow up, so one of the recommendations that the Department of Defense opted not to continue with was more limitations on firearms. Considering that the number one leading cause of suicide method tends to be firearms, is the Department of Defense reconsidering that, or is there anything that's going to continue to focus on more prevention when it comes to firearms?

DR. HOYT: I think the bulk of our efforts in our line of effort for promoting a culture of lethal means safety, get at secure storage of firearms, particularly giving service members more options for secure storage of their firearms, particularly in the home. And making sure that appropriate restrictions are in place such as not storing firearms in our barracks and dormitories.

I realize that there were a lot of recommendations from the initial SPRIRC report getting at firearm purchases and all of those other sorts of factors. We feel that focusing on secure storage strikes a better balance between what might have been recommended and taking into account that firearms are the tools of military training.

In many cases, we have a robust firearms culture in the military, and we can't go in opposition to that culture without taking it into account, without giving more options for the secure storage of particularly privately owned firearms.

MS. FULCE: OK, we're going to move to Leo Shane, Military Times.

Q: Yeah, thanks for doing this. To build off of Heather's question there  do you have any evidence that anything has worked in the last 12 years here? I mean, it seems like if you've got this continued increase in the long-term increase that you're not really seeing any results from the past efforts you've put in. I understand the more recent ones we won't see until later data. But I mean, are you receiving any indications that any of this emphasis, any of this talk, any of this work on stigma is producing any results?

DR. HOYT: I think that's a great question that gets at our investment in tracking whether or not programs are working. And I think that has been one of the weaknesses that was pointed out by the SPRIRC, that in many cases we may have had effective programs but weren't measuring whether or not they were having a substantial impact on the overall number.

And so, going forward it's our commitment through these SPRIRC-enabling actions to really invest in tracking these efforts and finding those things that are the most effective. I think there have been limited scale studies looking at in particular safety planning and making sure that if a service member identifies as at risk that they're receiving a safety plan, that they know exactly whom to call during a moment of crisis. That has shown some very robust effects, including in service member samples.

And a lot of our efforts on promoting that culture of lethal means safety have been informed by the research on the effectiveness of that strategy, to make sure that when a firearm is in the home that it is securely stored. That does correlate to a reduced overall likelihood of suicide death. We're really just looking at how do we do that at scale and how do we shift that culture to make sure that that is a priority for our service members.

Q: So, should we be reporting these new initiatives as a total reset after years of unsuccessful programs?

DR. HOYT: I think it's more about an unprecedented investment in making sure that we're doing things that work. And that's really our intent, is to make sure that that we're able to show that those programs have received sufficient support to really be implemented at scale.

MS. FULCE: Now to Matthew Adams, Stars and Stripes.

Q: Hi, Thanks. I wanted to follow up  Heather was mentioning that the department didn't decide to take up some specific gun recommendations by the commission that included longer waiting periods for purchase of firearms and ammunition and some other things. Is the department considering those? Because right now, since there is the increase  the long-term increase, is that even on the table? And I have a follow up afterward.

DR. HOYT: I'd say at this point we really are focusing on the 83 approved actions and taking robust steps to make sure that those are implemented first as a priority. We did get together, representatives throughout the department, to prioritize those recommendations and really focus on where we thought we could get the most value for our investments in these spaces. Clearly some of the SPRIRC recommendations were not assessed as feasible to implement at this point, but our focus right now is those approved recommendations as directed by Secretary Austin.

Q: OK, and my follow up is on the recommendations. 20 of the 83 have been implemented at this time. What are going to be the next set that the department is looking to implement? What's the timetable?

DR. HOYT: In terms of timetable, once we've received the FY 2025 budget, I think some of our primary investments are making sure that our non-medical counseling systems are robustly implemented and that we've got good sustainability on those programs so that service members can confidentially access care during a moment of crisis.

We've also seen ongoing investment in our partnership that Dr. Clark mentioned with the exchanges where service members then will be able to use vouchers to help purchase secure firearm storage mechanisms that are best for them and that best fit their personally owned firearms. And then also looking across in terms of taking care of people, really looking at improved predictability of the day-to-day schedule, how greater career predictability links directly to that day-to-day predictability as well for family members and improved career stabilization.

I think those are some of the key areas where service members, boots on the ground, are going to start seeing that investment. And then next from there are our key investments in revising suicide prevention training. I think we've heard loud and clear the message from the front lines that previous suicide prevention training, whether slide decks or just videos that people watch without any facilitation were not working.

We heard that and we're working very hard to make sure that it's much more dynamic, much more integrative and accounts for the concerns of the individual service members, meeting them where they are in our suicide prevention training.

MS. FULCE: Patricia Kime, Military.com.

Q: Yes, thanks for doing this. When you say unprecedented investment next year, what is the bottom-line dollar line on that? And do you have an estimate for how much, since 2012, the DOD and the services have paid overall for suicide prevention programs?

DR. HOYT: I don't have the long-term number right here at my fingertips, but the investment for next year, once we receive the FY 2025 budget, is projected to be around $250 million.

Q: OK, and any idea then compared with last year, how much that was?

DR. TIMOTHY HOYT: I can speak just to SPRIRC amounts, so specific to the SPRIRC - recommendations and actions, we're looking at a difference of about $17 million that we invested in 2024 to get the SPRIRC recommendations started versus the projected amount, which is obviously much larger.

Q: OK, and my follow-up would be, you did have that VA suicide  VA, DOD suicide conference this year. How many have you had in the past dozen years of those?

DR. CLARK: I could take that one. So, it is a biennial conference, and we've had it every two years with the exception of this past year there was a three-year time period, but we've had it since I believe 2014.

MS. FULCE: And the last question we're taking is from Patty Nieberg, Task & Purpose.

Q: Hi, thank you for taking my question. So, going to the kind of outside stressors, for intimate partner stressors, the trend has been pretty common across the last few years. I'm wondering if you have an idea of whether that number is bigger because this is based on just self-reporting and folks knowing that they're reporting that they have those problems.

DR. HOYT: I mean, I think that our methodology in identifying relationship problems as a risk factor really is multifaceted, right, between survey data as well as the data we collect when doing a scrub of the risk factors in each suicide death individually. And so, I think relationship problems has been one of the biggest factors across all of these.

And that's why we're investing in our line of effort with fostering a supportive environment to give families overall better predictability of their career stabilization options, when they're going to be seeing their service member at home versus not. Those factors I think, as well as in concert with Military OneSource and our military community and family office, those are really going to be a holistic approach to addressing suicide risk in our service members and their family members.

Q: And then if I could ask a follow up on the behavioral health outside stressor, is there anything you can say how that  how substance abuse, if that's kind of a big part of that?

DR. HOYT: I think substance abuse overall, one of our biggest concerns is obviously alcohol abuse. We know from several years of annual reporting that often alcohol use paired with inappropriate firearm use has substantially increased death in that very narrow window. And so, we're continuing to make investments in better education that accounts for improving safe alcohol use as well as safe firearm use.

MS. FULCE: I'm now turning this over to Major General Ryder.

MAJ. GEN. RYDER: Thank you, Jade. Well, ladies and gentlemen, to conclude, I just want to say thank you again for joining us today to discuss DOD's annual report on suicide and the proactive steps the department is taking to prevent suicide and to take care of our people. I also want to thank and express our appreciation to Dr. Hoyt and Dr. Clark for sharing their time and insights today on this very important topic.

If you do have any follow-up questions or anything we didn't get to, please don't hesitate to reach out. We'll be happy to help. Thank you very much again for joining us and this concludes today's briefing.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3965586/

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November 14, 2024

Release

DOD Releases Final Nine Awards for Distributed Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program

The Department of Defense today announced the remaining nine awards to bioindustrial firms under the Distributed Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program (DBIMP). This announcement completes the first phase of DBIMP investment at 34 total awards worth over $60 million.

The awardees include Amyris, based in Emeryville, California; Cauldron Molecules, based in in Australia and the United States; Checkerspot, based in Alameda, California; DSM Nutritional Products, based in Plainsboro, New Jersey; EVERY Company, based in Daly City, California; The Fynder Group, based in Chicago; Liberation Labs, based in New York City; Perfect Day, based in Berkeley, California; and Solugen, based in Houston.

The program executes the White House's Executive Order 14081, "Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation for a Sustainable, Safe, and Secure American Bioeconomy," aimed at bolstering America's bioeconomic strengths while helping the Department achieve advanced defense capabilities.

"The next industrial revolution will be a biomanufacturing revolution. DoD is keenly aware of that reality," said Heidi Shyu, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. "DBIMP's investment in a diverse set of companies will help transition U.S. bioindustrial manufacturing from the laboratory to a network of large-scale production facilities, able to fortify defense supply chains for critical chemicals and novel materials while positioning the U.S. bioeconomy for surging growth."

Through these agreements, companies will receive funding to produce business and technical plans that detail construction of domestic bioindustrial manufacturing production facilities under the Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC) Other Transaction Agreement (OTA), a contract vehicle awarded and overseen by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy. These proposals will be eligible to receive follow-on "build" awards providing access to up to $100 million to construct U.S.-based bioindustrial manufacturing facilities.

"The introduction of new investment and funding strategies aligned to the National Defense Industrial Strategy offers the DoD rapid access to commercial solutions for defense requirements," said Dr. Laura Taylor-Kale, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy within the Office of the Under Secretary of

Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. "The DIBC OTA provides DoD with new paths for innovation through industry and ensures continued U.S. competitiveness."

The department announced the first award for the DBIMP in July 2024. The final set of projects announced today are as follows:

Amyris, based in Emeryville, California, was awarded $1.93 million to develop a plan to retrofit an existing facility that would enable cost-competitive domestic production of terpenes and related molecules for use as solvents and fuels for defense systems. The facility location is yet to be determined.

Cauldron Molecules, based in in Australia and the United States, was awarded $1.76 million to plan a commercial-scale facility. This facility will use hyper-fermentation to produce precision-fermented products ranging from food proteins to fuels and chemicals at a lower cost than traditional production methods. The company is considering U.S.-based sites for the facility.

Checkerspot, based in Alameda, California, was awarded $3.19 million to plan a facility that would produce lubricants free of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and triglyceride oils as food ingredients. The facility location is yet to be determined.

DSM Nutritional Products, based in Plainsboro, New Jersey, was awarded $2.07 million to plan a facility that will expand domestic production of omega-3 fatty acids for food supplies, which increasingly has been sourced from foreign producers. The facility location is yet to be determined.

EVERY Company, based in Daly City, California, was awarded $2.0 million to plan a facility for producing performance protein products for human nutrition. These proteins have unique features such as high solubility and increased protein density that can be easily incorporated into a range of form factors - high-concentration protein gels, hot and cold beverages, and meal rations. The facility location is yet to be determined.

The Fynder Group, based in Chicago, Illinois, was awarded $1.38 million to plan a bioproduction facility for fungi-based proteins that can be incorporated into military ready-to-eat meals. The facility location is yet to be determined.

Liberation Labs, based in New York, New York, was awarded $1.4 million to develop plans for scaling up operations of its new facility in Richmond, Indiana. The flexible, industrial-scale infrastructure of this facility would address the growing need for precision-fermented bioproducts within the defense application areas of food, operational fitness, and fabrication.

Perfect Day, based in Berkeley, California, was awarded $1.24 million to develop plans for a commercial facility to produce whey protein with fermentation. This biobased whey can be used to supplement military ready-to-eat meals and provide a safe source of protein for service members with dairy allergies. The facility location is yet to be determined.

Solugen, based in Houston, Texas, was awarded $2.0 million to plan a multi-use modular facility to establish cost-effective production of dual-use precursors that cannot be sourced domestically. Production is expected to occur at the company's Houston-based facility or new facility in Marshall, Minnesota.

About the Distributed Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program

Following a competitive evaluation of proposed solutions, the Department entered negotiations with more than 30 selectees for business and technical planning efforts across focus areas for defense materials: fabrication, firepower, fitness, food, and fuel. Upon completion of planning efforts, businesses are eligible to enter negotiations to proceed to the next phase of the DBIMP under the DIBC, wherein the DoD will support building bioproduction infrastructure that increases the domestic supply of critical materials.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3965368/

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November 14, 2024

Release

Department of Defense Awards $3.3 Million in NDEP Grants to Support Civic Engagement

The Department of Defense today announced awards totaling $3.3 million for allocation to three institutions of higher education under the National Defense Education Program. The two-year grants support the NDEP's Civil Society programs to provide enhanced civics education in areas such as critical thinking and media literacy and interest in public service.

"Investments in civil society and civics education are vital to ensuring the United States prepares its talent base for the challenges of the 21st century," said Dr. Aprille Ericsson, assistant secretary of defense for science and technology. "DoD invests heavily in STEM to prepare students to tackle current and future technology challenges. It invests in civics education to prepare them to be tomorrow's leaders, able to think independently, communicate adeptly, and engage with their communities as active, informed citizens."

In 2023, 13 institutions received $53 million in grants to support Civil Society program as well as the department's Manufacturing Engineering Education Program, STEM scholarship programs, and Enhanced Civics Education programs.

The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering awarded the 2024 grants to the following institutions:

The Regents of the University of Colorado (Colorado Springs, Colorado): "Digital Citizenship and Civics Leadership in the Pikes Peak Region (DCCL)"

University of Montana (Missoula, Montana): "Project on American Democracy"

Winona State University (Winona, Minnesota): "Winona State University Civic Center"

Visit https://dodstem.us/about/partners/ to read the awardees' abstracts and learn about other DoD STEM partners.

About USD(R&E)

The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E) is the Chief Technology Officer of the Department of Defense. The USD(R&E) champions research, science, technology, engineering, and innovation to maintain the United States military's technological advantage. Learn more at www.cto.mil or visit us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/ousdre.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3965336/

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November 14, 2024

Release

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met yesterday with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Washington, D.C. Secretary Austin congratulated President Prabowo on his recent inauguration and the two leaders discussed ways to advance the U.S.-Indonesia defense relationship, as well as regional and global security issues.

The two leaders discussed shared security concerns in the South China Sea and Indonesia's plans to provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza. President Prabowo affirmed his commitment to working closely with the United States to enhance interoperability, and to continue expanding bilateral and multilateral exercises, including Super Garuda Shield.

Secretary Austin and President Prabowo also announced the establishment of the U.S-Indonesia Defense Alumni Association as a critical step to deepen people-to-people ties. Both leaders committed to expand the bilateral defense partnership under the U.S.-Indonesia Defense Cooperation Arrangement, signed last year, and the U.S.-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3965064/

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Venezuelan National Sentenced for Sanctions Evasion Scheme

Thursday, November 14, 2024

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

George Semerene Quintero (Semerene), 61, of Venezuela, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and for his role in a scheme to evade U.S. sanctions imposed on Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. (PdVSA), a Venezuelan state-owned oil company.

"Today, the defendant George Semerene Quintero, is being held accountable for his role in a brazen scheme to illegally funnel American aircraft parts to service planes used by Maduro and his cronies," said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division. "The Justice Department is committed to enforcing the sanctions imposed on the Maduro regime and will not tolerate those who violate the law and undermine our national security."

"Semerene conspired to illegally procure critical parts from U.S. companies to supply the PdVSA aircraft fleet and tried to hide the transactions through third parties in other countries like Spain and Costa Rica," said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). "Now, the only procurement he'll be doing is at the prison commissary."

"Today, George Semerene Quintero was held accountable in a U.S. court of law for conspiring to circumvent economic sanctions and export controls to aid Nicolas Maduro's regime in Venezuela in obtaining critical aircraft parts from America," said U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida. "The prosecution of Semerene reflects our steadfast commitment to holding those who violate sanctions accountable and to vigorously enforcing export controls to protect our nation's security. Together, with the Bureau of Industry and Security and our law enforcement partners, the U.S. Attorney's Office will continue to ensure that the integrity and intent of U.S. sanctions are preserved."

According to court documents, between January 2019 and December 2021, after learning of the sanctions imposed on PdVSA, Semerene and his co-conspirators devised a scheme to illegally procure aircraft parts, including bearings, rudder parts, joint slide flexes and actuators, from the United States to service PdVSA's aircraft fleet in Venezuela, in violation of U.S. sanctions and export controls. Semerene, who was an employee in PdVSA's procurement department, and his co-conspirators concealed from U.S. companies that the requested parts were destined for Venezuela and PdVSA by utilizing third parties in other countries, including a company in Costa Rica, Novax Group SA, and a company in Spain, Aerofalcon SL, to serve as the purported purchasers and end users for the aircraft parts. Semerene and his co-conspirators carried out this scheme by causing the third-party companies to (1) lie to U.S. parts suppliers; (2) make false declarations on customs forms and shipping documents; (3) fabricate supplier invoices; and (4) provide false end-user certificates. Semerene and his co-conspirators utilized freight forwarders and shipping companies located in the Southern District of Florida to move the parts.

The indictment charging Semerene and nine co-defendants, including three other individuals associated with PdVSA, was unsealed in April, following Semerene's arrest upon his arrival in the United States. Semerene pleaded guilty on Aug. 20.

BIS investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Stratton for the Southern District of Florida (SDFL) and Trial Attorney Ahmed Almudallal of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section (CES) prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Medetis, Chief of the National Security Section for SDFL and CES Deputy Chief Matthew McKenzie provided valuable assistance during the investigation.

Components: National Security Division (NSD)

USAO - New York, Southern

Press Release Number: 24-1438

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Secretary General attends Exercise Resolute Warrior in Latvia

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

14 Nov. 2024

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visited Latvia on Thursday (14 November 2024) to observe Exercise Resolute Warrior 24, and to meet with President Edgars Rinkevics and Prime Minister Evika Silina.

Involving more than 3,500 Allied troops, Resolute Warrior 24 marks the first major field war-fighting exercise for the NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia. The Canadian-led brigade includes personnel from twelve other Allies and is part of NATO's strengthened defence posture on the eastern flank.

During his visit to Adazi Military Base, the Secretary General said that exercises such as Resolute Warrior, "give our forces experience of working together." He added that such intense training, "will make us more prepared to deter any aggression, and demonstrate our ability to defend all Allies."

During a press conference alongside President Rinkevics, Mr Rutte highlighted that Latvia spends more than 3% of its GDP on defence and supports Ukraine "with military equipment, ammunition and training".

He called for more Allied support for Ukraine, including air and missile defence, to protect critical infrastructure during the winter season.

Enhanced Forward Presence battlegroups and exercises like Resolute Warrior serve as critical elements of NATO's reinforced deterrence.

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NATO Secretary General visits Warsaw, commends Poland for defence spending and support to Ukraine

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

13 Nov. 2024

Last updated: 13 Nov. 2024

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met with Polish President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Warsaw on Wednesday (13 November 2024). Mr Rutte praised Poland's role as a key security provider on NATO's eastern flank, highlighting its leadership in defence spending among Allies.

Poland invests over 4 percent of GDP on defence, more than any other NATO Ally. "This sends a clear message not only to our adversaries, but also to the United States. That Europe understands it must do more to ensure our shared security. And that starts with spending more and also fielding more capabilities," Mr Rutte said.

Mr Rutte also commended Poland for hosting NATO forces, for its contributions to NATO missions in Kosovo and Iraq, and for its strong support for Ukraine. He noted that Poland has welcomed over a million Ukrainian refugees and committed 4 billion euros in military aid. Mr Rutte said that "Putin's increasing reliance on Beijing, Pyongyang and Tehran shows that our security is not regional, it is global," and welcomed Poland's commitment to building stronger ties with NATO's Indo-Pacific partners.

The Secretary General welcomed the official opening of the Aegis Ashore missile defence base in Redzikowo, Poland, describing it as "a testament to the strong commitment of both the United States and Poland to our collective defence."

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Interim Court of Inquiry report into HMNZS Manawanui sinking received

New Zealand Defence Force

Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Garin Golding has received the interim Court of Inquiry report into the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui.

14 November, 2024

HMNZS Manawanui ran aground with 75 people on board in Samoa whilst conducting a hydrographic survey of a reef on Saturday 5 October. The ship sank on Sunday 6 October.

Rear Admiral Golding said the Court had made good progress with its investigations, and was on track with interviews and evidence gathering.

"I will now take the time required to review the interim report to gain an understanding of what the findings are at this point in proceedings."

The interim report was directed to focus on what happened, while the final report will have the fuller context of why the incident occurred and lessons to be learnt.

"The interim report will also undergo an independent King's Counsel legal review, and following that, we will look to release to the public later this month some of the key information about what happened."

Rear Admiral Golding acknowledged the level of public interest in the incident and said relevant information would be made public as soon as practical.

We are committed to conducting this inquiry as thoroughly and transparently as possible.

"I am aware of the desire to have answers, and while it is important the Court works expeditiously, it is also vital to respect the process and carefully step our way through it," he said.

"I would like to thank those who have been a part of the Court of Inquiry process, including the inquiry members and witnesses. Your work will help inform the way forward and future lessons."

Is it anticipated that the final report will be completed around the end of February. The report will then be subject to an independent legal review and information is expected to be released publicly by late March. These dates are approximate and are subject to change.



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Biden heads to Peru for APEC and final Xi meeting

Xi and Biden will meet almost exactly a year after their high-profile summit in San Francisco eased US-China ties.

By Alex Willemyns

2024.11.14

WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday departed Washington for Lima, Peru, where he is expected to have his third and final in-person meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

The pair are slated to meet on Saturday, according to a senior White House official, who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity. It will be a year and a day since their summit in San Francisco - also on the sidelines of APEC - put a cap on 18 months of frosty ties.

During that meeting, Biden and Xi agreed to reinstate direct military talks as part of a broader reset in relations between the two countries, even as both sides acknowledged vast areas of disagreement.

The meeting this time round will have a far lower profile, the White House official said, with the leaders reflecting on progress in bilateral ties since last year but otherwise having no set "deliverables."

"President Biden will want to take stock of the progress we have made," the official said, noting that they "expect" it would be Biden and Xi's "last meeting as presidents," with Donald Trump set to be sworn-in as U.S. president for the second time in a little over two months.

The White House official declined to comment in detail on Biden's planned message to Xi about the incoming Trump administration, which looks set to be dominated by a cadre of China "hawks."

"I'm going to stick with the line: I can't comment on what the next administration will or won't do and what their policy direction will be," they said. "Whatever the next administration decides, they are going to need to find ways to manage a tough, complicated relationship."

Biden would reflect with Xi on "what we see has worked" in U.S.-China ties, the official added, as well as where strong differences remain.

"Russia, cross-[Taiwan] Strait issues, South China Sea, and cyber are areas the next administration is going to need to think about carefully, because those are areas of deep policy difference with China, and I don't expect that will disappear," the White House official said.

As president, Biden previously met with Xi on the sidelines of the November 2022 Group of 20 nations summit in Bali, Indonesia, and on the sidelines of last November's APEC summit in San Francisco.

Edited by Malcolm Foster

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content November not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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8 Tajik Politicians, Public Figures Go On Trial For 'Plotting To Seize Power'

By RFE/RL's Tajik Service November 14, 2024

DUSHANBE -- Eight former top officials, politicians, and public figures in Tajikistan have gone on trial behind closed doors on charges of plotting to forcibly seize power, calling for mass disorder, and inciting hatred.

The trial, which began on November 14 in a pretrial detention center in the Tajik capital, Dushanbe, includes former Foreign Minister Hamrohkhon Zarifi, former Foreign Ministry spokesman Abulfaiz Atoi, and former parliament speaker Akbarshoh Iskandarov.

The Supreme Court officials who are hearing the case have refused to comment to RFE/RL, while the classification of the materials by the Tajik Prosecutor-General's Office means the exact details of the charges brought against the eight defendants are not known.

The Tajik government has brutally cracked down on dissent in recent years, jailing opposition politicians or forcing them into self-exile. Dozens of independent journalists, activists, and government critics have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms.

Senior politicians on trial in the case also include the ex-leader of the Democratic Party, Saidjafar Usmonzoda, Democratic Party of Tajikistan Deputy Chairman Ahmadshoh Komilzoda, and Social Democratic Party Deputy Chairman Shokirjon Hakimov.

Two former top officers of the State Committee for National Security, Nuramin Ghanizoda and Jamshed Boev, are also being tried in the case.

All of the defendants were arrested over the past year. It is unknown how seven of them pleaded. Associates of Hakimov, who is a lawyer, have said he has rejected the charges.

Relatives of the defendants were not allowed to attend the trial, while lawyers who arrived at the detention center refused to talk to journalists.

In 2015, Tajik authorities banned the main political opposition, the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan, as well as Group 24 -- an organization that had been gaining popularity among younger Tajiks.

Both parties were branded as "terrorist" and the government of autocratic President Emomali Rahmon continues to target their members and supporters both at home and outside the country.

The founder of the Group 24, businessman Umarali Quvatov was assassinated in Turkey in 2015.

The Social Democratic Party has been officially registered in Tajikistan, but it has been under constant political and financial pressure. Controlled elections have made it impossible for the party to ever win a seat in parliament.

Rahmon, who has run Tajikistan for almost three decades, has been criticized by international human rights groups over his regime's stifling of political pluralism, independent media, religious freedoms, and civil society.



Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/tajik-politicians- public-figures--trial-power-seizure-dushanbe-pretrial- detention-center/33201919.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Promoting Accountability for Nicaraguan National Police

US Department of State

Press Statement

Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson

November 14, 2024

The Department of State has taken steps to impose visa restrictions on more than 350 members of the Nicaraguan National Police (NNP). Since November 2021, following President Biden's Presidential Proclamation aimed at safeguarding democracy in Nicaragua, the United States has moved to impose visa restrictions on more than 1,750 Nicaraguan officials. These actions reaffirm our unwavering support for the Nicaraguan people's aspirations for freedom, justice, and dignity.

The members of the NNP affected by today's actions form part of the government of President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo, which engages in targeted attacks on civil society. These attacks have profoundly denied their people access to important services and the freedom to organize, to express opinions, and to shape their futures free from fear of reprisal. NNP actions weaken democratic processes and foster an environment where dissent or the perception of dissent is met with punitive, often brutal, measures rather than open dialogue and debate.

The United States again urges Ortega and Murillo to cease threats, harassment, and unjust detention of advocates for civil society, freedoms of expression, religion or belief, and association, as expressed at Nicaragua's fourth Universal Periodic Review by the UN Human Rights Council. Ortega and Murillo's continued dismantling of civic space, including revoking the legal status of more than 5,500 NGOs, stifles dissent and perpetuates fear and oppression in Nicaragua.

This action was taken pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 10309, which suspends entry into the United States as immigrants and nonimmigrants for members of the Government of Nicaragua and other persons who formulate, implement, and or benefit from policies or actions undermining democratic institutions.



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Secretary Blinken's Call with Botswana President Boko

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

November 14, 2024

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko today to congratulate him on the country's historic 2024 elections. Secretary Blinken applauded the people of Botswana for their commitment to democracy and for utilizing their collective voice to shape the future of their nation. The Secretary and President Boko reaffirmed the importance of the strong U.S.-Botswana partnership, grounded in common values and democratic principles. They agreed to work together to advance economic prosperity, public health, regional security, and environmental conservation.







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Humanitarian lifeline for Sudan secured for three more months

By Vibhu Mishra

14 November 2024 - The top UN humanitarian official in Sudan has welcomed the Government's decision to extend the use of the Adre border crossing, a vital conduit for humanitarian assistance, for an additional three months.

This extension in effect from Wednesday ensures that critical aid will continue to flow from Chad into conflict-affected regions of Sudan, particularly Darfur.

"Humanitarians in Sudan welcome this decision as the Adre border crossing is a critical lifeline for hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people across the country, especially in Darfur," said Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan.

The war between the national forces of the military-led Government in Khartoum and the rival militia of the Rapid Support Forces erupted in April last year.

"Keeping the Adre border open means humanitarians can continue to deliver emergency food and nutrition supplies, medicine, shelter, and other life-saving assistance to hundreds of thousands of hungry, malnourished mothers and children, people suffering from diseases, and others that desperately need these supplies."

The Adre crossing has proven essential in sustaining humanitarian operations amid the crisis in Sudan, driven by the brutal 19-month war between rival militaries.

Since it was reopened in mid-August, at least 377 aid trucks have traversed the border, carrying essential supplies that have supported approximately 1.4 million people facing acute hunger and the risk of famine.

Need for funds

Despite this crucial channel for aid delivery, the UN agencies continue to stress the urgent need for additional funding to maintain and scale up operations.

Into the final two months of 2024, the $2.7 billion Sudan humanitarian appeal is only 57 per cent funded. The shortfall poses significant challenges to sustaining relief efforts at the necessary scale.

Between January and September 2024, humanitarian agencies reached about 12.6 million people throughout Sudan with various forms of assistance.

However, with the conflict continuing unabated and driving needs across the region, increased funds remain critical to avert further humanitarian catastrophe.

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Gaza: Israeli war tactics condemned as aid still blocked from reaching north

14 November 2024 - Intense Israeli military operations have continued in Gaza as UN humanitarians reported that multiple attempts to deliver lifesaving aid to besieged areas in the north of the enclave had been either "denied or impeded".

An update from the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, said that in the last two days alone, "six attempts to deliver lifesaving assistance to besieged areas in North Gaza governorate were blocked".

The missions on Tuesday and Wednesday had aimed to bring food and water to Jabalia, Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya, along with protection and psychosocial support for children deeply traumatised by 13 months of bombardment.

"People are trapped in residential buildings, they are hiding from the ongoing military operations around them, they are running out of food," said Louise Wateridge, senior emergency officer with the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.

In comments to the media, Ms. Wateridge relayed testimonies from staff and people in the north who described seeing dead bodies in the streets and a near total absence of emergency healthcare provision which had forced people to use donkey carts to reach barely functioning hospitals.

Almost all of Gaza forced to move

According to OCHA, approximately 79 per cent of the Gaza Strip remains under active evacuation orders. "Palestinians continue to be directed to areas in and around Al Mawasi, in southern Gaza, that lack basic infrastructure and essential services," the UN aid agency said.

Latest data from the Gazan health authorities indicated that at least 43,736 people have been killed and 103,370 wounded in Israeli military attacks since 7 October 2023, with 24 Palestinians killed and 112 wounded in the last 24 hours.

Equivalent to two nuclear bombs

The development came as a UN General Assembly special panel condemned the Israeli military's tactics in Gaza since war erupted, following the "horrific" Hamas-led terror attacks on 7 October on multiple Israeli targets that killed some 1,250 people and left more than 250 taken hostage.

Covering the period from October 2023 to July this year, a report from the panel maintained that Gaza had been hit by some 25,000 tonnes of explosives - equivalent to two nuclear bombs - by early 2024.

The massive destruction that has been the result - along with the collapse of water and sanitation systems, agricultural devastation and toxic pollution - are "consistent with the characteristics of genocide" and will have an impact on the health of Gazans for generations, insisted the report's authors.

"The Israeli military's use of AI-assisted targeting, with minimal human oversight, combined with heavy bombs, underscores Israel's disregard of its obligation to distinguish between civilians and combatants and take adequate safeguards to prevent civilian deaths," said the UN Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories.

'Starvation as a method of war'

"Through its siege over Gaza, obstruction of humanitarian aid, alongside targeted attacks and killing of civilians and aid workers, despite repeated UN appeals, binding orders from the International Court of Justice and resolutions of the Security Council, Israel is intentionally causing death, starvation and serious injury, using starvation as a method of war and inflicting collective punishment on the Palestinian population," the Committee maintained.

Palestinian women mocked and shamed

On the ground in Gaza, Israeli soldiers were also found to have engaged in "dehumanising, cruel and humiliating behaviour towards Palestinians, including women and children", the committee said, alleging that troops had shared photos on social media of Palestinian women "aimed at mocking, shaming and humiliating them".

The panel was established by the UN General Assembly in December 1968 to examine the human rights situation in the occupied Syrian Golan, the West Bank, including East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.

The Committee's Member States - Malaysia, Senegal and Sri Lanka - called on Israel and Palestinian armed groups "to urgently agree to a lasting ceasefire, release all hostages as well as detainees held arbitrarily". provide unfettered ICRC access to those in detention and open all border crossings to allow life-saving humanitarian aid into Gaza at scale.

End 'smear campaign' against UNRWA

The panel also condemned the "ongoing smear campaign" against the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, and expressed concern at the "deliberate silencing of reporting" on the conflict in Gaza. It said that "escalating media censorship" by Israel and the "suppression of dissent and targeting of journalists" were "deliberate efforts to block global access to information".

The Committee also insisted that social media companies had "disproportionately removed 'pro-Palestinian content', in comparison with posts inciting violence against Palestinians". Its report will be presented to the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly on 18 November 2024.

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World News in Brief: Haiti crisis, measles surge, global torture accord turns 40

14 November 2024 - Insecurity and overlapping crises afflicting Haiti are continuing to fuel a dire humanitarian situation across the Caribbean nation, the UN Spokesperson said on Thursday.

Stephane Dujarric told reporters at UN Headquarters in New York that according to UN migration agency, IOM, more than 4,300 people have fled their homes in Port-au-Prince and neighbouring towns.

"Despite the insecurity and access restrictions, we along with our partners are responding to the growing needs resulting from the continued and increasing violence," Mr. Dujarric continued.

Cash injection

In the past two days, children's agency UNICEF has provided cash to nearly 1,500 people sheltering at displacement sites in the gang-ravaged capital. UN reproductive health agency, UNFPA, and IOM have deployed mobile health clinics and are also providing clean water supplies to those in need.

Beginning on Thursday, the World Food Programme (WFP) is delivering assistance to more than 50,000 internally displaced men, women and children in the capital, aiming to reach more than 135,000 displaced people with hot meals by the end of November.

Across Haiti, WFP has also provided cash to nearly 100,000 people and is delivering daily meals to 430,000 children in 2,000 schools across the country.

The UN Humanitarian Response Plan for Haiti calls for $674 million and is 45 per cent funded with $289 million in cash received.

Global measles crisis: Cases surge by 20 per cent in 2023

A surge in measles cases has reached 10.3 million worldwide in 2023, marking a 20 percent increase from the previous year, according to new estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The spike in cases has triggered outbreaks across 57 countries, with nearly half occurring in Africa. Despite being preventable through vaccination, more than 22 million children missed their first measles shot last year, resulting in 107,500 deaths, primarily among children under five.

"Measles vaccine has saved more lives than any other vaccine in the past 50 years," said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. "To save even more lives, we must invest in immunization for every person, no matter where they live".

Worrying slide in vaccination rate

Global vaccination rates remain below the critical 95 percent threshold needed to prevent outbreaks, with only 83 percent of children receiving their first dose and 74 percent getting the crucial second dose.

CDC Director Mandy Cohen emphasised that "measles infections are rising around the globe, endangering lives and health".

While the Americas region maintained its measles-free status - with Brazil reverified as having eliminated the disease - other areas including the African and Eastern Mediterranean regions have experienced substantial increases in cases.

WHO notes that survivors often face serious complications including blindness, pneumonia and potential brain damage.

Torture is never justified, insists UN rights chief, as key accord turns 40

It's been 40 years since countries adopted the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, but the fundamental principle that nothing ever justifies torture is under threat.

That's the message from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk who expressed alarm on Thursday that the world has become "more violent and more polarized".

'Chaos machine' of conflict

"Over 120 conflicts rage globally and every one of them is a chaos machine," Mr. Turk told the Committee gathered in Geneva.

"Hate speech and discrimination are more and more prevalent, and entire communities are denounced and scapegoated," he said, before highlighting a "pushback" against time-honoured values and human rights protections.

"Torture, the deliberate infliction of physical agony and psychological terror and trauma on defenceless adults and children, is a vile, heinous act that has absolutely no place in our world," he said.

"It is never justified; it is always abhorrent; and we have a clear legal and moral duty to prevent it."

Four decades since the adoption of the Convention Against Torture, it has been ratified by 174 out of 193 Member States of the United Nations.

Despite this high level of support for the international treaty, Mr. Turk appealed to all countries "to recommit to their obligations" to prevent torture.

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Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan welcomes the decision to keep Adre border crossing point open for aid supplies for another three months

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

(Port Sudan, 14 November 2024) -- The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Ms. Clementine Nkweta-Salami, welcomed the decision, on 13 November, by the Sudanese authorities to continue allowing the delivery of humanitarian aid through the Adre border crossing point from Chad to Darfur for another three months.

"Humanitarians in Sudan welcome this decision as the Adre border crossing is a critical lifeline for hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people across the country, especially in Darfur," said Ms. Clementine Nkweta-Salami. "Keeping the Adre border open means humanitarians can continue to deliver emergency food and nutrition supplies, medicine, shelter, and other life-saving assistance to hundreds of thousands of hungry, malnourished mothers and children, people suffering from diseases, and others that desperately need these supplies."

Since the re-opening of the Adre border crossing in mid-August, at least 377 aid trucks have crossed from Chad into Sudan carrying essential supplies for about 1.4 million vulnerable people, including the acutely food insecure and at risk of famine.

The Humanitarian Coordinator has also emphasized the need for additional funds to maintain operations via Adre and scale up efforts to reach more people in need. The US$2.7 billion Sudan humanitarian appeal for 2024 is currently 57 per cent funded, impacting humanitarian's ability to scale up response. Between January and September 2024, aid agencies reached about 12.6 million people across Sudan with some form of humanitarian assistance

For more information, please contact: Tapiwa Gomo, gomo@un.org

14 November 2024

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Security Council Extends Mandate of United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei for One Year, Adopting Resolution 2760 (2024)

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

9785th Meeting (PM)

SC/15900

14 November 2024

The Security Council today decided to extend the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) until 15 November 2025 to maintain the Force's authorized troop and police ceilings and call for a strategic review of UNISFA's effectiveness, strategic objectives and alignment with the evolving regional security situation.

Adopting resolution 2760 (2024) (to be issued as document S/RES/2760(2024)) by a vote of 14 in favour to none against, with one abstention (Russian Federation), the 15-nation organ  acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations  also decided to extend UNISFA's originally authorized tasks until 15 November 2025. Additionally, the Council decided to extend until that date UNISFA's mandate modification, which provides for the Force's support to the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism.

Further, the Council strongly urged "the Sudanese and South Sudanese authorities" to provide full support to UNISFA in implementation of its mandate; provide prompt, full deployment of its personnel and equipment; ensure the Force's full freedom of movement; and facilitate UNISFA's uninterrupted provision of food, medicine and other supplies to its personnel. The Council also urged stronger cooperation between Sudan and South Sudan in support of peace, security and stability and called for a resumption of Joint Political and Security Mechanism meetings.

Among other provisions, the resolution also saw the Council underscore that UNISFA's protection-of-civilians mandate includes taking the necessary actions to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence "irrespective of the source of such violence". Additionally, the Council condemned  "in the strongest terms"  the presence of South Sudan People's Defence Forces and other South Sudan security service personnel expanding their deployments in the Abyei area, also demanding that such personnel be redeployed from that area immediately and without preconditions.

In that context, the Council urged "the relevant authorities of both Sudan and South Sudan" to take all necessary steps to ensure that Abyei is effectively demilitarized and reaffirmed that UNISFA may undertake weapons confiscation and destruction in the Abyei area consistent with its mandate and within its existing capabilities. Further, the organ demanded that all parties involved allow all humanitarian personnel full, safe and unhindered access to civilians in need of assistance.

Through the resolution, the Council also requested that the Secretary-General provide analysis, strategic assessment and frank advice to the organ to describe UNISFA's impact and facilitate, as necessary, a re-evaluation of the Force's composition and mandate based on realities on the ground. As well, the Council requested that the Secretary-General conduct and provide the organ with a strategic review of UNISFA no later than 15 August 2025.

Following the adoption, China's representative underlined UNISFA's important role in maintaining stability in the region. He also expressed hope that the Secretary-General will strengthen coordination and communication with the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan. However, noting that the penholder opted to put the draft resolution to a vote despite existing differences, he said: "It is not conducive to enhancing consensus among all parties or promoting the unity of the Council."

Similarly, Mozambique's representative  also speaking for Algeria, Guyana and Sierra Leone  pointed to UNISFA's vital role in promoting peace, stability and reconciliation in Abyei. The challenges plaguing the region are many and complex  socioeconomic vulnerability, a dire humanitarian situation, the effects of climate change and the impact of the conflict in Sudan  and UN mechanisms on the ground must be adequately positioned to address them.

Expressing support for UNISFA's strategic review because of this "fundamental reason", he also stressed that the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan must maintain their support to UNISFA, work together to create necessary conditions for full mandate implementation and abide by Abyei's demilitarized status. Additionally, he said that deviating from agreed language referring to the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan is "not fortunate".

In that context, the representative of the Russian Federation stated: "Nobody has the right to undermine the legitimacy of a Government, especially when they are fully fledged members of the UN and of the international community." Expressing regret that the penholder included elements in the resolution that are barely linked to what is happening in the region, she said that her delegation abstained from the vote, adding: "We do not like the approach taken by the penholder to use any given case to meet their own unhealthy demands on how to resolve the conflict in Sudan."

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Three NUWC Division Newport engineering agents perform first modernizations to submarine in Australia

US Navy

14 November 2024

From Public Affairs Office

NEWPORT, R.I. -- Traveling across the globe is nothing new for Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport In-Service Engineering Agents (ISEA) Matthew George, Daniel Braman and Dillon Savitzky, but the trio recently experienced a historic first Down Under.

Members of the Handling Systems Engineering Branch in the Sensors and Sonar Systems Department, the agents participated the first three-week Submarine Tendered Maintenance Period (STMP) at HMAS Stirling in Perth, Australia, marking a significant step in the Australia, United Kingdom, United States (AUKUS) trilateral partnership.

STMPs are similar to planned maintenance periods that are typically conducted in U.S. submarine ports. They usually last up to three weeks and don't require the submarine to be dry-docked.

When factoring in the historical aspect, Braman  a 14-year employee at Division Newport with plenty of temporary duty travel under his belt  said his most recent work trip tops the list.

"I think it's pretty cool that we did the first modernizations performed in Australia on a submarine," Braman said. "To do a modernization on a submarine is nothing. Everyone does it. But we're the first ones doing a modernization in Perth, and no one can take that away from us."

The ISEAs worked alongside submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) personnel, as well as their Royal Australian Navy (RAN) counterparts to conduct repairs and modernizations to the ship's thinline towed array handling system aboard the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Hawaii (SSN 776).

This maintenance period aided the execution of Pillar 1 of the AUKUS partnership, which is to deliver a sovereign, conventionally armed, nuclear-powered attack submarine capability to Australia by the early 2030s.

"This is the first time since World War II that the U.S. has conducted submarine maintenance in Australian waters, and certainly the first instance in history of a joint American-Australian team performing maintenance on a nuclear-powered attack submarine," Rear Adm. Lincoln Reifsteck, U.S. Navy AUKUS Integration and Acquisition program manager, said in early September after the STMP was complete. "The importance of this event cannot be overstated. These last few weeks provided essential maintenance and stewardship experience for our Australian partners in advance of establishing a sovereign SSN force in Australia."

STMPs are a significant step toward achieving the AUKUS Pillar 1 objective.

"The main thing is that we integrated with a foreign military and trained them on how to do maintenance, repair, troubleshooting and modernization on our system," Savitzky said. "They're going to be receiving these submarines at some point, and they're in the process of building up their infrastructure and capability. As Department of Defense civilians supporting the U.S. Navy, we were at the beginning of that process of integrating with a foreign military."

George, Braman and Savitzky embarked on the 48-hour trip to Australia from Rhode Island on Aug. 19. Like any other in-service engineering trip, they had to learn the lay of the land and found the RAN sailors to be helpful and eager to learn.

"They certainly had a great thirst for knowledge, and they picked up everything pretty quickly," said George, who has been with Division Newport for 22 years. "They were very willing to help, whether that was trying to track down shipping pieces or equipment. They were on the ball for everything."

Savitzky, a certified second-class Navy diver, worked with RAN and U.S. Navy divers and Sailors serving on the tender on mechanical and electromechanical equipment in the submarine's ballast tanks, which is only accessible by diving when the submarine is pierside. Above the water, George and Braman communicated with Savitzky to help execute the modernization, repair plan and inspection list.

"We operate as a team and it's really a team process," Savitzky said. "It's not just the diver in the water doing all of the work. I'm constantly communicating with them topside, bouncing stuff off them. It works best when you have someone experienced topside, and someone experienced in the water."

Nick Savage, head of the Handling Systems Engineering Branch, said George, Braman and Savitzky work together often and are among the best in the business at what they do.

"They have a really high standard for each other, and that makes them a really high-performing team," Savage said. "There hasn't been a situation where they haven't been able to figure out what's wrong. When other entities can't figure something out, they'll call us. Our role is the last line of defense to get something solved. It really requires a high-performing team, and that's what we have here."

NUWC Newport is the oldest warfare center in the country, tracing its heritage to the Naval Torpedo Station established on Goat Island in Newport Harbor in 1869. Commanded by Capt. Chad Hennings, NUWC Newport maintains major detachments in West Palm Beach, Florida, and Andros Island in the Bahamas, as well as test facilities at Seneca Lake and Fisher's Island, New York, Leesburg, Florida, and Dodge Pond, Connecticut.

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U.S. Marines Bring New Capabilities to International Naval Exercise

US Navy - Press Release

14 November 2024

TUNIS, Tunisia - The U.S. Marine Corps participated in their first Phoenix Express exercise Nov. 5-15 bringing new capabilities to critical maritime security operations training.

The Marines, from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (8th ESB EOD) and Headquarters and Service Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (H&S Battalion, 2nd MLG), introduced a range of techniques to counter weapons of mass destruction, including Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) identification and handling, mechanical and thermal breaching and sensitive site exploitation.

8th ESB EOD and 2nd MLG Marines also worked alongside U.S. Coast Guard members to conduct Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) training with Allies and partner nations during the 10-day exercise.

"Each one of these skill sets is critical to the overall operations of visit, board, search and seizure conducted by the United States Coast Guard," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Nick Confortini, officer in charge of the Marine Corps detachment for Phoenix Express. "These trainings are an important aspect of overall maritime security operations. The information sharing we have done over these last 10 days have not only improved our cooperation with our allies and partners but enhanced our joint capabilities."

CBRN training ensures that the U.S. and its partners and allies have the capability and capacity to respond to CBRN incidents and quickly restore normal operations if such an incident occurs.

U.S. Marines demonstrated thermal and mechanical breaching techniques designed to penetrate concrete, metal and shipboard hatches during visit, board, search, and seizure operations, and shared tactics for sensitive site exploitation used to collect evidence aboard a target vessel.

Phoenix Express provides North African, European, and U.S. maritime forces the opportunity to work together, share information, and refine tactics, techniques, and procedures to promote maritime safety and security in the Mediterranean Sea. Phoenix Express deters sea-based illicit activity and protects NATO's and Europe's southern flank against malign activity.

Participating nations in Phoenix Express included Algeria, Belgium, Georgia, Italy, Libya, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia, Turkiye, Senegal, and the United States.

Phoenix Express is one of three regional maritime exercises led by U.S. Naval Forces Africa and executed by Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet, as part of a comprehensive strategy to provide collaborative opportunities to African forces and international partners to address maritime security concerns.

Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners to advance U.S. national interests, security and stability in Europe and Africa.

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Trump taps senator, former rival Marco Rubio as his top diplomat

By Steve Herman November 14, 2024

President-elect Donald Trump's choice to serve as the next U.S. secretary of state is Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican who has been in the Senate since 2011 and serves on the chamber's foreign relations and intelligence committees.

Trump, in a statement Wednesday, called Rubio a highly respected leader and a very powerful voice for freedom who "will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries."

Rubio, vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and a senior member of the Committee on Foreign Relations, is regarded as intelligent, ambitious and well-liked by Senate colleagues of both parties.

If Rubio, who is 53 and the son of Cuban immigrants, is confirmed by his Senate colleagues, he would become the first Latino secretary of state. In that role, he would be tasked with helping to implement Trump's "America First" foreign policy.

After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Rubio was a vocal supporter of Kyiv. More recently, he has called for negotiations to end the conflict and voted in April against a $95 billion military aid package for the Ukrainians.

Rubio is a strong supporter of Israel, in line with Trump's stance. He has exhibited a tough stance toward authoritarian regimes in Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela, as well as toward the communist leadership in Beijing.

In response, China has banned the senator from entering the country  something that likely will change if Rubio is confirmed as secretary of state.

Some leading Democrats in Congress, who will be the opposition party in January, are making positive comments about the Republican.

"I've got a good relationship with Marco, and I think Marco is very capable," Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, who has served on the intelligence committee with Rubio, told VOA after Rubio's name was circulated in media reports.

On social media, Democratic Senator John Fetterman called Rubio "a strong choice," adding that he looks forward to voting for his confirmation.

"Compared to some of the other names that were floating around, people who really don't have any experience in foreign policy, I think this is a pretty good one," former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger said on CNN before Trump's official announcement.

In choosing members for his Cabinet and senior White House staff, Trump is generally emphasizing loyalty rather than experience. Rubio campaigned for Trump during this year's presidential election.

The two had been rivals in the Republican presidential primary eight years ago. Trump had repeatedly belittled the senator, while Rubio questioned the New York real estate investor's qualification for the presidency, calling Trump "a con man," deemed him dangerous and someone who could not be trusted with the launch codes for nuclear weapons.

After Trump won the party's nomination and the presidency, the relationship warmed. But Rubio did not side with Trump when he refused to accept defeat at the hands of Democratic Party candidate Joe Biden four years ago. After Trump's supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, Rubio condemned the violence, calling the attackers "unpatriotic" and "un-American" "low-lives."

Earlier this year, Trump considered Rubio, a behind-the-scenes campaign foreign policy adviser, as his running mate before selecting Republican Senator JD Vance.

Should Rubio take the job, he would have to vacate his Senate seat. A successor would then be selected by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

Among the candidates being promoted by influential Republicans for the Senate seat is Lara Trump, co-chair of the Republican National Committee and Trump's daughter-in-law.

VOA Pentagon Correspondent Carla Babb contributed to this report.

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HRW accuses Israel of war crimes, ethnic cleansing  a conclusion Israel rejects

By VOA News November 14, 2024

Human Rights Watch on Thursday accused Israel of war crimes and crimes against humanity in its war against Hamas militants in Gaza, a conclusion Israel rejected.

The report said Israel, which has repeatedly displaced and relocated civilians, is "committing the war crime of forcible transfer," and the actions "appear to also meet the definition of ethnic cleansing" in the areas where Palestinians will not be able to return.

"Human Rights Watch found that forced displacement has been widespread, and the evidence shows it has been systematic and part of a state policy. Such acts also constitute crimes against humanity," the report said.

In response, Israel accused the organization of using rhetoric that is "completely false and detached from reality."

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said that Israel's efforts are "directed solely at dismantling Hamas's terror capabilities and not at the people of Gaza, unlike Hamas, which uses civilians as human shields and embeds terror infrastructure within residential areas."

"Israel views all civilian harm as a tragedy, while Hamas views all civilian harm as a strategy. Israel will continue to operate in accordance with the law of armed conflict," spokesman Oren Marmorstein said in a statement.

Hamas denies that it uses civilians as human shields or hides fighters and weapons in facilities such as hospitals and schools.

The law of armed conflict forbids the forcible displacement of civilian populations from occupied territory, unless necessary for the security of civilians or imperative military reasons.

Israel invaded the Gaza Strip last year after Hamas led a terror attack on communities in southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, according to Israeli authorities, and abducting more than 250 as hostages, about 100 of whom are still in Gaza, a third of them believed to be dead.

Since then, the Israeli counteroffensive has killed more than 43,500 people, according to Gaza health authorities, and destroyed much of the enclave's infrastructure, forcing most of the 2.3 million population to move several times.

Hamas and Hezbollah have been designated as terror groups by the United States, Britain and other Western countries.

For the past month, Israeli troops have moved tens of thousands of people from areas in the north of the territory along the Mediterranean Sea as they sought to destroy Hamas forces the military says have been regrouping around the towns of Jabalia, Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun.

Human Rights Watch said the displacement of Palestinians "is likely planned to be permanent in the buffer zones and security corridors," an action it said would amount to "ethnic cleansing."

The Israeli military has denied seeking to create permanent buffer zones, and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Monday that Palestinians displaced from their homes in northern Gaza would be allowed to return at the end of the war.

Human Rights Watch researcher Nadia Hardman, in a news release accompanying the group's report, said, "The Israeli government cannot claim to be keeping Palestinians safe when it kills them along escape routes, bombs so-called safe zones, and cuts off food, water, and sanitation. Israel has blatantly violated its obligation to ensure Palestinians can return home, razing virtually everything in large areas."

Hardman noted the report's findings are based on interviews with displaced Gazans, satellite imagery, and public reporting conducted until August 2024.

Airstrikes in Gaza, Lebanon

On the warfront, an Israeli strike on a home in northern Gaza killed three children, among at least six people killed in the territory, Palestinian medics said.

An airstrike hit the southern suburbs of Beirut on Thursday after an Israeli warning to evacuate parts of the Hezbollah bastion, Agence France-Presse reported.

Shortly before the strike, Israel had issued a warning to residents to evacuate their homes.

"You are located near Hezbollah facilities and interests against which the [Israeli military] will operate in the near future," army spokesman Avichay Adraee said in a post on X that included a map identifying buildings in the areas.

In a post on the Telegram messaging app Thursday, Israel Defense Forces said the air force struck and dismantled more than 140 Hezbollah launchers in southern Lebanon and had killed two battalion commanders and a company commander.

"Over the past week, the IDF eliminated over 200 Hezbollah terrorists in southern Lebanon from the air and ground," the post stated.

On Wednesday, six Israeli soldiers were killed in combat near the border with Lebanon.

The soldiers "fell during combat in southern Lebanon," the army said in a statement. Their deaths mean 47 Israeli troops have been killed in combat with Hezbollah since September 30, when Israel sent ground forces into Lebanon.

The war spread to Lebanon in mid-September, after months of rocket fire from Hezbollah into Israel and drone and airstrikes by Israel's military in south Lebanon escalated. More than 3,200 Lebanese have been killed, most of them in the past six weeks.

Information from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse was used in this report.

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Philippines bolsters maritime claims despite China pressure

By Tommy Walker November 14, 2024

China is likely to continue its aggressive naval approach toward the Philippines amid their disputes in the South China Sea, experts say.

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed two new maritime laws to protect Manila's disputed territory: the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act.

According to the Philippines Presidential Office, the Philippine Maritime Zones Act "seeks to designate the country's archipelagic sea lanes, which would create routes over the country's water and airspace."

The act also "declares the Philippines' maritime zones in accordance with the standards set by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act establishes a system of archipelagic sea lanes and air routes, through which foreign vessels and aircraft shall exercise the right of archipelagic sea lanes passage."

Raymond Powell, director of Sealight at Stanford University's Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, says the introduction of the laws is necessary for Manila's long-term strategy of resistance against Beijing.

"Passage of the Philippines' new maritime laws is a necessary step in its lawfare against China's maritime aggression, which has reached the scale of an occupation of large swaths of the West Philippine Sea," Powell told VOA. Lawfare is a name given to using political and judicial action in a dispute.

Malaysia is also protesting the Philippines new maritime laws. Malaysia's deputy foreign minister, Mohamad Alamin, says the laws touch upon Malaysia's overlapping claims of territory that borders Sabah on Borneo Island.

But it's China that claims almost all of the South China Sea under its nine-dash line designating its territory.

In 2016 the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that China's claims have no legal basis under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

China has long ignored that ruling. Beijing and the Philippines both claim the Second Thomas Shoal of the Spratly Islands, which China calls the Nansha Islands. The Scarborough Shoal, or Huangyan Island, is also contested between the two countries. Beijing seized the island in 2012.

In recent years, the overlapping claims escalated when Philippine vessels faced aggressive encounters from Chinese ships while operating in the contested waters.

Powell said Manila's signing of maritime laws is part of a long-term strategy.

"The Philippines now not only has a PRC [People's Republic of China] military base at Mischief Reef, deep within its lawful exclusive economic zone, China now controls access to several key features, such as Scarborough, Sabina and Second Thomas Shoals. With Beijing now behaving as an imperial occupation force, Manila needs a comprehensive, long-term strategy of resistance to raise the costs of that occupation. Lawfare will be a key component to that campaign," he said.

China has already opposed the Philippines new maritime laws, calling them a serious infringement. Beijing summoned the Philippines' ambassador to protest last week, while China's embassy has warned Manila of its "unilateral" actions.

"China will continue to take necessary measures in accordance with the law to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights," the embassy said in a statement, according to Reuters.

Jay Batongbacal, a maritime expert, told VOA's Mandarin Service that China opposes resistance from the Philippines to serve its own interests.

"The fundamental source of insecurity really is that China's interests in the South China Sea have always been defined and driven by its military and strategic objectives of establishing and gaining dominance and control in the first and second island chains," he said.

Zachary Abuza, a professor at the National War College in Washington, says the laws help Manila challenge China's claims.

"The laws do not fundamentally change things on the ground, but they do have their purposes. The law allows the Philippines to assert their own effective control and create a legal basis to challenge China's claims," he told VOA.

But China will push back aggressively, he added.

"We should expect more aggressive behavior," he said. "We just saw them draw baselines around Scarborough Shoal, a low tide elevation, which is totally illegal in international law. China just hates it when states move to advance their legal claims. It is still stinging from 2016 when the Permanent Court of Arbitration tossed out each of their legal clams of sovereignty over the entire South China Sea."

China has responded by publishing on Sunday new baselines outlining its claims over Scarborough Shoal, and on Wednesday, Beijing conducted air and naval combat drives at the disputed shoal.

Since Marcos became president in 2022, Manila has reinvigorated its relations with the U.S., which had been distanced under previous Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, despite the U.S., and the Philippines being long-time mutual defense partners.

Under Marcos, the Philippines has given U.S. troops more access to its military bases and conducted joint naval exercises. Manila is also aiming to buy midrange missiles from Washington to bolster its defense, while China claims the action will undermine peace in the region.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will travel to the Philippines later this month as part of a series of Asia-Pacific meetings in the region.

But with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump set to take office in January, questions remain about Washington's role between the two countries.

"The Philippines needs to be able to convince President-elect Trump of its continued value as U.S. partner in the Indo-Pacific," Vincent Kyle Parada, a former defense analyst in the Philippines Navy, told VOA's Mandarin Service. "While bipartisan consensus against China remains strong, Marcos Jr. should anticipate a more quid pro quo or a transactional relationship with Washington and work to rely on his foreign policy initiatives with the U.S.," he added.

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WHO links forced Afghan repatriation from Pakistan to polio resurgence

By Ayaz Gul November 14, 2024

The World Health Organization has labeled a forced repatriation of Afghan nationals from Pakistan as a "major setback" for polio eradication efforts, contributing to the regional resurgence of the paralytic disease.

Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan are the only two polio-endemic nations, reporting 49 and 23 cases respectively, so far this year, up from only six cases each in 2023.

The latest case in Pakistan was confirmed Thursday in the southwestern province of Balochistan, which sits on the Afghan border and accounts for half the cases reported in 2024.

"Until you get rid of polio completely, it will resurge and come back, and this is what we are seeing now in Pakistan [where] nearly half of the districts are infected, and in Afghanistan, a third of the provinces are infected," Hamid Jafari, the WHO director for the Eastern Mediterranean, said Wednesday while discussing causes of polio resurgence in both countries.

"I think the major setback was a forced repatriation of Afghan nationals that led to a massive and unpredictable movement of populations within Pakistan and across both borders and within Afghanistan, so the virus moved with these populations," Jafari told the virtual discussion hosted by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, or GPEI.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has said that Pakistan's crackdown on undocumented foreign nationals has resulted in more than 730,000 Afghan migrants returning to Afghanistan since August 2023.

Jafari also mentioned other factors contributing to the rise of polio in Pakistan, including authorities' inability to consistently carry out vaccination campaigns in areas affected by militancy, where children cannot be effectively immunized against the crippling disease. He also highlighted the presence of "significant vaccine hesitancy and community boycotts" rooted in public frustration over the lack of essential services in impoverished districts.

Pakistani and WHO officials say vaccine boycotts in some regions also result from the false propaganda that anti-polio campaigns are a Western plot to sterilize Muslim children. Additionally, anti-government militants in violence-hit regions occasionally stage deadly attacks on polio teams, suspecting them of spying for authorities, routinely disrupting vaccination drives in districts near the Afghan border.

Afghan polio ban

While sharing the latest polio situation in Afghanistan, the senior WHO official stated they are collaborating with various humanitarian actors and partners to promote vaccination against polio and all other diseases.

"We cannot implement house-to-house vaccination," Jafari stated, referencing the ban imposed by Taliban authorities on polio teams over security concerns.

"The program is working closely with [Taliban] authorities to re-update micro plans and work closely with the communities and local officials to make sure children are mobilized to vaccination sites," he added.

In September, the Taliban abruptly halted house-to-house vaccine deliveries in parts of southern Afghanistan, including Kandahar, without publicly stating any reason.

An independent monitoring board of the GPEI recently said that the Taliban's action had stemmed from their "administration's concerns about covert surveillance activities." The report quoted de facto Afghan authorities as explaining that their leadership is living in Kandahar and has concerns about their security.

Jafari stated that Pakistan and Afghanistan are taking measures to address the challenges in their bid "to rebuild community confidence" and work closely with security agencies in both countries to be able to access all children.

He cautioned that the current resurgence of polio in Pakistan and Afghanistan does not guarantee a low point next year.

"We are confident that we will come very close to elimination, but the key is to make sure that in these final safe havens for poliovirus in insecure areas, among migrant and mobile populations, and vaccine-hesitant communities, we can finally overcome these residual challenges to make sure that finally polio is eradicated," the regional WHO director said.

Polio once paralyzed an estimated 20,000 children in Pakistan each year until the country initiated national vaccination campaigns in the 1990s to control the infections, according to the WHO. In 2019, there were 176 reported cases in Pakistan and Afghanistan. In 2021 and 2022, however, the countries reported only one and two infections, respectively.

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French military tech used in Sudan, rights group reports

By VOA News November 14, 2024

Amnesty International reported that French-manufactured military technology incorporated into armored personnel carriers (APCs) made by the United Arab Emirates is being used in Sudan's civil war, a likely violation of a United Nations arms embargo.

In a report posted online Thursday, the human rights organization said it first became aware of the armored vehicles' presence in Sudan in July, when another study revealed what the group described as "a constant flow of weapons into the country" from several nations, including China, Russia, Serbia, Turkey, the UAE and Yemen.

The APCs were part of the flow of weapons that in some cases were taken to Darfur, the scene of heavy fighting in western Sudan.

Amnesty International said additional research showed the APCs include sophisticated French-designed and manufactured reactive defense systems. The report said the vehicles are in use by the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group.

The conflict broke out in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary fighters after relations broke down between military leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF chief General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

The two generals are former allies who together orchestrated an October 2021 coup that derailed a transition to civilian rule following the 2019 ouster of longtime leader Omar al-Bashir.

Amnesty International said the APCs are manufactured by the UAE company Edge Group and are equipped with the French Galix reactive defense system. Amnesty identified the systems in pictures posted on social media after APCs were captured or destroyed by the Sudanese army.

The Galix technology is a defense system for land vehicles that release counter measures  decoys, smoke and projectiles  when close-range threats are encountered.

In a statement, Amnesty International Secretary-General Agnes Callamard said any use of the French-made weapons technology in Darfur would be a clear breech of the U.N. arms embargo on Sudan. She called on France to ensure the makers of the defense systems immediately stop the supply to UAE manufacturers.

Callamard called on all nations to "immediately cease direct and indirect supplies of all arms and ammunition to the warring parties in Sudan. They must respect and enforce the U.N. Security Council's arms embargo regime on Darfur before even more civilians' lives are lost. "

The U.N. arms embargo is part of a series of sanctions that include asset freezes and travel bans imposed against Sudan for systematic human rights abuses by both the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces against the people of Darfur.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press and Reuters.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 14 November 2024 - Day 995

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that in total, since the beginning of this day, there have been 138 combat clashes. Ukrainian defenders continue to decisively interrupt the attempts of the Russian enemy to advance into the depths of Ukrainian territory, giving him a fiery impression.

Russian zagarbniki caused 45 air strikes on the territory of Ukraine, dropped 87 controlled aviation bombs. In addition, more than 400 kamikaze drones were engaged for impressions and carried out more than three thousand shells at the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements.

In the Kharkiv direction, Russian forces four times in vain stormed the positions of Ukrainian units in the area of Tikhogo and Vovchansk. At the same time, Russian aviation struck two air bombs on the settlement of Slatine.

In the Kupyansky direction, Russian forces carried out offensive actions near Golubivka, Petropavlivka, Sand, Glushkivka, Green Grove, Zagrizovogo, Kruglyakivka, Persotravnevogo and Lozova. Ukrainian defenders stopped all ten enemy attacks.

In the Lyman direction, Russian invaders nine times attacked the positions of the Defense Forces near the settlements of Katerynivka, Druzhelyubivka, Nevske, Terni and Torske. Also in this direction, the enemy struck by assault and bombardment aircraft in the area of Serebryansky Forest.

In the Sivers komu direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled two assaults of the Russian occupation troops in the direction of Verkhnyokamiansky.

In the kramators komu direction supported by aviation the Russian enemy stormed Ukrainian positions near the predtecinogo. Defense forces stopped all attacks by the harbors.

Launching aerial strikes in the Toretsky direction, Russians stormed the positions of Ukrainian units near the settlements of Diliyivka, Toretsk and Cherbinivka ten times. Here all the attacks also ended in misfortune for the invaders.

On the Pokrovsky direction, from the beginning of this day, Russian forces attacked in the areas of the settlements of Beam, Fox, Dry Yar, Pushkine, Yellow and Pustinka. Ukrainian defenders have stopped 18 assault actions of the enemy, five more clashes continue so far.

Today, according to preliminary data, more than 300 Russian occupants were defecated in this direction, of which 144 were irrevocable. Also destroyed one mortar, 11 units of automotive equipment, three motorcycles and one trench radio station. One tank was damaged before.

In the Kurakhiv direction, the Russian enemy does not abandon trying to break through Ukrainian defense near the settlements of Berestka, Sontsivka, Illinka, Novoselidivka, Zorya, Dalne and Konstantinivka. Eighteen clashes completed, so many more to go.

In this direction, according to preliminary data, the Russian casualties were irreversible and 137 wounded. Also destroyed one tank, six units of automotive equipment, two motorcycles, one radio-electronic combat trench station and one enemy BMP was damaged.

In the Vremivs komu direction, Russian forces tried 12 times to break through the defense of Ukrainian defenders in the areas of the settlements of Makarivka, Yantarne, Rivnopil, Novodarivka. Along with that, dropping 15 controlled aviation bombs on Temirivka, Sukhi Yala, Veliku Novosilka and Shevchenko, the settlement Urozhaine suffered assault aviation hits.

In the Orihivsky direction, troops of the Russian zagarbnikiv twice stormed the positions of the Defense Forces near Novodanilivka.

In the pridniprovsky direction, the Russian opponent does not leave trying to knock out Ukrainian units from occupied positions. Four failed assaults of the position of Ukrainian warriors made the aggressor during the day.

In the rest of the destinations - there are no special changes.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kharkov direction, units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of the 71st Jaeger Brigade, 113th and 120th territorial defence brigades near Volchansk and Liptsy (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 80 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, and seven motor vehicles.

Units of the Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the 14th, 60th, 116th mechanised brigades, 25th Airborne Brigade of the AFU, 119th, 241st territorial defence brigades, and 1st National Guard Brigade near Terny (Donetsk People's Republic), Zagryzovo, Lozovaya, Boguslavka, Kovsharovka, Petropavlovka (Kharkov region), as well as Serebryansky forestry.

Two counter-attacks launched by formations of the AFU 14th and 28th mechanised brigades were repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 570 troops, one infantry fighting vehicle, one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, seven motor vehicles, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers, four Anklav-N and Kvertus electronic warfare stations, and one Plastun electronic reconnaissance system. Three field ammunition depots were destroyed.

Units of the Yug Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front line and inflicted losses on formations of the 30th, 33rd, 56th, 81st mechanised brigades, 56th Motorised Infantry Brigade, 46th Airborne Brigade, 79th Air Assault Brigade of the AFU, and 116th Territorial Defence Brigade near Zaliznyanskoye, Druzhkovka, Dyleyevka, Orekhovo-Vasilyevka, Reznikovka, Kurakhovo, Annovka, and Seversk (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 655 troops, three tanks, one infantry fighting vehicle, one armoured personnel carrier, 13 motor vehicles, one UK-made 155-mm Braveheart self-propelled artillery system, one Polish-made 155-mm Krab self-propelled artillery system, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, one U.S.-made 105-mm M119 gun, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers, and one Croatian-made 122-mm RAK-SA-12 MLRS launcher.

Two Anklav-N electronic warfare stations, one Plastun electronic reconnaissance station, and two ammunition depots.

Units of the Tsentr Group of Forces continued advancing to the depth of the enemy's defences and liberated Voznesenka (Donetsk People's Republic).

Losses were inflicted on manpower and hardware of the 33rd, 53rd, 100th, 109th mechanised brigades, 95th Air Assault Brigade, 5th Mountain Assault Brigade, 142nd Infantry Brigade of the AFU, and 101st Territorial Defence Brigade near Zelenoye Pole, Leonidovka, Druzhba, Dzerzhinsk, Sukhaya Balka, and Dimitrov (Donetsk People's Republic).

Eleven counter-attacks launched by formations of the 53rd, 117th mechanised brigades, 152nd Jaeger Brigade, 49th and 425th assault battalions of the AFU, 35th and 38th marine brigades were repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to more than 485 troops, one German-made Marder infantry fighting vehicle, five Kozak armoured fighting vehicles, one Turkish-made Kirpi armoured fighting vehicle, five motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, one 152-mm D-20 gun, two 152-mm Msta-B howitzers, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and two 122-mm D-30 howitzers.

Units of the Vostok Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front line and inflicted losses on formations of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade of the AFU, 127th and 128th territorial defence brigades near Velikaya Novosyolka, Oktyabr (Donetsk People's Republic), and Temirovka (Zaporozhye region).

Two counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the 123rd Territorial Defence Brigade were repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 145 troops, one tank, three armoured fighting vehicles, and six motor vehicles.

Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the 141st Infantry Brigade of the AFU, 107th, 124th, and 126th territorial defence brigades near Orekhov, Shcherbaki (Zaporozhye region), Sadovoye, and Ponyatovka (Kherson region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 90 troops, seven motor vehicles, and one 152-mm D-20 gun.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops delivered strikes at infrastructure of military airfields, power industry facilities ensuring operation of Ukrainian defence industry enterprises, as well as engaged manpower clusters and military hardware of the enemy in 142 areas.

Air defence units shot down six U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles and 78 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 648 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 35,785 unmanned aerial vehicles, 585 anti-aircraft missile systems, 19,208 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,488 MLRS combat vehicles, 17,845 field artillery guns and mortars, and 28,261 units of support military vehicles have been neutralised.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation also reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the operation to neutralise an enemy group, which broke into the territory of Kursk region.

Units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of the 21st, 22nd, 41st, 47th, 61st, 115th mechanised brigades, 17th Tank Brigade, 80th, 82nd, 95th air assault brigades, 36th Marine Brigade, 103rd, 112th and 129th territorial defence brigades of the AFU close to Daryino, Leonidovo, Malaya Loknya, Nikolayevo-Daryino, and Novoivanovka.

Army Aviation and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the enemy near Aleksandriya, Bogdanovka, Viktorovka, Guyevo, Zamostye, Zeleny Shyakh, Kruglenkoye, Lebedevka, Loknya, Martynovka, Makhnovka, Mirny, Nizhny Klin, Nikolsky, Novaya Sorochina, Novoivanovka, Plyokhovo, Staraya Sorochina, Sudzha, Cherkasskoye Porechnoye, and Yuzhny.

Operational-Tactical Aviation and Missile Troops delivered strikes at AFU reserves on the territory of Sumy region near Basovka, Belovody, Zhuravka, Pisarevka, Khoten, and Yunakovka.

Over the past 24 hours, the AFU losses amounted to up to 430 troops, ten tanks, two infantry fighting vehicles, 19 armoured fighting vehicles, 33 motor vehicles, one Anklav-N electronic warfare station, seven field artillery guns, including two 155-mm Bogdana self-propelled artillery system, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers, and one 105-mm M101 gun.

Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses have amounted to more than 32,580 troops, 212 tanks, 136 infantry fighting vehicles, 112 armoured personnel carriers, 1,165 armoured fighting vehicles, 940 motor vehicles, 281 artillery guns, 40 MLRS launchers, including 11 of HIMARS and six of MLRS made by the USA, 12 anti-aircraft missile launchers, seven transport-loading vehicles, 63 EW stations, 13 counter-battery warfare radars, four air defence radars, 27 units of engineering and other materiel, including 13 counterobstacle vehicles, one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle, six armoured recovery vehicles, and one command post vehicle.

The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress.





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In Briefing to Security Council, Committee Chairs Report on Counter-Terrorism Activities, as Speakers Stress Need for Coordination in Fight against Scourge

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

9784th Meeting (AM)

SC/15899

14 November 2024

As the Security Council took up the annual briefing from the chairs of its three counter-terrorism committees today, speakers underscored the urgent need for unity and coordination among the three bodies to strengthen the collective response against terrorist groups whose growing influence and expansion continues to threaten international peace and stability.

Vanessa Frazier (Malta), Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), also known as Da'esh, Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities, cited the Monitoring Team's July report, which noted many Member States' heightened concern about the threat from ISIL-Khorasan in Afghanistan and their terrorist attacks outside the country. Detailing ISIL's operations in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as terrorist groups' activities in other parts of Africa and Syria, she reported that Al-Qaida's affiliates, including Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin in West Africa, have expanded their influence, destabilizing the region and pushing into northern coastal areas to secure resources and logistical routes.

"Overall, ISIL and Al-Qaida have proven resilient in the face of counter-terrorism efforts, adapting by utilizing modern technology to improve their weaponry, communication, and ability to circumvent global counter-terrorism measures," she said. Further, ISIL's use of cryptocurrencies and digital platforms as a means of financing is a growing concern for Member States and is a serious challenge when tracing funds and sanctions implementation. She encouraged Member States to review the Monitoring Team's periodic reports, available on the Committee's website, for a more detailed analysis.

The adoption of resolution 2734 (2024) in June reaffirmed the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo against those on the ISIL and Al Qaida sanctions list and extended the mandates of the Monitoring Team and the Office of the Ombudsperson for 36 months, she continued. "Given the ongoing global terrorist threat posed by ISIL, Al-Qaida, and their affiliates, it is crucial to maintain the 1267 sanctions regime as a high priority on the global counter-terrorism agenda," she underscored. Thus, Member States should continue to propose designations to the sanctions list and submit updated or additional information without delay. "Such collaboration is essential to maintaining the accuracy of the sanctions list and ensuring the sanctions regime's effectiveness," she said.

Amar Bendjama (Algeria), Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) concerning counterterrorism, said that the Committee, with the support of its Executive Directorate, has continued to assist Member States and other relevant parties and organizations in addressing the threat posed by terrorist groups, which, he warned, continuously adapt to counter-terrorism measures and efforts. From November 2023 to date, the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate visited Kazakhstan, Malawi, Mauritania, Montenegro, the United Republic of Tanzania and Thailand. Considering the evolving threat in the Gulf of Guinea, the Executive Directorate is currently conducting regional follow-up visits to Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire and Togo. These visits provide an effective vehicle for direct and constructive engagement and dialogue between the Committee and Member States on progress and challenges, he said.

The Committee is also focused on delivering technical assistance to States in need, he said, detailing its close partnership with the Office of Counter-Terrorism and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), among others. In a follow-up to the Delhi Declaration on countering the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes, the Committee adopted the Abu Dhabi Non-Binding Guiding Principles that addresses threats posed by the use of unmanned aircraft systems for terrorist purposes. More so, he emphasized, Member States must ensure that any measures taken to counter terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.

Andres Montalvo Sosa (Ecuador), Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) said, while the Committee's 2022 Comprehensive Review shows States made significant progress in implementing resolution 1540 (2004), "the full and effective implementation of resolution 1540 remains a long-term task". Since the Committee's mandate renewal under resolution 2663 (2022) for 10 years, it has assisted Member States in strengthening their national capacity, including by participating in 32 outreach events organized by States and international, regional and subregional organizations and relevant civil society. Further, 185 countries have, since 2004, submitted reports to the Committee with information on measures taken or to be taken to implement resolution 1540 (2004), with 155 Member States having nominated their National Points of Contact to the Committee, nine of which were done for the first time in the past year.

He also noted the submission to the Committee by 35 countries of 47 voluntary National Implementation Action Plans which help to identify Member States' priorities and their plans for implementing key provisions of the resolution, including regulations and national control frameworks activities, fostering interagency cooperation and identifying areas where assistance may be required. He underscored the importance of further developing and strengthening the Committee's communications to support Member States, adding that a cooperative approach and dialogue with Member States and relevant international, regional and subregional organizations remain cornerstones of the Committee's activities.

In the ensuing debate, Council members voiced alarm about terrorist groups' ability to adapt to counter-terrorism measures, with Japan's representative underlining the importance of the 1373 Committee's continued focus on new and emerging technologies. He also voiced concern that the 1540 Committee has not filled the vacant position in the Group of Experts [which plays a key role in monitoring national obligations to prevent non-State actors' possession of weapons of mass destruction]. He called for Committee members' responsible action to resolve this situation, including refraining from obstructionism.

On that, the United States' representative stated that the Russian Federation has consistently obstructed the 1540 Committee's Group of Experts' work due to unfounded claims, undermining the global non-proliferation regime. His country will continue to utilize sanctions to stop ISIL and Al-Qaida's expansion. However, the 1267 Committee has not designated any individuals or entities since last year in large part due to political obstacles. That Committee's important work must remain free from politicisation, he emphasized.

To those concerns, Ecuador's representative, speaking in his national capacity, reported that in February the Committee approved the appointment of five candidates to the 1540 Committee's Group of Experts to fill six posts. In the next weeks, States will see progress on another selection process for three experts, he said.

"The 1267 ISIL and Al Qaida sanctions regime is a critical tool for the Security Council and the international community to support counter-terrorism and effectively implement the Council's decisions," underscored Slovenia's representative. Adding to that, France's representative declared: "It is the responsibility of this Council to fully harness the means provided by this resolution to ensure that terrorists are sanctioned, and these sanctions are respected." She also expressed support for the 1540 Committee's finetuning its assistance mechanisms and for preparing voluntary technical guidance on how to implement that resolution.

Switzerland's delegate also underscored the importance of targeted sanctions against Da'esh, Al-Qaida and their affiliates, adding that country assessments  which should have more targeted recommendations, integrated hybrid visits and gender-sensitive approaches  are essential for strengthening Member States' capacities to prevent and combat violent extremism and terrorism in full compliance with international law.

Echoing other speakers who called for enhanced collaboration among the three Committees, Mozambique's delegate, stressed that urgent enhanced, effective, and sustained coordination is needed to fight against the challenges posed by the expansion of Al-Qaida and ISIL and their adaptation to modern technology. Guyana's representative urged Member States to engage with and provide updated information to the 1267 Committee and the Monitoring Team on the evolving nature of the terrorist threat, listed individuals and entities.

Speakers also pointed to the difficulties in tackling terrorist financing, with Sierra Leone's representative emphasizing the importance of financial sector legislation to counter diverse funding sources and blockchain misuse. To that, the Republic of Korea's delegate said that his country will financially contribute to the Counter-Terrorism Committee to strengthen oversight and accountability mechanisms in Asia. Moreover, States must address proliferation threats emanating from emerging technologies, including those related to nuclear weapons and missiles, which can be stolen through cyber activities, he stressed.

Striking a contrasting perspective, the Russian Federation's representative urged focus on the Counter-Terrorism Committee's efforts in monitoring States' implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions. The desire to ensure a degree of synergy between the three Committees would be artificial and counterproductive. Moreover, "the terrorist activity in a number of African countries, to a large extent caused by the socio-economic consequences of the colonial and neo-colonial policies of Western countries", she pointed out.

China's speaker urged the 1267 Committee to remain objective, impartial and professional, dealing with listing and delisting issues in a responsible manner while maintaining the authority and effectiveness of the sanction's regime. Meanwhile, the Counter-Terrorism Committee should focus on its core mandates and direct its resources to supporting developing countries to enhance their counterterrorism capacity-building. For the 1540 committee, its twentieth anniversary should enable it to learn from its experiences and promote the comprehensive balance and sustainable implementation of relevant Council resolutions, she added.

Speaking in his national capacity, the United Kingdom's representative, Council President for November, said the report by the Investigation and Identification Team of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), earlier this year of the chemical weapons attack in Marea, Syria in 2015, which held Da'esh responsible "is just one demonstration of why coordination between these three Committees remains so important". Highlighting their achievements, he underscored the need to therein work together to protect citizens, prevent the spread of terrorism and ensure the safe and secure development of chemical, nuclear and life-sciences industries globally.

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Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Joly

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

November 14, 2024

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly today on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum to discuss a broad range of issues vital to our bilateral relationship and strategic partnership around the globe. Secretary Blinken reiterated the need for the United States and Canada to finalize a modernized Columbia River Treaty. Secretary Blinken and Minister Joly also discussed international and hemispheric issues of significance, including security and stability in Haiti, ending the crisis in the Middle East, and Arctic security.



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Political consultations between Latvia and China concluded

Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

14.11.2024

On 13 November 2024, political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and China were concluded in Beijing. They were chaired by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, Andzejs Vilumsons, and the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Deng Li.

The Latvian and Chinese officials discussed bilateral cooperation, the European Union-China relations, as well as regional and international security matters. Andzejs Vilumsons drew particular attention to Russia's war against Ukraine, highlighting China's special responsibility as a permanent member of the UN Security Council for ensuring peace and the implementation of the principles enshrined in the UN Charter.

Previous political consultations between Latvia and China took place on 24 May 2023 in an online format.

During his visit, State Secretary Vilumsons met with the leadership of the Ministry of Commerce of China to discuss the economic relations between Latvia and China, focusing on the promotion of export opportunities for Latvian products to China.

As part of the visit, a meeting was also held with the President of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, Jens Eskelund.

In conclusion of the visit, State Secretary Andzejs Vilumsons took part in the reception hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in honour of the 106th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia, and opened the festive event with an address to the guests.



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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on November 14, 2024

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: November 14, 2024 19:11

CCTV: According to the International Trade Outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean 2024 recently issued by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), China is an important trade partner and the fastest-growing export market for Latin America and the Caribbean. In the 2000-2022 period, goods trade between the region and China expanded 35 times, while the region's total trade with the world only increased fourfold. So how do you comment on the trade and economic cooperation between China and Latin America and the Caribbean?

Lin Jian: Mutual benefit and win-win results are the overarching principle for the growth of the relations between China and Latin America and the Caribbean. Just as the report of ECLAC indicates, the trade volume between China and LAC countries has kept increasing in recent years, which reached US$489 billion last year. In the first three quarters this year, trade in goods between both sides hit US$427.4 billion, up by 7.7 percent year on year, and the total amount for the whole year is expected to exceed US$500 billion.

Since the beginning of the new century, the region's trade in goods with China has grown at a much faster rate than that with the world, underlying the highly complementary nature of the economies of both sides. Due to the advantage of providing off-season supply, Chile, which is farthest from China in this region, has become China's second largest source of fresh fruit imports and Chilean cherries are now star products here in China. Also, China's new energy industrial chain offers a more affordable resolution for the region's green transformation. So far, China has five free trade partners in the region and has signed an early harvest arrangement of free trade agreement with Honduras and concluded substantial negotiations to upgrade the free trade agreement with Peru.

The surge of trade in goods between China and Latin America and the Caribbean is supported by the huge market and bright prospect between the two sides. China is the world's second largest economy and largest consumer market, with a middle-income group totaling over 400 million people, and that number is expected to hit 800 million. Latin America and the Caribbean has a population of 660 million with younger demographic composition and boasts enormous potential for economic development. As China and Latin America and the Caribbean see each other as opportunities for development, we believe that with the concerted effort of both sides, our trade in goods will continue to grow at a high speed and achieve win-win results at a higher level.

Bloomberg: US officials said in a statement on Wednesday that Chinese state-sponsored hackers carried out a campaign that breached multiple telecommunications companies. The New York Times has reported that the hackers are believed to have targeted the phones of President-elect Donald Trump, running mate J.D. Vance and Trump's family members, as well as members of Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign staff. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comments on these allegations?

Lin Jian: China's position on cybersecurity is consistent. We have no interest in interfering in other countries' internal affairs through cyberspace and oppose spreading China-related disinformation out of political agenda.

Reuters: Sources say that former Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen is planning a visit to Canada next week. Do you have any comment?

Lin Jian: China's position on the Taiwan question is consistent and clear. We firmly oppose any "Taiwan independence" separatist visiting countries with diplomatic ties with China under any pretext. We urge relevant country to abide by the one-China principle and uphold the political foundation of bilateral relations with concrete action.

Shenzhen TV: It's reported that the Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson said that the Philippine military is considering purchasing the Typhon Mid-Range Capability missile system. Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. also said, "We do indeed plan to acquire capabilities of such sort," and the system "increases deterrence." He added, "We will not compromise with our right to acquire any such kind of capabilities in the future within our territory." What's your comment?

Lin Jian: On the US deployment of Mid-Range Capability missile system in the Philippines, China has made clear our opposition more than once. Let me stress again that the Philippines, by bringing in this offensive strategic weapon, is enabling a country outside the region to fuel tensions and antagonism in this region, and incite geopolitical confrontation and arms race. Such a move is provocative and dangerous, and it is an extremely irresponsible choice to its own people and people of all Southeast Asian countries, to history, and to regional security. What the region needs is peace and prosperity, not the missile system or confrontation. We once again urge the Philippines to heed the call from regional countries and their peoples, correct its wrongdoings as soon as possible, quickly pull out the Typhon missile system as publicly pledged, and stop going further down the wrong path.

Bloomberg: Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar, that Ukraine allies will look to pressure China over North Korea's growing support for Russia's war during the G20 summit in Brazil. What is China's stance on North Korea's involvement in the war in Ukraine? And how will China respond to this type of pressure?

Lin Jian: This is a hypothetical question. I do not have a comment on that. What I can tell you is that China's position on the Ukraine issue is consistent and clear, and the constructive role China has played is widely recognized by the international community.

NHK: It is learned that Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is expected to hold talks with President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Peru. This will be his first talks with President Xi Jinping as the Japanese Prime Minister. Can you provide more details and share China's expectation for the talks?

Lin Jian: I have no information to share at the moment on the talks you mentioned.

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China tries to smooth ties with EU as it anticipates shift in US foreign policy

By William Yang November 14, 2024

China is ramping up efforts to smooth ties with the European Union in the wake of the U.S. elections, with a top Chinese official and state media maintaining that improved ties are in the interest of both Brussels and Beijing.

As countries worldwide try to anticipate what President-elect Donald Trump's victory might mean for U.S. foreign policy, analysts say the push by Beijing appears aimed at driving a wedge between the EU and the United States.

"Beijing is trying to exploit current uncertainty regarding the future of transatlantic relations to ensure that the EU distances itself from Washington's increasingly confrontational approach toward China, but it will be difficult [for Beijing] to accomplish [the task,]" said Alicja Bachulska, an expert on Chinese foreign policy at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

"Europe is becoming increasingly aware of the negative impact of China's foreign and industrial policy on the single market and the security of NATO's Eastern flank," she told VOA in a written response.

On November 9, the deputy head of European affairs at the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Cao Lei, said that because Trump's victory could be "the turning point of our times," the EU and China should repair divisions and improve bilateral relations.

"No one wants to return to the law of the jungle, no one wants to go back to the era of confrontation and the Cold War, and no one wants to return to unilateral hegemony. This is the backdrop that China-EU relations are facing," he said at the launch of the China Think-Tank Network on Europe at Beijing Foreign Studies University.

Tension rises

Some Chinese analysts say the two should restore trust because Europe is more important for China than the United States.

"With Trump returning to the White House, an enhanced China-Europe cooperation will be beneficial for both sides to address [challenges] at the onset of a new era of uncertainties in the world," Feng Zhongping, the head of European studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, a Chinese government-affiliated think tank, said at the same event.

Meanwhile, Chinese state media outlets are urging the EU to adopt a "pragmatic approach" to cooperating with China after the bloc decided to increase tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China to as much as 45.3% in October.

"A hardline economic and trade policy stance toward China will only further restrict the EU's maneuvering space in economic cooperation, which will, in turn, exacerbate the EU's economic difficulties," China's state-run tabloid Global Times wrote in an opinion piece on Wednesday.

Those remarks come amid rising trade tension between China and the EU. In response to the bloc's tariffs against Chinese EVs, China announced Monday that it will start imposing temporary anti-dumping measures against imported European brandies on November 15.

While the EU and China both claim to have made some progress in the ongoing negotiation to address the EV tariffs last week, Bloomberg reported on Monday that the bloc sees little prospect of a quick deal.

Experts say while China hopes to stabilize trade relations with the EU as it prepares for potential tariffs that Trump has vowed to impose on Chinese products once he takes office, Brussels is unlikely to halt its efforts to rebalance trade relations with China.

"What Beijing could potentially expect is to see its divide-and-conquer approach slow down the EU's efforts to implement relevant economic defensive instruments," Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy, an expert on EU-China relations at National Dong Hwa University in Taiwan, told VOA by phone.

Some European leaders also are becoming more critical of China's close partnership with Russia. Kaja Kallas, the incoming foreign policy chief for the EU, said Beijing should pay "a higher price" for supporting Russia in the war against Ukraine.

"Without China's support to Russia, Russia would not be able to continue its war with the same force. China needs to also feel a higher cost," Kallas said during a hearing at the European Parliament on Tuesday.

Bachulska said Kallas' comments reflect the growing realization across Europe that "China is a strategic enabler of Russia," but the sense of urgency is not evenly distributed across EU member states.

"Some actors are convinced that Beijing should not be further 'antagonized' and that China's geographic distance from Europe makes it less of a threat," she told VOA, adding that Beijing will try to exploit this narrative.

Other experts add that with the security threat posed by Russia, European countries will likely put more effort into maintaining their close alliance with the U.S. rather than trying to adjust the bloc's foreign policy approach toward China.

"The common denominator is that in the European Commission, security issues now seem to take the driving seat so it's hard to imagine Europe not putting a lot of effort into maintaining the transatlantic alliance, and it will be surprising if the EU takes a united front to prioritize relations with China," Sari Arho Havren, an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, told VOA by phone.

Common ground possible, some say

While European analysts say the effect of China's attempt to weaken the trans-Atlantic relationship may be limited, some Chinese experts say if Trump imposes high tariffs against products from China and European countries, Beijing and Brussels may find more common ground.

"I think Trump would impose tariffs against both China and the EU, so this may provide both sides an opportunity to reconcile the bilateral relationship," Zhou Bo, a senior fellow at the Center for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University in China, told VOA by phone.

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Analysts skeptical about African impact of China's zero-tariff offer

By Saibal Dasgupta November 14, 2024

Analysts interviewed by VOA expressed skepticism over China's recent decision to eliminate tariffs for goods from least developed countries with diplomatic relations with Bejing, including 33 in Africa, next month.

The move was announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing in early September.

The analysts see it as an effort to expand China's influence in Africa without bringing much benefit to the LDCs.

"This move has not generated the excitement it should, due to well-known structural difficulties in Africa," Emmanuel Owusu-Sekyere, director of research, policy and programs at the African Center for Economic Transformation in Accra, Ghana, told VOA.

"Cooperation between China and Africa has benefitted China much more than it has Africa," he said, adding, "Africa has given China unbridled access to its markets, which has crippled local production capacity in several aspects of the manufacturing sector e.g., textiles."

Xi described the zero-tariffs plan as making China the first major economy to take such a step to offer Africa a substantial opportunity to do business in the large Chinese market.

Analysts see it as Beijing's attempt to compete with the United States. The U.S. African Growth and Opportunity Act provides duty-free access to the U.S. market for more than 1,800 products from 32 sub-Saharan African countries. It will come up for renewal next year. They say China is also trying to take advantage of resentment of some African countries barred from AGOA on such grounds as human rights or lack of democracy and free markets.

"China's move to allow African LDCs to export tariff-free is clearly a move to project its power in an alternative world order," said Samir Bhattacharya, associate fellow at the New Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation.

"The rigid policies of the U.S. have made some African countries averse towards it. China sees this as an opportunity to undermine the U.S.-led world order and promote its own narrow interests," Bhattacharya said.

"China has reworked its trade basket to lure African leaders," he added.

"This scheme would offer additional support to dictators and military leaders in African countries who are not comfortable with the U.S.," he said. "It would not improve the economy of these countries."

China's viewpoint

Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson He Yongqian has said that the initiative would boost LDC exports. It will also promote solidarity and cooperation among the countries of the Global South and advance the goal of "inclusive and equitable economic globalization," she said.

She said China has signed framework agreements on economic partnership for common development with 22 African countries, including Ethiopia, Burundi, Gabon and Zimbabwe.

However, Owusu-Sekyere expressed a different view.

"African countries are not strategically located in Asian production value chains like Bangladesh and Vietnam. Lack of strategic positioning and planning as well as structural bottlenecks will make it difficult for African countries to take advantage of this plan," Owusu-Sekyere said.

Every time China's government enters into a trade or investment agreement with another country, Chinese entrepreneurs usually rush to grab the business opportunities created by the deal. This has been the experience of several countries in Africa and Asia that have received Chinese investments.

Owusu-Sekyere said several African countries have enacted laws reserving the retail sector exclusively for locals but it has been taken over in those countries by Chinese entrepreneurs using local partners as fronts.

The bigger challenge for African countries are nontariff barriers related to such things as quality, he said.

"African economies are not diversified enough to supply at the quality and scale required to meet the sophisticated and diverse demands of a huge market as China." according to Owusu-Sekyere.

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US downplays impact as China, Peru set to update trade pact, open mega port

By Nike Ching November 14, 2024

As China and Peru prepare to sign an updated free-trade agreement at this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to inaugurate a Chinese-financed mega port in Peru, known as Chancay, while attending the APEC meetings.

China promotes the Chancay port on Latin America's Pacific coast as a key hub to boost trade connectivity with South America. The plan includes using infrastructure projects to link Chancay, reducing shipping times for goods.

A senior U.S. official downplayed the port's implications for the United States, stating that it does not complicate U.S. relationships in the region and that it is natural for Latin American countries to have diverse trade and investment partnerships beyond the U.S.

Matt Murray, the U.S. senior official for APEC, spoke to VOA on Wednesday from Lima, Peru, outlining the U.S. agenda for this year's APEC meetings.

This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

VOA: Could you unpack for us the agenda of APEC 2024?

Matt Murray, U.S. senior official for APEC: APEC, as you know, is a multilateral forum with 21 member economies that account for half of global trade and 60% of global GDP. Each year, APEC is hosted by a different member economy. The United States was delighted to host in 2023, and this year, the forum has moved to Peru for 2024.

APEC always focuses on three key areas: trade and investment, innovation and digitalization, and sustainable, strong, secure, inclusive and balanced growth.

Peru has continued these priorities by bringing APEC economies together to discuss these issues and make progress on specific initiatives, including a renewed focus on sustainability.

This year, during the energy ministerial meeting in August, Peru launched the Just Energy Transition Initiative within APEC. They have also supported new programming, focused on curbing food loss and waste in the region, which is crucial for the sustainability of our agricultural sectors.

VOA: Chinese President Xi Jinping will sign an updated free-trade agreement with Peru and inaugurate a new mega port north of Lima, called Chancay. Can you talk about the implications for the United States?

Murray: I think we expect countries, including APEC economies like Peru, to engage in trade and investment relationships with a variety of partners, including the People's Republic of China. As President Xi arrives in Lima, attention will be given to areas where China has invested in Peru, as well as the trade and investment ties between the two countries. However, from the U.S. perspective, our primary focus is on our own relationship with Peru and with Latin America, particularly in terms of trade, investment and broader engagement.

I don't necessarily see this as complicating our relationship in the region. We view it as a natural part of business that Latin American countries will have diverse trade and investment partners.

VOA: Given President-elect Donald Trump's stance on tariffs and the potential withdrawal from the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, and with several IPEF members also part of APEC, how might the U.S. reassure global leaders about its commitment to deepening economic ties with other nations?

Murray: Since 1989, both Democratic and Republican U.S. administrations have engaged with APEC. We view it as an opportunity to engage a wide range of partners in a consensus-based, nonbinding way.

One of the key ways we reassure leaders is simply by showing up. This week, we're showing up in a big way. The best way to demonstrate our commitment to deepening economic ties with the region is by having the president, secretary of state and U.S. trade representative all come to Lima to participate in APEC Economic Leaders Week. That, I think, demonstrates leadership and our willingness to continue engaging.

VOA: What does the future look like for APEP, or Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity, an economic initiative for Latin America, and IPEF?

Murray: I don't think I can speculate on the future of these particular arrangements. As you know, this is part of our democracy. We have administrations in power that transition to new ones, which may make different or sometimes similar decisions. There are, in fact, areas where we've seen continuity from the Obama administration to the Trump administration and then to the Biden administration, and there may continue to be such continuity. So, I don't think it's possible to speculate on any one particular issue.

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US vows 'firm response' to North Korea for sending troops to Russia

The US and South Korea confirmed that North Korean forces have been engaged in combat against Ukraine in Russia's Kursk.

By Taejun Kang for RFA

2024.11.13

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- The United States will respond strongly to North Korea's deployment of troops to support Russia's war against Ukraine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned after both the United States and South Korea confirmed that North Korean forces were engaged in combat against Ukrainian troops in Russia's Kursk region.

America's top diplomat made an emergency trip to Brussels for a meeting with his NATO and European Union counterparts to solidify U.S. President Joe Biden's foreign policy plans for Ukraine, days after former President Donald Trump won a second term in the White House.

"We had a very productive discussion today about our ongoing support for Ukraine in the face of an ongoing Russian aggression, as well this added element now of North Korean forces injected into the battle and now quite literally in combat, which demands, and will get, a firm response," Blinken told media on Wednesday.

"We're counting on European partners and others to strongly support Ukraine's mobilization," said Blinken, calling for Washington's allies to step up.

He added that NATO countries must focus their efforts on "ensuring that Ukraine has the money, munitions and mobilized forces to fight effectively in 2025, or to be able to negotiate a peace from a position of strength."

Blinken also said U.S. President Joe Biden was "committed to making sure that every dollar we have at our disposal will be pushed out the door between now and January 20," when Trump, who has questioned U.S. support for Ukraine, takes office.

"The U.S. will adapt and adjust with the latest equipment it is sending," he added, without providing details.

Separately, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte reiterated the crucial role played by China in helping Russia's "war effort."

On Tuesday, he said Russia's growing economic and military cooperation with China, North Korea and Iran was a threat to Europe, the Indo-Pacific and North America.

China, one of North Korea's few allies, faces pressure to act responsibly as the U.S. and its allies fear North Korean troop deployments could dangerously escalate the Ukraine conflict. The U.S. expressed concerns to China in October over North Korean and Russian "destabilizing" actions.

China has not commented on North Korea's deployment except to say the development of relations between Russia and North Korea was solely for them to decide.

On Wednesday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine was progressing "very rapidly and fully," without addressing reports of North Korean involvement.

Russia has not commented on the presence of North Korean troops on its territory. At a meeting of the U.N. Security Council last week, Russia declined to answer questions from the U.S. about its deployment of North Koreans.

The U.S. confirmed on Tuesday that more than 10,000 North Korean soldiers had been sent to eastern Russia, saying most of them have moved to far western Kursk Oblast, where they have begun engaging in combat operations with Russian forces.

South Korea's main security agency also confirmed that the North Koreans were "already engaging in combat operations" against Ukraine in Kursk.

Ukrainian forces launched an incursion into Kursk on Aug. 6 and have captured more than two dozen settlements there.

Edited by Mike Firn.

Copyright 1998-2016, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content November not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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KEEL LAYING OF FIRST FLEET SUPPORT SHIP FOR INDIAN NAVY AT HINDUSTAN SHIPYARD LIMITED, VISAKHAPATNAM

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 14 NOV 2024 8:00PM by PIB Delhi

'Keel Laying' ceremony of first of the five Fleet Support Ships (FSS) was held at Hindustan Shipyard, Limited, Visakhapatnam on 14 Nov 24. The ceremony was presided by Vice Admiral B Siva Kumar, Controller Warship Production & Acquisition in presence of Chairman & Managing Director, HSL and other senior officials from Indian Navy and HSL. Indian Navy had signed a contract with HSL for acquisition of five Fleet Support Ships in Aug 2023. The ships are scheduled to be delivered to Indian Navy, commencing mid 2027.

On induction, the Fleet Support Ships will bolster the 'Blue Water' capabilities of the Indian Navy through replenishment of Fleet ships at sea. The ships, with more than 40,000 Tons displacement will carry and deliver fuel, water, ammunition and stores enabling prolonged operations without returning to harbour, thus enhancing the Fleet's strategic reach and mobility. In secondary role, these ships would be equipped for Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief operations for evacuation of personnel in emergency situations and quick delivery of relief material at site during natural calamities.

With indigenous design and sourcing of majority of the equipment from indigenous manufacturers, this shipbuilding project will boost the Indian Shipbuilding Industry and is in consonance with GoI initiatives of #AatmanirbharBharat, #Makeinindia and #MakefortheWorld.

****

VM/SKY

(Release ID: 2073452)

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Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff conducts annual Joint Electromagnetic Board Meeting 2024

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 14 NOV 2024 2:34PM by PIB Delhi

The annual meeting of the Joint Electromagnetic Board (JEMB), a subcommittee of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC), was held on 13 November 2024 under the chairmanship of Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations). The event was attended by senior officers from the three Services, DRDO, DDP, and industry. The meeting covered multiple agenda items on joint operations and integration in areas such as Electronic Warfare, Signature Management, Emerging Technologies, EMI/EMC, Spectrum Management and Human Resource Management.

The event featured the launch of the AI-enabled e-Tarang System, which will enable automated, efficient planning and management of Defence Spectrum, as well as support development of newer technologies in higher frequency bands. This unique software, developed in collaboration with Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N), will improve planning for interference-free operation of defence equipment during both wartime and peacetime.

The Technical News Letter (TNL) 2024, published by JCES/HQ IDS, was also released during the event. This important document outlines future technologies with the potential to revolutionise modern warfare. All three Services made significant professional contributions to the development of this document.

The annual meeting was conducted with a singular aim, 'to achieve synergy in joint electronic warfare (EW) operations among the three Services and to establish a roadmap for enhancing capabilities in Spectrum Warfare'. The gathering also sought to identify technology development and training priorities for the future. Air Marshal Mishra delivered a Special Address, emphasising the need for integrating EW assets across the Services for effective operations. He also lauded the successful conduct of the first joint EW exercise, held in September 2024, which underscored the principle of "Victory through Jointness".

*****

SR/Anand

(Release ID: 2073259)

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UN Nuclear Chief Warns During Iran Visit Window On Talks May Be Closing

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda November 14, 2024

Rafael Grossi, head of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has urged Iran and its global partners to achieve "concrete, tangible, and visible results" in talks over Tehran's nuclear program as the return of Donald Trump to the White House may mean the window for diplomacy is closing.

Speaking to journalists in the Iranian capital on November 14 after a meeting with Iran's nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami, Grossi said pressure was building for movement toward a solution with Iran-backed proxies at war with Israel and Trump, known for his hard-line stance against Tehran, taking over the U.S. presidency in January.

"We know that it is indispensable to get, at this point of time, to get some concrete, tangible, and visible results that will indicate that this joint work is improving (the) situation, is bringing clarification to things, and in a general sense it is moving us away from conflict and ultimately war," Grossi said.

"The fact that international tensions and regional tensions do exist...shows that the space for negotiation and diplomacy is not getting bigger, it is getting smaller," he added.

Grossi's visit takes place about two months ahead of the inauguration of Trump, who during his first term in 2018 unilaterally withdrew from a landmark 2015 agreement between Iran and world powers and reimposed biting sanctions on the Islamic republic.

The 2015 deal, known officially as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), had given Iran some limited relief from international sanctions in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program designed to prevent it from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Grossi also met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Tehran on November 14.

Araqchi, Iran's chief negotiator during the negotiations to reach the JCPOA deal, which barred Tehran from enriching uranium above the level of 3.65 percent, said on X that the talks with Grossi were "important and straightforward."

He vowed to continue Iran's cooperation with the IAEA on nuclear nonproliferation "with courage and good will" and reiterated Tehran's longstanding assertion that its nuclear program was "peaceful."

Araqchi added, however, that Iran would not negotiate "under pressure."

After Washington's withdrawal from the JCPOA, Iran expanded its nuclear program and restricted IAEA inspections of its nuclear sites.

The IAEA and the international community have voiced alarm at reports that Tehran has substantially increased its stocks of uranium enriched to 60 percent -- considerably closer to the 90 percent level needed for a nuclear weapon.

Nuclear expert Eric Brewer told RFE/RL that the IAEA's lack of access to Iran's nuclear sites heightens the risk of it producing more enriched uranium.

"I suspect that to get Iran to provide some information on that front is at the top of Director-General Grossi's list," Brewer said.

He added that while the trip had been scheduled since before the U.S. election, Trump's re-election "will hang over the conversations."

The IAEA chief is expected to hold talks with Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian later in the day.



Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/un-nuclear-chief-in- iran-for-nuclear-talks-/33201851.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Imposition of Sanctions on Iran's Illicit Revenue-Generating Network

US Department of State

Press Statement

Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson

November 14, 2024

The United States is today designating or identifying as blocked property 26 entities, individuals, and ships comprising a network associated with the Syria-based Al-Qatirji Company, an entity with ties to the U.S.-designated Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) and the Houthis. The Al-Qatirji Company enabled the IRGC-QF to generate and access hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue this year alone. The Al-Qatirji Company launders revenue from selling Iranian oil and then provides millions of dollars per month to the Houthis, knowingly funding attacks carried out by the Houthis.

Today's action seeks to further disrupt the oil sales networks through which the Iranian regime funds the IRGC-QF and its partners and proxies, which have contributed to ongoing regional instability and conflict.

Today's actions are being taken pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, which targets terrorist groups and their supporters. For more information see the Department of the Treasury's press release.

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Tech giants ramp up political spending to shape policies in 2024 U.S. elections

Xinhua) 09:08, November 15, 2024

SACRAMENTO, the United States, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Google's record-breaking lobbying push of 10.7 million U.S. dollars in California in summer this year signaled an aggressive trend of tech companies wielding financial influence to shape legislation affecting their interests ahead of the 2024 elections.

The search giant's spending in California from July through September 2024 was nearly 90 times higher than the same period in 2023, making it the state's highest-spending lobbyist during the quarter, according to a report from CalMatters on Wednesday.

This unprecedented surge came as Google fought against proposed legislation in California that would have required tech platforms to pay news outlets for publishing their content, the non-profile news website focusing on local news in the Golden State said.

The company channeled most of its lobbying funds through two organizations: 7 million dollars to the Computer and Communications Industry Association and 2.75 million dollars to the California Taxpayers Association.

According to state records, these groups ran television and social media advertisements opposing the journalism funding bills.

"That agreement was an escape clause for Google," said California State Senator Steve Glazer, referring to the eventual deal where Google agreed to provide 55 million dollars over five years for local newsrooms instead of facing potentially more significant mandatory payments under the proposed legislation.

This intensive lobbying effort in California reflected a broader pattern of tech industry political spending nationwide. In 19 states that require full disclosure, major tech companies and industry trade groups tripled their lobbying expenditures from 4.4 million dollars in 2013 to 13.4 million dollars in 2023, according to an OpenSecrets analysis reported by Pluribus News.

The surge in political spending extended beyond traditional lobbying. The crypto industry, representing a new frontier of tech influence, has emerged as one of the largest corporate donors in the 2024 election cycle.

According to The New Yorker, pro-crypto donors were responsible for almost half of all corporate donations to Political Action Committees (PACs) in the 2024 election cycle.

A notable example of this influence was the 2024 California U.S. Senate primary, where a crypto-backed super PAC named Fairshake spent approximately 10 million dollars in attack ads against candidate U.S. Congresswoman Katie Porter, who ultimately lost the primary.

"When you have members who are afraid of 10 million dollars being spent overnight against them, the will in Washington to do what's right disappears pretty quickly," Porter told The New Yorker.

The tech industry's growing political involvement represents a significant shift from its traditionally apolitical stance.

"If you were a venture capitalist or CEO, you might hire lobbyists to talk to politicians or gossip with you, but, beyond that, most of the Valley thought politics was stupid," a senior tech executive told The New Yorker, describing the industry's attitude until the mid-2010s.

Tech lobbying intensified as states increasingly took the lead in regulating various aspects of the industry, from data privacy to artificial intelligence (AI). This year alone, lawmakers in 45 states introduced more than 600 AI-related bills, with over 50 approved so far, according to a MultiState tracking reported by Pluribus News.

Some state lawmakers have begun pushing back against the industry's aggressive lobbying tactics. "When people come with good faith suggestions, we work with them," said Connecticut State Senator James Maroney. "But coming in and saying, 'delete sections one to 18 of a bill' is not good faith," he told Pluribus News.

The impact of tech industry lobbying is already evident in legislative outcomes.

In California, a first-in-nation attempt to fine social media companies for harming young users collapsed in August 2024 after facing fierce industry opposition, according to Politico. The bill's author, California State Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, attributed its failure to "poison pill amendments" that served "special interests."

Chris Lehane, a prominent political operative now working with OpenAI, explained to The New Yorker that tech platforms had become potentially the most potent cohort in politics due to their ability to communicate instantly with hundreds of millions of people.

"If Airbnb can engage fifteen thousand hosts in a city, that can have an impact on who wins a city-council race or the mayoralty," he said, adding that "in a congressional or Senate race, fifty thousand votes can make all the difference."

This growing influence of tech money in politics has raised concerns about its impact on democratic processes. One Coinbase employee told The New Yorker, "This isn't enlightened debate and discussion. This is about using money to be a bully, so everyone knows you're the scariest ones on the playground."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Treasury Targets Syrian Conglomerate Funding Qods Force and Houthis

U.S. Department of the Treasury

November 14, 2024

WASHINGTON -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned 26 companies, individuals, and vessels associated with the Al-Qatirji Company, a Syrian conglomerate responsible for generating hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) and the Houthis through the sale of Iranian oil to Syria and the People's Republic of China (PRC). Previously designated for its role in facilitating the sale of fuel between the Syrian regime and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the Al-Qatirji Company has morphed into one of the main channels through which the IRGC-QF generates revenue and funds its regional proxy groups. OFAC is expanding its targeting of Al-Qatirji's network and its fleet of vessels to inhibit the IRGC-QF from benefiting from this relationship.

"Iran is increasingly relying on key business partners like the Al-Qatirji Company to fund its destabilizing activities and web of terrorist proxies across the region," said Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley T. Smith. "Treasury will continue to take all available measures to restrict the Iranian regime's ability to profit from the illicit schemes that enable its dangerous regional agenda."

Today's action is being taken pursuant to counterterrorism authority Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, as amended. OFAC designated the IRGC-QF pursuant to E.O. 13224 on October 25, 2007, for providing material support to multiple terrorist groups. The Al-Qatirji Company was designated pursuant to E.O. 13582 on September 6, 2018 for its ties to the Government of Syria. The U.S. Department of State designated Ansarallah, also known as the Houthis, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, effective February 16, 2024, for having committed or attempted to commit, posing a significant risk of committing, or having participated in training to commit acts of terrorism.

The Al-Qatirji Company, the irgc-qf, and iranian proxies

The Al-Qatirji Company exports millions of barrels of Iranian oil, worth hundreds of millions of dollars, to Syria and East Asia, including the PRC, to finance the IRGC-QF and Houthis. As of 2024, the Al-Qatirji Company has become one of the IRGC-QF's main financial channels, enabling the IRGC-QF to generate and access hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue this year alone, much of which is laundered through major cities such as Istanbul and Beirut. Some of the oil proceeds are ultimately sent to the Houthis, who receive millions of dollars per month from the Al-Qatirji Company.

The Al-Qatirji Company is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, the IRGC-QF.

The Al-Qatirji Company controls the following vessels, which it uses to transport Iranian petroleum: Guyana-flagged BARON (IMO: 9080493), Iran-flagged ROMINA (IMO: 9114608), Guyana-flagged CHLOE (IMO: 9173745), Palau-flagged JOEL (IMO: 9198094), Iran-flagged LOTUS (IMO: 9203784), Panama-flagged REX 1 (IMO: 9219056), Guyana-flagged RAMONA I (IMO: 9233222), Barbados-flagged LELIA (IMO: 9258870), Barbados-flagged ELINE (IMO: 9292486), Panama-flagged CELINE (IMO: 9305609), Guyana-flagged MIA (IMO: 9018464), and Guyana-flagged LIA (IMO: 9041057). The Al-Qatirji Company has coordinated oil shipments worth tens of millions of dollars with the IRGC-QF using the BARON and Iran-flagged STAR 5 (IMO: 9150377).

The Al-Qatirji Company is the ultimate beneficial owner of the LELIA, JOEL, ELINE, and CELINE. The Al-Qatirji Company proposed to return these vessels to the IRGC-QF to settle tens of millions of dollars' worth of debts.

The LELIA, ELINE, and CELINE are managed and operated by India-based Salina Ship Management Pvt Ltd. Panama-based Bluespectrum Shipping S.A. serves as the registered owner, ship manager, and operator of the JOEL.

Salina Ship Management Pvt Ltd and Bluespectrum Shipping S.A. are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, the Al-Qatirji Company. The LELIA, ELINE, and CELINE are being identified as blocked property in which Salina Ship Management Pvt Ltd has an interest. The JOEL is being identified as blocked property in which Bluespectrum Shipping S.A. has an interest.

The REX 1 is managed, owned, and operated by Lebanon-based Softwater Navigation Holding Ltd.. The BARON is managed and owned by Lebanon-based Pearl Shipping & Trading Ltd. The RAMONA I is owned by Panama-based Elias Shipping & Trading Group SA. Iran-based Moshtaq Tejarat Sanat Co JSC is the registered owner of the STAR 5. Marshall Islands-based Nativa Management Ltd is the owner and manager of the LIA. Iran-based Amitis Jazireh Kish Ship Management Co LLC is the ship manager of the ROMINA. Seychelles-based Veline Shiptrade Incorporated is the owner and operator of the MIA.

Softwater Navigation Holding Ltd., Pearl Shipping & Trading Ltd, Elias Shipping & Trading Group SA, Moshtaq Tejarat Sanat Co JSC, Nativa Management Ltd, Amitis Jazireh Kish Ship Management Co LLC, and Veline Shiptrade Incorporated are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, the Al-Qatirji Company.

The REX 1 is being identified as blocked property in which Softwater Navigation Holding Ltd. has an interest. The BARON is being identified as blocked property in which Pearl Shipping & Trading Ltd has an interest. The RAMONA I is being identified as blocked property in which Elias Shipping & Trading Group SA has an interest. The STAR 5 is being identified as blocked property in which Moshtaq Tejarat Sanat Co JSC has an interest. The LIA is being identified as blocked property in which Nativa Management Ltd has an interest. The ROMINA is being identified as blocked property in which Amitis Jazireh Kish Ship Management Co LLC has an interest. The MIA is being identified as blocked property in which Veline Shiptrade Incorporated has an interest. The LOTUS and the CHLOE are being identified as blocked property in which the Al-Qatirji Company has an interest.

Al-Qatirji Company Leadership

Hussam Bin Ahmed Rushdi Al-Qatirji (Hussam Al-Qatirji) has become a leader of the Al-Qatirji Company since the death of Muhammad Al-Qatirji in mid-2024. Executives of the Al-Qatirji Company have met directly with senior officials of the IRGC-QF, as well as with their other financial supporters, including sanctioned IRGC-QF-backed Houthi financial official Sa'id al-Jamal. Hussam Al-Qatirji, together with Muhammad Agha Ahmed Rashdi Qatirji, works on the Al-Qatirji Company's oil portfolio. 'Abbas Katerji, Muhammad Al-Qatirji's son, also works for the Al-Qatirji Company.

Hussam Al-Qatirji is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the Al-Qatirji Company. Hussam Al-Qatirji was previously designated pursuant to E.O. 13573 on November 9, 2020 for his role in brokering the Syrian regime's oil trade with ISIS.

Muhammad Agha Ahmed Rashdi Qatirji and 'Abbas Katerji are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the Al-Qatirji Company.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of these individuals and entities named above, and of any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by them, individually, or with other blocked persons, that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons must be blocked and reported to OFAC. OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all dealings by U.S. persons or within the United States (including transactions transiting the United States) that involve any property or interests in property of designated or blocked persons. U.S. persons must comply with OFAC regulations, including all U.S. citizens and permanent resident aliens regardless of where they are located, all persons within the United States, and all U.S.-incorporated entities and their foreign branches. Non-U.S. persons are also subject to certain OFAC prohibitions. For example, non-U.S. persons are prohibited from causing or conspiring to cause U.S. persons to wittingly or unwittingly violate U.S. sanctions, as well as engaging in conduct that evades U.S. sanctions. Violations of OFAC regulations may result in civil or criminal penalties. OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations based on strict liability, meaning that a person subject to U.S. jurisdiction may be held civilly liable even if such person did not know or have reason to know that it was engaging in a transaction that was prohibited under sanctions laws and regulations administered by OFAC. OFAC's Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC's enforcement of U.S. economic sanctions, including the factors that OFAC generally considers when determining an appropriate response to an apparent violation. For additional information on complying with U.S. sanctions and export control laws, please see Department of Commerce, Department of the Treasury, and Department of Justice Tri-Seal Compliance Note.

Furthermore, engaging in certain transactions with the individuals designated today entails risk of secondary sanctions pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended. Pursuant to this authority, OFAC can prohibit or impose strict conditions on the opening or maintaining in the United States of a correspondent account or a payable-through account of any foreign financial institution that knowingly conducted or facilitated any significant transaction on behalf of a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.

The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, please refer to OFAC's Frequently Asked Question 897 here. For detailed information on the process to submit a request for removal from an OFAC sanctions list, please click here.

Click here for more information on the individual and entities identified today.

###

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A year after offensive, rebels control most of Myanmar's Rakhine state

The Arakan Army has captured 10 out of the state's 17 townships as the junta holds onto the state capital, Sittwe.

By RFA Burmese 2024.11.13 -- One year after renewed fighting in Myanmar's western Rakhine state, the rebel Arakan Army controls some 80 percent of the state while the military junta's airstrikes and its blockade of trade routes have left residents worried about their safety and food shortages.

The ethnic Arakan Army, or AA, began its offensive on Nov. 13, 2023, and has since captured 10 out of the state's 17 townships, as well as one township in neighboring Chin state.

The group is battling for self-determination for the mostly Buddhist Rakhine people. It would be the first Myanmar rebel group to take over a state if it seizes - as it has vowed to do - all territory under military control in Rakhine state.

Myanmar's military, which took control of the country in a 2021 coup, has been battling various rebel armies and militias across the country, and has faced some of its biggest setbacks in Rakhine.

The AA's battlefield successes over the last year has been unprecedented since the fall of the Arakan Kingdom to the Burmese in 1784, according to Pe Than, a former member of parliament from Rakhine state.

"Our Arakan people lost our sovereignty about 240 years ago," he told Radio Free Asia. "Throughout this period, the successive generations in Rakhine have engaged in revolutionary efforts, yet we did not achieve victory.

"Now, during the era of the AA, we have found success," he said. "It is believed that the national dignity of the Rakhine people can be restored along with that of the AA, as it has been a great achievement."

The AA has repeatedly vowed to capture Sittwe, the state capital and one of the last important military holdings in Rakhine. Last month, AA fighters advanced on the junta's Western Command headquarters in Ann township, about 120 km (75 miles) southwest of Sittwe.

Additionally, there have been heated battles for control of Maungdaw township near the Bangladesh border since July.

Junta air attacks

In the townships where it has won control, the AA and its political wing, the United League of Arakan, have been operating civilian administration, judicial and development sectors, AA spokesperson Khaing Thu Kha said during an online news conference on June 8.

"We will diligently follow our roadmap to build a society prevailed with justice, peace and human dignity for the Arakan people," he said. "We are also committed to establishing a future that guarantees equality and rights for all communities residing in Arakan state."

But the threat of junta airstrikes remains a significant concern for locals, and many towns and homes have yet to be rebuilt because of financial constraints and difficulties obtaining supplies, he said.

Additionally, the fighting has severely hindered children's ability to get an education, he said. The junta had already closed many of Rakhine state's schools, and in some areas children aren't allowed to walk to school that remain open because of the threat of air strikes, which often target civilian buildings.

"Parents are hiring private teachers for their children," Khaing Thu Kha said. "It has been a form of self-reliant education."

Junta air attacks and artillery targeted at Rakhine state's civilian populations have left 486 people dead and 1,043 injured over the last year, according to the records of the AA and the statements from residents.

"Over the past year, the military junta has carried out excessive airstrikes, destroying religious buildings, hospitals, clinics, residential areas, villages and refugee camps," said Wai Hin Aung, a volunteer helping war displaced persons in Rakhine.

Rakhine civil society organizations have estimated that more than 600,000 people have been forced to flee their homes due to the fierce fighting between the junta and the AA.

RFA was unable to reach junta spokesperson Major Gen. Zaw Min Tun on Wednesday to ask about the current situation in Rakhine state.

Refugees eye return

Across the border in Bangladesh, where some 1 million stateless Rohingya refugees live in tightly packed border camps - including more than 50,000 who have fled the fighting in Rakhine this year - there is some hope that refugees can return once the AA gains full control of Rakhine.

"The AA has a visionary approach, and I believe their governance would not mirror the harsh policies of the military council," one refugee who has been living in Bangladesh since 2017 told RFA.

"If the AA succeeds in capturing Maungdaw and gains international recognition, I believe they would engage in dialogue with the Rohingya," he said.

Another refugee who identified himself as Kairo thought that international recognition of the AA as a legitimate government was unlikely.

"I believe our chance of returning to Rakhine state will be very slim if the AA takes control now," Kairo said. "I don't think UNHCR will hand us over to an unrecognized organization," referring to the U.N refugee agency.

"Even if they gain control of 17 townships, it could take at least two to three years for them to achieve international recognition."

Translated by Aung Naing and Kalyar Lwin. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content November not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Myanmar's Kachin rebels stop rare earth exports to China

The insurgents have sealed the border in response to China's closures as it presses anti-junta groups to negotiate peace.

By RFA Burmese 2024.11.14 -- An ethnic minority insurgent group in Myanmar has closed crossings it controls on the border with China, cutting off exports of valuable rare earths in response to recent closures of the border by China, residents of the area said on Thursday.

The Kachin Independence Army, or KIA, which has been fighting on and off for decades for self-determination in Myanmar's northernmost state, has made significant gains against junta forces over the past year, capturing territory, including some major rare-earth mines, and 10 border checkpoints.

Rare earths are used in the manufacture of numerous items, from electric cars to wind turbines and cell phones, in Chinese factories, but the mining of the minerals essential for the green transition causes significant pollution.

China, which the environmental group Global Witness said in a recent report had effectively outsourced its rare earth extraction to Myanmar, has also been trying to press insurgent groups battling the Myanmar junta to make peace by sealing the border to trade.

The KIA had responded by sealing the part of the border under its control, cutting off cross-border shipments of inputs needed for rare earth mining and the export of the minerals back to China, residents in the border region of Kachin state told Radio Free Asia.

"China keeps opening and closing the gates. Now, the KIA has closed them," said a resident of Mai Ja Yang town, which is on the border with China, about 130 kilometers (80 miles) southeast of the state capital, Myitkyina.

The resident, who declined to be identified for security reasons, said the KIA had closed the border there and at crossings at Lai Zar and Pang War on Tuesday.

"As for rare earth mining, that's all been closed because we don't have the materials we need to extract them," the resident said, referring to fuel and chemical inputs.

RFA tried to contact KIA spokesman Naw Bu for information about the situation but he did not respond by the time of publication.

RFA was not able to contact Chinese authorities or rare earth processors for comment and China's embassy in Myanmar has not responded to inquiries from RFA.

Economic pressure

China has extensive economic interests in resource-rich Myanmar including energy pipelines that traverse the Southeast Asian nation, from the Indian Ocean to southern China's Yunnan province, and several mining projects.

While China backs the Myanmar military it also has contacts with anti-junta insurgent groups, especially those in northern and northeastern Myanmar, including the KIA, and has called on the rival sides to negotiate.

In late October, China shut six border gates, causing shortages and price surges for fuel and household goods along Kachin state border towns, residents there said.

As well as closing border crossings to put economic pressure on the insurgents, China has also closed its border to civilians fleeing fighting.

At the Pang War border crossing, about 160 km (100 miles) northeast of Mai Ja Yang, China has sealed the border to traders and civilians but was allowing trucks hauling rare earths from the Kachin state mines to enter China.

So the KIA, which recently captured the border post, stopped the trucks, a person affiliated with the KIA said.

"As for the gate, China closed it so the KIA did too," said the person, who also declined to be identified for security reasons.

"The KIA blocked the road with wood and barbed wire."

Global Witness said in a report this year that there are more than 300 rare earth mines in Kachin state's Chipwi and Pang War townships exporting to China, which the group said controls nearly 90% of global rare earth capacity.

Translated by Kiana Duncan. Edited by RFA staff.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content November not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Thousands flee fighting in Myanmar's heartland

The attack on Pale marks the first bid by rebel forces to take a key town in the country's breadbasket.

By RFA Burmese 2024.11.14 -- Fierce fighting between junta troops and rebels in central Myanmar's Sagaing region over the past week has driven nearly 10,000 residents to flee their homes, sources said Thursday.

The fighting in Sagaing, along the borders of Mandalay and Magway regions, marks the first bid by rebel forces to take Pale, a key town in Myanmar's "dry zone" region - the country's breadbasket and a stronghold of the military since its February 2021 coup d'etat.

On Monday, the Bamar National Revolutionary Army or BNRA and allied forces launched an attack on a unit of some 40 junta troops stationed at the Pale Township General Administrative Office and police station, according to residents and rebel officials.

The military responded with airstrikes and artillery, as well as reinforcements, and anti-junta forces were unable to capture the town as of Thursday, said Saya Naing, the station officer of the rebel Black Leopard Army, which is aligned with the Bamar National Revolutionary Army.

"They drop soldiers with four or five helicopters every day," he said, adding that on Thursday, as many as eight helicopters had brought reinforcements. "Our forces are surrounding them, but a Mi-35 helicopter attacked part of the town this morning, destroying about 50 houses."

Nearly 10,000 people have fled the fighting since Monday and are in need of aid, said a member of the Supporting Network for People in Sagaing relief group.

"More than 2,100 households from 11 [nearby] villages and the town of Pale have fled from the intense fighting," said the aid worker who, like others interviewed for this report, spoke to RFA on condition of anonymity due to security concerns. "As of [Wednesday], the number of displaced persons has exceeded 9,500."

The aid worker said that among the displaced are those suffering from seasonal illnesses, pregnant women and the elderly.

Four days of airstrikes

The junta has carried out at least 20 airstrikes over the past four days, killing some civilians, according to a member of the Pale Township Public Administration aid organization.

"Fighting is still escalating between the [rebel] forces and the junta forces," he said. "We are evacuating as many of the residents as possible. We have taken out more than 200 people."

The aid worker said his organization is still fielding requests to help evacuate civilians who were left behind as others fled the attacks, including the paralyzed and the blind.

"Many buildings were destroyed in the town," he said. "As far as we know, three people were reportedly killed, while the actual number may be higher.

A resident of Pale township who also declined to be named told RFA that everyone in her village had fled since the fighting began.

"We fled our homes since Monday amid frequent bombardment by the junta," she said, adding that the military was "scattering bombs" around the village. "Entire villages are fleeing on cattle carts, by foot and by motorcycle. We are facing a shortage of food supplies."

Casualty numbers unclear

A military analyst and former army officer who did not wish to be named told RFA that the BNRA would likely face higher casualties fighting urban warfare in Pale town.

"This is largely a tactical move rather than a full-scale operation [by the BNRA]," he said. "Due to Pale town's proximity to the Northwestern Military Command, the junta frequently conducts airstrikes, which has prevented them from fully securing the town."

The analyst said reports indicate that "many BNRA soldiers have been injured" in the fighting, although he could not provide details.

Allied rebel forces told RFA that the extent of casualties on both sides of the conflict remains unknown.

Attempts by RFA to contact Nyunt Win Aung, the junta's spokesperson and social affairs minister for Sagaing region, went unanswered Thursday.

According to residents, the military bombarded Pale's Aing Ma village on Nov. 5, killing four civilians.

Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content November not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Ten citizens of the Russian Federation having supported war in Ukraine included in the list of personae non gratae

Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

14.11.2024

On 14 November 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braze, took a decision in accordance with Section 61, Paragraph two of the Immigration Law on including 10 citizens of the Russian Federation who have supported war in Ukraine in the list of personae non gratae in the Republic of Latvia:

1. Elena RUZYAK

2. Denis POSPELOV

3. Oleg BELKOV

4. Sergey PASTER

5. Ivan SADCHIKOV

6. Tatyana KRIVENKO

7. Valery FOKIN

8. Andrei BOLOTOV

9. Natalya TIMAKOVA

10. Alexander BUDBERG

The ban on entering Latvia is imposed on the said persons for an indefinite period of time.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with competent authorities, including the Latvian State Security Service, evaluates the facts that have come to its knowledge and, in accordance with Section 61, Paragraph two of the Immigration Law, determines whether persons should be included in the list of personae non gratae in the Republic of Latvia and banned from entering Latvia for an indefinite period of time. In separate cases, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs the public about the decision.

Latvia utterly condemns the aggression unleashed by Russia on Ukraine and its territorial integrity in 2014, as well as the unprovoked and unjustified full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, which has been under way for almost 1000 days. Every day, the war claims the lives of Ukrainian civilians and soldiers of the armed forces of Ukraine. Support for atrocities carried out by the Kremlin regime means co-responsibility for the crimes committed; therefore, the entry of such persons into Latvia cannot be permitted.

19 November 2024 marks 1000 days since Russia began its war of aggression against Ukraine.

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Can Trump's return to White House be an opportunity for enhancing US-Turkey ties?

By Begum Donmez Ersoz November 14, 2024

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was among the first foreign leaders to congratulate U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on his early November election victory.

President Joe Biden has not hosted Erdogan at the White House though the two have met on sidelines of international summits and spoken by phone.

Speaking to journalists accompanying his return from visits to Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan, Erdogan expressed his hope for improved U.S. ties, adding, however, that in-person meetings would be needed to achieve that end, and that Ankara needs to wait to see what kind of a Cabinet Trump forms.

The two leaders had a close personal relationship during Trump's first term in office. However, bilateral relations have also been marked by tough times during that administration. With Trump's January return to the White House, analysts told VOA that although there may be opportunities for more cooperation in some areas, they don't expect major changes.

James Jeffrey, who served as the U.S. ambassador to Turkey from 2008 to 2010, sees Ukraine as one area with potential for cooperation.

Referring to Trump's promise to end the war in Ukraine, Jeffrey says Turkey could play a role in negotiating a cease-fire, making both sides "well-aligned for a productive relationship."

Alan Makovsky, a senior fellow for national security and international policy at the Center for American Progress, also believes Trump's priority to end the war in Ukraine creates a significant opportunity for Erdogan.

A NATO ally, Turkey has adopted a careful balancing act amid the war in Ukraine, supplying armed drones to Ukraine while maintaining ties with Russia in energy and tourism.

Erdogan, who has maintained good relations with both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, has long said neither side is gaining from the war and offered to host and mediate negotiations.

Disagreement over Syria

Disagreements between Turkey and the United States during Trump's first term included Ankara's frustration with U.S. support for Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) led by Kurdish militia  People's Protection Units, known as YPG in northern Syria.

After a phone call with Erdogan on October 6, 2019, Trump unexpectedly announced that the U.S. would withdraw from Syria. Many U.S. military officials, all of whom were caught off guard by the announcement, did not support the idea.

Tension between the allies worsened after Trump on October 9 sent a letter to Erdogan, warning him against a military incursion into Syria.

Following Trump's withdrawal announcement, Turkey launched a military operation in northern Syria targeting the YPG on October 9.

A cease-fire agreement was reached during then-Vice President Mike Pence's visit to Ankara on October 17.

Now, some in Ankara expect the U.S. may reconsider its presence in northern Syria during Trump's second term.

Jeffrey, a U.S. envoy for Syria from 2018 to 2020, suggests Trump's administration may reassess this issue.

"Each time people were able to convince [Trump on Syria, it] was that the troops were serving a set of important purposes. This is one of the most low-cost, high-return military deployments. We are keeping the Islamic State under control. Secondly, we are holding vital terrain, blocking Iranian, Assad and Russian ambitions," he told VOA.

Washington has long said its SDF partnership is necessary for the enduring defeat of ISIS and countering Iran.

Ankara considers YPG a Syrian offshoot of PKK, which U.S. officials have also designated as a terrorist organization.

Trump nominated Marco Rubio, a Republican senator from Florida, for secretary of state. Rubio was one of the strongest opponents of a U.S.-pullout from Syria at the time.

He labeled the decision as "a catastrophic mistake that will have dire consequences far beyond Syria," urging Trump to reconsider it.

"We'll have to see how that works out and how Marco Rubio's views may have changed to accord more with Trump's or vice versa," Makovksy said. "But anyone who thought that Trump's election meant that the U.S. would soon be withdrawing from Syria would certainly have to rethink that view in light of the Rubio appointment. I think that makes it unlikely that we will withdraw from Syria."

Trump's nominees for Cabinet positions will require Senate approval before they assume office.

F-35 program

One complicating factor in U.S.-Turkey relations during Trump's first term was Turkey's purchase of the S-400 missile defense system from Russia, which prompted Washington to remove Ankara from an F-35 joint strike fighter program.

"The F-35 cannot coexist with a Russian intelligence collection platform that will be used to learn about its advanced capabilities," said a White House statement when the system was delivered in July 2019, explaining the U.S. decision to remove Turkey from the project.

The Trump administration in December 2020 sanctioned Turkey under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

Turkey, which has since requested removal of CAATSA sanctions, has returned to talks with U.S. officials about a possible return to the F-35 program.

Analysts say that while there is a likelihood that CAATSA sanctions might be lifted during Trump's second term, any solution to the S-400 issue that is not permanent would not be technically acceptable to the U.S. military.

Describing the F-35s as the U.S. military's largest project since World War II, Jeffrey said, "A permanent solution is that they [the S-400s] go away, they're sold to somebody else. I would like to have a solution, but technically, I don't think there is one.''

Makovsky called Turkey's return to the F-35 program unlikely in the near term.

"If they completely get rid of the S-400s, really give up possession as the law requires, there could be a reasonable chance for F-35," he told VOA. "But it will be up to the so-called Four Corners - the chairman and senior members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee."

This story originated in VOA's Turkish Service.

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Secretary Blinken's Meeting with UK Foreign Secretary Lammy

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

November 13, 2024

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy today in Brussels. The Secretary and Foreign Secretary discussed the implications of Russia's decision to introduce DPRK troops into its war on Ukraine. Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of continued security assistance for Ukraine to defend itself against Russia's aggression. On Gaza, he reiterated the need to end the war, secure the release of all hostages, and surge humanitarian assistance. They also discussed the need for diplomatic resolution that ends fighting along the Blue Line and allows civilians in both Lebanon and Israel to return home.





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New Defence treaty with Romania deepens relations and supports collective security

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, signed the new agreement in London with his Romanian counterpart

13 November 2024

The UK's defence relationship with Romania has been expanded following the signing today of a new treaty promoting greater cooperation between the two countries' armed forces.

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, hosted his Romanian counterpart, Angel Tilvar, at the Ministry of Defence in London this morning to sign the treaty.

United as NATO allies and in steadfast support of Ukraine, the defence relationship between the UK and Romania continues to grow.

Both ministers agreed to enhance bilateral defence cooperation to maintain peace and security in Europe, improve the effectiveness and efficiency of each nation's armed forces when operating together, and develop information sharing.

The UK and Romania both share a steadfast support for Ukraine. Romania has sent military personnel to the UK to help train more than 45,000 Ukrainian recruits as part of Operation Interflex, which teaches basic infantry and combat skills.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

This agreement demonstrates how quickly the UK's defence relationship with Romania is growing and it shows our shared commitment to peace and security in Europe. This Government is resetting Britain's relations across Europe, and this agreement builds on that commitment as we continue to deepen our ties. The UK's security starts in Ukraine and, together with Romania as our NATO allies, we will continue to support Ukraine against Putin's illegal invasion.

The treaty agrees to establish a joint defence committee, which will provide a framework through which we can reinforce our relationship with a key NATO Ally and European partner, and better work together to combat the shared threats we face.

The UK Armed Forces have worked closely alongside Romania's Armed Forces for many years - earlier this year, a Royal Air Force fighter squadron of six Typhoons and around 200 personnel deployed to Romania to fly NATO air policing missions for four months.

Since then, numerous exercises have seen the UK and Romania operate alongside each other, including a British Army deployment to the Carpathian Mountains in Romania through September and October to practice training in difficult terrain alongside NATO allies as part of Exercise Sarmis.

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Defence Secretary meets counterparts in Turkiye and Saudi Arabia to further Defence Cooperation

Deepening defence cooperation and urgently de-escalating tensions in the Middle East will be the focus of the Defence Secretary's visit to Turkiye and Saudi Arabia.

14 November 2024

UK to commit to expanding cooperation on shared defence industrial priorities with Turkiye

In his first visit to Riyadh, John Healey will reaffirm the UK's commitment to a 'future-facing' defence relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)

Defence Secretary will also discuss ongoing efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and in Lebanon.

Deepening defence cooperation and urgently de-escalating tensions in the Middle East will be the focus of discussions between the Defence Secretary and his counterparts in Turkiye and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia today (Thursday 14 November).

During his meetings in Ankara and Riyadh, John Healey will reaffirm the UK's commitment to global security and securing an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon.

Discussions with both nations will also focus on shared priorities, such as deepening ties between our defence industries and tackling regional security challenges.

In a mutual commitment to bolster regional stability, NATO Allies UK and Turkiye will agree to deepening their defence industrial cooperation, focusing efforts on exploring mutually beneficial opportunities.

And in his first visit to Saudi Arabia, the Defence Secretary will build on the decades-long defence relationship between the UK and KSA to enhance cooperation on shared security priorities.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

Deepening our defence relationships with key partners across the region will help the UK to support regional stability and economic growth at home. This government is determined to work with our partners and across the Middle East to boost military cooperation and help lead a renewed push for peace.

While in Ankara, the Defence Secretary and his counterpart, Yasar Guler, will reaffirm plans to work together towards greater military cooperation and pursue a joint strategy for industry, providing significant opportunities for mutual growth and security.

Talks will aim to initiate a structured dialogue to explore procurement opportunities, and joint export ventures.

After travelling on to Riyadh this afternoon, the Defence Secretary is scheduled to meet Defence Minister HRH Prince Khalid bin Salman (KbS), and the Minister for the National Guard Abdullah bin Bandar (AbB).

The UK and KSA share a decades-long defence partnership, founded in mutual security interest, reliable UK support and longstanding industrial collaboration. Engagements today will provide the opportunity to explore how to further enhance cooperation and capability development in pursuit of shared security priorities; including support to KSA's Vision 2030 Transformation programme.

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Minister Tsahkna in South Africa: we can help bring deported Ukrainian children home together

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

12.11.2024

From 10 to 12 November, Margus Tsahkna is on a visit to South Africa, the first Estonian foreign minister to do so, and today he met with his South African colleague Ronald Lamola to discuss closer bilateral ties and global security issues.

At the meeting, Tsahkna said he was glad that relations between Estonia and South Africa have become closer recently, especially on economic cooperation. "We are very interested in advancing business relations and this is why I am accompanied by a business delegation," he said, adding that visa-free travel to South Africa for Estonian citizens would contribute to boosting economic relations.

Speaking about Russia's aggression in Ukraine, Tsahkna explained Estonia's positions to his South African counterpart, stating that every Estonian could share a story of what the loss of freedom means, and Russia has not changed its ambitions. He called on South Africa to join Ukraine's peace plan based on international law and the UN Charter. "The deportation of Ukrainian children is one of the most horrendous crimes that Russia has committed in its nearly 1000-day aggression," Tsahkna said, suggesting Estonia and South Africa look for ways to cooperate on bringing back the Ukrainian children who have been deported to Russia.

After his meeting with Lamola, Tsahkna attended a reception held at the Polish Embassy in Pretoria to celebrate Poland's Independence Day, noting that Estonia and Poland were linked by close personal ties. "Estonia and Poland are friends and like-minded Allies in NATO and partners in the European Union. We are happy to boost our cooperation in South Africa."

Tomorrow, Tsahkna and the Estonian business delegation will attend the AfricaTechFestival in Cape Town, meet with South Africa's IT Minister Solly Malatsi and open an honorary consul's office in Cape Town.

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Pevkur in Kyiv: Ukraine can defend itself if we give it the opportunity

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Defence

12. November 2024 - 11:16

Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur was on a visit to Kyiv, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, Minister of Strategic Industries Herman Smetanin, and visited defence industry companies.

"November 19 will mark 1,000 days since Russia launched its full-scale war of aggression. Ukrainians have proven they can defend themselves, but we must give them the opportunity to do so by providing sufficient military support. Estonia's commitment is unwavering, and Estonia plans to launch an annual, competitive support measure for Estonian companies to donate their production to Ukraine. This strengthens not only Ukraine but also our own security and economy," said Pevkur.

"Ukraine has faced setbacks in the war due to delays in Western military aid, shortages of ammunition and weaponry, and restrictions imposed by allies. The long-term 40 billion euro support package for Ukraine agreed upon at the Washington summit is a positive step, but it needs to be implemented effectively," added Defence Minister Pevkur.

As of September 2024, Estonia has provided Ukraine with military aid worth approximately 516 million euros, or about 1.4% of its GDP, making Estonia one of the top supporters globally in relation to population and GDP.

Since the start of Russia's full-scale war, Estonia has also trained more than 1,500 Ukrainian servicemen both domestically and abroad.

An IT Coalition was established in 2023 under the leadership of Estonia and Luxembourg to support the creation of secure, NATO-standard ICT infrastructure for the Ukrainian armed forces.

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Statement of intent on closer collaboration between Ukraine and Sweden in the areas of civil protection and national resilience

Government Offices of Sweden - Ministry of Defence

Published 13 November 2024

On 5 November 2024, Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin and Ukraine's Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko signed a statement of intent between Ukraine and Sweden on closer collaboration in the areas of civil protection and national resilience.

Download:

Statement of intent on closer collaboration between Ukraine and Sweden in the areas of civil protection and national resilience (pdf 125 kB)

The statement of intent highlights the importance of collaborating to ensure more secure supply chains and increased resilience to impacts on essential services and preventing and countering hybrid threats.



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Ukraine Repels Russian Assault On Kupyansk As Shelling Kills Civilians

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service November 14, 2024

Ukraine's military says it has repelled a Russian assault on the town of Kupyansk in the northeastern Kharkiv region, rejecting claims by Moscow that it had gained a foothold in the strategically important transport hub, as Russian attacks continued to claim civilian victims.

The General Staff of Ukraine's military said in a statement on November 14 that its forces pushed the attacking force back, causing considerable losses in material and manpower.

Vitaly Ganchev, a Moscow-installed regional official, had previously claimed that Russian forces had occupied positions on the outskirts of Kupyansk and were pressing ahead to the northeast and southeast of the town.

"The information about the occupation of the settlement of Illinka and about the supposed foothold of Russian troops in the town of Kupyansk is not true," the Ukrainian military's Strategic Communications Center said on social media on November 14.

"The General Staff informs that yesterday Ukrainian soldiers stopped the enemy's advancement in Kupyansk, destroyed all its armor equipment and eliminated a large part of its manpower," it said.

Neither the Russian nor the Ukrainian claims could be independently verified.

Russian forces captured Kupyansk, a strategically important railway junction, soon after the start of Moscow's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but it was liberated by Ukrainian troops in a lightning counteroffensive in the fall of the same year.

In recent months, Russia has pressed ahead with an offensive in the Kharkiv region while regularly pounding Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, with missile strikes and artillery fire, causing numerous casualties among civilians and damaging civilian and energy infrastructure.

Russian forces have been pressing a slow but grinding offensive along the whole eastern front, making incremental advances as Ukraine's outgunned and outmanned troops struggled to hold their ground.

On November 14, Russia's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Gennady Gatilov, said the Kremlin was open to peace talks if the incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump initiates them, as long as they take into consideration the "realities on the ground."

In recent days, Russians reportedly made territorial gains near the heavily damaged town of Kurakhove in the Donetsk region and are threatening to encircle it.

Early on November 14, air defenses shot down 21 out of the 59 drones launched by Russia at targets in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Air Force reported.

The other 38 drones were lost on location after their navigation systems were jammed by Ukrainian electronic warfare systems, the air force said.

Russian shelling killed two people and wounded eight over the past 24 hours in the village of Shevchenko in Donetsk, the regional prosecutor's office reported.

Damaged caused by Russian attacks and a spell of bad weather that saw early snowfalls cut the electricity supply to 43 settlements in the Poltava region, Ukraine's electricity grid operator Ukrenerho said in a statement on November 14.

Russia's Defense Ministry, meanwhile, said its air defenses shot down two Ukrainian drones early on November 14, one over the Kursk region and one over the Belgorod region.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine- drones-kursk-belgorod/33201688.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Peace Talks Brewing, Russia and Ukraine Jockey For Advantage -- On And Off Battlefield

By Mike Eckel November 14, 2024

On the battlefield in Ukraine, Russia has seized the initiative -- and wants to cement its gains ahead of any potential peace talks with Kyiv.

On the offensive since at least midsummer, Russian forces have accelerated their advances, grinding down Ukrainian troops across the 1,100-kilometer front line: in the south near Vuhledar and Pokrovsk; farther to the north near Chasiv Yar and Kupyansk; and even in Kursk, the Russian region where Ukraine staged a surprise invasion in August.

Moscow has also hired as many as 12,000 North Korean troops, and started to deploy them to western Russia, as part of what U.S. and Ukrainian officials say is a looming offensive to push Ukrainian forces out of Russian territory entirely.

"We all know, I won't be revealing a military secret if I say that our front has collapsed," Ukrainian Major General Dmytro Marchenko said in surprisingly stark public assessment on October 29. He later announced his resignation, in what many saw as punishment for his candor.

Ukraine staged its own display of prowess over the weekend, sending scores of drones at Moscow and a half-dozen other Russian regions. The attack, which disrupted some flights but otherwise caused little major damage, was the largest of its kind since Russia launched its all-out invasion in February 2022.

What it all means is that Russia's war on Ukraine is nearing another critical juncture, with pressure building for a cease-fire or a peace deal that would pause, if not outright halt the fighting nearly 33 months in.

The pressure is building in large part because of the election of Donald Trump, who has vocally criticized the volume of U.S. aid to Ukraine. Trump has repeatedly vowed to bring the conflict to a quick end, though he has provided few details.

The outgoing administration of President Joe Biden -- which shepherded to Ukraine nearly $60 billion in weapons and equipment and much more in other aid -- has shown signs of impatience with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and a "victory plan" he has promoted as a path to a "just peace."

"Russia is trying to advance as much as possible and demonstrate the ability to sustain intensity of combat for the foreseeable future, to both create a new reality on the ground and to have as much leverage over such issues like [Ukraine's] NATO membership prospects," said Mykola Byelyeskov, a researcher at the Ukrainian government-run National Institute for Strategic Studies.

'There Is No Way Back To Normality'

Both Moscow and Kyiv, meanwhile, are suffering from extraordinarily high casualties. Russia has replenished the ranks of its dead and wounded soldiers -- estimated at 600,000 and climbing -- by attracting new recruits, drawn from a larger population base with exceptionally high wages and bonuses. Admiral Tony Radakin, Britain's chief of the defense staff, told the BBC that October was the worst month for Russian casualties: around 1,500 a day.

Ukraine, whose death toll alone is estimated to exceed 80,000, is struggling to keep up its recruiting pipeline and bolster its ranks.

While the Kremlin's larger objectives go much further, one consistent goal is the capture of Ukrainian territory. That included the entirety of the industry-heavy Donetsk and Luhansk regions, also known as the Donbas.

Despite being beaten back multiple times, Russian troops currently hold about 20 percent of Ukrainian territory and are incrementally grabbing more by the day.

Russia's wider political goals include toppling the Ukrainian government, something that is unlikely for the foreseeable future. Preventing Kyiv from joining NATO also remains a top priority.

Also unlikely for the foreseeable future is the prospect of Ukraine achieving its goal of regaining control over the whole country, including Crimea. But it is seeking to deny Russia further gains inside Ukraine and to hold onto Russian territory in the Kursk region.

"Both sides want to build leverage before any potential negotiations," said Eric Ciaramella, a former White House National Security Council official for Russia and Ukraine. "For the Ukrainians, Kursk was a big part of this -- although in the end it didn't deliver the trade bait Kyiv had hoped for, and now Ukraine's positions there appear increasingly tenuous."

Ukraine's top military officer, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskiy, said on November 12 he travelled to the Kursk region, which Zelenskiy has said outright could be used as a bargaining chip in any negotiations with Russia.

He appeared to defend the decision to invade Kursk, which some outside observers questioned because it drew some of Ukraine's more experienced units from other parts of the battlefield -- particularly three points that are under severe Russian pressure.

"These tens of thousands of enemies from the best Russian shock units would have stormed our positions in the Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, or Toretsk directions, which would have significantly worsened the situation at the front," Syrskiy said.

The Price Of Peace

Both Trump and the incoming vice president, J.D. Vance, have signaled they would push Ukraine harder to negotiate. They have not announced a specific plan bring the sides to the table, and top Russian officials, Putin included, have signaled no softening of the Kremlin's positions.

The man Trump announced will be his new national-security adviser, meanwhile, suggested one point of leverage for pushing the Kremlin to negotiations.

"America can use economic leverage, including lifting the pause on exports of liquefied natural gas and cracking down on Russia's illicit oil sales, to bring Mr. Putin to the table," Michael Waltz said in a co-authored opinion piece published in the Economist magazine on November 2.

"This plan is superior to the current White House approach, which lacks a stated goal but will end in a stalemate with Russia occupying some Ukrainian territory," he wrote. "The current path will just take more time, blood, and treasure to get there."

Oleksandr Danylyuk, a former top Ukrainian military and intelligence adviser, suggests it is naive to think Russia has any intention of negotiating anything at all.

"Their political objective is to destroy or at least to reload the world security architecture," he said. "My prediction: Russia will use the negotiations to reduce Western support to Ukraine and will continue its unholy crusade against the West."

"There is no way back to 'normality,'" he said. "This is a global war in which the West can either win or be defeated."

For its part, Ukraine fears building Western impatience, and many officials worry that the Trump administration's inclination to temper its support will ultimately mean throwing Kyiv under the bus.

"There has been much talk about the need to yield to Putin, to back down, to make some concessions," Zelenskiy said in a speech at a European Political Community meeting on November 7.

"It's unacceptable for Ukraine and suicidal for all Europe."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-war-fighting- peace-talks-plan/33200802.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russian Defence Ministry reports on repelling AFU attempt to invade Russian territory in Kursk region (14 November 2024)

14.11.2024

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the operation to neutralise an enemy group, which broke into the territory of Kursk region.

Units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of the 21st, 22nd, 41st, 47th, 61st, 115th mechanised brigades, 17th Tank Brigade, 80th, 82nd, 95th air assault brigades, 36th Marine Brigade, 103rd, 112th and 129th territorial defence brigades of the AFU close to Daryino, Leonidovo, Malaya Loknya, Nikolayevo-Daryino, and Novoivanovka.

Army Aviation and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the enemy near Aleksandriya, Bogdanovka, Viktorovka, Guyevo, Zamostye, Zeleny Shyakh, Kruglenkoye, Lebedevka, Loknya, Martynovka, Makhnovka, Mirny, Nizhny Klin, Nikolsky, Novaya Sorochina, Novoivanovka, Plyokhovo, Staraya Sorochina, Sudzha, Cherkasskoye Porechnoye, and Yuzhny.

Operational-Tactical Aviation and Missile Troops delivered strikes at AFU reserves on the territory of Sumy region near Basovka, Belovody, Zhuravka, Pisarevka, Khoten, and Yunakovka.

Over the past 24 hours, the AFU losses amounted to up to 430 troops, ten tanks, two infantry fighting vehicles, 19 armoured fighting vehicles, 33 motor vehicles, one Anklav-N electronic warfare station, seven field artillery guns, including two 155-mm Bogdana self-propelled artillery system, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers, and one 105-mm M101 gun.

Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses have amounted to more than 32,580 troops, 212 tanks, 136 infantry fighting vehicles, 112 armoured personnel carriers, 1,165 armoured fighting vehicles, 940 motor vehicles, 281 artillery guns, 40 MLRS launchers, including 11 of HIMARS and six of MLRS made by the USA, 12 anti-aircraft missile launchers, seven transport-loading vehicles, 63 EW stations, 13 counter-battery warfare radars, four air defence radars, 27 units of engineering and other materiel, including 13 counterobstacle vehicles, one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle, six armoured recovery vehicles, and one command post vehicle.

The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

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Russian forces capture village in eastern Ukraine

By VOA News November 14, 2024

Russia's military reported capturing a village in east Ukraine on Thursday, with forces closing in on the town of Kurakhove.

The Russian Defense Ministry said the army captured the village of Voznesenka in the Donetsk region.

The town had a population of about 20,000 before the war began in 2022, Agence France-Presse reported.

Russia also reported damaging Ukrainian airfields and energy facilities and shooting down 78 drones, according to state news agency RIA.

Ukraine's military said it shot down 21 of 59 Russian drones launched in an overnight attack.

Later Thursday evening, Russian drones struck a residential building and energy installations in and close to Odesa, a Ukrainian port city on the Black Sea. The attack killed at least one person, injured eight and damaged a boiler plant used for heating, according to the regional governor.

"Houses, a church and cars have been damaged," Odesa Regional Governor Oleh Kiper said in a post on the Telegram messaging app.

Emergency crews were responding to the aftermath of what Kiper called a "mass attack."

Ukraine had reported a massive aerial attack on Kyiv and other locations early Wednesday involving ballistic and cruise missiles and dozens of drones.

Ukraine's air force said its units shot down four missiles and 37 drones launched by Russia over eight regions.

"It is important that our forces have the means to defend the country from Russian terror," President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after attack.

In his Wednesday address, Zelenskyy praised the country's "air defense warriors."

"Every night, every day, they shoot down Russian 'Shahed' drones and missiles," he said. "This morning, they intercepted Russian ballistics. This is significant. Every such success means saving the lives of our people."

Late on Wednesday, a small Russian assault group briefly broke through to the outskirts of Ukraine's northeastern city of Kupiansk for the first time since the Kremlin's forces fled in September 2022, officials said on Thursday.

Moscow's forces, including soldiers disguised as Ukrainian troops, attacked in four waves on Wednesday but were driven off from the city, Ukraine's general staff said.

Ukraine has been appealing to allies to supply more air defense systems to protect against Russian attacks, and Zelenskyy said the country was grateful "to all our partners who help us with anti-missiles and air defense systems."

"The strategic goal is to reach a practical level of cooperation with our partners that will enable us to produce the air defense systems and anti-missiles we need here in Ukraine," he said.

He added Ukraine needs to "finally push Russia towards making a fair peace."

Russia's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva told reporters on Thursday that Russia is open to negotiations to end the war if they're initiated by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.



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Is Europe ready for year-end cutoff of Russian gas via Ukraine?

By Oksana Bedratenko November 14, 2024

On the first day of 2025, Ukraine's contract with Russian state-owned Gazprom will expire, shutting down a major Russian natural gas pathway to Europe.

Although the Kremlin says it is ready to continue the transit deal, urging Europeans to persuade Ukraine to extend the contract, Kyiv has said it won't budge.

Russian natural gas supplies were a cornerstone of European energy security before Moscow's February 2022 invasion, when it temporarily cut off 80 billion cubic meters of gas supplies to the continent in response to sanctions and a payment dispute.

The cut-off dealt a major blow to Europe's economy that remains palpable in 2024, according to an International Monetary Fund analysis.

Since 2021, however, Europe has secured alternative suppliers for natural gas, with Russian imports via Ukraine dropping from 11% to 5%, according to Rystad Energy, an Oslo-based energy analysis firm.

Observers say some EU countries have taken the issue more seriously than others. Germany and the Czech Republic, for example, have invested heavily in liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in record time, said Olga Khakova, deputy director for European energy security at the Washington-based Atlantic Council.

"A lot of landlocked countries, like Czech Republic, have gone out of their way to look at alternative supplies and invested in alternative options," she told VOA.

Others, like Hungary, have doubled down on their reliance on Russia, while Slovakia and Austria have increased Russian imports.

Those countries, said Khakova, "will have to live with this decision," explaining that they'll need to secure alternative routes. Turkey, for example, offers the only other operational pipeline for Europe-bound Russian energy.

Although some European nations would prefer to maintain Russian gas deliveries via Ukraine, it's "a difficult sell for the EU," said Christoph Halser, Rystad's gas and LNG analyst. He expressed confidence in Europe's political will and supply chain logistics to forfeit dependence on Ukraine's pipelines for Russian gas.

Other analysts argue that the EU should do more to send a clear signal to companies that cheap Russian gas will no longer be available. With enforceable goals from the EU for phasing out Russian pipeline gas, companies will invest in competing projects to supply reliable European customers, Khakova said.

LNG to compensate?

Although Russia's pipeline exports to Europe have decreased, Moscow has compensated for some of the shortfall with LNG deliveries via sea, road and rail, seeing the overall share of European LNG imports increase from 15% to 19%.

Rystad's Halser, however, calls further expansion unlikely, given Western sanctions against Russia.

"To further increase, and to compensate for the set of pipelines, is not possible with current infrastructure," he told VOA. "New unsanctioned projects on the Russian side would be necessary."

Growing LNG deliveries from the United States could replace Russian gas, which European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she brought up with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump during a phone call late last week.

"LNG is one of the topics that we touched upon  I would not say discussed," she told reporters in Budapest, according to Agence France-Presse. "We still get a whole lot of LNG via Russia, from Russia. ... Why not replace it with American LNG, which is cheaper and brings down our energy prices."

Will Ukraine's pipeline be empty?

Ending the transit of Russian gas to Europe poses some difficult questions for Ukraine. With the contract's termination imminent, Khakova and other analysts say Russia feels emboldened to attack Ukraine's natural gas system, adding to Ukraine's concerns this winter over how to protect the country's energy infrastructure.

Some observers say Ukraine may not find another commercial use for its dormant infrastructure. Bloomberg reported late last month that European buyers were in talks with Azerbaijan on a deal that would, through a swap arrangement, effectively deliver Azeri-branded gas to Europe though the Russia-Ukraine pipeline network.

Subsequent reports, however, indicate that no deal has been reached, and Oleksiy Chernyshov, head of state-owned Naftogaz  Ukraine's largest oil and gas company  told reporters last week that there is no alternative to halting the delivery of Russian gas via Ukrainian pipelines.

Any arrangement short of completely halting the transit of gas across Ukraine would send a negative signal to Europe, said Aura Sabadus of the London-based Independent Commodity Intelligence Services.

"If Ukraine allows for this gas to flow from 2025 onwards, even if it's sold under a different label  let's say Azeri gas  other countries might come around and say, 'well, if Ukraine is doing it, why can't we do it?'" she told VOA.

Sabadus said industrial consumers in Germany, for example, could then increase pressure to resume gas flows via the Nord Stream network of offshore natural gas pipelines beneath the Baltic Sea, which stretch from Russia to Germany and were the target of apparently deliberate underwater explosions in September 2022.

But Rystad's Halser finds it unlikely that a short-term transitional deal to keep the natural gas flowing across Ukraine would prompt demands to reopen Nord Stream.

"There is no political consensus in Germany for taking Russian gas in the near future," he said, adding that an agreement with a third party to deliver gas across Ukraine might benefit all sides involved and bolster commercial interest in Ukraine's pipeline system.





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LOS ANGELES, Nov. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Portnoy Law Firm advises PACS Group, Inc. ("PACS Group" or the "Company") (NYSE: PACS) investors of a class action representing investors that bought securities between April 11, 2024 and November 05, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"). PACS Group investors have until January 13, 2025 to file a lead plaintiff motion.

Investors are encouraged to contact attorney Lesley F. Portnoy, by phone 310-692-8883 or email: lesley@portnoylaw.com, to discuss their legal rights, or click here to join the case. The Portnoy Law Firm can provide a complimentary case evaluation and discuss investors options for pursuing claims to recover their losses.

On November 4, 2024, Hindenburg Research released a report accusing PACS of engaging in fraudulent practices as part of its alleged "turnaround" strategy for underperforming skilled nursing facilities. The report claims that PACS' approach involved exploiting taxpayer-funded healthcare programs, including the misuse of a COVID-era waiver. It further alleges that the company improperly billed Medicare Part B for thousands of unnecessary respiratory and sensory integration therapies, regardless of patient need or clinical outcomes, and employed unlicensed administrators, among other accusations.

Following the release of this report, PACS' stock price dropped by $11.93, or 27.8%, closing at $31.01 per share on November 4, 2024, resulting in significant losses for investors.

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The complaint alleges that during the class period, Chipotles executives failed to disclose that the company's portion sizes were inconsistent, which led to significant customer dissatisfaction. To address this issue and retain customer loyalty, the company would need to provide more generous portions, which would in turn increase the cost of sales.

According to the complaint, on July 24, 2024, during its Q2 2024 earnings call, Chipotle admitted that inconsistent portion sizes had caused customer dissatisfaction. The company acknowledged that addressing the issue would require an investment in larger portions to ensure that customers received "a generous amount of delicious, fresh food at fair prices for every customer, every visit." Chipotle also disclosed that these changes would result in higher costs of sales in Q3 2024. Then, on October 29, 2024, during its Q3 2024 earnings call, Chipotle confirmed that its cost of sales had increased compared to the previous year, partially due to these efforts to improve portion consistency.

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Dublin, Nov. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Data Broker Market - Forecasts from 2024 to 2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Global data broker market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.58% over the forecast period to reach US$561.538 billion by 2029, increasing from estimated value of US$389.765 billion in 2024.



The global data broker market is growing rapidly due to advances in technology and changes in purchasing behavior by consumers in the information economy one of the most important sectors. Additionally, the surge in demand for data brokerage is a result of increasing digitalization levels across different sectors aiming at utilizing data for personalized customer experience creation and making well-informed decisions.

Due to the increasing importance of regulatory compliance and data privacy, data brokerage evolves with businesses investing in robust security protocols and open data handling procedures to attract customers and adhere to strict laws. Moreover, massive amounts of data are generated by the widespread employment of IoT devices and other connected technologies, providing lucrative opportunities through which data brokers can aggregate, scrutinize, and capitalize on data streams.



Further, the use of more advanced algorithms in analytics and similar technologies such as artificial intelligence could be essential for being capable of providing analytics in real-time and also predictive modeling. This has, in turn, completely transformed what is normally referred to as data brokerage. It is now possible for firms through this approach, not only to make forecasts about different market conditions but also put them into practice so that they can increase their levels of operation efficiency.



The Global Data Broker Market Drivers:

Increasing demand for targeted marketing



The data broker industry is experiencing a major market force that is resulting in drastic changes in customer engagement strategies and business results due to the increased demand for focused marketing. Given recent shifts in consumer preferences alongside technological advancements, businesses now lay more emphasis on tailored advertising to reach out to as many clients as possible, including promoting client gains and enhancing customer loyalty.



Further, the use of large data sets gathered by data collecting services enables companies to use customer behaviours, preferences, and buying patterns. In addition to strengthening brand-consumer relationships, this customized strategy increases conversion rates and the return on investment (ROI) of marketing campaigns. For instance, Meta and other famous companies are important actors in the market of data brokers for consumers who target advertisements at specific audiences with caution. Targeted ads bring enormous profits that underline the intrinsic value of consumer data and such brokers who contribute vital information about the purchasing habits, tastes, and preferences of clients to businesses.



Rising penetration of IoT is leading to the generation of huge amounts of useful data



The Internet of Things (IoT) is a technology that is becoming very popular in every industry. The biggest factors behind this are the increasing usage of smartphones, the growing population of internet users, and the swift adoption of social media platforms. Moreover, according to Ericsson, around 1.6 billion broadband IoT (4G/5G) connections are expected for cellular IoT devices by 2023.



Further, the exponential growth in worldwide data generated by these gadgets is expected in the coming years, paralleling the increasing adoption of IoT technology. This will spur demand for data brokers even further. According to the report published by Cisco, there were 3.6 networked devices per person in 2023, compared to 2.4 in 2018. Networked device counts will rise from 18.4 billion in 2018 to 29.3 billion by 2023.



The Global Data Broker Market Restraint:

Lack of Acceptance of Virtualization Standards Globally to Obstruct Market Growth



In the data brokerage industry, data security issues pose a serious threat that calls for strong security protocols to safeguard confidential data. Cyber threats have become more elaborate, so stringent measures for security should be taken since they are categorized from hacking attacks to information leaks, which are possible from time to time. A difficult task that requires them to protect such data from abuse as well as unlawful access faces data brokers since they handle both company and individual details in large quantities.

Tight regulations on the horizon, such as CCPA and GDPR, make compliance much harder, while stricter compliance requirements due to increased scrutiny result in heightened pressures on data management; therefore, security becomes more complex. For there is an increased frequency of data breaches that erode consumer trust while at the same time causing harm to firm reputations; meaning that cyber security must be spearheaded by information brokers.



The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) initiated an investigation into companies that monitor and gather personal data in March 2023. This implies that the CFPB wants to have full disclosure about what each data broker does, including their level of adherence to regulations, to fully understand how these entities operate. Moreover, public members are encouraged to consider those businesses that significantly affect others financially or otherwise when offering feedback during the submission of ideas on such issues.



Global Data Broker Market Geographical Outlook:

North America is projected to grow at a high rate during the forecast period



The region harbours a prosperous, intelligently designed economy characterized by the prominent existence of numerous international companies in various sectors such as technology, trade, health, and finances. Due to the production of massive data volumes, data broker services are frequently required in these sectors; competitive environments, market trends, and consumer behaviour must all be evaluated.



North America provides a regulatory environment that allows data brokerage to thrive, thereby promoting entrepreneurship and creativity within an economy that thrives on data. Furthermore, the innovative culture and early adoption of emerging technologies in North America support the ongoing development and growth of data broker services, establishing the region as a global leader in the data economy.



The Global Data Broker Market Developments:

In February 2023,CoreLogic, a leading global provider of analytics, data-enabled solutions, and property information, purchased Roostify, a top provider of digital mortgage technology. Its customers will now get information on borrowers and properties in good time after they take out loans using Roostify's digital mortgage technology platform, which combines CoreLogic's vast data, analytics, and workflow solutions, hence saving them time and cutting their expenses.

In March 2023,the well-known customer intelligence firm Acxiom announced a collaboration with Amazon Ads. Through this partnership, advertisers can more easily connect with their target audience by using Amazon DSP.

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 131 Forecast Period 2024 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $389.77 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $561.54 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.5% Regions Covered Global



Companies Featured

Acxiom LLC (the Interpublic Group of Companies (IPG))

ID Analytics, LLC (LexisNexis Risk Solutions)

CORELOGIC (Stone Point Capital and Insight Partners)

TransUnion LLC (The Union Tank Car Company)

Epsilon Data Management, LLC

Oracle

AtData Inc.

Intelius, Inc.

Equifax, Inc.

IBM

Morningstar

Global data broker Market is segmented and analyzed as below:

By Data Type

Consumer Data

Business Data

By End-User

BFSI

Retail

Automotive

Construction

Others

By Geography

North America

USA

Canada

Mexico

South America

Brazil

Argentina

Others

Europe

United Kingdom

Germany

France

Italy

Others

Middle East and Africa

Saudi Arabia

Israel

UAE

Others

Asia Pacific

Japan

China

India

Australia

Others

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/xtsiux

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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Dublin, Nov. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "AI Engineers Demand Outlook" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The AI engineers demand is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20.17%, reaching a market size of US$9.460 million in 2029 from US$3.775 million in 2024.

AI engineers are tasked with developing, programming, and training advanced algorithmic networks, which form the basis for Artificial Intelligence, allowing for such systems to emulate the functions of human brains. Based on their areas of specialization in AI, professionals can be divided into various categories, including Natural Language Processing (NLP), Computer Vision, Machine Learning applications, and Robotics. AI engineers have been given an extensive scope owing to the rapidly growing adoption of AI across several sectors, investments in research and development, and strong government policies on it.





The increasing usage of artificial intellect also widens its scope to meet the rising demand for skilled professionals who design, develop, and implement such systems in different fields. Moreover, corporations and organizations use artificial intelligence to boost efficiency, automate processes, or aid decision-making, leading to increased recruitment within this profession. Consequently, AI technicians are now taking a lead role in defining how technology will look in the future amidst multiple transformations across diverse industries today.

AI Engineers Demand Outlook Geographical Outlook

North America is witnessing exponential growth during the forecast period

Several factors account for the surge in AI engineers in America, such as government initiatives, financial support from the US government, and increasing employment opportunities in AI. For instance, it is projected that there will be about 40,500 openings for jobs requiring skills in data science between 2021 and 2031, according to the Bureau of Labour Statistics report. In collaboration with various federal bodies and colleges, the National Science Foundation of the USA announced their plan to establish seven artificial intelligence research institutes in America, with a budget of $140 million, by May 2023.

What do businesses use our reports for?



Industry and Market Insights, Opportunity Assessment, Product Demand Forecasting, Market Entry Strategy, Geographical Expansion, Capital Investment Decisions, Regulatory Framework & Implications, New Product Development, Competitive Intelligence

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 140 Forecast Period 2024 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $3.78 million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $9.46 million Compound Annual Growth Rate 20.1% Regions Covered Global



Report Coverage:

Historical data & forecasts from 2022 to 2029

Growth Opportunities, Challenges, Supply Chain Outlook, Regulatory Framework, Customer Behaviour, and Trend Analysis

Competitive Positioning, Strategies, and Market Share Analysis

Revenue Growth and Forecast Assessment of segments and regions including countries

Company Profiling (Strategies, Products, Financial Information, and Key Developments)

Some of the key companies profiled in this AI Engineers Demand Outlook report include:

Google LLC

IBM Corporation

Amazon Web Services, Inc.

Cisco Systems Inc.

Nvidia Corporation

Microsoft Corporation

Siemens AG

Oracle Corporation

SAP SE

Alibaba Cloud

The AI Engineers Demand Outlook is segmented and analyzed as follows:

By Age

25 - 40 Years

40 - 50 Years

50- 60 Years

>60 Years

By Gender

Male

Female

By Field

Natural Language Processing (NLP)

Computer Vision

Machine Learning Applications

Robotics

Others

By Geography

North America United States Canada Mexico

South America Brazil Argentina Others

Europe United Kingdom Germany France Spain Others

Middle East and Africa Saudi Arabia UAE Israel Others

Asia Pacific Japan China India South Korea Indonesia Thailand Others



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1hx9ns

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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Dublin, Nov. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Saudi Arabia 3D Printing Devices Services And Supplies Market, By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2019-2029F" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



Saudi Arabia 3D Printing Devices Services And Supplies Market was valued at USD 179.2 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to project robust growth in the forecast period with a CAGR of 20.22% through 2029

The Saudi Arabia 3D printing devices, services, and supplies market encompasses a burgeoning industry focused on the provision of 3D printers, related services, and necessary supplies such as printing materials and software. This market is poised for growth primarily due to advancements in additive manufacturing technology, which enables the production of complex and customized components with speed and precision.

As Saudi Arabia advances its economic diversification efforts under Vision 2030, there is a strong push towards adopting innovative technologies like 3D printing to enhance manufacturing capabilities across various sectors including aerospace, healthcare, automotive, and construction. The government's initiatives to promote local manufacturing and reduce dependency on imports further bolster the demand for 3D printing solutions.

Moreover, the flexibility offered by 3D printing in rapid prototyping, small-batch production, and on-demand manufacturing appeals to industries seeking cost-effective and efficient production methods. Additionally, the healthcare sector in Saudi Arabia is increasingly adopting 3D printing for patient-specific medical devices, implants, and prosthetics, driven by the need for personalized healthcare solutions.

The market is also supported by a growing ecosystem of 3D printing service providers and suppliers offering expertise in design, training, maintenance, and materials, thereby facilitating the adoption and expansion of 3D printing technology across the kingdom. As awareness grows and technological capabilities advance, coupled with supportive government policies and increasing industrial applications, the Saudi Arabia 3D printing devices, services, and supplies market is expected to witness significant growth in the coming years, revolutionizing manufacturing practices and fostering innovation in the region.

Technology Insights



In 2023, the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology segment dominated the Saudi Arabia 3D Printing Devices Services And Supplies Market and is poised to maintain its dominance in the forecast period. FDM technology is widely favored for its versatility, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness in additive manufacturing processes. It involves extruding thermoplastic materials, such as ABS or PLA, layer by layer to create 3D objects based on computer-aided designs (CAD). In Saudi Arabia, FDM technology finds extensive applications across various industries, including education, consumer products, and prototyping.

Its affordability and accessibility make it suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and educational institutions seeking entry-level 3D printing solutions. Moreover, the robustness of FDM-printed parts makes them suitable for functional prototypes, tooling, and low-volume production of end-use parts in sectors such as automotive and electronics. The simplicity of FDM printers and the wide availability of compatible materials contribute to their popularity among businesses and hobbyists alike.

As Saudi Arabia continues to invest in industrial diversification and technology adoption under Vision 2030, the demand for FDM technology is expected to grow, driven by its reliability, scalability, and capability to support rapid prototyping and customized manufacturing solutions. Advances in FDM printer design, including larger build volumes and improved print resolutions, further enhance its appeal for industrial applications requiring robust and cost-efficient 3D printing solutions. Overall, the FDM technology segment's dominance in the Saudi Arabia 3D Printing Devices Services And Supplies Market underscores its pivotal role in driving innovation and operational efficiency across diverse sectors in the kingdom.



Regional Insights



In 2023, the Riyadh region emerged as the dominant in the Saudi Arabia 3D Printing Devices Services And Supplies Market and is anticipated to sustain its leadership position in the forecast period. Riyadh, the capital city and financial hub of Saudi Arabia, plays a pivotal role in driving the adoption of 3D printing technologies across various industries. The region's prominence is underscored by its robust infrastructure, strategic geographical location, and significant industrial activities.

Riyadh hosts a diverse range of sectors including aerospace, defense, healthcare, construction, and education, all of which benefit from the transformative capabilities of 3D printing in enhancing operational efficiency and driving innovation. Industries in Riyadh leverage 3D printing for prototyping, tooling, and manufacturing customized components, thereby reducing lead times, minimizing costs, and improving product quality. The government's initiatives under Vision 2030 to promote advanced manufacturing technologies and diversify the economy further propel Riyadh's dominance in the 3D printing market. Investments in research and development, educational institutions, and technology infrastructure support the adoption of 3D printing across enterprises and educational sectors in Riyadh.

Additionally, the presence of key players in the 3D printing ecosystem, including equipment manufacturers, service providers, and material suppliers, strengthens Riyadh's position as a hub for 3D printing innovation and expertise in the kingdom. As Riyadh continues to expand its industrial footprint and embrace digital transformation initiatives, the demand for 3D printing devices, services, and supplies is expected to grow, reinforcing the region's leadership in driving market growth and shaping the future of additive manufacturing in Saudi Arabia.

Report Scope:

Key Market Players

Stratasys Ltd

Materialise NV

EnvisionTec, Inc.

3D Systems Corporation

General Electric Company

Autodesk Inc.

Redwire Corporation

Canon Inc.

Saudi Arabia 3D Printing Devices Services And Supplies Market, By Components:

Hardware

Software

Services

Saudi Arabia 3D Printing Devices Services And Supplies Market, By Technology:

FDM

SLS

SLA

DMLS/SLM

Polyjet

Multi Jet Fusion

DLP

Binder Jetting

EBM

CLIP/CDLP

SDL

LOM

Saudi Arabia 3D Printing Devices Services And Supplies Market, By Application:

Prototyping

Production

Proof of Concept

Others

Saudi Arabia 3D Printing Devices Services And Supplies Market, By Region:

Riyadh

Makkah

Eastern Province

Rest of Saudi Arabia

Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 86 Forecast Period 2023 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $179.2 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $545.87 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 20.2% Regions Covered Saudi Arabia

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/v7a6d0

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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15 November 2024: Borregaard ASA ("Borregaard", OSE ticker: BRG)

Borregaard intends to repurchase up to 200,000 shares of its outstanding common stock. The shares will be used for employee incentive programmes. Borregaards Board of Directors was given authority by the shareholders at the Ordinary General Meeting held on 11 April 2024 to repurchase up to ten percent of the outstanding shares. According to the proxy, the highest price to be paid is NOK 400.00 per share.

The repurchase of shares will be conducted in a period from 18th November up to and including 20th December 2024 at the latest. The maximum daily volume to be purchased during the above-mentioned period is 15,628 shares. This limit corresponds to 25% of the average daily turnover in October 2024. All shares will be purchased in a regulated market.

Borregaard has appointed SpareBank 1 Markets AS to carry out the repurchase programme according to the rules and regulations of Oslo Brs (cfr. Guidelines February 2021).

Contact:

Lotte Kvinlaug, Investor Relations Officer, +47 922 86 909

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Regulation (EU) nr. 596/2014 on market abuse (MAR) Article 2 and Section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.




Dublin, Nov. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Saudi Arabia Finite Element Analysis Software Market, By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2019-2029F" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



Saudi Arabia Finite Element Analysis Software Market was valued at USD 123.8 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to project robust growth in the forecast period with a CAGR of 10.9% through 2029

These software tools employ mathematical techniques to model and predict the behavior of materials and components under various conditions such as stress, heat transfer, fluid flow, and electromagnetic effects. In the context of Saudi Arabia, the adoption of FEA software is driven by several factors contributing to its market growth. Kingdom's ambitious Vision 2030 initiative emphasizes economic diversification and technological advancement, prompting increased investment in industries such as aerospace, automotive, construction, and oil and gas.







FEA software enables these sectors to optimize product designs, improve performance, and reduce time-to-market by conducting virtual simulations that would otherwise require costly and time-consuming physical prototypes. Secondly, Saudi Arabia's rapid urbanization and infrastructure development projects necessitate advanced engineering solutions to ensure structural integrity and efficiency. FEA software plays a crucial role in evaluating and optimizing building designs, bridges, and other critical infrastructure components.

The expansion of the Saudi manufacturing sector, particularly in defense, automotive, and electronics, requires sophisticated engineering tools to enhance product quality and competitiveness. FEA software enables manufacturers to simulate manufacturing processes, predict potential defects, and optimize production techniques, thereby reducing waste and improving efficiency.

Furthermore, the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies, including digital twin concepts, enhances the capabilities of FEA software by enabling real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance of industrial equipment and assets. As Saudi Arabia continues to prioritize technological innovation and industrial diversification, the demand for Finite Element Analysis software is expected to rise, driven by its ability to foster innovation, improve product performance, and optimize resource utilization across various sectors of the economy.



Key Market Trends

Emergence of Integrated Simulation Platforms



In Saudi Arabia, the FEA software market is witnessing a shift towards integrated simulation platforms that offer comprehensive solutions beyond traditional structural analysis. These platforms integrate multiple simulation disciplines such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD), electromagnetic analysis, and thermal simulations into a unified environment.

This trend is driven by the demand for holistic engineering solutions that optimize product design and performance across diverse industries including automotive, aerospace, and oil & gas. Integrated platforms not only enhance simulation accuracy but also streamline workflows, reducing time-to-market for new products in Saudi Arabia's rapidly evolving industrial landscape.



Rise of Cloud-Based FEA Solutions



Cloud computing is gaining traction in Saudi Arabia's FEA software market, offering significant advantages in scalability, accessibility, and collaboration. Cloud-based FEA solutions eliminate the need for high-end hardware investments and provide real-time simulation capabilities accessible from anywhere, fostering collaboration among geographically dispersed teams.

This trend is particularly beneficial for Saudi Arabian industries looking to leverage advanced simulation capabilities without substantial upfront costs, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and flexibility. Moreover, cloud-based FEA solutions offer seamless integration with other cloud services, enabling enhanced data analytics and simulation-driven decision-making processes across the Kingdom.



Focus on Industry-Specific Customization



In response to diverse industry requirements, FEA software providers in Saudi Arabia are increasingly focusing on industry-specific customization. This trend involves tailoring simulation tools to meet the unique challenges and regulatory standards of key sectors such as construction, renewable energy, and manufacturing.

By offering specialized modules and workflows, FEA vendors cater to the specific needs of Saudi Arabian industries, enhancing simulation accuracy and reliability in complex environments. Industry-specific customization also facilitates compliance with local regulations and standards, thereby bolstering confidence among Saudi Arabian enterprises in adopting FEA software for critical design and analysis tasks.



These trends underscore the dynamic evolution of the FEA software market in Saudi Arabia, driven by technological advancements, industry-specific demands, and the growing adoption of simulation-driven engineering practices across various sectors.

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 86 Forecast Period 2023 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $123.8 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $232.38 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 10.9% Regions Covered Saudi Arabia



Competitive Landscape



Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Saudi Arabia Finite Element Analysis Software Market.

Ansys, Inc.

Dassault Systemes S.E

Siemens AG

Altair Engineering Inc

Hexagon AB

COMSOL AB

Autodesk, Inc

Bentley Systems, Incorporated

Saudi Arabia Finite Element Analysis Software Market, By Product:

Cloud-Based

On-Premises

Saudi Arabia Finite Element Analysis Software Market, By Application:

Automotive Industry

Aerospace and defense Industry

Electrical

Electronics Industry

Saudi Arabia Finite Element Analysis Software Market, By Region:

Riyadh

Makkah

Eastern Province

Rest of Saudi Arabia

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/j0pihx

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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Dublin, Nov. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Chemical Tankers Market Opportunities and Strategies to 2033" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.







The chemical tankers market has seen a robust growth during the period 2018 to 2023, reaching $34.63 billion in value. Forecasts suggest a continued upward trend, with an anticipated growth to $44.83 billion by 2028 and further on to $60.92 billion by 2033. The sector's expansion signals a strong response to the increasing demand from the chemical industry and the broadening scope of seaborne trade. Key drivers include advancements in the petrochemical industry, elevated requirements for vegetable oils and fats, and significant infrastructural investments globally.



Segment Analysis



In-depth analysis of the market reveals trends across various segments. By 2023, organic chemicals have emerged as the frontrunner in the product type category and are projected to see the fastest growth through to 2028. Cargo type segmentation indicates that IMO 3 tankers currently dominate the market, with IMO 2 tankers anticipated to be the fastest-growing segment. In terms of fleet capacity, deep-sea chemical tankers (10,000-50,000 DWT) lead the market share, and this trend is likely to persist. When examining fleet materials, stainless steel tankers are ahead in market share and are expected to maintain dominance moving ahead. Geographically, Asia-Pacific leads the regional market, with Eastern Europe and Western Europe identified as the fastest-growing regions in the forthcoming period.



Competitive Landscape



The global chemical tankers market is characterized by fragmentation, with a wide array of small players contributing to the competitive landscape. Despite this, the top ten market players currently account for a notable portion of the market share. The competitive scenario reflects a focus on innovation and strategic partnerships, aiming at optimizing market operations.



Strategic Recommendations



To leverage market opportunities, key strategies for players include adopting innovative digital solutions to enhance operational efficiency, concentrating on environmentally friendly LNG dual-fuel technology, and capturing growth in the emerging IMO 2 segment. Maintaining the current strength in the stainless steel segment and expanding presence in burgeoning markets are additional recommendations for sustained growth. Aligning business practices with environmental goals through strategic lease agreements, and fostering fleet optimization through strategic joint ventures can also pave the path for increased market share and industry influence. Companies are encouraged to pursue competitive pricing strategies, actively participate in industry events, and focus on business-to-business promotions to further seize market opportunities.



In conclusion, the global chemical tankers market is on a promising trajectory, offering substantial growth potential across its various segments. With strategic investments and innovation, market players are well-positioned to capitalize on the emerging possibilities.



Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 335 Forecast Period 2023 - 2033 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $34.6 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2033 $60.9 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 5.8% Regions Covered Global





Companies Featured

Stolt-Nielsen Limited.

Odfjell SE

Bahri

MISC Berhad Corporation

Iino Kaiun Kaisha Ltd.

MITSUI O.S.K. LINES (MOL)

A.P. Mller - Mrsk A/S

Navig8 Limited

PT Berlian Laju Tanker Tbk

Hansa Tankers

John T. Essberger GmbH & Co KG

Bertschi Group

Fukuoka Shipbuilding Co Ltd.

Itochu Corporation

Hyundai Mipo Dockyard

Pha Rung Shipbuilding Company

China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Company (CPP)

MOL Chemical Tankers

Tanglian Group

Jiangsu Pretank Process Co Ltd.

Zen Shipping & Ports India Pvt Ltd.

Hafnia Ltd.

China Merchants Jinling Shipyard Dingheng

Essberger Tankers

Chemship B.V.

Team Tankers International Ltd.

International Chamber of Shipping

V.Group

Louis Dreyfus Armateurs Group (LDA)

Wessels Reederei GmbH & Co KG

Oldendorff Carriers GmbH & Co KG

Seatrans Group

Navigazione Montanari S.p.A.

Euronav

Stena Bulk

Ace Tankers Management B.V.

Bunker One A/S

Sovcomflot

Scot Tanker

Chemet SA

CSPL a.s

ORLEN Unipetrol Doprava s.r.o.

OT Logistics S.A.

PKN ORLEN S.A.

OMV Petrom S.A.

Volgotrans LLC

The PJSC Lukoil Oil Company

Desgagnes Transarctik Inc.

APC

Crowley Maritime Corporation

SEACOR Holdings Inc.

Fairfield Chemical Carriers

Algoma Central Corporation

Atlantic Towing Limited

Grupo TMM S.A.B

Naviera Integral S.A. de C.V.

Pemex Logistics

Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc.

Kirby Corporation

TORM USA LLC.

Seabulk Tankers Inc

Teekay Corporation

Affinity (Shipping) LLP

Maersk Tankers

Brenntag SE

Clean Product Tankers Alliance (CPTA)

Ultratank

PanOcean Tanker

Sernacol

KROHNE Argentina

Norstar Shipping (Asia) Pte Ltd.

Tristar Group

United Arab Chemical Carriers (UACC)

Gulf Energy Maritime (GEM)

Petrochem Middle East (PME)

Ace Tankers

AquaChemie

Engen Petroleum

CA Muller Fabrication

M/T Ternsund Chemical Tanker

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/skrtv3

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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Innovative RAD ROSA Systems to Enhance Downtown Safety

Detroit, Michigan, Nov. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc. (the Company) ( OTCPK:AITX ), a global leader in AI-driven security and productivity solutions for enterprise clients, along with its subsidiary Robotic Assistance Devices (RAD), are proud to announce that two ROSA security solutions have been successfully deployed in downtown St. Louis and were featured in a news segment by KSDK, the local NBC affiliate. These AI-driven solution has been designed to boost safety and security at a prominent downtown location.

The KSDK-TV segment can be viewed online at https://youtu.be/IjNFZHsILAA.

The deployment of the two ROSAs exemplifies the citys business communitys commitment to exploring innovative technologies that address urban safety challenges. The ROSA devices provide autonomous intelligence responses to various city ordinance violations including loitering which in turn often includes narcotics trafficking, solicitation and aggressive pan handling. These proactive safety actions make ROSA a transformative addition to St. Louiss downtown area.

Were grateful to the city of St. Louis and KSDK for giving RAD this opportunity to demonstrate how our technology can enhance urban safety, said Steve Reinharz, CEO/CTO of AITX and RAD. St. Louis has shown great initiative in exploring solutions to address security challenges, and were excited to be part of this effort. Residents can expect potential announcements of more initiatives focused on enhancing the safety and quality of life in their communities.

Troy McCanna, RADs Chief Security Officer, added, Its incredibly rewarding to see RADs ROSAs in action here in St. Louis. We appreciate KSDKs support in highlighting this deployment, which represents a forward-thinking approach to safety and security. Were committed to working closely with St. Louis and cities across the country to create a safer, more secure downtown environment.

ROSA is a multiple award-winning, compact, self-contained, portable, security and communication solution that can be installed and activated in about 15 minutes. ROSAs AI-driven security analytics include human, firearm, vehicle detection, license plate recognition, responsive digital signage and audio messaging, and complete integration with RADs software suite notification and autonomous response library. Two-way communication is optimized for cellular, including live video from ROSAs high-resolution, full-color, always-on cameras. RAD has published six Case Studies detailing how ROSA has helped eliminate instances of theft, trespassing and loitering at retail centers, hospital campuses , multi-family communities , car rental locations and construction sites across the country.

About Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc. (RAD)

Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc. (RAD), a wholly owned subsidiary of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc. (AITX), is a trailblazer in delivering AI-powered autonomous security solutions that transform how organizations protect their facilities and assets. RAD's industry-leading product lineup; including ROSA, RIO, AVA, and RAD Light My Way offers cutting-edge security technologies that reduce costs while enhancing operational efficiency. By deploying RADs AI-fueled systems, organizations can optimize security personnel, improve situational awareness, and achieve superior ROI. RADs solutions are well-suited for various industries, including municipalities, corporate enterprises, transportation, critical infrastructure, education, and healthcare. Learn more at www.radsecurity.com.

AITX, through its subsidiary, Robotic Assistance Devices , Inc. (RAD), is redefining the nearly $50 billion (US) security and guarding services industry1 through its broad lineup of innovative, AI-driven Solutions-as-a-Service business model. RAD solutions are specifically designed to provide cost savings to businesses of between 35%-80% when compared to the industrys existing and costly manned security guarding and monitoring model. RAD delivers these tremendous cost savings via a suite of stationary and mobile robotic solutions that complement, and at times, directly replace the need for human personnel in environments better suited for machines. All RAD technologies, AI-based analytics and software platforms are developed in-house.

RAD has a prospective sales pipeline of over 35 Fortune 500 companies and numerous other client opportunities. RAD expects to continue to attract new business as it converts its existing sales opportunities into deployed clients generating a recurring revenue stream. Each Fortune 500 client has the potential of making numerous reorders over time.

AITX is an innovator in the delivery of artificial intelligence-based solutions that empower organizations to gain new insight, solve complex challenges and fuel new business ideas. Through its next-generation robotic product offerings, AITXs RAD, RAD-R, RAD-M and RAD-G companies help organizations streamline operations, increase ROI, and strengthen business. AITX technology improves the simplicity and economics of patrolling and guard services and allows experienced personnel to focus on more strategic tasks. Customers augment the capabilities of existing staff and gain higher levels of situational awareness, all at drastically reduced cost. AITX solutions are well suited for use in multiple industries such as enterprises, government, transportation, critical infrastructure, education, and healthcare. To learn more, visit www.aitx.ai, www.radsecurity.com , www.radcam.ai, www.stevereinharz.com, www.radgroup.ai, www.raddog.ai, and www.radlightmyway.com, or follow Steve Reinharz on Twitter @SteveReinharz .

CAUTIONARY DISCLOSURE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The information contained in this publication does not constitute an offer to sell or solicit an offer to buy securities of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc. (the Company). This publication contains forward-looking statements, which are not guarantees of future performance and may involve subjective judgment and analysis. The information provided herein is believed to be accurate and reliable, however the Company makes no representations or warranties, expressed or implied, as to its accuracy or completeness. The Company has no obligation to provide the recipient with additional updated information. No information in this publication should be interpreted as any indication whatsoever of the Companys future revenues, results of operations, or stock price.

###

Steve Reinharz

949-636-7060

@SteveReinharz

1 https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/security-services-industry/
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Taurex is pleased to introduce Atmos, an innovative proprietary trading platform that offers skilled traders access to significant trading capital in a secure environment. Atmos is designed to provide ambitious traders with the capital and support they need to excel, all without risking personal funds.

Proprietary trading allows traders to utilise a firms capital, enabling them to execute high-value trades and capture profits without the financial strain of using personal capital. With Atmos, Taurex aims to bring a new level of integrity and structure to prop trading, providing clear rules, and a competitive profit-sharing model that allows traders to retain up to 90% of their earnings.

"At Taurex, we saw a need for a more transparent and secure prop trading option, one that gives traders a foundation they can trust," said Nick Cooke, CEO of Taurex. "Atmos combines the flexibility and opportunity of prop trading with the safety and credibility that only a regulated broker like Taurex can provide. Our mission is to support traders at every level, equipping them with both the trading capital and technology needed to perform at their best."

Atmos provides flexible trading options designed to cater to different experience levels and goals:

Nebula : A two-phase trading challenge starting at just $14, designed for those who want to prove their skills and achieve funded status.



: A two-phase trading challenge starting at just $14, designed for those who want to prove their skills and achieve funded status. Orion : A streamlined, single-phase challenge for experienced traders, starting at $17, offering quick access to capital with a favourable risk structure.



: A streamlined, single-phase challenge for experienced traders, starting at $17, offering quick access to capital with a favourable risk structure. Supernova: An instant funding option for advanced traders. Starting at $79, Supernova provides immediate access to substantial trading capital without any challenge requirement, while offering up to 90% of the earnings.



To support its traders, Atmos leverages the globally renowned MT4 and MT5 platforms, known for their sophisticated analytical tools, advanced charting, and reliable trade execution. With access to a diverse range of assetsincluding Forex, Metals, Indices, and OilsAtmos ensures that traders can make the most of their strategies with industry-leading technology.

In addition to these features, Atmos offers dedicated 24/5 multilingual support, ensuring that every trader has the resources they need from onboarding through advanced trading. With its foundation in Taurexs established credibility and commitment to transparent operations, Atmos aims to set a new benchmark in prop trading.

For more information about Atmos and how its reshaping the prop trading landscape, please visit atmos.tradetaurex.com.
Dublin, Nov. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Law Enforcement Software Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2019-2029F" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Law Enforcement Software Market was valued at USD 16.5 billion in 2023, and is projected to reach USD 28.7 billion by 2029, rising at a CAGR of 9.50%.

The rise in cybersecurity threats, the need for better data integration, and the drive for improved crime prevention strategies are key factors propelling market growth. Furthermore, the shift towards cloud-based solutions offers agencies scalability, cost-efficiency, and enhanced accessibility, further fueling the demand for modern software systems. Government investments and supportive regulations aimed at modernizing law enforcement practices and enhancing public safety are also contributing to the market's expansion.

As law enforcement agencies worldwide seek to leverage technology for more effective operations and improved outcomes, the Global Law Enforcement Software Market is set for continued growth and innovation.





Key Market Drivers

Increasing Adoption of Advanced Technologies

Growing Focus on Data Integration and Management

Increasing Government Investments and Support

Demand for Enhanced Operational Efficiency

Key Market Challenges

Data Privacy and Security Concerns

Integration with Legacy Systems

High Implementation and Maintenance Costs

Training and Adoption Challenges

Key Market Trends

Increased Integration of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Growing Emphasis on Cloud-Based Solutions

Increased Focus on Cybersecurity Measures

Adoption of Integrated Case Management Systems

Expansion of Mobile and Field-Ready Solutions

Regional Insights



North America dominates the Global Law Enforcement Software Market, and is projected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period. This region's leadership is attributed to several key factors, including the high level of technological advancement, substantial investments in public safety infrastructure, and the presence of leading software vendors. North America, particularly the United States and Canada, has a well-established law enforcement infrastructure that extensively integrates advanced technology solutions to enhance operational efficiency, data management, and public safety.



The high adoption rate of innovative technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics, is driven by substantial funding and support from government agencies committed to modernizing law enforcement practices. Additionally, North America benefits from a robust network of technology providers and consultants who offer comprehensive and cutting-edge software solutions tailored to the complex needs of law enforcement agencies. The region's focus on enhancing security measures, improving response times, and ensuring effective crime prevention further fuels the demand for advanced law enforcement software.



Furthermore, the regulatory environment in North America promotes the adoption of sophisticated technologies by setting high standards for data protection and operational transparency, which encourages continuous investment in advanced software solutions. As law enforcement agencies in North America continue to seek ways to leverage technology for improved performance and effectiveness, the region is expected to maintain its leading position in the global market. The combination of technological innovation, significant investment, and a strong infrastructure supporting the integration of advanced software solutions underscores North America's dominant role and ongoing influence in the law enforcement software industry.



Key Players Profiled in this Law Enforcement Software Market Report

IBM Corporation

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

Hexagon AB

Palantir Technologies Inc.

Oracle Corporation

SAP SE

Microsoft Corporation

Verint Systems Inc.

SAS Institute Inc.

Tyler Technologies, Inc.

Accenture plc

Axon Enterprise, Inc.

Report Scope



In this report, the Global Law Enforcement Software Market has been segmented into the following categories:

By Services:

Consulting

Training & Support

Implementation

By Deployment:

On-premises

Cloud

By Solution:

Computer-aided Dispatch

Case Management

Record Management

Jail Management

Incident Response

Digital Policing

Region:

North America United States Canada Mexico

Europe France United Kingdom Italy Germany Spain Belgium

Asia-Pacific China India Japan Australia South Korea Indonesia Vietnam

South America Brazil Argentina Colombia Chile Peru

Middle East & Africa South Africa Saudi Arabia UAE Turkey Israel



Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 181 Forecast Period 2023-2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $16.5 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $28.7 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 9.5% Regions Covered Global

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/fd17ea

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Attachment
New York, Nov. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PHI Group, Inc. (n/k/a Philux Global Group Inc., www.philuxglobal.com, PHIL), is pleased to announce that Philux Global Energy, Inc. (PGE), a subsidiary of the Company, website https://philuxge.com/ and Ecome International Co., Ltd, (EIC), a Thai company in DonMuang District, Bangkok, Thailand, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to grant EIC a non-exclusive right to sell and distribute geomagnetic energy products manufactured, produced, or sold by Philux Global Energy in the Kingdom of Thailand. Initially EIC will primarily focus on providing Philux Global Energys geomagnetic energy products to Thai industrial zones.

PGEs core technologies will include Schumann magnetic resonance, utilizing energy from lightning in the ionosphere, storage in the natural atmosphere as Energy Storage Systems (ESS), acceleration of Muon particles (subatomic particles) in the module, taking advantage of wave nodes and wave troughs in the process of transmitting energy in the form of multi-frequency impulses.

The distinctive advantages of this Multi-Impulse Energy System include: 1) not depending on weather conditions, 2) does not require much land and/or water surface, 3) no need for large space, easy to transport, 4) electromagnetic compatibility with living organisms and humans, no harm effects to the health of humans, livestock, pets, or vegetation, 5) no waste or greenhouse gas emissions, 6) no heat generation, 7) no noise generation, 8) easy know-how protection with quantum encryptions, 9) easy to set up virtual power plants by using proprietary modules to coordinate output synchronously, 10) easy to establish wireless power transmission systems with huge capacity without heat loss at close range, suitable setup for two-way recharging for electric cars.

Philux Global Energy plans to provide these "pure energy" solutions to support the energy transition in sectors ranging from electric vehicles to aerospace, aiming to cut dependency on traditional fuel sources while contributing to climate action goals. Our approach leverages proprietary technology to provide scalable energy options that remain unaffected by weather and environmental limitations, promising a low-impact energy source suitable for various industrial needs.

Thailand has a well-developed network of at least ten key industrial zones, which play a crucial role in supporting its economy, particularly in manufacturing, export, and foreign investment. The zones offer advantages like tax incentives, advanced infrastructure, and proximity to ports and logistics hubs, making them attractive for local and international businesses.

Power generation is critical for Thailand's industrial zones, as these areas require a stable, high-capacity energy supply to support extensive manufacturing, logistics, and processing activities. Industrial zones, especially in manufacturing-heavy areas like the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and petrochemical zones like Map Ta Phut, require continuous and substantial energy to support operations in energy-intensive sectors such as automotive, petrochemicals, electronics, and heavy machinery. Reliable, uninterrupted power is essential to avoid costly downtime. Many industries require backup power solutions or additional on-site generation capacity to ensure stable operations.

The electricity consumption for Thai industrial zones can vary significantly based on the size of the zone, the type of industries present, and the specific activities undertaken. As of the latest data, Thailand's overall energy consumption has been on the rise, with industrial sectors accounting for a considerable portion of total electricity use. Total industrial electricity consumptions under the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) and Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) for the first eight months of 2024 amounted to 51,361 GWh (48.3%) and 7,533 GWh (19.6%), respectively.

Mr. Somwang Kamolaekkrungruang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ecome International Co., stated: We are glad to cooperate with Philux Global Energy to bring better solutions to the energy needs of Thai industrial sector. We will not only be able to provide reliable, uninterrupted power but also save very significant costs and greatly contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to effectively fight climate change.

Henry Fahman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Philux Global Group, Inc., reiterated : We are pleased to partner with Ecome International Co. and look forward to providing superior solutions to the power generation needs of Thai industrial zones. We strongly believe that our cooperation will create tremendous long-term benefits for both companies as well as for our shareholders, investors and all other stakeholders.

About Philux Global Energy, Inc.

Philux Global Energy, Inc., is a Wyoming corporation and currently wholly-owned subsidiary of Philux Global Group, Inc., website https://philuxge.com/, set up to hold equity interests in energy-related acquisitions and partnerships, especially to develop and commercialize renewable energy products using geomagnetic energy technology and photon self-sustainable energy technology.

The Company has signed two separate agreements, one with SSE Group JSC to cooperate in the areas of energy efficiency and mitigation of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by commercializing SSE Global Group s photon self-sustainable energy technology and another one with an inventor to produce generators and engines (for spaceships, airplanes, ships, cars, trains, motorcycles, etc.) using the earths available geomagnetic energy. The company is in the process of launching products in the U.S. markets.

About PHI Group

(n/k/a Philux Global Group, Inc.)

PHI Group (n/k/a Philux Global Group Inc., www.philuxglobal.com, PHIL) primarily focuses on developing the Asia Diamond Exchange (ADE) in conjunction with the proposed International Financial Center in Vietnam and the Multi-Impulse Energy System to provide superior solutions to improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change. The Company also advances its Philux Global Funds SCA, SICAV-RAIF, engages in mergers and acquisitions and invests in attractive businesses and select special situations with large, growing market potential that may generate extraordinary long-term shareholder value.

Safe Harbor Act and Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as may, future, plan or planned, will or should, expected, anticipates, draft, eventually or projected, which are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors.

Contact:

Philux Global Group Inc., (f/k/a PHI Group, Inc.)

Email: info@philuxglobal.com

Phone: +1-714-793-9227




ROAD TOWN, British Virgin Islands, Nov. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TONX API, a leading developer platform and infrastructure provider in the TON ecosystem, has announced strategic partnerships with major industry players, including Blum, Catizen, CoinGecko, and Google Cloud. These collaborations position TONX API to support over 25 million users globally, providing reliable TON API tools and robust infrastructure for Web3 application development.

TONX Partners with Industry Giants to Expand the Developer Landscape with TON APIs

At the TON Hacker House Bangkok event, hosted by TONX and TON Society during Devcon, TONX API unveiled collaborations with a wide range of top-tier projects, including Blum, Catizen, CoinGecko, Google Cloud, 98 Wallet, AliCloud, Deepcoin, All at Once, DuckCoop, WonTON, Yuliverse, Genopets, Yescoin, Tradoor, TonBit, Bitget Wallet, MEXC, Gate.io, Gamee, and Footprint Analytics. This major gathering of TON developers emphasized TONXs pivotal role in advancing Web3 innovation while fostering technical exchange and ecosystem growth through TON APIs.

Since its founding in 2021 by core members of the TON ecosystem, TONX has been dedicated to accelerating Web3 application development through its SuperApp platform. TONX API, the flagship product powered by TONX Supernode, offers industry-leading performance with 99.99% uptime, precise indexing, and ultra-low latency, making it a trusted TON API solution.

Designed to meet the needs of MiniApps, gaming platforms, exchanges, and DeFi applications, TONX API has achieved a 362x growth in usage, firmly establishing itself as a cornerstone of the TON ecosystem. The APIs user-friendly technical capabilities allow developers to integrate DApps with the TON blockchain and execute their first transactions in just 10 seconds, significantly reducing product launch timelines and development costs with the support of advanced TON APIs.

Pei, Co-founder of TONX, stated:

TONX has reached a transformative milestone with these partnerships, embarking on an ambitious journey to empower thousands of TON developers and unlock the immense potential of Telegram's 950 million-user ecosystem.

TONX API Officially Launches with Major 2025 Features: Noah, League, and Tontractor

The official launch of TONX API introduces the JavaScript SDK, TONX.js, alongside exclusive tools like BoC Parser and Estimate Fee API. Looking toward 2025, TONX API plans to revolutionize the TON ecosystem with groundbreaking features and cutting-edge TON APIs:



"Noah" will ensure seamless and secure transactions during blockchain outages, maintaining stability and reliability.



"League" will provide free, accelerated transaction services, enhancing overall ecosystem efficiency.



"Tontractor", a multi-functional development suite, will integrate advanced TON APIs to simplify DApp creation and empower developers and creators to innovate faster.



Weiyi Chiu, TONX API Tech Lead, commented:

TONX API is poised to catalyze a surge of DApp applications within the TON ecosystem. With its advanced features, TONX API will redefine the developer experience, eliminate barriers, and equip innovators with the essential tools to drive groundbreaking advancements across the ecosystem.

This year, TONX secured $4 million in funding, led by SNZ Ventures and Summer Ventures, with additional backing from TON Ventures. The investment will be dedicated to strengthening the TONX APIs infrastructure and ensuring robust support for its expanding developer community.

TONX API

TONX API is the ultimate Web3 developer platform for the TON blockchain, offering seamless integration and powerful tools to simplify and accelerate development. As a cornerstone of the TON ecosystem, it empowers developers to innovate with unmatched efficiency and reliability.

Website | Twitter | Telegram Channel | Docs | Blog

Powered by TONX

Founded in 2021, TONX is a SuperApp platform layer driving the new Web3 economy. As a cornerstone of the TON ecosystem, it delivers powerful tools like TONX API, a trusted RPC solution integrated with over 20 leading projects, and Tonkey, a secure multi-signature wallet managing over $400 million in assets.

Website | Twitter | Telegram Channel | Blog

Contact:

CC Chen

hello@tonx.tg

Disclaimer: This content is provided by TONX. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/52f5a365-b81e-4316-99ab-0935f648db32
The amivantamab plus lazertinib combination regimen offers potential to provide new standard of care as first-line option for adult patients with advanced NSCLC with EGFR ex19del or L858R substitution mutations1

In the Phase 3 MARIPOSA study, amivantamab plus lazertinib significantly reduced risk of disease progression or death by 30 percent versus osimertinib monotherapy1

BEERSE, BELGIUM, Nov. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Janssen-Cilag International NV, a Johnson & Johnson company, today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended the Marketing Authorisation (MA) for LAZCLUZE (lazertinib), in combination with RYBREVANT (amivantamab), for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletions (ex19del) or exon 21 L858R (L858R) substitution mutations.2 The CHMP has simultaneously recommended approval of a Type II extension of indication for amivantamab in the same combination regimen.2

"Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, and patients with EGFR-mutated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer are in need of new targeted treatment options," said Henar Hevia, Ph.D., Senior Director, EMEA Therapeutic Area Lead, Oncology, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. Pending European Commission approval, the combination of amivantamab with lazertinib could establish a new first-line standard of care, with the potential to significantly delay disease progression and improve outcomes early in the treatment pathway while reserving chemotherapy regimens for later stages of treatment when resistance becomes more complex."

The CHMP positive opinions for the MA and Type II extension of indication are supported by data from the Phase 3 MARIPOSA (NCT04487080) study, evaluating amivantamab in combination with lazertinib compared to osimertinib as first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with EGFR ex19del or exon 21 L858R substitution mutations.1 The study met its primary endpoint, and at median follow-up of 22 months, reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 30 percent compared to osimertinib (median progression-free survival [PFS]: 23.7 months compared to 16.6 months for osimertinib; hazard ratio [HR]=0.70; 95 percent confidence Interval [CI], 0.580.85; P<0.001) as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR).1 The median duration of response (DOR) was significantly longer for patients receiving amivantamab plus lazertinib compared to osimertinib, with a nine-month improvement in median DOR (25.8 vs. 16.8 months).1

Results from the MARIPOSA study were featured during a Presidential Symposium session at the 2023 European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress, with longer-term follow-up data presented at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC).1,3

The MARIPOSA study required all patients to have serial brain imaging with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in order to detect or monitor brain metastases, a measure not implemented in most prior studies for EGFR-mutated NSCLC.1 The primary endpoint of PFS in MARIPOSA included these central nervous system (CNS) events detected by serial brain MRIs.1 The median PFS when censoring CNS-only first progressions was 27.5 months for the combination of amivantamab and lazertinib, compared to 18.4 months for osimertinib (HR=0.68; 95 percent CI, 0.550.83; P<0.001**).1,4

Longer-term follow-up data shows a strong favourable overall survival trend for amivantamab plus lazertinib versus osimertinib.3 At three years (median follow-up of 31.1 months), 61 percent of patients receiving amivantamab plus lazertinib were alive compared to 53 percent of those treated with osimertinib based on an analysis performed at the request of health authorities*** (Median OS not estimable [NE] vs 37.3 months; HR=0.77; 95 percent CI, 0.61-0.96; nominal P=0.019).3

The safety profile of the combination of amivantamab and lazertinib was consistent with previous reports from Phase 1-2 studies, with mostly Grade 1 or 2 adverse events (AEs).1 Toxicity was largely manageable with dose interruptions and reductions, along with supportive care measures commonly used in the treatment of patients with NSCLC.1 The most common treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) of any grade were paronychia (68 percent), infusion-related reactions (63 percent), and rash (62 percent).1 Amivantamab plus lazertinib had higher rates of EGFR- and MET-related AEs and venous thromboembolism compared to osimertinib, except diarrhoea, for which rates were higher for osimertinib.1 The commonest grade 3 or higher TEAEs were rash (15 percent), paronychia (11 percent) and dermatitis acneiform (8 percent).1 The rate of discontinuation of all study treatments due to treatment-related AEs for the amivantamab combination was 10 percent.1 The rate of interstitial lung disease (including pneumonitis) was less than three percent in both arms.1

These CHMP positive opinions mark a pivotal step in our mission to deliver transformative first-line therapies for people living with EGFR-mutated NSCLC, said Kiran Patel, M.D., Vice President, Clinical Development, Solid Tumours, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. Based on the growing body of promising results weve seen to date and our ongoing clinical development programme, we believe amivantamab has the potential to become a foundational therapy for EGFR- and MET-driven NSCLC.

About the MARIPOSA Study

MARIPOSA (NCT04487080), which enrolled 1,074 patients, is a randomised, Phase 3 study evaluating amivantamab in combination with lazertinib versus osimertinib and versus lazertinib alone in first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with EGFR ex19del or exon 21 L858R substitution mutations.1 The primary endpoint of the study is PFS (using RECIST v1.1 guidelines) as assessed by BICR.1 Secondary endpoints include overall survival (OS), overall response rate (ORR), duration of response (DOR), second progression free survival (PFS2) and intracranial PFS.1

The MARIPOSA study required all patients to have serial brain imaging with MRIs in order to detect or monitor brain metastases, a measure not implemented in most prior studies for EGFR-mutated NSCLC.1 The primary endpoint of PFS in MARIPOSA included these central nervous system (CNS) events detected by serial brain MRIs.1 Extracranial PFS, which may more closely approximate what would be seen in other trials, was also explored in MARIPOSA.1

About Amivantamab

Amivantamab is a fully-human EGFR-MET bispecific antibody that acts by targeting tumours with activating and resistance EGFR mutations and MET mutations and amplifications, and by harnessing the immune system.5,6,7,8

The European Commission (EC) has granted marketing authorisation of amivantamab in the following indications:9

In combination in with carboplatin and pemetrexed, for the treatment of adult patients with advanced NSCLC with EGFR exon 19 deletions or 21 L858R substitution mutations, after failure of prior therapy including an EGFR TKI

As monotherapy, for treatment of adult patients with advanced NSCLC with activating EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations, after failure of platinum-based therapy



In combination with carboplatin and pemetrexed, for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced NSCLC with activating EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations

In February 2024, a Type II extension of indication application was submitted to the EMA based on the MARIPOSA study, for amivantamab in combination with lazertinib for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced NSCLC with EGFR ex19del or L858R substitution mutations.10 In May 2024, an application for the extension of the amivantamab marketing authorisation was submitted seeking approval for the use of a subcutaneous (SC) formulation of amivantamab in combination with lazertinib for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced NSCLC with EGFR ex19del or L858R mutations, and for the use of SC amivantamab monotherapy in adult patients with advanced NSCLC with activating EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations after failure of platinum-based therapy.11

For a full list of adverse events and information on dosage and administration, contraindications and other precautions when using amivantamab, please refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics.9

 In line with EMA regulations for new medicines, amivantamab is subject to additional monitoring.

About Lazertinib

In 2018, Janssen Biotech, Inc., entered into a license and collaboration agreement with Yuhan Corporation for the development of lazertinib. Lazertinib is an oral, third-generation, brain-penetrant EGFR TKI that targets both the T790M mutation and activating EGFR mutations while sparing wild-type EGFR.12 An analysis of the efficacy and safety of lazertinib from the Phase 3 study LASER301 was published in The Journal of Clinical Oncology in 2023.12

 In line with EMA regulations for new medicines, lazertinib is subject to additional monitoring.

About Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

In Europe, it is estimated that 484,306 people were diagnosed with lung cancer in 2022.13 NSCLC accounts for 85 percent of all lung cancer cases.14 Lung cancer is Europes biggest cancer killer, with more deaths than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.13

The main subtypes of NSCLC are adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma.13 Among the most common driver mutations in NSCLC are alterations in EGFR, which is a receptor tyrosine kinase controlling cell growth and division.14,15 EGFR mutations are present in 10 to 15 percent of Western patients with NSCLC with adenocarcinoma histology and occur in 40 to 50 percent of Asian patients.16,17,18,19 EGFR ex19del or EGFR exon 21 L858R mutations are the most common EGFR mutations.20 The five-year survival rate for patients with advanced NSCLC and EGFR mutations treated with EGFR TKIs is less than 20 percent and between 25-32 percent of patients receiving the current first-line standard of care, osimertinib, do not survive long enough to reach second-line treatment.21,22,23

About Johnson & Johnson

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity.

Learn more at https://innovativemedicine.jnj.com/emea/. Follow us at http://www.linkedin.com/company/jnj-innovative-medicine-emea . Janssen-Cilag International NV, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Biotech, Inc. and Janssen-Cilag, S.A. are Johnson & Johnson companies.

Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding product development and the potential benefits and treatment impact of amivantamab or lazertinib. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialise, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Janssen-Cilag International NV, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Biotech, Inc., Janssen-Cilag, S.A., and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behaviour and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnsons Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, including in the sections captioned Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Item 1A. Risk Factors, and in Johnson & Johnsons subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at http://www.sec.gov/, http://www.jnj.com/ or on request from Johnson & Johnson. None of Janssen-Cilag International NV, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Biotech, Inc., Janssen-Cilag, S.A., nor Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.

 Janssen-Cilag International NV, Inc. 2024. All rights reserved.

* Prof Felip has served as a consultant to Janssen-Cilag International NV; they have not been paid for any media work.

** Nominal P-value; endpoint was exploratory and not part of hierarchical hypothesis testing.

***This analysis was requested by health authorities and had nominal alpha spend. A P-value of 0.00001 was required for statistical significance.

RECIST (version 1.1) refers to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, which is a standard way to measure how well solid tumours respond to treatment and is based on whether tumours shrink, stay the same or get bigger.

1 Cho BC, et al. Amivantamab Plus Lazertinib in Previously Untreated EGFR-Mutated Advanced NSCLC. The New England Journal of Medicine 2024. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2403614. Available at: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2403614. Accessed November2024.

2 European Medicines Agency. Meeting highlights from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) 11-14 November 2024. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/meeting-highlights-committee-medicinal-products-human-use-chmp-11-14-november-2024. Accessed November2024.

3 Gadgeel SM, et al. Amivantamab Plus Lazertinib vs Osimertinib in First-line EGFR-mutant Advanced NSCLC: Longer Follow-up of the MARIPOSA Study. IASLC WCLC 2024. September 8, 2024.

4 Cho BC P, et al. Amivantamab Plus Lazertinib vs Osimertinib as First-line Treatment in Patients With EGFR-mutated, Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): Primary Results From MARIPOSA, a Phase 3, Global, Randomized, Controlled Trial. 2023 European Society for Medical Oncology. October 23, 2023

5 Grugan KD, et al. Fc-mediated activity of EGFR x c-Met bispecific antibody JNJ-61186372 enhanced killing of lung cancer cells. MAbs 2017;9(1):114-126.

6 Moores SL, et al. A Novel Bispecific Antibody Targeting EGFR and cMet Is Effective against EGFR Inhibitor-Resistant Lung Tumors. Cancer Res 2016;76(13)(suppl 27216193):3942-3953.

7 Yun J, et al. Antitumor Activity of Amivantamab (JNJ-61186372), an EGFRMET Bispecific Antibody, in Diverse Models of EGFR Exon 20 InsertionDriven NSCLC. Cancer Discov 2020;10(8):1194-1209.

8 Vijayaraghavan S, et al. Amivantamab (JNJ-61186372), an Fc Enhanced EGFR/cMet Bispecific Antibody, Induces Receptor Downmodulation and Antitumor Activity by Monocyte/Macrophage Trogocytosis. Mol Cancer Ther 2020;19(10):2044-2056.

9 European Medicines Agency. Amivantamab Summary of Product Characteristics. August 2024. Available at https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/rybrevant-epar-product-information_en.pdf. Accessed November2024.

10 Janssen.com/EMEA. Janssen Submits Type II Extension of Indication Application to the European Medicines Agency Seeking Approval of RYBREVANT (amivantamab), in combination with Lazertinib, for the First-Line Treatment of Patients with EGFR Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Available at: https://innovativemedicine.jnj.com/emea/newsroom/immunology/janssen-submits-type-ii-extension-of-indication-application-to-the-european-medicines-agency-seeking-approval-of-rybrevant-amivantamab-in-combination-with-lazertinib-for-the-first-line-treatment-of-patients-with-egfr-mutated-non-small-cell-lung-cancer. Accessed November2024.

11 Janssen.com/EMEA. Johnson & Johnson submits application to the European Medicines Agency seeking approval of subcutaneous formulation of RYBREVANT (amivantamab) for the treatment of patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer. Available at: https://innovativemedicine.jnj.com/emea/newsroom/oncology/johnson-johnson-submits-application-to-the-european-medicines-agency-seeking-approval-of-subcutaneous-formulation-of-rybrevant-amivantamab-for-the-treatment-of-patients-with-egfr-mutated-non-small-cell-lung-cancer. Accessed November2024.

12 Cho, BC, et al. Lazertinib versus gefitinib as first-line treatment in patients with EGFR-mutated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: Results From LASER301. J Clin Oncol. 2023;41(26):4208-4217.

13 Global Cancer Observatory. Cancer Today. Available at: https://gco.iarc.who.int/media/globocan/factsheets/populations/908-europe-fact-sheet.pdf. Accessed November2024.

14 Zappa C, et al. Non-small cell lung cancer: current treatment and future advances. Transl Lung Cancer Res 2016;5(3):288300.

15 Wee P & Wang Z. Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Cell Proliferation Signaling Pathways. Cancers 2017;9(12):52.

16 Pennell NA, et al. A phase II trial of adjuvant erlotinib in patients with resected epidermal growth factor receptor-mutant non-small cell lung cancer. J Clin Oncol 2019;37(2):97-104.

17 Burnett H, et al. Epidemiological and clinical burden of EGFR exon 20 insertion in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic literature review. Abstract presented at: World Conference on Lung Cancer Annual Meeting (Singapore); January 29, 2021.

18 Zhang YL, et al. The prevalence of EGFR mutation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Oncotarget. 2016;7(48):78985- 78993.

19 Midha A, et al. EGFR mutation incidence in non-small-cell lung cancer of adenocarcinoma histology: a systematic review and global map by ethnicity. Am J Cancer Res 2015;5(9):2892-2911.

20 American Lung Association. EGFR and Lung Cancer. Available at: https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/lung-cancer/symptomsdiagnosis/biomarker-testing/egfr. Accessed November2024.

21 Lin JJ, et al. Five-Year Survival in EGFR-Mutant Metastatic Lung Adenocarcinoma Treated with EGFR-TKIs. J Thorac Oncol 2016;11(4):556-65.

22 Nieva J, et al. A real-world (rw) observational study of long-term survival (LTS) and treatment patterns after first-line (1L) osimertinib in patients (pts) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive (m) advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Ann Oncol 2023;34, S774.

23 Girard N, et al. Mortality among EGFR-mutated advanced NSCLC patients after frontline osimertinib treatment: A real-world, US attrition analysis. J Thorac Oncol 2023;18(4), S51-52.

CP-464519

November 2024

FOR EUROPEAN MEDICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL TRADE MEDIA ONLY
FREDERICK, MD, Nov. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Service Coordination, Inc. (SCI) hosted its annual SCI Day at Smokey Glen Farm, welcoming more than 750 Team Members and Board Members to celebrate the organizations mission, core values, and the dedicated individuals who bring them to life each day. The event was a powerful display of unity, enthusiasm, and appreciation for SCIs work that impacts communities throughout Maryland.

SCI Day 2024 was marked by moments of reflection, and celebration, reinforcing a shared commitment to empowering people of all ages with disabilities, medically complex needs, and older adults. This years gathering was highlighted by the presence of Marylands Lt. Governor Aruna Miller, who gave remarks and expressed heartfelt appreciation for SCIs work, citing her personal understanding of the impact SCI has on individuals and families across the state. Lt. Governor Aruna Miller also celebrated SCIs milestone of reaching 1,000 Team Members, underscoring the positive change that the milestone brings to Maryland communities. Carol Beatty, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD), joined SCI Day for the second consecutive year. Her presence further reinforced the valuable partnership between SCI and MDOD in coordinating and improving the delivery of services to individuals with disabilities in Maryland.

SCI President and CEO, John Dumas said, "SCI Day is more than just a gathering; it's a celebration of the passion and dedication that our team members bring each day. This years event, with the support of Lt. Governor Miller and Secretary Beatty, reminds us that our collective efforts are recognized and valued at the highest levels. We are proud to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of so many across Maryland."

A standout moment of the day was a Governors Citation from Governor Wes Moore, Lt. Governor Aruna Miller, and Secretary of State Susan C. Lee. This honor recognized SCI for the dedication and unwavering efforts of its team members, celebrating their hard work in supporting individuals and families as both noticed and deeply valued.

SCI Day 2024 served as a powerful reminder of the positive change driven by SCIs team. The event concluded with a shared sense of pride and renewed energy for the work ahead, as the organization continues to support and empower individuals, families, and communities.

###

About Service Coordination, Inc.

Service Coordination, Inc. (SCI) provides high-quality case management services and advocacy for more than 16,000 individuals with disabilities, complex needs, and older adults across Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia. SCI helps people navigate complex systems by empowering them to make informed choices and connecting them with vital community resources, all while ensuring their dignity and rights are respected. SCI also provides companion care and aging life care management services through Montcordia. Learn more online or follow SCI on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter(X).



Media Contact

Kandice Ferrell

Vice President of Marketing and Communications

Kandice.Ferrell@sc-inc.org
LOS ANGELES, CA, Nov. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Grant Johnson, a results-driven marketing executive with an impressive track record, will now apply his extensive SaaS industry experience to accelerate client revenue growth as a Fractional CMO for Chief Outsiders. Recently, Johnson joined Chief Outsiders team of more than 120 Fractional Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) and Fractional Chief Sales Officers (CSOs).

With a proven track record of growing revenue and seven successful exits, Grant drives transformational change, delivers consistent growth, and helps facilitate liquidity events, said Karen Hayward, West Region Managing Partner, Chief Outsiders. Were excited to add his deep SaaS industry experience to our battle-tested network of marketing professionals.

A trusted leader with exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, Johnson builds, mentors, and retains high-performance teams that exceed corporate goals. A full-stack ROI marketer with deep expertise in all functional areas, he delivers quick staff assessment and excels as a top-grade talent magnet.

SaaS Marketing Leadership

As a Chief Outsiders SaaS focused Fractional CMO, Johnson brings deep industry experience to drive growth at client companies. For example, prior to joining Chief Outsiders, as Chief Marketing Officer at Emburse, he helped doubled revenue to $200 million while unifying a global marketing organization across seven separate companies. And as Chief Marketing Officer at Pegasystems, he helped more than double revenues from $212 million to $550 million.

Johnsons executive marketing experience also includes Chief Marketing Officer at Billtrust, Chief Marketing Officer for Kofax (now Tungsten Automation), Chief Marketing Officer at Cylance (Acquired by Blackberry), Chief Marketing Officer at Guidance Software (Acquired by OpenText), and Vice President, Marketing for FileNet (Acquired by IBM).

To support his successful executive marketing career, Johnson earned a BA in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an MBA in Marketing and Finance from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. He also completed High-Tech Marketing Strategy Development at The Chasm Institute in South San Francisco, California.

About Chief Outsiders

Chief Outsiders, the nations leading Executives-as-a-Service firm, helps CEOs identify and deploy the fractional marketing and sales executives they need to accelerate growth. The firms cohesive team of more than 120 fractional executives act as Strategic Operators to achieve results. They blend insight, strategy, and execution to deliver revenue engines that drive long-term profitable growth for businesses.

Chief Outsiders fractional executives drive growth strategy and execution plans by offering instant access to talent with highly customized and flexible engagements. Having served on the executive teams of more than 2,000 client companies, each Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Sales Officer has led marketing or sales at a diverse set of large corporations, including many Fortune 500 firms. Inc. Magazine has recognized Chief Outsiders for ten consecutive years as one of the 5,000 fastest growing privately held companies in the US. The company was also recognized as a Forbes Small Giant in 2019.

The Growth Gears: Using a Market-Based Framework to Drive Business Success, is an Amazon #1 best-seller for business owners and CEOs co-authored by Chief Outsiders CEO Art Saxby and Principal Pete Hayes. For additional information about the companies and CEOs who trust Chief Outsiders as their premier source for business growth acceleration, visit us at www.chiefoutsiders.com.

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PALOS VERDES ESTATES, Calif., Nov. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Malaga Financial Corporation (OTCPink:MLGF). Malaga Financial Corporation announced today that its Board of Directors had declared a special 5% stock dividend on the companys common stock outstanding, payable on or about December 31, 2024, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 20, 2024. The dividend will be issued in the form of additional shares of common stock. Cash will be issued in lieu of fractional shares. Additionally, a quarterly cash dividend of 25 cents was declared payable to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 20, 2024, to be paid on or about January 2, 2025. Randy C. Bowers, President and CEO, remarked, We are pleased to declare a special year-end stock dividend in addition to our 82nd consecutive quarterly dividend. This will result in total cash dividends paid in 2024 of $1.00 per share for a 4.39% annual yield based on a closing share price of $22.76 on November 14, 2024, in addition to the special stock dividend. This is the 13th consecutive year that we have declared a special year-end dividend along with the quarterly cash dividend.

Malaga Bank, a subsidiary of Malaga Financial Corporation, is a full-service community bank headquartered on the Palos Verdes Peninsula with six offices located in the South Bay area of Los Angeles. For over fifteen years Malaga Bank has been consistently recommended by one of the nations leading independent bank rating and research firms, Bauer Financial Inc. Malaga Bank was awarded Bauers premier Top 5-Star rating for the 67th consecutive quarter as of June 2024. Since 1985 Malaga has been delivering competitive banking services to residents and businesses of the South Bay, including real estate loan products custom-tailored to consumers and investors. As the largest community bank in the South Bay, Malaga is proud of its continuing tradition of relationship-based banking and legendary customer service. The Banks web site is located at www.malagabank.com .
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE: BEN) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now. The firm also encourages persons with knowledge who may assist the investigation to contact its attorneys.

Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/ben

Contact the Firm Now: BEN@hbsslaw.com

844-916-0895

Investigation Into Franklin Resources, Inc. (BEN):

The investigation focuses on Franklins controls over trading-related matters, including without limitation, those related to the marks of treasury derivatives and investment performance of its Western Asset Management Macro Opportunities fund strategy.

On July 26, 2024, Franklin revealed that [f]ollowing the launch of an internal investigation focusing on certain past trade allocations of treasury derivatives in select Western Asset Management (WAM) accounts, WAM received notification of parallel investigations by the SEC and U.S. Department of Justice. This news drove the price of Franklin shares significantly lower.

Then, on August 21, 2024, Franklin disclosed that WAM placed co-Chief Investment Officer Ken Leech on leave effective immediately and that [i]n light of Mr. Leechs leave of absence, the Company has determined that closing its Macro Opportunities strategy (approximately $2.0 billion in AUM as of 7/31/2024) is in clients best interests.

Franklin also revealed that Leech received a Wells Notice from the SEC. A Wells Notice is a formal notification that the SEC has concluded an investigation with charges likely to follow.

This news drove the price of Franklin shares over 12% lower on August 21, 2024.

We are looking into whether Franklin may have misled investors about the firms Western Asset Management units trade practices, said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.

If you invested in Franklin and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firms investigation, submit your losses now 

If youd like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the Franklin investigation, read more 

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Franklin 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 BEN@hbsslaw.com.

About Hagens Berman

Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Bermans team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.
COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Nov. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Proud to keep the whole family on the go whatever the weather, ECCO is thrilled to announce that the ECCO Kids SNOW MOUNTAIN boots have been awarded Best in Test in Swedish independent testing and research company Testfaktas comparative laboratory test, against eight competing brands.

Rigorously evaluated, the boots were tested for waterproofing, thermal insulation, breathability and drying ability, to see how they perform in typical winter conditions including snow, slush and wet weather. Testament to ECCOs enduring commitment to quality and pragmatism, durability and innovation, the SNOW MOUNTAIN boots excelled across all areas of testing  confirming their status as a smart, practical companion for navigating even the harshest winters.

Textile-lined for extra warmth with excellent grip on the PU and rubber sole, the SNOW MOUNTAIN boots also utilise the finely tuned, innovative ECCO FLUIDFORM Direct Comfort Technology for a supremely comfortable and supportive fit. The waterproof PFAS-free membrane keeps feet dry. This style is awarded with Testfakta's prestigious quality label.

ECCO Kids styles are accompanied by high-performance winter boots in adult sizes. The award-winning ECCO SNOW MOUNTAIN boots are available for kids in green, pink and black in sizes 24-35 and for juniors in pink and black in sizes 36-40. The collection is now available at ecco.com and in stores.

For more information on the Testfakta test results, visit testfakta.se

SOCIAL MEDIA

#ECCO @ecco

ABOUT ECCO

Founded in Denmark in 1963, ECCO is an iconic brand for the modern family. Based on minimalist Danish design, premium-quality leathers created at the brands own tanneries and innovative technologies, ECCOs success stands on shoes that deliver all-day comfort. ECCO makes shoes to last for every family member, no matter the constellation. A company that manages all aspects of the value chain, from leather and shoe production to retail, ECCO employs more than 22,000 people worldwide with products sold in 93 countries. ecco.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1eeb2012-345d-423a-ac38-254706b7ab9f

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0b64698b-d7e1-4cbe-9caa-48056287c6e3

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/482621e9-d727-408d-b5f3-820a1453b2c0
NEWARK, NJ, Nov. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IDT Corporation (NYSE: IDT), a global provider of fintech, cloud communications, and traditional communications, announced today that its Chief Financial Officer, Marcelo Fischer, will participate in the 16th Annual Southwest IDEAS Investor Conference on Wednesday, November 20th at The Statler in Dallas, TX.

Mr. Fischers presentation will take place from 11:30 to 12:05 Central Time. The presentation will be webcast and can be accessed through the conference hosts main website, https://www.threepartadvi s o r s.com/ s outhwest . The webcast and the investor presentation slides will also be available through the IDT investor relations website, https://www.idt.net/investors-and - m edia/ .

In addition, Mr. Fischer will host meetings with conference participants throughout the day on Wednesday. To request a meeting or participate in the IDEAS conferences, please contact Lacey Wesley at (817) 769 -2373 or LWesley@ID E ASconferences.com .

IDEAS Conferences provide independent, regional venues for companies to present to investment professionals. Additional information about the IDEAS conferences is available at www.IDEASC o nferences.co m .

ABOUT IDT CORPORATION

IDT Corp orat i on (NYSE: IDT) is a global provider of fintech and communications solutions through a portfolio of synergistic businesses: National Reta il S olutions (NRS), through its point-of-sale (POS) platform, enables independent retailers to operate more effectively while providing advertisers and marketers with unprecedented reach into underserved consumer markets; BOS S Mon e y facilitates innovative international remittances and fintech payments solutions; net2ph o n e provides enterprises and organizations with intelligently integrated cloud communications and contact center services across channels and devices; IDT Digital P a yments and the BOS S R evo lution calling service make sharing prepaid products and services and speaking with friends and family around the world convenient and reliable; and, IDT Glob a l and IDT Express enable communications services to provision and manage international voice and SMS messaging.

All statements above that are not purely about historical facts, including, but not limited to, those in which we use the words believe, anticipate, expect, plan, intend, estimate, target and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. While these forward-looking statements represent our current judgment of what may happen in the future, actual results may differ materially from the results expressed or implied by these statements due to numerous important factors. Our filings with the SEC provide detailed information on such statements and risks and should be consulted along with this release. To the extent permitted under applicable law, IDT assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

CONTACT

IDT Corporation Investor Relations

Bill Ulrey

william.ulrey@idt. n et

# # #
Itasca, Illinois, Nov. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Food Club brand recently announced its pairing up with Hallmark+  the new Hallmark streaming service and membership program  for a holiday-themed partnership.

This holiday season, Food Club will offer an in-store marketing presence, connecting its shoppers to the launch of Hallmark+ through special recipes that focus on Holiday Entertaining, Holiday Movie Watching and Holiday Breakfast. Food Club is a store brand procured by Topco Associates, LLC to support member-owners.

New recipes include Gingerbread Pancakes, Holiday Hand Pies, Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake and Spinach & Artichoke Crescent Roll Wreath. Recipes are available on FoodClub.com.

After the success of last years partnership with Hallmark Channels Countdown to Christmas, we knew we had another opportunity to connect our Food Club shoppers with Hallmark+, said Boyd Irving, Vice President of Exclusive Brands for Associated Food Stores and a Topco member. We know our Food Club shoppers utilize our products to enhance their holiday recipes, so this partnership is a great way to introduce them to making new memories this holiday season.

As part of its programming offerings, Hallmark+ will feature two original holiday scripted series, Holidazed and Mistletoe Murders; unscripted series like Finding Mr. Christmas and Ready, Set, Glow!; seven original movies; as well as a holiday library with approximately 500 hours of Christmas titles.

Additionally, Food Club products will be featured in the Very Merry Giveaway from Hallmark Channel with three themed prize packs including Cocoa & Holiday Baking, Cozy Holiday Movie Date Night, and Holiday Morning Breakfast Essentials. To enter, visit https://verymerrygiveaway.hallmarkchannel.com/.



About Food Club

Food Club is a brand whose mission is to provide great-tasting and affordable food around tables and communities. Food Clubs offers more than 2,500 products across nearly every department, covering everything from snacks and supper to baking and breakfast. The brand  procured by Topco Associates, LLC to support member-owners  has products currently available to purchase in thousands of Topco member stores across the country. For more information on Food Club or to see where Food Club products are available for purchase, visit www.foodclub.com.



About Topco Associates, LLC.

Topco Associates, LLC is an over $18 billion, privately held, member-owned company that provides aggregation, innovation and knowledge management solutions for its leading food

industry member-owners and customers, including grocery retailers, wholesalers, food service, and pharmacy companies. Topco leverages the collective volume, knowledge, and commitment of these companies to create a competitive advantage in the marketplace by reducing costs and offering winning business-building capabilities. Topco manages 20 brands on behalf of its member owners, including the Food Club brand. For more information, please visit https://www.topco.com/.

Attachments
TORONTO, Nov. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (TSX: PFIA, PFSS, PFCB, PFAA) Picton Mahoney Asset Management announced today that it has declared the November 2024 monthly cash distribution of $0.0291 per unit for the ETF units (ETF Units) of the Picton Mahoney Fortified Income Alternative Fund.

Picton Mahoney Asset Management announced today that it has declared the November 2024 monthly cash distribution of $0.0273 per unit for the ETF Units of the Picton Mahoney Fortified Special Situations Alternative Fund.

Picton Mahoney Asset Management announced today that it has declared the November 2024 monthly cash distribution of $0.0208 per unit for the ETF Units of the Picton Mahoney Fortified Core Bond Fund.

Picton Mahoney Asset Management announced today that it has declared the November 2024 monthly cash distribution of $0.0001 per unit for the ETF Units of the Picton Mahoney Fortified Alpha Alternative Fund.

Unitholders of record of the ETF Units, at the close of business on November 22, 2024, will receive a per-unit cash distribution payable on November 29, 2024.

About Picton Mahoney Asset Management

Picton Mahoney Asset Management specializes in differentiated investment solutions and rules-based volatility management. Picton Mahoney helps its clients fortify their portfolios based on experience honed over the years through different market cycles and investing environments.

Founded in 2004 and 100% employee-owned, Picton Mahoney is a portfolio management boutique entrusted with over $11.4 billion (as at October 31, 2024) in assets under management. Pioneers of Authentic Hedge investment principles and practices in Canada, the firm offers a full suite of investment solutions, including mutual and alternative funds, to institutional and retail investors across the country.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees, performance fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently, and past performance may not be repeated. Alternative funds can only be purchased through a registered dealer and are available only in those jurisdictions where they may be lawfully offered for sale.

For further information please contact:

Arthur Galloway

Picton Mahoney Asset Management

Tel: (416) 955-4108

Web site: www.pictonmahoney.com

Email: service@pictonmahoney.com
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- COLLECTIVE METALS INC. (CSE: COMT | OTC: CLLMF | FSE: TO1 ) (the Company or Collective) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Devienne Mok, CPA, as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, effective immediately (the Appointment).

Ms. Mok is a seasoned accounting and auditing professional with extensive knowledge in IFRS and financial reporting. Throughout her audit career, she has worked with numerous public and going public companies across the junior mining, cannabis, technology, and life sciences sectors. Ms. Mok holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Accounting from the Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University, along with her CPA Professional Designation from CPA BC.

Ms. Mok replaces Mr. Navin Sandhu who resigned from the role of Chief Financial Officer on November 15, 2024. The Company would like to thank Mr. Sandhu for his valuable contributions and wishes him the best.

About Collective Metals:

Collective Metals Inc. (CSE: COMT | OTC: CLLMF | FSE: TO1) is a resource exploration company specializing in precious metals exploration in North America. The Companys flagship property is the Princeton Project, located in south-central British Columbia, Canada, approximately 10 km west of the currently producing Copper Mountain Mine. The Princeton Project consists of 29 mineral tenures totaling approximately 28,560 ha (70,570 acres) in a well-documented and prolific copper-gold porphyry belt and is easily accessible by road, located immediately west of Highway 3.

The Companys Landings Lake Lithium Project is located in northwestern Ontario where numerous lithium deposits have been delineated to host significant reserves of Li 2 O. The Landings Lake Lithium Project is located 53 km east of Ear Falls, Ontario and covers 3,146 hectares. The Whitemud Project, with several identified pegmatite outcrops, neighbours the Landings Lake Project and consists of 381 single cell mining claims totaling 7,775 hectares.

Social Media

ON BEHALF OF COLLECTIVE METALS INC.

Christopher Huggins

Chief Executive Officer

T: 604-968-4844

E: chris@collectivemetalsinc.com

Forward Looking Information

Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, including with respect to future plans, and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, business, economic and capital market conditions, the ability to manage operating expenses, and dependence on key personnel. Forward looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements respecting the Appointment. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, the continued availability of capital and financing, litigation, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release
NEWTOWN, Pa., Nov. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The law firm of Edelson Lechtzin LLP is investigating claims regarding data privacy violations BBS Financial Services, LLC (BBS). BBS learned of suspicious activity on its computer network on or about January 29, 2024. To join this case, go HERE.

About BBS Financial Services, LLC

BBS Financial Services, LLC, based in Methuen, Massachusetts, offers comprehensive services in tax, accounting, business consulting, and medical billing.

What happened?

On January 29, 2024, BBS discovered a data breach in which a cybercriminal accessed and removed sensitive information from its network and demanded ransom for the stolen data. BBS engaged cybersecurity experts and law enforcement, who confirmed the threats credibility. After negotiating and paying the ransom, BBS received confirmation that the data had been destroyed. BBS then conducted a review to assess the breach, which involved medical billing information such as personal contact details, appointment dates, billing codes, health insurance information, and other related records. More than 70,000 individuals have been affected by this data breach.

How can I protect my personal data?

If you receive a data breach notification, you must guard against possible misuse of your personal information, including identity theft and fraud, by regularly reviewing your account statements and monitoring your credit reports for suspicious or unauthorized activity. Additionally, you should consider legal options for mitigating such risks.

Edelson Lechtzin LLP is investigating a class action lawsuit to seek legal remedies for customers who may have had their sensitive personal and patient data compromised by the BBS data breach.

For more information, please contact:

Marc H. Edelson, Esq.

EDELSON LECHTZIN LLP

411 S. State Street, Suite N-300

Newtown, PA 18940

Phone: 844-696-7492

Email: medelson@edelson-law.com

Web: www.edelson-law.com

About Edelson Lechtzin LLP

Edelson Lechtzin LLP is a national class action law firm with offices in Pennsylvania and California. In addition to cases involving data breaches, our lawyers focus on class and collective litigation in cases alleging securities and investment fraud, violations of the federal antitrust laws, employee benefit plans under ERISA, wage theft and unpaid overtime, consumer fraud, and dangerous and defective drugs and medical devices.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions. No class has been certified in this case, so counsel does not represent you unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing now. Your ability to share in any potential future recovery does not depend on serving as lead plaintiff.
Vancouver, November 14, 2024 - Centurion Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: CTN) ("Centurion" or the "Company") announces that the Company's audited annual financial statements and the related management's discussion and analysis for the financial year ended July 31, 2024 (the "Required Filings"), are not expected to be finalized by November 28, 2024, being the date that such filings are due under applicable Canadian securities law requirements. The Company has applied to the British Columbia Securities Commission as the Company's Principal Regulator for a management cease trade order (the "MCTO").

Reasons for the anticipated delay are certain administrative delays in relation to the audit.

The Company currently expects to file the Required Filings on or before January 27, 2025, and will issue a press release announcing completion of such filings once completed. Until the Company files the Required Filings, it will comply with the alternative information guidelines set out in National Policy 12-203 - Management Cease Trade Orders. These guidelines require the Company to issue bi-weekly default status reports by way of a press release during the period of the MCTO.

During the MCTO, the general investing public will continue to be able to trade in the Company's listed common shares; however, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer will not be able to trade in the Company's common shares.

About Centurion Minerals Ltd.

Centurion Minerals Ltd. is a Canadian-based company with a focus on precious mineral asset exploration and development in the Americas. Centurion can earn a 100% interest in the Casa Berardi West Gold Project which is located in the prolific gold-producing, greenstone belt of the central Abitibi Subprovince of north-eastern Ontario.

"David G. Tafel"

CEO and Director

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is generally identifiable by use of the words "believes," "may," "plans," "will," "anticipates," "intends," "could", "estimates", "expects", "forecasts", "projects" and similar expressions, and the negative of such expressions. Forward-looking information in this press release includes statements about the expected filing of the Required Filings and the grant of the MTCO.

Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date such statements are made including, without limitations, information based on the current status of the Required Filings. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information, and there is no guarantee the Required Filings will be made on the timeline currently expected or at all or that the MCTO will be granted. If the MCTO is not granted and/or if the Required Filings are subject to additional delays, the securities of the Company could be subject to a cease trade order or other actions taken by the securities regulators and/or the stock exchange(s) on which the Company's securities are listed. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events, or developments, except as required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230059
VANCOUVER, Nov. 14, 2024 - Mayfair Gold Corp. ("Mayfair", or the "Company") (TSXV: MFG) (OTCQX: MFGCF) is pleased to report its operating and financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. Mayfair is focused on the exploration and development of its 100% controlled Fenn-Gib gold project located in the Timmins region of Northeast Ontario ("Fenn-Gib" or the "Project"). The full version of the financial statements and accompanying management discussion and analysis can be viewed on the Company's website at www.mayfairgold.ca or on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com. Unless otherwise stated, all amounts are presented in Canadian dollars.

Mayfair's Interim Chief Executive Officer Darren McLean commented,

"Dear Stakeholders,

I am pleased to provide an update on our recent progress at Mayfair Gold. Our pre-feasibility study and metallurgical test programs are progressing well, and we look forward to sharing updates in the new year. As we look ahead to 2025, the company remains well-funded and we continue to work towards bolstering our internal capital markets and technical capacity, allowing us to effectively navigate the transition into the development phase.

Thank you for your ongoing support."

Corporate Highlights During the Quarter

On June 20, 2024, the Company granted 50,000 stock options each to two directors of the Company, Zach Allwright and Christine Hsieh with an exercise price of $1.90. The options are exercisable for a five-year term expiring on June 20, 2029, and a third of the options will vest on the anniversary of the grant date for the next three years.

On September 10, 2024, the Company announced an updated mineral resource estimate at the Company's 100% controlled Fenn-Gib Gold Project. The updates resource estimate will form the basis of the Company's Pre-Feasibility Study which is currently underway. Additionally, the Company announced an extension to its metallurgical test work for Fenn-Gib.

On September 25, 2024, the Company announced its intention to complete a financing of common shares by way of a non-brokered private placement for aggregate proceeds of approximately $6 million, which closed on October 17, 2024 with 3,340,000 of common shares being issued at $1.80 for total gross proceeds of $6,012,000.

Subsequent to the quarter, the Company appointed Nicholas Campbell as Vice President of Corporate Development, who brings more than 20 years of experience in the mining, minerals, and metals industry, and has held several leadership positions.

Technical Highlights During the Quarter

Mayfair updates Fenn-Gib Open-Pit Mineral Resource and Initiates an Expanded Metallurgical Test Program

September 10, 2024

Indicated Mineral Resource of 4.31Moz Au (0.3g/t Au cut-off grade);

3.40Moz @ 1.00g/t Au (0.5g/t Au cut-off grade);

Comprehensive metallurgical test program initiated with results expected in Q1 2025.

This updated Mineral Resource will form the basis of the Company's Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) which is currently underway

INDICATED Cutoff (Au g/t) Tonnes Au (g/t) Au (ounces) >0.7 64,563,000 1.26 2,615,000 >0.6 82,125,000 1.13 2,984,000 >0.5 105,644,000 1.00 3,397,000 >0.4 137,251,000 0.87 3,839,000 >0.3 181,302,000 0.74 4,313,000 INFERRED Cutoff (Au g/t) Tonnes Au (g/t) Au (ounces) >0.7 1,140,000 0.96 35,000 >0.6 1,799,000 0.85 49,000 >0.5 2,710,000 0.75 65,000 >0.4 4,729,000 0.62 94,000 >0.3 8,921,000 0.49 141,000

Selected Financial Data

The following selected financial data is summarized from the Company's financial statements and related notes thereto (the "Financial Statements") for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.



Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,

2024 2023 2024 2023 Loss and comprehensive loss (1,434,837) (2,696,168) (10,456,025) (10,917,212) Loss per share - basic and diluted (0.01) (0.03) (0.10) (0.12)















September 30, 2024 December 31,

2023 Cash and cash equivalents



5,400,350 13,504,009 Total assets



20.238,119 28,493,187 Total current liabilities



388,257 2,546,327 Total liabilities



388,257 2,546,327 Total shareholders' equity



19,849,862 25,946,860

2024 Outlook

In the first quarter of 2024, the Company announced the commencement of a pre-feasibility study on the Fenn-Gib project. The study will build further on the metallurgical, geotechnical, hydrogeology, and environmental evaluations completed to date to develop a clearly defined project description in support of a potential environmental assessment. Mayfair Gold has engaged Richard Klue as Vice President of Technical Services to manage the entire Fenn-Gib project, who has included AGP Mining Consultants, Halyard Inc, Terracon Geotechnique and Environmental Applications Group (EAG) as lead engineers and scientists of a multi-disciplinary group to deliver the pre-feasibility study. The pre-feasibility study is a major milestone towards the development of the Fenn-Gib project.

About the Fenn-Gib Project

The Fenn-Gib Project comprises two property packages, referred to as the Fenn-Gib North and South Blocks, which are separated by approximately three kilometers. The Fenn-Gib Deposit is located on the North Block along the regional Contact Fault, an east-west to south-east trending shear zone on the Pipestone Fault, which is interpreted to be a splay off the Porcupine-Destor Fault. The Fenn-Gib Deposit hosts significant concentrations of gold mineralization within two zones: (i) the Main Zone, and (ii) the Deformation Zone. These two zones overlap completely. A third zone of mineralization, known as the Footwall Zone, is located approximately 100 meters to the northwest of the Fenn-Gib Deposit. A fourth zone of mineralization, known as the Contact Zone, is located at depth below the current pit-constrained resource.

September 3, 2024 Fenn-Gib Resource Estimate by Category Using 0.30 g/t Au Cut-Off

Style Class Tonnes Au (g/t) Au (ounces) Open pit Indicated 181,302,000 0.74 4,313,000 Open Pit Inferred 8,921,000 0.49 141,000

All mineral resources have been estimated in accordance with Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and Petroleum definitions, as required under NI 43-101. Ounce (troy) = metric tonnes x grade / 31.10348. All numbers have been rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimate

QA/QC Controls

Mayfair employs a QA/QC program consistent with NI 43-101 and industry best practices. Surface drilling was conducted by Major/Norex Drilling of Timmins, Ontario and was supervised by the Mayfair exploration team. Mayfair's drill program includes descriptive logging and sampling of the drill core for analysis at Mayfair's secure facility located in Matheson, Ontario. Sampled drill core intervals were sawn in half with a diamond blade saw. Half of the sampled core was left in the core box and the remaining half was bagged and sealed. Mayfair utilizes accredited laboratories that include, Activation Laboratories Ltd. (Actlabs) and AGAT Laboratories Ltd. (AGAT) both located in Timmins, Ontario. Mayfair personnel transport the samples directly and deliver to Actlabs, and samples are collected by AGAT personnel directly from Mayfair's secure core logging facility in Matheson, Ontario. Gold was analyzed by 30-gram fire assay with AA-finish. Certified reference material (CRM) standards and coarse blank material are inserted every twenty-five samples. Mayfair completes routine third-party check assays.

Qualified Person

Tim Maunula, P. Geo., of T. Maunula & Associates Consulting Inc, is a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 and was responsible for the completion of the updated mineral resource estimation. Mr. Maunula has reviewed and approved the technical content with respect to the mineral resource estimate in this news release. Technical information with respect to diamond drilling in this news release has been reviewed by Ali Gelinas-Dechene, P.Geo., Senior Geologist for Mayfair Gold, who oversaw the Mayfair Gold drill program, QA/QC and serves as a Qualified Person under the definition of National Instrument 43-101.

About Mayfair Gold

Mayfair Gold is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on advancing the 100% controlled Fenn-Gib gold project in the Timmins region of Northern Ontario. The Fenn-Gib gold deposit is Mayfair's flagship asset and currently hosts an updated NI 43-101 open pit constrained mineral resource estimate with an effective date of September 3, 2024 with a total Indicated Resource of 181.3M tonnes containing 4.313M ounces at a grade of 0.74 g/t Au and an Inferred Resource of 8.92M tonnes containing 0.14M ounces at a grade of 0.49 g/t Au at a 0.30 g/t Au cut-off grade. The Fenn-Gib deposit has a strike length of over 1.5km with widths ranging over 500m. The gold mineralized zones remain open at depth and along strike to the east and west. Recently completed metallurgical tests confirm that the Fenn-Gib deposit can deliver robust gold recoveries of up to 94%.

Cautionary Notes to U.S. Investors Concerning Resource Estimates



This news release has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of the U.S. securities laws. In particular, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the terms "mineral reserve", "proven mineral reserve", "probable mineral reserve", "inferred mineral resources," "indicated mineral resources," "measured mineral resources" and "mineral resources" used or referenced in this presentation are Canadian mineral disclosure terms as defined in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") under the guidelines set out in the 2014 Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, Definitions and Guidelines, May 2014 (the "CIM Standards"). The CIM Standards differ from the mineral property disclosure requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") in Regulation S-K Subpart 1300 (the "SEC Modernization Rules") under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). As a foreign private issuer that is eligible to file reports with the SEC pursuant to the multijurisdictional disclosure system, the Company is not required to provide disclosure on its mineral properties under the SEC Modernization Rules and will continue to provide disclosure under NI 43-101 and the CIM Standards. Accordingly, the Company's disclosure of mineralization and other technical information may differ significantly from the information that would be disclosed had the Company prepared the information under the standards adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules.

Forward Looking Information



This news release contains forward-looking information which reflects management's expectations regarding the Company's growth, results of operations, performance and business prospects and opportunities. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the Company's focus on the exploration and development of Fenn-Gib, the results of the comprehensive metallurgical test program being expected in Q1 2025, and statements in respect of the pre-feasibility study on the Fenn-Gib project. Forward-looking information is based on various reasonable assumptions including, without limitation, the expectations and beliefs of management; the assumed long-term price of gold; that the Company can access financing, appropriate equipment and sufficient labour and that the political environment where the Company operates will continue to support the development and operation of mining projects. Should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, or one or more of the risks and uncertainties described below materialize, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking information, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties relating to foreign currency fluctuations; risks inherent in mining including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected geological formations, ground control problems and flooding; delays or the inability to obtain necessary governmental permits or financing; risks associated with the estimation of mineral resources and reserves and the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; the potential for and effects of labor disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or shortages of labor; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; actual ore mined varying from estimates of grade, tonnage, dilution and metallurgical and other characteristics; the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, gold price fluctuations; uncertain political and economic environments; changes in laws or policies.

The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review the forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required under applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements reflect management's beliefs, opinions and projections as of the date of this news release.

SOURCE Mayfair Gold Corp.
Vancouver, November 15, 2024 - Max Resource Corp. (TSXV: MAX) (OTC Pink: MXROF) (FSE: M1D2) is pleased to provide an update in relation to the Company's news release dated November 4, 2024. The Company has added a wholly-owned Australian entity, Max Iron Brazil Ltd. ("Max Brazil") to hold the "Floralia Brazilian Assets" within the existing Canadian and Brazilian holding entities. The Company plans to seek listing on the ASX Limited ("ASX" or "Australian Stock Exchange"), prior to a pre-listing financing directly into Max Brazil to fund the proposed transaction and to advance drilling.

Floralia Hematite Exploration Update

Max Resource reports high-resolution drone magnetics at Floralia has identified a large anomalous zone of surficial outcropping high-grade mineralization associated with hematite/itabirite type iron formation. The size of the anomalous area has far exceeded the approximate 160m by 160m historic open cut to around 1,500m by 1,000m based on the drone magnetics, field activities and 58 channel samples (Refer to Figure 1).

Max's technical team has reviewed the new drone magnetics and channel sampling data and has significantly expanded the Floralia hematite geological target from 8 to 12 million tons at 58% Fe to 50 to 70 million tonnes at 55% to 61% Fe, with an additional itabirite geological target of 130 to 170 million tonnes at 51% to 55% Fe.

Max cautions investors the potential quantity and grade of the iron ore is conceptual in nature, and further cautions there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource, and Max is uncertain if further exploration will result in the target being delineated as a mineral resource.

Hematite mineralization tonnage potential estimation is based on in situ high-grade outcrops and interpreted and modelled magnetic anomalies. Density value used for the estimate is 2.8t/m. Hematite sample grades range between 55-61%Fe. Itabirite mineralization tonnage potential estimation is based on in situ itabirite outcrop interpreted and modelled magnetic anomalies. Density value used for the estimate is 2.5t/m3. Itabirite sample grades range between 51-55%Fe. The 58 channel samples were collected for chemical analysis from in situ outcrops in previously mined slopes of industrial materials. Channel samples weighed in average 14 kg. Chemical analysis was performed at ALS Laboratories. Metal Oxides are determined using XRF analysis. Fusion disks are made with pulped samples and the addition of a borate-based flux. Max did not insert standards or blanks in the assay stream and is relying on ALS's lab QA/QC. Refer to Table 1 and 2.

Figure 1. Video highlighting the high-resolution magnetic signature and field activities

Cannot view this video? Visit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-16rRvlLyw

The Floralia Hematite project is located 70-km east of the city of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil's largest iron ore and steel producing State. In addition, iron ore buyers lie within 20-km of Floralia, providing a local ready market requiring minimal transportation, upon successful exploration and development (see Figure 2).

The processed geophysical data from the drone survey also indicates a large portion of the magnetic anomaly lies at depth below the surface expressions of high-grade hematite oxide mineralization. Analysis indicates a highly deformed structural geological environment that is fundamental to the increase in iron ore grades and tonnages, a consequence of secondary crystallization of hematite and the development of supergene enrichment. Additionally, the geophysical survey was also crucial in revealing the potential of a secondary body covered by soil in the northwest portion of the property. This zone was initially regarded as a minor occurrence; however, the magnetic signature and orientation recognizes it as extensions to the initial iron formation target.

The Magnetometric Geophysical survey utilized drones over the project area located in the Floralia region of Santa Barbara, Minas Gerais, Brazil, within the "Quadrilatero Ferrifero" region. The geophysical survey magnetometric maps were generated with multiples filters along with a 3D inversion that provided a high-resolution block model and isovalue surfaces from the interpreted source of the anomalies. This data has been fundamental in confirming the principal target area and the true potential of the Floralia high-grade hematite project.

The channel sampling across road cuts is now complete with assays pending. Next step is auger and diamond drilling.

Figure 2. Iron Ore Buyers within 20-km Radius of the Floralia Hematite Iron Ore Project

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/230088_b4613fff14e26a59_002full.jpg

Table 1. Max Hematite Channel Sample Results

Sample ID Type +16mm -16mm Type %Fe %SiO2 %P %Al2O3 % Loi FL_CN_001 Fraction 9.7% 90.3% Hematite 57.55 4.49 0.06 5.84 6.76 FL_CN_003 Fraction 12.5% 87.5% Hematite 58.26 4.74 0.04 3.65 7.50 FL_CN_005 Fraction 23.2% 76.8% Hematite 57.36 13.19 0.05 0.70 3.10 FL_CN_006 Fraction 15.7% 84.3% Hematite 58.32 7.60 0.02 1.77 6.52 FL_CN_007 Fraction 13.8% 86.2% Hematite 56.56 10.38 0.02 3.43 4.98 FL_CN_009 Fraction 19.7% 80.3% Hematite 58.87 5.82 0.03 3.37 6.06 FL_CN_010 Fraction 11.4% 88.6% Hematite 58.09 3.21 0.07 5.31 7.64 FL_CN_012 Fraction 9.8% 90.2% Hematite 55.15 11.07 0.02 2.95 5.80 FL_CN_017 Fraction 9.9% 90.1% Hematite 58.06 8.45 0.06 2.19 5.34 FL_CN_018 Raw_grade



Hematite 56.28 10.35 0.06 2.42 5.66 FL_CN_019 Fraction 9.9% 90.1% Hematite 58.66 7.67 0.04 3.03 4.95 FL_CN_022 Fraction 12.1% 87.9% Hematite 56.78 5.15 0.04 5.57 6.96 FL_CN_024 Fraction 4.3% 95.7% Hematite 59.80 7.11 0.04 1.73 4.61 FL_CN_025 Raw_grade



Hematite 55.82 13.30 0.06 1.31 4.44 FL_CN_026 Raw_grade



Hematite 55.68 9.64 0.04 4.76 5.70 FL_CN_027 Raw_grade



Hematite 55.97 7.33 0.10 2.50 7.36 FL_CN_030 Fraction 15.0% 85.0% Hematite 56.38 2.11 0.06 6.80 9.54 FL_CN_031 Fraction 18.4% 81.6% Hematite 56.35 9.35 0.04 3.39 4.75 FL_CN_033 Raw_grade



Hematite 55.96 7.00 0.05 4.52 6.58 FL_CN_037 Fraction 17.3% 82.7% Hematite 56.04 1.96 0.11 7.84 9.22 FL_CN_039 Fraction 6.8% 93.2% Hematite 60.25 4.28 0.10 1.69 6.41 FL_CN_040 Raw_grade



Hematite 56.35 11.60 0.05 1.97 4.82 FL_CN_042 Raw_grade



Hematite 56.67 11.15 0.05 2.76 5.46 FL_CN_043 Fraction 6.8% 93.2% Hematite 61.04 7.43 0.04 1.32 4.50 FL_CN_045 Raw_grade



Hematite 56.32 10.85 0.03 2.44 4.89 FL_CN_047 Raw_grade



Hematite 56.20 12.15 0.05 1.57 4.56 FL_CN_048 Fraction 9.0% 91.0% Hematite 57.59 3.24 0.08 4.03 9.00 FL_CN_049 Raw_grade



Hematite 58.42 5.08 0.07 3.51 7.33 FL_CN_050 Raw_grade



Hematite 55.05 9.33 0.05 3.43 6.48 FL_CN_053 Raw_grade



Hematite 56.77 7.05 0.05 5.44 5.78 FL_CN_055 Raw_grade



Hematite 56.34 11.75 0.05 1.75 4.94 FL_CN_057 Raw_grade



Hematite 58.34 9.74 0.07 1.76 4.07 FL_CN_058 Fraction 12.6% 87.4% Hematite 60.46 2.83 0.05 3.57 6.17 FL_CN_059 Raw_grade



Hematite 59.69 4.77 0.05 3.38 5.84

Table 2. Max Itabirite Channel Sample Results

SampleID Type +16mm -16mm Type %Fe %SiO2 %P %Al2O3 %Loi FL_CN_002 Fraction 7.6% 92.4% Itabirite 54.89 7.63 0.06 3.87 9.27 FL_CN_004 Fraction 8.0% 92.0% Itabirite 52.29 8.57 0.06 6.22 9.74 FL_CN_008 Fraction 11.6% 88.4% Itabirite 53.72 12.44 0.02 3.80 5.91 FL_CN_013 Fraction 14.2% 85.8% Itabirite 52.20 6.62 0.08 7.81 10.07 FL_CN_015 Raw_grade



Itabirite 51.13 5.01 0.15 8.34 11.32 FL_CN_016 Raw_grade



Itabirite 54.48 7.89 0.05 6.42 7.48 FL_CN_021 Fraction 13.6% 86.4% Itabirite 52.82 5.67 0.07 6.19 10.54 FL_CN_023 Raw_grade



Itabirite 52.61 12.25 0.07 1.64 7.33 FL_CN_029 Fraction 17.2% 82.8% Itabirite 51.44 5.88 0.08 8.32 10.03 FL_CN_032 Raw_grade



Itabirite 53.64 13.20 0.04 4.16 5.18 FL_CN_034 Raw_grade



Itabirite 53.13 12.55 0.04 4.60 5.55 FL_CN_035 Fraction 5.3% 94.7% Itabirite 52.18 16.72 0.04 2.87 5.55 FL_CN_036 Raw_grade



Itabirite 53.73 12.75 0.07 3.53 6.26 FL_CN_041 Fraction 8.7% 91.3% Itabirite 54.82 13.79 0.03 2.84 4.92 FL_CN_044 Raw_grade



Itabirite 51.85 14.40 0.03 4.05 5.89 FL_CN_046 Fraction 4.0% 96.0% Itabirite 52.92 17.47 0.04 1.75 4.50 FL_CN_051 Fraction 12.7% 87.3% Itabirite 54.98 11.01 0.04 4.63 5.39 FL_CN_052 Raw_grade



Itabirite 54.04 12.45 0.04 3.46 5.75 FL_CN_054 Fraction 10.6% 89.4% Itabirite 54.09 11.62 0.09 3.73 7.01 FL_CN_056 Raw_grade



Itabirite 54.96 16.30 0.06 1.52 3.27

Qualified Person

The Company's disclosure of a technical or scientific nature in this news release was reviewed and approved by Tim Henneberry, P.Geo (British Columbia), a member of the Max Resource advisory board, who serves as a qualified person under the definition of National Instrument 43-101.

About Max Resource Corp.

Max Resource Corp. (TSXV: MAX) is a mineral exploration company advancing the newly discovered district-scale wholly owned Sierra Azul Copper-Silver Project in Colombia.

The Sierra Azul Project sits along the Colombian portion of the world's largest producing copper belt (Andean belt), with world-class infrastructure and the presence of global majors (Glencore and Chevron). Max has an Earn-In Agreement ("EIA") with Freeport-McMoRan Exploration Corporation ("Freeport"), a wholly owned affiliate of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. ("NYSE: FCX") relating to the Sierra Azul Project. Under the terms of the EIA, Freeport has been granted a two-stage option to acquire up to an 80% ownership interest in the Sierra Azul Project by funding cumulative expenditures of C$50 million and making cash payments to Max of C$1.55 million. Max is the operator of the initial stage. The USD $4.2 million 2024 exploration program for the Sierra Azul Project is funded by Freeport.

The Company also owns the Floralia Hematite Iron Ore Project, located 70-km SE of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil's largest iron ore producing State. The Company has added an Australian entity, Max Iron Brazil Ltd. ("Max Brazil"), to hold the "Floralia Brazilian Assets" through the existing Canadian and Brazilian holding entities. The Company plans to seek listing on the ASX Limited ("ASX" or "Australian Stock Exchange"), prior to a pre-listing financing directly into Max Brazil to fund the proposed transaction and to advance drilling at the Floralia project.

For more information visit: https://www.maxresource.com/.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward- looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to the remaining cash payments pursuant to the APA, the achievement of performance milestones of the PSUs and the development of the Floralia Hematite Project. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the commercialization plans for Max Resources Corp. described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein.

The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedarplus.ca.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230088
One of the most vibrant ministries of the River of Life Foundation (ROLF) is its food pantry program and facilities. Their program serves over 15,000 families, an estimated 45,000 people, per month. A key component of this outreach is the annual Thanksgiving Fair and Luncheon, an event designed to give back to the community. This year, the event will be held on November 16th.

Hosted in collaboration with the River of Life Christian Churchs New Wave English Ministry and the Santa Clara Mayors Office, the Thanksgiving Fair provides more than hot meals and family-friendly activities. As Sam Loh, president of ROLF, explains, many attendees come not just for the food, but for the opportunity to address spiritual and emotional needs.

I think people are looking forward to [the Fair] for more of the spiritual need. Because they say, Last time I was here, somebody prayed for me.

In an interview with the Gospel Herald, Loh shared that while ROLF has long supported its food pantry clients with turkeys and other necessities during the Thanksgiving season, as a faith-based organization, they wanted to do more.

Three years ago, we said, hey, maybe we can invite [people] to our facility, and not only we will have an opportunity to reach out and sit down with them, talk to them, we can also have an opportunity to pray for them.

Looking forward to this years Thanksgiving Fair, Loh reflects on the impact the event had over the last few years.

A lot of families come with a lot of burden. So when we talk to them during meals, they really share a lot of the things that, you know, their difficulties. They were able to share with us, to ask us to pray for them, he said. Even though we dont say were gonna evangelize you, we have people available for them if they need prayer, if they need full support.

This year, more than 150 volunteers will be serving in various roles, from serving food and managing game booths to providing counseling and prayer. Volunteers are a vital part of the Fair, offering not just physical help but emotional and spiritual support.

Last year, around 2,000 people attended the event, not including volunteers. This year, ROLF expects to welcome over 2,500 attendees from across Santa Clara County.

ROLF's food pantry program serves clients from at least five different nationalities on a regular basis. To further enhance the events reach, the foundation has partnered with local Spanish-speaking churches and community leaders. The Fair has extended its invitations to senior homes, interim housing facilities, and homeless shelters. Several local non-profits, including CityTeam, have also joined in support.

When asked what he sees as the major highlight of the Fair, Loh said: We find that this fair really impacts a lot of families. They have a lot of emotional needs or spiritual needs or physical needs, and theyre able to come during the festival season, and they find that there are people here that would talk to them, people here that would pray for them, and people here that are willing to listen to them. We find that thats very impactful and life-changing for a lot of these people.

Loh added that the feedback from past attendees has been very positive. All these people came in the past year and said, hey, thank you. Not only the food, the hot meal, but the ability to have somebody listen to what I have to say.

As one of Californias largest food pantries by the number of people served, ROLF has garnered widespread recognition for its outreach. They are also the largest Asian operation that has been able to reach and impact so many. Despite its roots in the Asian community, 80% of ROLFs clientele comes from non-Asian backgrounds. The foundation is also part of a robust network of local non-profits, helping distribute food and services to those in need from its facility.

I think that is something we need to somehow let the people in the community know. There is help. We can help, both on the spiritual and emotional level, and for sure the physical level, Loh said.
Where Rural Is Slipping

Letting Locals Lead

Building Up Leadership

Cognizant is a technology company with offices in big cities all over the world. Thats not a coincidence.When it comes to generating jobs in the digital economy, urban revitalization ranks right up there with a strong educational system, Cognizant President Malcolm Frank told governors attending the annual meeting of the National Governors Association in Salt Lake City last week.He cited repurposed industrial sites that are now tech hubs, such as Bakers Square in Pittsburgh and Kings Cross in London. Theres this view that a partys going on in San Francisco and Boston and Seattle, and nobody else was invited, Frank said.Governors immediately challenged this idea, pointing to strengths in rural areas. You can replicate the elements of entrepreneurship and innovation, I believe, in any size community, said Doug Burgum, who built a billion-dollar software company in North Dakota before being elected the states governor in 2016.Still, governors recognize theres a huge disconnect between the nations superstar cities and rural areas left wondering when the recessions going to end. Governors of states including Iowa, Kansas, North Carolina and Pennsylvania have started programs to bolster rural economies, while Burgum has launched an initiative called Reimagining the Rural West as chair of the Western Governors Association.Rural America is too vast and varied to paint with a single brush. Many rural areas are thriving. Still, its clear that overall, the rural economy is falling far behind major metropolitan counties.Urban areas enjoy an outsized share of the nations economic growth, while 30 percent of rural ZIP codes have experienced downward mobility over the past decade. Only one in five small counties has added businesses, on net, since the Great Recession.The population of metropolitan areas is growing, while rural counties have been flat or even shrinking during the 2010s. Rural areas lag well behind cities in terms of educational attainment. They have a lower level of workforce participation, with fewer people per capita in the prime working ages of 25 to 54, due largely to outmigration."We educate a lot of these students and then they leave to take jobs," says South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem. "That's probably been our biggest challenge."Most of the governors' initiatives embrace similar themes: expanding broadband, building workforce housing and, in states that havent done so, expanding Medicaid to support rural hospitals.A cookie-cutter approach wont cut it, says Val Hale, economic development director for Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, who in 2017 set a goal of creating 25,000 rural jobs by the end of next year.Every county has its own needs and theyre all different, Hale says. People want to make one-size-fits-all rural programs, yet you have one rural community thats heavily tourism-related, another thats heavily extraction, then another county thats heavily agriculture.Scraping together a few million dollars for rural broadband or housing may be helpful, but governors should concentrate on how they spend much larger funds on education and health care in rural areas, suggests Brian Depew, executive director of the Center for Rural Affairs, an advocacy and development organization in Nebraska.These are challenges that are decades in the making and theres not going to be any quick fix, he says. If these efforts are just a flash in the pan, I wouldnt see any meaningful results from that.Too often, rural officials focus on putting together an incentive package to attract a single company, rather than figuring out ways to adapt to a changing economy. That local leadership, in turn, is often stretched thin, due to the fact that educated and talented young people are seeking greener pastures.All these factors mean that spreading prosperity to more rural areas remains a thorny challenge that will take a considerable amount of time to work through. Scott Hamilton, executive director of the Appalachian Regional Commission, told governors the job was like building a cathedral in Europe, with the person laying down the cornerstone perhaps not living to see the end result.Its going to come down to local leadership, says Lynn Rogers, the lieutenant governor of Kansas. How do we develop local leadership to keep after the goal?Flying down to a meeting of rural officials a couple of years ago, Utah Gov. Herbert decided to tear up his prepared remarks. He decided it was time to tell them something they might not want to hear  that it was up to them to solve their own problems. The state was all out of magic wands."He said, 'You guys need to take ownership of this,'" Hale recalls. "'I want every county in the state to come up with your own rural economic development plan. Were here to help you, but this isnt the states problem to solve.'"Herbert subsequently met with commissioners and economic development directors from nearly every county in the state. The governor tries to find ways to help them with their plans, but doesnt have a set of prefab grants or programs for rural Utah as a whole to chase after.The governor is, however, looking to shift more of the states economy out of the Salt Lake area. Eighty percent of the states population lives along the Wasatch Front. Many employers in the area are unable to find all the workers they need, even as smaller counties around the state are starving for jobs.The state is offering incentives to companies that move jobs to rural counties. HealthEquity, which manages health savings accounts, is headquartered just outside Salt Lake City, but has moved 100 jobs to Price, a town of about 8,000 people that's 100 miles to the south.Like other mining towns, Price has shed jobs, particularly since the 2015 closure of a neighboring coal-fired power plant. The HealthEquity jobs have come as "a blessing, says Deserae Stevenson, executive director of the Carbon County Chamber of Commerce.It does give different opportunities to people if hardship comes," she says. I have a couple of family members that work there, and they enjoy everything about it.Herbert has not only issued an appeal for more companies to follow HealthEquitys lead, but also started shifting state workers out of the capitol. Earlier this month, Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox announced the state will allow 2,500 state workers to telecommute, following completion of a pilot program that showed a boost in productivity.Employees win, managers win, our air wins, rural wins, Cox said.In Kansas, Gov. Laura Kelly has created an Office of Rural Prosperity. The effort is beginning with a listening tour of rural areas, led by Lt. Gov. Rogers and featuring several cabinet officials. The tour has already hit 28 cities in eight regions, with two more stops planned this week.Rogers says that broadband and housing always come up, along with complaints about cuts to state services. We closed a lot of agencies in rural Kansas, so they have to call Topeka, he says. Rural Kansas probably got hit harder than our urban areas did for the last eight years.But Rogers says his tour focuses not on what the state can do for rural areas, but what they can achieve for themselves. He tries to find out how the state can get out of their way and what theyre doing right already. There are some neat innovative things going on in rural communities, he says. Sometimes they dont like to talk about them, but there are some great opportunities.If local innovations and leadership are key, sometimes the capacity is just not there. Lots of little towns rely on the same few individuals to handle practically everything. Capacity is the number one issue for rural communities, says Nathan Ohle, executive director of the Rural Community Assistance Partnership, a network of nonprofits that provide technical assistance and training to rural communities. You often have a local mayor whos a pig farmer and a fireman.Ohle says California, Montana and Utah are all running rural leadership programs. The six-month programs not only bring together everyone from economic development directors and community college presidents to grocery store owners for training, but naturally build up connections among them, so they learn to work and plan collaboratively back home.Leadership on the ground is key, says Burgum.Whether youre reimagining communities around the arts or tech or innovation, all of those require leadership, the governor says. The differences you see among areas are less about macroeconomics and more about leadership.
13 more trafficked Nigerian girls rescued from Ghana - NiDCOM

graphic.com.gh International News Nov - 15 - 2024 , 12:19 2 minutes read

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has announced the repatriation of 13 trafficked Nigerian girls from Ghana.

According to a statement dated Friday, November 15, 2024 and signed by spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM said the latest rescue brings the total number of trafficked victims sent back home to Nigeria since July 2024 to 163.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission alongside other stakeholders have rescued another set of 13 trafficked girls from Ghana, thus bringing the total repatriated back to the country within five months to 163," it said.

Among the 163 included the 13 girls that were rescued and brought back to Nigeria over the weekend, the statement read.

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The operation was carried out through a collaborative effort involving the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police, Rescue Live Foundation International and NIDO Ghana, with the support of NiDCOM.

The rescued girls, aged between 19 and 30 years, were reportedly lured to Ghana under the pretence of employment opportunities but were instead trapped in exploitative conditions.

The Chairman and CEO of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, expressed her appreciation for the coordinated efforts that made the operation possible.

She thanked Nigerian First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, for their roles in supporting the repatriation process.

Dabiri-Erewa emphasised that the commission remains committed to protecting Nigerians abroad as part of President Bola Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises combating human trafficking and safeguarding citizens rights.

The statement noted that the girls hail from various states, including Ebonyi, Benue, Kaduna and Rivers.

The rescued young girls, ages 19 to 30 years, are from Ebonyi, Benue, Kaduna and Rivers states.

They were lured to Ghana under the false promises of employment but were instead forced into exploitative situations and bound by an oath of secrecy, while the traffickers are making money off the dastardly act, the statement added.

A NiDCOM representative who accompanied the victims back to Nigeria, Akinboye Akinsola, noted that the girls surrendered voluntarily after hearing of prior rescue missions in Kpone Katamanso and Tema, Ghana.

The Chairman, Board of Trustees, Rescue Live Foundation International/NIDO Ghana, Callistus Elozieuwa, explained that the organisation provided temporary shelter for the victims before facilitating their safe return.

He highlighted the importance of international cooperation in combating trafficking networks.

Valentine Uzo, the Senior Special Assistant to the Ebonyi governor, assured that the state government had already put measures in place for the proper rehabilitation and reintegration of the rescued girls.

Source: The Punch
Trump sues media outlets in $10bn lawsuit

GraphicOnline International News Nov - 15 - 2024 , 13:34 2 minutes read

Donald Trump, the president-elect of the United States has launched a series of lawsuits against prominent media organisations and publishers, alleging widespread bias and defamation.

The former presidents lawyer, Edward Andrew Paltzik, has demanded $10bn in damages from The New York Times and Penguin Random House, accusing them of publishing defamatory material.

The accusations focus on articles and a book critical of Trump, claiming the reporting constitutes industrial-scale libel.

The lawsuit specifically cites work by journalists Peter Baker, Michael S. Schmidt, Susanne Craig, and Russ Buettner, including a book titled Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Fathers Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success.

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Trumps team argues the reporting deliberately disparages his business legacy and his political ambitions.

In a statement, The New York Times dismissed the claims, asserting its reporting is accurate and evidence-based. Penguin Random House has yet to comment.

Mounting legal actions

In addition to the high-profile case against The New York Times, Trumps team has filed lawsuits against several other outlets.

A 19-page brief against CBS News, for example, accuses the broadcaster of election interference by allegedly editing an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris on 60 Minutes. CBS denies the claims, calling the lawsuit completely without merit.

Trumps campaign has also targeted The Daily Beast over an error in reporting campaign fundraising figures. Although the outlet issued a correction, the campaign maintains the article falsely implied financial misconduct by campaign co-chief Chris LaCivita.

Similar complaints have been lodged with the Federal Election Commission against The Washington Post, which Trump accuses of making in-kind contributions to Harriss campaign. *The Washington Post* has called the claims improper and baseless.

Press freedom concerns

Media advocacy groups have condemned the lawsuits as an assault on press freedom. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) described Trumps actions as a clear and direct danger to media freedom, while Reporters Without Borders called on the incoming administration to foster a more supportive environment for journalists.

The hostile media climate fostered during Donald Trumps first presidency  expected to continue in his forthcoming second term  poses great risks to media inside and outside the country, CPJ said in a statement.

Trump, who has long branded the press as the enemy of the people, has intensified his rhetoric since winning re-election. In his victory speech, he described media outlets as the enemy camp, further fuelling concerns over the future of journalistic independence.

The lawsuits mark a significant escalation in Trumps fraught relationship with the press, raising questions about the balance between holding the media accountable and ensuring the survival of a free and independent press.
Nkrumah Circle businessman jailed 14 years for stealing laptops, tablets

Gloria Apprey Life Nov - 14 - 2024 , 16:01 4 minutes read

For the crime of breaking into a shop, stealing 91 assorted laptops and 51 tablets and selling same to various individuals, a businessman, James Ugochukwu Nwobi, has been jailed for 14 years with hard labour.

He did this by conspiring with a fellow businessman, Solomon Otis, who received part of the goods he knew were stolen. Otis has been sentenced to five years with hard labour for his involvement.

They were sentenced last Tuesday at the Adentan Circuit Court, presided over by Her Honour Sedinam Awo Kwadam, after both men pleaded guilty.

Nwobi, who faced three charges: causing unlawful damage, theft and unlawful entry, was sentenced to three years on count one (causing unlawful damage), 12 years on count two (theft) and two years on count three (unlawful entry).

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Otis on the other hand, was charged with conspiracy and dishonestly receiving the stolen goods. He is to serve four years on count four (conspiracy) and five years on count five (dishonestly receiving). The sentence of both convicts is to run concurrently.

During the proceedings, the prosecutor, Chief Inspector Maxwell Lanyo, said that efforts were underway to apprehend a third accomplice, Awudu Mamudu, alias Focus, who was at large.

In presenting the case before the court, Chief Inspector Lanyo explained that Nwobi, Otis, and Mamudu were business partners operating at Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra.

He added that on September 26, 2024, the complainant, Frederick Sackey, whose shop is in Okponglo, Accra, discovered that the burglar-proof bars of the windows to his storeroom upstairs had been destroyed and the said items valued at GH366,200 stolen.

The prosecutor noted that on September 29, 2024, a friend of the complainant found one of the stolen tablets, identified by its serial number: GPSZ2024070418582, displayed in a showcase near the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange at Circle in Accra.

Chief Inspector Lanyo said that on September 30, 2024, the owner of the showcase, Stephen Akwaboah, who also served as a witness in the case, was arrested and the stolen tablet was recovered.

Akwaboah subsequently identified one Charles Chubuike Eze, a phone dealer, as the person who sold him the tablet. This connection led to Eze's arrest and ultimately to the arrest of the second convict, Otis.

During questioning, Otis claimed he had purchased only two tablets from someone, whose whereabouts he had no idea of.

The prosecutor noted that on October 3, 2024, police received intelligence that two laptops matching the complainant's description of his stolen goods had been located at the Tip-Toe Lane, also at Circle in Accra.

A police team was dispatched, leading to the arrest of one Chukuemeka Itiri, another witness, who was found in possession of the two laptops.

Chief Inspector Lanyo reported that the said witness, Itiri, disclosed that the first convict, Nwobi, had given him the laptops to sell.

He then led the police to Nwobi's residence at Plus 1 Lodge, Circle, where he was arrested.

When his room was searched, two tablets and a laptop, all confirmed to belong to the complainant, were found.

"Investigations revealed that around 6 a.m. on September 26, 2024, after Nwobi had stolen the said goods, he contacted Otis and Mamudu, informing them of his bootie and his intention to sell the goods through them, the prosecutor added.

Later that day, Otis and Mamudu met with Nwobi at his residence, where he handed over to them 21 "oteeto" tablets and 22 laptops.

The prosecutor noted that Otis made an initial deposit of GH1,000 to Nwobi before they left with the stolen goods.

"After Nwobi confessed to the crimes, Otis admitted to selling 19 of the tablets to one Victoria Osei Praku, a witness in this case, for GH250 each, convincing her that they were brought in by his brother from Dubai. These 19 tablets have since been recovered," the prosecutor explained.

Chief Inspector Lanyo said that on October 4, 2024, Nwobi led the police to the complainant's shop and identified it as the location of the theft.

He added that once Mamudu learned of the developments, he went into hiding.

The prosecutor informed the court that to date, 22 tablets and three laptops had been recovered and were in police custody.
Elon Musk Recommends: 9 books for turning your life around

Daily Mail Life Nov - 15 - 2024 , 18:18 5 minutes read

Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of SpaceX, Tesla, and other game-changing tech companies, somehow finds time to read a lot of books when hes not sending rockets into space.

From classic sci-fi works to complex studies on artificial intelligence, Musk credits books with helping him achieve his success. In fact, when asked how he learned to build rockets, he famously replied, I read books.

And he proves it, because Musks book recommendations are more than just titles; theyre pathways that have shaped his groundbreaking endeavors.

The expansive range of Elon Musks recommended books reveals not only his multifaceted interests but also the profound depth of his knowledge.

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Whether its contemplating the fate of humanity or dissecting the intricacies of AI, Musks reading list serves as a window into his intellectual universe.

However, the luxury of delving into books daily is not something everyone can afford. According to a study by the Bureau of Labour Statistics, most Americans find time to read just 17 minutes per day.

At that rate, it could take you more than a month to read one of Musks recommended non-fiction books.

9 Books From Elon Musks Reading List

1. Human Compatible by Stuart Russell

Human Compatible explains why the creation of artificial intelligence could be humanitys final act, a topic that Musk has been very vocal about. The book calls to attention the potential catastrophe that society is heading towards and discusses what needs to be done to avoid it. Get the key ideas with Blinkist in just 12 minutes.

2. Zero to One by Peter Thiel with Blake Masters

In praise of this book, Musk tweeted: Peter Thiel has built multiple breakthrough companies, and (this book) shows how. Zero to One explores how companies can better predict the future and take action to ensure that their startup is a success. The author enlivens the books key takeaways with his own experiences. Get the key ideas with Blinkist in just 18 minutes.

3. Merchants of Doubt by Naomi Oreskes & Erik M. Conway

This book examines some of the worlds foremost scientific debates on the environment, smoking, and nuclear weapons. The explainer will describe how a handful of highly vocal scientists have heavily misrepresented these issues through the mainstream media, often to aid corporate and industry interests. Get the key ideas with Blinkist in just 13 minutes.

4. Life 3.0 by Max Tegmark

If youre sensing a common theme among the books on this list, Musk is really into exploring the future of artificial intelligence. In this work, MIT professor Max Tegmark writes about keeping artificial intelligence beneficial for human life and ensuring technological progress remains aligned with humanitys goals for the future. Its one of the few books Elon Musk recommends that deals with the possibility of AI being used as a force for good in the world rather than evil. Get the key ideas with Blinkist in just 13 minutes.

5. The Big Picture by Sean M. Carroll

Musk is all about the future and origins of humanity and making life multi-planetary. The Big Picture is an ambitious look at the world as we know it and how we can use scientific thinking to make sense of most of it. An insightful examination of the origins of life, consciousness, and the universe itself, this book gives readers a deductive way of considering the most challenging questions that philosophy, physics, and biology have to offer. Get the key ideas with Blinkist in just 13 minutes.

6. Lying by Sam Harris

Lying explains why the act of telling lies is so dangerous. And that means all lies, from the tiny lies that people tell on a daily basis to the massive lies sometimes told on the world stage. All in all, its always better to tell the truth. Get the key ideas with Blinkist in just 9 minutes.

7. Superintelligence by Nick Bostrom

Musk has repeatedly warned against the dangers of unchecked artificial intelligence. We need to be super careful with AI, he tweeted in 2014, saying its potentially more dangerous than nukes. To find out why these risks are so scary, Musk says its worth reading Superintelligence. The book in Elon Musks reading list makes a daring inquiry into what would happen if computational intelligence surpassed human intelligence. Get the key ideas with Blinkist in just 15 minutes.

8. The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith

A staple in the Elon Musk Reading List, The Wealth of Nations stands as a profoundly influential work in the realm of economics. It is a profoundly influential work in the study of economics and examines precisely how nations become wealthy. Adam Smith  who Musk is a fan of even tweeting Adam Smith FTW  advocates that by allowing individuals to freely pursue their self-interest in a free market, without government regulation, nations will prosper.

9. Radical Candor by Kim Scott

One of Elon Musks core drivers for successful leadership is his unwavering appreciation for feedback, be it positive or negative. He is a fan of the feedback loop, stating in an interview that, its very important to have a feedback loop, where youre constantly thinking about what youve done and how you could be doing it better. Drawing from Musks wisdom and his collection of Elon Musk recommended books, Radical Candor by Kim Scott serves as a valuable roadmap for leaders seeking to build strong relationships with their employees. This insightful management approach unveils the secrets to creating a work environment where great ideas flourish, individuals reach their full potential, and employees take pride in following their bosss lead.
$200m Tree crop diversification project launched

Nana Konadu Agyeman Nov - 15 - 2024 , 09:57 3 minutes read

The government, in partnership with the World Bank, has launched the Ghana Tree Crop Diversification Project (TCDP) in Accra. The six-year project would be funded with a $200 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group.

It involves the production, processing and trading in six high-value tree crops such as cashew, shea, mango, coconut, rubber and oil palm.

The initiative is to be managed by the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) and the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), under the supervision of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA).

The project, which was launched in Accra yesterday, was on the theme: Sowing the seeds of the future: Unlocking Ghanas tree crop potential for inclusive and sustainable transformation.

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Beneficiaries

The project would directly benefit cocoa, cashew, coconut and rubber farmers, and improve productivity and incomes of some 52,775 farmers and households.

About 40 per cent of beneficiaries would be women located across 11 districts in six regions  Western North, Eastern, Savannah, Bono, Bono East, and Eastern.

Additionally, the project would support between five and 10 farmers with input supplies and 10 nurseries.

An estimated 185 small and medium-sized enterprises involved in processing cocoa, cashews and coconuts would also benefit.

In all, the project is expected to create around 20,000 jobs, out of which 60 per cent would be youth.

Significance

The Minister of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Dr Bryan Acheampong, said the tree crop sector was vital to agriculture and the economy, generating income for over 1.6 million farming households.

The sector, he said, offered significant opportunities for economic diversification, job creation, poverty reduction, food security, foreign exchange earnings and substantial contribution to gross domestic product (GDP).

Despite having ample arable land for cocoa production, the minister said the country was faced with threats of deforestation, climate change and other environmental issues.

If current trends continue, many cocoa-farming households will suffer, including a drop in the countrys foreign exchange revenues, he said.

Strategy

To enhance tree crop development, Dr Acheampong said the government was promoting a dual strategy focusing on cocoa and other tree crops.

For the cocoa sector, he said the Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) had implemented its second Cocoa Sector Development Strategy (CSDS-II) for 2017-2027.

This new strategy addresses the shortcomings of the first strategy, which primarily aimed to increase productivity but failed to adequately tackle cocoa swollen shoot virus disease (CSSVD), and also lacked management information systems.

CSDS-II focuses on modernising the industry to improve competitiveness and resilience, with interventions aimed at enhancing productivity, efficiency, innovation and quality management, along with traceability and certification, the minister said.

Mr Acheampong further said that in 2019, the government established the TCDA, which launched a five-year development strategy in 2022, targeting six priority crops  cashew, shea, mango, coconut, rubber and oil palm.

Support

The Minister of Finance, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, said the government would support the initiative by providing the necessary funding and policy direction.

In addition, we will continue to work closely with MoFA, the Ministry of Trade and Industry and other relevant agencies to ensure that this project is fully integrated into our national development agenda, he said.

The Chief Executive Officer of the TCDA, William Agyapong Quaittoo, said as a regulatory authority, it had developed a five-year strategy and implementation plan (2022-2027) to address emerging challenges.

The Country Director of the World Bank, Robert Taliercio OBrien, said the banks long-standing commitment to Ghanas development, particularly in the agricultural sector, aligned perfectly with the objectives of the GTCDP.

By diversifying the countrys tree crop value chains, we are not only boosting productivity, but also creating new opportunities for rural communities, fostering resilience against climate change and strengthening Ghanas position in the global market, he said.

He gave an assurance that the World Bank was committed to ensuring that the project delivered long-term shared benefits for the country.
DBG profitable, well governed  Management

Justice Agbenorsi Nov - 15 - 2024 , 11:37 3 minutes read

The Development Bank Ghana (DBG) has announced a net profit of GH80.144 million in the 2023 fiscal year. The figure represents a growth of 2.74 per cent from the previous years net profit of a little over GH77.9 million.

A statement issued by the bank said DBG had consistently reported net profits annually since its inception in 2021, ending that particular year with a net surplus of more than GH53.6 million.

The statement added that the bank expects to end 2024 with a net profit despite the challenging operating environment.

Over the last two years, the statement said, the DBG had nearly doubled its total assets, reaching GH4 billion in 2024, with a projection of GH5.7 billion by 2025.

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The DBG was initially capitalised in 2021 by the Government of Ghana with an amount of GH1.135 billion, equivalent then to $200 million.

The capital, the banks documents suggest, was subsequently increased by GH268.60 million, equivalent to $38.3 million at that time, from the African Development Bank (AfDB) through the Government of Ghana.

Performance

Highlighting some milestones since its inception, the DBG statement said the bank had disbursed a total of GH1.5 billion to small and medium-scale enterprises across 13 regions, facilitating recovery and growth in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and hospitality, and supporting thousands of jobs.

In partnership with CalBank and Consolidated Bank Ghana (CBG), the DBG provided a syndicated loan of GH245.3 million in 2022 to support the hospitality sectors recovery from the impact of COVID-19, contributing to facility expansion, job retention and enhanced service quality, the statement added.

It said key impact areas included support for women-led businesses totalling GH400 million portfolios, food security projected to be around GH400 million by 2025, climate finance of around GH41 million, and digital finance of about GH20 million.

Providing updates on its operations, the DBG said funds from the World Bank and the EIB were credit lines that were only drawn upon for on-lending in tranches.

That, it said, was based on pipelines presented to the bank by its participating financial institutions, and consequently approved by DBG.

Such funds are not available for DBG to use on itself, and, therefore, can never be used for administrative or capital expenditures, the bank said in seeming reference to some recent claims in the local media about its financial circumstances.

The World Bank, the EIB and other providers of funds to DBG regularly monitor the use of such funds and issue reports on the results of such monitoring, the statement said.

It said despite the assertions that DBG spent huge funds to upgrade furniture and drapery on its executive floor, the bank took an empty concrete space on the fifth floor in the same building which housed it currently to create Development Bank Ghana Guarantee (DBGG) and an extra office space for the staff.

The statement said with the aid of independent market practitioners, it was able to prudently provide furniture for about 30 per cent of its staff who had been squatting in the boardroom for several months.

Mandate

The statement said due to the diversity of the banks product offering, it was crucial to put in place a proper information technology (IT) architecture to support efficient delivery of its mandate.

As a result, the bank said, it followed its rigorous procurement processes to procure and implement world-class technology solutions necessary to deliver its mandate.

It added that IT architectures such as datacentre, Enterprise Resource Planning, Middleware and Security Operations Centre, among others, were installed not just for its banking system, but also for DBG and its envisaged subsidiaries coming online.

The requirements were, therefore, more extensive technically, and the process for procurement was in line with the banks rigorous procurement policy, the statement said.
Lets build capacity to unlock carbon market potential - Speakers at COP29

Timothy Ngnenbe Nov - 15 - 2024 , 09:57 2 minutes read

Speakers at a side event organised by the Jospong Group of Companies (JGC) at the ongoing Conference of Parties (COP29) in Azerbaijan have called for more sensitisation and capacity-building on the potential of carbon market.

They also stressed the need for public- private partnerships to attract finances for the green space.

The speakers included the Chief Investment and Innovations Officer of the JGC, Noah Gyimah; the European Climate Pact Ambassador to Egypt, Mostafa Sherbiny, and the Director, Development Partnership Department of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Nigeria, Onimole Mobolaji Adebowale.

In a panel discussion at Ghanas pavilion at COP29 in Azerbaijan yesterday, they said carbon markets were the emerging frontiers for emission reduction and attraction of green funds.

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The event, which was organised in collaboration with the Jospong Green Transition Office, was on the theme: "New world of carbon market, the potential of existing infrastructure and impact of investments in the green economy."

Partnership

Dr Gyimah said leveraging the potential of carbon markets called for public private partnership and stronger collaborations across borders.

He said through partnerships between the private and the public sectors, capacity could be built to generate carbon credits.

Dr Gyimah also said for countries and businesses to tap into carbon markets, they must ensure that the projects they developed were defined within the context of green financing.

Mr Adebowale, on the other hand, said for African countries to unlock the potential of the carbon market, the people, including the media, must be sensitised to understand the concept and embrace it.

"We must also deepen collaboration at the country, regional and global levels, and look out for partners whose intervention areas aligned with ours," he said.

Benefits

Mr Sherbiny urged Ghana and other African countries to design projects that would facilitate decarbonisation and emissions reduction.

He said the benefits from carbon credits could be used to finance other projects in the environment space and contribute to sustainable development.

"The benefits of carbon markets are twofold. It will help in climate financing and the mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions," Mr Sherbiny said.

He also added that when carbon markets were leveraged, it would help to halt environmental degradation and deforestation.
President receives Frances highest award

Daily Graphic Nov - 15 - 2024 , 07:26 2 minutes read

France has bestowed its highest national honour of merit on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

The National Order of the Legion of Honour (Ordre National de la Legion dHonneur) was conferred on the President at a ceremony at the French Presidency, Elysee, in Paris, France, yesterday.

The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, personally decorated President Akufo-Addo with the Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour (Grand Officier de la Legion dHonneur) medal at the ceremony.

The National Order of the Legion of Honour is the highest honour of merit given by France to individuals who have provided exceptional services to France or defended causes and ideals that France supports, such as democracy, human rights, press freedom and humanitarian services.

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The award was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, and has been preserved by all French governments since the 19th century.

The Order is divided into five categories, namely the Grand Cross (Grand-Croix), the Grand Officer (Grand Officier), the Commander (Commandeur), Officer (Officier) and Knight (Chevalier), with the Grand Cross being the highest category and the Knight being the lowest.

The French President is the Grand Master of the Order and confers the orders on deserving dignitaries.

Previous awardees of the honour include the former German Chancellor, Angela Merkel; former President of the Swiss Confederation, Pascal Couchepin; Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former Italian Prime Minister, Massimo dAlema, and the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin.

Conferring the award on President Akufo-Addo, President Macron lauded the Ghanaian leaders commitment to democracy and human rights, as well as his role in strengthening the diplomatic ties between Ghana and France.

President Akufo-Addo was on a days State visit to France, where he held bilateral talks with Mr Macron.

He also spoke at an event organised by France Volontaires, the French platform for international volunteering, and a high-level event organised by UNESCO in honour of the first African Director-General of UNESCO, Amadou Mahtar-MBow.
Whistleblowers on cocoa smugglers to receive cash reward

Samuel Kyei-Boateng Nov - 15 - 2024 , 09:57 3 minutes read

The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has announced a GH2,000 incentive package for informants on every bag of cocoa retrieved from smugglers.

The package would be shared by the informants and security officials who effect the arrest of culprits of cocoa smuggling.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the COCBOD, Joseph Boahen Aidoo, who made the announcement, has consequently called on farmers to report cocoa smugglers to the law enforcement agencies for arrest and prosecution.

He stressed that the action had become imperative as the activities of the smugglers were depriving the nation of the necessary revenue.

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Mr Boahen Aidoo made the announcement at an engagement with over 3,000 cocoa farmers at separate functions at Akyem Oda in the Birim Central Municipality, Akyem Abenase in Akyemansa and Asuokaw in the Upper West Akyem districts, all in the Eastern Region last Tuesday.

The function attracted many dignitaries, including the Deputy CEO for COCOBOD, Ebenezer Owusu; the Deputy Public Affairs Officer of COCOBOD, Ken Osei Ampofo; the MCE for West Akyem, Seth Oduro Boadu, and the Krontihene of the Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area, Obrempong Gyamfi Saforo Kyereh.

Increasing production

The COCOBOD CEO emphasised the need for farmers to adopt research findings or cultural practices on their cocoa farms to increase production.

The cultural practices include regular clearing of cocoa farms, fertiliser application, removal of mistletoes, spraying of farms against capsids, pruning and hand pollination.

Mr Aidoo said farmers who effectively adopted the research findings could harvest 20 bags of cocoa from one acre.

He, however, advised farmers against the application of weedicides on their cocoa farms and burning of the cleared weeds before planting their crops as those practices destroyed soil nutrients, adding that the COCOBOD had banned 24D weedicides as they were harmful to human health.

The COCOBOD CEO further advised the farmers to harvest their cocoa every two weeks because when the pods were left to overripe, they reduced in weight.

Economy

Mr Boahen Aidoo commended cocoa farmers for the massive contribution to revamp the economy and urged them not to relent on their efforts.

He noted that the government had increased the producer price of cocoa from GH475 in 2017 to GH3,100 in 2024 to encourage farmers to maintain their cocoa farms.

Mr Boahen Aidoo revealed that the COCOBOD, this year, shifted from the acquisition of the 32-year syndicated loan from a consortium of foreign banks and relied on its own resources to purchase cocoa as the interest on the loan alone would have caused the nation an interest of $120 million this year.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Oda, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, who is also a Deputy Minister of Health, was full of praise for cocoa farmers for their contribution towards the national economy.

The District Chief Executive for Upper West Akyem, Eugene Sackey, who also addressed the farmers, urged them to put what they had learnt at the forum into practice to maximise productivity.
Varied reactions to Supreme Court interpretation of Article 97

Enoch Darfah Frimpong Nov - 15 - 2024 , 20:01 3 minutes read

The Supreme Court has held that a Member of Parliament (MP) does not vacate his seat if he intends to contest in a future election on the ticket of another political party other than the one that brought him to the House.

In a 5-2 majority decision, the Supreme Court upheld a suit by the Majority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin that Article 97(1) (g) and (h) of the Constitution, which formed the basis for the Speaker of Parliament to declare four seats in the House vacant, pertained to future Parliaments and not the current.

The 109-page ruling, which provides an interpretation of Article 97, has reignited discussions about the scope of the Supreme Courts jurisdiction and its potential impact on Ghanas constitutional framework.

Following the ruling, there has been varied public reactions.

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Two lawyers, Kofi Bentil and Martin for instance in a discussion on Joy FM on Friday talked about the legal impact of the ruling and offered contrasting views.

The ruling, prompted by a petition from Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Majority Leader in Parliament and Member of Parliament for Effutu on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), clarified that a member of parliament seeking to contest future elections under a different party or as an independent does not automatically lose their current parliamentary seat.

Kofi Bentil, a senior lawyer and policy analyst, endorsed the Supreme Courts decision, highlighting its jurisdiction over constitutional interpretation. Speaking on JoyFM on 15 November 2024, Bentil stated, The Supreme Court was justified in assuming jurisdiction here. The disagreements over Article 97s interpretation necessitated their involvement.

Bentil rejected the argument that the High Court should have handled the matter, stressing the importance of direct Supreme Court intervention in constitutional issues.

He explained, The ruling clarifies that actions concerning a future Parliament should not disrupt the current one, calling the decision consistent with a modern purposive approach to constitutional law.

He further described the decision as forward-looking, ensuring stability within the current Parliament while allowing MPs to contest future elections under new affiliations without repercussions during their current term.

However, Martin Kpebu, a private legal practitioner, took a more critical view, arguing that the decision favoured the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and weakened democratic accountability. This interpretation benefits the NPP by helping them maintain their majority, he said, questioning the courts impartiality.

Kpebu contended that the ruling effectively alters the Constitution and undermines the intent of Article 97. It creates a loophole, allowing MPs to signal future intentions without accountability in their current term, he argued.

He also cast doubt on the judicial process, suggesting that dissenting opinions might have been included to lend the ruling an appearance of balance.

The Supreme Court majority decision argued that Article 97(1)(g) and (h) apply only when a sitting MP officially switches parties during the same parliamentary term, not when they express intentions for the next term. Justice Tanko Amadu, however, dissented, calling the ruling a departure from established norms. This decision oversteps the High Courts jurisdiction and sets a worrying precedent, he warned, expressing hope for future reconsideration.

Bentil welcomed the decision as a practical solution for the future, maintaining that MPs aligned with their party during their term should have the freedom to explore new affiliations for subsequent elections.

This promotes stability in the current Parliament while addressing future challenges, he explained.

Kpebu, on the other hand, expressed concerns about the long-term implications. This interpretation weakens the effectiveness of Article 97. When will it ever truly apply? he questioned, warning that MPs could exploit this ruling to evade accountability during their term.

The case unfolded amid intense political tension, with the NPP and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) holding nearly equal seats in Parliament.

Both Bentil and Kpebu agreed on the need for reform in the appointment of Supreme Court judges to enhance public trust. The executives influence in judicial appointments must be curtailed if we want decisions that reflect public confidence, Kpebu argued, a point Bentil acknowledged as worth considering.
WACA ResIP 2: Coastal Civil Society Organisations Forum pledge to ensure successful implementation

Shirley Asiedu-Addo Nov - 15 - 2024 , 14:58 3 minutes read

The Coastal Civil Society Organizations Forum (CCF) has pledged to work towards ensuring the successful implementation of the West Africa Coastal Area Resilience Investment Project (WACA ResIP 2).

The Government of Ghana has received financing in grants and loans from the PROBLUE funds and the World Bank under its West Africa Coastal Area Resilience Investment Project (WACA ResIP 2) through the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI).

The WACA Program was developed help countries to protect and restore the ecological, social, and economic assets of coastal areas in the subregion

The overall objective of WACA ResIP 2 in Ghana is to strengthen the resilience of coastal communities in addressing coastal challenges such as coastal erosion, flooding, pollution; ecosystem degradation; and inadequate institutional coordination of policies and programs.

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The Chairman of the CCF, Ken Kinney speaking after a meeting of the CCF on Wednesday said the role of the CCF as recognized by the World Bank was to enrich the project impelmentation for its overall success.

Under the $155 million project, a novel role has been assigned to the CCF to be a "watchdog" and be part of the implementing process to ensure its successful implementation.

The WACA ResIP Two project, would enhance the resilience of selected coastal communities in Accra, and the Volta regions, specifically those within the Korle Lagoon, Densu and the Keta Lagoon areas.

The CCF is represented on the steering and technical committees to ensure projects were implemented judiciously.

Mr Kinney said the CCF was to ensure the government achieved its goal of prudent use of resources for the benefit of communities.

He said it was the expectation of the CCF that the WACA two project would hopefully restore the coastline, build capacity of people in the beneficiary communities to enhance the economies of communities while putting in structures to mitigate coastal erosion through the establishment of grey and green infrastructure.

He said CCF would monitor and produce a shadow report on what the government was doing in relation to WACA ResIP two's implementation not to indict the government but to ensure the government achieved the goals of the WACA project.

Mr Kinney indicated that the CCF came on board the project with a wide range of expertise from various fields and was certain to collaborate with implementing agencies to monitor and recommend supportively towards the attainment of the project goals.

Component two of the Ghana project aims to strengthen institutional and policy frameworks for coastal development, protection, and natural resource management, excluding fisheries. Component three supports physical interventions at multiple sites across Ghana to protect communities from coastal hazards and restore critical coastal ecosystems, and social investments to directly benefit coastal communities which includes a community driven development approach to livelihoods while component four supports national coordination and implementation of the project.

The Coordinator of the CCF, Noble Wadzah said the CCF was committed to working with state agencies to build trust towards the effective implementation of the project.

He said while the CCF had watchdog and monitoring roles, such would be used to guide the project to its success.
Ex-President Kufuor endorses Bawumia as man of the moment for Ghana

GraphicOnline Politics Nov - 14 - 2024 , 17:32 2 minutes read

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has once again expressed confidence in Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Partys (NPP) Presidential Candidate, describing him as unique and the man of the moment for Ghana.

Speaking in an interview with Asempa FM, President Kufuor praised Dr. Bawumias extensive experience and strong character, emphasizing that he is well-prepared to lead Ghana into a transformative future.

President Kufuor shared his observations of Dr. Bawumias career trajectory, lauding his early start as a research assistant to the Governor of the Bank of Ghana at just 31.

He noted Dr. Bawumias steady rise as a professor, a senior consultant to the African Development Bank, a deputy governor of the Central Bank, and Vice President for eight years, underscoring how these roles have shaped him for leadership.

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Bawumia has been well-prepared, and I think his preparation makes him unique for the position, President Kufuor stated.

Qualities as a unifier

President Kufuor highlighted Bawumias ability to unify people across religious and ethnic lines, noting that despite being a Muslim, he maintains strong relationships with Ghanas Christian community.

I have observed his good conduct. He is not divisive, President Kufuor said. He is a northerner, but he gets along so well with everybody. In a country where many try to use religion or ethnicity to create division, Bawumia stands out as a unifier.

International exposure and tech-savvy vision

The former President also pointed out Dr. Bawumias international exposure and understanding of global trends in technology and digitalisation, which he believes are essential for modern leadership.

Bawumia is well-versed in contemporary global issues, whether in America or other developed parts of the world. We need somebody like him who understands modern trends in global affairs and also in technology and digitalisation, President Kufuor added.

He further remarked that just as young American tech billionaires shape the world with digital influence, Ghana could benefit from a leader who grasps the power of technologya strength he sees in Dr. Bawumia.
Next article: Political party campaign financing major cause of corruption  Forum

Former First Lady Lordina Mahama visits Manhyia Palace ahead of 2024 Elections

Kester Aburam Korankye Politics Nov - 15 - 2024 , 09:09 2 minutes read

Mrs. Lordina Dramani Mahama, wife of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential Candidate, has paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and the Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, at the Manhyia Palace.

The visit, according to Mrs. Mahama, was to formally inform the royal family of her intention to campaign in the Ashanti Region and seek their blessings for her husband, John Dramani Mahama, ahead of the 2024 presidential elections.

As we all know, my husband, your son, John Mahama, is contesting for the presidency in December, she remarked. Mrs. Mahama also expressed her deep connection to Manhyia, stating, I always feel at home every time I visit Manhyia, as the Asantehemaa has been like a mother to me.

She underscored the significance of starting her campaign journey in the Ashanti Region with the royal familys blessings, emphasizing its cultural and spiritual importance.

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Royal support and prayers

Nana Asantehemaa warmly welcomed Mrs. Mahama, expressing her joy at the visit and offering prayers for Gods guidance in the upcoming elections.

She acknowledged the competitive nature of Ghanas political process and expressed hope that the nation would elect a leader who will steer the country towards prosperity.

Mrs. Mahama later held a closed-door meeting with Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to seek his blessings and permission as she embarks on her outreach activities across Asanteman.

High-profile delegation

Accompanying the former First Lady was a high-profile delegation, including the NDC Ashanti Regional Chairman, Nana Kwasi Andrew; former Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Mrs. Betty Mould Iddrisu; Deputy Director of Communications, Obuobia Darko-Opoku; former Deputy Defence Minister, Kenneth Adjei; members of the regional womens wing; and parliamentary candidates from the region.
Be resolute as President - Regent tells Bawumia

Daily Graphic Politics Nov - 15 - 2024 , 09:57 2 minutes read

The Regent of Akrofuom, Nana Anim Agyekum II, has called on the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, to be resolute when he becomes President after the December 7, polls.

"As you are coming, stay resolute for God has blessed you with wisdom and bravery, he said.

"The way Ghanaians have accepted you, we have also joined them to embrace you. We have taken you as our son because we know you will not disappoint us."

Nana Agyekum made the call when Dr Bawumia engaged stakeholders in the Akrofuom Constituency as part of his Ashanti Regional campaign tour last Tuesday.

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Dr Bawumia used the occasion to explain his vision for the country.

Welcoming Dr Bawumia on behalf of the chiefs and the people of the area, Nana Agyekum pledged their support to the Vice-President.

Commendation

He commended President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the NPP for the development it had brought to the area.

"Here, our main job is petty trading and we needed a good market for our traders. Now we have a very big market among other projects, he said.

"Future leader, please I want to request that you extend our gratitude to President Akufo-Addo. Tell him that when you came, the people of Akrofuom said they are grateful to him. Tell him the chief and his people are very grateful," he stated.

Nana Agyekum further commended the government for the District Road Improvement Project (DRIP) equipment sent to the district, urging the district to speed up upgrading some roads he mentioned.

Response

Dr Bawumia assured the chiefs and people of the area of his commitment to continuing the support the NPP had given to the community.

He said once they support him to win the election, he would be more accountable to the people because he would have to come back and seek re-election from the people, unlike his opponent, who will not seek re-election.
Ill abolish cocoa syndicated loan scheme - Alan Kyerematen pledges

Daily Graphic Politics Nov - 15 - 2024 , 09:57 3 minutes read

Independent Presidential candidate, Alan Kyerematen, has promised to abolish the longstanding cocoa syndicated loan scheme when given the nod as president on December 7.

He explained that this system, which the country relied on in borrowing dollars to pay farmers in cedis, had directly harmed farmers due to currency depreciation.

The current system forces the government to borrow about $2 billion annually under the guise of helping cocoa farmers, yet pays them in cedis. This discrepancy shortchanges farmers as our currency loses value, causing their earnings to be used to service growing debts, he said.

Mr Kyerematen, who is the leader of the Movement for Change (M4C), made the promise when he addressed chiefs and local communities in the Ahafo Region, a cocoa growing area, during his Caravan Campaign Tour.

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He condemned the current and previous administrations for exploiting cocoa farmers, accusing both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of consistently cheating farmers out of their rightful income.

Cocoa purchases

To replace what he called the flawed system, Mr Kyerematen outlined an innovative approach: borrowing locally in cedis to finance cocoa purchases.

By financing our cocoa purchases with local cedi-denominated funds, we will ensure that when our cocoa is sold internationally, both the country and farmers gain full value. No more will our farmers hard work serve only to pay off foreign loans, he gave an assurance.

Pointing to the current global price of cocoa, which stood at a record $7,960 per tonne, Mr Kyerematen criticised the governments failure to translate those high prices into fair earnings for Ghanaian farmers.

With prices this high, its unforgivable that our farmers still struggle with inadequate compensation. The government is not paying them nearly what they deserve, he stated, adding that his administration would prioritise value addition to cocoa exports.

Transformation

Under his Great Transformational Plan, Mr Kyerematen pledged to process at least 70 per cent of the countrys cocoa locally, converting raw cocoa into finished products such as chocolate to increase revenue.

The real value of cocoa lies in what we create from it. If we export finished products, our farmers will finally see the prosperity they deserve, he explained, emphasising that Ghanas status as the worlds second-largest cocoa producer should be leveraged for greater economic gains.

Another key area he addressed was cocoa pollination. He noted that the current pollination costs were a barrier for most farmers, which has reduced yields significantly.

Our cocoa farmers deserve access to free pollination services to boost their yield. Under my leadership, pollination will be free, allowing farmers to cultivate and harvest more efficiently, he promised.

Private sector

Mr Kyerematen also laid out plans to deepen private sector participation in the cocoa sector, including offloading shares of COCOBOD on the Ghana Stock Exchange.



He proposed a share option scheme that would give farmers a stake in the cocoa market, empowering them to reap greater financial rewards from their hard work.

It is time for our farmers to have ownership in the industry they sustain, he declared.
Political party campaign financing major cause of corruption  Forum

Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson & Frederick Attoh Politics Nov - 15 - 2024 , 06:25 3 minutes read

Stakeholders at an anti-corruption event have identified financing of the campaigns of political parties as one of the major causes of corruption in the country.

They have, therefore, called for legal and institutional reforms to ensure that illicit finances do not flow to political parties and candidates vying for political positions because people use campaign financing as a stepping stone to loot state resources.

Also, they have called for a strong asset declaration regime, a robust public procurement framework, more funding for anti-graft bodies and strengthening the capacities and independence of such institutions to enhance the fight against corruption.

Pledge against corruption

Dubbed Pledge against Corruption (PAC) campaign, the event was organised by the Ghana Anti-Corruption Campaign Coalition , a group of civil society organisations (CSOs) committed to the fight against corruption.

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It was on the theme: Elections and Anti-Corruption: What is the next Government Agenda?

The event was used to highlight the negative effects of corruption and to encourage presidential and parliamentary candidates, political parties and other political actors to pledge to help in the fight against the canker.

Representatives of some political parties, such as the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Convention Peoples Party (CPP), the All Progressive Congress (APC), the Movement for Change (MFC), the Ghana Union Movement (GUM) and the New Force also used the platform to articulate how they intended to fight corruption in the event that they won power in the December elections.

Party and campaign financing

A Senior Member of the CPP, Kwame Jantuah, said the lack of transparency as to who funded political parties and campaigns was a major driving force for corruption.

He said political and campaign financing did not only breed corruption, but also gave rise to impunity and illegality, as party financers were normally given the freedom to engage in all sorts of activities, including illegal ones such as illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey

The problem is a major challenge that confronts all the political parties, making it extremely difficult to be eradicated.

One of the major challenges with political parties in this country is that we cannot institute the due system, because the ordinary people do not have the money, and therefore the politicians must find a way to get money, he said.

Contributing to the discussion, the Executive Director of the Ghana Integrity Initiative, Mary Awelana Addah, said one of the best ways to sanitise political party and campaign financing was to pass a new law or amend the Political Parties Act, 200 (Act 574).

Such a move, she said, would ensure that candidates standing for elections were also scrutinised, just as the accounts of political parties were scrutinised by the Electoral Commission (EC) as stipulated by Act 574.

Act 574 does not help us to sanitise campaign financing because only the political parties, and not the candidates, can be scrutinised by the EC. However, we are aware that most of the campaign finances and donations go through the candidates and not the political parties, she said.

Other views

In the view of the presidential candidate of the APC, Hassan Ayariga, the best way to fight corruption was to have attitudinal change among Ghanaians due to the fact that many people had normalised corruption in their daily dealings.

A former Attorney-General, Joe Ghartey, who represented the NPP, said although much needed to be done against corruption, the government must be lauded for passing laws such as the Whistle Blowers Act, the Anti-Money Laundering Act, the Public Procurement Act and the establishment of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
Well execute mandate to guarantee peace  EC

Emmanuel Bonney Politics Nov - 15 - 2024 , 09:57 3 minutes read

The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa, has stated that the commission will ensure that it executes its mandate to guarantee the peace of the country before, during and after the December 7 polls.

"That is a pledge that I make to you on behalf of the commission, that we will work hard in everything that we do for peace. We will work to ensure the peace of this nation and that means we will work to ensure that when you go home you can sleep in peace," she said.

Mrs Mensa gave an assurance that the EC would not let the nation down but ensure that "your hopes are not turned upside down because of violence and that you can go to school and you can get educated and you can go out and contribute your quota to this country."

Peace message

She stated this when about 100 schoolchildren from eight private schools under the Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNA COPS) paid a courtesy call on her and her two deputies, Dr Eric Bossman Asare and Samuel Tettey, last Wednesday to appeal for peace to prevail before, during and after the 2024 general election.

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The children underscored the need for peace to enable them to go about their studies smoothly and for their growth and development.

Their peace messages were displayed on placards, some of which read "Peace Today, Great Ghana Tomorrow", "Choose Peace, Great Ghana", "Our Future Is Bright With Peace", "For Our Future, Choose Peace", "We Are Ghana's Future, We Choose Peace" and "We Need A Peaceful Environment For Learning".

Contribute

Mrs Mensa stressed the need for all Ghanaians to rise to the occasion and contribute to building the country.

"This is the only country we have and we will surely do everything in our power to protect the peace, to maintain and sustain the peace that we enjoy. We are one.

"This country belongs to all of us. We are indeed one people with one nation. This is the only country that we have," she emphasised and said "we will make sure that we do not disappoint you".

Commendation

Mrs Mensa thanked the leadership of GNA COPS, the executive director, the coordinator and all the members of the association for the visit.

She said it was really a privilege to find innocent children around the table and she did not take that for granted.

"Indeed, when I heard their voices, their beautiful voices singing the peace song, I was of the view that this song should ring throughout this time, until after the elections," she said.

Education

The Executive Director of GNA COPS, Obenfo Nana Kwasi Gyetuah, said on behalf of 3.9 million private school learners across Ghana, "we recognise the power of education in shaping the future generation. Through the Peace Ghana initiative, we aim to promote peaceful elections and responsible citizenship".

One of the students, Seyram Akosua Asempa, said the private school sector had contributed significantly to the country's educational progress.

"Your commitment to transparency, fairness and peace will ensure a successful and inclusive election for all Ghanaians," she said.

Another student, Samuel-Elvin Vayram Ampofo, said they had a dream to spread peace and unity across Ghana.

"We want to create a special event where important leaders can come together and share messages of peace to inspire everyone in our country."
Next article: Ex-President Kufuor endorses Bawumia as man of the moment for Ghana

Kufuor endorses Bawumia's ambitious railway development plan

GraphicOnline Politics Nov - 14 - 2024 , 20:54 2 minutes read

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has praised Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Candidate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia's ambitious plans to develop Ghanas railway network, particularly a major line connecting Tema to the northern regions of the country.

Dr. Bawumia announced his railway expansion vision last week during his campaign tour in the Ashanti Region, emphasising the need for enhanced connectivity from Tema through Boankra to the North, and extending to the Western Region.

In an interview with Asempa FM, former President Kufuor expressed his admiration for the proposed railway project, recognising it as a crucial step for Ghanas national development.

A few days ago, I was listening to him, and he mentioned his plans to prioritise railway development," Kufuor noted. "He spoke about linking Tema through Boankra all the way to the north to open up the country, especially leveraging our iron deposits. This is very promising and indeed the way forward.

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President Kufuor lauded Dr. Bawumias broader policy agenda, underscoring his insights into modern governance as essential for national progress.

Dr. Bawumia is well-prepared for the Presidency and has demonstrated a strong understanding of the issues necessary for transforming a country, he said. "We need somebody like him who understands modern trends in global affairs, technology, and digitalisationthese are the trends in developed nations.

The former president expressed confidence that Dr. Bawumias plan would stimulate economic growth, improve transport efficiency, and enhance industrial opportunities in the regions, positioning Ghana for significant advancement.
While Green River schools continue to strive to improve state and national test results, the district as a whole will be moving forward with new leadership.

Test results

During the Sweetwater County School District No. 2 meeting last Tuesday, November 5, Superintendent Craig Barringer gave an update on the district's WYTOPP and ACT test results from the 2022/2023 school year.

Barringer reported that three schools were "exceeding expectations," two were "meeting expectations," one was "partially meeting expectations," and one school, Truman Elementary, was not meeting expectations for the secon...
As the Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport continues to work on a new terminal and plan for the future, Airport Director Devon Brubaker says that things are going "phenomenally well."

Brubaker gave an update on the airport to the Sweetwater County Board of County Commissioners during their November 5 meeting, going over the progress being made on the new terminal project, the funding the airport has received to cover the project, and some considerations and plans for the future.

"It is on schedule and on budget," Brubaker said of the terminal project. "Everything is happening exactly the way we...
CHEYENNE  Squatting is a nationwide issue thats made it difficult for owners to sell or sometimes even visit their residential property, and Casper law enforcement says Wyoming is not immune to it.

Transient people move into vacant homes, sometimes causing damage to the property, and often refuse to leave after the owner or police confront them. This issue is commonly treated as a civil dispute by law enforcement due to the difficulty of verifying whether the occupant is a legitimate tenant, according to a memo from Pacific Legal Foundation.

Members of the Wyoming Legislatures Joint Judicia...
Both actors and audiences will embark on a "journey to the past" with this weekend's production of "Anastasia" at Western Wyoming Community College.

The large musical is a "huge undertaking," according to Director Stephen Cramer, and bringing it to life has been "quite a project."

Cramer, who is an Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre at Western, has been wanting to do a large-scale show for the theater department. His ultimate bucket-list show to produce and direct would be "Les Miserables," which he starred in on Broadway. Unfortunately, the rights aren't available. But as Cramer considered other musicals, he landed on "Anastasia," which is a musical he's seen performed and a show that he enjoys. He also believed it would be a good opportunity for the college to appeal to and collaborate even more with the community.

With a large cast of approximately 40 people, Cramer knew that Western's theater program wouldn't be able to do the show on their own. So, they reached out to Rock Springs High School to officially collaborate on the production, as well as to the rest of the community to help make it happen. Over half of the cast for "Anastasia" is made up of high schoolers from Rock Springs, and they are joined by others, including two smaller children and one Green River High School student.

"They're really talented kids," Cramer said of all the younger members of the production.

He added that all the high schoolers seem eager to learn as they work alongside the college's theater students and faculty, especially since many of them haven't worked with professionals before. The high schoolers also have a chance to perform in lead roles as they are working as understudies and covers for this production, and will be the main performers for one of the student matinees.

"They're excited about this production, which is fantastic," Cramer added of the students.

The college students are enjoying the production as well, and doing well with it, according to Cramer. With some new students in lead roles, and other students like Green River native Timmy Golightly both acting in this show and helping produce the previous show, there have been some new challenges for the theater department and its students. However, Cramer pointed out that both the high schoolers and college students have risen to any challenge they've been presented with.

Star photo by Hannah Romero

The majority of the difficulties involved with the production have fallen on the director and other crew members, Cramer admitted. When working with such a big cast, figuring out logistics like rehearsal schedules can be challenging and lead to even more time spent on the production. Still, Cramer has a strong team helping him address challenges as they come up.

Many of those helping with this musical are familiar friends in the Western theater department. Stage Manager Jake Webb is a theater program alumnus who now teaches theater for RSHS. Rick Matlock is another Western alumnus who is helping with tech details for the show. And Set and Light Designer Paul Yates has designed previous large musicals at Western like "Chicago" and "Urinetown."

Anthony Romeo-Adcock, the new theater faculty member, has also been helping with the show, primarily as the choreographer. With the official title of Assistant Professor in Musical Theater with an Emphasis in Dance, Romeo-Adcock has focused on the dancing in this production, which is a crucial element in the story that is present throughout the show.

"Anthony has been a huge help," Cramer said, adding that he's enjoyed working with Romeo-Adcock and having such a strong collaborator for the show.

Another crucial crew member that Cramer particularly highlighted is Costume Designer Ivy Kropf. Kropf has helped with costumes for previous Western productions, including the last show, "The Marvelous Wonderettes." Between the two shows, Kropf has been working for the theater department throughout the entire fall, Cramer noted.

Costumes are an especially important part of "Anastasia," which takes place in Russia in the early 1900s, and has characters ranging from poor beggars on the street to military officials to the noble Romanov family. To bring this world to life, Kropf has created many of the costumes herself, sometimes using donated and even antique fabrics.

"These costumes are gorgeous," Cramer said, pointing out that the costuming for this show is "a lot," but that Kropf took the challenge head on, with incredible results.

From the costumes to the dancing to the beautiful music to the talented acting, Cramer is excited about how the show has come together, and he is hopeful that audiences will enjoy it. He noted that at the beginning of the week, the theater department had already sold over 100 seats for opening night, which doesn't usually happen since most people tend to buy their tickets at the door.

"I think there's a buzz around the show," Cramer said.

For those who come to the show because they are fans of the 1997 animated film, Cramer pointed out that the stage musical makes several major changes, but also keeps many of the same songs and will have main recognizable moments throughout. For everyone, Cramer hopes they will enjoy the production and the story's themes about hope, closure, and redemption.

"The past is always present" is the main thought Cramer has had as he's reflected on the show's themes. The past impacts each of the main characters, all of whom are seeking some sort of closure. The story is based on the true events of Russian history and the Romanov dynasty, which is history that Cramer finds fascinating. There also were multiple people who came forward to present themselves as the lost princess Anastasia during the time period, which the story addresses in a way that ultimately remains vague while being perhaps more hopeful than history itself.

Ultimately, through the play itself and the work and collaboration that have gone into making it happen, Cramer hopes "Anastasia" will be an event that the whole community can be excited about.

"Anastasia" opens tonight and will have performances at 7:30 p.m. November 14, 15 and 16, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, November 16. Tickets are $13 for adults or $8 for youth and seniors and are available online or at the door.
Whiskey Goats Outdoor Company celebrated their official grand opening in Sweetwater County last Saturday.

While Whiskey Goats has been selling their products online for several years, they've been working on getting their storefront location up and running. Over the past few months, as they've also worked around hunting season, they've had the store open for limited timeframes.

The coming of the store has generated buzz among Green River residents as well as Rock Springs residents, and been promoted by organizations like the Green River Chamber. Now that the official grand opening has taken pl...
For all its protestations of humility  its just a little corner store  the Corner Store has, in short order, become basically out of reach for the average diner. Good luck popping in. By 5 p.m. on a recent night, a line had formed down West Broadway filled with people hoping for the mere possibility of cancellations or no-shows, and when Id tried my luck around 5:15 p.m. on a Sunday evening not long before, a polite but firm security guard stationed at the door informed me that there would be no cancellations at all. I begged to hear that from the hosts inside, who might have let me at least leave a phone number. The guard let me in, but the hostess, similarly polite, similarly firm, regretted her inability to help. There was, she said, literally no way to take a number, a name: no wait list, no nothing. All she could do, with the serenity of a Kafka bureaucrat, was watch as I opened Resy on my own phone and added a Notify alert.

Such is the power of any place Taylor Swift visits twice in its first five weeks in business, a hot spot reverse-engineered to be a restaurant. The Corner Store, which occupies a former Dos Caminos on West Broadway and Houston, is a joint effort of the Catch Hospitality Group and Tilman Fertitta, who owns both the Houston Rockets and a broad portfolio of casinos, restaurant groups, and chains under the umbrella of Landrys, Inc. Catch brings a somewhat faded but nevertheless celeb-y cachet  an insulting mention of the Meatpacking location was bleeped out of last seasons The Real Housewives of New York City  and Fertitta brings, among many others, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., the Palm, and Houlihans.

If Catch Steak married a Houlihans and borrowed some grilled artichokes with a vat of luxury spinach dip from Houstons, the result would likely be something like the Corner Store. Its steaks and Caesar salads are as approachable as its tables are not. The long, windowless dining room is paneled in wood, brass, and mirror, and hanging are framed photos of stylish celebrities of yore. If the Corner Store were merely an ersatz Polo Bar  masculine, impregnable, reassuring  it would have been enough.

But the Corner Stores stated intention seems to be something odder still: adult cuisine as imagined by children. Nostalgia is a key driver of the menu, for chef as much as for clientele. I was a latchkey kid, Michael Vignola, the amiable culinary director of Catch, said when he strolled by my table one night. I exploded a lot of eggs in the microwave. His technique has improved, but the same after-school spirit animates the menu, like viral five-cheese pizza rolls stuffed with pepperoni, popular enough that one cooks full days are devoted to rolling them. (A foie-gras-and-jelly Uncrustable, meanwhile, died in development.) The spinach-and-artichoke dip, despite being presented in a French-made copper braiser, is served with carrot sticks and celery, and there are seven martinis on the menu, with none so popular as a sour-cream-and-onion version, cream-washed and plush, with a sidecar of Zapps potato chips.

Well, its fair to say, so what? When dissension reigns, plenty of people go in search of comfort, the kiddier the better. Shortly after 5 p.m. on Election Night, there wasnt a free seat in the house. The menu is filled with gimmicks, but gimmicks in the service of fun. That leaves us grumpy critics holding the bag, forced to run on a losing platform: Down With Fun. Not fun enough to get in, not fun enough to have fun once we  through some indirect, but still regrettable, string-pulling, let me confess  do. We should probably let the funstaurants exist in peace  reserving the mild charge of dining adjacent to Antoni Porowski, whom I passed at the bar on one recent visit, or Jane Krakowski, who beamed out from a side table on another, for those who enjoy it, as perhaps its best enjoyed, with a hot side of Totinos (Taylors Version).

Aside from a Caesar salad I found truly objectionable  decorated (why?) with fried balls of cream cheese and everything-bagel croutons  the food at the Corner Store is no better than it needs to be and no worse than that of many other places. Vignola and his team make a serviceable, if overcharred, steak with some very decent frites: Not the McDonalds style that proliferate elsewhere but hand-cut, skin-on, and ready for dunking into an imitation of McDonalds ultrasweet secret sauce the restaurant calls, for reasons unclear, McOli Sauce. (The Oli character, an imaginary avatar of vibes, pops up all over the menu.) I enjoyed them more when dragged through the garlicky, peppery butter of a lobster-frites, a two-pounder removed and then repatriated to its shell, a recipe Vignola has made since his days at 12th Streets Strip House (also a Fertitta property).

Theres no burger on the menu, which comes as a surprise until one realizes  as Vignola did  that if there were, hed sell nothing but. Instead, there is a squishy French dip of rib eye, so beefy and salty after its au jus dunk that I longed for a little onion, or anything, to adulterate it.

If the Corner Store annoys me, and it does, its not because it doesnt want me there. Impenetrable scenes with so-so food are a tradition in this city, but counter to the name, this store feels like it could be exported to any corner, anywhere. Which, naturally, seems to be the point. On Catchs corporate website, the Corner Store isnt described as a restaurant at all; its a concept. Catch has already proliferated (Dallas and Scottsdale are coming soon), and the Corner Store will doubtless follow in its path. Its built for it, right down to the restaurants mascot, a bow-tied little waiter carrying a martini over his shoulder like a bindle and stick. A man on the move  hes ready to go.
The Huawei Mate 70 series was coming, and now we know when. Richard Yu, CEO of the CBG Division, revealed the phones will arrive on November 26.

The executive did not reveal more details, but he confirmed a new luxury car brand called Maextro will also debut.

Richard Yu at the 2024 Guangzhou Auto Show

Yu revealed the date during an interview at the 2024 Guangzhou Auto Show. The announcement comes as a surprise because Huawei Mobile's social media accounts are still silent on the matter.

We expect to see at least four phones - Huawei Mate 70, Mate 70 Pro, Mate 70 Pro+, and Mate 70 RS Ultimate. All of them should have HarmonyOS Next, Huawei's first OS, which is allegedly not based on an AOSP build.

The phones could also introduce a new HiSilicon chip, dubbed Kirin 9100. Reports claim it is built on a 6 nm node by SMIC and it may be on par with Snapdragon 888 or the Dimensity 9000.

Source (in Chinese) | Via
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Samsung has been working on One UI 7 based on Android 15 for a long while, and the release of the first beta has seen many delays, in a rumored effort by the company to improve its skin significantly.

Major improvements do however mean major changes, and those never come without many nasty bugs. According to the prolific tipster Ice Universe, that's exactly what you should expect from the first One UI 7 beta, whenever it does finally arrive.

One UI 7 Beta may not be launched smoothly, and there are too many bugs. Even in the latest version of XKB, there are still bugs in animation, and they are new bugs.

There are too many things that Samsung has fallen behind in recent years. It is very difficult for them to make up  ICE UNIVERSE (@UniverseIce) November 15, 2024

Of course, it being a beta, you would naturally expect some issues to occur - otherwise it would go straight to a stable release. But Ice Universe claims that this will be a pretty rough beta, with many animation-related bugs, including new ones that have been introduced in the latest internal test builds.

That also makes sense since animations are a big focus for what's changing in One UI 7 (thankfully, we might add). While Ice Universe mentions Samsung has "fallen behind" in a lot of ways, software-wise, in recent years, he is optimistic about the Korean company's ability to fix all of the problems in the near future. And it all starts with the One UI 7 release, which may arrive, in its first public beta form, as early as next week.
University of Guam students have developed bilingual resources for Korean tourists visiting Guam.

Lynsey Lee, PhD, an adjunct professor who helped design and launch the Korean language courses at UOG, initiated the project in her Elementary Korean classes, KO101 and KO102, leading to the students completion of the K-Tourism project.

After identifying and reaching out to community partners, the students developed brochures with relevant information and tips in Korean and English.

The K-Tourism project was an opportunity for the students to apply their Korean language learning experience in practical settings, Lee said in a release.

The students collaborated with various local organizations and businesses, including restaurants, car rental companies, government agencies, and a medical facility.

Once the brochures were completed, the students delivered them to their community partners for use with Korean-speaking clients.

Beyond the classroom

This semester marked the first time Lee assigned the K-Tourism project in her KO101 and KO102 classes. Lee has taught them since 2017.

For much of that time, she offered courses asynchronously on Moodle, the universitys official online learning platform. Despite the remote format, she strives to create interactive and engaging student experiences.

The idea for the K-Tourism project came earlier this year when Lee attended the Intensive Project-Based Language Learning Design Studio, organized by the National Foreign Language Resource Center at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Working with expert facilitators and fellow participants, Lee developed the K-Tourism project as a PBLL initiative tailored to her students and Guams tourism industry.

I sought to develop a learning experience that engages students and links their studies to activities outside the Moodle classroom, Lee said in a statement. The project enabled them to contribute directly to the community, foster cultural understanding, and improve communication between visitors and local residents.

Moving forward

Encouraged by the success of this semesters project, Lee plans to integrate the K-Tourism project into her future Elementary Korean classes at UOG.

She highlights the value of academic projects that give students hands-on learning experiences while benefiting the broader community.

I hope my students recognize that language learning can have a positive and tangible impact on themselves and the local community, Lee said.

For more information on the K-Tourism project or UOGs Korean language classes, contact Lynsey Lee at leel7998@triton.uog.edu.
Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, in a letter to the Pacific Island Forum secretary general, said Guam supports efforts to address sea level rise as it disproportionately affects island communities.

Guam recently became an associate member of the Pacific Island Forum which the governor described as a formidable group as global focus has shifted to the Indo-Pacific region.

Leon Guerrero has said the move is a great elevation of stature for Guam and the island can participate in high-level discussions on key issues facing the region such as the environment.

The governor sent a letter to PIF Secretary General Baron Waqa to support the PIF Declaration on Preserving Maritime Zones in the Face of Climate Change Related Sea Level Rise, dated Aug. 6, 2021, at the 51st Pacific Island Forum meeting and the PIF Declaration on the Continuity of Statehood and the Protection of Persons in the Face of Climate Change-Related Sea Level Rise, dated Aug. 6, 2023, at the 52nd Pacific Island Forum meeting.

Her letter of support follows a hearing hosted by the United Nations on Sept. 25.

This was the first hearing on sea level rise at the urging of Pacific leaders in the PIF, according to a release from Adelup. Sea level rise is of utmost concern to islanders, but until now, it has been packaged in the broader issues of climate change. The issue is devastating to many island governments that are already struggling, the release states.

Guam is well aware of the importance of sovereignty in the context of sea-level rise. These are issues that disproportionately affect our island communities. No island government should suffer diminished autonomy or territorial sovereignty, including in its exclusive economic zone, because of the impacts of sea-level rise, Leon Guerrero wrote to Waqa.

She wrote that sea level rise is devastating to many island communities confronting the mounting challenges of persistent droughts, coastal erosion, and high tides that salt aquifers and destroy crops. Severe capacity constraints hinder response to extreme weather conditions that lead to coral bleaching events that impact coastal fishing communities and their livelihoods, she wrote.

Adelup said Guam understands too well what happens when remote atoll islands get hit with drought and high tides. Very quickly, their food and water security is compromised; many of them cannot wait for the rains to come back and wash out the salt water from the taro patches.

So they leave their atoll island and move to a larger, higher island. This creates waves of impact on housing, jobs, healthcare, and education for the host governments as climate change refugees flee islands ravaged by the rise in sea levels, Adelup said.

Leon Guerrero attended the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting held from August 26 to 30 in Nukualofa, Tonga.

Leaders from all over the world such as Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East also attended the meeting.

Previously Guam held observer status, but as an associate member it now has a seat at the table where we can voice our concerns, we can share our ideas, but we are not a voting member, Leon Guerrero has said.

The PIF was formed in 1971 as the South Pacific Forum, it changed its name in 1999 to be more inclusive of the forums Oceania-spanning membership of both north and south Pacific island countries.

The PIF has set a strategy for a 2050 Blue Pacific continent. A statement of the leaders commitment said, We occupy a vitally significant place in global strategic terms. As a consequence, heightened geopolitical competition impacts our member countries.
U.S. Florida schools pulled hundreds of books last year

Xinhua) 09:12, November 15, 2024

NEW YORK, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- School districts in the southeastern U.S. state of Florida axed about 700 books from school libraries in the 2023-2024 school year, according to a Florida Department of Education list.

PEN America, a free speech advocacy group, estimates that 4,561 books have been removed from Florida school libraries since July 2021, The Washington Post reported.

Some of the removed titles are works of classic literature, including "A Clockwork Orange" by Anthony Burgess, "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut and "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou, according to PEN America's online tracker.

The book removals follow a law that allows parents or local residents to push for the removal of any book that "depicts or describes sexual content" or is "pornographic." The office of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has previously said the law "protects children from indoctrination" and gives parents "the ability to object to inappropriate materials."

"Florida has been at the forefront of a national clash over how race, history and sexuality can be taught in school," reported The Washington Post about the development. In August, a group of major publishers, authors and parents sued Florida education officials, alleging the law that allows local residents to limit what books are available in school libraries violates the First Amendment.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)




Haiti - FLASH : Nearly 500% increase in gunshot wounds in 4 days





The Ministry of Public Health and Population deplores the difficult situation developing in Port-au-Prince causing many victims and challenges to overcome.



Since the escalation of violence by armed gangs, the University Hospital of Peace (HUP) has received nearly 36 people injured by gunshots from November 11 to 14, 2024 in the morning, confirms Dr. Paul Junior Fontilus, Medical Director of the HUP, while previously, the hospital received 2 people injured by gunshots on average per day... an increase of nearly 500% posing many challenges to overcome both in human resources and intrans.



Georges Fils Brignol, the Minister of Public Health (MSPP) has already undertaken several actions to strengthen the hospital's capacity and enable it to continue to receive and provide quality care to those who need it.



While Minister Brignol maintains close contact with the Director of the Hopital de la Paix and other medical infrastructures to address this difficult situation, he asks everyone, on behalf of the Ministry, to cooperate with each other.



S/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Politic : CARICOM concerned about transitional governance in Haiti





On Thursday, 14 November 2024, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) expressed its deep concern regarding the transitional governance process in Haiti.



CARICOM said it recognized the dedicated contribution of former Prime Minister Garry Conille and looked forward to an upcoming meeting with the new Prime Minister, Alix Didier Fils-Aime and continued dialogue with the leadership of the Haitian Government.



"With the passage of time, the pressure of the approaching deadlines for attaining the major objectives of the transition process and the end-state, the conduct of free and fair elections and the seating of a new and democratically elected government, becomes more urgent.."



In its statement, CARICOM noted that cohesion and consistency regarding the roles and responsibilities of the key actors in the transition process, as well as accountability, will be essential ingredients for the "ultimate success of the transition in the months ahead."



"The Community continues to believe that Democracy can thrive only with compromise and respect for the rule of law as well as a demonstrable commitment to the security and the welfare of its citizens, and an early restoration of constitutional order and democratic institutions."



Meanwhile in Haiti, 3 days after the installation of Alix Didier Fils-Aime, the Transitional Presidential Council and the new Prime Minister are struggling to form a new ministerial cabinet. The distribution of ministries is said to be the cause of the blockage, clan interests seem to take precedence over the interests of the population...



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping





Elite Swat Officer Killed

Jeff Petit-Dieu, an elite Swat officer from the 31st class, was fatally wounded in combat during an anti-gang operation in Solino.



Climate Grant : Call for Projects

The United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) Caribbean Climate Investment Program (CCIP) is seeking applications for small grants of up to US$70,000 for climate-related activities. This opportunity is open to private companies, NGOs, cooperatives, and universities. The deadline for submission is December 15, 2024. For more information and to submit your project, please visit the official CCIP website: https://airtable.com/appdvtTQ99F3lQ2nB/shrUZ4IvtoyDmUYRH



PAP Airport : Security Assessment

On Thursday, November 14, the authorities of the National Office of Civil Aviation (OFNAC) announced that they are assessing the security situation of the perimeter of Toussaint Louverture International Airport in order to restore security.



Towards a new fuel shortage

Port-au-Prince and Petion-ville are beginning to experience a fuel shortage. Most gas stations are out of stock but there is fuel at the Varreux oil terminal there is a reserve of 22 days of Diesel, 18 days of Kerosene and 19 days of gasoline and two ships are scheduled for next week. However, tanker trucks have not been able to go to the terminal since Monday because of the armed violence.



A CPT Advisor threatens to kill a former Minister

Jonas Coffy, former Minister of Commerce and Industry under the Jouthe administration, reportedly received death threats from Louis Gerald Gilles, one of the 3 Transitional President Advisors accused in the corruption case of the National Credit Bank (BNS) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43336-haiti-flash-the-ulcc-in-the-bnc-case-requests-criminal-actions-against-3-transitional-advisors-report.html These threats come following his statement on Radio Caraibes, where he demanded the sidelining of the 3 advisors cited in this corruption case.



Hundreds of residents flee Solino

Hundreds of residents of Solino, Delmas 24, Nazon and Christ-des bandits from the gang coalition "Viv Ansanm" have abandoned their homes and taken refuge in the premises of the Office of Citizen Protection (OPC), the party "Konvanston Inite demokratik" (KID) in Bourdon and schools...



HL/ HaitiLibre


















An international research team has used the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to discover three "red monster galaxies" in the early universe that "challenge" our current theories on galaxy formation. This was made public by the University of Geneva, from where the work was led. According to the study, we see all three in a state less than a billion years after the Big Bang and yet they are almost as massive as our Milky Way. The discovery represents "an exciting puzzle", says co-author Stijn Wuyts from the University of Bath. At the same time, his team assures that the discovery does not fundamentally contradict the so-called standard model of cosmology.

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Grown much faster than thought possible

As the group explains, it is assumed that galaxies in the early cosmos grew steadily and comparatively slowly, controlled by huge structures of dark matter. Typically, only around 20 percent of the gas present would become stars, but the three galaxies would cast doubt on this. They suggest that galaxies at the beginning of the cosmos grew much faster and formed stars much more efficiently than thought possible. Overall, stars were formed almost twice as efficiently in all three galaxies than in others of this epoch and also much later than in ordinary galaxies. Because they contain a lot of dust, they are only visible to the JWST, namely strongly reddened.

The unexpected properties of the three galaxies would change our understanding of early galaxy formation, says lead author Mengyuan Xiao. Once again, they would contribute to the finding that the James Webb Space Telescope finds too many galaxies too early in the universe. Nevertheless, the team sees no fundamental contradiction to the standard model of cosmology. The central theory of the development of our universe would therefore only have to be adapted to explain such rapidly growing, early galaxies. Other researchers do not see it this way. They believe that the early galaxies are an indication of a larger error.

Just this week, four researchers from the USA and Italy presented their theory that the many early and unexpectedly massive galaxies in the JWST data set cannot be explained by the standard model of cosmology. They believe that they could be better explained by so-called Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND). This not only predicts much faster evolving galaxies in the early universe, it also manages without dark matter. This is not the first attempt to position the theory, which was developed 40 years ago, as an alternative. The discovery of the three "red monsters" is now presented in the scientific journal Nature.

Read also James Webb Telescope: galaxy discoveries are set to shake up the standard model

(mho)
President Alexander Stubb on Tuesday announced at Cop-29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, that Finland will channel additional financing to poor countries, calling particular attention to island states that are at risk of becoming uninhabitable due to rising sea levels.

LEADING Finnish policy-makers are touring international climate conferences pledging climate financing for developing countries all the while making dramatic cuts in the financing at home, reports YLE.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs later specified that the country will contribute 2.5 million euros to the Systematic Observations Finance Facility (SOFF), a financing instrument designed to enable countries with the most severe weather and climate data gap to procure and institute systems for the early detection of floods and other extreme weather events.

A similar announcement was made at Cop-28 in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, in 2023. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) pledged at his opening remarks at the conference that the government would pay three million dollars into the newly established loss and damage fund.

Both announcements suggest a double standard, YLE wrote on Thursday.

Finnish Development NGOs (Fingo) calculated in a report published earlier this month that the current government will cut climate financing to the tune of hundreds of millions of euros by the end of the electoral term. Most of the cuts, it highlighted, appear to be targeted at key mechanisms of climate financing, including the largest climate fund in the world, the Green Climate Fund.

A critical element of the Paris Agreement, the Fund has provided financial support to countries replacing fossil with renewable energy sources.

Fingo reported that the national contribution to the fund will be slashed from 100 million to 60 million euros, in line with an announcement made last year by Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio (PS). Another 17 million euros, the report reveals, is to be saved by cutting off funding entirely for the Adaptation Fund, the Least Developed Countries Fund, Climate Risk and Early Warnings System (CREWS) and SOFF.

Stubb on Tuesday thus effectively promised to restore most of the three million euros that had already been earmarked for SOFF.

Theyve now simply called off the plan to cut off funding, Niko Humalisto, an advocacy specialist at the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission (Felm), commented to YLE from Baku on Tuesday.

While the promise is a step in the right direction, he criticised the government for double standards. The EU is presently the largest source of climate financing worldwide, with the amount contributed to various financial mechanisms in principle growing.

Finland is moving in the wrong direction. This is a good example of free-riding, said Humalisto.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
(JTA) - Bernie Marcus, the billionaire who co-founded Home Depot and became a Republican megadonor and supporter of civic and political causes in the United States and Israel, has died.

Marcus, 95, died late Monday in Boca Raton, Florida. His death came on the eve of an election into which he had poured millions of dollars to support Donald Trump and Republicans across the country.

In the final political donation recorded publicly before his death, made in July, Marcus gave $1 million to the United Democracy Project, a campaign fundraising group affiliated with the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC that...
(JNS)  Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas demanded on Monday that the U.N. sanction Israel for alleged breaches of its charter and failure to implement resolutions, Ramallahs Wafa news outlet reported.

Addressing the U.N.s World Urban Forum in Cairo, Abbas said Israel should be penalized for what he called its failure to fulfill its obligations upon gaining U.N. membership in 1949 and for not adhering to General Assembly resolutions 181 and 194, according to the Wafa news report.

U.N. General Assembly Resolution 181 was adopted in 1947 and called for the partition of the British Ma...
(JNS) - A video clip of two Hamas terrorists discussing Almog Sarusi, 27, one of the hostages taken captive on Oct. 7, 2023, was aired by Israeli public broadcaster Kan News on Wednesday.

Sarusi was killed along with five other hostages in a Hamas tunnel in Rafah in southern Gaza. His body was discovered along with those of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Carmel Gat and Ori Danino.

The video was found on a USB flash drive in the tunnel near where the bodies were discovered.

It shows an Al Jazeera news report on TV. On screen is footage of a demonstration in Israel in...
(New York Jewish Week)  Republican Rep. Mike Lawler retained his seat in New Yorks 17th Congressional District in a race that saw both candidates vie for the areas large Jewish vote and spar over support for Israel.

The race was one of several swing districts in New York State that could sway control of the House.

Lawler defeated Democratic challenger Mondaire Jones in the district, which covers territory north of New York City in Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess and Westchester counties. Lawler won around 57 percent of the vote, 16 points ahead of Jones, and is projected to win in every county i...
(JNS)  The United Nations said in a letter Tuesday that finding a replacement for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, which Israel banned for its terror ties, was Jerusalems responsibility.

If UNRWA is no longer able to operate it would be the responsibility of the Israeli authorities to replace its services that it delivers to civilians, in education, in health, and all sorts of other areas, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres chef de cabinet, Courtenay Rattray, wrote to an Israeli foreign affairs official on Tuesday, saying...
(JNS)  An Israeli low-cost airline is planning to launch flights between Israel and New York this winter, ending the wartime monopoly on the popular route by Israels flagship carrier El Al, the Israeli Ministry of Transportation said on Wednesday.

The move, which envisions four weekly flights on Israir from Tel Aviv to Newark Liberty International Airport, comes at a time when flights on U.S. carriers to and from Tel Aviv remain suspended due to the security situation, and as El Al is facing an investigation for price gouging on tickets due to the dearth of available seats.

Israir is in the...
(JNS)  The Knesset on Thursday night approved the appointment of Israel Katz as defense minister, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Yoav Gallant from the position earlier this week.

The legislature also approved Gideon Saars appointment to replace Katz as the Jewish states foreign minister.

The Knesset voted 58-0 in favor of the appointments, with opposition lawmakers boycotting the session.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus firing of Gallant was legal, Israels attorney general informed the countrys High Court on Thursday.

In a statement released by his office on Tuesday, N...
(JNS)  The dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday led to a battle of narratives as the Prime Ministers Office said Gallant was fired over disagreements connected to the wars conduct while the opposition tried to frame the move as petty politics.

Four opposition leaders held a joint press conference at the Knesset in Jerusalem on Wednesday, accusing Netanyahu of dismissing Gallant in order to pass a draft-dodger bill needed to placate his ultra-Orthodox coalition partners and keep his government from toppling.

Yair Lapid of the Yesh Atid...
(JNS) - Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu "see eye-to-eye on the Iranian threat in all its aspects," the Israeli premier said on Sunday following phone calls with the American.

"In recent days, I have spoken three times with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump," Netanyahu revealed in written remarks published by the Prime Minister's Office on Sunday afternoon.

The "very good and important talks" were meant to "further enhance the steadfast bond" with Washington, Netanyahu said.

"We see eye-to-eye on the Iranian threat in all its aspects and on the dangers they reflect," he said. "We also see t...
(JNS) - Amid a sharp increase in Jew-hatred after Hamas's Oct. 7, 2023, terror attack in southern Israel, many elected officials and university presidents stood silent. That's why Shurat HaDin-Israel Law Center gathered Jewish groups to "find ways to start fighting back," Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, the Israeli nonprofit's president, told JNS.

Shurat HaDin aimed "to retake the streets, to retake the campuses, to retake the social media, to combat antisemitism in a way that we haven't," Darshan-Leitner said. "We are no longer victims. We are fighting."

The nonprofit organized an Oct. 31 "Rage Agai...
(JNS)  President-elect Donald Trump wants Israel to wrap up its wars against Iran and its regional terror proxies with a decisive victory, campaign spokeswoman Elizabeth Pipko told Channel 12 News on Wednesday.

I would say he expects them to end it by winning it, one hundred percent; thats how he always talks about ending wars, the Jewish Republican Party spokesperson told the Israeli news broadcaster.

Donald Trump always says he wants less innocent people to diethat is his stance whether were talking about the war in Gaza, whether were talking about Russia in Ukraine or anywhere els...
(JTA)  WASHINGTON  As midnight arrived on the East Coast, it appeared increasingly likely that Donald Trump would retake the presidency  a victory that would reshape the United States and that could change its relationship with Israel while ushering in an administration whose domestic priorities do not match those of most American Jews.

That victory was confirmed early Wednesday morning when news agencies called Wisconsin for Trump, confirming that he had passed the 270 electoral vote threshold needed to win.

The tally made clear that Trump had successfully convinced a majority of voters to...
(JNS)  An American soldier who was critically hurt six months ago while on the Biden administrations Gaza-aid pier mission died of his injuries last week, the U.S. military announced on Monday.

Sgt. Quandarius Davon Stanley, 23, served in the 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary) out of Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia and was injured in a non-combat incident on May 23. He died on Oct. 31.

The fallen soldier was injured while supporting the mission that delivered humanitarian aid to Gaza in May 2024 and was receiving treatment in a long-term care medical center, Capt. Shkeila Milfo...
(JNS)  The 1979 takeover of Iran by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and the Revolutionary Guards, once seen by some as a hope for change, has become a nightmare for millions. Decades of repressionmass executions, torture, religious coercion and severe suppression of rightshave fueled widespread disillusionment among the Iranian populace. Irans violent, isolationist foreign policy has further estranged its people and amplified their yearning for freedom.

Amid this landscape, Israels recent Operation Days of Repentanceits first direct strike on Iransignals a pivotal shift. Irans ambitions...
(JNS)  In a recent bold move, Israels parliament voted to end the nations relationship with the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees. This decision, with overwhelming support from both the ruling coalition and the opposition, has now been ratified by the Israeli government.

This decision is not merely a political stance; it reflects a growing recognition that UNRWA has become a vessel for terrorism rather than a lifeline for those it purports to help.

UNRWA was formed at the end of the War of Independence in 1949, born in a sin of privileging Palestinian refugees over all oth...
(JNS)  American foreign policy can be quite resistant to change. When it comes to the Arab-Israeli conflict, that inertia includes a perennial refusal to take a decisive position on the so-called Palestinian right of return. The result has been decades of failed peace negotiations. With renewed talk of a two-state solution, its important to revisit this issue as a new approach is in order.

During the 1948 Israeli War of Independence, approximately 700,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled from what is now the State of Israel. Those refugees were housed in Judea and Samaria, the Gaza Strip a...
China boosts job efforts for 12.22 million college 2025 grads

Global Times) 09:36, November 15, 2024

China's Ministry of Education (MOE) and Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security are ramping up efforts to support employment and entrepreneurship initiatives for college graduates, as the number is expected to reach 12.22 million this year, China Central Television reported on Thursday.

This year's number will be an increase of 430,000 from the previous year, according to the report.

The MOE has been providing guidance to universities to enhance employment opportunities for college graduates through a range of measures and support systems implemented across various regions and institutions.

Universities across the country have organized more than 55,000 recruitment events since September, offering about 10.93 million pieces of job information.

The MOE recently launched a national recruitment event specifically targeting the education sector, aiming to provide more than 180,000 jobs through online and on-site events.

The ministry said that it plans to continue organizing targeted recruitment events in key regions and industries, and for specific groups, to actively build a platform between universities and enterprises and to provide more quality job opportunities for graduates.

Li Chang'an, a professor at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, noted that recent policy measures have established a supportive framework for college students seeking employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

"If these policies continue to be effectively implemented, the pressure on employment for college graduates may see a significant alleviation," Li told the Global Times on Friday.

Additionally, as the economy recovers, labor demand is gradually increasing, with new business models emerging alongside traditional industries, Li said.

Moreover, the options for Chinese jobseekers are growing increasingly diverse, with 19 new professions added recently to the country's list of officially recognized occupations.

More than half of the new professions involve digital and smart technologies, such as operators of generative artificial intelligence systems, smart-vehicle testers and industrial-internet maintenance workers, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

The job market has remained stable as the average surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.1 percent in the first three quarters, down from 5.3 percent a year earlier, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday named four of his top campaign advisers to take key roles within the White House when he returns to office in January. Dan Scavino, Stephen Miller, James Blair and Taylor Budowich will take on the roles, Trump said in the statement.

"Dan, Stephen, James, and Taylor were 'best in class' advisors on my winning campaign, and I know they will honorably serve the American people in the White House," he said. "They will continue to work hard to Make America Great Again in their respective new roles."

Miller has been appointed assistant to the president, deputy chief of staff for policy, and homeland security adviser. Blair, who served as the political director for the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee, will take on the role of assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff for legislative, political, and public affairs.

Scavino will serve as assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff, while Budowich has been designated assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel.

Trump has quickly moved to finalize his Cabinet and senior staff appointments this week following his election victory.

The president-elect announced Wednesday that former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino will return to his previous role and additionally serve as an assistant to the president.

Trump on Wednesday announced Taylor Budowich, former head of the MAGA Inc. super PAC, as White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications. He also confirmed Stephen Miller as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Adviser, and James Blair, his campaign political director, for a senior staff role.

He also named Elon Musk to lead the new Department of Government Efficiency ("DOGE") alongside Vivek Ramaswamy. Pete Hegseth, a combat veteran and Fox News host, was tapped as Secretary of Defense, while former Cabinet Secretary William McGinley will serve as White House Counsel.
The European Parliament on Thursday approved a one-year delay on implementing the bloc's sweeping anti-deforestation rules but also voted to loosen some requirements -- raising fresh uncertainty over the landmark law.

The move triggered an outcry from environmental groups, which accused lawmakers of adding loopholes to a bill hailed as a major breakthrough in the fight to protect nature and combat climate change.

"It's a dark day for Europe's environmental credentials," said Julian Oram, policy director at advocacy group Mighty Earth. Global Witness said lawmakers had taken a "chainsaw" to the deforestation ban.

Parliament was called to sign off on a delay requested by the European Commission following pressure from trading partners such as Brazil and the United States, and some member states including Germany.

But lawmakers on the right used the vote to bring new amendments, passed with support from both right-wing and far-right groups.

Centrist lawmaker Yvan Verougstraete said the amendments had emptied the bill of its substance and could for instance see China -- a major contributor to global deforestation -- relieved of "all obligations".

Environmentalists said the changes would amount to exempting some EU nations entirely from the scope of the law.

The amendments de facto restart the legislative process, as the new text needs to be re-discussed by the commission and member states.

But environmental groups are calling on the former to pull the plug on the process by withdrawing its initial postponement request.

"The European Commission should never have opened the door to this chaos in the first place, and must now withdraw its proposal to prevent further damage. The world's forests cannot wait," said Greenpeace EU forest policy director Sebastien Risso.

A spokesman for the EU executive said "the commission needs to analyse the result of the vote before taking a position.

"For now we have taken note" he added.

The legislation prohibits a vast range of goods -- from coffee to cocoa, soy, timber, palm oil, cattle, printing paper and rubber -- if produced using land that was deforested after December 2020.

Firms importing the merchandise in question to the 27-nation EU would be responsible for tracking their supply chains to prove goods did not originate from deforested zones, relying on geolocation and satellite data.

Exporting countries considered high-risk would have at least nine percent of products sent to the EU subjected to checks, with the proportion falling for lower-risk ones.

Among the amendments introduced Thursday was the creation of a "no risk" category that would see products from some countries -- such as Germany -- face virtually no scrutiny.

Lawmaker Celine Imart of the centre-right EPP group, which proposed the changes, said this was to ensure that European companies were not unfairly penalised by excessive administrative burdens.

"It is crucial that the obligations apply primarily to those who are really responsible for deforestation on a global scale," she said, adding that forests had expanded in Europe in recent decades.

Yet Julia Christian, a campaigner at environmental group Fern, said it was the equivalent of giving "EU forested countries a free pass".

"The message to the rest of the world is unmistakable: you must stop destroying your forests, but the EU won't end the widespread degradation afflicting its forests," she said.

EU imports are responsible for 16 percent of global deforestation, according to WWF data.

Forests absorb carbon and are a vital element in fighting climate change. They are also critical for the survival of endangered plants and animals, such as orangutans and lowland gorillas.

The EU ban was initially set to take effect at the end of this year.

The commission proposed a delay in October after countries in Asia, Africa and the Americas complained that the rules increased production and export costs, especially for smallholders.

Others had objected that the EU was late to issue compliance guidelines as well as a clear benchmarking system to divide countries into different risk categories.
President Joe Biden's administration officials are racing against the clock to distribute billions in grants and implement final measures to safeguard key aspects of the president's legacy before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office in January.

Trump has vowed to roll back unspent funds from Biden's signature climate and health care legislation and halt clean-energy development projects. The Biden administration is also focusing on urging swift Senate approval for judicial nominees to secure long-term influence on the courts.

"There's only one administration at a time," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told reporters at a news conference Thursday, the Associated Press reported. "That's true now, and it will also be true after January 20th. Our responsibility is to make good use of the funds that Congress has authorized for us and that we're responsible for assigning and disbursing throughout the last three years."

Officials are working to ensure that projects funded under the $1 trillion infrastructure law and $375 billion climate law continue seamlessly beyond Biden's term.

"We are investing in better transportation systems that touch every corner of the country and in the workers who will manufacture materials and build projects,Buttigieg said. "Communities are going to see safer commutes, cleaner air and stronger supply chains that we all count on.

Meanwhile, Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh said this week that President Biden is determined to "spend down the authority that Congress has allocated and authorized before he leaves office." To meet this goal, the administration must expedite $7.1 billion in weapons transfers  $4.3 billion from the 2024 supplemental budget and $2.8 billion from recalculated savings  ensuring the funds are obligated before President-elect Trump takes office.

The Education Department is also racing to finalize a federal rule to cancel student loans for borrowers facing financial hardship. The proposal, one of Biden's few surviving student loan initiatives, remains in a public comment period until Dec. 2. Afterward, officials will have limited time to implement the rule, a process that typically takes months and is likely to face legal challenges.
Post-00s 'auto repair girl' receives invitation to final job interview before graduation

People's Daily Online) 10:07, November 15, 2024

Gu Huijing, a post-00s Chinese girl who is widely known by Chinese netizens as "the female student who studies car repair", displays an invitation card for directly taking part in the final round of a job interview. (Photo courtesy of the official WeChat account of People's Daily)

Gu Huijing, a post-00s Chinese girl who is widely known by netizens across the country as "auto repair girl", was recently invited to the final round of a job interview by an executive from an automaker.

The executive extended the invitation to Gu at the recently concluded finals of the 2024 Formula Student Electric China (FSEC), a race car design competition aimed at facilitating the cultivation of young talents for China's automobile industry.

The competition brought together 82 teams from China, Germany, and Singapore.

Gu Huijing (first from right), a post-00s Chinese girl who is widely known by Chinese netizens as "auto repair girl," takes part in the finals of the 2024 Formula Student Electric China (FSEC), a race car design competition aimed at facilitating the cultivation of young talents for China's automobile industry. The competition brought together 82 teams from China, Germany, and Singapore. (Photo/CCTV News)

The Shenzhen Polytechnic University's team won multiple awards at the competition, with Gu being a member of the team.

Gu was mainly responsible for recording data on unmanned vehicle testing and technical presentations, among other tasks.

While her team passed the tests with excellent results, Gu, by virtue of her outstanding skills, stood out among the participants and received an invitation to directly take part in the final round of a job interview from a car company executive at the finals.

"I feel very lucky to get this job interview opportunity, but I still need to strengthen my foundation. I want to continue to deepen my knowledge in the automotive field, and I will use this experience as motivation to study harder," Gu said.

Gu Huijing (first from right), a post-00s Chinese girl who is widely known by Chinese netizens as "auto repair girl," takes part in the finals of the 2024 Formula Student Electric China (FSEC), a race car design competition aimed at facilitating the cultivation of young talents for China's automobile industry. (Photo/CCTV News)

Gu has had a passion for cars since she was young. When she was in elementary school, every time she saw cool car scenes in movies, she thought they were particularly awesome. She had always dreamed that once she grew up, she would have her own car, modify it herself, and repair it herself.

"I thought that would be a really cool thing to do," Gu recalled.

After graduating from middle school, Gu was admitted to Shenzhen Second Vocational and Technical School, which is located in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province. She studied automotive operation and mechanical and electrical maintenance at the school.

Being the only girl in her class, Gu showed remarkable perseverance and made unremitting efforts to learn theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Whenever she had the chance, Gu would consult with teachers and senior students, while combining self-study and practice to brush up on her skills.

Thanks to her unyielding spirit and enthusiasm for cars, in 2021, she won the first prize in the automobile mechanical and electrical maintenance category of a professional skills competition held for vocational school students in Guangdong Province, becoming the first female student in Guangdong to participate in and win such an event.

The experience made her known by many internet users, who affectionately call her "auto repair girl".

Gu Huijing (left), a post-00s Chinese girl who is widely known by Chinese netizens as "auto repair girl," receives training at the Shenzhen Second Vocational and Technical School, which is located in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province. The photo was taken when she was 17 years old. (Photo/CCTV News)

During her vocational school studies, Gu made a firm resolution not only to learn how to repair cars but also to strive to one day be involved in car manufacturing.

After graduating from Shenzhen Second Vocational and Technical School, Gu enrolled in the School of Automotive and Transportation Engineering at Shenzhen Polytechnic University, majoring in New Energy Vehicle Technology.

In university, she became even more diligent, with studying and training becoming her main daily routine.

She has also actively participated in various skills competitions, winning second prize in the national intelligent connected vehicle technology competition in her sophomore year.

"Many people think that car repair is a job for boys. This kind of thinking represents the usual stereotype of girls. I believe that professions have nothing to do with gender," Gu said previously.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Liang Jun)
Grand Mercure Hotels & Resorts, renowned for celebrating national culture and stimulating the senses, is pleased to announce the inauguration of Grand Mercure Goa Candolim - an exquisite new addition to Goa's picturesque landscape. Nestled in the lively heart of Candolim, the 87-room hotel invites guests to connect with the destination's national heritage through locally inspired dishes, beverage ceremonies, wellbeing traditions, and thoughtful design.

A stone's throw from Candolim's pristine beaches, Grand Mercure Goa Candolim is an ideal getaway for travellers searching for a refined yet laid-back experience on Goa's golden shores. The hotel beautifully reflects the region's rich cultural heritage, as well as Goa's vibrant history and joyful spirit. Thoughtfully curated interiors blend modern sophistication with traditional Goan accents, creating a timeless and inviting atmosphere.

The hotel offers a comprehensive range of bespoke facilities designed to meet the needs of both leisure and business travellers. Guests can indulge in signature dining at Restaurant Mello, where a curated selection of authentic Goan flavours, traditional Indian delicacies,and global cuisine awaits. The Antarim Spa combines traditional and modern therapies, complemented by a fully equipped fitness centre, a peaceful outdoor pool, and a range of recreational options, all designed to provide a holistic experience for relaxation and well-being.

For events, the hotel offers state-of-the-art conference and banquet facilities, ideal for weddings, meetings, and gatherings. The expert events team ensures each occasion is tailored to perfection, providing customized services to create memorable experiences.

Grand Mercure Hotels & Resorts offers immersive experiences at over 70 hotels across the globe. Each hotel is unique and authentically reflects its destination by embracing the local way of life, infusing age-old traditions with modern flair. Whether it's the aroma of local cuisine, the touch of textiles, the sound of traditional music, or the taste of delicacies, travellers can truly experience the heart of a destination with Grand Mercure, transcending the ordinary and embarking on a journey of discovery.

The opening of Grand Mercure Goa Candolim represents a key milestone in Accor's ongoing expansion in India, underscoring the brand's dedication to offering unique, locally inspired experiences for travellers worldwide.

With its prime location, world-class amenities, and exceptional hospitality, Grand Mercure Goa Candolim is poised to become the destination of choice for those seeking a rejuvenating coastal experience.

Hotel website
Vakkaru Maldives is proud to announce the appointment of Teddy Susanto Wiryawan as its new General Manager, bringing over 20 years of distinguished luxury hospitality expertise to one of the Maldives' most beautiful island resorts.

Teddy joins Vakkaru Maldives from Hyatt, where he spent six years as General Manager across a variety of Alila Hotels properties in Southeast Asia. With a proven track record in enhancing guest experiences, Teddy is set to elevate Vakkaru's status as a top-tier luxury destination.

After graduating from the Bali Tourism Institute in 2001 with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Hotel Administration, Teddy began his career at the Ritz Carlton in Bali. Two years later, he departed his home country of Indonesia for the United Arab Emirates, where he honed his guest relations skills during a six-year tenure with Shangri-La Hotels.

Having managed elite properties like Parrot Cay and the pre-opening of Sailrock Resort in Turks & Caicos, Teddy brings a wealth of knowledge in resort management. His career also includes leadership roles across the globe, from Thailand to the Caribbean. He has consistently driven exceptional hotel operations and enhanced guest satisfaction at each resort.

In his new role at Vakkaru Maldives, Teddy will oversee the resort's operations, leading the team to enhance its offerings and ensure a guest experience that reflects the renowned Maldivian warmth and hospitality. With his wealth of expertise in both resort and city hotel management, Teddy is set to elevate Vakkaru's status as a leading destination in the Maldives and beyond.
Andaz Miami Beach announces the appointment of Fernando Rivera as General Manager, overseeing the redesign and full transformation of The Confidante Miami Beach, owned by Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc., into the highly anticipated Andaz Miami Beach hotel, slated to open in late December 2024. With nearly 30 years of experience delivering world-class luxury and lifestyle experiences in leading New York City and Miami hotels, Rivera plays a pivotal role in introducing the luxury-lifestyle Andaz brand to the Florida market.

Rivera has built a distinguished career in Miami's vibrant hospitality scene holding notable positions such as Hotel Manager at Kimpton EPIC Hotel, Pre-Opening General Manager at Kimpton Palomar South Beach, and General Manager at Kimpton Angler's South Beach. His innovative leadership and commitment to excellence at Angler's led to top rankings in IHG's Luxury & Lifestyle Division, a testament to his ability to cultivate a motivated team and create exceptional guest experiences. Rivera's experience within Hyatt includes leadership commercial services roles at Hyatt Regency Miami and Grand Hyatt New York.
LONDON  Cvent CONNECT Europe, one of the regions largest meetings, events and hospitality technology conferences, hosted by Cvent, brought together thousands of industry professionals both in-person in London and online last week for three days of networking, education and hands-on technology training. Cvent CEO and Founder, Reggie Aggarwal, opened the conference with a keynote reflecting on Cvents 25-year journey and what the milestone meant for its fast-growing European customer base and the industrys digital transformation over the last quarter century. Aggarwal recalled how the company started as a simple online event registration tool, well before SaaS (software-as-a-service) was a technology standard, to becoming a global marketplace where the entire meetings and events ecosystem comes together.

In his keynote address, Aggarwal highlighted Cvent's growing momentum through new AI-powered product launches and strategic acquisitions over the past nine months, aimed at expanding platform capabilities in trade show management, lead generation and event marketing. Key additions include Jifflenow for meeting automation, iCapture for lead capture, Reposite for AI-powered vendor sourcing, and most recently, Splashan event marketing platform used by hundreds of leading global organisations for smaller, field marketing events.

Aggarwal also expressed his excitement and optimism about the industry, highlighting an era of rapid technological transformation and the continued prioritisation of in-person experiences. The events industry isnt just bouncing backits evolving, reshaping how we work, connect and engage, he remarked, signalling a future driven by innovation, resilience and human connection.

The keynote concluded with Aggarwal sharing insights into three trends and market dynamics driving industry growth. He highlighted these trends as:

Artificial Intelligence (AI): Rapid AI advancements are transforming the events landscape, enabling smarter, more efficient planning and delivering data-driven insights that elevate attendee experiences. Cvent is investing heavily in the AI space, with 200 technology experts working on AI developments and more than 20 AI-related product initiatives in production. Were doing the heavy lifting with AI so our customers dont have to. We believe planners, marketers and hoteliers should be able to leverage AI so that they focus on what matters most: creating impactful moments, said Aggarwal. Prioritisation of Value and Impact: Amid economic pressures, organisations are increasingly prioritising spending with clear, measurable ROI. Aggarwal stated, nothing consistently delivers direct business impact better than events. Events continue to be essential for customer engagement, relationship building and revenue growth. Aggarwal highlighted that Cvents integrated platform supports businesses in demonstrating event value and making data-driven decisions: Effective events deliver value not just on event days but throughout the entire customer journey. Resurgence of the Experience Economy: As hybrid work changes how and why people attend events and travel, demand for meaningful in-person experiences is surging, both professionally and personally. The experience economy is here to stay, said Aggarwal. In-person events are vital for building connections and community.

Together, these trends signal a new era in which technology, efficiency and experiential impact are central to event success.

Fireside Chat with Conference MC Dermot OLeary

Following his keynote, Aggarwal sat down with TV and radio presenter Dermot O'Leary for a lively Q&A session, where they discussed Cvents commitment to the UK and European markets. Europes diversityspanning over 44 countriesrequires a highly tailored approach, Aggarwal explained. He highlighted that Cvent's 200-member local team and strategic engagement with other regional technology leaders, including Amadeus, Thynk and MeetingPackage, alongside more than 250 third-party relationships and 30 industry partnerships, enable the company to meet regional customer needs more effectively with a localised, hands-on approach.

Aggarwal also shared his philosophy for Cvents continued success: hiring the best people, building the best products and listening closely to customers. With intelligence and innovation as our tailwinds and the human spirit as our guide, nothing can stop us, he stated. He concluded by emphasising that as Cvent continues to embrace AI and digital transformation, the focus remains on creating memorable, engaging experiences that deliver critical value to organisations, communities and the global economy.

About Cvent

Cvent is a leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider with 5,000+ employees and 24,000+ customers worldwide as of December 31, 2024. Founded in 1999, the company delivers a comprehensive event marketing and management platform and offers a global marketplace where event professionals collaborate with venues to create engaging, impactful experiences. Cvent is headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, just outside of Washington D.C., and has additional offices around the world to support its growing global customer base. The comprehensive Cvent event marketing and management platform offers software solutions to event organisers and marketers for online event registration, venue selection, event marketing and management, virtual and onsite solutions, and attendee engagement. Cvent's suite of products automates and simplifies the event management lifecycle and maximises the impact of in-person, virtual, and hybrid events. Hotels and venues use Cvent's supplier and venue solutions to win more group and corporate travel business through Cvent's sourcing platforms. Cvent solutions optimise the event management value chain and have enabled clients around the world to manage millions of meetings and events. For more information, please visit cvent.com/uk.

Sharon Coleshill

+44 208 334 4005
Key Takeaways

The outer boroughs could experience $1.6 billion less in projected visitor spending, over 15,700 fewer jobs, and $573 million less in worker earnings from Airbnb following NYCs stringent short-term rental law.

New York Citys short-term rental law has not increased housing availability or affordability as promised, with vacancy rates unchanged and rents continuing to rise, despite Airbnb listings dropping by approximately 92%.

Hotel prices have surged since LL18, while visitors face limited, more expensive accommodation options, and almost exclusively in midtown.

Before New York Citys stringent short-term rental law took effect, Airbnb listings made up less than 1 percent of the citys total housing supply1. Nonetheless, Local Law 18 (LL18) was introduced with the promise of tackling the citys housing crisis, a promise that data shows remains unfulfilled.

A new report by HR&A Advisors reveals that the law has not only failed to improve housing affordability, but instead could lead to less economic and fiscal impacts from Airbnb for the city and hosts  all the while benefiting the hotel industry by pushing room costs significantly higher.

Billions potentially lost in Airbnb visitor spending, especially in the outer boroughs

LL18 resulted in an over 90 percent drop in Airbnb listings across New York City following its implementation in September 2023. In the outer boroughs alone, listings dropped from approximately 17,000 to 1,400, resulting in an average of 80,000 fewer guests per month on the platform.2

 Source: Airbnb

 Source: Airbnb

As a result, LL18s effects are rippling through NYCs economy. With short-term rentals sharply limited, the city could potentially see $2.5 billion less in spending from Airbnb guests , impacting small businesses and local economies, citywide3  the vast majority of the impact found outside Manhattan.

This decline in spending is anticipated to cost more than 21,000 jobs and $902 million in worker wages, according to the report. Additionally, the decrease in short-term rental revenue means that New York City and New York State could experience a loss of $96 million in estimated tax revenue generated from Airbnb guests  a shortfall equivalent to funding nearly 300 public school teachers.

With the decline in guests, the outer boroughs could potentially experience $1.6 billion less in visitor spending, more than 15,700 fewer jobs, and $573 million less in worker wages. For local businesses in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, the economic impact of LL18 is substantial, reducing the opportunity for economic activity that guests once provided. This financial toll illustrates the far-reaching economic consequences LL18 has caused for New Yorkers.

Before September 2023 when LL18 took effect, Airbnbs listings spanned all five boroughs, allowing visitors to explore beyond Manhattan. Nearly 70 percent of Airbnbs NYC listings were run by hosts located in Brooklyn, Queens, and the other outer boroughs, contributing tourism revenue to these communities.

 Source: Airbnb

LL18 has now limited these options, clustering more travelers into Manhattan and restricting tourism spending.

LL18 fails to boost housing availability or affordability

The outer boroughs were previously home to nearly 70 percent of Airbnb listings in New York City. To isolate the potential impacts of LL18 on housing inventory and rents, the report analyzed New York City neighborhoods that had a higher4 and lower concentration of Airbnbs prior to LL18.

Championed as a law to increase housing availability and affordability, HR&As findings reveal that neither housing availability nor affordability has improved since LL18 was enacted. In fact, rents rose faster in areas that previously.

 Source: Airbnb

Meanwhile, citywide vacancy rates have remained unchanged at 1.9 percent, highlighting LL18s ineffectiveness in addressing the citys housing challenges.

A win for Manhattan hotels, a loss for consumers

The hotel industry, which lobbied for LL18, has seen a major financial benefit in the laws wake while travelers bear the brunt of its impact. Since LL18 took effect, hotel prices have surged, making it increasingly expensive to stay in New York City. Hotel Average Daily Rate has risen by 6 percent from May 2023 to May 2024, according to the report. In fact, New York City recently reached a record-high ADR of $524, an over 50 percent year-over-year increase.

Over the same period, hotel occupancy rose approximately five percent and is expected to continue to grow as the citys visitor numbers are projected to outpace pre-COVID figures by 2025.

LL18 has also drastically reduced accommodation options outside Manhattan with only 20 percent of NYCs hotel rooms being in the outer boroughs, compared to nearly 70 percent of Airbnbs prior to the law. The result? Visitors are now clustered in Manhattan, with a constrained hotel supply.

These factors signal that New York City may lose a unique visitor segment  budget-conscious families looking for large, private accommodations in convenient locations.

LL18 has failed to deliver on its housing promises, while driving up travel costs, concentrating tourism revenue in Manhattan, and disproportionately impacting the outer boroughs. Its time for New York City to reconsider LL18 so that it can once again welcome visitors to all corners of the city, fueling the economy and supporting residents and businesses with the tourism spending they can no longer rely on.

1. Entire home or apartment listings in New York City prior to September 2023.

2. As of May 2024.

3. Projected losses in economic impact, jobs and work wage based on HR&As analysis post LL18 from December 2023 to November 2024. Please see full report for details and methodology.

4. Top 25 percent of neighborhoods by listings as a percent of housing stock.

About Airbnb

Airbnb was born in 2007 when two hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 5 million hosts who have welcomed over 2 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, hosts offer unique stays and experiences that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way.

About Airbnb.org

Airbnb.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating temporary stays for people in times of crisis around the world. Airbnb.org operates independently and leverages Airbnb, Inc.'s technology, services, and other resources at no charge to carry out Airbnb.org's charitable purpose. The inspiration for Airbnb.org began in 2012 with a single host named Shell who opened up her home to people impacted by Hurricane Sandy. This sparked a movement and marked the beginning of a program that allows hosts on Airbnb to provide stays for people in times of need. Since then, the program has evolved to focus on emergency response and to help provide stays to evacuees, relief workers, refugees, asylum seekers, and frontline workers fighting the spread of COVID-19. Since then, hosts have offered to open up their homes and helped provide accommodations to 100,000 people in times of need. Airbnb.org is a separate and independent entity from Airbnb, Inc. Airbnb, Inc. does not charge service fees for Airbnb.org supported stays on its platform.

Airbnb Press

Airbnb Press Office

Airbnb

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Chevy Chase, Maryland - PM Hotel Group, an industry leader in hospitality management, has been selected to assume management of three properties in the greater Washington DC area, including, Crowne Plaza Dulles Airport, Hotel Arboretum, and Fairfield Inn & Suites Washington, DC/New York Avenue, further expanding its portfolio of 86 hotels in 22 states.

We are pleased to thoughtfully add to our portfolio the Crowne Plaza Dulles Airport, Hotel Arboretum, and Fairfield Inn & Suites Washington, DC/New York Avenue. These three hotels exemplify our national portfolio of branded and independent properties, expanding our diverse accommodation offerings in a highly dynamic region. Paul Sacco, Chief Growth and Development Officer of PM Hotel Group

Crowne Plaza Dulles Airport, located in the Dulles Tech Corridor, features 324 guest rooms and over 10,800 square feet of event space suited for corporate gatherings and social events. With amenities such as a fitness center, free parking, EV charging stations, and dining at Houlihans Restaurant + Bar, this hotel combines convenience and comfort. A complimentary shuttle to Dulles International Airport, the metro, and local offices further enhances its appeal, making it a prime choice for travelers seeking easy access and a well-rounded experience.

Hotel Arboretum in northeast Washington, DC, is a 126-key property catering to both corporate and leisure guests, with essential amenities like meeting rooms, a fitness center, and an indoor pool. Its location near major attractions and a complimentary shuttle to the National WWII Memorial make it ideal for business events and corporate gatherings. The hotels easy access to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport adds convenience for business travelers seeking well-connected, versatile accommodations.

The recently renovated Fairfield Inn & Suites Washington, DC/New York Avenue, with 126 guest rooms and suites, provides business travelers with ample workspace, flat-screen TVs, and comfortable accommodations. Guests enjoy a complimentary hot breakfast and a fitness center. Strategically located in Northeast DC, it offers easy access to both Reagan and Dulles Airports, the Metro, and key landmarks like the Smithsonian museums, National Mall, and Capitol Hill, making it a convenient choice for those prioritizing comfort and connectivity.

The addition of these three properties to the PM Hotel Group portfolio is part of a strategic initiative to expand the groups footprint in the burgeoning mid-Atlantic region of the United States. The hotels join nearby PM Hotel Group properties, including Hampton Inn  Navy Yard, , Homewood Suites by Hilton Washington DC Convention Center, The River Inn, Motto by Hilton Washington DC City Center, The Normandy Hotel by Sono, and Hotel Hive, growing PM Hotel Groups robust presence in the greater Washington, D.C. metro area.

About PM Hotel Group

Based in the Washington D.C. metro area, PM Hotel Group is a Top-15 hotel management company, boasting nearly three decades of experience building relationships with brands, partners, and third-party hotel owners. Involved in the development and acquisition of more than $3 billion in premium-branded and independent hotel properties from coast to coast, PM Hotel Group now operates approximately 85 hotels and resorts across the United States, including Modus Hotels by PM Hotel Group, its division of lifestyle and unconventional hospitality. Operating with a commitment to sustainability and a long-standing culture of teamwork, innovation and entrepreneurship, the PM Hotel Group team is driven to deliver robust performance for owners. For more information, visit pmhotelgroup.com, or follow along on Instagram @pm_hotelgroup and Facebook at facebook.com/pmhotelgroup.
Did you know that Jordans hospitality industry is one of the fastest-growing in the Middle East, with a projected annual growth rate of over 5%? In the heart of this thriving sector is the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts (RACA), a pioneering institution driving excellence in culinary education.

Established in 2008, RACA has not only led the way in developing a skilled workforce, but also in empowering youth and fostering gender equality within the industry. As an EHL Certified School, RACA offers a range of programs, from Bachelor's degrees to vocational courses, focusing on academic excellence and hands-on training. Its comprehensive approach equips students with the practical skills and mindset necessary to meet the evolving demands of the hospitality sector, both locally and regionally.

Join us as we explore how RACA is shaping Jordans culinary future and leaving a significant mark on the countrys hospitality and culinary arts landscape.

Meet Chef Jacques Rossel

Leading the academy is Director Jacques Rossel, a seasoned chef with over three decades of experience from five-star hotels across Switzerland, the Middle East, and Africa. Chef Rossel joined RACA in 2014, bringing his extensive expertise and passion for education to the role. He oversees the day-to-day management of the institution, ensuring its alignment with RACA's strategic goals and values. His mission at RACA has been clear: to foster the next generation of Jordanian culinary talents.

Witnessing young people grow and develop a passion for an industry I have always loved, and seeing them graduate at the end of their studies, is such a reward. Chef Rossel

His passion for teaching mirrors RACAs broader commitment to driving excellence in Jordans hospitality sector.

RACA has been a member of the EHL Network of Certified Schools since 2018 and achieved Certified status in 2022. This recognition underscores RACA's dedication to academic excellence and practical skill development, empowering students to excel in the dynamic world of hospitality.

Becoming a certified member of the network of EHL-certified schools was a huge achievement, notes Chef Rossel.

Especially significant was RACA's transformation from a Community College offering a two-year Diploma in Culinary Arts to a Technical University College, now able to offer a BA in F&B Management.

Jordans Hospitality Industry: Growth and Opportunities

Jordans hospitality industry is a key driver of its economy, contributing $5.8 billion to the GDP in 2021, accounting for 19.3% of the countrys total economic output. As international tourism in Jordan continues to rebound post-pandemicespecially with destinations like Petra and Wadi Rum gaining popularitythe demand for skilled culinary professionals has surged.

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, the sector is projected to grow by 8.4% annually over the next decade.

RACAs mission aligns with these growth trends by equipping young Jordanians with world-class training. As Chef Rossel notes, RACA's duty is to prepare its students for this vibrant and ever-changing industry and make them ready for new opportunities.

The Evolution of Jordans Culinary Landscape

In recent years, Jordans culinary landscape has become increasingly international, driven by its growing tourism and expatriate population.

As Chef Rossel highlights, Jordan's culinary landscape has become more international, with many outlets offering a variety of cuisines to please the increasingly well-travelled Jordanian palate.

Furthermore, the rise of cloud kitchens has added a new dimension to the market, particularly in Amman, where online food delivery has seen exponential growth since the COVID-19 pandemic.

RACA plays a pivotal role in preparing its students for this evolving environment, with programs that blend traditional Jordanian cuisine with global culinary trends.

Chef Rossel believes that this balance is essential for students: The program offers a comprehensive view of the culinary world, including local cuisine. Students also learn to appreciate their responsibilities in promoting sustainability through the use of locally sourced ingredients.

Bridging the Skills Gap: RACAs Role in Reducing Youth Unemployment

One of the greatest challenges Jordan faces is its youth unemployment rate, which stood at 48.5% in 2021, among the highest in the region. RACA directly addresses this challenge by providing high-quality vocational training that increases employability in both Jordan and the broader Middle East.

In fact, graduates of RACA are in high demand, with many finding opportunities in neighboring countries like Saudi Arabia, where rapid hospitality development is driving the need for skilled chefs and hospitality managers.

RACA must support the efforts of the Jordanian government in combating unemployment and poverty among youth, Chef Rossel asserts.

With the support of EHL Education Consulting experts, RACAs curriculumacademically certified by the EHL Group through its prestigious certification schemeensures that graduates are equipped not only with technical skills but also with leadership and management qualities, positioning them to compete successfully in the international job market.

READ: Whom is Culinary College right for? By Chef Jacques Rossel

Empowering Women in Culinary Arts

RACA is also making strides in promoting gender equality in a traditionally male-dominated industry. According to the World Bank, only 14% of Jordanian women are active in the workforce, a statistic that RACA is working to improve within the hospitality sector. One of RACAs notable success stories involves a young female graduate who, after a successful stint abroad, returned to Jordan to open her own restaurant.

She has become an inspiration for female chefs who still need empowerment in our industry, especially in the Middle East, says Chef Rossel.

By creating an inclusive environment and encouraging female participation, RACA is fostering culinary talent and addressing broader societal challenges related to gender inequality.

Source: EHL

A Vision for the Future: RACAs Long-Term Goals

Looking ahead, RACA aims to continue its leadership role in shaping Jordans culinary landscape. Chef Rossel envisions the academy playing a larger role in promoting vocational education, combating unemployment, and empowering women.

The Jordanian government is promoting vocational education and lifelong learning more than ever. I believe RACA has the opportunity to pave the way for a new vocational identity in the food and beverage sector, he says.

With Jordans tourism industry set to expand and the government prioritizing job creation in high-demand sectors, RACA is positioned to be a key player in the countrys economic future.

RACAs journey over the past 15 years has been marked by excellence, innovation, and a commitment to empowering Jordans youth. As the countrys culinary landscape evolves, so too does RACAs role in preparing the next generation of chefs and hospitality professionals. Under Chef Jacques Rossels leadership, the academy remains dedicated to shaping a brighter future for Jordans hospitality industryone where tradition meets innovation, and where passion meets opportunity.

About EHL Group

EHL Group is the global reference in education, innovation and consulting for the hospitality and service sector.

With expertise dating back to 1893, EHL Group now offers a wide range of leading educational programs from apprenticeships to master's degrees, as well as professional and executive education, on three campuses in Switzerland and Singapore. EHL Group also offers consulting and certification services to companies and learning centers around the world. True to its values and committed to building a sustainable world, EHL Group's purpose is to provide education, services and working environments that are people-centered and open to the world. www.ehlgroup.com

EHL Hospitality Business School

Communications Department

+41 21 785 1354

EHL

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Share of voice (SOV) is essential for assessing brand visibility and engagement compared to competitors. This metric, (calculated by dividing your brands mentions by the total mentions in the market and multiplying by 100), offers insights into your brands positioning. By understanding the factors that shape the travelers path to purchase, hotels can refine their marketing strategies, increase direct bookings, and reduce dependency on third-party platforms.

Example:

An independent boutique hotel in New York wanted to increase its direct bookings and compete against major chains and third-party sites like Booking.com. By tracking Share of Voice (SOV), the hotel noticed it had lower brand mentions compared to its competitors. This insight led them to focus on boosting visibility through strategic social media campaigns, targeted SEO, and online content that emphasized unique local experiences. As a result, the hotels SOV grew, driving more travelers to book directly through their website, increasing direct revenue and reducing reliance on commission-based platforms.

This approach illustrates how SOV can guide marketing adjustments that enhance brand positioning and foster direct relationships with travelers.

Why Direct Bookings Should be a Priority

While travelers often start their search on third-party sites like Booking.com and Expedia.com, 72% ultimately prefer to book directly when given the option. With Expedias research indicating that travelers explore multiple touchpoints before finalizing a booking, including social media, online reviews, and hotel websites, its essential to capture attention and facilitate direct bookings by emphasizing key benefits:

1. Leverage Booking Preferences and Influence Early Stages

Position Your Brand During the Research Phase : Expedias research shows that travelers spend over five hours researching. Hotels can use this phase to emphasize brand benefits through digital advertising, SEO, and organic social content.

: Expedias research shows that travelers spend over five hours researching. Hotels can use this phase to emphasize brand benefits through digital advertising, SEO, and organic social content. Highlight Unique Perks of Direct Booking: Guests value room upgrades, personalized experiences, and exclusive offers. By promoting these early on, hotels can attract attention and influence decision-making before travelers turn to third-party sites.

2. Reduce Booking Costs and Maximize Profitability

Avoid High Commission Fees : Direct bookings help hotels bypass the hefty 15-25% commission fees that third-party sites charge, freeing up funds for reinvestment in guest experiences and direct marketing efforts.

: Direct bookings help hotels bypass the hefty 15-25% commission fees that third-party sites charge, freeing up funds for reinvestment in guest experiences and direct marketing efforts. Transparent and Competitive Pricing: Ensure direct booking offers the best rates and communicate this. This transparent approach can help steer travelers away from third-party options and establish trust.

3. Improve Customer Experience with Direct Communication

Establish Stronger Guest Connections : Direct bookings facilitate open communication, helping guests feel more supported. Guests can make specific requests or inquiries, creating a more personalized and enjoyable experience.

: Direct bookings facilitate open communication, helping guests feel more supported. Guests can make specific requests or inquiries, creating a more personalized and enjoyable experience. Provide Tailored Booking Incentives: Personalized perks for direct bookings, like complimentary services or loyalty programs, strengthen the emotional connection and increase the likelihood of repeat business.

4. Optimize Your Website to Compete with Third-Party Sites

User-Friendly Design and Mobile Optimization : Since 59% of hotel bookings are mobile, optimizing the website for ease of use is essential. Simplify the booking process to improve conversion rates.

: Since 59% of hotel bookings are mobile, optimizing the website for ease of use is essential. Simplify the booking process to improve conversion rates. Local SEO and Digital Marketing Integration: To enhance share of voice, invest in local SEO, targeted advertising, and engaging content that attracts direct traffic and keeps guests on your site rather than redirecting to third-party platforms.

5. Strengthen Support for Independent Hotels and Small Businesses

Highlight Community Support : Emphasize that direct bookings allow independent hotels to reinvest in local communities and businesses, supporting the local economy. For guests who value small business, this can be a strong differentiator.

: Emphasize that direct bookings allow independent hotels to reinvest in local communities and businesses, supporting the local economy. For guests who value small business, this can be a strong differentiator. Educate on the Value of Direct Bookings: Many travelers may not realize the commission fees tied to third-party bookings. Educating guests on how direct bookings allow hotels to improve their experience can foster a sense of loyalty and support for your brand.

By prioritizing direct bookings and aligning strategies with consumer preferences, hotels can strengthen their market presence, reduce costs, and create a more tailored experience for guests. Leveraging insights from traveler behavior research, like Expedias Path to Purchase, and emphasizing exclusive perks and streamlined booking processes on your website can significantly boost direct bookings. This approach not only supports local businesses and independent hotels but also builds lasting guest loyalty and maximizes revenue potential.

Incorporating insights from Expedias Path to Purchase report, its clear that reaching travelers early in their research phase, highlighting the value of booking directly, and creating a seamless, user-friendly experience can increase brand loyalty and profitability.

Expedia Group. Path to Purchase: Traveler Behaviors and Decision-Making Insights. Accessed October 29, 2024. Expedia Partner Resources.

Industry research on travel preferences and direct booking benefits, including commissioned reports and market analyses.

About Cogwheel Marketing

Cogwheel Marketing is a full service digital marketing agency specializing in branded hotels, first leveraging brand systems then coupling that with supplemental strategies to maximize total online presence. Their reporting and business intelligence tool, Cogwheel Analytics, aggregates data from multiple sources to allow companies to identify trends and opportunities in their online presence. Our defined processes ensure the best positioning for your hotel against the competitive set and against other hotels of the same brand. Let us work with your sales and revenue management teams to identify and close the gaps and target your ideal guests.

Stephanie Smith

Founder and Digital Matriarch

+1 540 239 1052

Cogwheel Marketing

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Hyatt Centric Cairo West Hotel - Image Credit Hyatt

Hyatt Centric Cairo West recently opened its doors as Cairo's first art-focused lifestyle hotel. The hotel offers an immersive experience combining Egypt's rich cultural heritage and vibrant art scene. It is located in the heart of Cairo West, within easy reach of the Grand Egyptian Museum and Giza Pyramids.

The hotel features 301 guest rooms and suites, a large pool, an aqua gym, a unique poolside billiard table, and Egypt's first podcast and guitar studio in a hotel. 11 local Egyptian artists collaboratively created the hotel's design and decor, infusing each space with modern and traditional elements.

The hotel's prime location is close to the city's major business hubs and tourist attractions. It aims to provide travelers with a unique stay experience in the Egyptian capital. The design draws inspiration from Egypt's rich historical legacy and features an array of collaborative artworks created using various mediums.

The guestrooms are inspired by the ancient Egyptian baboon, a symbol deeply rooted in Egypt's heritage. Each room features this character in bright colors, blending modernity and traditional charm.

Hyatt Centric Cairo West is the second Hyatt branded hotel in Cairo and marks the entry of the Hyatt Centric brand in Africa. The hotel aims to create a culinary experience for guests with various dining options, including a Grab and Go Market, a Lobby Lounge Bar, a Whiskey Lounge, and the vibrant Rizz Pool Bar. The hotels main restaurant, Muse, offers a diverse menu that encompasses flavors from Egypt and worldwide.

Hyatt Centric Cairo West aims to provide curious and savvy travelers with an authentic connection to the city's legacy. The hotel combines art, culture, and hospitality to offer guests a premier destination catering to leisure and business travelers' needs.
Remembering Bob Gilbert For His Humanity - Image Credit Doug Kennedy

Ever since I got the news of the passing of Bob Gilbert, HSMAIs President and CEO for 30 years, I have found both comfort and inspiration in the tributes that others have shared on social media, LinkedIn, and the tribute wall set up in his honor. I have loved reading about all he accomplished in his career, first on the hotel management side, then by rescuing HSMAI and leading it to its enormous successes.

For weeks now I have sought the headspace to share my own memories, as I am still processing his loss. First, Ill do my best to highlight just how amazing his accomplishments are, but most importantly, memories of Bobs humanity.

I first met Bob Gilbert when he was the VP of Marketing for Richfield Hospitality, which at the time was the worlds largest hotel management company. The first time we spoke was when I cold-called him to sell hospitality training services when I was the President of Hospitality Services of America (HSA). I remember him being polite, professional, and kind when I called him, which was pretty rare those days when busy executives received dozens of phone solicitations each week. Well, Bob never bought anything from us, but that was mostly because right after we connected he left to take the helm of HSMAI, which back then was known as the HSMA, the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association.

Now, from what I remember back then, HSMA was struggling with a shrinking membership and depending mostly on the decentralized model of local chapters. Unfortunately, and unfairly, when I talked up HSMA to clients and contacts, I found it had somehow gained the reputation as a resume exchange club; many GMs were starting to discourage participation. Being an active member of one of the strongest local chapters, and being in the state of Florida, which had many strong chapters plus our own Annual State HSMAI Conference, I knew differently and saw the potential, especially for education and training.

Therefore, I was super excited to hear from Bob on one of his first days on the job, when he reached out to express interest in partnering with our training company to provide more educational resources for its membership. And partner we did! During the late 1990s I got to work closely with Bob as our company organized, promoted, and managed what Bob named HSMAI University, which back then was a roadshow series of training workshops featuring various topics and speakers from our companys team as well as other industry leaders. Bob always was a future-casting leader, and so in the year 2000, working together, we began the industrys first webcast training events. I remember how reassuring Bob was when I was sitting in my office about to present the very first in the series. These were nothing more than narrated screenshares of slide decks presented on WebEx, but the series was a huge success.

Four years later, after I had sold and exited my company, Bob immediately reached out again about his latest ingenious brainstorm, which was a Revenue Management Advisory Board he had just started, and he wanted me to take the lead as the official HSMAI Advisor. This was one of two groups he called SIGs (special interest groups), with the other being the Digital Marketing Committee, led by other industry leaders such as Andrew Rubinacci and Cindy Estes Green. I remember our first Revenue Management Conference held in Dallas, in June of 2004, where we proudly announced having something like 120 participants, but I have to admit that the count probably included 10 HSMAI staff and even a few waiters! These revenue and digital marketing groups grew extremely fast, and soon merged into a powerhouse event attracting the top minds in the professions of marketing and distribution, known today as the Revenue Optimization Conference (ROC). More recently, again as a result of Bobs leadership, the ROC has expanded into a two-day Commercial Strategy Conference.

Nudged gently forward by Bobs vision, in the three years I was advisor, our revenue group published Defining Revenue Management, piloted by Tim Wiersma and authored by Caryl Helsyl and Kathleen Cullen, and under the leadership of Elizabeth Cambra, also launched the revenue management certification program now known as CRME.

But Bobs accomplishments didnt stop with our groups. Under his leadership HSMAI greatly expanded its international presence, forming strong chapters in Asia/Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East and added professional certifications for other hospitality professions such as sales (CHSL), marketing (CHDM), business (CHBA) and others.

Well, Im 735 words into this and still have not begun to capture all of his accomplishments, but most importantly I want to talk about Bobs humanity. What I remember most about Bob was that he was always fully present with whomever he was talking to at that moment, even while speaking to you at huge conferences where he was the rock star everyone wanted a selfie with. As Kathie Stapleton wrote on his wall, When you had a conversation with him, he made you feel as if you were the most important person in the room! Srikanth Beldona, PhD., wrote As a person, he was magnanimous, thoughtful and a wonderful friend.

What was truly amazing was how he managed to remember key details about so many people! Many times I witnessed conversations he had with others when he asked about their spouse, child, pet, or some other personal detail. For me, he always remembered to ask for my wife by name, and about our children. I am so grateful my own daughter Julia Kennedy, who is now our Marketing Coordinator at Kennedy Training Network, got to meet Bob at a recent conference, and how special he made us both feel at that meeting. The picture is from the HSMAI ROC conference, held on June 29, 2023, which is the last day I saw him

But most of all, I remember Bobs gentle, kind demeanor. Not only to those on the customer side of his world, such as HSMA members and vendor partners, but also to the HSMAI staff, and even to the waitstaff at HSMAI events. His kindness, loyalty, and humility should serve as a beacon for us all.

When I first saw his post about retiring due to a series illness I had just left for a long trip but intended to reach out and check on him upon my return. Right after I got back, I saw a picture he posted on Facebook of him with his family, and he looked well, so I guess I lost my urgency. Ironically, the day I finally got around to reaching out to him by phone was September 19, the very day of his passing. But of course! Even in his passing, Bob taught me one final lesson, theres no better time than today to reach out and check on those who are facing challenges in life.

I encourage readers to visit Bobs memorial wall, read more about this amazing man, and to share your own memories and tributes for his children and family to read. Truly, a life well lived.

Link to Bob Gilberts Tribute Wall

Doug Kennedy is President of the Kennedy Training Network, Inc. a leading provider of hotel sales, guest service, reservations, and front desk training programs and telephone mystery shopping services for the lodging and hospitality industry. Doug continues to be a fixture on the industrys conference circuit for hotel companies, brands and associations, as he has been for decades. Since 1996, Dougs monthly training articles have been published worldwide, making him one of the most widely read hospitality industry authorities. Check out his monthly webcasts at www.KTNwebcast.com or visit www.kennedytrainingnetwork.com.
Exclusive Insights: Cvent CEO Charts Future of Meetings and Events at Cvent CONNECT Europe Conference - Image Credit Cvent

Reggie Aggarwal, Cvent CEO, identifies AI advancements, value prioritization, and a resurgence of the experience economy as the three major trends driving the growth of the events industry.

Aggarwal emphasizes the role of Cvent's AI-powered product launches and strategic acquisitions in expanding platform capabilities and the company's commitment to the European market.

The Cvent CONNECT Europe Conference, hosted by Cvent recently in London, offered a comprehensive view into the future of the meetings and events industry. The conference, attended by thousands of industry professionals, featured a keynote address by Cvent CEO and Founder, Reggie Aggarwal, who reflected on the company's 25-year journey and its role in the industry's digital transformation.

Aggarwal highlighted the company's growth trajectory and recent strategic moves, including new AI-powered product launches and acquisitions to expand platform capabilities in trade show management, lead generation, and event marketing. He also articulated his optimism about the industry's future, which he sees as driven by technological innovation, resilience, and human connection.

Notably, Aggarwal identified three key trends driving the industry's growth  advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), an increased focus on value and impact, and a resurgence of the experience economy.

Aggarwal stated that AI is transforming the events landscape by enabling smarter, more efficient planning and delivering data-driven insights that enhance attendee experiences. Moreover, in a climate of economic pressures, organizations prioritize spending, delivering clear, measurable ROI. In this context, Aggarwal underlined the critical role of events in fostering customer engagement, building relationships, and driving revenue growth.

Furthermore, as the hybrid work model reshapes how people attend events and travel, there is a surging demand for professional and personal meaningful in-person experiences. These trends, Aggarwal argued, signal a new era where technology, efficiency, and experiential impact are crucial for event success.

In a subsequent Q&A session with TV and radio presenter Dermot O'Leary, Aggarwal highlighted Cvent's commitment to the European market. He emphasized the need for a highly tailored approach to catering to Europe's diverse market, which spans over 44 countries. He highlighted that Cvent's local team, strategic engagements with regional technology leaders, and third-party relationships enable the company to meet regional customer needs more effectively with a localized, hands-on approach.

In conclusion, Aggarwal reiterated that while Cvent continues to embrace AI and digital transformation, the company focuses on creating memorable, engaging experiences that deliver critical value to organizations, communities, and the global economy.
Weekend Outlook: Dancing, Comedy, Music

There are several events this weekend, including a weeklong dance festival, bazaar, live music, and more.

Editor's Pick

Wandering Dance Festival

Downtown Pittsfield

Nov. 17 to 23

This weeklong community dance initiative celebrates movement and culture in an effort to foster community connections.

The festival features a variety of dance styles, free workshops, and opportunities for participants to showcase their dancing. It will culminate in a showcase performance at the Colonial Theatre with both professional and local artists.

Schedule and information here

Multiple Days

St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish Bazaar

70 Marshall St, North Adams

Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The parishs annual two-day bazaar will feature white elephant, craft tables to get Christmas shopping done, raffles, food, and homemade desserts. More information here

Pinecone Nature Crafts

Mount Greylock Visitor Center, Lanesborough

Time: Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Create a turkey using ingredients found in nature along with art supplies. More information here

Clue: On Stage Performance

Taconic High School, Pittsfield

Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m.

The schools theater department will be performing the farce-meets-murder mystery, Clue: On Stage.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for students. More information here

Friday

Standup Comedy

Bounti-Fare, Adams

Time: 8 p.m.

There will be a stand-up performance hosted by Charlie Nadler, featuring headliner Jason Choi and an act by Quentin Davis.

Tickets are $15. More information here

Tile Mural Unveiling

Burbank Place, Pittsfield

Time: 3 p.m.

There will be an unveiling of the "Shapes of Togetherness" tile mural created by Pittsfield High School students.

The Pittsfield Let It Shine! Public Art Partnership, led by artist in residence Huck Elling, collaborated with Pittsfield High students for this initiative.

The celebration kicks off with students walking to the mural at 2:35 p.m. and a ribbon-cutting at Burbank Place at 3 p.m.

More information here

Ultimate Musical Bingo

The GOAT, formerly Mingo's, North Adams

Time: 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Play musical bingo to help fundraise for Northern Berkshire United Way. Tickets cost $25 a person, and they include two bingo cards. Additional cards are $5 each.

More information here

Latin Night at Dottie's

Dotties Coffee Lounge, Pittsfield

Time: 6:30 to 11 p.m.

Enjoy an evening of Latin music and dance. The coffee shop and bar will be offering dance classes and a party.

More information here

Saturday

The Artful Jewelers Opening

16 Ashland St., North Adams

Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

This new store will showcase jewelry and gifts including works by local artisans. They will also be setting up its stained glass artist display.

More information here

Potluck Dinner

Lanesborough Council on Aging

Time: 5 p.m.

The Council on Aging is holding a pot luck in its community room. More information here

Adult Craft Night

Lenox Library

Time: 4 p.m.

There will be an evening of crafting to create a centerpiece using retired library books. More information here

Rusted Chains Performance

220 W Housatonic St, Pittsfield

Time: 8:30 p.m.

Local band Rusted Chains will perform a tribute to '90s grunge and alt-rock. The band focuses on acoustic renditions of groups like Nirvana, Alice In Chains, and Stone Temple Pilots, with some electric vibes. More information here

Music Bingo

Berkshire Hills Country Club, Pittsfield

Time: 7 p.m.

Bingo fundraiser for the Berkshire Running Foundation. Tickets are $25 per person, which gets participants four cards and an entry for the door prize.

More information here

The Refrigerators Performance

The Stationery Factory, Dalton

Time: 7:30 p.m.

A 10-piece horn-fueled party band New York's Capital Region will be performing. Tickets are $27.38. More information here

The Polar Express Showing

The Beacon Cinema, Pittsfield

All Day

The classic Christmas tale is returning to theaters for one day only for $1 admission. Santa will also be making a visit. Advance tickets are recommended here

Sunday

Domingo Brunch

Dottie's Coffee Lounge, Pittsfield

Time: 10 a.m. to noon

Berkshire-based, acoustic Ameri-Grass-Y band, The Juckets, will be performing at the coffee shop. More information here

Pancake Breakfast

Holiday Brook Farm, Dalton

Time: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Every Sunday in November, the farm is hosting a pancake breakfast.

The all-you-can-eat buffet includes pancakes, eggs, hash browns, sausage, and more. Free kids' crafts and wagon rides are available, weather permitting.
It was a cold night in Texas, and Dan Hedaya was lying in an open grave. Standing above him, shovel in hand, was John Getz. Both men were actors; they were there to film the stomach-churning live burial scene that marked the centrepiece of Joel and Ethan Coens debut feature Blood Simple. We got to the actual grave, and Dan was in the grave, and I was digging, putting dirt on him, Getz tells me. He put his hand over his mouth and said Throw it in my face!

The Coen brothers 1984 film was itself something of a blow to the face  and not just because of this shocking moment. Forty years on from the release of Blood Simple, its influence can be traced across cinema. Film noir had, of course, been around for a long time before the Coens gave it their own distinctly 1980s spin. Youll find far more mud, blood and vomit here than in any of even the most nihilistic crime thrillers made from pulp novels by writers like James M Cain or Cornell Woolrich in the 1940s. The film came out in the era of the video nasties and of Sam Raimi shockers like The Evil Dead (1981), on which Joel had been an assistant editor, and shared some of their miasmatic odour.

Mainstream Hollywood had already been drawing heavily on pulp fiction traditions in movies such as Roman Polanskis dark, tortuous Chinatown, the 1981 remake of The Postman Always Rings Twice and the Double Indemnity-inspired Body Heat. All those films, though, had a certain glossiness. By contrast, the Coens feature was a grungy little project, made in Austin, Texas on a very modest budget that the brothers had cobbled together themselves from a group of investors from their hometown, Minneapolis.

The Coens can-do attitude and morbid sensibility were a huge inspiration to other indie filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino and Danny Boyle. Both would later direct equally arresting, violent, rancid and funny movies. Would Tarantino have got away with cutting off the ear in Reservoir Dogs, or Boyle with sawing up and burying Keith Allen in Shallow Grave if the Coens hadnt lit a path first? Would we all be watching those twisted crime series set in out-of-the-way states like Minnesota or Missouri? Probably not.

The real reason, though, that Blood Simple hasnt dated is that human nature remains much the same today as it was in 1984. Its a testament to the universal quality of the Coens tale of backstabbing, lustful, dim-witted, small-timers that Asian auteur Zhang Yimou was able to remake it in China as A Woman, a Gun and a Noodle Shop (2009) without very much being lost in translation.

This is a classic love triangle story. Frances McDormand plays Abby, the cheating wife. Getz is Ray, her barman lover, and Hedaya is Marty, the jealous husband (and also Rays boss at the Neon Boots strip bar). Theres a fourth major character, the redoubtable M Emmet Walsh, cast as the sleazy private detective Loren Visser. The Coens wrote the role with him in mind, little expecting he would actually take it.

Walshs motive for opting in was that it would be a chance to practice playing a heavy like Sydney Greenstreet (the jowly villain of The Maltese Falcon and Casablanca). No one is ever going to hear about this film, these kids, he later recalled thinking. He reasoned to himself that he had nothing to lose, even if he was being paid a pittance.

It turned out to be one of the highest points in Walshs career, which eventually stretched to over 200 films and TV appearances. His slimeball character dresses in a yellow suit, always has a film of perspiration on his brow, and drives a Volkswagen. His air of false bonhomie accentuates his ineffable creepiness.

open image in gallery Dirt nap: Dan Hedaya in Blood Simple' ( Circle Films/Everett/Shutterstock )

In Russia, they make only 50 cent a day, he tells Marty with mock irony when he accepts $10,000 to commit a double murder. At that very moment, you see a tiny fly scuttling across his scalp.

Getz tells me that the Coens knew from the outset exactly what they were doing. Joel was much more the director on this one. He would lay out a scene. Ethan was at his shoulder most of the time.

We would do a take and then often the two of them would stroll away from us, talking to one another, and then theyd burst into this cackling laugh they had  and then come back having amused themselves with whatever answer they got to the problem they saw in the take.

Getz remembers Walsh as a curious treat but also a bit on the cranky side, The virtuoso character actor was very tired because he had been doing a much bigger movie, Silkwood, at the same time, and he didnt always understand what the Coens were asking of him. For example, he had no idea why the brothers wanted him to lean down and pick up his hat after he had just been stabbed in the hand, bled out and nearly killed in one of the movies most cartoonishly violent set-pieces.

We saw everybody from the studios to the lowliest sleaze bucket distributors in LA. And they all said no Joel Coen

Just do it to amuse me, Joel told him. This whole goddamn movie is just to amuse you, the irate and baffled Walsh complained.

Getz had a similar experience. They had me trying to clean up the blood in the office with a nylon windbreaker. There was so much of it I said guys, this isnt going to absorb any of it but they said just do it.

The Coens realised even if the actors didnt that these little details  Getz forlornly mopping blood, Walsh taking time to put on his hat at a moment of maximum peril  would add immeasurably to the morbidly comic feel of the storytelling.

Blood Simple didnt have an easy route into distribution. Once the movie was completed, the brothers travelled to Los Angeles to show it to potential buyers. We saw everybody from the studios to the lowliest sleaze bucket distributors in LA. And they all said no, Joel later told author Stephen Lowenstein.

Trouble was, it was a little too arty for the sleaze studios and a little too sleazy for the majors, Ethan explained.

open image in gallery A serious man: M Emmet Walsh in Blood Simple ( River Road Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock )

The movie eventually took off primarily because of the New York and Cannes film festivals. It was watched by international critics who, in normal circumstances, might not have gone near a gruesome B-movie like this.

Sam [Raimi] had said to me at one point that my assistant editor has this movie hes not sure what to do with, Stephen Woolley, founder of Palace Pictures and UK distributor of The Evil Dead, tells me. When Woolley saw the film, which Palace later released, he thought it was fantastic.

I remember very well not knowing who Frances McDormand was but thinking it was an incredible performance by herand thinking there might be a niche for this in the UK. They [the Coens] were young and they were quite unaware of the films possible commercial potential

This was McDormands first movie. She had been recommended for the role by her roommate, Holly Hunter, and had turned up at her audition in a denim skirt and her then boyfriends leather jacket, which was far too big for her. (She was later to marry Joel.)

It may have been McDormands first movie but she still gave a strikingly original and idiosyncratic performance. Abby would traditionally have been portrayed as a Lana Turner or Barbara Stanwyck-like femme fatale but McDormand played her instead as a down-to-earth scrapper with hardly a trace of glamour or vanity about her.

open image in gallery Joel and Ethan Coen pictured in 1984 ( USAFilms/Everett/Shutterstock )

Woolley met the Coens and McDormand in Cannes. Ethan was very bookish, he says. Joel was very outgoing and was definitely the person who was more openly gregarious. Ethan was very quiet and was constantly reading 50s American pulp novels.

At a time when other US indie directors such as Jim Jarmusch and David Lynch were taking inspiration from the European art house tradition, the Coens had a far more populist approach. The title of their film came from a line in Dashiell Hammetts 1929 gumshoe novel Red Harvest. The brothers acknowledged their admiration of hardboiled American detective fiction. I think that goes back to Chandler and Hammett and Cain. The subject matter was very grim but the tone was upbeat, Joel explained to journalist Hal Hinson why he and Ethan sprayed Blood Simple with humour at even its darkest moments.

Another practical reason for taking on a crime thriller like this was that it was affordable, producible on a really small budget, just like the Sam Raimi horror films. It had four main characters and was made on location. The cinematographer Barry Sonnenfeld, who would go on to direct Men in Black, shot it in moody, shadowy fashion, just like old film noir, but it was made in colour rather than black and white because that made it easier to sell.

In recent years, the brothers have been a little disparaging of their debut movie, dismissing it to Lowenstein as crude and pretty damn bad. Thats not a verdict any fans share. To most of us, it seems like one of the true marvels of 80s cinema, a witty, dark fable that carries within it exactly the same DNA as the brothers later masterpieces such as Fargo (1996) and No Country for Old Men (2007).

Stick your finger up the wrong persons ass? Visser inquires at one stage. Its a question that sums up the Coens entire worldview in a nutshell and which, to audiences increasing delight, theyve been asking in different ways ever since.

Blood Simple is available on Amazon
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Elon Musk is being accused of completely missing the point of the satirical 1997 sci-fi action movie Starship Troopers after referencing it when celebrating his new role in Donald Trumps administration.

The tech entrepreneur and billionaire played a major role in helping Trump win the 2024 US election and has now been appointed as the leader of the Department of Government Efficiency, along with Vivek Ramaswamy.

We are very grateful to the thousands of Americans who have expressed interest in helping us at DOGE, the group wrote on X on Thursday. We dont need more part-time idea generators. We need super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries willing to work 80+ hours per week on unglamorous cost-cutting. If thats you, DM this account with your CV. Elon & Vivek will review the top one per cent of applicants.

In the aftermath of the announcement, Musk shared a meme aimed at the so-called big government machine claiming that Its afraid.

Musk then shared an image from a climactic scene in Starship Troopers where Neil Patrick Harriss character, Carl Jenkins, triumphantly claims victory over their alien bug enemies.

On the surface, this is a fairly common cinematic trope but Starship Troopers, made by Dutch provocateur Paul Verhoeven and adapted from a novel by Robert A Heinlein, has a very obvious twist that Musk appears to have missed

The subverted message of the film is that the supposed heroic humans, that we have followed throughout the movie, are actually fascists and are committing genocide against the bugs.

Its not a hard message to miss as numerous military propaganda videos, emulating scenes from The Triumph of the Will, are played throughout the film, with the humans even wearing uniforms inspired by those worn by the Nazis and Italys National Fascist Party.

I want to make a movie so painfully obvious in its satire that everyone who understands it lives in perpetual psychological torment inflicted on them by all the people who dont, said Verhoeven, in a quote attributed to him.

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Therefore, Musk comparing himself to the bad guys in Starship Troopers is perhaps not the message that the 53-year-old was hoping to convey.

Starship Troopers ( COLUMBIA/TRISTAR )

Musk shared the post on 14 November and it has since been shared more than 26,000 times with many people saying the same thing.

One person sarcastically wrote: When you understand things and what they mean.

Another X/Twitter user said: My favourite genre of Elon tweet is doesnt understand the source material.

A third added: Please never stop right-wingers missing that Starship Troopers was satire.

A fourth person joked: Im not sure, considering the fairly obvious undertones of what the military represents in this film, that this is the statement he thinks it is.
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Ridley Scott has weighed in on Barry Keoghans exit from the forthcoming sword-and-sandals sequel Gladiator II.

Banshees of Inisherin star Keoghan had signed on to play the role of Emperor Caracalla, but dropped out and was replaced by The White Lotuss Fred Hechinger.

Scott claimed that Keoghan was unable to feature in the project because of his work on the Emerald Fennell-directed satire Saltburn.

Barry got locked into Saltburn, the director told The New York Times. I think thats maybe the best film Ive seen this year. Anyway, Barry is one of the good ones, the same level as Joaquin Phoenix and Paul [Mescal].

Mescal plays the lead role of Lucius in Gladiator II, the son of Russell Crowes Maximus in the original Gladiator.

Phoenix, meanwhile, has collaborated with Scott multiple times, appearing in the original Gladiator as well as the recent biopic Napoleon.

Scott doubled down on the comparisons between Keoghan and Phoenix, stating: Barry is so complex and actually has it under control. I know hes a bit of a challenge, but its worth it. Like deciding on Joaquin, its worth it.

Ridley Scott and Barry Keoghan ( Getty )

It had previously been reported that Keoghan dropped out of Gladiator II in order to star in Bird, the latest film from acclaimed British director Andrea Arnold.

Speaking to IndieWire earlier this year, Keoghan also stated that his non-involvement in Scotts film was due to scheduling conflicts.

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Conflicts, schedule conflicts, he said. I am a massive fan of Gladiator and a massive fan of that cast. Its a shame you cant do both. But that happens in this game. You cant do both.

In a four-star review of Bird for The Independent, critic Clarisse Loughrey wrote: Bird is for every lost child who wishes someone would have stood up and defended them. Its a fragile but beautiful vision, and marks the strongest blend yet of Andrea Arnolds primary directives as a filmmaker.

There have been her stories of young, working-class women in search of their own liberation, such as Mia in her 2009 breakout Fish Tank or Star in her US-set 2016 film American Honey. And there have been stories about the dignity and inner life bestowed on all creatures, as exemplified by her 2022 documentary Cow, shot over the course of four years on an industrial dairy farm. Bird fuses both.

Bird is out in cinemas now. Gladiator II is released on 15 November in the UK.
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James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli has said the next actor who takes on the iconic role will be in his 30s and not necessarily white.

Its a big decision, she told the Associated Press while talking about who could take the mantle from Daniel Craig, who retired from the role after 2021s No Time To Die.

The next actor to play James Bond will be a man. Hell likely be in his 30s. Whiteness is not a given, the news agency reported.

He will have to agree to doing at least a decades worth of films in their contract.

Broccoli said she is prepared to deal with the backlash that inevitably comes after a new name is announced, as happened when Craig was cast.

Every time we cast a new actor, the films change. Its the excitement of a new Bond, a new direction, Broccolis co-producer and brother Michael G Wilson said.

Every one of these people who took on the role offered something new and different.

open image in gallery Michael G Wilson, Barbara Broccoli and Daniel Craig in 2022 ( Getty )

The current favourite for the role is Kick-Ass star Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Rumours about Taylor-Johnson have been swirling since January 2023 after it was reported that Broccoli had been left impressed by a screen test with the actor.

Former Bond stars James Pryce, Pierce Brosnan and George Lazenby have all backed the Nowhere Boy actor, saying they believe he could be the right candidate.

Also in the running are Rege-Jean Page, Cillian Murphy, Tom Hardy, and Idris Elba, who has been a fan favourite suggestion for years.

Craig was the longest-reigning James Bond in the film franchise, based on novels by Ian Fleming. The story was first adapted for the big screen in 1962, with Sean Connery playing the first iteration of the spy in Dr No.

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Craig starred in five James Bond films, starting with Casino Royale in 2006. He also played the famous spy in Quantum of Solace in 2008, Skyfall in 2012, Spectre in 2015, and No Time To Die in 2021.

open image in gallery Daniel Craig and Gemma Arterton in Quantum of Solace 2008 ( Rex Features )

In a recent interview, Craig was asked, If you were to pass the James Bond torch, who would you love to see play him?

He responded, I dont care.

On the hunt for the next Bond, The Independents Louis Chilton writes: The longer the delays, the harder its going to be for anyone to fill Craigs well-polished shoes.

It is, as any Bond fan will know, a rather precarious time for the franchise, existentially speaking. Spy fiction has never been less in vogue in Hollywood. Outside of a couple of obstinate legacy franchises (Tom Cruises Mission: Impossible films; the supposedly still-ongoing Bourne saga), the genre has largely migrated to the shores of television. Questions have been raised over how exactly 007 can be made fresh once again; a popular but radical suggestion is the idea of a retro-Bond, set during the era of Ian Flemings original books. Others have proposed introducing a younger, maybe even adolescent Bond, in the vein of Charlie Higsons spin-off novel series.
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Rachel Zegler has issued an apology for her recent social media outburst, in which she raged against President-elect Donald Trump and his supporters.

Following Trumps win in the 2024 election, the 23-year-old Snow White star took to Instagram to share her candid reaction. There is a deep sickness in this country, she wrote, while also declaring: May Trump supporters and Trump voters and Trump himself never know peace.

However, Zegler has since backtracked on her original post, admitting that she let her emotions get the best of me.

Hi everyone, I would like to sincerely apologize for the election post I shared on my Instagram last week, she wrote on her Instagram Story on Thursday (November 14).

I let my emotions get the best of me, she continued. Hatred and anger have caused us to move further away from peace and understanding, and I am sorry I contributed to the negative discourse.

open image in gallery May Trump supporters and Trump voters and Trump himself never know peace, Rachel Zegler wrote in an Instagram post the day after the election ( Getty Images )

This week has been emotional for so many of us, but I firmly believe that everyone has the right to their opinion, even when it differs from my own, Zegler concluded. I am committed to contributing positively toward a better tomorrow.

The West Side Story actors message comes shortly after former Fox News host Megyn Kelly demanded she be fired from Disneys forthcoming Snow White live-action remake over her anti-Trump tirade.

Hello, Disney! Youre gonna have to redo your film again because this woman is a pig, and you fired Gina Carano for far less than this nonsense, Kelly said on a recent episode of her SiriusXM radio show.

Her comments were in reference to Disneys axing of Carano from The Mandalorian, after Carano had shared a social media post that appeared to compare the Republican experience in the US to that of Jewish people during the Holocaust.

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open image in gallery I let me emotions get the best of me, Zegler said in an apology posted to Instagram ( Rachel Zegler on Instagram )

She has to go. Im sorry, Disney, she has to go right now Theres something wrong with this person, Kelly added. Picture this: A Broadway actress who said, F Biden supporters, may Biden and Kamala never know peace. That person would be fired so fast it would make your head spin.

Zegler is currently leading Broadways new Romeo + Juliet revival alongside Heartstoppers Kit Connor.

The production, directed by Tony-winner Sam Gold (Fun Home), is scheduled to run until February 16, 2025, just in time for the release of Disneys live-action Snow White remake on March 21, 2025.

Zeglers casting of the titular princess in June 2021 was met with backlash from some people, who decried the idea of a Latina Snow White.

The Colombian-American actor later expressed gratitude for the outrage on a 2023 episode of Varietys Actors on Actors series, saying she was so thankful for those moments because they make me feel like solid Teflon.

That nothing can hurt anymore because theyve said the worst that can be said, Zegler said. You just say, Thank you so much for this. I have a lot of love in my life, and Im very thankful. We get to do our work and have that speak for itself instead.
You might wonder if, by making a ballet out of Margaret Atwoods Oryx and Crake trilogy of dystopian sci-fi novels, Wayne McGregor was biting off more than he could possibly chew. On stage, The Royal Ballets MADDADDAM is a kaleidoscopic pileup of images and ideas - as if McGregor never met a rabbit hole he didnt want to go down. It can be exasperating, beautiful, or just odd. The hubris is part of the point: MADDADDAM is about the need to tell stories, and the struggle to tell them.

The first act is full of chaos and plot. Joseph Sissens is Jimmy, one of the last human survivors of a global pandemic. He lives with the Crakers, a new race bioengineered by his dead friend Crake  a sleek, black-clad genius, elegantly danced by William Bracewell.

Jimmy is haunted by memories of Crake, and of Fumi Kanekos beautiful Oryx, Crakes partner. Other survivors include Toby, an eco-pacifist danced by Melissa Hamilton; her friends; and a violent group of fashionista gangsters, dressed by Gareth Pugh in little fur jackets.

A co-production with the National Ballet of Canada, where it had its premiere in 2022, MADDADDAM layers sound and image from a starry creative team. Max Richters commissioned score flips between electronic crackle and sumptuous washes of strings, with sound design by Chris Ekers. Projected film by Ravi Deepres  riots, the natural world, a huge golden eye  floats on gauzes or on the egglike shapes of the set, designed by We Not I.

Voiceovers read snatches of Atwoods text. When Sissens performs an angular solo to a dense summary of the plot so far, his bold dancing is overloaded by the storytelling framework. A scene with a Craker child is much stronger: Sissens pours out his steps, desperate to communicate, to pass on what he knows, even if the child cant take it in.

Stepping away from the text, McGregor creates impressive dances. Kaneko shimmers in a gorgeous trio: with Jimmy, shes radiant and idealised, before curling into sensuousness with Crake.

open image in gallery Melissa Hamilton as Toby in Wayne McGregors MADDADDAM ( Andrej Uspenski )

The second act retells the story as a video game  but, wonderfully, one that starts with serenity and joy. The same dancers float through Richters lyrical score, glowingly lit by Lucy Carter. As violence creeps up, the music tips into electronica, while steps speed into ferocious spinning turns.

For the third act, in the far future, McGregor creates exuberant steps for the evolved Crakers. They crouch and run, with delicate animalistic twitches and giddy, bounding moves. The story has become a religion: turning discarded clothes into puppets, characters tenderly re-enact scenes weve already seen. Its both touching and unsettling, with moments of violence either unrecognised or simmering with threat.

McGregor ends the work with a serene, overlong finale; trying to wrap things up neatly, he falls into blandness. The mess is part of MADDADDAM: you cant just leave it behind.

Maddaddam is at the Royal Opera House until 30 November
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The family of Chanel Maya Banks, the Gossip Girl actor who vanished without a trace two weeks ago, is insisting she is still missing despite authorities confirming she was found safe and sound.

Following a two-week search, the Los Angeles Police Department announced on November 12 that after receiving a tip they were led to a home in Texas, where a woman identified herself as Banks. It was reported that no foul play was suspected in her disappearance, and the case has since been closed.

However, after being informed of the LAPDs update, Bankss cousin Danielle-Tori Singh said it was fake news and vowed to continue distributing flyers describing Banks as missing, ABC 7 reported.

Hours after the police announcement, an Instagram post shared from Bankss verified Instagram account claimed that she had not gone missing and had instead voluntarily left to escape my cage.

She accused her family of sexual abuse and manipulation  it is unclear whether Banks has made the allegations in the past or whether police have investigated them.

I have met with the Police and verified that I am not only OK, but Im finally free, she continued. They say once, youre free in Christ Jesus, youre free indeed, so I told my husband six days ago I was going to get baptized by one of my favorite pastors Pastor Robert Clancy.

open image in gallery Chanel Maya Banks claims she was not missing but instead voluntarily left to escape my cage ( ohheychanel/TikTok )

According to his Instagram, Clancy, a revivalist pastor, was indeed in San Antonio, Texas, hosting a three-day Repentance Revival Movement Conference from November 8 to 10.

So I made my Exodous and took my Freedom Ride first class (on Spirit air no less) to the Promised land, she said, adding that she now just wants freedom not only for herself but for everyone suffering in silence.

Singh, who flew in from Toronto to help with the search, has called the woman found in Texas an imposter.

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I have the still from Texas PD body cam footage that was shown to us on Monday Nov 11 at the Pacific Police Station in LA, she wrote in an Instagram Story. This is the woman theyre telling us is Chanel. We have told them this is not Chanel. They didnt listen to us and closed the case. Thats why @ohhheychanel wont post a video saying shes safe because its not Chanel.

The Independent has contacted LAPD for comment.

open image in gallery Danielle-Tori Singh claims woman found in Texas isnt her cousin Chanel Maya Banks ( Danielle-Tori Singh on Instagram )

In a subsequent Story, Singh included a side-by-side picture of the imposter woman found in Texas and our Chanel.

Banks was initially reported missing by her family, who said they hadnt seen or heard from her since October 30. Her relatives said it was very unusual for the actor to be out of touch with them for longer than a few days.

Five days without hearing from my cousin is red flags and alarm bells, Singh previously told KABC. She doesnt go more than 48 hours without speaking to me or her mom... That girl is more like a big sister to me.

Police conducted four welfare checks at her home in the Playa Vista neighborhood of Los Angeles, two on November 7 and another two on November 8, according to a now-defunct GoFundMe page launched by Singh to aid in their search.

Banks has warned followers not to donate to any GoFundMe that says Im missing. I am not missing.

During those checks at the apartment  where Banks lives with her husband of one year  authorities found her dog and her belongings, but not Banks, it was reported.

Banks does not go anywhere without her little dog, which also has been left behind. She also does not have her vehicle because its parked in her garage. She would NEVER go anywhere without telling her mom or myself, Singh wrote on the fundraising page.

Singh also accused Bankss husband of not cooperating with law enforcement and of helping with the search.

Hes not willing to help LAPD. Hes not willing to help me or her mom find her, Singh told KABC. He is removing flyers off of posts and cars.
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Jonathan Bailey has said anybody over the age of 40 should have to watch Heartstopper on Netflix.

The Wicked star, 36, cameoed in the queer drama adapted from Alice Osemans graphic novel as Jack Maddox, a famous academic who schoolboy Charlie (Joe Locke) has a crush on.

Upon its release in 2022 Heartstopper, which follows Charlies blossoming love life, was praised by fans for giving queer characters a joyful story often only portrayed in heterosexual romcoms.

Speaking to Vanity Fair, Bailey, who came out publicly in 2018, said: Heartstopper seems to allow people to feel catharsis and to feel a sort of melancholic sort of nostalgia for what could have been.

He reflected: I was feeling all of those things anywayI would be really proud of myself if I could be a part of that as my younger self. Everyone above the age of 40 should be forced to watch it.

Bailey admitted he sort of wedged himself into the role of Jack Maddox for season three of the show because he was so moved by the first two seasons and Osemans graphic novel.

The Fellow Travelers actor added of the shows cast: I think theyre brilliant. I remember seeing all of them speak to their own experiences and being like, My God, theyre so erudite and grounded and thoughtful and kind and compassionate in their answers.

open image in gallery Jonathan Bailey in Heartstopper season three ( Netflix )

Bailey reflected on his experience of publicly coming out as gay in an interview with GQ in 2022.

He recalled how one of his actor friends was told by a media boss in the early days of his career: Theres two things we dont want to know: if youre an alcoholic or if youre gay.

The Bridgerton star subsequently concealed his sexuality. All it takes is for one of those people in that position of power to say that, and it ripples through," he explained of his decision.

So, yeah, of course I thought that. Of course I thought that in order to be happy I needed to be straight.

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open image in gallery Kit Connor and Joe Locke in Heartstopper' ( Samuel Dore/Netflix )

However, in his early 20s, Bailey decided to come out regardless of his career. I reached a point where I thought, F**k this, he said.

Id much prefer to hold my boyfriends hand in public or be able to put my own face picture on Tinder and not be so concerned about that than getting a part.

When Bailey won the Critics Choice award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the queer political drama Fellow Travelers in January he dedicated the gong to the LGBTQ+ community.

open image in gallery Bailey and Matt Bomer in Fellow Travelers ( Paramount+ )

LGBTQ+ people have always existed, mostly hidden, he said. They have always been fighting for an easier life for the generations that followed.

So I thank those who came before me, who created a world where I can stand here today and win an award for telling their story.

To all the people who lost their lives and loves in the 80s and 90s and to every LGBTQ+ person living in a bigoted community, which still surrounds us, this is for you.
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Games of Thrones star Sophie Turner is reportedly in negotiations to lead Amazon Prime Videos upcoming TV adaptation of the popular video game franchise Tomb Raider.

Turner is set to play the role of protagonist Lara Croft in Phoebe Waller-Bridges new series, according to Deadline. While the deal has not yet been finalized, its expected to close soon, according to the outlet.

Amazon Prime Video declined The Independents request for comment.

Fleabag star and creator Waller-Bridge will write and executive produce the show, which was greenlit by Amazon earlier this year. Reports of its development initially broke in January 2023.

Last month, it was reported that Turner was up against Lucy Boynton (Bohemian Rhapsody) for the role. Emma Corrin and Mackenzie Davis were also among the actors on the producers wish list, but ultimately they did not screen test for the role, per Deadline.

Turner, 28, who starred as Sansa Stark in HBOs hit drama Game of Thrones, is the latest in a string of actors to take on the role of the British archaeologist.

Sophie Turner is set to lead Amazons new Tomb Raider as Lara Croft ( AFP via Getty Images )

Angelina Jolie first starred as the titular heroine in 2001s Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and 2003s Lara Croft: Tomb Raider  The Cradle of Life. Alicia Vikander later took on the role in Warner Bros 2018 Tomb Raider reboot.

Though the latter received middling reviews, Vikander was praised for her portrayal and was expected to return for a sequel. However, MGM lost the rights to Tomb Raider in 2022, and the project disintegrated.

At the time, the rights to the beloved character were part of a bidding war between multiple Hollywood studios, with one source describing it as a feeding frenzy.

Amazon, which later acquired MGM in 2022, is rumored to have purchased the rights to the video game series for $600m.

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The new Tomb Raider is part of Waller-Bridges $20m-a-year deal with Amazon that she signed in 2019.

When the series was ordered in May, head of Amazon Studios Jennifer Salke teased it as epic and globe-trotting while also praising Waller-Bridge: She is clever, brilliant, generous and a virtuoso on multiple fronts including writing, acting and producing.

Lara Croft means a lot to me, as she does to many, and I cant wait to go on this adventure. Bats n all, the Killing Eve creator said.
Wellington College China has witnessed steady growth in the number of expat students at its six schools in four cities over the past 15 years, reflecting foreigners continued confidence in Chinas economy and development, says the groups top executive.

There are currently over 5,400 students at the groups Wellington and Hiba schools in Tianjin, Shanghai, Hangzhou in Zhejiang province, and Nantong in Jiangsu province; and the student number has risen, says Joy Qiao Ying, founder and chairman of Wellington College China.

Taking Wellington College International Shanghai as an example, there were over 300 students when it opened a decade ago. Now, we are near full capacity at over 1,600 students, says Qiao during an exclusive interview on 1 November when the school celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Were extremely lucky as a service provider in the education sector that has been riding on the giant, historical wave of Chinas rapid economic development, Qiao says.

Increasingly, I hear multinational companies say they are in China not just because it is a big market or a place for manufacturing but because the country is attractive for its massive talent pool across disciplines and industries and its global perspective and linguistic ability, she says.

Pupils from Wellington College in Shanghai compete in a book relay in August ( PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY )

By staying in Shanghai, and with China being one of the largest international school markets globally, expat children enjoy top-quality education that they might not have access to in their home countries. This is one attraction or competitive advantage for expats to live and work in China, says Qiao.

Wellington College China schools, for which the annual tuition fees in Shanghai range from 166,000 yuan (17,901) to 380,000 yuan (40,979), have students from more than 50 countries and regions around the world, especially from the United States, the United Kingdom and other European countries. Many children also come from South Africa, Southeast Asian countries, Australia and Canada, among others.

Parents work in all sectors in China. Taking our Shanghai schools as an example, the diverse areas relevant to technology and innovation  clean energy, electric vehicles, pharmaceuticals, finance, and advanced manufacturing  have representation in our parent body, says Qiao.

Recently, we noticed many of the parents of students newly joining us are from the pharmaceutical sector. Perhaps it is a result of our location or the features of Shanghais economy as a whole, she says.

Many expat parents appreciate that Chinese language courses are mandatory in early years for everyone who attends, says Qiao.

China is an increasingly influential participant on the global stage. Parents see it as a significant, competitive advantage for their children to master the Chinese language, which is the most spoken worldwide and perhaps the most difficult to learn, she says.

Students can also select Chinese culture studies courses, which are a combination of history, geography and moral education.

Celebrations and activities are held on the campus for all the important traditional Chinese festivals  Dragon Boat Festival, Lantern Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival, says an eighth-grade student from the UK at Wellington College International Shanghai, who asked to be identified as Benjamin. This allows us to experience the local culture.

About 30 per cent of graduates from the Wellington and Hiba schools go to the worlds top 20 universities and about 60 per cent go to top 50 universities. They ultimately become cultural ambassadors and help the world better understand China.
The Chinese outbound tourism market has experienced a robust revival in 2024, signaling a dynamic comeback after the end of pandemic-induced restrictions. With travel demand surging, key destinations worldwide are once again welcoming Chinese tourists, making 2024 a pivotal year of recovery.

Industry reports reveal that Chinese travellers are venturing abroad in increasingly large numbers, bringing a renewed wave of economic activity to the global tourism sector.

Data from Trip.com and Fliggy showed a significant uptick during the 2024 National Day Golden Week, with Alipay reporting a 60-per cent year-on-year increase in outbound transactions. Goldman Sachs projected outbound travel growth of 62 per cent year-on-year, approaching 94 per cent of 2019 levels, while Forward-Keys data suggested that flight demand is closing in on pre-pandemic figures.

Gary Bowerman, director at Check-in Asia, a travel consultancy specialising in China and the Asia-Pacific region, is optimistic about emerging travel trends. He highlighted the growing appeal of destinations in the Middle East and North Africa.

Destinations like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE are enthusiastic about attracting more Chinese visitors. In 2025, were likely to see increased flight capacity from China into these regions, opening up access to a broader range of destinations, he said.

Europe, however, faces challenges in attracting Chinese tourists due to limited direct flights and complex Schengen visa requirements, making short-notice travel difficult, experts say. In contrast, destinations like Turkiye and Serbia benefit from more lenient visa policies, making it easier to attract Chinese travellers.

To compete, European destinations must adopt creative and innovative strategies to appeal to the Chinese market.

Responding to the growing interest in nature-based and outdoor activities, destinations like Austria are launching initiatives tailored for Chinese tourists. Emanuel Lehner-Telic, head of markets for Asia-Pacific at Austria Tourism, points to the recently established Chinese-Austrian Friendship Trail in Sichuan province as a bridge between the two cultures, reflecting the appeal of Austrias Alpine landscapes.

Austria offers an ideal mix of culture and nature. Chinese tourists here are exploring more outdoor destinations in the Alps and showing a growing preference for high-quality accommodations and authentic local cuisine, he said.

This trend towards deeper cultural immersion and local experiences reflects a shift towards slower, more meaningful travel.

In the UK, Patricia Yates, CEO of VisitBritain, reports that Chinese tourists are exploring beyond London, with cities like Manchester and Edinburgh gaining traction, aided by expanded direct flights from China.

Compared to other European countries experiencing visa delays, efficient visa processing strengthens the UKs appeal, Yates explained. Chinese visitors often stay longer  up to 11 days  allowing for deeper exploration and providing substantial benefits to regional economies.

The popularity of British films and TV series is another advantage in the Chinese market, where series like Harry Potter, Sherlock Holmes, and Bridgerton have captivated audiences.

Yates emphasised that visitors are increasingly drawn to live out these on-screen experiences. Campaigns featuring walking tours of filming sites, such as Bridgertons locations in Bath, align with a rising demand for immersive, authentic experiences.

In the near term, China is poised to play a pivotal role in driving international travel, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. While current outbound travel volumes have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, Chinese tourism is projected to rebound by 2026, reaching 15 per cent above 2019 levels, according to data from Tourism Economics.
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Chinese influencer Li Ziqi returned to her social media after over 1,200 days of complete silence, creating a storm of excitement among fans across platforms.

The 34-year-old content creator from China is known for calming videos of her bucolic life in southwestern Chinas Sichuan province. Painstakingly detailed, her videos showed Li cooking traditional Chinese dishes from scratch, working on her farm, and creating elaborate handicrafts.

She quickly gathered a huge audience, not just in China but globally. She has over 20 million subscribers on her YouTube channel, rising to become the most popular Chinese-language influencer on the platform.

Li last posted on 14 November 2021, and then disappeared from social media entirely as she reportedly became embroiled in a contract dispute with her agency.

Without warning, just as suddenly as she had left, Li returned with three videos earlier this week.

My grandmas wardrobe was broken, so I gave it a makeover

In the first, she handmakes a beautifully carved lacquer closet to give her grandmothers broken wardrobe a makeover. In the other, she converts a shed used to store wood into a closet. In the third, she makes herself a dress  but spins and weaves the silk fabric by herself. As always, the videos are set to soothing music and interspersed between Lis work are shots of scenery in her village.

In two days, her latest video had more than 4.1 million views and over 370,000 likes on YouTube.

Welcome back, Li Ziqi; the world has missed you, reads a comment on the video.

Li, whose name is Li Jiajia, grew in popularity between 2015-2016, as people in China and elsewhere began to discover her idyllic cooking videos. She started sharing videos featuring different parts of her life  videos would show her harvesting crops, quietly embroidering a piece of clothing using traditional Chinese techniques, growing mushrooms, making peach blossom crowns, or hanging up persimmons to dry them.

open image in gallery ( Liziqi/YouTube )

Her fans, most of whom would spend their days working office jobs, found her videos comforting as they felt that it showed them a simpler and happier life. Even though there were some criticisms aimed at what some viewers called her overly idealised version of country life, fans craved the simplicity of the life she showed. In 2020, a New York Times story called her the Quarantine Queen and described her videos as a dreamy escape, and a lesson in self-reliance.

She is just enjoying what she does. She is romanticising it, but that life is what we want to see, Professor Li Jinzhao at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) told CGTN.

The slow and unhurried pace of everything she did coupled with the meticulous filming and production turned her not just into a huge influencer, but also won her the approval of the Chinese government.

In 2018, Li was named a role model for Chinese youth and the Communist party of China dubbed her a good young netizen. The following year in September, she won the Peoples Choice award from the Peoples Daily, the official newspaper of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party. In 2020, state media called her a good influence for promoting traditional Chinese culture all over the world. She has also been called the vlogger who amazes the world with Chinas countryside life by Xinhua.

Mid-2021, Li stopped posting videos amid a dispute with her agency Hangzhou Weinian Brand Management, the reason for which is unclear. The two parties reportedly reached a settlement at the end of 2022, but Li did not post until this week.

The usually reclusive content creator has turned down numerous interviews despite repeated attempts by several publications to reach her over the years, but did agree to speak to state-run media on her return.

open image in gallery ( Liziqi/YouTube )

Over the three years she was off the Internet, she said she caught up on her sleep, took up learning the piano, created new handicrafts, and travelled with her grandmother, who makes occasional appearances in Lis videos.

Describing her lacquer work wardrobe, she said shed started planning the video last year in spring, and the actual work took her months, even though the video may not show it. The wardrobe is decorated with an auspicious mythological creature named the Qilin, which she chose on purpose as the updated wardrobe was a gift to her grandmother.

I actually specifically chose a pattern of a Qilin looking back because there is a Chinese saying that a Qilin looking back can dispel all illnesses, she told Xinhua. I just hope she can be healthy.

On whether she plans to continue posting regularly again, Li didnt sound too certain.

Its not that I wont shoot videos in the future  because I still enjoy sharing some of my life and meaningful cultural things with everyone. However, the timing may be more flexible and I have to wait until I finish the things in my hands before I can say for sure, she said.
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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has ordered the mass production of exploding suicide drones designed to crash into targets after he guided a test of these aerial weapons, the state media reported on Friday.

The suicide attack drones, also known as loitering munitions, can be used to precisely attack enemy targets on the ground and in the sea and carry out a mission in different striking ranges, the North Korea state news agency KCNA reported.

The report claimed that the drones flew various routes and accurately struck targets. The images purportedly showed a BMW sedan being destroyed and old models of tanks being blown up.

"(Kim) underscored the need to build a serial production system as early as possible and go into full-scale mass production," the report added.

Mr Kim said the competition for using drones for military purposes is accelerating around the world, with military authorities likely recognising their success in conflicts of various scale.

The military authorities in the world will probably recognise that the drones are achieving clear successes in big and small conflicts. This is a trend that has emerged as an essential requirement in the military aspect nowadays, it said.

Suicide drones have been used in escalating conflicts around the world, including in the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, to prolong the conflict without expending the costly and deadly cruise and ballistic missiles.

This photo provided by the North Korean government shows a burning vehicle during tests of drones designed to crash into targets at an undisclosed location in North Korea ( AP )

"Such objective change urgently calls for updating many parts of military theory, practice and education," Mr Kim said, according to KCNA.

The countrys latest military demonstration came as the US, South Korea and Japan engaged in combined military exercises involving advanced fighter jets and a US aircraft carrier in nearby international waters, in a display of their defense posture against North Korea.

This is not the first time the North Korean supreme leader is testing the practical use of suicide drones. In August, Mr Kim supervised a test of domestically-developed attack drones and said Pyongyangs military should be equipped with them as early as possible.

Photos of the drone test showed a white drone with X-shaped tails and wings crashing into and destroying a target resembling South Koreas K-2 main battle tank.

On the domestic front, North Korean drones have already been shot down by the South after Pyongyang sent them across the border flying for hours in key areas including Seoul and over the no-fly zone surrounding the South Korean presidential office.

The testing of the suicide drones amid North Koreas rapidly developing military alliance with Russia has sparked concerns about Mr Kim receiving technical help from Moscow.

The leaders in the west are carefully watching North Korea and Russias recently ratified strategic partnership along military lines, where the two sides have vowed to come to each others aid.

Additionally, North Korea has deployed thousands of its troops to Russias western frontlines in the war with Ukraine without officially announcing its participation in Europes largest conflict since the Second World War.
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The absence of a top provincial politician at the time the country is battling an air emergency involving toxic smog has sparked a debate in Pakistan.

Authorities in Punjab province announced a health emergency and said they are mulling a three-day lockdown as the air crisis ahead of winter has trapped dust, emissions and smoke from the illegal stubble burning on fields.

Air quality slipped drastically this week in Punjabs largest city Lahore, which has seen the Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of major pollutant PM2.5 breaching the 1,500-mark on Thursday.

Known as the inhalable particulate matter, PM2.5 can cause serious respiratory ailments and was recorded on Friday at least 77 times more than the safe limit prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Punjab has blamed this years particularly high pollution levels partly on toxic air flowing from neighbouring India, where air quality has also reached hazardous levels.

Residents criticised Punjabs chief minister, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, for travelling to London at a time people have complained of worsening health. The recently elected leader spoke to party workers in London, after photos of her walking in Switzerland went viral on social media, and said she was seeking treatment for a parathyroid condition.

Infuriated netizens slammed the timing of the lawmakers visit, which has coincided with the worst air pollution levels in the country.

Lahore is dying, and no one is doing anything to save it. Not everyone has the option to go to London, Pakistani actor Simi Raheel said on her Instagram.

Lahore Resolution monument called Minar-e-Pakistan is seen engulfed in smog in Lahore ( AFP via Getty Images )

Air experts in the country have also questioned the political will to tackle the air crisis.

It is an important part of the messaging around the political will to respond to this emergency situation and it has to be dealt with as an emergency. We have been saying that it is a public health emergency for years now but the leaders are yet to react proportionately, said Abid Omar, founder of Pakistan Air Quality Initiative (PAQI), a climate research and advocacy group.

Mr Omar has called for a ban on major pollutants in Pakistan, stating that they will directly impact the AQI levels. It is currently at a hazardous level and the government is declaring an emergency but the action is yet to show the intent, he told The Independent.

The absence of Ms Sharif was also slammed on social media platform X where one user said Punjab deserved better. Maryam Nawaz is enjoying the clean air of Switzerlands Alpine Mountains while her province suffers from carcinogenic smog and pollution, one user said on X.

Another X user said the leader was breathing fresh air while millions back home are suffering from flu, cough and headache. Smog will be fixed in a few years says Maryam nawaz cosplaying as Sicilian Mafia donned with fox fur breathing fresh air in london as Form-47 CM of Punjab where Millions suffer with persistent Respiratory diseases, flu, cough, headache etc (sic), they said.

Ms Sharif said she had to seek necessary medical treatment as only the United States and Switzerland offer the specialised procedures for her condition. I was not raised to seek sympathy as a victim, but these rumours have forced me to address my illness publicly, she said.

Meanwhile, authorities in Punjab announced a ban on construction, shut schools for another week and moved universities online, the provinces senior minister said on Friday.

"A complete lockdown will be enforced on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (next week) if the situation does not improve by Wednesday," said Punjab senior minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, addressing a press conference in Lahore. Citizens were advised to stay indoors. AQI readings in Lahore reached 637 at 3pm (1000 GMT), IQAir showed, significantly higher than levels recommended by the WHO.

The government ordered the closure of construction, brick kilns, and furnace-based plants in Lahore and the city of Multan, the minister said. Punjabs government last week ordered schools to close until 17 November, and on Friday the shift to online learning was extended for another week.

Colleges and universities will also shut down, moving to virtual classes. The eastern province has already banned entry to parks, zoos, playgrounds and other public spaces.
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Anura Kumara Dissanayakes coalition has secured a decisive victory in Sri Lankas snap general election, giving its new leftist president greater legislative powers to pursue policies to revive a country in the grip of a financial crisis.

Mr Dissanayake, an outsider in a country dominated by family politics for decades, comfortably won the islands presidential election in September.

But his Marxist-leaning coalition, the National Peoples Power (NPP), had just three of 225 seats before Thursdays election, prompting him to dissolve parliament and seek a fresh mandate. This will help consolidate support for his economic relief initiatives aimed at alleviating the struggles of Sri Lankas poorest citizens amid an ongoing financial crisis.

The NPP won 107 seats, receiving almost 62 per cent or 6.8 million votes in Thursdays election, putting them past the majority mark in the parliament, latest results on the Election Commission of Sri Lankas website showed. A two-third majority appeared within reach of the coalition.

We see this as a critical turning point for Sri Lanka, Mr Dissanayake declared after casting his vote on Thursday.

"There is a change in Sri Lankas political culture that started in September, which must continue, he said.

open image in gallery NPP supporters cheer after voting ends for the parliamentary election in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 14 November 2024 ( EPA )

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party, led by opposition figure Sajith Premadasa, was the NPPs main rival in the election but fell far short of challenging Mr Dissanayakes sweeping success. The SJB captured just 28 seats with roughly 18 per cent of the votes polled.

Voters directly elect 196 members to parliament from 22 constituencies under a proportional representation system. The remaining 29 seats will be allocated according to the island-wide proportional vote obtained by each party.

Celebrations were largely muted, with the exception of a few NPP loyalists who lit fireworks in the outskirts of the capital, Colombo.

open image in gallery An election official transports a sealed ballot box to a counting centre at the end of voting in Sri Lankas legislative elections in Colombo on 14 November 2024 ( AFP via Getty Images )

Approximately 17 million Sri Lankans were eligible to vote, with the election drawing a record number of political entities, as 690 parties and independent groups competed across the nations 22 electoral districts.

The vote grants lawmakers a five-year term in office, as the president seeks to address the economic and social fallout of the countrys ongoing debt and currency crises.

Traditionally, Sri Lankan voters support the presidents party in parliamentary elections held shortly after a presidential win, and this election appears no different.

Although the president holds considerable executive power, Mr Dissanayake still requires a parliamentary majority to fully appoint his cabinet and advance key economic policies. Among his ambitious goals is a plan to abolish Sri Lankas executive presidency, but for this, he needs a two-thirds majority in parliament.

Sri Lanka, a nation of 22 million, has been reeling from an economic crisis that erupted in 2022, which saw the country default on its debt due to a severe foreign currency shortage. This crisis drove the economy into a 7.3 per cent contraction in 2022, followed by a further 2.3 per cent drop last year.

However, the country has shown signs of recovery after securing a $2.9bn bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), though many citizens still struggle with the soaring cost of living.

In his economic strategy, Mr Dissanayake aims to soften some of the IMFs stringent targets, hoping to cut back on income tax obligations and redirect funds towards welfare for those hit hardest by the downturn. Yet this approach has raised concerns among investors, who fear that attempts to alter the bailout terms could disrupt future IMF disbursements and jeopardise Sri Lankas target of reaching a primary surplus of 2.3 per cent of GDP by 2025.

The presidents ability to secure broad support in parliament will be critical as he moves forward with policies aimed at stabilising the economy while navigating international commitments and addressing the urgent needs of Sri Lankas most vulnerable populations.

Additional reporting by agencies
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Former high-ranking UN officials have written an open letter calling for a complete overhaul of the Cop climate talks, stating that the process is no longer fit for purpose in dealing with a rapidly intensifying climate crisis.

The letter, signed by figures including former UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon, former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres and former president of Ireland Mary Robinson, marks growing frsutration from the UN climate process as the first week of Cop29 negotiations come to a close in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The letter states that while the Cop framework has achieved key diplomatic milestones  such as the Paris Agreement and pledges to phase out fossil fuels  it is no longer fit for purpose to tackle the urgency of the climate crisis.

Its current structure simply cannot deliver the change at exponential speed and scale, which is essential to ensure a safe climate landing for humanity, the letter states.

The signatories have called for reform to all states that are parties to the convention, adding that there should be more focus on the implementation, rather than negotiation, and improving accountability.

Science tells us that global greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by 7.5 per cent annually to have any chance of staying within the 1.5C threshold, the letter says.

The letter also calls for strict eligibility criteria to exclude countries who do not support the phase out/transition away from fossil energy.

open image in gallery Protesters at Cop29 in Baku demand polluters are kicked out of the summit ( AP )

Host countries must demonstrate their high level of ambition to uphold the goals of the Paris Agreement.

The calls come after Azerbaijans president Ilham Aliyev described oil and gas as a gift from God on Tuesday.

The officials also echoed concerns about the presence of fossil fuel executives at the climate summits.

Despite the climate Cops new disclosure rules, a record number of 2,456 fossil fuel lobbyists were granted access at Cop28, nearly four times more than Cop27, the letter stated.

On Friday, analysis from the Kick Big Polluters Out (KBPO) coalition revealed that at least 1,773 people linked to the coal, oil and gas sector have been granted access to the Cop29 summit.

This number dwarfs almost every countrys delegation present in Baku. The 10 most vulnerable countries have a combined delegation of a little more than 1,000 people.

Most of these delegates were granted access to Cop29 as part of trade associations, primarily from the global north countries.

Climate campaigners also echoed the calls made by former UN officials in the letter. Some also pointed out the relevance of the process, adding that there are coalitions outside of Cops that focus on implementation.

 [Cop] is the one multilateral process on climate action that gives every country a seat at the table, Alex Scott, programme lead at E3G, said.

Vulnerable countries wont be at this weekends G20, for example. Of course, this makes it slower than the scale of the climate crisis demands.
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The party season is upon, but if its fashion fills you with more panic than pep, youre not alone.

If youre not one for sequins or bows, knowing what to reach for to feel festive can be tricky. But whether its down to colour, tailoring or texture, theres a way to elevate your partywear no matter your personal style.

Celebrity stylists and fashion consultants share their rules for finding your party season style without compromising your wardrobe favourites.

1. Take note of whats in your wardrobe

The trick to finding any particular style is to look at what you gravitate towards. Take a look in your wardrobe, if you see a lot of long sleeves or V-necks, then you should incorporate those shapes into your partywear pieces.

When it comes to incorporating this seasons trends, the key is to vary the silhouette to best tailor your personal style.

This party season the key look is YSLs Le Smoking, explains celebrity and brand stylist Clare Chambers. The beauty of this tuxedo-inspired style is that there is an iteration that suits everyone.

Whether you choose an oversized and longer tuxedo jacket or a shorter, more fitted one, you can pair this with trousers, a satin skirt, over a dress or even jeans, says Chambers.

Similarly with colour, if you gravitate to neutrals such as taupe, cream and navy, then opt for champagne sequins or bronzed metallics. If you wear a lot of pattern, test out black watch tartan or a Fair Isle knit.

River Island Beige Knit Sequin Midi Skirt, 35

Jaeger Cotton Rich Velvet Tuxedo Blazer, 150, M&S

2. Have a Christmas toolkit

Once you know the styles, shapes and colours you gravitate toward, having a few festive favourites in your arsenal can help you throw together a great outfit at the last minute.

A Christmas toolkit is a festive essential and can easily transform a day to drinks outfit, says fashion expert and founder of Modes and More Vintage, Susie Nelson.

For accessories, opt for large earrings or a sparkly belt, bag or shoes. Velvet hair bows and embellished hairbands can also help, Nelson explains.

When it comes to clothes and patterns, Nelson suggests plaid or tartan for those not keen on the sequin route.

House of Bruar Ladies All Round Pleat Skirt  Red Stewart, 165

Revolution Haircare Bow Velvet Clip  Black, 6, Look Fantastic

3. Play with textures

Festive prints such as sequins, plaid or tartan are more difficult to have in your all-year-round wardrobe. Nelson therefore suggests experimenting more with texture to bring a touch of festive glamour.

This is a trick that the Princess of Wales often demonstrates on the annual Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene church, sporting velvet Alice bands and fur trims.

Incorporating velvet, suede, corduroy or faux fur into your look can elevate an average winter outfit into some glamorous partywear.

Next Burgundy Red Faux Fur Scarf, 34

Accessorize Pearl and Gem Headband, 14

4. Dont compromise on comfort

When someone says partywear uncomfortable heels and scratchy sequins may spring to mind  but this neednt be the case.

Focus on fabric and fit, says London-based fashion stylist Karine Laudort. Look for stretchy materials like jersey or luxe knits for a chic yet comfortable feel.

Laudort emphasises the importance of silhouettes, ensuring you opt for those you feel comfortable (and confident) in. For example, midi dresses with a bit of stretch or wide-leg trousers with a tailored top are great options.

When it comes to footwear, Chambers suggests opting for flats or block heels, As a general room of thumb, a pair of black suede block mid-heeled ankle boots are the most comfortable, because the fabric isnt as restrictive as leather, and the block heel means that weight feels more evenly distributed. Plus suede seamlessly blends with black tights and is more flattering on bare legs.

Ro&Zo Sparkly Midaxi Bodycon Dress, 119, M&S

John Lewis Oaklee Stretch Suede Block Heel Ankle Boots  Black, 85

5. Never underestimate accessories

Most people have more outfits in their wardrobes and cupboards than they realise, says Nelson. With a bit of thought and imagination, nearly all outfits can be partied up with the addition of the right accessories.

Its a universal truth that accessories are the quickest way to transform an outfit. Think bold earrings, statement necklaces or a shimmering clutch to add instant glamour, says Laudort.

The key accessory for party season 2024 is the sculptural hoop, says Chambers.

Whether you choose gold or silver, this particular style of earring means that you do away with all other jewellery in order to let these be the impactful statement detail to your outfit.

Mango Volume Hoop Earrings, 15.99

New Look Black Bow Sequin Mini Bag, 17.99 (was 23.99)
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If you thought honey was the last pure thing left in your cupboard, think again. That sweet spoonful on your overnight oats might be hiding a sticky lie.

Last month, DNA tests commissioned by the Honey Authenticity Network and conducted by Estonias Celvia laboratory found that more than 90 per cent of honey jars from major UK retailers were laced with cheap fillers like sugar syrups. (By contrast, all five samples from local British beekeepers passed with flying colours.)

For anyone feeling duped, its worth knowing the elaborate lengths that these imposters go to. So, what on earth is actually in so much of the honey were buying?

For fraudsters, honey is a sweet deal. The FSA told The Independent that while theres no evidence that any honey on sale in the UK is unsafe, it is a product that can be at risk of fraud. Products with premium labels or complex supply chains are particularly attractive to fraudsters. Syrups made from rice, beetroot or other cheap crops are whisked in to bulk up honey on the cheap. These fillers look and pour like honey but lack the flavour, nutrients and unique enzymes that make the real stuff a natural, healthy delight. Its like buying wine and getting grape juice. Honey is a high-value foodstuff and there are increasingly sophisticated methods to adulterate it to avoid detection, the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) says. With real honey priced at around $3,000 (2,370) per tonne globally, compared to $500 per tonne for syrup, its clear why some take the shortcut.

Food fraud is a widespread issue. Olive oil is often diluted with cheaper oils, and cheaper fish varieties are sometimes labelled as premium species. Even beef has been caught up in fraud scandals  remember the horror of 2013s horse meat lasagne?

Honey fraud itself has a long history. Back in 2000, Chinese honey imports to the US faced anti-dumping duties, exposing honey laundering schemes where adulterated honey was routed through other countries to dodge tariffs. This practice was so pervasive that American investigators ultimately uncovered a sprawling racket of honey smuggling and tax evasion. A quarter of a century later, counterfeit honey remains a significant issue within supply chains here in the UK and it is crucial that both retailers and authorities take stronger measures to protect consumers, says Sam Trett from The British Honey Company.

The issue partly lies in outdated testing. Traditional IRMS tests detect only certain types of syrups, meaning fakes can slip through undetected. Celvias DNA analysis, however, matches honeys genetic makeup to a database of 500 authentic profiles, making it possible to pinpoint whats real. For some, though, these results raise questions, with claims that the tests unfairly target imported honey. It all sounds a bit like a magician insisting on conducting their own inspections  theres an obvious conflict of interest.

Meanwhile, Europe is getting stuck into tackling honey fraud. The EU has introduced new testing methods and labelling laws so consumers know exactly where their honey hails from. The UK, however, seems slower to follow suit.

open image in gallery Low honey prices could be a greater threat to bees than pesticides or disease ( Getty )

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs acknowledges the gravity of the issue, saying: We take any type of food fraud very seriously. There is no place for adulterated honey that undermines consumer confidence and disadvantages businesses acting within the law. Its a reassuring stance, though consumers may wonder why so many fake products continue to slip through.

Its one thing for shoppers to suspect every jar on the shelf, but for UK beekeepers, this flood of cheap, fake honey spells disaster. Retailers stockpile foreign blends at suspiciously low prices, driving down both quality and prices. Beekeepers who once sold to supermarkets now find themselves relying on farmers markets or direct sales just to stay afloat. And its not just about selling honey  its about protecting bees, which are already facing threats from pesticides, disease and habitat loss.

The stakes are higher than they might seem. Without bees, entire ecosystems suffer. Honey is the byproduct of an essential relationship between pollinators and plants. Bees help pollinate our crops, support biodiversity and stabilise our food chain. Real honey is a delight to eat with the flavours varying according to the flowers visited by the bees, rather than just being uniformly sweet, says Lynne Ingram, chair of the Honey Authenticity Network.

Real honey is a delight to eat with the flavours varying according to the flowers visited by the bees, rather than just being uniformly sweet Lynne Ingram, chair of the Honey Authenticity Network

Whats more, the economic pressure of competing with cheap fakes threatens not only livelihoods but biodiversity. One-third of the worlds honey is now thought to be fake, and the Honey Authenticity Network believes low prices are a greater threat to bees than pesticides or disease. When beekeeping isnt economically sustainable, beekeepers abandon their hives, leaving bees without the care they need to thrive. Fewer bees means less pollination, and less pollination affects crop yields. This may seem like a leap, but a lack of real honey could mean fewer flowers, fewer plants and, eventually, fewer options in your shopping basket.

So, how can we make sure what were buying is the real deal? Keeping an eye out for certifications like the British Honey Association label might offer some reassurance. Some supermarkets are starting to test their honey supplies, offering greater transparency. Better yet, smaller UK producers sell their honey at food markets and directly from hive to home. Diane Drinkwater, chair of the BBKA, suggests buying local: As a beekeeper, I know just how delicious the honey is from my own hive. Theres a huge range of local honey out there  why not try some from your nearest beekeeper? she says.

For those seeking real honey, there are some other practical tips to consider. High-quality honey is often thicker, taking its time to pour, and doesnt separate as easily. Checking for single-origin labels over blended sources can also help. We encourage consumers and retailers to choose honey with proven provenance from reputable, local beekeepers and businesses, ensuring both quality and a sustainable, ethical model for the future, says Trett. Buying directly from beekeepers, if possible, is perhaps the best assurance of quality.

Whats actually in our honey? For now, its a murky mix of unknowns, where branding masks a synthetic brew rather than natures true nectar. If we want honey to mean honey, the onus falls not just on consumers but on beekeepers, retailers and regulators to demand transparency and crack down on the imposters. Until then, this is a test of trust in the food we buy, and of the lengths well go to protect one of lifes sweetest things.
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If you went into Nadiya Hussains kitchen you would probably find orange peels drying out on the window sill.

The 39-year-old British television chef, whose life changed considerably after winning the sixth series of BBCs Great British Bake Off in 2015, was born on Christmas Day to a Bangladeshi family living in Luton, where there were strict rules about the wastage and repurposing of food: you werent allowed to throw anything away, even if it had mould on it.

Even though Hussain and her husband Abdal Hussain have now moved down south from Leeds with their three children, its this same philosophy that is applied in her home and hopes viewers will benefit from after watching her BBC Two six-part cooking series Nadiyas Cook Once, Eat Twice.

The author showed the nation how to make the most of the ingredients in your kitchen, create recipes that consider the cost-of-living crisis, and made the idea of eating something for the second time more appealing.

Youre supposed to follow whatever the use-by date says, explains Hussain, who has also hosted the documentary The Chronicles of Nadiya and TV cookery series Nadiyas British Food Adventure.

But I think people get really confused by the best before [date] because often people look at it and think they better get rid of it. All thats suggesting to you is that its not going to be at its best, but it doesnt mean that you cant use it. And so that is where I think theres a lot of misunderstanding.

I mean, I come from an immigrant household. We dont throw anything away, even if its got mould on it. You pinch the mould off and you eat it. Thats what we would do at home because thats just the way we were raised. But if people spoke about it more and demystified it, then I think people would throw away less [food].

Hussain vividly remembers her parents recreating meals for her and her three sisters and two brothers, using a combination of leftovers and staple ingredients you would usually find in your cupboard, including fish curry.

Banana peel curry recipe

We have eaten banana peel our whole life, so we are in no way shocked or bamboozled by something like this, says Nadiya Hussain.

I know that is not normal for everyone, but if you are making banana bread or have kids like mine and go through bananas like they are going out of fashion, give this a try. Its so easy and such a great way to use up something that pretty much everyone chucks way.

open image in gallery Nadiya Hussain wants to normalise eating banana peel ( Chris Terry )

Serves: 4

Prep time: 8 minutes | Cook time: 1 hour, 10 minutes

Ingredients:

Peels of 6 bananas

1 lemon, juice only

5 tbsp oil

2 onions, diced

1 tsp salt

2 tbsp ginger paste

2 tbsp garlic paste

1 tomato, diced

2 tbsp tomato puree

3 tbsp garam masala

2 tsp chilli powder (optional)

300ml water

Thinly sliced coriander, to serve

Method:

1. Start by thinly slicing your banana peels and squeezing the lemon juice all over to stop the browning process a little. They will brown as soon as they are peeled  they are notorious for it  but that is OK.

open image in gallery ( Penguin Michael Joseph )

2. Pour the oil into a medium non-stick pan and as soon as the oil is hot, add the onions and salt and cook until browned.

3. As soon as the onions are soft and brown, add the ginger paste, garlic paste, tomato and tomato puree, cook for a few minutes and then add the garam masala and chilli powder and mix through.

4. Add the sliced banana peels and cook in the spices over a high heat for a few minutes. Pour in the water and cook over a medium heat, with the lid on, for 30 minutes.

5. Take off the lid and cook now until the mixture is drier and not watery. Sprinkle over the coriander and serve.

Tip: Dont throw away the lemon halves after squeezing. Fill the cavity with bicarbonate of soda, pop into a bowl and place in the back of your fridge to capture any nasty fridge smells.

Recipe from Cook Once Eat Twice by Nadiya Hussain (Penguin Michael Joseph, 28).
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With Thanksgiving right around the corner, you may be building your grocery list for the food-filled event. Of course, this includes the usual star of the meal, the turkey.

As you walk through the aisles of your local store, you may be going back and forth on whether to buy a fresh or frozen turkey. While it doesnt necessarily matter which bird you pick for Thanksgiving, there is a significant difference between the two.

When you buy a turkey thats labeled frozen, that means it has been cooled at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Meanwhile, a turkey with the fresh label has never been chilled below 26 degrees Fahrenheit.

The main difference between the two turkeys is when you buy them. A frozen turkey can be bought weeks before the holiday, as long as you give it enough time to thaw. However, fresh turkeys are chilled at a higher temperature, so they should be bought only a few days before Thanksgiving.

While theres no issue with buying a frozen turkey, there could be some downsides. Heres how to know whether the turkey you purchase this year is perfect for your Thanksgiving dinner.

Are there benefits to buying a frozen turkey?

Frozen turkeys can be bought weeks before Thanskgiving ( Getty Images )

The major benefit of buying a frozen turkey is how long it lasts, meaning you can store it in your freezer for weeks before Thanksgiving. That way, you can spend the days before the holiday buying other ingredients for beloved side dishes.

While planning ahead, its important to leave enough time for your turkey to thaw. According to the USDA, you should place your turkey in the fridge and let it thaw for about 24 hours for every four pounds. So, if you have a 12-pound turkey, it will take three days to thaw.

Since frozen turkeys are fed on corn and grains, these tend to be sweeter and more tender than fresh ones, according to Southern Living.

Typically, youd pay more for a fresh turkey than a frozen one. Since fresh birds tend to be free-range and organic, there are most costs involved in raising them, Southern Living reported.

Are there cons to buying a frozen turkey?

The downsides of purchasing a frozen turkey are based on personal preference. If youre not thrilled about thawing a turkey for several days before Thanksgiving, then the frozen option may not be for you.

For those who wish to prepare their dinner closer to Thanksgiving, it may be better to purchase a fresh turkey. The USDA recommends purchasing a non-frozen bird at least two days before Thanksgiving and storing it in your refridgerator. Once the holiday arrives, you can take it out the fridge, season and stuff it as you please, and put it in the oven on Thanksgiving day.

Although fresh turkeys have a tougher texture than frozen ones, they also retain more moisture, which means more flavor, per Southern Living.

Is a fresh turkey better than a frozen one?

Ultimately, theres no right or wrong decision when it comes to what kind of turkey you buy. The option is entirely up to you, depending on your holiday schedule and taste preferences.

However, one brand recently launched a frozen turkey line that makes an expectation to the thawing rule. Last month, Butterball announced the arrival of its Cook From Frozen whole turkey, which can be stored in your freezer. Instead of thawing the turkey in the fridge for days before Thanksgiving, you can take it out the day of and prepare it yourself before putting it in the oven.
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Denzel Washington appeared nervous and awestruck as he shook King Charles IIIs hand at the Gladiator II premiere on Wednesday (November 14).

The monarch stepped out solo on the eve of his 76th birthday to attend the sequels screening at Leicester Squares Odeon theater, chatting on the red carpet with director Ridley Scott, 86, and the cast.

The films stars lined up to greet the king before heading into the theater. When the King reached Washington after first chatting with Scott and lead actor Paul Mescal, 28, the Training Day star looked flustered, confessing that he wasnt sure of the proper royal handshake protocol.

I didnt know if I was supposed to grab you or not, Washington joked, adding, But its my pleasure.

King Charles couldnt resist asking Washington about his role in Gladiator II, where he plays the villainous Macrinus.

Im just an awful Im a lovely man, youll see, Washington quipped with a sarcastic grin. Im a lovely chap.

Impressed by Washingtons body of work, Charles remarked, Youve been in so many films, its fantastic.

To which Washington replied, Thank you, thank you.

Denzel Washington nervously shakes King Charles IIIs hand at the Gladiator II premiere ( Getty Images )

Queen Camilla, on doctors orders, sat out the evenings festivities to rest up from a recent chest infection.

Her Majesty The Queen is currently unwell with a chest infection, for which her doctors have advised a short period of rest, read a palace statement, according to the BBC, which also confirmed Camillas calendar was effectively cleared until shes back in full form. With great regret, Her Majesty has therefore had to withdraw from her engagements for this week.

Nevertheless, earlier that day, she rallied to join Charles at Buckingham Palace for a special reception marking the 100th anniversary of the Royal Film Performance  a charity event supporting behind-the-scenes workers in film and TV.

The gathering featured iconic British film costumes and was attended by Prince Edward, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and actors including Damian Lewis, Emily Mortimer, Joseph Fiennes, and India Amarteifio, giving the royals a chance to mingle with industry stars.

During the reception, Charles spoke proudly of Camillas recent documentary on domestic violence awareness, Her Majesty The Queen: Behind Closed Doors. I am very proud of it, he told Wolf Hall producers Kerene Barefield and Naveed Chowdhary-Flatt, admitting, It reduced me to tears, according to Tatler.
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Molly-Mae Hague has opened up about her Princess Diana and Charles level split from Tommy Fury, admitting that the break-up was a shock.

The influencer, 25, met boxer Fury, also 25, on Love Island in 2019 and the couple welcomed their daughter Bambi in 2023.

They announced their engagement in July of that year, but in August 2024, Hague dramatically confirmed that they had parted ways after more than five years together.

I am extremely upset to announce that mine and Tommys relationship has come to an end, she wrote in a statement shared on Instagram. I will forever be grateful for the most important thing to me and always, my beautiful daughter. Without us there would be no her, she will always be my priority.

Fury later shared his own statement, revealing that he was heartbroken by the break-up and echoing Hagues assurance that Bambi would be their priority.

open image in gallery The Love Island couple split earlier this year after five years together ( Getty Images )

In a new interview with British Vogue, Hague reflected on the split, recalling how people were saying its Princess Diana and Charles.

It was a bit of a shock, Hague told the fashion magazine, adding: I didnt want what happened to happen.

I wanted to get married next September and its very hard when its kind of taken away, she continued. But I will always have a lot of love and respect for him.

Fury has strenuously denied speculation that their relationship broke down over rumoured infidelity on his part, describing such reports as completely false.

Addressing the rumour mill, Hague stressed that no one will ever really know what went down apart from Tommy and I, and thats how wed like to keep it, for Bambis sake.

She admitted that she believes Fury will talk about things eventually, adding: I do think that when hes ready, like, maybe more will be said. But I think thats for him to do on his terms.

open image in gallery Hague suggested that Fury will eventually speak publicly about their split ( Getty Images )

The social media star went on to reveal that she had considered what her social media followers would expect from her when she was making her lavish wedding plans.

Was I planning a big wedding because I wanted that image of a big wedding and the beautiful photographs and that moment that everyone would have expected from us on social media? she said. Probably. Would I be more confident now, after everything thats happened and learning even more about myself, to say, actually, that doesnt even make me happy, screw the big Instagram moment, Im going to do it this way? Definitely.

Speaking to MailOnline last month, Fury admitted that he still loves his ex-girlfriend 100 per cent, revealing: I will love her until my final breath.

He went on to claim that he knows what I have to do in order to resolve things, adding: And thats down to me. Nobody else can do that other than me.
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The highly-anticipated red cup promotion at Starbucks is back.

Every year, the coffee conglomerate celebrates the cold-weather season with a special deal offered to customers who place certain holiday-themed orders.

Now until supplies last, Starbucks patrons will be able to get their hands on this years festive beverage holder thats made with 95 percent recycled materials. This years cup is decorated in candy cane-printed ornaments and a white sippy cup top.

To get a red cup today, patrons must purchase one of the coffee chains holiday beverages in any size. This can be done in-store, at a drive-thru, or on the Starbucks app for pick-up or delivery.

The list of participating holiday beverages include: Apple Crisp Nondairy Cream Chai Tea Latte, Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato, Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso, Caramel Brulee Latte, Chestnut Praline Latte, Cran-Merry Orange Refresher, Cran-Merry Drink, Cran-Merry Lemonade Refresher, Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai, Hot Chocolate, White Hot Chocolate, Peppermint Hot Chocolate, Peppermint White Hot Chocolate, Pecan Crunch Oatmilk Latte, Peppermint Mocha, Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte, Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, Pumpkin Spice Latte, Salted Pecan Crunch Cold Brew, and Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte.

Customers ordering through the Starbucks app can get their reusable red cup delivered free of charge. Whats more, the $1.99 delivery fee will be waived now until November 17.

If customers bring their cups or any other reusable cup for their local barista to fill with their drink order, they will get a 10-cent discount.

Earlier this month (November), Starbucks announced the return of a nostalgic component of their coffee service. Brian Niccol, the CEO of Starbucks, said baristas would once again be hand-writing customer names in Sharpie on coffee cups in an effort to regain and grow its customer base by incorporating the human touch.

Previously, customers would receive their orders with a printed ticket pasted on the outside of cups and bags. However, before the company moved to the sticker system, Starbucks baristas were known for writing names in black block letters.

While the Starbucks reusable red cup day continues, Niccol confessed the company would be cutting back on promotional deals and discounts offered to rewards customers because the 2023 financial results were very disappointing.

It is clear we need to fundamentally change our strategy to win back customers and return to growth, he continued.

Still, Starbucks is no longer charging customers extra for non-dairy milk. Anyone who would like their drink made with soy, almond, oat, or coconut milk will pay the same price as they would with dairy options.
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Nisreen Elsaim has been a climate activist for a dozen years, much of it focusing on the intersection of war and climate change. In April 2023, it became personal, when she awoke in her native Sudan to the explosions and gunfire of an erupting civil war.

Elsaim, her husband and their infant son eventually fled the country, among the millions displaced by a war that decimated crops and livelihoods. Those who went to refugee camps found themselves displaced again when heavy rains and flooding destroyed shelters and severely hindered aid delivery in a country the United Nations ranks as one of the worlds most vulnerable to climate change.

Its a story Elsaim is telling at the United Nations climate talks in Baku, which she says must succeed for countries like hers to have any chance to successfully adapt to climate change.

We dont have the privilege of losing hope, she said.

The chief goal of COP29, as this years talks are known, is working out how much money wealthier nations will pay to help developing countries like Sudan. Its a task that all sides  world leaders, protesters and experts  say is made more difficult by wars like those enveloping Gaza and Ukraine.

The wars are a distraction from confronting the climate crisis, they say. They waste money that could be used in the climate fight. And they cast doubt on the worlds ability to cooperate.

We meet at a moment where faith in our ability to stand together is broken, Al Hussein bin Abdullah, the crown prince of Jordan, said in a speech in Bakus opening days. Saving our planet must start from the premise that all lives are worth saving. The solidarity we need depends on embracing that truth.

Many world leaders used their opening remarks to describe how extreme weather had ravaged their countries, making issues such as poverty, energy security and access to water and food worse or more uncertain. And that risks more conflict, they said.

Climate change is now emerging as a major global threat and influencing the escalating of geopolitical tensions. It primarily exacerbates the problems of poverty eradication, food and energy security as well as access to water and resources," Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

In the Middle East, Israels war in Gaza has caused widespread destruction, including collapsing water and sanitation systems. It's also undone Gazas progress in a range of environmental areas, including solar power, water desalination facilities and wetlands restoration, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. The destruction of solar panels threatens soil and water with leaks of lead and other heavy metals, the UN said.

And Russia's war in Ukraine has sent the equivalent of 150 million tons of heat-trapping carbon dioxide into the atmosphere that wouldn't have happened without the war, according to a 2023 report from the Initiative on Greenhouse Gas Accounting of War, a group of researchers whose funding comes in part from the European Climate Foundation. That's more than the annual greenhouse gas emissions from a country like Belgium.

Achim Steiner, chief administrator for the United Nations Development Programme, said billions of dollars that could be used for poverty eradication, climate finance, education and other good causes are instead going toward war.

We are a more divided world and a divided world struggles to sit around the table and overcome differences in order to focus on shared interests, Steiner said.

Dozens of protesters in Baku specifically targeted Western support for Israel. One of them, Lise Masson of Friends of the Earth International, said countries like the United States and Britain, as well as the European Union, could spend more on climate finance instead.

Its the same systems of oppression and discrimination that are putting people on the front lines of climate change and putting people on the front lines of conflict in Palestine," she said.

Catherine Abreu, director of the International Climate Politics Hub, a network of organizations and people working on climate action, agreed that wars add to cascading crises and can stretch a governments ability to respond to other problems. And she said it would be incredibly powerful if those wars ended and military spending was immediately shifted to climate action.

When, you know, the ability of developing countries in particular to adapt to and respond to these crises was being better supported by the wealthy global north then we might see an acceleration of climate action, she said.

But she said she sees broader challenges  the COVID hangover, heavy debt loads and economic slowdowns  as primarily responsible for slow progress in climate talks.

Greg Puley, head of the United Nations' Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, acknowledged concern that global conflict could prevent leaders at COP29 from reaching the most ambitious possible deal. But he and others are determined to avoid that.

We cannot afford for business as usual to continue. We cannot afford for the difficult geopolitical environment to prevent major reductions in emissions, major new investments in adaptation and resilience," Puley said. Were not going to be able to respond to the climate-related disasters of the future unless we take bold steps now.

___

Pineda reported from Los Angeles.

___

The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
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Cases of measles, a highly contagious viral infection, rose across the world by 20 percent last year.

While measles infections are preventable with doses of the vaccine, the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the reason for the rise was inadequate immunization coverage.

Measles vaccine has saved more lives than any other vaccine in the past 50 years, World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement. To save even more lives and stop this deadly virus from harming the most vulnerable, we must invest in immunization for every person, no matter where they live.

The airborne disease is preventable with two doses of the vaccine. To prevent outbreaks, coverage of 95 percent or greater of two doses of the measles vaccine is needed in each country. Measles vaccination averted more than 60 million deaths between 2000 and 2023.

But, more than 22 million children missed their first dose in 2023. Only 74 percent of children received the recommended second dose.

open image in gallery A little boy with measles holds a stuffed animal. Global cases of measles rose by 20 percent from 2022 to 2023, largely due to vaccination gaps in children ( Getty Images/iStock )

As a result of vaccination gaps, 57 countries experienced large or disruptive outbreaks last year. An estimated 107,500 people - the majority of who were children younger than five years old - died due to measles.

That tally marks a slight reduction in deaths because the surge in cases occurred in countries and regions where children with measles are less likely to die.

Measles infections can bring serious and lifelong health impacts. Infants and young children are at greatest risk of complications like blindness, pneumonia and brain swelling.

The agencies said that urgent and targeted efforts are needed to vaccinate all children fully and strengthen disease surveillance.

The number of measles infections are rising around the globe, endangering lives and health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Mandy Cohen said. The measles vaccine is our best protection against the virus, and we must continue to invest in efforts to increase access.

In the U.S., 227 measles cases have been reported so far this year, with 16 outbreaks. Of those cases, 41 percent were in children under the age of five. Of those infected, 89 percent were either unvaccinated or had a vaccination status that was unknown.

U.S. health officials recommend children get their first dose between 12-15 months of age, and the second dose between the ages of four to six years old. Children can receive the second dose earlier as long as it is at least 28 days after the first dose.

While measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, vaccine coverage among kindergarteners is now below the 95 percent target and decreasing as global measles activity increases, raising the risk of bringing an infection back to the U.S. The percentage of children vaccinated by the age of two is 90.8 percent, according to recent data.

Breakthrough infections can occur, especially in communities experiencing an outbreak. But, almost everyone who has not had the vaccine will get sick if they are exposed.

open image in gallery Robert F. Kennedy Jr., speaks at a November 1 Donald Trump campaign event in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Kennedy was nominated to lead the Department of Health and Human Services in the incoming Trump administration ( (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File) )

All 50 states and the District of Columbia have laws that require children entering childcare or public schools to have certain vaccinations. There is no federal law that requires this.

It is unclear what future policy will be following President-elect Donald Trumps selection of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy is one of the most prominent anti-vaccine activists in the world, and has been accused of having ties to a deadly measles outbreak in Samoa.

Kennedy denied having anything to do with people not being vaccinated in the island country.

Former New York Public Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan told The Associated Press that if people opt against vaccines, potentially deadly viruses could run rampant. He pointed to an uptick in measles this year.

Thats going to continue if we have someone at the top of our health system that is saying, Im not so sure about the science here, Vasan said.
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Without immediate action, researchers have warned that nearly 260 million Americans, an increase of more than 41 million adults, will be considered overweight or obese by 2050.

That includes 213 million adults over 25  nearly three-quarters of the adult population  and more than 43 million children and adolescents between the ages of five and 24.

Around one in five children, at least one in three adolescents, and two in three adults are expected to have obesity, with the highest levels concentrated in southern states.

Our analysis lays bare the decades-long failure to tackle the growing overweight and obesity epidemic in the USA. The catastrophic consequences of the surge in overweight and obesity among children are already evident in the rising prevalence of childhood hypertension and type 2 diabetes, University of Washington Professor Emmanuela Gakidou said in a statement.

She noted that being obese or overweight can trigger serious health conditions like diabetes, heart attacks, stroke, cancer, mental health disorders, and premature death.

open image in gallery A nurse uses a tape measure around a mans waist. Researchers found that a large majority of the nearly 335 million people living in the US are predicted to have obesity or be overweight by the year 2050, without immediate action. ( Getty Images/iStock )

The soaring health system and economic costs will be equally pervasive, with over 260 million people in the USA, including over half of all children and adolescents, expected to be living with overweight or obesity by 2050, said Gakidou. United efforts and urgent investments are needed to alter these troubling trajectories and ensure a healthier future for current and upcoming generations.

The findings come from a new, major analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study Collaborator Network. Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the peer-reviewed modeling study was published Thursday in the medical journal The Lancet. Gakidou was the lead author.

They used 134 unique data sources to reach these conclusions, including national surveillance data. They also used the definition of these conditions based on body mass index (BMI), noting it might not account for variations in body structure.

More those older than 18 years old, having a BMI of 25 kilograms per meters squared to less than 30 kilograms per meters squared were considered overweight. Obesity was defined as a BMI of 30 kilograms per meters squared or higher. For individuals younger than 18 years definitions were based on International Obesity Task Force criteria.

They did not examine racial and ethnic disparities in obesity.

The authors said this assessment of those who are overweight and considered obese, accounting for all age groups and states, estimates that obesity rates in adults and older adolescents have at least doubled over the past three decades, from 1990 to 2021.

This was especially noticeable in the South, including Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, West Virginia, and Kentucky. These states had the highest levels of obesity and overweight people among older adolescents in 2021. More than half of Texas males ages 15 to 24 and nearly two-thirds of older adolescent females in Mississippi lived with these conditions.

Between 2021 and 2050, they project that the highest rise in obesity prevalence among men is expected in Colorado and New Mexico , and in Kansas and Colorado for adult women. The highest levels of obesity are expected to remain in the South.

In 2021, an estimated 15.1 million children and young adolescents and 21.4 million older adolescents were overweight or obese. By 2050, around one in five children and at least one in three adolescents are expected to be living with obesity.

open image in gallery A woman injects a weight loss drug into her stomach. The studys contributors say semaglutide and weight loss drugs alone will not be enough to solve Americas obesity epidemic. ( Getty Images/iStock )

While more people are using weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, they alone will not be enough to solve the obesity epidemic. Although, past trends are not always indicative of what will happen in the future.

The authors called for legislative action that focuses on prevention and intervention, including programs to increase physical activity levels and guarantee the availability of healthy food.

Obesity is at a crisis point throughout the USA, with every state challenged to some degree, University of Washington Affiliate Associate Professor Marie Ng said. Ng is a co-author of the analysis.

Over the past three decades, the country has experienced extensive economic, demographic, and technological transitions that have triggered profound changes to food and agricultural systems, urbanization, and wealth and educational inequalities together with underlying structural racism that all interact to drive population-wide obesity...
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A judge on Friday rejected Californias lawsuit against the city of Huntington Beach over a local measure allowing officials to require voter identification at the polls.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Nico Dourbetas ruled that existing state law does not block the local measure, which was approved by voters earlier this year. The ruling could clear the way for the majority-Republican city to implement one of California's only voter ID requirements in local elections.

Its a massive black eye to the state of California, City Attorney Michael Gates said of the ruling. And what the state of California needs to know, if they havent found out already, is Huntington Beach is not going to be intimidated or deterred.

State Attorney General Rob Bonta's office said in a statement to The Associated Press that the Friday decision does not address the merits of the case."

We continue to believe that Huntington Beachs voter ID policy clearly conflicts with state law, and will respond appropriately in court, the office added.

Residents in the seaside city of Huntington Beach voted in March for a ballot measure that lets local officials require voter identification at the polls starting in 2026. It also allows the city to increase in-person voting sites and monitor ballot drop boxes in local elections.

A month later, Bonta filed a lawsuit, saying the measure approved in the city of nearly 200,000 people conflicts with state law and could make it harder for poor, non-white, young, elderly and disabled voters to cast ballots.

In September, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, signed into state law a measure that bans local governments in California from establishing and enforcing laws that require residents provide identification to vote in elections. The law was a direct response to Huntington Beach's law, but it doesn't take effect until next year.

It's not clear how the new state law would impact the lawsuit and the local measure.

Gates, the elected city attorney in Huntington Beach, has said the city has the authority to take election-related measures under the states constitution and will defend the decision of local voters.

It remained unclear how the local measure would be implemented. In California, voters can cast ballots in person and also by returning ballots to drop boxes or by mail. Orange County Registrar Bob Page, who declined to comment on the lawsuit, previously said the city could conduct its own local elections or consolidate its elections with statewide general elections and receive services from the county registrar.

Huntington Beach, which has been dubbed Surf City USA and is known for its scenic shoreline dotted with surfers, has a history of sparring with state officials over the measures it can take under its city charter on topics ranging from immigration to housing.

The City Council, led by a politically conservative majority, put the voter ID measure on the ballot after making hotly contested decisions on topics spanning from flag flying to the removal of books from the childrens section of the public library over concerns about the materials.

While Democrats outnumber Republicans in Orange County, the GOP is dominant in Huntington Beach with more than 55,000 registered voters versus 41,000 Democrats, county data shows.
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President Joe Biden is gathering South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba for talks Friday amid heightened concerns about North Koreas growing military partnership with Russia and Pyongyangs stepped-up cadence of ballistic missile tests.

The meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru comes as North Korea has deployed thousands of troops to Russia to help Moscow try to claw back land in the Kursk border region that Ukraine seized earlier this year.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un also ordered a series of ballistic missile tests in the lead-up to this months U.S. election and is claiming progress on efforts to build capability to strike the U.S. mainland.

White House officials are concerned that Pyongyang could be dialed up for more provocative action ahead of President-elect Donald Trumps inauguration and the early days of his administration.

I do not think we can count on a period of quiet with the DPRK, said White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, using the initials for North Korea's formal name. The possibility of a seventh nuclear test remains ever present and something were vigilant for. The transitions have historically been time periods when the DPRK has taken provocative actions both before and after the transition from one president to a new president.

Biden is on a six-day visit to Latin America for the final major international summits of his presidency, following up APEC with a gathering in Brazil of leaders from the Group of 20 top economies. He's likely to face questions from world leaders about the incoming administration as they turn their attention to what Donald Trump's return to the White House will mean for them.

Biden took part in an informal meeting with other APEC leaders Friday, walking in as Peru President Dina Boluarte was delivering her welcoming remarks. Biden, who is also meeting later Friday with Boluarte, shook hands with leaders from Thailand and Vietnam.

With the growing North Korea-Russia relationship top of mind, the U.S., Japanese and South Korean leaders planned to discuss the North's soldiers deploying to Russia and ensure their three countries are acting in a coordinated way, Sullivan said.

The introduction of North Korean troops to the Russia-Ukraine conflict comes as Moscow has seen a favorable shift in momentum in the grinding war on its neighbor. Trump has signaled that he could push Ukraine to agree to give up some land seized by Russia to find an end to the conflict.

Up to 12,000 North Korean troops have been sent to Russia, according to U.S., South Korean and Ukrainian assessments.

U.S. and South Korean intelligence officials say North Korea also has provided Russia with significant amounts of munitions. South Koreas spy agency said last month that North Korea had sent more than 13,000 containers of artillery, missiles and other conventional arms to Russia since August 2023 to replenish its dwindling weapons stockpiles.

The meeting will be the first face-to-face engagement between Biden and Ishiba, who took office on Oct. 1, replacing his unpopular predecessor Fumio Kishida.

Ishiba pledged to pursue a military buildup plan under a 2022 security strategy adopted by his predecessor, which calls for a counterstrike capability with long-range cruise missiles, a break from its self-defense only principle. Ishiba said he will seek to improve cooperation between Japanese and U.S. troops.

The trilateral talks are a follow-up on a partnership launched at a historic 2023 meeting between Biden, Yoon and Kishida at the U.S. presidential retreat at Camp David, Maryland.

Biden nudged Japan and South Korea to put aside years of historic animosity and strengthen economic and security ties as the countries confront the threat from North Korea as well increasing military assertiveness by China in the Pacific.

The three countries signed a pledge agreeing to consult, share information and align their messaging with each other in the face of a threat or crisis.

Sullivan said the Biden administration is working to ensure the three-country cooperation is an enduring feature of American policy. He expects it would continue under Trump, noting its bipartisan support, but acknowledged it was up to the incoming presidents team.

Both Yoon and Ishiba already have reached out to Trump and are aiming to keep their countries relationships with the incoming administration on steady footing amid the heightened tensions.

South Koreas presidential office says Yoon also would meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping Friday to discuss economic cooperation and cultural exchanges as well as the security situation on the Korean Peninsula.

North Korea fired a barrage of short-range ballistic missiles into the sea just hours before Election Day in the United States.

Those launches came days after Kim supervised a flight test of the countrys newest intercontinental ballistic missile designed to be able to reach the U.S. mainland. In response, the United States flew a long-range B-1B bomber in a trilateral drill with South Korea and Japan on Sunday in a show of force.

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Associated Press writer Rebecca Santana in Washington contributed to this report.
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Rescue teams were searching Friday through rubble for missing people near the city of Baalbek in eastern Lebanon where an Israeli strike hit a civil defense center the night before, killing at least 13.

All those killed in the strike on the town of Douris near Baalbek were employees and volunteers of the emergency services agency, according to the Lebanese Civil Defense. Some other remains were also recovered and will require DNA testing, it said in a statement.

The General Directorate of Civil Defense expressed deep regret over this direct attack on its members." Staffers will continue to respond to relief calls and continue with its humanitarian mission, no matter how great the challenges and sacrifices are," it said.

Israel has accused Hezbollah of using ambulances and medical facilities to transport and store weapons. The Israeli military has not commented on the strike on the civil defense center in Baalbek.

Israel has been striking deeper inside Lebanon since September as it escalates the war against Hezbollah. After 13 months of war, more than 3,300 people have been killed and more than 14,400 wounded, Lebanons Health Ministry says.

The Israel-Hamas war began after Palestinian militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people  mostly civilians  and abducting 250 others. Lebanons Hezbollah group began firing into Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza.

Israels blistering 13-month war in Gaza has killed over 43,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to local health officials who do not distinguish between civilians and combatants. The fighting has left some 76 people dead in Israel, including 31 soldiers.

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Here's the Latest:

Israeli military aid says blood supplies have been transported into Gaza to ease humanitarian crisis

JERUSALEM  Israeli authorities said blood supplies have been transported into Gaza in the latest move to ease the humanitarian suffering in the Palestinian territory.

COGAT, the Israeli military body in charge of humanitarian aid to Gaza, said the blood supplies entered via Kerem Shalom crossing on Thursday and are expected to reach Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis in the coming days.

Throughout the 13 month conflict, hospitals in Gaza have been struggling to treat Palestinian casualties without basic medical supplies, including blood and bandages.

The announcement from COGAT comes as Israel faces mounting international pressure to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, particularly in the war-ravaged northern areas of Jabaliya, Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya where Israel has intensified its military operations against Hamas.

COGAT facilitated at least two aid deliveries to the far north during November after a month where virtually no supplies reached these areas.

Iranian official in Beirut in talks to end Israel-Hezbollah war

BEIRUT  An Iranian official flew to Beirut on Friday to discuss the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah war with top Lebanese officials as Israels air force struck areas on the edge of the Lebanese capital.

The visit of Ali Larijani, an adviser to Irans supreme leader Ali Khamenei, comes amid attempts led by the United States to end the 13-month war that broadened in September into southern and eastern Lebanon as well as Beiruts southern suburbs.

Lebanese media reported that the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon has handed over a draft of a proposed deal to end the Israel-Hezbollah war to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

A Lebanese official confirmed that the U.S. ambassador to Beirut, Lisa Johnson, visited Berri but refused to say whether a draft was handed over. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media about the ongoing talks. The U.S. Embassy refused to either confirm or deny the reports.

Larijani flew in Friday from neighboring Syria where he held similar talks a day earlier with President Bashar Assad. Syrias state news agency said Assad and Larijani discussed the ongoing aggression on Palestine and Lebanon and the necessity of stopping it.

Iran is a main backer of Hezbollah and for decades has been funding and arming the Lebanese militant group.

Search continues in eastern Lebanon town where an airstrike killed 13

BEIRUT  Rescue teams were searching for missing people through rubble near the city of Baalbek in eastern Lebanon where an Israeli strike hit a civil defense center the night before.

Thirteen bodies were recovered, all of them employees and volunteers of the emergency services agency, according to the Lebanese Civil Defense. Some other remains that will require DNA testing were also recovered, it said in a statement.

The General Directorate of Civil Defense expressed deep regret over this direct attack on its members. Staffers will continue to respond to relief calls and continue with its humanitarian mission, no matter how great the challenges and sacrifices are, it said.

Rafik Shehada, head of the union of municipalities in the Baalbek region, described the strike as barbaric and said that rescue teams were still searching for missing people who had been inside the center at the time and were presumed dead.

Human Rights Watch in a report issued in late October said that it had documented three incidents that it described as apparent war crimes in which Israeli forces struck medica medical personnel, transports, and facilities. At that time, it said that Israeli strikes had killed at least 163 health and rescue workers across Lebanon and damaged 158 ambulances and 55 hospitals during a year of conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

Israel has accused Hezbollah of using ambulances and medical facilities to transport and store weapons. The Israeli military has not commented on the strike on the civil defense center near Baalbek.

UN Security Council draft resolution demands immediate, unconditional and permanent cease-fire in Gaza

UNITED NATIONS  The U.N. Security Councils 10 elected members have circulated a draft resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional and permanent cease-fire in Gaza.

The draft resolution, which was sent to the councils five permanent members Thursday, reiterates the councils demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages seized during Hamas surprise attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel says about 100 are still being held, though not all are believed to be alive.

The councils 10 elected members  Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, Switzerland, Algeria, Guyana, South Korea, Sierra Leone and Slovenia  circulated the draft after they agreed to it.

The United States, Israels closest ally, holds the key to whether the Security Council adopts the resolution. The four other permanent members  Russia, China, Britain and France -- are expected to support it or abstain.

The draft, obtained Thursday by The Associated Press, also demands immediate access for Gazas civilian population to humanitarian aid and services essential for their survival.

It underscores that the U.N. agency helping Palestinian refugees known as UNRWA remains the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza.

Israels parliament passed two laws last month banning UNRWAs operations in the Palestinian territories, which take effect in 90 days.

The draft resolution would also express the councils deep alarm over the ongoing catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza including the lack of adequate healthcare services and the state of food insecurity creating a risk of famine notably in the north.

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For more Middle East news: https://apnews.com/hub/middle-east
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The government has been warned not to be on the wrong side of history as the plight of prisoners trapped under indefinite jail terms was compared to high-profile scandals involving the Post Office Horizon software, Windrush, and infected blood products.

In an impassioned bid for the government to resentence almost 2,700 inmates who are languishing under abolished imprisonment for public protection (IPP) jail terms, Labour peer Tony Woodley called for ministers to end this scandal and give hope at long last to the hopeless.

History is being written right now, and my plea to government is this: dont be on the wrong side of history, Lord Woodley told the House of Lords during the second reading of a bill to resentence IPP prisoners, 90 of whom have already taken their own lives in jail.

Dont wait for the ITV drama to cast you unfairly as uncaring, cold-hearted timewasters who left damaged people, many of them broken by the state, to rot away in prison while those in power stood by wringing their hands, he said.

Despite the intervention, prisons minister and Labour peer James Timpson said the government will not support any form of resentencing, despite at least 700 IPP prisoners having served more than 10 years beyond their minimum term.

He told the Lords that inmates should work towards release through a refreshed IPP action plan, announced today, which campaigners have dismissed as not worth the paper its written on.

open image in gallery Shocking injustice facing IPP prisoners Thomas White, James Lawrence, Abdullahi Suleman and Yusuf Ali have been highlighted by The Independent ( Handout )

Liberal Democrat peer Sarah Ludford cited three examples of injustice revealed by The Independent, including the case of James Lawrence, who is still in prison 18 years after he was handed an eight-month jail term for threatening someone with a fake gun.

She also referred to the case of Thomas White, who set himself alight in prison after serving 12 years for stealing a mobile phone, and prisoner Yusuf Ali, who spent 61 days on hunger strike as he lost hope of ever being freed under his IPP jail term.

She challenged: So what is this government going to do, keep these people locked up arbitrarily and indefinitely, just like in Guantanamo?

Comparing the situation to other horrendous injustices, she added: How many scandals have to be endured by the citizens of this country before a government finally says, no, we are not going to repeat the mistakes of the Post Office Horizon scandal, or Windrush, or infected blood, or Hillsborough, or Grenfell?

The indefinite jail terms, which saw offenders handed a minimum term but no maximum, were introduced by New Labour in 2005 in a bid to be tough on crime. They were abolished in light of human rights concerns in 2012, but not retrospectively, leaving thousands languishing in prison until they can prove to the Parole Board that they are safe for release.

The system has left thousands of IPP prisoners  including many who were jailed for minor crimes  trapped as their mental health deteriorates, under a sentencing protocol that was branded psychological torture by the UN.

open image in gallery Labour peer David Blunkett, the architect of the IPP sentencing policy, said I carry my responsibility heavily ( PA )

The architect of the flawed scheme, David Blunkett, has led calls for reform after admitting he regrets introducing the IPP scheme when he was Labour home secretary.

He said I carry my responsibility heavily as he implored the government to consider a halfway house of partial or prioritised resentencing if it will not accept wholesale resentencing.

This could be carried out by a panel of retired senior judges to avoid adding to the court backlog, he said, adding: Weve got to get this sorted.

The Bishop of Gloucester also called for the prisons minister to think again on resentencing, while Liberal Democrat Lorely Burt, Baroness Burt of Solihull, challenged Lord Timpson over the governments position.

Is he seriously suggesting we leave them in limbo in a constant state of psychological torture for ever? she said.

Lord Timpson told the chamber he was determined to support IPP prisoners, noting that, as CEO of his family business, Timpson, he had employed 30 people serving the sentence in the community.

However, he insisted that the government would not consider resentencing anyone currently serving an IPP term, because doing so would lead to the release of prisoners who had previously been turned down by the Parole Board. He said this would put the public at an unacceptable risk of harm, which the government is not prepared to countenance.

He laid out the governments refreshed IPP action plan to help prisoners progress towards release, including prioritising IPP inmates for transfer to other prisons to undertake courses. Other measures contained in the plan include the introduction of an internal progress rating  described as a traffic light system  for each prisoner, which will be reviewed every six months.

The governments offering of an updated action plan has been dismissed as cruel and simply not good enough, as figures published in the first annual IPP report show that the rate of release is glacially slow. Meanwhile, recalls to prison for breaches of the strict IPP licence conditions have risen, and the mean time served on each recall has soared to more than 25 months.

Lord Woodley, who backs The Independents campaign for all IPP prisoners to have their sentences reviewed, said: [The refreshed action plan] is a positive step, but simply not good enough to address this industrial-scale miscarriage of justice.

Campaigner Richard Garside, of the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, said the recall figures show that the IPP sentence is reproducing like a virus, adding: When you are faced with a virus, you need a vaccine, and the vaccine is resentencing.

open image in gallery Marc Conway was among bystanders who helped to disarm terrorist Usman Khan on London Bridge before Khan was shot by police ( Supplied )

Reformed IPP prisoner Marc Conway, who was one of the heroes of the Fishmongers Hall terror attack, said the action plan will never work in a prison system that is overcrowded, underfunded, and under-resourced.

No matter what plan you put in place, unless the prison system is running appropriately and functioning how its supposed to be, then its not worth the paper its written on, he added. The prison system is a system not fit for purpose.

Campaigners from the United Group for Reform of IPP (Ungripp) said they were extremely disappointed that the government had ignored an opportunity to address the injustice.

The IPP sentence was abolished almost 12 years ago, a spokesperson said. Attempting to fix it by trying to progress people through an overcrowded, broken system so many years after the sentence was abolished is just cruel and adds to the injustice.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: It is right that IPP sentences were abolished, and we recently terminated the licences of 1,742 rehabilitated offenders.

This government is determined to do all we can to support the remaining IPP prisoners  with new tailored plans for those struggling to progress. This includes urgently ensuring all IPP prisoners are in the best prison to access the rehabilitation support they need.
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The Assisted Dying Bill falls lamentably short on safeguards and could lead to secret court hearings, a retired High Court judge has warned.

In a major intervention, Sir James Munby, former president of the family division of the High Court, has criticised the practical implications of the proposed legislation, which is set to be debated by MPs at the end of November.

Under the Bill, terminally ill adults with a prognosis of six months or less could seek assistance to end their life, provided two doctors and a High Court judge confirm their eligibility and voluntary decision.

Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who proposed the Bill, insists that it will offer the strictest protections and safeguards of any legislation anywhere in the world.

However, Sir James raised a number of key unanswered questions about how this would work, concluding ...in relation to the involvement of the judges in the process, the Leadbeater Bill falls lamentably short of providing adequate safeguards.

He warned that under the current legislation, a judge could decide the matter without hearing from the patient or their loved ones. While the legislation states that a High Court judge may hear from the terminally ill person who made the application, it is not mandatory. The judge must hear from one of the doctors, but this does not have to be in person.

open image in gallery Sir James Munby, holds a press conference on the day of his retirement as President of the Family Division, at the Royal Courts of Justice in London. ( PA )

The Bill does not currently make clear whether there would be a hearing at the High Court, or whether the decision would be made just on the papers and without a hearing, Sir James said. He also warned that it is not clear whether any future hearing would be held in public or private.

He also pointed out an apparant flaw in the Bill, which allows an appeal to the Court of Appeal if the High Court refuses an assisted death, but doesnt seem to permit an appeal if the decision to proceed is approved.

In a recent case in Canada, a British Columbia judge granted an urgent injunction stopping a womans assisted death, the day before it was scheduled to take place, after her partner intervened.

Under the current proposed Bill, he warned family members might not know that the terminally ill person has applied for an assisted death, and they would have no way of appealing a positive decision.

In a post on the Transparency Project, a Family Justice blog, Sir James argued that the integrity of the process and public confidence require all hearings to be public, with minimal reporting restrictions.

He stressed the need for a rigorous procedure to test and challenge the evidence in every case, stating, There can be no room here for secrecy or concealment. If there is to be judicial process, it must be open and transparent.

Ms Leadbeater has said that evidence from around the world suggests between 0.5 per cent and 3 per cent of deaths would be covered by the legislation. In 2023, there were 577,620 adult deaths in England and Wales, Sir James points out.

His comments come as health secretary Wes Streeting has ordered a review into the potential costs of changing the law.

Mr Streeting warned that assisted dying could come at the expense of other NHS services if implemented, saying: Any new service comes at the expense of other competing pressures and priorities.

His comments have been criticised by Baroness Harriet Harman who said the argument should not come down to resources.

Baroness Margaret Hodge, who is in favour of assisted dying, said: If you look at the NHS budget, most of it goes on the last six months of life. To argue that this is going to cost extra - I mean I havent done the arithmetic on it - sounds to me a bit daft.

Ms Leadbeater said she found it disappointing that some members of the Cabinet have spoken out very vocally on the issue, and others have done as instructed and not expressed their views.
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Dog-free zones should be introduced to help make the Welsh outdoors anti-racist, the Welsh government has been advised.

A report by climate action group Climate Cymru BAME has recommended the canine-free areas should be introduced to local green spaces as part of the governments Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan.

Labours devolved administration has pledged to rid Wales of racism by 2030 and set out a plan to ensure all areas of public life all transformed.

The report, submitted on the 6 November, does not elaborate on how the policy would help inclusion or tackle racism.

However, an evidence report also published by North Wales Africa Society, which works with Climate Cymru BAME, said a study found Black African females were concerned over a general lack of safety in some parks.

One female said she felt unsafe with the presence of dogs as she feared an attack.

The Welsh Government launched its anti-racism plan in 2022, and is now looking to include work on climate change, rural affairs and the environment based on evidence from Black, Asian and minority ethnic (Bame) people across Wales.

The proportion of Bame individuals and households in Wales has risen from 4.4 per cent in 2011 to 6.2 per cent in 2021, according to the latest census.

Other recommendations in the report include encouraging a greater number of minority ethnic people to volunteer in the environmental sector.

A communication strategy to help bridge the gap between minority ethnic people and community-led initiatives is also suggested.

The Welsh Conservatives have hit out at the report, labelling it nonsense. Leader Andrew RT Davies said: Divisive nonsense submitted as part of Labours so called Anti Racist Wales Action Plan.

The whole thing should be scrapped. Labour is stuck on yesterdays thinking, the kind that is being roundly rejected globally. Time to turf them out, he told the Daily Telegraph.

A Welsh government spokesperson said it was committed to creating an anti-racist nation by 2030.

Our anti-racist Wales action plan is built on the values of anti-racism and calls for zero tolerance of all racial inequality, it added.
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RAF fighter jets were scrambled to a Russian military aircraft spotted flying close to UK airspace.

Two Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth in Moray took to the skies over the North Sea to closely monitor an approaching Russian Bear-F aircraft on Thursday, the Ministry of Defence said.

The Russian reconnaissance aircraft had been detected in the UKs area of interest but it did not enter UK airspace.

Luke Pollard, minister for the armed forces, said: Our adversaries should be in no doubt of our steadfast determination and formidable ability to protect the UK.

The Royal Navy and RAF have once again shown they stand ready to defend our country at a moments notice and I pay tribute to the professionalism and bravery of those involved in these latest operations.

open image in gallery Russian TU-142 Bear Bomber ( UK Ministry of Defence 2019 )

It comes after the Royal Navy observed Russian military vessels passing through the English Channel over the past week.

HMS Iron Duke and tanker RFA Tideforce shadowed three Russian vessels, which were led by the new frigate Admiral Golovko.

The Golovko was accompanied by oceanographic research vessel Yantar and supporting tanker Vyazma. All three had been tracked by the Norwegian Navy before British forces took over.

The Duke class frigate and Tide-class tanker, supported by an RAF P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, followed the ships through the Channel before handing over duties to the French Navy.

As the Golovko continued her journey, Iron Duke took over shadowing duties of the second Russian group.

Frigate Neustrashimy and her support ship, tanker Akademik Pashin, were travelling to their home port in the Baltic.

Iron Duke remained in contact with the pair back through the Channel and into the North Sea before handing over to a Dutch warship.

It is understood this is the second time in three months the Royal Navy and RAF have detected Russian ships and aircraft within a week of each other.

open image in gallery Image taken from video, a U.S. Air Force F-16 operating under the direction of North American Aerospace Defense Command ( AP )

Last month the US released a video of a close-call encounter between a Russian fighter jet and a U.S. Air Force F-16 sent to intercept it.

In the video, the Russian plane comes from behind the camera and swoops by the U.S. jet, just feet from the aircraft near Alaska.
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Keir Starmer has been urged to step up his plans for a post-Brexit reset of relations with the European Union after an unprecedented warning from the Bank of England.

In a speech to leading business figures, the Banks governor said that Britain must rebuild a closer trading relationship with the European Union after our exit from the bloc damaged exports.

The effects of Brexit had weighed on the economy, Andrew Bailey added, just hours before the latest figures showed the economy flatlining in the months after Labour came to power.

In the wake of the governors warning, the UKs former national security adviser Lord Ricketts warned that momentum could be lost.

Lord Ricketts, who is also the chair of the Lords European Affairs Committee but told The Independent he was speaking in a personal capacity, said: Im picking up from my European friends that theyve appreciated the new governments efforts to warm up the tone and rebuild personal contacts. But they are beginning to be impatient for substance.

Once the new (European) Commission is formed it will be important that the government has more detail to offer on what they want from the reset, otherwise the momentum will be lost.

open image in gallery Keir Starmer has come under pressure over his Brexit reset ( PA Wire )

Naomi Smith, chief executive of pro-EU campaign group Best for Britain, said: With figures today showing sclerotic economic growth and the Governor of the Bank of England unequivocally pointing the finger at Brexit, we must expedite the relationship reset with our European allies whose priorities are already quickly changing following the US election.

We know the EU is eager to agree a Youth Mobility Scheme and greater defence cooperation, our government should now make clear what they want out of the relationship reset with beneficial regulatory alignment being the best way to remove Brexit trade barriers which continue to hamper growth.

Joe Meighan, public affairs manager at campaign group European Movement UK, said when it comes to the complexities of post-Brexit trade negotiations its important that we, the UK and the EU together as partners, carry on moving in the right direction. That direction is towards a closer cooperation which benefits both.

Sir Keir has promised to fix Britains damaged relationship with the EU for the benefit of generations to come and has scored some successes  including a landmark defence deal with Germany.

But he has faced accusations that his plans are too vague and lack ambition, especially after he rejected Brusselss offer of a deal on free movement for young people.

open image in gallery Lord Ricketts warned momentum could be lost ( Getty )

Mr Bailey was speaking alongside the chancellor at the annual Mansion House dinner in the City of London.

He said he took no position on Brexit per se, but added: I do have to point out the consequences.

The impact on trade seems to be more in goods than services, he said. But it underlines why we must be alert to and welcome opportunities to rebuild relations while respecting the decision of the British people.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: The prime minister has spoken before about his determination to reset our relationship with our European partners, and you can see that from the PMs positive personal engagement since taking office, both at EU level and with individual EU countries, and our focus remains on improving our trade, security, and investment relationship.

Last month, the governments independent financial watchdog warned that Brexit was on course to cut UK trade by 15 per cent.

In the run-up to 2016s referendum, Vote Leave campaigners argued that trade would receive a boost from exiting the EU.

But documents published alongside the Budget by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) said that weak growth in imports and exports over the medium term partly reflect the continuing impact of Brexit, which we expect to reduce the overall trade intensity of the UK economy by 15 per cent in the long term.

Senior vice chair of the European Movement, Molly Scott Cato said that as an economist she was not surprised that making trade harder with our largest export market has had a negative impact on our economy. But we dont have to just take this on the chin. There are actions we can take to address the trade barriers imposed by Brexit.

However, significant economic benefits will remain out of reach unless the government is willing to choose a better deal with Europe above Trumps US and above other deals which risk undermining our standards. Join at least the EU customs union and then build from there.

Mr Baileys remarks come a week after Donald Trump swept to victory in the US presidential election. His plans to hike tariffs on all US imports have led to warnings of a doomsday scenario for the UK economy.

Mr Trumps re-election has also triggered renewed calls for the UK to develop closer ties with the EU.
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Dominic Raab took a 16,000 pay off after he quit government following a finding he had been persistently aggressive towards civil servants.

An independent investigation found the Boris Johnson ally had made what could have been understood as a threat and had acted in a way which was intimidating.

In response, Mr Raab, who denied the allegations, resigned with a defiant attack on the bullying probe  and, it now emerges, a severance package that ran into thousands of pounds.

Dominic Raab resigned in the wake of the bullying probe ( REUTERS )

The payment of 16,876 is revealed in the Ministry of Justices annual report.

Mr Raab had promised to stand down if he was found guilty of bullying.

But in an unexpected move he hit out at the inquiry process, claiming he had been subjected to a Kafkaesque saga that would damage the government, with a flawed report which had set a low threshold for what should be regarded as bullying

In an extraordinary development, he also accused activist civil servants of trying to block reforms such as Brexit.

The report found that Mr Raab had acted in a way which was intimidating, in the sense of unreasonably and persistently aggressive conduct in the context of a work meeting.

In one instance, his conduct was seen as undermining or humiliating by the complainant. It is to be inferred that (Mr Raab) was aware that this would be the effect of his conduct; at the very least, he should have been aware, the report said, adding later: On a number of occasions of meetings with policy officials ... the DPM acted in a manner which was intimidating.

Mr Raab had been under investigation over eight formal complaints about his behaviour when he was foreign secretary, Brexit secretary, and during his first stint as justice secretary.

Before his resignation, senior officials at the Ministry of Justice were said to be preparing to quit if Mr Raab was allowed to stay on.

Mr Raab has been approached for comment.
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Judging by the latest developments in parliament, there is still no sign that one of the most egregious abuses of human rights in Britain is going to be resolved. Following a passionate debate in the House of Lords  for so long a doughty, if unlikely, bastion against the abuse of power  it appears that the plight of the 2,700 or so prisoners still held in prisons long after their sentences have been served will continue to go unanswered, or at least in anything like the timely fashion demanded.

They are the last of those once placed in custody under the Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) regime, which was abolished in 2012. By any normal standard of justice, what has happened to these people is a disgrace in a civilised society...

Whats the issue?

These men and women are the forgotten vestiges of an extraordinary system introduced by the last Labour government in 2005. It was meant to deal with those who had committed sometimes minor crimes but were determined by the court to present a danger to the public  so theyd be off the streets until things changed.

Apart from the insult to natural justice, the process was unworkable in practice, and was ended in 2012. David Blunkett, the minister responsible, has since renounced his own policy. But because the law that abolished IPP couldnt be made retrospective under constitutional convention, that left a significant number of cases in which prisoners were left languishing, unable to be released. Some have taken their own lives.

What kinds of cases?

In the Lords debate, Liberal Democrat peer Sarah Ludford cited three of the more distressing ones. That of James Lawrence, for example, who is still in prison 18 years after he was handed an eight-month jail term for threatening someone with a fake gun. Ludford also highlighted the case of Thomas White, who set himself alight in prison after serving 12 years for stealing a mobile phone; and prisoner Yusuf Ali, who spent 61 days on hunger strike as he lost hope of ever being freed under his IPP jail term.

More than 700 IPP prisoners have served over 10 years longer than their minimum term. Ludford asked: So what is this government going to do, keep these people locked up arbitrarily and indefinitely, just like in Guantanamo?

So what is this government going to do?

Not much. Despite his exemplary reputation in the field, where he has much experience in rehabilitation through his family business, the minister concerned, James Timpson, rejected the most obvious way to secure justice without risking public safety: he declined to agree to any form of resentencing, on the curious and over-legalistic grounds that taking release decisions out of the hands of the Parole Board is not a risk he wishes to take. Instead, he suggested that the prisoners work towards release through a refreshed IPP action plan. The IPP families have dismissed this.

Is it a good idea to release these prisoners?

Yes, if theres plainly no or minimal risk. It would also free up more space in our overcrowded prisons. However, the IPP cases fall outside the review on sentencing and overcrowded prisons currently being undertaken by David Gauke.

What are the political risks?

The possibility, emphasised by former trade union leader Tony Woodley, that the IPP issue could become as costly, embarrassing and shameful as the Post Office debacle or the infected blood scandal. Of course, it may also be the case that ministers are seeking to damp down the uproar over IPP in an effort to minimise what could be a hefty bill for the denial of basic human rights.

But the issue simply will not go away. As Woodley told the House of Lords during the second reading of a bill to resentence IPP prisoners  90 of whom have already taken their own lives  History is being written right now, and my plea to government is this: dont be on the wrong side of history. Do not wait for the ITV docudrama to cast you unfairly as uncaring, cold-hearted timewasters who left damaged people, many of them broken by the state, to rot away in prison while those in power stood by wringing their hands.

Ministers will, of course, also be aware that if a single IPP ex-prisoner does commit some heinous offence, the press will blame them, irrespective of the facts.
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Wes Streeting has promised to protect Britons travelling abroad for Brazilian butt lifts (BBLs) and other cosmetic surgeries.

After several deaths linked to the treatments, the health secretary said he would work to improve the safety of those going to Turkey and elsewhere for procedures including BBLs and tummy tucks.

He warned British travellers seeking cut-price surgeries to think carefully before taking up offers that are too good to be true.

And Mr Streeting said: I think we need to take very seriously this issue of medical negligence and malpractice overseas.

It comes after several women lost their lives in the last few years after travelling to Turkey for discounted surgery.

open image in gallery Health secretary Wes Streeting urged Brits to be careful travelling abroad for cosmetic surgery ( PA Wire )

Mr Streeting added: My strong advice to British travellers is if the offer looks too good to be true, I suspect it is too good to be true, and think very carefully before flying overseas, paying what looks like a kind of rock-bottom attractive price, because you may end up paying the consequences for years to come as a result of injuries, which in the worst cases can be life-changing.

Im determined to work with international partners to try and improve safety for Brits abroad.

But we also need to send a strong message to the British public to manage the risks, to do their homework and think very carefully before taking up offers that are too good to be true.

Asked whether the NHS should be picking up the pieces when things go wrong, he said: Were never going to turn people away who are in need of care but this is another pressure the NHS doesnt need.

So I would urge Brits  before travelling abroad  to think very carefully before accessing those cosmetic treatments that are currently being marketed at rock-bottom prices.

open image in gallery The health secretary warned Britons if deals for cut-price surgery look too good to be true, they probably are ( PA Archive )

Kaydell Brown, 38, from Sheffield, signed up for multiple surgeries in Turkey but died after going into theatre on 26 March this year.

In an interview with ITV News, her sister Leanne said: She went in for surgery at about 9.30am and that was the last time I saw her.

Another patient, Isabella Crawford, has told how she thought she would die after flying home with blood pouring out of her open wounds.

The 20-year-old flew to Turkey in February after a surgeon recommended she have a mummy makeover  which included a tummy tuck, a breast uplift, liposuction and a Brazilian butt lift.

A recent inquest heard how Hayley Dowell, 38, suffered medical complications at a private clinic and died after she had a Brazilian butt lift, tummy tuck and liposuction in October last year.

open image in gallery Kaydell Brown (right) travelled to Istanbul for the fatal surgery which she believed would give her a dream body ( Kaitlyn Kavanagh on GoFundMe )

And a coroner said Janet Lynne Savage, 54, from Bangor, died after major artery trauma during a gastric sleeve weight loss procedure in Turkey in 2023.

Foreign Office data shows that at least six British people died in Turkey in 2023 after travelling abroad for medical procedures.

Overall, 28 British nationals have died in the country following planned surgery since 2019, the data shows.

A UK government spokesperson said: We urge anyone considering a medical procedure abroad to review our travel advice and the relevant guidance from the NHS and other professional bodies.

According to the Foreign Office website, the standard of medical facilities and available treatments can vary widely globally and also within countries.

As well as deaths, it said, some British nationals have also experienced complications and needed further treatment or surgery following their procedure.

It said anyone considering travelling to Turkey for treatment should discuss the plans with their doctor or dentist, adding that private companies have a financial interest in booking your treatment and their literature should not be your only source of information.

The website said the Foreign Office cannot usually help if you have travelled abroad for medical treatment, for example, if you have issues with the care received or costs involved.

Planned medical treatment is considered a commercial arrangement.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: The NHS will always be there for those who need it, but should not be left to pick up the pieces of botched BBLs.

Not only are they potentially fatal, having the highest death rate of all cosmetic procedures, but dodgy tweakments and surgeries are leaving the NHS to repair the damage and taxpayers to foot the bill.

Id urge anyone considering a BBL to think twice before taking up an offer that seems too good to be true.
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An extremely nervous air traveler attempted to soothe her nerves by guzzling booze  and nearly made it through her hour-long flight without incident  only to become wild-eyed during the landing process, attacking her husband, striking other passengers, and finding herself in flexcuffs, according to a criminal complaint unsealed Friday.

Alaska Airlines flight 46 was just minutes away from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport on November 12 when Caryn Denise Evan had to be restrained, the complaint states.

It says an off-duty cop aboard the Boeing 737 later told police that he had seen Evan, 38, at the Bethel, Alaska, airport prior to takeoff, where she had been approaching strangers, hugging them, then yelling, F**k you, bitches, fu***ng bitches.

The short hop was largely uneventful until the aircraft began its descent, according to the complaint. Thats when a passenger sitting near Evan, who was in a middle seat in the seventh row of the cabin, pressed their call button to summon a flight attendant, the complaint continued.

Flight Attendant 1 approached the passenger who requested assistance and observed [Evan] initially laying her head on her husbands shoulder, it explains. [Evan] then began yelling incoherently and striking her husband in the left shoulder and upper chest area. Flight Attendant 1 called the other flight attendants to come forward to assist with the situation.

open image in gallery Alaska Airlines flight 46 was just minutes away from landing in Anchorage when the alleged meltdown occurred ( Getty Images )

In an attempt to de-escalate things, the crew members asked Evan to move to a different seat in the back of the plane, but she refused to budge, the complaint goes on. However, it says, Evans husband agreed to relocate, and took an unoccupied seat in the last row.

A second flight attendant was able to calm Evan briefly, allowing the rest of the crew to finish preparing the cabin for arrival in Anchorage, the complaint states. But, moments later, a passenger in the sixth row activated their call button, according to the complaint.

Evan was moving uncontrollably, flailing about, and interfering with the passengers around her, it says. The flight attendant got on the PA system and asked for an able-bodied person to help assist, and a nurse seated nearby volunteered to sit next to Evan as the cabin crew took their seats for landing.

After the plane touched down and started making its way to the terminal, a third flight attendant went to check on Evan and found her hitting her head on the seat in front of her and flailing her arms uncontrollably, according to the complaint. The flight attendant feared that Evan was going to injure nearby passengers, and called for a colleague, who wrestled Evan into a pair of flexcuffs, the complaint stated.

The filing noted that Evan immediately calmed down once she was restrained. The flight crew asked the tower to have law enforcement meet the aircraft, and the FBI, which has jurisdiction over in-flight crimes, was also called.

The flight attendants told agents that Evan had been served water and one chardonnay during the trip, and did not show signs of intoxication upon ordering her alcoholic beverage, according to the complaint. But, it says, her husband, who had two beers while onboard and did not appear drunk, conceded that Evan had consumed alcoholic drinks prior to boarding the flight due to her anxiety related to flying.

open image in gallery Caryn Denise Evan allegedly downed alochol drinks before getting on the flight ( AFP via Getty Images )

He recalled Evan having had approximately two or three drinks prior to boarding the flight and two drinks while in flight, according to the complaint, which says Evans husband told investigators his wife often gets mad with and aggressive towards him when she consumes alcohol due to prior relationship issues.

No conversations about those prior issues were discussed prior to or during this flight, however, the complaint states. He believed her behavior became aggressive towards the end of the flight after she rapidly consumed the rest of her alcoholic beverage. He described her behavior of being tense and tightly grabbing things[,] or him[,] as normal, but hitting her own head on the seats in front of her is not.

The FBI also interviewed an off-duty police officer who had been seated in the row behind Evan, and said he not only witnessed her alleged behavior aboard the flight, but saw her at the terminal in Bethel before takeoff, according to the complaint.

The officer described Evan as having appeared very intoxicated, with an aggressive demeaner [sic].

He recalled observing [Evan] bumping into people in the terminal before the flight, the complaint says. After bumping into them, she would turn to stare at them, hug them as if she was being apologetic, but then immediately get mad and yell aggressively at them saying, f**k you, bitches, f***ing bitches. He observed her husband trying to keep her with him and away from other people.

open image in gallery A member of the cabin crew was forced to restrain Caryn Denise Evan with flexcuffs, accoring to the feds ( Getty Images )

Although the cop had been wearing earbuds for most of the flight and missed some of the exchanges between Evan and the others, the complaint says he told the FBI that he heard one of the flight attendants telling her to calm down because she didnt want to put her on the no-fly list with Alaska Airlines.

As for the nurse who was pressed into service to try and help Evan relax, the officer said she appeared to look visually relieved when airport police got on the plane, as if she was exhausted from sitting beside [Evan].

Evan refused to speak with law enforcement, and was arrested for interfering with flight crew members, a federal charge that carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison. She was taken to Hiland Mountain Correctional Center, where she was breathalyzed and found to have a blood alcohol content of 0.25 percent, according to the complaint, more than three times the legal driving limit.

The Federal Aviation Administration has received 1,819 reports of unruly passengers so far in 2024, a significant drop from 2021s record high of nearly 6,000. In addition to facing criminal charges, offenders can also be hit with civil fines of up to $37,000 per violation. One incident can result in multiple violations, according to the FAA.

Evan, who does not yet have an attorney listed in court records, remains detained and was unable to be reached for comment. She is due to appear in Anchorage federal court on Friday afternoon.

Alaska Airlines did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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The sitting Mrs Nebraska 2024 is accused of helping to fleece unwitting consumers out of more than $3m in a bogus get-rich-quick scheme.

Liz Friesen is on the wrong end of a state lawsuit filed by Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, who says in court filings that the 34-year-old defrauded other Nebraskans by flaunting a high-end and wealthy persona online to mislead consumers into believing [she] would give consumers access to similar levels of wealth and success.

Friesen, whose Facebook profile quotes the Bible and describes her as a mompreneur, pushed a so-called passive-income strategy that made her rich, but no one else, according to the suit.

She and her co-conspirators then spent their victims investments on luxury vacations in exotic locales, Lamborghinis, Cadillac Escalades, and other high-end vehicles, multimillion-dollar mansions, jewelry, designer clothing, private airplanes, a lakehouse, and countless other extravagances, according to the lawsuit.

Friesen lured in dozens of targets by posting photos on social media of herself enjoying the fruits of [her] misdeeds and deceptions via a shady operation called WiFi Money, the lawsuit states. It alleges that she and nearly a dozen co-conspirators never mentioned that their enviable lifestyles had in fact been underwritten by a raft of unwitting investors who thought they, too, could share in comparable riches.

These highly deceptive passive income schemes will not be tolerated in Nebraska under my watch, Hilgers said in a statement. Our Office will fight hard to get Nebraskans hard-earned money back and hold bad actors to account.

The alleged scam began during the Covid-19 pandemic, and capitalized on the sudden explosion in online shopping that occurred at the time, according to the suit. Each investor paid between $15,000 and $100,000 in total to set up e-commerce stores on Amazon and Walmart.com, after being led to believe they would earn as much as $100,000 a month, with minimal effort, via dropshipping, according to the suit.

open image in gallery Liz Friesen (pictured) is accused of promising investors vast riches, based on alleged lies ( Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers )

Dropshipping involves opening an online storefront and listing items for sale by third-party retailers, offering them to customers at a markup, and having them shipped directly by the original seller, the lawsuit explains.

Dropshipping has many flaws, not the least of which is the fact that customers can simply pay the lower price from the third-party retailer instead of purchasing it from the dropshipper, the lawsuit states. The industry is also highly competitive, which makes profit margins negligible or nonexistent. When returns, shipping, and marketing costs are factored in, turning a profit through dropshipping becomes extremely difficult.

In reality, Friesens promises fell completely flat, earning investors either no profit at all, or a substantial loss, according to the suit.

In one example laid out in the suit, after Friesen and her partners had brought their victims nothing more than 2.5 years of abject failures, she continued to push her #paidtolive claims.

[W]ork alongside me and my WiFi Money team and make $5,000 extra a month, $10,000 extra a month, $100,000 extra a month, Friesen posted on Instagram, the lawsuit states. Whatever it is that your heart desires, lets make it happen.

However, as one angry investor told authorities, things immediately went south, according to the suit.

It states that the store was insufficiently stocked, fraudulent charges began to appear, and the venture threw off zero profit. Friesen and her partners made various excuses for their ineptitude, but never meaningfully responded to the investors demands for a refund, the suit claims.

Now, through his lawsuit, Hilgers says he is seeking to stop Friesen from promoting any further passive income schemes, to force her to refund her victims, and to penalize those who enriched themselves off deceiving Nebraska consumers and preying on consumers during vulnerable periods of financial uncertainty.

The lawsuit was filed in Lancaster County, Nebraska district court and alleges violations of, among other things, the Consumer Protection Act and Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
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Ice cream maker Ben & Jerrys sued its parent company Unilever in federal court, alleging the consumer packaged goods giant sought to silence efforts to speak out on human rights issues surrounding the Israel-Hamas war.

The suit, filed in Manhattan federal court on Wednesday, alleges Unilever violated merger and settlement agreements with Ben & Jerrys and sought the unilateral erosion of the ice cream companys well-known social justice values through repeated overreaches.

Our heart goes out to all victims of the tragic events in the Middle East, Unilever said in a statement to Bloomberg Law. We reject the claims made by B&Js social mission board, and we will defend our case very strongly.

The dispute dates back to 2021 when Ben & Jerrys decided to stop selling its products in the occupied West Bank, where Israel is widely considered to be violating international law.

The decision prompted controversy both in Israel and beyond, with some Unilever shareholders selling off bonds in protest. Investors in Unilever also sued.

The following year, Unilever sought to sell Ben & Jerrys Israel business to a partner in the region under tweaked branding, a move which the ice cream maker sued to block, arguing it had been done without its consent. Unilever and Ben & Jerrys settled in late 2022.

Vemont-based ice cream manufacturer has been clashing with parent company Unilever for years over Israel stance ( REUTERS )

Under the terms of the settlement, Ben & Jerrys said in its suit this week, Unilever affirmed its commitment to respecting the ice cream companys independent board and its authority over Ben & Jerrys Social Mission and Brand Integrity. Its an arrangement Ben & Jerrys said is also enshrined in the companies merger agreement from the year 2000.

When Hamas invaded Israel last October and war broke out, the relationship between the two companies broke down, according to the suit.

On four occasions, Unilever blocked attempts to speak out, per the complaint.

In 2023, the company allegedly threatened to dismantle the Ben & Jerrys board and sue individual board members if they issued a statement calling for peace and a ceasefire, with senior executives Peter ter Kulve and Jeff Eglash allegedly attempting to intimidate Ben & Jerrys personnel with professional reprisals.

The company also reportedly shot down statements supporting the right of campus protesters to speak out about the war in Gaza, as well as allegedly nixing planned calls in 2024 for halting arms sales to Israel and a statement calling for safe passage of Palestinian refugees.

The suit alleges that Unilever opposed the refugee statement, citing bad timing due to a recent Iranian attack on Israel, and concerns about the continued perception of antisemitism.

In addition to keeping statements from going public, Unilever also allegedly sought to block portions of $5m Ben & Jerrys said it was entitled to direct towards human rights organizations under the terms of their 2022 settlement over the West Bank issues.

The suit claims Unilever objected to giving funds to Jewish Voice for Peace, a left-leaning advocacy group that has been critical of Israel, and the San Francisco chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, citing the need for neutrality. The complaint notes that Unilever has chosen sides in other conflicts, such as publicly condemning Russias invasion of Ukraine, and has allegedly donated to an Israeli organization that works with the government to provide emergency medical services, including to those impacted by the Israel-Hamas war.

Unilever is seeking to spin off or sell Ben & Jerrys by the end of next year.

Despite a growing trend of corporations speaking out about social issues, public stances about the Israel-Palestine conflict remain highly fraught in the corporate world.

Numerous U.S. states have laws making it illegal for state agencies to work with companies that have called for boycotting, divestment, or sanctions against illegal.

The American Civil Liberties Union argues such laws are designed to discriminate against disfavored political expression.
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A federal court has reversed the conviction of Alex Murdaughs alleged fraud accomplice Russell Laffitte, according to court records.

On Thursday, a panel of judges in the US 4th Circuit Court of Appeals handed down a 37-page unanimous ruling overturning Laffitte's conviction.

The panel's ruling determined that Judge Richard Gergel's decision to replace a juror with an alternate during jury deliberations was a violation of Laffitte's Sixth Amendment right to an impartial jury, according to The State.

The ruling concluded that there was a "reasonable and substantial possibility" that the removal of the first juror was a result of her views on the case, noting that she disagreed with the other jurors and was replaced. After she was replaced, the jury "returned a guilty verdict in less than an hour," according to the ruling.

The panel also determined that Gergel violated Laffitte's Fifth Amendment right to be present for the judge's questioning of the removed juror. That discussion occurred in a closed proceeding which Laffitte and his lawyers were not permitted to attend.

Russell Laffitte sitting at the defense table during his 2022 trial ( Law & Crime )

The ruling only took issue with the judge's actions; the prosecutors' actions during the trial were not called into question.

In accordance with the decision of this court, the defendants convictions and sentence are vacated. These cases are remanded to the district court for further proceedings consistent with the courts decision, the panel wrote.

Laffitte will face a new trial on the same charges, according to US Attorney Adair Ford Boroughs.

The Fourth Circuit ordered a retrial based only on the district courts replacement of a deliberating juror. Its ruling has no impact on the charges against Laffitte going forward. We respect the courts decision and stand ready to prove Laffittes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt a second time, he said.

Murdaugh was convicted last year for killing his wife and son in what prosecutors argued was an attempt to conceal his financial crimes. His son was the focus of a boating incident that killed a young woman, and Murdaugh reportedly feared an investigation into his son would ultimately bring his own crimes to light.

He pleaded guilty in state and federal courts to thefts of $10m or more from his law firm and his former clients. He has since been disbarred and sentenced to 40 years in prison for financial crimes, and two consecutive life sentences for the murders of his wife and son.

Murdaugh and Laffitte were childhood friends. Laffitte was found guilty in November 2022 on six counts of conspiracy, bank and wire fraud, as well as misapplication of bank funds.

He will be released from a federal prison in Florida following the panel's decision.

Another one of Murdaugh's financial accomplices, Corey Fleming, pleaded guilty to fraud and will be jailed until 2026.
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A 65-year-old American tourist has been arrested in Japan after being accused of vandalizing a shrine.

Steve Lee Hayes was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of property damage, a Tokyo Metropolitan Police spokesperson told TheJapan Times.

Hayes is accused of carving the alphabet with his fingernails into the wooden pillar of Meiji shrine gate in Tokyos Shibuya Ward around 11am on Tuesday, police told the outlet.

The 65-year-old admitted he wrote his family members names on the pillar, the outlet reported.

The incident occurred during the tourists family trip to Japan. Its not immediately clear if his family was with him when he allegedly carved their names into the shrine.

open image in gallery Scratches are seen on a Torii gate at Meiji shrine in Tokyo on November 14, 2024. A 65-year-old American tourist was arrested for allegedly etching letters onto a traditional wooden gate at a Tokyo shrine, police said ( AFP/Getty )

Investigators were able to track down Hayes from surveillance footage and he was detained at his hotel in Tokyo, the outlet noted.

Hayes faces up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 300,000 yen ($1,900) for the alleged vandalism, CNN reported.

The Meiji shrine is a Shinto shrine that was established in 1920, to commemorate the virtue of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken who took the initiative to make a foundation of modernized Japan, according to its website.

open image in gallery People walk past a Torii gate at Meiji shrine in Tokyo. The shrine was established in 1920 ( AFP/Getty )

Torii gates are often found at the entrance to Shinto shrines that symbolize the transition from the everyday world to the sacred.

The incident comes as a surge of tourists have visited Japan in 2024; more than 24 million tourists have traveled to the country from January through August this year, according to Japan National Tourism Organization.
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A man who carried out an armed robbery at a Montana gas station while wearing no pants has now been jailed.

The bizarre robbery unfolded on October 16 2023 when Samuel James Collins barged into a Town Pump gas station in Townsend, near Great Falls, wearing a hooded blanket coat, but no pants or shoes, and fired a round from a pistol, prosecutors said.

Collins, 34, then demanded money from two employees who handed over roughly $330 in cash, before he fled the scene in a pickup truck.

The entire incident was captured on surveillance footage, showing the armed robbers unusual choice of attire.

Just 20 minutes after fleeing the scene, the 34-year-old was tracked down by Meagher County Sheriffs Office deputies and taken into custody.

Officers found a loaded 9mm pistol, $329 in cash and a shell casing inside his truck.

A bullet and shell casing recovered from the gas station were found to match the pistol, prosecutors said.

Collins pleaded guilty in July to possessing and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, according to the US Attorneys Office for the District of Montana.

On Wednesday, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
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Forty years after his father worked as a detective on the original murder investigation, a police officer has now solved the cold case and arrested the suspected killer.

On November 3 1981, John Blaylock, 51, was found beaten to death in the bedroom of his apartment in Griffith, Indiana.

He was naked from the waist down with blood splattered all over the room, according to court documents seen by Fox56. Broken shards of pottery containing Blaylocks hair and tissue were by his body and there was traces of blood in other rooms of the home.

The 51-year-old was last seen alive at Johns Place bar, in Griffith, with a witness saying she spotted him standing at the bar with a man, the documents state. The man was described as being aged 20 to 23, around 5 ft 8 tall, with straggly dirty blonde hair.

Griffith Detective John Mowery Sr was among the officers working on the original investigation.

But Blaylocks killer remained a mystery and the case went cold for more than four decades.

Now, 43 years on, Gregory Thurson, now 64, of Eugene, Oregon has been arrested and charged with Blaylocks murder  thanks to Mowerys son, Detective John Mowery Jr.

In 2018, Mowery Jr was tasked with reopening the investigation.

He scoured old case files and re-interviewed witnesses as well as detectives who worked on the original case  including his own father, who is now retired, Griffith Indiana Police said in a press release.

Mowery Jr also sent a blood sample from Blaylocks bathroom for re-examination to a private genetic genealogy company.

Police said they believed the blood most likely [belonged to the person] responsible for the homicide.

In 2023, genealogists managed to get a match, whittling down the blood sample to three members of the same family.

One of them was living in a nursing home and died six weeks later, Fox26 reported. Investigators were then able to take a hair sample and eliminate him as a suspect.

A DNA sample was then obtained from the second family member with the help of officers from the Burnham, Illinois Police Department, who pulled him over for a traffic stop and collected a cigarette he discarded.

Testing of the cigarette ruled out him as well  leaving investigators with one suspect.

Thurson was arrested on October 29 and extradited to Lake County to face charges.

He is being held in Lake County Jail. Thursons next court date is set for November 20.
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A Florida businessman has been charged with kidnapping and murdering his wife in Spain over eight months after she first went missing.

US citizen Ana Maria Henao Knezevich went missing in February in Madrid, Spain and has not been seen since. Now, a grand jury has indicted her husband, 36-year-old IT specialist David Knezevich, on charges of kidnapping resulting in death, foreign domestic violence resulting in death and foreign murder of a United States national.

Knezevich, who was arrested in May after flying into Miami International Airport from Serbia, was originally charged with kidnapping resulting in death.

open image in gallery Florida businessman David Knezevich has been charged with kidnapping and killing his wife ( US Attorneys Office, Miami )

Anas friends and family said she flew from Florida to Spain in December 2023 after splitting with her husband, People reports. They were married for 13 years.

Her brother Felipe called it a nasty divorce with a substantial amount of money on the line.

Sanna Rameau told People that her best friend Anas goal was to start a non-profit for women who faced abuse in Spain.

She wanted the divorce to go through, and she said thats what she wanted to do after splitting up everything, Rameau told the outlet.

open image in gallery A missing poster for Ana Maria on a streetlight in Madrid ( Manu Fernandez )

The 40-year-old was last seen on February 2 entering her Madrid apartment. That evening, surveillance footage showed a man entering the building and spray-painting the security cameras, People reports.

Footage appeared to show him "fastening a piece of duct tape to the lock of the building entrance to prevent the lock from engaging to allow subsequent entry," according to the federal complaint reviewed by People. An hour later, he walked off an elevator in the building with a suitcase.

Authorities later said they believe this man was Knezevich, People reports. Investigators say he flew from Istanbul, to Miami and then to Serbia in late January. From there, they claim he drove to Spain and kidnapped Ana.

open image in gallery Sanna Rameau, (left) pictured with her best friend Ana Maria

Court documents previously reviewed by The Independent indicate Anas friends received suspicious texts the day after her disappearance explaining she was running off for a few days with a man she had recently met.

I met someone wonderful, the message said in Spanish. He has a summer house about 2h from Madrid. We are going there now and I will spend a few days there. There is barely any signal though. Ill call you when I come back. Kisses.

Her friends told the police they did not think Ana had written them.

A month after Ana vanished, an insurance provider also got a call from someone claiming to be her, asking for three insurance policies related to the couples IT support business in Fort Lauderdale, Florida to be canceled, court documents revealed.

During the call, children could be heard in the background speaking to the caller, the documents said. The victim does not have any children.

The phone number used to make the call was registered to Knezevich, the FBI said, and is linked to the business.

Knezevichs attorneys told People the new charges are a desperate attempt by the government to charge everything possible and see what sticks. He will plead not guilty at his arraignment, which is scheduled for next week.

There is no evidence that David Knezevich kidnapped or murdered his wife, attorneys Christopher Cavallo, Jayne Weintraub and Bruce Zimet said in a statement.

Anas brother Diego Henao weclomed the new charges. This is a step in the direction to start to mourn while we continue to search for answers and honor Anas memory by advocating for her story to be told, and for accountability to prevail, Henao said in a statement per NBC.
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On a February morning earlier this year, nursing student Laken Riley, 22, set off on her regular morning jog around the University of Georgia campus. She never returned.

Her disappearance set off a desperate search to find her and bring her home safe  a search that came to a tragic end later that day when her beaten body was found along her running route. Riley died of blunt force trauma in the attack.

Now, Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, has been convicted on three counts of felony murder and counts of malice murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, aggravated assault with intent to rape and peeping Tom.

His trial was set to begin on November 13 with jury selection but, at a pre-trial hearing, he waived his right to a jury trial and requested a bench trial instead.

On Friday November 15, his trial finally got underway with prosecutors telling the court how the nursing student fought for her life, fought for her dignity against a man who had gone hunting for women that day.

Prosecutor Sheila Ross said that when Ibarra he came across Riley she fought back. When she refused to be a rape victim, he bashed her skull in with a rock repeatedly.

Defense attorney Dustin Kirby said in his opening that Rileys death was a tragedy and called the evidence in the case graphic and disturbing. But he said there is not sufficient evidence to prove that it was Ibarra and questioned how his fingerprints could be on the phone if he was supposedly wearing gloves.

The evidence in this case is very good that Laken Riley was murdered, Kirby said. The evidence that Jose Ibarra killed Laken Riley is circumstantial.

Ibarra, who comes from Venezuela and is not a US citizen, has no known connection to the student and no known violent criminal history. Instead, investigators described Rileys violent death as a crime of opportunity.

Ibarras status as a non-US citizen sparked conflicting reports from law enforcement agencies about his criminal past on American soil  and during an election year spurred Republican lawmakers to seize on the anti-immigrant rhetoric of the hour to push offensive theories about migrants online. President Joe Biden also sparked a backlash among some Democrats after referring to him as an illegal during his fiery State of the Union speech this year.

Ibarra was sentenced to life without parole for his crimes on November 20.

open image in gallery Jose Ibarra, center, accused of killing Laken Riley, appears in court for a motion hearing in October ( AP )

Heres what we know so far about the murder suspect:

Who is Jose Antonio Ibarra?

Ibarra is a 26-year-old Venezuelan migrant, according to ICE records, and appears to have first entered the US within the past two years.

On September 8, 2022, Customs and Border Protection officials encountered Ibarra after he crossed the USs southern border with Mexico near El Paso, Texas, ICE officials told ABC7 in a statement. He was paroled and released for further processing, officials said.

The agency also said that Ibarra had been arrested by the New York Police Department on September 14, 2023 and was charged with acting in a manner to injure a child less than 17 and a motor vehicle license violation.

New York officials then released him before a detainer could be issued, ICE said. However, the NYPD toldThe Independent that the department has no record of Ibarras arrest on file  and so could not confirm whether this account was correct.

There was no known connection between Ibarra and Riley, University of Georgia Police Chief Jeff Clark said at a news conference following the murder. This was a crime of opportunity where he saw an individual, and bad things happened, Chief Clark said.

According to prosecutors, Ibarra attacked Riley while she was out for a run.

Affidavits accused Ibarra of disfiguring her skull in support of the aggravated battery charge. The filing also claimed that Ibarra used an object to harm her and dragged her body to a secluded area.

open image in gallery Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, has been charged with malice murder and felony murder in connection with the death of Laken Riley ( Clarke County Sheriffs Office )

Hours after Riley was killed, Athens homicide detectives pulled a photo from a surveillance camera of a potential suspect who wore a distinctive Adidas hat, according to a federal affidavit obtained by The Associated Press.

It eventually led them to an off-campus apartment complex where they searched the grounds, and began to piece together details about Ibarra.

Ibarra was charged with one count of malice murder, three counts of felony murder and one count each of kidnapping, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, hindering an emergency telephone call, tampering with evidence and peeping Tom.

According to the indictment, on the day of Rileys killing, Ibarra also peered into the window of an apartment in a university housing building, which is the basis for the peeping Tom charge.

His bench trial began on Friday November 15, after he waived his right to a jury trial.

Prosecutors have chosen not to seek the death penalty but intend to seek a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Immigration status becomes a right-wing rallying cry

Rileys murder  and the immigration status of the man charged with it  quickly became a rallying cry for some prominent Republicans to blame migrants for crime in America and blast the Biden administration for its handling of the situation at the southern border.

open image in gallery Laken Riley was killed while out for a jog on February 22 ( Supplied )

Laken Rileys tragic death struck the hearts of Georgians everywhere and has sparked national outrage, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said in a post on X at the time. Joe Bidens failed policies have turned every state into a border state, and Im demanding information from him so we can protect our people when the federal government wont!

The brutal murderer who took the life of Laken was one of the millions of illegal aliens that the Biden Administration simply released and unleashed upon our country, House Speaker Mike Johnson said on X. The brutal murderer who took the life of Laken was one of the millions of illegal aliens that the Biden Administration simply released and unleashed upon our country.

It is a widespread myth that those who migrate to the US are more likely to commit crimes  a recent study from the Pew Research Center revealed 57 percent of Americans believe the large number of migrants seeking to enter the country leads to more crime.

But there is no evidence to suggest people who migrate to the US, including those who are undocumented, commit more crimes than those born in America. In fact, between 2012 and 2018, undocumented migrants in Texas were less than half as likely to commit violent crimes than those born in the US, according to a widely cited, peer-reviewed study from 2020.
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A man on trial for the murder of Laken Riley was out hunting for females on the University of Georgia campus when he came across the 22-year-old on her morning jog and killed her, a court heard on Friday.

Jose Ibarra, a Venezuelan national, is charged with murder, kidnapping, aggravated assault, battery and tampering with evidence in the death of the nursing student in February.

His trial finally got underway in a courtroom in Georgia on Friday morning, where a judge will now decide his fate after the suspect waived his right to a jury trial in the 11th hour.

But when the nursing student refused to be a rape victim, he bashed her skull in with a rock repeatedly,

Special prosecutor Sheila Ross told the court that Ibarra had been hunting for women on the day of the murder but when he came across Riley she fought back against her attacker.

The evidence will show that Laken fought, she said. She fought for her life, she fought for her dignity. And in that fight she caused this defendant to leave forensic evidence behind.

open image in gallery Jose Ibarra (seen at a hearing earlier this week) is now on trial for the death of Laken Riley ( 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution )

Rileys body was found on February 22 near running trails after a friend told police she had not returned from her morning run.

Ibarra was arrested the next day and charged with her murder.

For the last nine months, Ibarra has been held in the Athens-Clarke County Jail without bond while awaiting trial.

Police have said the murder appears to have been a random attack, with no connection between the suspect and victim prior to that day.

Prosecutors allege that Ibarra struck the 22-year-old Augusta University College of Nursing student in the head, asphyxiated her and intended to sexually assault her.

Affidavits have accused Ibarra of disfiguring her skull in support of the aggravated battery charge. The filing also alleged that Ibarra used an object to harm her and dragged her body to a secluded area.

On the day of Rileys killing, Ibarra allegedly also peered into the window of an apartment in a university housing building.

open image in gallery Laken Hope Riley, in an undated photo provided by Augusta University. The nursing student was found dead on the University of Georgia campus in Athens after going for a run ( AP )

Defense attorneys tried unsuccessfully to have the trial moved out of Athens, to have the peeping Tom charge handled separately and to exclude some evidence and expert testimony.

Earlier this week, Ibarra then waived his right to a jury trial and instead opted for a bench trial, which means his case is being heard and decided by Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard.

If convicted, Ibarra could face life in prison without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors have said they wont pursue the death penalty.

Rileys murder added fuel to the national debate over immigration as federal authorities said Ibarra, who is Venezuelan, illegally entered the US in 2022 and was allowed to stay to pursue his immigration case.

Republicans, including President-elect Donald Trump, blamed Democratic President Joe Bidens border policies for her death. As he spoke about border security during his State of the Union address just weeks after the killing, Biden mentioned Riley by name.
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The man accused of murdering Laken Riley has begun in Georgia, with the jury hearing that the nursing student fought for her life, fought for her dignity.

Her murder quickly became a deeply divisive political issue for both major parties.

Jose Ibarra, an immigrant from Venezuela who entered the United States illegally at El Paso in September 2022, is charged with murder and other crimes for the February slaying of 22-year-old Laken Riley, whose body was found on the University of Georgia Campus.

Rileys murder became a rallying cry for Republicans, an avoidable tragedy that they say encompasses the Biden administrations handling of the U.S-Mexico border amid a record surge of immigrants entering the country.

Immigration was already a major issue in the presidential campaign, and Republicans seized on Rileys killing, with now-president-elect Donald Trump blaming Democratic President Joe Bidens border policies for her death.

Republicans used Ibarras status to exemplify the ongoing issue at the southern border and touted Rileys brutal killing as a way to bolster their anti-migrant agenda.

open image in gallery Laken Riley was killed while out for a run on campus ( Supplied )

In the wake of the attack, Trump wrote on Truth Social, Crooked Joe Bidens Border INVASION is destroying our country and killing our citizens!

He called Ibarra a monster who illegally entered our Country in 2022and then was released AGAIN by Radical Democrats in New York after injuring a CHILD!!

At the time, Trump said if elected president, he promised to Immediately Seal the Border, Stop the Invasion, and on Day One, we will begin the largest deportation operation of illegal CRIMINALS in American History!

Riley was out for a run when she was attacked and killed. She died of blunt force trauma to the head after her killer allegedly used an object to strike her, disfiguring her skull, before dragging her to a secluded area.

Federal immigration officials said shortly after his arrest that Ibarra illegally entered the US in 2022 and was allowed to stay to pursue his immigration case.

ICE wrote in a statement that Ibarra had been arrested by the New York Police Department on September 14, 2023 and charged with acting in a manner to injure a child less than 17 and a motor vehicle license violation.

open image in gallery Immigration was already a major issue in the presidential campaign earlier this year when Jose Ibarra was arrested for Laken Rileys murder ( Clarke County Sheriff's Office )

The NYPD then released Ibarra before a detainer could be issued, the agency added. However, a spokesperson for the NYPD told The Independent at the time that there was no arrest on file. ICE lodged a detainer on Ibarra following his arrest.

Ibarras brother Diego Ibarra was initially arrested on suspicion of killing Riley as he matched the suspects description. Diego Ibarra was later charged with possession of a fake green card, according to 13WMAZ.

Weeks after the attack, Georgia firebrand Marjorie Taylor Greene wore a Say Her Name t-shirt to Bidens State of the Union address in March. Pins featuring Rileys name and face were also emblazoned across her bright red blazer, which matched her Make America Great Again cap.

The MAGA Republican handed the pins out to anyone she could  including to the president himself  and made sure to get herself noticed as she heckled throughout his speech, calling on him to do as her shirt said: Say her name!

It was an outfit choice that took the tragic murder of the Georgia student and politicized it to push Greenes brand of politics.

open image in gallery President Joe Biden holds up a Laken Riley button as he delivers the State of the Union address ( AP )

After being interrupted by Greene shouting Rileys name during his speech, Biden made this very point. He did say Laken Rileys name, and even paused to hold up a pin with her name printed across it.

Laken Riley, an innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal, Biden said, sending the crowd into a shocked silence. But how many thousands of people, being killed by legals?

The president also claimed that Republicans  beholden to Trump  are the reason for the stalled bipartisan border deal.

Republicans shied away from a border compromise a month earlier, at the urging of Trump, who  Democrats argued  did not want Biden to have a victory ahead of the election.

I believe that given the opportunity for a majority in the House and Senate would endorse the bill ... But unfortunately, politics [has] derailed this bill so far. Im told my predecessor called members of Congress in the Senate to demand they block the bill, Mr Biden said of Mr Trump, whose name he would not say.

open image in gallery Marjorie Taylor Greene at the State of the Union 2024 ( AP )

I would respectfully suggest to my Republican friends ... to the American people  get this bill done. We need to act now, he added.

The same month, Rileys father criticized the politicization of his daughters death in an interview with NBC News.

I feel like shes being used somewhat politically ... It makes me angry, Jason Riley told NBC News. She was much better than that. She should be raised up for the person that she is.

Ibarra is now on trial for Rileys murder. He waived his right to a jury trial, meaning his case is being heard and decided by Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard.

Ibarras trial finally got underway in a courtroom in Georgia on the morning of Friday November 15, where Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard will now decide his fate after the suspect waived his right to a jury trial in the 11th hour.

open image in gallery Ibarra in court. The jury heard that he had been hunting for women  but that Riley had fought for her life ( AP )

In opening statements, special prosecutor Sheila Ross told the court that Ibarra had been hunting for women on the day of the murder but when he came across Riley.

But when the nursing student refused to be a rape victim, he bashed her skull in with a rock repeatedly.

The evidence will show that Laken fought, she said. She fought for her life, she fought for her dignity. And in that fight she caused this defendant to leave forensic evidence behind.

Defense attorney Dustin Kirby said in his opening that Rileys death was a tragedy and called the evidence in the case graphic and disturbing.

But he said there is not sufficient evidence to prove that it was Ibarra and questioned how his fingerprints could be on the phone if he was supposedly wearing gloves.

The evidence in this case is very good that Laken Riley was murdered, Kirby said. The evidence that Jose Ibarra killed Laken Riley is circumstantial.

If convicted, Ibarra could face life in prison without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors have said they wont pursue the death penalty.
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Police in Las Vegas fatally shot an innocent man in the head after responding to reports of break-in, unaware that he was the person who had called 911.

Brandon Durham, 43, was fighting off a female intruder who was brandishing a knife at him when an officer shot him multiple times.

The incident occurred on Tuesday November 12, after Durham called emergency services at 12.40am to report that people were firing guns and attempting to break into his property.

According to Las Vegas Metro Police Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren, Durham was home with his 15-year-old daughter, Bella, at the time.

Officers responded to the scene to find cars with broken windows outside.

Bodycam footage shared by LVMPD shows officers then kicking down the door to Durhams home as screams are heard coming from inside.

In the footage, released on Thursday, Officer Alexander Bookman, 26, enters the property and rounds the corner of the hallway to find Durham wrestling for control of a knife with 31-year-old Alejandra Boudreaux.

open image in gallery Bodycam footage showed the moment that Brandon Durham, 43, was fighting off a female intruder who was brandishing a knife at him when an officer shot him multiple times ( Las Vegas Metro Police Department )

Police said they believe Boudreaux and Durham had a prior relationship and that the break-in was not random.

Bookman told the pair to drop the knife before shooting Durham once.

In the footage, both Durham and Boudreaux are seen falling to the floor before Bookman fires five more shots into Durhams body.

Koren said that life-saving measures were attempted on Durham, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Asked why the officer fired the additional rounds, Koren said officers were often asked to make quick decisions based on their perceptions of threats and that it wasnt appropriate to speculate on specifics.

open image in gallery Durham fell to the ground and was shot five more times by the officer, who has since been put on administrative leave ( Las Vegas Metro Police Department )

They dont have the ability to stop time, and stop the video, and get a still and then spend minutes, let alone hours or days or months, analyzing that information to make their decision, he told reporters on Thursday.

They have a matter of seconds, if not split seconds, to make very challenging decisions.

Officer Bookman has been put on paid administrative leave in line with department policy, Koren said.

A GoFundMe page set up for Durham, who was described as a loving and dedicated family man, has raised over $3,500. He leaves behind his wife, daughter and stepson.

Durhams death marks the 13th shooting  the eighth fatal  by Metro Police in 2024.

open image in gallery LVMPD Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren said that life-saving measures were attempted on Durham, but he was pronounced dead at the scene ( Las Vegas Metro Police Department )

The fatal shooting follows a similar incident in July where a white officer fatally shot an unarmed Black woman who had called 911 to report what she thought was a prowler outside her home in Springfield, Illinois.

Police claimed initially that Sonya Masseys death was self-inflicted, according to the victims family and dispatch audio from the incident.

But, in reality, Sangamon County Sheriffs Deputy Sean Grayson had shot and killed Massey, who reportedly suffered from mental health issues, after responding to her home.

Grayson has since been fired and was indicted July 17 on charges of official misconduct, aggravated battery with a firearm, and first-degree murder. He pleaded not guilty.

Grayson, who has been arrested twice for DUI, worked for six different police agencies in the past four years, raising questions about his fitness for the job.
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A substitute teacher in Missouri gave her students money and drugs in exchange for sex and then urged them to keep quiet, authorities say.

Carissa Smith, who was employed by the Dixon School District, was arrested on Tuesday and faces 19 charges including statutory rape and sexual contact with a juvenile, according to the Pulaski County Sheriffs Department.

Smith offered at least $100 to students in exchange for sex or oral sex, which mainly happened at her home or in her car, according to the Pulaski County Sheriffs Department, who conducted interviews with students.

One of the victims, who met Smith while she was substituting at Dixon Middle School, said the teacher sent nude photos of herself and propositioned him, according to a probable cause statement obtained by The Kansas City Star.

Smith urged the student not to tell anyone about their sexual escapades and told him that she would get into trouble, authorities said.

The former teacher is also accused of providing marijuana and alcohol to students and letting them smoke and drink in her presence, the court records state.

Smith was hired in September 2022 as a long-term substitute for Dixon Middle School, authorities said. She was later hired as a paraprofessional and long-term substitute with Dixon High School before she resigned in August 2024.

In a letter to parents, obtained by the Kansas City Star, Dixon R-1 School District Superintendent Travis Bohrer said the district learned of the alleged misconduct earlier in the school year but could not comment on it due to the investigation.

This is very disturbing and distressing information for everyone in our school community, Bohrer said.

Smith is charged with eight counts of second-degree statutory rape, one count of second-degree statutory sodomy, two counts of sexual misconduct with a student, three counts of sexual contact with a student, two counts of second-degree sexual trafficking of a child under 18 years old, one count of patronizing prostitution, and two counts of hindering prosecution.

Authorities say she may face additional charges after they interview more victims.

Smith is currently being held in the Pulaski County Detention Center on a $250,000 bond.
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The Supreme Court of Texas on Friday paved the way for the potential execution of Robert Roberson, whose planned October 17 execution date for a 2002 murder was postponed at the last minute as a bipartisan group of lawmakers sought his testimony over innocence concerns and faulty science in the case.

Roberson, 57, was sentenced to death in 2003 for the killing of his two-year-old daughter Nikki, with prosecutors attributing the death to shaken baby syndrome, a condition thats since been discredited by medical experts. Roberson maintains his innocence and his execution would mark the first in the U.S. for a killing related to the syndrome since it has been deemed medically unreliable.

Despite growing bipartisan concern over the case, and appeals to state officials and the U.S. Supreme Court, Robersons execution was scheduled for October 17. The day before the planned execution, a criminal law committee in the Texas of Representatives issued a subpoena calling for Roberson to testify about his case on October 21, after the scheduled execution date.

This set off a conflict between Texass branches of government, with the executive branch seeking to push forward with the execution and the legislature seeking to pause it through the subpoena, prompting the states high court to weigh in.

The Texas Supreme Court, in its ruling on Friday, affirmed the legislatures general power to issue subpoenas seeking testimony but said lawmakers couldnt prevent a previously scheduled execution with one.

The facts allegedly giving rise to a need for Robersons testimony have been public knowledge for years, Justice Evan Young wrote in the courts ruling, warning that allowing the subpoena to pause an execution in a case like this could effectively usurp or undermine the constitutional prerogatives of the other branches of government.

Advocates argue Robert Robersons conviction for the 2002 murder of his daughter Nikki is based on discredited science around shaken baby syndrome

The ruling leaves Roberson in limbo once again. It is unclear if a new execution date has been scheduled.

The Independent has contacted the Texas governor and attorney general for comment.

Advocates for the inmate welcomed the decision, arguing it affirmed their right to seek Robersons testimony and gave him another chance at a reprieve.

The ancillary benefit to Mr. Roberson of staying his execution hopefully gives time for those with power to address a grave wrong to see what is apparent to anyone who gives the medical evidence fair consideration: his daughter Nikkis death was a tragedy not a crime; Robert is innocent, his attorney Gretchen Sween told Houston Public Media.

Texas lawmakers also said they hoped the decision would allow for further time to consider Robersons case.

My expectation is that we will now receive Robersons testimony, and it will be clear in time who was on the rights side of history and who championed the execution of a potentially innocent person, Representative Brian Harrison said in a statement on X.

During the late-October hearing that prompted the subpoena, state officials blocked Roberson from testifying in person, but an original juror in the case told lawmakers she was unaware of Nikkis past medical history and wouldve found Roberson not guilty.

TV personality Phillip Dr. Phil McGraw testified he was 100 percent an execution would amount to a miscarriage of justice.

Roberson first came to the attention of authorities when he brought Nikki to Childrens Medical Center in Dallas, where she died on February 1, 2002.

A pediatrician determined that abuse played a factor in the death of the child, who had been suffering from a respiratory infection, diarrhea, and vomiting. A medical examiner later ruled Nikkis death a homicide. Investigators did not further investigate the incident or consider her past illnesses or prescription medications.

A 2021 evidentiary hearing considered Robersons case in light of the states junk science law and rejected his claims.
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Police are investigating a group of masked vandals who spray-painted pro-Palestinian slogans on the home of University of Washington president Ana Mari Cauce overnight on Wednesday.

The university leaders car and home were daubed with messages including Free Palestine, Blood on your hands, and a red triangle symbol thats been variously interpreted as a symbol of general Palestinian independence or a specific endorsement of Hamas.

Making threats against a public official in an attempt to intimidate them is a crime, university spokesperson Victor Balta said in a statement Thursday to The Seattle Times, adding that the vandalism would not influence University policy.

Unverified video, submitted anonymously to a Seattle-area activist page on Instagram, purportedly shows the masked figures painting Cauces home and car with red and black paint, along with the attached message, Our movement will continue to escalate until the demands for cutting ties with war-profiteer Boeing and divestment from zionism are met.

Local Jewish leaders were dismayed by the incident.

The despicable vandalism of President Cauces home and car is a sickening extension of the antisemitic rhetoric, vandalism, and violence that has engulfed UW, the American Jewish Committee of Seattle said in a statement. This heinous act went beyond the damage we have come to expect from anti-Israel protesters on campus. The intent clearly was to intimidate and threaten President Cauce.

Pro-Palestinian vandals spray-painted the home of University of Washington president Ana Mari Cauce on November 13, 2024 ( KOMO news screengrab )

The vandalism came ahead of a planned University of Washington Board of Regents meeting on Thursday.

The university was one of numerous schools across the country that was home to a multi-week, pro-Palestinian protest encampment this spring.

Demonstrators called for the school to divest its financial ties to Israel, including through aerospace contractor Boeing, and end study abroad programs in the country, among other demands.

President Cauce said in May she supported calls for human rights and a ceasefire in the Gaza war, which many observers argue has turned into a genocide against Palestinians. The university leader also condemned some rhetoric coming from the students, arguing it had grown vile and anti-Semitic.

That month, the school and protests reached an agreement to dismantle the protest camp, with UW committing to fund scholarships for displaced Palestinian students from Gaza and increase transparency over its investments, though it declined to cut ties with Boeing.

Students accepted the deal but argued in the bigger picture UW would rather maintain the status quo than stand against genocide.

Cauce announced this year shes leaving her position in June 2025.

Congress is considering a campus antisemitism bill that would enshrine a new definition of antisemitism to be used in Department of Education investigations of federally funded universities. It has wide bipartisan support and has already passed the House.

Free speech advocates like the American Civil Liberties Union argued in a letter to the Senate this week that the bill could chill legitimate criticisms of Israel, by equating forms of criticism against the country with antisemitism.
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There was animal mayhem in South Carolina as two emus went on the loose  while eight escaped monkeys were already at large.

Reports of two large emus running riot in the city of Loris, in Horry County, SC, followed an incident last week when 43 monkeys escaped an Alpha Genesis facility in Beaufort County, SC, the Yemassee Police Department said.

The birds owner, Sam Morace, took to social media to plead with locals for their patience, saying: For everyone that keeps seeing an emu, yes it is mine. There are 2 of them out.

Morace said his two flightless birds broke loose three months ago and local law enforcement officials were reportedly trying to tranquilize them in order to return them home.

They are feral and not trained like the ones we have at the house. Thank you for all the concerns and questions. But if the emus were that easy to catch they would be home already, he shared on Facebook.

open image in gallery The escaped monkey primates have been on the loose since November 7 when 43 rescaped a Yemassee research facility ( Getty Images/iStockphoto )

However, 200 miles away in Yemassee, authorities are still trying to recover eight remaining escapee primates, the Yemassee Police Department said on Thursday.

A total of 43 Rhesus Macaque monkey lab primates ran loose from the Alpha Genesis Primate Research Facility at around 1pm on November 6. Most are now thought to have been recaptured.

As of November 14, police said persistent rain had hindered the search progress and all the animals recovered to date were reported to be in good health.

Authorities described the mammals as very young females weighing approximately 6-7lbs.

The monkey group had not yet undergone any testing due to their age and size the release added.

A spokesperson from the facility also confirmed that the animals were too young to be disease carriers.

Locals were advised to keep their doors and windows locked and to report any sightings to police and not to approach them under any circumstances.

The Independent contacted the Horry County Animal Control and the Yemassee Police Department for comment.
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Firefighters in Kentucky's largest city rescued a person trapped under rubble Thursday in an hourslong operation at a construction site near the citys downtown.

The rescue was shown live on local Louisville television stations hours after the construction worker fell into a void and some debris fell on top of him around noon on Thursday. Paramedics were on hand to place the worker onto a stretcher, cover him with a blanket and transport him to an ambulance under bright lights set up to assist the rescue.

One rescue worker patted the worker on the back as he was being hoisted out.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg praised the rescue team for having saved the life of an individual who was in grave jeopardy all day today.

Greenberg said rescue workers had an incredibly difficult trench rescue. He said the team at the Louisville fire department shined again today and rescued this individual who was transported to University of Louisville Hospital.

Louisville Fire Chief Brian ONeill reported earlier that the worker had been speaking with rescuers but couldn't move. The worker was located about 10 to 12 feet (3 to 3.7 meters) below ground, ONeill said.

After the rescue, O'Neill said the construction worker was part of a demolition team working at the site and fell into a void space.

All kinds of rubble and dirt and rock completely buried this individual," he said, leaving him not just stuck but "completely buried.

open image in gallery Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg praised the rescue team for having saved the life of an individual who was in grave jeopardy all day today ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. )

The team  specialized in trench rescue and confined space rescue  arrived within minutes and they were able to talk to him, said O'Neill. "He got very fortunate that he had a little bit of a void space around him. So he was able to breathe.

Rescuers continued to work to free the worker Thursday evening after night fell. Officials had a crane and ladders going into the hole, which was several feet wide.

The fire chief said the worker was buried and pinned in place by gravel, dirt and large chunks of concrete, which required them to dig out the debris by hand, clearing the area around the mans arms and chest so he could receive medical aid.

There were five other workers at the scene when the man fell. They were working at the site of a former corrections building that is being demolished to make way for a medical campus.

The fire chief called it a very long, very tedious, very slow-going process to do it safely, to make sure that you do not cause additional injury to the individual.

All credit goes to the firefighters here in Louisville," O'Neill said. "The men and women on the Louisville Fire Department that got here, used their skills, used their talents, used their just absolute tenacity to get in there, dig that person out.

Earlier this week just a few miles away, a Louisville manufacturing plant exploded, killing two workers and damaging dozens of nearby homes. The cause of the explosion is not yet known.
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Pete Hegseth, the Army National Guard veteran and Fox News host nominated by Donald Trump to lead the Department of Defense, was flagged as a possible Insider Threat by a fellow service member due to a tattoo he has that's associated with white supremacist groups.

Hegseth, who has downplayed the role of military members and veterans in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack and railed against the Pentagons subsequent efforts to address extremism in the ranks, has said he was pulled by his District of Columbia National Guard unit from guarding Joe Bidens January 2021 inauguration. He's said he was unfairly identified as an extremist due to a cross tattoo on his chest.

This week, however, a fellow Guard member who was the units security manager and on an anti-terrorism team at the time, shared with The Associated Press an email he sent to the units leadership flagging a different tattoo thats been used by white supremacists, concerned it was an indication of an Insider Threat.

If Hegseth assumes office, it would mean that someone who has said it's a sham that extremism is a problem in the military would oversee a sprawling department whose leadership reacted with alarm when people in tactical gear stormed up the U.S. Capitol steps on Jan. 6 in military-style stack formation. He's also shown support for members of the military accused of war crimes and criticized the military's justice system.

Hegseth and the Trump transition team did not respond to emails seeking comment.

As the AP reported in an investigation published last month, more than 480 people with a military background were accused of ideologically driven extremist crimes from 2017 through 2023, including the more than 230 arrested in connection with the Jan. 6 insurrection, according to data collected and analyzed by the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, or START, at the University of Maryland. Though those numbers reflect a small fraction of those who have served honorably in the military  and Lloyd Austin, the current defense secretary, has said that extremism is not widespread in the U.S. military  AP's investigation found that plots involving people with military backgrounds were more likely to involve mass casualties.

People who love our country

Since Jan. 6, Hegseth, like many Trump supporters, has minimized both the riot's seriousness and the role of people with military training. Amid the widespread condemnation the day after the assault, Hegseth took a different approach. On a panel on Fox News, Hegseth portrayed the crowd as patriots, saying they love freedom and were people who love our country who had been re-awoken to the reality of what the left has done to their country.

Of the 14 people convicted in the Capitol attack of seditious conspiracy, the most serious charge resulting from Jan. 6, eight previously served in the military. While the majority of those with military backgrounds arrested after Jan. 6 were no longer serving, more than 20 were in the military at the time of the attack, according to START.

Hegseth wrote in his book The War on Warriors, published earlier this year, that just a few or a handful of active-duty soldiers and reservists had been at the Capitol that day. He did not address the hundreds of military veterans who were arrested and charged.

Hegseth has argued the Pentagon overreacted by taking steps to address extremism, and has taken leadership to task for the military's efforts to remove people it deemed white supremacists and violent extremists from the ranks. Hegseth has written that the problem is fake and manufactured and characterized it as peddling the lie of racism in the military. He said efforts to root extremism out had pushed rank-and-file patriots out of their formations.

America is less safe, and our generals simply do not care about the oath that they swore to uphold. The generals are too busy assessing how domestic extremists wearing Carhartt jackets will usurp our democracy with gate barriers or flagpoles, he wrote in The War on Warriors.

In a segment on Fox News last year about Jacob Chansley, a Navy veteran known as the QAnon Shaman who walked through the Capitol while wearing a horned fur hat, Hegseth played a misleading video clip from his then-colleague Tucker Carlson that sought to portray Chansley as a passive sightseer.

In fact, Chansley was among the first rioters to enter the building and pleaded guilty to a felony charge of obstructing an official proceeding in 2021. Chansley acknowledged using a bullhorn to rile up the mob, offering thanks in a prayer while in the Senate chamber for having the chance to get rid of traitors and writing a threatening note to Vice President Mike Pence saying, Its Only A Matter of Time. Justice Is Coming!

In a message on Facebook Hegseth posted with an excerpt of the video, he wrote the way Chansley had been treated by the justice system is disgusting.

Trump, Chansley, and many more... the Left wants us all locked up, Hegseth wrote.

Support for convicted war criminals

Hegseth served for almost 20 years and deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay. He has two Bronze Stars. In speaking about his service and advocating for other service members and veterans, he has taken actions to support convicted war criminals and recently said he had told his platoon they could ignore directives limiting when they can shoot.

In a podcast interview released earlier this month, Hegseth described getting a briefing from a military lawyer in 2005 in Baghdad on the rules of engagement. Hegseth said the lawyer told them they could not shoot someone carrying a rocket-propelled grenade unless it was pointed at them.

I remember walking out of that briefing, pulling my platoon together and being like, Guys were not doing that. You know, like if you see an enemy and they, you know, engage before hes able to point his weapon at you and shoot, were going to have your back, Hegseth said.

All they do is take one incident and yell war criminal, he said, referring to The New York Times, the left and Democrats, adding, Why wouldnt we back these guys up even if they werent perfect?

He said he was proud of his role in securing pardons from Trump in 2019 for a former U.S. Army commando set to stand trial in the killing of a suspected Afghan bomb-maker, as well as a former Army lieutenant convicted of murder for ordering his men to fire upon three Afghans, killing two. At Hegseths urging, Trump also ordered a promotion for Eddie Gallagher, a Navy SEAL convicted of posing with a dead Islamic State captive in Iraq.

Biden's inauguration

Hegseth has complained that he himself was labeled an extremist by the D.C. National Guard and said he was prevented from serving during Bidens inauguration, a few weeks after the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, because of a cross tattoo on his chest. He said he decided to end his military service shortly after that in disgust.

But a fellow Guard member who was working as a security officer ahead of the inauguration gave AP an email he sent that showed him raising concerns about a different tattoo.

Retired Master Sgt. DeRicko Gaither, who was serving as the D.C. Army National Guards physical security manager and on its anti-terrorism force protection team in January 2021, told the AP that he received an email from a former D.C. Guard member that included a screenshot of a social media post that included two photos showing several of Hegseths tattoos.

Gaither told AP he researched the tattoos  including one of a Jerusalem Cross and the context of the words Deus Vult, Latin for God wills it, on his bicep  and determined they had sufficient connection to extremist groups to elevate the email to his commanding officers.

Several of Hegseths tattoos are associated with an expression of religious faith, according to Heidi Beirich of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, but they have also been adopted by some far right groups and violent extremists. Their meaning depends on context, she said.

Some extremists invoke their association with the Christian crusades to express anti-Muslim sentiment. The Global Project Against Hate and Extremism notes that in 2023 the words were in the notebooks of the Allen, Texas, shooter Mauricio Garcia. Anders Breivik, a right-wing extremist who killed 77 people in 2011, had similar markings in his manifesto.

In an email Gaither sent on Jan. 14, 2021, which he provided to the AP, he raised concerns about Hegseth, a major at the time, and mentioned only the Deus Vult tattoo. In the email addressed to then-Maj. Gen. William Walker, who was commanding general of the D.C. National Guard, Gauther raised concern that the phrase was associated with white supremacists who invoke the idea of a white Christian medieval past as well as the Christian crusades.

MG Walker, Sir, with the information provided this falls along the line of Insider Threat and this is what we as members of the U.S. Army, District of Columbia National Guard and the Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection Team strive to prevent, Gaither wrote.

I said, you guys need to take a look at this,' Gaither said in a phone interview with the AP on Thursday. I later received an email that he was told to stay away.

Bidens inauguration took place just two weeks after the insurrection, and the Army was taking no chances. More than 25,000 Guard members were pouring into the city and each was going through additional vetting, depending on how close they were going to be to Biden.

A total of 12 National Guard members were told to stay home, former Pentagon press secretary Jonathan Hoffman told reporters in a briefing a day before the inauguration. At least two were flagged due to potential extremism concerns; the rest were due to other background check issues that were identified as concerning by either the Army, FBI or Secret Service. It was not clear whether Hegseth was among the 12 Hoffman referenced at the time.

Hegseth has also speculated in podcast interviews that he was asked to stand down because of his political views, his role as a journalist covering Jan. 6 or because he works for Fox News.
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Tropical Storm Sara could bring life-threatening and potentially catastrophic flash flooding to parts of Central America, the National Hurricane Center has warned.

The 50mph storm made landfall in Honduras on Thursday, with up to 30 inches of rain forecast in isolated parts of the region over the coming days, and between 15-20 inches elsewhere. The storm is also expected to impact Guatemala, Belize and Mexicos Yucatan Peninsula over the weekend.

This rainfall will lead to widespread areas of life-threatening and potentially catastrophic flash flooding and mudslides, especially along and near the Sierra La Esperanza, the National Hurricane Center said. Sierra La Esperanza is a mountain along the northern part of Honduras.

Storm surge could also raise water levels by as much as three feet above normal tide levels along the northern coast of Honduras and the same amount above ground level near and to the north of where Saras center crosses the coast of Belize.

open image in gallery Tropical Storm Saras Friday forecast track is shown on a map. The storm will move over Honduras and other parts of Central America over the coming days ( National Hurricane Center )

After initially reaching Honduras on Thursday, Sara moved back out into the Caribbean overnight and by Friday morning was located just south of the island of Roatan, a small-scale tourism destination. Forecasters say it will continue its path across multiple Central American countries in a north-westerly direction over the weekend.

In its latest update on Friday afternoon, the hurricane center said the storm was located about 170 miles (270 kilometers) southeast of Belize City and was moving west at 2 mph (4 kph), with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 kph).

A tropical storm warning is in effect from Belize City to the Belize-Guatemala border, as well as for the Bay Islands of Honduras, the Caribbean Sea coast of Guatemala, and the north coast of Honduras. Guatemala and Belize will see tropical storm conditions starting on Saturday.

open image in gallery Streets flooded by rains from Tropical Storm Sara in La Lima, Honduras. The storm moved through the Caribbean and doused Honduras with rain on Friday ( (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) )

A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area.

As long as Sara stays offshore, the hurricane center said slight strengthening was possible. The storm is expected to shift northwesterly and drench Mexicos Yucatan Peninsula by late Sunday into Monday morning.

Mexican authorities have warned that the storm could cause intense rains over the resort-studded Yucatan Peninsula.

open image in gallery Sara has led to heavy rains in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. The tropical storm is moving to the west and will reach Belize by Sunday, forecasters said ( (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) )

However, the United States may be spared the impact of the storm. While the hurricane center and other forecasters had previously warned Sara could potentially impact Florida, now it is believed the weather system wont reemerge into the Gulf of Mexico after crossing the Yucatan.

What remains of the system when it emerges into the Bay of Campeche in the Gulf of Mexico is not very favorable for redevelopment, the center said.

With reporting from The Associated Press
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The American Civil Liberties Union has urged the U.S. Senate not to pass a bill about tackling antisemitism on college campuses, arguing the bipartisan legislation could chill First Amendment rights.

Instead of addressing antisemitism on campus, this misguided legislation would punish protected political speech, Jenna Leventoff, senior policy counsel at the ACLU, said in a statement. At a time when civil rights enforcement on campus could not be more critical, this bill risks politicizing these vital protections by censoring legitimate political speech that criticizes the Israeli government.

The Antisemitism Awareness Act would require the Department of Education to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances working definition of antisemitism when it conducts harassment investigations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

Under the groups definition, antisemitism includes denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor, drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis, and applying double standards by requiring of [Israel] a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.

The ACLU argued in its letter that federal law already bars antisemitism at federally funded higher education institutions and that adding this definition to discrimination investigations amounts to outlawing a specific political viewpoint, a violation of the First Amendment.

The bill passed in the House with wide bipartisan support in May. Backers argued it would put a clear definition of antisemitism into the law, which the Department of Education could use while investigating incidents and potentially pulling federal funding.

First Amendment advocates argued antisemitism is already illegal and new law would chill legally protected criticisms of Israel

After the October 7 Hamas invasion of Israel, antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents surged on U.S. college campuses, as did widespread protests about the Israel-Hamas war.

Some supporters of the Antisemitism Awareness Act explicitly singled out pro-Palestinian campus protest encampments as targets of the new law.

The erection of encampments on college campuses isnt an expression of speech, Rep. Marcus J. Molinaro (R-N.Y.) said on the House floor earlier this year. It is a direct threat to Jewish students on college campuses.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish official in Congress, reportedly told faith leaders he would try to pass the bill later this year. Hes faced a multi-million dollar ad blitz calling on him to support the law, according to Axios.

Some Jewish groups have protested Donald Trumps planned nomination of former congressman Matt Gaetz to be attorney general given his rejection of the antisemitism bill. He said he voted no because he objected to the laws definition including claims that Jews killed Jesus to be examples of antisemitism.

The bill says the definition of antisemitism includes contemporary examples of antisemitism identified by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). One of those examples includes: claims of Jews killing Jesus Gaetz wrote on X of his vote . The Bible is clear. There is no myth or controversy on this. Therefore, I will not support this bill.

Historians and the Catholic Church have said Jews are not responsible for the death of Jesus.

Public stances on the Israel-Hamas conflict have been controversial even inside the ACLU.

Last month, the organization reportedly rejected a widely supported staff petition calling on the organization to publicly oppose the extensive U.S. military aid to Israel and divest from potential financial ties to the country amid its ongoing war with Gaza.

Leadership reportedly told the petitioners that the organizations mission is to protect U.S. civil rights and liberties, so a position on the war is not needed to carry out this essential domestic work.
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New York Democratic Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has said that the nomination of former Hawaii Rep Tulsi Gabbard to be the director of national intelligence is the most worrisome nomination so far among president-elect Donald Trumps administration picks.

I actually think, almost more than Matt Gaetz, Tulsi Gabbards appointment is devastating, Ocasio-Cortez said on MSNBC on Thursday of Gabbard and the former Florida Rep nominated to be attorney general.

Tulsi Gabbards nomination, as much as she says that shes an anti-war person, shes not. She supports very pro-war individuals abroad, she added.

The former congresswoman has regularly criticized American wars and has faced scrutiny for her apparently favorable views of authoritarian leaders like Vladimir Putin of Russia and Bashar Al-Assad of Syria.

And lets be very clear. A Tulsi Gabbard nomination is a pro-war nomination globally. Point blank, period, Ocasio-Cortez said.

In his statement announcing Gabbard as his pick for the role, Trump said that she has fought for our Country and the Freedoms of all Americans for over two decades.

Tulsi Gabbard and Alexandria Ocasio Cortez. The New York Rep has expressed dismay at Gabbard nomination to be the director of national intelligence ( Getty )

I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength. Tulsi will make us all proud! he added.

Gabbard is set to face difficult confirmation hearings in the Senate to be appointed to the post. But Trump may try to push her through using recess appointments.

The 43-year-old served in the House as a Democrat before running for the partys presidential nomination in 2020. She has subsequently left the party and endorsed Trump during the campaign. She officially joined the Republicans last month.

Her selection stunned the intelligence community and many lawmakers, some noting her lack of experience and others citing her past controversial remarks.

Larry Pfeiffer was the senior director of the White House Situation Room and chief of staff at the CIA during the presidency of George W Bush.

Some of the statements she has made through the years that sound like they came right out of the Kremlins talking points paper are a little bit alarming, he said, according to The Hill. Her cozying up to Bashar al Assad and being an apologist for him as well just raise questions in my mind.

Is that really the best person to put in charge of this very complicated, very sensitive operation that is the US intel community? he asked.

Shes never managed anything larger than a congressional office or maybe like a brigade, he added. Thats a lot different than trying to orchestrate and coordinate this wild consultation of intel elements that we call the US intelligence community. I think she isnt really prepared for that.

Former CIA officer Abigail Spanberger, now a Virginia Democratic US House Representative, noted that the DNI has access to every single secret that the United States has, every single bit of information that we know.  Its the keys to the intelligence community kingdom.

She said she was appalled by Gabbards nomination.

Jamil Jaffer is a former GOP House Intelligence Committee staffer and national security prosecutor.

What is unusual here is youve got somebody whos had such a long and vociferous track record of saying things that are factually incorrect, that seem to give aid and comfort to US adversaries, and that undermine the very people they should be representing at the principals committee, he said, according to The Hill. Thats what makes her an unlikely candidate to be nominated for this job, and to be an unlikely candidate to be confirmed to this job.
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As the bromance between President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk continues, some now believe that a merger could be in the works between their respective social media platforms, Truth Social and X.

I would suspect he would try to merge Truth Social with X, tech journalist Kara Swisher said on CNN last week.

They could merge them and make it a meme stock and make a lot of money for themselves. That could be interesting and incredibly corrupt, she added.

New York University professor Scott Galloway said on the podcast Pivot last Friday that a merger could be a way to funnel billions of dollars from Musk to Donald Trump, legally, as far as I can tell.

The former president is the majority shareholder of the Trump Media & Technology Group  the parent company of Truth Social while Musk owns X, formerly known as Twitter.

While the sites technically operate in the same microblogging sphere, that doesnt seem to have stopped the two men from forming a political partnership.

The director of the Center for Communication and Public Policy at Northwestern University, Erik Nisbet, told Fortune that Xs content has moved closer to Truth Social, since Musk took over.

Donald Trump walks past Elon Musk as they attend the America First Policy Institute Gala held at Mar-a-Lago on November 14, 2024, in Palm Beach, Florida. Some believe their respective social media sites may merge ( Getty Images )

His philosophy of free speech is much closer to that of Truth Social, he added.

Part of that philosophy is loose moderation efforts and promoting themselves as free speech platforms looking to attract conservative audiences.

X still does have content moderation as it relies on corporate advertisers and other partners for its revenue. In a September report, the company said it suspended around 5.3 million accounts in the first half of 2024 for violating its policies.

Meanwhile, Truth Social has essentially no advertising business and as such doesnt have the same motivation to moderate content.

Nisbet told Fortune that Truth Social is an alt-tech site, meaning that its a platform that essentially states that it will engage in limited content moderation.

Xs user base dwarfs that of Truth Social. Figures from Similarweb show that while Truth Social had 698,000 active monthly users on its apps in September, X at the same time had 70.4 million users. Similarly, that same month, X had 1 billion visits on desktop and mobile while Truth Social had 11.3 million.

More people get exposed to Truth Social content by the news media reporting on Trumps latest diatribe than visit the platform, Nisbet told Fortune.

Data from the Pew Research Center shows that similar numbers of the sites user base get their news from the platform  57 percent of Truth Social users regularly get their news there while 59 percent of X users said the same.

Nisbet noted to Fortune that theres now more of a niche social media ecology, with sites like Telegram, Mastodon, BlueSky, Discord, and sites from bigger players like Threads by Meta and TikTok by Bytedance.

The professor told the outlet that a merger between X and Truth Social would make business sense for Trump, not for X.

X also outflanks Truth Social when it comes to revenue, with Truth Social taking in $2.6m through the third quarter while X is expecting to take in about $2bn in ad revenue this year, Axios noted in August.

A merger could lead to a windfall for Trump, whose stake in Truth Social is worth $3.3bn.

It makes sense for Trump as an exit strategy to cash out his equity, Nisbet told Fortune. He needs someone to buy him out.
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President-elect Donald Trump continues to push his friends and closest allies as nominees for key roles in government. The picks have sent shockwaves through the hall of Congress.

Trump has vowed to get them into their positions  and it's been floated that he could do something that hasnt been done in the nearly 250-year history of America to make it happen. How would he achieve this, when usually he would have to go through an official confirmation process? Through recess appointments.

Some of Trumps most controversial choices so far include Robert F Kennedy Jr, the environmental activist-turned-vaccine-conspiracy theorist, for secretary of Health and Human Services; former congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard to be Director of National Intelligence; and former congressman Matt Gaetz to serve as attorney general.

Republican Senators seemed downright uncomfortable talking about the picks when asked. Democrats dont seem too enthused about helping Trump if any Republicans defect.

I've got a lot of questions, and thats why we have advise-and-consent, Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, told The Independent. And the first step is to go through appropriate background checks. Then theres a public hearing and then I'll reach a conclusion.

open image in gallery Donald Trumps controversial picks for positions - such as Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence - that need Senate approval have sent shockwaves through Congress. The President-elect has already threatened recess appointments. Could he take it a step further? ( REUTERS )

Warner was being polite compared to Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who sits on the Armed Services Committee, which would be in charge of confirmation hearings for Fox News pundit Pete Hegseth, Trumps nominee to lead the Pentagon.

Being on Fox News is not enough to substitute for the kind of experience that years in different parts of the military and grappling with different issues in defense give to a possible nomination, she told The Independent.

Trump will come to Washington with a sizeable Republican majority in the Senate after Republicans flipped seats in Montana, West Virginia and Ohio. Pennsylvanias Senate race is currently in a recount, but if incumbent Democratic Senator Bob Casey loses, that will give Republicans one more vote to confirm Trumps team in the form of Dave McCormick.

At the same time, it might not be enough. Even in an era where Republicans are far more subservient to Trump than his first go-around in office, some Republicans will not want to bend the knee and vote for unqualified nominees.

Enter recess appointments. Earlier this week, as Republicans geared up to nominate their new majority leader, Trump tweeted: Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!)

Article II of the US Constitution states that: The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.

Essentially, recess apppointments are when the president appoints a nominee to a Senate-confirmed position when the Senate is out of session, bypassing the need for colleagues say-so. Historically, Democrats and Republicans have used recess appointments for controversial nominations. Bill Clinton made 139 recess appointments, including one for James Hormel as US ambassador to Luxembourg, after Republicans opposed Hormels nomination because he was openly gay.

Recess appointments expire at the end of the Senates next session, according to the Congressional Research Service.

But since 2006, when Democrats took control of the House and Senate during George W Bushs administration, the Senate has essentially stopped having recess appointments. Rather, it holds what are called pro forma sessions, wherein the House and Senate briefly conduct business as a way to prevent presidents from making recess appointments.

In 2012, as Senate Republicans continued to block Barack Obamas nominees to the National Labor Relations Board, he made three recess appointments. However, in 2014, the Supreme Court ruled against Obama doing so, saying the Senate hadnt been on a long enough recess to justify making appointments during that period.

open image in gallery Gabbard and Matt Gaetz, who Trump named as nominee for Attorney General, are among the controversial names. They could move into their positions through recess appointments ( Getty Images )

That leads us to the next part, which would be unprecedented. Section 3 of Article 3 in the Constitution says that the president may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper.

That rule would allow Trump to adjourn Congress as long as he likes  allowing him the leeway to make a legally justifiable recess appointment.

This is not the first time that the president-elect has hinted at the need to do this. In 2020, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, Trump signaled that he would be interested in doing so. But even some Senate Republicans might chafe at the idea of the president using this power.

Its in the Constitution, but again, our job is to provide advice and consent, Senator John Cornyn of Texas told The Independent on Thursday. I think thats sort of a failsafe in the event Democrats continue to block any of President Trumps nominees. He has a right to get his team in place without unnecessary delays.

Ironically, during that last time Trump threatened to adjourn Congress, he did so when Republicans  led by then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell  controlled the Senate. The divide between Trump and McConnell showed just how protective the Senate is about its advise-and-consent power that is enumerated in the Constitution.

The next Senate majority will not be led by McConnell, who announced at the beginning of this year that he would step aside as Republican leader. Rather, Senator John Thune, who currently serves as minority whip, will be the majority leader in January.

Thune beat Cornyn, a decidedly more conservative Republican, during the race to become majority leader earlier this week. But if Trump continues to push and prod Republicans on this, it could likely lead to Trump at least trying to adjourn Congress as a flex of his power. A flex that hasnt been seen in three centuries.
Two Guangdong ports to pilot express border channels to Hong Kong, Macao

Xinhua) 10:56, November 15, 2024

BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Two ports in south China's Guangdong Province will pilot express border inspection channels for eligible travelers between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macao, starting from Nov. 20, said a statement issued by the National Immigration Administration (NIA) on Friday.

Under the pilot program, those traveling frequently between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macao for personal reasons no longer need to present travel documents at border checks, on condition that they allow border inspectors to collect and verify their facial, fingerprints and other personal information, according to the statement.

Such eligible travelers, aged 14 or above, include mainland residents with valid documents for multiple entries into the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions (SARs), and Hong Kong and Macao residents holding valid permits for entering the mainland.

However, travelers still need to carry their physical permits for other procedures upon arrival, the statement noted.

The pilot program will be implemented at the Shenzhen Bay Port in the city of Shenzhen, which is adjacent to Hong Kong, and the Gongbei Port in Zhuhai City neighboring Macao.

The pilot channels currently do not apply to mainland residents holding entry-exit permits issued for official business, the statement added.

An official with the NIA said the program will help improve traveler experiences, facilitate personnel flow between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macao, and promote the two SARs' better integration into overall national development.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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Elon Musk met with Irans ambassador to the U.N. on Monday for a discussion focused on ways to defuse tensions between Iran and America, sources have said.

The meeting between the tech billionaire and Amir Saeid Iravani lasted more than an hour and was held at a secret location in New York, The New York Times reported, per Iranian officials. The sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, described the meeting as positive and good news.

It comes following the announcement this week that Musk would, along with former presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy, head up the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the upcoming Trump administration.

When asked about the meeting, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung said, We do not comment on reports of private meetings that did or did not occur.

Despite his status as a private citizen, Musk has already played a role of significant influence in the Trump campaign and, according to The Times, is believed to have sat in on nearly every appointment for the President-elects new cabinet so far.

open image in gallery Despite his status as a private citizen, Musk has already played a role of significant influence in the Trump campaign ( AFP via Getty Images )

The Tesla and SpaceX boss was also present on a call with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky shortly after Trumps victory. Musk has also played a key role in providing communications capability to Ukraine in the war with Russia.

His near-constant presence close to the President-elect has earned him the moniker of First Buddy.

One of the Iranian officials said that it was the self-styled First Buddy who had requested the meeting and that the ambassador picked the site, The Times reported.

open image in gallery Musks constant presence close to the President-elect has earned him the title of First Buddy ( AP )

During his first term in office, Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and other world powers, calling it a horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made.

The President-elect also imposed tough economic sanctions on Iranian oil revenues and international banking transactions. He also ordered the assassination of a top Iranian general, Qassim Suleimani, in Iraq in 2020.

In turn, Trump has become the target of Iranian hostilities.

The Justice Department recently disclosed an Iranian murder-for-hire plot to kill the President-elect, charging a man who said he had been tasked by a government official before the election with planning the assassination of Trump.

open image in gallery Musk is believed to have sat in on nearly every appointment for the President-elects new cabinet so far ( AP )

Investigators were told of the plan to kill Trump by Farhad Shakeri, an accused Iranian government asset who spent time in American prisons for robbery and who authorities say maintains a network of criminal associates enlisted by Tehran for surveillance and murder-for-hire plots.

Shakeri told the FBI that a contact in Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard instructed him this past September to set aside other work he was doing and assemble a plan within seven days to surveil and ultimately kill Trump, according to a criminal complaint unsealed in federal court in Manhattan.

Despite reports of Mondays meeting being officially unconfirmed, Irans foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi posted to X on Thursday. Differences can be resolved through cooperation and dialogue. We agreed to proceed with courage and good will. Iran has never left the negotiation table on its peaceful nuclear program, he said.

Araghchi made the comments following a meeting in Tehran with Rafael Grossi, the head of U.N.s atomic watchdog.
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Iran sent a private letter to the Joe Biden administration last month vowing it wouldnt plot to kill Donald Trump, according to a report.

The letter from Tehran  delivered on October 14  came in response to US officials private hand-written warning to the country in September, relating that any threats against the then-Republican nominees life would be treated as an act of war, the Wall Street Journal first reported.

The promise not to kill the now president-elect contradicts Irans vow to avenge Qassem Soleimani  the commander of the Quds Force killed in a US airstrike in 2020 during Trumps presidency.

However, the letter echoed its claim that Trump had committed a crime by directing the airstrike to target Soleimani. Tehrans letter was not signed by a specific official, the Journal reported.

The revelation comes one week after the Justice Department announced that it had intercepted a fugitive Iranian government operatives scheme to assassinate President-elect Trump before election day.

open image in gallery Donald Trump speaks at the America First Policy Institute Gala held at Mar-a-Lago on November 14 in Palm Beach, Florida. Iran sent a secret message to the US last month promising not to kill President-elect Trump ( Getty Images )

It also arrives months after Trumps Secret Service presence was bolstered over the summer when the Biden administration learned of credible threats targeting US politicians.

The boost in his security detail happened mere weeks before a 20-year-old gunman opened fire at Trumps Butler, Pennsylvania, rally. There is no evidence to suggest the incidents are connected.

Amid these alleged threats on his life, Trump told reporters that he would consider a new nuclear agreement with the country  years after he pulled out of the 2015 landmark Iran nuclear deal during his first term.

At the time, he called it a a horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made; former Secretary of State John Kerry once lauded the agreement as making the world a safer place.

open image in gallery Elon Musk, left, and Trump attend a campaign event at the Butler Farm Show on Oct. 5, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania. Musk, recently tapped to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, met with Irans ambassador to the UN on Monday ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

We have to make a deal, because the consequences are impossible. We have to make a deal, he said in late September, Politico reported.

Richard Nephew, once the Department of States Coordinator on Global Anti-Corruption during the Biden administration, warned that Trumps hopes could be far-fetched.

Tehrans assurances in its recent note could help US-Iran relations, but no one should be kidding themselves on how hard a deal would be to achieve on even just the nuclear issue given where Irans program is and the history of the agreement, Nephew told the Journal.

More recently, on Monday, Elon Musk  the worlds richest person and Trumps pick to lead the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency  met with Irans ambassador to the UN. The meeting, held in New York City, was meant to cool tensions between the two nations.

Iranian officials described the meeting to the New York Times as positive and good news.
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Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner is expected to be an outside adviser to the President-elect on Middle East issues, though reportedly may not have an official role in the administration.

Kushner, who is married to Ivanka Trump, is a trusted advisor to the President-elect, having built up strong regional relationships during his time serving in the first Trump presidency from 2017 to 2021.

No one on the incoming team has what Jared has, and that is trust. Jared earned it, he didnt have it at the beginning. He earned it. That takes time to build, a regional diplomat who worked with Kushner previously told CNN.

The diplomat noted that Kushner was relatively unknown to most players in the region before he became chief Middle East negotiator in the first Trump administration and that regional negotiators recognize the value of the relationships he has formed.

Friendships are forever in this region, an Israeli source who dealt with the first Trump administration told CNN. My assumption is that his role is much more in his hands than anybody elses.

open image in gallery Both Kushner and his wife, Ivanka Trump, served as senior advisors during the first Trump presidency ( REUTERS )

Despite his connections, Kushner is not likely to assume a formal role in Trumps second administration, but he is likely to serve as an outside advisor, two sources close to the President-elect told the outlets.

Concerns about Kushners other interests in the region and the wider Trump family have reportedly been raised by others within the GOP including current U.S. diplomats.

The former special advisor now runs a $3bn private equity fund backed by major U.S. allies including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, raising questions over how the future Trump administration could impact its business dealings.

In September Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, said he would keep his governments $2bn investment in the firm, should Trump win re-election.

open image in gallery Kushner was relatively unknown to most players in the region before he became chief Middle East negotiator in the first Trump administration, sources said ( Drew Angerer/Getty Images )

Prioritizing Saudi Arabias prosperity because it could help the Trump family is a major concern for US diplomats, a current diplomat told CNN.

However, having strong ties early on may prove useful if the President-elect is to deliver on his promises to end the wars in the region, including with Israel and Palestine. Earlier this year, Trump said that Israel had to finish what they started in Gaza and get it over with fast.

Kushner himself has not spoken extensively on the situation in the Middle East recently but was previously criticized following remarks made during an interview at Harvard in March, during which he said Gazas waterfront property could be very valuable  if people would focus on building up livelihoods.

Its a little bit of an unfortunate situation there, but from Israels perspective I would do my best to move the people out and then clean it up, Kushner said. But I dont think that Israel has stated that they dont want the people to move back there afterwards.
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A woman told lawmakers that Matt Gaetz, Donald Trumpspick for Attorney General, had sex with her when she was 17 years-old, according to a new report.

The woman, now in her 20s, is said to have testified over multiple days before the House Ethics Committee after they subpoenaed her this summer, according to ABC News, citing unnamed sources familiar with the investigation.

Her reported testimony came amid a House Ethics investigation into allegations that Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. However, that investigation ended on Wednesday when Gaetz resigned from his seat in the House of Representatives as news of his nomination to Trumps cabinet went live.

John Clune, an attorney representing the woman, condemned Gaetzs nomination to Trumps cabinet and called for the committee to release their report on the investigation.

Mr. Gaetzs likely nomination as Attorney General is a perverse development in a truly dark series of events, Clune wrote on X. We would support the House Ethics Committee immediately releasing their report. She was a high school student and there were witnesses.

open image in gallery Matt Gaetz has strongly denied the claims against him ( AFP via Getty Images )

Gaetz has denied all wrongdoing and branded the allegations invented in a statement to The Independent.

These allegations are invented and would constitute false testimony to Congress, Gaetz said. This false smear following a three-year criminal investigation should be viewed with great skepticism.

In September, he also told the Ethics Committee that the answer to whether he engaged in sexual activity with a minor is unequivocally NO.

You can apply this response to every version of this question, in every forum, Gaetz said in a statement.

The committee also subpoenaed and interviewed Gaetzs ex-girlfriend, ABC News reports.

Gaetzs resignation this week came two days before the House Ethics committee was set to release a highly damaging report regarding their investigation, according to Punchbowl News and other national outlets.

Texas Senator John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called for the committee to still release the report despite his resignation.

open image in gallery Gaetz, a long-time Trump ally, resigned from the House of Representatives on Wednesday ( REUTERS )

I cant understand any situation under which we would deny ourselves access to full and complete information, Cornyn said, according to Punchbowl News. Part of this is not only to determine fitness for the nominee, its also to protect the president.

Because there may be information that the investigation would find forthcoming that would ultimately be an embarrassment to the president, he added. So this is for all of the above reasons, we need to get access to everything.

Gaetz and his associates were also at the center of a sex trafficking investigation carried out by current Attorney General Merrick Garland last year. The former Florida lawmaker was ultimately never charged with a crime and has denied all wrongdoing.

Tom Rust, Chief Counsel and Staff Director for the House Ethics Committee, declined to comment when contacted by The Independent.

Allegations that Gaetz had sex with a 17-year-old have even been repeated by his former fellow lawmakers.

Former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy made such a claim earlier this year when he was ousted from his position.

Ill give you the truth as to why Im not Speaker, McCarthy said in April. Because one person, a member of Congress, wanted me to stop an ethics complaint because he slept with a 17-year-old, an ethics complaint that started before I ever became Speaker...Did he do it or not? I dont know.

Gaetz played a key role in outsing McCarthy last year, which paved the way for current speaker Mike Johnson to take power. The MAGA loyalist has previously said he ousted McCarthy because of concerns he violated the fundamental commitments he made to become Speaker, not because of the ethics probe.
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Speaker Mike Johnson has said that he will request that the House Ethics Committee not release its report into allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use made against former Florida Congressman and Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz.

Asked if he thinks the report should come out, Johnson told reporters: I do not. No, I think it's a terrible breach of protocol.

The rules of the house have always been that a former member is beyond the jurisdiction of the ethics committee, and so I don't think that's relevant, he added.

Johnson went on to say that he would strongly request that the committee not issue the report.

Gaetz resigned from Congress shortly before the ethics panel was set to hold a meeting on the future of the investigation.

The nomination of Gaetz to serve as President-elect Donald Trumps top lawyer is facing an uphill climb, according to GOP senators.

This is despite the fact that Republicans will hold the majority in the upper chamber with 53 seats come January. While Gaetz will get an opportunity to make his argument for why he should lead the Department of Justice, his confirmation hearings may pose a serious challenge for the Trump ally.

Republican senators are backing the effort by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, who has called on the House Ethics Committee to release its report.

Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine have expressed deep concerns about Gaetzs nomination.

I dont think it is a serious nomination for the attorney general, Murkowski told the press on Wednesday. We need to have a serious attorney general, and Im looking forward to the opportunity to consider somebody that is serious. This one was not on my bingo card.

Collins, who said she wouldnt back Trump in the election, said: I was shocked that he has been nominated.

If the nomination proceeds, Im sure there will be an extensive background check by the FBI, and public hearings, and a lot of questions asked, she added.

Only four Republican senators would have to vote against Gaetz to tank his nomination and some in the GOP have indicated that he may struggle to get the votes he needs.

Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst said, Hes got an uphill climb, according to The Hill.

Matt Gaetz and Robert F Kennedy Jr attend the America First Policy Institute gala. Republicans are expressing skepticism about getting Gaetzs nomination confirmed ( AP )

Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who Gaetz was instrumental in ousting from the post, told Bloomberg that Gaetz wont get confirmed.

Everybody knows that, he added.

I think hes pretty right, actually, North Dakota Republican Senator Kevin Cramer told The Hill about McCarthys comments.

He added that Gaetz just doesnt have the moral authority to lead the department after being caught up in a federal sex trafficking probe.

Im glad Im not on Judiciary, put it that way, Cramer said of the incoming confirmation hearings on the committee.

Texas Senator John Cornyn, a member of the Judiciary Committee, told the press on Thursday that the committee should be able to view the House Ethics Committees report.

It would certainly be relevant, if the House Committee found evidence linking Gaetz to criminal activity, Cornyn said.

Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota told reporters on Wednesday that he wont know if Gaetz will have the votes needed until the formal review process begins.

North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis, who sits on the Judiciary Committee, said that the Floridian has got some work cut out for him to get over the threshold for confirmation.

Meanwhile, Alabama Republican Senator and staunch Trump ally Tommy Tuberville suggested that Republicans who dont support Trumps nominees will face primary challenges.

Republicans if youre not on the team, get out of the way, he said on Fox Business. If you want to get in the way, fine. But were gonna try to get you out of the Senate too if you try to do that.
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The bankruptcy judge overseeing the auction of Alex Joness InfoWars has raised concerns over the process by which satirical publication The Onion won the bid for the conspiracy theorists website and related properties, ending his 25-year run of the media company.

During a status conference on Thursday, hours after Jones raged on his final InfoWars broadcast that the deep state was shutting him down, District Judge Christopher Lopez said no one should feel comfortable with the results of this auction.

Were all going to an evidentiary hearing and Im going to figure out exactly what happened, Lopez said from Texas court. I personally dont care who wins the auction  I care about process and transparency.

An evidentiary hearing will determine whether advisers who ran the auction conditioned a full and fair process, according to the judge.

The hearing date has not yet been scheduled.

The Onion and families of Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims announced the purchase of InfoWars properties on Thursday, years after Sandy Hook families sued Jones for defamation for calling the massacre a hoax, prompting his chapter 11 bankruptcy. He owes them roughly $1.5 billion in defamation judgments related to his statements about the 2012 massacre, in which a gunman fatally shot 26 people, including children between six and seven years old.

The joint bid from Global Tetrahedron and the Connecticut families has been selected as the winning bid for InfoWars, The Onions CEO Ben Collins said in a statement to The Independent. The sale is currently underway as part of the standard processes.

Alex Jones filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after he was ordered to pay the families of Sandy Hook victims more than $1.5 billion in defamation damages ( REUTERS )

On what he called his final broadcast on his long-running platform, which trafficks in far-right conspiracy theories, Jones accused the courts of hijacking the bidding process and said he would continue to fight the sale while moving his broadcasts to alternate web hosts. His InfoWars website and streaming platform were taken offline while he was broadcasting on Thursday.

Bidders in an auction for Joness assets, including InfoWars, were required to submit their best offers, but the amounts were not shared with competing bidders.

The only other bidder  Joness proxy First United American Companies  argued that the bidding method meant that competing bidders could not know what they were up against.

The Onions parent company Global Tetrahedron has not disclosed its bid. The trustee who ran the auction said the total amount was a better deal overall but came in under First United Americans $3.5 million offer.

This was an auction that didnt happen, with a bid that was lower, with money that wasnt real, Jones said on social media following news of the offer.

Robbie Parker, whose six-year-old daughter Emilie was among the 20 children killed at Sandy Hook, said in a statement following the sale that we were told this outcome would be nearly impossible, but we are no strangers to impossible fights.

The world needs to see that having a platform does not mean you are above accountability  the dissolution of Alex Jones assets and the death of InfoWars is the justice we have long awaited and fought for, he said.
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Pete Hegseth, Donald Trumps pick for Secretary of Defense, previously faced accusations of sexual misconduct that were investigated by police, according to a report.

Trumps newly-appointed White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles was briefed on Wednesday evening about an allegation that Hegseth engaged in sexual misconduct in Monterey, California seven years ago, according to Vanity Fair.

Wiles and Trumps lawyers spoke to Hegseth after learning about the alleged incident, Vanity Fair added. The Fox News host reportedly said the incident was consensual.

This allegation was already investigated by the Monterey Police Department and they found no evidence for it, Hegseths attorney told the outlet.

Hegseth, 44, served tours with the Army National Guard in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He joined Fox News as a contributor in 2014 and co-hosts Fox & Friends.

Trump announced he wanted Hegseth to lead the Department of Defense on Tuesday, one day before the team reportedly became aware of the sexual misconduct allegation.

open image in gallery Pete Hegseth, Donald Trumps pick for Secretary of Defense, was accused of sexual misconduct in Monterey, California in 2017, according to a new report ( AFP via Getty Images )

Steven Cheung, Trumps communications director, said Hegseth has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed.

We look forward to his confirmation as United States Secretary of Defense so he can get started on Day One to Make America Safe and Great Again, Cheung told Vanity Fair.

The Independent has contacted Hegseths attorney and Trumps campaign for comment.

Controversial comments made by Hegseth have come under scrutiny since his nomination was announced, including his recent claim that women should not serve in combat roles in the military.

open image in gallery A lawyer for Hegseth, pictured interviewing Trump in 2017, said the allegation is without evidence ( REUTERS )

Im straight up just saying we should not have women in combat roles, Hegseth said in an interview that aired last week. It hasnt made us more effective, hasnt made us more lethal, has made fighting more complicated.

We have all served with women and theyre great, he added. But its just our institutions dont have to incentivize that in places where traditionally... over human history, men in those positions are more capable.

Resurfaced footage from a Fox News broadcast in 2019 shows Hegseth revealing he hadnt washed his hands in a decade because "germs are not a real thing.

Hegseth then falsely claimed that germs do not exist because they cannot be seen with the naked eye.
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US drugmakers saw their stocks tank on Thursday and Friday following the announcement that former independent presidential candidate and anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist Robert F Kennedy Jr is president-elect Donald Trumps nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Kennedy has faced widespread criticism for his baseless claims that some vaccines are not safe and effective and that theyre linked to autism. He has said that he will institute a purge at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and that he will remove fluoride from the public water supply and take measures to limit ultra-processed food.

Shares in both pharmaceuticals and biotech fell  the SPDR S&P Biotech ETF fell over four percent during morning trading, Reuters noted.

Packaged food and beverage companies, such as Pepsi and Coca-Cola, also saw their shares take a downturn.

But the worst effect was seen among makers of vaccines, whose shares initially fell on Thursday and continued to do so on Friday. Moderna saw a seven percent dip just a day after seeing its lowest since April 2020. Meanwhile, Pfizer dropped almost four percent and Novavax was down two percent.

Analysts at the investment firm Jefferies Group wrote that The point is around sentiment, stance and perspective  that impacts biotech investors view of how FDA and other HHS issues will evolve (ie not accelerating drugs and pro-biotech).

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. takes a selfie with guests at the America First Policy Institute Gala held at Mar-a-Lago on November 14, 2024 in Palm Beach, Florida. Shares in drugmakers dropped following his nomination to lead HHS ( Getty Images )

Similarly, major operators in the European pharma market also saw the effects of Kennedys nomination to the top health job in the largest drug market in the world.

In Germany, Pfizers Covid-19 vaccine partner BioNtech dropped over 10 percent, set to be its largest one-day drop since August. Its stock in the US tumbled almost five percent. GSK saw their shares go down almost four percent and French drugmaker Sanofi lost 3.6 percent.

A large supplier of biotech lab gear and substances, Sartorious, saw their shares drop by 3.8 percent, while mpox vaccine maker Bavarian Nordic dropped 16 percent as it was also harmed by its results in the third quarter.

The CEO of the Danish firm shared worries that Kennedys nomination could lead to an increase in vaccine skepticism. However, he also told Reuters that the American response to the pandemic during Trumps first stint in the White House made him confident that there would be future bio-defense funding.

Analysts at JP Morgan Chase wrote: We are not surprised the sector has been under pressure on the potential for RFK Jr. having oversight of the various agencies within HHS (including the FDA, the CDC, NIH, and Medicare/Medicaid) given his previous stated views on the industry.

A number of medical scientists shared their concerns on Friday that vaccination efforts could suffer.

RBC analyst Brian Abrahams said Kennedys nomination could have far-reaching and difficult-to-project implications for the biotechnology sector, adding a considerable layer of uncertainty and challenging investability, according to Reuters.

Meanwhile, shares in Novo Nordisk, the obesity drugmaker, saw its shares drop 4.3 percent while shares in Eli Lilly, the US drugmaker, dropped four percent.

Ozempic, the Novo Nordisk drug often prescribed for weight loss, has faced criticism from Kennedy, arguing that it put the focus on the symptoms of the obesity crisis instead of taking actions to create a better food system.

Kennedy has also argued for removing ultra-processed foods from school lunches to combat chronic diseases.

Several packaged food giants, such as Hershey, General Mills, Conagra Brands, and Kraft Heinz, all decreased more than three percent, while shares in Coca-Cola, Monster Beverage, and Keurig Dr Pepper dropped between one and four percent.
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Just over a week ago, Donald Trump became the first Republican presidential candidate to win both the Electoral College and the national popular vote since George W Bush in 2004.

And he appears to be repeating one of Bushs most infamous mistakes.

Bush, who four years earlier had squeaked with the help of the Supreme to win the Electoral College, took his victory over then-Massachusetts Senator John Kerry as a mandate for making sweeping changes to the countrys social safety net.

At a press conference shortly after his 2004 win, he told reporters that the victory engendered a feeling that the people have spoken and embraced your point of view and said he would communicate that attitude to the incoming Republican-controlled Congress.

I earned capital  political capital  in the campaign, and now I intend to spend it, he said.

What Bush wanted to spend on was an audacious plan to gradually replace Social Security with a system of private retirement accounts that would let Americans replace that guaranteed benefit with a bet on the stock market.

It never got off the ground. Democrats, led by then-minority leaders Nancy Pelosi in the House and Harry Reid in the Senate, were ferocious in their pushback. They made a decision early on not to even consider Bushs plan or engage with GOP efforts to negotiate any sort of compromise legislation, much less offer a Democratic alternative.

More importantly, a critical mass in the Republican Party realized that their leaders plan was, to put it bluntly, wildly unpopular. Combined with the unified Democratic opposition, the pushback was so great that neither the House nor the Senate ever considered legislation to create Bushs private retirement accounts.

Twenty years later, Trump appears to be misreading the publics appetite for remaking the entire government in his image.

open image in gallery Donald Trump has made several controversial picks for key roles in his administration. It could be blowing his political capital before he even takes office ( AP )

On Wednesday, he stunned much of the world by choosing former Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, an ex-Democrat with no foreign policy or intelligence experience and a history of spouting Russian propaganda talking points, as his nominee to replace the widely respected Avril Haines as Director of National Intelligence.

He left the American legal establishment similarly flabbergasted by choosing Floridian firebrand Matt Gaetz, whod to that point been a Republican congressman with a longstanding cloud of scandal around him, as his incoming Attorney General.

Gaetz, a 42-year-old graduate of the well-regarded law school at Virginias College of William and Mary, has no experience as a prosecutor or a long record of legal scholarship. But he does have a record in the public arena as a fierce defender of Trump in the face of the multiple congressional and criminal investigations that have dogged the president-elect over the years.

He has also pledged to bring law enforcement to heel and keep criminal investigations away from the president-elect and his allies, and by implication target them at Trumps enemies.

Trump inflamed critics even more on Thursday when he announced that the Department of Health and Human Services  a sprawling organization that regulates food, drugs and funds billions in medical research in addition to operating the Medicare and Medicaid health insurance systems for seniors and poor Americans  would be run by Robert F Kennedy Jr.

Kennedy, the son of assassinated New York senator and former attorney general Robert F Kennedy Sr, was once a well-regarded environmental law specialist until he began peddling discredited theories about a non-existent link between vaccines and autism. He has signaled an intention to fire hundreds of scientific experts currently employed by HHS and upend the approval process required for new medications and medical treatments in favor of refocusing the governments regulatory efforts on food safety and unverified links between environmental toxins and chronic disease.

The selections of Gabbard, Gaetz and Kennedy have all rankled Democrats whove condemned them as unserious and even dangerous.

open image in gallery RFK Jr. was named as the nominee for the Department of Health and Human Services. He is one of Trumps picks for the cabinet that has garnered outrage and concern in the halls of Congress ( REUTERS )

Trumps decision to put forth the controversial picks could imperil whatever goodwill he has among the more centrist-minded members of his own party in the Senate, as they will be tasked with approving them for their chosen cabinet posts.

In particular, Gaetz has drawn the most incoming from members of the Senate Republican Conference, where many members are still sore with him for his role in defenestrating then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy last October. The unprecedented dumping of the Houses top Republican plunged the chamber into chaos for months, with McCarthy attributing Gaetzs actions to his wanting to deep-six an ethics investigation into his conduct.

The now-former House member (he resigned on Thursday, possibly to prevent the release of a report on that ethics probe) is widely despised among his former colleagues, and multiple GOP senators have suggested that Gaetz will have a tough road ahead of him before he even receives a vote on the Senate floor.

But it could be Kennedy, the anti-vaccine activist and conspiracy theorist, who causes the most headaches for Trumps political operation.

As a scion of Americas most famous family of Democrats, Kennedy has long hewed his ancestral partys line on reproductive freedom and LGBT+ rights issues  positions that are at odds with the party he will serve if brought into the new Trump administration.

Matt Bowman, the director of regulatory affairs at the anti-abortion, anti-LGBT+ rights legal group Alliance Defending Freedom, said in a statement that his group hopes that President-elect Trump will appoint leaders who follow the law and promote the lives and health of those it is tasked to protect.

When it comes to HHS, the Biden administration radicalized its bureaucracy to illegally mandate and promote abortion and dangerous gender procedures, so we hope its leaders will restore the rule of law, respect biological reality, and allow states to protect children at any stage of life, he added.

Though Republicans have been willing to tolerate some heterodoxy on some social issues, Kennedys pro-choice history may prove as much a dealbreaker for him among the Senate GOP as Gaetzs alleged history of sexual misconduct.

While Trump does have a record of successfully bullying Republicans into giving him what he wants, Republican senators may not have the appetite for the negative headlines that will accompany yes votes to confirm these latest Trump picks.
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A Fox News host who lobbied Donald Trump to pardon troops accused of war crimes and doesnt want women serving in combat could be leading the nations military. An accused sexual predator who has taken up Trumps promise to destroy his political rivals could be the nations top law enforcement officer. A prolific conspiracy theorist who doesnt hold a single medical or public health degree but plans to immediately halt vaccine development could be in charge of the nations health agencies.

An Evangelical preacher who espouses end-times theology and has said theres no such thing as a Palestinian could be the nations ambassador to Israel. A former congresswoman who secretly met with Syrias Bashar al-Assad and has blamed US and NATO for Russias assault in Ukraine could direct the nations intelligence. The worlds wealthiest man will recommend drastic cuts to the governments budget in a made-up efficiency agency.

Two of his attorneys who are actively overseeing his hush money case, which led to Trumps 34 criminal convictions, have been nominated for top roles at the Department of Justice. The lawyer who got him immunity at the Supreme Court will be solicitor general.

Trumps first wave of cabinet nominations and White House appointments, within the week after he won the 2024 presidential election, have stunned members of Congress, veterans and active-duty service members, public health advocates and democratic advocates, who have warned for years that he is building a government of loyalists to fulfill his campaign-trail promises to deliver retribution by destroying the deep state.

Theyre shocking choices, but they shouldnt be surprising. When Trump formally launched his 2024 campaign from Waco, Texas, he declared himself a warrior and the election a final battle.

To those who have been wronged and betrayed, of which there are many people out there, I will be your retribution, he said.

There is no secret plan or conspiracy theory at work; putting an enemy of the deep state in charge of it, creating an agency named after a meme, naming widely loathed congressman Matt Gaetz as attorney general  its the trolling as politics that Trumps movement inspired. Its an absurd attack on the institutions that Trump despises, and theyre laughing all the way to the White House. Its what he campaigned on, and hes fulfilling his campaign promises.

He has repeatedly pledged to drain the swamp in Washington, and hes filling it with an army of loyalists left in its wake. But the punchlines will have consequences.

open image in gallery Donald Trump nominated Tulsi Gabbard to director of national intelligence ( REUTERS )

Tulsi Gabbard, who is nominated as director of national intelligence, said Trumps election was a mandate for change.

Of course theres going to be resistance from the swamp in Washington  I think thats kind of the point, he told Fox News on November 14. The American people are saying, Hey, stop looking at yourselves, stop focusing on your own power, your own positions, your own bank accounts. How about we have leaders in Washington who are actually looking out for the American people?

Olivia Troye, a former homeland security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence, said Gabbards nomination is a slap in the face to intel officers, but thats the point given Trumps disdain for our national security community.

Having a Russian propagandist who spreads fringe conspiracies at the helm will likely lead to our allies refraining from sharing intel with us, she said. It will weaken our security posture [and] make us more susceptible to terrorist attacks on our homeland.

If she is confirmed by the Senate, Gabbard will demoralize the hell out of everyone in national intelligence and the active duty service members and federal law enforcement officers relying on her leadership, according to Kris Goldsmith, CEO of veterans anti-extremism group Task Force Butler and its Vets Fighting Fascism project.

Theyre not going to be able to trust their own boss, he told The Independent. She is a danger, and shes more likely to side with Assad and Putin than she is with the people of the United States.

open image in gallery Trump nominated Robert F Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among other public health agencies ( AFP via Getty Images )

Trump nominated anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, putting a conspiracy theorist in charge of the nations public health agencies, with the potential to upend vital research and derail life-saving vaccine development and distribution.

Kennedy has previously declared that theres no vaccine that is safe and effective and chaired the group Childrens Health Defense, which claimed that there is a parallel between rising disease rates and the increasing number of childhood vaccines is hard to ignore.

He also supports removing fluoride from water supplies, based on Cold War-era conspiracy theories, which health professionals say if put into practice would rot the nations teeth.

The department oversees critical public health agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Food and Drug Administration.

When he was running for president, Kennedy said he would immediately tell NIH to stop drug development and infectious disease research for eight years, and instead study chronic disease.

Kennedy has also speculated that exposure to chemicals in tap water or the environment could be making children question their sexuality or gender identity  amplifying a conspiracy theory infamously raised by Alex Jones, who said tap water is turning the friggin frogs gay.

His nomination is disastrous for public health, according to Lawrence Gostin, director of the ONeill Institute for public health at Georgia University Law Center.

Doctors and public health advocates have been sounding the alarm for months over their grave concerns that Kennedy  as president or the nations top health officials  could be in a powerful position to cast doubt on the safety and efficacy of life-saving medicine, and potentially accelerate a trend of parents rejecting vaccinations for their children.

open image in gallery Matt Gaetz was nominated to US Attorney General, the nations top law enforcement official ( REUTERS )

Gaetz is widely expected to deliver the vengeance Trump has vowed against those he believes have wronged him and his supporters, including the end of criminal cases against the former president and potential prosecutions for the people who were leading them.

I dont care if it takes every second of our time and every ounce of our energy, Gaetz told the Conservative Political Action Conference last year. We either get this government back on our side or we defund and  abolish the FBI, CDC, ATF, DOJ, every last one of em if they do not come to heel.

He resigned from the House of Represenatives moments after Trump announced him for attorney general, while a looming House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations that he raped a teenager  something he has repeatedly denied  was set to be released.

Mimi Rocah, a former federal prosecutor and current district attorney for New Yorks Westchester County, anticipates mass resignations across the nations law enforcement agencies if Gaetz is confirmed, emptying out the offices that prosecute corruption, civil rights abuses and national security threats.

Which is maybe exactly what they want, she said. But Republican Senators need to really understand the chaos that will ensue.

Pete Hegseth, one of the hosts of Fox & Friends on Fox News, was selected by the president-elect to run the Department of Defense, which oversees 3 million service members and civilian employees across all branches of the nations military.

Active duty troops are extremely concerned about being given illegal orders and being deployed within the United States, or for a war just kicking off because Trump tweets, Goldsmith told The Independent. There are a lot of active service members who are rightfully terrified that they are going to have a completely unhinged and even less stable time than the last time he was commander in chief.
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The lawyers who defended Donald Trump in his criminal cases and demanded the Supreme Court shield him from prosecution have been awarded job offers for some of the biggest roles in federal law enforcement.

Todd Blanche, who has steered the defense of the former president in courtrooms in New York, Florida, and Washington DC, is nominated for the second highest role in the Department of Justice.

If confirmed, he could serve as deputy attorney general to far-right Trump ally Matt Gaetz, who Trump has nominated for attorney general, the nations top law enforcement official, in a role that is likely to be used to target the judges and prosecutors overseeing the mountain of litigation against the former president.

Emil Bove, Trumps criminal defense attorney in his so-called hush money case, is nominated for principal deputy attorney general. He could be acting deputy attorney general while Blanche is awaiting confirmation in the Senate.

D. John Sauer argued in front of federal appeals court judges and the Supreme Court for Trumps immunity from criminal prosecution for his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss, and his failure to stop a mob that stormed the Capitol to do it by force.

He won that argument, which has not only derailed Trumps election interference case but also thrown a wrench into the months-old verdict from his hush money trial. Following Trumps election, special counsel Jack Smith signaled the end of the cases against him, and the judge overseeing his hush money case agreed to more delays following the unprecedented conclusion of his campaign.

open image in gallery Donald Trumps attorneys in his hush money case, Emil Bove, left, and Todd Blanche, right, have been nominated for top Justice Department jobs by the convicted president-elect. ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images )

In return, Trump nominated Sauer for solicitor general, which represents the federal government in front of the nations highest court.

The nations next solicitor general  often named the 10th justice for its close role with the Supreme Court  will have argued that a president could be immune from prosecution for ordering the assassinations of his political rivals.

A stunning set of nominations  announced in a flurry of social media posts and campaign messages on Thursday  have cemented Trumps promise of retribution in office, raising concerns about overlapping conflicts of interest and divided loyalties.

Trump has long conflated his criminal defense as a defense of the country and rule of law itself, baselessly asserting that grand jury indictments against him are a politically motivated conspiracy theory to keep him  and his supporters  away from the White House.

For weeks, Trump sat shoulder to shoulder with his criminal defense attorneys for several hours a day inside a Manhattan courtroom, where the former president was on trial for falsifying business records in connection with a scheme to fraudulently influence the public ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

A jury convicted Trump on all 34 counts against him in New York, where he conspired with influential publishers and attorneys to bury stories of his affairs by paying off women to keep quiet. Trumps then-attorney Michael Cohen paid adult film star Stormy Daniels for her silence about having sex with Trump in 2006, and Trumps reimbursements to Cohen, including checks signed from the White House, were covered up in his companys accounting.

Blanche remains the lead attorney in that case; a series of delays have pushed Trumps sentencing off the calendar following a jurys verdict on May 30, making him the first former president, now president-elect, to be convicted of a crime.

His nomination to the second-highest role at the Justice Department emphasizes the transformation from federal prosecutor, registered Democratic voter and Wall Street law partner to key legal ally in Trumps courtroom-based campaign for the presidency.

open image in gallery D. John Sauer, who successfully argued on behalf of Donald Trump in his immunity appeal to the Supreme Court, has been nominated as solicitor general ( AFP via Getty Images )

Blanche will be a crucial leader in the Justice Department, fixing what has been a broken System of Justice for far too long, Trump announced.

Bove, another former federal prosecutor and a law partner in Blanches firm, is a tough and strong attorney, who will be a crucial part of the Justice Department, rooting out corruption and crime, according to Trump.

But it was Sauer who delivered Trumps biggest legal victory to date, convincing the conservative supermajority on the Supreme Court to agree that Trump, and any president, can be shielded from criminal prosecution for actions tied to their official duties in office.

Trump explicitly mentioned that in his announcement.

Sauers victory was key to defeating the unConstitutional campaign of Lawfare against me and the entire MAGA Movement, Trump said.

Trump not playing 4D chess with nominations, says former deputy press secretary

Last year, the judge presiding over Trumps election interference case said he does not have the divine right of kings to avoid the consequences of his actions.

During an appeals hearing, it was Sauer who answered with a qualified yes when presented with an absurd hypothetical question to point out a literally unbelievable legal argument from Trumps attorneys.

Appellate Judge Florence Pan asked Sauer whether he believed that immunity for the presidency means a president is shielded from prosecution even if that action is taken for an unlawful or unconstitutional purpose, such as deploying SEAL Team 6 to assassinate a political rival without being criminally prosecuted.

I asked you a yes or no question, Pan said. Could a president who ordered SEAL Team 6 to assassinate a political rival ... would he be subject to criminal prosecution?

Qualified yes, he replied, if he is impeached and convicted first.

Appellate judges wholly rejected Trumps immunity defense. The Supreme Court agreed to hear it.

On July 1, with its final decision of the year, the Supreme Court delivered Trump his most significant legal victory yet.

Orders the Navys SEAL Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in her dissent.

Organizes a military exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune, she wrote. Even if these nightmare scenarios never play out, and I pray they never do, the damage has been done. The relationship between the president and the people he serves has shifted irrevocably.
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Vivek Ramaswamy, who was picked to lead the newly-created Department of Government Efficiency, proposed defunding federal programs that no longer have congressional authorization - which includes money for veterans health care, NASA and early education.

The new office, nicknamed DOGE after co-leader Elon Musks favorite meme, will operate outside of government and will aim to cut wasteful expenditures and restructure Federal Agencies. Two days after being nominated, Ramaswamy suggested deep cuts to federal funding, starting with a list of expired authorizations of appropriations.

Some congressional funding was approved with a set time before authorization expired. However, they continue to receive funding. A recent report by the Congressional Budget Office found more than 1,200 programs at more than $516 billion a year. When an authorization expires, Congress can extend the program through new legislation or by providing new appropriations, according to CBO.

Ramaswamy took to X earlier this week to write about his first steps.

We shouldnt let the government spend money on programs that have expired. Yet thats exactly what happens today: half a *trillion* dollars of taxpayer funds ($516 B+) goes each year to programs which Congress has allowed to expire. There are 1,200+ programs that are no longer authorized but still receive appropriations, he wrote.

This is totally nuts. We can & should save hundreds of billions each year by defunding government programs that Congress no longer authorizes. Well challenge any politician who disagrees to defend the other side.

Social media users were quick to point out some of the programs that received funding despite lacking current Congressional authorization. One is the Veterans Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996, which helps provide funding for veterans medical care. The authorization expired in 1998, but still receives about $120 billion in funding.

Vivek Ramaswamy speaks during the fourth Republican presidential primary debate. Days after being tapped to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, he proposed cutting unauthorized federal programs, which includes veteran healthcare ( AFP via Getty Images )

It was hardly the only notable agency that could see a funding stream tried up. Others included a bill that helped NASA and the International Space Station. Another area was tied to Head Start, which helps provide early childhood education to low-income students.

Its unclear if Ramaswamy knew the specific programs that he could potentially cut or if he would exempt any.

He later doubled down on his thoughts.

If it doesnt advance the interests of American citizens, were putting it on the chopping block. Amazingly, there are a number of programs whose authorization from Congress has *already expired* yet $$$ still flows out the door. That needs to end next year, the one-time presidential candidate wrote.

Both Ramaswamy and Musk have been tasked to lead the Trump-created agency that will look to curb government spending. Musk has estimated that $2 trillion can be axed from the federal payroll.

We are very grateful to the thousands of Americans who have expressed interest in helping us at DOGE, the agency wrote on X on Thursday. We dont need more part-time idea generators. We need super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries willing to work 80+ hours per week on unglamorous cost-cutting. If thats you, DM this account with your CV. Elon & Vivek will review the top 1% of applicants.

Musk admitted that the working conditions at DOGE arent exactly typical.

This will be tedious work, make lots of enemies & compensation is zero, he wrote on X. What a great deal!

This story has been amended to clarify the amount the veterans medical care program receives.
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New Zealand is considering charging visitors to some of the countrys most iconic destinations in an effort to conserve them.

The government is seeking feedback on charging both domestic and foreign visitors to five iconic tourist sites, which collectively receive 2.6 million people a year.

The conservation minister called it the biggest potential change in conservation in over three decades.

Were also consulting on a proposal to introduce access charges for some public conservation areas, Tama Potaka said. Access fees are widely used internationally to help maintain popular sites sustainably.

According to two discussion documents released on Friday, the government plans to charge each New Zealander $20 and each foreigner $30 access fee for Cathedral Cove, Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Franz Josef Glacier, Milford Sound, and Aoraki Mount Cook National Park.

The fees are expected to bring in about $71m a year. Charging only international visitors will yield about half that.

New Zealands ecosystems are declining and nearly 4,000 native species are either at risk or threatened with extinction, one of the documents states.

The Department of Conservation is only just holding the line at present and cannot do this everywhere, it adds about the access fees.

Many countries such as the US, UK, Japan, and Australia charge access fees to control the number of visitors to tourist sites and raise revenue, the department points out.

The government will also discuss modernising the management of conservation land.

The proposal has drawn criticism from Forest and Bird, an independent conservation organisation, which said connecting to nature is part of being a Kiwi.

Connection to te Taiao is a fundamental part of being a New Zealander. All New Zealanders should be guaranteed the ability to connect with our natural environment regardless of how much money they earn, it said.

Mr Potaka said he did not hold a firm view on whether New Zealanders have an inalienable right to free access to public conservation land.

I think the average Kiwi, in certain specific places, would be up for that discussion because the average Kiwi recognises that looking after those iconic places does not come cost-free, he said.
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A top Iranian official held talks Friday with Lebanese leaders on the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah, which came as the United States continued actively pushing both sides to agree to a new cease-fire deal.

The visit of Ali Larijani, an adviser to Irans supreme leader Ali Khamenei, to the Lebanese capital was punctuated with a renewed aerial attack by Israel on the southeastern edge of the city.

An image captured by an Associated Press photographer showed what appeared to be an 11-story residential building in the Tayouneh area, few kilometers (miles) from central Beirut, about to be hit by a bomb, then bursting into flames.

There were no immediate reports of casualties but the bomb hit a lower level of the building, turning much of it to rubble. The Israeli military had issued a warning ahead of the attack, claiming it was a facility that belonged to Hezbollah.

The U.S. has been trying to broker an end to the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, which came as the 13-month war with Hamas broadened in September into southern and eastern Lebanon as well as Beiruts southern suburbs.

Both Hezbollah and Hamas are backed by Iran, and Hezbollah began firing rockets into northern Israel the day after Hamas surprise attack into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 ignited the war in Gaza.

According to reports in Lebanese media, U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson has handed over a draft of a proposed deal to end the Israel-Hezbollah war to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who has been leading the talks representing Hezbollah.

A Lebanese official confirmed Friday that Johnson visited Berri but refused to say whether a draft was handed over. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media about the ongoing talks.

The U.S. Embassy refused to either confirm or deny the reports.

Meantime, Larijani flew in Friday from neighboring Syria where he held similar talks a day earlier with President Bashar Assad. Syrias state news agency said Assad and Larijani discussed the ongoing aggression on Palestine and Lebanon and the necessity of stopping it.

In addition to supporting Hamas, Iran is a main backer of Hezbollah and for decades has been funding and arming the Lebanese militant group.

Following his talks with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Larijani met Berri for closed-door discussions.

Iran's embassy in Beirut posted on X that during Larijanis talks with Berri, the Iranian official said Tehran stands by Lebanons government, army and resistance, referring to Hezbollah. It said they discussed efforts being exerted to reach a cease fire but did not elaborate.

On Thursday, the United Nations Security Councils 10 elected members circulated a draft resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional and permanent cease-fire in Gaza as well.

The draft resolution, which was sent to the councils five permanent members, reiterates the councils demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages seized during Hamas surprise attacks on southern Israel. Israel says about 100 are still being held, though not all are believed to be alive.

The U.S., Israels closest ally, holds the key to whether the Security Council adopts the resolution. The four other permanent members  Russia, China, Britain and France  are expected to support it or abstain.

The draft, obtained Thursday by The Associated Press, also demands immediate access for Gazas civilian population to humanitarian aid and services essential for their survival.

The draft resolution would also express the councils deep alarm over the ongoing catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza including the lack of adequate healthcare services and the state of food insecurity creating a risk of famine notably in the north.

It would deplore all attacks against civilians and civilian objects and all acts of terrorism.

The Israel-Hamas war began after Palestinian militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people  mostly civilians  and abducting 250 others.

Israels military response in Gaza has killed more than 43,000 people, Palestinian health officials say. The officials do not distinguish between civilians and combatants, but say more than half of those killed have been women and children.

Hezbollah began firing into Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, in solidarity with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Since the conflict erupted, more than 3,200 people have been killed and more than 14,000 wounded in Lebanon, the Health Ministry reported.

Lebanon has also suffered some $8.5 billion in physical damage and economic loss, according to a World Bank report Thursday.

_____

Rising reported from Bangkok. Edith Lederer contributed from the United Nations.
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin seriously underestimate what the other is capable of and that carries far-ranging risks for Ukraine over Russias invasion, Britains former spy chief and ex-diplomats have told The Independent.

Trumps US election victory last week has upended Europes plan to back Kyiv for as long as it takes. His focus is on ending the war quickly, even if that potentially means pushing Kyiv to cede territory currently occupied by Russia.

Sir Alex Younger, former chief of MI6 from 2014 to 2020, believes both the incoming president and his Russian counterpart overestimate their ability to influence the other.

I think Trump overestimates his ability to force Putin into a land swap where Putin clearly wants a lot more, when he feels that he is winning and when he has to show [the Russian people] a lot more if he is to justify the appalling sacrifice hes imposed, he says. Trump is underestimating the challenge and overestimating his influence.

open image in gallery Alex Younger says he believes Trump and Putin overestimate their influence on each other

There have been reports about a call between Trump and Putin in the wake of the US president-elects win at the ballot box, but they have been denied by the Kremlin.

Sir Laurie Bristow, the UKs ex-ambassador to Moscow from 2016 to 2020, says such a move would be a dangerous game to play. It could also be indicative of Trumps hubris. The incoming president came under fire during his first term when he met with Putin in July 2018 in Helsinki, Finland, without his advisors present. He went on to contradict US intelligence agencies by saying there had been no reason for Russia to meddle in the 2016 election which handed him a first term in the White House.

I think it speaks volumes about his possible overconfidence and a lack of understanding about the personality that he is dealing with, says Sir Laurie, describing Putin as a KGB man through and through.

It has to be a very, very dangerous thing to try to deal in matters of any substance with Putin without officials in the room.

From the Russian side, Sir Alex believes that Putin could well underestimate the risks of pushing it too hard.

open image in gallery Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin held closed-door talks without advisors in Helsinki in July 2018 ( AFP via Getty )

While current president Joe Biden may be more by the book in his response to Putins threats, something that Ukrainian officials privately say they find frustrating, Trump appears more open to the use of force.

I think the thing with Trump is he wants to make this go away, says Sir Alex. Hes probably prepared to give away a great deal. But clearly, if he is positioned fundamentally as a loser, he could go either way.

Kurt Volker, an American former special representative for Ukraine negotiations between 2017 and 2019, during Mr Trumps first term, sees this as the returning presidents ultimate strength.

One thing Trump doesnt like is people taking advantage of him, or trying to betray him, he says. I think that is going to be a real factor in dealing with Putin.

He does not believe Putin will respect any deal; he says without a doubt that the Russian leader will use a ceasefire to rebuild his forces and try to attack Ukraine again, as he has done with previous agreements around the frontline in eastern Ukraine in 2014 and 2015.

open image in gallery Russian forces fire towards Ukrainian positions in the Kursk region this week ( AP )

But Volker believes that Trump will ensure security guarantees for Ukraine that preclude Moscows ability to have success in any future attack.

Trump will create enough strength that the Russians dont challenge it. Thats the only way, he says.

Volker, who was also George W Bushs last ambassador to Nato, says he believes Trump will ensure Ukraine joins the alliance, and he will get the Europeans to pay for it.

In the meantime, he will provide Ukraine with enough weapons to ensure the frontline stays frozen.

When asked how Trump could get Putin to agree to Ukraine joining Nato, given the Russian leaders insistence that Ukrainian neutrality is key to any deal, Volker says Moscow simply has no choice.

Putin doesnt have a say over Ukraine joining the European Union and Nato. We shouldnt be seeking Putins agreement to any of that. That just happens, he says.

Both Sir Alex and Sir Laurie believe this is wishful thinking. All believe, however, that security guarantees for Ukraine are a key issue.

The red line absolutely has to be whether the residual Ukraine continues to be a country, says Sir Alex. I think Putin will push very hard for that not to be the case. But that would be a big mistake.

open image in gallery Firefighters in an industrial area of Kyiv, which was hit by a Russian missile strike on 13 November, 2024 ( via Reuters )

I think Trump wants Europe to own this, which is not unreasonable, actually, Sir Alex adds. But it is just that they are not in a position to own it yet.

He believes there is also a heightened need for the US to maintain strong relations with Nato and its allies more widely. Leaving Europe to fend for itself against Russia could damage those relationships.

Any negotiation with Putin on Ukraine has to take into consideration that Russia is fighting alongside North Korean troops, armed with Iranian drones, while also trying to make the most of its relationship with China.

To deal with these kinds of very complex, multifaceted threats effectively, your strengths lie in your alliances, Sir Laurie says.

Maybe this is just wishful thinking here, but if [Trump] was thinking seriously about geopolitics, he would be thinking about how to work with the USs allies rather than against them across a whole range of things.

open image in gallery Chinese president Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin speak at a summit in Kazan, Russia in October ( EPA )

One issue on which all the former officials The Independent has spoken to have agreed, is that Europe needs to step up in its defence not just of Ukraine  but of the continent. That wouldve been true whether Trump or Kamala Harris had been victorious in the election.

European leaders from French president Emmanuel Macron to Polish prime minister Donald Tusk, as well as the EUs incoming foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, have been quick to make that point after Trumps re-election.

I think a big part of the solution, and I think I can finally see signs that this is happening, is that Europe understands its responsibilities, says Sir Alex.

But does he think the current Labour government in the UK is ready to spend more on defence?

I dont think they want to, and I dont blame them, he says. But I think its increasingly getting to the point where they just dont have any choice. And I dont say that lightly.

We could end up with an empowered and vindicated, vengeance-led authoritarian on our border. We can deal with that but only if we take it seriously.
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The leader of Spain's Valencia region has rejected calls for him to resign while defendog his handling of catastrophic floods that killed more than 200 people.

Addressing regional MPs, he said he had done everything possible in the face of a "monstrous avalanche of water that exceeded all weather forecasts". Although he added he would not evade responsibility and sought forgiveness over last month's disaster.

"I am not going to deny failures, it is not possible to do so, nor would it be useful," Carlos Mazon said.

Stricken local residents have been fiercely critical, primarily of local authorities but also of the national government, over their level of preparedness and for failing to sufficiently warn people about the risks of brutal storms on 29 October and the resulting floods.

Mr Mazon repeated a line he has repeatedly used in the wake of the floods  that the body responsible for measuring water flows failed to send sufficient warnings. He promised a public inquiry at the regional assembly into the national and regional governments' handling of the disaster.

open image in gallery Protesters gather in front of the regional parliament building ( REUTERS )

"The best possible effort was made given the situation, with the information available and the resources at hand. Although it is evident that it was not enough," Mr Mazon said.

Dozens of citizens gathered outside the regional assembly, demanding his resignation and chanting "neither forgetting nor forgiving" and "you were eating while others were dying". This referred to a lengthy lunch that Mr Mazon had on the day of the disaster, which lasted until some areas were becoming inundated with water.

Mr Mazon said he did not cancel his agenda that day because the regional official in charge of the emergency services was handling the situation, adding he did not delay any decisions and was kept up to speed throughout the day.

open image in gallery Valencia's regional leader Carlos Mazon ( Reuters )

Residents of Paiporta, one of the suburbs of Valencia affected by the floods, vented their anger against Mr Mazon, the king and queen of Spain and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez during their visit earlier this month, by flinging mud and calling the officials killers.

Residents have been critical over what many locals see as late alerts from the authorities about the dangers of the flooding, and then a late response by the emergency services when disaster struck.

Of those who died in Valencia and nearby towns and villages, 190 were Spaniards while 26 were citizens from 11 countries, official data showed on Thursday. Almost half of the dead were people aged 70 years or older.

Emergency workers are still looking for 16 missing people.

Reuters
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After months spent occupying a swathe of territory in Russia in the wake of a daring summer assault, Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that Ukraine is now engaged against a force of 50,000 troops amassed by Vladimir Putin in the border Kursk region.

The Ukrainian incursion was the largest on Russian soil since the Second World War and succeeded in taking Moscow  and even Kyivs closest allies  by surprise.

But despite Ukrainian troops success in bedding into positions deep into Kursk, the offensive received a mixed reaction from analysts, with some questioning the wisdom of drawing vital defensive power away from the fight in Ukraines eastern Donbas region, where Mr Putins forces have been making steady, grinding gains for months.

With top Ukrainian officials revealing to The Independent in August that they viewed the Kursk offensive as a vital psychological tool to force Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table, Kyivs forces have succeeded in holding out in Kursk far longer than some analysts initially expected.

However, Moscow is now pushing to retake the territory. Following reports that thousands of North Korean troops have been stationed in Kursk, Ukraines military has claimed that Russia has suffered two consecutive days of record losses  suggesting the fight is gaining a new intensity.

Andrew Perpetua, who tracks Russian losses on the front line, told The Independent that he has already seen missing-in-action reports for the Kursk attack this week being published by families. Usually, he said, this would take two to three weeks.

While the reasons for this sudden speed are not certain, he suggested, it could be that so many died that the chances of finding this low probability event went up.

For historian Mark Galeotti, author of Forged in War: A Military History of Russia, reports of increased Russian losses reflect not just an escalation in fighting, but illustrate the degree to which Moscow is willing to take casualties  precisely because, he says, they are working to a timeline.

open image in gallery A Russian soldier fires from a howitzer towards Ukrainian positions in Kursk ( AP )

The apparent push in Kursk also comes as the re-election of Donald Trump as US president raises questions over Washingtons future approach to support for Ukraine and potential concessions to Moscow, with Mr Trump having previously claimed that he could end Russias war in a single day.

The great advantage that the Ukrainians have had in Kursk is precisely that the focus up to now has been on the Donbas [the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk]. Thats where the veteran troops have been and so forth, said Dr Galeotti.

Now it is clear particularly with prospect of a potential ceasefire freezing the frontlines under Trump, Putin is determined that, by the time Trump is inaugurated, the Kursk salient has to have been wiped out. So I think this is what were seeing now.

But Dr Galeotti added: They cant carry on that rate [of casualties] forever. But given they are thinking what can we achieve in the rest of the year, theyre willing to take losses to see how far they can push the lines.

open image in gallery Volodymyr Zelensky met with Donald Trump in September to discuss the Ukraine-Russia war ( Getty Images )

However, Emil Kastehelmi, an open-source analyst tracking the war for the Finland-based Black Bird Group, said that, even if Mr Trump had lost the US election, Russia would probably still try to attack in Kursk as well, with plans for a Kursk counteroffensive most likely being drawn up long before the vote.

The territory controlled by Ukraine, even at its largest, consisted of the countryside of the border area with a few dozen villages and one small town of 6,000 inhabitants, said Mr Kastehelmi. The Ukrainian land operations wasnt in a position to seriously threaten any significant logistical routes, military installations, cities or other infrastructure.

As such, he said, it is understandable why Moscow has not had the immediate incentive to amass a large force in Kursk, having also previously been able to seize back around half of the territory taken by Ukraine with lesser forces.

But arguing that Mr Trumps re-election had made Russias need to retake Kursk increasingly urgent, while also incentivising Mr Zelensky to keep it under Ukrainian control, Bulent Gokay, a professor of international relations at Keele University, warned that trying to keep this land will be very costly for Ukrainian troops.

On whether the Russians can indeed now succeed in retaking Kursk, Dr Galeotti said: Its all really a question of resources. Im not convinced they can do it without transferring some forces from the Donbas [Donetsk] front.

open image in gallery Presidents Trump and Putin held closed-door talks in Helsinki in July 2018 ( AFP via Getty Images )

So the real question is  how determined is Putin? If hes determined to have the Kursk salient destroyed by early January and if hes willing to transfer the resources necessary, then yes hes going to take it.

In terms of the east Ukraine front competing for resources, Dr Galeotti suggested that the goal there is also to seize as much territory as possible by the beginning of the new year.

Despite judging it unlikely Russia will be able to contest any further cities or major towns in Ukraines east, Dr Galeotti assesses that Mr Putin will be pretty happy with Russias progress if the frontlines were temporarily frozen in 2025, having disproportionately seized Russian-speaking territories in Ukraines east.

Yet further losses for Kyiv in Ukraines east could raise tough political questions over the wisdom of their Kursk incursion.

Dr Patrick Bury, a former Nato analyst now at the University of Bath, believes that Mr Zelenskys comments about a 50,000-strong force in Kursk tie in with Ukrainian officials insistence that they are drawing in Russian forces that would otherwise be deployed elsewhere.

The double-edged sword is the Russians may have a five-to-one advantage in manpower, if thats correct, and they are maybe facing a major offensive there, he said, adding: Unfortunately, although its certainly put those resources there, it hasnt resulted in [eastern] front lines being weakened massively in the way that the Ukrainians may have hoped.

open image in gallery A column of Russian tanks spotted in September across the Seym River on the western flank of Ukrainian forces in Kursk ( Telegram )

With such a massing of troops indicating that Russia is going to attempt to crush the Kursk salient with a hammer blow prior to potential negotiations, Dr Bury suggests that the Ukrainians prospects depend on the morale, quality and cohesion of the troops stationed there.

He said: If they stand and fight they do have some pretty good defensive positions and theyve got some of the riverbanks to defend on. So if they are able to, youd expect it to be bloody and costly and the Russians to make incremental gains.

If they are overwhelmed or their morale cracks, then it could be more rapid. But  if the past is an indicator of the present  usually weve seen attritional, heavy battles with Russians taking lots of losses but slowly grinding the Ukrainians back.

While Dr Bury noted that Russia in the past has had to build up an overwhelming number of troops to outgun the Ukrainians, Dr Galeotti suggested any force of 50,000 in Kursk is probably going to be a very mixed bag of troops  ranging from the absolute scrapings of the military system to some competent forces, and the complete unknown factor of North Korean troops.

Ultimately though, Kursk cant hold, said Dr Galeotti. He added: The real question is how much is it able to inflict casualties on the Russians as the price for taking back the region  and how far is Putin forced to deprioritise his push in the Donbas?
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Iran will back any decision taken by Lebanon in talks to secure a ceasefire with Israel, a senior Iranian official has said, signalling Tehran wants to see an end to a conflict that has dealt heavy blows to its Lebanese ally Hezbollah.

Ali Larijani, an advisor to Irans supreme leader, spoke during a visit to Beirut as Israel kept up its intensified bombardment of Hezbollah-controlled areas of the Lebanese capital.

Israel has stepped up airstrikes against the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs  an escalation that has coincided with indications of movement in US-led diplomatic contacts towards ending the conflict.

The US ambassador to Lebanon submitted a draft truce proposal on Thursday to Lebanons parliament speaker Nabih Berri, who is endorsed by Hezbollah in negotiations, two senior Lebanese political sources told Reuters.

The draft was Washingtons first written proposal to halt fighting between its ally Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah in at least several weeks, the sources said. They did not provide details about the contents of the proposal.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Mr Berri, Mr Larijani said Mr Berri had provided him with good clarifications.

We are not looking to sabotage anything, Mr Larijani said, responding to a reporter who asked whether he had come to Beirut to wreck the American draft.

A bomb dropped from an Israeli jet hits a building in Tayouneh, Beirut ( AP )

We are after a solution to the problems. We support in all circumstances the Lebanese government. Those who are disrupting are Netanyahu and his people, Mr Larijani said, referring to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Hezbollah was founded by Irans Revolutionary Guards in 1982, and has been armed and financed by Tehran.

A senior diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that more time was needed to agree a ceasefire but was hopeful it could be achieved.

The diplomacy marks a last-ditch attempt by the outgoing US administration to secure a Lebanon ceasefire, as efforts to end the war in Gaza appear totally adrift.

One major sticking point is Israels demand to retain freedom to act should Hezbollah violate any agreement, a demand Lebanon has rejected.

Israel launched its offensive against Hezbollah after almost a year of cross-border hostilities ignited by the Gaza war, declaring it wanted to secure the return home of tens of thousands of people forced to evacuate from northern Israel.

Israels campaign has forced more than one million people to flee their homes in Lebanon, igniting a humanitarian crisis.

It has dealt Hezbollah serious blows, killing its leader Hassan Nasrallah and other commanders, using airstrikes to pound areas of Lebanon where Hezbollah has political and military sway, and sending troops into the south.

Hezbollah has kept up rocket attacks into Israel and its fighters have been battling Israeli troops in the south.

Ali Larijani attends a press conference after meeting Nabih Berri in Beirut ( Reuters )

On Friday, Israeli airstrikes flattened five more buildings in Beiruts southern suburbs known as Dahiyeh. One of them was located near one of Beiruts busiest traffic junctions, Tayouneh.

The sound of an incoming missile could be heard in footage showing the airstrike near Tayouneh. The targeted building turned into a cloud of rubble and debris which billowed into the adjacent Horsh Beirut, the citys main park.

The Israeli military said its fighter jets attacked munitions warehouses, a headquarters and other Hezbollah infrastructure. Ahead of the latest airstrikes, the Israeli military issued a warning on social media identifying targeted buildings.

The European Union strongly condemned the killing of 12 paramedics in an Israeli strike near Baalbek in the Bekaa Valley on Thursday, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.

Attacks on healthcare workers and facilities are a grave violation of international humanitarian law, he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

On Thursday, Eli Cohen, Israels energy minister and a member of its security cabinet, told Reuters that prospects for a ceasefire were the most promising since the conflict began.

The Washington Post reported that Mr Netanyahu was rushing to advance a Lebanon ceasefire with the aim of delivering an early foreign policy win to US president-elect Donald Trump, who is expected to be strongly pro-Israel.

According to Lebanons health ministry, Israeli attacks have killed at least 3,386 in the wake of the Hamas attack inside Israel on 7 October that triggered the war inside Gaza. The vast majority of those casualties have died since late September. The ministry does not distinguish between civilian casualties and fighters.

Hezbollah attacks have killed about 100 civilians and soldiers in northern Israel, the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and southern Lebanon over the past year, according to Israel.

Reuters
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Bitcoin surged above $81,000 for the first time as Tesla billionaire Elon Musk called on new US president-elect Donald Trump to use the cryptocurrency to address Americas unsustainable debt growth.

The Tesla titan, who endorsed Mr Trump during his campaign trail, has been warning of a looming financial emergency in the US.

Excess government spending is driving America into bankruptcy....This debt growth is unsustainable, the multibillionaire posted on X.

Mr Trump too brought up the idea of using Bitcoin to pay off the $35 trillion national debt in August this year.

Hand them a little crypto check, right? Well hand them a little bitcoin and wipe out our $35 trillion, he said.

This debt growth is unsustainable https://t.co/3hjc8t3MEQ  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 10, 2024

Following his election victory and as the 45th US President inches closer to overall control of the US Congress, Bitcoin rallied past $81,000 on Sunday as other cryptocurrencies also continued to surge in price.

Mr Trump promised favourable regulation and the formation of a US bitcoin reserve if he wins, vowing to make the US the crypto capital of the planet.

He vowed that one of his first moves as president would be to sack the current Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chairperson Gary Gensler who led the governments crackdown on the crypto industry  hinting at a friendlier regime for digital currencies.

JPMorgan Predicts Strong Performance For Bitcoin And Gold Under Trump Presidency

Bitcoin is currently valued at more than $81,200, rising by nearly 5 per cent in the last 24 hours, up by over 65 per cent from this years low of $38,505 it hit on 23 January.

Overall, the worlds biggest cryptocurrency has surged in value by more than 80 per cent this year.

Other cryptocurrencies, including dogecoin  promoted frequently by Mr Musk  are gaining value.

Prices of top cryptocurrencies as on 3:43 am UST 11 November ( Coindesk )

Many investors anticipate that a Trump victory will clear the path for mainstream adoption and regulation that is both favourable and necessary for bitcoins continued growth, Nigel Green, chief executive of financial advisory firm deVere Group, said.

This pro-crypto narrative could pave the way for regulatory clarity, bolstering institutional investments that could send bitcoin to unprecedented heights, Mr Green, who forecasted a Bitcoin price rally beyond $80,000, said.
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A hacker has been sentenced to five years in prison for stealing and laundering approximately 120,000 bitcoin  worth more than $11 billion at current prices  from the crypto exchange Bitfinex.

Ilya Lichtenstein, 35, hacked into Bitfinexs network in 2016, before laundering the funds with his wife Heather Morgan.

It was one of the largest-ever thefts from a cryptocurrency exchange, with US District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly describing the theft as meticulously planned and not an impulsive act.

It's important to send a message that you can't commit these crimes with impunity, that there are consequences to them, she said.

Lichtenstein, who gets credit for the two years and nine months that he has spent in jail since his February 2022 arrest, expressed remorse for wasting my talents on crime instead of a positive contribution to society. He said he hopes that he can apply his expertise to fight cybercrime when he gets out of prison.

I want to take full responsibility for my actions and make amends any way I can, he said.

The judge is scheduled to sentence Morgan on Monday. Lichtenstein pleaded with the judge to spare his wife from prison, blaming himself for her involvement.

The 119,754 bitcoin stolen from the Hong Kong-based exchange was worth approximately $71 million at the time of the hack.

Several months later, Lichtenstein began moving the stolen bitcoin in a string of complex transactions designed to conceal its path across a series of accounts and platforms. He enlisted his wifes help in cleaning the stolen funds.

Lichtenstein, an entrepreneur and cryptocurrency investor, is a US citizen who was born in Russia and grew up in a Chicago suburb. Morgan, a business owner and writer, adopted the alter ego Razzlekhan for performing rap songs and recording videos for her music.

Lichtenstein and Morgan were living in New York City when they were arrested in February 2022. They had been living in San Francisco around the time of the hack.

An attorney for Bitfinex said the hack devastated its finances and its reputation with its customers, with the stolen funds accounting for approximately 36 per cent of the companys assets at the time of theft.

Bitfinex had to take unprecedented and immediate action to ensure that any losses from the Hack would ultimately be borne by Bitfinex and its shareholders alone, not its customers, the lawyer, Barry Berke, wrote in a letter to the judge.

Prosecutors recommended a five-year prison sentence for Lichtenstein, who pleaded guilty in August 2023 to one count of money laundering conspiracy. They recommended an 18-month prison sentence for Morgan, who pleaded guilty to the same charge.

Neither the hack nor the laundering scheme was an impulsive decision... Over half a decade, the defendant engaged in what IRS agents described as the most complicated money laundering techniques they had seen to date, prosecutors wrote.

The defendant (Lichtenstein) spent months attempting to gain access to Bitfinexs infrastructure and get the accesses and permissions he needed in order to orchestrate his hack.

Additional reporting from agencies.
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Around one million users signed up for social media site Bluesky in the week following Donald Trumps election win  but what is it?

Bluesky is a social media platform where people can interact much as they do on X, posting, replying, as well as messaging one another on a vertical user interface.

It is perhaps unsurprising then that the site spun out of Twitter, now known as X, after its chief executive Jack Dorsey announced in 2019 that the giant would fund developers to create an open and decentralised standard for social media.

It officially launched as an independent platform in 2021 and is proving to be a popular destination for people who no longer wish to be on X.

How is Bluesky different to X?

Compared to X, Bluesky offers users the chance to more heavily moderate their experience.

This includes the ability to select the algorithm that powers your experience, helping create custom feeds, for example a feed for mutual followers, a feed for cat photos or one for your special interest.

open image in gallery Both X and Elon Musk have come under increased scrutiny since the businessman took over the site in late 2022 (Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA) ( PA Archive )

We aim to replace the conventional master algorithm, controlled by a single company, with an open and diverse marketplace of algorithms, the platform says.

Xs verification feature has also drawn criticism after it became possible to purchase a blue tick, which had been the previous signifier of an accounts legitimacy.

Bluesky allows users to have domains (website addresses) as their handles, which it anticipates could act as a verification tool for journalists, athletes and public figures who have a companys website in their handle.

Meanwhile, as X appears to deregulate the user experience, recently changing the block function to allow users to see the posts of public accounts who have blocked them for example, Bluesky proudly shows off its anti-toxicity features.

These include empowering users to detach an original post of theirs from someone elses quote post, preventing unwanted interactions.

Why are people signing up to Bluesky?

If Elon Musks takeover of X made people uneasy, his use of his platform  on which he has 205 million followers  to support Donald Trump during the 2024 US election campaign only exacerbated that feeling for many.

Both X and Mr Musk have come under increased scrutiny since the businessman took over the site in late 2022, with the billionaire himself engaging with misleading content and accounts known for spreading misinformation on a number of occasions.

In the wake of the Southport stabbings, where three young girls were stabbed to death, he posted a number of images and memes linked to the anti-immigration protests and disorder in Britain.

X users have also reported an increase in bots making the site difficult to use, with comment sections often dominated by AI nonsense.

Several MPs have already made the move to Bluesky including safeguarding minister Jess Phillips, Liberal Democrat technology spokeswoman Layla Moran and Mother of the House Diane Abbott.

How many users have signed up to Bluesky?

On November 13, Bluesky announced it had more than 15 million users.

The platform also said it saw one million users sign up in the week following Trumps election victory.

Who has moved to Bluesky?

US actress Jamie Lee Curtis has been vocal about her decision to leave X after she shared a screenshot confirming she had deactivated her account in a post on Instagram.

She can be found on Bluesky with more than 29,000 followers and has posted about her departure from X in a post which said: #WeDontNeedX.

TV presenter and naturalist Chris Packham, Irish comedian Dara OBriain and Countdown star Susie Dent are also among its users.
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As Donald Trump becomes president-elect for the second time, many have begun questioning whether it is time to close their X accounts for good.

The social media service is owned by billionaire Elon Musk, the controversial tech mogul who announced his sudden support for Mr Trump during the 2024 campaign.

The businessman, who also owns Tesla and SpaceX, donated over $132m (104m) to the Trump campaign and other Republicans in the run-up to the election.

Its also understood that the businessman has spent a lot of time with the president-elect following his victory.

open image in gallery Elon Musk shakes Donald Trumps hand. Trump joked he cant get rid of the billionaire on Wednesday ( AFP via Getty Images )

The number of active users has declined on the app since Mr Musk took over in October 2022 (renaming it from Twitter shortly after).

From a peak of 368 million active users that year, Xs growth has stood virtually still. It saw 162 million active daily users on US election day  which was the yearly high according to market intelligence site Sensor Tower.

The day after the election, active users had fallen by another 5 million.

The Guardian newspaper announced its decision to stop posting on Mr Musks site on 13 November, followed by author Stephen King and TV journalist Don Lemon.

For those thinking of packing up and heading elsewhere to get their social media fix, heres what you need to know:

Social media alternatives to Twitter / X

Bluesky

Fast becoming the one-to-watch, Bluesky picked up over a million new users in just a week following the US election result. This bump means it has gained 6 million new users in just two months.

However, this has only brought its monthly active user based up to 15 million, quite far shy of Xs

Blueskys interface is very similar to Twitter / Xs before Elon Musk took over. It was created in 2019 by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey (who has now left the project) and only became open to all in February.

Unlike X, Bluesky gives users greater control over the algorithm that dictates what they see on their feeds. Unlike the invisible hand approach of most social media services, Bluesky aims to let users have greater control over the topics and users they will see.

Threads

Facebook owner Meta launched Threads in 2022 shortly after Mr Musk bought Twitter. It was clearly designed as an alternative to the site, but did not quite steal its user base as some predicted it might.

Unlike Bluesky, Threads has enough active users to rival X, receiving a substantial boost from linking the service to Instagram (also owned by Meta), which boasts 2 billion active monthly users.

open image in gallery Meta CEO and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg ( AP )

Threads has a similar text-based interface to X, but with some key differences.

Critics have said the the services algorithm is slightly overbearing, creating shortcomings when it comes to breaking news  a key feature of X  due to restrictions on political content.

Mastadon

More different still is Mastadon. Favoured by tech-heads, this is a decentralized social media platform  meaning it is made up of hundreds of different servers which users can explore based on their interests.

Anyone can create one of these servers, giving the site a model which may be more familiar to those who use forum sites like Reddit.

Many have praised the services ability to allow users to fine tune their experiences. However, others have said the freedom can prove stifling for some entry-level users, who might want to see a bit more of everything.

How to delete your Twitter / X account

Before you delete your Twitter / X account, you first have to deactivate it. This is easy to do in the mobile app or on desktop, but the two are slightly different.

First, navigate to Settings and Privacy. On desktop, this comes under the More button. Then find the Your Account section. This should appear automatically, as it is the top option. At the bottom of this screen you will see the option to Deactivate your account.

A screen will appear, explaining the conditions of deactivation. If you want to proceed, click the red Deactivate button.

However, your account will not be permanently deleted at this point. It will remain deactivated for 30 days, and only after this point will it disappear completely. For premium users, you can choose to keep your account inactive for up to 12 months.

If you want to make a new account with the same username or email address, you will have to wait until after the deactivation period is over. To get around this, users can change their username or email address before deactivating, meaning they will not have to wait.

If you want to download your X data, you must do this before deactivating your account. It will be inaccessible after the account is deleted.
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Most airplane seats have the ability to recline for a relaxing flight experience, but one man has shared how another passengers seat may have gone too far.

In a recent post on X/Twitter, the man under the username @av_cova posted a photo of the seat in front of him reclined so far back that his knees were touching the top of the seat. He revealed in the post that he was sitting in first class on an American Airlines flight.

First class, his post began. Dude is in my lap. You continue to be awful, @AmericanAir.

In the thread, the man explained that he had limited access to move in the cabin. He suggested that the seat was able to move so far back because it was broken.

I cant use my tray table and no chance of getting up. Im in 3C, so 2C is clearly broken. AA1851. Get it fixed before someone else wastes a fortune on first class and gets f***ed @AmericanAir, the post read.

American Airlines passenger complains about uncomfortable seat recliner mishap on flight ( AFP via Getty Images )

In an interview with Fox News, the X user mentioned that he did alert a flight attendant of the seat problem, but allegedly nothing was done to fix it.

He shrugged it off  basically saying, Its an old airplane; some of these seats are worn out, he told the outlet. No matter how I positioned myself, the seat was still against my knees. The gentleman in the seat in front of me was very sympathetic, but he was unable to get the seat to lock forward, as it was inoperable.

American Airlines later responded to the passengers complaint, as they commented underneath his post apologizing for the uncomfortable experience.

Keeping our planes in top-notch shape is always the goal, they wrote. Were sorry for this inconvenience and appreciate you bringing this to our attention. Well get this right over to the Maintenance folks for review. Our apologies again.

However, he still wasnt satisfied with the apology, as the man replied: Maintenance isnt gonna review the money I wasted

Speaking with Fox, the social media user explained that he had spent an extra $500 on a first-class seat specifically for extra leg room, which wasnt possible with the seat malfunction.

This isnt the first time a person has complained about a seat on a flight. Back in September, Erin Rempel turned to TikTok to share a video of her experience in the middle seat of an airplane.

The clip showed her sitting in the middle seat with two men on either side of her, who had stretched their legs far enough that she appeared squished into her seat. The text across the screen of her video simply read: Female rage.

Why would anyone EVER need that much room??? I tried to get him to move but he wouldnt, she wrote in the caption of her video.

Her TikTok went on to receive more than 20 million views, with many people taking to the comments to express how they were equally as mad as Rempel. Some people even called out the display of manspreading  when a man spreads out his legs in a public seating area, typically taking up an extra seat in the process or invading others space.

Girl you need to say something. They do not need to be over that much, if youre nervous, call a flight attendant, one commenter pointed out at the time.
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A flight bound for Miami made it over five hours into its journey before making a sudden U-turn at the Canadian border after experiencing severe turbulence.

The Scandinavian Airlines flight SK957 took off from Stockholm at around midday on Thursday, 14 November and was due to land in Miami at 5.45pm local time, but the plane never reached its destination.

An airline spokesperson said the turbulence began while travelling over Greenland, and was so severe that despite being well into the journey, the pilots decided to make a U-turn.

The aircraft, carrying 254 passengers, diverted back to Europe and landed in Copenhagen, Denmark, just after 11pm after more than 10 hours in the air.

One passenger told ABC News that just before reaching Canada the turbulence started intensifying until it was unpleasant adding that people were screaming due to how severe it was.

Images captured by another passenger shared on social media show the plane aisle scattered with food and objects, as well as large items from storage lockers that appear to have been flung onto the floor.

open image in gallery Debris fell into the plane aisle during turbulence ( Courtesy of X/@zamzam1925 )

Upon arrival, passengers were met by a special assistance team who provided information, addressed any concerns, assisted with rebooking, and ensured their comfort, the spokesperson said.

The airline said that the passengers had already been rebooked on other flights and were hosted in hotels overnight in the Danish capital.

No severe injuries were reported from the passengers or crew, it added.

Scandinavian Airlines said that the decision to fly back to Europe rather than persevere to the United States after the turbulence was due to it not having the correct facilities at Miami International Airport to carry out an inspection.

Since SAS do not have the necessary facilities and staff for this level of inspection in MIA, we decided to reroute the aircraft to Copenhagen, where both hangar space and qualified technicians were available, the spokesperson said.

open image in gallery Item appeared to have been flung out of storage spaces ( Courtesy of X/@zamzam1925 )

Flying the aircraft to MIA would have resulted in it being grounded for an extended period, leading to multiple cancellations.

They said that the airlines policy states that such severe turbulence at this level means a thorough inspection of the aircraft is required.

The incident comes just days after 11 people were injured on board a Lufthansa flight bound for Germany from Argentina after the aircraft also encountered severe turbulence.

Five passengers and six crew members sustained minor injuries and recieved medical treatment on Monday after flying in an intertropical convergence zone with low-pressure air currents.

A spokesperson for Lufthansa said: The safety of the flight was never compromised. Lufthansa regrets any inconvenience caused to the passengers. The safety and well-being of passengers and crew members always remains Lufthansas top priority.

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I still remember the energy and optimism we felt on the way to the 2016 climate talks in Marrakesh. It was the first major summit after the Paris Agreement turned into reality. It felt like climate diplomacy could truly change the world for the better.

Then, on the second day of the conference, everything changed. I remember falling into a peaceful, unworried sleep, but waking up at 5am only to see the news that Donald Trump had become president of the United States. It was like a switch flipped. By 5.01am the tears began and our collective optimism was replaced by anxiety and dread; Cop22 suddenly became a two-week-long binge watch of The Walking Dead  in real life.

That experience revealed just how much a shift in US leadership could ripple across the world stage. And now, at Cop29, that same shadow is haunting the halls of the Baku stadium.

In 2016, no one really knew what a Trump presidency would bring. But many feared that the hard-won Paris Agreement  the treaty that brought all countries together under a single framework  was now at risk of falling apart.

Today we may be on the brink of yet another major shift, as some of the worlds most senior diplomats have flagged in an open letter. And while it may be a bit premature, it is a fair question to ask whether or not these existing structures of climate diplomacy will survive  or even should.

Trump is not the only change the world must face either. Argentinas climate-denier president, Javier Millei, has already withdrawn his delegation from Cop29. In the next year, there are critical climate elections in Germany, Canada and my home country of Australia that could transform political trajectories in some of the worlds biggest historical emitters.

If leaders like Viktor Orban or Giorgia Meloni sense theres blood in the water, we could see a cascade of right-wing governments pulling back from the climate altogether. This would certainly lead to more climate vulnerable countries questioning whether this process, or the broader climate talks, is still worth their time, like Papua New Guinea already has.

Its worth remembering, however, that like history, global climate diplomacy does not start and end with the West. Some of the most significant breakthroughs in climate diplomacy have come from what many may deem unlikely sources. Whether it was South Africas leadership in 2011 where they set the foundation for Paris Agreement, or Japans leadership back in 1997 when the Kyoto protocol was signed  which for the first time compelled rich countries to reduce emissions.

The worlds best COPs have rarely been in the West, and the powers that be have been the bridge builders, not those on superyachts.

In the years ahead, emerging economies have the most to gain from the global energy transformation, and perhaps the most power. Groups of BASIC countries  Brazil, South Africa, India, and China  and by extension countries like Indonesia, Turkiye, Mexico, Colombia and Nigeria, wont abandon their fossil fuel industries overnight. But they will drive regional energy transformations and could drive not only domestic, but global emissions reductions through enhanced trade and collaboration far more than the West ever could. The keys to the castles of tripling renewable energy, doubling energy efficiency and transitioning away from fossil fuels are well and truly in their hands now.

While reasonably frustrated by the Wests abandonment of public climate finance ambition, these global powerhouses have a chance to build on the Paris Agreements foundations and reshape it under a new leadership structure. If this Cop doesnt turn a corner in the next week, it doesnt mean its game over for climate diplomacy, or this process.

Next years climate summit in Brazil could be the testing ground for that, and while Latin American leaders like Susanah Muhammad and Marina Silva will have to manage challenging political shifts, they wont be afraid of the Mandarin Mans tweets, or Milleis sideburn sledges.

And its not the first time a new generation of leaders have stepped up to powerful right wing scepticism. In 2001 the climate world proved its ability to push back against George W Bushs attempt to sink the Kyoto Protocol, reinforcing Japans ability to steady the ship. Later, when Australia and then Canada told the world it wouldnt play by Kyotos rules, the process bent, and for a few years many questioned it. But the magnetic power of hope and diplomatic will found a new way forward.

This journey will not be linear, though. While renewable energy is breaking investment and generation records, this years big climate task is financial, and its not an easy ask even in the best of times.

When the cost of living crisis becomes a global concern of the working class, its a hard sell for democratic leaders to divert domestic budgets, even as the cost of climate disasters exponentially climbs. Still, climate justice is the burden of this process and climate finance is the price of sins past and present.

Without it, and at scale, the cost of living crisis takes on horrific new proportions for billions of innocent people. So common ground will be critical over the next few days, and years. And I honestly dont know where that landing zone might be.

But I have seeen the most powerful moments of this process. I heard the collective gasp at 3am when Venezuelas negotiator Claudia Salerno took off her heels and stood barefoot on the table demanding that the weak shall not suffer what they must in Durban.

Ive watched Yeb Sano from the Philippines transform a room of the worlds most powerful pessimism into tears of compassion at Cop19 in Qatar. And Ive seen Tony de Brum from the Marshall Islands leading a one hundred country strong group into the negotiations as they marched into a late night session forging the High Ambition Coalition in Paris.

So, will climate diplomacy survive the wrath of the right-wing gaggle? I believe so. But it must evolve. If we continue to cling to outdated structures and rigid divides of a diversified world we may remain stuck in the headlights of an oncoming cybertruck.

It wont be easy. And the worlds biggest historical emitters may even turn further away from the responsibility they owe, but within this struggle lies the potential for true transformation. We may be stuck right now  but we may also be on the brink of a new climate era  one that doesnt lean on old colonial powers, but builds a new decolonised framework for climate leadership. Without it, well there may be no alternative.

Chris Wright is the founder of Climate Tracker and has been following UN climate negotiations for the last 15 years
In the classic 1964 Stanley Kubrick movie Dr Strangelove, probably Peter Sellers greatest work, an American general goes rogue and starts a nuclear war with Russia.

It seems a timely moment to revisit the story, especially as its being revived to great acclaim on the London stage by Armando Iannucci. General Jack D Ripper is especially paranoid about devious communist plots, as in this creepy exchange with a bemused RAF officer, Group Captain Lionel Mandrake:

Dr. Strangelove - Trailer

Gen Ripper: Mandrake, do you realise that in addition to fluoridating water, why, there are studies underway to fluoridate salt, flour, fruit juices, soup, sugar, milk... ice cream. Ice cream, Mandrake, childrens ice cream.

Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: Good Lord, Jack.

Ripper: You know when fluoridation first began?

Mandrake: I... no, no. I dont, Jack.

Ripper: Nineteen hundred and forty-six. 1946, Mandrake. How does that coincide with your post-war Commie conspiracy, huh? Its incredibly obvious, isnt it? A foreign substance is introduced into our precious bodily fluids without the knowledge of the individual. Certainly without any choice. Thats the way your hardcore Commie works.

Satire follows politics, and politics follows satire  and shortly, the United States is about to get its very own General Ripper as secretary for health and human services; Robert F Kennedy Jr.

General Jack D Ripper is especially paranoid about devious communist plots. Just see his creepy exchange with a bemused RAF officer, Group Captain Lionel Mandrake... remind you of anyone? ( Snap/Shutterstock )

The maverick son and nephew of distinguished American heroes, RFK also thinks that fluoridation is a dangerous neurotoxin. Hes declared, on his fellow Trumpite Elon Musks dying social media platform (a dangerous neurotoxin itself): On January 20, the Trump White House will advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water. Fluoride is an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders, and thyroid disease. President @realDonaldTrump and First Lady @MELANIATRUMP want to Make America Healthy Again.

On the other hand, it reduces tooth decay, but Bobby doesnt choose to acknowledge that fact. The only cause for hope so far as Americans oral health is concerned is that its not a matter for the federal government, unless RFK wants to designate it as poison. In which case his staff, whod have to back that up, would have some difficult moral choices facing them. As for Trump, hes brought his usual careful, measured, evidence-based response to this revolution in US public health: Sounds OK to me.

Its anti-science nonsense, of course, because the concentrations in drinking water and popular toothpastes are far too small to cripple anyone. But since when did the science get in the way of a conspiracy theory? Put it this way: if RFK hadnt launched his presidential campaign  and if Trump hadnt co-opted him and his, say, 4 per cent of the vote  would anyone have chosen to put this crank in charge of the American people?

Kennedy is also famous as an unhinged antivaxxer, with a long and inglorious track record. We cannot easily discount a chap who says: Covid-19 is targeted to attack Caucasians and Black people. The people who are most immune are Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese.

Though we can only hope that even he realises the irresponsible horror of encouraging parents to stop vaccinating their kids.

Recently, an NBC reporter cornered RFK Jr, who said in the heat of the moment: If vaccines are working for somebody, Im not going to take them away. People ought to have choice, and that choice ought to be informed by the best information. So Im going to make sure scientific safety studies and efficacy are out there  and people can make individual assessments about whether that product is going to be good for them.

Trump said something similar a few weeks ago (yes, the guy who thought injecting disinfectant could beat the coronavirus): Well, Im going to talk to him [Kennedy] and talk to other people, and Ill make a decision, but hes a very talented guy and has strong views.

So, what Americans will have in place for the next pandemic  as well as routine vaccines for measles and so on  is the option of taking them, but in a context where the risks are exaggerated and the lifesaving benefits underplayed. It could be worse, true, but it doesnt exactly inspire confidence.

RFK does make more sense on animal welfare, pesticides, and the additives that American food manufacturers and the fast food industry put in their food  significant factors in the countrys obesity epidemic. But that is something that should be done anyway. It doesnt make up for the loss of herd immunity and vaccine protection for Americans, and the potentially colossal loss of life that will follow.

In this and so many other areas, a second Trump administration looks like being one in which the kind of standards that should prevail in a prosperous advanced democratic civilisation are going to be degraded incrementally.

Wild appointees such as Matt Gaetz, reckless executive orders, pushing Congress into recess to avoid scrutiny, almost total presidential immunity from prosecution, voter suppression, media bullying, rule for, by and with the billionaires... that is no conspiracy theory, but a realistic vista of Trumps America.
Site is AbbVies sole manufacturing facility for production of the drug, and accounts show continued expansion

Sales of Botox have continued to increase in 2024, and total 4.4bn. Photo: Getty

Pre-tax profits at AbbVies global production facility for Botox, in Westport, last year declined by 27pc to $1.1bn (1.04bn).

New accounts filed by Allergan Pharmaceuticals Ireland UC show that the Westport-based firm recorded the reduction in profits as revenues declined by 4pc from $5.44bn to $5.23bn.

Hollywood stars and celebrities Nicole Kidman, Cameron Diaz, Courteney Cox and Kim Kardashian have all publicised their use of the wrinkle-erasing drug Botox in the past.

Allergan first set up on a greenfield site outside Westport 47 years ago, and it has provided a bonanza to the Co Mayo town and the north-west region.

The company continued to expand last year as numbers employed increased by 15pc from 1,337 to 1,533, and the businesss contribution to the local economy is underlined with staff costs totalling $128.82m last year.

The Co Mayo plant is AbbVies sole manufacturing facility for the production of Botox worldwide.

The accounts for Allergan Pharmaceuticals Ireland UC show that Botox sales decreased by 3pc from $4.88bn to $4.74bn as eyecare pharmaceutical sales declined by 12pc, from $561.39m to $492.9m.

The companys largest market is the US, accounting for 70pc or $3.64bn in sales, followed by Europe, Africa and the Middle East, which account for 15pc of revenues at $771m.

The profit in 2023 takes account of combined non-cash depreciation and amortisation of $1.59bn.

The accounts  signed off on October 23  show that the business recorded an operating profit in 2023 of $1.69bn, and net interest payments of $582m reduced the profits to $1.1bn.

The business recorded post-tax profits of $968m after incurring a corporation tax charge of $143.14m.

In 2023, staff numbers were made up of 594 in production, 372 in quality, four in administration and 563 under the heading of indirect.

Pay to directors totalled $1.055m that included emoluments of $1.01m and $41,000 in pension contributions.

The company has major capital projects in progress to expand its production capacities and to strategically position its manufacturing facility for the introduction of new products, the directors state.

At the end of December 2023, the companys shareholder funds totalled $9.17bn, which included accumulated profits of $2bn.

A note attached to the accounts under contingent liabilities, states that the company has a contingent liability up to $9m which relates to a capital grant from IDA Ireland, whereby the grants received become repayable if certain terms and conditions of the grant agreement are not met.

The sales of Botox have continued to increase in 2024. AbbVie recently reported that Botox sales  made up of cosmetic and therapeutic  total $4.44bn for the first nine months of this year.

The Botox sales were made up of Botox Cosmetic at $2.03bn to the end of September, and Botox Therapeutic, which amounted to $2.4bn for the same period.

AbbVie recently stated that following Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in the US, Botox Cosmetic is the first product with four aesthetic indication areas: forehead lines, frown lines, crows feet lines, and now platysma bands, making it the first product of its kind to go beyond the face.
The Department of Public Expenditure says it is not at fault for the hold-up in approving a redundancy programme at RTE, which director general Kevin Bakhurst has described as frustrating.

The station is aiming to launch a limited voluntary redundancy programme before the end of the year, shedding 40 staff, but is still awaiting approval from the Government.

It has been suggested Paschal Donohoes department is the reason for the delay, as it did not give a sign-off on the plan before the Dail was dissolved last Friday.

However, in a statement to the Irish Independent, the department said it is still waiting for a full business case to be submitted, including the financial details.

[We] have been engaging fully with the Department of Media on this issue, it said. The requirements, including necessary detail and financial analysis, for a full business case for a Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) scheme were communicated to the department some weeks ago.

We understand that it is liaising with RTE and will submit a full business case in the near future. The Department of Public Expenditure will consider the full business case as soon as it is submitted.

Mr Bakhurst told a town hall meeting of RTE staff this week that he was still getting requests from the Government for more information rather than the approval hed expected.

In a statement, RTE confirmed that the director general had expressed frustration at the delay.

RTE remains committed to launching a limited VEP in 2024, targeting up to 40 roles before moving to the wider VEP referred to in our five-year strategy, the station said.

RTE is currently awaiting the required approvals from the Department. In response to a series of questions from RTE staff about the delay to the VEP, Mr Bakhurst informed a town hall meeting that the non-approval of the terms of the VEP has cost RTE, by not being able to allow people leave the organisation as planned this year, and reduce headcount.

He also stated that he doesn't expect approval until after the general election.

With that election to be held on November 29, but government formation talks expected to take weeks, it seems likely the voluntary exit plan may not be approved in 2024.

The proposal was submitted by RTE to the Government early last spring. In July, the station was given a bailout of 725m over the next three years, and it was expected that clearance for the initial round of exits would follow quickly. In total, RTE is planning to slim down its organisation by 400 by the end of 2028.
Online adverts impersonating President of Ireland Michael D Higgins are being used to try and scam people. (Niall Carson/PA)

Almost half of adults have been exposed to scam adverts online featuring well-known personalities and politicians trying to get them to buy dodgy investments or cryptocurrencies.

And large numbers of these people said they were specifically targeted by a fraudulent advert on a social media platform, research commissioned by Bank of Ireland indicates.

The research, conducted by Red C, found that one third of those surveyed said they had been targeted by a fraudulent advert on a social media platform.

When these respondents were asked to identify the platform, 65pc identified Facebook, and 28pc identified Instagram. Other platforms including X (Twitter), TikTok and Snapchat also featured.

The impersonation of well-known people and media organisations is a tactic used regularly in fraudulent ads to trick consumers into fake crypto investments, bond purchases, or savings products.

This list of those impersonated includes individuals such as President Michael D Higgins, An Taoiseach Simon Harris, An Tanaiste Micheal Martin, former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, businessman Denis OBrien, broadcaster Daithi O Se, TV presenter Brian Dowling and comedian Tommy Tiernan.

Adverts can also include links to fake websites impersonating RTE, the Irish Independent, Forbes, The Irish News, BBC News, the Irish Mirror, and many others.

In advance of International Fraud Awareness Week, the research found that 90pc of the population believe fraud is a big problem in Irish society. They said that fake online purchase scams are the most common way for consumers to lose money.

Head of fraud at Bank of Ireland Nicola Sadlier said: Fraudulent adverts are a blight on social media platforms. These adverts are all about one thing  the theft of money from consumers and businesses by criminals. They cause harm to people, the financial services system, and the economy.

She said much more needs to be done to tackle the false advertising. One common-sense step would be to ensure that online platforms check that adverts are from companies that are regulated to sell financial products and services. The current approach, which is allowing fraudsters run fake ads that impersonate celebrities, politicians, and legitimate media organisations  all with the aim of stealing money  is clearly broken.

The survey found that the majority of people report fraud to their bank, followed by contact with the Gardai. When asked to select all parties they believe responsible for protecting people from fraud in Ireland some 66pc selected banks and financial services companies.

Also said to be responsible for protecting people were the Gardai, mobile phone and social media companies. Some 60pc of the population believe they themselves have a role.

Bank of Ireland also called priority to be given to the introduction of a shared fraud database in Ireland. Financial institutions, utility companies, and payment companies are not allowed to share details of fraud amongst themselves.

A shared fraud database would facilitate the sharing of important fraud related information and would help to prevent customer losses more swiftly.
Complying with ESG regulation is now a major challenge for mid-sized Irish firms, with over half seeing the requirements as a barrier to international expansion, according to a new survey.

Some 38pc said the time and resources involved are their main concern with regard to sustainability compliance.

Meanwhile, over four in 10 Irish medium-sized firms have no sustainability strategy at all in place, according to the latest Grant Thornton International Business Report.

The study was carried out across 31 markets, including Ireland, where about 100 companies were included.

Mid-sized was defined as firms employing with between 50 and 500 people.

The EUs Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which came into effect last year, requires large companies to report on what impact their activities will have on people and the environment.

SMEs which do not have to report themselves may have to provide sustainability information to large companies in their value chain.

Yet the survey found 41pc of Irish firms have not developed any sustainability plans or processes, such as policy, reporting and data gathering.

Sustainability is moving very quickly from a nice-to-do to a must-do

This was in contrast to their European and global peers, with the survey finding that less than one in 10 (8pc) of them had no strategy in place.

Sustainability is moving very quickly from a nice-to-do to a must-do for many Irish businesses as firms quickly realise how ESG regulations are tied to their future business success, Janice Daly, partner and sustainability lead at Grant Thornton, said.

We are increasingly hearing from companies struggling with challenges of being compliant with sustainability requirements.

It is important, however, that Irish businesses see sustainability as an opportunity rather than a burden as it can be leveraged as a competitive advantage for those firms who get it right.

The Grant Thornton study found that those Irish firms with ESG strategies in place saw the main benefit as an improved ability to access finance, such as low-cost loans to fund green initiatives like retrofitting their office or adding electric vehicles to their company fleet.

About one in 10 firms also saw it as an advantage in terms of competing with rivals (13pc), and a similar proportion (11pc) see green credentials as a means of boosting their brand reputation.
The case was taken by the European Commission because Meta linked Facebook Marketplace to its own social network, penalising competitors

Meta has been fined 798m by the European Commission, the first anti-trust penalty levied by the EU against the owner of Facebook and Instagram.

The fine is for tying Facebook Marketplace, its online classified ads service, to Facebook, and for imposing unfair trading conditions on other providers of online classified ads.

Unlike privacy fines issued by Irelands data protection commissioner (DPC), the money will not go to the Irish taxpayer, but into a European fund.

Today we fine Meta 797.72 million for abusing its dominant positions in the markets for personal social network services, and for online display advertising on social media platforms, said Margrethe Vestager, the European Commissions executive vice-president in charge of competition policy.

Meta tied its online classified ads service Facebook Marketplace to its personal social network Facebook to benefit its own service, thereby giving it advantages that other online classified ads service providers could not match. This is illegal under EU antitrust rules. Meta must now stop this behaviour.

Ms Vestager said it Metas behaviour had meant that all Facebook users automatically had access and were regularly exposed to Facebook Marketplace whether they wanted it or not. The company could then impose unfair trading conditions on others who advertised on both Facebook and Instagram, allowing Meta to use ads-related data generated by those other advertisers for the sole benefit of Facebook Marketplace.

In a statement responding to the decision, Meta said it failed to prove any competitive harm to rivals or consumers and ignores the realities of the thriving European market for online classified listing services.

The company claimed the European Commission's case ignores the fact that Facebook users can choose to engage with Marketplace, and many don't." It said online marketplaces, including global sites such as eBay, and Europe-wide platforms such as Vinted, as well as national services are continuing to grow.

Meta said it would comply with the Commission's order to end the offending conduct and not repeat it, but also vowed to appeal.

The punishment closely follows a decision by the DPC to impose a fine of 91m on Meta last September for storing passwords in plain text.

That penalty brought the amount Meta has been fined by Irelands privacy watchdog to over 2bn, while the total amount in fines on big tech firms in Ireland is now reaching 3.4bn. Subject to any court appeals, all of the proceeds of these fines will go to the Irish Exchequer.
Burberrys recently appointed chief executive officer has pledged to return the British fashion brand to its roots as a maker of trenchcoats and scarves, in a move welcomed by investors.

Shares of Burberry rose by as much as 15pc in early trading in London yesterday after Joshua Schulman said he would undo the missteps of previous management teams who had tried to push Burberry too hard and too fast into the upper echelons of the luxury sector and lost loyal customers along the way.
People say Ill face the wrath of the Department for speaking up - Mayo farmer warns of mental torture caused by delayed ACRES payments 09:36
I had one of Irelands most expensive pints of Guinness at 9.20  so, was it worth it?
Tears and screams in court as young mothers among dozens of squatters who are told they will be jailed  before it emerges they were held illegally
Fianna Fail has admitted it cannot guarantee its promised 200 cap on childcare fees will be in place by late 2026.

Jim OCallaghan, the Dublin Bay South TD, was representing his party at a debate on womens and equality issues, held by the National Womens Council of Ireland and Oxfam, yesterday.

A pledge to cut childcare costs to 200 has been one of the most high-profile vows of this years general election campaign, with almost all of the main parties vying to persuade voters that they could slash monthly bills by 75pc or more.

Asked if a woman who found out she was pregnant on election day would have a guaranteed 200 cap on her childcare by the time she went back to work in August 2026, Mr OCallaghan said: No, I cant guarantee that.

Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, Labour, the Green Party and Sinn Fein have all made election promises to cut childcare costs to 200 a month, while the Social Democrats have said they would reduce fees to 250 a month.

Both the Green Party and Labour warned that a woman who had a baby in August 2025 and then came back to work in August 2026 may not be able to access a place.

Yes, to your question, Neasa Hourigan, the Green Party TD said. Although I agree I think the problem is the capacity issue and baby rooms.

Do I think we will have baby rooms up and running in Dublin 7 for every person who needs it? I dont actually, to be perfectly honest with you. I think thats a long road.

Ms Hourigan said that for decades and decades childcare had been very far down the list of priorities.

She said she believed baby rooms, which can be the most expensive and resource-intensive type of childcare for privately run creches, wont exist without a State-led approach.

Mr OCallaghan agreed the Green Party do deserve credit for the role that they played in trying to bring down the cost of childcare.

The Labour Party also warned the issue isnt actually getting it down to 200, the issue is what will happen when you do.

Which is ensuring there are enough places, because a lot more people will want to avail of childcare, Cathal McCann, the partys political director, said.

Barry Ward, the Fine Gael senator, suggested his party would have a 200 cap in place by August 2026.

Subject to whatever agreements are made, that is our policy, yes.

Sinn Fein claimed it would be able to cut childcare fees to 200 a month by September 2025.

So that policy would be in place, Darren ORourke, the Sinn Fein TD, said.

Sinead Gibney, the Social Democrats candidate for Dublin Rathdown, said her party would guarantee childcare cuts would be in place within 18 months of the new government.
Fine Gael is on 25pcFianna Fail and Sinn Fein are on 19pcIndependent support has grown by 4pc

FINE Gael has a six-point lead over its rivals in a new opinion poll that suggests the campaign so far has failed to dramatically shift public opinion.

The Irish Times/Ipsos B&A poll does indicate there could be a record number of Independents in the next Dail.

It puts Fine Gael on 25pc, down two points since September. Despite the drop, they are well ahead of Fianna Fail (19pc) and Sinn Fein (19pc).

If these results were replicated on November 29, it would see Simon Harris and Micheal Martin return to government, possibly with the support of a number of Independents.

The number of voters who said they will back an Independent candidate has jumped by four points to 20pc. This figure does include support for Independent Ireland, which is actually a registered political party with three sitting TDs.

The smaller parties remain closely bunched with none making a major breakthrough. The Labour Party is slightly ahead on 5pc (-1), followed by the Social Democrats on 4pc (no change) and the Green Party on 3pc (-2). Aontu are on 3pc (+2) and People Before Profit Solidarity are unchanged on 2pc.

One in eight voters remain undecided, indicating there is still time for a significant change.

Among the party leaders, the poll found Taoiseach Simon Harris to be the most popular with a 50pc approval rating. Tanaiste Micheal Martin scored 45pc, while Sinn Feins Mary Lou McDonald was significantly behind on 31pc.

Green Party leader Roderic OGorman has a satisfaction rating of 21pc.

When asked what issue would have most influence on their vote, 30pc of respondents said the cost of living.

Health was next on the list with 18pc, followed by house prices (17pc), immigration (9pc) and the economy (6pc).

The poll was conducted among a representative sample of adults aged 18 years and upwards across 120 sampling points throughout all constituencies.

The Irish Times/Ipsos B&A poll was carried out face-to-face with 1,200 people between November 12 and 13. The accuracy is estimated at plus or minus 2.8pc.
Brian Stanley says his wife Caroline, a Sinn Fein councillor, is backing him as he tries to wrest a seat from the party as an Independent.

Sinn Fein has just nominated Caroline Dwane Stanley as a party rep on the EU Council of the Regions, but she is remaining loyal to her husband, who was ousted over allegations against him from a female party member.

Mr Stanley is now battling Sinn Fein nominee Maria McCormack for electoral success in the three-seat Laois constituency.

Caroline is supporting me, Mr Stanley told the LaoisToday.ie website in an interview. Asked about her continuing role in Sinn Fein, he said: I leave that in Carolines capable hands.

But he claimed at the same time: There was a toxic seam running through that party, with a small clique at local level involved in it, spreading misinformation about me, and already trying to blacken my name.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley. Photo: Sinn Fein website

Mr Stanley did not address how his wife could remain in the party in such a situation. But he said his reception on the doors as an Independent had surprised me a bit.

I wasnt really going to run because I thought, you know, maybe I have enough of this, he said, after he resigned from the party over its alleged kangaroo court investigation into claims against him by a female party member.

Mr Stanley said he decided to defend his seat because I couldnt walk the length of myself  without somebody stopping me and saying: Are you running?

He added: If I get over the line, great. If I dont go over the line, you move on. Im not going to sit around with my head hanging.

Former Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley. Photo: Cate McCurry /PA

Obviously, it would be great to win. Whether I was ever elected to anything, I do actually feel humbled.

You say to yourself, Jesus, so many thousand people went out and put number one beside your name. I would feel an awful desire inside me to do my best for them.

Mr Stanley has said that his family had been a source of immense strength since his resignation from Sinn Fein after more than 40 years as a member.

Im a human being, I have a family, a wife, children. I have a grandchild who lives with us. Shes a teenager, and obviously we have to mind each other, he said.

But I have to say that they have been a source of immense strength. Each and every one of them, and relatives, across our families. Weve been very lucky to have them.

I should be down on my knees every morning, thanking God for them. They have been absolutely fantastic, and great support. Caroline and the children, and Leah, the granddaughter, and my own family.

Mr Stanley added: I have wronged very few people in my lifetime, drawing attention to a complaint about something in early October 2023 only being the subject of a complaint to the party in late summer this year.

All of the barriers that prevented them from doing it had somehow evaporated, he commented. He said the Sinn Fein internal probe involved a screen in the corner with a person from the North looking out. That person flicked in and out during it.

He added: There was never a complaint made about me to the gardai, although Sinn Fein has forwarded its file to the force. There was never anything alleged of a criminal nature.

Mr Stanley claimed any other organisation would have handled the matter differently. They decided to set themselves up in judge and jury, he said.

He said he would be able to go before my maker as a Christian when he dies.

Id be able to look at him [God] straight in the eye. And they wont tell me that I was a saint. But I dont believe theyll send me  I believe theyll open one side of the gate and let me in, Mr Stanley said.
The Green Party has officially selected dedicated local Councillor Marianne Butler as their candidate for Louth in the upcoming general election.

A long-serving advocate for Dundalk South since her election in 2009, Butler brings over 15 years of experience in Louth County Council to her campaign. This election marks her debut run for Dail Eireann.

Speaking after her selection, Councillor Marianne spoke about her motivation to run: Im running for the Dail because I want to try and tackle the root cause of the issues facing my constituents.

"I am confronted on a daily basis by the challenges people face in housing, healthcare, education, childcare and a host of other areas. As a councillor, I can only do so much. As their TD, I could do a whole lot more.

Rooted in her community, Butler grew up on the Quay in Dundalk and currently lives on Avenue Road with her husband and two young sons.

She has held pivotal roles in local governance, including former Chair of Dundalk Town Council and Vice Chair of Louth County Council. Her service extends into education and community development as a former member of the governing body of DKIT, the Louth Meath Education & Training Board, and the board of Creative Spark.

Reflecting on the Green Party's record in government, Butler expressed optimism but also caution about leaving the main parties in power without a junior partner to push them hard.

She said: We have shown change is possible if politicians are focussed on results and pursue them with a sense of urgency.

"It has allowed us to reduce Irelands carbon emissions to their lowest levels in 30 years, double investment in public transport, slash the cost of childcare by 50%, and massively increase support for the arts and sporting organisations. In the next Dail we need to take the same approach to other areas where our coalition partners have not made as much progress.

Cllr Butler says she aims to champion positive change for her community and beyond: she said: "Louth is a vibrant county, home to two of Irelands largest towns, thriving businesses, stunning natural amenities, and continuously improving infrastructure.

"But we need a local TD who is thinking about whats next: enhancing local public transport, ensuring children have access to safe green spaces, building new schools for our growing communities, supporting DKIT in its journey toward university status, and strengthening local businesses.

For me, politics is about public service and delivering real results for the community. Im fiercely proud of Louth, and I want to be a TD that Louth can be proud of.
Mick Wallace has confirmed he aims to return to Dail Eireann and will contest the general election in a stacked Wexford constituency.

The former MEP, who lost his seat in Europe back in June, confirmed on Friday morning that he will battle it out for one of four Wexford seats as the people go to the polls on November 29.

"It was eating me alive trying to decide what to do, he said of his last-minute decision. I knew if I didnt go, it would be a what if moment. I suppose, this way the people of Wexford will decide if I go back in or not.

The Wellingtonbridge native  who was twice previously elected to Dail Eireann by the people of Wexford, topping the poll in 2011  is certainly not playing up his chances of a triumphant return.

There's a good chance I will lose, he said. Other candidates have been canvassing for this for years. Im not going to do much canvassing. The people will either choose me or not. If I dont get in, I won't worry about what ifs at least.

Looking at a competitive Wexford constituency, Wallace gives an outright no when asked whether he has been monitoring any of his rivals campaigns thus far. However, he can still quickly identify those he believes are the favourites for a seat.

"I still think Verona (Murphy  Independent) will get in, even with me in the picture, he says. Shes worked hard and shes done the parish pump thing. People appreciate that. I think her and James Browne will get in and then its a dogfight for anybody else.

"If the bookies were taking bets, Im certainly an outsider. The others have a huge advantage over me.

Having stood before the people on four separate occasions, the former MEP believes that people should be familiar enough with his brand at this point.

"Look, people know what I stand for in politics, he says when asked about his areas of focus. Ive been before the people four times already. I don't do parish pump politics. If elected, Ill be a national parliamentarian. Ill be trying to make a difference and best serve the people of Wexford on a national level. Thats where all the decisions are made. Theyre not made in Wexford."

Mr Wallace believes that Wexford has been poorly served for decades.

"We're the third-poorest county in Ireland, he says. Why is that? Its because we haven't been particularly well served. Ireland is sadly a very poorly run country. Its been ruled by Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour for 103 years. Too often vested interests are protected and served well, but its not a great country to live in when youre on the other side of that line.

However, having made the decision last minute, Mr Wallace is unsure whether he can unseat any of the big parties or heavy-hitters.

"Looking at the national figures, Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Sinn Fein should get in. George Lawlor will feel he has a very good chance if he can retain (Brendan) Howlins vote and Verona is a very strong independent.

"The reality is that were only a few days out and Im at a major disadvantage, he concluded. The others have all been out canvassing. I haven't been canvassing and I wont be able to do too much canvassing.

"Ive no posters or anything printed up. I dont know if Ive even got time to do any of that. I'll probably dig out a few of the old European posters and see if I can get someone to put them up for me.

"Other than that, it will be leaflets and Ill try to do a little bit of canvassing. I wont be covering every poll in the county, thats for sure.
A protest outside Queen's University Belfast, during a visit from Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, Queen's University Belfast Chancellor, who is attending a Young Enterprise event at the University. Picture date: Thursday November 14, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story ULSTER Queens. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Four people have been arrested during a pro-Palestine demonstration which took place as Hillary Clinton visited Belfast.

The rally coincided with the third day of an international conference taking place on the Queens University campus which was attended by the former US Secretary of State.

The actions of the protesters were condemned by the university.

Politicians including the First and deputy First Ministers, Secretary of State Hilary Benn and US special envoy Joe Kennedy were among those attending a global summit at the university.

Footage circulating on social media shows demonstrators clashing with PSNI officers at the gates of the main campus on University Road this afternoon.

QUB Palestine Assembly, which organised the protest, has also shared pictures online.

"War criminals NOT welcome, the group posted on X.

Join us to protest against the war criminal and genocide denier @HillaryClinton.

Shame on you @QUBelfast.

Police have confirmed that four men were arrested on suspicion of a range of public order offences and remain in police custody.

Officers will remain in the south Belfast area this evening and a full robust investigation will follow in due course, A PSNI spokesperson added.

Protest at Queen's University Belfast, Pic via QUB Palestine Assembly/X

Watch: Protesters clash with police in Belfast during Hillary Clinton visit

QUB issued a statement insisting it is committed to freedom of expression, the right to hold a range of views and the right to a peaceful protest.

However, it strongly rebuked of a number of individuals taking part in the rally.

Whilst we recognise and support any individual or groups right to protest this must be conducted in a peaceful and respectful manner and are disappointed at the action of this small number of protestors and condemn their behaviour, the university added.

Todays protest coincided with the final day of a three day international conference, the Global Innovation Summit, which brought together political, industry and academic leaders to discuss pressing issues around economic inclusion and sustainability facing our world.

The conference itself provided a platform for people to discuss and debate different views constructively on current global issues.

"Queen's is committed to providing an open and safe space to have difficult conversations.

Queen's University has led the way in response to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East through calling for a ceasefire, providing scholarships for Palestinian students and divestment policies and has responded positively to the concerns of our University population where appropriate.

HAPPENING NOW.



War criminals NOT welcome.



Join us to protest against the war criminal and genocide denier @HillaryClinton.



Shame on you @QUBelfast. pic.twitter.com/fY6yIh4v4H  QUB Palestine Assembly (@QUBPalestine) November 14, 2024

As chaos ensued outside the university, Mrs Clinton told those attending the conference that Belfast is "reinventing itself" after the end of decades of conflict.

She compared the city to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where the 2025 summit will take place saying it too has "risen again".

"You've heard so much over the course of the last few days about Belfast, another city that is quickly reinventing itself and one of the main reasons, I would argue, is because of the end of conflict, which I was very - like so many of us - gratified to see," she said in her afternoon address.

"We had an extraordinary conference here a year-and-a-half ago to celebrate the Good Friday Agreement, the end of conflict, a moving away from the past to look towards the future, the very strong relationship that this university, in particular, but others have with the business community, forging public-private partnerships.

"There is no path for innovation unless you support higher education. Higher education has to be viewed as a public good that businesses, governments, citizens understand."

Mrs Clinton described it as "an honour" to be the chancellor of Queen's University and said she could not express "how pleased I am to be here".

The mood was very different on the streets outside as protesters chanted "shame" while carrying Palestine flags and a cut-out of Mrs Clinton depicted with blood on her hands.

NIs Secretary of State shared pictures on X of him posing alongside Michelle ONeill, Emma Little-Pengelly and Joe Kennedy on Thursday.

"Northern Ireland is renowned for its innovation and its excellence in life sciences, cyber and advanced manufacturing, he posted.

"Making the UK a clean energy superpower is one of the five missions of the UK Government. Delighted to address.

Earlier this year pro-Palestine students at QUB staged a peaceful sit-in in protest against Israel and called for the removal of Mrs Clinton due to her apparent ties to Israel.

It was also organised by QUBs Palestine Assembly whose supporters called for the university to condemn Israels mass killing of Palestinians and the deliberate destruction of Gazas educational infrastructure.

People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll was among those demonstrating in May and demanded an immediate ceasefire in the region and called on QUB to offer sanctuary status to Palestinian academics and students.

Activists also called for Queens to review all ties with Israeli universities, cultural institutions and its industrial sector, as well as implementing a sector-wide withdrawal of support for companies engaged in violations of Palestinian human rights.

QUB later confirmed those who took part would not face any repercussions.

Mrs Clinton has faced criticism over her opposition to an Israeli ceasefire shortly after the war began in October 2023 following Hamas deadly attack on Israel.
Willie Maughan (34) and his pregnant girlfriend Ana Varslavane (21) went missing in 2015

Gangster Cornelius Price, left, denied any involvement in the disappearance of Willie Maughan, Ana Varslavane and their unborn child

A land search began this morning in north county Dublin for the remains of a couple who were believed to have been abducted and murdered almost 10 years ago.

Willie Maughan (34) and his pregnant girlfriend, Anastasija (Ana) Varslavane (21) from Latvia, went missing on April 14, 2015, near Gormanston, Co Meath.

The couple were planning to move back to Mr Maughans family home in Tallaght on the day they went missing.

They had been together since 2014 and lived in a caravan in Gormanston.

Mr Maughans mother and father, Helen and Joe, have spoken publicly about how they were making arrangements for the couples return to Tallaght.

On the morning of Tuesday April 14, 2015, Mr Maughan went to Balbriggan before being followed shortly afterwards by Ms Varslavane. They ran some errands and made contact with Helen to arrange for her to travel from Tallaght to Gormanston to collect them and their belongings.

Ana Varslavane and Willie Maughan

Today's News in 90 seconds - 15th November 2024

Mr Maughan spoke to his mother at around 2.30pm, before he and Ms Varslavane got a taxi together from Balbriggan to Gormanston just shortly after 2.30pm.

Helen arrived in Gormanston just before 3pm but could not locate her son. She drove to Stamullen to look for him, then returned to Gormanston and called his mobile phone but it went straight to voicemail.

Mr Maughan and Ms Varslavane were reported as missing, and an extensive investigation was launched with several searches and enquiries carried out. The case was upgraded to a murder investigation following a review of the case in September 2016.

Gangster Cornelius Price, left, denied any involvement in the disappearance of Willie Maughan, Ana Varslavane and their unborn child

One of Irelands most notorious criminals, the now-deceased Cornelius Price, was suspected to have had the couple murdered because they may have had key information about the gangs activities, including another murder. Price denied any involvement.

Gangland boss Price (41) died in a Welsh hospital in February last year after a long illness.

No trace of the couples bodies has ever been found, but gardai believe their remains were burnt after they were killed.

Today, gardai investigating the disappearance and murder of Mr Maughan and Ms Varslavane began a search of open lands in north county Dublin.

The search is being carried out by the Garda investigation team and is supported by the Meath Divisional search team and the Garda Technical Bureau. The area of land will be searched and subject to excavation, technical and forensic examinations over the coming days.

Helen and Joe Maughan

Gardai said the investigation is being carried out by the Serious Crime Unit, Meath Division and is being led by a senior investigation officer based at Ashbourne Garda Station.

A garda spokesperson said: Given the passage of time since their disappearance, individuals personal circumstances may now have changed and people may now be in a position to either speak to investigating gardai or to provide information that they may not have been able to provide before.

Gardai are appealing to anyone with information to come forward. Seven people have been previously arrested in connection with the case.
HRH Prince of Wales visits Ulster University, Belfast during a brief visit to the province.

The Prince of Wales made a surprise trip to Belfast where he met actor James Martin and hopped on a motorbike  but avoided a planned walkabout following a muted reception.

Prince William visited homeless charity the Simon Community before touring Ulster University.

The trip had been scheduled for May but was postponed because of the general election.

At the university, the prince admired An Irish Goodbye star Jamess MBE medal as the pair were introduced, remarking I recognise that.

Prince William on a motorbike during a visit to Ulster University

Watch: Prince William booed as he arrives in Belfast

William visited the Ulster Screen Academy and the universitys state-of-the-art Virtual Production Studio.

The future king took a rare turn behind the camera as he was shown around the facility, practising moving a video camera along rails while talking to the students.

He couldnt resist climbing on the motorbike as part of the in-camera visual effects stage, commenting: I need to sit on the motorbike, and continued to chat to the students while flexing his fingers around the handlebars against a backdrop of an arid scene in Arizona.

Still entranced by the motorcycle, he commented: I feel I should take this for a spin, does it come off the gimbal at all, feels like you could have quite a lot of fun with that.

Brilliant bike, love the exhaust.

Prince William went on to tour the rest of the city centre campus to which he had been welcomed by Secretary of State Hilary Benn, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Belfast Lord Mayor Micky Murray.

He met some students gathered in the foyer as he prepared to leave.

One young woman admitted she was late for her lecture, to which William laughed, replying: You can blame me, and motioned to all gathered: You can all blame me.

However, arriving at the university, the prince had been greeted with jeers and boos as he entered the building, primarily from a small pro-Palestinian rally gathered outside.

Some of the protesters were heard shouting shame and accused the Prince of Wales of hiding from them.

Then, on leaving the university, William was met by further shouting, and did not part take in a planned walkabout to greet some students outside.

Students Annie Simpson and Lucy Matthews were excited by the royal visit to their place of study, but admitted the reaction to his arrival was a bit dull.

Its really good for the university, I love the royals, but it was a bit dull, said Annie.

I was expecting a bit more, but I am a big fan of them, its really good for here, added Lucy.

Their fellow students Maya ONeil and Lucy Browne were impressed by the royal visitor.

Were first years, we study politics and international studies so were excited that he is here. Its important and its very good for the university, said Maya.

A lot of people want to see him here, there was so much buzz on Wednesday about it, all speculating who was coming, said Lucy.

However their excitement was not shared by others.

Sharon Alfred noted that she was paying thousands of pounds for a class she couldnt get to.

Before visiting the university, the Princes first stop was at The Foyer, which provides temporary accommodation and support services for young people experiencing homelessness.

It is run by the Simon Community, part of the Homewards Northern Ireland Coalition and part of the Princes UK-wide Homewards initiative.

William met young people to hear about their journeys and the support they have received.

He also discussed some of the work being delivered in Northern Ireland to support young people leaving care, and the role Homewards can play in developing new solutions.

During his visit to the Simon Community, the Prince spoke with 21-year-old Stuart, who has been supported by the charitys Housing First for Youth service.

Stuart described meeting the royal as surreal and said he was very interested in his story.

It was really helpful to speak to him, said Stuart, who has been in and out of foster care since he was a child, but now with the Simon Communitys help has a tenancy and a full-time job.

I am a fan of the royal family and he seemed really interested in what I had to say. He was listening to me and also asking lots of questions about my journey, so that was very nice.

He seemed genuinely interested.

Later, William met James Martin at Ulster University, with the actor sharing his delight at meeting the royal. It was a great pleasure to meet Prince William, the Prince of Wales, again. He presented me with my MBE at Windsor Castle in May, he said.

The creative arts are very important to us all providing opportunities to have fun and explore important topics. It is so good to see this industry doing so well in Northern Ireland and Ulster University playing a big part in that.
RTE presenter Miriam OCallaghan and former Taoiseach Enda Kenny were among those awarded honorary doctorate degrees by Queens University Belfast today.

They were recognised for having careers that have had a profound impact not only here on these islands, but right across the world.

Ms OCallaghan, who was awarded an honorary Doctor of Literature for her contribution to broadcasting, said she felt so honoured and privileged.

The broadcaster, who presents Prime Time, as well as RTEs Radio 1s Sunday with Miriam programme, has also been heavily involved in covering Northern Ireland and the peace process.

I feel so honoured and privileged to be given this Doctorate today for my work in journalism. I spent most of my career covering peacebuilding so this means a lot to me and my husband is from Belfast, she said.

Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny said it was great honour and privilege to be at Queens University and an even bigger privilege to be the recipient of a Doctor of Laws for his contribution to public service.

Mr Kenny was being recognised for having played a crucial role in leading Ireland through a challenging economic period marked by the global financial crisis.

The Mayo natives key role during the talks between the EU and UK Government negotiating the terms of Brexit, and the place of Northern Ireland going forward was also noted.

Broadcaster Annie MacManus, known widely as Annie Mac, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Literature for her contribution to the arts, Channel 4s managing director of nations and regions, Sinead Rocks, was awarded an honorary Doctor of the University for her services to broadcasting, leading agri-food expert Dr Clive Black was awarded a Doctor of Science, and Valerie Ingram was awarded a Doctor of the University for services to the local community.

Meanwhile, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who has been Queens University Belfasts chancellor since 2021, also visited the college on Thursday.

A pro-Palestine protest took place while the former US presidential candidate addressed a summit at the university.

Protesters carried Palestine flags and a cut-out of Ms Clinton depicted with blood on her hands.

A Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) spokesperson said four men were arrested. Three men have since been charged with public order offences.

In a statement on Thursday, the university said that while it respected the right to protest peacefully, it was disappointed at the action of this small number of protesters and condemn their behaviour.
The pub that went from smugglers friend to U2 hangout to Instagram sensation

The Blue Light in Barnacullia, once noted for its aroma of manly sweat and as a hangout for U2, has become a hit on Instagram

Pat Healy with his son Paddy Healy in their family-run Blue Light pub at Barnacullia, Sandyford, Co Dublin. Photo: Steve Humphreys

Kim Bielenberg Fri 15 Nov 2024 at 03:30

The Blue Light pub at Barnacullia on the edge of the Dublin Mountains is not the sort of run-of-the-mill bar that you would find on the corner of the average street.
Pictured at Aras an Uachtarain with President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina Higgins, are, from left, Paralympics Ireland president Eimear Breathnach, Paralympic medallists Linda Kelly, Katie-George Dunlevy, Orla Comerford, Roisin Ni Riain and Ellen Keane. Photo: Sportsfile

The Irish Paralympic team that represented the country last summer were welcomed to Aras an Uachtaran yesterday as President Michael D Higgins and his wife, Sabina, acknowledged the achievements of the athletes in Paris.

Over 70 members of the team and support staff were in attendance, led by Paralympics Ireland president, Eimear Breathnach. The Irish athletes competed in 55 events and delivered six medals including one gold, three silver and two bronze medals.

President Higgins said: The six medals our Paralympic athletes won at this years Paralympic Games are such significant achievements for which we can all be proud. Indeed, all those who achieved so much by qualifying and competing to such a high standard have made Irish people everywhere so immensely proud.

Ms Breathnach added: We are so proud that the team have received this honour from President Higgins and Mrs Higgins. We know that they kept a close eye on the achievements of the team throughout the summer.
Kedagh Moore's remains are carried to the Church of Our Lady and Saint Joseph, Prosperous, Co Kildare for his funeral service. Photo: Collins

The heartbroken family of a 16-year-old boy killed in an alleged hit-and-run last Sunday has remembered him as being full of joy, colour, light, laughter and love.

Kedagh Moore was walking at Blackwood near his home at Graigues, Robertstown in Co Kildare just after midnight in the early hours of Sunday morning when he was struck by a vehicle that failed to stop.

At the Church of Our Lady and Saint Joseph in Prosperous, Kedaghs schoolfriends from Scoil Mhuire in Clane, and members of Clane Uniteds Under 17 premier team, formed guards of honour.

The crowd of mourners was so large that many had to remain outside as they listened to his mother Glenda and sister Sadhbh pay emotional tributes to the boy they said they will love forever.

Sadhbh and Glenda, and Kedaghs father John, held each other as they followed his coffin into the church.

Over the past week, we as a family and community have been so cruelly reminded that at any minute, your life can change between one breath and another. The song can stop, and everything thereafter can be so different, said Glenda in her tribute.

Kedagh's song began on the 12th of July, 2008 when John and I welcomed our precious baby boy into this world. Kedagh Sean Moore, seven pounds, six ounces of pure perfection, embodying pure love and the hopes and dreams of his mammy and daddy, and his little sister Sadhbh at home. And Kedagh never disappointed.

As his mam and dad, John and I were honoured to support his enthusiasm for growth and learning, his fabulous sense of curiosity and creativity, his adventurous spirit, his wonderful good humour.

Kedagh Moore's remains are carried to the Church of Our Lady and Saint Joseph, Prosperous, Co Kildare for his funeral service. Photo: Collins

And for us to witness his gentle, kind nature unfold, and for him in taking his place in this world. To see the beautiful bond that Kedagh shared with his dear sister is something John and I will forever cherish.

Glenda outlined all the walks and outings around the country that the family had shared together as Kedaghs love of the outdoors flourished.

Both Kedagh and Sadhbh would say to me many times: Mammy, there's not a county in Ireland we haven't slept in or explored, said Glenda.

Kedagh loved his music, and was so excited for the upcoming gigs of BLK in December and Hannah Laing in April, which he had just recently purchased his tickets for. The quicker the beat, the faster the dancing. And we all know Kedagh had rhythm and the moves, which he so enjoyed.

Addressing Kedaghs friends, who wore black suits with bright ties, and supported each other through their grief, Glenda said: So boys. You now need to keep dancing. You need to keep moving, and you need to continue to care and mind each other as we go on.

Kedagh, we thank you, as we did every day, for you just being you. We always reminded you of the immense pride we shared in having you as our dear and wonderful son. You always knew that you mattered. You always knew you were so important and special to us. You brought to this world things and gifts that no one else can. We love you to the moon and back.

Mourners line the route for the funeral of Kedagh Moore. Photo: Collins

Sadhbh paid an emotional tribute to her little brother.

There are many things I love about you. How you were always there to listen to my silly problems, my stories and our conversation at the end of the days. Even though Mam and Dad would call to tell you to go to bed because it's a school night, you would pretend to walk back to your room but come back to me to finish that conversation, Sadhbh told mourners.

I knew you were always there for me. Even if you didn't tell me that every day, it reflected in your actions and the way you would listen. Kedagh, you were never the loudest in the room, but I will admit now you are extremely funny. We would always have a good laugh with each other.

Sadbh also spoke of her memory of being on holidays in Italy, and taking late walks with her brother by a lake.

I'm not sure where we ended up, but it was so cool to us. Kedagh, I will always walk with you by my side. I love you, she said.

Burial took place after requiem mass in St Benignus Cemetery, Staplestown.

Marin Silaghi, with an address at Ballybrittas, Portlaoise, Co Laois, appeared before Athy District Court on Tuesday charged with hit-and-run, and failing to stop at the scene with the intention of evading liability where a death resulted.

He was remanded in custody and the court heard further charges are likely.
Asking price: 485,000

Agent: Quillsen (01) 8335844

What it is: A two bedroom end-of-terrace former corporation house close to the Dart station, Clontarf Yacht Club and the Bull Wall on the capitals northside.

Tell me more: Conquer Hill Road runs between the Clontarf Road and Kincora Road. Number 66 has a hallway, living room, kitchen, bathroom and the two bedrooms, with a total of just over 640sq ft of living accommodation.

The bad news: The house is currently in poor condition, requiring complete refurbishment including re-wiring, re-plumbing, a complete decorative re-vamp, a new kitchen and, if the desire is for a family home with the kind of space considered necessary to accommodate a family these days, possibly an extension.

As there is no side access, building materials and personnel will all have to come through the front door.

The current floor space is not much bigger than that of an average two-bedroom apartment and because of the Clontarf address, you are probably looking at a bit of a premium to buy it.

The good news: The property is being sold with a declaration allowing new owners to avail of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant according to the agents, which might take some of the sting out of any refurbishment or possible extension costs.

There may also be grant aid available to upgrade the energy rating of the property. Currently it has a Building Energy Rating (BER) of G.

The kitchen/dining room, with door to garden

These are well-built houses, the result of early to mid 20th-century government efforts to tackle the housing crisis in the capital city. Structurally, therefore, it is likely to be sound, though this will be subject to an engineers survey.

There is one vintage tiled fireplace still in situ, which may be worth keeping and restoring.

The area is relatively well served with public transport thanks to the 130 bus, and is well connected to the city centre by the Clontarf to city centre cycle route, which is currently nearing completion.

How much to buy it? Offers of around 485,000 are being sought.

And to fix it up? Be prepared to drop at least another 200,000 to 250,000 on revamping this 20th-century Dublin classic.

The sitting room

What will I end up with? A 430sq ft extension could be added without the requirement for planning permission, if the next owner wanted to have either an extra bedroom or modern kitchen.

Either way, you could end up with a family home close to the seafront and not too far from the city centre, in an increasingly gentrified part of an already aspirational neighbourhood.

Who do I talk to?: Estate Agent Melanie Brady from Quillsen will be happy to help you conquer your very own sod of Tarf.
Even if the men and women in the trenches are exhausted, they are not ready to give up, and nor is the rest of the country

With the world bracing for Donald Trumps second presidency, its an uncertain time for everyone, but especially for Ukrainians. Were entering our third winter of full-scale war with Russia, and its harder than ever to know where we will be next spring.

On Day 1 of the invasion, Volodymyr Zelensky famously told the US: I need ammunition, not a ride. One phrase was enough to communicate Ukraines fighting spirit to the world. For months, Zelensky was a hero, always in the news. But 33 months in, Ukraine is lower down the agenda. And while we still need ammo, and much else besides, our requests for help no longer seem to carry the same weight.

Theres a well-known phrase in diplomatic circles: Ukraine fatigue. Many Western policymakers and commentators imply that Ukraine is just too big, too complicated to support  wouldnt it be nice not to have to deal with it any more?

This view has been gaining strength in the US for months. Donald Trump and JD Vance fuelled the narrative that supporting Ukraine is a waste of money, and Trump previously promised to end the war in 24 hours. Admittedly, he tends to exaggerate, but Ukrainians fear he will try to force through a peace deal on highly unfavourable terms.

Everyone is tired, not least in Ukraine. And yes, everyone would like it to be over. But thats not how the world works.

Ukrainian soldiers in a trench near the frontline in the Kharkiv region. Photo by Roman Pilipey/AFP via Getty Images

Ukraine and its partners seem to be forgetting different things. We Ukrainians need to remember not only to be demanding of our partners, but also to express our gratitude. I can speak for all Ukrainians when I say that without you, we wouldnt have stood a chance. Without all those weapons, ammo and aid, Ukraine would only be left on old maps. Without the millions across Europe who welcomed Ukrainians into their countries, their homes, we would have been nowhere. We are so, so grateful that there is no way to put it into words.

But we also understand that now is not the time to stop, and this is what the West needs to remember. Ukraine has survived thanks to Western support, but if support is withdrawn and Ukraine falls, it will be worse for everyone down the line. Putin wont be the only autocrat to conclude that he can now capture other countries territory at will. History is full of examples of how appeasing violent bullies only fuels their appetites.

Will Trump really end the war in a day, even if he withdraws all US support? The short answer is no. If Western support drops, the war will get even harder, and Ukraine will almost certainly lose more territory. But even if the men and women in the trenches are exhausted, they are not ready to give up, and nor is the rest of the country. Because we know what were fighting for. Because they understand what so many Westerners still dont want to admit: that Russia only understands fear and power, and a peace deal will not stop it  it will only give it space to prepare for the next invasion.

It may be too simplistic to say that it wont be the Pentagon or Brussels or even Moscow that ends the war, but those in the trenches. Most wars end in negotiations, and of course Ukrainians want peace. But we want a true peace, and a deal without proper security guarantees is no peace at all. If your neighbour took over your kitchen with guns, and then got the police to agree not to protect you, would you believe them if they promised not to take over your living room next?

And so, no matter whos in the White House, Ukrainians will keep fighting until we believe that a true peace is possible. Because theres nothing else we can do. We hope you understand.
Donald Trump didnt talk a great deal about artificial intelligence while on the campaign trail for the US presidential election, which is odd. Voters liked the potential improvements he could bring to the economy and inflation.

However, AI could displace many jobs and a third of Americans believe it will do more harm than good, according to analytics company Gallup. If Trumps silence means he doesnt care much about AI, that leaves the door open for policy to be steered by other key players in his administration, particularly Elon Musk.
Eamon Ryan says Ireland needs to have a serious climate conversation. Photo: Reuters

Few subjects induce quite as much nervousness as climate change. Unease may stem from the fact were not doing nearly enough, despite knowing our collective inaction could be devastating for others.

Whether we engage with global warming or not, its consequences are engaging with us. For the third year in a row, efforts to fight climate change havent lowered projections for how hot the planet is likely to get.

Our limp efforts to limit warming wont work.

At Cop29  the UN climate summit  the frustrations are rising as the emissions, and temperatures, are also hotting up.

Theres an awful lot going on thats positive here, but on the big picture of actually getting stuff done to reduce emissions ... to me it feels broken, Climate Analytics CEO, Bill Hare, told a meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan. And if temperatures arent dropping, people should wonder if the Cop negotiations are doing any good, he added.

It is hardly as if we need further prompting from the elements on the urgency of reversing trends.

Scientists are in no doubt that the atmospheric warming, mainly from our burning of fossil fuels, is causing ever-more extreme and damaging weather, including droughts, flooding and dangerous heat.

There are ample solutions to hand, but time to put them in place is scarce

The twin objectives of the talks are to set new targets to cut emissions of heat-trapping gases and also figure out how much rich nations will pay to ensure success.

Economists believe developing countries will need at least $1trn per year by the end of the decade to cope.

But where the money is to come from remains an open question.

International political shifts have not helped the mood of pessimism, especially as Donald Trump prepares to become US president.

But unless advanced countries recognise their responsibilities and deliver on commitments, the outlook is bleak.

Our own Environment Minister, Eamon Ryan, who has a key role at the talks in attempting to bridge gaps, has his hands full. As Mariana Paoli, of Christian Aid, put it, any big shiny number that comes out of negotiations that is not based in publicly financed grants, will be meaningless.

With our election campaign a week old, Friends of the Earth has made its own appeal to voters, to ask politicians to commit to upholding the 2021 climate law.

It also suggests we urge them to do everything in their power to reduce emissions  in line with the binding pollution limits to 2030, adopted by the Dail.

For just as in politics, all global warming is local.

There are ample solutions to hand, but time to put them in place is scarce. As Ms Paoli said, crises like the pandemic and the bank bailouts prove that public funds are available.

If the will is there, a way can be found. We all know we could, and should, be doing more.

It has been said where everybody is guilty, nobody is.

But perhaps that guilt can serve as a reminder: that not only can we do better, but we must.
Dublin student awarded for outstanding achievement with special bursary from Diageo

A young student who became homeless at 17, has won an award for outstanding achievement in education, saying it will make a huge difference in her life.

Leah Mulligan (20), from Liberties College, was presented with the Finbarr Flood Award for Outstanding Achievement at the Guinness Storehouse, in recognition of extraordinary commitment to personal growth and positive impact on others.

Diageo this week announced the recipients of the 35th Annual Finbarr Flood Scholarships, recognising and celebrating academic excellence among young people from the community around St. Jamess Gate in Dublin.

Leahs teachers nominated her as she exemplifies resilience and determination. She receives a special bursary and laptop package, sponsored by Diageo, to support her future studies.

I dropped out of school when I was 13. I was enrolled in education, but I just didnt go. I didnt really fit in. It didnt fit my personality. I was quite heavily bullied when I was in school, Ms Mulligan told the Irish Independent.

I had moved school twice and I just never went. Eventually, when I was 17, I went to a training centre where I did a level 4 and then got my level 5 in youth and community and now, Im in Maynooth.

Maynooth came up as an option for doing my bachelors degree and I worked as hard as I could to get there.

I grew up in Clontarf, but I ended up homeless at 17 with my mam. We moved from different homeless accommodations. Im still homeless, but staying with friends.

Its hard to be in education when youre in homeless accommodation. It doesnt really fit very well with the agenda of trying to do your assignments.

You also need a good support system because when youre in somewhere like that you can be very isolated and very alone.

It worked out better for me to stay in friends and family houses in the meantime while Im in college.

When I dropped out of school, they had linked me in with the youth service and it was just a completely different experience.

Having someone that isnt necessarily trying to make you do something you dont want to do, and theyre just there for your needs. It just changes the way you see things.

Overcoming major challenges in her journey through education, Leah graduated with eight distinctions from Liberties College and represented Ireland at an Erasmus event.

Leah is currently studying Community and Youth Work at Maynooth University and on completion hopes to become a Youth Worker, working with disadvantaged young people in her community.

The more I looked into youth work, the more I saw how beneficial it can be. Its more about meeting people where theyre at and trying to empower them to make change for themselves, she said.

Without youth work for myself, I wouldnt even be where I am now. At 16 and 17, I was very isolated. I was going home to the homeless accommodation. I wanted to do better for myself and the people around me.

People talk about dropping out of school as being a really bad thing, but I think I am proof that the education system isnt for everyone and that theres other ways to get around it. My PLC course changed everything about my education.

With the award now, thats just going to be so beneficial for me, even for things like topping up my Leapcard to go to college, tuition fees, paying for college.

This is going to make all the difference for me in the sense that Ill be able to do my college work but not have to worry about whats going on in the background of it.
A young woman who rescued a man who fell into Dublins Royal Canal, has been told changes will now be made to a narrow pathway used by walkers, joggers and cyclists.

Marianne Gormley (21) was jogging home from work through Broombridge, which crosses the Royal Canal in Cabra, in August, when she had to jump into action to rescue a cyclist who fell into the water.

The cyclist was physically unharmed but shaken by the incident, as was Ms Gormley, who said she has had nightmares about it since.

It was not a pleasant experience; he did nothing wrong. It was the road surface and a mixture of a few things, such as the sharp turn where you cant see whats coming in front of you, she said.

It left me really, really shaken, and I ended up having nightmares after. Im not super comfortable in water anymore, which is strange because Ive always been a strong swimmer.

Marianne Gormley rescued a cyclist who fell into the canal near Broombridge

She described the area as lethal due to the condition of the ground and lack of visibility on approach and said she always exercises caution as she knows how narrow the path is.

Ms Gormley has been campaigning for the surface of the pathway to be improved ever since, and has been in contact with Waterways Ireland and various local councillors, asking for their help.

You cant see whats coming from the other side because the path turns a corner as you go underneath the bridge. Cyclists regularly go through it because gates were installed to stop people from crossing over the bridge, she said.

I understand why the gates were installed, but because of them, nobody wants to dismount and wheel their bike over the top of the bridge and down the other side. So, everyone uses the narrow path where you cant see whats coming.

She said that ever since the incident, she has been so scared thinking about what could happen to someone else if they got into trouble at the same section and there was nobody there to help.

Green Party councillor Feljin Jose has since contacted Ms Gormley to reassure her that the towpath between locks 7 and 8 of the Royal Canal would be resurfaced later this month.

Green Party councillor Feljin Jose photographed on the banks of the Royal Canal. Pic: Frank McGrath

Responding to the news, she said she was really happy because of how worried she was about someone else potentially getting into trouble.

This is your sign to campaign for things, for changes to be made and to keep applying pressure, she said.

That took 3 months, so if you think theres an issue, keep pushing.

Cllr Jose said a larger body of work is in progress, which involves widening the path, creating full segregation between cyclists and pedestrians, and installing street lights.

This larger project is the Royal Canal Greenway, a 12m initiative coordinated by Waterways Ireland.

Cllr Jose acknowledged that the pathway is narrow and broken up and, because its a shared surface between cyclists and pedestrians, there is not much room to manoeuvre, which makes it extremely dangerous.

We need this upgrade, and its not just about improving the surface. Its about ensuring safety for everyone who uses the canal, he said.

The Royal Canal Greenway project is really ambitious. Its a multi-million euro effort that would segregate cyclists from pedestrians along the entire route. But its taking time, and we need to be patient.

Its an environmentally sensitive area. Theres a lot of wildlife, hedges and plants along the canal.

Thats why the full environmental impact assessment is needed, but its definitely holding up progress, he added.

Waterways Ireland has been contacted for comment.
Children Hannah Hickey, Siun Halpin, Callum Townsend, Kyron Clancy, Riadh Walsh and Tuiren Murnane were all set for the Teddy Bear Hospital last year - it takes place this year on Saturday, November 23. Also pictured were Mairead Murnane, Fiona OFlynn MTU and Dr Orlaith Brennan RCSI. Photo by Domnick Walsh

Munster Technological University (MTU) Tralee is set to host the annual Teddy Bear Hospital charity event as it returns this year to MTUs North Campus in the Kerry capital.

The event, in its fourth year, takes place on Saturday, November 23.

All funds raised will benefit Enable Ireland West Kerry Childrens Disability Services, who provide crucial services to children up to 18 years with complex needs.

The Teddy Bear Hospital is hosted and organised by staff and students from the International Medical Commencement programme (IMCP). The Royal College Surgeon Ireland (RCSI), MTU and Castel Education deliver the programme at the North Campus in Tralee as an academic pathway programme to further studies in medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, podiatry and speech and language therapy.

The experience will start by admitting the sick teddy to hospital, and the teddy will then be guided through stations such as triage, blood analysis, x-ray/MRI, bandaging, and surgery.

There will be 14 stations in total including: a pharmacy station, handwashing, dental, story-telling corner, exercise area and nutrition stand. These will be managed by MTU students from IMCP, Nursing, Pharmacy Technician, Health, Sport and Exercise Sciences and Early Childhood Education and Care courses.

Dr Orlaith Brennan of RCSI explains: Using the cuddly teddy bears, students will show children what happens in a hospital, who works there and how the Teddy Doctor helps the sick teddy to feel better. They will also explain the whole process of being in a hospital from start to finish using the teddy bears. Students will also offer advice on how to improve nutrition and the benefits of exercise.

Commenting on the upcoming event, Fiona OFlynn, Head of Department, International Medical Commencement Programme at MTU said:

Once again, it is great to engage with a local charity and community by hosting this fun and interactive event. Our aim is to help children feel comfortable when interacting with healthcare professionals. Its a particularly meaningful day for children who have regular hospital appointments. The event will also introduce children to what healthcare professionals do and may spark an interest as a future career.

MTU welcomes children of all ages to attend. Registration for the event is now live and costs 5 per entrant. All proceeds will go directly to Enable Ireland West Kerry Childrens Disability Services.

Please register at: https://events.mtu.ie/index.cfm?page=events&eventId=1116
Participants in the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel undertake a 'school run' in Tuqu, by which they offer an international presence as Palestinian children go to school. Photo: Albin Hillert.

A County Leitrim resident who has just returned from a three-month mission in Palestine is holding an insightful talk to recount her experience.

Lisa Hitchen, who lives in Carrick on Shannon, recently returned from three months in the West Bank where she served as a human rights monitor.

Lisa took part in the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (WCC EAPPI).

The programme was created in 2002 by the WCC in response to a letter and an appeal from local church leaders to create an international presence in the country.

EAPPI provides a continuous presence of 25-30 Ecumenical Accompaniers, who serve in the field for three months, accompanying local people and communities, offering a protective presence, and witnessing their daily struggles and hopes.

A County Leitrim resident who has just returned from a three-month mission in Palestine is holding an insightful talk to recount her experience.

During her time there, Lisa helped children get to school while she also helped people access healthcare, farms, education and places of worship.

Following her return home, Lisa is holding an event Stories from Israel and the West Bank at the Leitrim Volunteer Centre on Wednesday, November 20 at 7pm to share her firsthand experiences and insights.

Lisa will tell tales of her experience and what daily life is like under occupation.

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She will also discuss what she believes can be done to promote peace in the region.

Tickets for this event are free and demand is expected to be high. Should the venue exceed the numbers it can hold, the talk will be moved to a larger venue to accommodate a larger audience.

Tickets can be obtained here.
Martha Cosgrove, Dylan Lynch McMorrow, Simon Gaffney, Des Cosgrove, Dean Gaffney, Aaron O'Boyle, Cora Kelly and Vjeran Milkovic, at the Centra Pride Awards which took place at the Royal Convention Centre, The Royal Convention Centre, Dublin. Photo: Damien Eagers / Coalesce

Cosgroves Centra in Maugheraboy has been named Neighbourhood Store of the Year at the Pride of Centra Awards, held in Dublins Royal Convention Centre.

Alongside 19 other finalist stores selected from over 490 Centra locations across Ireland, Cosgroves Centra Maugheraboy, was shortlisted for the Pride of Centra Awards. The Pride of Centra awards recognise and celebrate the best of Centra stores, its people and exemplary retail excellence.

The judges commended Cosgroves Centra Maugheraboy for its clear store layout, natural lighting, and robust product range. Recent upgrades, including a refreshed front aisle featuring quality fresh food, new power walls, and an enhanced off-license, were highlighted. Adjudicators noted that these improvements have strengthened the stores role as a welcoming, value-focused destination within the community. The award is a fitting recognition of the teams dedication to delivering an exceptional shopping experience for local customers.

Commenting on the award ceremony, Luke Hanlon, Managing Director of Centra said: Congratulations to the management and team in Cosgroves Centra Maugheraboy on winning Neighbourhood Store of the Yearan outstanding achievement that reflects your dedication and hard work.

Winning this award is a tremendous honour for our team and truly reflects our commitment to delivering the best for our community, said Des Cosgrave, store owner

Weve worked hard to create a welcoming and convenient shopping experience, from our fresh food offerings to the new and improved Off-License. This recognition is a fantastic acknowledgment of our teams dedication and the support of our loyal customers.
Cutting the cake at Tubbercurry library to celebrate the anniversary.

Cllr Joe Queenan, Cathaoirleach of Ballymote-Tubbercurry MD, spoke to a receptive audience at Tubbercurry Community Library, on Thursday as it celebrated 10 Years of the My Open Library Service in the Community.

Local Musicians provided a relaxed atmosphere whilst cake and refreshments were enjoyed by all in attendance to mark the special anniversary.

In 2014, Tubbercurry Community Library was the first library in the country to provide a My Open Library service and ever since it has provided automated access to the branch for library members via their membership card during extended opening hours. Since 2014, over 40 other MOLs have been opened throughout the Republic of Ireland.

The My Open Library service extends the availability of library services to customers at times that suit them best, providing greater flexibility and convenience through increased opening hours.

This is in addition to the traditional staffed hours where library staff continue to provide an invaluable service to the community. Now, in 2024, My Open Library is going from strength to strength with families, students, young professionals, and community groups availing of the service. With almost 500 active users, the library hopes to continue to build on this successful service ensuring that it remains an invaluable integral part of the community in Tubbercurry and its surroundings.

Library members with My Open Library access can:

Issue and return books & other lendable items,

Access Internet on public PCs,

Use the free library wi-fi,

Access Print and photocopy Services,

Use the comfortable study and reading spaces,

Use the new meeting facilities.

If you would like to avail of an MOL card, please contact Tubbercurry community library on 071 9111705 or email at tubberlibrary@sligococo.ie and staff will assist you with this request.
Freemans Gala in Oylegate can be a busy spot. With a huge amount of traffic passing through the village, the sight of cars pulled up at the side of the N11 outside the shop is a familiar one.

A problem posed for Wexford County Council, it seems, is that these cars can frequently block footpaths, posing a danger for pedestrians. A potential solution that is reportedly being considered is bollards.

It was something of grave concern for local councillor Paddy Kavanagh who says that businesses are being corralled in with pencil bollards.

"If a business is set up there and doing well, they should be allowed to trade, he said. Putting bollards on either side and stopping cars parking across the road, like theyve always done, in the name of safety is penalising business owners.

"I'm told its about the health and safety of those who use the footpaths, but theres nothing mentioned about the preservation of the business.

Going on to directly reference Freemans in Oylegate, Cllr Kavanagh continued: "The post office is in the shop in Oylegate as well. Im told that if this is foisted upon them, they would have to consider closing the post office.

Cllr Paddy Kavanagh.

The Wexford Independent Alliance councillor said that there should be more consultation between the local authority and businesses in relation to measures like installing bollards.

"There has to be a balance here, he said. It was the same in The Shannon in Enniscorthy. It seems to be the easy way out  stick bollards 100 yards either side of the shop. There has to be fair play for everybody here.

Chief Executive of Wexford County Council Eddie Taaffe took a dim view of Cllr Kavanaghs appeals.

"In most cases, we would try to come up with some kind of compromise, he said. Some cases are difficult. You know what Im going to say to you  in Oylegate, there is a large car park available to the public that is not being widely used outside of mass times and funerals.

"The fact of the matter is that a lot of people will happily abandon their cars outside the shop rather than spend the 45 seconds walking from the car park.

Director of Services Eamonn Hore added that he would look at the matter again.

"I hate the overuse of bollards, he said. Generally, we only use them as a last resort.
Mairin Dunne, Susan Synnott, Marguerite Aherne, Jackie O'Neill, Manon Cooke and Rosa Ronan who modelled for the 'Without A Stitch' calendar, along with Frances Riley and Pat Brennan. Photo: Mary Browne

Ros Tapestry launched its fundraising calendar Without a Stitch last week, as part of its Bring it Home fundraising campaign to return the tapestry to New Ross in the new year.

Based on the film Calendar Girls, the eight stitchers involved in the fundraising calendar said the theme really put the fun back into fundraising.

One of the stitchers had previously done the Dip in the Nip, and felt it best to try something different this year.

"Our photographer, Therese Dalton, was so good and made us all feel very comfortable. We wanted to do something that was a bit of craic, but still get our message across that the Ros Tapestry is special, and needs to be back home here in New Ross, said Marguerite Ahern-Collins.

"We would like to particularly thank our campaign sponsors listed on our website who made the production of the calendar possible, she added on behalf of the stitchers.

Ms Ahern-Collins went on to explain the significance of what they do: The Ros Tapestry is more than just an intricate story told in thread, it is the living history of our town and the surrounding counties, capturing the arrival of the Normans to Ireland's Ancient East. This monumental work crafted by 180 dedicated volunteer stitchers over twenty-five years, is a testament to our shared heritage. Like the Bayeux Tapestry, our masterpiece is embroidered on linen with wool, preserving history through the same materials that have endured the ages.

These stitchers have left us a legacy that will last for generations, just as the Normans did centuries ago. We hope this Tapestry continues to inspire and educate long after the grandchildren of the original stitchers have grandchildren, she said.

The New Ross Needlecraft Ltd, the management company of the Ros Tapestry, said they are deeply grateful to Kilkenny Castle for hosting the tapestry since the challenging Covid period. Their stewardship ensured the treasured work of art was preserved in the right environmental conditions, safeguarding its future.

"Now its time to Bring it Home and we need your help to make that happen, said Ms Ahern-Collins.

She continued: Our immediate goal is to fund the creation of a secure, temporary exhibition space where the Ros Tapestry can be on display until the completion of the new Norman Centre, its permanent home.

"This centre will also operate as an exhibition space to show our Threads of Friendship tapestries which are currently being stitched and were created to celebrate links with Europe and America. Moreover, it will enable us to continue the vibrant tradition of tapestry making and needlework that has become a cornerstone of our towns cultural life, she concluded.

The design of the calendar, created by Ros Tapestry Board member Ann Larkin, adds a special look to it, which is set to be a popular choice for Christmas in the town and beyond. The calendar can be found on sale in The Hubb Bookshop, Lulus Boutique, Nugents and the Dunbrody Centre at 10 and all monies fundraised from the calendars go towards bringing the Ros Tapestry home.
An internationally acclaimed exhibition which conveys the chaos, courage and emotions of September 11, 2001 was officially opened in New Ross last week.

On Monday, November 11, the Ground Zero 360 exhibition was launched at the Dunbrody Exposition Building by former New Ross Standard journalist, David Looby.

Artist Nicola McClean and retired NYPD inspector Paul McCormack created this exhibition to honour the victims, families, and first responders of the attacks on the twin towers in New York in 2001.

On September 11, 2001, New York City was shaken to its core following the attacks and in the wake of the chaos, New York-based Irish photographer Nicola McClean responded in the only way she knew how; she picked up her camera and took to the street to try and capture the confusion and panic that surrounded her. Through harrowing visuals, heart-breaking missing posters and a unique panoramic installation, Ground Zero 360 is a step into the past to what eight million New Yorkers were feeling in the days that followed the attacks.

There is also a collection of personal effects and belongings and samples of steel from the towers, along with stone from the facade, artwork and photos.

The exhibition is now on display at the new Dunbrody Exposition Building on the Quay, New Ross and will run for the month of November.
The 185 from Enniskerry to Bray, which faces the axe under the Bus Connects plans.

The major changes to the bus network for the Bray area, which were finally to be rolled out on Sunday, December 8, have been postponed yet again, Taoiseach Simon Harris has confirmed. The news of the delay  the seventh since the plans were announced  have been slammed as beyond ridiculous by the Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Councillor Paul OBrien.

The plans for new bus corridors and additional services were first discussed for Wicklow as far back as 2018, and promised as part of the Bus Connects project to become operational by mid-2023. This was later revised with a launch date set for mid-2024, which was further postponed to autumn.

Earlier this month, a date of December was confirmed, with the new routes, including a 24-hour service from Bray to Dublin, welcomed locally by commuters  albeit cautiously, as the spectre of mistrust and confusion darkened any cause for celebration.

That spectre has reared its head to haunt the beleaguered loop service once more, with the announcement by the NTA, confirmed today by the Wicklow Taoiseach, that commuters wont, after all, be able to get that late bus home from the capital at Christmas.

This morning, the Taoiseach confirmed that the upcoming implantation of Phase 6a of the Bus Connects Plan, which was due to come into effect on December 8, has been deferred to January of next year, citing the confusion as the reason for the postponement.

Phase 6a includes the introduction of:

24-hour Spines E1 and E2.

Radial 19  for more, see Route 19 information

Local routes L1, L2, L3, L12, L14, L15, L26, L27

Express routes X1 and X2.

24-hour spines E1 and E2 serve areas including Bray, city centre, Ballymun and Santry. Route 19 runs from Parnell Square to Dublin Airport,

The local and Xpress routes (L1, L2, L3, L12, L14, L15, L26, L27, X1 and X2) serve Bray, Greystones, Kilcoole, and Newcastle.

Speaking this morning, the Taoiseach said: In recent weeks, I have spoken with a number of local residents of Bray, Greystones, Kilcoole, Enniskerry, Newtownmountkennedy and Newcastle regarding the new Bus Connects Plan. While the new plan offers some fantastic new services for our communities, I understood that a number of local residents were concerned about the confusion and difficulties that may have been caused by the changing of our bus routes and services so close to Christmas.

Having discussed this with the National Transport Authority, the decision has been made to defer this change, to ensure the holiday season goes without unnecessary transport disruptions, he continued.

A great benefit of this decision is that now additional resources have been freed up in the short-term run up to Christmas, and will allow us to provide additional bus services, including additional night services, to operate over Christmas, making it much more convenient for people to travel in and out of Dublin over the coming weeks.

Once the details of these new services have been finalised, I will be sure to keep local residents informed. I want to take this opportunity to thank the National Transport Authority for working with me and for listening to the concerns of local residents on this issue, and I look forward to the full implementation of Phase 6a of the Bus Connects Plan at the right time, as the holiday season winds down in January.

Councillor Paul O Brien, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council has reacted with dismay to the news that the long-promised bus changes in the North Wicklow are delayed once again.

Myself and my Bray Labour colleagues have long been campaigning for improved public transport in County Wicklow, he said.

"The new route design for buses in north Wicklow will be an improvement, in that it will bring a 24-hour service to Bray for the first time, it will bring a bus route back onto Bray beach and will cover new areas of Greystones for the first time. There are some drawbacks, like losing a regular direct connection to the Luas that I will be following up to look for, he continued.

The news this week that improvements promised since 2020 have been pushed back again is a real blow to many people in North Wicklow. My Labour colleagues and I have been in regular contact with NTA about when these new routes will start and have now been given seven different start dates for the new routes.

"It's beyond ridiculous the NTA keeps announcing start dates and pushing them back. I really do hope it will be seventh time lucky as the people of North Wicklow badly need these improved services, which are long overdue, he continued.
Olympian Marcus Lawler chats to Ballyconnell NS teacher, Ailish Clare on his way to the local community hall. Photo: Joe Byrne

Students from Ballyconnell National School recently gained a terrific insight into the trials and tribulations of an Olympic athlete when prolific sprinter Marcus Lawler paid a visit to the school.

Part of a programme called Dare to Believe, which is supported by Sport Ireland and the Irish Olympics Council, the Ballyconnell NS Active Schools team submitted an application earlier this year to have an Irish Olympian visit the school.

Delighted to discover that Cavan native Lawler, who represented Ireland in the 200ms at the Tokyo Olympics, had been selected, students set about making banners and flags ahead of his arrival.

After giving him a warm welcome, Lawler spent two hours with the students, presenting a slide show, discussing the ups and downs of his career and answering a myriad of questions from inquisitive pupils of all ages.

As Ballyconnell NS Active School coordinator Shane Byrne explained, Lawler didnt simply focus on his achievements, but rather pressed home the importance of resilience in the face of disappointment.

We submitted our application to the Dare to Believe programme back in September, and low and behold, we got confirmation that Marcus Lawler would be visiting the school, Shane said.

He had a PowerPoint presentation and went through his career with a big emphasis on setbacks as opposed to his successes.

I think, growing up, he probably was the best schoolboy sprinter ever up until a couple of years ago, when his record was broken, and he did talk to the students about his career highlights, but it was more about resilience.

Afterwards, he opened up the floor with for a Q&A with the students, who were full of questions, from whats your favourite food to how do you prepare for races, whats your greatest ever goal and biggest disappointment.

He stayed for around two hours or so, and the children really enjoyed it. They made lots of flags and banners and stuff, and he got a good welcome.

Coincidentally, this was Lawlers second visit to the school, having dropped by under the Active School Flag initiative in 2019, with his second coming representing a full circle moment of sorts for the schools older students.

Were in the Active School Flag programme, and as part of that, you do an active school week every year, Shane said.

We started the Active Schools process in the 2018/19 school year, and wed always try to get any kind of special guests who are relatively local to visit the school.

Our first Active Schools week was in May 2019 and we actually contacted Carlow IT at the time where I knew Marcus had attended and asked if there was any chance he might come and visit us for this week.

He ended up coming to the school, so his recent visit was his second time in the school, but it was just a total coincidence he came again through this program.

It was really nice for some of the older students, as it was kind of a full circle moment for them all. It was a great to have him back, and the students enjoyed it so much.

A big shout out to my colleague Ailish Clare, who works on the Active Schools programme with me, for helping to bring the fantastic day together.
AIB has announced that Wicklow Cancer Support is to receive an award of 28,000 from the third annual AIB Community 1 Million Fund, to help with its work in supporting people affected by a cancer diagnosis in the greater Wicklow area.

Over the last two years, the AIB Community 1 Million Fund has supported over 150 charities across Ireland. Earlier this year, AIB asked its customers, the wider public and staff to again nominate registered charities that connect with causes that matter most to them and their communities.

Wicklow Cancer Support has been providing practical and emotional support services, before, during and after treatment, to individuals and families affected by a cancer diagnosis since its foundation in 2004. All services are provided free of charge and are financed by fundraising and donations from individuals and groups from within the local communities.

Speaking about receipt of the award, Mary Heaslip, chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Wicklow Cancer Support, said: AIB's ongoing support for local organisations is invaluable and we have witnessed the positive impact on other groups that received funding over the last two years.

In addition to assisting with the costs of treating Lymphoedema, this funding will enable us to increase the services we provide to include preventative treatment in relation to Lymphoedema which is a side effect of the radiotherapy and surgery used to treat cancer.

The nominations submitted by families, friends and others within our local community makes this award particularly special for us. We value the continued support and generosity we receive from our community and the nominations weve received show that our efforts are being acknowledged. Thank you to everyone who is involved in Wicklow Cancer Support, especially our volunteers, and a special thanks to AIB for setting up this important fund.

Wicklow Cancer Support cover Wicklow, Rathnew, Ashford, Glenealy, Brittas Bay, Barndarrig, Redcross, Newtownmountkennedy, Kilcoole, Newcastle and the surrounding areas. Support services include transport of clients to and from their hospital treatments/appointments, counselling, reflexology, massage, play therapy, peer support groups, acupuncture, chair yoga, meditation, art and Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy.

Anyone in the above areas affected by cancer is invited to visit the Wicklow Cancer Support offices at Unit 2, First Floor, (Rear of Boots), Abbey Street, Wicklow town, A67 WF74.

AIB have introduced, through a partnership with Payzone a new donation feature on the AIB mobile app, enabling customers to donate to their nominated charities directly on the app. The charities will be listed on the app for the year following nomination, before the following years nominated charities are listed instead.

Speaking about the fund, AIB managing director retail banking Geraldine Casey said: We are delighted once again this year to support over 70 charities through the AIB Community 1 Million Fund. AIB is deeply rooted in towns across the country and we are privileged to be able to provide much needed funding to those who are making such a powerful contribution to improving the lives of those who live in these communities. I would like to thank our customers and the public for taking the time to nominate these very worthy charities.
Influencer Niamh Cullen has said she has been left devastated after her husband was hospitalised just days after their Italian wedding.

Niamh and Jamie Gill had said I do on their big day in front of family and friends in a glittering ceremony in Borgo Di Tragliata over the weekend.

Just days after tying the knot, her husband was admitted to hospital in Rome.

Taking to Instagram, Niamh posted a picture of her incredibly handsome husband, adding: Devastated how our first week of marriage has gone but you are so resilient and I love you so much.

I loved your suit just as much as I loved my dress.

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Earlier, Niamh took to her Instagram story on Thursday evening and shared a snap from the side of Jamies hospital bed, with her husband being seen to by a doctor.

She wrote: Not how we planned the last 48 hours. Poor Jamie has been so sick since the wedding, he made our day 2 for like 30 minutes and when we left to head to Rome it went downhill.

He is in the best place and here now for another few days.

She added: My poor love alongside a sad face and broken heart emojis.

Niamh also reposted her friend Ashleys Instagram story, and said she was so grateful to her for keeping her company.

Its been an emotional rollercoaster, be lost without you, Niamh captioned her story.

She added in her next post from Jamies hospital room: Thanks for all your heartfelt messages.

Niamh also revealed that she received a lovely handwritten note from her Airbnb owner, as well as a bottle of wine and a packet of biscuits.

She gave me such a big hug and a kiss too. Such an Irish welcome with the Italians, she said.

Numerous well-known familiar faces had travelled to Italy for the wedding, with influencer Bonnie Ryan and clothing brand owner Aoife McNamara posing for snaps following the ceremony.

The couple were engaged in December 2022 when Jamie proposed after tricking Niamh into thinking they were going Christmas shopping.

She had shared her excitement on her wedding day as she declared herself a married woman in a simple social media post.

Alongside a photo of herself in full bridal wear and new husband Jamie arm-in-arm she wrote: 08.11.2024.
Social media influencer trad wife Hannah Neeleman has been on a work trip in Co Cork with her family.

A mother of eight runs an account Ballerina Farm which has amassed 10 million followers on Instagram and 9.8 million on TikTok.

A 34-year-old has posted a video from her time in the south of the country with her husband Daniel and their children.

In an Instagram post, the Utah native wrote the family made it to Ireland and that its so beautiful here.

The family flew into Cork Airport over the local areas of Ballygarvan and Carrigaline while their journey took approximately 36 hours and included several flights.

This week, we headed to Ireland for a little work trip. It was a series of a lot of flights. They were very long and we were so exhausted by the time we finally got there, she told her followers in an Instagram video.

"It took us about 36 hours to get to Ireland but when we were flying into the country, it was all worth it. The green pastures and the little farms were absolutely breathtaking.

Upon arrival, they rented a car and were seen driving down Kinsale Road from the Cork airport.

"They drive on the opposite side of the road here, so it was a terrifying experience for the first little bit, but Daniel handled it like a charm. I definitely did not want to tackle that so glad Daniel was with me, she said.

The family sat down for lunch at Kinsale farmers market, which Ms Neeleman described as so beautiful, before coming back to their Airbnb in Cobh.

"We got tucked into our Airbnb right as the sun was setting and the views were absolutely stunning. Then, we all kind of took a little nap, we were all so tired.

"We got up. It was like 5:30pm at this point, we dragged ourselves to the grocery store, stocked our fridge with the essentials, she said, as the family headed to Centra in Cobh.

"I love how in Europe none of the eggs are washed and so they keep them on the shelf and not in the refrigerator.

"But after that, we headed home. We kind of got lost. Then, we finally made it back to Airbnb and they have no idea what time it is. I'm definitely ready for bed, she added.

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The Ballerina Farm founder has also shared a picture of her daughter Fran, saying she is fitting in nicely here in Ireland, and of her children playing around in the field.

Meanwhile, many social media users have left comments under Ms Neelemans video.

Cork is the dairy & food capital of Ireland. Please come visit. Ye won't be disappointed and so much to learn. We would love to welcome ye to our family dairy farm, farm shop & cafe, one person said.

Another social media user wrote: "The Irish men and women are so friendly. By far the nicest people I have ever met.

Ireland looks beautiful. Looks like you guys had a wonderful trip. Cant wait to see what comes of it at the farm, a different Instagram user said.

Meanwhile, Ms Neelemans husband, Daniel, said they were travelling through seven time zones to get to Ireland.

Only saw those green pastures below, we were pumped. This is a work trip but we will definitely have some fun while here, he said in an Instagram video.

Somehow even found my long lost Irish accent. Like America, Ireland feels like a melting pot of cultures and food. We brought the kids because they love to travel and we like to give them once-in-a-lifetime experiences, he added.
One of the smallest pubs in the country also has one of the cheapest pints in Ireland
Airstrikes on Syria kill at least 15 as Israel targets Islamic Jihad

Attack comes as Iran official due in Damascus to meet Palestinian groups

Displaced Palestinians make their way after fleeing the northern part of Gaza amid an Israeli military operation, in Gaza City, November 12, 2024. Photo: Reuters/Dawoud Abu Alkas/File Photo

Albert Aji Fri 15 Nov 2024 at 03:30







Israel carried out at least two airstrikes on a western neighbourhood of Damascus and one of the capitals suburbs yesterday, killing at least 15 people and wounding another 16, Syrias state news agency said.
Mairia Cahill: Irish public has right to know how US paedophile priest Joseph Maskell ended up working as a counsellor here
Since 1963, The Independent has helped create a great community!

Since our founding in September of 1963, The Independent has been dedicated to giving Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, and Sunol readers the news they need to be in-the-know about what's going on in the Tri-Valley region.
Oil platform of Turkmenistan in the Caspian Sea. Photo courtesy: www.dragonoil.com/Wikipedia

Turkmenistan presents India with an opportunity to boost energy security, strengthen regional ties, and deepen its strategic influence in Central Asia.

Strengthening India's relationship with Turkmenistan can unlock new hydrocarbon reserves and counterbalance the influence of major players like China, enhancing Indias strategic reach in the region.

Home to the world's fourth-largest natural gas reserves, Turkmenistan is a crucial partner in meeting Indias growing energy demand.

Closer energy collaboration would benefit both nations: India could secure a long-term supply of natural gas, while Turkmenistan would gain a stable and reliable market for its energy exports.

As natural gas consumption rises in India, projects like the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline become essential for diversifying energy imports beyond traditional suppliers like Qatar.

Additionally, India could explore the potential for extending the TAPI pipeline to reach Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, further enhancing regional diplomatic and economic connections, diversifying gas use, and improving the overall security of energy supplies.

Turkmenistan's strategic location in the heart of Central Asia presents a crucial opportunity for India to access significant economic potential, diversify trade partnerships, reduce reliance on traditional routes, and mitigate geopolitical risks.

In 2023, Turkmenistan joined the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) project. Russia, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan have committed to forming a joint venture aimed at developing the corridor.

This collaboration seeks to improve transportation services, shorten cargo delivery times, and streamline customs procedures through the use of standardized information systems, which the Kazakh ministry refers to as the "unified window."

This initiative aligns with Turkmenistans continued efforts to explore and develop oil and gas reserves on the Caspian Sea shelf.

Companies such as Eni, Dragon Oil, and Petronas are actively engaged in oil and gas extraction in designated areas of the Caspian Sea.

The development of offshore fields within Turkmenistans sector of the Caspian Sea presents attractive opportunities for investment in the countrys energy sector.

With a wealth of geological exploration dataincluding surface mapping, 2D and 3D survey results, seismic analysis, and identified promising sitesthere is substantial potential for discovering significant hydrocarbon reserves.

India and Turkmenistan signed four significant agreements in April 2022, including those related to financial intelligence and disaster management.

This development occurred as Indias former President Ram Nath Kovind held discussions with his Turkmen counterpart, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, where both leaders committed to enhancing bilateral trade and energy cooperation to deepen their multifaceted partnership.

"We have agreed to intensify our efforts to further strengthen our comprehensive partnership. Economic collaboration is essential to our bilateral ties. We need to do more to expand trade, which has so far remained modest. Our business communities should increase their interactions, understand each other's regulatory environments, and identify new opportunities for trade and investment," President Kovind stated.

The two leaders underscored the importance of the International North-South Transport Corridor for trade connectivity.

President Kovind also highlighted the strategic value of the Chabahar port in Iran, developed by India, in facilitating trade with Central Asia.

Turkmenistan is home to world's fourth-largest natural gas reserves. Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

"Energy cooperation was a central theme of our discussions. Regarding the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, I suggested that security concerns and business principles should be addressed through technical and expert-level meetings," Kovind added.

The discussions also led to identifying new areas of collaboration, including disaster management and digitalization.

President Kovind expressed India's willingness to support Turkmenistans digital transformation and noted space technology as a promising sector for cooperation.

He also emphasized the rich historical and cultural ties between the two nations, suggesting that regular cultural exchanges be organized.

Both leaders stressed the importance of collaborating on managing the COVID-19 pandemic, which has impacted populations in both countries.

India's engagement with Turkmenistan presents a significant opportunity to strengthen its influence in Central Asia while promoting shared economic prosperity and regional stability.

Central to this evolving partnership are projects like the TAPI pipeline and investments in transportation infrastructure, which promise to enhance energy security and improve trade connectivity.

To fully harness the potential of this relationship, India must go beyond traditional energy sector cooperation and adopt a comprehensive strategy.

Key areas such as information technology and pharmaceuticals should be prioritized, along with establishing business councils to encourage Indian private investments in Turkmenistan.

Additionally, collaboration in fields like renewable energy and space technology could unlock new avenues for strategic involvement in Turkmenistans economy. This would also help foster meaningful people-to-people ties, strengthening cultural and economic understanding between the two countries.

Bilateral trade between India and Turkmenistan has been modest despite the huge potential. Although it was affected by Covid-19, following the opening up of transport links, there has been a surge in trade volumes. In 2023-24 bilateral trade stood at USD112.39 million.

Major items of Indias exports are pharmaceuticals, agricultural products, sugar, meat, electronic and electrical items, machinery, woven apparel and tyres.

Turkmen's exports to India largely comprise fertilizers, inorganic minerals, chemicals and dyes among others.
Hyundai names Jose Munoz as its first-ever foreign national CEO. File photo from LinkedIn/Jose Munoz

Seoul/IBNS: Hyundai Motor Group has appointed Jose Munoz as its Chief Executive Officer, marking the first time a foreign national will lead the South Korean automaker.

The move is part of Hyundai's efforts to expand its presence beyond its domestic market, according to reports.

Munoz, 59, joined Hyundai in 2019 as Global Chief Operating Officer and has overseen operations across North and South America.

Before joining Hyundai, Munoz spent 15 years at Nissan Motor Co., including serving as Chairman of its China operations.

The Spanish-born executive will succeed Jaehoon Chang, who is being elevated to Vice Chairman of Hyundai's automotive division.

The leadership changes will take effect on January 1, 2025, according to a company statement released Friday (Nov. 15).

Munoz's appointment comes as Hyundai faces significant challenges in the evolving global auto industry.

These include slower progress in electric vehicle (EV) adoption, intensifying competition from Chinese automakers, and potential policy changes, such as reports of US President-elect Donald Trump considering the removal of a key EV tax credit, which has already impacted the stock prices of US automakers and Asian battery producers.

Hyundai remains committed to its ambitious goals, including doubling its lineup of hybrid vehicles and maintaining its 2030 target of selling 2 million EVs annually.

The company has been ramping up its presence in the United States, where it became the fourth-largest automaker in 2023.

Production at Hyundai's new plant in Georgia began last month, boosting the companys North American output to nearly 1.3 million vehicles annually.

In Seoul trading on Friday, Hyundai Motor shares rose 1.2 percent, although the stock has shown little overall change this year.

The company also announced other leadership adjustments.

Sung Kim has been named President of Hyundai Motor, while Jun Young Choi has been promoted to President of Kia Corp., Hyundais sister company.

Hyundai Motor Chairman Euisun Chung will retain his position.

Despite these developments, Hyundai faces economic headwinds.

The companys third-quarter earnings fell short of analyst expectations, with weak sales reported.

Hyundai Motor India, its Indian unit which recently went public in October, also posted a decline in quarterly profits.
Study alerts more than 260 million people in USA will be either obese or overweight by 2050. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

A new study estimates that over 260 million people in the USA will be either obese or overweight by 2050.

Over the past three decades, there has been a startling increase in the prevalence of obesity across the USA, at least doubling in adult men and women (aged 25 and older) and older female and male adolescents (aged 15-24 years) since 1990, with the number of people living with overweight and obesity reaching over 208 million in 2021a trend set to continue in the coming decades without significant reform, according to a major new analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study Collaborator Network, published in The Lancet.

Especially high levels of overweight and obesity have already been reached in several US states, with over half (52%) of older adolescent males (aged 15-24 years) in Texas and nearly two-thirds (63%) of older adolescent females in Mississippi living with overweight or obesity in 2021.

Similarly, in adults (aged 25 or older), around 80% of men in North Dakota and women in Mississippi were estimated to have overweight or obesity in 2021.

The study predicts devastating trends at the population level.

The total number of US children and adolescents with overweight and obesity is expected to reach 43.1 million by 2050 (an additional 6.74 million from 2021), and the number of adults 213 million (an additional 41.4 million), underscoring the urgent need for concerted population-wide action to reverse these trends and the stark geographical and sex disparities.

Our analysis lays bare the decades-long failure to tackle the growing overweight and obesity epidemic in the USA. The catastrophic consequences of the surge in overweight and obesity among children are already evident in the rising prevalence of childhood hypertension and type 2 diabetes, said lead author Professor Emmanuela Gakidou from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), University of Washington, USA.

Overweight and obesity can trigger serious health conditionsmany of which are now occurring at younger ages, including diabetes, heart attacks, stroke, cancer, mental health disorders, and even premature death.

"The soaring health system and economic costs will be equally pervasive, with over 260 million people in the USA, including over half of all children and adolescents, expected to be living with overweight or obesity by 2050. United efforts and urgent investments are needed to alter these troubling trajectories and ensure a healthier future for current and upcoming generations," Emmanuela Gakidou said.

The new analysis estimated the prevalence of overweight and obesity for children and young adolescents (aged 5-14 years), older adolescents (aged 15-24 years), and adults (aged 25 and older) from 1990 to 2021 with forecasts to 2050 (assuming continuation of past trends and patterns) using 134 unique data sources, including all major national surveillance survey data.

The new analysis provides in-depth forecasts, broken down at the state level, as well as by age and sex. Adjustments were made to correct for self-reporting bias.

For individuals older than 18 years, overweight was defined as having a BMI of 25 kg/m to less than 30 kg/m and obesity was defined as a BMI of 30 kg/m or higher.

For individuals younger than 18 years definitions were based on International Obesity Task Force criteria [1].

213 million American adults predicted to have overweight or obesity in 2050

Almost three-quarters of the adult population (172 million adults aged 25 or older) in the USA were estimated to be living with overweight or obesity in 2021.

The prevalence of obesity rose especially rapidly, doubling between 1990 and 2021 in both adult men (from 18.6% to 41.5%) and women (from 22.8% to 45.6%; see table in Notes to Editors)

The estimated prevalence of adult overweight and obesity was high across all states in 2021.

In men, levels ranged from 80.6% in North Dakota to 65.3% in Washington DC; while in women, levels ranged from 79.9% in Mississippi to 63.7% in Hawaii (see figures 1C and D in paper.)

Continuation of these trends would see overweight and obesity prevalence among adults (age-standardized to allow comparisons between states and over time) rise from an estimated 75.9% in 2021 to around 81.1% for men and from 72.6% to 82.1% for women.

This would mean an estimated 41.4 million additional adults living with overweight or obesity by 2050 (raising the total to 213 million, of whom 146 million will have obesity).

Concerningly, the prevalence of obesity is projected to increase at a more rapid rate than overweight, and faster among adult men than women.

Between 2021 and 2050, the highest rise in obesity prevalence among men is expected in Colorado (up 44.2%) and New Mexico (up 41.2%), and among adult women in Kansas and Colorado (both up 34.9%).

However, the highest levels of obesity are expected to remain in the southern states, with around two-thirds of adult men in West Virginia and Kentucky forecast to be living with obesity by 2050, as well as two-thirds of adult women in 12 states, with especially high rates of obesity predicted in Mississippi, West Virginia, and Arkansas and Alabama (both around 69%; see figure 4B in paper).

Interestingly, the onset of obesity has become earlier over subsequent generations.

For example, approximately two out of five women born in the 1960s were living with obesity at the age of 45, however the same proportion were living with obesity by the age of 30 for women born in the 1980s, and by the age of 20 for women born in 2020 (see figure 5).

Obesity is at a crisis point throughout the USA, with every state challenged to some degree, said co-author Affiliate Associate Professor Marie Ng from IHME, University of Washington, USA. Over the past three decades, the country has experienced extensive economic, demographic, and technological transitions that have triggered profound changes to food and agricultural systems, urbanisation, and wealth and educational inequalities together with underlying structural racism that all interact to drive population-wide obesitywhether it be the marketing of unhealthy food products to children, the proliferation of sedentary online activities, or food deserts (neighbourhoods that lack healthy, affordable food options) that are more common in racial and ethnic minority neighbourhoods.

Unprecedented epidemic of childhood and adolescent obesity

The new analysis estimates that older adolescent obesity prevalence rose substantially in the USA between 1990 and 2021, more than doubling in both males (from 8.8% to 22.7%) and females (from 10.1% to 28.8% see table in Notes to Editors).

In 2021, an estimated 15.1 million children and young adolescents and 21.4 million older adolescents were living with overweight or obesity.

However, they impact segments of the American population differently, with older adolescent females (50.8%) experiencing higher prevalence in 2021 than older adolescent males (46.7%), with especially high rates among older adolescent females in Mississippi, Alabama, and Oklahoma (where levels exceeded 59%), and among older adolescent males in Texas and West Virginia (where levels exceeded 52%; Figure 1A and B in paper).

The new study predicts that an additional 3.3 million children and young adolescents and 3.41 million older adolescents will be living with overweight or obesity by 2050 (raising the total to 43.1 million, of whom 24 million will have obesity).

With the increase in obesity projected to outpace the increase in overweight, around one in five children and at least one in three adolescents are expected to be living with obesity in 2050.

The rising tide of adolescent obesity is projected to reach the highest levels among older adolescent males in Oklahoma (43%), Mississippi (39.8%) and West Virginia (37.7%) in 2050, and affect at least half of older adolescent females living in Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Alabama (see figure 4A).

However, the largest numbers of older adolescents with obesity will continue to be in California (1.53 million) and Texas (1.49 million) in 2050.

Associate Professor Ng said: The mechanisms behind the rising obesity prevalence are much more complex than just a matter of excessive energy intake and physical inactivity."

"Existing interventions which focus on lifestyle-based behavioural changes do not produce sufficient and sustainable reductions in overweight and obesity, especially among children and adolescents," Ng said.

"Addressing the structural drivers of population obesity and emphasising prevention must be central to any future strategies. Future interventions also need to account for societal shifts in acceptance of obesity, alongside tailoring solutions by sex and for states with high obesity rates, Ng said.

Population-level prevention and a cross-government strategy key to tackling obesity crisis

The analysis notes that while anti-obesity medications like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have a place in obesity management, they alone will not be enough to solve the obesity epidemic.

As Associate Professor Ng explains: Given the predicted surge in overweight and obesity, demand for anti-obesity medication will definitely increase, but it is not a silver bullet. With concern surrounding prohibitive costs and equitable access, together with varying effectiveness and potentially serious side-effects, prevention will remain a primary strategy.

The authors stress that prevention needs to become a much more dominant focus of obesity control and that any policies aiming to tackle the obesity crisis must be a priority at federal and state governments and backed by high-level political commitment.

They should also be comprehensive, reaching individuals across the life course and targeting inequalities.

For example, given that obesity is intergenerational, the authors say that intervention needs to begin with pregnant women and early feeding practices.

Rather than relying on individual agency, stronger governance is needed to support and implement a multifaceted whole-system approach to radically disrupt the structural drivers of overweight and obesity at both national and community levels, as well as within households and schools, said Professor Gakidou. Federal policymakers must look beyond short-term political goals to target policy interventions not just within the health sector, for example ensuring all children have access to nutritious primary school meals and that there is greater regulation of junk food marketing.

She added: Above all, reversing the US obesity epidemic will rely on the government supporting programmes that increase levels of physical activity, such as investing in safe and walkable neighbourhoods, guaranteeing the availability of healthy food to children and adolescents, regulating the food and marketing industries, and achieving environmentally sustainable food systems.

The authors note some important limitations, including that while the study uses the best available data, predictions are constrained by the quality and availability of data, and for that reason, they were unable to estimate the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity at the state level.

They also note that the definition of overweight and obesity is based on BMI, which might not account for variations in body structure across the population, and that they did not examine racial and ethnic disparities in obesity.

Finally, past trends are not always predictive of what will happen in the future, and some factors, like the recent surge in the use of GLP-1 anti-obesity medications could alter the longer-term forecasting trends of overweight and obesity.
The 48th International Kolkata Book Fair was announced at a press conference in the city | Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Kolkata/IBNS: The 48th International Kolkata Book Fair will run from January 28 to February 9, 2025, the organisers said at an announcement press conference in Kolkata on Friday.

Germany is the focal theme country of the book fair, which will be held at Boimela Prangan, Karunamoyee, Salt Lake.

Announcement press conference of 48th International Kolkata Book Fair | Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Like every year, the book fair will be inaugurated by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Eminent poets, authors and other scholars will be present as guests of honour at the inauguration.

"We are very excited that for the first time in the history of the International Kolkata Book Fair, Germany, a country with rich cultural heritage and literary legacy will be the Focal Theme Country in the International Kolkata Book Fair 2025," says Guild president Tridib Chatterjee.

Like every year, Great Britain, USA, France, Italy, Spain, Peru, Argentina, Colombia and other Latin American Countries are participating in the upcoming book fair. Besides, there are publications of other states of India, such as Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, Assam, Jharkhand, Telangana, Kerala, Odisha, etc.

As always, there will be the Little Magazine Pavilion, the Children's Pavilion and other such attractions.

One of the highlights of the International Kolkata Book Fair, the Kolkata Literature Festival, KLF, will be held in February 2025.
India flight tests Pinaka. Photo Courtesy: PIB

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Thursday successfully completed the Flight Tests of Guided Pinaka Weapon System, which was recently exported to Armenia, as part of Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR) Validation Trials.

The flight tests have been conducted in three phases at different field firing ranges.

"During these tests, the PSQR parameters viz., ranging, accuracy, consistency and rate of fire for multiple target engagement in a salvo mode have been assessed by extensive testing of rockets," read a statement issued by the Indian government.

Twelve (12) rockets from each production agency from two in-service Pinaka launchers upgraded by the launcher production agencies have been tested.

The precision strike variant for Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System is a totally indigenous weapon system designed and developed by Armament Research and Development Establishment in association with Research Centre Imarat, Defence Research and Development Laboratory, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory and Proof & Experimental Establishment with Munitions India Limited and Economic Explosives Limited as production agencies for ammunition and Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Larsen & Toubro for Pinaka launcher and Battery Command Post.

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has complimented DRDO and the Indian Army for the successful PSQR Validation Trials of the system and stated that the induction of this Guided Pinaka Weapon System will further boost the artillery fire power of the Armed Forces.

According to reports, Armenia has already bought these systems from India.

France is also evaluating the Pinaka system with sources indicating that they are interested in the guided version, reported The Print.
Representative Photo | Courtesy: IBNS File

Imphal/IBNS: Citing the 'volatile' situation in Manipur, the central government has reimposed the Disturbed Areas Status under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in six police station areas of the state, media reports said.

The six areas include Jiribam where violence broke out recently.

In a notification, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday imposed AFSPA declaring the areas under Sekmai and Lamsang police stations, Lamlai, Jiribam, Leimakhong, Moirang as "disturbed areas".

"The areas falling under the jurisdiction of. six police stations in Manipur are declared as disturbed area. The Central Government is of the opinion that imposition of AFSPA,1958 in the 6 Police Stations of 5 districts in Manipur is warranted to carry out well-coordinated operations by the security forces to maintain the security situation and contain the activities of insurgent groups in these areas," the notification said as quoted by Hindustan Times.

Between 2022 and 2023, the MHA had lifted AFSPA from all these regions citing "improved law and order situation".

Days ago, the armed militants had attacked the CRPF post at Jakuradhor and Borobekra Police Station in Jiribam. One CRPF constable, named Sanjeev Kumar, was injured in the attack.

Prior to that, two elderly persons were found dead at a house which was set on fire by the militants in Jiribam.

In a counter to the militants' firing, the security forces had launched an encounter that killed 11 suspected Kuki militants.
Photo courtesy: Diljit Dosanjh Facebook page

Hyderabad/IBNS: The Telangana govt has barred singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh from performing on songs promoting alcohol, drugs and violence at a concert, which is scheduled to be held in Hyderabad on Friday, media reports said.

The government has barred Diljit after a resident of Chandigarh made a complaint.

The government notice has also barred Diljit from using children on stage during the concert, which will take place in Hyderabad's high-tech area Cyberabad.

The Chandigarh resident has produced a representation with a video suggesting Diljit sang songs promoting alcohol, drugs and violence during a live show in New Delhi.

Diljit's Hyderabad concert is a part of his Dil-Luminati Tour which is taking place in 10 cities of the country.

Diljit, who has featured in some popular films, played the titular role in Imtiaz Ali's film Amar Singh Chamkila, which is based on the life of a Punjabi singer whose song lyrics had references of extramarital affairs, alcohol, drug use and often vulgar suggestions.
UK to bring first-ever tech delegation on AI, semiconductors to Kolkata. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

The United Kingdom will bring its first-ever trade delegation to Kolkata dedicated to the expanding Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Semiconductor sectors on November 18-19, 2024.

This tech delegation comprises 17 leading UK organisations, all of which are at the forefront of technological innovation in AI and Semiconductors.

The primary objective of the trade mission is to explore business opportunities in West Bengal and eastern India.

The visit is expected to provide a platform for the UK businesses to engage with regional governments and industry leaders, creating potential for collaboration in areas such as AI, semiconductor research, development, and manufacturing.

Dr. Andrew Fleming, the British Deputy High Commissioner to East and North-East India said: I am delighted to welcome a trade delegation from the UK focused exclusively on the technology sector."

"This visit underscores the growing relationship between the UK and India in the tech space and specifically the existing & emerging opportunities in East & Northeast India," he said.

"I believe interactions with state governments and industry will foster new partnerships and strengthen our collaboration, especially in the AI and semiconductor industries, he said.

The British Deputy High Commission Kolkata, in collaboration with NASSCOM and Asterix Innovations, will host a series of high-level activities, including roundtable discussions, Business to Business meetings, and networking sessions with Indian stakeholders.
S Jaishankar reviews comprehensive strategic partnership with Deputy PM Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Photo Courtesy: S Jaishankar Instagram page

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reviewed the 'entire gamut of the comprehensive strategic partnership' when he met Deputy PM Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan during his visit to the UAE on Thursday.

"EAM expressed satisfaction over the continuous exchange of high-level visits and the exponential growth in the relationship. They also discussed the regional and global issues of mutual interest. EAM extended an invitation to HH Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to visit India," read the statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.

EAM Jaishankar and Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Co-existence jointly inaugurated Symbiosis International University, Dubai campus.

EAM S Jaishankar praised the expanding educational partnership between India and UAE.

S Jaishankar paid a visit to the Bharat Mart site.

"He was briefed by Mr. Sultan bin Sulayem, Chairman & CEO, DP World on the project and future partnerships," the statement said.

EAM also visited the BAPS Hindu Mandir.

He conveyed his appreciation that the Mandir has truly become the oasis in the desert representing tolerance, culture and co-existence, the statement said.
India, Nepal, Bangladesh launch trilateral power transaction Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs Manohar Lal, jointly inaugurated the power flow from Nepal to Bangladesh.

He inaugurated the power flow along with Md. Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Government of Bangladesh and Dipak Khadka, Minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Government of Nepal through a virtual event hosted by the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Government of Nepal.

"This historic occasion marks the first trilateral power transaction which has been carried out through the Indian grid," read the statement issued by the Indian government.

The Indian government announced its decision to facilitate the first trilateral power transaction from Nepal to Bangladesh, through Indian grid with an export of upto 40 MW of power during the visit of the former Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda to India from 31 May to 3 June 2023 .

During the visit, both sides expressed their commitment towards greater sub-regional cooperation, including in the energy sector, which would lead to increased inter-linkages between the economies for mutual benefit of all stakeholders.

Subsequently, a tripartite power sales agreement between NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam, Nepal Electricity Authority and Bangladesh Power Development Board was signed on 3 October 2024 in Kathmandu.

The start of this power flow from Nepal to Bangladesh through India is expected to boost sub-regional connectivity in the power sector.
PM Modi returns to Delhi on IAF chopper after his aircraft suffers technical snag in Jharkhand. Photo courtesy: Narendra Modi Facebook

New Delhi/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to Delhi from Jharkhand on an Indian Air Force Plane Friday afternoon after his aircraft suffered a technical snag in Deoghar.

The Indian Air Force Plane was sent from New Delhi more than two hours later.

PM Modi flew in a helicopter from Deoghar to Bihar's Jamui to attend an event to celebrate tribal icon Birsa Munda's birth anniversary, which is known as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas.

He then flew back to Deoghar in the chopper and was supposed to return to Delhi when the snag was discovered.

In a similar situation ahead of the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year, Rahul Gandhi's helicopter remained grounded in Jharkhand's Godda for 45 minutes awaiting clearance from the air traffic control.

The delay prompted Congress to claim it was intentional to disrupt Rahul Gandhi's campaign schedule.

The party later filed a complaint with the Election Commission.
Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh tied the knot in 2018 | Photo courtesy: Deepika Padukone Instagram handle

Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh on Thursday dropped a set of images appreciating her wife, superstar Deepika Padukone, on the occasion of the couple's sixth marriage anniversary.

Ranveer took to Instagram to drop a number of pictures where Deepika was seen laughing, indulging her taste buds and celebrating her pregnancy phase.

He wrote in the caption, "Every day is Wife Appreciation Day, but today is the main day #HappyAnniversary @deepikapadukone I love you."

Deepika and Ranveer, who are one of the massively popular Hindi film stars, tied the knot in 2018 at Lake Como, Italy away from media glares after years of dating.

The two, who shared screen space in a number of projects over the years, became parents to a baby girl, Dua Padukone Singh as they named, in September.

On the work front, both Deepika and Ranveer featured in the massively hit Singham Again, a film by Rohit Shetty.
Eva Longoria shifts her family out of US. Photo Courtesy: Eva Longoria Instagram page

Desperate Housewives actress Eva Longoria, who endorsed Kamala Harris in the recently held US Presidential polls, has revealed that she and her family members do not live in the USA any longer.

She said they are splitting time between Mexico and Spain.

The popular Hollywood actor cited the election as one reason for the finality of her conviction.

Reacting to Donald Trump's victory in the USA presidential polls, she was quoted as saying by The Hollywood Reporter: "The shocking part is not that he won."

"Its that a convicted criminal who spews so much hate could hold the highest office," she said targeting the President-elect.

If he keeps his promises, its going to be a scary place, she said.

She further acknowledged that she is privileged to be able to make the decision to move away.

I get to escape and go somewhere, she said.

Most Americans arent so lucky. Theyre going to be stuck in this dystopian country, and my anxiety and sadness is for them," the actress told the news portal.

Eva, her husband Jose Baston and their 6-year-old son now live in Mexico and Spain.

The actress, who had gained international fame for her performance in the series Desperate Housewives, often ends up elsewhere in Europe and South America for work.

She does not frequently return to Los Angeles.

Trump returned for his second term after beating Harris in the crucial Presidential polls.

Trump clinched the election by winning 295 electoral votes in the 2024 presidential election.

His Democratic rival Kamala Harris, who joined the presidential race midway after President Joe Biden backed out, won 226 votes.

Trump previously served as US president from 2016 to 2020.
There's been a lot of buzz around Elon Musk possibly heading up a new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President Trump. Now, with Trump back in office, it's not just Musk but also Indian-American billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy who's been named to tackle government efficiency. This sparked questions: Why appoint two leaders for one role? Musk was quick to addressed the curiosity, revealing that neither he nor Ramaswamy would be receiving any compensation for their efforts.

Will Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy not get paid to lead DOGE?

Senator Elizabeth Warren took to X to react to the announcement of the new Department of Government Efficiency, poking fun at the decision to appoint two leaders.

With a touch of sarcasm, she questioned if the arrangement was truly "efficient," saying, "The Office of Government Efficiency is off to a great start with two people for one role. Sounds REALLY efficient."

The Office of Government Efficiency is off to a great start with split leadership: two people to do the work of one person.



Yeah, this seems REALLY efficient. https://t.co/XXKvrUAPkE  Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) November 13, 2024

In response, Elon Musk fired back, "Unlike you, neither of us are being paid, so it is very efficient indeed."

Unlike you, neither of us are being paid, so it is very efficient indeed.@DOGE will do great things for the American people. Let history be the judge.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 14, 2024

He went on to add, "@DOGE will do great things for the American people. Let history be the judge."

What is the DOGE department?

The specific workings of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency, nicknamed "DOGE" after the popular meme coin, remain somewhat unclear.

Its also uncertain whether Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will formally join the administration or serve under the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

Trump previously hinted that although Musk would be a key advisor, he wouldn't take on a full-time government role due to his other ventures.

Instead, Musk and Ramaswamy are set to act as external advisors, offering insights to the White House. According to Trump, they will collaborate with the Office of Management and Budget to push for significant government reforms and bring a fresh, entrepreneurial approach to the federal landscape.

To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
Guru Nanak Jayanti 2024 Quotes and WhatsApp Status: Guru Nanak Jayanti also called Nanak Dev Ji Gurpurab or Guru Nanak's Prakash Utsav is celebrated today, November 15. This is one of the most significant occasions in Sikhism, marking the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first of the ten Sikh Gurus and the founder of Sikhism.

On this sacred day, Sikhs honour Guru Nanak Dev Ji by reciting verses from the Guru Granth Sahib, holding spiritual gatherings, and participating in acts of deep devotion. The celebration pays tribute to his teachings and guidance and reinforces the core principles of Sikh philosophy: equality, harmony, and selfless service.

As we celebrate Guru Nanak Dev Ji's 555th birth anniversary today, let us take a moment to reflect on some of his most inspiring quotes with images that you can share with your loved ones or use as WhatsApp statuses and Instagram posts.

Here are some of the most inspiring Guru Nanak Dev's quotes on Gurpurab

1. "Burn worldly love, rub the ashes and make ink of it, make the heart the pen, the intellect the writer, write that which has no end or limit."

Credit: Indiatimes | Guru Nanak Dev Ji's quotes and Whatsapp status on Gurpurab

2. "Even Kings and emperors with heaps of wealth and vast dominion cannot compare with an ant filled with the love of God."

Credit: Indiatimes | Guru Nanak Dev Ji's quotes and Whatsapp status on Gurpurab

3. "Let no man in the world live in delusion. Without a Guru none can cross over to the other shore."

Credit: Indiatimes | Guru Nanak Dev Ji's quotes and Whatsapp status on Gurpurab

4. "Only fools argue whether to eat meat or not. They don't understand truth, nor do they meditate on it. Who can define what is meat and what is plant? Who knows where the sin lies, being a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian?"

Credit: Indiatimes | Guru Nanak Dev Ji's quotes and Whatsapp status on Gurpurab

5. "If the people use the wealth bestowed on them by God for themselves alone or for treasuring it, it is like a corpse. But if they decide to share it with others, it becomes sacred food."

Credit: Indiatimes | Guru Nanak Dev Ji's quotes and Whatsapp status on Gurpurab

6. "Owing to ignorance of the rope the rope appears to be a snake; owing to ignorance of the Self the transient state arises of the individualized, limited, phenomenal aspect of the Self."

Credit: Indiatimes | Guru Nanak Dev Ji's quotes and Whatsapp status on Gurpurab

7. "If there is one God, then there is only His way to attain Him, not another. One must follow that way and reject the other. Worship not him who is born only to die, but Him who is eternal and is contained in the whole universe."

Credit: Indiatimes | Guru Nanak Dev Ji's quotes and Whatsapp status on Gurpurab

8. "There are worlds and more worlds below them, and there are a hundred thousand skies over them. No one has been able to find the limits and boundaries of God. If there be any account of God, then alone the mortal can write the same; but God's account does not finish, and the mortal himself dies while still writing."

Credit: Indiatimes | Guru Nanak Dev Ji's quotes and Whatsapp status on Gurpurab

9. "Whatever be the qualities of the man with whom a woman is united according to the law, such qualities even she assumes, like a river, united with the ocean."

Credit: Indiatimes | Guru Nanak Dev Ji's quotes and Whatsapp status on Gurpurab

10. "Alone let him constantly meditate in solitude on that which is salutary for his soul, for he who meditates in solitude attains supreme bliss."

Credit: Indiatimes | Guru Nanak Dev Ji's quotes and Whatsapp status on Gurpurab

11. "Sing the songs of joy to the Lord, serve the Name of the Lord, and become the servant of His servants."

Credit: Indiatimes | Guru Nanak Dev Ji's quotes and Whatsapp status on Gurpurab

12. "Nanak, the whole world is in distress. He, who believes in the Name, becomes victorious."

Credit: Indiatimes | Guru Nanak Dev Ji's quotes and Whatsapp status on Gurpurab

13. "By singing the Guru's hymns, I, the minstrel spread the Lord's glory. Nanak, by praising the True Name, I have obtained the perfect Lord."

Credit: Indiatimes | Guru Nanak Dev Ji's quotes and Whatsapp status on Gurpurab

14. "Asceticism doesn't lie in ascetic robes or in walking staff nor in the ashes. Asceticism doesn't lie in the earring nor in the shaven head nor blowing a conch. Asceticism lies in remaining pure amidst impurities."

Credit: Indiatimes | Guru Nanak Dev Ji's quotes and Whatsapp status on Gurpurab

15. "That one plant should be sown and another be produced cannot happen; whatever seed is sown, a plant of that kind even comes forth."

Credit: Indiatimes | Guru Nanak Dev Ji's quotes and Whatsapp status on Gurpurab

16. "Whatever kind of seed is sown in a field, prepared in due season, a plant of that same kind, marked with the peculiar qualities of the seed, springs up in it."

Credit: Indiatimes | Guru Nanak Dev Ji's quotes and Whatsapp status on Gurpurab

17. "Let God's grace be the mosque, and devotion the prayer mat. Let the Quran be the good conduct."

Credit: Indiatimes | Guru Nanak Dev Ji's quotes and Whatsapp status on Gurpurab

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Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister George Kotsiras will visit New York, Philadelphia, and Boston as of Friday, to promote scientific diplomacy and networking between Greece and the scientific diaspora.

Specifically, Kotsiras will visit Greek studies chairs/departments at Yale, Harvard,

Brown and Boston Universities and will participate in an event of the Hellenic Network (HIN). He will also have a series of meetings with Greek-American academics, researchers, businesspersons, and professionals, and will pay a visit to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

During his visit to the United States, the deputy minister will meet with Greeks of the diaspora, and church and education agencies, with whom he will exchange views on issues of Greeks abroad in light of the recent presentation of the Foreign Ministry's Strategic Plan for Greeks Abroad 2024-2027 at the ministry.

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Greece is in negotiations with Israel to acquire a sophisticated 2 billion anti-air and anti-drone defense system, according to sources cited by Reuters.

The move is part of Greece's ongoing military modernization efforts, deemed crucial after years of economic recovery following a protracted debt

crisis.

Modeled after Israel's renowned Iron Dome, the system would provide a robust defense against short- and long-range missiles, as well as the growing threat of drones.

The initiative reflects Greece's commitment to enhancing its national security, particularly in light of regional tensions and advancements in air defense technology by neighboring countries, including Turkey.

Despite recent improvements in Greek-Turkish relations, the Greek government remains focused on strengthening its defensive capabilities.

"Our plan is to establish a multi-tiered air and drone defense system," a source revealed following a closed-door meeting led by Defense Minister Nikos Dendias.

Mr. Dendias outlined key elements of the proposed 2024-2035 National Defense Structure, which includes a reduction in military bases, increased personnel availability, and streamlined defense spending. The plan also emphasizes the modernization of Command and Control Systems, the integration of satellite communications, and an upgraded arsenal featuring long-range strategic missiles, unmanned vehicles, and drones.

The overarching goal, according to Greek defense officials, is to enhance Greece's combat effectiveness, establish a comprehensive air defense shield, and solidify its position as a capable and self-reliant force in the Eastern Mediterranean.

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Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis paid a visit on Friday afternoon to a plant nursery in Kapandriti, northeast Attica, where he talked with farmers about the government's initiative to support greenhouse cultivations.

The program is budgeted at 150 million euros, he said, while Mitsotakis also discussed with farmers the rest of the measures taken

to reduce production costs and support the primary sector

"I personally believe a lot in the opportunities we have to improve productivity of the primary sector, and the truth is that when they presented the comparative data related to the productivity of greenhouse cultivations compared to regular cultivations, I was left speechless," the PM said. "Therefore, I asked of the ministry to begin immediately a targeted action, which aims at creating new greenhouses, but also refurbishes old ones," he added.

The aim of the program is to upgrade vegetable production, boosting the primary sector and ameliorating the repercussions of climate change. The move to greenhouse production drastically increases the effectiveness of resources such as water and fertilizers, extends the cultivation period, and protects seeds more, in a controlled environment.

Among other issues the prime minister addressed with farmers were funding for the effort (talks are under way with Piraeus Bank), lack of working hands, cost of electricity, irrigation, and taxation, and he explained the measures the government was taken to resolve them.

   iefimerida.gr
Dr Pelagia Karpathiotaki and CGTN Think Tank

In recent decades, the whole world has been operating in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment with the global players deploying strategies in order to protect their security. Trade disruptions are increasingly likely and strategic dependencies result in economic security

concerns.

In the US, calls in favor of decoupling from China have increased in recent times. The EU has sought to avoid discussion about decoupling from China, but at the same time mitigates US pressure by framing the debate around the notion of de-risking, which has become an organizing principle for the EU since it was first put forward by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in a speech at the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos in January 2023.

According to EU officials, de-risking is motivated by a desire to reduce reliance on a single supplier or to protect against potential economic or geopolitical events. It involves diversifying supply chains, identifying alternative sources of goods and services, and implementing measures to reduce exposure to potential disruptions. Unlike decoupling, de-risking seeks to continue basic trade and investment activitiesonce the risks have been dealt with.

Following the emergence of the EUs de-risking strategy in March 2023, Chinese experts and Chinese authorities expressed the view that the real purpose of the de-risking approach was de-Chinaization as it seems the policies implemented do not aim to reduce any dependencies in any third countries but mainly focus on a single supplier, which is China.Similarly, a Chinese official has argued that the de-risking or decoupling approach to China was a way for the West to impede the regular functioning of international supply chains.

EU-China trade relations

According to Eurostat and the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, as of today the US remains the EUs most important economic partner. Only for imports of goods does China stand out as more important for the EU in relative terms than the US. In 2023, China was the largest partner for EU imports of goods (20.5% of total extra-EU imports) and the third largest partner for EU exports of goods (8.8% of total extra-EU exports). Much of the debate on EU exposure to China focuses on imports of strategic products but many European experts and officials insist that there are other forms of exposure.

Over the past two decades EU imports from China increased almost three times faster than imports from the rest of the world. An important part of the EUs increased exposure to China is the logical result of Chinas explosive economic growth during that time. The total size of the Chinese economy (18% of global GDP) is larger than that of the EU (17%), although still behind that of the US (25%). The total value added produced by the Chinese manufacturing sector (a 31% global share) is about equal to that of the US and the EU combined. Parallel to its economic growth, China has rapidly become the leading global goods exporter (from 5% of global exports in 2000 to 18% in 2022). At the same time, the EU is still the worlds number one global exporter (as of 2022), thanks to stronger services exports. This prominent position in international trade (about equal to China, but significantly ahead of the US) continues as a strongpoint for the EU in an increasingly competitive and complex geopolitical environment. The composition of these imports changed in quantity and quality and aligned with Chinas manufacture growth and upgrade. In 1995, textiles, shoes, toys, et cetera represented about 40% of EU imports from China, but today imports from China have shifted towards product groups of a more critical nature, such as electronics and pharmaceutical ingredients.

When it comes to the most imported products from China, telecommunications equipment was the first, although it went down from 63.1 billion in 2022 to 56.3 billion in 2023. Electrical machinery and apparatus (36.5 billion) and automatic data processing machines (36 billion) were the second and third most imported goods, respectively. Motor cars and motor vehicles registered the highest increase in imports (3.5 billion, 36.7% more than in 2022), while organo-inorganic and related compounds recorded the largest decrease (-13 billion; 45.4% less than in 2022).

Figure 3: EU most imported goods from China, 2022 and 2023

Roman Arjona, William Connell, and Cristina Herghelegiu developed an enhanced bottom-up and data-driven methodology to detect EU strategic dependencies using highly disaggregated product-level trade data. Their analysis identified 204 products (HS6) in sensitive industrial ecosystems where the EU experiences an important level of foreign dependencies (rare earth metals, molybdenum, borates, uranium, silicon, permanent magnets). These 204 products represent around 9.2% of the total extra-EU import value. When it comes to origins, China represents about half of this value, followed by the US and Vietnam with 9% and 7%, respectively. In the number of dependent products, China is the first source for 64 of them, followed by the US with 38 and Russia with 15. Examining the number of products rather than the value of imports is crucial since goods, despite facing low import values, may cause significant disruptions to society.

The majority of the EUs strategic dependencies on China and the US present particularly high risks as global single points of failure (SPOFs). A single point of failure (SPOF) is a part of a system that, if it fails, will stop the entire system from working. SPOFs are undesirable in any system with a goal of high availability or reliability, be it a business practice, software application or other industrial system. Contrary to the EUs dependencies on other third countries, the large majority of the EUs dependencies are on China and the US.

EU member-states approach on the de-risking strategy

In May 2024, the European Think Tank Network on China (ETNC)a network of experts from leading think tanks across Europepublished its annual report which examines in detail how the de-risking from China has been implemented at the national level. Among EU Member States, the Netherlands (117 billion), Germany (95 billion), and Italy (48 million) were the largest importers of goods from China, with Czechia (43.7 %) having the highest share for China in its extra-EU imports. The three largest exporters to China in the EU were Germany (97 billion), France (25 billion), and the Netherlands (22 billion). Germany (13.6 %) had the highest share for China in its extra-EU exports.

While de-risking narratives in the EU have thus far focused on China, they are often contextualized in broader discussions on economic security. Countries vary in their understanding and interpretation of the concept, as well as in how they distinguish it from de-coupling. The EU efforts to shift from decoupling to de-risking appears to have been embraced in many countries, at least rhetorically. One probable reason why many countries prefer de-risking over decoupling is the relative ambiguity and flexibility of the de-risking concept.

Does de-risking strategy from China serve the EUs strategic autonomy?

Globalization is entering a new phase. Proponents of slowbalization suggest that the world is experiencing a deceleration in trade liberalization as nations pull back from endorsing open trade, a trend that may be amplified by the current de-risking narrative and could further deepen geo-economic divisions. The IMFs World Economic Outlook, published in July 2023, forecasts a decline in trade growth. Some onlookers have raised concerns about the potential effects of de-risking on the global economy. An accelerating economic security agenda could precipitate economic fragmentation and reshape the global order.

In this context, the EU seeks strategic autonomy, which is often confused with sovereignty, independence, unilateralism, and at times autarky. What autonomy does not necessarily entail is independence, less still unilateralism or autarky. In fact, in so far as multilateralism is a defining feature of the EUs internal constitution and external identity, its instinct will always be to act with others. However, European strategic autonomy is contested. A first criticism is that the EU simply cannot become autonomous in the foreseeable future, certainly not in the critical field of defense where dependence on the US will remain a defining feature. Two less frequently articulated objections to European strategic autonomy seem more pertinent. The first is the risk that the pursuit of strategic autonomy may facilitate an undue concentration of power within the single market by individual companies or groups of member states. The second is that strategic autonomy may indirectly fuel protectionism. On inspection, both these arguments merit attention.

Another critical feature of European strategic autonomy is that the EUs economy is dependent on the US, as the European Union and the United States have the largest bilateral trade and investment relationship and enjoy the most integrated economic relationship in the world. Although overtaken by China in 2020 as the largest trading partner specifically for goods, when services, technology and investment are taken into account, the US remains the EUs largest trading partner by far. Especially in the critical and sensitive area of technology, the EU is highly dependent on the US as shown in the chart below.

Figure 13: Tech professionals believe the EU is too dependent on external countries by technology.

Regarding the 204 identified products HS6, the US is the second source for 38, of which many are SPOFs. Moreover, total US investment in the EU is four times higher than in the Asia-Pacific region and EU foreign direct investment in the US is around 10 times the amount of EU investment in India and China together.

It is clear that the European Union and the United States, as two of the largest economies in the world, are large trading partners and their economies are increasingly intertwined and creating strong dependencies in various sectors, as described above. This close and imbalanced relationship, as it was formed after the Second World War between the US and the EU, without any doubt does not contribute to the strengthening of the EUs strategic autonomy. But in its pursuit of greater strategic autonomy for Europe, by implementing its de-risking strategy, the EU focuses its attention on China.

From July to October 2023, the CCCEU, in collaboration with Roland Berger, conducted a questionnaire survey on about 180 Chinese enterprises to learn about their first-hand experience and insights from the EU market. Chinese enterprises overall rating for the EU business environment dipped for the fourth year but with a mitigated decline, but despite the challenges, 83% of respondent enterprises confirm that they still have faith in the EU market and will continue to expand their presence. The survey also shows that Chinese enterprises believe that the EUs de-risking strategy and trade barriers will harm both China and the EU and impede global economic recovery. In the survey, 76% of respondent enterprises report that their business operations have been negatively impacted by the EUs de-risking strategy.

The EUs de-risking strategy is causing economies across the world to consider nearshoring supply chains. To better develop the business in the European market, enterprises will have to build a regional supply system and face higher operational cost and higher operational risk. Fragmentation of the global market will result in overcapacity in certain areas and harm the long-term prospects of industries.

While trying to lessen its dependency on China and associated vulnerabilities in a number of areas, the EU is fully aware that engaging with China is essential to combat certain global challenges, most notably climate change, but also other issues. Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) in Europe is increasingly concentrated on greenfield investments in the mobility ecosystem. Europe is also reliant on China for solar panels, as approximately 95% of the solar panel modules installed in the EU come from China. Therefore, de-risking from Chinese suppliers might hamper the EUs green energy growth.

A significant proportion of EU goods exports to China contains US inputs. As a result, the EU may be affected by tighter controls by Washington on US exports to China, as these also apply to EU companies whose exports contain critical US inputs. France is among those EU countries that use the highest proportion of US inputs in their exports to China. Given the high proportion of Chinese inputs in EU exports to the United States, the EU and EU companies are also at risk from tighter controls introduced by China on their exports to the United States, which mirror those implemented by the US administration. In this case as well, France is one of the EU countries with the greatest exposure.

De-risking from China will destabilize the EUs own industrial chains. Recent years have witnessed many Chinese suppliers climbing up industrial chains through technological breakthroughs, capacity building, and lean operations and becoming indispensable links in global supply chains. Respondent Chinese enterprises in the CCCEUs survey believe that forced decoupling and de-risking will erode the EUs capability to drive economic recovery. In addition, as Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, said, a decoupling between China and the EU would cause the global economy to suffer a loss in the region of trillions of dollars, or up to 2% of global GDP.

In December 2023, when Chinese President Xi Jinping met with President of the European Council Charles Michel and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, he highlighted that China is willing to treat the EU as a key partner in economic and trade cooperation, a priority partner in scientific and technological cooperation, and a credible partner in industrial chain supply chain cooperation, in pursuit of mutual benefits and win-win results, and to realize common development.

In the same spirit, in June 2023 during a meeting with representatives of major German internationals in Berlin, Chinese Premier Li Qiang noted that it is understandable that all parties have their own security concerns and that what is important is how to reasonably define and guard against risks. He believed companies should take the leading role in risk prevetion, as enterprises have the most direct and acute sense of risks and know how to avoid and respond to them. He also urged continued collaboration, stating that the biggest risk is failure to cooperate.

With both the Chinese and EU sides acknowledging the need to maintain collaboration and hedge against risks, the outcome of the EUs new position will ultimately depend on how far the EU will push the concept and how the strategy will be implemented. The question of several Member States, governments, and experts is how exactly the EU could implement a de-risking strategy with China without foregoing the benefits of trade. The standard answer is that the EU should identify product-level trade dependencies, mainly on the import side, and reduce them, mainly through diversification of suppliers, while otherwise maintaining maximum trade integration.

The post EU and China: Between de-risking and cooperation appeared first on Militaire.gr.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has given the Commissioner of Police, Umoru Ozigi, an ultimatum to put an end to the ongoing cult clashes in the state within 48 hours.

This directive was issued on Thursday, emphasizing the Governors commitment to restoring safety and order in Edo State.

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Okpebholo stressed in a statement, As the Governor of Edo State, cultism cannot be allowed here. We must end it and very fast too.

He further instructed the Commissioner of Police to halt the violence, stating, I have ordered the Commissioner of Police to halt the madness within 48 hours. All those involved in the killings should be stopped.

READ ALSO: I Met Dead Bat On My Bed  But God Was There For Me  Gov Okpebholo

In addition to addressing the cult clashes, the Governor also announced a ban on the Drivers Welfare Association and Network Empowerment in the State, citing their involvement in causing trouble, particularly in Benin City.

He emphasized that these associations cannot operate in Edo State and directed the Commissioner of Police to ensure that his men enforce this ban.

The Governor reaffirmed his campaign promise to prioritize safety, saying, Edo must be safe. That was one of my key priorities during the campaigns, and I plan to ensure that we restore it at all costs. We will not fold our arms and allow them to create unnecessary tension.
Moses Korede Are, also known as Baba Gbenro from the iconic Mount Zion series Abattoir, has died, leaving the Nigerian gospel cinema industry in sadness.

Oluwaseun Adejumobi, the actors colleague, confirmed his death on Thursday via his verified Instagram account.

Adejumobi wrote, Heavens Gain Again. A General Has Gone to Rest.

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Another tribute came from gospel actor Zoe Adeola, who posted on X, Rest in peace, Baba Gbenro. Your role in Abattoir will definitely leave a great memory of you in our minds. So painful.

Michael Adelakun, a colleague and founder of Paramount Ministry, revealed to PUNCH Online, He is dead. Baba has been battling with diabetes for a while now.

However, as of press time, Adelakun was unable to confirm the cause of his death.

Korede Are, fondly known as Baba Gbenro, was born on June 11, 1959.

Before relocating to southwestern Nigeria for further schooling, he studied in Plateau State after receiving some of his early education while growing up in Kano State, Nigeria.

READ MORE: Peter Okoye Alleges Paul, Judes Legal Efforts To Remove Song Winning From Streaming Platforms

Following his academic pursuits, he completed his National Youth Service Corps program in Jigawa State.

Baba Gbenro founded Calvary Movies Drama Ministry in Ogbomoso, Nigeria, on September 2, 1995, and served as its International President.

Through this ministry, he employed theatre evangelism to spread the word.

He also worked as the CEO of Calvary Movies Television, an online Christian streaming service focused on drama and evangelism.

Throughout his career, he worked with other prominent individuals in the gospel cinema industry, such as Toluwalope Israel Adegbo and Evangelist Damilola Mike-Bamiloye.

His involvement in the television series Abattoir solidified his name in gospel drama, where he was widely known as Baba Gbenro.
Young Chinese female swordsmith introduces ancient Longquan sword-making technique to netizens via livestreaming

People's Daily Online) 11:06, November 15, 2024

Zou Qi, a 28-year-old female swordsmith from east China's Zhejiang Province, is leveraging livestreaming to showcase swords made in Zhejiang's Longquan city, which is renowned for its traditional sword-making craft.

Born into a family of swordsmiths, Zou has been learning to forge swords for four years, following in the footsteps of her father Zou Jianming.

Zou Qi, a 28-year-old female swordsmith from Longquan city, east China's Zhejiang Province, learns to forge sword blanks under the guidance of her father Zou Jianming. (Yangtse.com/courtesy of Zou Qi)

Zou Jianming is a provincial-level representative inheritor of the Longquan sword-making technique, which has been designated as a national-level intangible cultural heritage.

According to Zou Qi, Longquan swords have developed four defining characteristics over the craft's thousands of years of history: toughness and sharpness, a balance of strength and flexibility, a dazzling shine, and exquisite decorations.

Zou Qi's family operates a time-honored sword workshop established by her great-grandfather during the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

The workshop, known as Yuanyuan sword workshop, is currently situated in Longquan sword town, a Longquan sword-themed tourist attraction in Guangyuan street, Longquan city.

Zou Jianming is the third-generation successor of the workshop. He excels in traditional techniques such as hand-engraved copper reliefs and soldering, and has innovatively blended traditional carving techniques with Longquan sword forging craftsmanship over the past 40-plus years since he took over the workshop.

As the future head of the workshop, Zou Qi has not only learned Longquan sword-making technique from her father, but received guidance from Shen Xinpei, a master swordsmith in Longquan who has been appointed as a national-level inheritor of the Longquan sword-making technique.

Zou Qi, a 28-year-old female swordsmith from Longquan city, east China's Zhejiang Province, learns to carve intricate patterns on swords. (Yangtse.com/courtesy of Zou Qi)

In her livestreaming shows, Zou Qi displays various types of Longquan swords in detail and provides in-depth cultural insights into the swords. She also engages with viewers by answering their questions about Longquan swords, helping them understand how to distinguish between swords made with different techniques and the characteristics of swords in the Han Dynasty (202 B.C.-220 A.D.) and sabers in the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

According to Zou Qi, the creation of a sword mainly consists of tasks involving three major parts: the blade, decorations, and scabbard, each requiring familiarity with hundreds of steps and methods.

The sword-making industry today has condensed these steps into 28 key steps, including refining, forging, shaping, filing, engraving, copper inlaying, cold forging, quenching, polishing, and more, she said.

As her short videos and livestreaming shows caught the attention of more and more netizens, many internet users praised her decision to choose a career as a swordsmith, while some doubted whether her identity as a female swordsmith is just a marketing gimmick.

"Can a woman really persist in wielding such a heavy hammer?" they questioned.

Zou Qi explained that she is not the only woman learning sword-making, and there are several highly skilled female swordsmiths in Longquan.

Although women may not match men in physical strength, they have their own advantages, she said, noting that Longquan swords are renowned for their intricate decorations, and female swordsmiths can give full play to their meticulousness and excel at designing and creating delicate sword decorations.

Zou Qi, a 28-year-old female swordsmith from Longquan city, east China's Zhejiang Province, performs with a sword crafted in a sword-making workshop run by her family. (Yangtse.com/courtesy of Zou Qi)

Moreover, in the era of short videos and livestreaming, women can play an important role in introducing Longquan swords to more people and expanding their market through online platforms, she added.

With her father's assistance, Zou Qi has successfully forged several swords, with her proudest work being a sword named "phoenix rebirth."

She explained that while men often prefer dragon motifs, the phoenix, which symbolizes rebirth, can strike a chord with female customers.

The name also reflects her own journey of leaving her comfort zone to enter the sword-making industry, Zou Qi disclosed.

Sword-making is a niche industry that involves toilsome, messy, and tiring tasks, with a lengthy learning process, Zou Qi said. Nowadays, few young people, especially women, choose to enter this trade, she added.

Zou Qi majored in business administration during her university studies, and worked in Hangzhou, capital Zhejiang Province, after graduation.

Growing up in the workshop of her family, which is filled with the clanging of hammers and the smell of rust and coal, Zou Qi didn't find sword-making particularly remarkable when she was young, and was eager to explore beyond her hometown, she recalled.

As she explored the outside world, she realized that Longquan, her hometown, is quite famous, and many people with a dream of becoming a martial arts expert admired her background as a member of a family of swordsmiths. This experience led Zou Qi to develop a new appreciation for her father's profession.

In addition to taking on apprentices, her father also serves as a specially appointed teacher at a local vocational school, where he often teaches students and passes on his skills. This prompted Zou Qi to reevaluate her family's traditional craft.

Seeing her father aging, she felt a sense of responsibility to learn and carry on this craft.

Four years ago, she quit her job in Hangzhou and returned to her hometown to study the craft of sword-making.

Zou Qi said that her parents have two daughters, and her younger sister is currently studying medicine at a university in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, and may pursue a career as a doctor in the future.

"One of us should stay here to take over and pass on the craft," she said, adding that despite the daily hammering, she finds joy in her work.

Determined to persist in learning and preserving the sword-making culture, Zou Qi wants swords to be not only displayed in museums but also integrated into people's lives as unique decorations.

Swords represent a romantic symbol that belongs to the Chinese people, she said.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Portable, a controversial Nigerian artist, has ignited a social media firestorm by diminishing Olamides contribution to his rise to fame.

In a recent TikTok live stream shared on X Friday, Portable asserted that his success cannot be solely attributed to the rappers collaboration on the hit track Zazu Zeh in 2021.

Portable acknowledged Olamides assistance but emphasized that he was already gaining popularity before their collaboration.

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Portable questioned Olamides continued support, asking, Since he helped me, has he ever posted me on his story?

He expressed gratitude for Olamides contribution but highlighted his own efforts in maintaining success.

Portable also recognized other influential figures, such as Tunde Ednut and Skepta, for their roles in his career.

READ MORE: Olu Of Warris Wife Pens Emotional Tribute To Mark 10th Wedding Anniversary

He said, Is it Olamide that posted me and got me famous? Hes my helper, yes but I was already famous before he helped me.

These are two different things; he didnt come to meet me suffering. Everyone wanted to mingle with me at the time and it even caused some issues. But lets even talk about it, since that time that Olamide helped me, has he ever posted me on his story? , I thank God for what he did but still, what year did he help me? Its not the same feature that Ive been using to fend for myself all this while.

Did he ever post me or repost any of my singles? Dont tell me rubbish. I helped myself, please! Ive even been backlisted in the industry. Abeg, if you no see me, I no see you! What would you now say about Skepta, who did a Collab with me? It was Tunde Ednut who helped me by posting my freestyle; people were already looking for me before Olamide.

Let me remind everyone, it was an old video that brought me into the limelight. The reason many avoid associating with me now is that they are aware I understand my worth. I am a superstar, and I will not be silenced!


A disturbing incident has shaken the Sagamu community in Ogun State, as 28-year-old Samuel Ani was apprehended for allegedly defiling and impregnating a 14-year-old girl.

According to the state Police Command, Ani was caught in the act on Wednesday at 2 pm.

The commands spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the arrest on Thursday, stating, The father, known only as Paul, reported the crime to the division, alleging that the suspect defiled and impregnated his daughter.

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Odutola added, The 28-year-old suspect has been arrested and detained. The survivor has been taken to a hospital for medical examination. The matter will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department once the preliminary investigation is completed.

READ ALSO: Court Sentences Cleric To Life Imprisonment For Allegedly Defiling Teenager In Lagos

This incident echoes a similar case in May, where a 70-year-old landlord, Adesina, was arrested for defiling and impregnating his tenants 14-year-old daughter in the Ifesowapo, Akute area.

The repeated occurrences of such heinous crimes have raised concerns about the safety and protection of minors in the State.

The police assure that investigations are ongoing, and justice will be served.

The State Police Command urges anyone with information or witnessing similar incidents to report immediately.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has called on the people of Ondo State to make a bold statement about their commitment to good governance by voting in the forthcoming governorship election on Saturday.

In a Thursday newsletter titled Its Time to Make a Bold Statement, Makinde emphasized the importance of Nigerians demonstrating that their dissatisfaction and frustrations can drive meaningful change.

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Makinde urged supporters of good governance to cast their votes for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing the Partys potential to address Nigerias challenges as opposed to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

READ ALSO: 2027: Nigerians Must Unite Against APCs Failure  Gov Makinde

Let all supporters of good governance stand up and say enough of the APC and its lack of people-centred policies, he stated.

The Governor also highlighted the PDPs capability to rescue the nation from its current economic difficulties, pointing to developmental strides in PDP-led states as evidence.

Tell everyone you know that the PDP is the party that can rescue Nigeria, Makinde said.

Makindes appeal comes as the PDP Governors, including Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, have warned against rigging in the election.

They advised voters to monitor their votes and ensure they do not leave polling centers after exercising their votes.

The Ondo State governorship election is set to take place on Saturday, November 16, with the PDPs Agboola Ajayi facing off against other candidates, including the Labour Partys Olusola Ebiseni and the APCs Lucky Aiyedatiwa.


The Labour Party has dismissed reports that its gubernatorial candidate, Olusola Ebiseni, was disqualified by the Appeal Court, urging Nigerians to disregard the judgment.

The Partys Chairman in Ondo State, Remilekun Ojo, on Thursday described the reports as all lies, insisting that the matter was resolved internally before the judgment.

We are not distracted by this misleading news, said Hon. Samuel Boniface, the Labour Party youth leader in the State.

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He alleged that desperate politicians from other parties, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are trying to cause confusion within the Labour Party because they feel threatened.

Boniface claimed that he was offered over N100 million by PDP stakeholders to collapse the Labour Party structure into their Party, but he declined.

I have my own future. I cant sell my conscience like that, he said.

The Labour Party also added it is suing media platforms that reported Ebisenis disqualification, citing lack of evidence.

With the election just two days away, such reports coming out now are disruptive, so we are suing the paper.

READ ALSO: Ondo Guber: Appeal Court Sacks LP Candidate, Ebiseni

Why would they claim that our candidate was removed from the race? They dont have any evidence to support that.

If you check the INEC portal, you will see our candidate there, so who removed him? Boniface asked.

The Appeal Courts judgment overturned an earlier ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which validated Ebisenis candidacy.

However the Party maintains that Ebiseni remains its candidate for the November 16 gubernatorial election.

In a related development, Dame Olabisi Okunniyi, the Labour Partys deputy governorship candidate, hailed the Appeal Court judgment, saying its a victory for the rule of law.

However, this seems to contradict the partys stance on Ebisenis candidacy.

The Labour Party has fielded Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi as its governorship candidate, according to its national publicity secretary, Obiora Ifoh.

The Party further urgesd its supporters to ignore the controversy and vote for its candidates on Saturday.
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has reiterated that Northern Governors are not entirely opposed to tax reforms proposed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubus administration.

Instead, he noted, they are specifically against the removal of Value-Added Tax (VAT) from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

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Sule emphasized this during the launch of innovative tax digital codes initiated by the State Board of Internal Revenue Services in Lafia, the State capital.

Let me make it categorically clear, we are not against the tax reforms. There are so many good things about the tax reforms that Mr. President is putting forward, he said on Thursday.

He explained that the issue lies in the potential economic hardship the VAT removal could cause in the northern region.

The Governor pointed out that taking VAT out of FAAC would allocate 60% of it to derivation, introducing complexities in consumption-based taxation.

READ ALSO: Kano Lawmaker Backs Tinubus Controversial Tax Reform Bills, Says It Wont Undermine Northern Region

The moment you take VAT out of FAAC, you are taking 60 percent of that to go to derivation, he said.

Drawing from his experience as a former Managing Director, Sule illustrated the challenges in tracking consumption, citing an example of a customer ordering 200 trucks but distributing them across multiple locations.

He added: If you say you are going to go by consumption, you are going to charge the VAT of the 200 trucks to Maiduguri. But in reality, at the point of distribution, he would now tell me to bring only 10 trucks to Maiduguri.

The Northern States Governors Forum, representing 19 northern states, previously rejected the proposed shift to a derivation-based model for VAT distribution, deeming it unfair to the region.

President Tinubu had submitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly on October 13, including the Nigeria Tax Bill and Tax Administration Bill.

Sules clarification comes amidst ongoing discussions on the tax reforms, highlighting the need for careful consideration to avoid economic hardship in the North.
Philadelphia graffiti artist Darryl "Cornbread" McCray poses in front of the mural Thats My Life, My Path, My Destiny by Cesar Viveros, installed with the support of Mural Arts on Lehigh Avenue in 2005 in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. Read more

Philadelphia is called the Mural Capital of the World  a reputation it owes in part to the legendary street artist Darryl McCray, whos regarded as the Godfather of graffiti.

McCray, better known as Cornbread, began inscribing his name onto the walls of his juvenile center in the mid-1960s, becoming a living landmark to those who later celebrated his contributions to hip-hop and the world of street art.

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The Brewerytown native built his reputation as the king of the walls as a teenager. He tagged stone-covered buildings, construction sites, a police car, the hind side of a Philadelphia Zoo elephant, and even a jet owned by the Jackson 5. More often than not, his insignia would be buffed from the citys walls, but his imprint inspired a wave of artists in Philly and New York City during the 1960s and 70s  and later the hip-hop revolution.

McCray said Phillys artistic movement helped spark the genre, with former graffiti writers eventually transitioning to the art of rhyme. The two intersect like North Philly cross streets, with each discipline influencing the other over the decades.

I dont like when they say graffiti isnt hip-hop, McCray said. There would be no hip-hop without graffiti. There are a lot of original pioneers of hip-hop culture, but a big percentage were already street artists who were doing other things. Graffiti is a world culture with a small community that still makes a big impact.

At 70, McCray is no longer bombing his signature across the city, but the pride he takes in Phillys graffiti culture remains intact. Hes now a mural ambassador on a mission to stop random vandals from defacing the murals that define his beloved hometown.

Its the vandals that ruin the art, McCray said. We have renegades who just dont care. Theyre even putting their names on the defaced murals, he said when The Inquirer caught up with him on his way to the mural My Life, My Path, My Destiny by artist Cesar Viveros, which was sullied by a series of graffiti tags.

Its a fight that is hardly new for McCray.

Back in 2013, he put together the Graffiti Summit, which was attended by a lot of city officials, writers, and barbers. Together, they conjured ideas to stop the destruction of murals, which included a local taskforce to regularly maintain and clean the public artworks. But in the years since the event, McCray fears the issue may have worsened.

Every time a mural is destroyed, it becomes a hurt piece, he said. This is an issue thats been overlooked for some years. For the most part, the general public isnt aware of the ongoing sabotage. The only thing we can do is try [to fix it].

McCray suspects there were a few vandals who attended the Graffiti Summit, but they didnt make themselves known, he said. But someone who stepped in as an ally was Mural Arts executive director Jane Golden, whos been friends with McCray since her first days at the arts organization, then known as the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network.

Shes a real good close friend of mine, and shes the reason why Philadelphia looks the way it does, McCray said of Golden. I love [her]. We share legacies and have changed Philadelphia together.

Golden said the summit was a success. Several spray and brush-made murals came out of the event, all of which went untouched.

Like the use of mosaic, fresco, acrylic, oil, and other artistic mediums, spray is another tool in the creative toolbox. It just requires permission, which she feels current graffiti writers are too often ignoring.

Many writers today have different values and that is too bad, Golden said. By sharing techniques and learning from each other, there is great mutuality. Destroying art is a lose-lose proposition. Nobody wins.

Most of the citys murals had gone untouched since the Graffiti Summit, and even as far back as Goldens start at Mural Arts 40 years ago. But she said theres been an uptick in defacements since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Golden said past graffiti writers had an unspoken agreement to avoid churches, private homes, and murals, but it seems todays artists dont operate by the same accord.

Last year, Golden said Mural Arts spent $60,000 to remove graffiti, and the recent spike in vandalism is eating away the soul of the city.

Murals in the city of Philadelphia are civic assets and it is an insult to the artists, to the community, to Mural Arts, to everyone who was part of the experience of bringing the work of art to life, she said.

To stop the desecration, McCray said he has his eyes on a second summit, which would also honor the legacies of pioneering artists like Dr. Cool, Sank, Mutt, Kool Kev, Cupcake, and other influencers.

This summit, he hopes, will inspire further advocacy, community-wide collaboration, and deter vandals from spraying their tags over these public works. There needs to be artists talking about the destruction of the murals, and how much some people want to see the beauty and jewels of our city destroyed, McCray said.

With McCray at the helm, Golden is hopeful a second Graffiti Summit will encourage current and future graffiti writers to embrace the same values once held by past artists. And by offering creative development and collaboration through Mural Arts programs, a lasting impact can be made in the Philly arts community.

When we avoid judgment and open up doors for opportunity, that provides our society with so much richness, Golden said. Im not saying every graffiti writer has a desire to be an artist. But for those that do, and have the energy to build on their creativity, I think we can give it a try.
"Unknown (Coastal Scene with Apple Tree in Foreground)," an oil painting of Port Clyde, Maine, by N.C. Wyeth from around 1936, is estimated at between $1.2 and $1.8 million. Read more

When L.L. Beans granddaughter, Linda L. Bean, stumbled upon a book of Chadds Ford artist N.C. Wyeths letters at an antiques show in 1992, it ignited a lifelong fascination with the Wyeth family of artists, resulting in a collection of 20 of their paintings estimated at more than $3 million dollars.

Now the late Beans private collection of Wyeth works  including paintings by Newell Convers (better known as N.C.), Andrew, Jamie, and others  will be auctioned online and in New York City on Tuesday by Bonhams, a global network of auction houses headquartered in London.

Among the pieces expected to fetch the highest bids is Unknown (Coastal Scene with Apple Tree in Foreground), an oil painting of Port Clyde, Maine, by N.C. Wyeth from around 1936; its estimated at between $1.2 and $1.8 million, according to Bonhams.

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Many of the Wyeth works in Beans collection are of scenes and people in Maine, where Bean was a lifelong resident until her death in March at the age of 82. It is also where the Wyeth family spent summers starting in 1920, when N.C. bought a home in Port Clyde he named Eight Bells, after a famous Winslow Homer painting.

Bean lived in Port Clyde the last 17 years of her life, where she ran the Wyeths by Water boat tour, the Dip Net Restaurant, and the towns General Store, above which she created the Maine Wyeth Art Gallery. All three were destroyed in a fire last year along with three original Jamie Wyeth paintings, an original N.C. Wyeth illustration, and a trove of books, prints, and other memorabilia, according to the Portland Press Herald.

In 2018, Bean founded the N.C. Wyeth Research Foundation and Reading Libraries, which includes properties in Port Clyde and Chadds Ford. She was also a former trustee at the Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art in Chadds Ford, where there is a gallery named after her.

Its not clear how close Bean was to members of the Wyeth family. The patriarch, N.C. Wyeth, a renowned painter and illustrator who was Beans favorite, died in 1945 when his car was hit by a train at railroad crossing in Chadds Ford.

According to the New York Times, Bean met at least once with Andrew Wyeth, N.C.s son and a celebrated artist in his own right, during a visit to the Wyeth family farm in Chadds Ford. Jamie Wyeth, Andrews son, also a famous painter and portrait artist, told the Times that Bean had a big heart but said (while laughing) her obsessiveness with the Wyeths can be intrusive.

Other Wyeth works owned by Bean being auctioned next week include Self Portrait in Top Hat and Cape, an oil painting by N.C. Wyeth that dates to around 1927 and is valued at $400,000 to $600,000; The Gam, a 1938 watercolor-and-graphite work on paper of boaters in Maine by Andrew Wyeth, estimated at between $100,000 and $150,000; and Dead Cat Museum, Monhegan Island, a 1999 oil portrait by Jamie Wyeth of a boy on Maines Monhegan Island with a handwritten sign that reads: Kyles Dead Cat Museum. See the Cats 50 Cents, Lemonade 10 Cents. Nintendo (no accessories) $10-20. Mackerel  The piece is estimated at between $300,000 and $500,000.

Additional works by those artists and other members of the Wyeth family, including Anne Wyeth McCoy and Henriette Wyeth, will be included in the auction and can be found online at Bonhams.com.

Along with being a family shareholder in the outdoor gear company founded by her grandfather, Leon Leonwood Bean, and serving on its board of directors for almost 50 years, Linda Bean was also in the wholesale lobster business and had two failed runs as a conservative Republican candidate in Maine for the U.S. House of Representatives.

In 2017, Bean gave $60,000 to Make America Great Again LLC, a PAC supporting Donald Trump, which triggered scrutiny because contributions were limited to $5,000 under the law, according to the Hill.
Ameen Hurst, shown in the front photo, escaped from jail in May 2023 and ignited a 10-day manhunt. Read more

By the time Ameen Hurst becomes eligible for parole, he will be an elderly man  nearly three-quarters of the way to 100 years old, and nearly five times the age he was when he committed the crimes that landed him in prison.

For shooting and killing four people, robbing two convenience stores at gunpoint, and then escaping from prison while awaiting trial, Hurst was sentenced Thursday to 55 to 110 years in prison. The sentence surprised even veteran Philadelphia prosecutors  Hurst, after all, was just 16 when he committed the crimes.

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But as Common Pleas Court Judge J. Scott OKeefe put it, These crimes are outrageous. Depraved, even, he said.

Hurst shot his victims more than a dozen times, prosecutors said, then laughed about it with callousness.

And so, the judge said, Hurst deserved to be behind bars for nearly the rest of his life.

Upon that judgment, Hurst, now 20, held his face in his hands. Then he turned to his lawyer, Gary Silver, in frustration.

You told me, bro! he said with exasperation. He balled his fists and said, I should f you up, before he was led out of the courtroom.

Just moments earlier, Hurst had pleaded for mercy from the judge and forgiveness from the families of the four young people he killed.

First, there was Dyewou Scruggs, 20, shot on Christmas Eve 2020 as he filmed himself on Instagram Live at a bus stop.

Then, a few months later, there were Naquan Smith, 24, and Tamir Brown, 17, people Hurst saw as enemies in a back-and-forth gang war.

Finally, Hurst killed 20-year-old Rodney Hargrove in a case of mistaken identity, shooting him nearly 20 times just outside the gates of a city jail.

And in between those shootings, Hurst admitted, he robbed two convenience stores at gunpoint.

All of this, he and his lawyers said, was because of a rough childhood, mental health struggles, and immaturity. Hurst began receiving mental health treatment at age 10, and unsuccessfully received substance abuse treatment at 12, said one of his lawyers, Lee Mandell.

Hurst said his father was addicted to drugs and absent from his life, and his mother spent four years of his childhood in jail. Floating between houses and guardians, he fell in with the streets, he said, becoming infatuated with guns and crime, and was easily influenced by the negative forces and gangs around him. His actions, he said, were disgusting.

I ask myself every day how I can be so stupid, he said through tears. Im going to use this to better myself  to be the man I know I can be.

Silver asked the judge to take into consideration Hursts age and the trials of his youth and asked for a sentence of 20 to 50 years.

But Hursts words and those of his lawyers were not enough to overcome the words spoken by prosecutors and the five members of Hargroves family.

They remembered the best of Hargrove, whom they affectionately called Roddy: his high-pitched laugh, his love for family, how he never outgrew sleepovers at his Pop Pops.

They also shared the depths of their grief.

Paulette Hackney said that since her nephews killing, his grandmothers health has rapidly declined. She no longer leaves home, Hackney said, and just sits and clutches the dog her grandson left behind as if it was Rodney.

The Rev. John Hargrove III, an uncle, said he can no longer write or preach sermons about forgiveness, one of the most important tenets of his faith.

I have been shaken to my core, he said.

The relatives of the three other victims were too frightened to attend the sentencing, prosecutors said.

Assistant District Attorneys Anthony Voci and Ed Jaramillo spoke on their behalf.

Voci showed a collection of photos of Hurst holding up guns, saying he glorifies guns, gun culture, and gun violence.

I give him very little credit for accepting responsibility, he said, noting the overwhelming evidence against him. He had no hand to play.

Among that evidence was a series of videos of Hurst during a video call from jail, where he bragged about the murders and mocked the victims and their last words with laughs.

Jaramillo read the victims pleas for help aloud  how Scruggs yelled out for mercy, and Smith and Brown screamed theyd been hit in the neck and groin.

Each one of these victims was a different person, and every one of them cried out, he said.

Of the victims, he told the judge: You need not worry about sentencing them. They were sentenced to death.

Hursts lawyers tried to explain how far he had come in the three years since he was arrested. The Rev. Damone Jones, who mentored Hurst while he was incarcerated, said he has seen him mature and feel remorse for what he had done.

But prosecutor Brett Zakeosian said no one who had learned from his mistakes would plot to escape jail  as Hurst did in May 2023, igniting a 10-day manhunt  and then spend his time on the lam recording a rap song to brag about what hed done.

He holds contempt for the law, the prosecutor said.

When OKeefe pronounced his lengthy sentence, the courtroom erupted in whispers and sobs. Nearly 60 people had come in support of Hurst, and filled the benches behind him.

As Hurst stood up to leave, some yelled out that they loved him. He tried to turn back, struggling briefly in the doorway, before he was led out of the room in shackles, back to a cell and a life behind bars, where he would sleep for decades to come.
Police at the scene in Fairmount Park of the June 14 shooting that killed 17-year-old Isya Stanley and wounded four other teens. Read more

Philadelphia police announced Thursday the arrest of a 16-year-old boy in a Fairmount Park shooting in June that killed a 17-year-old girl and wounded four other teens.

Zayaan Carroll was charged as an adult with murder, aggravated assault, gun violations, and related offenses for the June 14 shooting that killed Isya Stanley, who had just graduated from Freire Charter High School and was set to attend Morgan State University in Maryland.

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Carroll was arrested Wednesday by the U.S. Marshals Service, said Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore at a City Hall news conference attended by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel, District Attorney Larry Krasner, and other officials.

Vanore said investigators determined Carroll was engaged in a shootout with another person who has not yet been identified, and all the victims were bystanders who were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Assistant District Attorney Anthony Voci Jr. said a break in the case occurred when a Philadelphia police officer made a routine stop of another 16-year-old boy and recovered a gun and a phone.

A ballistics test on that gun confirmed that it was used in the shooting of Stanley and the other teens, Voci said.

The boys phone revealed conversations with Carroll, and investigators got a search warrant for Carrolls Instagram account, which revealed discussions about the shooting, Voci said.

Zayaan Carroll had a hot gun. He needs to get rid of it. He passes it off to this kid, who gets arrested with the gun, and now were on to Zayaan Carroll. And lo and behold, we get into his Instagram, and hes got messages that day that suggest he was there and he was shooting. And then we get witnesses, Voci said.

The night of June 14 approximately 100 teens were drawn to a meetup organized on social media to Fairmount Park near the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood, along Greenland Drive near 33rd Street and Ridge Avenue.

The gunfire erupted around 10:50 p.m. and Stanley was shot in the chest and shoulder. She was transported to Temple University Hospital, where she died 20 minutes later. The wounded victims included an 18-year-old woman, a 14-year-old boy, and two 15-year-old boys.

Social media was a big part of this, Vanore said.

The meetup in Fairmount Park was promoted by some of the same people who then organized a meetup on July 4 in Kingsessing that was the scene of a late-night shooting on the 1900 block of South Salford Street that killed a 19-year-old man and wounded eight others, Vanore said.

Around 11:30 p.m., as the party died down, a gunman in a white Toyota Highlander pulled up and fired 17 shots into the lingering crowd.

Maurice White Quann, who helped to promote the party, was shot in the face and pronounced dead a short time later at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.

Police said Quann, who was close friends with Stanley, was an innocent bystander.

The Toyota Highlander was located a short time later in Lansdowne, with bullet casings scattered through the vehicle.

The shooter in that case remains at large, and it is unclear if Carroll had any involvement.

We cant say one way or another that Carroll is connected to that other case, Voci said.
Mirvan Dinler (center) speaks with his attorney, Shaka Johnson, as they leave district court in Newtown Square. Dinler, 26, has been charged with raping a Villanova University student inside her dorm room after she hired him to drive her there in an Uber. Read more

A Montgomery County man who prosecutors say raped a Villanova University student who hired him through Uber to drive her to her dorm denies the allegations and will vigorously fight the charges in court, his lawyer said Thursday.

Mirvan Dinler, of Trappe, should and will be vindicated, lawyer Shaka Johnson said, because there are glaring, glaring cracks in the womans account of what happened that night.

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This case is about credibility, who you believe, Johnson said after Dinlers preliminary hearing in Newtown Square. So far youve only heard one story ... but there will be a different version coming shortly, believe me.

Assistant District Attorney Danielle Gallaher declined to comment after the hearing before District Judge Sloan Walker.

Dinler, 26, was charged with rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, and related crimes on Oct. 3, in connection with the reported rape a month earlier on the universitys campus in Radnor.

 READ MORE: A woman sued Villanova University, saying the schools negligence led to her rape

The woman, a senior at Villanova, testified Thursday that she had been drinking with friends in a dorm room and later an apartment before the groups planned trip to Warehouse on Watts, a bar in North Philadelphia.

In about two hours, the woman said, she drank three glasses of wine and two shots, an amount of alcohol that was unusually large for her. After arriving at the bar in the city, the woman said she felt dizzy and ill, and decided to return home.

I knew I wasnt feeling good, and I didnt want my friends to have to babysit me, she said.

She ordered an Uber on her phone, and Dinler arrived in his Toyota Prius to pick her up, according to testimony Thursday. The woman said she doesnt remember much afterward, aside from texting one of her friends and apologizing for having to leave so abruptly.

Her next memory, she said, was waking up, drunk and disoriented, as Dinler raped her inside her dorm room. She said she was too terrified to fight back or call out for help.

I decided to lay there and let it happen because he was a stranger, and I didnt know what was going on, or whether he would harm her further if she resisted, she said.

 READ MORE: Former Villanova football player found not guilty of attempted rape

Investigators said surveillance footage captured Dinler helping walk the woman to her dorm, and that her student-issued key card unlocked her dorm room door minutes later.

Dinler left after the assault, the woman said, but returned moments later, banging loudly on her door. She tried to ignore him, hoping he would leave, until her floors resident assistant told her to come outside.

Dinler had told the RA he would not leave until the woman paid him to cover the costs of cleaning up his car after she vomited on the ride back from Philadelphia.

She handed Dinler her phone and paid him through an app, she said, because it was clear to her that he wouldnt leave otherwise.

Dinlers attorney, Johnson, said his client denies the allegations. He, too, was a student majoring in computer science at a different college, Johnson said, working to support himself and his wife by driving for Uber.

Judge Walker ruled that prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to county court, where Dinler will be arraigned on Jan. 2.
Superintendent Kwame Morton acknowledged the mistake and said the names were removed last week from the OPRAmachine, a website that assists requestors with accessing public records. Read more

The Cherry Hill school district has been accused of violating student privacy by mistakenly releasing the names of at least 92 students whose families opted-out of sex-education classes in the 2022-23 school year.

The names of the elementary school students were released in September 2023 in response to an Open Public Records Act request seeking information about how many parents were excluding their children from classes after the state adopted new controversial standards on sex-education concepts that include gender identity, puberty, and masturbation.

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 READ MORE: Heres why the revised sex-education standards in N.J. are controversial.

The families of an additional 82 children were also notified that their names may have been released, Superintendent Kwame Morton said this week.

Morton acknowledged the mistake and said the names were removed last week from the OPRAmachine, a website that assists requesters with accessing public records, where the 2023 request had been filed. Morton said the names were redacted in the districts PDF files, but showed up when they were converted to a different format by OPRAmachine.

Cherry Hill used the incorrect redaction procedure to format a digital record, and that allowed the names to appear despite being blacked out, said Charlie Kratovil, a leader of the OPRAmachine.

District lawyers sent a letter to the website to get the names removed once they were made aware. The district has implemented new security measures, Morton said, and employees were also retrained on confidentiality rules.

In no way shape or form was the intention to release any names, Morton said Wednesday. The important thing is not ever is it our intention to harm any child.

In a complaint submitted online last month, parent and former school board candidate Harvey Vazquez asked the U.S. Department of Education to investigate whether the district violated the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, which protects students privacy and education records.

Vazquez, whose 6-year-old son was on the opt-out list, brought up the issue last month at a school board meeting, where Morton says he was first made aware.

Vazquez said the students whose names were made public without parental consent attended Russell Knight, Bret Harte, Richard Stockton, and Thomas Paine elementary schools. A parent notified the district about the release of the names in November 2023, but nothing was done, he said.

Morton confirmed that no action was taken, but said he was not informed about the release at the time.

A lot of parents are upset, said Vazquez. Somebody needs to be held accountable.

The unauthorized disclosure came to light during a hotly contested race for three school board seats in Cherry Hill among Vazquez and nine others. Vazquez said he discovered the release after he began investigating the New Jersey Public Education Coalition, which labeled three other candidates in the race as like-minded. Vazquez narrowly lost.

The coalition, which touts itself as a nonpartisan group of educators, parents, and other stakeholders, made the OPRA request as part of a statewide project surveying districts. The group wanted to dispute claims that a majority of New Jersey parents had opted out of the new sex-education standards, said its founder Michael Gottesman.

The revised guidelines, which took effect in 2022, prompted an outcry from some parents. The state allowed districts to decide whether to amend their curricula to meet the expectations of what students should learn by the end of second, fifth, eighth, and 12th grade. Parents who believe the instruction conflicts with their moral or religious beliefs may have the student excused from that portion of the course.

Gottesman said the coalitions survey results were analyzed by an outside vendor, and the coalition never saw the students names. He said he only recently learned that names had been disclosed.

As a coalition, we would never release that type of information, Gottesman said.

Bridget Palmer, one of the newly elected school board members, said she wanted the district to make policy changes to protect students privacy and prevent information from mistakenly being released.

There is no arguing that there was a huge mistake made, Palmer said. You cant undo what has already been done, but we can take steps to make sure it never happens again.

Vazquez wants the district to better explain how the lapse occurred, and wants there to be disciplinary action against anyone found responsible.

There needs to be a public apology, he said. Thats the least they can do.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education rescinded its Culturally-Relevant and Sustaining Education guidelines as part of a settlement with several western Pennsylvania school districts, teachers and parents, who said the guidelines were imposed illegally. Read more

Pennsylvania has rescinded its cultural competency standards for teachers, after a conservative legal group filed a lawsuit last year that claimed they were issued illegally and violated teachers First Amendment rights.

Under a settlement reached Wednesday with several Western Pennsylvania school districts, teachers, and parents who were plaintiffs in the case, the Pennsylvania Department of Education agreed to notify all K-12 schools that they have no legal obligation to implement or comply with the Culturally Relevant and Sustaining Education guidelines.

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Those guidelines had directed teachers to reflect on their own biases, work to remove bias from the education system, and recognize and challenge microaggressions, among other standards.

Instead, the department agreed to issue Common Ground Framework guidelines  which appear to mostly incorporate the former version, but include additional sections on understanding student trauma and engaging with technology, under information released Friday.

The department will not require school districts to use the guidelines.

Heres what to know about the now-rescinded guidelines, the lawsuit, and what happens now:

What were the culturally relevant guidelines?

As part of a standard enacted in 2022 requiring Pennsylvania teachers to be trained in culturally relevant education, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued guidelines with nine competencies it said professional development and educator preparation programs were required to incorporate.

In part, the competencies called on teachers to reflect on their own cultural lens, including their connection to different identity groups; design culturally relevant learning that would enable students to identify and question economic, political, and social power structures; and provide equitable and differentiated opportunities to learn, within an environment that challenges stereotypes and biases about the intelligence, academic ability, and behavior of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and other historically marginalized learners.

Proponents said the guidelines stemmed from a need to better prepare all teachers to educate a diverse student body, and to better support  and, hopefully, retain  teachers of color, who have been underrepresented in Pennsylvanias classrooms.

Why were they challenged?

In April 2023, a group of Western Pennsylvania school districts, teachers, and parents sued the Pennsylvania Department of Education, saying it had imposed the new competencies without following a required rule-making process.

The public schools, teachers, and parents never had an opportunity to be heard on these issues, said Thomas W. King III, a lawyer for the plaintiffs. King previously won a lawsuit overturning Pennsylvanias school mask mandate, also by arguing former Gov. Tom Wolfs administration had failed to follow its rule-making process.

But the lawsuit challenging the teacher guidelines  which was financed by the conservative Thomas More Society, a Chicago-based group that has defended antiabortion activists  also claimed that the guidelines violated teachers First Amendment rights.

Theyre quite radical, King said, noting that the competencies included standards for particular beliefs, including for teachers to believe and acknowledge that microaggressions are real.

You cant regulate thought that way, King said.

What happens as a result of the settlement?

Under Pennsylvanias school code, teacher preparation programs are still required to cover culturally relevant education, as are programs for new teachers entering a school district. And while the states guidelines for meeting that requirement are changing, they still include some of the same expectations.

The settlement agreement  made public Wednesday by the plaintiffs  includes a new Common Ground framework that will be issued to K-12 schools statewide, with examples of considerations for professional development. The examples list different factors that could affect students school experiences, including poverty, military families, farming families, homelessness, trauma, and disabilities.

The agreement includes three areas of competencies: cultural awareness; trauma-aware, mental health, and wellness; and technological and virtual engagement. In the settlement agreement, those sections are blank, with each reading competencies will be inserted/linked here on website.

A spokesperson for the Pennsylvania education department, Erin James, said Thursday that the department was finalizing the guidelines and would be contacting schools in the coming days with guidance about the new framework.

On Friday, the department published the completed guidelines on its website, with cultural awareness competencies that largely mirror those previously issued. There is no reference to microaggressions, however; instead, teachers are advised to recognize comments or actions that subtly and often unconsciously or unintentionally express a prejudiced attitude and take steps to educate oneself about the subtle, unintentional ways in which these may be used to harm and invalidate others.

James said Friday that the new framework marked an improvement on previously issued guidance, with an expanded focus on digital literacy, mental health, and trauma  real issues that impact those in all spaces of learning within every Pennsylvania community.

The Pennsylvania Educator Diversity Consortium, which helped develop the former guidelines, said Thursday that it remains committed to helping school leaders ensure that every teacher is prepared to do their best for every student, no matter their background, the groups codirector, Donna-Marie Cole-Malott, an assistant professor of professional and secondary education at East Stroudsburg University, said in an email.

The settlement agreement does not govern colleges and universities and their teacher preparation programs, King said.

It also doesnt bar school districts from following the former guidelines. If there are school boards out there that want to implement regulations like this in their local school districts, thats up to them, King said.
Collection of canapes served at Provenance (from left to right): Caledonian Blue Prawn with tangerine vinegar and kelp salt, (clockwise from the top). Oyster with sweet potato mousseline and golden osetra caviar. Littleneck clam with nduja oil and basil. Mussel with coriander condiment and almond and Maine uni with egg yolk jam on Thursday, October 17, 2024. Read more

Provenance is the most ambitious fine dining restaurant to open in Philly in a minute  and the most over-the-top French haute cuisine situation its seen in years. When it was announced, chef Nicholas Bazik, a veteran of the Philly scene, did little to tamp down expectations, declaring in an interview that Provenance would be a restaurant that cant be replicated anywhere with food that cant be reproduced  because it shouldnt be. It isnt meant to be full of regulars.

In his recent review , Inquirer critic Craig LaBan noted, When youre paying $225 to sit down for a 2 hour dinner (figure between $700 or $800 for two all-in with tip and tax, depending on what you drink), there isnt much room for error. He found, however, that details too frequently marred the bigger picture, resulting in only about half of the 47 compositions I tasted over two meals [being] a complete success.

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Deputy editor Margaret Eby and food reporter Kiki Aranita also experienced Provenances extravagant, 23-course dinner, and walked away with their own distinct impressions. Given its unique place in the Philly restaurant scene and the opportunity to walk through how critics and food journalists evaluate restaurants, Provenance seemed to merit further discussion. What follows is a conversation between Craig, Margaret, and Kiki, who all dined there the same night, but at different times.

On the expectations

Craig LaBan, restaurant critic: I was out to dinner the day that article came out introducing Provenance, and Baziks brash interview with Mike Klein was all anyone wanted to talk about. People were genuinely offended that he had implied Phillys restaurants were second rate.

As a critic, though, I wanted to separate myself from that chatter. I very much wanted this review to be a reflection on my own experiences at Provenance, to let it rise and fall on its own real merits.

Margaret Eby, deputy food editor: I think that interview set the stakes of the meal really high. It was, for me, an expectation that this guy has a vision and hes coming in hot here. Hes thrown down the gauntlet.

I went to French culinary school. Bazik made it really clear from the jump that hes a guy in the long tradition of French cuisine, and thats what Provenance is a reflection of. And so I went in both excited  Im a sauce nerd too, lets go.

Kiki Aranita, food reporter ( and chef ): I interview so many cautious chefs with PR people hovering. Its so boring. I want the Philly guy to stick his foot in his mouth, you know?

On the vision and living up to it

CL: Over the course of my meals there, and also in post-meal interview conversations with Nich, it became clear he was aiming for something very, very specific.

I LOVE the idea of updating classic French sauces, from Albufera to salmis. Making great sauces with depth and subtlety is a dying art in this town  and I suspect across America  as kitchens drift away from French fundamentals as the starting point. And then you add all the subtle Korean accents Bazik has absorbed into his repertoire through his marriage, and it can all be very exciting. I appreciate this concept is not a gimmick, but organic to Nichs personal experience.

ME: I do wish it leaned a bit more into the Korean influence! To me, those were the most exciting and interesting parts of the meal. Bazik can make a sauce. That much is clear. Theres a lot of technique on the menu, and much of it is extremely advanced and delicate. Where the meal fell down, for me, is that the technique often seemed like it was on the plate for its own sake, rather than being in the service of flavor.

KA: For me, the story of Provenance is Nichs biography. I love how he uses Korean ingredients in non-Korean ways, how he sources from around us in Philly, and how he applies his French training to things. I dont love the American vision of the traditional French restaurant, where cream and butter star, so I was really happy to see that.

My gut was pleased, too. Im allergic to crustaceans, so they replaced the shrimp in the snacks course with a baby carrot. It was such a creative substitution. The overall experience reminded me and my husband Ari [ Miller, previously of Musi ] more of the food we had recently in Lyon and Paris, and less of say, Le Bec Fin. Theres a playfulness to the menu that I have very rarely seen.

CL: I agree about the playfulness  you see that in the swordfish dish with three sauces, which they encourage you to smear together. Its meant to evoke a steakhouse plate, and sort of irreverent considering all the work that went into making them so pretty.

The setting is beautiful and so are many of the dishes, visually. But too many details tripped several of those plates up. They had one element out of register  to the point where, for me, the tasting never got rolling in a coherent way.

KA: Was everything I had perfect? No  but Im not looking for perfection. I thought this was the most delicious tasting menu Ive had in months. Every dish felt new. This is a rare feeling.

On luxury ingredients

ME: I keep thinking about the dish that had bluefin tuna and truffles, this intensely prepared stack of rare ingredients, and all that nuance was completely washed out by this very powerful gastrique. It seemed so emblematic of the problem: No single element of the dish was poorly done, but the combination of those elements was unbalanced and didnt taste good.

KA: Fine dining can be so incredibly lazy these days, relying on wagyu, foie, caviar, and truffles. Gold leaf is stupid. It tastes like literally nothing. Its refreshing to me when someone is doing fine dining but doesnt rely on those tired luxuries  are they still luxuries if you can get them everywhere?

ME: But Kiki  what about that stopgap truffle?

CL: Ahh, the stopgap truffles! Bazich gave us a dish with an apology before we even took a bite, acknowledging that the truffles werent ideal. I dont understand why any ingredient not in its prime would be used in a $225 tasting menu  unless its just a reflex to give it the requisite sheen of luxury.

KA: Its hard getting away from truffles. Diners have come to expect it. I would encourage everyone to try gamtae instead. I dont think the meal hinged on the truffle, though.

ME: But why include it at all? The truffle illustrates part of the problem. What is this restaurant? Is it just a fancy tasting menu? Whats the point of view here?

KA: Nich, if youre reading this, you dont need truffles. I would hope to see Provenance not rely on the wagyu, the bluefin tuna (although we can get that locally-ish and sustainably so in that context please use it), and the truffles (but use Appalachian truffles from Virginia, which come from our region). I want to see Pa. ingredients elevated because I know Nich can do that.

On the divisive dishes

ME: We should also talk about the trout en croute with the overpowering radish chunks.

CL: Its simply spectacular to look at, but too many things are going on with that dish, where the garnish actually cancels out the delicate crust on that fish. Nich intended to combine two signature dishes from two separate chefs he admires on one plate  a fish en croute from one chef, with the beurre Cancalaise from another. The fish en croute isnt meant to compete texturally with the sauce. But Cancalaise by definition has a lot of tiny veggies mixed in. Had the radishes been diced much finer (they were bigger on our plate than the brunoise in our photo, which taken later) it might have offered an interesting accent. But they were also too raw, and the radishes overpowered the rest. The balance was out of whack. You cant always take two separate, complete ideas and combine them successfully.

KA: I didnt adore that dish. But I would look forward to eating it again (with tinier radishes and less butter). I enjoyed the mackerel dish with the toasted bone marrow breadcrumbs. My absolute favorite thing as a child was a savory applesauce with toasted breadcrumbs and that dish brought me back.

CL: I disliked that mackerel dish a lot. The raw fish was fanned over top, left high and dry, and it was like eating fishy breadcrumbs.

KA: I love fishy breadcrumbs.

ME: I didnt mind the breadcrumbs as much as Craig did, for sure. For me, what Im always looking for in a place is a dish I want to come back for, or an interesting marriage of flavors, as much as a cool story or chef virtuosity. And it didnt hit the mark for me. For example, the porridge at the end that had seven grains but was completely drowned in this super rich hollandaise.

CL: That cup of frothy butter foam was way too rich to eat by course #17. Too big, too rich, too late.

ME: Yeah it was weirdly huge compared to the other offerings. And also all those grains got completely lost in it.

KA: It was like a rich congee. I wanted seconds. I tried to steal Aris but he had finished it. Margaret, I would have eaten yours.

We didnt talk about the marinated vegetables with taramasalata [a Greek spread made with cured or salted roe].

ME: Kiki did you like that dish? I had recently returned from Greece so I was expecting like, TARAMASALATA and instead it was sort of roe yogurt.

KA: I thought it was fresh and pretty. Ive had really different versions of taramasalata, even in Greece. I do a tzatziki and taramasalata test there whenever I go to a restaurant before I order larger dishes. I personally prefer a softer, less salty taramasalata, so it suited my palate.

ME: My friend Khushbu Shah has a philosophy that flavor to the face is what shes seeking. And to be honest, thats also what I want: something memorable. I wish to be punched by a fish.

KA: The sauce rings mentioned earlier, that went with the swordfish, were too punch-me-in-the-face with the salt.

CL: That was an interesting dish that worked as intended. They told us it was intended to evoke a plate at a steak house. My favorite childhood food was Stouffers spinach souffle, so, tell me something is meant to even vaguely evoke creamed spinach, and Ill likely try to at least give it the benefit of the doubt. The individual sauces were pretty potent, but they came together well as one.

KA: I loved the fig leaf oil on the kanpachi from Baja  fig leaf is one of my absolute favorite ingredients. I love how coconut-y and vanilla-y it is, and those flavors balance the fish nicely.

CL: Im with Kiki on the kanpachi with fig leaf oil, which was really beautiful  some of the raw dishes were the strongest. I also loved Nichs riff on trout amandine, which paired cured trout with a bean salad and an ivory froth of white gazpacho made from confit garlic and almonds.

One dish I really loved: the lettuces served at the end. This little one-bite bundle of herbs and bitter greens was so cleansing to close the savory portion of the meal.

KA: That was great! I also loved the pine mushroom bouillon with perilla and seaweed.

CL: I loved the idea of it, but didnt think the subtlety of the garnish at the bottom of the bowl added the desired complexity to the broth. A lot of this reminds me of a music producer playing with an equalizer to balance all the elements of a tune. There are a lot of good ideas on these plates, but flavors  or textures or temperatures  were just out of balance.

Everybody loved the desserts

CL: Abby Dahan is doing great work there adding fun little twists to classic French cremeux and soufflees (the honeynut squash souffle was fantastic). But what I remember most is a savory sweet ice cream made from Perrysteads washed rind Moonrise cheese, sandwiched between choux pastry for a genius cheese course.

KA: I love love love everything Abby is doing and making and that shes here.

ME: Abby is doing really killer work, and agree that the dessert was by far the strongest series of courses. I wish that the bread course she did was a little bit more playful or creative  maybe its just a matter of how things are evolving. But you could tell that shes such a dynamo, and I know that the epi baguette didnt reflect her full prowess in that area.

and the hospitality

CL: What I liked was the service. Very personal, not stuffy. The space is also very Philly, at least in its approach and row-home intimacy.

ME: I think we can all agree that the restaurant itself is gorgeous. The experience overall was very, very pleasant! The hospitality is absurdly attentive and good. Everyone was so warm and accommodating.

KA: And attentive without being over attentive.

On the number of courses

ME: Im gonna say something controversial: 23 courses is too many courses. Its like a four-hour movie. If you want to take up that much space you REALLY have to keep the pace up, and hook the audience. I can forgive a lot more in a 90-minute (I guess in this scenario like 5 to 7 courses?) than a sprawling epic.

KA: I literally wrote the guide on how to leave a tasting menu because I often cant bear them. I was intimidated by the prospect of a 25-course tasting menu and a three-hour long dinner. But I left feeling not overstuffed.

CL: 24 dishes is a lot to perfect. Perhaps a smaller tasting, for a little less money, would be a smarter place to start.

KA: If theres a Provenance Lite I would be a regular.

ME: Yeah, I agree. If there was a slimmed down tasting menu I would go back.

Final Takeaways

ME: I know Ive been a naysayer, but I want to make clear that I love a big swing and I really appreciate that what Bazik is doing here is a big, big swing. Even if its not a hit! Its a really interesting thing to come to town.

If I had gone as a celebrant and not an aide-de-critic I might have just let it wash over me and enjoy the parts I enjoyed. As someone going with Craig and also a giant sauce nerd I felt more obligated to tally hits and misses. I think its a place that is meant to reward close attention, and if youre a food nerd and can spot Easter eggs youll be delighted, but it doesnt demand it.

KA: Theres a place for this level of cooking and creativity in Philly. We need fancy occasion restaurants not funded by big companies. We need to celebrate our homegrown talent. This restaurant is super Philly. Everybody at Provenance  theyre all Philly old guards.

CL: This is a very Philly-style space  intimate and wrapped in historic bones of a townhouse off Headhouse Square. The bones of a great new destination are in place. But something like this takes practice and refinement, and its a big responsibility for me as a critic to tell my audience Go! spend your $800 here! Im looking forward to revisiting in several months to see where theyre at.

KA: I was spending Aranita-Miller money and not Inquirer money, and our bill was $750. I left feeling I got a good deal. It was expensive, but we spent probably $400 more when we celebrated Aris birthday at Jont in DC.

CL: There are many people who do this kind of dining splurge regularly  at Ambra, Vetri or Royal Sushi. If they have the money to do that without thinking much about it, I think Provenance is an interesting newcomer to consider. Id tell many of my readers, who maybe have this kind of money to go out once in a blue moon, that there are other places for a sure bet. This style of dining is also not for everyone  you have to be an adventurous eater flexible to all kinds of foods, not to mention have a spare three hours. So...

ME: If someone is asking me: Ok, I have funds and I want to go to a place that makes me feel very special and attended to, and I like French food, I would tell them to go.
Police, on Woodland near 52nd Street, with a pick up truck that may have been involved in the carjacking on the 5400 block of Chancellor Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, November 10, 2024. An interaction with a man there may have resulted in a carjacking and police involved shooting. Read more

Philadelphia police have identified three officers who they say were involved in the fatal shooting of a 47-year-old man Sunday night in West Philadelphia, though authorities still are uncertain who fired the shot or shots that killed Jonathan Corbin.

All three officers are from the 18th District. They are Sgt. Jacob Rodgers, 34, a 10-year veteran; Officer Philip Lattanzio, 29, a six-year veteran; and Officer Nicolas Verrecchio, 25, who has been with the department two years, police said in a statement issued Thursday.

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They have been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of investigations by the departments Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation Unit, Internal Affairs Bureau and the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office.

Corbin was pronounced dead at 6:47 p.m. Sunday at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, about 45 minutes after police were first called to the 5400 block of Chancellor Street for a reported domestic disturbance. There a woman believed to be Corbins girlfriend told police he had fired a gun inside the home.

A neighbor told police he heard gunshots and when he went outside saw Corbin inside a friends pickup truck. Corbin pointed a gun at the witness and the trucks owner and unsuccessfully attempted to fire it, police said.

When officers arrived, Corbin pointed the gun at them, prompting Verrecchio to fire his service weapon, police said. It is not known if Corbin, who then fled in the truck, had been shot, police said.

Police pursued him on a two-mile chase that ended on the 5200 block of Woodland Avenue, where Corbin stopped the truck, jumped out and with Rodgers and Lattanzio close behind, ran to a nearby lot, police said. The officers saw Corbin was armed and during the confrontation both fired their guns, according to police.

Corbin was taken to Penn Presbyterian, where he died. A Taurus 9mm was recovered, police said, providing no other details pending further investigation, including whether Corbin had been hit at both shooting scenes.

Earlier this week, The Inquirer reported that security footage from a nearby bodega appears to show a man running into the lot with three officers right behind him. A second after running into the lot, with his back to the officers, the man falls to the ground. The three officers are seen close behind with their guns drawn.

Staff writer Rodrigo Torrejon contributed to this article.
Few things beat the simple deliciousness of a fresh roll, cheese, and meat all combined with a good amount of grease. The cheesesteak is a staple for a reason, the pride and joy of Philadelphia.

But a disappointing cheesesteak can lead people to take extraordinary measures. And demand justice.

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When LaGarris Montgomery ordered Subways Steak & Cheese, the sandwich he received looked nothing like the advertised image. Crucially, his sandwich did not overflow with beef. So the South Carolina man decided to take a stand, and filed a proposed federal class-action lawsuit against the chain restaurant.

The complaint, filed Tuesday in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, describes in dry and serious legal language the events that sparked the action.

The Subway website says the sandwich is Inspired by the hoagie that made Philadelphia famous. (Pretty sure Benjamin Franklin and the Declaration of Independence did that first, but thats for another day.)

Disappointment set in after the first bite.

After he picked up and began eating his sandwich, Plaintiff realized that there was barely any steak in the sandwich and that the photographs that he relied on were grossly misleading, the complaint says.

Montgomery expected the sandwich to have the same amount of meat as advertised on the Subway app, but the lawsuit estimates that the photographed sandwich contained well over 200% more meat.

If Plaintiff knew that the Steak & Cheese sandwich contained substantially less than the amount of meat as advertised, he would not have purchased said sandwich, the complaint says.

Subway did not respond to a request for comment.

This isnt just a story about an unsatisfying sandwich, as some might assume, but about violations of Pennsylvania and federal law, the lawsuit contends. It charges Subway with violating fair trade laws and engaging in unjust enrichment.

The lawsuit aims to represent Montgomery and all other similarly situated person who were disappointed by the abundance of meat in the Subway product. It asks a federal judge to certify the class action, order Subway to compensate all affected costumers, and order the restaurant chain to engage in a corrective notice campaign.

How much money does one deserve for a disappointing cheesesteak? At least $100, the lawsuit claims. (In reality, the 12-inch version of the Subway cheesesteak will run you $16 and about 1,020 calories.)

 READ MORE: The best cheesesteaks to eat in Philly right now

Montgomery said he was moved to take legal action because he felt lied to time and again when ordering from Subway.

Its nowhere near the amount of ingredients on the sandwich as shown on advertisements, he said via text. I continue to shop with them but they continue to disappoint me. Im just tired of it.

Its unclear why Montgomery and his lawyer, who did not respond to requests for comment, filed the lawsuit in Philadelphia. The legal justification for the venue in the lawsuit is that Subway has business in the city, which the sandwich franchise also does in South Carolina.

The question remains: Does the Subway cheesesteak look anything like its ads, and is it any good?

In one Center City Subway franchise, the sandwiches are advertised as a cheesesteaks, and not the more formal Steak & Cheese as they are called on Subways website. The Philly includes steak, American cheese, peppers, onions, and mayo on a toasted roll.

The hero ingredient in the dish, as one reporter learned to say from watching The Great British Bake Off, is not cheese or steak. Its mayonnaise, which is both the predominant flavor and  unfortunately  gives the sandwich its texture.

The onions and green pepper strips seemed raw. And the beef was present  in some bites.

Its not quite the crown jewel of cheesesteaks worthy of serving out-of-town guests for a distinctively Philly experience. There is a reason Subways version of the quintessential Philly dish didnt make it on The Inquirers recent Best Cheesesteaks list.

 READ MORE: Philly cheesesteaks: Everything you need to know about Philadelphias signature sandwich
Philadelphia graffiti artist Darryl "Cornbread" McCray poses in front of the mural, Thats My Life, My Path, My Destiny, by Cesar Vireos, installed with the support of Mural Arts on Lehigh Avenue in 2005 in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia pictured on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024. McCray is working with advocacy groups like Mural Arts to encourage onlookers and artists to protect the city's works. Read more

Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter

Its finally Friday. Therell be a mix of sun and clouds, and temps will barely hit 60 degrees.

A flood advisory is in effect for Philly and the Shore  but theres no rain in sight. Tony Wood explains why we can blame the supermoon.

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The Godfather of graffiti and legendary street artist Darryl McCray wants to stop the vandalism of Philadelphias murals. Our top story highlights his efforts to halt the desecration.

Plus, SEPTAs highly anticipated Bus Revolution has been postponed, marking another casualty of the transportation authoritys financial straits.

Lets get into the news to start your weekend.

 Paola Perez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

P.S. Friday means new games! Test your Eagles players know-how with a new Bird Box, then take our latest news quiz, including questions on new eats around the city, the Sixers new uniform, and much more.

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Darryl Cornbread McCray is a big part of the reason Philadelphia is called the Mural Capital of the World.

As a teen, McCray built his reputation as the king of the walls. His art inspired a wave of artists in the city and beyond in the 1960s and 70s, and made its mark on the hip-hop revolution. McCray is also celebrated for his contributions to the world of street art.

Now, the Brewerytown native is begging people to stop the random defacing of murals that define his beloved hometown.

In McCrays own words: Its the vandals that ruin the art. We have renegades who just dont care. Theyre even putting their names on the defaced murals.

Back in 2013, McCray started a Graffiti Summit for people to come together and tackle this problem. He has worked with people like Mural Arts executive director Jane Golden, who says Mural Arts has spent thousands of dollars to clean up the mess.

Read on for Earl Hopkins story on McCrays quest to protect the citys works and end the destruction of its art.

The long-planned reorganization of SEPTA bus routes is on hold.

The indefinite suspension comes as SEPTA plans to increase fares and cut services next year.

 What SEPTA is saying: If we have to do the service cuts, we cant do Bus Revolution because wed be cutting so much of the existing network, SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch said. Wed be moving in the opposite direction of the programs intent, he said.

 The Bus Revolution, explained: An overhaul of SEPTAs bus network for the first time in six decades. Its designed to streamline service and make trips more frequent and reliable.

 Off the rails: Between an operating budget deficit, soaring costs, and the failure of Harrisburg to deliver more funds for public transportation, explore our timeline of SEPTAs funding woes.

 In other news: Talks continue between SEPTA and the Transport Workers Union, with no contract and no strike.

Transportation reporter Tom Fitzgerald has the latest.

What you should know today

Welcome back to Curious Philly Friday. Well feature both new and timeless stories from our forum for readers to ask about the citys quirks.

This week, were resurfacing an explainer from reporter TyLisa C. Johnson on the history of the citys library system and why its called the Free Library.

Prior to 1894, Philadelphia had no free public libraries. Private libraries were only accessible to residents who could afford them. Heres the full explanation.

Have your own burning question about Philadelphia, its local oddities, or how the region works? Submit it here and you might find the answer featured in this space.

 Trivia time

Who is set to replace Hoda Kotb as cohost of NBCs Today show?

A) Al Roker

B) Tamron Hall

C) Craig Melvin

D) Savannah Guthrie

Think you know? Check your answer.

What (and who) were...

 Considering: Americas proclivity for a certain type of masculinity.

 Anticipating: Pig & Khao, the pork-heavy Thai-Filipino restaurant coming to Kensington.

 Wondering: Where parking fits in Swedesboros big downtown redevelopment project.

 Meeting: Pennsylvanias two new GOP members of Congress, who flipped two seats held by Democrats.

 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Phillys popular open-air, German-style holiday market

AIMS CHILL GRAVEST

Email us if you know the answer. Well select a reader at random to shout out here.

Cheers to Janine Breier who solved Thursdays anagram: Jill Biden. The first lady (and Philly-area native) visited the city Wednesday to talk about 250th anniversary plans.

Photo of the day

 Have a great weekend when you get there.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirers Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
Well, that didnt take long.

Less than two weeks after his election victory, President-elect Donald Trumps choices for top administration positions confirm his determination to impose revenge on perceived enemies. This is his primary goal, and toward that end, he is willing to politicize the military, sow chaos in the U.S. Department of Defense, and gut Americas intelligence agencies.

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Experience, knowledge of their field, management chops, vision  none of those things appear to matter so long as they are yes-men and women displaying unquestioning loyalty to the boss. Trump expects the Republican-controlled Senate to quickly approve his choices, even though many levelheaded GOP senators are aghast at some of his key selections.

The president-elect has threatened to circumvent confirmation hearings by making interim appointments, and even to discontinue background checks because some of his choices are so dicey. He wants to make foreign policy based only on ill-informed instincts, without the benefit of any solid or critical advisers.

The first test will come even before his inauguration, with Ukraine.

 READ MORE: To predict what Trump will do at home, look at the strongmen he most admires overseas | Trudy Rubin

But before getting to Ukraine, let us consider three of the worst Trump choices, so far. For attorney general, the top U.S. legal officer, he has tapped Matt Gaetz, a Florida congressman with zero legal experience. Gaetzs abnormal behavior is intensely disliked by many of his GOP colleagues (in part because he reportedly circulated nude female photos on the House floor).

Gaetz quit Congress Wednesday, just before the House Ethics Committee was set to release a report on his alleged sexual misconduct and illicit drug abuse. But he is a Trump attack dog who has pledged his eagerness to dismantle every one of those three letter agencies, including the FBI and presumably the CIA, which the president-elect openly detests.

These agencies have angered Trump because they confirmed Russian interference in U.S. politics, or refused to investigate his political enemies. In other words, Trumps aim is not to make the agencies more effective but to cleanse them of anyone who fails to obey his commands.

Mass political firings would send these agencies reeling and create chaos, just at a time when their work is more vital than ever, with Russia out to weaken the West and the Chinese military growing stronger.

Yet, for director of national intelligence, the official who oversees all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies, Trump has picked former Democratic congresswoman-turned-uber-Trumper Tulsi Gabbard. Although she has served in the military, she has no intelligence experience, but spouts ugly Russian propaganda about Ukraine, which has often been rerun on Russian media. Giving such a person the highest security clearance is an invitation to disaster. Even more so if she were cleared without a serious background check.

Add up the offer of the top intelligence role to Gabbard plus the pro-Russian tack of Trumps new best friend Elon Musk, and Trumps publicly declared preference of Vladimir Putins word to that of U.S. intelligence agencies. What you get is an early and glittering Christmas gift to the Kremlin, which presents Moscow with an incredible opportunity at the center of U.S. power.

Dont just take it from me. Former Trump national security adviser John Bolton  echoed by several GOP senators  has said that Gabbard and Gaetz were the two worst cabinet appointments in recent history. He told the Hill that the choice of Gabbard was a serious threat to our national security, which would signal to China that we have lost our mind when it comes to collecting intelligence. Both Gabbard and Gaetz ought to be subjected to a full FBI investigation, he added, before they even get a confirmation hearing.

Then there is Trumps choice of Fox News talking head Peter Hegseth as secretary of defense. Although he has served in the military, he has no management experience and will be running a department overseeing three million military and civilian personnel. For Trump, Hegseths chief appeal seems to be his TV persona  and his frequent on-air denunciation of a woke military establishment in which he is eager to ax the top brass.

There is always room for reforming the Pentagons structure and staffing, but doing so on an openly political basis will cause chaos. And installing military sycophants, vetted mainly for loyalty to MAGA, will undercut performance and morale.

Which brings me to Ukraine.

 READ MORE: Trump says only he can prevent World War III, but his embrace of autocrats endangers the USA | Trudy Rubin

Trumps first big foreign policy test, which he has pledged to resolve in 24 hours, even before taking office, is Russias war on Ukraine.

The president-elect just had a cordial two-hour transition talk at the White House with President Joe Biden (which contrasted starkly with Trumps horrific behavior toward Biden in 2020). One presumes they discussed Ukraine, yet it is doubtful Trump listened.

Indeed, he appears determined to hand over Ukraine to Putin and continues to display incredible ignorance about Putins intentions and the geopolitical consequences of betraying Kyiv. Contrary to Trumps claims, most of the military aid given to Ukraine is not a present to Kyiv officials but comes right back to the Pentagon to purchase new military equipment. Ukraine often gets the dated equipment in storage.

Also contrary to Trumps claims, Europe contributes far more to Ukraine than the U.S. does, but doesnt have the military capacity to replace U.S. aid if Trump cuts it off.

Moreover, Russia is the aggressor in this war, contrary to claims by Gabbard. Ukrainian troops are fighting for freedom against an imperial Putin who wants to reestablish the Russian empire by force.

Yet, Trumps peace plan, as revealed by his acolytes, would demand a cease-fire in place, handing over 20% of Ukraine to brutal rule by Russia. Without guaranteed security for the rest of Ukraine  and Trump, repeating Putins demands, rules out Ukrainian membership in NATO  Russia will regroup and restart the fighting.

Trumps betrayal will destroy NATO and reassure Putin and Chinas Xi Jinping that the hated alliance of Western democracies is falling apart.

Trumps other national security appointments, such as Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, might have restrained his pro-Putin impulses, since Rubio used to be pro-Ukraine. But in order to join the president-elects cabinet, Rubio and the others have already sworn fealty to his positions.

Now we wait to see whether GOP senators dissatisfied with Trumps focus will challenge his worst appointments, or whether they, too, will kiss the ring, even though they know Trump endangers national security and could doom Ukraine.

The only hope in this gloom is that Biden will finally realize he has nothing to lose if he immediately gives Ukraine permission to fire long-range U.S. missiles into Russia and improve their position before Trump takes office.

That is the least the current president can do to compensate for giving Kyiv too little, too late. All too soon, we will have a president with his team of flunkies ready to abandon Ukraine.
Republican Senate Candidate Dave McCormick interacts with supporters on Aug 13, 2024 after an event in Langhorne. Read more

Republican Senate candidate Dave McCormick stepped up his legal efforts to block the counting of undated mail ballots Friday, as incumbent Democrat Bob Casey came to the defense of four county election boards that defied the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and voted to include them in their final tallies.

In a suit filed Friday, McCormick accused Philadelphias Board of Commissioners of willfully ignoring earlier orders from the states high court that counties should reject ballots from voters who failed to date or incorrectly dated the outer envelopes, as required by state law, in this years election.

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The filing followed similar challenges McCormick has lodged in Bucks and Centre Counties. Democratic members of all three county boards  as well as those in Montgomery County  voted earlier this week to count those ballots, saying that refusing to do so would needlessly disenfranchise otherwise eligible voters over a technicality.

 READ MORE: As Casey stays in Senate race, hes pinning his hopes on small, county-level fights over contested votes

Meanwhile, the Republican National Committee and the state GOP has called on the Supreme Court to reiterate its earlier edicts and bar all 67 Pennsylvania counties from making similar decisions. Caseys campaign sought to enter that fight Friday, maintaining that rejecting undated ballots amounted to a violation of voters rights under the state constitution.

It was the same argument McCormick had marshaled when hed pushed state courts to count undated ballots two years ago amid his 2022 GOP Senate primary race against TV doctor Mehmet Oz and before he reversed his position during this years race.

In what can only be understood as a confused or defiant action, the [Philadelphia City C]ommissioners voted to count 607 mail ballots that do not comply with the date requirement, McCormick attorney George Bochetto said in his lawsuit over that boards decision. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has clearly prohibited this action.

Caseys campaign shot back, insisting: Pennsylvanians deserve to have their voices heard, and we will utilize every legal option to oppose McCormicks voter suppression tactics and ensure these legal votes are counted.

Despite the rhetoric and proliferation of litigation, the court battles center on fewer than 1,600 ballots cast in four Democratic counties  a far cry from the nearly 22,000 votes by which Casey trailed McCormick as of Friday evening.

But as a statewide recount of the race gets underway next week  days after the Associated Press declared McCormick the victor and determined that Casey had no path to victory  the candidates and their parties are fighting about more than just the stakes for this years campaigns.

Democrats and voting rights advocates have pushed for years for the inclusion of undated ballots, maintaining the voters handwritten date on the outer envelope is irrelevant and not used by elections officials to determine whether a ballot was submitted on time.

They point to a recent Commonwealth Court ruling that found such ballots should have been counted in a special election earlier this year in Philadelphia based on the same state constitutional argument Casey is now making.

Republicans insist that, regardless of whether the dates are used, Pennsylvanias election law clearly states theyre required for a ballot to be considered valid.

And despite two orders this fall from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court that seemed to send a clear message to counties  undated ballots should not be counted for this election  the courts justices have yet to take up the constitutional argument Casey and his Democratic allies are making.

Each county board (and each of the commissioners who constitute those boards) has an independent obligation to consider whether the constitution requires counting these ballots  an issue the court has not resolved on the merits, lawyers for Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Bucks Counties wrote in a joint-legal brief defending their boards decisions to count undated ballots.

Undated and misdated ballots  especially in the Philadelphia region, which leans heavily Democratic  are likely the largest remaining tranche of contested ballots that could help Casey whittle down his roughly 22,000 vote deficit. But their inclusion in this years tallies would still not likely be enough to push him past McCormicks lead.

To do so, Casey would also need to win several ongoing, county-level fights over the inclusion of contested provisional ballots. On Friday, his and McCormicks lawyers battled in front of the Philadelphia Board of Commissioners over the remaining roughly 7,000 provisional ballots in the city.

Ultimately, the board rejected the majority of the ballots, allowing fewer than 1,000 to be counted.
Its been a week since the Associated Press called Pennsylvanias tight Senate race for Dave McCormick, concluding the Republican had closed off any viable path for Democratic Sen. Bob Casey to still eke out a win.

But their campaigns are still battling it out in counties and in court.

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With certification deadlines and a statewide recount looming, the candidates are locked in a county-by-county trench battle over small tranches of contested provisional ballots left to be counted across the state. Statewide, officials estimated fewer than 80,000 of the ballots cast  or less than 2% of the vote  remained outstanding as of Thursday.

For Casey, who has resisted conceding as remaining votes are counted, those small county-level fights  sometimes over just dozens of ballots  offer his last, best chance to make up his roughly 25,000-vote deficit in the race.

Though closing the gap remains a long shot, Caseys insistence has also reignited long-standing disputes between Republicans and Democrats over which votes should be counted and which should be rejected  and prompted some counties to openly defy recent rulings from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

I think we all know that precedent by a court doesnt matter anymore in this country, said Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia, a Democrat, as she cast a vote Thursday to count certain deficient provisional ballots previously barred by court order, where voters did not sign in one of twonecessary boxes.

People violate laws any time they want, she said. So, for me, if I violate this law its because I want a court to pay attention. Theres nothing more important than counting votes.

McCormick and his GOP allies are fighting back and on Thursday filed a pair of lawsuits contesting recent decisions by Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, and Centre Counties to include court-barred undated mail ballots in their counts.

But as the war wages on, Republicans are projecting confidence in the outcome and ramping up calls for Casey to throw in the towel.

There is one inescapable truth to all of this, said Mark Harris, lead strategist for the McCormick campaign. When counting is done, Dave will be winning by tens of thousands of votes. It will not be close.

Provisional fights

So far, the fights over remaining votes have largely fallen into two categories: efforts by Democrats to count as many contested provisional ballots as possible and decisions by election boards in some Democratic-leaning counties to include undated mail ballots in their final tallies despite repeated court orders that they should be rejected this year.

In more than 10 hours of public meetings across Philadelphias collar counties Thursday, attorneys for McCormick and Casey battled over whether to count or reject buckets of provisional ballots with distinct procedural defects, like missing signatures or privacy envelopes, or those cast by voters whose eligibility was in question.

That meticulous process left board members spending, at times, more than 30 minutes debating the fates of small handfuls of ballots.

In Montgomery County, Democrats urged the board in the deep-blue county to accept roughly 180 provisional ballots without secrecy envelopes because several came from the same precincts, suggesting an error made by poll workers.

Board chair Neil Makhija, a Democrat, voted to accept the ballots in an effort to enfranchise more voters. But his fellow Democrat Jamila Winder and Republican Tom DiBello voted against him, leaning on advice from county attorneys that the law was clear that those ballots should be rejected.

In Bucks County, the campaigns duked it out over voters who had failed to sign their provisional ballots in one or both of two required places  prompting Marseglias vote to include those missing only one of the signatures, despite a Pennsylvania Supreme Court order earlier this year that those ballots should be thrown out.

Its not always so simple to determine when a vote is legally cast and when theres some gray area, said Bob Harvie, who, like Marseglia, is a Democratic board member.

Board members in Chester County mulled what to do about voters registered in other counties who had mistakenly cast provisional ballots in Chester.

And in Delaware County, the election board dismissed an effort from Caseys campaign to include votes from 114 voters who the county determined werent on official voter rolls. The campaign argued these voters were, in fact, registered, but did not offer definitive proof.

Similar decisions are expected to be made by counties across the commonwealth in the next several days. Philadelphias meeting to rule on provisional ballots is Friday.

And these meetings arent the end of the road. Parties will have the opportunity to appeal any election board decisions in Common Pleas Court.

Broadly, Pennsylvania Democrats say their goal is to count as many provisional ballots as possible, including those submitted by voters who had been removed from the voter rolls and voters who were registered in another county.

Its the goal of the Democratic Party to count votes  not to not count votes, Democratic attorney Dawn Burke told the Bucks County Board of Elections on Thursday.

Republicans, meanwhile, have sought to exclude several categories of provisional ballots, including those cast by voters who had previously submitted mail ballots that were rejected over procedural defects. And they have singled out as particularly egregious Democrats efforts to defend voters who cast provisional ballots in counties where they did not appear to have been registered.

We think this is totally an extreme argument, its very outside the mainstream, said James Fitzpatrick, an attorney for the McCormick campaign.

Undated ballots

Meanwhile, a separate fight is brewing over the fate of some of the most litigated ballots in the state  mail ballots submitted without a date or with the wrong date written on the outer envelope.

Despite two earlier rulings from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court that those ballots should be rejected in this years election, officials in Bucks, Montgomery, Philadelphia, and Centre Counties have bucked that order and voted in recent days to include them.

Though those openly defiant decisions will almost certainly be overturned in court, they continue a recent pattern by majority commissioners in all four counties to vote for the inclusion of undated ballots. None of the commissioners who supported their inclusion couched their votes in terms of the ongoing Senate race.

Instead, they argued the dates serve no meaningful purpose because elections officials dont use them to determine whether a ballot was received on time. Rejecting them, they say, unfairly disenfranchises thousands of otherwise eligible voters each year.

Some have also pointed to a recent ruling by Commonwealth Court that found that the decision to exclude undated ballots in a special election in Philadelphia earlier this year amounted to a violation of rights guaranteed to voters by the states constitution.

A date does not provide us with anything we dont already know, said Makhija, the Montgomery County board chair. I cannot take a vote not to count a ballot we know is validly cast.

For Casey, the decision by those counties to include undated ballots in their tallies could prove particularly important.

Undated ballots likely make up the largest tranche of ballots for which the fate remains undecided.

And since Democrats are overwhelmingly more likely to vote by mail than Republicans, Casey is likely to benefit most from the inclusion of mail ballots that would have been rejected for missing or incorrect dates.

Thats doubly true in many of the counties that have voted to include them  especially Philadelphia  where he has outperformed McCormick in the overall vote.

Future elections

Whether or not the ongoing fights over provisional and undated ballots change the outcome of the McCormick-Casey race, the court battles to come could end up determining which votes get counted in future elections. And in many cases, thats the clear aim.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has not yet ruled on the constitutional argument behind the undated ballot issue, but the justices will now have an avenue to do so through lawsuits filed by the Republican National Committee and the Pennsylvania GOP.

They have also asked the court to issue an emergency order barring any county from including undated ballots in this years count. McCormicks campaign backed these suits, a reversal for the candidate who fought to include undated ballots in 2022 during a tight GOP Senate primary race against Mehmet Oz.

Meanwhile, in their challenges, Republicans have also sought to extend a fight that made it to the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year.

They have consistently pushed counties to reject provisional ballots cast by voters who had previously submitted a rejected mail ballot, a category the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled last month should be counted.

The GOP appealed that decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, which//declined to take up the case, though three of the courts conservative justices  Samuel A. Alito Jr., Clarence Thomas, and Neil M. Gorsuch  signaled they would be open to hearing further argument on the issue at a later date.

We need to preserve [our objection] because that decision is being appealed further, GOP lawyer Brett Henry told Montgomery County officials Thursday as he challenged the inclusion of those ballots in the tally.

But as those decisions drag on and county meetings continue, Casey has offered no indication he intends to back down.

Senator Caseys priority, his campaign said in a statement Thursday, continues to be making sure Pennsylvanians voices are heard as our democratic process unfolds.
When Austin Gwiazdowski retrieved his mail Tuesday he thought that the $100 check  attached to a paper with a return address from Austin, Texas  was fake.

I thought it was one of those, you know, insurance or somebody trying to sell you something, Gwiazdowski said.

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But when he looked a little closer he saw the memo line on the check said America PAC Petition, which shares the same name as Elon Musks pro-Trump super PAC that had been dishing out cash prizes to Pennsylvanians and other swing state voters who signed a petition that pledged their support to the First and Second Amendments. Signers information could also have been used to provide contacts for pro-Trump messaging from Musks PAC.

 READ MORE: Elon Musks Tony Stark energy helped excite Pennsylvanians for Trump. And Republicans are chasing his rising star power.

The issue is, Gwiazdowski  a registered Democrat  hadnt signed America PACs petition, making him ineligible to receive the PACs special offer of $100 for Pennsylvania voters ahead of Election Day.

Gwiazdowski, 30, is one of at least two Pennsylvanians who did not sign Musks America PAC petition yet received a check for $100 from what appears to be Musks America PAC. A woman from York, Pa., also said she received a check even though she never signed the document.

The Inquirer was provided a photo of the check and its envelope received by Gwiazdowski. The return address is from United States of America Inc in Austin, Texas. The check itself has an address from San Mateo, Calif., and is signed by a Todd Lewis. Lewis identity or any relation to America PAC is unclear.

Representatives for America PAC did not return a request for comment, and it remains unclear whether the checks are legitimate.

 READ MORE: The Philly DAs suit against Elon Musks $1 million giveaway lacked proof and made unpersuasive arguments, judge says

Gwiazdowski, a database administrator for the School District of Philadelphia, said he has no idea why he received the check  except for a Republican family member who could have signed his name and provided his mailing address, but that was unlikely, he said.

The Grays Ferry resident said he did not plan to cash the check. It would feel like taking money from the devil, kind of, and would be consent to his actions, Gwiazdowski said, noting that he was pretty angry that his name was being used without his consent.

Jeanne Fermier, an unaffiliated voter from York, said she was in a similar boat. She didnt sign a petition and none of her friends owned up to putting her name down as a prank, she said. She also did not verify her information, as America PAC said they would do before making a payment, the York Daily Record reported. She also has no intention of cashing her check.

Yet some voters who did sign the petition are still awaiting their $100.

Mia Humphreys, 18, a Republican and student at Penn State, is one of those people. She signed the petition on Oct. 21 and is still waiting for her money even though she knows two individuals who signed the petition who received their checks.

Due to volume, America PAC said they expect all payments to be issued by Nov. 30. As of Oct. 31, the PAC had mailed 187,000 checks.

The petition was one of the many efforts Musks America PAC sponsored to help aid the billionaire in delivering Pennsylvania for Trump. He also held town halls throughout the commonwealth and donated millions to the PAC. The richest man in the world has gained increasing political power as a close ally of the president-elect, speaking with world leaders, becoming an honorary Trump family member, and even being rewarded with the opportunity to colead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency, though many details of the project remain unclear.
Councilmember Anthony Phillips said: Weve heard clear concerns about how these businesses  when overly concentrated  disrupt quality of life, create safety and cleanliness challenges, and detract from the character and appeal of our neighborhoods." Read more

Anthony Phillips is the latest member of City Council trying to tweak the citys zoning code to make it harder to establish certain types of businesses in his corner of Philadelphia.

Phillips represents parts of Northwest and Northeast Philadelphia that are largely composed of middle- and working-class rowhouse neighborhoods, many of them majority Black and boasting some of the highest voter turnout in the city.

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His bill would ban conveniences stores, event halls, and most auto-related businesses except gas stations. Those who seek to open such establishments anyway would have to get permission from the citys Zoning Board of Adjustment and meet with community groups first.

Weve heard clear concerns about how these businesses  when overly concentrated  disrupt quality of life, create safety and cleanliness challenges, and detract from the character and appeal of our neighborhoods, Phillips said.

Phillips isnt the first Council member to attempt such a bill. His predecessor, Cherelle L. Parker, got similar legislation through City Council in June 2022. Soon after it passed, she resigned from Council to run for mayor in 2023.

In a surprise move, then-Mayor Jim Kenney vetoed the legislation, citing fears that it could hurt legitimate businesses. So many Council members had stepped down to run for mayor at that time that the Council did not have the votes override his veto. In a controversial move, City Council President Darrell L. Clarke delayed sending out mail-in ballots so that new Council members could quickly be elected to counterbalance Kenneys power.

Phillips at the time said he would revive legislation, and two years later, he finally has. He dismissed the idea that his bill would be controversial or have punitive effects on legitimate businesses.

Instead, he said, it would boost commercial life in his district.

We find ourselves in a pickle because though were trying to attract the businesses that our neighbors want, the developers are not interested because they see bad businesses that are causing dysfunction to the neighborhood, Phillips said.

Similar legislation has been passed across the city, with so-called smoke shops that sell nicotine and marijuana-related paraphernalia being a particular target. Critics of such bills, such as Kenney, say they have harmed bodegas, corner stores, and small grocery stores as well as cluttering up the zoning code with a patchwork of rules in different parts of the city.
Tidal flooding in September at 57th Street and Sounds Avenue near the bay in Sea Isle City. Minor tidal flooding is possible Friday and Saturday. Read more

Flood advisories are up into Saturday for the Jersey Shore and along the Delaware River from the mouth of the Delaware Bay to central Bucks County, and you can blame one of the years astronomical highlights for any inconvenience.

The moon, which is making a close approach to the Earth and will be knighted a supermoon when it reaches fullness at 4:21 p.m. Friday, seven minutes before it rises, has been adding an extra boost to water levels along the Atlantic Coast and the tidal Delaware, with an assist from onshore winds.

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The flooding is expected to be at the sunny day level  a type that NOAA says has been on the increase. The National Weather Service says it might result in some partial or full road closures.

However, its possible that some areas in the beach towns of Cape May County could experience more serious moderate flooding, said Lee Robertson, a lead meteorologist at the weather service office in Mount Holly.

What times might flooding be expected in Philly and at the Shore?

The weather service advisory expects the minor flooding around the times of high tides along the Delaware, the Atlantic Ocean, and Barnegat Bay.

The high tides on the Delaware in Philly occur at 1 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The oceanfront high tides are at 6 a.m. on both Friday and Saturday.

Along the bay shores, high tides will be 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday, and 7 a.m. Saturday.

The supermoon and the tides

Robertson said that on Wednesday night he was putting air in his tires, mildly deflated by the recent chill, when it occurred to him: I dont really need my flashlight.

When the full moon is this close  it will be within 225,000 miles of Earth when it reaches the instant of fullness Friday  it appears about 30% brighter than it does when its farthest away.

Plus its about as high in the sky as it gets: Its career is the mirror opposite of the suns, which is sinking ever lower on the way to the winter solstice.

This is the last supermoon of 2024, and it still will be at 99% fullness when it rises at 5:04 p.m. on Saturday, and 96% at moonrise Sunday, at 5:57 p.m.

A perhaps unfortunate byproduct of the show is that the proximity to the Earth also bumps up the moons gravitational powers to tug at the tides.

Global warming and nuisance flooding in Philly and at the Shore

Worldwide warming also has been contributing to nuisance flooding, and a NOAA report published in 2022 said the Northeast was seeing twice as many days of high-tide flooding as compared with 2000.

In part that would be the result of rising water levels worldwide from rising global temperatures and melting glaciers.

When might the Philly region see flooding rains again?

That remains anyones guess.

New Jersey on Wednesday declared a drought warning and called for voluntary water restrictions. Philadelphia and its neighboring counties are under a drought watch.

With its weekly update on Thursday, the U.S. Drought Monitor had almost all of eastern Pennsylvania in severe drought, as was all of New Jersey, except for southeastern portions of the state, which were in extreme drought.

A rash of brush fires have erupted throughout the region and the weather service says more are possible Friday afternoon as humidity drops and winds increase.

NOAAs Climate Prediction Center sees the odds favoring normal rainfall in the period from Nov. 22 through Thanksgiving, and Robertson said some rain is possible middle to late next week

But its going to take a deluge or two, or three, to wipe out the prodigious precipitation deficits in the region. Philly has received 8% of its normal precipitation in the last 60 days, according to the weather services Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center.

Robertson said he wouldnt be shocked if Philly received two inches of snow before it saw two inches of rain. (But no snow is in the forecast either.)

Staff writer Frank Kummer contributed to this article.
For instance, if an insurance company collects personal information to target ads to a website visitor who has not engaged in any insurance application, the firm would need to provide an option for that consumer to opt out of personal data sales and sharing, as this data is unrelated to an insurance transaction.
Prior to that, Turner was executive director at Willis Re for nearly 12 years, following his role as managing director at Guy Carpenter, where he worked for over five years. Earlier in his career, he held the position of casualty underwriting manager at Danish Re Syndicate for six years.
"Leading NCCI for the past nine years has been the highlight of my career. I have so much to be thankful for, having had the opportunity to work with so many outstanding individuals. I know Tracy well, and I am confident she will lead NCCI to bigger and better things, and I look forward to working with her through the transition," said Donnell.
He has been an integral part of the Industry Practices leadership team since the beginning of the unit and developed many of our most impactful and innovative client strategies. I am excited to have him join the executive leadership team and broaden his impact across the portfolio," said Wells.
During the November meeting, TWIAs general manager announced the appointment of Greg Smith to the board as a first tier coastal representative by the Texas insurance commissioner. Smith, who serves as CEO of Pioneer Resorts Inc in Port Aransas and is a former Corpus Christi City Council member, participated in board member training during the meeting.
This post is part of a series sponsored by Darkhorse Insurance.

As an independent agent, you may find it tough to pick the right insurance agency network to join. With options like Renaissance and ASNOA Insurance, its hard to know which one will best meet your needs. Choosing the right insurance platform is crucial for your agencys success. This blog will compare Renaissance and ASNOA to help you decide which network aligns best with your needs.

Renaissance Insurance

Renaissance is known for offering a suite of services aimed at empowering independent agents. Focusing on providing insurance solutions and extensive support, Renaissance has become a popular choice for agents seeking to grow their business.

Unlike other networks that may focus solely on providing tools and resources, Renaissance actively encourages agents to engage with one another through regular networking events, online forums, and collaborative projects. These opportunities allow agents to share insights, strategies, and experiences, creating a community where knowledge is freely exchanged.

Benefits

Strong Network: Renaissances extensive network of carriers gives agents access to a variety of products and services.

Renaissances extensive network of carriers gives agents access to a variety of products and services. Marketing Support: The platform provides marketing resources to help agents attract and retain clients.

The platform provides marketing resources to help agents attract and retain clients. Technology Integration: Renaissance offers cutting-edge tools to streamline processes like insurance benefits and enhance client interactions.

Drawbacks

Learning Curve: The extensive range of tools and resources can be overwhelming and require additional time for newer agents to master.

The extensive range of tools and resources can be overwhelming and require additional time for newer agents to master. Potential Costs: Some services and features may incur extra costs that can exceed initial expectations.

Some services and features may incur extra costs that can exceed initial expectations. Limited Customization: The platforms standardized solutions may not accommodate agents seeking more personalized or tailored insurance options.

ASNOA Insurance

ASNOA (Agent Support Network of America) is an insurance aggregator dedicated to assisting independent insurance agents. ASNOA Insurance offers various resources, including access to a wide range of insurance products, marketing tools, training, and back-office support. The goal is to help independent agents grow their businesses without the constraints of working for a larger, more traditional insurance company.

When you join ASNOA, you connect with a wide network of independent agents. The process typically involves an initial application and onboarding where they assess your business needs and provide the tools and training, from insurance benefit processes to digital marketing for insurance brokers. After onboarding, agents can work with many insurance carriers, giving them the ability to offer a wide variety of products to their clients.

Benefits

Dedicated Support: ASNOAs personalized support means that agents have a dedicated team to help them navigate challenges.

ASNOAs personalized support means that agents have a dedicated team to help them navigate challenges. Extensive Training: The platforms training resources are comprehensive, making it a good choice for agents looking to deepen their expertise.

The platforms training resources are comprehensive, making it a good choice for agents looking to deepen their expertise. Growth Opportunities: ASNOAs focus on growth allows agents to expand their business through various support initiatives.

Drawbacks

Cost Considerations: ASNOAs fees and service costs may be higher than some agents anticipate.

ASNOAs fees and service costs may be higher than some agents anticipate. Limited Technology Integration: The technology offered by ASNOA may seem less advanced compared to Renaissances more sophisticated tools.

The technology offered by ASNOA may seem less advanced compared to Renaissances more sophisticated tools. Limited Control: Joining ASNOA may limit your autonomy over business decisions and restrict how you operate your agency and the products you can offer.

Renaissance vs. ASNOA: A Head-to-Head Comparison

Insurance Coverage

Both Renaissance and ASNOA provide strong coverage options. Renaissance is known for offering a wide variety of products to meet different client needs. On the other hand, ASNOA Insurance emphasizes personalized support, ensuring that agents can effectively sell and manage the products they offer.

Support and Training

ASNOA excels in delivering personalized support and advanced training, which is ideal for agents who require hands-on guidance to grow their businesses. In contrast, Renaissance Insurance also provides robust support. Still, its resources are more standardized, focusing on scalability and efficiency.

Technology

Renaissance has the tools that enhance processes such as insurance comparisons. However, Renaissances technology may require a steep learning curve for new agents. ASNOA, on the other hand, has technology solutions but might lack some of the advanced features that Renaissance Insurance offers.

Why a Hybrid Insurance Independent Agent Platform Might Be Better

While traditional agency networks offer valuable benefits, a hybrid platform like Darkhorse takes things a step further by combining the best of both worlds. With a hybrid model, you can enjoy the support and resources of a network while retaining even greater flexibility and control over your business decisions.

Darkhorses approach provides not just access to a broad range of carriers but also innovative tools, personalized operational support, and a community that empowers you to thrive in todays competitive market. This hybrid model might be the perfect solution if youre seeking a balance between independence and comprehensive support.

How to Decide on Where to Join As An Insurance Agent

Deciding on which independent insurance agent platform to choose can be challenging, but focusing on a few key factors can help you make an informed choice:

Assess Your Business Needs: Identify whats most important for your agencyadvanced technology, training, personalized support, or a wide range of carrier options. For a well-rounded solution, Darkhorses hybrid platform offers more advanced tools that can streamline business operations, giving you flexibility and control. Evaluate the Support Structure: Check the type of support each platform provides. Does it support your business goals? Strong leadership and a supportive network are crucial for success. Darkhorse excels here by offering extensive support and training that adapts to your needs. Review Carrier Access: Make sure the platform offers access to the products you need, whether its health, home, or comprehensive insurance. Darkhorse offers many insurance carrier options, helping you meet your clients various needs. Think Long-Term: Consider how scalable the platform is. Will it grow with your business? Darkhorse is designed to evolve with you, offering the tools and resources needed as your agency expands.

Making the Right Choice Based on Your Agencys Priorities

When deciding between these networks, focus on what matters most to you. Renaissance and ASNOA offer solid insurance coverage and other benefits, but your choice should align with your business goals. Unlike the others, Darkhorse offers best-in-class solutions to give you a competitive edge. With Darkhorses hybrid platform, youll enjoy strong support and prestigious carriers with greater control over your agency.

Ready to bring your insurance business to the next level? Apply to become a Darkhorse today and gain access to top-tier support, premier mentorship and cutting-edge technology.
Wildfires that are raging across New York and New Jersey highlight a new threat to one of the worlds most affluent regions.

Climate change is regarded by scientists as the pre-eminent factor driving long-term changes in weather, and the New York region is experiencing a severe drought  the Big Apple experienced its driest October on record. Dry, hot weather underpins fire danger across the globe today.

The blazes also have their roots in issues that are a century or more in the making: Evolving land use and a stew of invasive plants, insects and diseases have combined to transform the natural landscape, leaving it ready to burn.

While small compared with many of the wildfires that regularly devastate the US West, the blazes in the Northeast are increasing risks in one of the most densely populated parts of the country that also boasts some of the priciest real estate in the world. The fires have sent plumes of smoke skyward visible from Manhattan and have raised breathing risks from New England to New Jersey.

A fire currently raging across New Jerseys Passaic County and New Yorks Orange County had consumed 5,000 acres, closed roads and was just 10% contained as of Tuesday evening, according to an update from New York Governor Kathy Hochuls office. The blaze is one of 537 that New Jerseys forest fire service has been called to respond to since early Octobera 1,300% increase over the same period last year. In response, New Jersey officials issued a statewide drought warning Wednesday, urging residents to conserve water for firefighting efforts.

Hochul said in an X post on Tuesday afternoon that New York State was managing 11 confirmed wildfires, as a blaze in the Bronx Tuesday halted Amtrak service between Penn Station and New Haven, Connecticut, and caused disruptions on the Boston-New Haven route. Amtrak said in an advisory that service was still suspended as of 2 p.m. local time Wednesday, with no estimates for when tracks would reopen.

And brush fires broke out in at least two New York City parks: Inwood Hill Park in upper Manhattan and Brooklyns Prospect Park, near the upscale Park Slope neighborhood. The Inwood fire was reported around 2:30 local time Wednesday, according to the New York City Fire Department, which deployed 45 fire personnel to extinguish a large area of brush.

A fire reported last week in Prospect Park was brought under control, but Mayor Eric Adams said fighting the blaze was difficult because the wind blew around burning leaves. The fire department used drone technology to identify hotspots.

The origins of the transformed landscape date back to before the Civil War, said Mark Ashton, senior associate dean of Yale Universitys Forest School. In the 19th century, most of the US Northeast was almost completely cleared for agriculture. When farming shifted to other parts of the country, the abandoned land began to reforest from 1850 to 1900. The landscape is now thick with a lot of 100-year-old trees and very little plant diversity.

That made worse fire threats that were sparked by this years dry weather.

A summer and fall of drought and dry winds pushed through the region, and now there is near to record-setting high fire danger, the US Storm Prediction Center warned. That risk extends from Massachusetts to New Jersey and is forecast to linger in the coming days.

No Rain

In recent weeks, the skies have squeezed out almost no rain, leaving the nearly 94% of the land from Maine to West Virginia abnormally dry and leading to one of the widest droughts across the Northeast since 2002, according to the US Drought Monitor. In the 12 Northeast states on the Drought Monitors map, more than 56% of the land is in drought. Parts of New Jersey, New York, including Long Island, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, had a record dry October, according to the US Centers for Environmental Information.

Read More: Climate Fight Is Failing to Hit Its Deadlines, Now Comes Trump

The older trees that blanket the landscape are prone to sucking water out of the ground, which can make droughts worse.

On top of that, the climate in the Northeast US is very similar to parts of Asia and Europe, so invasive plants and their hitchhiking insects and diseases are able to thrive in the region. Thats an issue thats plagued the area all the way back to the early days of the Industrial Revolution. Its location and its history have made the Northeast is the epicenter for invasive insects and plants, Ashton said.

When humans first arrived in the Northeast, the land was covered with ice and was mainly a tundra. Then forests came later. Peoples attitudes about fire changed in the late 19th and early 20th century, when it was viewed not as a tool to clear dense forest, but as a threat to homes and property.

Adding to these issues is that Earth itself has warmed, which has led to a situation where rain events have become more intense  but also spread out over time. The Northeast typically was a region where rain was steady and plentiful, but in recent years drought has become more common.

There is a climate-change effect of more precipitation, with interludes of long periods of drought, Ashton said.

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics New York Climate Change
The European Union is working on a new package of sanctions aimed at targeting the shadow fleet of tankers Russia is using to get its oil to market, according to people familiar with the matter.

The package, which the bloc aims to approve before the end of year, is also expected to include penalties against individuals involved in the trade. Member states are still negotiating the details of the sanctions, which need to be approved unanimously by the 27 member states.

It has gotten progressively difficult for the EU to win approval of packages in recent months, with Hungary often wielding its veto power during the negotiations.

Multiple rounds of US, UK and EU sanctions have already targeted dozens of tankers, as well as ships and services used to move Russian crude.

They have done so by prohibiting firms in the Group of Seven countries and the EU from buying oil sold above a $60 price cap.

Ukraines allies have also imposed sanctions on several companies in third countries that are helping Russia move its crude as they seek to cut Moscows revenues from its most lucrative income stream.

Western companies are allowed to provide transportation, insurance and other services if the oil is sold below the threshold.

In response to the sanctions regime, Moscow has assembled a covert fleet of tankers to get around the cap and restrictions as it continues to profit from the trade.

The profits are fueling Vladimir Putins war machine and the US, the UK and the EU have made cutting them a priority.

The EU is also working on a bigger sanctions package that it hopes to adopt early next year when the blocs presidency passes from Hungary to Poland. It could include further trade restrictions, as well as more tariffs on Russian agricultural goods.

This package could be presented as soon as January, with the goal of adopting it before the symbolic date of Feb. 24, which would mark Russias full-scale invasions third anniversary.

Some countries want to see Russias LNG trade targeted.

Photograph: Bulk carriers offshore from Singapore, on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024. Photo credit: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg

Related:

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics Europe Russia
A Brazilian federal court ruled miners Vale, BHP Group and their joint venture Samarco are not criminally liable for the deadly 2015 Fundao tailings dam collapse, according to a statement from the court on Thursday.

The dam collapse at an iron ore mine owned by Samarco near the city of Mariana in southeastern Brazil resulted in 19 deaths, left hundreds of people homeless, flooded forests and polluted the Doce River.

Judge Patricia de Carvalho ruled to clear the three miners and 21 people, including former executives, due to the lack of proof of individual actions that would determine direct criminal responsibility for the disaster, the court said.

Brazil Seals $30 Billion Compensation Deal With BHP, Vale Over 2015 Dam Collapse

Brazils Federal Prosecutors Office, which had filed the criminal charges, said in a statement it will appeal against the decision.

The ruling on criminal charges is separate from a $31.7 billion civil settlement agreement disclosed in late October, which deals with framework obligations and other claims related to the dam failure.

The civil settlement agreement could end more than a hundred lawsuits against the mining companies in the South American country and possibly limit legal action abroad, three sources close to the matter have previously told Reuters.

BHP faces a lawsuit in the UK for the Samarco dam disaster, potentially facing $47 billion in damages.

BHP, which is based in Australia, said on Friday morning local time that it was waiting to formally receive the Brazilian court ruling to assess implications and any next steps.

This decision does not affect the ongoing class action trial in the UK, which BHP continues to defend as it duplicates the efforts already ongoing in Brazil, BHP said.

A spokesperson for Vale said: The courts decision reinforces that the company acted within the law and in compliance with environmental standards.

Samarco said the ruling confirmed that it had always acted in accordance with current legislation.

(Reporting by Andre Romani in Sao Paulo and Roushni Nair in Bengaluru; additional reporting by Patricia Vilas Boas in Sao Paulo and Rajasik Mukherjee in Bengaluru; editing by Arun Koyyur and Jamie Freed)

Photograph: In this Nov. 23, 2015 photo, a car sits precariously on top of the wall of a home, destroyed when the dam of an iron ore mine burst in early November, causing a mudslide, in Bento Rodrigues, Brazil. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Topics Fraud
Finance minister Rachel Reeves on Thursday promised a reboot of regulation governing Britains crown jewel financial industry which she said has shackled the Citys global prospects since the global financial crisis and stifled UK economic growth.

According to extracts from her first Mansion House address shared with media, Reeves vowed not to take the UKs status as a global financial center for granted, and pledged a raft of growth-focused reforms to earn and preserve this position.

Her speech comes as leaders across the industry brace for a possible bonfire of regulation on Wall Street during President-elect Donald Trumps second term in office, with leaner taxes and lighter rules on capital likely to widen an earnings gap between U.S. banks and their global competitors.

While it was right that successive governments made regulatory changes after the Global Financial Crisis, to ensure that regulation kept pace with the global economy of the time, its important we learn the lessons of the past, she said.

These changes have resulted in a system which sought to eliminate risk taking. That has gone too far and, in places, it has had unintended consequences which we must now address.

The former Bank of England economist will propose five priority growth opportunities to maximize potential for growth in UK financial services, namely capital markets, fintech, sustainable finance, asset management and wholesale services, and insurance and reinsurance, the excerpts showed.

She said the first Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy would be published in spring to serve as a roadmap for growth, cementing the sectors place at the heart of the governments 10-year Industrial Strategy.

The UK has been regulating for risk, but not regulating for growth, said the chancellor, who has written to policymakers reminding them of their responsibilities regarding growth as well as market stability.

Reeves and Prime Minister Keir Starmer promised voters in Julys election that they would turn Britain into the fastest Group of Seven economy after years of sluggish growth.

Innovation

Besides rebalancing rules to curb risk, the government is also exploring ways to help finance firms reduce costs linked to supervising junior managers, in a proposed shake-up of the so-called Certification Regime.

Further action is being taken to jumpstart Britains sluggish capital markets with a commitment to establish PISCES by May 2025  the worlds first regulated market for trading private company shares in a tax-efficient manner.

This pledge to boost investment in capital-starved British firms complements plans outlined on Wednesday to build a slew of megafunds in what the government said was the biggest shake-up in UK pensions seen in decades.

Reeves wants to consolidate about 60 defined contribution pension schemes and 86 Local Government Pension Schemes into eight structures large enough to bankroll ambitious infrastructure projects and under-supported growth firms.

A collapse in allocations to domestic assets among Britains pension funds  forecast to hold 1.3 trillion pounds in assets by the end of the decade  is broadly seen as a key reason behind Britains lackluster economic growth.

Mindful of its manifesto commitments to make Britain the global hub for transition finance, Reeves said the government would join forces with the City of London Corporation to launch the Transition Finance Council.

The Treasury will also publish draft legislation for tighter regulation of ESG ratings providers and a consultation on the value case for a UK Green Taxonomy to boost investor confidence in sustainable companies.

The Chancellor also committed to consult on economically significant companies disclosing information using future UK Sustainability Reporting Standards.

Tackling one of the finance sectors greatest scourges, Reeves said she and the interior and science ministers had set tech and telecommunication firms a deadline of March 2025 to show how they are reducing fraud on their platforms.

(Reporting by Sinead Cruise, editing by William Schomberg, Alexandra Hudson)

Topics Legislation
The Michigan Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of police and dismissed a lawsuit alleging negligence in the 2020 death of a woman who was in custody in suburban Detroit.

There wasnt enough evidence to let a jury decide whether Harper Woods officers and civilian aides were grossly negligent for failing to get medical care for Priscilla Slater, the court said Tuesday in reversing a decision by a Wayne County judge.

The ruling might be different if Priscilla asked for medical care and was rebuffed, or had she responded that she was not OK when asked, or if she had exhibited clear signs or symptoms of being in physical distress, which were ignored, the court said.

Slater and a boyfriend were arrested in June 2020 after a disturbance that involved gunshots at a motel.

There was no dispute that Slater, 37, had consumed an excessive amount of alcohol before her arrest. She died of natural causes in a Harper Woods lockup roughly 36 hours later. The autopsy noted that a heart valve had an abnormal shape.

An outside expert told prosecutors that alcohol withdrawal could have been a factor.

Slaters death caused controversy in Harper Woods. Protesters with bullhorns and signs marched in the streets, accusing city officials of withholding information. Two police officers were fired after the city said they had misled state police who were investigating what happened.

The mayor resigned after saying he understood why white people would become white supremacists, a remark apparently made in response to protests by people who are Black. Slater was Black.

In 2021, nearly a year after Slaters death, Wayne County prosecutor Kym Worthy said no charges would be filed against Harper Woods police.

Topics Lawsuits Michigan Law Enforcement
Zurich North America, headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois, promoted Stan Bernard to head of industry practices for U.S. Middle Market.

Bernard succeeds Lynn Zeitler, who is retiring in December after 31 years with Zurich.

Bernard, who is based in Maryland, has been with Zurich since 2021. He previously served as assistant vice president and commercial officer at CNA and as a financial institutions underwriter with Chubb.

FM Names Hodge Chief Operating Officer

Commercial property insurer FM, based in Johnston, Rhode Island, said Randy Hodge was appointed chief operating officer (COO). Hodge will take over the COO role from Bret Ahnell, who will retire from the company in March 2025.

The appointment will be effective on Dec. 1, 2024.

Hodge joined FM in 1990 and has held numerous staff and operations roles, including field engineer; group manager field engineering; account manager; assistant client service manager; client service manager; operations manager, Atlanta; and senior vice president, chief underwriting officer. Most recently he served as executive vice president, staff insurance operations.

Topics USA Commercial Lines Business Insurance
A frustrated bankruptcy judge said he has concerns over the process in which satirical news site The Onion won an auction for right-wing provocateur Alex Jones Infowars website.

Saying he was dissatisfied with the transparency of the sale process, Judge Christopher M. Lopez said Thursday that he would hold a hearing next week to hear concerns and possibly approve the sale of the Infowars assets to the satirical news website owners.

I personally dont care who wins the auction, Lopez said during a status conference in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. I care about process and transparency.

Lopez said the upcoming hearing will determine whether advisers running the Infowars auction ran a full and fair process.

Bidders were required to submit their highest and best offer for Infowars, but the value of the offers werent shared with rivals. Lopez said that meant other potential buyers didnt know what they were bidding against.

The emergency hearing was held after The Onion, along with families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims, announced on Thursday morning that they had won the right to buy right-wing provocateur Alex Jones Infowars website.

Trustee Christopher Murray is tasked with liquidating Jones estate in bankruptcy to help him pay down approximately $1.5 billion in defamation judgments related to false statements he made calling the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting a hoax.

Nobody Should Feel Comfortable

The designated backup bidder for the assets, First United American Companies LLC, asked the court for the status conference Thursday to address what it called apparent defects in the sale process. First United operates the website for online supplement store ShopAlexJones.com.

First United attorney Walter Cicack of Hawash Cicack & Gaston LLP told Lopez that there was a change in the format of the sale procedures on Monday, and that he was concerned about the lack of details of the final bid.

Nobody should feel comfortable with the results of the auction, Lopez said.

The Infowars assets on sale included production rights and materials, more than 400 domain names, social media accounts, podcast sites, newsletter subscribers, archival library, the e-commerce nutritional supplement business, product trademarks, and production equipment.

If The Onions parent, Global Tetrahedron LLC, successfully acquires the assets, the Sandy Hook families that backed the deal have agreed to waive their potential recovery and give it to all other unsecured creditors, Murray said.

Ive never seen this before in any other case, and we did a lot of research, and weve never found it, Murray said. But Ive always thought my goal was to maximize the recovery for unsecured creditors, and under one bid, theyre clearly better than they were under the other.

Murray also assured Lopez that the winning bid was more than the $3.5 million offered by First United.

The Onion has said it plans to start its transition of the website immediately and wants to launch the new platform in January 2025. Its CEO, Ben Collins, was a disinformation reporter at NBCs news division before being tapped to lead the satirical website.

In a live online broadcast Thursday morning, Jones said people were at the Infowars studio attempting to shut it down. Murray said that he went to the Austin-based studio Thursday morning to secure the assets for the winning bidder, but hasnt laid off any of its roughly 30 employees. He confirmed, however, that the plan has always been to shut the show down.

Jones lawyer Vickie Driver of Elliott, Thomason & Gibson LLP said she was concerned that people who worked at the site would lose their jobs, saying the business was making an extraordinary amount of money.

The Chapter 7 trustee is represented by Jones Murray LLP and Porter Hedges LLP.

The case Alexander E. Jones, Bankr. S.D. Tex., No. 22-33553, hearing 11/14/24.

Photo: Alex Jones Photographer: Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics Legislation
For years, neighbors who lived near a factory in Louisville, Kentucky, complained amongst themselves and to local officials about a variety of strange smells coming from the plant, which produces colorings for food and drinks.

Some described it as an ammonia-like smell, while others said it was more like burnt sugar or burnt caramel. They worried a bit about living so close to the plant, but never expected what happened Tuesday, when an explosion killed two workers, and blew out windows and ripped pieces off the roofs of nearby homes..

Ive always thought about it, like this is unsafe  seems like  because there was always huge steam coming from the place at night. But I never really thought that this would happen, said Shelby Dix, 31, who lives in an apartment in a multifamily home that is separated from the plant property by an alley.

The explosion injured 11 other employees at Givaudan Sense Colour, and caused a partial collapse of the building. Three remained hospitalized Wednesday.

We are grieving with the families, friends, and loved ones of those that were lost and injured during this very difficult time, the Swiss-based company said in a statement.

Amanda Strecker, who lived in a townhouse near the plant from 2018 to 2022, said she had long been concerned about the ammonia-like smell.

We felt when we lived there that something was going to happen. It was just a matter of time, she said. Weve had a lot of problems with chemical smells in the air, reporting it locally to the environmental office, and them coming out and not finding anything.

During the first few years Strecker lived in the neighborhood, the plant was owned by D.D. Williamson & Co. Givaudan acquired the plant in 2021.

I had the plant managers number at one point and I would call and let them know, Hey, somethings not right. Theyve had a lot of issues there, Strecker said.

In April 2003, while the plant was owned by D.D. Williamson, a tank exploded and killed a worker. Federal investigators determined the tank exploded because it was missing its pressure relief valve, which had been removed when it was moved to the Louisville plant in 1989.

In 2009, D.D. Williamson paid a total of $600,000 in civil fines to the U.S. Department of Justice and the Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District to resolve allegations of Clean Water Act violations at the Louisville plant.

Officials said they have not yet determined what caused the explosion Tuesday. Louisville Fire Chief Brian ONeill said the building housed hazardous chemicals  typical for factories of that kind  and firefighters did not immediately know if any had been compromised. He said monitoring of air and runoff found none.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said employees initially told officials everything was normal activity when the explosion occurred.

This is an incredibly sad and tragic incident, Greenberg said. I want the families of the two victims to know that the hearts of all Louisvillians are with them.

As of February 2021, the factory made caramel colorings for the food industry by heating sugar and water and adding chemicals such as aqueous ammonia for some products, according to permitting documents filed with the Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District.

At the time of the permits, the plant was still owned by D.D. Williamson & Co., which was founded in 1865 and initially supplied malt to brewing companies, later developed colors for soft drinks and more recently produced natural colors for food and beverage companies.

The Swiss flavor and fragrance company Givaudan acquired D.D. Williamson in 2021. Givaudan Sense Colour offers a range of natural colours, caramel colours, burnt sugars, and fruit and vegetable-based browns for the beverage market, according to its website. Spokespersons for Givaudan did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment Wednesday.

Last year, the air pollution control district cited the plant for failing to notify the district about unspecified excessive emissions. It also was cited for not submitting annual compliance certifications and reports in a timely manner, as well as not abiding by permit requirements concerning monitoring, recording and inspections. The company agreed to pay a $7,500 fine.

Carly Johnson, her husband and their 4-year-old son were at home when they heard a crazy loud boom, felt their house shake and heard things falling off the walls and shelves as if a bomb went off.

During the 12 years the family has lived about a block from the plant, theyve smelled what Johnson described as a weird, burnt sugar smell. She and her husband had worried about living so close to the plant, knowing about the explosion two decades ago. But she said she thought that since it there had already been such a traumatic event there, they would have done everything they could to prevent this from happening again.

Windows and everything can be replaced. Im just mad about my son going through that. Thats what makes me the most mad, she said.

The Louisville Fire Department is leading the investigation with help from state and federal partners. A reconstruction team from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was headed to Louisville to help determine the cause of the explosion. Givaudan said in an earlier statement that it is cooperating with authorities.

Associated Press journalists John Raby in Charleston, West Virginia, and Ben Finley in Norfolk, Virginia, contributed to this report.

Photo: The area is closed off showing damage from an explosion at the Givaudan Color Sense plant in Louisville, Ky. on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Dylan Lovan)

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Manufacturing
A driver has died after going around a barricade and driving off the edge of a hurricane-damaged North Carolina highway that became a symbol of Hurricane Helenes destruction.

Photos of Interstate 40 with multiple lanes washed out by Helene near the Tennessee state line drew widespread attention after the storm as the region was largely cut off by numerous road closures.

Emergency workers from Tennessee and North Carolina responded to a report that a vehicle had driven off eastbound I-40 and down an embankment on Saturday night, according to a news release from the Junaluska Community Volunteer Fire Department.

Crews rappelled down the embankment to reach the vehicle, which landed on its side about 100 feet (30 meters) from the road, the fire department said. Images from the scene show a worker trying to reach the crumpled, white vehicle at the bottom of a steep, rubble-covered slope. The driver was alone inside. She was extricated and taken to a hospital.

Patricia Mahoney, 63, of Southern Pines, North Carolina, died later that night, according to Sgt. Brandon Miller of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, which is investigating the crash.

Mahoney headed westbound in eastbound lanes and went off the road around the 4-mile marker. An autopsy is scheduled. Theres no indication of why she went around the barricade, Miller said.

The highway has been closed since late September when flood waters from Helene washed away the eastbound lanes in four long swaths along the Pigeon River. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has said it expects to reopen one lane in each direction by the new year.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Hurricane Personal Auto North Carolina
A North Carolina man gas been charged with obtaining property by false pretense and common law forgery, both felonies.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced the arrest of David Fitzgerald Bishop Jr., of Winston-Salem. According to special agents with the state insurance departments criminal investigations division, Bishop obtained $290,482.76 from Wilson Brothers Milling Co. by providing the company with a false certificate of liability insurance to gain payment.

The incident occurred on July 30, 2023, according to the arrest warrants.

Bishop was arrested on Nov. 2 and released on a written promise to appear in court. He is set to appear in Chatham County District Court on Nov. 25.

Topics North Carolina
Four decades of The Troubles in Northern Ireland are brought to life in Say Nothing, a new series based on the best-selling book by Patrick Radden Keefe. Featuring a large Irish cast that includes Lola Petticrew, Hazel Doupe and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, the series opens with the shocking disappearance of Jean McConville, abducted from her home in 1972. The series also focuses on Dolours Price and her involvement with the IRA.

Now adapted into a nine-part series on Disney+, Say Nothing was released to widespread critical acclaim and became a bestseller. The author is also an executive producer on the series. Keefe says he first became interested in telling the story of The Troubles after reading about the death of Price.

I am Irish-American. I grew up in Boston, but the Troubles was kind of in the background, he says. I came to this really in the context of my day job. In 2013 Dolours Price died, and I read her obituary in the New York Times. Because of what I knew of the Troubles, I thought of it as a very male story. And I was just startled to learn that there had been this young woman who had been a soldier in the IRA, and that she and her sister had gone on hunger strike."

The obituary also mentioned the Boston Tapes, the recordings made by academics at Boston College of republican and loyalist paramilitaries talking about their actions.

The last detail in the obituary was Jean McConville. It was never designed to be a comprehensive history of the Troubles, but that you could look at the Troubles through that lens, seemed really intriguing to me, and it's hard to believe, but my first trip to Belfast was 10 years ago. I've been working in some fashion or another on this story for a decade now.

Patrick Radden Keefe, author of Say Nothing. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for The New Yorker)

Keefe made the first of many trips to Belfast to carry out hundreds of interviews as part of the book. At first, he feared it would be a big disadvantage being an outsider - but quickly found that the opposite was the case.

I found it was an advantage in two respects. One was when I was actually on the ground, if you were to go to Belfast and start talking to people and doing interviews, you'd open your mouth and you'd say a few things, and people would hear your accent, and they'd start drawing conclusions about you, and they'd plot you on a grid.

I was kind of an alien, and I think that it meant that I was a little bit harder for people to draw premature conclusions about. I could come in and say: Ill find the story where it is. I want to hear from everyone, and then Im going to make my own judgments and tell my own story. But this wont be any one sides story. I wanted to do something a bit more nuanced.

Then when I was actually writing the book, I think that I was able to draw certain conclusions and say certain things with a freedom that I might not have had if I lived in West Belfast, and my kids went to school in West Belfast, my wife went to work. There's a luxury that you have in being able to leave and tell the story as you see it.

Josh Finan as Gerry Adams, Anthony Boyle as Brendan Hughes in Say Nothing.

Initially wary of the book being adapted for the screen because of the real stories and lives involved, Keefe began to come round to the idea having spoken to a good friend who was a producer. Its sometimes the case when I finish an article or a book that I'll have my agents send it out and you see who's interested in Hollywood, he says. I didn't do that with this book because the material was so sensitive. It's about people who are still alive, and I worried that in the wrong hands, it could be told in a way that felt tawdry or exploitative.

Id known a producer named Brad Simpson for about 10 years and he was a friend of mine, and he asked to read the book. He and his partner, Nina Jacobson, had made a really terrific series called The People vs OJ Simpson, also for FX. That, to me, was the best possible version of the adaptation of a book where it was really good, it was high quality. It was complex. It was about a very sensitive issue, which was race in America. I thought they handled it beautifully."

After they read the book, the producers came back with a tantalising offer. They said: Wed love to do this, but if you do it with us, it won't be a situation where you give us the rights and we go off and make the show. It would be a thing where you were actually very engaged, and you can help protect it. I never entertained any other offers or even really showed the book to anyone else. I wanted to make sure we got it right.

Keefe was involved throughout the process of making the series, and was one of a close council of advisors that show runner and writer Joshua Zetumer turned to during production. That included a casting process that saw several Irish actors including Love/Hates Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, and Lola Petticrew who plays the young Dolours Price, join the series. There are over 200 speaking parts in all, and many Irish actors involved. Filmmaker Michael Lennox, who previously directed Derry Girls, came on board as a director. Although its a very different subject matter to Derry Girls, Keefe feels Lennox has storytelling qualities that lend themselves to the new series.

It might seem odd that you would get a guy who directed a comedy to direct a drama like this, he says. But what I loved about Derry Girls was that its this very specific story, these teenage girls growing up in Derry, but it's also so universal. People in France and Florida and Korea could watch Derry Girls and actually find that they related to these teenagers in Derry.

I wanted Mike, in part because he's able to do that. He's able to tell a story that's highly specific, but in its specificity, it actually is something that lots of people can engage with.

Say Nothing is now on Disney+

The Edna OBrien documentary screens as part of Cork International Film Festival. Picture: Joe Dunne/RollingNews

Five films to watch out for

Gladiator II, cinemas from Friday, November 15: Paul Mescal brings his mojo to this highly anticipated sequel to the 2000 hit.

Cork International Film Festival, until Sunday, November 17th: CIFF continues through its second weekend including the animation gala Fox and Hare Save the Forest, The Everyman, November 16th, 11am.

Super Cine Saturday at Cinemax Bantry, Gate Midleton & Mallow, and the Regal Cinema Youghal on Saturday 16th November: Three CIFF features including animated feature The Magic Reindeer: Saving Santas Sleigh, Blue Road: The Edna OBrien Story, and French thriller Misericordia will screen at these cinemas across the county.

Cork on Camera: IFI Local Films for Local People +Q&A, Triskel, November 17th, 2pm: This new programme of work, from collections preserved in the IFI Irish Film Archive, includes a series of recently re-discovered Cork-themed films.

Small Things Like These, cinemas now: Cillian Murphy and Aisling Walsh star in a powerful adaptation of Claire Keegans novel.
It is one one of the most notorious murder cases in British history, a true crime story that fascinated and repulsed a nation, lingering long in the public imagination.

In March 1953, the bodies of six women were discovered at 10 Rillington Place, a terraced house in Notting Hill, London.

A manhunt for missing tenant John Christie ensued  the body of his wife Ethel was found under the floorboards of the front room in their flat.

Christie, later chillingly portrayed by Richard Attenborough in the film 10 Rillington Place, was quickly tried for the murder of his wife and hanged.

Christie was later held to be responsible for the killings of Beryl Evans and her baby daughter Geraldine at the same address three years previously, a crime for which Beryls husband Timothy Evans was executed.

In her latest book The Peepshow: The Murders at 10 Rillington Place, author Kate Summerscale sets out to reframe the circumstances surrounding the infamous killings.

It was the most notorious murder of the 50s and for those who were born in the next 20 or 30 years, which includes me, it almost had a quality of a myth or urban folk tale, says Summerscale.

I saw the film on late-night TV, some time in my teens, and it was really horrifying and very bleak.

I remember seeing the wax effigy of Christie in the Chamber of Horrors at Madame Tussauds when I was about eight.

Christies victims  Ruth Fuerst, Muriel Eady, Rita Nelson, Kathleen Malone, Hectorina MacLennan, as well as his wife Ethel, and Beryl Evans  were all women existing precariously in a profoundly misogynistic society.

Summerscale doesnt need to spell out the parallels today with violence against women and cases of femicide on the increase.

Most other treatments of it have addressed the question of who was to blame for the murder of Beryl and Geraldine Evans, as a sort of murder mystery.

But my starting point was the mystery of why a man chooses to kill women. This particular crime, coming so soon after the war, did seem like a new kind of crime in England.

Thats how it was understood at the time, a spree killer, a serial killer, somebody who acted without a motive of personal hatred or anger, but with a more generic kind of misogyny.

Theres also the subtext of domestic violence against women. Tim Evans, whether or not he killed his wife, certainly beat her up. And this was taken as just ordinary behaviour.

The Peepshow has been compared with The Five, by Hallie Rubenhold, a groundbreaking book about the Jack the Ripper murders which focuses on the victims rather than the killer.

Shining a light on Christie's victims

Summerscale says she was also very aware of shining a light on Christies victims in her narrative.

That was definitely one of my considerations, how to deal with the victims in the story, Summerscale says.

I looked hard for details of these womens lives and their relationships in the archives, and they were there, but they hadnt been treated with any seriousness or interest at the time, because it was easier to conceptualise these women as all of the same type, part of an underclass who were almost inevitably going to be drawn into dangerous situations and whose lives were in some way dispensable.

There was also the fact that Christie was never actually tried for the murders of any of the women other than his wife, because the courts only tried one murder at a time, and that meant that their stories were not aired, either in the courts or in the press.

It felt important to be able to recover some of the things that made them distinct from one another, their aspirations and their histories and to not treat them as sexual objects, objects of violence and anger, as Christie had.

The book serves as a fascinating social history of Britain at a time when racism was rife.

Summerscale opens the book with a disquieting vignette of Christina Maloney, a woman who had just moved to London from Ireland, encountering Christie and arranging to go back to his flat the next day.

He doesnt turn up and she sees his picture in the newspaper a week later.

Several of the women he targeted were Irish.

Summerscale says: There had been a big influx of Irish people to London in the wake of the war, and there was very marked discrimination against them in the same way as against the West Indian arrivals.

This may have contributed to Christies entitled sense of their disposability. He targeted recent arrivals, precisely for the reason that they were less likely to have people come looking for them.

Summerscale came to prominence with her award-winning 2008 book The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, a gripping account of a real-life Victorian detective working on a murder case, which became a huge commercial success and was later adapted into a television series.

The Wicked Boy was an exploration of another infamous Victorian murder. Her eye for an ingenious angle and her ability to keep the pages turning are also evident in The Peepshow.

She frames the narrative through the perspectives of two people who chronicled the case at the time  the tabloid journalist Harry Procter and Fryn Tennyson Jesse, a pioneer of true-crime writing who attended Christies trial.

All of the other books Ive written have been about obscure cases and the challenge, the excitement and adventure, is trying to find out enough about them so the story makes sense, Summerscale says.

This was the first time I had an overwhelming amount of readily available material in newspaper archives, and also in the police files and the Home Office files in the National Archives  there were thousands and thousands of pages of evidence and witness statements.

So I did need a way to steer myself and the reader through all that material and having a couple of observers on the ground as it were, in the form of Harry Procter and Fryn Tennyson Jesse, gave me a way to tell the story as it unfolded.

Summerscales passion for meticulous research underscores her projects, something that germinated in her previous work with The Daily Telegraph, where she worked on the obituary desk.

I would go to the library, get out files of newspaper cuttings and try to piece together a life, she says.

I just loved going through the old newspapers and putting together the stories, and most of the stories I have written since, thats been a primary source  how they were covered at the time, the language that was used about them. Its an amazing source of cultural history.

Such analogue methods may have been superseded by the advent of the internet but for Summerscale, it is still hard to beat the tactile and transportive power of print.

I remember halfway through researching and writing Mr Whicher, new technology became available whereby you could search The Times digital archive by keyword, and it felt like a miracle. Of course, since then, many more newspapers and archives have come online.

Its a huge boon, especially if youre researching obscure cases and individuals. But I miss the feel of the old yellowing newspaper cuttings.

Very often, the connections that you make when youre researching, the patterns you see, are across the pages of a newspaper, or theyre in the way that a bunch of papers in the archives have been filed together  that physical touch, the feeling of handling the same objects that people at the time wrote on and produced, Im quite nostalgic for that.
6.45am

I rise ahead of the gang: Erin (9), Cara (7), Dana (4). As a busy working mum, I grab the chance for a quiet coffee before the school-work circus begins.

9am

Today Im running a gym class for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at St Clares Integrated Care Hub on Griffith Avenue, Glasnevin.

I had a change of job location nearly three years ago, and its been a godsend for work-life balance, as its closer to home in Santry.

At the hub, I chat with our lovely porter, Anith Chacko, to let him know what oxygen I need for the gym.

Some patients need supplemental oxygen when exercising.

9.30am

I set up the class ahead of the patients arrival. Its a big open space with cross trainers, rowing machines, bikes, treadmills.

Each patient has an exercise station with a chair, a step and weights. Once the gym is set up, I check in with Elaine Deasy, my admin support, to see if there are new referrals.

If there are, they need to be triaged to see if they are suitable for exercise.

10.15am

The 60-minute class is a mixture of aerobic and strengthening exercises involving circuits. Everyone goes at their own pace.

Today, Cherry Wynne, a respiratory clinical nurse specialist, assists me.

After class she gives a talk on respiratory medications. Incorporating education and exercise is vital.

1pm

Quick lunch.

2pm

Ive another class at Cabra Parkside Community Centre. We use Dublin City Council gyms in Cabra, Ballybough, and Poppintree.

COPD Support Ireland runs support groups in these areas, and theyre fantastic. A lot of people who do my eight-week programme subsequently avail of the free exercise classes run by COPD Support Ireland.

They also help educate patients and their families about the disease, which is mainly caused by smoking.

4pm

Hometime. Evenings involve homework, family dinner, and GAA training for the kids.

Once bedtime is over, I make sure to do something for myself and go to the gym. Its important to practice what I preach.
While in hospital last year recovering from sepsis following a hip replacement, Ciaran McCormack first learned that his health insurer provided a home nursing support service.

Because of the complications, he had already been in hospital for almost five weeks.

I was initially in isolation in hospital for a week because Id tested positive for covid and then, with the sepsis, they were monitoring me and administering IV antibiotics every day to try to clear the infection.

It was a very slow process. I was getting fairly fed up, to be honest, because I live in Wexford and I was in hospital in Dublin.

My wife and kids (aged 19, 16, and 13) were at home and could only make occasional visits to me. Hospital can be quite a lonely place when youre on your own.

However, a chance comment from a nurse on his ward led McCormack to discover Health in the Home run by his insurer, Irish Life Health.

Once his eligibility for the service was confirmed, he was discharged from hospital and went home, where his in-home nursing care took over.

I had my antibiotic on the Friday in the hospital and then, on Saturday morning, I started with the [home] service. The transition was seamless.

When I got home, the team had already delivered the fridge where my antibiotics had to be stored and the medication was in it, he says.

The home-care team visited him for over five weeks.

This year, he was back in hospital for another hip replacement. There were more complications when it was discovered he had a fungal infection and he had to remain in hospital for another five weeks while it cleared.

He was discharged back into the home-care nursing service again.

Expansion to Munster

Elaine Storey is one of the original community nurse advisers with the Health in the Home service. She is based in Leinster and regularly checks in with Ciaran at his home in Enniscorthy.

The service is available to patients who are stable but still need medical care. Theyre not high-risk. Before a patient is approved, we check their vital signs  blood pressure, heart rate, temperature. Well also look for recent blood work results to make sure theres nothing out of order. Patients with normal vital signs and bloods are usually good candidates for the service.

Irish Lifes Health in the Home service was launched in July 2021 in Leinster in association with TCP Homecare.

It has since been expanded to Munster. Five nurses are in Leinster and three in Munster. The home care team offers services, including checking vital signs, administering IV antibiotics, wound care, chemo disconnects, port flushes, and phlebotomy services.

Significantly, the in-home nursing team has a direct line to each patients consultant and maintains regular contact with them.

When were with the patient, we have all their details on our tablet device and various checklists for different services.

For example, with Ciaran, we have two checklists  wound care and his antibiotics. We go through these checklists during each visit and add notes.

These reports go directly to the consultant after each visit. If anything changes or if were concerned about anything, we have direct contact with the consultant, who might suggest the patient return to hospital to be reviewed.

Lifesaving service

TCP and Irish Life employ nurses with a minimum of three years of clinical nursing experience.

That medical background is really important. The nurses must also be members of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland and receive ongoing training, refresher training, and hands-on training with new machines, says Storey.

For 51-year-old McCormack, the move to in-home care was transformative.

The nurses went above and beyond. They visited the house every day for five weeks to administer my antibiotic. They would text me the day before to let me know when they would be there, so there was always that consistency. It was normally the same time every day, he says.

And the way they interacted with me and my family, it wasnt like a stranger coming into our home to give me my meds. They were so helpful and friendly.

For Storey, being a community nurse is all about building relationships with patients and ensuring they are cared for in the comfort of their homes.

Every time I visit a patient, I say to them, Im going to pretend this is the first visit. I ask, How are you  mind, body, and soul? Its about the whole person, she says.

We saw with Ciaran how much it meant to him to be at home. Hes so involved with his family and three kids. Being at home was certainly a contributing factor to his feeling better.

While in hospital, McCormack says he missed key family milestones.

I spent my wedding anniversary and my birthday in hospital. I missed confirmations, debs, and also important day-to-day moments. But this year, with Health in the Home, I was able to be there for my family at special times, he says.

Over the last two years, the service has been an absolute lifesaver.
As Ireland faces the mounting challenges of a climate crisis, the decision to construct a road through Ardee Bog in County Louth has ignited fierce debate on the topic of peatlands and Irelands climate future.

The recent dismissal of a legal challenge against the road project by the High Court has not only cleared the way for the development but also highlights systemic loopholes in Irelands climate and environmental policies. Peatlands are central to Irelands climate action strategy, yet gaps in legal protections and planning policies allow these vital ecosystems to slip through the cracks, jeopardising this countrys ambitious environmental goals.

Irelands peatlands





"Drone image of Ardee Bog proposed bypass route, taken while the proposed route is in flood. Image: Friends of Ardee Bog









Peatlands are Irelands unsung climate heroes. These ancient ecosystems, storing more carbon per hectare than forests, are critical for mitigating climate change. They also regulate water quality, provide flood mitigation, and support unique biodiversity. The importance of peatlands is stated in Irelands Climate Action Plan 2023, which commits to restoring 77,000 hectares of degraded peatlands by 2030 as part of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51%. Yet, Ardee Bog, an unprotected peatland, has become a victim of Irelands fragmented conservation framework.

A victory for development?









An alternative route Friends of Ardee Bog have proposed to the Council: "It avoids the bog completely and the flood zone altogether and in fact it offers an even better bypass since major housing developments have been completed and more underway on the south of Ardee with little or none on the side of the current bypass route. It would cost less as the cost of construction over a bog, flood zone and two rivers will be extremely expensive in current times."





In May 2024, the High Court dismissed a judicial review brought by environmental group Friends of Ardee Bog (ardeebog.ie), which challenged An Bord Pleanalas (ABP) decision that neither an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) nor a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) was required for the proposed N52 Ardee Bypass.

The bypass, a 4.5-kilometre road designed to alleviate traffic congestion and improve connectivity, is set to traverse Ardee Bog. Friends of Ardee Bog argued that the lack of these assessments overlooked serious environmental risks, including carbon emissions from peat disturbance, habitat destruction, and increased flooding potential. However, Justice Miriam ORegan ruled that the group had not sufficiently demonstrated flaws in ABPs determination, effectively dismissing the case on all counts.

The Loophole





Ardee Bog. Pictures: Friends of Ardee Bog









The decision to build a road through Ardee Bog highlights a major weakness in Irelands climate and environmental laws. Many peatlands are left unprotected unless they are designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) or Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs).

While flagship peatlands enjoy robust safeguards under the EU Habitats Directive, smaller or degraded bogs like Ardee are effectively invisible in policy.

This gap leaves these ecosystems vulnerable to development pressures, despite their importance as carbon sinks and biodiversity hotspots. Irelands reliance on designations to protect specific sites ignores the broader network of peatlands that together contribute to national climate resilience.

Friends of Ardree Bog responded: We hoped a reasoned engagement would result in deviation of the route to avoid the core proposed NHA and the area most favoured by waders and migrating red listed birds, for example. Sadly, this did not happen and much to our disappointment no recognition whatsoever has been given to the bog and its true value was acknowledged as an ecosystem let alone as a mitigation factor in climate change.

Economic costs of climate inaction





Curlew feeding/foraging inside the fencing where the bypass is to be constructed at Mullenstown. "This is their habitual feeding area. We have detailed records of their favourite sites going back five years." Image: Friends of Ardee Bog









This case also raises concerns about the broader economic implications of failing to meet Irelands climate targets. According to a 2023 report from the European Court of Auditors, failing to comply with EU climate regulations could cost Ireland over 2 billion by 2030 in non-compliance fines and penalties alone. In addition, the longer-term costs of inaction are staggering. Research from the Irish Climate Advisory Council suggests that climate-related damages, such as flooding, droughts, and extreme weather events, could cost Ireland 5 billion annually by mid-century if emissions are not curbed. These figures dwarf the projected economic benefits of infrastructure projects like the Ardee bypass.

Contradictions in climate action

The decision to build through Ardee Bog is not just a local issue, its emblematic of a wider inconsistency in Irelands climate approach. On the one hand, the Government is funding peatland restoration projects through initiatives like the EU LIFE Programme, spending millions on rewetting bogs to reduce carbon emissions. On the other hand, developments like the Ardee road project actively degrade peatlands, releasing the very emissions that restoration projects aim to sequester.

Draining peatlands for construction leads to substantial emissions of carbon dioxide. Research suggests that drained peatlands emit up to 30 tonnes of CO per hectare per year, turning natural carbon sinks into carbon sources. Allowing the destruction of Ardee Bog for a road sends a contradictory message about Irelands commitment to climate leadership.

Planning policy vs climate goals

Irelands planning policies also reveal a critical tension between development priorities and environmental goals. The Ardee project was approved despite environmental assessments highlighting potential damage. Moreover, the Climate Action Plans sectoral targets for transport and land use do not adequately address how to prevent peatland degradation through infrastructure projects. Without aligning planning policy with climate action objectives, Ireland risks undermining its own environmental progress.

Closing the loopholes

The controversy over Ardee Bog is a wake-up call. If we are serious about achieving climate goals, we must address these policy gaps that extend legal safeguards beyond SACs and NHAs to include smaller, fragmented, and degraded peatlands that are still ecologically and climatically valuable. Ireland needs to integrate climate goals into planning laws to ensure infrastructure projects undergo stricter climate assessments and require carbon accounting for developments impacting peatlands.

The bigger picture

Ardee Bog's fate is a litmus test for Irelands climate action and environmental governance. While the N52 bypass may bring local economic benefits, it's at the cost of a unique ecosystem that has taken thousands of years to develop. The decision to sacrifice Ardee Bog reveals not only the fragility of Irelands peatland protections but also inconsistencies in our approach to balancing development with climate action.

Hello!  we're Friends of Ardee Bog, a community group dedicated to protecting & preserving Ardee Bog, Ireland's most easterly raised bog. We love sharing the beauty of our bog and learning from other bog lovers. #peatlandsmatter #rightsofnature  pic.twitter.com/SYsgN3Nfk0  Friends of Ardee Bog (@ArdeeBog) October 12, 2022

If Ireland fails to close the loopholes exposed by the Ardee Bog case, we risk both financial penalties and the loss of natural resources critical to our climate resilience. The question now is whether Ireland will learn from Ardee Bog or continue to allow short-term gains to undermine its long-term environmental legacy. The choice between immediate economic development and sustainable environmental stewardship has never been clearer, or more critical.
The family behind the TikTok famous Ballerina Farm announced they have landed in Ireland after a long journey from the United States.

They have caused a stir online for their family values and backstory, but who are they and why are they in Ireland?

Heres everything you need to know about Ballerina Farm.

Who are they?

Hannah Neeleman is a 34-year-old from Utah, USA. She is a social media influencer, posting under the social media handle @BallerinaFarm.

She has a background in ballet, having attended a Juilliard School summer ballet program at 14 and later finishing her university studies there.

Hannah met Daniel Neeleman  who is the son of David, founder of five airlines including JetBlue  while home from college over Thanksgiving and within three weeks, they were engaged.

The couple are both from Mormon families and now have eight children. The Neelemans are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

What is Ballerina Farm?

Daniels job took the couple to Brazil for a number of years before they returned to the US. They spent three years looking for a farm to purchase and bought a different property in 2017. The following year, they bought what is now Ballerina Farm.

On Instagram and TikTok, Hannah shares snippets of their life on the farm, such as baking with the children, milking cows and generally spending time on the property. They now have 10 million followers on Instagram and 9.8 million on TikTok.

What is the controversy surrounding the family?

Hannah Neeleman at home. Picture: Ballerina Farm

Though she doesnt identify with the term, Hannah has been associated with the 'trad wife' movement.

The online trend sees the glorification of being a stay-at-home wife or mother. This includes managing the household, cooking, cleaning and doing laundry.

The movement has been widely criticised online for undermining feminism and the evolution of gender roles.

What was the Sunday Times piece about them?

In July of this year, the Sunday Times newspaper published a detailed profile of the couple. In it, Hannah was dubbed the queen of the trad wives.

The piece revealed public and private aspects of their life and during one rare moment when Hannah could speak to the journalist without interruption from her husband, she admitted she got an epidural when delivering one of their children while Daniel was out of town.

She also spoke about the sacrifices she made to have a family, such as giving up her dancing career.

Many who read the piece commented on Hannahs lifestyle, saying her life may not be as fulfilling as it appears on social media.

Others criticized Daniels role in their traditional family dynamic.

Why are they in Ireland?

On Thursday night, Hannah posted on Instagram and TikTok to announce that after a long 36-hour journey, the family had finally arrived in Ireland for a work trip.

The video showed them having lunch in Kinsale before heading to their AirBnB in Cobh for a quick rest. The family then headed to Centra to do some grocery shopping, with Hannah praising the eggs in Europe for not being in a fridge.

On her Instagram stories, she showed the family exploring green fields on the coast, saying her daughter Fran looked to be fitting in to Ireland well with her fair hair and cream jumper.

Hannah also posted a video of her eating a Crunchie bar, saying they were her favourite.

It's not clear how long they will be in Ireland.
Political leaders and voters are not taking the threat of climate change seriously in the general election campaign despite its devastating effects becoming more apparent in Ireland, environmental campaigners warn.

International researchers this week issued fresh warnings that, on the current trajectory, global heating will smash the 1.5C scientists say is the limit to stave off the worst of climate change.

According to the Climate Action Tracker  an independent scientific project  minimal progress has been made in curbing expected global temperature rises since Cop26 in Glasgow in 2021.

The world is on track to hit 2.7C of global heating, which would have profound effects of human life and biodiversity, rendering some areas of the planet unliveable, the scientists said.

Friends of the Earth said all political parties in Ireland must spell out how they are going to uphold Irelands climate law, which was passed three years ago in the Dail by 129 votes to 10.

Despite the overwhelming parliamentary majority, Irelands emissions are not nearly going down quickly enough to match the legally binding targets that the legislation sets out, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, the independent Climate Change Advisory Council, and leading climate scientists here.

Research has shown that storms such as Storm Babet, which devastated Midleton in East Cork last year, were exacerbated by climate change, with such events set to become more frequent and intense in the future.

Friends of the Earth Ireland CEO Oisin Coghlan said climate change must be taken more seriously by politicians and voters. He said:

Theres been some reports that climate hasnt been coming up on the doorsteps as much as it did four years ago.

I doubt climate change came up that much on the doors in the Spanish general election last year. But its on the doorsteps in Valencia and Malaga now.

"The next Government will be responsible for doing what it can to prevent and protect us from climate breakdown.

Just weeks after torrential flooding decimated Valencia, leaving more than 200 dead, Malaga in the south of Spain has this week seen thousands evacuated from their homes in the face of red alert storm warnings.

The Green Party this week wrote to RTE director general Kevin Bakhurst, calling for the broadcaster to host a TV debate on climate change ahead of the general election.

Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tanaiste Micheal Martin will not attend this years annual UN climate change summit, Cop29, in Baku, as did leaders such as US president Joe Biden, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, French president Emmanuel Macron, and German chancellor Olaf Scholz.

The world saw a 0.8% rise in emissions last year, while 2024 is all but certain to breach the 1.5C barrier for the first time.

If those patterns continue, the 1.5C will be locked in by the end of the decade, climate scientists have warned.

Maynooth professor of climate change, Peter Thorne, said hard choices had to be made at home. He said:

Were still not fundamentally understanding that action now might be painful, but we need to do it.

For future governments, the longer they hold off grasping the nettle, the more the climate system will progressively warm and the bigger burden theyre leaving to our future selves.

He said the election of Donald Trump as US president was utterly depressing, as he had given short shrift to climate change action and pulled the US out of the Paris Agreement, which set out the 1.5C limit, when he was elected in 2015.
The Defence Forces conducted an intelligence-led operation over recent days, monitoring the movements of Russian military vessels near Irish-controlled waters.

An air corps maritime surveillance aircraft carried out missions on Monday and Tuesday along the southern border of Irelands exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in order to track the vessels movements.

The operation was based on intelligence gathered by the Defence Forces.

This is believed to have been most likely shared through British military as the Russian ships had travelled along the British coast, passing through the English Channel on Sunday and crossing into the Atlantic.

British, French, and US navy and air forces conducted a surveillance operation of the Russian vessels.

It is thought this included the presence of a US navy ship near the Irish EEZ, and the flight of a US jet through Irish-controlled airspace en route to the vessels.

They included the warship Admiral Golovko, which is equipped with Zircon hypersonic anti-ship missiles.

A previous joint Defence Forces maritime surveillance exercise including the Air Corps and the Army Ranger Wing in the Irish Sea. File picture

The other two Russian vessels were the Yantar, officially described as research ship, and a refuelling tanker.

The Yantar has been documented by both military and security services as being equipped with the technology and weapons to identify the locations of sub sea cables, capable of interfering and even damaging them.

In a recent paper, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies based at Georgetown University in Washington DC, said: Yantar has been observed loitering near undersea cables with submersibles capable of cutting or tapping into these cables, signalling a clear intent to exploit these vulnerabilities in a potential conflict scenario.

The Yantar has been spotted over a cluster of data cables off the southwest coast of Ireland on a number of occasions.

These cables are considered the backbone of the global communications system and many pass along the EEZ  as well as outside  and some in Irish waters.

It is not thought the Russian vessels entered the EEZ.

At around lunchtime on Monday, a CASA 295 maritime surveillance aircraft flew from Air Corps headquarters in Casement Aerodrome, Dublin, and headed as far as 250km off the southwest coast, later returning.

It conducted a similar operation on Tuesday.

Ireland received two new CASA planes, fitted with modern-spec surveillance technology, over the last year and a half.

It is understood that a naval service vessel was at sea at the time, but was not involved in the monitoring of the Russian ships.

In a statement, Defence Forces headquarters said it did not comments on the specifics of operations.

It said they maintain continuous maritime surveillance within Irelands EEZ and assigned area of operations through co-ordinated efforts of the naval service and air corps.

It said vessels transiting Irish waters are expected to comply with international law and may be subject to observation by Defence Forces.

The statement said: The Irish naval service naval operations centre, in co-ordination with the air corps and Defence Forces headquarters, conduct 24/7 monitoring of vessels within the Irish EEZ.

This surveillance allows for timely detection and response to any potential maritime situations.
A teenage boy who is awaiting a double lung transplant is refusing to let anything get in his way as he prepares for a starring role in Cork's first ever Christmas parade.

Daniel O'Sullivan will join members of the Cork City Fire Brigade as they tow Santa's sleigh through the city.

Organised by Cork City Council, the inaugural Corkmas parade will start at 6.30pm, travelling down North Main Street, Washingston Street, and Grand Parade, before finishing up on Patrick Street, where the city's lights will be switched on to officially mark the start of Christmas in Cork.

Daniels appearance is testament to how far he has come in life. The Scoil Bernadette pupils battle with health issues began shortly after birth when his lungs were attacked with a killer virus known as Adenovirus. A specialist team from Sweden flew to Ireland and were able to successfully connect him to a heart and lung machine.

Daniel O'Sullivan has been chosen to ride in the fire truck, which will be leading Santa's sleigh in the Corkmas Christmas Parade. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Daniel was subsequently flown back to Stockholm where he was connected to the device for 56 days. Ever since, he has been unable to breathe independently and he requires oxygen tanks and machines to live.

Daniel also faced other challenges growing up including a diagnosis of autism, ADHD, and an intellectual disability.

'His life is not easy'

Proud mum Deirdre said Daniel was honoured to be recognised.

Since he was born he has taught us so much," she said.

"He is the happiest child. You will never see him sad or crying. At first, we used to worry so much about what was coming next, but he has shown us not only how to live life but how to enjoy every minute of it. His life is not easy.

"Between the lungs and the bottle of oxygen he has to carry around every day he has a lot to contend with. This is not a light bottle of oxygen. He is used to it but that doesnt make it any easier on his little back. Hes quite frail so its a challenge. We are lucky he goes to a wonderful school called Scoil Bernadette in Montenotte which he adores. We dont wrap him up in cotton wool just because he has disabilities. He is treated just like any other child.

Daniel has to bring a suitcase to school every day to facilitate his medical equipment.

We have to be really prepared, Deirdre explained. Weve often run out of oxygen which meant we were stuck at home for a few days. He is also PEG fed so we have to be sure that everything is taken into consideration.

Daniel O'Sullivan with Cork City firemen Ryan O'Mahony, Tom McKenzie, Josh Beecher, Colin O'Brien and John Looney, Cork City Hospital children's club. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Daniel is excited about the parade following several weeks dominated by medical appointments.

He was struggling for a while and the oxygen levels were dropping. Daniel has undergone a good few tests and we are now waiting to hear back from Great Ormond Street Hospital about whether they want to go ahead with the transplant or they are happy to allow Daniel continue as he is for another while. Its a delicate call when it comes to deciding the time for getting a transplant as lung transplants only last about 10 or 15 years so we are hoping to push these lungs out a bit more.

The family is glad Daniels role in the parade incorporates his love for Cork City Fire Brigade.

He wants to be a firefighter when he grows up so he comes prepared with his own bottle of oxygen, she joked. If hes with his dad and they see a fire truck they always have to follow it. Other days he wants to be a DJ after being inspired by Stevie G from Red FM who played at a party he was at.

Daniel expressed his pride at being involved in such an important night for Cork city.

It was a great opportunity to be picked by the Lord Mayor to do this. The hospital appointments are scary and annoying but this is really exciting.

Parade highlights

Other expected highlights of the parade include the Cork Barrack Street Band who are leading festivities.

The event will also feature the Montfort College of Performing Arts, Joan Denise Moriarty School of Dance, and the Cork Butter Exchange Band, among other performers. Students from Strawberry Hill National School will don lanterns made in conjunction with Cork Community Artlink.

Meanwhile, Corks Lord Mayor, Cllr Dan Boyle (Green Party) is calling on people to support the event.

The Corkmas Parade and the turning on of the Christmas Lights marks the start of six weeks of festive activities as the countdown to Christmas in Cork officially begins, he said. Christmas is such a magical time for children and families and a special time to catch up with old friends. I encourage you to come to Cork City and experience all that Corkmas has on offer and be sure to shop local and support local businesses in Cork this Christmas.
The discovery of a woman sleeping rough under a Skippo waste bag is a sad reflection of the harsh reality of life on the streets, campaigners working on the frontline of homelessness have said.

The Irish Examiner reported on Friday how the woman was found in the Friars Walk area of the city just metres from a council home which has been vacant for almost a year.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin described the case as terrible but insisted the government has provided funding for wraparound homeless services, and funding to local authorities to refurbish or repair vacant council homes and return them to use quickly.

The council house should not have been empty, he told PJ Coogan on Corks 96FM.

The council has plenty of money to refurbish those houses. There are thousands of voids [empty houses] that have been brought back into use now because of a particular initiative we took on that.

I dont know what the circumstances are in relation to the house, but I do know homelessness is complex. There can be many issues why people sleep on the streets.

Sometimes people dont want to go into the shelters because they feel maybe they are not as secure as they might want, or they might have their own personal preference.

But I think its terrible, and I am not in any way saying otherwise, but there are complex reasons why this happens.

It is terrible and very sad that something like this should happen but the resources are there. Someone shouldnt have to sleep on the street.

Cork Simons Paul Sheehan said the case reflects the tragic reality for far too many people today, whose plight has not been discussed enough during the general election campaign.

He said there isnt enough emergency accommodation for everyone who needs it. He added:

We are consistently told that housing and homelessness is a top priority but clearly not if you have got somebody who is just trying to stay safe and secure as possible while sleeping on the streets.

Recent figures from Cork Simon showed that its outreach team met 577 men and women sleeping rough in 2023  a 39% increase compared to 2022.

The team met an average of 30 people per night  a staggering 135% increase. One in five rough sleepers were women. It is now working to support the woman at the centre of this case.

Figures released this week showed that rents in Cork City rose more than 10% year on year to an average of 2,077 by the end of September, putting the average city rent for a year at close to 25,000.

Mr Sheehan said the cost of housing is far too high for a single adult stuck in an emergency shelter.

You have no hope of getting out, he said.

A route out in the past wouldve been the private rented sector, but that is beyond anybodys reach and you could be waiting for affordable housing for a long time to come.

There is a severe shortage of housing but there is an even more severe shortage of one-bedroom housing.

There needs to be a concerted effort to get to grips with the problems in the housing system.
Taoiseach Simon Harris has said housing is a massive priority after being told he should be ashamed at the number of children who are homeless during a Dublin canvass.

Kieran Allen, who is a former lecturer and a member of People Before Profit, said that Mr Harris should be ashamed at the homelessness figures, which have risen to almost 15,000 people.
1. Taking no bull

Politicians can get themselves into all sorts of positions on the election campaign trail.

For Micheal Martin, it was on the back of a buffalo. "A jockey in the making," one person joked as the Tanaiste awkwardly mounted the animal during a visit to the Macroom buffalo cheese farm.

2. It's a man's world

Justice Minister Helen McEntee has said that women all over the country "know the feeling of men taking credit for their work".

Her comments came after sharp exchanges with her Fianna Fail counterpart Jim O'Callaghan, but Ms McEntee stopped short of accusing Mr O'Callaghan of sexism.

"I think there's probably women all over the country who will understand what it's like when men fight to claim credit for their work.

"Women all over the country can understand and see what they've heard over the last few days".

The pair had taken part in a Prime Time debate on justice on Thursday evening, during which Mr O'Callaghan said that Fine Gael had adopted many of his party's plans on justice, particularly around Garda retention.

Mr O'Callaghan also said that he had achieved more from the back benches than if he had been a junior justice minister.

3. Lost in the post

An error between An Post and local authorities has seen tens of thousands of voters in Cork North-Central, Cork North-West and Galway East getting the wrong election material.

Fine Gael's Colm Burke said that an explanation must be provided for how the Litir um Thoghchain  the letter that every election candidate is entitled by law to send to voters  was delivered to scores of voters in the wrong constituency.

It now appears that the election letter from candidates in Cork East have been sent to almost 15,000 voters in my own constituency of Cork North-Central and Cork North-West. This is because the information being used was based on the constituencies from the last general election. The same has happened in Galway East I understand, where voters have received letters from Roscommon-Galway candidates, and it may have happened elsewhere as well.

Constituency boundaries have changed since the last election and this would seem to have been a contributing factor to these errors occurring, however the Electoral Commission reported on new boundaries in August 2023," Mr Burke said.

4. Ireland is not full

A group of secondary students have reacted to one poster put up by an election candidate close to their school.

Councillor Glen Moore of the Irish Freedom Party erected campaign posters in the Dublin Mid-West constituency with the slogan "Ireland is full".

However, pupils attending St Aidan's Community School in Tallaght have now put up their own message, stating that "St Aidan's is not full, everyone is welcome here."

The colourful message, hung directly below Mr Moore's poster also features painted handprints and the slogan "strength in inclusivity".

Below Irish Freedom Party candidate Cllr Glen Moore's poster which says 'Ireland is Full', a sign saying 'St Aidan's is not full, everyone is welcome here' has been placed.

5. Wallace enters the race

Former Independent MEP Mick Wallace has confirmed that he will run in the general election just hours before the deadline for nominations closed.

Ill be dead straight with you, I am going to stand, Mr Wallace told South East Radio.

However, he admitted that it will be very difficult for him to win a seat in the four-seater Wexford constituency, saying that existing candidates are "well ensconced on the ground" and have been "canvassing for a few years to win this seat and Im arriving with a few days to go."

6. Free buses for all

People Before Profit wants to spend 2.3bn in just one year to roll out free public transport to all.

The plan outlined by the party is what "the Greens should have been pushing for in government if they are supposedly in there to achieve radical climate-carbon emission reductions", Paul Murphy said.

The cost of making public transport free while also investing and expanding the current services is something the country can absolutely afford, according to Mr Murphy who said Ireland is a "very, very wealthy country".
In the build-up to the last general election, Midleton woman Caroline Leahy was very much an undecided voter.

Not only was she unaware of anything about the candidates before she cast her vote, but to this day, she has no idea who she voted for in February 2020.

This time round, and since Storm Babet flooded the home she shares with her partner, things are very different.

The flood has completely changed my attitude and I am far more interested and engaged than I was last time around, the 38-year-old legal executive said.

This time, she wants to know exactly what the various parties are going to do about a host of flood-related issues that she says need urgent attention.

She and her partner Aidan Murphy suffered around 90,000 in damage to their home on Midletons Tir Cluain estate when Storm Babet hit in October last year.

A waist-high wave of dirty water swept into their home, destroying everything below the water line.

Although they had flood insurance and were able to claim back around 70,000, they have since lost their flood cover and had to pay the balance of what was owed in repairs out of their meagre savings.

Although there was a big flood in the town in 2015, our house hadnt flooded, and I didnt think it would flood again in Midleton on any big scale, she said.

Added to that, I thought the councils flood relief scheme was being worked on and would be online soon enough.

To be honest, what happened to us was a wake-up call.

Not only did we not think we would be affected by flooding, but we just assumed that when it did happen, we could rely on the State to act.

It did act, but not everybody benefitted and what action there has been, has come about very slowly.

Party promises

What Fine Gael and Sinn Fein are offering people like Caroline in terms of election promises on flooding is not yet clear.

The same applies to smaller parties like Independent Ireland and Aontu, although the latters election candidate Mona Stromsoe has been very involved in advocating for residents in her role as chair of the Midleton and East Cork Flood Action Group.

Caroline Leahy beside the Owenacurra River in Midleton, Co Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins

Based on their published manifestos to date, only Fianna Fail and the Social Democrats have electoral commitments that would appeal to the Caroline Leahys of this world.

Fianna Fail has, for example, promised it will accelerate the implementation of flood protection schemes including tidal barriers and early warning systems.

As well as lobbying on behalf of constituents affected by Storm Babet, the partys sitting TD James OConnor has also repeatedly raised the towns flood-related issues in the Dail and with ministers.

"Meanwhile, the Social Democrats say that, if elected, they will - among other things - require state bodies to first examine upstream natural-based solutions when considering works required to deal with flood relief and protection."

Their Cork East General Election candidate Liam Quaide has been one of the most vocal local representatives in raising issues around flooding in Midleton.

Caroline is very clear about what she wants to hear about from anybody canvassing for her vote.

Midleton needs the current flood relief scheme speeded up, she said.

The fact that we wont have it up and running until 2030 is not good enough.

In the meantime, the state needs to put in place an early warning system. I am aware the council have said it is not possible. But I am not a fan of not possible.

I dont know why other countries around the world can operate early warning systems but we seem incapable of operating them, in Ireland. Dont get me wrong," she added. Things are starting to move and I dont doubt everyone involved is doing their best. But as I have discovered, everything seems to move at a snails pace.

She would also like there to be better communication with residents about anything to do with flood relief or mitigation.

We have had to fight tooth and nail to find out what is being done since Storm Babet, she said. "Above all though  we need to see things being done.

The people of Midleton need to see shovels in the ground.
The next Government has been warned it must change tack from the previous coalition on vital climate measures, as the pace of change has been nowhere near fast enough.

Professor Peter Thorne, the director of the Icarus climate research centre at Maynooth University and a member of Irelands Climate Change Advisory Council, urged policymakers to adapt their approach given the urgency of the situation.

Were still not fundamentally understanding that action now might be painful, but we need to do it, he said.

The writing is effectively already on the wall for the next government as so much of the expert commentary points towards us failing to meet our legally binding 2030 obligations.

The latest bleak prediction came from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland this month, as it said even with a massively scaled-up effort for technology deployment across all sectors, it is now likely too late to meet our targets.

It said what was needed was unprecedented technology change combined with strong policies and measures to limit growth in energy demand.

Former Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has stood over the coalitions record, while also acknowledging making the required changes was not easy.

Change is not easy and it is not necessarily popular, even when it's change for the better, he said, following warnings in May from the Environmental Protection Agency.

When you make a better public transport system, when you switch to your own renewable power supply, people object and have the right to do so, but it's going to require huge political effort.

Professor Thorne credited the Government for its delivery of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021 for setting a rigorous basis to take climate action in this country.

However, despite the actions being taken which are helping to reduce emissions, the rate at which they are falling is nowhere near fast enough. He also said there had been inadequate action on climate resilience and climate adaptation in recent years.

Its a mixed report card for this Government, Professor Thorne said.

Its the speed of change that we need. Its not that we need to come up with some magical thinking of things that dont already exist. Its hard choices that have been ducked around.

Professor Brian O Gallachoir, associate vice-president of sustainability at University College Cork, said the last Government deserves top marks for putting strong foundations in legislation and governance to underpin strong climate action in Ireland, but there are several key areas where it could have done more but failed to do so.

This included sufficiently supporting and resourcing local authorities and the electricity grid operator to address the barriers to accelerated wind and solar energy development, he said.

Professor Thorne said this Government had primarily dealt in carrots, rather than sticks.

For future governments, the longer they hold off grasping the nettle, the more the climate system will progressively warm and the bigger burden theyre leaving to our future selves, he said.

In terms of how important climate change should be in this race, Professor O Gallachoir said it should be given the examples both at home and abroad of the impacts of climate change.

[Its own importance] is brought home to us more and more frequently through the increasing news footage of the devastation climate change globally, whether from flooding in Valencia, Spain, and elsewhere, forest fires in the US and Canada, snow storms across continental Europe, he said.

For many voters, housing, healthcare and inequality will likely be more in their minds. For voters affected by the impacts of climate change, like residents in Midleton who experienced devastating flooding, climate may have a higher priority.

"For young people, and increasingly people across generations, who are experiencing climate anxiety, it will likely have a higher priority.

He added the next government needs to demonstrate leadership to the nation on climate change, while focusing on five key areas identified by his colleague Prof Hannah Daly as priorities it must show courage to take.

This includes cutting car dependency, electrifying transport, decarbonising industry, investing in wind, solar and the grid, and investing in retrofitting, heat pumps and district heating.

Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman said another Trump presidency would be a 'disaster for the US, Ireland, the planet'. Picture: Damien Storan

There is also a wider context to this, in that it is not just Irelands responsibility to take action on climate change.

Prior to the US presidential election, now-Green leader Roderic OGorman said another Trump presidency would be a disaster for the US, Ireland, the planet.

Tragically, the flooding in Spain has reminded all of us just what climate change means for ordinary people, he said.

Mr OGorman added Trump would encourage fossil fuel use at a time when it needed to be reduced, while the US would also retreat from global climate efforts.

Professor Thorne echoed these concerns. He described Donald Trumps electoral win in the US as utterly depressing in terms of climate action, as he expected emissions may still fall in America but nowhere near the rate they should.

Trump, meanwhile, may be more effective at undermining global climate efforts to address climate change as he is coming into his second term with experience under his belt, according to Professor O Gallachoir.

He added: As climate scientist Joeri Rogelj put it recently, 'Political decisions that disregard evidence will be harshly course-corrected by the hard physical reality of climate change.
Political cycles and election campaigns come and go, but the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss continue at a relentless pace.

Global heating doesnt wait for bills to be passed, funding to be released, or uneasy consensus after vigorous bouts of political horsetrading.

Theres no grace or goodwill period in Mother Natures playbook.

This year is now all but certain to be the hottest on record globally, breaching the 1.5C barrier that scientists say is the limit to which we can go to stave off the very worst of climate change.

Ireland has not been inoculated. Just ask the people of Midleton, many of whom worry every time the rain hits the roof slates that little bit harder than usual, following devastating flooding in the East Cork town in October 2023.

If hitting 1.5C means the likes of Storm Babet in Ireland or the recent carnage in Valencia become the norm, then imagine the brutality of a 2C rise. Science has already produced evidence such events were exacerbated because of climate change.

The world could possibly reach 4C above the pre-industrial period of 1850 to 1900  according to scientific modelling, such a rise would make vast swathes of the planet unlivable.

With the way things are currently, the world could even reach 4C above the pre-industrial period of 1850 to 1900  according to scientific modelling, such a rise would make vast swathes of the planet unlivable.

Yet for all the dire warnings sounded over and over again in recent decades, the twin climate and biodiversity crises are never the top of the agenda in the eyes of political parties or voters.

Figures from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this year suggest that more than a third of people in Ireland are alarmed about climate change and see it as a real and immediate threat. The EPA study also found almost half of the population (48%) were concerned about climate change, and support policies being taken to address it.

Yet, trying to get a bus lane over the line in Irish cities can take months if not years, an exasperated outgoing Environment Minister Eamon Ryan has repeatedly said. Solar farms, wind farms, offshore turbines  all are viewed with suspicion in communities as soon as they are mooted.

If parking spaces are to be casualties of a public transport plan in a city like Cork, planners invariably have to go back to the drawing board, and months and months are lost trying to find solutions to a city and suburbs strangled by traffic.

All the while, the planet is getting warmer, Ireland is getting wetter, and animals and marine life are faltering.

So far in this general election cycle, tackling climate change has been a relative afterthought. It is understandable to an extent, considering the issues around housing, health, rents, homelessness, crime, and putting food on the table for many.

We hold this countrys future in our hands on November 29. Climate change should be in the conversation for voters and politicians alike. Picture: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg

Climate change is a paradox in that it cannot be felt day to day like many of our collective problems, but it is the most existential. Thats how insidious it is.

The much-heralded 3.15bn climate and nature restoration fund announced in October 2023 has barely been spoken about since save for a few soundbites here and there. Green Party minister Ossian Smyth has alleged Fianna Fails reluctance to green light such a fund in the first place almost brought down the Government.

Fine Gael hasnt been much better, with Taoiseach Simon Harris and former taoiseach Leo Varadkar trying to parse and downplay the hard choices that are inevitably going to have to be made if Ireland is to comply with its legally binding emissions targets.

There are choices to be made, if only those in power are willing to spend political capital.

One of the first priorities of the new government has to be to pass the Marine Protected Areas Bill, now languishing in legislative limbo for years.

The marine bill currently going through the Oireachtas aims to cement the countrys ambition to protect 30% of its maritime area by the end of the decade. Yet despite repeated promises it was a priority, with biodiversity in Ireland and across the world in absolute peril, there was little urgency to pass what should have been an easy win.

In the new government, that should sail through, if our political leaders want to have any credibility about fighting for nature.

Similar plans are needed for our national parks, many of which lie in ruins from decades or neglect and mismanagement.

According to the EPA, Irelands greenhouse gas emissions were down 2.2% for the first quarter of 2024. The good news is that they are down, and we have shown we can bring them down. The bad news is that we are coming from a glacial starting point. The acceleration needed to reach our legally mandated targets as outlined in climate legislation is daunting, but Ireland has risen to the challenge before.

If the boom-and-bust cycles of the past have any lessons for the future, then it must be that sustainability cannot simply be a buzzword to throw about to make palatable political noises.

Irelands construction sector, farmers, engineers, young people and other cohorts of the future will thank us if we finally get our act together on the vast potential of renewable energy. Denmark and similar nations have shown the way. Ireland can eclipse these leading countries only if bureaucracy is simplified, urgency is injected, and hard truths are told by our political establishment that a fossil fuel-led future is a dead end.

We hold this countrys future in our hands on November 29. Climate change should be in the conversation for voters and politicians alike.
For the music fan

The new Galaxy Buds3 will help discover the details in all those favourite tunes. Re-engineered with an angled design to bring the sound closer to your ears, you can feel the beat with a new 11mm speaker for strong, dynamic sound. Hear the distinct timbre and clarity in each note with 24-bit CODEC which promises to give the wearer the ultimate Hi-Fi sound experience.

Finetune the details with Galaxy AI enhancements for ANC and real-time translation that will give any tech fan a kick. The RRP is 259, available from Samsung.

For the art lover

Cork-city-based painter Cora Murphy has a range of art options, like her limited edition prints, original oil paintings, her very popular calendars and art card gift packs, there's something to suit every budget. Pictured here is 'The UpSide', for 275. Check out CoraMurphy.

For the farmer

The Embrace FARM Christmas jumper features a charming scene of Santa driving a tractor, perfect for the farmer or farming enthusiast in your life  regardless of age or size! Each jumper costs 45 (plus postage) with 100% of the proceeds going to Embrace FARM, a farming organisation founded by Brian and Norma Rohan, and their young farming family from Shanahoe, County Laois, after Brian lost his father Liam Rohan to a sudden farm accident in 2013. Make sure to put your jumper away with the decorations so you can reuse it every year! See EmbraceFarm.

For the self-care lover

Enriched with rosemary and clary sage, this nurturing oil is designed to hydrate, smooth and promote healthy hair. Known for their conditioning properties, jojoba, camellia seed and argan oils provide essential nutrients to replenish and nourish the hair, roots and scalp.

A gorgeous scalp ritual to add to the festive season. Ground Recovery Hair Oil 30ml is 30, Groundwellbeing.

For the homebody

Irish brand The Nature of Things handcrafts high-quality essential oil blends and they have this Cosy Christmas Gift Set with cinnamon, cedar, and orange essential oils, plus a recipe card to create your own seasonal blends.

Each set is sustainably packaged and includes a simple guide on essential oils and a QR code for additional details and recipes. This one is 34, available at TheNatureofthings and through stockists such as Arnotts, Irish Design Shop, The Kilkenny Shop, and more.

For the chocolate lover

A chocolate photo advent calendar combines tasty treats (Kinder, Ferrero, or Tonys Chocolonely) with your favourite photos  the ultimate advent countdown. Prices start at 22.99 from the team at Cewe. They believe there's no better gift than something personal, and their Christmas 2024 range is packed with lots of ways to wrap up memories and give loved ones a gift thatll last long after the decorations come down. Check them out at Cewe.

For the writer

Thanks to the Journal Prompt Set from Head Plan you can be the author of your own life story. Head Plan says is not just about exploring your inner self, it's also about doing it in style.

Featuring 52 powerful prompts, designed to unlock and explore hidden facets of your personality. These prompts are not just questions, but keys to doors within you that you might not have opened yet. Each week, shuffle the deck and draw a card. Write, ponder, and revisit as often as necessary. The magic happens in the exploration and the writing. It's 50 from TheHeadPlan.

For the Rapunzel

The Aveda Nutriplenish Range delivers intense nutrient-powered superfood hydration with omega-5-rich pomegranate oil that will nourish hair to create lasting moisture. This nutritious haircare collection consists of shampoo, conditioner, treatments, hair oils, and conditioning spray.

The range has products to suit all hair types and contains 50% more natural butters to deliver a rich, moisturising experience. It's available from stockists nationwide, including Leonard Hair & Beauty in Douglas and Sobe Brown, Morrison's Quay, Cork, and AvedaStore.
WITH no sign of The Prism, ostensibly Corks 20m answer to New Yorks iconic Flatiron building, perhaps The Sherkin at Lancaster Gate could assume the role of understudy?

It has the profile: triangular, sharp-nosed, and tall (by Cork city standards). As The Prism, earmarked for a tiny site next to Parnell Place bus station, has not progressed beyond piling in three years, The Sherkin is where we are at in terms of unique geometric design.

Choosing a triangular footprint is more than a piece of architectural whimsy. Beyond the aesthetic appeal, there are practical benefits, such as improved energy efficiency. The angular shape allows greater exposure to natural light, and this is very much in evidence at No 16 The Sherkin, a swanky, spacious, sixth-floor apartment, just one floor below a 1m penthouse, sharing the same views, not too far behind in size, and in all respects, a worthy understudy.

Kitchen/dining and views at No 16

Like the penthouse at No 19, No 16 has a choice of balconies: a small perch for sitting-out off the kitchen/breakfast room with views east towards the city, and a much longer, west-facing balcony that looks towards the nearby River Lee Hotel.

West-facing balcony

Whoever gets the main bedroom also gets access to this balcony. A second bedroom overlooks it, but does not have access.

One of three spacious bedrooms at No 16

Apartments of the quality of No 16 are among the frontrunners of Cork city apartment living, with other notable contenders at the Elysian, or further out in the burbs, in Blackrock House, where a 2,500sq ft unit set a new record for the development when it sold in September for 1.35m.

Entrance hall at No 16

Lancaster Gate, designed by Henry J Lyons architects, trumps its rivals for proximity to UCC (500m).

Large open plan living room at No 16

It has been reported that the original owner of The Sherkin penthouse was a Cork man with three daughters attending the university. He reportedly paid just over 1m after developers OCallaghan Properties put Lancaster Gate apartments on the open market in 2007. No 19 sold for the third time in 2020 for 1m.

No 16 comes to market with a guide price of 850,000 and for your money you will get a city centre apartment bigger than your average three-bed semi-d (its 165sq m). You will also acquire a living space with superlative views over the River Lee and the citys hills and ridges, great security, unbeatable convenience, a basement car parking space, zero maintenance, and a management company to take care of the day-to-day stuff for a fee of just under 3,000pa.

Lancaster Gate overlooks the River Lee

Nice geometry at No 16

It comes with a dash of glamour too and should appeal to a corporate clientele, or a high net worth individual, Irish or otherwise, looking for plush and lofty city living or for a central lock-and-leave base.

View from No 16

Selling No 16 is Sam Kingston Snr of Casey & Kingston and he says its a stunning, turnkey, penthouse-style apartment an extremely rare purchase opportunity in the heart of Cork city. On its doorstep is the four-star River Lee hotel, with swimming pool and gym for members.

VERDICT: Its a toss up between owner/occupiers and investors. Lofty, deluxe living in the city. Carrie Bradshaw would surely approve.
Nearly 90 Democratic lawmakers urged U.S. President Joe Biden to sanction members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government over anti-Palestinian violence in the West Bank, according to a letter released on Thursday.

Urging Biden to send a message to U.S. partners before he leaves office, the members of Congress said Israeli cabinet members Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had incited violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied territory.

"We write to express our deep concern about the rise in settler violence, settlement expansion, and measures adopted to weaken the Palestinian Authority and otherwise destabilize the West Bank," they said in the letter.

The letter, signed by 17 senators and 71 House members, said Israeli settlers have carried out over 1,270 recorded attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank, averaging more than three violent attacks per day.

The letter was dated Oct. 29 but made public on Thursday because the lawmakers had not had a response from the White House, three of the members of Congress said.

Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen and Democratic House of Representatives members Rosa DeLauro and Sean Casten, who are leading the letter effort, told reporters that Biden has the authority to impose sanctions under an existing executive order.

Doing so would send a message not just to Israel and the Palestinians, but also to U.S. allies elsewhere in the world, that the United States will push back on humanitarian issues, they said.

"We think it's more important than ever that President Biden right now states that the United States is not going to be a rubber stamp to the Netanyahu government's extreme actions," Van Hollen said.

Spokespeople for the White House and Israeli embassy did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The United States has for decades backed a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians and urged Israel not to expand settlements.

The West Bank is among territories Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war and where Palestinians, with international support, seek statehood. Most world powers deem Israeli settlements in the area illegal. Israel disputes that, citing historical claims to the West Bank and describing it as a security bulwark.

Netanyahu and his allies celebrated the re-election this month of Donald Trump, a staunch but sometimes unpredictable ally of Israel. In his first term the Republican president-elect delivered major wins for the Israeli leader.

Additionally, Smotrich, who also wields a defence ministry supervisory role for settlers as part of his coalition deal with Netanyahu, said this week he hoped Israel would extend sovereignty into the occupied West Bank in 2025 and that he would push the government to engage the incoming Trump administration to gain Washington's support.

- Reuters
It was the morning of 8 June when Ahmed Damoo got the call that his home, a small concrete building in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, had been hit by an IDF rocket.

When he returned to what was left of his house, he found his family buried beneath the rubble.

One by one, Damoo and his neighbours dragged the bodies from the debris. Among the dead were his in-laws and two of his children, Hala, 13, and Mohannad, 10, who had been playing in the living room when they were killed. His wife, Areej, and toddler, Tala, had sustained serious injuries but were still alive.

Every day I watch my beautiful daughter, who cant even bear to look at herself in the mirror,

Ahmed Damoo Damoo went back into the debris, searching for his last child, 12-year-old Mazyouna. When he found her, he almost passed out.

Her face was ripped off and her jaw was literally hanging, he recalls. My beautiful little girl was completely unrecognisable. At al-Aqsa hospital, doctors used what little resources they had to stitch Mazyounas face back together and hold the remaining structure in place.

Mohammed Tahir, a British doctor who is volunteering in Gaza, saw her during his ward rounds. It was one of the most shocking cases Ive seen, he says. Half of her cheek was missing and her bones were exposed.

The doctors tried their best but the extensive reconstructive work she requires cannot be provided here in Gaza. Since June, the family and FAJR Scientific , a US non-profit organisation providing free medical care to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, have tried to evacuate Mazyouna for treatment to the US, where they have surgeons waiting to treat her.

Five times their requests have been denied without explanation by the Israeli military body responsible for humanitarian affairs in Gaza, the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (Cogat).

Now, five months on, her situation is getting desperate. There is still shrapnel in her neck and she is in agony every time she moves. She cannot eat or speak. The platinum used by surgeons to rebuild her face is coming apart, with little more than a bandage holding her jaw together.

Mazyouna and her family Picture: GoFundMe

Doctors say her wounds are now infected and there is little they can do to stop it spreading. If she is not allowed access to surgery immediately, she could die.

Every day I watch my beautiful daughter, who cant even bear to look at herself in the mirror any more, says Damoo.

The hardest thing for any parent is to watch their child suffer and not be able to do anything about it. I have already lost two of my children  losing another would destroy us completely. Mazyouna is one of an estimated 2,500 children in Gaza who Unicef says need urgent medical attention and require immediate evacuation.

Its is utterly shocking and outrageous that children who need essential treatment are being blocked by Israel from leaving Gaza Moeen Mahmood, MSF This week, the aid organisation Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said the Israeli government blocked, without explanation, the medical evacuation of eight children and their caretakers from Gaza who are in need of medical care, including a two-year-old with leg amputations, to the MSF hospital in Jordan.

It says that of the 32 children it has asked to be medically evacuated from Gaza to Jordan in recent months, only six have been allowed to leave.

Lengthy procedures and unexplained denials block the provision of medical treatment for children who have been severely injured in Gaza, says Moeen Mahmood, MSFs country director in Jordan.

It is utterly shocking and outrageous that children who need essential treatment are being blocked by Israel from leaving Gaza. Israels denial of urgent medical evacuations defies reason and humanity. Unicef says children are being evacuated from Gaza at a rate of less than one child a day. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization, says that since May, medical evacuations have virtually ground to a halt.

12-year-old Mazyouna

Unicefs James Elder says: Children in Gaza are dying  not just from the bombs, bullets and shells that strike them  but because, even when miracles happen [and] the children survive, they are then prevented from leaving Gaza to receive the urgent care that would save their lives.

This is not a logistical problem  we have the ability to safely transport these children out of Gaza. It is not a capacity problem  indeed, we were evacuating children at higher numbers just months ago. It is simply a problem that is being completely disregarded. Mazyounas parents were not given a reason for why their daughter has not been allowed to leave Gaza to get the help she needs. Other parents told the Guardian that they were also denied permission to travel with their sick children, saying that security concerns were cited, with no further clarification provided.

Cogat and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) did not respond to requests for comment.

In many cases, humanitarian organisations say that when Cogat does approve children for evacuation, they turn down the requests of parents or relatives to travel with them.

No one can say if these families will ever be reunited, says Somaya Ouazzani, co-founder of the British medical aid organisation Children Not Numbers , which has so far helped evacuate more than 100 injured children from Gaza. It is completely unacceptable that this situation should even exist. In a room inside a large military hospital about a 30-minute drive from central Cairo, 11-month-old Sadeel Hamdan lies curled up in a bed typically reserved for wounded soldiers. A series of tubes funnel into her tiny body while every few minutes, her slow breathing is punctuated by bleeps from a monitor.

She just needs her mother, says Tamer Hamdan, the babys father, who sits slouched in an armchair, exhausted. No child in this situation should ever be without its mother. Born two months before the war in Gaza broke out, Sadeel was diagnosed with a chronic liver disease. As the war raged on and her condition worsened, a fluid buildup in Sadeels abdomen left her in agony and struggling to move or breathe.

Doctors warned that without an urgent liver transplant, she had only days to live. Her mother Hudas application was rejected; she had been breastfeeding her baby until the day of her departure. Her father was only allowed to evacuate with her because he was her organ donor.

The war in Gaza has also created a generation of child amputees. Unicef says that between last October and January, at least 1,000 children in Gaza lost one or both legs  equivalent to 10 children losing legs every day. That number has undoubtedly increased as the conflict enters its 14th month.

The Gaza war began in October 2023 after Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants massacred about 1,200 Israelis in coordinated incursions from the Gaza Strip and took 254 people hostage. Since then, about 43,000 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children , according to the health authorities in Gaza, while more than 80% of the population of 2.3 million have been displaced. Many of those being treated in hospitals are referred to as WCNSFs (wounded child, no surviving family) .

For those children who are permitted to leave Gaza for treatment in another country, it is uncertain whether they will ever be able to return.

In El Shorouk, near Cairo, Layan al-Atta sits in a wheelchair and looks out from a balcony window. Atta was wounded during an Israeli airstrike on a UN school in Deir al-Balah, where she had been sheltering with her family. She suffered a severe injury to her spinal cord and right leg, which later had to be amputated.

When Atta was evacuated to Egypt, her mother was granted permission but her father and siblings were left behind. I didnt just lose my leg, I lost my family and home, she says It feels like everything and everyone I love has been taken from me.
A top Iranian official held talks with Lebanese leaders on the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah, which came as the US continued actively pushing both sides to agree to a new ceasefire deal.

The visit of Ali Larijani, an adviser to Irans supreme leader Ali Khamenei, to the Lebanese capital on Friday was punctuated with a renewed aerial attack by Israel on the south-eastern edge of the city.

An image captured by an Associated Press photographer showed what appeared to be an 11-story residential building in the Tayouneh area, a few kilometres (miles) from central Beirut, about to be hit by a bomb, then bursting into flames.

Civil defence workers extinguish a fire as smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike in Tayouneh, Beirut (Hassan Ammar/AP)

There were no immediate reports of casualties but the bomb hit a lower level of the building, turning much of it to rubble.

The Israeli military had issued a warning ahead of the attack, claiming it was a facility that belonged to Hezbollah.

The US has been trying to broker an end to the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, which came as the 13-month war with Hamas broadened in September into southern and eastern Lebanon as well as Beiruts southern suburbs.

Both Hezbollah and Hamas are backed by Iran, and Hezbollah began firing rockets into northern Israel the day after Hamas surprise attack into Israel on October 7 2023 ignited the war in Gaza.

According to reports in Lebanese media, US Ambassador Lisa Johnson has handed over a draft of a proposed deal to end the Israel-Hezbollah war to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who has been leading the talks representing Hezbollah.

A Lebanese official confirmed on Friday that Ms Johnson visited Mr Berri but refused to say whether a draft was handed over.

He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media about the ongoing talks.

The US Embassy refused to either confirm or deny the reports.

Residents check the site of an Israeli airstrike in Tayouneh, Beirut (Hassan Ammar/AP)

Meanwhile, Mr Larijani flew in on Friday from neighbouring Syria where he held similar talks a day earlier with President Bashar Assad.

Syrias state news agency said Mr Assad and Mr Larijani discussed the ongoing aggression on Palestine and Lebanon and the necessity of stopping it.

In addition to supporting Hamas, Iran is a main backer of Hezbollah and for decades has been funding and arming the Lebanese militant group.

Following his talks with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Mr Larijani met Mr Berri for closed-door discussions.

Irans embassy in Beirut posted on X, formerly Twitter, that during Mr Larijanis talks with Mr Berri, the Iranian official said Tehran stands by Lebanons government, army and resistance, referring to Hezbollah.

It said they discussed efforts being exerted to reach a ceasefire but did not elaborate.

On Thursday, the UN Security Councils 10 elected members circulated a draft resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza as well.

A bomb dropped from an Israeli jet prepares to hit a building in Tayouneh, Beirut (Hassan Ammar/AP)

The draft resolution, which was sent to the councils five permanent members, reiterates the councils demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages seized during Hamas surprise attacks on southern Israel.

Israel says about 100 are still being held, though not all are believed to be alive.

The US, Israels closest ally, holds the key to whether the Security Council adopts the resolution.

The four other permanent members  Russia, China, Britain and France  are expected to support it or abstain.

The draft, obtained on Thursday by The Associated Press, also demands immediate access for Gazas civilian population to humanitarian aid and services essential for their survival.

The draft resolution would also express the councils deep alarm over the ongoing catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza including the lack of adequate healthcare services and the state of food insecurity creating a risk of famine notably in the north.

It would deplore all attacks against civilians and civilian objects and all acts of terrorism.
The European Union must abandon its policy of sanctioning Russia for its war in Ukraine or risk causing an economic collapse, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has told state radio.

The EU has imposed several rounds of sanctions against Moscow since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, targeting the energy sector, banks, the worlds biggest diamond mining company and other businesses.

Mr Orban, widely seen as having the warmest relations with the Kremlin in the EU, has broken with the majority of European leaders and vocally opposed such sanctions, arguing they did more to damage European economies than they did Russias.

It will be painful for those who argued for sanctions. Not for us, because we will see this as a victory, but the other camp has to change because otherwise it will destroy the European economy

The Hungarian leader on Friday said the EUs sanction regime should be reviewed, because with such a policy of sanctions, energy prices will not come down.

It will be painful for those who argued for sanctions. Not for us, because we will see this as a victory, but the other camp has to change because otherwise it will destroy the European economy, he said.

Hungary currently holds the six-month rotating presidency of the EU, and has de-emphasised retaliatory measures against Russia in that role.

EU leaders, however, are making plans to impose a new round of penalties against Moscow.

On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted a resolution demanding the EU step up against Russias so-called shadow fleet  ships that export Russian oil in violation of sanctions.

The legislature also wants the bloc to ban the import of Russian fossil fuels.

Nr Orban opposes such a ban, and has leveraged exceptions from the EU during previous rounds of sanctions that allowed land-locked Hungary to continue importing Russian oil and gas, which he argues are essential to sustaining Hungarys economy.

The Hungarian leader last week predicted that President-elect Donald Trump would pull US support for Ukraine in its war against Russia.

A Trump presidency, Mr Orban has argued, will revive Hungarys sputtering economy, now in a technical recession.

The pro-peace presidential candidate won, and now we are waiting for peace, Mr Orban said on Friday.
Protesters opposing a measure that would have allowed Russians to buy property in the Georgian territory of Abkhazia stormed into the separatist regions parliament building and clashed with police.

At least eight people were injured in the melee in the regional capital of Sukhumi on the Black Sea on Friday, news reports said.

The parliament was to have discussed ratifying the measure but postponed the session as the demonstrators gathered outside the gates of the government compound that includes the legislatures building and the presidential office.

Protesters gather outside the parliament building of the Georgian separatist region of Abkhazia as tensions flared over a proposed pact that would allow Russians to buy apartments in the region (AP)

They rammed a gate with a truck and streamed into the compound, throwing rocks at police who responded with tear gas.

President Aslan Bzhanias office later announced he was preparing an order to remove the measure from consideration.

Police then left the parliament building but demonstrators remained, demanding Mr Bzhanias resignation, according to Russian news agencies.

Most of Abkhazia broke away from Georgia in fighting that ended in 1993, and Georgia lost control of the rest of the territory in the short war with Russia in 2008.

Russia recognises Abkhazia as an independent country, but many Abkhazians are concerned that the region of about 245,000 people is just a client state of Moscow.

Opponents of the property agreement say it would drive up prices of apartments and boost Moscows dominance in the region.

Abkhazias mountains and Black Sea beaches make it a popular destination for Russian tourists and the demand for holiday homes could be strong.

The arrest of five opposition figures at a similar demonstration on Monday set off wide protests the next day in which bridges leading to Sukhumi were blocked.
Ben & Jerrys has sued its parent company Unilever, accusing it of silencing the ice cream maker from making statements in support of Palestinians in the Gaza war.

The complaint, filed in federal court in New York, says the multinational conglomerate has failed to adhere to its contractual obligations with Ben & Jerrys by threatening to dismantle the companys independent board, sue board members, intimidate personnel and censor the company from publicly voicing support for peace and refugee rights, the lawsuit states.

London-based Unilever said in a statement that it rejects the claims made by Ben & Jerrys social mission board.

We will defend our case very strongly

We will defend our case very strongly, it said.

Unilever acquired Ben & Jerrys, a longtime supporter of progressive social causes, in 2000 but distanced itself from the ice cream makers decision in 2021 to halt sales in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and contested east Jerusalem.

When Ben & Jerrys was sold, the companies agreed that the ice cream makers independent board would be free to pursue its social mission, including longstanding support for liberal causes on such things as racial justice, climate action, LGBTQ rights and campaign finance reform.

But Unilever would have the final word on financial and operational decisions.

Unilever then announced in July 2022 that it was selling its interest in the Vermont ice cream maker to its Israeli licensee, which would market Ben & Jerrys products with Hebrew and Arabic labels in east Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank.

Ben & Jerrys tried to block the plan in court but failed.

After months of negotiations, Ben & Jerrys and Unilever entered into a settlement agreement, in which Unilever must respect the boards responsibility over the ice cream makers social mission and brand integrity, and work in good faith with the Independent Board to ensure that both are protected and furthered, the lawsuit states.

Ben & Jerrys has been muzzled by Unilever in four attempts to speak out publicly against the war in Gaza with calls for peace and a permanent and immediate ceasefire, support for US college students protesting against the war and for the end of US military aid to Israel, the lawsuit states.

Unilever acquired Ben & Jerrys in 2000 (Tim Ireland/PA)

Unilever has repeatedly failed to recognize and respect the Independent Boards primary responsibility over Ben & Jerrys Social Mission and Brand Integrity, including threatening Ben & Jerrys personnel should the company speak regarding issues which Unilever prefers to censor, the ice cream maker said in the lawsuit.

The Independent Board initiates this litigation to protect Ben & Jerrys three-part mission from Unilevers unilateral erosion and to safeguard the company from Unilevers repeated overreaches.

In March, Unilever announced that it was cutting 7,500 jobs and spinning off its ice cream business to reduce costs and boost profits.
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China urges Philippines to withdraw missile system

(People's Daily App) 14:39, November 15, 2024

China urged the Philippines on Thursday to heed the call from regional countries and their peoples, correct its wrongdoings as soon as possible, and quickly withdraw the Typhon missile system as publicly pledged. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing made the statement on November 14, urging the Philippines to "stop moving further down the wrong path."

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
At the COP29 summit, nations aimed to make headway in securing up to $1 trillion in climate finance for the worlds most vulnerable communities, though the discussions were clouded by political tensions.

With seventy-two thousand individuals registered for COP29, many will be disheartened by the recent analysis from Climate Action Tracker, which indicated that the global trajectory remains towards a 2.7 degrees Celsius increase in warming by the centurys end.

This figure has remained unchanged for the past three years.

Climate scientists warn that such a rise would lead to catastrophic extreme weather events far beyond what is currently experienced.

It is essential to understand that the impacts of climate change from increasing temperatures heighten sharply in a non-linear manner. While a warming of 1.3 degrees could be detrimental, 2.7 degrees represents a scenario that is beyond comprehension, he stated.

This is more than just concerning, he added.

It jeopardizes my childrens future; it is a risk to the future of all children. We are consciously impoverishing future generations. We are the first generation knowingly making life worse for our children and grandchildren.

The outcome of the US elections has significantly influenced diplomats in Baku.

At COP29, tensions are palpable. The poorest nations fear they will bear the brunt of climate impacts, and they are concerned that Donald Trumps election in the U.S. may lead to diminished climate action.

Some delegates expressed feelings of humiliation at having to solicit climate finance from wealthy nations that have primarily contributed to the climate crisis.

Sandra Guzman, director of the Climate Finance Group for Latin America and the Caribbean, remarked that the challenge is not a scarcity of funds to combat climate change but rather a deficiency in political resolve.

By reducing fossil fuel subsidies and taxing the wealthy, we could generate funds necessary for addressing climate change. Its not about money; its a question of political will to channel those resources appropriately, she stated.

Many developing nations are concerned that climate change is already resulting in loss of life and damage to infrastructure, incurring significant costs. Who will cover these expenses? she added.

After three years of behind-the-scenes negotiations regarding climate finance, COP negotiators unveiled a first draft decision text last night, aimed at steering discussions towards some form of agreement over the next eight days.

Notably, this document spans 36 pages.

This is a significant increase from the previous nine pages that served as an agreed framework for advancing talks.

The length suggests that a variety of unresolved and contentious topics have been brought back into the draft text, indicating ongoing debates ahead.

The anticipated withdrawal of the United States from any future funding arrangements will heighten the pressure on delegates to discover alternative ways to secure necessary financing.

Multilateral development banks, such as the World Bankfunded by wealthier countries and undergoing reforms to enhance their lending capabilitiesare among potential sources.

Latest Climate Stories

Ten of the largest development banks have announced plans to amplify their climate finance by approximately 60% to $120 billion annually by 2030, with at least an additional $65 billion from private sector contributions.

Argentinas President Javier Milei has previously labeled global warming as a hoax.

More Division than Unity

Thus far, the conferencewhich many world leaders opted to avoidhas seen more division than solidarity.

French climate minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher canceled her trip to COP29 yesterday after Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev accused France of crimes in its overseas territories in the Caribbean.

The relationship between France and Azerbaijan has been strained due to Frances support for Azerbaijans adversary, Armenia. This year, France accused Azerbaijan of interference and contributing to violent unrest in New Caledonia.

Despite any bilateral disagreements, COP should be a platform where all parties can negotiate freely on climate action, European Union climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra responded in a social media post.

Aliyevs opening address at the conference criticized the United States and EU for hypocrisy in lecturing others on climate change while being significant consumers and producers of fossil fuels.

Today, Argentinas government withdrew its negotiators from the COP29 discussions.

President Javier Milei of Argentina has previously dismissed global warming as a hoax and is scheduled to meet with Mr. Trump, another climate change skeptic, later this week.

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A conflict monitoring group reported that Israeli airstrikes in and around Damascus resulted in the deaths of 20 individuals, including Palestinian militants and fighters backed by Iran, as the assaults increased amid the Lebanon war.

These strikes coincided with a visit to Damascus by Ali Larijani, a senior adviser to Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who held talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Recently, Israel has intensified its strikes on Syria, particularly in regions close to the Lebanese border, primarily aiming at strongholds of the Lebanese group Hezbollah.

Since September, Israel has been engaged in conflict with this Iran-backed group.

The Mazzeh neighborhood, hosting embassies, United Nations facilities, and security headquarters, has previously been the target of strikes attributed to Israel.

Israeli airstrikes destroyed three multi-storey buildings in Mazzeh, resulting in 10 fatalities, stated the Observatory, which has a network of informants within Syria.

Among the deceased were at least three civilians and two non-Syrian fighters supported by Iran.

In Qudsaya, Israeli jets targeted an apartment complex housing Palestinians, killing 10 individuals, including at least three members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, the monitor reported.

An Israeli military spokesperson confirmed, we targeted Islamic Jihad military bases in Syria, marking a rare acknowledgment of responsibility for strikes in the conflict-ridden nation.

Islamic Jihad has collaborated with Hamas against Israeli forces in Gaza and has faced off with Israel previously.

Earlier, Syrias defense ministry reported that the twin Israeli airstrikes claimed 15 lives after attacking residential buildings in the Mazzeh neighborhood of Damascus and the Qudsaya area in the outskirts of Damascus.

A building in Mazzeh, situated west of the capital, was struck during the assaults.

According to residents who fled following recent strikes that resulted in the deaths of key figures from the groups, commanders from the Lebanese Hezbollah and Irans Revolutionary Guards are known to reside in Mazzeh.

Iran and Hezbollah have emerged as some of the most significant allies of the Syrian government throughout the civil war that began in 2011.

Lebanon reported 12 fatalities in an Israeli strike near Baalbek.

Lebanon announced that at least 12 individuals perished in an Israeli attack targeting the main civil defense facility in the eastern Baalbek region, with rescuers confirming eight among the dead.

The strike by the Israeli enemy on a civil defense center in Douris resulted in 12 fatalities, stated the Lebanese health ministry, noting that body parts were recovered and rescue efforts were ongoing.

The ministry condemned the second Israeli attack on an emergency health facility within less than two hours following an earlier incident that claimed the lives of Hezbollah-affiliated rescuers. Civil Defense reported, eight personnel from the Baalbek regional center lost their lives.

Previously, a senior Lebanese official hinted that Hezbollah is prepared to withdraw its forces from the Lebanese-Israeli border in any ceasefire agreement but dismisses Israels request for the ability to act against the Iran-backed group in the future.

Continuing its offensive against Hezbollah, Israel launched airstrikes on Beiruts southern suburbs for the third consecutive day, demolishing more buildings in the area of the Lebanese capital under the groups control.

Israels terms demand Hezbollah to eliminate fighters and weaponry from regions between the border and the Litani River, situated roughly 30km from Lebanons southern border.

Smoke was seen rising after an Israeli airstrike on the Chouaifet neighborhood in southern Beirut.

The United States and other world powers assert that a ceasefire must abide by UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which stipulates that areas south of the Litani must be free of any arms other than those of the Lebanese state.

Since initiating an offensive against Hezbollah in late September, Israel has dealt heavy blows to the group, launching airstrikes, deploying troops in the south, and eliminating top Hezbollah leaders, including Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

Despite the setbacks, Hezbollah has maintained its rocket fire into Israel and has been engaged in combat with Israeli troops in the south, where Israel reported six soldiers were killed in action.

Israel has frequently complained about the lack of implementation of the resolution, citing Hezbollahs weapons and fighters stationed at the border. Conversely, Lebanon has accused Israel of violating the resolution, as Israeli warplanes routinely breach its airspace.

As strikes continued, smoke plumes rose over Beirut, with raids also extending to southern Lebanons Bint Jbeil, where overnight airstrikes and artillery shelling caused significant damage to buildings and residential areas, according to Lebanons National News Agency (NNA).

The Israeli military announced that its fighter jets executed a series of strikes in southern Beirut, targeting weapons depots, military headquarters, and other infrastructures utilized by Hezbollah.

Five individuals were reported dead due to airstrikes in the towns of Bazourieh and Jumayjimah, NNA disclosed.

Lebanese authorities confirmed 21 casualties resulting from todays strikes on Beiruts southern suburbs, many of which have been largely evacuated.

According to Lebanons health ministry, Israeli attacks have resulted in at least 3,386 fatalities and injured 14,417 across Lebanon since October 7, 2023.

Hezbollahs actions have reportedly resulted in the deaths of approximately 100 civilians and soldiers in northern Israel, the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, and southern Lebanon over the past year, as per Israeli sources.

HRW charges Israel with war crimes and ethnic cleansing in Gaza.

Israel refuted accusations made by Human Rights Watch that its forces forcibly displaced Gazans and that their actions over more than a year of conflict amount to crimes against humanity.

Time and again, HRWs portrayal of Israels actions in Gaza is entirely false and disconnected from reality, stated foreign ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein on X.

A report from the New York-based rights organization claimed to have gathered evidence that Israeli officials are committing the war crime of forcible transfer.

Statements from senior officials with command responsibility indicate that forced displacement is intentional and constitutes part of Israeli state policy, consequently amounting to a crime against humanity, added Human Rights Watch.

HRW asserted that its 172-page reports conclusions were based on interviews with displaced Gazans, satellite imagery, and public records collected until August 2024.

According to the United Nations, 1.9 million Palestinians had been displaced in Gaza as of October 2024.

Contrary to claims in HRWs report, Israels actions are aimed solely at dismantling Hamass terror capabilities, not at the civilian population of Gaza, remarked Mr. Marmorstein.

He further alleged that the Palestinian militant group Hamas uses civilians as human shields and embeds terror infrastructure within residential areas.

Israel will continue to operate in compliance with the law of armed conflict, the spokesperson added.

The United Nations indicated that 1.9 million Palestinians had been displaced in Gaza as of October 2024. Prior to the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023, the territorys official population stood at 2.4 million.

Israel commenced its offensive in Gaza following Hamass unprecedented assault that resulted in 1,206 deaths, predominantly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures, which includes hostages who were killed while in captivity.

Israels retaliatory actions have led to at least 43,736 fatalities in Gaza, with the majority being civilians, according to data from the Hamas-run territorys health ministry, which the United Nations validates as reliable.

Latest Middle East Stories
Human Rights Watch ) | 

Israeli authorities have caused massive, deliberate forced displacement of Palestinian civilians in Gaza since October 2023 and are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity .

There is no plausible imperative military reason to justify Israels mass displacement of nearly all of Gazas population, often multiple times. Rather than ensuring civilians security, military evacuation orders have caused grave harm.

Governments should adopt targeted sanctions and other measures, and halt weapons sales to Israel. The International Criminal Court prosecutor should investigate Israels forced displacement and prevention of the right to return as a crime against humanity.

(Jerusalem)  Israeli authorities have caused the massive, deliberate forced displacement of Palestinian civilians in Gaza since October 2023 and are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The report is being published at the time of an ongoing Israeli military campaign in northern Gaza that has most likely created a new wave of forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians.

The 154-page report, Hopeless, Starving, and Besieged: Israels Forced Displacement of Palestinians in Gaza, examines how Israeli authorities conduct has led to the displacement of over 90 percent of the population of Gaza1.9 million Palestiniansand the widespread destruction of much of Gaza over the last 13 months. Israeli forces have carried out deliberate, controlled demolitions of homes and civilian infrastructure, including in areas where they have apparent aims of creating buffer zones and security corridors, from which Palestinians are likely to be permanently displaced. Contrary to claims by Israeli officials, their actions do not comply with the laws of war.

The Israeli government cannot claim to be keeping Palestinians safe when it kills them along escape routes, bombs so-called safe zones, and cuts off food, water, and sanitation, said Nadia Hardman, refugee and migrant rights researcher at Human Rights Watch. Israel has blatantly violated its obligation to ensure Palestinians can return home, razing virtually everything in large areas.

Human Rights Watch interviewed 39 displaced Palestinians in Gaza, analyzed Israels evacuation system, including 184 evacuation orders and satellite imagery confirming the widespread destruction, and verified videos and photographs of attacks on designated safe zones and evacuation routes.

Human Rights Watch: Gaza: Israels Crimes Against Humanity in Gaza

The laws of armed conflict applicable in occupied territory permit displacement of civilians only exceptionally, for imperative military reasons or for the populations security, and require safeguards and proper accommodation to receive displaced civilians. Israeli officials claim that, because Palestinian armed groups are fighting from among the civilian population, the military has lawfully evacuated civilians to attack the groups while limiting civilian harm. Human Rights Watch research shows this claim to be largely false.

There is no plausible imperative military reason to justify Israels mass displacement of nearly all of Gazas population, often multiple times, Human Rights Watch found. Israels evacuation system has severely harmed the population and often served only to spread fear and anxiety. Rather than ensure security for displaced civilians, Israeli forces have repeatedly struck designated evacuation routes and safe zones.

Evacuation orders have been inconsistent, inaccurate, and frequently not communicated to civilians with enough time to allow evacuations, or at all. The orders did not consider the needs of people with disabilities and others who are unable to leave without assistance.

As the occupying power, Israel is obliged to ensure adequate facilities to accommodate displaced civilians, but the authorities have blocked all but a small fraction of the necessary humanitarian aid, water, electricity, and fuel from reaching civilians in need in Gaza. Israeli attacks have damaged and destroyed resources that people need to stay alive, including hospitals, schools, water and energy infrastructure, bakeries, and agricultural land.

Israel is also obliged to ensure the return of displaced people to their homes as soon as hostilities in the area have ceased. Instead, it has left swathes of Gaza uninhabitable. Israels military has intentionally demolished or severely damaged civilian infrastructure, including controlled demolitions of homes, with the apparent aim of creating an extended buffer zone along Gazas perimeter with Israel and a corridor which will bifurcate Gaza. The destruction is so substantial that it indicates the intention to permanently displace many people.

Israel should respect the right of Palestinian civilians to return to the areas in Gaza from which it has displaced them. For almost eight decades, Israeli authorities have denied the right to return of the 80 percent of Gazas population who are refugees and their descendants who were expelled or fled in 1948 from what is now Israel, in what Palestinians call the Nakba, or the catastrophe. This ongoing violation looms over the experience of Palestinians in Gaza, with many of those interviewed speaking of living through a second Nakba.

From the first days of the hostilities, senior officials in the Israeli government and the war cabinet have declared their intent to displace the Palestinian population of Gaza, with government ministers stating that its territory will decrease, that blowing up and flattening Gaza is beautiful, and that land will be handed to settlers. In November 2023, Israeli Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Avi Dichter said, We are now rolling out the Gaza Nakba.

Human Rights Watch found that forced displacement has been widespread, and the evidence shows it has been systematic and part of a state policy. Such acts also constitute crimes against humanity.

The Israeli authorities organized, violent displacement of Palestinians in Gaza, who are members of another ethnic group, is likely planned to be permanent in the buffer zones and security corridors. Such actions of the Israeli authorities amount to ethnic cleansing.

Victims of serious abuses in Israel and Palestine have faced a wall of impunity for decades. Palestinians in Gaza have been living under an unlawful blockade for 17 years, which constitutes part of the continuous crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution that Israeli authorities have been committing against Palestinians.

Governments should publicly condemn Israels forced displacement of the civilian population in Gaza as a war crime and crime against humanity, and pressure it to immediately halt those crimes and comply with the International Court of Justices multiple binding orders and with the obligations laid out in its July advisory opinion.

The International Criminal Court prosecutor should investigate Israels forced displacement and prevention of the right to return as a crime against humanity. Governments should also publicly condemn efforts to intimidate or interfere with the courts work, officials, and those cooperating with the institution.

Governments should adopt targeted sanctions and other measures, including reviewing their bilateral agreements with Israel, to press the Israeli government to comply with its international obligations to protect civilians.

The United States, Germany, and other countries should immediately suspend weapons transfers and military assistance to Israel. Continuing to provide arms to Israel risks complicity in war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other grave human rights violations.

No one can be in denial about the atrocity crimes the Israeli military is committing against Palestinians in Gaza, Hardman said. Transfer of additional weapons and assistance to Israel by the United States, Germany, and others is a blank check for further atrocities and increasingly puts them at risk of complicity.
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  Solar panels are great sources of energy. We have them on our roof and they have saved us a lot of money, especially in spring-summer-fall. Some observers complain about their bulk compared to the energy they put out, though. Ive had engineers argue to me that there just isnt space for all the solar panels that would be needed to green the American energy grid.

Since I study the Middle East, Ive had to learn about energy markets and security. One time about a decade ago I was doing some energy consulting with the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). Japan had had to deal with the closure of many of its nuclear plants after the Fukishima disaster by importing Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from the Middle East. They were nervous about the security of the region, though. I told my Japanese colleagues that they would be better off going in for wind and solar. One replied that Japan had very little land available for solar farms. I dont know how sincere this reply was. I think those bureaucrats were just wedded to nuclear power. In fact, Japan now has over 87 gigawatts of solar power. It has been adding about 6 gigs of solar a year recently.

One solution to this problem that is increasingly being tried out is agrovoltaics, putting solar panels on farms but in such a way that they help crops grow. So far in the US, most agrovoltaic set-ups are for sheep raising, since grass can grow under the panels. In fact, the panels help the grass thrive in hot, sunny environments by providing shade and allowing retention of moisture, which is also good for tomatoes, turnips, carrots, squash, beets, lettuce, kale, chard, and peppers.

Solar panels are rapidly becoming more efficient, which will allow this form of energy to produce electricity while taking up less space.

In the meantime, another possible solution is to put the solar panels on floating platforms. Japan has put them on lakes, for instance.

The panel arrays can also be placed offshore. Fish and other marine life like structures such as the steel truss platform piling used for Chinas offshore solar farms. It gives them places to hide from predators, e.g.

China is the most advanced solar society in the world with over 600 gigawatts of installed solar capacity, which saves the country billions of dollars a year over paying for imported fossil gas. The US is in comparison backward, only having about 130 GW of solar.

It is therefore no surprise that Beijing has, as Aman Tripathi reports, just connected to high capacity transmission wires the worlds large offshore solar plant off the coast of Shandong Province, a 1-gigawatt facility. The facility also does fish farming.

The nearly 3,000 photovoltaic platforms are attached to fixed pilings in the sea floor and are spread over an area of some 4 square miles. It will generate enough power to provide electricity to 2.6 million people.

And this installation is only the beginning. China is aiming to have 60 gigawatts of offshore solar in only 3 years from now  an incredible build-out if it happens.

China also already has 61 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity.

Wind, water, solar and battery are clearly the way forward on meeting the worlds power needs while avoiding massive carbon pollution. Solar plus battery in my view has the greatest potential over the medium to long term. The issue of where to put the PV panels is not in my view a very serious problem. If there is a will to use them to cut carbon dioxide production, as there is in China, then places will be found to put them  as China is demonstrating.

And by the way, if the US government under the incoming Trump administration puts roadblocks in the way of solar power, it will just accelerate American decline and help propel China further toward great power status. The future is solar panels and electric vehicles, and China is already eating our lunch on those two. If that goes on for a while, well be poor, breathing dirty air, and paying trillions for climate catastrophes, while China replaces us as the worlds leading superpower.

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Bonus video added by Informed Comment:

News.Com.Au : Chinas Massive 1-gigawatt Offshore Solar Cell Platform Now Connected To The Grid
VANCOUVER, November 14, 2024  TheNewswire  China Gold International Resources Corp. Ltd. (TSX: CGG; HKEX: 2099) (China Gold International Resources or the Company) reports financial and operational results for the three months (Q3 or third quarter) and nine months (nine months) ended September 30, 2024. This news release should be read in conjunction with the Companys Financial Statements, Notes to the Financial Statements and Managements Discussion and Analysis (MD&A).

For detailed information, please read the Companys Financial Statements and MD&A which are available on SEDARs website at www.sedar.com, The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limiteds website at www.hkex.com.hk the Company's website at www.chinagoldintl.com, or call the Company at +1-604-609-0598 and email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

2024 THIRD QUARTER PRODUCTION AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Revenue increased by 309% to US$254.6 million from US$62.3 million for the same period in 2023.

Mine operating earnings of US$46.8 million, increased by US$61.1 million from mine operating loss of US$ 14.3 million for the same period in 2023.

Net profit of US$27.9 million increased by US$58.7 million from net loss of US$30.8 million for the same period in 2023.

Cash flow from operation of US$156.2 million, increased from cash used in operation of US$31.7 million for the same period in 2023.

Total gold production increased by 51 % to 50,160 ounces from 33,110 ounces for the same period in 2023.

Total copper production was 38.3 million pounds (approximately 17,361 tonnes). There was no copper production for the same period in 2023.

2024 NINE MONTHS PRODUCTION AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Revenue increased by 19% to US$463.1 million from US$388.1 million for the same period in 2023.

Mine operating earnings of US$64.8 million, decreased by US$17.5 million from mine operating earnings of US$82.3 million for the same period in 2023.

Net loss of US$3.0 million decreased by US$2.5 million from net loss of US$5.5 million for the same period in 2023.

Cash flow from operation of US$244.2 million, increased by US$221.7 million from US$22.5 million for the same period in 2023.

Total gold production decreased by 17% to 102,245 ounces from 122,463 ounces for the same period in 2023.

Total copper production was 61.5 million pounds (approximately 27,909 tonnes) which increased by 40% from 44.0 million pounds (approximately 19,967 tonnes) for the same period in 2023.

Operations of the Jiama Mine began to gradually recommence as of December 15, 2023. The Phase II processing plant with a daily processing capacity of 34,000 tonnes resumed operations on May 30, 2024. The Phase I processing plant which had been in operation during the production ramp up phase ceased operations. Gold production of the CSH Mine decreased in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the respective 2023 period. The accrual of US$54.4 million of proceeds from the assignment of mining rights of the Jiama Mine covering the period from July 2017 to September 2024, recognized in the current quarter, had a significant impact on mine operating earnings and net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

The Companys Chairman and CEO, Mr. Chenguang Hou, said, With the resumption of operation of the Phase II processing plant of the Jiama Mine, the Company has entered a period of performance restoration, and has already realized profits in the third quarter, laying an important foundation for the completion of the full-year budget and targets. In the future, the management will continue to overcome the difficulties and focus on the smooth production of the Jiama Mine and the construction of the phase III tailings pond, the production safety of the CSH Mine open-pit mining and the underground resources development engineering, safety and environmental protection, R&D innovation, to ensure a good end of this year and a favorable start for next year. The Company will always adhere to the concept of creating value for shareholders, wealth for the community, and well-being for employees, and continuously create a new situation of high-quality operation.

About China Gold International Resources

China Gold International Resources is a gold and base metal mining company incorporated in BC, Canada and operates two mines, the CSH Gold Mine in Inner Mongolia, China and the Jiama Copper-Gold Polymetallic Mine in Tibet, China. The Companys objective is to build shareholder value through growing production at its current mining operations, expanding its resource base, and acquiring and developing new projects internationally. The Company is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: CGG) and the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (HKEx: 2099).

For further information on the Company, please refer to SEDARs website at www.sedar.com, The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limiteds website at www.hkex.com.hk, the Company's website at www.chinagoldintl.com, or call the Company at +1-604-609-0598 and email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Cautionary Note About Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information regarding China Gold International Resources contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements may include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, guidance or other statements that are not statements of fact. Although China Gold International Resources believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. China Gold International Resources cautions that actual performance will be affected by a number of factors, most of which are beyond its control, and that future events and results may vary substantially from what China Gold International Resources currently foresees. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration results, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. The forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The information contained herein is stated as of the current date and subject to change after that date.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / November 15, 2024 / GMV Minerals Inc. (the "Company" or "GMV") (TSXV:GMV) (OTCQB:GMVMF) is pleased to announce that preliminary results from the four drill holes completed on the Daisy Property are very encouraging with a thickening in the claystone horizons and increasing in the grade towards the south. The southern-most hole, DC24-1 intersected three distinct claystone horizons totaling 48.7 m of lithium enrichment starting 76.2 m down hole.

All holes were 5.5-inch RC holes drilled vertically.

Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Thickness (m) Li (ppm) DC24-1 76.2 109.7 33.5 1,085 Incl 85.3 109.7 24.4 1,125 And 164.6 170.7 6.1 1,170 And 189.0 198.1 9.1 1,004 DC24-2 39.6 45.7 6.1 942 And 100.6 112.8 12.2 773 DC24-3 54.9 61 6.1 676 DC24-5 No significant values

DC24-4 was not drilled.

No significant uranium values were encountered.

Ian Klassen President states "We are very pleased with the results showing a thickening and increasing grade to the south on our 100% controlled Daisy Creek Property. The 48.7 m of total claystone in DC24-1 with values >1,000 ppm is economically interesting, and the grades are increasing towards the deeper parts of the basin. These values well exceed the cut-off grade for most claystone projects in Nevada and similar to some that have been taken to feasibility studies in the Clayton Valley (see table below). Claystones typically have an SG of 1.7 gm/cc such that each cubic meter contains 1.7 tonnes of rock. Drill holes DC24-1, 2, and 3 are separated by 300 to 1,000 m meaning substantial tonnages can be inferred quickly from each drill hole."

Company Project Tonnes (millions) ppm Li American Lithium TLC Project 2052 809 Pan American Energy Horizon Li 2,800 669 Spearmint Resources McGee 470 830 Noram Lithium Zeus 586 957

RC samples were collected into premarked bags from 10' runs, collected and dried before transporting them to the independent certified ALS Global's laboratory in Elko Nevada. They were further dried, crushed and pulverized using CRU-31, SPL-21 and PUL-31 procedures. The pulps were then shipped to ALS Global's laboratory in North Vancouver and were processed using ME-MS41 aqua regia digestion and mass spectrometry analysis. Six Certified Reference Standards, CDN-Li1, were submitted, checked in re-runs with internal laboratory standards together with selected samples and returned acceptable results.

Figure 1. The image shows lithium and magnesium analyses down hole (meters) for the four drill holes completed, schematically distributed from the basin margin on the left to towards the deeper basin on the right.

Dr. D.R. Webb, Ph.D., P.Geo., P.Eng. is the Q.P. for this release within the meaning of NI 43-101 and has reviewed the technical content of this release and has approved its content.

About GMV Minerals Inc.

GMV Minerals Inc. is a publicly traded exploration company focused on developing precious metal assets in Arizona. GMV, through its 100% owned subsidiary, has a 100% interest in a Mining Property Lease commonly referred to as the Mexican Hat Property, located in Cochise County, Arizona, USA. The project was initially explored by Placer Dome (USA) in the late 1980's to early 1990's. GMV is focused on developing the asset and realizing the full mineral potential of the property through near term gold production. The Company's NI 43-101 resource estimate (Inferred) is 36,733,000 tonnes grading 0.58 g/t gold at a 0.2 g/t cut-off, containing 688,000 ounces of gold. In 2023, GMV acquired a total of 165 lode claims covering 3,408 acres in Lander County, Nevada where it is exploring highly prospective claims for lithium.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

________________________________________

Ian Klassen, President

For further information please contact:

GMV Minerals Inc.

Ian Klassen

Tel: (604) 899-0106

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties as described in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Israel on Thursday denied allegations by Human Rights Watch that Israeli forces had forcibly displaced Gazans and that their actions in more than a year of war amount to "crimes against humanity".

"Time and again, Human Rights Watch's rhetoric regarding Israel's conduct in Gaza is completely false and detached from reality," foreign ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein said on X.

In a report published on Thursday, the New York-based rights group said it had "amassed evidence that Israeli officials are... committing the war crime of forcible transfer".

"Statements by senior officials with command responsibility show that forced displacement is intentional and forms part of Israeli state policy and therefore amount to a crime against humanity," Human Rights Watch added.

HRW said the 172-page report's findings were based on interviews with displaced Gazans, satellite imagery, and public reporting conducted until August 2024.

"Contrary to claims in HRW's report, Israel's efforts are directed solely at dismantling Hamas's terror capabilities and not at the people of Gaza," said Marmorstein.

He also charged that Palestinian militant group Hamas "uses civilians as human shields and embeds terror infrastructure within residential areas".

"Israel will continue to operate in accordance with the law of armed conflict," the spokesman added.

According to the United Nations, 1.9 million Palestinians were displaced in Gaza as of October 2024. Before the start of the war on October 7, 2023, the territory's official population was 2.4 million people.

Israel launched its offensive in Gaza after Hamas's unprecedented attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures which includes hostages killed in captivity.

Israel's retaliatory campaign has killed at least 43,736 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory's health ministry that the United Nations considers reliable.
The United States said Thursday it disagreed both with a UN committee's finding that Israeli warfare methods were consistent with "genocide" and a Human Rights Watch allegation of "crimes against humanity" in Gaza.

The United Nations Special Committee's report, which accused Israel of using starvation as a war tactic, "is something we would unequivocally disagree with," State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said.

"We think that that kind of phrasing and those kind of accusations are certainly unfounded," he said.

He also took issue with a report by Human Rights Watch which said that the Israel had forcibly displaced Gazans over more than a year of war in what amounted to "crimes against humanity."

Forced displacement of Palestinians "would be a red line" for the United States and inconsistent with principles laid out at the start of the war by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Group of Seven allies, Patel said.

"It is wholly consistent and acceptable to ask civilians to evacuate a certain area while they are conducting certain military operations, and then for them to be able to go home," Patel said.

"We have not seen any kind of specific force displacement."
Kieran Mitton tells us about the life of Gaz, a former Sierra Leonean gang member who became a poet and then a farmer. His remarkable trajectory is a testament to the way that gangster lives are by no means deterministic and that opportunities to leave the gang and change can present themselves in all sorts of ways at different moments in time.

Users around a 'kush' deal site in Freetown. The kush, a mixture of chemicals and plants that imitate the properties of cannabis, is increasingly consumed by young people in Sierra Leone. Photo:  John Wessels / AFP

Sally Atkinson-Sheppard worked closely with Sharif, who 10 years ago was her research assistant, to write the story of his journey from gang member in war-torn Bangladesh to human rights worker and advocate for street childrens rights today. His story is one of overcoming exceptional adversity and drawing on his past experiences to do good in the world today.

Boys in a field in Sylhet, Northern Bangladesh, in 2014. Photo:  Adam Jones/Wikimedia

Ellen Van Damme offers us a portrait of Jennifer, the first female Honduran gang leader. Her story illustrates the frequently gendered nature of gangs, and the way that machismo and patriarchy constrain Jennifers life, even as a gang leader, highlighting the frequently fundamentally masculine essence of street gangs.

A policeman patrols the streets of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, following a surge in violence in the run-up to an important poll. Photo:  Orlando Sierra / AFP

Steffen Jensen recounts the story of Marwan, whose life is in many ways a reflection of contemporary South African history, as he has had to navigate the violence of apartheid, prison, the Cape Flat drug wars, and more. Central to his narrative are the binary notions of damnation and redemption, with gangs frequently the sources of both at different points in his life, highlighting the different ways in which they can influence life trajectories.

People living in the blocks of flats in Hanover Park, Cape Town, 2022. Photo:  Rodger Bosch / AFP

From a very young age, Soraya was involved in drug trafficking in the barrio Luis Fanor Hernandez, a poor neighbourhood in Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, where Dennis Rodgers has worked for over 20 years. Known locally as la Reina del Sur (the Queen of the South), her story shows how rather than being empowering, her participation in the drugs trade reinforced forms of macho violence and patriarchal dynamics of domination.

A young girl transporting glue (a highly addictive drug) in La Casita, near the centre of Managua in December 1999. Photo:  Manoocher Deghati / AFP

Alistair Fraser and Angela Bartie present a portrait of 70-year-old Danny, a retired Glaswegian businessman who was a gang member in his youth, and that is based, uniquely, on interviews carried out over a 50-year period, in 1969, 2011, and 2022. They trace his changing self-reflexion about his past, highlighting how this mirrors the broader transformation of Glasgow from a Mean City in the 1950s to a thriving metropolis that was Europes Capital of Culture in 1990.

Glasgow - 1973, Queen Street Rail Station. Photo:  Helmutt Zozmann, CC BY-NC-ND

These articles are part of the ERC project coordinated by Dennis Rodgers Gangs, Gangsters and Ganglands: Towards a Global Comparative Ethnography (GANGS), Grant (no. 787935).

This article, slightly modified by Justice Info, is republished from The Conversation France under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article.
Actor Song Jae Rim apologized and thanked his fans in what many now consider as his farewell letter he wrote on his fan gallery.

The note  penned in March 2021  recently came to light after the sad news about his death on November 12, 2024, aged 39.

The message reminds Song's struggles with his reputation and self-awareness as a man.

Citing "mistakes" in his words and actions, he said, "I think there's a lot of people that aren't going to be swayed too easily by just basically saying that was a mistake by an immature kid. I'm sorry."

"I just wanted to say sorry to those who were angry at me and those who were disappointed or are feeling disappointed," he wrote.

"I say I try my best, but there are things that are not easy. I think that's why I couldn't see things clearly. I'm sorry. I will try harder."

Fans are now reeling from his sudden death, and many are looking back on his life and career.

Two suicide notes were found near Song when he was found dead by police at his residence in Seongdong-gu, Seoul.

In line with his family's wishes, his funeral was a private one on November 14.

Song Jae-rim, who starred in hit dramas "Flower Boy Ramen Shop" and "The Moon Embracing the Sun," started out as a model before making his acting debut in 2009, paving his way through the acting industry with a diverse portfolio of television and film roles. He was about to have his film Pit-a-dream released when he died.

As fans mourn the loss of Song, many have turned to honor his memory by sharing their favorite Song moments on social media, along with his many posts, including 100 photos he once selected for Instagram shortly before his death.




Friday, November 15, 2024 - On November 14, 2024, the Nakuru High Court sentenced Evance Kebwaro Michori to 28 years in prison as an accessory after the fact to murder.

Michori, one of six suspects implicated in a series of murders in the Mawanga area of Bahati Sub-County, Nakuru County, on June 21, 2022, will testify as a prosecution witness against the other five defendants.

The murders, which took place on June 21, 2022, in Mawanga, Bahati, prompted an extensive investigation, leading to the arrest of six suspects.

On August 2, 2022, the six were formally charged with four counts of murder in the Nakuru High Court.

After a detailed interrogation, Michori confessed to being a member of the Confirm Gang- a criminal gang that was operating within Nakuru and its environs.

He admitted to the murders of four women, whom the gang robbed and left to perish in their burning homes.

Michoris confession was substantiated by additional forensic evidence meticulously gathered by investigators.

Following the collection and presentation of this evidence, Michoris defence team negotiated a plea bargain agreement with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) in Nakuru.

The court accepted the plea deal on November 14, 2024, resulting in Michoris 28-year sentence for being an accessory after the fact of murder.

In the upcoming trial, Michori will serve as a prosecution witness, providing crucial testimony against his five co-defendants.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Friday, November 15, 2024  The Catholic Bishops' hard-hitting statement accusing President William Ruto's administration of complicity in the country's challenges has sparked a flurry of responses from the government.

Responding to Catholic Bishops who raised concerns over the recent spate of abductions and killings, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja reassured the public that the National Police Service (NPS) has heightened security in all parts of the country following a surge in cases of femicide, abductions, and extrajudicial killings.

Kanja revealed that a specialised Missing Persons Unit (MPU) had been established at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to deal with cases of abductions and extrajudicial killings.

Kanja further added that the police service had recorded 97 femicide deaths in the past three months.

According to the police boss, in most of the cases reported, the police service had already completed investigations, identified those involved in the murder of young girls and women, and arraigned them before the court.

All cases of abductions are being investigated by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and we are making good progress in that direction, Kanja Kenyans even as he disputed the allegations by the catholic bishops.

Gender Desks at police stations nationwide are on high alert to deal swiftly with any cases of gender-based violence, the police boss added.

In response to the killings witnessed during the anti-government protests that took place in June and July this year, Kanja announced that all cases of deaths where police officers were implicated were being probed by both the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Friday, November 15, 2024 - The ex-wife of Coca-Cola Africa boss Daryl Wilson has publicly exposed him for being an alleged deadbeat dad despite his immense wealth.

Wilsons ex-wife, Queentar Mercy, took to her Instagram stories and described him as a narcissist, claiming that he doesnt support their son even as he displays opulence.

Throwing a massive wedding while neglecting your responsibilities as a father. Narcissists will finish me, she wrote while reacting to his recent wedding.





Her remarks come days after her ex-husband walked down the aisle with local model Phidelia Mutunga, who was crowned Miss Supranational Africa in 2021, in a lavish wedding held at the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club last weekend.

Interestingly, Phidelia and Mercy were once best friends.

She was Mercys make-up artist during her wedding.

After Mercy parted ways with Wilson over domestic abuse and infidelity, Phidelia fell in love with him.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Friday, November 15, 2024 - Education Permanent Secretary Belio Kipsang has blamed parents and examiners for the heightened exam malpractices that are being witnessed as the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams continue.

Speaking in Nyeri yesterday where he was opening a national examinations container, Kipsang blamed parents for allowing students to go to school with mobile phones which are prohibited in exam rooms.

"The biggest problem in our examinations are we adults, the parents in most cases, because when we hear people saying there's mobilisation of resources to compromise our staff the people who are mobilizing the resources are not our staff, it is we as parents," the PS said.

The PS further questioned why parents were sponsoring the malpractices yet they took the children to school for four years.

"And why are we mobilising resources to try to compromise our examinations if we have given an opportunity to our children to be in school for four years?" the PS questioned.

Multiple incidents of examination malpractice have been reported across several counties in the last few days.

The Education PS raised concerns as parents continue to fall prey to fraudsters claiming to have leaked exam papers, charging over Ksh10,000 for access.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Friday, November 15, 2024 - One of the close confidantes of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged President William Ruto and his men to stop criticizing Catholic bishops who attacked the Kenya Kwanza Alliance over lies and fake promises.

Immediately after the Bishops issued a presser on Thursday, Ruto and his men went haywire and tried to distort and discredit what the men of God had said.

Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina criticized the government, emphasizing that, like all citizens, the church has the right to freedom of expression under Articles 32 and 33 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, which guarantee freedom of religion and opinion.

"When the church said this government was God-ordained, the same people now attacking it were happy. Let them take the current criticism in good faith; the church has a right to express itself as per Articles 32 and 33 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.

"Let them have their say without unwarranted political attacks," Njeri said.

The exchange began when the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) issued a scathing statement, accusing the Ruto administration of perpetuating a culture of lies, corruption, unfulfilled promises, and misplaced priorities.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Friday, November 15, 2024 - Activist Morara Kebaso has sensationally claimed that he rejected offers to abandon the Gen Z movement and join some of the big political parties in the country.

In a statement yesterday, Morara, who has made a name by exposing President William Rutos ghost projects, affirmed that he will not join any political party.

He claimed that there was an effort to 'swallow' Gen Z leaders into mainstream political parties.

According to Morara, he formed the INJECT party to remain consistent to the end.

The activist claimed that the time for the mainstream political parties is over and it is time for the party of a young generation.

"There is a very serious concerted effort to swallow all Gen Z leaders into mainstream political parties to teach them the old corrupt style of politics.

"That is why we formed the INJECT Party. We will chart our own path. I will not join UDA, ODM or Wiper; their time is over. It is our time now. Consistency to the end," Morara remarked.

His remarks come after he disclosed that activities were running smoothly at the INJECT party's headquarters in Kahawa Sukari, Nairobi.

The activist asserted that the INJECT party will be an incubation chamber for future leaders of integrity.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Friday, November 15, 2024 - Detectives have released a photo of the prime suspect in the murder of Seth Nyakio Njeri, whose body was found at her friend's house at Biafra Estate within Thika Township on October 10, 2024.

The slain lady was the daughter of Kirinyaga Nominated MCA Lucy Njeri.

The suspect identified as Ken Kimathi Gichunuku alias Sultan went into hiding after committing the heinous murder, with detectives launching a manhunt for him.

It has been established that Kimathi has a criminal record of threatening to kill as evidenced in a September 25, 2024 court case, and detectives are considering him dangerous to anyone he deems might expose him.

The autopsy revealed that Nyakio died from strangulation, with evidence suggesting an assault before her death.

Bruises were found on her neck, cheeks, thighs, and other areas, indicating that she likely fought her attacker.

Nyakio was buried on October 29, 2024, in an emotional burial attended by local leaders.

Below is a photo of the prime suspect in the murder.





The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Friday, November 15, 2024 - A family in Nairobis Kitisuru estate is in distress after the abduction of 26-year-old Mercy Awuor.

She reportedly left home on November 4 to meet a potential employer, lured by what appeared to be a job offer.



That afternoon, her husband, Brian Andole, received a call from her, where she mentioned being forcibly taken and placed in a vehicle conceivably near a wildlife conservancy in Narok.



Later, a new call came from the abductors, demanding a Ksh 150,000 ransom and threatening to harm her if the money wasnt paid.



Andole immediately reported the incident to Kitisuru Police Station.



He was then redirected to Kabete Police Station but he claims officers there were unhelpful and kept asking for bribes instead of offering assistance.



Even after he handed over critical information, including phone numbers, there was still no action.



He was eventually referred to Gigiri Police Station but still remains frustrated with the lack of progress.

Man Cries For Help After His Wife Was Abducted And Held At Ransom- Claims Police Are Asking For Bribes To Track The Abductors pic.twitter.com/lK5O7qL3Hd  DAILY POST  (@dailypost_ke) November 15, 2024

The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Friday, November 15, 2024 - Narc Kenya Party Leader Martha Karua has accused President William Ruto of failing the education sector with his new funding model.

In a statement signed alongside other allies including Prof Kivutha Kibwana, Karua told Ruto to withdraw the new funding model because it is not working for students and parents.

The leaders called on the government to revert to the old funding model.

On the other hand, the leaders also demanded that Ruto's administration honor its agreement with the lecturers who are on strike.

Karua and the team warned that the ongoing stalemate would have dire repercussions on the quality of higher education in Kenya.

"The country is staring at an epochal collapse of quality assurance in university teaching and examination. An international blacklisting of Kenyan academic credentials will have dire ramifications that will go way beyond the Ruto era," read the statement in part.

Meanwhile, the team also called on the government to remit the outstanding HELB funds to the students and the universities.

"Terminating funding in a way that is causing acute problems to both learners and teachers. Intimidating and haunting out vice-chancellors who tell them the truth and show them a rational retreat" read the statement in part.

"Totally ignoring the primary decency in dealing with labour relations. University staff continue on strike while the government contemptuously reneges on its obligations under a series of unimplemented Collective Bargaining Agreements."

Other leaders who signed off were Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi and Kabando was Kabando.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Friday, November 15, 2024 - Notorious city gold scammer Nelson Angudha was pictured with Raila Odingas wife Mama Ida at a recent function as he drums up support for the Nyakach MP seat.

Angudha has several cases in court linked to fraud.

A few months ago, he was arrested and arraigned in court after defrauding an Italian businessman over Ksh 37 million.

He allegedly obtained the money from the businessman by falsely pretending that the money was meant to hire a private jet and payment of insurance and taxes for 300 kilograms of gold.

According to the prosecution, the gold was to be transported from Kenya to Dubai, a fact the accused person knew to be false.

Below are photos of the gold fraudster with Railas wife at a recent function.









The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Friday, November 15, 2024 - President William Rutos troubles seem to be far from over after young Kenyans commonly known as Gen ZS started organizing a mega protest that will be held on November 21 to pressure the government to address their concerns.

Dubbed Occupy Parliament, the youth have shared screenshots of their protest banners, declaring November 21 as the day to Kufinish Kumalo.

In their protest letter, the youth demanded President William Ruto's resignation, accusing him of failing to govern effectively and deliver on his promise to put money in hustlers' pockets.

Surprisingly, President William Ruto on that day is supposed to issue his annual State of the Nation address in Parliament,

Here are some banners of the Gen Z protests scheduled on November 21st to force President William Ruto to resign.









The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Friday, November 15, 2024 - Former United States Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman met with a top Kenyan government official just a day after her resignation from the post.

Taking to her official page, Whitman revealed a meeting with Monica Juma, the National Security Adviser to President William Ruto in a post with a picture of the two.

Juma gave flowers to the outgoing US Ambassador, and Whitman in her post thanked the security advisor and lauded her role as critical to the success of the diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Ambassador Monica Juma has been critical to the success of the United States and Kenya relationship in my time here. She is a true champion of Kenyan security and I will greatly miss working with her, Whitman stated.

The details of the meeting remain unclear, with the post marking the first time Whitman has spoken up since her announcement on Wednesday that she had already submitted her resignation notice to President Biden.

Her resignation came just a week after Donald Trump won the US elections and is set to make a historic return to the Oval Office in January.

Immediately after Trump's win, Kenyans who were unsatisfied with Whitman's relationship with President William Ruto started calling for her dismissal.

The resentment towards Whitman boiled over following the Gen Z protests in June, with many Kenyans alleging that she had maintained silence on the extrajudicial killings and faulted her for colluding with the government.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Friday, November 15, 2024 - President William Ruto has responded to the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) after they accused his administration of spreading a "culture of lies" and failing to live up to its promises on key issues affecting Kenyans.

In a subtle response on Friday, when he attended Tangaza University's Graduation in Nairobi, Ruto called on all leaders, clergy, and Kenyans to stick to the facts when engaging in public discourse, warning that people can become victims of the things they accuse others of doing".

"Even as we engage in public discourse on matters that are important to the people of Kenya, we must be careful to be factual lest we become victims of the things we accuse others of doing," Ruto said.

"I know you know what I mean," he added, as the crowd in attendance laughed at his words, seemingly in agreement.

On Thursday, KCCB called out President Rutos administration for what they termed a deeply entrenched culture of lies, corruption, unfulfilled promises, and misplaced priorities.

Led by their chair, Archbishop Maurice Muhatia of Kisumu, the bishops accused the political class of turning a deaf ear to key concerns raised by Kenyans, including over taxation, unemployment, disturbing gaps in the implementation of the CBC education system, and the transition from NHIF to the Social Health Authority (SHA).

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Friday, November 15, 2024  The Government of President William Ruto has made yet another promise as Kenyans continue to lose trust in the Kenya Kwanza administration over the many lies and promises told by the president and his agents.

This is after Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection, Alfred Mutua, revealed that Ruto and his government's plan to export one million Kenyan workers abroad every year as part of a new jobs scheme.

Speaking after holding a meeting with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Mutua revealed that the government is engaging other countries in a bid to expand Kenya's employment export base to one million annually.

"During the meeting, I had the opportunity to brief the Deputy President on the ongoing recruitment and sensitization program targeting one million job placements annually through our labor export initiative," Mutua revealed.

The CS further revealed that the government will be establishing ICT hubs in each of Kenyas 290 constituencies to provide the Kenyan youth with access to lucrative digital jobs, transforming their economic prospects and building a robust future for Kenya.

He asserted that the government is committed to tackling the youth unemployment challenge in the nation.

Already, there are reports indicating that the number of unemployed people in the country will reach 1.76 million people this year, a majority of whom are said to be between 20-24 years.

According to the CS, the Kenya Kwanza administration is actively negotiating for more job opportunities abroad under its labour export program.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Friday, November 15, 2024 - Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has accused the current members of Parliament of ignoring service delivery to wananchi and instead pushing their greedy agendas in Parliament.

Addressing a press conference in Nairobi on Friday, Raila claimed that some MPs were carrying out functions that are meant for county governments.

The former premier asserted that according to the constitution, functions such as construction of roads and health are meant to be carried out by county administrations.

Im asking MPs to be more patriotic and move away from functions which are not theirs.

"I feel very frustrated because I was involved in the drafting of this Constitution and how exactly it's supposed to work.

"But the greed of MPs, they want to be constructing roads and health centers, they want to be contractors themselves.

"Who is going to oversight the government if the oversight is the implementer? It does not happen anywhere in the world, Raila stated.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Friday, November 15, 2024 - Renowned Nairobi lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi has slammed President William Ruto and his administration for "scoring an own goal" following criticism from Catholic bishops on Thursday.

After the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) released a strongly-worded statement condemning alleged inefficiencies and corruption within the Kenya Kwanza government, Ruto and his coterie issued several statements trying to discredit what the bishops had stated.

Ahmednassir, known for his takes on political matters, expressed disappointment in the governments approach, which he argued amplified the bishops criticism instead of neutralising it.

The lawyer urged the administration to either acknowledge the legitimacy of the concerns or focus on delivering results rather than engaging in a counterproductive exchange.

"The Government of Kenya is overreacting in its response to the statement by the Catholic Bishops. If the bishops are truthful, take the criticism on board and self-correct.

"If the statement is not true, ignore it and deliver to the people of Kenya... but the stroppy and belligerent response by the government is, in my humble opinion, an own goal," the lawyer stated.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Friday, November 15, 2024  Kenya Kwanza legislators have lashed out at Catholic Bishops for telling President William Ruto the naked truth.

This is after they accused Ruto's government of rampant corruption and allegedly using the state machinery to silence critics.

The Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), Archbishop Maurice Muhatia led bishops in calling out the Kenya Kwanza regime for broken promises and failing to listen to Kenyans' grievances.

Archibishop Muhatia's sentiments were instantly followed by harsh rebuttals from some MPs online, who challenged the religious leaders to validate their accusations.

Kikuyu Member of Parliament Kimani Ichung'wah, a staunch supporter of William Ruto, was particularly critical of the archbishop's sentiments as he accused the religious leaders of pushing a political agenda.

"Let us all be honest. If you have any information on corrupt legislators, please furnish us with the information to investigate agencies or just name them and shame them," Ichungwa stated.

"The drafter of this statement is portraying you either as liars or as politically partisan people seeking to play to a political gallery," he added.

Majority Leader in the Senate, Aaron Cheruiyot, also joined Ichung'wah in criticising the religious leaders' statement taking a focus on the bishop's criticism of the controversial bill presented by Senator Samson Cherargei seeking to extend presidential terms from five to seven years.

Like Ichung'wah, the Senator also strongly suggested that the religious leaders' statement was politically motivated.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Friday, November 15, 2024  Health Cabinet Secretary Debora Mlongo Barasa was quick to respond to the criticism leveled against President William Rutos government by Catholic Bishops on reneging on its promise to clear arrears amounting to billions owed to faith-based hospitals under the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

In an official statement, Barasa has accused the bishops of misleading Kenyans with their sentiments, claiming that it has been paying the NHIF debts.

"The government takes great exception to the misleading, erroneous, and false statement issued by Catholic Church Bishops on obligations owed by the government through the defunct NHIF," asserted CS Barasa.

According to the Barasa-led Ministry, it is working towards paying the Ksh19 billion owed by NHIF to various hospitals accrued within 10 years.

It has further clarified that it has paid Ksh900 million of the debt to the faith-based hospitals contrary to the bishop's allegations.

"So far, the Social Health Authority (SHA) has disbursed Ksh5 billion to various providers including Ksh938,605,212 million to facilities owned by faith-based organizations, the majority of which are Catholic-run institutions," Barasa said.

According to the CS, the government is still committed to fully paying the debt. The Ministry has revealed that SHA's next move was to disburse the remaining Ksh2.5 billion by next week.

"The government through the Social Health Authority, will disburse the remaining Ksh2.5 billion by next week and is committed to progressively clearing all unpaid NHIF claims," asserted Barasa.

The CS has assured that SHA is currently reconciling new claims submitted by providers in October and November 2024 under SHIF and ensured all providers that these claims will be paid on time.

Stakeholders including the Bishops have been called upon to support the SHA rollout instead of bushing it.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
CONCERN has been expressed about the excessive clearing of vegetation along the River Barrow in recent weeks and its destructive impact of local wildlife.

... And how it looks after Waterways Ireland's clearance programme near Maganey bridge

The Nationalist has learned that as part of Waterways Irelands general maintenance programme on the River Barrow, large sections of vegetation have been cleared, particularly along the riparian, an area on the bank of the river.

Large areas have been cleared in a way that has never happened before, said Art Mooney, a Carlow resident and regular walker alongside the Barrow. Its just above Maganey bridge on the Athy side. I would call it excessive clearing; areas have been cleared that normally wouldnt be touched.

It is such a fabulous resource and its such a pity to see it being treated in such a way, said Art.

The Save the Barrow Track Facebook page has also stated its disgust at the recent Waterways Ireland work.

Kilometres of river riparian have been boned with an auger, clearing the banks of any plants, which provide cover, food and shade for fish and birds over the winter, it says. Any trees have been hacked back to make sure there are no perches for the likes of dippers and kingfisher. A large patch of wildflowers has been cleared above Maganey bridge, which was a haven for native wildflowers and was one of the few places that one could consistently see the Common Blue Butterfly. People Before Profit general election candidate cllr Adrienne Wallace has called on minister Malcolm Noonan to weigh in on the apparent environmental damage that Waterways Ireland has caused to the Barrow.

It seems that Waterways Ireland have become a law unto themselves, said cllr Wallace. They have recently cleared a large patch of native flowers above Maganey bridge, which was one of the few places where the Common Blue Butterfly could be observed. Various other species of butterfly were known to also lay their eggs on the sorrel there. In addition, further up the river, nearly half an acre of rushes was also cleared, with no obvious explanation for these works.

Questions need to be asked and the Green minister should be focused on ensuring any works carried out by Waterways Ireland are done in tandem with preserving the local biodiversity, said cllr Wallace. Whats especially shocking is that this is a Special Area of Conservation and a Natura 2000 site. In a statement to The Nationalist, Waterways Ireland said: We are mindful of our statutory remit to undertake the care, management, control, maintenance, repair, improvement and development of the canals and other canal property, adding that this includes the Barrow Line and Navigation.

We maintain the Barrow Trackway throughout the year so that it is safe for recreational use, such as walking and also so that Waterways Ireland vehicles and machinery can use the trackway for operational reasons. We only cut adjoining grassy verges and bankside vegetation once a year. This is a health and safety measure to mitigate the growth of overhanging branches into the Barrow. Branches of this type can cause safety risks to people using the water. Waterways Ireland is a partner of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and is careful to ensure that this work is carried out in accordance with their guidelines, the statement read.

Waterways Ireland clarified that hedgerows are also cut once a year, between September and the end of February, which is deemed to be the minimum necessary to ensure that the trackway remains open for use by the public and Waterways Ireland.

In relation to the works referred to upstream of Maganey bridge, these are confined to the Barrow Trackway. They are an essential part of the maintenance of this trackway structure. The vegetation maintenance works involve hedge and grass/scrub cutting only, Waterways Ireland concluded.
A motorist who admitted he shouldnt have been going as fast as he was has been convicted of two speeding offences, by Kilkenny District Court.

Alan Francis Wall, 11 Rice Park, Waterford City, appeared in court charged with speeding on two occasions.

Garda Mark Hobson Shaw said that on February 9 last he was operating a speed check point at Jordanstown on the M9. He observed Mr Wall driving at 166kph in a 120kph zone.

On February 18, at the same location, the garda observed Mr Wall again, this time driving at 167kph in the 120kph zone.

In court Mr Wall said he was coming home from work. I shouldnt have been going so fast, but I was.

Youre not wrong, Judge Geraldine Carthy agreed. She said Mr Wall had not only put himself at risk but other road users.

On the second speeding charge, dating from February 18, the judge imposed a driving disqualification of four months, saying Mr Wall should have learned a lesson the first time he was stopped by the garda.

The offence on February 9 was taken into consideration.
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ERC Synergy Grant for the ATHENS project team. From left: Adrian Schwarzenberger, Professor Stefan Brase, Professor Christian Koos, Hend Kholeif (photo: Amadeus Bramsiepe, KIT).

The European Research Council (ERC) is funding the ATHENS research project headed by professors Christian Koos and Stefan Brase of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) with a Synergy Grant. The projects objective is to improve the performance and energy efficiency of optical communications systems. Given growing demand for the transmission of large volumes of data by artificial intelligence (AI) applications, such improvements are especially relevant. The ERC is funding ATHENS for six years with EUR 14 million. One location where work on the project will be performed is the Karlsruhe Center for Optics and Photonics (KCOP), which is set to open in 2025.

Enormous growth in data volumes is a challenge for information and communications technology. In particular, training so-called large language models for AI applications is a mammoth computing task that faces a bottleneck in the communication among thousands of processors in huge parallel computing systems. Optical transceivers play a key role in this process by converting electrical information into optical signals that are then transmitted quickly and efficiently via a glass fiber or a waveguide. Silicon components have generally been used for signal conversion in the transceivers, but this solution is reaching its limits as pure silicon components are too slow for the ever-increasing amounts of data. In addition, existing transceivers consume considerable amounts of energy, resulting in high CO2 emissions for the AI models.

Better Data Transmission with Lower Energy Consumption

The ATHENS project investigates new material systems and components for electronic-to-optical signal conversion. Our goal is to make transceivers not only more powerful but also more efficient so that higher data transmission rates can be reached with the same or even lower energy consumption, said Professor Christian Koos from the Institute of Photonics and Quantum Electronics and the Institute of Microstructure Technology at KIT. With the funding from the ERC Synergy Grant, we can now carry out the entire ATHENS project, from the selection of suitable materials to the simulation of organic molecules and a working transmission system in the lab.

Combining Silicon with Other Materials

The four-member team, which in addition to Koos includes Professor Stefan Brase from the Institute of Organic Chemistry and the Institute for Biological and Chemical Systems at KIT, Professor Carsten Ronning from Friedrich Schiller University Jena and Professor Tobias Kippenberg from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, is taking a hybrid approach by combining silicon with other materials. Silicon components are inexpensive and available in large quantities, but there are limits to their optical capabilities. To compensate for these limitations while continuing to enjoy the benefits of silicon, we combine silicon with other material systems, Koos said. One approach being tested by the team is the use of organic materials, i.e. carbon-based compounds. We can simulate these molecules on computers before producing materials with the characteristics we want in the lab and then printing them on silicon wafers, Brase said. Another method involves combining silicon photonic chips with other chips to form additional material platforms, for example crystal-on-insulator platforms in which a thin monocrystalline layer is placed on an insulating substrate for later processing into optical components.

Funding Enhances KITs Standing in Photonics



Rapid advances in artificial intelligence are a major challenge for the information technology sector. Viable solutions need to be found quickly, said Professor Oliver Kraft, Vice President for Research at KIT. Im pleased that with ATHENS, the European Research Council is funding a project at the interface between materials science and information technology. This research enhances KITs outstanding position in photonics, which is set to grow further as the Karlsruhe Center for Optics and Photonics (KCOP) is completed."

Benefits for Quantum Technology and Medical Engineering

Beyond AI models, hybrid material systems for transceivers could also have uses in quantum technologies and medical engineering, for example in sensors for wearable devices or in optical lab-on-a-chip applications for analyzing blood samples.



ERC Synergy Grant

With its Synergy Grants, the European Research Council funds promising research teams. The grants are intended for projects that are only possible through collaboration among the designated scientists and will lead to discoveries at the interfaces between established disciplines and to significant advances at the frontiers of knowledge. In 2024, 548 grant applications were submitted. The ERC selected 57 projects for Synergy Grants. Germany is involved in 34 of the selected projects, by far the highest share. This is the fourth time that a prestigious ERC Synergy Grant has gone to KIT researchers.

Being The Research University in the Helmholtz Association, KIT creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is the objective to make significant contributions to the global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For this, about 10,000 employees cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics, and the humanities and social sciences. KIT prepares its 22,800 students for responsible tasks in society, industry, and science by offering research-based study programs. Innovation efforts at KIT build a bridge between important scientific findings and their application for the benefit of society, economic prosperity, and the preservation of our natural basis of life. KIT is one of the German universities of excellence.
The FSU reports:

This morning in Wellington, Police withdrew charges against Paul Burns, a man charged under Section 3 of the Summary Offenses Act for public disorder after engaging in public debate. This is a necessary victory for free speech after an outrageous arrest and charge. We have been proud to manage this case, says Jonathan Ayling, Chief Executive of the Free Speech Union. In March earlier this year, Burns spent his Sunday how he regularly did, encouraging public debate on his anti-abortion stance. Burns stood on Lampton Quay holding a sign that said, $100 to the 1st person who proves that slavery is more evil than abortion with $100 worth of notes taped to the sign. When approached by a group of young people willing to engage in the debate, one of them said abortion was justified due to overpopulation. Using a typical debating tactic, Burns turned the young persons logic around and said, if you think that the world is overpopulated, then why dont you kill yourself?. Burns was arrested, taken to Police cells, and charged under section 1(4)(b) of the Summary Offences Act for offensive language. Ahead of his trial, Police outrageously upgraded his charges to disorderly behaviour likely to cause other people to behave violently. This is a disgraceful response to someone engaging in debate.

The original arrest was bad enough. But for the Police to then increase the charge to one with a potential jail sentence is worse. You suspect they did it to encourage a plea deal, but because Burns had the FSU behind him he refused.

The FSU has also convinced the Police to stop focusing on hate speech which is not a criminal offence, and instead to focus on actual criminal offending. The Police have now said:

The Police Executive has agreed Polices definition of a non-criminal hate incident should shift from a perception-based standard to one requiring reasonable grounds to believe an event involves or implies a significant risk of physical harm

It never should have been a perception-based standard, but it was. thanks to the FSU, sanity has won.

I find it distressing that so many on the left see the FSU as an enemy. It is in fact the most effective civil rights organisation in New Zealand, something the left used to be passionate about.

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7 Chinese villages awarded Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism

Xinhua) 14:48, November 15, 2024

This photo taken on June 14, 2024 shows a view of Hani terraced fields in Yuanyang County of Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Wang Jingyi)

BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Seven villages in China have been honored as "Best Tourism Villages" by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) in this year's selection, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Announced at a UN Tourism meeting held in Cartagena, Colombia on Friday Beijing time, the new additions bring the total number of Chinese villages recognized as "Best Tourism Villages" to 15, making China the country with the highest number of villages holding this title.

The villages are Azheke Village in Yunnan, Guanyang Village in Fujian, Shibadong Village in Hunan, Taoping Village in Sichuan, Xiaogang Village in Anhui, Xitou Village in Zhejiang and Yandunjiao Village in Shandong.

Spanning the eastern, central, and western regions of the country, the villages are highly representative in terms of geography, culture, and development models, showcasing the remarkable achievements of rural tourism development in China.

For example, Yunnan's Azheke Village, nestled in the heart of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has embraced a unique approach to tourism development. Villagers have contributed resources such as terraces, houses, and traditional ways of life, creating a model of collective participation and shared prosperity.

To promote rural tourism, UN Tourism launched the Best Tourism Villages project in 2021 to recognize villages across the world that are leading the way in nurturing rural areas and preserving landscapes, cultural diversity, local values and culinary traditions.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 23F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 23F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph.
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 23F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 23F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph.
Incredible footage of the 'amazing' sight in the woman's Hunter Valley paddock has even stunned experts.

Kimmy Stokes was walking around her Hunter Valley property earlier this week when she stumbled upon thousands of Christmas beetles. Source: Kimmy Stokes

An Aussie mum has made a magical  and nowadays quite rare  discovery in her backyard. Kimmy Stokes was walking around her 600 acre property in NSWs Hunter Valley earlier this week when she stumbled upon thousands of Christmas beetles covering almost every tree in a paddock.

I have not seen anything like it before, she told Yahoo News Australia. I see them almost every year but never this many  [were] maybe lucky to see 50 a year around Christmas.

Incredible video footage shows mounds of the native insects hanging from branches, stacked on top of each other, eating the leaves and eating everywhere.

Chatting again on Friday, Ms Stokes told Yahoo the Christmas beetles appeared to have settled in. Theyre still here. Ive been watching them daily and photographing them too, trying to gather as much information as I can. There a few different species there, she revealed.

Incredible Christmas beetle sighting stuns Aussies

The amazing sight has stunned Aussies online, with many comparing it to the good old days. Others said the mum was clearly very lucky.

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It even made one expert green with envy.

I am so jealous, Im not going to lie, Associate Professor Tanya Latty told Yahoo News Australia while laughing. I would love to see Christmas beetle numbers like that. It would make my life.

The beetles in the Ms Stokes clip are feeding and mating, she confirmed. Adult Christmas beetles are herbivores so they feed on plants particularly gum trees, Ms Latty said, adding the sighting is really valuable for research.

Push for more Christmas beetle data

Invertebrates Australia in collaboration with the University of Sydney launched the Christmas Beetle Count in 2022 to gather more data about the species following years of concerns they are at risk of decline or extinction.

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Historically, Christmas beetles are kind of known to rest in large numbers on the same tree, but it seems to be more unusual now, Ms Latty said.

Nobody was really keeping detailed scientific data so we dont have numbers or population data from the past. All we can really do is go by peoples memories and little bits that we can pull out of things like newspapers, she explained.

Experts are calling on Aussies to report their Christmas beetle sightings to iNaturalist so they can continue to gather data about the fascinating creatures. Source: Kimmy Stokes

There are more than 12,000 sightings recorded to date. [Its] just glorious, like fantastic amounts of data. Now, we need more, Ms Latty said. Aussies are encouraged to log their Christmas beetle sightings on iNaturalist.

The more reports received, the sooner experts can start creating strategies to get the population back to where it really ought to be.

According to preliminary information, some Christmas beetle species have fallen victim to urbanisation.

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Habitat loss [is] almost certainly a big driver. Its possible that climate change is also a problem, particularly because the larvae of Christmas beetles lives in the soil, so theyre pretty sensitive to long-term, multi-year droughts that make the soil really hard and dry.

Earlier this week, hundreds of the colourful creatures swarmed homes in west Brisbane during a heatwave, which can speed up the beetle larvae develop.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Jin of K-pop superband BTS hopes to deliver positive energy with his first solo album, "Happy," released Friday afternoon.

"Happy" features six tracks, including the lead track "Running Wild" and the prerelease song "I'll Be There."

"It's meaningful that I could release an album under my name," the vocalist said in a question-and-answer session with his agency, BigHit Music.

"Since the album sufficiently reflects my musical tastes, I would be happy if people respond that the songs are good."

In his new album based on a band sound, Jin sings about the journey of finding happiness.

He expresses emotions such as love, excitement and courage, which are elements of happiness, and infuses his music with the desire for listeners to be happy, according to the agency.

"Band sound is especially exciting when heard in a concert venue, so I recommend you to imagine how it would sound in a concert hall if you listen to these songs," he explained.

"Running Wild" is a pop-rock genre piece about the warmth, brightness and passion inspired by love.

Gary Barlow, the lead singer of the famous British pop group Take That, served as a producer.

The music video, released simultaneously with the album, is set against the backdrop of Earth on the brink of destruction. It depicts Jin spending time peacefully with his companion dog amid the chaos engulfing everyone else. According to the agency, the video conveys the message that true happiness lies in having a precious being by your side and love for each other.

"I Will Come To You," which Jin wrote himself, is a fan-dedicated song.

Jin expressed his longing for fans in the song, based on notes he wrote during his time as a trainee soldier.

"It was an honest record of candid thoughts like 'Fans are waiting, I should sing, I should perform,'" he said. "While revisiting those emotions, I wrote lyrics about wanting to return to fans as soon as possible."

Since being discharged from military service in June, the first among the team members, he has been actively engaging with fans.

He participated as a torchbearer for the 2024 Paris Olympics and hosted his own variety show "Run Seok-jin" on YouTube.

On Nov. 16-17, he will hold a fan showcase at Jangchung Arena in Seoul to celebrate the album release. (Yonhap)
Hana, Shinhan appeal Value-up plans to global investors

By Lee Yeon-woo

HONG KONG  Korean financial firms reaffirmed their commitment to the long-term implementation of the Corporate Value-Up Program during talks with investors in Hong Kong, Wednesday. They emphasized their determination to follow through with the government-led initiative aimed at addressing the undervaluation of the Korean stock market.

"The top concern among investors is whether the Corporate Value-Up Program will be sustained and whether we are serious about it. So I assured them that we are," said Shinhan Financial Group Chairman Jin Ok-dong, speaking to reporters after an investors relations (IR) event at a hotel in Hong Kong.

"The government is serious, the financial authorities are serious, and Korean firms are serious, based on the belief that this is the only path forward for Korea," Jin added.

Introduced this year, the initiative aims to tackle the undervaluation of the Korean stock market by enhancing corporate governance and boosting shareholder returns. Financial firms have been key participants in the program, taking the initiative to announce measures aimed at boosting shareholder value in their disclosures.

For instance, Hana recently vowed to maintain its common equity tier 1 (CET1) ratio between 13 and 13.5 percent, a core figure affecting a company's shareholder return policy. Hana also promised a return on equity (ROE) of over 10 percent and a shareholder return ratio of 50 percent by 2027. Similarly, in July, Shinhan vowed to achieve a CET1 ratio of 13 percent, a ROE of 10 percent and a shareholder return ratio of 50 percent by 2027.

"Shareholder returns that meet market expectations can only be achieved with strong underlying profitability. The key to value enhancement lies in diagnosing the current situation to identify the causes of corporate undervaluation. Rather than focusing on declarations, it's essential to devise practical and actionable measures," Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo said.

"In developing our value enhancement plan, we prioritized establishing specific implementation strategies and ensuring their internalization as well."

Their remarks followed the IR event, which was co-hosted by the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) and major financial institutions, including Shinhan Financial Group, Hana Financial Group, Korea Investment & Securities and Korean Reinsurance Company (Korean Re). According to the FSS, the event attracted 230 participants from 102 institutions.

Participating financial groups also conducted individual IR meetings with global investors before and after the event.

"Our announcement of an unprecedented value enhancement plan would not have been possible without the support of financial authorities and the modernization of regulatory frameworks," Ham said.

During the events Q&A session, Jin cited Koreas demographic challenges as a key reason for driving the initiative to bolster the stock market.

"Koreas public pension system currently provides an income replacement rate of just 42 percent. At this pace, the aging of society will place an immense financial burden on the government. To address this, private pensions and individual savings accounts are essential," Jin said.

Korean Re CEO Won Jong-gyu emphasized the importance of consistent communication between companies and shareholders, likening the relationship to that of a married couple.

"Since I became CEO in 2013, our company has announced ambitious plans every year and worked hard to achieve them. We have grown, but market sentiment has not always reflected that. Back then, Korean investors held 40 percent of our stock, but this has dropped to 26 percent," Won said, underscoring the need for better communication.

Financial authorities also vowed to ensure consistent efforts going forward. FSS Gov. Lee Bok-hyun said, With two and a half years left in this administrations term, I promise that we will continue to communicate with the market and work toward advancing Koreas financial system.
By Lee Kyung-min

Statistics Korea aims to boost the country's global standing in administrative data-backed population census technology, the head of the agency said Friday.

Underpinning the objective is the ongoing address canvassing, which started on Nov. 8 and will run until Nov. 27. The 20-day survey serves as preparation for the centenary population census next year. The collected data will verify and update residential addresses to ensure that they are accurate and complete.

"Statistics Korea remains committed to a thorough survey, a step toward fortifying the country's competitive edge," Statistics Korea Commissioner Lee Hyoung-il said during a press conference at the Korea Press Center in Seoul. "This, in turn, will strengthen the statistical cooperation framework with the global communities."

Over the past century, the agency has significantly advanced its census methods, aided by the country's cutting-edge information technology.

"We use geographical statistical data encompassing detailed information on the population, the concentration of industries in any given region and the number of socially vulnerable income groups. Upon opening up a map on our website, the comprehensive visual aids will help users better understand the country's various aspects."

Many economies delayed or suspended their census operation during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Korea completed its census on time, bolstered by the mobilization of administrative data, he said.

"I had a meeting with heads of the statistics agencies around the world in the summer, and we all shared the challenging experience of collecting data," he said.

"We conduct a 20 percent sampling-based field survey every five years and source the existing annually updated administrative data to fill in gaps during the four years in between. This is a major point of interest for other countries seeking statistical efficiency and accuracy."

Read More Statistics Korea bolsters international cooperation in battle against COVID-19

Korea's advanced census methodologies have been shared with many countries across Southeast Asia, South America and Africa. Included are Vietnam, Colombia, Bolivia, Indonesia, Tanzania and Mongolia. Korea plans to share its census expertise with Uzbekistan next year.

This year's survey will be updated through existing administrative and spatial data instead of field surveys. Included will be information on apartments that are between five years and 30 years old.

Statistics agency officials will use tablets for electronic surveys to enter and verify data in real time, enhancing efficiency.

The scope will be expanded to include households situated on rooftops and semi-underground dwellings, a first in a nationwide survey.

The data will lead to a more accurate compilation of remote rural area statistics, aiding housing and welfare policies.

The 20-day survey will help the statistics agency lay the groundwork for a full-scale preparation of the 2025 population and housing census.

The core framework of next year's work is to tackle increasingly challenging post-pandemic survey conditions and produce high-quality census data.

Next year's survey will feature user-friendly mobile forms and will offer questions in multiple foreign languages.

Currently available languages are English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Russian, Indonesian, Thai, Mongolian, Japanese, Cambodian and Nepali, with plans to add other languages such as Uzbek, Kazakh, Burmese, Sinhala, Bengali and Urdu soon.

Artificial intelligence technology will be mobilized to classify industry and occupation categories and provide around-the-clock support to promote speedy responses to inquiries.

The agency is considering introducing new sets of questions on willingness to get married, family planning, caregiving abilities and Korean language proficiency to better reflect low fertility, aging and the multicultural aspects of society.
The United States has put South Korea back on its list of countries to monitor for their foreign exchange policies a year after the Asian country's exclusion from the list, a Treasury Department report showed Thursday.

The department released the updated list in the semiannual "Report to Congress on Macroeconomic and Foreign Exchange Policies of Major Trading Partners of the United States." South Korea was excluded from the list in November last year for the first time since April 2016, and was taken off the list again in June.

The latest monitoring list comprises South Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, and Germany. All except Korea were on the list in the June 2024 report.

U.S. trading partners are put on the list when they meet two of the three criteria set by the U.S. Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, also known as the 2015 Act.

The criteria are a bilateral trade surplus with the U.S. of at least $15 billion, a material current account surplus of at least 3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) and persistent, one-sided intervention in the foreign currency market for at least eight months during a year and with net purchases totaling at least 2 percent of an economy's GDP over a 12-month period. (Yonhap)
Ahead of Chris Bowen's arrival at COP29 to co-chair finance talks, there has been a call for a dramatic increase in funding to help the developed world.

Chris Bowen has responded after a coalition backed by China called for US $1 trillion in aid for developed nations. Source: Getty/AAP

Australias climate change minister Chris Bowen has responded after COP29 was told the developing world will soon need over US$1 trillion ($1.5 trillion) a year from developed nations to fight the worsening global warming crisis.

The money would be used to adapt to climate change and compensate nations for loss and damage. The plan for 2030 has been supported ahead of Bowens arrival at the global United Nations talks in Azerbaijan by multiple organisations, including China which is exempt from contributing to the fund.

The first to make the call was the influential G77+China coalition which now has 134 member countries including Pacific states deeply impacted by climate change  Fiji, Papua New Guinea and East Timor. Then overnight the UN-backed, Independent High-Level Expert Group on Climate Finance, threw its weight behind the idea, adding that finance would need to increase to US $1.3 trillion ($2 trillion) by 2035.

A coaltion of China and 133 developing nations has proposed a dramatic increase in climate change funding. Source: Getty

Australia to co-chair negotiations on COP29 finance deal

Bowen is expected to arrive at COP29 on Saturday to lead the Australian delegation. He has been asked by the presidency to co-chair negotiations with Egypt on the new goal.

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The pair's focus will be on delivering a global deal to replace the previous target of US $100 billion per year by 2020 as this is scheduled to end in 2025. Australia, along with New Zealand, Canada and the United States have been singled out for not paying their fair share under the previous agreement.

It is not yet clear how much more funding Australia will advocate for.

Responding to a question about the $1 trillion suggestion, Bowen told Yahoo News in a statement, The reported position isnt our position, but we wont be pre-empting negotiations that are taking place. Well be advocating for a multilayered target, with public finance and an investment layer to send a signal to global financial actors.

Australia under pressure to reduce skyrocketing emissions

Australia, which is one of the largest exporters of fossil fuels in the world, is under fierce pressure to reduce emissions and help its low-lying island neighbours adapt to the crisis. China is increasingly seeking to influence the wider Pacific region, offering financial aid and security to Australias neighbours.

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Bowen added, Nothing is more central to the security and economies of the Pacific than climate change. The Australian Government is working in partnership with Pacific countries to address climate change.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has not attended a COP since being elected, and its not expected he will attend this year, although his office has not responded to a request for clarification from Yahoo News.

Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment?  Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories.
By KTimes

As the global popularity of Korean food has surged, so has the number of Korean restaurants worldwide, with over 100 in Berlin alone, according to the Korean Cultural Center in Germany.

Including restaurants that list Korean dishes as supplementary options, the number is even higher. In the early 2000s, only about 10 Korean restaurants existed in Berlin, highlighting the rapid growth of the cuisine's presence.

However, this quantitative growth has brought its challenges. With some restaurateurs lacking proper knowledge of Korean cuisine, restaurants like these have begun serving "dubiously authentic" Korean dishes or inaccurately labeled menus.

A popular Korean restaurant located in Berlin has garnered over 1,300 reviews on Google, one of the world's largest search engines. Yet, some of its dishes aren't authentic Korean food.

When ordering a Korean rice cake, which generally means "tteok," diners are served a dish that resembles tteokbokki (a dish of chewy rice cakes simmered in fiery chili paste gochujang) but is difficult to categorize as such. Typically, tteokbokki is made by stir-frying rice cakes with gochujang sauce and served warm, but rice cakes are tossed in chili sauce here.

Similarly, the bibimbap (a bowl of steamed rice with mixed vegetables) includes ingredients like pickled radish, cucumber salad and pickled cabbage  unusual items for a traditional Korean bibimbap.

A Korean-speaking reviewer shared concerns online, saying, "This is not Korean food at all. I'm worried foreigners might think this is what Korean food actually is."

Another Korean restaurant in Berlin sells "pork doenjang jjigae" (fermented soybean paste soup) and "seafood doenjang jjigae."

However, both dishes are labeled with the Japanese term "miso" in English. While both miso and doenjang are made from fermented soybeans, miso typically includes rice, barley and other grains, with a distinct fermentation process that sets it apart from doenjang.

Growing demand for authentic Korean food

The Korean Cultural Center does not see this issue as solely a problem of the restaurants themselves.

Given that Korean food had lower visibility internationally compared to cuisines like Chinese or Japanese, the rise of misinformation could hinder its global standing.

In response, the center launched the Korean Food Awareness campaign early this year, targeting Korean restaurants operated by foreigners.

They distributed booklets detailing the correct names and basic preparation methods for popular Korean dishes like japchae (stir-fried glass noodles), bulgogi (beef marinated in sweet soy sauce) and bibimbap.

Recently, the campaign expanded to include a bibimbap-making class. The session, held at the center earlier this month, attracted over 10 participants of various nationalities, including those from Vietnam and India.

Chef Kim Soo-young from the Korean Embassy in Germany led the class, demonstrating the preparation of bibimbap using ingredients like bean sprouts, radish, zucchini, carrots, beef and egg.

Kim also shared insights about the health benefits of bibimbap, calling it "a very healthy dish that allows you to consume carbohydrates, protein and fats in one bowl."

Attendees were pleased with the session. Bu Gia Huy Le, who operates four restaurants called "Wondeo Chicken" in Berlin and Hamburg, said, "I used to include seaweed, kimchi and cucumber in our bibimbap, but it was great to learn the authentic recipe today. Currently, we serve only bibimbap, chicken and street toast as Korean items, but I want to expand the menu with more authentic dishes."

Yang Sang-geun, director of the Cultural Center, expressed his commitment to promoting genuine Korean food culture in Germany, saying, "We will continue our efforts to ensure authentic Korean cuisine takes root in Germany."

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.
By KTimes

A post titled Searching for the person who helped me 21 years ago during my homeless days appeared on an online community on Wednesday.

The post's author, now a celebrated writer, shared memories of a time when he was homeless and spent three days reading at a bookstore, only to be asked to leave due to complaints about his appearance. Yet, one bookstore employee had given him the book he couldnt finish, a gesture that would change his life.

The writer is So Jae-won, known for works such as "Tunnel," "That Day" and "Wish." In an interview with the Hankook Ilbo, So recalled, It was around 2002 or 2003 when I was 20, right after high school. I had come to Seoul, fallen victim to a scam, and found myself homeless near Seoul, Yeongdeungpo or Yongsan Station, though I cant remember exactly.

With nowhere else to go, So sought refuge in a bookstore. On the third day, one staff member finally told me, People have been complaining about the smell. You need to leave, he remembered.

Embarrassed, he left quickly, but another employee called him back, saying, I noticed youve been reading this book. I dont think youve finished, so please take it as a gift.

The book was "Your Paradise" by Yi Chong-jun, set in Sorok Island. Deeply moved, So later published his own novel, "Story," inspired by that book. Grateful, he had promised the employee, Ill gift you a book of mine someday.

So has searched for this employee over the years, saying in his post, I dont know if they believed my promise or dismissed it as a homeless persons fantasy, but I have carried their kindness with me and endured.

He reflected, Does that employee know that the homeless young man is now an established author, known for advocating for the vulnerable?

In a message to his benefactor, he wrote, I hope youre well. Thanks to you, Ive become a decent writer. I still think of that time whenever Im struggling.

So has visited several bookstores in the Yongsan area, even trying to locate stores that operated since 1993, but he has yet to find the person who gifted him the book.

I was 20, and the employee was a woman in her mid-to-late twenties, So said. I believe theres only one person in Korea who would have gifted 'Your Paradise' to a homeless person, so Im certain Ill find her.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has overseen the performance test of suicide attack drones, and stressed the need for prompt full-scale mass production, the North's state media reported Friday.

Kim provided on-site guidance for the tests of various types of suicide attack drones, produced by an affiliated institute of the Unmanned Aerial Technology Complex and related companies, the previous day, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

"The suicide attack drones to be used within different striking ranges are to perform a mission to precisely attack any enemy targets on the ground and at sea," the KCNA noted.

The tests involved the drones precisely hitting the targets after flying along various preset tactical routes, it said.

Suicide drones, also known as loitering munitions, have emerged as important weapons in a war as they can attack tanks and other targets at relatively low cost.

Photos released by the KCNA showed a drone accurately hitting what is presumed to a BMW sedan. Experts said the North may intend to show it could use a suicide drone to assassinate South Korean figures.

Kim expressed satisfaction with the new drones and underscored the need for promptly going into full-scale mass production, saying drones emerged as "an essential requirement in military aspect nowadays."

"The competition for using drones as the main means of military capabilities ... is being accelerated in the world," he said, highlighting their expanding range of military application, low production cost and simple production lines.

Kim affirmed that his country has "full possibility and potentiality to produce and introduce various types of drones" and would seek the possibility of combining and applying "new and promising tactical methods" as required by modern warfare.

"The Workers' Party of Korea has recently attached importance to the line of perfectly combining unmanned military hardware systems with operational plans," Kim said, underscoring the need for a serial production system as early as possible and go into "full-scale mass production."

The KCNA reported that Kim's latest inspection marks "a landmark occasion" providing momentum for the country's efforts to defend its sovereignty and security, adding that drones are "practical and essential" in strengthening national defense capabilities, and deterring challenges and threats.

Drones are among high-tech weapons the North's leader vowed to develop during a key party congress in 2021, along with other sophisticated weapons systems, such as a nuclear-powered submarine, spy satellites and a hypersonic warhead.

North Korea first disclosed a performance test of suicide attack drones in August, which was also overseen by Kim on-site.

At a year-end party meeting in December last year, Kim ordered the development of powerful unmanned combat equipment, such as spy and attack drones, and means for electronic warfare.

In July 2023, North Korea unveiled two types of new reconnaissance and multi-purpose attack drones at an arms exhibition and a military parade. The North also sent five drones across the border with South Korea in December 2022, with one of them penetrating a no-fly zone close to Seoul's presidential office.

Friday's report by the North's state media marked Kim's first public appearance since the U.S. election, but it did not carry a message on the election results. (Yonhap)
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un won't negotiate denuclearization with the United States, as he has more powerful weapons and support from Russia, Joseph Yun, a former U.S. envoy on North Korea policy, said Friday, dismissing any chances for dialogue as a "non-starter."

Yun, who served as special representative for North Korea policy during the early phase of the first Donald Trump administration, made the remarks at a symposium co-hosted by Triforum and the Asiatic Research Institute, Korea University, discussing the global order in light of Trump's election to his second term.

Trump's return to the presidency has sparked speculation about his resuming personal diplomacy with Kim following their two landmark summits in Singapore and Vietnam.

Since the Hanoi summit ended without a deal in 2019, no dialogue has taken place between Washington and Pyongyang, including during the following Joe Biden administration.

"In the absence of any deal, North Korea has become more threatening. Their weapons have become more powerful," Yun said, noting that now North Korea is no longer an isolated pariah, thanks to "the strongest possible support from Russia."

"We have to accept reality. There is no chance that North Korea will start any negotiation with anyone which (requires) upfront complete denuclearization. That's a non-starter," he noted.

Instead, the U.S. might need to start with "small steps," such as weapons reduction, freezing new technology and fostering some kind of engagement between South and North Korea, while building on agreements Trump already made with Kim in order to eventually seek denuclearization, he said.

"If I were, you want to make sure that Singapore agreement is still valid on both sides. ... Where the Trump administration left off, which is in Hanoi. Hanoi (dialogue), I think, if you just added pieces to it, could be made into a deal," Yun noted.

"We cannot jump to complete denuclearization. CVID (complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization) as we used to call it, I'm sorry, but it's kind of dead."

Drawing on North Korea's dispatch of troops to fight for Russia against Ukraine, Yun said the decision was a "very smart" move in securing money and weapons technology from Russia, effectively rendering international sanctions "out of the window."

At the forum, Robert O'Brien, former national security adviser to Trump during his first term, echoed Yun's assessment, saying that reaching a deal with North Korea "is not going to be easy."

"The best we can do is trying to assure our South Korean friends ... that the U.S. nuclear umbrella covers South Korea," he said.

O'Brien predicted that Trump's tariff plans in his second term wouldn't negatively affect South Korea, citing South Korean companies' investments and factories operating in the U.S.

During the campaign, Trump said, if reelected, he will impose a minimum 10 percent tariff on imported products and as high as 60 percent import tariffs on Chinese goods.

"I think South Korea is going to do very well," he said, adding Trump has "made it very clear that the countries that invest in America and that produce products from their factories in America are not going to be subject to the tariffs that he's talking about." (Yonhap)
The United States may have difficulty in proposing dialogue to North Korea, given the North's advanced nuclear capabilities and security concerns raised by its troop deployment to Russia, a senior Seoul official said Friday.

Vice Unification Minister Kim Soo-kyung made the remarks at a program aired by state broadcaster KTV, amid speculation that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump may seek top-down diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during his second term.

"Many are turning their back to North Korea as the North has sent troops to Russia to support Moscow's war in Ukraine, posing a threat to (peace) in Europe and the world," Kim said. "For the U.S., it would be difficult to actively offer to meet with North Korea."

She also cited North Korea's continued advancement of its nuclear arsenal as a possible main hindrance for the U.S. in seeking denuclearization talks with Pyongyang.

"During the campaign, Trump said, if reelected, he would meet Kim Jong-un and well get along with him. But we need to watch the situation as his calculations (to deal with the North) could differ after taking office," Kim said.

Trump and Kim met three times during Trump's first term, including two rare summits in Singapore in 2018 and Vietnam in 2019. But the Hanoi summit ended without a deal in early 2019 due to a failure to narrow differences over the North's denuclearization steps and sanctions relief by Washington.

Kim, meanwhile, said the government is worried about Moscow's possible transfer of spy satellite-related technology to North Korea in return for Pyongyang's troop deployment to Russia.

South Korea's spy agency confirmed that North Korean soldiers have engaged in combat operations against the Ukrainian forces in Russia's western Kursk border region. (Yonhap)
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is very "sensitive" to international pressure over his country's human rights situation because he knows suppressing the issue is crucial to retaining his hereditary power, a former North Korean diplomat said Friday.

Ri Il-gyu, a former counselor for political affairs at the North Korean Embassy in Cuba who defected to South Korea last year, made the point at a forum in Seoul on North Korea's human rights.

"Kim Jong-un thoroughly reviews and approves the strategy and logic the foreign ministry should use for human rights issues, as well as the extent to which they should respond," Ri said, claiming that Kim provides detailed instruction on the country's international handling of the issues.

He described the North Korean leader as "pretty sensitive" in responding to human rights issues, saying that "the reason is not because he has an interest in improving the situation, but because he knows retaining his dictatorship and the third hereditary power succession would be impossible without suppressing them."

In North Korea, not only the general public but those closest to the leader are often subject to serious human rights violations, he also claimed, calling on countries that defend the North Korean regime to pay sincere attention to improving the situation. (Yonhap)
The upcoming trilateral summit between South Korea, the United States and Japan in Peru will be a chance for the three countries to discuss a "coordinated" response to North Korea's troop dispatch to support Russia's war in Ukraine, a senior U.S. security official said Thursday.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan made the remarks as South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba are set to hold a trilateral summit on the margins of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Lima on Friday.

"It will also be an opportunity to get a coordinated response to the introduction of DPRK soldiers onto or into western Russia," Sullivan said in a press briefing, referring to the official name of North Korea.

He added that the summit will be a chance for the three leaders to make sure that their countries are "on the same page" and moving out "in a coordinated way."

"This is a significant development, and we are going to treat it with the seriousness, with which it deserves to be treated," he said.

Seoul and Washington have confirmed that North Korean troops have begun engaging in combat operations alongside Russian forces in the fighting against Ukraine -- a development that observers say could expand the war in Ukraine, and will have security implications for Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

U.S. officials have said more than 10,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia with Russians having trained them in artillery, unmanned aerial vehicle and basic infantry operations, including trench clearing operations.

Further commenting on North Korea, Sullivan said the upcoming three-way summit will be a "real" opportunity to discuss activities by the recalcitrant regime, stressing Washington remains vigilant for the "ever-present" possibility of a seventh North Korean nuclear test and other provocative acts.

"Obviously, it's a real opportunity for us to consult at the leaders' level both to be prepared for any provocation that may come, whether it be with respect to missile testing or a nuclear test or other provocations," he said.

Responding to a question about Pyongyang being relatively quiet after the election period, Sullivan said, "I do not think we can count on a period of quiet with the DPRK." He also underscored the U.S.' vigilance against potential North Korean provocations.

"The possibility of a seventh nuclear test remains ever present. It's something we are vigilant for," he said.

"Transitions have historically end time periods when the DPRK has taken provocative actions both before and after the transition from one president to a new president. So that's something we are watching very carefully." (Yonhap)
The top diplomats of South Korea and Japan have met and discussed bilateral ties and North Korean issues on the margins of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Peru, Seoul's foreign ministry said Friday.

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and his Japanese counterpart, Takeshi Iwaya, held a meeting in Lima on Thursday (local time), where the top diplomats accompanied their leaders on the APEC summit, according to the ministry.

It marked the first in-person meeting between Cho and Iwaya since the top Japanese diplomat took office last month with the launch of the new leadership in Tokyo under Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

In the meeting, they have agreed to closely cooperate to flesh out various commemorative projects to mark the 60th anniversary of the normalization of the two nations' diplomatic relationship next year.

The top diplomats have also decided to make efforts to "wisely" manage pending issues between the two nations and upgrade the bilateral relationship to another level, according to the ministry.

South Korea and Japan are believed to be in consultations for a memorial service that Japan has promised to hold to honor forced labor victims at the Sado gold and silver mines.

The Sado mine complex  one of the world's largest gold producers in the 17th century  was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July after Tokyo agreed to set up exhibits on its history and hold a regular memorial service to honor the forced labor victims.

On North Korea, they shared the view that North Korea's troop deployment to Russia poses a "serious" threat to peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and beyond it.

To deal with deepening military ties between the North and Russia and Pyongyang's nuclear issue, Cho and Iwaya stressed the need to closely cooperate between Seoul and Tokyo as well as bolster trilateral cooperation also involving the United States. (Yonhap)
Container shipping costs from Korea to China fell for the first time in nine months in October, the customs agency said Friday.

The average shipping cost for a 40-foot container from Korea to China declined 6.9 percent from a month earlier to 767,000 won ($545.36) last month, according to data from the Korea Customs Service.

It marked the first on-month decline since January as the figure had been on the rise for eight straight months from February.

The average shipping costs from Korea to major partner nations, including the United States, the European Union, Japan and Vietnam, all went down in October from the previous month.

Compared with a year earlier, however, the shipping costs of the major routes climbed on rising shipment volume and the subsequent shortage of ships.

The on-year growth also came as carriers have been forced to suspend transit through the crucial Middle East maritime route due to strikes on ships in the Red Sea by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels based in Yemen, which have led to longer shipping time and an increase in shipping costs, officials said.

The figures include freight rates, commissions and other charges reported by local exporters, according to the agency. (Yonhap)
Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken have discussed bilateral ties and concerns about North Korea's troop dispatch to Russia, vowing close coordination against Pyongyang and Moscow's growing alignment, Cho's office said Friday.

Cho and Blinken held talks on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Peru on Thursday (local time), where the top diplomats accompanied their leaders on the APEC summit.

In the meeting, both sides expressed concerns over North Korea and Russia's deepening military cooperation as an illicit one that gravely threatens the security of both the Indo-Pacific and Europe, according to Seoul's foreign ministry.

"In particular, they agreed to closely cooperate on the issue while monitoring the possibility of Russia providing military assistance to the North in return for the deployment," the ministry said in a release.

"They discussed strong concerns over deepening ties between the DPRK and Russia, particularly the deployment of DPRK troops to support Russia's war against Ukraine," the U.S. State Department said in a separate statement, referring to the North by its official name.

On Wednesday, South Korea's spy agency confirmed North Korean soldiers have engaged in combat operations against the Ukrainian forces in Russia's western Kursk border region.

The confirmation echoes an earlier announcement by the U.S. that most of the 10,000 North Korean soldiers deployed to the Kursk area have begun engaging in combat.

Blinken stressed that bipartisan support for the South Korea-U.S. alliance remains strong and said major accomplishments of the alliance will likely be smoothly handed over to the new administration, according to Seoul's foreign ministry.

Cho introduced Seoul's efforts for the successful organization of the United Nations' Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on plastic pollution, set to be held in the southeastern port city of Busan, and called for continued efforts by the allies to jointly address global issues, to which Blinken concurred, it added.

The latest meeting came two weeks after Cho and Blinken met in Washington, D.C., late last month for the "two plus two" meeting that was joined by the defense chiefs of the two nations.

In a ministerial meeting of APEC member states in Lima, Cho reiterated his call for a halt in North Korea and Russia's military cooperation, saying such alignment damages not only the prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region but peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and around the globe.

As the host nation of APEC next year, Cho said South Korea will handle digital innovation as a key agenda item and hold what would be APEC's first digital ministerial meeting, according to the ministry. (Yonhap)
Anglers are advised removing the hook from a shark before releasing it into the water to avoid further pain and distress.

A group of young fishermen have been criticised for how they handled a monster bull shark which they reeled in while fishing in one of Australia's most iconic waterways.

One man, who refers to himself as a "professional stingray catcher', shared a video on social media showing his mammoth effort in hooking the predatory animal after casting a line into Sydney Harbour.

The video appears to have been filmed earlier this year but was reshared again this week. And while it seems to have been released quite quickly, some criticised the men for not removing the hook first. While anglers can accidentally reel in a shark from time to time, experts have long warned against releasing without first attempting to safely remove the hook which causes further distress and pain.

In the video, a large hook is seen attached to the shark's mouth as one man battles it in shallow water. Defending his actions, the fisherman argued "pulling it out would kill it" said "it takes a couple of months to fall out" naturally.

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While he argued the hook was lodged in the shark's gills, which would cause further pain if removed, Leo Guida of the Australian Marine Conservation Society told Yahoo News this certainly isn't the case. After viewing the footage on Friday, the shark scientist said it appears the large hook is inside its mouth and not its gills and because of this, "ideally, they should've removed it" but said, "it can be dangerous so it's their call".

"Judging by gear and hook size, it appears they were targeting a shark and at the very least having a pair of bolt cutters can help make hook removal safer and easier," he added.

In a situation where a shark's gills had been hooked, Guida agrees, "removing the hook from the gills could have been problematic for both the shark and the safety of the fishers". "In short, the shark could bleed out with severe enough trauma to the gills," he explained but stressed this doesn't appear to be the case here.

The young men failed to remove the hook from the shark's mouth before releasing it. Source: TikTok

Aussies warned to avoid 'exhausting' sharks while fishing

Another thing people noted was the red on the shark's belly, with many wondering what had caused it. Guida explained there are two possible scenarios.

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Firstly, the cloaca of female sharks can look red and inflamed if pregnant, "especially when giving birth is imminent". But he said in this case there's probably "a simpler explanation". He said the shark was likely exhausted from the epic battle with the fisherman.

The redness on its belly is likely caused by the "soft skin being dragged along the abrasive sandy bottom".

"Bull sharks are amongst the hardiest of shark species and chances are it will survive its release," Guida explained. "However it's best to avoid exhausting these animals in the first place and they should be released at the earliest opportunity."

Sydney Harbour a known hotspot for bull sharks

Sydney Harbour is known for its abundance of bull sharks. Earlier this year, Robert Harcourt, leader of the Marine Predator Research Group at Macquarie University, warned Aussies the predators "are there" and "always have been there"  particularly as ocean temperatures heat up.

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His remarks came following an attack on Sydney kayaker Lauren O'Neill who was taking a dip off a private jetty in Elizabeth Bay, in the city's east when she was mauled by a shark.

The week following the attack, two fishermen reeled in a "monster" bull shark just a few hundred metres from where the woman was swimming. Meanwhile, various other anglers have shared their own catches while fishing in and around the harbour.

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President Yoon Suk Yeol will hold a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru on Friday, the presidential office said Thursday (local time).

It will be their second summit since their first meeting in Indonesia in November 2022.

"The two leaders are expected to discuss various measures to facilitate economic cooperation, culture and people-to-people exchanges and share in-depth opinions on regional security issues, including matters on the Korean Peninsula," Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo said during a briefing in Lima.

Among likely agenda items is North Korea's troop deployment to Russia in support of its war in Ukraine, which has caused concerns over broader security implications on the Korean Peninsula.

In an interview with Spanish news agency EFE on Thursday, Yoon said Seoul will continue maintaining "strategic dialogue" with China to encourage it to play a role in promoting regional stability.

Amid the closer alignment between Pyongyang and Moscow, Beijing recently included Korea on the list of temporary visa waiver countries. Seoul welcomed the decision, voicing hope that the move will help further promote "friendly sentiment" between the two neighbors.

Yoon has also been pushing to hold bilateral talks with U.S. President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the APEC summit, according to his office.

On Friday, Yoon will also join a trilateral meeting with Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to further advance security cooperation by building on the momentum from the first-ever standalone summit held at Camp David in August 2023.

At the summit, the leaders are expected to discuss ways to ensure continuous development of the trilateral cooperation, including establishment of a trilateral cooperation secretariat, the official said.

The latest move comes amid rising uncertainty over potential shifts in the U.S. security policy brought by the impending return of former U.S. President Donald Trump to the White House in January. (Yonhap)
President Yoon Suk Yeol is unlikely to meet with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump before his inauguration due to time constraints, but both sides will continue to remain in contact, the presidential office said Thursday (local time).

Yoon arrived in Lima, Peru, to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit and will travel to Brazil to join the Group of 20 summit, which runs through Tuesday.

Yoon's aides have reached out to Trump's team to explore a possible stopover in Florida for a brief meeting during his South America trip, but this seems unlikely as the transition team is focused on domestic matters, including selecting Cabinet and administration members, a senior presidential official told reporters.

"Trump's transition team has communicated to embassies worldwide that meetings with foreign leaders will be difficult before the inauguration on Jan. 20," the official said in a briefing in Lima.

"We will continue discussions with Trump's team regarding policies and a potential future meeting," the official said, noting Yoon is likely to return home Thursday as scheduled. (Yonhap)
South Korea, the United States and Japan wrapped up their trilateral multidomain Freedom Edge exercise Friday, the South's military said, in a display of joint efforts to better deter and respond to North Korea's provocations.

The three-day exercise held in international waters south of South Korea's southern island of Jeju encompassed an array of training meant to enhance the three sides' interoperability across domains including air, maritime, underwater and cyber, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

The latest drills, held four months after the inaugural exercise in late June, mobilized various warships and aircraft, including the U.S. Navy's USS George Washington aircraft carrier as well as F-35 stealth fighters, the South's ROKS Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong destroyer and Japan's JS Haguro destroyer.

It marked the first time that F-35 stealth fighters from South Korea and the U.S., capable of covertly entering North Korea and conducting precision strikes against key facilities, were mobilized for the exercise, according to the JCS.

"The training was conducted with an aim to defend peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the region amid growing security threats, such as the North's recent launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and deepening military cooperation with Russia," the JCS said.

The North launched the new Hwasong-19 ICBM on Oct. 31 and called it the "ultimate" version of its long-range missile series. The missile reached the highest altitude and flew for the longest time.

The JCS said the three sides will continue to regularly hold the trilateral multidomain exercise going forward.

President Yoon Suk Yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden and then Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a summit at Camp David in August last year and agreed to hold "annual, named, multidomain" trilateral exercises on a regular basis against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.

The exercise takes its name from key bilateral exercises the U.S. holds with the Asian neighbors  Freedom Shield with South Korea and Keen Edge with Japan. (Yonhap)
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has said North Korea and Russia are "colluding" on military cooperation to maintain their leaders' grip on power, according to an interview published Friday.

Yoon, who is in Lima to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, made the remark in a written interview with Peruvian newspaper El Comercio, after Seoul's spy agency confirmed North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia's Kursk region on the western frontline have been engaging in combat against Ukrainian forces.

"The essence of Russia-North Korea military cooperation lies in the collusion between leaders to maintain their power," Yoon said, according to the translated remarks.

Yoon denounced North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's seeking to consolidate internal unity through nuclear and missile development to maintain his dictatorship, characterizing the Pyongyang regime as "an irrational group."

"We will never overlook the wrongful actions of Russia and North Korea that threaten our security," he said, pledging to coordinate with allies and partners, including the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

At the APEC summit, Yoon said he plans to deliver a message emphasizing international cooperation to create a fair, stable trade environment and support inclusive growth through innovation and digital technologies.

Yoon also expressed a desire to deepen bilateral ties with Peru, particularly in defense industry cooperation, highlighting a South Korean company's selection as a partner for the Peruvian Navy's projects earlier this year.

"Through this, we will be able to contribute further to strengthening Peru's military capabilities," he said.

On Saturday, Yoon is scheduled to hold a summit with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte and attend a ceremony to sign the nameplate of a vessel being built by a South Korean company at a shipyard in Peru. (Yonhap)
Korea and the United States have discussed bilateral cooperation in the field of nuclear power in their latest working group meeting held this week, Seoul's foreign ministry said Friday.

The seventh Korea-U.S. Nuclear Security Working Group Meeting, co-led by Lee Cheol, director general for international organizations and nuclear affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Andrew Vogt, associate assistant deputy administrator of the U.S. Department of Energy, was held Wednesday and Thursday at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California, according to the ministry.

The group is among four working groups under the High-Level Bilateral Commission, which was launched in 2016 following the 2015 revision of the two countries' nuclear energy cooperation agreement.

According to the ministry, the two sides have agreed to continue their cooperation in minimizing the production of highly enriched uranium, bolstering the cybersecurity of nuclear facilities, and activities related to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

They also agreed to enhance their collaboration in nuclear security by hosting a joint drill against possible nuclear and radiological terrorism next month. (Yonhap)
Deep-sea divers were deployed in waters northwest of the southern island of Jeju on Friday to search for the 10 missing crew members from a fishing boat that sank there on Nov. 8, claiming four lives, rescue officials said.

The 129-ton Geumseong was carrying 27 crew members  16 Koreans and 11 Indonesians  when it capsized and sank in waters 22 kilometers off Jeju's Biyang Island in the early morning of Nov. 8.

Of the 27, 15 were rescued by a nearby vessel, including two Koreans who were found in a state of cardiac arrest and were later pronounced dead. Two more Korean sailors were found dead in the next two days during the Coast Guard's search operation. The 10 people still missing are eight Koreans and two Indonesians.

On Friday, the eighth day of the search operation, authorities mobilized 37 rescue ships and nine aircraft and expanded the search to an area 111 km wide and 44 km long. In addition, 424 people, including Coast Guard officers and soldiers, were conducting a coastal search.

Notably, two civilian deep-sea divers approached the sunken Geumseong to check the nets connected to the ship. They plan to remove the nets before conducting a search around the hull. (Yonhap)
A court on Friday issued arrest warrants for a self-proclaimed power broker and a former lawmaker at the center of an influence-peddling scandal linked to President Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee.

The Changwon District Court in the city, some 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, issued the warrants for Myung Tae-kyun, the alleged broker who runs a public polling agency, and Kim Young-sun, a former lawmaker of the ruling People Power Party (PPP).

Myung is suspected of receiving approximately 76 million won ($54,100) from Kim, the former lawmaker, on several occasions between August 2022 and November 2023 in exchange for his help in getting her nominated on the PPP ticket ahead of parliamentary by-elections in 2022.

Myung allegedly won the nomination for Kim in exchange for conducting customized polls in favor of then PPP presidential candidate Yoon for free.

The case has drawn further attention since the disclosure last month of a phone call held between Yoon and Myung a day before the president's inauguration in May 2022. During the call, Yoon suggested he had recommended Kim to the PPP's nomination committee.

Prosecutors suspect Kim awarded the money to Myung, who had claimed to have close ties to the first lady, in violation of political funding laws. (Yonhap)
A court on Friday sentenced opposition leader Lee Jae-myung to a suspended one-year prison term for lying during the previous presidential campaign when he was a candidate, a ruling that if upheld will strip him of his parliamentary seat and bar him from running in the next presidential election in 2027.

The Seoul Central District Court said Lee, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), was guilty of making a false statement in violation of the Public Official Election Act and sentenced him to a year in prison, suspended by two years.

Lee was accused of lying during a media interview in December 2021 that he did not know the late Kim Moon-ki, a former executive of Seongnam Development Corp., which was behind a corruption-ridden development project in Seongnam, south of Seoul, when Lee was the city's mayor.

Lee was also accused of lying during a parliamentary audit of the Gyeonggi provincial government in October 2021 that he was under pressure from the land ministry to rezone the former site of the Korea Food Research Institute in Seongnam. The site was later developed into apartment complexes by a private developer, and allegations were raised that Lee rezoned the land to give preferential treatment to the company.

The court said both statements were lies but ruled that Lee was legally guilty of only the latter statement, not the first.

"In the event false statements are made to voters during an election, public opinion can be distorted and damaged," the court said, noting Lee's statements were far-reaching as they were broadcast by the media.

"His guilt and crime are considerably heavy," the court added. "Freedom of speech during an election must be recognized, but the distortion of public opinion through the collection of incorrect information as a result of the declaration of false statements must also be taken into account."

Lee has been considered a front-runner in the next presidential election, after having lost to President Yoon Suk Yeol by a 0.73 percentage point margin in 2022.

Under the Public Official Election Act, the court needed only to sentence Lee to a fine of 1 million won ($715) or more in order to strip him of his parliamentary seat and bar him from running for public office for the next five years, including the 2027 presidential election.

If Friday's ruling is held, the DP will also have to return the 43.4 billion won it received from the state election watchdog to cover its 2022 presidential election expenses.

Prosecutors had demanded a two-year prison term for Lee.

Lee vowed to appeal the ruling.

"This is a conclusion that is just difficult to accept, starting with the basic facts," he told reporters outside the court.

The verdict was the first of four sentences handed to the opposition leader, as he is currently standing three other trials on charges of suborning a former mayoral secretary to make false court testimony in his favor, corruption in connection with the Seongnam development project, and involvement in an illegal cash transfer of $8 million to North Korea. (Yonhap)
Police on Friday referred the daughter of former President Moon Jae-in to the prosecution on suspicions of illegally operating a house-sharing business on the southern island of Jeju.

Moon Da-hye is accused of running an Airbnb business for the past two years at a house under her name in western Jeju without official registration in violation of the Public Health Control Act.

Moon reportedly pleaded guilty to the charge during police questioning earlier this week.

By law, those who fail to report their accommodation business are punishable by up to two years in prison or up to 20 million won ($14,276) in fines.

Moon is also undergoing a separate investigation for alleged drunk driving after her car collided with a taxi while changing lanes in Seoul's Itaewon district in early October. (Yonhap)
Opposition party says president will meet 'tragic end' if he vetoes special probe bill on first lady

By Lee Hyo-jin

The arrest of self-proclaimed power broker Myung Tae-kyun is intensifying the political crisis for President Yoon Suk Yeol, who faces allegations of election interference alongside his wife, Kim Keon Hee. The arrest is at the center of a growing scandal that continues to unfold around Myung, according to political watchers, Friday.

Earlier in the day, Changwon District Court issued arrest warrants for Myung and former ruling People Power Party (PPP) lawmaker Kim Young-sun on charges of violating political funding laws. The court cited concerns over evidence tampering as the reason for the arrests.

With both individuals detained, prosecutors are expected to expedite their investigation into an expanding election-peddling scandal involving several high-profile political figures, including the presidential couple.

The investigation could extend beyond funding violations to include allegations that Yoon and his wife interfered in the PPPs primary for the 2022 parliamentary by-elections.

Prosecutors have reportedly gathered evidence, including KakaoTalk messages in which Myung allegedly asked Yoon to assist with the nomination of former PPP lawmaker Kim. Testimonies also suggest that Myung received money from the first lady under the pretext of transportation expenses.

Myung, a self-described political broker based in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, is accused of receiving about 90 million won ($65,200) from the former lawmaker in exchange for helping her secure the PPP nomination in the June 2022 parliamentary by-election.

He allegedly assisted her nomination with Yoon's help and conducted favorable polling for him during the presidential campaign as part of a quid-pro-quo arrangement.

The case first drew attention in mid-October when local news outlets reported that Myung, a shadowy figure, had been assisting the president and other key members of the PPP in winning several elections. Myung further thrust himself into the spotlight by publicly revealing screenshots of past text messages with the first lady, in which she appeared to seek his advice during Yoon's presidential campaign.

The scandal intensified following the relevation of a phone call between Myung and Yoon that occurred a day before the president's inauguration in May 2022. During the conversation, Yoon allegedly suggested former PPP member Kim as the party's candidate for the by-election. It is illegal for civil servants, including the president, to interfere in elections.

The president has denied the allegations, claiming that he has "nothing inappropriate or to hide" regarding his connection with Myung.

"I have never asked Myung Tae-kyun to conduct a public opinion survey. I had no reason to manipulate surveys, and since the results were favorable to me, there was no need to alter them. Even if the results had been unfavorable, I have never resorted to manipulating surveys in my life," Yoon said during a Nov. 7 press conference.

Adding to the turmoil, Rep. Lee Jun-seok of the minor opposition Reform Party claimed Thursday that Yoon attempted to influence the June 1 local elections, in addition to the by-elections. Lee, who previously led the PPP during Yoon's presidential campaign, became his political opponent after breaking away from the party in December 2023.

"President Yoon told me to nominate a specific candidate for mayoral elections. He also suggested that someone else should be nominated for a district mayor position in Seoul because the current candidates lacked competitiveness," Lee told reporters.

3rd special probe bill targeting first lady

The latest political drama surrounding the presidential couple has prompted opposition parties to push for a special investigation into Kim's alleged role in the scandal.

On Thursday, the opposition-controlled National Assembly passed a bill calling for a special investigation into the first lady, which includes allegations of election interference. This marks the opposition bloc's third attempt to launch a special investigation into Kim, following two previous unsuccessful efforts.

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) warned, Friday, that Yoon will face a "tragic end" if he vetoes the bill again.

"If the special probe bill is rejected again, President Yoon will face a tragic end at the hands of an angered public," said DPK floor leader Rep. Park Chan-dae.

"The bill passed yesterday aims to investigate the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation scandal, Kim's relationship with Myung Tae-kyun, and allegations of election fraud, personnel intervention, and state corruption. An overwhelming number of people are demanding a fair and transparent investigation into Kim," Park added.

Kim has been embroiled in allegations of stock price manipulation involving the shares of Deutsch Motors, a BMW dealer. The controversy stems from suspicious trading activities in her financial accounts during 2009-2012.

However, it is widely anticipated that Yoon will veto the latest bill, as he views it as politically motivated.

If the bill is vetoed, a parliamentary revote could take place as early as this month. To override the presidential veto, it requires support from two-thirds of the 300 lawmakers, a challenging task for the opposition bloc unless it secures at least eight votes from the ruling party.
The impressive new project is located about eight kilometres off the coast of the city of Dongying in the Shandong province.

Images have emerged of China's new offshore solar farm - the first in the world of it's kind. Source: China Energy

Incredible images have emerged of China's bold new offshore solar farm  the worlds first and largest of its kind.

China's state-owned CHN Energy has begun power generation at a 1 gigawatt (GW) offshore floating solar park, according to a statement on the company's website on Wednesday. The impressive new project is located about eight kilometres off the coast of the city of Dongying in the Shandong province, about four hours south of Beijing.

Developed by subsidiary Guohua Energy Investment Co, the park can generate 1.78 billion kilowatt-hours of power each year, that can power the consumption of 2.6 million urban residents, according to the Chinese government.

Offshore solar farms are large solar power installations erected on bodies of water, typically in oceans or seas. They're designed to capture sunlight over open water, where there is often more available space and completely uninterrupted sunlight.

The massive project is located off the coast of Dongying City in Shandong Province, eastern China. Source: China News Service

How do offshore solar farms work?

Offshore solar farms work by using photovoltaic panels mounted on floating platforms to harness the sun's energy and convert it into electricity. A major benefit of the process is the fact it frees up vital space on land, a huge bonus in densely populated countries like China.

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Offshore farms can also reduce the impact on land-based ecosystems as they avoid deforestation and land clearing. However, they also face challenges, including the need for robust structures to withstand extreme marine conditions, higher maintenance costs due to saltwater corrosion, and the potential environmental impact on marine life.

Some countries are experimenting with offshore solar farms as part of their renewable energy strategies. For example, the Netherlands and Singapore are pioneering offshore floating solar technologies, while other countries are exploring similar projects to meet renewable energy goals.

In May, state-owned China National Nuclear Corp started construction on a 2GW offshore solar plant near the coast of eastern Jiangsu province, the Global Times reported. It is located in the area earmarked for the warm water discharge from the Tianwan nuclear plant.

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By Jung Da-hyun

A Seoul court sentenced opposition leader Lee Jae-myung to one year in prison, suspended for two years, Friday, after finding him guilty of lying during his presidential campaign.

If upheld by the Supreme Court, Lee, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, will lose his parliamentary seat and be barred from running in the 2027 presidential election.

The Seoul Central District Court found Lee guilty of making false statements, violating the Public Official Election Act.

The court sentenced Lee to one year in prison, suspended for two years, ruling that his disputed statements constituted false information.

In its decision, the court emphasized that spreading false information during an election can distort and undermine the democratic will of voters. It also noted that Lee's remarks gained widespread attention through the media, particularly as the suspicions against him were of significant public interest.

"In the event false statements are made to voters during an election, public opinion can be distorted and damaged," the court said, noting Lee's statements were far-reaching as they were broadcast by the media.

Lee has denied all allegations, calling the ruling difficult to accept, and said he will appeal the decision.

Prosecutors said Lee spread false information on two occasions.

One came during a media interview on Dec. 22, 2021, when Lee said he did not know Kim Moon-ki, a former executive at Seongnam Development Corp., while serving as mayor of Seongnam, a city in Gyeonggi Province.

Kim, who played a pivotal role in a development project in the city that later became embroiled in a corruption scandal, is believed to have held critical information related to alleged preferential treatment connected to the project. Kim died in 2021.

The second charge stems from a parliamentary audit of the Gyeonggi provincial government in October 2021. He said the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport pressured him to rezone the former site of the Korea Food Research Institute in Seongnam.

The site was later developed into apartment complexes by a real estate builder, sparking accusations that Lee's decision to rezone the land granted the company preferential treatment.

This ruling marks the first verdict in more than two years since Lee was indicted without detention in September 2022, and the first sentence among his four ongoing trials.

Under Korean law, elected officials lose their posts and are barred from running in elections for five years if they are fined more than 1 million won ($713) for violating election laws or sentenced to prison for other crimes.
Lee Jae-myung also awaits three other trial decisions

By Kwak Yeon-soo

Main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Lee Jae-myung is facing the biggest crisis of his political career after a local court sentenced him to one year in prison, suspended for two years, Friday, on charges of violating the election law, according to political watchers.

The Seoul Central District Court delivered its verdict on charges that Lee violated the Public Official Election Act by making false claims about a land development project pursued by the Seongnam government during his term as the city's mayor.

If any prison sentence is finalized, Lee would be stripped of his parliamentary seat and barred from running for public office for the next 10 years. However, if he receives a fine exceeding 1 million won ($713), the ban would last for the next five years. In both cases, he would be unable to run for the 2027 presidential election. Lee, who narrowly lost to President Yoon Suk Yeol in the 2022 presidential election, has been considered a key contender for the 2027 election.

The DPK will also need to return the 43.4 billion won it received from the National Election Commission to cover its presidential election expenses.

The sentence was much heavier than Lee and the DPK expected. If he is stripped of the right to run for public office for the next five to 10 years, it virtually means his political career would end.

What's worse is that he is standing trial in three other cases, with the verdict for the second one, involving charges of suborning perjury, which is slated for Nov. 25.

While Friday's ruling has prompted the main opposition party to gear up its opposition to Yoon's administration for now, party members  especially anti-Lee factions  may call for an alternative to the current leadership in case Lee's verdict is finalized at the Supreme Court.

The final verdict is expected in the first half of next year, as the National Court Administration is urging courts to adhere to the regulations on trials for election law violation cases. These rules stipulate that both the appellate court and the Supreme Court must issue their rulings within three months of the lower courts decision.



Experts said the verdict wont have an immediate impact on the DPK, although it will likely lead the ruling People Power Party (PPP) to intensify its political attacks on Lee.

This marks the first decision in Lees four ongoing criminal cases. For the DPK, the Nov. 25 ruling on charges of perjury is more important. However, todays result may prompt the DPK to start a discussion for a plan B for their presidential nominee for the 2027 presidential election. The change will likely be visible after 2026 local elections, Eom Gyeong-yeong, director of political think tank the Zeitgeist Institute, said.

The PPP will likely escalate political attacks against Lee, but that wouldnt necessarily lead to a rise in the ruling partys approval rating. However, it could resolve the conflict between the pro-Yoon faction and the pro-Han Dong-hoon faction within the party, Eom added.

The PPP called on Lee and the DPK to humbly accept the ruling.

The court decision was made solely on the basis of evidence and legal principles. Lee and the DPK should humbly accept the ruling and apologize for their misdeeds, PPP spokesperson Rep. Kwak Kyu-taek said.

The minor opposition Rebuilding Korea Party expressed strong regret over the harsh ruling on the main opposition leader.

The opposition leader said he would appeal the courts decision. Its impossible to accept this conclusion. I will appeal, he said.

Lee was found guilty of making false statements during a parliamentary audit of the Gyeonggi Provincial Government in October 2021 when he was the governor. He had claimed that he changed the zoning status of the former site of the Korea Food Research Institute in Baekhyeon-dong, Seongnam, when he was the city mayor, due to pressure from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport.

However, allegations were raised that Lee rezoned the site to give preferential treatment to private developers and this caused losses to the city government. The court ruled the rezoning was due to Lee's own decision, not from the ministry's pressure.

Another charge related to a media interview from December 2021, during which he claimed to not know the late Kim Moon-ki, the former head of the development division at Seongnam Development Corp., which was involved in a corruption-ridden development project in Seongnam. He also denied having golfed with Kim in 2015, claiming a photo of them together was fabricated.

Kim, who played a pivotal role in a development project in the city that later became embroiled in a corruption scandal, is believed to have held critical information related to alleged preferential treatment connected to the project. Kim died in 2021.

The court ruled that Lee made false information public by saying he did not play golf with Kim.

Lee is currently standing trial in three other cases: charges of suborning a former mayoral secretary to provide false testimony in his favor, corruption related to the Seongnam development project and involvement in an illegal cash transfer of $8 million to North Korea.

Meanwhile, Lees wife, Kim Hye-kyung, was fined 1.5 million won for allegedly misusing a local government credit card for personal expenses, including spending 104,000 won on dining at restaurants, during Lees tenure as Gyeonggi governor from 2018 to 2021.
Hyundai Motor on Friday promoted Jose Munoz, the company's global chief operating officer (COO), as its new CEO, appointing a foreign national to the top post for the first time since its foundation more than five decades ago.

Munoz has served as global COO of Hyundai Motor and the president and CEO of Hyundai and Genesis Motor North America. Prior to joining Hyundai, Munoz served as chief performance officer for Nissan Motor Corp. and the chairman of Nissan China.

The promotion of Munoz is seen as a strategic move aimed at strengthening Hyundai's response in the United States following the reelection of former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Munoz's work as CEO will begin at the start of next year, according to the company.

"Through strengthening dealer competitiveness and driving profitability-focused management, he has continuously set record performance milestones for Hyundai Motor in North America," Hyundai Motor Group said of Munoz's previous achievements in a press release.

Chang Jae-hoon, who has held the top post at the country's leading automaker since 2020, was promoted to vice chairman of Hyundai Motor Group.

Sung Kim, a former U.S. State Department official who joined Hyundai as an adviser in January, was appointed as a president overseeing global external affairs, research of domestic and international policy trends, and communications and public relations initiatives.

In other affiliates, Kia, the country's second-largest automaker, promoted Choi Jun-young, currently vice president of domestic production division, to president. Lee Kyu-bok, vice president and CEO of logistics affiliate Hyundai Glovis, was also promoted to president.

Baek Cheol-seung, a vice president at Hyundai Transys Inc., an automotive parts affiliate, was appointed as CEO.

Hyundai Motor Group said it aims to "strengthen organizational foundations and accelerate future transformation" by consolidating the group's core competencies and strategically placing proven leaders with verified track records in key positions. (Yonhap)
Location in capital to be announced in December

By Ko Dong-hwan

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Korea is set to open its first residential facility in Seoul dedicated to families of pediatric patients. This new facility will provide much-needed relief for caretakers who travel from across the country to support hospitalized children, often without sufficient lodging arrangements or budgets, according to its senior official.

Sue Ahn, president & CEO of RMHC Korea, envisions the new facility as a high-quality shared residence for many children facing serious illnesses and their caregivers. In Korea, caretakers of hospitalized children often endure challenging conditions, spending long hours or nights on small cots stored under hospital beds or in chairs in crowded common rooms. By offering free accommodations, the new RMHC Seoul House will provide a dignified, comfortable space, easing the burden on families in need.

The expansion also highlights the serious challenges faced in regions outside Korea's capital, where many residents lack trust in local healthcare quality and often travel to Seoul in search of better medical care.

Ahn is currently evaluating five potential locations in Seoul for the new facility, with four situated within major university hospitals that include prominent childrens hospitals. The final selection will be announced at a gala in December celebrating the 50th anniversary of RMHCs global operations.

The new facility in Seoul will expand RMHC Koreas current presence, which so far includes only one location in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province. Ahn noted that the Seoul house will be significantly larger, offering more rooms and greater capacity than the Yangsan facility, which currently has 10 suites to accommodate patients and their caregivers.

Were expecting at least 50 to 70 rooms and upwards of well over 100, Ahn said during an interview with The Korea Times.

You cannot just build it and hope they come. This is a facility that deals with very sick children suffering from brain and neurological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, leukemia or rare diseases and weve got to manage it right, making sure we have the right people working to implement our programs. Not just willy-nilly asking Hey, does this work?

Establishing the planned Seoul house required a series of agreements between RMHC Korea Chairman Jeffrey Jones and the Korean government. Jones, who also serves as chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea Foundation, began discussions with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, which led to follow-up meetings with the Ministry of Education. The ministry then introduced Jones to major university hospitals with the highest volumes of pediatric patients in Korea.

If therell be over 120 rooms at Seoul house, construction will take about three years, Ahn said. Establishing an RMHC house requires substantial resources, particularly securing a suitable plot of land near a major childrens hospital. Currently, limited land availability near these hospitals has posed a challenge to opening a house in the capital.

RMHC Korea

RMHC launched Yangsan House in 2021, which has since provided support to over 390 patient groups, totaling 8,570 days of assistance. With financial contributions from 176 corporate sponsors and more than 1,230 individual donors, the house is currently operated by over 290 volunteers who have collectively dedicated more than 16,500 hours of service.

Our volunteer base is the largest among all RMHC houses across the 62 countries where we operate, Ahn said.

Located within Pusan National University Childrens Hospital, RMHC's partner medical institution, the house accepts patients and their family members referred by the health care facility. Referrals are based on factors such as the child's medical condition, severity of illness, treatment duration, outpatient frequency, family circumstances and geographical distance. The house has gained popularity, and those wishing to stay must sign up early to secure a spot.

RMHC was able to launch the Yangsan House with support from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, which donated the land. Jones played a crucial role in securing corporate donations to fund the house's operations, offering donors business networking opportunities with American companies. As he put it, its a win-win deal, according to Ahn.

While operating Yangsan House, Ahn and Jones have been exploring ways to open another facility in Seoul, a megacity that draws many sick patients and their caregivers. Through their experience running Yangsan House, they have gained valuable insights into managing a localized shared housing model for patients and their families. With this expertise, they are now confident and ready to expand their efforts to the capital.

Theres data that shows close to 800,000 people come to Seoul each year to get treated at the top five hospitals. The figure is staggering, Ahn said.

Without a place to go, they end up sleeping out of the lobby areas of intensive care units. Oftentimes they even forfeit treatments if they cannot find a doctor. If they do find a doctor, they do whatever they can and sleep out of their cars. That's a very common story of the families that we deal with. So we find it necessary to build a house to cater to the greatest population of families in need so that we can get them a comfortable place to stay, a place to be dignified.
Carmakers incumbent president promoted to vice chair

By Lee Min-hyung

Hyundai Motor has appointed Jose Munoz, head of the carmakers U.S. business and global chief operating officer, as its first foreign CEO. The move, announced during the carmaker's year-end management reshuffle on Friday, aims to proactively prepare for the upcoming term of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.

Munoz, who joined Hyundai Motor in 2019, has driven its robust sales performance particularly in the United States. The automaker spoke highly of his unmatched skills in profitability-driven management, which helped the company elevate its stature as a more trustworthy global brand, Hyundai Motor said.

Under the leadership of Munoz, the carmaker aims to tackle potential uncertainties under Trumps second presidency and minimize possible political risks. Trump will start his term in January 2025.

The so-called "Trump risk" is widely forecast to weigh heavily on Korean automakers, as the unpredictable U.S. leader warns of imposing higher tariffs on imported goods. Trump is also displaying outward pessimism on electric vehicles (EV) by threatening to cut any tax benefits to EV makers and battery firms.

However, Hyundai Motor seeks to enhance its vigilance against such risks by strengthening its team dealing with these uncertainties.

Munoz is appointed as the first non-Korean CEO of Hyundai Motor  identified as the ideal fit to further enhance the companys performance thanks to his merit-based management philosophy and his commitment to recruiting top global talent, an official at the carmaker said.

Aside from handling political uncertainties, he is also expected to enhance the companys global management systems and keep advancing its global management framework by solidifying customer-focused mobility innovation, according to the carmaker.

Succeeding in this challenging industry requires excellence throughout the value chain, from design and engineering, to manufacturing, sales and service, along with a talented team thats able to deliver every step of the way, Munoz said.

In light of the emerging Trump risk, Sung Kim, adviser to Hyundai Motor Group, was also appointed president of Hyundai Motor in the latest reshuffle. Last year, the company recruited Kim to level up its foreign networking activities, given his proven record as a diplomat. Kim served as a former U.S. ambassador to Korea.

Kim will oversee global external affairs, analyze and research domestic and international policy trends, and lead communications and public relations initiatives, the official from the carmaker said. He will focus on increasing synergies across the companys intelligence functions, strengthening external networking and advancing global protocol capabilities.

Hyundai Motor also promoted its President and CEO Chang Jae-hoon to vice chair of Hyundai Motor Groups automotive division, in recognition of his strong management performance over the past four years.

Chang is particularly recognized for laying the groundwork for the carmakers long-term competitiveness by spearheading the hydrogen initiative and the successful initial public offering of Hyundai Motor India last month.
By Ko Dong-hwan

Samyang Foods outperformed its rivals, Nongshim and Ottogi, in third quarter earnings, driven by strong exports of its popular instant noodle brand Buldak. Meanwhile, its competitors struggled with sluggish domestic sales.

The quarterly earnings figures come as Korea's annual instant noodle exports surpassed $1 billion for the first time ever earlier this month. However, Nongshim and Ottogi, which rely more on domestic sales, have been directly affected by reduced spending by local consumers due to rising food prices.

Samyang said, Thursday, its operating profit for the third quarter surged 101 percent year-on-year to 87.3 billion won ($62 million). In constrast, Nongshim reported on the same day that its operating profit declined 32.5 percent over the same period to 37.6 billion won, Ottogi's operating profit stood at 63.6 billion won, down 23.4 percent during the same period.

Despite their higher sales, Nongshim and Ottogi fell behind Samyang in profits. While Samyang reported a 31 percent year-on-year increase in sales, totaling 438.9 billion won, Ottogi posted a slight decline of 0.5 percent with 904.1 billion won in sales, and Nongshim saw a 0.6 percent drop, with sales of 850.4 billion won.

The main driver behind Samyangs quarterly success is its record-high overseas sales. Of its total sales, 78 percent, or 342.8 billion won, came from international markets, marking a 43 percent increase from the previous year. The majority of these overseas sales were generated by the companys subsidiaries in Japan, China, the United States, Indonesia, and the Netherlands. With its latest manufacturing plant in Miryang, South Gyeongsang Province, set to be completed in the first half of next year, the company plans to increase its supply to the American market.

Nongshim and Ottogi, on the other hand, have led the domestic instant noodle market for years. However, in the third quarter, this position proved disadvantageous, primarily due to rising raw material costs and increasing product prices, which together led to shrinking food consumption.

Challenges in the Chinese market were highlighted by Nongshim, with local consumption remaining sluggish, particularly in online markets. However, exports to the U.S., Japan, Australia, and Vietnam helped boost the companys overall quarterly sales.

Ottogi, on the other hand, reported a slight increase in exports and sales, but domestic revenues fell short of expectations, while higher marketing costs significantly reduced its quarterly earnings.
On the edge of Perus coastal desert, a remote fishing town where a third of all residents have no running water is being transformed into a huge deep-water port to cash in on the inexorable rise of Chinese interest in resource-rich South America.

The megaport of Chancay, a $1.3 billion project majority-owned by the Chinese shipping giant Cosco, is turning this outpost of bobbing fishing boats into an important node of the global economy.

From the presidential palace in Lima, 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of the port inauguration ceremony, Chinas President Xi Jinping watched a livestream of the ribbon-cutting alongside his Peruvian counterpart, Dina Boluarte, late Thursday.

The leaders' faces appeared on a giant screen in Chancay, where engineers in bright orange safety vests declared the port operational to the swell of string instruments. Chinese dancers with red dragon-costume heads seemingly burst out of nowhere to prance around the docking station as a crane lowered the first aluminum containers onto a berthed cargo ship.

Considerable income and enormous job opportunities will be generated for Peru, Xi said from Lima, where world leaders were preparing to gather for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum . This will generate tangible results for the people of the region.

But the development  expected to encompass 15 quays and a large industrial park drawing more than $3.5 billion in investment over a decade  has met a skeptical response from impoverished villagers, who say it is depriving them of fishing waters and bringing no economic benefit to locals.

Our fishing spots no longer exist here. They destroyed them, said 78-year-old fisherman Julius Caesar  like the emperor of Rome  gesturing toward the dockside cranes. I don't blame the Chinese for trying to mine this place for all it's worth. I blame our government for not protecting us.

The Peruvian government hopes the port will become a strategic transshipment hub for the region, opening a new line connecting South America to Asia and speeding trade across the Pacific for Peru's blueberries, Brazil's soybeans and Chile's copper, among other exports.

Officials cite the port's potential to generate millions of dollars in revenues and turn coastal cities into so-called special economic zones with tax breaks to lure investment.

We Peruvians are focused primarily on the well-being of Peruvians, Foreign Minister Elmer Schialer told the Associated Press.

But many of Chancay's 60,000 residents are unconvinced. Fishermen returning to port with smaller catches complain that they have already lost out.

The dredging of the port  which sucked sediment from the seabed to create a shipping channel 17 meters (56 feet) deep  has ruined fish breeding grounds, locals said.

Ive been out in the water all day and Im always needing to venture farther, said Rafael Avila, a 28-year-old fisherman with sand in his hair, returning to shore empty-handed and exhausted.

This used to be enough, he said, pointing at his painted dinghy. Now I need a larger, more expensive boat to reach the fish."

To make extra cash, Avila started offering occasional joyrides to selfie-taking visitors wanting to get a glimpse at the hulking Chinese ships.

With some of the world's largest container ships to berth at Chancay Port in January 2025, residents also fear the arrival of pollution and oil spills. In 2022, a botched tanker delivery at La Pampilla refinery nearby sent thousands of barrels of crude oil spilling into Peru's famously biodiverse waters, killing countless fish and putting legions of fishermen out of work .

Today a glance at the moribund town center, featuring mostly empty seafood restaurants, tells the story of diminished fishing stocks and decimated tourism even without the port being operational.

The port's breakwater changed the currents and destroyed good surfing conditions, locals said, affecting everyone from ice vendors to truckers to restaurant owners. No to the megaport is spray-painted on a wall overlooking the waterfront.

This port is a monster that's come here to screw us, said 40-year-old Rosa Collantes, cleaning and gutting slimy drum fish on the shore. People come to the port and they say Wow, tremendous!' but they don't see the reality.

Port authorities say they're aware of the stark contrast between the sleek modern port and the surrounding village of Chancay, where many live on unpaved roads lined with ragged shacks and littered with trash.

You cannot build a state-of-the-art port and have a city next to it that has no drinking water, no sewage, a collapsing hospital and no educational centers, said Mario de las Casas, a manager for Cosco in Chancay, adding that the company had already launched studies to determine how the port could help reduce inequality and spur local growth.

The port should not be a blemish, De las Casas said. (AP)
Korean American Sen.-elect Andy Kim stressed the need Thursday to make sure that President-elect Donald Trump's "America First" policy does not mean "America only," as he expressed concerns over some of Trump's personnel choices.

Kim, the first Korean American elected to the upper chamber of Congress, made the remarks, underscoring his position against an "isolationist" foreign policy and vowing to play a role to reinforce the relationship between South Korea and the United States.

"(What) I will say first is we have to make sure we don't have an isolationist policy in the United States," he told Yonhap News Agency after attending a gala event hosted by the Council of Korean Americans.

"And I am concerned by some of the people that have been named (by Trump) that these are people that don't respect coalitions, they don't respect alliances, and that they are not going to respect the U.S.-Korea relationship in the way that it needs to," he added.

He pointed out that he needs to be careful to comment on the matter as he will be voting on Trump's nominations after he takes office as a senator.

"I am not going to go into specifics right now, but like you know, suffice to say I have concerns ... about what kind of foreign policy they will be pushing," he said.

"We need to make sure that America First policy that they keep talking about ... it does not mean America only, and then we turn our backs on our allies."

Kim also stressed that as a senator, he will have a "role" for America's alliances.

"I do have a role in that. I mean it's in the Constitution," he said.

"I hope that I can play a positive role to try to strengthen the U.S.-South Korea relationship, U.S. efforts around Asia and around the country (and) around the world. I will hopefully keep that up."

Trump has announced a series of his picks for Cabinet and other posts, including the secretary of state and the Pentagon chief, all but completing the formation of his security and foreign policy team.

Once confirmed, his nominees are expected to carry out Trump's America First foreign policy that is expected to call for America's allies and partners to do more for shared security responsibilities and curtail costly U.S. involvement overseas.

Unlike a House representative, a senator would have a greater voice in America's foreign and security policy as he or she has a vote on every single ambassador position and confirms Cabinet posts and general and flag officers of the Armed Forces among various Senate roles.

Kim boasts a prominent foreign policy career, having served at the White House National Security Council, the Pentagon, the State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development and as a civilian adviser to Gen. David Petraeus and Gen. John Allen in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, South Korea's Ambassador to the U.S. Cho Hyun-dong also attended the gala, offering his congratulations on Kim's election victory and those of other Korean American lawmakers.

"Having so many Korean American lawmakers on Capitol Hill will make a real difference in terms of advancing the Korea-U.S. alliance over the coming years. So congratulations to them and everyone else who advances our legacy in their own way," Cho said.

"As we continue to build on the foundation of the first Korean Americans, I have no doubt (that) the community will see many more accomplishments and what makes their success so sweet is that we do it together." (Yonhap)
China's factory output growth slowed in October and it was still too early to call a turn in the crisis-hit property sector even though consumers perked up, keeping alive calls for Beijing to top-up its recent blitz of stimulus to revitalize the economy.

The burst of data is likely to maintain pressure on Chinese policymakers as they brace for the return to the White House of Donald Trump, who has vowed to hike tariffs on Chinese goods and named China hawks to his cabinet in a troubling sign for the world's second-biggest economy.

October industrial output grew 5.3 percent from a year earlier, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data showed on Friday, slowing from September's pace of 5.4 percent and missing expectations for a 5.6 percent increase in a Reuters poll.

However, retail sales, a gauge of consumption, rose 4.8 percent in October, accelerating from the 3.2 percent pace in September and marking the quickest growth since February.

Retail growth was boosted by a week-long holiday and the annual Singles' Day shopping festival, which kicked off on Oct. 14, ten days earlier than last year.

Data provider Syntun estimated that sales across major e-commerce platforms rose 26.6 percent to 1.44 trillion yuan over the Singles Day event.

"China's economy improved further at the start of Q4, thanks to stronger-than-expected consumer spending," said Zichun Huang, China economist at Capital Economists.

"We think faster fiscal spending will support a continued cyclical pickup in activity over the coming months. But Trump's victory casts a shadow over the outlook further ahead," she added.

NBS spokesperson Fu Linghui told a media briefing the recent policy measures appeared to be having a positive economic effect and that officials would continue to step up support.

"Changes in economic operations in September and October have strengthened China's confidence in achieving its 2024 target for economic growth" of around 5 percent, he added.

However, some economists said it was too early to determine whether September's latest tranche of policy support was sufficient to underpin a solid recovery.

"The stimulus impact should already be reflected in consumption, because the trade-in program has been in place for a few months," said Dan Wang, a Shanghai-based independent economist.

This meant "all the other more recent stimulus initiatives havent shown any impact, including earlier stimulus focused on housing," she said.

The NBS said sales of home appliances surged 39.2 percent in October, driven by the consumer goods trade-in campaign.

Fixed asset investment rose 3.4 percent in the first ten months of 2024 year-on-year, versus an expected 3.5 percent rise. It grew 3.4 percent in the January-September period.

Property pains

"On the property side, conditions remain weak," said Xing Zhaopeng, ANZ's senior China strategist, adding there had been "no significant improvements in property investment, sales and prices."

Property investment fell 10.3 percent year-on-year in January-October, deepening a 10.1 percent decline over the first nine months of the year.

Sales narrowed the slump, however, possibly indicating stimulus is starting to inject some life into the beleaguered sector, even if a robust recovery might take some time.

Property sales by floor area in the January-October period fell 15.8 percent year-on-year, slower than the 17.1 percent drop over January to September.

On Wednesday, authorities announced tax incentives on home and land transactions, which Zhao said indicated Beijing's "commitment to further stabilizing the property market."

Trump win to bring more stimulus?

Trump's election win last week has also caused unease in China as the President-elect has threatened to impose tariffs of 60 percent or more on Chinese goods imports, which could potentially usher in a prolonged period of economic uncertainty and further delay a long-awaited revival.

"We expect Chinese policymakers to cut policy rates considerably (by 40bp) and expand the augmented fiscal deficit meaningfully (by 1.88pp of GDP) in 2025," Goldman Sachs economists said in a note on Friday ahead of the data release, citing the risk the Trump administration poses to the recovery.

They added that "multi-year fiscal expansion would be necessary to counteract various cyclical growth headwinds and address some medium-term structural challenges."

China's central bank unveiled its biggest stimulus since the pandemic in September.

And last week, the country's top legislative body approved a 10 trillion yuan ($1.4 trillion) package to ease local government "hidden debt" burdens, rather than directly injecting money into the economy as some investors had hoped.

Analysts say the barrage of measures will only have a modest positive effect on economic activity in the near term.

"We think the economy will start to slow again by the second half of next year," Capital Economics' Huang said.

"By which point Chinese manufacturers will also be facing the additional headwind of a second trade war with Trump." (Reuters)
ITZY Ryujin's recent Instagram post sparked "tension" between aespa Karina and actress Roh Jeong Eui  and fans are all living for this drama!

On November 14, the ITZY member took to SNS to update on her recent status together with Roh Jeong Eui. In the photos, Ryujin boasted her close relationship with the "Hierarchy" star.

Based on their snaps, it seems like the two had a fun time enjoying their break after going on a vacation just the two of them.

As speculations intensified about whether this was a "lovestagram," Ryujin was accused of forming a "love triangle" after some fans and even the media recalled her relationship with aespa Karina.

The ITZY member first showed off her close friendship with Karina to her followers in the past, that they were even accused of dating. She didn't directly confirm it, but playfully revealed that she called her "Honey" (jagiya), an endearment often used by couples in South Korea.

Interestingly, fans weren't only the ones who were invested in this lore but even the artists themselves!

In the post, Karina started the "drama" when she commented to Ryujin:

"Jjin-ah, I told you to ask for my permission first before wearing my clothes."

Theyre fighting over Ryujin 



Karina: Jjin-ah, I told you to wear my clothes with permission.



Jeongeui to Karina: Please ask for my permission to call her Jjin-ah, seriously~ pic.twitter.com/oEPPo8DSlw  ryujin & karina (@krnsrj) November 14, 2024

karinas ig post ryujins ig post pic.twitter.com/DRpWNButfK  ryu moments (@ryujinmoments) November 6, 2024

READ ALSO: ITZY Ryujin Proves Close Friendship With aespa Karina  Here's How

Jeong Eui then replied:

"You (also) need to ask for my permission before calling her 'Jjin-ah,' seriously."

Like the jealous new girlfriend, Roh claimed Ryujin and wrote:

"Jjin-ah, I love you."

Finally, Ryujin, the reason why the two girls were "fighting" decided to join them and replied to Jeong Eui:

"Honey, I told you not to make it obvious."

jeongeui: jin ah, i love you

ryujin: jagiya, i told you not to make it obvious



karina: jin ah, i told you to ask permission before wearing my clothes

jeongeui: you need my permission to call her jin ah, seriously~

ryujin: why are these people on my feed



sunbin: tough kids pic.twitter.com/uqUzu7VCMx  ryu moments (@ryujinmoments) November 14, 2024

She also called out the two of them.

"Why are these people staying on my feed."

As if the three of them weren't enough, Lee Sunbin, who is also close to the ITZY member, made fans laugh after leaving the comment:

"Hahaha, you can't mess with these guys."

RELATED ARTICLE: ITZY Ryujin Replies to Comment Asking if She's Dating aespa Karina  Here's What She Said
The impactful image, taken in the tiny outback town of Prairie, southwest of Townsville in Queensland, shows the true toll fighting fires takes on volunteers.

Eight exhausted firefighters lay in the dirt during a brief break between fighting fires in Prairie, Queensland. Source: Facebook/Prairie Hotel QLD

An incredible image has captured the brief moment eight exhausted volunteer firefighters paused to rest during a remarkable 14-day battle to contain an out-of-control blaze on the east coast.

Taken in the tiny outback town of Prairie in Queensland earlier this month, the impactful shot highlights the huge strain fighting fires takes on volunteers. The group are pictured lying in the red dirt, utterly drained, with hazy air swirling and water-filled utility trucks nearby.

Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, Queensland RFS Deputy Chief Officer Tony Johnston said some of the volunteers pictured  largely community members and property owners in the town with a population of about 50 people  worked 18-hour days to contain the enormous blaze which tore through the area on November 5.

"A lot of primary producers don't want to leave a fire until it's actually contained," Johnstone told Yahoo. "Those guys were just taking a well-deserved rest, a break between meals, trying to catch up on a few hours sleep when they could."

The Prairie fires tore through 165,000 hectares of land, Queensland RFS Deputy Chief Officer Tony Johnston said. Source: Facebook/Prairie Hotel QLD

Two weeks after the image was snapped up, the fire is now contained. But Johnstone said it took a total of 14 days to stabilise the area, where approximately 165,000 hectares were burnt.

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"That particular fire is completely contained now and burning well within the containment lines," he said.

"But even yesterday, bits of fire were burning through a gorge, but they're not going to cause any problems. Some of those guys work probably 18 to 20 hour days for a couple of days straight, making sure they did all the back burns."

Johnstone said across the state's north, there are currently 25 fires burning, many not yet contained. He urged the public to prepare ahead of what the Bureau of Meteorology warned may be one of Australia's hottest summers on record.

Though, he conceded, it's "really hard to tell" what the coming months may bring. "It's been a busy period for everyone, and it could be a busy period over Christmas, depending on if we do get the rain before Christmas or not," he said.

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"People need to be aware of their surroundings. Take note of the warnings that are going out, and if they're after information, go to the Queensland Fire Department website or their local government website to find out information about fires."

Australia's in for a hot summer, with bushfire conditions ripening by the day, the BOM said. Source: Getty

What's in store for the Australian summer?

Australia is set to experience one of its hottest summers on record, with the BOM forecasting significantly higher-than-average temperatures nationwide. This outlook is largely driven by exceptionally warm ocean temperatures around Australia, a trend that has persisted globally since early last year.

The elevated sea temperatures are expected not only to increase air temperatures but also to add moisture to the atmosphere. This heightened moisture content raises the likelihood of frequent storm outbreaks and above-average rainfall throughout the summer.

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Additionally, the unusually warm oceans may lead to one of the most active cyclone seasons in recent years. The BOM anticipates approximately 11 named storms in the Australian region, with a greater chance of severe cyclones rated at category three or above.

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Melbourne man Jess Patience has been identified as the worker who was killed at the Golden Plains Wind Farm on Monday.

Jess Patience, 36, has been identified as teh man killed in the incident at the Golden Plains Wind Farm on Monday. Source: GoFundMe

The man who was tragically killed by a fan blade at a wind farm on Monday has been identified as Jess Patience, as his heartbroken family comes to terms with their unimaginable loss".

The 36-year-old installation technician was working at the Golden Plains Wind Farm west of Melbourne when a blade, which was meant to be lifted onto a wind turbine, was dislodged from a support platform, WorkSafe investigators understand. The subcontractor, described as "one of the most friendly guys" was crushed and declared dead at the scene.

To help "ease the financial burden that comes with such a tragedy," a close friend has launched a GoFundMe page for Patience's family which, in just a couple of days, has already raised more than $100,000, far exceeding the fundraiser's $15,000 target.

"As we come to terms with this unimaginable loss, we want to honour his memory and support his family during this difficult time," Leeroy Denko, who launched the fundraiser, said of his "amazing" friend.

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Those close to him are still in disbelief over the "tragic accident that should never have happened" with many taking to social media with tributes honouring the Melbourne man who was "taken too soon".

"Jess was one of the most friendly guys Ive met and took me under his wing to teach me a lot in the time I worked with him," one colleague wrote online in the days after his death. "He was always down for a chat about a lot of our shared experiences from growing up in the ranges to living in Canada, he was a top fella."

The 36-year-old died after an incident at a wind farm in Victoria's west. Source: 7News

Tragedy 'could have been prevented', unions believe

Following the incident on Monday morning, Vestas Wind Systems  the company responsible for installing the turbines at the work site  was slammed by the Australian Workers Union (AWU). It's understood the deceased man was a CFMEU member.

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This devastating loss could have been prevented, AWU Victoria secretary Ronnie Hayden said. "This is not just another statistic, this is a worker who went to work and never came home".

According to reports, delegates of the three unions with workers on site  AWU, CFMEU and ETU  raised safety concerns in the weeks leading up to his death.

Speaking in the wake of the incident, Vestas confirmed the blade was being prepared for installation when it happened, the ABC reported.

"The blade is stored on the ground, and there's some prep work that needs to be done before it can be lifted, and it's in that work stream that the incident or accident happened", Danny Nielsen, country head of Vestas Australia and New Zealand, said on Monday afternoon.

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Nielsen said work at the site would be stopped for the "coming days" while an investigation took place. It's understood WorkPlace is still investigating.

with NCA Newswire

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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The last sighting was of a Boonjee Blush Walnut was 12 years ago.

The discovery of the Boonjee Blush Walnut is of 'great significance' to the rainforest. Source: Facebook/SaveTheDaintreeRainforest & Getty

A tiny tree shoot found at the bottom of an Aussie rainforest has scientists reeling in excitement due to its "great significance" to the area.

The small seedling led an ecologist to a handful of others before one mature Boonjee Blush Walnut tree was found in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest in Queensland. This discovery marks only the fifth time the species has been spotted in the 1,200-kilometre square rainforest, with the first in 1995.

Ecologist and botanist Kristopher Kupsch made the discovery recently during a survey of the area, and confirmation of the species has been labelled of "conservational importance" and "rarity".

"The discovery of such a rare species highlights the urgent need to protect at-risk freehold land in the Daintree Rainforest," Richard Christian, CEO of Gondwana Rainforest Trust told Yahoo News. "This is essential to preserving rare and threatened species like the Boonjee Blush Walnut."

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Why is the tree discovery so important?

The Boonjee Blush Walnut produces oval-shaped black fruits, up to seven centimetres in size, and these are usually dispersed by native wildlife such as musky rat-kangaroos and endangered, Southern Cassowarys across the rainforest floor.

"[The fruit] plays a critical role in forest regeneration," Christian explained to Yahoo News.

The last sighting of the tree in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest was 12 years ago and each sighting in the area is often decades apart from the one before, highlighting how special this recent discovery was.

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The most recent sighting was on an undeveloped freehold property in Diwa within the Daintree Lowland Rainforest and scientists are delighted by the confirmation of the species is still able to grow in the area.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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THE Happy Human Christmas Special is back again this festive season in Wolfhill, promising joyful evenings of music, laughter and good vibes.

The winter wonderland in Wolfhill will run every weekend from Friday to Sunday 6-22 December. An extra special sensory-friendly experience can be booked on Sunday 15 December, where lights will be dimmed and music turned down.

Featuring Irelands tallest Christmas tree and an interactive Christmas experience split into six festive scenes, the Happy Human Christmas Special promises to be more than just a visit to see Santa; its a festive memory your child will cherish forever.

Tickets are available on Eventbrite, where adult tickets cost 12.50, childrens tickets are 25 and babies can be added onto your booking for free. Sales end on Friday 6 December.

Once youve arrived at the site, you will be greeted by Junior Santa, who will guide you and your children through the tents and into a variety of festive scenes.

You will visit the elves workshop, meet Grumpy Grandpa Santa and have a singalong with Mrs Clause on your way to meeting the man himself  Santa!

With a magical trip to the Wishing Hut along the way, the journey will bring you to the special goodies hut full of treats for all the family to enjoy.
By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA

Taoiseach Simon Harris has appealed for Government coalition parties not to rewrite history with attacks on each other during the election campaign.

He was speaking after Fianna Fail justice spokesman Jim OCallaghan said the Department of Justice needs new political control and direction after 14 years with a Fine Gael minister.

Mr OCallaghan said there was a question mark over whether Fine Gael was the party of law and order as he used the partys election slogan to criticise its track record on justice.

The first week of the election campaign has seen the two largest coalition parties publicly rowing with each other, with Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin saying he was surprised by the tone of the Fine Gael attacks.

On Friday morning, Fine Gael Justice Minister Helen McEntee hit back when asked about Mr OCallaghans suggestion that she had adopted a series of proposals on law and order and immigration that he had put forward.

I think theres probably women all over the country who will understand what its like when men try to claim credit for their work, she told reporters in Dublin on Friday.

Speaking at the nearby launch of Fianna Fails proposals to clamp down on crime, Mr OCallaghan said that the Justice Department needed a new energy  which has been a Fine Gael campaign slogan.

I think it would have been different and sometimes political emphasis or political direction have a real impact in terms of a government department, he said.

Look at housing, and look what Eoghan Murphy (former Fine Gael housing minister) said when he was in the department, you can have a well-intentioned minister, but unless you have the political emphasis and the political support behind you to make changes, it wont happen.

I believe, had we had the full ministry in the Department of Justice, I believe we would have seen greater progress in the area of justice.

I think thats part of the reason why Micheal (Martin) has indicated that if it comes to negotiations, if the people put us in the position where we can go into government, thats one of the portfolios wed be interested in pursuing.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee (Brian Lawless/ PA)

Asked whether Ms McEntee was an ineffective justice minister, Mr OCallaghan said he was not going to personalise the criticism.

He said: Im not going to personalise it at all to Minister McEntee or to any Fine Gael minister, but lets recognise the statistics.

The Department of Justice has been under the control of Fine Gael for the past nearly 14 years, and although theres been progress in very many other areas in the past four years, I think the questions that are arising in the Department of Justice over the past 14 years are growing in many respects.

So Im not going to personalise it to Minister McEntee, but I do think there is a benefit to help the Department of Justice under new political control and direction, as it really needs a new energy within that department.

Speaking in Co Clare, Mr Harris said he did not want to get into a tit-for-tat with his coalition partners and insisted the government parties had worked well together.

The Taoiseach said: We have worked well together for four-and-a-half years, we have delivered five budgets.

We havent gotten everything right, weve gotten many things right, there are other areas we need to do better.

We cant have a situation now where people who were in the government, sitting around the cabinet table, who had effectively a veto on any decision, are now saying that department, that wasnt under our control.

Thats not how collective cabinet responsibility works.

Mr Harris added: There was a Fianna Fail taoiseach for two-and-a-half years of the lifetime of this Government.

There was a Fianna Fail taoiseach or tanaiste for all of the lifetime of this Government and the reverse is also true in relation to Fine Gael.

My experience of the four-and-a-half years in government, we shouldnt rewrite history, was constructive engagement among three distinct parties.

Helen was willing to serve as a minister. She turned up, put her shoulder to the wheel.

Helen McEntee doesnt need to be taking anyones ideas.
The long-running legal dispute between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie over their French winery, Chateau Miraval, is set to escalate, with the case now heading to trial. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge recently ruled against Jolie's efforts to have the case dismissed, allowing the feud to move forward in court, an potentially lasting until 2026, as per Page Six. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolies Daughter Shiloh Runs Newspaper Ad Announcing She's Dropping 'Pitt' From Her Name.

The former couple, whose relationship has been marked by both passion and turmoil, has been entangled in a bitter fight over the ownership of the USD 500 million vineyard ever since Jolie filed for divorce in 2016.

Page Six reported citing sources that both Pitt and Jolie will be deposed as part of the trial, meaning they may be forced to give testimony about their personal lives, possibly revealing more details of their troubled relationship.

Despite attempts to resolve the case through negotiations, insiders believe that a settlement remains unlikely at this stage.

Page Six cited a source close to the proceedings in commenting, "Eventually Angie and Brad will have to sit with depositions, there's now no way out as they move towards trial."

The case, which began as a business dispute, has only become more complicated as personal issues between the two stars have come to light.

The winery was purchased in 2008, during the couple's more harmonious years, when they were raising their children together.

At that time, Pitt and Jolie jointly owned Chateau Miraval, with Pitt holding 60 per cent and Jolie 40 per cent.

But just before their wedding at the estate in 2014, Pitt transferred 10 per cent of his share to Jolie, making them equal 50/50 partners, as per Page Six.

The conflict began when Jolie sold half of her shares in Chateau Miraval to the Stoli Group, the wine division of the Stoli Group, without consulting Pitt.

The actor responded by filing a lawsuit, arguing that their agreement gave him the right of first refusal to buy her shares, which he claims she violated.

He is now seeking to reverse the sale of her shares to Stoli in court.

In retaliation, Jolie has accused Pitt of trying to impose a harsh non-disclosure agreement, which she says would have silenced her about past alleged bad behaviour.

Jolie's legal team further contends that Pitt's actions have been driven by personal motives, not just business concerns.

This has only intensified the drama, with both sides exchanging increasingly personal allegations in court filings.

Pitt's legal team, however, has insisted that the case is fundamentally a "straightforward business dispute," despite the personal elements that have become entangled in the proceedings, as per Page Six.

"The other side has consistently introduced personal elements which have exposed the weaknesses in their case and complicated and lengthened the proceedings," said Pitt's representatives.

Meanwhile, the Stoli Group, which purchased Jolie's shares, is also seeking to have the case dismissed.

A hearing regarding their request is set for March 2024, after which a trial date could be scheduled.

Legal experts suggest that the complexities of the case--both in terms of legal arguments and the personal history between the two stars--could push the trial into 2026, according to Page Six.

At the heart of this legal dispute lies not only a vast fortune but also a symbol of the couple's once-united family.

When Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie purchased Chateau Miraval, it was a romantic gesture to raise their children in a vineyard, surrounded by the beauty of Provence. Brad Pitt In Pain After Daughter Shiloh Drops His Last Name Amid Legal Battle With Angelina Jolie; Hollywood Star Always Wanted a Daughter  Reports.

As per Page Six, the couple was also expecting twins at the time. But what began as a shared dream for the two Hollywood stars has now become an expensive and contentious battle that may continue for years to come.
Noida/Lucknow, November 15: A Dalit man died of wounds sustained in stone pelting between two groups in Greater Noida's Bhikhampur village on Friday, police said. According to Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Shivhari Meena, the clash had broken out over the passage of a tractor through the village in the Rabupura Police Station jurisdiction.

Three of the accused, Nitin, Nikhil, and Ashu Tyagi, were arrested following an encounter with police which shot and wounded one of them, Meena said. The argument "escalated into stone-pelting, during which one person was injured and later declared dead by doctors at the hospital," the ACP said. Noida: Man Arrested for Fabricating Sons Transfer Certificate To Help Him Get Away Lightly in Rape-Murder Case.

Other injured are undergoing treatment at a hospital, while police are hunting for the absconding culprits, he said. The incident drew condemnation from Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati, who demanded strict action against the culprits. "The incident in which one person was killed and several others were seriously injured in violence perpetrated by goons against a Dalit family in Bhikhampur village, Rabupura police station, Gautam Buddha Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh, is extremely sad and condemnable," Mayawati posted on X in Hindi. Medical Negligence in Greater Noida: Doctor Performs Surgery on Wrong Eye of a 7-Year-Old Boy at Anand Spectrum Hospital, Shocking Video Surfaces.

"The government must take stringent action against the culprits and provide assistance to the victim's family," she added. According to police, an FIR was lodged in the matter under several charges, including rioting, breach of peace, and attempt to murder. Charges under the stringent Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, have also been invoked in the case, which has been filed at the Rabupura Police Station.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Aizawl, Nov 15 (PTI) Hundreds of people held a candlelight vigil in Mizoram's Aizawl on Friday evening to express grief and outrage over the death of 11 people belonging to the Hmar-Mizo community in Manipur's Jiribam district.

The programme held in front of Vanapa Hall was organised by the Mizo Defence League.

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During the demonstration, protesters shouted slogans, condemning the killing of a Hmar tribal woman, who was the mother of three children, at Zairawn village near Jiribam town on November 7.

They also held protests for the killing of 10 more people belonging to the Hmar-Mizo community by security forces at Jakuradhor in Jiribam on November 11.

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They blamed the Manipur government as well as the Centre for "failing to contain the ethnic violence between the Meitei people and the Kuki-Zo community".

The protesters also demanded that the bodies of 10 people kept at the mortuary of Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) in Assam be handed over to their families immediately for the funeral.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kolkata, Nov 15 (PTI) A trade delegation from the UK, focussed exclusively on the technology sector, will visit Kolkata on November 18-19 for the first time, the British Deputy High Commission here said in a statement on Friday.

The tech delegation comprises 17 leading UK organisations, all of which are at the forefront of technological innovation in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and semiconductors.

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It is the first-ever tech team from the European country, the statement said.

British Deputy High Commissioner to East and North-East India Andrew Fleming said, "I am delighted to welcome a trade delegation from the UK focussed exclusively on the technology sector."

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This visit underscores the growing relationship between the UK and India in the tech space and specifically the existing and emerging opportunities in East and Northeast India, he said.

"I believe interactions with state governments and industry will foster new partnerships and strengthen our collaboration, especially in the AI and semiconductor industries," the senior diplomat said.

The British Deputy High Commission Kolkata, in collaboration with IT industry body National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) and city-based firm Asterix Innovations which gives consultancy inputs to Indian and overseas companies, will host a series of high-level activities, including roundtable discussions, business-to-business (B2B) meetings and networking sessions with Indian stakeholders.

These engagements are designed to identify new opportunities for collaboration, research, innovation and investment, paving the way for future joint ventures and expanding the tech partnership between the two nations, the statement said.

"We aim to forge strategic partnerships between the UK companies and Indian stakeholders...The visit will provide a platform for the UK businesses to engage with regional governments and industry leaders, creating the potential for collaboration in areas such as AI, semiconductor research, development, and manufacturing," it added.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Ranchi, Nov 15 (PTI) Dinesh William Marandi, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MLA from Littipara assembly constituency, joined the BJP on Friday after being denied a ticket by his party for the elections.

Marandi took BJP membership during a poll rally addressed by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Littipara.

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Chouhan welcomed Marandi into the BJP fold, emphasising that together they would work towards advancing the progress of Jharkhand and focusing on the welfare of its people.

He also launched a scathing attack on the Hemant Soren-led government, accusing it of turning the state into a hub of corruption, poor governance, and scams.

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"The people of Jharkhand are determined to overthrow the corrupt JMM-Congress-led government," Chouhan said.

Marandi, in his remarks, explained that his decision to leave the JMM was due to the denial of a ticket and alleged threats from the party leadership after he voiced his concerns.

"My father, Simon Marandi, was one of the founders of JMM, and I worked for years to strengthen the party. But now, I've been forced to leave for the sake of Jharkhand's progress," he said.

In the 2019 elections, Marandi had won the Littipara seat in Pakur district by a significant margin, defeating BJP's Daniel Kisku by 13,903 votes.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Many drivers have admitted they had no idea the parking rule existed, with some residents in this council area demanding a change.

Unbroken yellow edge lines marked on roads indicate 'no stopping' zones and have replaced radiation signage in some areas. Source: Bayside Council

An Aussie council has reminded residents of a little-known road rule that attracts a hefty fine if caught, however, its confusing nature has some demanding a change.

Unbroken yellow edge lines marked on roads throughout the south Sydney region indicate 'no stopping' zones, Bayside Council reiterated this week. They have replaced traditional red 'No stopping' signs regularly spotted on Aussie roads.

The yellow markings have been in use across the LGA on clearways for a long time, council confirmed to Yahoo News Australia, but have been appearing on more streets throughout the area as council completes its rollout.

They were first introduced on Aussie roads in 1999 and are enforceable under the same rules as No Stopping signs, which means NSW drivers who park where one is present could face a $275 fine. Even more, $387 and 2 demerit points, if in a school zone.

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"Police and Council Parking Officers can enforce these road rules," they warned.

Police and council parking officers can enforce these road rules and issue fines. Source: Bayside Council

Residents demand return of traditional 'no stopping' signs

According to NSW road rule 169, 'no stopping on a road with a yellow edge line', "a driver must not stop at the side of a road marked with a continuous yellow edge line". Additionally, a driver "must not stop on a road within 10 metres from the nearest point of an intersecting road at an intersection without traffic lights"  an example of this is shown in the image shared by council.

But residents say the yellow lines "just don't work". Some have demanded council bring back traditional signage which properly alerts drivers about no parking areas. Many say it's just an "easy way" for council to issue more fines.

Yellow lines help to reduce 'visual clutter' on roads

Speaking of its decision to swap traditional signage for the yellow road markings, council said it was "to address the visual clutter associated with sign proliferation throughout the LGA".

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"The yellow line marking has been in use across Bayside LGA in select locations and on clearways for a long time, however due to the recent decision it will become more widespread," the council said.

Bayside Council will continue to roll out an education campaign encouraging motorists to get up to speed with what they mean.

The rule applies nationwide but it appears many drivers aren't entirely sure what they mean either. "We regularly hear from NRMA members who have never heard of the rule before," the NRMA wrote on their website.

Fines for stopping on a yellow line

New South Wales  $275 or more ($387 and two demerit points in a school zone)

Queensland  up to $309

Victoria  up to $192

South Australia  up to $210

Western Australia  up to $200

Northern Territory  $80 or more

Australian Capital Territory  up to 20 penalty units ($3200)

Tasmania  up to $975

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
New Delhi, Nov 15 (PTI) The Delhi High Court has observed that while encrypted social media platforms permit privacy and the freedom of speech and expression, their misuse by terrorists and banned organisations has to be borne in mind by courts while awarding sentences.

The high court's observation came while modifying the jail term of two women, convicted for being associated with and extending support to the banned Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), an affiliate of ISIS.

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The jail terms of convicts Hina Bashir Beigh and Sadiya Anwar Shaikh were modified to six years from eight and seven years respectively.

"Considering the specific facts of the present case, the proliferation of crime through the internet and social media platforms cannot be ignored. The fact that the appellants (Beigh and Shaikh) used fake identities to conceal their original identity and avoid tracing also cannot be ignored," a bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Amit Sharma said.

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Both the women had approached the high court, seeking a reduction of jail term and parity with another convict who was sentenced for the period already undergone in jail by the trial court.

The high court, however, said the two women could not claim complete parity on facts with the third person as the roles ascribed to them were also not identical.

"While encrypted platforms permit and encourage privacy and freedom of speech and expression, the misuse of the same by terrorists and banned organisations also would have to be borne in mind.

"The appellants are technologically savvy persons who have made use of their educational qualifications to promote terrorism and incite offensive activities against the country," it said.

The court further said that such cases would have to be dealt with differently from those involving innocent persons, who may have been pulled into crime without their knowledge.

Factors such as funding through Bitcoins and the use of journalistic credentials to publish and disseminate magazines to incite violence also cannot be ignored, it added.

The bench also referred to the sentencing policies of some overseas countries in terrorism-related matters.

"While awarding sentences for terrorism-related activities, the courts will have to, not merely bear in mind the crime committed but also the impact of the same and the propensity of the person to indulge in a similar crime in future," it said.

The intent behind providing a range of punishment that could be awarded for an offence is to give the courts sufficient discretion to consider various aggravating and mitigating factors while awarding sentences, the bench said.

"Though there is no doubt that the discretion has to be exercised judiciously, it cannot be expected to be uniform. In a country like India, where there are possibilities of innocent persons being encouraged towards terrorism, it is not merely the rights of the convict that have to be considered but also the impact of the said convict being allowed to integrate back into society which has to be considered," it said.

The high court noted that Beigh has been in custody since March 23, 2020, and the period of sentence undergone is around four years and nine months.

Shaikh has been in custody since July 29, 2020, and the period of sentence undergone is around four years and four months, it noted.

The court said both the women had shown their active involvement with the proscribed terrorist organisation and Beigh, being the wife of convict Jahanzaib Sami, had permitted her laptop to be used by her husband. Even their phones were exchangeably used by each other.

"Reasonably, she (Beigh) cannot be said to have been ignorant. Insofar as Shaikh is concerned, she was a student of journalism when she was arrested. As per the NIA's submissions and other news reports, she was also suspected to have been earlier involved in the J-K blasts and was let out with a warning considering her age at that time," it noted, adding that Shaikh was 20 years of age at that time.

The high court said both the women may not be fully aware of the complete plans of Sami could be mitigating factors but their association with the main accused as also the circumstances in which they were seen inciting violence through publications during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)/ National Register of Citizens (NRC) protests, would have to be borne in mind.

According to the prosecution, Beigh was accused of propagating or circulating objectionable ISIS materials which were used in the anti-CAA protests for inciting Muslims to take up violence in the name of jihad and spreading hatred against non-Muslims.

They were convicted under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Dimapur (Nagaland) [India], November 15 (ANI): Nagaland Governor La Ganesan attended the 555th birth anniversary celebration of Guru Nanak at Gurudwara Sri Singh Sabha in Dimapur, Nagaland, on Friday.

Speaking at the event, the Governor expressed his deep reverence for the first Guru of Sikhism, describing him as a spiritual figure who "left an indelible mark on the sands of time."

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"Guru Nanak's philosophy emphasised 'Ik Onkar'--the belief in one God and the recognition of the divine presence in all of humanity. His teachings urge us towards a society founded on justice, tolerance, and harmony, paving the way for peace and unity in our diverse world," he said during his address at the Gurudwara.

Advocating for the adoption of Guru Nanak's teachings, Ganesan added, "By aligning societal structures with Guru Nanak's principles, a more equitable, peaceful, and sustainable world can emerge. Such a foundation not only enriches individual lives but also strengthens communities globally, creating an interconnected, compassionate human society. In essence, Guru Nanak's teachings provide an eternal framework for building societies committed to justice, peace, and unity, echoing louder than ever in an era punctuated by both extraordinary potential and profound challenges."

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The Governor also acknowledged the contributions of the Sikh community across India.

"The Sikhs have consistently shown a remarkable spirit of enterprise, service, and sacrifice. They have been instrumental in nurturing India's cultural, technological, and agricultural growth. Sikh soldiers and citizens have bravely defended our nation and contributed significantly to national security. Their courage and dedication are sources of inspiration for all Indians," he said.

He further praised the Sikh community in Nagaland for their seamless integration into the state.

"In Nagaland, the Sikh community has seamlessly integrated into the cultural and economic ecosystem of the state and has contributed actively and vibrantly to its development. Through initiatives in trade, education, healthcare, and community service, they have supported the economic and social fabric of our beloved state. Their Gurdwaras, serving as community centres, are not just places of worship but symbols of unity and service where everyone is welcome with open arms," he noted.

He concluded by calling upon all to continue drawing inspiration from Guru Nanak's teachings. "Let us reaffirm our commitment to fostering a world rooted in love and mutual respect, fulfilling the higher ideals of selfless service to humanity," he urged.

On behalf of the people of Nagaland, the Governor extended heartfelt appreciation to the Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee and the Punjabi Committee of Dimapur for organising the event and providing an opportunity to reflect on Guru Nanak's teachings and enduring legacy. (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, November 15: Surgeon Commander Diviya Gautam assumed command of the Naval Hospital at Visakhapatnam, INHS Kalyani on November 13. According to an official release, She has served onboard a Naval ship and on the United States Navy Hospital Ship Mercy.

The other appointments held by her include Commanding Officer INHS Kasturi, Fleet Medical Officer and Officer-in-Charge of Fleet Medical Centre at both the Eastern and Western Fleets, the release mentioned. In another development, 'Keel Laying' ceremony of the first of the five Fleet Support Ships (FSS) was held at Hindustan Shipyard, Limited, Visakhapatnam on Thursday. Keel Laying of First Fleet Support Ship for Indian Navy Held in Visakhapatnam.

"The ceremony was presided by Vice Admiral B Siva Kumar, Controller Warship Production & Acquisition in presence of Chairman & Managing Director, HSL and other senior officials from Indian Navy and HSL. Indian Navy had signed a contract with HSL for acquisition of five Fleet Support Ships in Aug 2023. The ships are scheduled to be delivered to Indian Navy, commencing mid 2027," as per a Ministry of Defence release.

On induction, the Fleet Support Ships will bolster the 'Blue Water' capabilities of the Indian Navy through replenishment of Fleet ships at sea. "The ships, with more than 40,000 Tons displacement will carry and deliver fuel, water, ammunition and stores enabling prolonged operations without returning to harbour, thus enhancing the Fleet's strategic reach and mobility," the release read. Eastern Naval Command Conducts Anti-hijack Exercise at Visakhapatnam Airport.

Surgeon Commander Diviya Gautam Assumes Charge of INHS Kalyani

Surg Cmde Diviya Gautam, assumed command of the Naval Hospital at #Visakhapatnam, INHS Kalyani on 13 Nov. She has served onboard a Naval ship and on the United States Navy Hospital Ship Mercy. The other appointments held by her include Commanding Officer INHS Kasturi, Fleet pic.twitter.com/7b0EyynnJy  Eastern Naval Command (@IN_HQENC) November 14, 2024

In secondary role, these ships would be equipped for Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief operations for evacuation of personnel in emergency situations and quick delivery of relief material at site during natural calamities. With indigenous design and sourcing of majority of the equipment from indigenous manufacturers, this shipbuilding project will boost the Indian Shipbuilding Industry and is in consonance with GoI initiatives of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India and Make for the World.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai, Nov 15 (PTI) Mumbai Airport's total passenger traffic increased 4 per cent year-on-year to over 4.42 million in October, helped by festive travel demand, Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) said on Friday.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), the country's second busiest airport -- 74 per cent-owned by Adani Group and the remaining 26 per cent by the state-run airports operator AAI -- had handled a total of 4.25 million passengers in October 2023.

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Significantly, this year, three major festivals -- Dussehra, Dhanteras and Diwali -- fell in October.

"CSMIA facilitated travel for over 4.42 million passengers -- 3.16 million domestic and over 1.25 million international -- in October. This festive season saw a marked surge in both domestic and international traffic, as travellers flocked to celebrate the festival of lights," the private airport operator said in a statement.

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October 26, which fell on the last Saturday before the commencement of the Diwali festivities, recorded the highest number of air traffic movements (arrivals and departures), with 939 flights on a single day, marking it the busiest day in the month, MIAL said, adding that the facility saw a remarkable rise in ATMs in October, with 19,848 domestic and 7,222 international, owing to an expanded number of travel options for passengers.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, November 15: The Tihar Jail administration on Friday has taken immediate cognizance of media reports and is increasing security around Aftab Poonawala, the accused arrested in the gruesome Shraddha Walker murder case. Accused Aftab who is currently lodged in Tihar Jail No. 4, has reportedly become a target following threats against him.

According to sources within the jail, no official communication has yet been received from the Mumbai Police. However, Tihar authorities have been closely monitoring the situation in light of recent developments. Shiv Kumar Gautam, who was arrested in connection with the Baba Siddiqui murder case, allegedly made a chilling statement to the police, expressing his intention to kill Aftab Poonawala. Additionally, sources confirm that Aftab is now a target of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which is said to be plotting his murder within the prison. Uttar Pradesh: Constable 'Facilitates' Issuance of Passport for Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Member, Suspended.

The jail authorities are said to be on high alert, ensuring that Aftab's safety is prioritized while they investigate the potential threat. Meanwhile, on July 23, Saket District Court rejected Shraddha Walkar's murder case and accused Aftab Amin Poonawala's plea seeking trial to be held only twice every month to give suitable time to his counsel to prepare his defence. The court said that the accused was trying to deliberately delay the trial. It also said that only 134 out of 212 prosecution witnesses have been examined since June 2023. Therefore, consecutive dates are required to conclude the trial expeditiously. Shraddha Walkar Murder Case: CCTV Video Purportedly Showing Accused Aftab Amin Poonawalla With Bag Outside His House Surfaces.

Shraddha Walkar was allegedly murdered by Aftab in the Mehrauli area on May 18, 2022. Her body parts were thrown into the jungle of the Chhatarpur Pahadi area. He was arrested in November 2022. The court had framed the charges under sections 302 and 201 IPC for murder and disappearance of evidence against Aftab, who pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Lima (Peru), Nov 16 (AP) President Joe Biden on Friday praised the cooperation between South Korea, Japan and the US at countering what he described as North Korea's "dangerous and destabilising cooperation with Russia".

Biden spoke at the start of a meeting in Peru with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. The talks came amid heightened concerns about North Korea's growing military partnership with Russia and Pyongyang's stepped-up cadence of ballistic missile tests.

Also Read | Israel-Hezbollah War: Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati Asks Iran To Help Secure Cease-Fire in Ongoing Conflict.

The meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru comes as North Korea has deployed thousands of troops to Russia to help Moscow try to claw back land in the Kursk border region that Ukraine seized earlier this year.

I'm proud of how far we've come, Biden said. Whatever the issue, we've taken it on together."

Also Read | PM Narendra Modi To Leave on 3-Nation-Visit to Nigeria, Brazil, and Guyana From November 16-21.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un also ordered a series of ballistic missile tests in the lead-up to this month's US election and is claiming progress on efforts to build capability to strike the US mainland.

White House officials are concerned that Pyongyang could be dialled up for more provocative action ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration and the early days of his administration.

I do not think we can count on a period of quiet with the DPRK, said White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, using the initials for North Korea's formal name. The possibility of a seventh nuclear test remains ever present and something we're vigilant for. The transitions have historically been time periods when the DPRK has taken provocative actions both before and after the transition from one president to a new president.

Biden is on a six-day visit to Latin America for the final major international summits of his presidency, following up APEC with a gathering in Brazil of leaders from the Group of 20 top economies. He's likely to face questions from world leaders about the incoming administration as they turn their attention to what Donald Trump's return to the White House will mean for them.

Biden took part in an informal meeting with other APEC leaders Friday, walking in as Peru President Dina Boluarte was delivering her welcoming remarks. Biden, who is also meeting later Friday with Boluarte, shook hands with leaders from Thailand and Vietnam.

Just before the trilateral meeting was slated to start, Biden and Ishiba of Japan met one-on-one. It was the first meeting between the leaders since Ishiba took office. The leaders spoke on Oct. 1 on the phone shortly after the Prime Minister took office.

With the growing North Korea-Russia relationship top of mind, the US, Japanese and South Korean leaders planned to discuss the North's soldiers deploying to Russia and ensure their three countries are acting in a coordinated way, Sullivan said.

The introduction of North Korean troops to the Russia-Ukraine conflict comes as Moscow has seen a favourable shift in momentum in the grinding war on its neighbour. Trump has signalled that he could push Ukraine to agree to give up some land seized by Russia to find an end to the conflict.

Up to 12,000 North Korean troops have been sent to Russia, according to US, South Korean and Ukrainian assessments.

US and South Korean intelligence officials say North Korea also has provided Russia with significant amounts of munitions. South Korea's spy agency said last month that North Korea had sent more than 13,000 containers of artillery, missiles and other conventional arms to Russia since August 2023 to replenish its dwindling weapons stockpiles.

The meeting will be the first face-to-face engagement between Biden and Ishiba, who took office on October 1, replacing his unpopular predecessor Fumio Kishida.

Ishiba pledged to pursue a military buildup plan under a 2022 security strategy adopted by his predecessor, which calls for a counterstrike capability with long-range cruise missiles, a break from its self-defense only principle. Ishiba said he will seek to improve cooperation between Japanese and US troops.

The trilateral talks are a follow-up on a partnership launched at a historic 2023 meeting between Biden, Yoon and Kishida at the US presidential retreat at Camp David, Maryland.

Biden nudged Japan and South Korea to put aside years of historic animosity and strengthen economic and security ties as the countries confront the threat from North Korea as well increasing military assertiveness by China in the Pacific.

The three countries signed a pledge agreeing to consult, share information and align their messaging with each other in the face of a threat or crisis.

Sullivan said the Biden administration is working to ensure the three-country cooperation is an enduring feature of American policy". He expects it would continue under Trump, noting its bipartisan support, but acknowledged it was up to the incoming president's team.

Both Yoon and Ishiba already have reached out to Trump and are aiming to keep their countries' relationships with the incoming administration on steady footing amid the heightened tensions.

South Korea's presidential office says Yoon also would meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping Friday to discuss economic cooperation and cultural exchanges as well as the security situation on the Korean Peninsula.

North Korea fired a barrage of short-range ballistic missiles into the sea just hours before Election Day in the United States.

Those launches came days after Kim supervised a flight test of the country's newest intercontinental ballistic missile designed to be able to reach the U.S. mainland. In response, the United States flew a long-range B-1B bomber in a trilateral drill with South Korea and Japan on Sunday in a show of force. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Lahore, Nov 15 (PTI) A Pakistani Hindu pilgrim, who was going to attend 555th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev in Nankana Sahib, was shot dead by robbers, police said on Friday.

A native of Larkana city of Sindh province, Rajesh Kumar was going to Nankana Sahib from Lahore by a car along with his friend and a brother-in-law when three robbers intercepted them on the Mananwala-Nankana Sahib Road, some 60 kms from Lahore.

Also Read | Princess Yuriko Dies: Oldest Member of Japanese Imperial Family and Great-Aunt of Emperor Naruhito, Princess Yuriko Passes Away at Age of 101 in Tokyo Hospital.

The gunmen snatched PKR 4,50,000 from the trio and also PKR 10,000 from the driver. After Kumar resisted, the robbers opened fire on him and fled, police said.

After the robbery and firing incident on Wednesday night, Kumar was shifted to a hospital in critical condition, where he succumbed to his injuries on Thursday.

Also Read | Hyderabad Shocker: 36-Year-Old Man Trafficked to Myanmar via Thailand Under False Pretense of IT Job, Physically Assaulted After Refusing To Participate in Cybercrime.

A case has been registered against unidentified men on the complaint of Kumar's brother-in-law under relevant sections of the Pakistan Penal Code.

On Friday, the main event of Baba Guru Nanak birth anniversary was held in Gurdwara Janamsthan Nankana Sahib, in which over 2,500 Sikhs from India and a good number of local and foreign pilgrims participated.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Tbilisi, Nov 15 (AP) Police and hundreds of demonstrators clashed Friday in Georgia's separatist region of Abkhazia as tensions flared over a proposed measure that would allow Russians to buy property there.

The protesters gathered outside parliament in the regional capital of Sukhumi, where lawmakers were to consider ratifying an agreement that would allow Russians to buy apartments in Abkhazia, whose mountains and Black Sea beaches are popular with Russian tourists.

Also Read | Princess Yuriko Dies: Oldest Member of Japanese Imperial Family and Great-Aunt of Emperor Naruhito, Princess Yuriko Passes Away at Age of 101 in Tokyo Hospital.

Most of Abkhazia broke away from Georgia in fighting that ended in 1993, and Georgia lost control of the rest of the territory in the short war with Russia in 2008. Russia recognises Abkhazia as an independent country, but many Abkhazians are concerned that the region of about 245,000 people is just a client state of Moscow.

Opponents of the property agreement say it would give preferential treatment to Russians, drive up prices of apartments and boost Moscow's dominance in the region.

Also Read | Hyderabad Shocker: 36-Year-Old Man Trafficked to Myanmar via Thailand Under False Pretense of IT Job, Physically Assaulted After Refusing To Participate in Cybercrime.

The parliament session was postponed, but protesters remained at the fence and used a truck to break through. Police blocked them from entering the building as the crowd threw rocks and eggs, with authorities responding with tear gas, according to Russian and Georgian news reports.

There were no immediate reports of arrests or injuries.

The arrest of five opposition figures at a similar demonstration Monday set off wide protests the next day in which bridges leading to Sukhumi were blocked. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Baku [Azerbaijan], November 15 (ANI/WAM): The UAE has announced the launch of an initiative to establish the "Global Energy Efficiency Alliance" at COP29, aiming to double annual global energy efficiency rates by 2030 and reduce emissions.

This initiative aligns with the UAE's historic 'UAE Consensus' from COP28, where countries, organisations, and companies committed to reducing carbon emissions and minimising natural resource consumption.

Also Read | Israel-Hezbollah War: Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati Asks Iran To Help Secure Cease-Fire in Ongoing Conflict.

Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI), said in statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the sidelines of the UAE's national pavilion events at COP29 in Azerbaijan.

He added that the UAE's initiative to establish the Global Energy Efficiency Alliance came as a result of a global desire to increase energy efficiency, and discussions were held with many countries around the world who welcomed the establishment of the Alliance.

Also Read | PM Narendra Modi To Leave on 3-Nation-Visit to Nigeria, Brazil, and Guyana From November 16-21.

Al Olama emphasised that the UAE will play a leading role in this alliance by providing best practices in the fields of energy efficiency, knowledge transfer and partnership models with the private sector.

He called on governments, organisations and leaders to join the alliance and unite efforts to set ambitious goals that encourage investments in energy efficiency projects and develop the policies and technologies needed to achieve sustainability goals.

He added that the alliance aims to reduce carbon emissions and minimise the consumption of natural resources by promoting knowledge sharing, capacity building, public-private partnerships, and standardisation. This will also encourage investments in energy efficiency projects and develop the necessary policies and technologies to achieve sustainability goals.

He noted that the alliance seeks to compile and share best practices for promoting energy efficiency from its member countries, particularly with African nations. This includes initiatives related to financing and technological solutions, which are crucial for Africa. (ANI/WAM)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kolkata, November 15: Air India Express on Friday announced expansion of its services from West Bengal's Kolkata and Bagdogra, increasing the number of weekly flights to over 230 this winter, from 168 in the same season last year. The growth includes new direct routes connecting Kolkata with Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) and Indore, and Bagdogra with Chennai, the airline said.

Our new winter schedule, featuring over 230 weekly flights from Kolkata and Bagdogra, underscores our dedication to fostering trade and tourism in the region, Dr Ankur Garg, Chief Commercial Officer of Air India Express, said in a statement. We are thrilled to introduce a new Kolkata-Port Blair flight next month, just in time for the holiday season, offering our guests more travel options, he said. Additionally, two brand new aircraft, with liveries inspired by Jamdani and Kantha designs, invite guests to experience the rich cultural heritage of West Bengal, the statement said. Air India-Vistara Merger Important Milestone: Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran.

Jamdani is a renowned pattern from Bengal, known for its delicate handloom creations, typically featuring intricate floral, vine, leaf, and geometric motifs. Kantha, also from Bengal, originated as a method of repurposing old saris and clothes into quilts and blankets. "As we expand our services with a 37 per cent increase in flights from West Bengal, Air India Express reaffirms its commitment to connecting this vibrant state with the rest of India, Garg said.

According to the statement, Air India Express' winter schedule across its expanding network has grown by 30 per cent from last year, supported by the airline's growing fleet, which now includes over 90 aircraft. This winter, the airline will operate more than 400 daily flights compared to over 325 daily flights during the same period last year. The enhanced schedule includes new routes such as Chennai-Goa, Chennai-Jaipur, Chennai-Pune, Delhi-Indore, Hyderabad-Gwalior, Kochi-Pune, and Visakhapatnam-Vijayawada. Additionally, the airline will commence operations to two new destinations, Jammu and Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair), starting December 1, 2024. AI Express to Reconfigure Planes with Biz Class Seats from Apr 2025.

The airline has also increased the frequency of flights on the Bengaluru-Hyderabad and Kochi-Hyderabad routes, along with international routes connecting Abu Dhabi, Ras al-Khaimah, and Muscat.
Interview: China plays pivotal role in global climate action, says former UN official

Xinhua) 16:14, November 15, 2024

BAKU, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- China is now an indispensable nation for global climate efforts, former UN Under-Secretary-General Erik Solheim told Xinhua in a recent interview.

The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) commenced Monday in Baku, Azerbaijan, aiming to bolster climate finance, carbon trading, and the global transition from fossil fuels. The conference will run until Nov. 22.

Solheim, also the former UN Environment Executive Director, shared his views on China's current role in fighting climate change amid ongoing global changes.

"China is now an indispensable nation for global climate efforts," Solheim said, adding that it is essentially "impossible for the world to go green without China."

China plays an important role in the global green energy transition, accounting for 60 percent or more of global production in key green sectors, including solar, wind, and hydropower, as well as electric cars and batteries, he said.

He also stressed the need for necessary investments to tackle climate challenges, saying multilateral platforms, like BRICS, are increasingly significant for addressing climate change.

"BRICS has become very important since that's an avenue for the Global South to come together and lead the world," he said, adding that the initiative will move to countries of the Global South.

"The 'Belt and Road Initiative' has recently turned into a major vehicle for green investment in the world, in solar, wind, hydropower and green corridors," said the former UN official.

To illustrate the significant impact of Belt and Road projects, he cited the Chinese-built Padma Bridge project in Bangladesh.

Completed by China Railway Major Bridge Engineering Group Co., Ltd. and opened to the public in June 2022, the bridge crosses the Padma River, connecting southern Bangladesh to Dhaka. Solheim expects this infrastructure project to boost Bangladesh's economy by 1 percent.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The incredible sight was accidentally captured by a family caravanning their way across the country.

A caravanning family making their way across the country stumbled upon an incredible "once in a lifetime" sight on one of Australia's most remote beaches. Tarhnee Rafter and her family were travelling along Eighty Mile Beach when they put up their drone and glimpsed the special sight of hundreds of tracks lining the sand.

It's understood the tracks were made by flatback turtles, Australias only endemic marine turtle listed as vulnerable to extinction. Remarkably, their breeding sites don't exist anywhere else in the world. The family were able to watch a female turtle's journey laying eggs in a nest in the sand on the remote beach before heading back to the ocean. Tahnee described the rare moment as "pure magic."

"How amazing, we were so lucky," she told Yahoo News Australia of the sighting on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for Australia's North West Tourism Board confirmed to Yahoo that Eighty Mile Beach, between Broome and Port Headland in Western Australia, along with Cemetery Beach are "two areas renowned for turtle nesting in the Pilbara".

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"This happens every year during the nesting season October to March," a spokesperson said.

The family got to experience the 'once in a lifetime' moment witnessing a flatback turtle nesting on a remote beach. Source: @_the_rafters_

The remarkable drone shot shows turtle tracks lining the expansive beach. Source: @_the_rafters_

Aussie family manage one of Australia's most remote campsites

Originally from Redlands, just south of Brisbane, Tarhnee, her partner and their three children have been caravanning across the country since May 2023 after they caught the travel bug four years earlier during a six-month trip across the top of Australia.

With no end date for their travels in mind, the family have been stopping for work and for their children to attend school. During that time, they spent six months hosting a campsite in one of Australia's most remote locations  McGowan Island Beach camp, which is north of Kalumburu. It's the most remote permanent settlement in Western Australia sitting 550 kilometres from Kununurra.

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"Its been an incredible experience," Tarhnee said. "The only access to get food and supplies other than the community store was by a barge that generally came every two weeks from Darwin and beach-landed at the Kalumburu barge landing."

Tahnee Rafter is travelling the country with her family with no end date in mind. Source: @_the_rafters_

She explained the land is under traditional ownership and is fully self-sufficient with solar power and bore water. The opportunity to camp "fell into" their laps when the previous hosts found the family on Facebook and put their names forward to the traditional landowners who "probably thought we were crazy enough to say yes."

The gig involved maintaining the water supply, checking in on campers, maintaining the land, as well as cleaning bathrooms. "We ended up having bushfires at the back of the camp, helping locals with car problems, and water issues but [all those things are] what made it eventful," she said.

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The campers were "so lovely", she added, having travelled the treacherous Gibb River Road to get to the campsite, they "knew what they were in for".

McGowan Island Beach camp is one of the most remote sites in Australia. Source: @_the_rafters_

4WD family in awe of Australia's stunning landscape

While there have been bumps along the road, Tarhnee said that getting to spend time with her children while they're little and the sense of freedom they get means she wouldn't trade it for the world.

"The sheer beauty of Australia has stunned us; some places weve stumbled upon are impossible to capture fully in photos. Its been a journey of unexpected moments, personal growth, and meaningful connections," she said.

Now that the dry season is over and the wet season draws in, the family plans to head south.

"It took everything for us not to stay up there and experience a wet season in the Kimberley, however we are currently in Broome and spent a few weeks here doing maintenance and repairs and we will continue to travel south," she said.

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They plan to stop in Karratha for work before heading down to Perth and South Australia. It was during this journey south they stumbled upon the epic turtle scene on Eighty Mile Beach.

The family left their Queensland home town in a 4WD and caravan in search of adventure. Source: @_the_rafters_

Flatback turtle fast facts

Flatback turtles live in the tropical waters of northern Australia and are listed as vulnerable to extinction, and while crocodiles are one of their biggest predators, it's not their greatest threat.

Yahoo previously reported on an incredible scene where dozens of crocodiles were spotted waiting patiently along the sands of a remote Australian island. In the image, it appears the beach is otherwise deserted, but markings on the sand indicate that 100kg flatback turtles were nesting in the area, as they have done for generations.

There are signs of the worlds most destructive predator visiting the beach  humans. And while visitors need permission to set foot on the sand from the local Indigenous custodians, its littered with rubbish thats travelled along the ocean currents. Sadly, it's a problem thats not uncommon on remote Australian beaches.

Fishing, pollution, damage to nesting beaches, and poaching of eggs and meat are all listed as threats to the future of the turtle species.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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Birsa Munda Jayanti, also known as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas or Tribal Pride Day, is celebrated with a lot of joy and fervour every year in India. It is mainly celebrated in Jharkhand and Odisha, where the celebrations include a state-wide holiday. Birsa Munda Jayanti 2024 will be celebrated on Friday, November 15. It marks the birth anniversary of one of Indias most revered and respected tribal leaders and freedom fighters, Birsa Munda. The day is significant as it honours and pays tribute to him and remembers his contributions to the nation. A common tradition on this day is to share heartfelt messages. If you are wondering where to look for them, fret not and simply scroll below. We have curated a list of Birsa Munda Jayanti 2024 wishes, images, and greetings. Birsa Munda Jayanti 2024 Date and History: Know Significance of the Day That Honours Birsa Munda, Indian Tribal Leader and Freedom Fighter.

Birsa Munda did a lot for the tribal communities. He restored the traditional tribal culture and fought for their rights and against land issues. He also fought against the church and the practices of levying taxes and converting people. He not only fought for the tribal communities, but he also played a key role in Indias struggle for independence. The day not only honours him but also raises awareness about tribal culture through speeches, exhibitions, cultural programmes and events. He was fondly known as Bhagwan Birsa Munda for his tireless efforts. His works and leadership continue to inspire youths of the country till date. Celebrate the day by sending Birsa Munda Jayanti quotes, HD wallpapers and messages. You can download them for free online and share them via WhatsApp or Facebook. Birsa Munda Birth Anniversary 2024: PM Narendra Modi To Visit Bihars Jamui on November 15 To Commemorate Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.

Birsa Munda Jayanti Messages

Birsa Munda Jayanti (Photo Credits: File Photo)

Birsa Munda Jayanti Wallpapers

Birsa Munda Jayanti (Photo Credits: File Photo)

Birsa Munda Jayanti Wishes

Birsa Munda Jayanti (Photo Credits: File Photo)

Birsa Munda Jayanti Greetings

Birsa Munda Jayanti (Photo Credits: File Photo)

Birsa Munda did a lot for the country. Hence, the day is very significant as it serves as a powerful reminder of his works and efforts. Let us take a moment and pay tribute to him. On that note, wishing everyone celebrating a happy Birsa Munda Jayanti 2024!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 15, 2024 07:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi faced a delay of over two hours at Jharkhands Deoghar airport on Friday, November 15, after his special IAF aircraft, a B737, developed a technical snag. The PM, who had just addressed a rally in Bihars Jamui, was scheduled to return to New Delhi on the same aircraft. However, after efforts to rectify the issue failed, Modi flew to Delhi in another plane. Deoghar District Commissioner confirmed the delay, stating that the technical issue could not be fixed in time. The unforeseen setback prompted a rescheduling of the PMs departure. PM Narendra Modi's Aircraft Experiences Technical Issues at Deoghar Airport in Jharkhand, Unable To Take Off; Another Plane Rushed To Pick Up Prime Minister.

PM Narendra Modi Flies to Delhi in Another Aircraft

Technical snag in PM's aircraft could not be rectified; Modi flew to Delhi in another plane after delay of over 2 hours: DC Deoghar. pic.twitter.com/cyS8CiKgTu  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 15, 2024

(SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter (X), Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
On 14 November Perus Presidenthosted Chinas President, while formally opening the Chinese-funded Chancay mega-port which is expected to have a transformative effect on Peruvian trade.

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On 14 November Chiles former deputy interior minister,, was arrested by the investigative police (PDI) in his home in Vina del Mar, in Valparaiso region.

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Black Friday is on the horizon and as the biggest shopping event of the year, we know theres going to be some massive deals to score.

But we also know that those hot-ticket products are going to sell out fast.

Every Black Friday, theres a number of viral products that everyone has on their Christmas wishlist and we dont expect this year to be any different. However, not all of these popular items are going to stay in stock and we have some insight on the ones that wont.

Black Friday is big business and last year shoppers spent $222.1 billion over the entire holiday shopping season, according to Queue-it. Sales just on Black Friday reached $16.4 billion (online and in stores) and this was a 9% increase from the year before.

While it comes as no surprise that electronics are the most sought-after products of the holiday season, Queue-it said this accounts for the majority of holiday sales, jumping to $50.8 billion in 2023.

Apparel, furniture, groceries, and toys are the other hot sellers of Black Friday. Together, these five categories accounted for 65% of sales during the holidays last year and is only expected to grow in 2024.

Based on these statistics and our years of experience covering Black Friday, we can make some estimations on what to expect this year.

Whats going to sell out over Black Friday?

While many items that sell out over Black Friday are driven by a good deal, we also know that a hot product is just that  a hot product that everyone wants to open on Christmas Day.

So, based on our research and expertise, here are our picks for the top 10 hot-ticket items that could sell out over Black Friday.

You don't need to leave your couch to get a good Black Friday TV deal, but you'll need to act quick to get the best deals.Walmart

The holidays are ripe for TV deals and we expect shoppers to buy a ton of them in 2024, especially at Walmart. Consumers are trending towards bigger TVs and the super low-price deals over Black Friday force many models to sell out. This is especially true of popular models from Samsung, Hisense, LG, and more favorites. Weve seen big deals already at Amazon, with 47% off this 98-inch TV.

We expect the latest Apple Watch to sell out fast when it goes on sale for Black Friday.Apple

Apple products are hot and its smartwatches are a top pick among Apple fans. Weve seen prices on the Apple Watch continue to trend downward, which was only spurred by the release of the new Apple Watch 10 in September. This pushed down prices on earlier models with the best deals coming on the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch 9. For Black Friday, we think the prices will drop even lower yet and sell out due to high demand.

Beats headphones are often a top-requested gift for the holidays, snag a pair while they're on sale for Black Friday before they sell out.Amazon

Wireless headphones are one of the most popular products of 2024 and Beats are one of the top brands among them all. Were already seeing big markdowns on Beats Wireless Headphones and we expect these price drops to continue into Black Friday. We think the Beats Solo 3 will be on sale for even cheaper than weve already seen and think they will sell out for Black Friday, with the possibility of other popular Beats Headphones joining them.

Last year we saw the best AirPods deals for Black Friday and we can predict we'll seen even better for 2024.Apple

If you havent picked up a pair of Apple AirPods yet, this will be your year to do it. With Apple launching a new generation of AirPods 4 earlier this year, previous models are selling for even less. The price on AirPods keeps creeping lower, and this year we think over Black Friday theyll be at their cheapest price ever with the AirPods (3rd Gen) even selling out.

JBL is one of the brands to look out for when scouring for Black Friday Bluetooth speaker deals.Amazon

Bluetooth speakers are a must-have this year and with the big sound that comes from JBLs Speakers, its easy to see why theyll sell out for Black Friday. These popular Bluetooth speakers come in a variety of potable sizes and waterproof designs that allow you to tote them everywhere. We expect big deals on JBLs top-rated Clip 5 and Flip 6 Bluetooth speaker models, which could lead to them selling out during Black Friday.

iPads are going to sell out fast when the biggest deals hit Amazon for Black Friday.Amazon

One of Apples most sought-after products of the year was the iPad and we saw the 9th Gen and 10th Gen models drop to their lowest prices ever. We think this year will bring some iPad bliss with even better discounts, but these deals will disappear just as fast as they arrived. We think that mega discounts on the iPad (9th Gen) and iPad (10th Gen) could cause sell outs, especially on Amazon.

The Dyson Airwrap rarely goes on sale, but we predict it'll be at its lowest price ever  but not for long.Dyson

The Dyson Airwrap just might be the top product of Black Friday as this is one of the rare times theres a discount on the beloved hair styling tool. At $600, the Airwrap carries a hefty price tag, so any discount presented is a welcome surprise. But as weve seen in the past, any Black Friday deal on the Dyson Airwrap causes a crush of interest thats followed by a sell out.

When the UGG Closet opens for Black Friday, we're expecting to see Tasman slippers marked down.UGG

If youve tried to scoop up the UGG Tasman Slippers in previous years, you already know they never stay in stock for long. As the it slipper of the holiday season, UGGs Tasman sells out multiple times over the holidays, even without a discount offered. We think that this year will be similar with popular sizes and colors of the Tasman Slipper snatched up fast over Black Friday.

The Bissell Little Green Machine sells out every Prime Day and we predict the same will happen on Black Friday.Amazon

The BISSELL Little Green Machine Carpet Cleaner is a popular home product that just cant seem to stay in stock. With prices falling under $90, the BISSELL Little Green Machine is that one carpet cleaner that shoppers wait all year to buy. This mighty machine is a blessing for pet owners and parents as its compact size makes it easy to store and use when needed. Weve seen the Little Green Machine sell out before and wed be surprised if it didnt do it again over Black Friday 2024.

This Furby toy will give everyone '90s Black Friday flashbacks.Amazon

Wed be remiss if we didnt include a top toy that we think will be hard to find and gift this year. Our pick is the Furby Galaxy Edition. This glow-in-the-dark Furby is based on the original Furby from the late 90s with even more features, interactive modes, and most importantly  more fun. Making a comeback in 2023, we saw the revival of this popular toy sell out last year and we expect the new Furby Galaxy Edition to do the same.

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Dawn Magyar can be reached at dmagyar@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips/.
A 38-year-old Warren County man faces charges of defrauding a 91-year-old man out of $400,000 by promising to put up collateral he didnt own, authorities said Friday.

Christopher Sterlacci, 38, of Asbury, is accused of theft by deception and failing to file and pay New Jersey state income taxes, according to the Hunterdon County Prosecutors Office.

Authorities say the charges stem from a loan agreement Sterlacci made in May 2021 with the older resident.

The victim allegedly loaned Sterlacci $400,000 under an agreement that several vehicles and properties would serve as collateral.

However, investigators later discovered that Sterlacci did not own the collateral he pledged, the prosecutors office said in a statement.

After defaulting on the terms of the loan, it was discovered that the properties and vehicles were not owned by Sterlacci, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renee M. Robeson said in a news release.

In March 2023, the victim reached out to detectives with the Hunterdon County Prosecutors Office to report the alleged fraud, Robeson said.

Following an investigation, authorities charged Sterlacci on Oct. 23 with one count of second-degree theft by deception, one count of third-degree failure to file a New Jersey tax return, and one count of third-degree failure to pay taxes, fees, penalties, or interest.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to call the prosecutors office at 908-788-1129.

Matthew S Adams, an attorney representing Sterlacci, said in a statement to NJ Advance Media the case is a civil matter, not a criminal one.

This case has no business in a criminal court. This is a civil loan dispute which has been litigated in multiple civil lawsuits over the course of years, Adams said.

The commencement of a criminal case is not legally justified or appropriate, the attorney said, adding that Sterlacci has made good on the relevant loan and repaid the principal and interest due.

Note: This post was updated to include comments from Matthew S. Adams, an attorney for Sterlacci.

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Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
The latest investment of public money by Laois County Council in helping with job creation in the county has come to fruition in Portlaoise where the Kirby Group Engineering has officially opened a manufacturing facility at Junction 17 National Enterprise Park.

Making the announcement the company said the 8m development is set to create 50 jobs and will be key to the continuing growth of the company in producing components for projects across Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe.

Kirby says it employs over 1800 people and has developed a reputation in the life sciences, data centre, industrial, power and renewables sectors. The Limerick-headquartered firm also claims to be on track to record revenue of more than 700m in 2024.

The company says over 20 people are already working at the Portlaoise facility and Kirby expects that figure to reach 50 by the end of 2024. The team there provides fabrication, welding, engineering and BIM (Building Information Modelling) services. It also features a dedicated cleanroom to facilitate high purity pipework, as required by many of Kirbys clients. Components built at the Portlaoise plant will be transported to sites across all markets where Kirby operates.

In addition to the main operation in Portlaoise services, the new building houses office space and a dedicated apprentice training facility, which will allow for classroom-based and practical education. Apprenticeships have been an integral part of Kirbys talent pipeline for many years and the company is currently supporting more than 200 apprentices through their four years of training.

The factory opens on an Enterprise Park located off the M7 motorway in Portlaoise which has been developed by Laois County Council and advanced in recent years. Other firms to set up there are the major Laois-based company Midlands Steel, mozzarella maker Leprino, Aubren and Alpha Drives.

Kirby says the job creation at the off-site manufacturing facility has come about with the support of Enterprise Ireland.

CEO of Kirby Group Engineering Mark Flanagan says off-site manufacturing is in high demand among its customers, including a number of global IT leaders. MORE BELOW PICTURE OF THE PLANT.

OSM provides incredible savings when it comes to hours on site, equipment on site, scheduling control, quality control and of course health and safety. We now aim to complete 25% of our projects through prefabricated methods and this facility is central to that target. Id like to congratulate our Operations Director Mikey Ryan on his vision and leadership in bringing this project to life and Im truly excited to see the possibilities this Portlaoise site can help create for Kirby and our customer offering, he said.

Leo Clancy, Chief Executive Officer, Enterprise Ireland said: Enterprise Ireland is delighted to support this new development by Kirby Group. It supports a move to more modular construction in the building out of advanced manufacturing facilities thereby capturing more value and increasing sustainable employment for the region. I would like to congratulate Mark and all the team at Kirby on todays opening and we look forward to continuing to work with the team to support the companys operations and growth both in Ireland and in overseas markets providing high value services for global customers across multiple sectors.

The outgoing Minister for Enterprise, Peter Burke, welcomed the companys approach to its business: Kirby has demonstrated remarkably strong growth in their 60 years in business, providing them with a strong sense of where the technology and their customers are going. This incredible facility will be integral to projects underway all over Europe and Id like to wish the team the very best for the future.

CEO of Kirby Group Engineering Mark Flanagan (left) with Chief Executive of Enterprise Ireland Leo Clancy at the official opening of Kirbys Off-site Manufacturing facility at Portlaoise in Co Laois. The 8m development is set to create 50 jobs and will be key to the continuing growth of the company as it manufactures a range of components for projects across Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe. Photo: Philip Leonard

The company was granted planning permission for the Portlaoise plant in 2022 but decided to seek approval to extend before the work was completed.

Laois County Council produced its vision for the J17 National Enterprise Park in a masterplan in 2018. The plan aimed to set out a detailed vision for the lands at Togher to deliver a viable economic zone focused particularly on heavy, light and ICT industry, distribution, logistics and other uses associated with the transport industry.

A key element was a new road linking J17 M7 motorway Togher roundabout and Clonminam and Fr Brown Avenue. Costing 3.4 million it provided access to the J17 business park.
Camross' Aimee Collier and St Brigid's Clodagh Tynan will make the trip to Croke Park tonight (Friday evening) with the hopes of leaving there with the PwC GPA Camogie Premier Junior Player of the Year after both players were exceptional in their county colours in 2024.

The Laois Camogie team had a year to remember in the blue and white jersey. Robert Jones and Pat Collier's got to the finals of all three competitions that they played in. Unfortunately, Laois lost all three finals by a single point which is heartbreaking to say the least. Armagh beat them in the Division 3A Very League final, Wexford beat them in the Leinster Intermediate final and Tipperary were crowned Premier Junior Camogie champions on Sunday, August 11.

Laois had plenty of stand-out performers across the panel this year which has seen two players get nominated for the PwC GPA Camogie Premier Junior Player of the Year. St Brigid's player Clodagh Tynan and Camross' Aimee Collier will be pitted against Tipperary's Jenny Grace for the award. Grace was the hero for Tipperary in the All-Ireland final as she struck over nine frees with her final score being the match-winner in injury time for The Premier County.

Tynan had a superb year for Laois in her centre-back position. She came out with the sliotar in her hand on multiple occasions as well as popping up with long-range scores when her team needed them the most. None more so than when she scored 1-1 in her side's defeat of Cavan to reach the All-Ireland final.

Collier was Laois' top-scorer in 2024 where her accuracy from frees and from play along with her ability to get goals at crucial times was paramount to Laois performing the way that they did in 2024.

The PwC GPA Camogie Premier Junior Player of the Year category includes the following nominees:

Clodagh Tynan  Laois

Jenny Grace  Tipperary

Aimee Collier  Laois

The awards ceremony will take place in Croke Park on Friday, November 15.
Laois Independent TD and general election candidate Brian Stanley has hit out at the government's housing programme saying it is "failing workers who are trapped with their income just above the threshold for social housing.

This week I had another example of parents with four children living in a mobile home and who have no hope of getting on to the social housing waiting list as their joint income of 43,000 is just over the income for social housing. The flip side of this is that all attempts by them to get a mortgage or council loan has failed due to their income being too low," the former Sinn Fein TD said.



"Over the past couple of years I have come across numerous families trapped in this situation and in most cases they are caught in Private Rented Accommodation with no security of tenure and paying sky rocketing rents. The housing needs of these families are not being met at the moment. Families who are on incomes in the range of 40  60k are in the squeezed middle and who are under the most pressure.



The Portlaoise based TD said the government's Affordable to Purchase Scheme and Affordable Cost Rentals is not being delivered at the scale required to meet the crisis.



"In 2023, according to the department housing figures, just 97 were delivered across the State in cost rentals with just 6 of these in Co Laois. Under the Affordable to Purchase Scheme 499 houses were delivered across the State with only 8 of these in County. While FF/FG promised thousands the reality on the ground is we have snail pace delivery," he said.



The failure to address the predicament that thousands of families are caught in across Laois in Private Rented Accommodation, living on the edge not knowing when they are going to get a Notice to Quit or yet another increase in rent needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency by the new Government."



According to The Daft.ie Rental Price Report for Q3 of 2024, rental prices in Laois have risen 10% each year, and are up 56% from pre-Covid years. The recently published report reveals that the average rent in Laois is now 1,568, which is rising by 0.7% every three months.



There were 430 homes available to rent in Leinster, outside Dublin, on November 1st, down 9% on the same date a year previously - and about half the 2015-2019 average of just over 850.



The new incoming Government must scale up the Affordable to Buy housing schemes and in parallel with this roll out the cost rental home schemes for those who will never qualify for a mortgage or local authority loan," added Deputy Stanley.
Hundreds of staff based at St Fintan's Hospital have signed a petition calling for a staff canteen service to be restored for up to 500 workers to its pre-Covid levels.

Staff and their representatives took their campaign to management of the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise this week with a petition signed by variety of staff employed by the HSE and Tusla over what they say is the withdrawal of the service.

They say that before Covid-19 food was partially prepared in the St Fintan's canteen with the main service provided from the regional hospital. During the pandemic, the canteen service at St Fintan's was downsized due to the lack of staff. However, meals continued to be ferried to St Fintan's for staff in plastic containers.

However, this service has ended and no food is available through the St Fintan's canteen.

Backed by the trade union Forsa, they say that upwards of 500 staff work out of the St Fintan's campus in various expanding services. Apart from the local services, the buildings are also used by visiting staff on training courses from other parts of the country.

Henry Hennessy works in the St Fintan's campus and is also the chairperson of the Laois branch of the Forsa trade union. He spoke to the Leinster Express Laois Live at the hospital on Thursday, November 14.

"There is no facility to get a lunch now. You have to get into your car and drive to town or somewhere else to eat," said Mr Hennessy.

He claimed management's offer to staff at St Fintan's is that meals will be provided at Portlaoise hospital. However, the staff say it is unrealistic to avail of that for several reasons within the half-hour break allowed for lunch.

"First of all there is no parking up here," he said at the gates of the hospital this week.

He said the existing canteen in St Fintan's only has a tea-making facility but nothing else "not even a hand towel".

Mr Hennessy said that staff were led to believe that service would be restored to its pre-pandemic delivery as the pandemic ended. Various reasons have been given for its non-restoration such as the national HSE staff recruitment embargo.

He added that a budget for the canteen was previously allocated to St Fintan's for the canteen but that this has been centralised in Portlaoise hospital.

Mr Tony Martin, is AGS with Forsa is backing the move.

"It was an arbitrary move on behalf of the hospital to remove a facility that serves over 400," he said.

He said as a union talks are sought with managed to have the services restored. However, he said Portloise hospital nor the HSE will discuss the problem.

"Nobody wants to talk about people's food or how you feed people working for you...All we are seeking is a meeting to at the very least get the canteen where it once was," he said.

Staff working for the child and family agency Tusla are also affected as it has offices in St Fintan's. Maria Foyle is also a Forsa member said there are no vending machines only some coffee-making and microwave facilities.

The HSE has yet to comment.

The campaign was backed by Laois General Election candidate Cllr Willie Aird.
ABOVE:

Mick Shaughnessy, C&B Team Leader (front left) with Billy Ryan, FC, Danielle Boland, Bar Manager, Matthew OCallaghan Proprietor, Aneta Metiva, Restaurant Manager, Ber Coffey Leisure Club Manager and Philip Kelly, Marketing Manager with (back left to right) Launa Meridth, Reservations Manager, Sharon Deegan, C&B Sales Manager, Grainne Hennessey, C&B Sales Executive, Dennis Williams, Proprietor, Elizabeth Hickey, Front Office Manager, Seamus Preston, Joey Deering, Exec Chef and Robert McNamara Snr Duty Manager.

Pic. Robbie Reynolds

The new owners of the Keadeen Hotel have appointed Kildare native, Michael Masterson, as the new General Manager.

On Thursday evening, the Keadeen Hotels owners, Matthew OCallaghan and Denis Williams, warmly welcomed Senator Fiona OLoughlin, Cathal Barry TD and Councillors, Pat Balfe, Peggy ODwyer and Brian OLoughlin and the local community, marking a continued legacy of family ownership and community commitment.

The evening celebrated the OCallaghan Familys vision for Keadeens future, which include significant capital investment plans to both enhance the hotels current facilities, upgrade the Leisure Centre and to add on additional bedrooms which will enable the hotel to drive additional visitor numbers into the town and local area.

The hotel was acquired by the OCallaghan family last July, experienced hoteliers, and owners of both The Fairways Hotel and The Gateway Hotel in Dundalk.

Matthew OCallaghan, owner, commented, This evening was about celebrating the Keadeens legacy and sharing our commitment to its future with the Newbridge community. We look forward to adding new chapters to its rich history while retaining the warm, welcoming spirit that generations of guests have loved.

As part of this exciting transition, the OCallaghan family has appointed Kildare native, and tenured hotelier, Michael Masterson, as the new General Manager. With his deep connection to Newbridge and a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry, Masterson is poised to lead the hotel into its next phase of growth.

Michael Masterson, General Manager of the Keadeen Hotel, commented, It is an honor to be entrusted with the management of The Keadeen Hotel, a cornerstone of our local community here in Newbridge, and of Kildares thriving tourism industry.

"I look forward to bringing fresh perspectives to the Keadeen Hotel, alongside the OCallaghan Family and the iNUA Hotel Collection while honoring the hotels rich heritage.



Sean ODriscoll, Director of Hotels at Cliste Hospitality and CEO of The iNUA Collection, which manages The Keadeen on behalf of the OCallaghan family, added, It is a pleasure to celebrate this new chapter for the Keadeen Hotel alongside the Newbridge community. We are proud to be part of this journey with the OCallaghan family and look forward to supporting the hotels continued success in Kildare.

Established in 1970, The Keadeen boasts 69 luxurious bedrooms and extensive conference, occasion, banqueting, and is one of Irelands premier wedding venues  including The Amphitheatre: outdoor wedding and event venue.
There's been great excitement in Leitrim this week as nine-year-old Oran Cox has been chosen to appear on this year's Late Late Toy Show.

Oran, who is currently in third class in Annaduff National School, Carrick on Shannon, will be part of a brand new section of the show, the County Parade.

The County Parade will see kids from all over the country representing their county on a ride-on bike, scooter, or go-kart.

Oran applied for the show with his grandmother Annette and was then called to the Late Late headquarters in Dublin for an audition.

Cool as a breeze, Oran aced the audition, giving little info to his mother Andrea on how it went, "It was grand mammy," he said.

"We got the call last Friday to say that he was successful," says Andrea, "He was flying it. It's a great little confidence boost for him...he couldn't wait to go into school last week to tell all of his friends."

READ NEXT: Leitrim star in the running for best creator at TikTok awards

More importantly, the family had to take the trip back to the headquarters this week as Oran had to try out all of the different ride on's, scooters and go-karts that he will be using for the big parade.

They are due back up at the end of the month for a rehearsal, where all the kids who are representing their counties will get to meet and find out how the parade is going to go.

Then on the big day, December 6, Oran will travel up once more for his big debut, although only one parent/guardian will be allowed to accompany him, the family are so excited to see Oran on the big screen on one of the most talked about shows in the country.

Best of luck to Oran representing Leitrim and don't forget to tune in to see him in action at the County Parade on December 6 at 9.35pm.
During a campaign stop in Manorhamilton on Friday, November 15, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald emphasized her partys commitment to strengthening rural communities and supporting small businesses. She praised the regions creativity and innovation, celebrating local entrepreneurs who are driving progress in the west of Ireland.

Leitrim is a lovely county, isnt it? McDonald remarked during her visit to JJ and Shanes restaurant. And this is a gorgeous restaurant here now for four years. I think it is a testament to people from this part of Ireland who may go away for a while, gain experience, do well, but then have a real passion for coming back to their home place and investing here in the west of Ireland.

McDonald also highlighted the importance of fostering local enterprise and innovation to revitalize the region. Its where we bring students and industry together to come up with new innovative ideas and programs, she said, emphasizing the potential for Irelands economic and social growth.

A major focus of McDonalds visit was Sinn Feins pledge to introduce a 9% VAT rate for businesses such as cafes, restaurants, and hairdressersa measure she said is critical to saving local jobs and reducing the cost of living.

Sinn Fein will permanently cut VAT for the hospitality sector to save local jobs and tackle the cost of living, McDonald announced. Sinn Fein knows that many small businesses in the hospitality sector are under real pressure, particularly cafes, restaurants, and businesses like hairdressers. Far too many of these businesses have closed over the last year.

McDonald criticized the governments decision to raise the VAT rate to 13.5%, citing the closure of 600 small businesses in the last year alone. It is absolutely imperative that the 9% VAT rate is reinstated for businesses like this, she said. That has had a real impact, especially in towns and villages across rural Ireland.

She pledged that a Sinn Fein-led government would act swiftly to reduce the VAT rate. To save local jobs, a Sinn Fein-led government will introduce a reduced 9% VAT rate for the hospitality sector. We will implement this within the first 100 days of government, McDonald stated, adding that the measure is fully costed and a necessary intervention.

On the broader election campaign, McDonald exuded confidence in Sinn Feins vision for Ireland. This election presents people with the choice of change and a government led by Sinn Fein for the very first time, she said. The only way to get a change of government is to vote Sinn Fein.

McDonald concluded by reaffirming Sinn Feins dedication to rural investment and small businesses, stating, We will be as good as our word because we value small businesses like these, we value rural communities, and we know that they need every support.

Her message was clear: Sinn Feins leadership would prioritize the survival and growth of small businesses and ensure the vitality of rural Ireland.

Sinn Fein candidate Martin Kenny, who was also in attendance, called the housing crisis "the father of all other problems," stressing that the lack of available accommodation is at the heart of many challenges facing local communities. He pointed out that the shortage of housing is directly impacting the ability to attract essential workers, particularly teachers and healthcare professionals. "When you have new teachers come to a school, discover they can't find a place to rent or a place to live in their local community, and they may go somewhere else, all of those things are having an impact," he explained, highlighting the ripple effect on key services.

Kenny emphasized that addressing the housing shortage is critical for the stability of local economies and the well-being of residents. "The problem we have, and the big problem, is an accommodation problem, and a housing problem, and that's the real issue that we need to tackle," he stated. Without sufficient housing, both current residents and newcomers who are essential to filling jobs will continue to struggle. For Kenny, tackling the housing crisis is not just about meeting the demand for homesit's about ensuring a stable, thriving community for everyone.
Bristol Myers Squibb Receives Positive CHMP Opinion for Opdivo (nivolumab) plus Yervoy (ipilimumab) for the First-Line Treatment of Adult Patients with Microsatellite Instability?High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Metastatic Colorectal Cancer





Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended approval of Opdivo (nivolumab) plus Yervoy (ipilimumab) for the first-line treatment of adult patients with microsatellite instability?high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Of significance, the CheckMate -8HW trial results showed reduction in the risk of disease progression or death by 79% (HR: 0.21; 95% CI: 0.14-0.32; p<0.0001) compared to chemotherapy in this patient population. The European Commission (EC), which has the authority to approve medicines for the European Union (EU), will now review the recommendation and make their decision.

"Approximately 5-7% of metastatic colorectal cancer patients have dMMR or MSI-H tumors, and current treatment options often do not provide sufficient benefit," said Dana Walker, M.D., M.S.C.E., vice president, global program lead, gastrointestinal and genitourinary cancers, Bristol Myers Squibb. "This is the first dual checkpoint inhibitor treatment for first-line metastatic colorectal cancer, delivering a transformative benefit for MSI-H/dMMR patients in this population. We are focused on bringing Opdivo plus Yervoy to these patients in the European Union and look forward to EC's upcoming decision."

The positive opinion is based on results from the CheckMate -8HW trial, which were presented at medical congresses earlier this year. These data formed the basis for the Company's Type II variation application, which was validated by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). In the study, Opdivo plus Yervoy demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in the dual primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) compared to the investigator's choice of chemotherapy as assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review. In addition to the risk of disease progression or death the results noted, the safety profile for the dual immunotherapy combination remained consistent with previously reported data and was manageable with established protocols, with no new safety signals identified.

In October 2024, it was announced that Opdivo plus Yervoy also demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in the dual endpoint of PFS per BICR compared to Opdivo monotherapy across all lines of therapy. The study is ongoing to assess various secondary endpoints, including overall survival (OS).

Bristol Myers Squibb thanks the patients and investigators involved in the CheckMate -8HW clinical trial.

About CheckMate -8HW

CheckMate -8HW (NCT04008030) is a Phase 3 randomized, open-label trial evaluating Opdivo plus Yervoy compared to Opdivo alone or the investigator's choice chemotherapy (mFOLFOX-6 or FOLFIRI with or without bevacizumab or cetuximab) in patients with microsatellite instability?high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

839 patients were randomized to receive either Opdivo monotherapy (Opdivo 240 mg Q2W for six doses, followed by Opdivo 480 mg Q4W), Opdivo plus Yervoy (Opdivo 240 mg plus Yervoy 1 mg/kg Q3W for four doses, followed by Opdivo 480 mg Q4W), or investigator's choice of chemotherapy. The dual primary endpoints of the trial are progression-free survival (PFS) per blinded independent central review (BICR) for Opdivo plus Yervoy compared to investigator's choice of chemotherapy in the firstline setting and PFS per BICR for Opdivo plus Yervoy compared to Opdivo alone across all lines of therapy.

CheckMate-8HW has also met its other dual primary point of PFS per BICR Opdivo plus Yervoy compared to Opdivo across all lines therapy in randomized subjects with centrally confirmed MSI-H/dMMR mCRC at the second interim analysis in September 2024, and data disclosure is planned for an upcoming medical conference. The trial also evaluates several secondary safety and efficacy endpoints, including overall survival, which is ongoing.

About dMMR or MSI-H Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is cancer that develops in the colon or the rectum, which are part of the body's digestive or gastrointestinal system. CRC is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world. In 2020, it is estimated that there were approximately 1,931,000 new cases of the disease; it is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men and women combined.

Mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) occurs when the proteins that repair mismatch errors in DNA replication are missing or non-functional, leading to microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) tumors. Approximately 5-7% of metastatic CRC patients have dMMR or MSI-H tumors. These patients are less likely to benefit from conventional chemotherapy and typically have a poor prognosis.

Bristol Myers Squibb: Creating a Better Future for People with Cancer

Bristol Myers Squibb is inspired by a single vision ? transforming patients' lives through science. The goal of the company's cancer research is to deliver medicines that offer each patient a better, healthier life and to make cure a possibility. Building on a legacy across a broad range of cancers that have changed survival expectations for many, Bristol Myers Squibb researchers are exploring new frontiers in personalized medicine and, through innovative digital platforms, are turning data into insights that sharpen their focus. Deep understanding of causal human biology, cutting-edge capabilities and differentiated research programs uniquely position the company to approach cancer from every angle.

Cancer can have a relentless grasp on many parts of a patient's life, and Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to taking actions to address all aspects of care, from diagnosis to survivorship. As a leader in cancer care, Bristol Myers Squibb is working to empower all people with cancer to have a better future.

About Opdivo

Opdivo is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to uniquely harness the body's own immune system to help restore anti-tumor immune response. By harnessing the body's own immune system to fight cancer, Opdivo has become an important treatment option across multiple cancers.

Opdivo's leading global development program is based on Bristol Myers Squibb's scientific expertise in the field of Immuno-Oncology and includes a broad range of clinical trials across all phases, including Phase 3, in a variety of tumor types. To date, the Opdivo clinical development program has treated more than 35,000 patients. The Opdivo trials have contributed to gaining a deeper understanding of the potential role of biomarkers in patient care, particularly regarding how patients may benefit from Opdivo across the continuum of PD-L1 expression.

In July 2014, Opdivo was the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world. Opdivo is currently approved in more than 65 countries, including the United States, the European Union, Japan and China. In October 2015, the Company's Opdivo and Yervoy combination regimen was the first Immuno-Oncology combination to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and is currently approved in more than 50 countries, including the United States and the European Union.

About Yervoy

Yervoy is a recombinant, human monoclonal antibody that binds to the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4). CTLA-4 is a negative regulator of T-cell activity. Yervoy binds to CTLA-4 and blocks the interaction of CTLA-4 with its ligands, CD80/CD86. Blockade of CTLA-4 has been shown to augment T-cell activation and proliferation, including the activation and proliferation of tumor infiltrating T-effector cells. Inhibition of CTLA-4 signaling can also reduce T-regulatory cell function, which may contribute to a general increase in T-cell responsiveness, including the anti-tumor immune response. On March 25, 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Yervoy 3 mg/kg monotherapy for patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma. Yervoy is approved for unresectable or metastatic melanoma in more than 50 countries. There is a broad, ongoing development program in place for Yervoy spanning multiple tumor types.

INDICATIONS

OPDIVO (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.

OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.

OPDIVO is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older with completely resected Stage IIB, Stage IIC, Stage III, or Stage IV melanoma.

OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated as neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors ?4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

OPDIVO (nivolumab) in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors ?4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and no known epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements, followed by single-agent OPDIVO as adjuvant treatment after surgery.

OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (?1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.

OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY (ipilimumab) and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.

OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO.

OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).

OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with cabozantinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy.

OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin or after 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.

OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy.

OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.

OPDIVO (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC.

OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with cisplatin and gemcitabine, is indicated as first-line treatment for adult patients with unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma.

OPDIVO (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.

OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.

OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.

OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.

OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in adult patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Severe and Fatal Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions

Immune-mediated adverse reactions listed herein may not include all possible severe and fatal immune-mediated adverse reactions.

Immune-mediated adverse reactions, which may be severe or fatal, can occur in any organ system or tissue. While immune-mediated adverse reactions usually manifest during treatment, they can also occur after discontinuation of OPDIVO or YERVOY. Early identification and management are essential to ensure safe use of OPDIVO and YERVOY. Monitor for signs and symptoms that may be clinical manifestations of underlying immune-mediated adverse reactions. Evaluate clinical chemistries including liver enzymes, creatinine, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) level, and thyroid function at baseline and periodically during treatment with OPDIVO and before each dose of YERVOY. In cases of suspected immune-mediated adverse reactions, initiate appropriate workup to exclude alternative etiologies, including infection. Institute medical management promptly, including specialty consultation as appropriate.

Withhold or permanently discontinue OPDIVO and YERVOY depending on severity (please see section 2 Dosage and Administration in the accompanying Full Prescribing Information). In general, if OPDIVO or YERVOY interruption or discontinuation is required, administer systemic corticosteroid therapy (1 to 2 mg/kg/day prednisone or equivalent) until improvement to Grade 1 or less. Upon improvement to Grade 1 or less, initiate corticosteroid taper and continue to taper over at least 1 month. Consider administration of other systemic immunosuppressants in patients whose immune-mediated adverse reactions are not controlled with corticosteroid therapy. Toxicity management guidelines for adverse reactions that do not necessarily require systemic steroids (e.g., endocrinopathies and dermatologic reactions) are discussed below.

Immune-Mediated Pneumonitis

OPDIVO and YERVOY can cause immune-mediated pneumonitis. The incidence of pneumonitis is higher in patients who have received prior thoracic radiation. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, immune- mediated pneumonitis occurred in 3.1% (61/1994) of patients, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (0.9%), and Grade 2 (2.1%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, immune- mediated pneumonitis occurred in 7% (31/456) of patients, including Grade 4 (0.2%), Grade 3 (2.0%), and Grade 2 (4.4%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, immune- mediated pneumonitis occurred in 3.9% (26/666) of patients, including Grade 3 (1.4%) and Grade 2 (2.6%). In NSCLC patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 6 weeks, immune- mediated pneumonitis occurred in 9% (50/576) of patients, including Grade 4 (0.5%), Grade 3 (3.5%), and Grade 2 (4.0%). Four patients (0.7%) died due to pneumonitis.

In Checkmate 205 and 039, pneumonitis, including interstitial lung disease, occurred in 6.0% (16/266) of patients receiving OPDIVO. Immune-mediated pneumonitis occurred in 4.9% (13/266) of patients receiving OPDIVO, including Grade 3 (n=1) and Grade 2 (n=12).

Immune-Mediated Colitis

OPDIVO and YERVOY can cause immune-mediated colitis, which may be fatal. A common symptom included in the definition of colitis was diarrhea. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection/reactivation has been reported in patients with corticosteroid-refractory immune-mediated colitis. In cases of corticosteroid-refractory colitis, consider repeating infectious workup to exclude alternative etiologies. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, immune-mediated colitis occurred in 2.9% (58/1994) of patients, including Grade 3 (1.7%) and Grade 2 (1%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, immune-mediated colitis occurred in 25% (115/456) of patients, including Grade 4 (0.4%), Grade 3 (14%) and Grade 2 (8%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, immune-mediated colitis occurred in 9% (60/666) of patients, including Grade 3 (4.4%) and Grade 2 (3.7%).

Immune-Mediated Hepatitis and Hepatotoxicity

OPDIVO and YERVOY can cause immune-mediated hepatitis. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, immune-mediated hepatitis occurred in 1.8% (35/1994) of patients, including Grade 4 (0.2%), Grade 3 (1.3%), and Grade 2 (0.4%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, immune- mediated hepatitis occurred in 15% (70/456) of patients, including Grade 4 (2.4%), Grade 3 (11%), and Grade 2 (1.8%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, immune-mediated hepatitis occurred in 7% (48/666) of patients, including Grade 4 (1.2%), Grade 3 (4.9%), and Grade 2 (0.4%).

OPDIVO in combination with cabozantinib can cause hepatic toxicity with higher frequencies of Grade 3 and 4 ALT and AST elevations compared to OPDIVO alone. Consider more frequent monitoring of liver enzymes as compared to when the drugs are administered as single agents. In patients receiving OPDIVO and cabozantinib, Grades 3 and 4 increased ALT or AST were seen in 11% of patients.

Immune-Mediated Endocrinopathies

OPDIVO and YERVOY can cause primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency, immune-mediated hypophysitis, immune-mediated thyroid disorders, and Type 1 diabetes mellitus, which can present with diabetic ketoacidosis. Withhold OPDIVO and YERVOY depending on severity (please see section 2 Dosage and Administration in the accompanying Full Prescribing Information). For Grade 2 or higher adrenal insufficiency, initiate symptomatic treatment, including hormone replacement as clinically indicated. Hypophysitis can present with acute symptoms associated with mass effect such as headache, photophobia, or visual field defects. Hypophysitis can cause hypopituitarism; initiate hormone replacement as clinically indicated. Thyroiditis can present with or without endocrinopathy. Hypothyroidism can follow hyperthyroidism; initiate hormone replacement or medical management as clinically indicated. Monitor patients for hyperglycemia or other signs and symptoms of diabetes; initiate treatment with insulin as clinically indicated.

In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, adrenal insufficiency occurred in 1% (20/1994), including Grade 3 (0.4%) and Grade 2 (0.6%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, adrenal insufficiency occurred in 8% (35/456), including Grade 4 (0.2%), Grade 3 (2.4%), and Grade 2 (4.2%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, adrenal insufficiency occurred in 7% (48/666) of patients, including Grade 4 (0.3%), Grade 3 (2.5%), and Grade 2 (4.1%). In patients receiving OPDIVO and cabozantinib, adrenal insufficiency occurred in 4.7% (15/320) of patients, including Grade 3 (2.2%) and Grade 2 (1.9%).

In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, hypophysitis occurred in 0.6% (12/1994) of patients, including Grade 3 (0.2%) and Grade 2 (0.3%).

In patients receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, hypophysitis occurred in 9% (42/456), including Grade 3 (2.4%) and Grade 2 (6%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, hypophysitis occurred in 4.4% (29/666) of patients, including Grade 4 (0.3%), Grade 3 (2.4%), and Grade 2 (0.9%).

In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, thyroiditis occurred in 0.6% (12/1994) of patients, including Grade 2 (0.2%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, thyroiditis occurred in 2.7% (22/666) of patients, including Grade 3 (4.5%) and Grade 2 (2.2%).

In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, hyperthyroidism occurred in 2.7% (54/1994) of patients, including Grade 3 (<0.1%) and Grade 2 (1.2%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, hyperthyroidism occurred in 9% (42/456) of patients, including Grade 3 (0.9%) and Grade 2 (4.2%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, hyperthyroidism occurred in 12% (80/666) of patients, including Grade 3 (0.6%) and Grade 2 (4.5%).

In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, hypothyroidism occurred in 8% (163/1994) of patients, including Grade 3 (0.2%) and Grade 2 (4.8%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, hypothyroidism occurred in 20% (91/456) of patients, including Grade 3 (0.4%) and Grade 2 (11%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, hypothyroidism occurred in 18% (122/666) of patients, including Grade 3 (0.6%) and Grade 2 (11%).

In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, diabetes occurred in 0.9% (17/1994) of patients, including Grade 3 (0.4%) and Grade 2 (0.3%), and 2 cases of diabetic ketoacidosis. In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, diabetes occurred in 2.7% (15/666) of patients, including Grade 4 (0.6%), Grade 3 (0.3%), and Grade 2 (0.9%).

Immune-Mediated Nephritis with Renal Dysfunction

OPDIVO and YERVOY can cause immune-mediated nephritis. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, immune-mediated nephritis and renal dysfunction occurred in 1.2% (23/1994) of patients, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (0.5%), and Grade 2 (0.6%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, immune-mediated nephritis with renal dysfunction occurred in 4.1% (27/666) of patients, including Grade 4 (0.6%), Grade 3 (1.1%), and Grade 2 (2.2%).

Immune-Mediated Dermatologic Adverse Reactions

OPDIVO can cause immune-mediated rash or dermatitis. Exfoliative dermatitis, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) has occurred with PD-1/PD-L1 blocking antibodies. Topical emollients and/or topical corticosteroids may be adequate to treat mild to moderate nonexfoliative rashes.

YERVOY can cause immune-mediated rash or dermatitis, including bullous and exfoliative dermatitis, SJS, TEN, and DRESS. Topical emollients and/or topical corticosteroids may be adequate to treat mild to moderate non-bullous/exfoliative rashes.

Withhold or permanently discontinue OPDIVO and YERVOY depending on severity (please see section 2 Dosage and Administration in the accompanying Full Prescribing Information).

In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, immune-mediated rash occurred in 9% (171/1994) of patients, including Grade 3 (1.1%) and Grade 2 (2.2%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, immune-mediated rash occurred in 28% (127/456) of patients, including Grade 3 (4.8%) and Grade 2 (10%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, immune-mediated rash occurred in 16% (108/666) of patients, including Grade 3 (3.5%) and Grade 2 (4.2%).

Other Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions

The following clinically significant immune-mediated adverse reactions occurred at an incidence of <1% (unless otherwise noted) in patients who received OPDIVO monotherapy or OPDIVO in combination with YERVOY or were reported with the use of other PD-1/PD-L1 blocking antibodies. Severe or fatal cases have been reported for some of these adverse reactions: cardiac/vascular: myocarditis, pericarditis, vasculitis; nervous system: meningitis, encephalitis, myelitis and demyelination, myasthenic syndrome/myasthenia gravis (including exacerbation), Guillain-Barre syndrome, nerve paresis, autoimmune neuropathy; ocular: uveitis, iritis, and other ocular inflammatory toxicities can occur; gastrointestinal: pancreatitis to include increases in serum amylase and lipase levels, gastritis, duodenitis; musculoskeletal and connective tissue: myositis/polymyositis, rhabdomyolysis, and associated sequelae including renal failure, arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica; endocrine: hypoparathyroidism; other (hematologic/immune): hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), systemic inflammatory response syndrome, histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (Kikuchi lymphadenitis), sarcoidosis, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, solid organ transplant rejection, other transplant (including corneal graft) rejection.

In addition to the immune-mediated adverse reactions listed above, across clinical trials of YERVOY monotherapy or in combination with OPDIVO, the following clinically significant immune-mediated adverse reactions, some with fatal outcome, occurred in <1% of patients unless otherwise specified: nervous system: autoimmune neuropathy (2%), myasthenic syndrome/myasthenia gravis, motor dysfunction; cardiovascular: angiopathy, temporal arteritis; ocular: blepharitis, episcleritis, orbital myositis, scleritis; gastrointestinal: pancreatitis (1.3%); other (hematologic/immune): conjunctivitis, cytopenias (2.5%), eosinophilia (2.1%), erythema multiforme, hypersensitivity vasculitis, neurosensory hypoacusis, psoriasis.

Some ocular IMAR cases can be associated with retinal detachment. Various grades of visual impairment, including blindness, can occur. If uveitis occurs in combination with other immune-mediated adverse reactions, consider a Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada?like syndrome, which has been observed in patients receiving OPDIVO and YERVOY, as this may require treatment with systemic corticosteroids to reduce the risk of permanent vision loss.

Infusion-Related Reactions

OPDIVO and YERVOY can cause severe infusion-related reactions. Discontinue OPDIVO and YERVOY in patients with severe (Grade 3) or life-threatening (Grade 4) infusion-related reactions. Interrupt or slow the rate of infusion in patients with mild (Grade 1) or moderate (Grade 2) infusion-related reactions. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy as a 60-minute infusion, infusion-related reactions occurred in 6.4% (127/1994) of patients. In a separate trial in which patients received OPDIVO monotherapy as a 60-minute infusion or a 30- minute infusion, infusion-related reactions occurred in 2.2% (8/368) and 2.7% (10/369) of patients, respectively. Additionally, 0.5% (2/368) and 1.4% (5/369) of patients, respectively, experienced adverse reactions within 48 hours of infusion that led to dose delay, permanent discontinuation or withholding of OPDIVO. In melanoma patients receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, infusion-related reactions occurred in 2.5% (10/407) of patients. In HCC patients receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, infusion-related reactions occurred in 8% (4/49) of patients. In RCC patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, infusion-related reactions occurred in 5.1% (28/547) of patients. In MSI- H/dMMR mCRC patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, infusion-related reactions occurred in 4.2% (5/119) of patients. In MPM patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 6 weeks, infusion-related reactions occurred in 12% (37/300) of patients.

Complications of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Fatal and other serious complications can occur in patients who receive allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) before or after being treated with OPDIVO or YERVOY. Transplant-related complications include hyperacute graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD), acute GVHD, chronic GVHD, hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) after reduced intensity conditioning, and steroid-requiring febrile syndrome (without an identified infectious cause). These complications may occur despite intervening therapy between OPDIVO or YERVOY and allogeneic HSCT.

Follow patients closely for evidence of transplant-related complications and intervene promptly. Consider the benefit versus risks of treatment with OPDIVO and YERVOY prior to or after an allogeneic HSCT.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

Based on its mechanism of action and findings from animal studies, OPDIVO and YERVOY can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. The effects of YERVOY are likely to be greater during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with OPDIVO and YERVOY and for at least 5 months after the last dose.

Increased Mortality in Patients with Multiple Myeloma when OPDIVO is Added to a Thalidomide Analogue and Dexamethasone

In randomized clinical trials in patients with multiple myeloma, the addition of OPDIVO to a thalidomide analogue plus dexamethasone resulted in increased mortality. Treatment of patients with multiple myeloma with a PD-1 or PD-L1 blocking antibody in combination with a thalidomide analogue plus dexamethasone is not recommended outside of controlled clinical trials.

Lactation

There are no data on the presence of OPDIVO or YERVOY in human milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed children, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment and for 5 months after the last dose.

Serious Adverse Reactions

In Checkmate 037, serious adverse reactions occurred in 41% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=268). Grade 3 and 4 adverse reactions occurred in 42% of patients receiving OPDIVO. The most frequent Grade 3 and 4 adverse drug reactions reported in 2% to <5% of patients receiving OPDIVO were abdominal pain, hyponatremia, increased aspartate aminotransferase, and increased lipase. In Checkmate 066, serious adverse reactions occurred in 36% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=206). Grade 3 and 4 adverse reactions occurred in 41% of patients receiving OPDIVO. The most frequent Grade 3 and 4 adverse reactions reported in ?2% of patients receiving OPDIVO were gamma-glutamyltransferase increase (3.9%) and diarrhea (3.4%). In Checkmate 067, serious adverse reactions (74% and 44%), adverse reactions leading to permanent discontinuation (47% and 18%) or to dosing delays (58% and 36%), and Grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions (72% and 51%) all occurred more frequently in the OPDIVO plus YERVOY arm (n=313) relative to the OPDIVO arm (n=313). The most frequent (?10%) serious adverse reactions in the OPDIVO plus YERVOY arm and the OPDIVO arm, respectively, were diarrhea (13% and 2.2%), colitis (10% and 1.9%), and pyrexia (10% and 1.0%). In Checkmate 238, serious adverse reactions occurred in 18% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=452). Grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions occurred in 25% of OPDIVO-treated patients (n=452). The most frequent Grade 3 and 4 adverse reactions reported in ?2% of OPDIVO-treated patients were diarrhea and increased lipase and amylase. In Checkmate 816, serious adverse reactions occurred in 30% of patients (n=176) who were treated with OPDIVO in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy. Serious adverse reactions in >2% included pneumonia and vomiting. No fatal adverse reactions occurred in patients who received OPDIVO in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy. In Checkmate 77T, serious adverse reactions occurred in 21% of patients who received OPDIVO in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment (n=228). The most frequent (?2%) serious adverse reactions was pneumonia. Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 2.2% of patients, due to cerebrovascular accident, COVID-19 infection, hemoptysis, pneumonia, and pneumonitis (0.4% each). In the adjuvant phase of Checkmate 77T, 22% of patients experienced serious adverse reactions (n=142). The most frequent serious adverse reaction was pneumonitis/ILD (2.8%). One fatal adverse reaction due to COVID-19 occurred. In Checkmate 227, serious adverse reactions occurred in 58% of patients (n=576). The most frequent (?2%) serious adverse reactions were pneumonia, diarrhea/colitis, pneumonitis, hepatitis, pulmonary embolism, adrenal insufficiency, and hypophysitis. Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 1.7% of patients; these included events of pneumonitis (4 patients), myocarditis, acute kidney injury, shock, hyperglycemia, multi-system organ failure, and renal failure. In Checkmate 9LA, serious adverse reactions occurred in 57% of patients (n=358). The most frequent (>2%) serious adverse reactions were pneumonia, diarrhea, febrile neutropenia, anemia, acute kidney injury, musculoskeletal pain, dyspnea, pneumonitis, and respiratory failure. Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 7 (2%) patients, and included hepatic toxicity, acute renal failure, sepsis, pneumonitis, diarrhea with hypokalemia, and massive hemoptysis in the setting of thrombocytopenia. In Checkmate 017 and 057, serious adverse reactions occurred in 46% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=418). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in ?2% of patients receiving OPDIVO were pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, dyspnea, pyrexia, pleural effusion, pneumonitis, and respiratory failure. In Checkmate 057, fatal adverse reactions occurred; these included events of infection (7 patients, including one case of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia), pulmonary embolism (4 patients), and limbic encephalitis (1 patient). In Checkmate 743, serious adverse reactions occurred in 54% of patients receiving OPDIVO plus YERVOY. The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in ?2% of patients were pneumonia, pyrexia, diarrhea, pneumonitis, pleural effusion, dyspnea, acute kidney injury, infusion-related reaction, musculoskeletal pain, and pulmonary embolism. Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 4 (1.3%) patients and included pneumonitis, acute heart failure, sepsis, and encephalitis. In Checkmate 214, serious adverse reactions occurred in 59% of patients receiving OPDIVO plus YERVOY (n=547). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in ?2% of patients were diarrhea, pyrexia, pneumonia, pneumonitis, hypophysitis, acute kidney injury, dyspnea, adrenal insufficiency, and colitis. In Checkmate 9ER, serious adverse reactions occurred in 48% of patients receiving OPDIVO and cabozantinib (n=320). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in ?2% of patients were diarrhea, pneumonia, pneumonitis, pulmonary embolism, urinary tract infection, and hyponatremia. Fatal intestinal perforations occurred in 3 (0.9%) patients. In Checkmate 025, serious adverse reactions occurred in 47% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=406). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in ?2% of patients were acute kidney injury, pleural effusion, pneumonia, diarrhea, and hypercalcemia. In Checkmate 205 and 039, adverse reactions leading to discontinuation occurred in 7% and dose delays due to adverse reactions occurred in 34% of patients (n=266). Serious adverse reactions occurred in 26% of patients. The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in ?1% of patients were pneumonia, infusion-related reaction, pyrexia, colitis or diarrhea, pleural effusion, pneumonitis, and rash. Eleven patients died from causes other than disease progression: 3 from adverse reactions within 30 days of the last OPDIVO dose, 2 from infection 8 to 9 months after completing OPDIVO, and 6 from complications of allogeneic HSCT. In Checkmate 141, serious adverse reactions occurred in 49% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=236). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in ?2% of patients receiving OPDIVO were pneumonia, dyspnea, respiratory failure, respiratory tract infection, and sepsis. In Checkmate 275, serious adverse reactions occurred in 54% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=270). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in ?2% of patients receiving OPDIVO were urinary tract infection, sepsis, diarrhea, small intestine obstruction, and general physical health deterioration. In Checkmate 274, serious adverse reactions occurred in 30% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=351). The most frequent serious adverse reaction reported in ?2% of patients receiving OPDIVO was urinary tract infection. Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 1% of patients; these included events of pneumonitis (0.6%). In Checkmate 901, serious adverse reactions occurred in 48% of patients receiving OPDIVO in combination with chemotherapy. The most frequent serious adverse reactions reporting in ?2% of patients who received OPDIVO with chemotherapy were urinary tract infection (4.9%), acute kidney injury (4.3%), anemia (3%), pulmonary embolism (2.6%), sepsis (2.3%), and platelet count decreased (2.3%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 3.6% of patients who received OPDIVO in combination with chemotherapy; these included sepsis (1%). OPDIVO and/or chemotherapy were discontinued in 30% of patients and were delayed in 67% of patients for an adverse reaction. In Checkmate 142 in MSI-H/dMMR mCRC patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY (n=119), serious adverse reactions occurred in 47% of patients. The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in ?2% of patients were colitis/diarrhea, hepatic events, abdominal pain, acute kidney injury, pyrexia, and dehydration. In Checkmate 040, serious adverse reactions occurred in 59% of patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY (n=49). Serious adverse reactions reported in ?4% of patients were pyrexia, diarrhea, anemia, increased AST, adrenal insufficiency, ascites, esophageal varices hemorrhage, hyponatremia, increased blood bilirubin, and pneumonitis. In Attraction-3, serious adverse reactions occurred in 38% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=209). Serious adverse reactions reported in ?2% of patients who received OPDIVO were pneumonia, esophageal fistula, interstitial lung disease, and pyrexia. The following fatal adverse reactions occurred in patients who received OPDIVO: interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis (1.4%), pneumonia (1.0%), septic shock (0.5%), esophageal fistula (0.5%), gastrointestinal hemorrhage (0.5%), pulmonary embolism (0.5%), and sudden death (0.5%). In Checkmate 577, serious adverse reactions occurred in 33% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=532). A serious adverse reaction reported in ?2% of patients who received OPDIVO was pneumonitis. A fatal reaction of myocardial infarction occurred in one patient who received OPDIVO. In Checkmate 648, serious adverse reactions occurred in 62% of patients receiving OPDIVO in combination with chemotherapy (n=310). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in ?2% of patients who received OPDIVO with chemotherapy were pneumonia (11%), dysphagia (7%), esophageal stenosis (2.9%), acute kidney injury (2.9%), and pyrexia (2.3%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 5 (1.6%) patients who received OPDIVO in combination with chemotherapy; these included pneumonitis, pneumatosis intestinalis, pneumonia, and acute kidney injury. In Checkmate 648, serious adverse reactions occurred in 69% of patients receiving OPDIVO in combination with YERVOY (n=322). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in ?2% who received OPDIVO in combination with YERVOY were pneumonia (10%), pyrexia (4.3%), pneumonitis (4.0%), aspiration pneumonia (3.7%), dysphagia (3.7%), hepatic function abnormal (2.8%), decreased appetite (2.8%), adrenal insufficiency (2.5%), and dehydration (2.5%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 5 (1.6%) patients who received OPDIVO in combination with YERVOY; these included pneumonitis, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary embolism, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. In Checkmate 649, serious adverse reactions occurred in 52% of patients treated with OPDIVO in combination with chemotherapy (n=782). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in ?2% of patients treated with OPDIVO in combination with chemotherapy were vomiting (3.7%), pneumonia (3.6%), anemia (3.6%), pyrexia (2.8%), diarrhea (2.7%), febrile neutropenia (2.6%), and pneumonitis (2.4%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 16 (2.0%) patients who were treated with OPDIVO in combination with chemotherapy; these included pneumonitis (4 patients), febrile neutropenia (2 patients), stroke (2 patients), gastrointestinal toxicity, intestinal mucositis, septic shock, pneumonia, infection, gastrointestinal bleeding, mesenteric vessel thrombosis, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. In Checkmate 76K, serious adverse reactions occurred in 18% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=524). Adverse reactions which resulted in permanent discontinuation of OPDIVO in >1% of patients included arthralgia (1.7%), rash (1.7%), and diarrhea (1.1%). A fatal adverse reaction occurred in 1 (0.2%) patient (heart failure and acute kidney injury). The most frequent Grade 3-4 lab abnormalities reported in ?1% of OPDIVO-treated patients were increased lipase (2.9%), increased AST (2.2%), increased ALT (2.1%), lymphopenia (1.1%), and decreased potassium (1.0%).

Common Adverse Reactions

In Checkmate 037, the most common adverse reaction (?20%) reported with OPDIVO (n=268) was rash (21%). In Checkmate 066, the most common adverse reactions (?20%) reported with OPDIVO (n=206) vs dacarbazine (n=205) were fatigue (49% vs 39%), musculoskeletal pain (32% vs 25%), rash (28% vs 12%), and pruritus (23% vs 12%). In Checkmate 067, the most common (?20%) adverse reactions in the OPDIVO plus YERVOY arm (n=313) were fatigue (62%), diarrhea (54%), rash (53%), nausea (44%), pyrexia (40%), pruritus (39%), musculoskeletal pain (32%), vomiting (31%), decreased appetite (29%), cough (27%), headache (26%), dyspnea (24%), upper respiratory tract infection (23%), arthralgia (21%), and increased transaminases (25%). In Checkmate 067, the most common (?20%) adverse reactions in the OPDIVO arm (n=313) were fatigue (59%), rash (40%), musculoskeletal pain (42%), diarrhea (36%), nausea (30%), cough (28%), pruritus (27%), upper respiratory tract infection (22%), decreased appetite (22%), headache (22%), constipation (21%), arthralgia (21%), and vomiting (20%). In Checkmate 238, the most common adverse reactions (?20%) reported in OPDIVO-treated patients (n=452) vs ipilimumab-treated patients (n=453) were fatigue (57% vs 55%), diarrhea (37% vs 55%), rash (35% vs 47%), musculoskeletal pain (32% vs 27%), pruritus (28% vs 37%),headache (23% vs 31%), nausea (23% vs 28%), upper respiratory infection (22% vs 15%), and abdominal pain (21% vs 23%). The most common immune-mediated adverse reactions were rash (16%), diarrhea/colitis (6%), and hepatitis (3%). In Checkmate 816, the most common (>20%) adverse reactions in the OPDIVO plus chemotherapy arm (n=176) were nausea (38%), constipation (34%), fatigue (26%), decreased appetite (20%), and rash (20%). In Checkmate 77T, the most common adverse reactions (reported in ?20%) in patients receiving OPDIVO in combination with chemotherapy (n= 228) were anemia (39.5%), constipation (32.0%), nausea (28.9%), fatigue (28.1%), alopecia (25.9%), and cough (21.9%). In Checkmate 227, the most common (?20%) adverse reactions were fatigue (44%), rash (34%), decreased appetite (31%), musculoskeletal pain (27%), diarrhea/colitis (26%), dyspnea (26%), cough (23%), hepatitis (21%), nausea (21%), and pruritus (21%). In Checkmate 9LA, the most common (>20%) adverse reactions were fatigue (49%), musculoskeletal pain (39%), nausea (32%), diarrhea (31%), rash (30%), decreased appetite (28%), constipation (21%), and pruritus (21%). In Checkmate 017 and 057, the most common adverse reactions (?20%) in patients receiving OPDIVO (n=418) were fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, cough, dyspnea, and decreased appetite. In Checkmate 743, the most common adverse reactions (?20%) in patients receiving OPDIVO plus YERVOY were fatigue (43%), musculoskeletal pain (38%), rash (34%), diarrhea (32%), dyspnea (27%), nausea (24%), decreased appetite (24%), cough (23%), and pruritus (21%). In Checkmate 214, the most common adverse reactions (?20%) reported in patients treated with OPDIVO plus YERVOY (n=547) were fatigue (58%), rash (39%), diarrhea (38%), musculoskeletal pain (37%), pruritus (33%), nausea (30%), cough (28%), pyrexia (25%), arthralgia (23%), decreased appetite (21%), dyspnea (20%), and vomiting (20%). In Checkmate 9ER, the most common adverse reactions (?20%) in patients receiving OPDIVO and cabozantinib (n=320) were diarrhea (64%), fatigue (51%), hepatotoxicity (44%), palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia syndrome (40%), stomatitis (37%), rash (36%), hypertension (36%), hypothyroidism (34%), musculoskeletal pain (33%), decreased appetite (28%), nausea (27%), dysgeusia (24%), abdominal pain (22%), cough (20%) and upper respiratory tract infection (20%). In Checkmate 025, the most common adverse reactions (?20%) reported in patients receiving OPDIVO (n=406) vs everolimus (n=397) were fatigue (56% vs 57%), cough (34% vs 38%), nausea (28% vs 29%), rash (28% vs 36%), dyspnea (27% vs 31%), diarrhea (25% vs 32%), constipation (23% vs 18%), decreased appetite (23% vs 30%), back pain (21% vs 16%), and arthralgia (20% vs 14%). In Checkmate 205 and 039, the most common adverse reactions (?20%) reported in patients receiving OPDIVO (n=266) were upper respiratory tract infection (44%), fatigue (39%), cough (36%), diarrhea (33%), pyrexia (29%), musculoskeletal pain (26%), rash (24%), nausea (20%) and pruritus (20%). In Checkmate 141, the most common adverse reactions (?10%) in patients receiving OPDIVO (n=236) were cough (14%) and dyspnea (14%) at a higher incidence than investigator's choice. In Checkmate 275, the most common adverse reactions (?20%) reported in patients receiving OPDIVO (n=270) were fatigue (46%), musculoskeletal pain (30%), nausea (22%), and decreased appetite (22%). In Checkmate 274, the most common adverse reactions (?20%) reported in patients receiving OPDIVO (n=351) were rash (36%), fatigue (36%), diarrhea (30%), pruritus (30%), musculoskeletal pain (28%), and urinary tract infection (22%).In Checkmate 901, the most common adverse reactions (?20%) were nausea, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, constipation, decreased appetite, rash, vomiting, and peripheral neuropathy. In Checkmate 142 in MSI-H/dMMR mCRC patients receiving OPDIVO as a single agent (n=74), the most common adverse reactions (?20%) were fatigue (54%), diarrhea (43%), abdominal pain (34%), nausea (34%), vomiting (28%), musculoskeletal pain (28%), cough (26%), pyrexia (24%), rash (23%), constipation (20%), and upper respiratory tract infection (20%). In Checkmate 142 in MSI-H/dMMR mCRC patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY (n=119), the most common adverse reactions (?20%) were fatigue (49%), diarrhea (45%), pyrexia (36%), musculoskeletal pain (36%), abdominal pain (30%), pruritus (28%), nausea (26%), rash (25%), decreased appetite (20%), and vomiting (20%). In Checkmate 040, the most common adverse reactions (?20%) in patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY (n=49), were rash (53%), pruritus (53%), musculoskeletal pain (41%), diarrhea (39%), cough (37%), decreased appetite (35%), fatigue (27%), pyrexia (27%), abdominal pain (22%), headache (22%), nausea (20%), dizziness (20%), hypothyroidism (20%), and weight decreased (20%). In Attraction-3, the most common adverse reactions (?20%) in OPDIVO-treated patients (n=209) were rash (22%) and decreased appetite (21%). In Checkmate 577, the most common adverse reactions (?20%) in patients receiving OPDIVO (n=532) were fatigue (34%), diarrhea (29%), nausea (23%), rash (21%), musculoskeletal pain (21%), and cough (20%). In Checkmate 648, the most common adverse reactions (?20%) in patients treated with OPDIVO in combination with chemotherapy (n=310) were nausea (65%), decreased appetite (51%), fatigue (47%), constipation (44%), stomatitis (44%), diarrhea (29%), and vomiting (23%). In Checkmate 648, the most common adverse reactions reported in ?20% of patients treated with OPDIVO in combination with YERVOY were rash (31%), fatigue (28%), pyrexia (23%), nausea (22%), diarrhea (22%), and constipation (20%). In Checkmate 649, the most common adverse reactions (?20%) in patients treated with OPDIVO in combination with chemotherapy (n=782) were peripheral neuropathy (53%), nausea (48%), fatigue (44%), diarrhea (39%), vomiting (31%), decreased appetite (29%), abdominal pain (27%), constipation (25%), and musculoskeletal pain (20%). In Checkmate 76K, the most common adverse reactions (?20%) reported with OPDIVO (n=524) were fatigue (36%), musculoskeletal pain (30%), rash (28%), diarrhea (23%) and pruritis (20%).

Surgery Related Adverse Reactions

In Checkmate 77T, 5.3% (n=12) of the OPDIVO-treated patients who received neoadjuvant treatment, did not receive surgery due to adverse reactions. The adverse reactions that led to cancellation of surgery in OPDIVO- treated patients were cerebrovascular accident, pneumonia, and colitis/diarrhea (2 patients each) and acute coronary syndrome, myocarditis, hemoptysis, pneumonitis, COVID-19, and myositis (1 patient each).

Please see U.S. Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO and YERVOY.

Clinical Trials and Patient Populations

Checkmate 227-previously untreated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 9LA?previously untreated recurrent or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in combination with YERVOY and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy by histology; Checkmate 649?previously untreated advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction and esophageal adenocarcinoma; Checkmate 577?adjuvant treatment of esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer; Checkmate 238? adjuvant treatment of patients with completely resected Stage III or Stage IV melanoma; Checkmate 76K? adjuvant treatment of patients 12 years of age and older with completely resected Stage IIB or Stage IIC melanoma; Checkmate 274?adjuvant treatment of urothelial carcinoma; Checkmate 275?previously treated advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma; Checkmate 142?MSI-H or dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 142?MSI-H or dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Attraction-3?esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 648-previously untreated, unresectable advanced recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in combination with chemotherapy; Checkmate 648-previously untreated, unresectable advanced recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 040?hepatocellular carcinoma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 743?previously untreated unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 037?previously treated metastatic melanoma; Checkmate 066?previously untreated metastatic melanoma; Checkmate 067? previously untreated metastatic melanoma, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 017? second-line treatment of metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer; Checkmate 057?second-line treatment of metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer; Checkmate 816?neoadjuvant non-small cell lung cancer, in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy; Checkmate 77T?Neoadjuvant treatment with platinum-doublet chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer followed by single-agent OPDIVO as adjuvant treatment after surgery; Checkmate 901?Adult patients with unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma; Checkmate 141?recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck; Checkmate 025? previously treated renal cell carcinoma; Checkmate 214?previously untreated renal cell carcinoma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 9ER?previously untreated renal cell carcinoma, in combination with cabozantinib; Checkmate 205/039?classical Hodgkin lymphoma

About the Bristol Myers Squibb and Ono Pharmaceutical Collaboration

In 2011, through a collaboration agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Bristol Myers Squibb expanded its territorial rights to develop and commercialize Opdivo globally, except in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, where Ono had retained all rights to the compound at the time. On July 23, 2014, Ono and Bristol Myers Squibb further expanded the companies' strategic collaboration agreement to jointly develop and commercialize multiple immunotherapies ? as single agents and combination regimens ? for patients with cancer in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

About Bristol Myers Squibb

Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, the research, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. All statements that are not statements of historical facts are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them in the next several years, that are difficult to predict, may be beyond our control and could cause our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the statements. These risks, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, that the CHMP opinion is not binding on the EC, that Opdivo (nivolumab) plus Yervoy (ipilimumab) may not receive regulatory approval for the additional indication described in this release in the currently anticipated timeline or at all, that any marketing approvals, if granted, may have significant limitations on their use, and, if approved, whether such combination treatment for such additional indication will be commercially successful. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many risks and uncertainties that affect Bristol Myers Squibb's business and market, particularly those identified in the cautionary statement and risk factors discussion in Bristol Myers Squibb's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as updated by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document and except as otherwise required by applicable law, Bristol Myers Squibb undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.

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Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan (center) Director General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia, with staff in Nimba County on September 7, 2024, to enhance border surveillance in the fight against Mpox.
THE CLOSING date for applications to the Bord na Mona Accelerate Green GROW programme is fast approaching, with potential applicants in Limerick asked to be quick and get their submissions in.

On November 22, the chance for Limerick-based companies in the sustainability sector to apply for the GROW programme will come to an end, as submissions are due to be submitted before that day.

Accelerate Green GROW is delivered by Bord na Mona in conjunction with Resolve Partners, to equip promising Irish business owners with the skills to become a more climate-focused business.

Bord na Mona is accepting applications from early-stage companies and innovative start-ups, as well as established small medium enterprises (SMEs) in Limerick to be considered for this leading accelerator programme, designed to support the growth of sustainable enterprises in Ireland.

Accelerate Green GROW will commence in January 2025.

The successful applicants will be brought through a series of immersive learning sessions delivered by industry leaders, entrepreneurs, potential investors and successful Irish business representatives, and receive invaluable business insights from the Bord na Mona leadership team.

READ MORE: Four Green Flag awards for 'exceptional' outdoor amenities in Limerick

Since its launch in 2022, 50 businesses have successfully participated in the Accelerate Green programmes. One of those is Limerick-based Hibra Design, a sustainable automotive design engineering company which is currently partnering with Bord na Mona on a separate pilot programme.

Former Accelerate Green GROW participant, Hibra Design CEO Mike Keane said: Accelerate Green was a fantastic opportunity to grow and scale our business - the programme covers a wide range of customer-focused topics in significant depth.

Through Accelerate Green, we learned ways to show customers how the sustainability value of our services can have a real, calculable, fiscal benefit for them and how to position Hibra Design to reach global customers.

Bord Na Monas transition to a climate solutions provider demonstrates the depth of their experience and the genuine intent behind this programme. We are delighted to now be working directly with Bord na Mona on the BETR pilot programme.

I would recommend Accelerate Green to any sustainable business looking to scale, grow and thrive.

Like Hibra Designs, many other former participants have reported significant and sustainable progress in their companies since completing the programmes and the alumni have collectively raised 10m in venture capital to date.

According to research among the Accelerate Green alumni, over 90% of past participants have more confidence in their ability as business leaders to scale their companies successfully.

Additionally, 75% of past participants have grown their workforce since completing the programme and three in four have scaled their business operations in Ireland.

Bord na Mona chief executive Tom Donnellan said: As a business that has undergone its own significant scaling journey and service evolution, Bord Na Mona are committed to sharing the invaluable insights we gained with the next generation of sustainable businesses.
LUNG CANCER is the leading cause of cancer death in Ireland, killing around 1,900 people each year.

One Limerick man who was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 66 is sharing his story in the hope of encouraging others to get any persistent coughs checked out.

Tim Egan, from the South Circular Road, was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020 after he presented to his GP with a persistent cough.

Now living in Dooradoyle, he says his diagnosis four years ago was quite serious and quite frightening and that it was during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Having had surgery to remove a 2cm tumour from his lung, Mr Egan is sharing his experience to highlight the importance of being aware of the symptoms of lung cancer, as it was his wife, Geraldine, who encouraged him to find out what was causing his lingering cough.

My wife and I were away in Dingle, Co Kerry in late 2019 and I had a sore throat and an annoying cough. I eventually went to see my own doctor and was diagnosed and immediately told I had a few months to live unless I got surgery.

That was Tuesday and by the Friday that week, I was operated on in Dublin. I have to mention Dr Aidan OBrien in the Regional and Rosie Murphy, the cancer nurse as they call her.

I got great care and attention. It [the surgery] was a success and Im still here!

READ MORE: Tour de Munster 2024 raises an incredible 400k in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland

Mr Egan, a retired ships agent who was based in Foynes, says people are scared of the word cancer but that really, they shouldnt be afraid to talk about it and that skirting around the issue only delays matters.

I think we need to be aware that anybody can get lung cancer, he said.

I did smoke, but I hadnt smoked in nearly 30 years. I was healthy, I was active and yet, this little cough I had that wouldt go away - that was lung cancer.

I would really encourage people to be on the lookout for signs and speak to your doctor as soon as you can.

I had my surgery and now I go for my check-ups, and thats it, all because we caught it early.

While he loves spending time outdoors and boating in Lough Derg, Mr Egan, who is now 70-years-old, has annual check-ups with cancer specialists, which he is grateful for. He said: I am back to myself now.

Research shows that 28% of Irish people dont know the symptoms of lung cancer.

Additionally, six in every 10 lung cancer diagnoses are detected at a late stage.

Earlier this month, the Irish Cancer Society announced an investment of 4.9m into lung cancer research, which includes a mobile check-up unit in Dublin.

Mr Egan thinks this new pilot initiative is a wonderful idea and hopes to see it in Limerick, as it offers an alternative for people to get checked for cancer symptoms through walk-in appointments.

This, Mr Egan feels, is more convenient for people, rather than going through the hospital or healthcare system, where oftentimes people are reluctant to present to.
THE behaviour and actions of Limerick students on their annual Christmas Day celebration held on Wednesday has been described as a "thundering disgrace."

Fine Gaels Cllr Peter Doyle said he was "most disappointed" with the conduct of some UL students in Castletroy and Limerick city.

"Residents were tormented in Milford Grange with bonfires near their cars and homes. The conduct of students in Limerick city was awful with many getting sick and urinating in public," he outlined.

Cllr Doyle continued: "We all like people to enjoy themselves but it is not a nice spectacle to see students drunk in the middle of the day. The chairman of a local residents association listed out the problems that occurred this week."

Among the issues brought forward by Cllr Doyle were open drinking in public areas while children going to school and coming from school, destruction of a bus stop, a bonfire in Milford Grange, anti-social parking, general antisocial behaviour, littering and general lack of care for the area they are living in.

Mr Doyle remarked that cars were parked "everywhere and anywhere" in Castletroy with one case of a student parking on a childrens playground in a housing estate off the Groody Road.

"I now call on the Governing Body of UL to investigate this behaviour and take responsibility for the conduct of their students on and off campus and to curtail this excessive drinking culture that gives rise to anti-social behaviour and which is totally unfair on local residents. This event is also unfair on our gardai and Limerick Council staff that have to clean up all the litter," stated Cllr Doyle.

READ MORE: Author and artist Kieran Beville pays tribute to Limerick music legend Johnny Duhan

"The sooner UL builds more student residences and carparks on site the better for all. Residents in Castletroy have to put up with appalling parking Monday to Friday. One lady advised me she lives opposite a semi-detached house with seven students and seven cars. Two cars park in the driveway and five are then parked everywhere, blocking residents getting out of their homes.

"It is a regular occurrence for bin lorries to be unable to collect rubbish in parts of Briarfield due to this crazy parking. Can students not carpool or come to Limerick in buses?

"UL should employ security company to patrol Castletroy estates on Tuesday and Wednesday and report illegal parking, littering and anti-social behaviour to the relevant authorities."

Cllr Doyle concluded: "I will again ask Limerick City and County Council to send traffic wardens to estates on the mornings of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during UL college term."

Chair of the Limerick branch of the Vintners Federation of Ireland Eamonn O'Rahilly commented:

"The official vintners line is definitely we promote safe drinking and we always have." He said they work in tandem with Diageo and Heineken to promote safe drinking and that customers ID is checked before they enter the hostelries.

"Drinking is going to happen. Let's not be naive here and the fact that we have now two universities in Limerick does promote a student culture. The student culture has always been noted for drinking."

Mr O'Rahilly who runs The Spotted Dog pub in Janesboro added that the Vintners Federation try and promote as much safe drinking as they can.

"There's very little we can do about the people on the public street. if they want to misbehave in the public street, there's really nothing we can do. We can only do what's on our premises."

However, Mr O'Rahilly said there has to be celebrations and they're trying not to impede on people's nights out.

He continued: "We depend on people over 18 to act like adults and if they don't, well, then we bring in the methods that we've put in place, such as security and safe drinking practices, and the basic rule of telling the person go home that they have enough."

University of Limerick, Technological University of the Shannon and Mary Immaculate College were contacted for comment by Limerick Live.

A spokesperson for UL said they "strongly promote responsible community engagement but is aware that there have been instances of off-campus behaviour that have caused concern among our neighbours and the wider community".

"While UL cannot be a responder to off-campus incidents, which are the jurisdiction of An Garda Siochana and other relevant agencies, there are mechanisms within the university student code of conduct for breaches of the code to be dealt with and complaints made to the University about individuals are taken very seriously. UL students play a crucial role in shaping the reputation and atmosphere of our city and indeed the surrounding areas of the campus," outlined the UL statement to Limerick Live.

"Students have been urged to be mindful of their actions and the impact they have on the community around them. Anti-social behaviour not only affects the immediate community but also reflects on the entire student body. Student life within the community should be built on a foundation of respect, responsibility and positive engagement.

"UL will continue to work with our educational colleagues in TUS and MIC, An Garda Siochana and Limerick City and County Council to ensure that the community remains a welcoming and enjoyable place for all its residents."
The justice ministry needs new political control and direction after 14 years with a Fine Gael minister at its helm, Jim OCallaghan has said.

The Fianna Fail justice spokesman said there was a question mark over whether Fine Gael was the party of law and order as he used the partys election slogan to criticise their track record on justice.

The first week of the election campaign has seen the two coalition parties publicly rowing with each other, with Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin saying he was surprised by the tone of the Fine Gael attacks.

On Friday morning, Fine Gael Justice Minister Helen McEntee hit back when asked about Mr OCallaghans suggestion that she had adopted a series of proposals on law and order and immigration that he had put forward.

I think theres probably women all over the country who will understand what its like when men try to claim credit for their work, she told reporters in Dublin on Friday.

Speaking at the nearby launch of Fianna Fails proposals to clamp down on crime, Mr OCallaghan said that the Justice Department needed a new energy  which has been a Fine Gael campaign slogan.

I think it would have been different and sometimes political emphasis or political direction have a real impact in terms of a government department, he said.

Look at housing, and look what Eoghan Murphy (former Fine Gael housing minister) said when he was in the department, you can have a well-intentioned minister, but unless you have the political emphasis and the political support behind you to make changes, it wont happen.

I believe, had we had the full ministry in the Department of Justice, I believe we would have seen greater progress in the area of justice.

I think thats part of the reason why Micheal (Martin) has indicated that if it comes to negotiations, if the people put us in the position where we can go into government, thats one of the portfolios wed be interested in pursuing.

Asked whether Ms McEntee was an ineffective justice minister, Mr OCallaghan said he was not going to personalise the criticism.

Im not going to personalise it at all to minister McEntee or to any Fine Gael minister, but lets recognise the statistics.

The Department of Justice has been under the control of Fine Gael for the past nearly 14 years, and although theres been progress in very many other areas in the past four years, I think the questions that are arising in the Department of Justice over the past 14 years are growing in many respects.

So Im not going to personalise it to minister McEntee, but I do think there is a benefit to help the Department of Justice under new political control and direction, as it really needs a new energy within that department.

Asked whether they were stealing Fine Gaels title as the party of law an order, he said there was a question mark over whether Fine Gael were traditionally the party of law and order.

Certainly this century, I think theres a question mark over that, he said.

Launching her own partys justice policy plans in Dublin on Friday, Ms McEntee would not be drawn when asked whether she wanted to continue as justice minister if she is re-elected and Fine Gael return to government.

Nobody has been elected here, she said. My focus over the next two weeks is to get re-elected to represent the people of Meath East, and I hope that we will be in a position to return to government with Simon Harris as our taoiseach.

Anything beyond that really is a matter for two, three, four weeks time when we see what the outcome is and what people have decided, and I think anything beyond that is simply arrogant.

Ms McEntee said she had a very strong record of delivery in justice.

I want to be re-elected, and I think anything beyond that is jumping the gun, she said.

I will stand on my record in justice. I think I have a very strong record.

If Im lucky is enough to be elected again and to be asked to serve in any ministry, then Ill very happily take that.

Later, when asked about Ms McEntees comments about men claiming credit for womens work, Mr OCallaghan said: The minister should accept that many of the positive measures she introduced were suggested by myself and Fianna Fail.

She should be able to accept comments to that effect.

Labours Duncan Smith said Fine Gael and Fianna Fail are natural coalition partners and are more or less in the same space on policy issues.

He suggested that any rows between them during an election campaign were performative and should be taken with a pinch of salt.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said people were rallying to that message of change as she asked the public to give us a chance to fix housing and reduce the VAT rate for hospitality.
Dance Limericks Creating a Climate for Change in Limerick project celebrates its year-long journey of climate research and community engagement with a series of special free events.

Developed in partnership with local participants, artists, and researchers, the project has used the power of movement, drawing, and audio stories to promote behavioural change, just sustainability transitions, and climate literacy through easy-access creative media.

The year-end events, taking place at Dance Limerick and the Limerick City Gallery of Art have an Irish Sign Language Interpreter and venues have wheelchair access.

We have discovered that movement is a vehicle for connection and a safe container for meaningful conversations and climate action discussions. It has been a way to find new relationships with our natural environments, change perspectives and levels of care and understanding. We look forward to sharing the projects learnings in three different formats of events. You can decide if youd like a sensory experience with a small group on Thursday, a presentation and Q&A session on Friday or on Saturday morning you can experience a celebration event with the family.  Katy Hewison, Project lead and DL.Bridge Artist at Dance Limerick

Photo by Vlada Afanasievska

Events begin on Thursday, November 21 with A Sensory Journey through Movement, Drawing & Audio Stories at Dance Limerick, an immersive, relaxed performance tailored for adults with additional needs and those who enjoys a sensory-friendly experience with a small audience. This interactive journey invites attendees through Johns Square and Dance Limericks performance space St. Johns Church, engaging with the projects themes of climate action and community through movement, drawing, and audio storytelling.

On Friday, November 22 the team hosts an engaging presentation at Limerick City Gallery of Art, where they will share insights and reflections gathered throughout the year. Attendees will also enjoy a display of artworks by visual artist Mike OBrien, whose drawings document key moments from through the year from workshops and residencies across communities in Limerick City (Dance Limerick), Moyross (Moyross Community Hub), and Croom (Croom Family Resource Centre). The presentation will offer an opportunity for audiences to hear from key researchers, learn about the projects impact and join in a Q&A.

Photo by Maurice Gunning

The events culminate on Saturday, November 23 with Creating a Climate Gathering: Movement, Drawing, Audio Stories & Conversations at Dance Limerick. This gathering celebrates the collaboration and creativity of all involved in the project, inviting participants, artists, and the Limerick community to come together for movement, discussion, and sensory exploration.

Through these events, Creating a Climate for Change in Limerick invites you to reflect on the ways in which art can inspire change, build connections, and foster a deeper understanding of climate issues.

All events are free with registration required. For more information, visit their website or email projects@dancelimerick.ie.

Photo by Vlada Afanasievska

*Sponsored Content
The first wave of claims for India's automobile production incentives scheme barely touched 500 crore, an amount that may grow exponentially in the years ahead as the electric revolution unfolds and more products secure certification.

Just four companiesTata Motors, Mahindra Last Mile Mobility, Toyota Kirloskar Auto Parts (TKAP) and Ola Electricsubmitted claims for FY24, two people aware of the matter said. The production-linked incentives (PLI) scheme for advanced automotive technologies, launched in 2021, has an ambitious outlay of 26,000 crore.

However, government officials and industry experts expect a surge in claims from FY26 as locally made electric cars and larger vehicles enter the market, likely using up the entire fund allocated for the scheme till FY28.

Tata Motors and Mahindra Last Mile Mobility have each submitted claims for close to 100 crore, the people cited above said on the condition of anonymity, adding disbursements are likely to begin by the end of the year. Queries emailed to the two companies as well as the ministry of heavy industries remained unanswered.

The PLI scheme, which covers both automakers and component makers, was designed to stimulate production in advanced automotive and EV sectors by providing financial incentives to companies meeting set localization and sales criteria. So far, 81 companies have enrolled for the five-year scheme.

The 50% domestic value requirement is essential to encourage local production, but its a high bar for component manufacturers, especially in the first year. Some manufacturers need more time to adjust their supply chains to comply fully," an industry executive said on the condition of anonymity.

For smaller auto component makers, meeting the localization threshold is even more challenging, as they often rely on imported technologies, raw materials and subcomponents that can complicate compliance. Extensive audits and processes are to ensure compliance with rules.

Also read | IPO-bound Hyundai Motor India bets on capacity addition, Creta EV to drive growth

Tata Motors expects the disbursal of PLI funds to start in the ongoing quarter, chief financial officer P.B. Balaji said. We are expecting that by Q3, we should have the first funds being released, which are rightfully due to us as per the PLI scheme, and then that gives us the ability to start accruals," Balaji said in response to a Mint query at the company's quarterly earnings call. He added that the PLI incentives are expected to become a major funding source for Tatas EV business from FY25.

So far, the automobile PLI has been steered by electric two-wheeler and three-wheelers, which represent the majority of the claims raised.

The incentives, calculated on a sliding scale based on annual sales, range from 13% for sales below 2,000 crore, to 16% for sales above 4,000 crore. Manufacturers achieving cumulative sales of 10,000 crore over five years are eligible for an additional 2% incentive.

For component suppliers and new non-automotive investors, the incentive structure is similarly tiered, with rates ranging from 8% to 11% based on sales, plus a cumulative incentive if they meet a 1,250 crore sales threshold. Components related to battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles qualify for an additional 5% incentive, underscoring the scheme's emphasis on supporting clean energy technologies.

Despite the stringent criteria, industry executives believe the high potential incentive per unit could drive a wave of claims by FY26. As electric cars, trucks, and more domestic EV components come into play, we foresee this funding to be fully utilized," a second industry executive said, adding the scheme, though initially challenging, has significant financial benefits that will attract more manufacturers in the coming years.

Also read | India's local sourcing rules for EV subsidies to tighten from next year

The government extended the scheme's eligibility period in response to applicants requesting more time to meet local manufacturing and sales requirements. Initially scheduled to end in FY27, the scheme now runs until FY28, allowing companies more time to ramp up production and localize supply chains to qualify for the full range of incentives.

Currently, the schemes managing agency, Industrial Finance Corp. of India (IFCI), is auditing the first set of claims. Companies expect the first disbursements to commence by the end of this fiscal year, after certification and techno-commercial audits are completed.

Despite the slow start, government and industry stakeholders are confident that the PLI scheme will eventually meet its goals of fostering advanced automotive technologies and increasing Indias share in the global EV market.
Bharat Forge Q2 Results 2024:Bharat Forge declared its Q2 results for 2024 on November 14, 2024. The company experienced a topline decrease of 2.27% year-over-year, while profit rose by 7.2%. The profit for the quarter stood at 243.59 crore, with total revenue recorded at 3688.51 crore. Compared to the previous quarter, revenue declined by 10.17%, but profit saw an increase of 20.11%.

In terms of operational efficiency, the Selling, General & Administrative expenses fell by 6.32% quarter-over-quarter, although they increased by 0.98% year-over-year. This suggests a focused effort by the company to streamline costs while still managing to grow profits.

The operating income reflected positive growth, up by 16.98% quarter-over-quarter and 6.36% year-over-year. This increase in operating income highlights the company's ability to manage its core business effectively despite the challenges faced in revenue generation.

Earnings per share (EPS) for Q2 was reported at 5.23, marking a 6.55% increase year-over-year. This positive EPS growth is an encouraging sign for investors amidst the overall revenue decline.

Over the past week, Bharat Forge shares have delivered a return of -8.15%, with a more significant decline of -10.4% over the last six months. However, on a year-to-date basis, the stock has shown resilience with a 7.3% return. The current market capitalization stands at 61865.09 crore, with a 52-week high of 1804.5 and a low of 1049.1.

Analyst sentiment surrounding Bharat Forge remains mixed. As of November 15, 2024, out of 24 analysts covering the company, 4 have assigned a Strong Sell rating, 4 have given a Sell rating, 3 have rated it as Hold, 10 have a Buy rating, and 3 have assigned a Strong Buy rating. The consensus recommendation suggests a Hold position.

Overall, Bharat Forge's Q2 results showcase a mixed performance with profits rising, yet revenue facing challenges. The company's strategic cost management appears to be effective, but analysts remain cautious as they assess the company's future trajectory.

Bharat Forge Financials Period Q2 Q1 Q-o-Q Growth Q2 Y-o-Y Growth Total Revenue 3688.51 4106.15 -10.17% 3774.19 -2.27% Selling/ General/ Admin Expenses Total 467.24 498.74 -6.32% 462.72 +0.98% Depreciation/ Amortization 213.35 218.27 -2.25% 211.33 +0.95% Total Operating Expense 3254.58 3735.22 -12.87% 3366.19 -3.32% Operating Income 433.93 370.93 +16.98% 408 +6.36% Net Income Before Taxes 385.76 298.86 +29.08% 336.15 +14.76% Net Income 243.59 202.81 +20.11% 227.22 +7.2% Diluted Normalized EPS 5.23 6.26 -16.43% 4.91 +6.55%
(Bloomberg) -- Hyundai Motor Co. named Jose Munoz as chief executive officer, making him the first foreigner to lead the South Korean automaker as it seeks to grow outside its home country.

Munoz, 59, joined Hyundai in 2019 as global chief operating officer, taking responsibility for the carmakers north and south American operations. He previously worked at Nissan Motor Co. for 15 years, including a stint as chairman of its China unit.

The Spanish-born Munoz replaces Jaehoon Chang, who is being promoted to vice-chairman of Hyundais automotive division, the company said in a statement Friday. The changes are effective Jan. 1, 2025.

Munoz will be tasked with leading Hyundai through a seismic shift in the global auto industry, which is grappling with a slowdown in the switch to electric cars and facing increasing competition with a new wave of Chinese competitors. Further clouding the outlook was a report President-elect Donald Trump plans to eliminate a key consumer tax credit aimed at boosting EV adoption, which pushed down shares of US car companies and Asian battery makers.

Hyundai aims to double its lineup of hybrid cars, while keeping its 2030 EV sales target at 2 million vehicles a year. Hyundai is rapidly expanding in the US, where it became the No. 4 carmaker in 2023, and last month started production of vehicles at a new plant in Georgia that will increase total output to nearly 1.3 million cars a year in North America.

Munozs appointment is innovative and surprising, and will change Hyundais workplace culture, said Park Ju-gun, head of corporate research firm Leaders Index. Chairman Chung Euisun has been making more efforts than other conglomerates to scout and promote outside talent.

Munoz will be good at handling the uncertainty over US tax credits for EVs and designing a new strategy for the US market under the Trump administration, Park said.

Hyundai Motor shares were up 1.2% in Seoul trading Friday. The stock is little changed this year.

In other changes, Sung Kim was named president of Hyundai Motor and Jun Young Choi was promoted to president of sister company Kia Corp. Hyundai Motor Chairman Euisun Chung will remain in his role.

Hyundai last month reported third-quarter earnings that missed analyst estimates amid tepid sales. The companys unit in India, which went public in October, also posted a drop in quarterly profit.

--With assistance from Seyoon Kim.

(Adds analyst comment in sixth paragraph.)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
(Bloomberg) -- Pressure is rising in the US Senate for details on the Houses sexual misconduct probe into Matt Gaetz, Donald Trumps controversial pick for attorney general, as even some members of the president-elects own party view the nomination warily.

Lawmakers were stunned Wednesday when Trump tapped Gaetz, a polarizing and embattled House lawmaker, to be the nations top law enforcement officer. Several Republican senators have expressed concerns, and Trump can only afford to lose four GOP votes on any nominee.

We should gain access to all relevant information by whatever means necessary, Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn said on Wednesday.

Cornyn, who has previously sparred with Trump, suggested that the Senate needs to review the House ethics report during the confirmation process.

Theres various ways we can gain access to it, Cornyn told reporters. We can subpoena it.

Gaetz, a Florida Republican who resigned his seat after Trumps announcement on Wednesday, has been the subject of a long-running ethics investigation, the results of which reportedly were set for release on Friday. Gaetz, 42, has denied wrongdoing.

House Ethics Committee members are scheduled to meet Friday, a person familiar said.

Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota said he and his fellow Republicans will insist on seeing the report, even if it is only viewed privately and not released for the public. He signaled that the timing of Gaetzs resignation makes the report all the more important in his confirmation.

Senate Democrats plan to use their last weeks in the majority to try to make public a House sexual misconduct probe into Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trumps controversial pick for attorney general.

I am calling on the House Ethics Committee to preserve and share their report and all relevant documentation on Mr. Gaetz with the Senate Judiciary Committee, Chairman Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, said in a statement Thursday.

Tom Rust, chief counsel and staff director of the House ethics panel, declined to comment Thursday on the status of the investigation or the panels response to Durbins request.

Durbin cannot individually compel the reports release and it was not immediately clear if he could use his chairmanship to subpoena it. That would likely require a majority vote on his committee.

The House, however, could ignore the subpoena.

Speaker Mike Johnson said late Wednesday Gaetz submitted a resignation letter but Gaetzs office hasnt returned requests for comment on the matter.

The Ethics Committee said in June that its members were continuing to look into allegations that he engaged in sexual misconduct, took illicit drugs and accepted improper gifts. Gaetz said in September that he was no longer voluntarily cooperating with the probe.

Trumps decision to nominate Gaetz as the nations chief law enforcement officer surprised and baffled lawmakers in both parties. It will test Trumps sway over Senate Republicans, who will take control of the chamber in January and must confirm the president-elects nominees.

The GOP is expected to hold a 53-47 seat majority, so it would take just four Republican senators to block his confirmation, unless he could attract Democratic votes. Multiple Republican senators signaled their skepticism of the choice, laying bare the confirmation challenge ahead.

Gaetz, a lightning rod within his own caucus, has been plagued by scandals, including an investigation by the Justice Department that he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl in exchange for money. He denied the allegations and was notified last year that he wouldnt face charges.

When asked Wednesday by reporters about the choice, Cornyn said: Im trying to absorb all this. Another Republican senator, Susan Collins of Maine, said the pick was completely unexpected, adding that an FBI background check is part of any confirmation process. Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, said she doesnt believe Gaetz is a serious candidate for the post.

We cannot allow this valuable information from a bipartisan investigation to be hidden from the American people, Durbin said. Make no mistake: this information could be relevant to the question of Mr. Gaetzs confirmation as the next Attorney General of the United States and our constitutional responsibility of advice and consent.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Intervening on behalf of like-minded developing countries (LMDCs), India said that developed countries need to commit to provide and mobilise at least $1.3 trillion every year in the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) till 2030.

It should be through grants, concessional finance and non-debt-inducing support that cater to the evolving needs and priorities of developing countries, without subjecting them to growth-inhibiting conditionalities in the provision of finance, it said in an official statement.

This comes as extreme weather events have become frequent and increasingly strong, affecting especially the Global South, which calls for heightening ambitions on climate action.

Delivering the statement, Naresh Pal Gangwar, additional secretary of the environment ministry and India's lead negotiator at CoP29 on Thursday said, We are at a crucial juncture in our fight against climate change. What we decide here will enable all of us, particularly those in the Global South, to not only take ambitious mitigation action but also adapt to climate change. This CoP is historic in this context.

Also Read: India to pitch for grants and concessional loans, instead of investments, at COP29 The context of different national circumstances, sustainable development goals and poverty eradication, particularly with respect to the Global South, should not be lost sight of. These principles must form the basis for a strong outcome on the NCQG at CoP29," he said at the High-Level Ministerial on Climate Finance on Thursday at the global climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Global response The statement firmly asserted that recognising the historical responsibilities and differences in capacities, the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement envisage a global response to climate change, adhering to the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capacities.

The statement recognised that such a scenario is vital for advancing towards COP30, where all parties are expected to submit their updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Achieving this outcome will set a solid foundation for meaningful progress in global climate efforts, it noted.

Mint last week reported India planned to leverage its climate commitments to pitch for grants and concessional loans, instead of investments for the Global South in NCQG.

Talking further about the importance of the NCQG on climate finance, the statement emphasized that it cannot be changed into an investment goal when it is a unidirectional provision and mobilisation goal from the developed to the developing countries. The Paris Agreement is clear on who is to provide and mobilise climate finance  it is the developed countries, it added.

India strongly laid down the point that bringing in the elements of any new goal, which are outside the mandate of the convention and its Paris Agreement, is unacceptable. The statement ruled out any scope for re-negotiation of the Paris Agreement and its provisions.

Climate finance Asserting that transparency and trust are the backbones of any multilateral process, India noted that there is no understanding of what comprises climate finance. Developed countries' performance regarding their existing financial and technological commitments has been disappointing.

Also Read: COP29 releases new plan on NCQG India's intervention stated a clear definition of climate finance, in line with the provisions of UNFCCC and its Paris Agreements, will promote transparency and is vital for furthering constructive deliberations and building trust. In this regard, the statement said, We take note of the work carried out by the Standing Committee on Finance, however, there is need to further work in arriving at a meaningful definition of climate finance.

$100 billion by 2025 The intervention called out the developed countries and stated that they committed to jointly mobilise $100 billion per year by 2020, a deadline extended to 2025. While the $100 billion target is already inadequate compared to the actual requirements of developing countries, the real amount mobilised has been even less encouraging.

Developing countries require up to $1.5 trillion a year for their unique climate needs and net zero transition, according to various estimates. But the loss and damage fund negotiated at COP27 has failed to take off after being operationalised at COP28.

To be sure, the actual climate action funding requirement, however, could be several times higher than the estimates of $1-1.5 trillion. The UNFCCC Standing Committee on Finance, based on its assessment of NDCs, estimates that a total of $5.8-5.9 trillion will be needed by 2030 to cover the needs of 153 developing countries.

Even this is likely to be an underestimation given that only a small proportion of requirements were accounted for across the documents provided. Regionally, around $2.5 trillion of global need comes from African states, around $3.2 trillion from Asia-Pacific and around $168 billion from Latin American and Caribbean nations, according to the Asian Development Bank.

Expanding list of contributor Because of the scale of the financing required, some experts and countries, including Switzerland, Canada and the US, have suggested expanding the list of countries mandated to contribute, also called the contributor base, to include emerging countries with high emissions and high incomes.

The $100 billion was committed in 2009, 15 years ago. We have a common time frame for expressing ambitions every five years. There is a similar need in terms of climate finance. We are hopeful that developed countries will realise their responsibility to enable enhanced ambitions and make this CoP29 a success, the MoEFCC statement read.

Also Read: COP29 stresses global financial reforms as world faces spectre of a 1.5C rise Consistent with the UNFCCCs foundational principles of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) and equity, the Copenhagen Accord of 2009 or COP15 recognised the requirement to support climate action in developing economies with financial resources. In this connection, developed countries committed to providing $30 billion in climate finance to developing countries during 2010-2012, which was supposed to rise to reach $100 billion per year by 2020.
New Delhi: Indias merchandise trade deficit with China has risen 13% during the first seven months of the current fiscal year, despite government measures aimed at cutting reliance on the Asian manufacturing major and restrictions on import of certain products from the country.

India's goods trade deficit with China widened to $57.83 billion during April-October from $51.12 billion a year ago, according to data from the commerce and industry ministry.

In October, the trade deficit stood at $8.46 billion, up from $8.27 billion a year ago.

A trade deficit occurs when a country's imports exceed its exports.

China was the largest source of India's imports in the April-October period, followed by Russia and the UAE.

Interestingly, Chinese imports to India, in value terms, were nearly double that of Russia and about 2.5 times more than imports from the UAE during the period.

During April-October 2024, goods imports from China stood at $65.90 billion, up from $60.01 billion a year ago. Exports to China fell to $8.06 billion from $8.89 billion in the year-ago period.

In October, imports from China stood at $9.61 billion, up from $9.54 billion a year ago, while exports fell to $1.18 billion from $1.27 billion a year ago.

Also Read: How India can fix the Chinese imports problem

The China factor China's share in Indias industrial imports has risen from 21% to 30% over 15 years, dominating critical sectors like electronics, telecom, and electric vehicles, with Indias green transition heavily reliant on Chinese inputs.

Experts said this reliance is set to deepen as India scales up electronics, telecom, EVs and smartphone production under its productivity linked incentive (PLI) schemes, where 80-95% of inputsmostly sourced from Chinadrive these sectors.

China accounts for 62% of Indias solar equipment imports, with other suppliers like Vietnam also relying on Chinese polysilicon for solar cell production, said Ajay Srivastava, former trade service official and the founder of economic think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI).

Indias EV and transformer industries depend heavily on Chinese imports, including lithium-ion cells and cold rolled grain oriented or CRGO steel, essential for manufacturing transformer windings, he said.

"This over-reliance is unsustainable as India's annual trade deficit with China, already at $80 billion, is projected to double within five years. To mitigate this growing vulnerability, India must prioritize investments in R&D and deep manufacturing, fostering a self-reliant industrial base to reduce dependence on Chinese imports and secure its economic future," Srivastava added.

According to data from the commerce and industry ministry, major imports from China include electronic components, computer hardware, telecom instruments, machinery, organic chemicals, plastic raw materials and bulk drugs.

To put things in perspective, Indias overall merchandise trade deficit widened to a two-month high in October, driven by a rise in imports.

Indias goods trade deficit widened to $27.14 billion in October from $20.78 billion in September.

This deficit was $29.65 billion in August, $23.5 billion in July, $20.98 billion in June, $23.78 billion in May, and $19.1 billion in April.

V. Anantha Nageswaran, chief economic advisor in the ministry of finance, in the 2023-24 Economic Survey of India had noted that India is overly dependent on China for imports, especially renewable energy. The survey suggested focusing on foreign direct investment (FDI) from China could help arrest the growing trade deficit.

"India faces two choices to benefit from China plus one strategy: it can integrate into China's supply chain or promote FDI from China. Among these choices, focusing on FDI from China seems more promising for boosting India's exports to the US, similar to how East Asian economies did in the past," the survey said.

"Moreover, choosing FDI as a strategy to benefit from the China plus one approach appears more advantageous than relying on trade. This is because China is India's top import partner, and the trade deficit with China has been growing," it added.
The Bihar Public Service Commission is slated to release its results for the school teacher competitive exam shortly. Candidates can check the details on the official BPSC website  bpsc.bih.nic.in  after the announcement is made.

Officials details are not currently available about the date and time of the BPSC TRE 3.0 results and no relevant announcement has been made so far by the Commission. The BPSC website has become unresponsive as candidates make increasing efforts to check their results. Many students have also taken to social media platforms with incorrect claims about the results being announced.

Reports quoting BPSC Secretary Satya Prakash Sharma, meanwhile indicated that results are expected 'within the next week. The Commission will first release results for primary and middle school teachers. This will be followed by the details of selected candidates for the secondary school category.

The test was held in mid-July this year after being postponed in March. A retest was ordered for the recruitment drive after a paper leak prompted cancellation of the original exam.

The recruitment drive is set to fill up 25505 posts in the basic category of primary school and 18973 posts in middle school. 210 teacher posts will be filled in SC, ST welfare department primary schools and 126 posts will be filled in middle schools under the same categories.

Here's how to check the results: Candidates who have appeared for the test can check their results (once declared) by following the steps given below.
With less than a week left for the November 20 Maharashtra Assembly Elections, the opposing views of the state's two Deputy Chief MinistersDevendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawaron the slogan batenge to katenge have sparked speculations about a division within the Mahayuti Alliance.

However, during a poll rally, Fadnavis dismissed these rumours while reacting to Ajit Pawar and his faction's opposition to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's slogan batenge to katenge.

Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis are part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra. They and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will fight the Maharashtra Election 2024 together in an alliance.

Ajit Pawar opposes 'batenge to katenge' slogan NCP leader and Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar told news agency ANI, We all have opposed it [slogan]. Someone told me that BJP's Pankaja Munde has also opposed this slogan.

A CM of a state comes here and says 'batenge toh katenge'. We immediately said such slogans will not work here as Maharashtra works on the principles of Ambedkar...I don't know what is Devendra ji's answer to this but we don't like this 'katenge, batenge', Ajit Pawar said.

Devendra Fadnavis reacts On Ajit Pawar's statement, Fadnavis said that it will take time for him to understand the public's mood as he has long held anti-Hindu ideologies.

For decades, Ajit Pawar has stayed with ideologies that are anti-Hindu. There is no real secularism amongst those who call themselves secularists... He [Ajit Pawar] has stayed with people for whom opposing Hindutva is secularism, Fadnavis said.

It will take some time for him to understand the public's mood and nationalism. These people either did not understand the sentiments of the public or did not understand the statement, or they probably wanted to say something else, Fadnavis added.

'Nothing wrong with Yogi's slogan' Fadnavis said there was nothing wrong with the slogan given by Yogi Adityanath and stated that it had been the country's history.

I don't see anything wrong in Yogi ji's slogans. Look at the history of this country. Jab Jab bate hai tab gulam bane hai. Whenever this country was divided into castes, states, and communities, society, we became slaves. The country was also divided, and so were the people. That's why if we divide, we will be cut. This is the history of this country, Fadnavis said in an interview with ANI.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis slammed Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar for his remarks against Fadnavis' wife Amruta. Devendra Fadnavis said he was not surprised by Kumar's remarks and that "they should be ashamed and drown in water".

Recently, Kanhaiya Kumar took aim at Fadnavis' recent comments referring to the upcoming elections as a "Dharamyudh." The Congress leader said while addressing a campaign rally in Nagpur that the job of "saving religion" should not be reduced to political rhetoric while the Deputy Chief Minister's wife engages in making Instagram reels.

Criticizing Kumar over his statement, Fadnavis said in an interview with news agency ANI, "Their [Congress] troll army makes allegations against my wife but I told my wife that we are in politics and we have to keep patience..."

"The way they behaved and made memes about my wife and wrote bad things about her. Sharam aani chahiye, chullu bhar paani mein doob marna chahiye [they should be ashamed and drown in water'," Fadnavis said.

He added, "If you want to fight, come and fight in the front. What is this kind of war that you are fighting? I am very patient in this matter. I understand their fight and I will defeat them."

Fadnavis said he and his wife "have suffered for the last 5 years". He said the Opposition could not find anything against him. "They investigated everything from my hair to my blood but did not find anything against me. When they did not find anything, they started personal attacks on me," he added.
Deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, has attributed the abysmal performance of Mahayuti alliance in Lok Sabha Elections 2024 to Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Yatra.

Fadnavis said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) failed miserably to set the counter-narrative to the yatra, which he called a force formed by people having anarchist and ultra-leftist mentalities.

I completely admit that during the Lok Sabha elections, we failed miserably to set a counter-narrative and we have to be blamed for that. At least in Maharashtra, I failed and we were also overconfident, Fadnavis told The Indian Express in an interview.

In the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, the BJP lost ground in Maharashtra. It won just nine of the 28 seats it contested in 2024, as against 23 of the 25 seats it contested in the 2019 general elections.

Basically, during the Lok Sabha polls, we were not fighting against parties, but were fighting against forces Bharat Jodo was a force, formed by people with anarchist and ultra-leftist mentalities. This force created a hyperlocal narrative, and when we realised that they were creating a narrative against us, we had no capacity, capability and apparatus to counter it. We could not do anything about it, he said.

The east to west Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra was the second version of Rahul Gandhi's march that started on January14 from Thoubal in Manipur, which covered 6,713 kms through 15 states before culminating in Mumbai on March 16. The first version called the Bharat Jodo Yatra, started on September 7, 2022, from the south in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, and concluded in January 2023, in the north in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir,after covering 4,080 kms, across 12 states.

Fadnavis' remarks come ahead of elections to the 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly to be held in a single phase on November 20.

But now we are completely ready and we have the capacity. We have nullified that narrative and fed the real narrative so now we dont have anything to worry about.

The BJP, in alliance with Ajit Pawar-led NCP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena under the ruling Mahayuti banner, is contesting against the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), the NCP (Sharad Pawar) and the Congress in Maharashtra assembly election.
New Delhi: Made in China, imported from Dubai. Thats the new mantra for Indian importers after China brought in export restrictions on certain machinery and minerals such as gallium and germanium that are critical to industries like solar power, semiconductors and metro rail, among others.

These products, of both Chinese and foreign manufacture, are reaching India's shores through Dubais Jebel Ali port, three people aware of the development said.

While there are problems with China imposing these overt and covert restrictions, our importers have found a fix. They are now rerouting shipments through foreign countries such as Dubai," one of the three people cited above said on condition of anonymity.

This is how it works. Traders registered in Dubai import or lease capital goods from China, which are then either sold to India or leased to Indian companies. This arrangement helps India bypass China's export restrictions and maintain its supply chain for critical machinery and equipment.

While the rerouting has become necessary to keep strategic projects running, it has also inflated project costs by up to 10%. Plus, with shipping delays extending the usual 15-day import cycle to as much as three months, costs related to logistics, financing, and warehousing have also shot up, straining project budgets.

The second person cited above said that Chinese exporters often demand upfront payments, citing limited transparency on end-use, which drives up project expenses. Also, spare parts frequently sourced through intermediaries contribute towards additional costs," this person said, also requesting to not be named.

To be sure, in August 2023, China imposed strict controls on export of minerals like gallium and germanium to countries such as India, the US, Japan, and the Netherlands, among others. At the same time, China continues to supply these minerals to nations of its interest, like Russia and the UAE (United Arab Emirates), through a barter system.

Also read | Trump at helm to boost Indian electronics manufacturing as more tariffs on China imminent

The export restrictions have the potential to severely impact India's renewable energy goals since China is the biggest supplier of these minerals globally. Germanium and Gallium are vital for Indias solar cell and module production capacity of 10 giga watt (GW) and 60 GW, respectively.

Then, last December, China imposed export restrictions on drilling and tunnel-boring machines (TBMs). TBMs are widely used in sectors like metro construction, high-speed rail, hydropower, and energy transition projects.

Indias commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal had raised the issue of China blocking the sale of TBMs manufactured by Germanys Herrenknecht to India with German vice chancellor and federal minister for economic affairs and climate action, Robert Habeck during his recent India visit.

While the rerouting has become necessary to keep strategic projects running, it has also inflated project costs by up to 10%.

According to people in the industry who spoke on condition of anonymity, Afcons Infrastructure Ltd, the flagship infrastructure company of Shapoorji Pallonji group, leased floating oil rigs machinery from a western country after Chinese suppliers refused to provide the needed equipment for an oil exploration project in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, thereby adding a substantial premium to operational costs.

Queries emailed to spokespersons for commerce ministry, Afcons, and the embassies of China and the UAE in New Delhi remained unanswered till press time.

Long-term fix needed

Chinas refusal to provide these equipment and materials is being seen as a deliberate tactic to curb Indias economic growth. Experts say such tactics, though unwarranted, should be expected, but long-term solutions need to be explored, including developing local manufacturing.

China is never interested in the orderly rise of India. They will always try to scuttle our key infrastructure projects, such as solar cells, semiconductors, capital goods, and machinery," said Ram Singh, professor at Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT).

He added that the Indian government should reach out to German firms to manufacture such machines required for critical infrastructure projects under the Make in India initiative, given that India is providing huge market access for these capital goods".

Also read | With thaw in India-China ties, TCI orders two cargo ships from Chinese shipyards for delivery in 2026

Others agreed. India should encourage other countries to manufacture machinery and equipment essential for critical infrastructure development," said Arun Kumar Garodia, chairman of Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC), a body under the commerce and industry ministry. This approach would gradually support the growth of such facilities within India as well."

Garodia pointed out that rerouting is risky and not a long-term solution. Once machines are imported, there is also the challenge of securing spare parts for maintenance and repairs," he said.

Deepak Pandey, managing director of GP Eco Solutions India Ltd, a solar inverter and energy storage solutions system manufacturing company, said rerouting through Dubai is a short-term fix and highlights the importance of building domestic manufacturing capabilities.

Chinas export restrictions expose Indias dependence on foreign suppliers for essential solar components, underscoring the need for stronger supply chain resilience," he noted.

Growing imbalance

The development comes at a time when imports from China hugely outnumber Indias exports to that country. In FY24, data from the commerce ministry showed India imported goods worth $101.75 billion from China, primarily comprising raw materials and minerals. Exports to the eastern neighbour, meanwhile, totalled a sedate $16.67 billion in comparison.

China also became Indias largest trading partner in FY24, narrowly surpassing the US, according to Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) data. Trade between India and the US totalled $118.3 billion in the fiscal year (China $118.4 billion), after Washington had held the top trading partner position for India in both FY22 and FY23.

Ajay Srivastava, GTRIs founder and a former Indian Trade Service officer, pointed out that India's trade deficit with China exceeded $387 billion over the past five years.

In FY24, data from the commerce ministry showed India imported goods worth $101.75 billion from China, primarily comprising raw materials and minerals.

In FY24, India imported solar photovoltaic (PV) cells, panels, and modules valued at $1.14 billion in the first half of the fiscal year, from all countries combined. This marks a significant increase over the entire previous fiscal years imports of $943.53 million. China, which is the primary supplier, accounted for around $501.9 million of these imports in the AprilSeptember period, with other contributions coming from Vietnam and Hong Kong.

Also read | Mint Primer What the border pact means for India and China

With India making plans to develop its own solar equipment manufacturing capability, China has been reluctant to support with input materials. In April 2022, the Indian government announced a production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for manufacture of high-efficiency solar modules.

Interestingly, Chinas obstructionist tactics were also at play in G20 meetings, including reluctance to acknowledge the need for securing critical minerals, as reported by Mint earlier.

For instance, securing lithium supplies will play a major role in Indias green economy trajectory. With lithium being in short supply in India, there are concerns given that Chinese state-owned firms have already secured lithium and cobalt mine concessions. As China dominates lithium-ion cell manufacturing, India wants to avoid a repeat of events with solar equipment manufacturing.

To be sure, China has not yet brought in export restrictions for lithium, albeit but it is reluctant to supply the mineral to India and other western countries.

And read | Thaw in India-China ties to help trade, movement of people but caution on FDI likely to stay
New Delhi: A mind-boggling 600 million cyberattacks are conducted daily, and artificial intelligence (AI) can play a critical role in securing billions of electronic devices by assessing attack patterns and developing autonomous defences over time, a senior Microsoft official said.

In an exclusive interview with Mint, Joy Chik, president of identity and network access at Microsoft, said that the implementation of machine learning and other subsets of AI is gradually helping the company take on the immense challenge of securing over 1.5 billion desktops and laptops that use the companys Windows operating system.

Were using AI to analyze signals that we receive from around the world, and assess these using machine learning (ML) algorithms for real-time risk assessment. Identifying behavioural patterns for real-time cybersecurity tracking is made possible only because of AI. Over time, advanced AI algorithms integrated within software platforms will be able to make autonomous decisions in protecting people around the world," Chik said.

For Microsoft, cybersecurity for consumers is a key challenge to address. Windows, as per estimates by market researcher Statista, is the worlds second-largest overall operating system, and the largest on desktops, laptops and tablets (collectively classified as personal computers, or PCs)powering 27% of all devices and 71% of PCs around the world as of June this year. Google's Android is the world's largest operating system, powering 45% of all devices globally.

On top of that, many Windows devices do not use the latest versions of the operating systemlast year, Microsoft estimated its latest platform, Windows 11, will power 500 million devices globally by the end of this calendar year. In comparison, the companys operating system is estimated to be present in over 1.6 billion PCs globallymaking the adoption of its latest platform at around the 30%.

To enable security mechanisms, Chik said that a seamless, frictionless end-customer experience" is mandatory. One way of doing this is by getting rid of passwords entirelynot just for consumers, but with business services too. Were thus developing an authentication process between services that dont need passwords, so that theres no risk of password breaches," she said.

Cross-company collaborations, Chik added, is key. The creation of a passkey authentication mechanism, under the Fido alliance, came out as a result of a collaboration between Microsoft, Google and Applewhich shows the potential of building common standards."

Fido (Fast IDentity Online) Alliance is a cross-industry alliance that was set up in 2013 by tech companies including Microsoft, Apple and Google to explore ways of reducing dependency on passwords, and finding new, more secure solutions for businesses and consumers.

Industry stakeholders concurred with Chik, adding that integrating cybersecurity as a default service is key to broader enterprise adoption. Ipsita Dasgupta, US-headquartered PC brand HP's managing director for India business, said that enabling protected devices by leveraging the work done by Big Tech firms has a lot to do with the adoption of cutting-edge AI tools integrated into devices by default."

While AI has amplified the risk of devices being threatened both in the consumer and enterprise spheres, built-in cyber defence features using AI are helping trace these risk vectors to make devices more secure than before, from the ground-up," she said.

Sandip Panda, chief executive of Delhi-headquartered managed cybersecurity provider Instasafe, said that for Microsoft, a key challenge lies in managing multiple service provider layers within an enterpriseas well as enterprises that no longer subscribe only to a single hardware or software provider.

Over the past 15 years, Linux and MacOS have gained ground in Indian enterprises. Today, most key executives in companies use Apples Mac devices. Given the increasing proliferation of other platforms, it is difficult for Microsoft to implement a full-stack security approach to enterprise software across organizations. This complicates security issues," he said.

While Panda maintained that Microsofts Windows remains the mother of all platforms for cybersecurity service providers", the aspect of cost is a key factor why even enterprises that largely use Windows at workplaces look at other avenues for less expensive security options.

Small enterprises in particular are sensitive about managing costsand for most enterprises with large employee bases, cybersecurity costs are overheads, just like medical insurance is an overhead for HRs. Hence, reasonable pricing is a key piece of the security puzzle here, which is why enterprises look for managed cybersecurity providers outside of Microsofts own services, which is a premium offering even today," he added.

Chik, however, affirmed that for better security controls in both user and enterprise devices, foundational innovation is a critical way forward. To this end, Microsoft employs 34,000 employees globally working on cybersecurity engineering.

Read more: The worrying rise of fraudsters on the prowl online

Over 4,000 password hacking attempts are made each secondquadruple of what it was before. On a daily basis, we see 600 million attacks. In such an environment, using AI is key to enabling a zero-trust model to help enterprises secure their devices. Were also using AI to identify signals and track nation-state attackers to map attack graphswhich in turn can help us predict future cyber attackers. This way, AI is helping us gain ground on attackers, and thus design tools that can better protect identities at work," Chik said.

Using AI in cybersecurity is indeed a race, but it is about using AI to detect attack patterns, which will help us protect ourselves even from future threats that havent been developed yet," she added.
As consumers realize the grave impact of fast fashion on the environment, a host of sustainable clothing brands like Virgio, Nicobar, and No Nasties have emerged in the last few years, aiming to influence users to opt for upcycled and climate-friendly clothing.

Consumers across age groups, including Gen Z and young millennials, are now increasingly opting for environmentally sustainable T-shirts, jeans and even accessories like belts and bags, offering up-and-coming startups a new opportunity to capitalize on.

Vijay, a 29-year-old advertising executive based in Mumbai, recently purchased a linen shirt from the brand Creatures of Habit after coming across multiple advertisements on Instagram. The material is soft and lightweight. Its unlike any other shirt I have bought before. I hope this lasts me many years," Vijay quipped.

The trend has reached older users, too. Kavya, a 42-year-old homemaker in Chennai, recently bought a saree dyed with plant-based colours from an online store, intending to try out new styles other than the usual silk.

Investors are looking at the space closely, too. Bengaluru-based Un Denim and Goa-based No Nasties are in talks with early-stage backers for seed funding, two people in the know told Mint.

Un Denims founder Joono Simon confirmed the development, noting that it recently closed a pre-seed round and is actively looking to raise seed money. No Nasties founder Apurva Mehta denied the development stating that the brand will continue to be organically funded".

According to market intelligence platform Tracxn, there are more than 900 startups building in the segment.

Also read | Aavishkaar Capital said to lead D2C fashion brand Zouk's new funding round, enter tech-enabled fashion sector

However, the shift from fast fashion to sustainable clothing is expected to be slow and marred with hurdles, industry experts told Mint, especially with fast fashion having made such a deep impact in the minds and pockets of consumers.

And even though many consumers like Vijay and Kavya are showing interest in long-lasting clothing, it doesnt mean they are ditching fast fashion brands like H&M and Zara. They will continue to buy from those brands while showing willingness to give other brands a try.

Sustainability not enough

The fast fashion industry is projected to touch a whopping $50 billion by FY31 from the current $10 billion, as per estimates by Redseer Strategy Consultants. In FY24 alone, the sector grew by 30-40% year-on-year, driven by affordability and growing access to trendy styles.

Despite a year of sluggish consumption, fast fashion stood out as one of the few thriving sectors in Indias retail market," Kushal Bhatnagar, associate partner at Redseer, said.

Fashion is the second most polluting industry after automobiles. It always flew under the radar because of the glitz and glamour associated with it. But today the consumers and policymakers are looking at it differently. The new consumer is making choices which are more climate friendly and regulators across the world are pushing the industry to clean up," said Joono Simon, founder of Un Denim, a Bengaluru-based apparel brand that sells upcycled denim products.

Also read | The future of beauty is personalized, sustainable and powered by AI: LOreals Asmita Dubey

Amar Nagaram, founder of Virgio which recently pivoted from fast fashion to circular fashion, shares a similar sentiment. Consumerism in the last 10-15 years has gone from being need based to convenience based. When we started our journey, we started asking ourselves if the world needs another cheap, fast fashion brand. With more Gen Z population coming in, conscious consumerism will thrive," the former Myntra chief noted.

However, the pitch of eco-friendliness alone will not be enough to attract customers towards sustainable clothing, according to Zoeb Ali Khan, investor at early-stage venture capital firm Sauce.vc.

Brands will have to focus on product differentiation and competitive pricing to power repeat purchases," Khan told Mint. Moreover, fast fashion is working well because it keeps up with rapidly changing trends at dirt cheap prices, helping bring back customers over and over again.

Virgio rolls out 35-40 styles every 15 days, in line with emerging trends. At this point there is a limitation in the supply chain which we are working on. As the supply chain grows, we will be able to expand the width without any impact on inventory levels. Thats our secret sauce on how we will make it work," Nagaram said.

And read | New age clothes soon. Govt plans phase-changing clothing technology to address Indias climate challenges

Un Denims Simon added that it will focus on the mid-premium segment with denim jeans prices starting at 2,999 and accessories in the range of 1,400-5,000. We want to make sustainable products mainstream. Currently, this category has a premium and ultra-premium tag. We want to make it more accessible," he added.

In the end, not every consumer is idealistic which will mean theres a long way to go until fast fashion is no longer the norm, according to Sauce.vcs Khan. Not all consumers are fully into the values of sustainability that they will quit buying from fast-moving apparel brands. Instead, we can expect them to choose a balance of both for the near term till such time eco-friendly clothing can be made more affordable and mainstream," he added.
With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

GAC Group launches three-year "Panyu Action" at Auto Guangzhou 2024

On November 15, the opening day of the Auto Guangzhou 2024, GAC Group unveiled its ambitious "Panyu Action" plan. The three-year initiative aims to increase the share of GAC Group's self-owned brands to over 60% of total sales by 2027, targeting annual sales of 2 million vehicles for its wholly-owned brands.

Photo credit: GAC Group

LIVAN Auto launches global model 'LIVAN 8' at Auto Guangzhou 2024

On November 15, LIVAN Auto, a new energy vehicle brand under Lifan Technology, put its first global model, the LIVAN 8, onto the market at the Auto Guangzhou 2024. The all-electric, seven-seater MPV is priced between 137,800 yuan and 153,800 yuan. It is available in two variants: a standard-range model with a 407 km range and a long-range version offering up to 515 km.

Geely Cowboy SUV opens for pre-sales at Auto Guangzhou 2024

During the Auto Guangzhou 2024, Geely Auto announced the start of pre-sales for its fire new Cowboy ("Niu Zai" in Chinese Pinyin) SUV. The compact SUV, featuring a light off-road design, comes in two trim levels with pre-sale prices ranging from 95,900 yuan to 101,900 yuan. Equipped with a 1.5T engine and a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, the model is expected to hit the market later this month.

Dongfeng Nissan unveils N7 BEV model at Auto Guangzhou 2024

On November 15, Dongfeng Nissan marked the opening day of the Auto Guangzhou 2024 with the global debut of its first BEV (battery electric vehicle) model under the new NEV (new energy vehicle) architecturethe N7. As the inaugural model in Dongfeng Nissan's new N series, the N7 targets mainstream Chinese families and aims to redefine the brand's approach to electric mobility.

Chery Holding begins pre-sales for two new energy vehicle models at Auto Guangzhou 2024

On November 15, Chery Holding's high-end brand EXEED showcased its latest lineup of new energy vehicles at the Auto Guangzhou 2024, and unveiled the Falcon ("Lieying" in Chinese pinyin) intelligent driving system.

BYD demonstrates YANGWANG U8's 'emergency floating' feature

On November 15, BYD's YANGWANG brand demonstrated the YANGWANG U8 model's "emergency floating" feature at the Auto Guangzhou 2024.

GAC AION offers global debut of HYPTEC HL model, pre-sales to begin next Feb.

On November 15, GAC AION's premium brand, HYPTEC, made a splash at the Auto Guangzhou 2024 with the global unveiling of its luxury smart flagship SUVthe HYPTEC HL. The automaker announced that pre-sales for the HYPER HL will begin in February next year.

GAC Toyota showcases bZ3X at Auto Guangzhou 2024

On November 15, GAC Toyota showcased its bZ3X SUV at the Auto Guangzhou 2024. The bZ3X features GAC Toyota's fresh family design language, with advancements in intelligence, electrification, and high-level driver-assistance system.

New AVATR 11 range-extended model starts pre-sales at Auto Guangzhou 2024

On November 15, AVATR, the premium new energy vehicle brand jointly backed by Changan Automobile, Huawei, and CATL, kicked off pre-sales for the range-extended electric vehicle (REEV) version of the new AVATR 11 at the Auto Guangzhou 2024, with a starting price of 299,900 yuan.

ZEEKR launches Haohan 2.0 Plus end-to-end smart driving architecture at Auto Guangzhou 2024

On November 15, Geely's new energy vehicle brand ZEEKR unveiled its advanced Haohan 2.0 Plus intelligent driving architecture ("Haohan" is named in Chinese pinyin) at the Auto Guangzhou 2024, showcasing significant improvements in adaptive driving and obstacle avoidance.

Cumulative deliveries of Li L8 model surpass 200,000 units

On November 15, Li Auto announced that its Li L8 model has reached a significant milestone, with cumulative deliveries already surpassing 200,000 units.

BYD signs electric bus project agreement with Azerbaijani government at COP29

The 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) is currently underway in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22. On November 13, during the event at the main venue's Green Zone News Center, BYD signed an agreement with the Azerbaijani government to implement an electric bus project.

BYD's YANGWANG brand kicks off pre-sales of YANGWANG U7 model at Auto Guangzhou 2024

On November 15, BYD's YANGWANG debuted versions of its flagship YANGWANG U7 sedan, offering both PHEV and EV variants, at the Auto Guangzhou 2024.

Leapmotor B10 makes China debut at Auto Guangzhou 2024

The Auto Guangzhou 2024 officially kicked off on November 15. Chinese new energy vehicle maker Leapmotor showcased the B10, the first model from its new B-series global lineup, for its domestic debut. Previously introduced at the Paris Motor Show, the B10 was showcased in China with two new color optionsStarlight Blue and Dawn Purpleas well as a limited-edition inspired by Van Gogh's Starry Night Over the Rhone.

VOYAH partners with PhiGent Robotics for mid-to-high level smart driving tech deployment

On November 14, Dongfeng Motor's premium new energy vehicle brand VOYAH entered into a strategic partnership with PhiGent Robotics, a company specializing in smart driving solutions. The collaboration aims to accelerate the adoption of mid-to-high-level intelligent driving technologies in the automotive market.

NIO's ONVO sub-brand eyes monthly deliveries of over 20,000 units by Mar. 2025

On November 15, at the Auto Guangzhou 2024, Mr. Ai Tiecheng, President of NIO's sub-brand ONVO, announced ambitious delivery targets for the ONVO L60, the first mass-produced model under the brand.

AION brand's 3rd global strategic model 'AION UT' makes world debut

On November 15, AION, the electric vehicle brand under GAC AION, made a splash at the Auto Guangzhou 2024 with the global debut of its third strategic model, the AION UT (named "Yingwulong" in Chinese Pinyin, which can be translated to "Psittacosaurus").

BYD unveils 'Black Myth: Wukong' themed Seal 06GT at Auto Guangzhou 2024

On November 15, BYD's Seal 06GT model featuring a collaboration with the popular video game Black Myth: Wukong made its debut at the BYD booth during the Auto Guangzhou 2024.

Dongfeng e008 five-seater SUV hits market at Auto Guangzhou 2024

Dongfeng Motor's e new energy vehicle brand officially put the e008 five-seater SUV onto the market at the Auto Guangzhou 2024 on November 15, with a starting price of 206,600 yuan. The new model is available in both range-extended (REEV) and pure electric (BEV) variants, featuring four trim levels.
Law firms are advising Indian companies operating in the US or engaging in deals with American firms to expect closer scrutiny under the Trump administration, suggesting additional clauses in legal contracts to protect their interests.

The election of Donald Trump has sparked concerns in India and across the world that the President-elect's America First policies will raise the heat for other countries and their companies.

Tighter regulation of Indian companies' investments and hiring in the US, and stricter enforcement in cases of malpractices are likely, law firms said, as they suggest clients to include 'Force Majeure' and 'Material Adverse Change (MAC)' provisions to cover shifts in trade policies, tariffs, and sanctions. Force Majeure is a legal concept the absolves the parties from their obligations in case of events beyond their control.

Trumps increased focus on an America First policy means inbound investments from Indiaand potentially from global investorswill become more complex. Heightened regulatory scrutiny will likely affect sensitive sectors like technology, critical minerals, and issues related to local job creation," said Rishabh Shroff, partner (co-head, private client and head, international business development), Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas.

Trump was elected the 47th US President, defeating incumbent vice president Kamala Harris after the 5 November polls. This marks his second term after serving from 2017 to January 2021, a period marked by tariff wars, trade restrictions, and unpredictable foreign policy. Trump will officially take office on 20 January for a four-year term, alongside his vice president J.D. Vance.

Also read | Mint Primer Two to tango: The return of Bitcoins Trump

An MAC clause, typically used in mergers and acquisitions, permits a party to back out of a contract if significant change happens that substantially lowers the value of a company or negatively impacts the outcome of an agreement.

Russell A. Stamets, partner at New Delhi-based law firm Circle of Counsels, warns companies of stricter enforcement of US laws under the Trump administration. I foresee greater extraterritorial enforcement, especially of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), which has been quiet in recent years. About half of those convicted under the FCPA are foreign nationals. If the US wants to find you, they will. Companies should prepare accordingly or face the consequences."

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act is a US law that prohibits American firms and individuals from paying bribes to foreign officials to further business deals.

There are other clauses that law firms are pitching to clients across sectors in their deals with US-based firms.

Shroff of Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas advises focusing on the 'conditions precedent' clause to ease extensive filings and pre-approvals that are time-consuming. A condition precedent in a commercial contract details an event which must take place before a contract, or a party's obligation(s) under a contract come into force

Shiju P.V., senior partner at IndiaLawLLP, recommends including price adjustment clauses (escalator clauses) to adjust contract prices due to increased tariffs post-execution. This clause allows for an automatic increase in wages or prices if certain specified conditions change in the future.

Trumps protectionist policies, marked by his Make America Great Again slogan, include higher tariffs10% on all imports and up to 60% on Chinese-made products.

Also read | Trump 2.0: How to make your portfolio great again

The US was India's top trading partner during the first half (H1) this year, with exports hitting $41.6 billiona 10.5% rise year-on-year (y-o-y), according to a report by Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI).

India and the US have comprehensive global strategic relationships, said S.P. Sharma, chief economist at PHDCCI. He said trade between the two nations had increased during Trump's first term, and business sentiments are expected to be even higher in Trump 2.0."Going ahead, we expect bilateral relations to expand further in Trump 2.0," Sharma said.

Indian companies are actively investing in the US, with total investments reaching $80 billion to date and creating over 400,000 jobs, according to a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) 2023 report. In 2023 alone, Indian companies made fresh foreign direct investment (FDI) of $4.7 billion, representing about 3% of the US's total inward FDI.

Indian mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in the US has also been robust, marked by deals such as Cognizant's $1.3 billion acquisition of Belcan, Bharat Forge's purchase of AAM India Manufacturing for 544.5 crore, and Exicoms $37 million acquisition of Tritium, a fast-charging tech firm.

However, law experts say M&A deals by Indian firms in the US will have to pass through stricter regulatory scrutiny under the new Trump administration.

Law firms from New Delhi to New York are speaking to investment banks and clients on M&A opportunities, Bharat Anand, senior partner, Khaitan & Co, said.

Also read | Trump policy stance may look to make India favourable for Big Tech

Kunal Sharma, a partner at Singhania & Co., said, The Trump administrations protectionist policies and tariffs will make cross-border deals more challenging, especially for companies with supply chains impacted by US-China trade restrictions." He added that the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) is likely to increase scrutiny in sensitive sectors such as technology and defence, while potential rollbacks on Biden-era antitrust policies could further complicate M&A activity.

Law firms are also tracking how the new government will change visa rules that will impact workforce movements. Indian companies conducting business in the US must implement legal safeguards to address immigration challenges affecting workforce mobility.

Yogesh Singh, partner and head of corporate practice, Trilegal, has advised its clients that they should include contingencies in employee agreements to address labour migration issues.

Lawyers also recommend that Indian firms ensure compliance with US immigration laws, maintaining meticulous documentation and records for all visa applications.

IT services companies move employees to markets where their clients are located on temporary work visas. In June 2020, during his previous term as US president, Trump had suspended the issuance of all H-1B work visas, including for Indians. The US typically offers 85,000 H-1B visas annually, with a large proportion going to Indian nationals.

Queries emailed to Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, Infosys, Tech Mahindra and HCL Tech, which have large workforces in the US remained unanswered.

And read | Advantage Musk, Starlink as Trump prepares for second tenure

The bigger demographic watching his moves will be Indian students, for whom US colleges have always been a top choicemore so now as Canada and Australia have clamped down on the number of international students. According to a Mint report in April, more than 260,000 Indian students went to the US in the 2022-2023 academic session, a 35% jump over the previous session.

Trilegal's Singh said, One short-term impact of such protectionist policies, border checks, and import controls could be rising prices for select commoditiescosts companies may pass on to consumers. In the long term, key changes could emerge in tax regimes, enhanced labour management checks, corporate compliances, and USD-INR currency fluctuations."

"The India-US relationship has progressively improved due to our shared values of democracy and free markets," said Gopal Jain, managing partner, Gaja Capital. "Indias progress has received bipartisan support from the US political establishment. The strong chemistry between our respective leaders, Modi and Trump, will help in accelerating the progress that the two nations have made in multiple aspects of the relationship including and beyond trade, investments and global security," Jain added.
Longtime deposit-box renters are getting kicked out of their boxes by banks that are shutting down or scaling back the service. Customers say they have been struggling to find the small boxes traditionally kept inside vaults to store family heirlooms and other valuables.

Kris Wall called 13 branches around the San Francisco Bay Area over the past 18 months, and visited another six or seven, in her unsuccessful search for new boxes. The 49-year-old gemologist and jeweler uses them to store her work, but was told to vacate her extra-large box at a First Republic branch last year.

A decade ago, she got on a wait list at one bank that said it expected an opening in nine years. It never called. She recently learned the bank got rid of deposit boxes completely.

Its literally going the way of landlines," Wall says.

To some banks, the boxes are becoming more trouble than they are worth. Banks say the service is an anachronism in a time when people increasingly manage their checking accounts and investments on apps and websites.

There are more convenient options to store valuables: A search for home safes on Amazon yields hundreds of results. Home security has gotten more advanced and burglaries have trended down over the past two decades.

Yet safe-deposit box customerswho tend to be affluent and middle-aged or oldersee them as a bread-and-butter bank service. They stash important paper documents in them, such as the title to a house or car, as well as family heirlooms like jewelry and coin collections.

A disappearing service

JPMorgan Chase, the nations largest bank, said in late 2021 that it would stop offering new boxes to customersand existing renters would lose theirs if their branch closed. JPMorgan became the owner of First Republic last year after it was seized by regulators. It eventually closed all the deposit boxes when it began renovating and rebranding the branches.

Some 48% of Chase branches have safe-deposit boxes. But there are no boxes in the new branches opening, so that share is likely to shrink.

When we talk to our clients and ask them why they are visiting the branch, its generally because they want to speak with someone, or apply for a mortgage or car loan or get investment advice," says Jerry Dubrowski, a JPMorgan spokesman.

Santander Bank stopped selling boxes altogether early last year, saying they were under-utilized. Capital One stopped renting new boxes in 2017. PNC Bank said last week that it would open 100 new branches, but none will have safe-deposit boxes.

Even banks that are committed to this service are closing branches, and have fewer boxes to offer. Wells Fargo, which has closed roughly 1,200 branches over the past five years, says it offers boxes in the vast majority" of its branches.

There is no official tally of boxes, and estimates vary. Jerry Pluard, co-founder of Safe Deposit Box Insurance Coverage, says there are about 20% fewer than the 40 million safe-deposit boxes that existed six years ago.

The boxes are essentially tiny gym lockers in a heavily secure location. They usually require a key held by the owner and a key held by the bank to open. The contents, unlike bank deposits, get no special protections from the bank or federal government. Customers must buy their own insurance.

Banks dont make much profit on them. The 3-inch tall by 5-inch wide boxes can rent for as little as $15 a year. Ten-by-10-inch boxes might go for more than $250 a year, says Dave McGuinn, president of Safe Deposit Specialists, which trains and consults with banks and credit unions about proper box operations.

The boxes can make customers more likely to keep their money at the bank, and sign up for other banking services. A safe-deposit box is the hardest account you can close," McGuinn says.

He says that a credit union where he banked recently told him he had to close his deposit box. When he did, he closed out his other accounts there, too.

Gold bars and deer legs

Some banks say a smaller share of their deposit boxes are rented out these days. But many people still want boxes, Pluard says. He has noticed more people looking for boxes to store precious metals, which have become popular during this years surge in gold prices. The customers buying gold bars at stores like Costco need somewhere to keep them.

All sorts of unusual items end up in boxes, and banks never know what to expect when they have to get into them. Among the things McGuinn said have been found are baby teeth, false teeth, an umbilical cord, drugs, a stack of Playboy magazines, deer legs wrapped in butcher paper, antique firearms and three sticks of explosives that required a bomb squad to be called.

As banks get out of this business, some independent companies sense an opportunity. BlueVault operates two private vaults in California with safe-deposit boxes. It is planning to open locations in Texas and Arizona. Jon Sandhaus, who runs the company, says that about a quarter of the people who open boxes do it because their banks dont have any available. We get calls daily: Theyre shutting down my branch," he says.

Zeeshan Aziz says that when a Chase branch notified his family that it was closing their deposit box last year, he went on a hunt for a new one. He called five big banks, then started visiting local credit unions and banks near his home on New Yorks Long Island. No one had an available box and no one knew who did. He has since given up the search.

Not that Im expecting Jamie Dimon to give us a call," said Aziz, referring to JPMorgan Chases CEO. You would have thought some arm of the bank would have helped us."

Write to Ben Eisen at ben.eisen@wsj.com and Shara Tibken at shara.tibken@wsj.com
(Bloomberg) -- Chinese data center firm Zdata Technologies Co. is considering a potential initial public offering in Hong Kong, according to people familiar with the matter.

The company, whose clients include JD.com Inc., TikTok-owner ByteDance Ltd. and Tencent Holdings Ltd., has held early talks with prospective advisers as it evaluates the merits of a share sale, the people said, asking not to be identified as the information isnt public. Zdata could be valued at more than $5 billion in a potential listing, the people said.

Considerations are preliminary, no final decisions have been made and the company may decide against pursuing any transaction, the people said.

Zdata didnt immediately respond to a request seeking comment.

The digital infrastructure company would join a growing pipeline of potential IPOs in Hong Kong next year after the citys listings market staged a tentative rebound in the past two months thanks to the Chinese governments efforts to stimulate the economy.

The Hang Seng Index is heading for its first annual gain since 2019 with a roughly 15% rise this year as investors turned slightly more positive on China.

Hong Kong listings have raised over $9 billion this year, a significant increase from all of 2023, data compiled by Bloomberg show. Still, that amount is a far cry from the levels of activity seen during and before Covid.

Zdata was established in 2014 and provides cloud-network convergence and IT infrastructure services, according to its website. It is planning to build over 30 green data centers in areas such as Beijing, Tianjin and Shaoguan with a total capacity of 3 gigawatts.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Stocks to buy: The recent stock market crash has heavily beaten many quality stocks. The quality stocks include defence stocks as well. To the surprise of the Indian stock market investors, this has happened despite strong Q2 results in 2024. According to stock market experts, Hindustan Aeronautic Limited (HAL), Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL), and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders have delivered decent second-quarter numbers in FY2024-25. Hence, this stock market crash is an opportunity to add or accumulate these defence stocks. In the wake of Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential elections, they believe the US administration would provide the defence technologies that were delayed during Biden's tenure.

HAL vs BEL vs Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Speaking on which share is better in the defence segment, Mahesh M Ojha, AVPResearch at Hensex Securities, said, "Most of the defence companies have reported their Q2FY25 results in synch with the market estimates. However, HAL and BEL beat the market expectations, qualifying them as an automatic choice for inclusion or accumulation in one's portfolio."

Mahesh M Ojha of Hensex Securities added, "During Joe Biden's tenure, some defence technologies promised to the Indian defence companies were delayed, and they are expected to come to India hassle-free during Donald Trump's tenure. Looking at Donald Trump's speech post-victory, he will put pressure on China that may renew the trade war once again. So, defence expenditure is expected to go up, and hence, the market expects better quarterly numbers from defence companies in upcoming quarters."

Speaking on HAL vs BEL vs Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, Anshul Jain, Head of Research at Lakshmishree Investment and Securities, said, "In the wake of defence technology transfer and Donald Trump's previous four-year tenure, HAL is expected to reap the maximum benefit as the technology would come to HAL, and hence, one should buy HAL shares ahead of the other two defence stocks."

"In the medium to long term, one can expect around 15 percent CAGR on one's money from HAL shares," said Mahesh M Ojha of Hensex Securities.

HAL Q2 results 2024 Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), the state-run defence company, reported a 22.4% rise in its consolidated net profit for the second quarter of FY25 to 1,510.49 crore from 1,236.67 crore in the year-ago quarter.

The consolidated revenue from operations of Hindustan Aeronautics in Q2FY25 increased 6% to 5,976.29 crore from 5,635.70 crore, year-on-year (YoY).

At the operational level, HAL's earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) during the quarter ended September grew 7.3% to 1,640 crore from 1,527.7 crore, while the EBITDA margin improved to 27.4% from 27.1% YoY.
Stocks to watch: Mankind Pharma Limited has pledged 39.68 per cent of its equity stake in its fully-owned subsidiary Bharat Serums and Vaccines Limited (BSV) to secure non-convertible debentures (NCDs) totalling 5,000 crores. This decision comes under SEBIs Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements Regulations, 2015, with Catalyst Trusteeship Limited assigned as the common security trustee for these NCDs.

Mankind Pharma's share price closed in green, up 2.68 per cent, at 2,600.00 on November 15 on BSE. The company enjoys a market capitalisation of 1,04,167.48 crore, as per BSE. Mankind Pharma's stock price reached its 52-week high of 2,874.00 on November 6, 2024, as per NSE.

Mankind Pharma, in an exchange filing, announced, This is to inform you that as per the terms and conditions of 3 Debenture Trust Deeds executed on October 10, 2024 between the Catalyst Trusteeship Limited and the Company for the issuance of listed, rated, secured, redeemable, transferable non-convertible debentures aggregating to INR 5,000 crores (NCDs) by the Company in 3 Series, 39.68 per cent equity shares of Bharat Serums and Vaccines Limited.

The pledge agreement, finalized on November 14, 2024, includes three series of debentures issued through debenture trust deeds signed on October 10, 2024, between Mankind Pharma and Catalyst Trusteeship. The pledged shares of BSV will serve as collateral until all debenture obligations are met, assuring security for debenture holders.

Bharat Serums and Vaccines became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mankind Pharma as recently as October 23, 2024. Mankinds disclosure noted that this transaction does not constitute a sale or disposal of shares and is, therefore, not a related-party transaction. The pledged shares will remain under the security agreement until the NCD obligations are completed. The transaction is structured to support Mankind Pharma's financing while maintaining alignment with regulatory standards.
The Indian Passenger Vehicle (PV) industry experienced a subdued September quarter, with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) reporting varied performance in terms of volume growth and margin trajectories. Industry wholesales, including exports, declined by 1% year-on-year (YoY) during the July-September 2024 quarter.

The competitive dynamics within the sector have undergone significant shifts in recent years. The market shares of the top two players, Maruti Suzuki India and Hyundai Motor India, have dropped to 12-year lows during the first half of FY25.

Amid this broader industry slowdown, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has outperformed its peers with a growing market share and enhanced operational metrics.

Volumes Mahindra & Mahindra recorded an 18% YoY growth in passenger vehicle volumes during the second quarter of FY25, significantly outperforming its peers. In contrast, Maruti Suzuki India, Tata Motors, and Hyundai Motor India reported volume declines of 29% YoY during the same period.

The competitive landscape has changed meaningfully in recent years, with market shares of the top two OEMs (Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai Motor India) slipping to 12-year lows in H1FY25. M&M is gaining share with favorable demand shift towards SUVs and new product launches; its PV market share climbed to an all-time high of 12.5% in H1FY25. Tata Motors market share rose to an 11-year high of 14.0% in FY23, although has slipped to 13.3% in H1FY25, Jefferies said in a report.

Operational Performance M&Ms auto division, encompassing SUVs and commercial vehicles, maintained a flat sequential EBIT margin of 9.5% in Q2FY25, representing a 50 basis point (bps) improvement YoY. In comparison, competitors reported declines in both quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) and YoY EBIT margins.

> Maruti Suzuki: Q2 EBIT margin contracted by 80 bps QoQ and 90 bps YoY to 9.9%.

> Hyundai Motor India: EBIT margin fell by 70 bps QoQ and 30 bps YoY to 9.8%.

> Tata Motors India PV: EBIT margin declined by 10 bps QoQ and a sharper 160 bps YoY to 0.2%.

Also Read | Nifty Auto stocks lose nearly 6 lakh crore in market cap amid recent selloff

Strong volume growth and an improved margin trajectory drove a 21% YoY increase in M&Ms auto division EBIT during Q2FY25, in stark contrast to the declines experienced by its peers. Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai Motor India reported 810% YoY declines in EBIT, while Tata Motors India PV business saw a dramatic 91% YoY drop, reflecting weak profitability, according to Jefferies.

M&M Preferred Pick Jefferies expressed optimism about M&Ms robust tractor segment and its improving auto franchise. The report highlighted that the tractor industry appears to be on the brink of a growth cycle. Jefferies projects a 13% volume CAGR and a 19% EPS CAGR for M&M over FY2427E, with the stock trading at an attractive 22x FY26E core business PE.

The brokerage firm has M&M share price target of 3,700 apiece, based on 27x Sep-26E PE for tractors and auto businesses.

In the auto sector, Jefferies identified M&M, along with TVS Motor Company and Eicher Motors, as its preferred picks for investment.

M&M Share Price Mahindra & Mahindras (M&M) share price has declined by over 11% in the past month. However, the stock has delivered a robust performance over the longer term, gaining more than 23% in the last six months. This significantly outperformed the Sensex, which rose over 6%, and the BSE Auto Index, which declined by 0.57% during the same period.

Year-to-date (YTD), M&M shares have surged nearly 65%, compared to a 7% rise in the Sensex and a 23% rally in the BSE Auto Index.

Over the past year, M&M stock price has delivered an impressive return of over 82%, far outpacing the 19.5% gain on the Sensex and the 38.7% rise in the BSE Auto Index.

On Thursday, M&M shares closed 0.38% higher at 2,808.70 apiece on the BSE.
Multibagger stock: Dev Information Technology Ltd has seen Mauritius-based Foreign Portfolio investor Saint Capital Fund buying stake in it . The FPI stake was reflected in the shareholding data at the end of September quarter

The data showed Saint Capital Fund owning 250000 shares in Dev Information Technology . The same represents Saint Capital Fund owning 1.11% of the stake in Dev Information Technology.

Also Read | These four shares to trade ex-dividend on Monday

The Dev Information Technology share price had hit 52 week highs or 1 year high of 177.40 on 14 November 2024. Dev Information Technology share price stand at 160.50 level on the BSE now, Dev Information Technology share price stand at 160.50 level. share price having risen 155% since 22 February 2022 has given Multibagger returns to Investors

A global IT services company providing Cloud Services, Digital Transformation, Enterprise Applications, and Managed IT Services, with products like Talligence and ByteSigner, i.e Dev Information and Technology has reported Q2 result performance recently.

Q2 Results Dev IT Q2 FY25 net profit had risen by 390% to 8.1 Crore, a significant Growth from 1.65 core in the year ago quarter. The Total Revenues for Dev Information technology in the July September 2024 quarter had risen 69.26% to 48.24 crore compared to 28.50 crore in the year ago quarter at the consolidate level. Earnings Before interest tax depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) at 11.23 crore also rose 329.64 % from 2.61 crre in the year ago quarter.

Pranav Pandya Founder & Chairman, commnting on results said that the impressive increase in our Ebitda and Net profit reflects our operational efficiency and strategic growth across multiple service lines.

The prestigious orders during Q2 included Kaushal Darpan Order from RajCOMP for portal integration across 140 Polytechnics and 1500 ITIs, 23-year term.

Dev It also received RAJKISAN SATHI Order from RajCOMP for RAJKISAN SATHI Portal maintenance and 13+ apps. 12-year term.
What do a state-run power behemoth, a humble penny stock, and a Maharatna enterprise have in common? These stocks are among a handful that have not only attracted retail investors in hordes in 2024 so far, but have also outdone themselves on this metric in each successive quarter.

Leading this unlikely trio was NTPC Ltd, which added about 1.7 million new individual investors in the September quarter, thanks to its strong growth and green energy ambitions. Thats the highest number of investors added by any BSE-listed stock during the quarter. In the December 2023 quarter, the state-owned power company had added about 91,000 new retail investors, and the number has grown in each quarter since then.

NTPC was closely followed by telecom tower company GTL Infrastructure Ltd, a penny stock that added about 900,000 individual investors in the September quarter as it outpaced both the Nifty and Sensex this year. The benchmark indices reached their years peak in September but have since shed some of their gains.

The September quarters other top three investor bets were the state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd, Rama Steel Tubes, and Bank of Baroda. ONGCs retail investor count jumped by about 622,000 in the September quarter, Rama Steels by about 570,000, and BoBs by about 286,000.

These five stocks led the way among only 323 stocks that registered a consistent pick-up in growth in their retail investor base over the past four quarters. This means that they added more new investors in each quarter than they did in the previous one. The analysis covered 3,806 BSE-listed stocks whose latest shareholding data was available with Capitaline.

The analysis further revealed that 67% of these firms witnessed a surge in retail investor participation in the September quarter, with only 29% experiencing a decline (the rest did not see a change). This trend underscores a growing trend of individual investors increasingly embracing equities: 28.6% of companies in the sample reported increased retail investor addition between June and September.

Analysts partly attribute this growing retail presence in equities to the Securities and Exchange Board of Indias regulatory changes aimed at discouraging retail trading in future and options.

Recent proposals by the market regulator in September for F&O trading have provided a substantial boost to the cash market," said Anand K. Rathi, co-founder of investment platform MIRA Money. Key measures, such as tripling the minimum lot size, restricting weekly contract expirations, and increasing the upfront margin for sellers, have played a pivotal role."

The sophisticated investor

The surge in retail activity in the stock markets also reflects a broader trend favouring mutual funds and direct equities because of strong macroeconomic conditions in the September quarter.

The markets triumphant march, however, has been abruptly halted since by escalating geopolitical turmoil in West Asia, uncertainty over the US presidential election, and a dismal second-quarter earnings show, resulting in a mass exodus of overseas investors.

Also read | Early bird Q2 results so far: Whos shining, whos not

Analysts remain optimistic, although the broader market context for retail investors remains uncertain.

The short-term earnings outlook appears bleak, with minimal justification for upside potential at current valuations," said Nirav Karkera, head of research at Fisdom, a trading and investing platform.

Also read | Which way will Sensex swing in new Samvat? Inaugural Mint survey joins the dots

However, these conditions also set the stage for retail investors to reinforce their confidence in the long-term, structural growth potential of Indian equities," he added. With increased liquidity and a strong inclination to invest, retail investors aggressively capitalized on recent sell-offs, viewing them as opportunities for bargain hunting. This dynamic also explains the rising trend of retail ownership in domestic equities across various sectors."

Among companies that attracted retail investor attention in the September quarter, Rama Steel Tubes saw the biggest increase in retail ownership sequentially13.5 percentage points. GTL Infrastructures retail shareholding increased by 4.4 percentage points sequentially. The reasons are explained below.

Individual investors are actively seeking opportunities in both established large-cap companies and emerging small-cap stocksindicating an increased sophistication. Among companies that saw a consistent addition of retail investors, a third, including Bank of Baroda and GTL Infrastructure, experienced a sequential decline in their stock prices in the second quarter. Lets take a look at how they are placed now.

NTPC: Indias powerhouse in energy production had a massive installed capacity of 76,443 megawatts as of September. It is also making waves with the launch of an initial public offering of shares in its green energy arm, NTPC Green Energy Ltd, with a substantial 10,000 crore primary issuance.

Investors are taking notice of NTPCs growth story. The stocks 21% return so far this year has outpaced the Sensexs 7% rise. Also, trading at a price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of 16.7 times, NTPC stands out as attractively valued compared to peers such as SJVN Ltds 41 times and Power Grid Corporation of India Ltds 19 times PE ratios. A lower PE ratio indicates a potential for further share-price appreciation.

Brokerages are optimistic about NTPCs growth considering its focus on renewable energy and its aggressive capacity expansion. We believe monetisation of the green renewable subsidiary and a robust capacity addition trajectory will drive strong financial performance for the company in the medium to long term," ICICI Direct Research said in a recent report.

The NTPC stock, however, has trended lower since September owing to disappointing second-quarter results

Also read | Can NTPC Green Energy IPO power NTPC?

GTL Infrastructure: A notable name in Indias telecommunications sector, GTL has been drawing attention because of its impressive gains despite facing financial challenges. Specializing in telecom infrastructure sharing and energy management solutions, GTL Infrastructure has delivered a stellar year-to-date return of over 50%.

While the company has reported losses in recent quarters, its stock has shown resilience and strong appeal, particularly among retail investors.

ONGC: Indias largest oil and gas exploration and production company has delivered a year-to-date return of 22%. With a PE ratio of 7.75 times, ONGC trades at a compelling discount as compared with peers including Oil India Ltd (9.3), Deep Industries Ltd (18.65), and Hindustan Oil Exploration Co. Ltd (12.4), making it an attractive choice for value investors.

According to a recent YES Securities report, ONGCs second-quarter earnings met expectations, with stable Ebitda performance despite lower crude and gas production and sales volumes. Ebitda, or earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, is a measure of operational efficiency.

ONGCs crude net realization exceeded estimates, and its aftertax profit showed a slight improvement due to lower tax outflows. Although ONGCs crude production in the September quarter declined both from a year earlier and the preceding three months, natural gas production managed a minor sequential recovery.

ONGCs growth potential is further supported by anticipated increases in oil and gas production from its key assets in the Krishna-Godavari or KG Basin.

The stock, however, is trading in the red with a decline in crude oil price affecting its earnings outlook. ONGCs stock price is down about 27% from its 52-week high reached in August.

Also read | ONGC looks to cash in on gas pricing tweak, KG basin ramp-up

Bank of Baroda: The state-owned banking giant stands out with a PE ratio of just 6.3 times, significantly lower than its peers State Bank of India (10.06), Punjab National Bank (7.69), and Indian Bank (7.51). Although the stock has delivered low 4% year-to-date returns its attractive valuation and strong fundamentals continue to draw retail investors.

JP Morgan in a recent report highlighted BoBs robust performance in the second quarter, with a 23% year-on-year growth in aftertax profit, beating market estimates. This growth was driven by higher recoveries from written-off loan accounts, which offset elevated provisioning for bad loans and taxes. Bank of Barodas loan book expanded by 12% y-o-y, helping push its net interest income up by 7% in the September quarter.

Rama Steel Tubes: The small-cap manufacturer and supplier of steel tubes and pipes has delivered a year-to-date return of 5.6%, trailing the Sensexs gain. Also, the stock is trading at a higher multiple compared to its peers: Its PE ratio of 72.32 times is far above that of its peers such as Jindal Saw Ltd (9.52), Welspun Corp Ltd (16.4), and Maharashtra Seamless Ltd (9.76). This suggests investors might be betting on the companys long-term potential despite its current premium valuation.

Also, a significant reduction in foreign portfolio investor stockholding in Rama Steelfrom 7.2% in the June quarter to 4.4% at the end of Septemberhas added pressure on the stock.
Among coffee connoisseurs, Gesha coffee has always been a revered coffee for more than a decade. Gesha, sometimes also written as Geisha, became popular in 2005 when it burst on the world coffee scene after Hacienda la Esmeralda, a Panama estate, won a national coffee competition and sold 1kg of its beans for a then-record price of $770 (around 65,000 now).

A varietal of Arabica coffee, Gesha was discovered in the Gori Gesha forests of Ethiopia in the 1930s. The coffee came into its own half a world away in Panama in the 1960s with the volcanic Boquete region boasting some of the best Gesha coffee plantations in the world. The coffee has bright acidity and lower bitterness compared to Arabica and Robusta, allowing for its floral and tea-like flavours to shine through in the cup. Produced in small batches and known for its labour-intensive cultivation and harvesting process, it has always commanded a high price.

Also read: 4 exciting new restaurants to check out across cities this month

Theres a reason why Gesha is called as the Champagne of coffees. It grows in limited places, production is limited to small quantities and the coffees consistently score in the 90s (out of 100). When you taste it, all the flavour notes come through," Ajit Joshi, co-founder of Delhi-based Caarabi Coffee Roasters says.

In 2019, Mumbai-based KC Roasters was among the first to bring Gesha coffee to the wider coffee community. Priced at 1,500 for 20g, the coffee caused awe and wonder in the home brewing community.

Shannon DSouza, founder, KC Roasters, remembers getting 7kg of Gesha coffee from Hacienda la Esmeralda. It was a lot of effort getting Gesha coffee to India and even with the prices, we made zero money off it (they sold it at cost as the price was unheard of at the time). Plus we had to tell the community how to brew it correctly because once the packet is brewed, you cant make the coffee again."

Around the same time, Yercaud-based Riverdale Estate announced they had produced Gesha coffee in India for the first time and presold the batch to an Australian roaster. In July this year, Nagpur-based Corridor Seven Coffee Roasters announced the first Gesha drop (made by Riverdale Estate) and saw huge demand for the entire lot (around 24kg). Its founder Mithilesh Vazalwar says they are planning to release Riverdale Geisha at their cafes next month. We are planning to introduce Riverdale Geisha, priced around 650 for a cup at our cafes by December. As a coffee varietal, Gesha ticks all the right boxes..." he adds.

In Bengaluru, 10-month-old coffee startup Insanely Good Coffee introduced Gesha coffee during one of their weekly meet-ups to an overwhelmingly positive response. The company roasts its coffee in Singapore and is focused on the Indian and Singapore markets. Purchasing coffee in India is unstructured so were trying to build a relationship with customers through our weekly events to increase our reach. With Gesha, we saw that while people knew about it earlier, now theyre also aware of why its priced at a premium and become the talk of town," Aditya Kumar, founder of Insanely Good Coffee, says.

The company has collaborated with Bengaluru-based Sakura Matcha Bar to launch its coffees. We roast only international coffees and this is the first D2C extension of our brand that we launched last month. Were going to launch at more cafes soon, starting with Roastery Cultur in Ahmedabad later this week," Nitin Shivnani, founding member of the brand, says.

In India, green beans are taxed at 110% for any international coffee, apart from duties and other taxes. This makes buying international Gesha coffee prohibitively expensive. For most coffee lovers, their best bet is to wait for other producers to follow Riverdale Estates lead and launch their own Gesha coffees.

Priyanko Sarkar is a Mumbai-based writer covering the F&B industry.

Also read: How food critics strike a balance when eating out
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- Its been a great two weeks for elections in Africa.

In a shock result a fortnight ago, the Botswana Democratic Party lost elections in the diamond-rich southern African nation for the first time in 58 years. President Mokgweetsi Masisi immediately called Duma Boko, the Harvard-educated human rights lawyer who leads the victorious Umbrella for Democratic Change, and conceded defeat. I will respectfully step aside, Masisi said. I respect the will of the people.

On Monday, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth conceded to the opposition coalition Alliance du Changement following parliamentary elections on Nov. 10. The population has decided to choose another team. I wish good luck to the country, Jugnauth said.

Commentators have applauded these smooth transitions, but Botswana and Mauritius are among the exceptions rather than the rule. With 16 of the 21 scheduled African elections this year now concluded, its clear that most have been deeply flawed  and that the African Union and other continental actors need to do more to support and entrench electoral democracy. Except for four countries (South Africa, Botswana, Mauritius and, to a lesser extent, Senegal), elections have been marred by political repression, vote-rigging, ballot stuffing, corruption, violence, and discredited incumbents using nefarious means to keep themselves or their families in power.

The African Union (AU) and regional bodies such as the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have either rubber-stamped these flawed elections, failed to properly monitor polls, or kept quiet in the face of violations of the bodies own electoral codes, thus perpetuating autocratic rule in many countries.

Why have most elections this year been so flawed? Coups and rigged balloting declined in the two decades after African leaders decided in 2000 in Lome, Togo to adopt the Constitutive Act of the African Union and the Lome Declaration. The two declarations banned and condemned coups and undemocratic changes of government. They isolated and sanctioned undemocratic behavior while rules were energetically enforced by the AU. That is no longer happening and continental and regional election observation missions merely rubber stamp deeply flawed polls. Impunity has encouraged vote rigging, poor governance and other undemocratic actions.

How did this happen? In 2013 and 2017, the AU inexplicably and hypocritically allowed coups in Egypt and Zimbabwe, opening the door to more violations of the Constitutive Act. Institutional reforms in 2017 to increase the AUs efficiency and effectiveness also had unintended consequences, including decimating key early conflict warning systems.

This is a betrayal of African citizens aspirations. Across 39 countries, support for democracy remains robust: Two-thirds (66%) of Africans say they prefer democracy to any other system of government, and large majorities reject one-man rule (80%), one-party rule (78%), and military rule (66%), according to research group Afrobarometers African Insights 2024: Democracy at risk  the peoples perspective report.

This years flawed elections are of concern in the wake of coups experienced by West and Central African states over the past four years. There have been 13 reported coups or coup attempts in the region between 2021 and August 2024.

Of elections held so far this year, there have been three transfers of power (Senegal, Mauritius and Botswana) and one where a governing party lost its majority, accepted the result and formed a coalition government (South Africa).

The rest of the field is concerning. Tunisia, which inspired the pro-democracy Arab Spring protests of 2010-2012, concluded an election in October in which opposition candidates were jailed or barred from contesting and political choices were so limited that most people saw no point in voting, according to one civil society organization.

In the aftermath of the Oct. 9 election in Mozambique, protests turned violent, and the country shut down following ruling party Frelimos disputed win after 49 years in power. Frelimo allegedly won 71% of the vote. Human Rights Watch says at least 30 people have been killed in ongoing post-election violence.

The first African election this year, in Comoros on Jan. 14, descended into deadly violence and a curfew after President Azali Assoumani was declared winner with 63% of the vote. The Comoros Supreme Court overruled the electoral commission, saying the president had only won 57.2% of the vote.

That was followed by violent protests in Senegal when President Macky Sall postponed elections scheduled for Feb. 25. Protests forced him to backtrack, and elections were finally held on March 24. Opposition leader Bassirou Diomaye Faye won and Sall peacefully departed. It was a belated win for democracy in the coup-riddled region.

In Togo, after blocking media and election observers, the ruling party won a parliamentary majority in Aprils legislative elections, allowing President Faure Gnassingbe to extend his 19-year rule for as long as his party stays in power. Depressingly, his father, Gnassingbe Eyadema, ruled for 38 years from 1967 to 2005.

Some state house incumbents won by astonishing margins. Tunisias President Kais Saied won 90.7% of the vote. The electoral commission that he handpicked approved only three of the 17 candidates who submitted preliminary paperwork to run. In Rwandas July election, President Paul Kagame won more than 99% of the vote. The electoral commission barred three candidates from contesting.

In Algeria, after polls marked by allegations of fraud and irregularities by opposition politicians, the countrys election authority said President Abdelmadjid Tebboune had won a second term with 84.3% of the vote. It had initially given him 95%.

A warning light about the state of democracy on the continent was poor voter turnout. In Tunisia, only 28% of the 9.7 million eligible voters participated. In South Africa, just 42% of the 41 million eligible voters turned out. In Brazil this year, that number was 73%, France in 2022 was 68%, the US in 2024 was 65% and India was 65%. In Comoros, the turnout was just 16.3%.

Most alarming, however, has been the fact that the African Union and regional election observation missions have failed miserably to stand up for free elections. In Mozambique, the SADC mission declared no problems with the poll despite having observed only 1% of the countrys 25,000 voting stations amid widespread allegations of fraud. In contrast, the European Union Election Observation Mission noted of the same election the tainted credibility of the electoral process.

In Tunisia, the AU Election Observation Mission failed to condemn the suppression and jailing of Saieds opponents and kept mum on the credibility of the election. It was a complete whitewash and a repeat of what it had said in Comoros in January when widespread protests led to violence. It declared the poll peaceful and without major incidents.

Ecowas, the west African regional body, has been silent as military governments in Burkina Faso and Mali postponed elections and announced extensions to junta rule.

Five more elections are due on the continent this year  Somaliland, Namibia, Chad, Ghana and Guinea Bissau all go to the polls in the next six weeks. One hopes the AU and regional observers will be more effective in these cases, but what weve seen so far in 2024 makes it hard to be optimistic.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Justice Malala is a political commentator and former editor of South Africa's This Day. He is the author of The Plot to Save South Africa: The Week Mandela Averted Civil War and Forged a New Nation.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion
Beijing (Gasgoo)- On November 14, Dongfeng Motor's premium new energy vehicle brand VOYAH entered into a strategic partnership with PhiGent Robotics, a company specializing in smart driving solutions. The collaboration aims to accelerate the adoption of mid-to-high-level intelligent driving technologies in the automotive market.

Signing ceremony; photo credit: PhiGent Robotics

PhiGent Robotics focuses on vision-based intelligent driving technologies, leveraging binocular camera systems for unique visual intelligence solutions. The company is also one of the few suppliers in the industry offering an integrated approach with proprietary hardware, software algorithms, and perception applications.

Its PhiGo intelligent driving solutions target various vehicle market segments. Its core offerings include the PhiGo Pro Standard, designed for vehicles in the 100,000 yuan to 200,000 yuan range; the PhiGo Pro Plus, tailored for the 200,000 yuan to 300,000 yuan market; and the high-performance PhiGo Max model.

The PhiGo Pro Standard includes a 7VnR sensor setup with flexible front-facing dual cameras, or single mono eye cameras, and a surround-view fisheye camera for multifunctional driving support. With up to 80 TOPS computing power, this model supports highway navigation, enhanced urban LCC (Lane Centering Control), and memory driving functions. It boasts a cost-effective system, priced under 4,000 yuan.

The enhanced PhiGo Pro Plus includes an expanded 9VnR sensor package with two additional side-view cameras and over 80 TOPS of computing power, enabling comprehensive highway and city NOA (Navigate on Autopilot) functionality, at a cost below 5,500 yuan.

PhiGent Robotics has so far achieved mass production of over one million sets of intelligent driving systems, with more than 500,000 sets of binocular system deployed, supporting NOA capabilities on popular domestic and global vehicle models.
The Bombay High Court of the Nagpur bench recently ruled that a man can be charged with rape even if he engages in consensual sexual intercourse with his wife who is under 18 years of age.

In its order, Single-judge Justice Govind Sanap judge stated, In view of the law laid down by the Apex Court, intercourse by the appellant with the victim being his wife would not constitute rape or penetrative sexual assault, cannot be accepted. It needs to be stated that the sexual intercourse with a girl below 18 years of age is rape regardless of whether she is married or not," as quoted by LiveLaw.

The single-judge Justice dismissed the man's claim that the victim's sexual relations with him were voluntary and could not be considered rape because she was his wife at the time.

As per the Livelaw report, the judge was hearing an appeal filed by the man who challenged the September 9, 2021 judgment of Wardha district's trial court. At that time, the trial court had convicted him of rape and under the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

In another incident, on November 14, a Delhi court sentenced a 28-year-old man to rigorous imprisonment of 20 years for raping an eight-year-old girl in 2016. Additional Sessions Judge Babita Puniya was hearing the arguments on sentencing against the man, who was convicted under Section 376 (2) (rape of a girl under 16 years of age) of the IPC.

Also Read | UP: Minor NEET aspirant raped for 6 months after being held captive by teachers

Special Public Prosecutor Sharawan Kumar Bishnoi sought maximum punishment for the heinous act. "Rape of a child is atrocious. Children are the most precious asset of any society. It is the duty of society to not only protect them from sexual violence and predation but also to keep them happy," the court said in its verdict dated November 11.
Dehradun Accident: Six youngsters, including three women, were killed, and one person was critically injured when their speeding multi-utility vehicle (MUV) crashed into a container truck near ONGC Chowk in Dehradun. As per the Times of India report, the incident happened on the night of November 11.

The victims, aged 19 to 24 years, were identified as Guneet Singh, Kamakshi Singhal, Navya Goyal, Rishabh Jain, Atul Agarwal, and Kunal Kukreja. The sole survivor, Siddhesh Agarwal, is hospitalised and in stable condition, TOI reported.

Here's what happened CCTV footage and statements from passersby indicate that the young people were travelling in Innova at a speed of 100 kmph. An investigating officer told TOI that the MUV was likely a new vehicle, as it had no number plates.

The officer added that a luxury car overtook the Innova at high speed, prompting the driver to accelerate in an attempt to catch up. Meanwhile, a container truck was crossing the intersection at a normal pace, resulting in the collision. He also told the daily that, the youngsters were returning from a party which was hosted by Siddhesh Agarwal.

"Driver of the MUV misjudged the timing, thinking they could also cross the intersection before the truck, which was heading towards Kaulagarh from Kishangarh Chowk. As a result, the speeding MUV collided with the truck's left side from behind," the police said as quoted by TOI.

No complaint filed yet Station House officer Inspector KC Bhatt at the Canntt police station also told TOI that they have not yet received any complaint from the victim's family members, which could warrant case registration.
Grand fireworks illuminate the sky on the ghats of River Ganga in Varanasi on the occasion of Dev Deepawali.

Dev Deepavali is celebrated on the night of Kartik Purnima, which falls after Diwali. This year, Diwali was celebrated on October 31.

Dev Diwali or Dev Deepavali is celebrated in Varanasi and other parts of Uttar Pradesh. This year, it is celebrated on Friday, November 15. Dev Deepawali, often called "the Diwali of the Gods," has lit up the ghats of the river Ganga, from Ravidas Ghat to Rajghat, with more than a million glowing diyas and fireworks.

The celebrations in the ghats of River Ganga included aarti at Saryu Ghat in Ayodhya, Ganga Aarti in Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi.

A laser and sound show showcasing the origin of the river Ganga and its significance at Chet Singh Ghat in Varanasi.

Several people gathered to witness the celebrations and chanted Har Mahadev' during the fireworks. People also enjoyed boat rides during firworks.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his wishes on the occasion of Dev Deepawali on X.

Infinite best wishes to all countrymen on Kartik Purnima and Dev Deepawali. I wish that this auspicious occasion associated with the sacred tradition of bathing, meditation and lighting lamps, may brighten everyone's life with happiness, prosperity and good fortune, PM Modi wrote on X.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, too, wished the people of the country.

Heartiest greetings of Dev Deepawali and Kartik Purnima to all countrymen. I wish that this auspicious festival of the confluence of nature and culture makes the life of all of you bright and full of energy like a lamp, Amit Shah wrote on X.

Kartik Purnima is the full moon day of the eighth lunar month, and Hindus across the country celebrate it. The festival falls on the full moon day of Kartika month. A full moon day is known by several names, such as Poornima, Poonam, Pournami, and Pournimasi in India.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has issued a call for individuals to join its initiative to streamline federal operations. In a post on X, DOGE emphasized its need for "super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries" committed to cutting costs through unglamorous yet impactful work.

The tweet underscored the need for full-time dedication, stating, "We dont need more part-time idea generators." Aspiring candidates were invited to submit their CVs for review by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, with only the top 1% being considered.

Department of Government Efficiency post on X read: "We are very grateful to the thousands of Americans who have expressed interest in helping us at DOGE. We dont need more part-time idea generators. We need super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries willing to work 80+ hours per week on unglamorous cost-cutting. If thats you, DM this account with your CV. Elon & Vivek will review the top 1% of applicants."

Objective: Maximizing taxpayer value DOGE also reassured the public of its mission to optimize the use of taxpayer funds, tweeting: "Working overtime to ensure your tax dollars will be spent wisely!" The department aims to overhaul inefficiencies within the federal government through strategic cost-cutting measures.

Elon Musks endorsement Elon Musk, co-head of DOGE, highlighted the challenges of this initiative. In a tweet, he noted, "Even a brief stint in government by people with high competence and integrity would greatly help America." Acknowledging the lack of financial incentives and the potential for resistance, Musk added, "Indeed, this will be tedious work, make lots of enemies & compensation is zero. What a great deal!"

Vivek Ramaswamy's vision Vivek Ramaswamy, who has been vocal about his support for DOGE, criticized the inefficiencies of federal bureaucracies. In a tweet, he contrasted DOGE's mission with the current state of government, where many officials "do little or no work" while earning salaries that exceed their contributions.

Speaking to Fox News, Ramaswamy compared DOGEs mission to the Manhattan Project, calling it an opportunity to solve a "man-made problem". He stressed the importance of addressing inefficiencies to save taxpayer money and restore self-governance, stating, Nature-made problems are often hard to solve, but the bloated federal bureaucracy is a man-made problem. That means there is definitely a man-made solution.

Trumps appointment of Musk and Ramaswamy to lead 'DOGE' On November 12, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced that Musk and Ramaswamy will co-lead the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). DOGE aims to streamline federal operations, cut excessive spending, and reduce waste within government agencies. This partnership will focus on reforming and restructuring the federal bureaucracy to enhance accountability and efficiency.

Also Read | Musk shares video of Joe Rogan saying he received support for endorsing Trump

"Manhattan Project" of Government reform Trump expressed confidence in the duos potential to drive transformative change, describing DOGEs mission as the Manhattan Project of our time. According to Trump, their work will help liberate the US economy and make government more accountable to citizens. Musk echoed this sentiment, stating, This will send shockwaves through the system, as they aim to eliminate inefficiencies in government.

Also Read | Vivek Ramaswamys viral graduation speech emerges amid his new role with Musk
India recorded its best-ever domestic traffic in 2023, a year ahead of IATAs prediction of post-COVID recovery. Cut to 2024 and the traffic continues to grow with the industry all set to surpass the 2023 numbers.

The first half of the financial year saw a growth in footfalls by 7.4 per cent, with 19,69,06,698 passengers between April and September this year as compared to 18,32,74,515 recorded last year, shows data released by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The split between Domestic and International traffic has undergone a small change, with international footfall being 18.8 per cent of total traffic (up 0.8 per cent). International traffic grew 12 per cent while domestic traffic went up by 6 per cent only.

There has been steady growth across top 25 airports in the country by traffic. The ones with very low bases have seen swings, which include doubling traffic due to the addition of a single flight or seeing traffic reach rock bottom as the only operating carrier pulled out flights.

Domestic There has been no change in the standings with the six metro airports having 58.5 per cent footfall, a considerable drop from previous years, but a testament to how Indian aviation has grown and expanded in the last decade. Hyderabad led the growth with 11.6 per cent more footfalls this year compared to last, followed by Kolkata (10.9 per cent), Bengaluru (8.6 per cent), Delhi (5 per cent), Chennai (4.8 per cent) and Mumbai (3.2 per cent).

The AAI has released data for 138 airports, including a handful of non-operational ones and those not used for commercial services. A summary of these shows that the majority of airports have seen growth in the 0-10 per cent range and a similar swing on the negative side with a few losing connectivity and seeing a near 100 per cent drop.

The airports that saw the highest percentage growth in percentage terms are Kullu (95.8 per cent), Vijayanagar (53.7 per cent), and Rourkela (81.9 per cent). The airports that saw the maximum degrowth are Kushinagar (-98.4 per cent), where the only operator, SpiceJet, pulled out, Rupasi (-99.8 per cent), Tezu (-96.9 per cent), and Bidar (99.9 per cent).

International The international traffic has seen a sea change, with Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTA) still lower than pre-COVID times but Indians are flying out in large numbers. The six metro airports handled 72.3 per cent of the total footfalls, which is 0.5 per cent lower than the same period last year, a healthy indication of traffic moving beyond the metros, even for international traffic. This is unlikely to change drastically since international traffic is governed by Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) where the points of call are predefined and foreign carriers cannot add flights beyond those airports. Among the six metro airports, Bengaluru has grown the fastest with 20.4 per cent growth, followed by Delhi (14.6 per cent), Hyderabad (12.5 per cent) and Mumbai (11.2 per cent). The two other metros where the airports are owned and operated by AAI saw a marginal decline in traffic, with Chennai seeing a 0.5 per cent degrowth while Kolkata recorded a 0.7 per cent regrowth.

Also Read: Airlines are flying into this winter with flat capacity

Due to the lack of smaller base numbers, the highest growth on the international side was recorded by Vizag (82.3 per cent) and Bhubaneswar (72.5 per cent). Kannur grew at 30 per cent while Chandigarh and Amritsar grew 25.8 per cent and 24.1 per cent respectively. A handful of airports also saw a drop in traffic, which includes Goa - Dabolim, Srinagar, Vijayawada and Gaya.

Adani group v/s GMR The battle brewing in the Indian airport business has been that of Adani Group vs GMR, which now sees investment from Groupe ADP. With the next phase of privatisation on hold for far too long, the current dynamics show that the GMR group of airports handled 28.2 per cent of all passengers, while the Adani group of airports handled 22.9 per cent of all passengers in H1-FY25. For the GMR group, it was an increase of 0.2 per cent, while for the Adani group, it was a drop of 0.4 per cent. The GMR group recently signed a concession agreement for Nagpur airport, which was sub-judice for a long time.

Tail Note Airports were often neglected entities in the aviation ecosystem, but that has rapidly changed. From building world-class airports to ambitions of being a hub, we have come a long way. As the airline ecosystem stabilises in India with two large airlines, the focus will shift to airports.
Jhansi Hospital Fire: At least 10 children were killed after a massive fire broke out in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Maharani Laxmibai Medical College in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi, on Friday.

"Prima facie, 10 children have died in a fire at Jhansi hospital, reported PTI, quoting District Magistrate (DM) Avinash Kumar.

Reports said that at least 40 children were rescued.

The fire broke out at 10:30 pm (on Friday) following which two fire tenders were rushed to the spot, said a police official.

Though the exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined, officials said that the fire likely broke out due to a short circuit.

The officials from the fire brigade team and senior officers are at the spot and a rescue operation is underway.

We have formed a committee to probe the cause of the fire, NDTV quoted Kumar as saying.

Chief Medical Superintendent says:

Stating that there were 54 babies admitted to the NICU ward, Chief Medical Superintendent Sachin Mahor said, The fire broke out inside the Oxygen concentrator. Efforts were made to douse the blaze, but since the room was highly oxygenated, the fire spread quickly.

Mahor added that many babies were rescued. "10 babies have died. Injured babies are undergoing treatment."

Yogi Adityanath expresses grief Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the fire incident and expressed condolences to the bereaved families of the deceased children.

"The death of children in an accident that occurred in the NICU of the medical college located in Jhansi district is extremely sad and heartbreaking. The district administration and concerned officials have been instructed to speed up the relief and rescue operations," said Yogi Adityanath in a post on X.

Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, also the state's health minister, said that he has instructed the district administration and the concerned officials to conduct relief and rescue operations on a war footing.

Pathak added that he was rushing to hospital.
Chennai rains today: The India Meteorological Department has issued an alert for heavy rainfall in several Tamil Nadu districts today, Friday, November 15. The state has received heavy rainfall over the past few days due to a weather system over the Bay of Bengal.

Chennai is likely to witness moderate rainfall today, Friday. The state capital declared a school holiday on Monday due to an IMD alert. However, schools will remain functional on Friday as the city is not a part of the list of Tamil Nadu districts under IMD alert. However, a few schools will remain closed on Friday on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti.

Also Read | Chennai Weather: School holiday today in Tamil Nadu districts amid heavy rain

Chennai weather today According to Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai, the city is likely to witness moderate rain with thunderstorm and lightning in some areas. Moderate to heavy rains are expected in a few parts of Chennai today. The city's maximum temperature is likely to remain around 32-33 degree Celsius. Whereas, minimum temperature is likely to remain around 25-26 degree Celsius.

Tamil Nadu weather update There has been a gradual decline in the number of Tamil Nadu districts kept on alert on Friday due to a reduction in impact of the active weather system over the Bay of Bengal. According to latest IMD's weather update, heavy rainfall is expected at isolated places over Ramanathapuram, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai & Cuddalore districts of Tamilnadu and Karaikal area.

Rainfall occurred at a few places over Tamil Nadu and over Puducherry & Karaikal area on Thursday. No heavy rainfall was recorded in Chennai on Thursday. However, rainfall above 60 mm was witnessed in Vedaranyam, Ambasamudram, Tirunelveli, Nagapattinam, according to tnsmart. As per IMD, Chennai has received nearly 13.6 mm rainfall on Thursday.

Earlier in the week Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin had expressed preparedness of the state in dealing with any kind of adverse situation due to heavy rainfall.
OP Jindal University

Sonipat (Haryana)/ Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], November 15: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) and O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) have entered into a noteworthy Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the development of S.A.M.V.I.D. (Smart Assistant for Museum Visitors and Interactive Displays), an innovative semi-humanoid guide robot designed for the new established India's First Constitution Museum & The Rights and Freedoms Academy at JGU Campus in Sonipat, Haryana. This initiative aims to celebrate 75 years of the adoption of the Constitution of India. The innovative effort to develop a unique robot is to enhance visitor engagement through advanced technology.

The robot project will utilise cutting-edge language models to interact with visitors, providing guided tours and detailed information about the exhibits signifying a significant step towards integrating technology into educational and cultural experiences.

The Constitution Museum and The Rights & Freedoms Academy is an unparalleled initiative and a landmark institution to be established in the annals of Indian constitutional history. The museum will be inaugurated and dedicated to the nation on 26th November 2024 to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of India.

Towards this end, cutting edge technology, AI driven interactive experiences, 3-D installations and progressive displays will be a key part of this novel museum, the first of its kind to be established at any educational institution. The collaboration between the O.P. Jindal Global University and the celebrated centre for technical expertise at IIT Madras will bring to life an unprecedented experience to commemorate the most significant document that defines India as a Republic.

The S.A.M.V.I.D. project will utilise advanced language models making visitor's experience interactive, providing guided tours and detailed information about the exhibits, including profiles of every member of the Constituent Assembly and their pivotal contributions to the Constitution. This collaboration signifies a significant step towards integrating technology into educational and cultural experiences.

JGU is establishing India's First Constitution Museum to enrich the understanding the Constitution with various sections highlighting its significance and the historical debates that shaped its creation. The museum will feature engaging installations and interactive displays that illuminate the journey of the Constitution over the past 75 years. The museum will be a key destination for understanding the Constitution, with sections dedicated to each part of the document and its significance. Through many formats--textual, audio-visual, experiential-- the museum will ignite visitors' interest in the Constitution, its evolution and its various components.

The art featured in the museum, anticipated to be a major attraction, will include both pieces from the original handcrafted document and artworks inspired by the Constitution.

JGU's partnership with IIT Madras will bring the latest in design, robotic application, bespoke hardware systems and application of new technology towards creating a museum which brings history alive.

Speaking on the occasion, Professor V Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, "IIT Madras is honoured to contribute to India's constitutional history through SAMVID, a humanoid robot that brings history to life. By blending technology with heritage, we have transformed the Constitution Museum into an immersive experience where visitors can engage with our nation's foundational legacy. SAMVID brings to life the spirit and debates that shaped modern India, offering a unique, interactive journey. At IIT Madras, our technological innovations are designed to enrich experiences in all aspects of life, and SAMVID plays a crucial role in imparting democratic values to future generations."

Professor C Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor of JGU, observed, "The partnership with IIT Madras reflects our dedication to innovation and education. The Constitution Museum, with the incorporation of S.A.M.V.I.D., will serve as a beacon of knowledge for citizens, allowing them to explore the essence of the Constitution in a manner that is both informative and inspiring. As the S.A.M.V.I.D. project develops, it aims to redefine how visitors experience the Constitution Museum at JGU, fostering a greater appreciation for India's constitutional journey through the innovative use of technology where history and tradition will meet technology and innovation."

IIT Madras, oversees the implementation of S.A.M.V.I.D. through its Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE). The OIE is committed to nurturing entrepreneurial initiatives and fostering innovation through collaboration. The Robotics centre at IIT Madras has a dedicated team of scientists and experts who are pathbreakers in the field of robotics and its application in medical, technical, underwater and teleoperated robots. This will be unique project where a tour guide robot will be designed for the Constitution Museum at JGU.

Professor Venkatesh Balasubramanian, Head, RBG Labs, Department of Engineering Design IIT Madras, who is coordinating this initiative added, "IIT Madras is privileged to contribute to India's constitutional history through SAMVID, a humanoid robot that brings our rich history to life. By blending technology with heritage, we can provide an immersive experience to visitors at the Constitution Museum to engage with our nation's foundational legacy. The Centre for Innovation's technological novel approach and the collaboration between the students of two institutes using a combination of various cutting-edge technologies are designed to enrich experiences in all aspects of life, and aid in playing a crucial role in imparting democratic values to our future generations."
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) seized 8.8 crore from the corporate office of Chennai-based 'lottery king' Santiago Martin, officials said on Friday.

Martin was the single biggest donor to political parties, with over 1,300 crore in now-scrapped electoral bonds, news agency PTI reported.

Officials said the searches were carried out in several states in connection with a money laundering case involving the 'lottery king'.

Officials told PTI that at least 20 premises linked to Martin, his son-in-law Aadhav Arjun and associates in Chennai and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, Faridabad in Haryana, Ludhiana in Punjab and Kolkata in West Bengal were searched as part of a "comprehensive" action against his business empire.

The Enforcement Directorate's move came after the Madras High Court allowed the financial probe agency to proceed against Martin as the Tamil Nadu Police had decided to close the predicate or primary FIR against him and a few others. The lower court had accepted this police plea.

A clutch of police FIRs were taken into cognisance by the ED to initiate the latest action against Martin and his business network for lottery "fraud" and "illegal" sale of lottery. The agency searched him earlier too.

Last year, the federal agency attached assets worth about 457 crore in a case against Martin linked to an alleged loss of over 900 crore to the Sikkim government by fraudulent sale of the state lottery in Kerala.

Future Gaming Solutions India Pvt. Ltd. is the master distributor of Sikkim lotteries and the ED has been investigating Martin, known as 'lottery king' in Tamil Nadu, since 2019.

Also Read | Electoral Bonds: All about Santiago Martin of Future Gaming and Hotel Services

Martin recently made news after it came to light through Election Commission data that his company (Future Gaming) was the largest purchaser of now-scrapped electoral bonds worth more than 1,300 crore, between 2019 and 2024, meant for donations to political parties.

The Madras High Court last month allowed the ED case against Martin and his linked people to go on as it set aside a lower court order which had accepted a closure report filed by the Chennai Police crime branch in a case related to the seizure of "unaccounted" 7.2 crore from his Chennai home.

Also Read | Electoral Bonds: All about Santiago Martin of Future Gaming and Hotel Services

His other companies include Martin Builders Pvt. Ltd. and Daison Land and Development Pvt. Ltd.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was stranded in Jharkhand for nearly two hours after his aircraft experienced a technical snag on Friday afternoon. The IAF plane remained at the Deoghar airport while the PM eventually returned to Delhi on a different aircraft. PM Modi addressed a rally in the Jamui area of neighbouring Bihar on Friday ahead of a scheduled event in Delhi.

"PM Modi left for Delhi from Deoghar in another special aircraft after his IAF plane developed a technical snag. The aircraft could not be rectified on time. PM had to wait for more than two hours," Deoghar Deputy Commissioner Vishal Sagar told PTI.

The airspace was declared a no-flying zone on Friday afternoon as the PM waited for the issue to be resolved. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also found himself caught in a similar situation after a rally in the Godda area of Jharkhand. The LoP had his helicopter grounded for about two hours  prompting allegations from the Congress that the delay was politically motivated.

The updates came soon after the PM concluded a visit to Jamui in Bihar to commemorate the birth anniversary of legendary freedom fighter Birsa Munda. He launched tribal welfare projects worth more than 6,000 crore during the event.

Gandhi found himself unable to exit poll-bound Jharkhand on Friday after his chopper was flagged for ATC non-clearance. The aircraft was eventually cleared for travel after a delay of 45 minutes  with party leaders dubbing it a calculated move to disrupt his campaign schedule.

"Just because the PM is in Deogarh, Rahul Gandhi was not allowed to cross that area...There is the protocol we understand but Congress ruled the country for 70 years and such an incident never happened with any opposition leader. This is not acceptable," said Dipika Pandey Singh, MLA and Congress candidate from Mahagama seat.
Guangzhou (Gasgoo)- On November 15, Geely's new energy vehicle brand ZEEKR unveiled its advanced Haohan 2.0 Plus intelligent driving architecture ("Haohan" is named in Chinese pinyin) at the Auto Guangzhou 2024, showcasing significant improvements in adaptive driving and obstacle avoidance.

Photo credit: ZEEKR

The Haohan 2.0 Plus, ZEEKR's proprietary end-to-end intelligent driving architecture, builds on the original model by integrating a new digital prescience network and a multimodal large language model (MLM). This upgrade enhances situational awareness and driving behavior to the level of an experienced local driver.

The Haohan 1.0 version was launched in December 2023. By October 31, 2024, the Haohan 2.0's HD map-free urban NZP (Navigation ZEEKR Pilot) function entered public testing, with a nationwide rollout planned by late 2024.

Photo credit: ZEEKR

A highlight of the Haohan 2.0 Plus is ZEEKR's innovative digital prescience network, which introduces three key capabilities: road prescience, behavior prescience, and spatio-temporal prescience. This network enables dynamic road hazard avoidance, such as maneuvering around potholes or responding instantly to sudden obstacles like pedestrians. It also enhances spatial awareness, preventing potential accidents at road junctions.

Supporting this network, the MLM model interprets complex traffic scenarios and possesses general world knowledge, allowing it to perform conscious reasoning akin to human drivers. A built-in safety model continuously monitors and corrects any decision-making anomalies, ensuring stable and safe driving performance.

Photo credit: ZEEKR

Additionally, ZEEKR introduces a parking spot-to-parking spot navigation (D2D) function in the Haohan 2.0 Plus system, with features like all-speed activation, unrestricted parking adaptability, and autonomous vacancy detection, slated for staggered release from January 2025.
By Nicole Jao and Gabrielle Ng

SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Oil prices fell on Friday on signs demand in China, the world's biggest crude importer, continues to underperform amid its uneven economic recovery.

Brent crude futures were down 65 cents, or 0.9%, at $71.91 a barrel by 0450 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were down 62 cents, or 0.9%, at $68.08.

For the week, Brent is set to fall 2.7% while WTI is set to decline 3.3%.

"While oil prices have somewhat stabilised around the $71.00 level of support this week, the lack of a concrete bullish catalyst suggests that price recovery remains tepid for now," Yeap Jun Rong, market strategist at IG, said in an email.

The prospect of higher supplies from the U.S. and OPEC along with doubts over China's economic recovery continue to be of concern, while the odds of a December rate cut are now "closer to a coin flip" under a less dovish Federal Reserve, Yeap added.

China's oil refiners in October processed 4.6% less crude than a year earlier, falling year-on-year for a seventh month, amid the closures of some plants and reduced operating rates at smaller independent refiners, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Friday.

The decline in run rates occurred as China's factory output growth slowed last month and demand woes in its property sector showed few signs of abating even though consumer spending increased, government data showed.

Oil prices also fell this week as major forecasters indicated market fundamentals remained bearish.

The International Energy Agency forecast global oil supply will exceed demand in 2025 even if cuts remain in place from OPEC , which includes the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies such as Russia, as rising production from the U.S. and other outside producers outpaces sluggish demand.

The Paris-based agency raised its 2024 demand growth forecast by 60,000 barrels per day to 920,000 bpd, and left its 2025 oil demand growth forecast little changed at 990,000 bpd.

OPEC this week cut its forecast for global oil demand growth for this year and 2025, highlighting weakness in China, India and other regions, marking the producer group's fourth-consecutive downward revision to its 2024 outlook.

U.S. crude inventories last week rose by 2.1 million barrels, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Thursday, much more than analysts' expectations for a 750,000-barrel rise.

Gasoline stocks fell by 4.4 million barrels last week to the lowest since November 2022, the EIA said, compared with analysts' expectations in a Reuters poll for a 600,000-barrel build. Distillate stockpiles, which include diesel and heating oil, also fell unexpectedly by 1.4 million barrels, the data showed.
Punjab province in Pakistan on Friday declared a health emergency and shut down two cities due to smog.

Almost 2 million people have fallen sick as smog chokes the Punjab province, reported AP.

The health emergency was declared by Marriyum Aurangzeb, senior provincial minister, at a press conference. The minister also announced measures to tackle the growing crisis.

Also Read | Delhi AQI: Airport issues advisory for passengers in view of smog conditions

Smog is currently a national disaster.It will not all be over in a month or a year. We will evaluate the situation after three days and then announce a further strategy," Aurangzeb said.

"Schools will remain closed for another week due to the hazardous air quality. Institutes including universities would switch to online classes to ensure the safety of students," Aurangzeb was quoted by AFP as saying.

Also Read | Pakistan grants 3,000 visas to Indian Sikhs for Guru Nanak birthday celebrations

The report said that as a measure to tackle the ongoing crisis, medical staff's time off has been cancelled, all education institutions are closed until further notice, restaurants will be closed by 4 pm, and takeaway food will be available at 8 pm. The government has imposed a lockdown in Multan and Lahore cities, stopping construction work in these cities.

Lahore, with a population of 11 million, reported a 600 air quality index (AQI) on Friday. An AQI above 300 is regarded as harmful to health.

Smog is a byproduct of emissions from a large number of vehicles, construction and industrial activities and crop burning for agriculture, according to experts cited in the AP report.

However, Pakistan's weather department that the quality of air will improve and the smog will be reduced in the Punjab province due to rain and wind in the coming days.

Rain likely to bring relief The report cites Dr Muhammad Ashraf, a professor at Jinnah Hospital Lahore and Allama Iqbal Medical College, who said the government should take precautionary measures before smog becomes more severe.
Sri Lankas National Peoples Power of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Thursday secured a majority in parliament, according to official results announced by the elections commission.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's leftist coalition won a majority in snap parliamentary polls, provisional results showed Friday.

Also Read | Jaishankar discusses ways to strengthen India-Sri Lanka ties with Anura Kumara

The NPP coalition secured 137 out of 196 seats in the direct elections, achieving a two-thirds majority, according to the results from Friday's ballot counting. Local media forecasts suggest that their total could exceed 150 seats in the 225-member parliament once additional seats are allocated through the proportional representation system.

Dissanayake, a political outsider in a country dominated by family parties for decades, comfortably won the island's presidential election in September.

Also Read | Travel hacks for a luxury Sri Lanka trip for just 1.5 lakh

The NPP secured almost 62 percent or almost 7 million votes in Thursday's election, up from the 42 percent Dissanayake won in September, indicating that he had drawn more widespread support including from minorities and built on his victory.

All you need to know about Anura Kumara Dissanayake Dissanayake has served as a member of parliament, actively tackling the nations economic challenges.

Born on November 24, 1968, in Thambuthegama, Anuradhapura District, Dissanayake comes from a humble background; his father was a laborer and his mother a housewife.

Also Read | Litmus test for Anura Dissanayake as Sri Lankans head to polls on November 14

Speaking about his education qualification, he graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Science from the University of Kelaniya.
Fans of Nayanthara, fondly called the Lady Superstar, have been buzzing with excitement following the release of a clip from the Netflix documentary Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale. The documentary shows her personal life and love story with her husband, Vignesh Shivan.

The Netflix video has been viewed nearly 4 million times.

The couple, who tied the knot on June 9, 2022, in Mahabalipuram, celebrated their wedding in a grand ceremony attended by film icons such as Shah Rukh Khan, Rajinikanth and AR Rahman.

In the clip, Nayanthara shared a heartfelt memory of how she first saw Vignesh in a different light. She recalled an incident during a shoot in Pondicherry, where his charm struck her while he directed Vijay Sethupathi. She admitted that she suddenly noticed him differently, describing him as a cute guy and admired his approach to filmmaking.

Also Read | Karan Johar turns heads with 2.5-lakh brooch

Vignesh, in the same clip, revealed his perspective. He mentioned that he initially admired Nayan Maam for her talent and professionalism. Over time, their conversations deepened, and he realised a special connection, marking the beginning of their relationship.

Fans have taken to social media to express their love for the couple. Many highlighted how Vignesh respectfully referred to Nayanthara as maam, calling it both sweet and endearing.

The way he said "Nayan mam", wrote one fan while another commented, The way he still addresses her as mam.

Others admired the shyness in Nayantharas expression as she spoke about her feelings, noting their genuine affection.

I was blushing all the way when they talked about their side of the story, came from one fan.

Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale OTT release date The Netflix India documentary will premiere on November 18, the actress birthday. Nayanthara will turn 40 this year.
It has been a dreadful year for the British royal family with multiple members battling cancer and other health issues. Prince William shared his vision for the future earlier this month  with a focus on empathetic leadership and support for people. Royal insiders however warn that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle might pose a threat to this plan of action.

I can only describe what I'm trying to do, and that's I'm trying to do it differently and I'm trying to do it for my generation. And to give you more an understanding around it, I'm doing it with maybe a smaller R in the royal, if you like, that's maybe a better way of saying it, William told the BBC last week.

The Royals have been largely estranged from Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle after the duo stepped down as senior royals in 2020. Royal historian Dr. Tessa Dunlop however told The Mirror that the royals needed to be careful and ensure they retained a large dollop of fairytale glamor.

The Royal Family might think they are above such glitzy gimmicks. That would be a mistake. After all, waiting in the wings are ex-royals the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, she warned.

Dunllop described the US-based duo as instinctively glamorous with bundles of razzmatazz and suggested that Prince William should beware. As she put it in conversation with The Mirror, it would never do for the Royal brand to be upstaged.

Also Read | Prince Harry finds spot in TIME100 Climate 2024 list, brother William left out

King Charles III was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in February, forcing the monarch to step away from public appearances for two months as he focused on his treatment and recovery. Kate, the princess of Wales, announced her own cancer diagnosis a few weeks later and is slowly returning to public duties after completing a course of chemotherapy.

Buckingham Palace announced on Friday that Kate and the king would both take part in the national commemoration of Remembrance Day, in central London, on Sunday to honor those who died during the world wars and all the conflicts that have followed.
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Todd Blanche, an attorney who led the legal team that defended the Republican at his hush money criminal trial, to serve as the second-highest ranking Justice Department official.

A former federal prosecutor, Blanche has been a key figure on Trump's defense team both in the New York case that ended in a conviction in May, and the federal cases brought by Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith.

Todd is an excellent attorney who will be a crucial leader in the Justice Department, fixing what has been a broken System of Justice for far too long, Trump said in a statement Thursday announcing his pick.

If confirmed as deputy attorney general by the Republican-led Senate, Blanche would manage the day-to-day operations of the sprawling Justice Department, which Trump has vowed to radically overhaul.

The announcement comes a day after the president-elect said he had chosen as attorney general Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, a Trump loyalist who once faced a Justice Department sex trafficking investigation that ended in no charges.

Trump is appointing two other members of his defense team to high-ranking Justice Department positions.

Emil Bove, an ex-federal prosecutor, will be the principal associate deputy attorney general and will serve as acting deputy attorney general until Blanche is confirmed, Trump said.

Trump tabbed D. John Sauer, who successfully argued his presidential immunity case before the U.S. Supreme Court, to be the solicitor general, representing his administration before the high court. Sauer, who was previously Missouris solicitor general, was a Rhodes scholar and served as a Supreme Court clerk for the late Justice Antonin Scalia.

Blanche's previous wins Blanche represented Trump in both the 2020 election interference case in Washington and the Florida case accusing the former president of hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. In both cases, the defense team successfully mounted a legal strategy focused heavily on delaying the cases until after the election.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon last summer threw out the classified documents case, finding that Smiths appointment by Attorney General Merrick Garland was illegal. The 2020 election case was stalled amid wrangling over Trump's claims of immunity from prosecution that went up to the Supreme Court.

The Justice Department is now evaluating how to wind down the two prosecutions to comply with longstanding department policy that says sitting presidents cannot be indicted or prosecuted while in office.

Blanche has also represented Trumps former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, and succeeded in getting a mortgage fraud case against him dismissed in the same New York court where Trump was convicted. Blanche argued that case, brought by the Manhattan district attorney's office, was too similar to one that landed Manafort in federal prison and therefore amounted to double jeopardy.

Blanche joined Trumps defense team just prior to his April 2023 arraignment in the New York case. Trump was accused in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through a hush money payment to a porn actor who said the two had sex. Trump was convicted of 34 felony counts, though his attorneys are urging the judge to overturn the guilty verdict.

Blanche left the firm Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, where he was a partner in the White Collar Defense and Investigations practice, to form his own practice. Blanche told colleagues at Cadwalader that he was resigning to represent Trump. He'd joined the firm in September 2017.

In an email announcing his departure, he wrote: I have been asked to represent Trump in the recently charged DA case, and after much thought/consideration, I have decided it is the best thing for me to do and an opportunity I should not pass up.

Todd Blanche's career Originally from the Denver suburbs, Blanche graduated from American University in Washington, D.C., and Brooklyn Law School.

Blanche first joined the Justice Department as a paralegal in the U.S. attorneys office for the Southern District of New York, while in law school.

He was later a law clerk for federal judges and then a prosecutor in the same U.S. attorneys office, which covers Manhattan, the Bronx, and northern suburbs, for about eight years and spent two years as co-chief of the offices violent crimes unit.

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A school teacher in the US has been charged with offering money, alcohol and drugs to students in exchange for sex. 30-year-old Carissa Jane Smith  a substitute teacher at the Dixon Middle School in Missouri  faces multiple accusations of statutory rape, sodomy and sexual contact with children. The victims varied in age with one telling the police he was in middle school when Smith first solicited sex.

Smith would offer money, marijuana and/or alcohol to students in return for sex or to allow her to perform oral sex. Victim statements advised that Smith would have sex with them at her residence and other various locations such as gravel roads or on the side of the road, the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department wrote in a Facebook statement.

Smith was arrested on November 12 and currently remains in police custody on a $250,000 bond. Charges against the teacher include multiple counts of statutory rape, sodomy, sexual misconduct with students, patronising prostitution, sexual trafficking of children and more.

According to a victim, Smith had begun sending nude photos of herself via social media platform Snapchat while he was still in middle school. She also propositioned the child for sex and offered money (at least a $100) to engage in sexual activities. She would also provide the children with alcohol and marijuana at times.

The victim was however warned multiple times against telling anyone about the encounters as she would get into trouble. The encounters took place at her home, in her vehicle, on the side of the street or even on gravel roads.
The trial of Jose Ibarra, the man accused of murdering a Georgia nursing student, has reignited the national immigration debate that shaped much of the 2024 election cycle. Ibarra, a Venezuelan national charged with killing 22-year-old Laken Hope Riley in February, is facing multiple charges, including malice murder and kidnapping. His case gained widespread attention not only for the tragic death of Riley but also for the revelation that Ibarra entered the US illegally in 2022 and was allowed to remain while pursuing his immigration case.

This development has led to sharp criticism of President Joe Bidens border policies.

The trial, set to begin with opening statements on Friday, will likely continue to fuel these discussions, as both sides of the debate await the courts ruling on Ibarra's fate.

Ibarra, a Venezuelan national, is charged with multiple crimes in connection with Rileys death, which occurred in February 2024. Her body was discovered near running trails on the University of Georgia campus after a friend reported she had not returned from her morning jog. Police have stated that the killing appeared to be a random act of violence. Ibarra was arrested the following day and has been held without bond.

Prosecution seeks life sentence, avoiding death penalty Prosecutors plan to present evidence that Ibarra struck Riley in the head, asphyxiated her, and intended to sexually assault her. Although they are not pursuing the death penalty, they are seeking a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Ibarra faces multiple charges in murder of Laken Hope Riley Ibarra faces charges including one count of malice murder, three counts of felony murder, kidnapping, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, hindering an emergency call, tampering with evidence, and being a peeping Tom.

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Peeping Tom charge linked to Ibarras actions on the day of the murder The peeping Tom charge stems from an incident on the day of Rileys death, where Ibarra allegedly looked into the window of an apartment in a university housing building. Prosecutors argue that this action was part of his pattern of behavior on the day of the killing.

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Ibarra waived his right to a jury trial, meaning that his case will be heard and decided by Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard. Ahead of the trial, defense attorneys unsuccessfully sought to move the proceedings out of Athens and to have certain charges and evidence excluded from the trial.

Trump Targets immigration and Venezuelan gangs in new deportation plan Former US President and now President-elect Donald Trump reignited his strong stance on immigration during campaigning, promising the largest deportation operation in US history, which he has dubbed Operation Aurora. The operation would focus on deporting members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TDA), a violent group with roots in a notorious prison. Trump has repeatedly accused President Biden and Vice President Harris of allowing dangerous migrants to flood the country, particularly targeting communities like Aurora, Colorado, which has seen tensions over the arrival of Venezuelan migrants.

Trumps campaign rhetoric continued to center on immigration, with claims that gangs are taking over neighborhoods. He has also pledged to use the Alien Enemies Act, a 1798 law, to deport noncitizens from countries the US is at war with.
Arshdeep Singh Gill, also known as Arsh Dalla, a Khalistani terrorist, was recently arrested in Canada. A resident of Surrey, British Columbia, Arsh Dalla has over 50 murder cases against him, Gill is wanted by the Punjab Police and the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which has offered a bounty of Rs10 lakh, stated reports.

Arsh Dalla is a proclaimed offender in over 50 cases of murder, attempt to murder, extortion and terrorist acts, including financing. In May 2022, a Red Corner Notice was issued against him. He was designated in India as an individual terrorist in 2023. In July 2023, the Indian government requested the Canadian government for his provisional arrest, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated on X.

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Who is Arsh Dalla? Reportedly, Arshdeep Singh Gill is known to have been a close aide of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed in June 2023. Dalla was a local gangster operating in Punjab. After moving to Canada, he took over as the chief of the Khalistani Tiger Force (KTF) following Nijjar's death.

A native of the Dala village in Punjab, Dalla shifted to Surrey in Canada in 2020, where he lived with his wife and a minor daughter. Reports indicate that Dallas passport was issued by a Punjab Police assistant sub-inspector (ASI) using a forged identification report.

While in Canada, Arsh Dalla expanded his terrorist network, which currently spans multiple countries, including the United States, Europe, and parts of the Middle East.

Arsh Dalla's criminal record Arshdeep Singh Gill is wanted for multiple high-profile crimes, particularly targeting political figures including Manohar Lal, a member of Dera Sacha Sauda.

Dalla tapped social media to recruit youngsters from Punjab and Haryana to support his terror operations. Accused of orchestrating several violent crimes in India, Dalla was arrested by the Halton Regional Police Service in Ontario on October 27-28 following a shootout.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has confirmed the first human case of bird flu or avian influenza caused by the H5N1 virus. This case was reported in British Columbia, where a teenager was hospitalized and later tested positive for the virus.

Details of the case On November 9, 2024, the teenager in British Columbia was tested for avian influenza after showing flu-like symptoms. The National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg confirmed that the teenager had been infected with H5N1, a type of avian influenza that has been affecting poultry in the region. The virus in this case is linked to the current outbreak of bird flu in poultry in British Columbia.

Investigation and public health measures Health officials in British Columbia are investigating how the teenager got infected. They are tracing the contacts of the infected person, testing others who may have been exposed, and providing antiviral medication to help prevent the virus from spreading. So far, no additional cases have been reported. The investigation is ongoing.

Low Risk for the general public PHAC has stated that the risk of avian influenza spreading to the general public is low. Most human cases of avian influenza happen when people have close contact with infected birds or animals. However, people who work with animals, especially poultry, may be at higher risk.

Precautions to prevent infection To prevent infection, people should avoid handling sick or dead birds or animals. Farmers and workers who handle animals are encouraged to wear protective gear. If someone thinks they may have been exposed to the virus, they should contact their healthcare provider or local health authority for advice.

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No risk from milk Although there is an outbreak of avian influenza in dairy cattle in the U.S., there have been no reports of bird flu in dairy cattle in Canada. Milk and milk products that are pasteurized are safe to consume.

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Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On November 15, AION, the electric vehicle brand under GAC AION, made a splash at the Auto Guangzhou 2024 with the global debut of its third strategic model, the AION UT (named "Yingwulong" in Chinese Pinyin, which can be translated to "Psittacosaurus").

Positioned in the competitive 100,000-yuan price range, the new model stands out with its impressive size, measuring 4,270 mm in length, 1,850 mm in width, and 1,575 mm in height, with a notable wheelbase of 2,750 mm.

Photo credit: GAC AION

The AION UT features a sleek, rounded design, exuding a sense of modern sophistication. The vehicle's styling was crafted by a Milan-based design studio, embodying AION's latest global design language that marries international elegance with urban chic. The front end is highlighted by uniquely shaped headlights seamlessly integrated with the car's flowing body lines, giving it a distinctive and bold appearance. A variety of color options add vibrancy and appeal, catering to consumers seeking personalized aesthetics.

Photo credit: GAC AION

From the side, the half-hidden door handles enhance the vehicle's futuristic look while also contributing to a smoother profile. The charging port is thoughtfully positioned on the right front fender, signaling its identity as a new energy vehicle. Based on official photos and live displays, the AION UT offers a selection of wheel designs and diverse exterior color options, allowing buyers to customize the car to their preferences.

Photo credit: GAC AION

The interior of the AION UT is equally compelling. It features a 14.6-inch central touchscreen paired with an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, boosting the car's high-tech ambiance and providing ample functionality for information and controls. The model supports multiple smartphone integration options, including HiCar, CarLink, and CarPlay, enabling seamless access to music, navigation, and other convenient services. Additionally, AI voice control allows drivers to operate navigation, seat adjustments, climate control, and defrosting features through simple voice commands, enhancing both convenience and safety.

Photo credit: GAC AION

In terms of space, the AION UT carries rear seats with a width of up to 1,330 mm, comfortably accommodating three adults without feeling cramped. The vehicle also boasts a substantial 440-liter, three-layer storage trunk, capable of holding four 20-inch suitcases or a single 32-inch suitcase, meeting the storage needs of modern consumers.

Under the hood, the AION UT is equipped with a 100 kW electric motor, enabling a top speed of 150 km/h. It features a lithium iron phosphate battery produced by GAC-owned Yinpai Battery Technology.
Princess Mikasa  the oldest member of the Japanese royal family  passed away on Friday at the age of 101. The emperor's great aunt had been hospitalised in Tokyo since March after suffering a stroke and pneumonia.

The Japanese royal was born as Yuriko Takagi to an aristocratic family in 1923. She married the younger brother of wartime emperor Hirohito at the age of 18 and became styled as Her Imperial Highness The Princess Mikasa. She had five children with Prince Takahito  two girls and three boys.

According to Japanese daily Asahi Shimbun, she gave birth to her first child in 1944 during World War II. The she was forced to stay in a shelter with her baby daughter after their house burned down in an air raid.

Hirohito -- who served as Japan's commander-in-chief during its brutal march across Asia in the 1930s and 40s -- surrendered in an August 1945 speech, after the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Princess Mikasa's husband Prince Mikasa, who died in 2016 at 100, was in favour of the decision to end the war.

But young officers who disagreed would come regularly to the shelter to try and change his mind.

Princess Mikasa recalled that the atmosphere was "very frightening" with "heated arguments and tension, as if bullets were about to fly", the Asahi Shimbun said.

Having lost their home, the decades that followed were far from luxurious for the princess, who took on domestic duties as the family struggled financially.

"When I was raising my children, Japanese society was still in a difficult period," she said on her 100th birthday in a statement released by the Imperial Household Agency.

"I recall with deep gratitude how many people, including my husband, always supported me," the princess added.

All three of Princess Misaka's sons passed away before her, including one who died aged 47 while playing squash at the Canadian embassy.

Male-only succession rules mean that Japan's royal women cannot ascend to the throne and must forgo their imperial status if they marry outside the family.

Princess Misaka has three granddaughters who remain princesses, including Akiko, whose 2015 book was a hit in Japan, describing her studies at Oxford and an incident in which her diplomatic passport caused suspicion at an airport.

The 101-year-old's passing followed reports since early November that her condition had begun to deteriorate.

Current Emperor Naruhito's 18-year-old nephew Prince Hisahito is the only young heir to the throne. Naruhito's daughter Princess Aiko is barred from the throne under the Imperial Household Law, in place since 1947.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmers office,10 Downing Street, has issued an apology following criticism over the organisation of its recent Diwali reception, which sparked concerns among members of the British Indian community. A spokesperson acknowledged the "mistake" of meat and alcohol being served at the event and assured that measures would be taken to prevent such oversights in the future.

The Prime Minister was pleased to welcome a range of communities celebrating Diwali to a reception in Downing Street, the spokesperson said. However, they admitted, We understand the strength of feeling on this issue and so would apologise to the community and assure them it will not happen again.

Concerns raised by British Indian MP The apology came in response to a formal letter by Conservative Party MP Shivani Raja, representing Leicester East, who highlighted the event's failure to align with Hindu customs.

I feel it speaks poorly against the organisation of this year's event  with a disappointing lack of knowledge of the customs and traditions that many British citizens hold dear, Raja wrote in her letter. She expressed her sadness over reports of meat and alcohol being served at the event, which many Hindus consider inappropriate during religious celebrations.

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Raja offered her assistance to ensure future Hindu celebrations are organised respectfully, emphasizing the importance of cultural sensitivity in such gatherings.

Community reactions and criticism Insight UK, a community organisation, criticised the event for an "appalling lack of understanding" of the spiritual significance of Diwali. Other community leaders called for better consultation to prevent such issues during future celebrations.

Diwali reception background Held on October 29, this year's reception was the first Diwali celebration at Downing Street under the Labour government, elected four months ago. The event brought together British Indian community leaders, professionals, and parliamentarians.

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SEOUL : Kim Jong Un oversaw a fiery exhibition of North Koreas latest suicide drones, highlighting the military capabilities that could be honed by his countrys recent troop deployment to the Russian front lines with Ukraine where such aerial attacks are commonplace.

Kim, clad in a black leather jacket, rose from a beige-colored suede chair to watch the drones soar into the skies, Pyongyangs state media reported Friday. One nosedived into a BMW sedan, and an X-wing drone, similar in build to a Russian model, catapulted into an armored tank.

Attack drones have played a crucial role in the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, with the unmanned vehicles conducting deadly attacks. They represent a relatively cheap and increasingly effective option for a cash-strapped nation like North Korea, given its technological gap with South Korea and the U.S.

Improving the regimes limited drone capabilities has been high on Kims weapons wishlist. But concerns persist over Moscows ability to turn Pyongyang into another drone supplier or help the Kim regime advance its own lineup.

At the event Thursday, Kim, the 40-year-old dictator, demanded mass production of unmanned aerial vehicles. Drones have become an essential requirement" for militaries around the world, he added. It is easy to use them as a component of striking power," he said.

Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin have fortified military bonds between the two countries over the past year or so. Moscow can offer weapons know-how that Pyongyang lacks. North Korea is sending munitions, missiles and troops to aid Putins war with Ukraine.

The tighter relationship has extended to drones. In August, South Koreas military said it was analyzing whether North Korea may have modified attack drones that Putin gifted last year to Kim after their summit in Russias Far East. Earlier this week, the State Department said the roughly 10,000 North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia have been engaged in combat and drew attention to the training offered on drone operations on the front lines.

At the event Thursday, North Korea showcased at least three different drone models, according to military experts who reviewed the state-media photos.

A smaller fixed-wing drone rammed into the BMW while a larger X-wing modelwhich resembles the Ranchet 3 used by the Russianscrashed into the tank, said Yang Uk, a military expert at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, a Seoul-based think tank. Another was a large theater-level" drone that could deliver longer-range strikes.

It is likely that North Korea has made improvements to Russian drone designs to export the UAVs back to Russia, as they are being quickly consumed in the war in Ukraine, Yang said.

Theres potential for North Korea to supply additional weapons to Russia if they begin mass producing attack drones," he said.

Write to Dasl Yoon at dasl.yoon@wsj.com
NASA astronaut and Crew-8 commander Matthew Dominick shed light on the challenges posed by aging hardware on the International Space Station (ISS) and NASA's extravehicular mobility units (EMUs), commonly known as spacesuits. Speaking during a press conference on November 8, Dominick, as reported by Space.com, emphasized the toll of decades of use on critical space equipment.

"No spring chickens": Spacesuit limitations The EMUs, designed for spacewalks, have seen extensive use over the years, and their age is beginning to show. "None of our spacesuits are spring chickens, as we would say, and so we will expect to see some hardware issues with repeated use," Dominick was quoted as saying by the online publication focused on space.

The durability and reliability of the spacesuits remain vital to astronaut safety and the execution of extravehicular activities, particularly as the ISS continues its extended operations.

Astronaut discusses spacewalk cancellation and ongoing ISS leak concerns NASA astronaut and Crew-8 commander Matthew Dominick addressed the growing challenges faced by the International Space Station (ISS) during a recent press briefing. Dominick highlighted key issues involving aging hardware, a cancelled spacewalk, and an ongoing air leak, all of which underscore the importance of safety and adaptability in the challenging environment of space.

Coolant leak causes spacewalk cancellation On June 24, Crew-8 was forced to cancel a planned spacewalk when NASA astronaut Tracy Dysons spacesuit experienced a brief coolant eruption. The issue arose from an umbilical connection between Dysons suit and the ISS. Though the leak caused a temporary disruption, NASA officials quickly assured the public that there was no danger to the astronauts. The malfunction was promptly fixed, and plans for future spacewalks, including those scheduled for 2025, will proceed with the repaired equipment.

Dominick stressed that NASAs procedures for spacewalking are designed with safety as the top priority. Any malfunction or potential risk is thoroughly investigated, and in such cases, mission protocols are followed to ensure astronaut safety. He added, "It's one of those things that we are always ready to stop, or ready to turn in another direction, or work a contingency procedure. And that is exactly what we did."

Addressing the ISS leak Dominick also discussed an ongoing air leak on the ISS, explaining the precautionary measures taken by NASA and Russian cosmonauts. "It's not a comfortable thing, but it is the best agreement between all the smart people on both sides, and it's something that we as a crew live with and enact," Dominick said.

Crew safety remains a priority Despite these challenges, Dominick assured that the current measures do not compromise the safety or well-being of the crew. He stated that the ISS remains "in good hands" and highlighted the strong collaboration between international teams.

The four Crew-8 astronauts returned to Earth on October 25.

NASA Office of Inspector General report: Cracks and leaks in the Russian Service Module NASA faces growing challenges in ensuring the continuous operation of the ISS through 2030. A key concern is the increasing number of cracks and air leaks in the Russian Service Module Transfer Tunnel, a primary safety risk. These leaks were first identified in 2021 and have worsened, with the leak rate increasing to its highest level by April 2024. NASA, in collaboration with Roscosmos, has been investigating these issues and working to mitigate them. Despite efforts, the leak rate has recently increased to its highest level, raising concerns about the future of the ISS structure, NASA Office of Inspector General said in its report on September 26, 2024.

Supply chain challenges: Aging components and replacement difficulties As the ISS ages, securing replacement parts has become increasingly difficult, with many suppliers ceasing production of critical components. NASAs current parts replacement strategy meets operational needs, but challenges loom as the ISS continues to age, especially if operations extend past 2030, it said.

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Transportation risks: Dependence on a single launch provider Reliable transportation for cargo and crew remains critical to ISS operations. However, NASA currently depends on a single launch provider for both cargo and crew transport, creating a significant vulnerability. If the launch vehicle fails or is grounded, NASA would face a potential disruption in cargo and crew supply, potentially relying on international partners to continue operations, NASA audit report further stated.
Marxist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake led the National People's Power coalition to a landslide victory on Friday as Sri Lanka concluded snap parliamentary elections. The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (also known as United People's Power Party) led by opposition leader Sajith Premadasa was a distant second with 40 seats and just 17.6% of the voteshare.

Dissanayake had gained prominence after distancing himself from successive leaders blamed for steering the country to its 2022 economic crisis. The country is still trying to recover from its worst financial crash in history  even as a barrage of austerity measures including tax hikes fuelling resentment.

The outpouring of public anger had eventually culminated in the storming of then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa's compound, prompting his resignation and temporary exile. The country had declared bankruptcy after defaulting on its external debt in 2022.

The Leftist leader has pledged to change a "corrupt" political culture  a message that resonated with millions of Sri Lankans struggling to make ends meet in recent years.

Here is all you need to know about the poll results:

Data from the Election Commission indicated that the National Peoples Power Party won 159 of the 225 seats in the parliament. The United People's Power Party led by opposition leader Sajith Premadasa secured 40 seats.

The outgoing parliament was dominated by the party of former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Their party managed to win just three seats in the next assembly.

The election comes at a decisive time for Sri Lankans as the island nation continues to struggle with its worst economic crisis in history. The margin of victory will enable Dissanayake to carry out sweeping reforms  including a campaign promise of a new constitution  without having to rely on other parties.

The alliance made history in the Jaffna electoral district as it trounced traditional Tamil nationalist parties in the cultural capital of the community. This is the first time that a predominantly Sinhala party from the countrys south has notched this achievement. The United National Party had previously won a solitary seat in the district.

Party general secretary Tilvin Silva told reporters after final results were announced that they would press ahead with promised reforms to scrap Sri Lanka's powerful executive presidency, first introduced in 1978. The JVP have pledged to revert Sri Lanka to full parliamentary rule, with the prime minister serving as the head of government.

Dissanayake had campaigned on a pledge to renegotiate a controversial $2.9 billion International Monetary Fund bailout secured by his predecessor. He has softened his stance somewhat since taking office and resolved to maintain the existing agreement with the IMF. He has found strong backing from the Sri Lankan private sector.

A third review of the IMF programme was delayed due to the parliamentary election. The new government is expected to step up talks with the IMF and fiscal goals set under the programme are likely to be included in a budget to be presented to parliament early next year.

The Dissanayake-led JVP party is the main constituent in the NPP coalition and has a somewhat controversial past. It had led two insurrections in 1971 and 1987 that resulted in at least 80,000 deaths. It had violently opposed any attempt at power-sharing -- a key Tamil demand during the armed separatist campaign of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

He was elected president on September 21 after defeating numerous political elites with just 42% of the votes in his favour. This in turn fuelled questions about the prospects of his party in the parliamentary elections. The NPP however received a large increase in support less than two months into his presidency.

Dissanayake had announced the snap polls shortly after his election as president in September. The new parliament is now set to meet next week.
Hundreds of people marched through the streets of Paris on Friday, holding candles and singing hymns, as they escorted the famed statue of the Virgin Mary and child back to Notre-Dame Cathedral. The statue, temporarily relocated to a nearby church after the devastating 2019 fire, marked its symbolic return ahead of the cathedrals reopening next month.

Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich blessed the statue during the procession, surrounded by white flowers. The world will find again this place of refuge, this invitation to contemplate and hope, Ulrich said.

Notre-Dame to reopen after years of restoration Notre-Dame Cathedral, an iconic Parisian landmark built between the 12th and 14th centuries, is set to reopen on December 8, 2024, with multiple festivities planned. The reopening follows years of painstaking restoration after a massive fire gutted the structure on April 15, 2019.

While authorities suspect the blaze was caused by an electrical fault or a cigarette, the exact cause remains unknown.

Restoration and funding The cathedral's facade survived the fire, but extensive damage required years of work by 500 workers racing to stabilize and restore the structure. Restoration efforts have cost 550 million ($580 million), funded by public donations and contributions from prominent donors, including luxury sector magnates Francois-Henri Pinault and the Arnault family.

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Officials say the donations have been so significant that surplus funds will be used for further investments in Notre-Dame.

Reopening events and future plans French President Emmanuel Macron will attend the reopening, including its inaugural mass. Nearly 40,000 pilgrims and 8,000 scholars have already registered for pilgrimage services, with the cathedral expecting 14-15 million visitors annually.

French Culture Minister Rachida Dati has proposed charging a small entry fee to finance maintenance of other French churches, but for now, visiting Notre-Dame remains free.

The return of the Virgin Mary statue and the impending reopening symbolize resilience and renewal, ensuring the cathedrals legacy as a global spiritual and cultural treasure.
The country's top cinema official raised the matter of slow speeds and disruptions on YouTube in Russia, so President Vladimir Putin took the initiative and directed the Kremlin officials to look into it, reported Reuters on Friday.

According to critics, YouTube is being deliberately disrupted by the authorities to prevent Russians from viewing a mass of content there that is critical of Putin and his government.

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However, Russia denied the critics' accusations and stated the issues are caused by Google's failure to upgrade equipmenta charge disputed by the company and technology experts.

In the last few months, Russian internet monitoring services have reported mass outages of YouTube, an online video hosting service owned by Alphabet's Google. However, on Friday, communications regulator Roskomnadzor said it was not registering any changes in the quality of YouTube's service.

Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the speed issue was linked to Google's failure to comply with Russian law and that technical questions should be addressed to Roskomnadzor.

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Peskov even said that YouTube speeds were not high on people's agendas in Russia.

Google did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

What Mosfilm said: Karen Shakhnazarov, who has headed the state-owned giant of Soviet and Russian cinema, Mosfilm, for more than 25 years, said on Thursday he had met with Putin and discussed the issue.

"Slowing down YouTube, in my view, is not very advisable today," Reuters quoted Shakhnazarov as saying on state television. "To which the president said there are all sorts of nastiness on there."

According to research company Mediascope, YouTube is used by more than 50 million Russians every day as it provides an important platform for the exiled Russian opposition and for independent news outlets.

In past few years, Google, along with other foreign tech firms and social media platforms, has been under pressure, as they have not taken down content Moscow considers illegal, such as what it calls "fakes" about the war in Ukraine.

Russia also strongly objects to Google blocking YouTube channels and videos from state-sponsored media.

Meanwhile, Shakhnazarov agreed there were some bad things on YouTube, but that those who wanted to access them were able to get around restrictions and many others simply use the platform to watch films and other content.

"He listened and said 'I'll look into it'," Shakhnazarov said.
As the world ages, governments face the challenge of not only adapting their civil service to new structural changes to ensure the quality of public services but also ensuring businesses and societies adjust to this demographic trend. While public servants are rarely viewed as a workforce of their own, they make up among the largest workforces in the world. For example, they exceed 20% of total employment in OECD countries.

Not only is it important for governments to plan for ageing societies but it is also important for public servants to adjust to the rapidly changing nature of governance with a smaller workforce to draw on. AI might help overcome some productivity gaps that occur because of a shrinking workforce, but governments still need to rethink their administrative setups to grapple with this forthcoming challenge. These could include rethinking civil sector pay and allowing for hiring and retention of workers from the private sector.

As a large number of civil servants retire and societal needs evolve, the greatest challenge will be to maintain high-quality public services with a shrinking workforce. Adapting to these changes is difficult at the best of times, but with fewer staff and rising demand, it becomes especially critical.

Thinking about the implications of ageing in the civil service is important since they play an outsized role in shaping society and economiesfrom impacting the types of products we consume to devising and enforcing complex antitrust laws, and implementing policies around climate change, artificial intelligence (AI), data protection, and more. Effectively empowered public servants can fundamentally transform lives, but to do so, they need the right tools and support.

In the OECD, for example, there are more workers older than 55 years than under 34 years, a trend most prominently seen in Italy and Spain. The UK had a series of recruitment freezes in the 2010s, which shrunk the size of under 34-year-olds in the civil service, exacerbating this challenge.

There are multiple consequences of having an older civil service. It reduces the scope for new ideas and fresh talent coming into government and increases departmental dependence on a few senior civil servants to retrain institutional knowledge.

This is not necessarily a challenge, but in the absence of upskilling and training mechanisms to share knowledge across generations, valuable insights can get lost, an issue highlighted by the UK Cabinet office. The UKs Public Accounts Committee flags low pay and a lack of mechanisms to track and improve productivity as key reasons for workforce attrition within the UK civil service.

Germanys civil service, which will shrink by about 30% by 2030, is already causing severe strain on basic public services, but also undermines the countrys business environment. This is seen in the long delays in obtaining approvals and permits for basic items like marriage certificates to even hiring foreign talent needed to power the economy.

This, compounded with a population more averse to migration, leaves Germany facing chronic labour shortages across its economy. This will not only impact the federal government, but local governments even more, given that they bear the brunt of frontline delivery of public services.

One purported solution is to invest heavily in AI and digitisation to make government tasks more efficient and enable the existing civil service to spend time on more strategic tasks. In recent years, there have been successes in using AI to address governance concerns in Germany.

However, these initiatives take time to expand because an ageing civil service is less open to using AI or feeling empowered to do so, and a more intangible factor, Germanys love for paper-bureaucracy.

More broadly, as various countries face the prospect of shrinking civil services, empowering and training government servants to use tools like AI is critical. The US Bureau of Labour Statistics saved nearly a month of employee time by using AI to code and map the results to a complicated survey that the agency used to run.

While the process would normally take 25,000 employee hours, with AI, it took 1 day. However, for AI to be effective, civil servants need to feel empowered to do so. A report by Apolitical highlights that over 53% of polled civil servants feel that they are not empowered to use AI effectively.

The bigger question worth asking is how governments can manage such a complex transition internally while maintaining and updating the type of delivery expected of citizens. This requires a fundamental rethink, given a shrinking pool of younger employees to work with.

While AI will play an important role in improving productivity gaps, it is not enough. Retraining and retaining existing employees is an interim step, but this must be complemented with efforts to get lateral hires from outside government to joina tough task given the complexities around civil service recruitment.

Nonetheless, ageing both in societies and the civil service is an important challenge that governments must be able to tackle head on, and soon.

The author is a policy advisor at WisdomCircle, an age-tech platform.
In a world poised for the long reign of algorithms, there should be a premium on romantic notions. One of these is harboured by many of us without admitting it: That the more we gaze at our planet from the great far yonder, the fonder well grow of it.

And at some point, we will reach a tipping point thatll prompt us to save it.

Images taken from outer space have often been deployed by well-wishers of Planet Earth. The idea is to present the great blue ball as a marvel, unique for hosting life in an inhospitable universe.

The hope is that this sight will inspire not just awe, but also a blend of emotion and responsibility: As the species that has taken Earth to the brink of catastrophe, its for us to undo the damage.

Also read: The 10 books of 2023 you cannot miss

And the urge is to cradle the planet with captions that nudge people to take a larger view. Saare jahaan se achcha," is what Indian spacefarer Rakesh Sharma reportedly said on catching his first glimpse of India from up there. The best of all worlds. He might as well have been speaking of the whole globe.

Why stop there? If an ode must be sung to our home planet from an unearthly vantage point, why not wax poetic in other formats? A finely made video plea to save other species has been doing the rounds of social media for years, but its count of thumbs-up and heart emojis hasnt been able to outweigh electoral mandates that all but shrug off climate change as a threat.

Could literature fare better? In a speech made after winning this years Booker award for her novel Orbital, Samantha Harvey urged her audience to speak for the Earth."

The title of her 136-page book hints of where it is setaboard the International Space Station (ISS), which orbits the globe 16 times every earth-day, or the 24 hours it takes for us to get spun around once. At an altitude of about 400km, the ISS moves at a speed of 28,000 kmph to deliver the whipcrack" of dawn every 90 minutes.

This may sound dizzying. But in Harveys hands, its clarifying. Its a book of responses to Earth as a stimulus. Of ruminations, that is, be it on how space shred times to pieces" or the neurotic assaults" the world has been subject to. Its evocative alright, the ebb and flow of her language.

Harveys astronauts, for example, are drawn like moths" to ISS windows for the ghostly dazzle of northern lights. But its a greater flame-out that stays on to haunt usthe one our planet is going through.

As the poet Shelley put it, our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thought," and saving the planet, as it reaches the danger mark of getting warmer than 1.5 Celsius above its pre-industrial level, would qualify. Over the past half decade or so, it has acquired the air of a lost cause.

If the world keeps belching carbon at todays pace, with no sign of bending the curve, we are headed for far worse. That temperature cap set in Paris back in 2015 wasnt pulled out of a hat.

It marks the hottest we can afford to let the world get before various factors combine to reach a critical point, after which too much will start going haywire too soon.

Also read: Franz Kafka and the truth we are afraid of

Yet, here we are, with a cap of even 1.9 Celsius looking dangerously like a long shot, not least because of how lightly the danger is taken by weighty electorates like Americas, and how little the world has done so far to control its carbon emissions, the toxic stuff that traps heat in what looks like an awesome aura from outer space.

But then, thats the thing with romantic notions. Weak odds dont daunt them. So, yes, voices in the wilderness or not, we must speak for the Earth.
TEL AVIVIsrael is expanding its ground operation in southern Lebanon, sending troops into villages farther from its border, in what some former senior security officials worry could turn into a war of attrition.

On Thursday, Israels military for the second day in row said its troops were reaching new targets in southern Lebanon. A day earlier, the military announced six soldiers were killed fighting there, in one of the deadliest single incidents for Israeli troops since the start of the ground operation more than a month ago.

The soldiers were killed in a firefight with at least four Hezbollah fighters who ambushed Israeli troops inside a building, according to an initial Israeli probe. That is a sign of the continual threat Hezbollahs guerrilla warfare presents to Israeli soldiers going deeper into Lebanon.

The expanding operation comes as senior Israeli and American officials in recent days have expressed optimism over U.S. efforts to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah, saying a deal is reachable before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, though key sticking points remain.

At the start of the land campaign, Israel said its ground forces were entering Lebanon with the goal of removing Hezbollahs presence along its border and destroying years of preparations by the Iranian-backed militant group to invade northern Israel.

Since the start of October, Israeli troops have killed hundreds of Hezbollah operatives. They have also been razing villages along Lebanons border, destroying underground fortifications and seizing weapons, including advanced antitank missiles, according to the Israeli military.

We have expanded the ground maneuver in southern Lebanon and are operating against Hezbollah targets in the Dahiyeh quarter of Beirut and wherever necessary," Israels new defense minister, Israel Katz, said earlier this week, referring to a Hezbollah stronghold.

Israeli military spokesman Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani declined to say where and how much deeper Israeli troops have advanced into Lebanon. Were going according to villages that pose an immediate threat on Israeli communities operating near the vicinity of the border," he said Thursday.

Some security experts view Israels expanding ground operation as a tactical step to neutralize the threat of Hezbollah antitank missile attacks on Israeli border towns. They say the move is needed to convince around 60,000 civilians that they can safely return to areas they fled in fear of a Hezbollah invasion at the start of the war in October 2023. Hezbollah is now launching more than a hundred rocket attacks a day toward Israel, and its drones have penetrated air defenses to strike sensitive sites.

Others say a deeper push into Lebanon is a risky gambit to press Hezbollah to agree to a cease-fire on Israels terms. If Hezbollah doesnt relent, they argue, Israel could be drawn into a protracted conflict deep inside Lebanon.

It can spiral out of control," said Tamir Hayman, a former head of Israeli military intelligence and executive director of the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv.

Hayman argued that Israel was losing the window of opportunity where its recent achievements against Hezbollah, including killing nearly all its leadership, could be leveraged into the best possible cease-fire terms. If Israel waits too long, Hezbollah, with Irans help, could reconstitute itself, refuse a cease-fire and bog Israel down with guerrilla warfare, he said.

The broad outlines of the U.S.-brokered proposal would see Hezbollah moving all of its forces and weapons north of the Litani Rivera waterway roughly 18 miles north of the Israeli border and within 8 miles of the boundary at its closest points. The Lebanese military and United Nations peacekeepers would be charged with preventing the militant group from returning.

Israels strategic affairs minister, Ron Dermer, on Sunday gave Trump a briefing on the proposal at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. Trump, according to the Israeli officials, signed off on the plan and expressed hope that it would get done before he entered the Oval Office on Jan. 20.

Spokespeople for the White House and Trumps transition team didnt respond to requests for comment. But Amos Hochstein, the lead U.S. negotiator on the talks, told reporters this week there is a shot" at striking a cease-fire agreement soon. On Thursday, the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon delivered a draft of the cease-fire proposal to Lebanons parliamentary speaker, Nabih Berri, who is close to Hezbollah, according to people familiar with the matter.

Israeli officials say the main sticking point is ensuring Israel will be able to enforce the cease-fire agreement if the U.N. and Lebanese armed forces fail to do so. Israel is also seeking ways to prevent Hezbollah from replenishing weapons inventories degraded by Israel. This includes getting the help of Russian authorities present in Syria to prevent arms smuggling from there into Lebanon.

There is some progress in the attempts to reach a settlement in Lebanon," said Israels new foreign minister, Gideon Saar, on Monday. Our main challenge will be to enforce what is agreed upon."

Despite Israeli and American optimism, the Lebanese government and Hezbollah recently rejected Israels demand to enforce any cease-fire itself, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

Instead, they proposed that, in addition to the Lebanese military, Israeli military and the U.N., a fourth guarantor be added to the committee responsible for enforcing the cease-fire agreement, which would likely be the U.S., the person said.

Polling released Wednesday by the Institute for National Security Studies found 80% of the Israeli public believes that the current security situation isnt safe enough to allow most residents to return to northern communities.

Alongside its expansion of the ground operation, Israel in recent days has also increased airstrikes in southern Lebanon and in Hezbollahs Beirut stronghold, Dahiyeh. The strikes in Beirut have increased in frequency in the past week, hitting residential districts there at least every other day for more than a week.

Israels military says it has been hitting stockpiles of Hezbollah weapons, including ballistic missiles, land-to-sea missiles and rocket launchers.

At the moment the thinking is, lets enhance the pressure and destroy as many terrorists and infrastructure and give the understanding that every day Hezbollah and Lebanon dont agree to a kind of solution, they will be degraded more and more," said Amir Avivi, a former senior military official who heads a security-oriented think tank in Israel.

He said that Israel would need to be cautious about being drawn too far into Lebanon and that a depth of around 6 miles would be sufficient to protect Israelis from Hezbollahs antitank missile fire.

But rather than just protect its border, Avivi said Israel should revise its goal to completely destroy Hezbollah as a military organization. This, he said, would require Israel to launch more attacks against Iran, or else Tehran would soon rebuild its Lebanese proxy group.

Katz, Israels defense minister, this week said Israel would keep fighting until it achieves its war aims in Lebanon, which he said included disarming Hezbollah. This was the first time disarming Hezbollah was stated as an Israeli war aim.

Israel Ziv, a retired Israeli general and veteran of multiple wars, said that the expanded ground campaign, besides providing leverage in cease-fire talks, could help Israel secure a perimeter in southern Lebanon to prevent Hezbollah from coming closer to the border. Still, he said Israel would need to be cautious not to get ensnared too deep into Lebanon.

If in the beginning its about pressure, later on its about being stuck in the swamp. Its a risk," he said.

Adam Chamseddine, Stephen Kalin and Alex Ward contributed to this article.

Write to Dov Lieber at dov.lieber@wsj.com
Guangzhou (Gasgoo)- On November 15, BYD's YANGWANG debuted versions of its flagship YANGWANG U7 sedan, offering both PHEV and EV variants, at the Auto Guangzhou 2024.

Photo credit: YANGWANG

Pre-sales for the U7 have officially begun, although the automaker did not disclose specific pricing. Interested customers can secure a pre-order with a 20,000-yuan deposit, unlocking exclusive pre-sale benefits. The display models are expected to arrive at dealerships starting in December this year.

Since its brand launch in early 2023, YANGWANG has captured widespread attention with a dramatic debut featuring its vehicles' sideways movement, in-place U-turns, and even jumping capabilities, quickly making waves across the industry.

The YANGWANG U7 is positioned as a flagship luxury new energy sedan in the million-yuan segment, following its predecessors, the YANGWANG U8 and U9.

The U7 boasts several groundbreaking technologies. At its core, the YANGWANG U7 is built on two key proprietary technologies: the e4 Platform and the DiSus-Z system. Supporting these innovations is YANGWANG's self-developed base control software, enabling the sedan to feature a fully digital chassis for the first time. This chassis uses sensor data for real-time input, while the intelligent computing center makes split-second decisions executed by electric motors, allowing three-way six-degree-of-freedom adjustments for precise vehicle control.

Photo credit: YANGWANG

In emergency situations, such as a tire blowout, the e4 Platform enables millisecond-level independent torque adjustment across all four wheels, maintaining stability and preventing loss of control.

Photo credit: YANGWANG

The DiSus-Z system is a high-speed adaptive suspension tailored for sedans, with an adjustment speed as fast as 5 milliseconds. This sets it apart from YANGWANG U8's DiSus-P suspension, designed for off-road impact resistance, and the DiSus-X on the U9 supercar, which allows the vehicle to perform on-the-spot jumps for track-oriented performance.

With the new addition, YANGWANG's product lineup now includes the off-roader U8, the supercar U9, and the luxury sedan U7. According to BYD's latest monthly sales data, the YANGWANG series has achieved year-to-date sales of 6,841 units by October this year, with the U8 accounting for 6,801 units and the U9 contributing 40 units.
Thursday afternoon, residents of East Ridge gathered at the Frontier Pioneer Park to unseal a time capsule that had been untouched for three decades. Its in remembrance of the parks opening, which was on November 14, 1994. The park is a testament to the power of community working together, and an experience many will never forget.
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Ardagh Tidy Towns group have issued a statement asserting their commitment to retain the Ardagh Heritage and Creativity Centre.

Earlier this month Longford County Council confirmed that the closure of the Ardagh Heritage and Creativity Centre comes as the property owner did not renew a lease that expired at the end of last year.

The statement from Ardagh Tidy Towns said: The community of Ardagh and its environs are very concerned regarding the recent news of the uncertainty surrounding the future of Ardagh Heritage Centre and have expressed a strong desire that it should continue to exist and flourish.

After 13 years in the historic old school house in the picturesque village of Ardagh the local Heritage and Creativity Centre is set to close its doors.

Also Read: Leading Longford businesses recognised at gala Family Business Awards ceremony

Ardagh Tidy Towns has a long association with our Heritage Centre. Winning of the ultimate prize of tidiest village in Ireland and overall winner of Tidy Towns in 1989 was the catalyst for setting the wheels in motion to develop the Heritage Centre.

A combined effort and teamwork from Seamus Kenny and Pat Farrell and the then Ardagh Tidy Towns Committee, Canon Patrick Kearney, then PP of Ardagh and Moydow and Longford County Manager, Michael Killeen, ensured that the vision of a heritage centre in the historic village of Ardagh became a reality.

The Tidy Towns statement said those origins embedded the facility in the community: It required a huge effort and commitment by the community of Ardagh and Longford County Council as over 300,000 of taxpayers money was invested in the project at the time.

In recent weeks the chairperson of Ardagh Tidy Towns had a very positive and constructive meeting with the present parish priest of Ardagh & Moydow, Father Vinny Connaughton at which he stated his commitment and desire that Ardagh Heritage Centre should continue in its capacity as a heritage centre into the future.

The group say Father Connaughton's support bodes well for the Centre's future: We are very encouraged by this and confident of his support knowing his deep commitment to the community of Ardagh. Ardagh Tidy Towns committee would like to emphasise the importance of the heritage centre to the fabric of the community and believe it has a very significant role in the future from a cultural, heritage, social and educational perspective.

Also Read: Longford auctioneer selling prime Midlands agricultural land at online auction

The Tidy Towns group are committed to the continuation of the Centre: We in Ardagh Tidy Towns will work with all others in any efforts to secure the future of Ardagh Heritage Centre and to renew its role within the community.

The statement concluded by saying: We would also like to express our thanks to the current custodians of Ardagh Heritage Centre, Annette Corkery and Ann Gerety Smyth for their sterling service to our community over the past thirteen years.

They have been instrumental in revitalising and re-enacting the legends of Midir & Etain, King Maine and others and for reintroducing the ancient custom of Fraochan Sunday (Bilberry Sunday) on Ardagh mountain in late July.

The owners of the building that houses the Ardagh Heritage and Creativity Centre is the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois.

Also Read: Great excitement as Longford pupil chosen to appear on The Late Late Toy Show
'To build a bridge between our countries': a Brazilian's brilliant Chinese dream

17:02, November 15, 2024 By Kou Jie, Wu Chaolan ( People's Daily Online

Loeher considers Chongqing to be his second hometown and the starting point for his Chinese dream. (Photo provided by the interviewee)

Despite their 16,908 km distance, Brazil's Rio de Janeiro and China's Chongqing have a lot in common. Both have vibrant cultures, friendly locals, and a mild climate, even though Chongqing is now experiencing winter while it is spring in Rio.

Chongqing has become like a second home to young Pedro Loeher, a master's student from Brazil who travelled there to fulfil his lifelong goal of studying China and meeting more Chinese friends.

"There are many similarities between our two nations. I'm interested in learning how a big nation like China can persevere in difficulties and unite its people. I can bring this experience back to my country," added Loeher.

For Loeher, the upcoming G20, which will be held in Rio de Janeiro, has given Brazil and China a new opportunity to highlight their shared values and strengthen their amicable relations.

"Chinese President Xi Jinping once said: 'China and Brazil have forged a friendship spanning mountains and oceans,' while our president Lula da Silva said: 'Friendship is like a bottle of wine, the older, the better,' and I think the quotes of our presidents have perfectly summed up friendship of our two countries," said Loeher.

"I'm thrilled that this year's G20 will serve as a forum to deepen our bonds and usher in greater collaboration and possibilities for Latin America and China. Chinese electric vehicles are commonplace on Brazilian roads; I hope my country will follow China's lead in embracing green transportation and renewable energy," he added.

A lifelong Chinese dream

It all began on a sunny afternoon when Loeher, a little boy, went to his uncle's library to peruse the children's bookshelves and found a volume about China's history and heritage.

"The book features many fantastic illustrations, presenting stories about the history of the mighty dynasties Tang and Han. It was my first dive into the vast ocean of Chinese culture, and I was immediately drawn to such fascinating facts," said Loeher.

Loeher learned more about China as the years passed and longed to visit the nation. As he dove further into China's past and present, he became enthralled by the country's remarkable development and friendship with nations all over the globe.

"The resiliency of the Chinese people has moved me, and I believe that coming here to uncover the mysteries of China's development is the only way to find the answers," Loeher stated.

One of Loeher's primary motivations for wanting to study in China was to gain insight into the country's efforts to reduce poverty. He was curious about China's rapid progress in improving people's lives and how the two countries could work together to make even more significant improvements for the people of Brazil and China.

"I have benefited from Brazil's recent initiatives to alleviate poverty. Therefore, I know firsthand how important it is to do so. As someone from a humble family, I feel especially touched by this subject. I hope I can bring such an experience back to my country," Loeher added, referring to China's successful implementation of history's largest-scale poverty alleviation program.

With such ambitions, Loeher applied for a Chinese scholarship and was approved by Southwest University in Chongqing to further his education in China. He had never left his own country before, and his feelings for China have only intensified since he arrived in September.

"The weather in Chongqing is scorching, even by Brazilian standards! And the food is even hotter, with plenty of chili and spice. I've gotten used to the weather and am much better at eating spicy food after barely two months of living here," said Loeher.

"My view of China is evolving, and for the better, daily. Communication can be even more challenging than linguistic obstacles due to the vast cultural differences between China and Brazil. No matter how badly I mess up my Chinese pronunciation, the Chinese I've encountered thus far have been more than happy to lend me a hand and offer encouragement," said Loeher.

"I plan to make the most of my time in China by continuing my education in the academic discipline of history. My ultimate goal is to assist Brazil and China in expanding their relationship further," he added.

Build a cultural bridge and tell China stories

In his free time, Loeher and his Brazilian pals started "Espetinho," a Portuguese-language social media account where they share stories and knowledge about international relations with their followers. "Espetinho" means "small skewer." They hope that sharing personal stories and exciting experiences can provide the audience with small, easy-to-digest bits of knowledge.

"Espetinho" allows Loeher to share his China stories with the rest of the globe while also refuting disinformation and bias against China on Western social media.

"These days, it's hard to go on any Western social media platform without encountering misinformation and outright lies against China. Since I'm now living in China and enjoying every second of it, I believe that relaying my story is the least I can do to reciprocate the Chinese people's goodwill to me thus far," said Loeher.

"I've heard a saying: if you dig up a hole in China, you'll end up in Brazil. We are on the opposite side of the globe, but I hope by communicating equally with each other, we can build a better friendship with each other," he added.

According to Loeher, he and his friends want to make a greater effort to share China stories not only with Brazilians, but also people around the world, so that they can see China through an unbiased lens.

Loeher expressed his desire to learn more about China and return to Brazil as an international relations professor. He hopes to demonstrate to fellow students the positive impact of China's cooperation with Brazil and other Latin American countries.

"Being able to serve as a bridge between our nations and cultures is one of my long-term goals. The Chinese people inspire me with their determination and optimism, and I hope to do what I can to help strengthen ties with them," said Loeher.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Wu Chengliang)
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It's one of the most important voluntary groups in the county and this weekend they are putting out a call to the public for their support.

With the focus now turning to the festive season Lough Ree RNLI hosts its annual sale of gifts, memorabilia and Christmas cards at a special pop-up shop at the lifeboat station at Coosan Point on Saturday next (November 16).

The shop will be open to the public from 1:00pm until 3.30pm. As the charity comes to the end of its 200th anniversary year many of the commemorative products specially commissioned for the birthday are still available. For the junior lifeboat people in your life there are many stocking fillers on sale that cannot be found elsewhere. As usual, the greatest attraction will be the 2024 RNLI Christmas card range which are greatly cherished both by the senders and the fortunate recipients.

Also Read: Ardagh Tidy Towns have their say on closure of county Longford heritage centre

Ever present on the lake since 2012 the charity and its volunteers have assisted more than 1,500 people in over 500 call-outs over the past 11 years. Today more than 40 volunteers make up the response team at Lough Ree RNLI.

Lough Ree RNLI Treasurer, Vincent Rafter said this week: The charity greatly depends on the support of the local community and we are looking forward to welcoming all our visitors from around Lough Ree to our annual Christmas sale on Saturday.

The RNLI charity saves lives. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands.

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The Longford Girl Guides and the Vodafone Foundation partnered on a programme set up to help older adults feel comfortable with digital usage and skills.

The programme also hopes to combat the isolation and loneliness that is prevalent within older communities who are sometimes left behind in a digital world.

The Longford Girl Guides brought the programme to the Laurel Lodge. The residents were taught to send texts, play music and watch mass.

One resident plans to tune into Mass three times a day.

The unit leader of North Longfords senior branch of the Irish Girl Guides Mary Lillis told the Longford Leader how the trip to the Laurel Lodge went.

Also Read: Ardagh Tidy Towns have their say on closure of county Longford heritage centre

Myself and a few of our senior branch girls from the Irish Girl Guides in North Longford attended a training course in our head office in Tallaght.

Where we had people from Vodafone, they spoke to us and talked us through the projects.

We came back, we had a discussion and we decided we would approach Laurel Lodge nursing home as it was a nursing home in the county.

Mary realised that not only were the projects diminishing loneliness on the digital front but also on the personal as the girls began to bond with the clients in Laurel Lodge.

Also Read: Roscommon cabinet maker jailed for nine years for 3.9 million cannabis possession

We did find very quickly was that it became much more than just importing the knowledge, she recalls, The girls were on the same page as our clients which was lovely to see.

They started opening up a talking to them about their families, their lives, their experiences growing up and they identified with each other.

The project was not only beneficial to the clients but for the Girl Guides too.

One of our Girls loved baking and she was baking as part of her Silver Gaisce Award at the time, she started baking scones and cakes to bring in for a cup of tea when wed go in on a Sunday.

Also Read: Longford mourns kind-hearted lady whose outgoing nature endeared her to everyone

Some of the clients were only able to receive calls, they learned how to make the calls themselves and how to send a text message.

They did learn how to access the internet, how to get on YouTube if they wanted to listen to music, how to get onto RIP.ie or how to set up a WhatsApp group with their friends or family,

So theyre now able to keep in contact with the community, you know, thats what was important to them.

Its so important, especially for older people who are probably feeling loneliness which can be very hard.

Also Read: Longford Senator welcomes commencement of St Josephs Care Centre upgrade

The Girl Guides are hoping to expand this project to help out any older people aged 55 plus who may not be particularly as versed in the digital world as the younger generations.

If there are any groups out there be they Womens Sheds or Mens Sheds, any types of groups that would like to learn more about technology, or have a need within their group to set up a Facebook account for their group, the girls would love to meet them.
Local News, Press Releases

By Long Island Published: November 15 2024

Suffolk County Police have issued a Silver Alert for Dominick Yannotto, 81, who was last seen leaving his home in South Setauket on November 13. Yannotto was driving a gray Hyundai Elantra with New York ...

Suffolk County Police have issued a Silver Alert for a missing elderly South Setauket man.

Dominick Yannotto, 81, was last seen leaving his home, located at 6 Hart Lane in his gray

Hyundai Elantra with New York State license plate AXK 5052 on November 13 at 6 a.m. He

was reported missing today.

Yannotto is white, 5 feet 8 inches tall, and 170 pounds. He has gray hair and was last seen

wearing a black jacket with blue jeans. He has a tattoo on his right arm of a mask.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on Yannottos location to call 911 or Sixth

Squad detectives at 631-854-8652.

Silver Alert is a program implemented in Suffolk County that allows local law enforcement to

share information with media outlets about individuals with special needs who have been
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: November 15 2024

Im proud to secure these funds for the design and construction of a new dog park in Syosset," Assemblyman Blumencranz stated.

New York State Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz joined with Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and the Syosset High School Dog Rescue Club to announce that he has secured $100,000 in state funds for the Town of Oyster Bay to construct a new dog park at Stillwell Park in Syosset. This grant will enable the community to provide a safe, clean, and fun environment for dogs and their owners, fostering a vibrant space for socialization and recreation.

Assemblyman Blumencranz stated, Im proud to secure these funds for the design and construction of a new dog park in Syosset. This project will enhance the overall experience at Stillwell Park by adding designated areas for large and small dogs, ensuring an enjoyable experience for pets and their owners alike.

We are thrilled to receive these grant funds from Assemblyman Blumencranz, which allows us to bring this much-needed amenity to Syosset, said Supervisor Saladino. The dog park will provide a dedicated space where residents and their pets can enjoy the outdoors and connect with our community.

The dog park is expected to break ground in coordination with other improvements at Stillwell as the Town of Oyster Bay is expected to soon take title to the property from Nassau County. Community members will have opportunities to participate in the planning process and stay updated through public meetings and announcements.

Stillwell Park is already a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, featuring trails, open spaces, and recreational facilities. The addition of the dog park will further enhance the parks offerings, making it a hub for families and pet owners in the area.

Assemblyman Blumencranz and Supervisor Saladino are committed to enriching the quality of life in Syosset and creating spaces that bring people together. The new dog park is just one of the many ways the Town of Oyster Bay and New York State continue to invest in the communitys future.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: November 15 2024

This campaign positions ISP as a premier entry point to Long Islands iconic fall and winter offerings with a digital marketing campaign that directs to a customized website.

Discover Long Island (DLI), the regions only accredited destination marketing organization, has launched its latest campaign, #IYKYK designed to make Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) the gateway-of-choice for incoming travelers from Florida this holiday season. With newly expanded direct flights from cities including West Palm Beach, Sarasota, Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, Vero Beach, and Ft. Myers through JetBlue and Breeze Airways, visiting Long Island has never been more accessible or affordable. This campaign positions ISP as a premier entry point to Long Islands iconic fall and winter offerings with a digital marketing campaign that directs to a customized website: DiscoverLongIsland.com/iykyk featuring information on flight options as well as charming downtowns, festive events, award-winning wine country, local shopping, dining, and more.

Discover Long Island is thrilled to launch this new and creative #IYKYK campaign that educates visiting friends and relatives from Florida about the many new opportunities available to fly directly and affordably into Long Island MacArthur Airport this holiday season, said Discover Long Island President & CEO, Kristen Reynolds. While Long Islanders love the new flight connections to Florida, its equally important to fill the planes coming into Long Island and this new campaign tugs at the heartstrings of former Long Island residents who are missing home while showcasing the year-round beauty and magic of our region to prospective new visitors.

Long Island offers an incredible variety of experiences and MacArthur Airports new routes make it easier than ever for visitors to discover all we have to offer, said Islip Town Supervisor, Angie Carpenter. Strong ridership on incoming flights is absolutely essential to sustaining and expanding our air service, ultimately boosting our local economy. The expansion of air service at ISP, combined with the strong support of our community, creates an exceptional opportunity to showcase Long Island as a premier destination, while providing convenient travel options for residents, businesses, and visitors.

The campaign utilizes the trending hashtag #IYKYK (If You Know You Know) to speak directly to Long Islanders now living in Florida by highlighting Long Islands distinctive experiences, iconic landmarks, traditions, and sayings such as the Big Duck, The End and BECSPK (bacon, egg, cheese, salt, pepper, ketchup. #IYKYK captures the essence of Long Islands charm in a familiar sense to those who understand the messages, encouraging them to book a direct flight from Florida to Long Island and also creates the desire for those not familiar with the local terms to be in the know and to learn more about Long Island.

Key campaign elements include:

Targeted Digital Advertising : The campaign utilizes geotargeted Google Search and display ads, optimized for mobile, to reach Florida travelers actively seeking holiday destinations. Display ads on the popular travel app Hopper, combined with remarketing powered by Google AI, will engage and re-engage potential visitors.

Social Media Push : Using Facebook and Instagram, Discover Long Island will leverage video and carousel ads that highlight family, luxury, and local experiences to attract those considering a quick holiday getaway.

Customized Website: The call-to-action for all marketing efforts is : The call-to-action for all marketing efforts is DiscoverLongIsland.com/iykyk featuring inspiration, information, and direct links to hotels, wineries, attractions, and to FlyMacArthur.com for flight/airline options.

With support from partners such as Google, Hopper, and Adara, the comprehensive #IYKYK campaign will track engagement and maximize search-to-book ratios to ensure effective outreach.

Driving Year-Round Tourism

The "#IYKYK campaign is part of Discover Long Islands ongoing effort to promote Long Island as a year-round destination. By drawing attention to the convenience of flying into ISP and Long Islands unique offerings, this campaign aims to elevate Long Island as the go-to destination for holiday season travel. This initiative is not only a celebration of Long Islands beauty and appeal but also a call to those who know and love the Island, to return and create new memories. As the holiday season sweeps in, Discover Long Island invites travelers to discover, or rediscover, what makes Long Island an unforgettable destination.

For more information on planning your perfect Long Island getaway, visit DiscoverLongIsland.com.

ABOUT DISCOVER LONG ISLAND

Discover Long Island is the regions official destination marketing and leadership organization charged with furthering the destinations thriving visitor economy, which saw recent record-breaking highs of $7.5 billion in visitor spending. The organization ensures Long Islands coveted quality of life, thriving industries, and dynamic destination offerings are promoted on a global level, furthering economic development, and benefiting residents and businesses throughout the region. Awarded Best Social Media in the nation by the US Travel Association, the organization produces engaging content featuring local businesses and attractions for their 11 social media channels which garner upwards of 10 million views. Additionally, the organization hosts a popular YouTube series, Long Island TV, as well as the Long Island Tea podcast. To learn more, please call 631-951-3900 or visit www.DiscoverLongIsland.com.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: November 15 2024

Vinny Cusumano, a young advocate for blood donations, received over 30 blood and platelet donations through transfusions during his treatment for kidney cancer.

New York Blood Center (NYBC) honored 12-year-old pediatric cancer survivor Vinny Cusumano at their recognition event for top platelet donors at Watermill Caterers in Smithtown. Vinny spoke to platelet donors at the event and thanked them for their life-saving contributions to the blood supply. Vinnys family has been a fierce advocate for blood and platelet donations, partnering with NYBC on blood drives and other awareness campaigns through their nonprofit organization, Vinnys Army, which is dedicated to supporting children diagnosed with cancer and their families.

In his remarks at the event, Vinny expressed heartfelt gratitude to the platelet donors in attendance. There was never a question when my doctor told me that I needed a transfusion if one was available, said Vinny Cusumano. I know my parents tell me that New York Blood Center always needs donations and this is the reason why. I am the reason why. And Im standing here today talking to all of you about my story because all of you have helped get me here.

Vinny Cusumano was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of kidney cancer in October of 2022. He received over 30 donations of blood and platelets through transfusions during the intense chemotherapy and radiation treatments that were needed to save his life.

Vinny's Army works to support children diagnosed with cancer and their families by providing unconditional love and support to ensure no family faces this battle alone. According to NYBC, 25 percent of the blood supply is used by patients battling cancer. Vinnys Army has advocated for blood donations to support pediatric cancer patients who may require transfusions for their treatment.

We are grateful to Vinny Cusumano and his incredible family for their advocacy efforts to ensure that the region has a robust blood supply to serve cancer patients who rely on blood donations for vital treatment, said Andrea Cefarelli, Senior Vice President at New York Blood Center Enterprises. From hosting blood drives, to participating in speaking engagements and spreading awareness, Vinnys Army has been a great partner and we cant think of a better organization to honor at our platelet donor event.

Blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently lifted several blood donor eligibility restrictions. To view current eligibility guidelines, visit nybc.org or call 800.688.0900.

To make an appointment at a donor center near you, donors can call 1-800-933-2566 or visit nybc.org. Cant donate blood? You can still support NYBCs mission by texting NYBC to 20222 to give $25.

About New York Blood Center

Founded in 1964, New York Blood Center (NYBC) has served the tri-state area for more than 60 years, delivering 500,000 lifesaving blood products annually to 150+ hospitals, EMS and healthcare partners. NYBC is part of New York Blood Center Enterprises (NYBCe), which spans 17+ states and delivers one million blood products to 400+ U.S. hospitals annually. NYBCe additionally delivers cellular therapies, specialty pharmacy, and medical services to 200+ research, academic and biomedical organizations. NYBCes Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute is a leader in hematology and transfusion medicine research, dedicated to the study, prevention, treatment and cure of bloodborne and blood-related diseases. NYBC serves as a vital community lifeline dedicated to helping patients and advancing global public health. To learn more, visit nybc.org. Connect with us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: November 15 2024

Two Co-Defendants Also Pleaded Guilty to Hindering Prosecution.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Joseph Scalafani, 34, of Mastic Beach, pleaded guilty to Murder in the Second Degree for the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Alex Smith, also of Mastic Beach. His brother Daniel Scalafani, and friend, Jeffrey Mercury, also pleaded guilty to Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree for assisting the defendant flee New York after the murder.

Todays guilty plea closes a case where a life was senselessly taken and efforts to evade justice failed. Although it will not bring back Mr. Smith, the defendant and the two accomplices who aided his attempt to escape have all now been held accountable, said District Attorney Tierney. In Suffolk County, playing any role in attempts to flee from a homicide will be met with serious consequences.

On May 20, 2023, at approximately 2:00 a.m., Joseph Scalafani ambushed Smith and his ex-girlfriend as they exited a bar in Mastic Beach. Joseph Scalafani fired numerous shots at Smith, striking him multiple times in the back and torso.

While Smith was collapsed on the ground, Joseph Scalafani shot him again, twice in the head at close range. He then got into his vehicle and fled the scene, only to crash a short distance away and then flee on foot. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene.

After the murder, Scalafani fled New York with the help of his brother, Daniel Scalafani, 31, of Shirley, and friend Jeffrey Mercury, 62, of Mastic Beach. Daniel Scalafani and Mercury each provided money to the defendant to assist him in fleeing New York and then lied to law enforcement when asked about his whereabouts. Additionally, Mercury drove Joseph Scalafani down to Virginia and dropped him off to assist him in evading apprehension.

On June 4, 2023, Joseph Scalafani was tracked down and arrested in Florida by members of the Pinellas County Sheriffs Office. He was then extradited back to Suffolk County on July 6, 2023.

On December 20, 2023, Daniel Scalafani pleaded guilty to Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree, a Class D felony, before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins. Daniel Scalafani is due back in court on December 6, 2024, and he is being represented by Peter J. Creedon, Esq. and Jonathan Gill, Esq.

On February 1, 2024, Mercury pleaded guilty to Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree, a Class D felony, before Justice Collins. Mercury is due back in court on November 21, 2024, and he is being represented by Christopher Brocato, Esq.

On November 12, 2024, Joseph Scalafani pleaded guilty to Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A violent felony before Justice Collins. Joseph Scalafani is expected to be sentenced to 20 years to life in prison.

Joseph Scalafani is due back in court on January 21, 2025, and he is being represented by Anthony LaPinta, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Elena Tomaro of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Guidarelli of the Major Crime Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Thomas M. Palumbo and Detective Brendan OHara of the Suffolk County Police Department Homicide Squad.

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.)  Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Joseph Scalafani, 34, of Mastic Beach, pleaded guilty to Murder in the Second Degree for the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Alex Smith, also of Mastic Beach. His brother Daniel Scalafani, and friend, Jeffrey Mercury, also pleaded guilty to Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree for assisting the defendant flee New York after the murder.

Todays guilty plea closes a case where a life was senselessly taken and efforts to evade justice failed. Although it will not bring back Mr. Smith, the defendant and the two accomplices who aided his attempt to escape have all now been held accountable, said District Attorney Tierney. In Suffolk County, playing any role in attempts to flee from a homicide will be met with serious consequences.

On May 20, 2023, at approximately 2:00 a.m., Joseph Scalafani ambushed Smith and his ex-girlfriend as they exited a bar in Mastic Beach. Joseph Scalafani fired numerous shots at Smith, striking him multiple times in the back and torso.

While Smith was collapsed on the ground, Joseph Scalafani shot him again, twice in the head at close range. He then got into his vehicle and fled the scene, only to crash a short distance away and then flee on foot. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene.

After the murder, Scalafani fled New York with the help of his brother, Daniel Scalafani, 31, of Shirley, and friend Jeffrey Mercury, 62, of Mastic Beach. Daniel Scalafani and Mercury each provided money to the defendant to assist him in fleeing New York and then lied to law enforcement when asked about his whereabouts. Additionally, Mercury drove Joseph Scalafani down to Virginia and dropped him off to assist him in evading apprehension.

On June 4, 2023, Joseph Scalafani was tracked down and arrested in Florida by members of the Pinellas County Sheriffs Office. He was then extradited back to Suffolk County on July 6, 2023.

On December 20, 2023, Daniel Scalafani pleaded guilty to Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree, a Class D felony, before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins. Daniel Scalafani is due back in court on December 6, 2024, and he is being represented by Peter J. Creedon, Esq. and Jonathan Gill, Esq.

On February 1, 2024, Mercury pleaded guilty to Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree, a Class D felony, before Justice Collins. Mercury is due back in court on November 21, 2024, and he is being represented by Christopher Brocato, Esq.

On November 12, 2024, Joseph Scalafani pleaded guilty to Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A violent felony before Justice Collins. Joseph Scalafani is expected to be sentenced to 20 years to life in prison.

Joseph Scalafani is due back in court on January 21, 2025, and he is being represented by Anthony LaPinta, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Elena Tomaro of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Guidarelli of the Major Crime Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Thomas M. Palumbo and Detective Brendan OHara of the Suffolk County Police Department Homicide Squad.

Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.


In recent years, Iran steadily built up Hezbollahs arsenal in Lebanon and Syria by shipping weapons, flying them in, and transporting them by truck. Weapons consignments arrived at ports and airports and were stored at warehouses in both countries before being distributed to Hezbollah units. Israel has sought to disrupt the flow of weapons, chiefly by bombing raids on targets in Syria (including the port of Latakia and the airport in Damascus). Since Hezbollah joined Hamas and opened a second front against Israel on October 8, 2023, Israel has hit targets in Lebanon as well. But Israels efforts to degrade and destroy Hezbollahs arsenal and disrupt Irans efforts to resupply it have dramatically increased in tempo since September 28, the day after Israel eliminated Hezbollahs late leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

On that day, Israel interdicted an Iranian cargo plane as it made its final descent into Beirut airport, forcing it to return to Tehran. Following the interdiction, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesperson Daniel Hagari warned that the Israeli military would prohibit Iranian weapon transfers to Hezbollah in Lebanon. The IDF put Hagaris words into action as Israeli interdictions occurred twice more before October 5, when Iranian cargo was permanently diverted to Latakia in Syria.

Supplies are now landing by plane in Latakia and reaching its Syrian port by cargo ship from Iran, with Israel making no attempts so far to disrupt the air traffic. Flight tracking data available from the commercial website FlightRadar24 show that, since September 28, when a cargo aircraft operated by the US-sanctioned, IRGC-controlled Qeshm Fars Air sought to land in Beirut, the same cargo plane flew four times to Latakia. Aircraft operated by Mahan Air and Yazd Airwaysboth A310 and A342 Airbus passenger planeshave flown to Latakia at least 17 times since September 28. Nevertheless, once an aircraft lands in Syria, the goods it carries have an additional hurdle to overcomesupplies must then safely travel to Lebanon.

Since September, Israel also bombed land border crossings between Lebanon and Syria more than once and targeted multiple warehouses in Syria. However, what remains open for weapons transport is the sea.

Thats where a daring naval raid comes in. Snatching a key operative in Hezbollahs maritime operation is a sure way to gather critical intelligence about Irans supply chain to Hezbollah and the plans and capabilities of Hezbollahs naval unit.

In the pre-dawn hours of November 1, 25 Israeli naval commandos quietly approached the shore of the northern Lebanese town of Batrun, more than 100 miles north of the Israel-Lebanon border. The moonless night was perfect for a raid. After the commandos landed on the beach, they were already on their way out with their target safely in custody within minutes. The prisoner was Imad Fadel Amhaz, a 38-year-old officer in Lebanons navy and a trained pilot. The commandos seized his electronics and 10 SIM cards from foreign mobile phone operators as well.

The Israelis were clearly looking for intelligence. Hezbollahs naval unit may be small and has seen little action over the years, but size and quality are not the same. Equipped with Russian-made Yakhont missiles, the naval unit can inflict serious harm to Israeli maritime forces. It did so in 2006, during the previous Israel-Hezbollah war, when Chinese-made C-802 anti-ship cruise missiles hit an Israeli frigate, crippling the boat and killing four crew.

Which brings us to Amhaz. Since his capture, the Hezbollah propaganda machine has been assiduously denying he had any official role in the terrorist group. Alongside Lebanons Hezbollah-appointed minister of transport, Ali Hamie, who insisted that Amhaz was a civilian naval officer, Amhazs family members reported the same to Lebanese media. The Israelis, in contrast, have been mum, other than confirming the raid and identifying Amhaz as a key member of Hezbollahs naval unit.

Records obtained from Lebanons commercial registry and leaked files from Hezbollahs bank, Al Qard Al Hassan (AQAH), do not reveal any direct link between Amhaz and Hezbollah. However, several members of his family, including his paternal uncles Ahmad, Jawdat, and Mohamad, are AQAH account holders, while his paternal uncle Hussein is listed as an account holder and a non-military Hezbollah member. These ties are not enough to confirm or deny what Israel claims but sufficient to suggest that his family, several members of which bank with AQAH, is within Hezbollahs orbit.

One thing, however, seems beyond dispute. As a naval officer and a ship captain, Amhaz could be involved in maritime shipping between Syria and Lebanon. Among friends who liked his social media posts showing a large ships command deck (or bridge), there are several Syrian naval officers based in Latakia and Tartous, including one who studied at MERSATI, the same maritime school where Amhad reportedly did his training.

The evidence that has emerged is quite convincing that Iran is exploiting maritime routes to conceal weapons shipments to Hezbollah, and the port of Latakia has become a critical part of this strategy. It should not come as a surprise. Hezbollah has also been using Latakia as a logistics hub for fenethylline shipments, and what moves illegal drugs can also move weapons.

One scheme involves Iran attempting to evade Israeli intelligence by using European sea ports to mask weapons shipments, which are subsequently ferried to Latakia before being transported to Lebanon, The Telegraph reported.

Furthermore, recent Israeli strikes at Latakia port lend credibility to The Telegraphs findings.

In October, the IDF launched two strikes against the coastal city. Social media footage showed secondary explosions when a site was targeted on October 17, providing strong evidence that weapons were stored there.

While Latakias strategic position as a hub for Iranian arms destined for Hezbollah is evident, other ports, such as Baniyas, have also played a role in facilitating illicit arms shipments.

Baniyas is a hub for oil imports, with Iranian vessels frequently docking there. In recent years, Israel has conducted airstrikes at the port, reportedly aimed at weapons transfers and Iranian military personnel. On July 9, Syrian state-controlled media reported IDF airstrikes near Baniyas that caused some material losses. The attacks are yet another indication of the ongoing confrontations between Israel, Iran, and Hezbollah over these critical maritime routes.

Hezbollahs Unit 4400 is a partner in Irans strategy to exploit maritime routes to arm its Lebanese proxy. Hezbollah established the special division after the assassination of Imad Mughniyeh in 2008. The unit is primarily tasked with handling Iranian weapons smuggling, including precision-guided munitions and long-range rockets. As a part of Israels strategy to prevent Iranian weapons shipments to Hezbollah during the current conflict, the Israeli military has carried out strikes against Unit 4400s leadership and infrastructure.

On October 25, 2024, Israeli jets targeted Hezbollah infrastructure at the Syrian-controlled Jusiyah Border Crossing in the northern Beqaa Valley. This location had been utilized by Unit 4400 to smuggle weapons into Lebanon. According to the IDF, the strike was part of a series of attacks that month aimed at border crossings that Unit 4400 was exploiting along the Syria-Lebanon frontier.

Several weeks before the strike in Jusiyah, Israel targeted Building 14 in the al-Sheikh Saad area of the Mezzeh neighborhood in southern Damascus. The attack eliminated Hajj Samer, a commander in Unit 4400.

Its clear that Iran and its partners in the region are using every method available to them to transfer illicit weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon. This strategy has been successful. Despite Israels efforts to interdict the transfer of these arms, the current conflict in Lebanon demonstrates that advanced weapons have still reached Hezbollah. Furthermore, Hezbollah has not been shy about showing off some of the arsenals it has received from its patron in Tehran. Ballistic missiles, anti-air defense systems, and drones are just some of the arms displayed by the group.

It is noteworthy that over the years, Iran has acquired significant expertise in transferring arms to its proxy in Lebanon through land, air, and sea routes. These lessons are now being mirrored with other Iranian proxies in regions such as Iraq and Yemen.

Israels supply chain disruption is not going to deprive Hezbollah of access to weapons completely. Hezbollah has also pursued the capabilities to manufacture advanced weapons on a large scale in Lebanon, with some measure of success. Regardless, the group remains heavily dependent on Iranian resupply, and Israels interdictions of air and land supply routes to Lebanon confirm this. What intelligence Israel may be able to extract from Mr. Amhaz remains to be seen. But the key to starving Hezbollahs arsenal must include shutting down its sea lanes, and a pre-dawn raid in Batrun may have given Israel the knowledge it needs to do it.

Emanuele Ottolenghi is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on national security and foreign policy. Joe Truzman is a senior research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and an editor at FDD's Long War Journal.
LOS ANGELESMen.com is set to roll out new limited series Dawn of the Gladiators.

Directed by Alter Sin, the sword-and-sandal epics cast includes MrDeepVoice, Sumner Blayne, Marcus McNeill, as well as Men.com contract stars Malik Delgaty, Dom King and Filou Fitt.

According to the company's synopsis, in the first scene, to be released on November 21, Caesar (MrDeepVoice) has crossed the Rubicon, but the Roman senate is against him claiming the title of emperor. At a private dinner, his allies give him advice on how to get the people on his side ... and joke about his sexual exploits with his handsome gladiator champion (King) when the ruler is out of earshot. Caesar challenges his rival senators, Brutus and Cassius, to settle their dispute at a gladiatorial game, his champion against theirs. Caesar is sure victory will soon be his, and it makes him horny to take his champion to his bed chamber to sport together.

In the second scene, to be released on November 28, Senators Cassius and Brutus (Blayne) have chosen Spartacus as their champion, but they learn Caesar intends to poison him. The emperor's rivals hatch a plan to find a secret champion, the great Gallic warrior (Fitt) who terrorized Caesar's army and slew a hundred legionaries single-handedly. Brutus travels to the wilds of Gaul to take him back to Rome, but the muscular warrior isn't pleased at being taken captive until Brutus explains this is a chance to help bring down Caesar. Brutus seduces the fighter with his body as well as his rhetoric.

In the third scene, to be released on December 5, Caesar and his champion are confident in their victory until the rival champion drops his shield to reveal not the poisoned Spartacus but the Gallic warrior. Cassius and Brutus are smug, but there's nothing the emperor can do as the Gaul takes advantage of his champion's grandstanding to put a knife to his throat. Although Caesar must follow the will of the crowd and give the thumbs-down, the Gaul refuses to kill for the emperor. Humiliated, Caesar has both champions thrown in a cell. Brutus finds himself refused entry, but the guard (McNeil) is more than open to seduction from the senator.

Details of the final scene are to be announced.

Dawn of the Gladiators will debut on Thursday, November 21, streaming exclusively on Men.com, with a new episode released weekly.

For more information, visit Men.com and follow the brand on X.
Dear Annie: Im a high school senior worried about my future. I still havent found a major I really want to do, and Im running out of time. Animation/art is my passion, but I dont want to get my degree in it. I havent found anything else Im interested in pursuing. I want to make money without selling my soul to do something Id hate. How can I find something useful to get my degree in?

Stressed

Dear Stressed: As a high school senior, youre definitely not running out of time. Its great that you have a passion  many people have to work for years before finding theirs  but you probably have a host of other interests that you havent even discovered yet.

There is a Japanese concept called ikigai: the intersection of what you love, what youre good at, what the world needs and what you can get paid for. Keep this principle in mind as you continue on in your academic career and, eventually, enter the workforce.

College is a time to experiment; you should take classes you never thought you would in disciplines you didnt think youd be good at. Youll be surprised at what you find.

Dear Annie: My father died from suicide in 2021. My sister, initially supportive, later drunk-dialed my mother and said a bunch of nasty things about both me and my mother. For some reason, my mother didnt cut the conversation short and later told me what my sister said, which included that my father had killed himself because our other sister and I are unstable and couldnt look after him.

I havent talked to my overly drinking sister for a few years now. She previously ruined a family Thanksgiving with a different drunk outburst and also squandered some money I gave her for a car. I want to confront her, but I know she will deny and deflect it to try to insult me. I have no time for this; I am disabled with severe recurring depression and anxiety. I found my dad, which was really hard on me, and Im floored that not only would my sister not understand this but also press ahead with backbiting me.

Should I reach out and begrudgingly TEXT her, explaining why I havent answered her messages since I learned what she had said to our mother while drunk again? This is only because she wont talk to me on the phone, only through text. Or should I just go my own way?

Still Hurting

Dear Still Hurting: It sounds like a confrontation will end with your sister, once again, passing the buck on your familys hardships, which will only be frustrating and hurtful for you.

While Im sure she is still grieving the loss of your father in her own way, as long as your sister continues to drink, its not likely there will be any productive change. Protecting your own peace seems like a far better use of your time, until your sister is ready to listen and take responsibility for the pain she has contributed to your life. You might find comfort in your local Al-Anon chapter, connecting with others who understand this struggle well.

How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner? is out now! Annie Lanes second anthology  featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation  is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM
It only took three words for a Boston mother to be handcuffed.

Watch your back, the 46-year-old Hyde Park resident told a prosecutor at her sons arraignment on Wednesday, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Haydens Office.

Only moments before, Felicia Rodriguez had hurled a derogatory term while sitting in the courtrooms gallery, causing the prosecutor to turn around.

Several court officials heard the mother say Watch your back, and the courts audio recording system also caught it.

Rodriguez made the threat while the prosecutor was in the middle of arraigning her son.

Judge Kathleen Coffey, the presiding judge, ordered court officers to take Rodriguez into custody.

She was ordered held on $200 bail on Thursday on charges of intimidating a court official, threats to commit a crime and a civil rights violation.

Shes been ordered to stay away from the West Roxbury courthouse except on official court business. The judge allowed a motion to transfer the case to another court.

Hayden praised Coffey and court officials for taking action.

Anyone who thinks they can threaten a prosecutor, a judge or any other court official without consequences is very much mistaken. We will not tolerate such threats in any shape or form, Hayden said.
Earl Albert of West Stockbridge had a stroke just days after donating a 74-foot Norway spruce tree to the Rockefeller Center for Christmas.

The tree was removed from Alberts property on Nov. 7, drawing a crowd of about 800 spectators, according to the Berkshire Eagle.

Albert suffered a stroke that same night.

Family members told the outlet that since Albert was stricken, the family has been unable to travel to New York to see the tree. They are hopeful Albert will recover enough to attend the Dec. 4, tree lighting ceremony.

We thank everyone for their well wishes and thoughtful messages, his family said in a statement to the TODAY show on Wednesday.

Earl has been recovering from a stroke and is receiving great care. He is looking forward to the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting, and working hard to be able to attend in person.

Albert previously told NBC he and his wife, Lesley, planted the tree in their backyard in 1967 when they were newlyweds. It was only waist-high when the couple planted it.

We first used to decorate it when it was small, and then it got so big that I couldnt decorate it, Albert told the outlet.

Those who want to send Christmas cards to Albert to lift his spirits as he recovers can send them to Earl Albert, P.O Box 109, West Stockbridge, MA 01266.

He previously told NBC that donating the tree in his wifes memory is one of the greatest honors, of his life.

The tree arrived at Rockefeller Center on Nov. 9 and will soon be strung with 50,000 LED lights and topped with a three-dimensional Swarovski star covered in three million crystals.

Alberts Norway spruce is the first Rockefeller tree from Massachusetts since 1959.
A Cambridge condo complex where units have sold for more than a million dollars will be evacuated for at least a year to address structural problems inside the roughly 60-year-old building, according to multiple media reports.

The Riverview Condominiums on Mt. Auburn Street in Cambridge will be empty for at least the next year after engineers discovered several issues with the reinforced concrete used to construct the building in the early 1960s, according to WCVB-TV, which cited Jeremy Warnick, a spokesman for the city.

Warnick did not return a request for comment sent Friday morning.

Residents of the condo complex agreed to move out beginning Monday and will continue doing so over the course of the next four weeks, The Boston Globe reported.

The Riverview Condominium Board of Trustees, in consultation with the Project Team, decided to begin an orderly evacuation of the building with the goal of maximizing occupants safety and facilitating an efficient repair process, said Candice Morse, the president of the property management company overseeing the building, in a statement provided to the Globe.

The structural issues with the building came to light following a recent construction project on its roof. While repairing the roof, construction crews found substandard concrete was used in the buildings construction and rebar had been put in it, the Globe reported.

These latent deficiencies were unknown for almost six decades, the property management company Thayer & Associates said in a statement. Until recently, no one had any reason to suspect the errors that occurred in the original construction.

With winter approaching there is concern snow could further exacerbate the issues with the building, NBC10 Boston reported.

Warnick, the spokesman for the city, told WCVB the building remains habitable.
President-elect Donald Trump announced Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vocal opponent of vaccinations, to be the secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS.

For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation and disinformation when it comes to Public Health, Trump said in a statement.

The president-elect wrote that Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!

The son of former Attorney General and U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy, both of Massachusetts, Trumps pick has been a longtime critic of public health policies and initiatives.

While Kennedy said in an NBC News interview that he rejects being anti-vaccine, he previously made several false claims linking vaccines to autism. He has said hes against vaccines for childhood measles, mumps, rubella and, during the pandemic, COVID-19.

If vaccines are working for somebody, Im not going to take them away, he told NBC after Trump won the Nov. 5 election. People ought to have [a] choice, and that choice ought to be informed by the best information.

Kennedy also ran in the 2024 presidential election, first as a Democrat and then as an independent. In August, he dropped out of the race to support Trump.

Along with his false claims about vaccines, Kennedy has been the source of controversy over the past year. The New York Times reported in May that Kennedy told his doctor that a worm ... got into my brain and ate a portion of it and then died.

In August, Kennedy admitted to dumping the body of a dead bear cub in New York Citys Central Park in 2014. The initial New York Times story on this incident, before Kennedy hinted at any connection with it, was written by Kennedys cousin and President John F. Kennedys granddaughter Tatiana Schlossberg.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration opened a federal investigation into Kennedy after a 2012 Town & Country article resurfaced in which Kennedys daughter Kick talked about her father sawing the head off a whale carcass in Hyannisport.

The weather agency closed the investigation in October after it found the allegation to be unfounded and has closed the investigation.

In October, New York Magazine reporter Olivia Nuzzi left the company after she revealed an undisclosed relationship with Kennedy, whom she profiled in 2023.
Some Massachusetts restaurant owners saw the return of the Happy Hour as an opportunity. Others viewed it as a liability.

My view on it is to let people do what they want, said Jimmy Liang, CEO of Masons Steakhouse and Niveaux Patisserie in Quincy.

It gives them another vehicle to help drive more business through the doors and I think overall its a good thing. But I will heed that people need to be responsible.

Liang is also the chairman and founder of JP Fuji Group, which has restaurants throughout the Boston area, including the South End, Cambridge, and Somerville.

Liang believes Happy Hours would have enticed people to get out and spend more money, whether its grabbing drinks after work or popping by for a midday cocktail.

[The] bottom line is when people spend money, the local economies are good, the state economy is good, tourism is good, all those things, Liang said. I think this is just one of many ways that we can try to encourage people to go out more.

But hes not going to get the chance to find out.

Thats because language that would have returned Happy Hours to the Bay State for the first time in 40 years got cut from a compromise economic development bill that was slated for a vote on Beacon Hill on Thursday.

Its disappointing to see this measure not move forward. But Im hopeful that in the future well see support for a safe, responsible return of happy hour that respects both public safety and the needs of our small businesses, state Sen. Julian Cyr, D-Cape & Islands, who was sponsoring the proposal, said in a statement.

Cyrs proposal, which debuted in July, would have allowed businesses with liquor licenses to sell alcoholic beverages or alcohol at a discounted price, in a manner as approved by the city or town.

Cyr also cited the hit that local restaurants and bars have taken since the COVID-19 pandemic, and how the bill could bring back foot traffic and strengthen our main streets and downtowns.

Liang echoed that sentiment saying life hasnt been the same since the pandemic. He said Happy Hours would have brought a social resurgence to Massachusetts.

People are not coming out. People are still not really at work, so that affects our lunch and dinner business as well as just the business overall, he said. By lifting this ban, I think itll allow people to socialize a little bit more, to get out a little bit, hopefully entice them a little bit more.

But when it comes to Bostons nightlife, Nino Trotta  one of the owners of Forcella in Bostons North End  doesnt believe that a Happy Hour would do much.

The concept could fill more bar seats, but it doesnt guarantee that Bostons after hours atmosphere will change, especially in the North End where larger bars are lacking.

I personally dont think [it] will make such a big difference, he said. I think its more [about] bringing people in to fill those seats and hopefully people will stay.

Read more: Happy Hour could be back in Massachusetts after 40 years

As opposed to his own restaurants, which Liang labeled as more food-focused, he feels that more booze-focused businesses could have thrived under Happy Hour.

Trotta also believes that Happy Hours would have more likely benefited larger restaurants and chains instead of smaller businesses like his.

Maybe that could work for them, Trotta said about brands looking to pack a bar and offer discounted drinks and dishes.

Were not that type of establishment, he said. Were more quality versus quantity.

Forcella has 30 seats in the main dining room and 12 seats at the bar. Trotta said that 95 percent of people who sit at Forcellas bar order dinner and that they come more for the experience than for the discount.

Therefore the restaurant owner believes that reinstating Happy Hour wouldnt really wouldnt have changed his business. But it would have been a boon for corporations that can offer discounted drinks and plates.

It will be the liability because when people start drinking those large amounts of beer or whatever, nothing good comes out of it, Trotta said.

We dont want people to go out and go crazy and get hurt, he added. In a nutshell, we are against it.

The Massachusetts Restaurant Association has opposed a return of Happy Hours to the state.

There are a lot of restaurant owners that are opposed to [Happy Hour], Jessica Muradian, director of government affairs for the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, said in an interview with MassLive about the post-workday bar atmosphere in the state.

Its not something theyre asking for; they want relief on the high cost of operating businesses, the credit card processing fees and health insurance premiums that are skyrocketing, Muradian said.

She said the industry is still in post-pandemic recovery mode, with less than 6% of restaurants more profitable now than they were in 2019 and a continued slight labor shortage.

Implementing Happy Hour is not economic development, Stephen Clark, president and CEO of the association, said in a statement. Restaurants operate in the most competitive industry in America. They are not only competing with each other for a share of the food dollar, but also grocery stores, convenience stores and ghost kitchens.

Massachusetts remains the only state with a total ban on Happy Hour.
(Editors note: This article was updated on Nov. 15 at 3:25 p.m. to include Worcester State Universitys free tuition program.)

In the span of just over a month, three private colleges, a state university and the entire University of Massachusetts system announced it would begin free tuition programs to attract students to their schools.
A father and son who own two Woburn restaurants pleaded guilty to charges that they smuggled migrants into the U.S. from Brazil, some of whom they later employed at the restaurants, federal prosecutors announced.

Jesse James Moraes, 66, and Hugo Giovanni Moraes, 45, both of Woburn, own Taste of BrazilTudo Na Brasa and The Dog House Bar and Grill. They pleaded guilty to conspiring to encourage and induce an alien to come to, enter, and reside in the United States, knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that such coming to, entry, or residence is or will be in violation of law, for commercial advantage or private financial gain.

Jesse Moraes also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder the proceeds of the migrant smuggling conspiracy. Both men will be sentenced in February, acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua Levys office said in a statement.

Prosecutors say both men recruited undocumented migrants in Brazil to enter the US through Mexico without authorization in exchange for fees ranging between $12,000 and $22,000 per person. The men encouraged the migrants to make fraudulent claims of asylum and familial relationships and gave them fraudulent information about points of contact in the U.S. to provide to federal authorities.

Once the migrants entered the U.S., Jesse and Hugo Moraes helped them find long-term housing, including in apartments owned by relatives. They also arranged for some of the migrants to work at the restaurants, where they were paid entirely or partly in cash. When the migrants obtained identification documents, they would begin paying at least partly by check, according to the statement.

Jesse and Hugo Moraes encouraged the migrants working for them to obtain fake identification documents, referring them to Marcos Chacon Gil, a co-conspirator, to do so, Levys office said.

The co-conspirators agreed some migrants could pay off part of the smuggling fee once they reached the U.S. The migrants did so via direct payment, withheld wages or through relatives and other associates in the country, Levys office said.

The money laundering conspiracy Jesse Moraes pleaded guilty to involved moving money in and out of the U.S. with the intention of promoting the conspiracy. He also attempted to cover up transactions using the money from the smuggling conspiracy, Levys office said.

Both Jesse and Hugo Moraes face up to 10 years in prison on the smuggling charge. Jesse Moraes faces an additional 20 years for the charge of money laundering conspiracy.
Eleven state lawmakers, including the top Democrat in the state House, will fly to Cuba on Friday for what theyre describing as a fact-finding trip on the island nations interest in biomedical research.

The trip comes as a trio of major health care bills addressing hospital oversight, prescription drug pricing and access, and substance use disorder remain on the rocks with less than two months remaining in the two-year session, State House News Service reported.

The lawmakers, who said they are paying for the trip out of their own pockets or, where allowed, dipping into campaign funds, will meet with public officials, hospital staff, charitable organizations, and members of academic and research institutes on the Communist-controlled island.

The meetings will serve as an opportunity to discuss the importance of investing in healthcare systems, along with NIH collaborations focused on public health and disease, strategies related to climate resiliency and responses to flooding, and ongoing innovations in the life sciences industry, said state Rep. Marjorie Decker, the Cambridge Democrat whose office is coordinating the trip.

Decker, D-25th Middlesex, is the House chairperson of the Legislatures Joint Committee on Public Health.

Lawmakers embarking on the trip, including state House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano, D-3rd Norfolk, were briefed on the trip by the U.S. State Department and the office of U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-2nd District, according to the statement.

The trip will allow state leaders to learn more about the Cuban healthcare system, climate resiliency strategies, and life science innovations, McGovern said.

It will also facilitate critical conversations about how to get much-needed humanitarian aid to the Cuban people, McGovern, who described himself as a strong believer in the power of diplomatic dialogue, added.

Another senior House leader, Ways & Means Committee Chairperson Aaron Michlewitz, D-3rd Suffolk, also will join the Bay States delegation.

Relations between the United States and Cuba have long been frosty. McGovern said he believes its time to rethink Americas failed, cold-war approach to dealing with Cuba.

Decker said shes hoping to learn more about Cuban interests in biomedical research on this trip and to share the successes of Massachusettss continued investment in our healthcare and life science industries.

The lawmakers also joining the trip are:

State Rep. Jennifer Balinsky Armini, D-8th Essex

State Rep. Michael Day, D-31st Middlesex

State Rep. Mindy Domb, D-3rd Hampshire

State Rep. Ken Gordon, D-21st Middlesex

State Rep. John Lawn, D-10th Middlesex

State Rep. Frank Moran, D-17th Essex

State Rep. Mike Moran, D-18th Suffolk

State Rep. Jeff Roy, D-10th Norfolk

A few hours before lawmakers announced their Cuba trip, Mariano suggested in an unrelated press availability he intends to take a bit of a break, the wire service reported.

I have no intent to do anything right now except maybe take a few days off, the Quincy Democrat said in response to questions about altering or repealing the voter-approved law governing legislative audits.
Theres a fantastic scene in The Paper where an enraged newspaper editor, played by Robert Duvall, reads the definition of deadline aloud from the dictionary.

Deadline: A date or time before which something must be done, DuValls character, Bernie White, thunders to his staff in the 1994 movie about the fictional New York Sun newspaper and its eccentric staff.

The Massachusetts Legislature also has deadlines. Theres the June 30 deadline to pass a new state budget. And then theres the July 31 deadline to get bills passed during formal sessions in the last year of a two-year session.

But on Beacon Hill, both steadfastly remain suggestions. Its been a decade-and-a-half since the state passed an on-time budget.

And formal sessions wrapped this year with a bushel baskets worth of bills still unfinished.

Yes, its true, work can still get done in informal sessions that dot the calendar through the end of the year. But because big votes can be derailed by the objections of a single lawmaker, its a less-than-ideal solution.

Sign up right here for MassLives new politics newsletter, Bay State Briefing  Your weekly round-up of Massachusetts political news and the people and policies driving those stories.

And consider for a moment what chaos might be unleashed if, say, you fail to pay your National Grid bill on time or if you blow a big deadline at work.

Its lights out at home. And maybe its double-secret probation at the office.

On Beacon Hill, its a speed bump on the way to reelection.

So it was interesting this week to hear the top two Democrats in the Legislature admit that it might be time to rethink how the 200-member institution conducts its business.

I think our roles are constantly evolving, depending upon how the sessions go ... I think its all up for discussion, Senate President Karen E. Spilka, D-Middlesex/Norfolk, told reporters after a joint meeting with House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano and Gov. Maura Healey.

Mariano, D-3rd Norfolk, offered a similar sentiment.

I think it is time to sort of reassess the difficulties that we had this year and ways that we could maybe improve and not have a repeat performance, the Quincy lawmaker said.

It was some rare introspection in an institution not normally known for it. But introspection is not necessarily the same thing as action.

Both Spilka and Mariano were quick to point out that the majority-Democrat House and Senate had pretty well cleared the decks of its unfinished work over the summer and into the fall, which sort of further knocked the legs out from under the notion of deadlines.

Indeed, going into Thursday, lawmakers were set to finally pass Gov. Maura Healeys signature economic development bill  and did just that later in the day. The House also advanced a hefty climate reform bill.

Thus, Wednesdays joint news conference pulled double duty as a victory lap.

 ... I do want to acknowledge that back in July, we did say we [would] continue working until our last day of the session, Spilka of Ashland, continued. And we have. And we still are continuing working until the new session that starts in 2025.

Mariano jumped in, rumbling subsonically, as only he can, that maybe July 31 is an arbitrary deadline.

Still, if recent polling is any indication, lawmakers might not want to be too sanguine about their work habits.

A plurality of respondents (47%) to a September MassINC Polling Group survey said they disapproved of the Legislatures job performance.

Usually Massachusetts voters are pretty okay with their State House leaders, Jerold Duquette, a professor of political science at Central Connecticut State University who studies Massachusetts politics, told CommonWealth Beacon. Thats historically low.

A word of background: Massachusetts state government is notoriously opaque  despite the Bay States reputation for being a bastion of progressivism.

On Election Day, voters further registered their displeasure when they overwhelmingly approved (71.5%) a ballot question that would give state Auditor Diana DiZoglio, a former lawmaker, the right to audit her onetime colleagues.

On Wednesday, with DiZoglio already ratcheting up the pressure, the two top Democrats on Beacon Hill said they were open to improving the chambers transparency.

But they also were pretty intent on not surrendering their prerogatives.

Certainly, we understand the vote, and well be discussing the ways in which we can improve the perception that we have a transparent body, Mariano said. And we will be discussing different opportunities to make some changes.

But, Spilka added firmly, Whatever we do ... [it] will align with the fundamental principles and responsibilities of our [Massachusetts] Constitution, especially the separation of powers.

On Thursday, the House was set to act on a change to its internal rules that would give DiZoglio the authority to pick an independent auditor to audit the state House of Representatives, Marianos office said in a statement ahead of the vote.

The proposed rule is the first step in the Houses effort to respect the will of the voters without violating the separation of powers clause that is foundational to the Massachusetts Constitution, Mariano said, adding that lawmakers looked forward to a broader rules discussion early next year.

The Senate did not plan to follow suit, Spilkas office said in a matching statement.

We understand the Houses efforts to respect the will of the voters while navigating the serious constitutional issues that [the ballot question] raises, Spilka said. With the ballot measure not yet in effect, and with this General Court and the rules that govern it set to expire at the end of December, we will not be taking similar action at this time.

The Senate has worked consistently to increase transparency in recent years, and is exploring ways to continue to do so for the coming session, she said.

Governments, like battleships, turn slowly. So any move toward increased transparency, however incremental, could count as progress.

Well see what happens in 2025.
SPRINGFIELD - The Springfield Thunderbirds are proud to support the North Carolina community during their home games against the Charlotte Checkers on Saturday, Nov. 16, and Friday, Nov. 22.

Fans aged 21 and older can enjoy specialty Hurricanes for Hurricane Relief in the Breakaway Lounge. Portion of the drink proceeds will aid those affected by Hurricane Helene in late September.

This special promotion will benefit Samaritans Purse, a nonprofit organization based in Boone, North Carolina, that actively supports those impacted by Hurricane Helenes destruction.

Though our teams compete on the ice, we at the Thunderbirds felt it was only right to extend our support to the people of North Carolina as they continue to recover from the hardships caused by Hurricane Helene, said Thunderbirds President Nathan Costa. Were grateful to our partners at the MassMutual Center for joining us in this meaningful effort to make a difference for a community in need.

Oak View Hospitality Group is honored to partner with the Thunderbirds in this meaningful initiative, said Chris Hayes, General Manager of OVG Hospitality. Were confident our community will come together to support this effort and make a positive impact.
The final supermoon of 2024 is upon the world to glow like Earths largest ceiling lamp.

Reaching peak illumination at 4:29 p.m. on Friday, the Beaver Moon is expected to be visible in the direction of the constellation Taurus, the Old Farmers Almanac wrote.

When there is a supermoon, a full moon is within 90% of its closest approach to Earth along its elliptical orbit, Space.com wrote. Because of its proximity to Earth, the moon appears 14% larger in the sky.

On average, the moon is 239,000 miles away from the planet, Space.com reported. The moons ellipse is not a perfect circle, but rather an oval. When it reaches its farthest point, or apogee, it is around 253,000 miles from Earth; at its closest point, or perigee, the moon is about 226,000 miles from Earth, according to NASA. As the moon reaches its full moon phase at or near the perigee, it is a supermoon.

The Moons orbit takes it around the Earth about once every 27 and one-third days, said NASA research scientist Dennis Gallagher in a statement. That time of closest approach to Earth, or perigee, happens three or four times each year due to the motions of Earth and the Moon around the Sun.

Skies should largely be clear Friday night, according to the National Weather Service. Boston skies are expected to be partly cloudy, while Worcester and Springfield should have mostly clear skies.

The Beaver Moons name refers to the time of year when beavers store up on food in their bank dens, the Almanac wrote. Indigenous peoples also named the supermoon after animals. The Tlingit people call it Digging, or Scratching, Moon for when animals forage for nuts and green foliage and bears dig their winter dens. The Algonquin people call it the Whitefish Moon, when whitefish go spawning. The Lakota call it the Deer Rutting Moon after when deer look for a mate.

NASA also plays a role in measuring the impact of beaver rewilding by funding the Beaver Rewilding Project in Idaho. Using satellites, the agency collects data across the planet to track the landscapes transformation after beavers arrive, helping researchers at Boise State University and Utah State University understand the pace and nuance of beaver impacts without having to send researchers into remote areas, according to NASA.

This data reveals when beavers build dams that disperse and hold water on the land longer. This supports more plants and shapes habitats like ponds and meadows, and creates more fresh drinking water, NASA stated.

Nov. 15s supermoon was preceded by the Hunters Moon on Oct. 17, the Harvest Moon on Sept. 17 and the Sturgeon Moon on Aug. 19.

Forecasters anticipate the next supermoon, the first of 2025, will be on Oct. 7, followed by Nov. 5 and Dec. 4, EarthSky wrote. The fourth in a row to appear is expected to be on Jan. 3, 2026.
CHICOPEE  Pilot Travel Center, a gas station and convenience store stop that has been the focus of residents' concerns and involved in recent litigation, has returned to stake a claim on an open lot on Burnett Road.

The company has filed an application with the city, including license requests for gas storage and service stations, according to the documents stamped on Thursday morning. The proposed location remains the same  357 Burnett Rd, next to a Pride Travel Center.
Growing up, Ryan Ellington was the kid always cracking jokes with his friends.

I always felt the most comfortable when I was being funny, said Ellington, who grew up in Wilbraham and attended Minnechaug Regional High School. Whether it was just trying to have good time with friends or trying to mask my insecurities, that was just kind of my role.
HOLYOKE Typically, students start with knife skills. They cut vegetables and segment citrus, before moving on to butchering chicken, salmon and steak, according to culinary student Joelene Christmas.

Christmas is enrolled in the food service track at Holyoke Community Colleges WorkReady Program.
Massachusetts Gateway Cities  including Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee and Westfield  are facing a severe affordable housing crunch, according to a comprehensive study released today by MassINC.

The report, 2024 Gateway Cities Housing Monitor, analyzed data from 26 Gateway Cities. Once home to industry, these gateway cities are midsize urban municipalities that anchor the regional economy. Nonpartisan MassINC is a nonprofit agency focused on inclusive civic vitality.

Gateway Cities require about 36,000 additional homes to meet current resident needs and about 83,000 new homes over the next decade to meet the needs of the near future, the report says. There are about 35,000 more extremely low-income renters than available apartments, and at the same time, there are also 50,000 middle- and upper-income renters seeking housing options.
SPRINGFIELD  The Springfield Police Department is warning businesses and shoppers to beware of a rash of skimming devices installed at city gas pumps, ATMs and checkouts.

The departments Detective Bureau is looking into four incidents over the weekend in which a skimming device was either retreived by suspects or found by employees inside convenience stores.

Skimmers are electronic devices that placed on top of or inside existing point-of-sale terminals, gas pumps or ATMs, according to the FBI. Criminals collect debit and credit card data from the skimmers and then access the accounts for purchases or cash. Skimming costs more than $1 billion annually, the FBI says.

The Police Department advises employees and shoppers to keep an eye out for tampered machines, which might be loose or have buttons that feel thick or tight to the touch. The department advises not to use debit cards if possible, or to choose the credit option when paying.

The Springfield Police Department is looking for help in identifying these people, who might have information about four recent incidents of card skimming in the city. (Springfield Police Department photos)Springfield Police Department

If you find a skimmer, notify the police or store staff as soon as possible, police said.

Residents with any information about the skimmers or suspects involved can reach out to the Detective Bureau at 413-787-6355 or anonymously Text-A-Tip. Text CRIMES (2-7-4-6-3-7) type SOLVE and your tip.
SPRINGFIELD  The city is proposing to create a new tax relief initiative to help elderly, disabled and low-income residents who may not be eligible for other assistance.

The idea is coming a few weeks before the city sets the tax rate. Dozens of people, many of them retired, attended the meetings last year, pleading for lower taxes and saying ever increasing charges are making it difficult for them to stay in their homes.

This would create a fund to help people offset taxes, said Patrick Greenhalgh, Board of Assessors chairman.

The city already offers four different programs mainly for veterans, the disabled and people over 65. Most have very specific eligibility requirements for income levels, assets or disabilities.

It is also working to adopt into the state HERO Act provisions to increase tax relief for disabled veterans and simplify the application process.

But the city is now considering adopting a new local option rule from state law that will allow officials to create a new fund that will grant tax relief beyond the parameters of the existing programs.

The difference is instead of abating taxes, people and businesses will be asked to donate to the fund and the money received will be used to pay taxes of those who need help, Greenhalgh said.

Under the state law that creates the local option, tax relief can go to the elderly, the disabled and the low-income, but it does not give specific parameters on age or income requirements, Greenhalgh said.

Instead, a committee made up of three residents, the head of the board of assessors and the treasurer to set the rules and identify recipients, who will receive the assistance.

One of the concerns we always get is what happens to people who are just a tick over (the income levels), he said, adding this can address that issue. It is just another tool and it is funded by donations.

Adopting the new fund in part came from work a City Council subcommittee is doing to try to push the many tax-exempt nonprofits, from hospitals and colleges to churches and social service agencies, to contribute to the citys tax base through payments in lieu of taxes.

Currently there are more than 300 charitable entities and only a dozen make small payments. In fiscal year 2023, the payments totaled $53,739.

The idea is that nonprofits could also donate to the fund to help residents, Greenhalgh said.

It complements the efforts we are doing in the PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) committee, City Councilor Victor Davila said. It is not a substitute. It is another way to target where money can go to help a lot of people.

Currently the fund can only be built through donations, but the City Council will also be asked to consider passing a home rule petition to modify the rule and allow the city to deposit $1 million from the free cash account to essentially seed the trust fund, Davila said.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said in a written statement that he would support that plan.

I believe this is a caring and compassionate way to continue to provide tax relief while also being mindful of our credit and bond rating, and debt services, while also maintaining key and vital core city services for our neighborhoods, he said.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trumps pick to run the Department of Health and Human Services, has gone on the record in support of removing fluoride from the countrys drinking water.

But in multiple cities and towns in Massachusetts, including Worcester and Springfield, theres already no fluoride.

Records from the states Executive Office of Health and Human Services show that only 360 Worcester homes get fluoridated water. Of those 360 homes, half of them receive water from the town of Holden.

In comparison, Boston, Massachusetts largest city, is fully fluoridated.

Worcester tried to fluoridate its water several times through a ballot referendum, the most recent in 2001  according to Amie Shei, president and chief executive officer at the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts.

Shei, who has a doctorate in health policies, told MassLive voters rejected the referendum that year and that by not having fluoride, some communities in Worcester are at risk of negative consequences for their oral health and their health in general.

She acknowledged, however, that despite this risk, Worcester residents seem to have little appetite to fluoridate the water. She cited misinformation and conspiracy theories as the reasons why people have voted against fluoridation in general.

I think we see so much polarization in the broader environment these days and theres more social isolation, Shei said. People tend to stay in their own networks, their own bubbles and so they arent always hearing from a variety of sources.

Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens teeth and helps prevent cavities. In 1945, Grand Rapids, Michigan, became the first city in the United States to add fluoride to its drinking water, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions website. Adding fluoride to the citys drinking water was part of a 15-year trial to fight tooth decay. By 1949, dental experts reported a significantly lower number of cavities in Grand Rapids children starting school that year. That same year, cities and small towns in Michigan, Wisconsin and Texas began their own fluoridation programs. As years went by, more and more Americans began drinking water with fluoride in it, with half of the entire countrys population receiving fluoridated water by 1980.

In a post on X, Kennedy claimed that fluoride is an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neuro-developmental disorders, and thyroid disease. He also said the Trump administration would advise all U.S. water systems to remove the mineral.

Shei told MassLive that these claims were not based on scientific facts and that research has shown fluoride to be safe. She also mentioned that fluoride can be found naturally in private wells, which she said are used by residents in Central Massachusetts.

Moderation is key, Shei said. If you take something in at a much higher level than what is recommend or what your body can absorb, there might be negative health impacts but what were talking about in terms of fluoridation and community water supply is at a level that has been proven to be very safe and has many public health benefits.

As to whether Kennedy would successfully remove fluoride from the water supply from other towns and cities, Shei said she was unsure what explicit recommendations or policies he would make if he were to be confirmed as HHS secretary.

I think it remains to be seen, Shei said. So, it will be interesting to see if theres actually a mandate or if its guidance that his office issues for those communities that are already fluoridating their water supplies. So, Im not sure, especially here in Massachusetts, how many local boards of health would reverse their position on this important health issue.
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Senator Lisa Chambers, Fianna Fail General Election candidate in Mayo, has welcomed the inclusion of vital coastal and marine development initiatives in the Fianna Fail election manifesto. These initiatives included as part of Senator Chambers submission to the manifesto, aim to enhance the sustainability and prosperity of coastal communities, including in Mayo.

Mayos coastline is one of our greatest assets, and it is crucial that we invest in its future, Senator Chambers stated. As a coastal county, we need to maximise the potential of our marine resources to support our communities. However, there is currently no dedicated fund for large-scale marine projects, which is a significant gap in supporting transformative initiatives. The Westport Marina project, for example, has the potential to bring enormous benefits to the area, but it requires substantial financial backing. Similar projects in Achill and Killala also face this funding barrier, and it is time for the government to provide a solution.

Fianna Fail General Election candidate, Senator Lisa Chambers.

The Fianna Fail manifesto outlines a comprehensive plan for coastal community support and marine infrastructure development, which includes:

 Establishing a Maritime Regeneration, Development, and Conservation Fund to support marinas, harbours, tourism development, and measures to combat coastal erosion.

 Promoting the diversification of coastal economies beyond traditional industries to create new opportunities.

 Ensuring coastal communities directly benefit from offshore renewable energy projects.

 Reviewing and enhancing conservation measures to protect marine ecosystems and wildlife, including expanding Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and establishing wildlife sanctuaries.

 Supporting sustainable development in the aquaculture sector and strengthening local involvement in fisheries community development planning.

 Working with Failte Ireland to launch a Marine Tourism Strategy to attract both domestic and international visitors to coastal areas, supporting the growth of eco-tourism with activities like whale and dolphin watching.

 Introducing initiatives to preserve maritime cultural heritage.

Fianna Fail has also committed to appointing a Minister of State for the Marine, which Senator Chambers believes is essential for addressing the unique needs of Irelands coastal communities.

This commitment from Fianna Fail demonstrates our partys dedication to supporting and revitalising coastal areas. By establishing a dedicated funding source and a Minister of State for the Marine, we are laying the groundwork for sustainable growth and resilience in counties like Mayo, Senator Chambers added. I am proud to have contributed to these initiatives in the manifesto, and I look forward to continuing to advocate for our coastal communities.
SINN Fein say they are committed to introducing a 100 percent redress scheme for Mayo homeowners affected by pyrite as well as holding a full public enquiry into the defective block scandal.

The party's Mayo election manifesto 'Leading The Change in Mayo' was officially launched by party President Mary Lou McDonald in the TF Royal Hotel in Castlebar.

Sinn Fein are running two candidates in Mayo in the General Election on November 29 with sitting TD Rose Conway-Walsh joined by veteran Charlestown-based councillor Gerry Murray on the election ticket.

In the election manifesto for Mayo, Sinn Fein outlined the party's committments to Mayo which included a 100 percent Pyrite Redress Scheme and a public enquiry into who was responsible for the pyrite and mica crisis in Ireland.

The Pyrite Scandal has ravaged Mayo. The scandal where no one is accountable, no one is responsible, and thousands of homeowners and families watch their homes crumble. There was no proper government regulation and no consumer protection for people who bought concrete blocks in good faith.

At the very least there needs to be 100 percent redress and a full public enquiry into how thousands of families were duped into buying and building homes that turned out to be worthless. That is Sinn Feins firm commitment. We cannot have a scheme where people affected cannot afford to access it or where people who have already been forced to borrow and use life savings are excluded. Sinn Fein will fix it, and we will enable people to get on with their lives, the party stated in its manifesto.

In dealing with the lack of housing in the county, the two Mayo candidates stated they were committed to implementing Sinn Feins strategy to deliver social and affordable housing.

Sinn Fein proposes a dramatic policy shift toward directly building social housing, reducing reliance on large private developers and ensuring housing is built by local builders where it is needed, including in rural areas like Mayo.

They also gave a committment to enable people to build homes on their own land and tackle the 'astronomical costs of building these homes'.

The party also gave a committment to set a zero-tolerance approach to hospital trolleys and overcrowding as a target for all hospitals. To achieve this, they pleded to invest in 5,000 hospital inpatient beds out to 2031 including extra beds in Mayo University Hospital as well as district hospitals in Ballina, Swinford and Belmullet.

They also stated that they will tackle healthcare costs by reducing the monthly drug payment and abolishing prescription charges, extending medical cards to 400,000 more individuals.

Regarding farming and fishing in Mayo, Sinn Fein stated that they are committed to delivering a suckler payment of up to 300 per cow/calf pair, allocating 72 million to ensure this crucial support for farmers in Mayo and across Ireland. They will also increase the Sheep Improvement Scheme, providing 20 per ewe with a total budget of 15.2 million. They also state that they will appoint a dedicated Minister for Marine and Fishing.

The manifesto also included committments to reopen the Western Rail Corridor as well as investing in public transport and 'ramping up' investment in the road network in Mayo including the delivery of the upgrades of the R312, N26 and the N17.

In other committments outlined in the manifesto, the party say they will increase Garda numbers and presence throughout the county to tackle issues of crime and anti-social behaviour; invest in primary and social care including dental care; abolish means testing for Carers Allowance; ensure disabled children and adults in Mayo get the supports and services they need and improve infrastructure, broadband, and public services, while supporting local industries and job creation.
THE Sinn Fein President, Mary Lou McDonald has described the upcoming General Election as the 'the General Election of a lifetime' and urged the people of Mayo 'to make real change happen'.

Speaking at the launch of Sinn Fein's Mayo election manifesto, 'Leading the Change in Mayo' in Castlebar this afternoon, Ms McDonald told party supporters that the party is 'very very serious about winning' the next election and electing two Sinn Fein TDs for Mayo.

This is a chance for a generation to make real change happen and turn the page on the repeated failure of Fine Gael and Fiannan Fail and usher in a new era of hope, ambition and delivery on the things that are most important to people.

I think that the people of the west are up for this, I think the people of Mayo are up for it and I think the people of Ireland are now ready for it. Our message to the people of Mayo today is very clear. Vote to change the Government, vote for a better future, vote for Sinn fein

The best way the people of Mayo can deliver that better future is by electing two Sinn Fein TDs for this county - the formidable Rose Conway Walsh Td and the mighty Cllr Gerry Murray. They are the very best team to represent this great county of Mayo in the Dail, she told supporters in the TF Royal Hotel.

Rose Conway-Walsh who is based in Erris became the first Sinn Fein candidate in Mayo to win a Dail seat in 97 years when she was elected on the first count in 2020 with 14,633 first preference votes.

Ms McDonald described her party's Spokesperson on Public Expenditure and Reform as a 'tireless advocate' for her constituents who has championed a better way forward for the delivery of public services.

I can assure you that on the watch of Rose Conway-Walsh there will be no 360,000 for a bicycle shelter and no 9 million for pouches for phones and no 70,000 for a pair of curtains. Rose is driven by a deep sense of fairness and equality and a determination to put Mayo on the political map. We need to do everything possible to ensure she is returned to the Dail in two weeks time.

In the 2020 General Election, Sinn Fein ran only one candidate but Cllr Murray was added to the ticket with the party hoping that they would get a bounce during the election to take the fifth and final seat.

Ms McDonald said that the party will 'move heaven and earth' to get their candidates elected and is positive it will happen.

We have our eyes and efforts firmly set on winning two Sinn Fein seats here in Mayo. Over the 14 days we will give this our all to elect Rose Conway-Walsh and Gerry Murray because we know it can be achieved. This is a big opportunity. The people of Mayo will have a big say in the outcome of this General Election and if you elect two Sinn Fein TDs for this constituency that is a massive step towards changing the Government and giving that new government to put you and your family and your community first, she said.

The Mayo manifesto included commitments to to investing in extra beds in Mayo University Hospital as well as district hospitals in Ballina, Swinford and Belmullet as well as commitments to reopen the Western Rail Corridor and 'ramp up' investment in the road network in Mayo including the delivery of the upgrades of the R312, N26 and the N17.

The party also gave a commitment for a 100 percent Pyrite Redress Scheme and a public enquiry into who was responsible for the pyrite and mica crisis in Ireland.

This manifesto demonstrates the scale of their [Rose Conway Walsh and Gerry Murray] ambition for Mayo and their determination to deliver for the people of this county. I urge you all to read and study it. It is comprehensive, ambitious and it is also realistic and most important it is deliverable.

It is an exciting and positive plan for the future of Mayo. This is the type of vision that rural Ireland deserves because rural communities are the beating heart of this country. They deserve far more than the decades of neglect and sidelining by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael governments, Ms McDonald said.
Louisburgh Development Company have announced exciting plans to reimagine the existing Granuaile visitor and information centre located on Church Street in the town. The centre was established in St Catherine's Church in the 1990s and tells the story of Granuaile and the great Irish famine from a local perspective.

The centre also hosts the Louisburgh Community Library and provides visitor information for the town and the wider region. The proposed reimagination of the centre has been driven by the Failte Ireland Clew Bay Destination and Experience Development Plan which calls for the development of 'tracks and trails' including an experience dedicated to the story of Grace OMalley (Granuaile). The plan calls for investment in the Louisburgh Centre to develop an all year all-weather asset.

In 2022 the Louisburgh Development Company received a grant from the Department of Rural and Community Development under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme to assist with the planning of the proposed project.

The Louisburgh Development Company has engaged with key stakeholders in the reimagination of the centre to ensure that while it provides an iconic experience for visitors that it also remains embedded in the local community. The proposal includes presenting Louisburgh and the region and all that it has to offer, retention of the community library and providing a top-class visitor experience on the Grace OMalley Trail.

Award winning Architects Taylor McCarney have produced a scheme that includes the removal of the existing 1980s extension at the centre to allow for the construction of an iconic visitor experience.

Library relocation

THE proposal recommends the relocation of the community library to the refurbished St Catherine's Church while other spaces will be dedicated to local stories and archival material. Speaking in advance of community engagement on the proposal Louisburgh Development Company Director Mary Fergus said that this is an exciting opportunity to reimagine and reposition the centre as an asset for the town.

Chairperson of Louisburgh Community Futures Pat Joyce congratulated Louisburgh Development Company on the work done to date and said this is another exiting announcement for the town and presents a sustainable and welcome roadmap for the future of the centre.

Fionnan Nestor, Wild Atlantic Way Projects Officer  Failte Ireland said: Failte Ireland welcomes the proposed development at Louisburgh which is a key action in the Clew Bay Destination and Experience Development Plan. A re-imagining of the interpretive experience at the centre will help strengthen the year-round visitor appeal of Louisburgh and the wider Clew Bay Destination.

A community engagement event will be held at the centre on Tuesday, November 19, from 5pm to 8pm where the proposals for the centre will be on display, all are welcome.
WESTPORTS love for Paddington Bear reached an all-time high today when over 300 students from Scoil Phadraig made the short trip to their local cinema to watch Paddington in Peru.

Approximately 330 students from Scoil Phadraig - many dressed up as Paddington - walked to the W Cinema in Westport for a screening of the third live-action film starring the famous bear.

This included the Brownes - a name strongly associated with Westport - who dressed up as Paddingtons relatives for the occasion.

Paddington has become a local celebrity in Westport since his statue was unveiled at The Fairgreen as part of the Paddington Visits promotional campaign for the new film.

Thousands of visitors have flocked to see the statue, which will remain in Westport for the foreseeable future.

Since Paddington came to town, the students have undertaken several Paddingon-themed educational activities.

These include writing about how to make marmalade sandwiches and science experiments for the most appropriate coat for Paddington to wear in the Irish climate.

The students have also created a Paddington shrine in the corridor and a cardboard depicting him visiting various landmarks in Westport.

The shrine to Paddington Bear in Scoil Phadraig in Westport

Fergus Seoighe, Principal of Scoil Phadraig, told The Mayo News that the release of the new Paddington was resurrecting interest in the Paddington books, which were first released in the 1960s.

Its a classic from when we would have been children ourselves, said Mr Seoighe.

The idea of going to see Paddingtons latest film was inspired by Brigid Gilboy, who works as a support teacher in the Scoil Phadraig.

The whole Paddington story, and the message of Paddington, is about taking in a stranger, looking out for the stranger, weve done that so much in the last year or two in Westport particularly, she explained.

With all the international students that have come to us, weve embraced them, and theyve added so much to the school, the whole message as well, theres one of Paddingtons messages, If you are kind and polite the world will be right. It links in with our big drive in the school for anti-bullying and the Cinealtas [anti-bullying programme].

Members of the Browne family dressed up as Paddington's family with Fergus Seoighe (right), Principal of Scoil Phadraig

Ms Gilboy said that Paddingtons arrival in Westport had also instilled great pride of place among the Scoil Phadraig students. The Westport Paddington is the only one in Ireland, with the other 22 installed throughout the United Kingdom.

He finds good in everyone, and hes polite, added Ms Gilboy. It has brought the whole school together, but we are a very strong community school and he has been a unifying force within the school. The children have been so excited.

Sharon McGreal, a teacher in Scoil Phadraig, echoed Ms Gilboys comments about Paddingtons ties to the schools ethos.

In the movie, it says we all belong to different tribes but we are all one family, that is the perfect quote for this school because we come from everywhere but we all work together and we play on the same team. That really struck me that [we have] all the differences but yet we can all be together, said Ms McGreal.

Drawings by students in Scoil Phadraig in Westport depicting Paddington outside The Octagon in Westport
A man who struck a three-year-old with his car has been jailed for two years and banned from driving for 15 years.

Sandile Hlatshwayo (43) of Riverwood Hall, Castleknock, Dublin 15 pleaded guilty on a trial date to a charge of endangerment on October 31, 2020.

He further pleaded guilty to failing to remain at the scene of a collision, failing to provide a sample for testing, and driving without a licence, all on the same date. Hlatshwayo has 26 previous convictions, the majority for road traffic offences including four for drink driving.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Hlatshwayo was the driver of a car which knocked over a three-year-old on his bike, who had been crossing from kerb to kerb, with his parents.

The child was taken to hospital with fractures to his leg and ankle and required emergency surgery and pins inserted into his leg.

In a victim impact statement, the boys parents said they had been on their way to the playground when the incident occurred.

They said they would never forget their sons screams of agony when he was taken to hospital.

They outlined how the young boy thought for a long time afterwards that a car was going to come in through his bedroom window and kill him.

The young boy also developed separation anxiety and continues to suffer night terrors in the wake of the incident, the court heard.

The boys parents said they understand accidents happen, but could not understand how anyone could drive away and leave a three-year-old on the ground.

Imposing sentence on Thursday, Judge Elma Duffy set a headline sentence of four years but imposed an actual sentence of three years, with the final 12 months suspended.

Judge Duffy also disqualified Hlatshwayo from driving for 15 years and ordered him to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for 12 months on his release from prison.

The judge said it was incomprehensible that having knocked over a three-year-old child who was taken away in an ambulance, Hlatshwayos level of aggressive and threatening behaviour was such that extra gardai were required to deal with him.

This has had a huge impact on the life of the entire family, said Judge Duffy, pointing out that the child had to undergo a year of hospital visits, each one traumatic.

Judge Duffy described Hlatshwayos previous history of driving offences as appalling and said the accused had clearly, several times, made the decision to get back into the car when intoxicated and despite the fact that he could no longer get insurance because hed been taken off the road.

This was a mistake that was made on an ongoing basis, to keep getting back into the car, said the judge.

She said Hlatshwayo had driven into a gated estate, where he knew there were families present, driving at excessive speed, and having knocked over a child, had then made the decision to leave at excessive speed.

The judge accepted that Hlatshwayo has not engaged in offensive behaviour for a period of time and instructs that he stopped drinking alcohol last December, although she says there is no particular evidence of that.

An investigating garda told Simon Matthews BL, prosecuting, that Hlatshwayo drove into the housing estate at speed around 4pm and struck the child, who was on a bike and crossing kerb to kerb with his parents.

When gardai arrived, Hlatshwayo was parked nearby, but then left the scene. He returned a short time later and appeared intoxicated when gardai spoke to him.

He was arrested, but became aggressive towards gardai.

Hlatshwayo was taken to Blanchardstown Garda Station, where he was seen by a doctor due to his level of intoxication. He refused to provide a sample for testing when asked by gardai.

The garda agreed with Oisin Clarke BL, defending, that minor damage was caused to the front bumper of the car and to the boys bike.

It was further accepted that most of Hlatshwayos convictions have occurred since 2020, with his most recent offending in 2023.

Mr Clarke noted that his client has an appalling record of previous convictions and appeared to have a lack of regard for road traffic laws.

Counsel said his client had issues with alcohol, which had deteriorated during the Covid-19 pandemic when he wasnt working, and his behaviour at the garda station was caused by intoxication.

Alcoholism was at the foundation of his offending behaviour, Mr Clarke said.

He outlined to the court his clients personal circumstances and background. Hlatshwayo has a good work history.

Hlatshwayo is married and supports his wife, who has health issues, and his son.

A letter of apology from Hlatshwayo and a testimonial from his wife were handed to the court.

Judge Duffy wished the childs family well and expressed the hope that he would continue to do well and recover.

She suspended the final 12 months of Hlatshwayos sentence in order to incentivise him to return to work and to being a contributing member of the community.
Chief of Party

USAID Feed the Future Democratic Republic of the Congo Resilient Food Systems

The World at Abt

Solving the worlds most pressing issues and improving the quality of life for people worldwide is what we do every day at Abt Global. Creating a more equitable world is no small task, but we are driven by big challenges. We are a team of 4,000+ people in over 50 countries working in unison and focused on the bigger picture. Only by sharing our commitment and energy do we affect change and push the boundaries of whats possible. We welcome diverse ideas, backgrounds, and viewpoints  joining Abt means access to exceptional thinkers at the top of their game.

To thrive at Abt is to embrace flexibility and collaboration. Our open culture allows you to balance your work and personal life as needed to optimize personal well-being. Creating a more equitable world starts from within  we look after people around the world, and well do the same for you.

Ready to embrace rewarding and meaningful work? Nows your chance.

The Project

This activity will work in two non-contiguous geographic regions identified as the Feed the Future (FTF) Zone of Influence (ZOI), one being the territories of Seke-Banza and Lukula in Kongo Central Province, and another one covering the territory of Dibaya plus the health zones of Masuika and Yangala, in Luiza territory, in Kasai Central Province, where BHA is programming its Resilience Food Security Activities (RFSAs).

The USAID Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (USAID/DRC), through the office of Economic Growth (EG), seeks to award a five-year contract to provide technical assistance, training, materials, and other agricultural, financial and market services across all aspects of food systems within the Feed the Future (FTF) Zone of Influence (ZOI). This assistance will strengthen resilience at the individual, household, community and systems level while increasing nutritional out-comes, food security, and incomes for beneficiariesparticularly women, youth and marginalized individuals throughout the ZOI. This support encompasses the facilitation and rational management of natural resources, large-scale adoption of value enhancing technologies, private sector engagement, and market system improvements for agriculture-led growth driving increased employment, income and improved nutrition outcomes.

The Resilient Food Systems activity will be USAID/DRCs flagship FTF implementing mechanism. It will pursue the goal, objectives and results identified in the Global Food Security Strategy (GFSS) DRC Country Plan (GFSS/DRC Country Plan).1 Furthermore, it will be the primary and largest contributor to achieving a 20% reduction in poverty and severe malnutrition (stunting) which USAID/DRC will measure through a population-based survey across the FTF ZOI.2 The GFSS/DRC Country Plan is implemented through activities and interventions which increase the productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness of the DRCs agricultural sector; while concurrently strengthening the ability of target populations to protect and improve well-being despite shocks and stresses; and improve both the access and utilization of nutritious foodparticularly for pregnant and lactating women, women of child-bearing age and children under five years of age.

The Opportunity

A COP will be required for the duration of the activity. The COP will be responsible for the overall management of the program, including providing strategic leadership, linking the program with USAID and overseeing the reporting and monitoring and evaluation requirements of the program. The COP is expected to play a lead role in interacting with senior GoDRC officials, leaders of all beneficiary institutions, the private sector, other donors and development partners, and civil society organizations. The COP will also be responsible for making major implementation decisions and reporting to USAID/DRC. The COP should have the following qualifications:

Core Responsibilities

Provide leadership and strategic direction for the entire project, resolve problems, and have overall responsibility and accountability to USAID for ensuring that the Abt project team provides high-quality technical products and services, delivers required results, and uses resources efficiently.

Represent the project to international donors, other USAID projects, and key stakeholders working in the civil society and private sector.

Oversee all management/administrative reports and monitoring and evaluation activities in accordance with a Performance Monitoring Plan which monitors progress toward achieving the SO and Intermediate Results.

Oversee all financial report activities, including submission of quarterly reports detailing fund categories and status for core and field activities.

In concert with the Deputy Chief of Party, manage short-term technical assistance resources.

Scan the environment and takes leadership actions to maximize opportunities and to strengthen partnerships and alliances.

Clarify roles, delegate responsibilities to senior staff, communicate expectations for work and contribution to project activities.

Represent Abt Global corporate interests in country.

What We Value

A bachelors degree in agriculture, natural resource management, international development, rural development or a related field with 15 years of work experience in agriculture, agribusiness, or food systems/value chain development projects preferred; or a masters in agriculture, natural resource management, international development, rural development or a related field plus 10 years of work experience in agriculture, agribusiness, or food systems/value chain development projects preferred;

Prior experience of at least three years as COP, DCOP or similar position managing 20 or more staff in a complex, multi-disciplinary activity in the field;

A successful record of leading similar activities supporting food security and nutrition, organizational strengthening, resilience, and food systems development;

Demonstrated ability to establish productive relationships with senior government officials, the business community/private sector, other donors and development partners, and civil society organizations;

Demonstrated ability to formulate programmatic alliances and joint planning for synergies and resource mobilization at the field level;

English language fluency with excellent French written and oral communications skills;

Familiarity with USAID and USG policies and regulations.

What We Offer

We foster an environment where you can Thrive Your Way. Our innovative total rewards programs are designed to help balance your work and personal life. The approach toward your wellbeing centers around comprehensive benefits and professional development.

Abt Global is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Global provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates are preferred.

Disclaimer: Abt Global will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.

Apply here:

Chief of Party, Feed the Future Democratic Republic of the Congo Resilient Food Systems (proposal) - Abt Global Careers
by Tanya Gazdik , November 14, 2024

Genesis is partnering with creative director Ethan Tobman on an immersive light installation at the brands flagship Genesis House space in New York.

Celebrated for his creative direction on Taylor Swifts record-breaking Eras Tour, Tobman draws inspiration from the Korean Winter Solstice, Dongji, to transport guests at Genesis House through the longest night of the year in a multisensory experience.

The brand is showcasing the experience on social media posts, including both Tobman and the brand's Instagram pages.

The activations from the Hyundai Motor Group luxury brand are at the brands dedicated 46,000-plus square foot public-facing space in New Yorks Meatpacking District neighborhood, which opened in November 2021.

advertisement advertisement

The exhibit, which opens Nov. 14 and runs through Jan. 12, is called Starscape." Inspired by the night sky, Starscape" immerses visitors in a world of bright constellations and glowing embers.

The design transforms Genesis House into a vibrant environment that honors the Korean heritage of the brand and celebrates the winter season through a dazzling journey that blurs the lines between the physical and digital worlds, according to the automaker.

At Genesis House, we aim to bring truly one-of-a-kind experiences to our guests that reflect our commitment to audacious design while honoring our distinctly Korean heritage, said Rachel Espersen, executive director of brand experience, Genesis House and Studios, at Genesis Motor America, in a release. Ethan Tobman brings his unique talent for visual storytelling with cutting-edge design to our oasis in the heart of New York Citys Meatpacking District to create a unique journey through the winter solstice.

Last year, the automaker partnered with Boston Dynamics and the Council of Fashion Designers of America for three immersive activations.
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A recent stabbing of a doctor in Chennai has reignited calls for stronger legal protections for healthcare workers.

Highlights: Dr. Balaji Jaganathan was stabbed by a patient's son in Chennai, causing widespread outrage

The attack comes amid an ongoing trial in Kolkata for the murder of a doctor

There is a renewed push for a national law to protect medical professionals from violence

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Making the Surgeons Safe in India



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Did You Know?

Violence against healthcare workers has been on the rise, with doctors and nurses facing increasing threats to their safety. #medindia #healthcarelaw

Violence against healthcare workers has been on the rise, with doctors and nurses facing increasing threats to their safety. #medindia #healthcarelaw

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Why This Attack Angered People

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Renewed Call for Legal Protections

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Ways to Strengthen Healthcare Safety

Making the Surgeons Safe in India - (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5858219/)

The recent Chennai doctor attack calls for national law to protect healthcare workers again. On Wednesday, an oncologist at the Kalaignar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital on Guindy in Chennai was attacked seven times by a patients son due to his mothers treatment. The principled doctors at the facility have boycotted work condemning the violence . This is what has occurred and why a demand for protective legislation is the need of the hour ().A top oncologist, Dr Balaji Jaganathan, who is also an associate professor was attacked by them in the worst manner by stabbing. He is in stable condition at the moment. As per the reports, Vignesh had gone into the OP Room with the help of a staff saying he needed to talk to the doctor regarding the treatments of his mother, and then attacked him. There has been a lot of violence in the hospital, and after a fight, members of the hospital staff and security managed to disable him, and he was arrested.Dr. Balaji, who had recently undergone pacemaker implantation, was critically injured involving serious surgical damage. Hes currently in the hospital awaiting further tests while the doctors are slowly hopeful of his discharge soon.This incident comes close on the heels of the trial proceeding in the RG Kar hospital case in Kolkata in which a postgraduate doctor was killed. Together these incidents have reinforced the long-standing demand for legislation protecting medical personnel.Although the Centre came up with a protective law in 2019, it was never passed by the houses because of opposing intentions of federal structures, where the states have made their own laws. This is however refuted by the Indian Medical Association and several healthcare advocates stating that laws already in existence do not suffice.The central government can help to protect healthcare workers from violence by adopting a central law with severe sanctions for such actions against medical staff so that there will be equal protection of healthcare workers across the states. In such areas appropriate security measures including round-the-clock surveillance, restricted entry points, and well-trained security personnel are compulsory. Public health promotion interventions can enhance doctor-patient relationships based on understanding, and potential conflict between them. Besides, mediation centers are to place in the hospitals to solve the complaints, and health care safety committees for continuous safety investigation. Open communication amongst health care staff with patients or other caretakers can also improve confidence and build a safer environment.The media must also be quite sensitive in reporting about the doctors and health-care facilities, and avoid demonizing them without proper evidence to prevent shedding a negative light on this noble profession. The public has to be told that hospitals are sacred places of healing and jeopardizing the safety of doctors can in turn affect the recovery process of patients.This way the governments can build a more trusted working environment for medical representatives and assurance of offering the best quality treatment for patients.Source-Medindia
Bedaquiline, a new TB antibiotic, has proven effective against multidrug-resistant strains.

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Catalase activity deficiency sensitizes multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis to the ATP synthase inhibitor bedaquiline



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Did You Know?

Tuberculosis remains one of the worlds leading infectious killers, claiming over 1.5 million lives each year. #TB #Tuberculosis #medindia

Tuberculosis remains one of the worlds leading infectious killers, claiming over 1.5 million lives each year. #TB #Tuberculosis #medindia

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Bedaquiline: A New Weapon Against Drug-Resistant TB

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Lung Health at Risk: The Silent Spread of Tuberculosis

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Global burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance 1990 - 2021: a systematic analysis with forecasts to 2050



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Mycobacterium Tuberculosis: The TB Culprit

How Do katG Mutations Impact TB Drug Resistance and Susceptibility?

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Whole genome CRISPRi screening identifies druggable vulnerabilities in an isoniazid resistant strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis



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Catalase activity deficiency sensitizes multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis to the ATP synthase inhibitor bedaquiline - (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-53933-8) Global burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance 19902021: a systematic analysis with forecasts to 2050 - (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)01867-1/fulltext) Whole genome CRISPRi screening identifies druggable vulnerabilities in an isoniazid resistant strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis - (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-54072-w)

A new antibiotic for tuberculosis (TB) targets multidrug-resistant strains, paving the way for advanced treatments and innovative drug development, according to Rutgers Health research.The study from scientists at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and other institutions found that deficiencies in a critical enzyme make tuberculosis bacteria that resist old antibiotics more vulnerable to the new antibiotic bedaquiline.The findings of the study are published in the journal).Understanding how a drug works could help us design new molecules that work better and prevent bacteria from becoming resistant, said Jason Yang, assistant professor at the medical school and senior author of the study., killing more than 1.5 million people annually. Multidrug-resistant TB, defined as disease that is resistant to at least two first-line drugs, poses a rising threat to global TB control efforts.Approved in 2012 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), bedaquiline was the first new TB drug in more than 40 years. It works well against multidrug-resistant TB strains, but the mechanisms behind its effectiveness werent fully understood.The findings could help spur TB treatment and drug development. Understanding these vulnerabilities could inspire strategies for making bedaquiline more effective, potentially allowing for lower doses or shorter treatment times. It also could also guide the development of new drugs or drug combinations.We can prevent resistance by developing other drugs that make bedaquiline work better, Yang said. For example, combining bedaquiline with another antibiotic called isoniazid appeared to prevent the development of resistance to either drug, he said.While TB is primarily a problem in developing countries, it remains a concern globally. Outbreaks still occur in the United States, though. There were, for example, about 500 cases in New York City last year.TB itself is a ridiculously important problem right now, and so is antibiotic resistance," Yang said. There was just a new report in theprojecting if antibiotic resistance becomes worse, then we can't treat infections, and if we can't treat infections, much of modern medicine dies. You couldnt even do surgery because surgical infections would kill patients ().Researchers in the study, published in, examined both clinical isolates and laboratory strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes TB. The researchers used a systems biology approach, combining genetic studies, RNA sequencing and metabolic modeling.They found that deficiencies in an enzyme called catalase-peroxidase, encoded by a gene called katG, make drug-resistant TB more susceptible to bedaquiline. Mutations in katG are the most common cause of resistance to isoniazid, a first-line TB drug.This catalase deficiency leads to several changes that make the bacteria more vulnerable to the newer drug. It increases the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and susceptibility to DNA damage while changing transcriptional programs that regulate the bacteria's biology and repressing several biosynthetic pathways.We discovered some previously unreported mechanisms, Yang said. We show that these are the different kinds of vulnerabilities in TB biology or TB physiology that occur specifically in drug-resistant TB.The research also highlights potential avenues for repurposing existing drugs. Researchers found thatThe new paper was one of a related pair that appeared infrom the same team. The second paper used whole genome CRISPRi screening to identify druggable vulnerabilities in a treatment-resistant strain of the disease ().Looking ahead, Yang and his colleagues are pursuing several lines of research building on these findings.We're developing machine-learning tools to understand other changes that are occurring in TB biology or TB physiology caused by other kinds of drug resistance, Yang said. We're extending those machine-learning models to see if we can extrapolate the findings from a laboratory setting directly into patients and clinical strains.This could potentially lead to personalized medicine approaches for TB, tailoring treatments based on the specific characteristics of the infecting strain.The team is also developing synthetic biology tools to study how TB evolves drug resistance and how this process might be targeted to prevent resistance to bedaquiline and any new drugs that are developed.Source-Eurekalert
Unmanaged diabetes raises the risk of stroke and vision loss.



#Highbloodsugar can damage your eyes. It can harm the delicate blood vessels in your retina, potentially leading to #vision loss. #diabetes #eyecheck #eyedisease

Diabetes: A Threat to Brain Health

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Neglecting timely diabetes management can lead to serious eye and brain complications, warn experts.A new study published inrevealed that about 212 million people lived with diabetes in India in 2022 -- the highest in the world. Diabetes is a condition with high blood sugar due to a deficiency in the hormone insulin. Uncontrolled blood sugars in patients with diabetes are known to have a wide range of complications involving multiple organ systems. "Uncontrolled diabetes can have a devastating impact on eye health, leading to conditions like diabetic retinopathy,"Dr. Ikeda Lal, Senior cornea, Cataract and refractory surgery specialist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Delhi Eye Centre, told IANS. The condition often shows no symptoms in its early stages, making routine screenings crucial."Early detection is key; regular eye exams can catch subtle changes before they progress, Lal added. Managing diabetes and protecting ones vision go hand-in-hand, making proactive care essential for long-term eye health. Timely intervention can help patients maintain their sight and quality of life.Further, uncontrolled diabetes also leads to various neurological conditions in diabetic patients. The brain complications in diabetes are in the form of strokes, dementia (cognitive impairment like memory disturbances, impaired ability to perform activities of daily living), infections due to compromised immunity as a result of uncontrolled blood sugars, seizures or fits due to either very high blood sugars or low blood sugars (hypoglycemia), Dr. Sowmya M, Senior Consultant  Neurology, Aster RV Hospital, told IANS.All these can be prevented by taking measures to keep the blood sugars under control, said the expert. The outcomes of untreated and uncontrolled diabetes also include heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, blindness, and amputations, said Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director for Southeast Asia on Thursday.These complications not only impose an emotional and financial burden on individuals and families but also significant financial strain on healthcare systems, Wazed noted, urging nations to collectively work to overcome the growing burden of diabetes. As per the latest estimates, diabetes affected nearly 246 million people in 2022 in the WHO South-East Asia Region, including India.While early detection is crucial, Wazed stated that more than 60 percent of people with diabetes in the Region are unaware of their status. She called on to increase awareness campaigns about the prevention, detection, and management of diabetes. She also urged the need to tackle the challenges faced by individuals, communities, and health systems to access diabetes prevention and management.Source-IANS
After two days of constant trolling, Mukesh Khanna finally announced that he will not be playing Shaktimaan in the movie. The Mahabharat actor said that they (Mukesh Khanna and Sony) are still looking for actors who would fit in Shaktimaans role. But this announcement doesnt take away from the fact that Shaktimaan is Mukesh Khannas only prized possession and he doesnt want to give away his brainchild easily.

 Bheeshm International But change is the only constant. Even the birds have to leave their mothers nest to grow and Mukesh Khanna will have to let go of Shaktimaan for the betterment of his legacy. The anticipation Sony set the internet on fire after announcing a movie on Shaktimaan, but that fire is slowly going cold. We have been hearing all about Shaktimaan on each and every podcast and interview featuring Mukesh Khanna which is slowly killing the intrigue for the movie.

I am afraid that delaying the project too much and dropping low-quality content around Shaktimaan will only deflate the interest in the film. If Mukesh Khanna decides to become the producer for Shaktimaan, then he will have an active contribution to the film and could also make the project much better; heres how. The Captain America Formula Captain America is one of the most loved characters in the entire MCU and everyone was interested to see how Marvel would continue his character.
The scheme leads the UK in security for construction and agricultural equipment

The CESAR security scheme, owned by the Construction Equipment Association (CEA), has now surpassed 650,000 installations.

This milestone marks a significant achievement in anti-theft protection for construction and agricultural machinery.

The scheme, instantly recognisable by its distinctive triangle identification plate on each registered machine, leads the UK in security for construction and agricultural equipment.

This highly visible marker aids law enforcement in identifying stolen equipment and linking it to its rightful owner.

CESARs new RAPID (Registered Assets Police Information Database) tool also advances the schemes impact.

RAPID is a web-based solution that enables officers to access the CESAR database directly from their smartphones, streamlining the identification process.

Nearly 1,000 officers nationwide have already enrolled, further accelerating investigations across the UK by enabling immediate verification of CESAR-registered assets on the spot.

Kevin Howells, Managing Director of Datatag, commented on this accomplishment: "Reaching over 650,000 installations highlights the CESAR Schemes success in deterring theft and aiding in recovering stolen equipment.

"Manufacturers, SMEs, and other companies continue placing their trust in CESAR. Our latest addition, the Ultra Tag RFID Chip, adds another layer of security, offering advanced tamper resistance and improved scanning for swift ownership verification.

"The multi-layered security strategy CESAR employs ensures machinery is protected through visible, covert, and highly effective means."

CESAR integrates several advanced security technologies, including a unique forensic DNA marker and microscopic data dots, ensuring that equipment can be traced even if dismantled.

With the recent addition of the Ultra Tag RFID Chip and RAPID, CESAR continues to advance its security framework. The new RFID chip, designed to be tamper-proof and equipped with a longer reading range, offers a quick, non-invasive method for authorities to identify equipment up to 18 metres away.

This means an added layer of confidence in their equipments security for machine owners, even in challenging recovery situations.

Alongside the Ultra Tag RFID Chip, the CESAR schemes RAPID asset protection system expands security options, combining covert marking with instant police response, further deterring theft and enhancing the likelihood of recovery.

This multi-tiered security framework has positioned CESAR as the preferred choice for owners seeking dependable, industry-leading protection.

Viki Bell, Director of Operations at the CEA, emphasised the schemes impact: "The CESAR Scheme is central to our commitment to equipment security across the construction and agricultural sectors.

"With over 650,000 installations, CESAR continues to prove its value in deterring theft and building trusted protection for machinery owners.

"This trust and potential insurance discounts make CESAR a solid choice for safeguarding equipment. With RAPID and the tamper-proof RFID chip, CESAR sends a clear message to would-be thieves that marked machinery is well protected and harder to target."
Singapore's new requirement will take effect from 2027

All forklift operators in Singapore have been told by the government to attend a refresher training course at least once every three years.

The move is part of the southeast Asian country's efforts to boost workplace safety and health, the Ministry of Manpower said.

Vehicular incidents were the number one cause of fatal workplace injuries between 2022 and 2023, according to figures, with a quarter of these involving forklifts.

In the same period, government inspections found that nearly 80% of forklift-related incidents involved operators who had not undergone refresher training within three years.

The ministry said: "Under guidelines on safe operation of forklift trucks, all forklift operators should attend a refresher training course once every three years after the completion of their first training course.

The new requirement will commence from 2027 to allow forklift operators more time to attend the refresher training, it added.

The course will cover key safety concepts, industry guidelines, learnings from past incidents and hands-on practice.
A bipartisan group of House lawmakers wants the Department of Veterans Affairs to streamline its scheduling processes for medical appointments amid reports that veterans are falling through the cracks when seeking mental health services at the VA.

Led by Reps. Marilyn Strickland, D-Wash., and Mike Waltz, R-Fla., 13 lawmakers cited an Oct. 17 investigation by Military.com and feedback from constituents raising concerns about continuity of behavioral health care for veterans.

The representatives described the Military.com report as "deeply disturbing" in a letter sent to VA Secretary Denis McDonough on Friday.

Read Next: Lawmakers Want More Flexibility for Pregnant Troops to Change Tricare Plans

"Veterans who take the step to schedule behavioral health care are often doing so because they are in critical need of support. Yet too many report long wait times or a lack of available appointments," they wrote.

Military.com interviewed more than a dozen veterans and VA employees who described scheduling and staffing issues at VA hospitals and clinics that led to appointment cancellations by facilities and long waits for care.

They described wanting to get mental health treatment and waiting for months for an appointment, only to have it canceled at the last minute without explanation -- a situation that left them feeling abandoned.

One veteran in Strickland's district saw seven of his 16 behavioral health appointments canceled.

"More must be done to provide timely and effective care to our veteran and military community," Strickland said in a statement Friday to Military.com.

Data provided by the VA showed that, from 2020 through 2023, the cancellation rate for mental health appointments by facilities averaged 10.6%, with a high of 12.1% in 2020 early in the COVID-19 pandemic to 9.2% in 2023.

During an address Oct. 29 at the National Press Club, McDonough said the VA is providing medical care to more veterans than at any point in its history and has undertaken a hiring effort to ensure that former service members get the care they need.

"By nearly every metric, VA is smashing records we had set last year. That means more care, even more benefits to even more veterans. And it's not just more care, it's better, world-class care," McDonough said.

Lawmakers and advocates have been warning, however, about the challenges facing VA medical centers regarding medical appointment scheduling without a centralized system. During a hearing in September, Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., and Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., described the current system as broken, calling for new solutions.

"Outdated, dysfunctional systems increase veterans' wait times and may discourage them from getting care from the VA, altogether," Rosendale said.

During an interview with Military.com on the challenges facing the next VA secretary, Dr. David Shulkin, who served as VA secretary during President Donald Trump's first term, said that, with an influx of 750,000 new patients under the PACT Act, access to care will be a top priority.

"I think we are watching a new 'wait time' crisis beginning to happen. ... You can just see the [appointment] wait times going up and the current administration has been holding back on community care access, and that is a formula for veterans to keep waiting," Shulkin said Nov. 6.

In their letter to McDonough, the lawmakers urged the VA to take action to develop a "robust" recruitment and retention program for mental health providers; streamline its appointment management system; and implement measures to ensure that patients get consistent care.

"It's time for the Department of Veterans Affairs to take swift comprehensive action to address these systemic issues and work toward providing our veterans with reliable, consistent and effective mental health care they need and deserve," they wrote.

In addition to Waltz and Strickland, the letter was signed by Reps. Gabe Vasquez, D-N.M.; Andrea Salinas, D-Ore.; Donald Davis, D-N.C.; Jack Bergman, R-Mich.; Andre Carson, D-Ind.; Seth Moulton, D-Mass.; Brad Finstad, R-Minn.; Jennifer McClellan, D-Va.; Mark Alford, R-Mo.; and John Garamendi, D-Calif.; and Delegate James Moylan, R-Guam.

Related: VA Surge Operations Resulted in Increased Appointments and Reduced Wait Times, Department Says
To the young students in the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), the officers who run the programs on college campuses are impressive. Often combat-proven veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, they are intended to represent the model soldier.

They also have disproportionate control over cadets' lives, leading a program that pays for their education and can dictate the soon-to-be soldiers' careers. Winning the instructor's approval is paramount: If a cadet gets booted from the program, that student could be forced to pay back the tuition assistance provided by the Army, a seeming financial impossibility for many.

That's why it can be very confusing and scary for students when those instructors begin to use their combination of esteem and power to make sexual advances. It's also why the Army expressly bans relationships between instructors and cadets.

Read Next: Facing a Purge of Generals, Pentagon Points to Effects of Tuberville's Long Hold on Promotions

"He was testing the limits of what he could do," a former ROTC cadet said, recalling her final year of college when her instructor began to push for a sexual relationship.

The then-22-year-old student was on the cusp of commissioning as an Army officer, proudly following in her father's footsteps. The lieutenant colonel overseeing the campus program, a married man in his forties, had begun to take a troubling interest in her.

What began as seemingly innocuous text messages soon escalated into flirtation, with the officer inserting himself into cadet gatherings that often involved alcohol.

The invitations began shifting to increasingly intimate settings, with the cadet asked to drink alone with her instructor in his office on campus. Quickly, a mentorship that may have played fast and loose with boundaries began to spiral into a complex web of unwanted advances.

In one of those social encounters, she was invited to meet him at a bar -- under the assumption other cadets would also be there. It was only the lieutenant colonel. He ordered her a drink, though she was under 21. Being uncomfortable, she said she had to leave, but he placed his hand on her thigh and asked her to stay. She complied.

Another night, the instructor drank too much at an Army event, and the cadet drove him home. His wife was out of town, and he invited the cadet inside. She declined, and they talked in her car for nearly an hour. That's when he touched her breasts. She tried to make it clear she was not interested in him, but he persisted. They had sex that night in her car and again several times throughout the rest of the semester.

"I was shaking; I just wanted to graduate and get out of there," she said, recalling the night of the encounter.

She was commissioned into the Army, in a combat-arms role, and now serves as a platoon leader. But she said it has been difficult trusting other men in the service -- and especially hard in front-line units that are almost exclusively male.

A Military.com investigation into sexual assault and grooming behavior in Army ROTC programs included interviews with 15 women who were allegedly the target of unwanted sexual advances, including pressure to enter into a relationship that violates military regulations, sexual assault, harassment and rape. The publication also reviewed military court documents and internal emails and interviewed a dozen Army officials. Most of the victims interviewed have since graduated and are currently serving officers. All were granted anonymity to avoid retaliation.

The investigation found that the ROTC has consistently been a place where senior instructors -- positions overwhelmingly held by men -- can use the program as a personal dating pool, targeting women in the program and often taking advantage of their ability to skirt the traditional oversight the service has on its senior officers. In every incident the publication reviewed, the ROTC cadre who abused women are married.

An instructor adjusts safety equipment for a Reserve Officer Training Corps cadet. (U.S. Army photo by Russell Gamache)

'He Was Texting Me a Lot.'

Senior officers overseeing programs on campus have much more power than many of their counterparts in other segments of the Army, effectively running a college program with relatively little oversight from Army Cadet Command headquarters in Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Most of the women Military.com talked with are still grappling with what happened to them at ROTC -- with those sexual encounters often blurring the lines of consent. Some of the women had what they believed at the time were consensual encounters, describing their senior instructors as handsome, highly decorated and respected. But looking back on their college years, most believe they were in a situation in which saying no could have derailed their career before it even started.

Only three of the 15 reported the improper encounters or relationships to Army officials, with investigators substantiating two of those reports, a troubling sign that predatory instructors are able to leverage their positions with few consequences.

Since 2020, there have been a total of 38 instances of inappropriate conduct involving ROTC instructors and cadets, most of that including sexual misconduct, according to data provided by the service. All 15 victims interviewed by Military.com were also allegedly abused in the same time period. Some instructors accused by those women are still working in ROTC; their conduct was never formally reported.

But for many victims, reporting abuse or misconduct would mean navigating the very chain of command that, in certain cases, may have been complicit in the alleged abuse. In several instances examined by Military.com, women who faced grooming or abuse expressed uncertainty over whether what they experienced technically qualified as a crime.

"He was texting me a lot. He would call me 'beautiful' and [say] that I was his favorite cadet," one woman who is now a first lieutenant in the Army National Guard said, adding that her commander, smelling like whiskey, groped her at a holiday party. "Knowing what I know now, that crosses a million lines. But at the time, I'm like 19. I didn't know if this was just how men in the military were, and I was afraid reporting flirting would be laughed off."

She never reported the instructor and explained her hesitation, saying, "If I reported something and nothing happened, what would happen to me?"

Data suggests that the Army does hold ROTC cadre members accountable to an extent, yet a glaring trust gap remains among cadets. The Army typically takes swift action in firing those instructors, but usually allows them to retire quietly. Inappropriate relationships with trainees is its own offense in military law, but is rarely prosecuted, and formal disciplinary actions are also uncommon, a review of Army court records revealed. Many accused instructors are permitted to retire honorably, leaving their records unblemished.

"To hear that a small number of our instructors had chosen to abuse their positions of trust, that deeply disheartened me," Brig. Gen. Maurice Barnett, who oversees the Army's Cadet Command and just assumed that role in August, told Military.com in an interview. "It deeply troubles me that we would have cases like this."

Cadet Command is currently reviewing its oversight policies for some 4,000 instructors across 900 colleges and universities, where about 27,000 cadets are attending, after Military.com shared its findings with the Army. Barnett said the service is also going to improve its data collection to better identify problematic instructors and report incidents to senior service leaders in the Pentagon, which would add a layer of oversight.

U.S. Army Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets patrol the forest at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, on March 16, 2024. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Brendon Donahue)

ROTC, the Most Public Part of the Military

ROTC is critical for the military services, providing a pipeline of officers and a presence at nearly every prominent college campus across the United States. It offers the otherwise cloistered military a substantial public footprint. It also provides an opportunity for many students to afford college who otherwise would not be able to, an opportunity that can radically increase their earning potential and provide a financial foundation for their families.

Several victims interviewed mentioned their concern about the risk of being forced to pay back tuition money to the Army, a process called recoupment, if they had rejected advances from an instructor and been forced to leave the program. They also were concerned that publicly acknowledging any kind of relationship with an instructor could harm their nascent careers.

The National Guard, in particular, is a tight-knit organization in which reputations quickly precede newcomers. Cadets often transition into units within the same state where they completed their ROTC training, bringing with them any reputations formed during those years. Even if there was no sexual involvement with an instructor, some women noted they avoided any situation that could spark rumors that could easily shadow them into their first assignments. For many, the risk of gossip was simply too high, impacting their decisions well beyond their training years.

The first lieutenant, who was a top performer at her ROTC program, did earn some special privileges and additional training opportunities, but never wanted the appearance that she slept her way into those opportunities, a common and often unspoken pressure that women in the military navigate in their pursuit of advancement.

Unlike other Army personnel, cadets often have limited or no direct access to standard military reporting channels, having only one foot in the military's door and not technically fully considered soldiers yet. Civilian Title IX offices, typically responsible for investigating misconduct on campus, operate independently from the Army, and no formal system exists to require these offices to report incidents to military authorities. Some women interviewed were unaware that Title IX even had jurisdiction over ROTC instructors -- though it does, as colleges possess the authority to effectively fire an instructor by banning them from campus.

All reporting is also victim-initiated. Cadet Command does rolling audits across each campus to assure ROTC programs are complying with Army standards and that there is no misconduct among instructors. These investigations include interviewing cohorts of cadets. But yearslong gaps in checking in with colleges, along with limited Cadet Command staff, mean a cadet can go through the entire four-year program and never talk to investigators.

Every year, units across the military conduct so-called command climate surveys -- a process akin to a corporate employee satisfaction survey but tailored to the unique demands of military life. These surveys provide service members with an anonymous platform to evaluate their chain of command and flag any concerns, creating a direct line for candid feedback that otherwise might remain buried.

But those surveys are not done for cadets, meaning there is no way for senior echelons of the Army to consistently identify issues on campus, and there is no clear mechanism for cadets to anonymously report the bad behavior of their instructors.

One former ROTC cadet said her instructor made it a point to comment on her appearance in front of other cadets, saying she'd look a lot better outside of her baggy Army uniform. She was inundated with text messages from him, praising how beautiful she was in her Instagram photos -- often in bikinis or dresses. He would refer to her as "baby girl," she added.

"I knew he had a say in what my future life would be like. If he wrote something bad in my record  that could ruin my whole military career," she said in an interview, adding that he asked her numerous times when she was going to turn 21 -- an age at which he felt it was more appropriate to have a relationship.

She was one of the minority of women interviewed by Military.com to raise a formal complaint about her senior instructor. She said she was met with immediate skepticism when one Army investigator, a woman, asked her whether she really wanted to "destroy a man's career."

The cadet was four years into ROTC and about to commission, but the instructor's conduct toward her and how the Army handled it was too much of a hit and she wanted out. Still, she was shackled by the threat of tens of thousands of dollars of scholarship money that would have been recouped if she left. The service eventually gave her what was effectively a medical discharge, thus preventing any recoupment.

She never completed her college education. The instructor received an honorable discharge, which includes a generous lifetime retirement.

"I really do love the military, but I'm not sure if it's a place for women," she explained.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the accurate number of cadets currently enrolled in ROTC.

Related: Army ROTC Instructor Who Pleaded Guilty to Hiding Camera in Changing Room Gets Reprimand
The Braves have signed infielder Charles Leblanc to a minor league contract, according to the transaction logs on MLB.com. He had elected free agency earlier this offseason. Atlanta has also added infielder Kobe Kato on a minor league deal, MLBTR has learned.

Leblanc spent his age-28 season with the Angels organization, hitting .254/.379/.437 (108 wRC+) with a dozen homers and a huge 16.4% walk rate in 98 Triple-A games. He also took 28 plate appearances in the big leagues  his second season with MLB work, following a 2022 run in Miami  and popped a pair of homers in that tiny sample.

A fourth-round pick by the Rangers back in 2016, Leblanc is a career .259/.364/.454 hitter in parts of four Triple-A seasons. Hes slashed .254/.330/.412 in 197 big league games. Leblanc has spent the bulk of his professional career at third base but also has more than 1000 innings at both second base and first base. Hes played 473 frames at shortstop and another 376 in left field.

Kato, 25, was a 13th-rounder by the Astros in 2021. Houston cut him loose early in 2024, but he turned a stint with the independent York Revolution into a new opportunity with the Mariners and climbed three minor league levels, topping out in Triple-A. Kato hit .283/.393/.389 with a homer and eight steals in 135 minor league plate appearances last year. Hes played primarily second base in the minors but has experience at short, third and all three outfield spots as well.

A previous version of this post also had the Braves signing catcher Yohel Pozo, also per the MLB.com transactions logs. MLBTR has learned that Pozo is actually still a free agent and regrets the error.
Think youve bagged a monster deer? These two heaviest deer contests will measure up the biggest whitetails around.

Its opening day across the state and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced today that the two contests are coming up next week in the Upper Peninsula.

Enter to see if your buck or doe tops the scales and win great prizes in adult and youth categories, the DNR said in the announcement. Random prize drawings, deer aging and more await!

The contests are scheduled for:

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 18, at Kubers Feed Mill at 912 41st Ave. in Menominee; and

10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19, Escanaba DNR Customer Service Center at 6833 Highway 2 in Gladstone.

Entries will be taken throughout the day. There will be first-place prizes for the heaviest doe and buck for adult and youth (16 and younger) hunter categories. Winners will be contacted for prize pickup after the event.

There will also be two to three random prize drawings at each event.
HARRISVILLE, MI  A massive schooner was claimed by Lake Huron during a blinding November snowstorm 130 years ago, records say.

The 217-foot schooner John L. Shaw is one of dozens of ships that has wrecked in the Great Lakes during November storms over the past 200 years, according to records kept by the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Its considered the deadliest month on the Great Lakes.

RELATED: November is the deadliest month on the Great Lakes  and its not just about the storms

On Nov. 13, 1894, the Shaw was being towed by the steamer John F. Eddy, records say. The two ships were headed north on their way to Chicago with cargo holds full of coal. Off the shore of Harrisville, they encountered a blinding and violent snowstorm.

The towline between the two vessels parted, rendering the Shaw helpless, records say. The schooner then began taking on water and sank.

The 217-foot schooner John L. Shaw sank to the bottom of Lake Huron on Nov. 13, 1894, after a blinding snowstorm parted its towline from the John F. Eddy steamer. Shaw took on water and sank. The wreck is available for recreational diving.NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

The crew abandoned the ship, records say. They drifted in a lifeboat for several hours before a passing steamer rescued them.

The wreck of the Shaw was found a few years later by a wrecking company, records say. However, a planned recovery never happened.

RELATED: Why 1854 was costliest year for Great Lakes shipping

Shaw was forgotten until July 2007 when John Gauthier, a local fisherman, stumbled upon it while setting nets, records say.

Located about seven miles from shore in 130 feet of water, the remains of the lost schooner offer an incredible opportunity for recreational divers, according to the marine sanctuary. While the vessels enormous hull stands nearly intact, the schooners starboard side has fallen away and rests flat on the bottom.

RELATED: Why the White Hurricane of November 1913 was the Great Lakes' worst disaster

The wreck is at GPS coordinates N44 37.000 W83 08.000.

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, designated in 2000, is a 4,300-square-mile underwater preserve that protects more than 100 historic shipwrecks in Lake Huron off the Michigan coast. It was the first marine sanctuary in the Great Lakes. The sanctuarys headquarters and museum are in Alpena. Shipwrecks are available for recreation, including diving, snorkeling and paddling.

RELATED: Edmund Fitzgerald: Photos of the Great Lakes most famous ship
A former Detroit Lions player is facing federal charges after being accused of involvement on the Jan. 6, 2021 assault of the U.S. Capitol.

Antwione Williams is facing a felony charges of assaulting, resisting or impeding police officers and obstructing law enforcement, along with misdemeanor charges, according to an announcement from the U.S. attorneys office in Washington, D.C.

He was arrested on Thursday in Savannah, Georgia.

Federal authorities allege that during the riot, Williams hit a Capitol Police officer in the head, moved bike racks set up to stop protestors and lunged at an officer trying to stop rioters from moving toward the Capitol building.

Williams, a linebacker, was a fifth-round pick of the Lions in 2016 out of Georgia Southern. He played in 14 games for the team as a rookie, recording 27 tackles, two tackles for loss and a fumble recovery.

Williams was released by the Lions at the start of the 2017 season. He spent time with three other franchises over the next three years but didnt play in any more regular season games.
EAST LANSING, MI  From community outreach initiatives to bedside care, nurses live each moment tending to the well-being of others.

Brawn alone does not make them heroes, its the strength of their hearts that gives them the power to change lives.

Due to their contributions, nurses from across the state of Michigan were honored during MLive Media Groups 2nd annual Top Nurses Awards on Thursday, Nov. 14.

Held at the Kellogg Conference Center in East Lansing, the Top Nurses Awards began as an MLive initiative for readers to nominate nurses for their outstanding contributions.

With over 160 nurses nominated for their work, the room was filled with an overwhelming amount of hope, love and gratitude for one another, with each nominee in awe of the next.

Sponsored by the University of Michigans Michigan Medicine and the Michigan Nurses Association, a panel of judges selected the top recipients for the top ten nurse honorees, the top nurses team and the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Deborah R. Lee, clinical assistant professor and director of the simulation center at the University of Michigan, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award and the top nurses team award was given to the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at Sparrow.

This years top nurse honorees were: Catherine Kuipers, Clay McNamara, Courtney Meagher, Elizabeth Collar Baar, Jackeline Iseler, Jodi Renfro, Mallory Deel, Mary Dooley, Renee Grooters, and Tanya Glew.

Deborah Lee, this years Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, worked as an ER nurse for 20 years and for the last 15 years has been working as a nurse practitioner in the ICU and has been teaching at the School of Nursing.

I feel like I have so much more to give, yet it really is an honor to be awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award, Lee said. It is just really neat to see all of the different aspects of what nurses are doing and how they are reaching out to care for all of our different populations. It was a real honor to be a part of it.

Health care workers have been there for our worst days and our best - mending our wounds and delivering us into the world.

I think the entire workforce is going to change with some of the artificial intelligence and the new technology we are seeing, so I do think that nurses are going to be able to get back to the bedside - doing less documentation and more taking care of their patients, which is what we all love to do, said Lee. Nursing is a phenomenal career and its a great way to give back.

The Top Nurses Awards not only sought to recognize nurses and their outstanding achievements, but to help inspire others and the next generation of health care professionals.

I think that we need to continue to try to bring up new generations, said Lee. 1% of all philanthropy is given to nurses and yet we are 40% of the workforce so to be able to have some funds to be creative would be amazing.
DEARBORN HEIGHTS, MI  Ozempic, a drug approved to treat type 2 diabetes, is being targeted in pharmacy heists in southeast Michigan, FOX 2 Detroit reports.

Ozempic is often prescribed by doctors for weight loss.

This is the first time Ive seen weight loss drugs actually targeted for theft, said Dearborn Police Chief Issa Shain told the TV station.

A smash-and-grab crew was seen stealing about $15,000-worth of Ozempic from Telegraph Pharmacy in Dearborn, the report said. They allegedly loaded boxes of it into a Dodge Hellcat. One person, who was wearing a court-ordered GPS tether during the heist, has been arrested and charged.

Police believe the same group attempted to rob Superior Care Pharmacy in Dearborn Heights but were stopped by the security system, the report said.
CALHOUN COUNTY, MI  A lawsuit filed to halt the post-election process in a Southwest Michigan county has been dismissed, according to court records.

The lawsuit was filed in the Calhoun County Court of Claims on Wednesday, Nov. 13, by Republican Michigan House candidate Steve Frisbie and his election committee. He argued the countys Board of Canvassers violated election law by the way it chose to re-tabulate Battle Creek absent voter counting boards.
KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI  The Michigan State Police internal affairs investigation of a gun that discharged at Costco continues, two months after the incident occurred.

The incident happened around 5:45 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at the Costco at 5100 Century Ave., in Oshtemo Township, Kalamazoo County sheriffs deputies said.
SAGINAW, MI  Ten years ago, Saginaws Stephon L. Roby represented himself at trial on charges that he killed his mother and younger sister. Jurors found him guilty of the double-murder and a judge subsequently sentenced him to spend the rest of his life behind bars.

With an appellate court having recently overturned the convictions on the basis the trial was unfair, Roby is back in the Saginaw County Jail awaiting a new trial.

A three-judge Michigan Court of Appeals in June issued a 20-page opinion vacating Robys convictions and remanding his case to the lower court for a new trial, citing cumulative errors [that] deprived defendant of a fair trial.

Presiding Saginaw County Circuit Judge Fred L. Borchards errors included allowing jurors to hear incriminating statements Roby made to police after being denied his right to an attorney, hearsay evidence, and references to Robys prior crimes. The judges also found Roby established some evidence another culprit may have been involved, whom police did not investigate.

Click here to read the Court of Appeals ruling.

Roby, who turned 33 on Nov. 1, was transferred from the Michigan Department of Corrections to the jail on Nov. 13.

During Robys December 2014 trial, prosecutors argued he shot and killed his mother, Leigh A. King, and 11-year-old sister, Sharleea A. King, inside their home at 208 Hess St. on the morning of March 6, 2013.

Leigh A. King and her 11-year-old daughter, Sharleea A. King, found shot to death in their Saginaw home in March 2013.Cole Waterman

Leigh King, 42, suffered two fatal gunshot wounds to the back of her head. Her daughter, a sixth grader at Francis Reh Academy, sustained two gunshot wounds to her face before suffering a third wound to the side of her head.

Roby called 911 the afternoon of March 6, telling a dispatcher somebody had broken into his home and killed his mother and sister. Roby said he left the house that morning to visit Delta College and get a tattoo.

Sharleeas best friend testified she was in the King house days before the deaths and said she heard Roby threaten to kill them and burn their house down after Sharleea found a gun in his bedroom and gave it to their mother.

Saginaw Police Detective Matthew Gerow testified he believed Roby shot his mother as she slept then shot his sister before leaving the house. Roby returned and found his sister on his mothers bed instead of upstairs, so he shot her one last time to ensure her death, Gerow testified he believed.

Gerow was able to provide his opinion as Roby asked for it during cross-examination. Defense attorneys typically object to such opinions, but with Roby representing himself, he did not.

Throughout the trial, Roby wore an electric stun vest after he was found with multiple shanks in his jail cell. Roby opted to wear the vest rather than shackles.

The jury deliberated for about a half-hour before finding Roby guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and four firearm charges. Saginaw County Circuit Judge Fred L. Borchard in January 2015 sentenced Roby to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Youre going to spend the rest of your natural life in prison, and hopefully one day youll think about that, Borchard told him at the time.

Roby appealed the verdicts.

Still, the appellate court found prosecutors case against Roby to be strongly incriminating even without the impermissible evidence.

Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Blair N. Stevenson said the plan is for his office to retry Roby. A trial is scheduled to begin before Circuit Judge Andre R. Borrello on June 3.

Roby was his mothers only son. Leigh King enjoyed cooking and styling hair, according to her obituary.

Leigh Andrea loved spending time with friends and family, her obituary states. Always the one to entertain, she was the life of the party. Gone but not forgotten, her presence will be missed by all who knew and love her.

Sharleea likewise cherished spending time with loved ones.

Sharleea enjoyed reading and playing with her beloved dog Polo, her obituary states. Her presence will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her.
China, Singapore to hold joint military exercise in November

Xinhua) 17:28, November 15, 2024

BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese and Singaporean militaries will hold the Exercise Cooperation-2024 joint army training in central China's Henan Province in late November, a Chinese defense spokesperson said on Friday.

Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, said the upcoming exercise, which will focus on urban joint counter-terrorism operations, will be held according to the annual plan and consensus of the two sides.

The spokesperson said the exercise aimed to deepen pragmatic cooperation between the two militaries and strengthen their capabilities in joint counter-terrorism operations.

The Exercise Cooperation joint army training is an established cooperation project between the two militaries, Zhang said, adding that this year's training marks the sixth of its kind.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Zhong Wenxing)
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Chinese defense ministry urges U.S. to stop arming Taiwan

Xinhua) 19:30, November 15, 2024

BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Friday urged the United States to immediately stop arming China's Taiwan region and cease its dangerous actions jeopardizing peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks at a press conference in response to the U.S. delivery of HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) units to Taiwan along with a plan to train Taiwan troops to operate the weaponry.

The spokesperson blamed the Democratic Progressive Party authorities for selling the interests of the people in Taiwan and attempting to solicit external support for "Taiwan independence."

"Such behaviors will only push Taiwan closer to the brink of war," Zhang said, adding that the People's Liberation Army will strengthen combat readiness to firmly thwart attempts for "Taiwan independence" and interference by external forces.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Zhong Wenxing)
Siddharth Chakravorty

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'Slogans of Unity': Devendra Fadnavis defends 'batenge to katenge' and 'ek hain to safe hain'

Parimal Peeyush

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Freedom At Midnight Review: Old world charm is the saving grace of this reductive, dense historical drama

Sarika Sharma

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Model and actor Nitin Chauhan says 'I'm Alive' as his pic circulates with RIP messages', after death of TV actor Nitin Chauhan

Palak Vij

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Nikkhil Advani: "not trying to stir controversy, just telling a story I love" on 'Freedom at Midnight'

Palak Vij

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Vaishnavi Gavankar

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Tara Sutaria addresses her relationship status, says, "Oh to be in love... To have your fella play with your hair..."

Palak Vij

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Vijay Deverakonda on 'Sahiba': "every morning, I wake up to the song on loop"

Palak Vij

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When Katrina Kaif revealed she was scared of marrying Ranbir Kapoor, said, "not as close to his family, he may not know his mind well to make commitment"

Palak Vij

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55th GST Council meet to be held on December 21 in Jaisalmer

Deblina Halder

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Why ICAI will seek review of NFRA's decision to amend audit standards?

Meghna Mittal Deputy News Editor at Moneycontrol. Meghna has experience across television, print, online and wire media. She has been covering the Indian economy, monetary and fiscal policies, Finance and Trade ministries. She tweets at @Meghnamittal23 Contact: meghna.mittal@nw18.com

Arindam Roy

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Arindam Roy

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Centre to launch PLI scheme for power transmission sector by end of FY25

Sweta Goswami

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Fed's Powell declines to say if he would remain after chair term expires

Deblina Halder

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Chandrima Sanyal

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India may rely more on quality controls, anti-dumping duties if tariff wars heat up

Adrija Chatterjee is an Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol. She has been tracking and reporting on finance and trade ministries for over eight years.

Adrija Chatterjee

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Swaraj Singh Dhanjal

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J Jagannath

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Paras Bisht

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Harshita Tyagi

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'Digital arrests', Aadhaar and other scams: How to safeguard yourself against rising cybercrimes

Preeti Kulkarni

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Silver lining: India's senior living housing sector to skyrocket over 300% by 2030, to hit $7.7-billion mark

Souptik Datta

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Subhash Helgaokar

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1951 Rolls Royce ordered by Nehru for Baroda 'maharani' becomes flashpoint in marital dispute

101Reporters

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Anushakti Nagar Election 2024: All about the constituency, party-wise candidates, past winners and more

Deblina Halder

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Parimal Peeyush

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BJP believes in healthy election system, says Amit Shah after his helicopter gets inspected in Maharashtra

Smriti Mishra

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Dehradun accident: How an after-party drive turned deadly for six Uttarakhand youngsters

Priyanjali Ghose

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Priyanjali Ghose

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News / National

by Staff reporter

A Zimbabwean woman, Lucadia Ndlovu (38), has been handed a three-month suspended jail term and fined 100 pula for illegal gold panning in Botswana. Ndlovu was arrested on October 16, 2024, along with her accomplice, Zwelithini Ncube (33), after they were caught mining in abandoned mines in the Matsiloje area.Court ProceedingsAppearing before the Francistown Magistrates Court, Ndlovu pleaded guilty to charges of illegal mining and irregular entry into Botswana. In her mitigation, she expressed remorse and cited desperation for survival as the reason for her actions, stating, "I left my children alone in Zimbabwe."The court considered her plea of guilty and remorsefulness, sparing her an active prison term. However, Ndlovu was unable to pay the 100 pula fine and opted for a one-month jail term instead.Accomplice SentencedNcube, her accomplice and a repeat offender, received a harsher penalty. The court sentenced him to six months in jail for irregular entry into Botswana and fined him 100 pula for illegal mining. Like Ndlovu, Ncube failed to pay the fine and was given an additional one-month jail term, bringing his total sentence to seven months.During mitigation, Ncube echoed Ndlovu's plea, claiming he had left his child in Zimbabwe. However, the court showed little leniency given his prior record.Crackdown on Illegal ActivitiesBotswana continues to crack down on illegal entry and mining activities, which have become prevalent in the country. Authorities have warned that offenders, especially repeat violators, will face stiff penalties to deter such practices.The case highlights the challenges faced by individuals crossing borders in search of economic opportunities but also underscores the importance of adhering to legal processes and regulations.
Devendra Fadnavis hits out at Kanhaiya Kumar over 'Instagram' remark on wife: 'Chullu bhar paani mein...'

Parimal Peeyush

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Gautam Adani hosted BJP-NCP talks, did not participate in it: Sharad Pawar

Parimal Peeyush

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Maharashtra polls: No MNS or Sena (UBT) rally at Mumbai's famous Shivaji Park on November 17

101Reporters

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Maval Election 2024: All about the constituency, party-wise candidates, past winners and more

Deblina Halder

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One in 5 jobs in UP Assembly, Legislative Council went to kin of officials: Report

Priyanjali Ghose

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President Dissanayake's NPP scripts landslide victory in Sri Lanka elections: What does it mean for India?

Armaan Bhatnagar

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J. Kumar is an author, journalist and a political commentator based in in Mumbai who writes on crime and Maharashtra politics. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.

Armaan Bhatnagar

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Jagyaseni Biswas

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Smriti Mishra

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News / National

by Staff reporter

Residents of Sunninghill suburb in Bulawayo have come together to add a fifth vehicle to their crime patrol fleet, in response to growing concerns over safety and security in the area. The collaborative effort comes as part of their commitment to enhance crime prevention measures, particularly following an increase in criminal activities such as theft of infrastructure, unlawful entry, muggings, rape, and other offenses.Tackling Rising CrimeThe new patrol vehicle will aid in the surveillance of the 487m2 area under Hillside Police Station's jurisdiction. The area has been grappling with criminals targeting essential infrastructure, including electricity transformers, copper cables, and circuit breakers. This surge in criminal activity led to the formation of neighborhood patrols and coordinators who have taken it upon themselves to protect their streets and maintain peace.During the unveiling ceremony of the vehicle, Hillside Police Station officer-in-charge, Chief Inspector Precious Simango, praised the residents for their proactive approach to fighting crime. "I want to applaud you residents of Sunninghill for continuing to fight crime. If you work together as a team, you'll find that even the criminals who want to come to your place will fail," Simango said, urging the community to stay vigilant but not to take unnecessary risks when responding to suspicious activity.Simango also recalled a recent attack in Burnside, where a woman was robbed in her home, advising residents not to venture outside if they hear unusual noises, but instead to contact neighbors or the police for assistance.Community Effort and SupportIn his remarks, Bulawayo Suburban District commander Superintendent Lameck Nyamhunga, who spoke on behalf of the Officer Commanding Bulawayo province Wicklef Makamache, commended the residents' dedication to combating crime, particularly drug and substance abuse. "I would like to acknowledge and appreciate local residents for investing time, energy, and material resources towards patrolling streets alongside the police," Nyamhunga said. "Your commitment is indeed valuable."He further encouraged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities anonymously, highlighting the importance of community cooperation in assisting law enforcement in prosecuting criminals.Challenges in Community CooperationDespite the collective efforts, Sunninghill chairperson Clement Malaba expressed concern about the lack of full cooperation from all residents, which delayed the acquisition of the patrol vehicle. "If all members paid the money on a monthly basis, we could have bought the car in 2023. Unfortunately, the number started declining, and people raised questions here and there," Malaba noted. "So, we finally decided that, with what we have, we could go ahead and buy the car. We bought a car that we did not want," he added, signaling the challenges faced in maintaining consistent participation.Moving ForwardThe addition of the fifth patrol vehicle marks a significant step in Sunninghill's ongoing efforts to enhance neighborhood security. With increased collaboration between residents and the police, the community hopes to continue making strides toward reducing crime and ensuring the safety of all residents.As the patrols continue, the residents of Sunninghill are hopeful that their combined efforts will help deter criminal activity and create a safer environment for everyone in the suburb.
Arun Anand has authored two books on the RSS. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.

Namrata Agarwal

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Bengaluru man flags 'biggest scam' when it comes to rental security deposit: 'happened every time'

Stella Dey

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How to become Karnataka CM, asks Class 7 student. DK Shivakumar has a straight answer

Stella Dey

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Narayana Murthy sings Elvis Presley's 'Can't Help Falling in Love' for wife Sudha Murty. Watch

Shubhi Mishra

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'If Bengaluru is your home now, you should learn Kannada': Zoho's Sridhar Vembu

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Techie compares work-life balance in India and Sweden: 'Indians wear late hours like badge of honour'

Shubhi Mishra

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The curious case of a 7-year-old's eye surgery: no proof of operation, wrong eye bandaged

Stella Dey

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News / National

by Staff reporter

Tendy Three Investments (TTI), the company contracted to manage parking bays in Bulawayo, is reportedly operating at a significant loss and has proposed a drastic shift in its public-private partnership (PPP) agreement with the Bulawayo City Council (BCC). Under the current arrangement, TTI receives 70% of the parking revenue while BCC takes 30%. However, due to mounting operational challenges, TTI has suggested that the revenue split be reversed, with BCC taking 70% and assuming all operational costs.Financial Struggles and Proposed ShiftTTI chairperson, Lizwe Mabuza, revealed this week that the company has been running at a loss since it began managing the parking system in February 2022. Despite the company's efforts to collect parking fees under the first phase of the PPP arrangement, the operational expenses, including salaries and taxes, have far exceeded the revenue generated."I am a founder of TTI and I have proposed to BCC for the 70%-30% setup currently existing to be reversed so that they get 70% and TTI pockets 30%, which BCC has shunned," Mabuza said. He further explained that TTI would be comfortable with receiving only 30% of the revenue as long as BCC bears the full financial responsibility for operational costs, including salaries and taxes.TTI's Financial ChallengesA reliable source confirmed to Southern Eye that TTI has been operating at a loss for the past two years, a fact corroborated by an audit conducted by an internationally reputable firm. The audit found that despite efforts to manage the city's parking system, TTI has struggled to cover its expenses, which include a monthly salary bill of approximately US$100,000 for more than 300 employees.Mabuza, who also has interests in real estate, mining, agriculture, and security, is facing increasing frustration from investors as the financial strain continues. His proposed shift in the revenue model highlights the growing pressure to make the partnership viable for both parties.The PPP ArrangementTTI was awarded the parking management contract by BCC in 2022, under a US$2 million PPP tender based on a build, operate, and transfer agreement. The aim of the partnership was to create a sustainable revenue stream for the city while providing employment opportunities for Bulawayo residents.Under the original terms of the agreement, TTI collects parking fees, with BCC receiving 30% of the revenue. However, the proposal to alter this structure suggests that the current arrangement is not yielding the anticipated financial benefits for TTI. Mabuza has expressed that, while TTI is willing to accept a reduced share of the revenue, the company's financial sustainability hinges on BCC taking responsibility for covering the costs associated with running the service.Potential Impact on Future ProjectsMabuza, known for his diverse business interests, has also proposed funding a bitumen plant to improve the state of roads in Bulawayo, particularly in the central business district and residential areas. However, the financial difficulties faced by TTI in managing the parking system are now causing concern among potential investors, who fear that similar challenges could arise in future projects.The Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) had initially approved the Bulawayo parking project, following a positive assessment of TTI's operations in South Africa. However, the current financial struggles have raised doubts about the company's ability to fulfill the expectations of both the city and its investors.As the situation continues to unfold, the possibility of a revised agreement between TTI and BCC remains uncertain. Mabuza's proposal for a revenue-sharing adjustment may be a last-ditch effort to stabilize operations, but it remains to be seen whether the city will agree to the new terms.
Doubtful about deep tax cut in US but Trump offers stability, says Happiest Minds

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Reshab Shaw

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Aabhas Sharma

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Shaurya Shubham

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News / National

by Staff reporter

Recent elections across Southern Africa have revealed a growing challenge for ruling parties, especially those that evolved from former liberation movements, as they struggle to maintain their grip on power. Opposition parties have made significant inroads in countries like Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, and Mauritius, while South Africa's African National Congress (ANC) found itself forced into a power-sharing agreement after losing its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994. In Mozambique, the ruling Frelimo party is fighting to regain the electorate's trust after a tumultuous election result triggered deadly protests.This wave of political change has raised questions about the future of long-standing liberation movements that have dominated the region since the end of colonial rule. Analysts point to a growing restlessness among younger generations and increasing dissatisfaction with governments that have failed to fulfill their promises.A Shifting Tide Across Southern AfricaPolitical observers have noted that in recent years, ruling parties in Southern Africa have seen a steady decline in their share of the popular vote. "Look at the performance of the ruling parties in the last three elections; all have been losing ground," said one observer. "On the basis of this trend, you can anticipate what the future holds for non-performing parties in power. Let's see what happens in Namibia this November."Vivid Gwede, a political analyst, explained that the decline in support for liberation movements in the region can be attributed to several factors, including poor governance, prolonged time in power, and failure to meet citizens' expectations. "Some have been in power for too long, and others have not been performing well in government. Those that have not lost elections have lost two-thirds majorities," Gwede said, referencing countries like South Africa, Angola, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.While some liberation parties, such as those in South Africa and Angola, have been able to hold democratic elections and transfer power peacefully, others have resorted to political violence and disputes, as seen in Zimbabwe and Mozambique.Youth and the 'Demographic Dividend'Maxwell Saungweme, a renowned political analyst, believes the political shift in Africa is driven by the growing engagement of younger generations. "With a rapidly growing, politically engaged youth population, the demographic dividend' is becoming a driver of change," Saungweme said. He explained that as trust in institutions erodes, the demand for accountable, responsive leadership increases, leading to greater political pluralism.This shift aligns with the theory of "third wave" democratization, where popular demands for reform challenge entrenched regimes. As young people demand more representation, the political landscape is evolving across the continent.Unique National ContextsHowever, Stephen Chan, a professor of world politics at the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies, cautioned that the situation in each country is different. "The former government in Botswana was never run by a liberation party. There was no struggle for liberation there. The liberation party is extremely strong, even if highly corrupt, in Angola," Chan said. "Mozambique's liberation party has resorted to fraud and violence to remain in power."Chan believes the true test of this regional trend will be the upcoming elections in Namibia, a sparsely populated country that gained independence under a liberation party. The results could indicate whether the declining influence of liberation movements is a wider regional phenomenon or a series of isolated incidents.Economic Failures and Power Retention TacticsPiers Pigou, Southern Africa programme head at the Institute for Security Studies, pointed to economic challenges as a key factor behind the decline in support for liberation movements. "Declining levels of support are evident in most instances, although responses to these challenges vary," Pigou said. He explained that the failure to deliver broad-based wealth creation and inclusive economic growth has diminished public confidence in many ruling parties.Pigou also highlighted the varying strategies employed by ruling parties to retain power. While some, like the ANC in South Africa and the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), have accepted their election losses, others have resorted to manipulating the political system to maintain their hold on power. Allegations of electoral fraud, rigging, and corruption have plagued elections in countries like Angola, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, raising questions about the legitimacy of the election processes.As Southern Africa faces a future of political transition, observers believe that the region's political landscape will continue to evolve. The struggles of former liberation movements to retain power, combined with the demands of a younger, more politically active population, could lead to greater democratic pluralism in the coming years. However, the path forward remains fraught with challenges, as the region grapples with the realities of democratic consolidation, political violence, and governance reform.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Zimbabwe must adhere to the country's laws and regulations in order to avoid tensions with the government, a senior official has advised.Simon Masanga, Secretary for the Ministry of Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare, made the call during his address at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe (Icaz) NGOs conference in Kariba, held under the theme Re-Imagining NGO Innovation, Optimisation, Sustainability and Governance, Fostering Accountability in Building NGO Professional Stronghold. The event highlighted the importance of accountability, compliance, and governance in the NGO sector.Masanga acknowledged the critical role that NGOs play in complementing government efforts, particularly in areas where the state may be unable to meet the needs of citizens. He pointed to the ongoing drought affecting the country and the government's inability to provide food aid for more than six million people, a gap that NGOs have helped fill."Government acknowledges the work done by NGOs, as they complement the efforts of the government, especially in situations where the state is unable to fully meet its obligations," Masanga said. "This year, for example, due to the drought, the government is unable to feed over six million people, but with the support of NGOs, we are able to address this challenge."While expressing the government's willingness to work alongside NGOs, Masanga raised concerns about transparency and accountability. He cautioned that government officials often grow suspicious when donors concentrate their efforts in one particular area."When all donors focus on one region, it raises questions about the underlying reasons for such concentration," Masanga said. He further elaborated on the potential for confusion, stating that sometimes areas of interest for NGOs may be linked to local resources, such as diamonds in Chimanimani, which could fuel suspicions about undisclosed motives. "If resources are not being disclosed to the local community, it invites further scrutiny," he explained.Masanga also warned that the government would not hesitate to revoke licences for NGOs that fail to comply with regulations. "We can withdraw licences for non-compliance, and the law provides for the cancellation of registrations. We have done this on multiple occasions," he stated.Ernest Nyimai, the Chief Director of the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (Nango), echoed the importance of regulation in the NGO sector. Nyimai highlighted that effective regulation creates a clear framework for the work of NGOs, ensuring transparency and safeguarding public interest."You cannot avoid regulation because regulations define the parameters of how you operate. They outline where you start and where you end," Nyimai said. "Regulations help protect human rights and ensure that people are safe. Without oversight, there is a risk of compromising critical elements of our work."However, Nyimai emphasized the need for better communication between the government and NGOs to enhance transparency and cooperation. "There should be open channels for communication, allowing both the government and NGOs to work together and ensure that all projects are executed in a transparent manner," he said.The conference provided a platform for discussing the future of NGOs in Zimbabwe, with participants advocating for innovation, optimisation, and sustainability in the sector, while remaining compliant with national laws and contributing positively to community development.
Drew Barrymore's journey from a child actress to a multi-million-dollar brand builder is an incredible narrative of transformation, resilience, and business acumen. Despite her challenging childhood and the many ups and downs in her career, Barrymore has successfully established herself as a versatile and powerful brand in Hollywood and beyond. Her foray into lifestyle, beauty, and media has made her a case study in effective branding, showing the power of personality, authenticity, and smart marketing. This article explores how Barrymore leveraged her unique strengths to create a successful empire that resonates with millions.

Building on Authenticity and Relatability

One of Barrymores key strengths is her authenticity. From a young age, she was thrust into the public eye, and unlike many other celebrities, she has never shied away from sharing her personal struggles. This transparency has allowed her to connect with audiences on a genuine level, building a brand that feels approachable and real.

Barrymores strategy of leveraging her life experiences and personal challenges plays a critical role in her brands success. By openly discussing her struggles with addiction and mental health, she established an emotional connection with fans and became an advocate for wellness and self-care. This personal narrative has served as the foundation for her various brand extensions, from her Flower Beauty line to her talk show, The Drew Barrymore Show.

From Acting to Entrepreneurship: The Shift in Barrymore's Career Path

While Barrymore made her mark as an actress, her entrepreneurial spirit led her to explore business opportunities beyond film. In 2013, she launched Flower Beauty, a cruelty-free, affordable beauty line. Barrymores deep involvement in her brand is one of its defining features. Unlike other celebrity brands that rely on licensing and minimal involvement, Barrymore actively participates in product development and marketing.

Barrymores approach to entrepreneurship is rooted in the same qualities that defined her acting career: authenticity, creativity, and a desire to connect with people. Rather than positioning herself as an unattainable icon, she appeals to her audience as a peer, someone who has faced similar struggles and shares similar values. This alignment with her audience's aspirations has helped her brand achieve significant success in the competitive beauty industry.

The Flower Beauty Brand: A Case Study in Consumer-Centric Marketing

Flower Beauty, Barrymore's flagship beauty brand, represents her unique marketing approach. Founded on the principles of inclusivity and accessibility, Flower Beauty has carved out a distinct niche in the market. Barrymores involvement in the development of Flower Beauty sets it apart from other celebrity-endorsed products.

Affordable Luxury

Barrymore positioned Flower Beauty as an affordable, high-quality alternative to luxury beauty products. This move helped the brand resonate with a broader audience, particularly those who admire Barrymores down-to-earth nature and want to experience a touch of luxury without breaking the bank.

The brands slogan, Beauty Should Be Good to You, reflects Barrymores philosophy and commitment to creating products that empower consumers rather than promoting unrealistic beauty standards. This focus on consumer well-being has proven to be an effective marketing tool, enhancing brand loyalty and driving customer retention.

Transparency and Cruelty-Free Commitment

In an industry where sustainability and ethics are increasingly prioritized, Barrymores commitment to cruelty-free beauty has become a significant selling point. Flower Beauty products are never tested on animals, and the brands transparency about its ethical standards has attracted environmentally-conscious consumers.

Barrymore uses her platform to promote the cruelty-free philosophy of Flower Beauty, often discussing the brands commitment to ethical practices in interviews and on social media. This transparency not only strengthens Flower Beauty's image but also aligns with Barrymores personal values, reinforcing her brands authenticity.

Leveraging Digital Media and Personal Branding

Barrymore has effectively harnessed the power of social media to build her brand, engaging with fans in a genuine and relatable way. Her social media presence reflects her personalityfun, unfiltered, and approachable. This strategic use of digital platforms has allowed Barrymore to extend her influence beyond traditional media and reach a younger demographic.

Direct Engagement with Fans

Barrymores approach to social media is distinctly personal. She frequently interacts with fans, responds to comments, and shares behind-the-scenes moments from her daily life. This level of engagement helps her followers feel connected to her, enhancing her brands appeal.

Barrymore also uses social media to promote her products, often in casual and unscripted posts that showcase her genuine enthusiasm. For instance, she has shared tutorials using Flower Beauty products and posted about the benefits of her Flower Home line. These posts feel authentic and relatable, which strengthens the bond between Barrymore and her audience and boosts consumer trust in her brands.

Utilizing Influencers and Collaborative Campaigns

Barrymore has also embraced influencer marketing, collaborating with digital creators who align with her brands values. By partnering with influencers who promote authenticity and inclusivity, Barrymore has been able to expand her brands reach and tap into new consumer segments.

Expanding the Brand: Flower Home and Flower Eyewear

Following the success of Flower Beauty, Barrymore expanded her brand portfolio with the launch of Flower Home and Flower Eyewear. These ventures highlight her ability to adapt her marketing strategy to different industries while maintaining her brands core values.

Flower Home: Bringing Barrymores Aesthetic to the Masses

Flower Home, Barrymores home decor line, launched in collaboration with Walmart in 2019. The line reflects Barrymores personal style, featuring eclectic and colorful pieces that blend vintage charm with modern aesthetics. By partnering with Walmart, Barrymore was able to make her designs accessible to a wide audience, further reinforcing her brands commitment to inclusivity.

Barrymores marketing approach for Flower Home emphasizes her genuine passion for design. She often discusses her love for decorating and how she wanted to create a line that allows people to express their personalities at home. This approach has resonated with consumers who admire her taste and appreciate the accessibility of the products.

Flower Eyewear: A Stylish Yet Practical Product Line

With Flower Eyewear, Barrymore ventured into the eyewear market, focusing on affordable, stylish frames. As with her other brands, Barrymores involvement in the design process ensures that each product reflects her aesthetic and personal values. She promotes Flower Eyewear as a brand that offers quality and style without the high price tag of designer frames.

Barrymores marketing strategy for Flower Eyewear also includes a strong focus on functionality, as the line includes both prescription and non-prescription glasses. This practicality appeals to a broad consumer base, especially those who value both fashion and function in their eyewear.

The Drew Barrymore Show: A Platform for Brand Expansion

Barrymores foray into daytime television with The Drew Barrymore Show has provided a powerful platform for her brand. The show, which premiered in 2020, allows Barrymore to showcase her personality and connect with audiences on a deeper level. Unlike traditional celebrity talk shows, The Drew Barrymore Show emphasizes positivity, personal growth, and resilience, reflecting the values that define Barrymores brand.

The talk show format has also provided Barrymore with an effective way to cross-promote her various business ventures. By featuring Flower Beauty products, Flower Home decor, and Flower Eyewear on the show, Barrymore seamlessly integrates her brands into the content, increasing exposure and boosting sales.

The Power of Celebrity Branding and Emotional Connection

One of the defining aspects of Barrymores brand is her ability to create an emotional connection with consumers. This connection goes beyond traditional celebrity endorsements, as Barrymores fans view her as a relatable figure rather than a distant celebrity. Her branding strategy is rooted in storytelling, allowing consumers to feel like they are part of her journey.

Barrymores marketing genius lies in her understanding of her audiences needs and desires. She has created a brand that speaks to everyday people, offering products that are accessible, affordable, and authentic. By positioning herself as a friend and confidante, Barrymore has been able to cultivate a loyal customer base that supports her various ventures.

Conclusion

Drew Barrymores evolution from a Hollywood star to a successful brand mogul highlights her marketing prowess and deep understanding of consumer psychology. Her commitment to authenticity, inclusivity, and consumer-centricity has made her a trusted and beloved figure in the business world. Barrymores success with Flower Beauty, Flower Home, and Flower Eyewear, as well as her talk show, demonstrates the power of personal branding and the impact of emotional connection in marketing.

Barrymores journey serves as a case study in building a multi-million-dollar brand based on genuine engagement, ethical practices, and a deep understanding of consumer needs. Her success is a testament to the fact that effective branding is not just about selling products but about creating a meaningful connection with the audience. Through her unique marketing approach, Barrymore has redefined what it means to be a celebrity entrepreneur, inspiring countless fans and entrepreneurs along the way.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The High Court of Zimbabwe has ruled that a section of the Immigration Act, which allowed immigration officers to detain individuals for up to 14 days without a court appearance, is unconstitutional and violates both national and international law. In a landmark judgment, High Court Judge Justice Christopher Dube-Banda declared the provision in Section 8(1) of the Immigration Act invalid, emphasizing that it infringes on fundamental human rights guaranteed under the Constitution of Zimbabwe.Justice Dube-Banda's ruling came in response to a constitutional challenge brought by Tatenda Chakabva, who sought to have the provision declared unconstitutional. Chakabva, supported by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) members, argued that the provision permitted arbitrary detention, contrary to Zimbabwe's commitment to uphold the rule of law and human rights as outlined in the Constitution and international conventions ratified by the country.The court noted that international and regional conventions prohibit arbitrary detentions, and such detentions must be reviewed by a court to assess their legality. Justice Dube-Banda pointed out that "promptly" in Zimbabwe's legal context means within 48 hours, a standard set to safeguard individual freedoms."The extent that s8(1) permits 14 days detention without judicial oversight actually authorises arbitrary detention," Justice Dube-Banda said in his ruling. "Whether it is called administrative detention or arbitrary detention, it is prohibited under international and regional conventions."Chakabva, the applicant, argued that the provision violated the rights and dignity of foreign nationals, especially those suspected of being illegal immigrants. He highlighted that such a provision undermined the values embedded in Zimbabwe's Constitution and hindered the ability of foreign nationals to challenge their detention under the law.The Chief Immigration Officer, who opposed the application, argued that Section 8(1) only applied to individuals suspected of entering the country illegally without identification or known nationality, and those suspected of being a threat to national security. The officer further claimed that this provision was vital in tackling issues such as terrorism, human trafficking, and espionage committed by individuals with falsified identities. However, the court dismissed these arguments, stating that the constitutional rights of detainees could not be compromised under any circumstances.In his ruling, Justice Dube-Banda made it clear that arbitrary detention violated the Constitution's commitment to dignity, liberty, and freedom. He emphasized that administrative detention, as described in Section 8(1), was essentially a euphemism for arbitrary detention, which he deemed unacceptable in a democratic society."The Constitution is the supreme law of Zimbabwe," Justice Dube-Banda declared. "Any practice inconsistent with it is invalid. A detention beyond the 48-hour limit without judicial oversight is unlawful and infringes the detainee's rights to dignity, freedom, and security of the person. It is an affront to the rule of law."The ruling has significant implications for Zimbabwe's immigration laws and could spark a review of detention practices nationwide. Justice Dube-Banda's judgment reinforces the importance of judicial oversight in all detention cases, asserting that no one, regardless of nationality, should be detained without the opportunity to challenge their detention in court.The ruling marks a pivotal moment in Zimbabwe's legal history, affirming the rights of individuals under the Constitution and setting a precedent for future cases involving arbitrary detention and human rights violations.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart has called for a comprehensive investigation following the arrest of Deputy Mayor Edwin Ndlovu and Finance and Development Committee Chairperson Mpumelelo Moyo on corruption charges. The arrests, executed by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) last night, are linked to allegations that the officials demanded a US$20,000 bribe from Labenmon Investments in exchange for facilitating land approval for a cement mixing plant.In a statement issued earlier today, Mayor Coltart expressed his surprise at the development, having been briefed on the matter by the Town Clerk. "I await further information, but the law must take its course," Coltart stated, reiterating his administration's commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against corruption. The mayor emphasised the need for an impartial investigation and the importance of an independent judiciary in handling such cases.ZACC Communications Manager Ms Simiso Mlevu confirmed the arrests and provided further details of the allegations. According to Mlevu, Ndlovu and Moyo allegedly approached Labenmon Investments after the company resubmitted a land application in April 2024. The company had originally applied for 10 hectares of land in November 2023 but had its application rejected. In April 2024, Labenmon was offered 5.6 hectares, after which the accused allegedly demanded a bribe of US$20,000 from Tsitsi Mapfumo, a representative of the company, claiming it was to be shared among 20 other councillors.The matter was reported to ZACC, leading to the swift arrest of Ndlovu and Moyo, who are scheduled to appear in court on 16 November. The case has raised alarm about the persistence of corruption within local government structures, particularly as Bulawayo strives to attract investment and foster development while upholding transparency and accountability.This latest scandal adds to ongoing concerns about corruption at the municipal level, casting a shadow over efforts to improve governance and economic growth in Zimbabwe's second-largest city. As the investigation progresses, local leaders and residents alike are calling for thorough action to ensure that justice is served and that public officials are held to the highest standards of integrity.
China to ensure success of Chancay Port with Peru: spokesperson

Xinhua) 20:25, November 15, 2024

BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- China will work with Peru to ensure the success of Chancay Port from construction to management and operation, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

Spokesperson Lin Jian told a daily press briefing that the two heads of state attended via video the inauguration ceremony of Chancay Port on Nov. 14 local time in Lima.

Chancay Port is not only an important project under Belt and Road cooperation, but also the first smart and green port in South America, Lin noted.

The first phase of the project, when completed, will reduce the sea shipping time from Peru to China to 23 days, thus cutting logistics costs by at least 20 percent. It is expected to generate 4.5 billion U.S. dollars in yearly revenues for Peru and create over 8,000 direct jobs, he said.

The completion of Chancay Port will effectively consolidate Peru's role as a gateway linking shipping routes across land and sea, and between Asia and Latin America, and boost the overall development and integration of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), Lin said.

He added that the port's development plan also includes establishing animal rescue services to improve the environment of wetlands, beaches, and habitats, and contribute to sustainable development of the local economy and society.

Chancay Port is becoming a starting point of an Inca Trail of the New Era. From Chancay to Shanghai, it is witnessing the coming into shape of a new route across land and ocean between Asia and LAC in the new era, Lin said.

China will follow the guidance of the common understandings between the two presidents, and work with Peru to ensure the success of Chancay Port from construction through management and operation, so that it will empower the common development of Pacific's coastal economies, including China and Peru, and truly contribute to prosperity and happiness for Peru and all other LAC countries, the spokesperson said.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Zhong Wenxing)
A freight train derailed in Longueuil, Que., on Montreal's South Shore, Thursday morning, sparking concerns about a chemical spill and sending a cloud of white smoke drifting toward a residential area.

The derailment occurred around 8:30 a.m., when eight train cars went off the rails at a Canadian National (CN) triage site, near the corner of St-Georges and St-Louis streets, in the LeMoyne neighbourhood. Four of the cars remained upright; four fell on their sides. It was unclear what caused the derailment.

No injuries were reported, a CN spokesperson said, but three CN workers were taken to hospital as a preventive measure.

A plume of smoke began billowing from at least one of the derailed train cars. A video from the scene showed firefighters spraying water onto it from above. The train appeared to be mostly upright, but several containers were bent at an angle, off the track.

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Officials with CN and the City of Longueuil said at least one of the train cars contained hydrogen peroxide, a potentially harmful chemical that is used in a variety of industrial processes but also in household goods.

WATCH | Derailment raises concern about chemical spill:

Soon after the incident, the city said people who live within 800 metres of the derailment should stay indoors and keep their windows and doors closed.

Longueuil police also established a large security perimeter around the site and closed access to Highway 116. All restrictions were lifted early Friday.

As a preventive measure, 13 schools affiliated with the Centre de services scolaire Marie-Victorin are under confinement order, according to a post on the service centre's Facebook page. As of 10:50 a.m., five of the schools began resuming their regular activities, though the service centre highlighted that most of its students were at home Thursday for a pedagogical day.

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Pierre Marcoux, the interim director of the Petite Semence daycare, which is near the site of the derailment, said he started seeing smoke rising around 9:15 a.m. He said police told the daycare to evacuate to a nearby college.

"It was peroxide smoke. It's toxic," he said. "The daycare educators were pushing strollers with eight children in them. It was a real evacuation. We weren't really in the toxic smoke so we were OK."

CN said its hazardous materials team was on the scene, but by noon, it was too early to say how long the confinement order would last.

The derailment affected tracks used by Exo, the commuter train service, and Via Rail. In a statement, Via Rail said because of the uncertainty over when the tracks would again be clear, it was cancelling four trains running between Montreal and Quebec City.

Longueuil Mayor Catherine Fournier said at a 2:45 p.m. news conference that firefighters had stopped pouring water onto the train cars and the situation was under control.

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But she said both public health officials and the Environment Ministry were conducting tests to determine if the hydrogen peroxide was hazardous to people or if it had contaminated anything in the area.

She said until the results of those tests come in, people in the area should remain indoors. She was unsure how much longer that confinement would last or when the highway and the train tracks would reopen.

Hydrogen peroxide is used in a variety of industrial processes. It is also used as a household disinfectant and is in consumer products including teeth whiteners and bleach. At low concentrations it may be an irritant to eyes. Exposure to industrial strength concentrations can cause severe irritation or burns to the skin and respiratory tract, according to Health Canada.
Sonora, CA  The states passage of Proposition 36, and county voters denying a sale tax measure, and the impacts on law enforcement, will be discussed on this weekends Mother Lode Views.

The guest will be Tuolumne County Sheriff David Vasquez.

Vasquez has received questions about those topics from several community members over the past week. Vasquez supported Proposition 36 as it increases penalties on several offenses in California. He will detail what it means for local law enforcement.

He will also speak about whether the failure of the Measure Z tax measure changes any of his short or long-term planning for the department.

In addition, he will detail recent crime trends, and initiatives of the sheriffs office, such as recommitting to school resource officers, and the narcotics division.
Yves here. Due to so much competing news, weve been light on climate and environment coverage. Established readers may recall that Jerri-Lynn covered the war on plastics intensely. Then and now, the media reports how scientists are finding plastic in more and more places in human tissue. A few of many sightings:

Given the regular news about the extent and health damage from plastic pollution, one wonders why the considerable number of health fetishists in the elite arent loudly demanding reforms.

And the worst is its not as if this environmental threat cant be greatly reduced:

Our new research with @BerkeleyDataSci, @SchmidtDSE, and @UCSBenioffOcean can assist policymakers in their push to nearly end global plastic pollution. Read more about our latest study: https://t.co/sasnG8sw0l  Berkeley Rausser College of Natural Resources (@NatureAtCal) November 14, 2024

So why didnt Trump appoint RFK, Jr., an environmental lawyer, to the EPA, where he could have done a lot of good by going after abuses and weak enforcement in areas where it affects health? It seems that the real agenda is deregulation. Trump and RFK, Jr. seem to labor under the misguided view that deregulation n the medical area will improve health, when the record with the environment shows the opposite.

By Shannon Kelleher. Originally published at The New Lede

ederal regulators have enabled US plastics plants across the country to dump dangerous chemicals into waterways by failing to update wastewater limits for over 30 years, according to a new analysis by a watchdog group.

While the Clean Water Act requires the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to review wastewater discharge limits every five years to keep up with advances in water treatment technologies, the agency has not updated its guidelines for the plastics sector since 1993.

Most folks dont know that the plastics industry is not required to use modern wastewater treatment controls to limit the amount of pollution they pour into our waterways, Jen Duggan, the executive director of EIP, said in a press call Thursday. Its long past time these plants clean up.

In its analysis, the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP) focused on 70 plants that make raw plastics called nurdles, tiny pellets later used to make products such as water bottles, food containers and toy

Over 80% of the plants violated pollution limits in their permits at least once between 2021 and 2023, according to the report, yet the EPA only issued financial penalties to 14% of violators, the report found. The Chemours Washington Works plant in West Virginia received 115 violations over this period  more than any other plant studied  but was not issued any penalties by regulators, the EIP analysis found.

Additionally, 40% of the plastics plants are operating on outdated water pollution control permits, the study found.

The EPA said it is reviewing the report and would respond appropriately.

The report comes as nations prepare for further negotiations this month in Busan, Korea over a global treaty designed to curb plastic pollution. While the plastics treaty is incredibly important, said Duggan, it wouldnt directly address discharges of harmful pollutants from plastics plants anytime soon, if at all, while implementing the existing Clean Water Act would dramatically reduce discharges, she said.

Most of the plants EIP analyzed lacked any limits in their permits for a number of concerning pollutants. None of the plants had limits on total nitrogen and only one had a limit on phosphorus nutrients that can lead to toxic algae blooms and dead zones that damage waterways.

In 2023, the 70 plants released nearly 10 million pounds of nitrogen and almost 2 million pounds of phosphorus into rivers, lakes and streams across the country, according to the analysis.

The report noted that the EPA has not set any federal wastewater limits for 1,4-dioxane, a chemical classified by the EPA as a likely carcinogen that is produced when plants make plastic for water bottles, and dioxins, which the report calls one of the most toxic chemicals known to science. While a few plants permits included limits on these chemicals that were set by states, most did not.

Eight plastics plants reported releasing over 74,000 pounds of 1,4-dioxane into waterways in 2022 while 10 PVC plants reported releasing 1,374 grams of dioxins and similar compound the same year, according to the report.

All of this data was provided to us by the industry itself, James Hiatt, executive director of the nonprofit For a Better Bayou, said at the press conference. The reality is, the numbers that we have are probably lower than the actuality.

Petrochemical plants are also potential sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), so-called forever chemicals linked to certain cancer, hormone disruption and other health problems that are found in rivers and streams across the US. However, there is little data on PFAS released by these plants due to a lack of EPA limits or monitoring requirements, notes the report.

In April 2023, EIP and other environmental groups filed a lawsuit in the US Court of Appeals in the Ninth Circuit against the EPA over the agencys outdated limits on toxic chemicals in wastewater from plastics plants, as well as oil refineries, fertilizer factories and other industrial facilities.

On December 5, the groups will present their oral arguments for the case, said an attorney for EIP.

Despite the shifting political tide following Donald Trumps recent presidential win, Duggan said she expects the court will uphold standards set by the Clean Water Act.

No matter what Trumps plans are, Trump cannot unilaterally wave away these kinds of mandatory, statutory requirements, she said. The Clean Water Act has a very clear mandate that EPA update these water pollution standards to keep pace with technology. Even one of the most conservative courts in the country, the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, has ruled to this effect.

This is a mandatory obligation imposed by a statute, Duggan added. It is a must-do. EPA cant ignore it no matter who is in the White House.
Abuses against Palestinian women in Israeli prisons have increased over the past few months, warns human rights monitoring group

Abuses against the female Palestinian prisoners in Israel prisons have increased in the past few months, according to a human rights monitoring group.

As reported by a commission of the Palestinian Authority's Ministry of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, women prisoners have been exposed to daily strip searches, arbitrary room inspections and confiscation of clothes and other basic items.

The commission said in a recent statement that 94 female prisoners in the Damon Prison in northern Israel are "suffering" in deteriorating conditions that are "beyond all imaginable limits."

"Hundreds of testimonies from prisoners reveal shocking and horrific accounts of what has occurred and is ongoing against both male and female prisoners," said the commission, establishing its statement on recent visits made by lawyers to the prisoners. "This includes the testimonies of female prisoners from Gaza, who have faced violations and crimes more severe and cruel than ever since the war began." (Related: Palestinian prisoners being raped, tortured and murdered in Israeli prisons: I am proud of that, says National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.)

Israeli authorities denying female prisoners medical care, humanitarian aid

Hadeel Hassanein, the sister of imprisoned journalist Rula Hassanein, said her sick sister was suffering complications because of the denial of medical treatment in prison. Rula was arrested from her home in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank on March 19.

The military court of the Ofer Prison, located in the occupied West Bank, issued two orders for Rula's release but were later denied by the Israeli Defense Forces' Military Prosecution.

According to Tala Nasser, a lawyer at the Ramallah-based NGO Addameer, which supports Palestinian prisoners and defends them against Israeli human rights abuses, medical negligence and overcrowding in women's prisons have worsened.

"Female prisoners are given very little time outdoors, mainly for showering, as the showers are outside the cells," Nasser said in an interview with Middle East Eye.

"Additionally, the Israeli prison administration is deliberately withholding cleaning supplies in Damon Prison, which has led to an increase in skin infections due to overcrowding. Most prisoners are forced to sleep on the floor."

Among the most notable violations confronted by female prisoners are strip searches.

Under the pretense of security procedures, female prisoners are forced to remove all clothing, along with underwear, while also sustaining verbal abuse and ill-treatment.

Denying sufficient food to detainees is another normal practice of Israeli prisoner authorities.

Based on several testimonies, the daily food rations given by the Israeli prison administration hardly create half of a normal meal.

Meanwhile, Hamas said that the Israeli Damon prison administration's confiscation of jilbabs, hijabs and niqabs is a serious escalation of the Israeli violations against Palestinian imprisoned women.

Hamas emphasized in a recent statement that these heinous crimes and the abuse of Palestinian women inside Israeli prisons are conducted in violation of all religions, laws and human values, and cannot be overlooked.

It indicated that the miserable conditions and dictatorial inspections that male and female prisoners are exposed to inside Israeli jails, including the denial of all essential needs and necessary supplies, in addition to food, medicine, clothing and blankets, are intended for deliberate moral and physical death of prisoners, which is verified by facts and figures.

Hamas called on local and international human rights and legal organizations, particularly those concerned with womens rights, to force the Israeli occupation authority to stop its abuses against Palestinian women.

Follow IsraelCollapse.com for more news about Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons.

Watch the video below about the Palestinian women in "Zionist dungeons."

This video is from the FreePalestineTV channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Whistleblowers detail ABUSE of Palestinian prisoners at Sde Teiman military base in Israels Negev region.

IDF soldiers torturing, raping Palestinian prisoners without consequence  why is Israel never held to account for violations of human rights?

Israel used dogs, waterboarding to torture Palestinian prisoners  UN.

Sources include:

MiddleEastEye.net

En.ABNA24.com

Brighteon.com
Dutch health minister admits that COVID-19 was a military operation involving NATO

A Dutch government official recently stated that the COVID-19 pandemic was a military operation and that the Netherlands followed orders related to the pandemic that were issued by NATO.

This is according to Dutch Health Minister Fleur Agema, who blamed the countrys governmental agency in charge of national security, the Netherlands National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV) for much of what happened during the pandemic.

The three-minute video, in which Agema told the Dutch parliament that pandemic preparedness was linked to NATO treaty obligations and the NCTV during a debate, quickly went viral.

Researcher Cees van den Bos responded to Agemas admission by saying the pandemic was a coup detat and the NCTV was simply serving as NATOs puppet.

This country will only be free if the NCTV is completely abolished and these kinds of shadow governments never get a foothold again. This is the biggest obstacle that stands in the way of a democracy, he stated.

He added that people who think the pandemic is behind us are in for another reality check.

When the pandemic was in full swing, NATO set COVID-19 response guidelines that were distributed to the foreign ministers of its member states and coordinated related strategic communications. This could help explain why Sweden was the only European nation to implement a fairly relaxed approach during the pandemic as Sweden was not part of NATO at that time.

Agemas admission also backs comments made by Dutch activist Willem Engel, who said at his trial for sedition in late 2022 that the government was working to combat those who criticized its COVID-19 policies. He cited the NCTV, along with the Dutch ministry of defense and ministry of the interior as participating in the suppression.

They formed a crisis team that worked together with other government agencies, such as the OM, mayors, and the judiciary, and with the media. They are using a military method that amounts to mapping, suppressing, and disrupting.

Agema's comments provide much-needed clarity

Medical ethicist Wendy Mittemeijer said she appreciated the ministers honesty about the situation, saying: For the first time in four years, I hear a public admission that the NCTV was in charge during the corona crisis and that it had to be carried out. It was a military operation. This was not allowed to be said for four years. That was a conspiracy theory. I appreciate the honesty of the minister, that this is being admitted and that he was not in charge.

This also aligns with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s claims that the production of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. was a military operation that was engineered by the military-industrial complex and the U.S. Department of Defense.

The news about Agemas comments provided some clarity to prominent Dutch physician, Dr. Els van Veen, who said that it explained the things that happened to her and her fellow doctors during the pandemic. Writing on X, she said: It was a military operation, the Minister of Health obeys NATO and NCTV.

NATO also features in the latest version of New Zealands pandemic plans, which allow law enforcement and NATO to enforce the countrys mandatory vaccination agenda and give government officials the power to override the law during epidemics and emergencies.

Sources for this article include:

SlayNews.com

Expose-News.com
Health Ranger Mike Adams: There can be no reconciliation without ACCOUNTABILITY

There can be no reconciliation without accountability for those responsible for crimes against the American people, according to the Health Ranger Mike Adams.

During a recent episode of the "Health Ranger Report," he pointed out the tendency of some people to call for immediate reconciliation, peace and love to all the Democrats. These calls, Adams continued, followed the historic victory of President-elect Donald Trump.

"Let's come together and let's heal as a nation. And I am all in favor of healing and reconciliation once we have full accountability and mass prosecutions of all the traitors  all those who committed treason. Every last person who was involved in the election rigging of 2020, [2022] and [2024], they all need to be prosecuted," he said.

The Health Ranger also proposed a vote fraud amnesty program for those willing to come forward and disclose their roles in rigging America's elections. Those who refuse to confess should be prosecuted and, if found guilty, should spend life in prison without the possibility of parole.

"Those people need to go to jail. The prosecutions must happen. There can be no healing without reconciliation. I'm all about healing and coming together and moving forward, but only when there's accountability."

Adams noted that the American people suffered under the "illegitimate" administration of outgoing President Joe Biden, most especially the J6 political prisoners that still remain behind bars. Trump needs to pardon the J6 prisoners and free them on day one, while putting the real criminals and traitors who attempted to overthrow America in those same cells. (Related: The top twelve priorities for Trump's America in 2025  achieve these things and we may save the Republic.)

Adams: The battle to TAKE BACK the republic has only started

The Brighteon.com and Natural News founder said the battle to take back the American republic has just started. This is a major battle that Americans need to continue fighting if they want to see America survive.

"The Democratic Party is a party of criminality and corruption that must be politically destroyed in America. It must never be allowed to rise to power ever again. It is extremely dangerous to our republic. It's dangerous to human liberty," Adams warned.

"The Democratic Party is a party of deception, death, suffering and lies. That party needs to be exposed and politically eliminated from the landscape of possibilities of who could be in charge in this country. We must never let the Democratic Party rise to power ever again."

He also warned that the Democrats are now plotting ways to achieve their goal of destroying America and murdering Trump  which justifies Americans stomping out the Democratic Party. Anything less than that is cowardice and a surrender to the tyranny that brought America to its present situation. Americans must be willing to fight through the political and legal system to put these people behind bars, expose their lies and dismantle them.

"Today we stand, and we fight politically for the future of our nation. And we do not let up until all the treason is exposed and all the traitors are arrested, and the Democratic Party is utterly dismantled and banished into the fire pits of hell for a thousand years," the Health Ranger concluded.

"We do not stop until we have achieved that. And that's the message that we need to share with all Americans today."

Follow Trump.news for more news about the coming second Trump administration.

Listen to the Health Ranger Mike Adams reiterating that there can be no reconciliation without accountability on the "Health Ranger Report."

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Will Democrats accept the results of the 2024 Presidential Election?

The left remains in total shambles over Trump's win.

Let's Talk America: Dr. Alan Keys says the Democratic Party is the "party of evil"  Brighteon.TV.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

APNews.com
Report: Up to 25% of Israeli reservists refusing summons to rejoin the military amid fears of endless deployments

The number of Israelis reporting for service in the Israeli Defense Forces' (IDF) reserve units has declined significantly, especially among the group of Israelis who have already served in combat in Gaza and Lebanon

This is according to a report by Israeli news outlet Ynet on Monday, Nov. 11, which revealed that the number of reservists showing up to serve in the IDF has declined since the 100 percent that used to appear during the opening months of the conflict in 2023. (Related: Israeli soldiers suffering from PTSD, with many resorting to self-harm and suicide.)

At the time, the report notes that the IDF's reserve units were all packed and even reservists who were not called up were volunteering to rejoin the army and fight in Gaza.

The number of soldiers reporting for service has decreased to between 75 to 85 percent in recent weeks.

The reserve soldiers will have to serve no less than 100 days next year, according to a senior security official. "The resource of reservists is not unlimited, and it is very difficult for people to be so absent in the midst of daily life. That is why there is a silent refusal to report for service, without protests or in a public way. They cannot be argued with, or demanded by force to come," a source from the military told Ynet.

IDF calls up reservists with ZERO notice

Several Israeli reservists have also expressed their resentment in returning for combat service.

"My battalion was called to a reserve order at the end of September, which was supposed to be limited in time, and two days after we were recruited, the order was opened until further notice," said reserve soldier Yonatan Kidor during a speech before the Knesset, the Israeli parliament.

"We were supposed to be released two weeks ago already, and right now, we are in the reserves without end  we and our families on the home front are being worn out," continued Kidor. "There are brigades that serve 300 to 350 days in a row. There is no end on the horizon, no future and no trust. End this war in some way."

Security officials have also warned that funding has not yet been acquired to keep paying the financial packages reservists earned last year, which totaled tens of thousands of shekels for each officer.

Ynet also mentioned the disrespect for the reserve soldiers is shown by the Israeli military's ongoing use of "Open Order 8," which permits the IDF to call up any reservist with zero notice.

The order is supposed to be employed only during emergency situations when a war engulfs Israel out of nowhere. There was clear justification to use Open Order 8 in the first few months of the conflict, but it has now been regularly utilized for the past 14 months.

Follow IsraelCollapse.com for more news about Israel's ongoing war in the Middle East.

Watch the video below about Israeli reservists preparing to storm the Gaza Strip.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

"Mentally damaged" Israeli soldiers refusing orders to return to combat.

Israel mobilizes reserve forces amid escalating conflict with Hezbollah and impending invasion of Lebanon.

Israel calling up 15,000 reserve troops amid rising Gaza casualties.

More and more Israeli soldiers becoming DISABLED as Gaza conflict drags on.

10,000 Israeli reservists announce their refusal to show up for service in PROTEST of judicial reforms.

Sources include:

TheCradle.co

Ynet.co.il

Brighteon.com
Over 100 leftist groups organize coalition to rebuild morale and resist MAGA after Trump win

Failed Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, who conceded in a speech the day after Election Day, said she'd "never give up the fight for democracy" and this could have signaled 100 or so progressive groups to create a coalition commencing the resistance for President-elect Donald Trump's administration.

The groups responded to Vice President Harris' call "to keep fighting" as they work on rebuilding the left wing's crashed morale after the failed attempt at winning the White House.

"I think the first priority is going to be holding space for our community and making sure that people understand that this is a devastating development. But it is a blow to democracy. It is not the end of democracy," said Leah Greenberg, co-executive director of Indivisible Project, which emerged in 2017 to invigorate political organizing on the left.

Ravi Mangla, the national press secretary for the Working Families Party (WFP), which advocates for "unionizing labor, funding public services and combating racism," said that the priority is to get moving, adding that they are not interested in spending postelection momentum pointing fingers or assigning blame.

"We're ready to get to work to fight back, state by state, against the second round of Trumpism," he said.

Business news site Fast Company said in a recent report that per conversations with the leftist groups WFP, Indivisible Project and MoveOn, the coalition's major concerns include environmental protection, abortion rights and a crackdown on immigration.

Mangla said that as soon as Trump assumes office, he will remake federal institutions and even replace large numbers of public servants with loyalists.

"We don't have to speculate. It's all there, written out in excruciating detail," alleged Mangla, citing the recommendations listed in "Project 2025," the 922-page agenda crafted by one of Washington's most prominent think tanks, the Heritage Foundation. Trump has disavowed the policies listed in the said agenda, but of course liberals don't believe him.

In the lead-up to the election, WFP joined with other sponsor organizations including MoveOn, Indivisible Project, Public Citizen and the American Civil Liberties Union. They have aligned with more than 100 other groups, according to organizers, along with Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA).

The organizers have reportedly already set up eight weekly "Mass Calls" at 8:00 to -9:00 p.m. EST. They started meeting on Nov. 7.

"We're not trying to organize into a big, top-down supergroup. Ultimately, what we want to do is be well networked and in deep relationship with each other," Greenberg claimed.

Back during the 2016 election, many liberals were surprised by Trump's resounding Electoral College victory over his then-rival Hilary Clinton. They quickly regrouped, with spontaneous efforts all over social media like Facebook and even on shared Google Docs.

Trump wins by wrecking the "blue wall" in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan

Away from the swing states, the Associated Press called Trump wins in the three critical battleground states behind the blue wall  enough to signal the failure of outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris' effort to secure the White House.

Pennsylvania has 19 Electoral votes and Trump led the Keystone State by two percentage points. Ninety-nine percent of the votes have been counted as of press time. (Related: Trump achieved victory in biggest battleground state Pennsylvania on his way back to the White House.)

Wisconsin, where Trump is advancing by 0.9 percentage points, already has 99 percent of votes counted, as well. The Badger State has 10 Electoral votes.

In Michigan, he is now leading by 1.4 percentage points, with nearly 99 percent of the votes counted. The Great Lakes State carries 15 Electoral College votes.

"It appears Trump has breached the blue wall, or at least enough of it, to win the presidency," David Schultz, an author and political science professor at Minnesota's Hamline University, told Al Jazeera.

Historically, several states voted for Democrats in every election between 1992 and 2012. They include California, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey, Washington, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Oregon, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Rhode Island, Delaware and Vermont as well as the District of Columbia.

In 2016, Trump breached the blue wall, flipping several of those states to red in the election against Clinton. These included Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan  all three of which were again major battleground states during this latest election.

In 2020, President Joe Biden won back all three of these states, seemingly erecting the blue wall again.

Experts also weigh in on some of the reasons why they think Trump was able to breach the blue wall. Major issues include the economy and cost of living and the current administration's failure to connect to "working-class" voters.

A report from Al Jazeera's Sarah Shamim said that Democrats "failed to execute well in the three blue wall states" as Harris focused too much on abortion over other issues such as economic policies that would appeal to working-class voters.

"Economic issues along with feelings of being ignored drove the Trump victory," Schultz said.

Moreover, a preliminary national exit poll conducted by data provider Edison Research showed that 51 percent of voters trusted Trump with handling the economy compared with 47 percent who trusted Harris. Thirty-one percent of respondents said the economy mattered most in shaping their decision to vote, whereas only 14 percent cited abortion.

Schultz further said that the VP lost in Pennsylvania because she failed to speak to working-class voters and thought abortion would drive enough women to the polls to help her win.

Read more stories about Trump's victorious win in the 2024 U.S. election on Trump.news.

Sources for this article include:

FastCompany.com

NPR.org

AlJazeera.com
New York City to stop providing illegal immigrants with prepaid debit cards

New York City (NYC) will no longer be providing illegal immigrants with prepaid debit cards

The program for providing migrants who stay in city-funded hotels with prepaid debit cards to purchase their own food and other necessities involved around 2,600 migrant families and was started back in February. The pilot phase of this program has cost the city's taxpayers over $3.2 million. (Related: New York City provides prepaid debit cards to illegal immigrants.)

In a statement, William Fowler, a spokesperson for the city's government, claimed that this program was successful in reducing food waste and redirecting millions of dollars back into the city's economy. It was also able to "provide more culturally relevant food" to the 2,600 migrant families chosen to participate in the program. However, mounting costs make this program untenable.

"As we move toward more competitive contracting for asylum seeker programs, we have chosen not to renew the emergency contract for this pilot program once the one-year term concludes," said Fowler, noting that the prepaid debit cards will expire by 2025. "For over two years, we have provided care to more than 222,000 migrants while saving $2 billion in asylum seeker-related costs."

"Thanks to our resettlement efforts, intensive case management and national-leading Asylum Application Help Center, more than 160,000 migrants have left our shelter system and taken their next steps towards self sufficiency. We will continue to implement and learn from innovative pilot programs like the immediate response cards program as we care for hundreds of new arrivals every week."

The city has estimated that about 700 asylum seekers enter the city each week. The city also claims that about 1,000 leave during the same period.

Program intended to save money ended up costing more

This program was intended by the NYC Council as a means to save money by no longer having to purchase food that illegals did not want to eat, leading to high food waste and more food purchases per migrant. The city claimed it cost half as much as the boxed-meal delivery service it replaced.

The cards were distributed to the 2,600 families at the city's main intake center at the Roosevelt Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. A family of four gets provided around $350 a week worth of spending money to go shopping at local groceries and bodegas  the only places where the prepaid debit cards could be used  for food and baby supplies.

The prepaid debit cards were given to the city by the financial technology company Mobility Capital Finance, which was hired by the city for a year-long, no-bid, emergency contract to run the program. It received about $400,000 in payment for its operation of the cards.

The office of NYC Mayor Eric Adams did not give a specific reason for why the program is ending. The office added that, when the program ends in January, migrants staying in city-funded hotels will go back to being given boxed meals. The city will no longer be able to enter emergency deals for the handling of migrant services thanks to the intervention of City Comptroller Brad Lander.

Watch this video discussing how the conviction of a murderer of a 16-year-old in New York is being hampered by the fact that the killer is a migrant.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Constitutional lawyer: New York pro-abortion ballot measure would also establish voting rights of noncitizens.

Upstate New York homeowner alarmed by immigrants illegally crossing the border through his backyard.

New York State Supreme Court blocks Mayor Eric Adams' attempt to stop Texas from busing illegal mirants to NYC.

Majority of crimes in New York City are committed by migrant invaders because NYPD is barred from tracking them.

Huge! U.S. Army manning NYC illegal "migrant" hotels in direct violation of Possee Comitatus Act.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

ABC7NY.com

CBSNews.com

Brighteon.com
Mike Pompeo wants people to forget he legitimized lawfare against Trump

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who served during the first term of President-elect Donald Trump, seems to be taking steps to gain a position in the incoming administration , the National Pulse reported.

In a Nov. 7 post on X, Pompeo said: "It's good that the weaponized Jack Smith cases are being dropped, but they never should have been brought in the first place. This was a gross abuse of power and politicization of the Justice Department."

Analysts found this very hypocritical considering that Pompeo, along with several other former Trump allies, legitimized the lawfare campaign against Trump initiated by the administration of President Joe Biden.

He sounded very different just a year ago when Biden's Department of Justice (DOJ) and its special counsel Jack Smith moved to indict Trump over allegations he mishandled classified documents.

"If the allegations are true, and there are lots of indications that they are, President Trump had classified documents where he shouldn't have had them, and then when given the opportunity to return them, he chose not to do that for whatever reason," Pompeo said during an appearance on Fox News in June 2023.

He also said that he "supposes we can all make mistakes and get them to the wrong place, but when somebody identifies that, you gotta turn them in. So that's just inconsistent with protecting America's soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines. And if the allegations are true, some of these were pretty serious, important documents. So, that's wrong."

The move then was seen by critics as an effort to put distance between him and Trump.

Meanwhile, X users were quick to notice that he was trying to win back Trump's trust and confidence, so he would be able to get a spot in the coming regime. But they made sure to make him realize that they were aware of his efforts.

"Type whatever words you want, but MAGA will never let you within the Trump administration. You are an opportunist hack who has no issue selling out to the Establishment. You are the swamp we are draining, Pompeo," one said in reply to Pompeo's post.

Another commented: "I hope @realDonaldTrump NEVER even considers you to be ANY PART of his administration. We don't need you from the CIA f***ing things up again for America!"

"You tried to assassinate Julian Assange & you stabbed Trump in the back, more than once! We both know what I am talking about... Now, respectfully, please go away & enjoy retirement, Mike. Thank you for your service. Your assistance is no longer required," another user commented.

Trump to exclude Pompeo, Haley from his second administration

Trump recently announced on his social media platform, Truth Social, that he would not invite Pompeo to serve with him this time. He also said that Nikki Haley, the former ambassador to the United Nations, who briefly challenged him for the Republican Party's nomination, would also not be joining.

"I will not be inviting former Ambassador Nikki Haley or former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to join the Trump administration, which is currently in formation," Trump said in the post. "I very much enjoyed and appreciated working with them previously and would like to thank them for their service to our country."

Both Pompeo and Haley were briefly critical of Trump before finally campaigning for him as president in the general election.

Pompeo has criticized Trump for his wasteful spending policies and mishandling of classified documents. Pompeo warned that Republicans needed to be aware of "those with fragile egos who refuse to acknowledge reality," which was widely viewed by critics as a swipe at Trump. He has also been a staunch advocate for the United States to keep providing aid to Ukraine as it battles Russia.

According to the Financial Times, Pompeo was seen as a top contender to head up the Department of Defense. Other top contenders were Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL) and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR). Both were inevitably ruled out in favor of former U.S. Army National Guard officer and Fox News presenter Pete Hegseth. (Related: Ben Shapiro: Trump will put Mike Pompeo and David Friedman in charge of 'Israel policy.')

Meanwhile, Haley was much less likely to join Trump for his second term after heavily attacking him during the Republican primary and lambasting his campaign in the final weeks of the race.

Visit Trump.news for updates on the current efforts of the Trump administration on building his incoming cabinet.

Watch the video below that talks about Trump ruling out hiring Pompeo and Haley in his second term.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Trump says he WON'T RUN for president a fourth time if he loses November elections.

Trump says he is "certainly" on board with appointing "brilliant" RFK Jr. to a position in his administration.

Donald Trump will be the second U.S. president to serve two non-consecutive terms, and the first to win THREE elections but only serve TWO terms.

RFK Jr. to be involved in oversight of health and agriculture departments under second Trump admin.

Sources include:

X.com

TheNationalPulse.com

FT.com

APNews.com

Brighteon.com
College students distraught by Trump election victory given therapy CATS and DUCKS to cope

Many college students didn't cope well following President-elect Donald Trump's victory, leading some educational institutions to offer therapy animals like ducks and cats

The University of Oregon offered college students hot apple cider, cocoa and the services of Quacktavious the Therapy Duck. Virginia Tech meanwhile offered therapy dogs and "guided stretching" for students. Over at the University of Washington, students were given access to a petting zoo, craft station and a gratitude wall.

A similar scenario was reported at Georgetown University, with students being offered a Lego station, coloring books and milk and cookies. Towson University in Maryland gave students a "space to reflect on the ways theyre taking care of themselves right now," while students at the University of Michigan had access to "Art Therapy and Post-Election Processing" sessions.

One English professor at Central Washington University gave her students a "mental health day," extending deadlines for all assignments. The professor also made herself available in the classroom for "anyone who just wants to talk, process, vent, cry, whatever you need."

"I've got a feeling that everyone might need some space today, so I am going to roll with that. You are more valuable than whatever I was planning on teaching," she wrote.

"Please take time to take care of yourselves. Make sure to eat. Drink water. Move your body. Also, the English department main office  has a therapy cat and guest kittens."

Conservative radio host: Babying Kamala Harris voters is not the way to go

But according to Seattle-based conservative radio host Jason Rantz, babying students who voted for outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris is not the way to go.

"As a conservative in Seattle, I know the disappointment of losing elections. But this level of distress is not normal and shouldn't be normalized," he wrote. (Related: College leftist goes crazy on pro-Trump students: 'Slash republican throats!')

"Kids are supposed to become adults in college  and they should be treated as such, not given therapy ducks or cats because they're upset that Trump won an election. But there's a problem: Adults are being infantilized too."

Rantz isn't alone in his sentiment. Other conservatives have also echoed his remarks and sentiments against coddling college students, arguing that these students should be capable of managing their own anxieties and disappointments during stressful times.

Robert Pondiscio, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C., commented on the Georgetown event where the university would provide Lego sets and cookies for students. "Folks, this isn't funny anymore," he wrote on X. "It's disturbing to treat adults like fragile children."

Rantz also pointed out the absurdity of adults having the emotional maturity of children when Trump was declared the winner.

"There are adults who took the day off because they couldn't cope with Trump in the White House. There were companies around the country offering memos to address the hurt feelings of their liberal voters. Some government agencies did the same," he wrote.

"Despite what left-wing talking heads claim, democracy isn't in peril. Maybe if we got a little less hyperbole from the Left, we wouldnt have so many adults needing coloring books and cats to hang out with."

Head over to CampusInsanity.com for similar stories.

Watch South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem arguing that the Democrats ran on "communism" and are now crying about their loss in this clip.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

White House in damage control after Biden calls Trump supporters "garbage."

Panic politics: The press and pundits face devastating polls on the threat to democracy.

Two anti-Trump WaPo columnists quit following papers refusal to endorse Kamala Harris.

Top 8 Kommie Harris "policies" and why Democrats and Liberals should RECONSIDER their vote before its too late.

Perverted Leftists want to "pre-bunk" children from "conspiracy theories" while they brainwash them into gender-bender surgery and cancer-inducing hormone drugs.

Sources include:

MyNorthwest.com

InsideHigherEd.com

Brighteon.com
Remember when they sabotaged Trump in 2016? They will do it again, investigative journalist warns

After President-elect Donald Trump's historic win in the U.S. 2024 election, the transition is starting to get underway but for an investigative journalist, sabotage is still not ruled out as this already happened when Trump won in 2016 against Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

KanekoaTheGreat shared his concern, attaching a montage of mainstream media reports talking about the Left's narrative meant to destroy the 45th POTUS even before he assumed office back then.

"In 2016, there was no peaceful transition of power. Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party weaponized the [Federal Bureau of Investigation] FBI, [Department of Justice] DOJ and the legacy media to frame Donald Trump as a Russian agent," Kaneoka tweeted.

He went on to say that the left wing lied to a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) court multiple times to secure wiretaps and surveillance on Trump and his team. He further said that federal agency heads fed disinformation to the media for years to undermine Trump, who the journalist called "the first populist outsider in recent history." (Related: Trump's impressive political comeback against all odds makes headlines around the world.)

"The same media that dismissed Hunter Biden's laptop as Russian disinformation perpetuated the 'very fine people' hoax, and portrayed Joe Biden as 'sharp as a tack' also lied to the public about the integrity of the 2020 election," it pointed out, citing the Russiagate, along with disinformation campaigns and social media censorship from the left to have fueled widespread distrust and deep frustration with the government institutions.

In 2016, there was no peaceful transition of power. Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and the Democratic Party weaponized the FBI, DOJ, and the legacy media to frame Donald Trump as a Russian agent. They lied to a FISA court multiple times to secure wiretaps and surveillance on pic.twitter.com/VnzVUyyvZG  KanekoaTheGreat (@KanekoaTheGreat) November 6, 2024

This, he said, led to events of Jan. 6, 2021, comparing the "peaceful protest" with the violent Black Lives Matter rallies which caused billions in damages across multiple cities in the United States.

"Yet [the Left] continues to focus on January 6th because they are obsessed with smearing President Trump and his supporters while projecting moral superiority," he argued. "Russiagate was always seen as the real insurrection, a coordinated attempt by the Washington establishment, unelected bureaucrats, and national institutions to overthrow the American people's choice for president."

Meanwhile, the White House announced that President Joe Biden will meet with Trump for the traditional postelection meeting in the Oval Office on Wednesday, Nov. 13. This customary activity is meant partly to mark the start of a peaceful transfer of power under America's democracy.

In a speech Thursday, Biden said he had assured Trump "that I would direct my entire administration to work with his team to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition. That's what the American people deserve."

Trump's team commences high-gear transition effort

According to people familiar with the process, Trump has already begun assembling his transition team and possible cabinet members.

His team met in Las Vegas over the weekend with members of the Rockbridge Network, a conservative donor network co-founded by Vice President-elect JD Vance. The 47th U.S. president also announced that New York real-estate developer Steve Witkoff and former Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R., Ga.) would co-chair his inaugural committee.

Also, his transition officials are planning to present a range of options for hires in the federal government he will soon lead, the sources further said in a report in the Wall Street Journal. The digital presentations, on a screen instead of in briefing books, will feature details of candidates' resumes and are intended to give the president-elect an easy way to pore over his options.

He also said he was naming Tom Homan to oversee a planned mass deportation effort, describing it on social media as "in charge of all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin." Homan is his former acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) director.

Next up, national security and economic positions are likely to be the focus, the people familiar with the process added, saying that the transition is working with several outside firms that are conducting more traditional vetting of candidates' backgrounds. The firms are vetting hundreds of contenders for senior jobs.

Trump's advisers said the president-elect has had informal discussions with friends and allies about the people he likes for key jobs.

People familiar with his thinking say his top choices for the next Treasury secretary are veteran investors Scott Bessent and John Paulson, as well as Sen. Bill Hagerty, (R-TN). Trump met with Bessent at Mar-a-Lago on Friday, according to people briefed on the meeting.

Several of the candidates for Treasury secretary and other cabinet positions have appeared on television before and after Election Day, including Bessent, Hagerty and former Securities and Exchange Commission chair Jay Clayton, who is angling for a job in the administration.

Contenders for other key positions are also coming into focus. Linda McMahon, the former head of the Small Business Administration and a co-chair of Trump's transition, is seen as the front-runner to lead the Commerce Department.

Trump declared on social media Saturday night that two officials from his first term, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, wouldn't be landing jobs in his second administration.

Meanwhile, one of his transition officials Mark Paoletta warned the DOJ that those who refuse to advance Trump's agenda should resign or face the possibility of being fired.

"Once the decision is made to move forward, career employees are required to implement the President's plan," Paoletta wrote in a post on X.

Trump.news has more stories related to his recent historic win in the 2024 election.

Sources for this article include:

Time.com

WSJ.com

Politico.com
Trump announces plan to end deep state corruption in Washington once and for all

In a public address to the nation, President Trump outlined how he plans to completely and permanently dismantle the Washington deep state while empowering the American people to once again take charge of their own country.

On Day One, Trump plans to fire all "rogue bureaucrats and career politicians," this kicking off his government corruption takedown plans for his second term.

"I will shatter the deep state and restore government that is controlled by the people," Trump said. "First, I will immediately reissue my 2020 executive order restoring the president's authority to remove rogue bureaucrats, and I will wield that power very aggressively."

"Second, we will clean out all of the corrupt actors in our national security and intelligence apparatus, and there are plenty of them. The departments and agencies that have been weaponized will be completely overhauled so that faceless bureaucrats will never again be able to target and persecute conservative Christians or the left's political enemies which they're doing now at a level that nobody can believe is even possible."

?? Heres my plan to end the Deep State & Washington corruption once and for all - Donald Trump Still trying to figure out how he won? pic.twitter.com/Sk7VbW6lz4  Concerned Citizen (@BGatesIsaPyscho) November 8, 2024

(Related: Now that Trump is slated for a second term, every single legal case against him is getting dropped, including the firing of Special Counsel Jack Smith.)

Trump wants government bureaucrats banned from Big Pharma

On the public health front, Trump, with the help of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is also taking aim at the pharmaceutical industry. He plans to prohibit federal bureaucrats from exploiting the revolving door that exists between government and Big Pharma.

In order to make this happen, some major reforms are needed in terms of term limits for Congress. Trump wants a constitutional amendment to prevent political parasites like Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell from being allowed to camp out in government office as eternal public welfare recipients.

"Congressional term limits are necessary to curb the rise of career politicians," Trump said. "The reelection rate for House members is 94 percent and over the past half century has not fallen below 80 percent. The reelection rate for the Senate in 2022 was 100 percent and has not fallen below 75 percent since 1982."

The problem of intelligence corruption is also on Trump's docket. He learned first-hand how the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have been weaponized against the American people, and now he wants to fix it.

"We will totally reform FISA courts, which are so corrupt that the judges seemingly do not care when they are lied to in warrant applications," Trump further said about another pillar of his plan.

"So many judges have seen so many applications that they know were wrong, or at least they must have known. They do nothing about it. They're lied to."

Trump is also committed to establishing what he calls the "Truth and Reconciliation Commission," the goal of which will be "to expose the hoaxes and abuses of power that have been tearing our country apart."

All documents on deep state spying, censorship, and corruption  "and there are plenty of them," according to Trump  will be published for the world to see. Then, the court of public opinion will handle what becomes of the deep state and how it will ultimately be dismantled, its actors punished and the whole thing abolished and removed from the United States.

Trump is poised to hit the ground running as his agenda is already taking shape even before the inauguration. Keep up with the latest at Trump.news.

Sources for this article include:

X.com

DonaldJTrump.com

NaturalNews.com
New Zealand cardiologists concede the simple truth: Spike protein generated by mRNA COVID vaccines is a CARDIOTOXIN

At a recent cardiology meeting in Auckland, New Zealand, a striking admission was made: the spike protein generated by mRNA COVID-19 vaccines is now being recognized as a cardiotoxin  a substance capable of causing direct harm to the heart. According to the cardiologist who made the admission, this toxic protein is the root cause of the alarming increase in heart-related illnesses seen in both young and old patients since the vaccines rollout. As cardiology waiting rooms and cardiac wards fill to capacity  especially with young patients suffering from previously rare conditions  many healthcare professionals are beginning to speak out about a growing public health crisis that the government and health authorities seem determined to ignore.

Cardiologists have never seen heart damage like this in young people

The evidence of vaccine-related heart damage is overwhelming, according to various reports from within New Zealand's hospitals. Cardiac surgeons are quietly advising patients who have undergone procedures like coronary bypass surgery to refuse future vaccine boosters, as their risk of further heart complications could be exacerbated.

One cardiologist noted that the rise in heart disease cases  especially in younger, previously healthy individuals  corresponds directly with the introduction of the mRNA vaccines. The surge is described as unprecedented, with waiting rooms across New Zealands hospitals increasingly full of young patients suffering from conditions such as myocarditis, pericarditis and other heart issues previously uncommon in this demographic. As this reality becomes more widely understood, many doctors are growing increasingly concerned about the future health consequences for vaccinated individuals.

Furthermore, cancer experts such as James Royle, a UK-based oncologist, have pointed out that there has been an increase in the incidence of aggressive, stage 4 cancers  also known as "turbo cancers"  especially among young people. These cancers display novel biological characteristics that are not typically seen in the general population. Royle suggests a causal link between the mRNA vaccines and this disturbing trend, citing evidence of 13 bio-molecular mechanisms through which the vaccines could trigger cancer growth.

New Zealand medical establishment refuses to release data on heart damage and cancer incidence in the vaccinated

The official narrative promoted by Health New Zealand has long held that the vaccines are "safe and effective," but front-line doctors are increasingly aware that the evidence does not support these claims. Despite mounting concerns, officials have been delaying the release of critical health data on the subject, claiming patient confidentiality as the reason.

Of course, it wasnt long ago, when no ones health information or medical decisions were confidential or private. Patients were routinely forced to take the COVID-19 vaccine under the duress of unlawful mandates and the threat of travel restrictions and segregation from careers and societal functions.

A recent request filed under the Official Information Act (OIA) sought to obtain data on the rise in chest pain presentations to accident and emergency departments, but the request was blocked. Dr. Guy Hatchard, a former director of the New Zealand Natural Health Society, lambasts the current medical establishments refusal to confront the growing evidence of vaccine harm, describing their actions as criminal folly. Hatchard argues that delaying the release of health data  especially data related to the alarming rise in heart disease and other chronic conditions  is not only unjust but detrimental to the well-being of the New Zealand public.

The ongoing culture of fear created by the New Zealand Medical Council, which has been actively prosecuting doctors who speak out against the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines, must come to an end. The intimidation of medical professionals has only served to stifle open dialogue and delay the necessary response to this growing crisis.

Sources include:

Expose-News.com

Nature.com

Youtube.com

HatchardReport.com
Center for Countering Digital Hate facing collapse after its black operations against Americans are exposed

After being exposed for its unconstitutional censorship of Americans, the Center for Countering Digital Hate is now on the brink of complete collapse, leaving X and fighting for its existence as it faces a congressional investigation.

The Center for Countering Digital Hate is a UK-US intelligence operation that presents itself as an anti-hate group but works to suppress free speech and influence the outcome of elections.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan has set a deadline of November 21 for the controversial group to respond to a subpoena and supply communications records pertaining to social media platform manipulation and government collusion.

One particular campaign that is under scrutiny is an initiative known as Kill Musks Twitter. Leaked internal memos from the centers meetings show that they launched a concerted effort to destroy the platform. They issued a report that claimed the platform failed to take action against 99% of blue accounts tweeting hate and called for an advertiser boycott.

They must also provide documents of the communications between themselves and social media companies and other third parties related to groups, posts and accounts that were targeted for suppression, deletion or other types of moderation.

There are numerous instances where the CCDH clearly acted well outside of their stated purpose. For example, evidence shows they worked behind closed doors with the Biden-Harris administration and the UK Foreign Office as far back as 2021 to systematically censor posts that go against preferred government narratives.

They carried out a black ops campaign against Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who was running for president at the time that he was targeted. They also went after GreenMedInfo founder Sayer Ji.

The group was also behind the so-called Disinformation Dozen, a report that targeted 12 websites and individuals who had been bravely questioning the COVID-19 lockdowns and vaccines, including Kennedy. They smeared these individuals and called for them to be deplatformed, and their list attracted significant media attention.

Trump plans to fully investigate CCDH

The outcome of the current congressional scrutiny may not even matter as journalist Matt Taibbi and Paul Thacker have reported that a Trump campaign source told them that the Center for Countering Digital Hate is going to be investigated from all angles.

The spokesperson said: Everything is going to be investigated. This will be at the top of the list.

The Trump campaign is reportedly very upset that a group associated with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmers new government is targeting its political allies and its parent organization, Labour Together, has been openly advising the Harris-Walz campaign.

The Trump campaign even contacted the Federal Election Commission to let them know the Labour Party and Harris had been making and accepting illegal foreign national contributions.

America First Legal recently filed a formal complaint with the Department of Justice against the group over its election interference. In addition, they asked the DoJ to explore whether they are considered agents of a foreign principal and would therefore be forced to comply with the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

They also provided proof that the group was trying to stop Americans from exercising their constitutional right to free speech.

The legal group said that CCDH was engaged in brazen smearing, attacking of dissenting views, deplatforming, censoring and pro-active shrinkage of the Overton window [by] strategically conflating serious voices with the fringes, mixing them together to isolate genuine actors and squash dissent.

Sources for this article include:

GreenMedInfo.com

Racket.news

AFLegal.org
Erdogan: Turkey has severed all diplomatic relations with Israel over continued war crimes and ethnic cleansing

Turkey has severed all ties with Israel in a bid to strengthen its position as a regional power. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the dismantling of formal diplomatic relations with Israel on Wednesday, Nov. 13.

"The government of the Republic of Turkey, under the leadership of Tayyip Erdogan, will not continue or develop relations with Israel," Erdogan said. "[Our ruling government] is resolute in its decision to cut ties with Israel, and we will maintain this stance in the future as well."

"We, as the State and Government of the Republic of Turkey, have cut off relations with Israel," Erdogan added. "We do not have any relationship with Israel at this point. Period."

Erdogan made these comments to reporters aboard his plane following his recent visits to Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan.

This decision is the culmination of a year of souring relations between the two nations over Israel's conduct in its war in Gaza, resulting in Ankara escalating the diplomatic spat with Tel Aviv. Back in May, Erdogan's government imposed a trade embargo on Israel. His government also joined South Africa and over two dozen other nations in Pretoria's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Ankara continues to advocate for a global arms embargo against Tel Aviv. (Related: Israeli government targeting U.S. influencers, commentators and journalists over their opposition to Gaza genocide.)

As of press time, the Turkish Embassy to the State of Israel in Tel Aviv is still operating, and the Israeli government has not made any official statement responding to Erdogan's comments.

Erdogan trying to turn Turkey into a key regional power in the Middle East

Erdogan is a vocal critic of Israel and an opponent of the mistreatment of Muslims worldwide in recent years. His government has frequently denounced Israeli military actions against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

During the ongoing conflict in Gaza, he has repeatedly urged the United Nations and other international organizations to take stronger action to ensure the free flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, especially food, water and medical supplies.

Turkey has also been positioning itself as the key provider of aid to Palestinians and Palestinian refugees in neighboring nations, offering significant logistical support for their needs and political advocacy for their desire for a ceasefire and their eventual return to Gaza to rebuild their homes and lives.

Given Erdogan's noted anti-Armenian and anti-Kurdish beliefs and government policies, his declaration of severing ties with Israel should not be seen as a true desire for peace but rather as a message regarding Erdogan's ambition to turn Turkey into a key regional power in the Middle East.

Erdogan's diplomatic spat with Israel comes at a time when Ankara is seeking to strengthen its relationships with other major regional players, notably Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan. His recent visits to Riyadh and Baku are being analyzed as part of a larger effort to recalibrate Turkey's foreign policy and enhance its influence in the Middle East and the South Caucasus.

Watch this AFP report discussing Erdogan's announcement that his nation has cut off relations with Israel.

This video is from the Treasure of the Sun channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

HOOLIGANS: Visiting Israeli football fans INCITE CLASHES in Amsterdam, then try to play the victim.

Anti-Israel boycott forces major French supermarket to leave Jordan.

Barclays sells $3.4M worth of shares in Israeli weapons manufacturer following pro-Palestinian allegations of bank's involvement in genocide.

Spain cancels $6.48M arms deal with Israeli defense company amid ongoing IDF violence inflicted upon Gazans.

Washington deep state ignored 500 separate reports of Israel killing civilians in Gaza with U.S. weapons, study finds.

Sources include:

MiddleEastEye.net

Newsweek.com

Brighteon.com
Health district board in Idaho to stop offering COVID-19 vaccines at medical centers

The board of health for Idaho's southwestern health district has voted to stop offering Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations at its medical centers

On Oct. 23, Dr. John Tribble, the only physician on the board of Southwest District Health, invited doctors who have faced scrutiny during the onset of the pandemic for "spreading vaccine misinformation."

Among the virtual presenters were Dr. Peter McCullough, a Texas cardiologist whose medical certification faced jeopardy from the American Board of Internal Medicine in 2022 due to his criticisms of how the COVID-19 vaccines were tested; Dr. Renata Moon, a pediatrician who filed a lawsuit over free speech issues following her contract non-renewal at Washington State University; and Dr. James Thorp, an obstetrician-gynecologist involved in a documentary which has been criticized for promoting so-called "conspiracy theories" about the vaccines. (Related: Proposed bill seeks to hold universities and colleges liable for injuries caused by COVID-19 vaccine mandates on students.)

Meanwhile, Idaho pathologist Dr. Ryan Cole joined in person and presented against the vaccine's availability in health district facilities, alongside virtual testimonies from the aforementioned out-of-state doctors.

After hearing from more than 300 residents who voiced opposition to the vaccines being distributed in health district offices, the board voted 4-3 in favor of halting COVID-19 vaccinations. The board members who voted to stop administering the vaccine at health district offices included Tribble, the physician representative of the board; Viki Purdy, executive council representative from Adams County; Zach Brooks, commissioner from Canyon County; and Bill Butticci, commissioner from Gem County. On the other hand, the opposed were Jennifer Riebe, commissioner from Payette County, Board Chair Kelly Aberasturi, commissioner from Owyhee County; and Board Vice-Chair Lyndon Haines from Washington County.

This decision affects residents in six counties: Adams, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette and Washington. However, the board clarified that residents of the affected counties can still access COVID-19 vaccines at local pharmacies and private healthcare clinics.

Tribble: COVID-19 vaccines not proven to be safe

The decision drew mixed reactions from its members. Board Chair Kelly Aberasturi questioned the authority of the board to prevent doctors from referring patients to the district for vaccination.

Tribble explained that the COVID-19 vaccines had not been proven to be safe. He argued that it was their responsibility to act in the interest of public trust, especially when residents "show up at the door, trusting us, and we continue to break that trust by saying, tacitly or otherwise, that these things, there's no risk from these."

Tribble further clarified that the decision was not about denying residents "access" to the vaccines, which remain easily accessible elsewhere, but rather about withdrawing the board's endorsement of them as unequivocally safe and effective.

"If we continue to offer this, we are giving a tacit endorsement of these shots when we should not be. We are here to protect the public," Tribble said.

Head over to VaccineWars.com for similar stories.

Watch this video of Del Bigtree discussing how mainstream media helped cover up the injuries and deaths caused by the COVID-19 vaccines.

This video is from the PureTrauma357 channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

The UKs Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme requires individuals to be "60% disabled" to receive compensation for their vaccine injury.

Report: VACCINES and LOCKDOWNS are responsible for excess all-cause mortality, not COVID-19 infection.

Australia now ADMITS covid vaccines are harming people, offers up to $600,000 in compensation for the seriously injured.

AstraZeneca finally admits that their COVID-19 vaccine causes thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS).

Forced vaccination is REAL: Courts are now enforcing SEDATION to assault people with COVID-19 vaccines in the UK.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com

IdahoStatesman.com

Brighteon.com
We need to take a wrecking ball to the DOJ. Matt Gaetz is just the man for the job

The collective pearl-clutching by the corporate press and Washington establishment on Wednesday after Trump announced hed chosen Matt Gaetz to be his attorney general was something to behold. The swamp consensus is that the former Florida congressman is unqualified to lead the Justice Department.

(Article by John Daniel Davidson republished from TheFederalist.com)

Never mind that the people making this claim are themselves deeply unqualified to hold their own positions of power. (Consider Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who dismissed Gaetz as not a serious pick. Murkowski is poster-child for unserious and unqualified Beltway drones. She failed the bar exam four times and only got a Senate seat because her corrupt father, Frank Murkowski, appointed her to his seat after he became a one-term governor of Alaska in 2002.)

But how exactly is Gaetz unqualified to lead the Justice Department? Put another way, what does Trumps incoming attorney general need to be qualified to do?

Mostly, clean house at the DOJ. Going back at least to 2016, the Justice Department has been a vipers nest of politically motivated prosecutions, sham investigations, coup-plotting, domestic spying and censorship, entrapment schemes, and the terrorization of law-abiding Americans. From illegally spying on Trump to the political persecution of Jan. 6 defendants, the DOJ has become a cancer on our body politic, and we need someone to go in and cut it out.

Above all, we need a Justice Department that will refrain from trying to undermine or remove the duly elected president. As Will Chamberlain noted on X, The best way to understand the Gaetz pick is that its a statement by Trump that its not 2016 anymore and there will be no internal coup against the sitting President.

What we dont need, after the plots against Trump during his first term and four years of a totally weaponized DOJ under Attorney General Merrick Garland, is business as usual. We dont need some career GOP prosecutor to be the adult in the room and restrain Trump from his worst impulses.

No, we need someone who knows firsthand how corrupt and compromised the Justice Department has become under Garland, and couldnt care less whats said about him at Georgetown cocktail parties or on MSNBC.

And since Gaetz himself was one of the more prominent victims of Garlands politicized DOJ, he might just be the perfect person for the job. Beginning in March 2021, Gaetz was subjected to an 18-month sham DOJ investigation based on nothing more than the publication of an anonymously sourced and frankly outlandish report accusing him of possibly being a child sex trafficker.

He was never convicted and never even charged, but that was never the point. The point was to silence him. Prior to March 2021 Gaetz had been an effective and prominent voice in Congress pushing back against the Washington establishments worst impulses and abuses of power. He waged a public relations battle against Democrats and the deep state over the Russia collusion hoax, led a group of Republican congressmen protesting Rep. Adam Schiffs sham Ukraine impeachment hearings, and raised concerns about Washingtons overreaction to the Jan. 6 riot and the politically motivated prosecutions of those involved. Gaetz frequently appeared on cable news to make his case, and he quickly became one of the most influential conservative congressmen.

But all that changed when Garlands DOJ targeted him after a series of politically motivated leaks to The New York Times by anonymous DOJ lawyers. The Times dutifully published them, tarring Gaetzs good name. As my colleague Mollie Hemingway wrote in 2022, the goal was to silence the colorful Florida congressmen by destroying his reputation: Gaetz couldnt very well critique the Department of Justice for their political prosecutions if he was a pariah who everyone thought was a pedophile.

And thats exactly what happened. The Democrat-run Ethics Committee in the House, which usually waits to launch investigations of sitting members of Congress until after the DOJ concludes its own investigation, immediately launched an ethics probe against Gaetz that was still ongoing when he announced his resignation from the House on Wednesday. Never Trump Republicans with an axe to grind, like then-Rep. Liz Cheney, reveled in the accusations against Gaetz and repeated them nearly as often as the corporate press did.

Eighteen months later, after the media had repeated the pedophile and sex trafficker accusations against Gaetz as often as they could, with Gaetzs reputation and influence in tatters, the DOJ investigation was quietly dropped. Another anonymously sourced story, this time in The Washington Post, simply said senior career prosecutors recommended no charges.

Thats the kind of thing our Justice Department does now. Together with a corrupt and lawless FBI, it viciously attacks its critics through lies, leaks, and unrelenting lawfare. It gins up fake kidnapping plots like the one against Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. It looks the other way when assassination plots and violent threats are leveled at Supreme Court justices. It illegally targets members of Congress. Anyone who threatens its power, including the former and soon-to-be president, is fair game.

The last thing Trump needs at DOJ is a Bill Barr-style careerist. The department is rotten to the core and a threat to the American people. Most of the careerists there need to be run out of the placeand then criminally investigated.

That means a willingness, determination, and courage to clean up and reform the Justice Department  or, barring that, dismantle it completely  are the only qualifications necessary to head Trumps DOJ. So yes, Gaetz is more than qualified for the task at hand. In fact hes probably just the man for the job.

Read more at: TheFederalist.com
A federal bankruptcy judge on Thursday ordered a hearing into the questionable auction of Infowars to The Onion after Alex Jones' legal team protested that an ally's higher bid for his properties was rejected.

(Article by Chris Menahan republished from InformationLiberation.com)

From AP, "Satire publication The Onion buys Alex Jones' Infowars at auction with Sandy Hook families' backing":

Walter Cicack, an attorney for First United American Companies, told U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez that Murray changed the auction process only days before, deciding not to hold a round Wednesday where parties could outbid each other. Sealed bids were submitted last week, and the trustee chose only from those, Cicack said.

Murray said he followed the judge's auction rules laid out in a September order that made the overbidding round optional. But Lopez said he was surprised such a round of bidding was not held and that he had concerns about transparency.

"We're all going to an evidentiary hearing and I'm going to figure out exactly what happened," he said. "No one should feel comfortable with the results of this auction."

An exact date of next week's hearing was not immediately set.

After the hearing, Jones said on his show that he thought the auction was unfairly rigged and expressed optimism that the judge would nullify the sale. He has repeatedly told his listeners that if his supporters won the bidding, he could stay on the Infowars platforms but that he had set up a new studio, websites and social media accounts in case they were needed.

"This was a auction that didn't happen, with a bid that was lower, with money that wasn't real," he said.
Taiwan receives first shipment of HIMARS rocket system from the U.S. as it prepares for possible Chinese invasion

Taiwan has just received the first batch of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) from the United States as the democratic island nation strengthens its defenses for a possible invasion attempt by communist China.

HIMARS is a truck-mounted mobile rocket launch system that can fire a variety of munitions. The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense noted that it purchased 29 HIMARS from the U.S.  11 in 2020 and another 18 in 2022  to boost its long-range rocket force projection capabilities.

A military official confirmed with Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) that the first installment of weapons arrived in October. The package also included 64 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), with a range of up to 300 kilometers (186 miles) and guidance capabilities. Taiwan will receive the remaining military hardware by 2026.

The source further disclosed that the Republic of China (Taiwan) Army's 58th Artillery Command is currently undergoing training on operating the rocket system. Taiwanese troops were also sent to Fort Still, Oklahoma to train on HIMARS with the U.S. Armed Forces. CNA reported that at least 17 soldiers from Taiwan completed training on the HIMARS in August, and Fort Sill's Facebook page shared a photo of the Taiwanese troops.

The U.S. has also deployed troops to Taiwan for training in recent years, including on the outer islands of Kinmen, which are just a few miles off mainland China's coast.

In the past five decades, the U.S. has sold Taiwan billions of dollars worth of military equipment and ammunition, including F-16 fighter jets and warships. Last year, the U.S. started providing U.S.-funded military aid. In September, President Joe Biden approved a $567 million arms package for Taiwan using the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which allows him to ship weapons straight from U.S. military stockpiles.

Despite warnings from China that the island is the "first red line" in U.S.-China relations that must not be crossed. Its continued military support to the nation has angered Beijing, which claims Taiwan as part of its own territory. President Joe Biden's administration has continued to increase military support for the Southeast Asian country. (Related: U.S. to send $567M in military aid to Taiwan, ignoring China's "red lines" related to the island nation.)

Taiwanese Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung told reporters earlier in November that Taipei was "determined to continuously strengthen our self-defense capabilities" regardless of who wins the U.S. presidential election.

Taipei allocated a record $19 billion to the military for 2024 and next year's budget is set to hit a new high.

Trump to focus on economic warfare with China; thinks Taiwan should pay U.S. for protection

Recent media appearances and interviews would suggest that President-elect Donald Trump would not be willing to meddle with Taiwan's conflict with China as he'd rather go head-to-head with the world power in terms of economy.

"I think Taiwan should pay us for defense," Trump told Bloomberg Businessweek back in June. "You know, we're no different than an insurance company. Taiwan doesn't give us anything."

"They want us to protect, and they want protection. They don't pay us money for the protection, you know. The mob makes you pay money, right? But with these countries that we protect, I got hundreds of billions of dollars from NATO countries that were never paying us," he further argued.

More recently in October, Trump was also asked if he would defend Taiwan in a China invasion. He told the Wall Street Journal: "I wouldnt have to because he [Chinese President Xi Jinping] respects me and he knows I'm f------ crazy."

He was also asked how he would convince the Chinese leader to avoid the Taiwan invasion.

"I would say: If you go into Taiwan, I'm sorry to do this, I'm going to tax you"  meaning impose tariffs  "at 150 percent to 200 percent," adding that he may even ban trade between the two nations.

Experts also believe Trump will be focused on economic warfare with China  rather than military.

WeaponsTechnology.news contains more stories related to this.

Watch the video below that talks about Trump's potential "trade conflict" with China.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Taiwanese president warns military cadets about China's relentless threat to Taiwan's national sovereignty.

U.S. would prevail over China in a war over Taiwan, high-ranking U.S. military official claims.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan meets with Xi Jinping as Biden works to normalize relations with China.

Taiwan admits U.S. troops are stationed on islands close to the Chinese mainland.

Taiwan secures agreement with U.S. to purchase 1,000 ATTACK DRONES.

Sources include:

News.AntiWar.com

TaiwanNews.com.tw

CNA.com.tw

FoxNews.com

Brighteon.com
Trump chooses pro-Israel Pete Hegseth as his Secretary of Defense

Donald Trump recently announced Pete Hegseth as his new Secretary of Defense, and his staunchly pro-Israel credentials are causing concern across the political spectrum.

In announcing his pick, Trump said that Hegseth was tough, smart and a true believer in America First, but not everyone is embracing the news.

In 2016, the Harvard and Princeton graduate and combat veteran explained how a trip to Israel bolstered his love for the country, telling the Jewish Press that it reaffirmed the ties the Jewish people have to this land that have historical and real geopolitical resonance today. This is not some mystical land that can be dismissed. Its the story of Gods chosen people.

At a 2018 event in Jerusalem, Hegseth even called for King Solomons temple to be rebuilt on the Temple Mount, which is the site of one of Islams holiest shrines, the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

He said: 1948 was a miracle. 1967 was a miracle. 2017, the declaration of Jerusalem at the capital, was a miracle. And theres no reason why the miracle of the reestablishment of the Temple on the Temple Mount is not possible.

"I don't how it would happen, you don't know how it would happen, but I know that it could happen -- and a step in that process is the recognition that facts and activities on the ground truly matter," he said.

The speech took place during Trumps first term as president, and Hegseth told those present at the time that Israel should take advantage of the fact that Trump was in office to pursue their interests because true believers in the White House would back them up.

He has also taken a pro-Israel stance while covering the war on Gaza for Fox News and referred to the two-state solution as lip service.

In addition, he interviewed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his series Battle in the Holy Land: Israel at War and wrote Israel needs our support in a post on X about the interview.

Trump has already announced several pro-Israel figures for key roles in his administration

Hegseth is just one of several pro-Israel names Trump has announced as being part of his administration in the days since the election. Mike Huckabee, Trumps pick for U.S. Ambassador to Israel, has made comments such as There really is no such thing as a Palestinian in 2008.

In 2017, he said: There are certain words I refuse to use. There is no such thing as a West Bank. Its Judea and Samaria. Theres no such thing as a settlement. Theyre communities, theyre neighborhoods, theyre cities. Theres no such thing as an occupation.

Marco Rubio, who is expected to be named Secretary of State, has gone on the record accusing the Biden-Harris administration of not being supportive enough of Israels campaign against Hamas in Gaza, saying that he doesnt support a ceasefire until the Jewish state has destroyed every element of Hamas.

Trumps selections will not go over well with the many Muslims who voted for him because they oppose the Biden-Harris administrations support for Israel as it carries out its genocidal campaign in Gaza. Many of them were hoping Trump would take a tougher stance against Israel, but every day, he keeps adding new people to his administration that seem like they will do everything they can to support the Jewish state.

Sources for this article include:

MiddleEastEye.net

AlJazeera.com
The USS Abraham Lincoln was just attacked in the Middle East, and Yemens Houthis are claiming credit

Houthi rebels in Yemen are claiming credit for a recently "successful" missile attack on the USS

The attack occurred in the Arabian Sea, according to Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree. And a second attack targeting two American naval destroyers in the Red Sea happened around the same time, he also confirmed.

The strikes involved "a number of cruise missiles and drones," Saree says. And they occurred "while the American enemy was preparing to carry out hostile operations" targeting Yemen, which is controlled, at least in the capital of Sanaa and in the northwest of the country, by the Houthi Shia group.

Since Oct. 7, 2023, Houthi rebels have been targeting both Israeli and Western shipping in the critical Red Sea for the purpose of pressuring Israel into stopping its attacks on the Gaza Strip.

According to Saree, the Houthi group "achieved its goals successfully" with a planned air attack by the U.S. ultimately being "thwarted." The two attacks together lasted about eight hours.

(Related: Yemen's Houthis are planning to stop their fighting against the U.S. NAVY now that Trump won the U.S. election.)

Pentagon denies Houthi attack on Abraham Lincoln

Ever since Israel decided to launch a second war on Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis have escalated their demands for stopping the Red Sea attacks to include an Israeli ceasefire with Lebanon.

The Houthis also recognize that Israel is not alone in its aggression, and quite frankly could not even act alone were it not for continued support from both the United States and the United Kingdom, which are "turning the Red Sea region into a zone of military tension" with their pro-Israel aggression.

The Houthis further blame the U.S. and the UK for causing "repercussions on maritime navigation" with their actions on behalf and in support of Israel and its multi-pronged military operations in the Middle East.

The Pentagon is rejecting claims by the Houthis that they attacked the USS Abraham Lincoln.

"To my knowledge, not aware of any attacks against the Abraham Lincoln," commented spokesman Pat Ryder to reporters.

Communist China's Xinhua news agency further reported that at least 10 Houthis were killed in two separate U.S. drone strikes in the country's central Al-Bayda province around the time of the carrier attack, though this is according to Yemeni sources and not necessarily U.S. sources.

The United States Central Command (Centcom) later tweeted that the Abraham Lincoln had, in fact, been attacked by "Iran-backed Houthis," Iran always being mentioned because this country is Israel's number-one enemy in the Middle East  and an enemy that for years Israel has wanted the U.S. and other Western allies to destroy in pursuit of Greater Israel.

Centcom says it also carried out several strikes of its own against targets in Syria that are believed to be connected to "Iran-backed groups," though these groups were not specifically named in official reports.

According to U.S. officials, Yemen's Houthis are a "proxy of Iran," though the Houthis deny this.

"Western Navy has no rights to float on Persian Gulf, Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea," one commenter wrote about how the U.S. and its allies should not even be in the Middle East doing Israel's bidding in the first place.

"Also, the U.S has no rights to be in Mediterranean Sea. Local players should hit them hard so that they don't come back."

"This is all for Israel and nothing else," wrote another. "Putting thousands of U.S. sailors' lives in danger for one man, Netanyahu."

The latest news coverage about happenings in the Middle East can be found at Prophecy.news.

Sources for this article include:

Unz.com

NaturalNews.com

AA.com.tr
Two years after Mauna Loa, the world's largest active volcano, erupted in November 2022, scientists have validated their early warnings of the event.

A new study analyzing the lava's chemical makeup has confirmed the timeline geologists predicted based on early warning signs.

Geologists Confirm Mauna Loa Eruption Timeline with Lava Crystals Study

Months before the eruption, geologists detected increased earthquake activity and ground swelling near Mauna Loa. These signals suggested that magma was moving upward through the Earth's crust, creating pressure beneath the volcano.

Researchers from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, led by geologist Kendra Lynn, studied crystals in the lava to understand the process better, New Scientist reported.

Their findings revealed that large amounts of molten rock began rising from deep within the Earth about 70 days before the eruption.

The molten rock, originally located 3 to 5 kilometers beneath the summit, moved closer to the surface, stopping just 2 kilometers below. Once the pressure became too great, the magma broke through the surface, transforming into rivers of lava. These findings, published in Nature Communications, align with the initial timeline geologists predicted using external signs such as earthquakes and ground shifts.

Scientists emphasize that predicting the exact timing of volcanic eruptions remains impossible. However, geologists can issue "forecasts" based on patterns and data.

Ben Andrews, head of the global volcano program at the Smithsonian Institution, compared these forecasts to weather predictions, noting they rely on probabilities rather than certainties.

Researchers Push for Advanced Volcano Eruption Forecasts

For Mauna Loa, understanding its magma reservoirs is a critical step toward refining these forecasts.

According to AP, researchers hope that by studying similar patterns in the future, they can give residents of Hawaii's Big Island more advanced warnings of potential eruptions, extending forecasts from minutes to months.

Mauna Loa's 2022 eruption was its first since 1984, but Hawaii is home to several active volcanoes. The U.S. Geological Survey tracks active volcanoes across the country, with most located in Hawaii, Alaska, and along the West Coast. Globally, approximately 585 volcanoes are classified as active.

Volcanologist Erik Klemetti Gonzalez explained that volcanoes are challenging to study because scientists cannot observe the inner workings directly. Instead, they rely on indirect clues like ground movement, earthquakes, and chemical analyses of lava. These tools, combined with better historical data, could help scientists anticipate future eruptions with greater accuracy.

The new study underscores the importance of ongoing research into volcanic activity, revealing that even well-studied regions like Hawaii continue to hold surprises for scientists.
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Last weeks election was a decisive victory for Donald Trump and fellow Republicans down the ballot. So, why would Democrats be encouraged by Trumps 10-percentage-point win in Cumberland County?

Because its smaller than the 11-point loss four years ago.

And for Democrats in a county that hasnt voted for their presidential candidate since Lyndon Johnson in 1964, thats progress.

To be clear, I think we got the results we were hoping for: that we would continue to close the margin at the presidential level, said Matt Roan, chair of the Cumberland County Democratic Committee. And we did deliver that.

Although the national result may have been a wash for Democrats nationwide  losing all seven swing states  they see sprouts of hope locally.

Trump gained barely half a point on his 54.30% vote share from 2020, according to unofficial Cumberland County results, but Democrat Kamala Harris gained 1.4 points on President Joe Bidens 43.78% vote share and seven points on Hillary Clintons share from 2016.

This year marked the third straight presidential election in which the Republican advantage narrowed:

2016: Trump 55.94%, Clinton 38.13% (Trump +17.81)

Trump 55.94%, Clinton 38.13% 2020: Trump 54.30%, Biden 43.78% (Trump +10.52)

Trump 54.30%, Biden 43.78% 2024: Trump 54.83%, Harris 45.17% (Trump +9.66)

Just 12 Pennsylvania counties improved their margins for the Democrat in this presidential election. At an unofficial 1-point gain, Cumberland County led the state with the largest blue shift.

Neighboring counties Perry, Adams and Franklin also shifted slightly toward Democrats.

The albeit small momentum in Cumberland County, especially in a year so dominating for Republicans, shows that the swing continues here towards our candidates, Roan said.

I often hear Republicans talk about Cumberland County as being a 60/40 county: 60% Republicans, 40% Democrat, he said. But the reality is, right now, we're more like 55/45, and we expect to continue closing that gap.

Republicans, however, say not so fast. Cumberland County GOP Committee chair Lou Capozzi said local voters made a clear choice in the election of a lifetime and were motivated by a longstanding issue that voters feel favors Republicans: the economy.

If anything, we made Cumberland County this year more red than blue, Capozzi said. I mean, I dont even consider us a purple county. I consider us a red county based on what we just did.

Democrats hoped that changing demographics could propel them to victory in the 88th state House district, which sits in the West Shore suburbs, and the 10th Congressional District, which includes most of Cumberland County, all of Dauphin County and northern York County.

GOP state Rep. Sheryl Delozier held onto the 88th with a 10-point victory, while GOP U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, a six-term incumbent, squeaked by Democrat Janelle Stelson by less than 2 points to return to Washington in the 10th.

Capozzi said Cumberland County, which continued to favor Perry, was a sort of firewall for him.

Scott Perry winning is due to what we did in Cumberland County for him, between mail-in ballots and getting low propensity Republican voters, he said.

Capozzi said he prefers voting in person, but mail-in voting is here to stay, and Republicans embrace of them statewide this year really made a difference.

It used to be that Democrats voted mail-in much more than Republicans, but that has shrunk. This year, Republicans were unofficially 40% of Cumberland Countys presidential mail-in vote, compared to 28% in 2020.

The Cumberland County GOPs very strong grassroots efforts included targeting people who havent voted in a while, Capozzi said, adding that the party had 40 to 50 people at each door-knocking event.

Two years from now brings another congressional race but also the assumed reelection bid for Gov. Josh Shapiro. Although Cumberland County is presidentially red, it voted for Shapiro  a Democrat  two years ago by nearly 8 points.

Shapiro is popular and can reach voters across the aisle, Capozzi acknowledged, adding that reelection is probably his to lose.

We expect the governor to do really well in Cumberland County for his reelect, and that momentum will carry through to some of our other races as well, Roan said.

One of them is the 10th Congressional District, which will remain a prime target, he said. Perry got 10,102 more votes in Cumberland County than the Democrat in 2022 but only 5,230 more votes than Stelson last week.

Dont forget about the municipal elections in 2025, too. Democrats expect further success on borough councils, township commissions and school boards next year to build upon gains in 2023.

But even if 2024 was more progress than setback, Cumberland County Democrats are still playing offense. The party had unprecedented levels of volunteering and door knocking, Roan said, but perhaps Trumps win showed the ground game is only one factor.

To improve, Democrats must reach out to people who may not follow politics closely, Roan said, and listen to voters better to really focus on the issues that are most important to them.

We still believe that we have the solutions to those problems and that were better positioned and equipped to improve peoples lives, he said. We just need to convince voters of that.
New Delhi, Nov 14 : The government on Thursday informed that more than 40 crore gold jewellery items have been hallmarked to date -- over 4 lakh gold items being hallmarked per day.

In the fourth phase, kicked off by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) from November 5, hallmarking centres have been set up at 18 additional districts under mandatory hallmarking.

Following the implementation of the fourth stage, the total number of districts covered under mandatory hallmarking now stands at 361, according to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

Since the launch of mandatory hallmarking, the number of registered jewellers has increased from 34,647 to 1,94,039 - a notable increase of more than five times. Similarly, the number of assaying and hallmarking centres (AHCs) has grown from 945 to 1,622, informed the ministry.

The hallmarking is done with a unique HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification), ensuring greater trust and transparency for the consumers in the market.

The BIS earlier implemented the first phase of mandatory hallmarking which was launched on June 23, 2021. The phase covered 256 districts whereas the second phase commenced from April 4, 2022, where 32 districts were further added. This was followed by the third phase which was implemented from September 6, 2023 and covered 55 newly added districts.

"It is a notable achievement that the proactive measure by the government of India has triggered over 4 lakh gold items being hallmarked with a unique HUID number per day," said the ministry.

The official mobile application of BIS has the provision for common consumers to verify the authenticity of hallmarked gold jewellery items bearing a HUID number. If a consumer has the HUID of a gold article, he/she can access all kinds of information on the app, such as the jeweller's registration number, AHC details, including the AHC recognition number and address, article type (such as rings, necklaces, coins, etc), date of hallmarking when the jewellery was tested and marked and purity of the metal (gold, silver, etc.)

The BIS Care App enables consumers to file complaints about product quality, misuse of BIS quality marks, and deceptive advertisements, according to the ministry.
Mumbai, Nov 14 : Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan, who will be next seen in the theatrical movie I Want to Talk, has shared that there were no prosthetics involved, and he actually gained weight for the film.

The actor opened up about the transformative experience of playing a character with a significantly different physical appearance at the films music launch.

Pointing to a movie poster featuring himself with a noticeable belly, Abhishek said, Im not in this shape anymore. But its been a learning experience. Its been life-changing. And I hope that weve managed to make a bit of a difference to your two, three hours that you spend in the cinema or watching the film.

He further mentioned, Dont ever put on weight for a film again. Trust me, at my age, it gets very difficult to lose it after a while.

The actor also emphasised the importance of embracing different experiences and trying something new.

He expressed his gratitude to the films director Shoojit Sircar, and said, What Id like to thank Shoojit Sircar for is, and I hope you all can find some sort of parallel in your own life, you know, were all stuck in the rut of life," the actor continued. "Were doing what were doing, were enjoying it. Some of us have got a corporate job, some of us are artists, some of us do whatever we do. Life dictates to you what you should be doing and how you should be doing it.

Whats nice about working with Shoojit Da and doing a film like this is once in a while you can just talk and say, Hey, you know, I can do something different and maybe I should try something different. And when that works out for you, theres nothing more rewarding, he added.

Produced by Ronnie Lahiri and Shoojit Sircar under Rising Sun Films, I Want to Talk is set to release in cinemas on November 22, 2024.
Shillong, Nov 15 : Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has said that flights to Southeast Asian countries from Shillong take less time than those to Delhi, and this potential can be used to expand horizons in the Central government's 'Act East' Policy.

Chief Minister Sangma on Thursday said, "A flight from Shillong to Dhaka is less than 30 minutes, Shillong to Bangkok would be nearly 1 hour 15 minutes and certain capitals of many countries in Southeast Asia are closer than our national capital. It takes two-and-a-half hours to travel to Delhi but it is shorter for us to travel from Shillong to Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Burma, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and many other locations. If we were to broaden our horizons to the entire Act East Zone, we would see the real potential in this entire exercise and can leverage this to our advantage to boost tourism, medical assistance, trade, logistics, and other major socio-economic activities."

"I would like to stress that we should not limit our perspective to the role of air connectivity within the northeastern states of India alone but look at its potential in the entire South Asian region," he added.

The Chief Minister inaugurated the sixth Helicopter and Small Aircraft Summit in Shillong.

In his address, Chief Minister Sangma, thanking the Ministry of Civil Aviation for having chosen Shillong to host this summit, said it is a privilege to host an aviation summit in the state which is the first of its kind in the northeast.

"I would like to further endorse that Shillong is the right place to hold such a summit because our terrain requires the use of small aircraft and helicopters for air travel and other socio-economic activities," he said.

Chief Minister Sangma also added that when it comes to connectivity and the issues that the northeastern region faces, particularly Meghalaya; air travel plays a very important role in achieving the wide gamut of goals that the state is striving towards.

He said, "I would like to stress that we should not limit our perspective to the role of air connectivity within the northeastern states of India alone but look at its potential in the entire South Asian region."

Concerning the development of aviation in Meghalaya, the Chief Minister said that the government is working aggressively to upgrade and optimise tourism, trade, health services, and other sectors and suggested stakeholders think on the lines of tourism circuits in the state to boost tourism.

He urged all stakeholders involved to support in their area of expertise from investors, technical experts, service providers, etc.

"The Government will handhold in the initial stages and provide continued support to bring about a convergence in all sectors to achieve the goal of an efficient and vibrant aviation ecosystem in the state and the region," CM Sangma added.
Patna, Nov 15 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Jamui district in Bihar on Friday, coinciding with the 150th birth anniversary of the revered tribal leader and freedom fighter Birsa Munda. By celebrating Tribal Pride Day in this area, the Central government aims to reach out to tribal communities not only in Bihar but also in neighbouring states like Jharkhand and Maharashtra, where tribal issues are a crucial part of the political landscape.

The occasion, marked by the Central Government as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas is dedicated to celebrating the contributions of India's tribal communities.



The choice of Jamui for this event is strategic, as it is close to the state of Jharkhand, which has a significant tribal population and a strong historical association with Birsa Munda.



In Jamui, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for several development projects totaling over 6,000 crore.



Among the key initiatives is the launch of the Dharti Abha Janjati Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, a campaign focussed on the socioeconomic uplift of tribal communities.



Additionally, PM Modi will inaugurate two tribal freedom fighter museums and two tribal research institutes aimed at preserving and promoting the history, heritage, and contributions of tribal communities.



These initiatives reflect a broader governmental push to honour tribal contributions to India's history and to bolster development in tribal areas, aligning with a political objective to strengthen support among tribal populations in electoral regions.



Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jamui on Friday will be a significant event with multiple high-profile political leaders in attendance, including Bihars Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, Vijay Sinha, several Union Ministers, MPs, and MLAs.



Set to arrive around 11 A.M, the Prime Minister will begin by viewing a specially-curated exhibition, after which he will participate in a series of activities focussed on honouring tribal heritage and advancing development initiatives for tribal communities.



PM Modi will address a public gathering, during which he will also connect virtually with 30 state headquarters and 100 district headquarters in honour of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas.



This outreach will extend to 549 districts across India, amplifying the celebration of tribal pride and unity.



Around 11 A.M., PM Modi will unveil a commemorative coin and postage stamp in memory of Birsa Munda, an iconic tribal leader and freedom fighter, as a tribute on his 150th birth anniversary.



PM Modi will participate in the housewarming ceremony for 11,000 new houses built under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyay Maha Abhiyan (PM-Janman), providing homes for tribal families as part of this rural development initiative.



To improve healthcare accessibility in tribal regions, he will inaugurate 23 new Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) under the PM-Janman scheme, along with an additional 30 MMUs under the Dharti Abha Janjati Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA), a campaign dedicated to tribal welfare and economic uplift.




Los Angeles, Nov 15 : Hollywood star Josh Brolin revealed that nicotine pouches are so great that he even sleeps with them in his mouth and added that he uses it after he gave up chewing tobacco.

Brolin told the WTF with Marc Maron podcast: "I have a pouch in my lip, and I'm not lying, 24 hours a day. Then I started taking them out and putting them on the bedside table."

Imitating a chewing sound, the Goonies star added: "My wife would hear this in the middle of the night. I don't even know I'm doing it; I'm asleep." The actor, who played Thanos in Avengers: Endgame, explained that he would rather use nicotine lozenges but had to stop as they had a bad impact on his oral hygiene, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

He said: "They go away in two seconds, but they taste like gasoline, and there's a punch to them. But I used to keep them up between my gum and my tooth line. I got seven cavities. That's why I switched to (pouches). There's a ton of sugar (in lozenges)."

The 'No Country for Old Men' actor recalled: "We're in Jordan. And (this guy) comes up to me, and he says, 'I have some.' And it has a skull and crossbones on the top... And it's 40 milligram packets. And I said, 'I can't do that.'"

"And then one day, I start running out, and I haven't quite run out; I probably have four or five more tins (of my usual pouches left). And I have his thing in my pocket, and I'm running back from the gym."

He added: "I stick the thing in my mouth for no more, and I swear to God on my kids, for no more than 20 seconds, and I had to cancel dinner that night."
AMR: Incidence and global prevalence

Importance of tackling AMR

Steps to prevent future AMR

Positive steps and future outlook

References

Further reading

Microorganisms that develop resistance to antimicrobial drugs are referred to as "superbugs" .1 These microbes have been detected in more than 204 countries across the world. The World Health Organization has declared antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to be one of the top ten global public health threats.2

AMR: Incidence and global prevalence

Antimicrobial agents, such as antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics, are used to resist a wide range of infections. Common diseases, such as malaria, tuberculosis (TB), sexually transmitted infections, food poisoning, urinary tract infections (UTIs), HIV / AIDS, and bloodstream infections are treated using antimicrobial medicines.3

AMR occurs when common antimicrobial medicines do not effectively respond to microbial infection. This condition may result from inappropriate use of antimicrobial drugs, poor infection prevention measures, and insufficient global surveillance of infections. In addition, a lack of development of new antimicrobial drugs could also contribute to AMR.4

In many developing countries, antibiotics are freely sold over the counter without the need for any prescription.5 Overuse of antibiotics in livestock also causes AMR.6 Furthermore, the lack of effective diagnostics in many low-to-medium-income countries induces misuse of antimicrobials that may trigger the rise of superbugs.

Image Credit: PeopleImages.com - Yuri A/Shutterstock.com

In both developed and developing countries, an increasing loss of drug effectiveness due to AMR has been documented. A continuation of this trend could lead to a condition where the microbial infection will have "no cure and no vaccine."

Importance of tackling AMR

AMR is a global public health concern because it threatens to diminish the achievements of medicine and healthcare delivery. It is important to immediately tackle AMR because it could jeopardize the outcome of surgical procedures, such as hip and knee replacements, cesarean sections, and cardiac surgery, by causing infections at the incision site.7

The lack of effective antimicrobial drugs could also make routine surgical procedures more dangerous to perform and increase mortality rates. AMR increases an individual's suffering for longer because infections become more difficult to treat. This may lead to prolonged hospital admission.5

Steps to prevent future AMR

Several strategies have been formulated to prevent present and future AMR. Some of the key strategies are discussed below:

Training healthcare professionals

Competent healthcare workers could play a vital role in curbing AMR.8 However, a large proportion of healthcare workers lack proper training and education regarding AMR prevention, which prevents their ability to mitigate the spread of AMR. Therefore, the development of global standards in education and training for healthcare workers could be an important step in preventing AMR.

Increasing awareness of the impact of AMR among healthcare providers could be the important first step in preventing this condition. Providing healthcare workers with educational materials on AMR via digital learning technologies can strengthen their competence.9 This could promote behavioral changes that may contribute to a more reasonable use of antimicrobials. Recently, the WHO also published guidelines to help educate and train health workers on AMR.

Communication strategies

Increasing public awareness through clear and unambiguous messages on AMR is a useful strategy that engages all stakeholders. Communication specialists must produce three to four key messages relevant to the country setting instead of sending a high volume of information.10

Healthcare officials and social workers must target a smaller target group, such as school and college students, to raise awareness in the short and medium term. An increase in awareness is not guaranteed to lead to shortor medium-term behavioral change among stakeholders.

Global policies

The inappropriate use of antimicrobial drugs has also been attributed to a lack of robust policies on their proper use and poor monitoring of the medicine supply chain at the national and sub-national levels.11 Health ministries or departments should get involved in spreading awareness about AMR.

Agencies of the UN, such as UNICEF and UNESCO should assist WHO, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) in designing messages regarding AMR awareness on the international stage.12

Children are central to AMR, which has led clinicians to develop national prescribing guidelines to prevent variations in prescribing practice in this population. At present, more than 40 countries follow local guidelines that ensure children receive optimal antibiotic doses for their age, weight, and condition.

Scientific research

Scientists worldwide have focused on repurposing drugs and developing new antibiotics. Global non-profit partnerships, such as CARB-X, are funding scientific research to develop new treatments, particularly for use in lowand middle-income countries.13 For instance, CARB-X awarded 2 million to the Jenner Institute at the University of Oxford to develop a novel vaccine to prevent multi-drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

The advanced genome sequencing facilities have enabled scientists to detect new variants promptly. Furthermore, platforms, such as the Pew Foundation's Shared Platform for Antibiotic Research and Knowledge (SPARK), facilitate the sharing of insights and data regarding AMR, which have immensely helped researchers engage in these studies. It also promotes real-time collaboration between academia, clinicians, industry, and governments, which will significantly help prevent the emergence and spread of resistant microbes.

Scientists have also observed that waterbodies act as a primary vector of AMR transmission because large amounts of antibiotic manufacturing wastes are disposed of here. In this context, Australian scientists detected Enterobacteriales, a type of resistant bacteria, in green sea turtles on the Great Barrier Reef.

Amala's story: how to prevent antimicrobial resistance Play

Positive steps and future outlook

The most important step in curbing this problem is spreading awareness among the general public and other stakeholders about the impact of AMR. Better stewardship of existing antibiotics and appropriate training and education for healthcare workers could also prevent AMR in the global scenario. Researchers play a crucial role in developing new treatments (e.g., vaccines and antibiotics), as well as diagnostics.

A proper surveillance system detects new superbugs and helps prevent their global transmission. Considering rapid climate change and its link with AMR, more research and surveillance have been recommended for the early detection of microbes with antibiotic resistance. Manufacturers must also ensure that the antibiotic supply chain is safe, secure, transparent, and follows recommended standards.

References

Painuli S, Semwal P, Sharma R, Akash S. Superbugs or multidrug resistant microbes: A new threat to the society. Health Sci Rep. 2023 Aug 2;6(8):e1480. doi: 10.1002/hsr2.1480. PMID: 37547359; PMCID: PMC10397562. Antimicrobial Resistance. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/europe/news-room/fact-sheets/item/antimicrobial-resistance. Assessed on October 19, 2024. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Board on Global Health; Committee on Global Health and the Future of the United States. Global Health and the Future Role of the United States. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2017 May 15. 4, Addressing Continuous Threats: HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK458475/ Murray C. et al. Global burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance in 2019: a systematic analysis. The Lancet. 2022; 399, 10325, 629  655. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(21)02724-0 Llor C, Bjerrum L. Antimicrobial resistance: risk associated with antibiotic overuse and initiatives to reduce the problem. Ther Adv Drug Saf. 2014 Dec;5(6):229-41. doi: 10.1177/2042098614554919. PMID: 25436105; PMCID: PMC4232501. Bava R, Castagna F, Lupia C, Poerio G, Liguori G, Lombardi R, Naturale MD, Mercuri C, Bulotta RM, Britti D, et al. Antimicrobial Resistance in Livestock: A Serious Threat to Public Health. Antibiotics. 2024; 13(6):551. doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13060551 Aljeldah MM. Antimicrobial Resistance and Its Spread Is a Global Threat. Antibiotics (Basel). 2022 Aug 9;11(8):1082. doi: 10.3390/antibiotics11081082. PMID: 36009948; PMCID: PMC9405321. Ajuebor O, Shetty N, Mah K, Cometto G. Health workers' education and training to prevent antimicrobial resistance. Bull World Health Organ. 2019 Dec 1;97(12):791-791A. doi: 10.2471/BLT.19.241802. PMID: 31819283; PMCID: PMC6883273. Mudenda S, Chabalenge B, Daka V, Jere E, Sefah I, Wesangula E, Yamba K, Nyamupachitu J, Mugenyi N, Mustafa ZU, Mpundu M, Chizimu J, Chilengi R. Knowledge, awareness and practices of healthcare workers regarding antimicrobial use, resistance and stewardship in Zambia: a multi-facility cross-sectional study. JAC Antimicrob Resist. 2024 May 17;6(3):dlae076. doi: 10.1093/jacamr/dlae076. Erratum in: JAC Antimicrob Resist. 2024 Jul 03;6(4):dlae106. doi: 10.1093/jacamr/dlae106. PMID: 38764535; PMCID: PMC11100357. Mathew P, et al. Communication strategies for improving public awareness on appropriate antibiotic use: Bridging a vital gap for action on antibiotic resistance. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care 8(6):p 1867-1871, June 2019. | DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_263_19 Kamere N, Rutter V, Munkombwe D, Aywak DA, Muro EP, Kaminyoghe F, Rajab K, Lawal MO, Muriithi N, Kusu N, Karimu O, Barlatt SHA, Nambatya W, Ashiru-Oredope D. Supply-chain factors and antimicrobial stewardship. Bull World Health Organ. 2023 Jun 1;101(6):403-411. doi: 10.2471/BLT.22.288650. Wernli D, Harbarth S, Levrat N, Pittet D. A 'whole of United Nations approach' to tackle antimicrobial resistance? A mapping of the mandate and activities of international organisations. BMJ Glob Health. 2022 May;7(5):e008181. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-008181. PMID: 35613837; PMCID: PMC9134163. Davies, S. C., & Oxlade, C. (2021). Innovate to secure the future: The future of modern medicine. Future Healthcare Journal, 8(2), e251-e256. https://doi.org/10.7861/fhj.2021-0087

Further Reading
The American Heart Association and the American Red Cross today released the "2024 Guidelines for First Aid," which provide critical updates that equip first aid responders with the latest evidence-based practices to effectively respond to mild, moderate and life-threatening emergencies. The guidelines are published today in Circulation, the American Heart Association's flagship journal.

Providing first aid care is about recognizing that an emergency has occurred  that someone is ill or injured  and assessing them and then prioritizing their needs. First aid training is essential to apply the appropriate knowledge and skills for saving lives and reducing harm. These updates reflect the changing landscape of public health challenges and aim to equip trained professionals and the public with lifesaving skills that are more critical than ever." Elizabeth Hewett Brumberg, M.D., co-chair of the guidelines writing group and assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and member of the Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council

These are the first major comprehensive updates to the first aid guidelines since 2010 and address shifts in how the public manages common and critical first aid emergencies.

The updated guidelines reaffirm essential strategies for emergency responders that have become common in recent years but have not been formally documented. For bystanders, the guidelines offer instruction on how to recognize when professional help is needed and when to use available tools and medications effectively for conditions.

The most significant changes between the 2010 and 2024 guidelines are the expanded scope of emergency care conditions. The 2010 version focuses on basic first aid topics like chest pain, stroke recognition and bleeding. The 2024 version provides greater specificity for these conditions and includes detailed guidance on several scenarios including managing an opioid overdose, addressing a feeling of fainting and treating a tick bite. In addition, the 2024 guidelines expand recommendations on emergency situations previously covered in addition to a broader range of situations, as well. Guidance is also enhanced for emergency care involving children.

Emergency situations covered in the 2024 guidelines include:

Opioid Overdose Management

External Bleeding Control

First Aid for Open Chest Wounds

Administration of Oxygen and Use of Pulse Oximetry

Spinal Motion Restriction

Chest Pain in Adults

Stroke Recognition in Adults and Children

First Aid for Seizures

Heatstroke and Hypothermia

First Aid for Tick Bites

Assistance with Administration of Prescribed Medications

Matthew J. Douma, Ph.D. (c), M.N., co-chair of the writing group, professor of critical care medicine at the University of Alberta in Canada and American Heart Association volunteer, emphasizes bystanders should act within their abilities and respect the person receiving care. He noted, "We encourage everyone to take a first aid class to learn the skills and techniques to provide emergency care. We know first aid saves lives, so training, maintaining these skills and having a first aid kit on hand are essential."

The American Heart Association and the American Red Cross have rich histories of delivering lifesaving first aid and CPR training. The 2024 first aid guidelines recommendations reflect alignment with the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR), of which the Association is a founding member, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society a collaborating member. The joint guidelines provide the official clinical practice recommendations for first aid including emergency cardiovascular care for adults and children. The American Heart Association and the Red Cross support the development and publication of clinical practice guidelines without commercial support, and members volunteer their time to the writing and review efforts.

These guidelines were prepared by the volunteer writing group on behalf of the American Heart Association and the Red Cross. The guidelines writing group includes experts from nursing, emergency medicine, pediatrics, trauma, emergency medical services, wilderness medicine, education and research. Members conducted evidence review and syntheses approved by the Association's Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science Subcommittee and the Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council.
To determine the type and severity of a cancer, pathologists typically analyze thin slices of a tumor biopsy under a microscope. But to figure out what genomic changes are driving the tumor's growth - information that can guide how it is treated - scientists must perform genetic sequencing of the RNA isolated from the tumor, a process that can take weeks and costs thousands of dollars.

Now, Stanford Medicine researchers have developed an artificial intelligence-powered computational program that can predict the activity of thousands of genes within tumor cells based only on standard microscopy images of the biopsy. The tool, described online in Nature Communications Nov. 14, was created using data from more than 7,000 diverse tumor samples. The team showed that it could use routinely collected biopsy images to predict genetic variations in breast cancers and to predict patient outcomes.

This kind of software could be used to quickly identify gene signatures in patients' tumors, speeding up clinical decision-making and saving the health care system thousands of dollars." Olivier Gevaert, PhD, professor of biomedical data science and senior author of the paper

The work was also led by Stanford graduate student Marija Pizuria and postdoctoral fellows Yuanning Zheng, PhD, and Francisco Perez, PhD.

Driven by genomics

Clinicians have increasingly guided the selection of which cancer treatments - including chemotherapies, immunotherapies and hormone-based therapies - to recommend to their patients based on not only which organ a patient's cancer affects, but which genes a tumor is using to fuel its growth and spread. Turning on or off certain genes could make a tumor more aggressive, more likely to metastasize, or more or less likely to respond to certain drugs.

However, accessing this information often requires costly and time-consuming genomic sequencing.

Gevaert and his colleagues knew that the gene activity within individual cells can alter the appearance of those cells in ways that are often imperceptible to a human eye. They turned to artificial intelligence to find these patterns.

The researchers began with 7,584 cancer biopsies from 16 different of cancer types. Each biopsy had been sliced into thin sections and prepared using a method known as hematoxylin and eosin staining, which is standard for visualizing the overall appearance of cancer cells. Information on the cancers' transcriptomes - which genes the cells are actively using - was also available.

A working model

After the researchers integrated their new cancer biopsies as well as other datasets, including transcriptomic data and images from thousands of healthy cells, the AI program - which they named SEQUOIA (slide-based expression quantification using linearized attention) - was able to predict the expression patterns of more than 15,000 different genes from the stained images. For some cancer types, the AI-predicted gene activity had a more than 80% correlation with the real gene activity data. In general, the more samples of any given cancer type that were included in the initial data, the better the model performed on that cancer type.

"It took a number of iterations of the model for it to get to the point where we were happy with the performance," Gevaert said. "But ultimately for some tumor types, it got to a level that it can be useful in the clinic."

Gevaert pointed out that doctors are often not looking at genes one at a time to make clinical decisions, but at gene signatures that include hundreds of different genes. For instance, many cancer cells activate the same groups of hundreds of genes related to inflammation, or hundreds of genes related to cell growth. Compared with its performance at predicting individual gene expression, SEQUOIA was even more accurate at predicting whether such large genomic programs were activated.

To make the data accessible and easy to interpret, the researchers programmed SEQUOIA to display the genetic findings as a visual map of the tumor biopsy, letting scientists and clinicians see how genetic variations might be distinct in different areas of a tumor.

Predicting patient outcomes

To test the utility of SEQUOIA for clinical decision making, Gevaert and his colleagues identified breast cancer genes that the model could accurately predict the expression of and that are already used in commercial breast cancer genomic tests. (The Food and Drug Administration-approved MammaPrint test, for instance, analyzes the levels of 70 breast-cancer-related genes to provide patients with a score of the risk their cancer is likely to recur.)

"Breast cancer has a number of very well-studied gene signatures that have been shown over the past decade to be highly correlated with treatment responses and patient outcomes," Gevaert said. "This made it an ideal test case for our model."

SEQUOIA, the team showed, could provide the same type of genomic risk score as MammaPrint using only stained images of tumor biopsies. The results were repeated on multiple different groups of breast cancer patients. In each case, patients identified as high risk by SEQUOIA had worse outcomes, with higher rates of cancer recurrence and a shorter time before their cancer recurred.

The AI model can't yet be used in a clinical setting - it needs to be tested in clinical trials and be approved by the FDA before it's used in guiding treatment decisions - but Gevaert said his team is improving the algorithm and studying its potential applications. In the future, he said, SEQUOIA could reduce the need for expensive gene expression tests.

"We've shown how useful this could be for breast cancer, and we can now use it for all cancers and look at any gene signature that is out there," he said. "It's a whole new source of data that we didn't have before."

Scientists from Roche Diagnostics were also authors of the paper.

Funding for this research was provided by the National Cancer Institute (grant R01 CA260271), a fellowship of the Belgian American Educational Foundation, a grant from Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek-Vlaanderen, the Fulbright Spanish Commission and Ghent University.
New findings reveal that maternal RSV vaccination timing is key to safeguarding newborns, with enhanced protection observed when the vaccine is administered early in the CDC-recommended window.

Study: Enhanced placental antibody transfer efficiency with longer interval between maternal RSV vaccination and birth (PDF). Image Credit: CI Photos / Shutterstock

In a recent study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (PDF), researchers evaluated the transfer efficiency of maternal anti-respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) antibodies to unborn neonates in mothers with different vaccination statuses (unvaccinated versus vaccinated) and among various vaccination timing points (early versus late in the recommended vaccination window). They further evaluated neonatal outcomes associated with antibody transfer, examining correlations with morbidity and mortality based on these vaccination timing regimes.

Study findings revealed that maternal vaccination substantially increased anti-RSV antibody titers (both maternal and placental) compared to those derived from natural RSV infections, highlighting the importance of vaccine-induced immunity for both previously infected and uninfected mothers. While RSV-attachment protein concentrations were statistically similar across vaccinated and unvaccinated cohorts, the former cohort expressed substantially higher overall anti-RSV antibody titers.

Antibody transfer efficiency analyses revealed that maternal vaccinations administered earlier during the CDC-recommended 32-36 week gestational window (specifically at least five weeks prior to delivery) resulted in superior transfer efficiency to the fetus and improved associated neonatal outcomes. Vaccinations received five weeks or more prior to infant birth were observed to produce the best transfer outcomes.

Background

Nearly all children in the United States experience at least one RSV infection before the age of two, and approximately 15-50% of these cases may progress to more serious lower respiratory infections, such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a respiratory pathogen that causes a mild, cold-like infection in adults but can cause severe, potentially lethal infections in infants. RSV is estimated to affect between 2-3% of infants six months or younger and remains the leading cause of infant hospitalization (approximately 25%) in the United States. Notably, the prevalence of RSV in infants has been on the rise, expediting the need for effective prevention strategies in this vulnerable population.

Previous research on both RSV- and non-RSV-associated antibody transfer has shown that the placental transfer of antibodies from mothers to their unborn children plays a vital role in immunity. The MATISSE (Maternal Immunization Study for Safety and Efficacy) trial highlighted the benefits of RSV vaccination in pregnancy using the bivalent RSV prefusion F (RSVpreF) recombinant protein, which significantly reduced RSV risk in infants. Consequently, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended the vaccines use in pregnant women starting September 2023.

However, while the MATISSE study evaluated vaccination administration periods across a longer 24-36 week window, the CDC has recommended a shorter window of 32-36 weeks to address preterm birth concerns possibly associated with RSV vaccination. This narrower window might reduce the time for effective antibody transfer, thus potentially impacting vaccination efficacy and infant RSV risk. To date, the impacts of different vaccination periods on infant RSV outcomes remain insufficiently understood.

As fewer than half the MATISSE trial participants received the RSVpreF vaccine during the now-recommended 32-36 week gestational period (1,628 of 3,568 participants), data are lacking on the impact of timing of maternal vaccination within this window on transplacental transfer of maternal antibody, a correlate of infant protection.

About the study

RSV is highly contagious and can remain viable on surfaces for hours, with transmission occurring through respiratory droplets as well as direct contact, highlighting the need for careful hygiene and possible airborne precautions in healthcare and community settings.

The present study was designed to address preexisting gaps in knowledge about the relationship between vaccination period and RSV outcomes by comparing outcomes across a spectrum of vaccination statuses (unvaccinated versus vaccinated) and pregnancy durations (early versus late). These findings would inform prospective parents, healthcare providers, and public health agencies about the most effective approaches to optimize infant health.

Study data was obtained from two independent cohorts  Massachusetts General Hospital and Mount Sinai School of Medicine  comprising pregnant or postpartum (up to two months) adult (18 years and older) women (n = 122). In the vaccinated group, participants were included only if they had received the RSV vaccine (Abrysvo) during pregnancy. Additionally, for comparison, 20 unvaccinated women with naturally derived anti-RSV antibodies were included.

The researchers conducted sterile blood draws from umbilical cord blood and placental samples at both delivery admission and birth, then collected additional samples from 29 neonates to further assess RSV outcome characteristics. Using the Binding Antibody Multiplex Assay (BAMA), the study quantified immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels against three RSV proteins: anti-RSV strain A2 (A2), B fusion (F), and attachment (G) proteins.

Statistical analyses included a range of methods to ensure robust comparisons, such as Kruskal-Wallis and Dunns post hoc tests for between-group comparisons, Benjamini-Hochberg analysis for multiple comparisons, and Wilcoxon tests for paired and unpaired analyses. Transfer ratios (indicating the percentage of antibody transfer from mother to offspring) were computed using maternal plasma MFI readings. Linear mixed-effects models helped explore trends in vaccination acceptance during pregnancy and impacts on neonatal antibody transfer efficiency.

Study findings

The present study revealed three noteworthy findings. First, vaccinated participants had significantly higher overall (A2 + F + G) antibody titers compared to unvaccinated but previously RSV-infected mothers. Interestingly, G antibody titers were similar across vaccinated and unvaccinated groups, indicating that prior infection alone may be insufficient for strong protective antibody levels, emphasizing the need for vaccination regardless of RSV infection history.

Second, anti-RSV G protein titers in neonatal blood samples peaked at birth but showed a marked decline by two months of age. Vaccination-derived antibodies persisted longer and at higher concentrations than those from naturally acquired maternal infection.

Finally, the timing of vaccination was found essential for optimal antibody transfer efficiency, with intervals of five or more weeks from vaccination to birth yielding the best results. Conversely, shorter intervals (2-3 weeks) showed nearly half the transfer efficiency, highlighting the importance of vaccine timing within the CDC-recommended period.

Conclusions

The study underscores the importance of both maternal vaccination and strategic vaccination timing in achieving optimal anti-RSV antibody levels in neonates. Vaccine-derived antibodies not only surpassed those from prior RSV exposure but also demonstrated greater persistence, contributing to longer-lasting neonatal protection.

Notably, longer durations between vaccination and birth improved both transfer efficiency and neonatal outcomes. However, additional research on possible preterm delivery risks is warranted before making universal recommendations. These findings suggest that maternal vaccination administered at least five weeks prior to delivery may offer the best protection against infant RSV risk.
A former Virginia state delegate pleaded guilty in a Campbell County courtroom Wednesday to possession of methamphetamine and carrying a firearm while in possession of an illegal drug.

Matt Fariss was arrested Oct. 25 for violating conditions of bond set at a previous hearing and was sentenced Wednesday to three years behind bars with all but 20 days suspended. Chuck Felmlee, his attorney, said Fariss served 22 days, from March 23 to 26 and Oct. 25 to Wednesday, in the custody of the Blue Ridge Regional Jail Authority.

Judge Dennis Lee Hupp, a retired judge from Shenandoah County, found Fariss guilty of the two felonies and credited him with time served, which allowed the former legislator to be released Wednesday.

Hupp recently revoked Fariss bond for testing positive for meth before turning himself into the Campbell County Sheriffs Office, Felmlee said.

Fariss, 56, represented Virginias 59th House District as a Republican for a 12-year stint and left office in January after losing a reelection bid for a redistricted seat last November. He was first elected in 2011 to represent the district that covered Appomattox and Buckingham counties and parts of Albemarle, Campbell and Nelson counties.

Before sentencing Fariss on Wednesday, Hupp said the sentencing guidelines called for no incarceration because he did not have any criminal history.

I understand youve been a contributing member of this community for some time, Hupp told Fariss. Its just really sad for me to see this has come about.

Hupp said he did not like revoking Farris bond but felt it was the right thing to do and he hopes Fariss can overcome his drug issues.

I really do mean that, the judge told Fariss.

Fariss did not comment in court when given the opportunity Wednesday. He wore an orange jail uniform, which Hupp said had to be difficult for the defendants children who were in the courtroom watching the proceedings.

Spare them that pain, Hupp said, while advising him to abide by the courts conditions. You wont have to go through this process again, and I hope you can do that.

The special appointed prosecutor, Nelson County Deputy Commonwealths Erik Laub, said evidence would show at trial that a Campbell County sheriffs deputy pulled Fariss over on March 23 for traffic violations. During the stop, the officer saw a hunting rifle in Fariss seat, and while writing the citations, another deputy arrived on scene with a K-9 to sniff the vehicle for drugs, Laub said.

Fariss exited the vehicle and dash camera video, which Laub said he viewed, shows him conducting a self-pat down, stopping at one point and continuing. Laub said when asked during the stop about the firearm, Fariss said he works on a farm. A search on his person found a plastic bag with a rock-like substance that tested positive for meth, Laub said.

The bag contained 0.89 grams of meth, a Schedule II narcotic in Virginia, the prosecutor said.

Felmlee said Fariss was driving his truck and towing a trailer with farm supplies the day of the traffic stop. Nearly three weeks prior, Fariss was found not guilty of hit-and-run and malicious wounding after a daylong trial in Campbell County Circuit Court. He was instead convicted by a jury of improper driving and ordered to pay a $500 fine.

A protective order was filed against Fariss after that incident by Julie Miles, which Felmlee said was in the process of being dissolved but wasnt at the time of the traffic stop. The protective order prohibited Fariss from possessing a firearm.

Felmlee said Farris, a cattle farmer, has accepted he has a drug problem and is seeking help. Laub said at an Oct. 1 hearing the former legislator has a clear substance abuse problem.

Laub said since the protective order was in the process of being dissolved at the time of the March 23 traffic stop, he dropped a misdemeanor charge of violating a protective order.

In 2016, while serving in the Virginia General Assembly, Fariss pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor hit-and-run charge in Campbell County General District Court in connection with a July 2015 incident that damaged fencing, a highway sign and a mailbox.

The plea was the first of two back-to-back Campbell County General District Court proceedings on the same day that year. In the second proceeding, a bench trial, Fariss was found not guilty of breaching the peace, a misdemeanor, in a confrontation with a neighbor in January.

According to facts agreed to during his guilty plea, Fariss was driving a Dodge Ram pickup on Red House Road on July 29 when the vehicle struck a tree, went in and out of a ditch and went airborne. No one was injured in the incident, and Farris said he had reached to retrieve a soda that fallen to the floor prior to the crash, according to News & Advance archives.

Hupp said the two felonies Fariss pleaded guilty to Wednesday combined carried a maximum of 15 years in prison.

Upon release from custody Wednesday, Fariss is to be on unsupervised probation for five years and will lose the right to hold statewide public office in Virginia or own and possess firearms, Hupp said. The barring of public office does not apply to federal elected seats, both Felmlee and Laub said after the hearing concluded.

Fariss is excited to get back home to family, spend time with them over the holidays and work to get this life back on track, Felmlee said.

The judge emphasized to Fariss a zero tolerance for violating the conditions of the plea agreement.

He has a good understanding of what lies ahead, Felmlee said.
With the increased legalization of recreational cannabis, as many as 1 in 5 pregnant women in the U.S. are now using the drug to help with morning sickness, lower back pain or anxiety. Evidence has been growing, however, to suggest that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, poses risks to the developing fetus by impacting brain development. Now a new study finds that this could increase the risk of addiction to opioids later in life.

The preclinical animal study, led by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, was published in the journal Science Advances. It found that prenatal exposure to THC causes a rewiring of the fetal brain. THC caused certain brain cells, called dopamine neurons, to respond in a hyperactive way, causing a heightened increase in dopamine release. This was accompanied by heightened neuronal responsiveness to cues associated with rewards like a light turning on to indicate that food or an opioid drug was available.

Doctors are contending with an explosion of cannabis use, and the THC content has quadrupled from what it was a generation ago. It demonstrates the enduring consequences that prenatal cannabis exposure exerts on the brain's reward system, which ultimately results in a neurobiological vulnerability to opioid drugs." Joseph Cheer, PhD, study corresponding author, Professor of Neurobiology and Psychiatry at the University of Maryland School of Medicine

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that doctors counsel patients on concerns about potential adverse health consequences of continued use of cannabis during pregnancy. Dr. Cheer and others doing research on THC exposure during pregnancy are racing to learn more about the health consequences on developing fetuses to help doctors better counsel their patients on the drug's effects.

This illustration shows that male animals exposed to THC in the womb experience a greater surge in the "reward-seeking" brain chemical dopamine when exposed to opioid drugs as adolescents compared to those that were never exposed to THC.

To conduct this new study, he and his colleagues found that fetuses exposed to a moderately low dose of THC (equivalent to their mothers smoking one to two joints per day) developed changes in how their reward system functioned, causing them to develop an at-risk phenotype for opioid seeking. Animals previously exposed to THC in utero display a dramatically increased motivation to press a lever that would deliver a dose of opioid drugs compared to those that were not previously exposed to THC.

When THC-exposed animals reached early adulthood, they were more likely to show enhanced opioid-seeking and were more likely to relapse upon opioid-associated environmental cues compared to those animals who were not exposed to THC in the womb. They were also more likely to develop persistent addiction-like behaviors.

In a follow-up experiment, the researchers implanted tiny sensors in the animals' brains and measured heightened dopamine release, accompanied by activity in neurons that over-represented opioid-related cues, in the rats exhibiting strong addiction-like behaviors.

"These observations support the hypothesis of a hypersensitized 'wanting' system that develops in the brain after exposure to THC during prenatal development," said Dr. Cheer. "Interestingly, we found that this opioid-seeking phenotype occurs significantly more in males compared to females, and we are currently performing research with our colleagues at UMSOM, to determine why this is the case."

Dr. Cheer's previous work published in the journal Nature Neuroscience found prenatal exposure to THC makes the brain's dopamine neurons hyperactive, which may contribute to an increased risk of psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia. His work has been independently verified by three independent laboratories throughout the world.

Along with his colleague Mary Kay Lobo, PhD, Professor of Neurobiology at UMSOM, Dr. Cheer serves as the co-director of the Center for Substance Use in Pregnancy, which is part of UMSOM's Kahlert Institute for Addiction Medicine. The two are working with a team of researchers to investigate the enduring effects of drug and alcohol exposure in the womb.

"We need to more fully understand the enduring effects of THC exposure in the womb and whether we can reverse some of the deleterious effects through CRISPR-based gene therapies or repurposed drugs," said UMSOM Dean Mark T. Gladwin, MD, who is the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and vice president for medical affairs at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. "We also need to provide better advice to pregnant patients, many of whom are using cannabis to help control anxiety because they think this drug is safer for their baby than traditional anti-anxiety medications."

The study was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (Grant: R01 DA022340) (Grant: K99 DA060209). UMSOM faculty member Miguel A. Lujan, PhD, a research associate in Neurobiology, was the first author of the paper.
A new multi-national study has revealed that the shape of the heart is influenced in part by genetics and may help predict the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London, King's College London, University of Zaragoza and University College London, as well as Complexo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruna are first to examine the genetic basis of the heart's left and right ventricles using advanced 3D imaging and machine learning.

Prior research primarily focused on the heart's size and volume and specific chambers. By studying both ventricles together, the team was able to capture the more intricate, multi-dimensional aspects of the heart shape.

This new approach of exploring shape has led to the discovery of new heart-associated genes and provided a better understanding of the biological pathways linking heart shape to cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease is among the leading causes of death in the UK and globally. The findings of this study could change how cardiac disease risk is evaluated. Genetic information related to heart shape can provide a risk score for heart disease, offering potentially early and more tailored assessment in clinical settings.

This study provides new information on how we think about heart disease risk. We've long known that size and volume of the heart matter, but by examining shape, we're uncovering new insights into genetic risks. This discovery could provide valuable additional tools for clinicians to predict disease earlier and with more precision." Patricia B. Munroe, Professor of Molecular medicine at Queen Mary and co-author of the study

The team used cardiovascular MRI images from over 40,000 individuals from the UK Biobank, a large-scale biomedical database and research resource containing genetic and health information from half a million UK participants, to create 3D models of the ventricles. Through statistical analysis, they identified 11 shape dimensions that describe the primary variations in heart shape.

Subsequent genetic analysis found 45 specific areas in the human genome linked to different heart shapes. Fourteen of these areas had not been previously known to influence heart traits.

"This study sets an important foundation for the exploration of genetics in both ventricles", said Dr Richard Burns, Statistical Geneticist at Queen Mary. "The study confirms that combined cardiac shape is influenced by genetics, and demonstrates the usefulness of cardiac shape analysis in both ventricles for predicting individual risk of cardiometabolic diseases alongside established clinical measures."

This research marks an exciting new chapter in understanding how genetics influence the heart and opens the doors to further studies on how these findings could be integrated into clinical practice, ultimately benefiting millions at risk of heart disease.
A funding boost of more than 78 million will help UCL scientists working to develop a potential treatment for motor neurone disease, for which there is currently no cure and which affects 5,000 people each year in the UK.

Trace Neuroscience, a UCL spinout biopharmaceutical company, is working on developing a way to restore the production of a protein that is essential for communication in the brain and spinal cord.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as ALS) is the most common motor neuron disease; it affects the brain and spinal cord by attacking the neurons and nerves which control movement, causing them to die.

Trace Neuroscience was founded on the simultaneous "breakthrough discovery" at UCL and Stanford University that the loss of a protein called UNC13A is a driver of disease progression in nearly all people with motor neurone disease, leading to wasting, paralysis and eventual death from respiratory failure within three to five years.

Trace Neuroscience co-founder Professor Pietro Fratta (UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) found that by restoring UNC13A protein levels, healthy communication between nerves cells impacted by neurodegenerative disease could be re-established, thereby potentially slowing the progression of the disease.

Professor Fratta said: "UNC13A is critical for neurons to communicate amongst each other and with muscles and is lost in nearly all ALS cases. Being able to re-establish this is groundbreaking.

"This large funding round is pivotal for us to rapidly translate this science into a life-changing medicine and advance our lead programme towards the clinic."

Trace Neuroscience was founded on the breakthrough discovery that loss of UNC13A is a driver of disease in nearly all people with ALS. We have now brought together academic leaders, experienced drug developers and a leading syndicate of investors committed to urgently turning this discovery into a medicine." Eric Green, co-founder and CEO of Trace Neuroscience

Trace Neuroscience licensed intellectual property exclusively from UCL as part of the company formation, and the $101 million USD financing was led by Third Rock Ventures and included participation from Atlas Venture, GV and RA Capital Management.

UCL Business (UCLB) - the commercialisation company for UCL - supported the academic team working closely to protect the intellectual property and with the Third Rock and Trace teams facilitating the collaboration with Professor Fratta and his team at UCL.
Many young girls in low- and middle-income countries become pregnant early, which can be dangerous for them and for their babies. Studies show that girls who stay in school are less likely to get pregnant at a young age. Financial support can encourage girls to stay in school and delay pregnancy and marriage in some settings. However, a new large study from Zambia found that two years of financial support combined with comprehensive sexuality education and community dialogue meetings, moderately reduced births during the support period, but not after the financial support ended. As a result, the overall effect on births before age 18 was limited over the 4.5 years study period even though more girls completed junior secondary school. Longer-term efforts to make high school more affordable are likely to be important to keep girls in school and more clearly reduce adolescent pregnancies in low- and middle-income countries.

The study, to be published in eClinicalmedicine on 14th November, randomized 157 rural Zambian schools into three groups: one received economic support, another received economic support plus sexuality education and community dialogue, and the third served as a control group. The study included 5000 girls about to finish primary school (average age 14). Researchers from the University of Zambia, University of Bergen, Chr. Michelsen Institute, and the Norwegian School of Economics conducted the trial.

Previous research shows that poverty is a major reason why girls drop out of school and get pregnant early. Other reasons include social pressure to have children, and lack of knowledge about and access to birth control. The limited effects of the studied support package probably reflect that the support period was too short and many families could not afford school fees after the financial support ended. Most participants were around 16 and still at risk of early pregnancy. If the support had continued until they finished secondary school or turned 18, fewer girls may have gotten pregnant before 18. Also, better access to health services and contraceptives for young people is probably needed to reduce teenage pregnancies more effectively.

According to Professor Ingvild Sandy, at the University of Bergen in Norway, the study is in line with previous research indicating that short-term poverty-reducing measures such as cash transfers should be combined with other initiatives to achieve substantial reductions in teenage pregnancies in low- and middle-income countries. Professor Patrick Musonda from the University of Zambia adds that Zambia's recent removal of secondary school fees is a good initiative. It will likely keep children in school longer and help prevent many young girls from getting pregnant.

The funding for the study came from the Research Council of Norway, and the Swedish International Development Agency (through the Swedish Embassy in Zambia).
A clinical trial finds that integrative cognitive behavioral therapy (PG-CBT) is more effective than present-centered therapy (PCT) in reducing grief severity and comorbid symptoms after treatment, providing hope for individuals with prolonged grief disorder.

Study: Grief-Specific Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs Present-Centered Therapy. Image Credit: Microgen/Shutterstock.com

In a recent study published in the JAMA Psychiatry, a group of researchers evaluated whether integrative cognitive behavioral therapy for prolonged grief (PG-CBT) is more effective than present-centered therapy (PCT) in reducing prolonged grief disorder (PGD) symptoms.

Background

PGD is now recognized as a distinct diagnosis in both International Classification of

Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11) and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR), marked by intense, persistent yearning and preoccupation with the deceased, often leading to identity disruption and loss of meaning.

PGD prevalence is around 5%, with higher rates among older adults and those who experience violent or unnatural losses. PGD is associated with increased risks of suicidality, physical health issues, and co-occurring mental health disorders, particularly depression.

While grief-focused CBT shows promise in reducing PGD symptoms, research comparing it to active treatments remains scarce, necessitating the need for further study.

About the study

The present trial was conducted across four university outpatient clinics in Germany. Ethical approval was obtained from each centers review board, and participants provided written informed consent before randomization.

Participants were aged 18 to 75, had primary PGD based on the Prolonged Grief Disorder 13 (PG-13) interview, demonstrated sufficient cognitive ability, and could read and answer questions in German. Exclusion criteria included severe mental health disorders, concurrent therapy, acute suicidality, or recent changes in psychotropic medication.

The trial aimed to assess the efficacy of integrative PG-CBT compared to PCT by analyzing changes in PGD severity scores after 12 months. PG-CBT, combining exposure, psychoeducation, and cognitive restructuring, was compared to PCT, which provided support for daily stressors without core cognitive restructuring.

Randomization was managed by an independent center using block randomization. Treatment included 20 weekly sessions with up to 4 optional sessions, conducted face-to-face or via video during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Blinded raters conducted assessments at multiple points, and statistical analyses used a linear mixed-effects model for continuous outcomes. This study followed Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) reporting guidelines and was registered with the German Clinical Trials Register.

Study results

Between April 2017 and May 2022, 544 individuals were screened for eligibility, with 213 enrolled and randomly assigned to PCT or PG-CBT. After one participant withdrew consent, 212 participants (mean age 51.8, ranging from 19 to 75 years; 82% female) remained.

Baseline characteristics were balanced between the groups, including the time since loss, which averaged 26.5 months. Among participants, 47% had at least one comorbid mental disorder, with depressive disorder being the most common (57%).

In the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis, both therapies led to substantial reductions in PGD severity at follow-up. PG-CBT was initially more effective than PCT on the PG-13 severity score after treatment, with a mean change difference of -3.15 (Cohens d = 0.31), though this advantage diminished by the 12-month follow-up, showing only a trend-level difference (Cohens d = 0.28).

Secondary outcomes revealed PG-CBTs significant superiority over PCT in reducing overall psychopathology at six and twelve months and depressive symptoms at twelve months. Both therapies were comparable in improving somatic symptoms.

Within each group, improvements from baseline to follow-up in PGD severity were significant and large (PG-CBT: Cohens d = 1.64; PCT: Cohens d = 1.38). Suicide risk reductions, measured by the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) severity score, were significant post-treatment for both therapies, though only PG-CBT maintained significance through follow-up.

Diagnostic assessments indicated no significant difference in PGD remission rates between the groups, with PGD persisting post-treatment for 10 in PG-CBT and 17 in PCT and at follow-up for 8 in PG-CBT and 15 in PCT.

The study had a lower-than-expected dropout rate, with 18% of participants discontinuing treatment. The main reasons for dropout were external stressors and lack of motivation.

Treatment adherence and safety were high across both groups, with no serious treatment-related adverse events. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the treatment responses, showing consistency across various methods.

The study also evaluated the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, categorizing participants based on their participation timing relative to the pandemic. There was no differential treatment response among these groups, with effect sizes suggesting stability across pre-, during, and post-pandemic periods.

Conclusions

To summarize, PG-CBT showed superior short-term effects on PGD symptoms, but this advantage lessened at follow-up. Both therapies effectively reduced PGD and comorbid depressive symptoms, with similar remission and dropout rates to other trials.

Unlike previous studies using non-specific controls, PCT focused on addressing daily grief-related stressors, potentially enhancing its effectiveness.
Study reveals that increasing green space in deprived urban neighborhoods could significantly reduce preventable deaths, highlighting the need for targeted public health investments.

Study: Inequality in green space distribution and its association with preventable deaths across urban neighbourhoods in the UK, stratified by Index of Multiple Deprivation. Image Credit: doublelee/Shutterstock.com

In a recent study published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, a group of researchers examined the relationship between green space (GS) availability, deprivation levels, and preventable death rates across urban neighborhoods in the United Kingdom (UK).

Background

Investment in GS in urban areas may reduce preventable deaths and offer multiple health, environmental, and economic benefits. Exposure to GS is linked with lower mortality and morbidity from chronic diseases, improved mental health, cognitive functioning, and reduced obesity.

These health benefits stem from increased opportunities for exercise, social interaction, relaxation, and enhanced social cohesion. Environmentally, GS can reduce the urban heat island effect, reduce air and noise pollution, and promote biodiversity.

Economically, GS can lower cooling costs and increase property values. Further research is needed to identify geographic and socioeconomic priorities to optimize GS-related health benefits.

About the study

In England and Wales, the primary units were middle-layer super output areas (MSOAs), while Scotland utilized intermediate zones (IZs), and Northern Ireland used super output areas (SOAs).

These units vary in population size, with MSOAs in England and Wales averaging around 7,600 and 7,200 people, IZs in Scotland around 4,000, and SOAs in Northern Ireland approximately 2,000. Each boundary is mutually exclusive, ensuring clear division and comparability across areas.

Preventable deaths, the study's dependent variable, include causes like ischemic heart disease and certain cancers, which can be reduced through public health interventions. Data sources varied across regions, with figures provided by national statistical offices in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Calculations based on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) lists were used for England and Wales.

The study also included various independent variables. Deprivation levels were assessed using the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), with values adjusted for aggregation to the geographic unit used in each region.

Additional variables like grassland and woodland coverage were sourced from the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, with urban or rural classifications from the Office for National Statistics Census data. Demographic data, including population density and median age, came from mid-2015 estimates for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland and mid-2017 estimates for Scotland.

Data analysis utilized descriptive statistics and concentration curves to assess GS inequality. Regression models, specifically negative binomial regression, analyzed the impact of various factors on preventable deaths, focusing on urban areas and stratifying results by deprivation quintiles. Analyses were conducted using STATA version 15.0.

Study results

In examining the characteristics of GS across the UK, Wales had the highest median percentage of GS at 45%, followed by Northern Ireland (24%), England (21%), and Scotland (16%). Across all four countries, urban areas showed significantly lower percentages of GS compared to rural areas, highlighting notable differences in GS availability based on settlement type.

In England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, the distribution of GS in urban areas was significantly skewed, with more deprived neighborhoods having less access to GS. This unequal distribution was evident as GS levels in these urban areas deviated notably from what would be expected in an equal distribution model.

In contrast, rural areas in these countries exhibited a more balanced GS distribution across neighborhoods, regardless of deprivation level. Wales presented a unique pattern, with GS distributed more equitably across both urban and rural neighborhoods of varying deprivation levels, suggesting fewer disparities in GS access.

The concentration index values, which measure the inequality of GS distribution, were highest in England, followed by Northern Ireland and Scotland, indicating a strong relationship between GS distribution and deprivation levels in these areas.

In Wales, however, the concentration index was notably lower, further reflecting a more even distribution of GS relative to deprivation levels.

Analyzing the association between GS and preventable deaths in urban areas, results revealed that in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, an increase in grassland was associated with a significant reduction in avoidable deaths within the most deprived neighborhoods.

In England, a 1% increase in grassland corresponded with a 37% decrease in annual preventable deaths, while in Northern Ireland and Scotland, a 1% increase was associated with reductions of 37% and 41% in five-year accumulated preventable deaths, respectively. This trend underscores the potential health benefits of GS investment in more deprived urban areas in these countries.

In Wales, however, the percentage of grassland showed no significant association with preventable deaths. Additionally, across Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales, there was no substantial link between woodland area and preventable death rates.

In England, the associations between woodland area and preventable deaths were observed only in neighborhoods within the third and least deprived quintiles, suggesting that the impact of woodland on health outcomes may vary according to the level of deprivation.

Conclusions

To summarize, this study highlights two main findings. First, significant inequality in GS distribution was observed among urban neighborhoods with varying deprivation levels across the UK, except in Wales, where GS distribution was more equitable.

More affluent areas generally had higher GS availability. Second, in the most deprived urban areas of England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, a higher percentage of grassland was significantly associated with fewer preventable deaths.

This association was not observed in Wales, suggesting equitable GS distribution may contribute to health benefits.
Hyundai Motor Appoints Jose Munoz As CEO; First Foreigner To Lead South Korean Auto Giant

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 11:43 IST

Munos joined Hyundai Motor five years ago in 2019 as its global chief operating officer.

Jose Munoz. (Photo Credit: His LinkedIn Profile)

Hyundai Motor has appointed Jose Munoz, current US chief and global chief operating officer, as its new chief executive officer (CEO), with effect from January 1, 2025, according to a company statement on Friday. The appointment has made Munoz the first foreigner to lead the South Korean conglomerate.

Munos joined Hyundai Motor five years ago in 2019 as its global chief operating officer. He was in charge for the carmakers north and south American business. Prior to that, he served at Nissan Motor for 15 years, including as chairman of its China unit.

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The 59-year-old Munoz, born in Spain, will replace Jaehoon Chang, which will continue with the group as vice-chairman of its automotive division.

Munoz is appointed as the first non-Korean CEO of Hyundai Motor  is expected to enhance the companys global management systems and further elevate its stature as a leading global brand," Hyundai said in a statement.

The appointments, which also include Sung Kim, a former U.S. diplomat and a US special representative for North Korea, as president of Hyundai Motor Company, are part of the companys aim to better prepare for uncertainties in the global business environment," it said.

Who is Jose Munoz?

Jose Munoz serves as the global president and COO of Hyundai Motor Company, as well as the president and CEO of Hyundai and Genesis Motor North America.

His role includes overseeing strategic performance initiatives across Europe, India, and the Middle East & Africa. Munoz is instrumental in Hyundais global talent strategy, focusing on acquiring and retaining talent in emerging tech sectors. He also directs global sales, service, and product planning through Hyundais Global Business Operations Division, as per his LinkedIn profile.

Operating out of Hyundais US headquarters in Fountain Valley, California, Munoz is responsible for the entire American market, encompassing Hyundai Motors operations across North, Central, and South America as the head of the Hyundai Motor Americas Region.

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Before joining Hyundai, Munoz held the role of Chief Performance Officer at Nissan Motor Corporation and served as Chairman of Nissan China. During his 15-year tenure with Nissan, beginning in 2004, he drove record-breaking growth and sales in his regions of responsibility.

Munoz holds a PhD in nuclear engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid and an MBA from Instituto de Empresa (IE) Business School in Madrid. He has also completed executive programs at Cranfield School of Management in the UK and INSEAD in France.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 11:43 IST
CBSE Refutes Claims Of Syllabus Reduction And Open Book Exams For Classes 10 And 12 In 2025

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 08:16 IST

The CBSE Bhopal regional office issued an official statement to clear the air on changes to the syllabus and exam format for Classes 10 and 12.

CBSE urged students and parents to refer to the Board's official website cbse.gov.in for verified information. (Representational/ PTI Photo)

On Thursday, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) denied reports about reducing the syllabus and conducting board exams in open book format for the 2024-25 academic session. The CBSE Bhopal regional office issued an official statement in response to news circulating on various online platforms and in newspapers about changes to the syllabus and the exam format for Classes 10 and 12.

In reference to the news published in various online news portals and newspapers regarding the reduction of 15% of the curriculum and conducting open book exams for selected subjects under the CBSE Board Examination 2025 for classes 10 and 12, please note that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has not made any changes to its examination system or internal assessment system, nor has any official notification been issued in this regard. Therefore, the Board denies the aforementioned news," said Vikas Kumar Agrawal, secretary at CBSEs regional office in Bhopal, in an official statement, quoted career360.

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No such policy decision has been taken by the Board. Any updates or changes related to policies by the board are shared through its official website and circulars. The public is advised to avoid such misleading news and to refer to the Boards official website, https://www.cbse.gov.in/, for up-to-date information and verification regarding CBSE-related matters," the notice further added.

Several media reports quoted a CBSE Bhopal officer who revealed changes to the board exam pattern and evaluation process during the Bridging the Gap principals summit in Indore. The officer also confirmed that exams will be held in two terms beginning with the 2025-26 academic session.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 08:16 IST
UPPSC PCS 2024 Prelim Exam Rescheduled To Single Day After Protests; Check Details Here

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 16:18 IST

Initially scheduled for December 7 and 8, the exam was rescheduled to December 22, streamlined into two shifts: 9:3011:30 AM and 2:304:30 PM

Since November 11, a large number of students have been agitating and demanding that the PCS preliminary and Review Officer (RO) and Assistant Review Officer (ARO) examinations should be held on a single day. (Representative/PTI File)

The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) has announced a revised date for the PCS Prelim 2024 exam. The examination will now take place on December 22, condensed into a single day. Two shifts have been scheduled: the first from 9:30 am to 11:30 am and the second from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm.

Originally, the exam was planned for December 7 and 8, spanning two days. However, following protests from students, the commission opted to streamline the process into a single day.

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Keeping in mind the demands of the students, a new date has been fixed," Omkar Nath Singh, Under Secretary of the Commission stated.

Student protests regarding exam date clashes and other concerns prompted the commissions decision to amend the schedule.

Since November 11, a large number of students have been agitating and demanding that the PCS preliminary and Review Officer (RO) and Assistant Review Officer (ARO) examinations should be held on a single day.

Looking at the number of candidates in the RO-ARO exam, we have formed a committee which will submit its report as soon as possible. A decision will be taken accordingly." These students have been told that the exam has been postponed. They should have at least some patience," UPPSC Secretary Ashok Kumar said.

The UPPSC secretary further said the government listened to the aspirants and agreed to their demands by forming a committee.

They should have patience till the committees report comes. It is a big thing that despite preparations, we are not conducting the RO-ARO exam (on the scheduled day)," Kumar said.

Agreeing to the demands of aspirants after protests, the UPPSC on Thursday postponed the RO and ARO exams, and announced that it will hold the PCS Preliminary Exam-2024 on the old pattern on a single day.

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The Commission also announced that it will form a committee on RO and ARO exams to ensure its transparency and fairness.

While the announcement of conducting the PCS preliminary exam on a single day brought happiness to some candidates, those preparing for the RO and ARO exams appeared a bit disappointed. The protesters said they will continue the agitation till a decision is taken on the RO and ARO exams.

Location : Uttar Pradesh, India

First Published: November 15, 2024, 16:18 IST
'Ensure Level Playing Field': Congress Writes To EC After Rahul Gandhis Chopper Delay

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 20:51 IST

Congress alleged that Rahul Gandhi's chopper was not allowed to take off due to restrictions leading to his public meetings getting either delayed or cancelled

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's chopper was stopped from taking off due to non-clearance from ATC in Jharkhand. (Image: ANI)

The Congress on Friday complained to the Election Commission against the alleged grounding of party leader Rahul Gandhis helicopter in poll-bound Jharkhand and sought its urgent intervention in ensuring a level playing field in poll campaigning.

In a letter to the EC, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh alleged that Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhis chopper was not allowed to take off due to restrictions leading to his public meetings getting either delayed or cancelled.

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All India Congress Committee general secretary K C Venugopal hit out at the BJP government at the Centre, accusing it of denying the Congress a level playing field in elections.

There should be a level-playing field in campaigning. The PMs campaign cannot take precedence over that of all others. Today Rahul Gandhi got delayed in Jharkhand on this account," Ramesh said in a post on X.

In his complaint to the Chief Election Commissioner, Ramesh sought his urgent intervention, saying a level playing field should be maintained.

He said Gandhi was in Jharkhand for an election rally of the Congress and had secured all the requisite permissions for travelling across the state and attending all the pre-scheduled poll events.

According to the approved schedule and permissions in place, Gandhi and his team were to take off from Godda to fly to other locations across the state at 1.15 pm, he said.

However, their mode of travel, which was permitted to fly at 1.15 pm IST, has not been allowed to take flight. They have been informed that due to the protocol of other leaders in the vicinity, a no-fly zone restriction had been put in place. In fact, due to the said delay all subsequent programmes of Shri Rahul Gandhi (for which prior permission had been secured) is now either being delayed or cancelled," Ramesh said in his complaint.

We request your Commission to urgently intervene in this situation and ensure that the level playing field is not disrupted in such a manner.

If such a situation is allowed to prevail, then the ruling regime and its leaders can always take undue advantage of such protocols and limit the election campaign of opposition leaders," Ramesh said in his complaint.

In a post on X, Venugopal accused the Modi government of being brazen" and resorting to petty tactics" to stop Gandhi from campaigning.

The delay of nearly 2 hours in LOP Shri Rahul Gandhi Jis helicopter taking off (caused by the Air Traffic Control) reeks of the BJPs intention to deny the Congress a level playing field in these elections," Venugopal said, adding that the Congress has approached the ECI and will demand an explanation.

This mistreatment took place on Dharti Aaba Birsa Munda Jis jayanti, when Rahul Ji is in his birthplace Jharkhand to commemorate his contributions towards Adivasi rights.

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The Modi government is so brazen that it will resort to such petty tactics to stop Rahul Ji, who has for decades spoken for Adivasi empowerment and protecting the Constitution at all costs. The people of Jharkhand know very well the BJPs shameless attitude and will punish them on voting day," Venugopal said.

Congress leader and former Youth Congress chief B V Srinivas said, BJPs brazen tactics exposed! 2-hr delay in Rahul Gandhis helicopter takeoff on Birsa Mundas birthday due to ATC clearance is nothing but an attempt to stop him from campaigning." Rahul Jis long-standing fight for Adivasi rights & Constitution wont be silenced. Jharkhand, vote for justice," Srinivas said.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 20:51 IST
How Congress Leaders Dig At Kumaraswamy May Prove To Be Own Goal For Party In Channapatna Bypoll

Reported By :

News18.com

Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 12:46 IST

Zameer Ahmed Khans comment on Kumaraswamys appearance has rattled the Congress too, with Yogeshwar blaming him for losing support from the community

CP Yogeshwar faced not only Khans misstep but also the fierce backing of the JD(S) machinery for Nikhil. (X)

The last-minute leap CP Yogeshwar made from BJP to Congress for the Channapatna by-election looked like a calculated move, but the real blow came from unexpected quarters  his own Congress ally Zameer Ahmed Khan.

A visibly upset and almost-resigned Yogeshwar didnt hold back in blaming Khan if he loses the election. This by-election was critical for me. Khans statements may have been intended to gain votes, but they have caused us to lose votes as well," the five-time MLA and political heavyweight told News18.

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Just days before polling, Khan made a controversial remark targeting JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamys skin colour, calling him kalia" (black man) and accusing him of using Muslim votes as a political bargaining chip. This statement, intended as an attack on Kumaraswamy, backfired, alienating voters and rattling Yogeshwars campaign.

The party workers and supporters have been hurt by the statements made by a certain individual. It has affected the voters deeply; I can see it. Khans statements may have been with the intention of consolidating Muslim votes, but his statement has caused us to lose critical votes from another community. While trying to consolidate the Muslim votes in our favour, his words have hurt sentiments, and I think votes from other communities will be reduced due to that," said Yogeshwar, who was keen on winning his seat and, at one point, believed he would secure a big lead.

Khans remarks on Kumaraswamy were sharp. CP Yogeshwar did not go to JD(S) because kalia (the black man) Kumaraswamy is worse than the BJP. Mr Kumaraswamy is looking to buy Muslim votes after joining the BJP, but instead, all the Muslims will pool their money and buy your (Kumaraswamys) family."

Playing a purported audio clip through the microphone, where a man is heard saying there will be no votes from Muslims, Khan asked the crowd: Who is saying this? The kala (black) Kumaraswamy." The statement was shocking even to his party colleagues  Raheem Khan, former Bengaluru MP DK Suresh, and Yogeshwar  who stood beside him at the rally and exchanged glances.

Although Khan later regretted his remark and apologised, the damage was done, say insiders.

He is a minister and in a responsible position. Even in the moment, be it to energise the crowd or garner favour, this was not the way to speak. People have taken it seriously and if the party does lose the seat, one of the reasons would be Khans remark," said a Congress leader who sought anonymity.

Chief minister Siddaramaiah distanced himself from Khans remark, with other leaders condemning the statement. I do not approve of what Khan said. Such statements are not acceptable," Siddaramaiah said in an exclusive interview with News18.

Voters in Channapatna, especially those with deep respect for Kumaraswamy as a prominent Vokkaliga leader and the son of former prime minister Deve Gowda, saw the comment as a racist affront.

This is not the first time Khan has made remarks about Kumaraswamys appearance.

The clash between film actors-turned-politicians, Yogeshwar and Kumaraswamys son Nikhil, had already turned Channapatna into a political hotspot. With DK Shivakumar, the states deputy chief minister, also invested in flipping the constituency to avenge his brothers previous defeat, the stakes couldnt have been higher.

For Yogeshwar, the fallout was palpable; he had anticipated a tough race against Nikhil but hadnt foreseen the additional challenge of Khans controversial rhetoric.

Yogeshwar faced not only Khans misstep but also the fierce backing of the JD(S) machinery for Nikhil. HD Kumaraswamy, who vacated the seat after winning the Lok Sabha seat from Mandya, campaigned aggressively to ensure his son would reclaim it.

One factor has been Kumaraswamys campaign to ensure that only his family should win this election, along with the determination of senior leader Deve Gowda to secure my defeat. Deve Gowda has taken a promise from the people that his grandson must win the election against me. Kumaraswamy made it clear that people should choose only Nikhil. In this Vokkaliga-dominant seat of the Old Mysore region, they have worked to ensure that only the JD(S) would win, bringing in influential leaders from neighbouring constituencies to campaign for Nikhil," Yogeshwar said.

Khan, Karnatakas housing, Waqf, and minority affairs minister, is no stranger to controversy. Already under fire for his involvement in the Waqf land scandal, he stirred up further controversy last December during the election campaign in Telangana.

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In his address during a campaign rally, Khan boasted about the increased representation of Muslims in Karnatakas government, emphasising Congresss role in appointing UT Khader as the states first Muslim Speaker.

Today, BJP leaders join hands and salute before UT Khader (a Muslim leader) because of the Congress," he said. The statement went viral on social media, and BJP MLAs protested, demanding his dismissal.

Location : Channapatna, India

First Published: November 15, 2024, 12:46 IST
'Maati, Beti, Roti At Stake...': Shivraj Chouhan On Bangladeshi 'Infiltrators' In Jharkhand

Curated By :

News18.com

Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 20:18 IST

Like PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also said Bangladeshi "infiltrators" were the vote bank of the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha coalition

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also paid homage to tribal martyr Birsa Munda on his 150th birth anniversary. (Image: PTI/File)

This election is different for Jharkhand as maati, beti and roti (land, daughter and bread) are in peril because infiltrators" are grabbing jal, zameen and jungle from the tribals, said Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday.

Like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, both of whom invoked illegal immigration" from Bangladesh at their poll rallies in the state, Chouhan said these infiltrators" were the vote bank of the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha coalition.

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What did it mean when Congress leader Ghulam Ahmed Mir said if the Congress forms the government, it will give gas cylinders to infiltrators at Rs 450? This means that there are infiltrators present and these infiltrators are their vote bank" he said at a press conference.

#WATCH | Deoghar, Jharkhand | Union Minister & BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan says, "Infiltrators are grabbing 'Jal , Zameen and Jungle' of Tribals here. In this election, Jharkhand's 'Maati, Beti and roti' are at stake. What did it mean when Congress leader Ghulam Ahmed Mir pic.twitter.com/Z4ICL3iq6N ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) November 15, 2024

Chouhan, who is also the BJPs election incharge for Jharkhand, alleged that the Congress high command is yet to condemn the statement of its state incharge Mir that if voted to power, the party will provide domestic LPG cylinders to all citizens, including infiltrators".

He paid homage to tribal martyr Birsa Munda on his 150th birth anniversary, as well as other tribal icons such as Sidhu-Kanhu, Poto Ho and Phulo Jhano. These tribal leaders had made the supreme sacrifice to save jal, jungle, jameen (water, forest and land). But now, that land of tribal martyrs is in danger because of illegal infiltrators who were grabbing land and playing with the honour of tribal women," he said.

The BJP leader said adivasis became minorities in several villages in the Santhal Pargana region, including that of martyrs Sidho and Kanhu in Dumkas Bhognadih. It is a now or never situation. So, it is not an ordinary election, not to elect a new government, but an election for Mati, Beti and Roti which are at stake due to illegal infiltration," he said.

He said at the age of 15, Birsa Munda had sought the blessings of his mother to fight the forces engaged in grabbing tribal land, plights and atrocities committed on the community. Born in 1875 in present-day Jharkhand, Munda had challenged British rule and is credited with mobilising tribals against the empire. He died in British custody at the age of 25 years.

Referring to Mirs promise to give LPG cylinders at Rs 450 to even infiltrators", Chouhan stressed that it indicated the ruling coalitions admission about the presence of infiltrators in the state and they were being patronised by the Congress and JMM.

They have been blaming BJP for playing divisive politics but the fact was admitted by none other than Congress in charge of Jharkhand," he said.

He said he regretted that Mirs statement  made on Thursday (November 14)  was not yet condemned or denied by Congress leaders such as Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and its president Mallikarjun Kharge. No action was taken against infiltrators though the Special Branch had issued a circular cautioning the police about their activities, he alleged.

The Union minister alleged that leaders of the ruling coalition help the infiltrators from Bangladesh get government documents such as Aadhaar and voter cards as they use the foreigners as their vote bank, he claimed.

Are they not traitors? Is patronising and providing facilities to infiltrators a Congress agenda? Do they have rights to our mineral reserves? Did the Congress and JMM strike a deal with infiltrators to grab tribal land and play with the honour of tribal women?" he asked, adding that they should make their stand clear.

He expressed concerns over the fast-changing" demography and depleting" tribal population as part of the BJPs major poll plank infiltration in Santhal Pargana region. He alleged that the population of adivasis in Santhal Pargana has dwindled to 28 per cent as per government record from 44 per cent, while the situation was nothing different in Pakur and Sahibganj districts, where infiltrators became majority in dozens of villages.

If we do not stand by adivasis and moolvasis (non-tribal natives) today, the situation will turn grave. The situation is like Abhi nahin, toh kabhi nahin (It is now or never)," he said.

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Dozens of villages in Santhal Pargana is now known as jamai tola" as the infiltrators marry tribal women, encourage them to contest panchayat polls and grab panchayat bodies once these women win, he said. We will enact a law and take back Adivasi land grabbed by the infiltrators," he said.

(With PTI inputs)

Location : Ranchi, India

First Published: November 15, 2024, 20:18 IST
Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 23:38 IST

Congress has blamed the BJP for the nearly two-hour delay in Rahul Gandhis helicopter takeoff from Jharkhand.

Assembly Elections Updates: Amid high-decibel campaigning for the assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modis helicopter faced a technical issue at Jharkhands Deoghar Airport on Friday, delaying his return to the national capital.

The incident occurred as PM Modi was preparing to fly back to Delhi after completing his election campaign in Jharkhand.

Meanwhile, in Maharashtra, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke at a rally in Umarkhed, Yavatmal district, where he said Prime Minister Modi would amend the Waqf Act despite opposition from leaders like Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar, and Supriya Sule.

Modi ji wants to change the Waqf Board law, but Uddhav ji, Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule are opposing it, Shah said. Uddhav ji, listen carefully, you all can protest as much as you want, but Modi ji will amend the Waqf Act, he added.

With less than a week remaining, voting for the 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly will take place in a single phase on 20 November. Jharkhand completed the first phase of polling in 43 constituencies on 13 November, with the second phase scheduled for 20 November in the remaining 38 constituencies. Votes will be counted on 23 November.
Maharashtra Polls: Will Mahayuti Get Votes As Return Gift From Ladki Bahins?

Reported By :

News18.com

Edited By: Manjiri Joshi



Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 20:01 IST

Maharashtra elections ground report: News18 visited Thane, hometown of CM Eknath Shinde, to gauge the impact of the womens scheme

CM Eknath Shinde says the scheme is a cornerstone of Maharashtras development agenda. (Instagram)

The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme, launched by the Maharashtra government under the leadership of chief minister Eknath Shinde, has directly benefitted over two crore women across the state.

According to the government, with its focus on financial empowerment, education, and healthcare, the scheme has not only uplifted women, but also contributed significantly to the states socio-economic development.

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At its core, the scheme provides targeted financial assistance to women at different stages of life. Girls born into beneficiary families receive a fixed amount of financial aid to ensure their proper upbringing and education. This amount is further supplemented at various milestones, such as school enrolment, completing secondary education, and pursuing higher education. Women from economically weaker sections also receive financial support for self-employment and entrepreneurship.

For rural women, particularly those engaged in agriculture and small businesses, the scheme has proved to be a game-changer. It provides interest-free loans and subsidies to help them start or expand their ventures.

SillodThe Mukhyamantri  Maji Ladki Bahin Yojana was inaugurated today by CM @mieknathshinde. This is a permanent scheme to empower women economically & is a gift from the Govt to the sisters.Womens empowerment can make the country a superpower, stated CM @mieknathshinde https://t.co/1OsfqGigAu MAHARASHTRA DGIPR (@MahaDGIPR) August 2, 2024

CAN SUPPORT MY HUSBAND

News18 visited Thane city, the hometown of CM Shinde, to check the impact it has had on womens lives.

Madhuri Jadhav, 30, works as an assistant in an anganwadi. She lives in a small house, approximately 150 sqft, with her family. She has two daughters, and her husband works in a private bank. I was given the responsibility to fill the forms of women for this scheme as I work in an anganwadi. When I filled my form, I was not confident that financial help would come, and the same was the response of other women whom I asked for their documents. But just the day before Raksha Bandhan, I received the money along with other eligible women. I felt really happy. And then, I decided that I would utilise this money for my daughters."

Jadhav wants to use this money to teach her daughter self-defence and put teach the other one gymnastics. She is aware that with this minimal help, which so far all women have received, it is not possible to achieve every dream, but at least they can get closer to their dreams .

In the same vicinity lives Nikita Malekar, a homemaker who has been taking care of her family for 35 years. Her husband owns a small shop where he does tailoring work. Malekar, who has received Rs 7,500 so far under this scheme, has used some money for family expenses and invested the remaining amount to purchase a second-hand sewing machine. So far, my husband supported me; now, its my turn to support him. With this machine, I do small tailoring works which have helped me earn. I have a dream to have my own shop where I can take on bigger assignments of tailoring, design, and stitch good clothes."

Prime Minister @narendramodi honoured the beneficiaries of Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana and handed over the cheques to these beneficiaries, in Thane, #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/VKadla3s2e PIB India (@PIB_India) October 5, 2024

BIG HELP FOR SOME, A JOLT FOR OTHERS

Manikkama, a 58-year-old who lives in Dharavi, hopes every day that she will get an SMS informing her that money has been credited to her bank account under the scheme. But neither she nor her daughters have received it. Those who really dont want that money have got it, but many people like me who want such help badly have not got it," she said. Manikkama works as domestic help in two to three houses in the same vicinity and earns Rs 7,000-8,000 monthly. After the death of her husband 15 years ago, she raised her three daughters and one son all alone. People who have money wont understand the importance of this, and here I am struggling to manage household expenses. I felt very bad when my neighbours got the money, and I didnt. The government shouldnt do this. Now, I feel they must have done this keeping elections in mind."

For women like Shobha Chalke from Pen town in Raigad district, the scheme has proved to be a lifeline. Diagnosed with breast cancer, she has to travel to Mumbai for follow-up treatment. Shobha feels this small help takes care of her travelling to Mumbai from her town. My son and daughter-in-law have managed to raise Rs 5-6 lakh for my treatment and surgery, but every month when I had to travel to Mumbai, I used to feel bad to ask for money for travelling. They never said no, but even I am aware of our financial condition. But now I am using this money for travelling expenses and not putting an additional burden on them."

Delighted to interact with students, youngsters, beneficiaries of Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana and those Shramiks who built the Metro. pic.twitter.com/pa2cciFdKv Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 5, 2024

WHY NOW, ASKS OPPOSITION

Thanes Nationalist Congress Party (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad, however, questioned the timing of this scheme. Why was this scheme launched after the Lok Sabha election, in which Mahayuti lost seats in Maharashtra? They should have given jobs to these women and helped them stand on their feet in the real sense."

Mumbai MP Varsha Gaikwad also questioned the intentions. We are not against women getting money from the government, but from where are they getting this money? It is the money of other women who are paying taxes. What about womens security and safety? Why is this government silent on that issue? What about the 60,000 missing women from the state? Has this government taken efforts to find them? Merely giving this money to women wont fetch the votes, and the women of Maharashtra have also now become smart and know whom to vote for."

When we spoke to minister Aditi Tatkare, whose department, Women and Child Development, had initiated this scheme, she said: The opposition has no counter to such a scheme, which we had implemented on a large scale. We have given money to more than two crore women via DBT. Even if you see the promises made by these opposition parties, they are also saying that if they come back to power, they will increase the amount and give it to women which shows how solid this scheme is."

MORE TO COME: SHINDE

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Shinde says the scheme is a cornerstone of Maharashtras development agenda. When we empower women, we empower the entire society. The Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme is not just a welfare initiative; it is a commitment to the future of Maharashtra," he recently stated.

His government, Shinde says, will scale it further, with upcoming initiatives such as digital literacy programmes and partnerships with private organisations to boost employment opportunities for women.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 19:08 IST
'Marathi Manoos' Kharge: Why Congress President Is Main Face Of Party In Poll-Bound State

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 08:00 IST

Party sources said unlike in Haryana, where Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was not too involved in the campaigning, he was keen and insisted on becoming a part of the poll strategy for Maharashtra

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge naturally breaks into Marathi even during press conferences, where the state media turns up. (Image: PTI/File)

Maharashtra is close to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharges heart. And, why not? He speaks fluent Marathi and, in fact, during most of his campaign in the poll-bound state, he has largely spoken the language.

Kharge was also the Maharashtra incharge at one point, and not just this, he ensured that the partys foundation day was celebrated in Mumbai when he became the president in 2022. Also, sources said unlike in Haryana, where he was not too involved in the campaigning, he was keen and insisted on becoming a part of the poll strategy for the western state.

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So much so that he has held more rallies in the state than other Congress leaders, especially the Gandhis, who seem to be willing to let the party chief have his way. He naturally breaks into Marathi even during press conferences, where the state media turns up, and his ease with the language is an added advantage.

So, no surprises, that the poll battle here will be remembered as Kharge versus Yogi Adityanath. The rest of the party is comfortable with this.

No one else is stepping in to confront Adityanath as they know that the Congress president with his Marathi will be the best man to handle the situation, truly making this his moment. In past elections, the limelight was on senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

In fact, the BJPs failure to gain a simple majority in the Lok Sabha elections, and the relatively decent performance by the INDIA bloc was attributed to Rahul Gandhi. Many felt Kharge may have felt like a footnote.

But, Maharashtra is Kharges battleground and the Gandhis do not mind. Like NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar and, to a certain extent, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, the Congress president enjoys the gravitas, acumen and maturity of a politician.

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With his vast experience, he is a hardcore neta. And this state, with which he is familiar, is giving him a chance to emerge on his own. With this comes the responsibility too. A win would add to his stature and he knows it.

Which is why Kharges campaigning is aggressive, taking on the Uttar Pradesh chief minister, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and even Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His speeches are provocative as well, showing that he is not nervous. The Marathi cap or the Gandhi topi, as it is called, sits easy on his head for now.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 08:00 IST
PM Modi Announces Rs 6,000 MSP For Soybean: Vidarbha, Marathwada Farmers Relieved

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 12:05 IST

The rural economy in Maharashtra heavily depends on soybean trading, particularly during and after Diwali

The decision is being seen as a significant step to protect farmers from the volatility of market prices, (PTI File)

Providing relief to farmers in poll-bound Maharashtras Vidarbha and Marathwada amid their struggle with fluctuating market rates and adverse conditions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 6,000 per quintal for soybean.

Soybean, a key cash crop, is primarily grown ahead of Diwali, as it provides farmers with immediate liquidity during the festive season. The Vidarbha and Marathwada regions are particularly significant for soybean cultivation, with districts such as Washim, Buldhana, Akola, Amravati, Yavatmal, Wardha, Nagpur, Chandrapur, and Bhandara leading the production. Experts estimate that West Vidarbha alone annually produces soybean worth over Rs 7,100 crore.

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Earlier, the Maharashtra government had announced a financial aid of Rs 5,000 for distressed farmers to mitigate their losses. Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had also introduced the Bhavantar Yojana, a scheme ensuring farmers receive the price difference between the MSP and lower market rates directly in their bank accounts. While these measures had helped, the Prime Ministers announcement of Rs 6,000 MSP has led to optimism among soybean farmers.

SOYBEAN TRADING KEY

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The rural economy in Maharashtra heavily depends on soybean trading, particularly during and after the Diwali season. The increased MSP is expected to strengthen this cycle, ensuring better returns for farmers. A soybean farmer from Buldhana district said, This announcement has brought financial relief to us during the festive season. It gives us hope for a better future."

The combination of state-level schemes such as Bhavantar and the new MSP has rejuvenated both farmers and traders. The announcement has also raised expectations of higher open market prices for soybean. Traders are now recalibrating their plans to align with the governments interventions.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 12:05 IST
Presidents Rule Was Imposed in Maharashtra After 2019 Polls Due to Sharad Pawar, Claims Fadnavis

Reported By :

News18.com

Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 09:49 IST

The Maharashtra deputy chief minister said it was decided that Pawar will conduct a tour of the state and tell voters that though NCP and BJP fought elections against each other, they will come together to give a stable government. However, the deal fell through

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. (PTI)

Maharashtras deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has claimed that Presidents Rule was imposed in the state after the 2019 assembly elections due to a letter by NCP veteran Sharad Pawar, adding that the NCP had decided to join hands with the BJP but the deal fell through.

In an interview to a Marathi daily, Fadnavis said: After the 2019 election, when BJP could not establish a government due to lack of numbers, the Governor gave a call to the Uddhav Thackeray-led united Shiv Sena to assume power. However, they also lacked numbers as they had an alliance with us. It was then that two NCP leaders came to meet me and told me that their party wants to establish the government with us. A meeting was held in which Home Minister Amit Shah, Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel, and I were present and it was decided that we will form the government."

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He added: It was evident that the government should be formed before November 10, 2019, or Presidents Rule would be imposed. However, in the meeting it was decided that we should let the Rule be imposed and then form the government. Meanwhile, it was decided that Sharad Pawar will conduct a tour of the state and make a statement to the voters that though NCP and BJP fought elections against each other, they will come together to give a stable government. This was decided by Sharad Pawar himself in the meeting."

Revealing how Presidents Rule was imposed, Fadnavis said after BJP and Shiv Sena were unable to form the government due to inadequate numbers, the Governor called the NCP. But NCP suddenly decided that they will not form the government. Sharad Pawars letter, which he gave to the Governor, was typed in my office itself. When letter was sent to Pawar, he suggested a few changes in that. So, if Pawar is saying it was his game-plan of not getting Presidents Rule imposed in the state, it is false. In fact, it was his letter due to which Presidents Rule was imposed."

First Published: November 15, 2024, 09:49 IST
Wont Tell Marathas Which Party To Vote For In Maharashtra Polls: Manoj Jarange-Patil

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 15:35 IST

I am a warrior, not a politician. I don't want my fight to be politicised, so I stayed away from polls, says Manoj Jarange-Patil

Manoj Jarange-Patil says he doesn't trust any politician. (PTI File)

Manoj Jarange-Patil, 42, the face of the agitation for Maratha quota in Maharashtra, in an exclusive interview to CNN-News18, said that he wont tell any Maratha which party to vote for in the Maharashtra assembly elections.

I dont trust any political party. I wont tell any Maratha whom to vote for. I leave it to the people to decide who truly stands for our cause," he said.

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Explaining the rationale behind his decision to not contest the polls, after announcing that he would, Jarange-Patil said, I am a warrior, not a politician. Im not afraid of losing elections, but I dont want my fight to be politicised, so I stayed away from elections."

The leader, however, is confident of securing reservation for the community. I am 100% sure there will be Maratha reservationIf they dont give us reservation, we will resume our statewide agitation."

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, whose party is part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), has been speaking in support of reservation. Jarange-Patil, however, is unimpressed. I dont trust anyone. They all speak for the polls. I am a warrior, and my caste is important to me. I am ready to die for my cause."

MARATHAS, QUOTA & JARANGE-PATIL

From landowners to peasants to warriors, Marathas form 33% of Maharashtras population. Jarange-Patil, a farmer-activist from Jalna, emerged as a prominent voice in the movement, with his repeated hunger strikes bringing the issue to the fore.

Jarange-Patil wants Marathas to be classified under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, which would provide them with the benefits of reservation, so that the 50% limit is not breached and the move is not challenged in the Supreme Court.

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The OBC category already includes numerous communities that fear their existing share of the pie will shrink if Marathas are included.

After saying he would back 10-15 candidates in the November 20 polls, Jarange-Patil on November 4, the last day of withdrawal of candidature, backed out of the race.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 15:29 IST
Delhi Air Pollution: What Are The Restrictions As GRAP Stage III Takes Effect From Today?

Curated By :

News18.com

Edited By: Shilpy Bisht



Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 10:03 IST

Delhi air pollution: Construction and demolition halted, all non-essential mining activities suspended, non-electric, non-CNG, and non-BS-VI diesel interstate buses restricted, primary schools shut and classes shifted to online mode

The Commission for Air Quality Management noted that since November 13, Delhi's AQI had remained in the severe range, with forecasts indicating that it could stay at the higher end of the very poor category in the coming days. (PTI File)

As Delhi chokes in severe air quality, the government implemented Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage III measures from November 15 in which all construction and demolition work will be paused to begin with.

Delhis Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 409 on Friday, as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The city is under the severe category of AQI for the last three days.

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There are six categories of AQI, namely Good (0-50), Satisfactory (51-100), Moderately polluted (101-200), Poor (201-300), Very Poor (301-400), and Severe (401-500).

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) Sub-Committee, after an urgent review meeting on November 14, noted that since November 13, the AQI had remained firmly in the Severe range, with forecasts indicating that it could stay at the higher end of the Very Poor category in the coming days.

Let us look in detail what are the GRAP Stage III measures.

What Is GRAP?

GRAP is implemented as an emergency measure when deterioration of air quality reaches at a certain threshold.

The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for the National Capital Region (NCR) is classified under four different stages of adverse air quality in Delhi: Stage I  poor (AQI 201-300); Stage II  very poor (AQI 301-400); Stage III  severe (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV  severe plus (AQI >450).

The GRAP was first notified in January 2017 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. This was based on a plan that was submitted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in November 2016.

The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) was constituted through the CAQM Act, 2021, which came into force in the same year on April 13.

What Is Banned Under GRAP Stage III?

 Construction and demolition will be halted, all non-essential mining activities will be suspended, non-electric, non-CNG, and non-BS-VI diesel interstate buses will be restricted, and schools are suggested to shut till Class 5 in Delhi-NCR.

 The ban of plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers will be imposed from Friday and commercial vehicles will be banned from entering NCR.

 An increase in the mechanised sweeping of roads, as per CAQM orders. It also asked for an increase in water sprinkling on roads in hotspot areas, especially before peak traffic hours. The government has also urged Delhi residents to carpool and prefer using public transport as much as possible.

 The Delhi Metro will run an additional 20 trips (in addition to 40 already in place since GRAP-II was implemented) from today under Stage III of GRAP. The 60 extra trips will be performed by Metro on weekdays till GRAP-III remains in place.

What Steps Have Been Taken Under GRAP I And GRAP II?

Some measures already taken by the concerned agencies in NCR, which include:

 Mechanical/ vacuum sweeping and water sprinkling of the identified roads daily.

 Using water sprinkling along with the use of dust suppressants (at least every alternate day, during non-peak hours) on roads to arrest road dust, especially at hotspots, heavy traffic corridors, and vulnerable areas and proper disposal of dust collected in designated sites/landfills.

 Synchronising traffic movements and enhancing parking fees to discourage private vehicle movement.

 Using various media channels to inform people on how best to minimise polluting activities.

 Strict regulations on using and operating diesel gensets (DG sets)

 Use of public transport and minimise use of personal vehicles. Moreover, opt for a less congested route even if it takes slightly longer.

 Regularly replace air filters in automobiles.

 Avoid dust generating construction activities from October to January.

 Avoid open burning of solid waste and biomass.

What is Delhis Environment Minister Saying?

Gopal Rai said Delhiites are not solely responsible for the pollution problem. The NCR states and those adjacent to it are equally accountable. Therefore, if we want to reduce the pollution levels in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Central governments must work together," he said.

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Citing studies, Rai said contributions from surrounding areas play a significant role in Delhis pollution levels, with 30% of the pollution originating from local sources and 34% coming from the national capital region.

He also mentioned that the government would review all current action plans and campaigns and enhance enforcement efforts to prevent pollution levels from reaching emergency thresholds.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 09:55 IST
West Bengals New Tab Scam: How Are Criminals Siphoning Off Students Funds, What Is Govt Doing?

Curated By :

News18.com

Edited By: Shilpy Bisht



Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 14:54 IST

Nearly 107 complaints have been received by the Kolkata police in which students have said they never received the funds meant for the purchase of smartphones and tablets under the West Bengal governments 'Taruner Swapna project

At least 35 schools in South 24 Parganas districts have alleged that the funds meant for 400 students were diverted to different accounts. (Image: PTI File)

At least 100 students in West Bengal have fallen prey to the tablet funds scam", with several schools alleging that the funds allocated for the children have been diverted to other accounts.

The Kolkata Police have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the allegations of siphoning off funds meant for the tablet scheme started by the West Bengal government.

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The investigation has revealed that there have been instances of targeting the Taruner Swapno portal with the involvement of cyber cafes across the scam. In several cases the funds have been transferred to bank accounts outside the state.

Let us deep dive into the alleged scam, who are involved, who are the victims, and what is the government planning to do?

What Is The Tab Scam?

As part of the Taruner Swapna project, the tablet fund scheme was launched by the Mamata Banerjee government to disburse a sum of Rs 10,000 to the bank accounts of students in Class 11 and 12 to buy smartphones and tablets. Banerjee had announced the first tablet scheme on December 3, 2020, initially naming it Tablet Scheme 2021.

The state governments Taruner Swapno Scheme is aimed to bridge the digital divide among students of West Bengal by providing financial assistance to students to buy smartphones and tablets.

A one-time grant of Rs 10,000 is transferred into the bank account of students at higher secondary classes as part of the scheme. In the financial year 2024-25 the West Bengal government has allocated about Rs 900 crore for the scheme.

What Are The Allegations Against The Scheme?

Hundreds of students have alleged that they have not received the grant meant for the purchase of smartphones and tablets. The funds have been fraudulently transferred to someone elses bank accounts.

Similar allegations of fraud were made by authorities of at least 35 schools in South 24 Parganas districts where funds meant for 400 students were diverted to different accounts.

The Malda district police registered five more FIRs in allegations of tablet fraud.

The irregularities have come to the fore across multiple districts, with beneficiaries and government officials claiming wrongful fund diversion, double disbursement to certain accounts, or delay in disbursements.

In one instance, nearly 5,000 students from multiple state-run schools in Murshidabad district were allegedly sent the grant twice. In another instance, hundreds of beneficiaries in Purba Bardhaman, Purba Medinipur, Birbhum, and Malda alleged that they have not received the grant. While grant meant for seven beneficiaries of a school in Asansol in Paschim Bardhaman district were allegedly transferred and withdrawn from bank accounts in the Uttar Dinajpur district.

Till Thursday, out of the 107 complaints received, 10 cases were started by the Kolkata police.

What Does The Investigation Reveal About The Scam?

The police said funds have been found to be siphoned to bank accounts in other states like Bihar, Rajasthan and Jharkhand, and sometimes to other districts in West Bengal different from the domicile of the beneficiaries, according to a report by The Hindu.

An office of the Kolkata Police, quoted by The Telegraph, said a preliminary inquiry revealed that the fraudsters had hired multiple mule accounts. Account holders were given money between Rs 300 and Rs 5,000 to grant access to their bank accounts. Mule accounts are bank accounts that facilitate illegal transactions by receiving and transferring funds from unlawful activities, with or without the complicity.

Most of the mule accounts are located in certain areas of north Bengal, the police added. Most of the bank accounts where the money has landed are in Chopra, Islampur, Kishanganj and other places in north Bengal. The money has been withdrawn through ATMs within one to two hours of the transfer, said an investigator, quoted by The Telegraph.

Two persons, from Chopra in North Dinajpur, have been arrested in connection with the case.

According to the police, the scam is the handiwork of one person, the others are just accomplices. The investigators are also trying to figure how did the data of students, which was collected by the schools and sent to the office of the district inspector from there, got compromised.

What Is The Government Saying?

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee is on her first visit to Darjeeling in two years. West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu expressed hope that all those behind the fraud will be arrested. The National Informatics Centre has been asked to examine the situation and they have proposed an SoP to identify the hackers. No guilty person will be spared," he said on Tuesday.

West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant conducted a meeting on the issue at the State Secretariat with the District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police of several districts along with officials of the Education Department on Monday.

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Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said there is not a scheme in West Bengal where fraud has been executed by the supporters of the ruling party.

The tablet fraud comes at a time when the state government is facing allegations of irregularities in the school and municipal recruitments as well as fund embezzlement in the public distribution system (PDS). Former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee and former Food and Supplies Minister Jyotipriya Mullick are behind the bars for alleged involvement in school recruitment and PDS frauds.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 14:48 IST
Xi calls for upgrading practical cooperation between China, Peru

Xinhua) 20:28, November 15, 2024

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a grand welcome ceremony hosted by Peruvian President Dina Boluarte in Lima, Peru, Nov. 14, 2024. Xi on Thursday held talks with Boluarte in Lima. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

LIMA, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- China and Peru should improve and upgrade practical cooperation and continuously elevate their comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights to better benefit the two peoples, said Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday.

During talks with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, Xi noted that it is his third visit to Peru and the third time in one year that he had met with Boluarte, adding that many Peruvians gathered along the roadsides and waved their hands to greet him, making him feel the friendly sentiments of the Peruvian people towards the Chinese people.

China and Peru, both ancient civilizations, are endowed with wisdom and broad vision from their profound historical legacies, allowing them to clearly see the development direction of history, align with the trends of the times, and always adhere to equality, mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual learning, making China-Peru ties a model of solidarity and cooperation among countries of different sizes, systems, and cultures, he said.

Since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations 53 years ago, especially since his first state visit to the Latin American country in 2016, Xi noted that trade and investment cooperation between the two sides has grown rapidly under joint efforts, bringing tangible benefits to both peoples. The two sides should sum up experience, improve and upgrade practical cooperation and elevate the China-Peru comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights, so as to better benefit the two peoples, he said.

Xi called on the two sides to align their development strategies, dig deeper cooperation potential, create a new pattern of practical cooperation, strengthen trade and investment in parallel as "two wheels" driving both countries forward, advance traditional and emerging industries in parallel as "two wings" propelling them upward, and promote the integration of industrial and supply chains.

China is willing to further expand the import of high-quality specialty agricultural products from Peru, encourage competent Chinese enterprises to invest in Peru, and make due contributions to local development, he added.

Both sides should enhance cooperation in traditional areas such as minerals and energy, infrastructure, and transportation and communications, while also expanding cooperation in emerging sectors like digital economy, artificial intelligence, green shipping, electric vehicles, and the photovoltaic industry, he said, adding China stands ready to encourage Chinese enterprises to participate in Peru's infrastructure construction, promoting "hard connectivity" through infrastructure and "soft connectivity" through smart customs.

Chinese enterprises have overcome difficulties and completed the first phase of the Chancay Port project, fully demonstrating China's determination to engage in long-term strategic cooperation with Peru, Xi said, stressing China's willingness to work with Peru to fully leverage the location advantage of the Chancay Port, build a new land-sea corridor between China and Latin America with Chancay Port as a starting point, explore ways to establish a comprehensive, diversified, and efficient connectivity architecture that extends from coastal areas to inland areas, and from Peru to other Latin American countries, so as to promote the overall development and integration of Latin America and the Caribbean region.

He also mentioned that China supports the establishment of a sister-city relationship between the Chinese city of Suzhou and Chancay, is willing to exchange experience on industrial park construction with Peru, expand cooperation with Peru in such areas as cross-border services trade and e-commerce, and leverage cluster effects and synergies to generate more practical results to strengthen confidence in the long-term friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides.

China is also willing to establish local Luban Workshops and Chinese Language workshops in line with Peru's development needs and carry out vocational education cooperation to provide localized talents as well as intellectual and technical support for Peru, he said.

Xi stressed that the two sides should strengthen the exchange of governance experience, enhance strategic mutual trust, firmly support each other's core interests and major concerns, and deepen cooperation in such areas as combating corruption and illegal fishing.

He urged the two sides to shoulder the responsibility of the times of mutual learning among civilizations, advocate strengthening international dialogue among civilizations, and explore the establishment of a global network for dialogue and cooperation among civilizations.

The two sides should also strengthen the synergy of cultural policies and deepen exchanges and cooperation in culture, art, education and cultural heritage protection, he said, adding that China is willing to increase the number of scholarships for Peru, and raising hopes that young people of the two countries get to know each other and carry forward China-Peru friendship from generation to generation.

Noting that the Asia-Pacific economies are deeply integrated, Xi said that it serves the common interests of the Asia-Pacific family and the Global South to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, as well as maintain regional stability and prosperity.

Both China and Peru advocate multilateralism and oppose protectionism, he said, adding that China fully supports the work of Peru as the host of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, and is ready to work with all parties to ensure the success of the meeting and promote the building of an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future.

Xi said China is also willing to continue to strengthen communication and coordination with Peru under the framework of the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum and make positive contributions to the development of the relationship between China and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) countries.

Boluarte, for her part, warmly welcomed Xi's visit. Noting that Peru and China are two ancient civilizations, she said that a large number of overseas Chinese have made positive contributions to Peru's national construction in history, and the two peoples enjoy profound friendship and are friendly brothers and friends.

China has long been Peru's most important trading partner, and cooperation in various fields has achieved fruitful results especially since the two sides carried out Belt and Road cooperation, which fully demonstrates the firm commitment of the two countries to pursuing mutually beneficial cooperation and common development, she noted.

During Xi's visit, the two sides signed a number of key cooperation agreements, including a protocol on upgrading the bilateral free trade agreement, which will effectively promote further development of bilateral economic and trade relations as well as cooperation in various fields, Boluarte said.

In particular, the opening of the Chancay Port makes "from Chancay to Shanghai" a reality and becomes an important bridge between Latin America and Asia as well as a key engine for Peru's economic growth, which will strongly promote more efficient and convenient connectivity and trade between Peru and other Latin American countries, as well as China and even Asia at large, and push for sustainable development of the two countries and other regional countries, Boluarte said.

The Peruvian side welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in Peru and participate in cooperation projects in such crucial areas as infrastructure, resources and energy, and transportation, she added.

Boluarte reiterated Peru's firm adherence to the one-China principle, saying that Peru is willing to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges and cooperation with China, and strengthen their youth and personnel exchanges.

The Peruvian president thanked China for its important and valuable support for Peru's hosting of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. Peru adheres to multilateralism and looks forward to strengthening communication and coordination with China within APEC and other frameworks, so as to contribute to long-term peace, stability, development and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, she said.

Boluarte noted that Xi's visit will surely become an important milestone in bilateral relations, open up a new chapter in the comprehensive strategic partnership between Peru and China, enable the two peoples to jointly build and enjoy a lasting and more prosperous future, and promote the building of a community with a shared future between the two countries.

After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of a plan for Belt and Road cooperation between the two countries and the protocol on upgrading the bilateral free trade agreement, as well as the exchange of a number of bilateral cooperation documents in economy and trade, industrial investment, industrial parks, education and green development. The two sides also issued a joint statement on deepening their comprehensive strategic partnership.

Xi attended a welcome banquet hosted by Boluarte in the evening.

Cai Qi, Wang Yi and other Chinese officials took part in the events.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, accompanied by Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, inspects the guard of honor in Lima, Peru, Nov. 14, 2024. Xi on Thursday attended a grand welcome ceremony hosted by Boluarte and held talks with his Peruvian counterpart. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a grand welcome ceremony hosted by Peruvian President Dina Boluarte in Lima, Peru, Nov. 14, 2024. Xi on Thursday held talks with Boluarte in Lima. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a grand welcome ceremony hosted by Peruvian President Dina Boluarte in Lima, Peru, Nov. 14, 2024. Xi on Thursday held talks with Boluarte in Lima. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte in Lima, Peru, Nov. 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Zhong Wenxing)
Why New Zealands Youngest MP, Other Maori Leaders Protested In Parliament With A War Dance

Curated By :

News18.com

Edited By: Shilpy Bisht



Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 17:17 IST

Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, 22, performed Maori tribes traditional war dance called Haka in the New Zealand Parliament over a controversial bill that seeks to redefine their rights

New Zealand MP Hana-Rawhiti Kareariki Maipi-Clarke performs Haka in Parliament. (Image: @kelvin_morganNZ)

Something unprecedented happened in the New Zealand Parliament on Thursday. Lawmakers from the Maori indigenous community performed a traditional war dance to demonstrate their anger and fear over a bill that will redefine their rights.

When the speaker asked Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, how her party would vote on the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill, the 22-year-old MP stood up, tore the copy of the bill and started performing the traditional Haka dance in Parliament.

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She was joined in the Haka by other opposition leaders on the floor. Speaker Gerry Brownlee temporarily stopped the session. Maipi-Clarke, who was elected last year, was suspended for her protest, which Brownlee described as disrespectful.

Who Are The Maori In New Zealand?

The Maori belong to the indigenous tribe of New Zealand for centuries. The Maori arrived on large ocean-faring canoes and settled throughout Polynesia and New Zealand. Their culture reflects a deep connection to the land and ancestral spirits.

The Maori language, known as Te Reo Maori, is an important part of their identity and is still spoken by many Maori people today.

The Maori have a deep spiritual connection with nature and the land. They call themselves kaitiaki (guardians) of the natural resources. They believe in the concept of whakapapa, which means everything in the world is interconnected and has a genealogical link. Ancestors play a significant role in Maori culture, and their stories and traditions are passed down through generations.

Maori make up roughly 20% of New Zealands 5.3 million people. They experience material hardship, have worse health indicators and are incarcerated at much higher rates than the population at large.

There are six major ethnic groups in New Zealand: European, Maori, Pacific peoples, Asian, MELAA (Middle Eastern / Latin American / African), and Other ethnicity, according to a 2018 census.

What Is The Iconic Haka Dance?

The war dance holds immense cultural significance. The haka is performed with powerful synchronised movements, vocal chants, and intense facial expressions, and it is used to express emotions, convey messages, and welcome visitors, according to tribes.world.

The dance is a symbol of unity, strength, and resilience for the Maori tribe.

Despite facing challenges throughout history including colonization and cultural assimilation, the Maori are an integral part of New Zealands society.

What Is Treaty Of Waitangi That Maori Are Fighting For?

The treaty was signed in 1840 between the British Crown and more than 500 Maori chiefs, and is considered the founding document of New Zealand. It set out the terms of governance between the two parties. Its clauses continue to influence New Zealands laws and policies today.

The bill, introduced last week by a political party known as Act, a junior partner in the centre-right coalition government, said it wanted equal rights for all, thus, undermining the Treatys principles. The party argues that non-Maori citizens are being disadvantaged by policies designed to promote Maori rights and governance. This has already stoked racial tension in the country.

Although the bill passed its first reading with support from the National Party and New Zealand First, both coalition partners have said they will not back it in subsequent readings, making it unlikely to become law.

Protests Over The Bill

Around 10,000 protesters marched through Rotorua, about 450 km north of the capital, with some wearing traditional attire as part of a nine-day hikoi (march). They were met by crowds waving the Maori flag and chanting in support.

Thousands of people participated in the hikoi moving towards Wellington this week to protest against a controversial bill that seeks to reinterpret the countrys 184-year-old founding document.

The Treaty Principles Bill, which passed its first reading in parliament, will now proceed to a public submission process before the next vote. Its author, David Seymour, leader of the ACT party, argues that the proposal seeks to provide clarity on the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Who is Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke?

Maipi-Clarke sees herself as the protector of the Maori people and represents the voice of younger generation of voters in New Zealand.

She first gained attention after her election in 2023, where she performed the traditional Haka dance during her maiden parliamentary speech.

Both Maipi-Clarke and her father were considered candidates to represent Te Pati Maori in the elections. Eventually, she was chosen for her youthful perspective."

Notably, Maipi-Clarke has been quite vocal in her criticism of New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his conservative government, which has faced allegations of ripping apart Maori rights.

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Maipi-Clarke also supports incorporating Indigenous knowledge and practices in tackling climate change. Her activism is inspired by her grandfather, Taitimu Maipi, a member of the Maori activist group Nga Tamatoa.

Maipi-Clarke is from Huntly, a small town located between Auckland and Hamilton.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 17:09 IST
700 Kg Meth Seized In Anti-Narcotics Operation Off Gujarat Coast, 8 Iranians Arrested

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 16:00 IST

The operation against an international drug cartel was carried out by the Indian Navy, NCB and the Gujarat Police.

This is the second major successful joint Anti-Narcotics Operations by the Indian Navy at sea this year. (@indiannavy/X)

A joint operation by anti-narcotics agencies led to the seizure of about 700 kg of drugs and the arrest of eight Iranian nationals from Indian territorial waters off the Gujarat coast on Friday.

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) issued a statement, saying an operation codenamed Sagar Manthan  4 was launched based on intelligence inputs. A vessel was identified and interdicted by the Navy by mobilising its maritime patrol assets.

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#IndianNavy in a coordinated operation with @narcoticsbureau & Gujarat Police intercepted a suspicious boat leading to seizure of approx 700 kg of meth in Gujarat.This is the second major successful coordinated Anti Narcotics Operations at sea by the Navy this year.Committed pic.twitter.com/LcBEOkpJy7  SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) November 15, 2024

A huge consignment of about 700 kg of Methamphetamine was interdicted in Indian Territorial waters. During this operation, eight foreign nationals were arrested who claim to be Iranians, the NCB said.

The operation was carried out jointly by the NCB, Navy and Gujarat Police Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the operation stands out as a stellar example of the governments commitment to the vision and the seamless coordination among our agencies in achieving the same.

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Pursuing PM Shri @narendramodi Jis vision for a drug-free Bharat, our agencies today busted an international drug trafficking cartel and seized over approx. 700 kg of contraband meth in Gujarat. The joint operation carried out by the NCB, Indian Navy, and Gujarat Police stands Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 15, 2024

Pursuing PM Shri @narendramodi Jis vision for a drug-free Bharat, our agencies today busted an international drug trafficking cartel and seized over approx. 700 kg of contraband meth in Gujarat," Shah wrote on X.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 16:00 IST
Birsa Munda Jayanti 2024: Wishes, Quotes, And Messages To Share On Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 08:48 IST

Birsa Mundas birth anniversary holds special significance as the day is celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, or Tribal Pride Day.

Birsa Munda Statue at Khunti Road, Ranchi. (Image: Shutterstock)

The birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, a revered leader and freedom fighter, is celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas every year on November 15. The contributions of Birsa Munda to Indias tribal movement remain unforgettable. He is affectionately called as Bhagwan Birsa Munda by tribal groups of Jharkhand and Odisha. He was born on November 15, 1875.

Birsa Mundas birth anniversary is more than just a day of remembrance. Its a powerful reminder of a leader, who forever changed the course of Indias tribal movement and fought for their rights throughout his life.

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Known for his unmatched spirit and dedication, Birsa Munda championed the cause of indigenous communities, standing against injustice and oppression at a time when few dared to do so.

Today, as we honour his life and legacy, its an apt occasion to reflect on his dream of a society built on fairness, equality and respect for all communities.

His vision continues to inspire us to work towards a more inclusive world where every voice is heard and every right is protected.

On the occasion of his birth anniversary this year, lets take a look at his life, legacy, contributions and messages we can share to inspire others:

Who Was Birsa Munda?

Indias struggle for freedom saw countless people from various backgrounds rising against British rule, and among them was the remarkable tribal leader, Birsa Munda.

Hailing from the tribal regions of undivided Bihar (now Jharkhand), Birsa Munda, born in 1875, is revered as a symbol of tribal strength and resistance.

Often affectionately called Bhagwan by tribal communities, he became a powerful figure at a young age in mobilising the masses to fight against the British, addressing issues like land exploitation and forced conversion.

Though his life was short-lived, ending in 1900 while imprisoned in Ranchi jail, his impact on the tribal resistance movement remains immortal.

Birsa Mundas rallying cry for Ulgulan, or revolution, was a powerful pushback against British exploitation. His mission was clear: to prevent the confiscation of tribal lands by non-tribals, which led many to lose their livelihood and endure a harsh bonded labour system.

Birsas powerful call for Abua Raj Ete Jana, Maharani Raj Tundu Jana" (Let the queens rule end, and let our kingdom be established") resonated deeply, strengthening the tribal cause and building a sense of unity among indigenous communities.

This sentiment earned him the name Dharti Abba, meaning Father of the land.

Why Is His Birth Anniversary Celebrated As Janjatiya Gaurav Divas?

Birsa Mundas birth anniversary holds special significance as the day is celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, or Tribal Pride Day.

His contribution to protecting tribal traditions and rights left a profound impact, particularly in the Munda beltcovering Khunti, Tamar, Sarwada and Bandgaon in Jharkhand.

His rebellion against British policies and forced conversions also rekindled pride in tribal culture and traditions, uniting people against colonial oppression.

Acknowledging his role in the freedom movement, the Union Cabinet declared November 15 as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas in 2021.

This day is a tribute to Birsa Mundas legacy and a reminder of the sacrifices made by tribal leaders in the freedom struggle.

Wishes, Quotes, And Messages To Celebrate Birsa Mundas Legacy

Honouring the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, a true symbol of strength and empowerment for tribal communities. May his dream of a fair and inclusive society inspire us always.

Today, we remember Birsa Mundas birth, celebrating his role as a visionary and advocate for tribal rights. Lets commit to his ideals for a more just world.

Warm wishes on Birsa Mundas birth anniversary, the brave leader who stood up for indigenous rights. May his legacy of courage and justice continue to guide us.

As we mark Birsa Mundas birth anniversary, let us honour his pioneering efforts for tribal rights by striving for a society rooted in justice and equality.

Happy Birth Anniversary, Birsa Munda! Today, we pause to reflect on the legacy of this inspiring leader and renew our dedication to his values.

Remembering Birsa Munda on his birth anniversary, we acknowledge his vital role in the tribal rights movement and pledge to keep working towards an inclusive society.

Wishing a joyful birth anniversary to Birsa Munda, a true pioneer of tribal rights. May we honour his memory by promoting justice and empowerment for all.

Today, on Birsa Mundas birth anniversary, we reflect on his profound impact on the tribal rights movement and strive to carry his vision forward.

Happy Birth Anniversary, Birsa Munda! We celebrate this remarkable leaders life and reaffirm our commitment to justice and equality.

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Remembering Birsa Munda on his birth anniversary, we renew our dedication to the cause of tribal rights and justice that he so passionately championed.

Honouring the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, the iconic leader who left a lasting legacy in the fight for justice and equality. Lets strive to create a more inclusive world in his memory.

Location : Ranchi, India

First Published: November 15, 2024, 06:20 IST
COP29: India Pushes For $1.3 Trillion Annual Climate Finance, Stronger Action By Developed Nations

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 18:58 IST

India strongly asserted that bringing in elements of any new goal outside the Paris Agreements mandate is unacceptable, and ruled out any scope for negotiating the 2015 accord

The two-week-long UN Climate Conference continues in Baku, Azerbaijan, as delegates from nearly 200 countries negotiate a deal to finalise the next climate finance goal, the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), to replace the previous commitment of $100 billion per year. (Pic: UN Climate Change Conference)

India at COP29 drew attention to the devastating impacts of climate change on the Global South and called on developed nations to realise and fulfil their responsibility for stronger climate action.

Intervening on behalf of Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDCs) at the High-Level Ministerial on Climate Finance at the UN Climate Summit in Baku, India pushed for at least $1.3 trillion every year till 2030 to be mobilised by the developed countries through grants, concessional finance and non-debt-inducing support.

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This support must address the changing needs and priorities of the developing countries, without imposing any growth-restricting conditions on the provisions of finance, it emphasised.

Delivering the statement, Indias lead negotiator at COP29, Naresh Pal Gangwar, additional secretary in the ministry of environment, forests and climate change (MoEFCC), said this is vital for advancing towards COP30, where all parties are expected to submit their updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). What we decide here will enable all of us, particularly those in the Global South, to not only take ambitious mitigation action but also adapt to climate change. This COP is historic in this context," he added.

NCQG not an investment goal

Making its focus clear on the New Collective Quantified Goals (NCQG) on climate finance which is currently under negotiation, India asserted that it cannot be changed into an investment goal when it is a unidirectional provision and mobilisation goal from the developed to the developing countries.

India also stressed that bringing in the elements of any new goal outside the Paris Agreements mandate is unacceptable, and ruled out any scope for negotiating the accord. The Paris Agreement is clear on who is to provide and mobilise the climate finance  it is the developed countries," it stated.

The statement also made it clear that the developed nations must take the lead in climate action in view of their historical responsibilities and differences in capacities, underscoring the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities. The context of different national circumstances, sustainable development goals and poverty eradication, particularly with respect to the Global South, should not be lost sight of," it added.

Highlighting that transparency and trust are key to any multilateral process, India stated that there is no understanding of what comprises climate finance, and stressed the need for a meaningful definition of climate finance.

Performance of developed countries disappointing

India also reminded the rich nations of their previous commitment to jointly mobilise $100 billion per year by 2020, a deadline extended to 2025. The target was not just inadequate, the real amount mobilised has been even less encouraging, it stated, expressing disappointment over the performance of the developing countries in terms of their financial and technological commitments so far.

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The $100 billion was committed in 2009, 15 years ago. We have a common time frame for expressing ambitions every five years. There is a similar need in terms of climate finance. We are very hopeful that developed countries will realise their responsibility to enable enhanced ambitions and make this COP29 a success," the statement read.

The two-week-long UN Climate Conference continues in Baku, Azerbaijan, as delegates from nearly 200 countries negotiate a deal to finalise the next climate finance goal, the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), to replace the previous commitment of $100 billion per year.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 18:47 IST
Toxic Smog Chokes Delhi For 3rd Straight Day, New Timings Announced For Govt Offices

Curated By :

News18.com

Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 18:30 IST

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi said the staggered timings for government offices will be introduced in a bid to tackle traffic congestion and reduce pollution levels

An anti-smog gun being used to spray water droplets to curb air pollution, at Raisina Hills in New Delhi. (Image: PTI/Manvender Vashist Lav)

A toxic smog enveloped the skies while the air quality remained severe for the third consecutive day in the national capital, forcing the Delhi government to review work timings for its employees. Chief Minister Atishi on Friday said the staggered timings for government offices will be introduced in a bid to tackle traffic congestion and reduce pollution levels.

Under the new schedule, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) offices will operate from 8.30 am to 5 pm, central government offices from 9 am to 5.30 pm and Delhi government offices from 10 am to 6.30 pm.

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To reduce traffic congestion and associated pollution, Govt offices across Delhi will be following staggered timings:1. Municipal Corporation of Delhi: 8:30am to 5pm2. Central Govt: 9am to 5:30pm3. Delhi Govt: 10am to 6:30pm Atishi (@AtishiAAP) November 15, 2024

In a post on X, Atishi said the move aims to ease vehicular traffic during peak hours. On Friday, the citys air quality was in the severe category with an AQI of 411.

As the national capital recorded the worst pollution levels in the country, with the air quality being in the severe category for two consecutive days, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) imposed GRAP 3 measures.

106 Additional Buses, 60 Extra Metro Trips To Fight Air Pollution

As part of the GRAP-3 measures imposed, Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai said an additional 106 cluster buses will ply in the city while Metro trains will make 60 extra trips.

Rai said the air quality index (AQI), which has consistently crossed hazardous levels, led to the enforcement of GRAP-3. We are working to make GRAP-3 more effective in Delhi," he said during a press conference.

He held a meeting with officials from the MCD, public works department (PWD), transport, Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), Metro, and education departments to review and implement urgent measures.

The minister underlined that to reduce vehicular pollution, 106 new cluster bus services have been introduced. Among these, 40 buses have been specifically launched for government employees residing in different parts of the city to discourage the use of private vehicles. The routes will include key areas such as Nehru Place, Rohini, Dwarka, Janakpuri, Shahdara among others.

What Are The Other GRAP-3 Measures Imposed?

As part of the action plan, the Delhi government has banned the entry of non-CNG interstate buses into the city. Only electric buses and those running on CNG will be allowed. In addition, BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers have been prohibited.

A fine of Rs 20,000 will be imposed on those who breach the new rules and, to ensure enforcement, the transport department has deployed 84 teams with an additional 280 transport police personnel to monitor violations.

Road cleaning efforts will be enhanced with 65 dust suppression machines deployed by the MCD. Moreover, 200 mobile anti-smog guns will be used in three shifts for water sprinkling on roads, with designated drivers in each shift to ensure continuous operations.

The Delhi government is also taking steps to regulate construction activities, banning private construction and demolition works, and restricting non-essential work. Public and government services, however, will continue as usual.

Addressing the media, Rai urged residents to use a cycle for short distances, rely on public transport, carpool, and work from home whenever possible to help reduce pollution levels. If the air quality deteriorates further, he said emergency measures, including artificial rain, will be considered. We will seek support from the Centre if required," he added.

The GRAP for Delhi-NCR is divided into four stages of air quality  Stage 1 for poor AQI ranging between 201 and 300, Stage 2 for very poor AQI of 301-400, Stage 3 for severe AQI of 401-450 and Stage 4 for severe plus AQI more than 450.

Curbs under the third stage include a ban on non-essential construction and demolition and closure of stone crushers and mining activities in Delhi-NCR. Under the Stage-IV restrictions, all interstate buses from NCR states  except electric vehicles, CNG vehicles and BS-VI diesel buses  will be prohibited from entering Delhi, alongside a stringent ban on construction and demolition activities, suspension of mining-related activities, consideration of shifting to online classes for students up to Class V and daily water sprinkling on major roads.

Schools Up to Class 5 Go Online

All schools up to Class 5 in Delhi will switch to online learning till further directions. Due to rising pollution levels, all primary schools in Delhi will be shifting to online classes, until further directions," Atishi said on X.

ALSO READ | Delhi Schools Switch To Online Learning For Classes Up To 5 Amid Severe Pollution

The Directorate of Education (DoE) has asked the heads of all government, private, MCD and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) schools to discontinue offline classes for children up to Class 5.

All the heads of government, aided and unaided private recognised schools of the DoE, MCD, NDMC in Delhi are hereby directed to discontinue physical classes in schools for children up to Class 5," it said in a statement.

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The DoE has also instructed the heads of schools to ensure classes in online mode for students of these classes till further orders.

(With PTI inputs)

First Published: November 15, 2024, 18:30 IST
ED Seizes Rs 8.8cr From 'Lottery King' Santiago Martin's Office, Top Electoral Bond Donor

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 21:02 IST

The searches were carried out in multiple states as part of a money laundering investigation against the 'lottery king', officials said

Martin is regarded as the 'Lottery King' of India as he attained a position of leadership within the business through years of innovation and marketing. (Image: Martin Foundation Website)

The Enforcement Directorate on Friday seized Rs 8.8 crore in cash from the corporate office of Chennai-based lottery king Santiago Martin, officials said.

Martin was the single biggest donor to political parties with over Rs 1,300 crore in now-scrapped electoral bonds.

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The searches were carried out in multiple states as part of a money laundering investigation against the lottery king, officials said.

The action comes after the Madras High Court recently allowed the ED to proceed against Martin as the Tamil Nadu Police had decided to close the predicate or primary FIR against him and a few others and a lower court accepted this police plea.

Officials said at least 20 premises linked to Martin, his son-in-law Aadhav Arjun and associates in Chennai and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, Faridabad in Haryana, Ludhiana in Punjab and Kolkata in West Bengal were being searched as part of a comprehensive" action against his business empire.

A clutch of police FIRs have been taken into cognisance by the ED to initiate the latest action against Martin and his business network for lottery fraud" and illegal" sale of lottery. The agency searched him earlier too.

The federal agency last year attached assets worth about Rs 457 crore in a case against Martin linked to an alleged loss of over Rs 900 crore to the Sikkim government by fraudulent sale of the state lottery in Kerala.

Future Gaming Solutions India Pvt. Ltd. is the master distributor of Sikkim lotteries and the ED has been investigating Martin, known as lottery king in Tamil Nadu, since 2019.

Martin recently made news after it came to light through Election Commission data that his company (Future Gaming) was the largest purchaser of now-scrapped electoral bonds worth more than Rs 1,300 crore, between 2019 and 2024, meant for donations to political parties.

The Madras High Court last month allowed the ED case against Martin and his linked people to go on as it set aside a lower court order which had accepted a closure report filed by the Chennai Police crime branch in a case related to the seizure of unaccounted" Rs 7.2 crore from his Chennai home.

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His other companies include Martin Builders Pvt. Ltd. and Daison Land and Development Pvt. Ltd.

The ED had said earlier that these firms acquired" immovable properties worth Rs 19.59 crore from the loans and advances given by Martin and his family members.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 21:02 IST
How A 1951 Rolls Royce Ordered By Nehru Sparked A Royal Marital Dispute?

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 19:35 IST

The woman accused her husband of demanding the vintage Rolls Royce model ordered by Nehru for Baroda's 'maharani'.

An estranged couple reached the Supreme Court, where the woman accused her husband of demanding the vintage Rolls Royce. (Representative Image/AFP)

A 1951 model antique hand-made classic Rolls Royce car, a single model till date valuing more than Rs 2.5 crore at present and ordered by first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru for the erstwhile maharani of Baroda, has become a major bone of contention in a matrimonial dispute in the Supreme Court.

The dispute of the estranged couple has reached the apex court after the Gwalior bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court quashed a case lodged by the woman against her husband for alleged dowry demand and cruelty.

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A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan, which on Wednesday heard the plea of the woman through senior advocate Vibha Datta Makhija, asked both the parties to explore the possibility of settlement through mediation.

If both settle the dispute amicably then there is nothing like that," Justice Kant observed, and asked the parties to give one more try to settle the dispute.

It noted, Senior counsel/counsel for the parties jointly state that though mediation had earlier failed before different forums, however, it is worth trying under the aegis of the Supreme Court Mediation Centre to give one more opportunity to the parties for amicable resolution of their dispute." Considering Makhijas request, which was agreed to by the other side, the bench appointed senior advocate R Basant as a mediator.

We, accordingly, appoint R Basant, senior advocate and former judge of the High Court of Kerala to be the mediator. The parties may contact R Basant to fix a date for interaction, as may be convenient to all sides," the bench ordered and posted the matter for further hearing on December 18.

The woman, who is a permanent resident of Gwalior, claimed that she belongs to a highly reputed family whose ancestor was admiral in the navy of Chhatarpati Shivaji Maharaj and was declared ruler of Konkan region.

The husband belongs to a family which has an Army background and runs an educational institution in Madhya Pradesh.

The woman claimed that her estranged husband and his family had continuously harassed her with dowry demands of Rolls Royce car and a flat in Mumbai, a charge denied by the man.

For that the high court failed to consider that since inception the Respondent No. 1 & 2 had a mala fide intention of demanding the Rolls Royce car which is one of its kind and it is handmade by HJ Mulliner & Co. for Maharani Baroda Chimna Bai Sahib Gaekwad ordered on her behalf by first Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru and one flat in Mumbai.

When the demands of the respondents were not met, they started denying the marriage and making false and frivolous allegations against the petitioner and started assassinating her character," her plea said.

Assailing the high court order of December 5, 2023, she said in her petition,  it is clear that the respondent No. 1 (husband) and 2 (father of husband) have shown their fascination for the Rolls Royce car belonging to the father of the petitioner (woman) and in that context they expected to receive the said car in gift and with regard to flat at Mumbai and non-fulfillment of this dowry demand was precisely the reason for not taking petitioner to her matrimonial home." The husband has lodged a case of cheating and forgery against her estranged wife, her parents and relatives in preparation of marriage certificate, while the woman lodged a case for dowry harassment and cruelty. Her FIR was quashed by the high court terming it as an afterthought.

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The woman in her plea said, The aforesaid dowry demand was exorbitant; the petitioners family was not in a position to fulfill the same; besides this there is no custom of giving dowry in the family and community of the petitioner. Therefore, the said demand of dowry was not conceded by the parents of the petitioner and the message was clearly conveyed to the respondents family." The husband in reply doubted the sanctity of marriage between the two that took place April 20, 2018 at Rishikesh in Uttarakhand and said, The whole occasion was treated as a symbolic marriage required for astrological reasons as per the petitioners family guru. Parties have not stayed together for a single day as man and wife." He, in his reply filed through advocate Anshuman Srivastava, said till date the parties have not cohabited and the purported marriage remains unconsummated.

The husband claimed that the woman fraudulently" got the purported marriage between the parties registered at Gwalior and denied ever demanding the Rolls Royce car and a flat in Mumbai as dowry.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 19:35 IST
Jharkhand Foundation Day 2024: Wishes, Quotes, And WhatsApp Status To Share With Loved Ones

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 10:27 IST

Jharkhand Foundation Day 2024 (Jharkhand Sthapana Diwas): The day commemorates the founding of Indias 28th state. The state was a part of Bihar before the Bihar Reorganisation Act of 2000.

Jharkhand Foundation Day 2024: Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha at Dhurwa, Ranchi. (Image: Shutterstock)

Jharkhand Foundation Day Wishes and Quotes: The state of Jharkhand honours its foundation every year on November 15. Jharkhand Foundation Day commemorates the founding of Indias 28th state. The state was a part of Bihar before the Bihar Reorganisation Act of 2000. The state is currently made up of the forests of Santhal Pargana and Chhotanagpur Plateau. The day holds particular significance in Indian history because it also marks the anniversary of the birth of Birsa Munda, also known as Bhagwan Birsa, a tribal leader.

Jharkhand Foundation Day History

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Jharkhand, also referred to as the land of forests," is endowed by nature with a wealth of mineral resources. With 29 per cent of the territory covered by forests and woodlands, it has the highest forest occupancy rate of any Indian state.

Here are some wishes, status, and quotes to share with your loved ones:

Jharkhand Foundation Day Wishes

On this Foundation Day, we wish the beautiful state ongoing success and growth. Cheers to togetherness and development!

Let the spirit of togetherness and progress continue to shine brightly in the coming years.

The spirit of Jharkhand is being celebrated on its foundation day. May peace, prosperity, and cultural diversity abound in the state.

Tradition and advancement are interwoven in Jharkhand. Happy Foundation Day to everyone who has helped make it such an amazing trip!

Lets honour the states resilience and strength on this momentous anniversary.

Warm regards to the states citizens. May the state have wealth, advancement, and peace.

Happy Foundation Day to Jharkhand, the thriving land! May the spirit of unity and cultural diversity flourish.

A state as diverse as its terrain. Best wishes to the wonderful people who make it extraordinary!

May the vibrant colours of the states rich heritage inspire a thriving future.

May the state thrive with a harmonious balance of heritage and modernity.

Jharkhand Foundation Day WhatsApp And Facebook Status

Heres to the land of trees, many cultures, and thriving customs. Wishing everyone a great Jharkhand Foundation Day!

Freedom of thought, strength of speech, purity of blood, pride of soul, and zeal in our hearts. Let us salute the spirit of Jharkhand.

The Constitution granted us faith, liberty, tranquilly, and pride. So, let us celebrate the day it was formed and wish you a happy Jharkhand Day with joy.

May the vibrant colours of the states rich heritage inspire a bright and successful future.

Happy Jharkhand Day to all of you. Lets get up and shine. Greetings on Jharkhand Day 2024.

Jharkhand Foundation Day Quotes

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Let the kingdom of the queen be ended and our kingdom be established."  Birsa Munda.

Jharkhand is synonymous with bravery and compassion."  PM Narendra Modi.

You said that tribals would take decisions themselves on issues related to water, forest, and land. Tribute to the tribal leader and great freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda."- Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

May the spirit of unity and progress continue to flourish in the years ahead.

Jharkhand is a land of pilgrimage, beauty, and diverse culture. Happy Jharkhand Day!

On this day, let us appreciate the States strength and tenacity.

May the state thrive with a great balance of heritage and modernity.

We send our sincere congratulations to the people of Jharkhand. Happy Jharkhand Foundation Day 2024, everyone!

Location : Ranchi, India

First Published: November 15, 2024, 06:10 IST
64-Year-Old Maharashtra Woman Sweet-Talks Other Elderly, Robs Them Off Valuables; Arrested

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 13:26 IST

A senior citizen was arrested in Bhayandar for scamming and robbing other elderly citizens of their jewelry, using fabricated stories to gain their trust.

A representative image of Maharashtra Police (PTI)

A 64-year-old woman, also a history-sheeter, was arrested from Maharashtras Bhayandar on charges of theft by scamming other fellow senior citizens and robbing them of their jewellery.

According to a report with Mid-Day, the woman was identified as Geeta Patel and had at least 10 cases registered against her by others between the age of 65 to 80. The report also claimed the woman had spent several months behind bars earlier.

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A recent complaint against her was lodged by an 80-year-old resident of Borivali on November 13.

The report quoted the police and stated Patels modus operandi included approaching senior citizens who were seen wearing gold chains, bracelets, and other such things. She then used to fabricate stories to gain their attention and sympathy. Once offered help, she would snatch their jewellery often by hugging them on the pretext of expressing gratitude.

In his complaint, the Borivali resident claimed he met Patel at the Eksar Talav Road, where she told him that her husband ill-treated her under the influence of alcohol.

She then took him to a nearby building, saying she lived there and wanted to show him her living conditions.

The complainant claimed Patel attempted to remove his gold chain from his neck while they were at the apartment.

However, as he caught her red-handed, the complainant said he pushed her away, after which Patel allegedly attempted to strangle him.

The complainant further mentioned he called out for help after which a resident of the building intervened and apprehended Patel.

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Subsequently, the police were informed, the report stated.

Further investigations were underway.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 12:22 IST
NCB Seizes 80 Kg Cocaine In Delhi, Amit Shah Lauds 'Unwavering Resolve' For Drug-Free Bharat

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 22:17 IST

The cocaine was seized from Janakpuri and Nangloi areas of the national capital on Thursday and was estimated at Rs 900 crore.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the government's hunt against drug rackets will continue ruthlessly. (Image: PTI/File)

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has confiscated more than 80 kg of cocaine worth around Rs 900 crore in the national capital, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday and asserted that the governments hunt against drug rackets will continue ruthlessly".

Two people, residents of Delhi and Sonipat, were arrested in the case.

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The high-grade" party drug was seized from the Janakpuri and Nangloi areas of the national capital on Thursday, NCB Deputy Director General (Northern region) Neeraj Kumar Gupta said.

The cocaine seizure came on a day when a joint operation by the NCB, the Navy and the Gujarat ATS led to the confiscation of about 700 kg of methamphetamine along the Gujarat coast.

This operation on the sea also saw the arrest of 8 Iranian nationals.

The back-to-back major breakthroughs against illegal drugs in a single day demonstrate the Modi governments unwavering resolve to build a drug-free Bharat. The NCB today confiscated 82.53 kg of high-grade cocaine in New Delhi," Shah posted on X.

The back-to-back major breakthroughs against illegal drugs in a single day demonstrate the Modi governments unwavering resolve to build a drug-free Bharat. The NCB today confiscated 82.53 kg of high-grade cocaine in New Delhi. The massive drug consignment worth approximately Rs Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 15, 2024

The massive" drug consignment is worth about Rs 900 crore and it was tracked down by a bottom-to-top approach" after a quantity of drugs was seized in a courier centre in Delhi, he said.

Our hunt against drug rackets will continue ruthlessly," the minister added.

In line with Honble Prime Ministers vision of a DRUG FREE INDIA, and under the guidance of Honble UHM, NCB has made a major breakthrough by seizing 82.53 Kg of high-grade Cocaine in Delhi NCR. This achievement is a result of thorough efforts and leads from previous operations https://t.co/Ru49OSrX6d NCB INDIA (@narcoticsbureau) November 15, 2024

He congratulated the federal anti-narcotics agency on this major success of seizing the cocaine consignment.

Gupta said the latest seizure of cocaine came after the agency worked on the leads generated" from two earlier recoveries of the same drugs made from Delhi in March and August.

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The initial recovery of cocaine (in the earlier months) was made from a courier shop in Delhi and these drugs were meant to be sent to Australia, he said.

The persons involved in the latest case of seizure of cocaine are mainly Hawala operators and they did not know each other, the NCB officer said.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 22:17 IST
On Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, Throwback At PM Modis Journey With Tribal Communities

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 16:13 IST

Modi Archive, a popular social media handle on X, shared instances of the prime ministers close and personal interaction with tribal communities, elaborating how the experiences helped him understand the latter's struggles

Narendra Modis early years were marked by extensive travels on foot, bicycle, and motorcycle through remote tribal areas. (X @modiarchive)

Prime Minister Narendra Modis tribal outreach and efforts to uplift the community are no secret. On Friday, the prime minister paid tributes to Bhagwan Birsa Munda on his birth anniversary, which is commemorated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas and celebrated on November 15 since 2021 to honour the sacrifices of tribal freedom fighters.

In a statement, the Prime Ministers Office said that during his visit, Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 6,640 crore aimed at uplifting tribal communities and improving infrastructure in rural and remote areas of the region.

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Meanwhile, Modi Archive, a popular social media handle on X, shared instances of the prime ministers close and personal interaction with tribal communities, elaborating how the experiences helped him understand the struggles of tribal communities and inspired him to work for their inclusive growth.

Narendra Modis early years were marked by extensive travels on foot, bicycle, and motorcycle through remote tribal areas. Today, as we mark #JanjatiyaGauravDiwas, we reflect on the many experiences that helped him understand the struggles of tribal communities first hand and pic.twitter.com/OGoSUYUldK Modi Archive (@modiarchive) November 15, 2024

Narendra Modis early years were marked by extensive travels on foot, bicycle, and motorcycle through remote tribal areas," the handle said, listing several incidents of his experiences with the tribal communities across the country.

A CHILDS HUNGER

PM Modi once visited the hut of a Swayamsevak who lived with his wife and young son. The Swayamsevaks wife offered him half a bajra roti with a bowl of milk in a gesture of hospitality. Modi noticed the childs gaze was fixed intently on the milk and quickly understood his craving. Having already had his breakfast, Modi ate just the roti with water, leaving the milk untouched. The child eagerly drank it all in one go, a sight that moved Modi to tears. In that moment, he realised the deep reality of poverty and hunger in his country.

12 DAYS, 50 BOOKS

A young Modi once gave a speech so impactful that businessmen offered blank cheques for tribal welfare.

In the early 1980s, as the foundation of the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram was being laid in Ahmedabad, a fundraiser was planned to support tribal welfare. Invitations went out to the citys influential business community, urging them to contribute.

Among the speakers was a young Narendra Modi, who took the stage and delivered a powerful 90-minute speech on the importance of tribal development. Speaking with a passion and conviction that touched every heart in the room, Narendra Modis words were so moving that many businessmen offered blank cheques as donations, fully trusting his vision.

In just 12 days, Modi had immersed himself in over 50 books on tribal challenges, equipping himself to articulate these issues well.

MARUTI KI PRAN PRATISHTHA

In 1983, a journey to South Gujarat brought Modi face-to-face with the plight of tribals in Dharampur. Their struggles inspired him to pen a heartfelt poem Maruti ki Pran Pratishtha".

Narendra Modi, then in RSS, was invited to participate in the pran pratishtha of a Hanuman temple in South Gujarat. The drive was long, and no soul was in sight for kilometres at a stretch. On his way to the village, he noticed the tribals of Dharampur who were surviving on measly resources. Their bodies had turned black. Witnessing this scene for the first time in his life, Modi was deeply affected. On his way home, he wrote a poem titled Maruti ki Pran Pratishtha" about the state of the tribals and their struggles.

In Dharampur, several Hanuman temples, including Bhava Bhairav Temple, Panwa Hanuman Temple, Badi Faliya, and other local temples, are worshipped by the tribal community to date.

It is known that Narendra Modi used to visit the Dharampur forest along with his Vanbandhu friends, where they would install idols of Bhagwaan Hanuman and build small temples.

WHY IS BHARAT NOT PROGRESSING?

In a powerful speech from 1985, Modi questioned why India, rich in resources, was still grappling with poverty and underdevelopment after 38 years of Independence. Highlighting the challenges of tribal and marginalised communities, he called for introspection and action.

We have a rich manpower resource. We are not behind in natural resources as well. Despite all efforts, the question repeatedly arises in our minds: Why is our country not progressing? Why are we unable to stand with pride before the world? Once, we attributed this condition to the lack of independence, believing that our suffering was due to colonial rule. But now, even with freedom, our challenges persist 38 years later too."

LESSONS FROM SHABRI AND SHRI RAM

Inclusivity and equality have been timeless virtues and what better way to emphasise it than through our cultural examples, Modi thought.

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In an audio recording from 2000, Modi discusses social inclusivity, using the story of Lord Ram, specifically mentioning the Vanar Sena and Mata Shabari. Even today, Narendra Modis message on social inclusivity using cultural heritage remains consistent.

Society exists amidst high and low differences and is governed by the values of the untouchables and the touchables. Therefore, there is a specific need not to teach the Ram-Bhakti of Shabri, but the Shabri-Bhakti of Shri Ram."

First Published: November 15, 2024, 12:03 IST
Chennai: 2 Children Die After Pest Control Service Turns Deadly, Parents Critical

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 12:48 IST

Police said the family was facing a rat infestation at their apartment in Chennai's Kundrathur area and called in a pest control service to eliminate it

The children died at a hospital in Chennai's Kundrathur area on November 14. (Image for representation: News18)

A pest control service in their apartment turned deadly for a family of four as two children, aged six and one, died and their parents are critical at a hospital.

According to reports, the family inhaled rat poison, or rodenticide, strewn inside their house during the treatment on November 13 (Wednesday). The children died without responding to treatment at a hospital in Kundrathur area on Thursday afternoon (November 14) while their parents are at a private hospital in Porur and expected to recover, as per doctors.

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Giridharan (34), a banker, and his wife Pavithra (31) lived at an apartment in Kundrathur with their children G Vaishnavi (6) and G Sai Sudharshan (1). Police said the family was facing a rat infestation in their house and called in a pest control service to eliminate it.

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Police further said the pest control service came to the apartment and placed chemicals in the form of powder and tablets throughout the house. On Wednesday night, the four of them went to sleep in one of the bedrooms where the chemicals were placed. They switched on the AC in the room and went to sleep. Around 3am on Thursday, Giridharan woke up feeling uneasy and had trouble breathing. He called one of his friends and asked him to take the family to a hospital," a police officer told The New Indian Express.

The odour was not strong enough in the beginning to detect if anything was amiss, but it built up during the night when the family was asleep, police said. The two employees who came to provide the service have been booked and an investigation is underway, they added.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 12:33 IST
Union Home Ministry Approves First All-Women Battalion In CISF

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 17:03 IST

The addition of a "Mahila Battalion" would encourage more aspiring young women across the country to join the force and serve the nation, a CISF official said

First-ever all-women CISF battalion has been sanctioned by the Union government. (Representational/ PTI Photo)

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the establishment of the first all-women battalion of CISF, aimed at enhancing womens role in the central forces.

Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been a preferred choice for women who wish to serve the nation, constituting over seven per cent of the force at present.

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The addition of a Mahila Battalion" would encourage more aspiring young women across the country to join the force and serve the nation, a CISF official said on Friday. It will give a new identity to women in CISF.

The CISF headquarters has started preparations for the early recruitment, training and selection of locations for the headquarters of the new Battalion.

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The training is being specially designed to create an elite Battalion capable of performing multifarious roles as commanders in VIP security and also security of airports and Delhi Metro Rail duties.

The proposal for the creation of all-women battalions in the Force was initiated in pursuance of the direction of the Union Home Minister on the occasion of the 53rd CISF Day function.

Location : Chandigarh, India

First Published: November 15, 2024, 17:03 IST
After Malaika Arora, Samantha Prabhu Lets Her T-Shirt Do The Talking

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 18:22 IST

Celebrity inspired T-shirts with quirky messages are big this season. Heres a low down on whose T-shirt said what.

Malaika Arora (left) and (right) Samantha Prabhu

Fashion is a way to express and celebrities are having a lot of fun with it. Recently, Malaika Arora sported a classic white tee featuring typography that read: Im boring baby, all I do is make money & come home. Malaikas casual tee is definitely a favourite and can be included as a wardrobe necessity to ward off trolls.

Thats one way of speaking your mind and Malaika did just that when she posted a video wearing the quirky tee on Instagram. Following suit, riding high on the success of Citadel: Honey Bunny, Samantha Prabhu was spotted at the airport looking comfortably chic in a white tee flaunting a message that read: I LIKE YOU BUT I LIKE ME MORE. She paired the casual tee with a pair of classic blue jeans.

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View this post on Instagram A post shared by yogen shah (@yogenshah_s)

Its a perfect way to speak your mind and that too in style. Being a celebrity can be tough, especially when you are scrutinized every step of the way. While making a statement each time you are questioned about your choices can be annoying, saying it in style with your fashion choices can be a fun option.

We dont know the reason behind Malaika and Samanthas quirky T-shirt messages, but we definitely can relate to it. T-shirts are a cool and stylish way to speak your mind or just a way to have some fun with quirky texts. But why stop at T-shirts?

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Malaika Arora (@malaikaaroraofficial)

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In the past, fashion designers have spoken their minds through their collections and runway shows. Recently, the creative students of Pearl Academy showcased Not Yours a collection at Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI at the Delhi Edition in October 2024. The collection carried a powerful message raising awareness against societal atrocities and empowering women to voice their demands for justice. The students skillfully integrated traditional Indian textiles and crafts, presenting them through a unique and contemporary lens. Some of the statement pieces featured typography texts such as No More Drama.

Similarly, actors such as Kareena Kapoor Khan and Sonam Kapoor among others have celebrated typography in their couture ensembles. Remember the iconic Bebo saree by Picchika or the controversial pink Everything is AK-Ok lehenga set adorned by Sonam? Well, history is made when fashion speaks your mind.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 15, 2024, 18:19 IST
Celebrity Makeup Artist Patrick Ta Talks Contouring, Confidence And All Things Beauty | EXCLUSIVE

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 16:49 IST

Patrick Ta talks about his journey, inspirations, and the secrets he has to create his iconic makeup, which has led to him redefining Hollywood radiance and establishing a globally acclaimed beauty company.

Patrick Ta shares his secrets for a class look for the red carpet and the strength of natural beauty.

From creating dazzling red-carpet transformations for stars like Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner to establishing his luxury brand Patrick Ta Beauty, Patrick Ta has redefined the art of glamour. At Nykaaland in Mumbai, Ta captivated beauty enthusiasts with his insights into empowering makeup techniques and shared the philosophy behind his signature skin-first approach. Known for his mastery in contouring, highlighting, and creating viral trends, Ta revealed secrets that celebrate individuality and confidencequalities that resonate through his work and brand.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nykaaland (@nykaaland)

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Excerpts from the interview:

It is incredibly encouraging to hear about your path from being a first-generation Vietnamese American to being a well-known makeup artist. What first piqued your interest in beauty, and how did that influence your professional path?

Thank you! Growing up as a first-generation Vietnamese American, I didnt always see people who looked like me in the mainstream beauty world, which made it hard to see where I could fit in. But I was always fascinated by the transformative power of makeup and how it could make people feel confident and express themselves. My interest truly sparked when I saw how makeup could change a persons energy and even their presence, which felt inspiring to me. That realization became a big part of my journeydiscovering that beauty was about much more than appearance; it was about empowerment. I knew I wanted to create that kind of experience for others, and that vision has guided me throughout my career.

At its inception, Patrick Ta Beauty aimed to empower people to feel confident in their own skin. What motivated you to establish your brand, and how do you make sure that your customers are drawn to your offerings?

Creating Patrick Ta Beauty was all about filling a gap I felt existed in the industryproducts that not only delivered on quality but also spoke to the diversity of beauty and the power of confidence. Every product has to feel luxurious yet approachable. Feedback from clients, fans, and the community is also incredibly valuable. They inspire the direction of each new launch, ensuring the brand continues to feel fresh and authentic.

Your creative methods have established trends in everything from daring red carpet looks to social media sensations. Could you share any beauty secrets or tenets that you adhere to?

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Makeup Artist Patrick Ta  (@patrickta)

One of my main beliefs is that skin should look like skin. My approach always starts with enhancing the natural beauty of someones features rather than masking them. A great example is my love for cream-based products, which I think blend seamlessly to create a more natural, skin-like finish. Another secret is layering textures, like using cream blush topped with powder blushthis gives dimension and a long-lasting effect. I also believe that less is often more; focusing on one feature, like a bold lip or a soft, smoky eye, makes a bigger impact than trying to highlight everything at once.

Nykaaland is a very popular event for those who love beauty. What were you most looking forward to teaching during the masterclass at the event, and what could participants gain from you?

Nykaaland is such an exciting opportunity! I was really looking forward to connecting with beauty enthusiasts and sharing techniques that can elevate anyones makeup game, no matter their skill level. My goal was for participants to walk away with techniques they can use every daythings like perfecting a glowing complexion or mastering contour and highlighting for their face shape. I also wanted to share the why" behind my techniques, so they understand how to adapt them to their own features. Its all about empowering people to feel confident in their own unique beauty.

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The beauty business is a dynamic one. How can you make sure your work feels new and transformational while staying ahead of trends?

The beauty industry moves fast, and staying ahead requires constantly looking for inspiration, whether from fashion, art, or even nature. I also make it a point to stay engaged with my audiencethey are always on the pulse of whats new and exciting. Another essential part of staying innovative is being open to experimenting with new textures, colours, and techniques in my work. By blending classic techniques with new ideas, I try to create looks that feel timeless yet modern. Its all about respecting the fundamentals of beauty while pushing boundaries and adapting to what people are excited about next.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 16:49 IST
How To Tell The Difference Between Real And Fake Rudraksha?

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 16:29 IST

Various types of Rudraksha, such as Panchmukhi and Ekmukhi Rudraksha, are available in the market, and most of them come from Nepal

The card that accompanies each Rudraksha serves as a guarantee and proof of lab testing. (Local 18)

There are many Rudrakshas available in the market, but it can be difficult to determine whether they are real or fake. Often, people end up purchasing fake Rudrakshas, believing them to be original. To avoid this mistake, know how one can identify whether the Rudraksha is fake or original.

The Rudraksha maala is most commonly associated with Lord Shiva. Various types of Rudraksha, such as Panchmukhi and Ekmukhi Rudraksha, are available in the market, and most of them come from Nepal.

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How to Identify Real Rudraksha

The card that accompanies each Rudraksha serves as a guarantee and proof of lab testing. A barcode is included on the card, which, when scanned, provides complete information about the Rudraksha, such as its weight in grams.

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In an interview with Local 18, vendor Shubham mentioned that all the Rudraksha he sells is sourced from Nepal and undergoes lab testing in Haridwar before being sold. He ensures that only thoroughly verified Rudrakshas are offered to customers.

If you are looking for authentic Rudraksha, you can visit Shubham Shringar Kendra, located at Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura. When the Local18 team spoke to the shop owner, Shubham, about the purity of Panchmukhi Rudraksha, he explained that it is verified through lab testing in Haridwar.

Location : Mathura, India

First Published: November 15, 2024, 16:29 IST
Astrologer Venu Swamy Faces Backlash Over Predictions On Naga Chaitanya's Marriage

Curated By :

Local News Desk

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 17:54 IST

Telugu star Nagarjunas son, Naga Chaitanya, is set to marry actress Sobhita Dhulipala.

The couple is set to tie the knot on December 4.

Renowned Telugu actor Nagarjunas son, Naga Chaitanya, is reportedly preparing to marry Sobhita Dhulipala, the actress who portrayed Vanathi in Ponniyin Selvan. This news has generated significant buzz in the Telugu film industry, particularly after controversial remarks made by well-known astrologer Venu Swamy.

Venu Swamy, who previously predicted Naga Chaitanyas separation from his first wife, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, has once again attracted attention with his claims about the actors personal life. Naga Chaitanya, a rising star in Telugu cinema, was married to Samantha after a much-publicized romance in 2017. They met while filming Yeh Maaya Chesave and became closer while filming Autonagar Surya. The couple announced their amicable divorce in 2021 and have since focused on their respective careers.

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Following his divorce, Naga Chaitanya began dating actress Sobhita Dhulipala, who gained acclaim for her role in Ponniyin Selvan. The couple recently got engaged on August 8 in an intimate ceremony attended by their families, with their wedding rumoured to be scheduled for December 4.

Amid this happy news, astrologer Venu Swamy made waves by predicting that Naga Chaitanya and Sobhitas marriage may not last beyond 2027. Swamy shared his prediction through an Instagram video, claiming that the couples relationship might face challenges caused by an unidentified third party. His statement quickly drew criticism online, with fans denouncing the astrologer for his lack of sensitivity. Many questioned the credibility and morality of making such public forecasts about someones private life. His controversial statement has sparked outrage within the Telugu film fraternity. The Telugu Cinema Journalists Association strongly condemned his comments, asserting that such intrusive remarks into private lives are unwarranted. A police complaint was also filed against the Swamy.

In response to the backlash, Swamy deleted his original video discussing Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala. He later issued an apology, explaining that his comments were an extension of earlier predictions he had made about Chaitanyas relationships. Swamy sought to clarify that his intention was not to create controversy but to offer astrological insights, though many viewed his remarks as intrusive and unwarranted. Despite the backlash, Venu Swamys prediction continues to stir discussions in the industry, highlighting the ongoing fascination with celebrity relationships and the impact of such public commentary on personal matters.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 17:54 IST
Brad Pitt And Angelina Jolie Head To Court Over French Vineyard Feud, All You Need To Know

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 14:00 IST

Brad Pitt, 60, reportedly filed a lawsuit worth $67 million against his former wife after she sold her 50% stake in the vineyard to Yuri Shefler, the Russian businessman behind Stoli Group.

The hearing will reportedly take place in 2025. (Photo courtesy : Instagram)

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are trading red carpets for courtroom drama as their long-running feud over the luxurious Chateau Miraval vineyard is about to culminate in a high-stakes trial. The Hollywood heavyweights, whose tumultuous relationship has been making headlines since their split in 2016, are preparing for a legal showdown in 2025 at the Los Angeles Superior Court. The point of trouble between them is the Chateau Miraval, the sprawling French estate the couple purchased during their romance. Known for producing award-winning rose wines, the property had even served as the venue for their 2014 wedding.

However, the vineyard has since turned into a contentious battleground.

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Brad Pitt, 60, reportedly filed a lawsuit worth $67 million against his former wife after she sold her 50% stake in the vineyard to Yuri Shefler, the Russian businessman behind Stoli Group. According to Pitt, the couple had a binding verbal agreement ensuring he had the first right to buy Jolies share. But Angelina Jolie, 49, who has successfully transitioned from Oscar-winning actress to accomplished filmmaker, maintains she was within her rights to sell her stake independently, reported Daily Mail.

In a significant development, a judge reportedly rejected Jolies attempt to have Pitts claims dismissed, paving the way for a full trial. The court filings suggest that the judge found merit in Pitts argument about the verbal agreement, leaving the final decision to the trial.

The saga has taken several dramatic twists. According to Daily Mail, Jolie alleges that Pitt tried to pressure her into signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) as part of their business dealings, claiming it was a tactic to control her. Pitt, however, has countered by accusing Jolie of using the NDA narrative to justify the covert sale of her shares. Adding another layer to the dispute, Jolie might now face questions about her use of NDAs between 2014 and 2022.

This legal drama isnt the only time Chateau Miraval has been in the spotlight. Earlier, in a Luxembourg court, Pitt regained control of the vineyard. A subsequent ruling in March dismissed Jolies assertion that Pitts claims were frivolous and malicious." However, Pitt hasnt been immune to criticism either, with scrutiny over vineyard expenses, including allegations of extravagant spending on vanity projects," reported Daily Mail.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 14:00 IST
Emmy-winning Comedian Conan O'Brien Set To Host 97th Oscars; Academy Hails His Brilliant Humor

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 19:51 IST

Conan OBrien, the Emmy-winning comedian and former late-night host, is set to make his Oscars hosting debut at the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025.

Conan OBrien will host the 97th Oscars on March 2, 2025.

Emmy-winning comedian, writer, producer, and former late-night host Conan OBrien has been chosen to host the 97th Oscars, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Tuesday.

This will be OBriens debut as Oscars host, following two consecutive years of Jimmy Kimmel at the helm. The ceremony itself is coming off a high note, having won an Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special (Live) and drawing over 20 million viewers during its last broadcast.

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Conan OBrien is officially your 97th Oscars host!Tune into the biggest night in Hollywood on Sunday, March 2nd at 7e/4p, LIVE on @ABCNetwork! #Oscars @TeamCoco @ConanOBrien pic.twitter.com/ZpsGM9LEIq  The Academy (@TheAcademy) November 15, 2024

In his trademark comedic style, OBrien responded to the news with a quip: America demanded it and now its happening: Taco Bells new Cheesy Chalupa Supreme. In other news, Im hosting the Oscars."

Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang expressed their excitement in a joint statement. We are thrilled and honored to have the incomparable Conan OBrien host the Oscars this year," they said. He is the perfect person to help lead our global celebration of film with his brilliant humor, his love of movies, and his live TV expertise. His remarkable ability to connect with audiences will bring viewers together to do what the Oscars do best  honor the spectacular films and filmmakers of this year."

Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group, also emphasized OBriens fit for the role. Conan is a preeminent comedic voice, whose decades-long success is marked by his distinctive humor and perspective," Erwich said. He joins an iconic roster of comedy greats who have served in this role, and we are so lucky to have him center stage for the Oscars."

The shows executive producers, Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan, shared their enthusiasm about OBriens selection. Conan has all the qualities of a great Oscars host  he is incredibly witty, charismatic, and funny and has proven himself to be a master of live event television," they said. We are so looking forward to working with him to deliver a fresh, exciting, and celebratory show for Hollywoods biggest night."

OBrien is widely celebrated for his two-decade reign as a late-night host, with shows including Late Night With Conan OBrien, The Tonight Show With Conan OBrien, and Conan. Before dominating late-night TV, he made his mark as a writer for NBCs Saturday Night Live and Foxs The Simpsons. Currently, he hosts the popular podcast Conan OBrien Needs a Friend and stars in the travel series Conan OBrien Must Go. Over the course of his illustrious career, OBrien has received 31 Emmy nominations, winning five.

The Oscars ceremony will take place at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be broadcast live to more than 200 territories worldwide.

This years event promises a stellar lineup of films vying for awards, including Sean Bakers dramedy Anora, Jon M. Chus musical Wicked, and Ridley Scotts epic sequel Gladiator II.

The broadcast will air live on ABC and international outlets on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. A red carpet pre-show will precede the main event at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 19:51 IST
Kabir Bedi Reveals Why Parveen Babi Left Him: 'She Was Afraid That I Will Force Her To...'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 21:06 IST

Kabir Bedi recently opened up about his relationship with Parveen Babi, revealing how her mental health struggles led to their separation.

Kabir Bedi reflects on his relationship with Parveen Babi, sharing how her mental health struggles and refusal to seek treatment led to their separation.

Kabir Bedi and Parveen Babi shared a brief yet passionate relationship that unfolded during a challenging period in Parveens life as she struggled with mental health issues. In a recent interview, Kabir candidly reflected on the end of their relationship, revealing how his efforts to encourage Parveen to seek medical help led to their separation. Kabir disclosed that Parveen ended the relationship because of her unwillingness to consult a professional.

Speaking to Digital Commentary, Kabir shared how Parveen accompanied him to Italy during the height of his rising international fame, thanks to his role in the television series Sandokan. It was during their time in London, however, that Kabir noticed her condition deteriorating. I could see that her condition was getting worse. And I told her that you must take treatment. But she did not agree to it at all. I knew that if she does not take any treatment, her condition might get worse. And this is why we eventually separated," Kabir said.

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Kabir clarified that contrary to popular belief, it was Parveen who ended the relationship. She left me because she was afraid that I will force her to have treatment. Paranoid minds are scared of everything. She was scared that if some doctor gets to know, he might tell someone, and her career might get over," he explained. Kabir further emphasized, Parveen Babi left me, I didnt leave her."

Addressing rumors that their breakup exacerbated Parveens mental health struggles, Kabir dismissed the claims. The media here blamed me (for the relationship ending), that I rejected Parveen and thats why her mental health suffered. The truth was that Parveen already had mental health problems," he asserted.

Kabir also spoke about the sorrow he felt upon learning of Parveens tragic death. I was very upset when she died under very tragic circumstances," he said, recalling the poignancy of her funeral in 2005, which was attended by her former partners, including him, Mahesh Bhatt, and Danny Denzongpa.

In his autobiography, Stories I Must Tell: The Emotional Life of an Actor, Kabir detailed his open marriage with Protima Bedi, which ultimately didnt work after she had an affair with a French man. It was during this tumultuous period in his personal life that Kabir met Parveen. His book offers a broader perspective on Parveens mental health struggles as well as her relationships with Danny Denzongpa and Mahesh Bhatt.

Their relationship came under strain while Kabir was in Italy filming Sandokan, leading to their eventual separation. After their breakup, Parveen reportedly found solace with filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, who helped her cope with the emotional aftermath of her relationship with Kabir. Despite their parting, Kabirs reflections on their time together paint a poignant picture of love, loss, and the challenges of dealing with mental health issues in the public eye.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 21:06 IST
Palak Tiwari Looks Gorgeous In Black Bikini As She Drops Photos From Her 'Maldivian Paradise'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 12:56 IST

Palak Tiwari's latest photos are setting fire on social media. Check it out here.

Palak Tiwari will next be seen in the sci-fi horror-comedy, The Virgin Tree. (Photos: Instagram)

Palak Tiwari never fails to impress her fans with her gorgeous looks. Each time the young actress shares her photos online, she leaves everyone gasping for breath. On Thursday too, Palak took to her Instagram handle and shared a series of pictures from her recent trip to Maldives.

In the photos, Palak was seen posing in a black bikini which she paired with a matching bottom and sarong. Her bright pink cover-up further stepped up her fashion game and made her look the hottest of all. Palak ditched accessories and opted for dewy glam and glossy lips. Her open tresses further made her look beautiful. In the caption of her post, Palak wrote, My Maldivian paradise ."

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Palak, who is the daughter of actress Shweta Tiwari, stepped into Bollywood in 2023 with the film Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan starring Salman Khan. The film was an action-comedy and was a remake of the 2014 Tamil film Veeram. The cast also included Pooja Hegde, Venkatesh, Bhumika Chawla, Jagapathi Babu, Vijender Singh, Raghav Juyal, Jassie Gill, Siddharth Nigam, Shehnaaz Gill, Palak Tiwari, Vinali Bhatnagar and Satish Kaushik.

Speaking about her daughter aspiring to have a career in Bollywood, Palaks mother, Shweta previously told India Today, I envision her going up on the stage and receiving an award. I want to be seated there and I know I will be teary-eyed when I see her win the award. This would indeed be the most gratifying feeling for me." Shweta stated how she wants Palak to get the Best Actress award someday.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Palak Tiwari will next be seen in the sci-fi horror-comedy, The Virgin Tree. The film is directed by Sidhaant Sachdev. Sanjay Dutt, Sunny Singh, Mouni Roy, Aasif Khan and Beyounic are part of the cast.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 12:56 IST
PM Narendra Modi's Former Security Personnel Lucky Bisht Rejects Bigg Boss 18 Offer: 'As A RAW Agent...'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 15:38 IST

Lucky Bisht is a former sniper and spy who became popular on social media recently.

Lucky was reportedly offered a hefty sum.

Salman Khans reality show, Bigg Boss 18 has been making waves on television. However, Lucky Bisht, the former security personnel for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has reportedly rejected a lucrative offer to appear on the show. Lucky is a former sniper and RAW agent who became popular on social media after narrating tales of his valour. As such, he was reportedly approached by the makers of Bigg Boss 18.

However, reports suggest that he has turned down a lucrative offer to be on the show. Lucky said in a statement, As a RAW agent, our lives are often shrouded in secrecy and mystery, and very few people ever know the true details of who we are. Were trained to never reveal our identity or personal lives, and Ive adhered to that. Its a choice I made, and Im glad that people are understanding and supportive of it."

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Lucky Bisht, who hails from Haldwani in Uttarakhand, said that he reached this decision after consulting with his team and holding multiple meetings with the makers of Bigg Boss. Last year, renowned crime writer and ex-journalist S Hussain Zaidi wrote a biography on Lucky titled R.A.W. Hitman: The Real Story of Agent Lima. It was published by Simon & Schuster. A biopic film on him is also in the making.

Meanwhile, the Bigg Boss 18 house has been a hotspot for drama, with its constant flow of conflicts and heated arguments. While the show is known for its intense confrontations, the genuine friendship and bond between Alice Kaushik, Avinash Mishra and Eisha Singh have stood out. The trio has been a constant presence in each others lives within the house. However, the recent promo has raised eyebrows among fans as tensions between the contestants appear to be reaching new heights.

The latest episode of Bigg Boss 18 saw Rajat Dalal winning the task for the next Time God. Later, Karanveer Mehra was seen breaking down in tears as he felt guilty for not supporting his friends in the house  Shilpa Shirodkar and Chum Darang. He even apologised to Shilpa for not playing for her team during the Time God task. Bigg Boss 18, hosted by Salman Khan, airs on Colors TV. It is also available to stream on Jio Cinema.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 15:38 IST
Opinion | Pali: The Civilisational Bridge Connecting India To Its Global Buddhist Heritage

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 13:56 IST

As it evolved as a key language in our cultural, religious, and spiritual life, Pali emerged as a major civilisational bridge, fostering religious and cultural connections between India and Southeast Asia

The conferring of classical language status on Pali by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received widespread approbation across the Buddhist world. (X/@narendramodi)

The conferring of classical language status on Pali by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received widespread approbation across the Buddhist world. From Indias neighbourhood to the countries of Southeast Asia, this recognition has generated enthusiasm. One scholar-monk from Sri Lanka, speaking effusively at the inaugural session of the recently concluded conference in Sarnath on Pali: Indias Classical Language and the Legacy of the Buddha, described how Pali contributed to the cultural and spiritual regeneration of Sri Lanka. Scholars have shown that Pali is crucial to the understanding of the linguistic evolution of India and Southeast Asia.

The conference, organised by the Maha Bodhi Society of India, the Anagarika Dharmapala International Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies, and the Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation, took place at the historic Mulagandha Kuti Vihara in Sarnath, in the shadow of the Dhamek Stupa. Many eminent scholars expressed similar views at the event.

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In each country it reached, Pali displayed a unique ability to integrate with local languages, enabling a two-way enrichment that nurtured a unique literary culture. Pali was accessible to all and meant for all. Its simple, direct structure made it comprehensible to the lay seeker and householder. As it evolved as a key language in our cultural, religious, and spiritual life, Pali emerged as a major civilisational bridge, fostering religious and cultural connections between India and Southeast Asia. This encouraged the growth of shared cultural narratives and a shared spiritual lineage. That link will now be further revitalised with the conferring of classical language status.

In his address at the Abhidhamma Divas celebrations in early November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke of Palis centrality to the great legacy of Lord Buddha. To understand the essence of Dhamma, knowledge of the Pali language is essential," and it is our collective responsibility to preserve and promote this language," PM Modi emphasised. He pointed out that today, the ancient language of Pali, in which the original words of Lord Buddha exist, is no longer in common use." Language, PM Modi argued, is not just a medium of communication, but also the soul of civilisation and culture, with each language carrying its own essence." Keeping Pali alive, he said, is to keep the words of Lord Buddha alive in their original spirit."

The status of Classical Language opens up a vast vista of opportunity for the spread and popularisation of Pali. It allows for further research in a rapidly evolving age of technology, digitisation, and artificial intelligence. The National Education Policy (NEP), with its emphasis on Indian languages, also offers immense potential for the development and preservation of languages such as Pali. Its gradual implementation will further create the environment and framework for this purpose.

Numerous scholars have spoken of Pali as creating a legacy of interconnectedness. This interconnectedness is especially felt in those countries which, to borrow an expression from Singapores veteran scholar-diplomat Kishore Mahbubani, have an Indic cultural foundation. This Indic cultural foundation nurtured and sustained the conditions that allowed Pali to emerge as a linguistic-cultural heritage, linking these countries with the birthplace of Buddha and Buddhism, India. This connection remained reinforced and nourished through the challenges of centuries.

In the early years after independence, Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, then serving as the President of the Maha Bodhi Society of India, among his numerous other roles, spoke of India assuming the role of the spiritual mother" for these countries. He called for re-establishing bonds of friendship and understanding with them with a true sense of humility and responsibility." Pali, therefore, was Indias gift as the spiritual mother to the world, a gift that could have been used to renew these links.

Yet, despite symbols of Lord Buddha being adopted at the time of independence, these were gradually forgotten, and no significant interest was shown by those in power in their preservation and promotion. This neglect, as Prime Minister Modi emphasised, occurred because India was taken over by an ecosystem that worked to push the nation in the opposite direction." The civilisational truth, as he argued, that the heritage of language, literature, art and spirituality of any society defines its existence," was abandoned and neglected in a free India. This happened despite an active effort in pre-independence India to engage with Pali and the legacy of the Buddha, led by Indian scholars and intellectuals.

The conferring of Classical Language status on Pali is also a tribute to many scholars and giants in the field of Buddhist studies. Anagarika Dharmapalas (1864-1933) legendary contributions included a focus on the revival of Pali studies across India and the world. The name of Asutosh Mookerjee (1864-1924)a formidable educationist, thinker, mathematician, and towering public intellectual of modern India, who was also a legendary Vice Chancellor of the University of Calcuttacomes to mind. It is fortuitous that in this centenary year of his passing, Pali has been recognised as a Classical Language. During his first term as Vice Chancellor of the University of Calcutta, from 1906 to 1914, Asutosh Mookerjee established the Department of Pali at the University in 1907, the first of its kind in Indian higher education at the time. Later, the eminent Professor Beni Madhav Barua (1888-1948) became one of its finest academic leaders. Asutosh Mookerjees contributions to the promotion of Buddhist studies and the preservation of the Buddhas legacy in India, as President of the Maha Bodhi Society of India from 1911 to 1924, should also be remembered on this occasion.

Another name that necessarily comes to mind is the formidable Rahul Sankrityayan (1893-1963), whom the author of the classic Hindu Polity, K.P. Jayaswal, described as being recognised by the Sangha as Tripitakacharya on account of his profound knowledge of Buddhist scriptures, while the Pandit-Sabha of Banaras honoured him with the title of Mahapandita. For his indefatigable contributions, Jayaswal noted, Sankrityayans name will be cited with gratitude by the writers of Indian philosophy and Buddhism."

Jayaswal has left us a moving description of Sankrityayans herculean efforts to recover and translate Buddhist texts. Sankrityayan, between his travels," writes Jayaswal, produces in a few months large tomes of Hindi translations of Pali Tripitakas. He sits down and works for many hours at a stretch. His labour is almost superhuman in writing and that terrible work of proof-readingHe has written the best book on the life of Buddha (Buddhacharya). His knowledge of Indian epigraphy is so great that I often consult him on inscriptions. His general knowledge is very wideIn Sanskrit, he is as facile as in Hindi. His articles have been translated into French by Prof [Sylvain] Levi and published in the Journal Asiatique. Not a minute of his is idle."

Drawing a meaningful parallel, PM Modi reminded us that both Pali and Marathi, besides other languages, have been conferred Classical status, noting that Babasaheb Ambedkar, whose mother tongue was Marathi," was also a devoted adherent of Buddhism and received his Dhamma Diksha in Pali."

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These historical links are inspiring and will serve to rekindle interest in the civilisational significance of Pali, rejuvenating its study and paving the way for deeper, more fundamental researchan essential undertaking of our times. This is a shared national responsibility.

The author is Chairman, Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation and a member, the National Executive Committee, BJP. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 13:56 IST
Opinion | Why Delhi Cant Breathe: A Story Of Systemic Failures

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 15:04 IST

For Delhi to see lasting improvements in air quality, regulators must prioritise consistent enforcement, secure adequate funding, and ensure that coordinated political will transcends short-term election cycles

Air pollution in Delhi is a persistent issue that requires year-round attention, not just emergency measures like the GRAP. (Image: PTI)

A thick blanket of smog continued to engulf Delhi on Thursday morning, with the citys air quality dipping further than on Wednesday, when the national capital was the most polluted city in the country. The air quality index (AQI) in certain areas fell to the severe" categoryAnand Vihar recorded an AQI of 473, Dwarka 458, RK Puram 454, Mundka 460, and Chandni Chowk 407, according to data published by the Central Pollution Control Board at 7 am.

Delhis persistent air quality crisis underscores the deep-rooted challenges in governance, policy, and accountability. Each winter, residents endure severe air pollution levels, largely due to crop stubble burning, vehicle emissions, and industrial pollutants, exacerbated by weak regulatory oversight and fragmented political action. Despite the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), intended to address escalating pollution levels, its seasonal focus and inconsistent implementation limit its efficacy. Real progress requires a coordinated, year-round commitment among the Central and state governments, particularly in Punjab and Haryana, where crop burning remains a major contributor to Delhis smog. Unfortunately, conflicting political agendas prevent a unified approach, reducing GRAP to a reactionary measure rather than a sustainable solution.

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Economic barriers further compound the issue. Farmers lack adequate support and incentives to adopt cleaner alternatives, like the Happy Seeder, a machine that can reduce stubble burning. With high costs and insufficient subsidies, farmers are left with few viable options. This is exacerbated by policies such as subsidised electricity, which unintentionally encourages resource-intensive and polluting practices in agriculture. The reluctance to address these systemic economic challenges perpetuates pollution across sectors, leaving Delhi vulnerable to repeated air quality emergencies.

Ultimately, piecemeal efforts and insufficient enforcement of pollution control measures highlight the urgent need for policy reform. For Delhi to see lasting improvements in air quality, regulators must prioritise consistent enforcement, secure adequate funding, and ensure that coordinated political will transcends short-term election cycles. Without these systemic changes, Delhis severe winter pollution risks becoming a perpetual environmental and public health crisis.

Political Coordination and Accountability

Addressing Delhis air quality involves multiple stakeholders, including state and Central governments and neighbouring states like Punjab and Haryana. However, their conflicting agendas and lack of coordination lead to weak enforcement of policies like the GRAP. The GRAP, designed to tackle air pollution based on the severity of air quality, often falls short due to inconsistent implementation and lack of cooperation among various authorities.

Efforts to combat crop burninga significant contributor to Delhis seasonal smogare often undermined by political reluctance to impose stricter penalties on farmers without providing viable alternatives. Farmers in Punjab and Haryana resort to burning crop residue as a quick and cost-effective method to clear fields for the next planting season. While penalties for crop burning exist, they are rarely enforced, and farmers are not provided with sufficient incentives or alternatives, such as subsidies for eco-friendly equipment or financial support for alternative methods. This political reluctance, coupled with the lack of a unified approach, exacerbates the pollution problem every winter, leaving Delhis residents to suffer the consequences of severe air quality.

Economic Constraints and Policy Inertia

The financial and policy limitations around the adoption of eco-friendly alternatives like the Happy Seeder illustrate critical challenges in pollution control in India. Despite the clear environmental and economic benefits of using the Happy Seeder, which reduces the need for stubble burning and supports soil health, adoption remains limited due to inadequate subsidies and logistical barriers. Farmers often find the cost of the machine, at approximately $1,900, prohibitive without substantial government aid, while current subsidy programmes and penalties for stubble burning are either insufficiently implemented or inconsistently enforced, leaving many farmers with few practical alternatives.

Furthermore, economic constraints foster a reliance on practices like subsidised electricity for groundwater irrigation in agriculture, which exacerbates unsustainable farming methods and depletes natural resources. Government efforts to penalise crop burning are hampered by a lack of widespread information and training on alternative methods, as well as the absence of a robust market infrastructure to support eco-friendly technologies. Initiatives promoting conservation farming, while promising, require cohesive policy reform, improved subsidy structures, and effective outreach campaigns to achieve meaningful adoption and make sustainable agriculture financially viable for farmers on a large scale.

Urgent Need for Year-Round Air Pollution Strategies

Air pollution in Delhi is a persistent issue that requires year-round attention, not just emergency measures like the Graded Response Action Plan. While GRAP is a crucial tool for addressing severe pollution episodes, it falls short of providing a sustainable solution. The reliance on emergency measures has turned pollution into a seasonal phenomenon, allowing politicians to engage in blame games rather than implementing long-term strategies.

For instance, when Punjab was not under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Delhi government frequently blamed Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh for contributing to Delhis pollution through stubble burning. Now, with Punjab under AAPs control, the blame has shifted to Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. This political manoeuvring detracts from the urgent need for comprehensive, year-round policies to tackle pollution.

Year-round plans should focus on reducing emissions from vehicles, industries, and construction activities, which are significant contributors to Delhis poor air quality. Implementing stricter regulations, promoting public transportation, and encouraging the use of cleaner technologies can help mitigate pollution levels throughout the year. Additionally, public awareness campaigns and community engagement are essential to foster a collective responsibility towards maintaining air quality.

Weak Regulatory Enforcement

Despite established policies and regulations, enforcement remains inconsistent. Measures against pollution from vehicles, industries, and construction dust are inadequately implemented. Even during peak pollution periods, regulations are selectively enforced, limiting their impact on improving air quality. For instance, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has directed intensified actions to remove highly polluting end-of-life vehicles from Delhis roads. However, the slow pace of resolution and the growing backlog of complaints hinder effective implementation.

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Similarly, efforts to curb stubble burning in neighbouring states are often undermined by political reluctance to impose stricter penalties without providing viable alternatives. This selective enforcement not only undermines the effectiveness of pollution control measures but also exacerbates public health risks. A more proactive and consistent approach is needed to ensure that policies are enforced uniformly and effectively, leading to sustained improvements in air quality.

The author, a columnist and research scholar, teaches journalism at St. Xaviers College (autonomous), Kolkata. His handle on X is @sayantan_gh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 13:34 IST
Ajit Pawar Objects To 'Batenge Toh Katenge' Slogan, Fadnavis Sends Him A Rejoinder

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 13:54 IST

Ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections, 'Batenge toh katenge' slogan has become the biggest flashpoint.

Maharashtra Deputy CMs Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis | Image/ File (PTI)

Ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections, Batenge toh katenge," a slogan coined by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has become a major point of contention among Mahayuti partners, with the NCP opposing it.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Friday responded to his colleague in the state cabinet and NCP leader Ajit Pawars opposition over the slogan, saying that people who have stayed with anti-Hindutva" ideology will take time to comprehend public sentiment.

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Pawar had remarked that there is no place for the batenge toh katenge" slogan in Maharashtra as the state works on the principles of BR Ambedkar, upsetting his ally BJP ahead of the crucial Maharashtra assembly election.

Responding to Pawars remark, Fadnavis said, For decades, Ajit Pawar stayed with such ideologies which are secular and anti-Hindu. There is no real secularism amongst those who call themselves secularists. He has stayed with people for whom opposing Hindutva is secular. It will take some time for him to understand the mood of the public."

Clarifying that Batenge to katenge means everyone has to stick together, Fadnavis said, These people either did not understand the sentiment of the public or did not understand the meaning of this statement or while speaking they probably wanted to say something else."

#WATCH | On Deputy CM Ajit Pawars remark there is no place for UP CM Yogi Adityanaths batenge toh katenge slogan", Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis says For decades, Ajit Pawar stayed with such ideologies which are secular and anti-Hindu. There is no real pic.twitter.com/yFhOdyPwjj ANI (@ANI) November 15, 2024

Not Supporting It: Ajit Pawar

Ajit Pawar  the nephew of Sharad Pawar  maintained his stand over the batenge toh katenge" slogan, saying that he would not support such ideas.

We all have opposed it. Someone told me that BJPs Pankaja Munde has also opposed this slogan. A CM of a state comes here and says batenge toh katenge, immediately we said such slogans will not work here as Maharashtra works on the principles of AmbedkarI dont know what is Devendra jis answer to this," Pawar was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

#WATCH | On UP CM Yogi Adityanaths batenge toh katenge slogan, NCP leader & Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar says,"We all have opposed it. Someone told me that BJPs Pankaja Munde has also opposed this slogan. A CM of a state comes here and says batenge toh katenge", pic.twitter.com/SylgNvGtGg ANI (@ANI) November 15, 2024

BJP Leaders Distance From Slogan

Not just ally NCP, but some of the high-profile Maharashtra BJP leaders have also maintained distance from the slogan, claiming that the party must avoid divisive rhetoric.

Pankaja Munde, daughter of the late BJP veteran Gopinath Munde, said, My politics is different. I wont support this just because I belong to the party. We need to focus on development and work towards uniting every individual in Maharashtra."

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Ashok Chavan, who joined the BJP from the Congress earlier this year, echoed a similar voice of Munde. Slogans like this have no relevance in Maharashtra and are not in good taste. Personally, I do not support it," Chavan was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

The batenge toh kitenge" slogan was first raised by UP CM and the BJPs star campaigner Yogi Adityanath at one of his recent rallies in Maharashtra which was later criticised by the opposition who alleged communal overtones in the slogan. Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweaked the slogan earlier this month to ek hai toh safe hai", in a message of unity.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 13:23 IST
Who Is Naseer Ahmed, Siddaramaiah's Quiet Troubleshooter In News For 4% Quota Demand For Muslims

Reported By :

News18.com

Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 12:25 IST

A man known for having served as an MLA and minister in 1989 and later elected as an MLC twice, Ahmed now finds himself in the midst of a controversy as he leads the proposal by Muslim legislators seeking a 4 per cent reservation for... Read More

Coming from a business community background, Ahmed has served as a legislator once in 1989 when he won the Binnypet assembly seat, and again from Kolar in 2013. (Facebook)

If you see Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah addressing the media on important issues, one face that might remain in the shadows yet be prominent enough is that of Naseer Ahmed, the political secretary to the CM.

A man known for working closely with the Muslim community, having served as an MLA and minister in 1989 and later elected as an MLC twice  yet maintaining a rather low profile  Ahmed now finds himself in the midst of a controversy as he leads the proposal by Muslim legislators seeking a 4 per cent reservation for Muslims in public works contracts.

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Ahmed, often seen as a non-controversial politician", has preferred to work behind the scenes, allowing party leaders to front ideas that would benefit the community.

Having worked with several chief ministers, from Devaraj Urs and S Bangarappa to now Siddaramaiah, Ahmed is a man who prefers to work from the trenches, say those close to him.

He has never been involved in any scandal, is a sincere politician, and whatever position he has held, he has used it for the community. He has maintained a clean image, and you will not find a controversy attached to his name. He was also close to senior Congress leader the late Aziz Sait," said a Muslim leader who worked closely with him.

Ahmed, currently a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC), is said to have pushed for the 4 per cent reservation as he believes that since there are quotas for SC and ST communities in awarding contracts, a similar provision for Muslims would benefit the community, explained another Congress Muslim leader.

The letter from Ahmed was based on reports that a group of MLAs submitted a memorandum to the chief minister, requesting a quota for Muslim contractors in civil works contracts up to Rs 1 crore.

After Siddaramaiah mentioned that while there was a demand for Muslim reservation, no decision had been taken by the government, Ahmed said he was yet to hear back from the CMO.

Currently, the Muslim community is provided 4 per cent reservation under the 2B backward class category in education and government jobs in the state.

When News18 reached out to him, Ahmed declined to comment on the issue.

Coming from a business community background, Ahmed has served as a legislator once in 1989 when he won the Binnypet assembly seat, and again from Kolar in 2013. He was known to have worked his way up and was particularly close to former CM S Bangarappa where he served as minister of state.

A graduate with a Bachelor of Commerce from the Government First Grade College in Kolar Gold Fields, Bangalore University in 1980, he is also a known businessman with companies linked to the garment industry.

A close friend of Ahmed spoke about how he set up his business venture, Scotts Group of Companies, inspired by Captain Gopinath and Air Deccan.

He was inspired by Captain Gopinaths idea to provide affordable travel for all Indians, by Indians, and for Indians. He wanted to start his venture in a similar way. He set up his business along this model and was successful until he ran into financial troubles," said the associate.

The Congress fielded Ahmed for the MLC position in 2021 and nominated him as the partys candidate for the Legislative Council Chairman election. The election came about after the resignation of Congresss K Prathapachandra Shetty as chairman, to pre-empt a no-confidence motion against him, backed by the ruling BJP, with JD(S) extending support.

The BJP backed senior JD(S) MLC Basavaraj Horatti for the chairman post as part of an agreement between the BJP and JDS, and Horatti won the election.

In 2013, Ahmed agreed to contest in Kolar after leaders asked him to run, expecting it would secure a Congress victory in the constituency. He contested against Independent candidate Varthur Prakash but lost.

Political analyst Naheed Ataulla says Ahmed has always been non-controversial. She said while he may have led the move on behalf of Muslim legislators as the political secretary, she questions the need for reservation in government projects.

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It should be based on merit. Why should there be categorisation for a particular community? SC and ST communities have their share, but why cant Muslims go by merit, whether theyre Muslim contractors or SC contractors?" she said.

On Ahmed as a politician, she said: Hes done his bit when a crisis requires his attention, like a quiet troubleshooter, but theres nothing particularly notable that stands out."

First Published: November 15, 2024, 12:25 IST
Google Brings Its Own Truecaller-Like AI Spam Alert Feature But Only For These Users: Know More

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 12:12 IST

Google's new AI-powered feature promises to alert users if they get a spam call or install a suspicious app.

Google is bringing new security tools for Android users

Google is bringing its own AI-powered spam detection tool that looks to compete with services like Truecaller in the market. Spam calls and messages have become a nuisance across the globe, and in countries like India. The company is ready to deploy its AI system to do the heavy lifting and help people avoid falling into the trap.

Google is also aware of the risks posed by some Android apps and it will also monitor their activities on your device to ensure they dont steal personal data.

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Google Spam And Dangerous App Alert Tools: How It Works

The spam detection works through Pixel phones on the Phone app that comes pre-installed for the users. Google basically uses its AI tech to detect possible threats from these calls and alerts the user with a label that says, Likely scam  Suspicious activity detected for this call." The person has the option to end the call or mark it with not a spam toggle.

The difference in Googles approach to detect spam calls is based on the on-device machine learning that can analyse the call in real-time and determine its nature based on conversation tone and pattern. Google assures that no calls are recorded or stored on its servers, and the option for spam alert is turned off by default.

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Similarly, you have another helpful tool which detects any threats posed by malicious apps. The company is once again using AI to track its behaviour and see if it is trying to interact with apps it doesnt need to. If Google detects any unusual activity, it will alert the user about its concerns with the app and ask you to delete it right away.

Google is offering these tools to Pixel users in the US and they need to sign up for the Google beta program to avail its benefits. You need to have the Pixel 6 or higher model to take advantage of these tools. We are hopeful that the company brings the call detection alert tool to markets like India where spam has become a serious concern for all the entities involved.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 15, 2024, 12:12 IST
These Must-Have Gadgets Should Be On Your Travel List For Holidays

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 14, 2024, 12:30 IST

Travel time means you need to have a check-list for gadgets that will come in handy during your trips.

Phone, Kindle, action camera and storage drives should be in your bag

The travel season is just a few weeks away as people head out of cities to end the year with a bang but in leisure. But the need to keep themselves up to date means they always carry gadgets of all kinds during their travels. After all, who doesnt like to click pictures, shoot videos and capture these memories to remember them during the hard work days.

So, if you are one of those people who like to travel and not be part of the traffic in the cities during this period, weve got a nice list of gadgets that are a must-have for your experience.

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Power Bank To Keep Going

There are a wide range of power banks in the market, but for us, two crucial points come to mind. Firstly, they need to support higher capacity, and yes, let you charge at fast speeds. Both the criterias are met by power banks from brands like Stuffcool, Xiaomi, Ambrane and Portronics among others. You also have the option of going with solar-powered power banks that can be useful in case you are staying away from the power source for a while.

Storage To Secure The Memories

When you click photos or shoot videos, storage becomes a crucial link between how much you can capture. This is where you have the SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Go which adopts both USB 3.1 and USB C ports and helps because on one side you have the PC-type connector to import the files, while you transfer it to an Android or an iPhone in quick time. Devices like these come in handy when you quickly need to move data/photos between the phone and a bigger unit without a lot of effort. Similarly, you have the WD My Passport portable HDD drives that can sustain longer trips and easily fit more GBs in your bag without feeling the weight.

Gimbal/ Action Cameras For The Extra

Gimbals are helpful if you shoot a lot of content using smartphones, and brands like DJI and Digitek are known for the versatility that delivers quality. Using gimbal means your videos come out with any major shakes and the stability is helpful in letting you take shots from different angles for effects.

Keep An E-Reader Handy

Kindles or any brand like Kobo Libra offers compact e-readers so that you can carry a large chunk of your favourite novels or magazines in your bag. You also have the option to read graphic novels thanks to the new-gen coloured e-readers from many brands. Reading time is always part of anybodys travel plans and e-readers are an easy way to carry the books along.

Tablets For The Movies

You click a lot of photos or shoot videos and want to quickly edit them on the go, tablets are your best companion. These can be either like an iPad Mini or a 10-inch tablet that is powerful enough to handle these tasks and not run out of juice quickly. Brands like Xiaomi and OnePlus have the best options in the Android market.

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Powerful Camera Phone

Finally, a smartphone that can actually click the photos or shoot videos and the options out there will bring a smile to your face. If you want a premium device, the Samsung Galaxy S23/24 Ultra comes to the top of our minds, along with the iPhone 15/16 models. The Pixel series is also an option in the higher end.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 14, 2024, 12:30 IST
Dwayne Johnson Says Oppenheimer Inspired Red Ones IMAX Release, Netizens Call Him Delusional

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 17:17 IST

Before the movie hit theatres, the actor stated how watching Oppenheimer compelled him to shoot Red One on IMAX midway.

Red One was released in the US on November 15. (Photo Credit: X)

Christopher Nolan is well-known for using IMAX technology and he followed this with his last film, Oppenheimer, which starred Cillian Murphy. This had a major impact on Dwayne Johnson. Inspired by the stunning IMAX experience, the actor considered releasing his upcoming Christmas film, Red One, in the same format. Before the movie hit theatres, the actor stated how watching Oppenheimer compelled him to shoot Red One on IMAX midway. As the actor shared his ambitious outlook, netizens were quite surprised and called him delusional" for comparing the films.

Ahead of the release of Red One, a statement mentioned, I was midway through shooting Red One, I had an opportunity to go watch Oppenheimer, and I watched it in the IMAX theatre, where Christopher Nolan watches and screens his movies. I even asked, Let me sit where Chris is sitting. So I sat where Chris sat, I watched Oppenheimer, it was amazing." He added that while watching the film he thought that if they used the same technology for Red One it would be a game changer. He also texted the director about the same. He mentioned, We just had a great conversation afterwards about just how cool its going to be. Its gonna be very cool."

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But not everyone was excited about Dwayne Johnsons approach. A person noted, Honestly laugh if you want but I aspire to have a fragment of this delusional confidence The Rock has." Another movie buff noted, Is it the first time someone had uttered red one" and Oppenheimer" within the same 4 sentences?"

Honestly laugh if you want but I aspire to have a fragment of this delusional confidence The Rock has. https://t.co/9kbI2sI55n Giovanni Lago (@TheGiovanniLago) November 13, 2024

Hes so obviously trolling right? I feel like the only marketing play here is to troll like this Andrew (@ahscherer) November 13, 2024

Is it the first time someone had uttered "red one" and "Oppenheimer" within same 4 sentences? Nirmal Fernando (@nirmalfdo96) November 14, 2024

Theres no way he was thinking about Red One while watching Oppenheimer LMAOOOO https://t.co/dTcRZO8Y8l Live, from the Milky Way Ghetto (@Tim_Barreto) November 14, 2024

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An individual said, Hes so obviously trolling right? I feel like the only marketing play here is to troll like this," while another mentioned, Theres no way he was thinking about Red One while watching Oppenheimer."

Red One directed by Jake Kasdan, stars Dwayne Johnson along with Chris Evans, Kiernan Shipka, Lucy Liu and JK Simmons in key roles. Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Nick Kroll and Kristofer Hivju are cast in supporting roles. The plot revolves around the North Pole, where everything is thrown into disarray after Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas of Myra or the Red One, is abducted. To save Christmas, Dwayne Johnsons character, Callum Drift, the North Poles Head of Security, is assigned the responsibility of bringing Santa back. Red One was released in US theatres on November 15.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 15, 2024, 17:00 IST
Euthanised Viral Squirrel Peanut Was 'Rabies-Free: Shocking Report Leaves Fans Outraged

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 17:56 IST

Earlier in October, the squirrel and a raccoon were taken away from their sanctuary home and were euthanised.

Peanut The Squirrel was quite popular on the internet. (Photo Credits: Instagram)

Peanut the Squirrel, the beloved social media sensation, has been tested rabies-free, weeks after it was confiscated by New York City officials and euthanised.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) had seized Peanut along with a raccoon named Fred from Mark Longos home and animal sanctuary last month during a raid, citing multiple complaints of animals being held captive illegally. The officials even claimed that a DEC worker was bitten by the squirrel, thus requiring the agency to euthanise it to check for rabies.

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While Longo denied the worker being bitten and insisted that his animals were rabies-free, the squirrel was ultimately seized and euthanised. This sparked a massive public outrage on social media platforms.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Peanut The Squirrel (@peanut_the_squirrel12)

A few weeks after the incident, Chemung County Executive Chris Moss confirmed that the tests of both animals came negative. During a press conference, he spoke about the countys actions and explained that it worked with the state protocols.

New Yorks state laws allow only licenced wildlife rehabilitators to legally rescue squirrels and keep a domesticated wild animal after registering them as an educational animal. However, Longo, who claimed to be in the process of completing the process, said that he was ready with the paperwork when Peanut was seized.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sweet Buffalo (@sweetbuffalo716)

As reported by the New York Post, Longo criticised the governments actions, stating that the negative test results were not surprising for him. It is not a real big shock to me, considering I lived with Peanut for seven-and-a-half years and Fred for five months. Im not foaming at the mouth. I knew the test results were going to be negative," he said, further sharing that the latest events had left him in utter shock.

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The viral squirrel Peanut, which was quite popular on the internet, has thousands of followers on Instagram, TikTok and other platforms. His playful interaction with Longo and his wife along with other animals received a lot of love and engagement. However, things went the wrong way when officials descended on their sanctuary home last month, taking away Peanut and Fred.

The shocking death of the animals sparked an online backlash leading to outrage against the euthanasia of pet animals.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 15, 2024, 17:56 IST
In Scotland, Historic Marble Statue Once Used As A Park Doorstop To Sell For Rs 27 Crore

Curated By :

Local News Desk

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 11:04 IST

The statue is of the famous landowner and politician John Gordon from 18th-century France.

A similar case came to light in the year 2018.

You may have seen or heard of some very expensive marble, but a small piece of marble in Scotland is set to sell for a whopping Rs 27 crore. You might be surprised to learn that it was originally purchased for just $6 (approximately Rs 506) and for many years it was used as a doorstop in a There is one reason that has made its value touch millions. Curious to know more about it? Let us know more about this in detail.

According to a CNN report, we are talking about a small marble state that was once removed from a house. Invergordon Community Council reportedly bought it in the 1930s. It was placed in a park. Eventually, it was discovered that it was made in the early 18th century by French sculptor Adam Bouchard. The statue is of the famous landowner and politician John Gordon from that era.

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Afterwards, the officials thought to sell the statue, but the matter went to court. According to the report, the court has now granted permission to sell it. A spokesperson for the Scottish Highland Council told CNN that the auction of the statue can exceed $3.2 million (approximately Rs 27 crore). A buyer later contacted the auction house and offered more than 2.5 million pounds (approximately Rs 27 crore). The officials did not accept the offer. Now, they are planning to hold a proper auction for the marble statue.

A similar case came to light in the year 2018. A rock was found at Central Michigan University which was initially thought to be an ordinary one and used as a doorstop. It was reported that for several decades no one realised the significance of the rock. Later, the researchers mentioned that was part of a rare meteorite that only falls once in decades. This amazed the people in the university. It was subsequently sold for $75,000, or approximately Rs 63 lakhs.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 15, 2024, 11:04 IST
It Was So Unbelievable: Man Finds Out His Favourite Bakery Owner Is His Biological Mom

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 17:16 IST

The bakery owner gave birth to Hunter at just 17. She was forced to place him for adoption.

In 2022, a genetic genealogist helped Hunter track his mother. (Representative Image)

A man named Vamarr Hunter from Chicago was stunned to discover that his biological mother, who placed him for adoption nearly 50 years ago, owns a local bakery he regularly visited. The revelation came after Hunter, now 50, submitted a DNA sample for genetic testing. Adopted as an infant and informed of his adoption at 35, Hunter had long hoped to meet his biological mother.

In 2022, genetic genealogist Gabriella Vargas helped Vamarr Hunter locate his biological mother, Lenore Lindsey, a 67-year-old baker and owner of Give Me Some Sugah." Using Ancestry DNA data, Vargas built a family tree to confirm the connection. Upon learning the news, Lindsey reached out to Vargas, who facilitated contact with Hunter. This heartwarming discovery reunited Hunter with Lindsey.

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Even though Lindsey was recovering from breast cancer surgery at the time and getting ready for chemotherapy, she called Hunter right away. I was on the phone talking to my friend when a call came through from the bakery. I was like, Why is Give Me Some Sugah calling me?" Hunter stated.

While the mother-son is unable to recall the subsequent events, Lindsey remembers introducing herself by asking, Is this Vamarr Hunter?" without recognising the name of one of her most devoted clients.

Hunter, meanwhile, rapidly put the pieces together after anticipating the call from his birth mother. When I knew who he was, we just started screaming on the phone. We were beside ourselves," Lindsey added. It was crazy. It was just so unbelievable," Hunter agreed to her statement.

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As per reports, Lindsey gave birth to Hunter in 1974 at the age of just 17. She had to place her son for adoption, though, because of the familys dire circumstances. It was heartbreaking. It was a difficult time for my family. They wheeled him out, and I remember seeing a head full of hair and my mom telling me how beautiful he was," Lindsey recollected.

Hunter and his mother are currently managing the bakery together and spending quality time as family and business partners. He claims that one of his children will inherit it when he retires.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 15, 2024, 17:16 IST
Man Who Jumped 11 Storeys Off Cruise Shares His Painful Experience

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 19:10 IST

Man who survived the jump from the 11th deck of cruise, admitted that it was a painful experience, as it affected his tailbone and neck.

Nick Naydev was rescued by a small boat and brought back to the ship. (Photo Credits: X)

In 2019, Nick Naydev made headlines for a daring stunt that nearly took his life. While aboard The Symphony of the Seas, Nick decided to jump from the 11th floor into the ocean as fun. The ship was docked in Nassau, Bahamas and the man had spent the night drinking with friends, who also recorded his risky leap. Miraculously, Nick survived the jump and admitted that it was a painful experience, as it affected his tailbone and neck. He felt lucky that his injuries were not serious and claimed that his mind was blank during the fall.

In a conversation with Inside Edition, he said, I remember hitting the water, impact was pretty big because it was pretty high up. It impacted my tailbone and my neck pretty hard, luckily it wasnt anything serious. Nothing was really going through my mind. Im like, I gotta do this, and just two seconds later, I just jumped and didnt really think it through. The previous night we were drinking quite a bit so I was still feeling the effects of the alcohol. I hope I dont inspire anybody to do this because it is very dangerous, I mean theyll think this is a joke."

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Guy jumps off from the top of a cruise ship pic.twitter.com/uxaCqYJpQj  kira Following his daring jump, Nick Naydev was rescued by a small boat and brought back to the ship. However, once he returned, he was removed by the crew. Nick then had to arrange his own flight back to Miami. In a statement, Royal Caribbean spokesman Owen Torres told Fox News, This was stupid and reckless behaviour and he and his companions have been banned from ever sailing with us again. We are exploring legal action." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all While confirming that the fall was around 100 feet, Naydev added, I am truly astonished at how this video has spread throughout the Internet. I did not think this through before I jumped. My idea was this would be a good laugh for my friends and I would just swim back to shore and continue my vacation." One of Nick Naydevs friends, Konstantin Kryachun, who filmed the jump, shared that Nick is known for doing similar stunts. He mentioned that they have done similar jumps in the past and werent really concerned about the consequences with the cruise company. Their main goal was to capture the moment on video and make it go viral.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 15, 2024, 18:51 IST
'Parents And A Good Heart Is Enough To Live Life': Digital Creator Shares Wholesome Story of 9-Year-Old Boy

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News18.com

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 14:05 IST

A digital content creator shared a wholesome story of a 9-year-old boy, Mallappa Patil who stays in an Ashram, away from his family to study. The video has melted hearts online.

Screenshots featuring digital content creator Siddhesh Lokare and Mallappa Patil from the video. (Photo Credits: Instagram/@sidiously_)

Social media allows people to express themselves to others. The Internet is full of such heartwarming moments. Recently, a video of a digital content creator meeting an ambitious 9-year-old boy, Mallappa Patil in an ashram has made ripples on the internet. The kids innocence and ambitions documented in a video, have gone viral, bringing smiles and tears to social media users.

In the now-viral video, Instagram user Siddhesh Lokare can be seen casually talking to a 9-year-old boy, Mallappa Patil. The creator asked Mallappa what he loves to do. To which, Mallappa replied, I love coming to the school." The boy further shared that his parents stay in Pune, Maharashtra. He also added that he loves school not home because nobody teaches at home. The creator asked a big question to Mallappa, Who do you want to become?" Mallappa confidently replied, HERO." In the video, Mallappa shared that his father works as a construction worker and his mother is a house help. The kid shared his ambition and described, will grow up through school, will dress up like a hero, and fly." When Siddhesh asked Mallappa, How much money does he want to earn and what would you do with that money?" Replying innocently to the question, the 9-year-old boy says, 1 Lakh. I will buy a building. I will work in the morning, will eat at 1 pm, and resume the work." Siddhesh asked another big question, What is important in life?" To which, Mallappa said, Parents and a good heart are enough to live a happy life."

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This wholesome video was shared on Siddhesh Lokares official Instagram handle @sidiously_. Sharing the video, Siddhesh wrote, Meet Mallappa, a 9-year-old cute who stays in an Ashram, away from his family, and is the purest soul ever!"

Also Read: Unemployed Men In Rural India Are Falling Prey To This Pregnancy Job Scam, Details Inside

Take a look at the wholesome video:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Siddhesh Lokare (@sidiously_)

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Also Read: Swiggy CEO Reveals He Came Up With The Idea During A College Project: Its An Absolute Miracle

This viral clip was shared a few days ago. Since being shared, the video has accumulated over 18 million views and tons of likes. The numbers are still increasing. The viewers posted varied comments while reacting to the share. Actor Rashmi Desai also commented in the comments section of the post, I had tears in my eyes at the end. God bless u and the kid to become a successfull hero in life. The cutest video of the day." So much love to this sweet boy!!!" wrote another user. God bless you, Mallappa, this video is so wholesome, made my day," mentioned a person. Ohhh he has taken whole heart," posted another individual.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 14:05 IST
Swiggy CEO Reveals He Came Up With The Idea During A College Project: Its An Absolute Miracle

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 12:49 IST

Swiggys CEO Sriharsha Majety revealed that he came up with its idea during a project at IIM Calcutta.

Swiggy recently made its stock market debut. (Photo Credits: Linkedin)

Swiggy made its stock market debut on Wednesday, November 13. The companys shares were listed at Rs 420 on the National Stock Exchange (NSE), showing a 7.7% premium over its IPO price of Rs 390. On the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), Swiggy opened at Rs 412, marking a 5.64% increase from the IPO price. Amid the successful opening, Swiggys CEO Sriharsha Majety made a rare appearance at the NSE ceremony in Mumbai to celebrate this milestone.

Recounting how the idea for Swiggy originally came to him during a project at IIM Calcutta, Majety said, I completely forgot about it after that college project finished. And then, in a very different way, again came across it, without knowing it [consciously]."

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Majety further expressed gratitude for Swiggys growth journey, stating, For that idea to have first gotten executed is in itself a rarity. But to execute it at the size and scale that we have right now is an absolute miracle."

Before Swiggy, Majety teamed up with his college friend Nandan Reddy to create something impactful. Both were inspired by the rapid growth of e-commerce in India and saw potential in the logistics and shipping sector, starting Bundl, a courier service aggregator. However, competition from similar companies led to Bundls downfall and eventually, they shut it down within a year. Although Bundl didnt succeed, it became a crucial turning point that ultimately contributed to Swiggys success.

To celebrate Swiggys 10th anniversary in August this year, Majety took a moment to reflect on the companys journey. In a LinkedIn post, he shared memories of the early days and expressed gratitude to everyone who has been part of the Swiggy family. He recalled that when Swiggy launched on August 6, 2014, they ended the day with no orders.

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Majety also mentioned that Swiggy now collaborates with more than 300,000 restaurants, a growth he credits to the early adopters who believed in the company from the start. Since its founding in 2014, Swiggy has grown significantly as it reached a valuation of $12.7 billion as of April 10, 2024, according to a report in Business Today.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 15, 2024, 12:49 IST
Unemployed Men In Rural India Are Falling Prey To This 'Pregnancy Job' Scam, Details Inside

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 12:59 IST

These posts are often accompanied by photoshopped images of attractive women. Eight Facebook groups were found to be advertising these fake pregnancy job offers.

Eight people have already been taken into custody. (Representative Image)

A disturbing Facebook scam has come to light where fraudsters are promising significant rewards in exchange for impregnating a fake client. Several men have already fallen prey to the scam, which involves private conversations and social media posts promising large sums of money and even property to those who can impregnate a fake affluent client within a set amount of time. These posts are often accompanied by photoshopped images of attractive women. The concerning aspect is that victims after being robbed in such a manner, hesitate to report the cybercrime. As per reports, most victims of the scam were unemployed men from rural areas.

After explaining the Pregnancy job" in detail, scammers approach interested men and ask for registration fees or upfront payments for processing." Communication usually stops once the money is sent, leaving the victim compromised.

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A victim of the scam who hails from Haryana and lost more than 1 lakh in the scam noted, They keep asking for money on different kinds of fees and lies," during an interview with India Today.

Eight Facebook groups were found to be advertising these fake pregnancy job" offers, according to a report by The Times of India. In numerous videos posted by these groups, women are seen promising males who can help them conceive them large sums of money, such as Rs 2050 lakh, a property, and a car.

Anyone who makes me pregnant within three months will get Rs 20 lakh. He will have to live with me," says a woman in the video.

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The scammers upload images of women in addition to videos to lure victims. Due to the embarrassment of falling for such a fraud, men are reluctant to report the incident, which permits the scammers to carry on with their operations.

Reportedly, eight people have already been taken into custody by Bihar police in connection with this scam, underscoring the growing alarm over this cybercrime. However, the recurrence of such messages on Facebook points to a larger fraudster network using the platform.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 15, 2024, 12:59 IST
Why Himachals Shikari Peak Temple Remains Closed For Three Winter Months

Curated By :

Local News Desk

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 11:40 IST

It has been observed that even though the temple has no roof, no snow is spotted on the temple premises during winter.

Shikari Mata Mandir is open only during the summer.

Shikari Mata Mandir, situated in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, remains closed throughout winter for devotees. According to Local 18 Himachal Pradesh, no human being or trekker can go here after winter starts. After the onset of winter, the cold has increased immensely in this region and snowfall can occur at any time. Therefore, the administration has banned tourists from visiting here. The ones who didnt follow the administrations rules didnt return. Many of them died and the whereabouts of others remain unknown. Keeping in mind the safety of the tourists, the administration shuts down the Shikari Mata Mandir every winter. The priests appointed in this temple also do not stay here during this winter due to the adverse conditions. At the same time, Sub Divisional Magistrate Mandi has also issued an order that no man or trekker will visit this temple until summer. The people should follow the administration guidelines to ensure their safety.

Due to winter, no one goes to the Shikari Mata Mandir for about three months. After this period, the priests reopen the temple in April and worship the revered Goddess. Trekking here is also done in summer only. According to Local 18 Himachal Pradesh, movement around this temple is impossible here because the roads are covered with snow. Despite these shortcomings, tourists can witness a picturesque view of nature while standing atop the Shikari peak. On the Shikari peak, there is a roofless temple of Shikari Devi, the Goddess of hunters. This temple is said to have been established (Sathapit) by Pandavas. As per popular beliefs, sage Markanday also meditated at this place for several years.

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It has been observed that even though the temple has no roof, no snow is spotted on temple premises during winter. During the winter season, the entire region around this temple is covered up to several feet by snow. Visitors can trek to Chindi, Karsog and Janjehli through different trek routes from Shikari. The travellers can visit Kamrunag by undertaking a day-long journey of 16 Km by trekking the vast spread pastures on this hilltop route. One can view the breathtaking scenic beauty and perfect calmness on this route.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: November 15, 2024, 11:40 IST
Oxford Union's Kashmir Debate Stirs Row, 'Brave' Indian Student's Protest Video Goes Viral

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Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 15:14 IST

The British Hindus objected to the Kashmir debate, alleging that the Oxford Union invited two speakers linked to terrorism.

British Hindus protest outside Oxford Union | Image/X@INSIGHTUK

In a fiery speech during an Oxford Union debate on Kashmir, an Indian student called the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) a terrorist organisation," while the British Hindus protested outside the premises against the Union for inviting speakers linked to terrorist organisations.

They objected to the debate titled This House believes in the Independent State of Kashmir," alleging that the institute invited two speakers- Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur and Zafar Khan, who are Kashmiri separatists.

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Giving a befitting reply to the House, the Indian student, Adarsh Mishra, stood and exposed the JKLF, holding it responsible for the killing of Kashmiri Pandits and Hindu government officials in Birmingham.

It [JKLF] has massacred many Kashmiri Pandits, and it has killed Hindu government officials in Birmingham. I do not trust this house. I have launched a no-confidence motion against the president because I believe many members of this house have no faith in the president of the Oxford Union. He is nothing but a stooge of ISI. He is nothing but a stooge of Pakistan, and this house has no confidence in the president," the student was heard saying during the debate.

#BREAKING: Brave Indian student Aadarsh Mishra stood up inside Oxford Union debate venue and exposed the Pakistan ISI sponsored terror event which had participation of JKLF  terror group responsible for killing Indian Diplomat Ravindra Mahtre in Birmingham and Kashmiri Hindus. pic.twitter.com/JPRNdkAWSl Frontalforce  (@FrontalForce) November 15, 2024

INSIGHT UK Stage Massive Protest

A group of British Hindus and Indians, INSIGHT UK, protested in front of the Oxford Union, the debating society of Oxford University and raised slogans against the institutions.

The group chanted slogans like It is known far and wide, Oxford Union stands on terrorists side" and Bharat mata ki jai, vande matram". INSIGHT UK wrote on social media, Jammu Kashmir WAS India, Jammu Kashmir IS India, Jammu Kashmir WILL BE India."

BREAKINGJammu Kashmir WAS IndiaJammu Kashmir IS IndiaJammu Kashmir WILL BE India#OxfordUnion pic.twitter.com/91bolGraqj  INSIGHT UK (@INSIGHTUK2) November 14, 2024

INSIGHT UK alleged that an organisation run by Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur, one of the speakers invited at the Oxford Unions Kashmir debate, was investigated for potential connections to terrorist activities by authorities like Scotland Yard, the Charity Commission, and the FBI.

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The group also mentioned other concerns in the letter written to the Oxford Union on Thursday.

The letter also pointed to Zafar Khans leadership in the JKLF, a group accused of violence against the Kashmiri Hindu community and implicated in the 1984 kidnapping and murder of Indian diplomat Ravindra Mhatre in the UK.

Location : London, United Kingdom (UK)

First Published: November 15, 2024, 15:10 IST
A British WFH Engineer's Technical Error Left 7 Lakh Passengers Stranded. Here's How

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Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 16:59 IST

A Level 2 Engineer working remotely during a busy weekend last year was unable to log in with his password, leading to chaos.

The technical glitch caused UK airlines over 100 million pounds in restitution to travellers. (Representative Image)

A password error on the computer of a junior engineer working from home led to widespread chaos as several flights were cancelled and at least 700,000 passengers were stranded at airports. An investigation revealed that delays in authenticating a remote engineers password credentials caused the pandemonium.

The incident took place during a bank holiday weekend in August last year, one of the busiest days of the year for flights, and caused airlines to lose around 100 million euros in refunds, rebookings, hotel rooms and refreshments, according to The Independent.

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The glitch was caused by a corrupt file for a flight scheduled for Paris. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) found in its investigation that a junior engineer, who was working from home rather than the headquarters of the National Air Traffic Services (NATS), was unable to log in to their computer remotely to resolve the glitch.

As soon as automatic flight planning systems failed as early as 8:32 am, a junior Level 1 engineer working on-site began checks. A Level 2 engineer working remotely was contacted 34 minutes later, but their password login details could not be readily verified due to the architecture of the system".

ALSO READ: British Airways Flight To Nowhere Returns After Technical Snag, Leaves Passengers Furious

Techies Reached Site After Four Hours

After this, the IT engineers made their way to the airport  around an hour and a half later  but were still not able to fix the problem, reported The New York Post. It took a total of four hours for authorities to address the issue, by the time which thousands of flights were delayed or cancelled.

More than 700,000 passengers were stranded at airports over the course of several days and airlines had to pay $126 million in restitution to the aggrieved travellers. The CAA also noted that support from Frequentis Comsoft, which manufactured the automatic flight planning system, was not sought for more than four hours after the initial event".

In the wake of this incident, the CAA recommended 48 new policy solutions in its inquiry, which included bolstering contingency and crisis response plans and calling for senior engineers to be on duty at NATS offices at all times.

The CAA said NATS should consider restoring a Level 2 engineer on site during busy periods such as the summer, along with early notice to airlines and airports of possible disruption. Several aviation organisations said it took too long for them to be informed about the disruption, with several first hearing of it from media coverage.

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The report makes clear once again that airlines and passengers were severely let down by NATS due to its failure of resilience and lack of planning. Airlines were then left picking up the pieces and costs, which ran into millions," said EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren.

Notably, this was not the first time the airlines in the UK faced such disruptions. In June, travellers were forced to stand in hours-long lines after the government announced a new policy preventing people from carrying more than 3 ounces (100 ml) of liquid in their carry-on baggage.

Location : London, United Kingdom (UK)

First Published: November 15, 2024, 16:59 IST
Donald Trump Cabinet Appointments So Far: Loyalists, Firebrands, Stalwarts

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News18.com

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 11:02 IST

Donald Trump's cabinet picks feature loyalists and controversial figures aligned with his policy goals, including stricter immigration enforcement, and a reduced government regulations.

Donald Trump's picks for his administration (Photos: AFP)

Donald Trump, who is now the President-elect of the United States, is handing top roles for his future White House to a mix of political allies, firebrands and a few relatively conventional figures. Following his election victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump, each day is making a flurry of picks for his cabinet and other high-ranking administration positions.

Trump defeated Harris, the Democratic candidate, in the November 5 presidential election after promising Americans he would impose steep tariffs on all imports, with higher ones aimed at Chinese goods, and signalled much softer support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. Harris loss came after Biden was forced to step aside in the race because of concerns that at 81 he was too old for another term.

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Trumps Republican party also won control of both houses of the US Congress, giving him additional power to push through measures on trade and other issues.

Here are the early picks and top contenders for some of the key posts overseeing defence, intelligence, health, diplomacy, trade, immigration and economic policymaking.

MARCO RUBIO, SECRETARY OF STATE

Trump tapped US Senator Marco Rubio to be his secretary of state, putting the Florida-born politician on track to be the first Latino to serve as the United States top diplomat.

Fifty-three-year-old Rubio was arguably the most hawkish option on Trumps shortlist for secretary of state. The senator has in past years advocated for a muscular foreign policy with respect to US geopolitical foes, including China, Iran and Cuba.

Over the last several years he has softened some of his stances to align more closely with Trumps views. The president-elect accuses past US presidents of leading the United States into costly and futile wars and has pushed for a less interventionist foreign policy.

MATT GAETZ  ATTORNEY GENERAL

In an announcement, Trump said he had selected Gaetz, a US representative, to be his nominee for attorney general.

Few issues in America are more important than ending the partisan Weaponisation of our Justice System," Trump said in a statement announcing the selection of the Florida lawmaker.

Trumps inner circle has described the attorney general as the most important member of the administration after Trump himself, key to his plans to carry out mass deportations, pardon January 6 rioters and seek retribution against those who prosecuted him over the past four years.

TULSI GABBARD  DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE

Trump has named Gabbard, a former Democratic representative and critic of the Biden administration, as his director of national intelligence.

Gabbard left the Democratic Party in 2022 to become an independent and has little direct experience with intelligence work. If confirmed she would become the top official in the US intelligence community after Trump starts his second term in January.

ROBERT F KENNEDY, JR  HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY

Kennedy is an environmental activist who has spread misinformation about the dangers of vaccines. He has suggested he would gut the 18,000-employee Food and Drug Administration, which ensures the safety of food, drugs and medical devices, and replace hundreds of employees at the National Institutes of Health.

Kennedy ran for president in this years election, first as a Democrat and then as an independent, before dropping out in August in exchange for a role in Trumps administration.

The Department of Health and Human Services oversees the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health and the massive Medicare and Medicaid Services programs, which provide health coverage for the poor, those aged 65 and older, and the disabled.

PETE HEGSETH  DEFENCE SECRETARY

Trump picked Hegseth as his secretary of defence. Hegseth is a Fox News commentator and veteran who has expressed disdain for the so-called woke" policies of Pentagon leaders, including its top military officer.

Hegseth, if confirmed by the Senate, could make good on Trumps campaign promises to rid the US military of generals who he accuses of pursuing progressive policies on diversity in the ranks that conservatives have rallied against.

It could also set up a collision course between Hegseth and the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force General CQ Brown, who Hegseth accused of pursuing the radical positions of left-wing politicians."

LEE ZELDIN  EPA ADMINISTRATOR

Trump has appointed Zeldin, a former congressman from New York state, as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Zeldin, 44, a staunch Trump ally, served in Congress from 2015 to 2023. In 2022, he lost the New York governors race to Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul. Trump has promised to overhaul US energy policy, to maximise the countrys already record-high oil and gas production by rolling back regulations and speeding up permitting.

MIKE WALTZ  NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER

Trump said on Tuesday he had picked Waltz, a Republican US representative, to be national security adviser. Waltz is a retired Army Green Beret who has been a leading critic of China.

Waltz, a 50-year-old Trump loyalist who also served in the National Guard as a colonel, has criticized Chinese activity in the Asia-Pacific and has voiced the need for the US to be ready for a potential conflict in the region.

The national security adviser is a powerful role, which does not require Senate confirmation. Waltz will be responsible for briefing Trump on key national security issues and coordinating with different agencies.

While slamming the Biden administration for a disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, Waltz has publicly praised Trumps foreign policy views.

SUSIE WILES  CHIEF OF STAFF

Trump announced that Wiles, one of his two campaign managers, will be his White House chief of staff.

While the specifics of her political views are somewhat unclear, Wiles, 67, is credited with running a successful and efficient campaign. Supporters hope she will instil a sense of order and discipline that was often lacking during Trumps first four-year term when he cycled through several chiefs of staff.

TOM HOMAN  BORDER CZAR

Trump has announced that Homan, the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement during Trumps first administration, will be in charge of the countrys borders.

Trump made cracking down on people illegally in the country a central element of his campaign, promising mass deportations.

Homan, 62, said he would prioritise deporting immigrants illegally in the US who posed safety and security threats as well as those working at job sites.

ELISE STEFANIK, UN AMBASSADOR

Trump announced that Stefanik, a Republican congresswoman and staunch Trump supporter, would be his ambassador to the United Nations.

Stefanik, 40, a US representative from New York state and House Republican conference chair, took a leadership position in the House of Representatives in 2021 when she was elected to replace then-Representative Liz Cheney, who was ousted for criticising Trumps false claims of election fraud.

Stefanik will arrive at the UN after bold promises by Trump to end the Russia-Ukraine war and Israels war in Gaza.

ELON MUSK AND VIVEK RAMASWAMY  HEADS OF DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY

Trump has named tech billionaire Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, a former Republican presidential candidate, to lead a newly created Department of Government Efficiency, rewarding two of his well-known supporters from the private sector.

Trump said that Musk and Ramaswamy will reduce government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut waste and restructure federal agencies.

He also said the new department would bring in external expertise and work with the White House and Office of Management and Budget.

KRISTI NOEM  HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY

Noem, the governor of South Dakota, has been picked to serve as the next homeland security secretary, Trump has said.

Fifty-two-year-old Noem, once seen as a possible running mate for Trump, is currently serving her second four-year term as South Dakotas Governor. She rose to national prominence after refusing to impose a statewide mask mandate during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Department of Homeland Security is responsible for everything from border protection and immigration to disaster response and the US Secret Service.

DOUG BURGUM  INTERIOR SECRETARY

Trump chose Doug Burgum, the Governor of North Dakota, to be interior secretary. Speaking at an event at his Mar-a-Lago retreat in Florida, Trump said he would make the formal announcement on Friday.

Hes going to head the Department of Interior, and its going to be fantastic," Trump said.

Burgum, 68, a wealthy former software company executive, has portrayed himself as a traditional, business-minded conservative. He ran against Trump for the Republican presidential nomination before quitting and becoming a loyal Trump supporter.

The Interior Department manages public lands and minerals, national parks and wildlife refuges. The department also carries out the US governments trust responsibility to Native Americans.

JOHN RATCLIFFE, CIA DIRECTOR

Trump picked John Ratcliffe, the former director of national intelligence, to serve as director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his second administration.

A former congressman and prosecutor who served as director of national intelligence during Trumps last year in office, Ratcliffe, 59, is seen as a hardcore Trump loyalist who could likely win Senate confirmation.

Still, during his time as director of national intelligence, Ratcliffe often contradicted the assessments of career civil servants, drawing criticism from Democrats who said he politicised the role.

SCOTT BESSENT  POTENTIAL TREASURY SECRETARY

Bessent, a key economic adviser to Trump, is widely seen as a top candidate for treasury secretary. A longtime hedge fund investor who taught at Yale University for several years, Bessent has a warm relationship with the President-elect.

While Bessent has long favoured the laissez-faire policies that were popular in the pre-Trump Republican Party, he has also spoken highly of Trumps use of tariffs as a negotiating tool. He has praised the President-elects economic philosophy, which rests on a scepticism of both regulations and international trade.

ROBERT LIGHTHIZER  POTENTIAL TRADE CZAR OF TREASURY SECRETARY

A loyalist who served as Trumps US trade representative for essentially the then-presidents entire term, Lighthizer will almost certainly be invited back.

Though Bessent likely has a better shot at becoming treasury secretary, Lighthizer has an outside chance, and he might be able to reprise his old role if hes interested.

The Wall Street Journal has reported Trump wanted Lighthizer as his trade czar.

Like Trump, Lighthizer, 77, is a trade sceptic and a firm believer in tariffs. He was one of the leading figures in Trumps trade war with China and the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, with Mexico and Canada during Trumps first term.

HOWARD LUTNICK  POTENTIAL TREASURY SECRETARY

The co-chair of Trumps transition effort and the longtime chief executive of financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald, Lutnick is in the running for treasury secretary.

A bombastic New Yorker like Trump, Lutnick, 63, has uniformly praised the president-elects economic policies, including his use of tariffs.

He has at times given elaborate, unvarnished opinions about what policies will be enacted in Trumps second term. Some Trump allies had privately complained that he too often presented himself as speaking on behalf of the campaign.

LINDA McMAHON  POTENTIAL COMMERCE SECRETARY

McMahon, a professional wrestling magnate and former Small Business Administration director, is seen as the frontrunner to lead Trumps Department of Commerce, three sources briefed on the plans said.

McMahon, 76, is a major donor and was an early supporter of the Republican president-elect when he first ran for the White House almost a decade ago. This time, Trump tapped her to co-lead a transition team formed to help vet personnel and draft policy ahead of the November 5 election.

McMahon is the co-founder and former CEO of the professional wrestling franchise WWE. She later served as director of the Small Business Administration, resigning in 2019, and went on to lead a pro-Trump political action committee that supported his 2020 reelection bid.

KASH PATEL  POTENTIAL CANDIDATE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY POSTS

A former Republican House staffer who served in various high-ranking staff roles in the defence and intelligence communities during Trumps first term, Patel frequently appeared on the campaign trail to rally support for the candidate.

Any position requiring Senate confirmation may be a challenge, however.

Patel, 44, has leaned into controversy throughout his career. In an interview with Trump ally Steve Bannon last year, he promised to come after" politicians and journalists perceived to be enemies of Trump.

During Trumps first term, Patel, seen as the ultimate Trump loyalist, drew animosity from some more experienced national security officials, who saw him as volatile and too eager to please the then-president.

TODD BLANCHE  DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL

Donald Trump has chosen Todd Blanche, an attorney who led the legal team that defended the Republican at his hush money criminal trial, to serve as the second-highest-ranking Justice Department official.

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A former federal prosecutor, Blanche has been a key figure on Trumps defence team both in the New York case that ended in a conviction in May and the federal cases brought by Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith.

If confirmed as deputy attorney general by the Republican-led Senate, Blanche would manage the day-to-day operations of the sprawling Justice Department, which Trump has vowed to radically overhaul.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 10:29 IST
Donald Trump Hosts Argentina's President Milei In First World Leader Meet Post-election

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 22:47 IST

Milei, who is known for his populist agenda and drastic economic reforms, praised Trumps political comeback, calling his reelection "the greatest political comeback in history"

Argentine President Javier Milei walks past US President-elect Donald Trump as they attend the America First Policy Institute Gala held at Mar-a-Lago. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images via AFP)

US President-elect Donald Trump hosted Argentinas President Javier Milei at his Mar-a-Lago residence on Thursday, making it the first official meeting with a foreign leader since winning the 2024 presidential election.

Milei, who is known for his populist agenda and drastic economic reforms, praised Trumps political comeback, calling his reelection the greatest political comeback in history."

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The Argentine leader made the remark during a gala event organised by the America First Policy Institute, which was held at Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

Greatest political comeback

This has been the greatest political comeback in history, defying the entire political establishment, even at the risk of his own life," Milei said, introducing Trump on stage. Thanks to this, today the world is a much better world. Today the winds of freedom are blowing, blowing much stronger."

Milei, who has gained Trumps respect for his hardline stance on government cuts and fiscal reforms, is believed to be the first foreign leader to meet with the Republican since his victory earlier this month. The two leaders share a similar populist outlook and have forged a mutual admiration, with Trump previously predicting that Milei would turn your country around and truly make Argentina great again."

Also present at the event was Elon Musk, the worlds richest man and Trumps close ally. He also shared a post on X featuring a photo of himself with Milei, Trump, and others.

Musk, who has been tapped to lead a new Department of Government Efficiency under Trumps new administration, posed for photos with Trump and Milei. The Argentine president recently sought Musks support for tech investments in Argentina, further solidifying the ties between the two leaders.

Milei first met Trump in February at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in the Washington area, where he expressed his admiration for the former US president. Upon spotting Trump, Milei rushed towards him shouting President!" and gave him a close hug before the two posed for pictures.

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Milei, who took office in December 2023, is known for his eccentric personality and bold political stance. He first gained national attention in Argentina with fiery television appearances, where he loudly criticized the countrys political caste." The right-wing populist campaigned with a chainsaw as his symbol, promising to slash public spending and dismantle government ministries.

(With inputs from agencies)

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: November 15, 2024, 20:18 IST
Germany's Scholz Holds Talks With Putin On Ukraine, Zelenskyy Says 'Will Lead Nowhere'

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Last Updated: November 16, 2024, 00:48 IST

Scholz urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage in peace talks, condemning Russia's war of aggression against Kyiv.

This was the first conversation between Scholz and Putin in over two years amid uncertainty of Ukraine's future. (Reuters/File)

Ukraine on Friday condemned German Chancellor Olaf Scholzs call to Russian President Vladimir Putin as an attempt at appeasement" that Moscow would see as a sign of weakness.

Scholz on Friday urged Putin to engage in peace talks with Ukraine, in the first call between the leaders in almost two years. In the call, Scholz condemned Russias war of aggression against Ukraine and called on President Putin to end it and withdraw troops", the chancellors spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said.

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I spoke to President Putin on the phone and called on him to end the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and to withdraw his troops. Russia must show willingness to negotiate with Ukraine  with the aim of achieving a just and lasting peace," said Scholz on X.

I spoke to President Putin on the phone and called on him to end the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and to withdraw his troops. Russia must show willingness to negotiate with Ukraine  with the aim of achieving a just and lasting peace. pic.twitter.com/zsfdgfeOfN Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) November 15, 2024

Talk only gives Putin hope of easing his international isolation," Ukraines foreign ministry said. What is needed are concrete, strong actions that will force him to peace, not persuasion and attempts at appeasement, which he sees as a sign of weakness and uses to his advantage."

Talks Will Lead Nowhere: Zelenskyy On Scholzs Call

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while confirming that Scholz had told him he would be calling Putin, warned that the talks would open a Pandoras box".

This is exactly what Putin has been wanting for a long time: it is extremely important for him to weaken his isolation, as well as Russias isolation, and to hold mere talks that will lead nowhere. He has been doing this for decades," he said.

Chancellor Scholz told me that he planned to call Putin. His call, in my opinion, opens Pandoras Box. There may now be other conversations and phone calls. Just a lot of words.And this is exactly what Putin has long sought. It is critical for him to weaken his isolation, as pic.twitter.com/zcTydmnxsM  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) November 15, 2024

The calls come amid widespread speculation on what the upcoming administration of Donald Trump in the United States would mean for Ukraine. However, Scholz said in an interview Trump privately held more nuanced" positions on Ukraine, days after he spoke with the president-elect of the United States by phone. Without giving many details, Scholz said he got the impression Trump has a more nuanced position than is often assumed".

Russia Open To New Talks: Putin

The German leader urged Russia to show willingness to negotiate with Ukraine with the aim of achieving a just and lasting peace", Hebestreit added in a statement. Scholz also stressed Germanys unwavering determination to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression for as long as necessary".

He also condemned Russian air raids on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and warned that the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia to fight in the war would mark a serious escalation. On the other hand, Meanwhile, the Kremlin responded to Scholz by saying that Moscow was open to new talks and pointed to Putins earlier proposal that Kyiv should cede territory and back off its plans to join NATO.

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Putin had a detailed and frank exchange of views over the situation in Ukraine" with Scholz, with the call initiated by the German side. Putin told Scholz that any agreement to end the war in Ukraine should take into account the security interests of the Russian Federation" the Kremlin added. An accord should proceed from the new territorial realities and, most importantly, address the root causes of the conflict".

(with inputs from agencies)

Location : Kyiv, Ukraine

First Published: November 16, 2024, 00:12 IST
Hamas 'Ready For Ceasefire' In Gaza, Urges Trump To 'Pressure' Israel Into Ending War

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 21:59 IST

A senior Hamas official said US-President elect Donald Trump should put "pressure" on Israel to end the ongoing war in Gaza.

Israel continued its bombardment of Gaza and Lebanon on Friday amid slowly-progressing ceasefire talks. (AFP)

A senior Hamas official on Friday said the Iran-backed militant group is ready for a ceasefire" in Gaza and urged US President-elect Donald Trump to pressure" Israel into halting its aggression as the Israeli military continued to pound the Palestinian territory.

Hamas is ready to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip if a ceasefire proposal is presented and on the condition that it is respected" by Israel, Doha-based Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim told AFP. We call on the US administration and Trump to pressure the Israeli government to end the aggression."

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Hamas informed the mediators that it is in favour of any proposal submitted to it that would lead to a definitive ceasefire and military withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, allowing the return of displaced people, a serious deal for a prisoner exchange, the entry of humanitarian aid and reconstruction," the official added.

Months-long talks for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas had gone in vain, with both parties disagreeing with key aspects of a truce. These disagreements have largely been over the long-term future of Hamas and Israels presence in Gaza. The situation was further complicated by Qatars withdrawal from the ceasefire negotiations last week.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus position has been reinforced after Trumps victory in the US presidential elections, with fears that it could further intensify Israels wars in Gaza and Lebanon. Trump has vowed to swiftly end both conflicts.

UNSC Mulls Resolution Demanding Permanent Ceasefire In Gaza

On Thursday, the UN Security Council circulated a draft resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional and permanent cease-fire" in Gaza, although it was unlikely to pass. The United States, Israels close ally, holds the key to whether the Council would adopt the resolution, which it has blocked several times before.

This came as funerals were held in Gaza on Friday for 11 Palestinians killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes in and around the central Gaza Strip city of Deir al-Balah, including children. Three people were killed and 15 injured in fresh strikes on Deir el-Balah on Friday.

ALSO READ: Youll Receive Painful Blows, Keep Waiting: Iran Warns Israel Of Retribution

The war erupted with Hamass October 7, 2023 attack on Israel which resulted in over 1,200. Israels retaliatory campaign has killed 43,764 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run ministry.

Earlier this week, the Hamas-allied militant group Islamic Jihad released a new clip of Israeli hostage Sasha Trupanov, held in Gaza since the October 7 attack on Israel. In the video, the hostage identifying himself as Sasha Trupanov spoke about Israeli military operations in Lebanon, and called on Israelis to increase pressure on the government to secure the release of hostages.

Lebanon Asks Iran For Help In Securing Ceasefire

Israel also continued to pound Lebanon in its conflict against Hezbollah, launching airstrikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut. Israel had dramatically escalated its offensive against Hezbollah with airstrikes that killed most of the groups top leadership followed by a ground incursion.

Lebanons caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati urged Iran to help secure a ceasefire with Israel and appeared to convince Hezbollah to pull back from the Israeli-Lebanon border. US Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson presented a draft ceasefire proposal to Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, two sources told Reuters.

Mikati spoke to Ali Larijani, a top adviser to Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khameini. Larijani said Iran backed Lebanons ceasefire proposal and wanted a solution to end the war. We support in all circumstances the Lebanese government. Those who are disrupting are Netanyahu and his people," he added.

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Lebanon has reportedly urged Iran to help implement UN Security Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. Eli Cohen, Israels energy minister and a member of its security cabinet, told Reuters that prospects for a ceasefire were the most promising since the conflict began.

(with inputs from agencies)

Location : Jerusalem, Israel

First Published: November 15, 2024, 21:23 IST
How Arsh Dalla, India's Most Wanted, Became Khalistani Terrorist In Canada

Curated By :

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Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 10:07 IST

India has stepped up its extradition bid against Arsh Dalla following the denial of earlier requests made to Ottawa.

NIA designated Arsh Dalla as individual terrorist in June 2023 | File Image

Arshdeep Singh Gill, alias Arsh Dalla, a Khalistani terrorist and one of Indias most wanted, was recently arrested in Canada. India has stepped up its extradition bid following the denial of earlier requests made to Ottawa.

Dalla, who reportedly took over as the chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) after the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Harjit Singh Nijjar in 2023, was a local gangster operating in Punjab before becoming a designated terrorist in Canada.

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Time and again, India has described Dalla as a fugitive in more than 50 cases of murder, attempted murder, extortion and terrorist acts, including terror financing. He also faces charges of killing Congress leader Baljinder Singh Balli, in India through his terror network.

In May 2022, Interpol issued a Red Notice against Dalla, designated as a terrorist by India. In July 2023, New Delhi requested the Canadian government for his provisional arrest. However, the plea was denied, despite extensive documentation of his crime network and activities provided by Indian agencies.

Dalla reportedly hired youths in Punjab and Haryana by using social media platforms to strengthen his terror network. He was arrested by the Halton Regional Police Service in Ontario on October 27-28 following a shoot-out incident.

Dallas arrest exposed Canadas claim that it has not been sheltering criminals and terrorists on its soil, while it strengthened Indias hand in the extradition of Dalla, a close aide of slain terrorist Nijjar.

Dallas Rise In Crime World

Dalla, a native of Dala village in the Moga district of Punjab, began his life as a local gangster before shifting to Canada in 2020. According to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Dalla was living in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, with his wife and a minor daughter.

His passport was issued by the Regional Passport Office in Jalandhar on September 1, 2017, and is valid until August 31, 2027. Reportedly, Dallas passport was issued by a Punjab Police assistant sub-inspector (ASI) on a fake identification report.

In Canada, he was in contact with Nijjar, the former leader of the KTF, a group designated as a terrorist organization by India in February 2023. He took charge as KTF chief following Nijjars murder.

Reports suggest that Dalla intensified his terrorist network while staying in Canada which spans multiple countries, including the United States, Europe, and regions in the Middle East. The Indian agencies have often hinted at his links with Pakistan-based terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba and involvement in drone-based arms trafficking from Pakistan into Punjab. Targeted Killing, Extortion Dallas crime record includes a series of violent acts including targeted killings and extortion. Along with Nijjar, he was charged with the murder of Manohar Lal, a member of Dera Sacha Sauda, in 2022. He claimed responsibility on social media for the assassination of Congress leader Balli in Moga, Punjab. The killing marked another example of his groups targeted violence in India. Dalla, who is on Indias NIA most-wanted list, is also suspected of orchestrating the beheading of a Hindu youth in Delhis Jahangirpuri area. He allegedly received a video of the incident from his sleeper cell network in India. Dallas Arrest Amid Diplomatic Tension The arrest of Arsh Dalla came amid the deepening diplomatic tensions between India and Canada following Ottawas baseless allegation of the role of Indian government agents in the assassination of Nijjar. The Indian government has vehemently denied Ottawas charges, but the accusations have fueled diplomatic tensions, leading to both countries expelling each others diplomats. Earlier, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged that he had only intelligence and no hard evidentiary proof" when he alleged the involvement of Indian government agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Location : Canada

First Published: November 15, 2024, 10:07 IST
'Lawful': Peel Police Give Clean Chit To Canadian Cop Seen In Brampton Temple Attack Video

Curated By :

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Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 10:19 IST

In the two-minute video, the police detailed the results of the investigation and explained the context for the video circulated on social media.

Devotees were attacked at a temple in Canadas Brampton by a group of Khalistani supporters. (Image: X)

Canadas Peel Police on Thursday issued a statement clarifying the altercation between a police official and protestors during an alleged Khalistani attack at Bramptons Hindu Mandir saying that the cop was not in wrong during the protest and acted within the lawful execution of his duties".

Videos doing rounds the corner on social media showed an officer allegedly throwing punches at a protester, raising questions about police use of force.

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Earlier this month, a group of protestors holding banners in support of Khalistan disrupted a consular event attended by Indian officials at Bramptons Hindu Mandir. The protestors allegedly thrashed people with sticks outside the temple. The incident was condemned, including by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau.

While sharing a bodycam footage of a police official who was involved in the altercation outside the temple, the regional police said that an investigation into the altercation had found that the officer was attempting to disarm an individual who had refused to surrender their weapon and became confrontational."

During the protest, it became apparent that tensions were escalating, and public safety became a concern. For the safety of everyone present, a determination was made to seize any items that could be used as a weapon," Peel Regional Police said in a news release.

In the two-minute video, the police detailed the results of the investigation and explained the context for the video circulated on social media.

What the video doesnt show is the officer identifying a protester for the purposes of seizing a weapon that hes holding. The protester then retreats into the crowd and he, along with others, begin to physically resist the officer. The officers body-worn camera, which captured the interaction, was reviewed," Const. Tyler Bell-Morena said.

In the footage, the officer can be seen approaching a man who appears to be holding a stick and attempting to pull it from his hands. The officer is not immediately successful and a short altercation ensues. After the object is seized from the protestor, police begin to disperse the crowd and separate the two groups of protesters.

Peel Regional Police understands that the video caused concern in the community. We take all complaints about officer conduct seriously and have conducted a review of the incident," the service said in a release.

Earlier, a Canadian cop was suspended after he was seen participating with the pro-Khalistani groups that launched an attack on Hindus at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton.

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The suspended cop, identified as Harinder Sohi, was caught on camera holding a Khalistan flag as others in the protest chanted anti-India slogans. He served as a Sergeant of the Peel Regional Police.

After the attack on Hindu devotees in Brampton, the Ministry of External Affairs of India said that New Delhi remains deeply concerned" about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada. The MEA further called on the Trudeau-led Canadian government to protect the places of worship from such attacks on its soil.

Location : Canada

First Published: November 15, 2024, 08:31 IST
Pakistan Fails To Find Buyer For State-Owned Airlines, Bid's Live Telecast Adds Insult to Injury

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 19:05 IST

The government set a minimum sale price of 85 billion Pakistani rupees (approximately Rs 250 crore) for a 60% stake in PIA.

The Punjab province government in Pakistan also expressed its interest in purchasing the airline.

Pakistans recent attempt to sell its financially troubled national airline, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has revealed just how dire Pakistans economic situation has become. PIA, which is drowning in debt, was placed under pressure to sell as part of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a loan of $7 billion. The IMF insisted that the government privatise its loss-making airline in order to reduce its fiscal burden. In response, the Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif-led government began seeking potential buyers, eventually pre-qualifying six groups for the sale. In June, real estate firm Blue World City emerged as the final bidder.

However, the bid that was eventually placed was so shockingly low that it underscored just how deep Pakistans financial troubles have become. The government had set a minimum sale price of 85 billion Pakistani rupees (approximately Rs 250 crore) for a 60% stake in PIA. Yet, when the bid was made, Blue World City offered a mere 10 billion Pakistani rupees (about Rs 30 crore), a figure that was just an eighth of the governments asking price.

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In an attempt to bring transparency to the bidding process, the Pakistani government broadcast the event live. The auction was held in a hotel in Islamabad, with the proceedings aired on the state-run PTV channel for the entire nation to witness. Despite the fanfare, the bid was ultimately rejected, with the government deeming the offer far too low. Following the collapse of the sale, Blue World City Chairman Saad Nazir commented that if his bid was rejected, he wished the Pakistan government the best.

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This failed sale attempt shines a harsh spotlight on the dire financial state of PIA, a once-proud national carrier now burdened by staggering debts and a lack of confidence from potential buyers. The airlines total assets are valued at around 152 billion Pakistani rupees (roughly Rs 450 crore), including its fleet of aircraft and operational routes. Yet, despite this, PIA continues to have liabilities including debts approaching 1 billion rupees. The airline has also been plagued by mismanagement and scandal, most notably the European Unions decision to ban its flights in 2020 after several pilots were found to be operating with fake licences.

While foreign buyers have steered clear of PIA, there is some local interest. The government of the Punjab province in Pakistan expressed its interest in purchasing the airline. Maryam Nawaz, the Chief Minister of Punjab Province and daughter of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, proposed taking over PIA and rebranding it as Air Punjab. This proposal is still under consideration, but it has not yet received a formal response from Pakistans parliament.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 19:05 IST
Two Drunk British Soldiers Caught Having Sex In Rs 75 Crore Military Helicopter: Report

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 20:15 IST

The UK Army personnel noticed the rotors of the chopper swaying up and down with strange noises coming from the inside.

The AH-64 Apache helicopter cost 8.5 million euros (Rs 75 crore) equipped with a 30mm cannon and Hellfire missiles. (Representative Image/Reuters)

In a stunning case, British Army personnel caught two soldiers having sex, apparently in an inebriated state, in the cockpit of an Apache combat helicopter belonging to the Army Air Corps during routine maintenance.

The ground crew had finished a night-time servicing of the AH-64 gunship costing 8.5 million pounds (Rs 75 crore), when they noticed that the rotors of the helicopter were swaying up and down and strange noises coming from inside, according to a report by The Mirror.

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As the maintenance personnel approached the chopper to fit rain covers over it, they were stunned to discover that two people were crammed into the rear cockpit of the aircraft having sex. A man and a woman soldier were half naked inside the war machine, believed to have been drunk.

ALSO READ: UK Priest Who Officiated Royal Wedding Of Harry & Meghan Resigns Over Sex Scandal

A report to the Military Aviation Authority said the male was in uniform and the woman dressed in civilian attire when they were caught having sexual intercourse. They were ordered to exit the cockpit and get dressed. Both parties were serving soldiers. Both showed symptoms of intoxication," the report said.

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The helicopter was part of the Army Air Corps 653 Squadron, armed with a 30 mm cannon and Hellfire missiles. However, the two soldiers were reportedly from a different unit, the Royal Artillery. The two were detained until the chain of command of 653 Squadron and their parent unit arrived, as per the report.

According to The Sun, the incident took place at the Otterburn range in Northumberland in 2016 but has only just become public thanks to a computer glitch. Air crew were reportedly ordered later to secure helicopters in future to prevent a similar incident.

Location : London, United Kingdom (UK)

First Published: November 15, 2024, 20:15 IST
Debate On Kashmir In UK: News18 Decodes Link To Pakistans ISI | Exclusive

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 18:06 IST

The debate organised by Oxford Union on independent Kashmir invited Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur and Zafar Khan as speakers

The protesters outside the building. (X)

Amid chants of Vande Mataram and Bharat Mata ki Jai, Insight UK, a social movement representing British Hindus, on Friday protested outside the Oxford Union building against an event by the organisation in the United Kingdom on November 14, according to top intelligence sources.

The debate organised by Oxford Union  This House Believes in the Independent State of Kashmir  had invited Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur and Zafar Khan as speakers.

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The debate was influenced by Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Cairo-origin Oxford president Ebrahim Osman Mowafy was brought on-board. Mowafy, too, has a tainted past. He was suspended once from the presidency for his wrong comments.

BREAKINGIndian students protest infrontof the Oxford Union.Cries of It is known far and wide, Oxford Union stands on terrorists side".#OxfordUnion pic.twitter.com/N1oeIvrHLn  INSIGHT UK (@INSIGHTUK2) November 14, 2024

Nigerian Muslims, Pakistanis, Indian Muslims from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh had supported the debate. Both the UK and India have named the duo in several cases related to incitement, hate speech and connections to extremist groups and they are already under investigation in both the countries.

Thakur, the president of the World Kashmir Freedom Movement, was investigated by the Scotland Yard, Charity Commission, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for suspected ties to terrorist activities.

Khan, chairman of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), has been associated with a group known for violent activities targeting the Kashmiri Hindu community.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Oxford Union (@theoxfordunion)

According to intelligence sources, the debate was funded by Mercy Universal, the front organisation of Mohammad Ayub Thakur. Mercy Universal was shut down in 2011 after a Scotland Yard Probe, but remains active.

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Mohammad Ayub Thakur was a Kashmiri political activist and founder of the London-based World Kashmir Freedom Movement (WKFM). He was also accused of providing financing and logistical support to terrorists.

The Indian government had booked him under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act in 2001. His activities had led to his Indian passport being impounded, and there was a demand for his extradition to India twice, in 1992 and 1993.

First Published: November 15, 2024, 18:00 IST
UK PM Starmer's Office Apologises For 'Mistake' After Meat, Alcohol Served At Diwali Reception

Published By :

PTI

Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 17:22 IST

The Diwali Party hosted by PM Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street served lamb kebabs and wine, sparking uproar from British Indian Hindus.

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer was criticised for hosting a Diwali reception where non-veg food and wine were served. (Reuters)

Prime Minister Keir Starmers office on Friday apologised for a mistake" in the organisation of its Diwali reception at 10 Downing Street after some British Hindus objected to non-vegetarian food and alcohol being served at the gathering.

While the statement did not make a direct reference to the menu, a spokesperson for Starmers office said the team acknowledged the strength of feeling on the issue and assured the community that it would not be repeated in future.

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The Prime Minister was pleased to welcome a range of communities celebrating Diwali to a reception in Downing Street," a Downing Street spokesperson said.

He paid tribute to the huge contribution the British Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities make to our country and how the government is driven by the shared values of hard work, ambition and aspiration. A mistake was made in the organisation of the event," the spokesperson said.

We understand the strength of feeling on this issue and so would apologise to the community and assure them it will not happen again," the spokesperson added.

British-Indian MP Expresses Disappointment

The statement came a day after British Indian Conservative Party MP Shivani Raja issued a formal letter to Starmer expressing concerns over the reception not being in keeping with the customs of many Hindus".

I feel it speaks poorly against the organisation of this years event  with a disappointing lack of knowledge of the customs and traditions that many British citizens hold dear," reads her letter posted on social media.

As a practising Hindu representing thousands of Hindus within my own constituency of Leicester East, I have been deeply saddened to hear that this years festivities were overshadowed in the greatest Office of State by negativity, as a result of this oversight," said the first-time Tory member of Parliament elected in July from the city of Leicester.

The Opposition MP went on to offer her assistance and guidance" to the Labour Party government for all future Hindu celebrations to ensure they are celebrated in a respectful manner".

The Downing Street event held on October 29 marked the first Diwali reception since Labour was elected to government in the general election four months ago. It brought together British Indian community leaders, professionals and parliamentarians. However, community organisation Insight UK questioned the appalling lack of understanding" of the spiritual aspect of the Hindu festival and a few others pointed out that greater consultation is required ahead of such religious events after reports emerged of meat and alcohol being served at the gathering.

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The reception has been held regularly over the years at Downing Street and insiders indicated Starmer was keen to follow in the footsteps of Rishi Sunak as the first British Hindu Prime Minister of Britain and light candles on the doorstep of 10 Downing Street to mark Diwali.

We value and respect your heritage and traditions, and recognise the strength of our shared values and the celebration of Diwali  a time of coming together, of abundance, and welcome," read excerpts released from Starmers address at the event.

Location : London, United Kingdom (UK)

First Published: November 15, 2024, 17:22 IST
Iranian women who ignore the laws requiring them to keep their heads covered while in public will soon be in for "scientific and psychological treatment" to end their defiance. The head of the Women and Family Department of the Tehran Headquarters for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice announced the government's plans to open the Clinic for Quitting Hijab Removal. Mehri Talebi Darestani, who will run the Tehran clinic, said it will deal with "the teenage generation, young adults, and women seeking social and Islamic identity," per the Telegraph . She said attendance will be optional.

This new approach is the latest move in the government's response to protests that followed the death of Mahsa Amini in morality police custody in 2022; the 22-year-old had been arrested for wearing her hijab improperly. About two weeks ago, a woman walking on a university campus in her underwear apparently was taken into custody, renewing the outcry from opponents of hajib laws and the government. The UN has called Iran's campaign "gender apartheid." Other steps have included covert surveillance of women and an increase in the number of morality police. Opposition to the creation of the Clinic for Quitting Hijab Removal was expressed by:

A young woman from Iran: "It won't be a clinic, it will be a prison. We are struggling to make ends meet and have power outages, but a piece of cloth is what this state is worried about. If there was a time for all of us to come back to the streets, it's now or they'll lock us all up."

from Iran: "It won't be a clinic, it will be a prison. We are struggling to make ends meet and have power outages, but a piece of cloth is what this state is worried about. If there was a time for all of us to come back to the streets, it's now or they'll lock us all up." A human rights lawyer in Iran: A clinic to treat women not complying with hijab laws is "neither Islamic and nor is it aligned with Iranian law," Hossein Raeesi said, per the Guardian.

in Iran: A clinic to treat women not complying with hijab laws is "neither Islamic and nor is it aligned with Iranian law," Hossein Raeesi said, per the Guardian. An Iranian journalist in the UK: "The idea of establishing clinics to 'cure' unveiled women is chilling, where people are separated from society simply for not conforming to the ruling ideology," said Sima Sabet.

(More Iranian women stories.)
The lawyers representing Rudy Giuliani in the effort to force him to turn over assets to pay damages to two former election workers he was found to have defamed want off the case. Ken Caruso and David Labkowski asked a judge to let them quit their client in court filings on Wednesday, NBC News reportstwo days before the court's deadline for Giuliani turn over property and financial information to Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss. The specific reason the lawyers gave was redacted, but the filing suggests their client checks three boxes in the professional code of conduct that permits lawyers to withdraw that apply when the client:

"Insists upon presenting a claim or defense that is not warranted under existing law and cannot be supported by good faith argument."

"Fails to cooperate in the representation or otherwise renders the representation unreasonably difficult for the lawyer."

Caruso, the lead lawyer, seemed to be following Giuliani's directions last week in federal court in Manhattan while trying to fight off seizure of the former Trump lawyer's 1980 Mercedes convertible and other possessions. Giuliani repeatedly whispered instructions to Caruso, and it didn't always go well, per CNN . The judge called some of their statements during the hearing "farcical" and "ridiculous," then ordered Giuliani to turn the car over . The onetime New York City mayor lost a $146 million judgment after falsely accusing the women of election fraud. A spokesman for Giuliani said nobody has told him the lawyers want to leave the case. (More Rudy Giuliani stories.)
The upcoming government efficiency office to be run by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy is hiring, and it appears the first expense they intend to save money on is their staff. The operation seeks "super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries willing to work 80+ hours per week on unglamorous cost-cutting," an announcement on X says, per the Washington Post . "Indeed, this will be tedious work, make lots of enemies & compensation is zero," Musk posted in response to an X user on Thursday. "What a great deal!" the world's richest man added, along with a laughing emoji. President-elect Trump announced that Musk and Ramaswamy will run the nongovernment initiative on Tuesday.

Applicants are told to direct message their resumes. That works out well for X, the Wall Street Journal points out: Only premium subscribers can direct message the Department of Government Efficiency, and being one costs $8 or $16 a month. The Journal was unable to get anybody to confirm that Musk is serious about the jobs being unpaid, or whether the two bosses will receive salaries. Ramaswamy did say the positions are a contrast to many in government held by people who "make more money than the value they create." After buying Twitter, Musk told employees to choose between leaving the company and "working long hours at high intensity." (More Department of Government Efficiency stories.)
A computer expert who stole bitcoin worth billions of dollars at current pricesand then spent years laundering the hacked cryptocurrency with help from his wifewas sentenced Thursday to five years in prison. Ilya Lichtenstein masterminded one of the largest-ever thefts from a virtual currency exchange before he and his wife, Heather Rhiannon Morgan, carried out an elaborate scheme to liquidate the stolen funds, according to federal prosecutors. The pair were dubbed the "Bonnie and Clyde" of cryptocurrency. The judge is scheduled to sentence Morgan on Monday. Lichtenstein pleaded with the judge to spare his wife from prison, blaming himself for her involvement, the AP reports.

US District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly told Lichtenstein that his theft was "meticulously planned" and not an impulsive act. "It's important to send a message that you can't commit these crimes with impunity, that there are consequences to them," she said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a phone call from a top general on the morning of Oct. 7, 2023, informing him that hundreds of Hamas militants were preparing to attack. Now, an investigation is underway to determine whether aides altered the official record of that call, raising questions about what Netanyahu knew of the invasion in advance, per the New York Times. Meanwhile, an aide to the prime minister has been arrested for allegedly leaking a classified document Netanyahu would later cite as evidence of Hamas' "psychological warfare." More:



The call: Aides including Chief of Staff Tzachi Braverman are accused of altering the record to push back the time Netanyahu was first informed of the impending attack, per the Times of Israel. After resigning as military secretary in May, Maj. Gen. Avi Gil claimed a senior aide forced a transcriber to alter the transcripts, sources tell the New York Times.
When he's not running Tesla, SpaceX, and X, or prepping for his new role in the "Department of Government Efficiency," Elon Musk has been taking some meetings. That list includes Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, who met with the tech billionaire at an undisclosed location in New York on Monday to talk about "how to defuse tensions between Iran and the United States," sources tell the New York Times .

Two anonymous Iranian officials tell the paper that the "positive" meeting lasted over an hour, with one of them noting it was Musk who requested the get-together. A US official tells CNN that Biden administration officials at the UN hadn't been informed about any such meeting. The Guardian notes that Musk, who's become a top adviser to President-elect Trump, has been setting himself up as "the country's most influential civilian come January," even sitting in on a phone call on Nov. 6 between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Things have been tense between Trump and Iran since the former president's first term, when he pulled the US out of the Iran nuclear deal, imposed rigid sanctions on the nation, and also called for the 2020 assassination of Qassem Soleimani, an Iranian general. Earlier this month, federal prosecutors revealed that Iran had plotted to kill Trump before the 2024 election. Iranian hardliners don't want to negotiate with him, but Musk could serve as a "workaround," per the Times, "allowing [Iran] to avoid sitting directly with an American official."

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"The Iranians have not engaged Americans in direct negotiations since before Trump left the nuclear deal, so this could be a very big deal," Sina Toossi of the Center for International Policy tells the Guardian. Trump campaign rep Steven Cheung stayed tight-lipped, noting, "We do not comment on reports of private meetings that did or did not occur." Similarly, no response from Musk's camp. Karoline Leavitt, the transition rep for Trump's pending administration, said, "The American people reelected President Trump because they trust him to lead our country and restore peace through strength around the world. When he returns to the White House, he will take the necessary action to do just that." (More Elon Musk stories.)
An American tourist who arrived in Japan with his family on Monday might be staying in the country for a lot longer than he had intended. Police say 65-year-old Steve Lee Hayes vandalized a pillar at one of the country's most prominent Shinto shrines on his second day in the country, CNN reports. He could face up to three years in prison, or a fine of up to around $2,000. Police say Hayes used his fingernails to carve five letters representing the names of family members into the pillar to Tokyo's Meiji Jingu shrine, reports Reuters .

Police say Hayes told them he carved the letters in a space a few inches wide as a prank, Kyodo News reports. After staff at the shrine noticed the damage Tuesday, they called police, who arrested Hayes at his hotel the next day after reviewing security video. The letters were carved into a wooden pillar known as a torii gate, NBC News reports.

Japan is experiencing a boom in tourism, with visitor numbers for this year on course to beat the record of 31.9 million set in 2019, Reuters reports. The rise in tourist numbers, however, has also brought a rise in complaints about bad behavior and overtourism at sites like Mount Fuji. CNN reports that a 61-year-old Austrian tourist was arrested in September for having sex on the grounds of a shrine in Kesennuma, a town around 300 miles north of Tokyo. (More Japan stories.)
Pete Hegseth, the Fox News host who is Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Department of Defense, was accused of sexual assault in 2017 after a speaking appearance at a Republican women's event in Monterey, California, according to a statement released by the city. No charges were filed in the case. Hegseth's attorney, Timothy Parlatore, tells the AP the allegations were "completely false." The matter "was investigated by the police at the time and they found no evidence," he adds. Monterey City officials declined to release a police report that documented the accusations and instead issued a brief statement Thursday night in response to press inquiries.

According to that statement, Monterey Police were contacted in October 2017 to investigate a sexual assault that allegedly took place several days earlier at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Monterey and involved Hegseth. The person who reported the assaultwhose name, age and sex were not releasedhad bruises on the right thigh. No weapons were involved in the encounter, the person told police. The incident occurred sometime between 11:59pm on Oct. 7 and 7am the following morning, according to the city's statement. Hegseth was in town at the time to address the California Federation of Republican Women during a banquet dinner held at the group's biennial convention, according to social media posts and promotional materials from the time.

The alleged assault was first reported by Vanity Fair on Thursday. Monterey City officials said they were withholding further details included in the police report because it included analysis and conclusions by law enforcement officials that are exempt from release under state public records law. At the time of the alleged assault in 2017, Hegseth, now 44, was going through a divorce with his second wife, with whom he has three children. She filed for divorce after he had a child with a Fox News producer who is now his wife, according to court records and social media posts by Hegseth. His first marriage ended in 2009, also after infidelity by Hegseth, according to court records.

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In a statement, Steven Cheung, a spokesman for the Trump transition, said Hegseth "has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed. We look forward to his confirmation as United States Secretary of Defense so he can get started on Day One to Make America Safe and Great Again."

(More Pete Hegseth stories.)
Three of Malcolm X's daughters have filed a $100 million suit against some of the nation's top law enforcement and intelligence agencies, alleging those groups knew of threats against their father's life and did nothing to stop his assassination at age 39. Per the AP , the complaint brought by Ilyasah Shabazz and her siblings, along with the estate of the late civil-rights leader, points the finger at the FBI, CIA, DOJ, and NYPD in the 1965 shooting death of the former Malcolm Little, who eventually changed his name to Malcolm X, then El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz. The suit claims these groups didn't intervene to stop the assassination plot when they should have, then spent a decade covering it up, per the Hill .

"We believe that they all conspired to assassinate Malcolm X, one of the greatest thought leaders of the 20th century," attorney Ben Crump said at a Friday news briefing, per Reuters. The civil rights activist was gunned down at Manhattan's Audubon Ballroom on Feb. 21, 1965, shot 21 times by three men as his wife and four daughters prepared to watch him speak. The three suspects were convicted, but in 2021, two of those convictions were overturned after investigators said some of the evidence had been "shaky," per the AP. That same year, Malcolm X's family produced a letter that had been written in 2011 by NYPD officer Raymond Wood, who died in 2020, per USA Today.

Wood claimed he was told to cajole members of Malcolm X's security team to commit crimes, strictly so they could be arrested and therefore leave Malcolm X vulnerable to an attack. "At that time, I was not aware that Malcolm X was the target," Wood wrote. Malcolm X's family now claims in a release that the agencies in question were suspicious of Black activism, believing it to be a national security threat"resulting in the unchecked targeting of prominent leaders," including Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., per the Hill.

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"As a direct result of the defendants' intentional, bad faith, willful, wanton, reckless, unreasonable, and/or deliberately indifferent acts and omissions, Malcolm X was deprived of his federal constitutional rights, was robbed of his life and freedom, and sustained severe physical, emotional, and monetary damages," the suit states. Crump says he hopes officials review the complaint and "learn all the dastardly deeds that were done by their predecessors and try to right these historic wrongs," per the AP. The four main agencies named in the suit have yet to comment. (More Malcolm X stories.)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin leader's first publicly announced conversation with the sitting head of a major Western power in nearly two years. Scholz urged Putin to be open to negotiations with Ukraine to end their war, his office said. The Kremlin leader responded that any peace deal should acknowledge Russia's territorial gains and security demands, including that Ukraine renounce joining NATO, the AP reports. "The chancellor urged Russia to be willing to negotiate with Ukraine with the aim of achieving a just and lasting peace and stressed Germany's unwavering determination to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression for as long as necessary," a German statement said.

During the hourlong call, Scholz urged Putin to withdraw his troops and end the full-scale invasion launched in February 2022, a spokesman for the chancellor said. Tuesday will be the conflict's 1,000th day. Exiled Russian opposition leaders, including Alexei Navalny's widow, Yulia, have planned an antiwar rally for Sunday in Berlin. The new communication between Scholz and Putintheir first since December 2022comes at a time of widespread speculation about what the new administration of President-elect Trump will mean for Ukraine. Scholz faces a political crisis at home and has called for a vote of confidence next month, with an early election in February.

Trump repeatedly has questioned the amount of US aid being given to Ukraine. While he has suggested he could settle the war quickly, Ukraine has ruled out giving up any territory to Moscow in return for peace. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who met with Trump in September, criticized Scholz's call to Putin. "This is exactly what Putin has wanted for a long time," Zelensky said in his nightly address, per the AP. "It is crucial for him to weaken his isolation. ... And to engage in negotiations, ordinary negotiations, that will lead to nothing." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the leaders had a "detailed" and "frank" exchange of opinions but added that "there is no talk about convergence of opinions." The two sides agreed to remain in contact.

(More Russia-Ukraine war stories.)
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Mahir Haneef

TDT| Manama

As the Bahrain International Airshow 2024 concluded, French Ambassador to Bahrain, H.E. Eric Giraud-Telme, commended the Kingdom for its seamless organization of the event, held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, with the support of HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The Ambassador highlighted the growing collaboration between France and Bahrain in the aerospace industry, reflecting the strengthening ties between the two nations.

Frances participation in this years airshow was substantial, featuring top aerospace companies like Airbus, Thales, AMC Aviation, and CFM International, a joint venture between Safran and General Electric specializing in aircraft engines. The Ambassador witnessed the signing of a significant agreement between Bahrains Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, H.E. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, and Thales, aimed at enhancing collaboration in innovative aerospace solutions.

The French envoy also lauded Airbuss Little Engineers program, which engaged Bahraini youth in hands-on aerospace activities, fostering a new generation of talent in the sector.

Further, the Ambassador further underscored the contributions of Voltaero and Charlatte Manutention, two French companies leading in sustainable aerospace solutions. Voltaero specializes in eco-friendly air-transport innovations, while Charlatte Manutention, known for battery-powered electric vehicles for airport ground support, aligns with Bahrains sustainability goals. These companies bring sustainable air-transport solutions that align with Bahrains vision for a greener future, he noted.

The Bahrain International Airshow 2024 emphasized the pivotal role of French expertise in supporting Bahrain's ambitions in aerospace, defence, and sustainable development. This strong French presence underscores the importance of the enduring partnership between Bahrain and France, as both nations look toward a future of shared progress in aviation and technology.
Mahir Haneef

TDT| Manama

The sixth Bahrain International Trophy concluded today at the Rashid Equestrian and Horse Racing Club (REHC), with His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Deputy King, attending the event and celebrating Bahrains continued rise as a global hub for horseracing.

HRH the Deputy King credited the unwavering support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for establishing Bahrains prominence in the equestrian sector. "His Majesty's vision has been instrumental in advancing our horseracing sector, ensuring it remains deeply rooted in Bahrains culture and history," HRH remarked, underscoring the Kingdoms commitment to developing horseracing for generations to come.

Praising the organizational efforts of His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the REHC High Committee, HRH the Deputy King noted the dedication of Team Bahrain in elevating the Kingdoms horseracing standards, fostering a reputation that attracts top-tier international and regional participation.

Highlighting the main event, HRH the Deputy King presented the Bahrain International Trophy to owners Sir Alex Ferguson, Done, and Mason, whose horse Spirit Dancer clinched first place in the eighth race for imported, graded Class 1, Group 2 horses. Spirit Dancers victory marked its second consecutive win in this prestigious race, followed by Lead Artist in second, Calif in third, and Alflaila in fourth.

The event also featured other notable races. The first race, the World Arabian Horse Organisation Cup, was won by Kuheilan Al Adiyat 1894. Braveheart took first in the Lexus Cup, while Byline claimed the Economic Development Board Cup. Other winners included Ava Go Joe in the Grand Seiko Cup, Al Hadba in the Gulf Air Cup, Instinctive Move in the Beyon Cup, and Zagato in the Bapco Energies Cup.

HRH the Deputy King expressed Bahrains pride in hosting such high-calibre events and congratulated the winners, reaffirming the Kingdoms commitment to supporting equestrian sports. The Bahrain International Trophy showcased the Kingdoms equestrian spirit, solidifying its place on the international horseracing stage.
Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison and Indonesian tech firm GoTo Gojek Tokopedia said on Thursday they have begun work on Sahabat-AI, an open-source large language model (LLM) ecosystem specifically designed for Bahasa Indonesia and other local languages.

Indosat said Sahabat-AI will enable Indonesians to build AI-based services and applications in Bahasa Indonesia and various local languages, which will preserve essential cultural and linguistic nuances and understanding local context, which global AI models dont support.

By operating in Bahasa Indonesia, Sahabat-AI addresses critical context and cultural reference gaps left by the global large language models, said GoTo CEO Patrick Walujo.

The Sahabat-AI model has been trained by AI Singapore and Tech Mahindra using Nvidias full-stack AI platform. In its first phase of development, Sahabat-AI will launch with 8-billion and 9-billion parameter LLMs.

Indosat  which signed a collaboration MoU with Nvidia earlier this year  said it will support ongoing development of Sahabat-AIs family of models using Lintasarta's recently launched GPU Merdeka sovereign AI cloud service, which features Nvidia Hopper-based accelerated computing.

Adoption of Sahabat-AI will focus initially on chatbots, which present the most obvious and immediate use cases for local-language AI models.

For example, Indosat said Sahabat-AI will enable its existing AI chatbot to answer queries in the Indonesian language for various citizen and resident services. That chatbot is also part of a broader citizen services platform that Tech Mahindra and Insodat are developing as part of the Indonesian governments sovereign AI initiative.

GoTo said its adopting and enhancing the Sahabat-AI models to integrate with its AI voice assistant Dira, which helps customers book rides, order food deliveries, transfer money and pay bills.

Indosat said it is also collaborating with Accenture to develop applications based on Sahabat-AI for industry-specific use cases such as financial services and energy under a partnership announced in September.

Indosat and GoTo said they plan to develop Sahabat-AI as an open ecosystem comprising research institutes, universities, media organizations, government agencies, and other partners to bring local and international expertise to the project. University of Indonesia, Gadjah Mada University, Bandung Institute of Technology, and Bogor Institute of Agriculture are already onboard, as well as media groups Republika and Kompas Group.

Healthcare AI company Hippocratic AI, which has developed a healthcare-focused LLM for digital chatbot agents, will incorporate the new Sahabat-AI models into its services for Indonesia residents.

Indosat president director and CEO Vikram Sinha described Sahabat-AI as a necessary step to make AI more widely accessible to everyone in Indonesia. By creating an AI model that speaks our language and reflects our culture, we empower every Indonesian to harness advanced technology's potential.

GoTos Walujo added that an ecosystem approach was the only way to fulfil that vision is with the support of others. This is why we are inviting stakeholders from all sectors to join the development of this important open-source LLM ecosystem as we aim to drive the country forward together.
TORONTO, Nov. 15, 2024 /CNW/ - After 25 years, you might wonder whether there is anything new under the sun that the editors of Canada's Top 100 Employers haven't seen at organizations that take part in the annual competition. The project's editors publish over one million words annually explaining why the winners were chosen for the national competition, along with a series of regional and special-interest projects. Tolstoy managed to complete War and Peace in a spartan 587,000 words, so what is it about the Canada's Top 100 Employers project, organized by Mediacorp Canada Inc., that manages to capture readers' interest and inspire employers year after year?

"Twenty-five years ago, it wasn't easy for readers to find information on best practices in the workplace," says Richard Yerema, executive editor. "The idea behind the competition was to create more transparency about what employers offered in terms of their benefits and culture, so we could start a conversation about work and workplaces."

"We see the competition winners adapting to reflect how Canada is changing," says Kristina Leung, managing editor of the project. "The best employers recognize that traditional benefits  such as paid time off for religious holidays, medical and health benefits, or even cultural events organized for employees  need to reflect the nation as it is today, not how it might have been when these programs were created."

At times in the project's 25-year history, events like the pandemic bring about wholesale changes in workplace programs at speed, such as the adoption of remote or hybrid work policies by employers. This area continues to evolve, with employers and employees both keeping a close eye on the effectiveness and benefits of such policies.

"Year after year, the effect of publishing what the nation's best employers offer is that other organizations take note and start raising the bar on their own in fields that are important to Canadians," says Anthony Meehan, publisher at Mediacorp. "Each year, the competition becomes more challenging for employers and earning a place on the list isn't easy."

To see how this principle has guided the project, consider a few key metrics that have steadily improved over the years. For example, in the competition's first edition  25 years ago  only eight winners offered paid vacation allowance of four weeks or more to start. Today, a remarkable 31 winners are at this level and the number continues to grow.

Or take a moment to reflect on the steady improvements in maternity top-up pay, a benefit the competition has followed closely. In the past 15 years, among applicants to the competition, the number of organizations offering some kind of maternity top-up has increased by nearly 40%. This year, almost three-quarters of the employers that applied for the 2025 competition offer this important workplace benefit  a singular achievement that has changed the face of Canadian workplaces.

Similar improvements can be seen across dozens of other workplace benefits and workplace policies evaluated by the editors, from assisting with retirement planning to making it easier for employees to volunteer at local charities.



Now celebrating its 25th year, Canada's Top 100 Employers is an editorial competition that recognizes employers with exceptional human resources programs and forward-thinking workplace policies. Editors at Mediacorp review employers on eight criteria, which have remained consistent since the project's inception: (1) Workplace; (2) Work Atmosphere & Social; (3) Health, Financial & Family Benefits; (4) Vacation & Time Off; (5) Employee Communications; (6) Performance Management; (7) Training & Skills Development; and (8) Community Involvement. The editors publish detailed 'reasons for selection' for these criteria, providing transparency in the selection of winners and a catalogue of best practices for employers and job-seekers alike. The competition is open to any employer, private or public, with its principal place of business in Canada.

Founded in 1992, Mediacorp Canada Inc. is the nation's largest publisher of employment periodicals. Since 1999, the Toronto-based publisher has managed the Canada's Top 100 Employers project, which includes 19 regional and special-interest editorial competitions that reach millions of Canadians annually through a variety of magazine and newspaper partners, including The Globe and Mail. Mediacorp also operates Eluta.ca, one of Canada's largest job search engines, used by millions of job-seekers annually to find new job postings and discover what the nation's best employers are offering.

The full list of Canada's Top 100 Employers (2025) was announced today in a special magazine published by Mediacorp Canada Inc. and distributed nationally in The Globe and Mail. Mediacorp editors also released their detailed reasons for selecting each of this year's winners, as well as stories and photos of their initiatives, which are accessible via the competition homepage.

Join the discussion about today's announcement on social media:

LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3a11Fkf

Instagram & Facebook: @topemployers

X/Twitter: @top_employers

Hashtags: #CanadasTop100Employers, #topemployers2025

SOURCE Mediacorp Canada Inc.

Further information: Chantel Watkins, Assistant Editor, [email protected]
The first new CANDU reactors to be built since 2007

Signals a new era in the construction of large reactors in support of the nuclear super cycle

Represents the first step in AtkinsRealis' strategy to sell more new CANDU reactors globally

Financing of the new reactors to be supported by $3 billion from the Government of Canada and additional capital from other governments

from the Government of and additional capital from other governments Enables the expansion of the production of lifesaving medical isotopes

MONTREAL, Nov. 15, 2024 /CNW/ - Candu Energy Inc., an AtkinsRealis company [AtkinsRealis Group Inc.] (TSX: ATRL), in a joint venture with Fluor Corporation, Ansaldo Nucleare and Sargent & Lundy, has been awarded a contract from EnergoNuclear S.A., to build two new CANDU reactors at the Cernavoda Nuclear Generating Station in Romania; the first in the world since 2007. These units will allow Romania to almost double the production of clean, reliable and affordable electricity.

"This is a game changing contract for AtkinsRealis and Romania. As the sole commercial licensee of world-renowned CANDU technology, we are uniquely positioned to contribute to the vast expansion of the world's clean power," commented Ian L. Edwards, President and Chief Executive Officer, AtkinsRealis. "CANDU technology is at the forefront of relevant, up to date and differentiated nuclear technologies in the world. We are honoured to help power Romania well into the end of the 21st century with these brand new CANDU reactors. I would like to thank the Government of Canada who helped make this contract possible through export financing support of $3 billion. This also represents our first step in our expansion around the world as we aim to sell many more reactors."

"Canada is proud to stand at the forefront of the global clean energy transition, with CANDU nuclear technology as a pillar of innovation and reliability," said Mary Ng, Minister of Export, Trade & Economic Development for Canada. "This collaboration in Romania highlights Canada's leadership in nuclear energy, providing clean, resilient solutions that enhance energy security, reduce emissions, and support economic growth. Through this partnership, we're not only creating good, high-paying jobs and advancing sustainable growth, but we're also reinforcing Canada's commitment to a low-carbon future and strengthening resilient supply chains for a better world."

CANDU New Builds at Cernavoda

As the original equipment manufacturer of the Canadian-owned CANDU technology, AtkinsRealis will provide design, engineering, and procurement services, as well as support to EnergoNuclear to meet European Union directives around the project, and interfacing with Romania's nuclear power regulator, National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control (CNCAN). These two new units for Romania are the first CANDU new builds in the world since Romania's Unit 2 nuclear reactor came online in 2007; they signal a new era in the construction of large reactors in support of the nuclear super cycle in response to the increasing global demand for energy.

EnergoNuclear is the Romanian entity responsible for construction, commissioning and operation of Units 3 & 4 using CANDU technologyat Cernavoda. The initial first phase of the mandate is worth $224 million. After completion of the initial phase, EnergoNuclear has the option to issue a full notice to proceed with the services necessary to complete Units 3 and 4, subject to the agreement of commercial terms.

"28 years of excellent operation of Cernavoda NPP Units 1 and 2, outstanding safety record, 230 million MWh into the grid and 215 million tons of CO2 avoided are the merits of CANDU technology and human expertise. We are keen on extending the historic cooperation with AtkinsRealis, for the deployment of Units 3 and 4 and provide Romania with long-term safe, reliable and clean energy. Nuclear energy is a major part of the global effort for deep decarbonization and by extending CANDU nuclear capacities in Romania, we aim to prove that energy security, energy availability and energy resilience together with 66% of Romania's clean energy can efficiently be provided by a single energy source, nuclear, based on years of experience, strategic partnerships and robust technology," stated Cosmin Ghita, Nuclearelectrica Chief Executive Officer.

With Candu Energy and most of its staff based in Mississauga, Ontario's Minister of Energy and Electrification Stephen Lecce commented: "Ontario is proud to lead in nuclear energy, providing clean, reliable, and affordable power while positioning our province as a global leader in this critical sector. By exporting our nuclear expertise worldwide, we're showcasing Ontario's innovation and commitment to an affordable energy future. While we refurbish and expand nuclear fleets around the world, we are bringing jobs and investment back home for Ontario families and workers."

CANDU Technology in Romania: A Canadian Success Story

The Cernavoda site houses Romania's only nuclear power plant. Providing about 20% of the country's power1, currently consisting of two CANDU 6 reactors (Units 1 and 2) on a site layout that was originally constructed for five. Each reactor produces around 720 MW of clean power, 24/7 for the grid. The Unit 2 CANDU reactor at Cernavoda holds the world record for highest capacity factor (composed of reliability and up-time) of any nuclear reactor globally.2 Romania is also preparing for the life extension of Unit 1; a project in which AtkinsRealis holds a central role.

Romania has avoided the release of over 215 million tons of CO2 since the two existing CANDU units came online in 1996 and 2007, respectively.3 The long-term operation of CANDU technology is central to helping Romania reach its goal of energy stability and decarbonization; including phasing out coal-fired power.4

This project will also unlock Romania's potential to become a regional hub for energy security and clean electricity in Eastern Europe with the support of Canadian technology. The unique ability of CANDU reactors to utilize unenriched uranium offers an additional layer of energy security, via bypassing foreign fuel enrichment.

"Canadian CANDU technology has served Romania well and is the right choice for the next 60 years," said Joe St. Julian, President, Nuclear, AtkinsRealis. "The last seven CANDU reactors built around the world, and the ongoing life extension of 10 CANDU reactors in Ontario, have been conducted on time and on budget. We will employ our unmatched nuclear power know-how as the steward of this technology, to ensure a similarly successful outcome for the build of these two new units in Romania."

CANDU technology also co-produces medical grade life-saving isotopes to sterilize medical equipment worldwide, and for use in both detecting and fighting cancer. CANDU reactors in Canada produce 50% of the world's supply of the Cobalt-60 isotope.5

_______________________________ 1 Nuclearelectrica, https://www.nuclearelectrica.ro/cne/en/ 2 Nuclearelectrica, https://www.nuclearelectrica.ro/despre-noi/technical-area/cernavoda-npp/?lang=en 3 Nuclearelectrica, https://www.nuclearelectrica.ro/2023/11/28/sn-nuclearelectrica-sa-and-the-consortium-led-by-atkinsrealis-sign-the-contract-for-the-refurbishment-of-the-cernavoda-npp-unit-1/?lang=en 4 Government of Canada, https://www.international.gc.ca/country_news-pays_nouvelles/2023-09-20-romania-roumanie.aspx?lang=eng 5 Ontario Power Generation, https://www.opg.com/projects-services/projects/nuclear/nuclear-isotopes/

About AtkinsRealis

Created by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRealis is a world-class engineering services and nuclear company dedicated to engineering a better future for our planet and its people. We create sustainable solutions that connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. We deploy global capabilities locally to our clients and deliver unique end-to-end services across the whole life cycle of an asset including consulting, advisory & environmental services, intelligent networks & cybersecurity, design & engineering, procurement, project & construction management, operations & maintenance, decommissioning and capital. The breadth and depth of our capabilities are delivered to clients in strategic sectors such as Engineering Services, Nuclear and Capital. News and information are available at www.atkinsrealis.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

About AtkinsRealis' Nuclear Business

AtkinsRealis has over 70 years of global nuclear expertise, delivering nuclear technology products and full-service solutions to nuclear utilities around the world. AtkinsRealis is the steward of CANDU nuclear technology, operating on four continents, and provides advisory and engineering services to other nuclear developers. With an innovative technology portfolio, including access to over 500 patented solutions, AtkinsRealis solves technically complex challenges across the whole nuclear lifecycle from design and new build through asset management and from life extension and late life management through decommissioning and waste management. AtkinsRealis operates and manages government nuclear research sites, transforming ageing infrastructure and safely managing legacy nuclear waste. AtkinsRealis' CANDU technology also allows for the co-production of medical radioisotopes for cancer detection and treatment. The company also supports cancer treatment through its partnership with TerraPower to extract isotopes from legacy nuclear material. Learn more on our Nuclear market page.

Forward-Looking Statements

References in this press release to the "Company", "AtkinsRealis", "we", us" and "our" mean, as the context may require, AtkinsRealis Group Inc. or all or some of its subsidiaries or joint arrangements or associates. Statements made in this press release that describe the Company's expectations or strategies constitute "forward-looking statements", which can be identified by the use of the conditional or forward-looking terminology such as "estimates", "expects", "forecasts", "intends", "may", "objective", "plans", "projects", "should", "will", "likely", or other variations thereon. Forward-looking statements also include any other statements that do not refer to historical facts. The Company cautions that, by their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and that its actual actions or results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are presented for the purpose of assisting investors and others in understanding certain key elements of the Company's current objectives, strategic priorities, expectations and plans, and in obtaining a better understanding of the Company's business and anticipated operating environment. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking statements made in this press release are based on a number of assumptions believed by the Company to be reasonable as at the date hereof. The assumptions are set out throughout the Company's 2023 annual management disclosure & analysis ("MD&A") (particularly in the sections entitled "Critical Accounting Judgments and Key Sources of Estimation Uncertainty" and "How We Analyze and Report our Results") filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada, available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and on the Company's website at www.atkinsrealis.com under the "Investors" section. If these assumptions are inaccurate, the Company's actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. In addition, important risk factors could cause the Company's assumptions and estimates to be inaccurate and actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by these forward-looking statements. Those risks are identified in the Company's 2023 annual MD&A (particularly in the section entitled "Risk and Un certainties"), as may be updated from time to time in the Company's interim quarterly MD&A, are not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements herein reflect the Company's expectations as at the date of this press release and are subject to change after this date. The Company does not undertake to update publicly or to revise any such forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable legislation or regulation. The forward-looking information and statements contained herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

BACKGROUND

CANDU Reactors: A Jobs Powerhouse for Canada

With the CANDU supply chain being 85% Canadian, new builds of CANDU reactors at home and overseas create significant opportunities across the Canadian nuclear supply chain of 89,000 roles.6

Having already grown significantly in the last two years to over 2,000 people, AtkinsRealis' Canada Nuclear business will be further expanding for this project, hiring new roles at its Ontario offices. These include highly skilled and well-paying engineering, skilled trades, and manufacturing jobs, which sustain Canada's global status as a Tier-1 nuclear nation.

Due to the unmatched domestic jobs creation potential of CANDU technology among large nuclear reactor designs, AtkinsRealis launched the Canadians for CANDU campaign in 2024. It calls on the Canadian federal and provincial governments to support the deployment of CANDU reactors at home and overseas, as the only made-in-Canada nuclear technology in existence. 19 organizations have signalled their support to the campaign, representing over 60,000 unionized workers.7

___________________________________ 6 Canadian Nuclear Association, https://cna.ca/2024/09/24/canadian-nuclear-industry-a-powerhouse-of-job-creation-and-economic-growth/ 7 Canadians for CANDU data

SOURCE AtkinsRealis

For more information: Media: Harold Fortin, Senior Director, Global External Communications, [email protected]; Investors : Denis Jasmin, Vice President, Investor Relations, 514-393-8000, ext. 57553, [email protected]
A roundup of the most newsworthy press releases from Cision Distribution this week

TORONTO, Nov. 15, 2024 /CNW/ - With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on Cision. To help journalists and consumers stay on top of the week's most newsworthy and popular releases, here's a recap of some major stories from the week that shouldn't be missed.

The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download.

You+Me=Besties McDonald's Canada introduces the Bestie Bundle

Nothing says friendship like sharing what you love  and that's why starting today, McDonald's Canada is inviting all besties to share a meal together with the launch of the Bestie Bundle, available for a very limited time at participating McDonald's restaurants, while supplies last. Each Bestie Bundle includes two Junior Chicken sandwiches, 2 small fries, 2 small fountain drinks and 2 friendship bracelets for $13 plus tax. Besties can celebrate the memories they've made together with five different friendship bracelets available to collect and trade, with sayings such as "Live Laugh Big Mac" and "Share fries l8r?". Guests are encouraged to act quickly to get their hands on these limited-edition bracelets, as they are only available while supplies last.

Getting Closer to Your Next Moment: Canadians are Sitting on a Mountain of Value in Unclaimed Rewards

"AIR MILES is the rewards program that wants collectors to redeem their rewards so they don't miss out on what they've earned. With the value in collector accounts, Canadians have an opportunity to redeem their AIR MILES Reward Miles for millions of rewards that can be turned into meaningful moments. From dream vacations to that perfect Sunday morning cup of coffee from your Smeg Coffee Maker, and must-have items from coveted brands, there's a bit of everything just waiting in collector accounts," says Katherine Carl-Musson, Head of Marketing at AIR MILES. "This stunt is a powerful visual demonstration of the potential rewards waiting on the doorsteps of homes across Canada."

It's the Most Wonderful Tims of the Year! The Tim Hortons holiday menu is back including the return of Baileys flavoured non-alcoholic menu items

Start savouring the flavours of the festive season at your local Tim Hortons with this year's holiday menu, including a lineup of non-alcoholic Baileys flavoured menu items to enjoy all season long. Combining the iconic flavours of Tims classics with the decadent taste of Baileys, the non-alcoholic Baileys flavoured lineup includes: a Baileys Dream Hot Chocolate, Baileys Cream Coffee, Baileys Latte, Baileys Iced Capp, plus the Baileys Boston Cream Dream Donut. The Tims holiday menu also includes the Caramel Brownie Filled Ring Dream Donut, Double Chocolate Brownie, and Hot Chocolate Muffin, which is packed with a marshmallow-flavoured filling. Plus, what would the holiday season be without sipping on a Tims Candy Cane Hot Chocolate, or Candy Cane White Hot Chocolate?

Intact Financial acquires Jiffy, Canada's No. 1 home maintenance app

"At Intact, we invest in products and exceptional brands that directly support the evolution of customer needs. Through our partnership with Jiffy, we look forward to expanding their service offering to more customers, and geographies, connecting their network of certified professionals to more jobs," said Imen Zitouni, Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, Intact Financial Corporation. Jiffy is an app-based service that connects homeowners with local service professionals to provide various home maintenance tasks such as plumbing, exterior repairs, appliance repair, electrical work and furniture assembly. Designed with the user in mind, Jiffy focuses on making home maintenance simpler and more accessible for everyone.

Tim Hortons to offer free hot beverages to veterans and Canadian Armed Forces members in recognition of Remembrance Day

Tim Hortons is proud to announce that Tims restaurant owners across Canada will offer free hot beverages to veterans and Canadian Armed Forces members on Nov. 11 in recognition of Remembrance Day. On Monday, Canadian Veterans and active-duty Canadian military members who present a valid Government issued Veteran's Service Card or Military Service ID card or when present in uniform will be eligible to receive a free hot beverage of their choice, in any size. "Each year on Nov. 11, Tim Hortons restaurant owners welcome local veterans and Canadian Armed Forces members into their restaurants to offer them a free hot beverage as a small token of gratitude for their service," said Axel Schwan, president of Tim Hortons.

Canopy Growth Reports Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Results

Net revenue in Q2 FY2025 decreased 9% compared to the second quarter ended September 30, 2023 ("Q2 FY2024"). Excluding net revenue from businesses divested during the prior fiscal year, net revenue increased 3%. Consolidated gross margin increased by 100 basis points ("bps") to 35% in Q2 FY2025 compared to Q2 FY2024 primarily due to the realized benefit of the Company's cost savings program as well as a shift to higher-margin medical cannabis sales. Operating loss from continuing operations was $46MM in Q2 FY2025, compared to a loss of $7MM in Q2 FY2024, with last year's results benefitting from the sale of a facility in Smiths Falls, Ontario . Adjusted EBITDA loss was $6MM in Q2 FY2025, representing a 54% improvement year-over-year, driven primarily by the realized benefit of the Company's cost savings program.

TELUS reports operational and financial results for third quarter 2024

TELUS Corporation today released its unaudited results for the third quarter of 2024. Consolidated operating revenues and other income increased by 1.8 per cent over the same period a year ago to $5.1 billion . This growth was driven by higher service revenue and other income from copper and real estate monetization in our TELUS technology solutions (TTech) segment, alongside higher other offset by lower service revenue in our TELUS digital experience segment (TELUS Digital). "In the third quarter, our team's dedication to operational excellence led to industry-leading customer growth and robust financial results, harnessing our premier asset portfolio and focused commitment to cost efficiency and effectiveness," said Darren Entwistle, President and CEO.

Police Associations Call for Immediate Legislative Change with Canada's Bail System

Once again, after another serious incident of gun violence in our communities, the Police Association of Ontario (PAO), the Ontario Provincial Police Association (OPPA) and the Toronto Police Association (TPA) are united in asking the federal government to take some leadership in the safety of our members and the communities they serve. This week in Toronto, while doing a bail compliance check, officers from the Toronto Police Service were caught in the middle of an active shootout between rival groups. Sixteen guns were seized and 23 people were arrested, including a young offender with three firearms prohibitions. This time, luckily, no one was harmed, but without urgent action, next time could be different.

PARAMOUNT RESOURCES LTD. ANNOUNCES $3.325 BILLION ASSET SALE

Montney lands with 114 MMBoe of proved developed producing reserves, 270 MMBoe of proved reserves and 523 MMBoe of proved plus probable reserves as at December 31, 2023. (1) Paramount Resources Ltd. ("Paramount" or the "Company") (TSX: POU ) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a purchase and sale agreement (the "Agreement") with Ovintiv Inc. (NYSE: OVV) (TSX: OVV ) and one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries (together, "Ovintiv") pursuant to which Ovintiv will acquire Paramount's Karr, Wapiti and Zama properties (the "Assets") for $3.325 billion in cash plus certain Horn River Basin properties of Ovintiv (the "Transaction"). The Assets include approximately 170 net sections oflands with 114 MMBoe of proved developed producing reserves, 270 MMBoe of proved reserves and 523 MMBoe of proved plus probable reserves as at December 31, 2023.
China urges Philippines to return to right track of resolving South China Sea disputes

Xinhua) 20:47, November 15, 2024

BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- A spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense on Friday urged the Philippines to return to the right track of resolving the South China Sea disputes through dialogue and consultation.

In response to recent provocative comments and acts by the Philippine side, spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said the Philippines should immediately cease spreading false narratives and refrain from any unilateral action that may expand and complicate disputes.

The Philippines, in collusion with external countries, carried out frequent military exercises in the South China Sea, disrupted peace and stability in the South China Sea, and undermined the interests and well-being of people in the region, Zhang said.

The Philippine side even attempted to solidify the illegal arbitral award on the South China Sea through domestic legislation, Zhang said, noting that such acts severely violate China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea and harm other countries' rights to navigation and shipping. "The Chinese side firmly opposes this," he added.

The Chinese military will take strong and resolute measures to safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, counter infringements and provocations, and safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, said Zhang.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Zhong Wenxing)
Startups are driving innovation across Australia and New Zealand, and the latest funding announcements showcase the diverse and ambitious tech ecosystem powering the region.

Here are the top funding highlights of the week:

Viewa Secures $300,000 Pre-Seed to Bring AR to Mobile Shopping

Melbourne-based startup Viewa has raised $300,000 in a pre-seed round led by Skalata Ventures, aiming to transform mobile shopping with augmented reality (AR). With 80% of Australians now shopping on mobile, Viewas technology integrates 3D, AR, and generative AI to make online shopping more immersiveboosting conversion rates by up to 94%.

Matched Closes $500,000 Angel Round from Leading Female Founders

Career development platform Matched, co-founded by Jessica Box and Susan Hion-Jarvis, has raised nearly $500,000 in an angel round backed by notable female founders. The round included investments from Modibodis Kristy Chong and Bree Johnson, co-founder of frank body, alongside funding from LaunchVics Alice Anderson Fund and angel syndicate FB10x adVentures. Matched aims to connect users with a supportive community of advisors to help achieve career and life goals.

Retail Crime Platform Auror Raises NZ $82M Amid Privacy Scrutiny

New Zealands crime reporting platform Auror has raised NZ $82 million (A$74.3 million) in a Series C round, co-led by Woolworths-backed W23 Global, Axon Enterprise, and Reinventure. The funding values the company at over A$500 million.

Other investors include Movac, GD1, and Folklore Ventures. This funding arrives as Australias Information Commissioner examines the platforms privacy practices for use in Australian retail.

Brisbane Students Land $500,000 Shark Tank Deal for Retro Digital Camera

Brisbane university students Kelric Mullen and Mackenzie Salisbury have secured a $500,000 investment for their retro-inspired digital camera, Flashback ONE35, on Channel Tens Shark Tank Australia. Their success signals a growing trend toward vintage tech, with the investment valuing their startup at $5 million. Inspired by vinyls comeback, the Flashback ONE35 aims to tap into nostalgia for old-school photography with a modern twist.

Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Malaysia has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, positioning itself as a responsible global player in the fight against climate change despite contributing just 0.8% of global emissions.

In a statement on Wednesday, Malaysian Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad outlined the country's renewed climate action framework, which includes a series of ambitious goals for renewable energy adoption and carbon reduction, reported the country's national news agency Bernama.



He said Malaysia aims to reach 31% renewable energy capacity by 2025 and 40% by 2035.



"We are determined to act, regardless of the global climate landscape, because this is the right thing to do for the future of our people and our country," he said as quoted by the news agency.



He said the government is also advancing a number of key policies to achieve these climate goals, including the MADANI Economy framework, the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), and the National Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030, through a whole-of-government approach to achieving sustainability.



The minister said that on the regional front, Malaysia is working to establish an interconnected ASEAN energy grid, a move that will help strengthen energy security across Southeast Asia.



Additionally, with Malaysia poised to take the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025, he reiterated the country's goal of becoming a hub for green investment and creating high-skilled green jobs that will support a sustainable future for the nation.
A 28-year-old Bergen County man was charged in a hit and run that left a 17-year-old with serious injuries, officials announced Thursday.

The Fort Lee man was charged with third-degree counts of knowingly leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury and hindering apprehension, and fourth-degree counts of obstructing justice and tampering with physical evidence, Bergen County Prosecutors Office officials said.

Palisades Park Police responded to an emergency call at about 6:40 a.m. on Oct. 14 for a report of a pedestrian hit by a vehicle on Brinkerhoff Avenue, authorities said.

Officers found a 17-year-old victim from Fort Lee at the scene and the vehicle involved in the incident had already left, authorities said.

The victim was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries, according to authorities.

An investigation revealed that a car struck the teenager while attempting to cross Brinkerhoff Avenue at the intersection of 14th Street, authorities said.

The 28-year-old suspect was accused of operating the car at the time of the incident, officials said. The car the man was driving was found a month later with repairs made in an effort to conceal the damage from the hit-and-run incident, authorities said.

The man was arrested and charged on Wednesday, authorities said.

No further details on the investigation were shared by authorities Thursday. The teenagers current condition was not released.

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A wildfire in Burlington County has been burning since early July and is still not fully extinguished as dry conditions continue to fuel the flames, state fire officials said.

The Tea Time Hill Wildfire in Wharton State Forest in Tabernacle began burning late on July 4, due to a fireworks lit inside in the forest, fire officials said.

The fire was discovered shortly after 9 a.m. on July 5 near Batona Campground and Apple Pie Hill in the state forest.

During a press conference earlier this week about the status of the hundreds of wildfires burning in New Jersey since early October, fire officials said the Tea Time Hill Wildfire was still active.

Greg McLaughlin, the administrator of the New Jersey Forest Fire Services Office of Forest and Natural Lands, said the fire has been fueled by the recent dryness of materials that fuel forest fires, including pine needles, branches and twigs.

The impact of this dryness on wildfires cannot be overstated, he said during the press conference. Take for example the Tea Time Hill Wildfire that has been burning since July 5.

This fire continues to smolder, smoke and burn, as it consumes in a downward direction the fuels that have accumulated over the years, said McLaughlin. This fire will continue to burn through this leaf litter, through roots, and when the opportunity comes for the fire to find an air pocket, or perhaps a dead tree, it comes back above ground again.

It is an ongoing concern for the department, he added.

We have to monitor these fires for a period of weeks and months, McLaughlin said.

According to a July 8 update posted on the fire services Facebook page, fire officials reached 90% containment of the 4,300-acre fire. It threatened two structures early on  including one residential structure and one hunting club  but no injuries were reported.

A spokeswoman with the state Department of Environmental Protection said the July 8 update remains accurate.

The fire continues to burn underground, and the Forest Fire Service is addressing areas of concern daily, said Caryn Shinske, the departments spokeswoman.

Drought conditions throughout the state have been building for months, and have contributed to numerous wildfires across New Jersey.

There have been 11,000 acres burned in New Jersey forest fires this year, fire officials previously said. The state has averaged about 4,000 acres per year since 2000.

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Brianna Kudisch may be reached at bkudisch@njadvancemedia.com.
The Federal Aviation Administration banned flights to Haiti for 30 days because a Spirit Airlines plane was shot at while it landing in Port-au-Prince, Haitis capital.

The plane, Spirit Airlines Flight 951, tried to land in Port-au-Princes airport when gunfire struck the plane, injuring one flight attendant.

It diverted to Santiago in the Dominican Republic after the aircraft suffered damage.

Other airlines serving the island nation, such as American and JetBlue, also suspended flights. American Airlines has axed service to Haiti through Feb. 12, 2025, while JetBlue has suspended service indefinitely.

If an airline has cancelled your flight to Haiti, you can contact customer service for more information and advice. Also, the U.S. Embassy in Haiti has canceled all appointments for visas and American Citizen Services. It will contact those with an appointment on Nov. 13 or 14 to make a new appointment when they become available.

The U.S. State Department is aware of the situation in Haiti through the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince. The organization has already implemented a Level 4 travel advisory, urging U.S. citizens not to travel there due to incidents of armed violence, and disruptions to roads, ports and airports in Port-au-Prince and neighboring divisions of the city.

If you are in Haiti, the U.S. State Department says you should:

avoid crowds.

monitor local media for updates and avoid areas where violence, demonstrations or disruptions are reported to be happening.

keep a low profile.

be aware of your surroundings.

be prepared to shelter in place for an extended time period.

avoid being outside after dark.

stay alert in areas frequented by foreign visitors.

review your personal security plans.

have travel documents up-to-date and easily accessible.

carry proper identification.

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A North Jersey-based gang member who admitted gunning down a rival near Irvington High School in 2019 was sentenced Thursday to 28 years in prison, authorities said.

Elijah Williams, a.k.a. Lil Smith, 24, pleaded guilty in April to racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations, or RICO, conspiracy, according to a release from the U.S. Attorneys Office District of New Jersey.

Williams was a member of the Rollin 60s Neighborhood Crips gang from 2015 through Sept. 22, 2022, the office said.

The gang is responsible for acts of violence and the distribution of controlled substances in the state and elsewhere, investigators said.

On Sept. 25, 2018, in Newark, Williams attempted to kill rival gang members and associates by shooting at four people, one of whom was paralyzed, federal prosecutors said.

On March 20, 2019, in Irvington, Williams shot a member of the Jungle Boys gang near the high school in retaliation for the murder of a member and associate of the Rollin 60s, authorities said.

Elijah Williams brazenly shot multiple rival gang members, murdering one, paralyzing another, and leaving a trail of blood, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said in a statement. Gang shootings jeopardize the safety of innocent residents in our communities and make the public less safe. The sentence handed down today ensures that Williams will spend decades behind bars, away from the streets he terrorized.

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Authorities want to speak with the driver of a car who is believed to have valuable information related to a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred earlier this month in Gloucester County.

John DeMarco, 58, of Turnersville, was hit by a vehicle as he walked in the southbound lane of Fries Mill Road near Adele Drive, south of the intersection with Hurffville-Cross Keys Road, around 8 p.m. on Nov. 4, police said.

DeMarco was taken to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, where he later died of his injuries, according to police.

The vehicle that hit him left the scene and the driver had not been identified.

The Gloucester County Prosecutors Office released images Friday of a car they say was seen traveling on Town Center Boulevard, Hurffville-Cross Keys Road and Fries Mill Road in Washington Township between 8 p.m. and 8:05 p.m. on the night of the crash.

If you have any information about the driver or the vehicle that may assist in the investigation, please reach out to authorities, the prosecutors office wrote. Your assistance could be crucial.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Washington Township Police Detective Matthew Laudenslager at 856-589-0330, ext. 1176, or Gloucester County Prosecutors Office Detective Krystal Santiago at 856-384-5508.

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Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.
Negotiations with vendors and insurers. New technology. Introducing a new surgical program.

Each of these are ways in which Hudson Regional Hospital says it turned the struggling Meadowlands Hospital in Secaucus into the profitable, well attended hospital it is today. And each of these, the hospital leadership says, are ways that they plan to do the same for Bayonne Medical Center (BMC) if they are approved to purchase it for $13 million.

After years of lawsuits and false starts, Hudson Regional Hospital (HRH) is finally getting a shot at state approval to take over operations at BMC, one of three hospitals in the cash-strapped CarePoint Health System.

HRHs certificate of need application being considered by the state Department of Health (DOH) lays out a 13-point plan for how it will do so successfully.

Under the agreement, HRH would be granted the option to purchase and jointly own the property under Christ Hospital in Jersey City with CarePoint and then redevelop it.

The 13-point vision is being embraced by municipal officials from both Bayonne and Secaucus as well as medical professionals and union representatives, all of whom spoke before DOH officials at a public hearing Wednesday.

Some called it an obvious solution for the hospital, where they had seen services and working conditions crumble over the past year as CarePoint began a slow descent toward bankruptcy.

They referenced HRHs track record in Secaucus and its ownership of the Bayonne hospitals land as reasons to have faith that a takeover of BMC would work.

Others maintained its the best way forward because there may not be any other way to keep the hospital running.

Quite honestly, I dont think theres an alternative, said Dr. Jeffrey Augustin, an orthopedic surgeon who says he had worked out of BMC, but had to move elsewhere because of CarePoints financial crisis.

Hospital staff and officials also packed the BMC cafeteria for the hearing with the State Health Planning Board. BMCs new Chief Hospital Executive Dr. Mohammad Zubair urged the state to approve HRHs plan.

They have the money, he said. They own the land, so I think this would be the best step forward for our hospital, which is currently choking.

Hospital purchases or mergers require state approval of Certificate of Need applications, and a public hearing is one step in the states decision-making process.

Earlier this month CarePoint filed for bankruptcy, and while it did not provide a final accounting of the networks massive debt, documents revealed CarePoint owed its top 30 creditors nearly $108 million and there are approximately 7,500 more vendor and individual creditors.

HRH says it can make BMC profitable within a year of taking over. Their projections showed BMC losing $46.8 million in 2023, but earning a $2.9 million in net income in 2024 under HRH management.

Its vision for achieving a stunning reversal of fortune is built upon strong relationships with the community, physicians, employees, unions, vendors, payers and regulators both local and at the federal level, the application says.

The 13 initiatives it lays out maneuver those relationships to establish a stable rate of hospital admissions and then potentially grow them.

Some are focused on the budget. One initiative, for example, is to bring HRHs existing vendor rates to Bayonne. Another way to save is reducing fees for consulting, management, physician incentives and contract labor.

Other initiatives are focused on new ways of providing services. HRH wants to bring a musculoskeletal and surgical program to the hospital and create a program connecting community members to primary care physicians.

The certificate of need application touts HRHs financial record, including increasing its own bottom line by nearly 200% within its first year. HRH Chairman Yan Moshe would pay CarePoint $13 million to assume operations of BMC, it says.

Beside the right to jointly purchase the valuable real estate under Christ Hospital, the deal would give HRH the exclusive right to negotiate a potential purchase of the land under Hoboken University Medical Center.

Everyone who spoke at the hour-long public meeting was supportive of the takeover, though union leaders say they want to see additional commitments from HRH, including a promise to keep the hospital open for at least 10 years.

Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE) members, wearing red union shirts, cheered on speakers from their local and beyond who spoke passionately about the hospitals importance to the community.

Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis recalled bringing his mother to the hospital, who experienced cardiac arrest as soon as they arrived. Had they needed to travel farther, she wouldnt have survived, he said.

To Hudson Regional Hospital, thank you, he said. Thank you for coming forward.

Secaucus Town Administrator Gary Jeffas said his town saw a significant improvement in its hospital under HRHs leadership. Officials from HRH did not speak at the hearing, but were present and called the evening an important step forward.

In a statement, CarePoint said CarePoint Health fully supports the new approach of Hudson Regional Hospital, and the leadership team is in sync.
Cops in three more New Jersey towns will have the backup of mental health professionals when responding to 911 calls for a behavioral health crisis under the expansion of a statewide pilot program designed to reduce fatal police encounters.

University Behavioral Health Care at Rutgers Health, which runs ARRIVE Together of Middlesex County, announced Wednesday that police departments in East Brunswick, South River and Cranbury have joined the statewide initiative designed to deescalate encounters between police and citizens  and ultimately prevent the use of deadly force.

Mental health professionals bring specialized skills in crisis de-escalation, assessment and therapeutic communication that can significantly reduce tensions, said Sharon Smith-Kemper, program manager at Middlesex County Acute Psychiatric Services, in a statement. By working alongside police, they can quickly identify symptoms and intervene with techniques to stabilize the individual, often without needing restraint or force.

MORE: A call to 988 suicide lifeline could soon bring help right to your doorstep

Created in December 2021, the ARRIVE Together program pairs a crisis intervention trained officer with a crisis screener to provide on-scene assistance to those experiencing a mental health or behavioral health emergency. The program is meant to reduce the use of force in encounters between law enforcement and people with mental illness or substance use disorder.

As of October, the ARRIVE Together program is active in 209 municipalities, across the states 21 counties  serving approximately 55% of the states 9.3 million residents, according to data from the Office of the Attorney General.

Under the programs latest expansion, specially trained police officers in East Brunswick, South River, and Cranbury will be paired with Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care mental health screeners to respond to calls in the community. When not actively responding to calls, the teams will visit individuals who might benefit from further assistance, follow up on calls, and connect individuals to resources and services.

Police Chief Frank LoSacco said that when he first heard about the program, I thought it was absolutely invaluable and I wanted it in East Brunswick.

LoSacco said he believes the programs focus on follow-up and preventative measures will help his department, which the chief said is challenged with a large number of mental health-related calls, many from the same people.

A lot of towns have frequent fliers, often people who suffer from some type of mental illness. Its not uncommon for them to have the police on speed dial, LoSacco said. So, the thought behind this is not only the time of crisis but what can be done when someone is not in crisis to make sure theyre okay? How can we prevent a situation where the police are called?

Community activists have been calling for law enforcement to involve mental health professionals in the 911 response for years.

The calls intensified after a series of high-profile fatal encounters with police. In March 2023, Paterson police shot and killed Najee Seabrooks, an anti-violence activist who was in the grips of an apparent mental health episode. Just this summer, Victoria Lee, 25, was shot by a Fort Lee police officer in July as she was having a mental health crisis.

According to state data, mental illness plays a factor in about half of all cases where New Jersey police officers use force.

The ARRIVE Together program has reported 5,000 interactions since its inception nearly three years ago, according to the Attorney Generals Office.

Officials report the state has seen fewer arrests and fewer uses of force under the program.

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Jackie Roman may be reached at jroman@njadvancemedia.com.
Digital technologies bring immense benefits to global society. However, This same connectivity that brings us together also exposes countries around the world to significant cyber threat, said Anne Neuberger, U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor. Ransomware is one of the most pervasive and damaging of these threats.

In July 2023, the Port of Nagoya, Japans business shipping port, was hit with a ransomware attack by the group LockBit, which forced the port to stop handling a large portion of incoming shipping containers. That same year, a ransomware attack against a pathology partnership in the UK led to significant risk to its national blood supply. And South Africas National Health Laboratory Service suffered a ransomware attack affecting the dissemination of lab results, hampering national efforts to respond to an outbreak of Mpox.

Indeed, the U.S. government is aware of over 1,500 ransomware-related incidents in 2023 alone, generating over $1.1 billion in ransomware payments, said Anne Neuberger. Of these attacks, 51 percent in the first half of the year targeted U.S. victims, with the remaining 49 percent spread around the world. This is truly a global threat, she said.

Healthcare and emergency services is one of the top four most targeted sectors for ransomware attacks, with at least 191 incidents worldwide in the first half of this year alone. In the United States, our Federal Bureau of Investigation reported 249 reports of ransomware incidents against the healthcare sector last year.

To defeat this dangerous crime spree, we will work together, said Anne Neuberger. Three years ago, 68 nations formed the International Counter Ransomware Initiative.

This initiative focuses on disrupting ransomware attacks, enhancing the security of critical infrastructure, and increasing the capacity and incident response capabilities of our partners together. Were also using our own law enforcement capabilities to disrupt these crime waves. And to make ransomware attacks less appealing, were working closely with cyber insurers and the private sector to reduce ransomware payments and improve incident reporting.

Ransomware attacks will continue, and perpetrators will thrive, as long as ransoms are being paid and criminals can evade capture, particularly by fleeing across borders, said Deputy National Security Advisor Neuberger. We can collectively eradicate this scourge if we act together, abide by our shared principles, refuse to pay criminal gangs, and help each other apprehend the cybercriminals who think they can outmaneuver our system.
A former supervisor for the New Jersey Board of Tree Experts has filed a lawsuit against the agency, accusing it of unlawful surveillance and privacy violations after the discovery of a hidden camera aimed at her desk.

Amanda Glenn, who worked for the agency as program manager, alleges in court papers a colleague informed her in October 2023 about a concealed Ring camera, camouflaged with tape, positioned in the shared office space to monitor her work.

The camera was initially hidden behind a computer and later moved to a higher vantage point on a cabinet, aimed directly at her desk and that of another employee, Glenn claims in her lawsuit, filed in state court on Sept. 27.

Glenn contends that she had no prior knowledge of the device and never consented to being surveilled, asserting the intrusion violated her right to privacy.

A woman who answered the phone Friday at the New Jersey Board of Tree Experts office in Jackson Township said there was no one available to comment on the lawsuit.

A spokesperson for the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office said the state has no comment on the matter.

The New Jersey Board of Tree Experts regulates tree care businesses in the state and sets standards for professional practices, qualifications, and registration. The agency was first created in 1940 by the Tree Expert Act to assist people with arboriculture knowledge and background.

The Tree Expert & Tree Care Operator Licensing Act was passed in January 2010 that established a board with oversight from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Upper managers allegedly justified the cameras installation as a security measure to monitor individuals attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in the office, according to the suit, which also claims that video recording of AA members at a meeting is illegal.

Despite this, Glenn argues that the camera placement in her workspace, where she handled sensitive job-related and personal activities, was inappropriate and invasive.

While court papers do not state who installed the camera, Glenn claims the cameras setup was specifically intended to observe her and her activities, constituting illegal surveillance under New Jersey law.

Certain members of the tree board secretly installed a hidden and disguised camera to monitor (Glenn), another staff member and a third party, the lawsuit alleges.

Glenn, a 30-year-old Black woman with managerial experience, was hired by the tree board in March 2023.

She claims her relationship with staff deteriorated quickly after she raised concerns about workplace behavior, including racially insensitive remarks allegedly made by two white administrative assistants.

According to the suit, Glenn reported that the assistants  referred to in court documents as the sisters  treated Hispanic applicants rudely and expressed disdain for non-English speakers.

They are in America now. They can learn English, one of the sisters allegedly said of the Hispanic license applicants, the suit says.

The sisters are in their sixties or seventies and have worked for the tree board for about 30 years, according to the lawsuit. The sisters refused to comply with the procedures created by (Glenn) and would not work on the tasks assigned, the suit alleges.

During a group discussion, the sisters openly and loudly announced that Amanda Glenn is too young to qualify as a manager, that it will never work out with her being the manager, and said they will not change their negative behaviors, the suit alleges.

Despite Glenns complaints, the board took no disciplinary action against the sisters for alleged insubordination, the suit claims.

Instead, the board allegedly took retaliatory actions against Glenn for her complaints about the sisters and the camera. The suit alleges the board restricted her remote work privileges, reduced her hours, and publicly criticized her in emails to staff.

Glenns lawsuit seeks damages for emotional distress, lost wages, and punitive compensation, arguing that the tree boards actions created a hostile work environment and ultimately forced her to resign in December 2023.

The lawsuit accuses tree board of violating New Jerseys Law Against Discrimination and the Conscientious Employee Protection Act, among other claims.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
A white shark circling the Atlantic Ocean made another appearance off the Jersey Shore earlier this week.

Anne Bonny, a juvenile female, surfaced a few miles off the coast of Toms River just after midnight Thursday, according to a tracking device attached to the shark.

Anne Bonny measured 9 feet, 3 inches long and weighed 425 pounds when scientists tagged the shark in Ocracoke, North Carolina, in April 2024.

The shark has been tracked swimming 7,720 miles up and down the Atlantic coast between Massachusetts and South Carolina, according to OCEARCH, a nonprofit marine group that tags and monitors the movement of sharks in the worlds oceans.

Anne Bonnys appearance came days after another large shark  a 12-foot great white nicknamed Scot  was tracked east of Manasquan Inlet. Scot is an adult male who last weighed in at 1,644 pounds, trackers said.

On Monday, Anne Bonny was south of Nantucket Island, off the Massachusetts coast.

The sharks tracker will ping when it surfaces for at least 90 seconds. Anne Bonny last surfaced off the coast of New Jersey in November 2023.

The shark is named after the a female pirate that frequented the waters around Cape Hatteras in the early 1700s, OCEARCH said.

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
The officers involved in the fatal shooting of a rifle-toting man in Ocean County last year will not face criminal charges.

A state grand jury voted not to indict the Manchester Township officers following testimony and deliberations, the New Jersey Attorney Generals office said in a news release on Friday.

The investigation started on Dec. 5, 2023, when officers Nicholas Greenwood and Michael Anderson fatally shot gun-toting Shannon Rose near a wooded area after he fled from the scene of a car crash, officials said.

Rose, 39, of Manchester, called 911 earlier that night, at 8:28 p.m., stating that he had left his home in a white van and was in possession of a rifle. Police were soon notified that the same white van had been involved in a crash, authorities said.

Officers responding to the scene of the crash could not locate Rose, but heard a gunshot. They eventually located the source of the shot when they found Rose in a wooded area near Elizabeth Avenue, officials said.

Police attempted to negotiate with Rose to drop the weapon for about 20 minutes. He eventually removed the magazine, but refused to remove the live rounds in the gun, the state said.

Rose then raised the rifle and the two officers fired at him, authorities said.

One of the shell casings recovered from the scene was determined to have been fired from Roses rifle, according to investigators.

Evidence presented to the grand jury included body camera footage, witness interviews, ballistics testing and autopsy results.

A 2019 law requires the state Attorney Generals Office to investigate any death that occurs during an encounter with police or while a person is in police custody. The investigation is then presented to a grand jury to determine if any officers involved will be indicted.

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Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com.
Crews made substantial progress in containing a massive wildfire that has been burning on the border of New York and New Jersey since late last week.

While the blaze had remained the same size overnight Wednesday into Thursday  2,283 acres on the New Jersey side, it was 75% contained as of 5 p.m., according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. That number grew from 50% on Wednesday night.

The wildfire, known as the Jennings Creek Wildfire, was also no longer threatening any structures in West Milford, fire officials said.

East Shore Road remained closed from Awosting Road to Greenwood Lake Turnpike along with Beech Road, the service said. All trails in Long Pond Ironworks State Park and Tranquility Ridge as were the trails in the Ringwood Manor section of Ringwood State Park.

Windy conditions the past few days had hampered firefighters efforts in getting the blaze under control but gusts have died down over the last 24 hours.

Battling the massive blaze has been a brutal and deadly undertaking. A falling tree killed an 18-year-old firefighter on Saturday in Greenwood Lake, New York while he was battling the fire. Hundreds of firefighters from both states have responded to the scene.

No other major injuries have been reported by investigators.

Drought conditions throughout the state have been building for months, and have contributed to numerous wildfires across New Jersey.

There have been 11,000 acres in New Jersey burned in forest fires this year, Greg McLaughlin, the state administrator for Forests & Natural Lands, said this week. The state has averaged about 4,000 acres per year since 2000, McLaughlin said.

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Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
Nancy Warners wildlife refuge, which houses a menagerie of foxes, skunks, opossums, raccoons, squirrels, a kinkajou, a young bobcat and one porcupine with a broken leg, has been fielding more calls than usual in recent days. In fact, theyve been inundated.

Its been insane, she told NJ Advance Media in a phone interview this week. Its been absolute chaos.

The avalanche of emergency calls are to report animals at risk from the hundreds of wildfires that have sprung up, particularly the Jennings Creek fire, which has ripped across more than 5,000 acres of New Jersey and New York.

In New Jersey, the Jennings Creek fire has burned through 2,283 acres, much of it in Passaic County, where the Last Resort Wildlife Refuge is based.

Warner and her team of 12 rehabbers and apprentices have spent the last week scrambling to mobilize a response. Theyve taken in some animals and traveled out to check on others, in one case going door to door in Awosting to ask residents to keep an eye out for an injured coyote reportedly loping around. The animals theyre finding are stressed, burned, suffering from smoke inhalation, and deeply dehydrated.

The burned paw pads of animals rescued from the Jennings Creek wildfire and treated at the refuge.Last Resort Wildlife Refuge

On Tuesday, somebody called in about a black bear. Last Resort staffers teamed up with state and local officials to get into a charred section of the forest along the border, where they caught sight of the bear, lying on her side next to a tree.

They observed her from a distance to assess her condition. Luckily, although the bear seemed exhausted, her injuries werent extensive enough to require intervention. It was a win, Warner recalled. It was definitely a win amongst all the sadness weve been seeing.

Bears, and wildlife in general, are resilient and have an amazing capacity to heal, according to Warner. But its imperative that they are not approached, particularly if theyre injured. Instead, Warner asked that people put water out in shallow containers, keep pets and children indoors, and call the Last Resort Wildlife Refuges dedicated 24-hour hotline if a potentially injured animal is spotted.

Warner also asked that the public have patience with wild animals, many of whom are fleeing destroyed habitats or venturing out of their normal territory in search of water. Theyre confused, theyre scared, they dont know where to go, she said. Theyve never experienced anything like this.

Neither has the Last Resort Wildlife Refuge, which has been around since the late 1990s. A fire near Echo Lake last year gave them a little bit of a scare, but that wasnt nearly as close to the 86-acre sanctuary as the Jennings Creek fire is. At its closest, the fire was just 2 miles away. And as Warner spoke to NJ Advance Media, readying to go check out yet another injury report, she said she could still see and smell the smoke.

Raccoon residents of Last Resort Wildlife Refuge.Last Resort Wildlife Refuge

A potential evacuation of the refuges 60-odd charges would be an absolutely monumental task, she said. Theres a plan in place to capture the animals in their enclosures and keep them calm as theyre transported alongside incubators, heaters, water filters and the rest of the centers equipment, but its one shes hopeful wont have to be executed.

In the meantime, Warner and her team are focused on the animals who most need help, but the last week has been a test of their mettle. Their hotline has been buzzing nonstop. Were running (on) fumes here, she posted on Facebook on Wednesday night. The last few days have been challenging to say the least. Draining and very difficult.

Still, Warner said, shes encouraged by the overwhelming community support the refuge has received, with people donating money and equipment, ordering them items off their Amazon Wish List, and asking how they can get involved. The sanctuary team is too busy right now to train and supervise new volunteers, but Warner asked that those interested reach out once the fires have gotten under control and brighter days are ahead.

Baby season is just around the corner! she wrote on Facebook, adding that volunteers will be needed in the winter, spring and summer.

The Jennings Creek fire was 90% contained in New Jersey on Friday, fire officials said, and 65% contained in New York. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service is set to remain on scene with fire engines and ground crews, with the cause of the blaze still under investigation.

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Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) was met with fierce backlash Thursday after he surprisingly celebrated President-elect Donald Trumps pick of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services Secretary.

Trump announced Thursday that he has selected Kennedy, an anti-vaccine activist who dropped out of the presidential race to endorse Trump in August, to head the Health and Human Services Department in his new administration. While many Democrats and health experts are skeptical of Trumps choice, Polis was quick to back Kennedy for the role.

Im excited by the news that the President-Elect will appoint @RobertKennedyJr to @HHSGov. He helped us defeat vaccine mandates in Colorado in 2019 and will help make America healthy again by shaking up HHS and FDA. I hope he leans into personal choice on vaccines rather than bans (which I think are terrible, just like mandates) but what Im most optimistic about is taking on big pharma and the corporate ag oligopoly to improve our health, he wrote in a lengthy statement on social media platform X.

Im excited by the news that the President-Elect will appoint @RobertKennedyJr to @HHSGov. He helped us defeat vaccine mandates in Colorado in 2019 and will help make America healthy again by shaking up HHS and FDA. I hope he leans into personal choice on vaccines rather than pic.twitter.com/cILtTYplcn  Jared Polis (@jaredpolis) November 14, 2024

He went on to list a number of reasons of why he approves of the choice, including capping drug prices so that American consumers wont pay more than Europeans on prescription drugs, reforming the nutrition department at the Food and Drug Administration and moving away from pesticide-intensive agriculture.

Polis was quickly met with criticism.

is this a weird April fools joke thats 5 months early? one user commented.

Another user said: Its been a long since an elected official I thought I really liked said something this bafflingly wrong. Disappointed.

Political journalist Aaron Rupar also pointed out Poliss previous criticism of Kennedy back in August, when Polis suggested Kennedys stances on vaccines could bring back polio and the measles.

The Recounts Steve Morris also noted that Poliss endorsement of Kennedy is remarkable because Kennedy has previously suggested that homosexuality was caused by chemicals.

Remarkable endorsement of RKF from Colorado Gov. Jared Polis  all the more so since Polis is the first openly gay governor in history and Kennedy has previously suggested homosexuality is being caused by chemicals," Morris wrote.

Shortly after his initial post sparked backlash, Polis went on to explain that Kennedys policies must be backed by science.

Re my thoughts on @RobertKennedyJr, Science must remain THE cornerstone of our nations health policy and the science-backed decision to get vaccinated improves public health and safety. But if as a country we follow the science we would also be far more concerned about the impact of pesticides on public health, ag policy on nutrition, and the lack of access to prescription drugs due to drug high prices, he wrote.

This is why I am for a major shake-up in institutions like the FDA that have been barriers to lowering drug costs and promoting healthy food choices. Lest there by any doubt, I am vaccinated as is my family. I will hold any HHS Secretary to the same high standard of protecting and improving public health, he added.

Kennedy is a longtime vaccine skeptic who has promoted false information about the pandemic, diseases and other illnesses. A recent analysis by NewsGuard has identified at least 90 provable false claims about health made by Kennedy as of Nov. 11.

With the Trump campaign, he worked to shore up support among young mothers in particular, with his message of making food healthier in the U.S., promising to model regulations imposed in Europe. In a nod to Trumps original campaign slogan, he named the effort Make America Healthy Again.

It remains unclear how that will square with Trumps history of deregulation of big industries, including food. Trump pushed for fewer inspections of the meat industry, for example.

Kennedys stance on vaccines has also made him a controversial figure among Democrats and some Republicans, raising question about his ability to get confirmed, even in a GOP-controlled Senate. Kennedy has espoused misinformation around the safety of vaccines, including pushing a totally discredited theory that childhood vaccines cause autism.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson says President-elect Donald Trumps nominee for defense secretary isnt qualified for the job  or any high-ranking position within the administration.

Carlson recently said she was stunned Trump tapped her former colleague, Fox News Pete Hegseth, for the post. Later, there were reports Hegseth was accused of and investigated for sexual assault in 2017.

Why I said Hegseth was not qualified to be defense secretary or any secretary, Carolson posted to X with a link to one of the reports.

Why I said Hegseth was not qualified to be defense secretary or any secretary. https://t.co/Y0joaOwWEt  Gretchen Carlson (@GretchenCarlson) November 15, 2024

In 2016, Carlson sued Fox News former chief executive, Roger Ailes, claiming she was cut loose after she refused his sexual advances and complained about harassment in the workplace.

Carlson publicly took on one of the most powerful men in the media business. Ailes built Fox News Channel from scratch in the 1990s, turning it into the top-rated television news network with a profound influence on politics. Fox is highly profitable for parent company 21st Century Fox.

She settled her sexual harassment lawsuit against him for a reported $20 million.

Ailes died in 2017.

Hegseth was never charged with any crime.

Hegseths choice could bring sweeping changes to the military. He has made it clear on his show and in interviews that, like Trump, he is opposed to woke programs that promote equity and inclusion. He also has questioned the role of women in combat and advocated pardoning service members charged with war crimes.

The 44-year-old Hegseth, a staunch conservative who embraces Trumps America First policies, has pushed for making the military more lethal. During an interview on The Shawn Ryan Show podcast, he said allowing women to serve in combat hurts that effort.

Everything about men and women serving together makes the situation more complicated, and complication in combat, that means casualties are worse, Hegseth said.

Hegseth is a co-host of Fox News Channels Fox & Friends Weekend and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show.

Hegseth was an infantry captain in the Army National Guard and served overseas in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He was formerly head of the Concerned Veterans for America, a group backed by conservative billionaires Charles and David Koch, and he unsuccessfully ran for the Senate in Minnesota in 2012.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco.
Conservative attorney George Conway panned three of President-elect Donald Trumps latest Cabinet picks, warning Thursday that they are as bad as you can imagine.

Trumps flurry of statements announcing his picks for Cabinet-level positions have sent shockwaves through many in Washington, including a handful of Republicans. His latest choices include nominating embattled former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) for Attorney General, former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence and anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Health and Human Services Department.

Conway told CNNs Wolf Blitzer on Thursday that these three picks could do harm to the country.

[Trump] doesnt have a mandate to engage in the sort of destructive behavior that he has engaged in the last 24 hours with these three picks, he said.

These three picks are truly as bad as you could imagine. If you were actively trying to do harm to the country, to destroy the country these are the kinds of people, if not the people, you would pick, he added.

As I told @wolfblitzer on @CNNSitRoom here:



If you were seeking to destroy the country, the Gabbard, Gaetz, and RFK Jr. picks were exactly the ones youd make. And thats not surprising. Because Trump is a malignant narcissist, and malignant narcissists, subconsciously or https://t.co/InRSRGaDkd  George Conway (@gtconway3d) November 15, 2024

All three of these Cabinet-level picks have been met with broad skepticism from members on both sides of the aisle. Many have warned that Gaetz lacks the experience needed to be Attorney General and have pointed out the sex-trafficking investigations he has faced in the past. He has denied any wrongdoing and was not charged in the Justice Department investigation of him.

Similarly, many have raised concerns that Gabbard does not have the senior government experience needed be the Director of National Intelligence. And plenty of critics have sounded the alarm on Kennedys controversial stances on vaccines and his promotion of unfounded conspiracy theories.

Conway went on to warn that Trumps wants destruction in his next administration.

Theres one additional thing about this kind of character and I learned this from a very prominent, Harvard trained psychiatrist here in D.C. five years ago, People like Trump, malignant narcissists, actually do subconsciously or consciously seek to destroy. And one of the things about people like Trump and a lot of humans generally is they like to accuse people of what they themselves are trying to do.



Youve heard it said about Trump many times every accusation is a confession. Well, thats whats going on here. Deep down, hes a destructive force. Deep down, he wants to destroy, he said. And mark my words: its only going to get worse.
Gov. Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy made about $1.4 million in income last year, doubling their earnings from the year before, when their stock portfolio took a nosedive, according to partial tax returns and a tax summary the governors office released Thursday.

Murphy and his wife, who file their returns jointly, also paid about $598,000 in state and federal taxes, according to the documents, which cover 2023, the governors sixth year in office.

This comes after the couples income fell to about $684,000 in 2022. It was the lowest figure the governor  a 67-year-old retired Wall Street executive  reported since taking office in 2018 and in the 13 years he and his wife have publicly revealed their earnings. The Murphys made $5.1 million in 2021.

Murphys office has attributed the fluctuations in recent years to changes in the stock market. The couple now earns much of its money from dividends.

The Murphys made $885,920 in capital gains, $486,844 in dividends, and $113,364 in taxable interest in 2023, the documents show.

Their income increased by about $700,000 from the year before and is significantly larger than New Jerseys median household income of $99,781.

The taxes they paid  on a rate of 42.23%  increased by about $341,000 from 2022.

The couple also donated about $372,440 to charity, about $2,300 personally and $370,000 through their foundation. Thats down from the roughly $501,200 they gave the year before.

The Murphys received a tax refund of about $361,000, as well, the documents show.

Meanwhile, they still claim two of their four adult children as dependents and took a deduction of $29,200 because of it.

Phil Murphy retired from investment backing firm Goldman Sachs in 2000. Tammy Murphy previously worked as a financial analyst.

When Murphy became governor, his stocks and investments were placed in a blind trust, which means someone else  actually his brother-in-law  manages the portfolio.

Murphy, a Democrat, earns only a small part of his money  a taxpayer-funded salary of $175,000  from his job as governor.

The Murphys income has fluctuated dramatically since the governor took office. They reported about $2.2 million in 2018, $3.1 million in 2019, $982,000 in 2020, $5.2 million in 2021, $684,000 in 2022, and $1.4 million in 2023.

Before Murphy took office, the couples income was $6.8 million in 2017, $4.6 million in 2016, $7.3 million in 2015, $6.4 million in 2014, $4.9 million in 2013, $3.8 million in 2012, $2.7 million in 2011, and $3.2 million in 2010, according to records.

Murphy on Thursday released only his 1040 tax form and a five-year summary of his tax returns from 2019 to 2023. His office will give reporters a four-hour window in Trenton on Friday to view his full 2023 tax returns. He will not make the full returns, which are usually hundreds of pages long, available to the general public.

The jump in income means Murphy will once again qualify for the so-called millionaires tax he signed into law in New Jersey in 2019, one of his signature policies. It raised state income taxes on wealthy New Jersey residents to pump more money into the state budget. Murphy also ironically failed to meet the threshold for the tax in 2020 and 2022.

The numbers released Thursday dont reflect the Murphys actual net worth, which in previous years has been estimated to be more than $50 million.

The couple has made a combined $13.6 million and paid about $3.8 million in taxes from 2018 to 2023, according to the five-year summary released Thursday.

Public officials are not required to release their tax returns. Murphys Republican predecessor, former Gov. Chris Christie, released his full returns online each year.

View Murphys 1040 here.

View Murphys tax summary here.

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Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X at @johnsb01.
There are five key areas that authoritarians want to control when they attempt to decapitate a democratic state, authoritarian expert and author Timothy Snyder writes: health, law, administration, defense and intelligence.

And in each of these arenas, the goal is to consolidate power, create chaos  and yes, even death. Authoritarians with power over these areas, Snyder says, can make America impossible to sustain.

In each instance, deaths are possible. And its not far-fetched to say thats president-elect Donald Trumps goal. Heres Snyders reasoning:

Health

The foundation of modern democratic state is a healthy, long-lived population, Snyder writes in his latest newsletter. We lived longer in the twentieth century because of hygiene and vaccinations, pioneered by scientists and physicians and then institutionalized by governments. We treat one another better when we know we have longer lives to lose.

If Robert F. Kennedy Jr. becomes the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary, and his anti-vaccine ideology and conspiracy theories on health are implemented, many will die, Snyder insists.

Trumps bungling of Covid in his first term led to hundreds of thousands of deaths, but in this term, deaths would be even more sinister.

Law

A modern democratic state depends upon the rule of law and people who believe in the spirit of law, Snyder writes. Matt Gaetz, Trumps proposed attorney general, embodies lawlessness, and can be counted upon to abuse the law to pursue Trumps political opponents.

The end of the rule of law gives an authoritarian absolute power, and people  his enemies or scapegoated and/or targeted groups, like undocumented immigrants, will die.

Administration

While bureaucracy often is annoying, its absence, though, can be deadly. Americans cannot take the pollution out of the air themselves, or build the highways, or write Social Security checks.

But Trump plans to replace civil servants wth loyalists, which would put more power into the hands of the authoritarian. The rich will benefit from their connections, while the rest of us will be out in the cold, Snyder writes  and engineered helplessness promised by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who will decide which agencies stay or go and which are to be gutted. In the end, there will be casualties.

Defense

Trump will weaken the United States defense by appointing an inexperienced sycophant as Secretary of Defense, disbanding NATO and cuddling with powerful adversaries whose goal is to sabotage our country, Snyder says.

In a world of hostile powers, that could mean deaths in our armed forces and/or among our allies, like Ukraine.

Intelligence

As adversaries find new ways to attack the U.S., intelligence is crucial, and Tulsi Gabbard, a known spreader of Syrian and Russian disinformation, has no relevant experience, Snyder writes.

If she became director of national intelligence, as Trump proposes, the U.S. would lose the trust of our allies, and lose our window into what is happening in the world. Being vulnerable to enemies who wish us harm likely will lead to deaths  of armed forces, intelligence officers and others.

Each appointment is part of a larger picture, Snyder writes. Taken together, Trumps candidates constitute an attempt to wreck the American government.

While some Trump supporters voted to burn it all down, they should realize one thing, Snyder writes: If it all burns down, we burn, too.

Former GOP strategist Stuart Stevens tweeted a similar theory:

Those who listen to RFK Jr. and follow his guidelines/advice will be less healthy and die at higher rates. Their children will be less healthy with lifelong problems. (See studies of children who have fluoridated water and those who do not.)

The less educated will be more likely to listen to this nut. They will suffer in highly predictable ways that will reduce their earning potential and ability to advance economically. They will slide further behind the more educated who do not oppose vaccinations and fluorinated water.

I suppose this is what they voted for but wonder if they will regret it as the health divide deepens.

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The United States is deeply concerned about violent, lethal attacks on civilians in Sudan by the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces, said U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield:

In Darfur, and more recently in al-Gezira, reports indicate an alarming rise in widespread, targeted, ethnically motivated killings and mass atrocities by the [Rapid Support Forces]. In the Khartoum area in particular, [Sudanese Armed Forces] aerial bombings on markets and public places, launched without any clear military objective, have killed large numbers of civilians.

In light of the gravity of the situation in Sudan, the United States has four primary calls to action.

First, is the responsibility of all parties to this conflict to facilitate the flow of aid across all cross-border and crossline routes, stressed Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield.

We commend the Sudanese authorities for opening the Adre border crossing in mid-August. This single route allowed aid organizations to bring enough food, health, and nutrition supplies to serve more than 1.9 million people. Now, Sudanese authorities must keep Adre border crossing open indefinitely. Millions of lives depend on it.

The second step is to bring an end to hostilities, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield:

All countries should cease providing military support to the belligerents. And every one of us must continue to press the parties to return to the negotiating table with the aim of ending this conflict.

The U.S. also supports the establishment of a compliance, monitoring, and verification mechanism following a broader cessation of hostilities agreement, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield:

Such a mechanism could ensure that international humanitarian law obligations and Jeddah commitments are respected and implemented on the ground. And so, this Council, and the international community writ large, should empower African partners to lead on the establishment of such a mechanism, including by supporting scenario planning on design and deployment.

Finally, it is incumbent on the international community to support a transition to inclusive and democratic civilian governance. That includes seeking accountability for atrocities and other abuses committed over the past year and a half.

We as the Security Council need to continue to pressure the belligerents to end the violence now, declared Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield, and to ensure life-saving aid reaches those in need; and to put Sudan on the path to democracy and security.
Pollster Nate Silver labeled Vice President Harris as a mediocre candidate in his latest blog post breaking down the 2024 election.

President-elect Donald Trump clinched the White House in a decisive victory last week after sweeping the seven battleground states. Silver, who declared the race a toss-up up until Election Day, said in Fridays post that Trumps win was largely President Bidens fault and argued Harris was not a strong enough candidate.

Trumps win is mostly Bidens fault, not hers. Still, she was a mediocre candidate in a year when Democrats needed a strong one, Silver wrote in his latest blog post.

I'm sympathetic to Harris, but she was a mediocre candidate. And I think the evidence points toward this being a winnable race for Democrats with a better one.https://t.co/dUgICsU7b0  Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) November 15, 2024

He wrote that he had a lot of sympathy for Kamala Harriss position, maybe more than I have for any losing candidate in some time before explaining how Biden may have hurt her campaign more than helped.

Obviously, this was a position of her choosing. Harris is ambitious: She sought the Democratic nomination in 2020 and then the vice presidency and quickly moved to consolidate support within the party once Joe Biden was finally shoved aside, he wrote.

But Biden did her no favors. He gave her tough assignmentsthe border, perhaps Democrats worst issue, and voting rights, an issue on which the White House probably knew it wouldnt make any progress. He blew up the debate calendar, leaving nothing scheduled after Sept. 11 even though this was one of Harriss best formats. Even up to the bitter end, Biden was stepping on her message," he added.

Silver also emphasized how many Democrats in Senate races in battleground states outperformed Harris, suggesting that it could have been a winnable race for the Democrats. He also added that some of his critiques of her were her inability to drive a message and her refusal to separate herself more clearly from Biden.

Now, Im not going to pretend that these were easy waters for Harris to navigate, given that she was Bidens sitting vice president. But  you have to at least try, I think? Throw your unpopular boss at least a little bit under the bus?" he said

At times, Harriss campaign  headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware and staffed mostly by ex-Biden people  seemed reluctant to criticize Biden out of fear of being perceived as disloyal, a stupid thing to be concerned about given that you have an election to win and that Biden frequently undermined her," he added.

In the days following Election Day, Democrats have been scrambling to figure out went went wrong for Harris. Many Democrats and pundits have blamed Biden and his late departure from the race as the driving factor to why Trump won across the swing states.
A hard-charging Democrat who has sometimes clashed with the partys progressive wing could be be making a play for chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

Axios reports Friday that Rahm Emanuel is weighing a bid for the post, per Alex Thompson.

Emanuel, a former congressman who also served as Barack Obamas first White House chief of staff, has been a significant force in Democratic Party politics for much of the last three decades. But progressives and civil rights leaders were critical of his handling of the high-profile police shooting of a Black teenager killed by a white officer during his time as Chicagos mayor when he was floated as a potential Joe Biden Cabinet member.

Biden instead tapped Emanuel to serve as the U.S. ambassador to Japan.

New: Rahm Emanuel is weighing a bid for DNC chair, 3 ppl with knowledge tell Axios.



Axelrod has been an early booster this week. https://t.co/QvZQlV6TS6 pic.twitter.com/T8HndCQhJh  Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) November 15, 2024

Former senior Obama staffer David Axelrod also threw his support behind his former colleague.

Dems need a strong and strategic party leader, with broad experience in comms; fundraising and winning elections. One thought I surfaced on @HacksonTap: Ambassador @RahmEmanuel. There may be others but he is kind of sui genesis: Dude knows how to fight and win! Axelrod posted to X.

Emanuel grew up in the ritzy Chicago suburb of Wilmette, the son of an Israeli physician who moved to the United States. His start in politics came after college, when he worked for Sen. Paul Simons 1984 Senate campaign and Daleys run for mayor in 1989.

Then he went to work for a little-known Arkansas governor who wanted to be president.

His fundraising skills helped keep Bill Clintons campaign afloat during some rocky times, particularly the scandal over whether he had slept with Gennifer Flowers.

Clinton made him his political director in the new administration, but internal tensions led to his comeuppance a year later, when he was demoted to a policy adviser.

Midway through Clintons second term, Emanuel left for Chicago to work in investment banking. The firm he joined was soon sold, and Emanuel made millions, giving him the financial security to get back into politics.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco.
Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host who has been nominated by president-elect Donald Trump to lead the Department of Defense, was accused of sexual assault in 2017 in California, in an incident that has come to light in the past two days.

The alleged assault was first reported by Vanity Fair on Thursday.

Heres what we know:

 The alleged incident occurred after Hegseth spoke at a Republican womens event in Monterey, according to a statement released by the city.

 No charges were filed in the case.

 Hegseths attorney, Timothy Parlatore, told The Associated Press the allegations were completely false. He added: This was investigated by the police at the time and they found no evidence.

 Monterey City officials declined to release a police report that documented the accusations and instead issued a brief statement Thursday night. Police said they were contacted in October 2017 to investigate a sexual assault that allegedly took place several days earlier at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Monterey and involved Hegseth.

 Monterey City officials said they were withholding further details included in the police report because it included analysis and conclusions by law enforcement officials that are exempt from release under state public records law.

 The person who reported the assault  whose name, age and sex were not released  had bruises on the right thigh, police said. No weapons were involved in the encounter. The incident occurred sometime between 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 7 and 7 a.m. the following morning, according to the citys statement.

 Hegseth had addressed the California Federation of Republican Women during a banquet dinner held at the groups biennial convention, according to social media posts at the time.

 At the time of the alleged assault in 2017, Hegseth, now 44, was going through a divorce with his second wife, with whom he has three children. She filed for divorce after he had a child with a Fox News producer who is now his wife, according to court records and social media posts by Hegseth. His first marriage ended in 2009, also after infidelity by Hegseth, according to court records.

The AP contributed to this report.
There were no wildfires burning in Edison on Friday morning, but some people in that area of Central Jersey were apparently able to smell the smoke coming from West Milford, about 60 miles away.

West Milford is the North Jersey town where a huge wildfire continues to burn near the New York state border, with fire officials reporting more than 4,300 acres scorched.

Light winds blowing from the north Friday morning pushed some plumes of smoke down into parts of Essex, Union, Somerset, Middlesex and Monmouth counties, according to data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The EPAs air quality map showed some smoke in those areas of New Jersey, along with Staten Island, N.Y., which created moderate air pollution.

Light winds blowing from the north have pushed some plumes of smoke from the big wildfire in West Milford down into Essex, Union, Somerset, Middlesex and Monmouth counties on Friday, Nov. 15, according to air quality data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Although that level of pollution isnt bad enough to trigger formal air quality alerts, the EPA says people who are unusually sensitive to smoke may detect it in the air, and they should consider reducing outdoor activity and go indoors to cleaner air if they feel any symptoms.

On the EPAs air quality index, pollution numbers ranging from 51 to 100 are considered moderate. Numbers from 101 to 150 are deemed as unhealthy for sensitive groups, such as people with asthma or other breathing problems.

As of 11 a.m. Friday, the highest index numbers were seen in Essex County, with 77 in West Orange, 98 in Montclair and 120 in Belleville.

The Fresh Kills area of Staten Island had an index number of 82, and Port Richmond was listed at 65.

Areas with the yellow dots had "moderate" air quality late Friday morning, Nov. 15, and areas with orange dots had air that was deemed unhealthy for sensitive groups.U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

The bad news: The EPAs air quality forecast for Friday calls for moderate air pollution numbers to spread across a wide swath of New Jersey, from the northeastern region, through most of the central region and down to the southwestern region.

NBC4 in New York says winds are expected to shift from the northwest, so the wildfire smoke could drift across the New York City metro area and the Jersey Shore.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local weather news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com or on X at @LensReality.
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2024 marks the 30th anniversary of Chinas full access to the global internet and the 10th anniversary of the countrys cyber development strategy. As part of the Interview Series titled A New Era of Internet, we spoke with Kilnam Chon, Father of internet in South Korea and honorary professor of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.

Chon highlights Chinas achievements in building digital infrastructure and increasing internet penetration as a replicable China Model for countries of the Global South.

As of June 2024, Chinas internet penetration rate reached 78.0%, with rural areas at 66.5%. Chon believes the efforts to narrow regional and urban-rural digital divides have been highly effective, and that China can play a greater role in bridging the digital gap among nations of the Global South

Chon hails Chinas proactive role in this process, citing initiatives like the World Internet Conference in Wuzhen and the Asia-Pacific Advanced Network as platforms for advancing global internet governance and technical exchanges.

Looking ahead, Chon envisions that China will step up efforts to close the global digital divide, foster broader and deeper international cooperation, and enable more developing countries to benefit from Chinas digital experience and successes.

Editor: GSY
This undated video screenshot shows Li Ziqi receiving an interview with Xinhua. (Xinhua)

BEIJING, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- After a three-year hiatus, Li Ziqi, one of the most influential Chinese video blogger known for her poetic portrayal of rural life, was back in the public spotlight with new videos released on Tuesday.

"I still enjoy sharing aspects of my life and meaningful traditional cultural things with everyone," Li said during an exclusive interview with Xinhua.

One of her new videos showcasing her crafting a wardrobe using traditional Chinese lacquerware techniques received over 40 million views worldwide within just two hours. In another video, she turns a woodshed in the forest into a cloakroom.

Speaking of the break, Li joked that she has been "catching up on sleep" to compensate for all the sleepless nights spent editing in previous years.

Japes aside, Li's hiatus was more than just a time for beauty sleep; it was also a time for family, especially her grandmother. "When I was shooting and editing videos, it was mostly her who took care of me. She often brought me hot meals in the middle of the night," Li said.

Li, born in 1990 in southwest China's Sichuan Province, began creating short cooking videos in idyllic settings in 2015, quickly gaining widespread attention online.

Despite pausing video updates in 2021, she had amassed nearly 100 million followers across China's top four social media platforms by September 2023. During the three-year break, Li's YouTube subscribers grew from 14 million to 20.2 million, which is more than major accounts like "CNN" and "BBC." Numerous netizens left messages under her videos, asking her to come back.

She said she chose to resume updating her videos over a month ago to put an end to the mounting speculation about her comeback, and to share with everyone what she had been doing during the past three years and what her plans were for the future.

Li's videos are known for their unique rural charm, but making content is not without its hazards. Recalling her experience collecting lacquer from trees for her foray into the traditional craft, she shared, "When I was preparing to make this video last spring, I boasted to my uncle (cameraman) that I might be the 'chosen one' for making lacquerware. However, after my first lacquer job, my face swelled up to the size of a TV."

Despite numerous challenges, she apprenticed under Yin Liping, a renowned inheritor of Chengdu lacquer art, devoting several months to completing this lacquerware wardrobe.

Chengdu lacquer art is a national intangible heritage that had developed a highly refined decorative system as early as the Han Dynasty (202 BC- AD 220).

Li studied the art of carved lacquer with hidden patterns. Characterized as being restrained, reserved but rich in cultural depth, Yin describes it as "a very understated form of luxury."

The intricacy of this technique, Li explained, is that under normal lighting, the carved lacquerware appears black, but when exposed to strong light, its golden patterns emerge.

"I couldn't help but see a parallel between its essence and the spirit of our Chinese people," she said. "It looks low-key and modest on the outside, but in fact it is all-inclusive and wonderful inside."

When Li finished the wardrobe, which was decorated with the pattern of a Qilin, an auspicious mythological creature, it was Chinese New Year, and she gave it to her grandmother as a New Year gift.

"I actually specifically chose a pattern of a Qilin looking back because there is a Chinese saying that a Qilin looking back can dispel all illnesses," she said. "I just hope she can be healthy."

Warm and powerful, her videos have touched people around the world. This impact continues to be just as strong after her return.

"I'm a 56-year-old black American grandmother who lives in America, so glad to see you and Grandma is doing and looking well. It's 4:10 a.m. I'm so happy I decide to watch YouTube. We still watch some of your old content," wrote a follower on YouTube.

"It's unbelievable. Even though three years have passed, I can still recognize the calm your videos bring me. That feeling hasn't changed... A hug from Argentina," wrote another YouTube user.

Regarding her future plans, Li said the lifestyle she enjoys will be a theme of her videos. Over the past three years, she has taken up the piano, thrown herself into handicrafts, planted many tropical plants and fruits, and traveled with her grandmother.

Though silent for three years, Li stays connected to her followers' comments. She explained that a friend living overseas had been helping her gather and organize feedback from overseas netizens, regularly sending them to her via email.

While reading the comments from people around the world, expressing their blessings and feelings of longing in their own languages, she said, "I am particularly touched by this."

"They also shared some of their local customs, animals and plants, or some interesting childhood stories. I really enjoy reading these kinds of comments, and I miss them a lot," she added. 

This undated video screenshot shows Li Ziqi (R) receiving an interview with Xinhua. (Xinhua)

Editor: JYZ
Great Western Railway (GWR), which operates routes up to Barnstaple along the Tarka Line, has been named the Best UK Domestic Train Service at the Business Traveller Awards 2024.

GWR triumphed over competitors such as LNER, Avanti West Coast, and the Elizabeth line to secure the title.

The Business Traveller Awards, widely regarded as the benchmark for excellence in the business travel market, are determined by votes from readers of Business Traveller magazine.

These awards, which have been a staple of the industry for nearly 40 years, see the results independently verified by market research experts.

More than 200 industry leaders gathered for the award ceremony at The Steel Yard in London, where BBC Breakfast presenter Ben Thompson revealed the winners, hosted by Business Traveller publisher Ink.

GWR Managing Director, Mark Hopwood, expressed his pride in the recognition, saying: Its fantastic to be named the UKs Best Domestic Train Service and particularly humbling that these awards are voted for by readers of the magazine, who are regular travellers on the UK rail network. This award is recognition of the hard work and commitment shown by colleagues to deliver the best service possible for customers, and also the world-class destinations we are proud to serve on the GWR network.

Tamsin Cocks, editor of Business Traveller, shared her thoughts on the ceremony: Its always exciting to find out who has been crowned in the Business Traveller Awards. So much has happened in the last year as travel providers continuously up their game, and our readers are a tough crowd to impress, so these results really do reflect the best of the best. The event was made even more special this year as we celebrated the relaunch of the magazine in a fabulous new venue. Thank you to everyone involved, and a huge congratulations to our worthy winners.

As part of its network, GWRs Tarka Line is a vital connection for communities in North Devon, offering a scenic and reliable route for travellers along this picturesque stretch of railway.
Following yesterdays (November 14) Gazette report on Homebase entering administration, speculation is mounting over the future of the unit at Rose Lane, Barnstaple.

On 13 November, Homebase collapsed into administration, putting 2,000 jobs at risk nationwide, including roles in Barnstaple.

The Gazette understands from a BBC report that Hilco, the owner of Homebase, had been looking to sell the struggling retailer but failed to secure an outright buyer.

One possibility is that The Range, owned by Plymouth billionaire Chris Dawson, could take over the site.

CDS Superstores, the company behind The Range and Wilko, has acquired the Homebase brand name, intellectual property, and up to 70 UK locations.

However, it is unclear whether Barnstaples Homebase is part of this acquisition.

When approached by the Gazette, The Range confirmed they would provide an update when more details about specific locations become available.

Group CEO Alex Simpkin stated: We plan to retain the best of Homebases expertise and heritage while expanding product choices to include everything youd expect from The Range.

Alternatively, a planning application from TJ Morris Limited, the parent company of Home Bargains, proposes transforming the site into a Home Bargains store.

If approved, this would make it the retailers second store in Barnstaple, joining the Roundswell Retail Park branch.

North Devon Council has confirmed the application is still in its consultation period, which closes on 21 November.

The plans involve reducing the buildings floorspace by a third to 3,731 square metres, reconfiguring parking with the loss of 39 spaces, and adding electric vehicle charging points, bike racks, and disabled bays.

The landscaping would include native plants to encourage biodiversity, with a 10 per cent net gain pledged.

On social media, locals have been vocal about their hopes for the site.

One resident said: Hope we get The Range instead.

Another added: I agree, a Range or even Ikea.

A third shared: We desperately need a RANGE down here.

The sentiment was echoed by another who wrote: Hope it is going to be The Range as we already have a Home Bargains.

Its clear that many in North Devon would welcome The Range, with its mix of homeware, furniture, and gardening products, as a new addition to Barnstaple.

For now, the future of Barnstaples Homebase remains uncertain, with both The Range and Home Bargains possibilities keeping local residents and employees guessing.
An association that works in the road haulage industry has delivered 3,000 in aid of cancer patients at North Devon District Hospital.

The North Devon branch of the Road Haulage Association (RHA) raised the funds during their annual dinner dance at Saunton Sands Hotel, with the donation going to the Fern Centre.

The Fern Centre, which is funded by Royal Devon Hospitals Charity, offers free information, complementary therapies, counselling, and wellbeing support to anyone in North Devon affected by cancer.

The centre plays a vital role in helping local residents cope with the emotional and physical impact of cancer, and the generous donation from the RHA will help them continue their work.

In addition to supporting the Fern Centre, the event also raised 3,000 for brain injury charity Headway and 1,000 for the RHA Benevolent Fund, which provides support to those within the haulage industry.

The charities were chosen by RHA ambassador Bill Hockin, who is celebrating 50 years in business this year.

Mr Hockin, who founded William C Hockin Transport Ltd with his wife Irene in Barnstaple in 1974, built a fleet of more than 50 vehicles before selling the haulage and tanker side of the business in 2020.

He continues to run Blue Box self-storage and warehousing, as well as a commercial vehicle repairs depot at the firms head office in Roundswell.

I was 25 when I bought my first truck and trailer for 3,750 in 1974 and worked long hours and very hard to grow the business, said Mr Hockin.

Im very proud to have been able to bring so many goods and services into North Devon for so many years, and as ambassador of the RHA, equally proud to have been able to donate 7,000 to three very worthy charities.

Fern Centre manager Tara Jones said: We are delighted to receive such a wonderful donation from Bill on behalf of RHA members.

The Fern Centre opened in 2020 following a 1.5m fundraising appeal and is entirely funded by Royal Devon Hospitals Charity.

The centre offers wellbeing support to anyone in North Devon affected by cancer and can only do this thanks to such fantastic support from the local community.
A Long March-4B Y53 carrier rocket carrying a satellite for ocean-salinity detection blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, Nov. 14, 2024. China sent a new satellite for ocean-salinity detection into space on Thursday, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA). The satellite was launched at 6:42 a.m. (Beijing Time) using a Long March-4B Y53 carrier rocket, and has successfully entered its preset orbit.(CNSA/Handout via Xinhua)

TAIYUAN, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- China sent a new satellite for ocean-salinity detection into space on Thursday from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

The satellite was launched at 6:42 a.m. (Beijing Time) using a Long March-4B Y53 carrier rocket, and has successfully entered its preset orbit.

The satellite will fill the gap of China's high-precision global ocean-salinity detection capabilities, improve data collection on ocean dynamics and environmental factors, and boost the accuracy of China's marine forecasting products, said the CNSA.

It will also support marine environmental forecasting, ecological forecasting, water-cycle monitoring, short-term climate prediction, and global climate change research, providing critical data for applications in agriculture, disaster mitigation, meteorology and other related industries, according to the CNSA.

It was the 545th flight mission of the Long March series rockets. 

Editor: JYZ
Shanta Thake, chief artistic officer with Lincoln Center, speaks at a tourism promotion event for east China's Zhejiang province in New York City, the United States, on Nov. 13, 2024. The energy of Zhejiang lit up Manhattan on Wednesday as the renowned southeastern Chinese province brought its lush landscapes, timeless artistry, and vibrant modern culture to New York City. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan)

by Xinhua writers Yang Shilong, Liu Yanan

NEW YORK, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- The energy of Zhejiang lit up Manhattan on Wednesday as the renowned southeastern Chinese province brought its lush landscapes, timeless artistry, and vibrant modern culture to New York City.

In his remarks at a promotion event, China's Consul General in New York Chen Li highlighted the significance of tourism as a bridge between the United States and China.

The enthusiasm and collaboration was duly manifested at the 14th U.S.-China Tourism Dialogue held in May, when 20 new cooperation agreements were signed between Chinese and American institutions, said Chen.

Xu Xiao, deputy director of Zhejiang's Department of Culture and Tourism, celebrated the province's distinctive charm, from its serene waterways to its lively cities, and underscored the province's strong U.S. ties, including 68 sister-city partnerships covering education, technology, and business.

Lincoln Center's Chief Artistic Officer Shanta Thake praised the longstanding cultural partnership between Zhejiang and the center, citing past Lunar New Year performances by artists from Zhejiang.

"Our curiosity about the world is what makes New York special. We have so much to learn from culture that's been preserved over 5,000 years. It's amazing," she said. "By learning about your history, we learn about our collective history, and that's so important to us in the cultural sector."

Jonathan Elkoubi, founder of Navew.com, a tourism consultancy, plans to have a leisure trip to China in the coming months by taking advantage of China's 144-hour visa-free transit policy.

"Transnational tourism between the United States and China is transforming in the post-COVID-world... I think things seem very beneficial to an increase in both-direction travel," he said.

Alejandro Garrido, director of Aviajar Tours &Travel USA, echoed the enthusiasm, calling Zhejiang an ideal destination for Americans seeking unique landscapes and culinary adventures.

A frequent traveler to China, Garrido plans to lead a group tour to Zhejiang next year. He praised the event's promotional materials and recommended broader distribution to share Zhejiang's accessibility and unique charm with more potential visitors. 

Artists perform Chinese traditional water sleeve dance at a tourism promotion event for east China's Zhejiang province in New York City, the United States, on Nov. 13, 2024. The energy of Zhejiang lit up Manhattan on Wednesday as the renowned southeastern Chinese province brought its lush landscapes, timeless artistry, and vibrant modern culture to New York City. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan)

China's Consul General in New York Chen Li speaks at a tourism promotion event for east China's Zhejiang province in New York City, the United States, on Nov. 13, 2024. The energy of Zhejiang lit up Manhattan on Wednesday as the renowned southeastern Chinese province brought its lush landscapes, timeless artistry, and vibrant modern culture to New York City. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan)

Xu Xiao, deputy director of Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism, speaks at a tourism promotion event for east China's Zhejiang province in New York City, the United States, on Nov. 13, 2024. The energy of Zhejiang lit up Manhattan on Wednesday as the renowned southeastern Chinese province brought its lush landscapes, timeless artistry, and vibrant modern culture to New York City. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan)

Jonathan Elkoubi, founder of Navew.com, a tourism consultancy, speaks at a tourism promotion event for east China's Zhejiang province in New York City, the United States, on Nov. 13, 2024. The energy of Zhejiang lit up Manhattan on Wednesday as the renowned southeastern Chinese province brought its lush landscapes, timeless artistry, and vibrant modern culture to New York City. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan)

Models showcase Chinese traditional costumes at a tourism promotion event for east China's Zhejiang province in New York City, the United States, on Nov. 13, 2024. The energy of Zhejiang lit up Manhattan on Wednesday as the renowned southeastern Chinese province brought its lush landscapes, timeless artistry, and vibrant modern culture to New York City. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan)

Editor: JYZ
The Quest to Build a Star on Earth Start-ups say were closer than ever to near-limitless, zero-carbon energy from fusion. When will we get there? DIII-D National Fusion Facility, operated by General Atomics, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

The quest for fusion energy  the clean, potentially limitless source that could end mankinds power woes  began as an answer to an old question, one weve been asking since we first raised our heads toward the sky.

It was the mid-19th century. Charles Darwins theory of natural selection had upended our notions of ourselves and our world. But the theory had a problem. How, the physicist Lord Kelvin asked, could the sun have been shining for so long? Wouldnt it have burned through its fuel well before humans had evolved as Darwin proposed?

Neither man lived to learn the astonishing answer: that inside our sun lighter elements are constantly fusing into heavier ones, liberating vast amounts of energy in the process.

The store is well-nigh inexhaustible, the astronomer Arthur Eddington wrote in 1920, if only it could be tapped.

A century later, a handful of start-ups say we are closer than ever before to making it happen.

In the next few years, these companies say, their fusion machines will produce more energy than they take to run. Soon after, they will start generating electricity for factories, data centers, steel mills and more, helping humanity take a decisive step away from fossil fuels, away from global warming and air pollution, away from powering our lives by setting tiny fires in engines and boilers and furnaces.

Part of ITER, a multinational fusion project in France, under construction in 2022. Nicolas Tucat/Agence France-Presse  Getty Images

Big-name investors including Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Vinod Khosla and Sam Altman have staked hundreds of millions of dollars on this, fusions potential Kitty Hawk moment: the one that shows that the limits of our species mastery have once again been catapulted forward.

Todays fusion start-ups arent just preparing for this moment in the lab. They are signing presale deals with customers, developing supply chains, cultivating a work force, talking with regulators  all the elements that will be needed to make fusion an affordable, practical power source, not just a science experiment.

And yet, closer than ever does not necessarily mean close. Fusions history is a graveyard of missed deadlines and thwarted milestones, bursts of excitement followed by bruising disappointments.

The sunny view is that the start-ups are moving more quickly than government labs ever could. They can try, fail and try again. But the lesson from more than half a century of fusion research, said Gerald Navratil, a professor of plasma physics at Columbia, is that failure happens in ways nobody anticipates.

Even if the physics idea sounds tantalizing, Dr. Navratil said, until you actually do it for real, in a real machine, producing real energy, its just an idea.







How Hard Can It Be?

Zap Energy

Creating a working star on Earth might sound flat-out impossible, had scientists not already gone so far toward doing it.

First you need to heat a puff of gas to unimaginable temperatures, over 100 million degrees Celsius. This makes the gas so hot that the electrons are ripped free from their atoms. So hot that the gas transcends gas and enters another state of matter: plasma.

With enough heat, the atoms start to fuse, something theyre extremely not eager to do. Make your plasma hold onto this heat for long enough, and at high enough pressure, and more energy comes out than you put in to heat it up.

Fusion is the opposite of the fission process that powers todays nuclear plants. Atoms dont split; they weld together. The basic fuel isnt uranium, but hydrogen extracted from seawater. Theres no threat of runaway reactions, and the radioactive waste it leaves behind is less dangerous. Making it happen, and controlling it, is just much, much trickier.

For fission, if you just pile the right kind of material in one place, itll get hot, said Robert Goldston, a Princeton professor of astrophysical sciences. For fusion, its a different story.

Once youve created some plasma, whats next? The stuff wriggles and squirms like a snake of superhot Jell-O, so you have to hold it steady, otherwise it could whip out and melt your equipment. Or it might just fall apart, for as violent as the plasma is, it is also fragile: You could snuff it out by blowing on it.

Inside the sun, gravity holds the plasma together. On Earth, people use superstrong magnets or lasers.

A fusion device in Harwell, England, in 1958; a stellarator at Princeton University, around 1958; construction on a tokamak at the University of Sydney in 1980. Underwood Archives/Getty Images; Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos, via Getty Images; David James Bartho/Fairfax Media via Getty Images

By this point maybe youve done it: Atoms are fusing, high-energy particles are blasting out of the plasma. Your machine has to survive the pummeling. But it also has to put the energy to work, producing electricity, keeping the reaction going, all without disturbing your plasma, which is as precarious as a toy top spinning on a fingertip.

For decades after the end of World War II, government labs worldwide got closer and closer to pulling all that off. They built better machines, kept plasmas alive for longer stretches, created bigger jolts of energy. Then, in the 1990s, Congress slashed funding for magnet-based fusion, and progress slowed.

Scientists have kept at it, though. Using computer models, they can now simulate, with remarkable fidelity, how plasma behaves inside a reactor. They understand why some things work and others dont. Such advances helped the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory produce more fusion energy than the energy in the incoming laser beams, for the briefest of moments, in 2022. They also helped European researchers generate record amounts of fusion energy at a facility in Britain last year.

But going further requires new machines. And new machines require money, stratospheric amounts. They might also require new technology, even new materials.

The Wright brothers, with basically the tools of a bicycle repair shop, could put together the technology that could fly, Dr. Navratil said. You cant quite do that with fusion.







Racing Toward the 2030 s

TAE Technologies

Step inside Commonwealth Fusion Systems enormous new building in the Massachusetts countryside and it could be a construction site like any other: bare gray floors, taped-up plastic sheets, spiders in the corners.

Keep going, though, and you hit the wall: eight feet of concrete, wrapped around the buildings innermost sanctum, protecting the wider world from whats inside.

Here, in a room as airy and grand as a temple, a colossal machine will soon be placed at the altar. In a circle around its core will sit 18 giant magnets, each powerful enough to hoist an aircraft carrier. When the machine is turned on, the magnetic forces within will be as strong as 10 heavy rockets lifting off from Earth.

Only in the fusion industry would this be considered a compact machine, yet thats what it is: a small but souped-up version of a tokamak, the doughnut-shaped fusion device that scientists have built scores of since the 1960s. (Tokamak is a Russian acronym.)

A chamber for testing magnets that will go into Commonwealth Fusion Systems SPARC reactor. Simon Simard for The New York Times

If theres a big fish in the commercial fusion pond, Commonwealth is it. Since its founding in 2018, the company has raised over $2 billion, more than any other fusion start-up.

The machine its building in Massachusetts, SPARC, is a demonstration device. Commonwealth is aiming for SPARC to produce net energy, in what it calls a commercially relevant way, in 2027. Its next machine, ARC, is the one it says will generate electricity for paying customers, in the early 2030s.

(Not coincidentally, ARC is also the name of the fusion device built by Tony Stark, the hero of the Iron Man comics. Among Commonwealths investors is a firm co-founded by Robert Downey Jr., who played Stark onscreen.)

One reason Commonwealth is confident about hitting its goals is that, in certain ways, SPARC is a conservative machine, even a dull one, said Bob Mumgaard, the companys chief executive. Scientists have been studying and building tokamaks for so long that Commonwealth doesnt need to reinvent the wheel except in a few key areas, Dr. Mumgaard said.

In other words, rather than taking a kite and trying to upgrade it to a supersonic jet, Commonwealth is starting with a pretty fast plane, said Brandon Sorbom, the companys chief science officer.

We sometimes get dinged at conferences, Dr. Sorbom said. People are like, Man, you guys built a really boring machine, he said. Like, you know its going to work.

A mockup of a section of SPARC; Bob Mumgaard, Commonwealth's chief executive; inside the mockup. Simon Simard for The New York Times

The result is that Commonwealths employees can focus on putting SPARC together quickly  hard-core execution mode, Dr. Mumgaard calls it  rather than waiting around for new discoveries in the lab. They can also focus on SPARCs main magnets, which set it apart from past tokamaks. Each magnet will weigh 30 tons and contain around 200 miles of superconducting tape, which is carefully wound by machinery into neat, dense coils, in a process that takes over 120 hours.

Already, though, Commonwealth is putting most of its creative energy toward ARC, the machine it wants to build next. Were still very much learning on the steep part of the learning curve on that, Dr. Mumgaard said.

The companys scientists and engineers are still figuring out, for instance, how to make ARCs plasma less likely to thrash around, and how to keep parts of the machine from overheating. They are also examining how well the materials theyre using can withstand high-energy particles whipping through them, and whether theyll need to be supplemented with materials that have yet to be invented.







Goddess of the Dawn

Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory

The knock against tokamaks, as Dr. Mumgaard acknowledges, is that theyre complicated gizmos.

Difficult to build. A pain to take apart and maintain. And expensive: According to Dr. Mumgaard, SPARC will end up costing around $1.2 billion to construct.

The biggest tokamak being built anywhere on Earth, a multinational project in France called ITER (and pronounced eater), is on track to cost tens of billions of dollars and wont be ready for experiments until the mid-2030s.

Thats where the other side of the private fusion boom comes in. Most of todays start-ups arent following ITER and Commonwealth and building tokamaks. They think they can do fusion more cheaply and easily using other types of machines, even if their designs vary a lot in how well scientists have gotten them to work.

They have not been proven yet, said Earl Marmar, a physicist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. But, you know, good luck. I hope something works soon for sure.

Type One Energy and Thea Energy are working on stellarators, which are similar to tokamaks but twisted and complexly rippled, like a doughnut as imagined by Salvador Dali. Realta Fusion is building a reactor that the companys co-founder, Cary Forest, calls Tootsie Roll shaped: a cylinder with magnets at both ends.

In an office park near Seattle, Zap Energy is making fusion devices in which filaments of plasma are, yes, zapped with electricity. Less than a mile away, Helion Energy is working on a fusion machine that shoots two rings of plasma at each other. Helion says it will start using its technology to generate electricity for Microsoft in 2028.

Zap Energys FuZE-Q device. Grant Hindsley for The New York Times

Helions Trenta device, which the company operated until 2023. Grant Hindsley for The New York Times

Across the Canadian border, near Vancouver, a company called General Fusion is aiming to squish plasma together not with fancy magnets or lasers or other exotic parts, but with pistons a bit like the ones in a car engine. The company is hoping to demonstrate the feasibility of its new machine in 2026.

Its kind of the Wild West right now, said Richard Magee, vice president of physics research at the fusion company TAE Technologies, as he showed off the firms bus-size test reactor in Southern California. Its going to be really interesting to see whos still standing in 10 years.

When it comes to the big goal of moving humanity into a fusion-powered age, more companies could mean more shots on goal, as Jean Paul Allain, head of the Department of Energys fusion science program, puts it. When anyone scores, everybody benefits.

What worries researchers is how much some fusion start-ups are promising, and how soon. Even if their pilot plants are successful, theres still a ways to go before those will be ready to meet a serious share of the globes electricity needs, said Steven Cowley, director of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory.

Theres an awful lot of supercharged hype, Dr. Cowley said. You worry about the consequences when people dont deliver.

David Gates worked in government labs for three decades before helping to found Thea Energy in 2022. If youd asked me 10 years ago, Should I start a fusion company? I wouldve said youre out of your mind, Dr. Gates said. The private sector wasnt interested in fusion in the slightest.

Thea is working on a machine called Eos. Thea, or Theia, is the Greek goddess of vision and light; her daughter is Eos, goddess of the dawn.

And when will fusions dawn be upon us? The plan for Eos, at least, is to have it running by 2030.
A 47-year-old Chinese woman who spent most of her life searching for her young brothers cruel killer recently reached her goal, putting her target in prison after nearly three decades.

Li Haiyus heartbreaking tale of revenge began in December of 1992 when the womans father and another man started arguing about wages. Things got so heated between them that at one point, the other man decided to get back at Haiyus father by kidnapping his 9-year-old son, Li Huanping, as he left school. Police were called and a search for the boy and his kidnapper was organized in the area around their village in Hunan Province. Li Huanpings clothes were found on the outskirts of a nearby village, but his body was only found in February of the following year, by which time his kidnapper had disappeared. The police report concluded that he had been stabbed and abandoned in a sugarcane field, but his father didnt tell his wife and five daughters the truth until his dying day, letting them hold on to the hope of one day being reunited with Li Huanping.

According to the Xiaoxiang Morning News, Li Haiyu started searching for her younger brother in 1997. She knew he had been abducted and traveled to the provinces of Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou and Guangxi to find him, facing all sorts of challenges. She was cheated by people looking to take advantage of her desperation to find Li Huanping and almost abducted herself on at least two occasions. But she never gave up hope.

It was only in 2014, when her father took his own life leaving behind a note for his family, that Li Haiyu learned about her little brothers fate. Her father wrote that he had never given up the search for his sons killer, but after years of fruitless searching, he just couldnt bear waking up every day. At first, Haiyu was angry about her fathers deceit, but later understood his desire to protect them from the cold hard truth of her brothers brutal death, and decided to carry on the search for his killer.

In his final note, Li Haiyus father revealed the name of his sons murderer, Yi Mouqing, as well as his home town and details about his appearance, so the woman moved to Ningbo, in Zhejiang, and waited there until she found someone fitting Yis description. Da Wan News reports that Li Haiyu struck up a conversation with the man under pretext of looking for a job, and managed to learn his name, Yi Mouhua. It was close enough to raise suspicion, but not enough to alert the authorities, so Li Haiyu stayed in touch with him in order to learn more information.

Despite being sick to her stomach about acting friendly to her brothers murderer, Li Haiyu spent roughly three years talking to Yi Mouhua, getting to know him and trying to earn his trust. Then at one point, when the opportunity presented itself, she asked him if he was Yi Mouqing or Yi Mouhua, because she had heard people call him both, to which he casually answered: My name is Yi Mouhua, but Yi Mouqing is my childhood name. Two names, but one person.

Li Haiyu bit her tongue with excitement when she heard her brothers killer confirm his identity, but she didnt let it show, for fear of raising suspicion. She then contacted the police and accompanied them as they arrested the runaway criminal just so he could see who had orchestrated his capture. The arrest was inducted in 2020, but a Chinese court ruled that there wasnt enough evidence to convict the suspect. In November of 2022, the Procuratorate overruled the previous decision and in September of this year, Li Huanpings killer was once again brought before a judge.

Yi Mouqing admitted to luring his rivals son with apples on that fateful day in 1992, but Li Haiyu, who spent most of her life chasing him all over China, thought his attitude in front of the Court was arrogant. I felt that he was judging us, not the court judging him, she told reporters, adding that she hoped Mouqing would get the death penalty for his crime. Se now plans to bring her brothers remains back to her hometown, so he can finally rest in peace.
It's a myth that satellite media tours might not be the thing they once were, when they were the hot, new thing 30 years ago," Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, said during a panel discussion Oct. 30 at the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit held in Arlington, Virginia's Convene Conference Center.

Simon continued, The reality is TV stations want them, need them, use them more than they ever have.

Client demand for them is higher than its ever been, he added.

A recent survey Simon conducted about SMTs found that 92 percent of news producers are interested in interviewing brand spokespeople. Seventy-eight percent prefer using in-house spokespeople.

Thats the highest its ever been, he said.

Simon explained that much has changed in the industry since Covid. Before Covid, tours in remote locations required a satellite truck and an onsite crew.

Post Covid, Simon explained, stations set themselves up to be able to take video quality, broadcast quality video signals through the Internet.

He continued, What that meant is the station didnt have to have a technician brought in because they wanted to do a satellite interview. So that dramatically expanded the number of stations that are actually doing satellite media tours.

He added, So typically you could have a spokesperson anywhere. They can be in a studio, they can be in an office, they can be in their home, as long as theres good Internet connectivity (which you can bring in if they dont have good Internet).

In describing the key to a successful radio or satellite media tour, he said, So youre developing a media pitch that will both resonate with the people who are listening or watching as well as the producers and also bring value to the organization.

He explained once a TV or radio tour is set up and the pitch is approved, then a lineup of 20-35 minute interviews are conducted in one five-hour window.

Each one is connected individually to the stations one after the other and the radio or TV hosts generally ask the same questions the organization has provided.

Speakers (L to R) Sarah Lovenheim, AARP; Doug Simon, D S Simon Media; Laura Pair, 4media group; and moderator Jeffrey Davis, J. Davis Public Relations and Capitol Communicator at the Mastering Broadcast Media Relations: Navigating Television and Radio session at the recent Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit in Arlington, Va. Photo: Lynsey Stanicki, D S Simon Media

Radio is ubiquitous

Speaking about radio, Laura Pair, chief business officer for 4media group, said, When you talk about a medium that is ubiquitous, it is radio.

She added that there are 15,000+ radio stations in the U.S. versus 1,800 television stations.

According to statistics she quoted, Eighty-eight percent of Americans are listening to the radio on a weekly basis. It is the number one platform by reach.

And the number one format for listeners 18+ is news talk.

She explained that even more important than reach is trust.

She continued that, Seventy-seven percent of radio listeners would try a brand or product endorsed by their favorite radio personality.

And she said, Fifty-five percent of Gen Z are listening to the radio, not every week, but every day. Thats the next generation of radio listeners coming up right now.

Television Vital for AARP

Sarah Lovenheim, VP, external relations for AARP, explained that television is an important medium for the association in getting out its message to members over 50 years old and particularly those over 65 years old.

TV is a much stronger platform than its often given credit for today, she said.

She added, So wherever you work in communications or wherever you work in marketing, if youre not targeting people through TV channels -- youre missing a massive audience.

She continued, TV still holds the power to shape mindsets in a way that is fairly unique because you get the visuals along with whatever you are trying to convey in real time.

I just think of satellite media tours as a TV and radio media blitz, Lovenheim asserted.

Theyre back-to-back, very quick hits where youre conveying one message but youre reaching multiple pockets of the country. You can even have the ability to reach multiple states in one of these five-hour periods, she added.

She continued, Its really remarkable when you think about communications and wanting to make sure youre actually reaching the right people with whatever your message is. Satellite media tours today are a remarkable way to do that.

Lovenheim revealed that AARP held 13 TV satellite media tours in 2024, which resulted in about 11,000 media interviews through 13 days of 5-hour media blitzes. She added that the organization did work with 4media group. Topics included voter education, financial planning, retirement tips and more.

You cant get those figures without a concerted, concentrated effort thats extremely targeted to drive those sorts of results," she maintained.

Radio, SMTs are an Investment

Companies do need to weigh their options when considering booking radio and TV satellite media tours.

Added 4media groups Laura Pair, An SMT, as weve said, is an investment.

We understand that not all brands can jump into these things right away, she continued.

She explained that 4media group does work with smaller non-profit organizations and can customize smaller tours.

For all tours though, said Pair, organizations must consider carefully, Do you have something important to say?

She continued, If youve got something that affects people in their daily lives all across the county, thats the right time for a satellite media tour.

Of utmost importance is the spokesperson.

Part of the process also in preparing to do a satellite media tour is picking the right spokesperson, she stated.

You can use a brand spokesperson  that helps sometimes because youre not having to pay somebody else, a third party, to come speak on your behalf, she said.

But that spokesperson needs to convey the message in a way that appeals to and informs people.

You need to have the right message, she asserted.

The key is making sure that youre connecting to the audiences you want to talk to.

The Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit was co-produced by Capitol Communicator, Potomac Tech Wire and the American Advertising Federation Washington, D.C. chapter.

The all-day conference, held in association with ADWKDC, featured 450+ attendees, 25+ exhibitors, 28 sessions, 80 speakers along with networking opportunities. The sessions covered the latest important topics for the communications industry and featured speakers from the public relations, communications, advertising and marketing fields; the news media; corporations; associations; non-profits; educational institutions and service companies. Topics covered included social media, AI, SEO, trends in marketing and communications, B2B and B2C marketing, government marketing, trends in hybrid work, tips from leading opinion editors and much more. For further information visit www.capitolcommunicator.com.

ODwyers PR Buyers Guide includes information on the top radio and SMT companies in the U.S. and features videos on their products and services for large organizations and smaller companies along with contact numbers to reach them for further details.
LaunchSquad acquires Megawatt, a Boston-based content marketing agency that specializes in creating technical content for companies in cybersecurity, deep tech, climate tech and other complex B2B industries. The Megawatt team will join the LaunchSquad Content Studio, its content and creative unit, which is led by SVP, editorial Maeghan Ouimet. Megawatt was launched in 2015 by Meg Scarborough, who was previously a digital content strategist at LaunchSquad. This partnership allows Megawatt to expand what we can offer clients, combining our deep expertise in technical B2B content with LaunchSquads broader capabilities, Scarborough said in a post on Megawatts site.

Milk & Honey PR signs a cooperation agreement with Abu Dhabi-based 9Yards Communications. Clients of 9Yards Communications will gain enhanced opportunities for exposure in European, North American and APAC markets, while Milk & Honey gains access to 9Yards presence across the Middle East region. Milk & Honey has offices in London, New York, Munich, and Singapore. With global B Corp status, it specializes in the fields of ESG, AI, and emerging technologies communications. Part of NG9 Holding, 9Yards Communications works with UAE and Abu Dhabi government entities and private sector clients. Driven by shared values and an ambition to provide an ever-greater international reach for our respective clients, this partnership with Milk & Honey is a fantastic opportunity, said 9Yards Communications founder and CEO Hussam Almulhem.

Ryan Walker

R.J. Walker & Co. founder Ryan Walker, who worked at Edelman and M Booth before launching his firm six years ago, hosted an Nov. 7 event at which startup founders, investors and journalists discussed the importance of messaging. The event, at the 33 Hotel in New York Citys Seaport District, brought together companies who often cannot rely on the same stunts and tactics that are prevalent in the world of consumer PR. Its focus was on showing how brands can achieve growth by defining their messages in relation to the news cycle and timing their outreach with quotes and comments that make a reporters work easier and more efficient. The program included CMPR senior executive publicist and founder Dominique Simpson on the power of working with influencers and a brief Q&A between Walker and Julie Segal, editor for Institutional Investor, that covered the importance of developing relationships, keeping pitches focused, and how compelling stories can have a wide range of interest once they are published. The evening concluded with a toast by Remy Martin East Cost brand ambassador Ashley Austin, who noted the brands strong 300-year history.
Not a Subscriber? Join O'Dwyer's & Get RFP Access Stop wasting time tracking down RFPs. O'Dwyer's connects you with organizations looking for PR firms & services. Get new business with O'Dwyer's! Join O'Dwyer's
East China's Jiangsu Province organizes conference in Ethiopia to promote cooperation

Xinhua) 21:00, November 15, 2024

ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Jiangsu Province, one of the economic powerhouses in East China, organized an economic and trade cooperation conference in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, Thursday to promote its cooperation with Africa.

Speaking at the conference, Mesganu Arga, state minister of Ethiopia's Foreign Ministry, said the bilateral relationship between Ethiopia and China is time-tested, and Ethiopia remains committed to advancing the Ethiopia-China all-weather strategic partnership to foster greater growth in bilateral ties.

"Ethiopia's cooperation with Jiangsu Province has made significant progress, particularly in infrastructure, trade, and investment. This has contributed to Ethiopia's socioeconomic development," the state minister said.

Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia Chen Hai said that Ethiopia is a major economy in Africa with abundant natural resources and substantial development potential.

"We are willing to work with Ethiopia and other African countries to implement the outcomes of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and pursue broader and deeper cooperation in our modernization efforts," Chen said.

According to officials attending the conference, the trade volume between Jiangsu and Africa in 2023 reached 22.3 billion U.S. dollars, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 3.1 percent. Jiangsu has established 551 enterprises and institutions in Africa, with a cumulative contracted investment of nearly 6 billion U.S. dollars. Meanwhile, 2,238 African enterprises have been set up in Jiangsu.

The conference attracted around 300 participants, including the visiting Jiangsu delegation, Chinese diplomats in Ethiopia, African Union representatives and members of Jiangsu enterprises operating in Africa.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Zhong Wenxing)
Halyna Yanchenko,The Peoples Deputy of Ukraine

Dont believe it when they tell you German politics is predictable. The collapse of Germanys parliamentary coalition has caught half the world off guard. Europe was just beginning to process the aftermath of the U.S. elections when news broke that Germany, too, is heading for early elections. The parties of the traffic light coalition failed to reach a consensus on the 2025 budget, prompting the CDU/CSU to withdraw from the coalition.

Now, Germany faces a vote of confidence in Scholz's government in December and snap elections early next year. Bundestag party leaders have tentatively set the election date for February 23, 2025. While these elections were a surprise for Ukraine as well, their outcome may, unexpectedly, bring good news.

With Ukraine at Heart

Several candidates are vying for the position of the new Chancellor. Among them is Friedrich Merz, the leader of the CDU/CSU. A colleague of Angela Merkel, Merz has drastically changed his stance on Ukraine since the full-scale war began. He has visited Kyiv twice since the invasion started.

His first visit was in May 2022, after the liberation of the Kyiv region, when I had the opportunity to accompany him on a trip to Irpin. Upon returning to Germany, Merz became a staunch advocate for Ukraines accelerated European integration, a stark departure from the CDU/CSUs historically critical position. This shift marked a 180-degree turnaround for the Christian Democrats on Ukraine.

Merz has also frequently criticized Scholz for his indecision and supported the delivery of long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine. Recently, Friedrich Merz made a bold statement, declaring that if elected Chancellor, he would issue an ultimatum to Putin to cease hostilities in Ukraine. If this demand is unmet within 24 hours, he promises to supply Kyiv with Taurus cruise missiles and permit their use deep inside Russian territory.

And what about Scholzs party? The Social Democrats recently called on the incumbent Chancellor not to run for party leadership again and to make way for his colleague Pistorius. Boris Pistorius, the current German Defense Minister, is one of the most popular politicians not only within the SPD but across the country. He is proactive and genuinely supportive of Ukraine. He has a clear-eyed view of Russias threat to Europe and has set a goal of preparing Germanys military for war by 2029.

If Pistorius becomes Chancellor, it could open new avenues for military cooperation between Ukraine and Germany, along with new aid initiatives that had previously been blocked by Scholzs office.

Thus, despite the temporary crisis in Germany, there are strong hopes that the post-election landscape will feature more proactive and resolutely pro-Ukrainian politicians.

At the same time, these scenarios come with risks, primarily the increased presence of marginal yet vocal friends of Putin in German politics.

Germanys Friends of Putin

This years elections carry a distinctive challenge. Germanys democratic politicians will have to contend with both far-right neo-Nazi parties and left-wing populists. Under normal circumstances, they would have had a year to prepare, but the coalition's collapse has accelerated this timeline.

In September, German politicians faced a shock with the results of elections in two eastern states, Saxony and Thuringia. For the first time in post-war German history, the far-right extremist AfD won local elections, securing over a third of the votes. The newly formed Leftist party, Sarah Wagenknechts Bloc, came in third, despite being established just six months prior.

Both the far-right and the left share a pro-Russian stance. Both demand an end to military and financial support for Ukraine and have openly echoed Russian propaganda narratives.

This poses a serious threat, as these politicians could gain significant influence in parliament. While no democratic party would ever form a coalition with extremist groups like the fascist AfD, the growing presence of extremists and their impact on the political agenda is a glaring red flag for all of Germanys political landscape.

In Ukraine, we cannot ignore this trend or the clear threat of rising anti-Ukrainian sentiment within German society, which directly benefits our adversary, the Russian Federation.

The Leftist Front

What unites Germanys neo-Nazi right and populist left is their affection for Russia. Both the Wagenknecht Bloc and the AfD propagate pro-Putin rhetoric and have become megaphones for Russian propaganda since the onset of the full-scale invasion. Unsurprisingly, Russian media outlets constantly amplify their voices.

These parties attempt to frame Russias interests as Germanys interests. During the 2024 local elections, the far-right AfD even promised a referendum on Germanys withdrawal from the EU if they won. Its hard to see how this aligns with Germanys national interest or benefits ordinary Germans. The AfDs leader in Thuringia, Bjorn Hocke, further demonstrated his loyalty to Russia by arriving at a polling station in a Russian-made "Niva" car, showcasing his preference for Russian automobiles.

Still, the AfD remains too controversial for any party to consider coalition-building. Russias new rising star in German politics is Sarah Wagenknechts Bloc. A seasoned politician, Wagenknecht built her career in the post-communist Left Party before launching her own political force in 2024. Her party has already achieved notable success in local elections and established a presence in several regions.

Wagenknecht has long been a defender of Russias interests in Germany. In 2017, she called for NATOs dissolution and a new security agreement tying Germany and Russia togethera proposal that, in hindsight, appears alarmingly naive given Russias aggression in Europe.

Wagenknecht opposed anti-Russian sanctions, urged peace talks directly with Putin, and recently proposed cutting all military aid for Ukraine from the federal budget for 2025. She now warns NATO countries of nuclear war should they continue supporting Ukraine and suggests her peace plans, which primarily revolve around compromise and territorial concessions by Kyiv.

To prevent pro-Russian forces from gaining dominance in the German parliament, decisive action by democratic forces is needed now.

***

Influencing Europe through elections is a long-standing Russian strategy that has been in play for decades. Russia already has a success story within the EUthe governments of Hungary and Slovakia.

However, its important to recognize that Russias primary target is to strengthen its influence in major EU countries like France and Germany. In France, Marine Le Pens bloc failed to gain an upper hand in parliamentary elections, largely due to the unity of democratic forces and strategic candidate placements across constituencies.

Germanys democratic forces must take note of this experience as they prepare for upcoming elections. Internal competition within the democratic camp must not allow parties that aim to dismantle Germany and Europe from within to gain seats in the Bundestag.
OFFALY student Lucy Bannister was presented with a scholarship award by Dublin City University at a ceremony to celebrate memorial and endowed scholarships on Wednesday, November 6. In total, 51 students received awards named in honour of individuals and organisations who have played a leading role in the life of Dublin City University and in wider Irish society.

Lucy Bannister from Edenderry, a former student of Oaklands Community College who is currently completing a Bachelor of Education at Dublin City University, was presented with the Endowed Alumni Scholarship, established to widen access to third level education.

Speaking at the event, Declan Raftery of DCU Educational Trust commented: Memorial and endowed scholarships make an enduring contribution to the Universitys mission to transform lives and societies. By creating opportunities for doctoral research that tackles some of the worlds most pressing challenges, and opening a door for talented students to excel, these scholarships are supporting more DCU students to make their mark on the world. We are proud to honour those who created these scholarships, and our friends and loved ones who are remembered through them.

The 51 scholarship recipients were selected based on different criteria, depending on the wishes of those who created the scholarship. These include undergraduate students supported by DCUs Access Programme, postgraduate students in the fields of cancer research, education, law and journalism, and students with outstanding sporting and academic achievements.
The star-studded guest line-up to join host Patrick Kielty on Friday night's episode of the Late Late Show on RTE One has been revealed.

In his first sit-down Irish television interview, Kildare's acting star Paul Mescal will chat to Patrick about working with director Ridley Scott on Hollywood blockbuster Gladiator II, coming home to his family, his friendship with Saoirse Ronan and their appearance on The Graham Norton Show.

U2 superstar Adam Clayton will be live in studio this Friday to talk about Ballroom Blitz, his documentary about the Irish showband scene of the 60s and 70s and how its in his blood; the Las Vegas Sphere and their 40-day residency, as well as sharing exciting news of previously unheard U2 tracks.

Graham Norton will chat about the inspiration for his fifth bestselling novel, the one chat show guest that got away early in his career, and why he decided to get his weekends back by leaving his long-running radio show.

Samantha Barry is coming home to Ireland and will join Patrick to chat about her new role as Glamour magazine's first Global Editorial Director, life in New York post US Presidential elections and dancing with Beyonce at the recent Glamour Women of the Year Awards.

Comedian, actor and writer Brendan OCarroll is home from Florida and will be chatting to Patrick about his hit series, Mrs Browns Boys ahead of its Christmas return. Hell also chat about his live show, The Musical for Moore Street, which tours Ireland in the coming weeks.

Donegal band Altan, led by Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh, will be taking care of the music on Friday night.
There are already 10 injured as a result of the enemy attack in Odesa, the press service of the National Police of Ukraine reports.

"Odesa. As a result of the terror of Russia, one person was killed, at least ten more were injured, among them a child: the police are recording another crime against civilians," the message says.

It is noted that the exact information on the number of victims is being clarified. All relevant services are working at the scene.
Photo: https://t.me/ministry_of_defense_ua

Defense Minister of Ukraine Rustem Umerov has arrived on a working visit to the Kingdom of Norway, where he met with Norwegian Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram.

"Our delegations discussed important issues of bilateral cooperation, in particular, ways to develop and strengthen the Ukrainian air defense system. This is a critically important area, and we continue to work on strengthening it," Umerov was quoted as saying by the press service of the Ministry of Defense.

"Another key topic of the meeting is the training of Ukrainian servicemen with the participation of Norwegian instructors. Side by side with our allies, we are making the Ukrainian Defense Forces stronger and more effective," the head of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine noted.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, in an address to U.S. Secretary of State candidate Marco Rubio, expects Washington to promote the principle of "peace through force" in Ukraine.

Congratulations to Marco Rubio on his nomination to become the 72nd U.S. Secretary of State. I look forward to working together, deepening the mutually beneficial Ukraine-US strategic partnership, and advancing peace through strength in Ukraine and around the world, Sybiha said on X Thursday evening.

The minister also congratulated Senator Rubio on his nomination for the post of the 72nd Secretary of State of the United States.

As reported, Ukraine is closely monitoring the appointments that newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump intends to make and counts on continued unwavering American support, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said.
Poroshenko prepares another batch of equipment for front, announces reward for first captured mercenary from DPRK

Ukrainian parliamentarian, leader of the European Solidarity party, Petro Poroshenko, has prepared another batch of equipment for front-line brigades, the political force said on its official website on Thursday.

"Very soon there will be 1,000 days of Ukrainian resistance to the Russian and not only the Russian army. While someone is preparing patriotic posts on social networks or planning to sit down at the negotiating table with Russia, our team is preparing another trip to the East. We are going to our friends - the paratroopers, marines, infantry, artillery," Poroshenko wrote on social networks.

Every week, Poroshenko's team brings cargo worth more than UAH 30 million to one of the hot destinations. This time, the cost of the convoy is UAH 78 million - these are 2,300 FPV drones, night Mavics, diesel stoves, six excavators that will dig kilometers of new defense lines, ATVs for transporting ammunition and evacuating the wounded, washing and shower complexes, generators, Ecoflow charging stations and electronics.

He also announced a reward for the first captured mercenary from North Korea.

"And about the actual. We are announcing a competition: the first person to capture a North Korean mercenary will receive twenty 3T night Mavics from Marina and me," summed up the deputy of Ukraine, the leader of European Solidarity.
Photo: SBU

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), with the assistance of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky, detained a "mole" of Russian military intelligence, who transmitted plans for special operations of the Defense Forces behind enemy lines, the press service of the SBU reported.

"Military counterintelligence and Security Service investigators, with the assistance of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the commander of the Special Operations Forces (SOF), detained a "disbanded" agent of the Russian military intelligence (better known as the GRU)," the SBU said on Telegram on Friday.

It is reported that the criminal turned out to be a lieutenant colonel, the commander of one of the units of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, whom the occupiers recruited before the start of a full-scale war.

In the spring of 2024, he was remotely "activated" by a staff member of the Russian GRU and defined the task for him: to transmit plans for combat operations of the Defense Forces behind enemy lines.

Most of all, the aggressor was interested in intelligence about sabotage and reconnaissance raids by Ukrainian special forces behind the front line in Zaporizhia, Kherson and Crimean directions. To complete the enemy task, the mole used his official position, thanks to which he received information about the planned routes of movement of soldiers of the Defense Forces, their weapons and "targets." The occupiers planned to use this information to eliminate Ukrainian special forces on the front line or beyond - in the temporarily occupied part of the territory in southern Ukraine. The agent also "leaked" data on other units of the Defense Forces to his Russian supervisor.

As a result of the special operation, the SBU military counterintelligence gradually documented the crimes of the traitor and detained him. At the same time, comprehensive measures were taken to ensure the security of the locations of the Defense Forces.

According to the investigation, the defendant was recruited by the military intelligence of the Russian Federation through his acquaintances in Russia, with whom he kept in touch. During the searches, the detainee's means of secret communication, computer equipment, mobile phone and information storage devices were seized.

The investigators of the Security Service informed him of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (high treason committed under martial law).

The criminal is kept in custody. He faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

The special operation was carried out jointly with the investigators of Odesa SBU Directorate under the procedural guidance of the prosecutor's office.
Acting U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery, Under Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma arrived in Kyiv on Friday, November 15, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said.

Great to welcome Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma back to Kyiv. Ukraines economic recovery opens the door to U.S. business to invest in Ukraines future and in a partnership in defense, technology, and other areas that will benefit both our countries, she said on X.

Since September 2024, Richard Verma has become the U.S. Special Representative for the economic recovery of Ukraine instead of Penny Pritzker.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has imposed GRAP 3 measures as Delhi recorded the worst pollution levels in the country, with the air quality remaining in the "severe" category for two consecutive days. As part of GRAP-3 measures, an additional 106 cluster buses by the Delhi Transport Corporation would run in the city while metro trains would make 60 extra tips, said Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai in a press briefing on Friday.

Interstate buses, except for e-buses and CNG vehicles, have been banned. Additionally, BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers have been prohibited, he added.

The minister said emergency measures, such as artificial rain, will be considered if the air quality deteriorates further. Private construction and demolition activities have been banned under GRAP III measures as well.

The Environment Minister has urged people to use bicycles to travel short distances, rely on public transport, carpool, or work from home whenever possible.

An inter-departmental meeting was held on Friday with officials from the MCD, PWD, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Transport, DTC, Metro, Education, and other departments concerned to strengthen the winter action plan.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Norwegian Prime Minister Gahr Stre discussed Ukraine's air defense needs and attracting investments in the defense industry in Oslo.

"I met with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre in Oslo. We discussed the situation at the front and the key needs of Ukraine. We focused on strengthening our air defense ahead of winter and opportunities for Norwegian investments in the Ukrainian defense industry," he wrote on the Telegram channel on Friday.

Umerov thanked the head of government and the people of Norway for the new EUR 500 million aid package. "This is an important support that we really appreciate. Norway stands with Ukraine at this difficult time, and we are grateful for their help and solidarity," the minister said.
Palakkad: The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) on Friday accused the Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate for the Palakkad by-election, P Sarin, of securing voter registration through unfair means. The UDF alleged that Sarin obtained a residency certificate for the constituency with the help of the BJP. However, Sarin, who was the Congress' digital media convener before being removed from the party, and his wife have denied these accusations.

Leader of the Opposition, VD Satheesan, claimed that Sarin had lived in the constituency for only about three months but managed to obtain a residency certificate, which typically requires continuous residence in a place for at least six months. Satheesan suggested that this was made possible because the municipality is under BJP control, and alleged that Sarin had used fake documents to acquire the certificate.

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Satheesan further stated that Sarin and his wife had never actually lived in the house they own in the constituency, as it had been rented out. He accused both the BJP and CPM of adding voters to the electoral roll through fraudulent means and announced that the UDF would challenge these actions after the by-election, PTI reported.

In response, Sarin and his wife rejected Satheesan's claims as "unsubstantiated". They insisted that they had been living in their house in the Palakkad assembly constituency for several years since purchasing it in 2018. Sarins wife also criticised the opposition leader, stating that family members who are not involved in politics should not be dragged into such disputes. She further mentioned that while working in Sharjah, she had seen media reports in which Satheesan and other leaders accused her of wrongfully obtaining a voter ID based on a Palakkad address.

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During a joint press conference, Sarin acknowledged that he and his wife had voted from the Ottapalam assembly constituency in the 2024 general elections. However, he questioned what was wrong with acquiring a voter ID in Palakkad, given that he had a residential address in the constituency. Sarin explained that Satheesan might have been misled by the fact that he had been living in a rented accommodation near his own house. He added that he had moved into the rented space to avoid inconveniencing the tenants in his own house, especially since many people would be visiting him during the campaign.
Confession: I've just never been much of an Alex Jones fan. I never saw the value, or even very much of the fun, some of my libertarian friends found in his crazed, bombastic commentary.

Nonetheless, I'm a free speech fundamentalist who's appalled that the court system allowed bad actors to enrich themselves at his expense by standing atop the corpses of dead children to complain about Jones doing ... well, pretty much the same thing.

Jones was sued by family members of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, who managed to shift legal blame for their harassment, apparently by Alex Jones fans, to Jones himself.

I was momentarily encouraged when I learned that Jones's "Infowars" brand had been purchased at auction by venerable satire publication, The Onion. They seem well-equipped to do fun things with his crazed presentation style and eclectic obsessions.

Unfortunately, according to reporting from Rolling Stone, The Onion "also announced that it had partnered with the gun-control advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety," presumably to advocate for the evil cause of victim disarmament, aka "gun control."

It's depressing to learn that Jones's former property will be used to promote exactly the same kind of harm done to the Sandy Hook victims and their families, in the name of "justice" for the latter and at the expense of someone who didn't do that harm.

The United States and the state of Connecticut have, and have had for many years, plenty of "gun control" laws.

Those laws didn't stop Adam Lanza from stealing a gun (a crime) from his mother, murdering her with it (another crime), then violating the Gun Free School Zones act to commit 27 more murders at Sandy Hook elementary.

Those laws did, however, ensure that when Lanza arrived at the school, his victims were, by force of law, disarmed for convenient slaughter.

That kind of situation is exactly what the "Everytown" group advocates for in the name of "Gun Safety."

That outcome is exactly what Everytown for Gun Safety and other victim disarmament advocates thought of as "justice" when they encouraged and manipulated the Sandy Hook families to pursue meritless and vexatious litigation against Alex Jones.

But while I'm sad that The Onion chose to make itself part of these vile proceedings, I remain a free speech fundamentalist and won't support such litigation against them when the wickedness they advocate results in more innocents' deaths.
Inconvenient question: Science is gifting us new HIV prevention tools but is it expanding choices for the people?

SHOBHA SHUKLA - CNS



Equity is critically important to reach the unreached with best of HIV services

(Image by CNS) Details DMCA



Any new HIV prevention method is not meant to sit on the shelf but to be used by the people who need it to protect themselves from HIV. We have to ensure that new HIV prevention technologies that are coming out of the scientific research pipelines, are accessible to people everywhere - especially those who are more at risk of HIV acquisition. Jim Pickett has passionately called for translating scientific gains into public health outcomes - not with delay, but with equity and justice.

Currently Jim Pickett serves as a Senior Advisor for AVAC and directs their Choice Agenda programme focussed on HIV prevention research and its implementation.

Inconvenient truth

When asked what has changed between 2018 and now, he said: "COVID-19 reshaped our entire world. Traumatizing as it was, it also changed some things for the better, I think, globally. We got better at finding new ways to deliver healthcare. We also learned that we could develop a vaccine quickly and that was a win. But we failed to deliver it equitably in many parts of the world." Jim was speaking with CNS at the 5th HIV Research for Prevention Conference of the International AIDS Society (IAS) in Lima, Peru.

Sadly, equity and justice are not driving our health responses. "We have had some exciting scientific developments in the HIV prevention space. We have cabotegravir- a once-in-two months injection that can prevent HIV. But accessibility is a different issue. It is available in our country, but it is extremely expensive. It is also complex to deliver. So the number of users is very low. It is available, but not accessible for many," he said.

"We now have another long-acting injectable lenacapavir- two shots a year- that is on its way to being approved. And people are calling it game-changing and transformative in terms of HIV prevention. But it remains to be seen what access will look like. Peru, Brazil, Argentina and Brazil are among the countries that have been left out (from the 120 countries list) by Gilead (makers of lenacapavir) to provide it at reduced costs, despite these 4 countries being part of the clinical study of the drug," he added.

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By: Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator

On November 12, US President-elect Donald Trump announced that he had picked real estate executive Steven Witkoff to be his upcoming administration's special envoy to the Middle East.

Witkoff is a New Yorker, Jewish, a successful real estate executive, and a personal friend of Trump.

While the exact details of what Trump wants to accomplish in the Middle East are yet unknown, he has repeatedly said he wants peace. However, to accomplish peace, he would need to partner with a different Prime Minister in Israel than Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu is not seen as an obstacle to peace with the Palestinians. However, his two radical ministers, Bezalel Smotrich and Ithamar Ben Gvir will never allow any peace plan for Palestinians. They demand all Palestinians remain under brutal military occupation, or be deported, or be killed.

"Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud," said Trump of Witkoff.

"With President Trump, the Middle East experienced historic levels of peace and stability. Strength prevents wars. Iran's money was cut off which prevented their funding of global terror," Witkoff wrote on X in late July.

The Witkoff announcement came the day after Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) hosted the Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit, which merged the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, on November 11 in Riyadh.

The summit issued a resolution covering the issues facing the Middle East, with the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people a central point.

The leaders in attendance were likely to have wondered about Trump's Middle East policy once he took office on January 20, 2025.

MBS demanded an immediate stop to Israeli military attacks in Gaza and Lebanon. He condemned the massacre committed against Palestinian and Lebanese people and called on countries around the world to recognize Palestinian statehood.

Ahmed Aboul Gheit, secretary-general of the Arab League said, "The actions taken by Israel against the Palestinian people are undermining efforts to achieve lasting peace. It is only with justice that we will be able to establish lasting peace."

Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati told the summit attendees that his country was under an existential threat due to Israel's war on Hezbollah, which has killed civilians and destroyed infrastructure not connected to Hezbollah.

The 79 members that comprise the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation include a few countries that recognize Israel and others opposed to normalization.

Experts have said the summit is a way to send a message to the upcoming Trump administration about what they want from Washington and what issues are a red line.

Trump has viewed Iran as an enemy and shared the view Netanyahu that Iran is the biggest threat to Israel, and the backbone of the axis of resistance to the occupation of Palestine, which was deemed illegal on July 19, 2024, under international law by the International Court of Justice.

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What Trump Can and Can't Do

Joel D Joseph

Mr Joseph spent three decades on Capitol Hill and is responsible for passage of the Country of Origin Labeling Act and the American Automobile Labeling Act as Chairman of the Made in the USA Foundation.

Donald Trump campaigned on several issues including removing the tax on tips and social security benefits, and on imposing 20 percent across the board tariffs on Chinese imports. Some of these proposals can be passed into law with bipartisan support, while some will be blocked by his own party.

Removing Taxes on Tips and Social Security

There is bipartisan support to remove tax on tips and on social security benefits. In 2023, the U.S. government collected $51 billion in income taxes on Social Security benefits. According to the Internal Revenue Service, employees reported $38 billion in tips in 2018. Because most tipped employees are in the 10 percent income tax bracket, eliminating the tax on tips will only cost the federal government about $3 billion in tax revenue. Most Americans on Social Security need every penny of their benefits to provide for food and shelter. Currently, forty-one states do not tax social security benefits. The federal government should also exempt social security benefits from taxation.

To pay for these tax reductions, we should remove cap on social security and medicare taxes. In 2024, only the first $168,600 in income is subject to this tax. Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and other billionaires only pay social security tax on a very small portion of their income. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), removing the cap on FICA taxes (Social Security payroll tax) would significantly increase revenue, potentially closing a large portion of Social Security's long-term shortfall. The CBO estimated that removing the cap on social security taxes would raise $2.5 trillion annually in revenue. We can use this revenue to support the social security trust fund and to reduce government debt.

Border Bill

Republican Senator James Lankford drafted a border security law that had bipartisan support. It only failed because Donald Trump wanted it killed so that he could campaign on the border issue. Lankford's bill provides funding to build the wall, increase technology at the border, add more detention beds, more agents, and more deportation flights. The border security bill ends the abuse of parole on our southwest border that has waived in over a million people. It dramatically changes our ambiguous asylum laws by conducting fast screenings at a higher standard of evidence, limited appeals, and fast deportation. (S.1444 - Border Patrol Enhancement Act.) This bill could easily pass Congress now.

Obamacare

In order to repeal or amend Obamacare, the Affordable Care Act, the Senate would need 60 votes. With only 53 Republican Senators, changes to Obamacare are dead in the water. Further, with 20 million plus Americans on Obamacare, it would be suicidal for lawmakers to repeal it.

Massive Tariffs

Many Republicans are opposed to massive across the board tariffs. Because of this, across the board tariffs are unlikely to pass. However, there is bipartisan support for selective tariffs. For example, Trump could impose a large tariff on Chinese-manufactured cars. Democrats and the United Auto Workers would undoubtedly support a targeted tariff on cars coming into this country from Asia.

Non-Tariff Proposals on Trade

A law that would reduce imports without tariffs could pass Congress. One such law would require that all product advertising to mandate country of origin information. Under a proposed Country of Origin Disclosure Act (CODA), all advertising for products would have to include a prominent disclosure of the country of origin. For example, a television ad for the Ford Mustang Mach E electric vehicle would have to state, "made in Mexico."

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Voters in Vancouver last week rejected a ballot measure that would have increased property taxes to fund more police officers at a time when departments nationwide are trying different strategies to boost staffing.

Roughly 52% of 80,000 people voted against Proposition 4, which would have increased the citys property tax levy by 5% each year for six years. The funding would have added 80 sworn officers and 36 non-sworn police employees. A police advisory committee, made up of 13 community members and three elected city leaders, recommended the proposition, saying population growth has contributed to increased reported crimes and call volumes since 2018.
The Oregon Department of Human Services failed to act when alerted that a 2-year-old was treated for narcotics poisoning, but wasnt financially responsible when the mothers boyfriend, Samuel Rich, later beat the toddler, leaving him a quadriplegic, a jury ruled Tuesday.

But attorney Scott Kocher, representing the childs interests, says the verdict violated Oregon law requiring three-fourths of jurors to agree in a civil matter. He wants the verdict thrown out and a new trial set.
The University of Oregon says it is investigating several recent incidents of antisemitism in its residential dormitories, including reports of a swastika drawn next to a picture of a Jewish student and what one family described as a Hitler-style mustache drawn onto the students face.

University police and the schools Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance are also investigating reports of items that were taken from rooms belonging to Jewish students, including ribbons that supported the dozens of hostages who remain in captivity after being abducted during the Hamas-led terrorist attack on Israel in October 2023.

The hostage takings touched off a brutal military response by Israel that is still raging in Gaza and Lebanon and has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians, according to news reports.

In a letter sent to all students and their families Thursday, the university said that it is also investigating pro-Palestinian brochures that included graphic images from the war that were widely distributed to students living in at least three different residence halls over the past few weeks, without prior approval from campus authorities, in violation of university policy.

To be clear, incidents targeting any student because of their ancestry, national origin and/or religion are prohibited under university policy, wrote Vice President for Student Life Angela Chong, Associate Vice President and Chief Civil Rights Officer Nicole Commissiong and Associate Vice President for Student Services Michael Griffel, in their note to families. Defacing photographs, drawing swastikas, and the use of race-and-religion based slurs and epithets violate the universitys policy prohibiting discrimination.

About 5,000 students live in residence halls at the University of Oregon.

Like many other college campuses around the country, the University of Oregon was home to heated protests over the Israel-Hamas war last spring. Demonstrators staged a nearly monthlong encampment at a central quad on the campus before negotiating a deal with university officials, including more scholarship funds for students from Gaza and added education offerings centered on Palestine.

University officials did not accede to demands to financially and academically divest from Israel. But students won representation on a Faculty Senate task force assembled to review the schools investment decisions with an eye on social justice implications.

 Julia Silverman covers education for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach her via email at jsilverman@oregonian.com
Gov. Tina Kotek is tapping an Oregon schools advocate as her new education initiatives director, filling a key role as she prepares to release her closely-analyzed state budget for the next biennium.

Johnna Timmes, who most recently was the director of early literacy policy and partnerships at Stand for Children, replaces Pooja Bhatt, who resigned from the position last month.
Ukraine's membership in the European Union would be a huge advantage for private and public companies across the EU - CEO of Egis Group

Ukraine's membership in the European Union would be a huge advantage for private and public companies across the EU, said Laurent Germain, CEO of Egis Group, at the first EU-Ukraine Investment Conference at the international ReBuild Ukraine trade fair in Warsaw on Wednesday.

Ukraine, being the fifth most populous country in the EU, opens access to new consumer markets. Furthermore, 130,000 engineers graduate from Ukrainian universities each year  more than in any other EU country. It makes Ukrainian specialists an important asset for Europe that can help address the growing infrastructure needs, stated Laurent Germain at a panel discussion on restoring the business environment and attracting investment to Ukraine amid the ongoing war.

The head of a global leader in consulting and engineering emphasized that after Russia's full-scale invasion, Egis did not cease its operations or leave Ukraine. On the contrary, the company deepened its presence, supporting Ukraine's efforts toward reforms and EU membership.

Egis has been present in Ukraine for 31 years, remaining strong in peaceful times and during the conflict. Having 200 engineers on the ground, we not only rehabilitate the critical infrastructure of Ukraine but also demonstrate a powerful example of how an international company can successfully work in Ukraine, even during war,, Laurent Germain noted.

Laurent Germain outlined the strategies and priorities that are applied by Egis in Ukraine, particularly in the context of the development of a national transport system and infrastructure projects, such as the expansion of the Kharkiv metro, as well as the recovery of destroyed infrastructure, bridges, and energy facilities.

The following four main conditions shall be provided for private investors to ensure successful recovery of Ukraine: available financing, clear visibility of projects, clarity in decision-making, and high standards in public procurement. Assurance of these elements will facilitate the involvement of international companies, small and medium enterprises. It will also help Ukraine adopt the EU standards and take full advantage of investments,, Laurent Germain summarized.

The ReBuild Ukraine conference, dedicated to Ukraine's economic recovery, took place in Warsaw on November 13-14. It was organized by the European Commission and the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine.

The event brought together representatives of international organizations, government officials, special envoys for Ukraine from Poland, France, Germany, and other EU countries, as well as heads of major business associations. They discussed the initial results of the EU's investment framework program in Ukraine and reviewed Ukraine's progress in integrating into the single European market and implementing business environment reforms.

Egis Group CEO Laurent Germain joined the conference at the invitation of the European Commission as a member of the Business Advisory Board and the President of MEDEF.

Business Advisory Council unites around twenty directors of leading global companies and business associations from Ukraine, the EU and the G7+ countries. The goal of the Council is to coordinate the G7+ donors for Ukraine during decision-making by providing the required recommendations and expertise for improvement of an investment climate in Ukraine and the attraction of investments.

MEDEF is the biggest international movement of French enterprises, leaders of innovative technologies in Ukraine. This association has just finished a mission in Ukraine, the goal of which was to define critical needs of the state and search for ways of their resolution for recovery at local, regional, and national levels.

Egis Group, chaired by Laurent Germain, is one of the main players in Ukraine's recovery, attracting international investment and implementing critical projects in various fields, from construction, transportation, water supply to waste management and climate change adaptation. Egis Group's revenues in 2023 amounted to 1.9 billion euros; the company is represented in more than 100 countries and employs more than 19.5 thousand people.
The St. Helens School District announced late Thursday that all schools and offices would be closed Friday to address recent events impacting our school community and prioritize the safety and well-being of our students and staff.

The closure follows the arrests Tuesday of a St. Helens High School teacher and a retired St. Helens High teacher on allegations of child sex abuse. On Thursday, students protested outside the school, where one of the accused men had been allowed to continue teaching while under police investigation, KGW Channel 8 reported.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS: St. Helens High principal, superintendent on paid leave, school board chair resigns after uproar over teachers accused of sexual abuse

All Friday evening events are canceled as well. School district officials said they expect schools to reopen Monday.

In 2019, a St. Helens High teacher was convicted of sexually abusing a student on the track team. That teacher had received his first reprimand for inappropriate behavior with female students in April 2008. This March, the St. Helens School District agreed to pay $3.5 million to settle the abused students civil rights suit accusing district leaders of failing to stop the teacher before his arrest.

It was the largest sex abuse settlement ever paid by a public school district in Oregon.

 Beth Slovic is an editor on the public safety and breaking news team. Reach her at 503-221-8551 or bslovic@oregonian.com.

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As if the Northwest wasnt already known for unexplained incidents involving Bigfoot and D.B. Cooper, Oregon cases of cattle mutilation are now joining the list of weird stories that TV loves to explore. For example, not long after the Netflix revival of Unsolved Mysteries devoted an episode to ranchers in eastern Oregon, another Netflix series, Investigation Alien, includes a trip to Oregon to talk to people about finding the mutilated bodies of cows and bulls, killed under bizarre, baffling circumstances.

Investigation Alien is a documentary series featuring George Knapp, a broadcast journalist who may be best known for covering paranormal stories, including interviews that helped make the Nevada military installation Area 51 a hot topic among conspiracy buffs, who believe its associated with top-secret encounters with UFOs and extraterrestrials.

In Investigation Alien, Knapp cites recent Congressional hearings in which U.S. intelligence officials and authors have alleged that, as The X-Files agent Fox Mulder might say, we are not alone.

Related: Oregon ranchers describe bizarre cases of cattle mutilation in Unsolved Mysteries

In the first episode, Knapp leaves his Las Vegas home base to travel to Oregon to investigate reports of cows and bulls found mutilated. The Unsolved Mysteries episode titled Mysterious Mutilations also featured interviews with Oregon ranchers, as they described finding dead cattle, with organs removed, blood drained, and evidence of surgical-like cuts to the animals, even as no signs of blood or nearby tracks could be found.

Knapp, accompanied by Douglas Laux, a former CIA case officer, meets with Jeremiah Holmes, of the Wheeler County Sheriffs Office. Holmes, as it happens, was also in the Unsolved Mysteries episode. Here, he again says that since 2019, there have been five confirmed cases of cattle mutilation in the area.

While some try to explain these unsolved cases as the work of devil-worshippers, Knapp says, Who are these laser-wielding Beelzebubs, and how do they keep from getting caught?

Knapp and Laux split up to talk with Oregonians about the cases. Laux heads to Burns, not the easier town to get to, Ill tell you that much, as he says, and meets with Colby Marshall, a former ranch manager who leads Laux to the place where a mutilated animal was found. Scattered bits of bone remain on the site.

Meanwhile, in Fossil, Knapp meets with a rancher named David Hunt, who describes similarly disturbing cases, and says they coincided with the mysterious appearance of crop circles in the area. Hunts son also talks about seeing what sounds like a UFO.

In the other episodes of Investigation Alien, Knapp and his team look into more cases of possible alien activity and strange phenomena.

Investigation Alien is streaming on Netflix.

 Kristi Turnquist covers features and entertainment. Reach her at 503-221-8227, kturnquist@oregonian.com or @Kristiturnquist

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Portland (and Oregon) have a reputation for weirdness.

Cyclists pedal naked through Portland. Gourd enthusiasts empty the guts out of giant, boat-sized pumpkins and paddle on the Columbia River. Theres an entire festival dedicated solely to Portlands wackiest characters and creations.

This idiosyncrasy touches almost every corner of the City of Roses. It does not, however, extend to Oregons pet names.

In its annual study, petsitting service TrustedHousesitters breaks down the United States most popular pet names, and the results for 2024 are in  and enormously boring. Oregon, despite its commitment to going against the grain in most other areas, more or less shares the same top dog and cat names with the rest of the country.

Luna snagged the top spot this year, followed by Bella and Charlie.

Sound familiar? It wouldnt be surprising, considering the same names dominated in 2023, 2021, 2018 and probably other years when The Oregonian/Oregon Live either took a break from covering pet names or the list simply didnt exist.

If you make it past the first three names on the list, they get marginally more interesting. Ziggy, which comes in at No. 20, isnt exactly novel, but it at least strays from the U.S. list and makes you want to hum Space Oddity. And if you read between the lines, you can pretend Jasper (lucky No. 17) is a reference to Jasper Hale, one of the vampiric Cullen siblings in the Oregon-filmed Twilight movies.

Last year, TrustedHousesitters reported a few literary character names in Portlands top 100 pet names. Romeo, Gatsby and Hermione made the cut, alongside author names like Zora, Franz and Edgar. Wouldnt you have more fun calling out for your own feline Franz Kafka than one of a dozen Charlies at the dog park?

Oregon, I know we can do better! In April, a Portland cat named Tony Scarface Baloney won Nationwides Wacky Pet Names contest  so all hope for weirdness isnt lost.

And if youre still curious, heres the full list for this year, according to TrustedHousesitters:

Top 20 Most Popular Pet Names in Oregon

Luna Bella Charlie Ruby Lucy Rosie Cooper Gus Penny Lulu Lola Milo Oliver Max Scout Lily Jasper Coco Rocky Ziggy

 Veronica Nocera covers life and culture. You can reach her at vnocera@oregonian.com, 503-221-8111 or @vernocera
BALTIMORE  Several U.S. Catholic bishops on Wednesday encouraged the church to boldly share Vatican teachings on a range of hot-button issues, including the condemnation of abortion, euthanasia, surrogacy and gender-affirming surgery.

The prelates acknowledged theirs is often a countercultural view.

We have been too apologetic for too long, said Bishop Robert Barron, a media-savvy cleric who leads the Winona-Rochester diocese in Minnesota. And we shouldnt be cowed by the celebrities and so on in the culture who are preaching something thats deeply problematic.

The remarks came during the bishops' annual fall meeting and a presentation on a Vatican declaration released in April. Dignitas Infinita, or Infinite Dignity, clarifies church teaching that promotes the dignity of all people and the protection of life from its earliest stages through death.

The goal is to apply the lessons of Dignitas Infinita to our American society, said Barron, who praised the declaration for its distinctively Catholic voice  one that is not Democratic or Republican, liberal or conservative.

The 20 pages of Infinite Dignity were five years in the making and single out a range of harms, including forced migration and sexual abuse. In it, the Vatican labels gender-affirming surgery and surrogacy as violations of human dignity, comparing them to abortion and euthanasia.

Pope Francis has reached out to LGBTQ+ people throughout his papacy, and the document was a disappointing setback, if not unexpected, for transgender people and supporters of their rights. It comes during an election year in the United States where there has been a conservative backlash to transgender rights.

Bishop Thomas Daly of Spokane, Washington, spoke to the meeting about how Catholic schools can be a vehicle for educating young people about Catholic sexual ethics.

We want our students to see the churchs teaching on sexuality as an expression of this deeper understanding of the human person, and not simply just a set of rules that stand in opposition to our popular culture, Daly said.

Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia, who is finishing a term as chair of the USCCB committee on pro-life activities, expressed gratitude to the Vatican and called the declaration incredibly timely.

Sadly, many states continue to enshrine abortion in their state constitutions, he told the gathering, referencing recent state ballot initiatives. We know we still have so much work to do.

Our work is not only to change laws, but to change hearts, to change minds, Burbidge added.

Throughout their meeting, the U.S. bishops have reaffirmed their anti-abortion commitments, even in the face of losses at the ballot box.

Voters supported 7 out of 10 abortion rights state ballot measures this election. Even in Florida, where the abortion rights amendment failed, 57% of voters supported the measure, just shy of the 60% it needed to pass.

Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City earlier told the gathering during an evangelization discussion that the success of abortion rights ballot initiatives should be a wake-up call for us. He said more pointed language is needed to help people accept church teaching on life issues.

In his opening address, Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, laid out a vision of proclaiming church teaching, even when its not popular or convenient.

We never back-pedal or renounce the clear teaching of the Gospel. We proclaim it in and out of season, said Broglio. We must insist on the dignity of the human person from womb to tomb, be unstinting in our commitment.

-- The Associated Press
OTTAWA, Ontario  A stolen portrait of Winston Churchill that was swapped with a forgery during the pandemic has returned to its rightful place, after two Ottawa police detectives traveled to Rome to retrieve it.

Police said The Roaring Lion was stolen from the Fairmont Chateau Laurier hotel in Ottawa, sometime between Christmas Day 2021 and Jan. 6, 2022, and replaced with a forgery. The swap was only uncovered months later, in August, when a hotel worker noticed the frame wasnt hung properly and looked different than the others.

Genevieve Dumas, the hotels general manager, unveiled the portrait in a ceremony on Friday.

I can tell you that it is armed, locked, secured, Dumas said.

Its not moving, she said, adding that staff accidentally triggered the alarm on Thursday, while they hung it up, and Im sure they heard it on Parliament Hill.

The most famous depiction of Churchill, known as The Roaring Lion, appears on the U.K.s five-pound banknote and shows a glowering wartime prime minister staring into the camera.

Renowned photographer Yousuf Karsh snapped the iconic portrait in 1941 in the Speakers office just after Churchill delivered a rousing wartime address to Canadian lawmakers.

Toward the end of his life, Karsh signed and gifted the portrait to the hotel, where he had lived and worked.

The portrait had been sold through an auction house in London to a private buyer, and both seller and buyer were unaware that it had been stolen, police said.

Police have now charged a man from the town of Powassan, Ontario, with forgery, theft and trafficking. That case is before the courts.

The portraits return was a widely anticipated event, with a ceremony held in a room packed with attendees including Ottawas mayor.

Nicola Cassinelli, a lawyer in Genoa who bought the stolen artwork, sent a message.

The magnificent photograph by Yousuf Karsh captures in the eyes of Sir Winston Churchill the pride, the anger and the strength of the free world. And it represents, better than any other, the desire for the triumph of good over evil.

And despite the extraordinary privilege of having the portrait hang in his home, The Roaring Lion, he said, belongs to the public.

-- The Associated Press
Days after his 5-year-old son went missing and was then found dead in the Coos County coastal forest, his father wants one thing: answers.

This early in the police investigation, much remains unclear about the death of Joshua James McCoy, who disappeared from his mothers home on Stage Road, between North Bend and Hauser, Nov. 9 while his mother was taking a nap. He was found three days later about 2 miles down the road from his home.

As of Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Coos County Sheriffs Office said they did not know the boys cause of death.

I want the truth, plain and simple, the boys father, Lawson Amos McCoy, said. I dont care about anything else. My babys gone.

McCoy hadnt seen his son in about a year after moving back to Ohio, where he is originally from. Before moving out, however, McCoy, 47, said his family lived an idyllic life.

McCoy said he met his girlfriend, Angela German, when they both lived in Utah. The couple bought a house together and had a child. Then German got a job at a hospital in Coos Bay working as a nurse, and they sold the house and moved to Coos County and bought a house on an isolated stretch of road next to a large pond.

German worked at the hospital while McCoy, who received benefits due to a disability from his military service in the U.S. Air Force, took care of their son, McCoy said. The boy was diagnosed with autism and had trouble communicating, McCoy said.

German could not be immediately reached.

McCoy hadnt seen his son since he left Oregon, he said. And he now feels guilty, convinced that if he hadnt left, his son would still be alive, McCoys brother, Joshua McCoy, said.

He thinks its all his fault, just because he left JJ, Joshua McCoy said, referring to the name his family used affectionately for his nephew. The boy and his uncle share a name.

Joshua McCoy, 5, was found dead days after he went missing from his unincorporated Coos County home.Courtesy of Amos McCoy

Joshua McCoy has created a GoFundMe fundraiser to help raise money to help pay for transportation, funeral costs, therapy, a private investigator, daily living expenses and a tribute and memorial.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support during this unimaginably painful time, Joshua McCoy wrote. #JusticeForJoshua.

Amos McCoy said he hasnt been in touch with German, nor has anyone else in his family. He said he now regrets leaving.

Besides being impatient to get a precise cause of death, he wants the boys body transported for burial in Ohio, next to his great-grandfather and great-grandmother.

I nurtured him and bathed him and fed him. I mean, I knew his favorite foods. I knew his favorite colors, Amos McCoy said, then began to weep. I cant believe this has happened.

He said he was very grateful to the investigators on the scene who have been keeping him apprised of what theyre finding, including one who called to tell him that hed found his son.

Id like to also thank everyone in the Coos County community for their donations, their love, their support, their prayers and reaching out to me, McCoy said.

 Fedor Zarkhin is a breaking news and enterprise reporter. Do you have a story? Reach him by phone or text at 971-373-2905 or by email at fzarkhin@oregonian.com.

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In the end, Portlands first ranked-choice election saw little impact from the much-discussed rounds of vote reallocation.

In the mayors race, business owner Keith Wilson, who earned the most first-place votes, went on to easily win. In the City Council races, 11 of the 12 candidates who placed in the top three in their district in the first round won or are leading after the final round of vote transfers, near-final results show.

The full consequences of the citys new electoral system, including the switch to district-level contests with multiple winners, remain uncertain. Candidates and voters are likely to behave differently when the system moves past its debut and into subsequent use in 2026 and 2028. And a small fraction of ballots cast by Nov. 5 are still to be tallied.

But experts said the stability of Portlands results from round one to final outcome indicates that Oregons largest city has fallen largely in line with similar ranked-choice systems.

Usually, if you have a lot of first place support, thats enough to carry you through to the end, said Lee Drutman, who researches ranked-choice voting at liberal think tank New America.

Even some of those who opposed Portlands new election system acknowledged vote reallocation seems to have made limited difference. Sara Wolk, executive director of the Equal Vote Coalition, which opposed Portlands specific ranked-choice system, said she was glad that to see the winners were, in her view, largely noncontroversial.

What we saw in Portlands recent elections, both for mayor and for City Council, is that any voting method likely would have elected the same set of people, Wolk said.

Jenny Lee, managing director of Building Power for Communities of Color, the Coalition of Communities of Colors political arm, disagreed. She said Portlands unique multi-winner system for choosing City Council members, with each of three winners required to accumulate just 25% of first-, second- or even fifth- and sixth-choice ranks in their district as lower-performing candidates are eliminated, is key. It allows a minority population spread throughout a district to have significant sway over at least one of their council members.

And indeed, the winners are diverse, with at least five people of color, three renters and politicians whose political leanings range from moderate to Democratic Socialist set to take office in January.

Portland voters approved the switch to a ranked-choice system in 2022 as part of a package of changes to the citys charter. Under the new rules, voters can rank up to six candidates each for mayor and for seats on an expanded City Council, with 12 members representing four districts. Mayoral candidates must surpass 50% of the vote after ranked-choice rounds to win.

Portland implemented its particular system, including its unique multi-winner approach for council, as ranked-choice voting faced setbacks across the country. A statewide measure to repeal ranked-choice voting in Alaska is on track to pass, according to the Associated Press.

And, while a measure to institute such a system passed in Washington, D.C., ranked choice measures failed in Oregon, Colorado, Idaho and Nevada. The Oregon vote wasnt close, with 58% rejecting it. An effort to block ranked-choice voting also succeeded in Missouri.

Champions of Portlands ranked-choice method for local elections touted the systems promise to boost civic engagement.

But voter confusion about the system remained relatively high, even soon before the election. Despite the citys extensive voter outreach program, voters indicated in an October poll commissioned by The Oregonian/OregonLive that a full third of them understood this new system not too well or not at all well.

And ultimately, 20% of voters citywide who filled out ballots and returned them on time didnt rank a single candidate for City Council.

That was lower than in the two most recent fall City Council contests: Only 7% of people who voted did not cast a vote in the council contest in 2022 and 15% did not do so in 2020. The substantial share who left their vote for City Council blank this year appeared more on par with the higher rates of not bubbling in any candidate, known as under voting, in 2018 and 2016: 17% and 22% respectively.

We still only saw the under vote climb by a pretty reasonably small amount when you look at the historical trends, said Damon Motz-Storey, the Oregon chapter director for Sierra Club and a former advocate for the changes to Portlands charter. So I think that actually is very encouraging given the fact that the ballot looked really different this year.

With the citys first ranked-choice election done, Portland State University political science professor Melody Valdini said she hopes some voters concerns will be allayed.

Theres no big shenanigan that happens where votes transfer in a shocking way, she said. Thats what weve seen in other places, in other countries that use this system too. It generally is just reflecting back voter preferences.

Impacts of an overhauled system

Many local political watchers and researchers said Portlands electoral reforms vastly reshaped the races, even though round one leaders largely went on to prevail.

Melanie Billings-Yun, who served as co-chair of the Portland Charter Commission that proposed the changes, said the system freed voters to select their top candidate even if they thought that person was unlikely to prevail.

The candidates campaigns were also friendlier and less cutthroat than they have been in the past, said Motz-Storey.

And champions of the system said that it succeeded in one of its main goals: expanding the diversity of City Council.

The coming City Council will be relatively diverse in ways beyond race and socioeconomics. Its likely members represent age groups in every decade from their 20s to their 70s. Half are women, and three live east of Interstate 205.

Whether this is attributable to ranked-choice voting, however, is not clear.

The makeup of the current City Council, elected under the previous system, showed the city was already moving toward favoring racial diversity in its leaders, with two Latino commissioners and one Black commissioner on the five-member council.

Marina Kaminsky, research manager of North Star Civic Foundation, a nonprofit that tracks local election data, said election watchers should hesitate to attribute anything solely to the new system so soon.

We have sample size one for all of the RCV races, so thats where I want to be really careful about assuming causality for any of the outcomes were seeing, Kaminsky said. Any claim that folks are trying to make that RCV caused x or y, its just too early.

Its also uncertain to what extent voters of color engaged with the new system.

In District 1, which has the lowest median income and the highest proportion of people of color, only 40% or so of registered voters cast a vote for any City Council candidate.

North Star Civic estimated that between 51% and 57% of District 1 registered voters cast votes in the council races in 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020  meaning this year saw a significant drop. (The numbers are close estimates, not exact matches, because the new district boundaries were not used in prior elections.)

By contrast, registered voters in Districts 2, 3 and 4 appear to have cast votes in their City Council races at rates roughly similar to those from 2008, 2012 and 2016, the North Star Civic data shows. Those districts voters rates of participation in council races dropped from 2020, when Portland voters showed anomalously high participation in local races, according to the estimates.

An analysis by The Oregonian/OregonLive also showed a gaping difference between how many voters in District 1 who cast ballots this fall didnt rank a single candidate for Portland City Council  29%  versus rates of about 18% in the whiter, wealthier districts.

Historically marginalized communities are often the hardest hit by anything that makes the process more difficult, Wolk said.

Those findings align with research that showed white and affluent voters in Minneapolis, which has used ranked-choice voting since 2009, were more likely to fill out ranked-choice ballots correctly and to rank more candidates compared with people of color and lower-income voters.

However, that research isnt definitive, and some results actually show the opposite. In Californias Bay Area, analyses by FairVote, a group supporting ranked-choice voting, indicate that voters in precincts with more people of color have tended to rank more candidates on their ballots.

Did voter participation improve?

Proponents of the new electoral system argue that it boosted voter engagement by eliminating the primary election, where a consistently small subset of voters turn out.

In Multnomah County, turnout in primary elections has generally been in the 30% to 40% range, while general election turnout normally tops 70%.

Valdini, the Portland State University professor, said that Portlands nonpartisan primaries have typically driven candidates closer to the middle. Eliminating the primary and letting everyone have their say in the general election leaves the field open to a wider range of perspectives, she said.

One risk that critics of ranked-choice voting often point to, however, is the phenomenon of ballot exhaustion, meaning all the candidates a voter ranked get eliminated so that the voter has zero say on which of the final leaders prevail.

This also means candidates can sometimes be elected without reaching 50% or 25% of the total votes cast.

In the Portland mayor race, for instance, Wilson triumphed with 59% of the votes remaining in the final round. But he actually accrued just a hair under 50% of the total votes cast in the race, due to about 16% of ballots becoming exhausted.

Though its difficult to compare Portlands unique ranked-choice system to other cities, Portlands exhausted ballot rates appear to be on par with elsewhere. New York saw 17% of ballots be exhausted in the 2021 Democratic primary for mayor, and San Francisco saw that rate hit 27% in its 2011 mayoral race.

The City Council rates are harder to assess because multi-winner systems are rare. In Portland, the exhaustion rates in each district ranged from 11% to 16% this year.

Jack Santucci, the author of the 2022 book More Parties or No Parties: The Politics of Electoral Reform in America, said exhaustion rates in three U.S. cities that used a similar system in the mid-1900s ranged from 2% to 12%  lower than Portlands City Council races, but not astronomically so.

Nevertheless, Billings-Yun insisted, those exhausted ballots are still a form of meaningful participation  just as votes for the losing candidate still matter in a first-past-the-post system.

I didnt vote for Trump. He won, she said. And no ones happy when they dont win, but it does count.

Exhaustion rates also increase when more candidates run, Drutman and Santucci both said. They also said far more candidates tend to run in the first ranked-choice election than afterward, indicating that exhaustion rates in Portland are likely to shrink in future races.

Any conclusions about exactly how ranked-choice voting will play out in Portland should therefore wait, Motz-Storey said, as candidate pools shrink and voters become more familiar with the process.

I think its incumbent upon us to be patient and to look at the longer term trends and to allow this to really percolate in the community for a period of time, they said, before making those kinds of judgments.

 Aviva Bechky covers politics and education for The Oregonian/OregonLive. They can be reached at abechky@oregonian.com or on X at @avivabechky.

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Southern Oregon, the largest Dark Sky Sanctuary in the world, just expanded its bragging rights.

The Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve in the southwest Siskiyou Mountains has been certified as an International Dark Sky destination after a multiyear effort by National Park Service staff to improve natural darkness and reduce light pollution.

Stargazers craving a clear look into the cosmos and a stellar spot to watch a meteor shower have even more to celebrate after Marchs announcement that dark sky preservation organization DarkSky International qualified the Oregon Outback, in the states southeast corner, as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary. That sanctuary, with 2.5 million-acres of public and private land, is expected to someday grow to 11.4 million acres.

The 4,554-acre Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve is a sprawling system of marble caves and beautiful formations beneath the Siskiyou Mountains, according to the National Park Service. Protected within the monument are old growth forests, subalpine meadows, glacial cirques and alpine rock gardens. Snow-fed streams flow and sink underground into the cave systems and feed the River Styx, the only subterranean Wild and Scenic River in the nation, that winds through the cave system and out into Cave Creek, as described by the National Park Service.

The Oregon Cave park staff established its first night sky monitoring program to track changes to the night sky over a three-year period and conducted other work to earn its Dark Sky Park status.

We are excited to join the dark sky community and to do our part in preserving dark skies across Oregon and the National Park Service, said park superintendent Jeremy Curtis in a news release.

Dr. Joshua Zimmt, who led the application process, said in the announcement that the brilliance of the night sky at Oregon Caves, even if viewed from small clearings throughout the forest, provides an incredible and immersive experience that will inspire visitors of all ages.

Partnerships formed with nearby communities will be made with the hopes of protecting and preserving the natural and historical character of the park and region for future generations to come, according to the announcement.

Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve, 20 miles east of Cave Junction on Oregon Route 46, is the 46th site administered by the National Park Service into the International Dark Sky Places Program.

This achievement demonstrates a commitment to dark sky preservation and offers visitors a unique blend of natural and celestial experiences, highlighting conservation and community engagement, stated Amber Harrison, International Dark Sky Places Program Manager, in the news release.

 Janet Eastman covers design and trends. Reach her at 503-294-4072, jeastman@oregonian.com and follow her on X @janeteastman.
A 31-year old Beaverton man was found guilty Thursday in Washington County Circuit Court of nearly two dozen counts of sexual assault and other felonies in attacks on nine women he met through his job at two Portland nightclubs.

Washington County Circuit Judge Erik Bucher found Ali Quraishi guilty of 23 charges at the conclusion of a seven-day trial. The charges included first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy and first-degree sexual abuse.
Cabinet appoints Hryhorenko as first dpty minister of culture, Korzun as dpty minister of energy

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has appointed Halyna Hryhorenko as First Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications and Anatoliy Korzun as Deputy Minister of Energy.

As representative of the Cabinet of Ministers in the Verkhovna Rada Taras Melnychuk said on the Telegram channel, the corresponding decision was made at a government meeting on Friday.

The Cabinet of Ministers also appointed Oleksandr Potiy as the head of the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection, Mykyta Lahunin as the head of the State Service of Ukraine for Transport Security and Yevhen Zborovsky as the deputy head of the State Service of Ukraine for Transport Security.

At the same time, Yuriy Myronenko was dismissed from the post of head of the State Communications Service.
Abalones arrive home in Fujian from Shandong for winter

People's Daily Online) 09:48, November 15, 2024

A ship loaded with abalones arrives in Lianjiang county, southeast China's Fujian Province.

Recently, 300,000 cages of abalones were brought back to their hometown in Lianjiang county, southeast China's Fujian Province, from east China's Shandong Province.

Abalone breeding has strict requirements for water temperature, water quality, and sea environment. To enhance the survival rate of abalones and increase breeding space, Lianjiang has implemented a breeding strategy where abalones are sent to Shandong in April to escape the summer heat and brought back in November for the winter.

Workers transfer abalone breeding cages at a fishing port in Lianjiang county, southeast China's Fujian Province.

On Nov. 12, the Tailu fishing port in Lianjiang was bustling with activity as 30,000 cages of abalones from Fujian Zhongxin Yongfeng Industrial Co., Ltd. arrived by ship from Rongcheng city in Shandong. Workers unloaded the abalone cages from the ship and transferred them to a smaller vessel. The abalones were then taken to a nearby ocean farm where they will be raised during the winter.

Workers transfer abalone breeding cages at a fishing port in Lianjiang county, southeast China's Fujian Province.

According to Wu Zhangyu from the company, after six months in Shandong, the abalones have grown significantly larger and their survival rate has greatly improved.

"Previously, abalones bred in one cage weighed around 6 kilograms. After being cultivated in Shandong this summer, the weight has reached 10 kilograms, and the survival rate has exceeded 70 percent," said a local fisherman named Huang Shuiguan.

The abalones will be transported to a breeding farm in Lianjiang, southeast China's Fujian Province.

Thanks to this breeding strategy, the abalones can grow year-round, reducing the breeding cycle and increasing production within the same timeframe.

A worker feeds abalones. (File photo)

Lianjiang is a major abalone breeding hub in the country. In 2023, the abalone breeding area in the county totaled 1,530 hectares and the abalone output reached 56,600 tonnes, accounting for about one third of the national total. In the same year, the output value of the abalone breeding industry in the county reached 4.75 billion yuan (about $655 million).

Photos by Wu Dan and Lin Liuming.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Two villages from Ukraine for the first time entered the list of 55 best tourist villages in the world in 2024 according to the global initiative of UN Tourism, the press service of the State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine reports.

Head of the Tourism Agency Maryana Oleskiv noted that the inclusion of Ukrainian villages in this list opens up positive prospects for the nominees. "Urych and Vorokhta will not only receive mentoring from UN Tourism and potential financial support from foreign donors, but will also attract attention to their cultural, natural and gastronomic riches of both Ukrainian and foreign travelers," the head of the agency emphasized.

As reported, in early May 2024, the Ukrainian Tourism Agency sent a package of documents from five Ukrainian villages - Vorokhta, Zelena Roscha, Kvasy, Olyka and Urych - to UN Tourism. The applications of Ukrainian contestants were selected by representatives of the Advisory Council from more than 260 participants from more than 60 countries. The winners were announced at the 122nd session of the Executive Council of the United Nations Tourism Organization, which was held in Cartagena (Colombia). Official awards for Urych and Vorokhta will be brought to Ukraine from Colombia by representatives of UN Tourism - Director of External Relations Beka Jakeli and Director of the European Region Cordula Wohlmuter. The winners will be awarded on November 28 at the third National Tourism Summit in Lviv.

UN Tourism launched the global initiative The Best Tourism Villages in 2021.
Surely the long-predicted demise of the Interpreter Foundation must be very near at hand. In the meanwhile, though, hopeful critics will be obliged to content themselves with its tantalizing death rattles. Heres one of them, which appeared today: Video and Audio Recordings are Now Available for the 2024 Temple on Mount Zion Conference

Audio and video recordings of the presentations at the 2024 Temple on Mount Zion Conference are now available. They may be accessed at https://interpreterfoundation.org/conferences/2024-temple-on-mount-zion-conference/videos/. A playlist of the videos is also available the Interpreter YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/theinterpreterfoundation.

And heres another, which also went up earlier today on the nearly moribund Interpreter website: The Temple: Symbols, Sermons, and Settings: Consecration and Sacrilege in Early Rabbinic Judaism, written by Avram R. Shannon:

Part of our book chapter reprint series, this article originally appeared in The Temple: Symbols, Sermons, and Settings, edited by Stephen D. Ricks and Jeffrey M. Bradshaw. For more information, go to https://interpreterfoundation.org/books/the-temple-symbols-sermons-and-settings/. One of the distinctive elements of the Restoration is the law of consecration. We often identify this law as one of the highest given as part of the Restoration. We find, however, that consecration is not just a modern concept but has its roots in the Lords covenant path in every dispensation, including the Sinai covenant and the law of Moses.

You might find this of interest: Heretic: A Horror Film About Latter-day Saint Sister Missionaries: Unofficial FAQ

And this, sadly, is something that people ought to know about: Nicaraguan Ortega regime bans priests from public hospitals: Opposition denounces dictatorship, says Ortega regime is determined to continue a policy of indoctrination to exterminate churches and make Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo the only leaders in the country

One more thing: While its popular in some circles right now to blame Latter-day Saints for the re-election to the presidency of Mr. Donald J. Trump and, thus motivated, to associate the Saints (both historically and today) with the Third Reich, its possible that some other Americans  non-Latter-day Saints, no less!  may also have voted for Mr. Trump. (For what little its worth, I did not.) And this article, written by the invaluable Mary Eberstadt, may help to account for at least some of those votes even without invoking Nazism: Why Catholics Voted for Trump.

Ive just finished reading Stanford Carmack, Book of Mormon Grammar and Translation, BYU Studies 63/3 (2024): 49-74.

Early Modern English (EModE) is the form of the English language between approximately the late fifteenth century, or the Tudor period in the sixteenth century, and the English Restoration in 1660 or perhaps slightly later in the seventeenth century, at which point both written and spoken English begin to be familiar to speakers of the modern language. What sets Early Modern English apart from it predecessor, Middle English, is the so-called Great Vowel Shift, when all long vowel sounds in English changed to their current sounds.

Here, in order (I hope) to pique your curiosity, I share a few early passages from Dr. Carmacks Book of Mormon Grammar and Translation:

This paper discusses some of the Book of Mormons nonstandard grammar, showing how in many cases it was not the kind of grammar that Joseph Smith would have been expected to produce, since it was neither his native usage nor a presumed biblically influenced English. In these contexts, if he had been in control of the wording of the text, it is highly likely that he would have expressed things differently. Quite a few examples are provided in support of this claim, along with additional matching examples found in early modern texts. The purpose of this paper is to increase understanding of Book of Mormon grammar and to dispel some commonly held misunderstandings. It is time to go beyond earlier, unstudied views of the Book of Mormons nonstandard grammarto improve on opinions that have been based on limited preparation, inadequate comparative study, and hasty analysis. In this paper, which is based on extensive preparation and work, I will show how various aspects of the Book of Mormons nonstandard grammatical usage support the view that Joseph Smith dictated a revealed text in 1829. Among researchers who believe that the Book of Mormon was the result of revelation, the position of most has been that the original grammar of the Book of Mormon supports the view that Joseph Smiths dictation in 1829 was the result of revealed ideas, not revealed words. Yet my careful study of the issue leads me to believe that it is precisely the opposite. Many have believed that Joseph was the one responsible for the bad grammar of the original text, since there is plenty of bad grammar from the perspective of a prescriptive standard of American English usage in 1829, when he dictated the language. But it turns out that quite a few types of grammarjust as in the broader category of syntaxsupport the view that the Book of Mormon, as dictated, came to Joseph Smith as revealed words. (49-50) The perspective offered in this paper is that several types of Book of Mormon nonstandard grammar should be viewed as early modern grammar. This perspective is based on the grammar itself and the broader domain of syntactic evidence. There are at least three distinct reasons to look to the early modern period for analogs or syntactic matches: The verbal system of the Book of Mormon fits early modern usage well; it does not fit late modern usage well.

The original text has many archaic syntactic patterns that are non-biblical.

The original text has non-biblical, archaic lexical usage. (51) In short, the personal relative pronoun usage of the Book of Mormon

shows a pattern that occurred in the development of English during the

second half of the 1500s and the first decade of the 1600s, just before and

during Shakespeares time. (52) Because the Book of Mormon has a large amount of archaic syntax, there are many combinations of archaic syntax that arent found in either the King James Bible or pseudobiblical texts. Consequently, such combined linguistic evidence argues against Joseph Smith being the one who worded the text. (52)

The work of Royal Skousen and Stanford Carmack on apparent Early Modern English in the Book of Mormon is, to me, intensely interesting. And the direction in which their research has led them has been, to me, quite a surprise.

Dedicated enemies of theism who abhor and fear theists might want to avert their eyes from this appalling link, which was found in the Christopher Hitchens Memorial How Religion Poisons Everything File: Summary of 2024 Light the World News
Norway will join the "children's format," which allows direct financing of Ukrainian defense production, and is also considering the creation of a new format for investing in the Ukrainian defense industry, the press service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reports.

"During the visit to Oslo, we agreed with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram that Norway will join the Danish format of support - direct financing of production in Ukraine. This will allow us to produce and supply the necessary weapons for our defense forces faster. In addition, they discussed a new format of cooperation - the Norwegian model. We are talking about a new model of investing in Ukrainian defense technology companies. Details will be provided later," said Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov.

He also thanked Norway for its determination to support Ukraine.
Swatara Townships zoning hearing board approved a special exception to the zoning code on Thursday evening by a 2-1 vote that will allow an inpatient drug treatment center to take over the Red Lion Hotel Harrisburg Hershey.

Philadelphia-based Soar Corp Recovery Center has entered into an agreement to buy the 190,000-square-foot hotel at 4751 Lindle Road and transform the facility into a center for in-house treatment for people trying to recover from drug and alcohol addiction.

Soar Corp. was in front of the zoning hearing board in June to request a special exception to the townships zoning board for a 350-bed inpatient drug treatment center (later amended to 300 beds) and an outpatient methadone clinic. That request was denied. While the use is allowed under the townships zoning code, it requires a special exception hearing by the zoning hearing board.

On Thursday, Soar Corp. requested a special exception for a more scaled-back request  a 200-bed inpatient drug treatment center. An outpatient methadone clinic will not be included in the facility. And the facility will be operated by Malvern Health, which runs three inpatient drug treatment centers in the Philadelphia area as well as an inpatient behavioral health facility and outpatient treatment centers.

More than two dozen people showed up for the hearing Thursday. Many of those people who stayed until the end of the hearing at about 11:45 p.m. were in attendance for about five hours. Two hearings were scheduled to start at 7 p.m. An unrelated hearing lasted for about an hour. The hearing for Soar Corp. lasted about three hours followed by about 40 minutes of deliberation. Eleven people spoke in opposition or had concerns about the inpatient treatment center, including two attorneys representing the media organization WITF and Orrstown Bank, which both have facilities nearby.

Concerns included everything from security to the choice of location for such a facility to the potential of lower property values.

Brad Burkholder, who operates the nearby Chick-Fil-A, said about 120 people work at his restaurant and about 35% of the employees are minors.

My heart tells me there is a need here in our society and that we need to fix this and be a part of this. But, my head tells me this is not the right location and there is a better place out there that is perhaps more rural, he said.

WITF runs several programs for children including summer camps, STEM programming and programs for at-risk middle school and high school students. Andrea Kolb, senior vice president and chief education officer at WITF, said some of the programming is done in outside spaces. Kolb worries that as the organization moves forward with its educational programming, the out-patient facility could interfere with those services.

We want people to get help, Kolb said. Whats in question here is the compatibility of this location. Based on what I shared with our educational programming we feel strongly that this establishment is not compatible with this location and further we believe unequivocally that the establishment of this facility in the proposed location will result in a detrimental impact on our educational organizations, our programs, our services, and the children and families.

Orrstown Banks headquarters employs about 150 people. The bank also has a branch at the location.

While my client is sympathetic to the plight of individuals that are struggling with addiction, theyre just not sure that Swatara Township should be a test case for a really large facility, said Brian Hinkle, attorney for the bank.

Michael Amideo of Soar Corp. said there are about $200,000 in delinquent taxes on the property. He said his company would pay them off. Amideo says his company plans to spend about $14 million on renovations. He said the facility plans to employ about 350 people when it is running at full capacity. He hopes to hire many of the hotel employees who work in housekeeping, maintenance, and in the kitchen.

When looking for a home for the center, Amideo said that the Red Lion Hotel property really stood out.

In order to achieve a true rehabilitation, patients want to be there, he said. And it was our intention to find a property to make it feel hospitable, like they were coming home. This property was designed just for that reason  for its hotel guests. These patients are in fact hotel guests in other parts of the year when theyre not in rehab. These are moms, dads, sisters, brothers  this property presented us with an opportunity to give that patient the experience of coming into a really warm environment, something that we believe is very important in the kind of clinical work were doing.

The facility is situated on a 12-acre property. It has several conference rooms, and indoor and outdoor pools. Geoff Botak, president of Malvern Health said the outdoor pool and space would not be used. And officials were still looking into whether or not to use the indoor pool.

Andrew Giorgione, an attorney for Soar Corp., said there are 38 neighboring businesses and organizations and it hopes to be a good neighbor. Amideo said his company has met with officials from the nearby Swatara Church of God in hopes of the church implementing a spiritual program at the facility.

Botak said his company receives referrals from employers, primary care offices, hospitals, and family members. He said the facility will grow over time but it will take about five years to get to 90% capacity. Botak said the average stay is expected to be about 16 to 17 days. He said some people will stay for five to seven days while other people will stay as long as 30 days.

The conditions that the board will require of the applicant as part of the approval include:

build a six-foot privacy fence around the entire property

obtain all necessary state and local approvals

a 220-bed limit on the facility

the limitation of the facility will be to administer to and treat persons with current addiction to a controlled substance that they were using in an illegal manner or alcohol

the facility cant include a methadone treatment

transportation will be provided to anyone leaving the facility

Chairman Phillip Bear and board member George Milakovic voted in favor of approving the special exception. Vice-chair Betsy Taylor voted against it.

There will be a written decision within 45 days. Then there is a 30-day appeal period.
A priest pleaded guilty earlier this week to stealing $155,000 from a Washington County church.

According to a press release from the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals office, George Athanasiou, 37, stole hundreds of donation checks for All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Canonsburg and signed and deposited them for his personal use.

Athanasiou used the money to fund his gambling addiction, KDKA reported.

Video evidence showed Athanasiou endorsing and depositing checks at an ATM, officials said. When interviewed by police, he admitted to stealing the checks.

Stealing money is theft, plain and simple, whether it is committed by a petty criminal or a trusted faith leader, which was the case here  this priest betrayed parishioners by stealing donations that otherwise would have benefited the church, Attorney General Henry said in the press release. This plea to a felony charge holds the defendant accountable for his conduct, while also providing a significant restitution payment that will go to the church community.

Athanasiou has paid $155,000 in restitution. He will be sentenced on Feb. 18. He faces up to seven years in prison.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossUkraine

Seven volunteer crews of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) Rapid Response Unit were working at night at locations affected by the Russian air attack on Odesa.

Yesterday evening, Russia launched a massive attack on Odesa  Seven volunteer crews from the Odesa regional emergency response team of the Ukrainian Red Cross worked alongside the city's rescue services at six sites of the attack , URCS said on Facebook Friday.

The volunteers provided first aid and psychological first aid to the victims. The Ukrainian Red Cross also set up aid stations where people could charge their devices, drink hot tea, and receive other assistance.

Currently, the Ukrainian Red Cross team continues to work on the ground. Volunteers and staff are distributing plastic sheeting and tarpaulins to residents of buildings damaged by the attack for temporary repairs.

As reported, as a result of the Russian shelling of Odesa, one person was killed, 10 were injured, an apartment building in the city center was destroyed, high-rise buildings, two schools and three kindergartens, about three dozen cars were damaged.

In addition, a branch of the heating network was damaged, which heated 220 apartment buildings (40,000 inhabitants), seven kindergartens, four schools. The boiler room also served one of the maternity hospitals in Odesa.
Since former President Donald J. Trump was named the president-elect in the 2024 election, social media has been filled with people thinking about leaving the U.S. One cruise line is even offering people the opportunity to leave the country for the four years of his upcoming presidency.

Actress and outspoken Democrat Eva Longoria is one of many who decided to leave the country. In an interview for the November issue of French magazine Marie Claire, Longoria cited the COVID-19 pandemic and her nervousness over the election cycle as key reasons for moving her family out of what she describes as the dystopian United States.

I had my whole adult life here, Longoria told Marie Claire, But even before (the pandemic), it was changing. The vibe was different. And then COVID happened, and it pushed it over the edge. Whether its the homelessness or the taxes, not that I want to [expletive] on California, it just feels like this chapter in my life is done now.

The shocking part is not that [Trump] won, she said about his victory last week. Its that a convicted criminal who spews so much hate could hold the highest office. If he keeps his promises, its going to be a scary place.

The Desperate Housewives actress and her family now moved split their time between Mexico and Spain. She noted that she is privileged in her decision and that most Americans wont have the same luxury.

I get to escape and go somewhere, Longoria said. Most Americans arent so lucky. Theyre going to be stuck in this dystopian country, and my anxiety and sadness is for them.

Longoria lives with her husband, Jose Baston, and their six-year-old son, Santiago. She frequents Europe and South America for work and does not return frequently to Los Angeles.
When Friendlys in Camp Hill closed in September many in the community wondered what would slide into the former ice cream establishment.

It didnt take long for a new tenant to step up. By next summer, Turning Point Restaurant franchise will open at the spot at 3125 Market St., according to Campbell Commercial Partners in Lemoyne.

The chain serves breakfast, brunch and lunch and operates under the motto where friends and family gather.

Since the very beginning, we have prided ourselves on offering the highest quality and freshest daytime meals to our highly valued guests, reads the website.

It will be the first Turning Point in the immediate Harrisburg region. The closest one operates at 100 Rohrerstown Road in East Hempfield Township, Lancaster County.

Since its founding in 1998 in Little Silver, New Jersey, the chain has grown to about 28 locations in five states including Pennsylvania, Delaware, Florida, Virginia and New Jersey. Turning Point hopes to expand to 40 locations by the end of 2025.

For us Its all about smart, steady growth, Kirk Ruoff, founder and CEO, told FSR Magazine.

Turning Point menu items include cinnamon roll pancakes, Key West shrimp omelet, strawberry cheesecake french toast, and lobster eggs Benedict. They also serve sandwiches, healthy salads and gourmet hot teas and fresh roasted coffee.

Turning Point is leasing the 4,400-square-foot Friendlys building.
MADRID (AP)  At least 10 people died and others were injured in a blaze at a nursing home near Zaragoza in northeastern Spain, before firefighters managed to extinguish the flames, local authorities said Friday.

The alarm was raised just before 5 a.m. on Friday in Villafranca de Ebro, about 28 kilometers (18 miles) from the city of Zaragoza. Two people remained in critical condition, officials said.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

Local media said 82 people had been living in the Jardines De Villafranca nursing home, which focused on treating people with dementia and mental health issues.

Jorge Azcon, head of the regional government of Aragon  which includes Villafranca de Ebro, population 840  told reporters outside the nursing home that an investigation would be opened into the cause of the fire.

The immediate priority was to transfer the remaining uninjured residents to other facilities, he said, including one in the city of Huesca, about 90 kilometers (56 miles) away.

Volga Ramirez, mayor of Villafranca de Ebro, told reporters that intense smoke from the blaze was likely responsible for the deaths.

It is due to smoke inhalation, Ramirez said, not because they were burned. She said that the remaining residents of the center had been safely evacuated.

Residents are moved out of the nursing home where least 10 people have died in a fire in Zaragoza, Spain, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Ferran Mallol )AP

Zaragoza fire chief Eduardo Sanchez told reporters that firefighters had extinguished the blaze that came from one room of the center. A fire door had prevented the blaze from spreading to the other half of the building, he said.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote on X that he was shocked by the tragedy and expressed condolences to the victims.

The fire took place just weeks after devastating flash floods in the Spanish region of Valencia killed more than 200 people and destroyed thousands of homes. The floods were the worst natural disaster in Spains recent history.
An iconic lunch favorite for many young children, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, might be in trouble.

On Nov. 13, a federal judge said Kraft Heinz must face a class action lawsuit against the company for false claims about its mac and cheese ingredients.

Kraft Heinz advertises its mac and cheese as containing no artificial preservatives. Still, U.S. District Judge Mary Rowland said the Illinois, California, and New York consumers heading the lawsuit have a plausible claim against the food company.

The mac and cheese contains citric acid, sodium phosphate, and or sodium triphosphate, according to official court documents obtained by Justia US Law. Sodium phosphates are produced by a variety of synthetic processes, including acid-base reactions between phosphoric acid and sodium carbonate.

The Chicago-based judge said the plaintiffs specifically allege that the ingredients listed as preservatives make the companies claim of no artificial flavors or preservatives or dyes false and cite academic studies and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to support their case.

These allegations are enough to withstand a motion to dismiss, she wrote.

Rowland agreed with Kraft Heinz that the plaintiffs lacked standing to demand new labels because they were aware of its alleged deceptive practices and would face no risk of future harm.

In an effort to get the case dismissed, Kraft Heinz said there were no factual allegations that it used artificial preservatives in its mac and cheese and that most consumers would view its ingredients as artificial.

The plaintiffs seek damages for fraud, unjust enrichment, and state consumer protection law violations.

Kraft Heinz is based in Chicago and Pittsburgh.
Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County has scheduled an open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16.

Its the first one held there in 10 years, according to a press release.

The open house is the facilitys way of showing gratitude to local communities for their support of service members, their families and those who work every day to support the veterans of Pennsylvania, the release said.

This free event will feature live demonstrations, flyovers, displays of military equipment and vehicles, food trucks, live music, an appearance by Miss Pennsylvania and resources for veterans and military families.

The Open House is a joint effort between the Army National Guard, Air National Guard, Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and other tenant organizations at Fort Indiantown Gap.

More details, including a schedule of events, can be found at: https://www.ftig.ng.mil/Community/2024-Open-House/.
By Ashley Stalnecker, LNP, Lancaster, Pa. (TNS)

Lancaster Country Day School parents took their first step Thursday to sue the school and two of its leaders over response to allegations that a student used artificial intelligence to create nude images of nearly 50 female students.

A writ of summons naming the school, Head of School Matt Micciche and board of trustees President Angela Ang-Alhadeff was filed Thursday with the Lancaster County Prothonotary Office on behalf of 46 students and their parents or guardians. A writ of summons is a legal document that informs a defendant they are being sued and must appear in court to respond to the allegations.

The allegations in the forthcoming suit, attorney Matthew Faranda-Diedrich said, are the same as stated in a letter previously addressed to the Country Day board of trustees. The parents, represented by Faranda-Diedrich, had threatened to sue the Manheim Township private school unless Micciche and Ang-Alhadeff resigned in 48 hours.

Faranda-Diedrich, an attorney with the law firm Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld, said he had initially filed the suit Wednesday afternoon when that 48-hour deadline passed but there had been complications protecting the confidentiality of the 46 victims when processing the suit.

Parents allege that Micciche failed as a mandated reporter to notify the authorities when in November 2023 he received an initial tip alerting him to the presence of child sexual abuse and pornographic material through Safe2Say Something. Through the anonymous tip service, run by the state attorneys general office, students, parents and staff can submit tips and concerns about potential youth violence and other matters.

Police did not begin investigating until a second allegation was made against the student who is accused of creating the AI-generated images. That student was removed from the school and their phone was seized by the Susquehanna Regional Police Department in August.

Adults who are deemed mandated reporters, such as teachers, are required by law to report suspected child abuse if they have reasonable cause to suspect a child is a victim of abuse.

A detective with the Susquehanna Regional Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the status of the investigation.
Call me confused.

No one I know has bought their Thanksgiving turkey yet, but everywhere I look, I see Black Friday sales.

For as long as I can remember, Black Friday arrived the day after Thanksgiving. Suddenly, it seems, the cart has jumped in front of the horse.

Right here, right now, way before weve decided whether to sit Uncle Charles anywhere near Cousin Susan on Turkey Day, I can purchase a drone with a 4k camera for under $100, a bargain tagged as a Black Friday Special. Or, if I want, I can buy a festive ugly Christmas sweater for $5.99, a whole $3 off the not-Black-Friday price.

In my confusion, I decided to re-evaluate what I knew about Black Friday. The name, I always heard, grew from old-fashioned accounting ledgers. Sales on those Fridays eliminated red ink, putting merchants in the black.

But, oh my, thanks to Google, I find Ive been misled. Apparently, the name came from the City of Brotherly Love, where, as early as the 1950s, shoppers filled the streets on the day after Thanksgiving.

The same weekend brought in hordes of fans headed for Saturdays Army-Navy game. Overwhelmed Philadelphia police began calling the day after Thanksgiving Black Friday to reflect on the hard work required to keep the crowds in check.

It wasnt until the 1980s that the tag shifted from police to retailers, who adopted the black ink story partly because it sounded good and partly because 20 percent of annual sales allegedly occurred on that day, according to Walden University.

However it started, it drew me in. I remember Black Fridays with my mother at the mall. (Her idea. Not mine.) I recall in the days right after my mother died driving my dad to a K-Mart on Thanksgiving Day to grab an early Black Friday bargain, undoubtedly his first-ever attempt at Christmas shopping.

I spent a couple of awful early mornings shepherding granddaughters to outlets that opened at midnight. Lines were long, parking was nonexistent and my patience wore thin.

Im not sure anyone has to endure that now. It seems like Black Friday sales begin as soon as the calendar reads November.

In my quest to track Black Friday, I stumbled on several web pages devoted to sharing who is selling what for how much and what consumers save and so on.

Heres an example: One store was providing an early chance at its Black Friday 2024 deals with promotions from Nov. 8-10. A promo code would save an extra 15 percent. The opportunity had passed, but never fear, the site promised these Black Friday savings will be available again during the official Black Friday 2024 sale.

Im assuming the official Black Friday sale falls on Black Friday, but dont quote me on that.

Another retailer offered its version of a Black Friday Preview Sale. I was considering the purchase of a prelit tree until I realized this sale too was about to shut down, leaving me wondering if the preview sale offered the best deal or if I should wait and take my chances.

Either way, Id better get moving. We may not have a Thanksgiving turkey yet, but Santas breathing down our necks. The jolly old elf has taken up residence at Bass Pro Shop where hes been grinning in holiday photos since Nov. 2.

Glad someone is smiling.

NANCY ESHELMAN: columnist1@verizon.net
By Beth J. Sanborn

As a school resource officer working to protect our kids, Ive seen firsthand the growing concern surrounding vaping among students. Despite reports indicating that vaping among Pennsylvanias youth may be on the decline and smoking rates have reached their lowest levels ever, there are still serious threats that put our childrens health at risk. One of the most alarming challenges is the rise of illegal disposable vape products, many of which come from overseas markets like China.

These illegal vapes, often designed with youth-enticing flavors like rainbow cotton candy, are not just easily accessible, but theyre specifically targeted at young people. Despite the FDA declaring these products illegal, the fact remains that they continue to flood our communities. Its troubling to know that many of the vapes used by middle and high school students are the very ones that have been banned across the country.

These products are manufactured overseas, marketed with bright colors and sweet flavors that appeal to youth, and then smuggled into the U.S. without going through proper safety checks. Theyre being promoted on social media platforms popular with teens, like TikTok, and sold online or through less-than-reputable vape shops. As someone who spends time every day working to keep our schools safe, its incredibly concerning to see how easily these vapes are making their way into the hands of our students.

The impact is immediate and real. Teachers and administrators are spending more time confiscating vapes than focusing on education. This is time that could be better spent helping students learn, grow, and stay safe.

So, why are these illegal, flavored disposable vapes still making their way into Pennsylvania schools despite a federal ban? A loophole in the 2020 federal ban on flavored vapes allowed disposable vapes to slip through the cracks. Manufacturers have taken full advantage, evading detection by Customs and Border Patrol, and disguising their products in ways that make them hard for parents and teachers to recognize. Some of these products are even designed to look like school supplies, further increasing the challenge of keeping them out of students hands.

While many illegal vapes have been seized, far too many are still slipping through, as highlighted by an Associated Press report. This underscores the need for better federal enforcement and oversight to stop these products from flooding our schools.

There are practical steps we can take. States like Florida, North Carolina, and Alabama have adopted measures that can help by publishing directories of authorized vape products. This provides clarity for retailers and helps law enforcement crack down on illegal sales. By adopting similar strategies, Pennsylvania could make significant progress in keeping these dangerous products away from our youth.

At the local level, were doing everything we can to keep students safe, but stronger federal action is essential. Parents, educators, and law enforcement need to continue voicing their concerns and pushing for more resources, comprehensive education, better enforcement, and greater clarity on which products are allowed on the market. This will help protect our kids from illegal, harmful vapes that are all too easy to access.

While its important to support adult smokers who are trying to quit cigarettes, we must prioritize keeping these products out of the hands of our children. A balanced, thoughtful approach is necessary to achieve both goals.

As a community of concerned parents, educators, and law enforcement officers, we have the power to make a difference. By working together and advocating for stronger action at the state and federal levels, we can protect our children from the dangers of illegal vapes and ensure a healthier, safer future for Pennsylvanias youth.

Beth Sanborn, Ph.D., is former School Resource Officer and currently serves as the School Safety Coordinator for Montgomery County, Pa. She is president of the Pennsylvania Association of School Resource Officers (PASRO) and is an instructor for the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO).
Dave McCormicks top campaign strategist declared victory for his client in Pennsylvanias U.S. Senate race, again. Lawyers for incumbent U.S. Sen. Robert P. Caseys campaign battled in county courthouses across the state for dozens of votes here, hundreds there.

State officials, meanwhile, noted that with an automatic recount triggered, it will be Nov. 27 before anything is finally certified.
By FATIMA HUSSEIN, MATTHEW DALY and COLLIN BINKLEY, The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP)  Biden administration officials are working against the clock doling out billions in grants and taking other steps to try to preserve at least some of the outgoing presidents legacy before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January.

Lets make every day count, President Joe Biden said in an address to the nation last week after Vice President Kamala Harris conceded defeat to Trump in the presidential race.

Trump has pledged to rescind unspent funds in Bidens landmark climate and health care law and stop clean-energy development projects.

Theres only one administration at a time, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told reporters at a news conference Thursday. Thats true now, and it will also be true after January 20th. Our responsibility is to make good use of the funds that Congress has authorized for us and that were responsible for assigning and disbursing throughout the last three years.

But Trump will control more than the purse strings come January. His administration also can propose new regulations to undo some of what the Biden administration did through the rule-making process.

Here are some of the moves the Biden administration is taking now:

Getting infrastructure spending out the door

Biden administration officials hope that projects funded under the $1 trillion infrastructure law and $375 billion climate law will endure beyond Bidens term and are working to ensure that money from the landmark measures continues to flow.

On Friday, Buttigieg announced over $3.4 billion in grants for projects designed to improve passenger rail service, help U.S. ports, reduce highway deaths and support domestic manufacturing of sustainable transportation materials.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in downtown Mobile, Ala., for the work needed before Amtrak service can restart sometime in early 2025 along the Gulf Coast, connecting Mobile to New Orleans. (John Sharp/file)John Sharp

We are investing in better transportation systems that touch every corner of the country and in the workers who will manufacture materials and build projects, he said. Communities are going to see safer commutes, cleaner air and stronger supply chains that we all count on.

Speeding up environmental goals

Announcements of major environmental grants and project approvals have sped up in recent months in what White House officials describe as sprinting to the finish of Bidens four-year term.

The Environmental Protection Agency recently set a nationwide deadline for removal of lead pipes and announced nearly $3 billion to help local water systems comply. The agency also announced that oil and gas companies for the first time will have to pay a federal fee if they emit dangerous methane above certain levels.

The Energy Department, meanwhile, announced a $544 million loan to a Michigan company to expand manufacturing of high-quality silicon carbide wafers for electric vehicles. The loan is one of 28 deals totaling $37 billion granted under a clean-energy loan program that was revived and expanded under Biden.

There is a new urgency to get it all done. Were seeing explosions of money going out the door, said Melinda Pierce, legislative director of the Sierra Club. Biden and his allies really want to finish the job they started.

Ukraine aid

Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters this week that Biden wants to spend down the authority that Congress has allocated and authorized before he leaves office. So were going to work very hard to make sure that happens.

U.S. President Joe Biden met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris, Friday, June 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, file)AP

The Biden administration would have to rush $7.1 billion in weapons  $4.3 billion from the 2024 supplemental and $2.8 billion that is still on the books in savings due to the Pentagon recalculating the value of systems sent  from the Pentagons stockpiles in order to spend all of those funds obligated before Trump is sworn in.

Theres also another $2.2 billion available to put weapons systems on long-term contracts. However, recent aid packages have been much smaller in size, around $200 million to $300 million each.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has said the funds are already obligated, which should make them harder to take back because the incoming administration would have to reverse that.

Quickly confirm judicial picks

Another priority for the White House is getting Senate confirmation of as many federal judges as possible before Trumps inauguration on Jan. 20.

The Senate this week voted 51-44 to confirm former prosecutor April Perry as a U.S. District Court judge in northern Illinois. More than a dozen pending judicial nominees have advanced out of the Senate Judiciary Committee; eight judicial nominations are awaiting committee votes and six are waiting for committee hearings.

Trump has urged Republicans to oppose efforts to confirm judicial nominees. No Judges should be approved during this period of time because the Democrats are looking to ram through their Judges as the Republicans fight over Leadership, he wrote on social media site X on Nov. 10, before congressional Republicans chose their new leaders.

Student loan forgiveness

The Education Department has been hurrying to finalize a new federal rule that would cancel student loans for people who face financial hardship. The proposal  one of Bidens only student loan plans that hasnt been halted by federal courts  is in a public comment period scheduled to end Dec. 2.

After that, the department would have a narrow window to finalize the rule and begin carrying it out, a process that usually takes months. Like Bidens other efforts, it would almost certainly face a legal challenge.

Additionally, the Biden administration has room to speed up student loan cancellation for people who were already promised relief because they were cheated by their colleges, said Aaron Ament, an Education Department official for the Obama administration and president of the National Student Legal Defense Network.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona could decide that case and others rather than hand them off to the Trump administration, which is expected to be far friendlier to for-profit colleges. Its a no-brainer, Ament said. Theres a good number of cases that have been sitting on Cardonas desk. Its hard to imagine that those would just be left untouched.

Trump has not yet said what he would do on student loan forgiveness. However, he and Republicans have criticized Bidens efforts.
Ukraine is fighting for the liberation of all territories seized by Russia over the past decade, and any claims that the country is shifting its attention to security in the war are false, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said in Oslo, Reuters reports.

"Territorial integrity is part of our values," the Ukrainian minister told a joint press conference with his Norwegian counterpart in Oslo on Friday.

When asked about reports that Ukraine is shifting its focus in the war, Umerov said this was false and part of Russian propaganda efforts. "Our priority is still to protect people, protect the nation, to liberate people from almost 10 years of temporary occupation, so Crimea and Donbas (are) part of Ukraine," he said.

Umerov added that people living in the territories held by Russia are waiting for their release.
By LISA MASCARO, AP Congressional Correspondent

WASHINGTON (AP)  After a resounding election victory, delivering what President-elect Donald Trump and Republicans call a mandate to govern, an uneasy political question is emerging: Will there be any room for dissent in the U.S. Congress?

Trump is laying down a gauntlet even before taking office challenging the Senate, in particular, to dare defy him over the nominations of Matt Gaetz, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other controversial choices for his Cabinet and administration positions.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, 2023)AP

The promise of unified government, with the Republican Partys sweep of the White House and GOP majorities in the House and Senate, is making way for a more complicated political reality as congressional leaders confront anew what it means to line up with Trumps agenda.

This is going to be a red alert moment for American democracy, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said on CNN after Trump tapped Gaetz for attorney general.

Trump is returning to the White House at the height of his political power, having won both the Electoral College and the popular vote for his party for the first time in decades. The trifecta in Washington offers a tantalizing political opportunity for Republicans, opening up a universe of political and policy priorities  from tax cuts to mass deportations to the gutting of the regulatory and federal bureaucracy, along with Trumps vows to seek vengeance and prosecution of his perceived enemies and pardon those who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

But for Congress, its also a potentially existential moment, one that is testing whether its status as a co-equal branch of U.S. government can withstand a second Trump administration.

One of the possible futures for Congress is that it becomes a rubber stamp, said Phillip Wallach, a scholar at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, who writes extensively about Congress.

Wallach said the threat to Congress has been on his mind, but he also believes it would be more pronounced if Republicans had won larger majorities. The House, in fact, may end up with slimmer numbers, and the Senates 53-seat advantage, while more than the simple majority needed to confirm nominees, can hardly be seen as mandates.

Besides, theyre not wimps, he said of elected lawmakers. Theres no reason for them to just turn themselves into a doormat.

Its a changed Washington from Trumps first term. Congress has been purged of his strongest critics. At the same time, the Supreme Court has shifted dramatically rightward, with three Trump-appointed justices, and a majority decision over the summer that granted the president broad immunity from prosecution.

Trumps Cabinet picks are posing the biggest early test for Congress.

While Trumps choice of Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., for secretary of state is expected to have somewhat broad support, including from Democrats, others like Kennedy, Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Pete Hegseth as defense secretary are raising more scrutiny.

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, R-Fla., speaks during the PA Chamber dinner at the Hershey Lodge on Oct. 7, 2024. (Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive, file)Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive

The choice of Gaetz, a fierce Trump loyalist who talks about the wholesale upheaval of the Justice Department, is all the more troubling for senators because of a House ethics probe over alleged sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. He denies the allegations but submitted his resignation from Congress as soon as he was nominated, effectively shutting down the probe.

Sen. Dick Durbin, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which would consider the Gaetz nomination, called on the House to preserve and share their report with the panel.

Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, a Republican member of the Judiciary committee, said he expects any and all information on the nominees will be made available.

Other Republicans in the House and Senate stood with Gaetz, supporting his effort to take on the Justice Department over what they see as perceived bias, particularly over its prosecutions of Trump for trying to overturn the 2020 election ahead of the Capitol attack and for hoarding classified documents.

I know the Democrats are clutching their pearls right now, and theyre very, very upset about everything, said Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., on Fox News.

But if you think about how they have weaponized the DOJ, this is a situation that needs serious reform, he said. Its President Trumps prerogative to choose who he wants to nominate.

Incoming Senate GOP Leader John Thune said confirming Trumps nominations will be a priority next year and senators should expect an aggressive schedule until his nominees are confirmed.

Sen. John Thune, of South Dakota, was on a campaign stop with Dave McCormick in Swatara Township on Aug. 5, 2024. (Zach Gleiter | Special to PennLive, file) Zach Gleiter | Special to PennLive

Complicating the matter for senators is the Trump campaigns decision to not engage, so far, in the traditional transition process, having declined to sign agreements with the federal government that would launch FBI background checks of nominees, among other standard steps before confirmation hearings.

Senators may be forced to consider nominees that have not been vetted in the traditional ways.

Trump is planning a series of executive orders on Day One of the new administration to launch his mass deportations and other priorities.

Trump allies, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and influential commentator Charlie Kirk, have warned of consequences in the form of primary challenges to senators who fail to confirm nominees.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., the on-again-off-again Trump ally, said he typically confirms a presidents nominees, regardless of party, and intends to be a yes vote again.

I consider this matter closed, he said.
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Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz plan to hold the first phone call in almost two years, Bloomberg reported citing an informed source.

"Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz plan to hold a phone call Friday, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity," it said on Friday.

According to Bloomberg, the call is the first direct communication between the leaders in almost two years.

Earlier, the German Chancellor announced his plans to talks to Putin, but did not specify when this conversation would happen.
Hands of the Week: Two Hands  a Bad Beat and a Cooler  Quickly End NAPT Main Event

Chad Holloway PR & Media Manager Copy link

The 2024 PokerStars North American Poker Tour Las Vegas wrapped up this past weekend, and it proved a successful affair with all events surpassing their guarantees, players coming from around the world, and 20 Gold Pass winners cashing for a combined $241,600 in the $5,300 NAPT Main Event!

PokerNews live reported several tournaments throughout the series, and during that time our reporters captured several big hands. For example, we already published an article on Jeremy Becker getting his aces cracked by Jonathan Little early in the $25,000 Super High Roller. You can read all about that hand here.

We also had a team offering live updates from start to finish in the $5,300 NAPT Main Event. There were plenty of hands to choose from for a "Hands of the Week" recap, including a couple that aired on the PokerStars livestream, and we offer a look at some of them below.

Here are five interesting hands from the PokerNews live updates from the 2024 NAPT Main Event, which attracted 895 entrants and awarded a $4,340,750 prize pool.

Defending Champ Spikes the River For a Double Knockout

Sami Bechahed

In Level 11 (1,000/1,500/1,500) on Day 2, reporter David Salituro caught a big hand involving defending NAPT champ Sami Bechahed. It began when "Sami the Dealer" raised to 3,000 in the hijack before Diego Sanchez moved all in for 22,500 on the button. Maxx Coleman reshoved for 28,000 in the big blind and Bechahed called to put both players at risk.

Diego Sanchez: AK

Maxx Coleman: AQ

Sami Bechahed: AQ

Sanchez had Coleman and Bechahed dominated as he was poised for a triple-up on the 6410J board. The river, though, was the 7 as Bechahed hit a flush to win the pot and send Sanchez and Coleman to the rail. Bechahed went on to make a deep run, ultimately ending his title defense in 37th place for $17,100.

Canadian Gold Pass Winner Steven Maddison Flips for Tournament Life

Gold Pass winner Steven Maddison

In another hand from Day 2, it was Level 13 (1,000/2,500/2,500) when Canada's Steven Maddison, who won a Gold Pass via a CNE Second Chance freeroll, got his last 20,500 all in preflop and was flipping for his tournament life against Grant Wang.

Steven Maddison: AK [allin]

Grant Wang: JJ

Maddison was in need of improvement and got it when the A210 flop paired his ace. The Q turn gave both players straight outs, and the J completed the board on the river. Wang made a set of jacks but it was no good as Maddison made a Broadway straight.

Wang was left with 22,000 but lost it all a few hands later. Despite winning that hand, Maddison fell short of making the money in the tournament.

Prior to going to Las Vegas, Maddison did an interview with PokerNews Ontario Ambassador Kyle Anderson.

Click here to see everyone who cashed the 2024 NAPT Main Event.

Vanier Vanquished in Ultimate Cooler

Michael Vanier

On Day 4, it was Level 27 (30,000/60,000/60,000) when reporter Connor Richards saw Brock Wilson open to 125,000 in the hijack and Mike Vanier three-bet to 375,000 in the cutoff. Marco Johnson then four-bet to 850,000 in the small blind and Wilson folded as Vanier five-bet jammed a stack of around 2,300,000. Johnson called with a bigger stack.

Mike Vanier: KK

Marco Johnson: AA

Vanier picked up kings at the worst time and he was still behind after the 822 flop. The 6 turn gave him additional outs with a flush draw, but the black 2 river was the wrong suit to mark Vanier's elimination as Johnson breathed a big sigh of relief. Vanier had to settle for 11th place and $56,950 in prize money.

Brutal Bustout for Madsen

Jeff Madsen

On Day 5, it was Level 32 (100,000/200,000/200,000) and only three players remained at the final table. That is when Nick Marchington open-jammed in the small blind and Jeff Madsen called for 3,375,000 in the big blind.

Jeff Madsen: QQ

Nick Marchington: A10

Madsen was in great shape to double and nothing changed on the 258 flop or J turn. However, the A landed from space on the river and the 2006 WSOP Player of the Year was sent to the rail in painful fashion. He took home $341,750 for his third-place finish.

One and Done in Heads-Up Play

Joel Micka

Marchington took a 4:1 chip lead into heads-up play against Joel Micka, and while the former no doubt hoped to put up a good fight, he never got the chance as the very first hand they played was an epic cooler.

On the first hand of heads-up play, Marchington completed on the button and Micka checked his option in the big blind.

Micka checked on the flop of 5J6 and Marchington bet 250,000. Micka called called. Micka checked again on the 3 turn and Marchington bet 750,000. Micka called.

Micka checked once more on the 2 river and Marchington moved all in. Micka called off for 4,200,000. Marchington showed the stone nuts with 74 and Micka showed a no-good straight with 54. Micka had to settle for second place and $478,450 in prize money, while Marchington claimed the title and $762,500 first-place prize.

Check out other big hands from the 2024 NAPT in our first recap here!

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Rise of 'Gambledore: Craziest Hands from Poker's Newest High-Stakes Wizard

Connor Richards Editor & Live Reporter U.S. Copy link

Vladimir Korzinin has captured the attention of seemingly the entire poker world due to a series of deep runs at Triton Poker Super High Roller Series Monte Carlo, punctuated by a victory in $150,000 No-Limit Hold'em 8-Handed for $4.3 million.

Poker fans quickly dubbed the white-bearded high-stakes newcomer as "Gambledore" as he put top pros like Patrik Antonius and Fedor Holz to the test on their own turf.

Here's a look at some of the craziest hands Korzinin played on the Triton stream and at a recent European Poker Tour (EPT) stop.

Read About Korzinin's $4.3M Victory at Triton Monte Carlo

Flushing Out Boivin

With nine players left in $150,000 No-Limit Hold'em 8-Handed, Korzinin opened with Q10 and was called by Thomas Boivin in the big blind with J5.

The flop of 59A checked through and Boivin bet 300,000 after hitting trips on the 5 turn. Korzinin raised all in after turning the flush draw and Boivin called off for around two million. The 7 river sealed the deal as Korzinin made his flush to send Boivin out in ninth place for $435,000.

Making Dan Smith Laugh

They say it takes luck to win any poker tournament. That was displayed with six left in the same event when Korzinin found himself battling against Dan Smith on a flop of J10Q.

Korzinin held top pair with Q6 but was in bad shape against the two pair of Smith with J10. All the chips got in the middle before the 6 turn gave Korzinin a better two pair. Smith laughed as the 9 bricked off on the river to mark his sixth-place elimination worth $1 million.

Jamming Heads-Up with Seven-Deuce

Korzinin may need to consult his push-fold charts after this one. As he got heads-up against fellow poker newcomer Ossi Ketola in the 8-handed event, Korzinin moved all in for around 15 big blinds with 72 and was called by Ketola's K9.

Korzinin managed to flop both a flush draw and straight draw and hit the straight on the river to double through the Finn before going on to secure the title and $4.3 million.

Four-Outing Badziakouski

With six left in the $200,000 Triton Invitational, Korzinin opened in the cutoff with K9 as Mikita Badziakouski defined his big blind with J2.

Korzinin bet with a gutshot on the flop of J2Q and Badziakouski check-raised with his two pair. Korzinin three-bet jammed and Badziakouski called off to be at risk.

Badziakouski was a big favorite to double up, but that changed as the 10 turn gave Korzinin one of his two outs before the river bricked off to mark Badziakouski's elimination in sixth place for $1.1 million.

Four-Bet Pot in EPT Cyprus High Roller

Before the Triton stream that made him a star, Korzinin played several events at EPT Cyprus. Despite not cashing in the 50,000 Super High Roller Second Chance, Korzinin finished second in chips on Day 1 after battling with the likes of Jesse Lonis, Nick Petrangelo and Leonard Maue, who he played in an interesting pot with during Level 5 with blinds of 1,000/,2,500/2,500.

Vladimir Korzinin

Here's how PokerNews live reporter Dan O'Hair documented the hand:

Leonard Maue raised to 5,000 from under the gun and Vladimir Korzinin three-bet to 15,000 on the button. Action folded back to Maue, who four-bet to 45,000. Korzinin called.

Korzinin called a 45,000 bet from Maue on the 564 flop and then checked after the A appeared on the turn.

Korzinin announced he was all in, sending Maue deep into the tank.

Maue used up a couple time extensions, but eventually decided to let his hand go and Korzinin collected the pot without showing.

We will keep an eye out for poker's latest star at upcoming tournament stops.

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Photo: https://t.me/Denys_Smyhal/8869

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal discussed with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State and Acting Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery Richard R. Verma the economic initiatives and recovery projects for Ukraine.

"We talked, in particular, about investment in Ukraine. I thanked the U.S. Department of State for the decision to reduce the level of travel risks for our nine regions. It is an important decision for people and business. We also discussed governmental mechanisms to attract foreign investment. And the newly created Strategic Investment Council which aims at systematizing priority projects for cities and communities," Shmyhal said on the Telegram channel following the meeting in Kyiv.

The interlocutors also addressed the issue of restoring critical infrastructure and protecting energy facilities, as well as important directions and instruments for reform implementation and acceleration in wartime.
WSOP Circuit Cherokee Stop Will Feature $1.5M Guaranteed Main Event

Connor Richards Editor & Live Reporter U.S. Copy link

The World Series of Poker Circut (WSOPC) is returning to Harrah's Cherokee later this month for a series that will run Nov. 28-Dec. 9. The WSOPC Cherokee stop will feature nearly two dozen Circuit ring events with more than $4.1 million in guaranteed prize money.

The series will culminate with a $1,700 buy-in Main Event with a $1.5 million guarantee, while other highlights include a $500,000 guaranteed Mini Main Event and a $500,000 guaranteed Monster Stack event.

Read About the Upcoming WSOPC Las Vegas Stop!

Win a Circuit Ring in Cherokee

The series will kick off with a $400 Turkey Day event on Nov. 28 with a $50,000 guarantee, followed by the aforementioned $400 Mini Main Event that will kick off the following day with the first of four starting flights.

WSOP Circuit ring

Later in the series a $1,100 No-Limit Hold'em will take place with a $300,000 guarantee, followed by an $800 Pot-Limit Omaha event and a $300 Ladies Event.

The $1.5 million guaranteed Main Event will kick off on Dec. 6 and will offer two starting flights.

Other events on the schedule include a $2,200 High Roller, $300 Seniors Event and $600 Black Chip Bounty tournament.

Previous Winner

Cherokee serves as one of the most popular Circuit stops and the WSOPC travels through every few months. In August, Alabama's Donovan Dean won the Cherokee Main Event for the second time to win his third ring (he has since won a fourth ring at WSOPC Choctaw).

Donovan Dean

The event drew 1,502 entrants for a prize pool of nearly $2.2 million, with others at the final table including Tommy Doyle, Michael Hunsucker, and Tuan Nguyen.

WSOPC Harrah's Cherokee Main Event Final Table Results

Place Player Prize 1 Donovan Dean $326,206 2 Andrew Rebhan $217,454 3 Tommy Doyle $153,664 4 Michael Hunsucker $110,186 5 Tuan Nguyen $80,192 6 Brett Bader $59,249 7 Justin Hall $44,450 8 Srinivasa Vadlamudi $33,870 9 Sokchheka Pho $26,218

The WSOP Circuit is also gearing up for a stop at Horseshoe Las Vegas and will later be heading to Choctaw Durant for a series running Jan. 8-18.

A full schedule for the upcoming WSOP Circuit Cherokee stop is available in the table below.

WSOP Circuit Choctaw Schedule

Date Event Buy-In Guarantee November 28 Event #1: $400 No-Limit Hold'em - Turkey Day 30K $400 $50,000 November 29 Event #2: $400 Mini Main Event $400 $500,000 December 1 Event #3: $400 Seniors Event $400 $200,000 December 1 Event #4: $600 No-Limit Hold'em $600 $200,000 December 1 Event #5: $400 Pot-Limit Omaha 8 or Better $400 $50,000 December 2 Event #6: $400 No-Limit Hold'em 6-Max $400 $150,000 December 2 Event #7: $600 Pot-Limit Omaha $600 $75,000 December 3 Event #8: $400 Monster Stack $400 $500,000 December 4 Event #9: $1,100 No-Limit Hold'em $1,100 $300,000 December 5 Event #10: $400 No-Limit Hold'em $400 $50,000 December 5 Event #11: $800 Pot-Limit Omaha $800 $50,000 December 6 Event #12: $300 Ladies Event $300 $20,000 December 6 Event #13: $1,700 Main Event $1,700 $1,500,000 December 6 Event #14: $400 No-Limit Hold'em $400 $75,000 December 7 Event #15: $600 Black Chip Bounty $600 $75,000 December 7 Event #16: $400 No-Limit Hold'em Turbo $400 $50,000 December 8 Event #17: $300 Seniors Event $300 $75,000 December 8 Event #18: $400 No-Limit Hold'em $400 $50,000 December 8 Event #19: $2,200 High Roller $2,200 $100,000 December 9 Event #20: $400 No-Limit Hold'em Double Stack Closer $400 $50,000

*Photos courtesy WSOP Circuit

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Scholz briefs Tusk on conversation with Putin, reaffirms 'nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine' position

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has informed Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk about his phone conversation with Vladimir Putin on Friday.

"A moment ago, I received a call from Chancellor Scholz, who gave me an account of his conversation with V. Putin. I was pleased to learn that the Chancellor not only unequivocally condemned Russian aggression, but also reiterated the Polish position: nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine," Tusk said on the X Social network.
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In a society that increasingly finds itself devoting hours on end to screens and isolationism, one young woman in Charleston is bringing people together to find a sense of community in a traditionally solitary hobby.

Ellery Frost is a passionate young reader, writer and, most recently, community organizer whose intimate reading get-togethers have created connections and sparked conversations among those who love to read.

I have always thought books are such a beautiful way of getting to walk in someone else's shoes for a little bit (and to) see life through someone elses perspective, Frost said. I love how it builds bridges between people and how it grows empathy among people."

Frost said she loves gathering people together, hosting regular dinners with friends.

I love bringing people together in a shared experience, particularly one that is not on your phone," she said.

Frost, who grew up in Virginia before relocating to the Charleston area, argues that people continue to shift toward the digital world, and she wants to provide an alternative to that by offering the book lovers in Charleston a different approach to reading.

Inspired by Reading Rhythms, a group based in New York City, and The Offline Club out of Amsterdam, Frost decided to host her very own reading party in Charleston back in June of this year.

People are hosting reading parties throughout New York City and Brooklyn, and I loved that idea, and I wanted to bring it to Charleston," Frost said. "I was actually able to go up and attend one of their events in New York City over the summer and just thought it was such a beautiful way to bring people together.

The concept behind a reading party is different from that of a book club. The idea is that the host arranges a location, usually a cafe or small bookstore, and opens the venue to all of the book readers in the area. Attendees can bring any book of their choosing: one they have started, one they have never opened or maybe one they are reading for the third or fourth time, it truly does not matter.
In an explicitly partisan public notice tied to Donald Trump's White House victory, a local heritage group announced it is suing the Charleston County School Board for its decision to remove a Robert E. Lee marker from the Charleston School of Math and Science, and challenging Charleston City Council for its removal of the John C. Calhoun monument that once stood in Marion Square.

The group also took issue with the renaming of Memminger Hall which, because its managed by Spoleto Festival USA, now is called Festival Hall.

"With support from the newly elected Presidential administration, it's time for SC Republican leadership to fulfill their duties and uphold state law, restoring illegally removed monuments in Charleston," American Heritage Association Vice President Jim Lechner said in a Nov. 14 statement.

The group objects to the state of South Carolinas failure to enforce the Heritage Act, which requires a two-thirds majority vote in the Legislature in order to change or remove a public monument.

Because the Calhoun monument was located on private property, and because the owner of that private property agreed to the monuments removal, city attorneys determined that the Heritage Act did not apply.

This is not the first effort by the American Heritage Association to challenge the removal of monuments in Charleston. In 2022, the group filed suits against the city, the school board and Attorney General Alan Wilson over the decisions to take the Lee monument from the charter school and the Calhoun monument from Marion Square. Those challenges were dismissed several months later.

This latest lawsuit was filed July 15 in state court in Charleston, the state's Ninth Judicial Circuit, naming the school board and school district as defendants. The group served the lawsuit to the district board on Nov. 14.
The time has come for making strong decisions to support Ukraine, Verkhovna Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk has said Friday.

"I met with the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma. [...] The main point of focus was the security situation in Ukraine, given the constant combined attacks from Russia and Russia's cooperation with Iran and North Korea. I believe that now is the time to make strong decisions regarding support for Ukraine," he said on Facebook.

According to Stefanchuk, strong decisions include inviting Ukraine to NATO, providing long-range weapons and lifting restrictions on their use, as well as strengthening the air defense system.

"And what is very important  the acceleration of the announced military aid to Ukraine," he said.

The Verkhovna Rada Chairman also said that during the meeting he noted the importance for Ukraine of bipartisan and bicameral support of the U.S. Congress, as well as the strategic leadership of the United States in providing Ukraine with assistance in the military, economic, humanitarian and political spheres.

Stefanchuk thanked Verma for the U.S. work with partners, particularly the G7 countries, and described the decision to provide Ukraine with $50 billion from frozen Russian assets as historic.

"I separately noted the U.S. contribution to the creation of an international compensation mechanism that will make it possible to compensate for the damage caused to Ukraine by Russian aggression," he said.
MYRTLE BEACH  The FBI arrested a Myrtle Beach man Nov. 15 after authorities say he threatened to a kill a New York reporter and blow up her house.

Austin Suman, 35, is charged with threatening interstate communications, willfully making a threat involving explosives and interstate stalking, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District of New York.

Suman was arrested in Myrtle Beach and will be taken to New York to appear in federal court.

"The charges against the defendant demonstrate our resolve to work at lightning speed to neutralize threats against the press  which serves a vital role in our democracy," U.S. District Attorney Damian Williams said in the release. "To any individual who dares to cross the line and make hate-based threats against members of our press: you will be found, and you will be held accountable for your actions."

Suman made the threats Nov. 8 in a series of Facebook messages to a reporter based in Orange County, N.Y., according to a federal complaint. Using Facebook Messenger, Suman wrote to the reporter's professional account calling her ethnic and sexist slurs. His comments included "dumb Mexican I will end you" and "I can blow your house off (its) foundation tread lightly," according to the complaint.

The threats appear to stem from the reporter's coverage of Suman's arrest in 2019, according to the complaint. In that case, he was accused of threatening a former roommate with a gun and his guns were seized. In his message to the reporter, Suman wrote that all his firearms had been returned.

"I have more guns than ever," including "ful(ly) auto(matic)" weapons, Suman wrote, according to the complaint.
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COLUMBIA  It was a triumphant Statehouse return for House Speaker Murrell Smith and his leadership team for freshman orientation on Nov. 14.

The House Republican Caucus not only defended its two-thirds majority in the lower chamber this past Election Day but added on to it. Meanwhile, the state Senate will come into the 2025 legislative session with its first veto-proof supermajority in more than a century, handing the GOP broad leeway to decide the course of South Carolina's government for the next two years.

The question now is what they plan to do with their majorities, particularly after many major points of the Republican agenda have been implemented.

The permitless carry of handguns  a long-sought conservative priority  was enacted into law last year. The state is in the midst of a multiyear reduction in income tax rates. Abortions are now banned after six weeks of pregnancy, while legislative leadership has shown little willingness to move any further.

Even priority items are likely to have little drama attached to them: The public funding of private schools, while invalidated by a state Supreme Court decision this year, still easily passed the Legislature last session and is likely to speed through in the 2025 session as well.

But there's still much more to be done, Republican leadership insists.

On Thursday, the House Republican Caucus announced a six-point policy agenda named the "Pillars of Success" and which outline the party's main priorities for the coming session.

Included on the list are even steeper income tax cuts, reductions on property taxes for small-business owners, more regulatory cuts, elevated infrastructure and economic-development spending and increased teacher pay, along with other priorities like funding recovery efforts related to Tropical Storm Helene.
Those who spoke to The Post and Courier said it took a while before authorities took the case seriously, in part because it unfolded across a number of jurisdictions, and individual cases could be written off as business disputes. Plus, the stigma of coming forward as a business owner and admitting to being swindled meant some were slow to do so.

Couple tries to start a business, becomes Wallace's clients

Andrea Salcido described her experience as "very lonely."

Salcido and her boyfriend each had a bout of unemployment from layoffs in a short span and decided to start their own business so they couldn't lose their jobs from some future corporate whim.

They considered selling T-shirts to build capital for the endeavor. Wallace had sold T-shirts out of his car, Salcido said, so her boyfriend approached him to see how they could do something similar.

The resulting conversation led them to become clients of YMA Financial's credit services. She said Wallace had them pay down one credit card with another, then challenge the now-paid-off debt with consumer reporting agencies to get a lower score before the charges on the next card could make their credit report.

"It was a shell game with hiding debt," she said.

As part of this, $20,000 moved from her boyfriend's personal card into an account Wallace controlled with the promise to move the money back, Salcido recalled. She said it was billed as a way to make it look like they were making credit card payments.

But the money didn't go back into her boyfriend's account, she said.

"He proceeded to give us a thousand excuses as to why he couldn't pay us back," Salcido said.

Among the excuses was with it being the holidays, YMA Cares, a nonprofit he started, had toy drives to worry about.

"It was already a stressful situation. ... (This) made everything worse," she said.

Eventually, Salcido challenged the $20,000 charge with the bank  not as fraud, which she said would have resulted in her getting stuck with the bill, but as goods and services not being received.
Constructive interaction has developed between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, the head of the Ukrainian state believes that under the Trump administration, the war could end faster.

"He [Trump] heard the basis on which we stand. I have not heard anything against our position," Zelenskyy said during an interview with Suspilne on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Ukrainian Radio.

At the same time, when asked whether Trump had demanded that Ukraine participate in negotiations with Russia, the president replied: "We are an independent country. And during this war, we  both our people and I personally in negotiations with the United States, and with Trump, and with Biden, and with European leaders  proved that the rhetoric of 'sit down and listen' does not work with us."

According to Zelenskyy, under the Trump administration "the war will end faster."

"A just peace is crucial to us, so that there is no feeling that we have lost the best because of the injustice that was imposed on you. The war will end, but there is no exact date. Of course, with the policy of this team, which will now lead the White House, the war will end faster. This is their approach, their promise to their society, and for them this is also critical," Zelenskyy said.
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 15, 2024 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against The Toronto-Dominion Bank ("TD Bank" or the "Company") (NYSE:TD). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether TD Bank and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until December 23, 2024, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired TD Bank securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On October 10, 2024, TD Bank disclosed that it had pleaded guilty and agreed to pay over $3 billion in penalties to resolve investigations by U.S. authorities into violations of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and money laundering. The resolution of the investigations also included an asset cap preventing TD Bank's U.S. subsidiaries from collectively exceeding $434 billion in assets and subjects TD Bank to more stringent approval processes for its products, services, and market rollouts. In a corresponding press release, the U.S. Department of Justice described TD Bank as "the largest bank in U.S. history to plead guilty to Bank Secrecy Act program failures, and the first US bank in history to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering." On this news, TD Bank's stock price fell $4.07 per share, or 6.41%, to close at $59.44 per share on October 10, 2024.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / November 15, 2024 /GMV Minerals Inc. (the "Company" or "GMV") (TSXV:GMV)(OTCQB:GMVMF) is pleased to announce that preliminary results from the four drill holes completed on the Daisy Property are very encouraging with a thickening in the claystone horizons and increasing in the grade towards the south. The southern-most hole, DC24-1 intersected three distinct claystone horizons totaling 48.7 m of lithium enrichment starting 76.2 m down hole.All holes were 5.5-inch RC holes drilled vertically.Drill HoleFrom (m)To (m)Thickness (m)Li (ppm)DC24-176.2109.733.51,085Incl85.3109.724.41,125And164.6170.76.11,170And189.0198.19.11,004DC24-239.645.76.1942And100.6112.812.2773DC24-354.9616.1676DC24-5No significant valuesDC24-4 was not drilled.No significant uranium values were encountered.Ian Klassen President states "We are very pleased with the results showing a thickening and increasing grade to the south on our 100% controlled Daisy Creek Property. The 48.7 m of total claystone in DC24-1 with values >1,000 ppm is economically interesting, and the grades are increasing towards the deeper parts of the basin. These values well exceed the cut-off grade for most claystone projects in Nevada and similar to some that have been taken to feasibility studies in the Clayton Valley (see table below). Claystones typically have an SG of 1.7 gm/cc such that each cubic meter contains 1.7 tonnes of rock. Drill holes DC24-1, 2, and 3 are separated by 300 to 1,000 m meaning substantial tonnages can be inferred quickly from each drill hole." CompanyProjectTonnes (millions)ppm LiAmerican LithiumTLC Project2052809Pan American EnergyHorizon Li2,800669Spearmint ResourcesMcGee470830Noram LithiumZeus586957RC samples were collected into premarked bags from 10' runs, collected and dried before transporting them to the independent certified ALS Global's laboratory in Elko Nevada. They were further dried, crushed and pulverized using CRU-31, SPL-21 and PUL-31 procedures. The pulps were then shipped to ALS Global's laboratory in North Vancouver and were processed using ME-MS41 aqua regia digestion and mass spectrometry analysis. Six Certified Reference Standards, CDN-Li1, were submitted, checked in re-runs with internal laboratory standards together with selected samples and returned acceptable results.Figure 1. The image shows lithium and magnesium analyses down hole (meters) for the four drill holes completed, schematically distributed from the basin margin on the left to towards the deeper basin on the right.Dr. D.R. Webb, Ph.D., P.Geo., P.Eng. is the Q.P. for this release within the meaning of NI 43-101 and has reviewed the technical content of this release and has approved its content.About GMV Minerals Inc.GMV Minerals Inc. is a publicly traded exploration company focused on developing precious metal assets in Arizona. GMV, through its 100% owned subsidiary, has a 100% interest in a Mining Property Lease commonly referred to as the Mexican Hat Property, located in Cochise County, Arizona, USA. The project was initially explored by Placer Dome (USA) in the late 1980's to early 1990's. GMV is focused on developing the asset and realizing the full mineral potential of the property through near term gold production. The Company's NI 43-101 resource estimate (Inferred) is 36,733,000 tonnes grading 0.58 g/t gold at a 0.2 g/t cut-off, containing 688,000 ounces of gold. In 2023, GMV acquired a total of 165 lode claims covering 3,408 acres in Lander County, Nevada where it is exploring highly prospective claims for lithium.ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS___Ian Klassen, PresidentFor further information please contact:GMV Minerals Inc.Ian KlassenTel: (604) 899-0106Email:Klassen@ gmvminerals.com Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking InformationThis news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties as described in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.SOURCE: GMV Minerals, Inc.
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 15, 2024 / Saint Xavier University (SXU)recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of students. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to SXU.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On July 21, 2023, SXU became aware of a security incident on its IT Network. As a result, SXU launched an investigation with the assistance of cybersecurity experts to determine the nature of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party gained access to certain files of SXU between June 29, 2023, and July 18, 2023. As a result, SXU did a comprehensive review of the incident to identify the exact type of information involved and the details of individuals affected. On August 26, 2024, the review was completed, and it was confirmed that sensitive personal information of individuals was impacted.SXU's investigation discovered that the following types of sensitive personal information may have been exposed in the data breach: Full name, Social Security number, and financial account number.On October 30, 2024, SXU issued a public disclosure about the data breach and started sending notice letters to individuals impacted. Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY AM I ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from SXU Family Medicine, you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 14, 2024 / Levi & Korsinsky notifies investors that it has commenced an investigation of Franklin Resources, Inc. ("Franklin Resources, Inc.") (NYSE:BEN) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws.Franklin subsidiary Western Asset Management Company issued a press release on August 21, 2024, announcing that co-Chief Investment Officer Ken Leech "is on a leave of absence, effective immediately" after "receiv[ing] a Wells Notice from the Staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission". That same day, Bloomberg reported that "[f]ederal prosecutors in New York are investigating whether a Western Asset Management executive allocated winning trades to favored accounts, as part of a criminal probe into a practice known as  cherry-picking.'" Following this news, Franklin's stock price fell over 12% on August 21, 2024. To obtain additional information, go to:or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. either via email at jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com or by telephone at (212)363-7500.WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, Levi & Korsinsky LLP has established itself as a nationally-recognized securities litigation firm that has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. The firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212)363-7500 Fax: (212)363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 15, 2024 / Health & Palliative Services of the Treasure Coast, Inc. ("Treasure Health") recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of students. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to Treasure Health.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On February 27, 2024, Treasure Health became aware of a security incident on its IT Network. As a result, Treasure Health launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cyber security experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. Treasure Health completed its nvestigationon April 15, 2024. The investigation confirmed that individuals sensitive personal and protected health information was compromised as a result of the data breach.On July 17, 2024, Treasure Health completed a review of the impacted data.Treasure Health's investigation discovered that the following types of sensitive personal information may have been exposed in the data breach: Full name, mailing address, medical information, and insurance information.On November 7, 2024, Treasure Health issued a public disclosure about the data breach and started sending notice letters to impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY AM I ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Treasure Health you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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In a world of magic and resilience, co-authors Leanne Staback and Sloane Kennedy unveil a gripping tale to raise awareness and inspire action against human trafficking.HENDERSON, NV / ACCESSWIRE / November 14, 2024 / Page Turner Books, Inc. is pleased to announce the Black Friday (11/29/2024) release of Andarta, the first installment in The Ascending Veil, an epic new fantasy series by co-authors Leanne Staback and Sloane Kennedy. Set in a richly imagined world of mystique and magic, Andarta follows its heroine on a transformative journey through betrayal, survival, and awakening-mirroring the resilience and fight for freedom of human trafficking survivors in the real world.Staback and Kennedy, both passionate advocates for social justice, created The Ascending Veil series not only to captivate readers with immersive storytelling but also to raise awareness about human trafficking, a global crisis affecting millions. By weaving together fantasy elements with the stark reality of exploitation, they aim to bring this issue to the forefront in a unique, accessible way. The novel invites readers to journey through an epic saga that resonates far beyond its pages, evoking empathy and calling readers to action."As writers, we wanted to give a voice to the unheard, the unseen," explains co-author Leanne Staback. "With Andarta, we're introducing readers to a world of fiction, but one that sheds light on a very real and urgent problem." Sloane Kennedy adds, "Through this series, we hope to inspire readers to learn more about trafficking, to support survivors, and to take steps-however small-toward ending this form of modern slavery." Andarta and Real-World ImpactIn addition to their creative endeavors, Staback and Kennedy are committed to supporting trafficking survivors directly. They've secured a dedicated hotline number, 1-567-ANDARTA, which redirects to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. They are working with local authorities and politicians to make this easy-to-remember number widely visible in public places, like restroom stalls and transit centers, so those in need can more easily access help.The novel's themes of survival, hope, and the power of community are complemented by actionable resources. In their promotional materials and author appearances, Staback and Kennedy will share information on recognizing signs of trafficking, ways to report suspected trafficking, and how communities can support survivors.Early Praise for AndartaAdvance readers have praised Andarta for its compelling characters, suspenseful plot, and deeply emotional storytelling. Andarta is already sparking conversations, with readers calling it "a powerful reminder of resilience" and "a blend of fantasy and purpose that will resonate with anyone who believes in the power of stories to change lives." About the AuthorsLeanne Staback and Sloane Kennedy are a dynamic writing duo dedicated to using fiction as a vehicle for social change. Both authors bring years of writing experience, a commitment to advocacy, and a belief that stories can foster understanding and inspire action. Through The Ascending Veil, they hope to provide readers with an unforgettable fantasy series that also serves as a call to help combat human trafficking.Andarta - The Ascending Veil, Book 1 will be available November 29, 2024 (Black Friday) in print, eBook, and audiobook formats at the publisher's website ( www.ptbooksinc.com) and major online retailers. To celebrate the release of this series, designed to improve the lives of millions around the world, Staback and Kennedy invite readers to join them for autographed copies and pictures with the authors at Vie Sauvage Couture in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada. Signing times are: 9am - 12pm; 2pm - 5pm; and 7pm - 9pm. The authors will be wearing their exclusively designed heroine costumes, created by Levi Sagi of Vie Sauvage Couture.The graphic novel version of "Andarta - The Ascending Veil, Book 1" is expected to be released by the summer of 2025".About Page Turner Books, Inc.Page Turner Books, Inc., based in Henderson, Nevada, is a dynamic publishing company dedicated to bringing compelling stories to life. Founded with a mission to discover unique voices and deliver high-quality, engaging content across a variety of genres, Page Turner Books specializes in both print and digital publishing. Known for its commitment to innovative storytelling and nurturing authors, Page Turner Books, Inc. connects readers with unforgettable stories that spark imagination and inspire thought.For interview requests, review copies, or additional information, please contact: Leanne Staback leanne.staback@ptbooksinc.com (970) 833-0006A traditional book publisher based in Henderson, Nevada.SOURCE: Page Turner Books, Inc.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua

The situation on the front line remains difficult, a total of 109 combat clashes were recorded since the beginning of the day as of 4 p.m. on Friday, most of all on the Kurakhove and Pokrovsk axes, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) has said on Facebook.

"In the Pokrovsk axis, since the beginning of the day, the occupiers made 23 attempts to push our defenders from their positions. [] Defense forces are holding back the pressure and repelled 17 enemy attacks, six combat clashes are still ongoing. On the Kurakhove axis, the invaders attacked 26 times. [...] Ten attempts of the occupiers to advance have already been repulsed. Also, the enemy launched an air strike on Kurakhove, dropping two aerial bombs," it said.

On the Kharkiv axis, there is a battle in the area of Vysoka Yaruha and three in the area of Vovchansk. On the Kupyansk axis, the enemy stormed the positions of Ukrainian units five times, four combat clashes continue.

With the support of bomber aviation, the occupation army made nine attacks on the Lyman axis, the fighting continues. The invaders dropped guided bombs on Yampolivka, Terny, Lyman and Torske.

On the Siversk axis, units of the Defense Forces repelled an enemy attack near Verkhniokamyanske. Siversk and Riznykivka were hit by enemy aircraft. On the Toretsk axis, there were eight enemy attacks near Toretsk and Scherbynivka, six of them were repulsed, the fighting continues, the enemy is also actively using bombing aircraft against Toretsk.

On the Vremiv axis, there are four combat clashes, the enemy dropped five guided bombs on Velyk Novosilka.

On the Orikhiv axis, the occupation forces shelled the territory controlled by the Ukrainian government, targeting civilian infrastructure and settlements.

The enemy tried to storm the Ukrainian defenders on the Prydniprovsky axis five times.

On the Kursk axis, enemy aviation and artillery continue to strike Russia's own territory. Ukrainian military have repelled ten enemy attacks since the beginning of the day, now fighting continues in eleven locations.
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 15, 2024 / Patelco Credit Union ("Patelco") recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of more than 1 million customers. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to Patelco.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On June 29, 2024, Patelco became aware of a security incident on its IT Network. As a result, Patelco launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cyber security experts to determine the nature of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized party gained access to its network on May 23, 2024, which led to accessing the databases on June 29, 2024. Patelco then launched a comprehensive review of the incident to determine the exact type of information involved and identify the individuals impacted in the data breach. On August 14, 2024, it was confirmed that the accessed data contained personal information of the customers.Patelco's investigation discovered that the following types of sensitive personal information may have been exposed in the data breach: full name, Social Security number, driver's license number, date of birth, and email address. On August 20, 2024, Patelco issued a public disclosure about the data breach and started sending notice letters to impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY AM I ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter fromPatelcoyou are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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Sagi Ben of Green City Pros Shares Top 10 Mistakes Made During Drain Line CleaningHOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / November 14, 2024 / Drain line cleaning is a crucial aspect of home maintenance, yet many homeowners and even some professionals frequently make errors that can lead to costly and long-term damage. Sagi Ben, the founder of Green City Pros, a leading HVAC company serving Texas, explains the top ten mistakes made during drain line cleaning and emphasizes the importance of engaging reputable service providers to avoid these pitfalls.1. Using Liquid Drain Cleaners on "Mission" Style Couplings According to Sagi Ben, using harsh liquid drain cleaners on "mission" style couplings can degrade the material and cause leaks over time. "These types of couplings are designed to flex and move, and harsh chemicals compromise their integrity," Sagi Ben notes. A professional team will use safer, mechanical methods for cleaning.2. Incorrectly Using 90-Degree Vent Elbows "90-degree vent elbows are often misused in drain line installations," Sagi Ben adds. These fittings can restrict water flow and lead to clogs. Using the appropriate vent fittings is essential to ensure a smooth and efficient system.3. Installing Piercing Saddle Valves Ben warns against using piercing saddle valves, which can cause leaks and are not code-compliant in many areas. "Homeowners may think these valves are a quick solution, but they create more problems down the line," he explains.4. Not Knowing When to Use Each Type of Fitting "Using the wrong type of fitting can disrupt the flow and lead to system failure," Sagi Ben emphasizes. It's crucial to understand which fittings work best for various drain line applications. Green City Pros has experienced technicians who can ensure fittings are correctly matched and installed.5. Using Thread Tape on Compression or Flare Fittings Another common mistake is using thread tape on compression or flare fittings. "Thread tape can prevent proper sealing and create leaks," Ben notes. Compression and flare fittings are designed to seal without additional tape.6. Not Removing Clogs Entirely Partial clog removal may seem effective initially, but it leads to recurring issues. "If you don't clear the entire obstruction, you're only delaying the inevitable," Sagi Ben says. Thorough cleaning is essential to avoid future blockages.7. Using Drain Cleaners That Are Ineffective or Harsh Many over-the-counter drain cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can damage pipes and couplings. "These products may offer a temporary fix, but they often do more harm than good," Ben adds. Green City Pros recommends eco-friendly alternatives to maintain pipe integrity.8. Not Addressing the Root Cause of the Clog Sagi Ben explains that treating the symptoms of a clog without addressing the underlying cause is a common mistake. "For example, tree root intrusion may require more than simple cleaning," he says. A comprehensive evaluation can identify and fix the root issue.9. Not Following Proper Safety Protocols Drain cleaning involves hazardous materials, and neglecting safety measures can be dangerous. "It's not just about protecting the pipes but also the person doing the work," Ben emphasizes. Professionals use protective gear and follow safety protocols to ensure safe and efficient service.10. Not Checking and Maintaining Drain Lines Regularly Finally, Sagi Ben points out that neglecting regular maintenance is a costly oversight. "Drain lines need periodic checks to prevent buildup and clogs," he says. Green City Pros offers maintenance plans to help homeowners keep their systems in top condition.Why Choose Green City Pros?Sagi Ben highlights the importance of hiring a reputable HVAC company like Green City Pros to handle drain line issues. "Our team is trained to use the right techniques and equipment, ensuring the problem is resolved without causing further damage," Ben adds. Green City Pros prides itself on providing sustainable and effective solutions that prioritize both the home and the environment.Founded in 1998 by Sagi Ben, Green City Pros has served over 50,000 satisfied clients. The company's commitment to excellence and community involvement is evident in its 100% veteran-staffed workforce and eco-friendly practices. Whether it's drain line cleaning or HVAC maintenance, Green City Pros delivers reliable, high-quality service.CONTACT: https://greencitypros.com/https://greencitypros.com/contact/ PHONE: +1 (832) 829-6152SOURCE: Green City Pros
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 14, 2024 / Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Winnebago Industries, Inc. ("Winnebago" or the "Company") (NYSE:WGO). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.The investigation concerns whether Winnebago and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.[Click here for information about joining the class action]On September 23, 2024, Hunterbrook Media ("Hunterbrook") published a report entitled "'Grand Deception' - Winnebago Muzzles Outcry Over Major Problem That Owners Say Makes RVs Dangerous, Untowable, Worthless". The Hunterbrook report alleged that "Winnebago's best-selling Grand Design RVs (~35% of total revenue according to Hunterbrook's analysis) appear to be experiencing widespread frame failure, potentially affecting thousands of units sold for more than a billion dollars" and that "[t]his defect has led to costly damage and potential safety hazards and rendered some RVs unroadworthy." Following publication of the Hunterbrook report, Winnebago's stock price fell $1.35 per share, or 2.28%, to close at $57.76 per share on September 23, 2024.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
Wild animals thrive in Qilian Mountains, NW China's Qinghai

People's Daily Online) 13:53, November 15, 2024

Photo shows a saker falcon, a wild animal species under first-class state protection in China, in Yeniugou township, Qilian county, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (People's Daily/He Yong)

In winter, Yeniugou township in Qilian county, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province offers a tranquil and serene sight of the snow-covered Qilian Mountains. The alpine grasslands and meadows, tinged with golden hues, stand out against the white snow. Tibetan foxes and Tibetan gazelles play in the snow, while upland buzzards and saker falcons soar in the sky, bringing life and energy to the high mountain grasslands.

Yeniugou township is known for its diverse natural landscapes and rich wildlife resources, including rare species such as snow leopards, brown bears, wild yaks, and Tibetan gazelles. The area has become a hub of biodiversity in the Qilian Mountains. In recent years, the population of wild animals in the Qilian Mountains has been on the rise thanks to the improved ecological environment.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
On Friday, Pechersky District Court of Kyiv chose a measure of restraint in the form of uncontested arrest for 60 days for MP of Ukraine Yevhen Shevchenko, suspected of treason, the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) said.

The court made this decision, thus satisfying the petition of the prosecutor's office.

The MP is suspected of committing treason under Part 1 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The sanction of the article provides for punishment in the form of up to 15 years of imprisonment with seizure of property.

Earlier, the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) notified about the suspicion of the MP of treason. It was noted that he discredited the current government, distorting facts and events in the country, publicly called for changing the borders of the territory and state border of Ukraine.

The investigation also established contacts between the MP and representatives of the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus. He repeatedly visited this country, where he met with representatives of business and political structures and even with the self-proclaimed president. Referring to this meeting, the MP spread the idea of the absence of a threat of attack by Russian troops from the territory of Belarus, etc.

As a source told Interfax-Ukraine, the MP in question was Yevhen Shevchenko.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has published its first Voluntary Report in the international humanitarian law (IHL), which reflects the implemented system and unique experience of implementing, applying and disseminating knowledge of IHL, the department said on its website on Friday.

The document is about the withdrawal of civilians from enemy shelling using unmanned aerial vehicles, the delivery of humanitarian aid to children by drone, the precise destruction of enemy military targets at different distances, the study of IHL norms on television and on the phone, etc.

The report is addressed to representatives of government bodies, international organizations, the academic community both in Ukraine and abroad.

The UK Interdepartmental Commission on IHL played an important role in the preparation of the Voluntary Report of the Ministry of Defence. Head of the UK Interdepartmental Commission on IHL Andrew Murdoch said such efforts provide Ukraine with additional tools for developing dialogue with other states and societies, demonstrating what exactly the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine is doing in the field of IHL.

The document was first presented to the international community at the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in Geneva. This conference is the largest humanitarian platform, which is held every four years.

"Thus, 125 pages, 50 practical examples in six sections  this is about consistency and practice. This is our legal way of demonstrating to partners the reliability of Ukraine in the use of transferred weapons and military equipment. This is a call for more decisive actions and political decisions on the provision of international military assistance to fight for common values," Deputy Head of the International Law Department of the Legal Support Department of the Defence Ministry, Lieutenant Colonel of Justice Inna Zavorotko said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. YARAT Contemporary Art Space rolled out the red carpet for the exhibition "Beyond Utility," featuring Azerbaijani artist Aida Mahmudova, alongside a one-day symposium titled Art and Climate Change as part of the COP29 events from November 11 through 13, 2024, Trend reports.

Beyond Utility is a tapestry woven from the threads of Aida Mahmudova's artistic explorations and profound inquiries into the rich tapestry of Azerbaijan's cultural legacy. Like a painter capturing the whispers of the wind and the dance of the leaves, the artist weaves the enchanting tapestry of nature's grandeurits breathtaking vistas, vibrant creatures, and ever-changing skiesinto her creations. In the tapestry of recent years, she has woven her creations from the threads of nature, each piece a symphony of textures and a dance of unique compositions.

In crafting her exhibition, Aida Mahmudova didn't just stick to her guns in the studio. She joined forces with local artisans to put a modern spin on the age-old traditions of Azerbaijani art. Her 2024 ceramic series, titled Beyond Utility," dives deep into the material and narrative, stitching together a poetic bridge between tradition and modernity by giving classic clay vessels a fresh spin. Inspired by her photo archive of Azerbaijani landscapes, Mahmudova employs decal techniques to illustrate personal stories and memories throughout the series.

The Art and Climate Change Symposium was all about painting the town green, keeping the planet in tip-top shape, and laying the groundwork for a brighter tomorrow. This one-of-a-kind event was brought to life by the creative spark of Aida Mahmudova. The speakers at the symposium, which featured panel sessions on four topics, were brought in from all corners of the globe.

The subject of Panel 1: Programming Eco Agendas in Cultural Institutions

Speakers: Will Glendinning (Saudi Arabia), ElmurodNajimov (Uzbekistan), Jamila Nurkalieva (Kazakhstan)

Moderator: Zahra Mammadova

The subject of Panel 2: Sustainability and the Art Market

Speakers: Leila Heller (New York/Dubai), Aleksei Afanasiev (UAE), Meagan Horsman (UAE)

Moderator: Mila Askarova (Founding Director of Gazelli Art House, Azerbaijan/UK)

The subject of Panel 3: Keynote Presentation on the Post-Socialist Anthropocene in the Visual Arts

Speaker: Reuben Fowkes (UK)

The subject of Panel 4: Presentation of the Special Issue of Vision Art Platform Magazine

Speaker: Firat Arapoglu (Istanbul, Turkiye)

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NEW YORK, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On November 14, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) held its 19th annual Double Helix Medals dinner (DHMD) at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. The event, emceed by CBS journalist Lesley Stahl, honored Alisa and Daniel Doctoroff and 2023 Nobel laureate Dr. Katalin Kariko. With the support of the event chairs and donors, the gala raised $7 million for biology research and education at CSHL.

Front row (left to right): 2024 Double Helix Medals honorees Dr. Katalin Kariko, Daniel Doctoroff, and Alisa Doctoroff. Back row (left to right): Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Chair Marilyn Simons, President & CEO Bruce Stillman, and Grace Stillman. Image: Patrick McMullan Company

Alisa and Daniel Doctoroff are leaders of Target ALS, an innovative nonprofit that has sparked dramatic progress in research on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Before being diagnosed with this neurodegenerative disease, Mr. Doctoroff served as New York City Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Rebuilding and as CEO and president of Bloomberg L.P. He is the founder and board chair of Target ALS.

"My goal for Target ALS is our mission statement, 'Everyone lives.' We are in sight of that goal," says Mr. Doctoroff. "We can see the day coming, and there are smaller goals that will get us there," adds Mrs. Doctoroff. "We are, one by one, achieving and attacking those goals and getting to the point where everyone lives with ALS."

Dr. Katalin Kariko is a winner of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and a professor at the University of Szeged in Hungary. Her revolutionary biomedical advancements at the University of Pennsylvania and later at the pharmaceutical company BioNTech created the blueprint for mRNA vaccines, saving millions of lives. Despite this success, she remains humble as ever.

"Getting a Nobel Prize, I realized that attention is on the science and the scientist," Dr. Kariko says. "I receive a lot of awards, but every time, I emphasize that a lot of scientists contributed. I want to be remembered as an honest, cheerful, happy scientist. That's it."

The 2024 DHMD was chaired by Dr. Neri Oxman and Mr. William Ackman, Ms. Jamie Nicholls and Mr. O. Francis Biondi, Mr. and Mrs. David Boies, Dr. Albert Bourla and Pfizer, Inc., Ms. Barbara Amonson and Dr. Vincent Della Pietra, Drs. Pamela Hurst-Della Pietra and Stephen Della Pietra, Mr. and Mrs. John Desmarais, Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey E. Kelter, Dr. and Mrs. Tomislav Kundic, Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Lindsay, Ms. Ivana Stolnik-Lourie and Dr. Robert Lourie, Dr. Marcia Kramer Mayer, Dr. and Mrs. Howard L. Morgan, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Secunda, Dr. Marilyn H. Simons, and Mr. and Mrs. Paul J. Taubman.

Since 2006, the DHMD has raised over $67 million to support CSHL's research and education programs.

About Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

Founded in 1890, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has shaped contemporary biomedical research and education with programs in cancer, neuroscience, plant biology and quantitative biology. Home to eight Nobel Prize winners, the private, not-for-profit Laboratory employs 1,000 people including 600 scientists, students and technicians. For more information, visit www.cshl.edu

SOURCE Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
DENVER, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- With just one week left before the annual Denver Feed-A-Family event in honor of Daddy Bruce Randolph, the Epworth Foundation faces a critical shortfall in funding. To meet its ambitious goal of providing 7,500 Thanksgiving meal baskets, the organization needs to raise $400,000 but is far short of its goal. This significant gap puts thousands of families at risk of going without a meal this holiday season.

This year's theme, "One Community, One Family," embodies the foundation's mission to bring nourishment and unity to those most in need. However, with funding levels far below what's necessary, the Epworth Foundation urgently appeals to the community for help.

"We are at a crossroads," said Xiomara Yanique, Program Director at the Epworth Foundation. "Without immediate support, we risk leaving many families without a Thanksgiving meal this year. Every dollar counts, and time is running out."

The average cost of a meal basket is $55, which includes everything needed for a family meal serving 4-5 people. With current funding, the organization will be able to serve fewer than 1,000 families. The Epworth Foundation calls on local businesses, philanthropists, and community members to step in and help bridge this critical gap. Donations of any size are urgently needed and can be made directly on the foundation's website.

A Call for Unity from Denver's Mayor

Denver's Mayor, Mike Johnston, expressed his concern and support for the initiative: "The Denver Feed-A-Family event has been a vital source of hope and comfort for our city's most vulnerable families. I urge everyone to contribute. Together, we can ensure no family goes without a meal this Thanksgiving."

How You Can Help

Donate Today: Visit www.epworthfoundation.org to make a contribution. You can sponsor one or more meal baskets or give any amount to help cover the cost of these essential meal kits.





Visit www.epworthfoundation.org to make a contribution. You can sponsor one or more meal baskets or give any amount to help cover the cost of these essential meal kits. Participate in Giving Tuesday: Join our community effort to honor Daddy Bruce Randolph's legacy by supporting the cost of meal baskets for families in need.





Join our community effort to honor Daddy Bruce Randolph's legacy by supporting the cost of meal baskets for families in need. Volunteer: There are still opportunities to lend a hand on distribution day, November 23rd .

For more information or to donate, please visit www.epworthfoundation.org.

Contact for Media:

Jackie Perry

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 904.866.3828

SOURCE The Epworth Foundation
Recognized by Chicago Tribune as a Top Workplace for five consecutive years

ROSEMONT, Ill., Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) is proud to announce that it has been recognized as one of the Chicago Tribune's Top Workplaces for the fifth consecutive year. This prestigious accolade underscores the AAOS' commitment to fostering a positive work environment and employee engagement.

Employee Feedback Drives Workplace Recognition

The Top Workplaces awards are based on employee feedback gathered through an anonymous survey, measuring various aspects of workplace culture, including company values, leadership, and employee satisfaction. This year, AAOS is recognized for its collaborative atmosphere, dedication to professional development and unwavering support for work-life balance.

"We are honored to receive this award for the fifth year in a row," said AAOS Chief Executive Officer Thomas E. Arend, Jr., JD., CAE. "Our employees are our greatest assets, and we strive to create a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. This award reflects our commitment to not only advancing orthopaedic care, but also investing in the well-being and development of our team."

AAOS continues to implement innovative programs aimed at enhancing the employee experience, including maintaining flexible work arrangements, offering community-building and give back opportunities, ongoing development opportunities that encourage the use of AI, and initiatives that promote health and wellness. AAOS' leadership believes that a motivated and engaged workforce is crucial to achieving its mission of advancing the orthopaedic profession and improving patient care.

The Chicago Tribune's Top Workplaces award is a testament to AAOS's strong organizational culture and its dedication to being a leading employer in the region.

Commitment to Workplace Culture Spurs Best and Brightest Recognition

In addition to being named a Top Workplace, AAOS picked up two more workplace awards in 2024. The organization was named among the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For both in Chicago and the Nation by the National Association for Business Resources (NABR).

These esteemed recognitions reflect the AAOS' commitment to encouraging a welcoming workplace culture and investing in employee wellness.

The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For program celebrates organizations that demonstrate a commitment to excellence in human resource practices and employee engagement. AAOS has been recognized for its innovative approach to employee benefits, continuous learning opportunities and its supportive work environment, all of which contribute to high levels of employee satisfaction and retention.

"This award is a testament to the dedication of our staff, who make AAOS a truly inspiring place to work. We are excited to continue building a workplace where everyone feels valued and can achieve their full potential," said Laura Abrahams, Chief Human Resources Officer at AAOS. "Our team is passionate about making a positive impact in the field of orthopaedics, and we are committed to providing an environment where staff can thrive both personally and professionally."

Fueling a Culture of Excellence

AAOS values the contributions of its people, who truly make the company a great place to work. The AAOS is continually looking for new talent to join a team of hard-working, innovative, friendly, and fun individuals who care deeply about their work, our members and each other. To learn more about how to join Team AAOS, visit the AAOS Careers Page.

About the AAOS

With more than 39,000 members, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is the world's largest medical association of musculoskeletal specialists. The AAOS is the trusted leader in advancing musculoskeletal health. It provides the highest quality, most comprehensive education to help orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals at every career level best treat patients in their daily practices. The AAOS is the source for information on bone and joint conditions, treatments, and related musculoskeletal health care issues; and it leads the health care discussion on advancing quality.

Follow the AAOS on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

About the Chicago Tribune Top Workplaces

The Chicago Tribune's Top Workplaces recognizes companies that create a positive work environment, based on feedback from employees. This annual award highlights organizations that prioritize their workforce and promote a culture of excellence.

About the National Association for Business Resources (NABR)

The National Association for Business Resources (NABR) provides employers with the resources to cultivate a successful workplace culture. Through its programs, NABR recognizes companies that excel in employee relations, benefits, and work environment.

SOURCE American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Azerbaijan's Prime Minister Ali Asadov has met with the Administrator of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Achim Steiner, a source in the country's Cabinet of Ministers told Trend.

According to the source, the meeting expressed confidence that the ongoing COP29 will play an important role in promoting global initiatives aimed at reducing the impacts of climate change and utilizing green energy.

"The parties discussed long-term effective partnership between Azerbaijan and UNDP, including cooperation in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), joint projects, and issues on the agenda of bilateral cooperation," the source added.

The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) opened on November 11. COP29, which is being held at the Baku Olympic Stadium, will continue until November 22. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

The key expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance.

A total of 14 initiatives have been put forward by the COP29 Chairmanship.

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NEW YORK, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is driving market transformation - The global artificial intelligence (AI) in military market size is estimated to grow by USD 55.2 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 43.61% during the forecast period. Increased government spending on defense due to conflicts is driving market growth, with a trend towards growing integration of ai in space-based systems. However, shortage of ai experts poses a challenge.Key market players include Anduril Industries Inc., BAE Systems Plc, C3.ai Inc, Charles River Analytics Inc., Darktrace Holdings Ltd., General Dynamics Corp., International Business Machines Corp., L3Harris Technologies Inc., Lockheed Martin Corp., Northrop Grumman Corp., NVIDIA Corp., Palantir Technologies Inc., Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., RTX Corp., Rheinmetall AG, Saab AB, Safran SA, Shield AI, SparkCognition Inc., and Thales Group.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global artificial intelligence (AI) in military market 2024-2028

AI-Powered Market Evolution Insights. Our comprehensive market report ready with the latest trends, growth opportunities, and strategic analysis- View Free Sample Report PDF

Forecast period 2024-2028 Base Year 2023 Historic Data 2017 - 2021 Segment Covered Component (Software, Hardware, and Services), Type (New procurement and Upgradation), and Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America) Region Covered North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America Key companies profiled Anduril Industries Inc., BAE Systems Plc, C3.ai Inc, Charles River Analytics Inc., Darktrace Holdings Ltd., General Dynamics Corp., International Business Machines Corp., L3Harris Technologies Inc., Lockheed Martin Corp., Northrop Grumman Corp., NVIDIA Corp., Palantir Technologies Inc., Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., RTX Corp., Rheinmetall AG, Saab AB, Safran SA, Shield AI, SparkCognition Inc., and Thales Group

Key Market Trends Fueling Growth

The military sector is increasingly adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance security and defense strategies in the face of evolving threats and geopolitical tensions. Defense agencies, technology companies, and research institutions are collaborating to develop AI-powered solutions for situational awareness, proactive defense measures, and agile decision-making. Military applications of AI include autonomous vehicles like drones and military laser systems, decision support systems, and operational efficiency improvements. Security concerns surrounding cybercrime, theft, hacking, and data destruction have heightened the need for advanced AI and Machine Learning (ML) technologies. Defense contractors are investing in technological infrastructure, including AI processors, memory, and quantum computing, to stay ahead of adversaries. Ethical considerations and responsible AI practices are crucial as AI programs process military data and encrypted communication. The industry outlook for AI in the military market is promising, with trends in cognitive electronic warfare, threat detection, anomaly detection, and predictive analysis. Hardware segments like memory, AI processors, and quantum computing are essential for next-generation warfare systems. Private companies like Google and Microsoft are developing AI systems for logistics & transportation, simulation & training, and warfare platforms. Despite the benefits, challenges remain, including ethical considerations, protocols and standards, and the integration of AI into existing defense infrastructure. The military industry must work together to ensure the responsible use of AI in warfare systems, cybersecurity, and other applications. In summary, AI is transforming the military sector, offering solutions for security, defense, and operational efficiency. However, ethical considerations, cybersecurity, and integration challenges must be addressed to ensure responsible use and effective implementation.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays a crucial role in military applications, particularly in the context of space exploration. In space missions, AI enhances data processing, analysis, and communication capabilities. Satellite sensors and camera data are analyzed using AI algorithms to detect objects and potential threats. The integration of AI in space-based systems is a significant trend, driven by its advantages in handling vast amounts of data and improving mission efficiency. Both developed and developing countries are increasing their adoption of AI technologies in their space programs due to these benefits. The expansion of space programs and the integration of AI are projected to fuel the growth of the global AI in military market in the coming years.

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Market Challenges

In the military market, artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing defense strategies with advanced solutions for situational awareness, proactive defense measures, and agile decision-making. However, security concerns around AI-powered systems, such as cybercrime, theft, hacking, and data destruction, necessitate responsible AI practices and ethical considerations. Defense agencies, technology companies, and research institutions collaborate to develop next-generation warfare systems, including autonomous vehicles, surveillance drones, and decision support systems. AI and machine learning (ML) are essential components of these systems, enabling threat detection, anomaly detection, and predictive analysis. The hardware segment, including AI processors and memory, plays a crucial role in the development of these advanced systems. Ethical considerations and responsible AI practices are essential to prevent potential misuse of these technologies. Geopolitical tensions and evolving threats require defense forces to invest in technological infrastructure, including quantum computing, encrypted communication, and advanced computing. Private companies like Google and Microsoft are also contributing to the industry outlook with quantum processors and AI programs. The military sector faces challenges in implementing AI systems, including cybersecurity, logistics and transportation, warfare platforms, and information processing. OpenAI and other AI programs are essential for military data analysis, while new procurement and upgrades in cybersecurity and logistics and transportation are necessary for operational efficiency and decision-making accuracy. Military laser systems, autonomous military systems, and defense forces are investing in AI-powered solutions to enhance their capabilities and stay ahead of the curve in the face of international conflicts and protocols and standards. The industry outlook is positive, with continued investment in AI systems, learning and intelligence, and applications across airborne, land, naval, space, and simulation and training.

Many businesses in the military market are eager to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) for advanced capabilities, yet face challenges in doing so. The implementation of AI applications, such as machine learning and deep learning, necessitates significant investments in data sets, infrastructure, and processing power. Additionally, a team of specialized AI experts is required to execute tasks effectively. However, finding and hiring these experts is a competitive process, making it a significant challenge for many companies, particularly smaller ones, to fully capitalize on AI technology. Careful consideration of appropriate use cases and applications is essential before implementing AI at scale to ensure maximum return on investment.

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Segment Overview

This artificial intelligence (ai) in military market report extensively covers market segmentation by

Component

1.1 Software

1.2 Hardware

1.3 Services

Type

2.1 New procurement

2.2 Upgradation

Geography

3.1 North America

3.2 Europe

3.3 APAC

3.4 Middle East and Africa

and 3.5 South America

1.1 Software- The AI software segment is poised for significant growth in the global artificial intelligence in military market. Defense organizations are increasingly adopting AI software solutions to strengthen their IT infrastructure and enhance cybersecurity capabilities. With data privacy regulations becoming stricter, militaries are investing in AI-powered software tools to detect, prevent, and mitigate security breaches and cyber threats. Advanced technologies like machine learning, virtual assistants, and speech/voice recognition are utilized in these software systems. They collect data from connected hardware systems, process it using AI algorithms, and generate intelligent insights to support critical decision-making processes. Leading AI technology providers, such as IBM, are supplying sophisticated software platforms to defense forces to boost operational efficiency and strategic advantages. The growing investments by militaries worldwide in advanced AI software solutions are fueling the segment's growth.

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Research Analysis

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the military sector, bringing advanced capabilities to Defense Forces in Security concerns and Defense strategies. AI applications include Military Laser Systems, Autonomous Military Systems, and Cyber Security. Evolving threats from Cybercrime, Theft, Hacking, and Data destruction necessitate the integration of AI in the Military Industry. Global Military Spending on new procurement and upgrades is driving the adoption of AI in various domains such as Airborne, Land, Naval, Space, and Logistics and Transportation. Protocols and Standards are being established to ensure ethical use and interoperability. Private Companies are collaborating with Defense Forces to leverage AI in Quantum Computing and Learning and Intelligence. However, concerns around Ethics, Accountability, and Transparency persist. International Conflicts and geopolitical tensions fuel the race for advanced AI technologies. AI in Military is a complex and evolving landscape that requires continuous monitoring and adaptation.

Market Research Overview

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the military sector as defense agencies seek AI-powered solutions to address evolving threats and geopolitical tensions. The military industry is investing heavily in AI technologies to enhance situational awareness, proactive defense measures, and agile decision-making. AI applications in the military sector include autonomous vehicles, surveillance drones, decision support systems, and cognitive electronic warfare. These technologies enable operational efficiency, decision-making accuracy, and next-generation warfare systems. However, the integration of AI in the military sector raises security concerns, particularly in relation to cybercrime, theft, hacking, and data destruction. Defense agencies must prioritize ethical considerations and responsible AI practices to mitigate these risks. The hardware segment, including AI processors and memory, plays a crucial role in the development and deployment of AI systems. Technology companies and research institutions are collaborating to advance AI and machine learning (ML) capabilities, including quantum computing and AI programs. Defense contractors are also investing in technological infrastructure, such as encrypted communication and protocols and standards, to ensure the security of military data. The military sector is also exploring AI applications in logistics and transportation, simulation and training, battlefield healthcare, and information processing. New procurement and upgrade initiatives are underway for AI systems, warfare platforms, and autonomous war vehicles and robots across airborne, land, naval, space, and cybersecurity domains. Despite the benefits, the integration of AI in the military sector raises ethical considerations and the need for responsible AI practices. The industry outlook is positive, with continued investment and innovation expected in the coming years.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

Component

Software



Hardware



Services

Type

New Procurement



Upgradation

Geography

North America



Europe



APAC



Middle East And Africa



South America

7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Company Landscape

11 Company Analysis

12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AquaTech Eco Consultants, a leading environmental consulting firm, today announced the successful planting of 80 acres of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) in just eight months. This accomplishment represents a significant step forward in the ongoing collaboration with Ecosphere Restoration Institute, aiming to restore a total of 100 acres of vital aquatic ecosystems across Florida.

Vallisneria americana planted in Silver Glen/Lake George

This project, a testament to AquaTech's dedication to environmental restoration, involved the implementation of innovative techniques and a collaborative approach, partnering with key stakeholders, including Aquaticus Plants, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Martin County, and others. This collective effort has resulted in a significant positive impact on Florida's aquatic ecosystems.

The restoration initiative focused on areas impacted by environmental stressors such as pollution, coastal development, and the effects of climate change. These factors have led to a decline in SAV coverage, which plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of aquatic ecosystems. SAV provides numerous benefits, including:

Habitat Creation: Serving as essential breeding and nursery grounds for various fish and invertebrate species, supporting a thriving ecosystem.

Serving as essential breeding and nursery grounds for various fish and invertebrate species, supporting a thriving ecosystem. Water Quality Improvement: Filtering excess nutrients and sediment from the water column, leading to clearer water and improved overall water quality.

Filtering excess nutrients and sediment from the water column, leading to clearer water and improved overall water quality. Shoreline Protection: Reducing erosion by acting as a natural buffer against wave action and currents, safeguarding coastal areas.

AquaTech's success in achieving this milestone ahead of schedule can be attributed to several key factors:

Advanced Planting Techniques: Employing cutting-edge methodologies, including drone-assisted benthic surveys to map and assess the restoration sites, ensuring efficient and effective planting strategies.

Employing cutting-edge methodologies, including drone-assisted benthic surveys to map and assess the restoration sites, ensuring efficient and effective planting strategies. High-Quality Plant Material: Sourcing robust SAV species like Vallisneria, Halodule, and Thalassia from Aquaticus Plants, a renowned provider of top-tier aquatic vegetation, maximizing survival rates and promoting healthy growth.

Sourcing robust SAV species like Vallisneria, Halodule, and Thalassia from Aquaticus Plants, a renowned provider of top-tier aquatic vegetation, maximizing survival rates and promoting healthy growth. Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating closely with organizations such as FWC, Martin County , and other stakeholders to leverage their expertise and resources, fostering a comprehensive approach to the restoration process.

"We are immensely proud of what we've accomplished here," said Beau Williams, CEO of AquaTech Eco Consultants. "The 80 acres restored are just the beginning. Florida's waters are one of its most precious resources, and we're committed to continuing this work to ensure they remain vibrant and healthy for generations to come."

The positive ecological impact of this project extends beyond the immediate restoration area. By revitalizing these aquatic habitats, the initiative contributes to:

Enhanced Biodiversity: Providing suitable habitat for a wider variety of plant and animal species, supporting a richer and more resilient ecosystem.

Providing suitable habitat for a wider variety of plant and animal species, supporting a richer and more resilient ecosystem. Improved Water Clarity: Leading to increased light penetration, benefiting other aquatic plants and enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the waterways.

Leading to increased light penetration, benefiting other aquatic plants and enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the waterways. Increased Recreational Opportunities: Creating healthier aquatic environments that support recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing, benefiting local communities.

AquaTech Eco Consultants remains committed to its mission of providing innovative and sustainable environmental solutions. The company's dedication to restoring Florida's valuable aquatic ecosystems is evident in the successful execution of this large-scale SAV planting project.

For more information about AquaTech Eco Consultants and its environmental restoration initiatives, please visit www.AquaTechEco.com, or follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.

About AquaTech Eco Consultants

AquaTech Eco Consultants is a leader in aquatic ecosystem restoration, providing cutting-edge solutions for sustainable water management, habitat restoration, and marine conservation. With a focus on innovative technology and research-driven strategies, AquaTech aims to restore, protect, and enhance aquatic environments across the globe.

About Aquaticus Plants

Aquaticus Plants specializes in the cultivation of high-quality submerged aquatic vegetation for restoration and conservation projects. Their mission is to provide the healthiest, most resilient plant stock for projects that aim to improve water quality, support wildlife, and restore aquatic ecosystems.

SOURCE AquaTech Eco Consultants
NEW YORK, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is redefining market landscape - The global biosimilars market size is estimated to grow by USD 54.35 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of almost 23.63% during the forecast period. Price advantage of biosimilars over biologics is driving market growth, with a trend towards patients and physician's willingness to switch to biosimilars. However, market access barriers for biosimilars poses a challenge.Key market players include AbbVie Inc., Amgen Inc., Biocon Ltd., Biogen Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Celltrion Healthcare Co. Ltd., Dr Reddys Laboratories Ltd., F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd., Fresenius SE and Co. KGaA, Gedeon Richter Plc, Halozyme Therapeutics Inc., Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Mabion S.A., Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc., Samsung Biologics Co. Ltd., Sanofi SA, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., and Viatris Inc..

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global biosimilars market 2024-2028

AI-Powered Market Evolution Insights. Our comprehensive market report ready with the latest trends, growth opportunities, and strategic analysis- View Free Sample Report PDF

Forecast period 2024-2028 Base Year 2023 Historic Data 2018 - 2022 Segment Covered Product Type (Monoclonal antibodies, Insulin, Human growth hormone, and Others), Application (Oncology and hematology, Endocrinology, Immunology, and Nephrology), and Geography (Europe, North America, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW)) Region Covered Europe, North America, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW) Key companies profiled AbbVie Inc., Amgen Inc., Biocon Ltd., Biogen Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Celltrion Healthcare Co. Ltd., Dr Reddys Laboratories Ltd., F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd., Fresenius SE and Co. KGaA, Gedeon Richter Plc, Halozyme Therapeutics Inc., Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Mabion S.A., Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc., Samsung Biologics Co. Ltd., Sanofi SA, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., and Viatris Inc.

Key Market Trends Fueling Growth

The Biosimilars Market is experiencing significant growth, particularly in the treatment of chronic conditions such as diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and cancers. Active substances in biosimilars can come from various sources including human, animal, and microorganisms like bacteria and yeast. These substances often involve complex proteins like insulin, growth hormone, coagulation factors, and monoclonal antibodies. The European Union (EU) plays a crucial role in biosimilars through regulatory bodies like the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Commission. Patients and healthcare professionals rely on these organizations to ensure the safety, efficacy, and interchangeability of biosimilars. The EU regulatory process for biosimilars includes a centralized procedure, clinical experience, and an assessment of the immunogenicity profile. Pharmaceutical quality, safety, and efficacy are top priorities. Biosimilars for conditions like rheumatic diseases are becoming increasingly important. To help understand this complex topic, the EU provides information guides and videos in various European languages. EU scientific experts collaborate with national health authorities and pharmacy levels for regulatory guidance and pharmacovigilance activities.

The biosimilar market's growth is influenced by patient and physician attitudes towards biosimilar use. Many physicians, particularly in rheumatology, prefer prescribing bio-originators over biosimilars for treating rheumatology diseases. This resistance stems from the perception that biosimilars are less effective than their reference products. At the pharmacy level, biosimilar substitution is only permitted in certain countries, mainly in Central and Eastern Europe. Despite increasing patient and physician adoption, the rate remains low due to legislative restrictions.

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Market Challenges

Biosimilars are becoming an essential part of the healthcare landscape, particularly in managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, autoimmune diseases, cancers, and more. However, producing biosimilars presents unique challenges. These include the use of active substances derived from human, animal, or microorganism sources like bacteria or yeast, and the complexity of living cells and organisms. The European Union (EU) and its regulatory bodies, including the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Commission, play a crucial role in ensuring the safety, efficacy, and interchangeability of biosimilars. This involves a centralized procedure for marketing authorization, clinical experience, and an immunogenicity profile assessment. Patients and healthcare professionals, including Chief Medical Officers, rely on clear and accessible information. The EU provides an information guide for patients and healthcare professionals in various European languages. Pharmaceutical quality, safety, and efficacy are paramount, with regulatory guidance and pharmacovigilance activities ensuring these standards are met. Biosimilars cover a range of therapeutic areas, from insulin and growth hormone to coagulation factors and monoclonal antibodies. Challenges include molecular micro-heterogeneity, which requires careful consideration during the development process. National health authorities and Member States also play a role in the approval and implementation of biosimilars at the pharmacy level. Rheumatic diseases are just one of the many areas where biosimilars have shown promise. As the use of biosimilars continues to grow, it's essential to stay informed about the latest regulatory developments and scientific advancements. For a more in-depth understanding, check out the EMA's informative video on biosimilars.

Biosimilars face significant challenges in competing with biologics and entering the market. The manufacturing process for biosimilars is intricate, requiring strict uniformity between batches. Variations are common, making consistency a major hurdle. This complexity is a significant challenge for new companies, while experienced biologics manufacturers will continue to dominate. Additionally, legal issues surround the approval process for biologics, adding another layer of complexity for biosimilar entrants.

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Segment Overview

This biosimilars market report extensively covers market segmentation by

Product Type

1.1 Monoclonal antibodies

1.2 Insulin

1.3 Human growth hormone

1.4 Others

Application

2.1 Oncology and hematology

2.2 Endocrinology

2.3 Immunology

2.4 Nephrology

Geography

3.1 Europe

3.2 North America

3.3 Asia

3.4 Rest of World (ROW)

1.1 Monoclonal antibodies- Biosimilar monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are large, complex proteins used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign bodies. They are used for treating various cancers, such as breast cancer, and non-cancer diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis. The development of biosimilars for complex mAbs is accelerating market growth due to patent expiries, approvals, and increasing chronic disease prevalence. Challenges exist, but late-stage clinical trials are underway, and approvals are expected. Cancer treatments, such as trastuzumab, have revolutionized, but high costs restrict access. Biosimilars, like approved trastuzumab biosimilars in the EU and US, offer cost-effective alternatives, driving market growth.

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Research Analysis

The Biosimilars market refers to the sector of the pharmaceutical industry focused on developing and manufacturing follow-on biological medicines. These medicines are designed to have similar active substances, biological source, and therapeutic effects as original biologics, but are not exact copies. Chronic conditions such as diabetes, autoimmune diseases, cancers, and rheumatic diseases are common indications for biosimilars. Active substances can be derived from human, animal, or microorganisms, including bacteria and yeast. Proteins like insulin, growth hormone, coagulation factors, and monoclonal antibodies are common active substances used in biosimilars. The European Union (EU) regulates biosimilars through a centralised procedure, ensuring clinical experience, immunogenicity profile, pharmaceutical quality, safety, and efficacy are comparable to the reference product. The EU provides an information guide for scientific experts to assess these aspects. Data exclusivity, interchangeability, and pharmacovigilance activities are also key considerations. National health authorities and regulatory guidance play a crucial role in the approval process. Biosimilars are an essential alternative to expensive original biologics, offering cost savings while maintaining therapeutic equivalence. For more information, watch our video or consult our infographic in various European languages.

Market Research Overview

The Biosimilars Market refers to the sector dedicated to the development, production, and distribution of biosimilar medicines. Biosimilars are biological equivalents of original biologic medicines, which are used to treat chronic conditions such as diabetes, autoimmune diseases, cancers, and others. These medicines contain active substances derived from living cells, organisms, or microorganisms, including human, animal, and bacterial sources. The European Union (EU) plays a significant role in the regulation of biosimilars through the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Commission. Patients and healthcare professionals benefit from biosimilars as they offer cost savings without compromising safety, efficacy, interchangeability, and pharmaceutical quality. The EU regulatory framework includes a centralised procedure, clinical experience, immunogenicity profile, and pharmacovigilance activities. The EMA provides an information guide for patients and healthcare professionals in European languages. Biosimilars include insulin, growth hormone, coagulation factors, monoclonal antibodies, and other proteins. The development of biosimilars involves rigorous testing to ensure molecular micro-heterogeneity and regulatory compliance. National health authorities and regulatory guidance are essential for the successful implementation of biosimilars at the pharmacy level. Rheumatic diseases are among the conditions that can be treated with biosimilars. The EU scientific experts and Member States work together to ensure the safety and efficacy of biosimilars through ongoing pharmacovigilance activities. An infographic and video resources are available to help understand the biosimilars market.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

Product Type

Monoclonal Antibodies



Insulin



Human Growth Hormone



Others

Application

Oncology And Hematology



Endocrinology



Immunology



Nephrology

Geography

Europe



North America



Asia



Rest Of World (ROW)

7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Company Landscape

11 Company Analysis

12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
NEW YORK, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Blackstone Liquid Credit Strategies LLC, an affiliate of Blackstone Alternative Credit Advisors LP (collectively, and together with their affiliates in the credit, asset-based finance, and insurance asset management business unit of Blackstone Inc., "Blackstone Credit & Insurance" or "BXCI"), announced certain changes in Trustee and Officer positions, as well as the Portfolio Management team, for the three listed closed-end funds it advises, Blackstone Senior Floating Rate 2027 Term Fund (NYSE: BSL), Blackstone Long-Short Credit Income Fund (NYSE: BGX), and Blackstone Strategic Credit 2027 Term Fund (NYSE: BGB) (each a "Fund" and together the "Funds").

Effective November 15, 2024, Robert Zable resigned from his positions as Trustee and Chairman of the Boards of Trustees (the "Board") and as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Funds, and effective November 15, 2024, the Board appointed Daniel Leiter to these positions. Further, effective November 15, 2024, Marisa Beeney resigned from her positions as Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of the Funds, and effective November 15, 2024, the Board appointed Kevin Michel to these positions.

BXCI also announced changes to the Funds' portfolio managers. Effective November 15, 2024, Robert Zable and Gordon McKemie stepped down as portfolio managers of the Funds, and Daniel McMullen and Meghan Fornshell became named portfolio managers of the Funds. Robert Post remains a portfolio manager of the Funds. Robert Zable has stepped down as a portfolio manager of the Fund due to his upcoming resignation from BXCI. Gordon McKemie stepped down as portfolio manager because his role at BXCI has evolved away from the day-to-day management of the Funds.

Mr. Leiter is the Head of International for Blackstone Credit & Insurance and the Global Head of Liquid Credit Strategies ("LCS"). Prior to joining Blackstone in 2024, he worked at Morgan Stanley where he was most recently a Managing Director in Fixed Income.

Mr. Michel is a Managing Director in the Legal & Compliance Group at Blackstone. He joined Blackstone in 2015 and is involved in the legal structuring and management of Blackstone's retail-focused funds, with a particular focus on investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Mr. McMullen is a Senior Managing Director and the Head of Loan Strategies for Blackstone Credit & Insurance's LCS group. He joined Blackstone in 2002 and is additionally the Senior Portfolio Manager for LCS's U.S. loan separately managed accounts, commingled funds, and exchanged traded funds.

Ms. Fornshell is a Principal and a portfolio manager at Blackstone Credit & Insurance, focused on US loan strategies. She joined Blackstone in 2018.

There will be no change to the Funds' strategies, investment objectives, or policies as a result of these changes.

Blackstone and Blackstone Credit & Insurance

Blackstone is the world's largest alternative asset manager. We seek to deliver compelling returns for institutional and individual investors by strengthening the companies in which we invest. Our more than $1 trillion in assets under management include global investment strategies focused on real estate, private equity, infrastructure, life sciences, growth equity, credit, real assets, secondaries and hedge funds. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow @blackstone on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and Instagram.

BXCI is one of the world's leading credit investors. Our investments span the credit markets, including private investment grade, asset based lending, public investment grade and high yield, sustainable resources, infrastructure debt, collateralized loan obligations, direct lending and opportunistic credit. We seek to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns for institutional and individual investors by offering companies capital needed to strengthen and grow their businesses. BXCI is also a leading provider of investment management services for insurers, helping those companies better deliver for policyholders through our world-class capabilities in investment grade private credit.

Investors wishing to buy or sell shares need to place orders through an intermediary or broker.

Contact the Funds at 1 (877) 299-1588 or visit the Funds' website at www.blackstone-credit.com for additional information.

SOURCE Blackstone
TORONTO, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research by JMIR Publications reveals promising results from a digital health intervention that is based on a decade of research at Harvard Medical School and designed to alleviate depressive symptoms. The study, titled "Facilitating Thought Progression to Reduce Depressive Symptoms: Randomized Controlled Trial," found that participants experienced substantial reduction of depressive symptoms by using a gamified mobile app focused on disrupting ruminative thinking.

Led by Prof. Moshe Bar and colleagues, the research focused on a new gamified approach to target ruminative thinking--a major contributor to depression. The app used in this study includes 5 mini-games designed to help users break negative thought cycles, encouraging flexible thought progression.

Over the 8-week randomized controlled trial, conducted at the Massachusetts General Hospital, participants using the app showed faster and more substantial symptom improvement than those not using the app, based on weekly clinician evaluations throughout the study. Additionally, the positive effects of using the app were still evident up to 4 weeks after the study ended, indicating the potential long-lasting impact of the app.

"After demonstrating in the laboratory the striking effect of facilitating thought progression on mood, we now reveal that implementing this neuroscience-based approach in a digital app can provide a most viable path for the alleviation of depression symptoms," according to Prof. Moshe Bar.

This study shows that a gamified app can offer a unique and potent way to break negative thought cycles by facilitating the progression of thought. By implementing effective therapy that is both engaging and accessible, this science-based gamified approach can complement traditional treatment methods for depression.

Original article:

Yatziv S, Pedrelli P, Baror S, DeCaro S, Shachar N, Sofer B, Hull S, Curtiss J, Bar MFacilitating Thought Progression to Reduce Depressive Symptoms: Randomized Controlled TrialJ Med Internet Res 2024;26:e56201

URL: https://www.jmir.org/2024/1/e56201 DOI: 10.2196/56201

About JMIR Publications:

JMIR Publications, celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2024, is a leading open access digital health research publisher. As a pioneer in open access publishing, JMIR Publications is committed to driving innovation in scholarly communications, advancing digital health research, and promoting open science principles. Our portfolio features 35 open access, peer-reviewed journals dedicated to the dissemination of high-quality research in the field of digital health, including the Journal of Medical Internet Research, as well as cross-disciplinary journals such as JMIR Research Protocols and the new title JMIR XR & Spatial Computing.

To learn more about JMIR Publications, please visit jmirpublications.com or connect with us via Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.

Head office: 130 Queens Quay East, Unit 1100, Toronto, ON, M5A 0P6 Canada

Media contact: [email protected]

The content of this communication is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, published by JMIR Publications, is properly cited.

Provided by Newswise, online resource for knowledge-based news at www.newswise.com

Media Contacts:

Jane Kelly

[email protected]

SOURCE JMIR Publications
NEW YORK, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CASETiFY is bringing a bold new perspective to the premium travel category with the launch of its most durable, fully customizable, made-to-order luggage collection - CASETiFY Travel. This expansion marks a natural evolution for the brand, leveraging its proven expertise in impact protection for travel gear while offering unprecedented personalization options beyond the traditional canvas.

CASETiFY brings signature Bounce technology to first made-to-order premium suitcase

CASETiFY's move into the luggage market comes on the heels of its remarkable success in the phone case industry. Founded in 2011 as an e-commerce platform for customizable phone cases, CASETiFY has grown into a global powerhouse, selling over 20 million phone cases worldwide and projecting $300 million in revenue for 2024.

"For over a decade, we've been perfecting the art of protection and personalization for tech devices, entering the travel category is a natural evolution that brings our signature Bounce technology and customization platform to a new frontier. We're not just launching luggage  we're reimagining how the next generation of creative travelers protect and express themselves on the go," said Wesley Ng, CEO and co-founder of CASETiFY.

With this launch, CASETiFY is introducing its renowned protection, durability, and uniqueness to the realm of travel. Crafted for the contemporary globetrotter who values the journey as much as the destination, the new hard-shell luggage is equipped for any environment, featuring innovative technology, customizable elements, and thoughtful design.

The new Bounce collection features the Bounce 21 Inch Carry-On Suitcase, Tech Pack Organizer, and Packing Cube Set  all designed to seamlessly integrate into the global traveler's lifestyle. This launch represents more than just a product expansion; it's a testament to CASETiFY's dedication to empowering self-expression and functional know-how, wherever your journey may lead.

Each piece incorporates CASETiFY's functional engineering, with the Bounce 21 Inch Carry-On Suitcase introducing four key innovations:

Advanced Protection with Bounce Corner

Bounce technology , proven in protecting millions of devices, now redesigned and scaled for luggage

, proven in protecting millions of devices, now redesigned and scaled for luggage Strategically designed Bounce Bumpers for enhanced impact absorption

for enhanced impact absorption German Bayer's makrolon polycarbonate shell for superior durability

for superior durability Ultra-lightweight design at 8.23 lbs maximizes packing capacity while maintaining ultimate protection

CASETiFY Travel ensures the highest level of quality and durability by rigorously passing a series of demanding testsincluding mileage, stair, trolley jerk, handle jerk, drop, and cold resistance testsguaranteeing that our luggage can withstand the challenges of any journey.

Technical Durability

Hinomoto Miraclent Ball-Bearing Wheels

Aircraft-grade aluminum telescopic handle system

system Puncture-resistant YKK double racquet coil zipper with integrated TSA-approved locks

Track your luggage anywhere with the built-in AirTag pocket

Made-to-Order Customization

Patent-pending on-demand printing technology

printing technology Full-surface customization capabilities

Digital customization platform with real-time design visualization

with real-time design visualization Two revolutionary font systems: The CASETiFY Dot Font: Interactive letter-by-letter customization with 11 interchangeable font colors and 6 background colors, including customizable full stops The Skyline Font : Distinct set of 11 colors ranging from neutrals to bold tones and pastels



Sustainable Innovation

The new travel collection integrates sustainable practices through:

Made-to-order production minimizing inventory waste

Premium materials engineered for lifetime durability

Easy-to-replace parts, extending the product's life and reducing waste

Recyclable packaging that helps divert waste from landfill

Logistics optimization to reduce freight emissions

Product Specifications

Official Name: CASETiFY Bounce

Dimensions: 14.3"W x 21.6"H x 9.5"D

Weight: 8.23 lbs

Materials: Bayer's makrolon polycarbonate, aircraft-grade aluminum

Features: Bounce technology, TSA-approved locks, AirTag pocket

Warranty: Lifetime

Pricing and Availability

The CASETiFY Bounce 21 Inch Carry-On Suitcase ($399 USD) launches November 15th in North America and South Korea through www.casetify.com and select retail locations, including CASETiFY's Dosan flagship store in Seoul.

About CASETiFY



CASETiFY is a global tech-lifestyle brand reimagining everyday accessories through innovative protection and creative personalization. Founded in 2011, the company has protected over 20 million devices worldwide and operates the largest customization platform for tech accessories. With dual headquarters in Los Angeles and Hong Kong, CASETiFY's influence spans 50+ retail locations globally, including its signature CASETiFY Studio spaces where customers can customize products in real-time. Known for its high-profile collaborations with artists, brands, and creators, CASETiFY continues to push the boundaries of self-expression through technology. Available at CASETiFY.com .

SOURCE CASETiFY
Clinical Trial Success at Cincinnati Children's Supports Recent US FDA Approval for First Therapy to Directly Replace a Gene in the Brain

CINCINNATI, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sriansh Ojha was fully into his "terrible twos" on an April afternoon at Cincinnati Children's as he squealed and chased his older sister around the sunlit lobby of the Schubert Research Clinic.

Lexington, Ky., resident Sriansh Ojha, now age 3, was born with the rare genetic condition AADC deficiency. As part of a clinical trial, Sriansh received a gene therapy treatment at Cincinnati Children's, which transformed his life. At age 16 months at the time, Sriansh is the youngest patient in the world to receive this therapy. The US FDA granted accelerated approval of the treatment on Nov. 13, 2024. Photo credit: Cincinnati Children's.

Urging the laughing little boy to slow down was a parenting task that his mother, Bhawana Dhakal, and father, Tirtha Raj Ojha, of Lexington, Ky., felt profoundly pleased to perform. That's because in the first year of life, their son struggled to eat, could not lift his head off the bed, could not control his eye movements, and was not expected to ever be able to walk, much less run.

"Gene therapy is a blessing I must say. You can see my child, before and after, and see that it works. He's a new person. He has a new life," Bhawana says.

Sriansh was born with a rare genetic condition called AADC deficiency. In November 2022, at age 16 months, Sriansh became the youngest child in the world to receive a remarkably successful one-time gene therapy made by New Jersey-based PTC Therapeutics Inc. The treatment is now being marketed under the brand name KEBILIDI.

Sriansh, now 3 years old, was part of a clinical trial that led the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to approve the treatment on Nov. 13, 2024. The new treatment represents the first gene therapy approved in the United States that is directly administered to the brain. (Read the PTC media release)

The therapy was developed about 15 years ago in Taiwan. Since 2010, when the first patient was treated, the therapy has been approved for commercial use by the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Israel. So far, only about 30 children worldwide have received the treatment.

Donald Gilbert, MD, MS, a movement disorder expert with the Division of Neurology at Cincinnati Children's, played a central role in treating Sriansh and enrolling him the clinical trial.

He saw, in full clinical detail, exactly how severe Sriansh's condition was before the therapy. Then he saw Sriansh for a follow-up visit three months after a high-tech surgical procedure delivered the gene therapy to his brain.

"When I walked in and saw him, sitting up, completely on his own" Gilbert pauses for a moment. "I will never forget that."

"The way that a missing gene can be put in the brain in the place where it's needed, in a single-day treatment, and then produce what is needed for the rest of a child's life is amazing," he says.

What is AADC deficiency?

Aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency is a very rare inherited genetic disorder that disrupts how signals pass among nerve cells in the brain and beyond. Specifically, mutations in the gene DDC produce a damaged version of an enzyme called AADC, which is needed to produce dopamine and serotonin. Without adequate amounts of these neurotransmitters, the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves cannot properly function.

Unusual problems begin appearing within months of birth and get worse. Symptoms include muscle weakness, unusual eye rolling, involuntary writhing movements, stiffening, and irritability. Affected infants often feed poorly, sleep badly and startle easily.

In October 2021, when Sriansh was about three months old, his grandfather was the first to notice that Sriansh was having difficulties.

"He had eye deviations, an arching back, and he used to sleep a lot. He was only awake like one or two hours and then would go back to sleep," Bhawana says. "Later, his aunt and a neighbor also said there is something wrong with Sriansh because normally kids don't twist their hand and arm the way he did."

Chasing down the diagnosis

Bhawana emigrated from Nepal to Los Angeles in 2013 with her parents and brother. She and Tirtha were married in Nepal in 2014, then the family moved to Lexington in 2016.

Their first child was born healthy. So neither parent had any idea they were carrying rare variations in the same gene. Then they each passed along a copy of that gene variant to Sriansh, a variant that virtually no medical center looks for during prenatal testing.

In Kentucky, several physicians worked to figure out what Sriansh had. The family took Sriansh to hospital admissions, EEG tests, MRI scans, and spinal taps to rule out seizure diseases and other possibilities. One doctor recommended travelling to a dystonia expert in New York.

Eventually a complete genome test was ordered. But the family was told that processing the results would take three months. While waiting, Tirtha and Bhawana dove into online research and received various recommendations from far-flung friends and relatives. Their search led the family to Cincinnati Children's, about 100 miles north of the family's home.

Sriansh was admitted for a stay that lasted nine days. Dr. Gilbert recognized some of the distinct symptoms during that visit, and rapidly obtained genetic test results confirmed that Sriansh had the rare condition. The care team prepared the family for the prospect of Sriansh facing a lifetime of 24/7 home care and countless more visits to medical offices and hospitals.

But in this case, there was another option, available in only four centers in the United States.

"I knew about a little bit about gene therapy," Tirtha says. "Back home I knew about a family that was raising money to get gene therapy for another rare disease. So, when Dr. Gilbert suggested gene therapy for Sriansh, I said, 'Of course, yes.'"

Science fiction becomes reality

Delivering this gene therapy required advanced technologies and a team of experts in neurosurgery and anesthesia.

The treatment involves attaching a healthy version of the DDC gene to a modified virus called AAV9. The procedure calls for injecting more than 1 billion of these engineered viral vectors directly into the brainspecifically into the putamen, a small round structure deep in the brain that plays a vital role in motor control, speech articulation, cognitive function and more.

Doing this for a child as young and small as Sriansh required changing the procedure, a task led by Sudhakar Vadivelu, DO, director of the Cerebrovascular Disease and Stroke Center at Cincinnati Children's. The modifications included changing the apparatus used during the procedure, moving the location and size of the burr hole used to expose the brain, and adjusting the anesthesia protocol. Vadivelu presented details about these modifications in November at a medical conference in Brazil.

"It's one thing to say you have a 14-year-old or an 8-year-old. It's another thing to say you have an 8-month-old or a 16-month-old," Vadivelu says. "Adapting the procedure for the youngest children was important because the youngest patient has had one of the best outcomes. It's a clear early difference right off the bat."

For Sriansh, the procedure was a complete success. After insertion, the engineered virus containing the missing DDC gene takes over. The virus invades targeted cells and sets up a tiny circular "factory" call an episome. This episome does not mingle with the brain cell's DNA. But it produces the DDC protein endlessly so the pathway to make dopamine is restored.

Gilbert says being the youngest to receive the treatment helps explain why Sriansh has fared so well so far. "When they were working out how to do it in Taiwan, how much virus to give, and so on, all the children were older. Sriansh got it around 16 months of age. There also has been a little girl who got the surgery at around 20 months. She's also running around like he is," Gilbert says.

For the Ojha family, being part of a clinical trial was intense, time-consuming and awe-inspiring all at the same time. So far, the outcome has been more than they dared to hope for Sriansh.

"I think it's a miracle. It was a rough time, but it was worth it. I knew that no matter what I was going to try to save my child," Bhawana says. "This sounds funny but deep down I knew my child would be OK."

Next steps

Now that the therapy is approved, early diagnosis and early treatment will be crucial for maximizing treatment success for children with AADC deficiency. "It is now possible to diagnose this in a blood spot test, the same way we already diagnose PKU and other genetic conditions in a baby," Gilbert says.

For children with other genetic brain disorders, this success suggests that gene therapy might be possible for them as well someday, Gilbert adds.

Like the others receiving this new treatment, Sriansh will be followed for years to track how he meets developmental milestones, both for motor and cognitive functions. At 32 months, Sriansh was performing tasks at about the level of an 18-to-24-month-old, which to Gilbert's eyes meant that Sriansh had gained several months of progress in a matter of several weeks.

How much further the progress will go, only time will tell. Bhawana is focused on how Sriansh does with talking.

"He says Mama, Baba, Dada and he calls his sister DeeDee. But his words are not clear," she says. "He also tries to copy words we say. I think that is very promising. At least he's trying and that's why I'm really happy."

Read more about research at Cincinnati Children's on our Research Horizons blog.

SOURCE Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
NEW YORK, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --

Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces it has filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of common stock of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) between February 8, 2024 and October 29, 2024, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period") and those who purchased Chipotle call options or sold put options during the Class Period. A class action has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than January 10, 2025 in the securities class action first filed by the Firm.

So what: If you purchased Chipotle 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 Chipotle class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=30587 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] 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 January 10, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Chipotle's portion sizes were inconsistent and left many customers dissatisfied with the Company's offerings; (2) in order to address the issue and retain customer loyalty, Chipotle would have to ensure more generous portion sizes, which would increase cost of sales; and (3) as a result, defendants' statements about its business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Chipotle class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=30587 https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=28116call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] 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 investor's 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 or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.
HONG KONG, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DPC Dash  Domino's Pizza China ("DPC Dash" or the "Company") (1405.HK), Domino's Pizza's exclusive master franchisee in the China Mainland, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China, and the Macau Special Administrative Region of China, today celebrated the grand opening of its 1,000th store in China, located in Chengdu, Sichuan province.

The 1,000th store features a revamped interior design combining local cultural elements, such as bamboo, pandas, and local opera masks, with pizza elements to form a celebratory decoration of a "1000th Store" mark, creating a more festive dining atmosphere. To mark this milestone, the store is offering limited-time promotions through its own ordering channels during its first ten days of operation, inviting customers to join in the festivities and savor the joy of this significant achievement.

Efficiently executing its 4D strategy and realizing double digit revenue growth

Domino's Pizza China is committed to offering delicious and value-driven dining choices and services. Through innovative product development and enhancing service quality, DPC Dash strives to continuously provide greater value to its customers. The Company continues to execute its 4D strategy of Development, Delicious pizza at value, Delivery, and Digital. This strategy has enabled the Company to serve high-quality, value-for-money pizzas to a steadily expanding customer base, while increasing the penetration rate. This customer-oriented strategy enhances the brand's appeal and increases consumer loyalty to the brand.

The Company's revenues reached RMB2.04 billion for the first half of 2024, representing double-digit growth, and it reported its first-ever positive net profit and adjusted net profit. In the third quarter of 2024, the Company achieved its 29th consecutive quarter of positive same-store sales growth since the third quarter of 2017, when the current management team began its tenure. DPC Dash now holds 28 of the top 30 positions for first 30-day sales among Domino's network of more than 21,000 stores globally, underscoring the strong performance at the store level.

Executing the "Go Deeper, Go Broader" strategy expands store network tenfold in seven years

The successful opening of DPC Dash's 1000th store marks another significant milestone in the Company's proven "Go Deeper, Go Broader" store network strategy. Since 2017, DPC Dash has undergone remarkable expansion, growing from just over a hundred stores to 1,000 locations nationwide  a nearly tenfold increase. As of the release date, the Company operates 1,000 stores across 33 cities in China. This year's new store openings are on track, showcasing the Company's operational efficiency. Looking ahead, Domino's plans to open approximately 300 to 350 new stores annually in 2025 and 2026. These additions will solidify the Company's position in the Chinese food and beverage industry, offering consumers more diverse choices to meet their growing demands. Each new store showcases the brand's strength, and every enhancement in customer experience will drive the company's growth momentum.

To better support the robust store network and cater to the surging demand, DPC Dash has already set up central kitchens in Sanhe, Shanghai and Dongguan to support operations in the northern, eastern and southern China regions. The company plans to relocate and upgrade its central kitchen in the northern region to ensure more stable and efficient supply chain support for the area. Additionally, to further expand its service coverage, the company plans to add a new central kitchen in Wuhan to support stores in the West and Central China region. The Company has introduced automated machines and advanced management systems in its central kitchens to ensure food safety, product quality, and efficient supply chain operations.

Enhancing product innovation and service, with loyalty members surpassing 21 million

The significant growth in store network and sales performance has not compromised the Company's sustainability efforts. DPC Dash continues to innovate in product development, actively incorporating local flavors to create standout signature and innovative offerings. As of the release date, DPC Dash stores offer over 30 pizza options with over 20 crust types, all designed to cater to the varied preferences of its customers. The Company also has regular promotions including "Crazy Tuesday & Wednesday", and "Mega Week" on its self-operated online ordering channels in select cities, which deliver more value to the customers.

DPC Dash's digital initiatives continue to drive customer engagement, attracting new customers by dynamically engaging them through multiple online channels. As of September 30, 2024, the total number of loyalty program members reached 21.7 million. To further improve member experience, the Company continuously enhanced its capability to offer personalized rewards. This innovative tactic has improved both new customer conversion and existing customer retention.

Strengthening team cohesion to support long-term sustainable development

While focusing on consumer satisfaction, DPC Dash is also committed to team building. To celebrate the grand opening of its 1,000th store and the impressive success achieved in the past year, DPC Dash held its annual store managers' conference in Chengdu, bringing together a thousand of store managers from across the country. The event shared the joy and celebrated this milestone.

At the event, numerous prestigious awards were presented, including the '1,000 Stores Milestone Award,' the 'OMEGA Challenge Grand Prize,' and the 'Ten Years of Long Service Award,' among many others. These awards not only recognize individual contributions but also affirm those employees who have long been dedicated to driving the company's rapid growth and consistently embodying its cultural values.

In 2023, DPC Dash received the Kincentric 2023 China Best Employers award. This award recognizes not only reflects the company's outstanding performance in the industry but also highlights its exceptional influence as an employer and its focus on employee experience. Through such recognition, DPC Dash will continue to motivate its employees, creating a more harmonious and efficient workplace to achieve the company's long-term development goals.

Aileen Wang, Chief Executive Officer of DPC Dash, stated, "The opening of our 1,000th store is a significant milestone for Domino's Pizza China. We are delighted to share this joy with our customers and team. We will continue to uphold our corporate culture of customer-centricity, integrity, responsibility, adaptability, and growth alongside the brand, striving to provide a better dining experience for our consumers."

With the launch of the 1,000th store, DPC Dash embarks on a new chapter, leveraging technological innovation to drive future growth. The company aims to bring quality food and excellent service to more cities, fostering closer connections with consumers and sharing joy to create a better life together.

About DPC Dash Ltd.

DPC Dash is Domino's Pizza's exclusive master franchisee in the China mainland, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China and the Macau Special Administrative Region of China. Domino's Pizza, Inc., DPC Dash's global franchisor, is one of the most widely-recognized global consumer brands and the world's largest pizza company. Led by a seasoned and visionary management team, DPC Dash is a market leader that differentiates from competitors with, among others, a continually innovated and localized pizza-focused menu, unique expertise and leadership in delivery, technology focus and scalable and replicable store economic model. DPC Dash operates 1,000 stores in 33 cities in China as of November 15, 2024.

For more information, please visit www.dpcdash.com

For official company announcements, please visit www.hkexnews.hk

CONTACTS

DPC Dash Ltd Investor Relations:

DPC Dash Ltd

[email protected]

ICR, LLC

[email protected]

DPC Dash Ltd Media Relations:

ICR, LLC

[email protected]

SOURCE DPC Dash Ltd
GREENFIELD, Ind., Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Elanco Animal Health Incorporated (NYSE: ELAN) today acquired a contract manufacturing facility and related assets in Speke, UK. The facility, previously owned by TriRx Speke Ltd., was under trading administration, a formal insolvency process in the United Kingdom.

As previously shared on the Company's third quarter 2024 earnings call, the Speke facility plays a vital role for Elanco in producing a number of farm animal product lines, representing approximately $160 million to $180 million in annual farm animal revenue, primarily outside the U.S. Elanco previously held a long-term supply agreement with TriRx Speke Ltd. This acquisition secures a critical component of Elanco's global supply chain for key farm animal products. The Company provided certain interim funding during the administration and paid $25 million in cash at closing to acquire the facility and related assets.

Elanco will assume site ownership, effective immediately, working closely with the site leadership to support site operations. Aligned with the third quarter 2024 earnings release, the Company continues to expect an adjusted EBITDA headwind related to this situation between $25 million and $35 million in 2025, primarily impacting gross profit.

ABOUT ELANCO

Elanco Animal Health Incorporated (NYSE: ELAN) is a global leader in animal health dedicated to innovating and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets, creating value for farmers, pet owners, veterinarians, stakeholders and society as a whole. With nearly 70 years of animal health heritage, we are committed to helping our customers improve the health of animals in their care, while also making a meaningful impact on our local and global communities. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our Elanco Healthy Purpose sustainability pillars  all to advance the health of animals, people, the planet and our enterprise. Learn more at www.elanco.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including, without limitation, statements concerning the continuation of product supply and the expected EBITDA impact for fiscal 2025.

Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, by their nature, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. As a result, our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include our ability to continue production at Speke without disruption, our expectation that TriRx will provide certain transition services to us and the financial impacts of the events involving the Speke facility.

For additional information about the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements, please see the company's latest Form 10-K and Form 10-Qs filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we have attempted to identify important risk factors, there may be other risk factors not presently known to us or that we presently believe are not material that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. If any of these risks materialize, or if any of the above assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results and developments may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. We caution you against relying on any forward-looking statements, which should also be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included elsewhere in this press release. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release speaks only as of the date thereof. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or to revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law. Comparisons of results for current and any prior periods are not intended to express any future trends or indications of future performance, unless specifically expressed as such, and should be viewed as historical data.

Investor Contact: Katy Grissom (317) 273-9284 [email protected]

Media Contact: Colleen Dekker (317) 989-7011 [email protected]

SOURCE Elanco Animal Health
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. The opening of transport communications between Azerbaijan and Armenia is not a new topic, Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov told reporters, Trend reports.

He reminded that the trilateral statement [signed between Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders following the Second Karabakh War] contains a provision regarding this issue.

"There are commitments that Armenia has undertaken. This topic has been discussed for a long time. After three and a half years of discussions, we believe that the phrase 'agreement has been reached' is overdue. This agreement should have been reached a long time ago.

If there is still no official document on this matter, and the other side has not started any work, this means that there are still open issues. The Azerbaijani side is carrying out operational work to establish transport and communication infrastructure on its territory, which will soon be extended to the border with Armenia," he added.

To note, according to the trilateral statement signed on November 10, 2020, by agreement of the parties (Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia), the construction of new transport communications connecting the western regions of Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic should be ensured.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Improvements Nationally in Healthcare-Associated Infections, Hand Hygiene and Medication Safety

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Leapfrog Group, an independent nonprofit focused on patient safety, today released its fall 2024 Hospital Safety Grade, evaluating nearly 3,000 hospitals on their ability to prevent medical errors, accidents and infections. The Hospital Safety Grade uses up to 30 performance measures to assign an "A, "B," "C," "D" or "F" to individual hospitals and uses a public, peer-reviewed methodology, calculated by top patient safety experts under the guidance of a National Expert Panel. It is transparent and free to the public. Leapfrog analysts use the data to observe national performance trends and state rankings.

For fall 2024, Utah ranks number one with the highest percentage of "A" hospitals for the third cycle in a row, followed by Virginia and Connecticut in second and third. The latest Grades also show hospitals are making progress in patient safety across several performance measures including notable improvements in healthcare- associated infections, hand hygiene and medication safety.

"Preventable deaths and harm in hospitals have been a major policy concern for decades. So, it is good news that Leapfrog's latest Safety Grades reveal that hospitals across the country are making notable gains in patient safety, saving countless lives," stated Leah Binder, President and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. "Next, we need hospitals to accelerate this progressbecause no one should have to die from a preventable error in a hospital."

Key Improvements Nationally

Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)

Since Leapfrog reported Hospital Safety Grades in fall 2022, when HAI rates were at their highest peak since 2016, average HAI scores have declined dramatically:

Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) decreased by 38%

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) decreased by 36%

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) decreased by 34%

Hand Hygiene

As Leapfrog detailed in its 2024 Hand Hygiene Report, since Leapfrog began public reporting a tough new standard for hand hygiene in 2020, the percentage of hospitals achieving the standard has soared from 11% to 78%.

Medication Safety

Medication errors are the most common type of error that occur in hospitals and the new Hospital Safety Grade suggests improvements in how hospitals prevent them. Two of the measures in the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade show this progress:

Computerized Prescriber Order Entry (CPOE): Leapfrog tracks how well hospitals use CPOE systems to catch common errors in prescribing, such as prescribing the wrong dose or prescribing a medication with a dangerous interaction with other medications the patient takes. Studies have shown CPOE systems can reduce harm from prescriber errors by as much as 55%. In 2018, only 65.6% of hospitals met Leapfrog's Standard, while this year, that number rose to 88.1%.

Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA): Leapfrog scores hospitals on deployment of BCMA systems, which use barcodes at the bedside to ensure the right patient gets the right medication at the right time. In 2018, 47.3% of graded hospitals met the standard, while this year, 86.9% did.

Trends in Safety Grades by States

Key findings on state performance on the fall 2024 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade include:

The states with the highest percentages of "A" hospitals are Utah , Virginia , Connecticut , North Carolina , New Jersey , California , Rhode Island , Idaho , Pennsylvania , Colorado and South Carolina .

, , , , , , , , , and . Utah ranks #1 in percentage of "A" hospitals for the third Safety Grade cycle in a row.

ranks #1 in percentage of "A" hospitals for the third Safety Grade cycle in a row. California ranks in the top 10 for the first time since fall 2014.

ranks in the top 10 for the first time since fall 2014. There were no "A" hospitals in Iowa , North Dakota , South Dakota or Vermont .

"Despite improvements seen in this fall's Safety Grade, significant variation in performance remains across U.S. hospitals," Binder added. "That's why it's so important for people to consult grades when making decisions about seeking care. All hospitals are not the same."

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program focused exclusively on preventing medical errors and patient harm. It is fully transparent, free to the public and updated biannually in the fall and spring.

Detailed hospital performance information, including patient experience and safety measures, as well as grades for individual hospitals searchable by states and localities is available at HospitalSafetyGrade.org.

About The Leapfrog Group

Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is an independent national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps for patient safety. Among its initiatives, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade was launched in 2012 and assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents and infections. It is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harm to patients. It is fully transparent and free to the public, and grades are updated biannually in the fall and in the spring. To look up your hospital's Safety Grade, please visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org. For more from Leapfrog, follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram and sign up for our newsletter

SOURCE The Leapfrog Group
Fandango from the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel on Platoon awarded Best Classical Album

Arturo Marquez's violin concerto Fandango, performed by Anne Akiko Meyers with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Gustavo Dudamel wins Best Classical Contemporary Composition

MIAMI, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Last night, the Latin Recording Academy announced the winners of the 2024 Latin GRAMMY Awards. The Grammy for Best Classical Album was awarded to the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel's Fandango, released on the Apple-owned Platoon label. The album features Alberto Ginastera's Estancia and the world premiere recording of Arturo Marquez's mariachi-inspired violin concerto Fandango, performed by superstar violinist Anne Akiko Meyers and captured live at Walt Disney Concert Hall in 2022. Arturo Marquez was also awarded the LATIN GRAMMY for Best Contemporary Classical Composition for his violin concerto Fandango.

Platoon has expanded their Classical department in recent years, positioning themselves as a key market player with true creative vision  this award marks the first acknowledgment of this kind for the boutique creative services label. Fandango is the first release in the collaboration between Platoon and the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel  it documents part of the orchestra's Pan-American Music Initiative, a project exploring more than 30 new commissions and numerous creative partnerships to emphasize the importance of Latin American heritage.

Gustavo Dudamel says: 'This recording speaks to the heart of the LA Phil and of Latin America, and I am indebted to two of our greatest composing talents: Alberto Ginastera and Arturo Marquez. I'm grateful to the incredible musicians of the LA Phil for joining me in this marvelous musical dance, channeling both rhythm and soul. And to our fantastic partners at Platoon for believing in this project.'

Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers added: 'Though Fandango was born just three years ago, it has already had an impact in the music world with its soulful melodies and enchanting rhythms. My deep gratitude goes to Arturo Marquez for writing this music that will stir my heart for decades, Gustavo Dudamel for leading the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Dmitriy Lipay and Platoon for capturing the scintillating live concerts and bringing Fandango to electrifying life.'

Arturo Marquez says: 'Anne Akiko Meyers is the heart and soul of Fandango - a violin concerto especially composed for her virtuosic and expressive playing, and Gustavo Dudamel is one of the greatest conductors in music history. I am indebted to their vibrant and heartfelt performance of my violin concerto.'

Katie Ferguson, Head of Platoon Classical says: 'It's an enormous honor for Platoon to release the visionary output of the LA Phil and Maestro Gustavo Dudamel, and to be part of these prestigious accolades. The orchestra's ongoing work in championing Latin American composers resonates with Platoon's ethos to amplify a diverse roster of musical voices around the globe. These awards mean an enormous amount to us, and we look forward to continuing this landmark series.'

Meghan Umber, Chief Content Officer at the Los Angeles Philharmonic added: 'LA Phil Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel has championed the work of Latin American artists from the start of his career and, in the process, has reshaped American orchestral repertoire. Through our collaboration with Platoon, we are able to build on Dudamel's border-transcending and inclusive vision by making the music of these Latin American musical giants available to all. We are proud to congratulate Gustavo Dudamel, the musicians of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Anne Akiko Meyers and Arturo Marquez for their wins this year.'

https://platoon.lnk.to/fandango

Arturo MARQUEZ Fandango

Soloist: Anne Akiko Meyers, violin

Alberto GINASTERA Estancia, Op. 8 (complete)

Baritone/Narrator: Gustavo Castillo

Los Angeles Philharmonic

Gustavo Dudamel, Music & Artistic Director

About Platoon

The multi-award and GRAMMY winning label Platoon was acquired by Apple in 2018. The boutique artist services company identifies groundbreaking talent from around the world, while providing invaluable and innovative tools and services to build their careers and reach new fans. Platoon landed its first success shortly after their inception when they signed the then-unknown Billie Eilish, laying the groundwork for her ascent to global stardom, alongside other household names such as Mr Eazi and Victoria Monet. Current signings include Saint Harison, RZA, Khalid, Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Dalia Stasevska, and more. Founded in 1973, BIS Records is amongst the most highly respected classical labels in the world. BIS was acquired by Platoon/Apple in September 2023.

About the LA Phil

Under the leadership of Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel , the LA Phil offers live performances, media initiatives and learning programs that inspire and strengthen communities in Los Angeles and beyond. The Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra is the foundation of the LA Phil's offerings, which also include a multigenre, multidisciplinary presenting program and such youth development programs as YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles). Performances are offered on three historic stages Walt Disney Concert Hall , the Hollywood Bowl and The Ford as well as through a variety of media platforms. In all its endeavors, the LA Phil seeks to enrich the lives of individuals and communities through musical, artistic and learning experiences that resonate in our world today.

About Gustavo Dudamel

Gustavo Dudamel is committed to creating a better world through music. Guided by an unwavering belief in the power of art to inspire and transform lives, he has worked tirelessly to expand education and access for underserved communities around the world, and to broaden the impact of classical music to new and ever-larger audiences. His rise, from humble beginnings as a child in Venezuela to an unparalleled career of artistic and social achievements, offers living proof that culture can bring meaning to the life of an individual and greater harmony to the world at large. He currently serves as the Music & Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, and in 2026, he becomes the Music and Artistic Director of the New York Philharmonic, continuing a legacy that includes Gustav Mahler, Arturo Toscanini, and Leonard Bernstein. Throughout 2025, Dudamel will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of El Sistema, honoring the global impact of Jose Antonio Abreu's visionary education program across five generations, and acknowledging the vital importance of arts education.

About Anne Akiko Meyers

Anne Akiko Meyers is one of the most respected and admired violinists, collaborating with today's most important composers, championing their work and creating a remarkable legacy of new violin repertoire for future generations. Since her teens, she has performed around the world as soloist with leading orchestras and in recital and is a prolific recording artist with more than 40 releases, which are staples of classical music radio stations and streaming platforms. Anne has worked closely with Arvo Part (Estonian Lullaby), Einojuhani Rautavaara (Fantasia, his final complete work), John Corigliano (cadenzas for the Beethoven Violin Concerto; Lullaby for Natalie), Arturo Marquez (Fandango), Michael Daugherty (Blue Electra), Mason Bates and Adam Schoenberg (violin concertos), Jakub Ciupinski, Jennifer Higdon, Samuel Jones, Morten Lauridsen, Wynton Marsalis, Akira Miyoshi, Somei Satoh, and Joseph Schwantner. She has premiered new music with the symphony orchestras of Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Nashville, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Seattle, Washington D.C., Helsinki, Leipzig, London, and New Zealand, among others. Future commissions include a work for violin and orchestra by Eric Whitacre and New Chaconne by Philip Glass. John Williams personally chose Anne to perform Schindler's List for a Great Performances PBS telecast and the iconic Estonian composer Arvo Part selected her as the featured soloist for the opening concerts of his new centre and concert hall in Laulasmaa, Estonia. She performs on the Ex-Vieuxtemps Guarneri del Gesu, dated 1741, considered by many to be the finest sounding violin in existence. Visit www.anneakikomeyers.com for more info.

SOURCE Platoon
Xina's voice-ordering and payment solution boosts the customer experience for hospitality businesses

PLANO, Texas, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fortis, a payments technology leader for software providers, ERP customers, and scaling businesses, today announced its partnership with Xina AI, a revolutionary voice-ordering application designed to streamline the ordering process for restaurants and hotels. This collaboration strengthens the shared vision of both Fortis and Xina AI to help businesses reduce inefficiencies and deliver a superior experience by combining Fortis' trusted payment processing with Xina's AI-powered ordering platform.

The integration offers tangible benefits to both businesses and their customers by reducing wait times, ensuring order accuracy and providing greater flexibility in menu customization. This directly translates to increased efficiency, lower labor costs, improved customer experience and data-driven insights.

"This partnership marks a significant step forward for the restaurant industry," said Carl Sconnely, CEO of Xina AI. "By combining Xina's AI-powered ordering system with Fortis' secure payment processing, we're offering restaurants a comprehensive solution that will revolutionize the way they operate."

Xina AI harnesses artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP), enabling customers to place voice orders and remove the need for menus or touchscreens. The AI intuitively responds to prompts, creating a seamless, conversational experience. The platform also offers easy menu customization, personalized upsell suggestions, and real-time order tracking, allowing customers to track the status of their orders instantly.

Fortis' integration ensures that Xina AI users benefit from seamless, secure payment processing within the app including features like:

Enhanced Security : Fortis adheres to industry standards like PCI DSS, protecting both business and customer financial data.

: Fortis adheres to industry standards like PCI DSS, protecting both business and customer financial data. Payment Flexibility : The partnership offers multiple payment options, including credit and debit cards, mobile payments and gift cards.

: The partnership offers multiple payment options, including credit and debit cards, mobile payments and gift cards. Scalability : Fortis' payment system scales effortlessly to handle higher transaction volumes as businesses grow.

: Fortis' payment system scales effortlessly to handle higher transaction volumes as businesses grow. Compliance: Fortis helps businesses meet regulatory requirements such as GDPR and PCI DSS, ensuring compliance with relevant laws.

"Fortis is excited to partner with Xina to empower restaurants and those in hospitality with cutting-edge technology that enhances both operational efficiency and customer satisfaction," said Greg Cohen, CEO of Fortis. "By integrating our secure payment processing with Xina's innovative voice ordering platform, we're providing a faster, more convenient ordering experience for guests while streamlining back-office operations."

Now, businesses using Xina AI can boost their operations, increase revenue, and provide customers with a better, more modernized experience.

Press Contact

Oliver Stephenson

[email protected]

About Fortis

Fortis is the leader in embedded payments for software providers, processing billions of dollars annually by delivering comprehensive payment solutions and commerce enablement to software partners and developers. The company's mission is to forge a holistic commerce experience, guiding businesses to reach uncharted growth and scale. As the solution of choice for the future of payments, Fortis moves commerce closer to invisible with a proprietary platform that supports and strengthens the commerce and payments capabilities of software partners. For more information, visit fortispay.com.

About Xina

Xina is a revolutionary AI-powered voice ordering platform designed to transform the dining experience for both restaurants and customers. Xina's innovative platform uses natural language processing to allow customers to place orders quickly and easily using their voice. Additionally, Xina provides restaurants with valuable data insights to improve operations and enhance customer satisfaction.

SOURCE Fortis Payment Systems
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation ("Sinopec", HKG: 0386) has successfully hosted a multilateral event themed Hydrogen Powering Climate Action: Towards A Clean Energy Future with Net-Zero Emissions on November 13rd at the China Pavilion of the 29th Conference of the Parties ("COP29").

COP29: Sinopec Hosts Multilateral Event with Focus on Hydrogen EnergyAccentuates Advancing International Technological Exchanges and Cooperation.

Jointly organized by Sinopec, International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association (IHFCA), and Foreign Environmental Cooperation Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (FECO), the event marked a significant milestone as the first hydrogen-themed event co-hosted by a Chinese company at the COP conference.

Two reports were published at the event, the Progress Report on Implementation of the COP28 International Cooperation Initiative "Safe, Climate Beneficial and Sustainable Development of Hydrogen Energy" and IHFCA Green Hydrogen Economy Report, that presented the progress of China's hydrogen energy innovation and practices, unfolded the country's green and low-carbon development, and promoted safe, efficient, and sustainable development of hydrogen energy and international cooperation.

Sinopec, a pioneer in developing green hydrogen, geothermal, and CCUS technologies, accentuates advancing international technological exchanges and cooperation. Ma Yongsheng, chairman of Sinopec, delivered a compelling keynote speech at the event. He emphasized the importance of collective action in building a robust hydrogen industry ecosystem and transitioning towards a "hydrogen era" in the energy sector, while stressing the need for enhanced international cooperation, openness and innovation as well as trade facilitation across the hydrogen industry value chain.

"Sinopec is dedicated to working with all stakeholders and global partners to achieve carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals as we address the pressing climate challenges. Together, we are committed to forging a green, peaceful and sustainable future for our planet," said Ma Yongsheng.

Sinopec is gradually establishing a comprehensive industry chain of hydrogen production, storage, transportation, utilization and research, further boosting green hydrogen production capacity and exploring emission reduction solutions in refining and chemical industries. It has put into operation China's first 20,000-ton photovoltaic green hydrogen demonstration project and is now planning the 100,000-ton/year wind and green hydrogen integration project.

As the world's largest single enterprise operating hydrogen refueling stations, Sinopec has built 11 hydrogen fuel cell supply centers and 138 hydrogen refueling stations. In 2023, the stations accounted for about 40 percent of China's hydrogen refueling volume.

SOURCE SINOPEC
DALLAS, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Jewish National Fund-USA officially opened its Global Conference for Israel on Friday, November 15. Over 2,500 attendees gathered at the Hilton Anatole for the opening plenary, "We Choose Life: Rebuilding and Reimagining Israel's North and South."

Jewish National Fund-USA CEO, Russell F. Robinson, addresses the Global Conference for Israel Opening Plenary (Credit: Jim Woods Photography) The Special in Uniform band perform at the Global Conference for Israel Opening Plenary (Credit: Jim Woods Photography)

In her opening remarks, newly elected Jewish National Fund-USA President Deb Zaluda stated, "When we come together, we are unstoppable. Indeed, one of the greatest things about Jewish National Fund-USA is that we're not about Right or Left, red or blue, we're about the land and the people of Israel." Zaluda also echoed the conference's message of hope and resilience as speakers reflected on recent hardships while envisioning a bright future for Israel.

Conference Co-chair Michael Miller added, "5784 was a horrific year all around the world. You  we  came together urgently to fight antisemitism and to support our brethren in Israel. Jewish National Fund-USA immediately started providing emergency relief, as well as monthly volunteer missions and community events. Together, we're building a future that will have a lasting impact for generations to come."

During the opening event, Jewish National Fund-USA CEO Russell F. Robinson reflected on the events of October 7 and the organization's immediate and steadfast response, remarking, "The stories that will be written about October 7 will be about the over 1,200 people who were murdered, raped, and massacred yet the stories should also be about the bravery of the 60,000 people in the Israel envelope and the 120,000 people in the north who had to leave their homes and became refugees in their own land. Through a fog of death and war, they rose to the occasion."

Among the presenters were influential Israeli leaders, such as Michal Uziyahu, Mayor of Eshkol, a region devastated by Hamas terror, and Nisan Zeevi, Commander of the Emergency Squad of Kfar Giladi, a community targeted by Hezbollah.

Uziyahu inspired the audience by highlighting the strength of the Israeli people, saying, "When confronted with such darkness, we face a crucial choice. We can passively watch as history unfolds around us, or we can actively choose to shape it. By choosing life, light, and hope, we follow in the footsteps of generations before us who refused to be merely victims of circumstance." Zeevi added that despite the challenges, he was "Precisely where I belong; doing my life's work," speaking to the enduring connection between Israel and the Jewish Diaspora.

The event also featured remarks from alums of Jewish National Fund-USA's Alexander Muss High School in Israel, who shared personal stories of growth and identity. One student, Izzy Sussman, movingly described her experience, stating, "Muss not only taught me about Judaism, it also taught me what it truly means to be a Jew. I not only feel more connected to my people and land, but the experience woke me up and helped me understand how to enjoy my Jewishness, how to be proud of it, and how to expand my Jewish community in my hometown of Park City."

Additionally, musical performances by Jewish National Fund-USA's Special in Uniform Band brought the audience to a tearful standing ovation, showcasing the organization's dedication to inclusivity and unity.

Jewish National Fund-USA's "Build Together" and "Reimagine" strategies were also highlighted during the opening plenary, as the organization leads reconstruction efforts across Israel's North and South. "We don't just show up; we stay," Uziyahu reminded the audience, emphasizing Jewish National Fund-USA's 124-year commitment to the land and people of Israel.

Special guests, including the Honorable Livia Link-Raviv, Consulate General of Israel to the Southwest, KKL-JNF leaders from around the world, local community leaders, high school and college students, college professors, rabbis, and many others are attending the four-day event.

For more information, visit jnf.org/global.

Media Contact:

Stefan Oberman

212-879-9305 x222

[email protected]

SOURCE Jewish National Fund-USA
SAO PAULO, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global South Media News Network, spearheaded by Xinhua News Agency, debuted online at the opening ceremony of the Global South Media and Think Tank Forum in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on November 11, 2024.

The inaugural forum, themed "Development and Revitalization: A New Journey for the Global South," was held in Sao Paulo from November 11-12. The event attracted nearly 350 delegates from 170 media outlets, think tanks, government agencies, and companies across over 70 countries and regions. Highlights included congratulatory messages from Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

The Global South Media News Network made its official debut and commenced operations during the forum's opening ceremony. The portal features sections such as "South-South News," "South-South Cooperation," and "South-South Lecture Hall." Its goal is to broadcast the latest developments from Global South countries, promote dialogue on South-South cooperation, and showcase the cultures and traditions of participating nations. The website, available in both Chinese and English, is designed to raise the forum's profile, encourage broader dialogue among the Global South's media and think tanks, and enhance news and information sharing among its members.

Cheng Manli, Honorary Director of the Peking University Institute for International Communication Studies and a forum attendee, stated that the network's launch aims to unify media forces from the Global South, amplify the region's voice, support true multilateralism, champion an equitable and orderly multipolar world, promote inclusive economic globalization, and steer the international order towards greater justice and rationality.

Malam Ali Muhammad Ali, CEO of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that the network serves as an ideal platform for Global South countries to express their views, collaborate on authentic news reporting, and strengthen the Global South's presence on the world stage.

The forum is supported by China's State Council Information Office and co-hosted by Xinhua News Agency and the Empresa Brasil de Comunicacao (EBC; Brazil Communication Company). It seeks to establish a hub for people-to-people exchanges and cooperation within the Global South's media and think tank community.

SOURCE xinhuanet
BEIJING, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Since the beginning of November, a wave of high-quality Chinese films such as Endless Journey and YOLO have been hitting cinemas across Latin America, coinciding with the rise of Chinese film festivals in the region. These films present a glimpse of contemporary China to Latin Americans, who are eagerly visiting the country to communicate with Chinese people, record local development and the essence of Chinese culture through their own cameras.



In a cinema in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as the image of the protagonist standing on the street freezes, the packed audience of 400 to 500 fell silent. It wasn't until the end credits started rolling that a wave of prolonged and enthusiastic applause erupted from the crowd.



This was the screening of Chinese film Endless Journey at the Chinese Cinema Festival, which has been running in Brazil since November 4. When sharing his feeling with local audiences after the screening, Chinese actor Zhang Yi, who plays the lead role in the movie, said that through the Brazilian audience's reactions, he could see while China and Brazil are geographically far apart, they are emotionally close.



"China can now produce nearly 1,000 films per year, and there are many excellent films. We hope that more Chinese stories can be shared with people in theaters around the world and that foreign friends will come to China to travel and learn about Chinese culture," Zhang noted at the event, according to China Film News.



In Lima, Peru, the Chinese Cinema Festival has also been holding events. The audiences at screenings have been touched by the "profound and moving" Chinese stories presented in the films, with many saying that in the future Peru and China should embrace more chances to collaborate on filmmaking.



Actually, in the past few years, a number of young Latin American filmmakers have come to places in China that are similar to their hometowns through some collaborative projects such as the Looking China Youth Film Project to understand and record the real China with their own eyes and cameras.



The participants not only witnessed China's journey in overcoming poverty, preserving cultural heritage, and advancing modernization, but they also formed friendships with the Chinese people, experiencing warmth and hospitality that fostered a deep connection after transcending barriers of language, distance, and cultural differences during filming.



Davi Pina Barros, a student from the University of Sao Paulo, was stunned by the vitality of Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality when he first went to the city in 2018 as part of a Looking China film project hosted by Beijing Normal University.



"The city looks so alive, with young and elderly people living in such peaceful communities. They are the best memories I will take from here. They are so kind, so helpful and open, it seems that we have known each other for a long time. It does not matter if you do not understand what they say and vice-versa, you will be treated as everyone else with much love," the young filmmaker was quoted as saying in a press release sent to the Global Times by the Beijing Normal University.



Barros completed his documentary film titled The Stone Whisperer in Chongqing. The work is focused on a Chinese professor who has dedicated her life to the preservation and restoration of the Buddhist cave-statues of Dazu, which is an epitome of numerous Chinese cultural relics conservation workers.



Leticia Kamiguchi, also from the University of Sao Paulo, spent all of the shooting days in a small village, Longshui, in East China's Fujian Province. Through filming the documentary titled The Timeless Village, the filmmaker went deep into traditional Chinese family culture, which impressed the creator most.



As of 2024, the program has brought in 1,100 young people from 102 countries such as Brazil, Mexico and Columbia to make more than 1,000 outstanding short films that have won hundreds of international awards. The students and teachers at the University of Sao Paulo who took part in the film project along with other friendly personages from all walks of life in Brazil wrote to Chinese President Xi Jinping, thanking the Chinese government, enterprises and universities for their contributions to friendly China-Brazil exchanges.



In his reply, President Xi said Brazilian friends are welcome to visit China more often and experience for themselves the myriad sights of Chinese modernization.



Being a unique art form, film has the ability to transcend language and regional barriers, helping audiences in both China and Latin America better understand each other's cultural features, Sun Jiashan, an associate researcher at the Central Academy of Culture and Tourism Administration, told the Global Times on Thursday.



"Latin American audiences can experience the fusion of China's traditional and modern cultures through Chinese films, while Chinese viewers can learn about the diversity and uniqueness of Latin America through its films," he said.



Chinese audiences are also increasingly eager to experience high-quality films from Latin America. In 2024, the Beijing International Film Festival featured Brazil as its guest country. As part of the festivities, a Brazilian Film Week showcased four outstanding Brazilian films to Chinese moviegoers.



During the forum for exchanges between Chinese and international filmmakers, representatives from the Beijing International Film Festival and the Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival signed a memorandum of cooperation. They agreed to establish mechanisms to promote visits, discussions, and field researches, as well as to create a system for recommending films to one another, according to the Xinhua News Agency.



"We are all developing countries, so as we move toward modernization together, it is important to find ways to better utilize the literature and art of China and Latin America, which will help foster a connection between the people of both sides. We should engage with each other frequently - much like visiting relatives - so that we can enhance mutual understanding," Kang Zhen, a professor at the College of Arts and the vice president of Beijing Normal University, told the Global Times.

SOURCE Global Times
BEIJING, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The upper part of the Chinese character "home" resembles a roof, symbolizing a home can only exist with a roof over it.

Today, an increasing number of Chinese people are creating environmentally friendly landscapes on the roofs they cherish most, showcasing a tangible "Beautiful China" through their homes.

In early winter, at the foot of the Helan Mountains, the sun still brightly shines over the vast Gobi Desert. When people enter Yuanlong village of Minning town, Northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, one can find rows of newly constructed agricultural residences with red tiles and white walls lining the road. From above, the blue photovoltaic panels glimmering on each red roof create a colorful mosaic under the sunlight.

Chinese people have aspired to convey their vision of harmony between heaven, earth, and humanity through architecture. Regarding the decision to install photovoltaic panels on the roof of her house, villager Zhang Hui told the Global Times that by installing photovoltaic panels on their roofs, they earn extra money, and the clean energy generated by the panels also gives them a channel to make their contribution to the country's emissions reduction and energy conservation efforts.

"We want to further emphasize the harmonious coexistence of humanity and nature, embodying a characteristic of Chinese modernization through our roofs," she said.

In recent years, China's solar photovoltaic technology is emerging as a key component of China's strategy to achieve its "dual carbon" goals, which aimed at achieving peak carbon emissions by 2030, and carbon neutrality by 2060.

The creation of this elevated landscape is a vivid representation of the Chinese people's efforts in building a "Beautiful China" in all respects. In this revolutionary transformation that involving production methods, lifestyles, and values, countless individuals have keenly perceived that China is keeping pace with the times, making a sound, inclusive ecological environment for the well-being of the people.

Cash in on the sun

For the residents of the village, installing rooftop solar systems and earning money from sunlight has now become a source of joy. "Because when you look up, you can see your own roof, and it reminds you of the abundant harvest you have," Zhang said.

Since 2016, Yuanlong village has successively built a 5-megawatt rooftop photovoltaic power station, supplied by photovoltaic panels on the roofs of over 1,635 immigrant households, accounting for nearly 96 of the village's total households. As of March 2024, this initiative had earned a total of 40.22 million yuan ($ 5.5 million) in photovoltaic revenue for the village.

Since 2018, Zhang's family has been renting the 54-square-meter rooftop to the power company, and the annual rental fee has increased from 300 yuan to 480 yuan as the power station has gradually entered a stable operating phase.

Beyond the tangible rental income, Zhang has also witnessed the thriving changes brought to her village by the rooftop photovoltaic power station program.

In 2020, the photovoltaic power station in Yuanlong village generated 850,000 yuan in revenue for the village collective. A portion of this revenue is distributed to villagers as rental fees, while another part is used as dividends for the village collective's shares, funding various public welfare expenditures such as environmental sanitation improvements, major illness assistance for villagers, and education support.

The Global Times has learned how the rooftop solar systems program in Yuanlong village was operated: the local government attracts external investment to bid for the construction of a photovoltaic power station, guarantees a 100 percent buyback of the project's output, ensuring that the village and its residents will receive 100 percent of profits during the 20-year operational period of the power station.

"Turning green, clean energy advantages into economic development advantages is a new concept for us," said Ha Manpeng, 44, a villager from Yuanlong

Ha and many other villagers learned that the area they live has a high altitude, flat terrain and long sunlight hours, making it suitable for the installing of clean and efficient solar photovoltaic systems

"Simply retrofit the vacant roof, there will be a stable and long-term additional benefit. The manufacturers cooperating with the government will regularly send personnel to maintain, and regularly update the equipment, thus we have nothing to worry about," Ha said.

Comfort life out of mountains

Zhang jokingly remarked that rooftop solar power generation has allowed the Yuanlong's villagers to truly transition from a weather-dependent life to "making money from the weather."

The over 10,000 villagers in Yuanlong were moved from another village  Xihaigu in 2012, which is a largely mountainous region that was labeled the "most unfit place for human settlement" by the United Nations in the 1970s due to land reclamation, drought, and a fragile ecological environment.

Ha recalled his childhood living in the village hidden in the folds of the mountains, where every household was plunged into darkness at night.

Over the past 40 years, Ningxia launched six large-scale resettlement schemes, moving some 1.23 million people from Xihaigu to more habitable areas. The relocation was part of the poverty alleviation drive, fulfilling many villagers' desire for a comfortable life out of the mountains.

Having escaped the vicious cycle of ecological and survival crises, what kind of life and development path did the villagers of Xihaigu choose in their new homes?

Yuanlong village is one of the villages that has benefited early from the income generated by photovoltaic power stations. Ha was among the first residents to install solar panels on roof.

Initially, Ha's personal experience with the five photovoltaic panels installed on his roof was simply that they provided shade on sunny days, and made the roof less prone to leaks on rainy days. As more households in the village adopted the solar rooftops, Ha witnessed a profound improvement in the living conditions of the villagers, along with an increase in their income.

As of November 2020, China had achieved the feat of delisting all 832 poverty-stricken counties. The development of photovoltaic power stations, as a typical model of industrial poverty alleviation, has contributed to this historic achievement.

According to China's National Energy Administration, by the end of 2020, China had built photovoltaic power stations with a combined capacity of 26.36 million kilowatts, generating approximately 18 billion yuan in annual electricity revenue, and creating 1.25 million public welfare jobs.

When this clean, low-carbon, safe, and efficient energy enters the homes of ordinary people, it not only provides shelter through new types of rooftops for families, but also supports more Chinese people in achieving a moderately prosperous life. Many residents have come to realize that their choices contribute to the country's energy conservation and emission reduction efforts.

They want to do even more.

"When I was a child, there was no electricity in my home, but now we can even produce electricity at home. In our village, people prefers to buy new energy vehicles. Waste sorting has become a habit for the villagers," Ha said.

"When we go out traveling, the children can immediately 'capture' solar panels everywhere. They are also very happy to see that more and more villages began to install solar rooftops just like us," Zhang added.

Green electricity town

Facing the changes in life, as an official of the Yuanlong village, Zhang's focus has gradually shifted from the land owned by villagers to the cattle and sheep they raise, and the job opportunities available to them. Now, she is also gradually learning to consider all these key aspects within the context of the new era of development she is in.

Whenever representatives from enterprises and communities visit Yuanlong village, Zhang highlights the embroidery skills of the local women and the solar roofs they have.

One of Zhang's proudest achievements this year has been helping to showcase and sell the village women's embroidered crafts to a power supply company in Fuzhou, East China's Fujian Province. She is very proud that this "green collaboration" has broken through regional limitations, built more bridges for communication between her village and the outside world, and empowered the development of local women.

With the official launch of the "green electricity town" project in Minning town in August 2023, which aims to create a new type of system demonstration area powered entirely by clean energy 24 hours a day, the project is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 48,000 tons annually once completed.

Zhang believes that the villagers in Yuanlong will have more opportunities to showcase their talents and felt gratified that she is living in a country that pays more attention to protecting the ecological environment.

At a national conference on ecological and environmental protection held in July 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed efforts to promote the building of a Beautiful China in all respects and accelerate the advancement of modernization featuring harmony between human and nature.

The next five years is a crucial period for building a Beautiful China, which should be placed in a prominent position in building a great modern socialist country in all respects and advancing national rejuvenation, Xi said.

The country should support high-quality development with a high-quality ecological environment and promote the modernization featuring the harmonious co-existence between human and nature, he noted.

Looking up at her rooftop, Zhang eagerly awaits the completion of the "green electricity town." She hopes it will build a stronger bridge connecting the common people's dream of a better life with the country's plans for emission reduction and energy conservation, leading to a more "Beautiful China."

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202411/1323101.shtml

SOURCE Global Times
PARIS, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- During HUAWEI CONNECT 2024 Paris, Huawei Global Optical Summit was successfully held in Paris, France. Themed "Accelerate F5G-A, Amplify Intelligence", the summit attracted more than 200 industry experts, customers, and partners from many countries around the world. At the summit, focusing on the "3 In 3 Out" trends, Huawei released a series of F5G Advanced (F5G-A) solutions and products for customers in Europe.

Gavin Gu, President of Huaweis Enterprise Optical Business Domain, delivering a speech at Huawei Global Optical Summit, HUAWEI CONNECT 2024 Paris (PRNewsfoto/Huawei Europe)

Gavin Gu, President of Huawei's Enterprise Optical Business Domain, shared key industry trends on this summit: Intelligent transformation is placing greater demands on data sensing and transmission and is driving 3 important trends in the optical industry.

For intelligent connectivity, homes and campus networks are evolving from gigabit to 10G as optical fibers replace copper cables. This trend has been dubbed "Fiber-in, Copper-out". Moreover, on the industry communications networks of industries like electric power and transportation, SDH (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy) is evolving to fgOTN (Fine-Grain Optical Transport Networking) at an increasing pace, which is called "fgOTN-in, SDH-out". For intelligent sensing, in scenarios such as oil and gas pipeline inspection and perimeter inspection, manual onsite operations will be replaced by remote operations. This will require converged sensing such as vision and fiber sensing, which is a trend called "Optical-sensing-in, Hard-work-out".

Focusing on the "3 In 3 Out" trends, Huawei is dedicated to developing innovative products and solutions. The newly launched F5G-A series solutions can be applied in various scenarios, covering homes, campuses, industry communications networks and perimeter inspection.

1. Fiber-in, Copper-out

In the home scenario, Huawei has launched the all-optical target network for ISPs in the "fibre to the room (FTTR)" era. On the access side, full-scenario home broadband solutions, such as FTTR and Trouble-Free Optical Network Terminal, are used to help ISPs improve user experience and reduce operating expenses.

On backbone and metropolitan area networks, Huawei's industry-leading 400G Optical Transport Network (OTN) products and innovative OptiX Alps-WDM Solution enable ISPs to easily cope with rising traffic on the networks.

In the campus scenario, as campus networks embrace Wi-Fi 7 technology, traditional copper lines will inevitably be replaced by fibre-optic cables, which enable higher bandwidth, offer longer service life  future-proofing for about 30 years  and are more environmentally friendly.

Targeting large campuses in industries such as education, healthcare, and manufacturing, Huawei has launched its fiber-to-the-office, or FTTO 2.0, solution to upgrade the bandwidth, networking, and operations and maintenance (O&M) on the live network.

Huawei made an innovative breakthrough with the industry's first XGS-PON Pro technology, a passive optical network standard that supports ultra-high bandwidth access of 12.5G or 25G services, providing 2.5 times the industry bandwidth.

The solution, an industry-first, supports end-to-end (E2E) slicing, enabling up to 8 dedicated networks (such as office and production networks) to run on a single infrastructure. This eliminates siloed network architectures and reduces total cost of ownership (TCO) by 30%.

Furthermore, the Network Cloud Engine (NCE) management platform implements holistic management of IP and Passive Optical LAN networks, enabling a single view to manage an entire campus network via a unified platform, improving O&M efficiency by 50%.

2. fgOTN-in, SDH-out

Synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) has been widely used on industry communication networks as a secure and reliable solution in the past 30 years. But as digital intelligence continues to ramp up in the industry, the bandwidth limit imposed by SDH has become a bottleneck, creating a need for a next-generation production communication network that supports higher bandwidth without sacrificing security and reliability.

SDH networks in the electric power and transportation industries are now being upgraded and reconstructed with fine-grain OTN, or fgOTN.

This comes after the International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) officially approved the fgOTN standard in 2023 and defined it as a next-generation technology to replace SDH.

Huawei has launched the industry's first fgOTN-compliant solution with the OptiXtrans E6600, a highly reliable product offering five-nines availability and providing ten times the bandwidth of SDH. It supports services like PCM, PDH, SDH, and Ethernet, and retains SDH O&M practices, ensuring smoother evolution.

3. Optical-sensing-in, Hard-work-out

Critical infrastructure such as railways, airports, and oil and gas pipelines often require perimeter inspection as part of manual on-site operations. The efficiency for such inspection often tends to be low, and with poor associated working conditions.

Smart perimeter inspection and monitoring solutions, across vast expanses such as for pipelines, can now be implemented, thanks to next-generation fiber-optic sensing and AI analysis.

These accurate and always-on solutions enable employers to redeploy staff from outdoor sites to offices, improving their productivity and conditions at work.

Another advantage of Huawei's optical-visual linkage solution is its use of fiber-optic vibration and video detection to achieve zero false negatives. With a leading optical DSP module and an AI foundation model, the OVLS solution provides 10 times the accuracy of the industry standard and offers high anti-interference capabilities. Even in level-7 winds and heavy rains, high accuracy can be guaranteed.

Looking ahead, Huawei will continue to innovate and work with all global customers and partners to seize new "3 In 3 Out" opportunities, and to accelerate industrial intelligence, achieving win-win results in the intelligent era.

About Huawei

Founded in 1987, Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. We have 207,000 employees and we operate in more than 170 countries and regions, serving more than three billion people around the world.

Our vision and mission is to bring digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world. To this end, we will work towards ubiquitous connectivity and inclusive network access, laying the foundation for an intelligent world; provide diversified computing power where you need it, when you need it, to bring cloud and intelligence to all four corners of the earth; build digital platforms to help all industries and organizations become more agile, efficient, and dynamic; and redefine user experience with AI, making it smarter and more personalized for people in all aspects of their life, whether they're at home, on the go, in the office, having fun, or working out. For more information, please visit Huawei online at www.huawei.com or follow us on:

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Browse in-depth TOC on "Hybrid UAV Market"

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Hybrid UAV Market Report Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2024 $ 760.7 million Estimated Value by 2030 $ 1705.0 million Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 14.4% Market Size Available for 20202030 Forecast Period 20242030 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Type, Industry, Propulsion, Endurance, Power and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World Key Market Challenge Rapid advancements in battery technology and all-electric UAV systems Key Market Opportunities Innovations in energy storage technologies Key Market Drivers Intelligent energy management in hybrid UAVs

By Type, the Lift + Cruise segment is projected grow the fastest during the forecast period.

The increasing demand for efficient urban air mobility solutions is propelling interest in Lift + Cruise designs, which offer the versatility of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) combined with the efficiency of fixed-wing flight. This capability is particularly appealing for applications such as cargo delivery, emergency services, and passenger transport in congested urban environments. Advancements in hybrid propulsion technologies are enhancing the performance and reliability of Lift + Cruise UAVs, allowing them to achieve longer ranges and higher payload capacities while minimizing environmental impact. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) further enhances these systems by optimizing flight paths and energy management, thereby improving operational efficiency. Furthermore, regulatory developments aimed at facilitating urban air mobility are creating a more favorable environment for the deployment of Lift + Cruise hybrid UAVs.

By Industry, the commercial segment is expected to grow the most during the forecast period.

Increasing demand for versatile aerial solutions across various industries, including agriculture, construction, and logistics, is propelling the adoption of hybrid UAVs. These drones offer the unique advantage of combining electric and combustion propulsion systems, enabling longer flight times and enhanced payload capacities, which are essential for tasks such as aerial surveying, crop monitoring, and infrastructure inspection. The integration of advanced technologies, such as high-resolution cameras and LiDAR sensors, further enhances the capabilities of hybrid UAVs, making them indispensable tools for data collection and analysis. The growing emphasis on sustainability and reducing carbon footprints is encouraging businesses to adopt hybrid UAVs as a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional aerial solutions.

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North America holds the highest growth rate in the region for the Hybrid UAV Industry.

The region's strong aerospace and defense infrastructure supports significant investments in hybrid UAV technology, with companies like AeroVironment and Northrop Grumman leading the charge in innovation. The increasing demand for versatile aerial solutions across various sectorsincluding agriculture, logistics, and surveillancefurther propels the adoption of hybrid UAVs, which combine the benefits of electric and combustion propulsion systems to enhance operational efficiency and extend flight capabilities. The growing emphasis on sustainability and reducing carbon emissions is also a critical driver, as hybrid UAVs offer a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional aircraft.

Key players in the hybrid UAV companies include Northrop Grumman (US), Thale (France), L3Harris Technologies, Inc., (US), JOUAV (China), Elroy Air (US), Draganfly (Canda), Pipistrel (Italy), Harris Aerial (US), Natilus (US), Doosan Mobility Innovation (South Korea) Moya aero (Brazil), Waveaerospace (US), Aeronautics (Israel), Skyfront (US), Xer Technologies. Avartek (UK), ElevonX (US), ALTI Unmanned (South Africa) and Elbit Systems Ltd. (Israel) among others.

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Browse Adjacent Market: Aerospace and Defence Market Research Reports &Consulting

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Cargo Drones Market by Solution (Avionics, Route Planning & Optimization, Ground Control Stations), Payload (10-49 Kg, 50-149Kg, 150-249 Kg, 250-449 Kg, 500-499 Kg, 500-999 Kg, >1,000 Kg), Industry, Range, Type, and Region - Global Forecast to 2030

UAV (Drone) Market by Type (Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing, Hybrid), Platform (Civil & Commercial, and Defense & Government), Point of Sale, Systems, Function, Industry, Application, Mode of Operation, MTOW, Range and Region - Global Forecast to 2029

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. The negotiation process between Azerbaijan and Armenia consists of two components, and one of them is physical meetings, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov told reporters on the sidelines of COP29, Trend reports.

Of course, this has its own significance. At present, Azerbaijan's main attention is focused on COP. Therefore, it is impossible to hold face-to-face meetings until December.

Whether it will take place in December or January is another question. There is no concrete agreement on this yet. In addition to physical meetings, work on the document continues. This work does not stop at present, he added.

Will be updated
This appointment reflects its commitment to a performance-based approach that aligns with outstanding achievements. By consolidating the Group's core competencies and strategically placing proven leaders with verified track records in key positions, the Group aims to strengthen organizational foundations and accelerate our future transformation.

Jaehoon Chang is promoted to Vice Chair of Hyundai Motor Group  Automotive Division, effective Jan. 1st, 2025, to further strengthen the future competitiveness of the Group's mobility business.

Looking ahead, Chang will oversee the entire value chain, including product planning, supply chain management manufacturing, and quality assessment. He will optimize business operations across the automotive business while securing internal synergies and building foundational systems for cost and quality innovation to ensure sustainable future competitiveness.

Jose Munoz is appointed President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company to advance global management framework and solidify customer-focused mobility innovation through diverse powertrain offerings, including electric, hybrid, ICE and hydrogen technologies, effective Jan. 1st, 2025.

As a result, Munoz is appointed as the first non-Korean CEO of Hyundai Motor  identified as the ideal fit to further enhance the company's performance thanks to his merit-based management philosophy and his commitment to recruiting top global talent. Going forward, he is expected to enhance the company's global management systems and further elevate its stature as a leading global brand.

Sung Kim is appointed as President of Hyundai Motor Company to manage the business effectively through global economic uncertainties, effective Jan. 1st, 2025.

As part of his appointment to enhance the company's Think Tank capabilities and better navigate various geopolitical challenges, Kim will oversee global external affairs, analyze and research domestic and international policy trends, and lead communications and PR initiatives. He will focus on increasing synergies across the company's intelligence functions, strengthening external networking and advancing global protocol capabilities.

Jun Young Choi is promoted to President of Kia Corporation from Head of Domestic Production Division and Chief Safety Officer (CSO). Kyoo Bok Lee, CEO of Hyundai Glovis, is promoted to President.

To strengthen sustainable management and accelerate business transformation, the Group has appointed Cheol Seung Baek as CEO of Hyundai Transys and Joon Dong Oh as CEO of Hyundai KEFICO.

To address challenges in the construction industry and accelerate fundamental improvements, the Group has appointed Hanwoo Lee as CEO of Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. (Hyundai E&C) and Woo Jeong Joo as CEO of Hyundai Engineering Co., Ltd.

* Editor's note: Appointment of all CEOs referenced are subject to approval by the relevant Group affiliate's Board of Directors

About Hyundai Motor Group

Hyundai Motor Group is a global enterprise that has created a value chain based on mobility, steel, and construction, as well as logistics, finance, IT, and service. With about 250,000 employees worldwide, the Group's mobility brands include Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. Armed with creative thinking, cooperative communication and the will to take on any challenges, we strive to create a better future for all.

More information about Hyundai Motor Group can be found at:

http://www.hyundaimotorgroup.com or Newsroom: Media Hub by Hyundai, Kia Global Media Center (kianewscenter.com), Genesis Media Center.

SOURCE Hyundai Motor Group

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LOS ANGELES, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is not being honest with Californians about making insurance companies sell more in wildfire areas in return for using secret algorithms to hike rates, Consumer Watchdog said in a Consumer Alert video about Lara's regulation released today. The final regulation was submitted to the state Office of Administrative Law this afternoon.

The Consumer Alert video shows how the Commissioner lied when he promised insurance companies would have to cover 85% of homeowners in wildfire areas in exchange for that right to raise rates. No such requirement exists in the text of the regulation.

"Lara said 85% of people will be covered, but his regulation said instead companies can choose to cover only 5% more people than they cover today.  And companies don't even have to meet that threshold, they can opt for an alternative arrangement if they want," says Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court in the video.

Watch the Consumer Alert video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJHHC_NW9Rs

"This is a critical issue because all homeowners are going to pay a lot more for their insurance under Lara's regulations. Companies can use secret algorithms to correspond to black box climate models to raise insurance rates. Even the insurance commissioner doesn't know how much rates will go up because no one can see in the black box. However, Lara's promises of increased coverage are not in the print of the regulation."

"In Florida companies charge more based on this rule and premiums are more than double what they are in California," the video continued.

"Governor Newsom and the Legislature have stood behind Lara's plan. Now that we know he is lying they need to challenge the Commissioner and ask the tough questions. How can we trust an insurance commissioner that lies to regulate the insurance industry? It's time to require insurance companies to cover every homeowner who makes their home safe from fires," the Consumer Alert video concludes.

The final rule also fails to improve transparency or accountability for these models that will determine what Californians pay for insurance, said Consumer Watchdog. The Commissioner ignored testimony by consumer advocates in public workshops concerned with the secrecy of the model review process, lack of minimum disclosures or any technical standards for models, and the lack of accountability for how algorithms will impact rates, said Consumer Watchdog. Instead, the final rule erects new barriers to further limit the public's ability to review models.

"This regulation won't get Californians insured again, but it will keep the algorithms insurance companies use to jack up rates secret," said Carmen Balber, executive director of Consumer Watchdog.

Read Consumer Watchdog's testimony outlining how the regulation guts the transparency, standards and robust oversight that are needed to ensure consumers pay fair insurance rates and are required under Proposition 103 here.

September 17, 2024

June 26, 2024

April 23, 2024

Among the other loopholes in the regulation's "insurer commitment" sections:

Insurance companies won't have to sell comprehensive coverage. They may offer a bare-bones policy equivalent to what consumers get today on the FAIR Plan.

Rate hikes start on Day 1, but insurers won't report progress toward commitments for two years  until at least 2027.

After two years, an insurer may put off meeting a commitment indefinitely, as long as it claims to be making a "reasonable effort."

There are no penalties if a company fails and no timelines for completion.

Among the regulation's failures to require any meaningful oversight of black box models and their impact on rates:

Creates a process designed to keep models and their algorithms private, violating Prop 103's public disclosure requirements.

Does not require wildfire models be proven reliable, predictable and unbiased.

Contains no guidelines for minimum information to be made public; required disclosures will be different for every model.

Actively discourages public participation and expert review of models.

Makes the whole process voluntary, and any model currently in use is exempted from review for years.

SOURCE Consumer Watchdog
GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Minesto, leading ocean energy developer, welcomes investors, analysts and media to a capital market day on 11 December 2024, 14.00-16.00 at Minesto's premises in Gothenburg, Sweden. Minesto CEO Dr Martin Edlund will present the company's way forward.

Minesto AB welcomes investors, analysts and media to a capital market day on.11 December 2024, 14.00-16.00. The capital market day is taking place in the company's workshop, J A Wettergrens gata 14, 421 30 Vastra Frolunda.

The program includes an introduction of the company and the technology, the way forward, as well as a deep dive into Minesto's work in realising the first tidal energy dragon farm in Hestfjord, Faroe Islands.

In addition to the Minesto CEO, major owner Corespring, represented by Minesto board member Goran Linder, will also take part in the event. Furthermore, a technology presentation, possibility to experience power plant components onsite in the Minesto workshop, and meeting people from the Minesto team is also included in the day's program.

Presentations will be held in English. The CEO presentation will be recorded and published on Minesto's website after the event.

For parking, please use the area parking lot Gruvgatan 6-8. Please note the entrance to Minesto workshop where the capital market day is taking place is at the back of the building ("godsmottagningen"). Doors open at 14.00, and presentation begins at 14.20.

Please register prior to the event at below link, by 9 December 2024. Capacity is limited.

Anmalan till kapitalmarknadsdag vid Minesto AB

Warm welcome

For additional information, please contact

Cecilia Sernhage, Chief Communications Officer

+46 735 23 71 58

[email protected]

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/minesto-ab/r/invitation-to-minesto-capital-market-day,c4067301

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S Hotels Wins Top Seaside Hotel Along with Best Boutique Hotel

NEW YORK, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Already one of the Caribbean's multi-awarded hotels for 2024, Jamaica's S Hotel Montego Bay, was recently awarded Top Seaside Hotel in North America (USA, Canada & Mexico) for 2025 by Conde Nast Johansens, the venerable forty-year-old travel directory, as well as being named as one of The World's Best 25 Boutique Hotels for 2024/2025 by travel magazine, Hotels Above Par. Both awards were announced within a week of each other, with the Johansens award presented at a gala awards ceremony during World Travel Market in London.

S Hotels Montego Bay Pool Area (PRNewsfoto/S Hotel Jamaica)

The award-winning hotel which overlooks the world famous Doctors Cave Beach was earlier this year recognized as the Best All-Inclusive Hotel In The Caribbean by USA Today's readers; the Number 1 Hotel In the Caribbean and Central America by Conde Nast Traveler; the Number 1 All-Inclusive Hotel in Jamaica by TripAdvisor; and Jamaica's Leading Hotel by World Travel Awards.

Recognized globally, the Conde Nast Johansens Awards celebrate exceptional properties worldwide that demonstrate the highest standards of luxury, unique experiences, and outstanding service. This distinguished accolade highlights S Hotel's unparalleled location along Montego Bay's stunning coastline and continues to set a new benchmark for Caribbean hospitality, solidifying its place as a must-visit destination on Jamaica's idyllic coast.

This Hotels Above Par Star Awards presented by the renowned travel platform Hotels Above Par, celebrates the world's finest boutique hotels that provide unique and memorable experiences to discerning travelers. The award highlights S Hotel Montego Bay's unwavering commitment to exceptional service, innovative design, and authentic Jamaican hospitality. Hotels Above Par praised S Hotel Montego Bay for its creative vision and commitment to delivering outstanding guest experiences. The Star Award recognizes boutique hotels that stand out for their authenticity, style, and superior hospitality.

When asked about the many awards the hotel has won recently, Anne-Marie Goffe-Pryce, General Manager of S Hotel Montego Bay said, "We are deeply honored to receive the Hotels Above Par Star Award and Conde Nast Johansens Award. Each award has inspired our team to aim higher and higher to give our guests a truly outstanding Jamaican vacation experience."

About S Hotels Jamaica

S Hotels Jamaica is an upscale hotel brand designed to seamlessly fuse Jamaican soul and culture into an urban sophistication. Simultaneously providing an elevated hospitality experience while embodying the essence of Jamaican culture, the brand's portfolio features two of Jamaica's foremost top boutique hotels  the contemporary S Hotel Montego Bay, and vibrant S Hotel Kingston(formerly Spanish Court Hotel.) Both properties are members of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and excel in shaping unique guest experiences within the island's most sought-after destinations.

For press inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

SOURCE S Hotel Jamaica
BEIJING, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The upcoming 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held this week in Lima, Peru. Facing unprecedented global risks and challenges that cannot be addressed by any single economy alone, Asia-Pacific economies are expected to conduct closer cooperation to withstand turbulence and build a community with a shared future for mankind. In an interview with Global Times (GT) reporter Ma Ruiqian, Jayant Menon (Menon), a senior fellow at the Singapore-based ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, shared his insights on how APEC facilitates economic and trade cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region and the role China can play in fostering an open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific.

GT: Chinese President Xi Jinping's attendance at this year's APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting fully shows the high importance China attaches to Asia-Pacific economic cooperation. What significance does this meeting hold, and what can we expect from it?

Menon: This meeting is taking place at a time when dramatic changes and turmoil are happening globally. APEC was designed as a forum to promote globalization or to guard against the rising tide of protectionism. It is particularly important right now, given the overall climate of rising protectionism and anti-globalization sentiment.

This APEC meeting is happening at a critical time. APEC is one of the international forums that brings together the US and China, creating an opportunity to deal with the escalating China-US trade and technology tensions. The vehicle is provided by APEC. The question is, will it be used? And that's the challenge that lies ahead for APEC.

GT: How do you view the role of the Asia-Pacific region in global economic growth, and what is the significance of APEC in promoting international and regional economic and trade cooperation, especially for the Global South?

Menon: The Asia-Pacific region is now the epicenter of the world economy and increasingly becoming the center of economic activity. So, it plays a critical role in the global economy. APEC, as the largest organization representing members from this region, has a crucial role in ensuring that global growth continues, especially during these challenging times.

For China, the world's largest trading nation, a functioning multilateral trading system is crucial. APEC plays an increasingly important role, especially at a time when multilateralism is under threat.

The key advantage of APEC is that it brings together both the Global North and South, serving as a forum that links them, especially the US, China and Russia. APEC includes a large number of countries from the Global South, but also from other parts of the world.

GT: The Putrajaya Vision 2040 you mentioned was adopted by APEC in 2020, which aims to create an "open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040." What kind of momentum can China bring in advancing this vision?

Menon: The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Global Development Initiative (GDI) are both ongoing, with one complementing the other. The BRI is more focused on large-scale infrastructure projects, while the GDI is oriented toward smaller, social-sector projects. Many barriers to greater integration are often related to lack of infrastructure, logistics costs and various non-tariff barriers. Both the BRI and GDI can play an important role, particularly in the developing parts of APEC, by reducing these costs and fostering greater trade and investment. This is a key step in realizing the Putrajaya Vision.

Additionally, China has applied to join the CPTPP, which would help support China's rise as a global player, deepen its integration into the APEC region and connect further with the global economy. This can play a significant role in promoting greater growth and integration in this part of the world. It also holds great potential for supporting the growth of supply chains in the region.

GT: What is the greatest risk to the economic growth of Asia-Pacific region today, and what principles should regional countries adhere to in addressing these challenges?

Menon: In my view, the greatest challenge facing the Asia-Pacific region is the further escalation of China-US tensions, particularly in the form of the ongoing trade and technology war. This is crucial for the region because ASEAN's supply chains are still heavily China-centered. The Southeast Asian region as a whole is being affected by the escalation in China-US tensions. This is the greatest risk.

In ASEAN, it's often said that we don't want to pick sides. China is our most important trading partner and the US is our most important investment partner. China has remained ASEAN's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, while the US remains the largest source of foreign direct investment in the region. We don't want to be caught in the middle, though, in reality, we are caught between them.

With unilateralism on the rise, ASEAN can play a role in supporting a rules-based trading system, but the real solution has to come directly from China and the US.

The uncertainty around how things will evolve is concerning. It's crucial for the region that the trade war doesn't escalate out of control.

SOURCE Global Times
LAS VEGAS, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lorraine Bencivengo-Ziff, known to her millions of fans as the "Goddess of Slots," has had an exciting and eventful year marked by major achievements and new ventures that have elevated her as one of the gaming industry's most influential personalities.

Film shoot photo Goddess of Slots on Virgin Voyages Cruise where she helped open the High Limit Game Room

In August, Lorraine made waves at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas, the world's largest gaming convention, where she was hired to showcase the latest slot machines from AGS. Known for her vibrant and engaging personality, Lorraine livestreamed from the convention floor, offering her fans exclusive access to the newest slot game releases. Her live sessions allowed viewers to experience firsthand the innovative features of AGS's latest machines, creating an interactive and dynamic connection between Lorraine and her dedicated fanbase.

October saw Lorraine embarking on a thrilling adventure aboard Virgin Voyages' Valiant Lady, where she joined renowned slot player Scott "Raja" Richter (also known as "The Big Jackpot") for an unforgettable cruise. The high-limit room on the ship was officially unveiled during the event, which featured a lively slot competition and a group pull that resulted in a substantial jackpot win for participants. The cruise was such a success that Lorraine is already in talks with Virgin Voyages for a special "Goddess of Slots" cruise scheduled for 2025. This trip will include a meet-and-greet, exclusive prizes, a cocktail party, and numerous fun surprises.

In November, Lorraine competed in the prestigious Atlantis $1 Million Slot Tournament, known as the "My VIP World Tournament of Slots," where she advanced to the semi-finals. Her presence at the event was a highlight, as she also participated in interviews and a meet-and-greet with her fans. Attendees were thrilled to receive autographed pictures and exclusive Goddess of Slots T-shirts, featuring the new, trademarked Goddess of Slots slot machine logo. Lorraine's unique style of filming, often referred to as "gorilla filming," allows her viewers to feel immersed in the action, and her engaging, handheld filming technique has made her a fan favorite. This style has earned her a special privilegeLorraine is one of the very few social media influencers allowed to film at Atlantis, Paradise Islands, Bahamas.

Lorraine was recently cast in a TV series based upon a true story which will be shooting soon in California. On Monday, November 25, Lorraine will appear at the Hard Rock in Tampaa casino she can often be found creating contentalongside Scott "Raja" Richter for a livestream as she helps demonstrate the newest Aristocrat game, The Phoenix Link, before it is unveiled to the public on November 26. And on December 5, Lorraine will be a guest on the "Live Well and Thrive" podcast with Mike Torchia and then fly to Las Vegas to appear at the at The El Cortez Hotel and Casino that same evening.

In recognition of her rising prominence, Lorraine was recently featured on a number of media outlets, including Rival Magazine, Most Magazine, and Authority Magazine, to name a few. Upcoming, she will be featured on Canada's V13 as well as the November/December issue of Gaming America Magazine.

To better connect with her global following and growing influence, Lorraine has launched an official website, www.goddessofslots.com. Fans can now find everything related to the Goddess of Slots brand, including the latest news, exclusive photos, press, merchandise, and more. Stay tuned for more exciting announcements as they develop!

Goddess of Slots

Website: www.goddessofslots.com

Instagram: @goddessofslots

YouTube: @goddessofslots

Facebook: @goddessofslots

TikTok: @goddessofslots1

X/Twitter: @goddessofslots1

Cameo: Goddess of Slots

Media Contact:

Rick Krusky, MWPR Inc.

Phone Number: 818-521-8294

SOURCE Goddess of Slots
Medline's OptiView Transparent Dressing with HydroCore Technology recognized for aiding in pressure injury prevention

NORTHFIELD, Ill., Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Medline, a market-leading manufacturer and supplier of medical supplies and solutions, has been named one of the winners of the 23rd annual Chicago Innovation Awards for its newest addition to the company's advanced wound care portfolio, OptiView Transparent Dressing with HydroCore Technology.

Medline was one of just 20 innovators to receive a Chicago Innovation Award on November 14th. The company's OptiView Transparent Dressing with HydroCore Technology empowers caregivers to spot skin texture, color variances and early signs of breakdown without lifting the dressing.

The annual Chicago Innovation Awards is the Chicago region's foremost recognition of the most innovative new products or services brought to market each year. Medline was one of just 20 innovators honored at this year's event, which took place on Thursday, November 14th at the UIC Forum.

"Medline is honored to receive an innovation award in our home market. Everything we do is focused on providing healthcare providers with solutions to provide high quality patient care. The feedback we received from nurses nationwide helped us take their insights to create a clinically effective solution for pressure injury prevention. OptiView is an exciting addition to our portfolio," said Bruce Shapiro, vice president of product management for Medline Advanced Wound Care.

Hospital-acquired pressure injuries are a financial burden on healthcare systems, with treatment costs ranging from $3 billion to $11 billion annually. Traditional routine skin assessments in the hospital require clinicians to remove the wound dressing multiple times per day and put additional stress on the dressing's adhesive and the patient's underlying skin. Medline introduced OptiView to empower caregivers to spot skin texture, color variances and early signs of breakdown without lifting the dressing. The innovative clear island allows for immediate visibility of the underlying skin, while the HydroCore Technology uses a gel center to help redistribute pressure and draw heat away from the skin to create a cooling effect.

"We're proud to award Medline's OptiView with a 2024 Chicago Innovation Award. This first-of-its-kind product is creating new value for caregivers and never before has a product addressed such an unmet need in wound care. We applaud Medline for its commitment creating this innovative solution that is bringing a positive impact to the healthcare industry," said Luke Tanen, President and CEO of Chicago Innovation.

"The Chicago region continues to be a global leader in innovation," said Tom Kuczmarski, co-founder of the awards with Chicago journalist Dan Miller. "The 2024 winners are solving unmet needs and making a difference in healthcare, finance, the environment, artificial intelligence, education, consumer products, energy, manufacturing, social services, economic development, food, and government."

Learn more about OptiView at https://www.medline.com/skin-health/transparent-dressing/.

The complete list of this year's Chicago Innovation Award winners can be found at www.chicagoinnovation.com.

About Medline

Medline makes healthcare run better. Through its unique offering of world-class products, supply chain resilience and clinical practice expertise, Medline delivers improved clinical, financial and operational outcomes across all points of care. Headquartered in Northfield, Illinois, Medline is the healthcare industry's largest medical-surgical product manufacturer, supply chain provider and clinical solutions partner. The company employs more than 39,000 people worldwide and operates in over 100 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.medline.com.

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SOURCE Medline Industries, LP
GUANGZHOU, China, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MINISO Group Holding Limited (NYSE: MNSO; HKEX: 9896) ("MINISO", "MINISO Group" or the "Company"), a global value retailer offering a variety of trendy lifestyle products featuring IP design, today announced that it plans to release its September quarter 2024 financial results before the U.S. market opens on Friday, November 29, 2024.

The Company's management will hold an earnings conference call at 4:00 A.M. Eastern Time on Friday, November 29, 2024 (5:00 P.M. Beijing Time on the same day) to discuss the financial results. Simultaneous interpretation in English will be provided during the conference call. The conference call can be accessed by the following Zoom link or dialing the following numbers:

Access 1

Join Zoom meeting.

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/95133958059?pwd=lm4fHDsWTXEaqHF4VsGl7gWrIhe5iS.1

Meeting Number: 951 3395 8059

Meeting Passcode: 9896

Access 2

Listeners may access the call by dialing the following numbers by using the same meeting number and passcode with access 1.

United States: +1 689 278 1000 (or +1 719 359 4580)

Hong Kong, China: +852 5803 3730 (or +852 5803 3731)

United Kingdom: +44 203 481 5237 (or +44 131 460 1196)

France: +33 1 7037 9729 (or +33 1 7037 2246)

Singapore: +65 3158 7288 (or +65 3165 1065)

Canada: +1 438 809 7799 (or +1 204 272 7920)

Access 3

Listeners can also access the meeting through the Company's investor relations website at https://ir.miniso.com/.

The replay will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the live event at the Company's investor relations website at https://ir.miniso.com/.

About MINISO Group

MINISO Group is a global value retailer offering a variety of trendy lifestyle products featuring IP design. The Company serves consumers primarily through its large network of MINISO stores, and promotes a relaxing, treasure-hunting and engaging shopping experience full of delightful surprises that appeals to all demographics. Aesthetically pleasing design, quality and affordability are at the core of every product in MINISO's wide product portfolio, and the Company continually and frequently rolls out products with these qualities. Since the opening of its first store in China in 2013, the Company has built its flagship brand "MINISO" as a globally recognized retail brand and established a massive store network worldwide. For more information, please visit https://ir.miniso.com/.

Investor Relations Contact

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +86 (20) 36228788 Ext.8039

SOURCE MINISO Group Holding Limited
The One-Day Miracle Mission Providing the Gift of Sound Will Be Held November 18

BROOKLYN, N.Y., Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Miracle-Ear Foundation announces their Miracle Mission, which will provide the Gift of Sound to 100 Holocaust survivors with free hearing aids and related lifetime services on Monday, November 18 in Brooklyn.

This Miracle Mission is in collaboration with the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation (AJCF), the Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI) the Claims Conference (Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany) and other partners providing critical care to Holocaust survivors.

"We are honored to work with these community partners to provide free hearing aids to restore hearing and improve the lives of these Survivors through the gift of sound," said Jenni Hargraves, Executive Director of the Miracle-Ear Foundation. "These hearing aids will be life-changing and allow individuals to better communicate with their families, friends and loved ones."

The event will take place in anticipation of International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau where AJCF will be bringing a delegation of Holocaust survivors to Poland for the Remembrance and Commemoration. Many of the Holocaust survivors traveling with AJCF will have received free hearing aids through the Miracle Mission.

"Sadly 80 years after the end of the Holocaust, many of the few remaining Holocaust survivors live in poverty and cannot afford hearing aids. Hearing loss significantly impairs their quality of life, emotional and social wellbeing, "said Jack Simony, director general of the AJCF. "The Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation is very grateful to partner with The Miracle Ear Foundation to return the gift of hearing to survivors."

The Miracle-Ear Mission will take place on Monday, November 18th from 9- 5 p.m. at The Palace Hall in Brooklyn.

"JCCGC is proud to partner with the AJCF and Miracle-Ear to provide high-quality hearing aids to 100 Holocaust survivor clients, "said Rabbi Wiener with JCCGCI. "Many survivors experience hearing loss, and we are honored to enhance the hearing capabilities of this special population, helping to restore their dignity and improve their quality of life."

The Miracle-Ear Foundation brings the Gift of Sound to communities in the U.S. and Puerto Rico with limited access to hearing health care. These one-day events provide hearing evaluations and hearing aids to qualified candidates and is made possible by the network of dedicated Miracle-Ear employees and franchisees, donors and volunteers.

Miracle-Ear Foundation

Since its founding in 1990, Miracle-Ear Foundation has donated more than 48,000 hearing aids to more than 25,000 children and adults nationwide who could otherwise not afford them. Through the generous support of Miracle-Ear franchise owners and donors, the Foundation delivers life-changing services, bringing the gift of sound to an increasing number of people in need each year. For more information, visit www.miracle-earfoundation.org.

Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation (AJCF)

The Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation (AJCF) is dedicated to using the lessons of the Holocaust to combat hatred and bigotry through education, and to supporting Holocaust survivors and victims of mass atrocities.

Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI)

Founded in 1973, the Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI) is a community-based organization with a citywide scope, dedicated to empowering New York's vulnerable communities through a wide array of social services. JCCGCI provides critical support across all segments of the population, including older adult services, vocational and educational programs, crime reduction, mental health, and community revitalization initiatives. With 40 program sites across the city and a dedicated team of nearly 400 social service professionals, JCCGCI assists over 2,500 individuals and families daily. Among its many initiatives, JCCGCI operates one of the largest Holocaust survivor support programs in the world, reaching over 4,000 survivors each year. These essential programsincluding homecare, transportation, case management, meals, homebound visitation, and community connection serviceshelp avoid institutionalization and sustain quality of life for survivors. For more information, please visit our website here.

Claims Conference

The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference), a nonprofit organization with offices in New York, Israel, Germany and Austria, secures material compensation for Holocaust survivors around the world. Founded in 1951 by representatives of 23 major international Jewish organizations, the Claims Conference negotiates for and disburses funds to individuals and organizations and seeks the return of Jewish property stolen during the Holocaust. As a result of negotiations with the Claims Conference since 1952, the German government has paid more than $90 billion in indemnification to individuals for suffering and losses resulting from persecution by the Nazis. In 2024, the Claims Conference will distribute over $535 million in compensation to over 200,000 survivors in 83 countries and allocate over $888 million in grants to over 300 social service agencies worldwide that provide vital services for Holocaust survivors, such as home care, food and medicine. For more information, please visit: www.claimscon.org

Communications Contacts

Editor's Note: Please call the media contacts below if planning to attend.

Media Contact for Miracle-Ear Foundation:

Maureen Cahill

612.385.9164

[email protected]

Media Contact for Auschwitz Jewish Community Foundation:

Geralyn Lucas

917-499-1409

[email protected]

Media Contact for Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI):

Zehava Birman Wallace, LMSWProgram Director, Holocaust Survivor Support Services

718) 449-5000 x 2292

[email protected]

SOURCE Miracle-Ear Foundation
TORONTO, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a bid to expand the global footprint of its pioneering health and wellness applications, Canadian born business, Myant Corp., a leader in advanced materials for healthcare, today announced the acquisition of Nanoleq and Osmotex, two leading textile computing companies based in Switzerland. Zurich has now been set up as a base for Myant's EU and EMEA expansion. These acquisitions add valuable talent to the company and enhance Myant's lead in textile technologies. This entry and expansion of Myant into Europe realizes its ambition to become a global leader in healthcare through advanced materials, setting a new standard for how individuals connect with people and technology.

Myant Nanoleq Osmotex logos

Nanoleq, a leading Swiss company specializing in smart textiles and biosensing technologies.

This strategic acquisition strengthens Myant's mission to pioneer the future of connected health by integrating Nanoleq's advanced sensor capabilities into its growing portfolio of medical devices.

Both companies share a vision to shift the healthcare paradigm towards prevention, empowering individuals by enabling long-term monitoring through textile computing interfaces and clinical-grade data beyond the hospital setting and into the home. Nanoleq's innovative work in the development of stretchable electrical cables, dry electrodes and biosensing technologies culminated in the flagship Oxa device. Oxa enables users to track their respiratory function, ECG, heart rate variability (HRV), and stress levels through its state-of-the-art sensor system, providing real-time feedback on vital signs to enhance physical and mental well-being.

"We welcome Nanoleq into the Myant group with great enthusiasm"," said Tony Chahine, CEO of Myant. "This acquisition marks a pivotal advancement in our mission to transform healthcare by embedding intelligence into the very fabric of everyday life. Good health is at the center of a productive life and Myant is now poised to drive further forward in the creation of cutting edge personalized medical solutions that empower individuals to proactively manage their health. The Nanoleq team is closely aligned with our vision and will accelerate our efforts to enter the European and Middle East markets."

"Very few companies have succeeded in creating reliable, medical grade, smart textiles, so Myant's acquisition of Nanoleq marks an exciting new chapter for us and will significantly scale our activities," said Vincent Martinez, CEO of Nanoleq. "Combining Nanoleq's expertise in conductive silicones for biosensing with Myant's medical expertise makes this acquisition a natural fit. Both companies share the vision that our healthcare model is outdated. People must be empowered to learn about their health before they get sick. Everyone in our society will benefit from improved prevention."

Osmotex, advanced technologies for moisture and liquid management in textiles and medicine

Myant also acquired the technologies of Swiss deep tech company Osmotex, following a joint venture phase. The technologies enable precise control of moisture and particles in single microchannels, as well as in membranes and textiles with billions of such channels or pores.

For textiles and garments, the technology provides an "electronically controlled breathable membrane" that can match human sweat rates under the most extreme conditions. This innovation is set to be a breakthrough for protective gear and first responder garments by acting as a second skin, enhancing physiological comfort, performance, and safety for the wearer.

In the medical field, Osmotex fabrics will be deployed similarly as a second skin for optimal wound healing and next generation drug delivery systems. Diagnostic applications through fluid sampling, separation and analysis are also being developed.

"The Osmotex technology is a game changer in the vast field of moisture and liquid management," said Tony Chahine, CEO of Myant. "The technology provides a true second skin, directly influencing the physiological and microclimatic conditions of the wearer. Whether in smart wound dressings for fast healing or firefighter uniforms to prevent dangerous heat stress, it removes the limitations of current fabrics. Versions that extract humidity directly from the air add another dimension, with significant potential for energy savings and reducing material degradation."

"With Myant, we are now able to maximize the impact of our technologies," said Trond Heldal, CEO of Myant Swiss and former CEO of Osmotex. "We developed a unique solid-state pump technology, relying on the most advanced materials science and technology. With Myant, we have an equally unique partner, covering the value chain from their 17,000 square meter state-of-the-art materials laboratories via manufacture to the integration into a wide range of finished products and services."

About Myant Corp

Myant exists to enable and augment quality living for all. We leverage advancements in AI, medicine and advanced materials to bring health, safety, connection and peace of mind through every stage of life.

Myant is leading a new era of evolution where AI guardians enhance human capabilities through textile interfaces that function like a connected second skin. This second skin  made possible by groundbreaking advanced materials  blends naturally into our everyday lives, setting a new standard for seamless interaction with the digital world.

From birth to elderhood, AI guardians enrich our daily experience, advance our well-being, ensure our safety, redefine how we connect to society, and enable universal access to the best possible care at every moment.

In 2024, Myant launched with significant growth into the EU and brought on world renowned AI Scientist Dr. Xin Gao as its Chief AI Officer.

For more information, visit www.myant.ca

About Nanoleq

Nanoleq is a Swiss leader in cutting-edge, flexible, and stretchable electrical connections, dry electrodes and biosensing technologies. Their flagship product, Oxa, is a smart wearable that tracks respiratory health, ECG, heart rate variability, and other physiological markers, offering actionable insights into health and wellness.

For more information, visit www.nanoleq.com

About Osmotex

Osmotex, a Swiss technology company, has developed and patented cutting-edge technologies for the controlled movement of moisture in micropores, membranes, and textiles. Its product range includes microfluidic pumps for life sciences, wound care, and medical applications, as well as climatized garments for sports. These innovations have been created in close collaboration with leading Swiss universities and research institutes over several years, and are protected by a robust portfolio of patents.

Consumer Electronic Show (CES) 2025

From 7-10 January 2025, Myant will be at Booth #53618 at the Venetian Expo & Convention Center, 201 Sands Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89169, USA

Media Contact

Charles Andreo

[email protected]

Media Kit

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2558996/Myant_Nanoleq_Osmotex.jpg

SOURCE Myant Corp.
Baku, Azerbaijan, November 15. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made certain statements regarding the Azerbaijani Constitution yesterday and we believe that these statements serve no other purpose than to mislead the international community, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov told reporters on the sidelines of COP29, Trend reports.

The minister noted that the spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry Ayjhan Hajizada prepared and presented a very detailed response to this statement yesterday.

This response points out step by step the groundlessness of the Armenian side's statement, he added.

To note, the spokesperson of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, Aykhan Hajizada, responded to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's groundless claims about the Azerbaijani Constitution on social network X.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Best Practices to Combat Common Fraud Tactics

OAK BROOK, Ill., Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), the nation's leading not-for-profit association dedicated to preventing insurance fraud and crime, is joining organizations worldwide in recognizing International Fraud Awareness Week from November 17-23 by launching a new set of fraud detection trainings and sharing consumer-focused tips throughout the week.

This annual campaign, led by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, shines a light on the costs and impacts of fraud, including insurance crimes that hurt millions of Americans each year.

Insurance fraud  ranging from staged accidents, falsified claims, and billing fraud scams perpetrated by unscrupulous care providers and contractors  costs hundreds of billions annually. During International Fraud Awareness Week, NICB will launch a public awareness campaign arming consumers with practical guidance on how to identify red flags and avoid falling victim to these schemes.

"Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime. It drives up costs for everyone and demands that we all foster a renewed sense of alertness," said David J. Glawe, President and CEO of NICB. "NICB is committed to empowering Americans through our partnerships with advocates, insurers and law enforcement across the U.S."

Tips to Avoid Insurance Fraud

NICB offers the following tips to avoid falling victim to insurance fraud:

Research, Verify, and Review: Protect yourself from billing fraud by ensuring that no matter the type of service, you are researching the providers, verifying their licensing, credentials and reputation, and double checking that the services provided match the services requested.



Know Your Policy: Familiarize yourself with your insurance coverage, so you know what your policy includes and excludes. Fraudsters often exploit policyholders' lack of awareness to push unnecessary or fake services.



Beware of High-Pressure Sales Tactics: Scammers often use urgency to coerce victims into quick decisions. Always take the time to verify claims and offers before proceeding.



Stay Alert to Auto Accident Fraud : Be cautious of staged accident schemes, in which fraudsters intentionally cause or misrepresent minor collisions to submit false injury claims. If you suspect fraud at the scene of an accident, contact the police and document the event.



Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect fraudulent activity, report it to NICB at 1-800-TEL-NICB (1-800-835-6422) or submit a tip to NICB.org.

Join Us in Fighting Fraud

This week, NICB calls on everyone  from industry leaders to policyholders  to play a role in combating insurance fraud. Together, we can make a difference by staying informed, remaining vigilant, and reporting fraud when we see it.

For more information about NICB and International Fraud Awareness Week, visit NICB.org.

About the National Insurance Crime Bureau: Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) is the nation's leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to combatting and preventing insurance crime through Intelligence, Analytics, and Operations; Education and Crime Prevention; and Strategy, Policy, and Advocacy. NICB is supported by more than 1,200 property and casualty insurance companies and self-insured organizations. To learn more, visit NICB.org.

SOURCE National Insurance Crime Bureau
SUGAR LAND, Texas, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Parry's Pizzeria & Taphouse is thrilled to announce the Grand Opening of Parry's in Sugar Land, Texas, on Monday, November 18. This is their first location in Sugar Land, located at 7310 Cotesworth Ave, Suite 500, Sugar Land, Texas 77479. The Parry's team is excited to serve up some NY-style pizza, wings, sandwiches, pasta and more, plus over 70 beers on draft, to residents of Sugar Land!

Uncle Sam Pizza Parry's Sugar Land

A ribbon-cutting ceremony, presented by the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, will take place at 11:30am on Friday, November 15th, and all are welcome to join. PLUS, in celebration of Parry's newest location, the first 25 parties in line for the opening on Monday the 18th will receive a guaranteed Grand Opening prize bag valued up to $50. Arrive early to secure your prize!

AND, all day Monday and Tuesday, Parry's will be raffling off FREE PIZZA AND FREE LUNCH SPECIALS EVERY WEEK for the next six months! A total of 20 lucky guests will win these incredible raffles.

Parry's Pizzeria & Taphouse has a menu featuring hand tossed "made from scratch" dough, sauce made daily, the highest quality ingredients, always fresh and never frozen wings, and a selection of hand crafted, local, rare, and premium beers unrivaled anywhere in the state. They have been bringing NY-style pizza, East Coast, and Italian favorites to Texas for over five years now.

Parry's also offers everyday and daily specials including $10.99 lunch combos from 11am-3pm Monday  Friday, daily pizza and wings specials, early dine specials from 3-6pm Sunday  Thursday and Happy Hour specials 3-6pm Monday  Friday and all day Sunday. Visit parryspizza.com for more details.

Guests can join the Parry's Rewards program and receive a free cheesy bread or parm bites just for signing up, and can start earning points right away, score VIP perks, and enjoy a free birthday pizza. Join today by downloading the Parry's Pizza app or visiting parryspizza.com.

About Parry's Pizza

Parry's launched in 2007 as a New York-style pizza joint that was great for a quick bite and perhaps a beer or a glass of wine. Over the past 17 years, the restaurant's reputation for "craveably crafted" food at a family-friendly value has grown, and Parry's has evolved into a complete dining experience. Sure, pizza, wings and fried dough (customer favorites) are still on the menu, but Parry's also has become a craft beer haven with some of the best rotating tap lists around.

Parry's restaurants are built with a unique, New York warehouse feel, complemented with inviting fixtures and decor that allow you to feel even closer to the city that never sleeps. The Parry's vibe is perfect for lunch, dinner or a special occasion.

Parry's partners with numerous community groups including schools, churches and nonprofits to host donation nights throughout the year. Plus, a portion of every Parry's Pint sold is donated to nonprofit partners as part of the company's "Pennies from Pints" program. The Sugar Land location will support Fort Bend Paws with their Pennies from Pints donations.

Parry's mission is simple, and the company strives to deliver on it every single day: Craveably Crafted Food & Beer Served with Uncommon Hospitality.

Media Contact:

Kendall Martinez

209-552-1426

[email protected]

SOURCE Parry's Pizza
China, Peru hail potential of new trade corridor

LIMA, Peru, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The following article was published today by China Daily.

China and Peru agreed on a host of measures on Thursday to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership, pledging shared steps to jointly build the Belt and Road and upgrade their bilateral free trade agreement.

President Xi Jinping, on his second state visit to the Latin American nation, and Peruvian President Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra witnessed the signing of a series of cooperative agreements after their talks at the Government Palace of Peru in Lima.

The two presidents also declared the opening of Chancay Port, a natural deep-water port in Lima, while participating in the port's inauguration ceremony via video link.

Xi called on China and Peru to set the two countries' boat of friendship sailing toward a brighter future, as Chancay Port  the starting point of an Inca Trail of the New Era  has established a land-sea connection across the vast Pacific Ocean.

"We're witnessing not only the flourishing of the Belt and Road Initiative in Peru, but also the birth of a new land-sea corridor connecting Asia and Latin America in the new era," Xi said, urging the two sides to work together to ensure the success of Chancay Port, from construction through operation.

Xi said that China and Peru should actively explore ways to use the new passage to promote the trade and economic development of all economies across the Pacific, so that the route from Chancay to the Chinese city of Shanghai will lead Peru and all other Latin American and Caribbean nations to common prosperity and happiness.

Boluarte said that the port "will enhance Peru's competitiveness" and symbolizes an increase in potential once operations begin in the country. In addition, Peruvian products will reach Asian markets more efficiently, she said.

The completion of Chancay Port will enable Peru to put in place a multidimensional, diverse and efficient network of connectivity spanning from the coast to inland, and from Peru to Latin America and farther on to the Caribbean.

"For Peru, Chancay marks the beginning of a new stage in economic development and also demonstrates the confidence of Chinese investors in our country," Boluarte said. "We're taking a firm step toward a future of greater integration, strengthening our relationship with China."

According to a joint statement released by the two nations, China and Peru are ready to cooperate on large-scale infrastructure projects and deepen cooperation on the digital economy, technological innovation, digital transformation, talent exchange, technology transfer and digital security.

They welcomed the establishment of China-Peru aviation links by Chinese airlines, cultivating the market for the launch of direct flights.

Both sides expressed the intent to enhance sustainable fisheries cooperation and support the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, according to the statement.

China will continue to provide economic and technical assistance to Peru within its capabilities, and will work alongside the Peruvian government to support sustainable social and economic development, with a focus on "small and beautiful" livelihood projects, the statement said.

"Setting foot on the beautiful land of Peru, I felt a deep warmth from the friendship extended by the Peruvian people toward the Chinese people," Xi told Boluarte during their third meeting within a year.

He said that China and Peru share a rich heritage as ancient civilizations.

"This shared legacy endows both countries with wisdom and a broad vision, enabling us to understand the course of history, align with the trends of our era, and uphold mutual respect, equality and shared learning," he said.

"This approach has made us a model for unity and cooperation between nations of different sizes, systems and cultures."

Xi called on both sides to build on the successes of China-Peru cooperation, further improve their strategic planning, and enhance trade and investment as dual engines of growth.

Key steps include supporting the development of both traditional and emerging industries, strengthening integration across industrial and supply chains, and elevating the quality of practical cooperation between China and Peru, as well as between China and Latin America.

China values its long-standing friendship with Peru and appreciates the decision by Peru's Congress to designate Feb 1 as China-Peru Fraternity Day, Xi said during the meeting. "With a shared commitment, I'm confident we can raise our comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights, benefiting both our peoples even more."

Boluarte rolled out the red carpet for the visiting Chinese president in front of the Government Palace of Peru in a ceremony that included a gun salute, a guard of honor and a military band.

She described Xi's visit as a new chapter in the history of the bilateral relationship, which reflects the firm commitment of both nations to "work together toward a shared future of prosperity and development".

"Today with your presence, we reaffirm our commitment to strengthening and expanding our ties in the political, economic and cultural fields," she told the Chinese president.

Peru was one of the first Latin American countries to establish diplomatic relations with China, and the relationship was elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2013.

By XU WEI and MO JINGXI in Lima

SOURCE China Daily
BEIJING, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- POP MART is proud to announce that the proceeds from the recent Phillips Auction of the MEGA SPACE MOLLY 400% Royal Selangor will be donated to the Foundation for The Arts and Social Enterprise, a Singapore-based charity dedicated to advancing the arts in Asia. Crafted by Royal Selangor, the world's foremost name in pewter craftsmanship, the piece is inspired by traditional Chinese motifs and fetched HK$95,250 after 36 bids. This marks a key step in POP MART's evolution into a high-end collectible brand, bridging art, philanthropy, and the designer toy community.

POP MART's Kevin Zhang (left) presents a donation to Michael Tay, Founder of The Foundation for The Arts and Social Enterprise (right), supporting the UTOPIA Reimagined initiative in Singapore.

The donation will specifically support the UTOPIA Reimagined (Series III) initiative, designed to empower Singaporean artists by commissioning original works across various creative disciplines. The series encourages artists to explore and interpret the concept of "utopia", providing a unique platform for innovation and storytelling. This program not only nurtures local talent but also aims to expand the reach of Singapore's art scene, fostering diverse expressions and enriching the country's cultural fabric.

"We are excited to support UTOPIA Reimagined and be part of a bigger story  one where art, culture, and creativity come together," said Kevin Zhang, Head of Strategic Partnership from POP MART International. "Through this partnership, we hope to inspire art lovers worldwide, and contribute to the growth of the arts community in meaningful ways."

With POP MART's contribution, UTOPIA Reimagined will gain the support needed to broaden its scope, enabling more artists to create impactful works that resonate within and beyond Singapore. By enhancing the resources available to artists, POP MART's donation plays a critical role in advancing the Foundation's mission to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive arts ecosystem.

"This generous contribution from POP MART allows us to continue fostering Singapore's artistic talent and elevating the arts scene," said Michael Tay, Founder and Executive Director of The Foundation. "With their support, we can bring even more ambitious projects to life and provide artists the resources they need to explore their creativity and vision."

The auction of the limited edition MEGA SPACE MOLLY 400% Royal Selangor at Phillips underscores POP MART's commitment to merging artistry with collectible culture. The piece stands out for its intricate pewter craftsmanship, blending Eastern and Western design elements, elevating the MEGA COLLECTION as a sophisticated and sought-after line in the designer toy market.

With this donation, POP MART continues to shape its long-term vision for supporting the arts, creating opportunities for collaboration, and contributing to diverse cultural spaces worldwide.

SOURCE POP MART
ST. LOUIS, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Post Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:POST) (the "Company" or "Post") today announced it intends to redeem the remaining $464.9 million in aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 5.625% senior notes due January 2028 (CUSIPS: 737446AN4 and U7318UAN2) (the "2028 Notes") on December 2, 2024 (the "redemption date"). The 2028 Notes will be redeemed at a redemption price of 100.938% of the principal amount thereof, plus the accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date (the "redemption amount"). Beginning on the redemption date, the 2028 Notes will no longer be deemed outstanding and interest will no longer accrue on such securities. Computershare Trust Company, N.A. is the trustee for the 2028 Notes.

The Company plans to fund the redemption amount with cash on hand, which includes net proceeds from the Company's previously disclosed issuance on October 9, 2024 of $600.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its 6.25% senior notes due 2034.

About Post Holdings, Inc.

Post Holdings, Inc., headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a consumer packaged goods holding company with businesses operating in the center-of-the-store, refrigerated, foodservice and food ingredient categories. Its businesses include Post Consumer Brands, Weetabix, Michael Foods and Bob Evans Farms. Post Consumer Brands is a leader in the North American ready-to-eat cereal and pet food categories and also markets Peter Pan peanut butter. Weetabix is home to the United Kingdom's number one selling ready-to-eat cereal brand, Weetabix. Michael Foods and Bob Evans Farms are leaders in refrigerated foods, delivering innovative, value-added egg and refrigerated potato side dish products to the foodservice and retail channels. Post participates in the private brand food category through its ownership interest in 8th Avenue Food & Provisions, Inc. For more information, visit www.postholdings.com.

Contact:

Investor Relations

Daniel O'Rourke

[email protected]

(314) 806-3959

SOURCE Post Holdings, Inc.
SHENZHEN, China, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNEWSWIRE/ - RLX Technology Inc. ("RLX Technology" or the "Company") (NYSE: RLX), a leading global branded e-vapor company, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024.

Third Quarter 202 4 Financial Highlights

Net revenues were RMB756.3 million ( US$107.8 million ) in the third quarter of 2024, compared with RMB498.9 million in the same period of 2023.

were ( ) in the third quarter of 2024, compared with in the same period of 2023. Gross margin was 27.2% in the third quarter of 2024, compared with 24.1% in the same period of 2023.

was 27.2% in the third quarter of 2024, compared with 24.1% in the same period of 2023. U.S. GAAP net income was RMB169.4 million ( US$24.1 million ) in the third quarter of 2024, compared with RMB176.6 million in the same period of 2023.

was ( ) in the third quarter of 2024, compared with in the same period of 2023. Non-GAAP net income[1] was RMB261.9 million ( US$37.3 million ) in the third quarter of 2024, compared with RMB201.4 million in the same period of 2023.

"We delivered another strong performance in the third quarter of 2024, showcasing our ability to consistently excel in diverse markets despite rapidly evolving trends and regulations," commented Ms. Ying (Kate) Wang, Co-founder, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, and Chief Executive Officer of RLX Technology. "Our efficient, adaptable localization strategies have empowered us to establish market leadership in multiple countries by cultivating strong product-market alignment and building solid relationships with local distributors and retailers. Furthermore, our broad offering of premium, reliable cartridge-based products and growing selection of disposables and open-system products have earned the loyalty of adult smokers worldwide. As a trusted e-vapor brand for adult smokers, we remain committed to creating innovative, high-quality products in line with shifting trends and regulations, meeting users' needs while driving RLX's long-term growth."

Mr. Chao Lu, Chief Financial Officer of RLX Technology, added, "Our robust third quarter results were led by a 51.6% year-over-year increase in net revenues to RMB756.3 million, underscoring the success of our internationalization efforts. Our gross margin also improved year over year, expanding 3.1 percentage points to 27.2%, thanks to a favorable shift in our revenue mix and our effective cost optimization initiatives. Notably, we maintained stable non-GAAP operating expenses while rapidly growing revenue, highlighting our operational leverage. We are also excited to continue returning value to our shareholders with our second cash dividend since our IPO while also executing our share repurchase program. Going forward, we will remain dedicated to pursuing development opportunities that deliver sustainable, growing profits and enhance returns for our shareholders."

Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Net revenues were RMB756.3 million (US$107.8 million) in the third quarter of 2024, compared with RMB498.9 million in the same period of 2023. The increase was primarily due to our international expansion.

Gross profit was RMB206.0 million (US$29.4 million) in the third quarter of 2024, compared with RMB120.0 million in the same period of 2023.

Gross margin was 27.2% in the third quarter of 2024, compared with 24.1% in the same period of 2023. The increase was primarily due to a favorable change in the revenue mix and the cost optimization efforts.

Operating expenses were RMB216.6 million (US$30.9 million) in the third quarter of 2024, compared with RMB154.4 million in the same period of 2023. The increase was primarily due to the fluctuation of share-based compensation expenses, from RMB24.8 million in the third quarter of 2023 to RMB92.5 million (US$13.2 million) in the third quarter of 2024. The changes in share-based compensation expenses were primarily due to the changes in the fair value of the share incentive awards that the Company granted to its employees in line with the fluctuations in the Company's share price.

Selling expenses were RMB69.0 million (US$9.8 million) in the third quarter of 2024, compared with RMB44.8 million in the same period of 2023, primarily due to an increase in share-based compensation expenses and branding expenses.

General and administrative expenses were RMB123.2 million (US$17.6 million) in the third quarter of 2024, compared with RMB78.8 million in the same period of 2023, primarily due to an increase in share-based compensation expenses.

Research and development expenses were RMB24.4 million (US$3.5 million) in the third quarter of 2024, compared with RMB30.8 million in the same period of 2023, primarily due to a decrease in salaries, welfare benefits and depreciation and amortization expenses, slightly offset by an increase in share-based compensation expenses.

Loss from operations was RMB10.7 million (US$1.5 million) in the third quarter of 2024, compared with RMB34.3 million in the same period of 2023.

Income tax expense was RMB30.4 million (US$4.3 million) in the third quarter of 2024, compared with RMB1.7 million in the same period of 2023.

U.S. GAAP net income was RMB169.4 million (US$24.1 million) in the third quarter of 2024, compared with RMB176.6 million in the same period of 2023.

Non-GAAP net income was RMB261.9 million (US$37.3 million) in the third quarter of 2024, compared with RMB201.4 million in the same period of 2023.

U.S. GAAP basic and diluted net income per American depositary share ("ADS") were RMB0.135 (US$0.019) and RMB0.129 (US$0.018), respectively, in the third quarter of 2024, compared with U.S. GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS of RMB0.133 and RMB0.130, respectively, in the same period of 2023.

Non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS[2] were RMB0.211 (US$0.030) and RMB0.200 (US$0.029), respectively, in the third quarter of 2024, compared with non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS of RMB0.152 and RMB0.149, respectively, in the same period of 2023.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of September 30, 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term bank deposits, net, short-term investments, net, long-term bank deposits, net and long-term investment securities, net of RMB15,361.7 million (US$2,189.0 million), compared with RMB14,930.8 million as of June 30, 2024. In the third quarter of 2024, net cash generated from operating activities was RMB156.6 million (US$22.3 million).

Dividend Payment

The Company announced that its Board of Directors approved a cash dividend of US$0.01 per ordinary share, or US$0.01 per ADS, to holders of ordinary shares and holders of ADSs, respectively, as of the close of business on December 6, 2024 Beijing/Hong Kong Time and New York Time, respectively, payable in U.S. dollars. The payment date is expected to be on or around December 13, 2024 and on or around December 20, 2024 for holders of ordinary shares and holders of ADSs, respectively.

Conference Call

The Company's management will host an earnings conference call at 7:00 AM U.S. Eastern Time on November 15, 2024 (8:00 PM Beijing/Hong Kong Time on November 15, 2024).

Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:

United States (toll-free): +1-888-317-6003 International: +1-412-317-6061 Hong Kong, China (toll-free): +800-963-976 Hong Kong, China: +852-5808-1995 Mainland China: 400-120-6115 Participant Code: 6222824

Participants should dial in 10 minutes before the scheduled start time and ask to be connected to the call for "RLX Technology Inc." with the Participant Code as set forth above.

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company's investor relations website at https://ir.relxtech.com.

A replay of the conference call will be accessible approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call until November 22, 2024, by dialing the following telephone numbers:

United States: +1-877-344-7529 International: +1-412-317-0088 Replay Access Code: 7489030

[1] Non-GAAP net income is a non-GAAP financial measure. For more information on the Company's non-GAAP financial measures, please see the section "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and the table captioned "Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this press release. [2] Non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS is a non-GAAP financial measure. For more information on the Company's non-GAAP financial measures, please see the section "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and the table captioned "Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this press release.

About RLX Technology Inc.

RLX Technology Inc. (NYSE: RLX) is a leading global branded e-vapor company. The Company leverages its strong in-house technology, product development capabilities and in-depth insights into adult smokers' needs to develop superior e-vapor products.

For more information, please visit: http://ir.relxtech.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company uses non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS, each a non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating its operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes. Non-GAAP net income represents net income excluding share-based compensation expenses. Non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS is computed using non-GAAP net income attributable to RLX Technology Inc. and the same number of ADSs used in U.S. GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS calculation.

The Company presents these non-GAAP financial measures because they are used by the management to evaluate its operating performance and formulate business plans. The Company believes that they help identify underlying trends in its business that could otherwise be distorted by the effect of certain expenses that are included in net income. The Company also believes that the use of the non-GAAP measures facilitates investors' assessment of its operating performance, as they could provide useful information about its operating results, enhances the overall understanding of its past performance and future prospects and allows for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by the management in its financial and operational decision making.

The non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools. They should not be considered in isolation or construed as an alternative to net income, basic and diluted net income per ADS or any other measure of performance or as an indicator of its operating performance. Investors are encouraged to review its historical non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures. The non-GAAP financial measures here may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Other companies may calculate similarly titled measures differently, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures to our data. The Company encourages investors and others to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on any single financial measure.

For more information on the non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned "Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this press release.

Exchange Rate Information

This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars at a specified rate solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to RMB are made at a rate of RMB7.0176 to US$1.00, the exchange rate on September 30, 2024, set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that the RMB or U.S. dollar amounts referred could be converted into U.S. dollars or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "is/are likely to," "potential," "continue" and similar statements. Among other things, quotations from management in this announcement, as well as the Company's strategic and operational plans, contain forward- looking statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the Company's growth strategies; its future business development, results of operations and financial condition; trends and competition in global e-vapor market; changes in its revenues and certain cost or expense items; governmental policies, laws and regulations across various jurisdictions relating to the Company's industry, and general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is current as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

For more information, please contact:

In China:

RLX Technology Inc.

Head of Capital Markets

Sam Tsang

Email: [email protected]

Piacente Financial Communications

Jenny Cai

Tel: +86-10-6508-0677

Email: [email protected]

In the United States:

Piacente Financial Communications

Brandi Piacente

Tel: +1-212-481-2050

Email: [email protected]

RLX TECHNOLOGY INC. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (All amounts in thousands)









As of

December 31, September 30, September 30,

2023 2024 2024

RMB RMB US$ ASSETS





Current assets:





Cash and cash equivalents 2,390,298 3,255,500 463,905 Restricted cash 29,760 58,265 8,303 Short-term bank deposits, net 2,631,256 2,602,887 370,908 Receivables from online payment platforms 6,893 5,357 763 Short-term investments 3,093,133 2,199,658 313,449 Accounts and notes receivable, net 60,482 121,939 17,376 Inventories 144,850 81,432 11,604 Amounts due from related parties 118,736 248,762 35,448 Prepayments and other current assets, net 508,435 299,409 42,666 Total current assets 8,983,843 8,873,209 1,264,422 Non-current assets:





Property, equipment and leasehold improvement, net 77,358 56,998 8,122 Intangible assets, net 69,778 59,156 8,430 Long-term investments, net 8,000 8,000 1,140 Deferred tax assets, net 58,263 58,262 8,302 Right-of-use assets, net 52,562 31,304 4,461 Long-term bank deposits, net 1,757,804 1,022,279 145,674 Long-term investment securities, net 5,236,109 6,223,159 886,791 Goodwill 66,506 64,528 9,195 Other non-current assets, net 4,874 5,632 803 Total non-current assets 7,331,254 7,529,318 1,072,918 Total assets 16,315,097 16,402,527 2,337,340







LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY





Current liabilities:





Accounts and notes payable 266,426 352,403 50,217 Contract liabilities 49,586 24,508 3,492 Salary and welfare benefits payable 39,256 75,047 10,694 Taxes payable 77,164 127,526 18,172 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 103,996 107,771 15,357 Amounts due to related parties 101,927 10,380 1,479 Dividend payable 881 - - Lease liabilities - current portion 29,435 16,710 2,381 Total current liabilities 668,671 714,345 101,792







Non-current liabilities:





Deferred tax liabilities 23,591 21,757 3,100 Lease liabilities - non-current portion 24,419 7,136 1,017 Total non-current liabilities 48,010 28,893 4,117 Total liabilities 716,681 743,238 105,909















Shareholders' Equity:





Total RLX Technology Inc. shareholders' equity 15,609,393 15,662,993 2,231,959 Noncontrolling interests (10,977) (3,704) (528) Total shareholders' equity 15,598,416 15,659,289 2,231,431







Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 16,315,097 16,402,527 2,337,340

RLX TECHNOLOGY INC. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS) (All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)



















For the three months ended

For the nine months ended

September 30, June 30, September 30, September 30,

September 30, September 30, September 30,

2023 (As adjusted) (a) 2024 2024 2024

2023 (As adjusted) (a) 2024 2024

RMB RMB RMB US$

RMB RMB US$

















Net revenues 498,929 627,176 756,288 107,770

1,065,929 1,935,087 275,748 Cost of revenues (278,578) (400,712) (473,379) (67,456)

(529,004) (1,201,701) (171,241) Excise tax on products (100,313) (68,602) (76,933) (10,963)

(272,624) (226,775) (32,315) Gross profit 120,038 157,862 205,976 29,351

264,301 506,611 72,192

















Operating expenses:















Selling expenses (44,751) (62,235) (68,975) (9,829)

(175,738) (184,097) (26,234) General and administrative expenses (78,849) (128,997) (123,226) (17,560)

(293,985) (362,177) (51,610) Research and development expenses (30,783) 40 (24,435) (3,482)

(150,782) (55,935) (7,971) Total operating expenses (154,383) (191,192) (216,636) (30,871)

(620,505) (602,209) (85,815)

















Loss from operations (34,345) (33,330) (10,660) (1,520)

(356,204) (95,598) (13,623)

















Other income















Interest income, net 158,260 154,207 156,659 22,324

469,951 469,724 66,935 Investment income 21,028 12,718 13,070 1,862

63,001 38,564 5,495 Others, net 33,412 22,739 40,745 5,806

183,949 92,427 13,171 Income before income tax 178,355 156,334 199,814 28,472

360,697 505,117 71,978 Income tax expense (1,746) (21,389) (30,423) (4,335)

(35,677) (68,156) (9,712) Net income 176,609 134,945 169,391 24,137

325,020 436,961 62,266 Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 1,579 2,631 3,737 532

4,169 7,085 1,010 Net income attributable to RLX Technology Inc. 175,030 132,314 165,654 23,605

320,851 429,876 61,256 Other comprehensive (loss)/income:















Foreign currency translation adjustments (83,978) 44,174 (181,148) (25,813)

331,004 (124,268) (17,708) Unrealized income on long-term investment securities 3,508 705 5,292 754

11,920 5,984 853 Total other comprehensive (loss)/income (80,470) 44,879 (175,856) (25,059)

342,924 (118,284) (16,855) Total comprehensive income/(loss) 96,139 179,824 (6,465) (922)

667,944 318,677 45,411 Less: total comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling

interests 1,579 2,618 3,730 531

4,169 7,078 1,010 Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to RLX

Technology Inc. 94,560 177,206 (10,195) (1,453)

663,775 311,599 44,401

















Net income per ordinary share/ADS















Basic 0.133 0.108 0.135 0.019

0.244 0.348 0.050 Diluted 0.130 0.103 0.129 0.018

0.239 0.333 0.047

















Weighted average number of ordinary shares/ADSs















Basic 1,316,452,743 1,228,869,526 1,225,417,517 1,225,417,517

1,317,292,081 1,234,501,619 1,234,501,619 Diluted 1,344,359,144 1,284,388,803 1,287,927,444 1,287,927,444

1,344,018,578 1,289,831,349 1,289,831,349

Note (a): The Company acquired various companies on December 13, 2023, which was accounted for as an under common control transaction in accordance with ASC 805-50. The Company retrospectively adjusted the above comparative unaudited condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss) in the prior quarter and prior nine months period.

RLX TECHNOLOGY INC. UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS (All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)











For the three months ended

For the nine months ended

September 30, June 30, September 30, September 30,

September 30, September 30, September 30,

2023 (As adjusted) (b) 2024 2024 2024

2023 (As adjusted) (b) 2024 2024

RMB RMB RMB US$

RMB RMB US$ Net income 176,609 134,945 169,391 24,137

325,020 436,961 62,266 Add: share-based compensation expenses















Selling expenses (4,045) 9,172 5,768 822

4,571 19,543 2,785 General and administrative expenses 29,771 93,026 85,295 12,154

140,190 244,735 34,874 Research and development expenses (936) (24,074) 1,446 206

1,490 (18,747) (2,671) Non-GAAP net income 201,399 213,069 261,900 37,319

471,271 682,492 97,254

















Net income attributable to RLX Technology Inc. 175,030 132,314 165,654 23,605

320,851 429,876 61,256 Add: share-based compensation expenses 24,790 78,124 92,509 13,182

146,251 245,531 34,988 Non-GAAP net income attributable to RLX Technology Inc. 199,820 210,438 258,163 36,787

467,102 675,407 96,244

















Non-GAAP net income per ordinary share/ADS















- Basic 0.152 0.171 0.211 0.030

0.355 0.547 0.078 - Diluted 0.149 0.164 0.200 0.029

0.348 0.524 0.075 Weighted average number of ordinary shares/ADSs















- Basic 1,316,452,743 1,228,869,526 1,225,417,517 1,225,417,517

1,317,292,081 1,234,501,619 1,234,501,619 - Diluted 1,344,359,144 1,284,388,803 1,287,927,444 1,287,927,444

1,344,018,578 1,289,831,349 1,289,831,349

Note (b): The Company acquired various companies on December 13, 2023, which was accounted for as an under common control transaction in accordance with ASC 805-50. The Company retrospectively adjusted the above unaudited reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP results in the prior quarter and prior nine months period.

RLX TECHNOLOGY INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(All amounts in thousands)























For the three months ended

For the nine months ended



September 30, June 30, September 30, September 30,

September 30, September 30, September 30,



2023 (As adjusted) (c) 2024 2024 2024

2023 (As adjusted) (c) 2024 2024



RMB RMB RMB US$

RMB RMB US$

Net cash generated from/(used in) operating

activities 82,853 196,764 156,554 22,309

(106,494) 357,338 50,920

Net cash generated from investing activities 967,234 557,132 139,120 19,824

1,780,871 1,116,917 159,159

Net cash used in financing activities (206,577) - (74,780) (10,656)

(401,311) (547,665) (78,042)

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash,

cash equivalents and restricted cash (5,918) 10,032 (45,818) (6,529)

52,884 (32,883) (4,685)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents and

restricted cash 837,592 763,928 175,076 24,948

1,325,950 893,707 127,352

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at

the beginning of the period 1,777,444 2,374,761 3,138,689 447,260

1,289,086 2,420,058 344,856

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at

the end of the period 2,615,036 3,138,689 3,313,765 472,208

2,615,036 3,313,765 472,208





















Note (c): The Company acquired various companies on December 13, 2023, which was accounted for as an under common control transaction in accordance with ASC 805-50. The Company retrospectively adjusted the above comparative unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows in the prior quarter and prior nine months period.



SOURCE RLX Technology Inc.
Announces $US10.9 million for the African Climate Foundation; African School of Regulation; Clean Cooking Alliance, via UN Foundation, in Kenya ; GOGLA; SEforALL, via UNOPS, in Zambia

Builds upon $US10 million to energy transition projects in dozens of sub-Saharan countries through Mission 300 TA Accelerator with GEAPP

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of Energy Day at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan (COP29), The Rockefeller Foundation announced $US10.9 million to advance African-led clean energy solutions. The philanthropic organization will invest $2.1 million to create the African Energy Futures Initiative; $3 million into the African School of Regulation; $400,000 to launch the inaugural Clean Cooking Delivery Unit in Kenya; $300,000 to help integrate off-grid solar into national electrification strategies in nearly two dozen countries; and $5 million to advance the Government of the Republic of Zambia's effort to deploy over 1,000 mini grids in rural communities. This announcement comes on the heels of The Rockefeller Foundation and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet's (GEAPP) initial $10 million commitment to providing technical assistance funding for new energy transition projects in 11 African countries and across the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), in support of Mission 300, a World Bank Group and African Development Bank (AfDB) led initiative.

"Africa's leadership is paving the way for a sustainable energy future on the continent and around the world," said William Asiko, Vice President and head of The Rockefeller Foundation's Africa Regional Office. "From mini grids to clean cooking solutions, from policies to regulations, The Rockefeller Foundation is proud to partner with African leaders to scale innovations that can transform vulnerable people's lives and livelihoods."

The Rockefeller Foundation calculates that across 72 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America & the Caribbean, and the Middle East, there is an 8,700 terawatt-hour (TWh) "Green Power Gap," which represents the renewable energy capacity that must be generated by 2050 for these countries to meet both global development and climate goals. And while an energy transition is already taking hold in many advanced and emerging markets, 42 of the 72 countries are in sub-Saharan Africa, which is home to approximately 600 million people living without electricity, while a significantly large population lack access to affordable and reliable energy.

African-Led Clean Energy Solutions:

Creating the African Climate Energy Futures Initiative (AEFI)  Supported by an initial $2.1 million grant from The Rockefeller Foundation, the African Climate Foundation (ACF) launched the AEFI, a new funding and technical assistance platform focused on African-led and African-designed energy transition solutions. AEFI aims to provide multi-year funding to centers of excellence for energy systems modeling and analysis in Africa . In consultation with leading energy modeling experts and African organizations and with additional funding support from Schmidt Sciences and The Rockefeller Foundation, the Energy for Growth Hub led the design of the initiative and secured initial resources for the AEFI. Initially incubated within the Cape Town, South Africa -based ACF, which is the first African-led re-granter working at the nexus of climate and development on the continent, AEFI is actively seeking additional funding partners to support its ambitious vision.





Saliem Fakir, Executive Director of the ACF, said: "We are excited about the AEFI. We aim to build indigenous capacity in energy planning, modeling, and economic analysis across the continent. This aligns perfectly with the ACF's approach to climate development investment platforms, as we move towards practical implementation. Our focus is on using knowledge and expertise to drive real change. Our new motto, from policy to implementation, reflects our commitment to solution-orientated action."



Supporting the African School of Regulation (ASR)  Building upon its initial $1 million to help the ASR officially launch during the 2023 Africa Climate Summit, The Rockefeller Foundation is providing an additional $3 million to enable ASR to become a hub of excellence for energy regulation and policy on the continent. With the objective of promoting sustainable, reliable, and affordable energy access across Africa , ASR is currently incubating in the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) headquartered in Accra, Ghana . In addition to The Rockefeller Foundation, ASR is backed by a range of technical and resource partners, including The Enel Foundation, EUI via the Florence School of Regulation (FSR), Energy Nexus Network (TENN), GEAPP, Pan African University Institute of Water and Energy Sciences (PAUWES), the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the University of Cape Town (UCT) via the Power Futures Lab.

Dr. Frederick Nyang, Director of the ASR, said: "We are delighted to secure support for the second phase of ASR's development, which will focus on establishing the ASR as a recognised centre of excellence for energy policy and regulation. We aim to deliver continent-wide reach for our activities, focused on research and training that enhance the regulatory environment, foster innovation, and support the transition to sustainable energy systems."

Launching Clean Cooking Delivery Unit in Kenya  With nearly 2.3 billion globally lacking access to clean, modern, and affordable cooking solutions, the related environmental, health, social, and economic costs are vast, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where about 70% of households have no choice but to rely on polluting fuels such as charcoal and wood to cook their meals. The Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) designed the Delivery Units Network, a platform of Clean Cooking Delivery Units comprised of small, high-performing teams set up at the highest levels of government with the mandate to offer policy advisory and implementation advisory support across government. The Rockefeller Foundation's $400,000 grant to CCA, via The UN Foundation, will help launch the inaugural Clean Cooking Delivery Unit in Kenya , that will serve as a model for scaling similar initiatives across the continent, including Nigeria , Rwanda , and Sierra Leone as initial focus countries.

Samiksha Nair, Chief Strategy Officer of CCA, said: "The Delivery Units Network is an opportunity for CCA to support and amplify an African-led agenda on one of the continent's most pressing climate, health, and energy challenges. We look forward to working with heads of state, ministers, climate envoys, and other leaders as they prioritize this issue, unlock financing at scale, and commit to delivering meaningful results at a national level."

Integrating off-grid solar into national electrification strategies  Off-Grid solar is the least cost solution to reaching almost half of the global population that needs to be electrified by 2030, 85% of whom will reside in Africa , according to the 2024 Off-Grid Solar Market Trends Report, published by the World Bank's ESMAP and GOGLA. With $300,000 in funding from The Rockefeller Foundation, GOGLA is working with African governments and national renewable energy associations in almost two dozen countries to integrate off-grid solar into national electrification strategies through targeted trainings, peer-to-peer learning sessions, and technical assistance. The two organizations are also collaborating to increase awareness and funding support for the off-grid solar sector. In addition, The Rockefeller Foundation was a sponsor of GOGLA's flagship Global Off-Grid Solar Forum & Expo in Nairobi that brought together over 1,600 delegates from across the sector to discuss key challenges and solutions most critical to advancing the industry.

Sarah Malm, Executive Director of GOGLA, said: "Access to clean, low-cost renewable energy in Africa underpins economic development, creates jobs, builds climate resilience, powers digital connectivity, and supports food security. At GOGLA we work with The Rockefeller Foundation to advocate for the hardest to reach populations and build the political will and technical capacity of national governments to accelerate access to clean renewable energy."

Supporting Zambia's 1,000 Mini Grid Initiative  In support of the Government of the Republic of Zambia's Presidential Initiative with the objective to deploy over 1,000 mini-grids across rural Zambia , Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) have designed a two-phased approach to address the unique characteristics of the Zambian mini-grid market and rural electrification challenges in collaboration with The Rockefeller Foundation. With $5 million in funding from The Rockefeller Foundation, SEforALL, via the UN Office for Project Service (UNOPS), will support the disbursement of a financing incentive that will go to private sector developers on a performance-based contract to help prioritize productive uses and public institution energy demand, while providing critical technical assistance to the key government agencies administering the program. By helping to to address rural electrification challenges unique to Zambia , this collaboration aims to accelerate the government's efforts to electrify 1,000 rural communities with distributed renewable energy (DRE) technology, stimulating growth in crucial sectors and reaching one million people over the coming years.

Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All, and Co-Chair of UN-Energy, said: "I join world leaders in commending His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema's commitment to accelerate the deployment of decentralized renewable energy solutions through the 1000 Mini-grid Initiative. Through the Zambia Energy Demand Stimulation Incentive (ZEDSI), which is implemented by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL)'s Universal Energy Facility (UEF) with funding support from The Rockefeller Foundation, we will support the commercial viability of mini-grid projects and bolster rural economic development across the country."

About African Climate Foundation (ACF)

The African Climate Foundation is the first African-led strategic re-granter working at the nexus of climate change and development. For more information, sign up for our mailing list at www.africanclimatefoundation.org and follow us on X @AfricanClimateF and LinkedIn.

About The African School of Regulation (ASR)

The African School of Regulation (ASR) aims to be the hub of excellence for learning practical skills established on a sound foundation, promoting independent discussion and knowledge exchange, conducting applied research to address new challenges, and making available a repository of resources in energy regulation and policy to achieve sustainable, reliable, and affordable energy in Africa. For additional information, please see the ASR website https://africanschoolregulation.org/ or email [email protected].

About Clean Cooking Alliance

The Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) stewards the global clean cooking agenda. CCA is the sole organization with the explicit mandate to operate at a national and global scale to enable market-based approaches for clean cooking, in service of achieving 10 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. CCA works through a worldwide network of partners to ensure that no one's life is limited by how they cook. For additional information, please visit https://cleancooking.org/, subscribe to our newsletter at https://cleancooking.org/newsletter, and follow us on LinkedIn @cleancookingalliance.

About GOGLA

GOGLA is the global association for the off-grid solar energy industry, representing over 200 members working to transform lives through clean, affordable, and high-quality solar products and services. More than 560 million climate-vulnerable people already benefit from off-grid solar today. With the right support, our industry is poised to scale rapidly, aiming to improve the lives of 1 billion people by 2030. GOGLA drives this progress by serving as a central hub for the sector, offering vital market data, advocating for supportive policies and increased investment, and providing value-added services to our members. Learn more at gogla.org.

About Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL)

Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is an international organization that works in partnership with the United Nations and leaders in government, the private sector, financial institutions, civil society and philanthropies to drive faster action towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7)  access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030  in line with the Paris Agreement on climate. We work to ensure a clean energy transition that leaves no one behind and brings new opportunities for everyone to fulfill their potential.

About The Rockefeller Foundation

The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation that enable individuals, families, and communities to flourish. We make big bets to promote the well-being of humanity. Today, we are focused on advancing human opportunity and reversing the climate crisis by transforming systems in food, health, energy, and finance. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at www.rockefellerfoundation.org/suscribe and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn and LI @the-rockefeller-foundation.

SOURCE The Rockefeller Foundation
NEW YORK, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --

Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces an investigation of potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS) resulting from allegations that Unisys may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.

So What: If you purchased Unisys securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.

To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=9648 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

What is this about: On October 22, 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced that it had charged four companies, including Unisys, with "making materially misleading disclosures regarding cybersecurity risks and intrusions." Further, the SEC also charged Unisys with disclosure controls and procedures violations.

On this news, Unisys stock fell 8.6% on October 22, 2024.

Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.
Future of Science: Breakthroughs and Impacts

HONG KONG, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Roundtable with Shaw Laureates  Future of Science: Breakthroughs and Impacts", presented jointly by The Shaw Prize Foundation and the Hong Kong Science Museum, and organised by the South China Morning Post, was held on 14 November at the Hong Kong Science Museum. This gathering brought together four distinguished 2024 Shaw Laureates for a cross-disciplinary discussion on various aspects of scientific research, from interpersonal to international communication and collaboration, to the impact of AI on the entire scientific community and beyond. The roundtable attracted over 120 in-person participants, and hundreds of audiences online.

The Roundtable with Shaw Laureates  Future of Science: Breakthroughs and Impacts was held at the Hong Kong Science Museum on 14 November. Four 2024 Shaw Laureates engaged in a cross-disciplinary discussion.

Among the speakers were Shrinivas Kulkarni, Shaw Laureate in Astronomy 2024; Swee Lay Thein and Stuart Orkin, Shaw Laureates in Life Science and Medicine 2024; and Peter Sarnak, Shaw Laureate in Mathematical Sciences 2024.

A key focus of the conversation was the increasing role of emerging technologies, particularly AI, in science research. The speakers acknowledged the inevitability of AI's integration across all disciplines and emphasised the need for scientists to embrace this advancement. From a life science point of view, AI has the potential to accelerate drug development by replacing the traditional trial-and-error method. Students should be equipped with the technology, and be aware of what the tool can and cannot do. Mathematician Sarnak highlighted the importance of leveraging valuable resources such as international conferences, particularly those hosted in major cities like Hong Kong, to maximise the impact of AI in driving scientific breakthroughs through enhanced international collaboration.

While recognising the benefits of AI, concerns regarding the implications of this technology were also addressed during the roundtable. Speakers stressed the pivotal role of the understanding process in the pursuit of knowledge, emphasising that this process encapsulates the true essence of being a scientist  an aspect that AI cannot replicate.

During the interactive session, speakers answered various questions from the audience, among which were many young researchers and scholars. Life scientists Orkin and Thein encouraged young scientists to pursue their own interests and commit to work that they strongly believe in. In contrast, Astronomer Kulkarni, who viewed science as a strategic endeavour, advised students to identify and maximise one's strengths and optimise resources effectively to achieve success in this "game" in science.

SOURCE Shaw Prize
SHANGHAI, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- S-Tron Shanghai 2024, the leading global technology innovation event, wrapped up its successful run at the West Bund Art Center in Shanghai from September 20-21, 2024. The event brought together over 11,000 professionals from around the world, including top technology leaders, cutting-edge startups, investment firms, and industry experts, fostering a dynamic platform for dialogue on China's technological landscape and the future of global innovation.

Event Highlights:

Attendees : Over 11,000 professionals registered

: Over 11,000 professionals registered Industry Leaders : 200+ top technology executives and visionaries sharing insights

: 200+ top technology executives and visionaries sharing insights Investors : 1,500+ investment institutions seeking emerging opportunities

: 1,500+ investment institutions seeking emerging opportunities Exhibitors: 140+ innovative startups unveiling breakthrough technologies

Diverse Discussions on Emerging Technologies

This year's event featured over 60 sessions covering topics such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, energy transformation, and sustainable development. The 48-hour conference hosted more than 200 speakers who provided expert analysis on global technology trends and market dynamics through keynote addresses, panel discussions, and fireside chats.

Global Startup Pitch Competition: Driving Innovation

A major highlight of the event was the Global Startup Pitch Competition, which saw over 500 startups from 20+ countries compete for the top prize. After an intensive two-month selection process, 80+ high-quality startups advanced to the final stage, representing industries such as health, mobility, sustainability, advanced manufacturing, and more. Hangzhou Nanomics Biotechnology Co., Ltd. emerged as the winner in the Life and Health Track, impressing the judges with its groundbreaking solution. The victory not only brought the startup significant recognition but also attracted strong investment interest.

Exhibition: Showcasing Cutting-Edge Innovations

More than 140 exhibitors presented interactive displays and real-world applications of their innovations, captivating attendees with the potential to reshape industries. The exhibition featured products spanning various sectors, from advanced manufacturing to sustainable solutions, drawing attention from investors and strategic partners.

Global Collaboration and Cross-Border Innovation

With more than 20% of participants coming from overseas, S-Tron Shanghai 2024 demonstrated its role as a catalyst for international collaboration. Corporate leaders and innovators from diverse regions engaged in valuable exchanges, fostering cross-border partnerships and furthering the global integration of emerging technologies.

Commitment to Sustainability

S-Tron Shanghai 2024 set a new benchmark for eco-conscious events by going fully paperless and utilizing AI-powered simultaneous translation, reducing resource waste. Exhibitors also embraced green technology, showcasing solutions designed with environmental sustainability in mind.

The Role of Volunteers: A Cornerstone of Success

The seamless execution of this year's event was made possible by the dedication of over 713 volunteers, selected from nearly 2,000 applicants. Their contributions ensured that the event ran smoothly, providing an exceptional experience for all attendees and underscoring the power of community support in delivering impactful events.

Looking Ahead to S-Tron Shanghai 2025

In his closing remarks, Sean Song, Founder and President of S-Tron China, expressed his commitment to continuing the innovation-driven mission of S-Tron. "S-Tron will remain at the forefront of technological advancement, nurturing the next generation of innovators and fostering a thriving global innovation ecosystem," he said. He also confirmed that the next edition of S-Tron Shanghai will take place on September 23-24, 2025.

About S-Tron

S-Tron is a global leader in innovation, providing a platform to showcase groundbreaking ideas and technologies. By connecting innovators, industry leaders, and investors, S-Tron is not only pushing the boundaries of technology but also catalyzing cross-sector and cross-border collaboration. As it continues to reshape the future, S-Tron remains dedicated to exploring the infinite possibilities of innovation.

For more information and to register for S-Tron Shanghai 2025, visit www.s-union.cn/

See also S-Tron Shanghai 2024 official aftermovie: https://youtu.be/4L7ZNSNtVKQ

SOURCE S-Tron
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. MAMA "Mother Nature International Art Project, calling for environmental protection, and "Participate!" exhibition have opened at the Heydar Aliyev Center, Trend reports.

Leyla Aliyeva, Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Founder and Head of IDEA Public Union, Arzu Aliyeva, Head of the Baku Media Center, along with family members participated in the event.

Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, launched MAMA "Mother Nature" International art project, as part of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). The exhibition presented as part of the project is organized by the IDEA (International Dialogue for Environmental Action) Public Union and the Heydar Aliyev Center.

The exhibition "Participate!" featuring environmental protection, is co-organized by the Heydar Aliyev Center and the Swiss Association of Women and Empowerment  ASWE, initiated by Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, and Leyla Aliyeva, Head of IDEA Public Union.

Speaking at the event, Leyla Aliyeva expressed her confidence that the efforts undertaken in Azerbaijan as part of hosting COP29 would lead to many positive outcomes.

The Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation shared insights into the pressing effects of climate change, highlighting the severe consequences of air, soil, and water pollution. Noting the serious impact of climate change and pollution on Azerbaijan`s ecosystem, Leyla Aliyeva highlighted IDEA Public Union's dedication since its founding in 2011 to addressing environmental concerns.

Turkish artist Seval Ozcan expressed her gratitude to Leyla Aliyeva for organizing such an impactful exhibition. Ozcan highlighted the significance of hosting climate change-related events in Baku, particularly in such challenging times.

Valovaya in her video message, also expressed her gratitude to Leyla Aliyeva as well as the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Swiss Association of Women and Empowerment  ASWE, for their global efforts to combat climate change and achieve a greener world, and for the implementation of the two projects.

Furthermore, the participants viewed the MAMA "Mother Nature" and "Participate!" exhibitions.

MAMA "Mother Nature" international art project features works by 55 various artists from 28 countries, all united by a call to protect the planet for future generations through their art. The exhibition presents a total of 127 pieces, including digital installations, paintings, graphics, and sculptures.

The exhibition "Participate!" focuses on environmental protection, raising environmental awareness, and promoting eco-culture. The project aims to increase people's environmental awareness, involve children and teenagers in the environmental agenda, and support their eco-activity in popular formats.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Chief Judge Says CA Insurance Regulators Flouted Consumer Protections

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chief Administrative Law Judge of the California Department of Insurance has concluded that the agency is flouting laws designed to protect Californians against insurance overcharges and arbitrary decision-making by the agency. The ruling has galvanized the insurance industry and a Department attorney to ask Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to overturn key portions of the Chief Judge's decisions.

In a lengthy rebuke of the procedures that Insurance Commissioners have utilized when consumers challenge proposed rates as unlawful under Proposition 103, Chief Administrative Law Judge (CALJ) Kristin I. Rosi noted that settlements between the Department, insurance companies and consumer representatives must by law be subject to review by judges within the agency's independent judicial unit, the Administrative Hearing Bureau. That is "an essential part of [Proposition 103's] rate proceeding framework, meant to ensure public oversight and protection," Judge Rosi explained.

"When the parties ignore settlement regulations meant to provide specific oversight, California consumers are once again left without assurances that the implemented rate is fundamentally fair and reasonable." And it "permits insurance carriers and the Department to freeze out consumer groups from any negotiated resolution in contravention of Proposition 103's stated purpose of fostering public access and information."

Read the CALJ Decision.

In a letter, Consumer Watchdog urged Mr. Lara "not to interfere with the Decisions of the Chief Administrative Law Judge and the Administrative Hearing Bureau in these matters."

"Neutral judges are a central principle of the rule of law, which is why the voters intended that administrative law judges oversee how rates are set under Proposition 103 to prevent political interference," said Harvey Rosenfield, founder of Consumer Watchdog and author of Proposition 103. "We have long objected to the practices that the Chief Judge has criticized, and we strongly embrace the principles and protections of the Chief Judge's rulings. They are necessary to maintain the integrity and fairness of the process under which the Commissioner approves proposed rates."

Read Consumer Watchdog's Letter.

Read Filings from State Farm, Allstate, and insurance industry lobbyists.

Read the Department of Insurance Rate Enforcement Bureau's Letter.

Dispute Arises as Commissioner Lara Offers Insurers Higher Rates, Less Public Scrutiny

Under insurance reform Proposition 103, insurance companies are required to apply to the elected Insurance Commissioner for approval of changes in rates and premiums; open their books to public scrutiny and justify rate those changes before they go into effect; and allow consumers to challenge requests they believe are improper. The CALJ rulings  in six separate rate cases  confirm that the Insurance Commissioner's staff, insurance companies, and consumer groups that challenge excessive rates or unlawful practices must present an agreement on a rate change to the administrative judges who are independent of the Commissioner, for their initial review.

Two major insurance companies, State Farm and Allstate  whose previous rate increases are among those criticized by the CALJ's rulings  have joined an agency attorney to urge the Commissioner to reverse the Chief Judge. Four insurance industry Sacramento lobbying firms have also joined the call to overturn the Chief Judge's rulings.

The CALJ's rulings come as Commissioner Lara has proposed new regulations based on proposals long desired by the insurance industry that will cause insurance rates to skyrocket for home, renter, auto and small business insurance.

Lara has also announced a plan to undermine or eliminate key procedural protections the voters established that mandate insurance companies apply for approval of rate increases, open their books to public scrutiny to justify rate changes before they go into effect, and allow the public to challenge requests they believe are unjust.

Consumer Watchdog has utilized Proposition 103 "public participation" rights to save California consumers over $6 billion since 2003. Indeed, Chief Judge Rosi's rulings were made in the context of requests submitted by Consumer Watchdog for compensation for its work in those seven challenges. Under Prop 103, insurers must pay for that advocacy when consumer representatives make a "substantial contribution," a determination made by judges at the Administrative Hearing Bureau. In each of the orders by CALJ Rosi, Consumer Watchdog was found to have made a substantial contribution to the outcome of the proceedings.

A little noticed provision in a bill backed by Lara and the insurance lobby in 2023 to dismantle Proposition 103's protections would have allowed him to appoint the CALJ. Sacramento lawmakers refused to consider the legislation.

SOURCE Consumer Watchdog
The Agreement, Established as Part of Governor Ron DeSantis' Trade Mission to Italy, Makes Tampa General Hospital the First Health System in the Southeastern United States to Offer Robotic-Assisted Lymphatic Microsurgery.

MILAN, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tampa General Hospital and the University of South Florida announced today an agreement with Medical Microinstruments, Inc., or MMI, to bring the Symani Surgical System, a first-of-its-kind robotic technology, to support lymphatic surgery at TGH. This will be the first and only technology of its kind available in the Southeastern United States and is expected to improve patient outcomes for the most complex procedures involving delicate anatomy.

"At Tampa General Hospital, we've invested in the latest technologies and recruited best-in-class providers to make Florida the destination for innovation in health care," said John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General. "Now, with the support of Governor Ron DeSantis and our state leaders, we're opening doors to new partnerships and introducing more of the world's best technologies in health care to Florida. Because of these efforts, our patients can count on us for world-class care, better outcomes and a higher quality of life."

USF President Rhea Law said the agreement with MMI will enhance USF Health and TGH's position as one of the nation's leading academic health systems.

"This unique and exciting partnership brings together the very best from both academic medicine and private industry to achieve progress in health care for Floridians who otherwise would not have access to this innovative surgical system in our state," Law said. "We are grateful to Governor DeSantis and our state leaders for their support in helping us improve lives and build a healthier future."

"Congratulations to everyone involved in today's MOU signing," said Governor Ron DeSantis. "Florida boasts the best in health care, medical technology, and innovation, and we will continue to support our businesses and hospitals in forging new paths and partnerships. This new robotic surgical technology will increase the quality of life for those battling or recovering from cancer and make procedures for Floridians more precise and less invasive."

Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, executive vice president of USF Health and dean of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, said this innovation showcases the strength of academic medicine.

"We appreciate that Governor DeSantis and our state legislators understand and support the innovative nature of academic medicine," said Dr. Lockwood, who also serves as executive vice president and chief academic officer at TGH. "Our faculty physicians have the expertise to bring cutting-edge care to our patients in even the most complex cases."

The agreement was reached during a trade mission to Italy this week hosted by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis. President Law formally signed the agreement with MMI during a special ceremony in Italy. Nicholas J. Panetta, M.D., FACS, chief of Tampa General Hospital Plastic Surgery and chair of the Department of Plastic Surgery in the Morsani College of Medicine, and Eduardo M. Sotomayor, M.D., director of the TGH Cancer Institute, also joined the trade mission.

MMI's Symani Surgical System uniquely addresses the scale and complexities of microsurgery and supermicrosurgery to restore quality of life for more patients and enable more surgeons to perform complex procedures for delicate anatomy. The system features smaller robotic components coupled with enhanced controls so that surgeons can suture tiny vessels and nerves as small as .2 millimeters in diameter.

"The problem of cancer-related lymphedema that this collaboration is focused on tackling is significant. Unfortunately, today there is only a handful of surgeons with the skills necessary to treat this often-debilitating condition. The collaboration between MMI, USF and TGH is going to make substantial progress for patients on this front," said Dr. Nicholas Panetta, chief of TGH Plastic Surgery and chair of the Department of Plastic Surgery in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.

"TGH Cancer Institute is very fortunate to be working with Dr. Panetta's team in building a unique microsurgery and reconstructive oncology program at USF/TGH with a particular focus in breast cancer patients, that would be among the best in the nation and worldwide," said Dr. Sotomayor.

MMI's Symani Surgical System is a less invasive surgical treatment for reconstructions and lymphedema. Patients who benefit from the technology experience reduced vessel trauma and require fewer additional procedures.

Surgeons who use MMI's Symani Surgical System can accelerate the development of their microsurgical skills and generate higher success rates while reducing adverse events.

MMI's Symani Surgical System is just the most recent addition to Tampa General's host of technologies that support minimally invasive surgical procedures. In August, TGH announced the acquisition of the new Intuitive da Vinci 5 Surgical System. Tampa General was the first hospital in the region to offer the new surgical system.

ABOUT TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL

Tampa General Hospital, a 981-bed, not-for-profit, academic health system, is one of the largest hospitals in America and delivers world-class care as the region's only center for Level l trauma and comprehensive burn care. Tampa General Hospital is the highest-ranked hospital in the market in U.S. News & World Report's 2024-2025 Best Hospitals , with two medical specialties ranking among the top 20 in the nation and eight medical specialties ranking among the top 50 best hospital programs in the United States. Tampa General Hospital has been designated as a model of excellence by the 2022 Fortune/Merative 100 Top Hospitals list. The academic health system's commitment to growing and developing its team members is recognized by three prestigious Forbes magazine rankings  in the top 100 nationally in the 2024 America's Best Large Employers , the top 50 in Florida in the 2024 America's Best Employer's by State and the 2023 America's Best Employers for Women , Tampa General is the safety net hospital for the region, caring for everyone regardless of their ability to pay, and in fiscal year 2022, provided a net community benefit of approximately $240.3 million in the form of health care for underinsured patients, community education, and financial support to community health organizations in Tampa Bay. It is one of the nation's busiest adult solid organ transplant centers and is the primary teaching hospital for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. With five medical helicopters, Tampa General Hospital transports critically injured or ill patients from 23 surrounding counties to receive the advanced care they need. Tampa General houses a nationally accredited comprehensive stroke center, and its 32-bed Neuroscience, Intensive Care Unit is the largest on the West Coast of Florida. It also is home to the Muma Children's Hospital at TGH, the Jennifer Leigh Muma 82-bed neonatal intensive care unit, and a nationally accredited rehabilitation center. Tampa General Hospital's footprint includes TGH North which is comprised of three hospitals and several outpatient locations in Citrus and Hernando counties, 17 Tampa General Medical Group Primary Care offices, TGH Family Care Center Kennedy, TGH Outpatient Center, TGH Virtual Health, and 21 TGH Imaging outpatient radiology centers throughout Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Palm Beach counties. Tampa Bay area residents also receive world-class care from the TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track network of clinics. To see a medical care professional live anytime, anywhere on a smartphone, tablet or computer, visit Virtual Health | Tampa General Hospital (tgh.org) . As one of the largest hospitals in the country, Tampa General Hospital is the first in Florida to partner with GE Healthcare and open a clinical command center that provides real-time situational awareness to improve and better coordinate patient care at a lower cost. For more information, go to www.tgh.org .

About USF HEALTH

USF Health's mission is to envision and implement the future of health. It is the partnership of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Public Health, the Taneja College of Pharmacy, the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, the Biomedical Sciences Graduate and Postdoctoral Programs, and USF Health's multispecialty physicians' group. The University of South Florida is a high-impact global research university dedicated to student success. Over the past 10 years, no other public university in the country has risen faster in U.S. News & World Report's national university rankings than USF. For more information, visit health.usf.edu.

Media Contact:

Amanda Bevis

(202) 680-9262 (cell)

[email protected]

SOURCE Tampa General Hospital
This novel retrofit adapter upgrades mainstream Targus docking stations to IoT-enabled smart docks that support its MiraLogic Workspace Intelligence System; seamlessly connects organizations to the MiraLogic platform giving technical and management teams full remote control and visibility of their modular IT assets anywhere to advance their sustainability efforts

ANAHEIM, Calif., Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Targus, the number one laptop bag brand in the US1 and a leader in laptop cases and mobile computing accessories, today announced that its MiraLogic Connect retrofit adapter has been named a CES 2025 Innovation Award Honoree in the Sustainability, Eco-Design & Smart Energy category. CES' elite panel of judges recognized MiraLogic Connect for its unique features and benefits that help organizations advance their sustainability initiatives by upgrading mainstream Targus docking stations to IoT-connected smart docks configured for MiraLogic. MiraLogic is a patented, unique workspace intelligence system that enables IT and management teams to remotely control, oversee, and optimize their company's modular IT ecosystems, anywhere.

MiraLogic Connect seamlessly connects organizations to the Targus MiraLogic platform to improve productivity, ROI, and sustainability.

With the MiraLogic Connect adapter, organizations can seamlessly and cost-effectively upgrade their mainstream Targus docking stations to IoT-connected smart docks configured for MiraLogic. This allows their IT and management teams to efficiently analyze, control, and manage their workspace assets anywhere (e.g., power consumption, workspace utilization, and real-time occupancy). By providing valuable, real-time insights to make data-driven decisions about running costs of power, energy, equipment, and desk usage, MiraLogic helps today's businesses achieve their sustainability goals more effectively while empowering employees to work productively from anywhere.

"Previously, MiraLogic primarily catered to enterprises connecting to the platform via our Targus enterprise-grade docking station, DOCK810," explains Ron DeCamp, VP, Global Product Management & Development, Targus. "MiraLogic Connect opens the door for more organizations to leverage the MiraLogic platform using Targus docking stations they may already own or that are ideally suited for their environments. As a result, IT and management teams can save time and money by simplifying deployment, along with improving productivity and sustainability across their organization."

MiraLogic Connect is a retrofit adapter that sits between a Targus docking station*, specifically DOCK182, DOCK192, DOCK310, and DOCK315, and host device to incorporate the capabilities of the Targus MiraLogic Workspace Intelligence System into the dock. With this small adapter, Over-the-Air (OTA) Firmware updates and management tasks can also now be performed remotely and automatically through the MiraLogic platform, without attaching to a host device. This eliminates the need to perform time-intensive, manual updates on multiple docks throughout the workplace. Remote OTA firmware updates enable organizations to cut time spent on dock maintenance by more than 90%, according to data from Targus enterprise users.

Extending MiraLogic's sustainability benefits, the adapter and product packaging also use recycled materials. The housing has 75% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic and the product comes in a recyclable brown box packaging and CPE-07 biodegradable bag which degrades faster than regular plastic once discarded. In the company's future docking solutions roadmap, Targus is working toward replacing all of its current docking products with 85% Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) housing and 100% recycled packaging.

The MiraLogic Workspace Intelligence System, which was named a CES Innovation Award Honoree in 2020 and 2024, combines patented and patent-pending enterprise-grade hardware and proprietary cloud software to give technical and management teams full remote control and visibility over their modular IT ecosystems across the workplace. By providing real-time insights to make data-driven decisions about running costs of power, energy, equipment, and desk usage, organizations can achieve their sustainability goals more effectively while empowering employees to work productively from anywhere.

MiraLogic Connect is slated for availability in April 2025. Consumers and media can get a firsthand look and technical demonstration of MiraLogic Connect and the MiraLogic Workspace Intelligence System at CES 2025, the world's most important proving ground for innovation happening in Las Vegas, Jan. 7th-10th. Targus will be showcasing its latest innovations in docking stations, cases, and tech accessories designed to upgrade peoples' lives at The Venetian in Suite #35-106. Additionally, MiraLogic Connect will be featured in the CES Innovation Awards Showcase and with the MiraLogic Workspace Intelligence System during CES Unveiled, CES' premier media preview event taking place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on the evening of January 5th.

About the CES 2025 Innovation Awards

The CES Innovation Awards program, owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), is an annual competition honoring outstanding design and engineering in consumer technology products. The program recognizes honorees in a multitude of consumer technology product categories and distinguishes the highest rated in each. An elite panel of industry expert judges, including members of the media, designers, engineers and more, reviewed submissions based on innovation, engineering and functionality, aesthetic and design.

The CES 2025 Innovation Award Honorees, including product descriptions and photos, can be found at CES.tech/innovation. More will be revealed in January. Many honorees will showcase their winning products in the Innovation Awards Showcase at CES 2025.

About Targus

For 40 years, Targus has been revolutionizing mobile computing accessories for large enterprises and consumers, alike  connecting people and technology in meaningful ways. From laptop bags to tablet cases, to peripherals and universal docking stations, we persistently conceive, design, and produce innovative, productivity-boosting solutions that make the complex, simple; and seamlessly integrate into the lifestyles of mobile professionals wherever they work  at home, in the office, or wherever they go. We cross categories, regions, industries, and lifestyles with a breadth and depth of products that provide you with the solutions you need to live, dream, and do.

A global leader in docking, Targus has deployed more than 3 million universal docking stations around the world in more than 12,000 organizations  with more than 90% of Fortune 1000 companies using Targus products and maintains the number one spot in US B2B Universal Docks (3rd party only)2.

Headquartered in Anaheim, California, Targus has global operations in more than 24 offices and distribution in more than 100 countries. Discover Targus at Targus.com and on our blog, and connect with us on social media: Podcast, LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Also learn more about how Targus is continuing to move sustainability to the forefront in its annual global sustainability report.

1Source: Circana, US/Canada Retail and US B2B Reseller in Unit Sales for 12ME June 2023 (Laptop Bag case type = Briefcase, Sleeve, Attache, Slipcase, Messenger Bag)

2Source: Circana, US B2B Reseller, Docking Stations Unit Sales, 12ME June 2023

Targus and MiraLogic are trademarks or registered trademarks of Targus International LLC in the US and in certain other countries. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.

Patents: https://targus.com/patents

SOURCE Targus
THE DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER GLOBAL AWARDS GALA ON NOV. 14 IN NEW YORK CITY

NEW YORK, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU), a nonprofit organization committed to furthering international understanding and advancing collaboration between business and government worldwide, will host its 2024 Dwight D. Eisenhower Global Awards Gala on Thursday, November 14, in New York City. There they will honor Dominique Senequier of Ardian, Salesforce's Marc Benioff, and His Excellency Yasir O. Al-Rumayyan of PIF and Saudi Aramco with Eisenhower Global Awards. Other notable speakers include former award recipients Jane Fraser, Ruth Porat and Lim Chow Kiat, as well as Arianna Huffington and Tony James.

The theme of this year's awards ceremony is "Champions of Change: Values in Practice," underscoring that in an era where words can seem louder than actions, embodying values through tangible activities must be a priority. The program celebrates leaders and organizations that exemplify values in action, showcasing their commitment to making a difference in the world and moving society forward. Whether it's through rigorous environmental standards, diversity and inclusion initiatives or harnessing innovation as a means for improvement, these leaders demonstrate the power of aligning values with actions to drive meaningful change.

Dominique Senequier, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Ardian, will receive the Eisenhower Global Citizenship Award, which recognizes her efforts in shaping the global financial industry with both principle and purpose. Her leadership in creating responsible investment strategies and focusing on sustainability has set a new standard in private equity.

"I believe strongly that finance can be a powerful agent of change," said Senequier. "Since Ardian was founded nearly 30 years ago, it has been our steadfast belief that we should seek to be architects of positive, impactful change for the long term. We aim to foster the success of our portfolio companies and build value for our investors through each investment we make. I am truly honored to receive the Global Citizenship Award, which recognizes the power of aligning values with investment."

Marc Benioff, Chair, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Salesforce, will receive the Eisenhower Leadership Award for his commitment to positive change through business, advocacy, philanthropy and civic engagement. His visionary leadership built Salesforce into the world's second-largest enterprise software company while giving back through the 1:1:1 model of philanthropy that Benioff established at the company's founding (committing 1% of its equity, product and time to the community).

"I have always believed that business is the greatest platform for change," said Benioff. "Today, as we stand at the brink of an extraordinary AI revolution, that belief has never been stronger. With Agentforce, Salesforce is not only leading the way as the top provider of autonomous agents to businesses; we are setting a new standard for how AI and human potential can elevate every company, fuel economic growth and uplift communities around the globe. This is a future of abundance, where AI empowers us to make a meaningful impact at an unprecedented scale."

Governor of PIF and Chairman of Aramco H.E. Yasir Al-Rumayyan will receive BCIU's inaugural Eisenhower Global Transformation Award for leading PIF's catalytic role in driving transformation in Saudi Arabia in line with Vision 2030, as well as around the world, at historic scale and pace. The changes are sparking economic growth and unlocking opportunities locally and globally across dozens of sectors ranging from renewable energy to AI, technology, hospitality and tourism, gaming, automotive and sports.

Under his leadership, PIF remains committed to a robust global investment strategy to make a positive impact on the world. As a long-term investor, PIF ensures steady returns and fosters innovation and transformation.

"As a collective, these honorees are driving progress, innovation and prosperity at an unprecedented scale," said Peter Tichansky, President and Chief Executive Officer of BCIU. "But more importantly, each  through their own boldness and creativity  has been uniquely successful spearheading change and delivering consistent positive returns."

About BCIU

The Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) is a nonprofit organization of experts, educators and advisors working to expand international trade and commerce for businesses and governments around the world. BCIU is deeply connected and trusted by 150 member companies, including many global multinationals, and maintains an unparalleled network of government relationships in every corner of the world. For 65 years, they have believed in progress and shaping the future by addressing some of the most complex global challenges, from global health to cybersecurity to agricultural sustainability. Through bespoke, transformative services, BCIU provides ways for its partners to deepen economic cooperation and enhance global growth across markets. For more information, visit bciu.org.

About Ardian

Ardian is a world-leading private investment house, managing or advising $169 billion of assets on behalf of more than 1,680 clients globally. Their broad expertise, spanning private equity, real assets and credit, enables them to offer a wide range of investment opportunities and respond flexibly to clients' differing needs. Through Ardian Customized Solutions, they create bespoke portfolios that allow institutional clients to specify the precise mix of assets they require and to gain access to funds managed by leading third-party sponsors. Private Wealth Solutions offers dedicated services and access solutions for private banks, family offices and private institutional investors worldwide. To learn more, visit ardian.com.

About PIF

PIF is the investment engine driving economic transformation for Saudi Arabia and the world. With an ambitious program to deliver Vision 2030, PIF invests in projects, companies and partners to diversify the Saudi economy, stimulate growth in every major sector, and create new opportunities for investment and employment.

And as a global investor and catalyst of change, PIF actively partners with the most pioneering organizations across the world to accelerate their growth, and transfer the technology and knowledge needed to build industry ecosystems of the future.

Since 2017, PIF has established 99 companies and injects at least SAR 150 billion into the local economy each year. Through strategic investments and partnerships across the Saudi public and private sector, PIF is driving the transition to a more sustainable economy, and laying the foundations for local and international partners to invest in the economic and societal transformation of Saudi Arabia. For more information, visit the website at www.pif.gov.sa

About Salesforce

Salesforce helps organizations of any size reimagine their businesses for the world of AI. With Agentforce, Salesforce's trusted platform, organizations can bring humans together with agents to drive customer success  powered by AI, data and action. Visit salesforce.com for more information.

Contact: Pete Nonis

The Business Council for International Understanding

+1.917.459.6140

[email protected]

SOURCE The Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU)
A Diverse Selection of Abruzzo Wines Tasted Across 15 Premier Retailers in Key Markets

NEW YORK, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of " The Charming Taste of Europe ," the Abruzzo in-store tastings campaign is celebrating a successful season of tastings across 15 stores in prime U.S. markets, showcasing the rich wines of Italy's Abruzzo region.

This EU-financed program, supported by the Consortium for the Protection of Abruzzo Wines , the Bordeaux White Wines Consortium , and the Association of Agricultural Cooperatives of Imathia , Greece's eighth-largest kiwi producer, aims to raise awareness of premium European agricultural products across the U.S. and Canada.

The initiative, which began in mid-May and continues until the end of the year, has achieved significant engagement in key states, including New York, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Delaware.

Most in-store tastings have occurred at Total Wine & More locations, serving as key venues for consumer engagement. In Florida, tastings have been held at the Miami Pinecrest and Fort Myers stores, while Texas has featured events in Pearland and Collin Creek in Dallas. Delaware has been represented by the Claymont location, and New Jersey has hosted multiple tastings at Totowa, River's Edge, Eatontown, and West Orange. This broad participation has provided a vital opportunity to showcase Abruzzo wines to a diverse audience.

Additional retailers have also joined the initiative, including Seaholm Wines & Liquors in Huntington, NY, Petrock's Wine, Liquors and Beer in Township, NJ, and Westchester Wine Warehouse in White Plains, NY. In Connecticut, BevMax in Stamford and Norwalk has contributed to expanding the initiative's reach.

Throughout the campaign, a total of 105 tastings have been conducted by certified educators, supported by 245 days of end-cap and banner displays across the participating locations.

The tastings have featured a selection of exceptional wines, such as Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC, Trebbiano d'Abruzzo DOC, Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOC, Abruzzo DOC, and Villamagna DOC. Additional options have included Colline Pescaresi IGT, Colline Teatine IGT, and others, highlighting the diversity and quality of Abruzzo wines.

Appreciation for Abruzzo wines is steadily increasing, and initiatives like these are essential for introducing these exceptional wines to a wider audience, setting the stage for future endeavors.

About The Charming Taste of Europe

Europe, a place with timeless charm, is the birthplace of some of the highest-quality products in the world. The Charming Taste of Europe is a special project that introduces exquisite specialties to the United States and Canada, such as Italian and French wines, and fresh kiwis from Greece, that showcase Europe's charm, beauty, culture, history, art, heritage and unmistakable tastes. The mission of the Charming Taste of Europe, co-funded by the European Union, is to increase awareness of the merits and quality standards of select European wines and fresh fruits with promotional activities in the competitive markets of the U.S. and Canada. The Charming Taste of Europe is promoted by the Consortium for the Protection of Wines of Abruzzo, the Association of Imathia's Agricultural Cooperatives and the Union of Sweet Bordeaux Wines. These European agricultural products, famous around the world for their outstanding qualities, will continue to be promoted with initiatives and events for consumers, journalists and trade professionals.

For more information visit charmingtasteofeurope.eu

To Follow The Charming Taste of Europe Campaign:

Website: charmingtasteofeurope.eu

Facebook: @CharmingTasteofEU

Instagram: @charmeu_usa

YouTube: The Charming Taste of Europe

Hashtags: #thecharmingtasteofeu and #charmeu

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European union or the European research executive agency (Rea). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

SOURCE The Charming Taste of Europe
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO OR TO ANY PERSON LOCATED OR RESIDENT IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL

NASSAU, Bahamas, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Commonwealth of The Bahamas (the "Government") announces today the final results of its offer (the "Offer") to holders (the "Noteholders") of its outstanding series of notes listed in the table below (each a "Series" and collectively, the "Notes") to purchase for cash up to an aggregate consideration amount, with respect to all Series, of U.S.$210,000,000 (the "Maximum Aggregate Consideration Amount"), excluding accrued but unpaid interest, which will also be paid on the Notes accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offer. The Offer was made pursuant to a modified Dutch auction procedure on the terms and subject to the satisfaction of the Financing Condition (as defined below) and the other conditions set forth in the offer to purchase dated November 7, 2024 (the "Offer to Purchase").

The Government has, pursuant to the terms set forth in the Offer to Purchase, increased the Maximum Aggregate Consideration Amount to U.S.$215,687,367.50 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest, which will also be paid on the Notes accepted for purchase).

Capitalized terms used in this announcement but not defined have the meanings given to them in the Offer to Purchase, which is available via the Transaction Website for the Offer at: https://projects.sodali.com/bahamas, subject to eligibility confirmation and registration.

Final Results

The table below sets forth information with respect to the Notes that were validly tendered at or prior to 5:00 p.m. New York City Time on November 14, 2024 (the "Expiration Deadline") and the final amounts the Government will accept for purchase pursuant to the Offer, subject to the satisfaction of the Financing Condition on or prior to November 25, 2024 (the "Settlement Date") and the other conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase. The Offer expired at the Expiration Deadline and no further Notes may be tendered for purchase pursuant to the Offer.

Since the Maximum Aggregate Consideration Amount is sufficient to purchase only some, but not all, of the validly tendered Notes, the Government exercised its right to allocate acceptances of validly tendered Notes between each of the Series in its sole and absolute discretion and as specified in the table below.

The proration of tendered Notes was required in relation to the 2032 Notes (as defined in the table below). The Government calculated the relevant proration factor in relation to the 2032 Notes pursuant to the terms of the Offer to Purchase, as detailed in the table below. Therefore, the sum of each Noteholder's validly tendered 2032 Notes accepted for purchase by the Government was determined by multiplying each Noteholder's tender of 2032 Notes subject to proration by the proration factor specified in the table below and making downward adjustments to the nearest Authorized Denomination. If application of proration resulted in either (i) the relevant Noteholder transferring 2032 Notes to the Government in a principal amount of less than the minimum Authorized Denomination or (ii) 2032 Notes in a principal amount of less than the minimum Authorized Denomination being returned to a Noteholder, the Government, in its sole and absolute discretion, rejected all of such Noteholder's validly tendered 2032 Notes. 2032 Notes not accepted for purchase as a result of proration will be returned to the relevant Noteholder on the Settlement Date.

Maximum Aggregate Consideration Amount Applicable to the Offer:

U.S.$215,687,367.50

Description

of the Notes (1)

CUSIP / ISIN Current

Outstanding

Principal Amount Aggregate

Principal Amount

Validly Tendered Maximum Series

Acceptance

Amount

(Face Value) Proration

Factor Purchase

Price (2) 6.000% Notes due 2028

(the "2028 Notes") P06518AG2 /

USP06518AG23

(Reg S) 056732AJ9 /

US056732AJ97

(144A) U.S.$750,000,000 U.S.$234,768,000 U.S.$140,664,000 N/A U.S.$975.00 9.000% Notes due 2029

(the "9.000% 2029 Notes") P06518AJ6 /

USP06518AJ61

(Reg S) 056732AM2 /

US056732AM27

(144A) U.S.$250,000,000 U.S.$39,114,000 U.S.$24,107,000 N/A U.S.$1,061.25 6.950% Notes due 2029

(the "6.950% 2029 Notes") P06518AE7 /

USP06518AE74

(Reg S) 056732AG5 /

US056732AG58

(144A) U.S.$300,000,000 U.S.$38,929,000 U.S.$26,126,000 N/A U.S.$972.50 8.950% Notes due 2032



(the "2032 Notes") P06518AH0 /

USP06518AH06

(Reg S) 056732AL4 /

US056732AL44

(144A) U.S.$825,000,000 U.S.$126,823,000 U.S.$23,197,000 8.12 % U.S.$1,035.00 6.625% Notes due 2033

(the "2033 Notes") P06518AC1 /

USP06518AC19

(Reg S) 056732AE0 /

US056732AE01

(144A) U.S.$200,000,000 U.S.$865,000 U.S.$515,000 N/A U.S.$876.25 7.125% Notes due 2038

(the "2038 Notes") P06518AD9 /

USP06518AD91

(Reg S) 056732AF7 / US056732AF75

(144A) U.S.$100,000,000 U.S.$5,318,000 U.S.$3,602,000 N/A U.S.$857.50

The 2028 Notes, the 9.000% 2029 Notes, the 6.950% 2029 Notes, the 2032 Notes and the 2038 Notes are admitted to trading on the Euro MTF Market of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. The 2033 Notes are admitted to trading on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Per U.S. $1,000 principal amount of the Notes. The Government will also pay an amount equal to interest accrued and unpaid on the Notes accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offer, from (and including) the interest payment date for such Notes immediately preceding the Settlement Date to (but excluding) the Settlement Date.

Tender Offer Consideration

The tender offer consideration that the Government will pay to Noteholders for the Notes tendered in the Offer and accepted for purchase, with respect to each Series, will be a cash amount (rounded to the nearest U.S.$0.01, with half a cent rounded upwards) equal to the sum of: (i) the product of (a) the aggregate principal amount accepted by it for purchase and (b) the relevant Purchase Price listed in the table above (as determined pursuant to the modified Dutch auction procedure as specified in the Offer to Purchase) divided by U.S.$1,000; and (ii) the Accrued Interest Payment of the relevant Series (in aggregate, across all Series, the "Tender Offer Consideration").

Payment of Tender Offer Consideration

Payment of the Tender Offer Consideration for the relevant Series of Notes accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offer is expected to be made on the Settlement Date, as described in the Offer to Purchase, subject to the satisfaction of the Financing Condition and the other conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase.

Conditions to the Offer

Whether the Government will purchase Notes validly tendered in the Offer is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions (unless such conditions are waived by the Government, in its sole and absolute discretion), which are more fully described in the Offer to Purchase, including, among others, the disbursement of a loan on or prior to the Settlement Date under the Government's senior unsecured term facility, dated November 7, 2024, with Standard Chartered Bank as the lender (the "Facility"), in an amount and on terms acceptable to the Government, and satisfaction or waiver of any conditions precedent to such loan (as determined by the Government, in its sole and absolute discretion) (the "Financing Condition").

Disclaimer

This announcement does not contain the full terms and conditions of the Offer. The terms and conditions of the Offer are contained in the Offer to Purchase, and are subject to certain legal restrictions more fully described therein.

Further Information

Standard Chartered Bank serves as the dealer manager (the "Dealer Manager") and Sodali & Co serves as the information and tender agent (the "Information and Tender Agent") in connection with the Offer.

Questions regarding the terms of the Offer may be directed to the Dealer Manager by email at: [email protected]. Questions regarding the tender of the Notes may be directed to the Information and Tender Agent by e-mail to [email protected] or by telephone at +1 203 658 9457 (U.S.) or +44 20 4513 6933 (UK).

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement may contain forward-looking statements which represent the Government's expectations or beliefs concerning future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements are based on the Government's current plans, estimates, assumptions and projections. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on them. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Government undertakes no obligation to update them in light of new information or future events, including changes in the Government's economic policy or budgeted expenditures, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results or performance of the Government to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: (i) the Government's financial condition, including its ability to increase revenues and reduce expenditures; (ii) declines in the tourism or financial services industries; (iii) extreme weather conditions, particularly hurricanes and tropical storms; (iv) difficult conditions in the Bahamian economy, as well as the global economy; (v) the fixed foreign exchange regime that is focused on maintaining parity with the U.S. dollar and requires the Government to maintain adequate levels of foreign currency reserves; and (vi) other factors identified in the Offer to Purchase. No assurance can be given that the transactions described herein will be consummated or as to the ultimate terms of any such transactions.

SOURCE The Commonwealth of The Bahamas
NEW YORK, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with market evolution powered by AI - The fleet management market in europe size is estimated to grow by USD 22.3 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of almost 22.48% during the forecast period. Growing focus on efficient use of data to enhance fleet management is driving market growth, with a trend towards increase in EV adoption. However, high cost of on-premises software poses a challenge.Key market players include AB Volvo, ABAX UK Ltd., AddSecure Group AB, Aeromark Communications Ltd., AREALCONTROL GmbH, Astrata Europe BV, Bridgestone Corp., Caterpillar Inc., Fleet Complete, Frotcom International, G4S Telematix, Geotab Inc., Inseego Corp., Karooooo Ltd., Mercedes Benz Group AG, MiX Telematics Ltd., Targa Telematics S.p.A., TraXall International, Trimble Inc., and Verizon Communications Inc..

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled fleet management market in Europe 2024-2028

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Fleet Management Market In Europe Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 22.48% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 22.3 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 16.54 Regional analysis Europe Performing market contribution Europe at 100% Key countries Germany, UK, France, and Rest of Europe Key companies profiled AB Volvo, ABAX UK Ltd., AddSecure Group AB, Aeromark Communications Ltd., AREALCONTROL GmbH, Astrata Europe BV, Bridgestone Corp., Caterpillar Inc., Fleet Complete, Frotcom International, G4S Telematix, Geotab Inc., Inseego Corp., Karooooo Ltd., Mercedes Benz Group AG, MiX Telematics Ltd., Targa Telematics S.p.A., TraXall International, Trimble Inc., and Verizon Communications Inc.

Market Driver

The European fleet management market is experiencing significant trends driven by ELD regulations, pollution standards, labor laws, and road safety. Fleet owners prioritize environmentally friendly procedures, emission requirements, fuel usage, routine maintenance, driver behavior, and vehicle security for operational efficiency. GPS connectivity, geocoding, fleet routing, and fleet management solutions from top companies like Verizon Connect and Inseego are essential for real-time visibility. The retail segment focuses on inventory storage, warehouse systems, and customer satisfaction, addressing labor shortages and driver retention through route optimization and peak efficiency. Vehicle telematics, software solutions, and customer service ensure safety, profitability, and visibility. Wireless technology and data intelligence tools provide valuable insights for fleet managers. Key takeaways include dispatch, international trade, cyberthreats, and the digital revolution in the mobility sector. Fleet size, vehicle type, and financing are crucial components in the solutions segment. Safety, mobility-as-a-service, traffic, and carbon emissions are industry insights. Regulatory authorities oversee ride-sharing, carpooling, and car-sharing, while cloud-based solutions and big data analytics drive the digital transformation. Fleet managers prioritize preventive maintenance and economic effects.

The European fleet management market is experiencing a significant shift due to the rising adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). Government initiatives aimed at reducing emissions and promoting sustainable transportation are driving this transition. Notable examples include subsidies and tax incentives in countries like Germany and France, which are encouraging fleet operators to integrate EVs into their operations. In response, there is growing demand for specialized EV fleet management solutions. These systems offer real-time battery monitoring, charging station optimization, and route planning that considers EV range limitations. Companies such as Geotab and ChargePoint lead the way in providing businesses with effective EV fleet management systems, enabling them to efficiently manage their electric vehicle assets while maximizing cost savings and environmental benefits.

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Market Challenges

Europe's Fleet Management Market faces various challenges including ELD regulations, pollution standards, labor laws, road safety, and environmentally friendly procedures. Fleet owners aim for operational efficiency, addressing emission requirements, fuel usage, routine maintenance, driver behavior, vehicle security, and driver safety. Fleet size, geocoding, fleet routing, and fleet management solutions from top companies like Verizon Connect offer real-time visibility, routing, scheduling, and geofencing. Retail segment focuses on inventory storage and warehouse systems, while labor shortages and driver retention require route optimization for peak efficiency. Vehicle type, revenue share, and financing are crucial components in the solutions segment. Fleet Managers prioritize fuel consumption, productivity, safety, profitability, visibility, and wireless technology. Data intelligence tools, dispatch, international trade, cyberthreats, and vehicle insights are key considerations. Industry leaders like Inseego, Hertz Global, and others focus on operational competency, fleet safety, mobility-as-a-service, traffic, carbon emissions, and regulatory authorities. The digital revolution brings artificial intelligence, asset management, leasing/rental business, and service experts to the forefront. Small fleets and economic effects also impact the market.

Fleet Management Market faces various challenges including ELD regulations, pollution standards, labor laws, road safety, and environmentally friendly procedures. Fleet owners aim for operational efficiency, addressing emission requirements, fuel usage, routine maintenance, driver behavior, vehicle security, and driver safety. Fleet size, geocoding, fleet routing, and fleet management solutions from top companies like Verizon Connect offer real-time visibility, routing, scheduling, and geofencing. Retail segment focuses on inventory storage and warehouse systems, while labor shortages and driver retention require route optimization for peak efficiency. Vehicle type, revenue share, and financing are crucial components in the solutions segment. Fleet Managers prioritize fuel consumption, productivity, safety, profitability, visibility, and wireless technology. Data intelligence tools, dispatch, international trade, cyberthreats, and vehicle insights are key considerations. Industry leaders like Inseego, Hertz Global, and others focus on operational competency, fleet safety, mobility-as-a-service, traffic, carbon emissions, and regulatory authorities. The digital revolution brings artificial intelligence, asset management, leasing/rental business, and service experts to the forefront. Small fleets and economic effects also impact the market. The European fleet management market faces a challenge with the rising costs of on-premises software solutions. These costs include software licensing, installation, maintenance, hardware, customization, and training. Major vendors offer secure, customizable on-premises fleet management software. However, they require skilled IT staff for management and dedicated personnel for operation. After implementation, regular upgrades are necessary to stay competitive and integrate advanced technologies like big data, AI, and blockchain. Despite these costs, on-premises solutions remain popular due to their customizability and security.

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Segment Overview

This fleet management market in Europe report extensively covers market segmentation by

Vehicle Type

1.1 Commercial fleets

1.2 Passenger cars

Technology

2.1 Commercial telematics hardware

2.2 Software

2.3 Connectivity technologies

Geography

3.1 Europe

1.1 Commercial fleets- The European fleet management market is witnessing significant growth due to the expanding commercial fleet sector. This segment encompasses various vehicle types, including trucks, vans, and specialized vehicles. Key drivers fueling market expansion are the rise of e-commerce, the need for efficient last-mile delivery, and increasing environmental regulations. Fleet management software is essential for optimizing operations, enhancing route planning, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Telematics, GPS tracking, and vehicle diagnostics technology are increasingly adopted, leading to improved efficiency and cost savings. Additionally, the market is being transformed by the push towards sustainability and electric commercial vehicles. Corporations are integrating eco-friendly solutions into their fleets to align with environmental objectives and regulations. The commercial fleet sector's growth is anticipated to continue, driving the expansion of the European fleet management market throughout the forecast period.

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Research Analysis

The Fleet Management Market in Europe is experiencing significant growth due to increasing ELD regulations, pollution standards, labor laws, and road safety concerns. Environmentally friendly procedures and emission requirements are key focus areas for fleet owners, leading to an increased demand for fuel usage optimization, routine maintenance, and driver behavior monitoring. The market caters to various vehicle types, with revenue share distributed across components such as telematics, mobility-as-a-service, and cloud-based solutions. Fleet managers prioritize productivity, financing, and fuel consumption, while regulatory authorities enforce traffic rules, carbon emissions norms, and promote Mobility-as-A-Service through ride-sharing, carpooling, and car-sharing initiatives. Big data analytics plays a crucial role in optimizing fleet performance and ensuring compliance with evolving regulations.

Market Research Overview

The Fleet Management Market in Europe is experiencing significant growth due to various factors including ELD regulations, pollution standards, labor laws, and road safety. Environmentally friendly procedures and emission requirements are also driving the market, as fleet owners seek to reduce fuel usage and improve operational efficiency. Routine maintenance, driver behavior, and fleet vehicles' performance and life cycle are crucial aspects of fleet management. Business operations in the transportation and logistics industry rely heavily on GPS connectivity, geocoding, fleet routing, and fleet management solutions. Top companies like Verizon Connect offer fleet tracking, geofencing, routing, scheduling, and real-time visibility. The retail segment focuses on inventory storage and warehouse systems, while fleet size, vehicle type, and revenue share are key components of the solutions segment. Fleet managers prioritize fuel consumption, productivity, financing, and vehicle telematics. Safety, profitability, visibility, wireless technology, and data intelligence tools are also essential. Key takeaways include dispatch, international trade, cyberthreats, vehicle insights, component insights, industry insights, and the digital revolution's impact on mobility-as-a-service, traffic, carbon emissions, and regulatory authorities. Sudip Saha, an industry expert, discusses the economic effects, preventive maintenance, and the role of artificial intelligence in fleet management. Small fleets, labor shortages, driver retention, and route optimization are also significant challenges.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

Vehicle Type

Commercial Fleets



Passenger Cars

Technology

Commercial Telematics Hardware



Software



Connectivity Technologies

Geography

Europe



7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Company Landscape

11 Company Analysis

12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
BUFFALO, N.Y., Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Kathryn M. Pawlak, DDS, FICD is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Lifetime Member for her contributions in Advancing Pediatric Dentistry through Education and Compassionate Care.

Kathryn M, Pawlak, DDS, FICD

Dr. Kathryn M. Pawlak is a renowned pediatric dentist dedicated to enhancing dental care and education. With a distinguished career spanning multiple regions including Buffalo, NY; Baltimore, MD; and the Greater New York area, Dr. Pawlak has made significant contributions to pediatric dentistry, through education, outreach, and direct patient care.

Her educational background includes a BS in Spanish with a minor in health professions from Hobart and William Smith College. She earned her DDS from the University of Maryland, School of Dentistry, and completed a pediatric dental residency at the University of Buffalo. Dr. Pawlak is board certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. During her pediatric dental residency, she found a passion for compassionate care, particularly in collaboration with hematology and oncology teams to ensure comprehensive patient support.

Dr. Pawlak is affiliated with several prestigious organizations, including the International College of Dentists, the American Dental Educators Association, and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists. She is also the founder of Planet Smilez, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating educational opportunities for students pursuing careers in dentistry. Her commitment to the field has been recognized with numerous awards, including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Resident Recognition Award and the Pugh Scholars Award for achieving a top 3% score on the pediatric board exam.

In addition to her clinical and educational roles, Dr. Pawlak serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at NYU College of Dentistry and is the President of Planet Smilez. Her contributions to the field have been honored by national organizations including the Hispanic Dental Association, American Dental Education Association and the Delta Dental Foundation. Dr. Pawlak's career is marked by her dual focus on patient-centered care and the education of future dental professionals through creation of pathways programs for youth from dental health professional shortage areas with her programs called the Discovering Dentistry Camp and Discovering Dentistry Symposium. As a member of the Dean's Faculty at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, she works to advance oral health education of the community through outreach involving youth of the community and mentoring students.

Dr. Pawlak's future vision includes expanding the impact of Planet Smilez, advancing educational outreach. Her philosophy emphasizes connecting with the community and advancing the field of pediatric dentistry through education, mentorship, and outreach.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE The Inner Circle
Leading Jewish Civil Rights Organization's Founder Demands Biden Administration Leverage All Resources to Bring Justice to Terrorist Organization Leadership

NEW YORK, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Brooke Goldstein, Executive Director and Founder of The Lawfare Project , issued the following statement calling for the extradition of Hamas leaders from Qatar to the United States:

"The Lawfare Project urgently calls upon the Biden Administration to demand the immediate extradition of Hamas leaders currently sheltered in Qatar to stand trial on American soil. Hamas, designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. Department of State, has orchestrated barbaric acts of terrorism resulting in the tragic loss of countless innocent lives, including those of American citizens.

We call upon the U.S. government to pursue criminal charges against the entire leadership of Hamas Post this

Qatar's harboring of Hamas leadership undermines international efforts to combat terrorism and fuels instability throughout the Middle East. This blatant violation of international norms is a grievous affront to the pursuit of justice for victims of terrorism worldwide and cannot be tolerated. Additionally, it is difficult to justify maintaining Qatar's status as a major non-NATO ally if it continues to host individuals affiliated with designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations on its soil, especially when Hamas continues to illegally hold American citizens captive.

We call upon the U.S. government to pursue criminal charges against the entire leadership of Hamas in connection with the terrorist organization's attacks on, and kidnapping and murder of, American citizens. We further call upon the U.S. government to leverage all diplomatic and legal avenues to compel Qatar to surrender these individuals, as well as Hamas leaders already under indictment, without delay. Bringing Hamas leaders to justice in the United States will send an unequivocal message that the international community will not tolerate the sheltering of terrorists and that those who perpetrate such atrocities will be held fully accountable.

The Lawfare Project remains unwavering in its commitment to uphold the rule of law and to ensure that the perpetrators of terrorism face the full weight of justice. We stand resolutely with all victims of Hamas's aggression and will continue advocating for decisive measures that enhance global security and justice."

ABOUT THE LAWFARE PROJECT:

The Lawfare Project (LP) is the leading organization dedicated to protecting the civil and human rights of Jewish people worldwide through legal action.

SOURCE The Lawfare Project
The efficacious, yet cosmetically elegant range treats moderate-to-severe scalp concerns.

NEW YORK, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vichy Dercos, the #1 dermatologist-recommended anti-dandruff brand in Europe, announces their United States launch exclusively in the Amazon Premium Beauty store. Customers can shop the collection now at amazon.com/dercos. Prime members enjoy fast, free shipping on every order.

Photo Credit: Vichy Dercos

A pioneer in hair and scalp dermatology research for more than fifty years, and from the brand recommended by over seventy thousand dermatologists worldwide, Dercos continues to be a leader in the space, homing in on their unique expertise in biological and environmental factors that impact both scalp and hair. This new-to-the-US Dercos range offers high efficacy solutions that combine dermatological active ingredients with sensorial textures to provide both excellent results and a pleasurable experience.

As customers become more aware that the skin on their scalp needs to be treated with the same care as the skin on their faces and bodies, now is a prime opportunity for Vichy Dercos to enter the US market, exclusively in the Amazon Premium Beauty store. Out of the one in five Americans suffering from dandruff,* only 40% of them are using dandruff-specific formulas to address their needs.** Vichy Dercos is entering the market in hopes to provide a solution to meet the needs of the remaining 60% not currently using medicated anti-dandruff products.

Vichy Dercos formulations utilize the best of L'Oreal's hair science to help combat scalp issues associated with dandruff. Dercos's proprietary hero Shampoo formula is powered by Micronized Selenium Sulfide, allowing distribution of its dandruff fighting power on the scalp; this formula targets dandruff at the source. The Dercos Shampoo also borrows ingredients and science from Vichy's skincare range, featuring ingredients such as niacinamide and glycerin, intended to soothe and hydrate the scalp. While the Vichy Dercos formulas put efficacy at the forefront, they do not sacrifice cosmetic elegance, keeping hair feeling nourished, hydrated, and soft.

"We are thrilled that US consumers will now have the opportunity to experience the globally renowned and dermatologist-beloved Vichy Dercos range," says Minh-Dan Tran, Senior Vice President  Head of Brand for Vichy Dercos. "Vichy has been working to bring Dercos to the US for years. This range has exploded globally due not only to its science, experience, and tolerability, but also due to its approach. With Dercos, we are on a mission to break dandruff taboos and promote healthier feeling hair and scalp for all. With dandruff affecting one in five Americans, there is certainly a demand for our unique approach in the US."

The Vichy Dercos range goes beyond its hero Shampoo, and offers a full range of dermatological anti-dandruff and care products:

Selenium Sulfide Anti-Dandruff Shampoo ($19.99) eliminates up to 100% of visible flakes with regular use and delivers long lasting efficacy while simultaneously fighting itch. The Shampoo directly targets dandruff at the source, starts working from first use, and is tested on the full spectrum on dandruff from mild to severe. Beyond fighting flakes, this dermatological Shampoo reinforces the scalp's moisture barrier and boosts hair moisture by 70%. Objective instrumental studies also show two times less hair breakage and 37% smoother hair (versus unwashed hair), with 78% shinier hair after use (versus non-conditioning shampoo). The Shampoo, which is available in sizes 200m L and 400m L , has been tested on all hair and scalp types, including sensitive scalps, and is tested as suitable for color treated hair.

Hair + Scalp Moisturizing Conditioner ($19.99) deeply hydrates and moisturizes both hair and scalp, while strengthening hair and restoring shine. Instrumental studies showed 67% smoother hair, 40% more moisturized hair, and ten times less breakage (versus non-conditioning shampoo). Additionally, the hair was shown to be 66% shinier (versus unwashed hair). The Conditioner is also suitable for color treated hair and sensitive scalps.

And coming soon to Amazon, Salicylic Acid Anti-Dandruff Serum ($48.99) is designed to meet consumers where they are. The average person in the US does not wash their hair daily. But, when dandruff is more severe it needs to be treated daily, which is why the Dercos range includes a dandruff fighting Serum. The Serum directly targets dandruff at its source, controlling five dandruff symptoms: flakes, scales, itching, redness, and irritation in between washes. Tested on sensitive scalps, the Serum is shown to leave the scalp feeling hydrated and soothed.

"I see patients with dandruff almost every day in my practice," says Dr. Uchenna Okereke, board certified dermatologist and Vichy Advisory Board Member. "But what patients keep telling me is that they dislike their current dandruff shampoos because of how they make their hair feel. That's why I'm so excited about Vichy Dercos. Vichy has years of proven science, so not only do I trust it will work, but Dercos also leaves the hair feeling soft, shiny, and healthy, which is why I know my patients will actually use it when I recommend it."

Backed by L'Oreal Dermatological Beauty, a division of the global powerhouse best known as the world leader in dermocosmetics, Vichy Dercos is now available exclusively via amazon.com/dercos.

About Vichy Dercos

Vichy Dercos was created in 1964 with the ambition to combine DERmatological skin expertise with a knowledge of hair COSmetics. It was one of the first to understand the power of the scalp and its impact on the quality of hair. The brand therefore wanted to infuse all the latest scientific research and progress into haircare, putting the scalp at the heart of its expertise. Acting on the scalp helped change the way people see their hair and treat it.

About L'Oreal Dermatological Beauty

At L'Oreal Dermatological Beauty, our mission is to pioneer life-changing and sustainable dermatological solutions for all. The Dermatological Beauty Division is the world leader in dermocosmetics, with international skincare brands recommended by health care professionals and distributed in healthcare outlets worldwide, including e-retailers, pharmacies, and medical clinics. Our brands portfolio is composed of five brands originating from France and the USA. The brands offer a range of skincare and haircare products answering both pathological needs and demanding aesthetic needs: from dermatological to aesthetic skincare and from the most accessible ranges to the most premium ones.

*Source: Nielsen 2019 vs. 2020, P&G DANDRUFF STUDY

**L'Oreal Dandruff U&A Final Report Presentation. Dec 5, 2023. Study run with L'Oreal CMI & IPSOS.

SOURCE Vichy Dercos
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. France's approach to COP29 is not constructive, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov told reporters on the sidelines of COP29, Trend reports.

The minister noted that France considers itself one of the leading states in the field of climate, and its removal from the climate topic under any pretext and reason, as well as its refusal to participate in the conference, is a wrong step.

Azerbaijan has never mixed the climate topic with any other tensions or disagreements between Azerbaijan and France.

We had many events during the year leading up to the COP, and French negotiators and delegations were invited to all the events. They participated in these events, and our COP team worked with them very constructively. It is a personal matter for everyone to decide one way or another about participation, the minister added.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
DENVER, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Parking Revenue Recovery Services (PRRS), Inc., a leader in AI-driven compliance and vehicle activity monitoring, is pleased to announce the appointment of Todd Tucker, JD, DBA, CAPP, CPP, as its new Chief Operating Officer, effective November 15, 2024. With over 30 years of experience in the parking industry, Tucker is a recognized leader, having held various senior executive roles. Todd assumes the role of Chris Conley, who has decided to retire and enjoy some well-earned time after 30 years in the parking industry.

Visit our website at www.prrsparking.com

Before joining PRRS, Tucker served as President at Parking Logix and has been a leader in multiple tech companies focused on mobility solutions, with two leading to strategic and/or investment transaction outcomes Todd's experience as a parking operations leader/expert and his roles spearheading the development and growth of innovative technology offerings focused on parking provide him with a unique ability to build solutions that meet the needs of today's parking operations.

PRRS is uniquely positioned in gateless parking technology solutions through its machine vision-based technology, which identifies all vehicle activity, enhances compliance, and enables clients to expand their service capabilities. Our technology allows clients to gather valuable insights into operation and consumer activity while helping our clients improve their customer experience. With Tucker's extensive expertise in parking technology and leadership, PRRS aims to broaden its services across North America, solidifying its status as the premier provider of gateless technology solutions to operators and facilities.

"Todd's proven track record of driving innovation and his dedication to enhancing technology-based services make him the ideal candidate to lead PRRS into its next growth phase," said Gabor Burchner, Managing Director, GB & Partners IM. "As the demand for adaptable technology solutions providers continues to rise, Todd's leadership and collaborative approach will be invaluable."

PRRS, in partnership with Asura, has successfully implemented the ARC solution and its compliance services at over 400 parking sites across 29 states. With ongoing investment from GB & Partners IM, PRRS is set to expand beyond its current identity as a "parking notice firm" to become the leading gateless technology solution for the future.

"I am thrilled to join PRRS and enhance the value we provide to our parking operating partners," said Todd Tucker. "Throughout my career, I've consistently sought to challenge the status quo by delivering innovative solutions in an ever-evolving industry. PRRS is at the forefront of leveraging technology to enhance its services, and with GB & Partners IM participation, we will continue to deliver exceptional value to the parking sector and beyond. I look forward to joining the PRRS team and collaborating with our clients to push boundaries and innovate in compliance and facility monitoring services."

About Parking Revenue Recovery Services

Parking Revenue Recovery Services, Inc. (PRRS) is North America's leading Parking Compliance and Facility Monitoring technology provider. PRRS is on track to provide over 1,000 parking locations and proudly supports national, regional, and local parking operators throughout the United States. Our client owners and parking operators use our monitoring and compliance services in all properties, including commercial lots and garages, municipal facilities, college and university facilities, airports, hospitals, commercial properties, and residential buildings. PRRS creates exceptional value for its parking operator clients through increased overall customer compliance and enhanced visibility into operating activity and usage while delivering excellent customer service. We maximize the value provided to our clients through excellence, innovation, and efficiency in its compliance and monitoring services, delivered by an outstanding team of parking professionals dedicated to the highest levels of customers.

About Asura Technologies

Asura Technologies specializes in next-generation video analytics and license plate recognition software, utilizing AI to create smart parking, traffic management, frictionless tolling, and safety security applications. Active globally since 2018, Asura Technologies USA collaborates with PRRS to provide highly effective, automated parking enforcement solutions through innovative technology.

About GB & Partners IM

GB & Partners IM is an independent private equity and venture capital firm focused on innovative city technologies, fashion, fintech, medical technologies, and mechanical engineering. As the largest Hungarian-based firm in its sector, GB & Partners IM offers extensive leadership experience in private equity and venture capital investments, M&A transactions, and IPOs, providing operational support to investment entities by international standards. In 2019, GB & Partners IM became the first Hungarian venture capital firm to gain membership in Invest Europe.

SOURCE Parking Revenue Recovery Services, Inc.
Four tech scale up companies announced as winners of the Unicorn Kingdom Pathfinder Awards (UKPA) across innovative categories such as AI and cyber security.

Programme aims to nurture the world's most talented scale ups within the UK's tech ecosystem and help them establish a base in the UK economy.

The UK has more unicorns than France and Germany combined and continues to be a prime destination for tech businesses from across the world.

LONDON, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Four innovative tech scale up businesses tackling challenges from connecting cancer patients to clinical trials, to improving IT systems' resistance to cyber-attacks, have been announced as winners of the Unicorn Kingdom Pathfinder Awards (UKPA)  DBT's largest global awards for tech scale up companies.

4/11/2024. London, United Kingdom. Baroness Jones, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Department for Business and Trade hosts a business roundtable in 10 Downing Street. Picture by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street

The awards, hosted by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), provide a unique opportunity to unearth the most promising businesses in tech and builds on the success of the UK's Tech Rocketship Awards in 2023, which resulted in 67.4 million investment into the UK.

The government is focused on transforming the UK into even more of a magnet for investors and global businesses of all shapes and sizes. The awards serve as a reminder that the UK is the place to do business, helping to advance further opportunities for investment and growth.

Finalists were drawn from four categories: AI, Cyber Security, Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) technology and Digital Trade Solutions.

The winners were announced yesterday at LinkedIn's HQ in London, where the 10 finalists pitched to a leading panel of judges from the tech industry. They also heard from entrepreneur Alpesh B Patel OBE in a fireside chat, alongside panellists Envisionit Deep AI and Shopline - two successful businesses that have set up in the UK.

The winners will also attend a roundtable at No10 to discuss their success at the awards and explore ways in which the UK can maintain its position as a premier destination to grow a business.

Minister for Small Businesses Gareth Thomas said:

"We have a thriving tech sector worth over $1 trillion, and our Pathfinder Awards are vital in encouraging more tech scale ups from around the world to do businesses here in the UK.

"Not only does the UK have more unicorns than France and Germany combined, but our country continues to be a prime destination for tech businesses from across the world to come and succeed."

Winners of the UKPAs will receive a tailored growth programme to scale up their business in the UK, including support from leading industry and government sector specialists and expertise from DBT's Global Entrepreneur Programme.

Winners:

AI: Massive Bio - an AI-driven platform connecting cancer patients to bio-pharmaceutical clinical trials. The primary goal is for individuals with cancer to be directed to clinical trials tailored almost precisely to their specific condition through accurate and rapid analysis.

an AI-driven platform connecting cancer patients to bio-pharmaceutical clinical trials. The primary goal is for individuals with cancer to be directed to clinical trials tailored almost precisely to their specific condition through accurate and rapid analysis. Cyber Security: CyLock - provides a simple solution to test IT systems' resistance to cyber-attacks, facilitating ready-to-implement solutions for clients to overcome cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

- provides a simple solution to test IT systems' resistance to cyber-attacks, facilitating ready-to-implement solutions for clients to overcome cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Digital Trade Solutions: Grubtech - empowering restaurants and grocery chains to adopt omnichannel capabilities without the burden of changing core solutions like point of sales.

empowering restaurants and grocery chains to adopt omnichannel capabilities without the burden of changing core solutions like point of sales. Connected and Automated Mobility: Bottobo - specialises in developing robotics solutions designed to streamline industrial processes and enhance operational efficiency. Mainly focusing autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and software platforms revolutionising the way warehouses and distribution centres fulfil orders.

Cagatay Culcuoglu, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Massive Bio said:

"It's amazing to win the UKPA award for AI. The UK is a great place to expand globally and for business operations. We are looking forward to building our footprint in Commonwealth nations with the support of DBT and help cancer patients identify the right clinical trials."

Diego Padovan, Chief Executive Officer at CyLock said:

"In cyber security, trust is something that is essential to provide your products. This kind of competition is crucial to building trust with our customers."

Mohamed Hamedi, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at Grubtech said:

"It's great to have the UK as a base to accelerate our global expansion. Thank you to DBT for supporting us to open doors, remove barriers, and helping us to hit the ground running."

Sancak Gulgen, Co-Founder of Bottobo said:

"We really appreciate the support from the UK government for startups and future unicorns. The most important part is that they have a clear plan for the future needs of the technology and focus for us."

Increasing investment is a mission at the heart of this government. Britain is back and open for business, and our thriving tech sector, already worth $1.1 trillion, shows that the UK is the investment destination of choice.

The UK is one of only three economies in the world with a trillion-dollar tech sector, closely behind the US and China, and we're encouraging more tech scale ups to come to the UK and operate here.

Our new Industrial Strategy will be international from the start, taking learnings from the best of what has been achieved globally. It will build on the UK's strengths to support even more international businesses to thrive in our market. That's why digital and tech is one of our growth sectors that will be a focus of the strategy.

Full list of finalists:

AI:

Massive Bio - An AI-driven platform connecting cancer patients to bio-pharmaceutical clinical trials.

Pix Force - Specializes in developing artificial intelligence algorithms applied to computer vision.

Westwell - One of the first companies in China to develop autonomous container trucks.

to develop autonomous container trucks. Tessact - An AI Video Tech company which uses video recognition technologies built on advanced machine learning systems.

Digital Trade Solutions:

Gallarus Industry Solutions - Provides Intelligent Machine, IT & OT solutions that make smart decisions easy for customers.

Grubtech - Empowers restaurants and grocery chains to adopt omnichannel capabilities without the burden of changing core solutions like point of sales.

Connected & Automated Mobility (CAM):

MooVita - Curates smart mobility solutions to roadworthy autonomous vehicles for urban municipalities worldwide.

Bottobo - Specializes in developing robotics solutions designed to streamline industrial processes and enhance operational efficiency.

Cyber Security:

CyLock - AI-powered B2B SaaS cybersecurity platform that analyses any IT system automatically and remotely without the need for technical knowledge, installation, configuration or maintenance.

Cyberdes - Cyberdes provides AI meets semiconductors in the field of cyber security.

Notes to Editors

Full details of the awards can be found here: great.gov.uk/ukpa.

More information on the Global Entrepreneur Programme can be found here: https://www.great.gov.uk/campaign-site/gep/

The expert panel of judges included DBT Director of Investment John Edwards , Deputy Chief Scientific Adviser Tim Kay, Co-Founder of Blue Lake VC Lyuba Guk, and Group Operations Director of Founders Forum Ellie Steel .

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2558371/DBT_business_roundtable.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2558526/DBT_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Department for Business and Trade (DBT)
Female Entrepreneurs in the Tri-State Area Can Be Nominated to Be Featured on Prominent Billboards Throughout New York

BETHPAGE, N.Y., Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In today's economy, women-owned small businesses are making a significant impact, driving innovation, job creation, and local economic growth. According to estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau, women-owned businesses generate an estimated $2.1 trillion in revenue, employ 10.5 million people, and are responsible for $499.4 billion in annual payroll.

Bethpage Federal Credit Union has launched a new initiative to support women-led small businesses by promoting them on high-traffic billboards, called Bethboards, in the New York area. Female entrepreneurs can be nominated to be featured on a Bethboard at bethpage.com/woman. Brooklyn-based family saving, financial literacy and smart spending app, Goalsetter, founded by Tanya VanCourt, is featured on one of Bethpage Federal Credit Union's first Bethboards in Times Square.

Recognizing the tremendous promise of women-led businesses and their ability to break boundaries, enrich communities, and drive change, Bethpage Federal Credit Union has committed its support by giving female entrepreneurs a big platform to promote their businessesfree advertising on high-traffic billboards, called "Bethboards."

The latest initiative in Bethpage's recently launched movement, "Money Like a Woman," Bethboards will showcase and celebrate women-owned small businesses operating within the New York area, with digital ads that will be strategically displayed in locations most beneficial to each business. Nominations and self-nominations are now being accepted and will be evaluated by a committee based on criteria including how well the business aligns with Bethpage's vision of enriching lives and communities. Visit bethpage.com/woman to nominate a woman-owned business.

The first two Bethboards are now live in Times Square, celebrating the Brooklyn-based family saving, financial literacy and smart spending app, Goalsetter, founded by Tanya VanCourt, and the Long Island leadership and team development firm, MGXW Consulting, led by founders Mimi Bishop and Jackie Ghedine.

"Women-owned small businesses are at the forefront of redefining the way business is done, and we are excited to celebrate them," said Linda Armyn, President & CEO of Bethpage Federal Credit Union. "We want to hear the stories of female leaders that are making a difference in their communities and do what we can to help them increase visibility and achieve continued growth and success."

Inspired by women's unique experiences, "Money Like a Woman" promotes financial inclusivity and celebrates women's approach to finances. The campaign shines a spotlight on women as financial leaders, whether at the helm of a business or the heart of their household. It introduces a fresh, collaborative approach to financesone that fosters empowerment and positive change for everyone.

For more information about Bethpage Federal Credit Union and the "Money Like a Woman" movement, visit Bethpage.com/woman.

About Bethpage

Bethpage Federal Credit Union is a premier community financial institution committed to enriching the lives of its members, employees, and the communities it serves for the past 83 years. Bethpage is the largest credit union in the Northeast Region, and the 15th largest in the nation.

As a not-for-profit credit union, Bethpage is committed to its members and the communities it serves. In addition to giving back to its members in the form of great rates and low fees, the Bethpage Cares program invests heavily in local, high-impact community programs that serve with an eye towards creating better communities through diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

A Certified Great Place to Work and a Glass Door Top Place to Work for Small & Midsize companies, Bethpage is a federally chartered credit union, available to people nationwide who open a $5 dollar membership account. Bethpage offers a robust digital platform that allows members to bank from anywhere. Bethpage is a part of the national CO-OP network that gives members access to their accounts at over 30,000 free ATMs and 5,000+ shared branches across the U.S. As a financial cooperative, Bethpage offers the best-in market rates, lowest fees and world-class service, plus a full menu of personal and commercial financial services. For more information on Bethpage's robust portfolio of banking, borrowing, and investment services, visit www.lovebethpage.com or call 1-800- 628-7070.

SOURCE Bethpage Federal Credit Union
Five eminent speakers, including Nobel laureates and the top Chinese physicist Qi-Kun Xue, share groundbreaking insights at the Tencent WE Summit in Chengdu.

SHENZHEN, China, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On November 3, the 12th Annual Tencent WE Summit took place at the Chengdu Science Fiction Museum. Five world-renowned scientists took the stage, including Qi-Kun Xue, President of Southern University of Science and Technology, and professor at Tsinghua University; Kip S. Thorne, Nobel laureate and Feynman Professor of Theoretical Physics, Emeritus at the California Institute of Technology; May-Britt Moser, Nobel laureate and professor of neuroscience at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology; Jiang-Lai Liu, Distinguished Professor and Deputy Director of the Tsung-Dao Lee Institute (TDLI) and Chief Scientist of the PandaX experiment for dark matter detection at Shanghai Jiao Tong University; and Donald E. Ingber, Founding Director of the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University. Together, they captivated the audience with discussions on cutting-edge discoveries and breakthroughs, ranging from the quantum world, gravitational waves otherwise known as spacetime ripples, the search for elusive dark matter, and how brain cells comprise a GPS-like grid, and microchipping human organs.

Kip S. Thorne, 2017 Nobel Laureate in Physics, Feynman Professor of Theoretical Physics, Emeritus at the California Institute of Technology, and scientific advisor and executive producer of the film Interstellar, delivering his speech.

Guided by the vision of "Tech for Good", Tencent has hosted the WE Summit for twelve consecutive years to showcase frontier technological insights and trailblazing scientists. Tencent has also provided long term support of fundamental scientific research through several initiatives.

Standing at the Forefront of a New Technological Revolution

This year's summit, themed "Tech Tree  Tipping Point", opened with a monologue from Guo Fan, director of The Wandering Earth film series, who took the audience on a journey, traveling through time to pivotal historical moments: the quantum world, the warped spacetime, and the neural networks of the brain "Those seemingly far-fetched ideas told by stories eventually became tipping points of transformation," he said. "Yesterday's science fiction may be tomorrow's reality."

Quantum technology stands at the forefront of an imminent technological revolution. Academician Qi-Kun Xue and his team have, after preparation of more than one thousand samples over a four-year period, created a new material that combines magnetism, topology, and insulating property, and was found to exhibit the quantum anomalous Hall effect. At the event, Xue introduced the audience to the microscopic quantum world and showcased the fruits of their most recent experiments. He noted, "Achieving breakthroughs at the forefront of science demands absolute perfection in each and every detail of each and every experiment."

Unraveling the Ultimate Mysteries of the Universe

How did our universe begin? What is the fate of matter that falls into a black hole? Is time travel possible? Returning to the WE Summit after a hiatus of six years, Nobel laureate Kip S. Thorne shared his 62-year explorations of our warped universe. He guided the audience through black holes to experience the dynamics of space and time, traveled through wormholes to distant galaxies, and envisioned the limitless possibilities of time travel. Kip Thorne predicted, "By the 2030s or maybe 2050s there will be a fourth great tipping pointthe discovery of gravitational waves from our universe's big bang birth So this tipping point may trigger a new quest: To extract, from the waves, information about both our universe's birth and those mysterious quantum gravity laws."

Dark matter and dark energy comprises 95% of the universe, with the invisible and elusive dark matter accounting for 27%. Capturing dark matter particles could trigger a seismic leap in humanity's understanding of the cosmos and spark a new revolution in physics. Jiang-Lai Liu likens dark matter to cosmic smog and the Earth a car traveling through it. Particles in this "smog" collide with the car, producing "sounds" that can be captured by novel experimental detectors. Liu shared his team's experimental findings from the China's Extremely Deep Underground Laboratory  Jinping Underground Laboratory, located 2,400 meters deep within a mountain. Liu expressed his optimism that a "tipping point" for dark matter detection is imminent.

Leveraging Science to Benefit Humanity

The purpose of scientific progress is to improve human well-being. Apart from exploring the frontiers of physics at both the macroscopic and microscopic level, WE Summit also highlighted the latest achievements in neuroscience and bioengineering. Nobel laureate May-Britt Moser, one of the discoverers of the brain's "GPS," has dedicated her research to exploring how the human brain generates behavior, emotions, and thoughts. She explained at the Summit how place cells, grid cells, speed cells, and boundary cells coordinate in the brain so as to enable us to better recall specific locations, understand our spatial positioning, monitor movement speed, and perceive boundaries. Her research not only reveals how the brain processes spatial information but also provides insights into potential treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer's.

Developing new drugs is crucial for treating diseases. While the traditional drug development model is time-consuming and costly, the "organ-on-a-chip" technology, developed by Donald E. Ingber's team, offers an innovative approach to disease treatment and drug development. An organ-on-a-chip is a device lined with live cells from human patients to mimic the human organ functions. Ingber's team has designed various organ-on-a-chip models, proving that they can replicate organ functions. The team has also successfully created a "human-on-a-chip" that integrates multiple organ chips, including brain, heart, intestine, liver, and kidney chips. These breakthroughs are expected to make the drug development process be faster, safer, and more cost-effective. In the future, scientists may customize human organs-on-chips for different patient groups to test drugs, shorten testing cycles, and ultimately achieve precision medicine.

At this year's WE Summit, Tencent also unveiled its "Tech Tree" online product, which is empowered by its Hunyuan-powered AI model. People can access the online version of the "Tech Tree" through the Tencent Yuanbao app or mini-program and learn about epic milestones in history of human technology. While they explore how these events are intricately correlated and dependent upon one another, they will also be amazed by their hidden links unfolded by the app. In the near future, a physical version of this "Tech Tree" is set to be a permanent exhibit at Tencent's Science Museum in its new Qianhai headquarters, offering visitors an immersive, hands-on experience. This interactive exhibit is designed to allow the general public to have a more intuitive understanding of scientific achievements and enhance their scientific literacy.

Over the past 12 years, Tencent WE Summit, as one of Tencent's long-term, key initiatives supporting basic science, remains committed to sharing the most groundbreaking scientific discoveries and cutting-edge ideas with the general public. It has brought together nearly one hundred top scientists and technologists all over the world, including cosmologist Stephen Hawking, mathematical physicist Roger Penrose, Turing Award winner Andrew Chi-Chih Yao. They have shared scientific advancements in more than a dozen fields, such as cosmology, theoretical physics, life sciences, earth sciences, aerospace technology, information technology, and intelligent manufacturing.

SOURCE Tencent
BEIJING, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Yiren Digital Ltd. (NYSE: YRD) ("Yiren Digital"), an AI-powered platform providing a comprehensive suite of financial and lifestyle services in China, announced that it plans to release its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024 before U.S. market opens on Wednesday, on November 20, 2024.

Yiren Digital's management will host an earnings conference call at 7:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time on November 20, 2024 (or 8:00 p.m. Beijing/Hong Kong Time on November 20, 2024).

Participants who wish to join the call should register online in advance of the conference at: https://dpregister.com/sreg/10194517/fdfac17402

Once registration is completed, participants will receive the dial-in details for the conference call.

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available at https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=MvArF4tV

About Yiren Digital

Yiren Digital Ltd. is an advanced, AI-powered platform providing a comprehensive suite of financial and lifestyle services in China. Our mission is to elevate customers' financial well-being and enhance their quality of life by delivering digital financial services, tailor-made insurance solutions, and premium lifestyle services. We support clients at various growth stages, addressing financing needs arising from consumption and production activities, while aiming to augment the overall well-being and security of individuals, families, and businesses.

SOURCE Yiren Digital
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree on expanding the coverage and financing of new content educational programs in higher education, Trend reports.

The decree was signed with the aim of transitioning from quantitative to quality-based funding in the higher education system and improving funding mechanisms.

According to the document, the coverage of the "SABAH" program will be gradually expanded by 2028, starting from the 2025-2026 academic year.

Will be updated
2024 Tianjin Wudadao Forum held in China's Tianjin

People's Daily Online) 16:29, November 15, 2024

Attendees pose for a group photo. (Photo/People's Daily Online)

The 2024 Tianjin Wudadao Forum themed on "Chinese Path to Modernization and Global Cause" was held in north China's Tianjin Municipality on Nov. 12, 2024.

The forum was jointly organized by the Office of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Tianjin Municipal Committee, the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies under the China International Communications Group, Tianjin Foreign Studies University, and the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China.

The forum brought together nearly 100 participants from academia, government, diplomatic circles, and think tanks.

Experts and scholars from prestigious universities and think tanks had an in-depth exchange of views on the sub-topics of "New Development Philosophy and Chinese Modernization," "Global Civilization Initiative and Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind," and "High-standard Opening-up and Development of a Global Tianjin."

Attendees join in discussions at the forum. (Photo/People's Daily Online)

Luan Jianzhang, director-general of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPC Tianjin Municipal Committee, said the Wudadao historical urban area serves not only as a geographical symbol reflecting architectural diversity but also as a cultural symbol embodying the diversity of civilizations.

Luan added that the Wudadao area carries rich connotations, symbolizing the comprehensive deepening of reform led by innovative, coordinated, green, open and inclusive development concepts, as well as diversified paths towards modernization.

With the help of experts and scholars, it is hoped that the Wudadao Forum will be developed into a Tianjin-branded forum for intellectual exchanges and cultural integration to contribute to advancing the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Luan said.

Patrick Herminie, leader of the United Seychelles party and former speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles, said Chinese modernization serves as an example of what is possible when vision, resilience and development are pursued together in a spirit of cooperation.

The Tianjin City Internationalization Expert Advisory Committee is inaugurated. (Photo/People's Daily Online)

He added that his country is willing to learn the experience of Chinese modernization to improve people's living standards.

Patrick Nijs, former Belgian ambassador to China and co-founder of the Europe China Joint Innovation Center (Beijing-Brussels), praised Tianjin's distinctive character, saying that the Wudadao area is a perfect reflection of traditional Chinese culture.

Highlighting China's growing role in addressing global challenges, he said he is glad to play a part in promoting exchanges and cooperation between China and the world. He expected the forum to further boost global collaboration.

During the opening ceremony of the forum, the Tianjin City Internationalization Expert Advisory Committee was inaugurated, aiming to advance Chinese modernization by promoting the internationalization of Tianjin.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Tanzania Tulia Ackson arrived in Azerbaijan on November 15 to attend the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), Trend reports.

MP Amina Aghazade and other officials met the guest at Heydar Aliyev International Airport.

To note, a parliamentary meeting jointly organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and Azerbaijani Parliament will be held in Baku on November 16-17 within the framework of COP29. The event is expected to be attended by 92 delegations from 66 countries and international organizations - about 330 representatives in total. Among the participants are 167 members of parliament, including 12 speakers and vice-speakers.

The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) kicked off in Baku on November 11.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) means Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless the parties decide otherwise, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is based in Bonn.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
New Delhi, Nov 15 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met Mahant Subhadra Aatya, known for her work in education and empowering the girl child, in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

The Prime Minister also met prominent Hindu religious leaders such as Mahamandaleshwar Swami Shantigiri Maharaj, Upadhyay Rishi Pravin, and Param Pujya Babhulgaonkar Maharaj in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

After the meeting with Mahant Subhadra Aatya, PM Modi said in a post on social media platform X, "In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, I met Mahant Subhadra Aatya. She has been associated with the Mahanubhav Panth. Her work in education and empowering the girl child is very inspiring."

After meeting Param Pujya Babhulgaonkar Maharaj, PM Modi on X said, "Param Pujya Babhulgaonkar Maharaj is widely respected for his noble thoughts and writing. He has authored several books and has also been conferred with various awards for that. Met him at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar earlier today."

In another post on X, the PM said: "Met Mahamandaleshwar Swami Shantigiri Maharaj in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. He has been at the forefront of numerous community service efforts and has been working to empower the poor and downtrodden."

PM Modi wrote in a post on X, "It was wonderful to meet Upadhyay Shri Rishi Pravin Ji. He is widely respected for his study of Jain texts and culture. He has travelled extensively across India to promote harmony and brotherhood."

The Prime Minister addressed a huge public meeting in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, on Thursday.

During this rally, PM Modi slammed the Congress and the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi and said: "The Maharashtra Assembly election is not only to elect a new government in the state. In this election, on one hand, some patriots believe in Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, and on the other hand some people praise Mughal tyrant Aurangzeb.

PM Modi was also facilitated by NDA leaders, including Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale.

Voting for 288 Assembly seats in Maharashtra will be held in a single phase on November 20 and the results will be declared on November 23.
New Delhi, Nov 15 : To commemorate Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bihar's Jamui district on Friday to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 6,640 crore in the state.

This step is aimed at uplifting tribal communities and improving infrastructure in rural and remote areas of the region on the commencement of the 150th birth anniversary year celebration of Dharti Aaba, Birsa Munda.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, PM Modi will unveil a commemorative coin and postal stamp in honour of Birsa Munda at around 11 a.m. on Friday.

The Prime Minister will also participate in the Grih Pravesh of 11,000 houses built under Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN).

He will also inaugurate 23 Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) launched under PM-JANMAN and an additional 30 MMUs under Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) to enhance healthcare access in tribal areas.

Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate 300 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) to promote tribal entrepreneurship and support livelihood generation and 10 Eklavya Model Residential Schools, worth around Rs 450 crore, dedicated to tribal students.

He will also inaugurate two tribal freedom fighters' museums in Chhindwara and Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, and two tribal research institutes in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, and Gangtok, Sikkim, to document and preserve the rich history and heritage of tribal communities.

The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of 500 km of new roads to improve connectivity in tribal regions and 100 Multi-Purpose Centres to act as community hubs under PM-JANMAN.

He will also lay the foundation stone of 25 additional Eklavya Model residential schools, worth more than Rs 1,110 crore, furthering the commitment of quality education for tribal children.

Prime Minister Modi will also sanction various development projects that include 25,000 new Awas under PM-JANMAN worth around Rs 500 crore and 1.16 lakh Awas under Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) worth more than Rs 1,960 crore; 66 hostels under PM-JANMAN and 304 hostels under DAJGUA worth more than Rs 1,100 crore; 50 new Multi-Purpose Centres, 55 Mobile Medical Units and 65 Anganwadi Centres under PM-JANMAN; 6 Centres of Competency for Sickle Cell Anaemia elimination along with 330 projects for upgradation of Ashram Schools, hostels, Government Residential Schools among others under DAJGUA, worth around Rs 500 crore.
New York, Nov 15 : US President-elect Donald Trump is replacing the federal prosecutor who filed the case against a former Indian Intelligence officer charged in an alleged "murder-for-hire" plot against a Khalistani leader.

Trump announced on Thursday that he is nominating Jay Clayton, a former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as the District Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

"Jay is going to be a strong Fighter for the Truth as we, Make America Great Again," Trump said in a Truth Social post.

If confirmed by the Senate, Clayton will replace Damian Williams, who by tradition will submit his resignation when there is a change of President on January 21, or will be fired.

Last month, Williams filed the case against Vikash Yadav, a former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officer, alleging that he orchestrated a plot to hire a hitman to kill Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

Williams charged an Indian citizen, Nikhil Gupta, last year as a co-conspirator in the case.

He was extradited to the US in June from the Czech Republic, where he was arrested, and his case is proceeding separately at the Southern District of New York court.

Gupta has denied guilt in court and the next hearing is set for January 19.

Even if Williams quits, the lawyers in his office will continue the case until the new prosecutor and the new Attorney General decide on the next steps.

Trump has appointed a controversial former member of the House of Representatives, Matt Gaetz, as his Attorney General.

Yadav is described in the charges filed against him as a RAW "Senior Field Officer".

He is in India and is reportedly in custody facing kidnapping and extortion charges.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued a "Wanted" poster for him.

He and Gupta are alleged to have tried to hire a person they thought was a professional criminal -- but was a government agent -- to kill Pannun.

The Southern District of New York covers Manhattan -- and within it Wall Street -- making the venue for most high-profile cases involving investments, and stock market trading manipulation and fraud.

As the former SEC head, Clayton brings special expertise to Wall Street and financial irregularities cases.

"He did an incredible job," at the SEC, Trump said.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in)
New Delhi, Nov 15 : To commemorate Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bihar's Jamui district on Friday to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 6,640 crore in the state.

This step is aimed at uplifting tribal communities and improving infrastructure in rural and remote areas of the region on the commencement of the 150th birth anniversary year celebration of Dharti Aaba, Birsa Munda.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, PM Modi will unveil a commemorative coin and postal stamp in honour of Birsa Munda at around 11 a.m. on Friday.

The Prime Minister will travel to a remote village in Jamui district, about 200 km from the state capital Patna, to celebrate "Janjatiya Gaurav Divas", as the day has come to be observed since 2021.

Incidentally, this is the PM's second tour of Bihar, where he, on Wednesday, laid the foundation stone for AIIMS at Darbhanga, one of the major cities in the state's northern region.

Jamui shares its borders with Jharkhand, where Assembly elections are underway.

The Prime Minister will also participate in the Grih Pravesh of 11,000 houses built under Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN).

He will also inaugurate 23 Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) launched under PM-JANMAN and an additional 30 MMUs under Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) to enhance healthcare access in tribal areas.

Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate 300 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) to promote tribal entrepreneurship and support livelihood generation and 10 Eklavya Model Residential Schools, worth around Rs 450 crore, dedicated to tribal students.

He will also inaugurate two tribal freedom fighters' museums in Chhindwara and Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, and two tribal research institutes in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, and Gangtok, Sikkim, to document and preserve the rich history and heritage of tribal communities.

The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of 500 km of new roads to improve connectivity in tribal regions and 100 Multi-Purpose Centres to act as community hubs under PM-JANMAN.

He will also lay the foundation stone of 25 additional Eklavya Model residential schools, worth more than Rs 1,110 crore, furthering the commitment of quality education for tribal children.

Prime Minister Modi will also sanction various development projects that include 25,000 new Awas under PM-JANMAN worth around Rs 500 crore and 1.16 lakh Awas under Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) worth more than Rs 1,960 crore; 66 hostels under PM-JANMAN and 304 hostels under DAJGUA worth more than Rs 1,100 crore; 50 new Multi-Purpose Centres, 55 Mobile Medical Units and 65 Anganwadi Centres under PM-JANMAN; 6 Centres of Competency for Sickle Cell Anaemia elimination along with 330 projects for upgradation of Ashram Schools, hostels, Government Residential Schools among others under DAJGUA, worth around Rs 500 crore.
Bhopal, Nov 15 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually inaugurate two 'tribal freedom fighters' museums in Madhya Pradesh on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda on Friday.

Sharing this information, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Thursday that PM Modi will dedicate tribal museums established in Chhindwara and Jabalpur districts to the country.

The museum in Chhindwara has been named after local tribal hero (freedom fighter) Badal Bhoi, while that in Jabalpur has been christened after Raja Shankar Shah and Raghunath Shah.

Curation works in both museums have been done by the state's Tribal Affairs Department that will describe the lives of 25 tribal freedom fighters, including Birsa Munda, Raja Shankar Shah, and Raghunath Shah.

There are many scenic and important places related to the tribal freedom struggle around the museum.

Jabalpur's tribal museum has as many as six galleries, and one of them is dedicated to Rani Durgavati, which displays her life, rule, and struggle with external invaders.

To commemorate the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, the Madhya Pradesh government has organised state-level programmes in the Dhar and Shahdol districts.

On this occasion, artists from tribal communities will perform their traditional arts to celebrate the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, whom they worship as God.

Besides the celebration of Birsa Munda's birth anniversary, the state government will also pay homage to local freedom fighters and their families, celebrating the rich heritage and contributions of the tribal communities.

The hero of the Indian tribal freedom struggle, Birsa Munda played a pivotal role in inspiring the tribal community of the Chotanagpur region to fight for their independence. He led the armed revolution known as "Ulgulan" (the rebellion) against British rule. He belonged to the Munda tribe in the Chhotanagpur Plateau area. He spearheaded an Indian tribal mass movement that arose in the Bihar and Jharkhand belts in the early 19th century under British colonisation.

Munda rallied the tribals to fight against the forceful land grabbing carried out by the British government, which would turn the tribals into bonded labourers and force them to abject poverty.

He influenced his people to realise the importance of owning their land and asserting their rights over it.

He founded the faith of Birsait, a blend of animism and indigenous beliefs, which emphasised the worship of a single god. He became their leader and was given the nickname, 'Dharti Aba' or the father of the earth. He died on June 9, 1900, at age of 25.

November 15, the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, was declared 'Janjatiya Gaurav Divas' by PM Modi-led government in 2021.
Tehran, Nov 15 : A top Iranian military commander has vowed that Iran would definitely deliver a "crushing" response to Israel for its recent attack on Iranian territory, according to state media.

Chief Commander of the Iranian Army, Abdolrahim Mousavi, made the remarks during a meeting with the family of a member of Iran's Air Force who was killed in the Israeli strike on military sites in Iran late last month, the official news agency IRNA report said on Thursday.

"We determine the timing and method of the response and when necessary, we will make no hesitation. Our response will definitely be crushing," he was quoted as saying.

The Israel Defense Forces announced on October 26 that it conducted "precise and targeted" airstrikes on targets in Iran in response to recent attacks from the country, Xinhua news agency reported.

Iran's air defence headquarters claimed it successfully countered the Israeli attack, which resulted in only "limited damage".

In similar remarks to reporters on Wednesday, Deputy Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Ali Fadavi, said Iran's response to Israel's aggression would be certain, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

Fadavi added that since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran had let no "malicious" act go unanswered and would definitely give a "regret-inducing" response to the recent Israeli attack.
New York, Nov 15 : US President-elect Donald Trump is handing over the Health Department to the eccentric scion of the Kennedy clan, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who advocates unconventional ideas including opposition to vaccines.

Naming Kennedy Jr. the next Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, Trump made it sound like a war on the pharmaceutical and food industries.

"For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health," Trump said.

He wrote on Truth Social that Kennedy Jr. "will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again"!

Kennedy Jr. posted on X that he would work with HHS employees "to free the agencies from the smothering cloud of corporate capture so they can pursue their mission to make Americans once again the healthiest people on Earth".

Besides opposition to vaccines, some of Kennedy's ideas are against the pasteurisation of milk, and laws making psychedelic drugs illegal, and therapies like using for people ivermectin, a drug used for horses, and wider use of stem cells.

Ironically one of Trump's biggest achievements in his last term was the development of vaccines against Covid-19 in record time, which he now downplays because many in the right wing of the party are against vaccines.

Kennedy Jr. has said that despite his opposition, he will not ban vaccines.

In agreement with Trump's suggestion to use hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for Covid, in a tweet he accused the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) of aggressively suppressing it.

Kennedy Jr. could throw the entire US health system in disarray if he has his way.

If confirmed he will have authority over 13 agencies that come under the HHS and these include the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control which also has an international role, the National Institutes of Health that do cutting edge research, and Medicare, the government health insurance for seniors.

Kennedy Jr. is a former Democrat who embraced Trump after failed attempts to seek the presidency and endorsed him.

Kennedy Jr. ran for the Democratic Party nomination against President Joe Biden and later against Vice President Kamala Harris, before ending it and declaring himself an Independent.

He dropped that and endorsed Trump, who said in return, he would let him "go wild on health".

Despite Trump's campaign promise, his appointment as the HHS Secretary was a surprise because of his eccentric advocacies and he may have a rough ride in Senate confirmation hearings.

His nomination -- like that of Matt Gaetz, who was under a Congressional ethics probe for alleged sexual misconduct and drug use, as the Attorney General -- is Trump's show of defiance against the mainstream and a demand for acquiescence from his party Senators.

Kennedy Jr. is the nephew of President John F Kennedy and the son of his brother, Robert, a Senator and former Attorney General.

Both leaders were assassinated, Robert Kennedy while pursuing the Democratic nomination for President.

Kennedy Jr. has had his sights for long on the health portfolio and lobbied for the post with former President Barack Obama, who reportedly rejected him for alleged past involvement with drugs.

He was an environment activist and lawyer, with a colourful past of escapades like dumping a dead bear in New York's Central Park.

During his presidential campaign, he revealed that a tapeworm had been found eating a part of his brain.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament Sahiba Gafarova has met with the 76th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Member of the House of Lords Baroness Theresa May, Trend reports.

While greeting the guests attending COP29 in Baku, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova remarked on the importance of this international gathering.

Baroness Theresa May commended our nation for holding a globally significant event, stating that COP29, which attracted over 70,000 people, was the focal point of international attention. The guest remembered that Glasgow had hosted a COP event, noting their comprehension of the significant responsibilities entailed in its organization. The Baroness reiterated the elevated arrangements for COP29 by Azerbaijan.

According to Speaker Sahiba Gafarova, Azerbaijan, being a country exposed to climate change, has always paid close attention to environmental protection matters, including the use of renewable energy sources, and had done it before her COP29 presidency, too. She also briefed her guests on the green energy development projects afoot in the de-occupied territories.

It was emphasized that climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time and one that requires immediate action. As the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament pointed out, the politicization of events where such important matters are discussed is unacceptable. She expressed regret over the political attacks and attempts to pressure Azerbaijan by certain states before the event. The Speaker described it as a manifestation of a jealous attitude towards Azerbaijans restoration of its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The considerable role of parliaments in combating climate change-induced problems was emphasized in the course of the conversation as well. In this context, they underscored the significance of the Parliamentary Meeting, due on 16-17 November, which the Azerbaijani Parliament and the Inter-Parliamentary Union are organizing together.

They also exchanged views on the importance of the interaction between our parliaments as one of the key factors in the progress of Azeri-British relations. The guest was informed about the Azerbaijani Parliament. Sahiba Gafarova was glad to recall her official visit to the United Kingdom; she said that the meetings held during that visit had contributed favorably to the advancement of the links between the two countries legislative assemblies.

There was also a discussion of gender equality and womens state issues. Sahiba Gafarova mentioned the special attention paid to womens issues in our country. Azerbaijan gave women suffrage as soon as 1918, sooner than the majority of Western countries. Nowadays, women fill elevated positions in our country, whereas our Parliament is placing a special emphasis on their issues and on gender equality.

Besides, the conversation covered the topics of the cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Commonwealth of Nations, the humanitarian and technical aid to the Small Island Developing States that are provided via the Commonwealth, and our countrys initiative to arrange a Climate Change Summit for the Small Island Developing Nations on the margins of the COP29.

There was also an exchange of opinions about other matters of shared interest.

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New Delhi, Nov 15 : The grand Dev Deepawali of Kashi will be celebrated on Friday and all the 84 ghats will be illuminated with 17 lakh diyas (earthen lamps). This time the diyas decorating the ghats will be dedicated to women empowerment, and tributes will also be paid to the iconic late industrialist Ratan Tata on the ghats of Kashi.

Apart from this, laser shows and fireworks will also be organised at Ganga Dwar and Chet Singh Ghat. Elaborate arrangements have also been made for the world famous Ganga Aarti at the Dashashwamedh Ghat.

The city of Varanasi is expecting lakhs of tourists to throng to the holy town for witnessing the auspicious festival.

Dev Deepawali is observed annually on the 15th lunar day of the Kartik month in the Hindu calendar, along with Kartik Purnima. The day is celebrated to mark the victory of Lord Shiva over demon Tripurasur. This year the Kartik Purnima has fallen on November 15 so Dev Deepawali of Kashi will be celebrated today.

The Dev Deepawali is expected to draw 20 per cent more tourists this time, as compared to last year and hotels and boats have also witnessed unprecedented demand.

Hotels, homestays as well as boats in the city have already been booked, ahead of Dev Deepawali and as per official estimates, about 10 lakh tourists are expected to visit the city this time.

Priyank Dev Singh, Secretary of Varanasi Hotel Association said that this time the number of tourists on Dev Deepawali has increased significantly, compared to last year. Most of the tourists are staying in home stays and guest houses.

"Booking for Dev Deepawali starts from June itself. There is a lot of enthusiasm among the people about it and the tourists coming here are also going to Ayodhya. Apart from this, tourism is also being promoted by the government," he said.

Boatman Makalu Sahni said that every year he makes necessary preparations for Dev Deepawali. During this time, he takes care of passengers' facilities. "This time, there is a lot of enthusiasm among people and most of the boats have also been booked in advance," Sahni said.
New Delhi, Nov 15 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid tributes to Bhagwan Birsa Munda, a towering figure in the freedom struggle, on the commencement of the 150th birth anniversary year celebrations of the iconic leader for tribal empowerment.

In a post on social media platform X on Friday, the Prime Minister said, "Bhagwan Birsa Munda sacrificed everything to protect the dignity, freedom and glory of the motherland. I pay heartfelt tributes to him on Janjatiya Gaurav Divas that is celebrated to mark his birth anniversary."

The Prime Minister will visit Jamui in Bihar today to commemorate the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

He will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 6,640 crore in Bihar.

This step is aimed at uplifting tribal communities and improving infrastructure in rural and remote areas of the region.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, PM Modi will unveil a commemorative coin and postal stamp in honour of Birsa Munda at around 11 A.M. on Friday.

The Prime Minister will travel to a remote village in Jamui district, about 200 km from the state capital Patna, to celebrate "Janjatiya Gaurav Divas", as the day has come to be observed since 2021.

Incidentally, this is the PM's second tour of Bihar, where he, on Wednesday, laid the foundation stone for AIIMS at Darbhanga, one of the major cities in the state's northern region.

Jamui shares its borders with Jharkhand, where Assembly elections are underway.

The Prime Minister will also participate in the Grih Pravesh of 11,000 houses built under Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN).

He will also inaugurate 23 Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) launched under PM-JANMAN and an additional 30 MMUs under Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) to enhance healthcare access in tribal areas.

Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate 300 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) to promote tribal entrepreneurship and support livelihood generation and 10 Eklavya Model Residential Schools, worth around Rs 450 crore, dedicated to tribal students.

He will also inaugurate two tribal freedom fighters' museums in Chhindwara and Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, and two tribal research institutes in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, and Gangtok, Sikkim, to document and preserve the rich history and heritage of tribal communities.

The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of 500 km of new roads to improve connectivity in tribal regions and 100 Multi-Purpose Centres to act as community hubs under PM-JANMAN.

He will also lay the foundation stone of 25 additional Eklavya Model residential schools, worth more than Rs 1,110 crore, furthering the commitment of quality education for tribal children.

Prime Minister Modi will also sanction various development projects that include 25,000 new Awas under PM-JANMAN worth around Rs 500 crore and 1.16 lakh Awas under Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) worth more than Rs 1,960 crore; 66 hostels under PM-JANMAN and 304 hostels under DAJGUA worth more than Rs 1,100 crore; 50 new Multi-Purpose Centres, 55 Mobile Medical Units and 65 Anganwadi Centres under PM-JANMAN; 6 Centres of Competency for Sickle Cell Anaemia elimination along with 330 projects for upgradation of Ashram Schools, hostels, Government Residential Schools among others under DAJGUA, worth around Rs 500 crore.
Seoul, Nov 15 : Hyundai Motor on Friday promoted Jose Munoz, the company's global chief operating officer (COO), as its new CEO, appointing a foreign national to the top post for the first time since its foundation more than five decades ago.

Hyundai Motor promotes global COO Munoz as CEO in major reshuffleMunoz has served as global COO of Hyundai Motor and the president and CEO of Hyundai and Genesis Motor North America. Prior to joining Hyundai, Munoz served as chief performance officer for Nissan Motor and the chairman of Nissan China.

The promotion of Munoz is seen as a strategic move aimed at strengthening Hyundai's response in the United States following the reelection of former US President Donald Trump, reports Yonhap news agency.

Munoz's work as CEO will begin at the start of next year, according to the company.

"Through strengthening dealer competitiveness and driving profitability-focused management, he has continuously set record performance milestones for Hyundai Motor in North America," Hyundai Motor Group said of Munoz's previous achievements.

Chang Jae-hoon, who has held the top post at the country's leading automaker since 2020, was promoted to vice chairman of Hyundai Motor Group.

Sung Kim, a former US State Department official who joined Hyundai as an adviser in January, was appointed as a president overseeing global external affairs, research of domestic and international policy trends, and communications and public relations initiatives.

In other affiliates, Kia, the country's second-largest automaker, promoted Choi Jun-young, currently vice president of domestic production division, to president. Lee Kyu-bok, vice president and CEO of logistics affiliate Hyundai Glovis Co., was also promoted to president.

Baek Cheol-seung, a vice president at Hyundai Transys Inc., an automotive parts affiliate, was appointed as CEO.

Hyundai Motor Group said it aims to "strengthen organizational foundations and accelerate future transformation" by consolidating the group's core competencies and strategically placing proven leaders with verified track records in key positions.
Seoul, Nov 15 : Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo attended an economic event for business executives at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru, where he exchanged views on the global supply chain with other participants, his office said on Friday.

Cheong also highlighted that his country sought to gain insights from Peru about preparing for the annual summit of 21 global leaders as Seoul is set to host the 2025 APEC summit in Gyeongju, 275 kilometers southeast of Seoul, reports Yonhap news agency.

During his visit, Cheong also attended an event hosted by the U.S. National Center for APEC, where he met U.S. business leaders, including Antony Cook, corporate vice president of Microsoft.

The two discussed the importance of strengthening bilateral economic ties between South Korea and the United States, particularly on supply chains of major industries, including artificial intelligence chips, the ministry added.

The trade minister also held separate bilateral meetings with counterparts from Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia to explore collaborative strategies for addressing potential changes under the incoming U.S. administration.

Meanwhile, container shipping costs from South Korea to China fell for the first time in nine months in October, the customs agency said on Friday.

The average shipping cost for a 40-foot container from South Korea to China declined 6.9 percent from a month earlier to 767,000 won ($545.36) last month, according to data from the Korea Customs Service.

It marked the first on-month decline since January as the figure had been on the rise for eight straight months from February.

The average shipping costs from South Korea to major partner nations, including the United States, the European Union, Japan and Vietnam, all went down in October from the previous month.

Compared with a year earlier, however, the shipping costs of the major routes climbed on rising shipment volume and the subsequent shortage of ships.

The on-year growth also came as carriers have been forced to suspend transit through the crucial Middle East maritime route due to strikes on ships in the Red Sea by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels based in Yemen, which have led to longer shipping time and an increase in shipping costs, officials said.

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Vilnius, Nov 15 : Saulius Skvernelis, leader of the Democratic Union "For Lithuania" (DSVL) and former Prime Minister, has been elected Speaker of Lithuania's 14th Seimas for a four-year term.

In a secret ballot on Thursday, 107 lawmakers voted in favour of his appointment, 19 opposed, 10 abstained, and one ballot was spoiled, according to the Seimas, Xinhua news agency reported.

Skvernelis' speakership was secured through a coalition agreement formalised on Monday between the Social Democratic Party (LSDP), DSVL, and Dawn of Nemunas (PPNA), forming the ruling bloc.

Skvernelis, born in Kaunas in 1970, began his career lecturing at the Lithuanian Police Academy in 1994 and advanced to roles such as Lithuanian Police's commissioner general in 2011.

Appointed interior minister in 2014, Skvernelis also served as Prime Minister between 2016 and 2020.

Following parliamentary elections on October 13 and October 27, the LSDP emerged as the leading party, securing 52 of the 141 parliamentary seats, while PPNA and DSVL obtained 20 and 14 seats, respectively.
Beirut, Nov 15 : The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said that a patrol near the village of Qalaouiyah was fired upon by two or three unidentified individuals, with roughly 30 shots directed at the peacekeepers.

Earlier, the patrol had identified a cache of ammunition near the road and reported it to the Lebanese Armed Forces, the UNIFIL said in a statement, Xinhua news agency reported.

After notifying Lebanese authorities, the peacekeepers resumed their route. They later paused to clear debris from the road, at which point they came under fire.

The peacekeepers responded from their vehicles and safely left the area. No injuries or vehicle damage were reported, according to the statement. The UNIFIL has begun investigating "whether the discovery of the ammunition cache is related to the attack," it added.

The UNIFIL called the attack a "flagrant violation" of international law and Security Council Resolution 1701, which mandates the protection of peacekeeping personnel. It also reminded the Lebanese authorities of their responsibility to "ensure the security of peacekeepers engaged in critical missions on Lebanese territory," the statement said, urging a "thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice."

The peacekeeping force affirmed its commitment to maintaining its positions and monitoring violations of Resolution 1701, despite increasing risks.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, with intensified Israeli air strikes on Lebanon since September 23 and ground operations across the northern border starting in early October.

The UNIFIL sites have reportedly come under attack amid the clashes, leading to injuries. The peacekeeping mission has previously accused Israeli forces of targeting its positions, prompting international criticism of Israel.
Port Sudan, Nov 15 : The World Food Programme (WFP), an international organisation within the UN that provides food assistance worldwide, urged safe passage for food aid to Sudan's North Darfur and South Kordofan states.

"For the first time in months there are multiple WFP convoys of food aid heading to Zamzam in North Darfur, where famine was confirmed, and Kadugli in South Kordofan," the WFP said on social media platform X, Xinhua news agency reported.

"We have the food, we have the trucks, and we have the staff on board to ensure this aid gets there," it said, adding, "Now, we need all warring parties and armed groups to allow this vital food and nutrition to arrive safely."

On Wednesday, the Sudanese government decided to extend the opening of the Adre border crossing with Chad for three months to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the war-affected population in the country.

The government said later on Wednesday that 28.9 million people in Sudan need humanitarian assistance due to the ongoing civil war, among whom 16.9 million are in need of life-saving humanitarian assistance, requiring about 840,000 metric tonnes of assistance in the next two months.

The government closed the Adre land border crossing in February, accusing the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of using it to transport weapons.

Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council on August 15 announced the decision to reopen the Adre crossing for three months.

Sudan has been gripped by a devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF since mid-April 2023.

According to UN estimates, about 25.6 million people -- more than half of Sudan's population -- face acute hunger amid the ongoing conflict, including over 755,000 on the brink of famine.
New Delhi, Nov 15 : President Droupadi Murmu on Friday paid floral tributes to Bhagwan Birsa Munda at Parliament House in New Delhi on his birth anniversary, observed nationwide as 'Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.'

Congratulating the state of Jharkhand on its foundation day and marking its silver jubilee year, President Murmu highlighted the legacy of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and other tribal heroes from the region.

"Heroes like Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Veer Sido and Kanhu Murmu, Chand-Bhairav, Tilka Manjhi, and Nilambar-Pitambar have made the land of Jharkhand proud," she shared in a post on X.

She further praised Jharkhand's society, particularly its tribal communities, for their rich cultural heritage and invaluable contributions to India's progress.

Earlier on Friday, expressing her appreciation for the love she receives from citizens and tribal communities, President Murmu remarked, "The immense love that I get from all the fellow citizens, including the people of the tribal communities, makes me emotional at times. Behind this feeling of mine is also the pleasant truth that today, sky is the limit for the development of the people belonging to the tribal communities."

In a separate post on X, the President also pointed to a substantial increase in funding for the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes,

It is noteworthy that the allocation of funds for the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes has increased manifold during the last decade. The budget of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for the year 2024-25 is Rs13,000 crore. This is 74 per cent more than last year's budget.

Earlier in the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tributes to Bhagwan Birsa Munda, a towering figure in the freedom struggle, on the commencement of the 150th birth anniversary year celebrations of the iconic leader for tribal empowerment.

In a post on social media platform X on Friday, the Prime Minister said, "Bhagwan Birsa Munda sacrificed everything to protect the dignity, freedom and glory of the motherland. I pay heartfelt tributes to him on Janjatiya Gaurav Divas that is celebrated to mark his birth anniversary."
Kolkata, Nov 15 : A Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court, next week, will hear a petition demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe in the mysterious death of a senior resident doctor of Jhargram Medical College & Hospital.

Dr Dipro Bhattacharya's body was recovered under mysterious circumstances on November 7 afternoon.

He was found dead in a private lodge where he was a tenant along with other colleagues who alerted the Jhargram police when he did not respond to calls. At around 11 A.M. the police broke into his room and found a note and a syringe near his body.

The matter will be heard by the Division Bench of Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya.

The petitioner has claimed that the circumstantial factors surfacing out of the death of the senior resident doctor have enough elements of suspicion and hence merit a CBI probe.

According to the petitioner the factor that prima facie prompts the merit of the central agency probe is the message that he posted on the WhatsApp group of doctors where he had mentioned about the "threat culture," prevailing in medical colleges and hospitals in the state, including R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata.

The hospital had recently hogged national headlines because of the ghastly rape and murder of a woman junior doctor within its premises in August.

According to the petitioner, since there are examples of biased investigation by the state police in such matters, it is desirable that the matter is probed by a central investigation agency like the CBI for the purpose of transparency in the probe process.

The petitioner has also appealed to the court to direct the West Bengal government to formulate and implement a policy ensuring the safety and security of the doctors at their respective workplaces.

In the message, the deceased senior resident doctor claimed that when he was attached to R.G. Kar, he had been vocal against the threat culture there.

He also claimed in the message that those who instil fear in students, and support nepotism are no less guilty than R.G. Kar's former Principal Sandip Ghosh, who is currently in judicial custody.

In the message, he had also reportedly claimed that such people are responsible for the depression, anxiety, and hopelessness experienced by thousands of young doctors.
Seoul, Nov 15 : S. Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken have met on the margins of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Peru and discussed an array of issues ranging from bilateral ties to North Korea's troop dispatch to Russia, Seoul's foreign ministry said on Friday.

In the meeting held in Lima on Thursday (local time), both sides expressed concerns over North Korea and Russia's deepening military cooperation as an illicit one that gravely threatens the security of both the Indo-Pacific and Europe, according to the ministry.

In this sense, they agreed to closely cooperate on the issue amid the possibility of Russia providing military assistance to the North in return for the deployment, Yonhap news agency reported.

Blinken stressed that bipartisan support for the South Korea-US alliance remains strong and said major accomplishments of the alliance will likely be smoothly handed over to the new administration.

Cho introduced Seoul's efforts for the successful organisation of the United Nations' Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on plastic pollution, set to be held in the southeastern port city of Busan, in which Blinken expressed support.

The latest meeting came two weeks after Cho and Blinken met in Washington, D.C., late last month for the "two plus two" meeting that was joined by the Defence chiefs of the two nations.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Chairperson of the Albanian Parliament Elisa Spiropali arrived in the Republic of Azerbaijan on November 15 to participate in the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), Trend reports.

At Heydar Aliyev International Airport, the Albanian Speaker was welcomed by Azerbaijani MP Parvana Valiyeva, along with other officials.

On November 16-17, Baku will host a Parliamentary Meeting as part of COP29. Co-organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the event will welcome 92 delegations from 66 countries and international organizations.

To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action  was held on November 1213.

The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics.

In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, creating climate finance will also help fulfill the 1.5C pledge by bringing everyone together.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

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Seoul, Nov 15 : South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and his Japanese counterpart, Takeshi Iwaya, have held talks on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Peru, Seoul's foreign ministry said on Friday.

The top diplomats of the two nations held a meeting in Lima on Thursday (local time) to discuss bilateral ties and North Korean issues, according to the ministry.

It marked the first in-person meeting between Cho and Iwaya since the top Japanese diplomat took office last month with the launch of the new leadership in Tokyo under Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Yonhap news agency reported.

In the meeting, they decided to make efforts to "wisely" manage pending issues between the two nations and upgrade the bilateral relationship to another level.

Ahead of the 60th anniversary of the normalisation of the two nations' diplomatic relationship next year, Cho and Iwaya have agreed to closely cooperate to prepare for various commemorative projects, the ministry said.

On North Korea, they shared the view that North Korea's troop deployment to Russia poses a "serious" threat to peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and beyond it.

To deal with deepening military ties between the North and Russia and Pyongyang's nuclear issue, Cho and Iwaya stressed the need to closely cooperate between Seoul and Tokyo as well as bolster trilateral cooperation also involving the US.
Perth, Nov 15 : Just a week before the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test begins in Perth, KL Rahul took a blow to his right elbow and was forced to leave the field during India's intra-squad match simulation at the iconic WACA ground on Friday.

Perth, Nov 15 (IANS) Just a week before the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test begins in Perth, KL Rahul took a blow to his right elbow and was forced to leave the field during Indiaas intra-squad match simulation at the iconic WACA ground on Friday.

After three days of nets sessions at the WACA, India went about their match stimulation, where Rahul made 29 before being hit on his right elbow by a climbing delivery from tall pacer Prasidh Krishna.

As per the visuals, Rahul was in immense discomfort and had to walk off the field after being attended by team physio. Rahul, 32, is in line to open the batting for India alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal at the Perth Stadium if skipper Rohit Sharma misses out due to personal reasons.

As of now, there has been no word yet from the Indian team on Rahulas right elbow injury. Talismanic batter Virat Kohli, who was reported by the Sydney Morning Herald about undergoing scans for an unidentified injury in Perth, hit some gorgeous cover drives before being dismissed and then spent time practicing his batting in the adjoining nets.

Kohli last hit a Test century against the West Indies at Port of Spain in July 2023, but managed to hit just one half-century and averaged just 21.33 across Indiaas five home Test matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand.

But Kohli's record in Australia is highly encouraging - amassing 1352 runs in 13 games here at an average of 54.08, including six centuries and four fifties. In the updates coming from the intra-squad practice game, Kohli, Jaiswal, Shubman Gill and Dhruv Jurel have been caught edging behind, while Rishabh Pant was castled by Nitish Kumar Reddy.

The 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy will see India and Australia play Test matches in Perth, Adelaide (pink-ball match), Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney from November 22 to January 7, 2025.

India have won the marquee series here over Australia by 2-1 margins in 2018/19 and 2020/21 respectively. It will also be the first five-match Test series between India and Australia since 1991/92.
Jaipur, Nov 15 : Members of the Rajasthan Administrative Service Association (RAS), who have been on strike for two days, met Chief Minister B Sharma on Friday.

The association president said that the meeting was positive.

It needs to be mentioned here that the RAS officials have been on strike for the last two days protesting against the attack on an SDM by an Independent candidate Naresh Meena.

The officials said that the pen down strike will continue and the decision to end it would be taken in the associationas meeting.

According to sources, the delegation including RAS Association President Mahavir Kharari, General Secretary Neetu Rajeshwar reached the CMas residence on Friday morning.

During the meeting with CM Sharma, the delegation demanded the implementation of the Employees Protection Act in Rajasthan.

Secretariat officials were also present during the meeting.

In a shocking incident, Independent candidate from Deoli Uniara Assembly seat Naresh Meena slapped SDM Amit Chaudhary on the day of voting.

RAS officers are infuriated over this incident and want the Employees Protection Act to be implemented in Rajasthan, so that officers do not have to face trouble while on duty, like what happened with SDM Amit Chaudhary.

Meanwhile, Naresh Meena will be produced in court on Friday.

Tight security arrangements have been made to ensure that his supporters do not create any ruckus.

Naresh Meena was taken to Tonk and then Peeplu soon after his arrest on Thursday and was kept in Peeplu police station overnight.

STF personnel have also been deployed in Samravata and Aligarh towns.

It needs to be mentioned here that tensions escalated in the area after the slapping incident.

On Thursday, there was tension in the areas surrounding Samravata (Tonk) and Aligarh town throughout the day as supporters of Naresh Meena started pelting stones after his arrest.

The miscreants also blocked Tonk-Sawai Madhopur Highway 116 near Aligarh town.

Late on Thursday night, the police chased away the protesters with batons.

Traffic on the highway became smooth about 10 hours after the jam was removed.

At the same time, the Uniara to Bhilwara National Highway Police cleared the jam on Thursday afternoon itself.

About 4,000 police personnel have been deployed on the spot to deal with the miscreants.

Later, state minister Kirodi Lal Meena also reached Samravata village to talk to the angry supporters.
New Delhi, Nov 15 : The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to lay down a procedure to deal with cases where foreign nationals, booked for committing crimes in India, jumped bail and fled abroad.

While dealing with a Special Leave Petition filed by the state of Jharkhand against the grant of bail to a Nigerian citizen, a Bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Ahsanuddin Amanullah came across a "serious allegation" that the accused has jumped the bail conditions and has left India.

The apex court decided to add the Union of India as a party to the litigation and asked the Solicitor General of India or counsel assisting him, to appear before it.

Advocate Kanu Agrawal, representing the Centre, submitted that the Union government is already working on the matter and will apprise the court as to the procedure they are to follow.

After hearing the submission, the apex court said, "This is not a lone incident which has come before this court and such cases are not uncommon. Therefore, a procedure has to be laid down, if not already there, as to how such a situation is to be dealt with and the procedures to be followed."

It has posted the matter for further hearing on November 26.

The accused Alex David @ M.U. Henry was charged for the offences punishable under Sections 419, 420, 467, 468, 471 & 120B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act in connection with an FIR registered in 2019 at P.S. Cyber in Jharkhand.

In May 2022, the foreign national was granted bail by the Jharkhand High Court considering the fact that he was in custody since January 2020.

"Though it has been stated that several mobiles with SIM cards were recovered from the possession of the petitioner, which, according to the prosecution, was obtained by using forged papers and was instrumental in commission of cybercrime, but considering the fact that the petitioner is in custody since 6.1.2020, the, named above, is directed to be released on bail, on furnishing bail bond of Rs10,000 with two sureties of the like amount," the Jharkhand HC had said.
Hyderabad, Nov 15 : Transgenders will be recruited as volunteers for traffic management and 'drunk and drive' checks in Hyderabad.

Hyderabad, Nov 15 (IANS) Transgenders will be recruited as volunteers for traffic management and adrunk and drivea checks in Hyderabad.

They will be deployed to manage traffic in bustling areas of Greater Hyderabad in the first phase.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has asked officials to appoint transgenders as traffic volunteers to address the growing traffic problems in the state.

He suggested that their services be utilised like Home Guards. They will be deployed at traffic intersections and prevent signal jumping and other violations of traffic rules.

The Chief Minister also suggested that the services of transgenders be utilised for drunk and drive checking. As the areas falling under all three commissionerates of Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda are witnessing a surge in drunken driving cases, he said that transgenders may be deployed at checking points.

He asked officials to finalise a special dress code for transgenders and also fix the salary at par with the salary of Home Guards.

He wanted officials to implement the decision on an experimental basis at the earliest.

A decision to rope in transgenders as traffic volunteers in Hyderabad was made in September. The officials were asked to collect details of transgenders interested to serve as volunteers for traffic management.

The Chief Minister suggested that they be provided the required training for traffic management for a week to 10 days.

Officials say the appointment of transgenders as traffic volunteers will not only provide a source of income but will also give them respect in society.

The move to hire transgenders as volunteers comes amid the increasing traffic congestion in Greater Hyderabad due to the ever-growing number of vehicles.

In July, Cyberabad Police with the support of IT companies launched an initiative aTraffic Marshalsa to facilitate the smooth traffic flow in Cyberabad, especially in the IT corridor.
New Delhi, Nov 15 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid tributes to Bhagwan Birsa Munda on his birth anniversary, commemorated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.

Since 2021, Janjatiya Gaurav Divas is celebrated on November 15 with great zeal across the country to honour the sacrifices of tribal freedom fighters.

Meanwhile, Modi Archive, a popular social media handle on X, shared a collection of instances on Prime Minister's close and personal interaction with tribal communities and elaborated on how these experiences helped him understand the struggles of tribal communities first hand, thereby inspiring him to work tirelessly for their inclusive growth.

"Narendra Modi's early years were marked by extensive travels on foot, bicycle, and motorcycle through remote tribal areas," says the handle while enumerating multiple incidents of his close experiences with the tribal communities across the country.

A child's hunger during a visit to a village

In the early days, PM Modi visited the hut of a Swayamsewak, who lived with his wife and young son. Swayamsewak's wife offered PM Modi half a bajra roti with a bowl of milk in a gesture of hospitality. PM Modi noticed the child's gaze was fixed intently on the milk and quickly understood the child's craving. He just ate roti with water and handed the milk to the child, who gulped it down in one go. That poignant image of poverty and hunger left PM Modi deeply moved.

Twelve days, fifty books young

In the early 1980s, as the foundation of the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram was being laid in Ahmedabad a fundraiser was planned to support tribal welfare. PM Modi gave such an impressive speech that a couple of businessmen offered blank cheques for the tribal welfare.

PM Modi had delivered a powerful 90-minute speech on the importance of tribal development. His words and description of the plight of tribal communities were so moving that many businessmen offered blank cheques as donations.

"In just 12 days, Modi immersed himself in over 50 books on tribal challenges, equipping himself to articulate these issues well!" informs the X handle.

'Maruti Ki Pran Pratishtha'

In 1983, a journey to southern Gujarat brought PM Modi face-to-face with the plight of the tribals in Dharampur. Their struggles inspired him to pen a heartfelt poem, 'Maruti Ki Pran Pratishtha'.

PM Modi, then an RSS Swayamsevak, was invited to participate in the 'pran pratishta' of a Hanuman temple in southern Gujarat. The drive was long, and no soul was in sight for kilometres at a stretch. On his way to the village, he noticed the tribals of Dharampur who were surviving under a lack of resources. Their bodies had turned black.

PM Modi was deeply affected to witness such a scene, for the first time in his life. On his way home, he wrote a poem titled 'Maruti ki Pran Pratishtha' about the state of the tribals and their struggles.

Why is Bharat not progressing?

In a powerful speech from 1985, PM Modi questioned why India, rich in resources, was still grappling with poverty and underdevelopment despite 38 years of Independence. Highlighting the challenges of tribal communities, he called for introspection and action.
New Delhi, Nov 15 : In a bid to further strengthen the bilateral relationship between India and Australia and to explore new opportunities for collaboration in the agriculture and allied sectors, Australian High Commissioner Philip Green held talks with Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, at Krishi Bhawan here, according to an official statement issued on Friday.

New Delhi, Nov 15 (IANS) In a bid to further strengthen the bilateral relationship between India and Australia and to explore new opportunities for collaboration in the agriculture and allied sectors, Australian High Commissioner Philip Green held talks with Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmersa Welfare, at Krishi Bhawan here, according to an official statement issued on Friday.

Chaturvedi outlined India's current priorities in agriculture, emphasizing that the government is not only committed to ensuring food security but also to enhancing farmers' incomes and improving nutritional security for the population.

He highlighted key initiatives such as crop diversification, the promotion of exports, achieving self-sufficiency in oilseeds and pulses, and the strengthening of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) as vital components of India's agricultural strategy.

The Secretary stressed the importance of technological advancements, including precision agriculture, the Digital Agriculture Mission, and the mechanization of small farms, in modernizing the sector. Additionally, he acknowledged the growing role of startups in driving innovation and transformation in agriculture.

Green highlighted the importance of agriculture in Australiaas priorities and the potential for enhanced collaboration between the two nations. He expressed keen interest in exploring opportunities within the agri-tech sector and emphasised the importance of strengthening trade ties to further these objectives. Green emphasised the need for continued engagement to identify and unlock new opportunities for trade and cooperation.

Both sides agreed on the importance of advancing collaboration across various areas, including agri-tech, horticulture, digital agriculture, and agricultural machinery.

During the meeting, Chaturvedi underscored the significance of the longstanding and multifaceted partnership between India and Australia, with particular focus on the agricultural sector.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmersa Welfare, representatives from ICAR, and the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs also participated in the discussion.

Australia and India signed an MoU to develop and strengthen cooperation in skills training in the agriculture sector. The agreement was the outcome of the joint commitment of the Australian and Indian Prime Ministers in October 2012 to build bilateral partnerships between skills councils in key industry areas, including telecommunications, retail, mining and agriculture.

The MoU was signed between the Agriculture Skills Council of India and AgriFood Skills Australia to promote cooperation in creating quality occupational, training, assessment, certification, information and stakeholder engagement standards.
Seoul, Nov 15 : A court on Friday sentenced opposition leader Lee Jae-Myung to a suspended one-year prison term for lying during the previous presidential campaign when he was a candidate.

If upheld, this ruling will strip him of his parliamentary seat and bar him from running in the next presidential election in 2027.

The Seoul Central District Court delivered the ruling, saying Lee, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), is guilty of making false statements in violation of the Public Official Election Act, Yonhap news agency reported.

Lee is accused of lying during a media interview in December 2021 that he did not know the late Kim Moon-ki, a former executive of Seongnam Development Corp., which was behind a corruption-ridden development project in Seongnam, south of Seoul when Lee was the city's mayor.

Lee is also accused of lying during a parliamentary audit of the Gyeonggi provincial government in October 2021 that he was under pressure from the land ministry to rezone the former site of the Korea Food Research Institute in Seongnam. The site was later developed into apartment complexes by a private developer, and allegations were raised that Lee rezoned the land to give preferential treatment to the company.
New Delhi, Nov 15 : Driven by the resilient and strong momentum of exports in the current financial year (FY25), industry experts on Friday said they are highly optimistic about India's total exports surpassing $800 billion in the coming months.

India's exports accelerated to over $73 billion in October from more than 61 billion in the same month last year, registering above 19 per cent growth.

The cumulative total exports during April-October 2024 grew at above 7 per cent, from $436.4 billion in April-October 2023 to $468.2 billion.

Despite geopolitical headwinds, India's total exports registered double-digit growth.

"This strong growth is driven by a more than 20 per cent increase in exports of non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery exports," said Hemant Jain, President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI).

India's merchandise exports alone jumped by a robust 17.25 per cent to $39.20 billion during October, as compared to $33.43 billion during the same month last year, according to data by the Commerce and Industry Ministry.

The cumulative value of merchandise exports during April-October was $252.28 billion, as compared to $244.51 billion in the same period last year.

"Given the resilient and strong momentum of exports in the current financial year, we are highly optimistic that India's total exports will surpass $800 billion in the coming months," said Jain.

Non-petroleum exports in October 2024 were valued at $34.61 billion, registering an increase of 25.63 per cent in comparison with the corresponding figure of $27.55 billion for October 2023.

According to Aditi Nayar, Chief Economist and Head-Research and Outreach, ICRA, non-oil merchandise exports registered a jump in both sequential and year-on-year growth, which is an encouraging sign, led by sectors such as electronic goods, engineering goods, chemicals and garments.

"Looking ahead, we expect the current account deficit to ease to 1.2 per cent of GDP in the ongoing quarter from an estimated 1.8 per cent of GDP in Q2 FY25, and settle around 1.0 per cent of GDP for the year as a whole," said Nayar.
New Delhi, Nov 15 : Long-term exposure to air pollution may cause severe harm to the lung health of children and significantly raise the risk of lung cancer and respiratory diseases like asthma and bronchitis, warned experts on Friday, even as Delhi-NCR's air quality remained severely poor for the third consecutive day.

On Friday morning, the National Capital's Air Quality Index (AQI) reached a severe level of 409, while the readings in neighbouring cities in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh were also above the 300 mark.

To safeguard children, all primary schools in Delhi have been moved online, Chief Minister Atishi announced in a post on X. She said the online classes for primary school children will continue "until further directions".

Children are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution, which can increase their long-term risk of developing lung cancer.

"While lung cancer is rare in childhood, polluted air containing toxic particles like carbon compounds and heavy metals can damage the cells lining their respiratory tracts. This exposure often leads to chronic conditions like asthma and bronchitis, which are alarmingly common in urban areas," Dr. Nithin SG, Consultant, Medical Oncology at the CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, told IANS.

"Over time, repeated damage and inflammation from pollutants may set the stage for serious lung diseases, including cancer, as they age. Reducing pollution is crucial to safeguarding children's health and minimising their future cancer risk," he added.

Air pollution no longer remains an environmental concern. It has now become a public health emergency impacting the whole country, majorly the north. The situation, which annually peaks from October to December, requires urgent attention.

"The impact on future generations is significant, as a child exposed to high levels of pollution may inhale the equivalent of 10 cigarettes from their very first day of life," Dr. Arvind Kumar, Chairman, Institute of Chest Surgery, Chest Onco Surgery and Lung Transplantation, Medanta Hospital, Gurugram told IANS.

A recent study conducted by Lung Care Foundation, which performed spirometry tests in 3 Delhi schools covering over 3000 children, found that one-third of the children under the age group of 11-17 years were asthmatic, with air pollution identified as a significant risk factor.

The doctor added that "there is a startling rise in respiratory issues around this time every year, but it's crucial to note that pollution affects not only the lungs but all organs in the body".

The experts called for using preventive measures such as wearing face masks and limiting outdoor activities during peak pollution hours.

"Public awareness is equally important, especially in rural areas where knowledge about lung health protection remains limited and there is a myth that rural areas are less polluted; we are now seeing an equal number of lung cancer cases come from villages and cities," Kumar said.

The experts also called for a focused national effort to control air pollution for the country's health.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. The Armed Forces of the Republic of Turkiye conducted the Blue Whale-2024 Exercise in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, Trend reports via the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan.

A grand total of 62 naval and air forces from 13 countries rolled up their sleeves and got down to brass tacks, sharpening their wits and honing their skills in the deep blue sea of underwater defense warfare and joint naval operations.

A contingent of the Azerbaijan Army's personnel engaged in the Blue Whale-2024 Exercise in an observational capacity.

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Ranchi, Nov 15 : Girded by forests and hills, Ulihatu village in Jharkhand's Khunti district, 66 km from state capital Ranchi, is the birthplace of charismatic tribal hero Birsa Munda, who led a popular revolt in the early 20th century that declared the end of British rule over large parts of the region and the beginning of 'Abua Raj' (self-rule). His birth anniversary is celebrated as Tribal Pride Day and his 150th birth anniversary this year marks the beginning of the Tribal Pride Year, which will conclude on November 15, 2025.

Birsa Munda, born on November 15, 1875, led a movement known as 'Ulgulan' (The Great Rebellion) among the tribals of Jharkhand. During this uprising in 1899, thousands of his followers proclaimed in their native language: "Diku Raj Tuntu Jana - Abua Raj Ete Jana", meaning "The rule of outsiders is over, our own rule has begun." The British, threatened by this movement, resorted to brutal suppression.

Revered today as Bhagwan (Lord) Birsa Munda, he was an exceptional leader who recognised the impact of British rule on tribal traditions. According to Vivek Aryan, a researcher at the Tribal Research Institute in Ranchi, Birsa Munda realised the erosion of tribal rights as a school student. His activism led to his expulsion from school in 1890. Determined, he began raising awareness among tribal communities, rallying them for their rights.

By 1895, Birsa Munday had become a significant threat to the British, leading to his arrest on August 24, 1895, from Chalkad village. Historical records show that he was sentenced to two years of rigorous imprisonment on November 19, 1895, under Section 505 of the Indian Penal Code. After his release on November 30, 1897, the Munda tribes once again rallied under his leadership, setting the stage for a large-scale rebellion.

On December 24, 1899, Birsa Munda declared the start of 'Ulgulan,' asserting the tribal rights over water, forests, and land. By January 1900, the fire of rebellion had spread across the region. The movement culminated on January 9, 1900, when thousands of Mundas gathered at Dombari Buru hill, armed with bows and arrows, and other traditional weapons.

The British, tipped off by informants, surrounded the hill with soldiers armed with guns and cannons. A fierce battle ensued, where Birsa Munda and his followers valiantly fought against the colonial forces.

According to reports published in The Statesman on January 25, 1900, around 400 tribals were killed in the brutal confrontation. Their blood stained the hill, and the nearby Tajna river turned red. Though the British emerged victorious, they failed to capture Birsa Munda.

However, his freedom was short-lived. On the night of February 3, 1900, he was arrested from the dense forests of Chaibasa while he was sleeping. He was secretly brought to Ranchi and tried in the court of Magistrate W.S. Kutus, with Barrister Jackon representing him in what was merely a mock trial. Birsa Munda was imprisoned in Ranchi jail, where he was subjected to severe torture.

On June 1, 1900, the British authorities claimed that Birsa Munda had contracted cholera. Tragically, he died on June 9, under mysterious circumstances in jail. His body was discarded near what is now the Distillery Bridge in Ranchi. A memorial now stands there, honouring his great sacrifice. The Ranchi jail where Birsa Munda died has since been converted into the Birsa Munda Smriti Sangrahalaya (Memorial Museum).

Every year on November 15 on Birsa Mundaas birth anniversary, Janjatiya Gaurav Divas is celebrated to honour his contribution to Indiaas freedom struggle.

Tribal movements against British rule, like the Ulgulan led by Birsa Munda, were not only pivotal in challenging British oppression but also inspired a national awakening.
Bhopal, Nov 15 : Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel along with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav inaugurated the event organised on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda in Shahdol on Friday.

Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla and some other BJP leaders also joined them in lighting the lamp to mark the beginning of the cultural programme.

On the occasion, Mohan Yadav inaugurated development works worth Rs 68.15 crore and performed the bhoomi pujan of various development works worth Rs 161.51 crore in Shahdol.

To commemorate the birth anniversary of legendary tribal leader Birsa Munda, Madhya Pradesh government has organised two major events -- one in Shahdol and another Dhar districts.

The cultural programmes will also organised in all tribal districts, prominently Chhindwara, Jhabua, Dindori and Balaghat.

On this occasion, artists from tribal communities will perform their traditional arts to celebrate the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, whom they worship as God.

Besides the celebration of Birsa Munda's birth anniversary, the state government will also pay tribute to local freedom fighters and their families, celebrating the rich heritage and contributions of the tribal communities.

Before reaching Shahdol, Mohan Yadav visited a Gurudwara in Bhopal to offer his prayer on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti. Guru Nanak is the founder of the Sikh faith and community.
New Delhi, Nov 15 : Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar on Friday questioned External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's recent visit to Pakistan and accusing him of creating 'false hopes' on normalisation of India-Pakistan relations.

While speaking to IANS, Aiyar asked why the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar did not specify earlier on the nature of his visit to Islamabad.

"Why did Jaishankar tell Pakistanas Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar that the discussion on India-Pakistan relations could take place later? Such statements only create unnecessary expectations and give rise to uncertainty," he said.

Jaishankar visited Pakistan on October 15, 2024, to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, marking the first visit by an Indian minister to Pakistan in nearly a decade.

During his two-day visit, Jaishankar held informal talks with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his counterpart Ishaq Dar, though no formal bilateral discussions took place.

The decision to send Jaishankar to Pakistan was widely seen as a move to reaffirm Indiaas commitment to the SCO.

In a public address, Jaishankar had emphasised that while India desires good relations with its neighbours, "that cannot happen while overlooking cross-border terrorism." He also made it clear that his visit was not intended to discuss bilateral relations with Pakistan but to engage in multilateral discussions at the SCO summit.

"I am here only to be a good member of the SCO," Jaishankar had stated.

Relations between the two countries have been frozen since the failed attempt to restart the dialogue process in 2015. The situation worsened after Pakistan recalled its high commissioner in August 2019 following India's decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir's special status.
Godda : , Nov 15 (IANS) Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha and senior Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, while addressing a rally in Meharma, Godda district, Jharkhand, on Friday, declared that the day a caste census is conducted, it will transform the country's political landscape and promised to increase reservation for STs, SCs and OBCs.

He asserted that after the caste census, Dalits, tribals, Backward Classes, and the poor would recognise their true strength, which would kick-start a new era in Indian politics.

LoP Rahul Gandhi emphasised that even if the BJP continues to reject the demand for a caste census, the Congress party will continue pushing for it.

"Once we have the true numbers of Dalits, tribals, and Backward Classes, we will remove the 50 per cent reservation ceiling," he said.

Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of reducing the reservation for Backward Classes in Jharkhand from 27 to 14 per cent and promised that under a Congress-led government, reservation would be increased for STs from 26 per cent to 28 per cent, SCs from 10 per cent to 12 per cent, and OBCs from 14 per cent to 27 per cent.

Describing the elections in Jharkhand and Maharashtra as a battle of ideologies, not just for political power, Rahul Gandhi claimed that the BJP and RSS were attempting to undermine the Constitution, while the Congress and the INDIA bloc were fighting to uphold it.

Training guns at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he quipped, "Modi ji says that Rahul Gandhi is showing a 'Lal Kitab (Red Book)' and its pages are blank. He says this because he hasn't read it. If he had, he wouldn't be spreading hatred and violence in the country."

Rahul Gandhi also highlighted the stark underrepresentation of marginalised communities in the top echelons of the bureaucracy.

"There are 90 officers who control all your GST and decide how funds are distributed. Only one of these 90 is a tribal, despite their population being 8 per cent. The Backward Classes, who make up at least 50 per cent of the population, have just three officers among them, controlling decisions over only Rs 5 out of every Rs 100," Rahul Gandhi pointed out.

He reminded the people that in Jharkhand, Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who belongs to a tribal community, has been targeted by the BJP and RSS, even being sent to jail.

Outlining the Congress party's promises for Jharkhand, Rahul Gandhi pledged a direct deposit of Rs 2,500 per month into women's accounts, increasing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy to Rs 3,200, and launching a healthcare insurance scheme worth up to Rs 15 lakh for the poor. "If the poor fall ill, they won't have to pay a single rupee for treatment," Rahul Gandhi assured.

Emphasising the Congress party's vision -- a country for everyone, not just for billionaires, Rahul Gandhi said, "Farmers must be respected and given fair opportunities."

"Billionaires have benefited from GST, while demonetisation devastated small businesses. The Jharkhand government will aim to create 10 lakh jobs in the next five years," Rahul Gandhi vowed.
Lahore, Nov 15 : Nearly 20 lakh people have sought medical treatment for respiratory issues in Pakistan's Punjab province in the last one month, the local health department has revealed while releasing data from its first-of-its-kind report.

It stated that Pakistani citizens are suffering from respiratory, asthma, heart diseases and stroke due to smog as Lahore and Multan remain the world's most polluted cities.

The data showed that as many as 19,34,030 cases were reported from across the province in October, with 12,62,30 from Lahore alone.

It also revealed that over 5,000 patients suffered strokes across Punjab province in October.

The average air quality reading in Lahore remains well over 1400 in Lahore while it has crossed the 2000-mark several times in Multan.

"The highest air quality index recorded in Lahore was 2591, with readings of 2188 at Syed Maratib Ali Road, 2155 at Pakistan Engineering Services, and 1704 at Ghazi Road Interchange. The average air quality index in Lahore stands at 1460," Pakistan's Express Tribune reported on Friday.

Local media reported that the AQI in Karachi also saw a sharp decline on Friday morning.

Meanwhile, World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature Pakistan has dispatched an "urgent letter" to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging him to declare a "national emergency" to address this serious crisis.

"Our childrenas future is suffocating. They are asking for a right to breathe, learn and play. What will it take for us to act? WWF-Pakistan has written to the Prime Minister demanding urgent measures to curb the smog emergency," WWF Pakistan posted on X Friday afternoon.

The letter calls for an immediate halt to construction activities, the closure of polluting industries, and the removal of high-emission vehicles from the roads to help curb the current crisis.

WWF-Pakistan Director General Hammad Naqi Khansaid said the government must take immediate, bold and decisive actions to address the smog emergency as continued inaction on the issue will lead to further health complications, economic losses and environmental degradation.
Hyderabad, Nov 15 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President, K.T. Rama Rao and some other leaders on Friday called on farmers who are in jail for attacking Vikarabad District Collector and other officials.

A delegation of BRS leaders led by Rama Rao met the arrested farmers in Sangareddy Jail and expressed their solidarity with them.

The BRS leaders assured them that the BRS would stand by them in their fight against the government's plans to forcibly acquire lands for 'Pharma Village'.

Vikarabad District Collector Prateek Jain and other officials were attacked by a group of villagers in Lagacharla on November 11 during a public hearing on the proposed pharma cluster.

The incident in Kodangal, the constituency of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, had created a sensation and triggered a war of words between the ruling Congress and Opposition BRS.

The ruling party has alleged that BRS leaders were involved in the conspiracy behind the attack on officials.

They also accused the Opposition party of trying to stall the development works of the government.

The police have booked more than 30 people and have already arrested 20 of them.

They also arrested BRS leader and former Kodangal MLA Patnam Narender Reddy in the case on November 13. He has been remanded to judicial custody for 14 days.

According to police, Patnam Narender Reddy instigated some people to attack the officials.

The BRS leader, however, has denied the allegation and has filed a quash petition in the Telangana High Court.

As the police mentioned the name of K.T. Rama Rao in the remand report of Patnam Narender Reddy, speculation is rife that the BRS Working President may be arrested in the case.

K.T. Rama Rao has alleged that CM Revanth Reddy was trying to falsely implicate him in the case.

Stating that he is not afraid of the 'conspiracies', the BRS leader dared the Chief Minister to arrest him.

"Arrest me! I will walk into the prison with my head held high for standing by the farmers of Telangana," he posted on social media platform X.

He earlier alleged that the Chief Minister was trying to snatch the lands of farmers for a pharma company owned by his son-in-law.

Another BRS leader and former minister T. Harish Rao had on Thursday called on Patnam Narender Reddy in Cherlapally Jail. He had said after the meeting that people's revolt has begun against the Congress government.
Patna, Nov 15 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas programme in Bihar's Jamui district on Friday, and paid tributes to Bhagwan Birsa Munda on his birth anniversary.

He also congratulated countrymen, particularly the members of the tribal community, on the commencement of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

Meanwhile, a special selfie of PM Modi with the members of the Irula tribe is attracting many eyeballs. The selfie was taken by the Prime Minister during his visit to an exhibition at the Janajatiya Gaurav Diwas event in Jamui.

At the exhibition, various products relating to tribal communities were showcased. As PM Modi undertook a tour of the exhibition, he stopped briefly at a stall owned by Dharmadurai and Ezhilarasi, both hailing from Irula tribe and belonging to Ariyalur district in Tamil Nadu. They asked the Prime Minister for a selfie to which the latter happily obliged.

Earlier, during his arrival in Jamui, PM Modi was given a warm welcome by the tribal community in their own style. Adorned in conventional attire and equipped with drums and other instruments, many tribal men and women welcomed the Prime Minister with drum beats and traditional dance.

Addressing the gathering in Jamui, PM Modi congratulated the residents, particularly on the Tribal Pride Day.

PM Modi said that the day marks the commencement of the 150th birth anniversary year celebration of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and also explained its importance.

"This is an honest effort to recognise and realise Birsa Munda's immense contributions to the country's development as this has remained ignored and neglected for decades after Independence," PM Modi said.

Notably, the Modi government had declared November 15 as the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas during Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to ensure that the sacrifices of unsung heroes are not forgotten.

Since 2021, Janjatiya Gaurav Divas is celebrated on November 15 every year with great zeal across the country to honour the sacrifices of tribal freedom fighters.
Mumbai, Nov 15 : Danish actress Connie Nielsen, who returns to the role of Lucilla in "Gladiator 2", admitted she is a huge fan of Indian music.

Mumbai, Nov 15 (IANS) Danish actress Connie Nielsen, who returns to the role of Lucilla in "Gladiator 2", admitted she is a huge fan of Indian music.

In an interview with IANS, Nielsen revealed that her playlist is filled with many classic Indian songs and expressed her deep admiration for both Indian cinema and music. While Connie acknowledged that she often struggles with remembering names, especially during interviews, her passion for Indian culture was undeniable.

When asked if she has seen any Indian films or is familiar with any Indian actors or their work, Connie shared, "Yes, I have watched a lot. The only thing I have to say is that I am one of those people who struggle to remember names, especially during interviews. I just go blank on everything. But I am a huge fan, not just of Indian films, but also of Indian musicI'm crazy about it. My playlist is filled with many classic Indian songs. I absolutely love Indian movies in general, and obviously, they are incredible. Additionally, female directors are so inspiring, and the storytelling is haunting. I must say, I am a big fan of Indian culture, and it's just amazing."

Talking about returning to "Gladiator 2", the 'Wonder Woman' star expressed, "My feelings upon arriving back in Malta and walking up this ancient fort were overwhelming. I couldn't help but remember the first time I walked up the same hill to the ancient limestone fort and saw the Colosseum rising in front of me."

"I recall back in the day when Withley was walking towards me, chomping on a cigar, always smiling a little slyly, as he does. Then he asked, 'What do you think?' This time, as I was coming up again, it felt almost unbelievable to be having the same experience. But, of course, it wasn't exactly the same because you can never step into the same river twice. Still, stepping into a new version of that experience was incredible, and I was deeply moved," Nielsen further mentioned.

The 59-year-old actress portrayed Lucilla, the daughter of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), in the original "Gladiator" film 24 years ago. In a shocking twist, her character was killed by her own brother, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix).

"Gladiator 2" sees Nielsen return to the role of Lucilla, now the mother of Paul Mescal's Lucius. The movie was released in UK cinemas on November 15 and will release in US cinemas on November 22.
Deoghar : , Nov 15 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aircraft was grounded at Jharkhand's Deoghar airport on Friday due to a technical issue, after he flew in there on his way to Bihar's Jamui to participate in an event commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda.

After landing at Deoghar airport, he proceeded to Jamui by helicopter. However, upon completing the event and returning to Deoghar airport for his flight back to Delhi, his aircraft could not take off due to a technical problem.

Due to PM Modias visit, Deoghar was declared a no-fly zone, which also affected the travel plans of other leaders. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and JMM star campaigner Kalpana Soren, both in Jharkhand for election campaigning, faced delays as their helicopters were not allowed to take off.

Rahul Gandhi, who had addressed a rally in Meharma, Godda district earlier in the day, was left waiting as his helicopter was grounded. Congress workers protested about the delay. Mahagama MLA and Congress candidate Deepika Pandey Singh expressed her frustration, stating: "Just because the Prime Minister is in Deoghar, Rahul Gandhi was not allowed to pass through that airspace. We understand protocols, but Congress governed this country for 70 years, and such incidents never happened to opposition leaders. This is unacceptable."

Similarly, Gandey MLA and JMM star campaigner Kalpana Soren could not reach on time for a public meeting of the INDIA bloc at Sonwa Dangal (Rikhiya) for the Deoghar Assembly due to the no-fly zone restrictions. As per reports, her helicopter was also held back due to the presence of the Prime Ministeras plane at Deoghar Airport.

Prime Minister Modi addressed two rallies in Jharkhand on Friday on the occasion of tribal icon Birsa Munda's anniversary, which is celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, and ahead of the second round of polling for the Assembly elections in the state on November 20.
Bengaluru, Nov 15 : Bengaluru Police Commissioner B. Dayanand on Friday said that the police will file an appeal in the Supreme Court questioning the bail granted to Kannada superstar Darshan in the fan murder case.

Sources said that the state Home Department has consented to the proposal of the police to make an appeal seeking cancellation of bail to Darshan and the petition will be filed next week.

Senior counsel V.N. Raghupathi has been appointed to represent the state police.

Darshan was released from prison on October 30, after 131 days behind bars, after the Karnataka High Court granted him conditional bail on medical grounds for six weeks.

The actor is admitted to the BGS Apollo Hospital in Bengaluru and is being treated for severe back pain. However, he had not undergone surgery yet, and it is against this backdrop, that the police are moving the appeal petition in the apex court, sources stated.

In the bail hearing in the high court, counsel for Darshan had stated that if the actor does not undergo surgery, there is a possibility of him getting a stroke.

Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara said on Wednesday that he has consented to the filing of an appeal in the Supreme Court against grant of bail to Darshan in the sensational murder case involving the Kannada superstar's fan.

"I have conveyed to the Secretary of the Home Department that if they want to make an appeal with the higher court in Darshanas case, they can go ahead," he said.

For the bail, it was submitted that Darshan is facing severe back pain and the disc between L5 and S1 has bulged. Darshan has been undergoing treatment in this regard since 2022-23 and the court was given all records.

The High Court had allowed Darshan to get the treatment at his choice of hospital. He was asked to submit the details and report of the medical treatment he was undergoing within seven days.

Darshan, his partner Pavithra Gowda and 15 others were arrested on June 11 on charges of kidnapping and brutally murdering Renukaswamy from Chitradurga. Renukaswamy had allegedly sent derogatory and obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda as he was miffed with the actor for his relationship with Pavithra Gowda despite being married. Darshan was shifted to Ballari Prison after photos of 'royal treatment' for him at the Bengaluru Central Prison surfaced. He is facing three FIRs in this connection. The police submitted a 3,991-page charge sheet on September 4 in the fan murder case.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. The Azerbaijani Parliament Speaker Sahiba Gafarova welcomed Lord Fakafanua Fatafehi, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Kingdom of Tonga, Trend reports, referring to the parliaments press service.

They emphasized the negative impact of climate change on all countries, stressing the importance of global collaboration to address these issues, and discussed Azerbaijan's collaboration with the Commonwealth of Nations, highlighting the humanitarian and technical assistance provided through the organization to support small island states.

Lord Fakafanua Fatafehi emphasized the pressing challenges encountered by small island states, asserting that for these nations, climate change transcends environmental concerns and emerges as a critical security imperative. He conveyed appreciation for Azerbaijan's backing, especially its emphasis on amplifying the voices of small island states at COP29, which he perceives as elevating their issues to a more prominent stage.

The conversation also covered bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Tonga, with particular mention of the recent visit of Tonga's Prime Minister to Azerbaijan and the signing of the Baku Declaration.

During the conversation, the two sides exchanged views on potential areas of cooperation between our parliaments.

In turn, Speaker Gafarova provided detailed information on the situation in the region, the realities of Azerbaijan, and the ongoing work the country is doing in its newly liberated territories at the meeting.

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Greater Noida, Nov 15 : Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday said that the government aims to expand the country's oil exploration acreage to 1 million sq km by 2030 to further bolster India's energy security.

Greater Noida, Nov 15 (IANS) Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday said that the government aims to expand the countryas oil exploration acreage to 1 million sq km by 2030 to further bolster Indiaas energy security.

Addressing the GEO India 24 conference here, Puri said the government has reduced "No-Go" areas in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by almost 99 per cent, opening up vast new areas for oil and gas exploration.

The minister pointed out that when the Narendra Modi government took office in 2014, only 6 per cent of Indiaas sedimentary basins had been explored. "Today, this figure has risen to 10 per cent, and with further exploration activity under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) rounds, this is set to increase to 16 per cent by 2025," he added.

Puri also outlined several significant reforms implemented under the current government to stimulate growth in Indiaas energy sector.

Key reforms include simplifying the approval process for exploration and production activities, and reducing 37 approval processes to just 18, of which nine are now available for self-certification. Additionally, the introduction of the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill in 2024 ensures policy stability for oil and gas producers, allows for international arbitration, and extends lease periods, he said.

The minister further stated that Indiaas energy landscape is rapidly evolving, with the country boasting 651.8 million metric tons of recoverable crude oil reserves and 1,138.6 billion cubic meters of recoverable natural gas reserves within its sedimentary basins.

Despite these abundant resources, a significant portion of Indiaas exploration potential remains untapped, he added.

Puri also highlighted the shift from the previous regimeas Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) to the new Revenue Sharing Contracts (RSCs), which provide greater clarity and predictability for investors. He emphasised the establishment of a Joint Working Group (JWG) comprising stakeholders from private E&P companies, national oil companies, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), and the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) to address industry concerns and improve the ease of doing business.

Another key area of focus has been improving access to data concerning Indiaas sedimentary basins. The government has made significant strides in facilitating data availability through initiatives like the National Seismic Programme (NSP) for onshore areas, EEZ surveys for offshore areas, and the opening up of previously unexplored regions such as the Andaman Basin, the minister pointed out.

Puri noted that the government is also making data more accessible to international companies by setting up a new data centre at the University of Houston, enabling foreign firms to view critical geological data with ease.

The recent Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) bidding round IX marked a historic milestone, with 136,596 square kilometres of exploration area offered in 28 blocks across 8 sedimentary basins. Notably, 38 per cent of the area offered in this round had previously been classified as "No-Go" areas, the minister pointed out. He said that the round saw a strong response, with a total of 60 bids received for the 28 blocks, reflecting heightened interest from both Indian and foreign companies. The average number of bids per block increased to 2.4, compared to just 1.3 per block in the previous round.

Looking ahead, the minister expressed optimism about Indiaas energy future, particularly in the field of green hydrogen. With projects focused on hydrogen blending in natural gas pipelines, the localisation of electrolyser technologies, and the promotion of bio-pathways for green hydrogen production, India is positioning itself as a future global leader in green hydrogen production and exports.

He emphasised that green hydrogen is seen as the fuel of the future, and India is committed to becoming a global hub for its production.

"I have great faith in the innovative minds of geoscientists to lead an energy revolution in India, ensuring energy security for every citizen and meeting future challenges," Puri said.

GEO India 2024 is expected to draw around 2,000 participants including leading experts from India and abroad and feature over 20 conference sessions, 4 plenary discussions, 200+ technical papers, and 50+ exhibition booths.
Seoul, Nov 15 : South Korea and the US have discussed bilateral cooperation in the field of nuclear power in their latest working group meeting held this week, Seoul's foreign ministry said on Friday.

The seventh South Korea-US Nuclear Security Working Group Meeting, co-led by Lee Cheol, director general for international organisations and nuclear affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Andrew Vogt, associate assistant deputy administrator of the US Department of Energy, was held on Wednesday and Thursday at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California, according to the ministry.

The group is among four working groups under the High-Level Bilateral Commission, which was launched in 2016 following the 2015 revision of the two countries' nuclear energy cooperation agreement, Yonhap news agency reported.

According to the ministry, the two sides have agreed to continue their cooperation in minimising the production of highly enriched uranium, bolstering the cybersecurity of nuclear facilities, and activities related to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

They also agreed to enhance their collaboration in nuclear security by hosting a joint drill against possible nuclear and radiological terrorism next month.
Mumbai, Nov 15 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that MahaYuti will come back to power with a thumping majority in the upcoming Assembly elections despite the opposition's tirade.

MahaYuti is locked in a fierce battle against Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra.

In an exclusive interview with IANS, Shinde spoke on a range of issues including the state Assembly polls to be held on November 20.

IANS: Shiv Sena UBT President Uddhav Thackeray is firing salvos against you while urging the voters not to give power in the hands of traitors. What is your take?

Eknath Shinde: Uddhav Thackeray may level any allegation as the people know who did the backstabbing. People are smart. Who joined Congress in 2019 by giving up Balasaheb Thackerayas thoughts? Who put a dagger on the votersa back? Who mortgaged the symbol and party to Delhi? Who compromised for the Chief Ministeras post? Who betrayed the thought of Hindutva and the teachings of Balasaheb Thackeray? They should ask questions to themselves.

To carry forward the thoughts of Balasaheb Thackeray, we rebelled to preserve the self-respect of Shiv Sena and achieve the development of Maharashtra. If we had not done the uprising, they would have finished the Shiv Sena and Maharashtra would also have suffered.

IANS: Although you are heading the MahaYuti during the elections, who will be the CMas face if MahaYuti comes back to power?

Eknath Shinde: Our primary objective is to bring the MahaYuti government to power and not who will be the Chief Minister after re-election of the grand alliance. Our focus is also on expediting the development process. When anti-Maharashtra and anti-development Maha Vikas Aghadi ruled the state for two and half years, the state had gone back for a decade. If MVA comes back to power, the state and people will lose heavily.

I want to make it clear that so far there is no decision on who will become the chief minister. We are in no hurry. After the election, the leaders from BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP and BJP's central leadership will sit together and take a decision on the CMas post after due deliberations. We have come together not for any post but for an overall development of Maharashtra.

IANS: You have been targeting the opposition for winning more seats in Lok Sabha due to the fake narrative but what is the scenario during this election?

Eknath Shinde: The opposition won seats in the general elections by spreading fake narratives like change in the Constitution and cancellation of reservation. The MVA thereby divided castes, religions and communities against each other.

On the other hand, the MahaYuti government took decisions without targeting any religion or caste but they were aimed for the development of all. It will not be proper to create a division and tension among various communities as it will not be conducive for social harmony. The Prime Ministeras message is Ek Hai Toh Safe Hai. If we stay united as a society, we will be safe and more capable. We are conveying this positive thought to people.

IANS: MahaYuti has offered 10 guarantees against MVAas aPanchsutria (Five guarantees). Will MahaYuti be able to fulfil them considering present financial constraints? Are they not an election Jumla?

Eknath Shinde: The opposition has consistently criticised the MahaYuti government's schemes terming them election jumla. The opposition accused us of giving freebies to women. However, the opposition copied and pasted MahaYutias guarantees while announcing aPanchsutria. If the opposition is saying the financial aid of Rs 1,500 is a handout then what is Rs 3,000 that they have assured under the Mahalakshmi scheme. They should clarify first.

The government has not only announced but implemented various schemes. However, in the states where the opposition governments are in power, their announcements have remained on the paper. Our manifesto focuses on inclusiveness as every element is considered. The voters will not vote for MVA and make any mistake.

IANS: How confident are you to win elections on Ladki Bahin Yojana and other welfare and development schemes as the opposition is questioning their sustainability?

Eknath Shinde: Ladki Bahin Yojana will be a game changer in the elections predicted by the political observers. Let me clarify that womenas welfare is not limited to the election as the MahaYuti government, after coming to power, took a firm stand to provide equal opportunities to them. The government has implemented a slew of schemes including free education, the Lek Ladki scheme, Lakhpati Didi, Drone Didi and travel in state transport buses at a discounted fare. Ladki Bahin Yojana is a part of the process of empowering women.

Along with the welfare of women, the government also focused on varied sections including the poor, youth and farmers. The government took steps to increase the pace of development by removing the speed breakers put by the previous government, especially for the creation of jobs and boost the economy.

The government implemented the Samruddhi Highway, Coastal Road, Atal Setu and the concretisation of roads. A number of welfare and development schemes launched are not ad hoc but backed with sufficient financial resources. They were planned within the framework of rules and laws. Let the opponents allege, none of the schemes we come up with will be closed. Notwithstanding the oppositionas tirade, the MahaYuti will win the elections with a thumping majority based on our track record of two and half years of rule. Our development and welfare works have been a game changer.

Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in
Tokyo, Nov 15 : The oldest member of the Japanese imperial family and great-aunt of Emperor Naruhito, Princess Yuriko passed away at the age of 101 in a Tokyo hospital on Friday, the Imperial Household Agency said.

After Princess Yuriko's death, there are just 16 members left in the imperial family, which has been dwindling under the 1947 Imperial House Law that requires female members to leave upon marriage to a commoner, reported Kyodo news agency.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba extended his condolences on Princess Yuriko's death. "I cannot help but feel saddened to hear of the loss. I extend my heartfelt condolences along with other Japanese citizens," said Ishiba.

Princess Yuriko, a member of Japan's former nobility, was hospitalised in March after suffering a mild stroke and aspiration pneumonitis. While receiving treatment, medical tests earlier this month revealed a decline in her cardiac and kidney functions.

Born in 1923, Princess Yuriko married Prince Mikasa, the youngest brother of Emperor Hirohito (posthumously Emperor Showa), in 1941 at the age of 18, following her graduation from the Gakushuin Women's Academy. Her husband passed away in 2016 at the age of 100 due to heart failure. The couple had five children, three sons and two daughters. Tragically, their sons, Princes Tomohito, Katsura, and Takamado, predeceased her, passing away in 2012, 2014, and 2002, respectively.

Princess Yuriko was quite active in public service and served as honorary vice president of the Japanese Red Cross Society. She was also the president of Imperial Gift Foundation Boshi-Aiiku-Kai, an organisation promoting maternal and child health, from 1948 until 2010.

Of her grandchildren, three granddaughters remain in the imperial family. However, two others, Princesses Noriko and Ayako, daughters of Prince Takamado, relinquished their imperial titles upon marrying commoners in 2014 and 2018.
Washington, Nov 15 : President-elect Donald Trump announced the nomination of former Georgia congressman Doug Collins as the US Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Collins, an Air Force Reserve chaplain and military veteran, served in the US House from 2013 to 2021 and was a leading Republican voice on the House Judiciary Committee, fiercely defending Trump during his first impeachment proceedings in 2019, Xinhua news agency reported.

Trump's new Cabinet selections include several prominent Republicans who defended him during the impeachment proceedings.

Former New York congressman Lee Zeldin has been tapped to lead the Environmental Protection Agency; former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe has been chosen as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director; and New York congresswoman Elise Stefanik, a staunch ally of Trump, is set to be nominated as the US Ambassador to the United Nations.

After his November 6 election win, Trump has been swiftly rolling out Cabinet nominations.

On Thursday, he selected Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who endorsed Trump after running as an independent in 2024, to lead the Health and Human Services (HHS) Department.

Earlier in the week, Trump announced congressman Matt Gaetz as attorney general, Fox News host and veteran Pete Hegseth as Defence Secretary, and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security.

With a Republican majority in the Senate, which requires only a simple majority of 51 votes for confirmation, Trump faces fewer obstacles in advancing his Cabinet choices.

However, some of his nominations have sparked concerns, leaving it unclear whether they will receive full Republican backing.
Deoghar : , Nov 15 (IANS) Union Agriculture Minister and election in-charge of Jharkhand Shivraj Singh Chouhan has raised concerns over the sorry state of the state, claiming that the land for which Dharti Aaba Birsa Munda sacrificed his life is once again under threat.

Speaking at a press conference here on Friday, he asserted that infiltrators are encroaching on the water, forests, and land that belong to the tribal communities.

He also emphasised that the identity and dignity of tribal women are being compromised.

Chouhan remarked, "This election in Jharkhand is not merely about forming or toppling a government; it is a fight to protect the land, daughters, and livelihood of the people of Jharkhand."

Referring to a statement made by the Congress partyas state in-charge, who allegedly promised to provide gas cylinders to infiltrators at a subsidized rate of Rs 450 if elected, Chouhan said, "This statement clearly shows that infiltrators are indeed present in Jharkhand and are being treated as a vote bank. Despite this, Congress leaders continue to dismiss concerns about infiltration."

He further accused the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Congress, and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), which are part of the current state government, of facilitating the settlement of infiltrators and even aiding them in obtaining Aadhaar cards and other documents.

Chouhan claimed that intelligence reports from the state's own agencies have confirmed these activities, yet no action has been taken.

"I challenge the JMM and Congress -- how is it not treason to provide facilities and settle infiltrators on Indian soil? Are they in alliance with those who usurp the land belonging to the tribal communities? Has the Congress and INDI alliance made a pact with illegal infiltrators for votes? We demand answers," he stated.

Chouhan also paid tribute to Birsa Munda on his 150th birth anniversary, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ensuring that Munda's legacy is honoured as Tribal Pride Day. He drew parallels between Mundaas resistance against the British and the current situation, alleging that today, infiltrators are seizing the land, resources, and dignity of the tribals.

He claimed that dozens of Santhal villages have been renamed as "Jamaitola," questioning how such changes occurred and accusing the JMM and Congress of protecting the infiltrators.

"The BJP stands firm in its commitment -- foreign infiltrators will not be allowed to remain on Indian soil, especially in Jharkhand. We will enact laws to reclaim the tribal lands. The Congress and INDI alliance's stance is fundamentally anti-India, and we must stay vigilant against such forces. If not now, then never," he urged.

Chouhan concluded by stating that if the NDA alliance comes to power, they will systematically expel infiltrators from Jharkhand.
New Delhi, Nov 15 : The Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), a public-private partnership under the Niti Aayog, on Friday announced the launch of a pilot programme in partnership with Urban Company to support women in the beauty and wellness sector to scale up their businesses.

"Urban Company will spearhead the programme, collaborating with other key stakeholders to identify women working in micro-units and support their business growth," Niti Aayog said.

The pilot will shortlist 25 women based on an open application from Delhi-NCR.

They will be trained across six key ecosystem needs including skilling, legal and compliance, access to finance, market, and business development services along with mentorship and networking.

"Supporting women entrepreneurs is vital to achieve women-led development. WEP provides comprehensive support to women entrepreneurs right from training, skilling, access to resources, mentors and networks. This continuum of support enables them to accelerate their entrepreneurial journey," said Anna Roy, Principal Economic Adviser, NITI Aayog and Mission Director, WEP.

Roy said that as "women dominate the beauty and wellness sector". He noted that the tie up with Urban Company will significantly help "create a robust ecosystem for women in the beauty and wellness sector". It will also enable them more sustainable business, Roy added.

WEP, incubated in NITI Aayog in 2018 as an aggregator platform, transitioned into a public-private partnership in 2022.

It aims to strengthen India's women entrepreneurship ecosystem to promote women-led development as a reality.

The WEP has over 30,000 women entrepreneurs already engaged on its platform. The new partnership will be a unique public-private collaboration aimed at promoting and supporting women in the beauty and wellness sector.

The collaboration will not only equip women with the skills and knowledge to manage their businesses independently but also open doors to new opportunities and increased earnings.
Mumbai, Nov 15 : Irish actor Paul Mescal, who plays Lucius in "Gladiator 2", has addressed comparisons to Russell Crowe, who famously portrayed Maximus in the original 2000 epic.

Mumbai, Nov 15 (IANS) Irish actor Paul Mescal, who plays Lucius in "Gladiator 2", has addressed comparisons to Russell Crowe, who famously portrayed Maximus in the original 2000 epic.

When asked how he feels about being compared to Crowe, Mescal graciously called it "a compliment" but emphasized the distinct differences between their characters.

In an interview with IANS, Paul shared, "It's a compliment but also, I think it's like, I think when people encounter the film they will obviously see the similarities but I think I have said this time and again, the characters to me are very different fundamentally; they have a very different relationship to what Rome is and yeah but ultimately not for me to kind of decide that's something for audience to discuss on."

Further, talking about Indian cinema, the actor expressed, "I think obviously you have got the incredible industry of Bollywood. And, it was the same year I was up for Oscars, so I think the thing that is important more broadly is global cinema, like the fact that regardless of where you are in the world, it's the central part to a lot of people's lives and also it's great to see films not just from US, UK, Italy, and France, breaking into kind of onto a world platform, like more culture we get to experience, the more I think we are educated as people."

In the film, Paul Mescal takes on the role of Lucius, the son of Lucilla and Maximus. The actioner also stars Danish actress Connie Nielsen, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington. This thrilling action drama set in ancient Rome follows the story of Lucius, the grandson of Emperor Marcus Aurelius and the son of the legendary Maximus.

"Gladiator 2", the much-anticipated sequel to Ridley Scott's Oscar-winning epic, hit theatres on November 22.
New Delhi, Nov 15 : Union Minister for Power, Manohar Lal on Friday jointly inaugurated the flow of power from Nepal to Bangladesh through the Indian grid along with Md. Fouzul Kabir Khan, Advisor, Ministry of Power, Bangladesh and Dipak Khadka, Nepal's Minister of Energy, in a virtual event hosted by Nepal's Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.

New Delhi, Nov 15 (IANS) Union Minister for Power, Manohar Lal on Friday jointly inaugurated the flow of power from Nepal to Bangladesh through the Indian grid along with Md. Fouzul Kabir Khan, Advisor, Ministry of Power, Bangladesh and Dipak Khadka, Nepalas Minister of Energy, in a virtual event hosted by Nepal's Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.

This historic occasion marks the first trilateral power transaction which has been carried out through the Indian grid. The start of this power flow from Nepal to Bangladesh through India is expected to boost sub-regional connectivity in the power sector, according to an official statement.

"Nepal's power will now reach Bangladesh via the Indian grid, marking the first trilateral power transaction," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) posted on X.

"This landmark development strengthens sub-regional connectivity and sets a new benchmark in the South Asian power sector," it added.

The Government of India had announced its decision to facilitate the first trilateral power transaction from Nepal to Bangladesh, through Indian grid with an export of up to 40 MW of power during the visit of the former Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' to India from May 31 to June 3, last year.

During the visit, both sides had expressed their commitment towards greater sub-regional cooperation, including in the energy sector, which would lead to increased inter-linkages between the economies for mutual benefit of all stakeholders.

Subsequently, a tripartite power sales agreement between NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam, Nepal Electricity Authority and Bangladesh Power Development Board was signed in Kathmandu, last month.

As per the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) officials, the rate per unit of electricity has been fixed at 6.4 cent. Nepal is expected to make an annual income of around $9.2 million from the export of electricity to Bangladesh via the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur 400 kV transmission line, with the metering point in Muzaffarpur.

In December last year, Bangladesh's Cabinet Economic Affairs Committee had approved the import of 40 megawatts of electricity from Nepal. The pact was earlier scheduled to be signed in July but was postponed due to political turmoil and a change of government in Bangladesh.
Kabul, Nov 15 : A total of 150 drug addicts have completed rehabilitation and reunited with their families in Afghanistan's Logar province.

The individuals underwent a three-month medical treatment and rehabilitation program, during which they also received professional and vocational training.

Upon recovery, they were able to rejoin their families, Xinhua news agency reported quoting the official Bakhtar news agency on Friday.

Afghanistan, a country deeply affected by decades of conflict, is home to more than three million drug addicts. In response, the current authorities have outlawed poppy cultivation and drug trafficking and committed to eradicating drug addiction and making the nation drug-free.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov met with Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Carla Barnett on the sidelines of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Trend reports.

The prospects for cooperation between Azerbaijan and CARICOM, as well as initiatives that can be implemented within the framework of our country's chairmanship of COP29, were discussed at the meeting.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov noted that the first visit by CARICOM to our country is a good opportunity to develop cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Community, and stressed the importance of expanding such contacts to discuss existing cooperation opportunities. In particular, it was noted that during Azerbaijan's chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, our country provided humanitarian assistance to more than 80 countries, including 20 small island states, and these countries included 12 CARICOM member states. The importance of developing relations between Azerbaijan and the Caribbean Community member states, as well as between our peoples, was noted, and the importance of cooperation in the field of education and scholarship programs implemented by our country was brought to attention. Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, speaking in detail about the main priorities and areas of Azerbaijan's presidency of COP29, thanked the community for the support provided to our country's initiatives, in particular the holding of the Small Island Developing States Summit.

Secretary General Carla Barnett noted that despite the fact that the presidency of COP29 is quite a complex and responsible platform, the session was organized by our country at a high level, congratulated Azerbaijan on this event and wished success during our presidency.

During the meeting, an exchange of views on other issues of mutual interest also took place.
Bhopal, Nov 15 : Bageshwar Dham head priest Dhirendra Shastri on Friday supported Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's slogan "batenge to katenge" that has found strong resonance in the electoral discourse in both poll-bound states - Jharkhand and Maharashtra.

Bhopal, Nov 15 (IANS) Bageshwar Dham head priest Dhirendra Shastri on Friday supported Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's slogan "batenge to katenge" that has found strong resonance in the electoral discourse in both poll-bound states - Jharkhand and Maharashtra.

Shastri said the slogan is perfectly alright from Indian perspective.

"If it is political issue, then I won't make any comment, but from the Indian perspective, the slogan is very correct. If we get divided, the Chinese will kill us," he said during an interaction with the press in Bhopal on Friday.

Shastri, known for courting controversy with his statements, said that in the next 20-25 years, Hindu population will come down from 80 per cent to 60 per cent, whereas Muslim population will continue to grow in the country.

"Once the Muslim population reach 50 per cent, there will a mosque at every Hindu temple in country. Muslim population have increased to 22 per cent from 6 per cent in the country. Rohingyas and Muslims from Bangladesh and other countries are being given shelter here for the vote bank," Shastri claimed.

He also supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for "ek rahengen to safe rahenge" (unity will keep us safe).

"Hindus are being divided in the name of caste and community. Therefore, from this prospective, 'batenge to katenge' slogan is correct," Shastri added.

Yogi Adityanath's 'batenge to katenge' slogan has become a war cry in the Assembly elections as the BJP leaders are increasingly pitching for it to woo the majority vote bank while the Opposition bloc is accusing the ruling BJP of using it to drive a wedge between two communities.

The assembly elections in Maharashtra will be held in a single phase on November 20, with voters set to decide the fate of 288 assembly seats. The results will be announced on November 23.
Chandigarh, Nov 15 : Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday advised his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann to focus on farmer welfare rather than diverting the attention from public issues by making statements on the new legislative Assembly they are planning to set up in Chandigarh.

Saini reiterated that Haryana also has a right over Chandigarh and urged Punjab leaders to avoid indulging in petty politics over the issue of the Vidhan Sabha.

He told the media that the Punjab Chief Minister claimed that he would not allow the Haryana Vidhan Sabha to be built in Chandigarh.

"Haryana is the younger brother of Punjab. Therefore, do not create animosity or spoil the brotherhood by making such statements." He slammed the Punjab government for failing to purchase crops from its farmers and for not ensuring the payment for procuring crops.

Saini said the leaders of Punjab had first stopped Haryana's Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal water and now they are talking about stopping the Haryana Vidhan Sabha from being built. "The people of Punjab share a strong bond with Haryana and want Haryana should get the SYL water. He expressed disappointment with the cheap politics being played by a few leaders.

Saini said the previous governments in Punjab have indulged in the same kind of politics. He criticised the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for failing to work in the best interest of the people of Punjab, pointing out that they "are the two sides of the same coin". He said that people are well aware of the truth and will teach a lesson to the Punjab government.

The Chief Minister said while Congress leaders talked extensively, they did not work on the ground. As a result, the farmers are deeply disillusioned with the Congress. He said the Congress lacked policy and the intention.

In contrast, he said, the Haryana government has both the policy and the intention to support and uplift farmers and is continuously working towards that goal.

He said farmers in Punjab were forced to block roads just to sell their crops. Even then, many of them were unable to sell their produce and did not receive the payment on the MSP.
Bengaluru, Nov 15 : Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra on Friday dismissed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's allegations that the state BJP was attempting to poach '50 Congress MLAs with Rs 50 crore' bribe and cautioned that he should fear his own ministers, claiming that they were the ones, 'conniving' at his back to dethrone him.

Vijayendra further said that the Chief Minister was undermining his own party by levelling such baseless accusations as he would lose his credibility in face of not being able to corroborate his allegations with evidence.

Speaking to reporters at state BJP headquarters, Vijayendra said, "Mr CM Siddaramaiah, you need to fear your own ministers who are always found besides you. I want to convey this message to you."

Citing example of Haryana, he said that the Congress party was under an illusion that they had won the state but they lost. Now, they are losing Maharashtra as well. After seeing the setback in by-polls in Karnataka, the tall Congress leaders from the state are trying to purchase your own MLAs.

"Four to six leaders within the Congress want to dethrone CM Siddaramaiah. They see him as an outsider and want him to step down much before five years term. They see you as the CM mired in corruption," cautioned the BJP leader.

"The resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is certain, there is no doubt about it. The question is when he is resigning and who will be the next CM," he claimed while adding that the BJP has just 66 MLAs in the state Assembly and hence won't attempt at poaching.

"If you (media) ask me whether CM Siddaramaiah will continue in his position, hundred percent it is not possible. He will be resigning very soon," Vijayendra maintained.

He further stated, "I don't think the high command won't wait till the winter session. They will get his resignation before that."

"CM Siddaramaiah has spoken on Congress MLAs being offered Rs 50 crore by BJP. But the reality is that there is simmering discontent as CM Siddaramaiah and his family is indulged in rampant corruption and his CM's chair is shaking," he underlined.

"The truth is CM himself has realized that his time is up and making allegations on BJP to save the blushes," he concluded.
Ankara, Nov 15 : Turkey apprehended 242 irregular migrants in the Esenyurt district of Istanbul, the country's most populated city, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said Friday on X.

In security operation 'KALKAN-29', Turkish police, in cooperation with the Directorate General for Migration Management, targetted areas prone to irregular migration activity, including public parks, hotels and key roadways, he said.

The operation deployed 370 police officers, 93 migration management staffers and 31 mobile migration units, he added, without specifying the time frame.

According to Yerlikaya, mobile units conducted identification and fingerprint checks on 4,765 foreign nationals across Esenyurt's neighbourhoods, with 242 confirmed as irregular migrants. Deportation proceedings have begun.

"The KALKAN-29 operation underscores Turkey's commitment to maintaining lawful immigration practices while addressing the challenges posed by irregular migration," he said.

Yerlikaya announced in early November that Turkish security forces had conducted nearly 6,339 operations against human trafficking organisations this year, arresting 3,924 criminals, Xinhua news agency reported.

Turkey faces great challenges in managing illegal migration due to its unique geographic position between Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

The country is considered a critical transit route for migrants seeking entry into European countries, and a destination and transit point for refugees from conflict-ridden regions, particularly Syria and Afghanistan.

In recent years, Turkey has intensified border security, strengthened legal frameworks, and enhanced international collaboration to combat the increasing activities of human smuggling rings.
Chandigarh, Nov 15 : A delegation of Punjab's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Finance Minister Harpal Cheema, on Friday submitted a memorandum to Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, registering opposition to the Haryana government's proposal to set up a Legislative Assembly complex in Chandigarh.

Chandigarh, Nov 15 (IANS) A delegation of Punjab's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Finance Minister Harpal Cheema, on Friday submitted a memorandum to Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, registering opposition to the Haryana governmentas proposal to set up a Legislative Assembly complex in Chandigarh.

Cheema told the media here that the matter was of importance for Punjab and its rightful claim over Chandigarh.

"Chandigarh is the capital of Punjab and belongs solely to the state, and the AAP government is firmly opposed to any attempt to allot land in the city for the construction of Haryanaas Legislative Assembly," he said.

"Chandigarh is Punjabas capital, and no other state has the right to build its legislature here," he reiterated.

aThe Haryana government has sought 10 acres of land in Chandigarh in exchange for 12 acres in Panchkula. This proposal is part of their clear agenda to establish their Assembly complex in Chandigarh. AAP strongly opposes this move and will not allow even an inch of Chandigarh to be given to Haryana."

Cheema also accused previous governments of failing to safeguard Punjabas interests regarding Chandigarh. He reminded that when Punjab and Haryana were created, it was clearly understood that Haryana would establish its own capital in Panchkula, and not in Chandigarh.

He stressed that Haryana should build its Assembly in Panchkula.

The AAP delegation, which also comprised Minister Harjot Singh Bains, also expressed concern that the previous state governments had failed to take a firm stand on this issue, allowing the situation to become more complex over time.

"We will not allow any further erosion of Punjab's rights. Punjab is a state known for its sacrifices for the nation, and we will continue to fight for what is rightfully ours," Cheema added.

The AAP also made it clear that they would continue to pursue this issue with utmost seriousness and commitment, ensuring that the voice of Punjab is heard loud and clear.

"We will not back down. We will fight for our rights and ensure that Chandigarh remains the undivided capital of Punjab," added Cheema.
Patna, Nov 15 : The Patna High Court has said the liquor prohibition in Bihar gave rise to unauthorised trade of liquor and other contraband items.

A bench of Justice Purnendu Singh said that the "draconian provisions" of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016, have "become handy for the police, who are in tandem with the smugglers" and innovative ideas have evolved to hoodwink law enforcing agencies and deliver the contraband.

The Justice Singh-led Bench said that while Article 47 of the Constitution mandates raising standards of living and improving public health at large, the 2016 law, enacted with the said objective, for several reasons, finds itself on the wrong side of history.

"Not only the police official, or the excise official, but also officers of the state Tax Department and the Transport Department love liquor ban, for them it means big money."

The Patna High Court said that the number of cases registered against the kingpins/syndicate operators is fewer in comparison to the magnitude of the cases registered against the poor who consume liquor. "

"The life of a majority of the poor section of the state who are facing the wrath of the Act are daily wagers who are only earning members of their family. The Investigating Officer deliberately does not substantiate the allegations made in the prosecution case by any legal document and such lacunae are left and the same allows the mafia scot free in want of evidence by not conducting search, seizure and investigation in accordance with the law," it added.

The above observations were made as the Patna High Court dealt with a plea filed by an Inspector challenging his demotion after "illicit foreign liquor" was recovered in a raid by the Excise Department conducted in a warehouse located 500 metres from the police station.

The petitioner contended that within the period of four months, he had registered 74 cases relating to excise matters, arrested 130 accused persons, recovered a total amount of 2,541.86 litres of illicit liquor, and effectively implemented prohibition within his jurisdiction.

In its judgment, the Patna High Court after perusal of the charge memo, said that it was framed on the direction of Bihar's Director General of Police, who had directed the SSP Patna that in case of recovery of illicit liquor from any police station's territorial jurisdiction, the Station House Officer (SHO) concerned would be held guilty and strict action will be taken against him.

"In the present case, the DGP with a pre-determined mind, had observed that strict disciplinary action is required to be taken against the petitioner, which resulted in the passing of a penalty order against the petitioner by the disciplinary authority, who with pre-conceived minds, took a decision to impose penalty in compliance of the letter of the DGP," it added.

Quashing the suspension as well as the penalty order, the high court said that the authorities had pre-determined to impose a penalty on the petitioner and proceeded to hold a quasi-judicial inquiry giving the post-decisional opportunity of hearing which does not subserve the rule of natural justice and is contrary to the principle of fair play.

"The authority who embarks upon a post-decisional hearing will naturally proceed with a closed mind and there is hardly any chance of getting a proper consideration of the representation at such a post-decisional opportunity," it said.

However, it clarified that in light of the recorded evidence, if the disciplinary authority finds that the petitioner should be subjected to disciplinary action, in that circumstance, the petitioner is required to be put under suspension to proceed afresh in light of the law laid down by the apex court.
Baku, Nov 15 : The COP29 Presidency on Friday launched the Baku Call on Climate Action for Peace, Relief, and Recovery (BCCAP), a milestone initiative aimed at addressing the urgent nexus of climate change, conflict, and humanitarian needs, at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP29.

This initiative responds to the growing recognition that the adverse effects of climate change, such as water scarcity, food insecurity, land degradation and human displacement, can act as catalysts for conflict and instability, especially in the most climate-vulnerable regions.

The Call was launched by Azerbaijani Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov at the high-level panel, "Climate and Peace: Enabling Joint Action to Leave No One Behind", to inaugurate the COP29 Peace, Relief, and Recovery Day.

The event brought together ministers and governmental envoys from a wide range of countries across both the Global North and South to develop a strategy for preventing conflict-induced conflicts and scaling up support for climate and conflict-vulnerable nations with high humanitarian needs.

Through multiple rounds of consultations over the past six months, the COP29 Presidency has developed, in collaboration with partner co-lead countries of Egypt, Italy, Germany, Uganda, the United Arab Emirates, and the UK, which has already endorsed the Baku Call, the concrete, solution-oriented responses that build upon climate and peace initiatives championed by previous COP Presidencies.

It has established the Baku Climate and Peace Action Hub as a coordination platform to deliver on pledges to mitigate challenges on peace and climate nexus.

The COP29 Presidency will host the Secretariat of the hub in Baku. The hub will drive results-oriented synergy and foster joint peace-sensitive climate action of ongoing peace and climate initiatives, namely the COP27 Climate Responses for Sustaining Peace (CRSP) Initiative, the COP28 Declaration on Climate, Relief, Recovery, and Peace (CRRP), Germany-led Climate for Peace Initiative (C4P), and the climate dimension of Italyas Mattei Plan for Africa to meet needs of the climate and conflict vulnerable countries.

The Baku Call reiterates global pledges and introduces innovative recommendations addressing critical issues such as water scarcity and enhancing sustainable water management practices, food insecurity and promoting climate-resilient agricultural solutions, and land degradation and supporting land rehabilitation and ecosystem restoration.

COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev said: "With a disproportionate impact on the most at-risk communities, particularly in developing, lower-income, climate-vulnerable, and conflict-affected states, the Baku Call emphasises the importance of peace-sensitive climate action."

"It also prioritises support for the most vulnerable groups, including women, children, and youth, who bear the brunt of these intersecting crises."

The development of the Baku Call has been a highly inclusive process, informed by consultations with a diverse range of international partners, think tanks, governments, UN agencies, development banks, civil society, and the private sector and represents an opportunity to collectively amplify commitments to peace-sensitive climate action, while scaling up support for the most vulnerable communities worldwide.
Nalanda, Nov 15 : The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme launched in February 2019 has become a transformative force for the country's agricultural sector as well as the large farming community that depend on agriculture to earn their livelihood.

Farmers in Bihar's Nalanda district are among the beneficiaries of PM-KISAN scheme, drawing financial benefits from it.

The residents of Takia Kalan village in Nalanda spoke to IANS and shared how the monetary assistance under the scheme helped ensure a life of prestige and respect for them.

Mahendra Prasad, a farmer of Takiya Kalan village, speaking to IANS shared his positive experience about the scheme. "I received another installment of Rs 2,000, which I used to buy fertilizers and seeds. This financial aid is a real support in farming, especially since there was no such assistance earlier," he said.

Prasad also mentioned how the scheme was helping them to improve their farming. "The amount we receive allows us to buy fertilizers, seeds, and other supplies, improving our agricultural output."

This scheme has brought much-needed support to rural communities, ensuring that small-scale farmers can sustain their livelihoods and invest in better farming practices," he added.

Many other farmers of Takia Kalan, including women have benefited from PM-KISAN. They all expressed their gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the scheme, noting how it helped them cover essential farming expenses.

Some other beneficiaries who got funds under the PM-KISAN yojana in this village were identified as Dinesh Paswan, Girja Devi, Jung Bahadur Paswan, Kameshwar Kewat, Pappu Kewat, Pinky Kumari, Rupa Kumari, and Shobha Devi.

The scheme is designed to benefit small and marginal farmers across India by providing them with financial assistance of Rs 6,000 per year.

The 18th instalment of PM-KISAN scheme was released by PM Modi on October 5, 2024, in Maharashtra's Washim. With the 18th instalment release more than 11 crore farmers across India have received a staggering Rs 3.45 lakh crore under the PM-KISAN scheme.
New Delhi, Nov 15 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has charge-sheeted a key accused in a major illegal arms and ammunition supply case, spanning several states of India, including Manipur and other parts of the North-Eastern region, an official said on Friday.

The supplementary charge sheet, filed before the NIA Special Court in Delhi on Thursday, names Solomona alias Hminga alias Lalmithanga, a resident of Mizoram, under various sections of the IPC, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Arms Act.

The NIA had filed the case against accused Lalngaihawma, Lalmuanawma, and others on December 26, 2023, based on inputs that some Mizoram-based entities were part of a syndicate involved in trafficking of arms, ammunition, explosives etc. in the North-East. The agency had on July 30, 2024, filed a charge sheet against the accused Lalngaihawma.

NIA investigations had revealed that Solomona, along with Lalngaihawma, Lalmuanawma and others, was involved in the criminal conspiracy of procurement and supply of arms, ammunition and explosive material to Myanmar, and from there to Manipur, for use in violent disruptive activities aimed at promoting enmity between different groups.

Solomona was found in possession of prohibited arms and ammunition without a licence. He was also engaged in raising funds in furtherance of the criminal conspiracy and had purchased arms and ammunition for supplying the same for use in unlawful and terror activities in the North-Eastern states, as per the NIA findings.

In a separate case, a Bangladeshi national was on Thursday sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment by the NIA Special Court, Kolkata, in a terror conspiracy case.

The court found Rabiul Islam, a member of the proscribed terrorist organisation Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), guilty under various sections of IPC and the Foreigners Act, 1946. The accused was fined Rs 20,000 in the case, which has been under investigation by NIA since August 2021 after the agency took over the case from STF, Police Station Kolkata.
Patna, Nov 15 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the commencement of 150th birth anniversary year celebration of Bhagwan Birsa Munda by visiting Bihar's Jamui district and paying his tributes to the tribal freedom fighter on Friday.

Meanwhile, a large number of women participants who attended his public gathering spoke to IANS and elaborated on how the various welfare schemes of the Modi government brought a turnaround in their lives.

Many women hailed the schemes like National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana while others showered praise on PM Modi for schemes like Ujjwala and Ayushman Yojana.

Rinki Kumari, a resident of Gidhaur, said, "I run the Self-Help Group (SHG) and look after 12 groups. Women come here, study, and also take loans to start their own enterprises. Some of them have opened shops while others' husbands have bought autos."

She further said the scheme helped them get rid of moneylenders and this was helping them save interest on loan. "Earlier, women could not even sign, but they themselves go to the bank, withdraw money from there. She has also found the courage to speak. Women who earlier could not go out, now go out for group work and do bank transactions," she added.

"Now, every house has a toilet. Every household is also getting ration. All this change happened in the present government, which is making women self-reliant and changing lives," she added.

Meena Devi, a resident of Sikandra block, said, "We are connected through Jeevika and our lives have changed a lot because of Jeevika sisters. After joining Jeevika, we have got the facility to take and give loans."

"Because of PM Modi, women are moving forward and working outside along with household chores. We have got many facilities. Toilets, ration, and other essential things are available, which were not there before," she added.

Another woman said, "In earlier times, women could not even think of leaving the house. Neither did the women reveal their names, nor did they make any effort to identify themselves. But now we are getting a lot of facilities. The benefits we are getting through Jeevika are unprecedented. Jeevika has made us so empowered that now we can easily get help."

She further said, "Farmers are getting Rs 6,000 every year to improve their farming and support their families. It is a big achievement for us. Now, women are able to step out of the house to earn their livelihood."

Mamta Devi, who also lives in Sikandra block, said, "Earlier, we used to go to moneylenders for loans who would charge heavy interest but since the launch of the scheme under PM Modi, we take and give loans directly from our group."

She further said, "Today, we got a chance to see PM Modi for the first time. We are so happy to see them. We would like to thank him for providing so many facilities in our lives."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Within the framework of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), Foreign Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov met with NATO Assistant Secretary General for Innovation, Hybrid Technologies and Cyberspace Jean-Charles Ellermann-Kingombe, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said, Trend reports.

The issues of the existing partnership between Azerbaijan and NATO, prospects for cooperation within the framework of Azerbaijan's chairmanship of COP29 were discussed at the meeting.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov noted with satisfaction that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the Partnership for Peace program, which marked the beginning of cooperation between our country and NATO, within the framework of which a number of joint projects are being implemented in the context of mutual cooperation.

It was noted that Azerbaijan's exemplary participation in NATO peacekeeping operations over the 30 years of our partnership, as well as our country's active participation in mutually beneficial cooperation within NATO, have led to the recognition of our country as a reliable partner.

The meeting also included an exchange of views on other issues of mutual interest.
Jaipur, Nov 15 : Naresh Meena, the Independent candidate who contested Rajasthan by-polls from Deoli-Uniara seat was shifted to Tonk Jail amid tight security on Friday evening.

Meena slapped an SDM during polling for by-elections and was later arrested by the police. Thereafter, he was presented in Niwai court through video conferencing, from where he was ordered to be sent to judicial custody for 14 days. Naresh was shifted to Tonk jail amid tight security on Friday evening.

Naresh Meena appeared through video conferencing while 52 other accused appeared in Niwai court, said reports.

Meanwhile, the district collector Saumya Jha and SP Vikas Sangwan toured the violence hit areas.

Speaking on the occasion, the district collector said, "We are investigating the matter. We shall lend ears to all. Action will be taken once the report comes."

"Whatever the demands of the villagers are, we will send a proposal forward to fulfill them. Their demands will be fulfilled after the code of conduct ends," she added.

SP Vikas Sangwan was also present with the district collector. Both the officers took stock of the village where violence was reported post arrest of Naresh Meena. The police have deployed more than 4000 jawans in Tonk, Niwai, Deoli and Uniara.

Meanwhile, State Agriculture Minister Kirori Lal Meena accused a few people of notching up the conspiracy and carrying out the violence.

He said, "Selected people carried out this incident. It was planned. Whoever the criminal is, of any caste, associated with any party, he should go behind the bars."

Meanwhile, the members of RAS Association called off their two-day strike after meeting the Chief Minister today.
Mumbai, Nov 15 : The Congress called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party to specify their stance on the issue of Caste Census and SC/ST reservations, as the party announced Rs 7000/quintal MSP for soybean farmers, here on Friday.

Reacting to PM Modi's statements in Mumbai that the Congress will end quotas for SC/ST, AICC General Secretary Ramesh Chennithala dismissed them as "absolutely baseless and outright false" while countering the PM and BJP on the Caste Census.

"It was the Congress which extended the rights and reservations to various backward classes through the Constitution of India. The Constitution of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar freed the people of deprived sections from the atrocities committed by the Manuwadis for years," said Chennithala.

Hitting back, he said it is the BJP and PM Modi who want to end reservations and change the Constitution, but they are now blaming the Congress for their mistakes.

Speaking to media persons here, Chennithala pointed out that in the past couple of years, Rahul Gandhi had walked the length and breadth of India to get justice for the Dalits, OBCs, Tribals and other communities, and also raised the demand for a Caste Census in the country.

"The BJP should clarify the role of the PM on the caste-wise census. The BJP is opposed to the caste-wise census which is why PM Modi is falsely accusing the Congress party of attempting to end reservations. We strongly protest these baseless allegations," declared Chennithala.

The Congress has also uploaded a video of the MahaYuti rally at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park this week addressed by the PM showing huge tracts of empty chairs.

"The Assembly election campaign rallies of the PM are not getting any response from the people of Maharashtra. Even the Shivaji Park rally got very poor attendance as people are tired of Modi's lies He was actually addressing empty chairs there," said Chennithala.

This is because the PM and BJP have cheated the farmers and have not kept their promise of giving minimum support prices to soybean, onion and cotton farmers.

In a significant development, the Congress on Friday announced that it would give an MSP remuneration of Rs 7000/quintal for soybeans after the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government comes to power later this month.

In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said that the MVA will take the historic step, plus bonus and set up a committee to fix a fair price for onion and cotton for the benefit of the growers.

"MSP is the right for cotton (farmers) too. For the last three elections, BJP has been promising MSP of Rs 6000/quintal for soybeans, but even today, the farmers are forced to sell off their crops with Rs 3000- 4000/quintal. The MVA will give our farmers their rights, fruits of hard work and justice," said Rahul Gandhi.

Present on the occasion were top state Congress leaders like Nana Gawande, Brij Dutt, Surendra Rajput and others.
Jaipur, Nov 15 : : Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari on Friday said that Tirtharaj Pushkar will be developed on the lines of Ayodhya and Kashi.

She said that the International Shri Pushkar Cattle Fair will be organised with full grandeur every year and added, "With the coordinated efforts of Central and state government, Rajasthan will be leading on the international tourism map."

Deputy CM Diya Kumari said this while addressing closing ceremony of International Shri Pushkar Fair-2024 as the chief guest on Friday.

She said that Tirtharaj Pushkar has special significance in the whole world.

"Pushkar, the city of Jagatpita Brahma, is the centre of faith for crores of people. The state government is working seriously for the development of Pushkar," she said.

"The renowned temple town will be developed in a planned manner on the lines of Ayodhya and Kashi. Work will be done by preparing a big outline of Pushkar development," she stated.

She also highlighted that this year, more than 6 lakh domestic and foreign tourists and devotees have participated in the fair.

"For the first time after the year 2019, such a large number of devotees have come to the fair. From a tourism and religious point of view, each year, the fair will be organised with full grandeur. Adequate arrangements will be made in this reference. Around 20,000 foreign tourists have visited the pushkar fair this year. In fact, each citizen of the country has its sentiments connected to Pushkar. No stone will be left unturned for Pushkar development," she added.

She further said that the Central and State Government are working with full seriousness for tourism development in the country and Rajasthan.

"A provision of Rs 5 thousand crore has been made in the budget for tourism development in Rajasthan. We will make Rajasthan a leader in the field of tourism," she remarked.

--IANS

arc/mr

Water Resources Minister and Pushkar MLA Suresh Rawat said that Pushkar fair is famous at the international level. This time the fair has been quite successful.

He congratulated everyone on the successful organisation of the fair and said that the city of Jagatpita Brahma, Tirtharaj Pushkar, will be developed in a grand manner.
Kolkata, Nov 15 : The 81-year-old iconic Howrah Bridge (Rabindra Setu) -- that connects the cities of Kolkata and Howrah -- will remain closed to traffic for five hours on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday for a comprehensive health check-up, the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP), Kolkata, has notified.

SMP, Kolkata is the custodian of the bridge and is responsible for its maintenance and upgrades.

The last health check-up of the bridge was conducted between 1983 and 1988, after it remained in operation for 40 years, an SMP, Kolkata official said. The latest health check-up will be conducted by RITES Ltd, a public sector undertaking that is tasked with the maintenance of the Howrah Bridge.

The bridge, a suspension-type balanced cantilever structure, is the sixth longest of its kind in the world. Despite the construction of the Vidyasagar Setu across the Hooghly, the Howrah Bridge remains one of the busiest in the world.

An estimated 100,000 vehicles and 1,50,000 pedestrians cross the bridge daily. What makes the bridge so alluring is its proximity to the Howrah railway station -- one of the busiest in the world -- which is still considered a gateway to Kolkata.

"A comprehensive health check-up of the bridge is important as it handles so much traffic. It is an iconic structure that has captured the imagination of artists, filmmakers and the common man. No illustration of Kolkata is complete without a part of the Howrah Bridge peeping out from somewhere in the frame. The bridge was commissioned in 1943 during World War II, even as the Japanese were bombing Kolkata (then Calcutta). To keep the bridge safe from Japanese bombers, the commissioning was done at night," an official said.

The bridge also brought into focus the capability of Indian industry to produce high-quality tensile steel, even under British rule. Construction of the bridge started with steel sent from England. This supply had to be stopped though as steel produced in England was required for the war effort. It was Tata Steel that came up with tensile steel of the quality required for the Bridge and the rest is history.

"Hence, we are really proud of this Bridge that was built with high-quality steel produced by an Indian manufacturer, even when the country was under colonial rule. We would like Howrah Bridge to remain in service for several more decades, hence the health check-up," the official noted.
Addis Ababa, Nov 15 : The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has disclosed a new capacity-building initiative to build Ethiopia's capabilities in sustainable vaccine research and development.

The UNOPS, in a statement, disclosed that it has formalized a 3.28-million-US-dollar project agreement with the Ethiopian Ministry of Health that aims to strengthen the East African country's capacity for local vaccine production.

The UN agency said the initiative is designed to enhance public health and reduce Ethiopia's dependency on imported vaccines, ultimately empowering the country to meet current and future public health needs with local solutions. The project will help reduce Ethiopia's reliance on foreign vaccine supplies, accelerate health crisis response, and open new avenues for scientific and industrial growth in the region, Xinhua news agency reported.

By developing sustainable vaccine manufacturing capabilities, Africa's second-most populous nation envisaged ensuring a resilient healthcare infrastructure that can support long-term public health goals.

Noting that the latest initiative will help achieve the country's aspirations for building a strong public health system, the UNOPS said the project will mainly focus on two core areas.

Firstly, the project will help Ethiopian officials and scientists participate in an experience-sharing visit to leading global vaccine manufacturing facilities. The visits are expected to allow Ethiopian officials and experts to establish benchmarks and adopt best practices in vaccine research, development, and production, providing a strong framework for Ethiopia's vaccine manufacturing infrastructure.

By facilitating targetted training programs, the project will also equip Ethiopian experts with essential skills in cutting-edge vaccine manufacturing techniques, establishing a skilled and locally-driven workforce. Such capacity-building supports "will lay a strong foundation for a proficient and sustainable vaccine manufacturing industry in Ethiopia," the UNOPS said.

The project is said to align with the East African country's broader vision to advance its healthcare sector, improve citizens' well-being, and position the country as a leader in vaccine production and public health response in Africa.
Istanbul, Nov 15 : A fire broke out at a factory in Turkey's Istanbul on Friday, injuring 10 people from smoke inhalation, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported.

The fire errupted at a three-story medical device manufacturing factory, which covers an area of 10,000 square meters in the Esenyurt district on the European side of the city, the report said, adding that the reason behind the blaze remained undetermined.

Multiple police units, firefighting crews, and medical teams were dispatched to the scene, and workers at the factory and nearby facilities were evacuated, Xinhua news agency reported.

Ten individuals affected by smoke inhalation were treated on-site by medical teams, the report added, noting that firefighters are still working to extinguish the fire.
Beirut, Nov 15 : Iran supports any decision taken by the Lebanese government, especially the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701, Ali Larijani, senior advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, said here on Friday, according to a statement by the Lebanese Council of Ministers.

"Iran supports any decision taken by the government of Lebanon, especially when it comes to the implementation of Resolution 1701 and the election of any president agreed upon by the Lebanese," Larijani said during his meeting in Beirut with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati

Resolution 1701 ended the last round of conflict between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006 and stipulated that southern Lebanon must be free of arms that do not belong to the Lebanese state.

Larijani arrived in the Lebanese capital Beirut earlier in the day to discuss the latest developments in the country with Lebanese officials, Xinhua news agency reported.

In a press conference after the meeting with House Speaker Nabih Berri, Larijani said, "We do not seek to undermine any step... we want to see a solution to the situation in Lebanon."

"Hezbollah is a solid and rational movement, and we will support the resistance in all circumstances," he added.

For his part, Mikati called on Iran to support the Lebanese state's position of implementing Resolution 1701 and its national unity, and not to take positions that would create sensitivities among Lebanese groups or serve the interests of a particular group.

Since September 23, the Israeli army has intensified its air attack on Lebanon in an escalation of conflict with Hezbollah. Israel further initiated a ground operation across its northern border into Lebanon in early October.
New Delhi, Nov 15 : As Delhi's air became more toxic on Friday, restrictions on the movement of BS-III petrol and BS-IV four-wheelers, a stringent fine of Rs 20,000 and augmentation of public transport buses and additional Metro trips were announced by the AAP government with the imposition of stringent GRAP Stage-III provisions.

Environment Minister Gopal Rai said in coordination with the Delhi Transport Corporation, 106 bus shuttles, which will make 1,844 trips, have been planned to give commuters, especially government employees, an option to use private vehicles.

"I appeal to people to use the shuttle bus services that will touch Shastri Bhawan, Connaught Place, CGO Complex and Nehru Place along with linking Rohini, Dwarka, Badarpur, Janakpuri and Patparganj," he said.

Metro trains would also run 60 additional trips to accommodate commuters.

Rai said only e-buses and CNG buses from other states will be allowed under GRAP-III.

On Thursday, Rai held a meeting with officials and said that the AAP government is fully committed to addressing the escalating air pollution in Delhi. In this context, he highlighted that for the first time in this winter season, the pollution level in Delhi has surpassed 400.

He said, "Since October 14, the pollution level (AQI) in Delhi has been in the poor and very poor categories. However, in just two days, it has escalated from the very poor to the severe category."

The Delhi Environment Minister further stated that in light of this, a meeting was held with environmental scientists in the Green War Room. Following the meeting, Gopal Rai instructed all concerned departments to strictly adhere to the guidelines outlined in GRAP-II.

He further explained that, according to the report presented by the scientists over the last two days, there are two main reasons for the recent increase in pollution levels.

He added, "First, the snowfall in the mountains has caused a drop in Delhi's temperature, leading to fog in the mornings and evenings across North India. Secondly, the wind speed has decreased. These two factors have caused the pollution level to rise rapidly."
Amaravati, Nov 15 : Andhra Pradesh's Minister for Education, IT and Electronics, Nara Lokesh, said here on Friday that several reforms are being introduced in education.

He told the state Assembly that after the TDP-led NDA Government came to power, reforms were introduced in Intermediate education.

Replying to a question raised by the MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao, Lokesh stated that not even textbooks were supplied to students for five years by the previous government. He claimed that for the first time textbooks were supplied to the students after he became the minister.

He felt that the student strength in the government junior colleges had come down drastically as there was not enough staff strength, particularly the teachers, in the junior colleges.

Lokesh said that after the alliance Government was formed in the State, the admissions have gone up by over 15,000 in the junior colleges which he termed a welcome step. "After dividing the students into A, B and C categories, bridge courses are being conducted to those who are weak in certain subjects," Lokesh said and stated that the efforts are on to see to it that the government colleges compete with the Narayana Institutions.

"We have sought some inputs from the Minister, Narayana, who is the head of Narayana Institutions. He made certain suggestions," the IT and Electronics Minister said. Maintaining that focus is now being laid on the buildings, faculty and materials by holding meetings with the senior officers of the Secondary and Intermediate Education Boards, Lokesh promised to develop the necessary infrastructure by introducing ranking mechanisms in government schools.

A decision has been taken to review the results periodically and also inform the parents of the students, the Minister said adding that mega Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs) will be conducted across the State in the first week of December.

"I appeal to all the MLAs to take part in these meetings and all the MLAs can visit the government schools under their respective jurisdiction and give the feedback," Lokesh said.

Expressing concern that the admission rate in government degree colleges is limited only to 50 per cent, Lokesh felt that the primary reason for this is the degree colleges are run in dilapidated buildings with no proper faculty. "We are thus formulating plans to improve the degree colleges as industry-centric," the Minister added
Shillong, Nov 15 : Civil Aviation Minister Kinjurapu Rammohan Naidu on Friday stressed that the tribal community people in Meghalaya understand the values of protecting nature and the whole world can learn from them.

"In my short visit of two days to the state, I have seen it very strongly in the people of Meghalaya the respect and the need to protect mature and this is something which the world can learn from the tribal community," he said at a programme in the Meghalaya capital.

He also expressed happiness at the practice of the Khasi community in preserving forests as sacred groves.

"A strong message and a learning experience that I am taking back with me when I visited the sacred forests is a belief among the local populace that the sacred forests are not something which the community has inherited from the ancestors but it is something we are borrowing from our future generations," the minister stated.

He added that if we lose the treasures that nature has bestowed upon us there will be nothing left for the future generations.

The Minister also expressed the desire to see more tribal communities coming to the forefront and said that the culture and knowledge of the tribal communities should be more prominently showcased to the world.

"There is some great knowledge with the tribal community that can provide solutions to some of the challenges that the world is facing," he said.

"To be here with the tribal brothers and sisters to celebrate this event is in a way a tribute to all the tribal freedom fighters and tribal leaders who have fought for their freedom, and rights and to protect the identity and culture of their people and to pay tribute to them is very meaningful."

The programme was also attended by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and the Union Minister hailed the developments taking place in the state under his leadership.

Stating that there is a lot of potential for civil aviation in Meghalaya, he also assured support of the Ministry of Civil Aviation for the expansion of the Umroi Airport and to operationalise the Baljek Airport in Tura.

--IANS

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Delegates from colonized regions organized a protest at COP29 to highlight the pervasive infringements on the rights of indigenous populations, Trend reports.

The protesters called for the cessation of the exploitative actions of colonial authorities and the eradication of their enduring effects, especially regarding environmental degradation and public health detriment. Representatives of Indigenous people from colonized regions denounced the egregious human rights abuses committed by colonial powers, along with the serious transgressions and nuclear testing conducted in former colonies, which have profoundly affected local inhabitants.

The protest was aimed at raising awareness among the international community, with demonstrators voicing specific demands to address the long-lasting consequences of colonial exploitation. Slogans chanted during the protest included: "Stop human rights violations in overseas territories," "Compensate the affected populations," "Restore environmental damage," "Hear the voices of Indigenous peoples," and "The effects of nuclear testing in overseas territories are killing people."

The protesters emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the ongoing effects of colonialism, urging decisive actions from the international community. They called for urgent measures to combat exploitation and human rights violations that continued even after the end of the colonial era. The protesters also called for greater international solidarity against colonialism and for stronger political and legal actions to ensure the rights of indigenous peoples.

The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

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Mumbai, Nov 15 : A total of 1922 senior citizens and 187 disabled persons cast their votes for the upcoming November 20 Maharashtra Assembly elections in Mumbai city district, officials said here on Friday.

As per the Election Commission of India (ECI) concession, senior citizens and disabled voters above 85 years of age, who are unable to attend the polling station and have filled Form 12D, are extended the facility of voting through a home postal ballot through a postal voting team.

In the 10 Assembly constituencies of Mumbai city district, 2,139 senior citizens and 217 disabled voters above 85 years of age were found eligible for home postal voting, which will end on Saturday.

Accordingly, a total of 2,109 voters including 1,922 senior citizens and 187 disabled people have voted by home postal ballot so far in Mumbai city district, which started on Thursday.

Among them, the highest voting was 558 senior citizens above 85 years of age who voted in the Mahim constituency followed by 241 elderly persons who exercised their franchise in the Colaba seat.

In Wadala, 229 out of 258 senior citizen voters above 85 years of age and 22 out of 24 disabled voters, or a total of 251 voters cast their votes.

In Mahim, 558 out of eligible 621 senior citizens above 85 years of age and 23 out of 25 disabled voters, or a total of 581 voters have voted so far.

In Worli, 111 out of 121 senior citizen voters above 85 years of age and 19 out of 20 disabled voters, giving a total of 130 voters cast their vote.

In Sewri, 201 out of 226 senior citizen voters above 85 years of age and 32 out of 34 disabled voters, or a total of 233 voters exercised their franchise.

In Byculla, 167 out of 190 senior citizen voters above 85 years of age and 39 out of 42 disabled voters, making a total of 206 voters cast their votes.

In Malabar Hill, 269 out of 286 senior citizen voters above 85 years of age and 10 out of 11 disabled voters, or a total of 279 voters exercised their franchise.

In Mumbadevi, 103 out of 118 senior citizen voters above 85 years of age and 11 out of 13 disabled voters, or a total of 114 electorates voted by home postal mail.

In Colaba, 241 out of 270 senior citizen voters above 85 years of age and six out of nine disabled voters, or a total of 247 voters cast their votes.

In Dharavi, 20 out of 21 senior citizen voters above 85 years of age and nine out of 12 disabled voters, or a total of 29 voters voted through home postal voting.

In Sion-Koliwada, 23 out of 28 senior citizen voters above 85 years of age and 16 out of 27 disabled voters, giving a total of 39 voters exercised their voting rights.
Amaravati, Nov 15 : The Centre on Friday responded positively to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's proposals for interlinking of the Godavari and the Pennar rivers, reviving Singapore's partnership in the construction of the capital city of Amaravathi and completing Polavaram project on a fast pace.

Naidu arrived in New Delhi and called on Union Finance Minister Nirmala Seetharaman and the External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar, and made several appeals to them for which both the Union Ministers responded in a positive manner, said an official statement here.

Briefing media persons on the visit of the Chief Minister, the TDP MP Lavu Krishnadevarayalu said that the interlinking of the Godavari and the Pennar rivers is crucial for the development of the backward region of Rayalaseema and the combined Prakasam district for which the Centre has given the green signal. The Finance Minister agreed to extend all kinds of cooperation to the State in completing the project and also the Polavaram project, Krishnadevarayalu stated.

The TDP MP said that the Chief Minister made an appeal to the External Affairs Minister to revive the participation of Singapore in the development of Amaravati for which the Union Minister agreed. Both the Chief Minister and the Union Minister discussed at length the impact of the newly-elected administration in the United States on the economy of the country and also on the students visiting the US to pursue further studies.

Informing to the External Affairs Minister that Andhra Pradesh has now adopted 'Speed of Doing Business' in place of Ease of Doing Business, Chandrababu Naidu made an appeal to Jaishankar to divert any kind of investments to Andhra Pradesh. "The Union Minister totally agreed with Mr Chandrababu Naidu as the Chief Minister promised to welcome the investors in a friendly manner," the MP said.

Stating that Vijayawada city recently suffered huge damage due to heavy rains, the Chief Minister made an appeal to the Finance Minister to give a relaxation for one per cent of GST which will be a great relief to the State for which she gave her consent. The MP said that the Centre's response is very positive to the appeals of the Chief Minister.
New Delhi, Nov 15 : The Ministry of Labour and Employment on Friday announced to provide the beneficiaries of the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) with both allopathic and ayurveda, yoga, unani, siddha, and homoeopathy (Ayush) methods of treatment to pave the way for more holistic healthcare.

New Delhi, Nov 15 (IANS) The Ministry of Labour and Employment on Friday announced to provide the beneficiaries of the Employeesa State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) with both allopathic and ayurveda, yoga, unani, siddha, and homoeopathy (Ayush) methods of treatment to pave the way for more holistic healthcare.

At the 20th meeting of the Sub-Committee held at ESIC Headquarters, the Ministry emphasised that Ayush systems of medicine are gaining popularity all over the world.

"The Ayush systems can contribute significantly to the holistic health of ESI beneficiaries," Labour and Employment Secretary and Chairperson of the Sub-Committee on Ayurveda Sumita Dawra told the meeting.

The meeting also focussed on the implementation of the new ESI policy on Ayush- 2023, which was approved in the 193rd meeting of ESI Corporation in October.

Dawra also directed "for a speedy, seamless and meaningful implementation of the policy in the best interests of ESI beneficiaries".

"It is imperative to foster the growth of traditional systems of medicine and enhance collaboration between Ayush systems and allopathy," she said.

"The focus should be on providing a more cohesive and holistic approach to healthcare of IPs and their families," she added.

The ESI policy on Ayusha"2023 provides norms for the establishment of AYUSH OPD services in ESIS/ESIC.

Unlike previous policies, the new policy calls for running Ayush OPD services through regular full-time staff in due course of time, "increasing the level of commitment of the staff and the quality of care".

It also provides the facility of providing aindoor ayurveda treatment by housing 50-bed AYUSH hospitals within 500-bed allopathic hospitals".

In addition to OPD services, the facilities will provide treatments to "patients under five specialities, that is kaya chikitsa (general medicine), panchakarma (bio purificatory medicine), shalya (surgery), shalakya (ophthalmology and ENT) and Prasuti and Stri Roga (obstetrics and gynaecology)".

The treatments will be made under the supervision of ayurveda physicians with required post-graduate qualifications. This would immensely enhance the quality of care being provided to the ESI beneficiaries. The new policy also mandates yoga therapy units to be run by therapists who have higher levels of qualifications and experience.

The ESI Corporation provides medical care services both through modern medicine and AYUSH systems of medicine. Currently, ESI is running a total of 406 AYUSH units at various locations throughout the country. These comprise 185 ayurveda units, 91 homeopathy units, 67 yoga units, 52 siddha units, and 11 unani units. An aggregate of 26,68,816 patients attended these units in the course of the year 2023-24, the Ministry said.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Nov 15 : An accountant working in the Income Tax Department in Goa was booked by the CBI for demanding a bribe of Rs 2 lakh from a manpower supplier for releasing payment against his bills worth lakhs of rupees.

Pankaj Kumar, working in the accounts office, Income Tax Department, Panaji, was named in the FIR filed on Thursday by the federal agency on receiving a complaint from vendor Kamlakant Chaturvedi.

Chaturvedi, whose firm is engaged in providing manpower services and serving in the Income Tax Department, filed the complaint against Pankaj Kumar and others on November 11.

The vendor's company, Raj Enterprises, Prapti Residence, Zosewaddo, Socorro, Goa, was allegedly not given payment for the services its staff offered in the Income Tax office over seven months.

Chaturvedi said in his complaint that his seven monthly bills were kept on hold for alleged harassment and demanding bribes.

Despite his requests to the accounts department officials, the culprits demanded a bribe of Rs 2 lakh for releasing payment against his pending bills.

Unable to meet the bribe demand, Chaturvedi approached the CBI for action against the culprits.

CBI sources said his complaint was verified through an official of CBI ACB, Goa, who checked its details and the veracity of the allegations against Pankaj Kumar and others.

"The above-mentioned facts and discreet verification prima facie disclose the commission of offences punishable u/s 7 of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 (as amended in 2018) on the part of Pankaj Kumar, working in Accounts Office, Income Tax Department, Panaji, Goa," said the CBI FIR registered.

The CBI FIR in alleged corruption in Goa comes a day after a Food Corporation of India (FCI) manager in Bihar was sentenced by a Special CBI Court in Patna to two-and-a-half years of Rigorous Imprisonment (RI), along with a fine of Rs 30,000, in a bribe case dating back to 2010.
Srinagar/New Delhi, Nov 15 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday met Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi to discuss key financial matters concerning the Union Territory.

"Shri Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah), Hon'ble Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, calls on Smt @nsitharaman", the Finance Minister's Office said in a tweet.

Chief Minister Abdullah, in a social media post, said that he called on Union Finance Ministry Sitharaman and "our discussion centred around crucial economic matters concerning Jammu and Kashmir. I passionately advocated for much-needed support from the Union Finance Ministry for the region".

He expressed optimism that collaborative efforts with the Central government would enhance financial stability and promote sustainable development in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Chief Minister sought the support of the Union Finance Minister to avail the multi-lateral funding for development of new tourism destinations in Jammu & Kashmir, aimed to decongest the existing locations and to create well-planned and world-class infrastructure at these new identified locations," an official statement said.

"CM thanked the Ministry of Finance for approving the Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture & Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP) for Jammu & Kashmir to rejuvenate the agriculture sector which entails financing of 100 million USD through the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) over the next 7 years."

In this regard, CM Abdullah requested the Ministry to treat J&K at par with North Eastern States for availing incentives in respect of Externally Aided Project (EAP) loans and making J&K eligible for special lending arrangements under the EAP loans, it said.

"He requested the Finance Minister to consider Jammu & Kashmir for funding through the 'Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment' scheme under which 50-year interest-free loan would be provided to states for capital expenditure," the statement added.

"CM also informed the Finance Minister about the difficult fiscal situation being faced by J&K and requested the Ministry to provide additional central assistance of Rs 6,000 crore to bridge the resource gap in the UT budget for FY 2024-25."

Over the past few days, Chief Minister Abdullah has held several important meetings with senior leaders and officials of the Union Government to address critical issues affecting Jammu and Kashmir.

During his current visit, he called on President Droupadi Murmu, and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar and attended the Power Ministersa conference chaired by the Union Minister of Power to discuss J&Kas priorities and challenges in the power sector.
New Delhi, Nov 15 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave on Saturday on a three-nation-visit to Nigeria, Brazil, and Guyana from November 16-21.

While on his way to Rio de Janeiro for the G20 Summit, PM Modi will first travel to Nigeria on a two-day visit - the first by an Indian PM in 17 years - starting Saturday at the invitation of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to a MEA statement, during the visit, the Prime Minister will hold talks to review the strategic partnership between India and Nigeria and discuss further avenues to enhance the bilateral relationship. He will also address a gathering of the Indian community in Nigeria.

"India and Nigeria have been strategic partners since 2007 with growing economic, energy and defence collaboration. More than 200 Indian companies have invested over USD 27 billion in important sectors in Nigeria. India and Nigeria also share a strong development cooperation partnership," the MEA stated.

PM Modi will then travel to Rio De Janeiro to attend the G20 Summit (November 18) hosted by Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula Da Silva. India is part of the G20 Troika along with Brazil and South Africa and has been actively contributing to the ongoing G20 Summit discussions.

"During the Summit, the Prime Minister will put forward Indiaas positions on various issues of global importance and build on the outcomes from the G20 New Delhi Leadersa Declaration and Voice of the Global South Summits which were hosted by India in the past two years. On the sidelines of the G20 Summit, the Prime Minister is expected to meet several leaders," the MEA said.

Following the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Georgetown which would be the first visit to Guyana by an Indian PM since 1968.

During the November 19-21 visit at the invitation of the Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Modi will not only hold bilateral discussions and meet other senior leaders of Guyana but also address the Parliament of Guyana and a gathering of the Indian diaspora.

Last year, Ali had visited India as the Chief Guest at the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas held in Indore, where he was also awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman.

"In Georgetown, Guyana, the Prime Minister will also participate in the Second CARICOM-India Summit and hold meetings with leaders of CARICOM member countries to further enhance Indiaas long-standing friendship with the region," the MEA mentioned.
Imphal, Nov 15 : Senior police officials, of the Inspector General and Deputy Inspector General rank, have been camping in Manipur's Jiribam district to supervise the operation to locate the three children and the three women, who were reportedly kidnapped by the militants on November 11 amid the gunfight following the attack on a CRPF camp.

A Manipur Police post on X said: "Senior officers of IG and DIG ranks of Manipur Police are presently stationed in Jiribam and Borobekra areas for supervision and coordination of efforts by forces regarding the 6 missing persons".

A police official in Imphal said that combined security forces of the Army, the Assam Rifles, the CRPF, and the state police have been conducting the search operations to rescue the abducted children and women.

These children and women were the inmates of a relief camp set up adjoining the Borobekra police station.

Family and relatives of the six abducted people along with representatives of the Jiribam Students' Forum (JSF) met Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Thursday night to convey their grievances and demands regarding the entire case. They also submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister demanding rescue of the hostages.

Speaking to the media after the meeting Singh, Ningthoujam Ibenoubi, daughter of Yurembam Rani, who is among the abducted, stated that the Chief Minister had assured them that the government had taken all-out efforts to rescue the captives.

"I have not taken any food since they went missing and will continue my fast till the case is brought to justice," she said.

According to the police after the encounter between the CRPF and the Kuki militants on November 11, the militants kidnapped the six people at gunpoint and kept them at their hideout.

Police said that in the encounter, 10 Kuki militants were killed and the militants also kidnapped 10 people, all inmates of a relief camp at Jakuradhor in Jiribam district's Borobekra sub-division.

The police official said that during the search operations after the incident in Jakuradhor village, where several houses were also burnt down by the armed militants, two bodies of elderly civilians -- Maibam Kesho Singh, 75, and Laishram Barel, 61 -- were found. He said that another person was found alive and rescued and another civilian came back on his own to the police station while the six people remained untraced so far.

Tribal organisations, however, claimed that the 10 slain people were not militants, they were "Kuki Village Volunteers protecting villagers".

Meanwhile, hundreds of school and college students across the six districts of Imphal Valley on Thursday organised multiple human chains in front of their respective educational institutions to protest the abduction of the children and women.

Organised by the students wing of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), an apex body of the Meitei community, the students carried placards written with "Today is Children's Day", "Release the innocent children" and "Release our friends".

The COCOMI, various other civil society organisations, the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress also have been demanding the government to "rescue" the six untraced people, alleging negligence by both state and Central forces leading to the abduction.

In all, 13 civil society organisations observed a 24-hour shutdown down six Imphal Valley districts on Tuesday and Wednesday to protest the reported "abduction" of six people, belonging to the Meitei community. The organisations, including Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA) and Peoples' Action for National Democratic Movement (PAMDM) in a joint statement, claimed that there is no rule of law in the state.

Police officials said that various security forces have been continuing their hectic operations to locate and rescue them. Adjoining southern Assam, ethnically diverse Jiribam was largely unaffected in the 18-month-long ethnic riot in Imphal Valley and in the Kuki-Zo-dominated mountainous areas. The district has now been witnessing violence after the mutilated body of a farmer, belonging to the Meitei community, was found on a farm in June this year.
Patna, Nov 16 : On the 150th birth anniversary of freedom fighter Birsa Munda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has highlighted the accomplishments and significance of the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) Yojana, a flagship initiative launched by the Central government aimed at uplifting tribal communities across the country, particularly marginalised sections of society.

The Prime Minister, while addressing a programme on Friday in Bihar's Jamui, also praised President Droupadi Murmu as India's first tribal President, calling it a historic achievement for the NDA and crediting her with advancing the cause of tribal welfare.

"Whether it is culture or social justice, the current NDA government has a different parameter. I believe this is a great fortune of the BJP and NDA that we got the opportunity to make Droupadi Murmu the President of India. I also want to acknowledge Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for his proactive role in campaigning for her presidency during the election," the Prime Minister said.

Marking the completion of one year of the PM-JANMAN Yojana, PM Modi attributed its success to President Murmu's leadership and advocacy for the tribal community.

"The scheme focuses on addressing the challenges of the most backward tribes within the tribal community. Projects under the scheme include housing, roads, healthcare, and education to transform tribal villages," the Prime Minister said.

He criticised previous governments for neglecting the extremely backward sections of the tribal population, highlighting the NDA's efforts to fill this gap.

"When she (Droupadi Murmu) was the Governor of Jharkhand and later became the President, she mentioned extremely backward people among the tribal community," he said.

The emphasis on PM JANMAN Yojana and the recognition of President Murmu's contributions serve as a testament to the NDA's focus on inclusive development and the empowerment of tribal communities, PM Modi said.

This aligns with the celebration of Birsa Munda, an icon of tribal resistance and pride, showcasing the government's efforts to honour and uplift marginalised groups in a culturally and historically significant manner, he added.

"We have allocated Rs 24,000 crore under the PM JANMAN Yojana, focusing on improving the lives of extremely backward tribal communities. After the completion of one year of this flagship scheme, thousands of houses have been provided to tribal families, construction of roads has begun to connect remote tribal villages and potable tap water is being supplied directly to households in tribal areas," PM Modi said.

He announced that the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda would be commemorated over the next year to rectify historical omissions and highlight tribal contributions to India's heritage and independence.

"We have taken such an initiative in a bid to honestly rectify the historic error. After independence, the tribal society was not given the appropriate stake they were entitled to," he said.

The Prime Minister connected tribal society's historical contributions to India's culture and independence.

He referred to their role in shaping Indian traditions, including elevating "Prince Ram into Lord Ram".

Tribal communities were at the forefront of the freedom struggle, as evidenced by movements like Birsa Munda's Ulgulan, the Santhal Rebellion, and the Kol Uprising.

PM Modi criticised the deliberate sidelining of tribal contributions by past governments.

He alleged that the focus on crediting a single party or family for independence overshadowed the efforts of tribal leaders and communities.

"If only one party, only one family has brought independence, then why did Bhagwan Birsa Munda's Ulgulan movement take place, what was the Santhal Revolution, what was the Kol Revolution?" he said.

He added that this "selfish politics" led to the erasure of invaluable tribal history from mainstream narratives.

Prime Minister Modi paid tributes to various tribal leaders and their roles in India's history.

"Who could forget the contributions of Kol and Bhil tribes for their support of Maharana Pratap in his fight for independence? They have supported Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and given them strength in the forests of the Sahyadri Hills. Freedom fighters like Alluri Sitarama Raju, Tilka Manjhi, Sidhu Kanu, Veer Narayan Singh, Rani Durgavati, Jatra Bhagat, Belan Kharia, and others fought against the British across India."

Prime Minister Modi stressed the NDA government's transformational policies for tribal communities.

"Ten years ago there was a budget of less than Rs 25,000 crore. We have allocated fivefold in 10 years, from Rs 25,000 crore to Rs 1.25 lakh crore. We have started Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan under which Rs 80,000 crore is being invested in tribal villages to provide basic facilities, create job opportunities, and promote eco-tourism through initiatives like tribal marketing centres and home-stay programmes," he said.

"The current Union government has established two Central universities for tribal students in the last decade, compared to only one in the previous 65 years. We have established 30 medical colleges and 700 Eklavya schools, apart from many other engineering, polytechnic, and ITI colleges in tribal districts, and focus on higher education in mother tongue to remove language barriers," he added.

PM Modi said that the government established a museum dedicated to Birsa Munda in Ranchi, a monumental step in commemorating tribal history.

"I want to appeal to the students to see the museum in Ranchi. I am pleased to say that today one museum in Chhindwara in the name of Badal Bhoi, Raja Shankar Shah, and Raghunath Shah Museum in Jabalpur was inaugurated today," he added.

"The youths of tribal society have also displayed exemplary works in sports. There is a big contribution of tribal sportspersons in winning medals at the global tournaments," he said.

PM Modi also visited the Haat at Jamui where the tribal people displayed their homemade products.
New Delhi, Nov 16 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that a strong foundation has been laid for the bright future of the Bodo people.

PM Modi inaugurated the 1st Bodoland Mohotsav, a two-day mega event on language, literature, and culture to sustain peace and build a Vibrant Bodo Society.

Addressing the gathering, he greeted all the Sikh brothers and sisters from across the globe on the 555th Prakash Parva of Sri Gurunanak Dev being celebrated on Friday.

He also added that the citizens of India were celebrating the Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, marking the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

He also congratulated the Bodo people from across the country who had come to celebrate a new future of prosperity, culture and peace.

Terming the occasion as an emotional moment for him, PM Modi remarked it was a highly opportune moment as it had ended 50 long years of violence and Bodoland was celebrating its first festival of unity.

Recalling his opportunity to visit Kokrajhar after the 2020 Bodo Peace Accord, PM Modi remarked that the warmth and love showered on him made him feel one amongst the Bodos. He said he was pleased to feel the same warmth and love after four years of his visit.

He recalled his words to the Bodos that there was a new dawn of peace and prosperity in Bodoland, after witnessing the people choosing the path of peace by giving up arms.

He added that it was truly an emotional moment for him. After witnessing the happy people and bright celebrations, the Prime Minister underlined that a strong foundation has been laid for the bright future of the Bodo people.

He remarked that the development undertaken in the last 4 years in Bodoland was extremely important. "Bodoland has witnessed a new wave of development after the peace agreement," exclaimed PM Modi. He added that he felt satisfied to see the benefits of the Bodo Peace Accord and its impact on the lives of Bodos.

He further said that the Bodo Peace Accord had opened new paths for many other agreements.

PM Modi emphasised that more than 10000 youths in Assam alone have given up weapons, and deserted the path of violence to return to the mainstream of development as a result of the accord. He added that it was beyond the imagination of anyone that the Karbi Anglong Accord, the Bru-Reang Accord and the NLFT-Tripura Accord would become a reality someday.

The PM remarked that the mutual trust between the people and the Government was respected by both and now the Central Government and the Assam Government are leaving no stone unturned in the development of Bodoland and its people.
Bengaluru, Nov 16 : Karnataka BJP President and MLA, B.Y. Vijayendra has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has empowered the tribal community by appointing Droupadi Murmu as the country's President.

"Our proud Prime Minister Narendra Modi has empowered the tribal communities by appointing Droupadi Murmu, a respected member of the tribal community, as the President of India," he said on Friday.

Speaking at the celebration of tribal leader Birsa Munda's birth anniversary at the BJP state office, Jagannath Bhavan, in Bengaluru, State BJP President Vijayendra hailed the contributions of Birsa Munda towards the country.

"Born in Ranchi, Birsa Munda is revered for his relentless fight against British colonial rule. Though his lifespan was brief, spanning just 25 years, he emerged as a prominent leader of the tribal community and fearlessly resisted British oppression during his youth," he added.

"The birth anniversary of Birsa Munda is being celebrated nationwide on Friday. This initiative is attributed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision," he said.

To honour and remember a tribal leader of such stature, Birsa Munda's birth anniversary is now recognised across the country, he added.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the BJP is celebrating Birsa Munda's birth anniversary, State BJP President Vijayendra said.

He emphasised that everyone should embrace the ideals of Birsa Munda, fostering a spirit of inclusiveness and bringing together people from all communities and classes.

The event was attended by several top party leaders.

Meanwhile, State BJP President Vijayendra on Friday was felicitated and congratulated by state BJP office bearers on the successful completion of one year in office as the State party President.

The state BJP leadership appreciated State BJP President Vijayendra's leadership and contributions over the past year.

Taking to social media X, the Karnataka BJP unit said, aHearty congratulations to B.Y. Vijayendra for successfully completing one year as the State party President, tirelessly striving day and night to strengthen the party while strongly opposing the 'anti-people' policies of the Congress-led state government."

The event was attended by several prominent BJP leaders, including State General Secretaries P. Rajeev and Preetham Gowda, State Chief Spokesperson C.N. Ashwath Narayan, State Vice-President Malvika Avinash, State Secretary Tammesh Gowda, District President Saptagiri Gowda and Harish, Office Secretary Lokesh Ambekallu, Joint Secretary Vishwanath, and other BJP office bearers and key members.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Kyrgyzstan is ready to support Azerbaijan's initiative to create green energy corridors, the Energy minister of Kyrgyzstan Taalaibek Ibraev said at the COP29 Energy Transition Investment Forum for Central Asia, Trend reports.

We express readiness to support the initiative of the Azerbaijani side to create green energy corridors, develop clean energy storage technologies, develop a common action plan, and strengthen climate finance, the minister said.

Ibraev emphasized that Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan have many years of strong relations, strategic cooperation, and partnership, including cooperation in the energy sector.

Azerbaijan has advanced experience and initiatives in the field of technology and combating climate change. I am confident that the issues discussed at the climate summit will soon bring results and accelerate the transition to green energy, the minister noted.

The opening of COP29 took place on November 11 in Baku's Olympic Stadium and will continue until November 22. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date, and it is the first time the region is held in Azerbaijan.

As part of COP29, the highest-level event, the World Leaders' Summit on Climate Action, was held on November 12-13.

The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance.

In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, creating climate finance will also help fulfill the 1.5C pledge by bringing everyone together.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is based in Bonn.

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Dallas-based Southern Methodist University's Project Poetica and Bridwell Press are establishing a new poetry publishing venture set to debut in 2025, featuring three distinct editorial lines focusing on established poets and collaborative works.

David Caplan, the Daisy Deane Frensley Chair in English Literature at SMU and founding director of Project Poetica, will oversee two of the imprint's lines, while poet and SMU English professor Katie Condon will edit the third.

"Too often, brilliant poets struggle to find a place for their second or third books, or books they wrote with other collaborators," Caplan said. "SMU Project Poetica / Bridwell Press seeks these important works. We want to support poetic careers and broaden the culture's notion of creativity beyond a single author."

Condon's line, which emphasizes works by poets who have previously published at least one collection, will launch in spring 2025 with Luisa Muradyan's I Make Jokes When I'm Devastated, followed by Rebecca Gayle Howell's Erase Genesis in fall 2025.

"This series offers post-emerging poets a well-funded and long-term home," Condon said. "So many publishing opportunities for poets are limited to first and second books, and the contracts for those prizes are often capped at one collection. Consequently, there is a surplus of accomplished and experienced poets who are forced to prize hop from press to press."

One of Caplan's lines will focus on collaborative works, beginning with a two-books-in-one volume featuring Tilt by Denise Duhamel and Maureen Seaton, paired with Beautiful People by Aaron Smith and Seaton, who died in 2023. Another forthcoming collaborative work, Spotted Pony, will feature poems by Leila Chatti, Chen Chen, Tarfia Faizullah, Mag Gabbert, and Carly Joy Miller.

The third line of works, also overseen by Caplan, will focus on creative or scholarly works about poetics.

Bridwell Press is the professional publishing arm of Bridwell Library, part of SMU Libraries and Perkins School of Theology, at Southern Methodist University. The mission of Bridwell Press is to support and publish a broad range of academic and literary titles, including translations, said Anthony Elia, director of Bridwell Library. The press is supported by Fulcrum, the digital publishing platform of Michigan Publishing Services, which handles publication and distribution. Bridwell Press offers all titles online for free, with physical copies sold at cost.

The initiative is part of SMU's broader commitment to poetry, which includes the biennial SMU Symposium on Poetic Form. The second symposium, scheduled for March 1-2, 2026, will feature presentations by Ada Limon, Anahid Nersessian, Ben Lerner, Camille Dungy, Patience Agbabi, and Stephanie Burt, along with editors from Poetry, Pleiades, Paris Review, and Granta.
LMS Jubilee No. 45596 Bahamas is set to visit Blackpool this weekend with a Vintage Trains tour.

The tour will depart from Birmingham New Street at 08:17 with a diesel loco (45596 Bahamas on the rear) and will pass through Coleshill Parkway (08:42) on its way to Nuneaton where the train will reverse after arriving at 09:06.

45596 will lead the train as it departs at 09:10 and will pass through Stafford (09:53), Crewe (10:34), Warrington Bank Quay (11:35), Wigan North Western (11:47), Preston (Lancs) (12:07), Kirkham and Wesham (12:17) and Blackpool North at 12:35.

After time in Blackpool, the train will depart at 17:26 and will return to Birmingham New Street via Kirkham and Wesham (17:43), Preston (17:57), Wigan North Western (18:18), Warrington Bank Quay (18:45), Acton Bridge (19:03), Crewe (19:41), Stafford (20:53), and Nuneaton at 21:43.

Again, the train reverses here and the train will head back to Birmingham diesel hauled via Coleshill Parkway (22:08) and Birmingham New Street at 22:47.

Would you like to know if the train is due to pass through your local station? As a RailAdvent Plus member, you can do just that with our Station News And Tours page!

If you do go out and see the train, why not sign up to LocoStop. This is our free-to-join railway community, and allows you to share your photos from your adventures! Click here to share your railway pictures.

To find full timings for the movement, please click here.

As always, please respect the dangers of the railway. Please do not trespass on the railway to see this train  stay to public access spots.

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Asteroids not only represent a potential threat to humanity, they also offer great opportunities, especially for the future. Current estimates suggest that there are between 700,000 and 1,700,000 asteroids with a diameter of at least 1 kilometer. The majority of these asteroids are located within the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. However, there are also approximately 34,000 known near-Earth asteroids (NEAs)  and around 2,000 to 3,000 more are discovered every year. Some of these can be a threat, others present valuable opportunities.

The media sometimes covers stories about asteroids, such as Psyche, a celestial body with a diameter of 250 kilometers, larger than the area of England. The value of this asteroid has been estimated at up to 700 trillion dollars due to suspected large deposits of precious platinum-group metals (PGMs). However, some scientists have recently raised doubts about these estimates. And of course, these prices could never be achieved if the market were flooded with large quantities of such metals. We will know more in 2029 when NASAs Psyche probe, launched last year, reaches the asteroid with which it shares its name.

The fact is, however, that valuable raw materials such as PGMs are found in much higher concentrations on some asteroids than on Earth. We know from the analysis of meteorites that the concentration of PGMs, at 6 to 230 ppm, can be many times greater than those found in the Earths crust. This is because most asteroids never experienced the differentiation that took place on planets such as the Earth. Differentiation is the process by which heavier materials, such as metals, gravitate towards the core of a celestial body, while lighter materials, such as silicates, form the outer layers.

As soon as you start to discuss the topic of asteroid mining, you quickly realize that there are many common misconceptions. One is the belief that asteroids are too far away, that the distances are too great. However, leading expert John S. Lewis estimates that there are around 3,800 near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) that are more accessible and require less fuel to reach than the moon.

You also often hear that the cost of transporting extracted raw materials is so high that mining them makes no economic sense. Of course, this is partly true, but it misses the point. Experts such as Lewis, who first addressed this topic in his 1997 book Mining the Sky, argue in favor of using the raw materials mined from asteroids in space. For instance, numerous asteroids contain water, which can be harvested and separated into hydrogen and oxygen to serve as rocket fuel. Raw materials from asteroids can also be used to build space stations or large solar panels in space.

Furthermore, thanks to the emergence of private space travel, the cost of transporting materials into space has fallen dramatically, by an estimated 80 percent. This cost reduction is largely due to SpaceX, combined with innovations in reusable rocket technology, a technology that is still relatively immature. And these developments naturally have a significant impact on the profitability of asteroid mining.

Movies like Armageddon, which show Bruce Willis and his team bringing super-heavy drilling machines onto an asteroid, have distorted the way we think about these celestial bodies. In fact, many asteroids are nothing more than flying piles of rubble, the material barely sticking together due to an almost complete lack of gravity. In many cased, crushing rocks with heavy equipment is not even necessary. On the contrary, the real problems lie elsewhere, such as dealing with the challenges of landing on small piles of rubble, or finding a way to securely anchor a spaceship or mining equipment. These tasks are more feasible on larger asteroids. And when mining starts, theres also the problem of materials floating off into space due to the lack of gravity.

But there are solutions for that, too. The cable-cutter bag principle, developed by NASA in the 1990s, aims to efficiently collect material from asteroids. A net or bag is stretched over the asteroid's surface, using cables and cutting devices to enclose and secure rock samples. This method allows for the controlled and safe collection of samples without complex anchoring or drilling mechanisms, which is particularly advantageous in microgravity.

Some people also argue that the legal framework for asteroid mining is inadequate, but this is also only partially true. Yes, the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which has been ratified by 116 nations, does prohibit the ownership of celestial bodies (although the term is not clearly defined and there is debate among legal experts as to whether it includes smaller asteroids). In contrast, the U.S. Commercial Launch Competitiveness Act of 2015 does allow Americans to engage in the commercial exploitation of space resources. Luxembourg has a similar law.

Several companies are currently engaged in the field. One company, AstroForge, is planning to launch a 200kg spacecraft to an asteroid in 2025 to analyze its composition. Other companies, such as Karman+, are pioneering the technique of optical mining, which uses directed sunlight to heat and break down rocks in space. This would allow valuable resources such as water and metals to be extracted from asteroids.

Asteroid mining is still in its infancy, but has the potential to become a major industry over the next few decades, especially as it is far too expensive to transport large quantities of propellants and other materials into space, even as costs continue to plummet. On-site production therefore makes much more sense.

This is the abbreviated version of a speech given at the 8th Raw Materials Congress of the Federation of German Industries on November 11, 2024 in Berlin.
Disney/Christopher Willard

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 11/14/2024



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

couple Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple are heading to New York City after their engagement finally aired on TV and they've gone public with their relationship.After Joan and Chock's beautiful engagement in Bora Bora aired on 's November 13 finale, the couple revealed to Us Weekly that they're going to start looking for a place together in New York City later this week."This first year, obviously, we have to kind of figure out life. Chock has a business in Kansas. I have kids and grandkids and Maryland. I'm not leaving Maryland, but he does have obligations in Kansas," Joan explained to Us."We know that we're going to spend time in Maryland and in Kansas, but then we have this really fun plan because both of us have always dreamed -- and we're finally at this weird stage in life for making this dream come true -- that we live in a big city, and, specifically, we've always wanted to live in New York."Joan added, "So Chock surprised me and said, 'I want us to go find a place.'"Joan and Chock are therefore excited to start apartment hunting and taking on new adventures together."We both love the energy in the city and love that there's always something to do," Joan shared."We just want to go out and walk and experience life -- go to fun restaurants and [experience the] culture. We both have friends there. We're going to be there during the holidays, which is the best time ever in New York City."Joan gushed about how their new life in NYC will be "really different" from anything they've ever experienced.Joan also pointed out how Chock's two kids -- Taylor, 25, and Tyler, 23, whom he shares with his ex-wife, Heather -- also live on the East Coast."That makes the decision maybe a little bit easier. And I don't think I'd ever thought I would say this, but I'm excited to go and spend time in Kansas [too]!" Joan gushed of the insurance executive's native state."He has a great life there and he has great friends, and I am dying to go and just hang out with them. He's out, like, every night of the week, and I can hear the hubbub in the background of all his friends, you know, having a good time. So I'm excited to go to Kansas."Chock told the magazine that given Joan's four kids -- Nick, 34, Erica, 33, Allison, 30, and Luke, 28 -- are in Maryland, he'd "never" ask his new fiancee to permanently move too far away from them.Joan also has three grandchildren whom she loves spending time with in Maryland."We're going to navigate it. We're willing to spend time at each person's hometown," Chock explained."We're going to spend a lot of time in New York City. We're going to get on with our lives."But before Joan and Chock head to the Big Apple, they're going to celebrate their engagement with family and friends.Joan and Chock will be the guests of honor at a huge engagement party in Los Angeles, CA, before they travel to the East Coast."It's going to be bigger than most weddings," Chock boasted of the big bash."We've got friends coming in from around the country, and it's kind of our coming-out party as a couple. We're extremely excited about that."When Joan was down to two bachelors on , Chock and Nevada-based ER doctor Guy Gansert , Chock met Joan's family and then gifted her a red-heart keychain to symbolize his commitment to her and desire to live with her in New York City.Joan was overwhelmed with emotion because Chock -- who also said, "I love you," to Joan at that point -- was willing to make one of her dreams come true.The next morning, Joan determined that she was also "in love" with Chock and so it would be best to send Guy home immediately.Joan therefore ousted Guy before he even had the chance to meet her children.When Joan and Chock reunited at the Final Rose Ceremony in Bora Bora, Joan expressed her love to Chock for the first time, and then he got down on one knee and proposed marriage."I've only been in love with one person -- more than one now. I love Chock and I want to spend the rest of my life with him," Joan told cameras.Joan and Chock still seemed happy and crazy about each other on the live After the Final Rose special.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. I would like to express my gratitude to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for its decision to allocate a $225,000 grant to support consulting services for the Green Corridor project, including the preparation of a feasibility study and assistance in launching a joint venture, said Azerbaijan's Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov during the Ministerial Dialogue on Promoting Energy Transition Based on Renewable Energy Sources in Central Asia, Trend reports.

Just two days ago, an intergovernmental agreement on strategic partnership in the field of development and transmission of green energy between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan was signed at the highest level within COP29, he said.

The minister noted that a document was also signed to consolidate the role of Saudi Arabia as a key partner in this trilateral project. This development is an important strategic step that will give significant impetus to international energy cooperation and environmental investments to transform the region into a single geo-economic space with a focus on building and strengthening strategic partnerships between countries.

Great importance is attached to enhancing cooperation in the field of renewable energy. This agreement, which testifies to brotherly, friendly, and strategic ties between Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, lays a solid foundation for creating a green energy corridor, developing integrated electricity markets in the region, and promoting renewable energy exports to other regions, Shahbazov emphasized.

According to him, the signing of a shareholder agreement by the national energy companies and the establishment of a joint venture will be the key stages for the successful implementation of the project. Currently, after the establishment of the joint venture, it is planned to start work on a feasibility study of the integration of energy systems of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. The consulting company CESI has been involved in the project.

I would also like to add that this project is not really limited to Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. Other Central Asian countries, especially Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan with their vast hydro resources, may join this project in the future, and they will certainly add value to it with their hydro resources that will be used to balance variable renewable energy sources, he added.

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Samsung is losing the race in Indias premium smartphone market as rival Apple continues to increase its dominance in the segment, driven by robust iPhone sales and festival season discounts.

Photograph: Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters

Shortly after Apple CEO Tim Cook announced an all-time revenue record in India yet again for the September quarter, the company recorded its best-ever quarter of shipments at four million units in the third quarter of calendar year 2024 (Q3CY24), led by the iPhone 15 and iPhone 13, according to a report by the International Data Corporation (IDC).

Driven by sales of devices such as the iPhone 15 and iPhone 13, the premium smartphone segment (between $600-$800)  where Apple operates  registered the highest growth of 86 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y), bringing the overall share in this category to four per cent, up from 2 per cent a year ago.

Apples share in the segment increased to 71 per cent, while Samsungs dropped to 19 per cent from 30 per cent in the year-ago period.

The iPhone maker also emerged as the second-largest player in the online channel, with iPhone 15 and iPhone 13 as the highest-shipped devices, the report added.

While Apple has increased its focus on its new iPhone models in Indias price-sensitive market, it is seeing older iPhones do well.

During the festival season sales, the iPhone 15 was selling at around Rs 55,000 and the iPhone 13 was at around Rs 45,000.

"During the whole year, two-thirds of Apples overall sales usually come from older generations, said Navkendar Singh, Associate Vice President, Devices Research, IDC.

Meanwhile, the broader smartphone market grew for the fifth consecutive quarter at 5.6 per cent Y-o-Y to reach 46 million units.

Despite retaining its position as the sixth largest player by volume in Q3, Apples market share increased to 8.6 per cent during the quarter from 5.7 per cent a year ago.

At the same time, Samsungs share has fallen from 16.2 per cent in Q3 CY2023 to 12.3 per cent this year, the report showed.

This has, in turn, further widened the gap between the value share of Apple and Samsung, which stood at 28.7 per cent and 15.2 per cent, respectively.

The year 2024 has been difficult for Samsung.

After being a market leader for the past few years, the South Korean phone maker slipped to the third spot in terms of volume in the September quarter, behind Chinese brands Vivo and Oppo.

According to reports, the company also planned to lay off as many as 200 executives in the Indian business across functions due to slowing business growth and poor consumer demand.

Samsung got some of its pricing wrong in the first half of the year.

"We do expect a bounce back but it will be very difficult for Samsung to grow this year compared to last year, Singh added.

Apples rapid ascent in the premium smartphone market is reportedly now also rekindling the debate of Android vs iOS.

iPhone users in India claim to prefer Apples consistency in user interface (UI) across its products, which tends to differ when it comes to premium Android devices, say analysts.
'We have given riot-free Maharashtra in our 18-month rule.'

Rediff.com at his home in Baramati. Photograph: Hitesh Harisinghani/ Rediff.com IMAGE: Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar speaks toat his home in Baramati.

In the first part of his interview, Nationalist Congress Party leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar spoke of how the Mahayuti comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiv Sena and his NCP plans to reverse the electoral rout in the Lok Sabha elections.

In the second and final part of his interview to Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com, Ajit Pawar says, "Any communal tension arises in the state our government always intervenes to stop it."

Don't you feel your party has not got a good share of seats as you are contesting only 59 seats vis a vis the BJP which is contesting 149 seats out of 288?

I decided on 59 seats and my party is okay with it.

Our Mahayuti alliance target is all 288 seats of Maharashtra.

What is the reason you chose the pink colour for your party?

This was decided by our parliamentary board and not my decision alone.

The NCP versus NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) contest is on in 38 seats. Now, speculation is that between the two factions the NCP has already won 38 seats and after elections both NCP factions will come together.

Let people speculate on what they want to speculate, it is their right to do so. I don't need to comment on such speculation.

Our target is 175-plus seats out of 288 for the Mahayuti for which we are all working together to ensure success.

Some 17 big projects that were to come to Maharashtra were sent to Gujarat resulting in loss of employment in the state. This is one of the narratives that is being portrayed by the Opposition parties.

Again, this is a fake narrative. No project is going out of Maharashtra.

Take, for example, the Vadhavan port investment in Maharashtra. It is a Rs 75,000 crore (Rs 750 billion) investment project that has come to the state. We got such huge projects approved.

It was only recently that Amitbhai (Home Minister Amit A Shah) told me that Maharashtra got Rs 10 lakh crore worth of investment in Maharashtra during our rule.

There are national highways being built; work is going on in the railways... Vande Bharat trains, bullet trains, airports and seaports. The central government has invested Rs 1 lakh crore in the state.

Is that the narrative on the ground too?

Yes, we are telling people about Jindal and Kirloskar projects investing in Maharashtra. Even in Gadchiroli (the Naxalite infested district) projects are being started.

General Motors had shut down its operation in Talegaon; now Hyundai has taken over that project.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is called gaddar by Shiv Sainiks from the Uddhav Thackeray faction. But in your case there is decency maintained that even though you parted ways with your uncle Sharad Pawar.

No one makes any allegation against you, and you have friendly ties with him at family gatherings.

How do you maintain such cordial relations by keeping politics out?

We do what we do (in life). This is the internal matter of our family and I don't think I owe any explanation to anyone on this matter.

Sharad Pawar says that ideologically he cannot go with the BJP so after you joined them what does secularism mean to you? The Muslim community fears the worst if the Mahayuti comes back to power.

We have been in government for the last 18 months, koi takleef hui (did Muslims face any problem)? The answer is no.

IMAGE: Ajit Pawar addresses a public meeting for the state assembly elections at Medad village in Pune, November 13, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The maximum help the Muslim community got was in our government in the last 18 months. We have allocated Rs 1,000 crore (Rs 10 billion) to the minority department for development.

Another Rs 1,000 crore was given to the Maulana Azad Corporation. The loan guarantee that the government used to take for the Maulana Azad Corporation was raised from Rs 50 crore (Rs 500 million) to Rs 500 crore (Rs 5 billion).

We raised madrasa (teachers) salary from Rs 6,000 to Rs 16,000 per month. The ones earning Rs 8,000 got Rs 18,000.

For education a minority student used to get Rs 500,000, this was raised to Rs 20 lakhs (Rs 2 million). The brilliant scholar minority students numbering 75 every year are getting Rs 40 lakhs (Rs 4 million) per year from the Maharashtra government.

In the Laadki Bahin scheme there are 2.30 crore (23 million) women out of which many are from the minority community too.

We never discriminated against minorities in the welfare scheme as we work on the principles of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and Shahu Maharaj.

I said these words in front of Prime Minister Modi in my speech.

Is it not contradictory to what the BJP's 'Batenge toh katenge' politics which is divisive and communal?

Watch the answer in the video below

Video: Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff.com

Ek minute. Aisa kuch hone diya kya (did we allow anything to happen)?

Any communal tension arises in the state our government always intervenes to stop it. It is not me alone, but even Eknath Shindeji ensures that no communal trouble takes place in the state and so do my other colleagues.

You mean you have had a riot-free Maharashtra in the last 18 months.

Yes, we have given a riot-free Maharashtra in our 18-month rule.

There was an incident in Vishalgarh. I reached the spot immediately the next day. From the government side we gave Rs 50,000 to the victims. Our party also contributed Rs 50,000 to the victims. And whatever losses the riot victims suffered, we asked for a panchnama and also gave crores of rupees in cheques to compensate.

We proved in our rule that law and order must be good in Maharashtra, and we have done it.

What does the word 'secular' mean to Ajit Pawar?

Watch the video below to know more!

For me secular means people of all castes (and religions) in the state must live in brotherhood and amity.

They must respect everybody's sentiments and not develop 'the other' kind of feeling for any person belonging to any caste or creed.

Nobody must try to disturb law and order, and if you follow the rules then you are a secular person by definition.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. As part of COP29 in Baku, Trend News Agency proudly presents COP for Hope, a special project offering an unparalleled platform to hear from world leaders and trailblazers in politics, economics, science, and ecology, all united by a shared commitment to addressing todays pressing climate challenges.

Today, we are honored to speak with Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of Uzbekistan, Aziz Abdukhakimov.

In an exclusive interview with Trend, Abdukhakimov pointed out that on the sidelines of COP29, the Uzbekistan delegation is actively negotiating with partners, including Azerbaijani colleagues.

"Participation of such a significant number of representatives, including major financial institutions and organizations, provides an opportunity for all those present here to achieve their goals in the fight against climate change," he said.

Amid these discussions, an agreement was signed to implement the project "From Glaciers to Farmers" aimed at sustainable agriculture, water resource management, and pasture management. This project is particularly relevant for Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and other Central Asian countries. The minister emphasized that participation in this project opens up opportunities for knowledge exchange and the implementation of new technologies.

"One important aspect of cooperation is the development of environmental education. We recently held an 'ecocamp', which also involved children from Azerbaijan. We hope that our Azerbaijani friends will also participate in the 'green university' projectthe Central Asian University for Environmental Studies and Climate Change. Uzbekistan has allocated grants and scholarships for students from Azerbaijan, expecting the participation of their Azerbaijani partners in this educational project," he noted.

The minister also spoke about Uzbekistan's 'green' university.

"We want to invite our colleagues, climate change and environmental protection experts from Azerbaijan, as well as those involved in the development of environmental pollution monitoring systems, to our climate residence, which has been established at our 'green' university. Scientists from various countries will be able to exchange knowledge and experiences there, conduct joint experiments, and develop common approaches to solving our environmental problems," Abdukhakimov added.

The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) opened on November 11. COP29, which is being held at the Baku Olympic Stadium, will continue until November 22. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

The key expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance.

A total of 14 initiatives have been put forward by the COP29 Chairmanship.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
'Crores of rupees have been spent on paper but nothing has actually happened on the ground.'

Photographs and video: Prasanna D Zore/ Rediff.com IMAGE: A resident of Sant Dnyaneshwar Nagar in Thane's Kopri Pachpakkhadi area applies tilak on Kedar Dighe's forehead.

In Thane's Kopri Pachpakhadi, a consituency Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has won in 2009, 2014 and 2019, as part of the undivided Shiv Sena, and which he is contesting again in 2024, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) has pitted Shinde's mentor Anand Dighe's nephew Kedar Dighe as his opponent.

Considered as a masterstroke by insiders from Thackeray's Shiv Sena, they believe, this move will not only neutralise Shinde's claim to Anand Dighe's legacy, but will also shift a huge voter base of Shinde, who voted him because they considered him as Dighe's mentee and torchbearer of his legacy, vote for the nephew in the 2024 assembly election and might even upset Shinde's applecart.

Kedar Dighe, 44, takes a swipe at Eknath Shinde when he says that unlike his opponent he likes to have a direct conversation with people to understand their genuine issues.

"I don't believe in rath yatras; I believe in padyatras. I would rather meet people at their doorsteps and understand their genuine issues rather than just waving at them from some rath," Dighe tells Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com taking a swipe at Shinde's rath yatra in this constituency on the evening of November 10.

Ask him if he is locked in a neck-and-neck fight with the chief minister and does he fancy a chance to get elected from this constituency, Dighe says, "You did not get a tough contestant to fight since 2009. Also, you won three times on the groundswell of support from people who worship Anand Dighe saheb and Balasaheb Thackeray till today. This time you are on your own."

Anand Dighe was a Shiv Sena strongman from Thane district who died on August 26, 2001.

What are the main issues concerning the people of Kopri Pachpakhadi from where you are contesting as an Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) candidate against Chief Minister Eknath Shinde of the Shiv Sena?

IMAGE: Kedar Dighe meets a family at Sant Dnyaneshwar Nagar.

If you see carefully then for the last five years there has been no development on a concrete basis. Every time people get to hear only false promises. He (Eknath Shinde) sells only false dreams and promises to the voters of this constituency.

The major issue here relates to the dumping ground. The people who won from here did not think carefully about the amount of problem that people here will face because on somebody's whims the dumping ground was made within the city limits.

The place where I am campaigning right now (Sant Dnyaneshwar Nagar), people are complaining to me about drainage issues; we are getting every such issue photographed and videographed. They say that they have cleaned the drainage but now we are gathering the proof and even you can see the condition of drainage and sewers in this neighbourhood.

Crores of rupees have been spent on paper but nothing has actually happened on the ground. Where has the money gone then? Whose coffers did it go to?

This government is literally throwing all that taxpayers' money down the drain. Only the leaders belonging to the ruling party and this government are gaining at the expense of the taxpayers of this city (Thane) and state.

You have been pitted against Shinde who has been elected from this constituency, ever since it was formed in 2009. How do you plan to win this constituency?

If the people want to change their lives for good, if they want to wake up from their dreams and see the reality on the ground, if they see the development they have got in the last 15 years, they will realise their mistake. Precious years of their lives have been lost to false promises.

I would like the people of my constituency to think about their future and vote when they do so on November 20.

If they want their children, their families to live in an environment of better hygiene, better amenities, better health facilities for their sons and daughters then all the honest tax-paying people of this constituency will vote for change.

When I meet people they tell me that they have realised their mistake and will make amends this November 20.

(At this moment, a lady comes to Kedar Dighe and complains to him how she is not getting the benefit of government schemes and asks Dighe to help her fill some forms; Dighe asks her to meet his co-workers at a SS (UBT) shakha).

Did you ask this lady if she was one of the beneficiaries of the Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana?

IMAGE: The lady who complained to Dighe about not receiving the benefits of government schemes.

If you are giving them money then you are making them dependent. I would rather make them self-sufficient by making provisions for better job opportunities so that they can handle their expenses themselves.

You are not helping them set up businesses, you are not helping them gain job-oriented skills, youth who have got good skills are also not getting jobs here. All the industries that could provide large-scale employment have been moved away surreptitiously from Maharashtra to Gujarat.

If you were so concerned about providing Rs 1,500 to my dear sisters and mothers in this state, then what kept you waiting for three years? Why have you announced this scheme just a couple of months before the assembly election?

And now after doling out Rs 1,500 per month for the last three-four months you are blackmailing my mothers and sisters to vote for them or else... you are blackmailing them through speeches that they should not attend rallies and public meetings of MVA leaders. This is not just foolish but absolutely humiliating to the women of Maharashtra.

Use as much blackmailing and arm-twisting as possible today but don't forget that the MVA is coming to power on November 23 and when we come to power in Maharashtra, our mothers and sisters can rest assured that they will not only get Rs 5,000 every month (one of the major point in the Maha Vikas Aghadi manifesto) but opportunities that will help them skill up, schemes that will help them start their own businesses so that they become self-sufficient.

Ladki Bahin Yojana, cancelling toll payments at toll nakas is just plain nautanki (dramatics) to mislead voters. If you were so serious, why didn't you do all this when you came to power (in July 2022)?

Because of such brainless schemes Maharashtra is further plunging into debt and as of today we have a debt of Rs 8 lakh crore and this money, let me assure you, will be collected from the pockets of ordinary citizens and tax payers of Maharashtra.

The Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray has from the day Eknath Shinde rebelled in June 2022 and formed a government with the BJP has labelled him and the all those who joined him as gaddar (traitor).

Has that label stuck on him in this constituency? Are you also raising this issue when you meet voters? What if this narrative by SS (UBT) proves counter-productive?

It is not the Shiv Sena (UBT) or Kedar Dighe who believe that Eknath Shinde is gaddar. It is the people of this state, people of Thane that believe so.

When he (Eknath Shinde) says that he always follows Dighe saheb (the late Anand Dighe, a fountainhead of a figure in Thane and Palghar district according to Shiv Sena workers cutting across the two Senas; Kedar Dighe is the son of Prakash Dighe, Anand Dighe's brother) he is hoodwinking people.

Dighe saheb would have never betrayed Shiv Sena and joined hands with the BJP to form a government by backstabbing the Shiv Sena, Balasaheb Thackeray and Uddhavji.

If you want to follow your guru (Eknath Shinde takes great pride in calling himself a protege of Anand Dighe and of carrying forward his legacy claiming he is the real heir to Dighe's legacy in Thane), then also follow his principles, his ethics and ideals.

These guys (the Shiv Sena MLAs who rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray) have never done that; in fact, they killed all the values that (the late Anand) Dighe saheb espoused.

The people of Thane will teach the gaddars a lesson they would never forget for killing Dighe saheb's values, ethics and principles by joining hands with the BJP and backstabbing Uddhav Thackeray.

Are you telling this to the people who you meet asking them to vote for you? Are you asking people to vote for you on this issue?

Kedar Dighe is not saying this. It is the people of Thane who tell me this when I visit their homes. They show me a photograph of Dighe saheb and start sobbing telling me stories of how Dighe saheb had helped them when he was alive. They tell me that Eknath Shinde compromised on the ideals and principles of Dighe saheb.

Go to any corner of Maharashtra, people will tell you exactly what they have been telling me. Though he has been in power for the last two-and-a-half years what has he done for the people, for Dighe saheb?

Will it be a neck-and-neck fight between you and Chief Minister Shinde?

IMAGE: Kedar Dighe is banking on his relationship with Thane's late Shiv Sena stalwart Anand Dighe.

Interestingly, Dighe is standing outside a shakha that owes allegiance to Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena where he met Shinde supporters.

Because the model code of conduct is in effect, Shinde's photograph, blocked behind Bal Thackeray's and Anand Dighe's placards, was covered with white cloth.

"Our parents are the same; we are like brothers and sisters caught in some family feud," quips one Shinde supporter when asked about this bonhomie.

He keeps tom-tomming that he is carrying forward the legacy of Dighe saheb. Mine is a blood relation with Dighe saheb.

I don't have to secretly finance two propaganda films to establish my relationship or bonding with Dighe saheb. Through Dharmaveer I and Dharmaveer II, he is trying to convince the people who vote for him that whatever he did (the rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray) was to save Dighe saheb's legacy.

People know that he (Eknath Shinde) did that with an ulterior intention. Honestly, he has miserably failed; people are not so foolish; they are educated; they know who has done what to gain power by hook or by crook and the people of Thane will prove that on November 20.

Do you make an attempt to drive this sentiment across to the people who you meet during your door-to-door visits?

People are more occupied with the problems they face in their routine lives. They strive for making their lives and their families' lives better. I don't want to bother them with these emotive issues. They do express their deep sense of betrayal but I try to focus on exposing whatever has not been done in this constituency for the last 15 years.

I talk about better, higher education for the children of mothers and fathers I meet; I talk about providing schemes that would offer them cleaner air and better health and health facilities when they need it the most. I talk to them how I can help them solve the issue of traffic jams on roads. I tell them that you have elected someone who has failed to meet these genuine public aspirations.

You talk abouts cluster redevelopment by asking people to leave their existing houses and move outside the city limits till their homes are rebuilt. Why are you asking them to relocate to place far from their existing homes? What is your intention?

People are not moving out because they don't have any confidence in the false promises of this man.

I have a suggestion to all those political leaders encouraging such cluster redevelopment: Leave your 10,000 sq ft palatial bungalows and move to 250 sq ft tenements; stay with the people who you are trying to relocate using your cunning and guile till the time they get possession of their redeveloped homes.

Trust me. If you do this the people will start trusting you.

You did not get a tough contestant to fight since 2009. Also, you won three times on the groundswell of support from people who worship Anand Dighe saheb and Balasaheb Thackeray till today. This time you are on your own.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's clarion call for unity among Hindus with the slogan 'Katenge to Batenge' has saprked a divide with the Maha Yuti Alliance in Maharashtra.

IMAGE: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde with State Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar during an election rally on November 10, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

Nationalist Congress Party Chief and Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has publically spoken against this slogan while his compatriot Devendr Fadnavis has defended it.

Fadnavis said that it will take time for Ajit Pawar to understand the public's mood as had stayed with anti-Hindu idealogies for a long time.

"For decades, Ajit Pawar has stayed with such ideologies which are secular and anti-Hindu. There is no real secularism amongst those who call themselves as secularists. He has stayed with people for whom opposing Hindutva is secularism. There is no real secularism among those who call themselves secular," Fadnavis told ANI.

"It will take some time for him to understand the mood of the public. These people either did not understand the sentiments of the public or did not understand the statement or they probably wanted to say something else," he added.

Fadnavis said that there was nothing wrong with the slogan given by Yogi Adityanath and stated that it had been the history of the country.

"I don't see anything wrong in Yogi ji's slogans. Look at the history of this country. Jab Jab bate hai tab gulam bane hai. Whenever this country was divided into castes, states, divided into communities society we became slaves. The country was also divided, and so were the people. That's why if we divide, we will be cut. This is the history of this country," Fadnavis said in an interview with ANI.

"And I don't understand that if someone says don't divide, then what is the point of objecting to this?" he added.

Ajit Pawar had said the people of Maharashtra do not appreciate remarks like "batenge to katenge".

"Maharashtra belongs to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj and Mahatma Phule. You do not compare Maharashtra with other states, Maharashtra's people do not like this," Pawar told reporters in Pune when asked about Adityanath's remarks.

The slogan has also been widely condemned by the opposition leaders, claiming communal overtones in it.
Students called off their five-day stir on Friday, a day after the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) agreed to their demand that the Provincial Civil Services Preliminary (PSC) examination should be held on a single day.

IMAGE: A Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) aspirant studies on a road during a protest over the decision of the commission to hold RO-ARO and PCS preliminary exams on the same date, in Prayagraj on Thursday. Photograph: ANI Photo

The UPPSC also announced on Thursday that it will form a committee on Review Officer (RO) and Assistant RO (ARO) exams to ensure transparency and fairness.

The students had been agitating since November 11 to demand that the PSC and, RO and ARO preliminary exams be held on one single day.

The UPPSC on Friday announced that the Provincial Civil Services (PCS) Preliminary Exam-2024 will be held on December 22 in two shifts.

Giving this information, UPPSC Secretary Ashok Kumar said earlier the PCS Preliminary Examination was proposed for December 7 and December 8.

Now it will be conducted on December 22 in two sessions -- in the first session from 9.30 am to 11.30 am and in the second session from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm.

Agreeing to the demands of aspirants after protests, the UPPSC on Thursday postponed the RO and ARO exams, and announced that it will hold the PCS Preliminary Exam-2024 on the old pattern on a single day.

Despite the announcements, 10-15 people are still sitting on dharna in front of the UPPSC office. The police said they will find out who these people are.

ACP (Civil Lines) Shyamjeet Singh said student leader Pankaj Pandey has formally announced the end of the agitation. But some people are still sitting in front of the Commission.

Pandey said, "The government has accepted one demand and 90 per cent of our work has been done in the second demand. That will happen when the committee report comes."

"We will consider it after the report comes. Today we ended the protest and vacated the protest site," he said.

The protesters' leader said they have told all the students to go home and study. Now no student will stay here, he added.

"The date of PCS pre-examination has been announced and we hope that whatever date is announced for RO and ARO exams, it will also be held like PCS... Now whoever is staying here, he has stayed personally to protest in his own way," Pandey said.

The students began protesting in front of the UPPSC gate after the Commission announced December 7 and 8 for the PCS preliminary exam and December 22 and 23 for the RO and ARO preliminary exams.

They demanded that the exams be held on a single day.

Since November 11, a large number of students have been agitating and demanding that the PCS, and RO and ARO preliminary examinations should be held on a single day.

Kumar told PTI, "Looking at the number of candidates in the RO-ARO exam, we have formed a committee which will submit its report as soon as possible. A decision will be taken accordingly."

"These students have been told that the exam has been postponed. They should have at least some patience," he said.

The UPPSC secretary further said the government listened to the aspirants and agreed to their demands by forming a committee.

"They should have patience till the committee's report comes. It is a big thing that despite preparations, we are not conducting the RO-ARO exam (on the scheduled day)," Kumar said.

While the announcement of conducting the PCS preliminary exam on a single day brought happiness to some candidates, those preparing for the RO and ARO exams appeared a bit disappointed.

Meanwhile, after the decision of the UPPSC to conduct the PCS preliminary exam on a single day, the number of students agitating in front of the UPPSC office in Prayagraj decreased considerably on Friday.

A student, Shiv Kumar Maurya, said only hundreds of students have gathered in front of the commission since Friday morning whereas till Thursday, this number was more than 10,000.

Due to the decrease in the number of protesters, a road in front of the UPPSC office has been opened for the movement of people.

Ganesh Dwivedi, a student preparing for PCS examination, said the government has taken a very good decision to conduct the PCS examination on one day, which has made the students preparing for the PCS examination very happy.

Mayank Jain said he hopes the government will soon take a decision on the RO and ARO examinations as well. The students are sitting on a dharna in this hope. If a decision is not taken on this during the agitation, then it will be put on hold, he added.

Deepak Singh said the decision to conduct the PCS examination on one day has been taken at the right time. It will secure the future of the students and they will feel assured in preparing for the examination.

Another student, Devendra Prajapati, said, "We have full faith in the Chief Minister (Yogi Adityanath). He will direct the Commission to take a decision on RO-ARO as well soon, so that the students preparing for this examination can prepare peacefully."
A fire broke out in the basement of the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) underground metro station in Mumbai on Friday afternoon, prompting the authorities to suspend the train services there, officials said.

Image is used for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

No injuries were reported in the blaze that erupted around 1.10 pm. It was confined to wooden sheets, furniture and construction material at a depth of 40-50 feet of the station located in Bandra East, causing heavy smoke in the area, they said.

"There is no report of injury to anyone," a civic official said.

Eight fire engines and other fire brigade vehicles were rushed to the spot and the fire was covered from all sides, he said.

Apart from the personnel of the Mumbai fire brigade, those belonging to the Mumbai police force, Adani Power, 108 Ambulance, Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC), Public Works Department (PWD) and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) local administrative ward, gathered at the spot for the firefighting operation.

Senior officials of the Mumbai fire brigade are also at the spot with a quick response vehicle, he added.

The BKC metro station is part of the 12.69 km-long Phase 1 of the MMRC's Mumbai Metro Line-3 (Aqua Line) connecting BKC and Aarey JVLR. This line was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month.

The MMRC did not issue an official statement about the incident yet, but in a post on its X handle, it said passenger services at BKC station were temporarily closed due to the fire that broke outside the A4 entry-exit.

"Notice: Passenger services at BKC station are temporarily closed due to a fire outside Entry/Exit A4, which caused smoke to enter the station. Fire Brigade is on the job," the post stated.

It also said that for passenger safety, the authorities have paused services and senior officers of the MMRC and DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation) are at the site. It also appealed to passengers to proceed to the Bandra Colony station for alternative boarding.

On October 21, a fire had broken out on the ground floor of the Mandai metro station in Pune city past midnight, in which nobody was injured.
Sri Lanka's National People's Power of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Friday swept the parliamentary elections by winning a two-thirds majority, and also dominating the Jaffna electoral district -- the heartland of the nation's Tamil minority.

IMAGE: Sri Lanka's President and National People's Power (NPP) party leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake gestures as he leaves after casting his vote on the day of the parliamentary election in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on November 14, 2024. Photograph: Thilina Kaluthotage/Reuters

The NPP coalition, which contested under the Malimawa (compass) symbol, secured 159 out of the 225 seats in the parliament, according to the latest results on the election commission website.

The NPP received over 6.8 million or 61 per cent of the votes counted, taking a commanding lead over its rivals.

Sri Lanka's Samagi Jana Balawegaya headed by Sajith Premadasa was a distant second with 40 seats. Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi got 8 seats, New Democratic Front 5, and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress 3 each.

Thursday's poll saw the lowest turnout since 2010.

Dissanayake had announced the snap polls shortly after his election as president in September.

The new parliament is now set to meet next week.

The left-leaning president's alliance made history in the Jaffna electoral district as it trounced traditional Tamil nationalist parties in the cultural capital of the community.

This is the first time that a predominantly Sinhala party from the country's south has notched this achievement. Previously, the United National Party had won a solitary seat in the district.

The NPP won more than 80,000 votes in the district, outperforming Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) which got a little over 63,000 votes in the final count.

Accordingly, three seats in the district went to Dissanayake's party.

The ITAK, All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC), and Independent Group 17 won one seat each.

The result in this northern district resonates with the new president's pre-election claim that his party has been accepted as a truly national party by all communities.

"The era of dividing and setting one community against the other has ended as people are embracing the NPP," he had said.

The NPP under its original Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) avatar had violently opposed any attempt at power-sharing -- a key Tamil demand during the armed separatist campaign of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Sri Lanka went to polls as it emerged from economic crises.
A 'mazar' within the walls of a famous residential school in Dehradun was razed following protests by right-wing Hindu outfits.

Photograph: The Doon School on Facebook

The structure stood inside The Doon School which has among its alumni several celebrities and political leaders including former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, his son Rahul Gandhi, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Karan Singh, Naveen Patnaik besides celebrated authors like Amitav Ghosh and Vikram Seth.

It is the most famous British-era private boarding school for boys in Dehradun.

Purported videos of a group of four to five men demolishing the shrine using pick axes and hammers have gone viral on social media.

The incident took place a couple of days ago, Dehradun District Magistrate Savin Bansal told PTI on Friday.

"We did not issue any orders for its demolition. However, we did send a team including the SDM to the place to verify the facts related to the mazar and ensure that law and order are maintained," Bansal said.

He said that he had sought a report on the incident from his team.

Hindu outfit leader Swami Darshan Bharti said he had met Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and the authorities here recently requesting them to demolish the mazar within the boundaries of the school.

"Whoever may have done it, I welcome the demolition. Why should there be a mazar within a school? That too inside the walls of a prestigious school like The Doon School... It shows the extent of land jihad in the state," Bharti, who is the founder of Uttarakhand Raksha Abhiyan, told PTI.

According to sources, the mazar was old and had been recently renovated by the school authorities.

The chief minister launched a crackdown against illegal encroachments on government land in 2022. Encroachments on 5,000 acres of government land have so far been removed as part of the drive, officials said.

Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand Waqf Board claimed that the part of the school on which the mazar stood used to be their property at one time.

"According to our records, 57 acres of land in the said area belonged to us but its current status is not known," a Waqf Board official said on condition of anonymity.

The Waqf Board still owns a large portion of land adjacent to the school, he said.

When contacted, Uttarakhand Waqf Board Chairman Shadab Shams said he was aware of the demolition of the mazar inside the school.

Asked if the land belongs to the Waqf Board, he said only a detailed investigation by the administration can ascertain that.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was stranded in Jharkhand's Deoghar airport for nearly two hours on Friday after his special Indian Air Force aircraft developed a snag, flew back to Delhi in another plane, officials said.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi being welcomed by artists in a traditional way during his visit to the Tribal Haat, in Jamui on Friday. Photograph: ANI Photo

Modi was supposed to return to New Delhi on the IAF plane after addressing a rally in Bihar's Jamui, around 80 km from Deoghar, they said.

The PM visited Jamui to attend a function marking the 150th birth anniversary of tribal leader Birsa Munda, celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.

"PM Modi left for Delhi from Deoghar in another special aircraft after his IAF plane developed a technical snag. The aircraft could not be rectified on time. PM had to wait for more than two hours," Deoghar Deputy Commissioner Vishal Sagar told PTI.

While Modi waited for the issue to be resolved, the region's airspace was declared a 'no-flying zone'.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was also caught in a similar situation in Godda, Jharkhand.

Gandhi's helicopter, which was supposed to take him back after addressing an election rally, was grounded for about two hours, prompting allegations from the Congress that the delay was politically motivated.

"Our leader Rahul Gandhi's helicopter was not allowed to take off for about two hours, posing a grave threat to his life. This was a security lapse at the behest of the Centre," state minister Deepika Pandey Singh alleged.
Election fever has reached its peak in Baramati in the last phase of the campaign for the Maharashtra assembly polls with the rival Nationalist Congress Party factions led by Ajit Pawar and his uncle Sharad Pawar leaving no stone unturned.

IMAGE: Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP chief Ajit Pawar addresses a public meeting for the state Assembly elections, at Baramati in Pune on Wednesday. Photograph: ANI Photo

As November 20, the polling day, draws near, family members on both sides of the divide are reaching out to voters.

After the Lok Sabha elections, the constituency is once again witnessing a high-profile contest within the Pawar family with the Sharad Pawar-led party fielding Yugendra Pawar against Ajit, currently Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister.

Yugendra, a political debutant, is the son of Ajit Pawar's younger brother.

The intensity of the contest can be gauged from the fact that Sharad Pawar's wife Pratibha, who generally keeps away from politics, and Supriya Sule's daughter Revati are also canvasing for Yugendra.

Ajit Pawar, who parted ways with uncle Sharad Pawar in 2023 and split the party, is visiting as many villages as possible, highlighting the development he brought about in the region in the last three decades.

Voters chose 'Pawar saheb' over him in the Lok Sabha elections but they should support him this time, Ajit is telling the people.

Supriya Sule, Sharad Pawar's daughter and incumbent MP, defeated Ajit's wife Sunetra in the parliamentary elections by more than 1.5 lakh votes.

Supriya 'tai' (elder sister in Marathi) is now fully involved in the campaign for her nephew Yugendra.

Sunetra Pawar, now a Rajya Sabha member, is conducting door-to-door campaign for her husband. Ajit's sisters Vijaya Patil and Rajni Indulkar are also actively supporting their brother.

Kiran-dada Gujar, Ajit Pawar's election in-charge in Baramati, said their campaign is progressing in a highly coordinated manner.

Asked about the Pawar family members campaigning against Ajit, he said, "There is no comparison between Ajit Pawar and those campaigning against him. People here adore Ajit-dada ('dada' is elder brother), and we are seeking votes based on his development record."

While the opposition is trying to play the emotional card, Ajit Pawar's campaign remains focused on development, he added.

Sunetra Pawar has been reaching out to various groups, meeting with representatives of trade unions, social organizations and people from all communities, he said.

"Ajit dada's sisters are also campaigning for him," Gujar said.

Ajit Pawar has visited 70 of 117 villages in the constituency so far, he said, adding that for the last three days Pawar has been hitting the road early in the morning, visiting villages, then joining the campaign in the rest of the state around noon, and returning to Baramati late at night.

The dynamic that was at play during the Lok Sabha elections is absent this time, Gujar claimed.

"His 40 years of work in Baramati speaks for him. People chose Supriya-tai last time, but now they realize that without Ajit Pawar, the development of Baramati will not take place as he has a vision for the constituency," he said.

The Sharad Pawar camp claims there would be a repeat of the Lok Sabha result on November 23 when votes are counted.

Sadashiv Bapu Satav, local campaign in-charge of NCP-Sharadchandra Pawar, said Pratibha Pawar has been visiting rural areas and talking to people while other members of the family are also reaching out in the urban areas of the constituency.

"Like Lok Sabha, people of Baramati are still not very predictive, but they will do exactly what they are supposed to do," he said.

Notably, neither the leaders of the NCP allies BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena nor the leaders of the NCP-SP allies Congress and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena-UBT have visited Baramati for campaign.

When asked why Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not hold a rally for him, Ajit Pawar said it was not needed as it was a contest within the family.
More than two decades after deserting their village due to Maoists, around 25 tribal families are planning to return to their native place in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district.

IMAGE: Voters stand in queues to cast their vote during the Chhattisgarh assembly elections, at a polling station in Abujhmad, in Narayanpur on November 7, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Nearly 100 members of these families had left their homes in Gaarpa village located in Abujhmad after Naxalite started targeting them in 2003.

They were then settled on the outskirts of Narayanpur town on a tract of government land, where they took up agriculture for livelihood.

Now, 21 years after their desertion, these families recently visited their native place and have been planning to resettle there after police set up a camp there to facilitate development works and ensure security for local population.

Abujhmad, bordering Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district, was considered a Maoist fortress until recently.

On October 4, security forces scripted their most successful anti-insurgency operation in Chhattisgarh by gunning down 31 Naxalites during an encounter in the area.

"Leaving the ancestral land was never easy. We had no option but to flee for the sake of our lives," 60-year-old Sukkuram Nureti told PTI.

Nureti's family was among the 25 families that left Gaarpa, about 50 km from the district headquarters, in April 2003. Nureti hails from the Abujhmaria community, a particularly vulnerable tribal group.

"Of the 80 families in the village, around 25 were followers of 'Gayatri Pariwar' and Naxalites objected to it. They threatened us with dire consequences if we did not quit following 'Gayatri Pariwar'. So we decided to leave the village," he said.

Nureti said they always wanted to return.

"Now it seems our dream will come true as a police camp has been set up and things have started improving there," said Nureti, who has served as a member of Janpad panchayat in the past.

Nureti and others who had left the village visited Gaarpa last week and opened a Lord Shiv temple that had remained shut since 2003.

"We are planning to resettle in the village as we have our farmland and homes there," he said.

Making significant inroads into Abujhmad, the Chhattisgarh police have set up security camps in Gaarpa, Kasturmeta, Mastur, Irakbhatti, Mohanti and Horadi villages in the past eight months. The Gaarpa camp came up on October 22.

According to police, the strategy of establishing these camps has pushed the Naxalites to a very limited area in the zone and facilitated development works in the region.

Security camps in remote and Naxal-hit areas will help thousands of villagers avail the benefits of development works and welfare measures through Niyad Nellanar schemes, Narayanpur Superintendent of Police Prabhat Kumar said.

Under Niyad Nellanar, the state government has been undertaking development works in interior villages within a 5-km radius of security camps.

Tribals evicted by Naxals in villages around the newly set up camps have started returning to their homes, the SP said.

"Villagers who were earlier pressured by Naxals to oppose development projects are now demanding roads, mobile towers, health and schools. Positive results will be seen in the coming days due to the efforts of police and administration," he said.

With a combined security and development push, nearly half of Abujhmad now has road accessibility. There is a target of providing road connectivity through Mad to Chhotebethia (Narayanpur) and Maharashtra, he said.

"We will connect Narayanpur to Gadchiroli (Maharashtra) and Chhotebethia within the next 18 months," the official said.

After the establishment of six security camps, Principal Secretary of Chhattisgarh's Panchayat and Rural Development Department Niharika Barika recently visited five villages of Abhujmad, marking the first such trip by a top bureaucrat to the region.

She travelled over 60 km on a motorcycle and reviewed more than 30 development projects, an official in Raipur said.

Barika visited three Anganwadis, two schools, one health sub-centre and met grassroots development workers and flagged off bus service between Gaarpa and Narayanpur, he said.

Spread over about 4,000 sq km, Abujhmad had been a den of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist) as its dense forest served as a hideout for its leaders.

The rebels' activities in Abujhmad have declined in recent years due to the increased presence of security forces and development works being carried out in the region, officials said. PTI
United States president-elect Donald Trump, who enjoys very good relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is expected to build on the progress made during his first term and continue strengthening ties with India, his South Asia point-person at the White House during his first term has said.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US president-elect Donald Trump at the Howdy Modi event in Houston, September 23, 2019. Photograph: @narendramodi/X

Speaking to PTI in an interview, Lisa Curtis, who served as deputy assistant to president Trump and as National Security Council senior director for South and Central Asia from 2017 to 2021, also said she expected the same bumps for India and the US, as in Trump's first term, including tariff, dependence on Russia over arms supply and oil purchase from Iran.

"I think that President (elect) Trump will pick up where he left off with India. He clearly has good feelings, goodwill toward India, and I really see this as an opportunity to just continue building the relationship and really solidifying that partnership," Curtis said.

During Trump's first term (2017-2021), there was an "elevation of the US-India relationship" because of the importance of India and its role in dealing with challenges from China, she said.

Curtis pointed out that there was also a notable mutual respect and personal connection between Trump and Prime Minister Modi.

"We could see that during the event when Prime Minister Modi addressed 50,000 Americans at the Astrodome in Houston. We saw that when President Trump addressed 100,000 Indians in a stadium in Ahmedabad. That relationship really helped cement a lot of the progress that was made," said Curtis, who is currently a Senior Fellow and Director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at Center for a New American Security, a think-tank.

"Technology controls were lifted on India. India gained access to armed drone technology. Now it's buying 31 Sea Guardian predators. We saw the building up of not only the defence and security relationship, but also confidence and trust," she said, adding that the Quad was started during that period.

At the same time, there were a couple of bumps on this road during Trump's first term, she said.

"There were a couple of bumps in the road, and this was mainly when President Trump would tweet about the Indian tariffs. He really wanted American companies to have more access to the Indian market. He would often, before a meeting, tweet out something. It was almost a negotiating tactic, I think, that he was doing. He did this with many countries. That did cause some irritation in the relationship. But I don't think these tweeting incidents about Indian tariffs overwhelmed the broader relationship, she said.

"We could probably expect similar things to happen in the future as well. But I think everybody's more prepared for Trump's style and his negotiation style. His very transactional approach, trying to get a good deal for the American people," she added.

Responding to a question, Curtis said the priority this time needs to be on the security partnership between the two countries.

She added, "This is an area where the interests of both sides converge. Both the United States and India have a lot of concerns when it comes to China, such as its attempts to dominate the technology market and efforts to be the hegemon in Asia. Neither India, nor the United States want that to happen. So, they have a deep mutual interest in cooperating."

"But I don't think we have realised the full potential of that kind of defence and security cooperation for various reasons. Both have major bureaucracies, their democracies, which can cause things to stall, to defense sales to stall. I think that that would be my hope, that there is a particular focus on really solidifying the defence and security relationship, she said.

Curtis, however, said both countries could never enter an alliance but develop a partnership that is "short of an alliance". She hoped them to achieve a cooperation that deters China, but also prepares both countries in case of a crisis or conflict, be it in the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea, or another flare-up on the India-China border.

She applauded Trump for picking Congressman Mike Waltz as his National Security Advisor and Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, both China-hawk. She felt the second Trump term is unlikely to focus on Pakistan and one should not expect a major change on his Afghan policy.

The Trump administration will continue to try to convince India to reduce its dependence on Russian military equipment, Curtis said.

"There is a good case to be made that Russia is unlikely to be a reliable partner for India moving forward, given that it is being internationally isolated due to its illegal and unjustified invasion of Ukraine... But I don't think that the friction over India's relationship with Russia will be a primary feature of US-India relations. I think it's something that will be handled quietly, discreetly," she added.

Curtis said during Trump's first term, the US pressed India to cut oil imports from Iran due to sanctions. While India complied, it was a tough decision given its energy needs, proximity to Iran, the Iran-Pakistan dynamic, and the presence of a significant Shia population, which all influenced its stance.

"The Modi government was very strong in condemning the October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel and providing support for Israel. That policy between the Trump administration and the Modi government will be very similar. That of course, will have some impact on the Modi government's relationship with Iran," she said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Kyrgyzstan called on COP29 participants to join the regional project Kambarata HPP-1, the Energy Minister of Kyrgyzstan Taalaibek Ibraev said at the COP29 Energy Transition Investment Forum for Central Asia, Trend reports.

The joint launch of renewable energy projects will allow achieving more efficient use and management of water resources in Kyrgyzstan and in the region as a whole, ensuring the production of clean energy. These measures will contribute to strengthening energy, environmental, and food security not only in our country but also in other states and regions.

I urge energy ministers, representatives of international communities, and conference participants to join the regional project Kambarata HPP-1, located at the source of Central Asian rivers, Ibraev said.

According to him, the uniqueness of this project is determined by the coordinated consolidation of efforts of all three states - Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan - with the support of the World Bank.

I am confident that only coordinated action within the green agenda will allow everyone to develop and strengthen partnership projects between governments, the private sector, and IFIs, the minister emphasized.

The opening of COP29 took place on November 11 in Baku's Olympic Stadium and will continue until November 22. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

As part of COP29, the highest-level event, the World Leaders' Summit on Climate Action, was held on November 12-13.

The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance.

In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, creating climate finance will also help fulfill the 1.5C pledge by bringing everyone together.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is based in Bonn.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office on Friday apologised for a 'mistake' in the organisation of its Diwali reception at 10 Downing Street after some British Hindus objected to non-vegetarian food and alcohol being served at the gathering.

IMAGE: Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer lights candles at the doorstep of 10 Downing Street during a reception to celebrate Diwali in London, on October 29, 2024. Photograph: Mina Kim/Pool/Reuters

While the statement did not make a direct reference to the menu, a spokesperson for Starmer's office said the team acknowledged the strength of feeling on the issue and assured the community that it would not be repeated in future.

"The prime minister was pleased to welcome a range of communities celebrating Diwali to a reception in Downing Street," a Downing Street spokesperson said.

"He paid tribute to the huge contribution the British Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities make to our country and how the government is driven by the shared values of hard work, ambition and aspiration. A mistake was made in the organisation of the event," the spokesperson said.

"We understand the strength of feeling on this issue and so would apologise to the community and assure them it will not happen again," the spokesperson added.

The statement came a day after British Indian Conservative Party MP Shivani Raja issued a formal letter to Starmer expressing concerns over the reception not being 'in keeping with the customs of many Hindus'.

'I feel it speaks poorly against the organisation of this year's event -- with a disappointing lack of knowledge of the customs and traditions that many British citizens hold dear,' reads her letter posted on social media.

'As a practising Hindu representing thousands of Hindus within my own constituency of Leicester East, I have been deeply saddened to hear that this year's festivities were overshadowed in the greatest Office of State by negativity, as a result of this oversight,' said the first-time Tory member of Parliament elected in July from the city of Leicester.

The Opposition MP went on to offer her 'assistance and guidance' to the Labour Party government for all future Hindu celebrations to ensure they are celebrated in a 'respectful manner'.

The Downing Street event held on October 29 marked the first Diwali reception since Labour was elected to government in the general election four months ago. It brought together British Indian community leaders, professionals and parliamentarians.

However, community organisation Insight UK questioned the 'appalling lack of understanding' of the spiritual aspect of the Hindu festival and a few others pointed out that greater consultation is required ahead of such religious events after reports emerged of meat and alcohol being served at the gathering.

The reception has been held regularly over the years at Downing Street and insiders indicated Starmer was keen to follow in the footsteps of Rishi Sunak as the first British Hindu Prime Minister of Britain and light candles on the doorstep of 10 Downing Street to mark Diwali.

'We value and respect your heritage and traditions, and recognise the strength of our shared values and the celebration of Diwali -- a time of coming together, of abundance, and welcome,' read excerpts released from Starmer's address at the event.
It's a strategic approach in which the country's military and defence mechanisms evolve continuously in tandem with emerging threats.

The new strategy anticipates events and prepares to counter those proactively.

IMAGE: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addresses the 'Delhi Defence Dialogue' 2024, in New Delhi on Tuesday, November 12, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has announced that the government is adopting a doctrine of 'Adaptive Defence' to tackle security challenges in today's fast-changing world.

He made the announcement on Tuesday, November 12, while addressing a conclave of military strategists at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses in New Delhi.

He described 'Adaptive Defence' as a strategic approach in which the country's military and defence mechanisms evolve continuously in tandem with emerging threats.

The new strategy anticipates events and prepares to counter those proactively.

India's current military doctrine adopts a three-fold approach against three potential threats.

The Indian military has traditionally been structured, trained, deployed, and operationally poised in a 'deterrent' posture against Pakistan and a 'dissuasive' posture against China.

At the same time, India's maritime forces are poised for an 'expeditionary role' in the Indian Ocean Region.

The new 'Adaptive Defence' strategy does not fundamentally change these roles. However, there is greater attention to gearing up for the new forms of conventional warfare that have emerged in recent decades.

Starting from the Cold War in the 20th century, which was restrained by nuclear deterrence, came the post-9/11 'global war on terror', followed by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which triggered the largest land war in Europe since World War II (WWII).

Commentators are harking back to the WWII era of 'total war', in which combatants drew on vast resources, mobilised entire societies and economies, and prioritised war over all other state activities.

Mara Karlin, former US assistant secretary of defence, has written in the latest issue of Foreign Affairs: 'An era of limited war has ended; an age of comprehensive conflict has begun.'

'Adaptive Defence,' the defence minister said, 'was not merely a strategic choice but a necessity.

'As the threats to our nation have evolved, so too must our defence systems and strategies.

'We should be prepared for all future contingencies. It is more than just protecting our borders; it is about securing our future.'

The security challenges India faces today range from the traditional border-related threats to unconventional threats such as drones and swarm technologies, cyberattacks, emerging technologies in AI and hybrid warfare.

'India is aiming to become a drone hub of the world,' the minister said.

Steps already taken by the government include appointing a tri-service chief of defence staff, promoting jointness among the three services, improving the training curriculum, and intensifying military diplomacy to forge new defence partnerships around the world.

'Our interconnectedness is as much a blessing as it is a challenge. If our threats are transnational, so should be our solutions,' the minister said.

On developing indigenous capability, he said: 'This must not be seen as an isolationist approach, as we are very much open to foreign investment, collaboration, joint R&D, and co-production.'

The defence minister pointed to the successful indigenous projects such as the Tejas light fighter, the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, and the DRDO's ballistic missile programmes.

'India is exporting defence items to over 100 nations, with the top three destinations for defence exports in 2023-2024 being the US, France, and Armenia,' Rajnath Singh said. 'We hope to achieve the target of Rs 50,000 crore (Rs 500 billion) worth of defence exports by 2029.'

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
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Today

Cloudy skies with a few showers after midnight. Areas of patchy fog. Low 46F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies with a few showers after midnight. Areas of patchy fog. Low 46F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. COP29 aims to address critical global climate challenges, focusing on climate finance, mitigation, and adaptation, an article by the French online outlet La Gazette du Caucase reads, Trend reports.

Quoting President Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the COP29 World Leaders Climate Action Summit, La Gazette writes: "Azerbaijan will strive to find common ground between developed and developing nations, as well as between the global South and North. President Ilham Aliyev highlighted Azerbaijans effective leadership in the Non-Aligned Movement over the past four years - the second-largest international organization after the United Nations - as evidence of the countrys extensive experience in leading global initiatives."

"On November 11, the COP29 global climate conference began in Baku, Azerbaijan. The country was unanimously confirmed as the host during the COP28 plenary session on December 11, 2023, with the collective support of the global community.

President Ilham Aliyev pointed out that Azerbaijan remains committed to facilitating climate action and that the countrys green agenda aims to unlock the vast technical potential of renewable energy, estimated at 135 GW on land and 157 GW offshore. The country has made significant strides to harness this potential, including investments in a 230-MW solar power plant by Masdar of the United Arab Emirates, the largest in the region. Additionally, Saudi Arabias ACWA Power is constructing a wind power plant with a potential capacity of 240 MW.

"During COP29, an agreement will be signed with bp from the UK to build a 240-MW solar power station in the district of Jabrayil, which was liberated from Armenian occupation four years ago. This project will provide decarbonization of one of the biggest oil and gas terminals in the world, the Sangachal terminal," the President of Azerbaijan announced, noting that Azerbaijan plans to construct around 6 GW of solar, wind, and hydroelectric power plants by 2030. Overall, the country has signed contracts and memorandums of understanding for 10 GW of renewable energy projects. The countrys green agenda also covers various internal regions, including Nakhchivan, Karabakh, and the East Zangazur regions, which have been declared green energy zones.

A total of 10,000 MW of alternative energy potential has been identified in the Karabakh (Garabagh) and East Zangazur regions since their liberation in 2020. These regions possess nearly all types of renewable resources, including hydro, solar, wind, and geothermal energy. After the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the districts of Fuzuli, Jabrayil, and Zangilan rank second in solar potential, with solar radiation per square meter in these areas estimated between 1600 and 1700 kWh per year and a total solar capacity estimated at 7,200 MW. The wind potential is particularly high in the Kalbajar and Lachin districts, where the average annual wind speed reaches 10 meters per second, with a capacity estimated at 2,000 MW in the mountainous areas of the Karabakh region. Additionally, the districts of Kalbajar, Lachin, and Shusha have significant thermal water resources, with daily production reaching 4,000 to 5,000 cubic meters.

The economic potential of green energy sources in Azerbaijan amounts to 27 GW, comprising three gigawatts of wind energy, 23 GW of solar energy, 380 MW of bioenergy potential, and 520 megawatts of potential from mountain rivers, according to the Ministry of Energy.

Azerbaijan ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1995. The country joined the first global climate change protocol of the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol of 1997, in 2000. The Kyoto Protocol limits greenhouse gas emissions, which cause global warming. Azerbaijan later confirmed its commitments under the 2015 Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030 and by 40% by 2050," the article reads.
US President Donald Trump has urged Russia to agree to a 30-day cease-fire, warning he would slap additional sanctions on the country if it refused the US proposal, as Moscow made more gains on the battlefield.



"Russia has no way out but cease-fire. If needed we will sanction it, but I hope we won't need to," Trump told reporters at the White House on March 12.



"In a financial sense we can do very unpleasant, very bad things, devastating for Russia, but I don't want to," he said.



His comments come a day after Kyiv agreed to the temporary cease-fire following nine hours of talks with Trump administration officials in Saudi Arabia.



Trump has made ending Russia's more than three-year full-scale invasion of Ukraine a top priority since taking office for a second term less than two months ago, quickly dispatching his top officials to Moscow and Kyiv to prepare the groundwork for peace talks.



He has used Washington's significant leverage over Ukraine -- namely military aid and intelligence sharing -- to get Kyiv to agree to the cease-fire proposal, which if implemented, would leave almost 20 percent of the country in Russia's hands for the time being, at least.



But Trump lacks that type of leverage with Russia, which has navigated sweeping US and European sanctions placed on its economy following the invasion much better than most experts forecasted.

Putin may seek to drag out talks with the US over a cease-fire to improve Russia's position on the battlefield and hence at the negotiating table when and if Moscow and Kyiv hammer out a peace deal.

As Trump spoke at the White House, Putin was visiting troops in Russia's Kursk region, where fierce fighting is currently taking place and Moscow's forces are advancing.

Ukraine seized a swath of the Kursk region in a stealth incursion in August seen as an effort to divert Russian forces from eastern Ukraine and use the territory as a bargaining chip during any peace talks.

That strategy is now at risk of failing as Russian forces slowly push the Ukrainians out of Kursk. Russians forces have retaken more than half the territory initially captured by Ukraine.

Putin's visit to Kursk was his first since the incursion and signals the momentum Russia has in that theater of the war. The Kremlin leader urged his troops to retake the region in its entirety "as soon as possible."

Ukraine's top military commander, General Oleksandr Syrskiy, said that fighting continued in and around Sudzha, the largest town in the part of the region that Ukraine occupied.

Unconfirmed reports on March 12 indicated that Ukraine has begun to draw back units as Russian officials claimed their troops had captured more settlements, including Sudzha.

"Despite increased pressure from the Russian and North Korean forces, we will maintain the defense of the Kursk region as long as it is appropriate and necessary," Syrskiy wrote on Telegram.

In a Facebook post, Syrskiy said that saving soldiers lives is a priority and that Ukrainian troops "maneuver to more favorable positions, if necessary," wording often used top describe a retreat.

Concessions?

Trump hinted that Ukraine would have to make concessions on land, something more and more experts say is inevitable given Russia's momentum on the battlefield.

"When we talk cease-fire [with Ukraine], we talked land, who's withdrawing -- we discussed a lot of things [with Ukraine]," Trump said.

"We don't want to waste time, people are dying. Russia is not in the best situation now. I hope [Putin] gets a cease-fire."

Earlier in the day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the cease-fire proposal and said he hoped it would be used as a draft for a lasting peace deal that included security guarantees for Ukraine.

"It's now up to Russia what is next," he said at a March 12 press conference, and whether "it wants to continue its aggression against Ukraine or not."

On the streets of Kyiv, some Ukrainians told RFE/RL's Current Time that they doubted whether Russia would sign on to, and adhere to, a cease-fire deal.

"I'm not sure what to say, but it all seems implausible, frankly speaking," said one Kyiv man, while a woman in the capital said the cease-fire talks were "meaningless without Russia taking part."

Moscow has so far declined to comment on the specifics of the proposal for the 30-day cease-fire, and it's unclear whether Putin has made up his mind on the agreement.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was "carefully studying" the joint US-Ukraine statement issued following the Jeddah talks and will wait to comment until Russian negotiators receive more detailed information from Washington. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who represented the United States at the talks, said Washington "will have contact with Russians" today.

Trump on March 11 said he would soon speak with Putin to secure his commitment. Mike Waltz, the White House national-security adviser, spoke with his Russian counterpart on March 12, while Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff also planned to travel to Moscow, possibly to meet Putin.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe held a phone call with Sergei Naryshkin, director of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, late on March 11, the Interfax news agency reported.

Rubio told reporters on March 12 in first comments since leaving the talks in Jeddah that the United States hoped to have a positive answer from Russia toward the cease-fire deal and "strongly urge[s] Russians to end all hostilities.

Konstantin Kosachev, an influential lawmaker in Russia's upper house of parliament, seemed to imply that Moscow would not simply accept the US-backed ceasefire proposal but attach conditions, taking into account that Russian forces have the momentum on the battlefield.

"Russia is advancing, and therefore it will be different with Russia," Kosachyov said in a Telegram post.

"Any agreements (with all understanding of the need for compromise) will be on our terms, not American," he said. "And this is not boasting, but an understanding that real agreements are still being written there, on the front line. Which Washington should also understand."

Rubio also said Ukraine will need a strong deterrent to prevent future attacks and that Europeans will "need to be involved in this regard." He added that further discussions would need to tackle to topic of the European Union lifting sanctions on the Russian economy.

"I would imagine that in any negotiation, if we get there, hopefully with the Russians, they will raise these European sanctions that have been imposed upon them," Rubio said.

Moscow has so far been against a European peacekeeping force in Ukraine and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated Russia's position during an interview with three right-wing US bloggers that it will under no conditions accept the presence of NATO forces in Ukraine.

Minerals Deal

Washington and Kyiv could sign a framework agreement as early as this week on sharing the revenue generated from Ukraine's mineral resources.

Trump and Zelenskyy intended to sign the deal during their meeting at the Oval Office on February 28. However, the two got into a heated, public exchange over security guarantees for Ukraine and the meeting was abruptly ended without any deal.

Rubio cautioned that he "would not couch [the] minerals deal as a security guarantee." But he added that "if the United States has a vested economic interest thats generating revenue for our people as well as for the people of Ukraine, wed have a vested interest in protecting it if it were to be challenged or threatened."

The parade of comments come after Russia and Ukraine traded air attacks overnight just hours after Kyiv agreed to accept the cease-fire proposal.

Two Russian missile strikes hit the central Ukrainian city of Kryviy Rih on March 12, killing one person, while a separate attack killed four crew members of a cargo ship near the southern port city of Odesa.

Russia's Defense Ministry said its air-defense systems shot down six drones overnight on March 12, one over Ukraine's Russia-annexed Crimea and five over the Black Sea. The Krymsky Veter Telegram channel reported loud explosions and air-raid sirens over Crimean towns and near Russian military sites.

The United States announced after the talks in Saudi Arabia that it would immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and restore military aid to Ukraine, which could be a boost to Ukrainian forces. Ukraine's battlefield positions have been under heavy pressure, particularly in Russia's Kursk region.
Welcome back to the China In Eurasia briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter tracking China's resurgent influence from Eastern Europe to Central Asia.

I'm RFE/RL's China Global Affairs Correspondent Reid Standish and here's what I'm following right now.

Minding The Transatlantic Gap

China is looking to capitalize on a transatlantic rift between the United States and Europe that is widening as U.S. President Donald Trump looks to quickly end the war in Ukraine.

But how much of an opening is there actually for Beijing?

Finding Perspective: The threat of tariffs, a war of words at the Munich Security Conference earlier this month, U.S.-Russia talks that excluded Europe and Kyiv, and a standoff at the United Nations over how to commemorate the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine have all been recent fissures between Washington and European governments.

That brought new questions about relying on the United States to European capitals and left an opening for Beijing, which has been trying to woo back Europe over the past four years.

On the sidelines in Munich, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held bilateral meetings with several top European officials, including EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.

Spain's foreign minister seems to be at least more open to the idea of keeping China closer amid tensions with the United States.

Jose Manuel Albares told the Financial Times that the European Union should craft its own China policy and not follow the more confrontational line with Beijing advocated by those in the Trump administration.

"Europe must take its own decisions, on its own. And we have to decide when China can be a partner and when China is a competitor," Albares told the newspaper.

How We Got Here: During Trump's first term in office, Washington pushed European governments to take a harder line on China. That led to the bloc labeling China a "systemic rival" in 2019.

The Chinese government's untransparent handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, trade, human rights, and supply chain concerns, and Beijing's backing of Russia throughout the war in Ukraine all saw that harder line solidify in Europe under former U.S. President Joe Biden's tenure.

Now amid growing transatlantic tensions, some European governments see following Trump's tough stance on China as a way to win over Washington. Others, like the Spanish government, are arguing to preserve vital economic ties with Beijing, especially amid growing uncertainty about the United States.

This has even led to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, one of Brussels's more hawkish voices on China, calling in January for a new effort to improve relations between Brussels and Beijing.

A True Rift? Tensions on each side of the Atlantic are real.

Following his party's victory in elections on February 23, Friedrich Merz, Germany's chancellor-in-waiting for the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), said the Trump administration "does not care much about the fate of Europe" and that the Continent needs to act accordingly.

"My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the U.S.A.," he said.

Talk of a seismic shift in the geopolitical order is also under way in Brussels.

One EU official recently back from discussions with U.S. officials told RFE/RL that the White House's focus is on ending the war in Ukraine and that there is a "take it or leave it" attitude from Washington.

The Trump administration wants to "remove the Ukraine issue from the table and move on to other issues. It is becoming clear that Trump's goal is to rule the world together with Russia and China" and work toward "strategically separating them from each other," said the official, who was granted anonymity in order to discuss sensitive matters.

Why It Matters: Europe may be grappling with a realignment, but that doesn't mean China is its only option to hedge.

As European leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visit Washington, von der Leyen is set to arrive in India on February 27.

James Crabtree, a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, told me that "it's hard to imagine a better time to re-energize Europe's and India's historically lackluster ties" and that a focus of the trip will be technology cooperation.

"A meeting of the EU-India Trade and Technology Council -- only the second since its foundation in 2023 -- offers opportunities to deepen collaboration in areas ranging from artificial intelligence to clean technologies," he said.

China may also be short on opportunities, with most EU members unable to look past its support for Russia amid the war in Ukraine. The bloc's most recent sanctions package passed on February 24 once again included Chinese companies and individuals.

What is likely to emerge is a more fragmented Europe when it comes to China. While some governments look to countries like India, South Korea, and Japan to balance out their foreign policy, others -- such as the current Spanish government and Hungary -- will keep courting Chinese investment and create new openings for Beijing.

Three More Stories From Eurasia

1. A Reverse Nixon?

China publicly backed the Trump administration's recent talks with the Kremlin, but analysts and former U.S. officials I spoke with mostly said the prospect of a U.S.-Russia reset is also making Beijing "nervous" about having less leverage over its partner.

The Details: "While a complete rapprochement might not be in the cards, they're nervous because if Trump lifts sanctions on Russia, then Moscow's dependency on China decreases," Dennis Wilder, who was a top White House China adviser to former U.S. President George W. Bush, told me.

One of the hallmarks of Chinese leader Xi Jinping's foreign policy has been a burgeoning strategic partnership with Russian President Vladimir Putin that's grown closer since Moscow's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Beijing has propped up the Russian economy through enhanced trade and energy purchases while fueling the Kremlin's war effort with the supply of key goods as both Xi and Putin have found common ground in wanting to challenge the West and unseat the United States.

The fear of all that being derailed by a new type of U.S.-Russia relationship born out of a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine is real for Beijing.

Wilder says he's had conversations with "very senior Chinese officials" since Trump's election in November who have expressed concern about a potential U.S.-Russia reset.

He says they've used the phrase "Only Trump goes to Moscow," a play on the historical reference to former U.S. President Richard Nixon's landmark visit to Beijing in 1972, when he defied precedent and courted China to exploit its split with the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War.

2. But Can It Work?

A grand bargain would be a major diplomatic feat, but it's something Trump administration officials have hinted at in public comments of late.

What You Need To Know: The Trump administration has made clear it sees managing a long-term rivalry with China as its top foreign policy objective and may look to deprioritize regions like Europe and the Middle East in order to raise pressure on Beijing in Asia.

Following the talks in Riyadh, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the possibility for future "geopolitical and economic cooperation" between Washington and Moscow was among the key points discussed.

And in an interview this month with The Wall Street Journal, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Washington was prepared to reset the relationship with the Kremlin following an agreement over Ukraine as a move to end Russia's isolation and its growing dependence on China since the war began.

"It's not in Putin's interest to be the little brother in a coalition with China," Vance said.

The thinking is that even new cracks between the two powers may loosen Moscow's alignment with Beijing and could have a deterrent effect on China, especially if it decides to use military force to take Taiwan.

Still, both Beijing and Moscow are aware of what the White House is trying to do, and Beijing has made a point to show it and Moscow are still a tandem, including a recent phone call between Putin and Xi on the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine.

Steve Tsang, director of SOAS University London's China Institute, told me he believes Washington's efforts to reset its Russia ties are also not all bad news for Beijing.

"Xi does not want Putin to fail in the war, and so Trump delivering a peace that mostly meets Russian conditions is a positive," he said. "Who knows who will be the next U.S. president and if there will be a reversal of U.S. posture post-Trump."

3. Taiwan Watches A New U.S. Line On Ukraine

Ukrainians living in Taiwan and local supporters protested outside the de-facto Russian Embassy in Taipei on the eve of the third anniversary of Moscow's invasion.

What It Means: The self-governing island has been a vocal supporter of Kyiv, which the Taiwanese government sees as a foil for its own tenuous geopolitical position where China has long threatened to invade and annex Taiwan if it refused to peacefully accept unification.

Those parallels have grown since Trump's election. The United States is Taiwan's largest military backer and its support is considered vital for its survival, but Trump's global shakeup, including launching negotiations with Russia without Ukraine and threatening to cut off future aid to Kyiv, has brought anxiety to Taiwan about a similar withdrawal of American assistance.

When I was in Taiwan in December, I spoke with several senior officials who said they were closely watching what happened to Kyiv on the battlefield and with the new U.S. administration.

So far, the White House has reaffirmed its support for Taiwan, but Washington has also threatened tariffs on the island's semiconductor industry, which is responsible for around 60 percent of world production for microchips and 90 percent of the most-advanced ones needed for the global AI boom.

Across The Supercontinent

Choking Off Iranian Oil: Earlier this month, the United States brought in a new tranche of sanctions on Iranian oil, my colleague Kian Sharifi and I reported . The move is seen as an opening shot against Tehran and Beijing -- Iran's top oil customer.

New Bridge Deal: The Transport Ministry of Tajikistan and the Tajik branch of the Chinese company Zhejiang Communications Construction Group (ZCCC) signed a cooperation agreement for the construction of what will be the longest road bridge in Central Asia.

New Tools For Tashkent: Uzbekistan showcased on February 25 newly purchased Chinese-made air-defense systems, including the FM-90 short-range surface-to-air missile system and the KS-1C medium-to-long-range air-defense system.

One Thing To Watch

A Chinese-crewed cargo ship is detained in Taiwan's southern port of Tainan after a key Taiwan-Penghu Internet cable was mysteriously severed.

Taiwanese prosecutors are investigating whether this was an accident or part of a broader pattern of disruptions to vital communication lines, but the country's Coast Guard released footage of them apprehending the vessel.

The move comes amid growing tensions from a rise of so-called gray zone tactics, the term often used by Taiwanese officials to refer to the hybrid tactics used to intimidate the island but which remain below the threshold for war.

That's all from me for now. Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you might have.

Until next time,

Reid Standish
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Azerbaijan may announce the results of the first COP29 renewable energy auction supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the director of the EBRD's Department of Energy and Natural Resources in Russia, Caucasus, and Central Asia, Aida Sitdikova said at the COP29 Energy Transition Investment Forum for Central Asia, Trend reports.

She said that the EBRD is developing renewable energy auctions in 14 countries.

"I am pleased to announce that at least three of them are in Central Asia and Azerbaijan. They are Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan will hopefully announce the results of its first EBRD-supported auction at COP29. We see significant improvements in the TPE after the competitive auctions, which will contribute to the expansion of the use of renewable energy sources, she said.

The opening of COP29 took place on November 11 in Baku's Olympic Stadium and will continue until November 22. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

As part of COP29, the highest-level event, the World Leaders' Summit on Climate Action, was held on November 12-13.

The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance.

In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, creating climate finance will also help fulfill the 1.5C pledge by bringing everyone together.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is based in Bonn.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
VARNA, Bulgaria -- Russia appears to be offering consular services in the Black Sea resort city of Varna, despite Sofia expelling diplomats in 2022 and closing the consulate down a year later, an investigation by RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service has found.

While the Bulgarian authorities say they are not aware of any diplomatic activities taking place, Russian-language Facebook and WhatsApp groups are advertising consular services at the local headquarters of the pro-Kremlin Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP).

Marina Nacheva, a woman listed in various chat groups as a contact for the consulate, confirmed to RFE/RL that consular services were available at the BSP's office at 33 Macedonia Street in Varna. The stately building is located 400 meters away from the former Russian Consulate at 53 Macedonia Street.

Much of the staff at the former Russian consulate in Varna, a city popular with Russian vacationers, was expelled from Bulgaria along with diplomats at the embassy in the capital, Sofia, in June 2022. In total, the government of then-Prime Minister Kiril Petkov ordered 70 Russian diplomatic staff out of the country, saying they had been working against Sofia's interests. In October 2023, Russia's consulate in Varna was finally shut after its lease for the facility expired.

The punitive measures by the pro-Western Petkov came amid a wave of similar moves by other EU capitals to punish Russia for launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

An RFE/RL reporter recently visited the beige-colored villa at 33 Macedonia Street, situated in a leafy neighborhood of the city. A woman who answered the door and said she worked there told RFE/RL that "no consular services are offered here."

However, individuals posting on Facebook groups monitored by RFE/RL contradict that claim. Posts on those Facebook pages indicate that consular services are still available in Varna but only on certain days and at certain times. The next such date has been listed as November 26.

Consular Contact

It is in one of those Facebook groups, Russian Speakers In Varna, that the name Marina Nacheva appears as a person to contact regarding consular services.

Nacheva's name is also mentioned as a contact in a WhatsApp group, Consulate RF [Russian Federation] In Varna, which also lists the consular address as 33 Macedonia Street.

When RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service called the number listed on this WhatsApp group, a woman who identified herself as Nacheva tersely confirmed that consular services were offered at the BSP's address. When asked why consular services had been outsourced to the BSP headquarters, Nacheva promptly hung up.

The leftist BSP, a successor to the Bulgarian Communist Party, which ruled Bulgaria from 1946 to 1990, is staunchly pro-Kremlin. In the last election campaign, the party boasted that "Russia Is Our Friend" in a billboard campaign in the southern Bulgarian city of Plovdiv. The BSP currently has 20 deputies in the country's 240-seat unicameral parliament.

Further evidence appearing to link Nacheva to the alleged underground consulate can been found on her personal Facebook page, including images of her in group photos captioned "Consular Reception In Varna."

RFE/RL analysis of photos of BSP meetings held at its Varna office indicate that the setting is the same as photos of the "consular reception" posted by Nacheva.

Little else is known about Nacheva. References on the Internet indicate that she attended several events at the Russian Consulate in Varna before it was officially closed. She is also listed on several websites as the chairwoman of an association called Russians-21st Century; however, no such group is recorded in Bulgaria's commercial register.

Deteriorating Ties

Traditionally close allies, relations between Russia and Bulgaria have worsened in recent years. In September 2023, the Bulgarian government expelled the head of the Russian Orthodox Church in Sofia and two Belarusian priests, accusing them of serving Moscow's geopolitical interests.

In February, Sofia banned two Russian citizens from entering Bulgaria and the entire European Union for five years over their alleged role in a security services operation.

Russia's current ambassador to Bulgaria, Eleonora Mitrofanova, has been accused of using her post to defend and spread disinformation about Russia's invasion of Ukraine and tar those who oppose it. That has prompted many in Bulgaria to call for her expulsion.

For what Russia regarded as hostile moves, Bulgaria was added to the Kremlin's official list of "enemy countries" shortly after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Operating an underground consulate at the headquarters of a political party would be illegal under Bulgarian law, as the diplomatic service is built on the principle of nonpartisanship.

The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry told RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service that it was not aware of any Russian diplomatic activities taking place at the Varna address.

RFE/RL also sent questions to the Russian Embassy in Bulgaria and to the BSP, asking about the reported consular services. At the time of publication, no responses had been received.

Tony Wesolowsky contributed to this story.
More than two years after Russian troops seized Mariupol, Svyatoslav Yermonov is now serving in Pokrovsk, another town in the Donetsk region that Moscow is trying to capture. He says he's trying to help maintain order as Russian forces inch closer to the strategic town.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. A ministerial meeting on COP29 energy initiatives is being held within the COP29 Energy, Peace, Relief and Recovery Day, Trend reports.

Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said that Azerbaijan is implementing strategically significant projects in the field of renewable energy in the region.

The world has entered a critical phase in the field of climate and energy. Meeting at this critical moment, we have a historic opportunity to define the future of global energy. Through today's initiatives, we will demonstrate our commitment to a rapid transition to renewable energy.

With the strong support of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in the transition to clean energy, the initiative to create green energy zones in Karabakh, Eastern Zangezur, and Nakhchivan, and the creation of a diversified energy infrastructure to supply green energy from the Caspian Sea to Europe, our country is implementing strategically significant renewable energy projects in the region.
By Jessica Coates, PA

Election stories dominate Ireland's front pages this Friday morning.

The Irish Times lead with an election poll story wherein support for Independents jumped, but Fine Gael still lead, a story about over 4,600 Irish teachers working abroad, and a story about a London-based property firm being close to buying Buswells Hotel.

The Irish Examiner leads with a story about Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano's upcoming fight after their weigh-in on Thursday night, alongside a climate threat story, a story about the ongoing civil trial against Conor McGregor and his friend, a homeless woman sleeping in a skip bag, Gerry Hutch's election bid and Robert F. Kennedy Jr reportedly being chosen as US health secretary.

The Echo leads with a story about Cork schools struggling to pay high heating and power bills, a steel manufacturing firm potentially having to demolish a workshop, and a story about a man dying in a road incident.

The Irish Independent lead with a story about health strikes being likely within the first few weeks of the new government's tenure after the general election takes place.

The Irish Daily Mirror lead with a story about the ongoing civil action against Conor McGregor where a woman is claiming he and another man sexually assaulted her.

The Irish Daily Mail, Irish Daily Star, and The Herald all lead with stories about Gerry Hutch handing in nomination papers to run in the general election.

British newspapers

Plans from Chancellor Rachel Reeves to relax banking rules within the financial services sector lead Fridays UK front pages.

The Financial Times and the Independent splash on Ms Reeves plans to tear up red tape in her first Mansion House speech as chancellor.

Just published: front page of the Financial Times, UK edition, Friday 15 November https://t.co/HkSbGmKjuN pic.twitter.com/65eTfVGdrY  Financial Times (@FT) November 14, 2024

The i reports the Chancellor will loosen rules introduced after the 2008 financial crash, and backs plans for bankers to receive bonuses after five years.

i: Reeves to give bankers their bonuses early as she unveils major pensions fund revamp #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/rjOQNPjXWV  George Mann (@sgfmann) November 14, 2024

Meanwhile, the Daily Express claims shopkeepers are furious with budget changes that have led to punishing extra costs for independent stores.

Daily Express: RIDICULOUS 3K BUDGET HIKE FOR

SMALL SHOPS #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/QBlhT7O7TM  George Mann (@sgfmann) November 14, 2024

The Daily Telegraph reports three police forces have been involved in an investigation into an X social media post by writer Alison Pearson.

The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph:



'Three police forces called in to probe single tweet'#TomorrowsPapersToday



Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/x8AV4OoUh6 pic.twitter.com/oiwQLRb120  The Telegraph (@Telegraph) November 14, 2024

The Guardian leads on more than 250 unpaid carers who are running the risk of criminal prosecution after falling foul of draconian benefits rules.

The Guardian: Hundreds of carers could face trial for benefits error #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/XDS2KjI4Ps  George Mann (@sgfmann) November 14, 2024

Around 40 million iCloud users could be entitled to a payout amid news of a 3 billion lawsuit alleging the tech giant rips off its iCloud customers, according to Metro.

Tomorrow's Papers Today 



3 BILLION APPLE iCLOUD 'RIP-OFF' CASE



 40 million could get payout as lawsuit launched #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/DoG8XGj48I  Metro (@MetroUK) November 14, 2024

The Times UK reports children are among the thousands being investigated by police for non-crime hate incidents.

The Times:: Police treat classroom jibes as hate incidents #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/p1yRrxN4bv  George Mann (@sgfmann) November 14, 2024

And the UK Daily Mail says Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has backed police investigations into non-crime hate incidents.

The UK Daily Mirror uses its front page to launch a campaign against cosmetic cowboys and unlicensed health practitioners carrying out high-risk procedures.

Lastly, the UK Daily Star says octopi could take over the world, in the event all human life was wiped out.
The U.S. Department of Commerce has awarded $6.6 billion subsidy to TSMC Arizona Corporation, or TSMC Arizona, for semiconductor production in Phoenix, Arizona.

TSMC Arizona, a subsidiary of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, will get direct funding under the CHIPS Incentives Program's Funding Opportunity for Commercial Fabrication Facilities.

This will support the Phoenix, AZ-based company's planned investment of more than $65 billion in three greenfield leading-edge semiconductor fabrication facilities in Phoenix. The Department said it will disburse the funds based on TSMC Arizona's completion of project milestones.

President Joe Biden said, "Today's final agreement with TSMC - the world's leading manufacturer of advanced semiconductors - will spur $65 billion dollars of private investment to build three state-of-the-art facilities in Arizona and create tens of thousands of jobs by the end of the decade". This is the largest foreign direct investment in a greenfield project in the history of the United States, according to him.

"The first of TSMC's three facilities is on track to fully open early next year, which means that for the first time in decades an America manufacturing plant will be producing the leading-edge chips used in our most advanced technologies - from our smartphones, to autonomous vehicles, to the data centers powering artificial intelligence". Today's announcement is among the most critical milestones yet in the implementation of the bipartisan CHIPS & Science Act, and demonstrates how we are ensuring that the progress made to date will continue to unfold in the coming years, benefitting communities all across the country," he added.

Friday's final agreement, under the CHIPS Incentives Program, comes just weeks before President Joe Biden leaves the White House for President-elect Donald Trump.

Trump is a critic of the Biden administration's ambitious Program.

"TSMC appreciates the continual collaboration with customers, partners, local communities and the U.S. government beginning in early 2020. The signing of this agreement helps us to accelerate the development of the most advanced semiconductor manufacturing available in the U.S.," said TSMC Chairman and CEO Dr. C.C. Wei.

CHIPS for America has awarded approximately $6.72 billion and allocated over $36 billion in proposed funding across 20 states and proposed to invest billions more in research and innovation, which is expected to create over 125,000 jobs. Since the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration, semiconductor and electronics companies have announced over $450 billion in private investments.

At full capacity, TSMC Arizona's three fabs are expected to manufacture tens of millions of leading-edge logic chips that will power products like 5G/6G smartphones, autonomous vehicles, and high-performance computing and AI applications. The advanced chips that TSMC manufactures for its customers are the backbone of central processing units for servers in large-scale datacenters and of specialized graphics processing units used for machine learning.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
With the effects of recent hurricanes and the since-resolved strike at Boeing (BA) continuing to weigh on growth, the Federal Reserve released a report on Friday showing U.S. industrial production decreased in line with economist estimates in the month of October.

The report said industrial production fell by 0.3 percent in October after sliding by a downwardly revised 0.5 percent in September.

Economists had expected industrial production to dip by 0.3 percent, matching the decline originally reported for the previous month.

The Fed said the Boeing strike held down industrial production growth by an estimated 0.2 percentage points in October, while Hurricane Milton and the lingering effects of Hurricane Helene together reduced growth by 0.1 percentage point.

The continued decrease by industrial production came as manufacturing output fell by 0.5 percent in October after slipping by 0.3 percent in September.

Meanwhile, mining output rose by 0.3 percent in October after tumbling by 1.9 percent in September and utilities output climbed by 0.7 percent in October after rising by 0.3 percent in September.

"The November reading of industrial production will get a boost from the resolution to the Boeing strike and fading hurricane effects," said Bernard Yaros, Lead U.S. Economist at Oxford Economics. "However, motor vehicle and parts production was noticeably weak and is unlikely to bounce back soon."

The report also said capacity utilization in the industrial sector dipped to 77.1 percent in October from a downwardly revised 77.4 percent in September.

Economists had expected capacity utilization to decrease to 77.2 percent from the 77.5 percent originally reported for the previous month.

Capacity utilization in the manufacturing sector fell to 76.2 percent, while capacity utilization in the mining and utilities sectors rose to 88.7 percent and 71.4 percent, respectively.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Final-year law student Oyama Mzayidume

By The Division of Communication and Advancement

Final-year law student Oyama Mzayidume has been awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship for 2025. She was selected from 22 finalists drawn from the highest number of applications in eight years, received in 2024 by the selection committee from the combined Eastern Cape and Free State region.

Eight applicants were shortlisted from the 22 finalists, with four applicants from Rhodes University making the shortlist. Two of the four, Mzayidume and Sarah Wilhelmi, were among those interviewed by the South Africa-at-large selection committee for the final selection.

Both candidates interviewed well and are a real credit to Rhodes University, Regional Manager for The Rhodes Scholarships for Southern Africa, Beverly Johnson, said.

The selection of candidates for the merit scholarship involves rigorous criteria that that have been applied since 1902. The exacting standard includes academic excellence, mastery of a range of talents involving teamwork, courage and devotion to duty, and moral force of character.

We are proud of Oyamas remarkable success and Sarah for making it into the final interviews. We are also proud that four out of the eight students who made the shortlist are Rhodes University students. This is evidence of the premium our university places on the holistic development of our students, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs Professor Mabokang Monnapula-Mapesela said.

Ms Mzayidume and our finalists reflect the Rhodes University academic value proposition and holistic development of students as leaders. We are delighted to see our graduates continue to shine on the international stage, and we look forward to witnessing the positive contributions they will make to society, a distinguishing trait of our graduates.

Rhodents, generally, are well-rounded, resilient and ambitious. They exude impeccable leadership qualities and thrive in contributing to the advancement of humanity, Prof Monnapula-Mapesela said.

Excited about her new journey, Mzayidume said: I love that the Rhodes Scholarship is not solely focused on academic aptitude and that the Rhodes Scholarship community is made up of people from all corners of the world who want to leave a positive impact on the world.

Rhodes University contributed to my success through the many opportunities I had serving in leadership structures, the extracurricular activities I participated in, and the challenging yet nurturing environment of the Rhodes University Law Faculty. I am immensely grateful to the Rhodes University community and hope to be a good ambassador of the University everywhere I go, Mzayidume said.

Mzayidume intends to study for a Bachelor of Civil Law and Commerce.
Every segment has experienced significant sales growth across the 45 day festive period with the exception of tractors

Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) has detailed Vehicle Retail Data for a 42 days festive period. This period spans from 3rd Oct 2024 to 13th Nov 2024, marking the 1st day of Navaratri and extending to 15 days after Dhanteras. Vehicle sales during this period saw improvements across all segments, well surpassing last years figures during the similar period that fell between 15th Oct 2023 and 25th Nov 2023.

Retail sales across the automobile segment saw surging figures hitting record sales. These sales figures could have even been higher had it not been adversely affected by various weather conditions. The southern states were affected by unseasonal heavy rains while in late October, Odisha had to face a backlash after being struck by Cyclone Dana.

Festive Vehicle Retail Sales 2024

Total vehicle retail sales stood at 42,88,248 units in the 45 day period from 3rd Oct 2024 to 13th Nov 2024. This was an 11.76% YoY growth from 38,37,040 units sold in the 15th Oct 2023 and 25th Nov 2023. It had a volume growth of 4,51,208 units.

Two wheeler sales grew by double digits of 13.79% to 33,11,325 units in the 2024 festive period over 29,10,141 units sold in the corresponding period of 2023. This was a volume growth of 4,01,184 units. Most of these sales were largely dominated by hefty rural demand.

3W sales grew by 6.81% in the 2024 festive period to 1,59,960 units. This was over 1,49,764 units sold in the corresponding 45 day period of 2023. This related to a volume growth of 10,196 units.

PV Festive Vehicle Retail Sales Up 7.10%

With most automakers in India offering heavy festive discounts across the passenger vehicle (PV) segment, retail sales surged 7.10% to 6,03,009 units in the festive 2024 period over 5,63,059 units sold in the same 45 day period of 2023. This was a strong volume increase of 39,950 units.

In contrast, it was a marginal growth of 1.02% across the commercial vehicle (CV) segment. Festive sales improved by just 1,302 units to 1,28,738 in the festive period of 2024 over 1,27,436 units sold in the festive period of 2023.

Tractor sales suffered a decline of 1.64%. Sales dipped to 85,216 units in the Festive 2024 period from 86,640 units sold in the 2023 period marking a decline of 1,424 units. The tractor segment is expected to make up in terms of sales thanks to a favourable monsoon and governments policies which see an increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of crops. Now with the festivities coming to a conclusion, the automobile segment remains hopeful to end the calendar year on a promising note allowing dealers to liquidate 2024 stocks and enter the New Year with 21 day inventories. With November and December 2024 marking favourable months for the wedding season in India, improved demand, particularly in the 2W and PV segments are anticipated.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. As part of COP29 in Baku, Trend News Agency proudly presents COP for Hope, a special project offering an unparalleled platform to hear from world leaders and trailblazers in politics, economics, science, and ecology, all united by a shared commitment to addressing todays pressing climate challenges.

Today, we are honored to speak with Gilad Shadmon, Director General of Israels Ministry of Regional Cooperation.

In an exclusive interview with Trend on the sidelines of COP29, Shadmon noted that COP29 is going very well and Azerbaijan has organized this event at a high level.

COP29 will be a seed for continuing working together after the COP. When we will establish communities that will connect together after the COP29, we will remember this COP as a really milestone that made the change, he said.

Shadmon believes that COP29 is a chance to meet and discuss the ways of overcoming the common challenges in partnership.

The climate crisis is a common challenge. It is not only the problem of Israel or Azerbaijan or Greece or Kazakhstan or other countries in the region. It doesn't mind about borders, communities, culture. When we unite and think together about the solution, it doesn't matter what the solution will be, we are doing it together, he said.

As for Israels commitment to the success of COP29, Shadmon pointed out that Israel is known as a start-up nation.

We got a lot of innovation centers, and my office, the Regional Cooperation Office, is investing especially in innovation centers. We invest in four different innovation centers in Israel, which collaborate and make connections with other countries. One of them is called C-Innovation in Eilat. The other one is the South Innovation Center in Dimona. The other one called Desert Tech in Beer-Sheva. And the other one is called BILT. We invite Azerbaijan to join this collaboration on innovation in Israel, he said.

Moreover, Shadmon noted that Israel has a special education program with Azerbaijan.

I hope we will sign a memorandum of understanding at COP29 about the connection of education between two countries. We got a special program that we are planning to do together to educate the method how to teach children the climate challenge, he said.

Shadmon went on to add that Israel got a lot of knowledge, a lot of experience in many things, and it wants to study Azerbaijans experience and knowledge.

By connecting together this knowledge and the experience, we are creating a good future for all of us, he said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. The State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) hosted an impactful event within COP29, focused on the integration of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles within its investment portfolio, Trend reports.

The session, held in the COP29 Blue Zone, commenced with an opening speech by Bahruz Bahramov, Deputy CEO of SOFAZ.

"We integrate ESG principles into the core of our investment strategy, aiming to create lasting value for future generations.

By prioritizing responsible investment, we strive to drive both economic growth and social-environmental progress, ensuring a positive and sustainable impact for years to come," Bahramov said.

The session featured keynote presentations by Nigar Azizova, Senior Investment Analyst, and Ali Huseynov, Risk Analyst - both Sustainability Officers at SOFAZ. They outlined SOFAZs approach to integrating ESG considerations, aligning investments with sustainability goals, addressing critical challenges such as climate change and social inequality, and identifying pathways for sustainable growth.

Through this event, SOFAZ reaffirmed its commitment to embedding ESG principles at the center of its investment strategy, reinforcing its role in shaping a responsible, sustainable, and economically sound future.

The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - was held on November 1213.

The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics.

In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, creating climate finance will also help fulfill the 1.5C pledge by bringing everyone together.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 14. Vietnam is regarded as a major partner of Kazakhstan in Southeast Asia, said President Tokayev during his meeting with a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Trend reports

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Nguyen Xuan Thang, member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics.

During the conversation, Tokayev noted that Kazakh-Vietnamese relations are currently developing on an upward trajectory. The President called Vietnam a key partner of Kazakhstan in Southeast Asia. He emphasized that Kazakhstan is ready to continue making efforts to strengthen bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of trade, economics, investment, and cultural-humanitarian cooperation.

Nguyen Xuan Thang, for his part, mentioned that the Politburo of the Central Committee and the National Assembly of Vietnam are actively working on implementing the agreements reached at the highest level during the visit of Kazakhstan's President to Vietnam. In his view, the two countries share similar views and successfully cooperate on multilateral platforms, including the UN and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also welcomed the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies and the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics. He emphasized that this document could provide a strong impetus for joint scientific research. Taking the opportunity, the President of Kazakhstan invited the President of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh, to visit Kazakhstan next year and to participate in the Astana International Forum.

The trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Vietnam reached $610.9 million in the first half of 2023, a 3.5-fold increase compared to the same period last year.

On November 14, 2024, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of Kazakhstan and the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Azerbaijan is launching the 'Culture for Climate' (C4C) platform, the country's Minister of Culture Adil Karimli said during the "High-Level Ministerial Dialogue for Culture-Based Climate Action" at COP29 today, Trend reports.

"Culture plays a central role in shaping a positive climate agenda. Today, Azerbaijan is launching the C4C platform with the goal of making culture a key driving force for positive climate action, highlighting how cultural projects can promote and inspire sustainable practices and values.

Last month, a special preliminary presentation of our initiative was held at the UNESCO headquarters, attended by 300 representatives from UNESCO's permanent delegations. The event was aimed at promoting cultural activities to improve the climate on a global scale," he added.

To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - was held on November 1213.

The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics.

In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, creating climate finance will also help fulfill the 1.5C pledge by bringing everyone together.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. The recent energy crisis in Europe and Central Asia has highlighted the region's over-reliance on fossil fuels and exposed the vulnerability of the current energy system, said Antonella Bassani, Vice President for Europe and Central Asia at the World Bank, Trend reports.

At a panel discussion on the sidelines of COP29 in Baku, Bassani highlighted the vulnerabilities of the current energy system in the ECA region and the critical need for transformation.

"Surging natural gas and electricity prices impacted consumers, disrupted energy-dependent sectors, and hit vulnerable households, particularly households in the region where energy poverty remains high," she said.

On energy efficiency, the VP added, "The Energy Efficiency Program, which is trying to address issues on the demand side, is a 10-year multi-country, multi-phase initiative, which will provide about $1.5 billion in World Bank funding and is expected to raise, at least initially, $2.5 billion from the public, private, and development sectors".

She pointed out that Central Asia, although less dependent on gas imports than Europe, has faced severe challenges. "Central Asia also faced its own crisis, with severe power and heating shortages during the winter of 2022 and 2020, stemming from chronic underinvestments and one of the harshest winters," she explained.

The region's energy profile remains a concern. "Today, the region is home to some of the world's most energy-intensive countries, and less than 10% of electricity generated comes from renewable sources in several countries in the region," Bassani said. "These challenges underscore an urgent priority for the region in its pursuit of energy security, affordability, and sustainability, and that is reducing the reliance on imported fossil fuels, while accelerating investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency".

Bassani emphasized the momentum for change, noting, "The region is on the right path to transform its energy mix and accelerate the energy transition. Nine ECA countries have committed to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050-2060, while 18 countries pledged at the COP28 in Dubai last year to triple their capacity of renewable energy and double their annual rate of energy efficiency improvement by 2030".

Reaching these ambitious goals will require substantial investment and collaboration. "Reaching these goals will require a significant scale-up in the deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency, calling for very significant investment and a critical role for private sector investment," she stressed.

To address these needs, the World Bank has launched two major initiatives. "Earlier this year, we have launched two programs. One is to scale up energy efficiency in the region, and the second is to scale up renewable energy also in the countries in the region," Bassani shared. "The Renewable Energy Multi-Phase Program, covering multiple countries, is providing about $2 billion to start, and this is expected to mobilize about $6 billion in private investment in clean energy and will catalyze opportunities for co-financing on concessional terms from other development partners".
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. COP29 will meet the expectations of the international community, said Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Turkiyes Minister of Culture and Tourism, at the "High-Level Ministerial Dialogue for Culture-based Climate Action" at the ongoing conference, Trend reports.

"I am confident that this conference, under Azerbaijans leadership, will be a key step in our global efforts to combat climate change and will live up to the expectations of the international community," he said.

Ersoy pointed out that there's still a long road ahead and that hitting the nail on the head demands ongoing teamwork on the global stage.

"Climate change also threatens our cultural and natural heritage. Many cultural and natural sites are increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events. These risks underscore the urgent need to protect our shared heritage for future generations," he added.

Ersoy further noted that Turkiye fully supports the ambitious goals of Azerbaijans presidency at COP29.

"We are committed to working together to create a sustainable future for all," he concluded.

The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Over half of high school students in the US dont feel prepared for college , and often its because there is a lack of exposure to career options.The Fueling the Talent Pipeline Program (FTTP) allows high school students in Macomb County to connect with businesses in the area and explore fields from manufacturing to medicine before they graduate. This could be through tours, job shadows, and internships.Senior Outreach Specialist for the program Jennifer Weot says the program began in 2017 and was strictly focused on manufacturing, as its the number one industry in the county.People in the manufacturing industry are aging out, Weot says. Over 50% of employees are over the age of 50, so theyre getting to a point where they were ready to retire and theres really no young people knocking on the door trying to get those positions.As it was coming off the ground, COVID-19 hit, Weot says. It put this program on a shelf until around 2022 when it started running again.But theres a big difference between now and pre-COVID, she says. Now theres a shortage of workers in every industry. So now its not just manufacturing. Were dealing with health care shortages, were dealing with IT (Information Technology) shortages.Weot says FTTPs goal is to show high school students career options in their community where they dont have to possibly waste their time and money going to college and then figuring out thats not what they want to do.The other goal is to fuel the talent pipeline of the businesses in the area. Many are manufacturing businesses like L&L Industries and TK Mold and in healthcare like Henry Ford Health, McLaren, and independent clinics.When COVID was in full swing, a lot of people left the healthcare field because they were afraid of it, Weot says. So now theyre trying to get more people to look at healthcare as an option and realize there are lots of great opportunities and good incomes that can be made in healthcareThere are 21 school districts in the county with their own Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Some focus on law, IT, health care, first responders, and other fields. The FTTP will find businesses in the area that could match the CTE program so kids can gain exposure to these different career fields.Within the FTTP, two districts are unique, Romeo and Centerline. These schools are Ford Next Generation Learning (NGL) districts, meaning their success is based on business partnerships. When the kids are in their sophomore year, they are guaranteed a tour of any industry theyre interested in. Then when they move to junior year, they will have a job shadow. Then when theyre seniors, they will get a paid internship.At Centerline High School, senior Joseph Schonter says when he first began high school, he wanted to be a forensic scientist.That had been what I wanted to do since I was in elementary school, but as soon as I got to high school I realized that wasnt what I wanted to do anymore, Schonter says. I felt lost.From their, he tried business, which didnt work out. It wasnt until his junior year when he tried welding through the CTE program that he figured out thats what he wanted to do. It had always been in the back of his mind since many of his family members are welders.This past summer, Schonter worked as an intern at Upton Industries in Roseville, and is thinking about specializing in pipe welding.Out of all the experiences Ive had with welding, pipe welding was probably the hardest thing I came across and it made me want to master it, he says.Welding has also impacted him on a personal level.It gave me structure to my life, Schonter says. It gave me a purpose to strive towards and thats what I enjoy about it the most.As Schonter reaches closer to graduation, his plan is to attend Ohio Technical College to obtain certifications in welding and potentially work with Upton Industries again.Id love to work with them honestly, itd be a great spot to work at, he says.We are always looking for more businesses to join FTTP, Weot says. The more exposure these students have to these industries and experiences, the better.For example, in the Ford NGL districts, if you become a business partner with them, saying Yes Ill do at least two things a year with you, it could be a career fair and an industry fair, your logo goes on their partner wall, which is in their commons area of the high school which is where all the kids eat lunch, Weot says. Every day these kids are looking at the logos and they dont even realize that theyre doing it.Weot adds, that on November 19, the county is sponsoring MiCareerQuest Southeast , which is the largest career exploration event in the area, Weot says. It will be held at the Novi Suburban Showplace where businesses are separated into four areas: health care, construction, modern manufacturing, and IT with hands-on displays for kids and participants to learn and get to know these industries.Moving forward, the county is hoping to have more industries involved in this program such as IT, cyber security, law, public safety such as dispatch, and finance.This is a program that works and is very impactful, Weot says. We just need to get a larger variety of businesses to join us.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Tajikistan is ready to consider joining the project of the green corridor between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, the Minister of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan Daler Juma told Trend on the sidelines of COP29 in Baku.

This is a very interesting project, although our colleagues have not yet approached us with an official proposal. It is obvious that for Central Asian countries, such as Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, such initiatives are important and require development. We are generally ready to consider this issue," he noted.

Juma emphasized that the prospects of creating a green corridor are very promising.

Tajikistan together with other Central Asian countries, including Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan, is implementing a similar project CASA-1000, under which one thousand megawatts of green energy will be transferred from Central Asia to Pakistan. This project utilizes advanced technologies. I believe that in this context we can share our experience, he added.

To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action  was held on November 1213.

The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics.

In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, creating climate finance will also help fulfill the 1.5C pledge by bringing everyone together.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The FTSE 100 is expected to open 33 points lower on Friday, having closed up 0.51% on Thursday at 8,071.19.

Stocks to watch

Land Securities announced a return to profit in the six months ended 30 September on Friday, as the property market continued to recover, underpinned by growing demand. Pre-tax profit came in at 243m, compared with a loss of 193m a year earlier. The company also lifted guidance for EPRA full-year earnings.

Volex announced on Friday that it had made two proposals to acquire the London-listed TT Electronics, offering a cash-and-share combination that, at the latest valuation, implied 139.6p per TT share, valuing the company at 248.6m and reflecting a premium of 76.7% over TTs recent share price. The AIM-traded company said the TT Electronics board had rejected both offers and declined further engagement with Volex. Volex said it believed its offers presented a compelling opportunity for TT shareholders to secure immediate cash value and benefit from potential growth within an expanded business.

Newspaper round-up

Investment firm London Capital & Finance (LCF), whose failure in 2019 triggered one of Britains biggest retail investment scandals, operated as a Ponzi scheme, a London judge ruled on Thursday. The high court said former chief executive Michael Thomson and four others had knowingly participated in the fraud, misled investors and misappropriated assets in a ruling welcomed by LCFs joint administrators, which brought the case.  Guardian

The UK government has promised to introduce tougher enforcement action against airlines that fail to protect customers from losses caused by flight disruption after an inquiry into last Augusts air traffic meltdown, which led to more than 700,000 people facing delays and cancellations. The transport secretary, Louise Haigh, said she wanted all passengers to feel confident when they fly and would introduce changes to provide air travellers with the highest level of protection possible.  Guardian

Britain must rebuild trade ties with Europe to help stem the economys long-term decline, the Bank of England Governor has told Rachel Reeves. In a major intervention in the wake of Donald Trumps US election victory, Andrew Bailey urged the Chancellor to welcome opportunities to rebuild post-Brexit relations with the Continent as Ms Reeves orders regulators to focus on growth as part of plans to fire up the City.  Telegraph

A London-listed gold miner whose boss has been detained in Mali over a dispute with the government has been thrown into further turmoil after trading in its Sydney-quoted shares was suspended. Resolute Minings Australian stock has temporarily stopped trading after various articles published relating to the status of negotiations with the government in Mali, the company said in a statement.  The Times

A former BDO manager has been banned from the profession for 20 years after she was found to have forged signatures, falsified emails and fabricated letters. An investigation by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), the audit watchdog, found that Amanda Nightingale, nee Cleaver, a senior manager in BDOs Gatwick office, acted with sustained dishonesty over a five-year period.  The Times

US close

Stocks on Wall Street closed in the red on Thursday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 0.47% at 43,750.86.

The S&P 500 lost 0.6% to 5,949.17, and the Nasdaq Composite was off 0.64% at 19,107.65.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. SOCAR Green is designed to accelerate our low-carbon initiatives, the President of SOCAR Rovshan Najaf said at the event "SOCARs Decarbonization Progress: Challenges and Achievements" held as part of COP29, Trend reports.

Today I would like to reaffirm SOCAR's commitment to a greener future and the ongoing journey towards zero emissions with special efforts to make a meaningful contribution to the global climate goals, Najaf said.

He emphasized that last year at COP28, international energy company SOCAR unveiled its strategic vision to achieve zero emissions by 2050.

In addition, we co-founded OGDC (Oil & Gas Development Company) with our partners, reinforcing our commitment to our ambitious decarbonization goals. A year has passed, and I want to report that we are deeply committed to this vision and are making significant progress towards our goals. An important step in our path has been the creation of SOCAR Green to accelerate our low-carbon initiatives. SOCAR Green already specializes in developing renewable energy projects, researching and implementing carbon use and storage technologies, and improving energy efficiency. As such, SOCAR Green will lead transformational efforts to diversify our energy portfolio and support Azerbaijan's clean energy ambitions. Cooperation has always been the basis of progress, and this is especially relevant in addressing the global challenge of decarbonization, Najaf said.

To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action  was held on November 1213.

The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics.

In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, creating climate finance will also help fulfill the 1.5C pledge by bringing everyone together.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Australian author and physician Melanie Cheng's third title, The Burrow, is an exquisite gem about a damaged family suffering in the aftermath of tragedy. Though her book is dominated by grief, Cheng is an expertly balanced storyteller, leavening the mourning with unexpected laughter, comforting cuddles, surprising grace, and the human need to win the love of grumpy (furry) creatures.

Jin and Amy Lee and their 10-year-old daughter, Lucie, live in metropolitan Melbourne. Four years ago, the family was a quartet--until baby Ruby drowned at just six months old. Despite the Covid-19 lockdown, the household is about to grow. First, there is the rabbit: "For sale: nine-week-old fawn-coloured male mini lop in search of his forever home." One week later, Amy's estranged mother, Pauline, arrives with a broken wrist, sent by her medical team because she shouldn't be alone. At least the granny flat in the backyard is finished and Pauline can have a space of her own. Only Lucie seems to welcome her, but over the next few weeks, despite so much (more) hurting, the promise of healing begins to root and tentatively grow.

Cheng writes with superb, often wrenching, clarity: "she was in the habit of pretending"; "not caring was a kind of superpower." In depicting the family that Jin Lee and Amy nee Fitzgerald create, Cheng's own mixed-race Australian Chinese identity deftly reveals multicultural insights--about the number four (homophone for "death" in Mandarin), immigrant challenges, generational discomforts, the neither/nor of being in-between. As the lockdown slowly eases, alterations and adaptations are inevitable. Cheng empathically tracks a family finally learning to live with death. --Terry Hong
Debut author Jacquie Pham builds a novel that is a complex murder mystery and an exploration of the problematic nature of colonization. Duy, Minh, Phong, and Edmond are close friends at one of the most prestigious boarding schools in 1917 Vietnam when they sneak out on a forbidden visit to a fortune teller. What starts as a young boys' lark ends on a dark note when they receive a prophecy: "The four of you. One will lose his mind. One will pay. One will agonize.... One will die." A decade later, the final part becomes reality, and the three survivors are left to determine which of them is a murderer--and which of them will pay the price for their friend's death.

Those Opulent Days moves back and forth in time between the boys' friendship as young men and the days leading up to the death, and Pham leaves tantalizing clues for readers to figure out the identities of the murdered and murderer. The boys are among the richest and most powerful in the colony, but Edmond's very existence exhibits something the other three struggle to identify. As the blond-haired, green-eyed son of a French diplomat, he's representative of the opportunity afforded to Europeans and denied to the Vietnamese people, of the prejudice and racism steeped into the colonial systems of privilege in which these boys--now men--were raised

Those Opulent Days brims with lush detail and characters at once rich, corrupt, and ambitious. It's the best type of historical fiction--a novel that reveals new and nuanced layers of context within the structure of a compelling plot. --Kerry McHugh, freelance writer
The early access to IPOs and NFOs keeps placing Bajaj Finserv's Demat account among the top demat account offerings as it is providing investors with a decisive advantage of accessing the issues much before they are opened for the general public. Users can get allocations in high-demand IPOs and mutual fund NFOs well in advance when opened for the public. For investors looking to diversify their portfolios with promising assets, Bajaj Finserv's Demat account makes it easier and is thus one of the best demat account options.

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Thanks to this demat account from Bajaj Finserv, one gets early access to these options so that they can secure shares and units before the demand pushes the prices up. In fact, this feature is helpful to those interested in promising investments by entering the promising stocks and mutual funds at favourable rates.

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Bajaj Finserv's demat account provides the most comprehensive facility of end  user-friendly features for easy access to IPOs and NFOs:

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: The user can view all the IPOs and NFOs before they get opened to everyone in the market; this enables him to make timely investments. Application Process Simplification : The investor would be able to apply to an IPO or an NFO right from the demat apps given by Bajaj Finserv, thus saving him from extra steps and paperwork.

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How Early Access to IPOs Affects Investment Opportunities

Investing in an IPO early offers a particular advantage, especially if the share performs well after being listed. Investment in IPOs through Bajaj Finserv's demat apps allows investors to benefit by:

Early gains : IPOs often provide great returns, especially if the company does well post listing. Early access enables investors to book their shares at an offering price.

: IPOs often provide great returns, especially if the company does well post listing. Early access enables investors to book their shares at an offering price. Portfolio Diversification: With newer, innovative companies in the portfolios, adding portfolio diversification with newer sectors' underlying assets.

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Early Entry to Mutual Funds : Like in the case of IPOs, early entry into NFOs will enable investors to buy units of the mutual fund at its initial offering price.

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: Verify your identity along with the Aadhaar and PAN to enable a quick and safe account opening. IPO and NFO Listings : Once your account is activated, find out all IPOs and NFOs from the dashboard. Alerts will come on your doorstep for every opportunity knocking.

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Bajaj Finserv values security and access within all its digital processes. Advanced encryption safeguards all transactions on this site, yet Digital KYC makes onboarding simpler by virtue of an Aadhaar-based verification process. This ensures investors have a safe, intuitive setting where they can browse the latest IPOs, NFOs, and more.

Bajaj Finserv's Demat account is a premium demat account as it satisfies all the criteria to become a best demat account because it has features which help simplify and secure investments. Such a feature gives the investor confidence, as they feel accounts and their investments are taken care of.

Future of IPO and NFO Access in India

This will ensure that as and when the digital finance business grows, access to IPOs and NFOs will remain a prime requirement for investors. It puts Bajaj Finserv in a leading position to cater to the needs of the digital investor with its efforts towards providing priority access through demat apps.

In keeping with technology trends, yet making investments more accessible, Bajaj Finserv reflects its support for the wave of financial and digital inclusivity. Over time, it will be increasingly expected that more innovations in easing access to market opportunities will come forth from investors.

Conclusion

Bajaj Finserv's Demat account offers investors the first mover's advantage in terms of earlier access to IPOs and NFOs, enabling them to seize timely opportunities. Bajaj Finserv's premium demat account ensures priority access, with no hassle in the application process and real-time updates. This is a platform best suited for an investor who intends to enlarge his portfolios. In view of the interests of every type of investor in new stocks or in mutual funds, Bajaj Finserv offers a safe and secure facility.
The Karnataka government is mulling a second Japanese industrial park at Vasanthanarasapura, according to Gunjan Krishna, IAS Commissioner for Industrial Development & Director of Industries & Commerce, Chief Executive Officer of Invest Karnataka Forum speaking during the precursor event to the Global Investors Meet (GIM) 2025 in Bengaluru. Thippedasarahalli had been Karnataka's first Japanese industrial park.

investments in India. "Under this partnership, the Japanese government aims to achieve 5 trillion yen in investments and loans over the next five years in India", he said. Underlining the India-Japan partnership , Nakane Tsutomu, Consul General of Japan in Bangalore described India as an important partner and also emphasized the. "Under this partnership, the Japanese government aims to achieveand loans over the next", he said.

Outlining that Karnataka has long been a beacon for those seeking growth, innovation and collaboration, Selva Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary, Commerce & Industries Department, Government of Karnataka invited Japanese delegates to participate in GIM 2025 stating that as a well-rounded set of policies focusing on ease of doing business and streamlined the regulatory processes, single window clearances, stamp duty exemptions, and subsidies in land power & R&D investments.
PNB MetLife India Insurance Company, today launched a new investment option under its Unit Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP) offerings-Bharat Consumption Fund. This new fund opened today for subscription and will close on November 28, 2024 with an initial unit price of Rs 10.

The Bharat Consumption Fund is available in PNB MetLife's ULIP plans, Goal Ensuring Multiplier, and Smart Platinum Plus, which provides life insurance cover and online-based investment choices. Through the fund, customers will tap into India's consumption market, expected to become the third-largest in the world at $4 trillion by 2030.

This fund constitutes an actively managed investment in the Indian consumer sectors in lines with the Nifty India Consumption Index, which has outperformed the Nifty 50. So to speak, there's no assurance of returns because it's market-linked, but there is a steady value stream on account of strategic portfolio management.

With an estimated 22% share of the global working-age population by 2030, India is projected to drive demand in various sectors including consumer goods, personal care, and e-commerce through its consumption growth.

"The Bharat Consumption Fund offers our customers an opportunity to invest in Indias economic growth, said Sanjay Kumar, Chief Investment Officer at PNB MetLife.

Kumar said the funds focus is on long-term, risk-adjusted returns through a diversified portfolio.
The new schools chancellor for New York City public schools, Melissa Aviles-Ramos, will host a five-borough listening tour to allow families to share feedback, insights and ideas.

This series of community events are designed to give families and community members the chance to directly engage with city Department of Education (DOE) leadership. The tour will provide an open forum with the chancellor about her recently unveiled commitments and other topics that are important to local communities.

Aviles-Ramos unveiled her three commitments to empower and engage families across New York City: ensuring safety and promoting wellness; strengthening comprehensive teacher support; fostering genuine and impactful family and community empowerment. The commitments provide a special focus on areas considered pre-requisites to learning.

In a city as large and diverse as ours, it is critical that we create opportunities to foster collaboration and bring every voice to the table, said the schools chancellor. As a parent and former teacher and school leader myself, family and community empowerment is absolutely essential to me. Through this listening tour, I hope to gain a better understanding of our communities' concerns, feedback, and ideas so together we can continue to strengthen New York City Public Schools.

Events in each borough will feature discussions on topics like special education, curriculum development and mental health resources. They will culminate in a question-and-answer session with the chancellor and other education leaders.

Following each event, feedback collected will be carefully analyzed to identify trends, highlight gaps in services and determine areas for improvement, as well as to understand areas that are performing well and should remain unchanged or expanded, according to the DOE.

Findings will be shared in a report to be released later this winter.

An event will be held in each borough from 6 to 8 p.m. On Staten Island, the event will be at Curtis High School, located at 105 Hamilton Ave., in St. George.

Here are the details for each borough:

Nov. 19: Manhattan - High School of Graphic Communication Arts, 439 West 49th St.

Nov. 26: Brooklyn - Thomas Jefferson High School, 400 Granville Payne Ave.

Dec. 3: Queens - Academy of American Studies, 40-11 28th St.

Dec. 10: Bronx  PS 306, 40 West Tremont Ave.

Dec. 17: Staten Island - Curtis High School, 105 Hamilton Ave.

RSVPs are required for anyone wishing to attend at schools.nyc.gov/5BoroughTour. Translation services will be available.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A century-old Staten Island school building is being readied for demolition so that construction can commence on a new, 283-seat early-childhood annex.

According to the New York City School Construction Authority (CSA), the former St. Marys School, located at 1 Virginia Ave. in Rosebank, will be leveled in the next week or so. Work will then begin on the annex, which is being created for nearby PS 13. The new building is scheduled to open in September 2027.

St. Marys was one of four Staten Island Catholic schools that closed in 2011 shortly after the Archdiocese of New York withdrew financial support of the institution. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)Jan Somma-Hammel

St. Marys was one of four Staten Island Catholic schools that closed in 2011 shortly after the Archdiocese of New York withdrew financial support of the institution.

The school had been shuttered for more than a decade when CSA announced plans for the annex, which is expected to serve pre-K through second grade.

At the time of the announcement, City Councilmember Kamillah Hanks (D-North Shore) expressed her approval of the project, noting the need for additional school seats in Council District 49.

The St. Mary's school building once housed an orphanage and served as a boys home for children who had lost their parents to illness. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)Jan Somma-Hammel

I cant think of a better use of the former St. Marys [School] site than to continue the legacy of education, Hanks told the Advance/SILive in 2023. Our district is in need of additional school seats, so this will be a welcomed increase in educational resources for our children.

According to previous reporting, the site dates back to 1865; it was the second location for St. Marys School. The building also housed an orphanage and a boys home for children whose parents succumbed to illness. They were cared for and taught by the Sisters of Mercy until the Sisters of Charity took over in 1868.

St. Mary's original wooden structure was replaced in 1910 by the present fireproof brick building. Nuns staffed the parish school until 1986, when an all-lay faculty replaced them. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)Jan Somma-Hammel

The worn wooden structure was replaced around 1910 by the present fireproof brick building. Nuns staffed the parish school until 1986, when an all-lay faculty replaced them.

Details about the construction of the new school are limited, but the total cost of the rebuild is estimated at $69.88 million.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Azerbaijan, participating in regional projects for the development and export of renewable energy sources, creates unique opportunities to step up global clean energy development, the country's Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said during a press conference at COP29 today, Trend reports.

He pointed out that Azerbaijan held the ninth meeting of energy ministers on the Caspian-European Green Energy Partnership, where the preliminary results of projects were discussed.

"This is a good start for addressing important issues, and we are making very good progress on this matter. At the same time, an agreement on strategic partnership in energy development and transmission was signed between the governments of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan at the level of free country residents. Additionally, documents were adopted to ensure the participation of Saudi Arabia as a key partner in this trilateral project.

Yesterday, Azerbaijan announced its hydrogen strategy and signed a memorandum of understanding with international agencies on atomic energy to cooperate in energy planning within the framework of the current sector," added the minister.

To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - was held on November 1213.

The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics.

In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, creating climate finance will also help fulfill the 1.5C pledge by bringing everyone together.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Staten Island District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, in cooperation with the NYPD, will host a gun buyback event on Saturday, Nov. 23.

The event, part of the New York City Gun Buyback Program, will take place at Mt. Sinai United Christian Church, 15 Pike St. in Tompkinsville, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

One less illegal gun on our streets is a victory, and we look forward to taking many more dangerous weapons out of play next weekend, McMahon posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Individuals who turn in operable handguns and assault rifles will face no questions and will receive $500 bank cards.

The program also offers a $200 bank card for so-called ghost guns and 3-D printed guns.

Anyone turning over a rifle or shotgun will receive a $75 bank card, while those handing in air guns, non-operational handguns and imitation pistols will receive a $25 bank card.

There is a three-gun-total limit and a two ghost gun limit per participant.

Starting in 2016, the program has helped to take nearly 700 illegal guns off Staten Island streets with the most recent event netting just over 80 illegal firearms.

According to NYPD Compstat data, there have been 14 shooting victims and 14 shooting-related incidents on Staten Island this year.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Snakes are dying in a Great Kills park due to a fault in the drainage there, sparking a public outcry among visitors, local environmentalists say.

A large number of DeKays brown snakes and Eastern garter snakes, both native to Staten Island, are meeting their doom in Brookfield Park when they become trapped in drainage basins placed throughout the area to control flooding and keep paths walkable.

Yet, spokespeople from the city Parks Department and Staten Islands largest environmental group say it wont be a simple fix.

The snakes are unable to grip the smooth, angled surface of the drainage basins to escape, leading to their doom, explained local ecologist Jose Ramirez-Garofalo, who is president of the Protectors of Pine Oak Woods.

But the solution cant be expected to happen immediately, and patience is required, he said, though a suggestion of painting the basins seems feasible.

You can paint the concrete to give the snakes more friction, he said. But, I think that ultimately it is a more complicated project, because the city has to do it the right way. We cant just expect them to jump on the problem and fix it overnight. We have to be a little patient.

A spokesperson for the Parks Department said the agency is aware of the snake problem and continues to monitor the situation.

The snakes that are getting caught are most likely juveniles, the Parks Department spokesperson and Ramirez-Garofalo both said.

In the meantime, if park visitors observe snakes in the drainage basins, they should give the animals space to avoid stressing them, the Parks Department spokesperson said. And they should call the Urban Park Rangers at 212-360-2774 or call 311. Rangers will respond and relocate wildlife in need of assistance, according to the department.

Ramirez-Garofalo said the snakes provide regulation to their prey species. They eat small rodents, earthworms, leeches, slugs, snails, insects, crayfish and small fish.

The cool weather will curtail the problem, Ramirez-Garofalo said, but it is likely to resume in the spring when the snakes become active again.

This isnt the only animal species noted to be in jeopardy on Staten Island. In recent weeks, ecologists, including Ramirez-Garofalo, expressed support for the idea of placing the Atlantic coast leopard frog on the states endangered species list.

The small, spotted frog makes its home in Staten Islands marshes, which are threatened by overdevelopment.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  As wildfires rage on in New Jersey, the smell of smoke and poor air quality are expected to continue through at least Saturday on Staten Island, local forecasts indicate.

The air quality Friday morning was moderate, as residents unusually sensitive to particle pollution are urged to consider reducing activity levels or shorten the amount of time outdoors, Airnow.gov reported.

The National Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch in effect from Saturday morning through that afternoon for New York City, northeast New Jersey, the Lower Hudson Valley and Long Island.

With winds forecast to be blowing from the northwest, inland fires in northern New Jersey are expected to blow smoke over the NYC metro area and Jersey Shore, according to a 4NewYork report.

Meanwhile, an ongoing drought in New York City is expected to continue as there is no appreciable rain in sight in the coming weeks, forecasts show.

To help prevent fires, residents across the tri-state area are instructed not to burn anything outside; safely dispose of cigarette butts; avoid parking cars on land with dry brush, and dont use tools outdoors that can generate sparks.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. A high-level meeting aimed at catalyzing collaboration in climate initiatives and sustainable growth was convened under the auspices of COP29, Trend reports.

The event, put together by the Center for Analysis and Coordination of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) under the Ministry of Economy and the Network of Fourth Industrial Revolution Centers of the World Economic Forum (WEF), gathered a motley crew of leaders from different sectors.

Senior officials and leaders from more than 70 local and international companies attended the gathering.

Jim Hui, Managing Director of the WEF and Head of the Nature and Climate Center, welcomed participants and emphasized the importance of leadership in achieving sustainable future goals and zero emissions.

The meeting, which also included senior officials and experts from the WEFs Center for Nature and Climate, focused on strategic cooperation in energy transition, natural resource management, and strengthening climate action. The session highlighted key initiatives aimed at enhancing Azerbaijan's role in combating climate change and meeting emissions reduction targets.

A session titled "From Ambition to Action: Collaborating for Climate Solutions and Policies" was also held as part of the event.

The discussions concluded with a session exploring: "What innovative partnerships and investments must be scaled up to achieve a zero-emission, nature-positive, and socially just future?"

The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - was held on November 1213.

The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics.

In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, creating climate finance will also help fulfill the 1.5C pledge by bringing everyone together.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
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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 Julie Mehretu is having a golden year. In March, the Ethiopian-born New Yorker opened her biggest show to date at Venices lush Palazzo Grassi art museum, owned by French luxury goods billionaire turned art collector Francois Pinault. The 53-year-old then swiftly moved back to work on the design and execution of 35 abstract, painted glass panels for the Obama Presidential Centre, a new museum that will anchor a sprawling 19-hectare urban renewal project in Chicagos historic Jackson Park. Both ventures have been labours of love for the abstract painter. Mehretu is a favourite of former president Barack Obama, who described her on point stained-glass design as one of the most important aspects of the library and museum civic complex being constructed in his honour. This workload explains why, when we catch up via a Zoom call to Mehretus New York studio, the protostar of the international art world is still finishing new paintings destined for what will be her debut solo survey exhibition in Australia at Sydneys Museum of Contemporary Art this summer. Julie Mehretu is coming to the Museum of Contemporary Art. Credit: Josefina Santo Mehretu exudes calm, or possibly tired distraction at the end of a day in the studio. Its early morning in Sydney and after 5pm in New York. Theres a hint of busyness in the background, with an assistant off-screen who occasionally prompts her when she cannot find the word she is looking for or needs to clarify a detail. The act of balancing the presentation and promotion of her art with time working in the studio and opportunities to gain inspiration is still a work in progress. This last year was challenging  I wasnt able to paint and get lost in the studio in the early part of the year. It was too demanding with the show in Venice and the stained-glass installation for the Obama presidential centre, she says. Towards the end of the academic year, in June, I was able to get back into it and Im trying to be more attentive to protecting that space.

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The new paintings are winging their way to Sydney for Julie Mehretu  A Transcore of the Radical Imaginatory, which will feature paintings of Mehretus from 2017, alongside inks, charcoals and other works on paper that reveal her artistic development from 1996. MCA director Suzanne Cotter describes Mehretus chosen exhibition title as poetic. Not unlike hip hop and music-sampling, and the idea of going beyond what we already know to imagine a better world  radical, she says. So what exactly are we looking at? Its insane. Going to Australia, you get a sense of how large this world is. Julie Mehretu Mehretus paintings often begin with blurred photographs which create what she calls the social ground of the artwork. They reverberate with expression, allowing the viewer to make of them what they will, in doing so they offer a nod to another New York abstract painter, Jackson Pollock, whose landmark painting Blue Poles divided our nation when it was acquired by the Whitlam Government in 1973 for $1.4 million. Half a century later, Blue Poles still divides Australians, although it is valued at $500 million. Core Fragment (echo), 2018. Credit: Tom Powel Imaging Her paintings will transcend time, Cotter says of Mehretu.

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To understand her art, it is helpful to look at her unusual upbringing. Mehretu is the eldest daughter of an Ethiopian university professor and a white American teacher who met as students in the US and had settled in Ethiopias capital, Addis Ababa, by the time she was born in 1970. In 1977, the family, which by then included three children, moved to Michigan following a military conflict that resulted in a dictatorship. Mehretus father obtained a position teaching economic geography at Michigan State University, her mother secured a teaching role in a Montessori school and the young Julie settled easily into school. It wasnt until her final year at university that she thought she could forge a career as an artist. The mapping iconography of her childhood on the move and her fathers life work is a hallmark of her early output. Rise (Charlottesville), 20182019. Credit: Tom Powel Imaging Mehretu has returned to Africa at various times to better understand her origins. She has also spent time in Australia, exploring the outback on camping trips and travelling to remote wilderness locations. She has regularly visited the bigger cities of Sydney and Melbourne, owing to the years spent, and two sons she shares with her ex-wife, Australian-born fellow New York artist Jessica Rankin. Its been really formative, those trips sleeping in the middle of nowhere and waking up with those big birds, emus, walking by. Its insane. Going to Australia, you get a sense of how large this world is, Mehretu says. Cotter says Mehretus interest as a person and artist resonates strongly in Australia.

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Shes part of a conversation in the world and part of a way of thinking about, lets call it the black imaginary identity. That is, this question of black subjectivity, which is incredibly important in her work and very much present in the art of First Nations peoples in this country, Cotter says. Where Mehretus recent oeuvre builds on blurred photography, she made her name in New York in particular with large-scale, detailed and layered abstracts featuring architectural and geographical images. The style is most spectacularly evident in her seven-metre high, 24-metre long installation Mural unveiled in 2009 with little fanfare in the New York HQ foyer of merchant bank Goldman Sachs. The painting on canvas is made up of intersecting colourful abstract forms influenced by images of trade routes, maps and photographs referencing the history of global economies and the financial industry. Femenine in nine, part 5, 2023. Credit: White Cube Mehretus design was influenced by French historian Fernand Braudels observations of Western capitalism, and she worked with a team to create detailed architectural drawings that have been made more complex in the work by layering with a clear silica-and-acrylic solution. Upon completion, each layer was sanded back to create a lush texture. The 25-metre canvas, which sits within the banks foyer and is visible to the public, triggered debate about whether the work was a self-indulgent trophy for the bank or a worthy contribution to public art; the New Yorker published a deep-dive article headlined Big Art, Big Money.

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What was far more contentious in 2009 was the fact of its existence at all. Mehretu had successfully bid for the $US5 million commission in 2007, then worked on it with a team of assistants in the ensuing two years of the global financial crisis. By the time it was finished, Goldman Sachs had become a global pariah accused of falsely assuring investors that securities it sold were backed by sound mortgages, when the bank knew they were likely to fail (in 2016, the US Justice Department found Sachs accountable for serious misconduct; the bank was fined $US5 billion). The GFC might have robbed Mehretu of her big reveal celebration, but the artwork triggered debate about her depiction of capitalism at a time when the system was faltering. In doing, it cemented her reputation as an artist of note. In the following years she adapted her architectural and mapping style for explorations of world events including the Arab Spring. Her current inspiration is varied. People walk past the $5 million mural by Julie Mehretu inside the Goldman Sachs headquarters. Credit: James Leynse/Corbis via Getty Images Its usually some form of travel, she says, coupled with the routine necessary for child-rearing thats really grounding. Reading really helps. Right now Im reading Rebecca Solnits Orwells Roses, Doris Lessings The Golden Notebook, Yuval Noah Hararis Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI and Im trying to reduce my news consumption, she says, resisting being substantively drawn on the US election. Im definitely not ignoring it. Im trying to do a lot of work to ensure we dont wake up to a shitty reality, Im trying not to get too worried but its complicated, right? Were living more and more in a dystopic reality collectively in the world as technology around how information is shared has really shifted, she says.

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Young John fell in love with the coal trains clinking through Birmingham. Less the rolling stock than the mystery words on each carriage, incantations like Nantyglo and Senghenydd. Mix those with classical Greek, which the boy learnt at 11, plus the meter of Old English, and Tolkien was destined to conlang.

Construct a new language, in other words. Make new words, in other words. Other tongues, too, from Elvish to Dwarvish. Add a splash of Old Norse into the recipe, the Icelandic sagas, and soon Middle-earth was taking shape, word by invented word.

Sometimes its words that help make make-believe more believable. Clockwise from left: The Mandalorian, The Lord of the Rings, Avatar and The Sims. Credit:

Yet even before academia, J. R. R. was dabbling in DIY languages. Stuff like Novbosh (the new nonsense, he called it) or Fonwegian, a loose Scandi-salad. By the time The Hobbit surfaced in 1937, Tolkiens gift for imaginary glossaries was luminous. Those old coal cars now carried whole kingdoms.

Conlangs bear such power, the knack to whisk you elsewhere, be that Essos in Game of Thrones (via Dothraki) or remote planets. Eavesdrop Navi from Avatar, say, and youre mentally landing on Pandora, the realm its blue residents call Eywaeveng.
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

At a special dinner at Blenheim Palace, thrown in honour of the chief of the Australian navy, the British prime minister  speaking off-the-record to a room of military chiefs, diplomats and senior bureaucrats  offers a gentle roasting over the aborted deal to buy French submarines.

You were untrue to the French, he says, to titters. You said youd welcome their well-crafted submarines, and you have forsaken them for ours.

Picking up a small model of a submarine from the table, he adds: Its a love triangle and a proboscis. More laughter. The next time we have dinner, were inviting the French, is my point.

This scene plays out in the final episode of the second season of Netflixs riveting political drama The Diplomat, but its so clearly informed by real-world events that its easy to imagine something very like it actually happened.

US Vice President Grace Penn (Allison Janney) explains the machinations of the Australia-US-UK alliance to ambassador Kate Wyler (Keri Russell) in The Diplomat. Credit: Netflix

But for anyone who imagines we are an equal partner in the much-vaunted special relationship with the UK and the US, theres a reality check: across six episodes and five hours, Australia gets just three minutes of screen time. And even then, were mostly being talked about rather than actually talking.

Australia first crops up almost as an afterthought halfway through episode five, when US Vice President Grace Penn (Allison Janney) springs a visit on Americas ambassador to the UK, Kate Wyler (Keri Russell).
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Eating outGood Food Guide 2025 Its the first time these western Sydney suburbs scored a Good Food Guide hat A trend has emerged in the 2025 Guide: the geography of Sydneys hats is beginning to shift. David Matthews November 16, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

This story appears in the SMH Good Food Guide Awards collection. See all stories .

The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide launched its 40th edition on Monday night, awarding hats to a host of restaurants throughout NSW and the ACT. The Guide was created to inform the public about Australias best restaurants, bars, pubs and cafes, and the chefs hat rating system  the cornerstone of the Guide for four decades  was created to give diners a sense of what to expect in terms of food, service and experience. Among the 151 hatted restaurants in the 2025 Guide, a trend has emerged: the geography of Sydneys hats is beginning to shift. Closer to the CBD there were hats in Hurstville and Brighton-Le-Sands, but it was Sydneys west that broke new ground. Gursha Ethiopian in Blacktown took out the Critics Pick award, while there was one hat each for Sinclairs in Penrith and Cricca in Windsor. The Cricca crew: Jordan Sparre (left), Daniel Gardiman, Alessio Nogarotto and Kate Bavor. Not pictured, head chef Giles Gabutina. James Brickwood

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Ive scanned the index and map pages of every Good Food Guide back to 1984, and can confidently say that this is the first time a hat has ever been awarded to a restaurant in either suburb, says Good Food Guide editor Callan Boys. Penrith has had a few restaurants featured in the Guide over the years  Tamleni Indian, The Union and Osso, back when it was on Lawson Street  but nothing at a hat level. At Windsor on the Hawkesbury River, a half-hour drive north-east, its a similar story. The western Sydney maps in many editions of the Good Food Guide actually tend to trail off after Parramatta. That will no longer be the case, especially with the launch of our new Good Food app, which can be filled with thousands of restaurants across Sydney. The Guide is no longer limited by pesky word space and page numbers. Sinclairs, a steakhouse atop the rebuilt 1820s Log Cabin hotel, scored 15 out of a possible 20 in the Guide. It offers elevated classics with views of the Nepean River: sirloin is crusted over ironbark and checked with olive oil, a specials board lists the likes of corned-beef croquettes, while the chefs table menu might feature grilled oysters or suckling pig. Sinclairs chef Scott Mills, who began his career in Hervey Bay at the age of 14

before holding roles in the Whitsundays and Kirribilli, says the accolade is the fulfilment of a lifelong dream.

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Its definitely ticked an item off my bucket list. Its an absolute privilege to be a part of the story of elevating Penriths dining scene, coming out here and just giving it all weve got. Head chef Scott Mills of one hatted Penrith restaurant Sinclairs. James Brickwood Penrith should entice chefs, he says, due to the proximity to a range of producers, many of whom Sinclairs maintains direct relationship with; the menu might list Grima Bros celeriac or Schofields Orchard citrus, for example, both within 30 kilometres of the restaurant. Its not just about hats either, with recent openings including Longs House and the casual offerings at the new Manufactor precinct adding texture to Penriths dining scene. As for whether Mills thinks Sinclairs can be a model for other locals dreaming big? One hundred per cent, and I hope to see a little bit more, he says. I hope to see that people can now see that its a viable option, and that you dont need to travel all the way to the city to have a good night.

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The ultimate guide to the Good Food Guide Its a similar story in Windsor, where Cricca has become the towns first hatted

venue, scoring 15 out of 20. For Alessio Nogarotto, who runs the intimate wood-fired Italian-ish restaurant with chef Giles Gabutina, its not only representative of western Sydneys growing appeal for young operators, its personal. I was raised in Italy, but western Sydney is my home. It means a lot to us, for

Windsor and our community, he says. I really hope this shines a light on not only people seeing Windsor as a dining destination, but for restaurateurs to see potential here. Cricca restaurant manager Alessio Nogarotto next to the Good Food Guide hat certificate his mum framed. James Brickwood Ultimately, though, Nogarotto hopes the hat can help reverse the tide of locals

skipping town for special occasions, and encourage more diners from inner Sydney to head west.

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Windsor is a Macquarie town. Its beautiful. The buildings are heritage. We have gas lamps. I feel like theres so much potential for Windsor to be a hub for food, for travel, for getaways, he says. Maybe we can flip that, get some city diners to come out, have a farm stay for the weekend and explore something new that they havent explored before. The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2025, featuring more than 450 reviews, is on sale for $14.95 from newsagents, supermarkets and at thestore.com.au. The new Good Food app, featuring Good Food Guide reviews, recipes and food news, is available to download. Its available as a standalone subscription and as part of our Premium Digital packages for subscribers. Premium Digital subscribers can download the Good Food app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store now.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Azerbaijan is setting its sights on solar and wind energy as key future objectives, said the country's Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev, Trend reports.

Speaking at the high-level session "Mobilizing Law Enforcement for Enhanced Climate Action" held in the COP29 Blue Zone, Aliyev highlighted significant environmental achievements by Azerbaijan.

He pointed out that 2024 has been dubbed the "Green World Solidarity Year" in Azerbaijan, and the country has rolled out the red carpet for strict penalties against environmental misdeeds.

Aliyev also shared that the General Prosecutor's Office organized a conference in the Azerbaijani city of Khankendi in June on "The Role of Educational and Law Enforcement Measures in Strengthening the Environment."

"Looking ahead, Azerbaijan's goals are centered on effective law enforcement, digital systems, eco-friendly transport, forest restoration, sustainable energy use, and the adoption of solar and wind power.

Let us protect our planet for future generations," Aliyev concluded.

The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - was held on November 1213.

The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics.

In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, creating climate finance will also help fulfill the 1.5C pledge by bringing everyone together.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
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This story is part of the November 16 edition of Good Weekend. See all stories .

If theres a siren call to the young right now, it would sound like an Arctic yodel: Frohhhhh yohhhhhh! The promise of frozen yoghurt (froyo) brings crowds of over-excited teens and young adults together as they queue for the pleasure of choosing their flavours, swirling their choices into paper cups, and adding all manner of sweet syrups, wafers, confectionery and sprinkles. Photo: Simon Letch Froyo burst onto the Australian scene 12 years ago, and has grown into much more than a swirly, soft-serve, yoghurt-based, icy-cold treat. The Aussie-owned Yo-Chi started in Melbourne and is expanding fast. Its tenth Sydney store has just moved into the prized waterside site vacated by Cirrus, a two-hatted seafood restaurant in popular work-and-play precinct Barangaroo.

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The interiors are Willy Wonka-fun places, as sparkly as little kids unicorns. Its a sign of the times for an old codger like me, but for those at the other end of a lifetime of dining, its a great move. Why? Because frozen yoghurt is seen as a lighter, healthier choice than ice-cream. Because the interiors are Willy Wonka-fun places in which to get together with friends, as sparkly as little kids unicorns. Yo-Chi is not a fad: Meet the man making frozen yoghurt cool again And because this generation loves to customise. Nobody is telling them what to order or what to eat. Nobodys saying they cant pile mini mochi onto butterscotch caramel syrup onto pistachio froyo with a side swirl of acai. Getting a froyo is an incredibly rule-free, individual, self-serve process, which is probably what they love most of all. Once youve filled your cup, you just go to the weigh and pay station, then grab a cute stool under a disco ball and stay as long as you like.

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Comment: The last days of froyo are way overdue Essentially, its a dessert bar and community centre for kids, and for people who want to relax and get together in a setting that doesnt require alcohol. And the chefs are taking notice. Federico Zanellato  known to most as the entrepreneurial chef behind Sydneys Italian-Japanese degustation diner LuMi  has teamed up with a partner

to open Freo, a more adult, premium-quality froyo outlet next to Sydney Town Hall. If this really is a trend, it might pay for fine diners to adopt a few of the same psychological strategies, or they could find themselves frozen out. Not by the franchises themselves, but by a new generation of guests accustomed to a no-rules, customisable, all-inclusive way of dining. With added sprinkles. theemptyplate@goodweekend.com.au

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For five days near the end of October, Waverley College decided to embark on a technology-free experiment: every lesson would be held without laptops or devices.

Research was done using old-fashioned hard-copy textbooks; teachers photocopied class notes; and essays were drafted by hand. Students from years 5 to 12 left their school-issued computers at home, and work was completed using only pen and paper.

Waverley College students Dante Fearn and Ben Cromer embraced the tech free week. Credit: Janie Barrett

It gave everyone in the high school this chance to have one week away from screens. It was challenging, a bit like a tech detox, said year 10 student Ben Cromer.

For subjects like history and maths, taking handwritten notes was helpful. There werent as many distractions. But for writing long essays that need a lot of editing, typing is easier.
Ive taken a break from studying for my last VCE exam to write this piece. Once I walk out of that exam room next Wednesday, I know that VCE will gradually begin to recede away into the distance. Before long I wont remember the Wordsworth quotes, chemical formulae and sections of the Constitution that I spent two years cramming into my brain.

But right now, VCE still feels like my entire life. Most of my waking hours, for the past two years, have been spent working towards these five exams in November. And so those exams come to be imbued with a colossal significance that would be hard for anyone except a year 12 student to understand. Were all trapped in the same bizarre, pressurised bubble; and yes, were aware that our ATARs arent the be-all and end-all, but were so emotionally invested and exhausted that it doesnt seem that way right now.

VCE student Saria Ratnam prepares for her final exam amid embarrassing revelations that some students have accessed leaked questions. Credit: Joe Armao

Thats why, when I found out on Thursday that questions from at least 22 VCE exams had been leaked to some students due to a technical error, I wasnt just shocked, but pretty devastated. The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authoritys claims that no student will be disadvantaged feel, at best, hollow. If the compromised questions arent counted in our results, then thats frustrating for everyone who legitimately got them right. And any student whos seen some of the questions beforehand will have saved time, and therefore gained an advantage, for the rest of the exam  which cant be factored in.

To most people observing this scandal, its no doubt another news story about an embarrassing bureaucratic blunder. To me and tens of thousands of teenagers across the state, it means everything; the unravelling of two years of work. It feels profoundly unfair to have put in so much effort, to have endured the tears, stress and meltdowns that VCE inevitably entails, and then find out that some people got an upper hand.
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 From the vast Wimmera crop fields of western Victoria, the ancient stone formations of Dyurrite soar sharply above the flat surrounding landscape. Exquisite rock layers dazzle when the golden sun brings out their orange and grey hues. This place, also formally known as Mount Arapiles, holds deep spiritual significance for Indigenous people. The dramatic Dyurrite Cultural Landscape. Credit: Justin McManus Before European arrival, Dyurrite provided numerous quarry sites Indigenous people used to fashion stone tools. Over recent decades, Dyurrite has become immensely popular with rock climbers, who flock there to test skill and strength in the multitude of climbing routes. Now, tensions are simmering over access to some sections of the site. The Barengi Gadjin Land Council and the state government are moving to curb access to some parts of Dyurrite to protect cultural heritage, including quarry complexes, rock art, artefact scatters and scar trees. The looming restrictions incensed some climbers who argue they have been shut out of the process determining which sections will be closed. They fear the changes will end the regions reputation as a premier climbing destination.

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Barengi Gadjin Land Councils Stuart Harradine. Credit: Justin McManus However, Stuart Harradine, Barengi Gadjin Land Council spirit officer and spokesman, said he wanted to dispel concerns of a widespread climbing ban. He said only one-third of climbing routes would be closed to protect cultural heritage. Harradine said his group worked with the Gariwerd and Wimmera Reconciliation Network, which includes climbers, to minimise impact on recreational users. Its not the intent of our mob to stop people coming here, he said. Its just really rebalancing the management of the park as a cultural landscape. Harradine recalled how, when visiting Dyurrite as a child, he would see a rock art painting that has since faded. He said weather eroded artworks that were exposed to the elements. But at one section, Harradine pointed out a faint ochre emu footprint motif with an m like figure scratched over it. Stuart Harradine. Credit: Justin McManus

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There are other markings scratched into the walls nearby. Harradine does not suggest climbers deliberately damaged the artwork, but climbing had been undertaken there previously and there are still climbing bolts in the rock surrounding the painting. He said some artworks were invisible to the naked eye, having been detected through archaeological surveys. The locations of some artworks remain confidential to prevent potential vandalism. The majority of climbers would be respectful of cultural heritage and avoid it, Harradine said. But its not just about the tangible heritage of what people can see and touch. Its about the intangible, which includes our creation stories and what has happened at particular locations in the landscape which means they are sensitive sites. Digital technology is being used to rediscover rock art. Credit: Justin McManus Harradine said if climbers stayed in identified climbing areas there was no risk of unintended disturbance to cultural heritage. He said it was important rock paintings were protected, regardless of condition, so they could be potentially restored. An interim protection order was issued at Dyurrite several years ago to protect Aboriginal heritage. But those areas have since been expanded significantly.

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Rock climbers learned of the latest changes when the state government issued a press release about a draft management plan on Melbourne Cup eve. Dyurrite is immensely popular with rock climbers. Credit: Justin McManus All climbers The Age spoke to insisted they took great care to avoid disturbing Indigenous sites. There are some bolts fixed to the rocks at Dyurrite. But long-time rock climber and magazine editor Ross Taylor said most climbers at Dyurrite used natural protection safety equipment that does not damage rock and is removed after climbing. We have a history of managing ourselves in a very responsible way, he said. Climbing legend Louise Shepherd starting climbing at Dyurrite in 1978 and lives in the nearby town of Natimuk. She said Dyurrite was renowned for its variety of climbing routes. The bans mostly affected the beginner and intermediate routes, she said, as well as some of the hardest ones.

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What makes it stand out is for beginners and intermediate people its way better than any other cliff in the world, Shepherd said. Theyre now taking out massive swathes of the best climbing routes. Climbing legend Louise Shepherd. Credit: Justin McManus Some estimates suggest Dyurrite offers more than 2000 climbing routes. But finding consensus on exactly how many will be affected is all but impossible. Shepherd has guided thousands of student groups at Dyurrite, and insisted climbing can co-exist with Indigenous cultural preservation. She lashed Parks Victorias management plan, accusing it of failing to consult properly with climbers and Wimmera residents. Parks Victorias management plan for the Dyurrite Cultural Landscape reported visitation was increasing by about 3 per cent annually and surpassed 50,000 visitor days per year. Shepherd feared the bans would erode visitation and gut the economy of Natimuk, where she works part-time in a shop. Change is coming to Dyurrite. Credit: Justin McManus

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The whistleblower alleges the specialists signed these agreements and were breaching those contracts. She alleges that during her employment at a Mornington Peninsula medical clinic, which spanned a decade, about 90 per cent of patients were stung with out-of-pocket costs  despite the no-gap-fee arrangements. These hidden fees spanned from $500 to more egregious charges of up to $5000, she alleged. I am shocked that I have been part of a scam and was absolutely distressed  I do not wish to be branded a criminal or have a criminal record and be out of work, the whistleblower, who is not identified, wrote in the confidential document seen by The Age.

I brought this concern up to my superior, who told me not to worry because they have been doing this for more than 10 years and everyone including the specialist surgeons we look after are doing it. It cant be wrong if anyone is doing it! She told me that the patients are happy because we are splitting the cost of the service and claiming the NO GAP portion directly from the health fund and Medicare. I am concerned about the practice  This is illegal and immoral. I am now convinced that no gap means no gap and not pretend no gap. Whistleblower complaint The complaint alleges the out-of-pocket fees were kept off the books and not documented in the patients insurance paperwork. I am concerned about the practice  This is illegal and immoral, the whistleblower wrote. I am now convinced that NO GAP means NO GAP and not pretend NO GAP, with out-of-pocket costs hidden as booking fees or administrative fees.

Private Healthcare Australia (PHA) confirmed health insurers were notified of the allegations against nearly 50 doctors in one part of Victoria. The allegations are primarily against a group of anaesthetists and surgeons, but also involve an obstetrician and a gastroenterologist. However, it has also stoked fears about more widespread medical fraud. How to check if youve been billed incorrectly under no-gap-fee arrangements If you have private health insurance, call your health fund to examine your bills and ask questions about whether you should be paying out-of-pocket fees or not. They can help you ask the right questions of your provider. If your Medicare records show you were bulk-billed when you were charged a fee, report it to Medicare. PHA chief executive Dr Rachel David urged consumers to examine their medical bills and see if they had been charged a fee while being bulk-billed or treated under a no gap fee arrangement with their health insurer because they may be able to take action against the providers. These allegations are deeply disturbing because of the trust patients put in their specialist doctors, David said.

When you seek the help of a surgeon and an anaesthetist, you are typically at your most vulnerable. You do not expect them to be exploiting you financially at the same time. David said the allegations suggest the specialist doctors were shadow billing  a practice whereby consumers are billed unknown amounts of money. This income is not reported by clinicians to other payers, including Medicare and insurers. Private Healthcare Australia chief executive Rachel David Last year it was estimated Medicare fraud and non-compliance by doctors was costing taxpayers up to $3 billion a year. An independent report into non-compliance also warned that Australians risk losing billions more to rorts in an overly complex and opaque system that needs urgent reform. Medicare needs to urgently investigate these allegations to ensure taxpayers are not footing the bill for wide-scale fraud in our private health system, David said.

Health practitioners convicted of Medicare fraud face serious penalties including being disqualified, hefty fines and imprisonment. Loading For Australians in the private healthcare system, if such allegations are proven, it could mean consumers have been potentially overbilled thousands of dollars. PHA said one survey by a major health fund recently found about 31 per cent of its more than 4000 members had potentially been ripped off after paying a fee despite no-gap arrangements. The health fund is still working through the cases to determine the extent of overbilling. The whistleblower complaint also alleges that a culture of pocketing additional fees is rife among locum specialists, sparking alarm among medical experts who want greater regulation and transparency around medical billing.

Associate Professor Joanna Sutherland, who chairs the safety and quality committee of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA), said the current medical billing system lacked transparency and was skewed towards clinicians making a profit. If these allegations are found to be true, in my view, thats outrageous, unethical and it would be unacceptable, Sutherland said. Health insurers are Australians who have had surgery in private hospitals to check if they have been correctly billed. Credit: Glenn Hunt Sutherland said the lack of transparency in Australias health billing system meant it was impossible to determine how widespread the practice of inappropriate billing was. Consumers are ripe for exploitation, she said.

Medical fraud and compliance expert Dr Margaret Faux said the complaint contained allegations of misleading, deceptive and unconscionable conduct, and she feared consumers were being financially exploited during a national cost-of-living crisis. Theres a whole lot of potential illegal conduct detailed in this letter, Faux said. Dr Margaret Faux fears patients are being financially exploited by doctors. Credit: Janie Barrett Theres evidence of potential fraud. Theres also likely breaches of contract between the doctors and health insurers, there are also almost certainly breaches of the health practitioner national law, but the consumer law breaches are potentially very serious. Faux said the conduct detailed in the whistleblower complaint could only have been written by somebody who had personal experience and knowledge in the area.

In my experience, this conduct is widespread, Faux said. Loading Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA) president Dr Mark Sinclair said he had no knowledge of the allegations until contacted by this masthead. He said the specialist doctors group stood by its position that the overwhelming majority of services performed by anaesthetists in Australia were billed appropriately. Anaesthetists are free to bill a patient however they wish, while of course observing the best possible informed financial consent practices, he said.

If an anaesthetist chooses to bill a patient using a health insurance product, they must abide by the terms and conditions covering that insurance product. The ASA has a position statement on informed financial consent, and Sinclair said it regularly worked with Medicare compliance officials to ensure anaesthesia claims were correct. Where concerns have been identified in the past, these were communicated to the ASA and investigated by both bodies, he said. Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) president Associate Professor Kerin Fielding said while she was unable to comment on the specifics of any individual case, the college takes allegations of this kind very seriously.

Our fellows understand that patient care is at the core of what we do, and our reputation is key to that, Fielding said. Loading More generally, we strongly refute any suggestion that unethical practices of any kind are commonplace or widespread for RACS members. The college has also published a position paper on surgeons fees, including principles around informed financial consent, stating any charges should be reasonable, justifiable and proportionate with no hidden booking or administration fees. David and Faux said the allegations called into question the accuracy of publicly reported statistics, including data from Medicare and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority.

We need the regulators to step up here, and if there is criminal conduct, such as fraud, we need the Australian Federal Police to be involved, Faux said. Anaesthetists and surgeons are frequently listed among the highest-paid jobs in Australia. In the last financial year, surgeons pocketed the highest national income, averaging earnings of more than $460,000 a year, followed by anaesthetists, who came in second with average earnings of $431,193. ANZCAs Sutherland, who worked as an anaesthetist for more than two decades, said that while she never witnessed the practice of unethical billing, rumours of it had swirled for years. Sutherland, who was also a member of the Medicare Benefits Schedule Review Taskforce that discovered a litany of questionable billing practices during a probe in 2020, wants a crackdown on billing in Australia. The way its set up, theres an asymmetry of knowledge so that the clinicians, the doctors, understand the system and they can work it to their advantage, she said.

The allegations refer to cases of no-gap-schemes. In instances where there is a known- gap-scheme consumers can be charged a fee by a specialist under the agreement. The whistleblower said in the document that her role included billing health funds directly for the specialist services, collecting payments and chasing up unpaid accounts. She details how she personally called private health funds and was allegedly told it was illegal to violate the terms of Medicare compliance and health insurance agreements. This double-dipping culture is endemic, she wrote. I am sure this is only the tip of the iceberg and hope you people  in high place[s] will stand up to this toxic culture, which blatantly preys on retired, helpless people ... who take up private health insurance in good faith only to be taken advantage of.

Australian Medical Association vice president Professor Julian Rait said if a medical practitioner has signed a contract with a private health insurer, the billing requirements must be adhered to. Circumventing contractual arrangements by issuing a second, separate bill for a single course of treatment is inappropriate, Rait said. About 55 per cent of Australians  15 million people  are privately insured, with health insurers paying for two-thirds of all planned surgical procedures. A spokesman for the federal Department of Health and Aged Care said it was unable to share details of its compliance investigations, including probes still underway. He said the department took allegations of non-compliance seriously and compliance responses were based on the seriousness and scale of the identified issue.
Embattled miner Mineral Resources has conceded it should have disclosed the rent relief afforded to companies tied to billionaire founder Chris Ellisons daughter, but believed the deal was not materially price sensitive.

In response to queries from the ASX, the miners board said it called time on the 11-year rent relief agreements with Ship Agency Services and Propel Marine after the related-party deal was uncovered last financial year.

Chris Ellison will depart as Mineral Resources managing director within 18 months. Credit: Trevor Collens

Ellisons daughter Kristy-Lee Craker founded SAS the year before the miners deal with its preferred ship agency, and is a shareholder of Propel Marine.

MinRes demanded SAS repay $158,000 after undertaking a review of its records and historical valuations, but told the ASX it did not believe it warranted disclosure.
Lima: Anthony Albanese has been greeted with bear hugs and bro handshakes at a regional summit where he renewed his friendship with outgoing United States President Joe Biden, as the prime minister backed the security alliance with the US amid him being praised in the Chinese media.

The prime minister approached Biden in the first moments of the formal talks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Peru so they could have a personal conversation before the session began, while other leaders looked on.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese greets US President Joe Biden at APEC leaders informal dialogue. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

But the prime minister did not have a chance to talk to Chinese President Xi Jinping, who skipped the summits first session without explanation.

Biden gave Albanese a broad smile as the two talked and laughed while other leaders took their seats.
Lima: Chinese President Xi Jinping has moved to gain more economic allies across the Asia-Pacific after arriving at a regional summit with a pledge to build a multipolar world, seizing on growing anxiety about the rise of Donald Trump to the United States presidency.

The message highlights Chinas growing power at the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit when the country is investing billions of dollars across the region, challenging the US for primacy.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met new Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged the wave of Chinese investment and welcomed the trend, saying it was an opportunity for Australia because of the economic growth in China and other big countries such as India and Indonesia.

But tensions over China were apparent in the prime ministers meeting with newly elected Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who spoke of the need to lower the temperature with Beijing.
Australias first federal anti-corruption commissioner has rebuffed calls to step down after a damning review of his agencys decision not to pursue officials over the unlawful robo-debt scheme, lashing critics unrealistic expectations of the agency.

In his first public appearance since a misconduct finding last month, Paul Brereton declared he would keep his role and stood by his cautious approach to investigations, arguing calls to produce scalps publicly and promptly are unhelpful.

Some have suggested that I should resign. Others have gone further. One commentator even posted that it was a revolver in the library time for me, which was liked by another 1700, and Im afraid I didnt find it particularly funny, he told the National Public Sector Governance Forum on Friday.

Commissioner Paul Brereton reprimanded critics of the anti-corruption body, saying it was not trying to win a popularity contest. Credit: AAP

In a report released last month, NACC independent overseer Gail Furness noted that Brereton had disclosed a conflict of interest when the commission was weighing up whether to investigate the robo-debt saga and delegated the decision to a deputy. But Furness concluded Brereton should have withdrawn from the process completely, resulting in a finding of officer misconduct  that is not unlawful but arose from a mistake of law or fact.
Brisbane Airport has only just unveiled the renderings of the planned 21st-century makeover of its international terminal as part of a $5 billion upgrade of its facilities, but Qantas is already increasing its international traffic out of the Queensland capital.

Artists impression of Brisbane Airport upgrades, with a cutaway view of the inner workings.

The airline has just launched a four-times-weekly service between Brisbane and Manila in the Philippines, operating on A330 aircraft and adding an annual 100,000 seats to the route.

This follows the start of a new Qantas service from Brisbane to Vanuatus capital Port Vila and the announcement that new flights between Brisbane and the Pacific Island nation of Palau will start soon. Qantas has also added an extra two flights a week to Singapore from Brisbane.

Qantas already flies to Manila from Sydney, but the Brisbane flights to the Philippine capital offer Queensland Qantas customers a direct route there, but also an alternative for the rest of the country. Qantas had previously flown Sydney-Brisbane-Manila, but cancelled that route around a decade ago.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. COP29 has brought nearly 10,000 NGO representatives from around the world, creating a truly democratic space for civil society, said Aygun Aliyeva, Executive Director of the Agency for State Support to NGOs, as she addressed the summit participants, Trend reports.

"Today, we are united under a common banner: advancing climate action through South-South Cooperation with a special emphasis on the invaluable role of NGOs," Aliyeva stated, emphasizing Azerbaijans commitment to inclusive dialogue and global cooperation as the host of COP29.

She highlighted Azerbaijan's ongoing efforts to ensure that civil society remains central to climate negotiations. "By enabling diverse perspectives to be heard, we are working towards climate goals that are not only ambitious but fair and just for all."

Particular attention was given to the needs of developing nations. "Todays event reflects Azerbaijans unwavering priority: ensuring that Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), often the most vulnerable to climate impacts, are active participants in shaping climate solutions," she noted.

The National NGO Forum of Azerbaijan also received special recognition for its efforts in facilitating global partnerships. "This forum has paved the way for an enduring legacy of collaboration that will continue beyond COP29, inspiring ongoing partnerships among the NGOs present here today and fostering solidarity across borders," Aliyeva remarked.

Aliyeva reaffirmed the indispensable role of NGOs in addressing the climate crisis. "NGOs bring hope, advocate for change, and represent the voices of communities. They are the vital bridge between policy and people, translating global commitments into local actions that transform lives," she said.
Check-ins and outs Michael Gebicki suggests one advantage of online check-in is that the line at the airline counter (to drop your bag only) will be shorter than for those who are also checking in (Traveller, October 31). Not so with Singapore Airlines, for one. I recently checked in online and received my digital boarding pass, which I then duly added to my Apple Wallet. At the airport, however, there was no separate counter/kiosk for baggage drop only, and when I finally got to the front of the long queue I was also given a printed boarding pass. So, in this case, the reason for online check-in, and a digital boarding pass, eludes me.

Ross Duncan, Potts Point, NSW A plus for CBA Beware of pickpockets in Paris. Credit: iStock We all love to bag the banks but credit where its due. I was pickpocketed at Montparnasse Station, Paris. I lost credit and travel cards, as well as personal ones. In the hour before I discovered my loss and stopped the cards, the thief had made numerous smallish transactions. When I reported my card stolen, Qantas Pay transferred my balance via Western Union so at least I had some cash. CBA Mastercard immediately sent me a new digital card so I could make contactless hotel and restaurant payments. When I was back in Australia, both CBA Mastercard and CBA Travel Money Card refunded me the majority of the purchases made by the thief in his frantic hour of fraud. Exceptional care from CBA and Qantas Pay. And yes I was aware of Paris pickpockets and thought Id taken precautions, but they are so good.

William Cameron, The Hill, NSW

Editors note: This week we published some advice on dealing with pickpockets from an expert. Read the story here. Cancelled out Your letter from Kristin Sloane (Traveller Letters, November 2), confirms my feelings about the CBA credit card insurance with Cover-More. Within the past year, my wife and I had a half world cruise with Virgin cancelled by Virgin  officially for safety concerns, but I feel in reality it was for financial considerations. While Virgin returned the cruise cost, I still had some out of pocket expenses. I placed a claim to CBA and when that went unanswered, I sent another few emails, the last eliciting a response to contact a different email address. Again, I sent the forms multiple times and eventually rang them to be given yet a third email address. Eventually, after some months, I was rejected and given the opportunity to appeal, which I did. After yet more emails, I waited well outside their stated time to reply but received none. When this was brought to their attention, they ignored it and again refused my request. If this is the standard of service one expects, I will definitely go with a different insurer  regardless of the level of credit card and length of time of being a CBA customer.

John Rodger, Connells Point, NSW Percentage game

During a recent UK holiday, I was reminded of another rip-off by the banks regarding overseas international transfer commissions at 3.5 per cent. Using a travel card is a better option as long as you dont use an ATM, but, if using a debit card, regardless of the amount, the 3.5 per cent applies. Surely the amount is unimportant. It should be one small flat fee regardless of the amount for a single transfer. Banks are happy to use your savings to re-lend at exorbitant rates and gouge as much from you as possible. Millions if not billions of savings get eaten up by the greedy banks. Time for the PM to take on the banks in the interest of travellers, savers and borrowers alike.

Denis Suttling, Newport Beach, NSW Tip of the week: Short but sweet A shrine to Buddha at Tham Ting Buddhist Cave on the Mekong River, Luang Prabang, Laos. Credit: Getty Images I have just returned from a short, nine-day family trip to Laos. We visited three cities, Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Vang Vieng, travelling independently by fast train, private mini-bus and tuk-tuk along with lots of walking. Those three cities, all different, provided a wealth of memorable and instructive experiences such as a village homestay, visiting an elephant rehabilitation facility and understanding the ongoing impacts of historic US cluster bombing. Then there were the Buddhist temples, limestone caves buried in the mountains, hot-air ballooning and launching celebration lanterns skywards. The list goes on. The Lao people, most of whom live a subsistence lifestyle, are peaceful and welcoming. They appreciate respectful visitors to their beautiful country.

Ray Witherby, Kings Langley, NSW Tipple tip

Get the view without paying for Skypark entry at Marina Bay Sands. Credit: iStock My best travel tip comes from when I was in Singapore last year. Forget about paying the $32 to visit the Skypark Observation Deck at Marina Bay Sands. Head to tower 1 and the Lavo Restaurant desk at the ground floor. Tell them you dont have a reservation and you just want a drink at the bar. They will notify the restaurant and a waitperson will greet you at the top and show you to the bar. You can order a drink and sit and enjoy the view in comfort. You can walk around the outdoor deck and it only costs you the price of the drink. It is so nice. I did learn this from TikTok but it worked and was amazing.

Jackie Braganza, Sunbury, Vic Low rent I fully sympathise with C. Jackson and their car rental experiences with Rocket and Europcar, (Traveller Letters, November 2). We had a similar experience a couple of years ago booking a months rental in Germany through a broker and Europcar. At their office, the next day however Europcar had no cars available. Despite this, they debited the full rental to my card immediately. They subsequently admitted this was a mistake and would be reversed, which it eventually was. Since this experience, I only book cars via car rental websites themselves and I avoid Europcar and third parties.

Guy Ward, Nunawading, Vic Paradise found

Paddling in paradise. Credit: iStock Fiji Airways took us to Nadi and then a fascinating ferry ride across to Musket Cove Island Resort & Marina on the island of Malolo Lailai. This is a big island with amazing walks. Musket Cove itself has two restaurants (one casual and one formal), an island bar and a shop selling food that caters for everyone. You can lie around the pool under umbrellas and be waited on, or go for walks to the top of the island where the views area amazing. You can also snorkel in deep water among myriad fish, go kayaking, sailing, fishing or take boat trips to other islands. But the real joy was the Fijian people  warm, friendly, always smiling and good at their jobs.

Susan-Gaye Anderson, Albert Park, Vic Value proposition I have just read a letter from one of your readers about Ho Chi Minh City (Traveller Letters, November 2) and would like to thank her, and Traveller for publishing it. My husband and I have been Vietnam Airlines platinum members for the past seven years and fly to Europe once a year in business class and did not know about the mentioned free transit tour. We have had to purchase visas and hotels in Vietnam as the option of staying at Ho Chi Minh Airport for 14 hours was not considered. I religiously read Traveller letters and this one in particular has been the most beneficial to me (and, in the same section the letter entitled, Go Blues, was equally valued as I am going to Bali in March and will be needing taxis).

Judith Metcalf, Mosman, NSW Gutter talk
Parliament had immunised the theatre from censorship, but Smyth ingeniously found a way around it in relation to a scene in which a male actor, playing a Roman centurion  again  had simulated the rape of a young (but ancient) druid. He dredged up another old law, of indecency by a male in a public place  designed to prosecute men who touted for sex in public toilets. Smyth convinced magistrates that the Nationals stage was a public space and so they allowed the case to go ahead to trial. The most I could do, as counsel for the National, was to defeat his efforts to have the play close.

But then, a very strange thing happened. The week before the trial, which he wanted to be his crowning achievement, Smyth pulled out without explanation. It was at first said that he was ill, but Whitehouse herself told me that he had received an urgent summons from God to serve as a missionary in Africa. That was indeed where he went, more likely as an ultimatum to leave the country from those who had seen the 1982 report and threatened to go to the police if he did not disappear.

British Morality Campaign founder Mary Whitehouse in Sydney in 1984, crusading against video pornography at St Andrews House. Credit: Grahame Roderick Roberts

Whitehouses only witness could not be sure about what he had seen from his seat in the gods at the Nationals Olivier Theatre. He had thought he had descried the tip of the actors penis, but it might have been the tip of his thumb. The case collapsed and Whitehouse was left weeping as costs were awarded against her. It was the end of her courtroom crusade against the permissive society.

But did she know about the depravity of her leading counsel? It was common knowledge by 1984 in the evangelical circles in which she moved, and she must have been given a good reason for Smyths apparent abandonment. Later that year, however, she took him with her on a tour of Australia to promote muscular Christianity. They demanded to meet the attorney-general, whom (by coincidence) I was advising at the time, so I was able to advise Gareth Evans not to see them.
Paris: Paris prosecutors have requested a two-year prison sentence for far-right leader Marine Le Pen and an additional five-year period of ineligibility to run for office in a trial over the suspected embezzlement of European parliament funds.

The requests put her ability to participate in the 2027 presidential race at stake.

The National Rally party and 25 of its officials, including Le Pen, are accused of having used money intended for EU parliamentary work pay staff who were working for the party, known at the time as the National Front.

Marine Le Pen arrives for the trial over the suspected embezzlement of European parliament funds. Credit: AP

Prosecutors asked the court to declare Le Pen guilty and impose a 300,000 fine and three more years of suspended prison sentence. They requested the period of ineligibility be declared effective immediately, independent of whether Le Pen files an appeal or not.
A video that was submitted as part of an insurance claim in January appeared to capture a disturbing scene: a brown bear ransacking a Rolls-Royce that was parked in a Southern California driveway.

Similar videos involving other luxury cars were submitted to two additional insurers, and the three companies collectively paid out more than $US140,000 ($217,000).

A photo provided by the California Department of Insurance shows a bear costume found in the home of a suspect in an insurance fraud case. Credit: The New York Times

But something about the footage seemed off, and one of the companies reported the video and images of claw marks on the upholstery to the California Department of Insurance. On Wednesday (Thursday AEDT), after concluding an investigation it called Operation Bear Claw, the department said it had determined that the bear was not, in fact, a bear.

Upon further scrutiny of the video, the investigation determined the bear was actually a person in a bear costume, the department said in a news release. The scratch marks inside the vehicles, it said, were made with a claw-like kitchen accessory usually used to shred meat.
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 Alexis Nungaray had no idea that June 16 this year would be the last time she would see her 12-year-old daughter. The Texas mother remembers going to bed that Sunday night and telling Jocelyn  her spunky, quirky, funny child  how much she loved her. She remembers, too, the feeling of dread when she woke up the next morning to discover Jocelyn missing, followed by the realisation that her mobile phone, which had a location finder on it, was pinging at the skate park about two minutes away from their house. But what haunts Nungaray the most is arriving at the park to the sight of police officers and yellow tape cordoning off the area, which was now a crime scene. As she would eventually find out, Jocelyn had gone to buy a drink from a corner store, where she was preyed on by two illegal immigrants from Venezuela, 26-year-old Franklin Jose Pena and 22-year-old Johan Jose Rangel Martinez. Both were charged with rape and murder, after Jocelyns strangled body was discovered in a creek: her hands and ankles bound, her pants missing. Kamala Harris was in charge of immigration in our borders, the softly spoken Alexis Nungaray says on a powerful and haunting video Donald Trump would play at his rallies as election day neared.

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Under her being vice president of this country, my daughters life was ripped away from her. Its tragedies like these that helped to make the US immigration crisis such a defining feature of Trumps election-winning campaign  and such an insurmountable challenge for Harris. After coming to office in 2016, vowing to build a wall at the US-Mexico border and branding all illegal immigrants as rapists and murderers, the former president doubled down on the themes as he sought to return to the White House. A migrant strikes a pose as he walks alongside the highway in Escuintla, southern Mexico, heading towards the countrys northern border and ultimately the United States last week. Credit: AP Illegal immigrants were poisoning the blood of our country, the incendiary Republican would falsely declare. They were stealing Americans jobs; eating pets; coming from jails and mental institutions; and killing Americans en masse. And just as the Biden-Harris administration was to blame for not cracking down on the border crisis soon enough, Trump insisted that he had the solution: the biggest mass deportation program in US history to get rid of undocumented immigrants. Theyre going to go back to their countries because there is no staying here, the president-elect said last week.

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But as the dust settles on Trumps emphatic victory, there are fundamental questions about how, exactly, the US could possibly carry out the largest law enforcement operation in history  and at what cost. After all, there are an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants living in America: foreign-born people without a valid visa or other immigration documentation because they entered the US illegally, stayed longer than their temporary visa permitted, or otherwise violated the terms under which they were admitted. Migrants from various countries depart Tapachula, Mexico, on election day, hoping to reach the countrys northern border and ultimately the United States. Credit: AP But contrary to the narrative Trump pushed, the vast majority are not violent criminals but workers in sectors such as agriculture, construction and hospitality, and adding to the economy as consumers and taxpayers. About 5.1 million children became American citizens at birth but live with an undocumented family member in what is known as a mixed status family. Experts warn that separating them could not only lead to economic hardship, it could also result in emotional stress for all involved. Theres a significant amount of fear and a significant amount of concern, says Juan Proano, the chief executive of the League of United Latin American Citizens, the nations oldest Latino civil rights organisation.

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We understand that we need to stem the flow of migrants coming into this country, but you need to separate out two different issues: which is the inflow of migrants, and then, essentially, what would be an interior issue: immigrants that have been here for 10, 20 or 30 years. As for the financial cost? While Trump told NBC last week that there is no price tag for his signature policy, an analysis by the American Immigration Council suggests a one-time mass deportation program would have a devastating bill of at least $US315 billion ($474 billion). A longer-term operation  which would involve arresting, detaining, processing and deporting about 1 million people each year  would cost about $US88 billion annually, or a whopping $US967.9 billion over more than a decade. Stephen Miller, former White House senior adviser for policy, speaks during a Trump campaign event. Credit: Bloomberg Muzaffar Chishti, a senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute in New York, says implementing the signature policy wont be easy but it wouldnt be the first time Trump came to office with immigration promises he struggled to keep. In 2016 the Republican candidate pledged to build a giant wall  paid for by Mexico  that would span the entire 3145-kilometre stretch of the southern border, which cuts across California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Eventually, only 737 kilometres was built, mainly to replace smaller, dilapidated sections built by previous governments, and Mexico did not contribute.

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Chishti reckons Trump will nonetheless want to show that he is making good on the pledge, and predicts that there will be some high-profile removals: someone being carried off in handcuffs, people with orange suits, rapists and murderers being arrested  which, by the way, is done every day in our government. But, he adds, in reality a mass deportation program will face its share of hurdles, from the pushback of Democratic governors and legal challenges from groups such as LULAC and the American Civil Liberties Union, to the sheer logistics involved. It is also unclear how people will be deported if the US does not have agreements in place with the country of origin. Donald Trump speaks on the southern border with Mexico in August. Only a fraction of his beautiful wall was built during his first term  and mainly to replace older dilapidated sections. Credit: AP Firstly, these people are living in communities all across the country, so to get them youll need either permission of people to get into their house or youll need a warrant, he explains. Secondly, even if they arrest people, we still have the bedrock constitutional principle of Habeas Corpus  where every person gets the right to go to a federal district court judge and request to be released. And even if we assume that a judge says someone can be arrested, you cant just physically remove someone unless you have a Final Order of Removal  and for that you need an immigration hearing in a court system that already has a backlog of about 3.7 million cases.

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The new pilot program providing legal support services has reached its second week of operation, and initial results are promising. Minister Veronica Jansen-Webster visited the Community Help Desk today to observe the program firsthand and emphasize the importance of this initiative.

This initiative of MP Roseburg was conceived to offer accessible legal assistance to those in need. The initial development of the initiative was presented to the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor (VSA), with Senior Policy Advisor Mr. Herbert Martina translating the vision into actionable steps.

The project has since been brought to life by Mrs. Chantale Groeneveldt, Division Head of Community Development, Family & Humanitarian Affairs (CDFHA), and her dedicated team, who have worked tirelessly to establish and launch this service.

Minister Jansen-Webster expressed deep gratitude to the volunteers who have generously offered their time and expertise to help ensure the help desks success. "Their dedication has been crucial in bringing this service to life for the benefit of our community," she stated.

To assess the pilots impact, the program will undergo a formal evaluation. Early indicators are highly encouraging, with overwhelming community demand for legal support. Minister Jansen-Webster envisions that, with minor adjustments, the help desk could become a permanent and integral part of the community help desks offerings.

As part of the initial outreach, an informational campaign was launched on October 31, 2024, with a questionnaire directed at legal professionals to gauge their interest in collaboration. Consultation hours held at the Cole Bay Community Help Desk have shown great interest.

Eight consultation slots were made available in 15-minute appointments on November 7 and November 14, both of which were fully booked. Since the flyers release, a total of 21 people have sought appointments, highlighting the service's value to the community.

Additional program activities include:

 An information session on immigration procedures scheduled for November 18, 2024, at the Government Building Conference Room 1 & 2, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

 The distribution of the questionnaire to the Bar Association to gain additional responses. A database of lawyers will be created, enabling residents to access legal support relevant to their needs.

 A debrief session with the initial consultation facilitator to evaluate and potentially continue the service.

 Planning of further consultation hours in December, as offered by another facilitator, pending confirmation.

 Organization of an additional information session to address common legal challenges, facilitated by a legal professional.

Minister Jansen-Webster, who is preparing for her upcoming role as a legislator, shared her commitment to expanding community-focused initiatives. She pledged to pursue additional programs, such as offering psychological support at community help desks, to further assist the public. Confident in the support of her colleagues, she looks forward to building a collaborative working relationship as a Member of Parliament.

The legal help desk pilot stands as a testament to the positive impact of collaborative vision and dedicated community service. It has laid a strong foundation for future initiatives aimed at enhancing community access to essential support services.
International Men's Day, celebrated on November 19th, is a global awareness day for men's health and well-being. Fortunately for us in the Caribbean, this day was inaugurated in Trinidad and Tobago in 1999. It was created by Dr Jerome Teelucksingh to commemorate his father's birthday. In acknowledgment of this observance, Sonia Noel Inc., in collaboration with the Sonia Noel Foundation, is proud to host four events - three of them will be online, and one will be onsite at Theatre Guild, catering to young men primarily.

These four events will highlight and seek solutions for the social issues faced by men, both mentally and physically. While some may argue that men's issues are already well-represented, it's important to recognize that these issues often go unaddressed or are stigmatized. By dedicating a specific day to men's health and well-being, we can foster a more inclusive and supportive society for all.

The Sonia Noel Foundation has hosted events in the past to commemorate this significant day. This year, three virtual events are scheduled commencing at 7 pm Guyana time. The Men Across Borders series will feature speakers from various countries from the 18th to the 20th. The esteemed panel includes.

Dr. Clinton Urling from Guyana. He is a seasoned entrepreneur with over twenty-five years of experience across various sectors. His professional endeavors span significant roles in hospitality, oil and gas, real estate, and supply chains for both restaurant and construction materials.

Oliver Chikodzore is from Zimbabwe and lives in South Africa. He is a mentor, Entrepreneur, author, and investor who stands as a beacon of hope and innovation within the global community. He is dedicated to reshaping the narrative of Africa's future.

Dr Anthony Bowen was born in Guyana and has resided in New York for over 30 years. He is a dynamic technology and digital marketing leader with a proven track record of driving innovation and delivering transformative solutions.

Dr Akanimo Odon is a Nigerian living in London He is Head of Africa Strategic Partnerships, Lancaster University UK. Dr Odon is a dynamic speaker who is continuously invited worldwide to present at many events.

Saurel Quettan is a Haitian American. Saurel has helped entrepreneurs, CEOs, founders, and owners of small to medium-sized businesses enhance their emotional intelligence, master effective communication, and build high-performing teams.

Wilson Heaton is an American who got into an accident while under the influence of alcohol and was incarcerated. It was during those years that Wilson learned the capacity of the mind, the power of love, and how to live in gratitude.

Pastor Joe Persaud is a Guyanese living in New York for decades. He is the Founder of Hope is Rising Global and the CEO of Insurance Co. in NYC. Pastor Persaud is the senior pastor at Liberty Bible Church and travels around the world, providing hope for many people

Romario Hastings is a proud Indigenous Guyanese young man who is a very active

Toshao in his village and also an Indigenous Relations Consultant

Peter Ivey is a Social Entrepreneur, Chef, Writer & Food Security Advocate

Peter Ivey is a dynamic social entrepreneur, chef, writer, and food security advocate who merges food, culture, and community empowerment. He has transformed Jamaican cuisine into cultural storytelling. His innovative approaches have gained recognition from platforms like Forbes.

Shaun Rampersaud CEO, of Ramps Logistics, is a huge advocate for the advancement of the Caribbean Region's economy, evident under his leadership at Ramps Logistics focused on research and development, process efficiency and digitisation.

Wasim Khan is the founder and Executive Director of The Imperial House (TIH), a pioneering non-profit social enterprise in Guyana dedicated to gender equality, youth, and community development.

Eldon Marks is a serial tech entrepreneur from Guyana. He founded V75 Inc. and built it to become Guyana's first AI company, building AI solutions for global clients since 2018. Recently, he co-founded TrueSelph Inc., an AI product company based in the US.

We will also highlight dynamic women on the panel who are raising sons. They will share their advice and insights on this journey.

Ilaine Ines Henz Dias is a dynamic Brazilian Entrepreneur and President of the Brazil-Guyana Chamber of Commerce. Her mission is to impact people's lives through her work, Whether as a Public Manager developing policies that bring services and benefits to the population or, simultaneously, as a Business Manager creating jobs, income, and development.

Marisca Fiedtkou is the Stakeholder Relations Director of Ramps Logistics. She is a very determined and focused young lady who is making her mark in the Oil and gas sector.

Nicole Dyer-Griffith is an executive marketing consultant and an International business etiquette and protocol specialist whose passion for creative entrepreneurship, proactive philanthropy, and social transformation is mobilized through her chairmanship of the O2N Foundation and the G III Foundation in Trinidad and Tobago.

Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin is a renowned academic, researcher, and educational leader. She is the Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, the first woman to hold that post in the Universitys 59-year history. This phenomenal leader is passionate about adding value to others lives, and she does this effortlessly.

By acknowledging men's contributions and challenges, we can work towards a more equitable society where both men and women have equal opportunities and rights. These events celebrate positive male role models and encourage healthy masculinity. They remind men of the importance of taking care of their physical and mental health. Men often face significant societal pressures that can have a profound impact on their mental and emotional well-being. These pressures can include the expectation to be stoic, independent, and emotionally reserved, which can make it difficult for them to express their feelings or seek help when needed.

Young men and boys need to have positive role models who can inspire them and show them alternative paths to success. These events can help boys develop healthy concepts of masculinity, emphasising qualities like kindness, empathy, and respect.

Positive events can foster a sense of community and belonging among boys, reducing feelings of isolation or alienation. These events encourage boys to look for opportunities amidst daily challenges, to build their confidence, and not to be afraid of failure. After all, failure is feedback, feedback is knowledge, and knowledge is power.

Societal pressures can contribute to a range of mental health issues in men, including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and even suicide. It's important to recognize and address these societal pressures to promote men's well-being and create a more supportive environment for all. These events will be moderated by Richard Young, Caribbean Fashion Impresario and Regional Creative Strategist.

A big thank you to our esteemed panellists, Richard Young Inc., Theatre Guild, Impressions, Germans Restaurant, Mings Products and Services, Tower Suites, Spotlight Production, OMG DMagazine,Sonia Noel Inc, Nandrea's Creation, Ramps Logistics, EXVIUZ Security Services Inc, Rooftop Media Caribbean Broadcasting Network, Watch Radio NYC, St Martin News.
This week we are celebrating 'Statia Day Week.' It is a week of celebration and fun and there are several events and festivities planned during this time. Unfortunately, rules and responsibilities are sometimes forgotten during these festive activities.

The week began on Tuesday, the 12th of November, with a Gospel Night on the Fort Oranjestraat. Police had to address a driver who had parked his car behind a barricade. A number of other vehicles were also observed parked improperly along the road but were not a nuisance to traffic. In addition, the driver of a scooter was fined for not wearing a helmet and not being able to show a valid driver's license. When an officer spoke to him, he was disrespectful. He was given the opportunity to show a valid driver's license at the police station, but did not show up and was fined.

The second night The Culture Night event was crowded with parents along with their children, but also went quietly without any significant incident.

The police will be visible and present these days as much as possible to maintain order and provide assistance where needed. If persons are disturbing the public order or are guilty of offenses, each report will be examined to see what offense is involved and what the best solution is, with mutual respect. Verbal violence or aggression against police officers will not be tolerated under any circumstances, nor will it obstruct police and/or other emergency workers in their duties.

KPCN also wanted to emphasize the importance of using reusable cups for drinking instead of glasses or bottles, as this will prevent dangerous situations. Do not drive while drinking; make an appointment to be taken home. Considering being away from home for a long period of time, it is desirable to lock up your home properly and make sure it is well-lit when you leave. Park your car in a safe place, but not behind barricades or in places where you will cause a nuisance. Follow the designated routes/diversions, and do not move the barricades and/or signs indicating them. Do not leave valuables in the car.

In addition, an urgent request to comply with any police demands. This will allow for safe and responsible celebrations.

The Dutch Caribbean Police Force wishes everyone a happy 'Statia Day Week'.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) has launched an investigation into a violent incident widely circulated on social media. The video depicts a male victim being subjected to severe physical abuse by several individuals. KPSM detectives have reviewed the footage and are seriously treating this matter.

The incident reportedly occurred at the intersection of L.B. Scott Road and Marigot Hill Road in the St. Peters area. In light of the gravity of this assault, KPSM is urgently seeking the public's assistance in identifying both the victim and the individuals involved.

KPSM is appealing directly to the victim to come forward and make contact with the Detective Department. Additionally, anyone with information regarding the identity of the victim or any of the suspects seen in the video is encouraged to assist in this investigation. All information provided will be handled with the highest degree of confidentiality.

Contact Information for the Detective Department:

 Telephone: +1 (721) 542-2222

 Anonymous Tip Line: 9300

The community's cooperation is crucial to resolving this case and holding those responsible accountable swiftly. Any information, however minor it may seem, could be instrumental in advancing the investigation.

KPSM Press Release.
SIMSON BAY:--- Today marked a historic day at Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM). The airport commemorated the re-opening of its state-of-the-art terminal building, with a both festive and royal ceremony attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands. The occasion carries historical significance, as it marked almost exactly 80 years since the airport was first inaugurated in 1944 by Princess Beatrixs mother, Her Royal Highness Princess Juliana of the Netherlands, after whom the airport is named.

Nearly eight decades after the airport was first opened by Princess Juliana, Princess Beatrix unveiled a commemorative plaque, symbolizing a connection that spans generations. With applause from dignitaries, local officials, and the community, the event highlighted the enduring bond between the Dutch Royal Family and Sint Maartena bond that has supported the island through times of prosperity and challenge alike.

CEO of Princess Juliana International Airport Brian Mingo emphasized the importance for the island:

Today, we celebrate not only a new beginning for Princess Juliana International Airport but also the continuation of an 80-year legacy. We are honored to welcome Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix, whose presence today underscores the significance of our island, our airportnot only as a hub for tourism but also as an essential economic lifeline for St. Maarten and many of our neighboring islands. Our new terminal building reflects the commitment and resilience of our team and our airport. It has been built stronger and better to withstand the storms of tomorrow. Moreover, it has been improved to deliver the perfect passenger experience we all strive for. Our airport stands as a vital gateway, connecting people and cultures across the Caribbean and beyond."

In his address, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina emphasized the unity and tenacity that made this day possible: Through resilience, dedication, and hard work, we have turned vision into reality. This achievement is a testament to the spirit of Sint Maartena nation that rises above challenges and pursues greatness. As we celebrate today, let us carry forward the belief that together, there are no limits to what we can accomplish. My gratitude goes out to every Saint Martiner, big and small, who has stood by the airport throughout this journey, turning dreams into milestones.

Historical Timeline Princess Juliana International Airport 1944-2024

March 4, 1944: Her Royal Highness Princess Juliana he Netherlands officially opens an airbase as a civilian airport.

March 20, 1964: Former Dutch Minister Barend Biesheuvel officially opens Princess Juliana International Airport on the site on Simpson Bay where it is currently located.

November 10, 2006: Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Kingdom of the Netherlands inaugurates the new terminal building of Princess Juliana International Airport, marking the official opening of the extended and upgraded airport facilities.

September 6, 2017: The airport is hit by Hurricane Irma (Cat 5).

January 2020: Princess Juliana International Airport signs the World Bank/EIB loan to reconstruct the terminal.

July 2021: Ballast Nedam International Project signs the contract to start the reconstruction.

September 2021: Ballast Nedam International Project starts the reconstruction works with the demolition of the upper floor departure area.

February 6, 2023: His Majesty King Willem Alexander, Her Majesty Queen Maxima, and Princess Amalia visit Princess Juliana International Airport as part of Princess Amalia's introductory trip to the Caribbean of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

November 15, 2023: The airport announces the soft opening of its brand-new departure hall.

January 12, 2024: The airport celebrates a big milestone with the opening of the new departure hall.

January 22, 2024: Princess Juliana International Airport and Winair unveil the brand-new check-in area for the first Winair passengers flying to Saba and St. Eustatius.

February 12, 2024: Princess Juliana International Airport unveils the brand-new check-in area for all airlines.

March 2024: Ballast Nedam started the reconstruction of an upgraded Arrival Hall. Construction of the Arrival Hall is anticipated to be finalized by the second quarter of 2024, in time for summer travel.

October 8, 2024: Ballast Nedam International Projects officially handed-over the key to Princess Juliana International Airport, marking the end of the reconstruction Phase 3.

October 18, 2024: Princess Juliana International Airport opens the new arrival hall for passengers with new entry form.

November 14, 2024: Opening airport terminal building: Princess Beatrix inaugurates the new airport terminal building of Princess Juliana International Airport.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. A tripartite agreement on carbon credits was signed between Azerenergy OJSC, SOCAR Trading, and the Italian company Ansaldo Energia as part of the COP29, Azerenergy told Trend.

The document articulates Ansaldo Energia's strategic commitment to harness carbon credits for the generation of zero-emission electricity through innovative small hydropower plants in the Kalbajar district. This initiative encompasses the Chirag-1, Chirag-2, Soyugbulag, Gamyshly, and Meydan facilities, which were expertly developed and operationalized by Azerenergy in 2023.

To note, Azerenergy, the largest state-owned electrical power producer in Azerbaijan, in cooperation with SOCAR Trading, applied to the Global Carbon Council (Qatar) and Gold Standard (Switzerland) for carbon certificates for several small hydropower plants, aiming to participate in the voluntary carbon credit market in early 2024.

The wheels are to be in motion for these five small hydropower plants, which are set to keep around 30,000 tons of CO2 from hitting the atmosphere each year once the registration is all squared away.

To note, the project, to be implemented in the nation's Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, represents one of Azerbaijan's initial submissions for participation in the voluntary carbon credit market.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Washington D.C.:--- Sint Maartens Princess Juliana International Airport officially reopened today, following extensive rehabilitation after the airport was destroyed by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

The destruction of the airport, a key connection hub for neighboring countries, severely impacted local revenue on the tourism-dependent island. The airport terminal reconstruction was financed through $92 million from the World Bank-managed Sint Maarten Reconstruction, Resilience and Recovery Trust Fund, comprising a grant from the Government of the Netherlands and a $50 million loan from the European Investment Bank. The initiative was facilitated by on-lending agreements between the Government of St Maarten and the Princess Juliana International Airport Operating Companys own funds.

The refurbishment has restored the airports operating capacity to pre-hurricane levels and enhanced the resilience and quality of service provided by this critical infrastructure. This new airport will boost local business opportunities through tourism and travel, promoting economic resilience.

"The recommissioning of the Princess Juliana International Airport marks a major milestone in Sint Maarten's recovery journey," said Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank Director for the Caribbean. "This critical infrastructure will stimulate economic growth, facilitate tourism, and enhance regional connectivity."

Reconstruction focused on airport terminals and facilities, the installation of resilient and energy-efficient systems and enhanced safety and security measures. The new airport also features replaced and upgraded equipment, including passenger boarding bridges, self-service baggage drop and baggage handling systems, security screening equipment, and digital signage.

Dr. Luc Mercelina, Prime Minister of Sint Maarten said, "The Princess Juliana International Airport stands as a symbol of Sint Maartens resilience and pride. Her remarkable restoration doesnt just open doors for more visitors to experience our vibrant island; it unlocks new business opportunities and strengthens our ties across the region, enhancing connectivity and making travel more seamless with our neighboring islands. He added, This is more than an airport  it's the gateway to Sint Maartens boundless potential."

The finishing of the arrival hall in October 2024, marked the completion of the rehabilitation project. The reconstruction process was accompanied by extensive stakeholder consultation and awareness building to ensure Sint Maarteners were aware of changes, delays and the projects progression.

The EIBs support for the reconstruction of Sint Maartens airport embodies the build back better approach, enhancing its resilience to extreme weather events, which are unfortunately becoming stronger due to climate change. Were very optimistic that the renovated airport will contribute to the economic growth on Sint Maarten, said European Investment Bank Vice-President Robert de Groot.
Isidoros Karderinis

China from the beginning of the 21st century until now has succeeded and climbed to the second place in the world economy after the USA. Thus, it now claims global diplomatic and economic influence, competing with the other major powers in trade and investment, especially in Africa.

Africa on the other hand is a vast geographical area of the planet, it is the world's third largest continent in terms of area and second in population (estimated approximately for 2024 at 1.5 billion inhabitants). It has an area of about 30.2 million square kilometers together with the surrounding islands and occupies 6% of the total surface of the Earth and 20.4 percent of the total land area.

It is also rich in natural resources (oil, natural gas, uranium, lithium, cobalt, diamonds, gold, copper, etc.) and is therefore of great economic interest. The Democratic Republic of Congo, for example, accounts for about 70% of the world's cobalt production.

China's relations with African states are, of course, not new. They date from the 1950s, and specifically in 1955, when the Bandung Conference took place, in which the 29 participating African and Asian countries adopted the "Five Principles for Peaceful Coexistence", which China had initially agreed with of India in 1954. These are: mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit and peaceful co-existence.

At that time, China signed state trade agreements with African states, such as Algeria or Sudan. Also at the end of 1963, the then Premier of China, Chu Enlai, number two after Mao Zedong, made a trip to ten African states in two months. Since then, China's presence in Africa has been increasingly intense.

China's interests in the African continent are centered on economy, politics, security and culture. Africa is important to China primarily as a huge source of resources to sustain its growing manufacturing base, as well as a source of energy security. At the same time, China sees Africa as an important destination for its low-cost manufactured goods.

Africa also plays an important role in international multilateral organizations and especially in organizations where each member- country has one vote. Thus, China is trying to woo African governments in order, to garner support for its policies on the international stage.

Since 2002, in fact, the Forum on ChinaAfrica Cooperation (FOCAC) has been fully operational, whose members are 53 African countries (i.e. all fully recognized except the Kingdom of Eswatini which has diplomatic relations with Taiwan), and which operates at three levels with higher the ministerial level. It is also held every three years, alternating between an African country and China. The most recent FOCAC Conference was held in Beijing from 4-6 September 2024.

At this 9th Conference, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to provide Africa with 360 billion yuan ($50.7 billion) in financial support over the next three years, while promising that his government would help create at least 1 million jobs on the continent.

FOCAC, established in 2000, is the main multilateral coordination mechanism between African countries and China and is based on the declarations on the principles of peaceful coexistence. FOCAC is the main channel through which China provides resources to African countries. Through FOCAC, China provides aid in the forms of debt cancellation. In 2003, it deleted US$750 million to a total of 31 African countriesgrant aid, soft loans, and interest-free loans.

Beijing, therefore, is the first creditor and one of the main financers of many infrastructure projects. Chinese funding has gone into building highways and railways - recently, the Addis Ababa-Djibouti and Mombasa-Nairobi railway networks in Kenya were handed over to local governments and electricity production power stations across the continent (e.g., in Nigeria, Ghana, and Gabon).

After all, more than 3,000 Chinese companies are present in African cities, of which over 70% are private companies, forming the mainstay of Chinese investment in Africa.

From 2017 to 2022, China's foreign direct investment (FDI) in Africa reached 74 billion yuan ($10.14 billion), accounting for 18% of global foreign direct investment in Africa and on par with Europe and the USA.

Beijing is the leading trading partner of the African continent. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), almost a quarter of African exports go to China, mainly minerals and metals, and about 16% of imports come from it. China's trade with African countries peaked in 2023 at $282 billion.

At the same time, as reported by the Global Times, tourists from China visited various African destinations in 2024, including Kenya, Tanzania and Morocco. In fact, according to this publication, Kenya announced $1.1 billion in revenue from similar tourism activities in the first half of 2024 alone.

China is, moreover, in fierce and open competition with the West, primarily the United States, in Africa, with the two superpowers trying to increase their political influence on the continent and their access to its natural resources.

China's penetration campaign in Africa takes on added weight for the Chinese regime as it claims leadership in the so-called "Global South," which has gained such momentum that it implicitly indicates the rearrangement of global power between an old and a rising world.

In closing, I would like to emphasize that the declared principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states must not be circumvented by China under any circumstances. The future of Africa which has been brutally tortured by European colonialism-most exploited in terms of its natural resources and its population-must be determined by Africans, not dictated by any foreign powers that may seek to exploit their resources and their problematic points for their own benefit.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. A panel discussion titled "Roadmap to Net Zero: Building Sustainable Energy Systems" was held as part of COP29 in Baku, Trend reports.

The event focused on zeroing in on the crucial goals laid out in the Paris Agreement and took a deep dive into the worldwide shift towards net-zero emissions.

The event delved into how various industries are shifting to new energy models and investing in green technologies to achieve climate targets and explored the transformative journey of diverse sectors as they pivot towards innovative energy paradigms and strategically invest in sustainable technologies to meet ambitious climate objectives.

The discussion was moderated by ADA University Professor Damjan Krnjevic Miskovic, with prominent speakers including COP29 CEO Elnur Soltanov, SOCAR Green CEO Elnur Musaev, Moldovas Secretary of State for Decarbonization Caroline Novak, and Hungarys Special Envoy for Climate Affairs Barbara Botos.

The participants engaged in a dynamic dialogue about the multifaceted economic hurdles associated with the transformation of energy ecosystems, encompassing strategic investments in infrastructure, innovative policy shifts, and cutting-edge technological breakthroughs.

The panel addressed not only the scientific and economic problems but also emphasized the social aspects of the energy transition, underscoring the necessity for an equitable transformation. Speakers underscored that the integration of all communities in the transition to sustainable energy is essential for fostering equitable social development. The discourse examined how the transition may create new job opportunities, enhance community resilience, and ensure access to clean energy, especially in developing nations. The significance of implementing inclusive measures to attain a zero-emission future was also a central focus.

The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - was held on November 1213.

The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics.

In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, creating climate finance will also help fulfill the 1.5C pledge by bringing everyone together.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

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N. Korean leader orders 'mass production' of attack drones



Seoul, Nov 15 (AFP) Nov 15, 2024



North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the "mass production" of attack drones, state media reported Friday, as concerns mount over the country's deepening military cooperation with Russia.

Pyongyang first unveiled its attack drones in August, with experts saying the capability may be attributable to the country's budding alliance with Russia.

The nuclear-armed country has ratified a landmark defence pact with Moscow and is accused of deploying thousands of troops to Russia to support its war in Ukraine, prompting South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to warn about the potential transfer of sensitive Russian military technology to North Korea.

Kim on Thursday oversaw the tests of drones designed to hit both land and sea targets, produced by North Korea's Unmanned Aerial Technology Complex, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

"He underscored the need to build a serial production system as early as possible and go into full-scale mass production," KCNA said.

The unmanned drones are designed to carry explosives and be deliberately crashed into enemy targets, effectively acting as guided missiles.

Thursday's test saw the drones "precisely" hit targets after flying along predetermined paths, KCNA reported.

"The suicide attack drones to be used within different striking ranges are to perform a mission to precisely attack any enemy targets on the ground and in the sea," the agency said.

Kim said the drones were an "easy to use... component of striking power" due to their relatively low production cost and expansive range of applications, according to KCNA.

He said the North had "recently attached importance" to developing unmanned hardware systems and to integrating them with the country's overall military strategy.



- Russian tech? -



Experts said the drones -- in images released by state media in August -- looked similar to the Israeli-made "HAROP" drone, Russian-made "Lancet-3" and Israeli "HERO 30".

North Korea may have acquired these technologies from Russia, which in turn likely obtained them from Iran -- with Tehran itself suspected of accessing them through hacking or theft from Israel.

In 2022, Pyongyang sent drones across the border that Seoul's military was unable to shoot down, saying they were too small.

This year, North Korea has been bombarding the South with trash-carrying balloons, in what it calls retaliation for activists in the South floating anti-regime propaganda missives northwards.

The North has also accused Seoul of violating its sovereignty by flying drones over its capital Pyongyang to drop propaganda leaflets.

By mentioning the "production and practical deployment of various drones", North Korea may be hinting it could follow suit, Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, told AFP.

Pyongyang could be "suggesting the possibility of using balloons to disseminate leaflets to the South with such drones," Yang said.

"Considering the effectiveness of drone attacks observed in the war in Ukraine, they could also be effectively utilised in the ongoing conflict there," he added.

South Korea launched a drone operation command last year to better address the growing threat.

In October, the North amended its constitution to define South Korea as a "hostile" state, an illustration of a sharp deterioration in ties since Kim in January declared Seoul his country's "principal enemy".

The North has continued to carry out UN sanctions-defying ballistic missile tests, and last month blew up its roads and railways linking it to the South.
Rebels in Germany's SPD look to defence minister to rescue party



Berlin, Nov 15 (AFP) Nov 15, 2024



As German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats grapple with plummeting support ahead of a snap election in February, dissenters in the party are looking to popular defence minister Boris Pistorius to rescue them from a poll rout.

Pistorius, 64, has managed the impressive feat of becoming the most liked politician in the country while serving in Scholz's rowdy three-way coalition that broke apart last week.

While Scholz's ratings have nosedived, Pistorius' approval has soared despite steering the defence ministry, a tricky portfolio that had turned into a career graveyard for some of his predecessors.

Many voters praise his straight-talking and hands-on approach to rebuild a ramshackle armed forces and his backing for Ukraine against Russia, with Berlin the second-largest arms supplier after Washington.

German voters are set to head back to the polling booths on February 23, after Scholz's government imploded following months of internal bickering.

Scholz, 66, seems determined to stay at the helm of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), despite its current poll rating of around 15 percent.

The Spiegel magazine this week bluntly called Scholz "the wrong candidate for chancellor" and said the SPD "needs a 'game change' moment".

Rebels in the party think Pistorius could be the man to provide it.

Several regional SPD politicians have openly called for Pistorius to replace Scholz at the top of the party ticket.

Embarrassingly for the chancellor, they include two members of the state legislature in Hamburg, the northern city of which Scholz used to be mayor.



- Loyal soldier -



At first sight Scholz and Pistorius seem quite similar -- both are men in their 60s, born in the city of Osnabrueck, and trained lawyers who rose through the ranks to national politics, where they are on SPD's right flank.

Crucially, however, Pistorius managed to stay above the nasty infighting between the SPD, Greens and Free Democrats (FDP) which made up the collapsed coalition.

He has visited soldiers on bases and displayed touches of humour that contrast with Scholz's bland and technocratic style.

However so far, Pistorius has played the loyal soldier and joined the rest of the SPD leadership troops in closing ranks behind Scholz.

"We have a chancellor, and he is the designated candidate for chancellor," Pistorius said Monday. "I don't see anyone in the party who wants to change that."

The SPD's leader in parliament Rolf Muetzenich nonetheless admitted this week that there were "rumblings" of doubt within the party about Scholz's candidacy.



- No 'Messiah effect' -



Ursula Muench, director of the Academy for Political Education, said that while the SPD could hope for "a somewhat better result" under Pistorius, it's "extremely unlikely that this would result in a total turnaround of the the trend and an SPD victory".

In any case, Muench told AFP, she sees only a "slim chance" of any change at the top of the SPD for now, as Scholz looks unlikely to step aside.

While Pistorius is popular among the general public, his staunch defence of military aid to Ukraine and his talk of making sure Germany is "able to fight a war" have not endeared him to all in the SPD.

The party's left wing is strongly imbued in the pacifist tradition which emerged as a reaction to the horrors of Nazism and during the Cold War.

Muench also said there is no guarantee that Pistorius's current favourable poll numbers would survive a bruising election campaign.

"Not that much is known about Pistorius," Muench said. "Aside from defence policy not that many voters would be able to say what he stands for."

Not for nothing did SPD chairman Lars Klingbeil say last week: "I don't believe in any Messiah effect."

In the meantime the Social Democrats' rivals are gloating over its predicament.

FDP deputy leader Wolfgang Kubicki said he was happy Scholz was still leading the SPD "because I don't want the Social Democrats to improve in the polls".

For good measure, he added that a campaign battle against Pistorius "would be a real challenge".
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. As part of COP29 in Baku, Trend News Agency proudly presents COP for Hope, a special project offering an unparalleled platform to hear from world leaders and trailblazers in politics, economics, science, and ecology, all united by a shared commitment to addressing todays pressing climate challenges.

Today, we are honored to speak with Deputy Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Chief Executive Officer of COP29 for Azerbaijan Elnur Soltanov.

In an exclusive interview with Trend, Soltanov said that, the biggest success achieved within COP29 is very serious progress regarding paragraph 4 of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

He expressed hope that due to the created momentum, Article 6 will be functional already in 2025.

"This is a very serious result. Although the process began in Sharm el-Sheikh, it was not possible to achieve serious results. This did not happen in Dubai either, although the result was very close. But this result was achieved in Baku. Work is also underway on other points of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. We are confident and hope that due to this momentum that we created, Article 6 will be functional already in 2025, and centralized carbon trading will begin. I would say that this is the biggest success achieved within COP29," Soltanov said.

Regarding the negotiation process, he said that progress on the mandate continues in all areas, and intense negotiations are underway.

"We are confident that we will achieve our goals as a result," Soltanov said.

The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.
UK scrambles jets to monitor Russian military plane over North Sea



London, Nov 15 (AFP) Nov 15, 2024



UK jets were scrambled to monitor a Russian reconnaissance aircraft flying close to UK airspace, the defence minister in London said on Friday.

Two Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland followed the Russian Bear-F aircraft as it flew over the North Sea on Thursday, the ministry said.

"At no time was it able to enter UK sovereign airspace," it added.

The Typhoons were supported by a Voyager refuelling aircraft.

"Our adversaries should be in no doubt of our steadfast determination and formidable ability to protect the UK," said armed forces minister Luke Pollard.

"The Royal Navy and RAF (Royal Air Force) have once again shown they stand ready to defend our country at a moment's notice and I pay tribute to the professionalism and bravery of those involved in these latest operations," he added.

The Royal Navy also shadowed Russian military vessels passing through the Channel this week, said the defence ministry.

It added that it was the second time in three months that Russian ships and aircraft had been detected within a week of each other.

Incidents involving Russian and Western aircraft have multiplied over the recent months against the backdrop of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Can a hotel ever be both luxurious and sustainable, offering uncompromising comfort and a clean eco-conscience? This is the question that the travel industry is still rightly wrestling with. And its one that the 1 Hotels group has presented a credible answer to. The approach? To make sustainable values core to its DNA. This begins with the building itself. Rather than construct a new hotel from scratch, 1 Hotels has renovated two existing structures, retaining around 80% of what was there previously to minimise the carbon footprint of the build. Sustainably sourced and recycled materials have been used throughout the interior, and there are various, impressive technologies at work to improve energy efficiency, including LED lighting, and smart heating and cooling systems that capture and re-use waste heat. The F&B offering, which includes the excellent flagship restaurant Dovetale, helmed by two-Michelin starred chef Tom Sellers, is targeting a Zero Waste certification, which means that the modern European menu leans heavily on locally sourced ingredients from suppliers that support regenerative practices.
RFK Jr has denied that he will ban vaccines and would lack the power to do so as Health Secretary, but has vowed to provide Americans with transparency and access to all the data so they can make informed choices for themselves and their families.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. Azerbaijan signed documents on energy cooperation with Kyrgyzstan, Trend reports.

Within the framework of COP29, Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov met with Kyrgyz Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibrayev. Issues of bilateral energy cooperation were discussed at the meeting.

After the meeting, the "Roadmap for Cooperation in the Field of Energy for 2024-2025 between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Kyrgyz Republic" was signed. The document provides for cooperation in the fields of oil and gas, renewable energy, and the creation of a joint working group. In addition, a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation was signed between the state organization "Green Energy Fund" under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Renewable Energy Agency under the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Its like children reporting each other. And I think that in certain cases, the police do it because theyre afraid that if they dont do it, they will also be accused of not taking these issues seriously.
I'm sorry, but ADHD has become a scam that is wildly overdiagnosed and an excuse for poor behaviour

I'm sorry, but ADHD has become a scam that is wildly overdiagnosed
Ms Smyth replied: He says its an ill-thought-through Budget, I dont know whether he agrees or disagrees with the extra funding that this Government has secured to give to the NHS after the disaster of the last 14 years.
In the fight to defend his wife, Lucius is captured and placed into slavery by the forces of Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal) and subsequently becomes a gladiator after being bought by Macrinus (Washington), and seeks revenge.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. The State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), in collaboration with the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds (IFSWF), successfully hosted a high-level panel discussion titled The role of sovereign wealth funds in financing the energy transition as part of the COP29 Presidency events on Finance Day. This significant gathering, held in the Blue Zone, brought together global leaders to examine the strategic role of sovereign wealth funds in advancing sustainable finance and supporting the global shift toward a low-carbon economy, Trend reports.

The event commenced with opening remarks from Obaid Amrane, CEO of Ithmar Capital, Chair of IFSWF, and Israfil Mammadov, CEO of SOFAZ, Deputy Chair of IFSWF, who highlighted the critical importance of sovereign wealth funds in addressing climate imperatives through informed, long-term investment strategies.

"As sovereign wealth funds, we have both the capacity and responsibility to lead by example in mobilizing capital for sustainable development. Our collaboration today at COP29 reflects our shared commitment to financing the energy transition and addressing climate challenges through strategic, long-term investments," stated Obaid Amrane, Chair of IFSWF.

SOFAZ, as a key contributor to Azerbaijans state budget, also plays a pivotal role in financing the nations sustainability agenda and energy transition. By upholding robust governance in line with the Santiago Principles, we are committed to fostering economic stability while driving progress towards a sustainable future, mentioned Israfil Mammadov, Deputy Chair of IFSWF.

Anne Simpson, Global Head of Sustainability at Franklin Templeton, moderated the session, fostering an in-depth dialogue on the ways sovereign wealth funds can align their portfolios with energy transition objectives while maintaining their financial mandates.

The distinguished panel featured Bo Li, Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF); Guo Xiangjun, Executive Vice President, of China Investment Corporation (CIC); Derek Rozycki, Head of Responsible Investing, Mubadala Investment Company; Steve Howard, Vice Chair of Sustainability, Temasek Holdings; and Prasad Gadkari, Executive Director and Chief Strategy Officer, National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF).

Panelists shared insights on incorporating transition finance within investment frameworks, discussing emissions reduction, asset allocation, geographic focus, and managing risk-return expectations. They addressed key barriers to deploying transition finance at scale, analyzed regulatory, structural, and market challenges, and highlighted solutions like blended finance models to strengthen sustainable investments.

Following the discussion, IFSWF issued a communique reaffirming its commitment to scaling climate finance investments, supporting the decarbonization of member portfolios, and fostering partnerships for sustainable finance. The communique also emphasized the creation of innovative financial instruments, promoting transparency, and advancing a just energy transition, particularly in emerging markets. IFSWF will continue its efforts to mobilize capital for climate action, with future engagements planned for COP30 in Belem, Brazil, and upcoming UN Climate Change Conferences.

This session, as one of the COP29 Presidency events, underscored the unique role of sovereign wealth funds in supporting the global climate agenda. SOFAZ and IFSWF, through this platform, reinforced the potential of sovereign wealth funds to shape a resilient, sustainable future through collaboration and responsible investment.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 14. As part of COP29 in Baku, Trend News Agency proudly presents COP for Hope, a special project offering an unparalleled platform to hear from world leaders and trailblazers in politics, economics, science, and ecology, all united by a shared commitment to addressing todays pressing climate challenges.

Today, we are honored to speak with Maxim Reshetnikov, the Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation.

In an exclusive interview with Trend on the sidelines of COP29, Reshetnikov expressed confidence that Azerbaijan will give fresh momentum to global climate policy.

"We are confident that Azerbaijan will provide fresh momentum to advancing the full spectrum of climate policy measures. Our countries must show that hydrocarbon-exporting nations are not only committed to but are actively implementing the principles of a fair transition to a low-carbon economy while also taking a responsible and proactive approach to the green agenda," he said.

Key issues for Russia at COP29

Reshetnikov also outlined Russia's focus at COP29, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation to address global climate challenges. He highlighted the need for free access to financing and technology to support the transition in developing countries.

"We will be discussing a new collective goal for financing developing countries, as their support is essential to achieving global climate targets. Russia advocates for maintaining the current approach under the UNFCCC regarding the financial obligations of developed countries toward developing nations.

The focus will remain on emission reduction and the future role of fossil fuels. Last year, we successfully highlighted the critical role of transition fuels, particularly natural gas, in the low-carbon transformation of various sectors. In Baku, we aim to further advance the recognition of natural gas as a key enabler for decarbonization efforts," he said.

Reshetnikov added that it is also crucial to establish a new set of rules for the international trading of carbon credits.

"We aim to advance our approaches to inventorying emissions and removals, which played a key role in the comprehensive update of Russias greenhouse gas inventory. These methods focus on accurately accounting for the contribution of managed ecosystems to the greenhouse gas balance, as well as the national specifics of technologies used across various sectors of the Russian economy.

The new methodology for the national inventory represents one of the first major outcomes of the Russian Climate Monitoring System project, initiated by the President of the Russian Federation. Since 2022, the Ministry of Economic Development, in collaboration with Roshydromet, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Energy, and over 50 leading scientific institutes, has been implementing this important project," the minister said.

Financing for developing countries

The minister stressed the importance of transitional financing for sectors with high emission levels or where emission reductions are particularly challenging.

"Strict restrictions on fossil fuel support and the refusal to finance such projects will undermine the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and jeopardize the energy security of countries. Any unilateral barriers or restrictions disguised under the climate agenda are unacceptable. We believe it is essential to establish practical mechanisms for the effective implementation of international climate agreements. A central issue in this regard is the creation, under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, of a robust global system for trading carbon units, including through bilateral cooperation mechanisms.

The introduction of carbon units under Article 6 will be a crucial step in recognizing the quality of climate projects, attracting investment, and enabling the sale of carbon units on the international market," he said.

The minister also highlighted that ahead of COP29, Azerbaijan proposed the creation of a Climate Finance Action Fund, aimed at investing in climate change mitigation efforts in developing countries, with its headquarters based in Baku.

"The fund is intended to bring together oil-producing countries and companies that are committed to diversifying their investments toward green initiatives and are ready to support low-carbon development. Expert consultations have just begun, and we are still finalizing the key operational parameters of the fund. We will actively participate in these discussions as well," the minister said.

Russia's Commitment to Sustainable Development

Reshetnikov also emphasized Russia's long-term commitment to a low-carbon economy.

"Decarbonization directly impacts the competitiveness of companies, and businesses are increasingly recognizing this reality. As a result, working within the framework of the climate agenda has become one of the most critical factors driving the development of the global economy. Look at the BRICS nations, the countries of the Persian Gulf, and the Asia-Pacific regionall are actively engaging with the climate agenda.

The Climate Summit is a unique platform that annually brings together thousands of representatives from the public sector, business, and the scientific community. The decisions made at the conference not only set global trends but also serve as benchmarks for the actions countries take in climate policy. At the same time, these decisions allow each country to choose the tools and strategies that best align with its national interests.

This year, the focus of the conference is financial. The scope of assistance, funding sources, and climate finance definition will be discussed in detail. The allocation of financial flows to specific projects is a crucial issue. Reaching an agreement on a "global taxonomy of green projects" will undoubtedly shape the future of the climate agenda. In this context, it is essential that we address transition financing for industries with high emissions or those where reducing emissions is particularly challenging," Reshetnikov said.

Russia's Role in Supporting the Global Transition to Clean Energy

The minister emphasized that national scientific expertise should play a central role in providing technical support for climate negotiations and decision-making at the global level.

"In addition, national studies can significantly enrich and clarify global climate data.

The scientific community presented Russia's national project, the Russian Climate Monitoring System, at the Russian pavilion on November 12. We are eager to collaborate and share our experience in utilizing this system for preparing national reports, including inventories of emissions and carbon sequestration. The results of this project play a crucial role in identifying effective solutions for decarbonization and adaptation while also helping to structure the energy sector and the broader economy more effectively.

Another pressing issue is the conservation of water resources. Our countries are witnessing a decline in the Caspian Seas water level due to climate change. To address this, we propose establishing a platform for the exchange of scientific and technical expertise. Additionally, we are prepared to share the results of our monitoring and modeling studies on the ecosystems of the Caspian Sea and the Samur River. Furthermore, we are committed to training Azerbaijani specialists to support efforts in building a national inventory of greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration," he said.

Russian-Azerbaijani Economic Cooperation

The minister emphasized that Azerbaijan is a key strategic partner for Russia.

"This partnership is formalized in the Declaration on Allied Cooperation, signed by the heads of state of Russia and Azerbaijan in 2022, and reflected in ongoing efforts to enhance stability and security on both global and regional levels.

In early 2024, a roadmap was approved outlining key areas of cooperation for the next three years. These include strengthening the North-South International Transport Corridor, increasing the number of joint projects, boosting food supplies, and expanding collaboration in the social, humanitarian, and tourism sectors.

Trade and economic ties between the two nations remain strong, with Russia ranking as one of Azerbaijan's top three trading partners. Bilateral trade continues to show positive dynamics, with trade turnover increasing by 8.5 percent during the first eight months of 2024," he said.

He noted that Russian exports grew by nearly 10 percent, driven by supplies of oil and oil products, foodstuffs, and agricultural raw materials (such as cereals, fats and oils, cocoa, and confectionery); metals (including ferrous metals and aluminum); plastics; as well as electrical machinery and equipment.

"I would also like to highlight a 5.5 percent increase in our imports from Azerbaijan. We have seen a rise in the volumes of vegetables, eggs, dairy products, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, animal and vegetable oils, plastics, chemical products, and electrical household appliances, as well as ships and boats imported from Azerbaijan.

By the end of the year, we expect mutual trade to grow by at least 10 percent. Investment projects are further strengthening our trade and economic cooperation. Nearly 1,300 enterprises with Russian capital have been established in Azerbaijan.

AvtoVAZ has initiated production in the automotive sector, producing over 1,000 cars this year. Additionally, AvtoVAZ has assembled 179 GAZ Group vehicles, and the KAMAZ service center is now operational. The pharmaceutical industry is producing a diabetes treatment drug and expects to manufacture the first batch of insulin soon. All of these developments are part of the ongoing economic cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan," the minister said.

Reshetnikov highlighted the opening of a joint transport and logistics center in Dagestan this past August. He also underscored one of the most significant milestones of 2024: the signing of a contract for the supply of cars to the Baku Metro.

"Looking ahead, we plan to deepen cooperation in the industrial sector. Next year, we aim to launch a plant for aluminum and steel composite panels, and discussions are already underway to establish production of chemical products at the Sumgait Chemical Industrial Park," he said.

The minister pointed out that this year, Russia and Azerbaijan have made significant progress in advancing their cooperation on climate change.

"We have finalized the Memorandum of Understanding on Climate Change and Low Carbon Development," the minister noted. "As a reminder, the memorandum was signed during the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Azerbaijan on August 19, 2024. This document establishes the framework for joint climate projects and the exchange of expertise on climate change adaptation. We are eager to begin bilateral consultations as soon as possible, so we can move swiftly into the practical implementation of the memorandums provisions," the minister concluded.
Photo: Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. The heads of relevant government agencies of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) member countries have signed the Baku Ministerial Statement on the creation of the OTS Partnership for Climate, Innovation, Green Economy, and Trade within the COP29 ministerial meeting, a source in the Azerbaijani Ministry of Economy told Trend.

According to the source, speaking at the event, Azerbaijan's Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov stressed that the country highly appreciates cooperation with Turkic states highly and supports integration processes between our countries.

He pointed out that joint initiatives will make an important contribution to achieving positive changes in areas such as combating climate change and the 'green' economy.

To this end, the Turkic States Partnership for Climate, Innovation, Green Economy, and Trade has been established as a platform to support the transition to a green economy among the OTS member states, the official explained.

Jabbarov mentioned that this initiative aims to promote closer cooperation for smart climate development and a just 'green' transition.

Within this framework, national strategies for 'green' development are being prepared, 'green' energy zones are being established, climate financing mechanisms are being improved, and the creation of 'green' SMEs and startups is being supported, along with the targeted implementation of other important initiatives, he added.

The event also featured speeches from Secretary General of the OTS Kubanychbek Omuraliev, Director General of Operations at the International Islamic Trade and Finance Corporation Nazim Nurdali, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy of Kazakhstan Nurlan Baibazarov, Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Economy and Trade of Kyrgyzstan Sanjarbek Bolotov, Assistant Minister of Trade of Turkiye Mustafa Tuzcu, and Head of the Department of the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadov.

The speakers presented information on the climate and 'green' economy policies being implemented in OTS member countries.

The speakers emphasized the importance of strengthening partnership and cooperation processes between member states across various directions, focusing on collective well-being and an adequate approach to global challenges.

They also said that through the OTS Partnership, member states demonstrate their commitment to sustainable development, addressing climate issues, and promoting regional economic growth, and highlighted Azerbaijan's important contribution to strengthening the partnership among Turkic states.

The signed statement outlined a shared vision for the future based on innovation, sustainable development, and 'green' growth.

The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) opened on November 11. COP29, which is being held at the Baku Olympic Stadium, will continue until November 22. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

The key expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance.

A total of 14 initiatives have been put forward by the COP29 Chairmanship.

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The National Bank of Romania is launching in the numismatic circuit, starting on November 18, 2024, a gold coin and a silver coin with the theme of 300 years since the erection of the Stavropoleos Monastery Church in Bucharest, according to a press release from the central bank, informs Agerpres.

The obverse of the gold coin presents a decorative element in Brancoven style from the porch of the Stavropoleos church, the inscription "ROMANIA" in a circular arc, the coat of arms of Romania, the nominal value "100 LEI" and the year of issue "2024".

The obverse of the silver coin shows a decorative element in Brancoven style from the porch of the Stavropoleos church, the inscription "ROMANIA" in a circular arc, the coat of arms of Romania, the nominal value "10 LEI" and the year of issue "2024".

The common reverse of the gold and silver coins shows the Stavropoleos Church and the circular arc inscription "STAVROPOLEOS MONASTERY CHURCH - 300 YEARS".

The gold and silver coins are packed in transparent methacrylate capsules and are accompanied by presentation brochures and certificates of authenticity, written in Romanian, English and French, bearing the signatures of the governor of the BNR and the central cashier.

The maximum circulation for the gold coin is 1,000 pieces, and for the silver coin it is 5,000 pieces.

The selling price for the gold coin is 4,200.00 lei, exclusive of VAT, including the presentation brochure and the certificate of authenticity, and for the silver coin is 540.00 lei, exclusive of VAT, including the presentation brochure and the certificate of authenticity.

Gold coins and silver coins with the theme of 300 years since the construction of the Stavropoleos Monastery Church in Bucharest have circulation power on the territory of Romania.

The launch of these coins into the numismatic circuit is carried out through the Bucharest, Cluj, Constanta, Dolj, Iasi and Timis regional branches of the National Bank of Romania.
The ninth edition of the Christmas Story Fair starts on Friday at the Comic Opera for Children (OCC), in Bucharest, informs Agerpres.

According to a press release from the organizers, sent to AGERPRES, this year's edition of the fair comes with a variety of special activities, including the Elves' Workshops, where children and families can participate in creative sessions. Some of the most popular activities include making Christmas decorations, modeling gingerbread figurines and making traditional wreaths.

A premiere at this year's fair is the 7D experience 'VR Adventure in Santa's Sleigh. Also, in the Opera's courtyard children are expected to participate in the "Santa's Sleigh Ride" and visit the "Grinch's Grotto", "Magic Elevator", "Children's Ice Rink", "Children's Ice Rink", "The Toy Carousel", "The Magic Wheel", "The Reindeer Court", "The Carolers' Scene" or "Santa's Shop".

One of the attractions on offer, also for the first time this year, is the "Time Tunnel", through which participants meet two emblematic figures from Romania's history: Queen Maria and King Ferdinand. This unique experience is also an occasion to mark Romania's National Day, celebrated on December 1, a date that recalls the Great Union of 1918, a crucial historical moment, accomplished under the reign of King Ferdinand and Queen Maria.

From December 20 to 29, a new horse show will be presented at the Christmas Story Fair. The concept, signed "Fairy Tales with Horses", is a special one: juggling with fire, birds of prey, all on horseback. The show tells the story of the Day and the Night, when they fought for supremacy over the earth, before reconciling and sharing the blessings of blessings on mankind.

As many as 112 performances of titles from the repertoire of the Comic Opera for Children are scheduled in the performance halls. Among them are "Swan Lake", "The Abduction from the Seraglio", "Christmas Carol", "Night in Venice", "Heidi", "Onyx and Barton" or the special winter concert for babies and "Bubu Hohoho", which brings Christmas carols and songs in an atmosphere accessible to the youngest spectators.
President Klaus Iohannis had bilateral consultations with the chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Olaf Scholz on Friday, on the occasion of his official visit to Berlin, in which context the German leader informed Iohannis about the telephone conversation he had had with the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, in which he asked him to stop the attacks on Ukraine, told Agerpres.

From the perspective of the war in Ukraine, which raises serious security challenges for Europe, Klaus Iohannis emphasized that "Germany is a reliable ally of our country, which significantly contributes to ensuring our security by strengthening NATO's Eastern Flank and by supporting Ukraine to resist Russian aggression", the Presidential Administration informs.

According to the cited source, the agenda of the discussions included Romanian-German cooperation on all levels, with particular emphasis on the development of economic relations, the stimulation of investments and the strengthening of cooperation in the sphere of European affairs and security.

Romania's accession to the Schengen area with land borders was also on the discussion agenda, and Iohannis thanked Germany for its active support and constructive approach. He emphasized that our country fulfills its role as guarantor of security at the external border of the EU, a fact recognized at the European level, and full accession to Schengen will strengthen this space. For his part, chancellor Scholz reassured Romania of Germany's support so that it fully joins the Schengen area as soon as possible.

Aspects related to the strengthening of military cooperation and NATO's deterrence position were also discussed, including the support given by Germany to Romania for strengthening air defense. The strategic importance of the Black Sea in the current security context was mentioned, as an increased presence of NATO in the region is necessary, which makes it necessary to include the Black Sea issue in all relevant processes for strengthening the security of the Euro-Atlantic space.

The president of Romania showed, during the meeting, that the relations between Romania and the Federal Republic of Germany have "a strategic character that is based on the interests related to ensuring European prosperity and security and on the coordinated action to achieve these objectives, both within the European Union, as well as allies within NATO".

Klaus Iohannis also emphasized the importance of economic cooperation and balancing the trade, Germany being the main commercial partner of Romania and the second investor in the Romanian economy.

During the discussion, the common desire for the further development of cooperation in already traditional fields, but also in the field of new technologies, by supporting the recovery of European economies on a sustainable basis, was highlighted.

An important place on the agenda of the discussions between Klaus Iohannis and Olaf Scholz was given to the challenges the European Union is facing in the current internal and international context, being highlighted the most suitable ways to maintain the EU's unity of action, its competitiveness and security.

The president of Romania and the federal chancellor discussed the ways to advance the European project, the importance of maintaining European cohesion, unity and solidarity. They emphasized, in the context, "the need for closer cooperation between all the member states and the streamlining of procedures, so that the European Union can respond effectively to the need to ensure its competitiveness and influence on a global scale".

"At the same time, the EU must respond to the current needs and fears of the citizens, in order to defend democracy and the European project in the face of the growing influence of populist-extremist forces", the Presidential Administration says.

Klaus Iohannis emphasized that Romania "will remain a factor of stability and balance in the region and in Europe, and the consolidation of this status represents a commitment of the Romanian authorities".

The Romanian president and the German chancellor also addressed the strengthening of the transatlantic relationship, as an essential factor for ensuring European security, including from the perspective of installing a new Administration at the White House at the beginning of next year. As to ensuring European security, the president of Romania emphasized that it is necessary to continue supporting Ukraine.

The two also highlighted the need to provide sustained aid to the Republic of Moldova to ensure its well-being, security and European path, which was reaffirmed by the recent referendum and the re-election of president Maia Sandu. In this context, the support for the European path of the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and the partners from the Western Balkans was reiterated, based on the merits of the candidates in the reform processes.

Klaus Iohannis and Olaf Scholz agreed that the important Romanian community in Germany and the German minority in Romania "play an essential role as catalysts of dialogue and cooperation in the Romanian-German relationship".
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Central Asian countries have ambitious plans for achieving collective and regional sustainability and environmental security in the future, Vice Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan Ilyas Bakytzhan said during the Ministerial Dialogue on Promoting the Energy Transition Based on Renewable Energy in Central Asia, Trend reports.

"Our countries have ambitious plans for achieving collective and regional sustainability and environmental security in the future. On the sidelines of COP29, we successfully announced the implementation of major intergovernmental projects in the field of green energy development.

In particular, the Presidents of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan signed an intergovernmental agreement on the construction of a deep-water cable across the Caspian Sea. This is the largest regional project, which will contribute to creating the infrastructure for exporting green energy to Europe in the future," he added.

The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) opened on November 11. COP29, which is being held at the Baku Olympic Stadium, will continue until November 22. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

The key expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance.

A total of 14 initiatives have been put forward by the COP29 Chairmanship.

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National nuclear energy producer Nuclearelectrica, project company Energonuclear and the consortium of Fluor, Sargent & Lundy (U.S.), Atkins Realis (CANDU - Canada ) and Ansaldo (Italy) signed on Friday in Baku, on the occasion of the COP 29 meeting, a landmark contract for the construction of Cernavoda nuclear power plant Units 3 and 4, the Romanian Energy Ministry announced in a release.

At the General Meeting of Nuclearelectrica SA Shareholders held on November 14, the Energy Ministry voted for the signing of the key contract, and the Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) contract - LNTP phase for the development of Cernavoda Units 3 and 4 was consequently inked on Friday during a festive ceremony in Baku.

"This is the most important project for the Romanian energy sector in the last decades. We have the strongest international partners to carry it through by 2031 - 2032. The signing of today's contract required a considerable effort at all levels: diplomatic, financial, legal. (...) This is safe, accessible and clean energy for Romania," Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja said, as cited in the release, noting that the two new reactors will mean an additional installed capacity of over 1,400 MW at Cernavoda, an increase in Romania's annual energy production by over 11 million MWh for at least 30 years of operation, over 19,000 well-paid jobs, and cutting at least 10 million tons of CO2 emissions each year.

"Based on the estimated production, Units 3 and 4 will be able to cover the equivalent of today's annual consumption for more than 7 million Romanian households. Once this investment is completed, in 7-8 years Romania will provide more than 30% of the nationwide energy needs only through the production of nuclear energy. Moreover, our country will have a competitive energy price at regional and European level, which will bolster the entire Romanian economy and will reduce the bills for all Romanians. Today's historic step is also a symbolic one, as it shows that Romania is capable of carrying forward a strategic project devised 50 years ago and blocked by decades of hesitation, carelessness or lack of decision," the Energy minister also said.

The EPCM contract was concluded between Energonuclear, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nuclearelectrica, and the joint venture FCSA made up of companies Fluor B.V., Fluor Energy Transition Inc. Wilmington Bucharest Branch, AtkinsRealis, Ansaldo Nucleare S.p.A., S&L Engineers, Ltd. and Sargent & Lundy Energie S.R.L. The contract estimated at EUR 3.2 bn is structured in two essential phases: Limited Notice to Proceed (LNTP) and Final Notice to Proceed (FNTP).

"Today marks a major milestone in the development and, finally, the completion of Romania's strategic project regarding Cernavoda Nuclear power plant units 3 and 4. The EPCM contract represents the foundation of the project. We are honored to work on this contract and project with professional, internationally recognized partners such as AtkinsRealis, Fluor Corporation, Ansaldo Nucleare, Sargent and Lundy, because the success of a project derives from both expertise and robust technology. The CANDU-powered Units 3 and 4 will provide Romania with energy security and clean energy in a safe and sustainable way. Once Units 3 and 4 are connected to the grid, nuclear energy will account for 66% of Romania's clean energy, proving once again the critical role of nuclear energy in decarbonization," said Nuclearelectrica CEO Cosmin Ghita.

During the LNTP phase, the EPCM contract provides for design, development and project management, engineering, technical assistance and procurement assistance services, all aimed at ensuring an integrated quality assurance system, so that Units 3 and 4 are prepared for commercial operation. After the completion of this phase and the feasibility review based on the updated technical and economic indicators, the move to the final investment decision is made, which will allow the actual start of the construction," the release also mentions.
Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church received on Friday at the Patriarchal Residence ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Bucharest Gudsi Osmanov on an introductory visit, with His All-Holiness emphasizing on the occasion the need for the two states to further develop their good relations.

"His All-Holiness Patriarch Daniel referenced the good friendship and cooperative relations between Romania and Azerbaijan and emphasized the need to intensify these ties in several spheres of activity. Also, the Patriarch of Romania highlighted the need and benefit of organizing pilgrimages for Romanian Orthodox believers to the places of particular religious, historical and cultural importance in Azerbaijan," the Department for Church, Interreligious Relations and Ecclesiastical Communities Abroad of the Romanian Patriarchate said in the release.

In his turn, the Azerbaijani diplomat thanked for the reception and emphasized the important role falling on the Orthodox Church in the contemporary Romanian society.

"Furthermore, during the meeting, Mr. Ambassador expressed his appreciation for the spiritual and cultural riches of the Romanian people, mentioning the fact that the unity and continuity of the Romanian nation, hard-tried throughout its history as it sat at the intersection of three mighty empires: the Ottoman Empire, the Habsburg Empire and the Russian Empire - were preserved thanks to its piety and faith," the Patriarchate said.
Two sections of the A7 Motorway, between Buzau and Ramnicu Sarat, will be opened to traffic on November 20, and by the end of the year, it will be possible to drive on 130 kilometers of the Moldavia Motorway, announced Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, informs Agerpres.

The PM together with Transport and Infrastructure Minister Sorin Grindeanu, paid a visit to the road investment project for the A7 Motorway, Buzau-Focsani Sector, Sections 1 and 2 - Buzau-Vadul Pasii and Vadul Pasii-Ramnicu Sarat.

"As I promised, the entire road from Buzau to Ramnicu Sarat will be opened to traffic, and next month, traffic will also be allowed from Buzau to Focsani. Everything I promised, along with the minister of Transport, that by the end of the year, the 130 kilometers of the Moldavia Motorway will be open, including nearly 50 kilometres from Ploiesti to Buzau, with the last section being delayed due to challenges... We will continue at the same pace, and I want to congratulate the contractor for meeting all deadlines. These sections were supposed to be completed in 2025, but they were finished much earlier," said Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu.

Transport Minister Sorin Grindeanu announced that by the end of the year, approximately 180 kilometers of motorways and express roads will be opened to traffic.

"On Wednesday, November 20, these two sections will open to traffic; the Focsani section was opened last week. The third section will be opened in December. All four sections will be opened, plus the two others, as the Prime Minister mentioned, from Dumbrava to Pietroasele. We will also move south, and approximately 40 kilometers of express road between Craiova and Pitesti will be opened before December 1. After December 10, we will discuss the opening of another 16 kilometers from Pitesti to Curtea de Arges. By the end of the year, around 180 kilometers of highways and express roads will be opened," said Minister Grindeanu.

The Buzau-Vadu Pasii Section I spans 4.6 km, while the second section, Vadu Pasii-Ramnicu Sarat, is 30.8 km long.
President Klaus Iohannis will pay an official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany, from Friday to Monday, at the invitation of federal president Frank-Walter Steinmeier, informs Agerpres.

According to the Presidential Administration, the president will meet federal president Frank-Walter Steinmeier, chancellor Olaf Scholz and the president of the Bundestag, Barbel Bas.

Klaus Iohannis was also invited to deliver a speech in the Federal Parliament on the occasion of the solemn ceremony dedicated to the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of War and Dictatorship, on Sunday.

The official visit of president Klaus Iohannis follows the visit paid to Romania by German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier last year and strengthens the dynamic Romanian-German dialogue, reflecting the excellent, strategic relations existing between Romania and Germany.

"These relations are based on traditional friendship, in-depth cooperation at bilateral, European and multilateral levels, as well as long-standing historical and interpersonal ties. The important Romanian community in Germany and the German minority in Romania play an essential role in this relationship, acting as catalysts for dialogue and cooperation," the Presidential Administration says in the same press release.

The same source indicates that the meetings with the president and the federal chancellor will focus on deepening Romanian-German cooperation in all current areas, in political, security and economic terms. Germany is Romania's main trading partner and the second largest investor in the Romanian economy and at the same time a reliable ally of Romania, which contributes significantly to ensuring European security.

"Given the current security threats and the difficult international context, the discussions will also focus on issues related to security and military cooperation, including strengthening the deterrence posture on NATO's Eastern Flank and consolidating the transatlantic relationship. Also on the agenda are continued support for Ukraine and support for the stabilization and development of the Republic of Moldova, as well as supporting its European path. The discussions will also address the challenges facing the European Union in the current domestic and international context, as well as measures to maintain EU's competitiveness and its unity of action," the Presidential Administration points out.

In the speech he will deliver in the Federal Parliament, on the occasion of the solemn ceremony dedicated to the Day of Remembrance, Klaus Iohannis will pay tribute to the memory of the victims of war, tyranny and violence.

The programme of the president's official visit to Germany also includes a visit to the Deutschlandhaus, the Documentation Centre for Displacement, Expulsion and Reconciliation, and the laying of a wreath at the Neue Wache memorial, dedicated to the victims of war and dictatorship.
The Minister of Transport, Sorin Grindeanu, stated that 800 kilometers of highway and expressway are currently under construction in Romania, drawing attention to the need for the Government to support the construction materials market, in the context of future infrastructure investments, informs Agerpres.

Minister Grindeanu paid a working visit on Friday, together with Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, to the road investment objective of the A7 Highway, Buzau-Focsani Sector, Sections 1 and 2 (Buzau-Vadul Pasii and Vadul Pasii-Ramnicu Sarat). On this occasion, Sorin Grindeanu made clarifications regarding the road infrastructure works and the challenges faced by the builders.

"When you build a lot - today, as we speak, almost 800 kilometers of highway and expressway are under construction in Romania - when you have so many kilometers under construction, you obviously need large quantities of materials, either that we are talking about construction materials, metal decking. In addition to these works that the Ministry of Transport has, without mentioning the CFR local authorities, who in turn need a lot of construction materials," Grindeanu declared.

As a result, the Minister of Transport specified that there is a need for government support for the construction materials market, in the perspective of future infrastructure works.

"That is why the Government came with help and will come with help in the future to support this market of construction materials. It is an important thing that we must not neglect, the coming years will require a large volume for construction materials and we have to be careful," stated Sorin Grindeanu.

By the end of 2024, the leadership of the Ministry of Transport announced that approximately 130 kilometers of the Moldavian Highway will be put into circulation.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade from Budapest, Szijjarto Peter, declared on Friday, in Miercurea-Ciuc, that the national interests of Romania and Hungary coincide with regard to the country's accession with full rights to Schengen areA and that efforts are still being made to make this happen in the next two months.

"Furthermore, we must do everything possible for Romania to finally join the Schengen area as a member with full rights. Here we are talking about a matter in which the national interests of Romania and the national interests of Hungary, respectively of the two peoples, coincide. For this reason, just as during the four months of the Hungarian presidency [of the EU Council] so far, we will do everything possible, we will mobilize everything and we will try to convince everyone (...) in the next two months, so that Romania can finally join the Schengen area. Our interest is that the lives of the communities on both sides of the border are connected with the strongest fabrics, for which we need the status of Schengen member", said Peter Szijjarto, in a press conference, according to the translation provided by the organizers.

Asked about the fact that the Prime Minister of Romania, Marcel Ciolacu, declared that this year the decision will be made regarding Romania's entry into Schengen with land borders, the official from Budapest expressed his hope that this will happen and argued that the officials of two governments are in contact almost daily on this issue.

This topic was also touched upon in a forum in which the head of Hungarian diplomacy participated, in Miercurea-Ciuc, together with the leader of the UDMR, Kelemen Hunor. He asserted that in the past it was "unimaginable" that the national interest of Romania and the national interest of Hungary could coincide, but that this is happening now, in the case of our country's accession to Schengen.

He stated that "the economic traffic between the two countries is continuously increasing, Romania being "the strongest exporter to Hungary", and the positive things can be carried forward, "if these artificial barriers no longer exist".

The EU Council is led by rotation by one member state, for 6 months each, and Hungary ensures this presidency between July 1 and December 31, 2024.
ST. LOUIS  Aviation giant Boeing Co. laid off more than a hundred workers in the region this week, as the company continues to grapple with manufacturing problems on marquee planes, costly labor strife and deep financial woes.

Boeing notified 111 mechanics of the layoffs on Thursday, according to DeLane Adams, a spokesman for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. The employees left work Thursday, but will be paid through Jan. 17.

The layoffs were mostly due to Boeing delaying production on the long-range widebody 777X commercial jet, Adams said. Workers in the St. Louis region build component parts for that plane.

Boeing said the layoffs were needed to align with its financial reality and a more focused set of priorities, said company spokesman Kurt LaBelle.

Most of the laid-off workers are expected to leave the company in mid-January, LaBelle said Friday. Eligible employees will receive severance pay, help finding a new job and health care benefits for up to three months.

Adams said some of the workers might be called back.

But Richard Aboulafia, managing director of aerospace industry consulting firm AeroDynamic Advisory, said the decision to lay off workers doesnt make sense. Citing resource issues, Boeing has struggled to get its production plans across the finish line, he said.

I would have thought they would be needing more resources to execute on troubled programs, not less, Aboulafia said. Theyre all very badly troubled.

Boeing claims about 16,700 workers in its defense business in the St. Louis area.

Months of warning signs preceded the layoffs.

In September, the company warned of significant reductions to supplier spending and a stop to most purchase orders on the 737, 767 and 777 planes. That same month, 33,000 machinists at Boeing voted to go on strike amid bitter negotiations. The strike lasted seven weeks.

Then last month, new Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said the company planned to cut 10% of its workforce, or about 17,000 jobs. And it would further delay the launch of the new 777X, and discontinue the 767 cargo plane.

Company officials didnt specify how business conditions would affect St. Louis workers, but it warned of cuts.

Our business is in a difficult position and it is hard to overstate the challenges we face together, Ortberg said in a letter to employees.

Ortberg, longtime aerospace executive, took over the troubled company in August and is its third CEO in less than five years.

He faces challenges in turning the company around.

Boeing reported a loss of more than $6 billion in its third quarter. The companys commercial side faced scrutiny from the Federal Aviation Administration after a panel blew out of a 737 Max during an Alaska Airlines flight in January.

And the company suffered another blow when NASA decided that a Boeing spacecraft wasnt safe enough to carry two astronauts home from the International Space Station.

The state of Missouri has given Boeing $129 million over the past 10 years in exchange for the company maintaining and growing jobs here, according to a Post-Dispatch analysis of state tax records. The fewer jobs Boeing has, the less in tax breaks it receives.

St. Louis County last year approved a new set of tax breaks on a new $1.8 billion assembly plant.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. The total volume of investments in the agreements reached by Kazakhstan on the margins of COP29 will amount to about $3.7 billion, Kazakhstan's Vice Minister of Energy Ilyas Bakytzhan said during the Ministerial Dialogue on Promoting Energy Transition Based on Renewable Energy Sources in Central Asia, Trend reports.

Kazakhstan aims to actively develop green energy and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. One of the promising areas in Kazakhstan is the development of renewable energy and the construction of wind generation facilities. On the margins of the COP, the Government of Kazakhstan and the Government of the People's Republic of China signed an agreement on the implementation of major projects in the field of renewable energy. Investment agreements were also signed with Masdar on the implementation of large-scale renewable energy projects.

It is expected that the total investment in these projects will amount to about $3.7 billion. Taking into account global trends to achieve carbon neutrality, Kazakhstan prioritizes a balanced and consistent energy transition, developing both traditional and alternative sources of renewable energy following national conditions, interests, and socio-economic factors, he said.

The opening of COP29 took place on November 11 in Baku's Olympic Stadium and will continue until November 22. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

As part of COP29, the highest-level event, the World Leaders' Summit on Climate Action, was held on November 12-13.

The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance.

In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, creating climate finance will also help fulfill the 1.5C pledge by bringing everyone together.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is based in Bonn.

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ST. LOUIS  The leader of John Beal Roofing said the company implemented new protocols after its former chief financial officer was arrested in a $2.1 million embezzlement scheme.

Richard D. Zellner, 66, of OFallon, Missouri, was sentenced Nov. 8 to 41 months in federal prison for using company funds to pay off $2.1 million in credit card debt and other personal expenses, according to a release from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The release did not list the company Zellner worked for, and court records identified the company only by its initials, JBR.

But previous media reports identified a Richard Zellner of OFallon as CFO for John Beal Roofing, which has offices in Maryland Heights, Kansas City, Springfield, Missouri, and Carbondale, Illinois.

In a statement Thursday, John Beal Roofing CEO Sam Maiden said the company was shocked and disappointed by Rick Zellners betrayal.

We are incredibly grateful to the Maryland Heights Police Department and the FBI, whose thorough investigation resulted in Ricks arrest, Maiden said. The St. Louis community has supported us for decades. We value and appreciate that vote of confidence, which has enabled us to grow into one of the largest roof replacement companies in the Midwest. We look forward to being an integral part of the community for next 100 years and beyond.

Maiden said the company made improvements to its protocols, including adding a new CPA and instituting regular forensic audits.
Tony Messenger Metro columnist Follow Tony Messenger 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

ST. LOUIS  Nelly should write a song about his recent legal entanglement.

The song shouldnt be about what happened to him, but about less famous people who end up in his exact situation. By now youve likely read about what happened to the world-famous rapper and entertainer from St. Louis. Nelly, whos given name is Cornell Hayes II, was arrested at the Hollywood Casino & Hotel St. Louis in Maryland Heights in August.

While the 49-year-old was collecting his winnings from a night of gambling, a state patrolman at the casino decided to run Nellys name through a criminal database. The trooper said it was standard procedure. Maybe so. Or maybe he recognized Nelly. Or maybe he had other motivations. Whatever the case, the trooper found an outstanding warrant for Nelly. It stemmed from a 2018 case for driving without insurance in which Nelly missed a court date.

The trooper handcuffed the rap star and searched him, allegedly finding four ecstasy pills. He arrested Nelly on suspicion of felony drug possession.

This week, St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell announced he was dropping the charges, agreeing with Nellys defense attorney, Scott Rosenblum, that the facts of the case dont warrant any charges.

Nellys free. His record is clean.

Thats not what happened to Jean Polly-Mitchell back in 2015. Nellys new song should be about Polly-Mitchell. He could call it The Ballad of Miss Jean.

Miss Jean, as she was called, was born in Columbus, Ohio, and spent much of her youth growing up on the streets of Compton, south of Los Angeles. Thats where she developed her love of the Los Angeles Lakers. She lived much of her adult life in north St. Louis County, where she was a grandmotherly figure to many people.

In 2015, her husband, Reginald, died of leukemia. That year, during a traffic stop, Miss Jean was arrested on an old traffic warrant she hadnt cleared up. Its a common issue in a county where, a decade ago, municipalities were infamous for using their police departments and courts as revenue generators. During a search, police found a single Oxycodone pill in Miss Jeans car. She was charged with felony drug possession.

This was a year after the protests in Ferguson. Nelly marched there. Some of the folks he marched with had court experiences similar to Miss Jean.

Miss Jean was handcuffed and went to jail. At the time, she lived on $800 a month in disability, which is to say she couldnt afford to bail out of jail or call a prominent attorney like Rosenblum to represent her. Eventually, attorney Michael-John Voss, one of the founders of the nonprofit law firm ArchCity Defenders, decided to represent her. She got her bail reduced and got out of jail.

But her ordeal didnt end there.

In 2017, Voss was working to clean up Miss Jeans old warrants, while also fighting the felony drug charge. At a hearing in April, his client didnt show up. Voss called family members and found out Miss Jean had become ill and was in the hospital in a coma. The prosecutor asked the judge to issue a warrant for her arrest. The judge declined. A few days later, Miss Jean died.

I attended her funeral at the Valhalla Funeral Chapel and Crematory. Her coffin was draped in her beloved Lakers colors of purple and gold. Some family members wore the teams jerseys.

Miss Jean was celebrated as somebody who would do anything for those around her, even when she was facing struggles herself. She was jolly for no reason at all, one of her friends told me after the funeral.

I bet Nelly would have liked Miss Jean.

The juxtaposition of their two cases says a lot about the criminal justice system. For people who live in poverty  whether in north St. Louis County or rural Missouri  the system too often punishes those who cant afford bail, or cant pay fines and fees that are stacked upon each other. Many cant keep up the insurance on their vehicles or afford an attorney who strikes fear in the prosecuting attorneys office.

One arrest, caused by an outstanding warrant, can lead to a questionable search and a felony charge with devastating consequences.

Not for Nelly, of course. Im glad his legal situation, which seems minor in the scheme of things, has been resolved. But I hope he spends a little time thinking about Miss Jean and the people like her who tell a story about the scales of American justice being out of balance.
ST. LOUIS  When she moved into the Saum building at 1919 South Grand six months ago, Salinas Rangel immediately noticed the smell.

For weeks, it lingered.

Finally, Evette Townsend, the property manager for landlord STL CityWide, told Rangel and other seventh-floor residents that employees would be checking the apartments there to try and find the source. When Rangel returned from work that early June evening, the police were there. They had found a decomposing body in one of the units.

After that, Rangel complained about roaches throughout the building. She trudged up seven flights of stairs during the frequent elevator outages.

But she kept paying nearly $1,200 in monthly rent.

The final straw came last Saturday, when Rangel found a rat stuck in a trap. It was under a radiator, slowly roasting. She left that night.

These people are insane if they think theyre going to get another dollar out of me, Rangel said.

Rangel is considering her legal options now, and a lawsuit from her would be the latest in a growing number of legal actions piling up against one of the largest landlords in St. Louis and its owners, brothers Vic Alston and Sid Chakraverty.

Another recent lawsuit accuses a CityWide employee of stealing rent and illegally shutting off utilities at a downtown loft building, while one alleges a roach infestation at a Central West End property. Another three tenants have recently settled lawsuits against Alston, Chakraverty and their companies.

Meanwhile, Alston and Chakravertys construction arm, Big Sur Construction, is facing over $3.3 million in construction liens filed this year against recent apartment developments in University City and Kansas City.

The liens and lawsuits are on top of federal criminal fraud charges unsealed in September, and they put further financial pressure on an enterprise that owns and manages an estimated 2,000 apartments in the St. Louis area. The criminal charges against Alston, Chakraverty and their chief financial officer, Shijing Poppy Cao, accuse the trio of defrauding St. Louis minority hiring requirements for developers who receive construction incentives. All three have pleaded not guilty.

The tenants filing recent lawsuits are being represented by Al Johnson, a former St. Louis County prosecutor and private practice attorney who now heads nonprofit legal clinic New Covenant Legal Services. His clients claims echo complaints that tenants of the brothers properties have been voicing for years.

Under the direction of Alston and Chakraverty, CityWide has devised a strategy of purchasing apartment buildings in the city of St. Louis and engaging in a pattern of deferred maintenance, Johnson wrote in one of the recent lawsuits. They use fraud, deception, and bait-and-switch tactics to attract tenants and then engage in aggressive legal tactics when tenants balk at paying the exorbitant rents in buildings that are frequently deficient.

Stolen rent, illegal utility shutoff

Megan ODonnell and Ryuichi Yamamoto sued in October over their experience in the ArtLofts at 1531 Washington Avenue. In addition to the brothers, the couple named Townsend, the CityWide property manager, and Jose Garcia, another manager, as defendants.

In their lawsuit, the couple accuse Garcia of stealing their $1,160 August rent check and then illegally shutting off their electricity.

A few days after depositing a check in a drop box, someone from CityWide informed ODonnell and Yamamoto their rent was late. ODonnell went to her bank and discovered that Garcia had cashed the check in his name. She told Garcias supervisor, Townsend, who tried to fabricate a story that would somehow exonerate Garcia, according to the lawsuit.

Cao, the CityWide accountant who was indicted for fraud along with Chakraverty and Alston, was also named as a defendant in the lawsuit. She is accused of contacting ODonnell and Yamamoto at Alston and Chakravertys direction to try and cover up systematic, illegal goings-on at CityWide.

Garcia later promised to credit the check to the couples August rent, but he never did, according to the suit. On top of that, both Townsend and Cao told them they still had to pay another $1,160 for that months rent.

According to the lawsuit, ODonnell and Yamamoto had already negotiated with Garcia a one-month extension to their lease through September. But on Aug. 23, four days before their original lease expired, Townsend told them CityWide would not honor the extension. They had to be out in less than a week.

The couple couldnt find a new place that quickly, so they remained in the unit into September.

In retaliation, Garcia shut off their electricity, even though ODonnell and Yamamoto pay Ameren directly for electricity, their lawsuit says.

This refusal to provide electricity is neither legal nor isolated, their suit says. Rather, Defendants systematically shut off access to electricity for apartments they claim to be behind in past-due rent or otherwise in alleged violation of the lease agreement to extort rent and enforce compliance.

The couple then ran extension cords under their door to power appliances, but CityWide employees cut them. One night, Garcia entered their apartment uninvited to verbally harass plaintiffs and direct them to vacate the apartment early, the lawsuit says.

Meanwhile, CityWide employees were providing slanderous and/or libelous tenant references about ODonnell and Yamamoto, including that they had not paid their August rent, their lawsuit says. That made it difficult to find a new landlord willing to take them.

Garcia, reached by phone, hung up when a reporter asked him about the utility shutoffs. Townsend did not respond to a request for comment.

In addition, two lawsuits accuse Alston and Chakraverty through their companies of renting out apartments without a state real estate license.

The Missouri Real Estate Commission in September 2023 sued CityWide for renting properties without a real estate brokers license and asked the courts for an injunction to stop CityWide from continuing to rent out the apartments.

But the state has not taken any action in the litigation since filing the lawsuit, and its unclear whether it is even still pursuing the matter. Missouri Real Estate Commission Executive Director Brittany Tomblinson and the divisions enforcement manager, Lisa Brush, did not respond to a request for comment.

Another recent lawsuit filed by Catheryn Bolick alleges a rodent infestation in CityWides Hampden Hall on McPherson Avenue, where she paid nearly $1,400 a month for rent. She also said the elevators were routinely broken.

Three other tenants recently settled lawsuits against the brothers companies. A lawsuit filed by Amdiel Clement last year claimed there was a roach infestation in CityWides Maryland Lofts at 4340 Maryland Ave. The case settled in July.

In another case, one of CityWides companies, Central PM LLC, sued Martez Mayo for past due rent in the ArtLofts. Mayo agreed to a deal in court that gave him until September to pay CityWide $6,000 in past due rent and fees. But on Aug. 15, the landlords cut off his electricity, according to a countersuit Mayo filed.

Ameren told Mayo they had not deactivated his electricity. When Mayo confronted Garcia about the shutoff, Garcia told him the landlord would only send a technician after he had paid his past-due rent, even though the settlement in his rent case gave Mayo until September. Central PM settled the case last week.

And another lawsuit from Demarkus Turner claimed CityWide employee Kyle Rhine told him he had to purchase a renters insurance policy from Century-National Insurance Company when he moved into the Tanjiers apartments at 5522 Delmar Boulevard.

After a storm caused water damage in his apartment, Turner filed a claim but was denied. The lawsuit alleges that Rhine was actually an agent for Century in addition to CityWide.

Unknown to plaintiff, there was a pre-existing agreement between the CityWide defendants Tanjiers, CityWide, and defendant Century to force and/or steer clients to Century, Turners lawsuit says. In turn, Century would sell an insurance policy to unsuspecting tenants in the Tanjiers apartments that provided coverage only to the CityWide defendants but little or no coverage to tenants, like plaintiff Turner.

Rhine hung up when reached by a reporter. The lawsuit settled in September.

Joe Jacobson, an attorney for Alston and Chakravertys companies and employees in the tenant lawsuits, did not respond to requests for comment.

In a statement, Johnson, the New Covenant attorney, said the number of large landlords engaging in various patterns of tenant abuse has increased over the last five years.

We can file lawsuits all day, but the situation will only improve when we see some more aggressive enforcement by local and state officials of tenants rights, he wrote.

Plead the Fifth

Meanwhile, mechanics liens have been piling up against Alston and Chakravertys construction arm, Big Sur. At least $1.4 million in liens have been filed against the McKenzie a 251-unit apartment building recently constructed at Delmar Boulevard and Interstate 170 in University City. Another $1.9 million have been filed in Jackson County against Lux Livings recent projects in Kansas City.

Ira Berkowitz, Alston and Chakravertys longtime attorney, did not respond to questions about whether Big Sur still had the capacity to pay its contractors.

And in a long-running legal dispute with loft owners at the Ely Walker loft building downtown, where Alston, Chakraverty and Cao control the condo board, a St. Louis judge last week ordered Chakraverty to sit for a deposition. Chakraverty had asked for a protective order to limit plaintiffs attorneys from asking about anything that could impact the federal criminal charges against him.

Judge Joseph Whyte ruled that if Chakraverty was worried about implicating himself in the criminal case, he could invoke the Fifth Amendment.
ST. LOUIS  Graduate student workers at St. Louis University have overwhelmingly voted for union representation.

By a tally of 352-39, they approved the United Auto Workers as the bargaining agent for the 560 grad students required to work for the university as part of their degree.

Votes from the two-day election were tallied Thursday night. The results were met with cheers.

The number of people who came to the polls really goes to show just how much our colleagues believe in our union, and I am looking forward to bargain with SLU and make sure our grad workers are treated fairly, said Eileen Schaub, who studies biology. I can feel good about recommending SLU as a place to do grad studies now.

In a statement Friday, SLU officials said they would engage in good-faith negotiations with UAW once the election results were certified.

Throughout this process, SLU has supported graduate students right to explore unionization and encouraged all eligible voters to participate, the universitys statement reads.

Graduate workers said they have struggled to live on low wages and minimal health coverage as they work two to five years earning their masters or Ph.D. degrees. Students have said theyd sold plasma or gone to food banks to sustain themselves as their graduate work amounts to more than a full-time job.

First on the bargaining list, according to Schaub, is to ensure the students receive living wages. Workers have not received a raise in over 10 years, UAW reports. Schaub she said she earns $27,500 a year as she teaches and researches how climate change affects the development of flower buds.

Rebecca Stokem, a Ph.D. student in the Department of American Studies, said shes earning $30,000 on a 12-month contract. Supporting herself on that pay has been incredibly tight while she also deals with added expenses due to changes to SLUs medical plan.

Stokem, who has severe ulcerative colitis, said she went from paying nothing for her health needs to $600 for routine lab work after SLU renegotiated its contract with its health insurance provider last year. She said health coverage will be part of the negotiations.

Im fortunate that I have parents who do their very best to help me when theyre able to, but theyre both working-class people, and they themselves do not have a lot of savings, Stokem said.

The union vote marks the conclusion of years of effort. Workers have gone knocked on office doors and go from department-to-department to spread word about the union.

While we love what we do and we love our jobs, we want to make sure our voices are heard when decisions are made about us, Stokem said.

This story was updated after publication with comment from St. Louis University.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Holding COP29 in Baku is an indicator of Azerbaijan's growing authority, the Ombudsperson Sabina Aliyeva said at the interactive discussion of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Climate Justice on Human Rights: The Role of National Human Rights Institutions within COP29, Trend reports.

She noted that ombudspersons and national human rights institutions, as one of the main actors in ensuring climate justice, play an important role in protecting the right to a healthy environment, occupying one of the important places in the human rights system, as well as in protecting the rights of groups vulnerable to climate change.

"In this regard, the representation of the Ombudsperson of Azerbaijan in the COP29 Organizing Committee, established by the relevant decree of President Ilham Aliyev, also serves the purpose of taking into account human rights aspects in times of climate change.

Being a member of the COP29 Organizing Committee, the National Human Rights Institution has tried in every possible way to contribute to the process for the sake of organizing this prestigious event at a high level, which is currently an indicator of great respect and confidence in Azerbaijan on the global plane, in order to achieve successful results for our country and humanity as a whole, she added.

The opening of COP29 took place on November 11 in Baku's Olympic Stadium and will continue until November 22. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

As part of COP29, the highest-level event, the World Leaders' Summit on Climate Action, was held on November 12-13.

The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance.

In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, creating climate finance will also help fulfill the 1.5C pledge by bringing everyone together.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretary is based in Bonn.

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With news that Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey was on President-elect Donald Trumps short list to lead the Justice Department, we planned to warn the nation about this uniquely malignant public official. Given Baileys history of belligerently politicizing his post while failing to carry out his duties, we figured there couldnt possibly be a worse choice for U.S. attorney general.

But Trump, as always, is full of  surprises. His announcement tapping Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz as Americas top cop has shocked us into rethinking our premise.

Does Trump imagine that Gaetzs scant legal experience will provide some mysterious of less-is-more advantage in presiding over the federal governments sprawling legal apparatus?

Does Trump believe this most divisive congressman, who sabotaged his own partys House speaker and ground the chamber to a halt for no discernible reason beyond clownish performance politics, will inspire confidence in the professionalism of the Justice Department?

Is this, as one blogger suggests, like Caligula appointing his horse to the Roman Senate  just a middle finger at the whole institution?

Or does Trump perhaps think the best way for the government to combat sex trafficking is to turn to a man who has been credibly accused of it?

With this demonstration of even worse judgment than anyone imagined, Trump has, we must admit, proved us wrong: Even Andrew Bailey would be preferable to this.
EQS-Ad-hoc: European Healthcare Acquisition & Growth Company B.V. / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

European Healthcare Acquisition & Growth Company B.V.  dissolution becoming effective on 18 November 2024 and suspension of trading on 19 November 2024

15-Nov-2024 / 20:05 CET/CEST

Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by EQS News  a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION, PUBLICATION OR FORWARDING, EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR TO CANADA, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH DISTRIBUTION OR PUBLICATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. OTHER RESTRICTIONS ARE APPLICABLE. PLEASE SEE THE IMPORTANT NOTICE AT THE END OF THIS PUBLICATION.

Public disclosure of inside information according to Article 17 para. 1 of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 on market abuse (Market Abuse Regulation)

European Healthcare Acquisition & Growth Company B.V.  dissolution becoming effective on 18 November 2024 and suspension of trading on 19 November 2024

Munich, 15 November 2024

European Healthcare Acquisition & Growth Company B.V. (the Company), a Dutch operators-led special purpose acquisition company listed on Euronext Amsterdam, today announces that it will not conclude a business combination ahead of its extended business combination deadline of 17 November 2024.

In accordance with the resolution adopted by the general meeting on 15 November 2023, the dissolution of the Company shall become effective 18 November 2024 and the Company will cease all operations from this date, except for the purpose of winding up. As from that date, the Company will be required under Dutch law to add the Dutch language reference in liquidatie (in liquidation) to its name in documents and announcements.

The Companys class A ordinary shares (the Public Shares) will delist following the dissolution of the Company. The Company has commenced the process for the delisting of the Public Shares from trading on Euronext Amsterdam. The Companys last trading date will be 18 November 2024, trading will be suspended as of 19 November (before market opening) and the delisting will take effect on 29 November 2024 (before market opening).

The board of the Company (the Board) is charged with effecting the liquidation of the Companys affairs.

The Company will prepare the necessary actions to complete the final report (rekening en verantwoording) and the plan of distribution (plan van verdeling). The liquidation process will commence when (i) the final report and plan of distribution have been completed and deposited with the Dutch Trade Register of the Chamber of Commerce and at the head office of the Company (for inspection by anyone for a period of two months after such date), and (ii) the liquidation has been announced in a national newspaper. The Company expects the liquidation process to commence, and the statutory two months creditor opposition period will start, on 21 November 2024.

After the two months creditor opposition period has lapsed (and assuming that no creditor opposes to the liquidation), the Company will settle its debt and make a final liquidation payment to the holders of Public Shares.

To the extent that any assets remain after payment of all debts, the holders of Public Shares will receive a liquidation distribution equal to the nominal value of each Public Share and the balance of the general share premium reserve, but in no event resulting in a liquidation distribution of an amount exceeding 10 per Public Share. The amount per Public Share that shareholders will receive as liquidation distribution, which is currently expected to be 10 per Public Share, will be announced following the aforementioned two month-period, provided no objections are received from creditors.

The liquidation distributions will extinguish shareholders rights to receive further liquidating distributions, if any.

When the Company does not have any remaining assets, the Company ceases to exist and will be deregistered from the Dutch Trade Register.



General Enquiries

+49 89 4523240

info@ehc-company.com

Media Enquiries

FGS Global

Kai Peter Rath

+49 211 43079 209

kai.rath@fgsglobal.com

Important Notice

This publication may not be published, distributed or transmitted in the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. This publication does not constitute an offer of securities for sale or a solicitation of an offer to purchase securities (the Securities) of European Healthcare Acquisition & Growth Company B.V. (the Company) in the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan or any other jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. The Securities of the Company may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act). The Securities of the Company have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act. The Securities referred to herein may not be offered or sold in Australia, Canada or Japan or to, or for the account or benefit of, any national, resident or citizen of Australia, Canada or Japan subject to certain exceptions.

In the United Kingdom, this publication is only being distributed to and is only directed at persons who are qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of retained EU law in the United Kingdom as defined in the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (as amended) and are (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the Order), or (ii) persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.) (all such persons together being referred to as Relevant Persons). This publication is directed only at Relevant Persons and must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not Relevant Persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this publication relates is available only to Relevant Persons and will be engaged in only with Relevant Persons.

The Securities are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any Retail Investor in the EEA. For these purposes, a Retail Investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on markets in financial instruments, as amended (MiFID II); (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 January 2016 on insurance distribution, as amended, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 November 2014 on key information documents for packaged retail and insurance-based investment products (the PRIIPs Regulation) for offering or selling the Securities or otherwise making them available to Retail Investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Securities or otherwise making them available to any Retail Investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

Solely for the purpose of the product governance requirements contained within MiFID II, (ii) Articles 9 and 10 of Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 of 7 April 2016 supplementing MiFID II and (iii) local implementing measures (together, the MiFID II Requirements), and disclaiming any and all liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any manufacturer (for the purposes of the MiFID II Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Public Shares and Public Warrants have been subject to a product approval process. As a result, it has been determined that (i) the Public Shares are (a) compatible with an end target market of Retail Investors and investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each as defined in MiFID II, and (b) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels permitted by MiFID II and (ii) the Public Warrants are (a) compatible with an end target market of investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each as defined in MiFID II, and (b) eligible for distribution to professional clients and eligible counterparties through all distribution channels permitted by MiFID II.

This release may contain forward looking statements, estimates, opinions and projections with respect to anticipated future performance of the Company (forward-looking statements). These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms believes, estimates, anticipates, expects, intends, may, will or should or, in each case, their negative, or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on the current views, expectations and assumptions of the management of the Company and involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. Any forward-looking statements included herein only speak as at the date of this release. We undertake no obligation, and do not expect to publicly update, or publicly revise, any of the information, forward-looking statements or the conclusions contained herein or to reflect new events or circumstances or to correct any inaccuracies which may become apparent subsequent to the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. We accept no liability whatsoever in respect of the achievement of such forward-looking statements and assumptions.

To the extent permissible under applicable law or regulation, and in accordance with Dutch market practice, the Company or its brokers may purchase, or conclude agreements to purchase, shares in the Company, directly or indirectly, outside of the scope of the redemption offer, before, during or after the period in which the redemption offer remains open for acceptance. This also applies to other securities that are directly convertible into, exchangeable for, or exercisable for shares in the Company. These purchases may be completed via the stock exchange at market prices or outside the stock exchange in negotiated transactions. Any information about such purchases will be disclosed as required by law or regulation in the Netherlands or any other relevant jurisdiction.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Kazakhstan has developed a plan of measures and a list of investment projects worth about $400 million to reduce methane emissions in the context of economic sectors, the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan Yerlan Nyssanbayev said at a panel discussion on Mobilization for Climate Action: countries, multilateral financial institutions and the private sector implementing the Paris Agreement, Trend reports.

Multilateral development banks and the private sector play a key role in the climate process. There is a need to join forces to achieve greenhouse gas emission reduction and climate change adaptation targets. This requires coordinated action at the state level, he said.

According to him, the commitments made in Paris to limit global warming to well below 2 Celsius and efforts to keep it at 1.5 should be echoed not only in speeches but also in actions.

In the medium term, we are working on the development of nationally determined contributions, which also require significant investment and assessment. To implement measures for 5 years, we announced the accession of Kazakhstan to the global commitment to reduce methane emissions, the Minister of Kazakhstan noted.

He emphasized that for the climate transition of countries such as Kazakhstan, transition finance is important. The synergy between countries, international development banks, and the private sector is crucial. Multilateral development banks and international organizations can act as catalysts for change, ensuring that climate finance reaches those who need it most, especially developing countries.

In conclusion, I would like to highlight Kazakhstan's initiative to strengthen common measures and develop joint approaches to the regional climate process. Kazakhstan plans to hold a regional climate summit in 2026. We call on international banks and organizations to support this initiative," Nyssanbayev said.

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Capt. Lacie Hester, left, and Maj. Benjamin Coffey, right, watch the closing of an award ceremony at RAF Lakenheath in England on Nov. 12, 2024. Each received a Silver Star. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes)

RAF LAKENHEATH, England  An Air Force officer who became the third woman to be awarded a Silver Star since World War II was among 30 service members recognized this week for battling a barrage of Iranian missiles and drones during an unprecedented retaliatory attack against Israel earlier this year.

Capt. Lacie Hester, a weapons systems officer, was awarded the third-highest military decoration for valor in combat at a ceremony Tuesday at RAF Lakenheath in England. Maj. Benjamin Coffey, the pilot of the two-seater F-15E, received the citation alongside Hester.

More than 150 people attended the ceremony to honor the awardees, which included ground crew members who kept the pilots in the fight during the April 13-14 Iranian attacks.

Hester and Coffey were part of a coalition air mission that countered an Iranian launch of more than 300 ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as one-way attack drones.

During their first flight, the pair intercepted six drones flying in the dark at low altitude, the Air Force said.

The fighter was forced to return to an undisclosed base in the Middle East because of a missile that couldnt fire. Coffey and Hester took cover in a nearby bunker in anticipation of a possible attack on the base.

After learning that a replacement F-15 was ready and as overhead explosions from missile intercepts rang out, they left the bunker for a second flight.

An F-15 similar to those flown while U.S. forces fought off an April 13-14, 2024, Iranian attack on Israel was displayed at an award ceremony at RAF Lakenheath, England, on Nov. 12, 2024. An F-15E was used in the battle by two Air Force members who were awarded the Silver Star at the ceremony. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes) Air Force Maj. Benjamin Coffey, an F-15 pilot, received a Silver Star at RAF Lakenheath, England, on Nov. 12, 2024, for his actions to defend Israel from an Iranian missile and drone barrage in April. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes) Gen. James Hecker, U.S. Air Forces Europe and Africa commander, speaks during an award ceremony Nov. 12, 2024, for service members who helped repulse an Iranian attack on Israel on April 13-14. The ceremony at RAF Lakenheath, England, featured 30 award recipients. Two of them were awarded Silver Stars. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes) Air Force Lt. Col. Timothy Diesel Causey was one of six service members to receive a Distinguished Flying Cross with valor on Nov. 12, 2024, for his actions to defend Israel against an Iranian air attack on April 13-14. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes)

During both flights, the pair fired all available weapons. Hester also directed fighter jets in the area through the end of the Iranian attack, officials said.

Despite the risks, they remained focused on completing their mission and returning to safety, Lt. Col. Timothy Diesel Causey, commander of the 494th Fighter Squadron, said Tuesday.

It was just this beautiful symphony of execution, Causey said.

Causey was one of six people who received the Distinguished Flying Cross with valor. In all, 14 officers earned the Distinguished Flying Cross in some form. It acknowledges the recipients heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in a flight.

Six people ranging from airman first class to staff sergeant received the Air and Space Achievement Medal, while six others earned commendation medals.

Maj. Clayton Wicks and Master Sgt. Timothy Adams were awarded Bronze Stars for their efforts, which included directing maintenance, refueling and reloading operations for a dozen F-15s over seven hours while under dthreat from the Iranian assault.

Gen. James Hecker, U.S. Air Forces Europe and Africa commander, praised the award recipients and the collective efforts of the 48th Fighter Wing, known as the Panthers.

You never know when your time is going to come, but when your time comes, you need to be ready, Hecker said. Im happy to say the Panthers were ready.

In all, seven women have received the Silver Star and Hester is the first in the Air Force. Three others received the Citation Star, a predecessor of the current medal.

Pfc. Monica Lin Brown received the Silver Star for treating wounded soldiers while under intense small arms and mortar fire in April 2007 in Afghanistan.

Then-Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester, who is not related to Capt. Lacie Hester, was awarded the medal for her actions during a March 2005 enemy ambush on a supply convoy near the town of Salman Pak, Iraq. She was the first woman to receive the citation since World War II.
Spc. Frank Williams was sentenced in a military court in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Oct. 31, 2024 to 10 years confinement for purposely hitting a fellow soldier with his vehicle and then fleeing the scene. He also had his pay grade reduced to E-1 and was given a dishonorable discharge. (Aspen Reid/U.S. Air Force)

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany  A former U.S. Army specialist stationed in Germany is now serving a lengthy prison sentence for purposely ramming into a fellow soldier with his car and then driving away.

The hit-and-run, which happened in Kaiserslautern last summer, left the victim with a traumatic brain injury and other grave medical issues, the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel said in a statement Thursday.

Frank Williams, 24, admitted during a two-day general court-martial in October on Kleber Kaserne to hitting the victim with his car in August 2023, before driving to the Armys installation in Baumholder, about 35 miles away, the statement said.

There, Williams falsely told authorities that the car damage was from a collision with a deer, according to the statement.

On Oct. 31, military judge Lt. Col. Tom Hynes sentenced Williams to 10 years behind bars as part of a plea deal. Williams admitted to maiming and making false official statements. His pay grade was reduced to E-1 and he was given a dishonorable discharge.

Prosecutors dismissed more serious charges including attempted murder as part of the deal, the Office of Special Trial Counsel said.

The crime followed a verbal altercation between Williams and the victim over damage to Williams 2017 Honda Accord, Michelle McCaskill, communications director at the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel, said in an email exchange Friday.

Both men were assigned to the 16th Sustainment Brigade, a subordinate unit of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command. However, Williams was based in Baumholder, and the victim was based in Kaiserslautern, McCaskill said.

The victim is still suffering from his injuries and is currently assigned to a soldier recovery unit at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland, McCaskill added.

During the trial, he told Hynes how this heinous act will impact him for the rest of his life, lead prosecutor Maj. Sara Nicholson said in Thursdays statement.

The Criminal Investigation Divisions field office in Kaiserslautern investigated the case along with German authorities.

This investigation revealed a deliberate act that put a fellow soldiers life in grave danger, Ryan Hall, special agent in charge at the Army Criminal Investigation Divisions Europe office, was quoted in the statement as saying.

Williams is being held at the Sembach Confinement Facility in Germany until at least next month, when hes expected to be called as a witness in a separate court martial for a passenger who was in his car when the crime was committed last year, McCaskill said, adding that Williams will be transferred to the United States sometime afterward.
U.S. Army investigators and South Korean immigration agents cited several people and businesses at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, on Nov. 5, 2024, for alleged immigration violations. (U.S. Army)

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  Ten people at retail businesses at this base were cited or deported earlier this month on suspicion of working illegally in South Korea, according to a South Korea immigration investigator Friday.

Army Criminal Investigation Division agents and South Korean investigators apprehended the 10 during a sting operation Nov. 5, an investigator in the Suwon Immigration Office told Stars and Stripes by phone.

The group, including people from Turkey and the Philippines, were allegedly working for a restaurant and jewelry store at Humphreys without work visas, according to the investigator with the Justice Ministry branch in Suwon city.

The unidentified businesses were fined between $2,100 and $6,500, the investigator said.

Humphreys, in Pyeongtaek city, roughly 40 miles south of Seoul, is the largest U.S. military base overseas.

The Suwon office and Army Criminal Investigation Division will strictly clamp down on illegally employed foreigners and enterprises hiring unlawful aliens, the statement said.

The suspects were holding South Korean tourist visas, which prohibit them from legally working in the country, the Suwon investigator said.

One suspect has been deported and two others were ordered to leave, the Suwon investigator said. The remaining seven were fined based on their length of employment, he added.

South Korean tourist visas typically allow visitors to stay 90 days before they must renew the visa.

South Korean officials customarily speak to the media on condition of anonymity.

The Armys Criminal Investigation Division conducted a joint investigation with South Korean law enforcement based upon information indicating potential criminal activity occurring on U.S. Army installations within [South Korea], spokesman Mark Lunardi said in an email Saturday.

No further details are being provided due to the ongoing investigation, he added.
A UH-1Y Venom helicopter sits in a field near Cape Hedo, Okinawa, on Nov. 14, 2024, after making a precautionary landing. (Kunigami Village)

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa  A Marine helicopter made a precautionary landing Thursday in a goat pasture near the northernmost point on Okinawa, according to the Marines and a local spokesman.

The UH-1Y Venom helicopter from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267, Camp Pendleton, Calif., was on routine training when it landed near Cape Hedo in Kunigami village at approximately 5 p.m., 1st Marine Aircraft Wing spokesman Maj. Joseph Butterfield said by email Friday.

None of the six crew members on board were injured, and the helicopter returned safely to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma on Okinawa around midday, Butterfield said in separate emails.

The pilots and aircrew executed established safety protocols to ensure a controlled and safe landing, he wrote. A maintenance team has been assigned to assess and prepare the aircraft for a safe return to station. The safety of our aircrew and the communities in which we operate remain a top priority.

The helicopter squadron is attached to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing on Okinawa as part of the Unit Deployment Program, Butterfield wrote.

The aircraft landed one mile southwest of Cape Hedo next to Route 58, the islands major thoroughfare, a spokesman for Kunigami villages General Affairs Division said by phone Friday. He described the property as a place to get pasture for goats.

The Okinawa Defense Bureau, an arm of Japans Ministry of Defense, told the village that the helicopter was flying over the seas around Cape Hedo for training when the crew decided to land as a preventive measure after a warning lamp turned on, the spokesman said.

The helicopter was still at the scene Friday morning, and the defense bureau told the village that maintenance work on the aircraft began at 7 a.m., the spokesman said.

Some Japanese officials are required to speak to the media only on condition of anonymity.

The Venom helicopter, manufactured by Bell, is a utility helicopter that can be used for close air support missions, combat assault support missions, search-and-rescue and casualty evacuation, according to a Navy fact sheet. It can be armed with a variety of rockets and machine guns.
The Rilke Trail, about 12 miles north of Trieste, Italy, is a scenic tribute to 20th century modernist poet Rainer Maria Rilke. (iStock)

Through its art, music, cultural norms or culinary traditions, the soul of a nation expresses itself in countless ways. Here are events, landmarks and landscapes through which we can connect with a handful of Europes most highly regarded authors and poets.

Burns Night in Scotland

Robert Burns, also known as Rabbie Burns, is hailed as the national poet of Scotland. Each year on or around his birthdate of Jan. 25, Scots at home and around the world host or attend a Burns Supper. In a tradition that first played out in the place of Burns birth on the fifth-year anniversary of his passing, friends gather for food, drink and the recitation of Burns immortal words. Following a first-course of soup, mashed potatoes and turnips are served as sides to the centerpiece of the meal, a haggis, brought to the table to the accompaniment of bagpipes and followed by toasting and the reciting of set verses.

With Burns Societies alive and well  some 250 of them exist around the world  one does not have to travel to Scotland to experience a Burns Supper. While arguably the most traditional of Burns Nights plays out in his cottage in Alloway, now the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, just south of Ayre, pubs and restaurants across the land host Burns Nights. For an upscale experience, consider attending the Burns Supper aboard the Royal Yacht Brittania, at anchor in Leith, just outside Edinburgh. The evening consists of a pipes-and canape reception, followed by a five-course meal, a tour of the State Apartments, whisky tasting and more. Tickets to the event set for Jan. 24 or 25 go for 245 UK pounds (about $316) per person. For other options in and around Edinburgh, see tinyurl.com/3vceapwm.

Bloomsday in Dublin

In 1922, James Joyce penned the modernist novel Ulysses, a story portraying ordinary people going about their everyday business. The day in question  16th June, 1904  is known nowadays as Bloomsday, a name it takes from one of the novels main characters. The novel follows a day in the life of Leopold Bloom as it intertwines with others from one morning to the next. Each year on June 16, fans of the book endeavor to bring the spirit of this time to the streets of Dublin through readings, reenactments, guided tours and not least, dressing up like the characters in the novel would have done. Leading this flurry of activity is The James Joyce Centre, a museum dedicated to the writer set in an 18th-century townhouse located in Dublins historical Georgian quarter. With close to 100 events occuring in the weeks and days prior to June 16, Bloomsdays scope and specific focus is considered a literary and cultural festival without parallel. Online: bloomsdayfestival.ie

Hans Christian Andersen in Odense, Denmark

The Danish author Hans Christian Andersen turned out plays, travelogues, poems and full-blown novels, yet he is best remembered for his ability to spin a fairy tale. Since 2013, his hometown of Odense has hosted a late-summer festival in his honor. The Hans Christian Andersen Festival consists of all the theatrical performances, lectures, guided tours and costumed characters one would expect while keeping in mind its core audience, children, who can enjoy games, storytelling sessions and workshops fostering their creativity. Some ninety percent of the festivals hundreds of activities are free. The Hans Christian Andersen Festival traditionally take places during Week 34, corresponding to the dates of Aug. 18-24 in 2025. Online: hcafestivals.com

Astrid Lindgrens World in Smaland, Sweden

While US readers might only recognize the pigtailed redhead mischief-maker Pippi Longstocking, the childrens author Astrid Lindgren created dozens of other whimsical characters known and loved by young readers around the world. In the heart the province of Smaland in southern Sweden, close to the authors childhood home, Astrid Lindgrens World is a vast playground and stage for dozens of performances given on a daily basis throughout the summer. Once they tire from exploring Pippis home, the Villa Villekulla, families can picnic beneath the very oaks where the author played as a child or take in regional cuisine at one of the parks restaurants. Astrid Lindgrens Varld in the town of Vimmerby is open daily from mid-May through late August, as well as on weekends and the autumn school holidays. Online: astridlindgrensvarld.se/en

Rainer Maria Rilke in Trieste, Italy

Rainer Maria Rilke, considered one of the most influential modernist poets of the 20th century, was born in Prague (then part of Austria-Hungary), had Austrian citizenship, and wrote in the German language. From 1911-1912, he lived in the Duino Castle overlooking the Adriatic Sea, a location referred to in his collection of poetry called the Duino Elegies. The Sentiero Rilke, or Rilke Trail, found some 12 miles north of Trieste, is a roughly mile-long, mostly flat hike overlooking a stunning bay. The trail, which leads to the Sistiana Nature Reserve, runs across white karst cliffs, created from the shells of tiny living creatures deposited upon a bed of shallow sea. While walkers are bound to be mesmerized by the stunning views that inspired Rilkes works, English-language information and excerpts from Rilkes writing is thin on the ground here, so doing some research beforehand is bound to enhance the experience. Online: tinyurl.com/5n8wf532
Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Peruvian president Dina Boluarte on Thursday inaugurated a huge port in the Peruvian city of Chancay, celebrating an infrastructure project that is expected to attract $3.6 billion in investment and will create a direct route from China across the Pacific Ocean to South America.

The port opening, which comes ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and Xis final meeting with President Joe Biden, underscores Chinas growing clout in a region that once looked primarily to the United States for economic opportunity.

China is ready to work hand in hand with our Peruvian friends with one heart and with the same goal and steer the ship of our friendship toward an even brighter future, Xi wrote in an editorial published in the El Peruano newspaper ahead of his arrival in Peru.

Although Xi was in Lima, he and Boluarte inaugurated the port via video link instead of traveling 50 miles north to Chancay, with some outlets citing concerns over security.

Chinese and Peruvian officials have called the project a transformative opportunity for Peru to become a central hub for South American goods from its biggest trading partner. Boluarte has called it a potential nerve center joining the continent to Asia, one that could create 8,000 jobs and $4.5 billion in economic activity annually.

Chinese companies are involved in almost every aspect of the deepwater port project. The high-tech logistics hub will be exclusively operated by Chinese shipping giant Cosco, which in 2019 invested $1.3 billion to take a 60 percent stake in the project. Chinese state media has estimated the total cost of the finished project to be as much as $3.6 billion.

The first phase, building a port that will handle only smaller ships, is expected to begin operations this month.

Its automated cargo cranes are supplied by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries, a company that congressional investigators have said poses a security risk to U.S. ports. Electric driverless trucks made by Chinese companies will be used to handle containers and cargo.

The level of Chinese interest and involvement in Chancay has drawn warnings from the United States about Peru potentially being used by Chinese military ships as a foothold in the Americas.

Gen. Laura J. Richardson, the recently retired former head of U.S. Southern Command, said in a recent interview with the Financial Times that Chancay absolutely could host Chinese navy warships, following a playbook that weve seen play out in other places. Beijing has denied the project is motivated by anything other than commercial interest.

The Chinese are not necessarily interested in a grand display and stationing a warship there, but they like to know its an option, said Ryan Berg, director of the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a think tank.

Even without potential military use, the port highlights the continents increasingly strong ties with China.

Chinese interests in Latin America are fast evolving beyond mining and other extractive industries to include agreements to provide surveillance technology and ground stations for Chinese satellites.

But American concerns about the port being used by the Chinese military havent resonated in Peru, which has welcomed the prospect of a high-tech hub attracting investment to the region, said Leolino Dourado, a researcher affiliated with the Center for China and Asia-Pacific Studies at Universidad del Pacifico in Lima.

Latin America, and the Global South in general, wants to sell their products to whoever they can, so this sort of fearmongering is unlikely to work, Dourado said.

When completed, the ports 15 docks will be the first place in South America able to host carrier ships too big to fit through the Panama Canal.

Chinese researchers have said the route will cut costs and shorten sailing times by 10 to 20 days, attracting business from other hubs in the region.

It could also make Peru an attractive destination for Chinese companies searching for new export markets or even locations to set up factories in the Americas. On a visit to China in June, Boluarte cited Chancay as a reason for Chinese electric car giant BYD to consider establishing an assembly plant in the country.

The Chinese takeover of Chancay has not been without controversy in Peru, however.

The Peruvian port authority tried this year to alter the terms of Coscos investment deal, citing an administrative error when agreeing to grant the Chinese firm exclusive operating rights over the seaport for 30 years. The lawsuit was dropped in June days before Boluarte traveled to China to meet Xi.

Chancay will join an expanding global network of more than 40 ports under the Belt and Road Initiative, a $1 trillion plan to build transportation and technology infrastructure launched by Xi in 2013.

Despite claims of Chancay being a purely commercial venture, Chinese foreign policy experts have written about the project as a geopolitical win for Beijing that will need to be defended from American interference.

The ports geopolitical importance makes it inevitable that the United States will try to weaken Chinese control after the project is complete, researchers at Fudan University in Shanghai warned in a recent article.

Xi and Boluarte are also expected to sign an expanded free-trade agreement. China has been Perus largest trading partner for a decade. The countries traded $36 billion in goods last year, compared with Perus $21 billion trade with the United States.

For Beijing, the port promises to bring together a string of existing investments in Peru and neighboring countries.

China has ambitions to build a railway line connecting Chancay to Brazil, its largest trading partner in Latin America, and Chinese firms are in the process of taking over electricity distribution for Lima.

Chinese investments in the Peruvian mining sector total $11.4 billion. The majority of that is focused on securing access to copper, which is essential to the manufacturing of electronics and clean-energy technologies.

With nearly all the worlds copper refining happening in China, the Chancay port will help Beijing improve its access to mines in South Americas second-largest producer of raw copper.

That choke hold on the supply chain is absolutely critical and dominant, said Berg, the CSIS analyst.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, walks near what state media says is a Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile on the launcher at an undisclosed location in North Korea in March 2022. (Korean Central News Agency)

TOKYO  Donald Trump in his second term as president is likely to accept North Korea as a nuclear weapons state and ask for more defense spending by Americas Asian partners, a Japanese foreign policy expert told reporters Thursday.

Those close to Trump see no hope of denuclearizing North Korea during his second term, according to Meikai University professor Tetsuo Kotani, a senior fellow at The Japan Institute of International Affairs.

According to President-elect Trump, hes going to recognize that (nuclear weapons power) status for North Korea so that he can bring North Korea to the negotiation for nuclear arms control, Kotani, an expert in international relations, said in translated remarks during an online conference at the Foreign Press Center Japan.

Recognized nuclear states include the U.S., Russia, Britain, France and China, all signatories to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. North Korea signed the treaty in 1985 but withdrew after testing its own nuclear weapons in 2003. India and Pakistan have declared their weapons but are not signatories, and neither is Israel, which is believed to have them.

U.S. negotiators will focus instead on limiting the Norths arsenal of intercontinental ballistic missiles that could reach the U.S. mainland, Kotani said. The North last tested an ICBM on Oct. 31.

Official recognition of North Korea as a nuclear weapons power will damage non-proliferation efforts, but without it Trumps advisers think the Norths nuclear threat could be greater in 10-20 years, he said.

The international community is faced with the question of what they should consider in the event that the United States officially recognizes North Korea as a country owning nuclear weapons, he said.

Meanwhile, a Trump administration will seek to end conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and prioritize Asia, where China is seen as the greatest threat, he said.

Trumps security team is characterized by members who are hard-liners against China, he said.

Trumps cabinet nominations include China hawks Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state and Rep. Mike Waltz as national security adviser.

Trump advisers include members of the America First Policy Institute such as Keith Kellog, a retired Army lieutenant general and former national security adviser to Trumps first vice president, Mike Pence, Kotani said.

The Trump administration may require Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines to increase their defense spending and buy more U.S. arms, he said.

Taiwan, for example, could be asked to increase its defense budget from 2.5% of gross domestic product to 3%, Kotani said.

Defense of the first island chain is considered to be of high importance, therefore, for the defense of Taiwan itself, the U.S. is willing to be involved, he said.

Japans newly elected Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is unlikely to establish the sort of personal relationship that his late predecessor Shinzo Abe had with Trump, Kotani said.

Japan could improve its relationship by investing in U.S. energy and buying more U.S. oil and gas. Japan and other allies may potentially invest in U.S. shipbuilding, which cannot keep up with the U.S. Navys requirements, he said.

The Trump administration is unlikely to alter plans to reorganize U.S. Forces Japan to strengthen the alliance as if faces a burgeoning China, he said.

Tariffs proposed for allies and friendly nations such as Japan can be seen as bargaining chips to open markets for U.S. products and reduce Americas trade deficit, Kotani said.

High tariffs on Chinese imports wont be negotiable since the policy is aimed at bringing industry back to America, he said.

He will promote full decoupling between the U.S. and Chinese economies, not just high-tech industries he said, adding that he expects Trump to pressure allies and friendly countries to also decouple.
Marine Lance Cpl. Jared Beachy of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Rein.) receives the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, on Nov. 6, 2024. (Angel Diaz/U.S. Marine Corps)

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, Okinawa  A group of Marines on a weekend snorkeling trip last month used their training and teamwork to save a Japanese woman from rough seas.

Seven Marines from Camp Pendleton, Calif., deployed with Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, received commendations Nov. 6 for pulling the woman from the water Oct. 12 at Cape Zanpa near Yomitan village.

There was no hesitation, Cpl. Joshua Stevens, a UH-1Y Venom helicopter crew chief from Nazareth, Pa., told Stars and Stripes at the base theater Nov. 8 with Lance Cpl. Jared Beachy and Cpl. Theron Dubay.

We all kind of realized, Hey, this womans gone, the suns going down, the sea states getting worse, he said. Even though wed been swimming for four hours, were tired and were ready to go home, were in a position to help.

U.S. Marines of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Rein.) photographed after an award ceremony on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 6, 2024. (Angel Diaz/U.S. Marine Corps)

Cape Zanpa Misaki is recognized as one of the most dangerous spots for visitors on Okinawa due to its sharp coral formations, steep cliffs and swirling currents and tides.

Stevens, Beachy, a flightline mechanic from New Braunfels, Texas, and Dubay, an airframe mechanic from Richmond, Mich., dove into the water, found the woman and helped her ashore. For their actions they were awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

The other four established a lookout on a cliffside overlooking the water. Cpl. Scott Detar, Cpl. Robert Escamilla, Cpl. William Ore and Cpl. William Riegler II received certificates of commendation.

Around 4:30 p.m. as the Marines were leaving the dive spot they heard a man screaming and looking for someone. They saw the man arrive earlier with his girlfriend, but she was no longer with him, Stevens said.

As the man called the Japanese coast guard, the Marines split into teams. Dubay jumped in the water first, followed by Beachy and Stevens.

Beachy found the woman clinging to the rocks near a whirlpool, he said. She was in shock with minor injuries, and Beachy moved her to a sand well near the base of the cliff where he could evaluate her using his training in tactical combat casualty care, he said.

Stevens and Beachy held the woman above the waves on their shoulders and carried her about 1,600 feet to shore. Dubay walked in front carrying everyones gear.

When the waves were coming in, it would go from 3 feet to 6 to 8 feet, so hed (Dubay) tell us when to brace, Stevens said. It would hit us, we couldnt breathe for a little bit, the water would go back down, and wed continue walking with her.

The rescue took about 20 minutes. When they reached the shore, the other four Marines helped the woman from the water.

I think our confidence was a lot better knowing that we had our brothers to the left and right of us, Beachy said.

The Japan Coast Guard confirmed that passersby helped the woman from the water at Cape Zanpa, where she went missing around 4 p.m. while snorkeling, according to a news release Oct. 12.

Stevens later received a text message from the man, who referred to himself only as Wataru, stating, If I see any Marines, I will give thanks.

To give [the Marines] this better image as a whole, and us being here on deployment rather than permanent personnel, it feels good knowing, hey, we came out here for our rotation and we could make a difference, Beachy said.

Stars and Stripes reporter Keishi Koja contributed to this report.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. A panel discussion on the topic Mobilization for Climate Action: countries, multilateral financial institutions and the private sector implementing the Paris Agreement is being held within COP29, Trend reports.

The Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan Yerlan Nyssanbayev said that Kazakhstan has developed a plan of measures and a list of investment projects worth about $400 million to reduce methane emissions in the context of economic sectors.

Multilateral development banks and the private sector play a key role in the climate process. There is a need to join forces to achieve greenhouse gas emission reduction and climate change adaptation targets. This requires coordinated action at the state level, he said.

According to him, the commitments made in Paris to limit global warming to well below 2 Celsius and efforts to keep it at 1.5 should be echoed not only in speeches but also in actions.

In the medium term, we are working on the development of nationally determined contributions, which also require significant investment and assessment. To implement measures for 5 years, we announced the accession of Kazakhstan to the global commitment to reduce methane emissions, the Minister of Kazakhstan noted.

Environment Director of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Jo Tyndall noted that Financing is key to accelerating climate action.

Finance also remains one of the most challenging hurdles to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. Finance is a critical enabler of accelerated climate action. However, despite the technical solutions available to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, we face the fact that finance is not flowing at the pace and scale needed, she said.

According to Tyndall, the OECD recently published a report that analyzes the extent to which overall funding is aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement. The report argues that while the situation has improved in recent years, only a small proportion of overall funding is clearly aligned with the goals of the agreement. A large proportion of funding is not aligned with these goals, and there is also a large gray area where it is difficult to determine whether funding is aligned.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
A pilot program from the Pentagon aims to assist Defense Department civilians with navigating Japan's health care system. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)

YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan  The Defense Department is counting on the contractor that provides health care for military members overseas to create a provider network in Japan that accepts civilian employee health insurance without crippling upfront payments.

The DOD on Tuesday released updated details of its pilot program coming in January, including plans for a provider network that provides cashless and claimless health care services to program participants.

The $4.2 million, DOD-funded pilot program is administered by International SOS Government Services Inc., the primary contractor for the Tricare Overseas Program, the DOD health care plan for service members, their dependents and retirees.

International SOS already has a long-established network of providers already identified in Japan, DOD spokesman Joshua Wick said by email Friday.

The pilot program is open to DOD civilian employees enrolled in a participating insurance plan through the Federal Employees Health Benefits program. The Defense Health Agency in 2022 clamped down on those employees access to base health care facilities, saying federal law prioritizes service members care at those sites.

The pilot program features a 24/7 call center with bilingual staff and nurses that will help participants find health care providers, make appointments, secure direct billing and establish reimbursement procedures.

These financial services will mitigate the burden of civilian employees paying upfront for care and locating a provider on their own, an updated DOD fact sheet states.

Employees dependents and contractors, however, are not eligible for the pilot program that runs Jan. 1 to Sept. 29.

The DOD may add dependents or contractors to a future version of the program, after it assesses its performance. Monthly monitoring will begin in February to test the feasibility and demand for the program services, according to Wick.

Wick said it was too early to speculate on future plans including whether dependents or DOD contractors will be able to use the service.

The updated details released Tuesday came one day after open enrollment for federal benefits began.

The Japan Civilian Medical Advocacy Group took issue with that timing. The grassroots organization created an online forum for DOD employees to share tips on accessing health care and lobbied for changes like those in the pilot program.

Its disappointing to see poor communication practices regarding our communitys health care, the group said in a Thursday post to Facebook.

The groups post also highlighted concerns over references to the pilot as a year-long program when its scheduled for nine months, provides no guarantees for emergency health care at Japanese hospitals and excludes dependents.

Despite those concerns, the group encouraged members to use the service for any and all occasions and provide feedback.

Members of the advocacy group, when contacted Friday by Stars and Stripes via Messenger, said they had no additional comment.

The company also aims to provide written translation services for the issuance of guarantees of payments and other health care-related documents, according to the fact sheet.

Wick said DOD would use Defense.gov, direct email distribution, social media posts, AFN Japan and military treatment facility websites to provide updated information about the program.

With all of these supporting tactics, the best communication is direct through command channels, he said. Our emphasis has been to deliver materials to the Military Services and Department of Defense agencies with employees in Japan and encourage them to directly deliver this information to their impacted employees.
Navy Capt. Shawn Triggs, left, fuels director with Joint Task Force-Red Hill, briefs Department of Defense Inspector General Robert Storch during a tour of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Hawaii in June 2023. (Nicholas Brown/Department of Defense)

FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii  Navy officials did not effectively manage operations, maintenance, safety and oversight in accordance with policy and federal and state laws at the now-defunct Red Hill fuel facility in Hawaii, according to a pair of Department of Defense reports released recently.

A fuel leak at the facility in late 2021 contaminated the Navys water distribution used by military communities on and near Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The disaster has been an expensive one, according to a news release Thursday from the DOD Inspector Generals Office.

The DOD spent more than $220 million responding to the 2021 contamination incident, the news release states. The National Defense Authorization Acts for fiscal years 2022 and 2023 included more than $2.1 billion in funding related to the water contamination and the facilitys closure.

Thousands were forced to relocate for months to area hotels as the Navy flushed the system. Some residents reported a host of maladies in the wake of the spill, such as rashes, headaches, gastrointestinal issues, anxiety and depression.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in March 2022 ordered the World War II-era underground storage facility to be permanently closed. The process of emptying and cleaning the 20 massive tanks and cleaning up the soil surrounding the facility will take years.

One of the Navys wells remains contaminated with jet fuel.

The two IG reports stated that risks inherent at the facility were well documented and that incident response plans to mitigate them existed.

However, the DoD OIG also found that Navy officials did not follow the basic tenets of their incident response plans or meet the reporting requirements for fuel incidents, the news release states.

Furthermore, the incident response plans were insufficient, the release states.

Navy officials did not consistently analyze trends in the fuel inventory to prevent, identify, and respond to potential or actual fuel incidents.

It is imperative that the Navy address ongoing challenges with the management of fuel and water systems at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Inspector General Robert P. Storch said in the release.

Although the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility was defueled and the DoD intends to close it permanently, the fueling operations at Naval Station Pearl Harbor and Hickam Air Force Base remain in operation, he said.

Moreover, the Joint Base Pearl HarborHickam Community Water System continues to provide drinking water to Service members, their families, and members of the public, he said. Unless the DoD mitigates critical infrastructure issues, the readiness of Service members, the well-being of their families, and the environment are at risk.

Among the IGs 16 recommendations are that the DOD assesses leak detection systems at all Navy fueling points.

The recommendations build upon those made in previous reports by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, as well as command investigations by the Vice Chief of Naval Operations and the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command.

Hawaiis congressional delegation, which requested an IG investigation almost three years ago, on Thursday called on the Navy to fully implement the recommendations.

The Navy must take full responsibility for its failures and immediately implement the recommendations from the Inspector General in order to address the ongoing impacts to public health and the environment, the delegation said in a news release.

These independent reports make clear that for decades the Navy and the Department of Defense have failed to manage fuel and water operations at Red Hill and across Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to a standard that protects the health and safety of the people of Hawaii.

Its outrageous and unacceptable.
U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Christopher T. Donahue, Commanding General of the XVIII Airborne Corps visited U.S. Soldiers from 41st Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division in Grafenwoehr Training Area, on Tuesday, March 22, 2022. Donahue was nominated on Nov. 15, 2024 to take command of U.S. Army Europe and Africa. (Patrick Connelly/U.S. Army)

This story has been corrected

STUTTGART, Germany  Lt. Gen. Christopher T. Donahue, an officer with a long history in the Armys most elite special operations units and known for being the last service member to step foot out of Afghanistan, was nominated Friday to serve as the next head of the Army in Europe.

If confirmed Donahue, who now serves as the commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Liberty, would take command of U.S. Army Europe and Africa at its headquarters in Wiesbaden, Germany.

President Joe Biden nominated Donahue for the top Army post in Europe as his tenure in the White House draws to a close. Its not clear how soon the Senate will move to confirm Donahue.

Donahue, who will receive a fourth star if confirmed, would replace Gen. Darryl Williams, who has led the Army in Europe for nearly three years.

In Army circles, Donahue has been a major figure since entering the service in 1992 with roles as an Army Ranger and in the elite Delta Force. He deployed 20 times, including numerous stints in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere, according to his Army biography.

In 2021, Donahue, then a major general, also played a key role in a crisis response effort to evacuate American citizens out of Afghanistan as conditions there deteriorated. He was memorably photographed boarding a C-17 at night in Kabul, weapon in hand, making him the last servicemember to leave the country.

He also has recent experience in Europe. In 2022, Donahue was part of an 82nd Airborne contingent that arrived in Poland. shortly before Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Donahues team was among the first to arrive in Europe in connection with a Pentagon push to bolster NATOs eastern flank amid concerns about potential Russian aggression.

The Armys mission in Europe has expanded in recent years as the Pentagon has added forces and firepower to reassure allies and signal resolve to Russia. But there is also uncertainty about the future course of the mission.

Its not yet clear what President-elect Donald Trumps vision is for operations in Europe or if he wants to maintain the same level of troop commitments. Trump, during the end of his first term, sought to move large numbers of troops out of Germany. In the years since, conservatives in Trumps orbit also have called for reducing troop levels in Europe and diverting assets to the Pacific to deal with the challenge China poses there.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Financing is key to accelerating climate action, Environment Director of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Jo Tyndall said, Trend reports.

She made the remark during a panel discussion on Mobilization for Climate Action: countries, multilateral financial institutions, and the private sector implementing the Paris Agreement.

Finance also remains one of the most challenging hurdles to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. Finance is a critical enabler of accelerated climate action. However, despite the technical solutions available to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, we face the fact that finance is not flowing at the pace and scale needed, she said.

According to Tyndall, the OECD recently published a report that analyzes the extent to which overall funding is aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement. The report argues that while the situation has improved in recent years, only a small proportion of overall funding is clearly aligned with the goals of the agreement. A large proportion of funding is not aligned with these goals, and there is also a large gray area where it is difficult to determine whether funding is aligned.

The funding gap is so wide that it can only be closed through private investment. About 80 percent of total financing and investment should come from the private sector, she added.

She added that the latest OECD report on progress towards the $100 billion annual goal showed that only 18 percent of the $116 billion provided by developed countries in 2022 came from the private sector.

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Jamie Tighe-Ennis (24) died as a result of fatal gunshot wounds he suffered in an attack on Moateview Avenue, Priorswood, Dublin 17 on October 28, 2017

A development in the Garda investigation into a gangland murder in Dublin seven years ago within recent days will result in a new file being forwarded to the DPP, an inquest has heard.

Jamie Tighe-Ennis (24) died as a result of fatal gunshot wounds he suffered in an attack on Moateview Avenue, Priorswood, Dublin 17 on October 28, 2017.

The victim was walking home from a nearby pub with a group of friends when he was shot twice in the head by a gunman at around 2.20am in a suspected gang-related attack.

Mr Ennis, a father of one from Timberhill Apartments in Artane who came originally from Darndale, was later pronounced dead at the scene.

A stolen Audi A3 which was believed to have been used as a getaway vehicle was later found partially burnt out on a green between The Griffith apartments and Prospect Hill in Finglas about 10 kilometres away.

Detective Inspector Donncha Maguire told a sitting of Dublin District Coroners Court on Friday that there had been some progress in the last 36 hours in the investigation.

Det Insp Maguire applied for a six-month adjournment of the inquest under Section 25 (1) of the Coroners Act on the basis that criminal proceedings are under consideration.

He told coroner Clare Keane that the recent development in the murder investigation would require an additional file to be forwarded to the DPP by gardai.

Det Insp Maguire said gardai had been in contact with the family of the deceased who supported the application for a further adjournment.

Dr Keane granted the application and adjourned the case for further mention to May 16, 2025.

The coroner had been informed earlier this year that a direction from the DPPs office was likely to be forthcoming before the end of 2024.

At the time of his death, it was reported that the deceased had a history of involvement in robberies and drugs and had several criminal convictions including firearms offences.

He was also suspected of having been involved in several murders in Coolock and Ballymun.

Although he had connections with both the Kinahan and Hutch criminal gangs, gardai do not believe his death was linked to the gangland feud between the rival groups which has claimed the lives of 18 people to date.

A relation of Mr Tighe Ennis, Jordan Davis (23), was also killed in a gangland-style murder around 18 months later when he was shot while wheeling his newborn baby in a buggy outside a school in Darndale.

In January 2018, the opening of the inquest into Mr Tighe-Ennis death heard that the deceased had to be formally identified from his fingerprints because of the extensive nature of his head injuries.

The deputy State pathologist, Margaret Bolster, said a postmortem examination had shown Mr Tighe-Ennis had died as a result of gunshot wounds to the head.

Several people have been arrested in relation to the murder including three men, a female and a teenager in October 2018 who were all subsequently released without charge.
Dr Okkers detailed dozens of bruises and abrasions to Sherry's head, face, chest, abdomen, back, hip, legs and arms

Gunman Tristan Sherry suffered a gunshot wound to the shoulder and 16 stab wounds in the melee during which he shot a man dead before himself being beaten to death in a busy restaurant last Christmas Eve, the Special Criminal Court has heard.

State Pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers today told prosecution counsel Fiona Murphy SC that Sherry died from traumatic blunt force injuries combined with 27 sharp force injuries, consisting of 16 stab wounds and eleven incised wounds.

The single gunshot, which entered his left shoulder at the front of the body and exited through the back, caused only superficial damage and did not contribute to his death, the pathologist said.

Three men are on trial at the three-judge, non-jury court accused of murdering Tristan Sherry at Browne's Steakhouse on Main St, Blanchardstown on December 24, last year while three others are accused of violent disorder arising from the same incident.

The court has heard that Jason Hennessy snr and a group of about 30 people had gathered in Browne's for a party when Sherry and a second gunman arrived.

Sherry scuffled with Hennessy and shot him dead before he was disarmed and beaten to death.

Dr Okkers detailed dozens of bruises and abrasions to Sherry's head, face, chest, abdomen, back, hip, legs and arms. Most of the sharp force injuries, she said, were to the left torso, shoulder and hip towards the front of the body and were caused using a single-edge blade.

The longest sharp force wound measured 12.5cm and was associated with a stab wound to the left buttock. One stab wound caused injury to the lower lobe of the left lung. Moderate force would have been required to inflict the sharp wounds, she said.

A toxicology report indicated that Sherry had recently used cocaine and cannabis but drug use did not contribute to his death, the pathologist said.

In her conclusion, Dr Okkers said Sherry received multiple blows to the head and face resulting in injuries to the brain. His injuries resulted in blood loss and the cause of death was traumatic blunt force injuries combined with sharp force injuries.

The trial continues on Monday before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, Judge Elma Sheahan and Judge James Faughnan.

___________

The three men charged with Sherry's murder are Noah Musueni (18), Corduff Park, Blanchardstown; David Amah (18), Hazel Grove, Portrane Road, Donabate, Dublin; and Michael Andrecut (22), Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown.

Jonas Kabangu (18), Corduff Park, Blanchardstown and 18-year-old Diarmuid O'Brien of Corduff Place, Blanchardstown are charged with violent disorder at the same location on that date.

Brandon Hennessy (21) of Sheephill Avenue, Dublin 15 - the son of Jason Hennessy snr - is also charged with violent disorder.

All the accused have pleaded not guilty.
Christopher Kennedy (33) was handcuffed and arrested by gardai.

A Dublin man who called gardai rats and shouted tell them nothing has apologised to a court for his behaviour.

Christopher Kennedy (33) was handcuffed and arrested by gardai.

Judge Dermot Dempsey convicted and fined Kennedy 100.

The defendant, with an address at Belcamp Grove, Dublin 17, admitted threatening and abusive behaviour.

Garda Sergeant Janice Gray told Swords District Court that gardai were called to an alleged domestic incident at St Annes Square in Portmarnock shortly after 1am on February 18 this year.

Sgt Gray said Kennedy was walking along the road when gardai arrived at the scene. He became verbally abusive to officers, shouting tell those rats nothing and f*** the gardai and tell them nothing.

Sgt Gray said that Kennedy was handcuffed and arrested. Once back at the garda station, he apologised to gardai for his behaviour.

The court heard that Kennedy had 23 previous convictions.

Defence lawyer Annette Kealy said Kennedy was ashamed at how he had behaved, and had apologised to gardai for his behaviour.

Ms Kealy said the defendant, who had children and was working, had attended counselling to address his drinking and his behaviour, and he was now doing well.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan are working together to address pollution in the Caspian Sea, said Russian Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov, Trend reports.

Speaking at a high-level session titled "Mobilization of Law Enforcement Agencies in Combating Climate Change" during COP29 in Baku, Krasnov explained the process.

"Together with colleagues from Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan, we are jointly addressing issues such as the drying up and pollution of the Caspian Sea, as well as combating crime in this area," he said.

The Prosecutor General also highlighted that similar cross-border environmental protection programs are being implemented by Russia in cooperation with the prosecutors' offices in China and Mongolia.

"Along with the rational use of natural resources, Russia is also taking measures to adapt to climate change and mitigate human impact," Krasnov emphasized.

He went on to say that Russia's prosecutor's office puts the brakes on as many as 300,000 environmental law violations each year.

The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

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Paul Manning (47) with addresses at 9 Berkeley Court, Newtownforbes, Longford and 6 Erne Hill, Belturbet, Co Cavan, appeared at a sitting of Longford District Court to face four assault causing harm charges between April 2013 and January 2014

A man in his 40s has appeared in court charged with repeatedly kicking, punching and almost pushing his former partner over a stair railings in four separate violent attacks over the course of a nine month period.

Paul Manning (47) with addresses at 9 Berkeley Court, Newtownforbes, Longford and 6 Erne Hill, Belturbet, Co Cavan, appeared at a sitting of Longford District Court to face four assault causing harm charges between April 2013 and January 2014.

Sgt Enda Daly, for the State, said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had consented for summary disposal, a legal term which recommended the case remain within the remit of the District Court.

Prior to the States evidence being outlined, Judge Bernadette Owens quipped how the vintage of the charges could land a slot on the long-running BBC programme Antiques Roadshow.

No definitive explanation was offered up as to why the case had taken so long to come to court with Sgt Daly revealing the prosecutions evidence in respect of each assault charge.

The first of those, he told the court, allegedly occurred on April 23, 2013 at Erne Court, Belturbet, Co Cavan.

Sgt Daly said it will be the States case Mannings former partner had been asleep in an upstairs bedroom when the accused hit her to the right side of her face.

He said the woman told gardai that as she attempted to get out of bed and put distance between herself and Manning, the accused followed her before grabbing her and landing a number of blows to the womans face and stomach.

Longford Courthouse

The court was told that as the woman attempted to exit the bedroom, Manning held her by the legs, pinned her against the railings of the propertys stairs moments before attempting to push her over them.

The following alleged incident took place on a date unknown between September 26 and 27, 2013, this time at Berkeley Court in Newtownforbes, Co Longford.

On this occasion Sgt Daly said the victim, prior to the alleged assault, had been watching television in the sitting room when Manning entered and started to punch her in the head.

The woman, in her statement to gardai, claimed the entire ordeal continued for a six-hour period with Manning dragging her off an armchair and sporadically punching her in the head. Sgt Daly said the incident took place while Manning consumed and threw bottles of Budweiser at her.

The third incident, Judge Owens was told, took place on December 11, 2013 at the same Longford address. Sgt Daly said the State will allege Manning began shouting at the woman while she was standing at the window of the apartment.

He said it will be the prosecutions case that accused, moments later, began to pull the womans hair in between kicking her into the back, stomach and legs.

The alleged assault lasted a total of four hours with Manning being accused of repeatedly punching her into the head and face.

The last incident related to an alleged assault at Berkeley Court in Newtownforbes on January 25, 2014.

Sgt Daly said on this occasion Manning was drinking alcohol while the young woman was in the kitchen of the property.

The court heard Manning had been on the phone in an attempt to arrange a lift to Cavan.

When those attempts failed, Sgt Daly said it will be alleged Manning suddenly became irate and started to punch and kick the woman into the face and stomach.

The alleged assault also saw the woman being struck with a bottle of Budweiser, bit on her earlobe and repeatedly assaulted in an intermittent fashion over a four day period.

The court was told the episode eventually came to a halt when Manning allegedly passed out drunk on a couch, allowing the young woman to flee the apartment and seek assistance.

Judge Owens said prior to ruling on jurisdiction and determining whether the case should remain in the District Court or be sent forward to the Circuit Criminal Court which has broader sentencing powers, the court was obligated to examine medical records held by the State.

Manning stood stoically in the body of the court and did not enter a plea as the States case was brought to a close.

Defence solicitor Brid Mimnagh applied for the disclosure of the prosecutions evidence, revealing she had so far seen absolutely nothing and was not privy to the charge sheets.

She added Manning, as part of his bail conditions, was currently residing with his mother at the aforementioned Cavan address.

Manning was remanded on bail to reappear at a sitting of Longford District Court on January 14, 2025.
Adrian Mah Yew Beng (40) told gardai he thought there might be cigarettes in the two locked suitcases

A man who flew into Dublin Airport carrying over half a million euro worth of cannabis has been jailed for four and a half years.

Adrian Mah Yew Beng (40) told gardai he thought there might be cigarettes in the two locked suitcases he was carrying, but that he hadnt packed them himself.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Beng was stopped by customs officers earlier this year after he was spotted acting in a suspicious and evasive manner.

Beng, with an address in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis herb valued at 560,000 for sale or supply, on February 28 last.

He has no previous convictions in any jurisdiction.

Passing sentence yesterday, Judge Martin Nolan said that although drug transportation was a serious matter, Beng was probably at the lowest level.

Judge Nolan set a headline sentence of eight years but reduced this to a custodial term of four and a half years, backdated to February 28.

Garda Peter Elliot told Diarmuid Collins BL, prosecuting, that Beng initially told gardai he was coming from Thailand.

When Bengs two suitcases were x-rayed, officers saw an anomaly and opened the luggage.

It contained 56 vacuum-sealed packages comprising 30kg of cannabis.

Beng said he expected to be met by somebody in the Arrivals Hall and that he was to be paid the sum of 25,000 Thai baht, which is equivalent to around 600, for his services.

Beng did not have keys to the suitcases and told gardai that although he knew he was carrying illicit material, he thought it might be cigars or cigarettes due to the light weight.

Gda Elliot agreed with John Byrne SC, defending, that Beng had pleaded very early and had been cooperative with gardai.

The garda agreed with counsel that Beng was not known to any international police organisations and was just a Joe Soap from Malaysia.

Mr Byrne said of Beng: He took a chance for small money and he got caught.

The court heard that Beng is happy to leave Ireland and not return once he has completed his sentence.

Beng has two children and also cares for his mother, who wrote a letter to court.

Beng also wrote a letter which was handed to the judge.

Counsel said Beng is completely isolated in Ireland from his family and supports but is doing well in prison.
Sandra Howell, 47, of Kilcross Grove, Sandyford, Dublin 18, was arrested on Thursday and charged with having stolen clothing from Footlocker at her home address on November 28

Gardai outside Foot Locker on OConnell Street in Dublin following last November's riots which damaged a number of retail outlets in the city. Photo: Frank McGrath

A mother of two has been granted bail after gardai charged her with possessing clothes and footwear allegedly taken from a Footlocker store on the date of rioting in Dublin last year.

Sandra Howell, 47, of Kilcross Grove, Sandyford, Dublin 18, was arrested on Thursday and charged with having stolen clothing from Footlocker at her home address on November 28.

She was also accused of having stolen footwear and clothing at Bachelors Way on November 23 last year when large-scale rioting and looting in the city centre in response to a knife attack on young children.

Ms Howell appeared before Judge Gerard Jones at Dublin District Court today.

Garda Eoin Morrison told the court she made no reply when charged, and he did not object to bail with conditions.

Gardai outside Foot Locker on OConnell Street in Dublin following last November's riots which damaged a number of retail outlets in the city. Photo: Frank McGrath

The woman, who is employed and has dependents, was granted legal aid but has yet to enter a plea.

Judge Jones ordered her to sign on once a week at her local garda station, provide a phone number, remain contactable, and not leave the jurisdiction.

She must come back to court in December.
The 45-year-old man had prowled around the house and hid in bushes, demanding to be let inside.

A woman and her children barricaded themselves in the bathroom of their house and were terrified that her ex-partner, who was armed with a realistic-looking gun, would get inside, a court heard.

The 45-year-old man had prowled around the house and hid in bushes, demanding to be let inside.

The defendant was brought to the ground after armed gardai rushed to the scene in north Dublin. In a victim-impact statement, the mans ex-partner said he made her believe the pellet gun was a real gun.

Judge Mark OConnell said he could not get his head around what could have happened if gardai had not arrived so promptly at the scene.

He imposed a six-month sentence, suspending the final two months for a period of two years, after the man admitted breaching a protection order and possession of a pellet gun.

The judge also ordered the defendant, who cannot be named to protect the victim, pay 500 compensation to his former partner.

Garda Shirley Flood told Blanchardstown District Court that gardai received a 999 call on a date in 2022 that a man armed with a gun was outside a house in north Dublin.

Gda Flood said armed officers went to the scene, and the man was taken to the ground and arrested.

The victim and the couples children were terrified, the garda said, and had barricaded themselves in the bathroom upstairs.

Gda Flood said the man had no reasonable excuse for having the pellet gun, and he did not get into the house.

The court heard the children were traumatised by the incident.

When the man was put to the ground by gardai, one of the children began screaming that her dad was dying.

In a victim-impact statement, the mans former partner said she had tried to leave him in August 2021, but was trauma-bonded and suffering from Stockholm syndrome, but she eventually told him their relationship was over in March 2022.

The woman said the incident at her home had been so traumatic for her and their children.

The defendant made her believe he had a real gun, she said, and she was sure he would force himself into the house.

Defence solicitor Mark McMahon said the defendant had been working as a security officer and required garda vetting, but a conviction would now have consequences for any future employment.

Mr McMahon said the defendant was holding his hands up and realised his behaviour had been appalling.

The man regretted that this incident had left his children in fear, and that his childrens mother had also been in fear, the lawyer said.
Rattigan, who is currently based abroad, is wanted for questioning about the alleged sourcing of the AR-15 semi-automatic rifle which was used in the shooting and seized by gardai shortly afterwards.

Gardai want to question gang boss Brian Rattigan in relation to the only gangland murder to happen in Ireland this year.

The investigation into the murder of Josh Itseli (20)  who was the victim of a gun murder in Drimnagh, south Dublin, on the May bank holiday weekend  is continuing and it can now be revealed that Rattigan is a person of interest in the case.

Rattigan, who is currently based abroad, is wanted for questioning about the alleged sourcing of the AR-15 semi-automatic rifle which was used in the shooting and seized by gardai shortly afterwards.

Up to 20 shots were fired by the high-velocity weapon, which has rarely been seen in Ireland.

Rattigan is not suspected of being at the scene or having any direct involvement in this fatal incident, a source said.

However, the investigation team have certain information that they want to put to him about how the weapon ended up in the hands of the victim and his gang.

Detectives believe Itseli was killed by one of his own gang by mistake when they lost control of the weapon after the car he was travelling in was rammed during chaotic scenes in Drimnagh in the early hours of May 6.

Gardai believe the victim and his associates were on their way to carry out a pipe-bomb attack on a rival gang when they were intercepted. Itseli was struck in the head, suffering fatal injuries.

The AR-15 may have originally been smuggled into the country from the US. The gun can fire hundreds of rounds a minute and is classified as a military weapon.

Before the fatal shooting, the gang even put out a bizarre request on social media for information or instructions on how to use the AR-15.

Earlier this month the Irish Independent revealed that convicted killer and drugs trafficker Rattigan, who is originally from Drimnagh, is in a new relationship with a woman and has been dividing his time between Balbriggan in north Co Dublin and Spain, where he has built up very significant criminal contacts.

One of the leaders of the bloody Crumlin-Drimnagh feud, Rattigan was said to be keeping his head down when seen in Balbriggan this year.

However, Rattigan is suspected of playing a background role in directing organised crime and sources say gardai are very keen to discuss the Itseli murder with him.

The chief suspect in the murder was arrested near the scene that night, but he was later released from custody.

The suspect was granted bail before the murder, despite garda objections. He is currently charged with a serious assault on a woman. He later left for the UK before returning to Dublin in August where he was arrested for an unrelated offence.

Two other young men were also arrested in the aftermath of the murder and all three were later released without charge.

A file on the murder case is being prepared by the DPP.

Itseli, who was before the courts accused of dealing cocaine, originally came to Ireland with his family from Congo.
Earl McKevitt was sentenced to life in prison last year for the murder of Conor OBrien on his own doorstep

Conor OBrien was just 19 years of age when he was gunned down

A takeaway delivery driver who claimed that "shooting people was part of his job" has been found dead in his jail cell in Dublins Mountjoy Prison.

Earl McKevitt, who was sentenced to life in prison last year for the murder of a teenage customer on his own doorstep, was rushed to Dublins Mater Hospital where he was declared dead.

The murderer, who shot and killed 19-year-old Conor OBrien in August 2021 was found unresponsive in his cell earlier today.

The Irish Prison Service confirmed the death of an inmate in a statement.

"The Irish Prison Service can confirm a death of a person in Mountjoy Prison on 15th November 2024, it reads.

Conor OBrien was just 19 years of age when he was gunned down

All death in custody are investigated by the Irish Prison Service, the Inspector of Prisons and An Garda Siochana, where circumstances warrant. The cause of death is determined by the Coroners Office," said a spokesperson.

"The Irish Prison Service wish to express our condolences to the deceaseds family and friends," the spokesperson added.

A court heard during last years sentence hearing that Earl McKevitt told gardai that he shot 19-year-old Conor O'Brien once in the chest after making an error during the delivery, having failed to read the instructions on the docket.

His defence counsel told the Central Criminal Court that McKevitt had displayed very strange behaviour with bizarre thinking but psychiatric evidence meant he could not rely on a defence of mental illness.

Sentencing judge Mr Justice Paul McDermott noted that whilst he had not received a victim impact statement from Mr O'Brien's family "in a sense it was unnecessary" as the loss of a young man at 19 years of age "on the cusp of life" was unspeakable. He added: "Inexplicably and shockingly he was shot having ordered a pizza, it is unspeakable".

The Central Criminal Court was also told that McKevitt was arrested whilst intoxicated in a hotel in Carlow five days after the killing, where he had gone to retrieve the gun. After he was refused service he showed a manager the gun inside his jacket and said: "You serve me or I'll use it".

The accused had 39 previous convictions which include robbery and arson and has served jail time in Ireland and the UK.

Earl McKevitt (51) of Avondale Park in Blanchardstown in Dublin 15 pleaded guilty in February 2023 to murdering Conor O'Brien (19) at An Seanchrann, Trim Road, Enfield in Co Meath on a date between August 26 and August 27 2021, both dates inclusive.

McKevitt also pleaded guilty to having a firearm, to wit, a HS model 95, semi-automatic pistol, in such circumstances as to give rise to a reasonable inference that he had not got it under his control for a lawful purpose, at Talbot Hotel, Graiguecullen in Co Carlow on August 31 2021.

He further pleaded guilty to having in his possession a knife with a sharply pointed blade, at Talbot Hotel, Graiguecullen in Co Carlow on August 31 2021, a public place.

Concurrent sentences of seven-and-a-half years and two years respectively were imposed on these counts.

On August 31, the court heard, McKevitt was arrested in Carlow due to an incident that happened in the Talbot Hotel, where he was in possession of a firearm.

He was questioned on two occasions when he was being detained for possession of the firearm but was later interviewed on four further occasions concerning the murder of Mr O'Brien.

The scene of the killing

During interviews McKevitt made candid admissions of what he had done and early in the first interview said: "I shot him, I f**ked up". When he tried to explain the circumstances behind the incident, the accused said he had made an error, that he should have knocked on the shed at the back of the house but hadn't read the docket on the delivery.

The accused also said shooting people was part of his job and that he had been drinking heavily in the intervening days and had gone back to Carlow on August 31 to retrieve the gun.

McKevitt explained to gardai that he "thought he was there to do deliveries to shoot Mr O'Brien".

He was subsequently charged with murdering Mr O'Brien on September 2 2021.

The court heard that McKevitt has 39 previous convictions with six of these committed in the UK around 2010. These include robbery, possession of an imitation firearm, possession of knives, possession of drugs for sale and supply, handling stolen property and arson.

The witness agreed with defence counsel Bernard Condon SC that his client had indicated regret and wanted to apologise "wholeheartedly" to the victim's family for what happened.

Mr Justice McDermott sentenced McKevitt to the mandatory term of life imprisonment for murder.
Craig Dorney (35) from Lewisham, has not been seen since a warrant was issued for his arrest on Tuesday, November 12

An urgent hunt has been launched by police in the UK for a man with a southern Irish accent who is due to stand trial for rape

Craig Dorney (35) from Lewisham, has not been seen since a warrant was issued for his arrest on Tuesday, November 12.

Dorney, who is due to stand trial for rape in just three weeks time on December 2, went missing after breaching his bail conditions.

DC James Hart, from the South East areas Public Protection team, said: We would urge anyone with information regarding Dorneys whereabouts to urgently get in touch with us.

We believe that he might currently be sleeping rough in and around London.

Detectives have now released an image of Dorney.

Dorney is described as white, about 6ft1, of slim build. He has a southern Irish accent.
The 57-year-old Irish citizen is the subject of a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) issued by a court in Prague

The man was detained but later released

The man was arrested in Spain last week

An Irish man wanted for international drug trafficking has been arrested in Spain.

The 57-year-old Irish citizen is the subject of a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) issued by a court in Prague.

Wanted by Czech authorities for membership of an organised criminal group, he was detained by the Civil Guard in Orihuela Costa, in south-west Spain.

According to Spanish media reports, the man, as well as the crime gang he is associated with, have been operating in several countries, including the Czech Republic, Spain, the USA, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Australia.

The suspect is photographed by Spanish police

He was identified after making a suspicious manoeuvre in the presence of a police vehicle and was arrested while preparing to throw away garbage in a container near his home.

The suspect, who is linked to international drug trafficking activities, has been placed at the disposal of the judicial authorities in Spain, El Periodic reports.

The operation began on November 5 when officers from the Territorial Team of the Judicial Police of Pilar de la Horadada detected a car performing a suspicious manoeuvre after the driver spotted another police vehicle.

The vehicle, with a Spanish license plate and right-hand drive, raised suspicions among the officers.

After confirming that the car was not listed as stolen, the officers recorded the license plate for later analysis.

After consulting the police databases, it was confirmed that the owner of the vehicle, a 57-year-old Irish citizen, had an active EAW since September of this year.

A possible address for the suspect in Orihuela Costa was located, which allowed the planning for an operation on the same day.

The man was detained but later released

The arrest was successfully carried out the following morning, when the individual was caught throwing out garbage outside the established hours in a container near his home.

He was then detained on the back of the warrant that was issued for drug trafficking and membership of an organised criminal group.

He has been placed at the disposal of the Orihuela Court on Duty, which, after consulting with the Central Court of Instruction of the National Court, has ordered his release with precautionary measures
Ben Ross Donnelly, 35, also allegedly took coins and other collectables from his parents home in the east of the city

A Belfast man is to stand trial accused of stealing a century-old Jack B Yeats painting belonging to his mother, a judge ordered today.

Ben Ross Donnelly, 35, also allegedly took coins and other collectables from his parents home in the east of the city.

At least 20,000 worth of valuables were said to have been stolen during the suspected theft on March 3 this year.

Donnelly, currently of no fixed abode, was arrested after police discovered the rare artwork had been sold to an antique dealer.

Recognised as the most important Irish painter of the last century, Jack B Yeats was renowned for pieces depicting the Co Sligo landscape.

Some of his works were previously owned by the novelist Graham Greene and rock star David Bowie.

In 1999 his painting The Wild Ones sold at Sothebys in London for more than 1.2m.

Donnelly is alleged to have stolen another piece understood to date back 100 years.

He appeared remotely from custody at Belfast Magistrates Court for a preliminary enquiry.

When asked if he understood the charge of carrying out the theft of 20,000 worth of items belonging to his mother, he replied: Yeah, I do.

No further details about the circumstances were disclosed during the brief hearing where Donnelly declined to give evidence or call any witnesses.

District judge George Conner backed prosecution submissions that the accused has a prima facie case to answer.

Mr Conner told him: You will be returned for trial at Belfast Crown Court on a date to be fixed.

Defence solicitor Adrian Harvey confirmed that Donnelly only remains in custody because an approved bail address has not been obtained.

Mr Harvey added: We are keen to have the matter progressed quickly, a certain course is going to be taken in relation to the charge.
The partially-sighted woman suffers from a condition which causes her to see complex hallucinations. Anybody who would like more information should contact RNIB Northern Ireland.

Undated handout photo issued by RNIB Northern Ireland of Elaine Macgougan, 64, who suffers from Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS), a neurological condition which causes patients to see things that are not real. False images are triggered when the brain tries to fill in the gaps caused by sight loss. Issue date: Thursday November 14, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story ULSTER Sight. Photo credit should read: RNIB Northern Ireland/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.

A partially-sighted Belfast woman has said she is looking forward to going completely blind so she will no longer have to deal with a rare condition which causes her to experience terrifying hallucinations.

Elaine Macgougan (64) suffers from Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS), a neurological condition which causes patients to see things that are not real.

False images are triggered when the brain tries to fill in the gaps caused by sight loss.

CBS hallucinations can be complex and detailed, often involving people, animals, or objects. They can also manifest as shapes or patterns.

Ms Macgougan has lived with sight loss since birth. As her eyesight has deteriorated, the effects of CBS have gotten progressively worse.

Having lost sight in her left eye, she now has only 15% vision in her right eye.

She said she looks forward to the day when she loses her sight completely so she "won't have to deal with hallucinations".

Ms Macgougan said: "It will be a relief. I can get on with the rest of my life without the CBS getting in the way, without the stress of having to second guess everything I see.

"Now I have so little eyesight that (if) somebody (is) sat beside me, (it's) like looking at a shape through a thick fog.

"So yes, it will be a relief."

A common hallucination with CBS is one of crawling insects.

Fellow sufferer Alec Patterson, 55, from Ballymoney, Co Antrim, described how he looked down to see his daughter's dinner plate covered in insects.

On another occasion, he saw a tiger walking past him as he and his wife walked along a busy city street.

Mr Patterson said: "We were coming out of a Japanese restaurant when I saw this tiger walking down Royal Avenue, much to the laughter and giggles of my two kids.

"It was then we started asking questions and I found out that I had Charles Bonnet Syndrome, which now makes life quite interesting."

Saturday is Charles Bonnet Syndrome Awareness Day. Sight loss charity RNIB Northern Ireland is attempting to raise public consciousness of the condition.

The exact cause of CBS is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to changes in the brain that occur in response to visual impairment.

Hallucinations can be triggered by low light conditions, sudden changes in vision, or specific eye conditions such as age-related macular degeneration or cataracts.

There is no treatment. The focus for eye care professionals is on managing the underlying vision problem as well as providing reassurance, emotional support and coping mechanisms such as cognitive behavioural therapy.

Micheal Smith, Campaigns Officer for RNIB NI, has urged people with CBS to join a support group.

He said: "Peer support in disability can help challenge stigma and help people who experience low self-esteem and loneliness.

"As time went by, the group has evolved from peer support to a campaigning role.

"This group is the first step on the campaigning path and the group are to begin to discuss how their future will look.

"They have an excellent model to follow after the successful launch in October of the Belfast See Change group - a campaigns group comprised of blind and partially sighted people focused on issues in the city of Belfast.

Further information is available by emailing CampaignsNI@rnib.org.uk.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. The adaptation financing gap is estimated at $87 billion annually by 2030, UK's Financial Secretary to the Treasury Lord Livermore said in a panel discussion on Mobilization for Climate Action: countries, multilateral financial institutions, and the private sector implementing the Paris Agreement, Trend reports.

Finance certainly plays an important and catalyzing role, but it can never fully meet the needs. While adaptation finance flows total $63 billion in 2022, this is only 5 percent of total climate finance. The greatest needs are for resilient infrastructure, including disaster protection, and agriculture for developing economies, he said.

As Livermore points out, the lion's share of adaptation funding is pulled from public coffers, primarily taking shape as sovereign debt. When it comes to Africa, the pie is pretty small, with a mere 3 percent of adaptation funding trickling in from institutional investors. As a result, its high time to roll up our sleeves and take further steps to get private investment on board for adaptation in these situations.

The evidence that making investments resilient to climate change makes economic sense is clear, and in most cases the upfront costs, even for more capital-intensive assets such as infrastructure, are negligible. A more consistent assessment of climate and natural risks can help incentivize more resilient investments. In turn, more resilient investments can yield assets with more predictable cash flows and more competitive lifecycle returns. The evidence for the profitability of investing in new technologies and services for adaptation is also growing, he noted.

Lord Livermore emphasized that investment in supply chains can also bring significant opportunities to develop both local adaptation and international resilience, while inaction brings risks. For example, the UK's third assessment report on climate change risks found that risks associated with international trade routes could cost the UK billions of pounds a year by the end of this century.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Not how we planned the last 48 hours

Influencer Niamh Cullen has said she has been left devastated after her husband was hospitalised just days after their Italian wedding.

Niamh and Jamie Gill had said I do on their big day in front of family and friends in a glittering ceremony in Borgo Di Tragliata over the weekend.

Just days after tying the knot, her husband was admitted to hospital in Rome.

Taking to Instagram, Niamh posted a picture of her incredibly handsome husband, adding: Devastated how our first week of marriage has gone but you are so resilient and I love you so much!

I loved your suit just as much as I loved my dress.

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Earlier, Niamh took to her Instagram story on Thursday evening and shared a snap from the side of Jamies hospital bed, with her husband being seen to by a doctor.

She wrote: Not how we planned the last 48 hours. Poor Jamie has been so sick since the wedding, he made our day 2 for like 30 minutes and when we left to head to Rome it went downhill.

He is in the best place and here now for another few days.

She added: My poor love alongside a sad face and broken heart emojis.

Niamh also reposted her friend Ashleys Instagram story, and said she was so grateful to her for keeping her company.

Its been an emotional rollercoaster, be lost without you, Niamh captioned her story.

She added in her next post from Jamies hospital room: Thanks for all your heartfelt messages.

Niamh also revealed that she received a lovely handwritten note from her Airbnb owner, as well as a bottle of wine and a packet of biscuits.

She gave me such a big hug and a kiss too. Such an Irish welcome with the Italians, she said.

Numerous well-known familiar faces had travelled to Italy for the wedding, with influencer Bonnie Ryan and clothing brand owner Aoife McNamara posing for snaps following the ceremony.

The couple were engaged in December 2022 when Jamie proposed after tricking Niamh into thinking they were going Christmas shopping.

She had shared her excitement on her wedding day as she declared herself a married woman in a simple social media post.

Alongside a stunning photo of herself in full bridal wear and new husband Jamie arm-in-arm she wrote: 08.11.2024.

An excited Niamh had earlier shared a photo of her and Jamie in Dublin Airport, with the couple grinning from head to toe as they held up dust bags holding their wedding gown and suit in Terminal 2.

Captioning the post, she wrote: Next stop Romaaa, adding some festive emojis.

Niamh also posted a photo from her seat on the plane, sitting in between her husband-to-be Jamie and one of her bridesmen, Frank.

The bride-to-be had admitted that she was buzzing for the big day and is looking forward to letting her hair down.

I just want my wedding to be what represents me and Jamie as a couple, and thats a party. I just want music, high vibes, good fun, good craic, not formal, nothing too fancy  just fun, she said.

One thing I never thought Id do was get married in a church. I also thought Id burn up in flames.

Im not against religion or anything, but I knew I never wanted a church ceremony. Im not very religious and I think they go on way too long. Theyre not as personal and were making our ceremony really personal.

Jamies brother is marrying us. Our ceremony is full of poetry and music. My mam is getting up to say a poem, Jamies mam is, my sister. Our vows are going to be lyrics of a favourite song, so were doing nice stuff.

I hope Im zen. I just want to have a good time and that everyone makes it over there safe. Thats all that matters, she added.
When you hand someone what is essentially an empty cellophane bag, it usually only takes a second or two before the smiles and laughter start

The 2nd class pupils from the Central Model Senior School in Dublin 1 help launch the charity' Air Guitar Strings

A Dublin kids charity has come up with a unique way to raise money by selling air guitar strings while attempting to break two world records.

The Musical Youth Foundation (MYF) childrens charity will attempt to break the current world records for the most people simultaneously playing air guitar online and in person.

In a bid to continue providing thousands of children with access to life-changing music education programmes next year, the charity will also be selling Air Guitar Strings as part of vital fundraising efforts this Christmas.

Anyone purchasing a packet of Air Guitar Strings for just 5 from MusicalYouthFoundation.org can register to take part in the world record attempts scheduled for March 2025.

MYF founder Chris Maher said: We wanted to tap in to the world-renowned Irish sense of humour so we created Musical Youth Foundation Air Guitar Strings to bring an element of fun to our fundraising efforts.

When you hand someone what is essentially an empty cellophane bag, it usually only takes a second or two before the smiles and laughter start.

Air Guitar Strings are fun, make an excellent stocking filler, and with the added bonus of allowing fans to take part in two world record attempts.

The most people simultaneously playing air guitar online stands at 186 and 2,377 in person.

Chris added: Obviously as a charity we are entirely reliant on the generosity of the Irish people. Without their cash donations we simply cant continue to provide vulnerable children with access to life-changing music education programmes.

With everything thats going on in the world, music education can often be forgotten. It is often seen as a nice thing to do rather than a need to do.

"Though in reality nothing could be further from the truth with the proven power of music education to transform young lives well researched and documented globally.

Since its inception in 2007, The Musical Youth Foundation has been providing thousands of vulnerable children with access to instruments and life-changing music education programmes.

More information about Musical Youth Foundation can be found on www.musicalyouthfoundation.org
A woman working as a preschool teacher has been arrested and charged with possessing objectionable child abuse images.

Shocked parents at a Tauranga preschool were told this week the teacher, who worked at the centre in August, had been brought before the courts and granted interim name suppression.

If convicted, she faces up to 10 years in prison.

Its understood the teacher was hired through a recruitment firm and had worked at several Bay of Plenty day care centres before her alleged offending came to light.

A parent whose child attends the centre told the Herald it was sickening to learn the woman had been caring for young children.

Parents had been told there was nothing to suggest children at the centre had been subject to abuse.

Theres no evidence of that. Its just online images shes [allegedly] been sharing.

The parent appreciated the centre being upfront about the teacher, who had passed police vetting checks before being hired.

They understood the woman had also worked at other Bay of Plenty centres that had not yet informed their parent communities about the criminal charges.

I just feel sick and really shocked. You just dont imagine anything like this would happen.

I feel bad for the centre and [recruitment] agency. No ones at fault really here apart from the woman.

I just feel sickened that someone like that was close to your child.

An email from the centre to parents this week said a detective from the police child protection unit had contacted the company to alert them to the womans alleged offending.



The woman is charged with possessing objectionable child abuse images.

He disclosed to us that she is being charged with possession ... of objectionable material and child abuse images.

He has reassured us that there has been zero evidence that she has taken any images herself and everything that she is accused of possessing and supplying are images she has sourced from the internet.

Although he was able to disclose the charges, she currently has name ... suppression. We do know that she has worked in several other centres within the area.

Detective Senior Sergeant Kepal Richard, who oversees the Online Child Exploitation Across New Zealand Team (Oceanz), said a Tauranga woman in her 20s had been charged with possession of objectionable material.

She was due to appear in Tauranga District Court next month.

There are currently suppression orders in place which prohibit any further information being provided at this stage.



The woman, in her 20s, will appear in Tauranga District Court next month.

The centre did not respond to requests for comment this week and the recruitment company did not return calls.

Ministry of Education deputy secretary Jocelyn Mikaere said the ministry was aware of the matter at an early learning centre in Tauranga.

Our local team is working closely with the centre management to provide any advice and support thats needed.

A Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) spokesman said the department was aware of the Tauranga investigation but not involved in the investigation process or prosecution.

Any further queries regarding this case are best referred to New Zealand Police.

Oceanz is a national unit based within police national headquarters which works closely with DIA and Customs to combat online child exploitation.

The three agencies received nearly 20,000 referrals last year and Oceanz currently prepares around 23 files a month for district child protection teams to investigate.

It also works collaboratively with international law enforcement agencies to locate and rescue children from sexual harm.

The team has successfully contributed to the saving of children both domestically and internationally and continues to work tirelessly to save and prevent victimisation of our most vulnerable, Richard said.

While the vast majority of imagery Oceanz dealt with was produced overseas, some was self-generated by NZ children as a result of grooming or sextortion.

Lane Nichols is deputy head of news and a senior journalist for the New Zealand Herald with more than 20 years experience in the industry.
New Zealand Community Trust has awarded the Eastern Bay of Plenty District Trust a $75,000 grant to upgrade key facilities at Racecourse Park in Te Teko, Whakatane, improving infrastructure, helping to transform the facility and continue to serve the community for years to come.

Racecourse Park, originally home to horse racing, is now a key community asset, hosting a wide range of events, from equestrian competitions to weddings, community gatherings, and social activities.

With no other large public venue in the surrounding area, the upgrades help ensure it remains a versatile and much-needed facility for the Whakatane and Kawerau districts.

"With these funds from NZCT we'll be able to upgrade Racecourse Park, making it both affordable and available for all members of our community to use," said president EDPDT, Bernie Joyes.

After losing their previous venue to Rotoruas urban sprawl, Eventing BOP built a new cross-country course at Racecourse Park in just six short months.

Photo supplied.

"We've worked hard to develop the site and this grant from NZCT enables us to complete important repairs and improvements to meet the growing needs of the community," said secretary/treasurer Donna Smit.

NZCTs GM of Grants, Marketing and Communications, Ben Hodges, said, "Community spaces like Racecourse Park are at the heart of what makes a region special.

Photo supplied.

"Were delighted the funds we raise through our responsible gaming fundraising partnership with Cobb&Co Whakatane make such a positive contribution to the community.
Big-hearted volunteers will be out in full force in February 2025 as part of the Heart Foundations biggest fundraiser of the year, the Big Heart Appeal.

The Heart Foundation is calling on New Zealanders to gift a couple of hours of their time on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 February 2025 by volunteering as a Big Heart Appeal street collector and raising funds for heart research.

There are a million New Zealanders living with cardiovascular disease, said Heart Foundation Medical Director Dr Gerry Devlin.

Its still the number one killer, in New Zealand and globally.

Our work has never been more urgent, Devlin said.

Funds raised help us to make a big difference whether it is supporting research that results in improved treatments and medications or investing in overseas training for our young cardiologists so we can offer world-class care in New Zealand.

Big-hearted volunteers will be out in full force in February 2025 as part of the Heart Foundations biggest fundraiser of the year, the Big Heart Appeal. Photo supplied.

Outcomes for those affected by heart attacks and other heart conditions have greatly improved thanks to Heart Foundation-funded work, but there is still much to be done.

Devlin said significant gaps remain in research, diagnosis and care of women with heart disease.

It is an area we are investing in, on a national and international scale, and we hope this research will make a major impact on womens cardiovascular health.

Annemarie Crampton from Porirua, who lost her father and husband to heart disease, is among the volunteers getting ready to support the Big Heart Appeal street collection and said she does it for the future of her family.

"I do it for my daughters, for my family, and for all the families who have been touched by heart disease.

"Its important to keep raising awareness and funds so that we can make a difference.

"Volunteering is really easyits not scary at all, said Crampton.

People are kind and supportive, and you meet such nice people in your community.

Crampton wants to encourage others to become a volunteer street collector too.

When youre collecting, so many people stop to share their stories.

"Theyve either had heart surgery or have lost someone to heart disease.

"Its not just a mans diseasemany women are affected too, and thats something that really worries me for my daughters.

Sign up here to get involved with the Big Heart Appeal street collection this February and volunteer on either Friday 21 or Saturday 22 February 2025 or scan the QR code.

Sign up by scanning the QR code. Photo supplied.

https://www.heartfoundation.org.nz/street-collection
Barbs are flying between senior Maori MPs after Parliament descended into chaos during the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill when one of Te Pati Maoris new members was ejected from the House.

Government minister Shane Jones said Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, one of the youngest MPs in New Zealand history at 22, ought to be put in jail for walking up to Act Party leader David Seymour and performing a haka during the debate.

But Maori Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi hit back about Jones past behaviour, saying he should consider his own questionable conduct while on official Government business before criticising others.

When youre using our Crown purchases to watch pornos, maybe thats also a reason to go to prison, Waititi said, referring to Jones having used his ministerial credit card to pay for pornographic films while staying at hotels in 2007 and 2008.

Wake up, Shane, wake up. Look at your own backyard. Make sure youre squeaky clean when it comes to representing our people, Waititi said.

He can go and have a shit, to be honest, and Winston Peters. Put that in your article.

Members of Te Pati Maori perform a haka in front of ACT MPs during the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill in Parliament on Thursday. Photo / Adam Pearse

Waititi said Maipi-Clarke was doing what was culturally normal for her as Maori and said that, if other parliamentarians did not like it, maybe you should think of leaving Parliament.

Maipi-Clarke approached Seymour with her colleagues and co-leaders Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to challenge him over his Treaty Principles Bill.

She was named by Speaker of the House Gerry Brownlee, one of the most severe and rare punishments MPs can face. She was suspended from Parliament for 24 hours, her pay was docked and her ability to take part in Question Time or votes in the House was removed.

Jones called the behaviour of Maipi-Clarke and her colleagues threatening and ugly and said it turned Parliament into a circus when he spoke on Newstalk ZBs Heather du Plessis Drive show last night.

Parliament has inherent powers to put people in jail and the way the Maori Party are carrying on, that seems to me quite the appropriate response, he said.

It turned into a circus with the Maori Party, in particular the young lady from Tainui, Jones said, referring to Maipi-Clarke.

Former Speaker Sir Lockwood Smith told Newstalk ZBs Mike Hosking Breakfast today that yesterdays row was as bad as Ive ever seen the House.

He said it was really sad to see in Parliament.

The whole standard of the place has been lowered in recent years. Once you start letting it slip, another inch happens, another centimetre.

He argued that standards had been slipping in the House for a while.

Parliament is meant to be where people we chose to represent us  They are meant to be the leaders of our communities. Parliament is the highest court in the land, our most respected citizens.

He said Brownlee should not be blamed and he had no choice but to clear the House.

But Waititi said a haka was a natural tool that we use to support our debate.

We will use every single tool that our Maori kete [basket] has to support any korero [conversation] we have in a debate or wananga [discussion]. Haka is a natural tool we use to support our debate.

If you cant handle that, then maybe you should think of leaving Parliament.

Waititi said Maori MPs should be able to conduct themselves in a way relevant to their culture.

Wherever you are, you always go and be proud to be Maori. Use every Maori tool you have to support your kaupapa [cause].

Its a natural thing for us to use haka.

Were not in England. I understand, when in Rome do as the Romans, but when youre here in Aotearoa? Buckle up.

Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.

Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

Act leader David Seymour. Photo / Ben Dickens

Seymour believes, over time, National may come around to the legislation.

I think that they are perhaps less keen on taking on a tough issue. That has always been true. Act is a party that will take on hard issues and often, like Three Strikes, like charter schools, give it a few years and the National Party says, best thing we ever thought of.

We are quite happy because we know there is no limit to what you can achieve if you dont care who takes the credit.

Late on Wednesday, a collective of Kings Counsels outlined their concerns about the bill, including that the proposed principles didnt adequately reflect the articles of the Treaty and that it would cause significant legal confusion and uncertainty.

They noted that the existing principles have been developed by the courts over the past 50 years and now represented settled law.

The lawyers also said that while a select committee process allowed for public engagement, there should have been specific engagement with Maori prior.

In addition to the obvious risk of a poor legislative outcome, this has created mistrust and calls into question whether the stated objective of an open, informed public debate is genuine.

Seymour said on Thursday that he understood why they dont like the bill.

Eeryone gets a say, even if youre not a KC, he said.

The debate over the Treaty has until this point been dominated by a small number of judges, senior public servants, academics, and politicians. The select committee process will finally democratise that debate.

The courts and the Waitangi Tribunal have been able to develop principles that have been used to justify actions that are contrary to the principle of equal rights. Those actions include co-governance in the delivery of public services and ethnic quotas in public institutions.

The Treaty Principles Bill provides an opportunity for New Zealanders  rather than the courts and the Waitangi Tribunal  to have a say on what the Treaty means. Did the Treaty give different rights to different groups, or does every citizen have equal rights? I believe all New Zealanders deserve to have a say on that question.

The Waitangi Tribunal last week said the bill would be the worst, most comprehensive breach of the Treaty/Te Tiriti in modern times. It also argued there had been a lack of consultation with Maori.

At present, the progressing of the bill is having serious impacts on the relationship, the tribunal said. But the bill, if enacted, would kill that relationship.

Parliament is preparing for protests both inside and out as the bill gets its first reading this afternoon.

The Speaker is expected to warn members of the public that if there are any attempts to disrupt proceedings, he will clear the public galleries.

Brownlee would not comment on his plans for the debate, saying only that he intended to speak to the House at the start of the debate on the bill.

I will be talking to the House at the start of the bill, but Im not making any comments before that.

Staff at Parliament were emailed this morning and advised protests were expected today and police would be on hand to help parliamentary security if there were any issues. Increased security measures will also be in place at Parliament next week  and public tours will be cancelled on Monday and Tuesday.

Thousands have been marching towards Wellington in opposition to the Treaty Principles Bill over recent days. The Hikoi mo te Tiriti (march for the Treaty) moved through Auckland on Wednesday and is expected in the capital by next Tuesday.

The parliamentary staff email said the hikoi was expected to be peaceful and organisers had been working with the Speakers office to ensure it did not breach the rules for protests on Parliament grounds.

Politicians from Labour, the Greens and Te Pati Maori joined those protesting on Wednesday, including Te Pati Maori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, who said he was proud of the unity on display in the hikoi and expected the numbers to grow before it hit Wellington next week.

By the time we get to Wellington, this would have quadrupled in size and in mass, because people are really concerned about how the country has been divided through legislation like the Treaty Principles Bill, he said.

A national hikoi protesting the bill is making its way south to Wellington, hitting the streets of Hamilton today. Photo / Mike Scott

Labour leader Chris Hipkins said the hikoi showed people unified in not wanting divisive politics. He said it wasnt too late for the Prime Minister to pull his support.

The National Party can honour the commitment that it made to New Zealanders before the election and vote against this bill.

They never should have agreed to it in the coalition agreement. They said before the election that they wouldnt support it. I think theyve betrayed voters trust in signing up to it as part of the coalition agreement.

Jamie Ensor is a political reporter in the NZ Herald press gallery team based at Parliament. He was previously a TV reporter and digital producer in the Newshub press gallery office.
The Lions Clubs of Waihi, Paeroa, Katikati, and Omokoroa are teaming up to raise awareness and funds for diabetes on Sunday, November 17, with a special community walk around the rim of Waihis historic Martha Mine Pit.

This event, dubbed Lap the Map for Diabetes Awareness, will take participants on a scenic five-kilometre stroll around the pit, starting at the iconic Pump House at the top of Seddon Street.

The walk is open to all, with no set starting time between 8am and 12pm. Whether youre looking to complete the full loop or just walk a short distance, the event is designed to be fun, flexible, and family-friendly.

Raising awareness for a global health crisis

November is World Diabetes Awareness Month, and this walk is part of a national Lions Club-led initiative.

The aim is to bring attention to the growing impact of diabetes, which affects one in ten New Zealanders, and raise funds for the Bay of Plenty Diabetes Associations Annual Family Camp, where children with Type 1 Diabetes attend a special camp.

According to the International Federation of Diabetes, Type 2 diabetes is often undiagnosed, with half of those affected unaware of their condition.

Diabetes-related health expenditure in Australasia was estimated at US$162.2 billion ($277.36b) in 2019, a figure expected to rise significantly in the coming years.

Lions Clubs International has chosen diabetes awareness as a major focus, alongside other key health and humanitarian causes such as vision, hearing, childhood cancer, hunger, and environmental sustainability.

This walk is part of a larger movement to engage local communities and raise awareness and much-needed funds for diabetes care.

A gold coin for a great cause

Participants are encouraged to donate a gold coin, with all proceeds going to the Bay of Plenty Diabetes Association to support children and families affected by diabetes. Every step taken around the rim of the mine pit will contribute to a collective goal of raising awareness and building funds for this important cause.

Organisers hope the event will also contribute to a broader nationwide effort, with other Lions Clubs planning similar walks.

The goal is to collectively walk 15,000 km  roughly the length of New Zealands coastline  to highlight the widespread impact of diabetes.

Join the Lions and make a difference

Waihi Lions Club president David Parish encourages locals and visitors to take part. Whether youre walking for your health or walking to support those affected by diabetes, this event offers a wonderful opportunity to get involved and make a difference.

Its a great way to be active, raise awareness, and contribute to a cause that affects so many people in our community.

The Lap the Map walk will proceed rain or shine, so come prepared for the weather. Participants can walk as much or as little as they like and enjoy the stunning views around the Martha Mine Pit.

For more information or to volunteer, contact David Parish at 021 025 88009.

Event Details: Sunday, November 17, 2024. Meet any time between 8am and 12pm, rain or shine, at the Pump House, top of Seddon Street, Waihi.

Entry: gold coin donation. Distance: About 5 km around the Martha Mine Pit Rim.

- SunLive
Manu Balanzino Friday, 15 November 2024, 17:02 Compartir

Around the world it is difficult to walk anywhere without coming across an Italian restaurant that celebrates the flavours and traditions of Italy. From the streets of New York to Tokyo the aromas of pastas, pizzas and antipasti have become universally recognised. In Malaga this trend is no exception. Every corner of the province is home to options for enjoying Italian cuisine, from the popular bruschetta toasts, focaccias or carpaccios, to the irresistible lasagne or the 'cotoletta alla milanesa', a breaded and fried veal cutlet with roots in Milan, the Italian capital of design and style.

Neither can you miss out on sampling Italy's most iconic dessert: tiramisu, made with savoiardi (sponge biscuits), mascarpone cheese, coffee and a touch of amaretto, the bitter almond-based liqueur that gives it its characteristic flavour. On this tour, we discover some of the places where Italian cuisine is fused with local ingredients, reinterpreted by Italian chefs who live in the province, offering a unique and authentic experience for lovers of good food.

The dish that unites Italy

If we think of a dish that is characteristic of Italy, of the country of Brunelleschi's Duomo, Michelangelo's David or the famous tenor Luciano Pavarotti, some of those mentioned come to mind, but for Italians, the dish that best represents them is something else. "If there is one dish that unites all of Italy, from Palermo to Milan, it is just one. The most Italian dish of all is alio, olio e peperoncino, which is commonly prepared in students' hostels, with only garlic, olive oil and chilli. Everyone has these ingredients at home, it's not Sicilian, Milanese or from Campania," says chef Carmine Guarino, born in Irpinia in southern Italy, and at the helm of Mura Mura Osteria in the heart of Malaga's old town for the past ten years.

Beyond this basic recipe for a dressing, carbonara is world famous as a sauce. Originally from Rome and the surrounding area, it makes use of guanciale - a typical regional sausage made from pork belly and cured with spices - and Pecorino cheese, made from sheep's milk. "Our signature dish is carbonara. On summer days we sell more than 100 plates. What makes it different from other carbonara? First, it is the authentic Italian recipe: we use guanciale, not bacon, and egg yolk, no cream, salt and black pepper. Secondly, we finish the dish in front of the customer, flambeing a big wheel of Grana Padano cheese with grappa (distilled grape liquor) so that it melts slightly before adding the pasta," explains Raul Rey, owner of Cafe Flore in Plaza Puente de Ronda, in the old part of Marbella.

Iconic dishes

Another iconic Italian dish is undoubtedly pizza. Its success is such that, in order to respect the good work of the 'pizzaioli' masters, Unesco declared as Intangible Cultural Heritage of humanity the "culinary practice of preparing pizza dough in four stages and baking it over a wood fire, turning it over and over."

"Pizza is undoubtedly the most recognised Italian dish in the world. If you think about it, pasta is found in several countries with different names and recipes. For example, in the [Far] East, there is a type of noodles made with rice flour. So pizza first and pasta second are the most famous dishes," says Francesco Bernardinelli, a native of Verona, who left his position as manager of a five-star hotel in Brescia to start his personal project here in Malaga city: Unica Pizzeria Contemporanea.

Da Lilly. Daytona (Fredy Torra). Cafe Flore.

This restaurant in the heart of Malaga offers something different from the usual: "The padelino is a typical northern pizza. It is baked in a mould, as though it were a pie. We bake the dough with nothing on it, and, once it is taken out of the oven, we add the fresh ingredients, which are warmed by the heat of the dough itself and without reheating it. This makes it smaller than a normal pizza, taller and very spongy. The flavours are more recognisable because if they are not cooked, the ingredients retain their original flavour."

For this chef the dough is fundamental as it is the basis of the flavour: "We use a mixture of two types of flour that is less refined than commercial flour, leaving a bit of uncrushed cereals, together with a percentage of multigrain flour, similar to that used to make bread. This gives it a flavour of its own. You could eat the dough without any ingredients and it would be totally palatable, like cutting a loaf of bread and eating a piece of it."

Zoom Cipriani.

There isn't an Italian restaurant that doesn't have lasagne on its menu. "It's a dish that doesn't need to be explained, everyone knows it, so we decided to offer something different to differentiate ourselves from other places," says Fabrizio Giuri who, together with his wife Antonacci Liliana, runs Da Lilly, the only lasagne restaurant on the Costa del Sol based in Las Lagunas district of Mijas. His ossobuco lasagne is a customer favourite. "This dish is inspired by a traditional recipe from northern Italy, ossobuco with saffron rice, known as 'a la milanesa'. We reinterpret this popular recipe, cooking the ossobuco at a low temperature, adding tomato and preparing it as a lasagne Bolognese, which we finish with a saffron bechamel sauce."

Tips for cooking pasta

When we talk about meat, we refer to how done it should be: rare, medium rare or well done. Yet what is the perfect pasta? "Pasta should be cooked in plenty of water to keep it hydrated and one must respect the cooking time. It should be removed from the heat beforehand so that it remains al dente as it continues to cook," says Guarino. Buttering is key. "It should always be made in a frying pan or pot so that everything is well homogenised. The sauce should never be added on top of the pasta in the dish, it should be mixed in a pan so that all the juice sticks to all sides of the pasta. At the end, if desired, you can add cheese or fresh parsley."

"Al dente does not mean that the pasta is crunchy, but it should have some resistance when you bite into it. Although many packages indicate the cooking time, the best way is to taste it," is the advice from Giancarlo Guarnieri, owner of Daytona Ristorante. In this eatery, which opened seven years ago and is located in Puerto Banus, they serve another classic - provolone, a type of Italian cheese that they grill in a wood-fired oven with tomato and black truffle. They also serve tagliata di manzo, similar to entrecote steak but, in this case, the meat comes from Tuscany, a region in the centre of Italy. The dish is finished off with rocket, Parmesan cheese and balsamic cream and paired with a selection of Italian wines.

Flavours of the world

In short, as with all gastronomic cultures around the world, it is difficult to summarise the richness of Italian cuisine in these few lines. Renowned dishes, such as paella and tapas in Spain, reflect our gastronomic culture. On this occasion we embark on a journey through the most emblematic Italian flavours without leaving this province, enjoying the aromas of Italy with a Malaga touch.

Zoom Unica Pizzeria Contemporanea. GOMA

FOLLOW THE TRAIL

Alhaurin de la Torre

Alveograma: C/ Salsa, 7 (952 06 67 54)

Benalmadena

La Pala d'Oro: Pasaje Alcalde Valderrama, 6 (952 44 89 07)

Venettis: C/ San Miguel, 1B (951 76 51 99)

Casares

Don Giovanni: On the Manilva road to Gaucin, km 2 (952 93 78 82)

Fuengirola

Limoncello: C/ Larga, 8 (696 83 34 92)

Tutto Bene Trattoria: C/ de la Cruz, 3 (951 13 57 96)

Malaga

Mura Mura Osteria: C/ Duque de la Victoria, 5 (602 52 41 03)

Osteria Angelino: C/ Pedro de Toledo, 4 (951 77 27 62)

Pizzeria Il Museo: Avenida de Pries, 2 (640 64 95 19)

Spaghetteria Circus: Avenida de Gregorio Prieto, 25 (634 21 84 77)

Unica Pizzeria Contemporanea: C/ Barroso, 3 (658 09 07 14)

Marbella

Cafe Flore: Plaza Puente de Ronda, 5 (952 77 05 35)

Cipriani: Hotel Puente Romano, Boulevard Principe Alfonso de Hohenlohe, s/n (952 76 82 77)

Daytona Ristorante: Avenida Julio Iglesias, Complejo Cines 2A (951 56 91 94)

Deluca: Avenida Miguel de Cervantes, 26 (676 30 25 25 61)

Stuzzikini: C/ Alderete, 5 (952 77 59 94)

Mijas

Dalilly: C/ Tomillo de la Torre, 2 (722 76 26 85)

San Pedro de Alcantara

Pasticcio Pizza y Pasta: Urb. Guadalmina Alta Calle, 19, local 5 (952 71 59 31)

Trattoria L'Impronta: Avenida Salamanca, 14 (952 78 59 43)

Torremolinos

Pizzeria La Favorita: Avenida del Lido, 11 (654 92 72 18)

Velez Malaga

Sale e Pepe: C/ Acuzena, 8 (952 63 93 06)
Juan Soto Malaga Friday, 15 November 2024, 18:21 Compartir

The Melonera wants to recover the splendour it lost more than 150 years ago. This native grape of Malaga province, practically extinct after phylloxera wiped out vineyards throughout southern Spain, is making a comeback thanks to the work carried out by a winery in Ronda. Garnacha Tintorera, another variety which until now had no presence in the province, has just been added to the Sierras de Malaga PDO catalogue (Protected Designation of Origin - DOP in Spanish).

The case of the former is particularly unique, as the latter, the Tintorera, can be seen quite frequently in other vineyards across Spain. Despite being on the verge of disappearing, the Melonera grape now grows in the middle of Ronda's mountains, in a huge vineyard surrounded by holm oaks, thanks to the recovery work carried out by Finca La Melonera, a company that also decided to adopt the name of this grape.

Zoom The melonera grape. Marilu Baez

The recovery process began in 2008, when the winery's managers came across a book by Simon de Rojas published in 1807 about the grape varieties that were then growing in Andalucia. Of all of them, the Melonera caught their attention. Then they managed to locate five vines in the Rancho de la Merced, an experimental centre overseen by the Junta de Andalucia, and they did not stop until they managed to produce some wine from it.

Ana de Castro, oenologist at La Melonera winery, proudly points out that the five vines have now grown to fill one and a half hectares and says that the first wine made 100% from this grape will be on the market in just one month's time. It will be a token edition, just 350 bottles, but a great first step that will increase production in successive vintages. "It has cost us a lot of work, but we are very happy," she says.

The two grapes have been incorporated into the Sierras de Malaga DOP ('Denominaciones de Origenes Protegidas')

Although she does not like comparisons, the winemaker explains that the grape "is similar to Pinot Noir, low in colour, elegant, subtle and with low alcohol content." It is harvested at the end of October because it is a late variety, fermented in open barrels and then it spends a further 12 months in the same barrel. The wine will be called Yo Solo ('only me'), which is the label they use to promote 100% indigenous varieties.

Regarding the recovery process they have had to go through, she recalls that the most complex part of the process has been obtaining the permits from the European Union, because it has to be demonstrated that the grapes are suitable for winemaking and for human consumption. Once this first obstacle had been overcome, they then had to obtain certification from the Sierras de Malaga Protected Designation of Origin (PDO, or DOP in Spanish), something they achieved on 27 August.

Zoom Wine-tasting room at La Melonera in the Serrania de Ronda. Marilu Baez

After being included in the catalogue, the PDO assured that this recovery work demonstrates "the innovative concern of the province's wine sector." In this regard the Melonera grape clearly adds to the typical character and nature of the Sierras de Malaga PDO since they grow in a diverse, natural environment. The shape of the land, with scattered patches of clear land and small vineyards, dictates the uniqueness of the flavours, giving rise to wines of high expression and quality.

La Melonera winery is located on a huge estate of 200 hectares, although only 25 hectares are planted and always in areas shielded by holm oaks, which protects the vineyards from sudden changes in temperature and prevents the grapes from dehydrating. They started working the land in 2006 with international grape varieties, mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Tempranillo. Their first wine was Payoya Negra.

The first wine made with the Melonera grape will be released in November, while we will have to wait a little longer for the Garnacha Tintorera

Despite the great reception the wine had (and still has), they soon decided to go for local varieties to differentiate themselves from other wineries and attract the public's attention. "We understood the importance of zero kilometre", they state. This is how the Melonera idea came about. However, they are not stopping at that one grape. Ana de Castro says that they are also working on the recovery of the Blasco grape, also originally from this part of the country. "We are already working on it and we hope that it will soon see the light of day", she says.

The case of the Garnacha Tintorera grape variety

A few kilometres away from La Melonera, and also in an extensive plot of land in the Serrania de Ronda, the Huerto de la Condesa winery has also carried out important work to incorporate a grape into the Sierras de Malaga PDO that had no previous presence in the province. They have decided to go for the Garnacha Tintorera, a variety that is grown in several regions of Spain such as Extremadura, Valencia and Murcia, but which until now had not been incorporated into the vineyards of Malaga.

Unlike the Melonera, no research work has been necessary for its introduction, but it has had to pass all kinds of checks and requirements to become part of the provincial PDO. Its promoters were Luis Cepedano and Agustin Millan, owner and oenologist respectively of the winery. "We started making wine with Garnacha and Syrah, but we thought that Garnacha Tintorera could give us some freshness."

Zoom Luis Cepedano and Agustin Millan,owner and oenologist at Huerto de la Condesa. Marilu Baez

Regarding the grape, they explain that "it is a very productive variety and the only one that is red inside." They also add that it is very versatile, as it can be harvested both at the beginning and at the end of the harvest. "You can harvest it whenever you want."

The Huerto de la Condesa winery has just planted its first 1,200 vines of this variety, so it will take a few more years to see a Malaga wine using this grape on the market. Their intention is to start blending it with other varieties, although they also have on the horizon the desire to make a 100% Garnacha Tintorera wine. To achieve that goal they will have to wait about 10 years, which is the time the plant needs to gain maturity and reach its peak.

Huerto de la Condesa is one of the latest wineries to start up in the Serrania de Ronda. They started up in 2019, although the first bottles began to be marketed in 2021. The winery currently produces seven different wines and its most popular wine is the one that bears the name of the winery itself in its red (with garnacha and syrah) and white (viogner, muscatel and sauvignon blanc) varieties.

Better harvest than expected

The winery's managers are satisfied with this year's harvest, which has been better "both in terms of quantity and quality". They have harvested more than 500 kilos when last year they barely reached 300. "This year it has rained more than last year and that has been noticeable", they state.

The figures provided by the winemakers coincide with those provided by the Serrania de Ronda's local winegrowers and producers association, where they are confident of exceeding 800,000 bottles. Speaking to SUR, the association's president, Manuel Carrizosa, acknowledged at the beginning of the month that this has been "a good year in terms of volume and quality", as all the grapes that have entered the wineries "are quite good, despite the early harvest and the heat, which is not the best thing for the end of the cycle."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Green hydrogen is a key element of Azerbaijan's strategy to diversify its energy export portfolio and promote decarbonization policy, Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said during the Ministerial Meeting on the COP29 Energy Initiatives, Trend reports.

The announcement of the hydrogen strategy within the framework of COP emphasizes the commitment to this path. This initiative will be a powerful incentive for both state and non-state actors to achieve climate goals.

Here at COP29, we invite each of you to join these commitments, strengthen climate action, and take united steps toward a brighter future.

We also believe it is important to assess the progress of these initiatives at future COP sessions and to reflect this in the IAEA and IRENA reports. Your support strengthens our collective strength. Let us make COP29 a benchmark event that will take global climate efforts to the next level and build a sustainable future for our world, he said.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Vanessa Melgar Friday, 15 November 2024, 14:17 | Updated 15:27h. Compartir

The 'Dana' left Malaga province on Thursday via the Serrania de Ronda. When other districts were beginning to return to normal, it was the turn of the Ronda area to be hit by the low pressure storm.

Damage has been reported in practically all the villages in the district, but the storm has hit Jimera de Libar particularly hard. There, a flood turned a street into a river and the strong current flowed right through a local meat company, Carnicas Medina Dominguez, which has been in business for more than 50 years and is run by three siblings.

Mayte Dominguez, one of the owners, spoke of "ruin". "In a matter of minutes the water came in; we opened up downstairs to let it run out and we left," she explained. There were moments of panic as her father was inside. "I couldn't see him," she said. He took refuge from the deluge and was not injured. In fact no flood-related injuries have been reported in the rest of the district or the province.

"We are having to throw away whole pallets of products, such as salted ribs, Iberian bacon, salt... I saw what happened in Valencia and it seemed incredible to me, and here the same thing has happened; I was clearing out mud and I remembered the people of Valencia," she said, visibly distressed. "This morning I arrived and the mud was there again," she said, speaking on Friday. "It was horrible, the water reached almost two metres," she added.

Medina and her siblings have not had time to quantify the damage and stressed that the company was at full capacity due to the proximity of Christmas. "Hams have been damaged, but only a few," the business owner stressed, while pointing out that her company also sells in other provinces. She also said damage had been caused to machinery and vehicles.

Vanessa Melgar

Her brother Bartolome Medina has suffered doubly, as the water also flooded the basement of his house. "We have quite a lot of damage," he said.

In the village, in general, cleaning work is going on at a frenetic pace to try to get things back to normal. Firefighters from the provincial brigade in Malaga are helping.

In Estacion de Jimera, where there had been concern prior to the flooding about the rising level of the Guadiaro river, it was the overflowing of streams that caused flooding in homes.

Zoom Mayor Francisco Javier Lobo Vanessa Melgar

"The flood came through the upper part of the village, turning a street into a river; water came out where we have never seen before," said the mayor, Francisco Javier Lobo, who stressed how local residents had all helped out. "Jimera is like a family, a lot of people came to help, last night there were more than 40 people," said Dominguez.
The Guardia Civil unit, which was the first of its kind in Europe, works with all European Union states as well as the UK and Latin American countries, among others

Jennie Rhodes Friday, 15 November 2024, 13:15 Compartir

The responsibilities of Spains Guardia Civil are wide-ranging. One area they specialise in, to which SUR in English often refers, especially when reporting on forest fires or environmental crimes, is Seprona  its nature protection unit.

The Guardia Civil defines itself broadly as a public security force with military status. When it was established in 1876, King Alfonso XII designated it as the kingdoms forest service.

Sepronas three core activities are: prevention, investigation and production of intelligence of environmental crimes.

The unit is responsible for the tracking of illegal trade in wildlife and waste, identifying cases of animal abuse and hunting activities as well as tackling and investigating wild fires, among a long list of other environment-related activities.

In a nutshell, Seprona is responsible for dealing with the effects on environmental and human health according to information published by the unit in English.

Officers

There are around 1,800 specialist Seprona officers working in different units and patrols around Spain, of whom 71 work in the central investigations unit both on a national and international level.

Each of the countrys provinces also has officers that provide urban patrols within towns and cities as well as agents who operate in national parks.

Anyone caught up in the purchase of illegal homes, especially in the Axarquia, will have had some dealings with the Guardia Civil as one of their remits is urban development and the correct use of land.

Officers can be identified by their dark green uniform (like other areas of the Guardia Civil) and have a specially designated fleet of vehicles, including over 500 off-road vehicles, around 1,150 motor and trail bikes, over 10 quads and more than 20 boats and jetskis.

However, they are not the people to contact in the case of finding an endangered species of animal in trouble in Spain. This in fact falls with Crea  the recuperation centre for endangered species, although in the first instance the Local Police should be contacted.

They in turn contact Crea and either take the animal themselves, or Crea will send an expert to collect the animal. Malaga provinces Crea centre is located in the Montes de Malaga.

Seprona was the first of its kind in Europe and other countries have started to copy the structure. It has been going as a unit for 32 years and works with all 27 European Union member states and 10 non-EU countries, including the UK.

Seprona works closely with Europol, Interpol and the Latin American Jaguar Network, which has officers who are specialised in environmental crimes and work between Latin America and the EU.

Recent interventions

According to information produced by Seprona, to which SURin English has had access, at the time of publication the unit had arrested some 5,320 people and investigated 7,358 environmental crimes in its 32 years of existence.

Recent examples of Sepronas intervention include the case of a multi-million-euro fraud operation involving the resale of tyres sent for safe waste disposal as being unfit for use as well as the ongoing investigation into the number of illegal wells in the Axarquia which came to light as restrictions were introduced, particularly for the areas farmers, due to the extreme drought.

Seprona officers were called to the scene of the death of a 91-year-old man after he was attacked by a deer that was being kept as a pet on the victims farm in Granada in October this year.

In the same month, Seprona was also involved in a major international operation against food fraud with arrests across Spain and Europe when criminals were reselling inferior quality oils as extra virgin olive oils or relabelling products that had expired.
Entrance to the garage in Calle Mariano Brull in La Torre where seven bodies were found.

J. Martinez Friday, 15 November 2024, 16:36 Compartir

The 'Dana' storm hit the elderly hard in Spain's Valencia region. More than half of those who died were over 70 years of age, and there were also nine children among the victim total. The data integration centre (CID), which was set up in the wake of the storms and the subsequent floods that affected Valencia province on 29 October, has carried out a detailed analysis of the 216 fatalities recorded so far in this catastrophe.

The most significant findings of the report are that 131 of the fatalities were males and 85 females, 104 of those killed were aged 70 or over - 15 were in their nineties - and 26 of them were foreigners of 11 different nationalities.

Of the 216 confirmed fatalities, nine were children, seven of whom were under the age of 11, according to the CID. In addition, 10 of the deceased were between the ages of 20 and 30.

The municipalities where most fatalities have been recovered are Paiporta (45), Catarroja (25), Valencia (16), Alfafar (15), Massanassa (11) and Benetusser, Torrent and Picanya (10 in each case). These towns do not necessarily correspond to the localities where the victims were registered as residents.

The CID is a technical body made up of police, forensic and data specialists. Its main function is to gather and oversee the different identification reports carried out by the different institutions on deceased persons for events where multiple victims have occurred, by virtue of royal decree (RD 32/2009).

This centre is the only one empowered by this royal decree to provide the media and the public with official figures. All information is released via the communications office of the High Court of Justice for the Valencian province on the medical or judicial forensic investigations surrounding this incident.

By nationality

The breakdown by nationality of the foreign nationals killed is as follows: 9 Romanians, 4 Moroccans, 4 Chinese, 2 UK nationals, and the remaining victims (7) are from Ecuador, Venezuela, Ukraine, Holland, Tunisia, Colombia and Paraguay.

Up to 20 judicial bodies, belonging to ten different judicial districts (Sueca, Torrent, Quart de Poblet, Mislata, Valencia, Lliria, Catarroja, Alzira, Carlet and Requena) have opened up preliminary proceedings on the deaths of the 216 victims counted so far.

Of the municipalities where bodies were found and removed (besides those previously listed), they are: Sedavi (9), Chiva (8), Cheste and Quart de Poblet (7), Utiel, Aldaia and Ribarroja (6), Godelleta (4), Albal, Algemesi and Pedralba (3), Guadassuar and l'Acudia (2), and in Alaquas, Alzira, Bunol, Loriguilla, Silla, Sot de Cheta and Sueca they found one victim in each locality.
Raquel Merino Malaga Friday, 15 November 2024, 18:26 Compartir

The Danish company Flying Tiger Copenhagen has recalled from its shops several batches of a headband with a veil and dark unicorn horn that has been on sale since September this year. The reason is that there is a choking hazard for young children, as it was found that "the battery compartment cover is not properly closed, making it potentially accessible", the company said.

In particular, all batches of this headband with article number 3056915 have been recalled.

Zoom The headband in question.

The company asks customers who have purchased this product, with the item number indicated, to stop using it and return it to their nearest shop for a refund.
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. The world's renewable energy capacity will increase 2.7 times by 2030, the executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) Fatih Birol said during the Ministerial Meeting on the COP29 Energy Initiatives, Trend reports.

The good news is that, if we look at all renewable energy projects that have received final investment decisions (FIDs) as well as those in the pipeline, based on our analysis, even in a conservative estimate, global renewable energy capacity will increase by 2.7 times by 2030," he said.

Founded in 1974, the International Energy Agency is an autonomous international organization based in Paris that offers policy advice, analysis, and data regarding the worldwide energy industry. The Agency's pivotal function in influencing energy and climate policy is highlighted by its consistent involvement in international forums such as the G7 and G20 summits, as well as the ASEAN and APEC meetings.

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Syracuse, N.Y. -- The Biden administration announced today it has signed the first deal with a major chipmaker to build factories in the U.S. using funds from the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act.

The final deal with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. will spur the building of three fabrication plants, or fabs, in Phoenix, the administration said. TSMC, the worlds largest producer of chips, said it will spend $65 billion on the Arizona fabs. TSMC could get $6.6 billion in CHIPS Act grants and billions more in tax credits and loans.

Several other preliminary deals with chipmakers have yet to be finalized, including one with Micron Technology to build up to four fabs in the town of Clay. Micron has delayed the start of construction until at least November 2025.

Biden announced a tentative deal with Micron in April during a visit to Syracuse. Under that agreement, Micron could receive up to $4.6 billion in CHIPS Act grants and more than $11 billion in tax credits to build the first two fabs in Clay.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, in a visit to Central New York in September, said she expected the Micron deal to be signed by the end of this year.

The Biden administration is racing to get the deals done before former President Donald Trump assumes the presidency again in January. Trump has criticized the CHIPS Act as so bad and House Speaker Mike Johnson said in Syracuse last month that Congress could repeal or make substantial changes to the law and its implementation.

The 2022 CHIPS Act set aside up to $52 billion for new chip manufacturing plants in the U.S. Proponents of the law say Americans national security depends upon controlling the production of computer chips that power everything from cell phones to military fighter jets.

The money for Micron, TSMC and other chipmakers isnt paid upfront. The companies have to meet certain construction and hiring thresholds to tap into the grants, loans and tax credits.

Todays announcement is among the most critical milestones yet in the implementation of the bipartisan CHIPS & Science Act, and demonstrates how we are ensuring that the progress made to date will continue to unfold in the coming years, benefitting communities all across the country, Biden said in a statement.
When Mark DiGiorgio was a student at Webster Elementary School in Syracuse, he wanted to learn to play the saxophone.

At the time, he said, the city school district lent families instruments for a short periods, then took them back. DiGiorgio remembers how he felt when his father decided the family could not buy a replacement.

I was embarrassed as a kid to have to tell my music teacher, he said. I dont want any other kids who want to play to have to do that.

Thats what inspired DiGiorgio, a project manager for a Syracuse architectural firm and a local event promoter, to launch a new venture: Hes created a nonprofit that will help pay for musical instruments and offer music lessons to students whose families cant afford them.

Hes doing it by converting his for-profit concert promotion business, GigSmack, into a nonprofit called 727Instrumental. Its still in the startup stage, but DiGiorgio hopes to have the program running by next summer.

DiGiorgio and GigSmack are best known now as the promoters of the Party in the Square events held each summer in Clinton Square.

He plans to continue those free admission parties, and use proceeds from beverage sales at those and additional events to help finance 727Instrumental. The non-profit is also seeking sponsorships, donations and and state and local grants.

Were still working through a lot of things, but we cant wait until we get to the point where we provide students the instruments of their choice and six months of free music lessons, DiGiorgio said.

The plan is to provide both school band/orchestra type instruments, as well as those more suitable to rock/pop or other styles.

DiGiorgio is also working to line up music instructors and find locations for the lessons to be held.

The 727Instruments program will be available to students around Central New York, but it has already reached out to form a relationship with the Syracuse City School District.

Rory Edwards, the districts director of fine arts, began meeting with DiGiorgio in the spring.

The Syracuse schools have a program in place to lend music students instruments at no cost regardless of their financial needs. Those instruments, the kind used in marching band and orchestra, must be returned periodically for cleaning and maintenance.

The district has no existing program for instruments like drum kits, keyboards or electric guitars used in rock/pop style music, Edwards said.

What Mark is planning will be a great benefit for (the district) and our students, Edwards said. Its the ownership thats the key, the big thing.

DiGiorgio agreed the ability of a student to own his or her instrument is important.

It means when they want to practice or play, whenever or wherever that is, they can have that access, he said.

That view is also shared by Rebeca Mendez Siquier, a senior at Jamesville-DeWitt High School who was this week named one of the 23 recipients of the 2024 Best and Brightest Awards sponsored by Syracuse.com.

She won the award based in part for her participation in music at J-D, along with the Syracuse Youth Orchestra. She has also taught in the childrens guitar program at Syracuse Universitys La Casita Cultural Center.

Having an instrument is super important, she said. It gives the child a chance to express themselves in a way they might not have found otherwise. Every kid has a story to tell, and for some they can tell it through their instrument."

The requirements to determine who qualifies for the program are still being worked out, DiGiorgio said. But the program will require that students be in good standing and are attending school.

We know there are kids out there who have an interest in music but are facing obstacles, he said. Were going to be there to help them out.

Sponge performs at Party in the Square in Clinton Square Friday, August 16, 2024, in Syracuse, N.Y. The promoter of the event is creating a nonprofit to provide local students with instruments and music lessons. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com) Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com

Don Cazentre writes for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook.
Syracuse, N.Y.  New York state energy planners are soliciting information from advanced nuclear companies and their potential customers and host communities in another sign that state officials are looking at nuclear energy as an emission-free source of power to support economic development.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority today issued a request for information to gauge market interest in developing advanced nuclear reactors in the state. The information gathered will help state officials fashion policies for future development.

The request stems in part from growing demand for electricity to serve high tech companies like Micron Technology, which plan to consume huge quantities of power. At full build-out, Microns four chip fabs planned in Clay would use more electricity than Vermont and New Hampshire combined.

New economic development opportunities in the state in high tech manufacturing and artificial intelligence  are increasing the need to look at new technologies that can supplement renewable energy, NYSERDA wrote on the RFI.

NYSERDA hopes to collect the information by mid-December. The authority also is working to finish a blueprint for considering advanced nuclear technologies, for which it solicited public comments this fall.

State law mandates that New Yorks electric grid eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 to combat climate change. Although renewable sources like wind and solar are expected to provide much of the states future energy, officials have increasingly looked at other potential zero-emission sources to meet growing demand.

Electricity usage is expected to surge in the future as a result of economic development combined with the electrification of buildings and vehicles.

State officials focused on nuclear power at a September energy summit in Syracuse that explored ways to meet the 2040 energy goals. The event drew protests from nuclear opponents, who say the technology is too expensive, too dangerous and too slow to develop. Designs for new modular nuclear reactors are still years away from commercial deployment, most experts agree.

Todays request for information specifies that advanced nuclear generating facilities would be limited to Upstate areas. State officials pushed in 2021 to shut down the existing Indian Point nuclear plant in Westchester County largely because they said its proximity to New York City raised safety concerns.

In addition to generating companies, NYSERDA wants to hear from potential host communities, work force developers, supply chain companies, manufacturers or data centers, and others with an interest in nuclear technology.

NYSERDA said it does not intend to publish the responses.

Staff writer Tim Knauss can be reached at: email | Twitter | 315-470-3023.
Syracuse, N.Y.  Do more.

That was the common theme expressed by a stream of residents who packed Syracuse City Halls common council chambers Thursday night to discuss lead levels in the citys drinking water.

The councils Public Works Committee organized a town-hall style meeting that included a presentation from Mayor Ben Walshs administration on the citys response to testing earlier this year that showed a dramatic spike exceeding the federal limit for lead in public water.

City officials told the roughly 100 people in the room they remain convinced testing from the first half of 2024 was not accurate because samples were erroneously drawn from outside spigots and hoses. Follow-up testing in the second half of the year in which lead levels fell back below action levels pointed them to the conclusion that the earlier results were an outlier.

I am absolutely confident in our water, said Water Commissioner Robert Brandt, who explained that the city has for many years been treating drinking water with orthophosphate, an additive that limits leaching from pipes. That treatment was not done in Flint, Michigan, where a notorious lead-contaminated water crisis emerged a decade ago.

Lead exposure can cause a wide range of health problems, notably significant learning and behavioral challenges for young children. Even though the federal limit for lead in water is currently 15 parts per billion, experts say no amount of lead is safe.

One of the most effective steps residents can take if they have lead pipes, Brandt said, is to run water out of the tap for a short period of time  he suggested until it becomes colder  before using it to drink or cook with. The longer water sits in pipes, the more lead its likely to have, and hot water out of the tap is also more prone to cause leaching from pipes.

Brandt also said he understand why residents are fearful. The water department has set up a dedicated hotline at (315) 448-8354 for people who have questions or concerns, along with a dedicated email account at waterlead@syr.gov.

Out of an abundance of caution, the city is working with Onondaga County Health Department officials to order 6,000 filters designed to remove any lead. A plan is being finalized to distribute those for free to homes with at-risk residents, which include children under 6 years old and pregnant women.

Theyre also developing a more aggressive plan to remove the main culprit of any lead levels in city water: service lines that connect from water mains to the meters inside homes. Syracuse will replace 3,000 of the estimated 14,000 lead service lines next year, and work to line up state, federal and local funding so all lines are replaced within five years. That would be five years ahead of the federal Environmental Protection Agency mandate for all municipalities to remove all lead service lines within a decade.

After about 45 minutes of presentation and questions from councilors, residents got their chance to speak. Many expressed skepticism of the citys assertion that the test results from earlier in the year were an outlier.

That doesnt mean that dataset is not significant, said Kiara Van Brackle. It should mean that there is natural deviant.

Several speakers called on the city to pursue a state of emergency from the state or federal government that could free up more funding to replace lead service lines faster. That repeats a call from several local activists and the Natural Resources Defense Council, a demand made as recently as two days earlier when about 50 residents and activists held a rally outside City Hall.

City officials said theyve talked with federal and state officials about that idea, but have been told the citys data would not support such a declaration.

Residents also urged the city to expand the water filter distribution to include all households with lead service lines, not just those with young children.

Give us the filters and get more filters, Rich Puchalski said. We need to get the filters out the door, into the community and put the word out.

Other suggestions from the public included more proactive communication in the community about potential problems with lead pipes. One person asked the city to consider safe water dispensing stations.

Syracuse recently released an EPA-required lead pipe inventory, and posted an interactive map that shows where known lead service lines existing. Thousands of properties have an unknown status, however. Generally, houses built before 1940 can have lead service lines.

City reporter Jeremy Boyer can be reached at jboyer@syracuse.com, (315) 657-5673, Twitter or Facebook.
By Dan Clark | Times Union, Albany

Albany, N.Y.  Gov. Kathy Hochul wants New York to become the next Silicon Valley and said Tuesday that more energy sources will have to come online to power those potential partners, with one option being onsite nuclear reactors.

The power Im generating from the New York Power Authority, which is generated from Niagara Falls, can do a lot of it, Hochul said. But not all of it.

That was in response to a question from former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who appeared at Columbia University with Hochul Wednesday for a discussion on the states efforts to bolster cybersecurity and embrace new technologies, including artificial intelligence.

Hochul has led an effort in recent years to attract tech companies to New York, with a focus on the semiconductor industry. Those are companies that develop and manufacture the small chips inside modern devices, including smartphones.

Her white whale was Micron, a memory chip manufacturer that announced two years ago it planned to build a semiconductor campus near Syracuse with an investment of $20 billion by the end of this decade.

Micron chose New York after the state offered an incentive package of $5.5 billion to the company, which will have to meet certain investment and job creation goals to receive that benefit.

That is exactly how we were able to land Micron, Hochul said. The Biden administration has since offered $6.1 billion in funding for the project.

Companies like Micron require a significant amount of energy because of the technology they use, including artificial intelligence. A supercomputer can have one million times the processing power than the fastest laptop, according to tech giant IBM.

If theres not enough energy to power that work, it could put a strain on the states energy grid. Because demand from consumers is also expected to rise, that split could raise costs for ratepayers.

Ratepayers are going to be allocated a significant additional charge because Microsoft or Amazon or open AI or whoever it is is now just stressing the power grid, Clinton said.

Hochul said shes discussed a potential solution to that problem with current U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm: onsite nuclear power.

New York already has three power plants operating along Lake Ontario. Those plants generated nearly half of the energy produced in upstate New York last year, according to the New York Independent System Operator, which manages the states power grid.

That, combined with other energy sources above the Bronx, still wont be enough to power a major tech expansion in New York, Hochul said.

The power that Im generating from the New York Power Authority, which is generated from Niagara Falls, can do a lot of it, she said. But not all of it.

Enter Granholm. Hochul said her conversation with the U.S. energy secretary led to a pitch that could solve the tech industrys energy needs while sparing ratepayers: small modular nuclear reactors.

Those reactors have started to come online around the globe in just the last few years but theyve already sparked interest as a solution for generating large amounts of power without the carbon emissions that usually come with it.

Those reactors are smaller than traditional nuclear power plants and could be premade and shipped where theyre needed in the future, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Hochul said that could give large companies in New York the option to have their own small modular nuclear reactors onsite to power their operations.

At some point, and I dont know how far down the road this would be, they have to come with their own plug-and-play reactor thats been preapproved, Hochul said. Come with your own power.

No decisions have been made by the Hochul administration about the future of nuclear energy in New York but officials have leaned into the idea in recent months.

The Hochul administration invited stakeholders from across the state to Syracuse in September to discuss the states energy needs.

That included two hours of discussion on the future of nuclear energy in New York and the release of a draft blueprint developed by the New York Energy Research and Development Authority on how the state could advance that technology.

I think we have to take another look at it, Hochul said Wednesday.

___

(c)2024 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.)

Visit the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) at www.timesunion.com
Democrat Chris Ryan on Friday clinched a razor-thin election victory over Republican Nick Paro for the 50th State Senate District seat in Central New York.

The race had been undecided for more than a week after the election as officials counted absentee and affidavit (emergency) ballots.

Before Friday, Ryan led Paro by more than 1,000 votes in a district that spans parts of Onondaga and Oswego counties.

Ryan added a net gain of 87 votes on Friday, sealing his victory. Ryan finished with 81,560 votes to 80,138 votes for Paro (48.87%-48.02%), according to unofficial returns.

The difference is large enough that it wont trigger an automatic recount. State law requires a recount when the final margin is less than 0.5%.

The election between Ryan, D-Geddes, and Paro, R-Salina, was one of the most competitive statewide for a state Senate seat.

After the final ballots were tallied Friday, Ryan told syracuse.com | The Post-Standard that the outcome shows that he was in tune with voter concerns about kitchen-table issues.

We always knew it was going to be close, but we were always confident, Ryan said. We felt we had a good message that resonated with the voters. So, Im just really grateful. We set out to make sure every working man and woman had a voice.

Paro, the Salina town supervisor, conceded the election Friday and thanked election workers in Onondaga and Oswego counties for making sure every vote was counted.

If there is anything that the race for Senate District 50 has taught us, coming down to a margin of less than 1% for two election cycles in a row, it is that Central New Yorkers crave a collaborative leader who will work across the aisle to deliver for our community, Paro said in a statement from his campaign.

I extend my sincerest congratulations to Senator-Elect Ryan, along with the personal offer that my door is always open for feedback on the priorities of the over 80,000 Central New Yorkers who put their faith in me this election, Paro said.

He added, It is essential for the future of our community that we have a senator who will try to identify ways to lead in a bipartisan manner and seek feedback from all corners of our district.

The 50th District seat opened up after John Mannion, a two-term Democratic senator, decided to run for Congress this year. Mannion won his race over Rep. Brandon Williams last week.

Previously, Mannion won two close elections for the 50th Senate District seat. He won the 2022 election by only 10 votes.

The 50th Senate District covers the towns of Clay, Cicero, Camillus, Manlius, DeWitt, Geddes and Salina in Onondaga County and Fulton and Oswego in Oswego County.

Ryan, 52, is the former Democratic floor leader of the Onondaga County Legislature. He was first elected to the legislature in 2011. He is also president of the Communications Workers of America, Local 1123.

Paro, 33, was trying to become the second-youngest state senator and the youngest in the Republican minority conference.

Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Mark Weiner anytime by: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751
Syracuse, N.Y. -- The number of counties considered at high risk for the spread of wildfires has grown to include much of Central New York.

And with dry and windy conditions expected for days to come, the fire danger in much of Upstate New York is expected to grow over the next week.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation has raised the risk level for the Leatherstocking Region, which extends from Cayuga to Schoharie counties.

The expanded fire danger area now includes Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Oneida and Onondaga counties. The number of counties considered at high risk has grown to nearly 40.

Under a high fire danger warning, the DEC said, leaves and twigs can catch fire quickly and even small fires can spread rapidly.

Fires may become serious and their control difficult unless they are attacked successfully while small, DEC said.

A statewide burn ban is in effect until Nov. 30, meaning campfires. open cooking fires and brush burning are prohibited.

The Leatherstocking region, which extends from Cayuga to Schoharie counties, is now considered at high risk of wildfire spread.New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Conditions in the southeast corner of the state, from the Hudson Valley to Long Island, are worse. Firefighters are battling several large blazes in the Catskill Mountains and a bigger one in Orange County that extends into New Jersey.

An 18-year-old New York parks employee, Dariel Vazquez, was killed while fighting the fire in Greenwood Lake.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said that was the largest wildfire in the state since 2008.

The Whitehouse Fire in Ulster and Sullivan counties is the largest in the Catskill watershed since records began in 1976, the Times Union reported. According to Gov. Hochuls office, firefighters from at least 13 departments have worked with forest rangers to put out the blaze.

October was warmer than normal and the driest on record for the New York City and Newark areas. Binghamton had about a third of normal rainfall last month, and Syracuse about half.

In much of the Hudson Valley and Adirondacks, less than a quarter of inch of rain has fallen since Oct. 1.

Little rain is expected through at least Wednesday. A strong storm system expected to hit the Northeast U.S. late next week could bring high winds, which dry out soil and spread fires. That storm could drop an inch or more of rain across New York, which would reduce but not eliminate the fire danger.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. It is necessary to provide affordable financing on the best terms, especially for emerging markets and economies, the director general of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Francesco La Camera said during the Ministerial Meeting on the COP29 Energy Initiatives, Trend reports.

By 2030, $31.5 trillion will be needed for investments in renewable energy, grids, flexibility, energy efficiency, and conservation. The new quantified financial target should send a clear signal in this direction. IRENA is here to support the COP29 Chair's call for the adoption of three green energy initiatives as practical steps to implement the Paris Agreement and attract investment in climate action through the energy transition.

In showcasing solidarity, we will send a clear signal to investors, industry, and civil society on the need to accelerate green energy investments, he said.

IRENA was formally established in Bonn, Germany, in 2009. The Founding Conference represents a pivotal milestone in the global advancement of renewable energy deployment. Governments globally affirmed their dedication to transforming the global energy paradigm, with 75 nations endorsing the IRENA Statute at that time. IRENA serves as the global advocate for renewable energies, offering pragmatic guidance and assistance to both industrialized and developing nations to enhance their regulatory frameworks and strengthen their capacities.

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Shonith BHPian



Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Mangalore Posts: 160 Thanked: 496 Times

Re: KTM 1390 Super Duke R, 990 Duke & 890 Adventure coming to India Quote: Deamon0508 Originally Posted by Could be just me, but I somehow don't think Indian customers willing to shell out that kind of money would buy a KTM over Triumph or Kawasaki. I somehow think that the popularity of KTMs in the sub-500cc class has set the branding narrative altogether. Even the current crop of 390 owners, while they can connect with owning an 890 which feels like a 390 turned up to 11, I doubt many of them would actually put the money down to buy an 890 over a Street Triple, or even a Z900. But then again, I have been wrong on many accounts, this could be another.

As a bs4 390 owner when i bought my bike back 2019 i thought i would keep it for a period of 3 years and then progress to something bigger. At the time ducatis monster and hypermotard felt like the most natural progression. But as years went by i realised 390 itself had more than what i as a rider was capable of extracting from it (on the road). So the dream of progressing to something bigger, the way i see, is probably not going to happen. Even if it does i think i will be fooling myself thinking i have got a better bike which i can ride better. When in fact i would have increased the skill (that i have)vs what the bike is capable of doing quotient.



One thing that stands out with ktms is that it revs quickly and drops quickly (due to the light flywheel) making it fun in narrow roads. The z900s engine lacks this character so it feels much different to the ktms and also the increased weight doesn't help it. I am not sure about the street triple though. As a bs4 390 owner when i bought my bike back 2019 i thought i would keep it for a period of 3 years and then progress to something bigger. At the time ducatis monster and hypermotard felt like the most natural progression. But as years went by i realised 390 itself had more than what i as a rider was capable of extracting from it (on the road). So the dream of progressing to something bigger, the way i see, is probably not going to happen. Even if it does i think i will be fooling myself thinking i have got a better bike which i can ride better. When in fact i would have increased the skill (that i have)vs what the bike is capable of doing quotient.One thing that stands out with ktms is that it revs quickly and drops quickly (due to the light flywheel) making it fun in narrow roads. The z900s engine lacks this character so it feels much different to the ktms and also the increased weight doesn't help it. I am not sure about the street triple though.
Recap: When Microsoft initially unveiled Windows 11, the ability to run Android apps was one of its more interesting features. Unfortunately, the idea failed to launch beyond a public preview with a limited software selection. However, Tencent has revived the functionality for beta testers in China.

Windows Insiders in China can now download Android apps from Tencent's App Store. If the feature goes public, the collaboration will salvage Android software compatibility in Windows 11, a feature Microsoft intended for users worldwide but ultimately canceled.

With the latest Insider update, users can find Tencent's MyApp logo on the left side of the Microsoft Store window. Selecting it leads to a library that includes popular games such as PUBG Mobile, Honor of Kings, REDnote, Kuaishou, and more.

Tencent eventually plans to enable Windows compatibility for around 1,500 apps, which will also be discoverable through Bing and Windows Search. The company hopes the compatibility layer will help Android developers reach new users. Microsoft and Tencent first announced the partnership in May, though it remains unclear when the selection will become available to all Windows users in China, much less globally.

Microsoft initially announced worldwide support for Android apps on Windows 11 and opened a public preview in 2022. However, the company canceled the full launch and plans to end the preview on March 5, 2025, after which users can no longer download new apps or run previously installed apps.

A limited software library likely dampened user interest. Instead of enabling downloads from the Google Play Store, by far the largest distributor of Android apps, the preview connected users to Amazon's app store, which requires an Amazon account and hosts far fewer apps.

Despite the setback, Microsoft has continued adding features to improve Android and Windows 11 connectivity. These include file transfers between devices and the ability to use an Android phone as a webcam.

The company likely aims to emulate the more extensive connectivity that exists between iPhones and macOS devices, which encompasses cross-compatible apps, webcam functionality, and easy file transfers. Earlier this year, Apple introduced iPhone screen mirroring, which enables full control over an iPhone within the macOS interface without unlocking the handset. Whether Android phones will ever interact that closely with Windows PCs remains unclear.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Deploying 1,500 gigawatts of energy storage capacity by 2030, along with implementing additional solutions to enhance flexibility, is crucial for the global energy transition, said Kadri Simson, the European Union (EU) Commissioner for Energy, Trend reports.

Speaking at a ministerial dialogue on COP29 energy initiatives, Simson further explained.

"COP28 marked the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel era. However, the world has yet to fully align with these ambitious goals. The good news is that these targets are within reach, but achieving them will require a massive influx of renewable energy necessary for the clean energy transition.

By 2030, we must build or modernize 25 million kilometers of energy networks to maximize the efficient use of renewable energy and significantly accelerate electrification.

Energy storage and grid infrastructure are crucial, but they are not the only solutions. We must also scale up financing, particularly in developing economies, and ensure a fair and sustainable supply of critical minerals essential for the clean energy transition. Without these investments and the deployment of energy storage and grid systems, achieving global renewable energy and energy efficiency goals will be impossible. And without meeting these targets, a clean energy transition compatible with limiting global warming to 1.5C will not be feasible.

That is why I am pleased to welcome the launch of the Global Agreement on Energy Storage and Grids, which is a vital step forward in our collective efforts to drive this transformation," she added.

The Commissioner is responsible for the European Union's energy policy and nuclear matters. The Commissioner for Energy must address the persistent gas conflicts between Russia and Ukraine that jeopardize European supply, diminish reliance on Russian energy, and lower carbon emissions. The European Union actively endorses the Kyoto Protocol, which it ratified with its member states. In March 2007, the Union pledged to reduce CO2 emissions by 20 percent by 2020.

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Rumor mill: There have been several reports about Nvidia making an Arm-based processor for PCs since last year, so another one isn't too much of a surprise. However, this rumor focuses on the chip's gaming prowess, and it sounds pretty impressive. It's also claimed the APU will appear in a gaming laptop made by Alienware.

The long-running rumor is that Nvidia will be working with MediaTek to produce these Arm-based chips. The latter's rival, Qualcomm, has been busy in the PC space with its Snapdragon X-series processors. They've not really set the world on fire, especially when it comes to gaming performance, though they are praised for their battery life.

Nvidia's chip, however, sounds like it could be a great choice for gamers. According to YouTube channel Moore's Law is Dead (MLID), Nvidia is comparing the APU to an RTX 4070 laptop GPU running at around 65 W in gaming performance. The chip is also said to be "targeting up to 80W."

Further illustrating that this is a gaming-first chip, Nvidia is rumored to be "at least" partnering with Dell under the Alienware brand for the new APU.

Alienware, of course, is known for its powerful and usually expensive gaming laptops. We picked the m18 as the joint Best Desktop Replacement in our Best Gaming Laptops feature.

A low-powered, all-Nvidia, Alienware-branded laptop with the performance of a RTX 4070 mobile GPU sounds like a pretty exciting prospect, especially as it would likely be thin, light, and offer excellent battery life. According to MLID's source, Nvidia is hoping to launch the product by late 2025 or 2026 at the latest. That aligns with other reports claiming Nvidia's Arm-based chip will land in 2025.

Another APU launching next year is AMD's Strix Halo series, or AMD Ryzen AI Max 300, one of the many exciting new products expected to be unveiled at CES. The most powerful of these chips, the 120W Ryzen AI Max+ 395, is said to have some serious gaming credentials, offering 40 RDNA 3.5 compute units alongside 16 Zen 5 cores.

Being Arm-based means the Nvidia/Alienware laptop will run Windows on Arm, which still has problems such as compatibility and performance issues with some games, something AMD's x86 Strix Halo chips won't encounter. But MLID's source says "there's a HUGE effort underway to make it work," meaning Windows on Arm may undergo more improvements before Nvidia's chip arrives.

MLID's reputation is hit and miss when it comes to rumors, so take this one with a dose of salt. But plenty of other reports have pointed to Nvidia's Arm-based APU, so it's only the channel's details that might be questionable.
What just happened? Akash Systems, an Oakland-based startup, has landed a preliminary deal with the US government for major funding under the CHIPS Act. The company, which is developing diamond-based cooling technology for semiconductors, has signed a non-binding memorandum with the Department of Commerce. If finalized, it would net Akash $18.2 million in direct funds and $50 million in federal and state tax credits.

This is just an initial agreement and not a done deal, but it marks an important first step. According to Akash, the money would go toward ramping up production of its diamond semiconductor solutions for AI, data centers, space tech, and defense applications.

As for what diamond chips offer, diamond is an exceptional thermal conductor. Akash aims to overcome one of the biggest bottlenecks in modern computing  keeping hot chips cool enough to operate at peak performance  by using synthetic diamond substrates or integrating diamond into semiconductor materials.

The company hasn't shared a lot of details, but the gist seems to be they are fusing synthetic diamond with materials like gallium nitride to create diamond-based semiconductor wafers and packages. One slide claims their tech could reduce GPU hotspot temperatures by 10-20C, saving data centers serious cash on cooling while preventing thermal throttling. Even bigger numbers are touted for specific GPU-on-diamond designs, with up to 60% lower temperatures and 40% less energy use.

Those are some spicy claims that we'll have to take with a grain of salt for now. Still, Akash must have shown enough credibility to get initial approval from the very selective CHIPS Act program. It comes at an opportune time too  CEO Felix Ejeckam told Axios that VC firms have been reluctant to back semiconductor startups, a problem the pandemic helped expose with its chip shortages.

Axios reports that Akash spent over a year trying to secure the CHIPS Act funding, even negotiating with labor unions it felt could sway the Biden administration. The startup had previously raised $18 million from VCs, but Ejeckam says the non-dilutive government funding was appealing.

Of course, this is still just an initial agreement. Plenty of bureaucracy and negotiations remain before any money actually changes hands.

Akash Systems is far from the only party attempting to improve data center cooling as the industry balloons, taking energy consumption to new highs with it. Earlier this month, researchers from the University of Texas unveiled a new thermal interface material that outperformed the best commercial liquid metal cooling products by a staggering 56-72%.

Masthead credit: Akash Systems
A growing concern: Chinese cyberattacks on the US have surged in recent years, targeting critical infrastructure, government systems, and private corporations. These sophisticated campaigns often aim to steal sensitive data, conduct espionage, and disrupt operations, posing significant threats to national security and economic stability.

On Wednesday, the US government confirmed that Chinese hackers breached several US telecommunications service providers. The threat actors compromised wiretap systems used for law enforcement surveillance. The FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued a statement describing the campaign as "broad and significant," implicating a state-sponsored hacking group from the People's Republic of China (PRC).

The attackers infiltrated wiretap systems, raising severe national security and privacy concerns. While the FBI and CISA did not list specific providers, the Wall Street Journal reported in early October that AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen Technologies were among the carriers the hackers hit. The intrusions, which may have lasted for months, enabled the exfiltration of sensitive data, including customer call records and the internet traffic of millions of Americans.

The hackers, identified as "Salt Typhoon." It is part of a larger colective called "Typhoon," which has several splinter cells, including Volt Typhoon and Flax Typhoon. Salt reportedly exploited vulnerabilities in the telecommunications networks to gather intelligence. While the bad actors presumably had carte blanche access to the systems, US officials said the compromised data only included private communications from a limited number of individuals, primarily those involved in government or political activities.

Manufacturers of networking and phone gear must follow specific standards for 'lawful interception' in different jurisdictions (e.g. CALEA & ETSI's standards)



But as we learn time & time again, the scope of potential access & harm almost never matched by efforts to detect &... pic.twitter.com/on0jvueszo  John Scott-Railton (@jsrailton) October 5, 2024

Although the agencies were reluctant to name names, CNN reported in the lead-up to the US presidential election that high-profile individuals, including President Donald Trump and running mate Senator JD Vance, may have been targeted as part of the hacking campaign. The hackers also copied information related to US law enforcement requests, potentially undermining critical ongoing investigations.

The CISA and the FBI emphasized that they continue to assist affected companies and encourage other organizations to report suspicious activity.

"[We] continue to render technical assistance, rapidly share information to assist other potential victims, and work to strengthen cyber defenses across the commercial communications sector," the agencies stated. "We encourage any organization that believes it might be a victim to engage its local FBI Field Office or CISA."

TechCrunch notes that the breach is the latest in a series of sophisticated cyberattacks attributed to China-linked "Typhoon" hacking groups targeting critical US infrastructure. Experts warn that the campaign demonstrates heightened strategic targeting by PRC-affiliated actors, who increasingly focus on sensitive government and communications systems.

China has denied involvement, with a spokesperson stating that the country "opposes cyberattacks in all forms." However, US officials and cybersecurity experts remain vigilant, warning of the potential for further espionage and disruptive activities.
Elon Musk is looking to speed up Starship's readiness for actual missions as this year, the company is looking to launch its test flights that will further determine the program's capabilities for cosmic ventures. It was recently revealed by the company that starting next year, SpaceX is targeting 25 launches for the Starship program that will focus on real missions and not the test flights.

After achieving this significant milestone, the company is looking to widely expand the service which will make it more apparent in the skies, targeting a daily launch for the entire year in the future.

Elon Musk's Starship to Launch 25 Times by 2025

The recent CONACES 2024 event from Mexico Space Agency's National Congress of Space Activities had SpaceX's general manager, Kathy Lueders, reveal the company's plans for the Starship program. It was regarded by the executive that SpaceX wants to launch the Starship rocket 25 times starting this 2025, with this all focusing on missions that the Stainless Steel rocket will fulfill.

This plan that SpaceX's general manager revealed was from her recent conversation with its CEO and founder, Elon Musk, but it was revealed that this would only be the start of Starship's growing mission plans.

SpaceX's next venture for the Starship may take place next week, November 18, when it secured a launch window for the rocket's sixth test flight out of Boca Chica, Texas, which will focus on the same trajectory as its successful Flight 5.

SpaceX: Starship to Fly Daily In the Near Future

While SpaceX is still at the testing stage of the Starship, it is already targeting a massive launch cadence for the Stainless Steel rocket in the future, including its plans to launch the spacecraft 100 times in the next years.

However, SpaceX is not stopping there, as Musk also revealed to Lueders that he is envisioning Starship to fly out of the planet on a daily basis in the future, and go as far as to do this "a couple of times a day."

SpaceX Positions Starship as Its Work Horse

One of the end goals of Elon Musk and SpaceX for its Starship is to bring humanity to Mars, but its timeline for this is not far, as the company is targeting to make this possible before the 2020 decade ends. This is one of the top objectives that SpaceX is working on now, with the Starship also set to be its next workhorse for all missions and soon replace the Falcon 9 in its orbital launches.

Not only does SpaceX look to improve more of Starship's power and capabilities in its reusability attribute, especially as the company tweaked the rocket several times to achieve its most recent success in Flight 5. This is because people who will soon be going to Mars aboard the Starship rocket will get a chance to stay connected to the internet thanks to the on-board Starlink, as the company already demonstrated in Flight 3.

Earlier this year, SpaceX unveiled its plans to the US Space Force and the FAA to increase its launch cadence in the future, with the company set to make 120 launches per year on Cape Canaveral alone, should Starship prove its readiness for missions. SpaceX is in a beneficial position now as Elon Musk's alliance with Donald Trump spells a bright future ahead of it, adding to the fact that it was recently successful in Flight 5, looking to recreate it for the next Flight 6 tests.
We have seen a paralympic athlete carrying the Olympic flame thanks to an AI-powered exoskeleton.

Now, what WalkON Suit F1, KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) created, is considered to be a breakthrough assistive technology, providing independence and improved functionality for paraplegic usersand it's also an exoskeleton.

What Makes the WalkON Suit F1 Unique

A major distinction of this one from all other exoskeletons is the level of autonomy it brings. According to TechEBlog, what primarily separates the WalkON Suit F1 from all other exoskeletons is the fact that it can walk directly up to a user sitting in a wheelchair; no more need for some form of external assistance.

This technological innovation merely came out of a front-docking system that lets users transition from a wheelchair into a suit without much need for further assistance, hence evoking a sense of independence quite unimaginable with the other devices.

It also utilizes a balance control mechanism that changes to counterbalance the center of gravity of the user to avoid falls. A user can walk upright, use both hands freely to work, and even walk short distances without requiring support like a cane or crutches.

A No Ordinary Exoskeleton By Any Means

WalkON Suit F1 employs the following revolutionary technology, according to FoxNews.

Active Exoskeleton Balancing - To stay upright, the system actively stabilizes the exoskeleton, maximizing confidence and safety for the wearer.

Motor Technology, Doubling the Density of Output - The suit establishes increased power within a compact form suitable for wearable robotics.

AI and Individualized Experience, Built-in Onboard Neural Network - It learns how to adapt to different users and environments honed to deliver the most appropriate user experience.

Obstacle Detection: It is equipped with a vision recognition system for the obstruction of detection and has furthered the safety and independence of the user.

Surprisingly, the core components of the motor, reducer, and circuit board are domestic productions. The parts are capable of being more efficient, where their control performance of the motor is three times that of the international benchmark.

Use in Everyday Life: Leading Cybathlon

Seunghwan Kim has joined the WalkON Suit F1 that is storming the global platform, especially with regard to participation in the 2024 Cybathlona competitive game for innovative assistive technologies.

After finishing all the exercises right on time in just six minutes and 41 seconds, it finished the competition coming to the top. From walking through the tightest of openings to more mundane jobs like food preparation, everything went fine without the need for additional support tools.

Geniuses Behind WalkON Suit

Since 2015, Professor Kyoung-Chul Kong of KAIST headed this significant project. He closely guided the development of the WalkON Suit since its first version can achieve a walking speed of 1.98 mph. The WalkON Suit F1 version is the long-term outcome of hard research and innovation, opening up a whole new chapter for paraplegic patients.

The WalkON Suit F1 is as much a technological phenomenon as it is a concept of hope in mobility impairment. It empowers users and redefines independence; this exoskeleton indeed sets a new standard in assistive technology to pave the way for a future wherein mobility has no bounds.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Three key elements are needed to achieve green goals, Romanian Energy Minister Sebastian Ioan Burduja said during the Ministerial Meeting on the COP29 Energy Initiatives, Trend reports.

Today we are facing a difficult but not impossible task. We must decide how to provide the world with energy that is both safe, affordable, competitive, and environmentally friendly. Now is the time to act. In my view, we need three key elements to do so. First, a shared vision. We must see the world as an interconnected system where all countries are linked by common green corridors. That vision eliminates the temptation of insularity and fragmentation. On the contrary, we must strengthen the ties that will benefit our people.

The second is urgency. Today, hundreds of millions of people around the world still lack access to electricity. In our region, the cost of electricity remains too high, affecting households and reducing the competitiveness of the industry. In addition, the security of energy supply is at risk. Infrastructure investment needs are in the trillions, and we need to mobilize more resources than ever before. In addition, time is short.

We need a willingness to actto turn ambitious promises into concrete projects. We need to see wires, new megawatts, and real results in our energy systems. This is a difficult challenge, but we, as Romania, are ready to take it on, he added.

To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - was held on November 1213.

The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics.

In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, creating climate finance will also help fulfill the 1.5C pledge by bringing everyone together.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

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'Monsoon brides': Extreme weather fuels Pakistan child marriages



Dadu, Pakistan, Nov 15 (AFP) Nov 15, 2024



Before monsoon rains broke over Pakistan, 14-year-old Shamila and her 13-year-old sister Amina were married off in exchange for money, a decision their parents made to help the family survive the threat of floods.

"I was happy to hear I was getting married... I thought my life would become easier," Shamila told AFP after her wedding to a man twice her age in hope of a more prosperous life.

"But I have nothing more. And with the rain, I fear I will have even less, if that is possible."

Pakistan's high rate of marriages for underage girls had been inching lower in recent years, but after unprecedented floods in 2022, rights workers warn such weddings are now on the rise due to climate-driven economic insecurity.

The summer monsoon between July and September is vital for the livelihoods of millions of farmers and food security, but scientists say climate change is making them heavier and longer, raising the risk of landslides, floods and long-term crop damage.

Many villages in the agricultural belt of Sindh have not recovered from the 2022 floods, which plunged a third of the country underwater, displaced millions and ruined harvests.

"This has led to a new trend of 'monsoon brides'," said Mashooque Birhmani, the founder of the NGO Sujag Sansar, which works with religious scholars to combat child marriage.

"Families will find any means of survival. The first and most obvious way is to give their daughters away in marriage in exchange for money."

Birhmani said since the 2022 floods, child marriage has spiked in villages in Dadu district, one of the worst-hit areas that for months resembled a lake.

In Khan Mohammad Mallah village, where Shamila and Amina were married in a joint ceremony in June, 45 underage girls have become wives since the last monsoon -- 15 of them in May and June this year.

"Before the 2022 rains, there was no such need to get girls married so young in our area," said village elder Mai Hajani, 65.

"They would work on the land, make rope for wooden beds, the men would be busy with fishing and agriculture. There was always work to be done".

Parents told AFP that they hurried the marriage of their daughters to save them from poverty, usually in exchange for money.

Shamila's mother-in-law, Bibi Sachal, said they gave 200,000 Pakistan Rupees ($720) to the young bride's parents -- a major sum in a region where most families survive on around one dollar a day.



- 'I thought I would get lipstick' -



Najma Ali was initially swept up in the excitement of becoming a wife when she married at 14 in 2022 and began living with her in-laws, as is tradition in Pakistan.

"My husband gave my parents 250,000 rupees for our wedding. But it was on loan (from a third party) that he has no way of paying back now," she said.

"I thought I would get lipstick, makeup, clothes and crockery," she told AFP, cradling her six-month-old baby.

"Now I am back home with a husband and a baby because we have nothing to eat."

Their village, which lies on the banks of a canal in the Main Nara Valley, is barren and there are no fish left in the polluted water -- its stench overwhelms the area.

"We had lush rice fields where girls used to work," said Hakim Zaadi, 58, the village matron and Najma's mother.

"They would grow many vegetables, which are all dead now because the water in the ground is poisonous. This has happened especially after 2022," she added.

"The girls were not a burden on us before then. At the age girls used to get married, they now have five children, and they come back to live with their parents because their husbands are jobless."



- 'I want to study' -



Child marriages are common in parts of Pakistan, which has the sixth-highest number of girls married before the age of 18 in the world, according to government data published in December.

The legal age for marriage varies from 16 to 18 in different regions, but the law is rarely enforced.

UNICEF has reported "significant strides" in reducing child marriage, but evidence shows that extreme weather events put girls at risk.

"We would expect to see an 18 percent increase in the prevalence of child marriage, equivalent to erasing five years of progress," it said in a report after the 2022 floods.

Dildar Ali Sheikh, 31, had planned to marry off his eldest daughter Mehtab while living in an aid camp after being displaced by the floods.

"When I was there, I thought to myself 'we should get our daughter married so at least she can eat and have basic facilities'," the daily wage labourer told AFP.

Mehtab was just 10 years old.

"The night I decided to get her married, I couldn't sleep," said her mother, Sumbal Ali Sheikh, who was 18 when she married.

An intervention from the NGO Sujag Sansar led to the wedding being postponed, and Mehtab was enrolled in a sewing workshop, allowing her to earn a small income while continuing her education.

But when the monsoon rains fall, she is overcome by dread that her promised wedding will also arrive.

"I have told my father I want to study," she said. "I see married girls around me who have very challenging lives and I don't want this for myself."
Landslide win for Sri Lanka president's leftist coalition in snap polls



Colombo, Nov 15 (AFP) Nov 15, 2024



Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake thanked voters Friday for delivering his leftist coalition a landslide victory in snap parliamentary elections that repudiated establishment parties blamed for triggering an economic crisis.

Dissanayake, a self-avowed Marxist, swept September presidential elections on a promise to combat graft and recover stolen assets, two years after a slow-motion financial crash imposed widespread hardships on the island nation.

His decision to immediately call polls nearly 10 months ahead of schedule and secure parliamentary backing for his agenda was vindicated on Friday, with his National People's Power (NPP) coalition taking 159 seats in the 225-member assembly.

The result delivered the NPP a comfortable two-thirds majority that will allow it to push constitutional amendments, including for its proposed plan to scrap the presidency altogether and make the prime minister the head of government.

"Thank you to all who voted for a renaissance," Dissanayake said in a brief statement on social media platform X.

The coalition won a monumental 61.5 percent of the vote while opposition leader Sajith Premadasa's party was well behind with 17.6 percent.

In a sign of the magnitude of support for Dissanayake, his party won the most votes in the northern district of Jaffna, dominated by the island's minority Tamil community, for the first time since independence from Britain in 1948.

Voter turnout was estimated at under 70 percent, less than the 80 percent of eligible voters who cast a ballot in September's presidential polls.



- 'Governed by thieves' -



Dissanayake, the 55-year-old son of a labourer, had been an MP for nearly 25 years and was briefly an agriculture minister but his NPP coalition held just three seats in the outgoing assembly.

He stormed to the presidency after successfully distancing himself from successive leaders blamed for steering the country to its 2022 economic crisis.

The financial crash was the worst in Buddhist-majority Sri Lanka's history as an independent nation, sparking months-long shortages of food, fuel and essential medicines.

The resulting public anger culminated in the storming of then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa's compound, prompting his resignation and temporary exile.

Dissanayake's pledge to change a "corrupt" political culture has resonated with millions of Sri Lankans struggling to make ends meet following tax hikes and other austerity measures imposed to repair the nation's finances.

"Very happy about this victory," voter Nilusha Nilmini told AFP after the scale of the win became clear.

"All this time, the country was governed by thieves, robbers and corrupt people. I am very happy that the crooks are out and a clean government has been established."

Dissanayake's JVP party, the main constituent in the NPP coalition, led two insurrections in 1971 and 1987 that resulted in at least 80,000 deaths.

Party general secretary Tilvin Silva told reporters after final results were announced that they would press ahead with promised reforms to scrap Sri Lanka's powerful executive presidency, first introduced in 1978.

"We will implement the constitutional reforms we promised," Silva said.

The JVP have pledged to revert Sri Lanka to full parliamentary rule, with the prime minister serving as the head of government.



- Investor confidence -



Portraits of communist luminaries including Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin, Friedrich Engels and Fidel Castro hang in Dissanayake's JVP headquarters in the capital.

Since his rise to popularity, however, he has softened some policies, saying he believes in an open economy and is not totally opposed to privatisation.

Dissanayake had campaigned on a pledge to renegotiate a controversial $2.9 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout secured by his predecessor.

But since taking office, he has resolved to maintain the existing agreement with the international lender, and has been strongly backed by the country's private sector.

The outgoing parliament was dominated by the party of Mahinda and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, two brothers from a powerful political clan who have both served as president.

Their party managed to win just three seats in the next assembly.
Gore says 'absurd' to hold UN climate talks in petrostates



Baku, Nov 15 (AFP) Nov 15, 2024



US vice president Al Gore told AFP Friday it was "absurd" for petrostates such as Azerbaijan to host UN climate talks, saying the selection process should be overhauled.

Mukhtar Babayev, a former oil executive who now serves as Azerbaijan's ecology minister, chairs COP29 in Baku while the country's leader, Ilham Aliyev, caused a stir this week by calling fossil fuels a "gift of the God".

It comes after last year's climate talks in the oil-dependent United Arab Emirates -- presided over by the head of its state oil company -- also raised hackles among activists.

"I think it is absurd to have these petrostates that are so dependent on continuing the sale of oil and gas be the hosts of these COPs, because it's hard to miss the fact that they have a direct conflict of interest," Gore told AFP.

"The president said they're a gift from God, and I understand his sentiment, but in my opinion we should reform this process," the Nobel Peace Prize laureate said.

Azerbaijan was picked to host COP29 after Bulgaria dropped out due to Russian objections to having the conference held in a European Union country.

It was Eastern Europe's turn to host this year's Conference of the Parties.

Speaking on the sidelines of the talks in Baku, Gore said the United Nations secretary general should be able to participate in the selection process for cities and COP presidents.

The current process "meant that Russia vetoed everyone except Azerbaijan. And of course, they're a petrostate also," said Gore, who is chairman of The Climate Reality Project, a non-profit.



- Trump can't stop 'revolution' -



Gore's criticism echoed a letter Friday by a group of leading climate activists and scientists, including former UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon, who warned that the COP process was "no longer fit for purpose".

They urged smaller, more frequent meetings, strict criteria for host countries and rules to ensure companies showed clear climate commitments before being allowed to send lobbyists to the talks.

"I think that there should be a test for who is qualified to be a delegate to these COPs. Are they coming to try to find a solution or are they coming in order to block a solution?" Gore said.

Oil and gas industry representatives should be scrutinised to see if they are committed to phasing out fossil fuels, and if they are "truth tellers" or "have a record of lying about the climate crisis", he said.

His comments came as a coalition of NGOs, "Kick the Big Polluters Out", said it calculated that more than 1,700 people linked to fossil fuel interests are in attendance at COP29.

"Why should representatives of the biggest polluters in the world have more delegates than the largest national delegation, more delegates than the 10 most affected countries in the world?" Gore said.

"I think it's absurd. And I do think that the whole process needs to be reformed."

COP29 attendees are also worried about the future of US climate efforts as Trump has vowed to withdraw from the Paris agreement again.

But Gore downplayed concerns, saying his return to the White House would not "meaningfully slow" the clean energy "revolution".

"The election of Trump may slow things slightly," Gore said, but the energy transition is "unstoppable".
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Moldova may become a participant in the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Europe green energy corridor, Romanian Energy Minister Sebastian Ioan Burduja said during a Ministerial Meeting on the COP29 Energy Initiatives, Trend reports.

Together with Azerbaijan, Georgia, Hungary, Bulgaria, and in the future the Republic of Moldova, we are creating a green corridor that will connect Central Asia with Europe, becoming an energy bridge.

We hope that this example will inspire other continents and countries to create closer ties. After all, only in this way will we be able to provide energy that will be safe, affordable, and environmentally friendly, the minister emphasized.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. As part of COP29 in Baku, Trend News Agency proudly presents COP for Hope, a special project offering an unparalleled platform to hear from world leaders and trailblazers in politics, economics, science, and ecology, all united by a shared commitment to addressing todays pressing climate challenges.

Today, we are honored to speak with Kineret Dahan Granit, Head of Renewable Energy at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure of Israel.

In an exclusive interview with Trend on the sidelines of COP29 in Baku, Granit noted that COP29 opens up a valuable opportunity to learn from international expertise.

It underscores the importance of diversifying our energy generation sources. As weve learned here at COP29 in Baku, some challenges are universal. Many countries struggle with grid limitations, and there is a shared understanding of the critical role renewables play in boosting economies, creating jobs, and enhancing energy security, she said.

Granit noted that this COP has been incredible.

The event is exceptionally well-organized, and we deeply admire Azerbaijans role as a bridge connecting the West and East, North and South. What weve learned and observed here inspires us. Our hope is to build sustainable and fruitful partnerships. During this COP, we learned about innovative policy measures adopted by other nations and signed a collaboration agreement with Germany. Weve achieved a lot here, and our aim is to implement these lessons back home in Israel, she added.

Further, Granit pointed out that in recent years, Israels renewable energy sector has been growing rapidly.

However, our country faces unique challenges, such as limited territory and extreme heat. We dont have rivers or mountains to rely on for energy generation. Israel takes global efforts to combat climate change very seriously, seeing them as essential to our national agenda. Our goal is to generate 30 percent of our energy from renewable sources by 2030. To achieve this, we must work in diverse and innovative ways, fostering meaningful collaborations and partnerships. We are working on multiple levels to reach our national renewable energy targets for 2030. This vision aligns with our commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 while ensuring our energy sector remains secure, sustainable, resilient, and efficient, she concluded.
World leaders gathered at United Nations climate talks in Azerbaijan have been urged to consider taxing business-class air travel, large stock and cryptocurrency trades and plastics as negotiations over finance grind on.

These talks, focused on raising a vast sum of finance from the developed world for the developing world to cope with adaptation to climate change and pay for the transition to cleaner economies, were always going to be contentious, but the thumping election victory of Donald Trump has added to pressure on negotiators.

The oil industry still dominates Baku, host to the COP29 United Nations climate talks. Credit: AP

Negotiators have to agree on not only how much money per year for the task, but also which nations should be donors and which ones recipients. When the world agreed on the process as part of the Paris accord under the UN climate treaty, nations such as China and Saudi Arabia were considered still to be developing.

Now they have grown in wealth, some developed nations want to see them join the ranks of the donors.
A man has been labelled incredibly stupid by a Sydney magistrate after allegedly firing a water pistol that looked strikingly similar to a Glock firearm outside the NSW parliament on Thursday afternoon, triggering a major police response.

Appearing at Downing Centre Local Court via video link on Friday, 28-year-old Waqar Hassan Virk lowered his head as magistrate Greg Grogan invited him to take a moment and reflect on the stupidity of his actions.

Waqar Hassan Virk was awarded bail on the condition he doesnt go within one kilometre of parliament after allegedly discharging an imitation gun near it. Credit: Dylan Coker

I have no idea why a person would take such an object to such a high-profile place and wave it around  it is beyond me as to why he would do it and think it was OK, Grogan said.

If there were an offence of committing a very stupid act in public, Mr Virk no doubt would be pleading guilty at the first available opportunity.
A Brisbane divorce lawyer engaged in unsatisfactory professional conduct while representing a man facing a domestic violence protection order, the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal has found.

The lawyer, Mills John Kirin, has been ordered to pay a $2000 penalty, undertake specialist domestic violence training and pay the costs of the Legal Services Commissioner who took action against him.

The tribunal heard Kirin, 51, emailed the opposing lawyer as the case unfolded in 2022, using unsubstantiated and unprofessional language that described her client as postnatally depressed and mentally ill and suggested she was wandering the earth with his clients daughter.

Brisbane divorce lawyer Mills John Kirin in a promotional video on his website.

He accused the lawyer of putting forward blatant lies and acting in an overzealous manner to run a legally aid (sic) funded crusade against his client.
Catholic manoeuvres

Re the decision by the High Court in the appeal by the Catholic Archdiocese of Ballarat against a finding that it was responsible for the criminal actions of its former paedophile priest Bryan Coffey in 1971 (Free pass for sexually abusive clerics, 13/11).

The High Court rejected decisions by the Victorian Supreme Court and Court of Appeal which found the Catholic Archdiocese of Ballarat responsible for a reprehensible crime by its paedophile priest Coffey.

As a practising lawyer, I understand the distinction which the High Court made in this case about the vicarious liability of an employer while refusing to extend that responsibility to an independent contractor. It found Coffee was technically not an employee, so the Catholic Church was not responsible legally for Coffeys criminal acts. I have no doubt that it was, and remains, morally responsible for those actions.

As a practising Catholic, I am ashamed of the church and its lawyers for refusing to accept the 2021 decision of Justice Jack Forrest to award the relatively minor amount of $230,000 for the pain and suffering and medical and legal costs incurred by one of Coffeys victims.

If I were a member of the Ballarat Archdiocese I would cease contributing to the Archdioceses weekly collections, and I encourage other Catholics to follow suit.

I am writing to the Victorian attorney-general to ask the government to introduce legislation to bring Victoria in line with the common law in England, Canada and Ireland by extending vicarious liability to organisations which are responsible for the care of children.

Michael Kennedy, Pipers Creek

Wilsons Prom standards

Recently, I spent time in Wilsons Promontory National Park with my young family and was shocked and disappointed with the disregard for park rules that I frequently witnessed from other visitors. From people walking their dogs, to discarded litter on various walks, and even two young guys riding motorbikes on the Big Drift sand dunes.

Standards of behaviour in the park have slipped considerably. There was no staff patrolling the entry gates and no staff presence outside of the Tidal River area which surely could have helped to manage many of these issues. Its not good enough to let one of the great national parks of Australia be treated like an abandoned block of land with little thought given to the consequences of such inconsiderate actions.

Mark Devlin, Burnley

Cherish Myer windows

I believe people suffering in Gaza, Haiti, Ukraine, South Sudan, China and elsewhere would be saying: Melbourne, dont cancel your Christmas windows opening. Have courage. Hold onto joy. Cherish your beloved traditions.

What does this say about ourselves, when we expect others far away to stand up to violence when we buckle under the comparatively minor threat of protests?

What kind of distorted thinking is behind protests that target the simple fun of our yearly traditions, like Melbournes Myer windows? Violence, or the threat of violence, should reinforce the importance of our beloved, joyous traditions. Not repress or crush them in the mistaken mindset that celebrating our joys somehow means we dont care.

Anna Ridgway, Abbotsford

Childrens joy

When l read that the Myer Christmas window opening ceremony was to be cancelled because of protests, I was saddened for all the children and a tradition that has been there since I was a child, back in the late 1950s.

The excitement mounted as Myer prepared for the Christmas season. The windows were covered with paper and no matter how hard you tried you couldnt find a hole to peak in. Then on that special day the unveiling of the Myer windows revealed a wonderland of magic and excitement. This fun has been taken out of the Christmas windows this year, and some families may choose not to go into the city.

Sharon Hendon, Glen Iris

Dont appease mob

Having spent six years in Melbourne, I fondly remember the joy the Myer Christmas window displays brought to our three children. Despite not celebrating Christmas in the religious sense, we appreciated the displays as part of Australian cultural tradition, captivating children of all backgrounds Muslim, Jewish, Christian, or atheist alike.

The cancellation of the opening event reflects a concerning trend among authorities who, rather than addressing divisive behaviour, seem inclined to continue to appease the angry mob. This approach only appears to embolden those intent on spreading discord.

John Kempler, Sydney
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid - Review by Mark Maynard

Cue the road trip for 578 miles on a tankful in the redesigned

Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid







(Click for Mark's bio)

If the devil is in the details, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is a mileage leader on a crusade for long-term ownership. The dramatically restyled Santa Fe is packed with innovations and smart conveniences. Now, cue the road trip for 578 miles on a tankful  with no stops to recharge.

Redesigned for 2024, the Santa Fe was given a thorough shakeout for a determined way forward. This midsize family-class SUV crossover is built on a longer wheelbase to add a third row of seats. The body is just 1.8 inches longer but the same width as before (74.8 inches).

Of special interest is increased cargo capacity. The roof was raised by 2.4 inches, providing a vertical space of 69.7 inches. Hyundai says the reconfigured space can fit three road bikes with the front wheels removed. The cargo entry is wider, too, now at 4 feet. For campers, there is wide space to roll out a sleeping bag. Large dog crates can be strapped down behind the second row, and there is a rear fan speed control.

The interior is sleek and refined with subtle H accents among meticulous fit and finish of trim materials. The modern cabin also was updated with more premium features. Among the additions are relaxation seats with leg rests, a UV-C sterilization compartment, and dual charging pads. Upper trim levels have a 2-foot-wide curved panoramic infotainment display.

Also new for 2024 was the choice of front-wheel drive.

Commando-Ready Stance

Developed under the Open for More concept, the Santa Fe is city-friendly but adventure-ready, Hyundai says. The styling intends to connect urban customer activities with natural environments.

Boldly blunt exterior styling has an industrial tech design ethos, providing a photo-op for several passersby. Oversized and squared-off wheel arches give a fist punch of ruggedness. A second tier of gloss black plastic is form-fitted to the arch undersides, connecting with a wide margin to span the lower body. The treatment diminishes the perception of bulk and heaviness. Black wheels add to a stance of invincibility for a stance that looks commando-ready.

There are many three-row Santa Fe competitors, including the GMC Acadia, Honda Pilot, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, and VW Atlas. However, there are just two other non-luxury SUV crossovers that offer a gasoline-electric powertrain: the Toyota Grand Highlander and the Mazda CX-90.

7 Special Features

UV-C sanitizer compartment. A light in the wide and narrow compartment claims to sanitize such items as a phone, a face mask, or a babys pacifier. This unusual feature is pandemic-ready;

Relaxation seats. Power leg rests on both front seats raise to optimize body pressure distribution for a feeling of weightlessness, Hyundai says;

Dual pad wireless phone charging. It is open and accessible on the front center console with three more USB charge ports;

Power fold and dive second-row captains chairs that recline and have seat-bottom tilt;

Exterior C-pillar assist handle. The lockable grab handle above the rear tire gives a hand up to load things on the roof rails;

Bi-directional front center console lid opens at the front or rear for 2nd row passenger access. A deep drawer on the back side gives storage.

Hyundai Pay for in-vehicle e-commerce purchases. Drivers can now pay for parking, charging, and fuel on the app screen. More than 5,800 filling stations are available, Hyundai says.

Hyundai Santa Fe Blood Line

Now in its fifth generation, the first Santa Fe had its U.S. debut for the 2001 model year. It would become Hyundais top-selling model for many years, with updates every four to five years.

Hyundais most recent full redesign of the Santa Fe was in 2019. It adopted a bolder design language and new safety, comfort, and convenience technologies. More cabin storage space was added, and driver sightlines were improved. With the larger Palisade SUV on the way, the Santa Fe Sport name was dropped.

Hyundai added more features for the 2020 Santa Fe. Among the upgrades were the safety features of a rear occupant alert and blind view monitor. Wireless device charging was made standard on more trims.

In just its third year on sale, Hyundai gave a major refresh design to the 2021 Santa Fe SUV. A new hybrid powertrain with all-wheel drive was the first application in the Hyundai SUV lineup. Santa Fe went upscale with the new Calligraphy trim. A Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid would debut later in 2021.

The 2022 Santa Fe was a carryover, except for a new outdoor lifestyle XRT trim. It has a dark tone treatment of lower fascias, skid plates, 18-inch all-terrain tires, side steps, and roof cross rails.

No changes were made for the 2023 Santa Fe as the radically restyled 2024 model was on the way.

As a redesigned model for 2024, there is just one change for model year 2025: Atlantis Blue paint, no cost.

2025 Santa Fe Hybrid Pricing

Hyundais 2025 Santa Fe Hybrid is sold in three trim levels. All manufacturer suggested retail pricing includes the $1,415 freight charge from Ulsan, Korea. HTRAC AWD adds $1,800.

Santa Fe Hybrid SEL FWD $39,085; SEL Hybrid AWD $40,415;

Santa Fe Hybrid Limited FWD $45,515; Limited Hybrid AWD $47,315;

Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy FWD $48,665; Hybrid Calligraphy AWD $50,465.

The 2025 Calligraphy Hybrid AWD tester came to $50,675 with one option for carpeted floormats ($210).

A Santa Fe plug-in hybrid was available in 2022 and 2023, but a 2024-25 PHEV has yet to be offered. And Hyundai says, We have nothing to announce about a future plug-in. But just wait.

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe ICE Pricing

Hyundai offers gas powered Santa Fe models in four front-wheel drive trim levels and five trims with AWD. The Santa Fe ICE has a 277-hp 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and eight-speed wet dual-clutch automated manual transmission.

Santa Fe ICE front-wheel-drive starting prices range from $35,615 to $48,165. AWD Santa Fe models range in price from $37,415 to $49,965. Santa Fe internal combustion models are produced at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama.

Depending on the trim level, the 2025 Santa Fe Hybrid has a choice of eight to 11 colors. The Limited and Calligraphy are available in 11 hues, four of which are added cost. Serenity White and Ultimate Red are $470 each; Earthy Brass Matte and Ecotronic Gray Matte are $1,000 each.

Check current Hyundai Santa Fe pricing here.

At publication, Hyundai offered 4.49 percent financing for up to 60 months (to well-qualified buyers). Or a $500 Dealer Choice Bonus Cash was available on new 2025 Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy purchases.

Find Hyundais special offers here.

Santa Fe Safety Systems

Even the entry Santa Fe has the essential safety features and technologies. All models have nine air bags and hefty four-wheel-disc brakes with 12.8-inch front rotors and solid 12.8-inch rotors rear.

Standard safety technologies include:

Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Warning;

Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist;

Park Distance Warning, Forward and Reverse;

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction Turning Detection;

Lane Keeping Assist;

Lane Following Assist;

Trim levels from the SRT and upward include semi-autonomous, hands-on-the-wheel driving assist, known as HDA1. The Calligraphy trims pack the top Highway Driving Assist 2. HDA2 includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, leading-vehicle distance, and a lane-centering assistance system. The HDA2 brains also have lane-change assistance and machine learning capability. I am not keen on lane-change assistance, which initiates a lane change when the turn signal is used. And Ive never experienced machine learning that was better than my human learning.

2 Powertrains and Fuel Economy

As before, the new Santa Fe has two turbocharged four-cylinder engines for front- or all-wheel drive. Gas-powered models have a 277-horsepower 2.5-liter direct-injected engine and an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Hybrids have a 1.6-liter direct-injected engine with a six-speed automatic. The 178-hp Smartstream 1.6-liter has 195 foot-pounds of torque from 1,500-4,500 rpm. A permanent magnet synchronous motor of 44.2 kW adds an estimated 60 hp from 1,600-2,100 rpm. The lithium-ion hybrid traction battery of 1.49 kWh has a max of 270 volts.

Total combined hybrid power is 231 hp (gas engine and electric motor), with a total combined torque of 271 lb.-ft. from 1,000-4,100 rpm.

The 2024-25 Santa Fe Hybrid uses an improved powertrain from the 2021 redesign. There is a new cooling design and a high-efficiency permanent magnet to improve the performance of the hybrid starter generator. Shift-regen paddles at the steering wheel can adjust brake-force energy recuperation. In Sport mode, the electronic paddles revert to manual shifts.

Fuel Economy

Curb weights for the 2024-25 Santa Fe are up by 371 pounds with AWD. Gas-powered models have curb weights of 4,343 pounds for front-wheel drive and 4,486 pounds for AWD. Hybrids have curb weights of 4,431/4,575 pounds FWD/AWD. Also, in 2024, the 17.7-gallon fuel tank will be the same for gas or hybrid models.

The heavier model challenged fuel economy ratings. The 2025 gas-powered, front-drive Santa Fe has fuel economy ratings of 20/29/24 mpg city/highway/combined. (That compares to 22/28/25 mpg in 2023.) AWD models have mileage ratings of 20/28/23 mpg, compared to 21/28/24 mpg for 2023.

The Santa Fe Hybrid is the mileage all-star. FWD models have mileage estimates of 36/35/36 mpg, and AWD models return mileage of 35/34/34 mpg. The 2023 Santa Fe Hybrid AWD has mileage ratings of 33/30/32 mpg.

All Santa Fe models use 87-octane fuel. Fill the 17.7-gallon tank for about 578 miles of range.

Even with the new square-jaw mug, the new Santa Fe has sleeker aerodynamics for a 0.294 drag coefficient vs. 0.33 cd in previous hybrid models. Active air flaps in the grille close for aerodynamics or open for engine cooling.

Hybrid Performance

There is enough fuel-saving functionality in Hyundais hybrid system to dissuade some buyers from the added cost of a plug-in system.

Depending on driving conditions, the hybrid system will operate between the engine and the electric motor or both at the same time. The high-voltage hybrid battery drives the motor and air conditioner. The hybrid battery with the 12-volt battery (under the cargo floor) operate the ignition, lights, wipers, and audio system.

I drove with normal acceleration force, always in Eco mode, and at highway speeds of 68 to 70 mph. I did not baby the system to coax miles. The standard Eco mode performance was potent when needed and was always responsive to light pedal inputs. Sport mode gave abrupt force that seemed unnecessary in daily driving.

In-town or creeping along on the commute allows a significant range on battery power. When the test vehicle was delivered from Los Angeles, it had an average mpg readout of 28.2. After a few days of in-town driving, the average progressed to 29 mpg. After two 80-mile interstate runs, the average mpg rose to 30.7. And I might have been able to push it higher had I not had to turn in the vehicle.

Calibrations for semi-autonomous driving provide consistent monitoring without sensitivity to blasting alerts. Lane centering is exact, keeping the Santa Fe between the white lines and never veered wide in my experience.

Interior Comfort and Conveniences

Major improvements to the fifth-generation Santa Fe are in seat comfort, suspension response, and soundproofing.

Front headroom is tall at 40.2 inches or 41.1 without the sunroof, and legroom is very long at 44.4 inches. A tall shoulder line at the sides creates the impression of a closed cabin. Sightlines, however, are quite functional. Side mirrors are offset from the body and a small triangle corner glass gives helpful snippets of cornering views.

The more I drove, the more comfortable I became with the side views. And when parking or backing, the 360-degree camera gives an overhead view. The turning circle is tight at 37.9 feet, especially for a vehicle that is nearly 16 feet long. I could make a U-turn on my residential street without fear of scraping the right front wheel. (A tight turning circle is a high priority in any vehicle I buy. I abhor making three- or four-point turnarounds.)

An impressive curved panoramic display links two 12.3-inch screens. One display gives driver info, speed, and mileage. The other screen groups navigation displays and connections for phones, music, and apps. Climate controls are just below on a 6.6-inch screen.

Entry to the Santa Fe is a comfortable step-in height. And the gorgeous Calligraphy seats provide full-body support without unnecessary bolstering to complicate entry and exit. The driver seat is eight-way power adjustable, with lumbar. The front passenger seat has six-way power adjustment. Relaxation driver and passenger seats, standard on Calligraphy, are a power-raised leg rest that might seem unnecessary until experienced. It adds thigh support, and the elevated rest is relaxing on a long drive.

EV Trickle-Down Design

Santa Fes interior spaciousness is influenced by electric vehicle cabins. For example, the center bridge style console has a large open space below.

The cabin design treatment is lean and light in coloration with creative metallic trim and etching treatments. There is no faux wood here. A bead of ambient lighting is masterfully integrated along the lower instrument panel. The bead kicks up at the ends to bracket the panel with more H elements.

A Hyundai design genius instituted the dual phone charging pads on the broad center console. The space also integrates three USB charge ports.

2nd and 3rd Row Seats

Captains chairs in the six-seat Calligraphy are heated and power-adjustable, including seat bottom tilt. Its a useful function to help long legs find a comfort spot. B-pillar vents  not common to all SUVs  are helpful for air flow to those sensitive to motion.

The third row might be short on legroom (30 inches), but it is no penalty box. Passengers in the two-seat space can access rear AC fan controls with a special side vent, a charging USB, and a 115-volt, 150-watt household outlet. Side armrests have multi-use square cupholders that will fit a mug or a box of French fries.

Liftgate entry is now 50.2 inches wide, or 5.7 inches wider than before. Fold both rows of seats for about 6.75 feet long with a 32-inch entry height. In seven-passenger configurations, the contiguous flat space could be used for sleeping.

Fold the third row for flat and square space of 40.5 cubic feet (stacked to the headliner).

However, the dang power liftgate opens when walking slowly behind the vehicle. Once it begins opening, youll have to wait until it opens far enough to hit the close switch. Oddly, the liftgate can be opened, but the system does not unlock the side doors at the same time.

Hybrids Ride and Handling

Santa Fe Calligraphy models are attractively dressed in 20- or 21-inch tires. Gas models roll with 21-inch 245/45 tires. Hyundai says hybrids are on 20-inch 255/45 tires for efficiency.

Pirelli Scorpion touring tires on the tester have a substantial footprint of just over 10 inches wide. Powering hot into an exit loop can bring a smile when the driver might be expecting lean and heave. The Hybrid tracked confidently through the turn.

The tires are electric vehicle tuned and designed for Severe Snow Service. Replacements will run around $400 per tire, not including stems, installation, etc. The good, however, is that the tires have a treadwear rating of 500 and a warranty of 50,000 miles. However, the tires tough formulation for extended range is not hard or harsh on the Santa Fe Hybrid.

Combined with Hyundais E-Ride suspension, the Santa Fe Hybrid has a carpet-comfortable ride. Struts and shock absorbers electronically adjust damping to the vehicles pitch and angle. The immediate action soften impacts and provides support in cornering. E-Ride is less complex than an air suspension and gives more consistent damping and control.

Observations and Considerations

Unnecessary cost items:

Carpeted floor mats $210;

Roller cargo cover $190;

Roof rack cross bars $349. Hyundai provides standard roof side rails but leaves the owner to pay for cross bars. Not all owners plan to use the rails and crossbars, which generate wind noise in the cabin. But for a $50,000 vehicle, shouldnt cross bars, floor mats, and a roller cover be included?

For the $50K Calligraphy, there should also be door lock-unlock sensors on the rear side doors.

Santa Fe NHTSA Recalls

Thousands of Hyundai owners registered complaints about excessive oil consumption in the 2.5 L Theta and Gamma engine families. Those years cover at least from 2015 to 2023 in various models, including Santa Fe. However, thousands of owners had no engine issues.

According to Miles Johnson, senior product relations manager, Hyundai had an entire team working on the Theta II engine issues. One remedy was to offer new engines to some owners. However, he said there was a bandwagon effect of people trying to get new engines. There were instances of abuse, such as engine oil that had not been changed in 30,000 miles.

The second-generation Theta II and Gamma II engines have been updated to their third generation, III.

The root cause of the engine problem, he said, was determined to be flash in the manifold during production, which been corrected. Santa Fe online forums also cite valve ports that were not drilled out all the way. Follow up at SantaFeForums.

Fortunately, Johnson said, We havent seen anything [problems] on the new Santa Fe. Theta II issues are behind us, but thats not to say that there arent some out there that need to be replaced, Johnson said.

2024 Santa Fe Recalls

There are two recalls (so far) for the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe.

No. 1: Air bag deployment issues. Hyundai has recalled 49,719 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Fe Hybrid SUVs due to potential air-bag issues. The main floor wiring harness might be damaged, causing the air bags to deploy unexpectedly or fail to deploy in a crash. Owner notification letters were mailed Aug. 22, 2024. Dealers will inspect and repair the wiring harness for free.

No. 2: Transmission control unit software error. A software error in the transmission control unit may cause the vehicle to roll away when in Park.

To check if your vehicle has outstanding recalls, use the VIN search at NHTSA.gov/recalls.

Why Buy the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid?

Styling, interior refinement, and fuel economy will be the big sellers for the Santa Fe Hybrid. The price difference between gas and hybrid models is less than $1,000. The eye-opening hybrid difference in fuel economy is 13 mpg more than ICE.

With care and regular maintenance, the Santa Fe Hybrid could outlive its factory warranties.

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Specifications

Body style: midsize 3-row SUV with seats for 6 or 7; unibody construction

of high-strength steel (primary)

Engine: 178-hp Smartstream 1.6-liter turbocharged and direct-injected DOHC 16-valve inline 4-cylinder; 195 lb.-ft. torque from 1,500-4,500 rpm

Motor: Permanent magnet synchronous; 44.2 kW (est. 60 hp) from 1,600-2,100 rpm

Total combined power: 231 hp (gas engine and electric motor)

Total combined torque: 271 lb.-ft. from 1,000-4,100 rpm

Battery: 1.49 kWh lithium-ion; 270 volts, max;

Transmission: 6-speed automatic; shift by wire with manual shift paddles; manually selected downhill brake control

Fuel economy: FWD, 36/35/36 mpg city/hwy/combined; 35/34/34 AWD; 87 octane recommended

BY THE NUMBERS

Maximum trailer weight: 2,000 pounds w/trailer brakes; 1,650 lbs. w/o trailer brakes

Fuel tank: 17.7 gallons (hybrid or ICE)

Cargo space: 14.6 to 40.5 cubic feet behind third/second rows

Front head/leg room: 40.2*/44.4 inches *41.1 w/o sunroof;

2nd-row head/leg room: 39.6*/41.5** inches *40.6 w/o sunroof ** 42.3 for ICE

3rd-row head/leg room: 37.7/30 inches

Shoulder/hip room: front, 59.5/56.5 inches

Length/wheelbase: 190.2/110.8 inches

Width/height: 74.8/67.7* inches, *69.7 with roof side rails

Curb weight FWD/AWD: 4,431/4,575 pounds

Turning circle: 37.9 feet

Coefficient of drag: 0.294 cd

FEATURES

Calligraphy standard equipment includes: Digital key and push-button ignition, Nappa leather-trimmed upholstery, 8-way power driver seat with 4-way power lumbar and memory presets, driver relaxation seat, 6-way power passenger seat, EcoSuede headliner, head-up display, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 12.3-inch navigation-audio-infotainment systems, surround-view monitor, UV-C sanitizer compartment, Bluelink all-inclusive connected services (with enrollment), Bluelink map and multimedia over-the-air updates, satellite radio 90-day subscription, digital rearview mirror, Bose premium audio system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, interior ambient lighting (64 colors), dual wireless phone charger, high-power USB charging ports 2 front, 2 second row), 3rd row USB charging ports, in all three rows, electric parking brake with auto vehicle hold, heated steering wheel, heated front and second-row seats, ventilated front seats, 50/50 split-folding third row;

Exterior features: dual-pane sunroof, 20-inch Calligraphy-exclusive wheels, LED headlights-taillights-running lights, power-folding side mirrors with turn-signal indicators, roof side rails, power liftgate with extra-wide opening

Safety features include: 9 air bags, hill-start assist, electric parking brake with auto vehicle hold; electric stability and traction controls with brake assist,

CALLIGRAPHY SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES

BCW: Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Warning;

BCA: Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist

Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist;

Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist  Reverse;

PDW: F/R: Park Distance Warning  Forward / Reverse;

PDW: F/S/R: Park Distance Warning  Forward / Side / Reverse;

RSPA: Remote Smart Parking Assist Entry / Fore and Aft;

Advanced Rear Occupant Alert (with ultrasonic sensor and Bluelink integration);

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction Turning Detection;

Lane Keeping Assist;

Driver Attention Warning;

Safe Exit Assist;

Highway Driving Assist 2;

Lane Following Assist.

CHASSIS COMPONENTS

Brakes: 4-wheel disc; vented 12.8-inch rotors front; 12.8-inch solid rotors rear; with 4-channel 4-sensor ABS with electronic brake-force distribution

Steering: Motor driven rack-and-pinion power steering; column mounted; 37.9-foot turning circle

Tires-wheels: Hybrid Calligraphy Pirelli Scorpion MS 255/45 20-inch; tire-repair kit

Suspension: front, MacPherson struts with coil springs, stabilizer bar, and gas-pressurized shock absorbers, with advanced valving; Rear, multi-link Independent with separated springs and gas-pressurized shock absorbers, advanced valving.

PRICING

Hybrid Calligraphy base price: $50,465, including $1,415 freight charge; price as tested $50,675.

Options on test vehicle: Carpeted floor mats $210

Where assembled: Ulsan, Korea

Warranties: 3-years/36,000-miles free scheduled maintenance; 5-years/60,000-miles bumper to bumper; 5-years/unlimited mileage roadside assistance; 10-years/100,000-miles powertrain; 10-years/100,000-miles hybrid system components.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Central Asia (CA) is a unique region with huge water resources and rich solar and wind energy potential, Uzbekistan's Deputy Minister of Energy Umid Mamadaminov said at the Ministerial Meeting on the COP29 Energy Initiatives today, Trend reports.

"The integration of energy resources among nations is critically significant. The intergovernmental linkages are essential for the optimum utilization of each nation's natural resources and for the optimal integration of mostly renewable energy sources.

Central Asia is a unique region where, for example, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have abundant water resources, while Uzbekistan is rich in solar and wind resources. This allows us to effectively trade electricity surpluses and import energy during periods of deficit," the official explained.

He emphasized that, in this regard, intergovernmental integration is extremely important.

"We can create a central platform for electricity trade between countries by uniting all the regions. This is truly a crucial point. All developing countries need to have a clear strategy and a master plan for the development of renewable energy sources.

Clarity on this issue is crucial, especially for attracting financing for such projects from banks, as it is important to understand how much solar and wind energy, as well as variable generation, you plan to integrate into your energy system," he added.

To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - was held on November 1213.

The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics.

In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, creating climate finance will also help fulfill the 1.5C pledge by bringing everyone together.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Energy security and prospects for cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) were discussed within the framework of COP29, the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan told Trend.

Azerbaijan's Minister of Economy, Mikayil Jabbarov, met with Abdulhamid Alkhalifa, President of the OPEC Fund, within the framework of COP29.

The two sides exchanged views on strengthening bilateral relations, joint activities within renewable energy projects, and financing for the private sector. The discussions also highlighted the importance of energy transition in climate action, as well as the priorities for sustainable development, energy security, economic diversification, and the future of bilateral cooperation, the ministry said.

To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - was held on November 1213.

The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics.

In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, creating climate finance will also help fulfill the 1.5C pledge by bringing everyone together.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. The Azerbaijan Land Transport Agency has released data on shuttle usage during the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), held in Baku, the agency told Trend.

As per the agency's report, in the first three days of the event, a whopping 123,000 passengers were ferried between 18 designated transport hubs, proving that the wheels were turning smoothly.

"Passengers were safely and conveniently transported from the Heydar Aliyev International Airport via the H1 express route to the 28 May and Ahmedli metro stations via the H2 express route. These shuttle services are being provided free of charge," the agency said.

To keep the ball rolling and ensure the comfort and safety of COP29 attendees, the Azerbaijan Land Transport Agency has been pulling out all the stops, with over 1,600 staff members on deck for passenger transport operations.

"On the first day of COP29, 35,000 passengers were transported, and around 45,000 passengers were served on the second day. The shuttle services will continue at full capacity throughout the event," the agency statement said.

The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan.

The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance.

The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Cong plot to usher in separate Constitution in Kashmir: PM





CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR :

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the Congress and its allies are hatching a scheme to have a separate Constitution for Kashmir, and making all efforts for restoration of Article 370. Will the people of Maharashtra support the Congress and its allies who speak the language of Pakistan, Modi said, addressing a rally in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar for the November 20 State Assembly elections. Congress and its colleagues have passed a resolution to restore Article 370, he said. When we made Kashmir free from Article 370, Congress opposed this in Parliament and court. Now they are again hatching a scheme to restore Article 370 and have a separate Constitution in Kashmir, Modi said. Kashmir is an integral part of India. Every Indian wants that there should be only Dr Babasaheb Ambedkars Constitution in Kashmir, Modi said. The Congress used to say that reservations were against the country. It considered reservations were against merit.

The mentality and agenda of the Congress remains unchanged. Therefore, they cant come to terms with the fact that someone from OBC has been the PM of the country for the last 10 years, he said. The Prince of Congress, while he is abroad, openly claims that his party will scrap reservations. To further their agenda, Congress and Maha Vikas Aghadi are conspiring to divide SCs, STs and OBCs into small castes, he said. Modi also said the BJP-led Mahayuti Government renamed Aurangabad as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and fulfilled the wish of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. The whole Maharashtra knows that the demand to rename this city as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar was raised by Balasaheb Thackeray, he said. The Congress party went to the court to overturn this decision, he added.
Court orders immediate release of AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan

NEW DELHI :

A COURT here Thursday refused to take cognisance of a chargesheet filed against AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan in a money laundering case related to alleged irregularities in the Delhi Waqf Board and ordered his immediate release, saying his further incarceration in the matter would be illegal. Special Judge Jitendra Singh said that after going through the supplementary chargesheet and the documents filed with it, including the statement of the witnesses, there was sufficient ground to proceed against Khan. However, no sanction from the competentauthority/Government was placed on record against him.

Thus, cognisance against A-6 is declined for the offence defined under section 3 and punishable under section 4 of the PMLA for the lack of requisite sanction, the judge said while noting that Khan was a public servant. He further said that in the case, there is no legal ground to justify further detention of the accused in custody. Keeping the accused in custody in these circumstances when the cognisance has been declined for the absence of sanction under section 197 (1) CrPC, shall tantamount to illegal custody. Under these circumstances, the accused has to be immediately released, the judge said. Special Judge Singh further issued an order for the release of Khan in the case after accepting his bail bond of Rs 1 lakh and a surety of like amount, for securing his presence in case the sanction is obtained and filed by the complainant (ED) in future. The ED on October 29 filed a 110-page first supplementary prosecution complaint (EDs equivalent of a chargesheet), claiming Khan laundered money that was allegedly generated through corruption in the Delhi Waqf Board. The chargesheet had also named one Mariam Siddiqui, who was not arrested as an accused by the ED in the case. The court said there was no evidence to proceed against Siddiqui and discharged her.

The case against Siddiqui is apparently based upon surmises and conjectures as there exists no evidence whether direct or circumstantial against her. The SPC (supplementary prosecution complaint) lacks grounds for proceeding against Siddiqui. Accordingly, she is not summoned in the present case, the judge said. The ED had earlier urged the court to take cognisance of the chargesheet and said there was sufficient evidence to prosecute Khan and others in the case registered under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Khan was arrested on September 2 under the provisions of the PMLA by the ED, which conducting a search at his house in Delhis Okhla area. The AAP MLA was accused of being evasive when questioned by the probe agency. The money laundering probe against him stems from two FIRs -- the CBIs case in connection with the alleged irregularities in the Waqf Board and an alleged disproportionate assets case registered by the Delhi Police anti-corruption.
Latest wedding collection at Ashish NX





 Business Reporter :

AS THE marriage season approaches, AshishNX is excited to un veilits latest wedding collection, designed for the entire family. This season promises to be unforgettable, featuring a diverse range of bridal and grooms attire, along with various wedding collections available exclusively at AshishNX. Customerswill findeverything from traditional ethnic wear to contemporary fashion, allunder one roof. In the new saree section,Ashish NX introduced a dedicated Saree Section at Sitabuldi store. Here, customers can explore an exquisite selection of sarees, including - synthetic designer sarees, -Western sarees,Dakshin Otri sarees,-Nawaari sarees, - shalu sarees, - organza sarees, - net sarees,-tissue sarees, etc.

Ashish NX is one of Nagpurs largest fast fashion brands, proudly offering a robust selection from over 25 national and international labels. Each of its threeoutlets featuresawidearray of clothing that reflects the latest fashion trends, ensuring an enjoyable shopping experience for the entire family. All products at Ashish NX are not only budget-friendlybut also of excellent quality.

Our stylish garments will elevate your wardrobe, making them perfect for any occasion, says the owners of Ashish NX in a press release. For further details, interested customers may visit the showrooms at the following locations:- Sitabuldi:*UpperGround& First Floor,WorldTradeCentre(Glocal Square Mall), Nagpur. Ph: 8956777221; Mahal:* Near Mahal Bank of Baroda, TilakRoad, Mahal, Nagpur. Ph: 9130009671; Jaripatka:* Main Bazaar Road, Jaripatka,Nagpur. Ph: 9130009674 Parking facilities are available at all theshowrooms.
Mid-air bomb threat Ngp-Kolkata flight diverted to Raipur





Raipur Bureau :

IndiGo flight 6E 812, en route from Nagpur to Kolkata, was compelled to make an emergency landing at Swami Vivekananda Airport (SVA) in Raipur on Thursday morning following a bomb threat that caused panic among passengers. The accused passenger, identified as Animesh Mandal from Nagpur, has been arrested, and a case has been registered under stringent legal provisions. Raipur Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr Santosh Kumar Singh disclosed that the flight, carrying 187 passengers and six crew members, was diverted after Mandal informed a cabin crew member about the presence of an explosive device on board. Adhering to standard emergency protocols, the pilot contacted Air Traffic Control (ATC) at Raipur to facilitate an expedited landing.

Upon arrival, the aircraft was directed to an isolation bay, and all passengers were evacuated under stringent security measures. Teams from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Raipur police conducted a thorough search of the aircraft and passengers belongings, finding no explosive materials or suspicious items. City Superintendent of Police (CSP) Lambodhar Patel and Station House Officer (SHO) Bhavesh Gautam confirmed that the bomb threat was unfounded, fabricated solely by the accused. Based on a written complaint from IndiGo officials, Raipur police have registered a case against Mandal under Section 351(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to acts endangering the safety of others, and Section 3(1)(d) of the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act, 1982, which deals with communicating false information endangering aircraft safety.

Mandal has been remanded to judicial custody following his arrest. An IndiGo spokesperson issued a statement expressing regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers: Flight 6E 812 from Nagpur to Kolkata was redirected to Raipur due to a security-related alert. All necessary security protocols were followed, and the aircraft was cleared for takeoff. Ensuring the safety and security of our customers and crew remains our utmost priority. This incident occurs amid a surge in threats targeting Indian airlines. Authorities have documented over 190 bomb-related alerts since mid-October, including 85 cases reported on October 26 alone. Earlier, a 17-year-old minor from Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, was arrested in connection with similar threats linked to a hacker network with alleged Illuminati ties. Further compounding concerns, a recent bomb threat targeting an Alliance Air flight at Bilasa Bai Kevtin Airport in Bilaspur intensified security measures across the region. The coordinated response by law enforcement and aviation authorities underscores the escalating challenges faced by the civil aviation sector in ensuring passenger safety.
Trumps Republicans get control of US House





WASHINGTON :

REPUBLICANS have won enough seats to control the US House, completing the partys sweep into power and securing their hold on US Government alongside President-elect Donald Trump. A House Republican victory in Arizona, alongside a win in slow-counting California earlier on Wednesday, gave the GOP the 218 House victories that make up the majority. Republicans earlier gained control of the Senate from Democrats. With hard-fought yet thin majorities, Republican leaders are envisioning a mandate to upend the Federal Government and swiftly implement Trumps vision for the country.

The incoming President has promised to carry out the countrys largest-ever deportation operation, extend tax breaks, punish his political enemies, seize control of the federal Governments most powerful tools and reshape the US economy. The GOP election victories ensure that Congress will be onboard for that agenda, and Democrats will be almost powerless to check

Marco Rubio Secy of State US SENATOR

Marco Rubio, who has been nominated as Secretary of State, will be a be a strong advocate for the US, a true friend to its allies, and a fearless warrior who will never back down to adversaries, President-elect Donald Trump said on Wednesday. It is my great honour to announce that Senator Marco Rubio of Florida is hereby nominated to be The United States Secretary of State, Trump said making a formal announcement in this regard. Marco is a highly respected leader, and a very powerful voice for freedom, he said.

He will be a strong advocate for our nation, a true friend to our allies, and a fearless warrior who will never back down to our adversaries. I look forward to working with Marco to Make America, and the World, Safe and Great Again! Trump said in his statement, which came soon after his meeting with outgoing President Joe Biden. According to the Trump Transition team, Rubio was born in 1971 in Miami, Florida as the son of two Cuban immigrants pursuing the American Dream. His father worked as a banquet bartender, while his mother split time as a stay-at-home mom and hotel maid. From an early age, Rubio learned the importance of faith, family, community, and dignified work to the good life, the team said. Rubio was drawn to public service in large part because of conversations with his grandfather, who saw his homeland destroyed by communism. After meeting and marrying his wife Jeanette and earning degrees from the University of Florida and the University of Miami Law School, Rubio served as a city commissioner in West Miami and Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. In 2010, he won a seat in the US Senate, it said.

Matt Gaetz Attorney General

US PRESIDENT-ELECT Donald Trump on Wednesday announced to nominate his loyalist Cong- ressman Matt Gaetz as the Attorney General of the United States. It is my great honour to announce that Congressman Matt Gaetz, of Florida, is hereby nominated to be The Attorney General of the United States, Trump said as he announced his latest Cabinet nomination, which he is filling up at an unprecedented pace. Gaetz, he said, is a deeply gifted and tenacious attorney, trained at the William & Mary College of Law, who has distinguished himself through his focus on achieving desperately needed reform at the Department of Justice (DOJ). Few issues in America are more important than ending the partisan weaponisation of our justice system. Matt will end weaponised Government, protect our borders, dismantle criminal organisations and restore Americans badly-shattered faith and confidence in the Justice Department, Trump said.

On the House Judiciary Committee, which performs oversight of DOJ, Gaetz played a key role in defeating the Russia Hoax, and exposing alarming and systemic Government corruption and weaponisation, said the president-elect. He is a champion for the Constitution and the rule of law. Matt will root out the systemic corruption at DOJ, and return the Department to its true mission of fighting crime, and upholding our democracy and Constitution, Trump said. Under Matts leadership, all Americans will be proud of the Department of Justice once again, he added.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Every country must double its efforts in the fight against climate change, said Jennifer Granholm, US Secretary of Energy, at the Ministerial Meeting on the COP29 Energy Initiatives, Trend reports.

Granholm emphasized that the United States continues its transition to clean energy despite uncertainties in federal climate policy.

"States, cities, and businesses are stepping up to fill the gaps left by a lack of clear federal strategy. Seven years ago, the US withdrew from the Paris Agreement, but states, cities, and companies have filled that void," she said.

The Secretary also noted that in 2024, the US plans to add over 60 megawatts of clean energy  a record-breaking amount.

"Weve already invested $1.5 trillion in clean technologies, and for every federal dollar, six dollars of private investment follow," she added.

Granholm highlighted the global trend of increasing investments in clean energy, noting that the world is now doubling its investments in clean energy compared to fossil fuels.

"Combating the climate crisis requires joint efforts from all countries. The goal is to triple renewable energy production and achieve 1500 gigawatts of energy storage. I hope that the G20 in Rio will support this target," the official added.

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Violence erupts in Rajs Tonk after MLA candidate slaps SDM on poll duty, arrested





Independent candidate Naresh Meena being arrested in Tonk district on Thursday. (PTI) (Right) Vehicles set on fire during violence that erupted following clash between police and supporters of Independent candidate Naresh Meena during by-poll in Tonk district of Rajasthan. (PTI)

JAIPUR :

INDEPENDENT MLA candidate Naresh Meena was arrested following high drama and violence on Thursday, a day after he slapped an SDM during polling in Rajasthans Tonk district and set in motion differing protests from both his supporters and Rajasthan Administrative Service officials. The tension that started Wednesday afternoon, when the Congress rebel contesting as an Independent in the by-polls caught SDM Malpura Amit Chaudhary by the collar and slapped him in full view of camera crews, continued through the night and well into Thursday. Work across Government offices in the State was hit in the morning with officials of the RAS Association and allied services going on a pen-down strike demanding that Meena be arrested. They said they would continue till a meeting with Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma. Ranged against them were Meenas alleged supporters.

About 60 two-wheelers and 18 four-wheelers, including police vehicles, were torched in the violence that erupted outside the polling booth in Samravta village in the Deoli-Uniara Assembly constituency when police tried to prevent Meena and his supporters from sitting on dharna. About 60 people were arrested in the early hours of Thursday following the violence that also saw crowds pelting stones at police personnel. As the morning progressed, tension spiralled. I will not surrender, a defiant Meena told jostling camera crews in Samravta, about 100 km from the state capital Jaipur, after he was taken into custody. As restless crowds could be seen roaming the village, police mounted vigil to ensure that nothing more goes wrong. The arrest was planned with care. Police administration, which included senior officers in full riot gear, were deployed in full strength and held a flag march. Tonk Superintendent of Police Vikas Sangwan gave the final direction to the police team to enter the village and take Meena in its custody. Police fired teargas shells to disperse the agitated mob after Meenas arrest. Some also pelted stones at the police but no injuries were reported. Alleged supporters of Meena blocked the roads, which were removed.

It could be anyone the Govt is strict with those who commit crime. We are getting the entire incident investigated and asked for a report and soon action will be taken against those who are guilty, said Minister Bedham. It all started when Chaudhary, who was on election duty, was trying to get people to vote in the village, which had boycotted polling over a demand that Samravta be included in Uniara sub-division instead of Deoli. Meena was supporting the villagers. Hundreds of people were present outside the polling station when it happened. Meena later sat on a dharna outside a polling booth and asked his supporters to gather with sticks. After polling was over, police asked Meena and his supporters to disperse so the polling party could leave the station with EVM machines. However, police said, they turned violent and pelted stones at police. Before his arrest, Meena blamed Tonk District Collector Saumya Jha and SP Sangwan for what had happened.





Injured PTI reporter Ajeet Shekhawat. (PTI)

PTI reporter, cameraperson assaulted by mob in Tonk, camera snatched and burnt

TONK (Rajasthan),

Nov (PTI)

A PTI reporter and video cameraperson were beaten up and injured by a mob during a violent rampage in Tonk district on Thursday while they were covering a protest following the arrest of Independent MLA candidate Naresh Meena. The attack left reporter Ajeet Shekhawat and cameraperson Dharmendra Kumar badly injured. Their camera was also snatched and set on fire by the mob. In a selfie video sent by Shekhawat to the head office in Delhi, he could be seen bleeding from under his bloodshot left eye. Shekhawat told his editors that his colleague Dharmendra suffered a gash on the head and his arm may be broken. Both were rushing to hospital in a colleagues vehicle. The two came under attack when they were about to interview Agriculture Minister Kirodi Lal Meena, who had gone to the trouble spot to assess the situation. The violence has been going on since Wednesday evening when police tried to stop the supporters of Naresh Meena, a Congress rebel contesting as an Independent in the bypolls, from sitting on dharna. Earlier on Wednesday, Naresh Meena slapped SDM Malpura Amit Chaudhary who was on election duty in full view of camera crews.
WCL pays interim dividendof Rs 249.86 crore to CIL





Business Reporter :

WESTERN Coalfields Limited (WCL) has paid an interim dividend of Rs 249.86 crore to Coal India Limited (CIL). During the meeting held on Wednesday in Kolkata, Chairman-cumManaging Director of WCL Jai Prakash Dwivedi handed over the cheque of the interim dividend for the financial year 2024- 25 to Chairman of Coal India Limited PMPrasad. Prior to the year 2024 - 25 , WCL had paid dividend to CIL in the financial year 2015-16. At present, the net worth of WCL is Rs 7,443 crore and in the financial year 2023-24,WCL has earned a profit of Rs 4,182 crore. On this occasion, the Directors of CIL and the CVO were present. Director (Technical) of CIL, Anil Kumar Singh , Director (FinanceandPersonnel),Bikram Ghosh, Chief Vigilance Officer Ajay Madhukar Mhetre, General Manager (Finance) Dinesh KumarChaudharyandothersenior officers were present in the meeting.
Will not allow vote jihad in Mah polls: Nilesh Rane





Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath with other BJP leaders during a public meeting ahead of the second phase of Jharkhand Assembly elections at Nirsa Assembly constituency in Dhanbad district, Jharkhand. (PTI)

KANKAVLI (Maharashtra) :

MAHARASHTRA BJP MLA Nitesh Rane has said he will ensure vote jihad does not happen in the upcoming State Assembly polls and maintained he was not afraid of the multiple FIRs pertaining to hate speeches registered against him. In an interview to PTI, Rane, who is the BJPs nominee from Kankavli seat in Sindhudurg district, asserted he has not done anything wrong by taking the side of his dharma or community. I am going to be mentioned as a Hindu on my birth and death certificate. If I am being blamed for a hate crime just because I am trying to take the side of my own dharma or my community, religion, I dont think there is anything wrong in it.

I have absolutely not done anything wrong, he said. The BJP leader claimed vote jihad happened during the Lok Sabha polls held earlier this year. We will ensure this vote jihad does not happen during the State elections, asserted Rane ahead of the November 20 Maharashtra Assembly polls. Vote jihad is a term used by BJP leaders to claim the Muslim community en mass voted against the party in the Lok Sabha polls. On one side, certain jihadi minded people of the Muslim community, the Rohingyas and Bangladeshis want to claim that they follow the Constitution, but on the other side they will do everything that comes under the Sharia law, Rane alleged. If you are promoting peace between Hindus and Muslims, if you think the law should be the same for Hindus and Muslims, then why are you doing love jihad, land jihad and vote jihad? said the legislator, who is the son of BJP MP Narayan Rane.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. A final decision will be made on funding two solar power plants with a total capacity of 760 MW in Azerbaijan tomorrow, the country's Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said during a press conference at COP29 today, Trend reports.

"COP29 is marked by significant achievements reflecting Azerbaijans commitment to the green energy transition. In Zangilan, the first industrial solar energy facility with a capacity of 240 MW, developed in partnership with bp, was launched, becoming the largest project with direct foreign investment. We held the ninth meeting of ministers for the Caspian-European Green Energy Corridor project and reviewed the preliminary results of the technical and economic feasibility study.

An intergovernmental agreement on strategic partnership between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan in the development and transmission of green energy was also signed, and Saudi Arabia joined this trilateral project as a key partner.

Moreover, six agreements were signed with six Chinese companies, Azerbaijan announced its hydrogen strategy, and a memorandum of cooperation was signed with the International Atomic Energy Agency on energy planning in the context of the Paris Agreement.

Today, the opening of the Clean Energy Center of the ECO will take place, and tomorrow, a final decision will be made on the funding of the mentioned two solar power plants," he added.

To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - was held on November 1213.

The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics.

In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, creating climate finance will also help fulfill the 1.5C pledge by bringing everyone together.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. The State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), Masdar Company from the UAE, and ACWA Power Company from Saudi Arabia signed a memorandum of understanding on the production of wind power with a capacity of 3.5 gigawatts in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea within COP29, Trend reports via SOCAR.

The document was signed by SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf, Masdar CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, and ACWA Power CEO Marco Arcelli.

Based on the paper, the inaugural offshore wind energy installations are set to be developed in Azerbaijan as a key component of the strategic initiative. This document aims to enhance collaboration between the stakeholders to drive the execution of innovative renewable energy initiatives with a cumulative capacity of 500 MW.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Three key challenges need to be addressed to successfully establish a regional framework for cross-border renewable energy trading and functional markets to accelerate the transition to zero emissions, the Vice President of the Asian Development Bank for South Central and West Asia Yingming Yang said during the Ministerial Dialogue on Promoting Renewable Energy Transition in Central Asia, Trend reports.

First, many energy systems remain outdated and inefficient. Modernizing this infrastructure requires significant upfront investment, which can be a major barrier for some countries. To overcome this challenge, the region will need innovative financing mechanisms and international support. Second, harmonization of different national energy systems and technologies requires careful planning and regional cooperation to ensure system compatibility, he said.

According to him, creating a common framework for energy markets is a complex task that requires the active involvement of all stakeholders.

Many countries need support in the form of technical expertise and capacity building to participate effectively in this process. Third, dialogues on regional cooperation need to be backed by strong political support and awareness of the importance of the issue. The trilateral agreement signed by Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan two days ago is a good example, he added.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. The high-level panel meeting organized by the Joint Initiative established within the framework of Azerbaijan's COP29 chairmanship - Azerbaijan, Egypt, Germany, Italy, Uganda, UAE, UK - and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) was held in Baku, Trend reports.

The event discussed the initiatives of the COP29 Chairmanship providing concrete solutions in the field of climate change, as well as the Baku Climate and Peace Action Concept and the Baku Peace Call for Climate, which includes practical steps to prevent climate threats to international peace.

Representatives of Italy, Egypt, the UK, UAE, Germany, and Uganda, as well as representatives of the International Organization for Migration, the UN Development Programme, and other international organizations, highly appreciated Azerbaijan's efforts as practical steps against future threats and expressed support for the country's initiatives. At the same time, the importance of cooperation in this field was emphasized. It was noted that Baku's call requires intensive cooperation. They called on everyone to join efforts to contribute to it. Baku COP has indeed made progress in climate change action. It was brought to attention that to ensure peace today, it is crucial to reorient finances toward climate-related issues. There is a need to work in collaboration with local actors and various partners.

Speaking at the meeting, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov noted that peace is Azerbaijan's top priority.

According to him, climate change is also exacerbating food security by accelerating water scarcity and soil degradation, which in turn leads to migration. Catastrophes caused by climate change catalyze conflicts that lead to deepening instability.

Jeyhun Bayramov added that by 2021, 355 million households and about 1.3 billion people will be exposed to climate threats. More than five hundred million people are in or prone to conflicting territories.

The COP29 chairmanship has been leading international efforts to strengthen joint climate action over the past few months.

The event touched upon the importance of joint action for sustainable peace and emphasized the importance of joint action in implementing the initiatives put forward by the Azerbaijani Chairmanship.

The meeting continued with discussions on the subject.

To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action  was held on November 1213.

The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics.

In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, creating climate finance will also help fulfill the 1.5C pledge by bringing everyone together.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Addressing the climate crisis should be a priority for everyone, said Anneliese Dodds, UK Minister for Development, Trend reports.

Speaking at the high-level session "Climate and Peace: Enabling joint action to leave no one behind" at COP29, Dodds emphasized that is exactly the message from Baku.

"I am incredibly proud that the UK is supporting this initiative today. We need everyone to join us in the coming months and begin working together using a more united approach. We know what we can achieve when we collaborate. Our joint efforts have already resulted in Somalia receiving over $100 million in funding from the Green Climate Fund to build resilience.

Beyond Somalia, the UK is working with its partners in Chad, Syria, and Yemen to create vital initiatives and early warning systems that will save lives and establish long-term peace and stability," she added.

The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. A significant step towards regional climate action was taken at COP29 in Baku with the signing of a joint declaration to establish the SPECA (UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia) Climate and Innovation Dialogue, Azerbaijans Ministry of Economy told Trend.

The event also marked the announcement of the launch of the SPECA Multilateral Trust Fund, the ministry noted.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Economy, Mikayil Jabbarov, emphasized the importance of SPECA for the region, noting that the program has created a vital platform for regional cooperation, fostering economic development, ecological sustainability, and innovation among member countries.

Through the support of SPECA, our countries are not only strengthening their economies but also preparing for the challenges posed by climate change. The SPECA Climate and Innovation Dialogue serves as a critical platform for countries to collaborate and advance goals set out in the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Agenda through to 2030. The dialogue also helps in developing joint strategies to address the ecological, social, and economic impacts of climate change.

The dialogue aims to facilitate the transition to a low-carbon, sustainable economy by engaging stakeholders from various sectors to develop practical solutions for knowledge exchange and green development. It is expected to play a key role in scaling innovative and sustainable practices in the region, supporting initiatives such as increasing renewable energy shares, improving energy efficiency, and promoting the circular economy.

The creation of the SPECA Multilateral Trust Fund was highlighted as a flexible mechanism for tackling shared challenges, such as climate change, economic integration, and sustainable development.

Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), and Tatiana Molchan, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), both stressed the importance of dialogue and collaborative initiatives in addressing global climate issues. They noted that such dialogue could lead to synergies in strengthening innovation ecosystems and advancing sustainable development technologies.

The event was attended by several high-ranking officials, including the Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, the Minister of National Economy, Nurlan Baibazarov; the Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade of Kyrgyzstan, Sanjarbek Bolotov; and the Deputy Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan, Shokhrukh Gulamov. They expressed strong support for regional and international cooperation on climate issues and the expected benefits of the SPECA Trust Fund and Dialogue.

A Joint Declaration was signed at the end of the event, officially establishing the SPECA Climate and Innovation Dialogue.

To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action  was held on November 1213.

The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics.

In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, creating climate finance will also help fulfill the 1.5C pledge by bringing everyone together.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Azerbaijani people have met us in a very friendly way, the head of the cooperation department of Cameroon's Ministry of Forestry Adama Haman said, Trend reports.

He noted that Azerbaijanis met him very friendly in Baku and shared his expectations from COP29.

We were very friendly and welcomed by the Azerbaijani people. Everything is going well. There are some key decisions on climate issues financially. However, we are also waiting for an adaptation decision. In the COP29 space, volunteers are helping us by showing friendliness.

I haven't had a chance to walk around Baku yet, but at the first opportunity I am going to visit historical places, he emphasized.

To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action  was held on November 1213.

The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics.

In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, creating climate finance will also help fulfill the 1.5C pledge by bringing everyone together.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Overview of fuelwood consumption dynamics in Manipur

|

Thoudam Umakanta Singh and Dr RS Loushambam

Fuelwood has been identified as one of the most significant causes of forest degradation in many developing Nations. FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) estimates that fuelwood accounts for over 54% of all global annual harvests, suggesting it has a substantial and direct role in forest loss. The collection of fuelwood contributed to about 6% of deforestation worldwide. In many developing countries, due to the scarcity of other energy resources, people tend to use wood as their primary fuel source because the rural communities cannot afford other alternatives. In India, the demand for fuelwood has grown far faster than the supply. It is the cheapest and most accessible source for most of the population, especially those in rural areas. The primary energy source in all Indian hilly settlements is fuelwood.

Regarding energy sources, fuelwood is the fourth largest, supplying 80% of the cooking energy requirements in India. The Dept of Statistics, 2008 reported that 77 % of the rural population in India relies significantly on traditional biomass-based fuels to meet their everyday needs.

In the North Eastern Himalayan region, the demand for fuelwood is more than 228 million tons, with a substantial supply of 128 million tons. There is a huge gap between the demand and supply of fuelwood, which leads to pressure on existing forests to overcome the scarcity of this considerable demand. The people of Manipur suffer from a scarcity of energy resources and are thus largely dependent on wood for fuel, especially in the rural populations. Fuelwood as fuel is the only option available in this remote region of the state where there is less possibility of reaching LPG connection as an alternative fuel is far beyond the reach of the people due to less accessibility coupled with poor economic conditions of the people residing in this part of the state. Fuelwood is a highly demanded product catering to the fuel energy requirement for domestic and commercial purposes.

Interestingly, the price of fuelwood in the State mainly depends on the place of the origin of the fuelwood. The longer the distance, the higher the price. It has been reported that commercial purposes are the leading cause of deforestation and degradation of forest areas. Over time, people have shifted from fuelwood to other sources for domestic use in accordance with the developing economic status. Still, the rural people of the state have no other option but to stick to fuelwood as their primary source of fuel for cooking. The findings of the research suggest that households in the Ukhrul District consume roughly 3000 kg of fuelwood on a yearly basis. As reported by the Forest Research Institute (FRI) in Dehardun, Chandel district has one of the highest dependencies on forest- sourced fuelwood relative to other districts in Manipur. Some of fuelwood species used in the State are Alnus nepalensis (Pareng), Betula pendula (Bhuja patra), Cinnamomum tamala (Tejpatta), Dipterocarpus turbinatus (Khangra), Mi-chelia champaca (Leihao), Myrica esculenta (Non-gang-hei), Olea europaea (Chorphon), Phoebe hainesiana (Uningthou), Phyllanthus emblica (Heikru), Pinus spp. (Uchan), Prunus nepalensis (Jaam), Prunus cerasoides (Malhei), Quercus serrata (Uyung), Toona ciliata (Tairen), Sterculia villosa (Heirit), Grevillea robusta (Kabilla), Albizia lebbeck (Khok), Leea asiatica (Kokan), Albizia lucidior (Luwangkhok), Eucalyptus sps. (Nashik), Castanopsis sp. (Sae), Litsea monopetala (Tumitla), Schima wallichii (Ushoi), Gmelina arborea (Wang).

For commercial purposes, the demand is generated mainly by brickfield industries. In the state, brickfields use coal, wood, or a combination of both as their energy source. The 2019 economic survey report from the Manipur government indicates a significant construction boom driven by Government infrastructure initiatives and an increasing demand for residential construction from the emerging affluent class. Many of the brickfields in the State utilize fuelwood as a practical alternative, mainly because of the insufficient supply of coal and the difficulties related to its import. Over the last few years, brickfields in Manipur have been notably expanded, fuelled by the growing need for bricks, as concrete homes increasingly take over the traditional mud houses in urban and rural areas alike. Most of the fuelwood comes from the hilly districts of the state.

Officials from the State Forest Department pointed out that substantial amounts of wood are needed to heat mud for brick manufacturing.

Without finding a viable alternative to fuelwood, the Government's strategies for forest conservation may not achieve their intended outcomes. The State's forests and ecosystem could face significant consequences, as commercial exploitation can cause severe damage, potentially undermining envi- ronmental and biodiversity conservation efforts. In the state, the authority tasked with approving the establishment of new brickfields is the Manipur Pollution Control Board. Regular monitoring and evaluation of brickfield activities by the board is crucial to ensure that operations do not spiral out of control. The board needs to resolve the issues within the brick field production unit and implement a system for periodic review of grievances.

The introduction of flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana benefitted a large number of rural populations in the State otherwise using traditional cooking fuels such as fuelwood, coal, cow-dung cakes etc. Such initiatives could decrease the dependence on fuelwood. Illicit cutting and uncontrolled felling of trees for fuelwood will give adverse effect to the existing forest if it is not curtailed/checked rationally at the earliest.

The writers are from the School of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Forestry, Manipur University
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. An event to launch the ECO-UNIDO (Economic Cooperation Organization-United Nations Industrial Development Organization) Clean Energy Center is being held within the COP29 Energy, Peace, Relief and Recovery Day, Trend reports.

The ECO Regional Clean Energy Center will be located in Azerbaijan as part of the UNIDO Global Network of Clean Energy Centers.

Will be updated
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Azerbaijan's Minister of Economy, Mikayil Jabbarov, and TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanne have discussed cooperation in the renewable energy sector as part of the COP29 conference, Trend reports via the ministry.

"A business lunch was held during COP29 with Azerbaijani Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov and Total Energies CEO Patrick Pouyanne in attendance. The meeting included an exchange of views on industry leaders' efforts to reduce methane emissions and explore Azerbaijan's potential in this field. The two sides discussed the implementation of Total Energies' wind, solar, and energy storage projects in Azerbaijan, as well as the company's interest in participating in renewable energy initiatives in the Caspian region. The conversation also focused on opportunities to expand cooperation and accelerate the promotion of green energy in Azerbaijan," the ministry said.

The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

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Hotel, resort and homestay owners of Bolpur are elated as Poush Mela officially returns after a hiatus of over five years. The last time Poush Mela was organised by Santiniketan Trust and Visva  Bharati University (VBU) in Santiniketan was in 2019.

Due to Covid pandemic, both Santiniketan Trust and VBU could not organise the Poush Mela in 2020. Also in 2021 and 2022, the then vice-chancellor, Professor Bidyut Chakraborty had cancelled the official Poush Mela.

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The Birbhum district administration had organised the alternative Poush Mela in Bolpur Dakbunglow Ground in those years.

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The district administration and the state government had come forward to organise the unofficial Poush Mela in the last three years on the directives of the West Bengal government.

This year, the Poush Mela will be held at the Purbapally Ground.

The Poush Mela attracts more than a lakh people from all around the globe. Last year, the Eastern Railway had also given special trains to accommodate the huge rush. With the fair, the rural economy revives as artisans and local businessmen put up stalls, where buyers and sellers directly meet each other. We are really grateful to both VBU and Santiniketan Trust, said Aminul Huda, general secretary of the Handicrafts Samity.

It is very encouraging news for the several hotels, resorts, home stays, restaurants which have mushroomed here over the years, as they play a key role in the local economy and provide jobs to several hundreds of people. Already people have started booking rooms since yesterday and we are getting a lot of queries. The hospitality sector depends hugely on Poush Mela and Basanta Utsav, said Subrata Bhakat of the Byabasayi Samity.

The live performances of the Bengali folk music or Baul songs in the Mela Ground are the added attractions.

Yesterday, the apex committee of VBU held a meeting at the central library in which the acting vice-chancellor, Binoy Kumar Soren and acting registrar Ashok Mahato were present.

Anil Konar, secretary of Santiniketan Trust said that as per the deed of Maharshi Debendranath Tagore Poush Mela will be held on 7th of Poush and the state government has been urged to provide all necessary help. In the meeting it was unanimously decided to hold the Push Mela this year.

Bidhan Roy, district magistrate of Birbhum said that the state government is ready to provide all support in organising the Poush Mela at the Purbapally Maidan. Very soon the organisers, district administration, police, local civic body and the other stakeholders will meet to finalise the schedule of the fair.

This will be also the first official Poush Mela after Santiniketan was has been recognised as Indias 41st World Heritage site in September 2023 by UNESCO.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee will hand over the Birsha Munda award for Science to Professor Bipan Tudu at a function in Adivasi Bhavan tomorrow.

Tomorrow is the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Birsha Munda. He was born in 1875 and was hanged by the British government on charges of sedition. The day is celebrated as Birsha Munda Divas. The state government will organise a seven-day programme to celebrate Birsha Mundas 150th birth anniversary in all the districts from 15 to 21 November.

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Professor Tudu is attached to the electronics and instrumentation department of Jadavpur University. He has to his credit 12 patents. His contribution in the field of science has been recognised by the state government.

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The award included Rs one lakh cash, a copper citation and a shawl. Miss Banerjee will hand over other prizes to awardees for their contribution in literature, arts, social service and cultural field.

This year those who will get awards are Mr Sanjay Kumar Tudu, Joakim Lepcha, Ren Ten Tshering Lepcha, Jaladhar Sabar and Phoolchand Hembram.

After coming to power in 2011, Miss Banerjee gave special emphasis on the development of the tribal community. Drives were conducted to issue caste certificates. Folk artists were given musical instruments and a monthly stipend.

Miss Banerjee handed over Ekalavya Model Residential School in Jhargram to Ramakrishna Mission and over the years the students both girls and boys, are doing very well in Madhyamik, Higher Secondary and Joint Entrance examinations.
Farmers in Arambagh sub-division have been at the receiving end of the weathers wrath three times within a short period of six months, the untimely heavy downpour, followed by uncontrolled release of water from the DVC and then cyclone Dana. Ten blocks of the Arambagh sub-division have been badly affected.

Minister in charge of the panchayat and rural development department Pradip Majumder on Tuesday visited the most affected areas and also interacted with the affected farmers.

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Agriculture minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay had conducted a review meeting at Hooghly district zilla parishad last week to assess the loss of paddy crops and vegetables.

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The agriculture minister had said during the review that the names of the affected farmers are being enlisted and uploaded, satellite pictures have been taken of the affected agriculture land areas thereafter the agriculture officials will visit the affected agriculture land areas for spot verification to assess the loss and the compensation to be provided. The chief minister has extended the loss assessment time limit by a month. She has also said that not a single affected farmer should be deprived of the compensation for crop loss.

In Hooghly district more than 43,000 hectares of paddy crop have been lost. In more than 1,000 hectares vegetables have been lost. A primary assessment reveals that 1,83,414 farmers have been affected. In such circumstances, an initiative is in progress to bring all the affected farmers under Bangla Shosho Bima (Bengal crop insurance policy). The most affected blocks are Arambagh, khanakul, Goghat and Dhaniakhali.

Panchayat and rural development minister Pradip Majumder on Tuesday went around the affected agriculture land and interacted with the affected farmers. He assured them of appropriate compensation for the lost crops. The minister asked the affected farmers to submit the correctly filled crop loss compensation form within this month.

At Harinkhola, the state minister held an administrative meeting with higher state and district officials. The minister was accompanied by the district magistrate Mukta Arya, zilla parishad sabhadhipati Ranjan Dhara and other higher officials.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Friday congratulated security agencies for busting an international drug trafficking cartel and seizing 700 kg of contraband methamphetamine in Gujarat.

In a post on X, Shah said, Pursuing PM Shri Narendra Modi Jis vision for a drug-free Bharat, our agencies today busted an international drug trafficking cartel and seized approx. 700 kg of contraband meth in Gujarat. The joint operation carried out by the NCB, Indian Navy, and Gujarat Police stands out as a stellar example of our commitment to the vision as well as the seamless coordination among our agencies in achieving the same. My heartiest congratulations to the agencies on this landmark breakthrough.

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In a joint operation carried out by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), the Indian Navy, and ATS Gujarat Police, a vessel carrying approximately 700 kg of Meth was intercepted in Indian territorial waters. Eight foreign nationals found on the vessel, who had no identity documents, claimed to be Iranians.

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Continuous intelligence collection and analysis led to reliable information about an unregistered vessel, lacking AIS, entering Indian waters with Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Operation codenamed SAGAR-MANTHAN-4 was launched based on this intelligence input, and the vessel was identified and interdicted by the Indian Navy, which mobilised its mission-deployed maritime patrol assets. This resulted in seizure and apprehension on November 15.

Investigation to identify the backward and forward linkages of the drug syndicate is on for which help of foreign DLEAs is being taken. This operation is also a great example of inter-agency cooperation and coordination.

The NCB launched Operation SAGAR-MANTHAN early this year by constituting a team of officers from the Operations Branch of NCB Headquarters, as well as from the Operations/Intelligence Wing of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and ATS Gujarat Police, to counter threats to national security emanating from maritime trafficking of illicit drugs.

A series of such maritime operations have been launched by NCB in coordination with the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard and till now about 3,400 kg of various narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances have been seized, and 11 Iranian Nationals and 14 Pakistani Nationals have been arrested in three cases, who are all in jail awaiting trial.

These significant operational achievements in the Indian territorial waters are a testament to our resolve to eradicate the scourge of drugs from India to realise our vision of a Nasha Mukt Bharat by 2047. To further enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies to deal with the menace of drug trafficking and drug abuse, the Union government has recently created 111 posts in NCB, including 5 at the SP level, in addition to the 425 posts created in the last two years.
The government is not only committed to ensuring food security but also to enhancing farmers incomes and improving nutritional security for the population, according to Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

He made these remarks when Australian High Commissioner Philip Green paid a courtesy call on him at Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi on Thursday.

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Dr Chaturvedi highlighted key initiatives such as crop diversification, the promotion of exports, achieving self-sufficiency in oilseeds and pulses, and the strengthening of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) as vital components of Indias agricultural strategy.

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He also stressed the importance of technological advancements, including precision agriculture, the Digital Agriculture Mission, and the mechanisation of small farms, in modernising the sector. Additionally, he acknowledged the growing role of startups in driving innovation and transformation in agriculture.

The meeting provided India and Australia an important platform to further strengthen the bilateral relationship and to explore new opportunities for collaboration in the agriculture and allied sectors.

Dr. Chaturvedi underscored the significance of the longstanding and multifaceted partnership between India and Australia, with particular focus on the agricultural sector.

Mr. Green, in turn, highlighted the importance of agriculture in Australias priorities and the potential for enhanced collaboration between the two nations. He expressed keen interest in exploring opportunities with India in the agritech sector and emphasised the importance of strengthening trade ties to further these objectives.

He also stressed the need for continued engagement to identify and unlock new opportunities for trade and cooperation.

Both sides agreed on the importance of advancing collaboration across various areas, including agri-tech, horticulture, digital agriculture, and agricultural machinery.
To combat the severe pollution pervading in the national capital, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Friday that his government would launch 106 shuttle bus services while the Delhi Metro would run 60 additional trips to promote usage of public transport in view of GRAP-III restrictions.

The decision came during a high-level meeting Rai held with the officials on the implementation of GRAP-III restrictions in the city.

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The minister said several important decisions were made during the meeting, foremost among them being the introduction of 106 shuttle bus services by the DTC to boost public transport in the city.

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These buses, he said would run 1,844 trips, with 40 services specifically meant for government employees living throughout the city connecting various colonies, including Dwarka, Nehru Place, and CGO Complex, and will serve offices in areas such as Badarpur, Janakpuri, and Paharganj.

Furthermore, 200 mobile anti-smoke guns will be deployed for water sprinkling across the city in three shifts, with a separate driver assigned to each shift to ensure continuous operation. For the smooth implementation of the GRAP III, a nodal officer has been appointed in the Green War Room to closely monitor these activities and submit his report daily, the minister said.

The AAP Leader announced that under GRAP-III, a complete ban has been clamped on private construction and demolition activities. However, projects related to railways, metro, airports, interstate bus terminals, national security, defence-related activities, and projects of national importance are exempted from the restriction.

He added that medium goods carriers registered outside Delhi will also be banned from entering the city, and interstate buses from NCR states will also be restricted, with exceptions for Electric, CNG, and BS-VI buses.

To ensure effective implementation of these measures, the Transport Department has deployed 84 teams, along with 280 Transport Police teams, to enforce the rules and violators will face a fine of Rs 20, 000, Rai said.
Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena has asked Delhi Police Commissioner to conduct a special drive for one month for identification of illegal immigrants in the national capital.

He also directed the Delhi Chief Secretary, Commissioner of Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Chairperson of New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to immediately ensure remedial measures in this regard. He issued the directions taking cognizance of reports which claimed a sudden spurt in the number of illegal immigrants in the national capital.

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In a letter addressed to them, the LG through his office said his attention has been drawn to reports on social media and other reliable sources that there is a sudden spurt in the number of illegal immigrants in Delhi. There is also a reported rise in encroachment by such people on public roads, footpaths, parks etc.

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He said there are reports that efforts are underway for getting their identity documents such as Aadhar, election identity card, etc, prepared on the basis of fake documents and adopting a manipulative process. These documents are being claimed as citizenship documents by these illegal immigrants.

Stating that election identity cards, if issued to illegal immigrants, provides them the most powerful right of democracy i.e. right to vote, Saxena said giving such rights to illegal immigrants cannot be accepted by any Indian citizen and such moves can even be detrimental to national security.

He asked the Chief Secretary to issue instructions to District Magistrates through Divisional Commissioner to exercise extra vigil in verification of people applying for identity documents.

The LG said the Police Commissioner may also issue instructions to field level officials to be extra vigilant specially while undertaking inspections of squatters along road side and on vacant government land. The Delhi Police shall conduct a special drive for one month for identification of illegal immigrants and take further action in coordination with central agencies.

Saxena asked all government agencies to ensure that no unauthorised occupation of public places takes place anywhere in the city as directed by the Supreme Court.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Azerbaijan intends to expand cooperation with other ECO member states in the field of green energy and low-carbon economy, Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said at an event on the launch of the ECO-UNIDO Clean Energy Center, Trend reports.

Azerbaijan is currently actively working with three member states of the organization - Turkiye, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan - to create green energy corridors in the region. The Azerbaijan-Turkiye-Europe and Central Asia-Azerbaijan green energy corridors, which promote the development of a regional electricity market, are key initiatives that strengthen the ECO-region's role in enhancing energy security and combating climate change.

These corridors strengthen energy cooperation among ECO member countries, integrate regional energy networks, and create a common strategic platform for achieving zero carbon goals. Azerbaijan intends to expand cooperation with other member states of the organization in the field of green energy and low-carbon economy, he said.

To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action  was held on November 1213.

The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics.

In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, creating climate finance will also help fulfill the 1.5C pledge by bringing everyone together.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

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Punjabi music sensation Diljit Dosanjh is gearing up for his much-anticipated concert in Hyderabad on Friday night. However, just ahead of the event, the Telangana government issued a legal notice to Diljit, cautioning him against performing songs that promote themes of alcohol, drugs, or violence.

This move comes after a resident of Chandigarh raised concerns, accompanied by video evidence, pointing to Dosanjhs previous performance in New Delhi where he allegedly sang songs such as Case, Panch Tara, and Patiala Peg, which were perceived to glamorize these themes.

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The notice, issued by the District Welfare Officer from the Department of Women and Child Welfare, Rangareddy, highlighted that Dosanjhs prior concert at New Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in October included such songs.

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Citing this as a reason for concern, the authorities in Telangana preemptively reached out to Diljit to ensure his Hyderabad concert aligns with local guidelines.

Additionally, the notice addressed concert policies involving young attendees. Organizers have been urged to reconsider allowing children under the age of 13 at the event, as loud music and flashing lightscommon in such concertspose potential risks to young audience members.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by DILJIT DOSANJH (@diljitdosanjh)

The authorities specified that no children should be included on stage during the performance, further underscoring a protective stance on youth involvement at live events.

Diljit arrived in Hyderabad ahead of his show and embracing the citys rich cultural heritage. On his itinerary were visits to prominent sites; he offered prayers at a Shiva temple and sought blessings at a local gurdwara, expressing his appreciation for the historical city.

This concert, a part of his Dil-Luminati Tour 2024, marks the continuation of Dosanjhs energetic live shows across India, which began with a much-talked-about performance in New Delhi.

The concert kicks off at 7 p.m., promising a night of music, energy, and celebration, as long as the guidelines are respected.
UP CM Yogi Adityanaths clarion call for unity among Hindus with the slogan Katenge to Batenge has saprked a divide with the Maha Yuti Alliance in Maharashtra. NCP Chief and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has publically spoken against this slogan while his compatriot Devendr Fadnavis has defended it.

In an interview with ANI, Fadnavis said that it will take time for Ajit Pawar to understand the publics mood as had stayed with anti-Hindu idealogies for a long time.

For decades, Ajit Pawar has stayed with such ideologies which are secular and anti-Hindu. There is no real secularism amongst those who call themselves as secularists. He has stayed with people for whom opposing Hindutva is secularism. There is no real secularism among those who call themselves secular, Fadnavis said speaking to ANI.

It will take some time for him to understand the mood of the public. These people either did not understand the sentiments of the public or did not understand the statement or they probably wanted to say something else, he added.

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Fadnavis said that there was nothing wrong with the slogan given by Yogi Adityanath and stated that it had been the history of the country.

I dont see anything wrong in Yogi jis slogans. Look at the history of this country. Jab Jab bate hai tab gulam bane hai. Whenever this country was divided into castes, states, divided into communities society we became slaves. The country was also divided, and so were the people. Thats why if we divide, we will be cut. This is the history of this country, Fadnavis said in an interview with ANI.

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And I dont understand that if someone says dont divide, then what is the point of objecting to this? he added.

The slogan has also been widely condemned by the opposition leaders, claiming communal overtones in it.

The slogan was given by CM Yogi while speaking at a campaign rally in Maharashtra. After which, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the slogan ek hai toh safe hai.

The Mahayuti alliance comprises the Bhartaiya Janata Party (BJP) the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP.

It is up against Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which comprises of Congress, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

Maharashtra will go to polls on November 20 with votes being counted on November 23.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused the BJP of turning a deaf ear to the struggles of backward classes.

In Jharkhand, BJP had reduced the reservation for backward classes from 27% to 14%. On one hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gives speeches saying- I belong to the backward class. On the other hand, they reduce the reservation for backward classes, snatch away your land and make you unemployed through demonetization, he said at a rally in Mahagama in the poll-bound state.

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That is why we have decided in JharkhandST reservation will be 28%, we will create 12% reservation for SCs, and we will ensure 27% reservation for OBCs, he said.

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The Gandhi scion also said that his party was not scared of Narendra Modi and accused the BJP of attempting to hand over Mumbais Dharavi slums to businessman Gautam Adani.

We are not scared of Narendra Modi, the 56-inch chest man and Mann ki Baat. Narendra Modi is a puppet of billionaires. Whatever the billionaires say, Narendra Modi does the same. Modi ji has waived off Rs 16 lakh crore of billionaires by snatching the money of the poor. Dharavis land worth Rs 1 lakh crore in Maharashtra is also being handed over to Adani. The truth is that our government in Maharashtra has been toppled only to grab land, he said.

Further, he attacked the BJP and RSS governments, accusing them of trying to undermine the Constitution.

The BJP and RSS are trying to break the Constitution. The Constitution contains the soul of the people, and they are trying to destroy it. You try to spread injustice and hate in the country if you do not follow the Constitution, and the BJP and RSS have been doing this continuously. If you want to break the Constitution, come forward, and you will see the public is not scared of you, he said.

Meanwhile, the Congress leaders helicopter was grounded for nearly two hours at Godda in Jharkhand due to lack of clearance from the air traffic control (ATC).

Coming to his defence, MLA and Congress candidate from Mahagama constituency, Deepika Pandey Singh said, Just because the PM is in Deogarh, Rahul Gandhi was not allowed to cross that areaThere is the protocol we understand, but the Congress ruled the country for 70 years and such an incident never happened with any opposition leaderThis is not acceptable.

The Congress accused the BJP of deliberate obstruction, suggesting that the delay was politically motivated.

According to sources, the helicopters clearance was held up due to Prime Minister Narendra Modis rally in Jamui, Bihar, which affected the airspace availability in the region.

The first phase of 81-member Jharkhand Assembly election 2024 was held on November 13 and the second phase will be held on November 20. The counting of votes will take place on November 23.
Congress on Friday wrote to the Election Commission of India (ECI) over reported delay in take off of helicopter of Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in Jharkhands Godda, urging it to ensure level playing field in the on-going Assembly elections in the state.

In a letter addressed to the top brass of the poll panel, the party general secretary in-charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh wrote, Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha is presently in Jharkhand for an election rally of the Congress. He and his staff had secured all the requisite permissions for travelling across the state and attending all the pre-scheduled election rallies.

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He said as per the approved schedule and permissions in place, at 1.15 pm, Gandhi and his team were to take off from Godda to fly to other locations across the state (Balbadda Deoghar Airport). However, their mode of travel, which was permitted to fly at 1.15pm, was not allowed to take flight. They have been informed that due to the protocol of other leaders in the vicinity, a no-fly zone restriction had been put in place.

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Ramesh said due to the delay all subsequent programmes of Gandhi were either delayed or cancelled.

In a veiled attack on the BJP, he said, We request the Commission to urgently intervene in this situation and ensure that the level playing field is not disrupted in such a manner. If such a situation is allowed to prevail, then the ruling regime and its leaders can always take undue advantage of such protocols and limit the election campaign of opposition leaders.

Meanwhile, Congress general secretary in-charge of Organisation, KC Venugopal, slammed the BJP over the matter.

In a post on X, Venugopal said, The delay of nearly two hours in LOP Rahul Gandhi Jis helicopter taking off (caused by the Air Traffic Control) reeks of the BJPs intention to deny the Congress a level playing field in these elections. This mistreatment took place on Dharti Aaba Birsa Munda Jis jayanti, when Rahul Ji is in his birthplace Jharkhand to commemorate his contributions towards Adivasi rights.

He asserted that the Modi government is so brazen that it will resort to such petty tactics to stop Gandhi, who has for decades spoken for Adivasi empowerment and protecting the Constitution at all costs. Exuding confidence of INDIA bloc win in the mineral-rich state, Venugopal said, The people of Jharkhand know very well the BJPs shameless attitude and will punish them on voting day.

The polling for the second and final phase in 38 Assembly constituencies in Jharkhand will take place on 20th November. The counting of votes would take place along with Maharashtra on 23rd November.
Former BJP state president and MP Suresh Kashyap on Friday stated the Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPS) is an office of profit, and demanded the resignation of the six MLAs from assembly membership.

He said that the CPS appointed by the Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh led Congress government was only an economic burden on Himachal Pradesh. BJP had been continuously opposing the appointments of all 6 CPS in one voice and the decision of the High Court is historic terming CPS appointment as unconstitutional, stated.

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All these appointments come under Office of Profit and soon all former CPS will become former MLAs, he claimed, demanding all them to relinquish their assembly membership after the High Court quashed the 2006 law under which the appointments were made.

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Criticizing the state government for filing a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court, he said that BJP MLA from Chopal Balbir Verma has also filed a caveat in the Supreme Court on this issue.

He charged that the state government is continuously trying to protect its wrong decision, despite the High Courts decision that is clear-cut.

After the High Courts decision, the Chief Parliamentary Secretaries vacated their offices on Thursday, while one months time has been given to vacate the residences, he claimed.

He also demanded recovery of the money that had been spent on these MLAs during their tenure as CPS.
Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot has claimed a BJP conspiracy behind the SDM slapping incident at Deoli-Uniara assembly segment during the recently-held bypolls in the state.

Independent candidate Naresh Meena had slapped Sub Divisional Magistrate Amit Chaudhary at a polling station in the Deoli-Uniara assembly on Wednesday.

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Talking to media on Thursday, Gehlot noted, I wonder why he (Meena) entered the fray as an independent candidate when he was already associated with the Congress. Who instigated him to contest the polls? Was it done by the BJP to ensure its own win?

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He said the Rajasthan Congress Committee (PCC) will look into the matter.

Gehlot is the AICC senior poll observer for Mumbai and Konkan regions in the Maharashtra assembly election and presently performing his task there. He landed in Jodhpur on Thursday to attend the funeral of his long-time close associate Kesu Singh Gehlot and flew back to Mumbai later in afternoon.

The senior Congress leader termed the slapping incident unfortunate and highly unusual.

How can anyone dare to do such an act and why did the situation go to this extent in the first place? These are serious questions and need answers. The incident has also eroded the trust in the government, he claimed.

Meanwhile, former BJP state president and Chittorgarh MP C P Joshi also called the incident as unfortunate. He, however, said Meena has a long political future, hence he should have not resort to this way to express his protest and annoyance.

There are many acceptable ways in democracy to protest and raise a voice of dissent, he added.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday inaugurated Namo Ghat, the worlds largest and most beautiful ghat.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was also present on this occasion.

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In his address, the Vice President said that India is the land of Sanatan and Kashi is its centre. Sanatan Dharma embraces everyone, including invaders, and teaches us unity and determination, he remarked.

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Praising Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Vice President said that with his dedication and devotion, Yogi ji is working towards transforming Uttar Pradesh into a leading enterprise state.

He said that just as Prime Minister Modi is dedicated to conservation, creation, and visionary development, Yogi Adityanath is carrying out similar work in Uttar Pradesh as an ascetic. While praising Governor Anandi Ben Patel, he said that he had benefited from her guidance on many occasions.

The Vice President described the inauguration of Namo Ghat as a moment of good fortune for him. It is a great honour to inaugurate the worlds largest ghat. When Chief Minister Yogi ji asked, Apart from India, where else are there ghats?, it further strengthened my point. Kashi is a city of salvation, and its traditions remain alive continuously, he added.

The Vice President also emphasised that the coincidence of the inauguration day is very special. Today is the 555th Prakash Parv of the founder of Sikhism, the first Guru, Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He also remembered the birth anniversary of Lord Birsa Munda and praised the glorious heritage of the tribal community.

The Vice President said that India is moving towards development at a rapid pace and the target has been set to become a developed nation by 2047. Every Indian will have to contribute to this big yagya. The Vice President stressed the need to preserve Indias cultural heritage. He said that our sages have repeatedly reminded us that our cultural roots are the basis of our present and future. It is the responsibility of all of us to preserve it.

The Vice President also emphasised indigenous sentiments in his address. He said that indigenous lamps are a unique combination of the countrys soil, oil, and cotton. Even in global business, we should keep the indigenous spirit in mind.

Deliberating on social harmony, he said that India is the foundation of social harmony. There may be differences of opinion, but differences of opinion should be kept to a minimum. The special thing about festivals is cordial communication and taking care of the neighbourhood.

The Vice President said, The traditional festival of Dev Diwali gives an opportunity to every section of the society to come together. It reflects the picture of a changing India and this historical moment is extremely important for me. He said that with the inauguration of Namo Ghat, Varanasi has once again presented its cultural and historical heritage to the world with pride.

On this occasion, Vice Presidents wife Sudesh Dhankhar, Governor Anandi Ben Patel, Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, State Minister of State for Stamps and Registration (Independent Charge) Ravindra Jaiswal, MLA Dr Neelkanth Tiwari, Saurabh Srivastava, Mayor Ashok Tiwari, MLC Dharmendra, Hansraj Vishwakarma, District Panchayat President Poonam Maurya, Sunil Patel, and other dignitaries were present.
Women voters participated enthusiastically in the first phase of voting in Jharkhand Assembly elections, surpassing the overall male turnout by 4.8 per cent, underscoring their increasing involvement in shaping the democratic process, Election Commission of India (ECI) said here on Friday.

The poll panel said 37 of the 43 Assembly constituencies that went for polls in the first phase recorded higher female turnout than male. The overall female turnout was recorded at 69.04 per cent and male at 64.27 per cent.The ECI also informed that the first phase held on 13th November, recorded 66.65 per cent turnout.

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A voter turnout of 66.65 per cent has been recorded across 43 Assembly constituencies in phase-1 of Jharkhand Assembly elections 2024, surpassing the turnout by 2.75 per cent in these seats in 2019 elections, the poll panel said.

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Meanwhile, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) ,Jharkhand has confirmed that all polling parties have returned safely and scrutiny has completed in the presence of the candidates/their authorised agents.

Prominent among the candidates whose fate was sealed in the EVMs in the first pahse include former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren, Rameshwar Oraon, Mithilesh Thakur, Banna Gupta, and Deepak Birua.

The polling for the final phase in remaining 38 Assembly constituencies will take place on 20th November. The counting of votes would take place along with Maharashtra on 23rd November.
Karnataka Home Minister and senior Congress leader Dr G Parameshwara stated here on Friday that Prime Minister Modi is allegedly engaged in false propaganda and lies that the Congress has not implemented its election promises in the state.

Talking to the media at Tilak Bhavan in Mumbai on Friday, he said Congress has started successfully implementing the five guarantees given during the assembly elections and lakhs of people in Karnataka are benefiting from it.

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He said after the formation of the government, a provision of Rs 56 thousand crore was made in the Karnataka budget to implement poll guarantees. There is no reason for shortage of funds. Prime Minister Modi and BJP leaders are making false propaganda about guarantees of Congress not being implemented, he added.

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Parameshwara said under Karnatakas Grihalakshmi Guarantee, Rs 2,000 is being deposited every month in the bank accounts of all women in Karnataka. As per the scheme, 1.22 crore beneficiaries have availed of the benefits and Rs 30,416 crore have been transferred to their accounts, he said.

There are 1.66 crore beneficiaries under Grihjyoti Yojana and funds worth Rs 14,065 crore have been distributed. Unemployed youth are given Rs 3,000 per month. There are 4.30 lakh beneficiaries under the scheme and benefits worth Rs 200 crore have been distributed, he said.

The BJP-led Shinde government in Maharashtra is neck deep in rampant corruption and there is a Rs 10,000 crore scam in Jalyukt Shiwar Yojana and there is a Rs 8,000-crore scam in purchase of hospital supplies, he said.

He claimed that Maharashtra ranks second in atrocities on women in the country. Drugs are sold openly in the state and the youth are becoming drug addicts.

He stated that the situation in Maharashtra is favourable for the Congress-backed Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and expressed his confidence that MVA would get to establish its government after the elections.
The ruling CPI-M-led LDF and the Opposition Congress-led UDF in Kerala called for a hartal in the Wayanad district on Tuesday, November 19, against the Centres inaction in declaring the Wayanad landslides a national disaster and denial of financial assistance to the state for the rehabilitation of the affected people.

While the LDF announced the hartal on November 19 against the Central governments inaction, the UDF declared the hartal against the alleged apathy towards the survivors of the Wayanad disaster of the Central and state governments.

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The Central government, earlier this week, informed the Kerala government that there was no provision to declare any calamity national disaster. Nityanand Rai, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, made this clarification in response to a request from Prof. K V Thomas, Keralas Special Officer in Delhi, who had written to the prime minister seeking the national disaster declaration.

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In his reply, the Union Minister explained that the current SDRF, and NDRF norms do not allow for such a declaration. Rai emphasized that the primary responsibility for managing disaster-related matters lies with the state government.

He also pointed out that flash floods are already listed as one of the 12 notified disasters under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) guidelines, which place the onus of financial support on the state.

The Union government, he noted, has already allocated Rs 388 crore to Kerala for SDRF operations in the current financial year. Of this, Rs 291 crore has been provided by the Union Government, with the first installment of Rs 145 crore disbursed on August 31. Additionally, the states SDRF fund will have a balance of Rs 394 crore by April 1, 2024, providing Kerala with sufficient resources to manage the ongoing disaster response.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. Italy is proud to be a leading partner of the COP29 initiative on climate and peace and demonstrates full commitment to the issue, the special envoy of Italy on climate change Prof. Francesco Corvaro said at a high-level panel discussion on "Climate and Peace: Enabling joint action to leave no one behind," Trend reports.

He noted that climate change is one of the challenges of this century, humanity.

We are facing the reality that the intensity and frequency of extreme natural events are increasing, affecting people around the world. However, not all countries are affected in the same way. Some regions are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and less prepared to mitigate and adapt to it.

The negative impacts of climate change in the same regions of the world can increase social instability and competition for access to natural resources such as water. Climate change is a global threat that exacerbates water scarcity, food insecurity, and soil degradation.

These factors can destabilize regions and threaten entire communities, causing conflict. Among us, the most vulnerable members of society - women, children, and those living in conflict-affected areas - are disproportionately affected by this crisis.

In that context, Italy recognizes its vital role and responsibility. Along with our valued partners Azerbaijan, Egypt, Germany, the UAE, and the UK, we are committed to developing international cooperation within the framework of the Baku Climate and Peace Act, he added.

To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.

Within COP29, the highest level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action  was held on November 1213.

The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics.

In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, creating climate finance will also help fulfill the 1.5C pledge by bringing everyone together.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

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In a significant development, ruling National Conference (NC) leader and MP Ruhullah Mehdi on Friday issued a stern warning against any attempts to misinterpret the resolution seeking restoration of J&Ks special status passed by the Assembly in its recent session.

Ruhullah was seemingly referring to NCs alliance partner Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and J&K Pradesh Congress Committee President Tariq Karras remarks that the demand for restoration of Article 370 was not raised in the resolution passed by the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly.

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Much political significance is being attached to Ruhullahs warning to the Congress leaders as Article 370 has become a poll plank of BJP in the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah in their rallies were questioning the stand of Congress on the issue.

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Annoyed by the statements of top Congress leaders, Ruhullah wrote on X; No INC president or JKPCC president has a right to misinterpret the resolution passed by the J&K Legislative Assembly in the last session. The purpose of that resolution is to express the peoples disapproval of all the amendments and unconstitutional abrogation of the guaranteed (Special) Status of J&K from the year 1953 to 2019. This resolution calls for the return of all the guarantees in their original shape and form as they were operational before 1953, including Art 370 and 35A. Let alone JKPCC or any other entity, even if anyone from within @JKNC_ tries to misinterpret the resolution otherwise and against the wishes of the people, they will be rejected and pushed by the people to a corner of irrelevance as the allies of BJP were in the last election.

Ruhullah had earlier embarrassed CM Omar Abdullah by writing a letter to him in which he asked him (Omar) to respect the peoples mandate and meet their aspirations by prioritising the release of political prisoners, reducing electricity tariffs, filling vacancies in government departments, and reviewing the verification process.

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly in its first session, passed a resolution on special status, seeking a dialogue with the Union Territorys elected representatives for restoration of the same as well as constitutional guarantees, and to work out constitutional mechanisms for restoring these provisions. The resolution was moved by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary.

Thereafter, the 5-day session of the Assembly witnessed unruly scenes with the BJP members protesting against the resolution for three days.

Defending the resolution, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said in the Assembly that the people of Jammu and Kashmir found their voice after the passage of the resolution on the restoration of the special status of J&K and it seems that the burden is off their shoulders.

The PDP, Peoples Conference, and AIP members, however, called the resolution a weak document.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, after his meeting with the Union Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday, expressed optimism that collaborative efforts with the Central government would enhance financial stability and promote sustainable development in Jammu and Kashmir.

Omar Abdullah met Sitharaman to discuss key financial matters concerning Jammu and Kashmir.

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The chief minister shared on Instagram: Called on Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, smt. @nsitharaman ji. Our discussion centred around crucial economic matters concerning Jammu and Kashmir. I passionately advocated for much-needed support from the Union Finance Ministry for the region.

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He expressed optimism that collaborative efforts with the Centre would enhance financial stability and promote sustainable development in Jammu and Kashmir.

The chief minister sought the support of the Union Finance Minister to avail the multi-lateral funding for the development of new tourism destinations in Jammu & Kashmir, aimed to decongest the existing locations and to create well-planned and world-class infrastructure at these newly identified locations.

The CM thanked the Ministry of Finance for approving the Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture & Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP) for Jammu & Kashmir to rejuvenate the agriculture sector which entails financing of 100 million USD through the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) over the next seven years.

In this regard, he requested the Ministry of Finance to treat J&K on par with North Eastern States for availing of incentives in respect of Externally Aided Project (EAP) loans and making J&K eligible for a special lending arrangement under the EAP loans.

He requested the finance minister to consider Jammu & Kashmir for funding through the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme under which a 50-year interest-free loan would be provided to states for capital expenditure.

The CM also informed the finance minister about the difficult fiscal situation being faced by J&K and requested the Ministry to provide additional central assistance of Rs 6000 crore to bridge the resource gap in the UT budget for FY 2024-25.

Over the past few days, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has held several important meetings with senior leaders and officials of the government of India to address critical issues affecting Jammu and Kashmir.

During his current visit, he called on President of India Droupadi Murmu, and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar and attended the Power Ministers conference chaired by the Union Minister of Power to discuss J&Ks priorities and challenges in the power sector.

This recent dialogue, culminating in todays meeting with the finance minister, reinforces the commitment to advancing the welfare and development of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

During his stay in New Delhi, Abdullah also held a series of meetings at his official residence with Government of India officials and industry leaders to explore opportunities for collaboration and development. Among those he met were Arjun Dhawan, Executive Vice Chairman of Hindustan Construction Company Limited, who discussed infrastructure development projects in Jammu and Kashmir; Abhijit Basu, Founder and CEO of Smartex Cognitive Pvt Ltd, XCED, APAC, CEDMA, California, USA, who shared innovative solutions in technology and smart governance; and Avinash Pawar, DM of Small Scale Industries Corporation Ltd. (NSIC) under the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (GoI).

The chief minister also met Aaley Mohammad Iqbal, Deputy Mayor of Delhi Municipal Corporation, to discuss pressing issues regarding the urban areas and identify common areas for collaboration.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid tributes to Bhagwan Birsa Munda, a towering figure in the freedom struggle, on the commencement of the 150th birth anniversary year celebrations of the iconic leader for tribal empowerment.

In a post on social media platform X on Friday, the Prime Minister said, Bhagwan Birsa Munda sacrificed everything to protect the dignity, freedom and glory of the motherland. I pay heartfelt tributes to him on Janjatiya Gaurav Divas that is celebrated to mark his birth anniversary.

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The Prime Minister will visit Jamui in Bihar today to commemorate the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

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He will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 6,640 crore in Bihar.

This step is aimed at uplifting tribal communities and improving infrastructure in rural and remote areas of the region.

According to the Prime Ministers Office, PM Modi will unveil a commemorative coin and postal stamp in honour of Birsa Munda at around 11 A.M. on Friday.

The Prime Minister will travel to a remote village in Jamui district, about 200 km from the state capital Patna, to celebrate Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, as the day has come to be observed since 2021.

Incidentally, this is the PMs second tour of Bihar, where he, on Wednesday, laid the foundation stone for AIIMS at Darbhanga, one of the major cities in the states northern region.

Jamui shares its borders with Jharkhand, where Assembly elections are underway.

The Prime Minister will also participate in the Grih Pravesh of 11,000 houses built under Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN).

He will also inaugurate 23 Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) launched under PM-JANMAN and an additional 30 MMUs under Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) to enhance healthcare access in tribal areas.

Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate 300 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) to promote tribal entrepreneurship and support livelihood generation and 10 Eklavya Model Residential Schools, worth around Rs 450 crore, dedicated to tribal students.

He will also inaugurate two tribal freedom fighters museums in Chhindwara and Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, and two tribal research institutes in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, and Gangtok, Sikkim, to document and preserve the rich history and heritage of tribal communities.

The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of 500 km of new roads to improve connectivity in tribal regions and 100 Multi-Purpose Centres to act as community hubs under PM-JANMAN.

He will also lay the foundation stone of 25 additional Eklavya Model residential schools, worth more than Rs 1,110 crore, furthering the commitment of quality education for tribal children.

Prime Minister Modi will also sanction various development projects that include 25,000 new Awas under PM-JANMAN worth around Rs 500 crore and 1.16 lakh Awas under Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) worth more than Rs 1,960 crore; 66 hostels under PM-JANMAN and 304 hostels under DAJGUA worth more than Rs 1,100 crore; 50 new Multi-Purpose Centres, 55 Mobile Medical Units and 65 Anganwadi Centres under PM-JANMAN; 6 Centres of Competency for Sickle Cell Anaemia elimination along with 330 projects for upgradation of Ashram Schools, hostels, Government Residential Schools among others under DAJGUA, worth around Rs 500 crore.
The Rajasthan government will soon launch Pharma Policy and the Medical Value Travel Policy.

This announcement was made by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma here on Thursday at the Rising Rajasthan Health Pre Summit that has attracted the investment offers of more than Rs 16,000 crore in the entire healthcare sector including Allopathic, Ayush, Naturopathy, Medicine  Pharma installations and infrastructure strengthening projects in medical  health education arenas.

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Sharma said, The government is going to launch the new Pharma Policy and Medical Value Travel Policy for unlocking medical tourism potential of the state.

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He said that our commitment towards healthcare is evident from the fact that the states 88 percent population has provided (medical) insurance cover.

Besides, the government has made the highest ever allocation of Rs 28,000 crore (8.26 per cent) for health budget allocation in 2024-25 state budget, Sharma said.

Of the investment MoUs signed at the pre summit on Thursday projects of Rs 14,000 crore are in the Health and Medical sector while investment MoUs worth Rs 2157 crore were signed in the AYUSH sector.

Additionally, investment proposals worth Rs 57,000 crore were received on the RajNivesh portal.

The conversion of these proposals in the on-ground projects is expected to generate over 6 lakh direct and indirect job opportunities in the state, the Chief Minister said.

Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar also asserted- The new investment will not only bring new healthcare institutions, medical colleges and wellness centres in the state to provide quality healthcare but also create lakhs of job opportunities for the youth.

In the MoUs signed so far, the investors have proposed to set up pharma units, medical colleges, universities, nursing colleges, homeopathy and ayurveda college, Ayush Research Panchkarm Centre, Advanced Ayurveda and Naturopathy Institute in cities including Jaipur, Ajmer, Jodhpur, Rajsamand, Sikar and Sirohi.
Asserting that tribal welfare has always been the priority of the NDA government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the Centres focus is on education, income and medicine of the tribal society.

The Prime Minister visited Jamui, Bihar to commemorate Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, marking the commencement of the 150th Birth Anniversary Year celebration of Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Modi unveiled a commemorative coin and postal stamp in honour of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

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Modi also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 6,640 crore aimed at uplifting tribal communities and improving infrastructure in rural and remote areas of the region.

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Addressing the gathering after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of multiple development projects, the Prime Minister emphasised that his Governments mindset, be it in the field of culture or social justice, was different.

It was their good fortune to elect Droupadi Murmu as the President of India, Modi said.

She (Droupadi Murmu) was the first adivasi President of India and the credit for all the works incepted under the PM-JANMAN yojana goes to the President, the Prime Minister said.

Underling that the Rs 24,000 crore PM JANMAN yojana was launched for the empowerment of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), Modi said under the scheme, development of settlements of the most backward tribes of the country is being ensured.

He noted that the scheme had completed one year today and thousands of pucca houses were given to the PVTGs under the scheme. Modi also said the road development projects were under progress to ensure connectivity between PVTG settlements and drinking water was ensured under the Har Ghar Jal scheme in many houses of PVTGs.

The Prime Minister said the inauguration and laying of foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 6640 crore was done today. He added that projects comprised around 1.5 lakh approval letters for pucca houses for tribals, schools and hostels for the betterment of tribal childrens future, health facilities for tribal women, road projects connecting tribal areas, tribal museums and research centres to conserve the tribal culture.

Modi remarked that there was a Grih Pravesh of 11,000 Awas built for the tribals on the auspicious occasion of Dev Deepavali. He congratulated all the tribals on this occasion.

Highlighting the contributions of tribal society, the Prime Minister said it was the tribal society which transformed Prince Ram to Lord Ram as well as led the fight for centuries to protect Indias culture and independence.

However, he added, There were attempts to wipe out such important contributions of tribal society in the decades after independence fueled by selfish politics.

Tribal welfare has always been the priority of our government, said the Prime Minister. It was Atal jis Government which formed a separate Ministry for Tribal affairs, he added.

Modi noted that the budgetary allocation was increased 5 times from Rs 25,000 crore to Rs 1.25 lakh crore in the last 10 years. He said a special scheme named Dharti Abha Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) was started recently benefitting more than 60,000 tribal villages.

Modi added that Rs 80,000 crore was being invested through the scheme which aimed at ensuring availability of basic facilities in the tribal villages along with creating job opportunities and training of the tribal youths.

He further said the Government was also setting up the upcoming Global centre for traditional medicine under the auspices of WHO, which will help further propagate the traditional medicine system of Tribals across the world.

Our governments focus is on education, income and medicine of the tribal society, exclaimed Modi. He was pleased that the tribal children were coming forward in various fields like medical, engineering, armed forces or aviation.
As delay to appoint new Director General of Police(DGP) by Uttarakhand government continued, acting head of the state police Abhinav Kumar questioned the dominance of UPSC and union home ministry in the present selection module. He said Uttarakhand government must follow State Police Act 2007 and UPs new norms in appointing DGP.

Officials in the state home department informed that Kumar said this in a representation made by him to the state home secretary Shailesh Bagoli as Pushkar Singh Dhami government has failed to pick a name for appointing regular DGP from a three-member panel of the probable names sent by the UPSC.

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Abhinav Kumar, whose name was not included in the panel sent by the UPSC, said in his representation that presently state government follows a process for appointing DGP persuing a 2006 Supreme Court judgement in Prakash Singh versus others case. He added UPSC and the Union Home Ministry play decisive role in the existing format for appointing state police chief which is not appropriate as per the constitution of India. Kumar termed predominance of UPSC and union home ministry in selection of the state DGP as impractical. He suggested the state government must consider and follow the provisions of Uttarakhand Police Act-2007 in the appointment of the DGP.

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In his representation he also said section-20 of the State Police Act-2007, provides that state government will appoint DGP through the Appointments Committee for control, direction and supervision of the police force. State acting DGP stressed in his representation since the police system is a state subject in List-2 of the Constitution of India ,it is important that Uttarakhand also considers implementing the same tp ensure transparency, autonomy and decisive role of the state government in the appointment of the DGP.

Kumar further buttressed his arguement taking recourse to the Uttar Pradesh governments recent decision in this regard. He said that Uttar Pradesh government has framed new norms for appointing DGP to establish its decisive role in the process. Kumar termed UPs decision as progressive and requested Dhami government to notify new norms of appointment of the DGP on the lines of the Uttar Pradesh, to maintain the independence and integrity of the police force.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday attacked the Congress and the Maha Vikas Aghadi at election rallies in Chandrapur, Umerkheda, and Hingoli in Maharashtra.

Speaking at Chandrapur, Shah said, Do you want a government following the path of Shivaji Maharaj in Maharashtra or a government run by the Aurangzeb fan club? Under the leadership of Modi, the BJP government has constructed the Ram temple, removed Article 370, stopped triple talaq, implemented CAA and now we plan to change the Waqf Board law too.

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He said that the Congress, Uddhav Thackeray, and Sharad Pawars party, opposed all these steps. It was the BJP government which renamed Aurangabad as Sambhaji Nagar, but they opposed all these steps. Gadchiroli in Chandrapur has been suffering from Naxalism for all these years. Narendra Modi plans to end Naxalism. We will end it before March 31, 2026.

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Earlier, speaking at an election rally in Umarkhed, he asked voters to vote for BJP-backed Mahayuti candidates. You have to press the button of the BJPs lotus symbol. Like the Mahabharata, there are two sides  one side is in favour of the truth while the other side is in favour of falsehood. There is Mahayuti backed by Narendra Modi, who has brought development, while on the other hand, there is the alliance of Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar, who are sitting in the lap of the Aurangzeb fan club to enjoy power. You have to choose between the two, Shah said.

He attacked Sonia and Rahul Gandhi. There is an aircraft named Rahul Baba which keeps on crashing repeatedly. Sonia tried to launch Rahul Baba 20 times. She is trying it again for the 21st time, but I would like to tell Sonia that even at the 21st attempt, your aircraft is going to crash at Nagpur airport, Shah said.

Shah stated that Eknath Shindes faction is the real Shiv Sena. On one side, we have Udhhav who says, his Shiv Sena is the real Shiv Sena. I ask him, can the real Shiv Sena oppose the renaming of Aurangabad as Sambhaji Nagar? Can the Shiv Sena oppose the renaming of Osmanabad as Dhara Shiv? Can the real Shiv Sena oppose the renaming of Ahmednagar as Ahalya Nagar? Uddhav, your Sena has ended up merely as a Uddhav Sena. The real Shiv Sena is with the BJP, he said.

He warned voters that Rahul Gandhi plans to restore Article 370. Rahul Baba and his party plan to bring back Article 370 in Kashmir. I am standing on the land of Umarkhed and telling you, Rahul Baba, that even if your four generations come, Article 370 will not be rolled back. Kashmir is an integral part of India. No power in the world can take away Kashmir from India. This is the resolution of Narendra Modi and the BJP, Shah said.

Shah reminded voters how terrorists used to carry out bomb blasts in the country during Sonia and Manmohan government era. Sonia and Manmohan did nothing except appease their vote bank. However, after you made Modi the Prime Minister, he boosted the morale of the Army. As soon as Uri and Pulwama attacks took place, our armed forces entered Pakistan and carried out surgical strikes and air strikes, he said.

Shah said that Congress, Sharad Pawar, and all other parties kept the issue of Ram Mandir unresolved for 70 years. They kept it hanging, but Modi won the case in one year and constructed the Ram temple, he said.

Speaking about the Waqf Board law, Shah said, You must have read a news item recently that in Karnataka, the Waqf Board has converted hundreds of villages, including temples and farmers lands, into its property. Modi plans to change the Waqf Board law, but Uddhav, Sharad Pawar, and Supriya Sule oppose it. Uddhav, Sharad Pawar, and Rahul, you can protest as much as you want, but Modi is determined to change the Waqf Board law, he said.

He alleged that Congress leader Nana Patole recently met Muslim religious leaders and ulemas. They told Patole that they would swing the votes for the Congress if maulanas were paid Rs 15,000 every month. Do you agree with this, he asked the people assembled at the rally.

Should reservations be given to Muslims by ending the reservation of SCs, STs, OBCs, Dalits, and tribals? Should Rs 1,000 crore be given to repair mosques? Which side are you on Uddhav? You never visit the Ram temple but talk about giving Rs 1,000 crore to mosques. You should drown yourself in a pool of water, Shah said.

Sharad Pawar, Rahul Baba, and Uddhav, you may apply as much pressure as you want, but Muslims will never get reservations in Chhatrapati Shivajis Maharashtra, he said.

He said that the BJP-backed Mahayuti would reduce electricity bills by 30 per cent and create a trillion-dollar economy in Maharashtra. Right now Modi gives 5 kg of grains to the poor. Along with this, he will also give you jowar, rice, peanut oil, salt, sugar, turmeric, mustard, cumin and red chili powder. Modi plans to keep the kitchens of sisters of Maharashtra lit for 365 days, Shah said.

Speaking at Hingoli, he said that the Congress always insulted Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar throughout his life. Dr Ambedkar was given the Bharat Ratna posthumously, only after the Congress government was gone, Shah said.

He said that the Sonia and Manmohan government left India as the 11th largest economy. Yet, in five years, Modi worked to bring it to the fifth position, and by 2027, India will become the third-largest economy in the world, Shah said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah attacked the Congress and the Maha Vikas Aghadi at election rallies held in Chandrapur, Umerkheda and Hingoli, in Maharashtra on Friday.

Speaking at Chandrapur, he said, Do you want a government following the path of Shivaji Maharaj in Maharashtra or a government run by the Aurangzeb fan club? Under the leadership of Modi, the BJP government has constructed the Ram temple, removed Article 370, stopped triple talaq, implemented CAA and now we plan to change the Waqf Board law too.

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He said that the Congress, Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawars party opposed all these steps. It was the BJP government which renamed Aurangabad as Sambhaji Nagar, but they opposed all these steps. Gadchiroli in Chandrapur has been suffering from Naxalism for all these years. Narendra Modi plans to end Naxalism. We will end it before March 31, 2026.

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Earlier, speaking at an election rally in Umarkhed, he asked voters to vote for BJP-backed Mahayuti candidates. You have to press the button of the BJPs lotus symbol. Like the Mahabharata, there are two sidesone side is in favour of the truth while the other side is in favour of falsehood. There is the Mahayuti backed by Narendra Modi, who has brought development while on the other hand, there is the alliance of Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar, who are sitting in the lap of the Aurangzeb fan club to enjoy power. You have to choose between the two, Shah said.

He attacked Sonia and Rahul Gandhi. There is an aircraft named Rahul Baba which keeps on crashing repeatedly. Sonia tried to launch Rahul Baba 20 times. She is trying it again for the 21st time, but I would like to tell Sonia that even at the 21st attempt, your aircraft is going to crash at Nagpur airport, Shah said.

He stated that Eknath Shindes faction is the real Shiv Sena. On one side, we have Udhhav who says, his Shiv Sena is the real Shiv Sena. I ask him, can the real Shiv Sena oppose the renaming of Aurangabad as Sambhaji Nagar? Can the Shiv Sena oppose the renaming of Osmanabad as Dhara Shiv? Can the real Shiv Sena oppose the renaming of Ahmednagar as Ahalya Nagar? Uddhav, your Sena has ended up merely as an Uddhav Sena. The real Shiv Sena is with the BJP, he said.

He warned voters that Rahul Gandhi plans to reinstate Article 370. Rahul Baba and his party plan to bring back Article 370 in Kashmir. I am standing on the land of Umarkhed and telling you, Rahul Baba, that even if your four generations come, Article 370 will not be rolled back. Kashmir is an integral part of India. No power in the world can take away Kashmir from India. This is the resolution of Narendra Modi and the BJP, Shah said.

Shah reminded voters how terrorists used to carry out bomb blasts in the country during Sonia and Manmohan governments era. Sonia and Manmohan did nothing except appease their vote bank. However, after you made Modi the Prime Minister, he boosted the morale of the army. As soon as Uri and Pulwama attacks took place, our armed forces entered Pakistan and carried out surgical strikes and air strikes, he said.

Shah said that the Congress, Sharad Pawar and all of the other parties kept the issue of Ram Mandir stuck for 70 years. They kept it hanging, but Modi won the case in one year and constructed the Ram temple, he said.

Speaking about the Waqf Board law, Shah said, You must have read a news item recently that in Karnataka, the Waqf Board has converted hundreds of villages there by making these its property, including temples and farmers lands. Modi plans to change the Waqf Board law, but Uddhav, Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule oppose it. Uddhav, Sharad Pawar and Rahul, you may all protest as much as you want, but Modi has resolved to change the Waqf Board law, he said.

He alleged that Congress leader Nana Patole recently met Muslim religious leaders and ulemas. They told Patole that they would swing the votes for the Congress if maulanas are paid Rs 15,000 every month. Do you agree with this, he asked the people assembled at the rally.

Should reservations be given to Muslims by ending the reservation of SCs, STs, OBCs, Dalits and tribals? Should Rs 1000 crore be given to repair mosques? Which side are you on Uddhav? You never go to visit the Ram temple but talk about giving Rs 1000 crore to mosques. You must drown yourself in a pool of water, Shah said.

Sharad Pawar, Rahul Baba and Uddhav, you may apply as much pressure as you want, but Muslims will never get reservations in Chhatrapati Shivajis Maharashtra, he thundered.

He said that the BJP-backed Mahayuti would reduce electricity bills by 30 per cent and create a trillion-dollar economy in Maharashtra. Right now Modi gives 5 kg of grains to the poor. Along with this, he will also give you jowar, rice, peanut oil, salt, sugar, turmeric, mustard, cumin and red chilli powder. Modi plans to keep the kitchens of sisters of Maharashtra lit for 365 days, Shah said.

Speaking at Hingoli, he said that the Congress always insulted Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar throughout his life. Dr Ambedkar was given the Bharat Ratna posthumously, only after the Congress government was gone, Shah said.

He said that Sonia and Manmohan government left India as the 11th largest economy. Yet, in five years, Modi worked to bring it to the fifth position and by 2027, India will become the third largest economy in the world, Shah said.
In the past decade, significant efforts have been made across the country to free farmers from the burden of high-interest loans and guide them toward self-reliance. However, there is still room for improvement, remarked Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday at the inauguration of the Krishi Bharat 2024 programme here.

The four-day agricultural and technology event, taking place at Vrindavan Yojana Ground, highlights the importance of integrating agriculture with entrepreneurship and employing modern technology to increase farmers income. He said, Our focus should be on advancing the agricultural sector with enhanced technology. Given the diverse agro-climatic zones within the country, each state brings unique experiences, and regions have shown remarkable progresseven under challenging circumstances worldwide. By sharing best practices, we can learn much from one another.

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Before the event, Yogi participated in a bilateral meeting with partner country the Netherlands, where he met with a delegation led by the countrys Deputy Agriculture Minister Jan-Kees Goet and Ambassador to India Marisa Gerards. During the meeting, two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between the state government and the Netherlands.

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The Krishi Bharat Exhibition spans 20,000 square meters, showcasing innovations and sustainable developments in agriculture. Featuring over 250 exhibitors, the event is expected to attract more than 1 lakh farmers and visitors. The exhibition highlights advancements in agriculture, dairy, food processing equipment, and other agri-services and technologies. Organized by the CII, Krishi Bharat serves as a state and national pavilion, presenting world-class agricultural innovations.

While inaugurating it, CM greetedthe people on the 555th Prakash Parv of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Kartik Purnima, and the 150th birth anniversary of Dharti Aaba, Bhagwan Birsa Munda, a symbol of tribal pride.

Expressing gratitude to the CII, CM Yogi acknowledged its efforts in organizing Agrotech in India since 2000. For the first time, this prestigious event is being held in Uttar Pradesh, moving beyond its traditional location in Chandigarha milestone of great significance. Partnering with the CII for this event, the Netherlands is the official country partner, while nations like Australia, Canada, Uganda, Spain, and the UK, along with agricultural experts and stakeholders, are also participating.

CM Yogi emphasized states vital role in Indian agriculture, noting that while the state accounts for 17 per cent of Indias population (25 crore people) and only 11 per cent of the countrys cultivable land, it contributes 20 per cent of the nations total agricultural output. This remarkable achievement reflects the states abundant water resources and fertile land. Highlighting the untapped potential, he stated that with the integration of digital agriculture and advanced technologies, agricultural productivity could increase by three to four times.
The on-going conflict in Ukraine has sent shockwaves through global energy markets, impacting everything from international relations to commodity prices. While the war has led to immense suffering and a humanitarian crisis, it has also created unexpected economic opportunities for countries like India. The remarkable surge in Indias fuel exports to the European Union (EU) exemplifies how geopolitical tensions can yield economic gains for nations that skilfully navigate the shifting landscape. In the first three quarters of 2024, Indias exports of fuels such as diesel to the EU soared by an impressive 58 per cent compared to the same period the previous year.

Much of this increase can be traced to Indian refineries acquiring Russian crude oil at discounted prices, a direct consequence of the sanctions imposed by Western countries on Russia. As European nations increasingly turned away from Russian oil, India capitalized on the opportunity, positioning itself as the largest exporter of oil products to the EU. Before the invasion, Europe imported approximately 154,000 barrels per day (bpd) of diesel and jet fuel from India. Since the onset of the war, that figure has nearly doubled; highlighting Indias newly gained prominence in the global oil market.

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Refineries in Jamnagar, Vadinar and New Mangalore have ramped up their operations, relying heavily on Russian crude to meet this surging demand. This strategic manoeuvre has allowed India not only to enhance its foreign exchange reserves but also to play a pivotal role in the global oil supply chain during a time of crisis. The sanctions and price caps imposed by the G7 and EU aimed to limit Russias revenue from oil exports, a vital source of funding for its military operations. While these measures targeted crude oil directly, they inadvertently created a loophole: countries that did not participate in the sanctions could legally import Russian crude, refine it, and export the refined products to sanctioning nations.

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India has adeptly taken advantage of this situation, purchasing Russian crude at attractive discounts and re-exporting the refined products to Europe at full market prices. This scenario is a perfect illustration of a classic game theory concept known as ones loss is anothers gain. In this geopolitical chess match, the West sought to weaken Russias economic power through sanctions, but in doing so, they unintentionally facilitated Indias economic ascent. By navigating the complexities of the energy market, India has not only filled the gap left by reduced Russian oil exports to Europe but has also reaped significant financial rewards. The financial implications for India are substantial. With crude oil forming a significant part of its imports, acquiring Russian oil at reduced prices has provided a crucial buffer for the countrys foreign exchange reserves.

Recent data indicates that India purchased around 2 billion worth of Russian crude oil in October 2024 alone, making it the second-largest buyer after China, which accounted for approximately 47 per cent of Russias crude exports. However, while these developments represent a remarkable economic opportunity, they also raise ethical questions amid the on-going humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. The Indian government has approached this situation with caution, emphasizing the importance of energy security while balancing its international relationships. This pragmatic approach reflects a complex balancing act, weighing economic gains against the moral implications of engaging with a nation under widespread sanctions. As global pressure mounts on countries to isolate Russia, India finds itself in a precarious position.

The rising foreign exchange reserves from fuel exports symbolize a critical opportunity for India to bolster its economy, but this also risks potential backlash from Western nations that view its actions through a lens of scepticism. Indias response to this geopolitical pressure will be crucial in maintaining its diplomatic relations while ensuring its energy needs are met. Looking ahead, the sustainability of Indias energy trade with Russia remains uncertain. The dynamics of the Ukraine conflict and the global energy market continue to evolve, influenced by geopolitical developments and changes in energy consumption patterns. As Europe seeks to diversify its energy sources and reduce reliance on Russian imports, India must adapt its strategies to maintain its newfound role in the global energy market.

Moreover, as G7 nations and the EU continue to refine their sanctions on Russian oil products, India may face increased scrutiny regarding its role in refining and exporting Russian crude. Its ability to maintain its position as a key supplier to Europe will depend not only on diplomatic efforts but also on the adaptability of its energy strategies in a rapidly changing global landscape. In summary, the war in Ukraine has created a paradox: while it has inflicted suffering and turmoil, it has also opened avenues for economic growth for nations like India.

As India navigates this complex landscape, it must balance economic benefits with ethical considerations, establishing itself as a responsible global player. The interplay of game theory, economic gain, and moral responsibility will shape Indias role in the global energy market for years to come. By strategically leveraging its resources and refining capabilities, India can not only enhance its foreign exchange reserves but also contribute to global energy security in an increasingly multipolar world.

(The writer is Associate Professor, Centre for South Asian Studies, Pondicherry Central University
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. As part of COP29 in Baku, Trend News Agency proudly presents COP for Hope, a special project offering an unparalleled platform to hear from world leaders and trailblazers in politics, economics, science, and ecology, all united by a shared commitment to addressing todays pressing climate challenges.

Today, we are honored to speak with Archbishop Seraphim Kikotis of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Zimbabwe.

In an exclusive interview with Trend, Kikotis called for a significant increase in funding to combat climate change, stressing that the annual financial commitment should rise to $400 billion, up from the previously cited $100 billion.

The Archbishop also recognized the exceptional hospitality of the Azerbaijani people, conveying appreciation for their welcoming reception.

"We were welcomed with great warmth. Thank you for that. On the issue of climate change, Antonio Guterres stated that the Paris Agreement remains largely unfulfilled.

As you know, this agreement was presented to the international community nearly a decade ago. Large nations must work together to achieve the set goals. I do not want our children to suffer because of our collective irresponsibility. We hope that leaders will reach a consensus on key issues, allowing us to determine how to allocate funding for climate action in Brazil next year. We must recognize that people depend on nature for survival, not the other way around," he added.

The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

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If all mankind, minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person was of the contrary opinion, mankind would no more be justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind.

This statement of John Stuart Mill brings to light a remarkable phenomenon, though uncommon, called dissent, i.e., to differ in opinion or feelings or to disagree. The Constitution of India realizing the essence and significance of dissent made this right available not only to our citizens but to our judges [Article 145]. The ability of a judge to write an opinion which rejects the reasoning of his colleagues and explains how the majority has fallen into error is one of the key indicators of a robust and independent judicial system.

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The possibility of dissenting opinions in a multi member bench in constitutional courts is one factor which provides reassurance that the courts are staffed by independent judges beholden only to their own individual appreciation of the Constitution and the law. The data collected by the author displays a declining trend in the frequency of dissent over the last seven decades. In the last two decades velocity of dissent was found at its lowest level; people thus would be inclined to think that democratic elements were lost in the last two decades.

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The abysmal rate of dissent in CJI benches allows us to infer with some amount of conviction that either it may be the persona of the Chief Justice of India which restricts indirectly/directly brother judges to express his/her disagreement in the bench or the fact that Chief Justice has a lot of administrative powers vested in him, specifically the power to constitute benches where he is in position to influence his brother/sister judges not to raise a question mark on his judgment or he constitutes benches of like-minded judges where possibility of dissent becomes almost nil.

Justice DY Chandrachuds tenure as apex court judge provides respite where he tried to revive the dissenting culture in the apex court. He believed that a society which does not encourage its citizens to critically think, question the powers that be, and engage in non-conformist democratic discourse will fail to progress because it will fail to create dissenters.

He emphatically observed while delivering a memorial lecture that Dissents emerge not from thin air but from a democratic culture of fierce debates Abolition of slavery, annihilation of caste, emancipation of gender minorities, and religious harmony were all once dissenting opinions. He as a judge not only wrote strong and academic dissents but tried to create a culture where justices in the bench led by him could voice dissents. Justice Chandrachud wrote an academic dissent in Abhiram Singh v. C.D. Commachen (2017) and pointed out that there is no warrant for making an assumption that Parliament while enacting Section 123(3) of Representation of the Peoples Act 1951 intended to sanitize the electoral process from the real histories of our people grounded in injustice, discrimnation and suffering.  if the provision is construed to apply to the religion of the voter, this would result in a situation where persons contesting an election would run the risk of engaging in corrupt practices if the discourse during the course of a campaign dwells on injustices suffered by a segment of the population on the basis of caste, race, community or language.

In the Bhima Koregaon Arrests (2018), Justice Chandrachud reprimanded the majority and observed that the police investigation suffered from infirmities, one of which was the decision to approach the media while the investigation was underway. By selectively disclosing details to the media, the police had created public bias against the accused and cast a cloud on the impartiality of the investigative process. Justice Chandrachud while writing a strong dissenting opinion in the Aadhaar case (2019) observed that the Aadhaar Act was unconstitutional from the very beginning of the phase of its enactment because of the procedure involved in passing the said legislation.

Since the Aadhaar Act created a statutory framework for obtaining a unique identity number, which can be used for several purposes including availing benefits, subsidies and services for which expenses are incurred from the Consolidated Fund of India and this is just one purpose provided under Section 7 of the Act, it will not succeed to be a Money Bill. Further, other provisions of the Act dealing with several aspects relating to the Aadhaar numbers also do not fall within the ambit of sub-clauses (a) to (g) of Article 110(1). Therefore, even if, Section 7 may have a remote nexus to the expenditure incurred from the Consolidated Fund of India, the other provisions of the Act do not fall within the realm of Article 110(1).

Justice Chandrachud observed that: The decision of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha in certifying a Bill as a Money Bill is liable to be tested upon the touchstone of its compliance with constitutional principles. A five-judge bench in Supriyo @ Supriya Chakraborty & Anr. v Union of India held that there is no fundamental right to marry for queer people and refused to recognise the right of LGBTQIA+ persons under the Special Marriage Act. While the decision was unanimous, CJI Chandrachud wrote a partly dissenting note and raised some crucial issues. Justice Chandrachud during his tenure as CJI tried to create a democratic ambience in the top court where dissent flourished especially in the benches led by the CJI.

In a recent constitutional bench led by him [Property Owners Association v. State of Maharashtra decided on 05-11-2024] which ruled that not all private property can be deemed material resource of the community under Article 39(b) of the Constitution for acquisition and redistribution by the government, Justice B.V. Nagarathna partially concurred with it while Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia dissented. While Justice Nagarathna said the CJIs observations are unwarranted and unjustified, Justice Dhulia strongly disapproved of the remarks and said the criticism was harsh, and could have been avoided. We noticed another fractured mandate in the 7-judges bench led by CJI Chandrachud [AMU v Naresh Agarwal (2024)] which overruled the 1967 judgment in Azeez Basha vs. Union of India to the extent it held that an institution incorporated by a statute cannot claim to be a minority institution.

While Justice Surya Kant partially dissented on certain aspects, Justices Dipankar Datta and SC Sharma dissented from the majority. Far from being a recent phenomenon, an appeal to the future wisdom of the court is one of its older traditions, stretching from contemporary adherents such as Justices Kirby of the Australian High Court, Antonin Scalia from American Supreme Court, Justice K. Subba Rao from Indian Supreme Court all the way back to Justices Marshall and Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes ~ embraced at various times across history. The fate of a dissent lies in the hands of history.

When history demonstrates that one of the courts decisions has been a truly horrendous mistake, it is comforting to look back and realise that at least some of the [J]justices saw the danger clearly and gave voice, often eloquent voice, to their concern. Justice Chandrachuds dissenting voice and efforts to revive it shall also be tested on the hallmark of time, veracity and his political neutrality, because the eventual safeguard for democracy is the public conscience.

(The writer is Vice-Chancellor, National Law University Tripura)
Consider imagining yourself in a galaxy of fireworks and lights where there will be ultimate peace over everything else. Everybody, like us, wants peace in their life irrespective of the situation. If you have the chance to visit Varanasi during the time of Dev Deepawali, dont miss it. The city offers you peace and mental stability in every corner. Dev Deepawali is something more than a festival. It is an amazing experience that brightens the holy city. This festival lights up the sky and fills the rivers with joy. Want to know what is so special about Dev Deepawali?

Over the years, Dev Deepawali has been celebrated on the full moon night of Kartik month. This is considered to be a major festival where the ghats of Varanasi are lit up with thousands of diyas or oil lamps. The festival happens fifteen days after Diwali, honouring the victory of Lord Shiva over the demon Tripurasura. The event has always been attracting a wide range of pilgrims and tourists from all over the world. They gather here to witness the breathtaking sight of the river Ganges with flickering lights, marked as a sign of light over darkness and good over evil.

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This year, the festival is being held on the 15th of November. The festival has been promoting spiritual renewal and community since its commencement. Families gather to perform rituals and offer prayers to the deities. The festival is highly valued in the local tradition, and it reflects the cultural heritage of the oldest city in India, Varanasi. Pilgrims take holy dips and participate in religious processions and cultural performances. Moreover, the overall period focuses on boosting unity and devotion among the visitors out there.

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Legends say that on this particular day, the gods came down to the earth to bathe in the Ganges. The city transfers into a sea of lights, with millions of diyas illuminating the ghats. Somebody new would feel that the stars have decided to join the festivities on the ground. The ghats along the Ganges are covered with thousands of flickering candles. It feels like you are walking through a fairy tale when you go through the riverside. The reflection of lights on the water creates a magical scene that will leave visitors spellbound.

The festival is full of rituals which play a major role in bringing people together. Families come to light diyas and create colourful rangolis in front of their homes. The atmosphere is covered with excitement as people come together to celebrate. It is that time of the year when everyone says goodbye to their worries and focuses on the joy surrounding them.

Dev Deepawali comes alive with spectacular fireworks displays. The night sky turns into an ocean of colours and makes it impossible for you to look anywhere else. Several cultural events like music, dance, and drama take place. The performances show the rich cultural heritage of India and leave a long-lasting impression on the minds of the visitors.

If you are in Varanasi during Dev Deepawali, consider participating in the Ganga Arati. Priests chant hymns and wave large lamps. One can easily feel the spiritual energy in the air. It feels like time has stopped during this period. Many find this experience to be moving and transformative.

You might be a local or a traveller; Dev Deepawali has its arms wide open for everyone. The beauty and warmth of the festival can easily blow one away. The friendly locals and their wish to share traditions make the festival special. Visitors can get a sense of unity and love, which is rarely available.

Sammya Brata Mullick, a content creator, described the festival as breathtaking. The ghats between Dashashwamedh Ghat and Assi Ghat are covered with diyas and lights. On the other hand, the alternate ghats towards Manikarnika Ghat have something unique to offer. One can enjoy the Ganga Arati in Dashashwamedh Ghat. While moving towards Manikarnika, visitors can enjoy a light show at Tulsi Ghat and firecrackers. People visiting during this time must decide in advance which side they must be part of.

While speaking to The Statesman, he mentioned that it is very difficult to move during the time of Dev Deepawali from one ghat to another. He also added that police would not be allowed to walk through the Kashi-Vishwanath corridor during this time in order to control the crowd. He stated that during the time of Dev Deepawali, the holy land of Varanasi turned into a different planet. Everyone enjoyed it with a smile on their face, and this is what made both the celebration and the city stand out.

Visitors and photographers have been considering Varanasi as a major festival to celebrate both faith and tradition and, at the same time, to show the cultural identity of the city. It is a unique chance to be part of history, spirituality and community and reside in the same place. When one attends this festival, the whole land of Kashi provides them with an unmatched spiritual experience and guarantees the indelible mark of knowing about Indian culture and spirituality.

Surit Datta, another content creator and photographer, spoke to The Statesman and stated that the ghats of Varanasi are usually transformed into a mesmerising spectacle during the event. The ghats are images of their state, and the local community expresses their devotion to Lord Shiva and other gods while painting and depicting their idols. Over the years, the creator has faced several challenges, like moving into an immense crowd and finding the proper lighting conditions to get the perfect frame or picture. As per Datta, the festival is a paradise for photographers, and keeping the enchanting memory and the mortal convergence remains the ultimate challenge for any visitor and photographer. One can learn about the narratives of each lane, including temples and bustling markets. It is important to engage with the locals, document the daily rituals, and get the very essence of life in this historic city.

Technology and social media have played a major role in influencing Dev Deepawali. A wide range of audiences engage with the festival with the help of platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Their digital presence has motivated young generations to participate. Moreover, there have been multiple challenges to maintain the authenticity of the celebration. Balancing online promotion and real-life observance is vital to preserving the overall essence of Dev Deepawali.

The overall near and dear future of the festival named Dev Deepawali fully depends on the initiatives taken by the government to preserve the cultural heritage and join hands with environmental sustainability. Eco-friendly decorations and responsible waste management initiatives are becoming more important nowadays, and the government has been playing an active role in doing so. Moreover, the involvement of the young generation is very important to keep the spirit of festivity growing. Innovative ideas can collaborate with tradition and contemporary values. This will ensure a vibrant celebration in the upcoming years.

Dev Deepawali in Varanasi is an enchanting festival that takes you into another world. It brings people together and showcases the rich culture of the city. The work with lights, devotion and celebration creates a spectacular event that can easily have a major impact on your heart. Grab it when you get a chance to visit the place. You will carry memories and a heart full of light and joy.
At least 12 paramedics from civil defence teams were killed in an Israeli airstrike on their centre in Duris, a village in Baalbek in eastern Lebanon, media reported.

According to Lebanese news website Elnashra, Baalbek Governor Bachir Khodor said on Thursday that the bodies of 12 civil defence members were recovered from under the rubble, and the debris removal process is still ongoing.

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He added that around 20 paramedics were at the centre during the airstrike, Xinhua news agency reported.

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Contact is lost with the head of the regional civil defence centre in Baalbek, Bilal Raad, he was quoted as saying.

Since September 23, the Israeli military has intensified airstrikes on Lebanon in an escalation of conflict with Hezbollah. Israel also launched a ground operation across its northern border into Lebanon in early October.

As of Thursday, the death toll from Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon since the beginning of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on October 8, 2023, has reached 3,386, while injuries went up to 14,417.
Mount Ibu, located in Indonesias North Maluku province, erupted on Thursday, sending a column of ash up to 3 km high and prompting the second-highest aviation alert, according to the Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center.

The eruption occurred at 02:22 p.m. local time, spewing grey ash to the west of the crater, reports Xinhua news agency.

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Residents have been prohibited from engaging in activities within a 5-km radius of the crater and were advised to wear face masks when conducting activities outside.

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An aviation notice has been issued at the orange level, the second-highest warning, prohibiting flights around Mount Ibu.

Standing at 1,325 metres, Mount Ibu is one of Indonesias 127 active volcanoes.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 15. I am pleased to highlight the United States' strong support for the ongoing success of COP29, said Jeffrey Pyatt, Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources, Trend reports.

Speaking at a session titled "Beyond generation: Building infrastructure to achieve energy transition goals," organized by SOCAR as part of COP29, Pyatt expressed his satisfaction at participating in the event alongside the Deputy Minister.

"I am very pleased to be here and to underscore America's support for COP29, which continues successfully. We recognize the need for investments during the energy transition. In the United States, investments in the clean energy economy amount to nearly half a trillion dollars annually," he said.

The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

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My personal style is: I would say it leans on being eclectic, contradictory and nonconformist.

My personal style icon: There are many fashion icons that have influenced my thought process. They used clothing as a medium to alter the social construct as a whole. The Artist Formerly Known as Prince is one of them. His music, his concepts, hes a phenomenal guitarist (sometimes we overlook that) and his sense of freedom that I really respect. He is timeless, by just being authentic.

An item in my wardrobe that means a lot to me:A friend of mine gifted me a pair of Comme Des Garcon trousers years ago which I still keep with me. The construction is insane.

The Comme Des Garcon trousers gifted to Saluja by a friend

My favourite souvenir from my travels is:I think more than souvenirs, its when I used to play music I would invariably end up at the record store to pick up vinyls. Thats a passion.

Saluja's vinyls collection

The best gift I have received: A really touching gesture from my father when he surprised me on one of my birthdays with a set of turntables.

The turntable gifted to Saluja by his father

The best gift I have given: I think its the little things that matter. If one can just observe and do something for someone that alters or helps them in any way you in turn feel good. So I give gifts constantly.

The last thing I bought: Socks.

The last book I read:Japanese author and poet Mieko Kawakamis  All the Lovers in the Night.

'All the Lovers in the Night' by Mieko Kawakami

The last film I loved: Ive liked a few films recently. Perfect Days, Joyland and Laapataa Ladies.

A still from the movie 'Perfect Days'

My Spotify list would include these songs: My Spotify list is pretty varied. From Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan to Rubii to Erykah Badu, also Digable Planets, Celeste, Benjamin Clementine, Nayyara Noor, Little Simz, Bjork, Abida Parveen and the list goes on.

My beauty/ wellness routine is: A very simple routine: clean, moisture and go. More than just a skincare routine, gut care is primary, as they are correlated.

My favourite holiday destination: I would love to travel to South America, Africa, and explore the north east and south of India.

I love to collect: Vintage pieces for work and research, and vinyls for the soul.

My fridge always has: Dark chocolate.

Minimalism or maximalism: Thats limiting. I try to be as free in my expression and keep learning. It really also the headspace one is at. So I would say I am somewhere in between.

My home looks like: chaos at the moment, as its under renovation.

The interiors of Saluja's home

My favourite mix of traditional and contemporary is: When films, music, and fashion take their inspiration from the past and translate it into what todays zeitgeist is consuming. So its interesting to see how influences from past decades make their way to the current times.

My best ideas come when: Im in silence.

The best way to spend Rs 20,000 is: to get away into nature and breathe again.

My idea of happiness is: When there is no thought, and you can just flow.
Oil prices falling might be good news for petroleum-hungry India, but for the larger global economy, it could have reverberations with far-reaching effects. A new analysis indicated that global oil prices might have just entered a tipping zone characterised by weak demand and accelerated electrification.



According to rating agency ICRA, the global demand for crude oil is set to decelerate significantly from pre-Covid levels. One major factor is the subdued demand from China, according to the analysis released Friday afternoon.

However, ICRA said its outlook for the Indian upstream sector (extraction and production of oil) remained stable.

One major factor for the global weakening of the petroleum ecosystem has been the decrease in demand from China. Chinas demand increased by 93 lakh barrels per day from the beginning of this century till the pandemic, accounting for 40% of the global crude oil demand increase of 2.3 crore barrels per day.

However, that has all but changed. The mainland is doubling down on renewable energy. China alone accounted for over 50 per cent of the global renewable energy capacity additions last year, while nearly 40 per cent of all new vehicles brought into that country were electric or hybrids. This has had a direct domino impact on the overall global petroleum sector in an almost debilitating way.

ALSO READ | Tata Power buys 100% equity stake in ERES-XXXIX for Rs 18.56 crore

Weakening Chinese demand, impacted by factors like large scale renewable capacity additions, burgeoning electric vehicle sales, prolonged real estate slump, vast national high-speed rail network, a substantial share of LNG and electric truck network and an ageing population... may be a drag on global oil prices, said Girishkumar Kadam, senior vice president and group head, corporate ratings, ICRA.

The crude oil demand growth going forward is likely to significantly trail the pre-covid historical average annual growth rate, he added.

Elevated production of oil in the US, especially from fracking, and the uncertainty in the energy policies of the incoming Trump administration would also pull down oil demand. Except for a slight spike following Russias invasion of Ukraine, oil prices have remained stable in recent years.

The biggest indicator of oils fall from grace, so to speak, was the fact that its prices did not skyrocket after the flare-up of hostilities in the Middle East since last year. Even Israel and Iran going toe-to-toe and the resultant bombings in Lebanon havent had much effect.

Traditionally, such strife would have been enough to make crude barrel prices shoot through the roofback in 2003, when the US invaded Iraq, crude had breached the 100-dollar mark. But right now, despite battles involving two oil powers, Russia and the Middle East, oil prices are struggling to maintain at 68 dollars per barrel.
When Vodafone Idea raised Rs 18,000 crore through a follow-on share sale in April this year, it was a much-needed energy boost for the ailing telecom joint venture between Vodafone and the Aditya Birla Group. However, the company is not out of the woods yet.



The telecom company's plans to raise debt of around Rs 25,000 crore are yet to be concluded. This is crucial for it to increase its network and infrastructure investments over a sustained period, which will help it start regaining subscribers and boost earnings.

So far this year, including the follow-on offer and a preferential share issue to promoters and equipment suppliers, the company has raised around Rs 24,000 crore in equity, which has helped it start the much-needed network upgradation and expansion of 4G. In September, it signed a USD 3.6 billion deal with Nokia, Ericsson and Samsung for network equipment over three years.

Vodafone Idea (Vi) has increased its 4G data capacity by 14 per cent and 4G population coverage by 22 million, reaching 1.05 billion at the end of September 2024, compared with 1.03 billion in March. It has plans to launch 5G this financial year too.

But, with rivals Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel significantly ahead here, Vi continues to lose subscribers. Its total subscriber base has declined to 205 million at the end of September from 219.8 million a year ago. The company reported a net loss of Rs 7,176 crore in the September quarter, up from Rs 6,432 crore in April-June but lower than the Rs 8,738 crore loss in the year-ago quarter.

Notably, Vi also saw a drop in 4G subscribers in the quarter gone by, reversing the upward trend it had seen in previous quarters. In the second quarter, it had 125.9 million 4G subscribers, down from 126.7 million in the first quarter. One reason for Vi and others losing some subscribers last quarter was the price hikes. Some subscribers switched to BSNL in the aftermath of the hikes, but that trend seems to be reversing.

Additional fundraising will then become crucial for Vi to make investments in its network and arrest its slide in subscribers in the coming years. Talks have been ongoing but are yet to be concluded, with lenders reportedly seeking more clarity on the AGR (adjusted gross revenue) front after the Supreme Court dismissed the curative petitions filed by telecom operators, including Vi, in September.

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In a post-earnings call, Vi CEO Akshaya Moondra said the reduction in AGR liability was not part of the business plan submitted to banks. But, he thought that, like any interested party, the lenders were looking at what was happening on the AGR front.

The company has planned capital expenditure of Rs 8,000 crore in the second half of this financial year. Its cash and bank balance, as of September 30, stood at Rs 13,620 crore. Its debt from financial institutions stood at Rs 3,250 crore, while payment obligations to the government were at Rs 2.12 lakh crore.

The telecom company has been engaging with the government on the AGR matter since the Supreme Court rejected the petitions. It has also been in negotiations with the government in relation to doing away with bank guarantees. In the earlier call with analysts back in September, Moondra had hoped to close the bank funding in seven to eight weeks.

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Hemang Khanna, research analyst at Nomura, expects VI's pace of subscriber loss to decline in the 2025-26 financial year and the company to return to a "modest growth path" in 2026-27, underpinned by investments for expanding 4G coverage and 5G rollout. However, additional fundraising will be key.

"The outlook for Vi remains hinged on Vi closing its debt raise soon, which is critically essential for Vi to be able to invest in networks and potentially return to a modest subscriber growth path," said Khanna.

The adverse Supreme Court ruling, continued decline in subscribers and the broader market sell-off have all weighed on Vi's shares in the last few months.

Vi hit a 52-week low of Rs 7.32 on the BSE on Thursday, eventually closing at Rs 7.34 on Thursday, 0.4 per cent lower than the previous close. Since hitting a 52-week high of Rs 19.15 on June 28, 2024, the stock has corrected over 61 per cent.
India houses the world's second-largest senior population, expected to more than double from 156.7 million in 2024 to 346.0 million by 2050. This presents both challenges and immense opportunities. These observations are part of the findings in a joint report by The Association of Senior Living India (ASLI) and JLL. The report, titled 'Elevating the Golden Years: Senior Living Opportunities in Indias Evolving Market', was launched recently.

The report states that the global demographic landscape is undergoing a significant shift, with the elderly population experiencing unprecedented growth. As of 2024, India's over-60 population stands at 156.7 million which is the world's second-largest elderly cohort, despite comprising only 11 per cent of the nation's total population.

In a testament to its burgeoning potential, India's senior living sector has witnessed a remarkable surge over the past decade, with more than 20,000 specialized units now established across the country.

As per the report, the landscape is dominated by independent living facilities, which make up of around 85 per cent of the total inventory, reflecting the growing demand for autonomy among India's senior citizens.

Recognizing the potential in this niche market, senior living developers and operators are now consistently expanding their portfolios with an array of senior-friendly housing options, tailored to suit the diverse requirements of India's aging population.

ALSO READ: Homes priced over Rs 4 crore in strong demand; sales surge 38 % between Jan-Sept

Southern India has emerged as the epicentre of the country's senior living boom, comprising of 60 per cent national market share. The southern states are experiencing accelerated population aging due to sustained lower fertility and mortality rates. These regions are home to a larger proportion of parents whose children are Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). These demographic and cultural factors have cultivated a fertile ground for the senior living sector to flourish.

The report points out that there is a potential demand of 2.3 million senior living units by 2030. India's senior living market, with the current 1.3 per cent penetration rate, has vast, untapped potential. This figure pales in comparison to mature markets like the United States and Australia, where penetration rates soar beyond 6 per cent, highlighting an immense opportunity for growth and innovation in India.

With the senior population in India projected to surpass 300 million by 2050, making up nearly 20 per cent of the total population, the demand for comprehensive senior CARE solutions is set to increase dramatically. Presently, only 5 per cent of Indias elderly have access to institutional care, and over half live without social security. With a significant gap in geriatric healthcare services as well  less than 0.7 hospital beds per 1,000 elderlyit is imperative to build inclusive, accessible, and sustainable senior care models. Wellness and healthcare should be a key focus, integrated seamlessly with housing solutions that prioritize safety, comfort, and community support, observed Rajit Mehta, chairman, ASLI and MD and CEO, Antara Senior Care.

In recent years, Indias senior care sector has undergone a dramatic transformation. It has evolved from a nascent industry into a dynamic field, offering tailored solutions to meet the diverse and ever-changing needs of its elderly population.

The report observes that the growing market offers a diverse range of housing solutions and services tailored for individuals in this population bracket, focusing on fostering independence, social interaction, and ease of living. The care spectrum encompasses diverse options, from independent living communities to assisted living facilities, specialized memory care units for those with cognitive challenges, and comprehensive Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs). This comprehensive approach enables seniors to seamlessly adjust their level of support as their requirements evolve, ensuring they can age gracefully in a supportive setting.

India's senior living sector is on the cusp of a revolution. By 2030, we are looking at a target market of 2.3 million households, up from 1.57 million in 2024. This is not just about numbers; it is about a new generation of seniors who are redefining retirement. They are independent, financially secure, globally aware, and socially active. We are forecasting a doubling of senior living inventory in just six years, with market penetration jumping from 1.3 per cent to 2.5 per cent, remarked Samantak Das, Chief Economist and Head of Research and REIS, India, JLL.

The rapid expansion of specialised units for the elderly is underscored by the establishment of over 20,000 such units across the nation in the past decade, marking a significant shift in India's approach to elder care. Despite over US $40 million in institutional investments in the last two years, the market remains in its nascent stages.

The sector's current developmental phase, characterised by regulatory, operational, and awareness challenges, only enhances its appeal to strategic investors looking for high-growth potential. The coming years will see innovative solutions, increased investment, and a fundamental reimagining of senior living in India, said Karan Singh Sodi, Senior Managing Director - Mumbai MMR & Gujarat, and Head  Alternatives, India, JLL.
In what has been billed as a "breathtaking debut", J-15T fighter jets and a J-15D electronic warfare aircraft took to the skies during the recently concluded Zhuhai air show, China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition. This is the first time China showcased the J-15T fighter, designed for catapult operations aboard aircraft carriers.

The formation and the various other maneuvers the fighter jet performed at the airshow, including reverse command and buddy refueling, showcased the combat potential of the carrier-based aircraft series.

The 4.5-generation J-15, called Flying Shark is China's first fixed-wing carrier-based fighter that boasts of enhanced combat capabilities, thanks to the upgraded avionics and weapons systems, and a refined airframe structure.

READ MORE: Russia's Su-57 fighter jet better than all its counterparts in the world, claims Russian test pilot

According to news agency Xinhua, military expert Cao Weidong said The J-15T, which is capable of catapult launches and reverse command, demonstrated its preliminary readiness for takeoff and landing operations on the catapult-equipped aircraft carrier Fujian. The fighter jet can also be operated from the other two aircraft carriers of China, CNS Liaoning and CNS Shandong, which utilize a ski-jump launch system.

"Once commissioned, the Fujian will rapidly attain combat capability through coordinated operations with the J-15T," Weidong has been quoted as saying.

Military experts said buddy refueling, which involves one aircraft refueling another of the same or similar type, conducted by the J-15 shows a significant boost to Chinese aircraft carriers' long-range operational capacity as it boosts the combat capability and operational radius of the aircraft.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, November 15. Kyrgyzstan exported 141,619 tons of oil products worth $91.233 million from January through August 2024, Trend reports.

According to the State Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan, the volume of these exports increased by 32.9 percent compared to 106,555 tons in the same period of 2023.

The value of the exports rose by 43.3 percent compared to $63.649 million in JanuaryAugust 2023.

Most of Kyrgyzstan's oil exports67,881 tons worth $47.825 millionwent to Turkiye. Uzbekistan was the second-largest importer, bringing in 47,979 tons valued at $13.458 million.

Kyrgyzstan's trade turnover amounted to $10.6 billion from January through August 2024, which is a 9 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. Exports rose by 13.1 percent year-on-year, totaling $2.1 billion. Meanwhile, imports increased by 8.1 percent to $8.5 billion.
The Russian defense ministry, on Friday, claimed that the Russian air defenses destroyed Ukrainian 51 drones, including 36 over the Krasnodar region in in southern Russia.

Overnight, the Kiev regimes attempts to carry out terror attacks on targets in Russia using fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles were foiled, the ministry said, adding air defense units on duty intercepted and destroyed 51 Ukrainian drones.

ALSO READ: Russia's Su-57 fighter jet better than all its counterparts in the world, claims Russian test pilot

"In Krymsk, drone fragments fell on grounds adjacent to four houses, causing no casualties but damaging the roof of a house and a car. In the village of Poltavskaya in the Krasnoarmeisky district, drone fragments damaged the roof of a house and smashed windows in another one," Krasnodar region governor Veniamin Kondratyev wrote on Telegram, according to Russian news agency TASS. No casualties were reported from the region.

Two houses were damaged when drone debris fell in residential areas in Krymsk town, Kondratyev said.

Three drones were destroyed over the Republic of Crimea, two over the Belgorod Region, and 10 over the Sea of Azov, the news agency reported.
The gruesome road accident that happened at ONGC Chowk in Uttarakhand's Dehradun on Monday night leaves unanswered questions as to why none of the family members of the deceased have filed a police complaint yet.

The road accident involving an Innova killed six people, and one person was grievously injured. The vehicle rammed into a container truck before colliding with a tree. The effect of the collision was such that the bodies were mutilated beyond identification.

While preliminary enquiry suggests the truck driver was not at fault, questions remain as to why the complaint has not been filed yet. Inspector KC Bhatt, station house officer at Cantt police station told The Times of India that they are yet to receive any complaint from the family members of the victims that could warrant case registration.

The police said the Innova collided with the lorry's rear left section, a known blind spot in large vehicles. The owner of the car, who was also driving the vehicle, perished in the accident. Police identified the sole survivor as Siddhwesh Agrawal whose condition is critical and is currently unable to speak.

Bhatt added that the authorities are consulting legal experts to explore other options.

The district police also released a statement after analysing the CCTV footage near the accident spot. The car could be seen moving at a normal speed while passing from Rajpur roads, Saharanpur Chowk, Balliwala and Ballupur before entering the ONGC section. It then suddenly accelerated, believed to be racing against a BMW that was speeding through the road.

As for the truck, the CCTV visuals show it moving at a normal speed, covering 1.5km in 6 minutes till the accident spot.

Meanwhile, reports claim that a video has surfaced showing all seven people in the car partying before taking out the night drive that ended in tragedy. The party was to celebrate Atul Agarwal, son of businessman Sunil Agarwal, buying the new Innova car. The video reportedly showed the group partying and dancing. One girl is seen pouring a drink for another seated on a sofa. The video is believed to have been recorded shortly before the accident.

The deceased were identified as Kunal Kukreja (23), Atul Agrawal (24), Rishabh Jain (24), Navya Goel (23), Kamakshi (20), and Guneet (19). They were BCom students at a nearby college.
The move to set up Haryanas new assembly complex in Chandigarh, the joint capital for Punjab and Haryana, has set off a political controversy in the region. The political parties in Punjab have decried the move saying it was affront to Punjabs demands and sentiment.

Currently, Punjab and Haryana share the Vidhan Sabha complex in Chandigarh. The Union territory offered 10 acres to Haryana last year to set up its own assembly. The move gained traction as the union environment ministry reportedly granted environmental clearance for 12-acre land given by the Haryana government to the Chandigarh administration in lieu of 10 acres for the complex.

#WATCH | Chandigarh: On Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann's statement, Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini says, "...First they stopped the SYL water, now they have come to the Vidhan Sabha. Haryana has a right over Chandigarh too. You should work for the people. I would like to tell Bhagwant pic.twitter.com/N81KwjdMHG  ANI (@ANI) November 15, 2024

The reactions came fast from all the parties including the Bharatiya Janata Partys former state chief Sunil Jhakhar who said it will not go down well with the Punjabis. Even Akali Dal, Congress and ruling AAP reacted sharply to it.

The issue is controversial as Punjab has always staked claim over Chandigarh since the state was bifurcated in 1966 after the Punjabi Suba movement which demanded a state on linguistic basis. The parliament passed a law in 1966 under which Haryana came into being and Chandigarh was made joint capital and provisional Union territory. The claim over Chandigarh has featured in political demands for several decades and it is linked to strong regional sentiments.

Now, when Haryana get to establish a new assembly complex, the political parties in Punjab feel that it would dilute its claim over the capital as it was promised that the newly formed city, designed by Le Corbusier, would be handed over to Punjab after Haryana sets up its own capital.

Akali Dal leader Daljit Singh Cheema said Chandigarh was carved out by taking villages from the state. If Haryana wanted to set up a separate assembly, it can do so in Panchkula. It is an unconstitutional move, we will oppose it.

AAP spokesperson Neel Garg said the state government will explore means legal and political to challenge this. Punjabis will not accept it, we call everyone for a joint struggle against this move.

Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa termed the move as divisive. The issue has a potential of turning into a big political issue in the state, pitting all parties against the Centre. The issue has gained traction ahead of bypolls to six seats in the state, to be held on November 20. The BJP has fielded candidates on these seats, while Akali Dal is not contesting. The issue may have an impact on these polls and its result may be visible during the counting on November 23.
The Jammu and Kashmir government led by Omar Abdullah has established a public relations and outreach cell at the chief minister's residence on Gupkar Road in Srinagar.

The initiative aims to address public grievances and create a more accessible government. It is part of a broader effort to improve communication with the people of Jammu and Kashmir following the assembly elections held in September and October.

According to chief ministers advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, the cell will improve communication between people and government officials, ensuring swift resolution of grievances. He said that the cell would welcome feedback from the people.

"The cell will operate during regular office hours, staffed by officers available to assist with various issues, he said. The chief minister will meet with public delegations to hear their concerns." He said a detailed schedule of the chief minister's availability will be made public soon.

Wani said the cell will serve as a mechanism for grievance redressal and a channel for public suggestions.

He stressed the government's commitment to transparency and accountability through the cell. The chief minister and his cabinet ministers are making visible efforts to ease the difficulties faced by the people.

The Minister of Education and Health, Sakeena Massod, reverted the academic calendar in Jammu and Kashmir to November-December. The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha-led administration had changed the calendar to March to align it with the rest of the country. However, soon after the elected government took over, the academic calendar reverted to holding exams in November-December, followed by the closure of educational institutions in winter. The decision was appreciated by parents and students.

This is the second grievance cell up in Jammu and Kashmir to address grievances. The first was established by the LG administration after the abrogation of Article 370. The cell has been working for several years and has been actively pursuing complaints from the people with the government departments.
The war of words between Congress president Mallikarjuna Kharge and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during the election campaign in Maharashtra has triggered a debate over minority appeasement politics. This time, the Hindu-Muslim binary is to pitch the Maratha Hindus against the Razakars.

While Kharge chose to pick on Yogis poll slogan batenge toh kitenge (claiming Hindus would be slaughtered If divided), and said a true yogi" would never use the language of the terrorists, Yogi is hoping to consolidate the Hindu votes by cautioning against caste-based voting.

"Many leaders don the 'gerua' (saffron robes) and shave their heads, some even become chief ministers. If you are a sanyasi, stay out of politics, Kharge had stated during a rally, indirectly referring to Yogi.

In a counter attack, Adityanath, while addressing a rally in Achalpur, said, I am a Yogi, and for me, the nation comes first. But for Mallikarjun Kharge, appeasement politics comes first. Recounting Kharge's childhood in the Bidar region of erstwhile Hyderabad state amid the political turmoil during the accession of Hyderabad in 1948, Adityanath asked Kharge to place the facts and the dark truth from his childhood.

Kharge ji, don't get angry at me. Instead, you should be angry with the Hyderabad Nizam as his Razakars (army) burnt your village, killed Hindus, and burnt your mother, sister and family members. Present this truth before the country to demonstrate that whenever Hindus are divided, they will meet with the same fate. Kharge hesitates to acknowledge this truth, as it might harm his political appeal among the Muslims. Said Yogi.

Priyank Kharge, son of AICC chief and Karnataka Minister, responding to Yogi said, Despite the tragedy, he (Mallikarjun Kharge) never exploited it for political gain, never played the victim card and never let hatred define him. It was the Razakars who committed this actnot the entire Muslim community. Every community has bad apples and individuals who do wrong. Your ideology fails to see Kharge ji as an equal, it discriminates between human beings, but does that make all of you (Hindus) bad or only those who are practising it? Who labelled Kharge as an untouchable or a Dalit? The existence of a discriminatory ideology does not make everyone within a community wrong. Does it? asked Priyank.

At 82, Kharge ji is fighting tirelessly to uphold the values of Buddha-Basavanna-Ambedkar and to protect the Constitution from the tyranny and hatred you seek to instil and he will continue this fight with unwavering conviction. So, Yogi Ji, take your hate elsewhere. You cannot bulldoze his principles or his ideology, added Priyank.

Mallikarjun Kharge And Razakars

The Congress veteran too had recalled his family tragedy on several occasions but stopped short of blaming the Nizam or his actions.

Every year, on September 17, the Hyderabad-Karnataka Liberation Day is celebrated in Kalyan Karnataka districts. A statue of Sardar Patel in Kalaburagi and a martyr memorial at Gorta village in Bidar are reminders of the tyranny of the Razakars.

In 1947, when India gained Independence, most of the princely states decided to merge with India, but the Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan, refused to accede to India. By September 1948, the Indian government which was concerned over a communal state in the region, launched Operation Polo as Nizam continued to build his military.

On September 13, 1948 the operation began with Indian forces entering Hyderabad and on September 17, the Nizam signed an instrument of accession to become part of the Indian union. But the process was not without bloodshed as Nizams army, known as Razakars, unleashed violence against hamlets and people who were in favour of being part of India.

One such village was Warawatti in Bidar district of Karnataka, which was ravaged by Razakars. On the fateful day, one Mapanna came back to his house only to find his wife and children killed. But his months-old infant who was sleeping in a baby hammock under a tree nearby had escaped death. Mapanna had left the village along with his infant son and came to Kalaburgi in search of livelihood.

The infant who survived the Razakars is Mallikarjuna Kharge who graduated in law, won nine consecutive elections (seven from Gurmitkal, two from Chittapur) to Karnataka Assembly since 1972, and two elections to the Lok Sabha from Gulbarga before losing his seat to BJPs Umesh Jadhav in 2009. He was later elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha in 2020. He is currently the Leader of Opposition in the Upper House and also the president of the All India Congress Committee.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has publicly snubbed his alliance partner Ajit Pawar for speaking against the BJPs batenge to katenge' slogan. Saying it will take some time for the NCP (AP) leader to under the mood of the public, Fadnavis added Ajit Pawars understanding was still influenced by his former allies.

#WATCH | On being asked if he aspires to be the CM, NCP leader & Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar says, "Right now, nothing has to be said on this as 20th November nears. We want to focus on how Mahayuti will cross 175 (seats)...Later, all in Mahayuti will decide who will be the pic.twitter.com/G8aDFSsS2I  ANI (@ANI) November 15, 2024

In an interview with ANI, the Bharatiya Janata Party leader said Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar stayed with anti-Hindu allies for a long time and it will take time for him to understand. For decades, Ajit Pawar has stayed with such ideologies which are secular and anti-Hindu. There is no real secularism amongst those who call themselves as secularists. He has stayed with people for whom opposing Hindutva is secularism. There is no real secularism among those who call themselves secular," Fadnavis told ANI.

Fadnavis said these people either did not understand the slogan or they probably wanted to say something else. The BJP leader said he did not find anything wrong with the slogan coined by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during rallies in Maharashtra.

The Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar) leader had categorically dismissed Adityanaths slogan saying it did not reflect Maharashtras politics. We all opposed it. Not just my NCP leaders and I, but even Pankaja Munde and [Poonam] Mahajan [opposed]," Pawar told ANI.

Referring to Yogi Adityanath, Pawar said, "Some other state's chief minister comes and issues a call of 'batenge to katenge'... We told him that this is not UP. This might work in the North, but not in Maharashtra. We abide by the principles of Ambedkar, ANI quoted him saying.

BJP leader and former minister Pankaja Munde had also opposed the slogan. "Frankly speaking, my politics is different. I won't support it just because I belong to the BJP. My belief is we should work on development. There is no need for such an issue in Maharashtra," Pankaja had said.

On Thursday, Fadnavis those opposing the slogan, including Ashok Chavan and Pankaja Munde, have failed to understand core meaning. "I believe they have not understood the core message of the slogan. 'Batenge to katenge' means everyone has to stick together. The Prime Minister has succinctly said 'ek hai to safe hai', PTI reported quoting Fadnavis. The deputy CM added the slogan is also against the appeasement politics of Congress.
It was a pricey error of judgment on the part of the 10 armed militants, who opened fire at the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp in Manipur on Monday, which cost them their lives. The attack happened at Jakuradhor in Manipur's Jiribam district.

The militants, clad in camouflage uniforms, came armed with sophisticated weapons to attack the CRPF camp but got killed instantly.

The militants first attacked Meitei settlements such as Lamtai Khunou and Jakuradhor Karong around 4 am. They targeted shops and relief camps. Around 3 pm, they attacked a CRPF post and the Borobekra police station. The militants' plan reportedly was to keep the CRPF and Police engaged while another group of 40-50 armed men unleashed violence on settlements.

However, while targeting the camp, the militants failed to notice a CRPF bulletproof multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) stationed outside the camp, an unnamed officer told The Indian Express. The MPV had a Light Machine Gun mounted on it.

The personnel in the MPV immediately opened fire with the Machine Gun and most of the militants died in the first burst of gunfire. Only one CRPF personnel was hurt in the gunfire exchange which lasted for about 30 minutes.

The incident happened near the hills of the neighbouring Pherzawl district dominated by the Hmar community. The Hmars are a sub-tribe of Kuku-Zo and all the armed men come from the community. The Hmar Students' Association, a tribal body representing the Hmars, later alleged that the deceased were their "village volunteers" and their deaths were a "premeditated massacre" carried out by the CRPF and Meitei.

These allegations were dismissed by the security officials, who said nine of the 10 killed were from Churachandpur, which was 200 km away. The police also recovered AK 47 rifles, SLRs and an RPG from them.

However, the Kuki-Zo community observed a shutdown on Tuesday in their majority areas to protest the killing.

Meanwhile, six people went missing from the relief camp after the gunfight. These six persons who went missing lived in a relief camp on the premises of the police station.

The search for them have begun and senior officers of the Manipur Police have arrived at Jiribam district to oversee the search operation.

The six people who went missing include three women and three children, they said. These people are believed to be kidnapped by retreating militants after their attack was thwarted by security forces.
On Friday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee celebrated the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda at an event organized by the state's tribal development department at the Adivasi Bhawan in Rajarhat, Kolkata.

Representatives of the Santal community and other tribal groups, including those from the hills of North Bengal, participated in the event. It was also attended by Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, Home Secretary Nandini Chakraborty, ministers Birbaha Hansda, Firhad Hakim, and others.

CM Banerjee started the event by paying floral tributes to Birsa Munda, the revered freedom fighter who had spearheaded a tribal revolt against British rule in the late 19th century in the Chhota Nagpur plateau region.

During the celebration, CM Banerjee honored eminent personalities and achievers from West Bengal's tribal communities. She also announced that the state is celebrating the day as Birsa Munda Day and that celebrations would continue in all districts for the next seven days.

Birsa Munda fought against the British because he believed forest should belong to tribals. We have also accepted that and passed legislation to keep forest with tribals, the chief minister said.

Hansda, a former Santali actor and the West Bengal Minister for Self-Help Groups and Self-Employment, expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Banerjee for her governments efforts in uplifting tribal communities and develop tribal regions of the state.

Like Mamata Banerjee holds us dear and keep us close to her heart, we will also keep her close to us, she said.

Interestingly, amid the ongoing Jharkhand assembly elections, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo briefly touched on the issue of the Sari and Sarna belief systems. While she didnt delve into details, she fleetingly mentioned that they should be recognised as religions.

Tribal groups practicing these faiths, mostly in Jharkhand and West Bengals Purulia, Jhargram, Birbhum and Bankura, want their codification like Indias six other major religions.

Earlier in 2023, the TMC had tabled a motion in the West Bengal assembly, seeking recognition of Sari and Sarna as religions.

Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren and his party, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), has also demanded to the central government for long that the Sarna belief system be codified. This demand was also incorporated into the party's manifesto for the ongoing assembly elections.
Prime Minister Narendra Modis aircraft suffered a technical snag at Jharkhands Deogharairport on Friday, delaying his return to Delhi. According to reports, the aircraft will now have to remain at the airport until the technical issue is fixed.

The prime minister was in Jharkhand today to take part in Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of revered tribal leader Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

Addressing the event, Modi said the previous Congress regimes at the Centre failed to recognise the contributions of tribal communities in Indias freedom struggle. Indirectly referring to the Gandhi family and the Congress, Modi said, "The attempt was to give all the credit to just one party and one family. "If our country got independence because of one family, then why did Birsa Munda launch the 'Ulgulan' movement?", PTI reported.

Modi said India's tribal community did not get justice earlier and added he worships tribal leaders for their deep connection to nature and their environment-friendly lifestyle. Highlighting his governments schemes for the development of tribal communities, Modi said a separate ministry for tribal welfare was established and budget allocation for tribal development was increased from Rs 25,000 crore to Rs 1.25 lakh crore.
Argentine President Javier Milei became the first international leader to visit the United States President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club on Thursday, during the post-election victory celebration.

Milei also delivered a speech at the America First Policy Institute gala at Mar-a-Lago. His address included criticism of leftist ideologies and praise for X owner Elon Musk's contribution to "save humanity" through his social media platform.

Milei, a self-described "anarcho-capitalist", also criticised the political establishment arguing against what he described as unfair taxation systems that enforced "the redistribution of wealth at gunpoint."

Javier Milei: Elon Musk's work on  has saved humanity.



There is a silent majority, or rather silenced, that has begun to make itself heard despite the enemies of freedom clinging to power by using and abusing propaganda, distortion, and censorship.



That is why I want to pic.twitter.com/Q4stz6npUl  ELON DOCS (@elon_docs) November 15, 2024

While congratulating Trump on winning the election, Milei declared, The winds of freedom are blowing stronger today, and referred to Trump's victory as proof that the forces of heaven are on our side.

Trump thanked Milei for his compliments. The job you've done is incredible, Trump said, adding that You know, MAGA, make Argentina great again. With a round of applause, Trump declared the Argentine President a MAGA person.

Trump wrote encouraging comments on X shortly after Milei's victory: You will turn your country around and truly Make Argentina Great Again!

When the two first met in February at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Milei rushed up to Trump with wide-eyed excitement, yelling President! and then embracing him.

Milei attended the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) Investor Summit on Friday as well.

Argentinian media earlier reported that Milei would be seeking a free trade agreement with the United States once Trump took office.

CPAC claims to be the biggest annual gathering of conservatives in the US and describes itself as the oldest conservative grassroots organisation in the country.
Jaeger-LeCoultres latest Reverso Tribute Chronograph is an all-gold triumph, blending the Reversos Art Deco heritage with noble sophistication

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is a name that needs no introduction. From its inception in 1931 as a polo players wrist companion to its emergence as an enduring style icon, the Reverso has continually reinvented itself while remaining faithful to its Art Deco heritage.

Now, La Grande Maison offers a radiant new chapter for this icon with reversible design: the Reverso Tribute Chronograph in full pink gold.

Echoes of an Icon

The Reverso Chronograph made its debut in 1996 as a milestone for Jaeger-LeCoultre, housing Calibre 829, the first manually wound integrated chronograph movement developed during the resurgence of mechanical watchmaking following the quartz crisis. The watch was a technical feat, incorporating a rectangularly shaped chrono movement to match the Reversos emblematic case.

Fast forward to 2023, and the Reverso Tribute Chronograph appeared with a fresh twist: a stainless-steel version with a grey-blue sunray dial and an 18K pink gold version with a black sunray dial. Both were powered by Calibre 860, an evolution of Calibre 829, now packing pared-back bridges and a longer power reserve.

Reverso Tribute Chronograph in Pink Gold  Jaeger-LeCoultre

Both models were met with acclaim, so much that this year Jaeger-LeCoultre has stepped up the sophistication with an all-pink-gold edition, harnessing the allure of this noble metal while staying true to the Reversos sporting roots.

A New Take on Gold

The Reverso Tribute Chronograph is now enveloped in the warm glow of 18K pink gold. From its gadroon-adorned case to its solid gold front dial, movement bridges and even the pin buckle, the watch is a testament to this precious metals timeless appeal.

The front dial even introduces a new aesthetic to the Reverso Tribute line. Laser-engraved with fine horizontal lines, the pink gold surface brings out the rectilinear geometry of the case.

Applied trapezoid indices and Dauphine hands sit above the dial, with a chemin de fer minutes track in black creating subtle contrast. The result is a clean yet striking composition that underscores the watchs Art Deco elegance.

Reverso Tribute Chronograph in Pink Gold  Jaeger-LeCoultre

Flip the case, and the true complexity of the Reverso Tribute Chronograph reveals itself. The reverse side features an open-worked dial, showcasing the intricacy of the Calibre 860 chronograph movement.

Its 18K pink gold bridges are nicely hand-bevelled and decorated with Geneva waves, while blued screws and blued hands add pops of colour. Meanwhile, the retrograde 30-minute counter and central chronograph seconds track are highlighted in black for optimal legibility.

Calibre 860

Like its predecessor, the Calibre 829, the updated hand-wound Calibre 860 showcases a fully integrated chronograph architecture with a column wheel and horizontal clutch, ensuring smooth and precise operation. The movement drives time indications on both the front and reverse dials, requiring two sets of hands that move in opposite directions.

Movement of the Reverso Tribute Chronograph in Pink Gold  Jaeger-LeCoultre

Despite its complexity and over 300 components, the Calibre 860 fits within the watchs slim 11.14mm profile. The improved 52-hour power reserve (compared to Calibre 829s 40 hours) ensures ample autonomy, ready for the energy-intensive demands of the dual dials and retrograde chronograph.

Designed for Versatility

Measuring 49.4mm by 29.9mm, the Reverso Tribute Chronograph maintains the elongated proportions that define the collection. Its pink gold case is paired with two straps: a tan calf leather strap crafted by Argentinas renowned Casa Fagliano  a nod to the Reversos polo heritage  and a classic black alligator strap for formal occasions.

This combination of sporty elegance and everyday practicality makes this Reverso Tribute Chronograph a versatile companion, at home on the field or at a black-tie event.

Only 250 Pieces

With the Reverso Tribute Chronograph in pink gold, Jaeger-LeCoultre has once again demonstrated why the Reverso remains one of the most celebrated wristwatches. This new iteration is an alluring bridge between the past and the present  classic design blended with contemporary touches, all enhanced by mechanical updates.

Verso of the Reverso Tribute Chronograph in Pink Gold  Amaury Thomas / WorldTempus
President-Elect Donald Trump on Thursday nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, an appointment that triggered criticism and fear, considering how Kennedy is an anti-vaccine activist and a peddler of health conspiracy theories.

Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social to state that Mr Kennedy would restore the nation's health agencies "to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!"

Trump also rallied against corporations and drug companies, stating Americans have been crushed by the "industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health" for too long.

Kennedy took to X to acknowledge the posting. "We have a generational opportunity to bring together the greatest minds in science, medicine, industry, and government to put an end to the chronic disease epidemic," his post read.

However, not many were thrilled about Kennedy's appointment, considering that many viewed his outlandish views on health matters as "dangerous" and "disturbing."

Public Citizen, a progressive nonprofit organization focusing on consumer advocacy, too lashed out at the appointment. "He shouldnt be allowed in the building at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), let alone be placed in charge of the nations public health agency." The organisation added that by appointing Kennedy, Trump was courting another "policy-driven public health catastrophe."

.@RobertKennedyJr said chemicals in water are causing kids to turn transgender.



This interview was so outrageous YouTube took it down due to misinformation. pic.twitter.com/X0lkx2PTpY  Keith Edwards (@keithedwards) March 25, 2024

There are reasons why many tend to view his appointment as "scary", especially considering his earlier statements. Read on to know his bizarre beliefs.

1) Covid targetted certain races: Kennedy was caught on camera during a dinner party in Manhattan last year, telling his fellow diners that COVID-19 is targetted to attack only Caucasians and Black people and the people who are most immune are Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese.

2) Covid-like bio-weapons: He also warned of more infections in the pipeline and claimed the Chinese are spending hundreds of millions of dollars developing ethnic bioweapons. He claimed the US was also developing ethnic bioweapons by collecting Russian and Chinese DNA so that "we can target people by race."

3) Dr Anthony Fauci, Bill Gates exaggerated Covid: Kennedy also believes that former White House medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci and Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates exaggerated the pandemic to promote vaccines: In his 2021 book, Kennedy Jr accused Fauci and Gates of launching "a historic coup d'etat against Western democracy". Kennedy also believes in the use of unapproved treatments for Covid-19, such as ivermectin.

4) Anti-vaxxer: He founded the Childrens Health Defense nonprofit, a firm which pushed vaccine scepticism, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. The group also created a controversial film said targeted the Black community with vaccine misinformation. Kennedy has spread false information about vaccines, including that they cause autism  a theory that has long been debunked.

He has also absurdly claimed that a 2002 vaccine study included a control group of children 6 months of age and younger who were fed tuna sandwiches contaminated with mercury.

However, Kennedy insists he is not anti-vaccine and only wants vaccines to be rigorously tested.

5) Removal of fluoride from water supply: Kennedy wants fluoride removed from the water supply as he believes the chemical is linked to a host of medical issues. But, in his claims, the cases he put forth are linked to severe exposure to fluoride doses, which is far higher than what most people would experience drinking fluoridated water and brushing their teeth.
A Secret Service agent was fired after he invited his girlfriend to the Hawaii beach house owned by the Obamas so that he could have sex with her in Michelle's bathroom. The agent, who has not been identified, was protecting the ex-president and his family in 2022 when the incident happened.

The details of the protocol breach were revealed in a tell-all book "Undercover Heartbreak: A Memoir of Trust and Trauma," penned by the girlfriend Koryeah Dwanyen. In the book, Dwanyen even claims that the agent, which she identifies using the pseudonym 'Dale', even sent her photos of the mansion and suggested a tour.

"No one will know. If anything, Im the one who could get in trouble," says the agent in the memoir. He also suggested having sex in Michelle's bathroom. "We should have sex in Michelle [Obama]s bathroom, like a mile-high club," Dwanyen claims he said.

However, the senior agent's alleged violations of security protocol prompted an internal investigation by the Secret Service, after which he was fired from the job.

The Secret Service too confirmed the incident. Anthony Guglielmi, the agency's chief of communications, told ABC News that an incident matching the book's Hawaii anecdote had occurred and the agent involved was fired after a probe was launched.

"On Nov. 6, 2022, a Secret Service agent involved in protective functions brought an individual who did not have authorised access into a protectees residence without permission," Guglielmi said. "As soon as the Secret Service became aware of the incident, the agent involved was immediately suspended and after a full investigation, terminated," he told ABC News.

Guglielmi added that the protectees were not present at the time of the incident, but the incident was still deemed an "unacceptable violation of our protocols, our protectees trust and everything we stand for."

Dwanyen also made a stunning revelation, adding that the agent was leading a double life and lied to her that he was divorced when he was still married. She adds that she first met the Secret Service agent in 2022 while he was assigned to the security detail of the Obama family and while she was vacationing in Marthas Vineyard.

After she realised his flaws, Dwanyen sent an email to his boss over her fears related to the agent's safety -- as well as his familys and her own. She also met the agent's boss multiple times who set up an interview with agents in the Inspection Division of the Secret Services Office of Professional Responsibility, Dwanyen told ABC.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayakes National Peoples Power (NPP) coalition swept the parliamentary elections by winning a two-thirds majority.

The NPP coalition secured 159 out of the 225 seats in the parliament, as per the latest results on the election commission website.

The NPP received over 6.8 million or 61 per cent of the votes counted, taking a lead over its opposition.

Sri Lanka's Samagi Jana Balawegaya headed by Sajith Premadasa came second with 40 seats. Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi got 8 seats, while New Democratic Front secured 5, and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress got 3 seats each.

Thank you, Prime Minister @CMShehbaz for your good wishes on the electoral victory of the National People's Power at the parliamentary elections. Our government will continue to work with Pakistan to further strengthen the close and longstanding ties between our two nations for https://t.co/pt1wYkmd8L  Anura Kumara Dissanayake (@anuradisanayake) November 15, 2024

Thursday's poll saw the lowest turnout since 2010.

Shortly after winning the elections in September, Dissanayake announced the snap polls.

The new parliament is now set to meet next week.

NPP coalition also made history in the Jaffna electoral district, which is a Tamil-dominated district. Earlier, the United National Party had won a solitary seat in the district.

This is the first time that a predominantly Sinhala party from the country's south has notched this achievement.

The NPP won more than 80,000 votes in the district, outperforming Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) which got a little over 63,000 votes in the final count.

Accordingly, three seats in the district went to Dissanayake's party. The ITAK, All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC), and Independent Group 17 won one seat each.

The era of dividing and setting one community against the other has ended as people are embracing the NPP," Dissanayake had said during his election campaign.

The NPP under its original Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) avatar had violently opposed any attempt at power-sharing -- a key Tamil demand during the armed separatist campaign of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Sri Lanka went to polls as it emerged from economic crises.

Dissanayake required a clear majority to deliver his promise to combat corruption and restore stability after the island's worst-ever economic crisis.

Out of the 225 seats in the parliament, 196 MPs were directly elected. The rest were nominated by parties based on the percentage of votes they got in what is known as proportional representation.
Amid the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon, the United States has submitted a ceasefire proposal to Beirut.

Since the October 7 attack last year, Hezbollah has been clashing with Israel on a near-daily basis. A full-scale ground invasion was launched by Tel Aviv in Lebanon on September 30 after weeks of ramped-up aerial campaign.

US Lebanon envoy Lisa Johnson met Lebanese Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri on Thursday and submitted a written ceasefire proposal, reported Reuters.

In case you missed it, Hezbollah turned Kfarkela into a terrorist hub.



Take a look for yourself to see whats in the heart of this village: pic.twitter.com/ziF6efBjXT  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 14, 2024

Though the details of the proposal were not revealed, the draft proposals that have leaked lately include the creation of a mechanism to monitor the ceasefire. Reportedly, the ceasefire monitoring is to be done by other countries.

There is agreement on certain elements of the deal on the table, but there are sharp disagreements over Israel's demand to have the right to enter Lebanon to operate against Hezbollah if needed.

According to Lebanese officials, "direct enforcement" of any ceasefire by Israel would be rejected. "The idea that Israel can enforce at any time- that is unthinkable," a source told Reuters.

So far, the efforts for a ceasefire have been centred around the implementation of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1701, which ended the Israel-Hezbollah war of 2006. As per the resolution, Hezbollah and all other non-state Lebanese armed groups should withdraw from southern Lebanon. However, the resolution was not properly enforced as Hezbollah never withdrew from the region.

Meanwhile, experts pointed out that Israel will not be willing to end the war with Hezbollah. Like in the case of the Gaza ceasefire, Israel will change its terms at the end when the ceasefire deal reaches a close, they opine.

Experts also noted that Hezbollah is unlikely to surrender and is prepared to fight Israel for a prolonged period.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar noted that there had been progress and that there was a desire to reach an arrangement that would allow the residents of northern Israel to return to their homes safely, reported The Post.

Earlier, the ceasefire proposal by the US government leaked revealed that Israel to withdraw its forces from Lebanon within the first week of a 60-day ceasefire and for the Lebanese army to "disarm" Hezbollah.
President-elect Donald Trump's latest choice of Tulsi Gabbard as US intelligence chief has sent shockwaves across the spy world. It has raised concerns within domestic and international intelligence spheres.

Appointing Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman, who lacks deep intelligence experience, is seen as a highly political move. She is also considered to be soft on Russia and Syria.

Gabbard's appointment indicates Trump's second-term approach, prioritising personal allegiance over traditional credentials.

Amid accusations of being a Russian asset, she had left the Democratic Party in 2022. Gabbard was also highly criticised for her anti-interventionist. Later after her exit from the Democratic Party, she aligned with Trump and became a staunch supporter of his 'America First' doctrine.

While Trump has made some conventional personnel decisions such as that of Senator Marco Rubio for secretary of state, Gabbards name surprised even some Republican insiders.

After leaving Congress in 2021, she pivoted to conservative media and platforms, criticising what she called the Democratic Party's 'elitist cabal of warmongers'.

She also spoke out against US military intervention in the civil war in Syria under former President Barack Obama and met in 2017 with Moscow-backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, with whom Washington severed all diplomatic ties in 2012.

Reportedly, a Western intelligence source warned of a potential 'slowdown in intelligence sharing' should Gabbard's pro-Russia inclinations shape US intelligence policy.

Former national security adviser John Bolton, now Trump critic said, "I thought it was the worst cabinet-level appointment in history until we then heard about Matt Gaetz's appointment."

Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of the UK's MI6, was quoted by the Telegraph saying, "a maverick move that defies intelligence orthodoxy."
In 2001, weeks after Gladiator won Best Picture at the Oscars, director Ridley Scott began planning a prequel. The idea was to explore the early life of Maximus Decimus Meridius, the Roman general who is betrayed, sold into slavery and whose quest for revenge forms the heart of Gladiator. When the prequel failed to materialise, Scott shifted his focus to a sequelone that would somehow resurrect Maximus and thrust him into another complex Roman political drama.

This project, too, was ultimately shelved. So he turned his attention to another historical epic, Kingdom of Heaven (2005), a film about the Crusades that one critic called Gladiators younger, less impressive brother.

Following the release of Kingdom of Heaven, Scott revisited his ambition to create a Gladiator sequel. This time, the story centred on Lucius, the son of Maximus and the heir to the Roman Empire. Its the next generation, Scott explained at the time. Roman history is so exotic that any part of it is really fascinating.

Nineteen years later, with Gladiator II, Scott seems determined to prove his statement wrong. The sequel, which has Lucius as the protagonist, lacks the gravitas and elements that made the original such a captivating experience. Instead, it feels uninspired and blatantly commerciala hollow attempt to cash in on the legacy of its predecessor. Not only is Gladiator II narratively underwhelming, but it also arrives as the cinematic equivalent of flogging a dead horse, nineteen years too late.

The story unfolds two decades after the events of Gladiator. Lucius, now known as Hanno (Paul Mescal), lives a quiet life with his wife in Numidia, on the North African coast. Tragedy strikes when Roman soldiers, led by General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal), invade and plunder Numidia. Hannos wife is killed, and he is captured, sold into slavery, and purchased by Macrinus (Denzel Washington), a former slave who earned his freedom.

Macrinus is a cunning and ambitious figure. He harbours plans to overthrow Caracalla and Geta, the gluttonous and ruthless twin rulers of Rome, and seize power for himself. Seeing potential in Hanno, he trains him as a gladiator, shaping him into a weapon for his political ambitions. Rage is your gift, Macrinus tells Hanno. You will be my instrument.

The screenplay by David Scarpawho previously worked with Scott in Napoleon (2023) and All the Money in the World (2017)brims with sound and fury but lacks depth and substance. It attempts to emulate the narrative structure of the original Gladiator, which unfortunately highlights the sequelss shortcomings.

In Gladiator, the opening scene introduces Maximus through his final battle in the Roman Empires campaign against the Germanic tribes, providing a layered understanding of his charactera respected general, a weary warrior, and a man longing for his family. Gladiator II introduces Hanno in a similar setting, fighting Roman soldiers invading Numidia, but fails to give him the same dimensionality. Hanno is presented as a husband driven more by rage than by grief over his wifes deatha characterisation that merely serves the mechanics of the plot. His tragedy exists primarily to justify his thirst for vengeance and display of combat skills, rendering him less of a fully realised character and more of a narrative device.

Where Maximus transcended his role as a gladiator to become a leader and symbol of resistance, Hanno feels like a cog in the machinery of the sequel. He may outshine his father in battle prowess, but he falls short in embodying the qualities that made Maximus an inspiring icon. Also, Maximus has passed none of his oratorial talents to Hannohis motivational words to his team before a gladiatorial game is much too modest for an aspiring Roman leader: This is about survival. So survive!

Scarpa could as well be telling us why the plot proceedings are so curt: This is about making money. So buy the damn ticket if you liked the original!

That is not to say that Gladiator II is without its pleasures. Chief among them is Denzel Washington, who relishes his role as the Machiavellian Macrinus. On the spectrum of villainy, Macrinus is a far cry from the ruthless New York gangster Frank Lucas, whom Washington portrayed in American Gangster (2007), also directed by Scott. Here, Washington leans into Hollywood camp. While Paul Mescal, a 28-year-old Irish actor with an Oscar nomination already under his belt, plays Hanno with earnestness despite the characters thin development, Washington, with over four decades of acting experience, seems to understand his assignment perfectly. He is theatrical when needed and as subtle as a snake when setting his machinations in motion.

However, his performance does not come close to the highs of Training Day, the 2001 film that won him his first Best Actor Oscar. Instead, it feels like a darker, more charismatic riff on his role in 2 Guns, a 2013 action-comedy that has its moments but is ultimately forgettable. Because of the films shallow storytelling, Macrinus feels like a one-note villain, lacking the complexity of Joaquin Phoenixs psychotic and power-hungry Commodus in the original. Washington delivers a performance full of potential, but it feels misplaceda standout searching for a better film to support it. As General Acacius, Pedro Pascal, too, deserved a better script.

Scotts films are generally praised for their production design, but Gladiator II falls short of his usual standards. The effort to recreate ancient Rome in turmoil seems half-hearted, even bordering on absurdity. One gladiatorial event, for example, imitates a naval battle with multiple replica vessels; the vanquished are devoured by hungry sharks. With Scott and his team having prioritized CGI over historical accuracy, the result is a showy display that often feels more ostentatious than genuinely impressive.

Perhaps the biggest disappointment is the music. The score, composed by Harry Gregson-Williamsknown for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) and The Martian (2015)fails to match the emotional depth of the original. Having started his career assisting Hans Zimmer, who scored the original Gladiator with Lisa Gerrard, Gregson-Williamss composition feels disjointed and lacks the sweeping resonance of its predecessor. Though the original score is a tough act to follow, his music lacks cohesion and impact.

Perhaps, the reason that Gladiator II is what it is, is not entirely the fault of Scott and his team. Cinema has evolved dramatically since the original Gladiator was released. One of the lasting impacts was its revival of the swords-and-sandals genre in Hollywood, with the films tremendous success sparking a wave of historical epicsfrom Kingdom of Heaven and Troy (2004) on the big screen to Rome (2005-2007) and Spartacus (2010-2013) on television.

When Gladiator debuted, Netflix was a small player, attempting to sell itself to a video rental chain for as little as $50 million. Since then, the rise of streaming platforms has caused a seismic shift in viewing habits and preferences, redefining cinema and storytelling. With more dramatic content now shifting to the small screen in the form of episodic television, many veteran directors, including Scott, have struggled to find their footing.

Three of Scotts last four films have been historical epics, and all have been commercial failures. His most recent film, Napoleon, was lavishly produced for Apples streaming service, which, despite critical reviews, granted it a brief, unprofitable theatre run. With Gladiator II, which Scott co-produced and is being distributed by a traditional Hollywood studio, the 86-year-old director seems to be desperately trying to recapture the success of an era when spectacles like Gladiator drew massive audiences. It is an admirable pursuit, but the frustration in Scotts latest effort is hard to ignore. Are you not entertained? he seems to ask, like Maximus did, almost in exasperation.

No, sir. We arent.

Title: Gladiator II (English)

Director: Ridley Scott

Cast: Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn, Connie Nielsen

Rating: 2 out of 5
Donald Trumps comprehensive victory in the US presidential elections and the Republican Partys commanding performance in the Senate and House races have exposed a major rift in American politics. While many factors contributed to the Democratic Partys downfall, the abiding theme behind the loss is the growing disconnect between the partys evolving identity and the concerns of its traditional working-class base. The Democrats' increasing alignment with progressive, coastal elites, their embrace of liberal cultural positions and their failure to address the economic anxieties of ordinary Americans have all played a role in Harriss loss.

Historically, the Democratic Party has been the champion of labour unions, workers' rights and economic fairness. But over the past few years, it has increasingly become associated with urban elites, who prioritise progressive social causes over the economic concerns that once defined the partys platform. This shift away from economic populism became particularly pronounced under president Barack Obama, and was further exacerbated by the rise of Trumpism.

Donald Trump capitalised on this shift, appealing directly to blue-collar voters who felt abandoned by the Democratic Party. His populist rhetoric, promising to bring back manufacturing jobs and rejecting free trade agreements like NAFTA, resonated strongly with working-class Americans, particularly in battleground states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Trump's message of economic nationalism, coupled with his America First agenda, struck a chord with voters concerned about job loss, wage stagnation and the decline of traditional industries.

ALSO READ: Trumps resurgence heralds Americas authoritarian shift

Even after Trump lost the 2020 election, his ability to maintain a loyal working-class base, particularly in rural and industrial areas, was undeniable. Meanwhile, Democrats struggled to address the issues that mattered most to these voters. The partys embrace of free trade, stringent environmental protection policies and an increasingly progressive social agenda alienated many in working-class communities.

Harris, despite being a historic figure as the first female vice president, the first woman of colour and first Indian American in that role, struggled to connect with a key segment of the electorate: swing voters and the working class. Harris's political career was rooted in deep-blue California, where she built her base among the left, liberal elite. While this background facilitated her rise within the party, it left her inadequately equipped to engage swing state voters.

ALSO READ: How John Thunes election as Senate majority leader is a challenge to Trumps authority

Harris campaigns focus on issues such as abortion rights, gender equality and climate change, while important, failed to resonate with voters struggling with more immediate concerns like job security, rising living costs, illegal immigration and crime. Moreover, Harriss background as a prosecutor and her past positions on issues like fracking and gender-affirming care for transgender inmates were used effectively by Trump to portray her as out of touch with mainstream Americans. One of the most successful Trump ads in the election depicted Harris as favouring taxpayer-funded gender assigning surgeries for prisoners, a position that alienated many moderate and working-class voters, especially women. Despite attempts to reframe her image with more centrist messages, such as her stance on gun rights, Harris's efforts often came across as insincere or contradictory. This created an opening for Trump to frame the Democratic Party as too extreme and disconnected from the concerns of average voters.

Another factor contributing to Harris's defeat was the growing influence of what some have called "wokeness" within the Democratic Party. As the party embraced progressive values, it became increasingly associated with a world view that many Americans, particularly in rural and working-class areas, found alienating. Terms like Latinx, BIPOC, and the rise of "cancel culture" signalled a party more attuned to the concerns of affluent urbanites.

The focus on identity politics and a language of hyper-political correctness caused many voters to feel that the Democratic Party was no longer speaking to them or on their behalf. For instance, Rahm Emanuel, a Chicago Democrat and former Obama administration official, argued that the Democratic leadership was increasingly intimidated by the woke police and failed to recognise the anger of many Americans who were tired of being lectured about sensitivity and political correctness.

Trump, in contrast, was able to tap into this frustration by positioning himself as an anti-establishment figure who rejected the elitist values. His rallies, where he spoke plainly and often humorously about issues that resonated with ordinary Americans, were in stark contrast to the often stilted, overly scripted messages from Harris. Trump's appeal to voters who felt ridiculed or ignored by the political class was a key reason for his success.

In the aftermath of Harris's defeat, Democrats are grappling with a serious identity crisis. Some argue that the party failed to cater to the left enough, while others believe it must pivot to the centre to survive. Congressman Seth Moulton of Massachusetts has called for a rebranding, urging the party to focus more on economic populism rather than cultural issues. Others, like Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a Democrat who narrowly won a seat in a red district, argue that the party must engage with ordinary voters, particularly parents and people in the trades, and take their concerns seriously.

Julie Roginsky, a Democratic strategist, criticised the partys inability to communicate with normal Americans, pointing out how terms like Latinx alienate Latino voters, who find such terminology out of touch with their cultural realities. Many of these voters, she argued, are more concerned with issues like crime, job opportunities and the cost of living than with the progressive social agendas pushed by the Democratic elite.

Democrats must reconcile their progressive agenda with the economic realities of everyday Americans. To regain the trust of the working class, they must balance the identity politics that has come to dominate the party and give due importance to economic issuesjob creation, wage growth and health careissues that once made them the party of the working class. If the Democrats fail to reconnect with the voters they have lost, particularly in swing states and rural areas, they risk becoming a party of coastal elites, out of touch with the rest of the country, and out of power for a long time.
Jamshedpur, Nov 15 (PTI) In a first in the country's ferrochrome industry, Tata Steel's Ferro Alloys and Minerals Division (FAMD) on Friday announced the publication of its environmental product declaration (EPD) for ferrochrome, stating that it will help the company in its journey towards sustainable business practices.

The EPD is a Type III eco-label that provides transparent, third-party verified data on the product's environmental impact based on a full lifecycle assessment (LCA).

This step is part of Tata Steel's broader strategy to offer its customers sustainable solutions while meeting global environmental standards, the company said in a press release on Friday.

Ferrochrome, a critical input for stainless steel production, is used extensively across multiple industries.

By publishing the EPD for ferrochrome, Tata Steel provides detailed insights into the product's environmental performance, helping customers make informed, and sustainable choices, it said.

The EPD will also support Tata Steel's customers in green building projects, as it is increasingly required for securing credit points in the construction industry's green certifications.

The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study conducted in-house by the corporate sustainability team for the ferrochrome EPD, complies with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards, ensuring a rigorous evaluation of the product's environmental impact from raw material extraction, transportation and manufacturing.

The EPD is registered in the International EPD System and is publicly accessible.

Commenting on the initiative, Pankaj Satija, Executive-In-Charge, FAMD, said, "Sustainability lies at the heart of everything we do at Tata Steel. Our latest EPD for ferrochrome represents our unstinted commitment to environmental transparency and leadership in the industry."

"By enabling our customers to access independently verified environmental data based on life cycle assessment studies on the product, we help them make responsible choices, further enhancing our position as a trusted partner in sustainable development," Satija said.

In the coming years, the steel major aims to expand its portfolio of eco-labelled products, including GreenPro and EPD certifications across its product lines, the press release said.

This initiative is aligned with the company's mission to lead the industry in sustainable practices and meet the evolving needs of environmentally conscious customers.

The Company has already achieved GreenPro certification for many of its products, demonstrating its leadership in sustainability, the release said.
CYBERJAYA, Malaysia and BENGALURU, India, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --UST, a leading digital transformation solutions company, has opened a new office and state-of-the-art Generative AI Experience Center in Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia. This facility will act as a hub for innovation and collaboration, bringing together leaders and thinkers at the forefront of the Generative AI space to drive digital transformation in Southeast Asia and beyond.



The new Cyberjaya facility is UST's third delivery center in Malaysia and will develop cutting-edge AI solutions for use in a diverse range of market sectors, including banking, manufacturing, retail, O&G, telecom, and education. The GenAI Center of Excellence in Malaysia will elevate customer experiences across Southeast Asia to improve both the engineering services and the digital portfolio of UST. A key focus area will be developing custom Large Language Models (LLMs) tailored to specific business needs. Additionally, work conducted at the Center of Excellence will empower cloud, infrastructure, and cybersecurity applications, automating backend tasks and digitising front-end user experiences, benefiting both engineering and GBS teams.



The facility was formally opened on November 11, as part of a ceremony featuring notable tech industry leaders and government officials including: Y.A.B. Dato' Seri Amirudin Bin Shari, Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) of Selangor state; Wan Murdani Wan Mohamad, Senior Vice President of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC); Puan Nor Suhaila Binti Saat, Director, Sepang Municipal Council; Kamarul Ariffin Abdul Samad, Chief Executive Officer, Cyberview Sdn Bhd; TS Koay, Managing Director Dell Technologies Malaysia, Chai Ping Chua, Country Site Leader Experian Malaysia, Sunil Balakrishnan, CVO & Global Head of Center Operations, UST; Gilroy Mathew, Sr Vice president, UST; and Amar Chhajer, Vice President & Country Head Malaysia, UST.



"The opening of this advanced new delivery center will enhance our ability to support the growing Malaysian and Southeast Asian markets and positions us for further growth in this dynamic region. UST's focus on Generative AI aligns with the current digital landscape and will empower businesses to harness the potential of AI and automation to drive digital transformation. We're grateful for the support of our partners and stakeholders, who has been instrumental in fostering a strong tech community here in Malaysia. UST's focus on Generative AI aligns with the current digital landscape and will empower businesses to harness the potential of AI and automation to drive digital transformation," said Amar Chhajer, Vice President & Country Head  Malaysia, UST.



"UST is a key partner in our mission to develop digital infrastructure and nurture local tech talent. The UST Gen AI Center of Excellence is exactly the type of forward-thinking initiative that will help propel Malaysia into the next phase of digital evolution. It will be a catalyst for research and development in AI, helping to unlock new opportunities and insights across a wide range of sectors. UST's commitment to Malaysia's thriving tech ecosystem has been instrumental in helping transform this sector of our economy. Over the past decade, UST has invested in developing over 10,000 engineering professionals in Malaysia, contributing to the creation of a dynamic and resilient digital ecosystem," said Y.A.B. Dato' Seri Amirudin Bin Shari, Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) of Selangor state.



UST began operating in Malaysia in 2006, opening its first center in Penang in 2011. This location also became home to UST's first Infinity Lab in 2020, supporting innovation that has helped UST expand operations throughout Southeast Asia. UST Malaysia has grown to become one of the company's biggest delivery center locations in the world and there are currently over 1,500 USsociates in Malaysia. UST Malaysia has two delivery centers in Penang. UST is certified as a 'Great Place to Work' in Malaysia.



About UST



Since 1999, UST has worked side by side with the world's best companies to make a powerful impact through transformation. Powered by technology, inspired by people, and led by our purpose, we partner with our clients from design to operation. Our digital solutions, proprietary platforms, engineering expertise, and innovation ecosystem turn core challenges into impactful, disruptive solutions. With deep industry knowledge and a future-ready mindset, we infuse innovation and agility into our clients' organizations--delivering measurable value and positive lasting change for them, their customers, and communities around the world. Together, with 30,000+ employees in 30+ countries, we build for boundless impact--touching billions of lives in the process. Visit us at www.UST.com



Media Contacts, UST:



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(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

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New Delhi, Nov 15 (PTI) India is among the largest markets by volume and growing at a rapid pace, President of Uber India and South Asia Prabhjeet Singh has said, terming it an "incredibly important market" that presents a multi-decadal opportunity for the ride-hailing platform.

Singh told PTI that mobility opportunity in India is "massive" and "underpenetrated". The company believes it has "barely scratched the surface" despite the strong line-up of products and services and the robust growth.

"There is so much more to be done even though we are growing leaps and bounds," the top honcho of Uber India said.

The mobility giant will continue to bring cutting-edge innovation to the market and also take India-first innovations to the rest of the world, he emphasised.

"It is an incredibly important market, a multi-decadal opportunity," Singh said.

India is one of the least-penetrated markets when it comes to ride-hailing, with less than a per cent of the trips in the city taking place on ride-hailing platforms.

"...that number is three to five per cent in multiple mature cities, globally. That gives you a sense of the headroom for growth in a market like India as the ecosystem evolves," he said.

The India business is riding on multiple growth engines, including Uber 'Auto' and 'Moto', which are "opening up completely new consumer categories", he said.

Many innovations out of India are now being exported globally, he added.

"Despite the massive scale we have, India is also one of the fastest growing markets for us. And that makes it incredibly exciting," he said.

Uber is hyper-focused on bringing new services to the market to fuel continued growth.

The ride-hailing app on Thursday announced a host of new features such as SOS integration, helmet selfie and women rider preference for female drivers -- all aimed at making experience for million-plus drivers on its platform "safer, easier and fairer".

Further, in support of the government's Code on Social Security (CoSS), which seeks to provide a safety net for gig workers, Uber announced the promotion of registrations on the e-Shram portal, which is a unified database for gig workers and unorganised workers.

To encourage participation and accelerate such registrations, Uber is offering cash incentives to the first 10,000 drivers who register on the portal.

Key enhancements for drivers include SOS integration, helmet selfie, women rider preference for female drivers, and audio recording, as also upfront tipping, instant payments, and mentorship programme.

Earlier this year, Uber global CEO Dara Khosrowshahi had described India as one of the toughest markets to grow in because people in the country wanted a lot of services but didn't want to spend much money.

Singh said that he took the observation nothing short of a compliment.

"Dara mentioned that, I read that as a compliment to the fact that Indian consumers demand more, which is fabulous, which pushes us to innovate. It is also a compliment to the fact that this is such an important market where we are investing to grow. And a lot of the innovations which are actually happening in India are now being exported globally," he said.

India is a big engineering base for Uber globally, Singh said pointing out that the talent in India is exciting and allows the company to create world-class solutions right here.

"We have two thriving centres, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, where the teams are building cutting-edge solutions, not just for India, but for the world from India. We continue to scale our centres. And the talent density in India is so exciting that it allows us to really create world class solutions from India," he said.

On increasing competition in the Indian market, Singh said Uber believes in being "competition aware, but not competition obsessed". Uber, he noted, has kept a sharp focus on playing to its own strengths.

Further, he said intense competition in any market or category is a sign that the segment is growing incredibly fast, attracting new innovation.

"And that keeps incumbents who are market leaders like us on our toes. It keeps us innovating faster," Singh said.

On the labour ministry's proposed social security framework for gig workers, Singh said Uber has always been at the forefront of advocating for a legislation like code of social security.

"We are already encouraging drivers to sign up through the e-Shram portal. And we are on standby to contribute to the code of social security fund, which can then fund the efforts required to support the gig workers. And we think this can become a gold-standard model for multiple countries to follow," he said.

Uber is keen to see an urgent and agile implementation, he said, adding the company is "on standby" to embrace it from day one.
Ukrainian actor Bohdan Beniuk has suggested how to resolve the language issue once and for all and who, in his opinion, should forget about the language of the occupying country in the workplace. The artist emphasized that this problem has been haunting Ukrainians for centuries and that a full-scale war with Russia could help them abandon the Russian language.

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Bohdan Beniuk explained that it is necessary to start with the realization of the murderous and hostile energy of Russia and its state language. He expressed this opinion in an interview with the "Naodyntsi" project.

"If a person realizes that his enemy carries the energy of murder and speaks a certain language, then it is clear that I will not speak the language of the enemy. It is very clear," the actor began.

In his opinion, Ukrainization should start with adult Ukrainians who influence future generations: educators, teachers, parents, and civil servants.

"They must be the first to switch. You don't need to touch people in their 70s and 80s. They are already living, and they will not renounce their position. We need to think about who will live in this country: Ukrainians or people with double standards," said Bohdan Beniuk.

The movie star cited an example of how the Russian language was fought against in Lithuania.

"Little Lithuania, there are only 2.5 million of them, and more than a million of them were Russian speakers. They acted very simply, although the whole world was choking on the rage coming from Russia. They imposed fines. There was a language police. Little by little, the Russian language was pushed out by such repressive methods," the actor said.

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New Delhi, Nov 15 (PTI) India's export of oilmeals rose 5 per cent to 3.05 lakh tonnes in October compared to 2.89 lakh tonnes in the year-ago period, according to industry body SEA.

However, during the April-October period of the 2024-25 fiscal year, the overall oilmeal exports declined 7 per cent to 23.88 lakh tonnes against 25.66 lakh tonnes in the corresponding period last year, primarily due to lower shipments of rapeseed and castorseed meals.

The Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA) said in a statement that rapeseed meal exports dropped to 1.60 lakh tonnes in October from 1.69 lakh tonnes a year ago.

India, traditionally a major exporter of rapeseed meal as cattle feed, shipped about 22 lakh tonnes in the 2023-24 fiscal year, helping farmers secure better prices.

"However, this year presents new challenges," SEA said, noting that rapeseed meal exports have fallen 25 per cent in the first seven months of the current fiscal to 11.8 lakh tonnes from 15.1 lakh tonnes in the year-ago period.

The industry body attributed the decline to higher pricing in the international market and urged the government to provide a 15 per cent incentive through higher RoDTEP rates, transport subsidy, and interest subvention to boost export competitiveness.

Soyabean meal exports increased to 1.14 lakh tonnes in October from 87,060 tonnes a year ago, while groundnut extraction shipments rose to 2,733 tonnes from 1,990 tonnes.

Castorseed meal exports declined to 27,960 tonnes from 31,469 tonnes a year earlier.

Major export destinations include South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Bangladesh, Iran, and Taiwan.
New Delhi, Nov 15 (PTI) Jaypee Infratech Ltd has reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 88.20 crore for the September quarter.

The company had posted a net loss of Rs 588.31 crore in the year-ago period.

Total income declined to Rs 222.86 crore in the second quarter of the 2024-25 fiscal year from Rs 357.92 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year, according to a regulatory filing on Thursday.

In June this year, the Mumbai-based Suraksha Group took control of the Jaypee Infratech Ltd (JIL) by constituting a three-member board. Sudhir V Valia, promoter of Suraksha Group, was appointed as a non-executive director on the JIL board.

The takeover followed the insolvency appellate tribunal NCLAT decision on May 24, 2024, upholding Suraksha Group's bid to acquire JIL. The date of the NCLAT order, May 24, has been treated as the 'Approval Date' as defined in the approved resolution plan.

The NCLAT had directed Suraksha Group to pay an additional Rs 1,334 crore to Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) as farmers.

Many players, including YEIDA have filed petition in the Supreme Court against the NCLAT order and the matter is sub-judice.

After taking control of the JIL, Suraksha Group has started infusing funds as well as preparation for commencing the construction of stalled housing projects where around 20,000 homebuyers are stuck.

Meanwhile, Jaypee Infratech went into Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) on August 9, 2017 over an application by the IDBI Bank-led consortium.

On March 7 last year, the NCLT approved the bid of the Suraksha group to buy JIL. However, many parties, including YEIDA, filed a petition in the NCLAT challenging the NCLT order.

In its final resolution plan, the Suraksha group offered to bankers more than 2,500 acres of land and nearly Rs 1,300 crore by way of issuing non-convertible debentures. It also proposed to complete all stalled projects over the next four years. Lenders of Jaypee Infratech had submitted a claim of Rs 9,783 crore.

During the fourth round of the bidding process to find a buyer for JIL in 2021, the Suraksha group won the bid with 98.66 per cent votes. As many as 12 banks and more than 20,000 homebuyers had voting rights in the Committee of Creditors (CoC). The company had got 0.12 per cent more votes than state-owned NBCC, which was also in the fray.

In the first round of insolvency proceedings in 2018, the Rs 7,350 crore bid of Lakshadweep, part of the Suraksha group, was rejected by the lenders.

The CoC had rejected the bids of Suraksha and NBCC in the second round held in May-June 2019. In November 2019, the Supreme Court directed that the revised bids be invited only from NBCC and Suraksha.

Then, in December 2019, the CoC approved the resolution plan of NBCC during the third round of the bidding process. In March 2020, NBCC got approval from the NCLT to acquire JIL. However, the order was challenged before the NCLAT and later in the Supreme Court.

On March 21, 2021, the apex court ordered a fresh round of bidding between NBCC and Suraksha Group only. In the fourth round, Suraksha Group won the bid.
New Delhi, Nov 15 (PTI) The first power transmission from Nepal to Bangladesh via the national grid of India started on Friday.

Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, inaugurated the facility, along with Md. Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Bangladesh, and Dipak Khadka, Minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Nepal through a virtual event, an official statement said.

According to the statement, the event was hosted by the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Government of Nepal.

This occasion marks the first trilateral power transaction that has been carried out through the Indian grid, it stated.

The Government of India had announced its decision to facilitate the first trilateral power transaction from Nepal to Bangladesh, through Indian grid with an export of up to 40 MW of power during the visit of the former Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' to India from May 31 to June 3, 2023.

During the visit, both sides had expressed their commitment towards greater sub-regional cooperation, including in the energy sector, which would lead to increased inter-linkages between the economies for mutual benefit of all stakeholders.

Subsequently, a tripartite power sales agreement between NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam, Nepal Electricity Authority and Bangladesh Power Development Board was signed on October 3, 2024 in Kathmandu.

The start of this power flow from Nepal to Bangladesh through India is expected to boost sub-regional connectivity in the power sector, it added.
New Delhi, Nov 15 (PTI) Ride-hailing platform Rapido has reported narrowing of losses to Rs 370 crore in FY24 from Rs 675 crore a year earlier.

This is the third consecutive year the Bengaluru-based unicorn has posted a loss. It incurred a loss of Rs 440 crore in FY22, the company said in a statement.

The company's revenue came in at Rs 648 crore in FY24, up 46.3 per cent from Rs 443 crore in FY23.

"Last year's performance is underscored by a ~2x increase in Gross Order Value (GOV), which soared to Rs 4,257 crore in FY24 from Rs 2,419 crore in FY23, further demonstrating the platform's expanding market presence. This growth was fuelled by a 1.5x rise in ride orders, reaching nearly half a billion rides in FY24, underscoring Rapido's increasing appeal among India's vast commuter base," the statement said.

In the July-September period of FY25, Rapido shrunk losses to Rs 17 crore from Rs 74 crore a year ago.

The company reported a 2.5 times year-on-year growth in gross order value (GOV) to Rs 2,461 crore during the quarter, against Rs 977 crore in Q2FY24.

The platform said it observed ride orders double year-on-year to 207 million, and optimised its fixed costs to achieve a 50 per cent reduction on a per-unit basis without increasing its overall budget.

"This efficiency allowed Rapido to narrow its quarterly loss to Rs 17 crore in Q2FY25, a significant improvement over the Rs 74 crore loss in the same period last year.

"This strong performance is a result of Rapido's ability to not only increase market share but also build long-term value through its scalable and sustainable business model," the statement said.
New Delhi, Nov 15 (PTI) India's sugar production dropped 44 per cent to 7.10 lakh tonnes in the first six weeks of the 2024-25 season compared with 12.70 lakh tonnes a year earlier, as fewer mills started crushing operations, industry body NFCSFL said on Friday.

Only 144 sugar mills were operational as of November 15, down from 264 mills in the previous year, the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Ltd (NFCSFL) said in a statement.

Maharashtra, one of India's top three sugar-producing states, has yet to begin crushing operations. Last year, 103 mills were operational in the state during the same period.

Sugar recovery rates remained stable at 7.82 per cent, matching last year's levels, the cooperative body said.

In Karnataka, production fell to 26.25 lakh tonnes from 53.75 lakh tonnes a year ago, with only 40 mills operating. Uttar Pradesh had 85 operational mills during the period.

The industry body estimates total sugar production for the 2024-25 season, which runs from October to September, will decline to 280 lakh tonnes from 319 lakh tonnes in the previous season.
New Delhi, Nov 15 (PTI) Domestic server manufacturer Netweb Technologies said its chief financial officer Prawal Jain resigned from the post, a regulatory filing said on Friday.

The company has designated its financial controller Ankit Kumar Singhal as interim chief financial officer (CFO).

"...the Board of Directors at its meeting held today ie. November 15, 2024, has approved to designate Ankit Kumar Singhal, presently acting as the Financial Controller, as the Interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Key Managerial Personnel (KMP) of the company with effect from November 15, 2024, till the time the board appoints the new CFO and Prawal Jain will step down as the CFO," the filing said.

Jain will continue to be a part of the company till December 31, 2024, to ensure a smooth transition, the filing said.

Netweb Technologies is an authorised OEM (original equipment manufacturer) partner of GPU chipset giant Nvidia.

The company posted around 70 per cent increase in net profit to Rs 25.72 crore in the September 2024 quarter from Rs 15.14 crore in the same period a year ago.

The total income of the company also grew by 71 per cent to Rs 253.11 crore during the reported quarter from Rs 148 crore in the September 2023 quarter.
New Delhi, Nov 15 (PTI) The government's procurement through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal has crossed Rs 3 lakh crore so far this financial year, an official said.

Higher buying activities by various ministries and departments have helped in reaching the figure, the official said.

In 2023-24, the portal handled procurement of Rs 4 lakh crore by government departments of centres and states and public sector enterprises.

The Government e-Market (GeM) portal was launched on August 9, 2016, for online purchases of goods and services by all central government ministries and departments.

In October, the GeM signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sikkim to facilitate procurement by the state on the platform.

"That covers all the states under the GeM," the official said.

Apart from large government agencies, GeM has also onboarded panchayats and cooperatives.

The procurement by central organisations on the portal in October stood at around Rs 30,264 crore.

The official said that since inception more than 9.7 lakh micro, small and medium enterprises have registered on GeM, receiving orders of over Rs 4.19 lakh crore or around 40 per cent of the total.

South Korea's KONEPS is the largest such platform in the world. GeM stands at the second position. It is followed by Singapore's GeBIZ.
Kathmandu, Nov 15 (PTI) Nepal on Friday, for the first time, exported 40 megawatts of electricity to Bangladesh through an Indian transmission line, as per a tripartite agreement.

The electricity was transmitted to Bangladesh via the Indian transmission line at around 1 pm local time, said Chandan Ghosh, spokesperson of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).

However, it was only for a single day on Friday that Nepal exported 40 MW of electricity to Bangladesh and as per the agreement, will continuously export from June 15, 2025 onwards.

Nepal, India and Bangladesh inked the agreement in Kathmandu on October 3 this year to export 40 MW electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh between June 15 to November 15 during the rainy season for the next five years via Indian transmission lines.

The agreement involved the NEA, NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited of India and the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB).

However, the actual power export was delayed, mainly due to political unrest in Bangladesh.

Calling it as a historic occasion, Ghosh said, it has paved the way for Nepal to sell electricity to a third country.

It has crushed diplomatic, economic and technical barriers in the trade of electricity with a third country, which is not our immediate neighbour, he maintained.

Friday's export to Bangladesh came from Nepal's 25-megawatt Trishuli and 22-megawatt Chilime hydropower plants and used India's 400-kV Muzaffarpur-Beharampur-Bhedamara transmission line.
Bathinda, Nov 15 (PTI) Retail and hospitality player The Montana Group, in collaboration with snack food and restaurant chain Bikanervala, on Friday announced the launch of Bikanervala's second outlet in Bathinda.

This new outlet at Park Panorama Colony in Bathinda marks a significant milestone in the brand's expansion journey and reflects its mission to share India's rich culinary heritage on a global scale, The Montana Group said.

The new outlet will serve a diverse range of Indian sweets, snacks, and multi-cuisine delicacies in a quick-service restaurant (QSR) format.

"Our goal is to make Indian flavours a staple in the global culinary scene, blending tradition with innovation through our 'Reverse Food Drainage' initiative," said Manoj Madhukar, Founder of The Montana Group.

"Through partnerships, collaborations, and new market strategies, we aim to use the global fascination with Indian flavours as a means for cultural exchange. Our mission is to create opportunities for Indian heritage brands to expand internationally and establish a lasting presence," he added.

Monty Singh, Founder of The Montana Group, shared, "We aim to engage global youth in a culinary journey that celebrates India's age-old traditions. Just as global brands like McDonald's and KFC have embraced Indian twists in their menus, we want international consumers to connect with Indian culture through our flavourful food.

"Our ambitious expansion plans for the UK reflect the immense potential we see to bring authentic Indian flavours to a wider audience."

In 2024-2025, The Montana Group aims to open 25-plus new outlets, expanding both domestically and internationally.

The group has a strong network in northern India and is expanding rapidly across other parts of the country as well.

Established in 1905, Bikanervala operates over 200 outlets in India and has a presence in countries such as the USA, Canada, the UAE, Qatar, New Zealand, Singapore, and Nepal.

Suresh Goel, CEO of Bikanervala Foods Pvt. Ltd, said the Bathinda outlet's launch exemplifies Bikanervala and The Montana Group's shared commitment to introducing the essence of Indian flavours to a global audience and enhancing the visibility of India's culinary heritage worldwide.
Mumbai, Nov 15 (PTI) As Maharashtra gears up for the state assembly elections on November 20, the Hindi film industry in Mumbai hopes the new government will bring critical reforms for daily wage workers and policies to reduce financial burdens on the sector.

In five days, the state will witness an electoral battle between the ruling Mahayuti, comprising BJP, Shiv Sena and the NCP, and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi led by the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP).

Actor Suresh Oberoi emphasised the importance of voting, referring to it as a national festival.

Voting is a national festival, and it is your duty to exercise your voting rights and strengthen the foundation of democracy, the veteran actor told PTI.

Talking to PTI, actor Gulshan Devaiah said, Elections are a hallmark of a good democracy, and it is the peoples right. No matter what problems we may have with each other, electorally and ideologically, we can hold free and fair elections, so thats quite amazing."

Film producer Boney Kapoor echoed similar sentiments.

It is the right of every citizen of this country to vote and elect a leader and make the government machinery as democratic as possible, he said.

Governance focused on development and welfare is paramount, filmmaker Subhash Ghai said.

I dont belong to any political party; Maharashtra is my karma bhoomi. Whoever thinks about the states development should be our leader, irrespective of the party. It is important to vote first, and we all should do that, he said.

For stakeholders, the lack of government support for daily wagers in the industry is one of the main concerns. The issue came to the fore during the COVID-19 pandemic when everything came to a grinding halt in the Bollywood dream factory.

B N Tiwari, president of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), pointed out that despite numerous appeals to political leaders for assistance, little has been done to secure job stability for daily wagers.

They need all sorts of help from the film industry, but they (political leaders) never think about us. We have written to them numerous times to implement the PPF scheme for workers, provide them with job security, etc. We fail to understand why those who talk about helping the poor people dont do anything for them, Tiwari told PTI.

He said the plight of daily wagers in the film industry has gone unnoticed as many continue to face economic hardships after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Devaiah, best known for his work in Badhaai Do, Dahaad, and Guns & Gulaabs, highlighted the inadequacies of support systems in place for workers since the pandemic.

When I came in 2008 (to Mumbai), a lot of systems were in place. Post-COVID-19, several workers are not doing well financially, so some schemes for them will be good. I got a circular from the union asking for donations (for workers), and it is possible that these unions dont have enough funds, he said.

Mumbai, hailed as the heart of Bollywood, is facing a crisis in its film infrastructure, Tiwari claimed, referring to the iconic Film City in suburban Mumbai.

In a stark assessment of Film City Tiwari, he said the area has become a place that reflects horror more than glamour, especially compared to the well-maintained Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad.

The state government is not thinking about Film City here. Considering the condition of the place, one can shoot a horror film there. There are so many sets in Ramoji Film City, all well-maintained. In the Film City here, nothing is worth a visit, he said.

He pointed out that the Uttar Pradesh government is developing the largest Film City and providing subsidies so everyone will go there to shoot.

The Hindi film industry is synonymous with Mumbai, and people come to the city because of the glamour world. I hope the new state government will do something for it, Tiwari said.

The film exhibition sector is also feeling the strain, especially this year.

Manoj Desai, the executive director of Mumbais popular single-screen theatre, Gaiety Galaxy, expressed disappointment over the lack of support from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B).

He called for tax reductions, particularly on water and property, to help relieve the financial pressure on movie theatres struggling to thrive amidst rising operational costs.

The I&B ministry hasnt done much for the exhibition sector. We havent got any facilities. They have imposed 18 per cent GST on us, which I feel they should reduce. Apart from this, we want them to reduce the water and property tax. We have high hopes for the elections, lets see who wins, Desai told PTI.

This year, only three films, namely "Stree 2", "Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3", and "Singham Again" have worked, he said.

"Hum bhugat rahe hai so thoda help humari film industry, exhibition sector ko karo (we are suffering so help the film industry and the exhibition sector), he said.
A Pole named Slavomir and Inna, a native of the Donetsk region, recently got married in Rivne. Although almost 80 marriages with foreigners have been registered in the Rivne region alone since the beginning of this year, the groom's name could cause a real hysteria in Russia: Slavomir Trump decided to tie his fate to the displaced woman from the Donetsk region.

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The namesake of the newly elected US president has been helping the Armed Forces of Ukraine for years and regularly travels to the east, but he met his fate in distant Norway, where the future lovers were missionaries. "Suspilne" tells the details of the romantic story.

While the world is wondering whether US President-elect Donald Trump will help Ukraine win the war against Russia, his namesake, Polish citizen Slawomir Trump, is already doing everything he can to bring this long-awaited victory closer. The 51-year-old regularly travels to Ukraine and back to the east to help Ukrainian soldiers.

And recently, the Pole volunteer, whose surname would make the hearts of Russians beat faster, has also "become related" to Ukraine by marrying a 42-year-old native of the Donetsk region, Inna.

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Interestingly, the future lovers met far beyond the borders of not only the Ukrainian East but also our country as a whole: Slavomir found Inna in Norway, where she moved two and a half years ago.

"She is a missionary and I am a missionary. We saw each other last year at Christmas in Norway. It was a Christian camp and we met there," said the man.

Slavomir and Inna registered their marriage in Rivne: it is here that the man stops between trips to the eastern front, where he delivers aid to soldiers.

"We have friends in the church as our home. When I go to the east with humanitarian aid, I stop and rest in this house. This is a city so close to our hearts. A truck loaded with humanitarian aid is already waiting in Norway  50 cubic meters of Christmas gifts. We are going to Norway, I'm driving the truck and going back to Ukraine. We're going to live in Norway for a while, and then I believe that God will arrange it, we'll pray, he will lead us further," Trump said.

According to the Western Interregional Department of the Ministry of Justice, 4,600 couples have married in the Rivne region since the beginning of 2024, of which 76 marriages were concluded between Ukrainian citizens and foreigners.

A year earlier, 79 out of 5,000 marriages were registered with citizens of other countries.

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Mumbai, Nov 15 (PTI) Manoj Bajpayee-starrer The Fable has bagged the best film award at the 38th Leeds International Film Festival in the UK.

"The Fable", directed by writer-director Raam Reddy, won the award in the Constellation Feature Film Competition, which honours the best "new, trailblazing cinema from around the world".

In a statement, the competition jury said they were spellbound by Reddy's "lyrical homage to old tales passed through generations and made always prescient through the steady rhythms and the undeniable truths of life".

"The film spoke to notions of colonialism and labour relations through the gentle yet effective hand of magical realism, guiding the viewer through this tangible yet almost fairy-like land...

"No other film felt as fitting a choice for the Constellation Competition Grand Prize than this inventive, entrancing film about stories carried by stars and we hope that more and more audiences will be as lucky as we were to experience it as big as possible," the jury said.

"The Fable", a US-Indian co-production, is about Dev (Bajpayee), who discovers mysteriously burnt trees in his sprawling estate of fruit orchards nestled in the Indian Himalayas.

In spite of all efforts, more fires break out, eventually leading him to see himself and his family for who they truly are, as per the official plotline.

Bajpayee said he is proud of the recognition The Fable received at the Leeds International Film Festival.

Working with director Raam Reddy, whose thoughtful storytelling and unique blend of magical realism added such depth to this project, alongside Pratap Reddy, Juhi Agarwal, and later, Guneet Monga Kapoor and Achin Jain, has been a profound experience.

"My co-stars Priyanka Bose, Deepak Dobriyal, and Tillotama Shome brought extraordinary talent to this journey. Winning the Best Film award at Leeds is not just a triumph for our film but a proud moment for Indian cinema. I hope The Fable continues to inspire and touch people around the world, the actor said in a statement.

Executive producer Guneet Monga Kapoor said she is thrilled about receiving the best film award.

This win is a testament to Raam Reddys vision and Manoj Bajpayees remarkable performance. Were honoured to see our story resonate with global audiences on such a grand stage. The magic of magic realism has just begun!, Monga said.

Reddy said he is grateful for the win at the Leeds International Film Festival.

I want to dedicate this award to my amazing team, whose sustained passion and effort over the years have brought The Fable to life!, the director said.

Last month, The Fable won the special jury prize at the 2024 MAMI Mumbai Film Festival.
Perth, Nov 15 (PTI) Western Australia's Parliament on Friday felicitated the women crew of the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel Tarini, which is undertaking a global circumnavigation expedition.

The 2-member crew of Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa A was present during the felicitation ceremony.

The vessel, which is undertaking a global circumnavigation expedition christened Navika Sagar Parikrama II, arrived at its first port of call in Fremantle, a port city in Western Australia.

"Western Australian Parliament felicitated the crew of Indian Naval Sailing Vessel Tarini, which is undertaking a global circumnavigation expedition 'Navika Sagar Parikrama II'," the High Commission of India in Canberra posted on X.

The historic expedition was flagged off from Goa by Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff on October 2 this year.

"Dilna and Rupa are true trailblazers, and their circumnavigation will no doubt inspire many girls and young women to consider roles in the Indian Navy," Sue Ellery, member of the Legislative Council of Western Australia, said.

"I want to congratulate them on their significant undertaking and wish them all the best for the rest of their journey," she said.

The vessel has covered a distance of 4,900 nautical miles from Goa, crossing the Equator on October 24 and the Tropic of Capricorn on October 27.

During this 38-day non-stop voyage, the Indian Navy duo encountered a range of weather conditions from calm to severe, facing winds up to 40 knots.

Throughout the journey, the crew remained in good health and high spirits, demonstrating resilience in the face of extreme conditions.
Lahore, Nov 15 (PTI) A Pakistani Hindu pilgrim, who was going to attend 555th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev in Nankana Sahib, was shot dead by robbers, police said on Friday.

A native of Larkana city of Sindh province, Rajesh Kumar was going to Nankana Sahib from Lahore by a car along with his friend and a brother-in-law when three robbers intercepted them on the Mananwala-Nankana Sahib Road, some 60 kms from Lahore.

The gunmen snatched PKR 4,50,000 from the trio and also PKR 10,000 from the driver. After Kumar resisted, the robbers opened fire on him and fled, police said.

After the robbery and firing incident on Wednesday night, Kumar was shifted to a hospital in critical condition, where he succumbed to his injuries on Thursday.

A case has been registered against unidentified men on the complaint of Kumar's brother-in-law under relevant sections of the Pakistan Penal Code.

On Friday, the main event of Baba Guru Nanak birth anniversary was held in Gurdwara Janamsthan Nankana Sahib, in which over 2,500 Sikhs from India and a good number of local and foreign pilgrims participated.
London, Nov 15 (PTI) Indian-origin entrepreneur Sunny Varkeys GEMS Education on Thursday announced the launch of First Schools Management Services, a new division dedicated to improving school management and performance across the globe and with India among its priority markets.

The new initiative aims to offer high-quality management and school improvement services tailored to meet the specific needs of schools around the world. First Schools Management Services will have offices in London and Dubai and partner with schools in both the independent and state sectors worldwide to enhance operational efficiencies, raise standards of education, and support leadership in achieving sustainable success and growth.

Our vision at GEMS has always been to make quality education accessible to every learner. Schools around the world face numerous challenges, but with the right management services tailored to their unique needs, they can focus on what truly matters  delivering exceptional education to their students, said Varkey, chairman and founder of GEMS Education.

For over six decades, weve gained invaluable expertise, and through First Schools Management Services, we aim to share this knowledge to support schools across the globe, said the entrepreneur behind Varkey Foundations USD 1 million annual Global Teacher Prize.

GEMS Education claims to have already received numerous requests from schools to establish this service, underscoring the global demand for high-quality school management and improvement solutions.

Dr Saima Rana, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at GEMS Education, added: With a rich heritage of over six decades in education, GEMS Education has gained deep insights into effective school management.

We will draw on all this experience to help schools throughout the world streamline operations, enhance communication, and support data-driven decision-making. By building on our legacy of excellence and innovation, we will continue to create environments where students and educators around the world can thrive.
Paris, Nov 15 (AP) A French student detained for weeks in Tunisia returned to Paris on Friday after weeks of top-level diplomatic discussions.

Victor Dupont, a 27-year-old completing a PhD at Aix-Marseille University's Institute of Research and Study on the Arab and Islamic Worlds, arrived at Charles de Gaulle Airport on Friday afternoon, 27 days after he was arrested in Tunis.

Obviously, we welcome this outcome for him and, most of all, we welcome that he is able to reunite with his loved ones here in France, French Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine said.

He announced the release at a ministry news briefing on Friday, saying that Dupont was freed Tuesday from prison and returned on Friday back to France.

Dupont, who researches social movements, youth unemployment and Tunisia's 2011 revolution, was one of three French nationals arrested on Oct 19. Authorities in recent years have arrested journalists, activists and opposition figures, but Dupont's arrest garnered international attention and condemnation because of his nationality and because he wasn't known as a critic of the government.

A support committee set up to advocate for Dupont's release told The Associated Press in October that Dupont and several friends were detained in front of Dupont's home, then taken to a police station for questioning. Dupont was later taken alone into custody and taken to appear in military court in the city of Le Kef.

The arrest provoked concerns about the safety and security of foreigners in Tunisia, where rights and freedoms have gradually been curtailed under President Kais Saied.

Dupont's supporters, both at his university and in associations representing academics who work in the Middle East and North Africa, said that his research didn't pose any security risks and called the charges unfounded.

In a letter to Saied and Tunisia's Ministry of Higher Educations, associations representing French, Italian and British academics who work in the region said that Tunisia's government had approved Dupont's research and that the allegations against him lack both founding and credibility.

We therefore condemn the extraordinary use of the military court system, they wrote on Nov 12.

Saied has harnessed populist anger to win two terms as president of Tunisia and reversed many of the gains that were made when the country became the first to topple a longtime dictator in 2011 during the regional uprisings that became known as the Arab Spring.

Tunisia and France have maintained close political and economic ties since Tunisia became independent after 75 years of being a French protectorate. France is Tunisia's top trade partner, home to a large Tunisian diaspora and a key interlocutor in managing migration from North Africa to Europe.

A French diplomatic official not authorised to speak publicly about the arrest told The Associated Press in late October that officials were in contact with Tunisian authorities about the case. Another diplomatic official with knowledge of the matter said on Thursday that French President Emmanuel Macron had recently spoken to Saied twice about the case and said that it was the subject of regular calls between top level diplomats.

The others arrested along with Dupont were previously released. (AP) SCY

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Rome, Nov 15 (AP) The manager of a small hotel in northern Italy refused a reservation made by an Israeli couple, accusing Israeli people of being responsible for genocide. Jewish groups decried the incident as an example of antisemitism.

The couple had booked two nights for the beginning of November at the Hotel Garni Ongaro in Selva di Cadore, a mountain village surrounded by the Dolomites, using the Booking.com online reservation platform.

A day before their departure, they received a message from the hotel's staff: Good morning. We inform you that the Israeli people as those responsible for genocide are not welcome customers in our structure.

The hotel manager then invited the tourists to cancel their reservation, adding they would be happy to grant free cancellation. The manager has since closed his Facebook profile, and he wasn't immediately available for comment.

I feel infinite sadness for the ignorance shown by certain people, Dario Calimani, the president of the Jewish Community of Venice, said on Thursday. When you don't agree with what Israel does, you spread hatred against all Israelis.

The incident caught the attention of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, which has confirmed they were investigating the matter.

Booking.com said Friday that it had removed the hotel from its platform.

We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind and in the rare event that we are alerted to discriminatory behaviour from a property, we investigate immediately and will remove the listing from our platform, just as we have done in this instance, the travel site said in an email sent to The Associated Press.

The Veneto region governor, Luca Zaia, dubbed the incident as extremely serious.

I feel deeply disturbed and I'm shocked by what has happened, he said. Veneto must guarantee its doors are open to all.

The incident came as cases of antisemitism in Italy, including expressions of racism and discrimination against Jews, have been increasing over the past year amid the war in Gaza, according to the Antisemitism Observatory in Milan.

More than 43,000 people have been killed in Israel's military campaign in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to Palestinian health officials, who don't distinguish between civilians and combatants when recording the deaths.

Last month, a mural depicting a survivor of last year's October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, which killed around 1,200 people in Israel, was vandalised in Milan.

Incidents of antisemitism have increased to about 80 or 90 a week in the last year, from about 30 a week before, the Antisemitism Observatory reported.

Word of the hotel incident came on the same day that former hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and their relatives met at the Vatican with Pope Francis.

Sharone Lifshitz, whose father remains a hostage after her mother was freed last year, responded to a request for comment, saying it was wrong to consider all Israelis as agents of the Israeli government, just as it would be wrong to consider all Americans as agents of the US government. The tendency to do that, she added, was a sign of antisemitism.

Not all people agree with the current government of Italy, and yet I don't think the people of Italy traveling the world would be subjected personally as individuals to the actions of their government, she said.

The government of Israel does many things that I personally and absolutely and categorically don't agree with as an individual  and yet we are taken as agents of our government," she said. I think antisemitism and the inability of many people to separate individuals from the state seems to be very much connected to the people of Israel and to Jewish people. (AP) NPK

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London, Nov 15 (PTI) The George Cross medal awarded to British Indian spy and descendant of Tipu Sultan, Noor Inayat Khan, for her most conspicuous courage will go on display at the Royal Air Force (RAF) Museum at Colindale in north-west London from next month.

Khan, who went undercover in Paris during the Second World War with Britains Special Operations Executive (SOE) and ultimately gave her life for the Allied Forces' cause, was awarded the UK's highest civilian honour posthumously for her bravery while operating undercover in German-occupied France. She endured intense interrogation before being executed by the Nazis at Dachau Concentration Camp in September 1944.

I am delighted that Noors George Cross has found a home at the RAF Museum, where it will be viewed by hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, said Shrabani Basu, the London-based author of the biography Spy Princess: The Life of Noor Inayat Khan.

Noor loved her Womens Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) uniform and was always proud to wear it. She was the first woman radio operator to be flown into occupied France and did one of the most dangerous jobs in the field. The George Cross recognised Noor's bravery in her fight against the Nazis and is the highest civilian honour awarded by Britain. This is the perfect way to remember her legacy and inspire the next generation, she said.

The medal has been loaned to the RAF Museum by Noor Inayat Khans family and will be displayed along with the logbook of the pilot who flew the undercover wireless operator to France on her mission. As ambassador for the RAF Museum, Basu will be in conversation with Noors cousin Shaikh Mahmood at the launch of the display on December 2.

We are privileged and humbled to share Noors George Cross with our visitors. Her story of bravery and determination sings to us across the decades, and we know will inspire people of all ages and from all backgrounds, said Maggie Appleton, CEO of the RAF Museum.

The generous loan of the medal by her family, alongside the logbook that records her flight into occupied France and our Special Duties Lysander are a powerful representation of her service and sacrifice, she said.

Born to an Indian Sufi father and an American mother, Noor was living in Paris when Germany invaded France in 1940. She escaped to Britain where she joined the WAAF and trained as a wireless operator. Despite being a Sufi and therefore a pacifist, Noor believed that it was her duty to support the fight against Nazism.

Noors technical skills and fluency in French led to her recruitment by the SOE and her deployment to Paris as a special agent in 1943. As per her biography, after Noors SOE colleagues were identified and arrested, she was given the option to return from enemy territory, but she chose to remain at her post until she was betrayed and arrested. Her dying words in the face of Nazi torture were liberte.

Noor Inayat Khan went on to become one of only three women to be awarded the George Cross, Britains highest honour bestowed on civilian or military personnel who have carried out an act of bravery while not under enemy fire.

The citation for Noors George Cross reads: Assistant Section Officer Inayat Khan displayed the most conspicuous courage, both moral and physical over a period of more than 12 months.

The new display at the RAF Museum, which opens in early December, is integrated within the museums exhibition entitled Strike Hard, Strike Sure: Bomber Command, 1939-1945. The exhibition explores the story of the incredible bravery of those in Bomber Command during the Second World War, sharing the stories of the people, aircraft and technology that enabled Allied victory.

The new museum display follows a portrait of Noor Inayat Khan leaving on her mission to France being unveiled by Queen Camilla in August last year, which now hangs at the RAF Club in London.
San Pedro Sula (Honduras), Nov 15 (AP) Tropical Storm Sara made landfall in northern Honduras late Thursday and threatened to dump torrential rains across parts of Central America and southern Mexico.

Sara hit land about 105 miles (165 kilometers) west-northwest of the Cabo Gracias a Dios on the Honduras-Nicaragua border, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami. That is near Brus Laguna, a village of about 13,000 inhabitants. There are few other population centers nearby.

Mexican authorities warned it could cause intense rains over the resort-studded Yucatan Peninsula.

Sara had winds of about 45 miles per hour (75 kph) and was moving west at about 10 miles per hour (17 kph).

It was expected to remain roughly on that path before heading out to sea again and threatening the coast of Belize.

The center said that along the way Sara was forecast to drop 10 to 20 inches (25 to 50 centimeters) of rain, even up to 30 inches (75 centimeters) in isolated areas. Such heavy rain could lead to life-threatening flooding and landslides.

Sara was forecast to pass over or very near the tourist destination of Roatan off Honduras' coast on Sunday. The storm was then expected to turn northwesterly toward Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula. (AP)

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Washington, Nov 15 (PTI) US President-elect Donald Trump has said his administration will focus on ending the Russia-Ukraine war, as he lamented the killing of people in the conflict.

He also said his administration will also work on bringing peace to West Asia.

We're going to work on the Middle East, and we're going to work very hard on Russia and Ukraine. It's got to stop, Trump said during a gala for the America First Policy Institute held at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Thursday.

This was his first major speech and public appearance after his stunning electoral victory in the November 5 presidential elections.

Russia and Ukraine's got to stop. I saw a report today. Thousands of people over the last three days were killed. Thousands and thousands of people were killed. They happened to be soldiers, but whether they're soldiers or they're people sitting in towns, we're going to work it, he said.

The President-elect has consistently said his priority is to end the war and stem what he characterises as a drain on US resources, in the form of military aid to Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Lisa Curtis, who served as deputy assistant to Trump in his previous term and National Security Council senior director for South and Central Asia from 2017 to 2021, said the war in Ukraine needs to end in a way that does not encourage other nations to invade their neighbours illegally.

President (elect) Trump has in the past talked more favourably about (Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin than most US presidents. He has also talked about trying to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. We haven't seen yet how he's going to do that," Curtis said.

"I would just simply say that it needs to be done in a way that Russia faces some consequences for its actions, Curtis told PTI in an interview.

It needs to be done in a way that Russia doesn't try to do the same thing two or three years down the line, she said.

"It needs to be done in a way that doesn't encourage other US adversaries to try to illegally invade their neighbour's territory," said Curtis, who is currently a Senior Fellow and Director of the Indo-Pacific Security Programme at Center for a New American Security think-tank.

Some of Trumps top advisors were present at the Mar-a-Lago event. He praised Tesla owner Elon Musk and Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who are tapped to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in his second term.

Trump also praised Hindu-American Tulsi Gabbard, his pick for Director of National Intelligence.
, Nov 15 (AP) It was a big day for Peru's accidental president, Dina Boluarte, whose official schedule has been blank for months.

On Thursday, the high-profile Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Lima thrust Boluarte  among the world's least popular presidents, with a mere 4% public approval rating  into the bright lights of a convention center packed with world leaders, prominent CEOs and visiting dignitaries.

It's not just that Boluarte, long a low-profile and low-paid civil servant, has never before rolled out the red carpet for powerful leaders like US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping since taking office in December 2022. It's that she has hardly been seen outside her brick mansion in weeks. Local journalists count more than 100 days since she last spoke to a reporter.

Her recent reclusion is not especially surprising. She became president because she was the vice-president of Pedro Castillo, a former rural schoolteacher with no previous political experience who was ousted when he tried to dissolve Congress and disband the courts. A wave of violent protests rocked the country, marring Boluarte's first weeks in power.

The president's popularity tanked even more in March, when the sight of Rolex watches gleaming from her wrist prompted police to raid her home and prosecutors to launch an investigation into her alleged unlawful enrichment.

A survey by polling company Ipsos showed her approval drop to just 4%. The poll was conducted Oct. 10-11, with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.8 percentage points. No president in Peru has had a worse rating in at least 40 years.

Powerful lawmakers satisfied with their lavish salaries have resisted calls to impeach her but quietly absorbed most of her duties, leaving Boluarte with little to do.

The latest lightning rod for public ire has been a growing trend of violent extortion by criminal gangs in Lima's hardscrabble outskirts. Protesters accusing the government of indifference to rising crime have taken to the streets across Peru.

On Wednesday, protesters blocked highways and rallied in Peru's southeast Arequipa region, drawing a police crackdown that left six injured by rubber bullets. Lima residents also took advantage of the international spotlight to stage protests this week while Biden and 20 other world leaders prepared to gather for the APEC summit.

After a string of killings targeting bus drivers who failed to pay extortion money last month sent a chill through Lima, public transport drivers launched several strikes that paralyzed the city of 10 million. The government has declared a state of emergency and promised a strong response, but the persistence of violent attacks has sharpened anger against Boluarte.

Fearing all that could go wrong in yanking Peru's wildly unpopular leader out of the shadows and onto the world stage this week, the government left nothing to chance.

Authorities declared Thursday through Saturday as nonworking holidays and closed schools, ordering millions of school children and civil servants to stay home the entire week to keep the streets clear. At a highway underpass near the convention center hosting APEC on Monday, workers scrubbed the spray-painted slogan Dina Asesina, or Dina, the Murderer from a concrete wall.

The event is certainly important for Peru, but the government is so scared of losing control of the streets that it's overreacting, putting inappropriate measures in place, said Eduardo Dargent, a political scientist at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru.

Officials have pleaded with citizens not to protest.

It would be very regrettable if, in the days that we receive visitors from the world's 21 most powerful economies, we show a bad spectacle, a spectacle of conflict, Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzen said in a recent press conference. President Boluarte went further, branding protests traitors."

On Thursday, protesters said that the specter of conflict at APEC was exactly what they wanted.

As Boluarte, donning a sparkly pink dress and pearls, greeted Chinese President Xi with a ceremonial honor guard and trumpet flourish, riot police scuffled with anti-government protesters a few blocks away.

She's trying to take advantage of this moment in front of the TV cameras to pretend she's the president of Peru, said Betty Mendoza, a 35-year-old protester brandishing portraits of the 50 civilian demonstrators killed in the 2022 social unrest.

She does not represent us, Mendoza said of Boluarte. We did not elect her.

At one point Thursday, masked protesters surged toward a line of police near the conference site, shoving officers who pushed back and beat them with batons. Medics rushed to attend to several teenage boys clutching their heads and yelping in pain.

My grandson is growing up in a country where violence is being normalized, said 54-year-old Freda Reyes, who had come to protest from the eastern working-class district of Santa Anita where she said 10 of her neighbors had been killed by criminal gangs this month.

The last time Peru hosted APEC, in 2016, a wave of protests similarly sprung up around the country. At the time, workers were striking over their low salaries and Lima residents venting over their city's notoriously derelict public infrastructure.

That remains a concern. On Wednesday, a fire raced up the sides of a multi-story plastic toy warehouse and engulfed six other houses near the presidential palace, causing no injuries but raising a pall of black smoke visible from the red carpet where Boluarte was bestowing a medal on her Malaysian counterpart. (AP)

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The new Toyota Land Cruiser FJ is a long-awaited SUV that will be made in a fashionable brutal style. Another design variant of the inexpensive model, which is being prepared for the premiere, has been shown online.

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The Toyota Land Cruiser FJ SUV may be even more affordable than the RAV4 crossover. The new model will be the brand's cheapest SUV on the global market. A possible design was demonstrated on the TALK WHEELS channel.

The Japanese company will present the car in late 2024 or early 2025. The Hilux Champ budget pickup is used as the basis. It costs from $13,000. It was expected that the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ could cost a little more than $20,000, but there is no exact information yet.

The car will be the successor to the Toyota FJ Cruiser, which was discontinued about 10 years ago. Insiders report that the new vehicle will be powered by classically designed internal combustion engines. However, hybrid options should not be ruled out.

It is obvious that Toyota wants to turn the Land Cruiser line into an image sub-brand, as Land Rover did with the Range Rover models  it all started with one car, and now there are four in the line.
Baku, Nov 15 (PTI) Almost everyone in India is now vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, former chief scientist of the World Health Organisation Dr Soumya Swaminathan has said, underscoring the urgent need for cross-ministerial and international collaboration to address its effects on health, gender and economic stability in the country.

Swaminathan pointed to women and children as especially vulnerable to these climate-driven health risks.

In an interview with PTI on the sidelines of global climate talks COP29 here in Azerbaijan's capital, Swaminathan called for a concerted approach, saying, practically everyone in India is now vulnerable to climate change impacts, from extreme heat to vector-borne diseases. Addressing this requires close cooperation.

We know that climate change has disproportionate impacts on women and children, she explained, noting how women, particularly in rural areas, face increased health risks due to continued reliance on solid fuels for cooking.

She emphasised that access to clean energy for everyone is a priority.

This, she argued, would not only reduce health risks associated with indoor air pollution but also lessen Indias carbon footprint, marking a crucial step toward sustainable development.

Climate-related health risks in India are varied, ranging from immediate effects such as respiratory illnesses due to air pollution, to long-term issues like malnutrition stemming from disrupted agricultural cycles.

Swaminathan noted that more than 80 per cent of Indias population is now exposed to these risks, emphasizing that everybody is now vulnerable, from rural farmers to urban migrants.

She highlighted the specific challenges faced by the urban poor, especially migrants who live in peri-urban areas with inadequate housing and sanitation, which exposes them to greater risks during floods and extreme weather events.

With health as a central theme, Swaminathan stressed the benefits of green public transportation, an initiative she described as a win-win solution.

Carbon-neutral public transport will not only reduce air pollution but also promote physical activity and thereby improve health, she said, adding that reducing pollution would positively impact public health by curbing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

She also highlighted that Indias urban centres are hotspots for these health issues due to dense populations and high pollution levels.

Swaminathan called for policies that integrate both health and climate objectives, stressing that this approach can drive development while building resilience against climate risks.

If we do that kind of analysis, we can invest in actions that promote both development and reduce our carbon footprint, she noted, advocating for policies that prioritise development with a climate-resilient focus.

Examples of such integrated actions include promoting clean cooking fuels, improving access to safe drinking water, and investing in infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather.

Dr Swaminathan went further to advocate for a gendered approach to climate policy, urging policymakers to put a spotlight on women but also the poorest communities.

She argued that gender equity and social equity are essential to effective climate policy, explaining that by taking a gendered perspective in all policies, we can ensure more inclusive and effective climate action.

Swaminathan called for greater research on climate impacts that are gender-specific, noting that this data would help policymakers create more targeted, meaningful interventions.

The economic costs of climate-driven health impacts are also severe.

Swaminathan pointed to recent studies indicating that climate-related air pollution alone costs the global economy trillions of dollars annually, affecting productivity, agriculture, and even tourism.

If you look at the GDP loss and workplace productivity lost due to air pollution, its enormous  in the trillions, she said. This, she argued, makes climate action not just a moral imperative but an economic necessity.

Addressing air pollution as a cross-border issue, Swaminathan noted that pollution does not recognise borders, making it crucial for India and other nations to engage in global collaborations.

Air pollution today is the single largest risk factor to health, she said, adding "Its not a problem one country can solve on its own.

She referenced the Our Common Air (OCA) Commission, a global effort she is part of, which has been working with international bodies like WHO and UNEP to promote global standards and monitoring mechanisms for air quality.

We need a system where every country has air quality monitors and updates its data, including on super pollutants like methane and black carbon, Swaminathan said, adding that these pollutants are highly dangerous yet often overlooked.

Swaminathan further explained the value of local data, which she argued would give a more accurate picture of pollutions impact on different regions of India.

Policymakers want to see data from their own regions; it makes the issue real for them and helps design local solutions, she said.

Reflecting on the invisible nature of pollutions health impacts, Swaminathan commented, When the air pollution is visible, people recognize it as a problem, but often its invisible, and people become accustomed to it.

She stressed that while death rates from pollution-related illnesses are often discussed, policymakers should focus on the widespread chronic illnesses caused by poor air quality.

Its not only about death  its about chronic ill health that impacts quality of life and productivity, she said, pointing out that young children and the elderly are especially vulnerable.

For Swaminathan, tackling climate change is fundamentally linked to Indias development goals.

For us, development is still a key priority, she asserted. While India has made strides in increasing access to electricity and clean water, she stressed that much work remains, especially in rural areas where communities lack basic infrastructure.

Her vision for Indias climate adaptation involves not only mitigating health risks but also ensuring that development initiatives  from housing to sanitation  are climate-resilient.

Swaminathan expressed optimism about Indias potential to lead in climate adaptation through innovation, global cooperation, and commitment to sustainable development goals.

She pointed to Indian cities as potential leaders in air quality initiatives and green infrastructure, stating that India can be a model for sustainable urbanization if we prioritize both development and environmental health.
Baku, Nov 15 (PTI) Despite progress in gender-focused policies, Indias climate response remains fragmented, and its national climate policy still lacks a consolidated, gender-responsive climate finance strategy that could more comprehensively support women as climate leaders, according to a new report.

The report by research and public policy consulting firm Chase India, supported by Global Counsel, underscores this gap, calling for coordinated, gender-responsive climate finance frameworks to position women as central agents of climate resilience rather than passive beneficiaries.

The report was presented on Thursday during the COP29 climate summit here in Azerbaijan's capital.

Programmes like the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, which has provided over 103 million rural women with access to clean cooking fuel, and the National Rural Livelihoods Mission, which has mobilised millions of women in sustainable livelihoods, demonstrate Indias commitment to gender-responsive policies.

However, these achievements are often constrained by limited coordination, reducing the overall impact of women-focused climate efforts.

Despite these efforts, the impact of such policies often remains fragmented due to various ministries working in silos, and Indias national climate policy still lacks a consolidated, gender-responsive climate finance strategy that could more comprehensively support women as climate leaders, the report said.

A clear example of this disconnect is the draft National Policy for Women 2016, which independently aims to prioritise addressing gender concerns during distress migration and displacement in times of natural calamities due to climate change and environmental degradation, it said.

While independent initiatives focused on enhancing rural womens access to micro-financing and sustainable livelihoods reflect Indias commitment to empowering women as key actors in sustainable development, without dedicated, large-scale investments specifically targeting womens role in climate resilience and green technology, progress remains incremental.

For instance, there are various Missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) which enable employment opportunities for women, however, there are few climate finance mechanisms which include targeted funding to bolster female-led green initiatives or support women entrepreneurs in climate-sensitive sectors.

A critical advantage within the Indian regulatory framework is the quasi-federal structure, which provides an opportunity for targeted considerations to be built into independent State Action Plans for Climate Change, which devolve from NAPCC.

At this juncture, it is to be acknowledged that Indias partnerships with multilateral organisations have been instrumental in advancing gender-responsive climate finance initiatives, providing women with essential roles in climate resilience and green economy projects.

To bridge these gaps, the report offered recommendations specifically tailored for India.

It advocates for creating dedicated climate finance funds exclusively for women-led initiatives in climate-sensitive sectors, supporting female entrepreneurs in green and low-carbon projects.

Additionally, it suggests implementing targeted financial literacy programmes at the grassroots level to connect rural women with the resources they need to participate in climate adaptation actively, equipping them with the tools to contribute to resilience efforts in their communities.

The report highlighted that women in Indiaconstituting nearly half of the population and playing crucial roles in resource managementface systemic financial barriers that limit their capacity to adapt to climate impacts.

Addressing these gaps requires an overhaul of existing frameworks to ensure that gender-specific challenges are embedded within climate policies.

The reports recommendations include conducting gender assessments during climate policy planning stages, enabling a clear understanding of womens needs and designing policies that prioritize support for their roles in adaptation and resilience.

Another recommendation focuses on offering fiscal incentives to organizations adopting gender-inclusive practices, such as tax credits for companies with gender-focused sustainability initiatives.

This approach could encourage private sector participation in gender-responsive climate finance, adding critical support for climate action at both national and local levels.

Expanding the reports findings to the broader South Asia region, Chase India points out that women across the region face similar barriers due to socio-economic and financial inequalities.

Climate impacts, from droughts to floods, disproportionately affect women, who often lack the financial means and literacy needed to access adaptation resources.

The report argues that by integrating women into climate finance frameworks, South Asia could unlock significant socio-economic benefits, positioning women not only as participants but as leaders in climate resilience.

The report outlines a two-pronged approach of Price and Policy to create a gender-responsive financial system.

First, it recommends recognising the economic burdens women face in climate-affected regions and suggesting targeted solutions like subsidies, concessional loans, and insurance products tailored to women-led enterprises in low-carbon sectors.

Second, it advocates for social protection programmesincluding climate-smart grants, disaster recovery loans, and support for women entrepreneursthat stabilize economic conditions during climate shocks, offering a safety net for vulnerable populations, the report said.

To ensure effective implementation, the report stresses the importance of several ecosystem enablers.

It recommends capacity building through training for government officials, NGOs, and financial institutions, fostering a climate finance ecosystem that integrates women as leaders in adaptation efforts.

Partnerships with women-led organisations, the private sector, and local governments are crucial for channelling financial resources and technical expertise directly to the grassroots level, where they can have the greatest impact.

As the largest and most diverse country in South Asia, India is uniquely positioned to lead the regions shift toward gender-responsive climate finance.

By establishing a cohesive policy approach, the report said India could set a regional benchmark, promoting inclusive and sustainable climate solutions.

Suryaprabha Sadasivan, Sr Vice President, Chase India said: "With 80% of climate-displaced people being women and girls, they face both environmental devastation and economic insecurity without adequate financial support.

"COP29, with its focus on climate finance, offers a critical moment to change this. Our report calls for gender-responsive frameworks that position women as leaders in resilience. By bridging these financial gaps, we can transform women's vulnerability into powerful leadership for a sustainable future," Sadasivan said.
Colombo, Nov 15 (PTI) Sri Lankas National Peoples Power of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Thursday secured a majority in parliament, according to official results announced by the elections commission.

The NPP contesting under the Malimawa (compass) symbol secured 123 seats out of the 171 declared seats, as per the results by 11 am.

The results for 25 out of total 196 seats were left to be declared.

Another 29 seats were expected to be allocated to all parties based on the cumulative national polling.

The NPP has received 6.8 million or 61 per cent of the votes counted, taking a commanding lead over its rivals.

The party is on track to get a two thirds majority as it is expected to add to its tally a bulk from the 29 seats, taking the party to the absolute majority of 150 seats in the 225-member assembly.

In the northern Jaffna district, the cultural capital of the Tamil minority, NPP -- the predominant Sinhala majority party from the south of the country -- won the entire district over the traditional Tamil nationalist parties.

The NPP won three out of the six seats in Jaffna province, stunning the traditional Tamil parties which dominated the scene.

No Sinhala majority parties have won Jaffna ever before. The grand old United National Party (UNP) had previously won an odd solitary seat in Jaffna.

The NPP won the Jaffna district with over 80,000 votes and the grand old Tamil party trailed by a little over 63,000 in the final count of Thursday's polling.

This resonated pre-election comments by President Dissanayake who said his party was being accepted as a truly national party by all communities. The era of dividing and setting one community against the other has ended as people are embracing the NPP," Dissanayake, the NPP leader, said.

The NPP under its original Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) violently opposed any attempt of power sharing -- a key Tamil demand during the armed separatist campaign of the LTTE. The Tamils only saw them as Sinhala majority racists.

The election came a year ahead of schedule as Dissanyaake dismissed the parliament immediately after taking charge as the president in September.

The new parliament is set to meet next week.
Ben Gurion International Airport (Israel), Nov 15 (AP) At Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport, more than a year of war has taken its toll. Global airlines have cancelled flights, gates are empty and pictures of hostages still held in the Gaza Strip guide the few arriving passengers to baggage claim.

But one check-in desk remains flush with travellers: the one serving flights to the United Arab Emirates, which have kept up a bridge for Israelis to the outside world throughout the war.

The Emirati flights, in addition to bolstering the airlines' bottom line, have shined a light on the countries' burgeoning ties  which have survived the wars raging across the Middle East and could be further strengthened as US President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to office.

It's a political and economic statement, said Joshua Teitelbaum, a professor of Middle Eastern studies at Israel's Bar-Ilan University. They are the main foreign airlines that continue to fly.

Since the wars began with Hamas' initial October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, many international airlines have halted, restarted and halted again their flights into Israel's main gateway to the rest of the world.

The concern is real for the carriers, who remember the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over Ukraine 10 years ago and Iran shooting down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 after takeoff from Tehran in 2020.

But FlyDubai, the sister airline to the long-haul carrier Emirates, has kept up multiple flights daily and kept Israel connected to the wider world even as its other low-cost competitors have stopped flights. Abu Dhabi's Etihad has continued its flights as well.

While maintaining the flight schedule remains politically important for the UAE after its 2020 diplomatic recognition of Israel, it also provided a further shot in the arm for revenues  particularly for FlyDubai.

Since the wars started, international carriers such as Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines Inc., Germany's Lufthansa and other major airlines halted their flights. Some resumed, only to stop again after Iran's Oct. 1 ballistic missile attack on Israel and Israel's October 26 retaliatory strike on the Islamic Republic. Tehran has threatened to strike Israel again.

That's brought major business to Israel's national carrier El Al, which had struggled in the coronavirus pandemic and prior years. The airline posted its best-ever half-year results this year, recording a USD 227 million profit as compared to USD 58 million profit in the same period last year.

El Al stock has risen by as much 200 per cent over the last year, as compared to a 29 per cent rise in the wider Tel Aviv 125 stock market index.

El Al, however, lacks the routes and connections of major international carriers. Low-cost carriers as well have stopped flying into Israel during periods of the war, sending the price of El Al tickets ever higher. Passenger numbers through Ben Gurion halved compared to the same period the year before, El Al said in its second-quarter financial results.

However, FlyDubai has kept flying. The carrier has operated over 1,800 flights to Israel since October last year, cancelling only 77 flights overall, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics company. In September alone, it flew over 200 flights.

As a line snaked toward the FlyDubai check-in counters at Ben Gurion Airport, UAE-bound Motti Eis said the flights were "a symbol that the Emirates countries decided to keep the peace.

FlyDubai declined to answer questions from The Associated Press about the flights.

Etihad, the flag carrier for Abu Dhabi, has kept flying into Tel Aviv, but the number of its flights has been dwarfed by FlyDubai. FlyDubai had 3.6 per cent market share at Ben Gurion, compared to El Al's 43.2 per cent in the second half of 2024.

However, at least two of the foreign low-cost airlines with greater market, Wizz Air and Blue Bird, stopped flying for extended periods this year.

Etihad said it maintains a close watch on the situation in the region, but continues its daily flights to and from Tel Aviv.

Ben Gurion International Airport remains open, employing best practices in safety and security practices, enabling Etihad and other airlines to provide essential air connectivity as long as it is secure to do so, the airline said in a statement.

But beyond the financial impact, the decision also takes root in the UAE's decision to recognise Israel in 2020, under agreements brokered by then President Trump known as the Abraham Accords. While Abu Dhabi has repeatedly expressed concern and outrage as Israel's conduct during the wars, Israel's Consulate in Dubai and Embassy remain open in the country.

And while Dubai broadly speaking remains focused on business in the country, Abu Dhabi's focus long has been on its geopolitical aims  which since the 2011 Arab Spring have been squarely focused on challenging Islamist movements, and those who back them, in the wider region. The UAE, a hereditary autocracy, long has viewed those groups as serious challenges to its power.

The Emirati government, in response to questions from the AP over the flights, sent a story published by its state-run WAM news agency about its participation in a November 1 conference in Riyadh in support of a two-state solution to the decades-long Israel-Palestinian crisis. The UAE has called repeatedly for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, along with the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners.

However, likely given the wider anger in the Arab world over Israel's devastating militant campaign in Gaza, Dubai International Airport no longer advertises on its electronic billboard the location of the check-in for Tel Aviv.

It sits in a distant corner of one of the airport's terminals, next to a Dubai police stand. Private security guards also keep watch over the line, while individuals who appeared to be undercover police officers watched the gate, a higher level of security than normally noticed at the airport.

But in the lines, Hebrew and Arabic can be heard and those travelling routinely have their blue-backed Israeli passports out in their hands.

It's just a symbol of the UAE's commitment to the relationship, said Dina Esfandiary, a senior advisor on the Middle East at the International Crisis Group, a think tank. No matter what happens, no matter where the war goes, no matter how much Israel flouts international law, the UAE has decided that this is a step they took, that the relationship remains beneficial to them. (AP) PY

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Sydney, Nov 15 (The Conversation) The Australian government is developing legislation that will ban children under 16 from social media. There has been a huge public debate about whether there is sufficient direct evidence of harm to introduce this regulation.

The players in this debate include academics, mental health organisations, advocacy groups and digital education providers. Few step back to look at the entire research landscape.

Social media has become integral to everyday life. Not many teens want to be extensively researched, so studies are pragmatic, require consent and findings are limited. As a result, we tend to hear that the effects are small or even inconclusive.

For the public its crucial to understand all research studies have limitations, and must be interpreted within the context in which the data was collected. To understand any report, we must scrutinise the details.



Several mechanisms are at play

In recent years, anxiety has been on the rise among children and young people. Understanding why young people are anxious, depressed or overly focused on themselves is no easy task.

When it comes to the potential negative impact of social media, several mechanisms are at play. To unpack them, data is needed from many angles: examining mood while online, examining mental health over several years, school relationships, even brain scans, to name just a few.

Despite all this complexity, the public tends to mostly hear about it through splashy headlines. One example is the small and inconsistent result from an umbrella study of several meta-analyses totalling 1.9 million children and teenagers.

However, its important to recognise this umbrella study included many research papers from an earlier time when researchers couldnt measure social media use as accurately as they can now.

One influential data set asked people to leave out time spent interacting with friends and family when they estimated their time on social media. Yet in 2014 to 2015, sharing photos, following, and interacting with people you knew was the main use of social media. The findings appeared within a larger study a few years later, resulting in one headline that stated: screen time may be no worse for kids than eating potatoes.

With so many sources of error, its no wonder there is vigorous debate among researchers over the extent of social media harm. Limitations are par for the course. Worse, researchers are often not given full access to data from social media companies.

Thats why we need to pay more attention to big tech whistleblowers who have inside access.

Meanwhile, these companies do have access to the data. They use it to exploit human nature.

Focusing on debates between researchers is a misdirection and makes us complacent. There is enough evidence to demonstrate excessive social media use can be harmful to young people.



Heres what the evidence shows

One argument you may hear a lot is that its not clear whether depression and anxiety cause higher screen time use, or higher screen time causes more depression and anxiety. This is known as a bidirectional effect  something that goes both ways.

But thats no reason to ignore potential harms. If anything, bidirectional effects matter more, not less, because factors feed into one another. Unchecked, they cause the problem to grow.

Harms of social media use are shown in studies that examine the effects of sharing selfies, the impact of algorithms, influencers, extreme content, and the growth in cyberbullying.

Social media activates envy, comparisons and fear of missing out, or FOMO. Many teens use social media while procrastinating.

It is through these mechanisms that the links to depression, anxiety, low self esteem and self harm are clear.

Finally, until the age of 16, increased time on social media is associated with feeling less satisfied with appearance and school work.

There is also reliable evidence that limiting social media use reduces levels of anxiety, depression and FOMO in 1725-year-olds.

We ignore this evidence at our peril.



The evidence is sufficient

Understanding the intricacies of how every aspect of modern life affects mental health will take a long time. The work is difficult, particularly when there is a lack of reliable data from tech companies on screen time.

Yet there is already enough reliable evidence to limit childrens exposure to social media for their benefit.

Instead of debating the nuances of research and levels of harm, we should accept that for young people, social media use is negatively affecting their development and their school communities.

In fact, the governments proposed ban of childrens social media use has parallels with banning phones in schools. In 2018, some critics argued that banning smartphones would stop children gaining the knowledge they needed to cope online.

Yet evidence now shows that smartphone bans in schools have resulted in less need for care around mental health issues, less bullying, and academic improvements  the latter especially for socio-economically disadvantaged girls.

Its time to agree that the harms are there, that they are damaging our community, and that we need strong, thoughtful regulation of social media use in young people. (The Conversation) PY

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Miami, Nov 15 (AP) Growing up in Miami among Cuban exiles who fled Fidel Castro's revolution, Sen. Marco Rubio developed a deep hatred of communism. Now as President-elect Donald Trump's choice for America's top diplomat, he's set to bring that same ideological ammunition to reshaping US policy in Latin America.

As the first Latino secretary of state, Rubio is expected to devote considerable attention to what has long been disparagingly referred to as Washington's backyard.

The top Republican on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and a longtime member of the Foreign Relations Committee, he's leveraged his knowledge and unmatched personal relationships to drive US policy in the region for years.

For decades since the end of the Cold War, Latin America has faded from the US foreign policy agenda even as US adversaries like Russia, Iran and especially China have made deep inroads. If confirmed, the Florida Republican is likely to end the neglect.

But Rubio's reputation as a national security hawk, embrace of Trump's plan for mass deportation of migrants and knack for polarising rhetoric is likely to alienate even some US allies in the region unwilling to fall in line with the incoming president's America First foreign policy.

Typically, Latin America policy is left to junior officers, said Christopher Sabatini, a research fellow at Chatham House in London. But Rubio's reflexes are firmly focused on the region. He'll be paying attention, and governments are going to have to be more cooperative in their larger relationship with the US if they want to draw close.

Rubio, through a Senate spokeswoman, declined to comment about his foreign policy goals.

But his views on Latin America are well known and contrast sharply with the Biden administration's preference for multilateral diplomacy and dialogue with US critics.

Taking cues from his boss, Rubio's main focus in the region is likely to be Mexico, on trade, drug trafficking and migration. Once a sponsor of bipartisan reforms allowing undocumented migrants a path to citizenship, Rubio transformed himself during Trump's first administration into a loyal supporter of his calls for increased border security and mass deportation.

Rubio has said little about Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who took office last month. But he was a fierce critic of her predecessor, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who in 2022 defiantly skipped the US-organised Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles for a gathering of leftist leaders in Cuba.

Rubio accused Lopez Obrador of capitulating to drug cartels and serving as an apologist for tyranny in Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua. The Mexican president responded by calling Rubio a racist.

Despite the snub, the Mexican president was welcomed by President Joe Biden to the White House three weeks later as a friend and partner.

That won't happen under Rubio, said Sabatini. He keeps close tabs on who is following his policy preferences.

Rubio, 53, has long had Trump's ear on Latin America  and hasn't hesitated to use that access to promote his hard-line agenda. He's been one of the most outspoken critics of Russian and Chinese economic, political and military outreach in the region, and is expected to punish countries who cozy up to America's geopolitical rivals, or those who fail to support Israel.

When Trump cancelled what would have been his first presidential visit to Latin America in 2018, Rubio was there to fill the void, sitting for meetings and photo ops at the Summit of the Americas in Peru with regional leaders from Argentina, Haiti and elsewhere.

There's nobody in the US Senate who comes close to having his affinity and depth of knowledge on Latin America, said Carlos Trujillo, Rubio's close friend and former US ambassador to the Organization of American States. Not only does he have personal relationships with dozens of officials, some of them for decades, but he has vetted almost every US ambassador deployed to the region. It's a significant advantage.

Among those eager to work with Rubio is Argentine President Javier Milei, whose combative style, attacks on institutions and transformation from TV personality to far-right leader have drawn comparisons with Trump.

Another ally is El Salvador's Nayib Bukele, whose crackdown on gang violence that once drove millions of Salvadoran migrants to the US has drawn praise from Rubio.

Rubio hasn't hesitated to use his power to bully leftist leaders he sees as harming US national security interests. Even democratically elected moderates have been targets.

Earlier this year, he slammed Chilean President Gabriel Boric, a critic of Israel's actions in Gaza, for allegedly providing safe haven for Hezbollah financiers, calling him one of the leading anti-Israel voices in Latin America.

In 2023, he called Colombian President Gustavo Petro, a former member of the M-19 guerrilla group, a dangerous" choice to lead a country that has been the longtime US partner in the war on drugs.

But it is on Venezuela that Rubio has left his biggest mark.

Within weeks of Trump taking office in January 2017, Rubio brought the wife of prominent Venezuelan dissident Leopoldo Lopez to the White House. The Oval Office visit, marked by a photo of a grinning Trump and Rubio flanking the then jailed activist's wife, immediately thrust Venezuela to the top of the US foreign policy agenda, in a break from previous US administrations efforts to keep a distance from the nation's troubles.

Over the next two years, Trump slapped crushing oil sanctions on Venezuela, charged numerous officials with corruption and began talking of a military option to remove President Nicolas Maduro. In 2019, at the height of Rubio's influence, the US recognised National Assembly President Juan Guaido as the country's legitimate leader.

But the combative stance  popular among exiles in South Florida  came to haunt Trump, who later recognised he had overestimated the opposition. By strengthening Maduro's hand, it also paved the way for deeper Russian, Chinese and Iranian interests in the country, all the while aggravating a humanitarian crisis that led millions to uproot, with many migrating to the US.

Michael Shifter, the former president of the Inter-American Dialogue in Washington, believes Trump may prove more forgiving of Maduro this time, even with Rubio heading the State Department, and continue the path of engagement and sanctions relief pursued by the Biden administration.

Trump may begin to treat Maduro as he typically treats other strongmen around the world, and cater a bit less to the Cuban-American exile community in Florida, Shifter said.

Trujillo said Rubio's reputation for candor will serve him well negotiating with America's friends and foes alike, even if he has to temper his sometimes-heated rhetoric.

He's going to be playing a different role now, but he's an exceptional negotiator and I have no doubt he will rise to the occasion, Trujillo said.

With Trump's selection of another vocal Maduro critic, Rep. Michael Waltz of Florida, as his national security adviser, Trujillo said the Venezuelan leader and his authoritarian allies in Cuba and Nicaragua should be worried.

So far, officials in Venezuela and Cuba, who routinely criticise the US on social media, haven't commented on Rubio's nomination and have remained largely muted on Trump's victory.

There is an opportunity to negotiate but it will have to be in good faith," Trujillo said. If they don't, there will be consequences. (AP) PY

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London, Nov 15 (PTI) Prime Minister Keir Starmers office on Friday apologised for a mistake in the organisation of its Diwali reception at 10 Downing Street after some British Hindus objected to non-vegetarian food and alcohol being served at the gathering.

While the statement did not make a direct reference to the menu, a spokesperson for Starmers office said the team acknowledged the strength of feeling on the issue and assured the community that it would not be repeated in future.

The Prime Minister was pleased to welcome a range of communities celebrating Diwali to a reception in Downing Street, a Downing Street spokesperson said.

He paid tribute to the huge contribution the British Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities make to our country and how the government is driven by the shared values of hard work, ambition and aspiration. A mistake was made in the organisation of the event," the spokesperson said.

"We understand the strength of feeling on this issue and so would apologise to the community and assure them it will not happen again, the spokesperson added.

The statement came a day after British Indian Conservative Party MP Shivani Raja issued a formal letter to Starmer expressing concerns over the reception not being in keeping with the customs of many Hindus.

I feel it speaks poorly against the organisation of this year's event  with a disappointing lack of knowledge of the customs and traditions that many British citizens hold dear, reads her letter posted on social media.

As a practising Hindu representing thousands of Hindus within my own constituency of Leicester East, I have been deeply saddened to hear that this years festivities were overshadowed in the greatest Office of State by negativity, as a result of this oversight, said the first-time Tory member of Parliament elected in July from the city of Leicester.

The Opposition MP went on to offer her assistance and guidance to the Labour Party government for all future Hindu celebrations to ensure they are celebrated in a respectful manner.

The Downing Street event held on October 29 marked the first Diwali reception since Labour was elected to government in the general election four months ago. It brought together British Indian community leaders, professionals and parliamentarians. However, community organisation Insight UK questioned the appalling lack of understanding of the spiritual aspect of the Hindu festival and a few others pointed out that greater consultation is required ahead of such religious events after reports emerged of meat and alcohol being served at the gathering.

The reception has been held regularly over the years at Downing Street and insiders indicated Starmer was keen to follow in the footsteps of Rishi Sunak as the first British Hindu Prime Minister of Britain and light candles on the doorstep of 10 Downing Street to mark Diwali.

We value and respect your heritage and traditions, and recognise the strength of our shared values and the celebration of Diwali  a time of coming together, of abundance, and welcome, read excerpts released from Starmer's address at the event.
Madrid, Nov 15 (AP) At least 10 people died and others were injured in a blaze at a nursing home near Zaragoza, Spain, before firefighters managed to extinguish the flames, local authorities said Friday.

The alarm was raised early Friday morning in Villafranca de Ebro, about 28 kilometres from the northeastern city. Two people remained in critical condition, officials said.

The cause of the fire was not yet known, local media reported.

Local media said 82 people had been living in the nursing home, which focused on treating people with dementia and mental health issues.

Volga Ramirez, mayor of Villafranca de Ebro, told reporters outside the centre on Friday morning that intense smoke from the blaze was likely responsible for the deaths.

It is due to smoke inhalation, Ramirez said, not because they were burned.

Jorge Azcon, head of the regional government of Aragon, which includes Villafranca de Ebro, confirmed the deaths and said on X, formerly Twitter, that all government events in the region were cancelled for the day.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also expressed his shock.

The fire took place just weeks after devastating flash floods in the Spanish region of Valencia killed more than 200 people and destroyed thousands of homes.

The floods were the worst natural disaster in Spain's recent history. (AP) NPK

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Karachi, Nov 15 (PTI) Pakistan on Friday advised private security agencies, sponsors and project heads to hire former military personnel for the security and safety of Chinese nationals working on various sites in the southern Sindh province.

The decision was taken after a meeting to review security of Chinese nationals, Sindh Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon told the media.

It was decided to advise all private security agencies, sponsors and project managers who were responsible for providing security to the foreigners that they should hire former servicemen, he said.

Pakistan on Thursday said it would continue to work with China for the safety and security of Chinese nationals and projects in the country, days after Beijing said it would continue to support Islamabad in its fight against terrorism to protect its nationals working on various projects in Pakistan.

Chinese nationals have frequently come under attack from terrorists and separatist groups in different parts of the country.

Last month, two engineers were killed in a suicide bomb attack near Karachi airport drawing a strong reaction from the Chinese government over the security of their citizens in Pakistan.

Separatist groups have targeted Chinese nationals working in Pakistan on several private projects and also those under the aegis of the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Intelligence Bureau and Special Branch of police are conducting audits of private security guards deployed for the security of Chinese citizens, Nabi said.

He said this was being done to find out how many experienced and qualified personnel were employed and deployed by private agencies for the security of Chinese nationals and added that the review committee has recommended further concrete steps for it.

The Sindh government has also set up a hotline for Chinese nationals for immediate contract with law enforcement agencies.

The November 5 firing was the third incident involving attacks on Chinese or other foreign nationals in Karachi this year.

In October, two Chinese engineers working at the Port Qasim terminal were killed when a suicide bomber struck a vehicle carrying them near the Karachi airport.

In another incident in Korangi, a private security guard injured two Chinese nationals over a dispute over work at a garments factory.
London, Nov 15 (PTI) A group of Indian students chanted slogans and displayed placards at the University of Oxford to protest against a debate on Kashmir at the Oxford Union Society, which they said had offered a platform to speakers with alleged terrorism links.

This House Believes in an Independent State of Kashmir at the historic Oxford University institution on Thursday evening included Zafar Khan, connected to the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), and Muzzammil Ayub Thakur, associated with World Kashmir Freedom Movement, speaking in favour of the motion.

In March this year, India extended for another five years a ban on JKLF, led by imprisoned terror accused Yasin Malik.

Chants of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Oxford Union stands with terrorism' could be heard during the protests.

Indian Oxford Union member Aadarsh Mishra intervened during the debate saying, JKLF is a terrorist organisation.

According to a video shared on X by community organisation Insight UK, which was among the groups supporting the protest led by Indian students at the university, Mishra can be heard saying: I do not trust this house and I have launched a 'no confidence motion' against the president (of the Oxford Union) and termed him as nothing but a stooge of ISI and Pakistan.

Oxford Union was approached for comment on Thursday's development but there was no immediate reaction.

Indian diaspora organisations had rallied against the debate, with the Oxford Hindu Society among those issuing formal letters to the Oxford Union to call off the event.

It is pertinent to note that both these speakers have been involved in anti-Hindu hatred and are representing organisations which have links to hatred against Hindu minority in the UK as well as in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in India, reads the Oxford Hindu Society letter.

Hindu students feel threatened and disgusted that Oxford Union has invited an official of JKLF  which has a record of attacking Hindus, it adds.

Insight UKs letter to the Oxford Union read: The Kashmir region has been a target of terrorism for decades, causing the forced exodus of thousands of Kashmiri Hindus and creating untold suffering. Kashmir is recognised internationally as an integral part of India, and any debate questioning this is a challenge to Indias sovereignty.

The speakers invited to support the motion, Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur and Zafar Khan, have alleged ties to groups involved in violent extremism and terrorist activities under the disguise of separatist movements.

India has always maintained that the entire Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh have been, are and will always remain integral and inalienable parts of India.

As an independent, student-led society with a membership primarily drawn from the University of Oxford, the Oxford Union dates back to 1823 as one of the worlds leading debating societies.
Russian propagandist Maksim Kalashnikov shared the story of an occupier who took part in the assaults near Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region. Unlike most of the similar "testimonies" published by Z-bloggers, this story describes the enormous losses of Russian troops in a senseless war, when the corpses of the occupiers "lie in two or three layers."

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The realities of the war, as follows from the story published by Kalashnikov, completely discourage the occupiers from conducting "denazification." The propagandist himself is convinced that Putin's "special operation" has led Russia to disaster, and its "goals" are unattainable.

The Russian stormtrooper quoted by Kalashnikov describes the hell that has been unleashed on the occupiers in the north of Kharkiv region, where they have been trying to capture the city of Vovchansk for months.

The occupier acknowledges the skill of Ukrainian snipers and mortar launchers, complains about the many drones that deliver precise strikes on the enemy, and the enormous losses suffered by the Russian army in the north of Kharkiv region.

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"Corpses, corpses, corpses of our fighters... They are visible everywhere. As far as the eye can see, there are dead everywhere... There are many dead and those who died of wounds. They are already lying in two or three layers close to the wounded. The persistent smell of corpses and meat from the wounds filled the basement. The guys are rotting, and the paramedic cannot help them. He only gives them painkillers delivered by drone," says the occupier.

At the end of the story, the Russian admits that he dreams that the wound he received during the assault "will heal for a long time." He states that no one will save the Russian soldiers who came under attack by the Ukrainian army and that what he experienced has discouraged him from fighting.

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Kalashnikov himself could not resist expressing his opinion on the "genius" of Russian military strategists, the abyss into which Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's desire to stage a "small victorious war" against a neighboring state has pushed Russia, and how this Kremlin's bloody adventure will end for Russia.

For example, he called the Russian offensive in the north of the Kharkiv region "the most vivid illustration of the positional impasse of the 'geniuses' in the General Staff." By launching an offensive in May of this year, Kalashnikov emphasizes, Russia has driven its troops into another "meat grinder." This offensive did not help to achieve the stated goal of creating a "buffer zone of security" for the Belgorod region, but played a role in the fact that the Russian command "prevented the invasion of Kursk."

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The propagandist called the destruction of the Vovchansk aggregate plant, which Russia needed to supply its emergency industry, the cherry on top of the Kharkiv offensive.

According to Kalashnikov, it is no longer a mystery how Putin's "SMO" will end. Russia is suffering enormous losses, slowly gnawing away at Ukrainian land piece by piece and paying a disproportionate price for the advance and occupation of settlements turned into mountains of rubble.

"It's only a matter of time before this offensive is exhausted. MP Boroday is already talking about the lack of infantry and shells. What the hell is expansion to Europe? New Verdun is taking place against the backdrop of the decision-making centers that remain in Kyiv, without destroying the logistics of the Armed Forces, without paralyzing their rear. This triples the casualties on both sides. To replenish the reserves? This would require a terrible mobilization of reservists, which the government, avoiding tragic consequences, will not do. And this step is at least a year too late. We were told all about the chicken pecking at the grain. About the grinding of the Ukrainian Armed Forces," Kalashnikov was indignant.

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According to the Z-blogger, the "goals" of the invasion of Ukraine, which have been discussed by Russian officials led by Putin for almost three years, are unattainable. And when this is recognized and realized in the Russian Federation itself, the country will face difficult times.

"That's it, gentlemen, Trump will force both sides to pause and freeze. Forcing them to recognize the failure to achieve the goals of the SMO. Which, as you know, will have internal consequences," Kalashnikov predicts gloomily.

Earlier, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine denied Putin's propagandists' claim that the subversive group had entered the village of Hremiach. The enemy subversive group hung the Russian tricolor near a destroyed bridge over a river in the Chernihiv region, taking advantage of the fact that there was no way to build proper fortifications to control the area on a small piece of territory that cuts off water bodies and is constantly flooded.

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Lahore, Nov 15 (PTI) Over 2,500 Sikhs from India participated in grand celebrations organised in Pakistan on Friday to mark the 555th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism.

A 'nagar kirtan' (religious procession) was taken out from Gurdwara Janamasthan to Gurdwara Kiara Sahib in Nankana Sahib.

The event saw the participation of a large number of Sikhs from both local and international communities, including over 2,500 pilgrims from India. The celebrations featured a vibrant fireworks display in the evening, and the Gurdwara Janamasthan complex was adorned with beautiful illuminations.

Sikh leaders distributed special gifts among attendees, including government officials and dignitaries.

Strict security measures were in place around the gurdwara.

Speaking at the main ceremony, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain said for the convenience of pilgrims, 100 rooms have been constructed at Gurdwara Janamasthan, Nankana Sahib.

"We aspire for peace and harmony. All religions are worthy of respect. Baba Guru Nanak taught peace, love, and compassion," the minister said.

He said the government of Pakistan is committed to protecting the rights of minorities.

Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman Syed Ata-ur-Rehman extended warm greetings to the Sikh community.

We wholeheartedly welcome pilgrims from India and elsewhere. As per the federal governments directives, special arrangements have been made for the welfare and hospitality of Sikh pilgrims, he said.

"At Kartarpur we have the capacity to host 5,000 pilgrims but the actual number of visitors remains much lower, he added.

Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs and Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PSGPC) president Ramesh Singh Arora called for religious matters to remain apolitical.

The history of Sikhism is incomplete without Pakistan. I appeal to Sikhs worldwide, including those in India, to visit Kartarpur in greater numbers and revive the Gurdwaras, he said.

Sikh leaders from India also praised the event. Delhi Gurdwara Management Committee leader Harjeet Singh Pappa said: The beauty of Gurdwara Janamasthan is truly heartwarming."

Another Sikh leader, Bhai Joga Singh, encouraged more Sikhs to visit Pakistan.

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) leader Gurnam Singh Jassal said: The Sikh community is grateful to the government of Pakistan for the honour and respect they have given us. This land is sacred to our Gurus, and our holy sites here deserve all the appreciation. Our message is one of peace and brotherhood. Both nations people yearn for harmony and unity.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif also extended her wishes to the Sikh community worldwide on the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.

In a statement, she said: Guru Nanak Sahib was a beacon of humanity, love, and brotherhood. Peaceful societies are built on the foundations of tolerance and harmony. Guru Nanak emphasised sharing joys and sorrows with one another."

She announced the launch of the Minority Card programme in December, aimed at providing financial assistance to underprivileged minorities in Punjab. Beneficiaries will receive PKR 10,000 quarterly. She also announced plans to establish a Minority Virtual Police Station to enhance security for minorities.
Islamabad, Nov 15 (PTI) Pakistan authorities on Friday asked the countrys electronic media watchdog to block illegal Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), citing national security concerns due to alleged misuse by terrorist groups.

Virtual Private Networks, better known as VPNs, are widely used around the world to access content that may be inaccessible or blocked for internet users in their home country.

The Interior Ministry in a letter to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said that VPNs were increasingly being exploited by terrorists to facilitate violent activities and financial transactions in Pakistan.

Of late, an alarming fact has been identified, wherein VPNs are used by terrorists to obscure and conceal their communications, the letter said.

VPNs are also being used (to) discreetly access pornographic and blasphemous contents.

The letter also pointed out that Pakistan is considered as one of the leading countries in terms of visiting porn sites using VPNs and added that these trends warranted the prohibition of unauthorised VPNs to address the critical threats.

It is, therefore, requested to block illegal VPNs across Pakistan so that legitimate/registered VPN users are not affected, according to the letter.

It also urged that registration of VPNs with PTA may be made till November 30.

The issue of VPN was already in the crosshairs and the PTA on Wednesday said that VPN usage would be restricted in the future to curb access to pornographic content, following a disruption that rendered VPNs dysfunctional across the country on Sunday.

It also claimed to have so far blocked 1,00,183 URLs containing blasphemous content, as well as 8,44,008 pornographic websites. It also stated that approximately 20 million attempts were made from within the country to access pornographic websites daily, which were blocked at the international gateway level.

Earlier, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony on Tuesday had asked the regulator to block blasphemous and pornographic content.

Digital rights activists termed the disruption the governments attempt to enforce strict censorship and surveillance over citizens. The PTA, however, dismissed users claim that it was throttling VPNs and said the disruptions were caused by a technical glitch.

It also urged users to register their VPNs.

Separately, the PTA introduced a streamlined VPN registration process, allowing legitimate users to register their VPNs through a new online portal. It also claimed that this simplified framework supports uninterrupted access for IT companies, freelancers, and other stakeholders, reinforcing PTAs commitment to Pakistans expanding digital economy.
London, Nov 15 (AP) Britain's Treasury chief Rachel Reeves said Friday that she is not satisfied by official figures showing the British economy's rebound from recession slowed down sharply in the third quarter of the year, as the country's top central banker voiced his concerns about the economic damage wrought by the UK's departure from the European Union.

The Office for National Statistics said growth during the July-to-September period was just 0.1%. That was lower than the 0.5% recorded in the previous three-month period and below market expectations of 0.2%.

The statistics agency said overall output in September shrank, a development that has fuelled accusations from critics of the new Labour government that its pessimism dragged the economy down in its first few weeks in office. The Conservatives' Treasury spokesperson, Mel Stride said the deterioration in business and consumer confidence was a direct result of the government talking the economy down.

On coming to power in July for the first time in 14 years, the government described its economic inheritance from the former Conservative administration as the bleakest in decades, requiring urgent action to fix the public finances.

Reeves used the budget to raise taxes sharply, mainly on business, as well as increasing spending on public services, such as the state-run National Health Service, and borrowing for investment.

Improving economic growth is at the heart of everything I am seeking to achieve, which is why I am not satisfied with these numbers, Reeves said following Friday's figures.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said raising economic growth his government's number one priority over the next five years. Since the global financial crisis in 2008-9, the British economy has under-performed relative to previous years and actually slipped into a modest recession in 2023.

The Resolution Foundation think tank said the British economy has been a rollercoaster over the past year and that its medium-term performance has been staid and stagnant

As a result of the third-quarter slowdown, the think tank said the UK has fallen below the US at the top of this year's growth leaderboard of the Group of Seven leading industrial economies.

This all serves to highlight that the government's mission to renew strong economic growth is both extremely hard, and absolutely necessary," said Simon Pittaway, the think tank's senior economist.

One factor hobbling the economy, many economists say, is Brexit, when Britain left the EU in 2020, which has made trade more difficult. Though the post-Brexit trade agreement between the two sides ensured there would be no tariffs placed on goods, exporters are finding life tough.

As part of Brexit, the UK also left the frictionless single market and the customs union, which means firms have to file forms and customs declarations for the first time in years, among other hurdles.

On Thursday evening, Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey said he had to point out the consequences" of Brexit, even though as an official he had no position on Brexit.

The changing trading relationship with the EU has weighed on the level of potential supply," he said. It underlines why we must be alert to and welcome opportunities to rebuild relations while respecting the decision of the British people.

Starmer has said he wants to reset the relationship with the EU but has ruled out the possibility of Britain rejoining the single market or the customs union, or of a return of the freedom of movement of people.

However, ruling those options out doesn't leave the British government much room for maneuver, Starmer has vowed to reduce some of the post-Brexit barriers to the movement of people and goods that have undermined ties between Britain and the bloc.

This may see a new deal to limit veterinary checks on food at the border, an agreement on the mutual recognition of professional standards or the introduction of a programme that would allow young EU and UK citizens to study, work and live for short periods in the UK and the EU, respectively.

Most economists agree, though, that these changes would only modestly improve growth, which the government is counting on to improve Britain's stretched public services. (AP) SCY

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Beirut, Nov 15 (AP) Lebanon's caretaker prime minister on Friday asked Iran to help secure a cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hezbollah and appeared to urge it to convince the militant group to agree to a deal that could require it to pull back from the Israel-Lebanon border.

The prime minister made the comments in talks with Ali Larijani, a top adviser to Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. Larijani's visit to Lebanon comes as the United States continued pushing both sides to agree to a deal to end 13 months of exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah.

Iran is a main backer of Hezbollah and for decades has been funding and arming the Lebanese militant group. Hezbollah began firing rockets into northern Israel the day after Hamas' surprise attack into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 ignited the war in Gaza  prompting exchanges between the two sides ever since.

Since late September, Israel dramatically escalated its bombardment of Lebanon, vowing to cripple Hezbollah and end its barrages in Israel. More than 3,300 people have been killed in Lebanon by Israeli fire  80% of them in the past month -- Lebanon's Health Ministry says.

According to Lebanese media, US Ambassador Lisa Johnson handed over a draft of a proposed cease-fire deal to Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who has been leading the talks representing Hezbollah.

A Lebanese official confirmed that Beirut has received a copy of a draft proposal based on UN Security Council resolution 1701, which ended the last Israel-Hezbollah war, in the summer of 2006.

That resolution, among other things, said that only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers should operate in southern Lebanon, meaning Hezbollah would have to end its presence there. That provision was never implemented. Lebanon accuses Israel of also violating the resolution by maintaining hold of a small, disputed border area and conducting frequent military overflights over Lebanon.

The Lebanese official did not give details other than to say Israel was insisting that some guarantees be included. The official spoke on condition of anonymity, because they weren't authorised to speak to the media about the ongoing talks.

The US Embassy refused to either confirm or deny the reports.

In talks with Larijani, caretaker Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati urged Iran to help implement resolution 1701. He said the Lebanese government wants the war to end and the resolution to be implemented in all its details, according to a statement on the talks issued by his office.

Mikati, who in recent weeks has become more critical of Iran's role in Lebanon, also said the government wants Iran to help Lebanon's national unity and not take any stance backing one party against another.

Iran's backing for Hezbollah has helped the group, which is the most powerful faction among Lebanon's Shiite Muslims, dominate the country's politics the last decade.

After meeting Mikati and Berri, Larijani said his visit's main aim was to loudly say that we will stand by Lebanon's government and people.

Asked if he was trying to thwart US cease-fire mediation, Larijani said, We are not trying to blow up any effort, but we want to solve the problem and we will stand by Lebanon, whatever the circumstances.

Larijani held similar talks a day earlier in Syria with President Bashar Assad. Syria's state news agency said that Assad and Larijani discussed the ongoing aggression on Palestine and Lebanon and the necessity of stopping it.

While Larijani was in Beirut, Israeli forces carried out a new strike on the southeastern edge of the city.

Images taken by an Associated Press photographer showed a rocket about to strike an 11-story residential building in Beirut's Tayouneh neighbourhood  then a blast of flame erupts from the side of the building. Much of a lower level of the building was smashed to rubble.

There were no immediate reports of casualties. The Israeli military had issued a warning before the attack, saying it was a facility that belonged to Hezbollah.

Near the eastern Lebanese city of Baalbek, rescue teams continued searching through the rubble Friday at the site of an Israeli strike the night before that hit a civil defence centre in the town of Douris.

So far, the bodies of 13 employees and volunteers with the Lebanese Civil Defence had a been recovered, the agency said, as well as some other remains that will require DNA testing.

Israel expanded its operations in Lebanon even as it continues its campaign in the Gaza Strip, vowing to destroy Hamas, which is also backed by Iran.

Funerals were held Friday for 11 Palestinians killed Thursday in a series of Israeli airstrikes in and around the central Gaza Strip city of Deir al-Balah. Two children were among the dead, seen with the other dead by an AP reporter.

On Thursday, the UN Security Council's 10 elected members circulated a draft resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional and permanent cease-fire in Gaza. The US, Israel's closest ally, holds the key to whether the UN Security Council adopts the resolution. The four other permanent members  Russia, China, Britain and France  are expected to support it or abstain.

The Israel-Hamas war began after Palestinian militants stormed into Israel on Oct 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people  mostly civilians  and abducting 250 others.

Israel's bombardment and ground offensives since then have killed more than 43,000 people in Gaza, Palestinian health officials say. The officials don't distinguish between civilians and combatants but say more than half of those killed have been women and children. (AP) SCY

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Berlin, Nov 15 (AP) German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday urged Russia to be willing to negotiate with Ukraine in his first call with Russian President Vladimir Putin in nearly two years. The Kremlin responded that Moscow was open to new talks and pointed to Putin's earlier proposal that Kyiv should cede territory and back off its plans to join NATO.

Government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said Scholz condemned Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine during the call, and called on Putin to end it by withdrawing troops that launched a full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022. That conflict reaches its 1,000-day mark next week.

The chancellor urged Russia to be willing to negotiate with Ukraine with the aim of achieving a just and lasting peace and stressed Germany's unwavering determination to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression for as long as necessary, Hebestreit said in a statement.

The new communication between the leader of Germany  one of Ukraine's strongest backers since late 2022  and Putin comes at a time of widespread speculation about what the upcoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump will mean for Ukraine.

Washington has been Ukraine's biggest military backer, but Trump has repeatedly questioned the amount of aid being given to Ukraine to fight the war. Trump also has suggested he could settle the war between Russia and Ukraine quickly, though this implies Kyiv should cede territory to Moscow in return for peace.

The German leader condemned Russian air raids on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and warned that the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia to fight in the war would mark a serious escalation. The US, South Korea and Ukraine say North Korea has sent thousands of troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine.

For its part, the Kremlin said Germany initiated the call, during which the two leaders had a detailed and frank exchange of opinions on the situation in Ukraine.

Putin blamed the current crisis on what he called NATO's long-standing aggressive policy aimed at creating an anti-Russian stronghold on Ukrainian territory while ignoring our country's security interests and trampling on the rights of Russian-speaking residents, a Kremlin readout said.

Putin also said Russia remains open to resuming peace talks and pointed to conditions he laid out in June, which included Kyiv renouncing its bid to join NATO and withdrawing troops from the four Ukrainian regions that Moscow illegally annexed in 2022.

Possible agreements should take into account the interests of the Russian Federation in the security sphere, proceed from new territorial realities, and most importantly, eliminate the root causes of the conflict, the readout said.

Putin also noted the unprecedented degradation in bilateral relations between Germany and Russia, the Russian statement said, while noting that leaders also discussed situation in the Middle East.

The two sides agreed to remain in contact after the call, which German media reports said lasted about an hour. German news agency DPA said the two leaders last spoke by phone in December 2022.

Tuesday will mark 1,000 days since the Feb 24, 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops, even though the armed conflict dates to 2014.

Scholz had spoken beforehand with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and would do so again after the call with Putin, the German statement said. (AP) SCY

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Rewa (MP), Nov 15 (PTI) Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla on Friday said the state government was committed to freeing the tribal communities from sickle cell anaemia.

He was speaking after inaugurating the state's first 'Centre of Excellence for Prenatal Diagnosis of Hemoglobinopathies' at the Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Rewa district on the birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda.

He said this centre was dedicated to research, diagnosis and clinical testing of blood-related genetic disorders, especially for people of the Vindhya region, including tribal groups.

Establishing this centre is an effort to elevate healthcare facilities, provide precise and dedicated medical services to those affected by blood-related disorders, especially within vulnerable groups in Madhya Pradesh, Shukla said.

Recognising the prevalence of these disorders in the Vindhya region, particularly within the tribal community, this centre was deemed essential, he said.

"It will conduct in-depth research on blood-related genetic disorders and provide timely diagnostic and health services," he added.

As per an estimate, Madhya Pradesh has made significant strides in checking sickle cell anaemia by conducting 80.67 lakh screenings.

In the first phase of the Sickle Cell Anaemia Eradication Mission, over 46 lakh genetic counselling cards have been distributed, with Madhya Pradesh leading the country in this initiative, official sources said.

Based on the successful pilot project for controlling sickle cell anaemia in Madhya Pradesh, the nationwide Sickle Cell Anaemia Eradication Mission 2047 has been launched, covering 17 states, they added.
Thane, Nov 15 (PTI) Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Friday asked citizens to vote for his party to make the state "vaibhavshali" (glorious).

Addressing a series of rallies in Thane city and Kalyan, he slammed the political instability in the state and said it needed a complete overhaul.

Prioritise the welfare of Maharashtra instead of getting caught in political and personal differences, he told people.

"Vote for MNS for genuine development," he said.

Within 48 hours of coming to power, his party would address the issue of loudspeakers on mosques, Thackeray said, adding religious practices should not trouble others.

"Religion should stay within homes. Public roads are not for prayers," the MNS chief asserted.

He said the state's leadership had failed to address basic issues like water, electricity, education, and healthcare.

"We continue to contest elections on the same issues, while the aspirations of our youth are ignored. There is lack of public infrastructure. Why have Thane and Mumbai not made meaningful progress when compared to global hubs like Dubai," he questioned.

Instead of building statues that gather dust, the need is to show citizens the real legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, he said.

At the rally in Thane, he called Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar's granddaughter Asilata on stage.

Thackeray also addressed rallies in Ulhasnagar and Bhiwandi in the district.

Maharashtra polls will be held on November 20, while votes will be counted on November 23.
Indore, Nov 15 (PTI) A couple and four others were arrested on Friday for allegedly selling off a 17-year-old girl from Indore to a man in Gujarat for Rs 1.80 lakh, a police official said.

A woman sold the teen girl to the man after luring her with the promise of getting her married, Deputy Commissioner of Police Rishikesh Meena told reporters.

"The girl told us the man kept her in a godown in that state for two days and raped her. She managed to escape and return to Indore. One her complaint, a case was registered on Thursday under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act," Meena said.

"The woman who allegedly sold the girl and her husband have been arrested along with the four people who took her to Gujarat. A team has gone to that state to arrest the man who confined her in a godown and raped her. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed in the case," the DCP added.
Shahdol, Nov 15 (PTI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Friday hailed tribal icon Birsa Munda on his birth anniversary, saying he took on the British colonial masters as well as Christian missionaries to protect his people.

Yadav was speaking at a function in the tribal-dominated Shahdol district of eastern Madhya Pradesh.

"On one hand Bhagwan Birsa Munda fought Englishmen for the tribal people's rights over jal, jungle and zameen (water, jungle and land), and on the other hand he also fought Christian missionaries who were carrying out conversions and playing with our religion," he said.



Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the function virtually and inaugurated two museums dedicated to tribal freedom-fighters in Jabalpur and Chhindwara districts of the state.

CM Yadav also noted that Madhya Pradesh is home to tribal population of 1.21 crore, the biggest in the country.

Lauding the prime minister, he said after Independence it was only Modi who undertook a campaign to give the rich tribal culture its due.

The PM has immense respect for the tribal people and has declared November 15 as `Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas', he noted.

Shahdol will soon have air connectivity, the chief minister announced on this occasion.
Mumbai, Nov 15 (PTI) A fire broke out in the basement of the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) underground metro station in Mumbai on Friday afternoon, leading to suspension of rail services there for more than two hours as a precautionary measure, officials said.

Nobody was injured in the blaze that erupted around 1.10 pm in the non-operational A4 entry/exit of the station that is under construction, they said.

The fire was confined to wooden sheets, furniture and construction material at a depth of 40-50 feet of the station located in Bandra East, causing heavy smoke in the operational area of the station, the officials said.

"Nobody was injured in the fire incident," a civic official said.

Eight fire engines and other fire brigade vehicles were rushed to the spot. The fire brigade was assisted by the personnel of city police, Adani Power, 108 Ambulance, Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC), Public Works Department (PWD) and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) local administrative ward staffers in the firefighting operation, he said.

The fire was extinguished after nearly two hours of efforts. It was doused at 3.11 pm and the metro services, which were suspended at the station, were restored after that, the MMRC said.

The BKC metro station is part of the 12.69 km-long Phase 1 of the MMRC's Mumbai Metro Line-3 (Aqua Line) connecting BKC and Aarey JVLR. This line was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month.

In a statement issued at 3.35 pm, the MMRC said the fire occurred near the "non-operational A4 Entry/Exit of BKC Metro Station which is under construction".

The blaze was completely extinguished and metro services were normalised after getting clearance from the fire department at 2.45 pm. The fire led to leakage of smoke into the operational portion of the station premises and hence metro operations at the station were temporarily paused as a precautionary measure for the passengers' safety, it said.

"Metro services in the rest of the section between Aarey JVLR and Bandra Colony were in normal operation," the MMRC stated.

On October 21, a fire had broken out on the ground floor of the Mandai metro station in Pune city, in which nobody was injured.
African elephants, which are the largest land animals on Earth, are in danger. A study shows an alarming decline in the number of these giants across the African continent over the past half-century.

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Scientists have released what they called "the most comprehensive assessment of the status of two African elephant species, the savannah and the forest elephant." Savannah elephant populations have declined by an average of about 70%, and forest elephants by 90%, Reuters reports.

The researchers used data from surveys conducted in 475 locations in 37 countries from 1964 to 2016. In general, the population of savannah and forest elephants decreased by an average of 77% in different study areas.

According to experts, poaching and habitat loss are the main reasons for the sharp decline in elephant populations.

"Many of the lost populations will not return, and many low-density populations are under constant pressure. We're likely to lose even more populations in the future," said George Wittemyer, a professor of wildlife conservation at Colorado State University and chair of the science board of Save the Elephants, the conservation group that helped conduct the study.

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Scientists emphasize that poaching usually involves killing elephants for their tusks, which are illegally sold on the international black market. There is still a considerable demand for ivory in China and other parts of Asia.

Agricultural expansion is a major factor in elephant habitat loss.

It is estimated that the forest elephant population is about one-third of the savannah elephant population. Poaching has disproportionately affected forest elephants and has devastated populations of both species in northern and eastern Africa.

"We have lost a number of elephant populations in many countries, but the northern Sahel region of Africa  in Mali, Chad and Nigeria  has been particularly hard hit. Limited protection has led to the decimation of the population," said Wittemyer.

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However, in South Africa, the elephant population has increased by 42%. "We've seen real success in some places, but especially in Southern Africa  in Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Here we have seen active care and management by governments or foreign groups that have taken a leadership role in protecting elephants," added Prof. Wittemyer.

A researcher at the Center for African Conservation Ecology at Nelson Mandela University in South Africa emphasized that "the loss of large mammals is an important environmental issue for Africa and the planet as a whole."

"After all, elephants are not only one of the most intelligent species we live with on the planet, but also an incredibly important part of the ecosystem in Africa, which structures the balance between forest and grassland, serves as an important seed disperser, and is a species on which the survival of many other species depends," summarized wildlife conservationist George Wittemyer.

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Pune, Nov 15 (PTI) Election fever has reached its peak in Baramati in the last phase of the campaign for the Maharashtra assembly polls with the rival Nationalist Congress Party factions led by Ajit Pawar and his uncle Sharad Pawar leaving no stone unturned.

As November 20, the polling day, draws near, family members on both sides of the divide are reaching out to voters.

After the Lok Sabha elections, the constituency is once again witnessing a high-profile contest within the Pawar family with the Sharad Pawar-led party fielding Yugendra Pawar against Ajit, currently Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister. Yugendra, a political debutant, is the son of Ajit Pawar's younger brother.

The intensity of the contest can be gauged from the fact that Sharad Pawar's wife Pratibha, who generally keeps away from politics, and Supriya Sule's daughter Revati are also canvasing for Yugendra.

Ajit Pawar, who parted ways with uncle Sharad Pawar in 2023 and split the party, is visiting as many villages as possible, highlighting the development he brought about in the region in the last three decades.

Voters chose "Pawar saheb" over him in the Lok Sabha elections but they should support him this time, Ajit is telling the people.

Supriya Sule, Sharad Pawar's daughter and incumbent MP, defeated Ajit's wife Sunetra in the parliamentary elections by more than 1.5 lakh votes. Supriya tai' (elder sister in Marathi) is now fully involved in the campaign for her nephew Yugendra. <br>Sunetra Pawar, now a Rajya Sabha member, is conducting door-to-door campaign for her husband. Ajit's sisters Vijaya Patil and Rajni Indulkar are also actively supporting their brother.<br>Kiran-dada Gujar, Ajit Pawar's election in-charge in Baramati, said their campaign is progressing in a highly coordinated manner. <br>Asked about the Pawar family members campaigning against Ajit, he said, "There is no comparison between Ajit Pawar and those campaigning against him. People here adore Ajit-dada ( dada' is elder brother), and we are seeking votes based on his development record."

While the opposition is trying to play the emotional card, Ajit Pawar's campaign remains focused on development, he added.



Sunetra Pawar has been reaching out to various groups, meeting with representatives of trade unions, social organizations and people from all communities, he said.

"Ajit dada's sisters are also campaigning for him," Gujar said.

Ajit Pawar has visited 70 of 117 villages in the constituency so far, he said, adding that for the last three days Pawar has been hitting the road early in the morning, visiting villages, then joining the campaign in the rest of the state around noon, and returning to Baramati late at night.

The dynamic that was at play during the Lok Sabha elections is absent this time, Gujar claimed.

"His 40 years of work in Baramati speaks for him. People chose Supriya-tai last time, but now they realize that without Ajit Pawar, the development of Baramati will not take place as he has a vision for the constituency," he said.

The Sharad Pawar camp claims there would be a repeat of the Lok Sabha result on November 23 when votes are counted.

Sadashiv Bapu Satav, local campaign in-charge of NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar), said Pratibha Pawar has been visiting rural areas and talking to people while other members of the family are also reaching out in the urban areas of the constituency.

"Like Lok Sabha, people of Baramati are still not very predictive, but they will do exactly what they are supposed to do," he said.

Notably, neither the leaders of the NCP allies BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena nor the leaders of the NCP (SP) allies Congress and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) have visited Baramati for campaign.

When asked why Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not hold a rally for him, Ajit Pawar said it was not needed as it was a contest within the family.
Patna, Nov 15 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bihar on Friday to attend a function organised on the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, a legendary freedom fighter who is fondly called "bhagwan" by tribal communities of the Chhota Nagpur plateau.

Modi will travel to a remote village in Jamui district, about 200 km from the state capital, to celebrate "Janjatiya Gaurav Divas", as the day has come to be observed since 2021.

This is the PM's second tour of Bihar, where he, on Wednesday, laid the foundation stone for AIIMS at Darbhanga, one of the major cities in the state's northern region.

Jamui shares its borders with Jharkhand, where assembly elections are underway.

Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Jual Oram, who is in Jamui to oversee preparations for Modi's tour, said, "The PM will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 6,640 crore."

He said the PM will also "inaugurate two Tribal Freedom Fighters' Museums and two Tribal Research Institutes to preserve the rich history and heritage of tribal communities".

Besides, Modi will take part in "Grih Pravesh of 11,000 houses built under PM-JANMAN", he added.
Jamui (Bihar), Nov 15 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday criticised previous Congress-led governments for failing to recognise the contributions of tribal communities in Indias freedom movement.

Without naming the Congress or any individual, Modi remarked, "The attempt was to give all the credit to just one party and one family."

He questioned, "If our country got independence because of one family, then why did Birsa Munda launch the 'Ulgulan' movement?"

The Prime Minister emphasised that Indias tribal community had not received the recognition it deserved under previous regimes.

"India's tribal community did not get justice earlier," Modi said, adding that many tribal leaders had played a crucial role in the country's fight for independence.

Modi was speaking at the Janjatiya Gaurav Divas event, organised to mark the beginning of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of the revered tribal leader, Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

The PM also reiterated his respect for the tribal population, saying he "worships" them for their deep connection to nature and their environment-friendly lifestyle.

He spoke in detail about his government's ongoing efforts to improve the living standards of tribal communities, acknowledging their vital role in the nations development.

"My government has made significant strides to uplift tribal communities," Modi said.

He pointed to the establishment of a separate ministry for tribal welfare and the substantial increase in the budget for tribal development, which has risen from Rs 25,000 crore to Rs 1.25 lakh crore.

Further highlighting the growing influence of tribals in various fields, the Prime Minister celebrated their increasing participation in sports.

He announced that the government would be opening new sporting facilities to nurture and promote tribal athletes. "Tribals are playing an important role in sports, and we are investing in infrastructure to support their talent," he said.

Modi also detailed several key policy changes aimed at benefiting the tribal population. These included the simplification of welfare provisions, the introduction of a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for 90 forest produce, and efforts to enhance healthcare access for tribal communities.

Concluding his address, the Prime Minister called for national unity in protecting and preserving the cultural heritage of India's tribal people. He emphasized the need to ensure that their contributions to the countrys diversity and progress are recognised and safeguarded.
Mahagama, Nov 15 (PTI) Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused him of serving the interests of billionaires at the expense of India's poor.

Addressing an election rally in Jharkhand's Godda district, Gandhi claimed that while the opposition bloc INDIA was fighting to protect the Constitution, the BJP was trying to dump it in the trash bin.

"PM Modi says Rahul is flashing red book. Its content is important, not colour. Had you read it, you would not have been spreading hatred and dividing society," Gandhi said.

"It is a fight of ideology between the INDIA bloc and BJP-RSS. We are protecting the Constitution and BJP-RSS is trying to dump it in the trash bin. They are spreading violence and trying to divide society on the basis of caste, creed and religion," he alleged.

Maintaining that he was not "afraid" of Modi or "his 56-inch chest", Gandhi said, "He is a puppet of billionaires."

He accused the PM of giving lessons to people during the day while enjoying the weddings of industrialists at night.

Gandhi claimed that the Uddhav Thackeray-led government in Maharashtra was toppled to grab land.

He alleged that Modi was trying to hand over land worth Rs 1 lakh crore in Mumbai's Dharavi to an industrialist.

Advocating for the need for a nationwide caste census, the Congress leader claimed that it would change the face of India.

The caste census would reveal positions of tribals, Dalits and OBCs in various institutions, he said.

"Caste census is bound to happen," he said.

"We will demolish the 50 per cent reservation ceiling, PM Modi can do whatever he can," he added.

Gandhi said that though PM Modi speaks of his respect for the poor, but does not waive the farm loans.

He also targeted the BJP over the arrest of JMM leader Hemant Soren, and said, "A tribal CM elected by you was put behind the bars in Jharkhand."

Accusing the BJP of spreading "hate and violence", Gandhi said it can be eliminated through love.

"Ours is 'mohabbat ki dukan', they have 'nafrat ka bazar'," he said.
Ranchi, Nov 15 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi was stranded at the Deoghar airport in Jharkhand for over an hour on Friday after his special aircraft developed a snag, officials said.

Modi was supposed to fly back to New Delhi on the Indian Air Force plane after addressing a rally in Bihar's Jamui, which is around 80 km from Deoghar, they said.

He was visiting Jamui to attend a function organised on the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, which is celebrated as 'Janjatiya Gaurav Divas'.

"The PM has been at the Deoghar airport for more than an hour now. What would be the alternative arrangement for his return to Delhi is being discussed," an official said.

'No flying zone' was declared in the region's air space, officials said.

Leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi was stuck in Godda, where he addressed an election rally, as his helicopter could not take off following this, they said.

However, the Congress alleged that Gandhi was targeted unfairly by the administration.

"Our leader Rahul Gandhi's helicopter was not allowed to take off for about two hours, posing a grave threat to his life. This was a security lapse at the behest of the Centre," state minister Deepika Pandey Singh alleged.
Ranchi, Nov 15 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was stranded in Jharkhand's Deoghar airport for nearly two hours on Friday after his special IAF aircraft developed a snag, flew back to Delhi in another plane, officials said.

Modi was supposed to return to New Delhi on the IAF plane after addressing a rally in Bihar's Jamui, around 80 km from Deoghar, they said.

The PM visited Jamui to attend a function marking the 150th birth anniversary of tribal leader Birsa Munda, celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.

"PM Modi left for Delhi from Deoghar in another special aircraft after his IAF plane developed a technical snag. The aircraft could not be rectified on time. PM had to wait for more than two hours," Deoghar Deputy Commissioner Vishal Sagar told PTI.

While Modi waited for the issue to be resolved, the region's airspace was declared a "no-flying zone".

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was also caught in a similar situation in Godda, Jharkhand.

Gandhi's helicopter, which was supposed to take him back after addressing an election rally, was grounded for about two hours, prompting allegations from the Congress that the delay was politically motivated.

"Our leader Rahul Gandhi's helicopter was not allowed to take off for about two hours, posing a grave threat to his life. This was a security lapse at the behest of the Centre," state minister Deepika Pandey Singh alleged.
Patna, Nov 15 (PTI) The Patna High Court has lambasted Bihar government officials over the total liquor ban in the state, observing that they love the legislation since it means "big money" for them.

The court also said that the police are working in tandem with liquor smugglers and the poor are bearing the brunt of the law.

The Bihar government enacted a law in April 2016 prohibiting the manufacture, trade, storage, transportation, sale, and consumption of liquor in the state.

However, despite stringent provisions of the Act, transport of liquor and hooch deaths have been reported a number of times since then.

Not only the police officials, excise officials, but also officers of the State Tax department and the transport department love liquor ban, for them it means big money. The prohibition has, in fact, given rise to unauthorised trade of liquor and other contraband items, Justice Purnendu Singh said in an order.

The draconian provisions have become handy for the police, who are in tandem with the smugglers, the Patna High Court judge said while quashing a demotion order issued against a police inspector on the ground that he was negligent in implementing the prohibition law.

The order came in response to a writ petition filed by Mukesh Kumar Paswan, the station house officer (SHO) at Patna Bypass police station.

Paswan was suspended after excise department officials found foreign-made liquor in his possession during a raid. He was then demoted in 2020 following a general directive issued by the state government.

The court order said, A few cases are registered against the kingpins or syndicate operators involved in liquor smuggling, compared to the vast number of cases against the poor who consume liquor or fall victim to hooch tragedies. Largely, it is the poor of the state who bear the brunt of this Act.

Article 47 of the Constitution mandated the duty of the State to raise standards of living and to improve the public health at large and the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016, was enacted with this objective, but for several reasons, it finds itself on the wrong side of the history, the order said.

The lives of the majority of the poor section of the state who are facing the wrath of the Act are daily wagers who are only earning members of their family, it said.

The Investigating Officer in the case did not offer any documentary evidence to substantiate the allegations made by the prosecution against the accused SHO, the court said adding that the liquor mafia also go scot-free due to want of evidence.

The high court found this form of punishment to be predetermined, reducing the entire departmental proceedings to a formality.

The bench, in its October 29 order, quashed the punishment order and also annulled the entire departmental proceeding initiated against the petitioner.
Guwahati, Nov 15 (PTI) A seaplane landed at Pandu Ghat in Guwahati on Friday after a successful flight from the city airport, making it the first such plane to land in Assam.

The addition of seaplanes to the states transport network is expected to boost connectivity and tourism, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

"Earlier today, a sea plane successfully landed at Pandu Ghat on the banks of Brahmaputra, marking the first river landing in Eastern India, which will open new chapters of connectivity in a riverine state like Assam," Sarma said in a post on X.

"A dawn of new possibilities in the Tourism & Intercommunication of Assam. This morning, participated in an 'Amphibian Airplane' demonstration in Guwahati by M/s De Havilland Canada in collaboration with the Ministry of Civil Aviation," State Tourism Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah, who took the flight, posted on the micro-blogging site.

Taking off from LGBI Airport and landing at Pandu Ghat, this brief yet remarkable journey showcased the immense potential of seaplanes in enhancing Assams tourism, he said.

"I am optimistic that future collaborations will create unique experiences for tourists and further strengthen Assams tourism sector," he added.

Talking to reporters at Pandu Ghat later, Baruah said, this is a special day for Assam.

"It is the first time that a seaplane has landed in our state," he said.

Almost all tourism sites of the state are located near water bodies, like Kaziranga, Umrangso, and Majuli. These can be connected by seaplanes, he added.

The minister said it will take six to 12 months to make the seaplanes operational.
Shillong, Nov 15 (PTI) Amid ongoing protests by students, faculty members and non-teaching staff, North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) vice chancellor Prof Prabha Shankar Shukla has gone on leave until November 29.

The move comes after a wave of unrest on campus, with students demanding his removal over his alleged failure to dismiss the university's "incompetent" registrar and assistant registrar.

In an email to the university registrar, Shukla announced that he would take earned leave starting November 17, citing "unavoidable circumstances."

He also handed over his responsibilities to Prof N. Saha, the senior-most professor at the university.

The leave follows a decision by the Union Ministry of Education to launch an investigation into the university's alleged mismanagement and administrative issues.

The probe will be led by former UGC chairman Prof D P Singh and includes Prof Dilip Chandra Nath, former VC of Assam University. The committee has been given 15 days to submit its report.

The protests, which included a hunger strike lasting over 10 days, have significantly impacted the functioning of NEHU, which has nearly 5,000 students.

Several students were admitted to hospital due to the protest, and university students' union leader Sandy Sohtun was recently admitted for health complications.

Additionally, the VCs residence was vandalised by unidentified assailants earlier this week, though no injuries were reported.
Kolkata, Nov 15 (PTI) Trinamool Congress councillor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) ward no 108 Sushanta Ghosh had a close shave on Friday evening when two persons tried to fire at him from a close range, a senior police officer said.

No bullet was released when one of the two, who came on a two-wheeler, pulled the trigger of a handgun.



One of the attackers, who was apprehended by the locals, was arrested by the police, he said.

"The incident happened at around 8.10 PM when two men arrived in a two-wheeler at Kasba. One of them got down and tried to fire at him. However, no bullet was released from the handgun may be due to some mechanical error," the officer said.

After failing to fire, he tried to jump on the bike, but locals caught him while the other one fled, he added.

"We are interrogating him to find out the motive. ," the policeman said adding that the man possibly came from Bihar.

Shocked by the incident, Ghosh said that he had no clue about who could be behind the attack.

"I have been a councillor for 12 years and never thought that I could be attacked and that too while I am sitting in my area," Ghosh said.

A police team was deployed in the area and an investigation was initiated.

Local MP Mala Roy and MLA Javed Khan visited the councillor later.
During the discussion at the Fifth Kyiv Jewish Forum, experts agreed that the United States under President Donald Trump will restrain Ukraine and Israel from military responses to Russia and Iran, but the United States must support both countries: refusal to support one of them will create a vacuum that will be filled by enemies.

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According to Jerusalem Post military analyst Jon Bob, Israel will want to show the Trump administration its readiness to attack Iran's nuclear facilities, but while Trump has previously encouraged such strikes, with the start of the new presidential term, he may press Israel to show that it has been more restrained.

But, Bob believes, sanctions against Iran, as well as against Russia, will not force these countries to restrain aggression on their part.

"So I think there may be a conflict between Israel and the United States at some point about whether to strike and what to strike. But, undoubtedly, Trump will be much more supportive of Israel in the use of force against Iran than the Biden administration," he said.

Daniel Vajdich, president of Yorktown Solutions, an international consulting firm that works with the Ukrainian energy sector and one of the most prominent Ukrainian lobbyists in Washington, noted that there are influential people in Trump's environment who are very focused on China and believe that the United States cannot support Ukraine because it is a distraction. At the same time, American allies in East Asia-Taiwan, South Korea, Japan-say that the United States must support Ukraine, otherwise its defeat will embolden China.

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"I believe that uniting the initiative on Ukraine and Israel is good for the United States," Vajdich said.

According to Seth J. Frantzman, Middle East correspondent and analyst for The Jerusalem Post, one cannot simply say "Let's support one and leave the other."

"Nature does not like a vacuum. So if you leave a part of the world, the enemy will jump in. So the United States should do what it did during the Cold War: defend each front in a different way, but equally in the same alliance system. This includes Ukraine, democracies in Europe, the Baltic states, Scandinavia, Israel, friends in the Middle East and Africa, Taiwan, South Korea, Australia-these are the same allies of the United States as during the Cold War. So the situation has not changed much," Frantzman said.

He reminded that China and Iran have a new 25-year agreement. In addition, Iran has joined the BRICS, which is part of the Sino-Russian economic alliance, so they all work together.

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"We have to work together against them," the expert said.

The Kyiv Jewish Forum has been held for the fifth year in a row. This year, it was held online, and Washington, D.C., became the central venue. The Kyiv Jewish Forum is organized by the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine and The Jerusalem Post.

Media partners of KJF-2024: NV, Oboz.ua, RBC-Ukraine, Telegraf.ua, Inter.

During the opening of the forum, JCU President and Vice President of the World Jewish Congress Boris Lozhkin emphasized that Ukrainians and Israelis have high hopes for the return of the US administration, which has previously demonstrated its determination to help both Ukraine and Israel.
New Delhi, Nov 15 (PTI) The Congress attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday by posing questions to him on Bihar, asking why the state hasn't been granted Special Category Status as he had promised.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh posed three questions to Modi on his visit to Jamui to mark the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas.

Why hasn't Bihar been granted Special Category Status as the prime minister had promised, Ramesh asked.

"In 2014, when campaigning for his current position, Mr. Modi effectively promised special category status for Bihar. As per the Centre's own Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) Report, Bihar ranks as the poorest state in India, and 52% of the state's population lacks access to requisite health, education, and living standards," Ramesh said.

In 2013, the Raghuram Rajan Committee recommended a new methodology for devolving funds that is based on a multi-dimensional index to account for a state's economic backwardness, he said.

"Ten years later, what is the Modi Sarkar waiting for? Why has the non-biological PM forgotten the people of Bihar? After 10 years in power at the Centre, and almost 20 years in power in Bihar, why has the Modi Sarkar failed to deliver Special Category Status in the state?" Ramesh said in his post on X.

The Congress leader also asked what happened to the 1.25 lakh crore package the prime minister had promised in 2015.

"At a rally leading up to Assembly Elections in 2015, Mr. Modi had declared 'I am here today to honour my promise... how much do you want? Rs 50,000 crore, 60,000, 70,000, 75,000, 80,000? I am announcing a package of '1.25 lakh crore', to which his new old ally Nitish Kumar had responded, 'was he bidding for Bihar?' In either case, only Rs 27,000 crore was sanctioned by 2017, after which no updates have been provided on the 'transformative' package," Ramesh said.

"While the non-biological PM had promised to change the 'face and fate' of Bihar, all that has changed is Nitish Kumar's alliance partners. Bihar's youth remain unemployed and the state continues to lag behind on most development indicators," he said.

Can the PM tell where the remaining Rs 1 lakh crore has disappeared, he asked.

"Is this just another feather in the hat of the Bharatiya Jumla Party?" Ramesh said.

He further asked whether the PM will heed Jamui ex-MP Chirag Paswan's call to revisit the ill-advised Agnipath scheme.

"The Modi Sarkar has repeatedly betrayed Bihar's youth. The youth have consistently voiced their opposition to the Modi Sarkar's ill-conceived Agnipath Scheme. Even if we ignore the unrealistic expectation of preparing young soldiers for battle within 6 months, how can we ignore the scheme's impact on their long-term job prospects?" he said.

Where will young recruits go after spending four years of their prime in the army, Ramesh asked.

"In a country that has been rocked by rampant unemployment under the BJP's mismanagement of the economy, what options do the youth have?" he said.

The Congress Party has repeatedly promised to scrap the Agnipath scheme upon coming to power, he said.

Even Chirag Paswan, a minister in his government and the ex-MP of Jamui, has called on the PM to revisit the scheme, he said.

Does the PM stand by his government's flagship Agnipath program despite the popular protests against it, Ramesh asked.
New Delhi, Nov 15 (PTI) The CBI has made a fresh arrest in the Rs 2,200 crore online trading scam in Assam, officials said on Friday.

The accused Gopal Paul was arrested from a hideout in Siliguri in connection with the AJRS Marketing case, one of the 41 cases related to the scam being investigated by the agency, a CBI spokesperson said in a statement.

"The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over the investigation of 41 cases in Assam concerning various unregulated deposit schemes, following a recommendation by the government of Assam," the spokesperson said.

The investigation was earlier carried out by Assam Police which had already arrested prime actors in the case. Paul remained absconding.

The agency had taken over cases from the state police in the last week of October.

"Since taking charge, the CBI has accelerated its probe, conducting fresh searches across 92 locations in five states. These searches have led to the seizure of 24 mobile phones,18 desktops, seven hard drives, and 11 laptops," the statement said.

The agency has successfully traced databases containing details of depositors who were deceived into investing in these unregulated deposit schemes.

"In one particular case involving AJRS Marketing Pvt. Ltd., CBI has apprehended the primary accused, who had been evading authorities since the registration of the FIR. He was located at a hideout in Siliguri, where incriminating evidence was also recovered," the spokesperson said.

The online trading scam in the state came to light in the last week of August when investors, who had put in huge amounts of money in the stock company of 29-year-old Deepankar Barman, alleged that he had not paid them due returns and his office has been closed since August 21.

The state police had arrested Barman, Bishal Phukan, actor Sumi Bora and her husband among others. Around 18 people have been arrested in the case so far, officials said.
Jaipur, Nov 15 (PTI) The situation in Rajasthan's Tonk district, where an Independent candidate in the recent bypolls was arrested following a high drama and escalating violence, has stabilised and was under control, a senior official said on Friday.

A mob assaulted a PTI reporter and video cameraperson and burnt their camera on Thursday, a day after Congress rebel and Independent candidate Naresh Meena slapped Malpura SDM Amit Chaudhary outside a polling booth in front of hundreds of people.

The attack came while the PTI crew was covering a protest following Meena's arrest.

The Independent candidate will be produced before a court on Friday. Police have made tight security arrangements with heavy deployment of personnel in Tonk and the surrounding areas.

Tonk District Collector Soumya Jha said, "During polling on November 13, a candidate slapped the SDM while on election duty. The SDM filed an FIR then, but we did not disturb the candidate."

"After the polls ended and the polling party was leaving, the candidate tried to stop them. That's when the police intervened. The police attempted to resolve the situation, but the candidate initiated an assault," she told PTI.

"Some supporters caused disturbances in different areas, but now the situation has stabilised and everything is under control," the district collector added.
New Delhi, Nov 15 (PTI) The Congress on Friday accused the Centre of going "full throttle" on attempts to deny Adivasis justice and said the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) was a "full mockery" of the Forest Rights Act, illustrating the government's hypocrisy.

The Opposition party also claimed that DAJGUA, in "typical Manuvadi fashion", only sees these communities as forest-dwelling 'vanvasis' who are 'labhaartis' (beneficiaries), rather than political and economic actors in their own right.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said today is the 150th birth anniversary of 'Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda', one of the greatest sons of India and a fierce advocate of self-governance and social justice.

"The non-biological PM is in Jamui, Bihar paying lip service to the cause of the Adivasis on this occasion, even as his Government goes full throttle on attempts to deny Adivasis justice," Ramesh alleged in a statement.

"The Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) - named after Bhagwan Birsa Munda, but a full mockery of the Forest Rights Act- illustrates this hypocrisy," he said.

Ramesh said the Forest Rights Act ( FRA 2006) passed by the Manmohan Singh's government was a revolutionary law and it transferred power and authority over forests from the forest department to the gram sabha.

In another departure from precedent, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs was empowered as the nodal authority to implement the law, he pointed out.

The FRA empowered the Adivasi community and Gram Sabhas to govern and manage forests as a major reform to ensure democratic governance of forests, Ramesh said.

"After the revolution, however, came Narendra Modi's counter-revolution.

DAJGUA fundamentally undoes this historic law and the democratic reform in forest governance," he claimed.

Ramesh said it dilutes the authority of Ministry of Tribal Affairs by giving authority to the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change in the implementation of FRA.

Rather than empower the FRA's statutory bodies - namely the gram sabha, the sub-divisional committee, the district level committee, and the state level monitoring committee - DAJGUA has created a vast parallel institutional mechanism of FRA cells at the district and sub-divisional levels and arming them with large funds and contractual staff, he pointed out.

They are directly under the centralised bureaucratic control of Ministry of Tribal Affairs and State Tribal Welfare Departments, and lack accountability to the FRA's statutory bodies.

DAJGUA empanels and engages technical agencies/domain experts /corporate NGOs for the FRA implementation and CFR management activities of the gram sabhas by the State Tribal Welfare Departments, he said.

Ramesh argued that these FRA cells are to take over what the FRA statutory bodies are required to do by law, leaving these statutory bodies to be appendages to these FRA Cells, nominal bodies reduced to carrying out the biddings of these FRA cells, he said.

"This has been done without attention to the economic and social sensitivities involved, even as a massive budget has been allocated for this (Rs. 1 lakh for the technical agencies for each CFR). For example, in Madhya Pradesh, the BJP government engaged the Maharashtra Knowledge Company Limited (MKCL) to create the VanMiTRA app, which made the transparent process of submitting FRA claims into an obscure, online process that technical operators took charge of," he said.

Three lakh claims were rejected as a result, he added.

Adivasi groups are justifiably worried about the same happening at a large scale due to the engagement of such tech agencies, Ramesh said.

The forest department has now been allowed to be a part of the gram sabha's own committee for management of community forest resources, a direct violation of the FRA, Ramesh said.

"The FRA was enacted for empowering Adivasi and forest-dwelling communities to govern and manage their resources. DAJGUA, in typical Manuvadi fashion, only sees these communities as forest-dwelling vanvasis who are labhaartis, rather than political and economic actors in their own right," he alleged.

As captured in the Adivasi Sankalp unveiled by Rahul Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Nandurbar, Maharashtra on the 12th of March, 2024, the Congress is committed to the honest and fair implementation of the FRA, Ramesh asserted.

"It is part of our guarantees to the people in both Jharkhand and Maharashtra and will continue to be a priority for upcoming assembly and parliamentary elections," he stressed.
Chandigarh, Nov 15 (PTI)The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the establishment of the first all-women battalion of CISF, aimed at enhancing women's role in the central forces.

Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been a preferred choice for women who wish to serve the nation, constituting over seven per cent of the force at present.

The addition of a "Mahila Battalion" would encourage more aspiring young women across the country to join the force and serve the nation, a CISF official said on Friday. It will give a new identity to women in CISF.

The CISF headquarters has started preparations for the early recruitment, training and selection of locations for the headquarters of the new Battalion.

The training is being specially designed to create an elite Battalion capable of performing multifarious roles as commanders in VIP security and also security of airports and Delhi Metro Rail duties.

The proposal for the creation of all-women battalions in the Force was initiated in pursuance of the direction of the Union Home Minister on the occasion of the 53rd CISF Day function.
Lucknow, Nov 15 (PTI) Following an expose by a leading English daily, according to which one fifth of the vacancies in Uttar Pradesh Assembly and Council were filled with kin of VIPs, the opposition parties have accused the BJP of 'parivarvaad (dynastic politics)', a charge that the ruling party has often hurled at the opposition.

According to an expose by The Indian Express at a time when aspirantss of the Provincial Civil Services and Review Officers (ROs) and Assistant Review Officers (AROs) preliminary exams, of the 186 vacancies for the posts of ROs and AROs, 38 candidates who were selected had links with officials and politicians.

An estimated 2.5 lakh aspirants had applied for the post. Their tests were held in two rounds in 2020-2021 to fill up administrative posts in the UP Legislative Assembly and UP Legislative Council.

The newspaper report claimed that those who successfully made it to the coveted list included the then UP Speaker's PRO and his brother, a former minister's nephew, son of Legislative Council secretariat in-charge, four relatives of Legislative Assembly secretariat in-charge, son of Deputy Lokayukta, son and daughter of Department of Parliamentary Affairs in-charge and son of former OSD to two chief ministers.

When contacted, the then Speaker of the UP Assembly Hriday Narayan Dixit told PTI, "The matter is pending in the court and hence, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on this."

Principal Secretary to the UP Assembly Pradeep Dubey could not be contacted for comments despite repeated efforts.

Member of UP Legislative Council (MLC) of the Samajwadi Party (SP), Ashutosh Sinha told PTI, "The matter is pending in the court and it is all a matter of probe. But it seems that the BJP indulges in 'parivaarvad' (dynastic politics) when it comes to distribution of tickets during elections or when selecting candidates for jobs."

UP Congress leader Ashok Singh said, "The matter is pending in court and it should be fairly probed. All those guilty must be identified and given befitting punishment."

President of Rashtriya Kisan Manch, Shekhar Dixit, told PTI, "It seems that only 20 to 25 per cent of the wrongdoing has been caught. This is a clear-cut cheating with the aspirants, people and the entire society. This is certainly not beneficial for the country."

Leader of Opposition in UP Assembly and former Speaker of UP Assembly Mata Prasad Pandey (of SP), said, "How can I comment on this issue, until I (myself) do not probe this issue. This is a matter which pertains to the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, on which much comments cannot be made. I will find out, and will speak whatever is appropriate."

In September 2023, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court raised doubts over the fairness of examinations conducted to recruit staff for the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council and directed the CBI to conduct a probe.

Passing the order on September 18, 2023, a bench of Justices A R Masoodi and O P Shukla asked the CBI to conduct a preliminary enquiry to primarily find out whether there was any foul play in the recruitment process and submit its report by the first week of November.

The bench was hearing a special appeal and a writ petition which pertained to the challenge of the recruitment of staff in 2022-23 in the two legislative bodies.

The court was concerned over the change of recruitment agency in 2019 before recruiting staff in 2022-23 when the UPPSC and the UP Subordinate Services Selection Commission were already available.

The bench also highlighted certain original records pertaining to the recruitment and asked its senior registrar to supply photocopy of the records to the CBI in order to facilitate it in the preliminary enquiry.

In the course of hearing, the bench found that there was serious doubt that the recruitment agency was chosen in a fair manner.

In its order, the bench had observed, "On scrutiny of the company master data with respect to the agency chosen for recruitment, we came across some inexplicable details which, prima facie, satisfy the Court for a preliminary enquiry by an impartial agency as regard the identification of external agency in the present case.

"The function of recruitment in public service, in our firm view, cannot be compromised on the hallmark of fairness," it said.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on October 14, 2023 stayed the Allahabad High Court Lucknow bench order for a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities in staff appointments to the secretariats of UP Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council.

The next hearing is scheduled to be held on January 6.
New Delhi, Nov 15 (PTI) Hailing the cast survey underway in Telangana, the Congress on Friday said what the state government has achieved is all the more impressive when it is considered that the Centre has "failed" to host the decadal population census that was due in 2021

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said while Telangana is making history, the Union government has failed to honour a tradition that every government since Independence has upheld.

"A caste survey is not just a revolutionary step towards social justice, it is also an exercise that requires tremendous administrative competence. It is a mammoth task: in Telangana, it will involve 80,000 enumerators surveying 1.17 crore households across 33 districts," Ramesh said on X.

To survey each and every family -- amidst the diversity of cultures, landscapes, and economies -- requires the government to work in mission mode, right from the village and ward level to the CMO, he said.

"Some glimpses of this exercise in Nalgonda district, where over 55% of the population has already been surveyed. In Miryalguda Municipality, officers have developed a GIS map of all 288 enumeration blocks, spread across 44 wards. This technology is bound to enable the Municipality to better plan for municipal services in the future," he said.

To ensure confidentiality of the filled-out schedules, officers in Nalgonda District have also procured cast-iron trunks to store them securely, he pointed out.

The integrity of the Caste Survey parallels that of the election process, Ramesh stressed.

"What the Government of Telangana has achieved under the leadership of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu is all the more impressive when we consider that the Union Government has failed to host the decadal population census that was due in 2021," he said.

The Congress last week asserted that a nationwide caste survey and the lifting of the Supreme Court's "arbitrary ceiling" of 50 per cent on reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes are central to its vision for the country.
Jaipur, Nov 15 (PTI) Situation is now under control in Tonk, where violence broke out in the wake of the arrest of Independent MLA candidate Naresh Meena for slapping Malpura SDM outside a polling booth, according to a government official.

Meena, who Sub-Divisional Magistrate Amit Chaudhary during the by-elections to the Deoli-Uniara assembly constituency, was scheduled to be produced in a court.

"On 13th November during polling, a candidate slapped the SDM while on election duty. The SDM filed an FIR then, but we did not disturb the candidate. After the polls ended and the polling party was leaving, the candidate tried to stop them. That's when the police intervened. The police attempted to resolve the situation, but the candidate initiated an assault," Tonk District Collector Soumya Jha told PTI.

He said that after the incident, some supporters caused disturbances in different areas, "but now the situation has stabilised and everything is under control."

Meanwhile, the Rajasthan Administrative Service Association members, who have been on strike for two days, met Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma here on Friday.

The body's general secretary Neetu Rajeshwar said the decision to end the strike will be taken in the association meeting.

Members of the RAS Association and allied services went on a strike on Thursday demanding Meena's arrest.

Ahead of his appearance in court, police made tight security arrangements in Tonk and the surrounding areas and kept the fire brigade and ambulances on alert.

Meena's supporters started gathering at different places, including hotels, on the Jaipur-Kota Highway.

The Congress rebel contesting as an Independent in the bypolls was arrested on Thursday following a high drama and subsequent violence in which a mob assaulted a PTI reporter and video cameraperson and burned their camera.

The two came under attack when they were about to interview Agriculture Minister Kirodi Lal Meena, who had gone to the trouble spot to assess the situation in Tonk district's Samravta village, about 100 km from the state capital Jaipur.

On Thursday, the Aligarh town on the Tonk-Sawai Madhopur highway remained closed for about 10 hours due to the violence.

About 60 two-wheelers and 18 four-wheelers were torched and Meena pelted stones at the police Wednesday night. Around 60 people were arrested after the incident.

Police lobbed tear gas shells at the frenzied crowd on Wednesday after coming under stoning.

After slapping the SDM, Meena sat on a dharna outside the polling booth in Samravta village and asked his supporters to gather at the dharna with sticks.

After the polling was over, police asked Meena and his supporters to disperse but they turned violent and pelted stones.

Allegedly, Meena slapped the SDM for trying to get more people to vote while the locals had boycotted the polling demanding Samravta village be counted in the Uniara sub-division and not Deoli, as Uniara is the nearest location.

Meena was supporting the villagers.

Polling for bypolls on seven assembly seats, including Deoli-Uniara, was held from 7 am to 6 pm on November 13. The counting of votes will take place on November 23.
Srinagar, Nov 15 (PTI) People's Conference chief Sajad Lone on Friday sought a clarification from the ruling National Conference (NC) after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's remarks that his party never talked about restoration of Article 370.

"Now even the All India president of Congress Mr Mallikarjun Kharge has clarified that they never talked about getting Article 370 back. Do the people of J and K not deserve even a clarification from the National Conference," Lone said on X.

Referring to the resolution passed by Jammu and Kashmir assembly recently which asked the Centre to work out a mechanism for restoring special status of the erstwhile state and hold dialogue with the elected representatives over the issue, Lone said there were different interpretations to it by alliance partners the NC and Congress.

"Seems we all will have to learn English from the basics. Different interpretations for three sentences in the alleged resolution brought by NC. Either only NC people know their English well or they are lying through their teeth, which they are adept at for the last 7 decades," he said.

The People's Conference chief, who is also Handwara MLA, said while the Congress says the resolution was not about Article 370, the NC says it was about Article 370 and much more.

"If NC was so serious about 1953 position or Article 370 or 35 A or 5 August' why didn't they write so in plain English. Why are they having to explain three sentences.

"Was there a dearth of paper to print the resolution on, or death of will and courage or the choice of words were pre-scripted and authored in Delhi," he asked.

Lone said let it be clear that the resolution "is akin to rubbing salt to the wounds of the people".

"We voted for it. But immediately gave a call to reinforce it.

"NC used to say that if you vote for others they along with BJP will bring a resolution endorsing the events of 5 August 2019. What stops them now, they are (can) do it in the coming assembly session," he said.

He asked what stopped the NC from bringing a clear unambiguous resolution condemning August 5, 2019, and rejecting it.

"And this word special status. Is it present anywhere in the constitution. Constitutionality it means absolutely nothing. Folklore parlance and constitutional parlance are two different concepts altogether," he added.

Lone said "it is, was and will always be a a fixed match between the BJP and the NC".

"The reaction of BJP was all so expected, putting Congress in the dock of in the context of elections in Maharashtra. We have understood it. When will Congress understand it. Perhaps never," he said.
Jaipur, Nov 15 (PTI) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Friday said the state government is committed to the development of Vagad region, where tribal heroes fought against the slavery of the British under the leadership of Govind Guru.

The state government will always work to enhance the progress and pride of the tribal society, he said.

Sharma said the amount of work done during the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the upliftment of the tribal class has never been done before.

He was addressing a programme organised at Govind Guru Mahavidyalaya ground in Banswara district on the occasion of Tribal Pride Day.

He said Tribal Pride Day is being celebrated on the occasion of 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda who dedicated his life to India's freedom struggle, heritage and culture.

The chief minister said Tribal Pride Day is an opportunity for the people to remember the contribution of tribal communities in India's freedom struggle and nation building.

He said the brave tribal warriors of Rajasthan fought shoulder to shoulder with Maharana Pratap and died for the pride of their motherland.

Dham on the land of Vagad is a witness to the sacrifice of more than 1,500 tribal heroes, he said.

Sharma said the lives of crores of tribal families of the country have become easier due to the public welfare schemes of the prime minister.

Modi has launched PM-Janjati Adivasi Nyay Maha Abhiyan in which more than five crore people in 63,000 tribal villages across the country are being benefited by Dharti Aba Janjati Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan.

Under this, these villages will be developed by getting social, economic and basic development works done in 6,019 villages of 208 panchayat samitis of 40 districts of the state.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had his first phone conversation with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in two years. The conversation lasted an hour and was initiated by Scholz.

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This was reported by the German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung, and the fact of the conversation was also confirmed by the German government. During the conversation, Scholz called on Putin to withdraw his troops from Ukraine and prepare for peace talks.

According to the Sueddeutsche Zeitung, the conversation took place today, November 15, and was preceded by lengthy preparations.

Meanwhile, Tagesschau adds that Scholz's conversation with the Russian dictator lasted about an hour.

The fact of the conversation between Scholz and Putin was officially confirmed by the German government. A statement posted on the government's website said that during the conversation, Scholz called on Putin to withdraw his troops from Ukraine and on Russia to "be ready to negotiate with Ukraine to achieve a just and lasting peace."

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In addition, according to the German government's statement, the Federal Chancellor emphasized Germany's determination to support Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression "as long as necessary."

Before this call, Scholz spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the statement said. A conversation between the two politicians is also planned after the contact between Scholz and Putin.

The Kremlin has not yet said anything about the conversation.

Bloomberg also reported that the war in Ukraine, and more specifically, ways to end it, was the main topic of the conversation between Scholz and Putin, citing sources.

Earlier, the German chancellor said that he was ready to contact Putin to end the war in Ukraine. Until now, the last time he spoke with the Russian dictator was on December 2, 2022.

It became known on November 11 that Scholz was going to hold his first talks with Putin after a two-year break. When asked when such a conversation could take place, the chancellor answered briefly, "Soon."

"Yes, I decided to talk to the Russian president at the right time. But I am a responsible politician, I will not do it alone," Scholz said at the time.

He also clarified that he would like to have a number of other conversations before talking to Putin. In particular, he planned to discuss all the details with the Ukrainian side.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
Jammu, Nov 15 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra visited Gurdwara Guru Nanak Dev in Jammus Chand Nagar along with other party leaders on Friday to commemorate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.

This visit marked the observance of Guru Nanak Jayanti, a significant day for the Sikh community, dedicated to honouring the teachings and legacy of the first Sikh Guru.

Karra, accompanied by JKPCC working president Raman Bhalla, former minister Yogesh Sawhney, former MLC Ved Mahajan and several other party leaders, paid their respects and participated in prayers at the gurdwara.

The leaders interacted with members of the Sikh community, emphasizing the importance of unity, peace and communal harmony  values strongly advocated by Guru Nanak.

Karra expressed appreciation for the contributions of the Sikh community in Jammu and Kashmir, underscoring the Congress party's commitment to fostering inclusivity and promoting Guru Nanaks message of equality and compassion.

The visit also included a brief ceremony where Karra and other leaders offered their respects and engaged in traditional Sikh customs, reinforcing the Congress support for the cultural and religious diversity of Jammu and Kashmir.
Jaipur, Nov 15 (PTI) Independent MLA candidate Naresh Meena who slapped a sub-divisional magistrate and was arrested following high drama and escalating violence was sent to judicial custody for 14 days on Friday, an official said.

Police produced him before a court in Niwai of Tonk district virtually citing law and order issues.

It was expected that Meena, the Independent candidate for the Deoli-Uniara Assembly bypoll, would be produced before the court physically. However, the plan was changed as his supporters started gathering at different locations and threatened to block the Jaipur-Kota Highway.

"The court gave directions to produce Naresh Meena through video conference after police cited law and order issue. During the hearing, the court sent Meena to judicial custody for 14 days," the Independent candidate's counsel Sitaram Sharma told PTI.

According to police, four cases, including for disrupting public work and damaging public property, were registered against Meena.

Superintendent of Police of Tonk Vikas Sangwan told PTI that Meena's 14-day judicial custody can be extended further.

Meena was arrested on Thursday following high drama and escalating violence in which a mob assaulted a PTI reporter and video cameraperson and burnt their camera.

The attack, a day after the Congress rebel contesting as an Independent in the bypolls slapped SDM Malpura Amit Chaudhary outside a polling booth in front of hundreds of people, came while the PTI crew was covering a protest following the arrest.

The violence has been going on since Wednesday evening when police tried to stop Naresh Meena's supporters from sitting on dharna.

The slap, videos of which were circulated widely on social media platforms, set in motion differing protests from both his supporters and Rajasthan Administrative Service officials. The tension that started outside the polling booth snowballed into outright violence through the night and into Thursday.
New Delhi, Nov 15 (PTI) More than 14 years after seven people were accused of committing a dacoity, a court here has acquitted the suspects extending them the benefit of doubt.

Additional Sessions Judge Virender Kumar Kharta was hearing the case against the seven men against whom Paharaganj police station had filed a charge sheet under sections 395 (dacoity) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

According to the prosecution, the accused persons committed a dacoity of Rs 27 lakh on July 2, 2010.

In its 51-page verdict dated November 11, the court said the three eyewitnesses, including the victim, said they could not identify any of the accused because the assailants had put on helmets while committing dacoity.

"Since all the three alleged eyewitnesses have turned hostile on the identity of accused persons, their testimonies do not have any evidentiary value qua accused persons," the court said.

It said the prosecution's case was "doubtful" as the investigating officer (IO) failed to collect CCTV footage or any independent evidence against the accused.

The court said the three eyewitnesses had narrated different versions of the incident, which again raised doubts.

It said that recovery of the case property was also doubtful as no independent witnesses were joined, nor was the identity of the recovered currency notes established by the investigating officer (IO).

The prosecution also could not establish that a deadly weapon was used in the alleged offence, the court said.

It said the testimonies of the eyewitnesses were not of a "sterling quality", nor were the testimonies corroborated by material evidence.

"It is an established principle of law that if two views are possible, the view favourable to the accused must be accepted. The benefit of doubt must always go to the accused as the prosecution has to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt," the court said.

"Accused persons namely Joginder, Ashok, Kapil, Kishan, Mohnish, Dharmender and Deepak Sonkar are hereby acquitted," the court said.
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 15 (PTI) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the ruling CPI(M) on Friday backed former LDF convener E P Jayarajan in the controversy surrounding his purported autobiography which set off political tremors in the state.





Vijayan, at a party event in Alappuzha, questioned the timing of the news reports carrying excerpts of the purported autobiography titled "Kattan Chayayum Parippuvadayum: The Life of a Communist".







He said the news reports came on the day bypolls were being held in Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency and the Chelakkara assembly seat, indicating specific motives behind the same.







The CM said that the same thing had occurred on April 26, when Lok Sabha polls were held in the state, with news reports on TV channels about Jayarajan having met with BJP's Kerala in-charge Prakash Javadekar.







He said that such controversies were being created to help the Congress-led UDF and the BJP.







Vijayan also said that Jayarajan has clarified that what was shown in news reports was not his autobiography and he has not written anything like that in his book.







He also stated that Jayarajan had also denied past knowledge about P Sarin, LDF's Palakkad bypoll candidate, when he was asked about it by the party.







The purported autobiography mentioned in news reports contained criticism of Sarin, the former digital media convener of the Congress who was removed from the grand old party after he expressed discontent over the UDF candidate -- Youth Congress state president Rahul Mamkootathil -- selected for the Palakkad bypoll.







CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan also backed Jayarajan.







At a press conference held here, Govindan said that the CPI(M) veteran has already clarified his side of the things and also lodged a complaint with the police.







Therefore, there was no need for the party to look into the matter, he said.







"The party believes what he has said," he added.







In the wake of news reports of the purported autobiography Jayarajan had claimed that "some crooked minds have conspired together" and published the news reports, forging certain pages of his autobiography with content that he had neither intended nor written.







He has also termed the book a "forgery" and lodged a police complaint against the "perpetrators".







He has also issued a legal notice to the publisher.







A central committee member of the party, Jayarajan, was removed as LDF convener recently. The action followed revelations about his meeting with Javadekar.
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 15 (PTI) Kerala Revenue Minister K Rajan on Friday came down heavily on the Centre for withholding relief funds for the Wayanad landslide survivors and said that the state is asserting its right and not seeking charity.

The government has requested the Centre to declare the landslide that hit the Chooralmala and Mundakai regions in Wayanad a national disaster. However, they have not taken any action on listing the disaster in the category as per the NDRF norms and "intentionally neglecting the state," he said.

The minister accused the union government of deliberately delaying disaster relief to Kerala, describing it as a challenge to the state.

He pointed out that the Centre had failed to provide a clear response to Keralas requests for assistance.

Rajan also dismissed the union government's claim that funds are available in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), calling it misleading.

He said that the state would not accept the Centres stance and would continue to fight for Keralas rightful claims.

Meanwhile, the Kerala High Court will consider the case related to the Wayanad tragedy on Friday.

"The suo moto case registered by the High Court will come up before the court on Friday and we are looking for the stand of the union government in this regard," the minister said.

The disaster, which struck on July 30, devastated large parts of three villages --Punchirimattam, Chooralmala, and Mundakkai--along with sections of Attamala in Wayanad.

As per the government, the deadly disaster claimed 231 lives, while 47 people are still missing.
Hyderabad, Nov 15 (PTI) President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate 'Lokmanthan-2024', a colloquium of nationalist thinkers, to be held here from November 21-24, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said on Friday.

The President will inaugurate the event on November 22, while former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu will launch an exhibition and cultural events a day before, Reddy told mediapersons here.

The event, aimed at showcasing the culture and unity of the country, will be attended by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and other dignitaries, the organisers said.

The event, to be organised by Prajna Pravah, an outfit of 'nation-first' intellectuals, researchers and academicians, would have debates on different topics, besides cultural programmes.

Groups from foreign countries, including those who follow pre-Abrahamic traditions, would also attend the event and perform dance and other cultural expositions. Yazidis, who faced attacks by ISIS, are also likely to attend the conference.

Lokmanthan, a biennial event, was earlier held in Bhopal, Ranchi and Guwahati, beginning 2016.
Chikkaballapura (Karnataka), Nov 15 (PTI) BJP MP K Sudhakar on Friday accused the Congress government of using the investigation into COVID-19 management during the BJP regime as a "political tool" against his party.







The Congress government, based on the recommendation of Justice John Michael DCunha, has initiated an investigation into alleged irregularities in COVID-19 management under the BJPs administration.







Let them investigate. They have turned investigations into weapons against us. We are ready for any probe. We worked with conscience and saved lives during COVID-19, while Congress leaders stayed indoors, Sudhakar told reporters.







He defended the previous BJP governments handling of the pandemic, highlighting the risks taken by officials and health department employees during the crisis.







Sudhakar criticised the Congress for altering the scope of the investigation, noting that the DCunha Commission had only submitted an interim report.







The investigation is incomplete. Based on a preliminary inquiry report, a cabinet sub-committee led by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar was formed. Within a month, they have also ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), he said.







Responding to Congress allegations that the BJP government purchased PPE kits at Rs 2,100 each from China and Hong Kong instead of locally available kits priced at Rs 330, Sudhakar questioned the availability of PPE kits at the time.







Where were the PPE kits? The then Chief Minister Yediyurappa and Health Minister Sriramulu procured them through discussions with the Centre and imports from China, he said.







Sudhakar dismissed the Congresss claims as "politically motivated", and alleged that the party aims to "tarnish" BJP leaders reputations.



The Congress wants to portray BJP leaders as villains, but this will not benefit them. The wheel of time keeps turning, and we will see where they stand when it does, he remarked.
In Vovchansk, Kharkiv region, fighting continues throughout the city and the surrounding areas, and the occupiers have increased pressure in the direction of the villages of Starytsia and Lyptsi to get closer to Kharkiv. The situation is under control of Ukrainian defenders.

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Yevhen Romanov, spokesman for the Kharkiv operational and tactical group of troops, said this during a telethon on November 14. In particular, he said that there are no civilians in Vovchansk, "as well as no civilian buildings."

According to Romanov, the Russian occupiers are trying to move towards Starytsia and Lyptsi to get closer to the regional center.

"There (in Lyptsi  ed.), the defense is also ongoing... This direction is reliably controlled by Ukrainian defenders," he said.

The spokesman added that the enemy's approach to Kharkiv would allow the Russians to deploy positions to shell the city with cannon artillery.

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At the same time, any artillery and other enemy forces that are detected are immediately destroyed by the fire of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, Romanov assured.

He also said that in recent days, the aggressor has begun to use tanks and other armored vehicles more actively during assaults in the Kharkiv region.

"The enemy used armored vehicles, including tanks and armored combat vehicles. Before that, he had been attacking exclusively with infantry forces, small infantry groups that advanced in the dark under the cover of rain or fog so that they would not be noticed by Ukrainian reconnaissance assets. They failed and decided to throw armored vehicles into the battle. It remained on the battlefield," informed the spokesman.

The main goal of the enemy now is to enter the territory of Ukraine as far as possible and gain a foothold, added Romanov.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, the city of Vovchansk no longer exists due to the Russian offensive in Kharkiv region, which has been going on for about six months. Only the foundations of apartment buildings remain, and civilians have left this once thriving city.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Demand Justice, a progressive organization focused on the judiciary, is set to bombard Capitol Hill with a message for the closing weeks of the 118th Congress: Do whatever it takes to confirm President Joe Bidens nominees as a second Donald Trump presidency looms.

The Republican president-elects victory and the GOP takeover of the Senate leaves just seven weeks of Democratic control of the chamber.

Democrats have confirmed 213 of Bidens judicial nominees during his presidency. Another few dozen are still pending. To add to those confirmations, Senate Democrats would need to stay in Washington far longer than they had planned and also navigate a razor-thin margin that hamstrung them at times on other Biden priorities.

Trump focused heavily on filling court vacancies in his first term, getting 234 judges confirmed, including three to the Supreme Court. Democrats are seeking to deny him more opportunities to name conservative judges as the party determines its path forward after a sweeping defeat that will leave it out of power come January.

Senate Democrats cannot give up and go home just because they lost the chamber, said Skye Perryman, a senior adviser to Demand Justice, whose push will include widespread lobbying, Capitol Hill events and targeted ads. It is even more critical now that good, qualified, fair-minded judges are confirmed so they can serve as a backstop and uphold the rights of ordinary people and protect our Constitution.

According to the United States Courts website, 17 pending judicial nominees have advanced out of the Senate Judiciary Committee, eight are waiting for votes from the committee and six are waiting for committee hearings. The White House announced new judicial nominees in October and November.

The Senate returned this week from their break around the election. The Senate calendar has the legislative body being out of town around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. But the calendar is subject to change, and it is common for senators to leave Washington for extended weekend breaks.

The push will confront an already full schedule in the Senate, too. In addition to confirmations, the legislative body will be tasked with providing more disaster aid after a string of deadly storms, passing the annual defense policy bill, and keeping the government funded and open.

Some Democratic-caucusing senators like West Virginias Joe Manchin and Arizonas Kyrsten Sinema, both independents, are leaving the chamber at the end of this session. And if Republicans are unified to oppose Bidens picks, Manchin has said he will not support judicial appointments that are not bipartisan, shrinking the Democratic margin.

One nominee, April Perry, was confirmed on Monday evening for the northern district of Illinois.

Asked about the effort to pressure Senate Democrats to do all they can to confirm these nominees, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, We are going to get as many done as we can.

Trump on Sunday urged Republicans to oppose Schumers efforts. No Judges should be approved during this period of time because the Democrats are looking to ram through their Judges as the Republicans fight over Leadership, he wrote.

Delaying the confirmation of strongly qualified, experienced judges takes a real-life toll on constituents and leads to backlogs of criminal cases  meaning there is every urgent reason for Republicans and Democrats to continue working together in good faith to staff the federal bench, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said in response to Trump. There is no excuse for choosing partisanship over enforcing the rule of law.

Sen. Dick Durbin, the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he hoped Republicans would not seek to delay confirmation votes for judges, noting that Democrats agreed to a package of 12 judicial confirmations at the end of the first Trump presidency.

I hope they follow the precedent, Durbin said.

He added that he hopes to get about two dozen judicial nominees confirmed during the lame-duck session.

Thats just about all we can do, he added.

Perryman from Demand Justice echoed that sentiment. There is no excuse not to put these qualified individuals on the floor for a vote. Americans all across the country are working overtime to make ends meet, and the Senate should work overtime too: Americans deserve better from their elected officials than excuses or delays, Perryman added.

According to operatives working with Demand Justice, the groups plan includes a widespread lobbying effort aimed at key senators, press events urging action and a new website that gives constituents a chance to see where the effort stands.

With only weeks left before the new Congress, its more urgent than ever that Democratic senators do whatever it takes  staying late, working weekends  during the lame duck session, said Maggie Jo Buchanan, a top operative at the progressive organization.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, in a series of post-election posts reflecting on Trumps win, urged Schumer to use every minute of the end-of-year legislative session to confirm federal judges and key regulators  none of whom can be removed by the next President.

And groups like The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights have echoed this focus.

As the Senate returns to Washington and with limited time remaining, it is critically important that our senators immediately vote on all of President Bidens judicial nominees, said Lena Zwarensteyn, senior director of the fair courts program and an advisor at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.

(AP)
President-elect Donald Trump is famously unconventional, but he made conventional picks for his two top foreign policy positions. That could be reassuring to American allies, while China and Iran have reasons to be wary.

Trump on Wednesday announced his choice of Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state. Two days earlier, he picked Rep. Mike Waltz for national security adviser.

Both men share Trumps hard-line stance on China and Iran. They have shown themselves willing to adapt their foreign-policy positions to echo aspects of Trumps more isolationist America First approach  a requirement for anyone serving under a president who demands absolute loyalty.

But both are fairly mainstream conservatives with foreign policy experience who have previously differed with Trump on Russia, NATO and other issues.

Theyve also been open to working with Democrats  a point underscored when Sen. Mark Warner, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Rubio would be a strong voice for American interests abroad.

Rubio and Waltz stand in contrast to some other national security selections. Trump named Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host untested on the global stage, as defense secretary. He picked a congresswoman with little foreign policy experience, Rep. Elise Stefanik, as ambassador to the United Nations. His choice for ambassador to Israel, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, rejects the two-state solution to the conflict with Palestinians.

And U.S. allies may be relieved that Rubio was selected over Richard Grenell for secretary of state. Grenell is an ardent and combative Trump advocate and former diplomat and intelligence official, with a reputation for favoring autocratic strongmen abroad.

Rubio, a 14-year veteran of the Senate, is a senior member of the Senate Intelligence Committee and Foreign Relations Committee. His roots as the son of Cuban immigrants who worked as a bartender and a hotel maid after coming to the United States helped shape his tough positions on the leftist governments of Cuba and Venezuela.

While Trump has alarmed U.S. allies in Europe with his criticism of the NATO military alliance and praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose war on Ukraine has galvanized European fears of Russian expansionism, Rubio was instrumental in the Senate in securing the U.S. position in NATO. He and Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine spearheaded legislation to bar any president from pulling the U.S. out of NATO without Senate approval or an act of Congress.

But Rubio, like Waltz in the House, has altered his public statements and legislative votes to more closely align with Trumps criticism of the Biden administrations backing of Ukraine as it battles invading Russian forces.

After early votes and supportive statements for Ukraine after Russias 2022 attack, Rubio and Waltz more recently voted against additional military aid to Ukraine. Rubio, like Trump, has increasingly stressed the need to end the war.

Thats in contrast to Ukraine supporters in both parties who say the U.S. must support Ukraines fight so it gets the best possible terms in any eventual cease-fire.

I dont think he (Trump) puts people in positions that are going to disagree with him. He wants people to be loyal, and I dont think hes looking for people that are going to challenge his beliefs, said Kelly Grieco, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center, a Washington-based research institute. So I think this is actually quite revealing, probably, of what the direction of U.S. policy will be, that it will be really hawkish on China in particular. And I think also on Iran.

In China, analysts consider Rubio and Waltz to be ultra-hawkish toward Beijing and have taken to calling them part of the Florida faction in foreign policy, since both are from the state. Trump piled tariffs on China in his first term and promises more tariffs in his next one.

Rubio has argued for a more confrontational approach toward China, and he has been a vocal supporter of Taiwan, which Beijing sees as Chinese territory.

Rubio is known in China as the anti-China vanguard for his ideologically driven, anti-communism stance. He landed on Beijings blacklist in 2020 over his support for the minority Uyghurs in Chinas far western region of Xinjiang and for Hong Kong activists. He co-chaired the bipartisan Congressional-Executive Commission on China, which focuses on human rights, and introduced and supported numerous bills on Chinas rights issues.

The sanctions Beijing imposed on Rubio bar him from visiting the country. Its unclear if Chinas foreign minister will meet with him given the ban, or how the ban will otherwise affect his dealings with Chinese officials.

For his part, Waltz is a former Green Beret with combat tours in Afghanistan and the Middle East, a former defense policy director in the Pentagon, and a senior member of the House committees for armed services, intelligence and oversight.

Hes supported Western backing for Ukraine, saying doing nothing would invite further Russian aggression in Europe and draw in U.S. troops. But Waltz increasingly emphasizes the importance of Ukraines neighbors stepping up, saying Europeans should be spending as much on Ukraines defense as the United States does.

In a Nov. 2 article he co-wrote for The Economist, Waltz argued that China has benefited from the Biden administrations failures to deter conflicts in Europe and in the Middle East.

In 2021, Waltz introduced a resolution calling on the U.S. Olympic Committee to withdraw from the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing.

The world cannot legitimize the CCPs acts of genocide in Xinjiang, destruction of the democratic rights of Hong Kong, and dangerous suppression of the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan that cost lives by sending delegations to Beijing, Waltz said then, referring to the Chinese Communist Party.

At a daily briefing in Beijing, Lin Jian, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, said China would not comment on Trumps appointments.

Shen Dingli, a Shanghai-based international relations expert, noted the gap between Trump and his nominees on China. Trump didnt say China was an enemy during his first term and the presidential elections, but the hawkish officials he has appointed may believe China is an enemy to some extent, Shen said.

Robert Manning, a China expert at the Stimson Center, said Trump is not as ideologically driven as Rubio but he raised concerns that Trumps foreign policy could be more disruptive than President Joe Bidens.

I think some in the Trump camp want to get rid of the Communist Party of China, which I think is a fools errand, but nonetheless I think theyre more focused on a different endgame than achieving a stable balance of power, he said.

(AP)
A federal investigation into Chinese government efforts to hack into U.S. telecommunications networks has revealed a broad and significant cyberespionage campaign aimed at stealing information from Americans who work in government and politics, the FBI said Wednesday.

Hackers affiliated with Beijing have compromised the networks of multiple telecommunications companies to obtain customer call records and gain access to the private communications of a limited number of individuals, according to a joint statement issued by the FBI and the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

The FBI did not identify any of the individuals targeted by the hackers but said most of them are primarily involved in government or political activity.

The hackers also sought to copy certain information that was subject to U.S. law enforcement requests pursuant to court orders, the FBI said, suggesting the hackers may have been trying to compromise programs like those subject to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, which grants American spy agencies sweeping powers to surveil the communications of individuals suspected of being agents of a foreign power.

The warning comes after several high-profile hacking incidents that U.S. authorities have linked to China, part of what they say is an effort to steal technological and government information while also targeting vital infrastructure like the electrical grid.

In September, the FBI announced that it had disrupted a vast Chinese hacking operation known as Flax Typhoon that involved the installation of malicious software on more than 200,000 consumer devices, including cameras, video recorders and home and office routers. The devices were then used to create a massive network of infected computers, or botnet, that could then be used to carry out other cyber crimes.

Last month, officials said hackers linked to China targeted the phones of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, along with people associated with Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris.

Authorities did not disclose how or if the operations announced Wednesday are connected to the earlier campaigns.

In their statement Wednesday, the FBI and CISA said officials are working with the telecommunication industry and hacking victims to shore up defenses against continuing attempts at cyberespionage.

We expect our understanding of these compromises to grow as the investigation continues, the agencies wrote.

China has rejected accusations from U.S. officials that it engages in cyberespionage directed against Americans. A message left with Chinas embassy in Washington was not immediately returned Wednesday.

(AP)
A man who failed in an attempt to break into Brazils Supreme Court killed himself in explosions outside the building Wednesday that forced justices and staff to evacuate, authorities said.

The two strong blasts were heard about 7:30 p.m. after the days session finished and all the justices and staff left the building safely, Brazils Supreme Court said in a statement.

Local firefighters confirmed one man died at the scene in the capital Brasilia, but did not identify him.

Celina Leao, the lieutenant governor of Brazils federal district, said the suspect had earlier detonated explosives in a car in a Congress parking lot, which did not cause injuries.

His first action was to explode the car. Then he approached the Supreme Court and tried to get in the building. He failed and then there were the other explosions, Leao said in a news conference.

Local media reported that the car that exploded belonged to a member of Brazils Liberal Party, the same of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Leao said only investigations will determine whether the owner of the car is the same man who died in the blasts.

Leao recommended that Congress be closed Thursday to avoid new risks. Brazils Senate heeded her call and the lower house will be shut until noon, speaker Arthur Lira said.

It could have been a lone wolf, like others weve seen around the world, Leao said in a news conference. We are considering it as a suicide because there was only one victim. But investigations will show if that was indeed the case.

Leao added only forensics will be able to identify the body, which remained outside the Supreme Court for three hours after the blasts.

The blasts outside the Supreme Court took place about 20 seconds apart in Brasilias Three Powers Plaza, where Brazils main government buildings, including the Supreme Court, Congress and presidential palace, are located.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was not in the neighboring presidential palace at the time, spokesman Jose Chrispiniano said.

Police blocked all access to the area and the presidential security bureau was conducting a sweep of the grounds around the presidential palace.

Brazils federal police said it is investigating and did not provide a motive.

The Supreme Court in recent years has become a target for threats by far-right groups and supporters of Bolsonaros due to its crackdown on the spread of false information. In particular, Justice Alexandre de Moraes has been a focus for their ire.

Lulas spokesman said that late on Wednesday the leftist leader was gathering at the presidential residence with federal police chief Andrei Rodrigues, and Supreme Court Justices de Moraes and Cristiano Zanin.

(AP)
A U.S. military judge at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, has scheduled hearings in early January for alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two co-defendants to enter guilty pleas in exchange for life sentences despite Defense Secretary Lloyd Austins effort to scuttle the plea agreements.

The move Wednesday by Judge Matthew McCall, an Air Force colonel, in the governments long-running prosecution in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people signals a deepening battle over the independence of the military commission at the naval base at Guantanamo.

McCall provisionally scheduled the plea hearings to take place over two weeks starting Jan. 6, with Mohammed  the defendant accused of coming up with using commercial jetliners for the attacks  expected to enter his plea first, if Austins efforts to block it fails.

Austin is seeking to throw out the agreements for Mohammed and fellow defendants Walid bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi, which would put the more than 20-year government prosecution efforts back on track for a trial that carries the risk of the death penalty.

While government prosecutors negotiated the plea agreements under Defense Department auspices over more than two years, and they received the needed approval this summer from the senior official overseeing the Guantanamo prosecutions, the deals triggered angry condemnation from Sens. Mitch McConnell and Tom Cotton and other leading Republicans when the news emerged.

Within days, Austin issued an order throwing out the deals, saying the gravity of the 9/11 attacks meant any decision on waiving the possibility of execution for the defendants should be made by him.

Defense attorneys argued that Austin had no legal standing to intervene and his move amounted to outside interference that could throw into question the legal validity of the proceedings at Guantanamo.

U.S. officials created the hybrid military commission, governed by a mix of civilian and military law and rules, to try people arrested in what the George W. Bush administration called its war on terror after the 9/11 attacks.

The al-Qaida assault was among the most damaging and deadly on the U.S. in its history. Hijackers commandeered four passenger airliners and flew them into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, with the fourth coming down in a field in Pennsylvania.

McCall ruled last week that Austin lacked any legal ground to reject the plea deals and that his intervention was too late because it came after approval by the top official at Guantanamo made them valid.

McCalls ruling also confirmed that the government and Guantanamos top authority agreed to clauses in the plea deals for Mohammed and one other defendant that bar authorities from seeking possible death penalties again even if the plea deals were later discarded for some reason. The clauses appeared written in advance to try to address the kind of battle now taking place.

The Defense Department notified families Friday that it would keep fighting the plea deals. Officials would challenge the agreements and McCalls ruling before a U.S. court of military commission review, and seek a delay in the three men from entering their pleas for now, they said in a letter to families of 9/11 victims. McCall agreed late Tuesday to only a partial delay for now, until January, to give the review panel time.

A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the legal matters, said the government had not yet filed papers asking the military commission review court to review the Guantanamo judges ruling. Asked if the White House was involved in the decision to challenge the ruling, the official said no.

While families of some of the victims and others are adamant that the 9/11 prosecutions continue to trial and possible death sentences, legal experts say it is not clear that could ever happen. If the 9/11 cases clear the hurdles of trial, verdicts and sentencings, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit would likely hear many of the issues in the course of any death penalty appeals.

The issues include the CIA destruction of videos of interrogations, whether Austins plea deal reversal constituted unlawful interference and whether the torture of the men tainted subsequent interrogations by clean teams of FBI agents that did not involve violence.

(AP)
The satirical news publication The Onion won the bidding for Alex Jones Infowars at a bankruptcy auction, backed by families of Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims whom Jones owes more than $1 billion in defamation judgments for calling the massacre a hoax, the families announced Thursday.

The dissolution of Alex Jones assets and the death of Infowars is the justice we have long awaited and fought for, Robbie Parker, whose daughter Emilie was killed in the 2012 shooting in Connecticut, said in a statement provided by his lawyers.

The sale price was not immediately disclosed.

Jones confirmed The Onions acquisition of Infowars in a social media video Thursday and said he planned to file legal challenges to stop it. An email message seeking comment was sent to Infowars.

Last broadcast now live from Infowars studios. They are in the building. Are ordering shutdown without court approval, Jones said on the social platform X.

Jones was broadcasting live from the Infowars studio Thursday morning and appeared distraught, putting his head in his hand at his desk.

It was not immediately clear what The Onion planned to do with the conspiracy theory platform, including its website, social media accounts, studio in Austin, Texas, trademarks and video archive. The Chicago-based Onion did not immediately return emails seeking comment Thursday.

Sealed bids for the private auction were opened Wednesday. Both supporters and detractors of Jones had expressed interest in buying Infowars. The other bidders have not been disclosed.

The Onion, a satirical site that manages to persuade people to believe the absurd, bills itself as the worlds leading news publication, offering highly acclaimed, universally revered coverage of breaking national, international, and local news events and says it has 4.3 trillion daily readers.

Jones has been saying on his show that if his detractors bought Infowars, he would move his daily broadcasts and product sales to a new studio, websites and social media accounts that he has already set up. He also said that if his supporters won the bidding, he could stay on the Infowars platforms.

Relatives of many of the 20 children and six educators killed in the shooting Jones and his company for defamation and emotional distress for repeatedly saying on his show that the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, was a hoax staged by crisis actors to spur more gun control. Parents and children of many of the victims testified that they were traumatized by Jones conspiracies and threats by his followers.

The lawsuits were filed in Connecticut and Texas. Lawyers for the families in the Connecticut lawsuit said they worked with The Onion to try to acquire Infowars.

(AP)
Japans fleet of hybrid-helicopter military aircraft have been cleared to resume operations after being grounded following an incident last month.

A V-22 Osprey tilted and hit the ground as it was taking off during a joint exercise with the U.S. military on Oct. 27. An investigation has found human error was the cause.

The aircraft was carrying 16 people when it became unstable on takeoff from a Japanese military base on Yonaguni, a remote island southwest of Okinawa. The flight was aborted and nobody was injured, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, or JGSDF, said at the time.

In a statement on Thursday, the JGSDF said that the pilots had failed to turn on a switch designed to temporarily increase engine output during takeoff, causing the aircraft to descend and sway uncontrollably.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said that an internal investigation determined that the incident was caused by a human error, not by physical or external factors.

He said that the fleet of more than a dozen V-22s would resume flight operations from Thursday after a review of safety and training measures.

It was the first major incident involving Japans V-22s since November 2023, when a U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command Osprey crashed off Japans southern coast, killing eight people.

The fleet only resumed flight operations earlier this year, but the use of the V-22 remains controversial, particularly in Okinawa where residents have questioned its safety record. The small southern island is home to half of about 50,000 U.S. troops based in Japan.

(AP)
In a shocking display of targeted harassment, hundreds of posters appeared across the University of Rochester campus Sunday night, depicting Jewish faculty members with wanted labels, accusing them of various acts such as ethnic cleansing, racism, and hate speech. The incident is being investigated as an antisemitic attack intended to intimidate Jewish members of the university community.

University President Sarah Mangelsdorf issued a statement denouncing the posters, calling the act disturbing, divisive, and intimidating. She added that the incident runs counter to our values as a university and confirmed that such hateful actions would not be tolerated on campus.

One of the targeted faculty members, Associate Professor Gregory Heyworth, highlighted the hypocrisy of those who posted the accusations. Heyworth noted how the perpetrators, under the guise of free speech, resorted to doxxinga tactic they ironically accused him of. Their willingness to push the boundaries of anti-democratic behavior and infringe on free speechto lie, distort, and propagandizewhile relying upon those same democratic values for cover is telling, he said.

The incident has stirred fear and frustration among Jewish students and faculty, who feel under siege. Im just tired, a Jewish student, who requested anonymity, told CNN. Its been a long year, and I want peace desperately. But doing things like this, targeting faculty, administration, and staff to intimidate them and spread hate, while also just making more work for the maintenance staff, is wrong.

University Public Safety Chief Quchee Collins described the posters as an act of vandalism with the apparent goal of intimidating members of the university community. He confirmed that his department is actively investigating the incident, adding that the posters had been adhered with a strong adhesive, causing damage to campus property as they were painstakingly removed.

This recent incident follows an earlier antisemitic attack at the University of Rochester in February, when swastikas and other hateful language were discovered in campus tunnels.

The University of Rochesters Hillel organization, representing Jewish students, called the posters deeply disturbing and an attack on Jewish faculty, staff, and students. They expressed hope that this incident would prompt the university to take meaningful steps toward educating the campus on Jewish identity and antisemitism.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
At least 10 people died and others were injured in a blaze at a nursing home near Zaragoza in northeastern Spain, before firefighters managed to extinguish the flames, local authorities said Friday.

The alarm was raised just before 5 a.m. on Friday in Villafranca de Ebro, about 28 kilometers (18 miles) from the city of Zaragoza. Two people remained in critical condition, officials said.

The cause of the fire was not yet known.

Local media said 82 people had been living in the Jardines De Villafranca nursing home, which focused on treating people with dementia and mental health issues.

Jorge Azcon, head of the regional government of Aragon  which includes Villafranca de Ebro, population 840  told reporters outside the nursing home that an investigation would be opened into the cause of the fire.

The immediate priority was to transfer the remaining uninjured residents to other facilities, he said, including one in the city of Huesca, about 90 kilometers (56 miles) away.

Volga Ramirez, mayor of Villafranca de Ebro, told reporters that intense smoke from the blaze was likely responsible for the deaths.

It is due to smoke inhalation, Ramirez said, not because they were burned. She said that the remaining residents of the center had been safely evacuated.

Zaragoza fire chief Eduardo Sanchez told reporters that firefighters had extinguished the blaze that came from one room of the center. A fire door had prevented the blaze from spreading to the other half of the building, he said.

On X, formerly Twitter, Azcon announced that all government events in the Aragon region were cancelled for the day.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote on X that he was shocked by the tragedy and expressed condolences to the victims.

The fire took place just weeks after devastating flash floods in the Spanish region of Valencia killed more than 200 people and destroyed thousands of homes. The floods were the worst natural disaster in Spains recent history.

(AP)
France has long sought to play a central role in global diplomacy, presenting itself as a voice of reason and balance. However, its policies in the Middle East under President Emmanuel Macron paint a more complicated picture. From its alignment with Iran and Hezbollah to its disproportionate criticism of Israel, Frances actions raise serious concerns, particularly within the Jewish world, about the potential consequences for regional stability and Israels security.

Recent reports suggest that financial influence from Qatar and Iran may be shaping some of Frances policies. Both nations have invested heavily in soft power campaigns across Europe, with France among their targets. This financial clout has coincided with Macrons increasingly critical stance toward Israel, particularly over its actions in Gaza and the West Bank.

While criticism of Israel is not uncommon, the extent and tone of Frances opposition raise questions. Is this merely a reflection of Frances long-standing position on international law, or is it being subtly influenced by external financial pressures? Regardless of the answer, the optics are troubling, casting doubt on the neutrality of Frances policy-making in a region as volatile as the Middle East.

France has also committed over 1 billion in humanitarian aid to Lebanon, a nation with which it shares deep historical ties. While this aid is crucial for addressing Lebanons economic and political crises, its implementation is fraught with risks. A significant portion of the aid risks ending up in the hands of Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militant group that wields substantial power in Lebanon.

Hezbollah, designated as a terrorist organization by the US and other nations, has long been a threat to Israel, using its resources to build a military arsenal and launch attacks across the border. Frances aid, while well-intentioned, could inadvertently strengthen Hezbollah, deepening regional instability and directly endangering Israel.

Frances foreign policy also highlights a troubling double standard. Macron recently called for an arms embargo on Israel, citing concerns about its military actions in Gaza and the West Bank. Yet, France remains one of the worlds largest arms exporters, supplying weapons to Middle Eastern regimes with far worse human rights records.

This inconsistency undermines Frances moral standing. While Israel is frequently condemned for defending itself against terrorism, other nations violations are often ignored. This disproportionate focus on Israel reinforces anti-Israel narratives and emboldens those who seek to delegitimize the Jewish state.

Frances alignment with Iran, whether direct or indirect, is particularly troubling. Iran, a regime that openly calls for Israels destruction, has found a strange partner in France on several key issues. Lebanon is one such arena, where Irans proxy Hezbollah maintains control and benefits from French aid.

Another point of convergence is Armenia, which is being groomed and armed both by France and Iran. These two countries oppose the growing influence of Azerbaijan, Israels closest regional ally, albeit for different reasons. While Iran seeks to counter Turkic dominance in the region and fears the example, set by the secular Azerbaijan, France is motivated by its own strategic interests, based on outdated neocolonialistic strife to control important geopolitical junctions. These alignments, while seemingly coincidental, bring France closer to a regime that actively undermines Israel and destabilizes the region.

For the Jewish community, Frances policies raise serious alarms. Macrons criticism of Israel, financial ties with Iran, and indirect support for Hezbollah signal a troubling shift that could harm Israels security. Furthermore, Frances perceived double standards in addressing human rights and conflict in the region send a dangerous message, empowering those who seek to isolate and weaken the Jewish state.

To restore its credibility, France must adopt a more balanced approach in the Middle East. Ensuring that its humanitarian aid to Lebanon does not strengthen Hezbollah is critical. Likewise, Macron must recognize the security challenges Israel faces daily and refrain from disproportionate criticism that undermines its right to self-defense. France also needs to reassess its ties with Iran. Aligning with a regime that sponsors terrorism and destabilizes the region is not only dangerous but also incompatible with Frances stated values. By holding all parties accountable and promoting genuine peace, France can play a constructive role in the region.

Signed,

Y. King

The views expressed in this letter do not necessarily reflect those of YWN. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review.
On the morning of November 15, the aggressor country, the Russian Federation, took off a number of strategic bombers carrying long-range cruise missiles, which subsequently carried out launch maneuvers. Although the enemy did not launch missile strikes, such activity by Russian aviation in Ukraine prompted air alerts in a number of regions.

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The threat was reported at about 06:00 on Friday by the command of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to the military, at that time, six Tu-95MS aircraft from the Olenya airfield flew southeast, and then the number of aircraft increased to eight.

"In case of a missile threat, we will inform you additionally. Do not ignore air raid warnings!" the warning read.

The monitoring Telegram channel "Mykolaiv Vanek" predicted that if this is a combat flight of Russian Tu-95MS aircraft, then the approach to the launch bases to Engels/Caspian Sea is expected around 06:30-07:20.

Later, he added that six Russian bombers were flying toward the launch sites near the Caspian Sea. Thus, they will be in the Volgograd region of the Russian Federation at about 07:1007:45, and if the launches are from here, a missile attack is likely to take place closer to 07:4008:25.

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"In the Caspian Sea area, they will be at about 07:50-08:20. If the launches are from here, we expect missiles closer to 08:30," the author emphasized.

According to the updated data as of 06:45, there were about eight Tu-95MS strategic bombers in the air in Russia.

Around 08:30, five Tu-95MS aircraft performed launch maneuvers in the Caspian Sea region.

"If the launches are real, we expect missiles in our airspace around 09:00," monitoring channels reported.

An alert was issued in Kharkiv, Sumy, Kyiv, Cherkasy, and Poltava regions due to the missile threat.

After 10:00, it was noted that no missiles were detected in Ukrainian airspace. The first TU-95MS landed at the Dyagilevo airbase, while the rest flew to the home airfield.

The Monitor Telegram channel reported that the Russian bombers eventually left the launch zone and partially landed at Engels and Dyagilevo.

ADVERTISIMENT

"The Russian Federation conducts training of long-range aviation crews, quite often simultaneously with practical launches of air-launched missile weapons. Because of this, the flights of aircraft often do not lead to actual attacks, and "simulated launches" are part of the so-called initial process," the author noted.

He emphasized that the potential threat from such flights still exists, which is why preventive air alerts are announced in certain areas.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council responded to the fake news about Russia's alleged refusal to launch massive strikes against Ukraine. They called on Ukrainians to believe Russian propagandists less, because there are enough missiles at strategic aviation bases in Russia to massively shell our cities, and the enemy's own aircraft are also on alert.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Agudath Israel of America organized a solidarity event at Char Bar to show support for D.C.s longtime kosher restaurant after it was vandalized on the 86th anniversary of Kristallnacht. Community leaders who gathered in support of the restaurant were joined by Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY), who had publicly condemned the hateful act.

Agudath Israel commended Torres for his prompt response and ongoing commitment to standing against antisemitism. Since being elected in 2020, Congressman Torres has been one of the loudest voices in Washington D.C. speaking out against antisemitism, said Rabbi Yossie Charner, director of congressional affairs at Agudath Israel of America. We are grateful for his support here tonight and for his continued steadfast support of the Jewish community.

The past week has certainly been very difficult for us at Char Bar, said Michael Chelst, the owner of Char Bar. We are very grateful to Rabbi Yossie Charner of Agudath Israel for organizing this event and to all of those who voiced their support and joined us here tonight.

Congressman Torres presented a congressional proclamation to the owners of Char Bar condemning the attack. In his remarks he spoke about why he fights against antisemitism saying I reject the notion that one must be Jewish to combat antisemitism, I reject the notion that one must be black to combat anti-black racismWe are all in this together.
By Rabbi Yair Hoffman

Boruch Hashem, in our Yeshivos and Bais Yaakovs there is certainly much learning going on. However, we should also be paying attention to the condition of the Seforim that we use. Kavod for Sefarim is an important issue that is found in our Torah psukim as well  lo saasun kain Lashem Elokecha.

An interesting metaphor might be for us to look at ourselves, the beaarers of Seforim like a Royal Tailor in charge of the Kings or the Queens clothing. This idea is found in the writings of the Yaavetz.

Royal tailors historically held prestigious positions within courts, with direct access to monarchs during fittings and maintaining strict confidentiality. They were often well-compensated and held titles like The Master of the Robes or The Wardrobe Master.

Some royal tailors were even punished. For example, William Mainwaring, who was tailor to Henry VIII, was imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1546. Louis XIVs personal tailor Claude Bonnet was briefly imprisoned in the Bastille in 1665 for failing to complete the kings coronation robes on time, though he was later restored to favor.

Most royal tailors, however, enjoyed long, successful careers. Charles Frederick Worth became known as the Father of Haute Couture while working for Empress Eugenie of France, and Henry Poole was a favored tailor to Queen Victoria and other European royalty. If we view ourselves as Royal tailors we too should hopefully enjoy long relationships with our Seforim and learning Hashems Torah.

The following five ideas are culled from the Yaavetz in his commentary on Pirkei Avos (chapter 4) writes as follows:

1. One must be careful to display (cover) Seforim and place them in the designated place in their home, covering them with a nice book cover. Just as we tie bundles and strings in the air to place food on them to protect them from mice and cats, so too should one do to protect the honor of Heaven.

2. When moving them, one should not carry them like other vessels, but rather with respect and modesty, like one carries royal garments before the king.

3. [One] should only touch them with clean hands.

4. [It is also seen in Sefer Hasidim siman 252 which states: One whose body is dirty and whose fingers are soiled should not touch a book until they clean their fingers]

5. These matters are given over to the heart, and one who fears God will fulfill them all. These are the words of the sage (Rabbi Ben Shushan), may his memory be blessed, along with what I was shown from Heaven.

Based upon this Yaavetz, the Chumash depicted above should be repaired as soon as possible.

The author can be reached at [email protected]
Iran is building a defensive tunnel in Tehran in the wake of the IDF attack on the Iranian capital on October 26, Irans semi-official Tasnim news agency reported this week.

The tunnel, under construction near the city center, will connect the Tehran Metro stations to the Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, providing direct underground access to the medical facility, the largest in the country. The Tehran Metro is the largest metro system in the Middle East.

For the first time in the country, a tunnel with defensive applications is being built in Tehran, the transportation director at the Tehran City Council told Tasnim.

Tehran was heavily targeted during Israels attack on October 26, including two secret military sites near the capital city. Israel also attacked an S-300 air defense battery stationed at Imam Khomeini International Airport, which protects parts of the capital.

Satellite photos of two military bases near Tehran showed that sites there that Iran used in its ballistic missile manufacturing were destroyed.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Conflicting reports have emerged regarding Irans vow to carry out a severe retaliatory attack against Israel for its attack on the Islamic Republic on October 26.

Iranian sources told Sky News Arabia that Iran has postponed Operation True Promise 3 in order to negotiate with President-elect Donald Trump, who reportedly is formulating a plan to topple the Iranian regime.

However, Israels Walla reported that General Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), warned Israel on Thursday to wait for revenge.

Speaking at a military exercise in Tehran, Salami claimed that all the armies of the world are rushing to help Israel but it wont help her, and warned that a war of historic proportions may develop.

Salami warned that its a mistake for the Zionists to think that eliminating the heads of the organization will lead to its disappearance. We are targeting our weapons at the Zionists and will continue to fight them to the end. We will not allow them to control the Muslims fate. Our response will be severe. You will receive painful blows. Wait for revenge.

Despite Salamis threats, Iran is unlikely to carry out another attack on Israel from its soil as Israel destroyed about 90% of its air defense systems. According to a Yisrael Hayom report on Thursday, Israels attack also reduced Israels missile production capacity to only a tenth of its previous capacity.

Israeli officials believe that Iran will try to compensate for its reduced capabilities at home by reinforcing its proxy forces in Iraq, Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon, not only with weapon systems but also by establishing terror militias.

Israeli security officials warn that the Islamic Republic is continuing its quest for an alternative plan to Hezbollahs Radwan Forces invading Israel from Lebanon, such as an invasion from Syria and/or Jordan, chalilah.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
In a dramatic escalation of tensions within Israels government, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir lambasted Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara over a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to fire him, dismissing it as an attempted coup and calling for her immediate removal. The letter, sent by Baharav-Miara to Netanyahu, urges a reassessment of Ben Gvirs suitability for office due to his alleged interference in police operations and attempts to exert political influence over police decisions.

Ben Gvir vehemently defended his conduct, claiming Baharav-Miaras move was a politically motivated attack. The only ousting that needs to occur is the removal of the attorney general, who is attempting to undermine the government by forcing the recusal of the prime minister and firing a minister over his political positions, Ben Gvir declared in a statement.

Baharav-Miaras letter to Netanyahu details what she describes as an alarming series of actions by Ben Gvir that reveal contempt for the law, violation of the law, and harm to the foundational principles of governance. Among the instances cited were Ben Gvirs reported use of his position to shape police appointments according to political loyalties, public berating of senior police officials over their handling of anti-government protests, and directing police officers to defy cabinet orders on humanitarian aid protections.

Critics argue that Ben Gvirs actions represent an unprecedented politicization of the police, undermining its operational independence and eroding public trust in law enforcement. Baharav-Miara notes that her office has received multiple petitions to the High Court demanding Ben Gvirs dismissal due to his alleged ongoing and illegal interference in police operations. She further highlighted that when the High Court initially approved Ben Gvirs appointment, it did so with the understanding that he had moved away from his previous convictionsa claim now undermined by his actions, according to Baharav-Miara.

One of the most contentious points outlined in Baharav-Miaras letter is Ben Gvirs alleged disregard for judicial oversight and rule of law. She asserts that his frequent interference with police duties and his insistence on directing police responses to protests are not only inappropriate but fundamentally damaging to the police forces duty to serve the public, rather than the political elite.

Adding fuel to the fire, rumors have circulated that Baharav-Miara could consider pressing for Netanyahus temporary recusal from office while he testifies in his upcoming corruption trial. Though these rumors remain unsubstantiated, Ben Gvir seized on the speculation to accuse Baharav-Miara of attempting to orchestrate a political coup under the guise of legal oversight.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Elon Musk, a key adviser in President-elect Donald Trumps transition team, reportedly held a private meeting with Irans UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani in New York this week, the New York Times reported, in what two Iranian officials described as a preliminary attempt to ease longstanding hostilities between Iran and the United States. The meeting, lasting more than an hour, was held at an undisclosed location and characterized by Iranian officials as positive and good news for U.S.-Iran relations.

Neither Musk nor Trumps communications director, Steven Cheung, would confirm the meeting. However, Karoline Leavitt, spokesperson for the Trump transition, pointedly noted, The American people re-elected President Trump because they trust him to lead our country and restore peace through strength around the world. When he returns to the White House, he will take the necessary action to do just that.

Musk, increasingly influential within Trumps inner circle, has already played an unexpected diplomatic role in recent weeks. Known for his involvement in international tech and space endeavors, he also assisted Ukraines President Zelensky in securing communications during the ongoing conflict with Russia.

The high-profile meeting with Irans UN ambassador could signal a surprising shift in tone toward Tehran under the upcoming Trump administration, despite a history of bitter tensions. One Iranian official confirmed it was Musk who sought the meeting, which was held outside typical diplomatic channels, and chosen by Iravani for discretion.

Under Trumps first term, the administration not only exited the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, imposing severe sanctions on Irans oil exports and banking systems but also targeted Iran militarily, including the 2020 assassination of General Qassim Suleimani. Iran responded with sharp reprisals and a public vow by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to avoid any direct negotiations with the Trump administration.

However, Trumps recent re-election has ignited debate within Iranian political circles. Some argue that Trumps love for dealmaking could be advantageous, potentially leading to a negotiated easing of economic sanctions if handled strategically. This argument is reportedly gaining traction in President Masoud Pezeshkians administration, though any agreement would require Ayatollah Khameneis approval.

The secretive nature of Musks meeting provided a workaround for both parties, circumventing direct talks with American officials while exploring new diplomatic pathways. Musks influence in the Trump team is expected to formalize soon as co-director of a new government efficiency agency, making his role in U.S.-Iran relations even more significant.

Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi struck a hopeful note on Thursday, stating on social media, Differences can be resolved through cooperation and dialogue, following a meeting in Tehran with U.N. nuclear watchdog head Rafael Grossi.

Analysts suggest that while Trumps hawkish reputation has strained relations, the administrations engagement with Musk may allow for flexible diplomacy moving forward. Everything is possible with Trump, commented Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group, adding that the administration might weigh various strategies, from negotiation to heightened pressure.

For now, the Musk-Iravani meeting has opened a channel for potential dialogue, leaving room for further speculation about Musks unconventional role as a bridge between the two nations amid a charged geopolitical climate.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Israels airstrikes inside Iran in late October dealt a significant blow to Irans nuclear ambitions by targeting a covert research site within the Parchin military complex, officials revealed to Axios. The facility, known as Taleghan 2, located about 20 miles southeast of Tehran, had been central to Irans resumed nuclear weapons research, despite longstanding denials from Tehran.

Taleghan 2 was previously associated with Irans Amad nuclear weapons program, which was officially halted in 2003. However, recent intelligence suggested the facility had been reactivated for advanced nuclear research. The destroyed site reportedly housed sophisticated equipment used to develop plastic explosives critical to detonating a nuclear device. Satellite imagery obtained after the strike confirmed the complete destruction of the facility.

Iranian officials have repeatedly claimed that their nuclear program is strictly for peaceful purposes. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated that Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons, while the Iranian mission to the United Nations declined to comment on the incident. However, U.S. and Israeli intelligence indicated that the Parchin facilitys research extended beyond civilian purposes, involving activities such as computer modeling, metallurgy, and explosives testing with potential military applications.

The destruction of the facility came after months of diplomatic and intelligence maneuvering. Earlier this year, U.S. officials privately warned Iran about its suspicious activities at Parchin, hoping to halt the research. Despite these warnings, the activity continued, prompting Israel to act. The targeted site, while not part of Irans declared nuclear program, represented a critical component of its covert nuclear research.

The strike signals Israels deep knowledge of Irans secretive nuclear operations, which were reportedly known only to a small circle within the Iranian government. It also highlights Israels willingness to act unilaterally to neutralize perceived threats, even at the risk of heightened regional tensions.

The timing of the strike coincides with increased scrutiny of Irans nuclear program by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The agencys board of governors is set to meet next week to vote on a resolution censuring Iran for its lack of cooperation with UN inspectors. Iran has warned it may retaliate by further limiting its cooperation with the IAEA.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Millions of British households face high energy bills as the Ofgem-set price cap will rise in April, adding 111 onto the typical annual cost for each household.

Energy bills are currently 1,738 a year for the typical home, but this will rise to 1,849 from April 2025.

That rate applies to a home with average energy use, on a variable-rate energy tariff and paying by direct debit.

One way or the other, energy bills will remain high.

In our essential guide to how to save on energy, we explain everything you need to know from how your bills are worked out, to whether you can still fix, if a smart meter is worth it and, of course, some energy saving tips.

Here's everything you need to know about how your bills are calculated, when you should switch suppliers, and how to cut down on your energy use

Can I switch energy providers and fix my bills?

There are now fixed-rate energy bills households can switch to that undercut the Ofgem price cap and will save you money.

Until the energy crunch arrived in late 2021, the advice was simple: people were urged to switch energy providers regularly to get the best deal possible.

The cheapest deals were fixed-rate tariffs, with variable-rate deals normally reserved for households that had reached the end of their cheap tariff and not switched.

Affordable fixed-rate deals then began to vanish from Autumn 2021, when energy prices began to rise.

Many comparison sites then paused their energy switching services, energy providers stopped taking on new customers, and the common advice was that most people would be better off on deals subject to the Ofgem price cap.

This left households lumbered with variable-rate deals, which more than 80 per cent of Britons now have - and it could now save you money once again to switch energy provider.

Can you save money on energy bills? Check the best fixed deals When energy prices spiked most households slipped energy price cap tariffs, but it is now possible again to switch to fixed rate energy deals that can save you money. This is Money's recommended partner uSwitch lets you compare the best energy deals for you, based on your home and gas and electricity costs. > Compare the best energy deals with uSwitch* By entering your address and energy usage, you can search for energy deals that can cut your costs and suit how you live. Switching energy provider can also help the planet, if you move to one of the a green deals offering electricity from renewable sources and more environmentally-friendly gas. > Check the best fixed rate energy deals with uSwitch and This is Money* *Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. This does not affect our editorial independence.

Money-saving energy tips that work

Draught-proofing

Some of the best energy-saving advice might sound like something your grandparents would have said, like blocking out draughts where possible.

But that is because that advice has stood the test of time  and the test of generations living in colder, draughtier properties than we do today.

Draught-proof gaps around windows, doors and floorboards by fitting foam strips, plastic seals or brushes.

Seal gaps between floors and skirting boards with a simple sealant bought from any DIY store for a few pounds. This small outlay could save you 30 a year in energy bill savings and make your house feel much warmer.

Reduce the flow rate on your boiler

A simple tweak to your combination boiler settings could save you more than 100 a year.

Boilers have a flow temperature  the level they heat radiators to. These work more efficiently if the temperature is set to 60C.

However, boiler flow temperatures are often set much higher than that, according to research from charity Nesta.

Lowering the flow rate on your boiler from 80C to 60C saves nine per cent of total gas use, or 75 a year for an average home.

Settings tend to vary from boiler to boiler so it is worth digging out the manual to find out how to reset yours.

You should also make sure your boiler is regularly serviced and consider boiler insurance, with just one fifth of home insurance policies covering boilers.

Fit thermostatic radiator valves

Your radiators may have little numbered dials attached  use them. These are called thermostatic radiator valves and they set the heat each radiator gives out.

Setting them to the level you need them can save you energy, and therefore money, as you can control which rooms are being heated and by how much.

The cost saving depends on how you use these valves  but some energy firms claim these can cut energy use by up to 40 per cent.

It's worth noting that modern thermostatic valves are a substantial improvement on older ones - and if you get them fitted, learn how to use them properly.

Extra padding: Loft insulation can save households a serious wedge on energy bills

Insulate your home

Insulate your property If you can afford to, upgrading or installing insulation can really help save money. However, this does come with an upfront cost  which might cancel out any cost savings for a while.

What is the energy price cap?

The energy price cap is set by watchdog Ofgem and was created to limit the prices gas and electricity providers could charge those on their default variable tariffs.

The current price cap is 1,738 a year for average use, but this will rise to 1,849 from April.

The price cap was designed as a safety net for those who did not switch providers to find cheaper bills, but as costs have soared and the energy market has seized up it has become a consumer lifeline.

The price cap is set by Ofgem and adjusted quarterly.

Ofgem says that about 22 million households are on energy price cap tariffs.

It is worth checking to see if you can get a better deal elsewhere, or to see if your current supplier can move you to a rate that would suit you more.

If you have an electric car, it is worth exploring what you supplier could offer - as some do special discounted time rates.

Don't get your hopes up, do the maths carefully, beware expensive fixes and watch out for any charges to leave.

How do I ensure my meter readings and bills are right?

If you do not have a smart meter, giving meter readings to your supplier is the only way to be sure you pay only for what you use and your bills do not end up way out of line.

Without meter readings your supplier will estimate how much energy you are using and charge you based on that - this can mean big bills suddenly landing as you fall behind.

If your last bill was larger than expected, there could be many legitimate reasons why you could be asked to pay more:

Check it: If your energy bill seems wrong, take meter readings and check with your energy firm

Your energy supplier has increased prices

Your usage has risen, for example, due to cold weather

Your bill is based on an actual meter reading, rather than an estimated reading

Unfortunately though, it can be common for errors to occur when submitting your meter reading, and they can prove costly if not dealt with swiftly.

How to challenge energy bills you think are wrong

If you suddenly get a big bill, the most important thing to remember is that consumers are protected against back billing of more than a year by Ofgem rules.

This means that you can't be charged for gas or electricity used over a year ago if you were incorrectly billed, or not correctly informed beforehand.

This also includes situations where a supplier could increase your direct debit because it was set too low originally, but the rule does not apply if you have behaved obstructively or unreasonably, preventing accurate billing.

If you do receive a back bill then you should get in touch with your energy provider, letting them know that you are protected by the back billing rules and will only pay for the energy you have consumed within the last 12 months.

But, if you receive a bill for energy within the last year, and you are worried that it is incorrect, you should contact your energy provider as quickly as possible to resolve any potential issues that may be the cause.

If you are unsure if your bill is correct, it could be worth calling your provider's customer service team, who will be able to talk you through your bill in more detail.

If you do not get a satisfactory answer you should write to your supplier, via post or email, explaining why you think your bill may be incorrect, along with an up-to-date meter reading and any evidence to back it up.

Ask them to provide you with evidence of meter readings and rates being charged for different periods. Ensure you keep a record of all evidence and communication too.

How do I read my electricity meter?

There are three types of standard electricity meters that you could come across in your home: single rate meters, two rate meters and dial meters.

For single rate meters, you should read the numbers from left to right. You should not include any numbers in red, or after a decimal point, when you submit them to your energy provider.

The reading for this old-school dial meter would be 33823: they can often be the most confusing for customers

For two rate meters it can get a little more complicated. Two rate meters are usually used for economy 7 or economy 10 tariffs, which charge different rates of energy in off-peak hours, usually one for your day usage and one for night usage.

If you have a digital two rate meter, you should be able to change your settings to show you your 'rates', with Rate 1 for your peak energy consumption, and Rate 2 for off-peak.

Dial meters can be the most confusing type of meter, but they are relatively simple to read once you know how.

The dials move in alternating clockwise and anti-clockwise directions, and you should read them from left to right, ignoring any numbers in red.

When the pointer is between two numbers, record the lower number, and if it's between 9 and 0, you should record the number as 9.

When the pointer is directly on a number, check the next dial to the right. If the dial on the right reads 8 or 9, then you should lower the reading for the dial with the pointer directly on the number.

If you have a smart meter, your energy provider should be receiving regular meter readings automatically, though you can change the frequency of your meter readings by speaking to your provider or online, or by changing the settings on your device.

Smart meters should also be regularly checked to make sure they are sending the right information - making sure the meter tallies with your bills.

If you are worried that you may be paying too much for your energy, it is always worth submitting an additional meter reading and asking your provider to confirm how much you should be paying.

For single rate meters, you read the numbers from left to right, but you shouldn't include any numbers in red, or after a decimal point, when you submit them to your energy provider

Can I get money off my bill for energy saving?

Ensuring every device you do not need to use is turned off completely could still save you money on your energy bill, but you will need to stay super vigilant to reap the rewards.

Ultimately, most energy saving tips do not make a huge difference on their own, but if you try to do as many as you can, you will save money - often helped by using less water too. They won't make much a huge dent in your bills, but as the slogan goes, 'every little helps'.

What help is available if I am struggling to pay my energy bills?

If you're struggling to pay your energy bills, or are worried you may miss a payment, you should speak to your energy firm. Many have dedicated teams to help you and can work out payment plans for big bills.

Others offer grants for low-income homes to help with their energy bills.

Most energy providers should allow you to change from a prepayment meter to a direct debit tariff or credit meter for free, as long as you are not in debt with your energy provider

Can you ditch your prepayment meter?

If your home currently has an old-style prepayment meter, you can ask your energy supplier to replace it with a new credit meter, or a smart meter, for free.

A prepayment meter is a type of gas or electricity meter that requires you to pre-pay for your energy before you use it. They are often more expensive for energy use.

You have a prepayment meter if you have to 'top up' a prepayment card, key or app to pay for your gas or electricity.

You can switch to a credit meter, which allows households to pay a set amount a month for their energy usage, or make the switch to a direct debit tariff.

However, its worth noting that your supplier usually won't replace your meter or change your smart meter setting if you are currently in debt to them.

If you are in a rented property, you do not need your landlord's permission to change your meter, though they could ask you to change your meter back when you move out.

If your current energy supplier charges for prepayment meter removal or suggests you are unable to switch from a prepayment meter, you can consider switching to another supplier.

Prepayment meters are being phased out by the smart meter initiative, which aims to offer a smart meter in a bid to make it easier for households to top up their energy and to help them better understand how they consume energy throughout the day.

PROS AND CONS OF A SMART METER Pros Cons Sends automatic meter readings Concerns over user data privacy Accurate, up to date energy bills Doesn't guarantee long-term savings Easy to track what the energy you use Constant access to monitor energy use Could reduce carbon footprint Long wait time for free installation Gain access to cheaper tariff options Not available with every energy provider Easy to switch suppliers and keep your smart meter Limited data options in rural areas

How do I get a smart meter and will it save me money?

Energy companies and the Government are encouraging customers to make the move to smart meters.

Available at no upfront cost, they offer a number of benefits over traditional meters from automatic readings, more accurate energy bills, and real-time reports on your current energy usage.

They also unlock special energy tariffs with discounted rates for offpeak use.

However, many customers are unconvinced and reluctant to move to them. This has led to delays in the rollout and rows over smart meters, especially as they are seen as a potential threat to privacy and can be unreliable.

Your choice: Energy firms are promoting smart meters, but the devices are not mandatory

Nonetheless, the great advantage of a smart meter is that your bills should be accurate, and there are millions of satisfied households already using one.

To make the switch, you should speak directly to your current energy provider to discuss your eligibility and the tariff options that a smart meter can offer.

It is worth remembering though that smart meters are not mandatory.

What is a standing charge?

A standing charge is a fixed, daily figure that you pay for your energy, no matter how much you use, even if your property is empty.

The charge covers the costs from maintaining the energy networks, wires and pipes that carry gas and electricity across the country to your home, keeping your home connected to the energy network, and meter readings.

It can also cover the costs of government initiatives that help vulnerable households and reduce CO2 emissions, as well as recouping some of the debt left over by failed energy suppliers.

Breakdown: The electricity standing charge pays for things like customer service, and the cost of running the power network and operating meters

If you have a dual fuel energy bill, youll pay an electricity standing charge and an gas standing charge.

If you pay by direct debit these charges are currently capped at 60.99p and 31.66p respectively per day, though this can vary depending on where you live.

Standing charges are also included with prepayment energy tariffs and smart meters, which will usually be shown in the total you see on your in-home display.

There are some energy deals with no standing charges, but these typically charge higher unit rates to make up the difference.

Regulator Ofgem is pressuring energy firms to launch more deals with no standing charges, to give consumers more choice.

How is my energy bill calculated?

Energy bills are made up of a number of costs covering what companies do (and how they make a profit) as well as the gas and electricity actually used by a household.

The wholesale market price of gas and electricity accounts for the biggest portion of the average energy bill at around 50 per cent.

The next largest chunk of the typical customer's bill, around 18 per cent, goes towards providing and running energy infrastructure, such as pylons and gas pipelines.

Policy costs currently account for around eight per cent of your bill. This covers energy company obligation schemes, which pay to upgrade home insulation for households on low incomes; as well as renewables obligations, which require suppliers to get some of their electricity from renewable sources.

Energy companies are currently able to claim operating costs equating to around 220 of the annual average price-capped energy bill.

The Government also takes 5 per cent of the typical energy bill in VAT.
Young's yesterday warned that staff hours will be cut and the price of a pint will increase as it adjusts to steep cost rises in the wake of Rachel Reevess Budget.

The pub operator revealed that it will face an 11million hit as a result of the Chancellors decision to hike employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and lift the minimum wage.

It is the latest company to outline how the NIC move will hurt jobs and consumers  despite Reevess claim that it will not hit working people.

Budget hangover: Young's revealed that it will face an 11m hit as a result of the Chancellors decision to hike employer National Insurance Contributions and lift the minimum wage

Youngs chief executive Simon Dodd said prices across its 279 pubs are likely to rise by around 2 per cent to 3 per cent next year.

He said the group, which dates back to 1831, would also consider efficiencies such as cutting staffing hours on less busy days such as Monday lunchtimes.

Youngs will look for other cost savings in order to not pass on all the cost to our loyal customers.

Businesses were blindsided by Reevess decision to hike NI by 1.2 percentage points to 15 per cent from April, while a higher minimum wage and new employment rules will compound the pressure on firms.

Labour also lowered the threshold for when firms start paying employer NICs from 9,100 to 5,000 a year, which Dodd called the biggest disappointment of the Budget.

He also said the sector needed real clarity on what Labours proposed reforms on business rates would mean for the sector.

Despite storm clouds gathering in the industry, Youngs hailed a 27 per cent rise in sales to 250million over the six months to September 30 as profits were up 3 per cent to 25.3million.

Consumer confidence was strong ahead of the critical festive trading period, he added. We are going into Christmas with some really strong bookings, Dodd said.

I think although there is a bit of doom and gloom out there, people still want to go to the Great British pub. Shares rose 2.2 per cent, or 20p, to 936p.

Michael Turner, chairman of rival pub company Fullers, warned earlier this week that the Budget was a direct attack on industries that are the lifeblood of our economy, while leaving the large City institutions that can afford to pay their share almost completely untouched.
Unilever is exploring whether to sell some of its British brands

Unilever is exploring whether to sell some of its British brands as part of a wider effort to slim down its product range.

The FTSE 100 consumer goods giant is considering the sale of smaller food brands in the UK and other European countries, according to a Reuters report. It has lined up bankers at ABN Amro to conduct the a sale of Dutch brands, adds the report.

The British brands that could be sold were not named. Unilever declined to comment.

The shift forms part of a turnaround plan spearheaded by boss Hein Schumacher to focus the company on its biggest power labels.

Earlier this year, Unilever said it would spin off its ice cream unit, home to brands such as Magnum and Ben &

Jerrys. In the UK, the firms most notable food brands include spreads such as Marmite and Bovril, Colmans mustard and Pot Noodle.

Another part of Schumachers plan involves the company ditching its virtue-signalling woke agenda.
In the next few months, the terrorist country Russia will continue to exert pressure on all fronts. A very difficult period will continue at least until the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump.

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At the same time, the diplomatic struggle will also be very difficult. This was stated by an MP from the "European Solidarity" party, Viktoriia Siumar, in an interview with the Telegraph.

According to her, before Trump's inauguration, Putin's army will exert pressure on the battlefield. At the same time, the United States will try to prepare a diplomatic solution before January 20, when the new president takes office.

"Russia will put pressure on all fronts, and it is already happening  on the Pokrovsk, Kupiansk, and Zaporizhzhia directions. The diplomatic struggle will also be extremely difficult. We need to come up with a package of decisions by January 20. The United States will try to do everything possible to make this scenario as realizable as possible," said Siumar.

For his part, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has been making statements about his desire to be a geopolitical player creating a new system of relations in the world. The Kremlin leader is in favor of abandoning the "single policeman" in the form of the United States and returning to a multipolar world.

"Step by step, Putin will go to his goal. And here Donald Trump must either agree with this or build new agreements. And these agreements will not be easy," the MP said.

As a reminder, US President-elect Donald Trump made a new statement about the war in Ukraine. He emphasized that it "must be stopped" as soon as possible. The Republican claims that his administration will work hard to find solutions.

Earlier it was reported that US President-elect Donald Trump will try to break the deep partnerships between the US adversaries: China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. He is expected to use his trademark "mix of bellicose threats and friendly relations" with some dictators.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Don't fall for fakes!
Not many outside Russia have heard of Kazan.

But if the architects  or midwives  of the planned new payments system for the BRICS countries have their way, one day it may be as well-known  to economists at least  as Bretton Woods, the birthplace of our present international payments system created in July 1944.

The heads of BRICS  Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa  agreed closer financial cooperation at a conference hosted in the city by Vladimir Putin last month.

In future, this may even involve a new joint currency and international payment system.

Power games: Russian President Vladimir Putin hosts a conference for the BRICS group countries in the Russian city of Kazan last month

Star of the show was Putin, whose name is on an arrest warrant issued by the International Court of Justice because of his countrys invasion of Ukraine.

But the driving force and ambition behind this move  which is clearly aimed at the US and its Western Allies  is China.

The aim is to end the US Dollar domination of international trade and investment. That has brought the group together and has made it attractive for countries such as Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and UAE, which are already part of the broader BRICS+ group of emerging economies.

Saudi Arabia and a number of smaller African and Asian countries apparently are knocking on the door. At close to 50pc of the world population, it definitely deserves to be taken seriously.

The new payment system is likely to be an ambitious blockchain-based crypto currency.

The line-up of the involved countries also has an interesting political raison detre rather than merely an economic one.

Like China and Russias leaders following the demise of communism, they embrace a kind of state-led capitalism and top-down system of governance  in contrast to our Anglo-Saxon capitalism with its liberal democracy and rule of law.

They argue that the latter is unsuitable for their populations at the present development stage, but the real reason could be that they would rather not have their own political futures determined by free elections.

So, assuming it is not being hindered by too many internal constraints, the currency and payment system might even succeed on the international stage.

Particularly since the US is about to be led by a man who is putting America first and international issues second.

They may feel that their chances are pretty good. However, there is a view in Western banking circles that the new currency idea will struggle to get off the ground.

Maybe. But it is worth Donald Trump  and the rest of the Western world  keeping a close eye.
An investment firm that collapsed owing its backers millions of pounds was a Ponzi scheme that deliberately created a false impression about the company, a court has ruled.

London Capital & Finance (LCF) raised 237million from around 11,600 individual investors before it went bust in 2019, promising them healthy returns from the sale of risky mini-bond products.

But in a ruling yesterday, a High Court judge said the company had engaged in the fraudulent conduct of business and misrepresented itself in a widespread, fundamental and systematic way.

Swindle: A judge said London Capital & Finance had engaged in the fraudulent conduct of business and misrepresented itself in a widespread, fundamental and systematic way

The judge also ruled that LCFs former boss Michael Andy Thomson and Spencer Golding, a shareholder in companies linked to LCF, were liable for breaching their duties as directors.

Three other associates, Paul Careless, John Russell-Murphy and Robert Sedgwick, were also found to have knowingly participated in the fraudulent conduct.

The men face a hefty bill for damages. Three former co-defendants have struck out-of-court settlements.

The court said that LCF had operated as a Ponzi scheme, a scam where money from new investors is used to pay existing investors to create the illusion of profit.

Mr Justice Miles, the judge in the case, held that a substantial part of the funds invested into the company were not used to provide loans to small and medium-sized businesses, as had been promised, but were instead misappropriated and used to make payments to people connected to the firm.

Some of the cash had been spent on items including horses and Porsches.

Thomson had wanted to take out as much money as possible, was recklessly indifferent to bondholders, had lied, forged signatures and knowingly misled auditor PwC, the judge said.

A hearing is to be held to determine how much damages will be paid. Administrators are seeking more than 177.5million. A 120million compensation scheme has already been set up, paid for by taxpayers.

The judgment came after Thomson was last year handed a ten-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after breaching a restraining order on his assets imposed by the Serious Fraud Office.

In May, the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), the accounting watchdog, fined Big Four firms PwC and EY 4.9million and 4.4million respectively for failing to uncover the scam during their audits of LCF.

The City watchdog the Financial Conduct Authority also came under fire in a 2020 review which found it had been wholly deficient in its handling of a probe into the LCF collapse.
Burberrys boss yesterday vowed to return the brands focus to timeless British luxury as he outlined plans to revive its fortunes and fend off takeover talk.

Joshua Schulman, who took the top job in July, admitted the firm, best known for its trench coats, had lost its way in recent years.

But he insisted the 168-year-old company had a strong future as an independent business.

It comes amid recent speculation that Burberry, whose share price has fallen by two thirds since April 2023, could be snapped up by Italian ski wear firm Moncler.

Turnaround plan: Burberry boss Joshua Schulman, who took the top job in July, admitted the firm, best known for its trench coats, had lost its way in recent years

Schulman, a New Yorker, impressed investors after pledging to emphasise the firms outerwear offering  including its signature check-print coats and scarves.

He said a current its always Burberry weather marketing campaign  featuring British stars such as Oscar-winner Olivia Colman sipping tea and enjoying the great British countryside  have already helped improve perceptions of the brand.

And the group is to give less energy to niche and modern designs, which have been skewed to a narrow base of luxury customers, Schulman said.

We are pivoting to timeless British luxury, juxtaposing heritage and innovation across all our touch points in a more recognisable expression of Burberry, he said.

His insistence that change is needed was underscored by results showing a 20 per cent slump in sales for the six months to September 28 while it swung to a pre-tax loss of 80million.

Schulman , who took over from Jonathan Akeroyd, said he was on a mission to course correct after a mismanagement of the brand and its core products.

Prices had been hiked too high for products such as handbags, Schulman added, and Burberry would now offer a broader range of prices on flagship outerwear products. Currently its coats range from 1,150 to 7,900.

But Schulman was adamant the group would still maintain its desirable luxury status and was not in a rush to slash prices to become accessible.

There have been questions over creative director Daniel Lees future at the business.

But Schulman yesterday said everybody is focused on the same outcomes, and everybody is working together very well.

Chairman Gerry Murphy has previously said the business probably went a bit too far, too fast with raising prices and targeting a super-wealthy bracket.

Against a backdrop of swirling takeover talk, Schulman said that landlords and customers see advantages for Burberry to be an independent luxury brand, as it makes it stand out against fashion house rivals.

This will have been reassuring news to those who fear Burberry could be next to exit the London stock market.

Both Moncler and Burberry have refused to comment on bid rumours.

Schulman, former boss of handbag firm Michael Kors, struck an upbeat tone as he announced an ambition for annual sales to hit 3billion  although he did not give a deadline for this.

AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould warned: The one thing out of Schulmans control is Chinese consumer sentiment, with the weak backdrop in China extremely unhelpful to Burberry given its reliance on this market in recent years.
Oil prices are set to end the week lower than they started as expectations of weaker global economic growth fuel expectations of oversupply in the year ahead.

Brent Crude was down 0.6 per cent at $72.13 per barrel at midday on Friday, having fallen from a weekly high of $74.08/bl on Monday.

Prices have now fallen more than 20 per cent from a 2024 high of $91.17/bl set in April, with concerns about the Chinese economy increasingly dominating demand-side concerns.

China's National Bureau of Statistics said on Friday that the country's oil refiners processed 4.6 per cent less crude year-on-year in October as some plants closed and smaller independent refiners reduced operating rates.

The world's second largest economy and biggest importer of crude also saw factory output slow last month, while fears for the stability of its property sector persist.

Chinese refinery plants have processed less crude as economic performance weakens

Derren Nathan, head of equity research at Hargreaves Lansdown, noted that supply side dynamics are also increasingly weighing on crude prices.

He said: 'Building inventories in the US, promised production increases by OPEC+, and the prospect of a benign policy towards drilling in the Trump administration, are fuelling concerns about oversupply.'

Michael Lok, group chief investment officer at Swiss private bank UBP, said: 'We anticipate that oil prices will remain steady around their current levels of $75/bl to $79/bl coming into year-end.

'We note that there is a possibility of a small rise when China announces its fiscal stimulus. We maintain a neutral conviction rating.'

Oil prices are trading far lower than the highs they experienced in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine

UBS slashes oil forecast but says traders too downbeat

Analysts at UBS on Friday slashed the bank's crude price target for 2025 from $87/bl to $80/bl, having cut its demand growth estimates from 1.5 thousands of barrels per say  or mbpd - to 1.2mbpd on weaker Chinese demand growth.

However, strategist at UBS Switzerland Giovanni Staunovo said oil traders 'are pricing in too pessimistic [an] outlook for next year'.

He added: 'This year also started with elevated supply growth forecasts, but they were reduced in the months that followed.

'We think this could happen next year as well, especially since OPEC+ is unlikely to unwind their cuts if the market cannot absorb them.

'We trimmed our price forecasts due to weaker oil demand growth, but we continue to hold a constructive outlook and still recommend risk-seeking investors to sell crude oil's downside price risks.'
BAE Systems has drawn up plans to build an artillery factory in Sheffield as part of a multi-million-pound investment.

The FTSE 100 defence giant announced it will spend more than 25million to construct the 94,000 sq ft site, which will be used to manufacture its M777 lightweight howitzer.

The weapon was previously used in Afghanistan and Iraq and is in service with the Armed Forces in the US, Canada, Australia and India.

Investment: BAE announced it will spend more than 25m to construct the 94,000 sq ft site, which will be used to manufacture its M777 lightweight howitzer (above)

BAE said the factory will help 'sustain and revitalise vital UK artillery capabilities' and create 50 high-skilled jobs in the area.

Work on the site is already underway and it is expected to be up and running next year.

News of the Sheffield factory follows previously announced plans by BAE to spend 300million updating its shipyards in Glasgow.

It is investing another 220million in a factory in Rochester, Kent, alongside 200million earmarked for its munitions business.
In the Donetsk region, the Ukrainian military is using a 60-ton 2C7 Peon self-propelled artillery system with a 12-meter barrel and 100-kilogram American shells at its positions near Toretsk. The Armed Forces of Ukraine managed to return Soviet self-propelled artillery systems with scarce ammunition to the battlefield thanks to US support.

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This was reported by Bjorn Stritzel, a correspondent for the German publication BILD. He noted that the Ukrainian military had brought a heavy Soviet self-propelled artillery system "Pion", which fires 203 mm caliber shells, to the battle for Toretsk.

This is the heaviest gun the Ukrainian Armed Forces have in service and the heaviest self-propelled artillery system in the world. It was developed in the USSR in the 1960s to destroy enemy concrete fortifications, the journalist said.

Today, the most common caliber of ammunition in the Armed Forces is 155 mm. The Pion self-propelled artillery system requires 203-mm shells, each weighing 100 kg.

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The Armed Forces of Ukraine used up such ammunition, inherited from the Soviet era, in the spring of 2022, so the Pions were not used at the front for a long time.

Only recently has a solution been found: the Ukrainian Defense Forces were supplied with shells of the right caliber from the United States.

American arms manufacturers produced them in the 50s and 60s for the M110 and M115 guns. The program was not continued, these self-propelled artillery systems were gradually withdrawn from US service, and the already manufactured shells were sent for conservation. Later, it turned out that they were suitable for firing from Soviet Pions.

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The Ukrainian military told Bild that working with the Pion has its own specifics. Even before receiving the order to fire, Ukrainian artillerymen have to start the diesel generator in this self-propelled artillery system so that it heats up in advance and powers the gun's hydraulic system.

"It has to reach operating temperature," Rostyslav, a 26-year-old Ukrainian officer, explained to the journalist.

When the artillerymen receive the order, they run out of cover and move the Pion to its firing position. The gun extends a base plate that absorbs strong recoil and fires.

Stritzel noted that when the Pion fires, the entire ground around it shakes.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Russian invaders are trying to deceive Ukrainian servicemen on the battlefield and disguise themselves in the uniform of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. However, the Ukrainian military has invented a certain algorithm that allows them to identify the enemy.

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This is not a new tactic and the Russians have used it in other wars. Captain Yurii Fedorenko, commander of the "Achilles" battalion of unmanned aerial vehicles of the 92nd separate assault brigade named after Ivan Sirko, told about this during the telethon.

The military explained that it is not worth telling the general public about the algorithm that allows detecting occupiers in Ukrainian uniforms. However, Fedorenko emphasized that it is always difficult, but is achieved through negotiations and tactics on the battlefield.

The detection of the enemy in disguise is achieved by taking control of a representative wearing a Ukrainian uniform. Fedorenko added that this tactic is not new to the enemy.

"They have been using it since other wars in which Russia participated. Over the past year, we have seen quite a lot of it, when the enemy puts on a "pixel" and tries to infiltrate our rear lines to sow chaos in the rear and bring maximum imbalance as far as possible," explained Fedorenko.

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Despite the enemy's attempts, we can detect the occupiers in the Armed Forces effectively. The Defense Forces are doing a good job of distinguishing between "friend and foe" on the battlefield.

"We know the tactics, so there are fewer and fewer such cases every day. Systematic work to distinguish between "friend and foe" is being carried out and is sufficiently implemented in the Defense Forces. It will be different in each direction, for the sake of truth, but the vast majority of commanders clearly understand and realize how to do this and how to teach personnel to distinguish between "friend and foe," noted Fedorenko.

As a reminder, the Russian occupation army made an attempt to advance to the borders of the residential area of Kupiansk, Kharkiv region. To conduct the assault, the enemy tried to take advantage of the weather conditions, in particular, thick fog, to remain unnoticed.

Earlier it was reported that Russian troops are actively building fortifications along the coast of the temporarily occupied Yevpatoriya in Crimea. They are digging trenches, and setting up firing points and strongholds.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The significance of tourism is highlighted as a bridge between the United States and China.

by Xinhua writers Yang Shilong, Liu Yanan

NEW YORK, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- The energy of Zhejiang lit up Manhattan on Wednesday as the renowned southeastern Chinese province brought its lush landscapes, timeless artistry, and vibrant modern culture to New York City.

In his remarks at a promotion event, China's Consul General in New York Chen Li highlighted the significance of tourism as a bridge between the United States and China.

The enthusiasm and collaboration was duly manifested at the 14th U.S.-China Tourism Dialogue held in May, when 20 new cooperation agreements were signed between Chinese and American institutions, said Chen.

Xu Xiao, deputy director of Zhejiang's Department of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism, celebrated the province's distinctive charm, from its serene waterways to its lively cities, and underscored the province's strong U.S. ties, including 68 sister-city partnerships covering education, technology, and business.

Lincoln Center's Chief Artistic Officer Shanta Thake praised the longstanding cultural partnership between Zhejiang and the center, citing past Lunar New Year performances by artists from Zhejiang.

"Our curiosity about the world is what makes New York special. We have so much to learn from culture that's been preserved over 5,000 years. It's amazing," she said. "By learning about your history, we learn about our collective history, and that's so important to us in the cultural sector."

Jonathan Elkoubi, founder of Navew.com, a tourism consultancy, plans to have a leisure trip to China in the coming months by taking advantage of China's 144-hour visa-free transit policy.

"Transnational tourism between the United States and China is transforming in the post-COVID-world... I think things seem very beneficial to an increase in both-direction travel," he said.

Alejandro Garrido, director of Aviajar Tours & Travel USA, echoed the enthusiasm, calling Zhejiang an ideal destination for Americans seeking unique landscapes and culinary adventures.

A frequent traveler to China, Garrido plans to lead a group tour to Zhejiang next year. He praised the event's promotional materials and recommended broader distribution to share Zhejiang's accessibility and unique charm with more potential visitors.
US President-elect Donald Trump has made a new statement about the war in Ukraine. He emphasized that it "must stop" as soon as possible.

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The Republican claims that his administration will work hard to find solutions. These words were quoted by CNN.

Thus, on Thursday, at an event in Florida, Trump assured that the White House administration under his leadership would focus on Russia's war against Ukraine and finding ways to end it.

"We're going to work very hard on Russia and Ukraine. It has to stop. Russia and Ukraine have to stop," he said.

Trump did not emphasize that it was Russian aggression and terror against the Ukrainian people that needed to be stopped. But he did emphasize that people are dying.

"Whether it's soldiers or people sitting in cities, we're going to keep working," he added.

On Wednesday, November 13, Donald Trump met with the current leader of the country, Joe Biden, at the White House. The Democrat emphasized to the Republican the importance of supporting Ukraine for US national security.

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Mike Volz, a Republican congressman from Florida, who was nominated for the post of national security adviser, said that Trump plans to see Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the negotiating table after taking office. In this way, he will allegedly try to end the war in Ukraine.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, military analysts have noted that the Kremlin is seeking to dictate the terms of any potential peace talks with Ukraine before the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump. The manner in which it is attempting to set its terms for the talks clearly shows that Russia's goals remain unchanged and continue to be tantamount to Kyiv's complete surrender.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
It's very lucky for one Midlands reader that Athlone Library doesn't charge late fees anymore.

Westmeath Libraries shared pictures on Facebook of a book which was returned to their Athlone branch - 53 years overdue.

According to the record inside the front cover the book - Down All The Days by Christy Brown - was due back at what was then the "Leabharlann Contae Longfoirt-Iarmhi" by September 10, 1971.

There was also a warning that a book kept longer than the 14 days allowed will incur a fine of a penny a week or a portion of a week afterwards, but happily for whoever returned it, this is no longer the case.

"Remember, its never too late to return your books. No fines, and we might even persuade to take out a new read," Westmeath Libraries said in the comments.

Read Also: Who are the guests on this week's RTE Late Late Show as star-studded line-up revealed

They also replied to one commenter who confessed that "there could be one or two similar to that somewhere in my parents house."

"If you come across them feel free to drop them in, we'll welcome them back," they said.

It's unknown yet whether the book is back on the shelves to be checked out again.
In 1980, a team from the Mexican National Institute of Anthropology and Historys Templo Mayor Project (PTM) excavated an offering containing the skeletal remains of at least 42 children sacrificed in honor of Tlaloc, the Aztec god of rain. New studies suggest that these sacrifices, carried out in Mexico-Tenochtitlan in 1454, attempted to end a devastating drought that hit the Valley of Mexico.

At the ninth Freedom for Knowledge: Water and Life meeting, organized by the National College, Leonardo Lopez Lujan, director of the PTM, presented these findings in light of data provided by earth sciences. Accompanied by Eduardo Matos Moctezuma, emeritus researcher at the Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), and doctors Teresa Rojas Rabiela and Carlos E. Cordova, Lopez Lujan addressed how climatic variations influenced the economic and religious dynamics of the time.

Lopez Lujan explained that hydraulic works and rituals related to water supported daily life and agriculture, and also guaranteed political and social stability in the Valley of Mexico. According to the researcher, rainfall was only welcome when it occurred in adequate quantities and at precise times, otherwise the consequences were fatal.

There was a real obsession with controlling rainfall, appealing to supernatural forces, he said, noting that in nine of the 18 months that made up the Aztec calendar, ceremonies dedicated to providing rain were held. Some of these rituals culminated in the sacrifice of children personified as tlaloques, Tlalocs assistants.

The offering, known as Offering 48, was found in the northwest sector of the Templo Mayor (Great Temple), on the side dedicated to Tlaloc. It corresponds to the construction stage IVa, during the rule of Moctezuma I (1440-1469), and reflects the collective desperation in the face of the prolonged drought of 1452-1454 that, according to Lopez Lujan, generated a holocaust that was carried out to appease the fury of the gods. The analysis conducted by physical anthropologist Juan Roman Berrelleza revealed that of the 42 infants, 22 were boys aged between two and seven, and six were girls. Many showed signs of porotic hyperostosis, an indicator of nutritional problems.

The bodies were placed in a box of ashlars on a layer of sea sand, some adorned with chalchihuite necklaces with a green stone bead in the mouth. On top were laid more bodies, blue pigment, gourds, marine elements, small birds, an obsidian blade, copal and eleven polychrome tezontle sculptures bearing the face of Tlaloc.

An analysis of stable oxygen and phosphate isotopes by Diana Moreiras Reynaga at the University of British Columbia determined that the sacrificed children came primarily from an undetermined region of the present-day state of Oaxaca and the highlands of Chiapas and Guatemala. However, 16th-century sources suggest that the Aztecs also offered their own children in sacrifice.

Faced with the drought crisis, Moctezuma ordered the royal reserves to be distributed among the population. However, shortages and plagues led many families to sell their children. Peoples such as the Totonacs and the Cohuixcas received these children as slaves in exchange for provisions for the inhabitants of Tenochtitlan.

A calendar tablet with the date ce tochtli (One Rabbit, or 1454 AD), found on the eastern facade of the Great Temple, coincides in time with Offering 48. According to the Mexican Atlas of Drought, a large-scale drought affected central Mexico and impacted the germination and ripening of crops, which prolonged famines.

Salvador Guillem Arroyo, in his book Ofrendas a Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl en Mexico-Tlatelolco (Offerings to Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl in Mexico-Tlatelolco), highlights that Offering 48 is an example of how the Aztecs resorted to high-intensity ritual practices in times of crisis. Researchers agree that these acts represented a combination of desperation and hope. Through them, the Aztecs sought to re-establish the relationship with their deities in a time of great need.

Lopez Lujan stressed that the Aztec state initially tried to mitigate the effects of the drought by opening the royal granaries and performing rituals to appease the tlaloques. However, the prolongation of the crisis weakened the state, which caused a mass exodus of the population.

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The placenta means humans do not have to lay eggs. That is a huge simplification, but basically the placenta assumes functions that, in the egg, fall to the yolk. Its emergence in nature was such a success that the vast majority of mammals are defined as placentals. But this product of millions of years of evolution is a treasure that is almost always thrown away. Now, the scientific community is keen to take advantage of this precious medical and biological resource.

The placenta is a temporary organ that begins to develop alongside the embryo, shortly after implantation, acting as a connecting interface between the mother and the fetus. The womans blood vessels reach it through the endometrium of the uterus while the umbilical cord, which is vital for the embryo, is attached to it. The incredible structure of the placenta allows the transportation of nutrients and waste products between the mothers blood and that of the fetus, without the two ever mixing.

The placenta also produces both maternal and fetal regulatory hormones. When the baby is born, the placenta is no longer useful. Looking like a bloody pancake, it is expelled and is normally discarded.

The placenta should not be considered waste, says perinatal pathologist Mana Parast, a professor at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Parast and her colleagues, Drucilla Roberts, from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University, and Omonigho Aisagbonhi, from UCSD, have written an article published in the journal Trends in Molecular Medicine in which they advocate incorporating placental pathologies into clinical practice and research. They argue that the placenta is a hitherto underutilized resource that can teach us a lot about what went wrong in one pregnancy, as well as providing information on the health of the pregnant person and the baby in subsequent pregnancies, Parast notes.

An indicator of the mother and babys health

According to these experts, the placenta is only usually examined in the event of a stillbirth, but this organ provides clues to other pathologies such as low birth weight and neurological problems in babies, as well as preeclampsia  a syndrome of hypertension  and other cardiovascular conditions in the mother. Defects in the placenta can predict future problematic pregnancies, and a lesion called decidual artery disease indicates cardiovascular risk for the woman. In premature deliveries, when the baby often receives antibiotics, an examination of the placenta could immediately detect a fungal infection so that antifungals could also be administered.

If placental examination were included in clinical trial research, this could reveal new relationships between indicators, diseases and treatment. Imagine if we could tell a patient with preeclampsia, intrauterine growth retardation or preterm delivery what her chances of recurrence are, based on her individual placental pathology, and perhaps better advise patients on how a particular treatment, for example aspirin, could prevent these complications in a future pregnancy, Parast says.

In 2015, an international convention in Amsterdam established a standardized protocol for placenta analysis, along with criteria for diagnosing four main types of pathology. But, according to Parast, this still hasnt properly caught on 10 years later. There are various reasons for this. Besides being a new system that has been applied retrospectively in clinical trials but not yet prospectively, there are few specialty programs and few specialists, she says.

And there is resistance: some medical organizations do not consider placental examination as part of standard care, perhaps with the exception of stillbirths, Parast explains. In the US, where medical malpractice lawsuits are common, many specialists see placental pathology mostly useful as a defense against malpractice claims.

The forgotten element

According to Maria de la Calle, head of Medical Obstetrics at Madrids Hospital La Paz and associate professor at the Madrid Autonomous Universitys School of Medicine, the placenta used to be the great forgotten element, in Spain but is becoming less so. De la Calle points out that currently around 10% of placentas are sent for pathology, in cases of fetal death, intrauterine growth retardation, monochorionic twins which share the placenta and can present imbalances in blood flow, multiple pregnancies, infections and other complications. The rest of the placentas are incinerated along with other biological waste. However, she stresses that more specialists are needed in view of the growth of this diagnostic field.

The goal is not to examine placentas if there is no reason to do so. According to Parast, to begin with, we should focus on pregnancies in which there has been a complication; applying placental pathology to all cases is not feasible, even in rich countries. But even in pregnancies without problems, certain types of stem cells can be extracted from the placenta, while its tissue is used in grafts for healing burns and wounds that are difficult to treat, without the risk of immune rejection. However, placenta donation is not yet common practice.

Nothing prevents the mother from eating her placenta or drinking it in smoothies; it can even be turned into art or jewelry, as numerous websites suggest. But life within the womb is increasingly recognized as a factor in the programming of health and disease in adulthood, and the placenta holds clues to that programming.

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He moved every week. He chose luxury holiday homes in Marbella with a swimming pool, sauna or gym, and lived practically with just the clothes on his back. From those locations he ran a scam based on virtual assets that allowed him to amass a fortune of 20 million. Spains National Police have arrested a 24-year-old suspect born in the Netherlands on charges of fraud, money laundering and ties to organized crime. His mother and partner have also been arrested in the Netherlands, where the suspect has already been extradited and sent to prison. His victims are people living all over Europe, including leaders of criminal organizations based on the Costa del Sol who were looking to launder their illicit gains obtained from drug trafficking. He is a wolf that attacks other wolves. If they had caught him, he wouldnt have lived to tell the tale, said a source familiar with the investigation.

The National Polices Cybercrime Unit had been after him for six months. They had received information from the Dutch Nationale Politie, which was investigating the suspect for committing large-scale cryptocurrency scams and had detected his transfer to the Costa del Sol. According to them, his objective was both to hide and launder the money he had obtained fraudulently, in addition to having the opportunity to enjoy the money obtained in a safe environment with a nice climate, said the same sources.

The first thing they detected was that the individual rented luxury villas for one or two weeks and, after that time, he looked for another place. He moved continuously to try to make things more difficult for law enforcement. Meanwhile, he had a safe house: a simple, low-profile property that was in his name. There he kept cash, as well as clean clothes for himself and his accomplices in case the situation got complicated, the same sources added. Meanwhile, he continued with his illegal activity, which he offered through social networks and messaging services, and which he carried out in a coordinated manner with his family.

The victims contacted him with the aim of converting their virtual assets into currency. The procedure was always the same: they made a transfer in cryptocurrencies and he converted it into euros or dollars. He gained their trust little by little. The first transaction was always a small amount, which grew in the following ones. When the transfer reached a significant value, he disappeared. He kept the virtual assets and, in this way, increased his own wealth. His victims had only had contact with him online, so they did not know how to find him. The people he defrauded includes leaders of criminal organizations based on the Costa Sol who were looking to launder the money obtained through drug trafficking. The criminals were also looking for him, says another police officer.

Over time we figured out how he worked and his movements, so when the operation [called Geld] called for it, we finally went for him, said the sources. On September 17 he was arrested in a luxury villa he had rented in Marbella. It was a property in Nueva Andalucia with 300 square meters, two swimming pools, a gym and even a panic room. There were several high-end watches, luxury items and 16,000 in cash on the property. The agents also found information that allowed them to access his cryptocurrencies, which at the time were worth 13 million and have now increased to 20 million. We do not rule out that he may have more assets, said the same sources, noting that this is the largest seizure of virtual assets in Spain and one of the largest in Europe.

The police also searched his home in Mijas, while the Dutch police searched the home of his mother and his partner in the Netherlands. There they found a safe with 238,000 in cash and watches valued at 600,000, as well as documents and mobile phones, jewellery and clothes valued at half a million euros.

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In Botswana, at the southern tip of Africa, there are about 130,000 elephants. In neighboring Zimbabwe, another 82,000. In Namibia, Zambia and South Africa there are, combined, another 60,000. That sounds like a lot, but the African elephant is disappearing. A study using data from 1964 published in the scientific journal PNAS shows how in most of the continent, populations of pachyderms have shrunk, surviving only in protected areas.

The reduction has been most dramatic among forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis), which have disappeared from most of their habitat. Meanwhile, the savannah species (Loxodonta africana), the most numerous, has already become extinct from almost the entire Sahel and has reduced its presence by up to 70%. Only in the south does it seem to be holding on. When these data are combined with those of the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), also in danger of extinction, the future of the largest land animal on the planet becomes darker.

Counting elephants is not easy. Those in the forest have to be carefully sought out, sometimes estimating their number based on their droppings. Those in the savannah, given the enormous distances they usually travel, are counted from the air. There are other indirect methods of estimating their population, such as the number of recovered carcasses or the tons of ivory seized in places as far away as Hong Kong (28 tons seized in 2014) or the United Arab Emirates (10 tons in 2015 alone).

Now a group of scientists has turned to these and other databases, some of which were started in the 1960s, still in the colonial period, to detect how the different populations of African pachyderms have fared. The objective was not to determine how many there were and how many remain; the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) does that periodically in its reports. What they were looking for was to see the evolution of the elephants population density. In the words of Nelson Mandela University conservation ecologist and co-author of the study, Dave Barfour, they wanted to quantitatively develop an assessment of continental elephant population trends in a formal model. A model that can be used further, valid for viewing evolution over time.

And the trend is dramatic. With data from 1964-2016 taken from 475 areas in the 37 countries where elephants were found, the new study not only shows the decline in the population density of these giant animals, but also how quickly they are disappearing: in these 52 years, during the time when ecological awareness and conservation science have developed, up to 96% of African forest elephant populations have lost numbers. In regions of Gabon or the Central African Republic, many of them have disappeared completely. So far this century, in Gabon, whose forests barely make up 12% of Africas total forested regions but which were home to more than half of the population of this species, up to 20,000 elephants have died since the beginning of the century, according to IUCN data.

The fate of the savannah elephant has not been any better in most of the continent. In the Sahel region, immediately south of the Sahara, elephant populations have been decimated. In countries such as Chad, there are barely a few hundred left. In the east of the continent, where there are protected areas made famous by documentaries, such as the Masai Mara complex, the Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro conservation area, between Kenya and Tanzania, there are still several thousand of these proboscideans. But it is the second region where density has decreased the most, with only 10% of the populations having increased their numbers. Overall, the population decline stands at 70% in half a century, a period shorter than the life expectancy of these animals, which can live to be 70 years old.

That percentage is not higher because in the extreme south of the continent the trend has been exactly the opposite: up to 42% of the populations have seen their density increase. In countries such as Botswana, which is home to the largest population of savannah elephants, the problem is how to solve the continuous conflicts between the animals and an expanding human population. Regarding the success in the south, the scientific director of Save the Elephants and senior author of this research, George Wittemyer, stresses that it is a very complex issue, but it would be the result of a combination of good conservation governance, incentives for conservation, and more available habitat.

Although it does not fall within the timeframe of this study, it is estimated that a century ago there were between three and five million elephants spread throughout sub-Saharan Africa. The latest IUCN report, from 2016, was the first to recognize the existence of two different species in Africa, the forest species and the savannah species. It was also the first to classify the latter as endangered and the former as critically endangered. The report puts the number of those remaining that year at 415,000 (plus another 125,000 in areas not yet systematically studied). How did 90% of those three to five million disappear? Trophy hunting during the colonial period was partly to blame. But after World War II and the decolonization process, human demographic expansion and the advance of agriculture needed to feed this explosive population growth took over.

More than 70% of the remaining African elephants are concentrated in southern African countries, particularly Botswana and Zimbabwe. Nina Constable

Now, as Nelson Mandela University researcher Balfour says, the main cause of the current population decline is illegal hunting, almost always for ivory. This material, which is nothing more than dentin, has always been appreciated by different cultures, including in Europe. But it was not until the 1980s that the illegal trade in ivory exploded. Since then, thousands and thousands of elephants have been killed to have their tusks removed to meet the growing demand from the Gulf countries and, above all, from China. In fact, there are studies that have linked the emergence of the Chinese middle-class after the liberalization of state communism with the increase in ivory trafficking. The impact is such that even nature, through this artificial selection, is favoring the emergence of generations of tuskless pachyderms.

A comparison of the two most recent IUCN reports from 2016 and 2007 underlines the speed at which elephants are heading toward extinction. Over that decade, Africa lost 118,000 pachyderms. Most of the decline has occurred in the populations of Kenya and Tanzania, again due to ivory poaching. The distribution across large regions illustrates the underlying causes of the decline. The south of the continent is home to 70% of elephants and the east another 20%. The west, the area with the highest human population density, and central Africa, share the remaining 10%, mostly forest elephants.

The situation is no better for the Asian elephant. Once ranging from present-day Iraq to southern China, the latest IUCN status report painted a future as bleak as that of the African elephant. In the lifetime of an elephant, its population has been halved and it has lost more than 50% of its habitat. Looking at distribution maps, the enormous fragmentation of the rest is obvious. There are populations in 13 countries, from Sri Lanka to the eastern tip of Indonesia. But when you put them on the map, most are isolated from each other. Other data reinforce its status as endangered, with some subspecies, such as the Sumatran elephant, in critical condition: The Sri Lankan population has been reduced by 20% since 1960; in the Chinese province of Yunnan, there are only a third of the pachyderms that existed in 1975.

So far this century, the greatest losses have occurred in countries relatively isolated from global modernization processes, such as Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. In 2018, the most recent year for which data are available, there were a maximum of 51,000 elephants left in Asia, down from 100,000 a century ago. Although there are still perhaps a little more than half a million elephants on the planet, these animals have low birth rates and long breeding periods, which aggravates the acceleration of the decline. In a note from Colorado State University, where he is a professor, Wittemyer said the results of the population study highlight the speed with which even something as large and visible as elephants can disappear.

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Members of the emergency services at the doors of the nursing home in Villafranca de Ebro, on Friday.

At least 10 people have died and several others have been injured, two of them critically, in a fire at the Jardines de Villafranca nursing home in Villafranca de Ebro, a town in Zaragoza located 20 minutes from the provincial capital, according to the Spanish government delegation in the region of Aragon.

Firefighters from Zaragoza responded to the emergency around 5 a.m., arriving at the single-story facility on Alfonso Bes Labuerta Street, where they successfully extinguished the flames. Initial reports indicated that 82 residents were at the nursing home at the time of the fire, but the latest figures have revised that number to 69. The mayor of the municipality, Volga Rodriguez, confirmed that the fire originated from a mattress, although the cause is still under investigation.

Fernando Beltran, the central governments delegate to Aragon, expressed his condolences and traveled to the municipality to monitor the condition of the injured and the support provided to the affected residents.

A judicial investigation has been opened to determine the causes of the fire. In addition to the Zaragoza judicial police, the Civil Guards infrastructure technical team from Logrono will also be deployed to examine the origin and spread of the fire, Beltran told reporters, calling the situation devastating.

Members of the emergency services at the gates of the nursing home in Villafranca de Ebro, on Friday. Javier Cebollada (EFE)

According to Beltran, no workers were affected by the fire, which broke out in one of the rooms of the residence. He also noted that while its still too early to confirm the exact cause of the deaths, in such cases they are typically due to smoke inhalation.

Once the flames were extinguished, authorities awaited judicial authorization to remove the bodies, while efforts to support the affected families were being organized.

A municipal unit will be established to provide families with the necessary information and psychosocial support, explained Beltran, who added that authorities are also considering relocating the residents to another facility so they can receive the care and support they need, as well as visits from their relatives.

Responding to the crisis are the Zaragoza Fire Department, the Civil Guard, Civil Protection Volunteers, psychologists, social workers, and emergency medical personnel, along with staff from the health centers in Alfajarin and Fuentes de Ebro. The Royo Villanova, Miguel Servet, and Clinico Universitario hospitals have been placed on high alert. Additionally, the Minister of the Interior for the Aragon regional government, Roberto Bermudez de Castro, has traveled to the nursing home, which has been operating since 2008.

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The reasoning actually favors epidemiologists but hopefully will keep our rural neighbors from being so sneeze-y this holiday season . . . Check-it . . .



The CDC is trying to mitigate some of those complications this season by offering 100,000 free flu vaccines to farm workers in 12 states, including Kansas, with the hope of reducing the burden on fragile rural health care systems.



The urgency this year comes on the heels of a global outbreak in H5N1 bird flu among livestock.



Bird flu has been reported among dairy cattle herds in at least a dozen states this year, including in Kansas.



Dr. Lisette Durand, chief veterinary officer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said this spread of disease in agriculture was the main push to offer free vaccines for seasonal influenza.



Having the flu vaccine will help prevent the likelihood of getting infected with seasonal flu. This way, if a farm worker does get sick with flu-like symptoms, that will help them distinguish seasonal flu from bird flu cases, Durand said.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
An evening update sent to www.TonysKansasCity.com and other local media deserves attention because it seems to reveal A LOT about the state of local politics and how a "blue city" moves forward after a resounding shift in national politics . . . Our quick hot take . . . The Exec cites Missouri law in his decision . . . HOWEVER . . . We might be getting our first glimpse at local politicos taking a more conservative turn after recent election returns.

Now here's the word . . .



Jackson County Executive vetoes gun restriction ordinance



White cites legislation as unlawful and reaffirms commitment to public safety through sustainable, legal solutions

KANSAS CITY, Mo.  County Executive Frank White, Jr. has exercised his veto power against Ordinance 5865, a proposed measure targeting firearm regulations within Jackson County. Citing significant legal conflicts and impracticalities, White returned the ordinance to the Jackson County Legislature, explaining in a formal veto message that it remains fundamentally flawed, unlawful, and counterproductive.



In a statement addressed to the Jackson County Legislature, County Executive White emphasized the ordinances conflict with Missouris preemption law, which prohibits local jurisdictions from imposing firearms regulations that go beyond state law. The County Counselors Office advised that Ordinance 5865 would likely prompt costly litigation from the state, specifically from the Missouri Attorney Generals Office, which would burden Jackson County taxpayers without yielding tangible benefits for public safety.



While I am steadfast in my commitment to protecting our community, I cannot support legislation that is unlawful, unenforceable and exposes Jackson County to costly legal battles, said White. I have never hesitated to challenge the state when it serves the public interest, as evidenced by our prior opposition to House Bill 85, but we must ensure that our actions are both necessary and legally sound.



Key Concerns in Veto Message



1. Violation of State Preemption Laws and Financial Consequences: Ordinance 5865 disregards state law by attempting to impose firearm restrictions that are not supported by Missouri or federal statutes. The County Counselor warned that this would make the ordinance unenforceable and expose Jackson County to inevitable legal challenges, potentially leading to a significant drain on taxpayer resources.



2. Contradictory Provisions: Ordinance 5865 would introduce confusing discrepancies in firearm restrictions, allowing minors under 18 to use firearms in certain circumstances while prohibiting young adults aged 18-20 from similar lawful activities, such as hunting or target shooting.



3. Inconsistent Restrictions on Firearm Purchases and Use: Ordinance 5865 conflicts with both federal and state laws concerning handgun and ammunition purchases for individuals under 21, further undermining its enforceability and public safety objectives.



4. Unenforceable Restrictions on Semiautomatic Assault Rifles: Ordinance 5865s restrictions on semiautomatic assault rifles for young adults aged 18-20 contradict existing state preemption statutes, which makes enforcement impossible and invites unnecessary legal challenges.



County Executive White reiterated his commitment to advancing lawful and effective public safety measures. He pointed to Kansas Citys firearm code as a viable model for Jackson County, noting that it aligns with state preemption laws, offers clear definitions and includes enforceable provisions without legal overreach. White encouraged the Legislature to explore a similar approach that respects legal boundaries and upholds public trust.



I urge the Legislature to reconsider this ordinance and to focus on sustainable, common-sense public safety initiatives that do not conflict with state law, said White. Jackson County deserves policies that are effective, responsible and avoid needless litigation.

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Developing . . .
TKC readers notice critical follow-up for this tragic story from Shawnee and the reality of dangerous local streets in the suburbs as well . . . Check-it:



"On July 26, 2023, Will Ensley was killed on his way to swim practice after a dump truck, driven by Darrin Boomershine, of Independence, struck his vehicle, causing a chain reaction crash involving nine other vehicles. Ensley was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died.



"Boomershine is charged with vehicular homicide, no vehicle registration, and violation of the motor carrier safety rules and regulations, all misdemeanors. He previously pleaded not guilty to the vehicular homicide charge in Dec. 2023.



"His case is scheduled for a plea hearing on Nov. 18 in Johnson County District Court.



"Randall and Sharon Ensley, Wills parents, have expressed frustration with the justice process, from Boomershines punishment to the response from the district attorneys office.



" 'Its very likely going to end up a plea agreement,' Randall said. 'Thats been what theyve been talking about for 10-11 months now.'



"He added: 'Thats hard because we didnt feel like the maximum penalty he could get was enough and any plea agreement is going to be less, a lot less.'

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
This is a photo from a press conference we attended not-so-long ago wherein KCPD wanted to offer a glimpse at some of the fire power available on local streets. Since that time there are actually MORE guns hitting the metro with even more advanced tech that can legal guns even more lethal.

More to the point . . .

ANYBODY WHO LISTENS CLOSELY HAS HEARD WHAT SOUNDS LIKE AUTOMATIC GUNFIRE ON KANSAS CITY STREETS!!!

Now . . .

The penalties for automatic weapons are VERY HARSH . . . In fact, tricking out a gun to make it automatic also comes with some very STRICT consequences . . . But that obviously hasn't stopped many locals from stepping up fire power.

Interestingly . . .

Widely supported draconian penalties against automatic weapons were once cited as evidence that gun control works but now that axiom seems to be in question.

Accordingly . . .

Here's more evidence of more deadly firepower on Kansas City streets . . . Check-it:



He said his younger brother was outside when he heard the gunshots that ultimately killed 16-year-old Andre Pride.



He, and other residents, were told to stay inside their apartments when the police arrived on the scene.



It sounded like an automatic so I heard the gunshots because Im a gun owner so I grabbed mine and got my little brother in there, he said. I looked outside to see whats going on and at that point, I didnt hear any police sirens or anything yet . . .



The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department said a suspect has not been identified still as of Thursday afternoon and no one is in custody. They do not know how many people were involved in the argument that escalated into someone shooting Pride.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

KCTV5: It sounded like an automatic: Neighbors share experience day after teen killed in south Kansas City



Developing . . .


Long live freedom, damn it! With this phrase, Argentinas President Javier Milei shared a photo on social media of himself alongside U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Both men, dressed in suits and smiling, met informally on Thursday at Mar-a-Lago, Trumps Florida residence. Milei became the first foreign leader to meet in person with the former and future U.S. president following Trumps election victory on November 5. Businessman Elon Musk was also present at the gathering.

In the photo, Trump, clad in a tuxedo, smiles and gives a thumbs-up next to Milei, who appears slightly more serious. During their first conversation since Trumps recent win, the president-elect called Milei my favorite president, according to Mileis own account on Wednesday.

The Argentine presidents office also confirmed the meeting between the two leaders and Elon Musk on social media. The General Secretary of the Presidency, Karina Milei (the presidents sister), and the countrys newly appointed Foreign Minister, Gerardo Werthein  who recently served as Argentinas ambassador to Washington  were also in attendance.

After the meeting, Milei delivered a speech at the America First Policy Institute gala dinner at Mar-a-Lago. In his address, the Argentine president strongly criticized left-wing ideologies and paid tribute to Musk, stating that X, the social network owned by the worlds richest man, is helping to save humanity.

He also lavished praise on his host, celebrating Trumps resounding victory at the election. This has been the greatest political comeback in history, defying the entire political establishment, even at the risk of his own life, he said, in reference to the assassination attempts against Trump.

In his speech, the Argentine president  who describes himself as an anarcho-capitalist  outlined what he views as the key achievements of his first year in office. One by one, we are solving problems that have been swept under the rug in Argentina for decades. Even problems that the free world has little courage to address, such as the issue of the fiscal deficit. Only five countries in the world are above the line of financial balance; Argentina is one of them. My point is that Argentina can and should be a beacon for the world, a beacon of beacons, even now that the winds of freedom are also blowing in the north, because the world has been plunged into a deep darkness and is crying out to be illuminated.

The U.S. president-elect reciprocated the praise during his own speech. Javier, Id like to congratulate you on the job youve done for Argentina, said Trump. The job youve done is incredible. Make Argentina great again. He continued: Id say youve done a fantastic job in a very short period of time. Its an honor to have you here.

Before the event at Mar-a-Lago, Milei, who arrived in Florida on Thursday, held private meetings with American business leaders in Miami.

The Argentine president had said that his primary goal for the trip was to build bridges with the incoming U.S. government, which he sees as a strategic ally for the years ahead. He also hopes to secure support to improve Argentinas terms in its relationship with the International Monetary Fund. Milei aims to negotiate a free trade agreement with the new U.S. leadership team.

Argentina is the largest debtor to the IMF, owing $44 billion. However, Mileis government hopes to renegotiate the deal and secure an additional $15 billion in loans that would help ease currency and capital controls, which are hindering the countrys recovery from recession.

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On the mental map of Elise Stefanik, the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, two countries are marked in red, one friendly and one hostile: Israel and Iran. The rest, except for China or Ukraine, do not seem to figure in the itinerary of the Republican congresswoman from New York, a neocon fervently reconverted to the MAGA movement and rewarded for it with this ambassadorship, of ministerial rank.

Stefaniks agenda will therefore not differ too much from that of her Republican predecessor in the post, Nikki Haley, or that of the current U.S. permanent representative to the multinational forum, Democrat Linda Thomas-Greenfield. The shielding of Israel  by vetoing any Security Council resolution contrary to its interests  is a dogma of faith for all U.S. administrations, Democratic or Republican. Stefaniks difference with regard to her predecessors is her belligerent and extreme character when it comes to defending Israel.

In May, Stefanik, 40, spoke before a Knesset committee, calling for unconditional aid to Israel. She said that Washington should provide Israel with what it needs, when it needs it, without conditions, to achieve total victory in the face of evil, which she said is embodied in Hamas.

Her speech was in response to President Joe Bidens decision a few days earlier to halt the delivery of 3,500 heavy bombs to prevent the Israeli military offensive against Gaza from causing an even greater catastrophe in a densely populated area like Rafah, amid the enclaves long-standing humanitarian crisis. Total victory starts  but only starts  with wiping those responsible for October 7 off the face of the earth, Stefanik proclaimed in the Israeli parliament, in a tone similar to that used to refer to Hamas by future Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

In her Knesset speech, Stefanik dwelt on her favorite topic: the rise of antisemitism in the U.S. At a hearing of the House Education Committee last December, she took center stage, lashing out viciously at three female presidents from the universities of MIT, Harvard, and Pennsylvania, who were called in to account for their responses to pro-Palestinian campus protests against the Gaza war.

After concluding that the three presidents had been too soft, Stefaniks exorcism was such that the chancellor of the University of Pennsylvania, Liz Magill, resigned almost immediately, and that of Harvard, Claudine Gay, three weeks later. The pro-Palestinian mobilization that has swept through American campuses, in which many Jewish students and donors have seen messages of antisemitic hatred, was one of the main weapons deployed by the Republicans against the Democrats, and many believe that without Stefaniks prominence, the debate would not have attained such virulence; in fact, most universities still block access to the campuses for fear of a repeat of the protests. Stefanik once again raised the specter before the Knesset, accusing pro-Palestinian activists of calling for intifada and genocide of Jews.

Her ardor was rewarded with the Israel Defense Prize, instituted by the late Israeli-American tycoon Sheldon Adelson  who orchestrated the political careers of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu  and his wife Miriam, a major donor to the Republicans presidential campaign. Stefanik also boasts of having been part of Netanyahus personal entourage during his visit to the U.S. Congress in July, before which she delivered a particularly belligerent speech.

The fact that Stefanik considers the U.N. an antisemitic organization  in line with Israels repeated attacks on the body and its secretary-general, Antonio Guterres  does not, according to the new administration, prevent her from playing a role that in theory, and always depending on Trumps opinion, will be very similar to the one Haley had, albeit with more modest manners and tone. Her legacy at the U.N. generated many headlines: she defended the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear agreement with Iran in 2018, calling it terrible, the withdrawal from the U.N. Human Rights Council, in protest against the allegedly discriminatory treatment of Israel, and the decision to leave the Paris Agreement in 2017.

The Paris Agreement stated that countries could not withdraw within the first three years of its entry into force in 2016, so by the time Trump began to move to formally exit, Haley was no longer U.N. ambassador. She resigned in December 2018, and it took the then-president eight months to find a replacement, evidence of his scant interest in the U.N. During that period, a career diplomat  something Haley and her eventual successor, Kelly Knight Craft, a wealthy businesswoman and Republican donor, were not  was in charge of U.S. representation.

The reasons for Haleys resignation were not made public, but George Lopez, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Notre Dame, points to a lack of zeal when it came to defending the policies of the first Trump administration. As Nikki Haley learned, as an ambassador you can follow the order to vote no in the Security Council, only to be called to the White House to be reprimanded for not doing so forcefully enough, or for a minor lapse in expression in explaining the U.S. position to the press, explains the academic.

Haleys fleeting stint at the U.N. was a shadow of Trumps isolationist and dismissive foreign policy in his first term; but unlike then, when the Republican administration still contained some career officials, in the second, with the election of hawks to the main international posts, including Stefaniks, Washingtons relationship with the rest of the world seems likely to be more turbulent. Progressive Jewish groups have described the future ambassadors speech as rabid, an excess of ideological zeal that Haley lacked despite her radicalism: Israel first, a copy of the battle cry America first that has swept Trump back to the White House.

Of Stefaniks likely role, Lopez, a two-time member of the U.N. panel of experts on North Korea, notes: I suspect she will have a tough job. Her lack of diplomatic and U.N. experience contributes to this. Trumps agenda to marginalize the U.N. from any significant role in resolving various wars, reducing nuclear weapons proliferation, or mitigating climate change, will also play a role. In addition, the U.S. will withdraw from several organizations under the U.N. umbrella, such as the World Health Organization.

A key issue, according to the expert, will be Stefaniks ability to recruit staff with experience in the functioning of the U.N., and especially the Security Council. The State Departments Office of International Organizational Affairs, from which nonpartisan staff are usually assigned to the U.N., could be eliminated under the cuts [proposed by] Trump-Musk-Rubio, Lopez says in reference to the dismantling of the state apparatus envisaged by the new Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. Lopez recommends Stefanik spend the entire month of December at the mission [to the U.N.], when the U.S. will occupy the presidency of the Security Council. There, she will be able to observe the complexities of the position and learn very directly.

There are no substantial differences between Stefanik and Haley. As a congresswoman, the former has vehemently denounced the Democratic administration for insufficiently arming Ukraine and Israel, and for supposedly bowing to China; she also criticized the hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan. Her flattery of Trump has borne fruit, although the political dimension of her role is largely irrelevant unless, because of its commitment to Israel, the U.S. decides to freeze its contribution to the U.N., to its ongoing peace missions  Washington is the organizations largest contributor  or to deliver the final blow to the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), Israels bete noire.

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Kashmiri shopkeepers hauled for anti-Zionist stance in Kerala

A purported video is doing rounds on the internet where a Kashmiri handicraft shop owner had a verbal duel with the Israeli tourist, for his pro-Palestine and anti- Zionist instance

Friday November 15, 2024 9:40 PM , Syed Ali Mujtaba

A purported video is doing rounds on the internet where a Kashmiri handicraft shop owner had a verbal duel with the Israeli tourist, for his pro-Palestine and anti-Zionist instance.

The incident occurred at the Crafts shop in the tourist town of Thekkady, bordering Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Israeli tourists, Ms. Valfar, and her husband went to the Incredible Handicraft store in the Kumily area in Thekkady. The couple chose fabric for clothing and asked for billing for the purchase.

The couple conversed in Hebrew which made the store owner, Ahammed Rather, inquire about her nationality. When the lady disclosed that they were from Israel, the shopkeeper yelled at her asking them to leave the shop and turning off the lights, saying:

He would never sell anything to an Israeli.

The tourists alerted their driver about the incident, who then called the local shopkeepers and they called the head of the merchant association and questioned the Kashmiri duo for their actions.

The merchant association president Manoj Karimuttam said:

Merchants in Thekkady are obligated to serve all tourists and such behavior is detrimental to the tourism sector in Thekkady.

Following this, the Kashmiri vendors apologized to the couple.

I made a mistake, I am sorry for not selling you the products, the Kashmiri shopkeeper told the tourists.

A video documenting the incident and the subsequent apology has gone viral on social media platforms.

Watch Video

A Kashmiri handicraft shop owner had a verbal duel with the Israeli tourist, for his pro-Palestine and anti- Zionist instance in Thekkady town bordering Tamil Nadu and Kerala. He was later forced to apologized. #israel #kerala pic.twitter.com/5m1MAYgMIl  ummid.com (@ummid) November 15, 2024

In the video, the Israeli man can be heard saying to the locals that the Kashmiri man insulted his wife and told her that she could not go inside the shop because she is an Israeli.

The Kashmiri shopkeepers apologized to the woman and told her they respected her. The womans husband then told the shop owners that if this happened again they would go to the police and complain to the police about the shop.

"I will go to the police and complain about the shop. Do you want your shop to be closed? Even if you are Muslim and I am Jewish, I did not do anything to you. "This is not the Indian way. Be a proper Indian and respect everyone irrespective of their religion, the Jewish man the shopkeeper in the video.

The woman was heard speaking about Indian values and respect for every religion.

Meanwhile, the Circle Inspector Sujith PS who arrived at the spot and said that the Israeli tourists declined to pursue legal action but he directed the shop to remain closed for a few days considering the local law-and-order situation.

[The writer, Syed Ali Mujtaba, is a Journalist. He can be contacted at syedalimujtaba2007@gmail.com.]

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KYODO NEWS - Nov 15, 2024 - 10:00 | All, World

Moldova will take action against "malign" Russian propaganda ahead of parliamentary elections next year, the foreign minister of the former Soviet republic said, criticizing interference by Moscow in recent elections.

Moldova will combat disinformation and fake news aimed at creating discord in society after similar propaganda efforts blamed on Russia were seen in the recent presidential election and a referendum over whether to join the European Union, Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi said in an interview with Kyodo News earlier this week.

The government has created an institution tasked with monitoring the public and online space to fight what Popsoi said were Russian attempts to build a wedge between Moldovans at home and abroad as well as to create animosity against Ukrainian refugees who have fled the war in their homeland.

In the presidential election earlier this month, pro-EU President Maia Sandu was reelected in a runoff by defeating a Russia-friendly contender, helped by overseas votes that accounted for some 20 percent of the total ballots.

In October, a slim majority voted in favor of the country joining the EU in the referendum, with a ruling party victory in the upcoming parliamentary elections seen as key to moving forward the country's pursuit of EU membership.

"We need to work to bring Moldova closer to the European Union to improve the quality of life, which is most important," Popsoi, who also serves as vice prime minister, said in Tokyo.

Regarding the war in Ukraine, Popsoi called for a quick solution, noting that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has said that he is seeking to bring a swift end to the conflict.

"But it should be a solution that takes into account the interests of Ukraine," he said, adding that otherwise "it will create a dangerous precedent that could be replicated in other parts of the world."

As for Moldova's ties with Japan, Popsoi said the government intends to boost ties including in the economic area such as by promoting exports of its wine.

Related coverage:

North Korea ratifies defense treaty with Russia amid Ukraine war

Ukraine confirms 1st engagement with N. Korea troops: S. Korea media
US Universities are receiving flak over antisemitic incidents, with the University of Rochester bringing the latest headline on the said topic.

Reports stated that there were hundreds of 'Wanted' posters across the campus late Sunday night, causing outrage among students, faculties, and staff.

ABC News Go detailed that these posters were meant to target several members of the university, many of which are believed to be Jewish. The posters were placed on walls, chalkboards, and other campus structures.

University President Sarah Mangelsdorf condemned the action and denounced these acts as antisemitism. She emphasized that this goes against the values of the university and they will commit to supporting students, especially those in the Jewish community,

Read more: Harvard Sued Over 2023 Antisemitic Incidents on Campus That Affected Jewish Students

Removing Wanted Posters of Jewish Students

The issue extended into school infrastructures as removing the posters caused damages to the property due to the strong adhesive used. This included initially flawless chalkboards and walls. While facilities staff worked hard to remove the materials, the Department of Public Safety described it as a painstaking activity due to the extent of damage.

Currently, the university is launching an investigation to find those responsible for placing the posters around the campus.

The university's Jewish student organization expressed strong disapproval of the incident and confirmed that many of those in Wanted posters were Jewish faculty and staff members. The organization, called Hillel, echoed Mangelsdorf's sentiments and called for action to ensure the safety and well-being of the Jewish community on campus.

Local law enforcement in New York will also join the investigation to prevent further acts of hatred against the group.
Remarks:

Notification of the re-entry of QMR-KWT (international designator 2021-059BS)
(@FahadShabbir)

Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan on Friday pledged support for textiles and apparel industry amid mounting challenges

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Nov, 2024) Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan on Friday pledged support for textiles and apparel industry amid mounting challenges.

During a meeting with the delegation of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), he reiterated the governments commitment to facilitate textiles and apparel sector to promote value-addition and product/market diversification and boost exports, said a press release issued here Friday.

In a meeting with the APTMA representatives, led by its Chairman, Kamran Arshad, the minister emphasized the importance of the textiles and apparel industry vis-a-viz socio-economic development and growth.

The delegation of APTMA included Aamir Fayyaz Sheikh, Chairperson Textile Council (Kohinoor Mills), Anees Khawaja (Mahmood Group), Rahim Nasir (Ayesha Group), Naveed Ahmad (Indus Dyeing), Naveed Gulzar (Crescent Mills), Asad Shafi (Cross Stitch), Ali Ahsan (Ashiana Cotton), Shahid Sattar (Executive Director, APTMA), and Raza Baqir (Secretary General, APTMA North).

Kamran Arshad outlined the critical challenges facing the textiles and apparel sector and their implications, including potential disconnection of gas supplies to industrial captive power plants, high electricity prices, high taxes and liquidity crunch which may erode the industry's competitiveness and adversely impact exports.

The representatives of APTMA also raised their concerns on withdrawal of sales tax exemption on local procurement for exporters under Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS) of Federal board of Revenue, introduced in the Finance Act 2024.

They explained that, while imports of the same inputs remain tax-free, locally procured materials are now subject to 18 percent sales tax.

Delays in refunding these taxes through the FASTER system have further strained exporters, pushing them toward imports and jeopardizing the domestic supply chain.

Arshad urged the government to renegotiate its commitment to the International Monetary Fund and reconsider the decision of cutting off captive gas supply by end of January 2025 so that sector could be able to regain the lost grounds and enhance exports.

Federal Minister Jam Kamal Khan reaffirmed the governments support, recognizing the textiles and apparel sector a cornerstone of Pakistans exports and economy.

"The textiles and apparel industry is the established sector, and government will extend maximum support for its sustainability and growth," he stated.

The minister expressed optimism about increasing textiles and apparel exports through collaborative efforts and supportive policies. He encouraged to focus on potential in existing markets, explore new markets and diversify more to new value-added finished products. "The Ministry of Commerce is committed to addressing these challenges. I will personally engage with the relevant authorities to find solutions," the minister assured.

The meeting concluded with a renewed pledge to facilitate and uplift Pakistans textiles and apparel industry, a vital driver of exports and employment generation for the masses.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Nov, 2024) The Ministry of Finance endorsed the views of Punjab government on achievement of a provincial surplus of Rs40 billion during first quarter of the fiscal year 2024-25.

The Ministry of Finance endorses the views of Government of the Punjab on achievement of a provincial surplus of Rs.40 billion during Q1 for FY 2024-25, finance ministry said in a press release issued here.

The press release said, that government of the Punjab remained one of the most important contributors to provincial surplus during recent years adding for FY 2024-25 it has budgeted a provincial surplus of Rs630 billion as agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The statement highlighted that the ministry shared the updated Q1 fiscal operations figures with the IMF on November 14, 2024. With concurrence of the Fund, MoF has updated the revised figures at its web-site, showing a provincial surplus of Rs40 billion for Punjab.

It is further pointed out that as per the revised figures agreed with the Fund; government of Pakistan has managed to achieve a cumulative provincial surplus of Rs360 billion against a target of Rs. 342 billion agreed with the IMF for Q1 for FY 2024-25.
(@FahadShabbir)

Azad Jammu Kashmir President Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry has said that India would disintegrate soon because of the Modi government's communal policies that has an abysmal track record of persecuting religious minorities

MIRPUR ( AJK) : (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point news - 15th Nov, 2024) Azad Jammu Kashmir President Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry has said that India would disintegrate soon because of the Modi government's communal policies that has an abysmal track record of persecuting religious minorities.

He expressed these views while addressing a reception meeting in Dhirkot town of Poonch Division of AJK on Friday.

"The Modi' regime, while pursuing its Hindutva agenda, is committing serious crimes not only against Kashmiris in Occupied Kashmir but also persecuting people elsewhere in India on the basis of faith", Barrister Sultan said.

The AJK President said that India, under the BJP role, has emerged as a terror-sponsoring nation in the world.

"I salute Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for exposing India ugly face before the world by presenting evidence of Indian involvement in terrorist activities in Canada", Barrister Chaudhry said, adding that Indian spy agencies were also involved in terror activities in Pakistan and other countries. The president also reiterated his commitment to expose Modi government's nefarious designs.

Referring to continued bloodshed and violence in the Indian occupied territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry said that after August 5, 2019, India has broken all records of barbarism and brutalities in Kashmir.

Meanwhile, talking to various public delegations and media representatives during his visit to Bagh, Barrister Chaudhry voiced his grave concern over the stepped up human rights violations and state terrorism in Occupied Kashmir.

He said that there was a dire need to expose Indian brutalities and sensitizing the world about the early and amicable settlement of the lingering Kashmir dispute

Amongst the delegations that called on the president separately were led by Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Dairy Development Sardar Mir Akbar and the other was led by Minister Information Technology Sardar Zia Qamar and third one was led by Maulana Imtiaz Siddiqui, Chairman Ulama and Mashaikh.

The president assured the visiting delegations of his all possible help and support in solving their problems. ENDS / APP / AHR.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Nov, 2024) Chief Executive of the British Council, Scott McDonald on Friday wrapped up his visit to Pakistan, which took place from 11-15 November, marking a significant occasion as the organization celebrates its 90th anniversary of fostering global connections.

Throughout his visit, Scott engaged with various stakeholders, highlighting the British Council's enduring commitment to education, culture, and social development in Pakistan, said a press release issued here.

He attended a series of impactful events, including the launch of the second phase of the Pakistan UK Education Gateway, aimed at enhancing collaborative educational efforts between the two nations.

The event gathered numerous participants from higher education institutions across Pakistan, facilitating discussions on capacity building and improving the quality of teaching and research.

Going on ground with students was one of the first few activities and the Chief Executive played an active role in the administration of O Level, IGCSE, AS, A2, and A Level examinations at Dawood Public school in Karachi, overseeing the examination process and engaging with candidates and staff.

The visit was further enriched in the celebration of the Scotland Pakistan Scholarship Scheme at Punjab University, honouring a decade of empowering young women and girls through education.

The event highlighted the positive impact of the scholarship program, which has supported over 17,000 schoolgirls and more than 2,000 young women in universities since its inception.

Additionally, the visit included attending the British High Commission-funded GOAL programme, Khilo Aur Barho event which aims to improve educational outcomes for vulnerable children in Pakistan.

The visit also included a celebration of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) funded Aawaz II programme, showcasing the successes of community engagement efforts in tackling issues such as child marriage and gender-based violence.

The Chief Executive met with key stakeholders to discuss the programme's impact and future direction, further solidifying partnerships that enhance the rights of marginalized groups.

Reflecting on his visit, Scott McDonald stated: "This visit has deepened our resolve to enhance partnerships that open doors for young people, foster cultural understanding, and drive innovation. The British Council is dedicated to a future where education and opportunity are accessible to every generation of Pakistan.

As the British Council looks forward to the future, this visit is a testament to the organizations ongoing dedication to strengthening ties between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, creating lasting opportunities for collaboration in education, arts, and cultural exchange.
KYODO NEWS - Nov 15, 2024 - 13:28 | All, Japan

People in Japan expressed sorrow Friday over the death of Princess Yuriko, the oldest member of the imperial family and great-aunt of Emperor Naruhito, who died at a Tokyo hospital aged 101.

Tributes were offered at various locations, including outside St. Luke's International Hospital, where she had been hospitalized since March, and near her residence at the Akasaka Estate.

"She lived through a turbulent era and contributed greatly to charitable activities as a member of the imperial family. It is truly sad," said Yasuo Fujioka, a 61-year-old company executive, who visited the hospital.

Princess Yuriko joined the imperial family when she married Prince Mikasa, the youngest brother of Emperor Hirohito, posthumously known as Emperor Showa, in 1941.

An 83-year-old woman who was also visiting the hospital described her admiration for the late princess, saying, "She always appeared refined and beautiful whenever I saw her."

A 54-year-old office worker living near the Akasaka Estate mentioned the long lives of Princess Yuriko and her late husband, Prince Mikasa who died in 2016 aged 100.

"They both lived long and fulfilling lives together. I hope they can now rest peacefully," he said.

The princess had been hospitalized since March due to a mild stroke and aspiration pneumonitis.

Related coverage:

Japan's Princess Yuriko, great-aunt of emperor, dies at 101

Japan's former Empress Michiko to undergo surgery for broken femur
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Chief Justice of Pakistan/Chairman, National Judicial Automation Committee Justice Yahya Afridi on Friday chaired an online meeting to view the progress on the decisions taken regarding jail reforms in a meeting dated 2nd November held in Lahore

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Nov, 2024) Chief Justice of Pakistan/Chairman, National Judicial Automation Committee Justice Yahya Afridi on Friday chaired an online meeting to view the progress on the decisions taken regarding jail reforms in a meeting dated 2nd November held in Lahore.

Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court, Ms. Aalia Neelum, along with Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza, Administrative Judge / Monitoring Judge of Prisons in Punjab represented the LHC, Justice Shabbar Raza Rizvi, former Judge of the LHC, Secretaries of the Home and Prosecution Departments, Punjab, Inspector Generals of Police and Prisons departments, Punjab, Ms. Aminah Qadir, Constitutional and Human Rights Lawyer, Ahad Khan Cheema, Senator and Ms. Khadija Shah participated in the meeting.

The Chief Justice of Pakistan nominated Ms. Aminah Qadir as coordinator to the sub-committee on Jail Reforms and directed that she along with Ahad Khan Cheema and Ms.

Khadija Shah, as per TORs of the committee, to visit the jails in Punjab in order to prepare a comprehensive report in consultation with other stakeholders of the criminal justice system.

Moreover, he stressed that all the stakeholders including the Lahore High Court, Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan, Police and Prisons Departments shall facilitate the sub-committee.

Furthermore, he also asked the relevant institutions to share their views/recommendations regarding improvement in criminal justice system. It was further directed that after completion, the said report is to be shared with Justice Shabbar Raza Rizvi which will be placed before the committee in its upcoming meeting.

The Chief Justice also instructed the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan to provide full logistic support to the sub-committee members. The Chair expressed his resolve for his full support in the criminal justice system through law reforms.
A fifteen-member delegation of the National Defence University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, led by Commandant War College, Major General Badar Bin Muneef Al-Otabi, visited the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) on Friday

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Nov, 2024) A fifteen-member delegation of the National Defence University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, led by Commandant War College, Major General Badar Bin Muneef Al-Otabi, visited the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) on Friday.

The delegation was warmly received by the rector of NUST, Lt General Javed Mahmood Bukhari.

During one-day-visit, the delegation was given a detailed briefing on various dimensions of NUST, including an overview of the university, the academic governance, quality ecosystems of NUST, the research regime, NUSTs think tank, and knowledge diplomacy.

The delegation also visited the ongoing 28th Annual Conference of the International Association of Peacekeeping Training Centres (IAPTC), being held for the first time in Pakistan.

The delegation was taken for a brief visit of the expo arranged for 28th IAPTC members in which various indigenously developed products were displayed.

The delegation took deep interest in the various academic and training activities and highly appreciated the highest global standards achieved by NUST.
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Under the directions of Federal Ombudsman - 'Wafaqi Mohtasib' Mr Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi, the Director General, Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat Mr. Ashfaq Ahmad accompanied by Consultant Mr. Khalid Sial held a Khuli Katchery at Kotli (AJ&K) in Mirpur division on Friday and heard complaints against the Federal entities in the district

MIRPUR ( AJK) , (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point news - 15th Nov, 2024) Under the directions of Federal Ombudsman - 'Wafaqi Mohtasib' Mr Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi, the Director General, Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat Mr. Ashfaq Ahmad accompanied by consultant Mr. Khalid Sial held a Khuli Katchery at Kotli (AJ&K) in Mirpur division on Friday and heard complaints against the Federal entities in the district.

APP AJK Correspondent reports from Mirpur that the inquiry team also issued instructions to the officials concerned representing the Federal Government organizations and disposed of many complaints on the spot.

The Khuli Katchery was attended by a large number of complainants and they aired their grievances against the Electricity, Sui Gas, Passport Office, NADRA, BISP, Pakistan Post, Postal Life Insurance and National Savings. With a view to prompt redressal of complaints, the Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat officials issued on the spot instructions to the officials representing the Federal Agencies, who assured their fullest cooperation in this regard.

The Director General, Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat, speaking on the occasion, said that the officials belonging to Federal entities must discharge their responsibilities in accordance with the rules & regulations and to desist from any kind of wrong doing.

The Wafaqi Mohtasib officials also met the local media representatives after the Khuli Katcheri and briefed them on Wafaqi Mohtasibs initiatives, powers and the procedure for lodging complaints to seek redressal.

Earlier, the Wafaqi Mohtasibs officials also delivered an awareness lecture dilating upon the procedure to lodge a complaint and how to get relief from the Wafaqi Mohtasib Office. They stated that any person can lodge a complaint on a simple piece of paper in the form of an application addressed to the Wafaqi Mohtasib adding that each and every case is decided within the 60 days.

They informed that the Wafaqi Mohtasib, Mr. Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi resolved 193,000 complaints during the last year, which is also a record. They stated that the Wafaqi Mohtasib has established a regional Office in the AJ&K, Muzaffarabad sometime back with a view to facilitating the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, which is now fully functional.

Ends/APP/AHR.
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ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Nov, 2024) Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M) on Friday reiterated that Pakistan would not become part of any global conflict rather it would continue to play its role to global peace and stability.

Addressing at a special ceremony of Margalla Dialogue 2024 organized by the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI), the COAS spoke on the topic Pakistans Role in Peace and Stability and highlighted significant contributions in promoting regional harmony and international peace.

He said Pakistan is playing a pivotal role in promoting peace and stability both regionally and globally. A total of 235,000 Pakistani peacekeepers have participated in UN peacekeeping missions for maintenance of global peace and 181 Pakistanis have also sacrificed their lives in this regard, he added.

Regarding challenges faced by the world, Gen Asim Munir highlighted that in recent years, the world was confronted to several challenges including the rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation being one of the major challenges.

The influence of non-state actors has increased significantly due to global changes which was also a key challenge, he added.

The COAS said that the world was also witnessing immense transformations in the fields of economy, military, and technology. Terrorism by violent non-state actors and state-sponsored entities remains a significant global challenge, he said.

He went on to say that although technology has played a crucial role in disseminating information, but it has also crucial role in rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation.

Stressing the need for comprehensive laws and regulations, Asim Munir said that without comprehensive laws and regulations, misinformation and hate speech would continue to destabilize political and social structures. Absence of proper regulations for freedom of expression is leading to the deterioration of moral values in societies worldwide, he observed.

The COAS said inequality, intolerance, and division on religious, sectarian, and ethnic grounds also witnessed upward trend at global level.

He said our shared goals and key challenges were included combating climate change, fighting terrorism, and ensuring global health.

Reiterating Pakistans unwavering resolve in the fight against terrorism, the COAS said terrorism remained a shared challenge for all humanity at the global level. Pakistan has established a comprehensive border management regime to secure our western borders, he added.

He said that the menace of Fitna e Khawarij has become a haven for all terrorist organizations and proxies worldwide. We expect the Afghan interim government to ensure that Afghan soil is not used for terrorism against Pakistan and to take strict measures in this regard, he said.

He said vision Azm-e-Istihkam initiative is an essential part of the National Action Plan, aimed at eradicating menace of terrorism and extremism. Due to India's extremist ideology, minorities, especially in the US, UK, and Canada, are not safe, he said.

He said India's oppression in Indian Illegally occupied Jammu & Kashmir was a continuation of its Hindutva Ideology and policies. Resolving the Kashmir issue in accordance with UN resolutions and as per the aspirations of the Kashmiri people was imperative, he said.

The COAS said that Pakistan has always demanded ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon and sent humanitarian aid to both the countries several times. Pakistan has always emphasized the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, he remarked.

General Asim Munir said Pakistan is a nation of 240 million people, with approximately 63 per cent of its population under the age of 30. Pakistan is endowed with immense natural resources and has emerged as a major agricultural producer globally, he said.

He said Pakistan has also large reserves of rare minerals besides is an important player in global freelancing. Owing to its unique geographical location and sea ports, Pakistan holds significant importance for trade with Europe, Central Asia, and the middle East, he said.
LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Nov, 2024) Punjab Food Authority (PFA) intensified its crackdown on the adulteration mafia, launching a series of operations to ensure the quality and safety of food products across the province, sealed a restaurant besides imposing fine to nine food outlets.

Following direct instructions from the Director General (DG) of the Food Authority, Asim Javed, the Director Operations conducted a comprehensive inspection of dairy checkpoints, where a total of 85,000 liters of milk were checked. These inspections were part of the ongoing efforts to prevent food adulteration and enforce stringent hygiene standards.

In addition, 10 well-known restaurants were raided across the city. As a result of the inspections, 9 restaurants were fined a total of Rs. 270,000, while one was shut down for failing to meet hygiene and quality standards. The crackdown also led to the disposal of 85 liters of substandard oil and prohibited food additives.

The inspections were conducted in the early hours of the morning and late into the night, focusing on key locations like Thokar Niaz Baig and Babu Sabu.

The authorities thoroughly examined the contents of 57 vehicles carrying milk, ensuring compliance with health regulations.

The DG Food Authority, Asim Javed, also reported that one popular restaurant was shut down due to violations of food safety protocols, including poor sanitation, non-compliance with previous directives, and the lack of essential records. The restaurant will remain closed until improvements are made.

The inspections revealed severe violations in cleanliness, with freezers in poor condition, and meat and dairy items being stored together. Additionally, washing areas were found open, with exposed drains and mold growing on walls, posing significant health risks.

Asim Javed emphasized that the Food Authority was working tirelessly to provide safe, nutritious food to the public, operating under a zero-tolerance policy as instructed by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. He further warned that any laxity in food preparation will not be tolerated, and people were encouraged to report violations by calling 1223.
Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) ,Senator Rubina Khalid Friday emphasized the need to ensure transparency and dignity in transferring funds to deserving women

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Nov, 2024) Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) ,Senator Rubina Khalid Friday emphasized the need to ensure transparency and dignity in transferring funds to deserving women.

She was speaking during a meeting with the Karandaaz Pakistans Chief Digital Officer, Sharjeel Murtaza and Associate Director, Usman Kokab.

Secretary Amer Ali Ahmad was also present during the meeting.

The meeting focused on key topics, including the implementation of the RAAST payment system to facilitate payments to BISP beneficiaries, biometric verification of women for enhanced security, and skill training programs aimed at providing employment opportunities to deserving families.

Speaking on the occasion, Rubina Khalid said that bilateral talks between the State Bank of Pakistan and the BISP are scheduled in the coming days to enhance transparency in the distribution of funds and to digitalize payments for beneficiary women.

She highlighted that biometric verification is essential to strengthen the payment system and prevent unauthorized access to beneficiaries' funds.

Secretary Amer Ali Ahmad suggested utilizing the services of BISPs existing partner banks to pilot the implementation of the RAAST payment system.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Nov, 2024) Under the directions of Wafaqi Mohtasib, Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi, the Director General, Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat Ashfaq Ahmad accompanied by consultant Khalid Sial, held an open court (Khuli Katchery) at Kotli (AJ&K) and heard complaints against the federal entities there. They also issued instructions to the official concerned representing the federal government organizations and disposed of many complaints on the spot, said a press release issued here on Friday.

The Khuli Katchery was attended by a large number of complainants and they aired their grievances against the Electricity, Sui Gas, Passport Office, NADRA, BISP, Pakistan Post, Postal Life Insurance and National Savings. With a view to prompt redressal of complaints, the Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat officials issued on the spot instructions to the officials representing the Federal Agencies, who assured their fullest cooperation in this regard.

Speaking on the occasion, DG Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat said that the officials belonging to Federal entities must discharge their responsibilities in accordance with the rules and regulations and to desist from any kind of wrong doing.

The Wafaqi Mohtasib officials also met the local media representatives after the Khuli Katcheri and briefed them on Wafaqi Mohtasibs initiatives, powers and the procedure for lodging complaints to seek redressal.

Earlier, the Wafaqi Mohtasibs officials also delivered an awareness lecture dilating upon the procedure to lodge a complaint and how to get relief from the Wafaqi Mohtasib Office. They stated that any person can lodge a complaint on a simple piece of paper in the form of an application addressed to the Wafaqi Mohtasib adding that each and every case is decided within the 60 days. They informed that the Wafaqi Mohtasib, Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi resolved 193,000 complaints during the last year, which is also a record. They stated that the Wafaqi Mohtasib has established a regional Office in the AJ&K, Muzaffarabad sometime back with a view to facilitating the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, which is now fully functional.
Chairman Natioal Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lt. Gen. Inam Haider Malik and UNDRRs Kamal Kishore on Friday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening joint efforts for disaster-resilient management in Pakistan

BAKU, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Nov, 2024) Chairman Natioal Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lt. Gen. Inam Haider Malik and UNDRRs Kamal Kishore on Friday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening joint efforts for disaster-resilient management in Pakistan.

This came after a comprehensive briefing by the Chairman on the capabilities of the National Emergencies Operation Center during their meeting at COP 29.

He highlighted key initiatives including the Development of Early Warning (DEW) systems, Combined Integrated Simulation Exercises (CISE), anticipatory actions and risk communication strategies aimed at enhancing disaster risk reduction through adaptation and mitigation measures.

The Chairman NDMA and Kamal Kishore, Assistant Secretary-General and Special Representative of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) also discussed the Disaster Management (DM) audit of disaster-resilient infrastructure and the "Build Back Better" approach, which focuses on improving resilience in the aftermath of natural calamities.

The discussions extended to the framework of risk financing and access to carbon markets.
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Kyiv, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Nov, 2024) A massive Russian attack that set apartments alight and knocked out heating to thousands in Ukraine's southern port city Odesa killed one person and wounded 10 others, authorities said Friday.

The Thursday night strikes on the Black Sea city damaged residential buildings, the heating system, churches and educational institutions, according to Odesa Mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov, who said it had been "a massive combined enemy strike".

Trukhanov said early Friday that a 35-year-old woman sleeping near a window at the time of the attack had died.

The State Emergency Service of Ukraine confirmed one death and said another 10 people were wounded, including two children.

Fires broke out in several places but were quickly extinguished, while the main heating pipeline was damaged, leaving tens of thousands in the cold as nightly temperatures plunge to freezing.

"More than 40,000 people (as well as) medical and social institutions are without heating," Trukhanov wrote on Telegram. "Generators and heaters are working in medical institutions."

The mayor's office said hot drinks and blankets were being distributed while the pipeline was repaired.

After fleeing during the air raid siren, Odesa resident Oleksandra said she saw pictures of her damaged home.

"When everything happened, we were hiding in a shelter.

We saw that this was our house in the photos from the local channels," she told public broadcaster Suspilne Odesa.

Russia has recently stepped up aerial attacks on southern Ukraine, damaging civilian vessels and port facilities in the Odesa region, while Kyiv has intensified its attacks on Russian military and energy targets.

Early Friday morning, Ukraine's air force reported six Tu-95 bombers -- which are capable of carrying cruise missiles -- heading southeast from a base in Russia.

Moscow's Ministry of Defence meanwhile announced it had intercepted 51 Ukrainian drones overnight, thwarting an attack that had targeted coastal regions, including over Crimea and the Sea of Azov.

Ukraine is bracing for its toughest winter of war yet, with Moscow having destroyed swathes of its generating capacity and continuing to strike energy sites.

In previous winters, millions of Ukrainians endured regular blackouts and lost heating in sub-zero conditions.

Ukrainian forces are losing ground in the east and concerns are mounting in Kyiv over the future of foreign military aid after the victory of Donald Trump in the United States presidential election.

Kyiv has for months been appealing to its Western allies to provide more air-defence systems to fend off Russian attacks on cities and critical infrastructure.
Berlin, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Nov, 2024) As German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats grapple with plummeting support ahead of a snap election in February, dissenters in the party are looking to popular defence minister Boris Pistorius to rescue them from a poll rout.

Pistorius, 64, has managed the impressive feat of becoming the most-liked politician in the country while serving in Scholz's rowdy three-way coalition that broke apart last week.

While Scholz's ratings have nosedived, Pistorius' approval has soared despite steering the defence ministry, a tricky portfolio that had turned into a career graveyard for some of his predecessors.

Many voters praise his straight-talking and hands-on approach to rebuilding ramshackle armed forces and his backing for Ukraine against Russia, with Berlin the second-largest arms supplier after Washington.

German voters are set to head back to the polling booths on February 23, after Scholz's government imploded following months of internal bickering.

Scholz, 66, seems determined to stay at the helm of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), despite its current poll rating of around 15 percent.

The Spiegel magazine this week bluntly called Scholz "the wrong candidate for chancellor" and said the SPD "needs a 'game change' moment".

Rebels in the party think Pistorius could be the man to provide it.

Several regional SPD politicians have openly called for Pistorius to replace Scholz at the top of the party ticket.

Embarrassingly for the chancellor, they include two members of the state legislature in Hamburg, the northern city of which Scholz used to be mayor.
BEIJING, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- After a three-year hiatus, Li Ziqi, one of the most influential Chinese video blogger known for her poetic portrayal of rural life, was back in the public spotlight with new videos released on Tuesday. "I still enjoy sharing aspects of my life and meaningful traditional cultural things with everyone," Li said during an exclusive interview with Xinhua. One of her new videos showcasing her crafting a wardrobe using traditional Chinese lacquerware techniques received over 40 million views worldwide within just two hours. In another video, she turns a woodshed in the forest into a cloakroom. Speaking of the break, Li joked that she has been "catching up on sleep" to compensate for all the sleepless nights spent editing in previous years. Japes aside, Li's hiatus was more than just a time for beauty sleep; it was also a time for family, especially her grandmother. "When I was shooting and editing videos, it was mostly her who took care of me. She often brought me hot meals in the middle of the night," Li said. Li, born in 1990 in southwest China's Sichuan Province, began creating short cooking videos in idyllic settings in 2015, quickly gaining widespread attention online. Despite pausing video updates in 2021, she had amassed nearly 100 million followers across China's top four social media platforms by September 2023. During the three-year break, Li's YouTube subscribers grew from 14 million to 20.2 million, which is more than major accounts like "CNN" and "BBC." Numerous netizens left messages under her videos, asking her to come back. She said she chose to resume updating her videos over a month ago to put an end to the mounting speculation about her comeback, and to share with everyone what she had been doing during the past three years and what her plans were for the future. Li's videos are known for their unique rural charm, but making content is not without its hazards. Recalling her experience collecting lacquer from trees for her foray into the traditional craft, she shared, "When I was preparing to make this video last spring, I boasted to my uncle (cameraman) that I might be the 'chosen one' for making lacquerware. However, after my first lacquer job, my face swelled up to the size of a TV." Despite numerous challenges, she apprenticed under Yin Liping, a renowned inheritor of Chengdu lacquer art, devoting several months to completing this lacquerware wardrobe. Chengdu lacquer art is a national intangible heritage that had developed a highly refined decorative system as early as the Han Dynasty (202 BC- AD 220). Li studied the art of carved lacquer with hidden patterns. Characterized as being restrained, reserved but rich in cultural depth, Yin describes it as "a very understated form of luxury." The intricacy of this technique, Li explained, is that under normal lighting, the carved lacquerware appears black, but when exposed to strong light, its golden patterns emerge. "I couldn't help but see a parallel between its essence and the spirit of our Chinese people," she said. "It looks low-key and modest on the outside, but in fact it is all-inclusive and wonderful inside." When Li finished the wardrobe, which was decorated with the pattern of a Qilin, an auspicious mythological creature, it was Chinese New Year, and she gave it to her grandmother as a New Year gift. "I actually specifically chose a pattern of a Qilin looking back because there is a Chinese saying that a Qilin looking back can dispel all illnesses," she said. "I just hope she can be healthy." Warm and powerful, her videos have touched people around the world. This impact continues to be just as strong after her return. "I'm a 56-year-old black American grandmother who lives in America, so glad to see you and Grandma is doing and looking well. It's 4:10 a.m. I'm so happy I decide to watch YouTube. We still watch some of your old content," wrote a follower on YouTube. "It's unbelievable. Even though three years have passed, I can still recognize the calm your videos bring me. That feeling hasn't changed... A hug from Argentina," wrote another YouTube user. Regarding her future plans, Li said the lifestyle she enjoys will be a theme of her videos. Over the past three years, she has taken up the piano, thrown herself into handicrafts, planted many tropical plants and fruits, and traveled with her grandmother. Though silent for three years, Li stays connected to her followers' comments. She explained that a friend living overseas had been helping her gather and organize feedback from overseas netizens, regularly sending them to her via email. While reading the comments from people around the world, expressing their blessings and feelings of longing in their own languages, she said, "I am particularly touched by this." "They also shared some of their local customs, animals and plants, or some interesting childhood stories. I really enjoy reading these kinds of comments, and I miss them a lot," she added.
KYODO NEWS - Nov 15, 2024 - 20:35 | All, Japan

Princess Yuriko, the oldest member of the Japanese imperial family and great-aunt of Emperor Naruhito, died of natural causes at a Tokyo hospital early Friday morning, the Imperial Household Agency said. She was 101.

After Princess Yuriko's death, there are 16 members left in the imperial family, which has been dwindling under the 1947 Imperial House Law that requires female members to leave upon marriage to a commoner.

The agency said the main funeral ceremony, the "Renso-no-gi" rite, will be held from 10 a.m. on Nov. 26 at the imperial family's Toshimagaoka Cemetery in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward.

"I cannot help but feel saddened to hear of the loss. I extend my heartfelt condolences along with other Japanese citizens," Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said in a statement.

Princess Yuriko was hospitalized in March due to a mild stroke and aspiration pneumonitis and had been receiving treatment, but medical tests earlier this month showed a decline in her cardiac and kidney functions. She died Friday at 6:32 a.m., according to the agency.

A member of Japan's former nobility, she married Prince Mikasa, the youngest brother of Emperor Hirohito, posthumously known as Emperor Showa, in 1941 at age 18, after graduating from the Gakushuin Women's Academy. Her husband died of heart failure in 2016 at age 100.

The couple had three sons and two daughters. Their sons -- Princes Tomohito, Katsura and Takamado -- died in 2012, 2014 and 2002, respectively.

Three of the couple's granddaughters remain in the imperial family. The two others -- Princesses Noriko and Ayako, daughters of Prince Takamado -- gave up their imperial titles after getting married to commoners in 2014 and 2018, respectively.

Princess Yuriko was an honorary vice president of the Japanese Red Cross Society and previously served as president of the Imperial Gift Foundation Boshi-Aiiku-Kai, which promotes maternal and child health, from 1948 to 2010.

Related coverage:

Japan's crown prince, princess to visit Turkey in December

Japan's former Empress Michiko turns 90
Valencia, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Nov, 2024) The head of Spain's eastern Valencia region admitted Friday to "mistakes" in handing the country's deadliest flood in decades that killed 216 people there.

"I'm not going to deny mistakes," Carlos Mazon told the regional parliament in an address, adding he was "not going to shirk any responsibility".

As the head of the regional government "I would like to apologise" to those who "felt" that "the aid did not arrive or was not enough," he added.

The October 29 disaster marked the country's deadliest floods in decades. A total of 224 people were killed nationwide, with 216 of them in Valencia.

While he spoke, dozens of protesters gathered outside the regional parliament, jeering and chanting slogans demanding his resignation.

The floods wrecked infrastructure, gutted buildings and submerged fields.

The final bill is expected to soar to tens of billions of Euros.

Almost half of the people killed in Spain's Valencia region during recent floods were 70 years old or older and 26 were foreigners, including two Britons.

Outrage at the authorities for their perceived mismanagement before and after the floods triggered mass protests on Saturday, the largest in Valencia city which drew 130,000 people.

Critics have questioned the efficiency of the Valencia region's alert system during October's downpour, when in some cases only reached residents' telephones when floodwater was already gushing through towns.

Many local residents have also complained that they were left without food and water for days, and had to rely on aid provided by volunteers instead of the government.
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WASHINGTON, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Nov, 2024) The United States stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism, the State Department said Thursday, while condemning last week's deadly bombing on the railway station in Quetta.

We strongly condemn the BLA (Balochistan Liberation Army) Majeed Brigades November 9th bombing at a railway station and we extend our deepest condolences to the victims and their families," Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel told the daily press briefing

"We have a shared interest in combating these kinds of threats with Pakistan,"he said, adding, "We have a shared commitment to regional security," he said in response to a question from a Pakistani correspondent.

"The U.S. itself has designated the BLA as a specially designated global terrorist organization," Patel said.

"We did that back in 2019. And at the end of the day, were going to continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism and violent extremism."

In response to a question about Taliban leaders congratulating the American people for not handing the leadership of their country to a woman, Patel said, "I cant imagine the Taliban are experts when it comes to leadership under a woman or not .

.. but the Taliban are hardly credible voices when it comes to the role women play in their society and the role that women leaders play.

He went on to say, "And what youve heard us say time and time again is that for as long as the Taliban continues to essentially hold back 50 percent of its population from fully integrating in society, fully participating in society, it certainly is not going to be able to reach the international recognition that we know that they  that theyre seeking."

Soon after Republican leader Donald Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris to win the 2024 presidential elections, the Taliban sent a congratulatory letter to the president-elect saying they hoped he would open new chapter in the relations, quipping, "Americans are not ready to hand over the leadership of their great country to a woman,
BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- China's property market displayed positive changes in October, with narrowing price declines, stronger sales and improved market sentiment, as the latest wave of pro-housing policies took effect.

The decline in the prices of commercial residential homes in China's 70 large and medium-sized cities generally moderated on a month-on-month basis in October, said the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Friday.

In the country's first-tier cities, namely Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, new home prices edged down by 0.2 percent, narrowing from a 0.5-percent drop in the previous month, according to the NBS.

Prices of second-hand homes in first-tier cities rose 0.4 percent in October, reversing a 1.2 percent decline in the previous month and marking the first increase in 13 months.

Second- and third-tier cities registered narrower drops in both new and second-hand home prices in October, the NBS added.

"Property market expectations further improved in October as home prices in Chinese cities either rose or declined at a slower pace month and month," said NBS statistician Wang Zhonghua.

Chinese authorities pledged in late September to reverse the property market downturn and stabilize the sector. The country has rolled out a slew of measures to prop up the market, including cutting mortgage rates, lowering down payment ratios and relaxing purchase restrictions.

Earlier this week, China unveiled incentives related to deed tax in property transactions to support people's housing needs. The minimum prepayment rate for land appreciation tax has been reduced to ease the financial difficulties of real estate companies.

"Property market activity surged in October. Inquiries and property viewings have increased noticeably, while the total area and value of commercial housing sales saw substantial improvement," said NBS spokesperson Fu Linghui at a press conference on Friday.

"The property market showed positive changes in October," Fu said. "As the effects of the policy package continue to unfold, the momentum driving the real estate market recovery is expected to strengthen. Therefore, we remain optimistic about the outlook of the property market."

However, Fu said that China's real estate market, after years of rapid expansion, had entered a new stage of development, transitioning from a focus on expansion to prioritizing quality improvements to better meet the diverse housing needs of residents.

Moving forward, China will coordinate efforts in land use, fiscal, tax and financial policies to accelerate the establishment of a new development model for the real estate sector, promoting steady and sound growth in the market, Fu said.

Recovery in the property sector is among the latest signs that the Chinese economy is gaining momentum as the country has intensified moves to shore up growth. Friday's data also showed faster growth in retail sales and the service sector in October. 
After losing the White House to former President Donald Trump, Democrats are soul-searching to figure out what went wrong. Analysts say the economy played the biggest role in the party's losses and Vice President Kamala Harris' defeat, but other factors also contributed. VOAs Veronica Balderas Iglesias reports.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Taiwans envoy to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, Lin Hsin-I, on Thursday ahead of the bloc's Economic Leaders Meeting in Lima, Peru.

The discussion centered on economic cooperation, as Blinken highlighted in a social media post.

Met with Lin Hsin-i in Lima. We spoke about our growing economic relationship and our enduring shared commitment to foster an open, dynamic, and peaceful Indo-Pacific, Blinken wrote on X.

The pull-aside meeting, which lasted about 20 minutes, was not previously announced in Blinkens official schedule.

We discussed our important economic cooperation, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink, who also participated in the meeting, told reporters during a phone briefing late Thursday.

In a readout, Taiwan said that Blinken and Lin exchanged views on strengthening the U.S.-Taiwan partnership and discussed strategies for ensuring regional peace and stability.

Lin, a former vice premier of Taiwan and a senior presidential adviser to President Lai Ching-te, was chosen to represent Taiwan at this years APEC leaders meetings in Peru.

On Friday, the White House announced that the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the worlds leading advanced semiconductor producer, will receive up to $6.6 billion in CHIPS & Science Act funding. That supports TSMCs $65 billion investment to build three facilities in Arizona, creating tens of thousands of jobs by the decades end.

The White House called it the largest foreign direct investment in a completely new project in U.S. history.

Taiwans role in APEC

APEC, an international forum comprising 21 member economies from the Pacific Rim, promotes free trade and economic cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region. Although Taiwan holds full membership in APEC, it faces restrictions due to pressure from China and has to send special envoys instead of its presidents to the annual leaders meetings.

Since the establishment of the Peoples Republic of China in 1949, it has never governed Taiwan but continues to view the self-ruled democracy as part of its territory.

Upcoming Biden-Xi talks

Blinken will accompany U.S. President Joe Biden at Saturdays meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking the third in-person talks between the two leaders.

Biden is expected to underscore the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and express his concerns that the PRCs increased military activities around Taiwan are destabilizing and eroding the status quo, according to U.S. officials.

On Friday, Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian urged Washington to abide by the one-China principle and not allow Taiwan President Lai to transit through the United States, urging Washington to take concrete actions to uphold China-U.S. relations.

Lin was asked to comment on a Reuters report that Lai plans to stop in Hawaii and maybe Guam on a visit to Taiwans diplomatic allies in the Pacific in coming weeks.

The U.S. one-China policy differs from the PRC's one-China principle, which Washington has said it does not subscribe to.

The U.S. says it remains committed to its long-standing, bipartisan 0ne-China policy, guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the Three Joint Communiques and the Six Assurances.

Chinese officials have rejected the Taiwan Relations Act, calling the U.S. law governing its relations with Taiwan "illegal and invalid."
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was among the first foreign leaders to congratulate U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on his early November election victory.

President Joe Biden has not hosted Erdogan at the White House though the two have met on sidelines of international summits and spoken by phone.

Speaking to journalists accompanying his return from visits to Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan, Erdogan expressed his hope for improved U.S. ties, adding, however, that in-person meetings would be needed to achieve that end, and that Ankara needs to wait to see what kind of a Cabinet Trump forms.

The two leaders had a close personal relationship during Trumps first term in office. However, bilateral relations have also been marked by tough times during that administration. With Trumps January return to the White House, analysts told VOA that although there may be opportunities for more cooperation in some areas, they dont expect major changes.

James Jeffrey, who served as the U.S. ambassador to Turkey from 2008 to 2010, sees Ukraine as one area with potential for cooperation.

Referring to Trumps promise to end the war in Ukraine, Jeffrey says Turkey could play a role in negotiating a cease-fire, making both sides well-aligned for a productive relationship.

Alan Makovsky, a senior fellow for national security and international policy at the Center for American Progress, also believes Trumps priority to end the war in Ukraine creates a significant opportunity for Erdogan.

A NATO ally, Turkey has adopted a careful balancing act amid the war in Ukraine, supplying armed drones to Ukraine while maintaining ties with Russia in energy and tourism.

Erdogan, who has maintained good relations with both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, has long said neither side is gaining from the war and offered to host and mediate negotiations.

Disagreement over Syria

Disagreements between Turkey and the United States during Trumps first term included Ankaras frustration with U.S. support for Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) led by Kurdish militia  Peoples Protection Units, known as YPG in northern Syria.

After a phone call with Erdogan on October 6, 2019, Trump unexpectedly announced that the U.S. would withdraw from Syria. Many U.S. military officials, all of whom were caught off guard by the announcement, did not support the idea.

Tension between the allies worsened after Trump on October 9 sent a letter to Erdogan, warning him against a military incursion into Syria.

Following Trumps withdrawal announcement, Turkey launched a military operation in northern Syria targeting the YPG on October 9.

A cease-fire agreement was reached during then-Vice President Mike Pences visit to Ankara on October 17.

Now, some in Ankara expect the U.S. may reconsider its presence in northern Syria during Trumps second term.

Jeffrey, a U.S. envoy for Syria from 2018 to 2020, suggests Trumps administration may reassess this issue.

Each time people were able to convince [Trump on Syria, it] was that the troops were serving a set of important purposes. This is one of the most low-cost, high-return military deployments. We are keeping the Islamic State under control. Secondly, we are holding vital terrain, blocking Iranian, Assad and Russian ambitions, he told VOA.

Washington has long said its SDF partnership is necessary for the enduring defeat of ISIS and countering Iran.

Ankara considers YPG a Syrian offshoot of PKK, which U.S. officials have also designated as a terrorist organization.

Trump nominated Marco Rubio, a Republican senator from Florida, for secretary of state. Rubio was one of the strongest opponents of a U.S.-pullout from Syria at the time.

He labeled the decision as a catastrophic mistake that will have dire consequences far beyond Syria, urging Trump to reconsider it.

Well have to see how that works out and how Marco Rubios views may have changed to accord more with Trump's or vice versa, Makovksy said. But anyone who thought that Trump's election meant that the U.S. would soon be withdrawing from Syria would certainly have to rethink that view in light of the Rubio appointment. I think that makes it unlikely that we will withdraw from Syria.

Trumps nominees for Cabinet positions will require Senate approval before they assume office.

F-35 program

One complicating factor in U.S.-Turkey relations during Trumps first term was Turkeys purchase of the S-400 missile defense system from Russia, which prompted Washington to remove Ankara from an F-35 joint strike fighter program.

The F-35 cannot coexist with a Russian intelligence collection platform that will be used to learn about its advanced capabilities, said a White House statement when the system was delivered in July 2019, explaining the U.S. decision to remove Turkey from the project.

The Trump administration in December 2020 sanctioned Turkey under the Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

Turkey, which has since requested removal of CAATSA sanctions, has returned to talks with U.S. officials about a possible return to the F-35 program.

Analysts say that while there is a likelihood that CAATSA sanctions might be lifted during Trumps second term, any solution to the S-400 issue that is not permanent would not be technically acceptable to the U.S. military.

Describing the F-35s as the U.S. militarys largest project since World War II, Jeffrey said, A permanent solution is that they [the S-400s] go away, they're sold to somebody else. I would like to have a solution, but technically, I don't think there is one.

Makovsky called Turkeys return to the F-35 program unlikely in the near term.

If they completely get rid of the S-400s, really give up possession as the law requires, there could be a reasonable chance for F-35, he told VOA. But it will be up to the so-called Four Corners - the chairman and senior members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

This story originated in VOAs Turkish Service.
A German government spokesperson said that Chancellor Olaf Scholz held direct talks via telephone Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin during which he demanded the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine and that Russia show a willingness to negotiate a just and lasting peace.

A statement from German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit said Scholz condemned Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and called on Putin to end it and withdraw troops.

The statement said the chancellor reaffirmed Germany's unwavering determination to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression for as long as necessary. The brief statement did not include a response from Putin.

The spokesperson said Scholz spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy before his call with the Russian leader and intended to call him again afterwards. Media reports say that call lasted about an hour.

Reuters news agency reported the Kremlin confirmed the call, which it said had come at Berlin's request. The news agency reported the Kremlin said Putin told Scholz any agreement to end the war in Ukraine must take Russian security interests into account and reflect "new territorial realities."

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said despite deep disagreements, the fact the two leaders had the call at all was "very positive."

Zelenskyy, however, was not as pleased by the call. In a video address posted to his website Friday, Zelenskyy said that in his opinion, the call is a "Pandora's box."

"This is exactly what Putin has wanted for a long time: It is crucial for him to weaken his isolation. Russia's isolation," Zelenskyy said. "And to engage in negotiations, ordinary negotiations, that will lead to nothing."

He said it is what Putin has done for decades. "This allowed Russia to change nothing in its policy, to do nothing substantial, and ultimately it led to this war."

Zelenskyy said Ukraine understands how to act regarding Putin and handle negotiations accordingly.

"And we want to warn everyone: There will be no Minsk-3," he said, referencing the Minsk agreements, two failed cease-fire deals between Kyiv and Moscow over the status of the eastern Donbas region. "What we need is real peace."

The call came roughly one week after Scholz's coalition government fell apart, and he is facing new elections early next year.

Also on Friday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in a state radio interview the European Union must abandon its sanctions against Russia or face economic collapse.

The EU and its western partners have imposed numerous sanctions against Russia and Putin since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, many of which target Russia's energy sector.

Orban, a staunch ally of Putin's, said in the interview the sanctions on Russia have driven up energy prices and must be reviewed by EU leaders in Brussels. He said the sanctions have failed and as long as they are in place, energy prices will not come down and it will destroy the European economy.

Orban also referenced U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's victory last week. Referring to Trump as "our comrade in arms," and "our fellow peace fighter," he said his victory means minds have to be changed in Brussels  site of EU headquarters.

Orban said they must urge "a pro-peace" turn in the EU, referring to their support for Ukraine.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
The Guatemalan journalist Jose Ruben Zamora could be returned to prison after an appeals court Friday overturned an order that had moved him into house arrest.

Zamora, who is the founder of the newspaper El Periodico, had been detained on questionable grounds for two years before being granted house arrest in October.

But prosecutors appealed the order, and Friday the appeals court ruled that Zamora, who is 68, should return to prison.

The journalists son confirmed the appeals court decision and said his fathers lawyers had been notified, according to The Associated Press.

Zamora was arrested in July 2022 after publishing an editorial in his former media outlet El Periodico. He was convicted of money laundering. But last month an appeals court overturned the conviction and ordered a new trial for 2025.

International groups at the time said the accusation of money laundering and other charges leveled at him were in response to his media coverage and reporting on corruption in the government of former President Alejandro Giammattei.

The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention had in July said that the imprisonment of the publisher was a violation of international law.

Media watchdogs expressed alarm Friday at the appeals court decision.

The need for [Zamoras] full and unconditional release has never been more urgent, said Reporters Without Borders.

The Committee to Protect Journalists described the decision as concerning on social media, and said, We reiterate that judicial processes must guarantee fair and impartial treatment, without becoming tools to silence critical journalism.

After his release, Zamora had told the AP he believed his papers investigative work led him to be targeted.

He said that the justice system remained co-opted and that he was sure they would try to find a way to return him to jail.

The Guatemala Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to VOAs request for comment.

Some information in this report is from The Associated Press.
Hundreds of illegal gold miners remained stuck underground Friday at an unused mine in South Africa that police have surrounded. South African authorities are refusing to allow supplies down to the miners, who they say are criminals.

Police initially thought some 4,000 illegal miners were underground at the closed Stilfontein mine, about 150 kilometers from Johannesburg.

Theyve revised the figure to several hundred but are still denying them food and water as part of Operation Vala Umgodi or close the hole.

Police say they are trying to force the miners  believed to have been underground for several weeks  to resurface. They say the miners are refusing to come up, fearing arrest, or in the case of undocumented migrants, deportation.

The government loses millions of dollars each year to illegal mining, according to the Minerals Council of South Africa.

We are not sending help to criminals. We are going to smoke them out, said Cabinet Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni earlier this week. They will come out.

Anxious relatives have gathered at the mine, hoping to send supplies down to loved ones. On Thursday, a decomposing body was recovered from the shaft.

Some have accused the government of taking an inhumane position. David van Wyk, a researcher at the Bench Marks Foundation, a nonprofit that works on issues surrounding illegal miners, said what is happening at Stilfontein is a problematic humanitarian situation.

The workers got to be there because South Africa is in a transition, he said. Large-scale industrial gold mining is no longer profitable, and many mines are shutting down and tens of thousands of workers are losing their jobs.

Theres a term in South Africa for the men who risk their lives searching for gold deep underground: zama zamas, which means take a chance in the Zulu language.

Johannesburg, dubbed egoli or city of gold for the riches that lie beneath, was once a major gold mining hub. Many of the mines have closed, however, and the illegal artisanal miners have gone underground hoping to get whats left.

Most are desperately poor, many from neighboring countries such as Lesotho and Mozambique, and stay underground for weeks or even months at a time with no protective equipment in the huge maze of tunnels under the city.

Subterranean networks and an underground economy have developed, where food and cigarettes, and sometimes prostitutes, are brought down to the men, experts say. Drug use is rife, and turf wars between rival groups armed with AK-47s and other weapons often break out.

While they eke out a meager living, zama zamas have become associated with violent gangs and criminal syndicates that run things and are getting rich from the illicit industry.

The Bench Marks Foundations Van Wyk said his organization has recommended government regulate and legalize small-scale mining. He says there are some 6,000 abandoned mines in South Africa.

Its basically a free for all that has evolved and that has resulted in mine workers becoming super exploited, Van Wyk said. "The police never arrest the mining syndicates that control them. Everyone is profiting from it except the poor guys who find themselves starved underground.

Police say more than 1,000 zama zamas have resurfaced in North West province, where the Silfontein mine is located, since police started operations there in mid-October.

The police minister was visiting the site Friday.
A senior Iranian official said Friday that Tehran will stand with Lebanon in all circumstances, as the United States and others work to secure a cease-fire deal between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

The senior adviser to Irans supreme leader, Ali Larijani, traveled to Beirut on Friday and held talks with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati. He spoke with reporters following those talks, saying Iran supports the people of Lebanon and its officials.

He said Iran was not seeking to disrupt anything but to resolve issues. He called Hezbollah a wise movement and Lebanon, a wise nation, but they themselves know what actions they need to take.

Larijani said Iran hopes the situation improves as soon as possible and people who were forced to move from the south can return home. Iran supports Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. Both groups have been designated as terror organizations by the United States, Britain and other Western countries.

The advisers comments are viewed as a direct signal Iran would support a negotiated cease-fire agreement with Israel.

Larijanis visit comes a day after Lebanese officials and media reported the U.S. ambassador to the nation, Lisa Johnson, submitted a draft of an Israel-Hezbollah peace proposal to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who has been leading the talks representing Hezbollah. Larijani held a separate meeting Friday with the speaker.

The details of the proposal were not released, and the U.S. Embassy in Beirut did not confirm or deny the reports.

Continued bombardment

Despite such negotiations, Israel continues its aerial bombardment of Lebanon, with airstrikes hitting buildings in Beiruts southern suburbs Friday, after the Israeli military issued an evacuation order in the Lebanese capital.

Video from the scene shows massive explosions and buildings crumbling in the aftermath. Major strikes hit the Dahiyeh and Tayouneh areas, among others.

In a statement posted to its X social media account, the Israel Defense Forces, or IDF, said air force fighter jets, under the direction of Israeli intelligence, launched two waves of attacks Friday as part of an effort to destroy Hezbollah targets hidden in the heart of the civilian population in the Dahiyeh section of Beirut.

The statement said the targets included Hezbollah munitions warehouses, headquarters and other terrorist infrastructures.

A report from the World Bank Thursday showed the cross-border fighting between Hezbollah and Israel has inflicted $8.5 billion in physical damages and economic losses to Lebanon. The report said Lebanese housing has taken the hardest hit, with nearly 100,000 housing units partially or fully destroyed, amounting to $2.8 billion in losses.

Israel invaded the Gaza Strip last year after Hamas led a terror attack on communities in southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, according to Israeli authorities, and abducting more than 250 as hostages. About 100 of the hostages are still in Gaza, and a third of them are believed to be dead.

Since then, the Israeli counteroffensive has killed more than 43,700 people, according to Gaza health authorities. An additional 103,000 Palestinians have been injured. The Israeli military says the death toll includes thousands of Hamas militants. Israel also has destroyed much of the enclave's infrastructure, forcing most of the 2.3 million population to move several times.

The war spread to Lebanon in mid-September after months of rocket fire from Hezbollah into Israel and drone and airstrikes by Israel's military in south Lebanon escalated. More than 3,200 Lebanese have been killed, most of them in the past six weeks.

Some information in this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
COLOMBO, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's National Peoples' Power (NPP) party secured a majority in parliament after Thursday's parliamentary election, data released by the country's Election Commission showed Friday.

The NPP has won 141 seats and secured 6,863,186 votes. Former opposition leader Sajith Premadasa's Samagi Jana Balawegaya party came in second, securing 35 seats with 1,968,716 votes.

The Sri Lankan Parliament has 225 seats. 196 are elected from 22 multi-member electoral districts. The remaining 29 seats are elected from National Lists allocated to the parties (and independent groups) in proportion to their share of the national vote.

The Elections Commission is yet to declare how the 29 National List seats are divided, but many expect the NPP to secure a two-thirds majority.

According to Sri Lankan Parliament regulations, the ruling party needs a parliamentary majority to pass laws and a two-thirds majority to bring constitutional amendments. 
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Italys flagship policy of holding migrants in detention centers in Albania for processing has hit a legal roadblock  as judges in Rome referred the case to the European Unions Court of Justice, which could take months or years to make a ruling. Henry Ridgwell reports.
Italys controversial policy of holding migrants in detention centers in Albania for processing has hit a legal roadblock as judges in Rome this week asked the European Unions Court of Justice for clarification on its legality. The EU judges could take months or years to make a ruling.

The judges at a special immigration court in Rome referred the matter to the EU court in Luxembourg after refusing to rule on a government request to detain several migrants at the processing centers in Albania.

The court decision triggered an online spat between Italys president and U.S. billionaire Elon Musk, who criticized the Italian judges decision.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni struck a deal with Albania in February for migrants to be processed in the Balkan country. Several European countries have been closely watching the plan amid speculation that many want to also process migrants in third countries.

Italy has built two migrant detention centers in Albania, projected to cost upwards of $650 million to run over the next five years. The centers are designated as Italian border zones and are run by Italian officials.

Romes plan is to transport migrants rescued in international waters directly to the detention centers in Albania, to fast-track their asylum applications, and quickly return those who fail to their countries of origin.

Italy hoped to process 3,000 migrants a month at the centers, acting as a major deterrent for irregular migration. So far, though, just 24 migrants from Egypt and Bangladesh have been sent to Albania, all of whom have since been sent back to Italy on the orders of a special immigration court in Rome.

The judges cited a recent European Union Court of Justice ruling that no country of origin could be deemed safe if parts of it are dangerous. The Italian judges are now seeking further clarification of what constitutes a safe country of origin, according to Andreina De Leo, an expert on EU migration law at Maastricht University in the Netherlands.

The border procedure in Italy is applied on the basis of this concept of safe country of origin. [EU] member states can designate third countries as safe country of origin only if these countries are safe in their entirety, De Leo told VOA.

What the Italian judge said is that, OK, the Court of Justice said that the countries have to be safe in their entirety. But the reasoning leading to this decision can also be applied to exceptions that are not only based on territorial exception, but [also] groups.

So, for instance, Bangladesh and Egypt, also Tunisia, are generally safe  but they are not safe for homosexuals, for human rights defenders and other categories, she added.

De Leo suggested no decision could be expected from the court for at least a year, So, it means that this [policy] is blocked, De Leo said.

The EU court decision would take precedent over Italian legislation.

Backlash

Italian Prime Minister Meloni has disputed the Italian judges interpretation of the EU directives, which represents a major setback for her flagship policy aiming at slashing irregular migration.

Speaking last month in the Italian Senate, she called the Albania agreement a new, courageous, unprecedented path, but one that perfectly reflects the European spirit.

Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, currently on trial for allegedly preventing a migrant rescue boat from docking when he was interior minister in 2019, said the Italian judges had made a choice that endangers the safety and wallets of Italians.

Meloni also received backing from Musk, the American billionaire and ally of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Responding to the Italian court decision, Musk wrote on his social media platform X, These judges need to go, later describing them as an unelected autocracy.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella rebuked Musks intervention Thursday, saying he must respect Italys sovereignty.

Italy has long been on the front line of Europes migration crisis. More than 58,000 migrants have arrived by sea illegally so far this year, although that is 60% less than in the same period last year.

Across the EU, governments are under pressure to cut immigration, with several eyeing deals like that between Italy and Albania to process migrants in third countries. The blocs new Pact on Migration and Asylum  approved by member states in April  is due to come into force in 2026 and will make it easier for member states to detain migrants at the border, De Leo said.

This means that from 2026 onwards, they will have a new ground to put people in the [accelerated] border procedures. What I think is that by the time the EU Court of Justice makes a decision, it will probably be time to start applying in the new law, so it will not matter, De Leo told VOA.
For decades, Nigeria has relied on imports to meet fuel demand, spending about $15 billion annually. Now, new alliances aim to cut these expenses by investing in homegrown energy, targeting affordable petrol for consumers and boosting the economy.

New agreements among the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Dangote Refinery and independent oil marketers may end long-standing issues over fuel imports. NNPC and oil marketers will now take petrol directly from local refiner Dangote instead of importing it, aiming to reduce import costs, stabilize petrol prices and make fuel more affordable for consumers.

Energy expert Faith Nwadishi praises this move for its potential to strengthen the economy.

"If we begin to buy products from Dangote, we will be able to save at least 24 trillion naira [$14.3 billion] yearly," said Nwadishi. "Nigeria depends on that. The economy depends on that. If there's no fuel, you see the hardship it takes on people. Products cannot come from farms to markets."

Sharing optimism, David Etim, an energy expert and entrepreneur, said he believes this is the right step toward energy independence.

"Energy self-sufficiency or energy dependency is actually a national security issue," said Etim. "It's just like food security. No country in the world that depends on outsiders to provide such an essential input to its social life as energy can call itself independent. So, the fact that Nigeria has moved from energy dependency to energy independency is a significant move in a very positive direction."

Nigerians currently pay high fuel prices, with some areas reporting more than 1,200 naira per liter [$0.71]. This deal raises hopes as the oil sector shifts to local production.

Consumers such as Felix Chukwuemeka, an Abuja businessman feeling the heat of rising prices, eagerly await relief.

"From my house to my junction, we paid 300 [$0.18], but now we are paying 600 naira [$0.36]," said Chukwuemeka. "So, you can see the expense is doubled. ... It would be very exciting to many of us, especially in the business sector, if the price of petrol seems to reduce, because it will really enhance our business."

Despite optimism, Nigeria's four refineries remain nonfunctional, raising sustainability concerns.

Senior economist Paul Alaje emphasizes the need to revamp refineries and stabilize the currency for lasting gains.

"The more you abandon your refinery, it becomes moribund, it becomes sunk cost to the economy. And sadly, this is reality today," said Alaje. "... Nigerians will be looking at a price between 500 to 600 naira per liter of PMS [petroleum motor spirit]. But, do I think this is achievable even under this current agreement? I doubt very much. Why? There is a big elephant in the room. This elephant is called the exchange rate."

While the new alliances in the oil sector signal a positive step toward stable, affordable fuel, experts stress the need for transparency, accountability and strict implementation to ensure that Nigerians benefit.



For now, there's been no notable impact on the cost of PMS across the country.

However, if successful, these agreements could mark a major shift for Nigeria's oil industry  securing energy independence, easing prices and boosting economic growth.
China is likely to continue its aggressive naval approach toward the Philippines amid their disputes in the South China Sea, experts say.

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed two new maritime laws to protect Manilas disputed territory: the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act.

According to the Philippines Presidential Office, the Philippine Maritime Zones Act "seeks to designate the countrys archipelagic sea lanes, which would create routes over the countrys water and airspace."

The act also "declares the Philippines maritime zones in accordance with the standards set by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act establishes a system of archipelagic sea lanes and air routes, through which foreign vessels and aircraft shall exercise the right of archipelagic sea lanes passage."

Raymond Powell, director of Sealight at Stanford Universitys Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, says the introduction of the laws is necessary for Manilas long-term strategy of resistance against Beijing.

"Passage of the Philippines new maritime laws is a necessary step in its lawfare against Chinas maritime aggression, which has reached the scale of an occupation of large swaths of the West Philippine Sea," Powell told VOA. Lawfare is a name given to using political and judicial action in a dispute.

Malaysia is also protesting the Philippines new maritime laws. Malaysias deputy foreign minister, Mohamad Alamin, says the laws touch upon Malaysias overlapping claims of territory that borders Sabah on Borneo Island.

But it's China that claims almost all of the South China Sea under its nine-dash line designating its territory.

In 2016 the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that Chinas claims have no legal basis under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

China has long ignored that ruling. Beijing and the Philippines both claim the Second Thomas Shoal of the Spratly Islands, which China calls the Nansha Islands. The Scarborough Shoal, or Huangyan Island, is also contested between the two countries. Beijing seized the island in 2012.

In recent years, the overlapping claims escalated when Philippine vessels faced aggressive encounters from Chinese ships while operating in the contested waters.

Powell said Manilas signing of maritime laws is part of a long-term strategy.

"The Philippines now not only has a PRC [Peoples Republic of China] military base at Mischief Reef, deep within its lawful exclusive economic zone, China now controls access to several key features, such as Scarborough, Sabina and Second Thomas Shoals. With Beijing now behaving as an imperial occupation force, Manila needs a comprehensive, long-term strategy of resistance to raise the costs of that occupation. Lawfare will be a key component to that campaign," he said.

China has already opposed the Philippines new maritime laws, calling them a serious infringement. Beijing summoned the Philippines ambassador to protest last week, while Chinas embassy has warned Manila of its "unilateral" actions.

"China will continue to take necessary measures in accordance with the law to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights," the embassy said in a statement, according to Reuters.

Jay Batongbacal, a maritime expert, told VOAs Mandarin Service that China opposes resistance from the Philippines to serve its own interests.

"The fundamental source of insecurity really is that China's interests in the South China Sea have always been defined and driven by its military and strategic objectives of establishing and gaining dominance and control in the first and second island chains," he said.

Zachary Abuza, a professor at the National War College in Washington, says the laws help Manila challenge China's claims.

"The laws do not fundamentally change things on the ground, but they do have their purposes. The law allows the Philippines to assert their own effective control and create a legal basis to challenge China's claims," he told VOA.

But China will push back aggressively, he added.

"We should expect more aggressive behavior," he said. "We just saw them draw baselines around Scarborough Shoal, a low tide elevation, which is totally illegal in international law. China just hates it when states move to advance their legal claims. It is still stinging from 2016 when the Permanent Court of Arbitration tossed out each of their legal clams of sovereignty over the entire South China Sea."

China has responded by publishing on Sunday new baselines outlining its claims over Scarborough Shoal, and on Wednesday, Beijing conducted air and naval combat drives at the disputed shoal.

Since Marcos became president in 2022, Manila has reinvigorated its relations with the U.S., which had been distanced under previous Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, despite the U.S., and the Philippines being long-time mutual defense partners.

Under Marcos, the Philippines has given U.S. troops more access to its military bases and conducted joint naval exercises. Manila is also aiming to buy midrange missiles from Washington to bolster its defense, while China claims the action will undermine peace in the region.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will travel to the Philippines later this month as part of a series of Asia-Pacific meetings in the region.

But with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump set to take office in January, questions remain about Washington's role between the two countries.

"The Philippines needs to be able to convince President-elect Trump of its continued value as U.S. partner in the Indo-Pacific," Vincent Kyle Parada, a former defense analyst in the Philippines Navy, told VOAs Mandarin Service. "While bipartisan consensus against China remains strong, Marcos Jr. should anticipate a more quid pro quo or a transactional relationship with Washington and work to rely on his foreign policy initiatives with the U.S.," he added.
Heads of state of the Southern African Development Community regional bloc are due to meet next week in Zimbabwe on post-election violence in neighboring Mozambique, where the political opposition is disputing poll results.

Mozambique has been rocked by violence following its October 9 elections, with police accused of killing some 30 protesters, according to civil society organizations there. Amnesty International says the crackdown on human rights by the government led by the winning Frelimo party continues.

Venancio Mondlane, leader of Mozambiques opposition PODEMOS party, is disputing that Frelimos Daniel Chapo won the presidential election.

Speaking to VOA Friday from her base in Johannesburg, Amnesty Internationals deputy regional director for East and Southern Africa, Khanyo Farise, urged Southern African Development Community leaders to advocate for an end to the violence when they meet in Harare.

"The situation in Mozambique gets worse every day as the death toll spirals, yet the SADC remains shockingly silent, Farise said. Regardless of the outcome of the elections, SADC must take a strong stand against the assault on the right to protest and the killing of protesters.

SADC has been painfully slow to respond to Mozambiques crisis, she said. The bloc must forcefully speak out now against the ongoing violations of human rights by Mozambican security forces and put human rights and accountability at the center of its upcoming summit in Harare.

Adriano Nuvunga, director of the Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Mozambique, said that his country has experienced post-election violence before but that this year, the magnitude and the duration of incidences is unprecedented.

It is nationwide violence led by the young people, Nuvunga said, who feel that the results announced favoring Frelimo did not reflect the will of the people expressed at the polls.

In the past three days everything is paralyzed, he said. The ports are paralyzed, corridors, borders are paralyzed, which is affecting not only Mozambique but neighboring countries that depend on Mozambique to access to sea and ports. So, this makes it a regional crisis not only a domestic crisis.

But, Nuvunga said, the leaders of Tanzania, Zimbabwe and South Africa have taken sides [a] long time ago because they acknowledged Frelimo and Chapo as the winners of the election even before results were announced by the Constitutional Council.

So, SADC will meet. SADC will discuss. But the trust in SADC is not that big, he said.
Tropical Storm Sara made landfall in northern Honduras late Thursday and threatened to dump torrential rains across parts of Central America and southern Mexico.

Sara hit land about 165 kilometers west-northwest of the Cabo Gracias a Dios on the Honduras-Nicaragua border, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami. That is near Brus Laguna, a village of about 13,000 inhabitants. There are few other population centers nearby.

At 3 a.m.(0900 GMT) the center said the storm was located about 100 kilometers east, southeast of Belize City in Honduras with a maximum sustained wind speed of 75 kph.

Mexican authorities warned it could cause "intense rains" over the resort-studded Yucatan Peninsula.

Sara had winds of about 75 kph and was moving west at about 17 kph.

It was expected to remain roughly on that path before heading out to sea again and threatening the coast of Belize.

The center said that along the way Sara was forecast to drop 25 to 50 centimeters of rain, even up to 75 centimeters in isolated areas. Such heavy rain could lead to life-threatening flooding and landslides.

Sara was forecast to pass over or very near the tourist destination of Roatan off Honduras' coast on Sunday. The storm was then expected to turn northwesterly toward Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula.
Ukraine is heading into its third, most challenging winter since the war started nearly 1,000 days ago because systematic attacks by Russia have damaged and destroyed most of the countrys energy infrastructure, a senior U.N. official warned.

I am told that by now, 65% of Ukraines own energy production capacities has been destroyed, Matthias Schmale, resident and humanitarian coordinator in Ukraine, told journalists Friday in Geneva.

There are a lot of worries that the Russian Federations military forces might strike the energy sector again, he said. And the real concern is, if they were to target the energy sector again, this could be a tipping point, also a tipping point for further mass movements, both inside the country and outside the country.

The systematic attacks on energy infrastructure may pose an additional risk in winter, especially for already vulnerable people, as power cuts extend more than a few days in subzero temperatures, he said. Deliberately attacking and destroying energy infrastructure that the civilian population depended on is a violation of international humanitarian law and has to stop.

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA, said more than 12,000 people have been killed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion against Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.

It said civilian infrastructure has been decimated, with more than 2,000 attacks on health care facilities and 2 million damaged homes. It said almost 40% of the population in Ukraine needs humanitarian assistance.

There is also a sort of hidden crisis, Schmale noted. I think this prolonged war, almost three years in February, has led to widespread trauma and psychological distress, and I think the need for mental health support is very evident. It will take years to help people deal with their traumas.

The World Health Organization has verified 2,134 attacks on health care targets in Ukraine, killing at least 197 health workers and patients. The agency said attacks on health facilities have intensified significantly since December 2023, occurring on a near-daily basis.

The marked increase in attacks on Ukraines energy and health infrastructure has led to widespread disruptions to power and water, said Dr. Margaret Harris, a WHO spokesperson. The high cost of medicines, treatment and insufficient number of health care workers have emerged as major concerns, including near the front lines.

In the coming months we anticipate civilians who live near the front lines may experience coronary vascular diseases, mental health issues and dental problems, she said, noting that the WHO continues to call for humanitarian access to all parts of Ukraine, including Russian-controlled areas.

Resident coordinator Schmale expressed grave concern about the escalating use of drones against the civilian population, many supplied to Russia by North Korea.

During my many visits to the front lines, civilians have increasingly described to me being targeted, he said, underscoring that the drones not only cause physical damage but also are being used as a form of psychological terror.

I am very worried, along with many others, that increased use of drones by the armed forces of the Russian Federation will have an increasingly damaging impact on the civilian population, he said. The fear of a nuclear fallout because of either a deliberate or accidental hit on a nuclear power plant, such as the one in Zaporizhzhia  would be extremely devastating, and the worst-case scenario.

OCHA said that U.N. agencies are prioritizing support to people close to the front line, as well as to the thousands who have evacuated in recent weeks and months to help them survive the freezing temperatures that are coming.

It said U.N., international and volunteer organizations have been able to assist 7.2 million people thanks to $1.8 billion received for the humanitarian response in Ukraine. However, another $500 million will be needed to address the emergency needs of 1.8 million people by March.

Schmale underscored the appeal by emphasizing that vulnerable people in high-rise residential buildings in urban areas, the disabled, the elderly and the 3.6 million internally displaced people inside the country are most at risk and in need of help.

He said that helping people to get through this winter is a race against time, made more difficult because of waning support from the donor community. While the trend was downward, he expressed hope the international community and humanitarian support from the U.S. would continue under the new leadership.

They have been by far our biggest individual country supporter at country level, he said. The hope is that they understand like the present administration that there are huge humanitarian needs that need to continue to be addressed.

We must not normalize the war in Ukraine, he said. We must continue to support this country to the best of our abilities.
While fighting continued in Gaza and Lebanon on Thursday, a United Nations special committee said that Israeli policies and practices in Gaza are "consistent with the characteristics of genocide."

In a report published Thursday, the U.N. Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices also accused Israel of using "starvation as a weapon of war" and running an "apartheid system" in the occupied West Bank.

There was no immediate response from the Israeli government. In the past, it has accused the U.N. of being biased against Israel.

The U.N. special committee was set up in 1968 to monitor the Israeli occupation. Its annual report covers the period from October 2023 to July 2024.

The International Court of Justice is investigating a claim by South Africa that Israels military campaign in Gaza is genocidal. The Israeli government has rejected the charges.

Also Thursday, Human Rights Watch accused Israel of war crimes and crimes against humanity in its war against Hamas militants in Gaza, a conclusion Israel rejected.

The report said Israel, which has repeatedly displaced and relocated civilians, is "committing the war crime of forcible transfer," and the actions "appear to also meet the definition of ethnic cleansing" in the areas where Palestinians will not be able to return.

In response, Israel accused the organization of using rhetoric that is "completely false and detached from reality."

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said that Israel's efforts are "directed solely at dismantling Hamas's terror capabilities and not at the people of Gaza, unlike Hamas, which uses civilians as human shields and embeds terror infrastructure within residential areas."

"Israel views all civilian harm as a tragedy, while Hamas views all civilian harm as a strategy. Israel will continue to operate in accordance with the law of armed conflict," spokesperson Oren Marmorstein said in a statement.

Hamas denies that it uses civilians as human shields or hides fighters and weapons in facilities such as hospitals and schools.

Wars toll

Israel invaded the Gaza Strip last year after Hamas led a terror attack on communities in southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, according to Israeli authorities, and abducting more than 250 as hostages, about 100 of whom are still in Gaza, a third of them believed to be dead.

Since then, the Israeli counteroffensive has killed more than 43,700 people, according to Gaza health authorities. An additional 103,000 Palestinians have been injured. The Israeli military says the death toll includes thousands of Hamas militants. Israel also has destroyed much of the enclave's infrastructure, forcing most of the 2.3 million population to move several times.

The war spread to Lebanon in mid-September, after months of rocket fire from Hezbollah into Israel and drone and airstrikes by Israel's military in south Lebanon escalated. More than 3,200 Lebanese have been killed, most of them in the past six weeks.

Hamas and Hezbollah have been designated as terror groups by the United States, Britain and other Western countries.

West Bank

For the past month, Israeli troops have moved tens of thousands of people from areas in the north of the territory along the Mediterranean Sea as they sought to destroy Hamas forces the military says have been regrouping around the towns of Jabalia, Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun.

Human Rights Watch said the displacement of Palestinians "is likely planned to be permanent in the buffer zones and security corridors," an action it said would amount to "ethnic cleansing."

The Israeli military has denied seeking to create permanent buffer zones, and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Monday that Palestinians displaced from their homes in northern Gaza would be allowed to return at the end of the war.

Air strikes in Gaza, Lebanon

On the war front, an Israeli strike on a home in northern Gaza killed three children, among at least six people killed in the territory, Palestinian medics said.

An airstrike hit the southern suburbs of Beirut on Thursday after an Israeli warning to evacuate parts of the Hezbollah bastion, Agence France-Presse reported.

Shortly before the strike, Israel had issued a warning to residents to evacuate their homes.

"You are located near Hezbollah facilities and interests against which the [Israeli military] will operate in the near future," army spokesperson Avichay Adraee said in a post on X that included a map identifying buildings in the areas.

In a post on the Telegram messaging app Thursday, Israel Defense Forces said the air force struck and dismantled more than 140 Hezbollah launchers in southern Lebanon and had killed two battalion commanders and a company commander.

"Over the past week, the IDF eliminated over 200 Hezbollah terrorists in southern Lebanon from the air and ground," the post stated.

But, in a sign that a truce may be slowly approaching, the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon on Thursday submitted a draft truce proposal to Lebanon's parliament speaker, Nabih Berri, according to Reuters.

Some information in this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
U.S. President Joe Biden met with leaders of South Korea and Japan to discuss a "coordinated" response to the deployment of thousands of North Korean troops to help Moscow's war against Ukraine and on Pyongyang's nuclear threat more broadly.

Biden met with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Friday, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum in Lima, Peru.

Biden said the countries aim to link arms "to secure the technologies of the future and countering North Korea's dangerous and destabilizing cooperation with Russia."

Yoon underscored North Korean troops deployment as a reminder of the "challenging security environment within and outside the region."

Pyongyang's troop deployment is a "significant development" that the U.S. will treat "with the seriousness with which it deserves to be treated," White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Lima, Thursday.

Sullivan said the leaders will prepare for any potential moves from Pyongyang, including nuclear testing and ballistic missile launches as the U.S. prepares for a change of administration when Donald Trump takes office in January.

"Transitions have historically been time periods when the DPRK has taken provocative actions," Sullivan said, using the abbreviation for North Korea's formal name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The leaders highlighted ongoing cooperation on "trilateral interoperability by sharing data in real time about ballistic missile launches" by Pyongyang and strengthening U.S. extended deterrence cooperation with Seoul and Tokyo.

Extended deterrence

The United States has an "extended deterrence" policy that aims to prevent adversaries from attacking allies, including South Korea and Japan. The policy states that Washington will come to their aid if they are attacked, potentially including use of American nuclear capabilities.

No specific announcement on extended deterrence was made Friday. However, the summit is an opportunity to "ensure that each of these two bilateral dialogues are working to reinforce one another, and that there aren't gaps and seams between them," Sullivan said.

The leaders announced the establishment of a trilateral secretariat as part of their efforts to "institutionalize" three-way cooperation that began as a series of leaders' dialogues on economic security, intelligence sharing, and defense policy coordination. The trilateral leaders' dialogues began in May 2023 on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, and then at Camp David in August that year.

The trilateral effort is one of Biden's signature regional security initiatives to push Seoul and Tokyo to overcome years of animosity and work together to deter common adversaries, North Korea and China.

U.S., Japanese and South Korean militaries Thursday launched joint exercises in waters south of the Korean peninsula and west of Japan, the final drills under the Biden administration.

During his first term, Trump advocated for friendlier ties with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un but also threatened to attack his country. He pressured Tokyo and Seoul to take on a larger share of U.S. defense burden-sharing.

"Both Tokyo and Seoul are worried, what sort of asks he [Trump]'s going to have at them, to maintain the level of alliance that's in both countries today," said Darcie Draudt Vejares, fellow for Korean studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

A day before Trump's reelection, the U.S. and South Korea finalized a new agreement for Seoul to pay $1.13 billion in 2026 to support U.S. troops, an 8.3% increase from the previous year.

A senior administration official briefing reporters after the trilateral said that the leaders did not raise any concerns about the incoming administration. The focus of the conversation was on common challenges and shared interests that are "enduring," the official said.

Bilateral meetings with Peru, China

Biden also met separately Friday with summit host, Peruvian President Dina Boluarte.

Biden announced a $65 million counternarcotics assistance package for Peru, which includes transferring nine Black Hawk helicopters over the next five years to support Lima's fight against narcotics trafficking and organized crime. He highlighted other initiatives, including rail and space cooperation.

On Saturday, Biden is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, their last in person engagement while the U.S. president is in office.



"It's an important opportunity to mark the progress that we've made in the relationship and also to manage it through this delicate period of transition where we want to maintain a degree of stability, even as we continue to compete vigorously with the PRC [People's Republic of China]," said Sullivan.

Beijing will be looking ahead to the incoming Trump administration that has threatened higher tariffs on Chinese goods, he told VOA.

"I doubt Xi Jinping is going to want to preface what he'll do with Donald Trump," said Zack Cooper, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. "I'm not even sure that the probability of tariffs will come up in the meeting."

Biden and Xi are expected to revisit areas of cooperation, particularly the resumption of military-to-military contact, combating the global fentanyl crisis and nascent work to deal with the risks of artificial intelligence (AI), a senior administration official said in a briefing with reporters earlier this week.

In Peru, Xi will inaugurate a $1.3 billion megaport, part of China's infrastructure investment program that has bought him influence in various parts of the world.

A senior administration official told reporters that during his meeting with Boluarte, Biden cautioned the Peruvian leader that it's important for countries to "maintain very high standards of transparency in their dealings with other partners around the world, including China."

VOA's Kim Lewis contributed to this report.
By Vicky Stark

cape town, south africa 

Southern African Development Community leaders are expected at a coming summit to address the scores of civilian fatalities and injuries that have occurred in Mozambique since the ruling Frelimo party declared Daniel Chapo president with more than 70% of the vote.

This week, Venancio Mondlane, leader of the opposition PODEMOS party, called for even more protests against the October 9 election result. Police have used brutal force to crack down on thousands of Mondlane's supporters who have taken to the streets since the announcement in favor of Chapo.

Analyst Willem Els of the Institute for Security Studies said Mondlane "had to flee Mozambique. Hes somewhere in a neighboring country and we suspect that hes in South Africa because his life is severely in danger.

Els described some of the damage done by pro-Mondlane demonstrators at a border post a week ago. It has since been closed intermittently.

They burned down the border post as well as immigration and everything on the Ressano-Garcia side at the Lebombo border post with South Africa," he said. "They then kept about a thousand trucks that were at Mile Four  where they had to clear customs  at ransom. And what happened then is that they looted some of those trucks and they also burned down at least one of the trucks.

South Africas commissioner of the border management authority, Michael Masiapato, said in a statement Thursday, We have resumed operations, especially the processing of cargo to the Mozambican side, after they have confirmed to us that the situation has stabilized. And therefore, the corridor is ready to receive the export cargo from the South African side into Maputo.

Masiapato confirmed that officials were also processing people at the border.

But the majority of the people that we are processing are Mozambicans that are returning back to their country, as well as South Africans that are returning back to South Africa," he said. "On that basis we would like to still discourage South Africans from going into Mozambique for holiday purposes primarily because the situation remains volatile.

Cross-border analyst Kage Barnette, whos an affiliate of the Southern Africa Association of Freight Forwarders, said the unrest was costing the region millions.

South Africa is one of the largest producers of chrome in the world, so theres a huge amount of ore that goes along that corridor," as well as mining equipment, food and fuel, he said.

He said the association had been told that the military had been placed along the route. But he said truck drivers were nervous.

The last thing you want is to potentially be facing a protesting crowd that could potentially not only cause damage to your vehicle but also yourself, Barnette said.

SADC leaders, who have been criticized for taking too long to respond to the crisis, are slated to meet in Harare for five days beginning Saturday, in an extraordinary session to discuss possible solutions. The regional bloc may decide to deploy its panel of elders, comprising former heads of state, to mediate between the government, opposition and all other stakeholders.
HEFEI, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Every night before going to bed, Wang Junran relaxes by listening to music, drinking a cup of herbal tea and using a massager to soothe her stiff neck.

The 29-year-old engineer, who lives in Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province, has been ending her day this way since earlier this year when tremendous pressure disrupted her circadian rhythm, making it difficult to fall asleep.

Wang was determined to change her evening routine, and she knew exactly when to stock up on the items she needed: during China's Singles' Day shopping event. This annual online shopping promotion offers significant discounts across various e-commerce platforms and ran from mid-October to mid-November this year.

"Herbal tea and music can soothe my mind and the massage device can relieve my stiff neck from tedious daily work. Now I can hardly live without them," said Wang while showing off her extensive tea collection.

Health and pressure relief products were among the top searches during the shopping spree. The growing market comes as more young Chinese consumers pursue healthy lifestyles to alleviate the stresses and strains of life and work.

Xu Mengtong, a 29-year-old office worker in the city of Huangshan, said she was impressed by young people's passion for health when visiting a local night fair featuring traditional Chinese medicine. "Unlike traditional markets, the fair offers free health checkups, even physiotherapy," said Xu.

Like many of her peers, Xu bought moxibustion products online to alleviate underlying conditions linked to a heavy workload and irregular lifestyle.

Healthcare products are also changing to cater to young customers as more young people join a customer base once dominated by middle-aged and elderly buyers.

"We have designed a cute mascot for our new herbal tea products that target stress relief and sleep improvement," said Huai Zishuai, owner of Anhui Cunzhen Yishou Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd, adding about half of the company's consumers during the annual shopping gala were under 32.

"Nowadays, youngsters in China are becoming more health conscious and want to strike a balance between life and work," said Xu Hua, a professor of sociology at Anhui University. "Engaging in wellness activities fosters relationships and fulfills the need for social interaction."

More young Chinese consumers have shown a tendency to shop for emotional value, which has driven a sales boom at many related online stores.

The flagship stores of miHoYo and Paper Games, which both sell game derivative products, and those of mystery box toymaker Pop Mart, and British plush toy brand Jellycat all reported more than 100 million yuan (about 13.9 million U.S. dollars) of Singles' Day sales, showed data from Tmall, Alibaba's online shopping platform.

"I love taking squishy toys to my office, and squeezing them can help me relieve work pressure," said Chen Qiuyue, a 24-year-old internet worker. "When I get back home, I hug my bears for comfort," said Chen, who has recently bought many such toys, including bears in different costumes and cartoon vegetables- and fruit-shaped squishy toys.

According to a research report on youth consumption trends this year, nearly 30 percent of respondents said they would buy goods that can provide emotional value. The goods included snacks, perfumes, flowers, pets, squishy toys, electronic products, mystery boxes, game derivative products or self-improvement courses.

The shift in consumption occurred as younger consumers gained stronger purchasing power and began to prioritize emotional connections and experiences. Many also sought emotional release from significant pressures related to work, family, and health, said Nan Yu, deputy researcher with the Institute of Economics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Many new emotional consumption products cater to young people's curiosity and their desire for self-gratification, Nan added.

Emotional consumption provides broad growth space for cultural and creative industries while the new health consumption brings growth momentum to traditional health industries, said Jiang Han, a senior researcher with Pangoal Institution, a Beijing-based think tank.

Companies should better understand the changing demands of consumers through big data analysis and market research and beef up new product innovation and development, Jiang added. 
Donald Trump may not be moving into the White House until January, but he is laying the groundwork and making domestic policy plans for the next four years. VOAs Senior Washington Correspondent Carolyn Presutti has our story. VOA footage by Henry Hernandez.
By Ken Bredemeier

Republicans are set to take full control of the U.S. government by the third week in January, with President-elect Donald Trump in the White House and the party holding majorities in the Senate and now the House of Representatives, where late vote counting put it over the top on Wednesday.

"Republicans in the House and Senate have a mandate," newly reelected House Speaker Mike Johnson said earlier this week. "The American people want us to implement and deliver that 'America First' agenda" espoused by Trump.

Trump will be sworn in as the countrys 47th president on January 20, two weeks after the new Congress has been seated.

Trump, 78, campaigned on a sweeping agenda that Democrats will be largely powerless to stop unless joined by a handful of Republican defectors in Congress on any specific issue that would undercut the partys slim majorities in both chambers.

Republicans will have a 53-47 edge in the Senate, and the tie-breaking vote of Vice President-elect JD Vance in the event of a 50-50 stalemate on any legislative proposal. Republicans have secured at least 218 seats in the 435-member House, pending the outcome of nine undecided elections for two-year terms. The party won a seat in the Southwestern state of Arizona on Wednesday to cement its majority.

During his bid to win a second nonconsecutive four-year term, Trump called for the massive deportation of millions of undocumented migrants living in the United States to their home countries, an extension and expansion of 2017 tax cuts that are set to expire at the end of 2025, further deregulation of businesses, a curb on climate controls, and prosecution of his political opponents  people he calls the enemy within.

Senator John Thune of South Dakota, newly elected by his fellow Republicans as the Senate majority leader, said, "This Republican team is united. We are on one team. We are excited to reclaim the majority and to get to work with our colleagues in the House to enact President Trump's agenda."

Cabinet nominees

Trump has swiftly named an array of political loyalists to key Cabinet positions. They remained as vocal supporters during his four years out of office, and most of them are likely to win quick Senate approval after confirmation hearings, as is the bipartisan tradition in Congress when a new president takes office. They will replace officials President Joe Biden selected after he defeated Trump in the 2020 election.

Trump has also called on Senate Republican leaders to allow him to make recess appointments, which could occur when the chamber is not in session and would erase the need for time-consuming and often contentious confirmation hearings.

Despite the likelihood that most of his nominees will be approved, Trump this week named three who immediately drew disparaging assessments from several Democrats and some Republicans for their perceived lack of credentials.

They are former Representative Matt Gaetz as attorney general; Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman turned Republican as director of national intelligence, and Pete Hegseth, a former junior military officer and Fox News host as defense secretary.

The blowback presages tough confirmation fights for the three in the Senate, which reviews the appointments of top-level officials and then votes to confirm them, or on occasion, rejects the nominations of incoming presidents and forces the White House to make another choice.

On Thursday, Trump nominated former presidential candidate and anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

The same day, Trump said he will nominate Jay Clayton to be Manhattans top federal prosecutor. Clayton led the Securities and Exchange Commission during Trump's first term.

Controversy surrounds Matt Gaetz

The appointment of Gaetz, 42, could prove particularly problematic, with some senators openly questioning whether he can win a 51-vote majority to assume the governments top law enforcement position. A House ethics committee probe was in the final stages of investigating whether he engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use when he announced his resignation from the chamber late Wednesday, ending the probe.

The Justice Department he hopes to lead had already decided not to pursue criminal charges. Gaetz has denied all wrongdoing.

On NBCs Meet the Press NOW, John Bolton, one of Trumps first-term national security advisers who since has become a vocal critic, said Gaetzs appointment must be the worst nomination for a Cabinet position in American history.

Bolton added that Gabbards nomination was hilarious and second worst.

I dont think its a serious nomination for the attorney general, said Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. This one was not on my bingo card.

Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine said she was shocked that Trump chose Gaetz, while another Republican senator, Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, questioned whether Gaetz could be confirmed, adding, I need to think about that one.

An incoming freshman Democratic senator, Andrew Kim, said he did not need to consider more information at a confirmation hearing to know that he would vote against Gaetz.

Gaetz is also disliked by some Republican colleagues for his leading role last year in a successful effort to oust a fellow Republican, Kevin McCarthy, from his job as House speaker, the lead position in the chamber and second in line to the presidency after the vice president.

Trump heralded his nomination of Gaetz, newly elected to a fifth term in the House, saying he had distinguished himself in Congress through his focus on achieving desperately needed reform at the Department of Justice and would root out systemic corruption at the agency.

Gabbard, Hegseth and Kennedy

Gabbard, 43, has been attacked for her lack of direct experience in intelligence and accused of disseminating pro-Russian disinformation. If confirmed, she will be tasked with overseeing 18 U.S. intelligence agencies. She won over Trump with her switch from being a one-time Democratic House member from Hawaii to changing parties and staunchly advocating for his election.

She prepped Trump for his only debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democrat he defeated in the November 5 election.

FILE - "Fox and Friends" co-host Pete Hegseth interviews President Donald Trump at an event in the White House in Washington on April 6, 2017. Hegseth is Trump's choice to be secretary of defense, the president-elect announced on Nov. 13, 2024.

Critics have assailed Hegseth, a 44-year-old decorated former military officer, as someone who lacks managerial experience in the military or business world. A weekend anchor on Fox News, he has voiced his opinions on military operations, including his opposition to women serving in combat roles, saying they lack as much physical strength as men. He has lobbied Trump to pardon military service members accused of war crimes.

Hegseth is certain to face near universal opposition from Senate Democrats voting on his confirmation, and some Republicans are expressing concern.

A descendant of the Kennedy family political dynasty, Kennedy, 70, has been one of the countrys most prominent anti-vaccine conspiracy theorists for years.

At a rally in October, Trump indicated that if he was reelected, he would let Kennedy oversee a public health portfolio. Last week, Kennedy said he would immediately begin studying vaccine safety. He has also pledged to formally recommend states and municipalities remove fluoride from public water.

An attorney at Sullivan & Cromwell, Clayton, 58, will be nominated to be the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York  perhaps better known as the sheriff of Wall Street.

Although the office is often responsible for policing financial fraud, Clayton himself does not have any prosecutorial experience. While at the SEC, Clayton, a political independent, developed a reputation for trying to create consensus with the agencys Democratic commissioners.

The president-elects first choices for high-level positions in his nascent administration have won broad acceptance from fellow Republicans, including his co-campaign manager Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff, Senator Marco Rubio of Florida as secretary of state and Representative Mike Waltz of Florida as national security adviser.

Trump returned triumphantly to Washington on Wednesday, pledging a smooth transition of power in January as he met for two hours at the White House with Biden, his longtime political rival.
Photo: Janus Films

A soft, shimmering beauty permeates the images of Mumbai that open Payal Kapadias All We Imagine As Light. For all the nighttime bustle on display  the heave of people, the constant activity and chaos  Kapadia shoots with a flair for the illusory. The camera drifts, the focus slips, the figures shift; everything onscreen feels fragile and impermanent. We dont immediately hear the din of traffic or the roar of crowds as we might in a straightforward documentary. Rather, the sound is so sparse and quiet its as if were watching a ghost world. Occasionally, voices do waft in, unseen and unnamed, each speaking in a different language about Mumbai. One man tells us he has lived in the city for 23 years but is still afraid to call it home. Another tells us he came here after fighting with his father. A woman explains that she was pregnant but was scared to tell anybody because shed found a good job taking care of someone elses children. There have been city symphonies in cinema before, but Kapadias film is altogether more pensive and intimate. Call it a city nocturne or a city whisper.

Despite such sequences, All We Imagine As Light, which won the Grand Prix earlier this year at Cannesand was the first Indian feature to play in competition at the festival in 30 yearsis not a documentary at all. With the same roving ease, the director gradually settles on her three protagonists, all of them women working at a hospital. Head nurse Prabha (Kani Kusruti) and her younger colleague Anu (Divya Prabha) room together in a tiny flat, while the older cook Parvaty (Chhaya Kadam) is facing eviction from the tenement she has lived in for more than two decades. Without contrivance or overdramatization, Kapadia allows these characters stories to trickle into our consciousness. Prabhas husband, we learn, went off to work in Germany years ago and hasnt been heard from; a doctor at the hospital seems intent on wooing her, but she doesnt know where she stands in the world. Anu is in love with a young Muslim man, and the two must meet surreptitiously. At one point, he tells her that the aunt and uncle he lives with are going away for the weekend and that she should buy a burka to come visit him covertly; their romance is a forbidden one. Parvaty, meanwhile, has no documented proof of her residence. She had moved into the small apartment with her late husband, who worked in a nearby mill, but now a luxury condo is going up and the builders are sending goons to force her to leave. In so many ways, these womens worlds are circumscribed by the men in their liveseven when the men are no longer there.

For all this simmering turmoil  Prabhas loneliness, Anus passion, Parvatys desperation  the performances remain hushed and unassuming, at least on the surface. Kusruti, who was also riveting in Shuchi Talatis Girls Will Be Girls, has the kind of eyes that can speak volumes, but her Prabha may be the most composed of these characters. When a fancy new rice cooker from Germany arrives mysteriously in the mail, she and Anu assume it came from Prabhas husband. Later, in a surreal moment that would be funny if it werent so heartbreaking, she secretly embraces the rice cooker, trying to commune emotionally with this gleaming red object that may be all thats left of her marriage.

Theres meaning to be found in the unease between whats happening in these peoples lives and the films wandering tone. Piano arpeggios drift in on the soundtrack, suggesting something lighter and more accepting even as the music flirts with atonality. Its all part of the troubling essence of this place. Some people call this the city of dreams, but I dont. I think its the city of illusions, intones one of the many unidentified voices on the soundtrack. Theres an unspoken code in this city: Even if you live in the gutter, youre allowed to feel no anger, says another. The Mumbai here is a place where everyone comes and nobody feels at home. Which in turn means nobody has the room to claim a better life.

That may be why, when our three protagonists leave the city in the final act and land in a small coastal town, a transformation takes place. Its as if a dam has opened up, and these women, whose lives were so submerged for so long, have found a sense of space and thus some ability to shape the things around them, even in fantastical ways. Now, a reality that seemed forever on the verge of dissolving tips into something resembling magical realism. And through her mesmerizing filmmaking, Kapadia creates a world that didnt seem possible  which, of course, reinforces how imaginary this new place might prove to be. The film may end on notes of joy, but what lingers is more sadness.
This image is a conceptual illustration of the prototype of a Chinese manned lunar rover. The prototype of a Chinese lunar rover designed for the country's manned lunar missions is now in its initial development phase, according to a statement made by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) on Friday. (China Academy of Space Technology/Handout via Xinhua)

BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- The prototype of a Chinese lunar rover designed for the country's manned lunar missions is now in its initial development phase, according to a statement made by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) on Friday.

The lunar rover, featuring a modular and foldable structure, is equipped to carry two astronauts for manned operations. A concept image released by the CAST illustrates the rover, which has the appearance of an open-top off-road vehicle, and incorporates elements from ancient Chinese chariots.

Auto manufacturer GAC Group, Tsinghua University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Harbin Institute of Technology and Hong Kong Polytechnic University have all contributed to the design of this lunar rover, the CAST revealed.

Also, a parallel development program for China's lunar rover is being carried out by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST).

The manned lunar rover is designed for swift movement on uneven lunar landscapes, precise navigation and positioning, enhanced safety support and continuous real-time communication with Earth. It will, in addition, collaborate with lunar infrastructure to execute integrated human-machine exploration missions on the moon's surface.

China is pressing ahead with its mission to land astronauts on the moon by 2030. The production and ground tests of prototypes of the Long March-10 carrier rocket, the manned spacecraft Mengzhou, the lunar lander Lanyue, and the spacesuit to be worn by astronauts are underway. The CAST is tasked with developing both Mengzhou and Lanyue.

The China Manned Space Agency has announced that a group of 10 astronauts will be engaged in a training regimen aimed at manned lunar landing missions. The astronauts are scheduled to acquire skills in maneuvering spacecraft and operating lunar rovers. 
Bienvenidos a Espana! After a few months off, Cobra Kai is back for the second of its three final batches of episodes. When Julys mid-season finale of Cobra Kai skipped forward to the Sekai Taikai, I had some mild concerns: If the big world tournament finished in the next couple of episodes, what else was there left for this final season to cover? After watching the first episode of this next batch, though, I feel reassured. The All Valley Tournament in season four took two whole episodes, and this one might take five. Im all for spreading the event across multiple episodes, especially if it means well get to know the competitors from the other teams better. This shouldnt feel like just another battle between Miyagi-Do and Cobra Kai, even if it inevitably comes down to them in the finals.

Benvinguts a Barcelona begins in the immediate aftermath of the ceremony at the end of the last episode, the evening before the tournament begins. That means breaking the cast once again into the kids and the adults. While the competitors go on a field trip to LAquarium Barcelona, their senseis will schmooze with sponsors at a cocktail mixer.

I felt like the last episode rushed a little in getting everyone to Spain, so its nice to see this episode slow down a bit, even if it means delaying some of the payoffs and reiterating some of the stories were already familiar with. Johnny and Daniel are still butting heads, working together as senseis and sharing the same hotel room but refusing to be friendly. Daniel is worried about Johnny blowing it with the sponsors, and we do see the guy immediately almost get into a fight over the last two steaks at the buffet. But as always, Daniel has just as deep a capacity for aggression, and hes the one who almost gets violent when Kreese threatens him.

And yet the biggest embarrassment is Chozen, who shows up behaving like he just drank an original-recipe Four Loko. Hes totally sloppy, smashing vases full of the same flowers he brought to Okinawa to win over Kumiko. Unfortunately, someone he hilariously calls Towel Man (then Shower Man) answered her door, so it appears Kumiko has another man in her life. Then again, Chozen didnt stick around long enough to hear who exactly the guy is. Its very possible he doesnt grasp the full truth about the identity of Towel Man.

Johnny learns at the mixer that winning the tournament could lead to lucrative brand deals that would put Miguel through college and easily provide for Carmen and their kid (plus Rosa). Daniel also has a revelation, albeit one that will affect him less on a material level and more on an emotional one. After showing Mr. Miyagis bloody Sekai Taikai headband to representative Gunther and another dojo gear and apparel expert, he gets a lead on a legendary champion named Master Serrano who may have known Miyagi from back in their tournament days.

Off on their field trip, the kids are occupied by their own mix of petty drama and more serious conflicts. This is a very necessary episode for Tory, whose perspective we havent heard since she stormed out of the Miyagi-Do captain competition after her mom died. She seems fully aware of Cobra Kais unattractive qualities this time around, based on her reactions to Kim Da-Eun calling her a rat and downplaying what she did to Torys hand last season. But its like she later explains to Robby: With Sam all but guaranteed a captain spot, this felt like the only option to compete. At least she still seems to have Kreese in her corner.

Fresh off that angsty conversation, Robby accepts Kwons challenge to a high-kick contest, gambling away his and Demetris room when he loses. He catches even more heat when Sam calls him out for getting played by Kreese again; he knew Kreese had approached to Tory after escaping from prison but didnt tell anyone, and then she got sucked back into Cobra Kai. Everyone seems peeved at Robby, whos clearly distracted going into tomorrows tournament, but most are reluctant to directly confront him about it, perhaps worried theyll disturb the peace and throw him off his game even more.

Tory does make one effort to ease Robbys suffering  by putting their relationship on pause when he visits her in the middle of the night. She might think this is genuinely helpful to him after hearing from Sam about his inability to focus when hes so worried about his girlfriend  but it obviously backfires, because it turns out getting dumped doesnt help you focus either! In fact, from one angle, Tory may have actively (if unintentionally) sabotaged the competition by breaking his heart. Robby is right when he points out that she only trusts herself, a core issue that she cant move on from despite Miyagi-Dos positive influence.

The first event the next day is called Captains War, and it involves pitting entire dojos against one another in groups of four, each tasked with protecting their own captains and taking out the others. Tory knows Miyagi-Do, so her dojo should really listen to her, but Kwon walks all over her until she takes Kim Da-Euns advice and gives him no choice but to follow. The Miyagi-Do competitors drop quickly, and Robby gets distracted by Tory and messing up.

This presents a decent opportunity to really establish the dojos other than Miyagi-Do and Cobra Kai on the mat, and theres  some success. Flachi Della Notte, one of the two new teams in Miyagi-Dos group, gets effortlessly decimated in the background before we get a chance to see much of them. But the Iron Dragon dojo actually wins the first round, their two captains handling Tory, Kwon, and Yoon without much trouble. (They were so confident that the other fighters on their team actually stepped down voluntarily, which is pretty badass.) Welcome to Barcelona, bitch, says the girl credited as Zara, who met Tory briefly during picture-taking earlier. It seems she could be a fierce new antagonist in these middle episodes, along with her sensei (the guy who stole Johnnys steak).

Benvinguts a Barcelona does mostly feel like a setup episode; the one event we do see probably doesnt matter all that much in terms of determining Miyagi-Dos place in the tournament, and both Daniel and Johnnys goals and conflicts in Barcelona are still being defined. But Im pretty excited for the tournament to come, which should feel different from the usual competitions back in the Valley. Who doesnt need a little vacation every once in a while?

Mr. Miyagis Little Trees

 RIP Chad McQueen, who played Dutch in the original movie and died back in September. There were once plans to bring him on board for a cameo in Cobra Kai, but it never worked out.

 Apparently, Kreeses charges were dropped because hes a veteran with PTSD who was supposedly innocent and forced to escape. Not sure that makes any sense, but sure.

 These your models? I got way better-looking kids at my dojo. Let me show you some photos. Thats not really the criteria.

 I really like the conversation when Sam tells Tory she felt hurt that she didnt reach out after her mom died, instead stepping into Cobra Kais arms. The conflicts can get repetitive in this show, but its the shifting contexts that keeps the rivalries interesting.

 I recently re-watched part of the Disney Channel Original Movie Johnny Tsunami for a Halloween costume and discovered that Yuji Okumoto (a.k.a. Chozen) played Johnnys dad, so that was a fun discovery.
Kenneth Branagh and Jessica Revell as Lear and Cordelia. Photo: Marc J. Franklin/Courtesy The Shed

Theres a difference in the way Americans do mediocre Shakespeare and the way Brits do it. Ours tends to be easier to recognize for what it is. American acting training is heterogenous and feelings-forward; we still put a lot of stock in dubious Strasbergian notions of authenticity, and were scared of things above, beyond, and fundamentally opposed to realism. We tend to deflate the cosmic into the casual, making word salad while were at it. For the Brits, theres at least a base-level expectation of textual rigor. At the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art one summer, I spent three days sitting on the edge of my chair (we werent allowed to lean back) painstakingly reading Pericles aloud as a towering Liverpudlian director snapped at our cast after every phrase, What does that mean?! If anyone started their answer with, Well, uh, basically  shed scream, No! and wed start again. You dont leave RADA not knowing what youre saying or without an appreciation for the richness and versatility of Shakespearean language and a drive to make it sing.

But being able to speak Shakespeare, to utilize poetry and communicate meaning, will still only get you so far in bringing one of his vast, infinitely faceted plays to life. It will probably mean  as is the case with the King Lear now visiting the Shed, starring Kenneth Branagh and co-directed by Branagh, Rob Ashford, and Lucy Skilbeck  that you can tell a clear story with at least a superficial sense of urgency. It wont mean that youve decided what that story, deep in its bloody viscera, is really about. Tellingly, in an interview with the Sheds artistic director Alex Poots in which Poots asks Branagh to share his overarching vision for the play, Branagh responds by talking not about an idea but about an experience: I first saw King Lear when I was 17 years old, he says. I was a bit intimidated going in, but I came away thinking  Well, first of all, theres lots of incident, theres lots of plot, theres lots of story  Its size and its so-called importance fell away, but its urgent, familiar, recognizable story about human beings was what I carried away with me.

Im happy for 17-year-old Kenneth, and also that doesnt answer the question. Branaghs overarching vision seems to be textural rather than essential  to be as urgent as possible. He and his co-directors have sheared the behemoth down to two hours sans intermission, and the thing does move, but to what end? I once listened to a director describe the necessity for plays to proceed simultaneously along two axes: Theres the x-axis of forward motion, but theres also the y-axis of depth. Get stuck doing only y and youre wallowing. Ride only the x-axis and, eventually, all the sprinting entrances and exits and panting, gasping line deliveries in the world wont save you. Youll be running without carrying anything.

Thats the feeling for most of this Lear, where its not just the extreme text trims that create a sense of flattened character and circumstance but also, and more significantly, the one-dimensional hastiness of the direction. Its not impossible for Lears two older daughters, Goneril (Deborah Alli) and Regan (Saffron Coomber), or for Edmund (Dylan Corbett-Bader)  the self-described bastard of Lears ally, Gloucester (Joseph Kloska), and most explicit villain of the play  to define themselves fully in fewer words. But all three of these crucial figures wind up feeling like outlines. They all speak their text well  everyone does  but beneath their performances and plenty of others, theres an absence, an echoing space of unhad or at least unmanifested conversations. Do Lears daughters love him? What do they bring with them into the space when they gather along with the rest of their fathers court to witness the old king divesting his power and dividing up his kingdom? What have their lives been like? Their marriages? When their father, exceptionally hale and hearty in Branaghs rendering, asks the dire question, the joke thats not a joke  Which of you shall we say doth love us most?  are they shocked, prepared, cynical, hurt, furious? Here, they convey plot rather than complexity of soul. They say their lines crisply and get on with it.

Branagh, Ashford, and Skilbeck may think that theyve sufficiently summoned King Lears prodigious existential scale by literally bringing the cosmos into the room. Aesthetically, the production is pitched somewhere between Vikings and The Dark Crystal, in a Neolithic Albion where everyone carries stone-tipped spears and wears a lot of fur, baggy linen, and cute leather boots and belts (pay no attention to the trendy buckles and rubber soles). Jon Bausor, who designed costumes and set, surrounds the stage with Stonehenge-like slabs and suspends an enormous, doughnut-shaped projection surface above it  a kind of looming Gods eye where, as the audience enters, galaxies and nebulae swirl murkily. As the play begins, Earth revolves into view, Death Star style, then we start to zoom toward landmasses, eventually zeroing in on ancient Britain. Considering that Branagh treasures his teenage memory of seeing Lears so-called importance stripped away, the portentousness feels counterintuitive, not to mention a bit silly. This is how a high-school student starts an essay on King Lear (or on anything, really): Since the dawn of time, mankind has always  Its also much more cinematic than it is theatrical. The Branagh who directed Thor is present, but what of the Branagh whos got something to say to us, as both director and actor, in this room right now, about King Lear?

As an actor, Branagh has always been one of the most fluent speakers of Shakespeare out there. Youre never lost when hes talking, and hes got a distinctive knack for making individual words sing  watch his face crinkle on the drawn-out long es in pleased me; feel his consonants buzz and twang in words as simple as live or things. Listen to his rs just keep on rolling, all the way up to the end. Those rs, though, are where technique  even Branaghs  reaches its limits. Whose diction stays this grand, this ornamented, when theyve been stripped of everything, perhaps even their sanity? When theyre wandering a desolate beach, barefoot and crowned with twigs, only to find their old friend with his eyes gouged out? Poetry has got to marry with circumstance, and the circumstances of Lear are monstrous. The worst is not so long as we can say, This is the worst, says Gloucesters loyal son, Edgar (Doug Colling), in one of the plays many lines that absolutely should hit like a cannonball to the chest but that here feel swept up in the action, lost in an overarching need to get on. Another is Lears devastating revelation on the heath, his mind breaking open to his own blindness, his lifelong misuse of power and neglect of others suffering: O, I have taen / Too little care of this. Branaghs Lear, robust and active and frustratingly opaque all throughout his breakdown (its hard to believe hes old or mad), hardly stops moving around the stage for this line, and its ending is garbled by Collings yawp as he leaps into sight disguised as the raving beggar Poor Tom. Branagh doesnt sit with anything, nor let us receive the full force of its impact.

If theres an actor in King Lear whos attempting to go deep as he drives forward, its Kloska. His Gloucester, though conspicuously young  everyones young, even Branagh, whose not-skipping-leg-day 63 feels more like 49  has both gravitas and conscience. Hes feeling what hes saying and whats said to him. His suffering is tangible. When, after hearing the lie that his beloved son Edgar wants him dead, he turns his brokenhearted gaze skyward and says, These late eclipses in the sun and moon portend no good to us, he brings Bausors hovering heavens-screen into really meaningful relief for the first time. Loves cool, he continues, managing to crack open a door to the plays great, bleak, howling heart, friendships fall off, brothers divide: in cities, mutinies; in countries, discord; in palaces, treason; and the bond cracked twixt son and father. We have seen the best of our time.

That is King Lear. But Branagh, Ashford, and Skilbeck offer no consistent access to the plays magnificent existential darkness. Even in his Lears final moments, Branagh, despite the Gods eye above him, chooses the literal over the cosmic. When he carries in his dead youngest daughter, Cordelia (Jessica Revell, who doubles as a much-cut, playful but insufficiently prophetic Fool), his howls of mourning feel strangely unwrenching, and his eventual death a downright misreading of the play. Look there, look there! Lear whispers over Cordelias body in an incredible echo of the warning given him by the loyal Kent (Eleanor de Rohan) back before it was all too late. See better, Lear, says Kent, and as the old king dies, cradling his dead child, he finally does see. Its a mystical death, a moment of preternatural vision followed by a departure. Look there! he says, then joins Cordelia in the place we cannot see. But Branagh, who has seeded a couple of aneurysm-like attacks throughout his performance, plays the moment with crushing realism. He seizes up, gasps and grabs his head, thrashes, contorts, dies. Not only does such an interpretation fatally diminish the plays scope, it also makes the moment about him, not about Cordelia, and not, even more crucially, about the invisible thing hes exhorting us all to see. A King Lear without that invisible thing might have battles and betrayals, drums and trumpets, and get us back out on the street in a cool two hours, but it wont be the thing itself. It will, in the end, come to nothing.

King Lear is at the Shed through December 15.
Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Warner Bros., Attila Szvacsek/HBO

Like Princess Jasmine trapped in Jafars gigantic hourglass, drowning in sand, were back in the world of Dune again. HBOs latest big-budget IP gamble Dune: Prophecy premieres on November 17, taking over the slot of its last big-budget IP gamble The Penguin and fulfilling similar prequel responsibilities as this summers big-budget IP gamble House of the Dragon. Dragons, birds, worms: Is HBOs premier Sunday-night slot going for a we bought a zoo thing?

Set more than 10,000 years before the events of Denis Villeneuves Dune and Dune: Part Two (together an adaptation of Frank Herberts seminal 1965 novel), Dune: Prophecy focuses on the beginnings of the sisterhood eventually known as the Bene Gesserit. The space-witch order ostensibly provides trusted advisers to the ruling Emperor of the Corrino Empire and his Imperiums aristocratic great houses, like House Atreides and House Harkonnen, but has secretly harbored long-gestating plans about who can and should rule. The six-episode series, based on the 2012 novel Sisterhood of Dune by Franks son Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, explains and contextualizes the Bene Gesserits decisions that lead to Paul Atreidess rise to power in the Dune movies. Emily Watson stars as Valya Harkonnen, the Reverend Mother whos led the sisterhood for 30-some years and shaped it to meet her vision of subtle manipulation: Via elaborate matchmaking schemes amid the powerful elite, she hopes they can eventually breed an emperor who will be under their control. (Thats the plan in Dune, anyway; Valyas motives are a little murkier in Dune: Prophecy.) But as she works to accrue more authority in the Imperium, shes threatened by a mysterious figure from the desert planet Arrakis, Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel), who has powers she doesnt understand and could endanger the sisterhood.

Its a dense world! Theres unique terminology, complex history, and oodles and oodles of lore, and it might be difficult to dive into Dune: Prophecy with no previous knowledge of Herberts works or the sprawling franchise he created. If you dont have the five-plus hours required to watch Dune and Dune: Part Two or however long it would take you to read Herberts novels before Sunday night, your prayers to Shai-Hulud have been answered. Here are five things to remember before Dune: Prophecy premieres.

1.

Herberts Dune was basically an allegory for American and British wars for oil, with spice swapped in for petroleum and gasoline. Spice looks like a shimmering burnt-orange dust, smells like cinnamon, and is a natural resource that is produced only on Arrakis. Constant exposure turns the indigenous Fremens eyes blue, and on Arrakis, the substance is used for everyday food, goods, and explosives. But throughout the universe, spice has become a signifier of wealth and prosperity, and its most valued for its use as a drug by the Spacing Guild; it allows the Guild Navigators to achieve a kind of prescience that helps them map out travel through space. In a universe where everyones moving between planets all the time, the demand for spice is immense. Whoever controls Arrakis and the planets spice-extraction operation automatically becomes one of the wealthiest and most envied families in the Imperium, and also the target of the Fremen, who have been trying to free their planet from its occupiers for generations.

Thats how spice shapes this worlds financial tensions and power dynamics. But heres a fun tidbit: The Fremen have a ceremony involving the Water of Life  sandworm bile that becomes a narcotic because the creatures live in spice-infused sand  in which the members of a community share the poison and engage in an orgy. As Pauls lover Chani explains, When the tribe shares the Water, were together  all of us. We  share. We never got a spice orgy (or a proper sex scene, really) in either Dune film, but maybe Dune: Prophecy will be brave enough to deliver one. This is HBO, after all!

2.

When Dune begins, House Harkonnen, a clan of sadists, has controlled Arrakis for years, an arrangement that signals their closeness to the Imperiums Padishah Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV (played in Dune: Part Two by Christopher Walken). As Josh Brolins Gurney Halleck says in Villeneuves first film, Eighty years, Arrakis belonged to House Harkonnen.  Can you imagine the wealth?  Theyre not human, theyre brutal. The implication is that some degree of House Harkonnens violence and freakishness (Baron Harkonnens monstrously large body; their pets that look like human spiders) stems from the wealth theyve hoarded for generations. House Atreides, from which the films protagonist Paul (Timothee Chalamet) hails, has a righteousness and goodness that, in contrast to the Harkonnens brutality, makes the two families enemies.

The Harkonnens iron grip over Arrakis makes Corrinos decision to take the planet and give it to House Atreides a surprise  until we learn he did this to goad House Harkonnen into starting a war against House Atreides. The Emperors plan to eliminate all of House Atreides, which he considers a threat to his rule because of their morality and popularity, backfires when Paul, his mother Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), and his unborn sister Alia survive the Harkonnens ambush attack on Arrakis, adapt to living in the desert, and eventually exact their revenge against both the Emperor and House Harkonnen. (Important detail: Lady Jessica was born a Harkonnen, which causes a schism between her and Paul when he finds out in Dune: Part Two.) The families have hated each other for a long time, and theyre locked in a kind of death spiral that casts a long shadow over the entire Dune franchise. Since Dune: Prophecy has characters from Houses Harkonnen and Atreides, expect more of that feud to play out here.

3.

We never heard the word jihad in Villeneuves films, which means were probably never going to hear the word in Dune: Prophecy, either; the series will likely rename this historical moment. But the Muslim context of this word, in particular how it defines a just war, was important to Herbert when he conceived of the Butlerian Jihad, a crusade against computers, thinking machines, and conscious robots led by the last free humans in order to reverse their speciess enslavement. As explained in Dunes Terminology of the Imperium (a glossary that appeared at the end of the first novel), the Butlerian Jihad occurred more than 10,000 years before the events in Dune (lining it up right with the Dune: Prophecy timeline) and lasted nearly 100 years. The humans ultimately prevail in the conflict they also call the Great Revolt and outlaw these machines, creating various orders to take their place. The human computer Mentats, capable of high-level calculation and strategy, are assigned to each house, while the Guild Navigators use spice to determine paths through space.

Villeneuves films havent really dug into the uprising and how it transformed the Imperium and its people, but whats most important to understand from the novel is the guiding law established after the Butlerian Jihads end: Thou shalt not make a machine in the likeness of a human mind. The Imperiums citizens would really prefer not to have a Matrix-like situation on their hands again. Who can blame them?

4.

Theres a real disconnect between the faith-based world of Herberts book, which regularly discusses its characters adherence to futuristic versions of Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, and agnosticism, and Villeneuves films, which excised religion from the story almost entirely. (In particular, elements of Islam or Middle Eastern culture or languages, which are all over Herberts novel as integral world-building elements, barely appear in Dune and Dune: Part Two.) Herberts book has a whole Religion of Dune appendix that explains the significance of space travel, with lines like Immediately, space gave a different flavor and sense to ideas of Creation. That difference is seen even in the highest religious achievements of the period. All through religion, the feeling of the sacred was touched by anarchy from the outer dark, and an explanation of what the Orange Catholic Bible text, a compilation of human religions created after the Butlerian Jihad as a way to protect a core aspect of the human experience, meant to its followers. Conversely, Dune and Dune: Part Two have some generic images of brown people unintelligibly wailing in a temple  a pale comparison to the source material.

But Dune: Prophecy takes place in a fascinating time for religious belief because the Bene Gesserit play a role in shaping how humanitys rejection of thinking machines and artificial intelligence affects culture for years to come. Are they a religious order with inherently nefarious motives, or just a group of women training and learning together? In Dune, the Bene Gesserit have many detractors who critique that distinction, including Paul. Even if Dune: Prophecy strips back Herberts idea that the womens symbolism, organization, and internal teaching methods were almost wholly religious, their rituals  like using the aforementioned Water of Life for the Spice Agony ceremony that connects their consciousness with their ancestors in the order  have a sense of grandiosity and procedure that will still feel spiritual onscreen. (Recall, too, that the Fremen believe in Shai-Hulud as a sandworm embodiment of their god or Maker, which the Bene Gesserit might not entirely understand because the Fremen belief system approaches the world in a much different way than their own. Thats going to be an issue when Valya and Desmond, a Fremen, meet in Dune: Prophecy.)

5.

These space witches are running a gigantic, generations-long breeding program to guide all the great houses and eventually put the perfect person, or Kwisatz Haderach, on the Imperium throne and under their control. This supreme being  someone who can see into the past like the Bene Gesserit and also the future, perform all the special mathematical and engineering calculations of a Mentat, and travel through space like a Guild Navigator  will be born as a result of their matchmaking; in assigning members of the sisterhood to counsel various great houses, the Bene Gesserit plots out marriages between families and reinforces their sway. Once the Kwisatz Haderach is born, the sisterhood will control that person when they come to throne. Paul Atreides (who is believed to be that figure) ultimately puts an end to their plans by refusing their influence, but 10,000 years ago, these icons were just getting started with their Punnett squares and scheming to help life find a way. One very specific, Bene Gesseritapproved way.
BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Friday urged the United States to immediately stop arming China's Taiwan region and cease its dangerous actions jeopardizing peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks at a press conference in response to the U.S. delivery of HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) units to Taiwan along with a plan to train Taiwan troops to operate the weaponry.

The spokesperson blamed the Democratic Progressive Party authorities for selling the interests of the people in Taiwan and attempting to solicit external support for "Taiwan independence."

"Such behaviors will only push Taiwan closer to the brink of war," Zhang said, adding that the People's Liberation Army will strengthen combat readiness to firmly thwart attempts for "Taiwan independence" and interference by external forces. 
Students in Turin burn effigy of Italian education minister.

Clashes broke out between students and riot police during a 'No Meloni Day' protest against the right-wing Italian government in the northern city of Turin on Friday.

Around 15 police officers were treated in hospital after an improvised explosive device was hurled at them by protesters in Piazza Castello, according to Italian media.

Carrying banners against the coalition of premier Giorgia Meloni and waving Palestinian flags, students in Turin set fire to an effigy of Italy's education minister Giuseppe Valditara.

In a social media post, Meloni slammed the "unacceptable scenes of violence and chaos... perpetrated by the usual troublemakers" and sent her "total solidarity" to the injured police officers.

"I hope that certain politicians will stop protecting or justifying this violence and unambiguously join in condemning such serious and shameful episodes", the prime minister added.

Anche oggi abbiamo assistito a inaccettabili scene di violenza e caos in alcune piazze, ad opera dei soliti facinorosi. Diversi agenti delle Forze dellOrdine sono finiti al pronto soccorso a causa di ordigni e scontri. La mia totale solidarieta va a tutti gli agenti feriti, con  Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) November 15, 2024

"Violence, anger, hatred and above all 15 injured police officers: yet another ugly demonstration by the far left took place in Turin", deputy Italian premier Matteo Salvini wrote on social media, adding: "Needless to say, the government will not be intimidated."

The demonstration in Turin was part of the nationwide 'No Meloni Day' protest, with students joining dozens of rallies in cities across Italy, including Rome, Milan, Naples, Bologna and Genoa.

Students gathered to protest against spending cuts for schools and universities as well as what they called the government of war in reference to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In Bologna students carried posters showing the faces of Meloni, Valditara and university minister Annamaria Bernini smeared with red paint.

Milan students carried cardboard rifles and wore masks of Meloni, Benjamin Netanyahu, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and Elon Musk, while students in Rome carried a banner against "a government of Fascists and Zionists".

Photo Fanpage
Regional elections take place in Umbria and Emilia-Romagna on 17-18 November.

Voters in the Italian regions of Umbria and Emilia-Romagna head to the polls this weekend for regional elections in a key test for premier Giorgia Meloni's right-wing government.

Melonis coalition governs 14 out of 20 Italian regions following last month's narrow victory by Marco Bucci, the centre-right candidate in Liguria.

The government will be hoping for more electoral gains in the central Umbria region this weekend but faces an uphill task in the northeast Emilia-Romagna region, long a left-wing stronghold.

The centre-right candidate in Umbria is the outgoing governor Donatella Tesei, a member of deputy premier Matteo Salvini's right-wing Lega party.

Tesei will be up against Assisi mayor Stefania Proietti who is running on behalf of a broad coalition of centre-left parties and civic lists.

The government's candidate in Emilia-Romagna is Elena Ugolini who will face Ravenna mayor Michele De Pascale of the centre-left Partito Democratico (PD).

The elections in Emila-Romagna come after the former governor Stefano Bonaccini (PD) stood down last summer following his election to the European parliament.

For Meloni, victory in the regional elections would consolidate the rights political dominance. For the opposition, the polls offer a chance to gain momentum after a period of decline.

The elections come amid rising tensions, including protests and clashes in Bologna, where far-right and anti-fascist groups faced off last weekend, sparking criticism of the governments handling of public order.

Italy's interior minister Matteo Piantedosi said he was left "astonished" after Bologna's centre-left mayor Matteo Lepore accused the government of "sending 300 Blackshirts" to the city.

Both sets of regional elections are scheduled to take place on 17-18 November.
Ambrit International School will host an Early Childhood Open Day on Saturday, 30 November 2024, from 10:00 to 12:00 at its campus on Via Filippo Tajani, 50, Rome. This event is designed for prospective students aged 3-5 and their families, offering a glimpse into the schools vibrant and nurturing educational environment.

As an IB World School, Ambrit implements the Primary Years Programme (PYP), which encourages curiosity, creativity, and a passion for learning from the earliest stages of education. Families attending the Open Day will have the opportunity to explore the schools inquiry-based approach, meet dedicated staff, and gain insights into the comprehensive education offered at Ambrit.

The event, hosted by school leadership and teachers, includes tours of the facilities and an overview of the curriculum, providing attendees with an understanding of what makes Ambrit a standout choice for young learners.

Interested families are encouraged to register for the event through the Ambrit website: Open Day Registration.

Location Details

Address: Ambrit International School, Via Filippo Tajani 50, 00149 Rome, Italy.

Google Map Link

This Open Day promises to showcase why Ambrit International School is the perfect environment to begin an enriching educational journey.
This photo shows the smoke caused by Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on Nov. 15, 2024. Israeli warplanes raided the Ghobeiry area in Beirut's southern suburbs on Friday morning, shortly after the Israeli army spokesman issued a warning to evacuate several buildings in the area. (Str/Xinhua)

BEIRUT, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Israeli warplanes raided the Ghobeiry area in Beirut's southern suburbs on Friday morning, shortly after the Israeli army spokesman issued a warning to evacuate several buildings in the area.

The official Lebanese National News Agency reported that an Israeli drone carried out two raids on the Ghobeiry area, and a "very violent" raid near the Ghobeiry municipality headquarters, destroying a building.

Lebanese television channels reported columns of thick smoke rising from the raid sites in Ghobeiry.

The Israeli army has intensified its raids in the past two days on various areas in Beirut's southern suburb, causing great destruction and heavy material losses.

Since Sept. 23, the Israeli army has intensified its air attack on Lebanon in an escalation of conflict with Hezbollah. Israel further initiated a ground operation across its northern border into Lebanon in early October.

The death toll from Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon since the beginning of the war on Oct. 8, 2023, reached 3,386, while injuries went up to 14,417. 

This photo shows the damage caused by Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on Nov. 15, 2024. Israeli warplanes raided the Ghobeiry area in Beirut's southern suburbs on Friday morning, shortly after the Israeli army spokesman issued a warning to evacuate several buildings in the area. (Str/Xinhua)

This photo shows the smoke caused by Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on Nov. 15, 2024. Israeli warplanes raided the Ghobeiry area in Beirut's southern suburbs on Friday morning, shortly after the Israeli army spokesman issued a warning to evacuate several buildings in the area. (Str/Xinhua)

This photo shows the smoke caused by Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on Nov. 15, 2024. Israeli warplanes raided the Ghobeiry area in Beirut's southern suburbs on Friday morning, shortly after the Israeli army spokesman issued a warning to evacuate several buildings in the area. (Str/Xinhua)

This photo shows the smoke caused by Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on Nov. 15, 2024. Israeli warplanes raided the Ghobeiry area in Beirut's southern suburbs on Friday morning, shortly after the Israeli army spokesman issued a warning to evacuate several buildings in the area. (Str/Xinhua)
The Waterford News & Star is delighted to announce that Festive Star 2024, the Waterford News & Star Christmas Annual, is in shops now across Waterford city and county!

The much-anticipated publication hit the shelves today (Friday), just in time for Winterval and Waterford's European City of Christmas festivities.

The city is aglow with a wonderful festive spirit  with Winterval pulling out all the stops for a particularly special festival this year.

On Gladstone Street in the city, the elves in the Waterford News & Star have been extra busy - we think you will agree this bumper edition of Festive Star is a Christmas annual with truly something for all the Waterford family to enjoy!

The beautiful glossy cover, created especially by Waterford artist Lisa Keane, features a wonderful Christmas scene, in keeping with Waterford's status as European City of Christmas; the Winterval train takes centre stage - and thanks to train driver Jamie Drohan for stepping into character for our lovely launch photo included here.

Artist Lisa Keane, with the original painting she created for the cover of Festive Star 2024.

Our team of dedicated contributors have once again given us a superb collection of stories, Mayor of Waterford Cllr Jason Murphy is back to challenge us all with his So You Think You Know Waterford Quiz, Dan Linehan provides a brain-teasing Great Waterford Crossword, and a team of Waterfords culinary experts have given us a delicious banquet of Christmas recipes.

Over at Winterval HQ, Teresanne OReilly has compiled a gorgeous array of Deise gift ideas.

We are thrilled to have so many fantastic interviewees, providing a glimpse into all walks of Waterford life, past and present.

Staff photographer Joe Evans has compiled another a fantastic selection of nostalgic photos in our Looking Back 25 Years series  this time our focus year is 1999, and maybe you feature!

We encourage you to pick up a copy and get the whole family involved, whether in the competitions, which offer lots of great prizes for all ages from our generous businesses, or in the quizzes, crosswords, and puzzles.

Mary Frances Ryan, Editor, Waterford News & Star, showing the Festive Star to Winterval train driver Jamie Drohan. Photo: Joe Evans

Dont forget to send in your competition entries before the December 31, 2024, deadline!

Thanks to all those who sent in Christmas Greetings from Abroad, with a Christmas Paddy Box winging its way to one lucky Deise family across the water, Naomi Warren and Dave Madeley in Vancouver, Canada.

"In Festive Star, we take a break from the harder news of day-to-day Waterford News & Star life, and, so, in turn we invite our loyal readers to sit back and relax with this Christmas annual that speaks so proudly of Waterford," said Waterford News & Star, and Festive Star editor, Mary Frances Ryan. "Thanks to everyone who contributed in any way to Festive Star 2024  a small army have their imprint on the pages of our Christmas annual. There wouldnt be a Festive Star without you!"

The official launch of Festive Star 2024 takes place at The Book Centre, Waterford city, this Thursday, November 21, at 6pm, with former senior cabinet Minister Martin Cullen guest speaker on the night.
It is with deep sorrow and regret we record the passing of Marie Wickham (Jennings, nee Shine), Cairbre House and Abbotts Close, Abbeyside, Dungarvan, and formerly of St Johns Park, Waterford. Marie passed away peacefully on October 4 surrounded by her loving family after a short illness in the wonderful care of the nurses and staff of the Oak Ward, Waterford Hospice.

Marie grew from a shy girl into a loving, determined, and fun-loving woman. One of nine children, she worked hard for everything she had and was proud of it. She loved travel, reading, movies, theatre, and walking, and had a great sense of humour and a positive outlook on life.

Marie believed in keeping close to those who made her feel good and leaving behind those who didnt. She was the life of the party, known for her rendition of Paper Roses in a strong Ballybricken accent. She gave her life to caring for others as a dedicated nurse; she specialised in coronary care, intensive care, and the emergency department, retiring as a recovery nurse from Whitfield Hospital in Waterford.

Marie was fiercely loyal to her friends and family, maintaining contact with many from her school and nursing days. She had a lifelong interest in travel and different cultures, making friends everywhere she went. After training in England, she returned to Ireland to work at Ardkeen Hospital and care for her mother. She later worked in Saudi Arabia and Oman, which she loved and where she met her first husband, Mike Jennings. After Mikes sudden passing, it was such a sad time for Marie, however, she moved forward, renewing her love of walking and volunteering with street children in Calcutta.

Marie returned to Ireland and met her second husband, Brian Wickham, when she joined the Dungarvan Hill Walking Club and they fell madly in love walking the Comeraghs and the Cliff Walk in Ardmore together. They shared over 15 wonderful years together, enjoying walking holidays, nature, travelling, the local seisiuns, and making lasting friendships.

Marie became a true Abbeyside woman and integral part of the community. Marie was an active member of various clubs and groups in Abbeyside and Dungarvan, including the Solas Cancer Support Choir, the knitting group with her wing women and the Deise Womens Shed.

She loved nature and would not hurt any living thing, music, reading, and was always singing and dancing around the house with Brian. Marie held a special place in her heart for the otters and the seals on the surfboard that they both watched each evening overlooking the Colligan River.

Although Marie had no children of her own, she was very close to her nieces, nephews and to Brians children and grandchildren, who she loved as though they were her own, who they fondly referred to as Nanna Marie.

Marie had a strong sense of faith and rarely passed Abbeyside Church without stopping to light a candle for those who had passed away or others who were in need. Even while facing illness, Marie never complained and was more concerned about others, her bravery knows no bounds.

Marie is missed terribly, by her husband Brian and sisters, Vera, Rita, and their husbands Johnnie and Jackie, brothers Jim, Peter and Pat and their wives Jan, Aileen and Audrey. In addition to Brians family Karina, Dave, Keith, Laura, Keva, Brian and grandchildren Brendan, Kayla, Emily, Kyle and Ailbhe and all Maries nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and the so many close friends Marie held dear.

A massive thank you to the wonderful staff, consultants, doctors and nurses in Waterford Hospital and Hospice who provided fantastic care to Marie in her final weeks.

A huge thank you to all those who attended Maries removal and funeral or who got in touch in any way. Her family are forever grateful for your support, sympathy, love and prayers and to Kielys funeral directors, their guidance, and professionalism was so greatly appreciated.

Marie lay in repose at Kielys Funeral Home Dungarvan on Wednesday evening, October 9. Funeral prayers in thanksgiving for Maries life were led by Fr. Jim Mountain.

On Thursday, October 10, an overflowing congregation gathered for the concelebrated Requiem Mass in St Augustines Church, Abbeyside, which was led by Fr. Ned Hassett P.P, Fr. Paul Waldron and Fr. Jim Mountain. The Solas Cancer Support Choir and soloist Kate de Barra (Maries grandniece) provided beautiful singing and music throughout the ceremony. Kates incredible and heartfelt performance of Amazing Grace and Country Roads will be forever remembered, and Marie would have loved dearly. The Dungarvan Hill Walking Club provided a Guard of Honour in her memory.

Burial took place afterwards in the adjoining cemetery with a hauntingly beautiful rendition of Gabriels Oboe played on the tin whistle by Seamus Connelly and an acoustic version of the song Into my arms powerfully and inspirationally sung by Shane Maher and graveside prayers were led by Fr. Jim Mountain.

We also dearly remember Maries first husband Mike Jennings, parents Peter and Mai Shine and brother Michael Fanning who have also departed, may they rest in peace.

"Lets love, laugh, smile and remember our beloved Marie as she enriched our lives in so many ways, let her inspiration, bravery, kindness and music live on in our hearts forever."

Months Mind Mass for Marie will be held at 12 noon, on Sunday, November 24, in St Augustines Church Abbeyside.
East and West Waterford joined forces over the weekend of October 12 and 13, and collectively raised a whopping 185,000 for the Solas Cancer Support Centre.

A record-breaking 3,900 participants took part with the main event taking place on Sunday, October 13, in Waterford city, while Dungarvan hosted the event on Saturday, October 12. 5,000 pupils also participated in the Go Orange for Solas event on October 4 in schools across the South East.

On announcing the amount raised Barry Monaghan, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the charity spoke of his appreciation to all who took part.

"We are very grateful to all the runners, walkers, fundraisers, and volunteers involved. The funds generated will be used to help fund our services, both in Waterford and in our west Waterford service, in 2025. Because of these funds raised we are proud to be able to meet our increased demand and offer a broad range of support to our clients."

Tracy McDaid, Manager of the Solas Cancer Support Centre, explains how the event this year was such a huge success.

"The Run and Walk for Life would not be possible without the 200 volunteers involved over the weekend and in planning for the event.

"We would like to thank our media sponsor WLR FM and our event sponsor UPMC Whitfield Hospital. The event would not be possible without them both. We are also grateful for the support of Eirgen, Activate and Beat, whose support helped make the 2024 Run and Walk for Life such a success."

Solas offers free professional support services to those affected by cancer, their families, and carers in Waterford and surrounding areas.
Focus Ireland has announced the return of its annual Take the Plunge event on Sunday, November 24. Supporters from around Ireland are invited to brave the cold waters at some of the countrys most beautiful shores, including Tramore Beach in Co. Waterford.

All funds raised will directly support Focus Irelands work to combat homelessness.

For those unable to join the main event sites, Focus Ireland encourages participants to Choose Your Own Location and take the plunge at a local beach or swimming spot. Each swim will help raise vital funds to support the organisations ongoing efforts to provide resources and aid to individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

To add warmth to the experience, Take the Plunge sponsor Cully & Sully will provide delicious hot soup and swim hats to all registered swimmers across each event location.

"Cully & Sullys support will help make the event a memorable one for participants, wholl receive a hearty post-swim treat for their commitment to the cause," a spokesperson for Focus Ireland said.

Focus Ireland is driven by the belief that homelessness is wrong and that every individual has a right to a safe, stable place to call home.

This years event is especially critical, as over 14,760 people, including 4,561 children, are currently experiencing homelessness in Ireland.

"Every euro raised brings us closer to the goal of ending homelessness in Ireland for good," the spokesperson said.

Regional fundraiser Monica McElhinney shared her enthusiasm for the event, saying, Take the Plunge is a powerful way for communities to come together, support each other, and raise awareness about the urgent issue of homelessness in Ireland. Every participant makes a real difference, helping us deliver life-changing services for people who need it most. Join us, brave the cold, and make waves for change.

Dont miss out on this unique opportunity to support a vital cause. To register, email events@focusireland.ie and select your location.

The Tramore beach swim takes place at 1pm on Sunday, November 24.
Met Eireann have issued a cold weather warning for Waterford.

Weather conditions are expected to turn colder, with ice and frost predicted from Monday, November 18.

The colder weather will impact Waterford, and the rest of the country, with sleet, snow and hail expected.

The change in weather will potentially affect road conditions throughout the county.
After years of rapid growth, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and other luxury purveyors in Australia appear to be flatlining amid the cost-of-living crisis, but that hasnt stopped brands jockeying for positions on Perths new premium strip.

The worlds top luxury players have been hit by a global sales slump.

Luxury giant LVMH, owner of Louis Vuitton, Dior, Tiffany and Moet & Chandon, surprised global investors last month by reporting a 3 per cent quarterly drop in revenue for its fashion and leather goods, the first since the pandemic.

The Louis Vuitton store in the heard of Perths CBD. Credit: Bloomberg

Rival luxe conglomerate Kering Group, owner of Gucci, followed up with a profit warning after its sales plunged 16 per cent, fuelling fears of a recession in the sector. LVMHs wobbles are focused on Asia, particularly China, where consumers and authorities are battling an extended slowdown.
LIMA, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- China and Peru welcomed the signing of a protocol on upgrading the bilateral free trade agreement during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit, said a joint statement on deepening their comprehensive strategic partnership issued Thursday.

The two countries will jointly explore new opportunities for cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, and promote sustainable development of the two countries, said the statement.

They are also ready to cooperate on large-scale infrastructure projects in accordance with their respective national laws, said the statement.

China and Peru are willing to incorporate projects in such emerging areas as circular economy, sustainable agriculture, industrial and supply chains, digital economy investment and green development into bilateral cooperation, it said.

The two countries welcomed the establishment of China-Peru aviation links by Chinese airlines through code-sharing, cultivating the market for the launch of direct flights.

They stressed the importance of cooperation in artificial intelligence capacity building, and enhancing the digital competitiveness of all people, especially vulnerable groups.

The statement said China and Peru are willing to enhance their cooperation on fishing industry, so as to promote the sustainable development of this industry.

The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism, pledging to uphold the UN-centered international system and the international order based on international law.

The two sides also renewed their advocacy for strengthening multilateral cooperation and jointly tackling global challenges.

China and Peru will continue to support an open, transparent, and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system centered on the World Trade Organization (WTO), said the statement.

Both countries are ready to continue to actively promote the reform of the WTO, restore the normal functioning of the dispute settlement mechanism, and enhance the authority and effectiveness of the multilateral trading system, it said. 
Chinese leader Xi Jinping will inaugurate a huge port in Peru, expected to attract $US3.6 billion ($5.6 billion) in investment over the next decade, creating a direct route across the Pacific Ocean and extending Beijings influence in Latin America.

The port opening, which comes ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum and Xis final meeting with US President Joe Biden, underscores Chinas growing clout in a region that once looked primarily to the US for economic opportunity.

Perus President Dina Boluarte and Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcome ceremony at the government palace in Lima, Peru, on Thursday. Credit: AP

Chinese companies are involved in almost every aspect of the deepwater port in Chancay, about 80 kilometres north of the capital, Lima.

The high-tech logistics hub will be exclusively operated by Chinese shipping giant Cosco, which in 2019 invested $US1.3 billion to take a 60 per cent stake in the project. Chinese state media has estimated the total cost of the finished project to be over $US3 billion.
BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Two ports in south China's Guangdong Province will pilot express border inspection channels for eligible travelers between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macao, starting from Nov. 20, said a statement issued by the National Immigration Administration (NIA) on Friday.

Under the pilot program, those traveling frequently between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macao for personal reasons no longer need to present travel documents at border checks, on condition that they allow border inspectors to collect and verify their facial, fingerprints and other personal information, according to the statement.

Such eligible travelers, aged 14 or above, include mainland residents with valid documents for multiple entries into the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions (SARs), and Hong Kong and Macao residents holding valid permits for entering the mainland.

However, travelers still need to carry their physical permits for other procedures upon arrival, the statement noted.

The pilot program will be implemented at the Shenzhen Bay Port in the city of Shenzhen, which is adjacent to Hong Kong, and the Gongbei Port in Zhuhai City neighboring Macao.

The pilot channels currently do not apply to mainland residents holding entry-exit permits issued for official business, the statement added.

An official with the NIA said the program will help improve traveler experiences, facilitate personnel flow between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macao, and promote the two SARs' better integration into overall national development. 
by Xinhua writer Yuan Quan

BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- The latest discoveries achieved via studies of lunar rock samples retrieved by China's Chang'e-6 spacecraft were published in the world's leading scientific journals on Friday, revealing the volcanic history of the moon's lesser-known far side, which is distinct from its near side.

Rock samples returned by Chang'e-6, which had touched down on the lunar surface a few months earlier, have revealed two volcanic events that occurred on the moon's far side 2.8 billion years ago and 4.2 billion years ago, respectively, according to a new study published in the journal Nature.

In the study, researchers at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) analyzed 108 basalt fragments from lunar samples collected at the Chang'e-6 landing site. They determined that 107 pieces were formed approximately 2.8 million years ago, revealing a unique volcanic event dating back 2.8 billion years that had not been observed in previous samples obtained from the near side of the moon.

The remaining fragment, dating back to 4.2 billion years ago, is believed to have originated from a region south of the landing site. It is the oldest lunar rock sample with a precisely determined age to be returned to Earth, the study noted.

Another study published in the journal Science, emphasizes the distinctions between the moon's two sides.

Researchers from the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry under the CAS used various techniques to confirm that the low-titanium rock samples collected by Chang'e-6 are approximately 2.83 billion years old -- which suggests recent volcanic activity on the far side of the moon.

This discovery also adds an important notch to the moon's crater timeline, suggesting that after an earlier significant decrease, the frequency of crater impacts on the moon has remained relatively stable from at least 2.83 billion years ago, according to the research team.

The study also challenged the traditional belief that the thicker lunar crust on the far side of the moon prevents volcanic eruptions. However, the researchers discovered a scarcity of large volcanic rocks even in areas with a thin crust near the Chang'e-6 landing site. They suggested that other factors, such as the composition of the mantle source, may also have an impact on lunar volcanic activity.

"The samples returned by Chang'e-6 provide the best opportunity to investigate lunar hemispheric differences," said Professor Xu Yigang, leader of the study published in Science.

People on Earth can only ever see one lunar face because the moon takes about the same amount of time to rotate once as it does to complete a single orbit of Earth. As a result, scientists divide the moon into two hemispheres, namely the side that always faces us, known as the near side, and the one that is always turned away from us, which we refer to as the far side of the moon.

The moon's far side is very different to its near side. For example, volcanic eruptions flooded parts of the surface with lava, producing rocks known as mare basalt -- which occupy over 30 percent of the near side of the moon, but less than 2 percent of its far side.

Previous missions, such as those involving Apollo of the United States and China's Chang'e-5, retrieved lunar samples from the moon's near side. These samples suggest that volcanic activity on the lunar near side can be traced back to 4 billion years ago, and that such activity continued until at least 2 billion years ago. In addition, Chang'e-5 samples indicate that small-scale volcanic activity even occurred on the near side as recently as 120 million years ago. However, it remains uncertain whether similar long-term volcanic activity took place on the moon's far side, said Li Qiuli, lead author of the study appearing in Nature.

Apart from the prevalence of mare basalt, the moon's two hemispheres also differ in terms of geological structures, landscapes, chemical composition and crustal thickness.

To gain a comprehensive understanding of the dual nature of the Earth's celestial neighbor, it is crucial to also examine samples from its less-studied far side. The significance of this need was emphasized by the two Chinese research teams.

On June 25 this year, the Chang'e-6 lunar probe returned to Earth with 1,935.3 grams of lunar rock and dust samples collected from the previously unexplored far side of the moon.

More discoveries about the enigmatic moon will likely be revealed in the near future, now that China's space agency has started its application process for other researchers keen to have a closer look at the lunar specimens returned by Chang'e-6 earlier this year.

The agency said that further study of these samples would enhance the understanding of lunar evolution, accelerate the pace of peaceful exploration and utilization of lunar resources, and serve as an important asset for all humanity. 
(ECNS) -- The 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) is being held in Baku, Azerbaijan. During an exclusive interview with China News Network, Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, spoke highly of China's leadership in South-South cooperation.

He further noted that it's critical to make sure that the Global South have a genuine partner like China that conduct cooperation in a peaceful manner. (Chen Tianhao)
A jobseeker (front) talks with recruiting representatives at a job fair dedicated to the modern service sector in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, June 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Han Chuanhao)

BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- China's job market remained generally stable in the first 10 months of 2024 as the surveyed urban unemployment rate dropped on a year-on-year basis, official data showed on Friday.

The surveyed urban unemployment rate on average in China stood at 5.1 percent in the first 10 months of 2024, down 0.2 percentage points from the same period last year, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said in a statement.

In October, the surveyed urban unemployment rate in the country came in at 5.0 percent, down 0.1 percentage points from the previous month.

The surveyed urban unemployment rate in 31 major cities stood at 5.0 percent, a decrease of 0.1 percentage points from the previous month, the NBS data showed.

The average working hours for employees in enterprises nationwide stood at 48.6 hours per week.

Chinese authorities have stepped up efforts to stabilize employment, particularly the employment of college graduates this year. 
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A woman with strong West of Ireland roots has crafted a spell-binding childrens book based on Ashford Castles owl.

Lisa Kelley is the author of Dingles Christmas at Ashford Castle.

Based on memories of Lisa's time spent at Ashford with her family, the story follows the enchanting tale of Dingle the owl, who lives at Ireland's School of Falconry on the Ashford Estate. One magical Christmas, Dingle finds the courage to venture into the Castle, discovering festive wonders and hidden treasures along the way.

From Montana in the United States, Lisa is a practicing attorney and the president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana. She is hugely proud of her strong West of Ireland connections.

I have deep family roots in the West of Ireland. My mothers family is originally from Co Mayo, Co Galway, and Co Cork. My great-great-great grandfather, Patrick Lane, emigrated from Moylough, County Galway, to the United States in 1867. He was a widower and brought his seven young children with him to Montana, where he started a cattle ranch near Three Forks. The Lane family cattle ranches continue in Montana to this day.

Lisa studied at the University of Galway during her junior year and fell even deeper in love with her ancestral home. A visit to Cong struck a chord and Lisa later returned to the area with her husband Marcus vowing to stay in Ashford Castle one day.

Fast forward eight years to 2015 - we were married, had two kids, and busy careers - and we returned for an October getaway at Ashford with my mother and my sister. We returned again for the next couple of years (leaving our young children at home with grandparents), and I would tell them stories of our adventures at Ashford and our time at the School of Falconry and with Dingle the owl, and with all of the animals on the estate.

"I started writing these stories down, and then we began bringing our children on our Irish trips starting in 2019 when they were seven and 10, and they too loved the magical castle and the hawks and Dingle. We spent a very special Christmas at the Castle in 2021, and that was the basis for Dingles Christmas at Ashford Castle."

The village of Cong holds a special place in Lisas heart.

I met a gentleman at a pub in Cong several years ago who was originally born and raised in Cong and now lives in the US and visits often, and he told me something that his grandmother had told him - 'When you visit Cong, you step out of your body and you break into bloom.'

"I think that is a very true statement. It is a joyful place for me. I have gotten to know a lot of the residents - the shop owners, the pub owners, and the local families - during my many visits here. They have become friends.

The book was recently launched at Ashford Castle and Lisa thanked her family and friends for their support and the team who helped bring her story to life.

I had a great team who took such care with my Irish tale. Edwin McGreal at Mayo Books Press, Maeve Clancy, whose illustrations are exactly as I envisioned, and Siobhan Foody, whose attention to every detail created the perfect final book. The entire team is from the west of Ireland, and that was so important to me. They really helped bring my story to life, cover to cover.
The head of the Mayo Roads Design Office (RDO) has said it may take until 2033 for the Ballinrobe bypass to be opened.

Paul Hyland told a meeting of the Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District yesterday that based on the progress his office has made on the delivery of the ongoing Ballina bypass, it will take them three years to get to a stage where they are satisfied they can seek planning permission and permission for CPOs from An Bord Pleanala for the Ballinrobe bypass, which is currently at Phase 0 for Scope & Pre-Appraisal.

It will then take an additional year for that decision to be made. At this stage, it will take another two years for detailed design and preparation of contract documents for a contractor to be procured. The construction will then take another two years.

Youre looking at 2025 to 2033 by the time the Ballinrobe bypass will be open. That is the realistic timeframe we are looking at, he said.

He said that progress in 2025 is largely dependent on the funding available to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the office resources available to the Mayo RDO. The allocation for the project in 2024, which was used primarily for Phase 0, was 25,000. A Project/Programme Outline Document (POD) has been submitted to the TII for approval.

Cllr Damien Ryan said that provision needs to be made at the next meeting of the Roads Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) for councillors in the Ballinrobe engineering area to attend the monthly meetings between TII and the Mayo RDO.

We need to attend to reinforce the urgency of this. We are a long way from getting lines on a map, he said.

Cllr Michael Burke said Ballinrobe cannot continue to wait for a bypass.

Someone will lose a life because of the traffic or because an emergency vehicle cannot get to them and that will wake TII up. We need funding for this so Paul Hylands office can make progress, he said.

Cllr Patsy OBrien said Ballinrobe was currently one of the worst towns in Ireland for congestion and said the sort of urgency that has been put on the Adare bypass in Limerick needs to be put on Ballinrobe.

Adare is getting full attention now because its hosting the Ryder Cup. Its a pity theres no Ryder Cup in Ballinrobe, he said.

More on this story in next weeks Western People
BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Two ports in south China's Guangdong Province will pilot express border inspection channels for eligible travelers between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macao, starting from Nov. 20, said a statement issued by the National Immigration Administration on Friday. 
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

Mainly cloudy, mild, and mainly dry after some morning fog and drizzle taper off. .

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, a bit breezy, and mild; perhaps a spotty shower.
President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua meets with Acting President of Saudi Press Agency (SPA) Ali Alzaid and signs an agreement with the latter in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 15, 2024. Xinhua News Agency and SPA signed an agreement on news cooperation, journalists training and more, in Beijing on Friday. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Xinhua News Agency and Saudi Press Agency (SPA) signed an agreement on news cooperation, journalists training and more, in Beijing on Friday.

President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua and Acting President of SPA Ali Alzaid signed the agreement. Fu also met with Ali Alzaid, who was paying a visit to Xinhua.

The two sides agreed to further deepen the friendly exchanges between the two agencies and continuously make new contributions to the development of China-Saudi Arabia relations. 
Where:



Room G101, School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg Virtual Attendance: Available via Zoom and YouTube @WitsGeosciences
BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- China will work with Peru to ensure the success of Chancay Port from construction to management and operation, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

Spokesperson Lin Jian told a daily press briefing that the two heads of state attended via video the inauguration ceremony of Chancay Port on Nov. 14 local time in Lima.

Chancay Port is not only an important project under Belt and Road cooperation, but also the first smart and green port in South America, Lin noted.

The first phase of the project, when completed, will reduce the sea shipping time from Peru to China to 23 days, thus cutting logistics costs by at least 20 percent. It is expected to generate 4.5 billion U.S. dollars in yearly revenues for Peru and create over 8,000 direct jobs, he said.

The completion of Chancay Port will effectively consolidate Peru's role as a gateway linking shipping routes across land and sea, and between Asia and Latin America, and boost the overall development and integration of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), Lin said.

He added that the port's development plan also includes establishing animal rescue services to improve the environment of wetlands, beaches, and habitats, and contribute to sustainable development of the local economy and society.

Chancay Port is becoming a starting point of an Inca Trail of the New Era. From Chancay to Shanghai, it is witnessing the coming into shape of a new route across land and ocean between Asia and LAC in the new era, Lin said.

China will follow the guidance of the common understandings between the two presidents, and work with Peru to ensure the success of Chancay Port from construction through management and operation, so that it will empower the common development of Pacific's coastal economies, including China and Peru, and truly contribute to prosperity and happiness for Peru and all other LAC countries, the spokesperson said. 
Postal workers participate in a strike outside Canada Post's Gateway Postal Facility in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on Nov. 15, 2024. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

OTTAWA, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Some 55,000 postal workers represented by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) went on a nationwide strike on Friday.

The union issued a statement at midnight saying that after a year of bargaining with little progress, postal workers made the difficult decision to strike.

Canada Post had the opportunity to prevent this strike, but it has refused to negotiate real solutions to the issues postal workers face every day, said the CUPW.

"A strike is a last resort," the CUPW said.

The demands listed by the CUPW are fair wages, safe working conditions, the right to retire with dignity, and the expansion of services at the public post office.

Negotiated collective agreements could be achieved but Canada Post must be willing to resolve the new and outstanding issues, the CUPW added. 

Postal workers participate in a strike outside Canada Post's Gateway Postal Facility in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on Nov. 15, 2024. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

Postal workers participate in a strike outside Canada Post's Gateway Postal Facility in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on Nov. 15, 2024. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

A closure notice is posted on the window of a post office in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on Nov. 15, 2024. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

Postal workers take part in a strike outside the Canada Post Pacific Processing Center in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, on Nov. 15, 2024. (Photo by Liang Sen/Xinhua)

Postal workers take part in a strike outside the Canada Post Pacific Processing Center in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, on Nov. 15, 2024. (Photo by Liang Sen/Xinhua)

Postal workers take part in a strike outside the Canada Post Pacific Processing Center in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, on Nov. 15, 2024. (Photo by Liang Sen/Xinhua)
BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese and Singaporean militaries will hold the Exercise Cooperation-2024 joint army training in central China's Henan Province in late November, a Chinese defense spokesperson said on Friday.

Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, said the upcoming exercise, which will focus on urban joint counter-terrorism operations, will be held according to the annual plan and consensus of the two sides.

The spokesperson said the exercise aimed to deepen pragmatic cooperation between the two militaries and strengthen their capabilities in joint counter-terrorism operations.

The Exercise Cooperation joint army training is an established cooperation project between the two militaries, Zhang said, adding that this year's training marks the sixth of its kind. 
Liu Shasha (L) learns to play a string instrument at Nange history museum in Nange Villge of Batang County in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 5, 2024.

Liu Shasha, 27, is from Shijiazhuang of north China's Hebei Province. In the summer vacation in 2019, Liu Shasha followed her teacher to Litang County of Sichuan Province to carry out social practice and participated in the design of a few local museums. This was her first visit to the western Sichuan plateau, which left a deep impression on her.

After graduating from college, she worked in Shijiazhuang for a period of time, but the experience in Litang kept lingering in her mind, so she returned to western Sichuan and continued to participate in the research and design of local cultural buildings.

In 2021, she came to Batang County, more than 100 kilometers away from Litang, and established her own design company. Nowadays, many young faces with different jobs, such as barista, e-commerce livestreamer, designer, traditional craftsman etc., have injected new vitality into the development along the Sichuan-Xizang highway. (Xinhua/Chu Jiayin)

Liu Shasha (R) talks with a cafe owner in Batang County in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 5, 2024.

Liu Shasha, 27, is from Shijiazhuang of north China's Hebei Province. In the summer vacation in 2019, Liu Shasha followed her teacher to Litang County of Sichuan Province to carry out social practice and participated in the design of a few local museums. This was her first visit to the western Sichuan plateau, which left a deep impression on her.

After graduating from college, she worked in Shijiazhuang for a period of time, but the experience in Litang kept lingering in her mind, so she returned to western Sichuan and continued to participate in the research and design of local cultural buildings.

In 2021, she came to Batang County, more than 100 kilometers away from Litang, and established her own design company. Nowadays, many young faces with different jobs, such as barista, e-commerce livestreamer, designer, traditional craftsman etc., have injected new vitality into the development along the Sichuan-Xizang highway. (Xinhua/Chu Jiayin)

Liu Shasha (R) works in her office in Batang County in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 5, 2024.

Liu Shasha, 27, is from Shijiazhuang of north China's Hebei Province. In the summer vacation in 2019, Liu Shasha followed her teacher to Litang County of Sichuan Province to carry out social practice and participated in the design of a few local museums. This was her first visit to the western Sichuan plateau, which left a deep impression on her.

After graduating from college, she worked in Shijiazhuang for a period of time, but the experience in Litang kept lingering in her mind, so she returned to western Sichuan and continued to participate in the research and design of local cultural buildings.

In 2021, she came to Batang County, more than 100 kilometers away from Litang, and established her own design company. Nowadays, many young faces with different jobs, such as barista, e-commerce livestreamer, designer, traditional craftsman etc., have injected new vitality into the development along the Sichuan-Xizang highway. (Xinhua/Chu Jiayin)

Liu Shasha operates multimedia equipment at Nange history museum in Nange Villge of Batang County in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 5, 2024.

Liu Shasha, 27, is from Shijiazhuang of north China's Hebei Province. In the summer vacation in 2019, Liu Shasha followed her teacher to Litang County of Sichuan Province to carry out social practice and participated in the design of a few local museums. This was her first visit to the western Sichuan plateau, which left a deep impression on her.

After graduating from college, she worked in Shijiazhuang for a period of time, but the experience in Litang kept lingering in her mind, so she returned to western Sichuan and continued to participate in the research and design of local cultural buildings.

In 2021, she came to Batang County, more than 100 kilometers away from Litang, and established her own design company. Nowadays, many young faces with different jobs, such as barista, e-commerce livestreamer, designer, traditional craftsman etc., have injected new vitality into the development along the Sichuan-Xizang highway. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

Liu Shasha poses for a photo at Nange history museum in Nange Villge of Batang County in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 5, 2024.

Liu Shasha, 27, is from Shijiazhuang of north China's Hebei Province. In the summer vacation in 2019, Liu Shasha followed her teacher to Litang County of Sichuan Province to carry out social practice and participated in the design of a few local museums. This was her first visit to the western Sichuan plateau, which left a deep impression on her.

After graduating from college, she worked in Shijiazhuang for a period of time, but the experience in Litang kept lingering in her mind, so she returned to western Sichuan and continued to participate in the research and design of local cultural buildings.

In 2021, she came to Batang County, more than 100 kilometers away from Litang, and established her own design company. Nowadays, many young faces with different jobs, such as barista, e-commerce livestreamer, designer, traditional craftsman etc., have injected new vitality into the development along the Sichuan-Xizang highway. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

Dake makes coffee in a cafe in Balang Sumdho Village of Kangding City in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 28, 2024.

Born in 1997, Dake grew up in Balang Sumdho Village, where people have relied on herding for generations. In recent years, the village has begun to develop the tourism industry, and young people started returning to the village one after another, including Dake.

Through continuous learning in making coffee, Dake created buttered latte featuring local characteristics. Together with his wife, Dake works as a barista in a cafe on the observation platform of Balang Sumdho Village. Nowadays, many young faces with different jobs, such as barista, e-commerce livestreamer, designer, traditional craftsman etc., have injected new vitality into the development along the Sichuan-Xizang highway. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

Dake makes coffee in a cafe in Balang Sumdho Village of Kangding City in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 28, 2024.

Born in 1997, Dake grew up in Balang Sumdho Village, where people have relied on herding for generations. In recent years, the village has begun to develop the tourism industry, and young people started returning to the village one after another, including Dake.

Through continuous learning in making coffee, Dake created buttered latte featuring local characteristics. Together with his wife, Dake works as a barista in a cafe on the observation platform of Balang Sumdho Village. Nowadays, many young faces with different jobs, such as barista, e-commerce livestreamer, designer, traditional craftsman etc., have injected new vitality into the development along the Sichuan-Xizang highway. (Xinhua/Chu Jiayin)

Dake (R) and his wife work in a cafe in Balang Sumdho Village of Kangding City in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 28, 2024.

Born in 1997, Dake grew up in Balang Sumdho Village, where people have relied on herding for generations. In recent years, the village has begun to develop the tourism industry, and young people started returning to the village one after another, including Dake.

Through continuous learning in making coffee, Dake created buttered latte featuring local characteristics. Together with his wife, Dake works as a barista in a cafe on the observation platform of Balang Sumdho Village. Nowadays, many young faces with different jobs, such as barista, e-commerce livestreamer, designer, traditional craftsman etc., have injected new vitality into the development along the Sichuan-Xizang highway. (Xinhua/Chu Jiayin)

Dake poses for a photo in Balang Sumdho Village of Kangding City in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 28, 2024.

Born in 1997, Dake grew up in Balang Sumdho Village, where people have relied on herding for generations. In recent years, the village has begun to develop the tourism industry, and young people started returning to the village one after another, including Dake.

Through continuous learning in making coffee, Dake created buttered latte featuring local characteristics. Together with his wife, Dake works as a barista in a cafe on the observation platform of Balang Sumdho Village. Nowadays, many young faces with different jobs, such as barista, e-commerce livestreamer, designer, traditional craftsman etc., have injected new vitality into the development along the Sichuan-Xizang highway. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

Gyume Namkha mixes mineral pigments for painting Thangka at his workshop in Maisu Town of Dege County in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 3, 2024.

Located at an average altitude of about 3,500 meters, Maisu Town is famous for traditional Tibetan craftsmanship such as Thangka painting, pottery and wood carving.

Post-90s Thangka artist Gyume Namkha began to learn Thangka painting from his father at the age of 6. Through inheritance and innovation, he added modern elements to form his own unique style and promote Thangka culture. Today, there are 41 painters and students in the Thangka workshop opened by Gyume Namkha. Nowadays, many young faces with different jobs, such as barista, e-commerce livestreamer, designer, traditional craftsman etc., have injected new vitality into the development along the Sichuan-Xizang highway. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Gyume Namkha paints Thangka at his workshop in Maisu Town of Dege County in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 3, 2024.

Located at an average altitude of about 3,500 meters, Maisu Town is famous for traditional Tibetan craftsmanship such as Thangka painting, pottery and wood carving.

Post-90s Thangka artist Gyume Namkha began to learn Thangka painting from his father at the age of 6. Through inheritance and innovation, he added modern elements to form his own unique style and promote Thangka culture. Today, there are 41 painters and students in the Thangka workshop opened by Gyume Namkha. Nowadays, many young faces with different jobs, such as barista, e-commerce livestreamer, designer, traditional craftsman etc., have injected new vitality into the development along the Sichuan-Xizang highway. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Gyume Namkha shows his Thangka work at his workshop in Maisu Town of Dege County in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 3, 2024.

Located at an average altitude of about 3,500 meters, Maisu Town is famous for traditional Tibetan craftsmanship such as Thangka painting, pottery and wood carving.

Post-90s Thangka artist Gyume Namkha began to learn Thangka painting from his father at the age of 6. Through inheritance and innovation, he added modern elements to form his own unique style and promote Thangka culture. Today, there are 41 painters and students in the Thangka workshop opened by Gyume Namkha. Nowadays, many young faces with different jobs, such as barista, e-commerce livestreamer, designer, traditional craftsman etc., have injected new vitality into the development along the Sichuan-Xizang highway. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Gyume Namkha (R) gives instruction to an apprentice at his workshop in Maisu Town of Dege County in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 3, 2024.

Located at an average altitude of about 3,500 meters, Maisu Town is famous for traditional Tibetan craftsmanship such as Thangka painting, pottery and wood carving.

Post-90s Thangka artist Gyume Namkha began to learn Thangka painting from his father at the age of 6. Through inheritance and innovation, he added modern elements to form his own unique style and promote Thangka culture. Today, there are 41 painters and students in the Thangka workshop opened by Gyume Namkha. Nowadays, many young faces with different jobs, such as barista, e-commerce livestreamer, designer, traditional craftsman etc., have injected new vitality into the development along the Sichuan-Xizang highway. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Dawa (L) and his mother record a video in Jiawa Town of Litang County in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 3, 2024.

Born in 1999, Dawa grew up in Jiawa Town, Litang County. After graduating from college, Dawa returned to his hometown from Chengdu and became a tour guide. He usually records his daily life on the phone and posts it on social media. At the end of 2023, Dawa and his family started e-commerce live-streaming business to promote local products. Nowadays, many young faces with different jobs, such as barista, e-commerce livestreamer, designer, traditional craftsman etc., have injected new vitality into the development along the Sichuan-Xizang highway. (Xinhua/Chu Jiayin)

Dawa works in his shop in Jiawa Town of Litang County in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 3, 2024.

Born in 1999, Dawa grew up in Jiawa Town, Litang County. After graduating from college, Dawa returned to his hometown from Chengdu and became a tour guide. He usually records his daily life on the phone and posts it on social media. At the end of 2023, Dawa and his family started e-commerce live-streaming business to promote local products. Nowadays, many young faces with different jobs, such as barista, e-commerce livestreamer, designer, traditional craftsman etc., have injected new vitality into the development along the Sichuan-Xizang highway. (Xinhua/Chu Jiayin)

Dawa displays products for live-streaming sales in Jiawa Town of Litang County in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 3, 2024.

Born in 1999, Dawa grew up in Jiawa Town, Litang County. After graduating from college, Dawa returned to his hometown from Chengdu and became a tour guide. He usually records his daily life on the phone and posts it on social media. At the end of 2023, Dawa and his family started e-commerce live-streaming business to promote local products. Nowadays, many young faces with different jobs, such as barista, e-commerce livestreamer, designer, traditional craftsman etc., have injected new vitality into the development along the Sichuan-Xizang highway. (Xinhua/Chu Jiayin)

Dawa (L) and his mother record a video in Jiawa Town of Litang County in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 3, 2024.

Born in 1999, Dawa grew up in Jiawa Town, Litang County. After graduating from college, Dawa returned to his hometown from Chengdu and became a tour guide. He usually records his daily life on the phone and posts it on social media. At the end of 2023, Dawa and his family started e-commerce live-streaming business to promote local products. Nowadays, many young faces with different jobs, such as barista, e-commerce livestreamer, designer, traditional craftsman etc., have injected new vitality into the development along the Sichuan-Xizang highway. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

Dawa (L) and his father make preparation for live-streaming in Jiawa Town of Litang County in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 3, 2024.

Born in 1999, Dawa grew up in Jiawa Town, Litang County. After graduating from college, Dawa returned to his hometown from Chengdu and became a tour guide. He usually records his daily life on the phone and posts it on social media. At the end of 2023, Dawa and his family started e-commerce live-streaming business to promote local products. Nowadays, many young faces with different jobs, such as barista, e-commerce livestreamer, designer, traditional craftsman etc., have injected new vitality into the development along the Sichuan-Xizang highway. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

Dawa poses for a photo in Jiawa Town of Litang County in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 3, 2024.

Born in 1999, Dawa grew up in Jiawa Town, Litang County. After graduating from college, Dawa returned to his hometown from Chengdu and became a tour guide. He usually records his daily life on the phone and posts it on social media. At the end of 2023, Dawa and his family started e-commerce live-streaming business to promote local products. Nowadays, many young faces with different jobs, such as barista, e-commerce livestreamer, designer, traditional craftsman etc., have injected new vitality into the development along the Sichuan-Xizang highway. (Xinhua/Chu Jiayin)

Dawa Drolma (R) introduces a young artisan to audience during an event in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 17, 2024.

Located at an average altitude of about 3,500 meters, Maisu Town is famous for traditional Tibetan craftsmanship such as Thangka painting, pottery and wood carving.

Dawa Drolma was born in a Tibetan family of craftsmen dedicated to copper casting for about 200 years in Maisu. After studying business abroad, Dawa returned to her hometown and launched a workshop with her brother to make traditional copper figurines and cultural and creative products.

Supported by local authorities, their workshop continues to expand, and the products gain popularity at home and abroad. Dawa also organizes fairs, sessions and exhibitions to promote local traditional crafts. Nowadays, many young faces with different jobs, such as barista, e-commerce livestreamer, designer, traditional craftsman etc., have injected new vitality into the development along the Sichuan-Xizang highway. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

Dawa Drolma (R) talks with a workshop owner in Maisu Town of Dege County in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 4, 2024.

Located at an average altitude of about 3,500 meters, Maisu Town is famous for traditional Tibetan craftsmanship such as Thangka painting, pottery and wood carving.

Dawa Drolma was born in a Tibetan family of craftsmen dedicated to copper casting for about 200 years in Maisu. After studying business abroad, Dawa returned to her hometown and launched a workshop with her brother to make traditional copper figurines and cultural and creative products.

Supported by local authorities, their workshop continues to expand, and the products gain popularity at home and abroad. Dawa also organizes fairs, sessions and exhibitions to promote local traditional crafts. Nowadays, many young faces with different jobs, such as barista, e-commerce livestreamer, designer, traditional craftsman etc., have injected new vitality into the development along the Sichuan-Xizang highway. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

Dawa Drolma works at her workshop in Maisu Town of Dege County in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 4, 2024.

Located at an average altitude of about 3,500 meters, Maisu Town is famous for traditional Tibetan craftsmanship such as Thangka painting, pottery and wood carving.

Dawa Drolma was born in a Tibetan family of craftsmen dedicated to copper casting for about 200 years in Maisu. After studying business abroad, Dawa returned to her hometown and launched a workshop with her brother to make traditional copper figurines and cultural and creative products.

Supported by local authorities, their workshop continues to expand, and the products gain popularity at home and abroad. Dawa also organizes fairs, sessions and exhibitions to promote local traditional crafts. Nowadays, many young faces with different jobs, such as barista, e-commerce livestreamer, designer, traditional craftsman etc., have injected new vitality into the development along the Sichuan-Xizang highway. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

Dawa Drolma poses for a photo at her workshop in Maisu Town of Dege County in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 3, 2024.

Located at an average altitude of about 3,500 meters, Maisu Town is famous for traditional Tibetan craftsmanship such as Thangka painting, pottery and wood carving.

Dawa Drolma was born in a Tibetan family of craftsmen dedicated to copper casting for about 200 years in Maisu. After studying business abroad, Dawa returned to her hometown and launched a workshop with her brother to make traditional copper figurines and cultural and creative products.

Supported by local authorities, their workshop continues to expand, and the products gain popularity at home and abroad. Dawa also organizes fairs, sessions and exhibitions to promote local traditional crafts. Nowadays, many young faces with different jobs, such as barista, e-commerce livestreamer, designer, traditional craftsman etc., have injected new vitality into the development along the Sichuan-Xizang highway. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

Dawa Drolma prepares products for delivery at her workshop in Maisu Town of Dege County in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 3, 2024.

Located at an average altitude of about 3,500 meters, Maisu Town is famous for traditional Tibetan craftsmanship such as Thangka painting, pottery and wood carving.

Dawa Drolma was born in a Tibetan family of craftsmen dedicated to copper casting for about 200 years in Maisu. After studying business abroad, Dawa returned to her hometown and launched a workshop with her brother to make traditional copper figurines and cultural and creative products.

Supported by local authorities, their workshop continues to expand, and the products gain popularity at home and abroad. Dawa also organizes fairs, sessions and exhibitions to promote local traditional crafts. Nowadays, many young faces with different jobs, such as barista, e-commerce livestreamer, designer, traditional craftsman etc., have injected new vitality into the development along the Sichuan-Xizang highway. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)
Seven villages in China have been honored as "Best Tourism Villages" by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) in this year's selection, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. #XinhuaNews
KIGALI, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) has played a crucial role in advancing China-Africa relations and promoting mutual development, experts and scholars said Thursday during a virtual forum titled "24 Years of FOCAC: The Impact on China-Africa Cooperation."

The virtual seminar, organized by the Africa China Review, a Rwanda-based publication focusing on Africa-China cooperation, in partnership with the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda, attracted experts, academics, researchers and professionals from the private sector and media in China and Africa to discuss the importance of FOCAC in strengthening China-Africa cooperation.

Mushahid Hussain, chairman of the Pakistan-China Institute and president of the Pakistan-Africa Institute for Development and Research, said that China's approach to Africa is based on peaceful development, win-win cooperation, and inclusivity, particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative, which he called "the most important global initiative for diplomacy and development in the 21st century."

He said that connectivity, cooperation and shared prosperity are central to China-Africa relations.

"It is not an exclusive approach, nor a zero-sum game where one side wins and the other loses. It is about connectivity and cooperation, which represent the path forward," he said. He added that Chinese modernization exemplifies peaceful development, socialist modernization and harmony with nature, contrasting it with Western approaches that often rely on control and coercion.

"We stand on the side of principles, progress, prosperity and solidarity with China in building a better tomorrow for the Global South, for Africa, and for regions such as Asia and Pakistan," Hussain said, stressing the importance of China-Africa relations in shaping a prosperous future.

Wang Wen, executive dean of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China, underpinned the significance of FOCAC, a cooperation mechanism created 24 years ago.

"This forum has played a major role not only in promoting development between China and Africa but also in making a meaningful impact on world history," he said, describing FOCAC as a platform that fosters historical progress, sustains cooperation and strengthens prospects for the future.

Ismael Buchanan, senior lecturer in political science and international relations at the University of Rwanda, said that China has supported African students with scholarship programs, enabling them to study at Chinese universities.

"China has invested heavily in promoting educational exchange, research, and technology transfer in higher learning institutions, boosting knowledge and learning among African scholars," he said.

Charles Onunaiju, director of the Center for China Studies in Abuja, Nigeria, commended China's contributions through FOCAC and stressed the importance of maintaining a strategic relationship.

"China has supported Africa in achieving connectivity through the Belt and Road Initiative, addressing the connectivity gap that has challenged Africa for many years," he said, stressing the need to build strategic resilience and capacity for a strong, mutually beneficial partnership between China and Africa.

Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Wang Xuekun said that FOCAC has injected tremendous momentum into China-Africa cooperation over the past 24 years.

"FOCAC has made outstanding contributions to China-Africa relations and common development, benefiting hundreds of millions of people and setting an example in international cooperation with Africa," he said. Wang added that China is committed to working with Rwanda and other African nations to implement FOCAC's outcomes and advance modernization across China and Africa, impacting a combined population of more than 2.8 billion.

Mahdi Gulaid, former deputy prime minister of Somalia, said that in 24 years, FOCAC has transformed China-Africa relations, elevating Africa's development to new heights.

"The partnership is not just economic but deeply rooted in mutual respect and the pursuit of common goals. African leaders, media, and the broader public describe China-Africa cooperation as 'win-win,' with FOCAC bringing infrastructure development, healthcare, and digital progress across the continent," he added.

Gulaid said that the collaboration has been instrumental in realizing Africa's Agenda 2063, bringing Africa closer to its goal of a sustainable and self-reliant future.

Adhere Cavince, a Kenyan expert on China-Africa development cooperation, said that China has become a vital partner in development cooperation with Africa and underscored the importance of both regions working together on cross-border projects to accelerate economic development across the continent.

Since its inception in 2000, FOCAC has provided a platform for high-level political coordination between African countries and China, fostering economic cooperation and sustainable development. Over the past 15 years, China has remained Africa's largest trading partner, with trade volume reaching a record 282.1 billion U.S. dollars in 2023 and projected to surpass 300 billion dollars by 2035. 
BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- With China's approval, the Philippines resupplied an illegally grounded military ship with living necessities at China's Ren'ai Jiao in the South China Sea via a civilian vessel on Thursday, the China Coast Guard (CCG) announced Friday.

The CCG conducted verification and maintained oversight throughout the process, said Liu Dejun, a CCG spokesperson, in a statement.

Liu urged the Philippine side to honor its commitments and work with China to keep the maritime situation under control.

"The CCG will continue rights protection and law enforcement activities in China's Nansha Qundao, including Ren'ai Jiao, and its adjacent waters," the spokesperson said.

In May 1999, the Philippines "grounded" a tank landing ship BRP Sierra Madre (LT-57) at Ren'ai Jiao. The Chinese side immediately lodged serious demarches, asking the Philippines to tow away the vessel at once. The Philippines repeatedly promised to do so as soon as possible. However, 25 years have passed, and the vessel remains. 
The 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) is being held in Baku, Azerbaijan from Nov. 11 to Nov. 22. President of the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) Fred Krupp told China News Network that China's led the world in cleaning up air pollution and electric vehicles (EVs).

Krupp looks forward to China's more ambitious goals to continue its contribution to making beautiful China and a beautiful world. (Chen Tianhao)
BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Facts have proven that the United States is the greatest threat to space security and the biggest instigator of the space arms race, a Chinese defense spokesperson said on Friday.

Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to a media inquiry on U.S. plans to deploy anti-satellite weapons targeting Russia and China in 2025.

The United States has been using the so-called "China threat in space" as a pretext to deploy weapons that target satellites, Zhang said. "It is purely the distortion of facts and is like a thief crying 'catch the thief.'"

The spokesperson said that the United States considers space a "war-fighting domain" and is enhancing its space forces, establishing military alliances, and militarizing space.

These acts pose grave threats to the shared security and development interests in the space of all countries, Zhang said.

The Chinese side advocates the peaceful use of space, opposes the weaponization of and arms race in space, and promotes the building of a community with a shared future for mankind in the field of space, he noted.

"We urge the U.S. side to stop spreading irresponsible remarks, stop expanding its arsenal and making war preparations in space, and contribute its due share to maintaining lasting peace and security of space," Zhang said. 
Trainees from Bogota pose for a group photo during the commencement of a metro operation training program in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Nov. 12, 2024. [Xinhua]

XI'AN, Nov. 14 (Xinhua)  As a celebratory rite to mark the culmination of his time studying in China, Colombian metro technician Dayron Camilo Bemudez Mendoza penned the following to share at the commencement ceremony:

"The day to return to Bogota is getting closer, which motivates me even more to end this time in China in the best way possible. I will return with many gains, new knowledge, new friends and valuable experiences. I could not wait to contribute to this ambitious project in our city."

Bemudez Mendoza and nine of his peers from Bogota came to Xi'an, an ancient Chinese city in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, in September 2023 for a year-long metro operation training program provided by Xi'an Metro and Xi'an Railway Vocational and Technical Institute.

They came for a grand and meaningful goal  to construct the first rail transit project in Colombia  the Line 1 in the capital city of Bogota.

Chinese consortium Transmimetro led by Xi'an Metro and China Harbour Engineering Company won the bid for this project in 2019, marking a major achievement in China-Colombia cooperation.

On Nov. 12, the inaugural group of 10 trainees, with Bemudez Mendoza among them, proudly accepted their certifications at the graduation ceremony, eager to head back to Bogota and spearhead the operations of the city's new metro system. Concurrently, the event also marked the commencement of training for the second group of 40 trainees from Bogota, who arrived just a few days ago and are now poised to embark on their educational journey in China.

Bemudez Mendoza's training program combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience tailored to needs of Bogota Metro's construction. The second cohort will benefit from an optimized training session, involving industry experts, designers, and academics in the teaching process, fostering an innovative approach involving enterprise, academia and experts.

The courses and practices in Xi'an, especially those on automated lines, gave me a clear understanding of how such a complex system works... This is a year I will never forget," said Laura Daniela Avellaneda Chaparro, a trainee from the first cohort.

Another graduate, Jefferson Paolo Martinez Arcila, proudly showed his Xi'an Metro uniform and noted: "Bogota doesn't have a metro system, so learning and training in Bogota were not enough. In Xi'an, I worked on actual metro systems, which deepened my understanding of advanced metro technology. I feel really excited that Bogota Metro will adopt the same cutting-edge technology as Xi'an's metro system."

Bogota Metro Line 1, spanning 23.96 km, is set to revolutionize the city's transportation by connecting key areas, including the downtown, southern and northern districts. Expected to open in 2028, the project will make the long-awaited metro dream a reality for Bogota's citizens.

"Xi'an metro left a deep impression on us. It's bright, modern and orderly. It gave us a glimpse of Bogota Metro's future," said Angel Esteban Diaz Sarmiento, one of the graduates.

"Currently, Bogota's commuters mainly use buses and bus rapid transit. It takes over two hours to get from the south to the north," Martinez Arcila said, noting "with the metro, that time will be cut to just one hour."

For Juan Sebastian Cardenas Martinez, one of the newcomers, the year ahead means "huge responsibility."

"It is a great honor to be selected for this program... I have to work really hard to study to improve my metro operations skills," Cardenas Martinez said, adding that "I also want to take advantage of this year in China to learn the Chinese language and Chinese culture. I hope to contribute to China-Colombia cooperation and cultural exchange."

Over 14 months, the graduates explored China, visiting cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu. They celebrated Chinese New Year, learned Mandarin, and even mastered a few phrases in the Shaanxi dialect.

"Xi'an has given us a rich cultural and personal experience," said Diaz Sarmiento. "We've enjoyed local noodles, visited historical landmarks like the Terracotta Warriors, and deepened our appreciation for China's cultural heritage."

"My time in China has been life-changing. I've met amazing people who supported me through a journey I never imagined. This experience will always be one of the best chapters of my life," said Leonardo Daniel Talledas Rodriguez, one of the graduates.

During the ceremony, Colombian Ambassador to China Sergio Cabrera Cardenas noted the significance of the bilateral partnership. "Colombia and China recognize the critical role of transportation in socioeconomic development and bilateral trade."

"Colombia will promote and welcome investment and knowledge from China. I hope that programs like this, in different sectors, will continue to be an example for the development, improvement and operation of our infrastructure," he said.

(Source: Xinhua)

Editor: Wang Shasha
Chinese President Xi Jinping is warmly welcomed by Peruvian Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzen and other senior officials upon his arrival at the Callao Air Base in Lima, Peru, Nov. 14, 2024. Xi arrived here Thursday to pay a state visit to the Republic of Peru and attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting at the invitation of President Dina Boluarte. [Xinhua/Li Xueren]

LIMA, Nov. 14 (Xinhua)  Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday said he believes that with the joint efforts of both sides, the visit will take the China-Peru comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level and push for more achievements in their practical cooperation in various fields.

In a written statement upon his arrival here, Xi said it gives him great pleasure to once again pay a state visit to the Republic of Peru and attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting at the invitation of President Dina Boluarte, adding that he feels very close to Peru as he again stepped onto this beautiful and rich land with a long history.

On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi extended his sincere greetings and best wishes to the government and people of Peru.

China and Peru enjoy a long history of friendship, which is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, Xi said, noting that as early as more than 400 years ago, the people of the two countries started friendly exchanges through the Maritime Silk Road and "the Manila Galleons," or "La Nao de China."

China and Peru established diplomatic ties 53 years ago, making Peru one of the first Latin American countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, he said.

In recent years, with the joint efforts of various sectors of the two countries, the development of China-Peru relations have continued deepening, and political mutual trust has been increasingly consolidated, Xi said, adding that the two countries have understood and supported each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns.

China has been Peru's largest trading partner and largest export market for 10 years in a row, and steady progress have been made on major cooperation projects in fields such as mining and infrastructure, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples, he said.

Xi said that he will hold talks with President Boluarte to have an in-depth exchange of views on China-Peru relations, practical cooperation in various fields and international and regional issues of common concern, and will also attend the inauguration ceremony of the Chancay Port with President Boluarte.

Xi added that he looks forward to attending the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and working with all parties to ensure its success and make new contributions to building an open Asia-Pacific economy, promoting world economic growth, and jointly building an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future.

When Xi arrived at the Callao Air Base in Lima, he was warmly welcomed by Peruvian Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzen and other senior officials. A local student expressed warm welcome to Xi in Chinese. Guards of honor lined up on both sides of the red carpet to salute.

On Xi's way from the airport to the hotel, representatives of overseas Chinese, Chinese institutions, Chinese students, as well as local people lined the road to greet him. They waved national flags of China and Peru, performed dragon and lion dances to warmly welcome Xi for his visit.

(Source: Xinhua)

Editor: Wang Shasha
NAIROBI, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- International research organizations on Friday announced the launch of an advanced digital tool to help African smallholder farmers improve livestock health and feeding habits.

The Nairobi-based International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the Center for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH) launched the real-time livestock monitoring application under the African Asian Dairy Genetics Gains project.

According to a joint statement from ILRI and CTLGH issued in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, the Dairy Data App aims to transform livestock management in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia through improved feeding, health monitoring, and artificial insemination.

The online tool, which runs on Android smartphones, was rolled out in four African countries -- Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda -- between September and October.

By enabling farmers to search and view historical data of individual cows, the digital tool will ensure that the logging of information related to livestock feeding, health, breeding, and productivity is seamless.

Raphael Mrode, ILRI principal scientist and researcher at CTLGH, said the app will be vital in animal husbandry in Africa, enabling smallholder farmers to capture accurate data on the status of their cattle.

"The cost of collecting data will also be lower because recording agents will no longer have to go out to villages and speak to individual farmers. Instead, the farmers will record their own information," Mrode said.

Besides enhancing the recording and feedback of livestock status, the app includes inbuilt modules that track pedigree, milk output, farm size and animal traits, enabling farmers to make informed plans for the future.

A versatile tool for promoting livestock management, the app will later be translated into local dialects to increase its accessibility for smallholder farmers in Africa.

Jennifer Volk, senior information and data systems lead at CTLGH, said the app's interface and real-time feedback will help solve key challenges faced by smallholder farmers, enhancing their capacity to manage livestock for better yields. 
On November 12, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and opposition leader Chris Hipkins read out apologies in parliament to hundreds of thousands of people who were abused while in the care of the state and in church-run facilities.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, centre, stands in silence before making a formal and unreserved apology in Parliament for the widespread abuse, torture and neglect of hundreds of thousands of children and vulnerable adults in care. [AP Photo/Charlotte Graham-McLay]

In July, a long-running Royal Commission of Inquiry issued a 3,000-page report, which implicated successive governments in systemic abuse inflicted on generations of children, youth and disabled people. From 1950 to 2019 it is estimated that more than 250,000 people were abused or neglected while in foster care, schools, orphanages, military-style boot camps, psychiatric hospitals and other settings.

The horrific nature of what the inquiry found cannot be overstated. The commissioners documented many instances of rape and sexual abuse, routine and brutal beatings, the use of electro-shock therapy as a form of punishment, racism towards Maori and Pacific children and sensory deprivation. Deaf and blind people in care were prevented from learning sign language and braille. Many mothers were coerced into giving up their babies for adoption.

The publication of the Royal Commissions report created a crisis for the National Party-led government and the opposition Labour Party. Survivors are demanding the resignation of senior officials who knew about the abuse and sought to cover it up in order to shield the state from liability.

The aim of this weeks public apology was to contain the fallout by making a show of listening to the survivors, learning the lessons of past wrongs and healing the nation in order to move on.

Many of those who attended the events at parliament in Wellington, or who watched from other parts of the country, remarked on the hollowness of the proceedings, under conditions where perpetrators have been protected for years by the state, most victims have received little or no redress and abuse in state care is still common.

Prime Minister Luxon hailed the courage and persistence of survivors who pushed for justice for decades. He admitted that in some cases the abuse they suffered amounted to torture, and that people struggled to get help from government agencies when you came forward to report your abuse.

He promised to implement a redress scheme, but no details have yet been announced. Luxon said an interim $32 million will be set aside to settle existing claims from about 3,500 survivors, while we work on the new redress system.

Luxon declared that his government was carefully considering the 138 recommendations in the Royal Commissions report and was working to bring about better protection to prevent the suffering of vulnerable and voiceless people. He said vetting and training for staff had improved, and We have started the process to remove the ability to strip search children in care, provide new search powers for people visiting youth justice facilities, and to strengthen restrictions for people working with young children.

Yet the government is proceeding with the establishment of new military-style boot camps for young offendersa central component of its tough on crime agenda. Similar facilities were condemned by the Royal Commission for their systemic brutalisation of young people, including beatings and sexual abuse.

Abuse survivor Ken Clearwater, speaking to Radio NZ, pointed out that children remain at risk from rising poverty and underfunded services, including recent cuts to disability care. He said the government was apologising for what happened in the past, but the policies are still in place that are making it no different than when we were in the past.

Sonja Cooper, a lawyer representing several abuse survivors, released a statement describing the apology as tone deaf and not survivor focused. She condemned the failure to provide redress and said the apology was the same rhetoric weve heard from successive governments, namely that this is a historic issue that no one wants to see happen again.

In reality, Cooper said, our so-called historical shame is not that. It is a current shame. Countless children are still being taken from their homes and placed with people who abuse them, degrade them and neglect them.

According to the Independent Childrens Monitor, 519 children were abused and neglected while in the care of Oranga Tamariki (the child welfare agency) in 2023, including 95 cases of sexual abuse and more than 400 of physical abuse. This represents about 9 percent of the total number of children in careup from 6 percent in 2019.

A report published by the Human Rights Commission in July revealed that there were regular assaults in the countrys youth justice facilities. The report quoted one inmate who said: If we have a fight in here or the staff hurt us, it is what it is. We cant do nothing about it, no ones even listening to us anyway.

Staff often failed to intervene to prevent violence among children and access to timely healthcare does not always occur with some [young people] waiting long periods of time to have their health concerns addressed. There was a high use of searches and restrictive practices like restraint holds and secure care (seclusion).

The governments apology ignored calls for accountability. The Royal Commission implicated dozens of government ministers and bureaucrats: The Spinoff published a list of 112 politicians and senior public servants who oversaw decades of harm and neglect, including police commissioners who had failed to investigate abuse or to take action to stop it.

Survivors have called for the resignation of Una Jagose, the current Solicitor-General, who is mentioned repeatedly in the Royal Commissions report. As a Crown lawyer during the 2000s she was heavily involved in fending off claims by abuse victims.

Jagose delivered an official apology prior to Luxon, but her speech was drowned out by boos. I am sorry that survivors of abuse in care were not always treated with dignity by us lawyers, she said, prompting one survivor to shout: You never treated us with dignity!

An official apology by Oranga Tamariki chief executive Andrew Bridgman was also interrupted by someone shouting: Shut down the boot camps!

While Jagose and other bureaucrats are certainly culpable, they were acting on instructions from successive National and Labour Party administrations. Labour leader Hipkins acknowledged the complicity of his party, telling parliament: We apologise for ignoring you. For punishing you for speaking out. And for leaving you unsafe and unheard.

No politicians have faced any consequences for overseeing the systematic brutalisation of hundreds of thousands of children and other vulnerable people.

As social inequality continues to widen and society becomes increasingly militarised in preparation for war, the capitalist class has nothing to offer generations of young people except lives of poverty and barbarism. These conditions can only be ended by the working class through the fight to abolish capitalism and to build a socialist society, which will eliminate social inequality, poverty and all forms of oppression.
The meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Community (APEC), which is beginning in Lima, Peru, today must surely rank as one of the strangest international economic gatherings of recent times. Its strangeness might only be matched by a meeting of the G20 group of nations that will convene in Brazil next week after the APEC summit concludes.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Perus President Dina Boluarte at the government palace in Lima, November 14, 2024, on the sidelines of the APEC summit. [AP Photo/Fernando Vergara]

APEC was formed in 1989 to promote free trade in the Asia-Pacific region, principally on the initiative of the US, Canada and Australia. It contains 21 countries which account for 50 percent of global GDP and about 40 percent of the global population. Between meetings, there are around 270 working groups directed to economic and trade issues in the organisation.

But while reports and analyses from these groups may be on the official agenda, they will not form the central focus. The gathering is being attended by outgoing US president Joe Biden, but his presence is irrelevant. It is completely dominated by the ascension of Donald Trump who is committed to tearing up what remains of the global free trade order and replacing it with an agenda based on tariff hikes and nationalist protectionism.

The same issue will arise at the G20 meeting. Amid the 2008 global financial crisis, there were solemn promises from the G20 member states that never again would there be a return to the nationalist policies that caused such economic devastation in the 1930s. Now those promises have been cast aside as economic warfare returns with a vengeance.

At a press briefing on Tuesday, various experts from the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) gave a preview of the issues at the APEC meeting. In essence they could be summed up in a word: Trump, and what his tariff wars will bring.

Opening the meeting, Dr Victor Cha, president of the CSIS Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department, said: I think the APEC and G-20 will be about one thing all that the leaders will be talking about is the one world leader who is not there and what to expect from the next Trump administration on trade, alliances and other issues.

There is a parallel with the APEC meeting, also in Peru, of 2016, just after Trump had won the presidency. Outgoing President Obamas message to the meeting was it was not known what Trump would bring and they would have to wait and see.

Eight years on, many questions have been answered and there is no doubt about the implications of Trumps America First agenda. The issue goes deeper than Trump and his proclivities but is rooted in the position of the US within global capitalism.

As Cha pointed out, while APECs mission was to create a free and open world trading order, the politics of both parties in the United States has moved solidly in the direction of protectionism and away from free trade agreements.

Erin Murphy, the deputy director for the CSIS on India and emerging Asian economies, underscored this assessment. She pointed out, even if there was a Democrat administration, if Harris had won, the US attitude toward trade would have remained the same, but not as extreme, I think, as Trump in terms of adding tariffs.

In fact, this understated the orientation of the Democrats in one crucial area. While the Biden-Harris administration somewhat eased the aggression displayed by Trump towards the European allies of the US, it largely maintained the Trump tariffs on China and considerably extended the economic warfare against it by imposing a series of restrictions on both high-tech exports from the US and imports from China on so-called national grounds.

The bipartisan approach, apart from some tactical differences, makes clear that the ever-more aggressive US agenda is not simply the product of Trump or any other set of politicians but has its roots in the deepening crisis of American capitalism.

Of course, as with all such institutions, this crisis was simply ignored by the CSIS representatives who, in the words of Murphy, said that APEC and its future would continue to be there for when the US decides that it wants to be part of the trade and investment framework.

In other words, the pendulum would somehow swing back and bring a return to more normal times.

All the evidence points in the other direction.

The US is not only overturning the APEC agenda. Trump has said he will impose a 60 percent tariff against China and put a 10 to 20 percent impost on all imports coming into the US. He has said he will withdraw from the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), launched by the Biden administration in May 2022.

The IPEF includes the US, Australia and Japan, as well as India, Indonesia, South Korea, Brunei, Fiji, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam. It represents 40 percent of global GDP and 28 percent of world trade in goods and services.

The future of the corresponding organisation, the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity, which covers Latin America, is also under a cloud.

The participants at the APEC meeting will no doubt be aware that Trump continually targets countries that have a trade surplus with the US claiming that they are ripping off America and threatening tariffs against them. All the countries of APEC, with the exception of Australia, have a trade surplus with the US and the same applies to most of Europe.

As fate would have it, there was a striking expression of the economic decline of the US, which is the driving force of its increasing belligerence. As the APEC leaders gathered in Lima, 80 km away a deep-water port was being opened in what had previously been the small fishing village of Chancay.

When fully operational, the port, able to accommodate some of the largest container ships in the world, will transform trade to the East and above all to China, not only from Peru but from other parts of the continent, including Brazil, cutting the shipping time by as much as 10 days.

The report in the Financial Times on the opening, which will be attended by Chinas president Xi Jinping via a video link from Lima, gave expression to the growing crisis for the US.

Ahead of the ribbon-cutting at the Port of Chancaya Chinese-built megaport on Perus Pacific coast that is set to transform regional tradeChinese-made ZPMC unmanned cranes line the quay.

BYD pick-up trucks sit ready to shuttle engineers around, while Huawei internet towers have been freshly constructed to handle the automated operation.

Mario de las Casas, the public affairs manager for Cosco Shipping, the Chinese firm which built the port and will manage its operations, said: Everything is made in China.

The US has warned that the port, which has cost $3.6 billion, could be used for Chinese military operations and that the ceding of control of port management to Cosco has violated Peruvian sovereignty. These warnings contain the not so thinly veiled threat that some form of US retaliation may follow.

But the Peruvian government has said the management of the port will be overseen by its authorities.

In this case it is an investment of Chinese capital, but it is exactly the same as if it were British or North American capital in no case is our sovereignty lost, Perus transport minister Raul Perez-Reyes said.

Such arguments, however, are not going to lessen the aggressive response of American imperialism, which is set to reach a new level of intensity under the Trump administration.

The Chancay port development is just another reason why US capitalism considers that Chinese technological and industrial development must be crushed at all costs if it is to retain it hegemony as it scraps the free trade regime it once sponsored and seeks to replace it with military might.
LA PAZ, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Bolivian authorities have arrested two opposition leaders with ties to former president Evo Morales on charges of terrorism and other crimes, local media reported Thursday.

Peasant leaders Ramiro Cucho and Humberto Claros were arrested on Wednesday for allegedly inciting an uprising and were transferred to La Paz.

Police also raided the residence of the former Minister of the Presidency, Juan Ramon Quintana, as part of an investigation into alleged acts of terrorism, but failed to arrest him.

Morales and other political leaders opposed to the government have described the arrests as acts of "repression" and "political kidnapping," arguing that the detention constitutes an attack on the freedom to protest.

The recent opposition-led protests that blocked roadways for 24 days caused multimillion-dollar losses to the country, said the police. 
The federal Labor government earlier this year announced an extension of the School Pathways Program, which encourages high school students to pursue careers with weapons manufacturers.

The AUKUS (Australia-UK-US) alliance has already driven significant changes to the education sector in Australia, initially focussed on the universities. The governments Universities Accord, released earlier this year, had as its central agenda the further restructuring of universities to meet national priorities, namely the profit demands of the corporate elite and the governments preparations for war.

Lockheed Martin stall at National Youth Science Forum [Photo: National Youth Science Forum]

Courses are being tailored to industry needs as universities have become increasingly tied to the military-industrial academic complex, including via multi-million-dollar research and development deals with the worlds largest arms manufacturers, such as Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems.

That is one component of Australias transformation into a frontline state for the US-led plans for conflict with China, which is viewed as the chief economic threat to the hegemony of American imperialism. Australia has been involved for more than a decade, under successive governments, but this agenda has been qualitatively escalated under the current Labor government of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

One expression of that is the increasing promotion of militarism in primary and secondary schools. The corralling of students into defence industry careers is now the open aim of the Labor administration. The influence of major weapons manufacturers and the Department of Defence on curriculum, in particular STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) curriculum, is designed to ensure a pipeline of students ready and willing to contribute to the war effort.

In the governments Defence Industry Development Strategy paper, released earlier this year, several strategies were outlined to inspire early learners and primary students across the country to continue to engage with STEM opportunities, while encouraging secondary students to pursue vocational and tertiary STEM studies.

The strategy document stated: Meeting the pace of technological change as approaches to warfare evolve is critical to secure our nation. One of its key action items was to enhance the Schools Pathways Program by developing new intergovernmental agreements to support critical defence industry skills pathways in South Australia and Western Australia.

Announcing the relaunch of the Schools Pathways Program in August, the South Australian state Labor government declared, The Schools Pathways Program provides practical career awareness activities for secondary school students and creates links between schools and defence industry. Students will gain defence industry experience through projects, industry visits, presentations and challenges. Students will connect with mentors and networks of highly skilled defence industry professionals.

The $5.2 million program is being rolled out in a number of schools in South Australia and Western Australia, particularly in high schools catering to lower socio-economic areas of Adelaide and Perth. The program is designed to promote careers within the so-called defence industry by offering information about career opportunities as well as providing access to military-connected work experience and mentoring.

The Schools Pathways Program is partnered with a number of weapons manufacturers including SAAB, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and BAE Systems, as well as the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG). It includes activities to be undertaken throughout the high school years for students aged 12 to 18, and a range of state and national STEM activities. The DSTG operates under the Department of Defence and is responsible for applying advances in science and technology to defence.

The Department of Defence announced in September an additional $11 million to further extend the schools program through a competitive grant project. Defence Minister Pat Conroy said, The launch of this grant opportunity is yet another example of delivering on the Defence Industry Development Strategy, supporting a resilient, competitive and innovative Australian sovereign defence industrial base, and a future Defence industry workforce to support our national security.

A similar program is running in schools in the Hunter Region in New South Wales. This connects local high schools to defence industries in the region, including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems and Thales. The website for the program states, Facilitating formal partnerships between Hunter Defence Industry and high schools, the ME Program has a strong focus on development STEM skills in students from years 7 to 12 in readiness for the jobs that industry requires, while ensuring Defence Industry has access to a talent pool with relevant skills.

The ME program has been further developed into an accredited school course for students in Years 9 and 10 in NSW called iSTEM. According to the curriculum, students will learn to design and use electronic circuits and systems including microcontrollers, perform experiments using a range of electronic devices to solve real STEM based problems and describe a range of technologies used in satellites, rockets and space communication.

Another action item in the defence industry strategy document is outreach. As the document stated, Defence will develop a longer-term communication and engagement plan, working with Australian industry to create awareness of the strong career opportunities in defence industry. The report highlighted one government-sponsored initiative that aims to build confidence and capacity in primary school educators, enabling them to bring STEM into their classrooms and highlight the breadth of engineering career paths available to their students.

Weapons manufacturers are deeply embedded into STEM outreach programs in schools. For example, in 2022, the Medical Association for Prevention of War released a report Minors and MissilesWeapons Companies in Schools, which documented 35 programs associated with weapons manufacturers including BAE Systems, Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.

Part of Engineering Fairy Tales, a set of STEM education resources developed by BAE Systems [Photo: BAE Systems]

However, what the Defence Industry strategy makes clear is that the Australian government is an active partner in this infiltration into education. One example of these outreach programs is Beacon, funded by BAE Systems, with activities targeting children as young as 4. Part of the program includes a visit by BAE engineers, who answer questions about careers in engineering. When the program was launched, BAE Systems said that Beacons goal was to raise awareness of future career pathways. The program is being expanded into 80 schools in South Australia over the next two years.

That many of the programs are targeting regional and low socio-economic areas of the country is akin to economic conscription. Public schools especially in poorer communities and rural and regional Australia have been starved of funds for decades. Lack of resources, infrastructure and expertise means that teachers will jump at the chance of support. Many of the programs mentioned include free professional development for teachers, as well as access to teaching resources.

The various STEM fields are scenes of significant technological and scientific developments, such as artificial intelligence, which could be used to improve the social conditions and lives of working people. Their innovative character, moreover, makes them attractive to youth. Under capitalism though, everything is subordinated to the profit interests of the ruling elite, which are advanced by exploitation at home and militarism and war abroad.

The hijacking of STEM education by the ruling elite for its war agenda is evident at every level of education, and this is not merely an Australian phenomenon. This has been accompanied by the militarisation of the curriculum underway for more than a decade. In 2014, the federal government circulated a range of curriculum resources and educational activities to Australian primary schools in a promotion of militarism and patriotism. The resources were deliberately aimed at miseducation, to inculcate in children an uncritical attitude towards war.

With funding pressures pushing universities and schools to align with government agendas, educators opposing war are facing increased victimisation, silencing and even dismissal. These attacks on free speech and democratic rights are intensifying amid the ongoing Gaza genocide, the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine and plans for a catastrophic conflict with China.

The attacks on public education are part of a shift by the worlds ruling elite as it prepares for dictatorship at home and war abroad. And this means every aspect of society must be integrated into the war effort, from the schools and universities to the economy and all workplaces.

This can only be fought through the development of an anti-war movement of the working class based on a socialist perspective. We urge educators, students and parents to get in contact with the Committee for Public Education and the Socialist Equality Party to join the fight against imperialist war.

Contact the CFPE:

Email: cfpe.aus@gmail.com

Facebook: facebook.com/commforpubliceducation

Twitter: CFPE_Australia
After two months on strike, 525 Eaton Aerospace workers in Jackson, Michigan voted Wednesday on a fourth contract proposal brought back by the United Auto Workers bureaucracy. The proposal was almost identical to the three previous ones that had been overwhelmingly rejected previously. UAW Local 475 officials claimed the deal passed by 90 percent.

Striking Eaton workers in Jackson, Michigan on September 20, 2024

Even if that figure was the case, workers only ratified the sellout deal reluctantly. For 61 days, Eaton workers courageously defied both the giant transnational corporation and the treachery of the UAW bureaucracy, which did nothing to oppose the companys strikebreaking threats. But after being left isolated on the picket lines and kept on starvation rations of $500 a week in UAW strike benefits, Eaton workers felt they had no choice but to accept the deal.

As of this writing, the current agreement reportedly includes a lump sum signing bonus of $4,500, 17 percent raise over four years of the contract, a shift premium from $0.75 to $1, and probationary tier wage from $15 to $16.50 an hour.

After workers rejected the companys last, best and final offer in late October, Eaton announced that it had already begun hiring replacements for the striking workers. The company then gave workers an ultimatum: either vote for the deal and keep your jobs or scab replacements would start working by November 18.

In the face of this blackmail, the UAW bureaucrats joined with management in ramming through the deal.

In comments to a local Fox 47 News reporter, UAW Local 475 President Donnie Huffman claimed workers lacked leverage for a better offer and expressed hope workers would pass the deal. Were one facility in their global conglomerate, and we cant shut down like the Big Three does.

What a fraud.

First, the UAW bureaucracy never shut down the Big Three. UAW President Shawn Fain defied the near unanimous demands by rank-and-file workers for an all-out strike by all 150,000 GM, Ford and Stellantis workers in September 2023. Instead, he carried out a bogus stand up strike, which never involved more than a third of the Big Three workers while the rest were forced to stay on the job producing profits for the corporations. In the end, Fain rammed through a supposedly historic agreement, which has paved the way for mass job cuts.

As for not having leverage. The UAW has hundreds of thousands of members in Michigan and nearby states. In Detroit, Toledo and Kokomo, thousands of workers are angry and ready to fight against mass layoffs by Stellantis, GM and Ford. In addition, throughout most of the strike, 33,000 Boeing workers were waging a powerful strike after voting down two contracts backed by the International Association of Machinists (IAM) bureaucracy.

Moreover, the efforts of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) to bring news of the Jackson strike to Eaton workers striking in the United Kingdom, demonstrated what could be done if the UAWs vast resources were used for the interest of the rank and file, not the union apparatus.

But the last thing UAW President Shawn Fain wanted was an explosion of class struggle in Michigan, which would have further exposed the Democratic Party as a tool of the corporations. As the UAW and AFL-CIO bureaucrats isolating the Eaton workers, they were pulling out all the stops and spending millions of dollars to get out the vote for Kamala Harris.

In the end, however, the gross indifference of Harris and the Democrats to job cuts and the growing economic desperation of workers, along with their warmongering, allowed Trump to pose as a friend of workers and win the election.

Fain and the union officialdom never wanted the strike in the first place. They kept workers on the job after the contract expiration despite the rejection of two UAW-backed deals, which addressed none of workers demands to defend pensions and health benefits and fight unsafe conditions.

When Eaton worker Seth Webb was killed on September 28, after a truck involved in a street race lost controlkilling him and injuring several workersFain issued nothing but a perfunctory statement. Throughout the two-month strike, the UAW bureaucracy did nothing to inform other members about the Eaton struggle. Most workers in Detroit, Lansing, Toledo, Kokomo and other auto centers only learned about the strike largely through the efforts of the World Socialist Web Site.

The WSWS also campaigned for rank-and-file workers in the auto plants, at Boeing and other locations to break the isolation of the Eaton strike and prepare joint strike action to stop the strikebreaking and win the struggle.

At the same time, the WSWS urged Eaton workers to throw out the discredited bargaining committee and elect a committee made up of the most trusted militants who would fight for workers non-negotiable demands.

As one worker told the WSWS during the third TA vote, The contract is crap. What was the point of being on strike all this time if we go back now without gaining anything? Why did my friend Seth lose his life?

Despite the contract being ratified, the fight of Eaton workers is not over. At Boeing, the sellout of the strike by the IAM bureaucracy, is being followed by a jobs massacre that is expanding beyond the elimination of 17,000 salaried workers to include production workers as well.

There is no doubt that Eaton intends to force workers to pay for whatever marginal increases in labor costs the company incurs in the new contract through an assault on jobs and working conditions. Eaton workers should take a warning from the announcement by CNH Industries, that it intends to close its backhoe manufacturing facility in Burlington, Ohio unless the UAW reopens the contract and imposes more concessions on workers. This follows the UAW bureaucracys betrayal of an eight-month strike in Burlington and Racine, Wisconsin in 2022.

Job cuts are accelerating in aerospace and auto industries around the world, with tens of thousands of layoffs at Airbus, VW, Stellantis and other corporations in Italy, France, the UK, China and elsewhere.

This jobs massacre will combine with the historic attack on social and democratic rights by the incoming Trump administration, which is putting together a cabinet of fascists to wage war on the working class at home as it expands American imperialisms wars abroad.

To prepare for the coming battles, workers must reject the pro-capitalist and nationalist outlook of the UAW bureaucracy and both corporate-controlled political parties, and unify with workers around the world in a common struggle against unemployment, poverty, dictatorship and war.

We urge Eaton workers to draw the lessons of their struggle and make the decision to join the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees and its global campaign to defend the jobs and living standards of workers on every continent.

To join the fight to build rank-and-file committees in every factory and workplace, fill out the form below.
On November 12, a federal jury in Alexandria, Virginia, returned a unanimous verdict for Abu Ghraib torture victims Salah Al-Ejaili, Suhail Al Shimari and Asaad Al-Zubae, awarding each $3 million in compensation and another $11 million for punitive damages against CACI Premier Technology, Inc., a publicly traded defense contractor with annual revenues approaching $3 billion.

A hooded detainee imprisoned at Abu Ghraib. He is standing on a box with wires attached to his left and right hand; he was told that he would be electrocuted if he fell off the box. [Photo: US Government]

The eight jurors found unanimously that late in 2003 CACI interrogators conspired with military personnel to inflict torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment on detainees in the Abu Ghraib hard site that resulted in [each of the three men] being tortured or subjected to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.



Following US imperialisms illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq based on lies about complicity in the 9/11 attacks and weapons of mass destruction, in April 2004, CBS News 60 Minutes published graphic photos of Iraqis rounded up by the US military and incarcerated in Abu Ghraib Prison outside Baghdad being tortured by electric shocks, held in stress positions, threatened with dogs and humiliated sexually. Many photos depict gloating US soldiers posing with victims.



Denials by the administration of George W. Bush that the photographs represented US policy were exposed as fraudulent after the leak of three torture memos drafted by Department of Justice attorneys John Yoo and Jay Bybee. Using convoluted pseudo-legalisms, the memos created a paper trail declaring that enhanced interrogation techniques, including cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, do not constitute torture prohibited by US law.



To quell outrage over the photos, 11 low-level soldiers were eventually court-martialed, with nine given significant sentences. None of their superiors were disciplined, however, and to date the US government has not compensated the torture victims themselves, who cannot sue the military because of governmental immunities.



Attorneys from the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) filed suit on behalf of the three plaintiffs in 2008 against CACI, asserting that those immunities do not protect private contractors. The complaint alleged that CACI was paid $31 million to supply interrogators at Abu Ghraib, who advised the military guards on how to soften up detainees before questioning.



After 16 years of litigation, including multiple reviews in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, a jury empaneled last April was unable to reach a verdict. After a mistrial was declared, several jurors reported that the majority wanted to find against CACI. This time, the jury reached a unanimous verdict in the exact amounts CCR attorneys requested, and judgment has been entered.



The trial and subsequent retrial are the only times a US jury has heard claims brought by Abu Ghraib torture victims.



The three plaintiffs were not depicted in any of the notorious photographs, but each described being subjected to similar treatment.



Al Shimari, a middle-school principal, and Al-Zubae, a fruit vendor, both appeared at the trial by video. Al-Ejaili, a journalist, traveled from Iraq to testify in person at both trials.



Each described being beaten, deprived of sleep, isolated, stripped, shaved, forced to wear womens underwear, subjected to extreme temperatures, sexually assaulted, including forced masturbation, and threatened with firearms and dogs. Al-Ejaili told the jury about being held in a stress position until he vomited black liquid. A photograph exists of him standing in the vomit.



Other evidence at trial included reports from two retired US Army generals, who documented the widespread abuse in the facility and concluded that CACI interrogators encouraged the mistreatment, including at least one who lied to investigators about it.



CACI did not deny the abuse occurred, but claimed the interrogators had minimal interaction with the three plaintiffs, and under the borrowed servants doctrine the company cannot be held responsible for misdeeds by employees committed while under the control of the US military.



After the verdict, Al-Ejaili released a written statement. This victory isnt only for the three plaintiffs in this case against a corporation, he said. This victory is a shining light for everyone who has been oppressed and a strong warning to any company or contractor practicing different forms of torture and abuse.



CCR attorney Baher Azmy praised the three victims for their resilience, especially in the face of all the obstacles CACI threw their way. CCR attorney Katherine Gallagher added, Private military and security contractors are put on notice that they can and will be held accountable when they breach the most fundamental international law protectionslike the prohibition against torture.



Time will tell whether the verdict stands. While the verdict is a significant milestone, the case is far from over. CACI has vowed to appeal and ultimately the reactionary Supreme Court supermajority will have the last word.
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit hosted this week by the dictatorial regime of Dina Boluarte in Peru is overshadowed by the confrontation between US imperialism and the growing economic influence of China, which has become the main economic partner of Peru and South America as a whole.

China's President Xi Jinping arrives in Peru for the APEC 2024 summit [Photo: ANDINA/Vidal Tarqui]

President Joe Biden is attending what will be his last major international summit and will hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday. The presence of Biden can already be characterized as militarist fist clenching, including reported plans to complain to Xi about North Korean troops joining Russian forces fighting the US-NATO proxy regime in Ukraine.

Bidens visit is being accompanied by 600 elite American troops, including snipers, two Black Hawk helicopters carrying heavy artillery, and two 747 aerial refueling aircraft. The US soldiers and Marines will join 13,000 Peruvian police and troops being deployed to patrol the summit.

The main target of this unusual show of force by the Pentagon is China, which has overtaken US imperialisms economic position in what Washington long regarded contemptuously as its own backyard.

The highpoint of the economic forum has been the inauguration of the Chancay mega seaport owned and operated by Chinese Company Cosco Shipping, with the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping and dozens of other heads of state.

The $1.3 billion port will alter the geopolitical landscape of South America as the most important addition in the region to Beijings Belt and Road Initiative.

It will soon expand to accommodate ships carrying up to 24,000 TEU containers, unique in the region, and will cut shipping times to China by about 12 days. It provides an export route for Bolivias strategic lithium, the largest reserves in the world, while Brazilian exports to Asia can save up to 20 days via the new route.

Currently, 30 percent of Peruvian exports are directed to China, over double that sent to the United States, and 77 percent of its key export, copper, goes to China. China is also the main source of foreign investments, accounting for about a quarter of accumulated foreign direct investments in the country, including in several of the largest copper mines.

The thinly veiled message delivered by US troop presence is the same as that sent with the yearly war games under the scenario of securing the Panama Canal, whose main ports on both ends are operated by China: US troops are ready to battle for control of key infrastructure and resources in Latin America.

Earlier this month, Gen. Laura Richardson, the outgoing commander of United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), claimed without any evidence to the Financial Times that the Chinese navy hopes to use the Chancay port for military purposes.

Peru's new Chancay port facility [Photo: ANDINA/Daniel Bracamonte]

It could be used as a dual-use facility, its a deepwater port, she said. [The navy] could use it, absolutely.  This is a playbook that weve seen play out in other places, not just in Latin America.

Richardson tellingly suggested that investments in strategic  locations or sea lines of communication for global commerce could only be interpreted in military terms.

In April, Richardson visited Ushuaia, Argentinas southernmost city, where China had proposed constructing a port to supply Antarctica. But, as the Financial Times notes, [A]fter significant lobbying from Washington, Buenos Aires chose to proceed with a US-led facility instead and halted Chinese plans for a multi-use port 200 kilometers up the coast at Rio Grande.

The mobilization of US troops in Peru is also aimed at protecting Biden from the countrys population. The summit has been accompanied by national protests and a 72-hour general strike starting Wednesday led by transportation and construction workers. Thousands of demonstrators have confronted riot police in Limas streets and there have been widespread roadblocks, whose repression has already resulted in numerous injuries.

One demonstrator in Lima on Wednesday told the World Socialist Web Site that the US government should Let the South American countries and all the countries be free and sovereign over their lands, over their countries, not stick their noses in and cause so much damage. Palestine for example, they are murdering them, they are trying to invade them. Forget all that! ... Let us be free. Let us be happy, let us live in peace.

The transportation unions are carrying out their fourth strike in two months to protest the murder of bus drivers, passengers, construction workers, small entrepreneurs and trade union leaders at the hands of extortion gangs and their hired killers. The Peruvian Congress, controlled by the far right, has refused the demand to repeal Law 32108, which the population opposes, since it shields corrupt congress members and politicians associated with the extortionist mafias. Instead, it has sought to ram through urban terrorism legislation that would criminalize protests and strikes.

The protests are socially heterogeneous but are growing in scope and demands, with groups demanding justice for nearly 50 Peruvians killed in protests against Boluartes elevation to power in a December 2022 parliamentary coup that toppled and jailed the countrys elected President Pedro Castillo. Meanwhile, the corrupt union bureaucracies are struggling to keep a lid on mass opposition as they seek to secure a seat at the table in securing deals with foreign capitalists at the expense of the working class and poor.

The Boluarte government has declared that the protests amount to treason against the homeland for threatening their push to attract foreign capital by offering the exploitation of cheap labor and natural resources under a brutal police state regime.

The Peruvian government provides one of the starkest manifestations of the collapse of bourgeois governability in Latin America under the pressure of unprecedented social inequality and the mounting trade and military conflicts between the largest economies in the world. The approval rating of Boluarte hovers around 5 percent while 96 percent of Peruvians want to throw them all out, including President Boluarte and her cabinet and all members of Congress, and are demanding early elections.

On December 7, 2022, the far-right Congress, the Biden administration, the military and police worked closely to impeach and arrest the bourgeois nationalist president Pedro Castillo. US Ambassador Lisa Kenna, a CIA veteran, secured the support of the military leadership the day before.

Although this parliamentary coup provoked mass unrest, the Peruvian ruling class supported it, along with the militarys massacre of protesters with live ammunition, in a bid to end the long streak of impeachments, corruption scandals, and mass protests against both inequality and the criminal response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following five years during which six presidents were ousted, the political crisis was interfering with competing for foreign investments and mining operations in the second top producer of copper in the world.

Boluarte, who is facing charges of genocide and aggravated homicide, summed up the character of her regime in a ceremony called to thank the military ahead of the APEC summit. The support of our soldiers and police will be vital to ensure security and order at this event, reflecting the capacity and leadership of our country before the world, she declared before thousands of troops.

Peru and all of South America have been made players in the expanding geopolitical chess game. Two alternatives stand before the working class across the Americas and internationally: an emerging third world war and a turn to dictatorship and fascism or a world socialist revolution to direct the increasingly globally interconnected economy to meeting social needs.
Bangladeshs Interim Government (IG) is suppressing garment workers engaged in protests over a series of demands, including wage increases and improved social conditions.

The class struggle is occurring under conditions of intense political upheaval. Mass student protests, which developed into a broader uprising in July-August, forced the ouster of Prime Minister Sheik Hasina, who fled the country.

The IG was installed by the military on August 8 and is headed by Chief Adviser Muhammed Yunus, a banker with close ties to American imperialism. Yunus claims to be overseeing a transition to true democracy, aimed at realising social justice after the increasingly authoritarian rule of Hasina, are belied by the brutal attacks on garment workers.

Garment workers protest in Bangladesh, November 1, 2024. [Photo: Bangladesh Garment Workers Solidarity]

In response to protests that have continued since September, the new government has overseen a police crackdown involving regular officers, industrial cops, the notorious Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and army personnel.

So far, these state forces have gunned down one protester, injured scores, carried out mass arrests and filed cases against over a thousand workers.

A key demand of the workers is for a major pay increase, from the current monthly minimum wage of 8,000 taka ($US67) to 22,000-25,000 taka ($184-209). They are also calling for an increase to the monthly attendance bonus, the granting of annual leave, night shift pay and an extension of maternity leave for female workers.

Other demands include the reopening of closed factories, the reinstatement of previously terminated employees, an end to harassment by management and government officials and improved workplace safety and conditions.

From last Saturday until Tuesday, garment workers at over a dozen factories in Gazipur shut down production.

Workers from five factories under the TNZ Group struck for unpaid salaries, as did staff at Swadhin Garments and the Beximco Industrial Park. Workers at MM Knitwear and Mamun Knitwear stopped work, demanding the reinstatement of recently sacked colleagues.

Workers at other factories have also taken action. On November 2, staff at Islam Group and Tushka Group factories in Gazipur walked off over a host of demands, including an increase to their salary, the removal of managers accused of misconduct, a night shift allowance and other benefits.

From October 27 to 31, garment workers of Centex Fashions in Dhaka, TNZ Group in Gazipur and Apex in Gazipur staged protests including strikes. In addition to the industry-wide demands, the Centex workers were demonstrating against the slated closure of their factory.

When the wave of strikes broke out, the immediate response of the Yunus government was repression. On September 30, police opened fire on protesting workers from Mango Tex in Ashulia, killing one and injuring thirty. Police used live fire against the Centex Fashions workers on October 31, injuring two.

The violence has been accompanied by a witch hunt. New Age reported that eleven workers from Centex were arrested and jailed on allegations of setting fire to an army jeep and police van during clashes. Two cases were filed against 1,110 workers accused of obstructing the duties of law enforcement agencies.

Late last month, a US National Public Radio report carried the comments of Ayesha Begum, a 26-year-old sewing machine operator at Beximco in Gazipur, one of the largest garment factories with 23,000 workers. Begum explained I cant get by on what I earn [$134 a month]. I have to pay for my sons schooling. I have to pay rent. I have to look after my mother and my parents-in-law. Its just not enough.

Yunus has identified himself closely with the military, declaring in his first public address in August that The army, police, Border Guard Bangladesh, and RAB are the pride of the country.

As stoppages developed in September, Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury proclaimed, I want to see all industrial units operating, and warned workers not to take the law into your own hands.

The trade union bureaucracies have sought to suppress the struggles. Several of them, including the Stalinist Communist Party-led Bangladesh Garment Workers Trade Union Centre (BGWTUC), signed a tripartite agreement with four advisers of the government and officials of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on September 24.

A joint statement declared that workers demands would immediately be met and that strikes should thus end. The agreement was rapidly breached by the factory owners, provoking the subsequent protests.

The continuing struggles are an expression of seething anger over dire conditions for workers in the sector enforced by successive regimes, including the Hasina government and now the IG.

In November 2023, Hasina recommended a monthly minimum wage of 12,500 taka for garment workers in a maneuver to diffuse a weeks-long strike involving tens of thousands.

The workers continued their actions, insisting on a rise to 22,000-25,000 taka. Hasina oversaw a brutal crackdown that killed four workers and wounded over 100. Still, even this meagre 12,500 taka has not been paid by many factory owners.

The ruling class fears that unrest will disrupt exports, under conditions where Bangladesh hosts the second-largest garment industry in the world. Last financial year the sector earned about $47 billion, amounting to 85 percent of annual exports and over 10 percent of GDP.

The garment workers strikes show that the IG cannot resolve any of the social problems of the masses and that the new administration is in a deepening crisis.

Yunus is increasingly acting as a quasi-dictator, resting on global financiers and the military. He is entrenching his unelected advisory council, which was expanded to 24 members on Sunday with the appointment of three new advisors.

Yunus is going beyond its purported duty of preparing national elections within three months of his installation, signaling that the IG will remain in office until 2026. An October article in the Hindu reported Yunus stating that an election cannot be held before reforms are completed, a reference to austerity measures demanded by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

In another repressive move, the Yunus regime banned the Chhatra League, the youth wing of Hasinas Awami League on October 23, accusing it of involvement in criminal activities. The IG is seeking Interpols assistance in repatriating Hasina and her aids from India to face trial for alleged crimes against humanity.

While exploiting widespread popular anger over Hasinas crimes, the IG is seeking to entrench its own authoritarian rule against the working class, to pursue the same big business agenda of the previous regime.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, one of the countrys two main parties alongside the Awami League, is assisting, calling on its followers to be patient and to give the IG time.

Despite the repression and political machinations, workers will continue to enter into struggle against the dire conditions they confront. They are coming up against the attempts of the corporatist union bureaucracies to preserve industrial peace and prevent a political struggle against the IG.

Workers need to form their own action committees, independent of the bourgeois parties and the unions, to take forward the fight for their fundamental social and democratic rights. A key component of this struggle is establishing unity with their class brothers and sisters throughout South Asia and internationally, who face the same basic issues.

The Bangladeshi working class must draw political lessons from the July-August mass uprising. Chief among them is the need for the working class to develop its own independent political movement, in opposition to all the bourgeois parties and factions. The lack of such a movement paved the way for the intervention of the military and the installation of an IG committed to the same agenda as Hasina.

What is required to defeat authoritarianism and meet the needs of the masses is a fight for a workers and peasants government, committed to socialist policies, as part of the struggle for a federation of socialist republics in South Asia and internationally.
Following the electoral victory of Trump last week, New York Representative and Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez published a long video on her Instagram account dedicated to defending the Democratic Party and blaming the population for the outcome.

Vice President Kamala Harris, from right,with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro during a campaign stop in Reading, Pennsylvania. Monday, November 4, 2024. [AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin]

No doubt many of Ocasio-Cortezs followers tuned in to hear not only how to fight against the growing fascist threat, but also for some explanation of the Democratic election debacle. They got nothing of the sort.

Instead, viewers were treated to a contradiction-ridden video in which Ocasio-Cortez urged viewers to reject sectarianism, i.e., a break with the Democratic Party, while at the same time blaming white people in general and white men more specifically for Trumps return to the White House.

The New York lawmaker claimed that there are a lot of different factors that have gone into this moment, that is, the Democrats defeat. She continued: I will get into some of them shortly ... it is an avalanche of different things... Harris embrace of Wall Street and the Democrats responsibility for the genocide in Gaza were not among the factors listed by Ocasio-Cortez for the defeat of the Democrats and their collapse in working class support.

Then Ocasio-Cortez got to her central message: What is going to be most important in this time is rejecting sectarianism and understanding that we have to be united as a people.

Emphasizing the necessity of rejecting sectarianism, Ocasio-Cortez continued, We have to be able to construct a culture that is productive, that is focused on growing, that is not sectarianism, and does not tear one another apart over the narcissism of small differences

By sectarianism, Ocasio-Cortez means a break with the Democratic Party, which is politically responsible for the victory of Trump. As a party of Wall Street and the military-intelligence agencies, the Democrats were incapable of and opposed to making any appeal to the social interests of the vast majority of the population, allowing Trump to capitalize on enormous social anger.

Ocasio-Cortez played a central role. Since emerging on the national scene in 2018, she has worked to trap social opposition, contain it within the Democratic Party, and block the development of an independent movement against capitalism and imperialist war.

That year, she was picked up by the Democratic Party to promote its campaign in the 2018 midterm elections. Following the election of Biden in 2020, which she supported, Ocasio-Cortez was increasingly elevated into the leadership of the Democratic Party to attack anyone criticizing the Democratic Party from the left.

In 2021, she denounced socialist critics of Biden as acting in bad faith and being privileged, while praising the DSA for rejecting class essentialism, that is, for promoting the politics of racial and gender identity. In 2022, Ocasio-Cortez joined Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders in voting to fund the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine.

During the 2024 election campaign, Ocasio-Cortez took on the role of chief defender of Biden amidst the escalating genocide in Gaza, declaring Biden a man of tremendous empathy as Israel slaughtered Palestinian civilians with weapons supplied by the Biden-Harris administration. She insisted that we have to be adults about the situation, in denouncing those opposed to supporting Biden in the elections. Indeed, Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders were among the last defenders of Biden, as calls mounted for him to drop out, and both then switched to all-out campaigning for Harris.

Following the Democratic Party debacle, Ocasio-Cortez now scolds workers and young people not to let the narcissism of small differences lead them to conclude that they must break with the Democrats and build a genuine socialist movement.

Responding to Ocasio-Cortezs statement this past Sunday at The Election Debacle and the Fight Against Dictatorship onine event, Socialist Equality Party (US) National Committee member Eric London replied to Ocasio-Cortez:

The genocide in Gaza is not a small difference. The illegalizing of strikes is not a small difference. The escalation of a war against Russia, a war that you voted for, to give tens of billions of dollars, take them away from working people who need them, on a war that risks nuclear catastrophe. That is not a small difference.

At the same time that Ocasio-Cortez is urging workers and youth not to break with the Democrats, the Democrats are welcoming the fascist Trump back to Washington. On Wednesday, Biden brought Trump to the White House to take pictures and shake hands by the fire. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a close ally of Ocasio-Cortez, has said that it is necessary to ensure the success of the new administration and find common ground with the fascists.

Pelosi, translated into Ocasio-Cortezs language, is saying that one should not let the narcissism of small differences, such as Trumps efforts to establish a fascist dictatorship, get in the way of fruitful collaboration. After all, it is necessary to be united as a people.

While Ocasio-Cortez was silent on the Democrats embrace of Trump, she praised Harris for taking on an assignment that no other person in American history was given. She said nothing about Harris parading around the country with far-right warhawk Liz Cheney, or Harris embrace of Trumps anti-immigrant policies and pledge to continue building the US-Mexico border wall.

After denouncing sectarianism, Ocasio-Cortez proceeded to blame the population for Trumps victory, citing misogyny as one of the factors in Harris and the Democratic Partys electoral wipe-out. She claimed that this race may not have been decided by any one individual factor, but misogyny is very, very real in this country.

She continued, saying it is not partisan ... it transcends politics. And thats a hard pill for a lot of people to swallow, that misogyny can exist in left spaces, in right spaces, in center spaces, and that [i]f Kamala Harris was Tom Harris, we may have a different result today

New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speaking on her Instagram Live, November 6, 2024. [Photo: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez]

After blaming men for Harris loss, Ocasio-Cortez singled out the white electorate, stating, We should be very clear that people of color voted for Kamala Harris in majorities.



In reality, the Democrats right-wing and militarist program led to a sharp decline in support among workers of all races and ethnicities. After voting for Obama by a 90-10 margin in 2008, an 80 percent margin, black men supported Harris by only a 56 percent margin. After the Republicans garnered a mere 30 percent among Latino men from 2008 to 2016, Trump won Latino men by 12 percent.

A similar collapse occurred among young people. Between 2008-2016, the margin of victory for Democrats was 40 percent among those aged 18-29. In 2024, this figure was only 11 percent.

Ignoring this reality, Ocasio-Cortez said, its really interesting to me, because when its time to govern, those communities get so centered and their concerns get so centered, and its like nothing we do sometimes can win these electorates over. In other words, despite everything the Democratic Party and Ocasio-Cortez have allegedly done for the white electorate, they, and it should be said, a majority of the eligible voting population, did not vote for Harris.

After blaming everyone but herself, the candidates, and the party for their electoral defeat, Ocasio-Cortez claimed, with a straight face, that she wanted to be fighting the corporate establishment of the Democratic Party.

That is, after spending the better part of the last year campaigning for Biden and Harris, the embodiment of the corporate establishment of the Democratic Party, Ocasio-Cortez claims she is opposed to it.

In expressing concern over the narcissism of small differences, Ocasio-Cortez is hoping she can prevent workers and young people from drawing conclusions not only about her own role as a defender of the Democratic Party, but a whole type of politics that works to smother social opposition and facilitate the ever further shift to the right of the entire political establishment.

The development of a genuine opposition to fascism and Trump, and the fight against the genocide in Gaza and imperialist war, requires a ruthless exposure of Ocasio-Cortez, the DSA and all those tendencies that work to block the political independence of the working class and the building of a genuine socialist movement.


This article was submitted to the WSWS by Ukrainian underground journalists of the assembly.org.ua website. It provides further evidence of the ongoing disintegration of the NATO-backed Ukrainian army in a war that has already claimed the lives of half a million or more Ukrainian workers and youth. You can support the work of these journalists financially by following this link.

A graffiti saying "Zelensky is an executioner" reportedly in Zaporozhye [Photo: Ukrainian journalists]

In the lead-up to the US elections, the flight of personnel from the Ukrainian Armed Forces since the middle of 2024 has taken on the character of an avalanche, threatening to leave the regime without an army in the near future. According to Ukraines Office of the Prosecutor General, from January 2022 to September 2024, almost 90,000 criminal proceedings were opened into such cases, and the majority were initiated since the beginning of the current year: 35,307 out of 59,606 cases concerning the unauthorized leaving of a unit (Article 407 of the Criminal Code) and 18,196 out of 29,521 cases of desertion (Article 408 of the Criminal Code). The largest number of desertions was registered in the regions of Zaporozhye (6,144), Kharkov (5,771) and Donetsk (5,318), while the regions of Donetsk (8,574), Dnepropetrovsk (3,308), Zhytomyr (2,433) and Lviv (2,170) are leading in terms of cases of unauthorized leaving of units (SZCh in Ukrainian). These are only the cases to which the authorities reacted. However, even of these, only 4,698 cases of unauthorized leaving and 442 cases of desertion reached the court. 2,592 and 414 cases were closed, respectively, during the same period.

9,048 criminal proceedings were registered in Ukraine under these two articles in October 2024 alone. For comparison, in January 2024, there were initiated only 3,448 criminal proceedings. And in total, from February 2022 to November 1, 2024, already 95,296 criminal cases were opened. (One brigade in the Armed Forces of Ukraine comprises between 3 and 5 thousand people). Although both these articles may apply not only in the Armed Forces, much less is heard about escapes from other structures of the Ukrainian armed structures, as, in particular, our source did, who deserted from the State Border Guard Service.

Since August, information has been leaking out from time to time about people who escaped their units before being sent to the Kursk operation [Kursk is a Russian region bordering Ukraine. Parts of it have been occupied by Ukraine since August]. For example, the following was reported about the 82nd Airborne Assault Brigade, which took part in last years southern counteroffensive and is considered an elite and one of the best equipped units.

On August 10, I found out that my acquaintance is in SZCh [unauthorized leaving of a unit]. They had to go to the Kursk [region], [and] he says that more than 40 people left everything and went home. He says: they gave me some dispatch letter, I looked at it and realized that its a one-way ticket. He doesnt live in the place [where he is officially registered], got a job, I dont know exactly how he got out, he doesnt really want to talk about it. He has a normal medical form, he was a sergeant in the army, by conscription. He was taken near the house, but he wouldnt budge, and then I learned that hes at home. [At first] Every day 1-2 people, and then, after they found out that they were going to Kurshchyna, many fled [] Im sorry, but I cant provide more information. I dont think he will want to either. Such are the times, a resident of the Khmelnytsky region told us on October 9.

Those sent to NATO training grounds are deserting en masse too. This is what a user named Ruslan wrote on September 13 in the open Telegram chat UFM for mutual aid in crossing the border.

The main thing is to have a foreign passport with you; 29 people left our battalion in Poland. Everything depends on the situation, at the first opportunity [they will flee], they are there for a month, there will be many chances. [They wear] Civilian clothes so that they dont take them. Most likely, they will soon tighten the screws in training centers abroad, or will stop transporting the caught elite stormtroopers there altogether too many want to get out of a foreign training center ) Now they are already transporting many times less for training abroad than at the beginning. And soon they will probably shut this down all together or will make some kind of bail, like in North Korea. These f**** earn money that Europe allocates, our battalion took everyone who wanted to go, after Poland they went to Germany for exactly one week. Recently, a law was passed [in Ukraine], according to which after the first SZCh you can return with a transfer to another unit, but they will immediately send you to slaughter, such laws are not attracting [more soldiers].

Our recent material Run away, guys, Ill be back! also tells the dizzying story of a Ukrainian who was captured as he was trying to cross the border, forcibly drafted, and then escaped from the training unit with the one he acquainted in captivity of border guards, managed to finally leave via the Carpathian Mountains and has received protection in Europe. Migrant smugglers also admit that, if previously deserters were rare among their clients, since about May, at least one fugitive military man has appeared in almost every group.

On August 20, Law No. 3902-IX was adopted; it came into effect on September 7. It allows soldiers to return to a unit after the first unauthorized leaving or desertion without any punishment. This has had consequences: the collapse of the defense in the Donetsk region within just a couple of months. The lack of motivated personnel and the loss of the ability to control the troops are an even more important reason for the surrender of settlements than the lack of weapons and ammunition. Due to the retreats, morale is declining ever more. With the fall of Ugledar a month ago (and the first public demonstration of those who left their unit at the front and returned to their region without permission), plus the fall of Gornyak and Selidovo at the end of October, the Ukrainian front in Donbass is falling not by the day but by the hour.

El Pais, one of the largest newspapers in Spain, wrote on October 21: The Ukrainian military on the Kurakhovo front claim that the number of troops has been sharply reduced, which is a worse obstacle than the need for more weapons. In addition to the unauthorized leaving of units and desertions, the newspaper mentioned that soldiers of the 116th Territorial Defense Brigade from the Poltava region refused to carry out an order in Kurakhovo (also in the south of Donbass) and that the brigade was transferred to Sumy. The British liberal establishments magazine The Economist notes in an article on November 7 about the same section of the front:

The worry now is less what is happening at the front lines than what it reveals about stresses behind them. Amid a breakdown of trust between society, the army and the political leadership, Ukraine is struggling to replace battlefield losses with conscription, barely hitting two-thirds of its target. Russia, meanwhile, is replacing its losses by recruitment with lucrative contracts, without needing to revert to mass mobilisation. A senior Ukrainian military commander admits that there has been a collapse in morale in some of the worst sections of the front. A source in the general staff suggests that nearly a fifth of soldiers have gone AWOL from their positions.

If the latter estimate is not inflated, this may be even more than our estimate of 170,000 fugitives from the military since February 2022 that we provided a month ago.

At the same time, if earlier the state usually resorted to beatings to drive civilians into the army, on October 24 it became known that it is Now also using mass violence against front-line soldiers. News about this was spread by relatives of fighters from the 210th Battalion of the 120th Territorial Defense Brigade from the Vinnytsia region. According to their relatives, the soldiers refused to die in the fight for Gornyak.

Based on the account of these women, on the night of October 24, the leadership of the 110th Mechanized Brigade arrived at the battalions location along with unknown armed persons in military uniform. The soldiers were ordered to immediately board a bus that had been brought in; when they refused, physical force was used and, in some cases, visitors reportedly shot at them. Some men were packed into buses and taken away in an unknown direction, others managed to escape. Those who were not caught by force were ordered to be transferred to Barvenkovo in the Kharkov region without permission to take leaves of absence to rest and recover. Not knowing where their male relatives are, the families of those serving in the 210th Battalion rallied in Vinnytsia. They were told to wait for information. The fate of those who escaped from there is unknown, too.

Acts of individual terror against the war and the state have become much less frequent with the US elections approaching (apparently due to the reluctance of many people to risk a long prison term when peace talks may begin soon). Nevertheless, on the morning of October 13, an enlistment centers employee in Poltava found a grenade tripwire at her gate, which is suspected of being the work of some local draft dodger previously had threatened to throw grenades at her. On November 5, news emerged from the Dnepropetrovsk region about civilian-clothed enlistment agents who wanted to mobilize a truck driver who had come to pick up his children. He fought them off and drove away, filming everything on his phone. Then they came to his home, demanding that he delete the footage. The man met them with a rifle and a Molotov cocktail  he managed to force them to leave by threatening to burn the car and shoot them. On September 26, two residents of the Ukrainian-Romanian borderland received each more than 3 years of imprisonment for hooliganism, having attacked enlistment servicemen and their vehicle with axes (traditional Hutsul weapon) on March 7. An image from a viral video of that attack has acquired cult status in Ukrainian anti-war circles.

This text was prepared on the eve of the 107th anniversary of the October Revolution, which was accompanied by the self-demobilization of the Russian army, which eventually led to Russias withdrawal from World War I. The collapse of the army accelerated so much that it actually dispersed and ceased to exist by the beginning of 1918. A bit later, the nationalist Ukrainian Peoples Republic also failed because its own troops did not want to defend it. Paradoxically, the rise to power of Trump, with whom many associate the expectation of an end to the US support for the agonizing dictatorship in Ukraine, might, in the end, save this regime from military defeat.
Boeing workers: tell us what conditions are like on the shop floor now that production has restarted. Fill out the form below: All submissions will be kept anonymous.

Boeing strikers on the picket line in Renton, WA.

Aerospace giant Boeing has begun issuing layoff notices as part of a previously announced plan to cut 17,000 jobs worldwide, the company announced Wednesday. The total cuts amount to 10 percent of its total workforce.

As previously announced, we are adjusting our workforce levels to align with our financial reality and a more focused set of priorities, Boeing told Reuters. We are committed to ensuring our employees have support during this challenging time.

These supposed financial realities are the result of management looting the company on behalf of its Wall Street shareholders. As of the companys September financial reports, the company has a total debt of $57.65 billion. In the 20 years from 1998 to 2018, Boeing paid out $61 billion in stock buybacks, equivalent to nearly 82 percent of its profits.

Most of these buybacks, around $43 billion, took place since 2013. The same period saw the company slash safety and quality standards to the bone, contributing to the massive scandal over the latest versions of its 737 airliners. Two 737 MAX 8 aircraft crashed in 2018 and 2019. Since then, Boeing aircraft experiencing serious safety problems have become a regular occurrence.

The current round of layoffs, which are slated to continue through Friday, come after a protracted strike against the corporation by its 33,000 machinists. The workers voted down two contracts brought to them by the International Association of Machinists (IAM) bureaucracy because they did not meet their demands of a 40 percent pay increase and the restoration of company pensions.

A third contract brought to workersbrokered with the help of the Biden administration and Acting Labor Secretary Julie Suwas only forced through after workers were starved out on the picket lines for several weeks on $250-a-week strike pay. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg threatened that any future contracts would be worse, not better.

There are also more layoffs to come. As one worker explained to the WSWS, The 17,000 layoffs are for salaried workers, which is managers and engineers. Some of them got notices already and more to come for them by Monday next week. As for machinists, nothing yet, but 10-12 percent is expected.

The biggest number of layoffs will start in our support, like PCO (parts handlers), toolroom, wire shop electricians and quality assurance. The rule we go by is the closer you are to the airplane, the less likely to get laid off.

I know WARN notices went out today and will continue to go out through Friday for salary employees. Right now I know first-line managers and customer quality service representatives got them yesterday.

I think its funny they think they are punishing us by not allowing us to work overtime for the next five weeks. They will change their tune in about two weeks and ask us to work. They are so far behind. They have a crap load of engines sitting on the factory floor that need to be installed. They want to deliver five 777s by the end of the year. Not gonna happen without overtime.

Layoffs also include machinists in St. Louis, where much of Boeings defense manufacturing takes place. According to one worker on social media, 111 people were just laid off from BDS IAM 837 St Louis. Some union members, but mostly people who were still on probation and not in the union yet.

The IAM bureaucracy also played a critical role in laying the groundwork for the layoffs. Reading the strike updates from the union heads during the strike, one would have no idea that layoffs were just around the corner.

In contrast, the Boeing Workers Rank-and-File Committee, founded to oppose sabotage by the IAM officials, warned in October that Boeing is retaliating.

It explained: The company is taking these measures because it feels confident in its position, for three reasons:

First, behind Boeing is Wall Street ... the company is a major linchpin of the American economy, including a major exporter, and the corporate oligarchy considers it too big to fail ...

Second, Boeing knows it has the support of the Biden-Harris administration. Boeing is a major defense contractor ...

Third, Boeing can count on the support of the union bureaucracy, which never wanted this strike in the first place.

These warnings are now being borne out in full. Boeing is determined to impose the cost of the strike, estimated at over $10 billion, onto the backs of workers themselves.

Now that the strike was shut down, the IAM apparatus is attempting to conduct damage control. It is telling that District 751 President Jon Holden stated in a press conference after the final contract vote totals were announced that, they need us to build them, before adding, I hope the company can reconsider.

One worker retorted on social media: Reconsider what, Jon? Theres a lot of chatter about them bleeding down to the IAM rank-and-file. Boeing knows about them. The IAM knows too. Did they negotiate better severance benefits? NOPE. Both were, and are holding out on you. Cant be messing with the plan to jam a contract up your a** right?

The worker concluded: The reality is, they are going to see who quits/retires after the bonuses are deliver[ed]. Then the axe begins to swing. And dont put it above Boeing to search out new and novel ways to accelerate the draw-down with terminations for cause.

Thanks to the agreement between Boeing and the IAM bureaucracy which ended the strike, that could be as simple as showing up for work a few minutes late thanks to Seattles traffic.

The alignment of Boeing, the rest of Wall Street, the IAM bureaucracy and the Biden administration against the interests of the workers make clear the need for new forms of struggle. As put forward by the BWRFC,

We are not just facing Boeing but an entire profit system that is bearing down on our strike with enormous force. That Boeing has had to raise so much cash testifies to the impact we have had, but now we must turn toward our natural allies in other sections of the working class and mobilize them as well. Good wages, a secure retirement and high safety standards are our rights and it is only through unifying with other workers can they be won.
Human Rights Watch said Thursday that Israel was carrying out a deliberate policy of ethnic cleansing through the forcible and permanent displacement of virtually the entire population of Gaza.

Palestinians gather to receive bags of flour distributed by UNRWA, the U.N. agency helping Palestinian refugees, in Deir al Balah, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024 [AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana]

Out of a pre-war population of 2.2 million, 1.9 million people have been forcibly displaced by Israels war of extermination, supported by the United States and other imperialist powers. The systematic and deliberate displacement of people has been accompanied by the systematic destruction of civilian homes in Gaza, with the aim of rendering the area uninhabitable.

In its 154-page report, titled Hopeless, Starving, and Besieged: Israels Forced Displacement of Palestinians in Gaza, Human Rights Watch documents the fact that the expulsion of the people of Palestine is based not on military necessity but the deliberate and publicly stated desire of Israeli authorities to displace the Arab population from Gaza in preparation for its annexation and settlement.

The report found that as multiple acts of forced displacement were carried out with intent, it amounts to war crimes. It revealed, Statements by senior officials with command responsibility show that forced displacement is intentional and forms part of Israeli state policy and therefore amount to a crime against humanity. It further concluded, Israels actions appear to also meet the definition of ethnic cleansing.

Summarizing the findings of the report, Human Rights Watch wrote:

From the first days of the hostilities, senior officials in the Israeli government and the war cabinet have declared their intent to displace the Palestinian population of Gaza, with government ministers stating that its territory will decrease, that blowing up and flattening Gaza is beautiful, and that land will be handed to settlers. In November 2023, Israeli Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Avi Dichter said, We are now rolling out the Gaza Nakba.

The report was based on interviews with 39 displaced Palestinians in Gaza, together with an in-depth examination of 184 separate Israeli evacuation orders.

The Israeli government cannot claim to be keeping Palestinians safe when it kills them along escape routes, bombs so-called safe zones, and cuts off food, water and sanitation, said Nadia Hardman, refugee and migrant rights researcher at Human Rights Watch.

Israel has blatantly violated its obligation to ensure Palestinians can return home, razing virtually everything in large areas, she continued.

The report has demonstrated that not only has Israel displaced the vast majority of the population of Gaza, it has destroyed virtually the entire infrastructure capable of supporting civilized life and is seeking to starve those Palestinians left alive:

... Israel has damaged and destroyed resources vital for the realization of human rights, including hospitals, schools, water and energy infrastructure, bakeries, and agricultural land, and has permitted only limited humanitarian access, which remains utterly insufficient to meet the essential needs of the population. As a result, Gaza is experiencing a humanitarian crisis. Children have died from malnutrition and dehydration, and as of October 2024, about 1.95 million out of Gazas 2.2 million people were projected to suffer catastrophic, emergency, or crisis levels of food insecurity, according to The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (a tool for improving food security analysis and decision-making). The report further states that the risk of famine between November 2024 and April 2025 persists as long as conflict continues, and humanitarian access is restricted.

The Human Rights Watch report systematically refutes the claims by the Netanyahu government that the population of Gaza has been repeatedly evacuated for their own safety and as a military necessity. The report demonstrated that Israeli officials are instead committing the war crime of forcible transfer, a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions and a crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

It concludes, Demonstrably, Israel has not evacuated Palestinian civilians in Gaza for their security, as they have not been secure during evacuations or on arrival at designated safe zones. Indeed, The Israeli military is also establishing what appear to be permanent buffer zonessecuritized and emptied areas of land between the Israeli and Gaza border where Palestinians will likely not be allowed to enter.

Horrifying as the reports allegations are, they are in fact out of date. Early last month, Israel launched a new offensive against northern Gaza whose aim is the total depopulation of the entire area. Under the so-called Generals Plan, Israeli officials have declared their intention to prevent food from entering the entirety of northern Gaza and to treat all of those who remain, now estimated at about 75,000 people, as enemy combatants.

This policy of forcible mass displacement is only set to intensify with the incoming Trump administration, which has promised to be even more aggressive in supporting the Netanyahu government than Biden. Trump has announced that he intends to appoint former Governor Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, an evangelical Christian Zionist, as ambassador to Israel, who has openly advocated the annexation of Palestinian territory.

There is no such thing as the West Bankits Judea and Samaria, Huckabee has said, using the biblical names for the territory. There is no such thing as settlementstheyre communities, theyre neighborhoods, theyre cities. There is no such thing as an occupation.

In a separate report released November 14, a UN committee concluded that The policies and practices of Israel ... are consistent with the characteristics of genocide.
This photo taken on Nov. 1, 2024 shows a Windrose truck undergoing a road testing in Sydney, Australia. (Windrose Technology/Handout via Xinhua)

HEFEI, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- With the advent of electric trucks, the global landscape of heavy-duty trucks has changed, and China has emerged as a competitive player, according to Han Wen, founder and CEO of Windrose Technology, a Chinese electric long-haul truck start-up.

In the past, the core technology of traditional heavy-duty trucks -- internal combustion engines -- was predominantly controlled by Europe and the United States. As a result, European and American markets were less inclined to choose heavy-duty trucks manufactured in China, said Han.

However, the landscape has changed with the advent of electric trucks. The essential components such as batteries, electric motors and electric drive systems, as well as intelligent driving, are areas where China excels, the CEO said, identifying his start-up as "the first Chinese truck company to have received orders from developed economies like Europe and the United States, as well as the first Chinese truck company to test on four continents."

China has boasted a burgeoning new energy vehicle (NEV) industry. According to official data, the NEV market share in China was just above 1 percent in 2015 but has since surged thanks to an expedited green transition of the Chinese economy.

The change of landscape in global heavy-duty truck sector is illustrated by recent inroads made by Chinese heavy truck manufacturers in expanding their global presence and cooperation.

Han said that Windrose Technology has established production facilities in the United States and Belgium, and it has obtained the world-manufacturing ID (WMI) in both locations. Deliveries in the United States will begin in the first half of 2025, and deliveries in Europe will start in the second half.

Windrose Technology has so far received orders from European countries such as Denmark, Belgium and France, as well as the United States and New Zealand. It is also planning to expand into the German market soon and to set up a factory in France producing truck parts.

So far, Windrose trucks have completed cross-regional and multi-route road tests in 14 countries and regions, including China, Europe, the United States and Australia.

In another development, Garrett Motion Inc. and China National Heavy Duty Truck Group Co., Ltd. (Sinotruk) signed a Letter of Intent to enhance cooperation on advanced technologies for electric commercial vehicles, aiming to jointly develop a leading next-generation electric powertrain for application in Sinotruk's product portfolio. They also aimed to join forces and start mass production of trucks equipped with this e-powertrain by 2027.

Sinotruk's heavy-duty trucks have enjoyed an extensive global market, particularly in Belt and Road partner countries. In 2023, it exported 130,100 heavy trucks, a 47 percent year-on-year surge. The company has made strides in the new-energy sector in recent years, developing pure electric, fuel-cell and hybrid heavy trucks.

Speaking of the reasons for choosing Chinese electric heavy-duty trucks, Han noted that when people purchase electric passenger vehicles, their personal preferences of brands, aesthetics and interior design weigh in their decision-making. However, when it comes to electric heavy-duty trucks, it is the sheer performance and functionality of the vehicles that matter.

For that reason, Chinese electric heavy trucks and electric buses, targeted at the business-to-business market, boast rosier export prospects, according to Han.

Windrose's electric heavy trucks surpassed their European and U.S. competitors with a range of up to 670 kilometers and lower energy consumption. Furthermore, its vehicles offer approximately 50 percent more interior space than traditional fuel-power trucks.

"Not only are we providing a cleaner truck, we are also providing a really cheaper truck," Han said in a previous interview.

Promoting a green shift in the auto industry is the trend going forward. The quest for emission reductions in large global businesses has created market demand for electric heavy-duty trucks, which is a boon for Chinese electric truck front-runners.

"Our clients are large global enterprises, such as Nike and Decathlon, who require the use of electric trucks for their global transportation operations. This provides us with the opportunity to deliver goods for them globally," Han told Xinhua. 

This photo taken on Sept. 30, 2024 shows a Windrose truck undergoing a road testing in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Windrose Technology/Handout via Xinhua)
BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- The decline in the prices of commercial residential homes in China's 70 large and medium-sized cities generally moderated on a month-on-month basis in October, official data showed on Friday.

In the country's first-tier cities, namely Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, new home prices edged down by 0.2 percent, narrowing from a 0.5-percent drop in the previous month, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Prices of second-hand homes in first-tier cities rose 0.4 percent in October, reversing a 1.2 percent decline in the previous month and marking the first increase in 13 months.

Second- and third-tier cities registered narrower drops in both new and second-hand home prices in October, the NBS said.

"Property market expectations further improved in October as home prices in Chinese cities either rose or declined at a slower pace month and month," said NBS statistician Wang Zhonghua. 
BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Shi Taifeng, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), has emphasized the importance of creating a suitable environment for intellectuals who are not Party members and people from emerging social groups to play a greater role in the country's development.

Shi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, made the comment during an inspection trip in the eastern Anhui Province from Wednesday to Friday.

Shi visited scientific research institutions, industrial parks and private enterprises to learn about non-Party intellectuals' role in enhancing China's self-reliance and strength in science and technology, and the building of a united front involving people from emerging social groups. He also learned about the development of new quality productive forces in the private sector.

He urged measures to further boost private entrepreneurs' confidence in development and encourage them to contribute to high-quality development.

Shi also met with local ethnic minority residents in Anhui, calling for efforts to build an ethnically integrated social structure and community environment to enhance exchanges and interactions among different ethnic groups. 
GUANGZHOU, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- In a breathtaking debut, two J-15T fighter jets and a J-15D electronic warfare aircraft took to the skies this week at the ongoing Airshow China, dazzling audiences with a stunning formation flight that showcased the combat potential of the carrier-based aircraft series.

Dubbed the "flying shark," the J-15 is China's first fixed-wing carrier-based fighter. The J-15 fighters unveiled at the airshow boast upgraded avionics and weapons systems, and a refined airframe structure, resulting in enhanced combat capabilities, said Cai Yongtao with the equipment department of the Chinese Navy.

The J-15 performed maneuvers including reverse command and buddy refueling at the opening of Airshow China. Officially known as the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, the airshow is scheduled for Nov. 12-17 in the southern coastal city of Zhuhai.

Reverse command refers to a specialized maneuver that carrier-based aircraft pilots use during landings, due to the limited size of an aircraft carrier deck, which is just one-tenth the length of a land runway.

The J-15T, which is capable of catapult launches and reverse command, has demonstrated its preliminary readiness for takeoff and landing operations on the Fujian aircraft carrier, said military expert Cao Weidong. "Once commissioned, the Fujian will rapidly attain combat capability through coordinated operations with the J-15T," Cao added.

The Fujian, China's first domestically designed and built catapult-equipped aircraft carrier, features a straight flight deck with electromagnetic catapults and arrestor gear. It completed its first sea trials in May 2024.

Buddy refueling conducted by the J-15 reflects a significant boost to Chinese aircraft carriers' long-range operational capacity, according to military experts.

Involving one aircraft refueling another of the same or similar type, buddy refueling greatly enhances the combat capability and operational radius of carrier-based aircraft.

Since its maiden flight on Aug. 31, 2009, the development of the J-15 has clocked up a number of significant milestones and achievements.

On Nov. 23, 2012, pilot Dai Mingmeng conducted the first arrested landing and ski-jump takeoff of the J-15 on China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, marking a breakthrough for the Chinese Navy in transitioning from land-based to carrier-based fighter operations.

After completing their foundational training, Chinese Navy carrier-based pilots began flying the J-15 over distant waters. In December 2016, the J-15, part of the Liaoning carrier fleet, engaged in exercises in the western Pacific.

Shortly afterwards, in January 2017, the J-15 conducted its first training in the South China Sea with the Liaoning, following takeoff and landing exercises in the Yellow Sea, the Bohai Sea and the East China Sea.

The formations of aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong carried out a dual-carrier formation exercise for the first time in the South China Sea in October 2024. During the drill, J-15 fighters flew in a wedge formation over the two-carrier groups.

The J-15 series, with its diverse variants and enhanced combat capabilities, has become the core force of the Chinese Navy's carrier groups. It stands as a testament to the Navy's historic transition from nearshore defense to far-sea defense.

In the display area of the airshow, military enthusiast Yang Yang from Chongqing stood in front of the J-15T. "I look forward to hearing about its successful takeoff and landing on China's first domestically-built catapult aircraft carrier, the Fujian," he said. 
BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- The captain of a fishing vessel from Taiwan, which was seized by the mainland for illegal fishing in July, has returned to the island on Friday after receiving punitive measures imposed by relevant authorities in accordance with the law, said a Chinese mainland spokesperson.

Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks in response to a media inquiry on the matter.

On July 2, the coast guard of Fujian Province seized the fishing vessel, which was suspected of illegally fishing in the no-fishing zone of waters off the province's city of Quanzhou during a fishing moratorium, Chen said.

Noting that the vessel's illegal operation had violated relevant laws and regulations, Chen said the law-enforcement actions taken by the mainland's coast guard and the law-based handling of the matter by relevant departments had effectively maintained the order in the fishing sector, safeguarded fishery resources and the ecological environment in relevant waters, and deterred illegal activities. 
Eva Longoria revealed this week that she and her family have moved out of the dystopian United States, now splitting theirvtime between Mexico and Spain.

I had my whole adult life here, Longoria told Marie Claire of the U.S. But even before [the pandemic], it was changing. The vibe was different. And then COVID happened, and it pushed it over the edge. Whether its the homelessness or the taxes, not that I want to shit on California  it just feels like this chapter in my life is done now.

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The Desperate Housewives actress cited the election as one reason for the finality of her conviction. The shocking part is not that he won, she said of Donald Trumps victory last week. Its that a convicted criminal who spews so much hate could hold the highest office.

If he keeps his promises, its going to be a scary place, she said. Longoria also took a second to recall Trumps 2016 win, when she said, Ive never been depressed in my life.

It was like, Does my vote really matter? Am I really making a difference? she says. I was so untethered to the core of what I believe because I truly believed in my soul that the best person wins. And then that happened, and I was like, Oh, wait. The best person doesnt win.

Longoria went on to acknowledge that she is privileged to be able to make the decision to move away. I get to escape and go somewhere, she said. Most Americans arent so lucky. Theyre going to be stuck in this dystopian country, and my anxiety and sadness is for them.

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The actress now lives with her husband, Jose Baston, and their son, 6-year-old Santiago, in Mexico and Spain. She often ends up elsewhere in Europe and South America for work but doesnt frequently return to Los Angeles.

Elsewhere in the profile, Longoria spoke about her upcoming 50th birthday. For me, age is just a number, but Im excited, she said. I refuse to believe my greatest success is behind me.

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By Nina Chestney, Francois Murphy and Dave Graham

LONDON/VIENNA (Reuters) -Russia told Austria on Friday it will suspend gas deliveries via Ukraine on Saturday, in a development that signals a fast-approaching end of Moscow's last gas flows to Europe.

Russia's oldest gas-export route to Europe, a pipeline dating back to Soviet days via Ukraine, is set to shut at the end of this year.

Ukraine has said it will not extend the transit agreement with Russian state-owned Gazprom in order to deprive Russia of profits that Kyiv says help to finance the war against it.

Moscow's suspension of gas for Austria, the main receiver of gas via Ukraine, means Russia will now only supply significant gas volumes to Hungary and Slovakia, in Hungary's case via a pipeline running mostly through Turkey. In contrast, Russia met 40% of the European Union's gas needs before Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said Gazprom's notice of ending supplies was long expected and Austria has made preparations.

"No home will go cold ... gas-storage facilities are sufficiently full," he told reporters.

Gazprom declined to comment.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, writing on X, said Russia's action showed it "once again uses energy as a weapon". But Austria, he said, would find a way to ensure energy security and "reject blackmail".

"The era of Europe relying on Russian gas is over," he said. Time to fully cut Russian energy profits -- and war funding."

OMV, Austria's biggest energy supplier, said it has been preparing for the eventual cut-off of Russian gas and can deliver gas to its customers by importing via Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.

Austria's gas imports from Russia will end following a contractual dispute between Gazprom and OMV.

In a notice published on the central European gas hub platform, OMV said Gazprom told it supply would stop on Saturday.

EUROPEAN COUNTRIES ADAPT

Gazprom's move may fan concerns in Austria about heating through the winter and served as Moscow's rebuke to its political class since the Russia-friendly Freedom Party was cut out of coalition talks after winning Austria's election in September, said Ulrich Schmid, a professor of Eastern European studies at the University of St. Gallen.

European and global gas prices spiked following a drop in Russian pipeline supplies in 2022 but some European countries found alternative sources, including liquefied natural gas from the United States. The U.S. has become the world's top gas producer and is expected to expand production.
Billionaire hedge fund mogul Ken Griffin is continuing his exodus from Chicago with the sale of his luxury penthouse at the No. 9 Walton condo tower, taking a staggering 44% loss on the deal.

Griffin offloaded the top two floors  the 38th and 39th levels  of the prestigious building for $19 million, well below the $34 million he paid in 2017, Crains reported.

This significant markdown underscores the struggles of Chicagos luxury real estate market and the broader economic consequences of what many, including Griffin himself, consider failed city governance. Griffins investment in No. 9 Walton once represented the peak of Chicagos high-end property boom.

Billionaire hedge-fund manager Ken Griffin has sold the top two floors of Chicagos No. 9 Walton condo tower for $19 million, marking a 44% loss from his 2017 purchase price of over $34 million. Positive Image Inc.

This sale is part of Griffins broader move to distance himself from Chicago, following the announcement of Citadels headquarters relocation to Miami in 2022 and previous sales of other properties, including a unit at the Waldorf Astoria. Positive Image Inc.

The No. 9 Walton units, comprising 15,000 square feet and luxury amenities, remain unfinished and were originally intended as a customized penthouse project that never materialized. Positive Image Inc.

In 2017, he made waves by purchasing four units inside for $58.75 million, setting a city record in the process  one of multiple real-estate records hes broken. He also made a deal with the developer to enlarge the penthouse. Griffin planned to combine these units into a customized, multi-floor aerie with 15,000 square feet of interior space, four terraces and a rooftop deck complete with a pool.

However, his project was never completed, and the units remain unfinished shells. The two other floors in the building remain unsold.

This sale is the latest in a string of moves that signal Griffins retreat from Chicago, which included recently selling his Waldorf Astoria residence for $10.2 million  about $3 million less than he paid for it.

His criticism of Illinois leadership has been clear, citing concerns over rising crime and ineffective policies.

The precipitous decline in the value of Chicago real estate represents just a small portion of the cost of us having elected poor political leaders, Griffin told The Post.

Griffins sale comes amid declining values in Chicagos luxury condo market and his criticisms of Illinoiss political leadership over crime and violence. Google Maps

The penthouse units boast a pool that remains unfinished. Positive Image Inc.

Despite this, Griffin has continued expanding his real estate investments in cities like New York, Miami and international locations TNS

This all comes as Griffin has decamped to his native Florida, where hes building a new base for Citadel.

The financial titans eyes are set on areas like Miami and Palm Beach, where his real estate ventures are thriving.

Griffins exit comes as Chicagos luxury condo market struggles; a recent report by @properties revealed a 9.1% drop in the median price for condos over $1 million.
When he had his chance, Cuban-born net maker Miguel Sanchez escaped his home country, jumping from a Cuban fishing boat aboard a ship heading to Canada.

The young law student escaped to start a new life, far away from Cuba and its oppressive dictatorship, the only member of his family to escape.

Sanchez left Havana abruptly on March 24, 1996, before heading to Canada, arriving in Nova Scotia on April 15, 1996.

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A year ago, after spending more than 20 years in Nova Scotia, he got a call to work at Reidar's Manufacturing on the New Bedford waterfront. His skills as a net maker were in demand.

Miguel Sanchez makes a loop at the end of a rope to be used in a new groundfish net he and his colleagues are making at Reidar's Manufacturing in New Bedford

Sanchez arrived in New Bedford to work at Reidars Trawl Gear and Marine Supply as a supervisor building commercial fishing nets and rigging, located at 9 Tarkiln Place. He signed on to work for them on a three-year contract.

He has been enjoying his time working there.

I have been working as a fishing net designer and work on all the activity for fishing there whether its rigging or anything they want me to do, he said.

From Cuba to Canada to the U.S.

Sanchez worked in Nova Scotia for more than 20 years for different fishing companies under the countrys International Mobility Program, teaching and working with wire rope, when he got the call to work at Reidars Trawl Gear.

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Being new to the city, Santos wanted to get to know the fishing community better and turned to the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center as a way to get involved.

Miguel Sanchez makes a loop at the end of a rope to be used in a new groundfish net he and his colleagues are making at Reidar's Manufacturing in New Bedford

Sharing his story

Reidars familiarity with the Fishing Heritage Center played a role in encouraging Sanchez to share his story as part of the new oral history project Casting A Wider Net exploring the stories of Cape Verdean, Vietnamese, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Guatemalan, and Salvadoran members of New Bedfords working waterfront.

When you love your work as Sanchez does, you want to pass on your skills to future generations. He fears that net-making and mending is becoming a lost art.

He's been eager to pass along his net making skills to teach his younger co-workers because he feels it's important for the future of the fishing industry. He also hopes that groups of children and other visitors to the Fishing Heritage Center will have an interest when they hear his story.

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While he has been working with the riggers in Reidars warehouse lately, his skills mending nets are still in demand, as Reidars has a large net making shop.

As soon as I get to netting again, I get happy," he said.

'Casting a Wider Net' exhibit at the Fishing Heritage Museum

"Casting A Wider Net," a new exhibit exploring the stories of Cape Verdean, Vietnamese, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Guatemalan and Salvadoran members of New Bedfords working waterfront in their own words, is opening to the public.

The exhibit opened Thursday, Nov. 14, on AHA! Night at the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center at 38 Bethel St. The exhibit will remain on display through May 31, then travel to locations throughout the community. Sanchez was looking forward to the opening of the exhibit for the opportunity to meet with the other contributors and learn about their backgrounds.

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This exhibit is the culmination of the FHCs Casting A Wider Net community oral history project, which was developed to collect and share the stories of communities of color that are an integral part of New Bedfords commercial fishing industry.

The project provided ethnographic training for nine people from those communities who led the documentation effort, conducting 14 interviews in English, Spanish, Kriolu and Vietnamese.

The resulting photographs, recordings, and transcripts will become part of FHCs archive and the NOAA Voices web-based archive and are the basis of the new exhibit.

ART: A new installation erected at Fishing Heritage Center. Here's what we know.

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center's new exhibit Casting A Wider Net will open Thursday, Nov. 14.

Further opening the net

The center's goal is for this pilot project to serve as a launchpad for future efforts to document the contributions of people of color in the fishing industry, and to build local capacity for people to tell their own stories in their own words.

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Making these stories more visible is an important part of the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Centers mission to tell the story of New Bedfords fishing industry past, present, and future.

More: New Bedford's fishing heritage is online, thanks to this archivist and 'history detective'

The exhibit will showcase videos, photographs, and quotes from the oral history interviews as well as links to the full interview transcripts.

Participants will have the opportunity to hear the voices of each person who was interviewed, view a scrapbook with photos of our interview narrators and their families, and write them messages in the exhibit guestbook.

'Casting a Wider Net' exhibit information

'Casting a Wider Net' exhibit runs from Nov. 14 to May 31 at the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center at 38 Bethel St., New Bedford. It is open Thursday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment.

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Standard-Times staff writer Kathryn Gallerani can be reached at kgallerani@gannett.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: the art of making fishing net at New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center
Atlanta travelers were up in arms after having to wait up to 20 minutes to leave a Delta Sky Club.

It was a Delta Sky Flub.

An airline VIP lounge might seem like a refuge from the hustle and bustle of the airport. However, that was not the case at a Delta Sky Club lounge in Georgia, where travelers had to wait an interminable amount of time to leave, per a Reddit post.

We as a human race have lost our way, griped the Redditor in the photo post, which showed a Disneyland-esque line to leave the lounge located at the T concourse in Atlantas Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

WTF idiot designed this thing? griped one Redditor while describing the line at the Sky Club (pictured). Reddit/r/delta

Staffers warned travelers that theyd have to wait 15-20 minutes to GET OUT of Sky Club, the flustered traveler explained.

Inside the Delta Sky Club at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Jeff Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

This human holding pattern was reportedly exacerbated by the fact that there was no stair access at this so-called airline oasis as its only allowed for emergencies, per the post.

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Apparently [the] city wont let them add another set of stairs or elevator, they lamented.

View From the Wing contributor Gary Leff analogized the Sky Club to the Eagles song Hotel California, which has the immortal line, You can check out any time you like. But you can never leave.

Reddit posters were similarly appalled by the log jam at the lounge.

Reminder to not use T skyclub. Luckily plane train means you have options, said one.

Another wrote, WTF idiot designed this thing? Its an airport  everything is about moving crowds efficiently.

Meanwhile found the predicament a Catch-22 given that these so-called airline oases are supposed to help harried travelers unwind.

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The whole point of lounges was to escape the throngs of the terminal, exclaimed one. Why bother if the lounge is just as bad or worse? Unless I am going intl with a long layover, I dont even bother much anymore.

Another armchair traveler found it crazy that there was no stair exit from that sky club, spluttering, Is that not a fire hazard?

There is a staircase only for emergencies (like a fire) so technically its within code, replied one commenter, to which another retorted, Missing my flight would qualify as an emergency!
Alcohols turn to a wide variety of ingredients for flavor. And especially in Europe, a common flavoring is anise. Whether it's the star anise fruit, or the seeds of the Pimpinella anisum plant, it's the contained herbaceous oil that melds with booze so well. Absinthe -- which needs to be drunk with a slotted spoon -- is an especially famed take on the style, but it's just the tip of the iceberg.

The range of anise spirits is further showcased by sambuca and ouzo. Although the two booze styles are defined by the inclusion of the aromatic spice, their other qualities are disparate. Sambuca is in the liqueur category; its character is defined by the large amount of sugar in its composition. Such a quality makes it fitting for a post-meal context, often enjoyed alongside coffee or in a mixed drink.

Meanwhile, ouzo's boldness manifests in a drier, more herbal manner. Most commonly diluted with ice, this drink bears a stronger resemblance to spirits. The boozy, yet pleasant flavor pairs well with savory foods, making it a favorite drink before dinner. There are specific contexts -- and delights -- to each, so it's worthwhile to procure a bottle of both for the liquor shelf.

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Read more: 13 Types Of Beer Glasses And When To Use Them

What Is Sambuca?

Italian sambuca bottles with Ramazzotti label - Ralf Liebhold/Shutterstock

Hailing from Italy, sambuca is an anise-flavored liqueur, meaning it's heavy on both sugar and herbal flavors. Clear in color, the bottle may seem to blend in along with other alcohols, but it offers an especially pungent taste. The majority of its flavor is derived from either star anise or green anise seeds. These notes are then complemented with variable spice additions like cloves, fennel, cinnamon, coriander, elderflower, and dill extract. The palate typically turns dominantly licorice-like, but with occasional spice and heat in the background. And there's still enough booze to still inspire a burn: The liqueur runs 38% abv.

Due to the contained anise oil, the sambuca turns opaque, a quality that can be advantageous to imbue drinks with a nice hue. And its usability in mixed cocktails is furthered with the viscous nature, making it malleable like other liqueurs. As a result, sambuca is consumed in many contexts: on its own, alongside coffee (with which it melds especially well), as well as neat in chilled format.

What Is Ouzo?

glass of ouzo held in hand with green olives - Marina Cavusoglu/Getty Images

Bold, herbal, yet sippable, ouzo is Greece and Cyprus's beloved anise-flavored spirit. Its distillation base is grape pomace -- a remnant of wine production, the ingredient similarly makes grappa different from other brandy. Yet in this liquor, the flavors of the fruit and spice produce a drink equal parts refreshing and strong. Rather than quickly downing, it's made to relish on ice at the start of the meal.

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Anise seeds are the most predominant flavoring, defining the liquor's licorice-like palate. It's this seed's oils that are responsible for ouzo's louche effect: the liquor's transformation to a milky white when mixed with water. And there are also often further flavors, which depend on the manufacturer. Distillers reach from an expansive array of spices like cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, coriander, peppermint, and star anise. Plus, plants like angelica root, ginger, fennel, mint, as well as mastic -- a tree resin -- are distilled into ouzo.

Despite such possible flavorings, most ouzos have a relatively similar taste. Anise, sweetness and spirituous notes dominate the palate, with the other herbal flavors working in complement. Nevertheless, ouzo distilleries craft secretive ingredient mixes, which slightly differentiate the spirit between bottles. The strength varies, too -- from 37.5% to 45% ABV. So, although nearly all ouzos provide a similar experience, there's nuance in the details.

European Union Regulation Controls Both Alcohols

Greek bottles of ouzo - Ralf Liebhold/Shutterstock

The two spirit styles hail from distinct Mediterranean cultures, with European Union regulation in place for each type. Sambuca's connected to Italy, but doesn't have geographic protection. Instead, there are legal parameters on the liqueur contents, like the inclusion of anise, at least 350 milligrams of sugar in a liter, and at least 38% ABV, as outlined in the Official Journal of the European Union published in 2008.

For ouzo, production is limited to exclusively Greece and Cyprus. The alcohol comes with two forms of regulated protection. First, there's the Protected Designation of Origin, which recognizes areas for ouzo production. Regional rights are further strengthened with Protected Geographical Indication, which serves to prohibit the sale of other alcohols with the ouzo label.

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The specifics of the ouzo liquor are overseen by Greek rather than European Union law. As outlined by the Greek Federation of Spirit Producers, ouzo must be at a minimum of 37.5% ABV, be crafted on a copper still distilling under 1,000 liters, and possess a maximum of 50 grams of sugar per liter. The spirit also comes with different substyles, which differ based on the initial pomace, added flavorings, and the distillation style. The European Union grants geographic indications to specific regions of ouzo production, like Macedonia, Thrace, and others.

The Two Drinks Are Consumed In Different Ways

shot of sambuca lit on fire with coffee beans - Stenko Vlad/Shutterstock

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As a traditional Greek drink, ouzo carries a designated ritual of consumption. Ouzo is enjoyed poured into a tall glass -- called a kanoakia -- combined with a small amount of ice for both dilutions, and to activate the opaque-coloring. Enjoyed as an aperitif rather than digestif, it's consumed alongside a diversity of meze, like grilled octopus, dolma, and fried saganaki cheese. The anise and boozy flavors complement the food, so it's rare to mix ouzo with other ingredients. Some might mesh the anise notes with lemon and mint, but ouzo isn't generally found in a cocktail context.

Sambuca's also often enjoyed neat, analogously served over ice to inspire cloudiness. As opposed to ouzo, it's designated after a meal, oftentimes alongside dessert and shots of espresso. Its complementing nature with coffee is evinced by a ritual called sambuca con la mosca -- translated to with the fly -- which entails several coffee beans placed in the glass.

Furthermore, sambuca is employed in a range of delicious Italian-inspired cocktails. With its liqueur-like quality, sambuca meshes well with many spirits, making it a versatile bar cart addition. Its anise-forward flavor can emulate absinthe in a Sazerac, but with a lower alcoholic content. And the palate mingles with notes of fruit, meshing with everything from vibrant syrups to rum. Not to mention the sambuca's sweetness can shine in a dessert setting, adding a boozy twist to everything from fruit to a milkshake.

Read the original article on Chowhound.
GABORONE, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Botswana recorded a case of the Omicron XEC subvariant of COVID-19 early this month, an official has confirmed.

Christopher Nyanga, spokesperson for the Botswanan Ministry of Health, said on Thursday that the subvariant, which has already been detected in 43 other countries across the globe, was discovered through routine genomic sequencing efforts.

"The case involved a tourist who has since been transferred to South Africa for further care," Nyanga said, noting that it is an isolated imported incident without any signs of an outbreak.

In accordance with global health protocols, the spokesperson said investigations and contact tracing were conducted but yielded no additional cases.

According to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the XEC variant is a subvariant of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain, first reported in May 2024. 
Thanksgiving leftovers may be even better than the main meal itself, but not when the turkey gets dry and flavorless. Make sure your tender turkey sandwich dreams live on with a helpful tip from Bryan Ogden, Executive Chef at Bourbon Steak New York. "Store leftover turkey submerged in the gravy," he told Food Republic. "It will be more flavorful and will not dry out."

Simply separate the turkey from the bones and skin, and stir the meat together with any leftover gravy you have. The liquid reintroduces moisture to the meat that may have been lost, and keeps that juiciness locked in. And since gravy is packed with all those deep savory notes we know and love, your leftover turkey dishes will be a lot tastier, too.

Along with the gravy, consider pouring in any drippings from the bottom of the turkey platter before taking the whole thing to the fridge. On the other hand, if you do not have enough gravy left over, supplement it with a bit of broth, stock, or creamy condensed soup that you may have laying around from other Thanksgiving dishes. Both turkey and gravy will last in the refrigerator for three to four days.

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Read more: 30 Essential Cured Meats To Know

How To Use Leftover Turkey And Gravy

Turkey pot pie with toasted bread crust - from my point of view/Shutterstock

Bryan Ogden also recommends reheating turkey meat in gravy, which will create a moist and tender result that is perfect for incorporating into all sorts of recipes. If your turkey a bit too saucy for certain applications  like in a sandwich or slider  simply lift it out of the gravy with a slotted spoon and use the extra for dipping. However, all that gravy goodness is best left intact for a melty Thanksgiving leftover turkey cheesesteak.

You can use this turkey in gravy as an easy base for soups and stews, or make a shortcut turkey pot pie. Simply mix in some leftover veggies or a bag of frozen vegetables, and place the mixture in a baking dish. For the crust, you can top it off with uncooked pie dough or that tube of leftover biscuit dough that you didn't end up using. Or, put those day-old dinner rolls, cornbread muffins, crescent rolls, or croissants to good use by tearing them up and using those as an easy one-ingredient pot pie topping.

Turkey and gravy also pair perfectly with leftover mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes for delicious and hearty one-bowl meals. Use the potatoes as a base, scoop on the saucy turkey, and dress it up with thinly-sliced scallions or fresh parsley for a little brightness. No matter how you decide to use it, when you store turkey this way, it will definitely be tender for the days to come.

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Read the original article on Food Republic.
When you think of Porto, Portugal, your mind likely drifts to its charming streets, historic wine cellars, and stunning riverside views. For me, travel is all about finding those special spots that blend a citys rich history with a little indulgenceand The Rebello Hotel & Spa nails it. This five-star gem mixes luxury with local charm, capturing the true spirit and old soul of Porto. Its set in a beautifully restored wine warehouse that once played a big role in the citys port wine trade, combining historic character with sleek, modern touches. From the moment my boyfriend and I arrived at the chic, contemporary location, we knew wed found the perfect home base to make the most of our quick visit and soak in everything Porto has to offer.

Checking In

Stepping into The Rebello, with the Douro River just behind us, felt effortlessly coollike uncovering a hidden gem. The moment you walk through the doors, youre greeted by a stunning mix of rich colors, textures, and carefully curated art and furniture crafted by Portuguese artists. Housed in a former port wine and kitchenware warehouse, the space seamlessly blends its industrial roots with modern sophistication, thanks to Spanish designer Daniela Franceschinis thoughtful touch. To my left, cozy lounge spaces filled with art and plush textures invited me to sink in, while to my right, a sleek restaurant caught my eye, tempting meand a chic curved bar promised well-crafted cocktails. With our room keys, refreshing lemon water, and The Rebellos curated city map in hand, I couldnt wait to explore our stylish retreatand Porto itself.

The Suite

Our One Bedroom Suite left us instantly saying, wow. The space was incredible, but the real star of the scene? The oversized balcony with sweeping views of the Douro River and the city's iconic Dom Luis I Bridge. It was the kind of view that instantly draws you inor should I say, invites you out.

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Inside, the suite felt like a chic home away from home. The bedroom featured a plush king bed, ample closet space, and an en suite bathroom with a luxurious rainfall shower and cozy robes that made it feel like our own mini spa. The fully equipped kitchen was a welcome surprise, complete with a coffee maker, oven, stove, and fridge. And the complimentary not-so-mini barstocked with local wines, craft beers, kombucha, and morewas the perfect finishing touch.

As if that wasnt enough, we were greeted with pasteis de natathe one thing Id been craving after our long travel day from Denver. Id been telling my boyfriend all day how it was the first thing I wanted to eat in Portugal, and here it was waiting for me, perfectly timed and perfectly delicious. Every detail felt thoughtfully curated to ensure maximum comfort and ease.

The Rebellos suites are designed to feel both elegant and welcoming, with spacious layouts that are ideal for solo travelers, couples, or even families. With just 103 suites, the property offers a range of accommodations, from studios to three-bedroom suites that can host up to six guests. Each features apartment-style comforts, making it easy to settle inwhether for a weekend or a longer stay.

The Spa

The hotel's Roman bath-inspired spa with its timeless elegance, has become a TikTok sensation for its Wes Anderson-style design. Wellness enthusiasts will find their bliss here at the Tranquility Lounge, with a semi-heated pool and sauna experience unlike anything else in Porto. Inspired by the Romanslovers of fine wine, good living, and luxurious bathsthe spa reimagines ancient rituals for the modern traveler. The menu offers everything from deep tissue and aromatherapy massages to jet lag treatments, anti-aging facials, and even out of hours treatments for those seeking privacy or extended pampering. For those with fitness in mind, The Rebellos gym facilities welcome everyone 24/7whether your goals are Olympic-level or simply staying active during your travels. Its all about finding your balance, your wayand we certainly found ours.

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The Rooftop

In the morning, we took our time savoring the gourmet breakfast at Pot and Pan, the hotels sleek dining area. Fresh pastries, local cheeses, and perfectly brewed coffee gave us just the right amount of energy to kickstart the day. Described by the property as hotel dining, how hotel dining should beI couldnt agree more.

Upstairs, the Bello Rooftop offers an entirely different perspective on Porto. One of the highlights of our stay was seeing the city from this vantage pointacross the river, in a way we wouldnt have experienced otherwise. The rooftops chic design, with its hunter green and rust orange accents, made it the perfect spot to relax with small plates and delicious cocktails. The DJ set the mood with vibey music, while we took in the sparkling river below and enjoyed the atmosphere.

The signature cocktails, inspired by the Seven Wonders of the World, are a must-try. Each drink blends iconic liqueurs and spirits from the respective countries with local fruits, herbs, and spicesan invitation to travel through flavor. With a mix of indoor and outdoor seating, plenty of couches for lounging, and tables for dining, the rooftop quickly became a place we didnt want to leave. My advice: reserve your spot early!

Checking Out

Although I hadnt yet visited Lisbon on this trip, I left Porto knowing it was a standout destination I couldnt wait to share with friends and family. Seriouslywhy isnt everyone heading to Porto?! And much of that excitement was thanks to The Rebello. Now that Ive been to Lisbon, I can confidently say that Porto has a more intimate vibe, with its narrow cobblestone streets, medieval architecture, and a pace that feels wonderfully laid-back.

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The Rebello Hotel & Spa really amplifies this experience, offering a luxurious base with stunning riverside views. Its the perfect spot for anyone looking to soak in culture and relax in one of Portugals most charming cities. Wine lovers will especially appreciate the hotel's proximity to the famous port houses of Vila Nova de Gaia, making it a prime location for exploring Portos legendary wine scene. The Rebello is the perfect launchpad for exploring not just Porto, but all of Portugal, and Im already dreaming of my next visit.
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Bored of the usual lump of cheddar? You could do a lot worse than swapping it out with a piece of Queijo de Ovelha Amanteigado, a soft, raw ewes milk cheese that was on Friday named 2024s winner at an annual contest to find the worlds best cheese.

This years World Cheese Awards  the largest since its inception in 1988  saw 4,786 cheeses from 47 countries assembled in the Portuguese city of Viseu to face the discerning scrutiny of 240 experts assembled from across the world.

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The cheese, produced by the tiny 10-employee Quinta do Pomar in Soalheira, Portugal, scored highest out of 14 finalists that included no fewer than five Swiss cheeses, plus entries from Brazil, the United States, Norway, Italy, Germany and Spain.

Made with vegetarian rennet created from thistles, the winner is described as a gooey, glossy, buttery cheese with a herby bitterness thats typically served by slicing off the top and spooning out the center.

Its quite balanced  voluptuous, Portuguese cheese exporter Manuel Maia, one of the international panel of jurors, said. It is a really sublime match of protein and fat. Its really a fantastic cheese.

The judging is a spectacle in itself. Following a performance by local drummers, teams of experts were assigned to 104 tables in the main hall at Pavilhao Multiusos de Viseu arena, each one groaning with around 40 cheeses of all shapes, colors, sizes, ages and textures.

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Gathering thousands of cheeses at room temperature under one roof inevitably produces an intense aroma. Its very punchy, is how John Farrand, managing director of The Guild of Fine Food, the contests UK-based organizer, described the atmosphere at the event.

Cheese odyssey

Many of the cheeses endured an odyssey to make it to the judging tables. To enable small producers to enter their wares, 20 collection points were established around the world in countries including India, Australia, Brazil, Colombia and Ukraine.

Inevitably, some cheeses travel better than others. Like this year, recent contest editions  notably when it was held in Spain in 2021 and Norway in 2023  saw local products crowned as the winner. Farrand said there might be a home advantage but stresses that the entries are judged blind. Usually, locals dont win.

Sonia Marroyo, on screen at left, is the cheesemaker responsible for this year's champion cheese. - Paulo Fernandes/Guild of Fine Food

Maybe its because the cheese is in its zone and has that terroir that makes the wine you buy on holiday taste much nicer when youre there, he told CNN. But Id like to make it clear that there are many years when a cheese from elsewhere has won.

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On Friday, teams of two or three judges on each of the tables were assessing every entry on appearance, feel, smell, taste and texture in the mouth. Each team selected four finalists in bronze, silver, gold and super gold categories  the latter were entered into the final cheese taste-off to decide 2024s winner.

Awards are also made for the best cheeses by country of origin and by style of cheese

Last year, the contest was won by Nidelven Bla, a creamy semi-solid blue old, cows milk cheese made by the Gangstad Gardsysteri creamery in Norway. In 2022, a Swiss Gruyere took the top prize.

While there are other international competitions, the World Cheese Awards claims to be the largest of its kind, attracting entries from large and small producers from across the planet. While the event is typically held in a different European country each year, the Guild of Fine Food says it hopes to stage it further afield at some point.

This year, 4,786 cheeses from 47 countries were assembled in the Portuguese city of Viseu for the competition. - Paulo Fernandes/Guild of Fine Food

Its a celebration of the world cheese community, said Farron. Any award is important, especially for small producers, as the world becomes an increasingly difficult place to move a cheese around.

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From the simplest point of view, its a benchmark across the planet, across 47 countries. And if youre a cheese maker, in a valley somewhere, with 12 goats, to get that seal of approval, that pat on the back, is great. And, of course, it will help them sell their cheese and stay in business.

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A burglar was taken into custody after he attempted to run after breaking into a Lincoln Park business with two others who got away, Chicago police said.

Shortly after 3:30 a.m. Friday, three people removed the front door of a business in the 2600 block of North Halsted Street, but responding officers arrived on the scene before they were able to go inside, police said.

Before the officers exited their vehicle, a gray Infiniti sedan crashed into the squad car, and fled south on Halsted. Two burglars fled in a second vehicle, possibly a Jeep, going north on Halsted. One of the burglars tried to escape on foot, but was caught and arrested at the scene.

Charges were pending and detectives were investigating.
The ascension of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime anti-vaccine activist, to the nations top health post has alarmed medical experts, who point to his history of trafficking in conspiracy theories as disqualifying to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

Kennedy, whom President-elect Donald Trump selected as health secretary on Thursday, will be charged with a massive portfolio overseeing Americans insurance, drugs, medical supplies and food if the Senate confirms him.

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He is one of the most prominent anti-vaccine activists in the United States and globally, and he has been at this for 20 years, said Peter Hotez, co-director of the Texas Childrens Hospital Center for Vaccine Development and dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.

Kennedys anti-vaccine beliefs and advocacy work prompted Hotez to write a book about his autistic daughter titled Vaccines Did Not Cause Rachels Autism, said Hotez, adding that he has spoken to Kennedy several times in the past about his views on vaccines.

Kennedys spokeswoman previously told The Washington Post that he is not anti-vaccine. When asked to respond Thursday to his history of false health claims, she pointed to Kennedys statement on X, thanking Trump for picking him and pledging to Make America Healthy Again.

I will provide Americans with transparency and access to all the data so they can make informed choices for themselves and their families, Kennedy wrote.

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Here are 10 false health claims Kennedy has publicly made over the years:

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Kennedy has falsely linked vaccines to autism

Kennedy, who founded a prominent anti-vaccine group, has repeatedly linked the childhood vaccine schedule to autism - a claim that has been debunked by scientists. Kennedy has falsely blamed autism on thimerosal, a compound safely used as a preservative in vaccines, and decried the number of shots on the childhood vaccination schedule.

I do believe that autism does come from vaccines, he said last summer in an interview with Fox News host Jesse Watters.

In 2015, Kennedy equated vaccination to the Holocaust at a California screening for an anti-vaccination film: They get the shot, that night they have a fever of 103, they go to sleep, and three months later their brain is gone, he said. This is a Holocaust, what this is doing to our country.

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Because signs of autism may appear around the same time children receive the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, some parents mistakenly link the two events. Vaccine safety experts, including those at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics, agree that the MMR vaccine is not responsible for recent increases in the number of children with autism.

A 2004 report by the Institute of Medicine concluded there is no link between autism and vaccination. Dozens of studies published in prestigious, peer-reviewed journals have also disproved the notion that the MMR vaccine causes autism.

Hotez and many other public health experts say they worry that Kennedy, as health secretary, will do irreparable harm to already declining confidence in vaccines.

Hotez pointed to the fivefold rise in pertussis, or whooping cough, in the past year; the 16 measles outbreaks reported by the CDC so far this year, compared with four in 2023; and the detection of polio in New York in 2022.

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So our baseline is a fragile vaccine ecosystem that could be on the brink of collapse, Hotez said. I worry that now with this appointment, that could actually happen.

- - -

Kennedy falsely called the coronavirus vaccine the deadliest vaccine ever made

At a 2021 state House hearing on a Louisiana Department of Health proposal to require schoolchildren to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, Kennedy proclaimed the vaccine to be the deadliest vaccine ever made. Health officials say the coronavirus vaccines are safe and effective, saving millions of lives.

At the time, Louisiana State Health Officer Joseph Kanter condemned Kennedys remarks as the intentional spread of health disinformation. Kanter is now chief executive of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, which represents public health agencies across the country.

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Asked by The Post last year about his previous comments, Kennedys spokeswoman stood by his remarks in an email that repeated misleading statements about childhood vaccines.

- - -

Kennedy promotes raw milk, stem cells and other controversial or debunked medical treatments

There is a reason milk is pasteurized.

Raw milk is unsafe to consume, and the Food and Drug Administration and the CDC have strongly advised against consuming it because it can contain dangerous bacteria, such as salmonella, E. coli and listeria. It can also contain viruses, including the H5N1 bird flu virus that is causing an outbreak in dairy cattle and has sickened at least 46 people in the United States. Unpasteurized milk from infected cows can contain high levels of infectious H5N1 virus.

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Stem cells, which have shown great promise for potential medical treatments, have also spawned a cottage industry of clinics marketing unproven treatments - some of which have blinded patients.

Paul Knoepfler, a professor of cell biology and human anatomy at the University of California at Davis who tracks questionable stem cell treatments, told The Post he is concerned Kennedy could become an ally of unproven stem cell clinics that have popped up across the United States, potentially exerting pressure on the FDA to back off enforcement actions and allow therapies that are not ready for clinical trial.

- - -

Kennedy argues government employees have an interest in mass poisoning the American public

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The agency, the USDA, the FDA have been captured by the industries theyre supposed to regulate, and they all have an interest in subsidies and mass poisoning the American public, Kennedy told Fox News in August.

Kennedy has repeatedly spoken about wanting to eliminate industry interests from the government, but public health experts say it is slander to imply that government employees are purposefully harming Americans.

Thats just an inflammatory statement that has no basis in reality, Hotez said. Ive worked with the scientists at the [health] agencies, at CDC and FDA, at the National Institutes of Health, and they are the most dedicated civil servants the nation has ever seen.

- - -

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Kennedy has falsely linked antidepressants to mass shootings

Kennedy has suggested mass shootings committed by young people are spurred by antidepressants and video games. Federal scientists need to be studying shootings to see if there is connections to some of the SSRI [antidepressant] and psychiatric drugs people are taking, whether there is connections to video games, he told Turkish state-owned TRT World in January.

The suggestion that antidepressants are linked to mass shootings has been amplified by right-wing figures such as Marjorie Taylor Greene and Tucker Carlson. But experts caution there is no credible research linking antidepressants to mass shootings. Studies show only a small percentage of mass shooters were taking medications or suffering from serious mental illness when they committed the crimes.

- - -

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Kennedy incorrectly suggests AIDS may not be caused by HIV

Kennedy has repeatedly - and falsely - suggested that the human immunodeficiency virus is not the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The discovery of the connection between HIV and AIDS garnered a Nobel Prize in 2008 and is established science.

They were doing phony, crooked studies to develop a cure that killed people without really being able to understand what HIV was, and pumping up fear about it constantly, not really understanding whether it was causing AIDS, Kennedy said in an interview last summer with New York Magazine.

In his 2021 book, The Real Anthony Fauci: Bill Gates, Big Pharma, and the Global War on Democracy and Public Health, Kennedy wrote that he takes no position on whether HIV causes AIDS - then dedicated many pages to casting doubt on the science.

- - -

Kennedy falsely argues childrens gender identity can be impacted by water

Kennedy has repeatedly argued that chemicals in the water are changing childrens sexuality and gender identity.

I want to just pursue just one question on these, you know, the other endocrine disrupters because our children now, you know, were seeing these impacts that people suspect are very different than in ages past about sexual identification among children and sexual confusion, gender confusion, he said on his podcast in 2022, according to CNN.

Experts say there is no scientific evidence to back up Kennedys claims, which have also been spread by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.

Thats just leaning into the fear that hormones are going to make our kids gay or transgender. Its a very old conspiracy theory, said David Gorski, a Wayne State University professor of surgery and oncology and managing editor of Science-Based Medicine, which debunks misinformation in medicine. That has no basis in evidence.

- - -

Kennedy has falsely touted ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine as effective covid treatments

Kennedy falsely claimed in a July interview last year with Fox News that fewer people would have died of covid-19 if the United States had deployed ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine. Multiple studies have concluded that the antiparasitic and antimalarial drugs are ineffective against covid-19, despite the promotion of the drug by right-wing media.

We racked up the highest death count in the world. We only have 4.2 percent of the globes population, but we had 16 percent of the covid deaths in this country, and that is  that was from bad policy. Theres  countries that did the opposite of what we did - that provided ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, other early treatments to their populations - and had 1/200th of our death rate, he told Watters, the Fox host.

The FDA has approved ivermectin for treating some parasitic infections, head lice and skin conditions such as rosacea - but not for the coronavirus.

In spring 2020, the FDA authorized the emergency use of hydroxychloroquine, an antimalarial drug, to treat the coronavirus. But less than three months later, the agency withdrew the drugs authorization because the medications were unlikely to be effective.

- - -

Kennedy argued that covid-19 was ethnically targeted to spare Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese people

Covid-19. There is an argument that it is ethnically targeted. Covid-19 attacks certain races disproportionately, Kennedy said in a video recorded by the New York Post last July. Covid-19 is targeted to attack Caucasians and Black people. The people who are most immune are Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese.

There is no scientific basis to these claims. Scientists and politicians have widely decried Kennedys remarks as racist and antisemitic.

- - -

Kennedy claims 5G high-speed wireless network is used to control our behavior

Kennedy has claimed that 5G high-speed wireless network service is being used to harvest our data and control our behavior. His claims echo long-running conspiracy theories that 5G technology causes harmful effects on health.

During the pandemic, governments in the United Kingdom and the United States issued assurances that the technology was not fueling the coronavirus. Experts have dismissed fears of detrimental health effects, pointing out the technology is no different than existing networks.

- - -

Rachel Roubein contributed to this report.

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Gov. Jay Inslee speaks to members of the press on Jan. 4, ahead of the 2024 Washington state legislative session. (Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is warning of a budget deficit in excess of $10 billion and calling on state agencies to pare spending now to deal with it.

A Nov. 8 memo from Inslees budget director cited rising costs, increasing demand for public services and lower-than-expected tax collections for a projected operating budget shortfall between $10 billion and $12 billion over the next four years.

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Cuts are needed to balance the spending plan Inslee will release next month for the 2025-27 biennium.

The Governors operating budget will prioritize continuing essential programs and addressing caseload increases, while not expanding existing programs and services, Pat Sullivan, director of the Office of Financial Management, wrote in the memo.

Transportation budget projections also have trended down for several forecasts creating a situation where revenues are not covering current commitments, Sullivan said.

Sullivan directed cabinet agencies to submit cost-saving options, like hiring freezes and pausing or delaying programs, by Friday, Nov. 15. And he urged presidents of higher education institutions and separately elected officials to undertake a similar exercise.

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At least two agencies  Department of Social and Health Services and Department of Transportation  imposed hiring freezes, with exceptions for some essential posts.

Sullivan warned of tough fiscal choices ahead following release of the September revenue forecast but declined then to quantify the amount of the projected deficit.

Another forecast is coming out next week. That will give Inslee a final piece of information for the budget proposal he will release in December. It will serve as a template for lawmakers and Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson when they write spending plans in the 2025 session.

Its going to be a challenge, said Sen. June Robinson, D-Everett, chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and the chambers lead budget writer.

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They are not overstating it, she said of the projected deficit amount. Because of the magnitude, were going to need to look at a range of options.

Asked if the options included spending cuts and new revenue, she said yes.

The current two-year operating budget is about $72 billion.

The deficit spans the next two budget cycles. It represents the difference between the anticipated costs of current and promised services and programs and the projected amount of revenue that will come in to pay for them. Put another way, state agencies need $10 billion to $12 billion in additional funding to maintain current programs and services.

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Senate Minority Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, estimated the cost of maintaining the current level of services in the 2025-27 budget will drive base spending for the biennium to roughly $76 billion.

While the deficit is a big number, it is not an unmanageable number, he said. I have absolute confidence we can deal with this without new taxes and can live within our means.

Ferguson and his team are aware of the letter and the governors staff will be briefing them in the coming weeks, according to an Inslee spokesperson.

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The state Department of Social and Health Services implemented a hiring freeze with exemptions for staff in essential and direct care positions. They also put a hold on new equipment purchases, as well as contracts and travel not already approved.

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The state Department of Transportation also froze hiring. There are exceptions for jobs like Washington State Ferries crews and winter maintenance.

While we have not been directed to do this, it is one logical step we can take to slow our spending while the transportation budget is contemplated during the legislative session, said Kris Abrudan, acting senior director of external relations for the transportation department.

Education is the single largest component of the budget and Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal requested an increase of nearly $3 billion for public schools in the next budget. A third of that is to fully fund special education.

These types of exercises from OFM are not uncommon, Katy Payne, OSPI chief communications officer, wrote in an email. While there are always competing priorities and limited resources, the state has both federal and state level obligations it must meet in order to ensure all Washington students receive the high-quality public education that they are constitutionally owed.

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An 11-year-old from Virginia who was accused of making threats to local schools has been sentenced.

Deputies arrested the boy in July.

They said he made more than 20 bomb or shooting threats toward five different schools between May 14 and May 22.

Read: Sheriffs tough action leads to big reduction in school threats

The boy pleaded no contest to 46 felony and misdemeanor charges.

A judge ordered him on Thursday to be held in detention in Volusia County.

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Read: We will chase you down: law enforcement, school officials promise consequences for school threats

The judge said he could be placed in a high-risk program with counseling, mental health treatment, and continued education.

Then he will be allowed to return to Virginia under supervised release.

Read: Only on 9: Mother speaks out after her 11-year-old receives school shooting threats

He must also pay the sheriffs office more than $46,000 for the costs of the investigation and responses to the schools.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.




In a move that absolutely anyone could have predicted, President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet picks can generously be described as a band of weirdos.

Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

The short of it is that the Senate still has to confirm the appointments, though rejecting a President's appointee has been historically rare. Then again, Matt Gaetz is remarkably unpopular, so who knows!

Here are some of the people Trump thinks should be his closest advisers and the heads of federal agencies:

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1.Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Nominated for Secretary of the Health and Human Services Department

There's much we could say about Mr. Brainworm himself, but let's talk about Samoa. He notably led a nonprofit organization, Children's Health Defense, that spread anti-vaccine misinformation in Samoa that led to a decline in vaccinations. In 2019, 83 people  mostly children  then died of measles. He later said he had "nothing to do" with this. Kamil Krzaczynski / AFP via Getty Images

2.Matt Gaetz: Nominated for Attorney General

If this goes through, Matt will be a leader at the same department that previously investigated him over "allegations he violated sex-trafficking laws during a trip he took to the Bahamas with paid escorts." The House of Representatives also investigated him for alleged "sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and misuse of campaign funds," though he resigned before the report could be released. He has denied the allegations. Variety / Variety via Getty Images

3.Doug Collins: Nominated for Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Back in 2020, Doug annoyed a number of veterans when his campaign ads for the Georgia Senate reportedly violated Department of Defense policy by showing him in military attire without a clear disclaimer stating that the military does not endorse any particular candidate. The US military itself even had to reach out to him. Bloomberg / Bloomberg via Getty Images

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4.Dean John Sauer: Nominated For Solicitor General

Dean is one of Trump's lawyers and represented him in his Jan. 6 case "in which the Supreme Court ruled that presidents have immunity for 'official acts.'" He's also tried to overturn the $454 million judgment in the case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James gave Trump "in a case alleging pervasive fraud in his business empire," Politico reports. Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images

5.Tulsi Gabbard: Nominated for Director of National Intelligence

Beyond having essentially no experience in intelligence, Tulsi has been accused of trying to advance Russian interests. She previously (falsely) claimed that Ukraine had US-funded biological weapons labs, which Russia claimed as part of its justification for its invasion. In response, Mitt Romney said, "Tulsi Gabbard is parroting false Russian propaganda." Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images

6.Marco Rubio: Nominated for Secretary of State

In 2022, the Human Rights Campaign gave Marco 0 out of 100 on their Congressional Scorecard. As the organization's National Campaign Director Geoff Wetrosky put it, "Sen. Marco Rubio is one of the most anti-LGBTQ+ politicians in America and a threat to every LGBTQ+ person in Florida. He has a dismal voting record, supports restrictive abortion laws, and opposes marriage equality and nondiscrimination protections." Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

7.Dan Scavino: Nominated for Deputy Chief of Staff

Scavino first met Donald Trump as a 16-year-old caddy, and before he became the longest-lasting member of the first Trump administration, he managed one of Trump's golf courses. In 2022, a House committee voted to hold him in contempt for refusing to testify about the events of Jan. 6. However, the Justice Department chose not to prosecute him. Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images

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8.Stephen Miller: Nominated for Homeland Security Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy

Stephen Miller served in the last Trump administration, where he was known as the architect behind the Muslim travel ban and policies that led to the separation of children from their parents. Notorious for his vehement anti-immigration views, he has recently tweeted his intention to "turbocharge" a program that would strip citizenship rights from naturalized immigrants in 2025. Bloomberg / Bloomberg via Getty Images

9.Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy: Nominated for Department of Government Efficiency

Two men shaking hands; one wearing a

Person in a suit smiling while speaking at a podium during an event

Jim Watson / AFP via Getty Images, Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images

To allegedly streamline the government and cut waste, Trump has appointed these two weirdos to head a department that shares its unfortunate name with a meme from 2010 (and a cryptocurrency that Musk has often promoted).

Musk, the richest man in the world, has said he's serving as the new Trump administration's "first buddy." His company, SpaceX, has gotten billions of dollars in government contracts, he's currently being sued for sexual harassment by eight former SpaceX employees, and his Super Pac reportedly spent $200 million on Trump's reelection campaign.

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Ramaswamy is an entrepreneur and former Republican presidential hopeful. In 2023, he floated a plan to randomly fire all government employees whose Social Security Numbers end in odd numbers because what could go wrong? Full disclosure: Ramaswamy holds an activist stake in BuzzFeed and has pitched a plan for the company to pivot to video, featuring conservative commentators like Tucker Carlson.

10.Pete Hegseth: Nominated for Secretary of Defense

Hegseth is a Fox News commentator who previously served in the National Guard. When President Joe Biden was inaugurated in 2021, Hegseth was allegedly ordered by the National Guard not to attend due to his tattoo of the Jerusalem cross. This symbol, which Hegseth has tatted on his chest, is associated with the Crusades but has been adopted by far-right nationalists in recent years. Alexi Rosenfeld / Getty Images

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11.Mike Huckabee: Nominated for United States Ambassador to Israel

Former Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee has made the claim that Palestine doesn't really exist, calling Palestinians "a political tool to try and force land away from Israel." He has also called for a "one-state solution" to the war in Gaza and called himself an "unapologetic, unreformed Zionist." The Washington Post / The Washington Post via Getty Images

12.Kristi Noem: Nominated for Homeland Security Secretary

Best known for sharing that she personally killed her own dog in her memoir, Kristi Noem also shared the stage with former President Trump while he swayed awkwardly during an impromptu 39-minute DJ set at a campaign event gone bizarre. She's currently the Governor of South Dakota, where her claim that Native American tribes benefit from the illegal drug trade has her banned from every reservation in the state. Jim Watson / AFP via Getty Images

13.And finally, Lee Zeldin: Nominated for Environmental Protection Agency Administrator

When he served in the House of Representatives, Zeldin voted against protecting federal lands near the Grand Canyon from uranium mining, against replacing lead pipes that carry drinking water, and in favor of a bill that would allow the US to stop participating in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The League of Conservation Voters has given him a 14% scorecard on environmental issues. Andrew Caballero-reynolds / AFP via Getty Images

...So what do you think?
Lisa Larson-Walker/ProPublica

This story was originally published by ProPublica.

Series: Crackdown on Student Threats:Tennessees Harsh Punishment of Kids

More in this series

On the second day of school this year in Hamilton County, Tennessee, Ty picked out a purple bunny from hundreds of other plushies in his room. While his mom wasnt looking, the 13-year-old snuck it into his backpack to show to his friends.

It was the 10th anniversary of his favorite video game franchise, Five Nights at Freddys, and Bonnie the bunny is one of the stars. Ty has autism and Bonnie is his biggest comfort when he gets agitated or discouraged. No one other than Ty, not even his mom, is allowed to touch Bonnie.

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Ty was new to Ooltewah Middle School, located just east of Chattanooga. In class that morning, he told his teacher he didnt want anyone to look in his backpack, worried they would confiscate his toy, according to Ty and his mom. When the teacher asked why, Ty responded, Because the whole school will blow up, he and his mom recalled.

School officials acted quickly, Tys mom said: The teacher, who had only known Ty for one day, called a school administrator, who got the police involved. They brought Ty to the counselors office and found Bonnie in the backpack. As Ty stood there, he said, confused about what he had done wrong, the police handcuffed him and patted him down before placing him in the back of a police car.

I think they thought an actual bomb was in my backpack, Ty told ProPublica and WPLN. But he didnt have a bomb. It was just this, right here, he said, holding Bonnie. And they still took me to jail.

The sheriffs department issued a press release about the incident stating that police checked the backpack and it was found to not contain any explosive device. ProPublica and WPLN are using a nickname for Ty at his mothers request, to protect his identity because hes a minor. The sheriffs department didnt respond to questions about Tys case. The Hamilton County School district, which includes Tys school, declined to respond, even though his mother signed a form giving officials permission to do so.

Highlights From This Series

Sept. 25, 2024

Junior, an 11-year-old, is accused of making a threat at school, which he denies. Officials let him go home with his mom. Hours later, a deputy tracks him down at a family dinner at a LongHorn Steakhouse, cuffing him in the parking lot.

Aug. 8, 2024

Ty, a 13-year-old with autism, is arrested, charged with a felony and detained for telling a teacher not to look in his backpack because the school would blow up. Ty later explains that he was trying to protect the stuffed bunny inside.

September 2023

Lee, a 10-year-old fifth grader in East Tennessee, is accused by fellow students of pointing a finger gun. The school expels him for a year for making a threat of mass violence.

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Tys arrest was the result of a new state law requiring that anyone who makes a threat of mass violence at school be charged with a felony. The law does not require that the threat be credible. ProPublica and WPLN previously reported on an 11-year-old with autism who denied making a threat in class and was later arrested at a birthday party by a Hamilton County sheriffs deputy.

Advocates had warned Tennessee lawmakers during this years legislative session that the law would be particularly harmful for students prone to frequent outbursts or disruptive behavior as a result of a disability.

Lawmakers did include an exception for people with intellectual disabilities. And according to Tys mom and a school district psychological report, Ty has an intellectual disability as defined by Tennessee statute, in addition to autism. But the familys lawyer said there is no evidence that law enforcement took that into consideration  or even checked to see if Ty had a disability  before handcuffing and arresting him.

The law doesnt state how police should determine whether kids have intellectual disabilities before charging them. Rep. Cameron Sexton, the Tennessee House speaker and Republican co-sponsor of the law, said Tys case shows that there may need to be more training and resources for school officials and law enforcement.

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Rep. Bo Mitchell, a Nashville Democrat who co-sponsored the law, said he hoped the exception for kids with intellectual disabilities would be enough to keep students like Ty from being arrested. No one passed that law in order for a child with any type of disability to be charged, he said.

But he said the law was still necessary to help prevent hoax threats that disrupt learning and terrify students. I dont know whose level of trauma is going to be the greatest: the kids in the classroom wondering if theres an active shooter roaming their halls or a kid that didnt know better and says something like that and gets arrested, Mitchell said. Its a no-win situation.

The state does not collect information about how the felony law, which went into effect in July, has applied to kids with disabilities like Ty. Data from Hamilton County provides a limited glimpse. In the first six weeks of the school year, 18 kids were arrested for making threats of mass violence. A third of them have disabilities, more than double the proportion of students with disabilities across the district.

Before the academic year began, Tys mom sent an email to school officials asking for their help to make her sons transition to eighth grade as smooth as possible.

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Tys specialized education plan states that he is social and friendly with other students but regularly has outbursts and meltdowns in class due to his disability. He struggles to regulate his feelings when asked to follow classroom guidelines and to understand social situations and boundaries.

Federal law prohibits his school from punishing him harshly for those behaviors, since they are caused by or related to his disability. But Tys principal later told his mom in an email that Tennessees threats of mass violence law requires school officials to report the incident to police.

When Tys mom got the phone call that her son was going to be arrested, she said it was her worst fear come true: Her sons autism was mistaken for a threat. Once you looked at his backpack, if there was nothing in there to hurt anyone, then why did you handcuff my 13-year-old autistic son who didnt understand what was going on and take him down to juvenile? she said.

Disability rights advocates said kids like Ty should not be getting arrested under the current law. And they tried to push for a broader exception for kids with other kinds of disabilities.

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In a meeting with Mitchell before the law passed, Zoe Jamail, the policy coordinator for Disability Rights Tennessee, explained that the legislation could harm kids with disabilities who struggle with communication and behavior  such as those with some developmental disabilities  but arent diagnosed with an intellectual disability. She proposed language that Mitchell and other sponsors could include in the law, to ensure children with disabilities were not improperly arrested.

No student who makes a threat that is determined to be a manifestation of the students disability shall be charged under this section, one version of the amendment read.

The amendment was never taken up for a vote in the state legislature. Lawmakers passed the narrower version instead.

I think it demonstrates a lack of understanding of disability, Jamail said.

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Sexton, the Republican House speaker, said kids with disabilities were capable of carrying out acts of mass violence and should be punished under the law. I think you can make a lot of excuses for a lot of people, he said.

Ty still doesnt fully grasp what happened to him, and why.

On a recent morning in October, Ty turned the stuffed bunny toward his mom and asked, Is he the reason why I cant bring plushies anymore?

Tys mom told him the reason is because he didnt ask first. You cant just sneak stuff out of the house, she said.

Will I get in trouble for that? he asked her.

Yeah, absolutely, she said. You want them to possibly think its another bomb and take you back down to kiddie jail?

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No, he said, emphatically.

After the incident, Tys middle school suspended him for a few days. His case was dismissed in juvenile court soon after.

The principal told Tys mom in an email that if Ty said something similar again, the school would follow the same protocol. She decided to transfer him out of Ooltewah Middle School as soon as she could.

Whenever we go past that school, Tys like: Am I going back to jail, mom? Are you taking me back over there? Hes for real traumatized, she said. I felt like nobody at that school was really fighting for him. They were too busy trying to justify what they did.

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Mitchell, the Democratic representative, said he was heartbroken to hear that Ty was handcuffed and traumatized. But, he added, were trying to stop the people who should know better from doing this, and if they do it, they should have more than a slap on the wrist. He said he would be open to considering a carve-out in the law in the upcoming legislative session for kids with a broader range of disabilities.

But, he said, he believes that the law as it stands is making all children in Tennessee, with or without disabilities, safer.
KIGALI, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Marburg virus disease outbreak in Rwanda is showing signs of containment since the first case was reported, a senior official said Thursday.

Rwandan Minister of Health Sabin Nsanzimana made the remarks during a virtual weekly media briefing on the multi-country mpox outbreak in Africa and the Marburg virus disease outbreak in Rwanda, alongside officials from the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

Since the outbreak began, Rwanda has confirmed a total of 66 cases and 15 fatalities, Nsanzimana said. The number of recoveries has risen to 51, while testing efforts have been intensified, with over 7,400 tests conducted.

Nsanzimana said that vigilant monitoring of survivors is ongoing, along with close observation of caves where fruit bats, which are linked to the outbreak, reside.

He said that the Marburg virus disease outbreak in Rwanda has been brought under control, with no new cases reported in almost two weeks and no deaths recorded in a month. All patients treated for the virus have been discharged as the treatment center was closed.

Nsanzimana said the case fatality rate had been maintained at 22.7 percent, which is relatively lower compared to previous outbreaks in the region.

At the same media briefing, Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya discussed the ongoing situation with mpox and Marburg. He noted that experts from the emergency consultative group concluded that mpox is not yet under control and emphasized the need to use data to build momentum for a decentralized testing system in Africa and support local manufacturing.

On Nov. 9, the recommended 42-day countdown to declare the end of the Marburg virus disease outbreak in Rwanda began, following confirmation that the last patient tested negative for the virus by polymerase chain reaction.

Rwanda has reported no new confirmed cases since Oct. 30, and the last Marburg-related death was recorded on Oct. 14. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the outbreak will only be declared over if no new infections arise during the 42-day countdown.

The Marburg virus, a highly infectious pathogen with a fatality rate of up to 88 percent, causes hemorrhagic fever and belongs to the same virus family as Ebola, according to the WHO. Symptoms typically appear within a week of exposure and include high fever, severe headache and general malaise. 
Community Medical Center pictured on January 17, 2021. ( Photo by Tommy Martino)

More than a dozen women who said they were sexually assaulted by a doctor at a Missoula healthcare center said theyve begun the process of suing Community Medical Center by going through the Montana Medical Legal Panel, a necessary step before suing the hospital.

That panel, established more than 50 years, is non-binding and confidential and one of the steps that the plaintiffs must complete to fully bring a case against the healthcare center.

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Kasodie West, an attorney with AVA Law Group, said that shes representing 20 women who claim they were victimized by Dr. Tyler Hurst, a now-former emergency department physician. She said that for years, women tried to complain and notify officials at the hospital about Hursts behavior, but it was ignored until 2024.

West said that Hurst, who is also awaiting trial on seven counts of criminal sexual assault, would victimize women by first attending to them with a nurse or other staff member present, but would circle back, often locking the door, and then sexually assault them. West said it would fit a pattern of abuse by preying on women who were Native American or those who had struggled with addiction, telling several of them who confronted him that no one would believe them.

Clearly nothing was done, West said. Some called, some wrote letters, but they never received a response. I dont know why they were protecting him.

Megan Condra, the director of communications for Community Medical Center, said it had not seen the specific allegations, and said the hospital is fully cooperating with investigations centered on Hurst.

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When Community Medical Center was notified earlier this year of a patient allegation regarding Dr. Tyler Hurst, an independent physician, we immediately removed Dr. Hurst from the facility. We have zero tolerance for inappropriate conduct towards our patients, Condra said in a statement to the Daily Montanan. To the extent the allegations against Dr. Hurst are true, he took advantage of the trust placed in him by our patients, our staff members and our community. When a predator evades policies and procedures and takes advantage of the access they gain in healthcare settings, they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We are fully cooperating with those efforts, and our team continues to work closely with all relevant agencies to ensure full accountability.

West said that as time went on, Hursts actions became more bold and aggressive. For example, he would perform a breast exam on a woman who came in with ankle pain, or prescribe a large dose of pain medication before touching a woman.

He would tell them that no one would believe them because they were a drug addict or an Indian, West said.

West said that the women also tried reporting the incidents to staff members, including the human resources department, but often were thwarted because the person they needed to speak with was never available or would not call back. West said that the pattern shows Community Medical Center tried to avoid dealing with knowledge that Hurst was acting inappropriately and illegally.

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Its possible that CMC Hospital exhibited blatant negligence not only in failing to take decisive action after multiple complaints were raised against Dr. Hurst, but also in choosing to retain him in their employment, West said. By overlooking these repeated allegations and allowing to continue practicing, CMC and its private equity-backed owners, may have demonstrated a profound disregard for patient safety and well-being.

The complaint will now move to the Montana Medical Legal Panel. That board will make a determination, but the result will be kept confidential and is not admissible in court. Nevertheless, West said that such a panel serves as an obstacle to dissuade victims from taking on large healthcare providers or doctors.

These proceedings  serve only one purpose  to deter injured patients from pursuing justice against healthcare providers, West said. Yet, despite these obstacles, these 14 women are resolute. They refuse to be silenced or deterred from the path to justice.

If convicted of the criminal charges, Hurst could face a sentence of 85 years to life in prison.

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West said that while 14 women are pursuing charges and legal action against Hurst and CMC, there are 20 victims in total, a number that matches the victim totals identified by Missoula County. West explained that some of the incidents fall outside of the states statute of limitations and are ineligible for legal recourse through the justice system.

Hurst was employed at CMC through 2024. He is no longer a licensed physician in Montana.

They are doing this because they dont want it to happen to another woman, West said. They want everyone who was involved to be held accountable and put a stop to it.
Sharks, to the dismay of surfers and swimmers alike, can often be curious creatures. They might swim close to shore near swimmers, peruse a lineup full of surfers, or even give a little love tap to a surfer sitting on their board. And thats what happened recently in NSW, Australia.

Kye Wilkinson was surfing Emerald Beach in Coffs Harbor, when a large, estimated to be 15-foot, great white shark bumped him on his board, then continued to stalk the lineup.

It come up and hit the bottom of my board, Wilkinson told 9 News Australia. I half fell backwards. I didnt know what it was to start with. I looked under me, and saw pretty clearly what it was.

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From there, as captured by Wilkinsons GoPro, he calmly alerts the lineup:

Hey guys. A great white just went past. It came up right next to me.

Others in the water acted quickly upon hearing the news:

Stay together! Its a big fucking one! Head in!

Related: Maui Shark Attack Victim: Looking Forward to Getting Back in the Ocean. (Update)

All surfers made it to shore safely. But this wasnt Wilkinsons first shark encounter.

Usually you see them once, then theyre off, he said. But to see one three or four times is pretty scary.

A close call for sure.

But this sighting comes after a string of attacks  the first being a surfer in Florida (who was bitten at the same beach for the second time), and the second being a man on Maui who lost a portion of his leg as a result of the attack. And then a little further out, yet nearby to this shark sighting in NSW, Australia, up-and-coming surfer Kai McKenzie has his leg torn off.

Be safe out there.

Related: Great White Shark Attack Takes Off Leg Of Rising Australian Surf Star
150 million years ago: Laurasia

The massive neck dips, casting a curving shadow on the mossy ground. The dinosaurs jaws close around its prize. The creature lifts its head, nearly dainty in scale, and contentedly gnaws a mouthful of ferns.

Its the late Jurassic Period in the supercontinent of Laurasia, some 85 million years into the reign of the dinosaurs. The animal belongs to a herd of hefty herbivores who spend their days lumbering through an open landscape of conifers and gingkos, horsetails and monkey puzzle trees.

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It's 10 tons at least, far longer than it is tall, its seemingly endless neck and tail held parallel to the ground in surprisingly delicate balance.

Stubby ankylosaurs graze in the distance; carnivorous allosaurs stalk for prey. Tiny mammals scamper out of the path of its thunderous footsteps.

One day the dinosaur will have a name: Gnatalie. One day it will crisscross continents that dont yet exist, coming to rest in the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

But all that is a long way off. On this day in prehistory, Los Angeles still lies beneath a shallow sea.

This far back in time, some details are too fuzzy to make out. We dont know the dinosaurs sex. We dont know how it dies: illness or injury, predators or old age. But we know it lives three or four decades, and eventually the day comes when the dinosaur falls and does not rise again for many, many years.

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A hungry ecosystem devours its flesh and muscle. Rains come and the dinosaurs bones wash into a river, where they lodge in the sandy bottom. Flowing water covers them in thin blankets of silt.

This is just the beginning.

80 million to 50 million years ago: Laramidia

Above ground, things live and die and disappear. But the dinosaur, encased in layers of sediment, is exempt from this endless cycle of growth and decay.

Millennia tick past. Those layers of soil compress into rock studded with the remains of forgotten creatures. More time goes by, and as the organic material in the bones wears away, water seeps into its place from the surrounding rock.

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The water carries minerals, and with enough time  tens of thousands of years, or millions  mineral deposits fill up the bone-shaped cavities in the rock, creating perfect replicas of teeth that once chewed ferns and tibia that held up a giant.

Volcanoes set off a cascade of chemical changes in the environment that make their way to the subterranean rock. The area becomes rich in celadonite, a soft greenish mineral. Over time, the bones concealed in the ground turn the same emerald hue.

Somewhere in there an asteroid strikes, the planet burns, and the dinosaurs era comes to an end. Gnatalie's fossils, already ancient, lie untroubled in Earths crust.

6 million years ago, North America

Continents shift and oceans spread. Unseen forces drive a massive plateau of rock upward, carving spectacular features that one day will have names: Grand Canyon, Arches, Monument Valley. Gnatalie rises with it.

2007, Utah

Time passes. Things happen. Ice ages, cave paintings, nation-states, Bach.

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The earth the dinosaurs once trod is now a massive expanse of solid rock. The place where Gnatalie's remains lie has a name: the Colorado Plateau.

The closest town has a name too  Bluff, Utah. Even that small outpost is miles from the desert where a dozen paleontologists are hiking, looking for signs of long-ago life.

In the rock they spy something that is not rock, something surprisingly green. They mark the place and agree to come back.

2008-2019: Utah

Led by Luis Chiappe, director of the Natural History Museum's Dinosaur Institute, the paleontologists return with generators and tents and jackhammers and dental picks. Amid hordes of gnats they excavate that first fossil, which turns out to be a damaged leg bone.

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Beneath it is another one. And another. The Earth spills secrets like its been waiting for someone to ask.

Under the rock is a field of fossils, the commingled remnants of camarasaurs, sauropods, crocodiles, ankylosaurs, ornithopods  everything that washed into that long-gone river 150 million years ago.

The team returns every summer, year after year. Strewn throughout the bone bed are massive relics of something no one can quite identify, a mysterious dinosaur more numerous and better preserved than any other animal.

They nickname the unknown species Gnatalie, after the pests that plague them as they work.

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The green fossils are each wrapped in a plaster jacket and carefully loaded into a truck for the 700-mile drive to the museum at Exposition Park.

2008-2022: Los Angeles

At the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, in rooms the public arent allowed to wander, preparators carefully clean, weigh and catalog each fossil. At benches they brush and gently scrape dust from fossilized bone, with the gentle dexterity of dentists cleaning Jurassic-era teeth.

Gnatalie, at this point, is a puzzle waiting to be assembled. But nature doesnt make this game easy.

The staff has to sort through hundreds of fossils. They know they have found some kind of sauropod  a long-necked, long-tailed quadruped. The strange green dinosaur has the neck of a barosaur, a diplodocus-like spine. A review of the quarrys haul reveals a long length of vertebrae from a single animal that connects the two and solves the riddle: Gnatalie, Chiappe confirms, is indeed a previously undiscovered species.

Various dinosaur fossils lie in temporary storage at Research Casting International in Trenton, Canada. (Ian Willms / For The Times)

Dinosaurs are hardly ever found in their entirety, and this one is no exception. From a half-dozen fossil skeletons, paleontologists assemble a representative of the Gnatalie species, their best educated assumption of what the animal looked like. On a computer screen, the dinosaurs internal architecture is put back together for the first time in millennia.

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There are plans for this animal. The museum is opening a new welcome center , and the space needs something big and bold. The answer is right there in the prep lab  the worlds only green dinosaur skeleton.

Two hundred bones are packed in crates, each in its own custom foam cradle. They are loaded onto trucks with specialized suspension, and a fleet carrying priceless cargo begins the 2,600-mile journey north.

2022-2024: Trenton, Canada

Research Casting Internationals unassuming warehouse sits on the bank of a quiet bay about 100 miles east of Toronto. Outside, beavers gnaw at the vegetation around the chilly waters. Inside is a steampunk fossil carnival.

Fossil mounting technicians Nevin Dallman and Kevin Krudwig perform final adjustments on Gnatalie in RCI's workshop. (Ian Willms / For The Times)

In one corner the lanky, headless skeleton of a Quetzalcoatl appears ready to take flight. Welding sparks fly nearby as a worker puts finishing touches on the joints in a replica T. rex toe.

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The rearing barosaurus in the rotunda of New Yorks American Museum of Natural History, the T. rex and triceratops locked in battle in the Natural History Museums main hall in L.A.  all of them first took form here in founder Peter Mays workshop.

And in the back of the cavernous warehouse, in a secure hangar, Gnatalie stands for the first time in 150 million years.

Its 75 feet from nose to end, longer than the letters in the Hollywood sign are tall. A quirk in the fossilized sacrum, a bone in the lower back, means that the animals neck curves slightly to the left, giving the impression of a dinosaur turning its head curiously toward an unexpected sight.

Custom metal reinforcements are fitted to dinosaur fossils. The tail vertebrae of Gnatalie. Mike Pyette prepares a temporary styrofoam skull for Gnatalie. Paleontologist Luis Chiappe inspects "Natalie" at Research Casting International on March 4, 2023, in Trenton, Ontario, Canada. Photos by Ian Willms/For The Times

Hand-forged armatures connect some 350 bones to an underlying steel skeleton. Two-thirds are real fossils. The remainder are 3D-printed replicas of pieces nature didnt preserve well, each hand-painted and textured to match the real bone.

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As RCI employees walk through remaining work to be done on the mount, museum staff visiting from Los Angeles mark the location of the future halls entryway with painter's tape on the warehouse floor.

We want that jaw-dropping moment that compels you to want to learn more about the specimen, says Chris Weisbart, associate vice president for exhibits.

The dinosaur will stand on a specially constructed platform that provides the public a better view and keeps the neck and tail beyond reach of overeager visitors tempted to jump up and touch it.

Nature makes most of the decisions about how a dinosaur mount will look, but there is a little room for interpretation within the realm of the scientifically plausible. At the moment, Chiappe, May and paleontologist Pedro Mocho are locked in an intense discussion about the precise positioning of an ulna. Chiappe carries a laptop around the front leg so that Mocho, watching via Zoom from his office in Lisbon, Portugal, can examine the bone.

Its a weird angle, Mocho says finally. The leg needs adjusting.

We have quite a lot of work to do, Chiappe says, looking somewhat abashed.

We have quite a lot of time, May says with a smile.

2024: Los Angeles

On Sunday the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County will open the long-awaited $75-million NHM Commons expansion.

Earlier in the year the museum asked the public to name their new dinosaur  not the species, which will get its scientific moniker when the long process of publishing the discovery is complete, but the mounted skeleton that people will come to visit, the green dinosaur that belongs to L.A. alone.

Visitors and media view Gnatalie in the new Welcome Center at the NHM Commons on Nov. 13. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

They threw out some options. Sage, for the native plant and earthy green color? Olive, a symbol of peace? Dinosaur enthusiasts voted to keep the name that stuck as soon as it came out of the Earth: Gnatalie.

Gnatalie will spend the rest of its fossilized existence welcoming visitors, its head arcing gently toward the windows, bony face turned toward the future Lucas Museum.

The height of the halls doors means that the shorter a visitor is, the better their perspective. Children coming to see the green dinosaur will gasp before their parents do. Small mammals will scamper at Gnatalie's feet again.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Authorities arrested a juvenile accused of shooting a man on a busy MBTA platform last Friday.

Transit Police detectives say they arrested a 16-year-old male at his home on Thursday in connection to the crime. A gun was allegedly recovered at the residence as well.

The teen was charged with carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, firearm use in felony, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and unlawful possession of ammunition, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden.

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On November 8 at approximately 5:30 p.m., officers responding to a report of a person shot inside Broadway station found a 23-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg on the platform.

He was transported to an area hospital for treatment.

Surveillance video allegedly shows a group of four males walking down the stairs to the platform and boarding a northbound train while the victim and his friend are seen boarding the train through the same door shortly thereafter. The four males then reportedly exit the train as a southbound train enters the station and the platform fills with passengers.

The victim and his friend are then allegedly seen exiting the train and walking back towards the stairs, behind the four males. One of the males, the 16-year-old suspect, is seen reaching into his waistband and pointing a gun down the platform before running off, according to investigators.

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Police say they recovered a flattened, copper-jacketed, hollow-point bullet on the northbound side of the Broadway train platform.

It is unclear if the 16-year-old and the victim knew each other. The other males in the group have not been identified.

The shooting caused the station to be closed for hours and affected Red Line services through most of the night.

A Boston Juvenile Court judge ordered the juvenile suspect held without bail pending a hearing on November 19.

I thank the Transit police for their strong work so far in this investigation, Hayden said. This was a very chaotic scene with multiple station closures and shuttling of passengers. I am grateful the injuries sustained by the victim are not life-threatening and that no other passengers were hurt.

On 11/8 at approximately 530PM at the #MBTA Broadway Station a male suffered a non-life threatening gunshot wound. On 11/14 based on a comprehensive investigation by TPD Detectives a 16y/o male juvenile was placed into custody at his residence & a firearm was recovered.  MBTA Transit Police (@MBTATransitPD) November 15, 2024

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  2025 will mark the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing.

We remember and honor those 168 who lost their lives on April 19, 1995, when a bomb went off in front of the Murrah building in downtown Oklahoma City.

168 Days to remember those lost in the OKC bombing: Danielle Nicole Bell. Image courtesy, Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum.

We want to remember Danielle Nicole Bell, while honoring those who survived and thanking those changed forever.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Eighteen Republican attorneys general sued the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Chair Gary Gensler on Thursday for allegedly overstepping the agencys authority in its enforcement actions against the cryptocurrency industry.

The states, led by Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman, argue that the SEC has sought to unilaterally wrest regulatory authority away from the States on crypto enforcement.

Instead of respecting that constitutional balance of power, and allowing States to develop and enforce their own tailored digital asset regulations based on their own policy priorities  the SECs assertion of sweeping jurisdiction without congressional authorization deprives States of their proper sovereign role and chills the development of innovative regulatory frameworks for the digital asset industry, the complaint reads.

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Still worse, by attempting to shoehorn digital assets into illfitting federal securities laws and inapt disclosure regimes, the SEC is harming the very citizens it purports to protect, by displacing better-suited state laws that have been carefully designed to ensure consumer protection in the digital asset industry, it continues.

The crypto industry has feuded with Gensler and the SEC throughout the Biden administration, arguing that the agency has failed to provide clear rules of the road and has instead regulated crypto via enforcement.

Gensler defended his record on crypto enforcement earlier Thursday in remarks at a legal conference.

Court after court has agreed with our actions to protect investors and rejected all arguments that the SEC cannot enforce the law when securities are being offered  whatever their form, he said.

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However, with President-elect Trumps win next week, the SEC appears poised to shift gears on multiple fronts, including digital assets.

Despite once dismissing crypto as a scam, Trump has fully embraced the industry this time around, vowing to make the U.S. the crypto capital of the planet and remove Gensler.

The president-elect also recently launched a crypto platform alongside his sons called World Liberty Financial.

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DES MOINES, Iowa  The two schools couldnt be much different, but they saw the same things.

Youd maybe have one out of every three kids paying attention to what the teacher was doing, remembers Hoover High School Principal Qynne Kelly.

I gotta get out there to check my phone in my locker! recalls Bergman Academy teacher Dylan Lamb. Ive got to see whats going on!

Tired of distracted students and frustrated teachers, public Hoover High School and private Bergman Academy decided to take the same leap  banning cell phones from class this year.

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Skeptics said it wouldnt work  it was just too late to un-ring this bell.

Well now hear this:

It has been nothing but a positive for our school this year, says Sydney Gerritsen, Bergmans Director of Student Affairs.

I mean, I go into classrooms and theres 100% engagement, Kelly says of Hoovers first quarter.

We can kind of connect, teacher to student, says Lamb of his students, like hey, how you doing? there isnt that kind of blocker up between.

Both schools say students are more focused. Hoover brings receipts.

Our quarter one data is outstanding, Kelly says. Last year we were at 42% getting As and Bs. We now, after the first quarter, are at 54% of all grades being an A or B.

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Democratic challenger Bohannan calls for recount in 1st congressional district race

Bergman was concerned with parents pushing back, but so far Gerritsen says, We havent heard a peep.

Hoover heard a lot from parents, just this month.

At parent/teacher conferences I had parents, quite a few parents, say to me thanks for giving me my kid back, Kelly smiles.

Teachers say the move has made them better in class, too.

We can just teach, Lamb says. We can focus on the academics, we can focus on the content. I dont have to worry about is someone on their phone during class, during my talk? Does someone have an Airpod that I cant see? I can just focus on teaching.

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If theres been any drawback, its that hindsight makes it clear just how bad the problem had gotten.

Theyve rediscovered friends, says Kelly. Theyve rediscovered themselves, possibly. Theyve discovered that they like the real world over the virtual world. Some students, they have only been living in the virtual world since COVID. Im not joking when I say that.

Its no surprise that these schools are taking calls from others looking to do the same thing. Again, Hoover and Bergman strike similar notes with their advice.

Ultimately there has to be buy in from your whole school. Gerritsen says. I think we had to get to a point where the whole staff was like yes, we are ready to do this, this is important.

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I had to make sure I had really good people in those positions who understood their role in the system, Kelly explains. If there are places in the district that cant say yet Were there, I would recommend that they dont start doing it until they have the pieces in place to be successful.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A 19-year-old was injured during a shooting Thursday afternoon in Marianna, Arkansas, according to police.

Marianna Police say they were called to the 200 block of Olive Street around 3 p.m. regarding a shooting. When they arrived a male was found suffering from a gunshot wound.

Officers say they immediately began performing life-saving measures on the victim before he was taken to Regional One Hospital for treatment.

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At this time, police say the victims condition is unknown.

Video: Armed men point guns at home, try to break in

According to preliminary information, this was an isolated incident and does not pose an ongoing risk to public safety. But, this is still an ongoing investigation.

Police Chief Rodney Perry released the following statement,

While the investigation is ongoing, we cannot stress enough the importance of responsible firearm handling. Guns are not toys, and playing with a firearm, or handling it carelessly, can lead to life-changing consequences. Firearms should always be treated with respect, securely stored, and kept out of reach of children or anyone who is not properly trained in their safe use.

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The Marianna Police Department says anyone with relevant information is urged to come forward. Call 870-295-2508 with tips.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  A 19-year-old Elmira man and an inmate in the Monroe County Jail were charged with murder after a deadly shooting in 2022 that killed a Rochester City School District student.

Around 2 a.m. on September 11, 2022, officers found a 16-year-old boy shot in the face and 17-year-old Cahjmiere Robinson with multiple gunshot wounds on Webster Ave. The 16-year-old recovered from his injuries, but Cahjmiere was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators learned the two victims were lured to the area to be robbed before they were shot.

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On Thursday, 19-year-old Jaiden Robinson was arrested in Elmira and accused of the shooting. Officers said Jaiden lived in Rochester, but moved to Elmira shortly after the shooting. He allegedly had a loaded handgun at the time of his arrest.

RPD also charged 22-year-old Michael Scott in the shooting. Scott has been in the Monroe County Jail since November 2023 charged with killing Demetrius Rucker in August 2023.

Jaiden and Scott were charged with second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Robinson will face additional weapon charges for having a handgun at the time of his arrest.

Jaiden was arraigned in court and Scott was arraigned Friday morning at 9:30 a.m. More charges may be considered by a grand jury.

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WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  There is new information about the suspect accused of killing two people in West Springfield in 1978.

Arrest made in decades-old West Springfield homicide case

District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said 71-year-old Timothy Scott Joley did not have any significant run-ins with the law before his arrest. Joley is now in custody, charged with the killings of 18-year-old Theresa Marcoux and 20-year-old Mark Harnish back on November 19th, 1978, in West Springfield.

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A two-count murder complaint and arrest warrant was issued for Joley from the Springfield District Court on Oct 29th, 2024. On Oct, 30, Timothy Joley was arrested at his residence in Clearwater, Florida, said Gullui.

A tip was called into the DAs office last month with Joleys name and he was tied to the murders through a match of a bloody fingerprint left on the passenger vent window of Harnishs truck. Investigators were able to determine that Joley lived in Springfield in November of 1978 and purchased a gun about a month before the murders.

Nearly 46 years later, Joley is now a resident of Clearwater, Florida. His landlord describes him as nice and generous to neighbors. Our sister station WFLA spoke with Joleys landlord, Evangelia Panoutsakos, after his arrest. She visited him in jail to learn more.

He denied that. I asked him, I said what are you being charged for and he said something happened 47 years ago and I hadnt done that. I said why they arrested you and he said they say I fit the description of somebody, said Panoutsakos.

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Joley told his landlord that he would not be returning to his apartment, even if found innocent, he instructed her to throw out everything.

I mean you would never believe this man. Did he commit a murder? I dont know, I dont know what to say. I am in shock, said Panoutsakos.

Joley will be extradited back to Massachusetts in the coming week where he will face murder charges.

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The Belt and Road Initiative has become a new engine of global economic growth, injecting vigorous impetus into building a community with a shared future for mankind. by Kin Phea As one of the most ambitious global projects of our time, China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has transformed not only the physical landscape of participating countries but also their economic and diplomatic relationships. Introduced in 2013, the BRI seeks to enhance global connectivity and cooperation through infrastructure development, trade and investment. It offers a path toward inclusive development and shared prosperity amid rising global challenges, such as trade protectionism and political instability. BRI's flagship infrastructure projects such as the Sihanoukville Special Economy Zone, the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway and the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport in Cambodia, the China-Laos Railway, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the China-Europe Railway Express, and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, have been a key driver of trade and economic growth in the region and world. For Cambodia, the BRI has unlocked significant opportunities for growth, partnership and modernization. It provides a chance to fast-track development, especially through infrastructure improvement, economic diversification, and stronger ties with China. Infrastructure development has been at the heart of Cambodia's participation in the BRI. In recent years, significant projects have been completed, reshaping our economic landscape. The Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway, for example, has boosted transportation efficiency, reducing travel times and improving trade routes. The new Siem Reap Angkor International Airport has made Cambodia a more accessible destination for tourists and investors. The Sihanoukville Special Economy Zone highlights how the BRI has driven industrialization in Cambodia. With nearly 200 enterprises and over 30,000 jobs created, it has made a significant contribution to the country's economic growth. Such projects have helped Cambodia reduce logistics costs, improve competitiveness, and move up the value chain in global trade, aligning with Cambodia's economic aspirations of becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income country by 2050. Alongside the BRI, trade agreements like the Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership have opened new opportunities for trade and investment, fueling growth in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and technology. This diversification of trade has created new opportunities for Cambodian businesses and boosted foreign direct investment in critical sectors, helping us reach our long-term economic goals. An essential aspect of the BRI is its commitment to sustainable development. Through high-quality infrastructure projects, green technology, and initiatives such as the Digital Silk Road, the BRI is not only building bridges and roads, but also driving technological innovation and green growth. The Digital Silk Road, launched in 2015, focuses on fostering partnerships in telecommunications, 5G and artificial intelligence. Cambodia has the opportunity to leverage these technological advancements to enhance its digital infrastructure, improving access to education, healthcare and financial services. With increased digital connectivity, Cambodia can better integrate into the global economy, making our businesses more competitive and our society more connected. The BRI also aligns with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by promoting projects that are environmentally friendly and socially inclusive. By embracing green technologies and practices, Cambodia can pursue a development that balances economic growth with environmental sustainability. The BRI has proven to be a transformative force for Cambodia. It has reshaped our infrastructure, strengthened our economy, and deepened our comprehensive strategic partnership with China. But the BRI is more than just a development program, it is a blueprint for global cooperation, sustainability and modernization. As Cambodia looks to the future, our engagement with the BRI will be crucial in achieving our national development goals. Together, through infrastructure, trade, technological innovation and intellectual collaboration, we can build a more connected and prosperous world. All in all, the BRI has become a new engine of global economic growth, injecting vigorous impetus into building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Editor's note: Kin Phea is director general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, a think tank under the Royal Academy of Cambodia. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Xinhua News Agency.
BAKU, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- China is now an indispensable nation for global climate efforts, former UN Under-Secretary-General Erik Solheim told Xinhua in a recent interview.

The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) commenced Monday in Baku, Azerbaijan, aiming to bolster climate finance, carbon trading, and the global transition from fossil fuels. The conference will run until Nov. 22.

Solheim, also the former UN Environment Executive Director, shared his views on China's current role in fighting climate change amid ongoing global changes.

"China is now an indispensable nation for global climate efforts," Solheim said, adding that it is essentially "impossible for the world to go green without China."

China plays an important role in the global green energy transition, accounting for 60 percent or more of global production in key green sectors, including solar, wind, and hydropower, as well as electric cars and batteries, he said.

He also stressed the need for necessary investments to tackle climate challenges, saying multilateral platforms, like BRICS, are increasingly significant for addressing climate change.

"BRICS has become very important since that's an avenue for the Global South to come together and lead the world," he said, adding that the initiative will move to countries of the Global South.

"The 'Belt and Road Initiative' has recently turned into a major vehicle for green investment in the world, in solar, wind, hydropower and green corridors," said the former UN official.

To illustrate the significant impact of Belt and Road projects, he cited the Chinese-built Padma Bridge project in Bangladesh.

Completed by China Railway Major Bridge Engineering Group Co., Ltd. and opened to the public in June 2022, the bridge crosses the Padma River, connecting southern Bangladesh to Dhaka. Solheim expects this infrastructure project to boost Bangladesh's economy by 1 percent. 
The Air Force has awarded the Silver Star to a female airman for the first time following her role in the shootdown of more than 80 Iranian drones that were part of Iran's large missile and drone attack on Israel in mid-April.

The historic award of the nation's third-highest award for valor to a female airman comes at a time when the role of women in ground combat units has been front and center because of critical comments made by Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to be the next defense secretary.

Capt. Lacie "Sonic" Hester, an F-15E instructor weapons systems officer, is the first Air Force woman to receive the Silver Star and only the 10th female service member ever to receive the award. Also receiving the Silver Star on Tuesday was her pilot, Maj. Benjamin "Irish" Coffey, for his role in coordinating the shootdowns from their two-seat fighter and then using all of their missiles and their fighter's Gatling guns to bring down some of the drones.

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The actions by the U.S. Air Force units involved in the shootdown of about 80 Iranian drones have been described as the largest air-to-air enemy engagement by the United States in over 50 years.

Tuesday's award ceremony at Hester's and Coffey's home base of Royal Air Force Lakenheath in the United Kingdom honored the men and women of the 494th Fighter Squadron and the 494th Fighter Generation Squadron with two Silver Stars, six Distinguished Flying Crosses with the valor device, four Distinguished Flying Crosses with the combat device, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Bronze Stars, seven Air and Space Commendation Medals and seven Air and Space Achievement Medals.

PHOTO: U.S. Air Force Gen. James Hecker, U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa commander, awards Capt. Lacie Hester, 494th Fighter Squadron F-15E weapon systems officer, with the Silver Star during a ceremony at RAF Lakenheath, Nov. 12, 2024. (Senior Airman Seleena Muhammad-a/48th Fighter Wing)

MORE: Former defense secretary pushes back on nominee's claim that women shouldn't serve in combat units

On the night of April 13, Iran launched more than 300 ballistic missiles and drones at Israel in retaliation for an Israeli missile strike in Damascus, Syria, that killed a top Iranian commander. U.S. military aircraft and naval ships helped Israel in bringing down 99% of the weapons Iran fired at Israel in the attack.

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Soon after the attack, President Joe Biden reached out to the commanders of the two units involved, the 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and 335th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, to praise their units' actions.

One of those commanders was Lt. Col. Timothy "Diesel" Causey, the commander of the 494th Fighter Squadron.

"We all fell into an execution rhythm: Call, shoot, and confirm the target was destroyed before we moved on to the next task we had to accomplish to keep everyone safe," Causey said in a U.S. Air Force story about this week's ceremony.

PHOTO: U.S. Airmen and families gather to recognize Airmen during a ceremony at RAF Lakenheath, England, Nov. 12, 2024. (Senior Airman Seleena Muhammad-a/48th Fighter Wing)

MORE: Pete Hegseth's plan to overhaul America's military: 'You need to fire a ton of generals'

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On the night of April 13, the F-15E's from his squadron flew 14 sorties from an undisclosed base in the Middle East to shoot down the incoming drones. Patriot air defense missiles at the base were also fired to intercept the drones. Some of those fighters had to return to the base to rearm their planes before going back up to engage more of the drones, some of which occurred so close to that base that some of the falling debris landed on that base. Other aircraft had to be redirected to mid-air refueling tanker aircraft so they could stay in the air longer.

"Although intelligence provided the numbers of how many [one-way attack] drones we could expect to see, it was still surprising to see them all," Hester said in an Air Force interview.

That night, Coffey and Hester were the airborne mission commanders directing the fighters toward the drones and were also actively engaged in shooting down drones, resorting to bringing the drones down with their fighter's Gatling guns after they had used up all of their air-to-air missiles.

"It takes a high-performing team with high-performing individuals to be able to find these things to begin with and then to engage it," Coffey said.

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Among those receiving awards this week were many members of the squadrons' airmen on the ground who helped keep the fighters flying in and out, especially as some of the fighters experienced in-flight emergencies.

Hester's receipt of the Silver Star occurred the same week that Hegseth drew scrutiny for recent comments on a podcast in which he criticized the decision to allow women to serve in ground combat units.

"I'm straight up just saying, we should not have women in combat roles," Hegseth said last week on the "The Shawn Ryan Show."

The process of integrating women into combat units was a gradual one that began in 1993, when Defense Secretary Les Aspin issued an order that allowed women to fly fighter jets and bomber aircraft in combat.

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But women were not allowed to serve in ground combat units until 2013, when Defense Secretary Leon Panetta rescinded the ban, which was subsequently enhanced in 2015 by Defense Secretary Ash Carter, who cleared the path for women to serve in jobs that were still limited to men, including some in special operations.

On the podcast, Hegseth drew a distinction between women serving as pilots and those serving in ground combat units.

"I'm not talking about pilots," Hegseth said. "I'm talking about physical labor type, labor intensive type job.  I'm talking about something where strength is a differentiator. Pilots? Give me a female pilot all day long. I got no issues with that."

1st female airman awarded Silver Star for shootdown of Iranian drones originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)  Two people accused of throwing chairs at a mans apartment, breaking down his door and reportedly beating him with a gun after punching and kicking him were arrested.

Damien Catherine was arrested and charged with aggravated second-degree battery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and simple criminal damage to property. Kayla Georgetown was arrested and charged with second-degree battery and simple criminal damage to property.

Around 9:53 p.m. on Aug. 23, 4th District officers responded to the 3700 block of East Brookstown Drive regarding an assault. According to the Baton Rouge Police Department, officers learned that a male victim had a laceration to his head, which required stitches.

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Former Baton Rouge school employee accused of sexually assaulting student faces 2 years in prison

The male victim told officers that subjects who lived in the apartment complex came to his apartment with intentions to fight his brother and sister, according to BRPD. The victim said that Catherine and Georgetown threw chairs at his apartments windows and proceeded to kick in his door.

Catherine and Georgetown started punching and kicking him all over his body when they were inside the apartment. According to BRPD, Catherine was reportedly armed with a gun and began beating the victim in the face and head with the gun.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  The parents of an autistic child found alone in a parking lot in Trumann, Arkansas have been arrested after the child tested positive for fentanyl exposure.

On October 24, officers responded to reports of a small child seen alone, wandering around near the Pizza Hut on Turmann. When officers arrived at the scene, reports say they found a child who was dirty and unable to communicate.

A good Samaritan is credited with finding the child.

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Around 5 a.m. Oct, 24, Todd Whitlatch and a friend were headed to work when Whitltatch spotted a young child alone in this parking lot near the Trumann Pizza Hut. Thatch said the pair quickly stopped to help.

We got her to come to us and we just picked her up and held her till we could get some assistance and find out where she belonged, Whitlatch said.

The childs parents were identified as Quinterio Holman and Camille Barker, who were both on probation at the time.

Police say they were found inside the Boutique and Coffee Lounge in the same building, where they lived off and on. Barker owned the business.

Left to right: Quinterio Holman and Camille Barker (Photos courtesy of the Trumann Police Department)

After searching the area, the Trumann Police Department determined that the childs parents had left the door to the building unsecured, posing significant risks to the child who was diagnosed as autistic.

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The child was then placed in the care of the Department of Human Services.

The next day, the child was taken to an area hospital due to extreme drowsiness and difficulty staying alert, reports say.

The child tested positive for fentanyl and a hair follicle test conducted on November 1 confirmed that the child experienced prolonged exposure to fentanyl over a three-month period.

Video: Armed men point guns at home, try to break in

Holman and Barker were each charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Minor 3rd Degree, Endangering the Welfare of a Minor 1st Degree, and Introducing a Controlled Substance into Anothers Body.

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They were taken into custody on Wednesday and are being held at the Poinsett County Detention Center. Police say drugs thought to be fentanyl were found on the pair when they were arrested.

Holmans bond was set at $75,000 and Barkers at $100,000.

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ELKHART  The bodies of two men reported missing since Sunday morning were recovered Wednesday afternoon from a pickup truck submerged in the St. Joseph River.

Theo Bean, 30, of Elkhart, and Tireno Washington, 38, of Bristol were found at 3:46 p.m. near S.R. 120 west of C.R. 19, the Elkhart County Sheriffs Office said.

Bean and Washington were the subjects of a missing persons search announced by the Elkhart County Sheriffs Office earlier Wednesday.

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A preliminary investigation shows their 2018 Ram 1500 was traveling east when it ran off the north side of roadway, down a ditch and into the river, the report said.

Autopsies were scheduled for Friday morning, Elkhart County Coroner Merv Miller said. Investigators were still trying to determine when the truck might have entered the water, he said.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Two men who were recently released on bond, along with another individual, face a slew of charges after police discovered drugs and a gun inside a stolen vehicle Wednesday night.

The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) said the arrests come after detectives were conducting surveillance on a stolen Nissan Maxima that was parked at a Hobson Pike apartment complex on Wednesday, Nov. 13.

MNPD K9 helps catch man accused of breaking into South Nashville church

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Authorities reported 23-year-old Acuma Juma and 24-year-old Deng Akok arrived at the complex in a stolen Infiniti Q50. The driver of the Nissan reportedly exited the vehicle and joined them in the Infiniti.

MNPD said detectives then moved in on the Infiniti and placed all three men into custody.

Further investigation revealed that Juma was behind the wheel of the stolen Infiniti, carrying a bag filled with oxycodone pills and more than $2,200 in cash.

| READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County

According to police, a modified fully automatic pistol was found under his seat. The 23-year-old was reportedly free on a $70,000 bond from his arrest last month where he was charged with felony gun and marijuana possession.

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Juma is now being held on a $192,000 bond facing multiple theft, drug and gun felonies, police said.

Inside the stolen Infiniti, officers reportedly discovered a backpack that contained illegal substances, including additional pills, crystal meth, cocaine, and crack cocaine.

MNPD said the passenger in the stolen vehicle identified as Deng Akok was also free on a $23,000 bond, stemming from his arrest last month on felony cocaine and drug charges.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee

Now, authorities say Akok remains jailed in lieu of a $157,000 bond on new charges, which include vehicle theft, several drug counts and trespassing.

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Meanwhile, the driver of the stolen Nissan identified as 24-year-old Samuel Andrew was charged with two counts of vehicle theft, misdemeanor drug possession and criminal trespassing. Court records show he is being held in Metro Jail on a $38,000 bond.

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Two people were arrested Friday in connection with the stabbing death of a man at a park in Chelsea earlier this month, authorities said.

Alycia Wilhelmsen, 35, of Revere, and Natanael Pagan-Rios, 31, of Chelsea, are slated to be arraigned Monday in Chelsea District Court on murder charges in the death of 40-year-old Chelsea native Juan Osorio on Friday, Nov. 1, according to Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden.

Officers responding to calls for an unresponsive man on one of the pathways in Voke Park found Osorio suffering from multiple stab wounds, Haydens office said.

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Pagan-Rios was arrested outside of his home in Chelsea, while Wilhelmsen was nabbed at her home in Revere. They were both taken to the Chelsea Police Department for booking.

Im grateful that the diligent work by state police and Chelsea police will provide Juan Osorios family and friends the opportunity to see these suspects answer to the charges against them, Hayden said in a statement. Our office will give Mr. Osorios loved ones as much support as they need as the court process moves forward.

Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to Haydens office assisted Chelsea police with the investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  D.C. police said two teenagers have been charged in connection to a robbery spree including one that left a DJ dead.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), on Sunday around 5 a.m., officers responded to a report of a man who was unconscious in the 500 block of T Street NW. There, police found a man, later identified as Bryan Smith, 39, of Northwest, D.C. unresponsive on the sidewalk.

Police said he was taken to the hospital with critical injuries.

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According to detectives, when they found Smith, he did not have any identification on him and there was no evidence that a crime had taken place.

RELATED STORY: Man critically hurt in DC robbery spree dies nearly 2 weeks later

Later that day, Smiths identity was confirmed after family and friends reported him missing.

On Nov. 7, Smith died from his injuries.

His body was taken to the Northern Virginia Medical Examiners Office to determine his cause of death.

Holly Ghaemi has a family member who lives in the same block where Smith was found.

Its a pretty grim thing for a young person to do, she said. Whats going on to inspire them to take on such a grueling thing thats soul-crushing?

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As MPDs investigation developed, police obtained surveillance video and determined that Smith had been robbed before he was found on the sidewalk.

Detectives then discovered that the same suspects, shown in the video, were allegedly linked to three additional robberies in the District.

Police said the first incident happened in the 1900 block of 14th Street when two people assaulted a person and tried to rob them before leaving the area. About five minutes later, the two suspects robbed a person in the 1800 block of Vermont Avenue.

The final incident happened around 7:22 a.m. when the pair robbed a second person in the 900 block of Rhode Island NE.

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DC man charged in connection to 17 armed robberies across DMV

For the last two weeks, our detectives have worked around the clock investigating these cases. They canvassed a wide area around each offense uncovering video footage critical to identifying the suspects. We were also able to track cell phones taken in the robberies and monitor transactions made on stolen credit cards, said Ramey J. Kyle, the Assistant Chief of the MPD, during a press conference on Friday.

On Thursday, Nov. 14, a 16-year-old boy and 14-year-old boy were arrested and charged with three counts of Robbery and one count of Assault with Intent to Commit Robbery. Investigators said they are both facing additional charges including fraud.

DC News Now spoke to one victim of the teens, who we are not identifying for safety reasons.

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The 14-year-old said repeatedly, Im going to shoot you, give me your phone. Im going to shoot you. It was so jarring, he said. I was walking to my car, I was going to get groceries, it was 7:22 in the morning and suddenly this violent thing was happening.

The victim was targeted on Rhode Island Avenue NE.

He said it was shocking to know the same people who targeted him were involved in Smiths death.

Its so hard to reconcile that a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old threatened to put a bullet in [me] repeatedly and they killed someone, he said. A perfectly lovely, innocent person is dead because of the actions of a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old.

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Despite claims made by Smith that the Metropolitan Police Department is focusing on addressing juvenile crime, the victim said this has been an ongoing and growing problem. He was assaulted last year by another teenager at a metro stop.

Hes begging city leaders to take accountability.

It is somewhat comforting knowing theyve been arrested, said the victim. What concerns me is the repeated release of these violent criminals back into the community. If I could plead with Mayor Bowser, or the Attorney General, or the US Attorney, please dont let Bryan Smith die in vain. Please take this seriously.

One local who goes by the name Aaron called the youth crime really ridiculous.

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I think [the problem] has to go with home, parental. I think parents need to be involved in the childrens lives, you know. They have access to too many weapons, he said.

There is no indication at this time that these four robbery cases were motivated by hate or bias. There is no connection between these offenses and a potentially hate-motivated assault that occurred earlier that morning, said MPD Chief Pamela Smith.

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Donald Trump just added another unqualified politician to his Cabinet by picking Robert F Kennedy Jr. to head up the Department of Health and Human Services because who better to be in charge of American's health than an anti-vaxxer?

On Thursday, Trump announced his newest pick but forgot to mention that Kennedy's only qualification for the position is that he's a semi-expert on brain worms, having had one for years. Not only doesn't he have the experience necessary to run such a complicated arm of the U.S. government, but he's an outspoken anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist who would look more at home in a tinfoil hat than the jeans he wears to work out in.

Kennedy wasn't the only head-scratching addition to Trump's administration this week. He also picked a Fox News host to be his secretary of defense, real-life Cruella de Vil Krisit Noem as secretary of homeland security, alleged sexual abuser Rep. Matt Gaetz as attorney general, and conspiracy theorist and Russian propaganda spreader Tulsi Gabbard as director of national security.

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It's like Trump wants to create a supergroup, but instead of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, he picked all of the most incompetent fraudsters ever to grace Capitol Hill. The scary part is there are still positions left that he can fill when even more idiots. Why not collect them all?

Keep scrolling to see the funniest reactions to RFK Jr. taking over Health and Human Services!

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HARDEEVILLE, S.C. (WSAV)  Jasper County is celebrating a multi-million dollar economic opportunity that could lead to further expansion.

The South Atlantic Logistics Terminal, or SALT, will hold up to 6 million square feet of warehouse and industrial space.

Its really exciting to see what holds for the future here, said Jasper County Council Chairman Martin Sauls.

The 880-acre, $200 million project in Hardeeville is expected to generate 550 or more jobs coming from the 400,000 skilled potential employees within a 60-mile radius.

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So thats going to have a huge impact here locally because people who live here will now be able to work here, Sauls added.

State Sen. Tom Davis (R-Beaufort) said its thousands of acres of undeveloped land in a prime spot, close to the CSX rail line and Interstate 95, plus the Savannah port and airport.

All the fundamentals have always been there, but its never realized its potential. Now, thats changed, Davis said.

3 more monkeys recovered in Yemassee

The site has been five years in the making, receiving more than $8 million in state infrastructure grant funding.

Local leaders say the site will also bring more infrastructure that could help support a proposed Jasper port  a step forward for a project that has been rumored for almost a decade.

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You know, companies that are importing sporting goods globally come in through the Savannah port, as well as the South Carolina port. They need manufacturing, distribution, warehousing centers here to support that because logistics are a very important part of that chain, Sauls said.

Davis agreed: The more commercial activity you have in Jasper County, the more facilities like this you have built, the more that the integration of South Carolina into that economic orbit, the easier a Jasper port becomes.

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COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  The Department of Veterans Affairs released a statement earlier this week which showed veteran homelessness in Georgia down by nearly 8% since last year. WRBL spoke to local experts to find out what that looks like in Columbus.

The VAs numbers come from the Point in Time (PIT) count, an annual national effort to count the number those experiencing homelessness. Counts are done on a single night, or small collection of nights in January each year.

United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley Vice President Pat Frey works directly with the PIT survey. She said the PIT count isnt definitive but it can show trends.

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Columbus State University begins multi-million dollar construction project

Numbers from past Columbus PIT surveys show rises and falls in the number of homeless individuals over the past decades. In 2015, there was a high of 37 homeless vets, roughly 10% of the total homeless count of 371.

That number hovered between 5- to 6% in the following years, hitting another high in 2020 with 21 homeless veterans making up nearly 8.5% of the total local homeless population (249).

2021 saw a low of seven homeless vets, roughly 3% of that years total homeless count. Rates rose again from 2022 to 2023, rising from 4.2% (11 homeless vets) to 6% (16 homeless vets).

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The 2024 PIT survey included 14 homeless veterans locally, about 5% of the total homeless count of 272.

PIT survey results from the past decade courtesy of United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley.

Local nonprofit The Plummer Home aims to give homeless veterans temporary shelter and other help as get back on their feet. At any given time, the organization is working with more than a dozen homeless vets, according to board member Kevin Loncher, a veteran himself.

In a lot of cases, homeless veterans are very embarrassed where theyve ended up and so theyre reluctant to admit that they are even dealing with homeless, Loncher said. Even if its a temporary situation.

On top of reticence to disclose homelessness, Loncher explained many homeless vets hes worked with are migratory.

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One of the things that is consistent is theyre almost always from somewhere else, Loncher said.

Veterans Day: Local 100-year-old Army vet reflects on life and service

Veterans currently with The Plummer Home have come from a handful of different states.

You better count some guys in New York or Texas or Kansas or South Carolina or Atlanta that are very likely going to be in our community next week seeking help, Loncher said, because thats how they come to us.

According to this years PIT, 32,882 vets were experiencing homelessness nationwide. Columbus total homeless count in 2024 was 272.

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United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley is currently looking for volunteers to help with the 2025 count. Visit its website for more information here.

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MOGADISHU, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) on Thursday announced the completion of Phase Three of its drawdown, which included a reduction of 2,000 soldiers from the mission's forces.

ATMIS said it had handed over the Burgavo military base in Jubaland State in southern Somalia, marking the final base transferred to the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF) in this phase.

"This military base has been crucial in curtailing al-Shabab activities in the region. Being a port town, it has effectively blocked imports of illicit items," ATMIS Sector Two Deputy Commander Meshack Kishoyian said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the Somali capital.

The allied forces took over Burgavo from al-Shabab control in 2011, undermining the group's operations in Lower Juba. The ATMIS Kenya Defense Forces (KDF)-controlled base, located about 530 km from Mogadishu, played a pivotal role in countering al-Shabab's influence and securing the vital Burgavo-Ras Kamboni Main Supply Route, according to the AU mission.

"This milestone demonstrates the growing capacity and commitment of the Somali Security Forces to take over Somalia's security responsibilities, with support from ATMIS, UNSOS and other partners," said ATMIS military Chief Engineer Suleiman Ibrahim.

SNAF representative Sakariye Mohamed Omar expressed gratitude for the contributions of ATMIS KDF troops in fighting al-Shabab. "Somalia has become much safer, and the momentum of our forces remains strong," Omar said.

Since 2023, ATMIS has implemented a three-phase drawdown process, handing over 21 military bases to Somali Security Forces and withdrawing 9,000 troops. This marks a significant step toward Somalia taking full responsibility for its security.

In January 2025, a new mission, the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), will replace ATMIS. AUSSOM will be a multidimensional mission comprising military, police and civilian components, authorized by the AU and mandated by the UN Security Council. 
DENVER (KDVR)  Denver police are looking for a 22-year-old wanted for first-degree murder.

According to a bulletin from the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers, police are still searching for 22-year-old Kervin Jose Mota, also known as Cuerito. He is wanted on first-degree murder charges stemming from an incident on Aug. 25.

Kervin Cuerito Jose Mota, 22, is wanted for first-degree murder out of Denver. (Metro Denver Crime Stoppers)

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According to Denver police, the murder took place at 2:23 a.m. in the 4400 block of South Syracuse Street, a parking lot west of Cherry Creek Reservoir in the Hampden South neighborhood.

It has been nearly three months, and police are asking for information on his whereabouts.

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Anyone who may have information or who may have witnessed the crime is asked to call the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tipsters can remain anonymous and still be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Vladimir Putin has transformed Russia during his nearly 25 years of rule. The former KGB agent has centralised power, eaten away at all forms of dissent, subjugated the judiciary and waged war on his countrys neighbours since rising to the presidency in 2000.

But perhaps more than anything else, it is Russias media ecosystem that best reflects the depth and breadth of change which Putin has engineered during his time at the helm.

The relative media freedoms Russians enjoyed during the tenure of Boris Yeltsin, Putins predecessor, were swiftly curtailed at the turn of the millennium.

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By 2001, the Kremlin had taken control of all the major television channels, including NTV, whose puppet satire Kukly  inspired by Britains Spitting Image  had ridiculed Putin, and ORT, which had been damning of his response to the Kursk submarine disaster of August 2000.

Over the subsequent two decades, the Kremlin tightened the screws on all of Russias media. And in the wake of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the countrys largely rubber-stamp parliament rushed through a raft of legislation aimed at outlawing all criticism of what Moscow still refers to as a special military operation  sounding what was all but the death knell for independent, Russian-language reporting.

Today, media outlets in the country effectively serve as an unofficial propaganda machine for Putin, and little else.

Francis Scarr works for BBC Monitoring, which monitors, analyses and reports on mass media worldwide

As a journalist with BBC Monitoring, it is my job to track them. This is my diary of a day  November 8  in Russias media landscape in 2024.

06:00

I switch on the morning news bulletins on Russias three main TV channels  Rossiya 1, NTV and Channel One (formerly ORT).

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As is often the case, theyre reverently poring over lengthy clips from President Putins most recent public appearance. The previous night hed given a long speech and Q&A at the Valdai Discussion Club, an annual gathering of foreign political experts, or at least of those still invited to Russia.

Putin spent over four hours on stage, employing narratives now familiar to any Russia watcher. He castigated the Wests neocolonial policies and its destruction of traditional values, before hailing the formation of a polyphonic world where all voices are heard and the solo performance of the United States was doomed to be relegated to the chorus.

It seemed Putin was intent on downplaying events across the Atlantic. Hed only broached the subject of Donald Trumps re-election as US president in the third hour of his appearance, congratulating Trump on his victory and saying he was ready to restore contacts with the US leadership.

As elsewhere, social media in Russia is constantly gaining ground on traditional media. But even in 2024 the tightly controlled TV channels remain the most popular source of information, with research suggesting that almost two thirds of Russians receive most of their news from what Putins critics know as the zomboyashchik (zombie box).

08:00

Not all Russian newspapers feature the aggressively anti-Western rhetoric heard daily on TV, but all those still operating in 2024 carefully toe the line.

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The proudly independent Novaya Gazeta, whose editor Dmitry Muratov jointly won the Nobel peace prize in 2021, was shut down by a Moscow court after the invasion of Ukraine because of its critical coverage. It now operates in exile under the name Novaya Gazeta Europe.

Putin may have kept his cards close to his chest at Valdai, but todays papers reveal more, voicing scepticism about the prospects of an upturn in relations between the Kremlin and a Trump White House.

An editorial in the privately-owned Nezavisimaya Gazeta reminds readers that the experience of dealing with Trump in his first term wasnt entirely negative, but it was disappointing. Sanctions and arms supplies to Ukraine were present back then too, it notes.

On the subject that matters most to the Kremlin, the paper has this to say: It seems likely that Trump will try to quickly freeze the Ukraine issue, portraying himself as a global leader who is able to effectively and decisively resolve conflicts. Yet, for Moscow, this wouldnt fundamentally address the painful issue of Ukraine, let alone the broader systemic rifts with the West.

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In Rossiyskaya Gazeta, the official government paper, an international relations expert says it would be naive to expect Trump to lift sanctions on Russia any time soon.

10:00

Olga Skabeyeva hosts 60 Minutes which is on twice a day and, oddly, lasts 150 minutes

By mid-morning, the political talk shows are in full swing on Rossiya 1 and Channel One. These programmes are hosted by some of the Kremlins key propagandists, including Olga Skabeyeva. They dominate daytime TV schedules, taking up several hours of air time each day. This is where Ukraine and its Western allies have been demonised most vociferously.

Skabeyeva hosts 60 Minutes, a show which, despite its name, runs for two and a half hours, twice a day. Like the news bulletins earlier, shes introducing sound bites from Putins mammoth appearance the night before. When I tune in, shes focusing on one particular remark.

[The Wests] calls for the strategic defeat of the largest nuclear power have pushed the planet to the brink, she paraphrases Putin as saying. She goes on to list some of the weapons at Moscows disposal, just in case the West has forgotten who its dealing with.

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60 Minutes, Rossiya 1 (Nov 8)

The Burevestnik, a cruise missile with unlimited range and a nuclear engine, invulnerable to all existing and up-and-coming missile defence systems, and the Poseidon super torpedo, which weighs 100 tonnes and is capable of wiping several American states from the face of the Earth with a single strike, including the cities of New York and Los Angeles, by causing a tsunami 500 metres high. Western propaganda has dubbed Poseidon a weapon of the Apocalypse.

On Time Will Tell, a similar show on Channel One, theyre discussing Trumps claim that he could end the conflict in Ukraine within 24 hours.

Boris Chernyshov, an MP from the misleadingly named Liberal Democratic party  in fact, strongly nationalist  says he expects Trump to adopt a hard policy line, but suggests Russia could exploit the president-elects supposed vanity.

Time Will Tell, Channel One

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We must be cunning and work with him in a way that he likes, to an extent. What does he want? He wants international recognition. He wants a Nobel Peace Prize... He has achieved success everywhere with the exception of a single area, the international arena. And what he wants is the status of the worlds chief peacemaker. That is what he wants. And we need to push through our terms and win.

The discussion then turns to the future relationship between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

A military analyst uses a derogatory Russian term for Ukrainians, telling the programme that despite his ethnic [Jewish] origin Zelensky would prove himself to be a typical khokhol and start betraying the outgoing US administration to endear himself to Trump.

In a manner not uncommon from those invited onto the talk shows, the commentator makes other insulting remarks about Zelensky, describing the Ukrainian president as a cornered rat more than once.

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Most of these shows emerged after 2014, when relations between Russia and the West reached breaking point after the annexation of Crimea.

And since 2022, several new programmes focused on the war have joined the fray. Tabloid talk show Nashi (meaning Our People) focuses on the lives of Russian speakers in occupied Ukraine and the regions return to normal life as part of Russia.

Another programme, Antifake, purports to debunk what it calls Western disinformation aimed at Russia. Among the fakes were Russian war crimes in the Ukrainian town of Bucha.

14:00

Its now time to check Telegram, the app where Russias military bloggers have proliferated since the invasion.

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These accounts, run by nationalist defence analysts, war correspondents and even soldiers, offer a belligerent but sometimes unvarnished account of the conflict. Since February 2022, many have racked up hundreds of thousands, even millions of followers. Putin escapes criticism, but often his generals do not.

Amid maps celebrating Russian battlefield gains and drone footage of targets being struck, I spot something more revealing.

Military blogger Anastasia Kashevarova complains that poorly trained young soldiers are being used as assault troops and surviving no longer than a month at the front, while government payouts to their families are costing up to 12m roubles, or almost 95,000.

The current system is ineffective, both from the military and financial point of view, she laments.

18:00

Later in the day, the main TV channels air their primetime evening news bulletins.

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Although theyd broadcast more than four hours of Putin at Valdai the previous night, theyre still examining what he said and assuring audiences that the rest of the world is too.

Vladimir Putins speech at the Valdai Discussion Club is being analysed in the worlds capitals today. What is said there is traditionally regarded as signals, to those who are friends and those who are not, NTV says.

The worlds media are discussing the presidents important statements and advice at Valdai, state-owned Rossiya 1 agrees, voicing confidence that Putins speech was heard in all the political centres of the West.

The channels also report on what they frame as European leaders being forced to confront the reality of Trumps election. Rossiya 1 says that the tone at the European Political Community summit in Budapest was set by the American leader.

Rossiya 1 also shows outgoing EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell saying that Europe needs to become stronger and bolster its sovereignty for the sake of its security, with the channel commenting that he has less than a month to go before retiring, and he wont have to put this fantasy into effect.

Elsewhere, the bulletins feature typically upbeat news from the war in Ukraine, with Russian troops said to be steadily advancing along the front line while also forcing Kyivs troops out of Kursk Region.

According to Russian media bulletins, Russia is forcing Kyivs troops out of Kursk Region

Channel One also tells viewers about the arrest of a supposed enemy spy in Crimea, something that has become a regular occurrence in occupied Ukraine.

22:00

A number of resourceful Russian-language websites and projects do their best to hold the Kremlin to account from abroad, producing stories that would never be published at home. Their websites are blocked inside Russia and accessing them requires the use of a VPN.

One of them, Agentstvo, has also reported on Putins Valdai appearance  but from an entirely different angle.

It has analysed data from the Flightradar24 tracker to establish that the Russian presidents visit to Sochi was only his second in a year. Previously he would spend weeks governing Russia from the Black Sea resort but has become more cautious as Ukrainian drones attack targets deeper and deeper inside Russia.

In a further reminder of the pressure on Russian reporters who take a stand against the Kremlin, another exiled website, Meduza, reports that the host of one of its podcasts has been charged with involvement in the activities of an undesirable organisation.

The use of such labels, slapped on Meduza in early 2023, is one of the ways in which the Kremlin makes it impossible for independent Russian-language media to operate inside the country, ensuring that only official messaging is allowed.

Francis Scarr is a journalist with BBC Monitoring, which reports and analyses news from media around the world

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SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO)  A man was arrested for stealing a car and threatening another person with a gun and a knife, according to SFPD spokesman Sam Clemens.

Veterans Parkway speed limit changing to 50 mph

Police were able to locate the man and the vehicle and arrested Christian Bellgayetaye, 24, from Sioux Falls for robbery, aggravated assault and grand theft.

No injuries were reported in the incident.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
STERLING, Va. (DC News Now)  Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Washington Dulles International Airport were surprised to find Cocaine and not Cacao inside packages of hot chocolate on Oct. 5.

While taking a look at a food shipment from a Guatemala courier, CBP officers found 10 bricks of a white powdery substance that was hidden between coffee grounds as well as under chocolate bars inside hot chocolate packages.

Officers tested the substance and determined it was cocaine hydrochloride.

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The 10 cocaine bricks weighed 28 pounds and six ounces and had a street value of about $900,000.

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Officers initially detained the courier, a man, but ended up releasing him as they werent able to connect him to the drugs. They canceled his Visa and sent him back to Guatemala on Wednesday.

Drug trafficking organizations continue trying to smuggle their illicit narcotics into the United States, but vigilant Customs and Border Protection officers are relentless in their efforts to intercept these smuggling attempts and to protect our communities from the scourge of dangerous drugs, said Marc E. Calixte, CBPs area port director for D.C.

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The shipment was supposed to be sent to an address in Northern Virginia.

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DENVER (KDVR)  Denver police confirmed Thursday that three people were arrested on suspicion of criminal trespassing in connection to 123 E. Speer Blvd.

The building is owned by 123 Speer Owner LP and on Wednesday, FOX31 employees noticed graffiti visible near the top of the building. On Thursday, more graffiti was visible on the building.

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SkyFOX flew over the building at 4:15 p.m. Thursday and saw large graffiti across at least two sides of the building.

Graffiti was visible near the top of 123 E. Speer Blvd. on Nov. 14, as seen here from SkyFOX. Graffiti was visible near the top of 123 E. Speer Blvd. on Nov. 14, as seen here from SkyFOX.

At about 3 p.m. on Thursday, the Denver Police Department told FOX31 that there were two open burglary investigations for the address, and said the agency had been in contact with the buildings owner. The building was the former station headquarters for ABC affiliate station Denver7 but was sold in 2021 to a limited partnership. The TV station stopped broadcasting out of the building in July as it moved to a property on Delgany Street.

Later in the day, the agency told FOX31 that three people had been arrested for criminal trespassing at 123 E. Speer Blvd., and said the arrests were made Thursday afternoon after FOX31 reached out to the agency. The trio were inside the building when the arrests were made, Denver police reported.

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The Denver Community Planning and Development Department told FOX31 on Thursday that the building owner has not sought a demolition permit, but the department believes that will come soon, but the timeline is unknown.

Its the building owners intent to demolish the building and create something new in that space, Ryan Huff, communications director for Denver Community Planning and Development, told FOX31s Nate Belt.

People who spoke to Belt on the street told him they found the building to now be an eyesore, and hoped something would be done sooner than later.

The building was added to the citys Neglected and Derelict Buildings list in October.

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The list allows the city to remove weeds, clean up debris and conduct other general maintenance on buildings whose owners are failing to properly maintain them. Then, the city bills the building owner or puts a lien on the property to ensure taxpayers are not footing the bill for what should be the responsibility of the property owner, according to a Denver CPD spokesperson.

Additionally, the Denver department said it is working with the building owner to create a maintenance plan to ensure the building is secure. On Thursday, the department boarded up the structure to prevent further trespassing, a spokesperson told FOX31.

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ALEXANDRIA, Va. (DC News Now)  Three men were sentenced for their roles in a conspiracy to cash fraudulent checks and obtain pandemic relief benefits.

The U.S. Attorneys Office (USAO) said 29-year-old Deandre Dre Merritt  aka Scam Likely and John Adams  schemed to cause stolen or altered checks and use victims identity information to fraudulently claim pandemic relief benefits.

The conspiracy lasted from at least May 2020 through January 2022.

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Merritt and one other person used U.S. Postal Service (USPS) arrow keys, which are keys used by mail carriers and collectors to unlock USPS collection boxes. They would steal checks from those boxes and create fraudulent checks using unwitting victims names, addresses, account numbers and banking information.

Mans body found after brush fire in Waldorf, investigation underway

The USAO noted a bank teller would tell Merritt if a check could be cashed, and he would provide his co-conspirators with checks and direct them to the teller.

Among those who cashed checks for Merritt were:

31-year-old Sylvester E. Hawkins II of Buffalo, N.Y.

23-year-old Trevon Rell Thompson of La Plata, Md.

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Merritt worked with the two others to obtain illegitimate drivers licenses and passport documents, using other peoples names but picturing Hawkins or Thompson.

Merritt and Thompson used those identification documents to fraudulently obtain cellphones, open bank accounts and obtain debit cards, credit cards, loans and lines of credit.

Merritt also recruited individuals to go into banks with the illegitimate IDs as needed.

Thompson, Merritt and Hawkins used a drivers license in the name of an identity theft victim to apply for and receive a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan of $20,833.

They also used other peoples information to apply for pandemic and unemployment insurance benefits, which were intended to help those who lost their jobs or whose employment was impacted by COVID-19.

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Frontier Airlines back at Washington Dulles International Airport, offers $39 fares to celebrate

Merritt directed at least 15 people to go into bank branches and the overall bank fraud conspiracy caused a loss of at least $575,597.

The overall wire and bank fraud conspiracy related to the pandemic and unemployment benefit applications caused a loss of at least $506,308.

The USAO said the conspiracy used the personal identifying information of at least 10 victims.

Thompson pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud on Aug. 1. He was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison on Oct. 18.

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Hawkins pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud on July 17. He was sentenced to one year and three months in prison on Nov. 5.

Merritt pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud on Aug. 27. He was the last to be sentenced  on Nov. 13  to five years and six months in prison.

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WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  The Salisbury Police Department (SPD) announced on Thursday that three more people were charged in a hate crime investigation that involved Salisbury University students.

Police said three teenagers were arrested in connection to an assault that happened at an off-campus apartment complex in the 1400 block of University Terrace.

These arrests come just days after 12 Salisbury University students were charged and accused of targeting and beating a man because of his sexual orientation.

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PREVIOUS COVERAGE | 12 Salisbury University students charged in connection to hate crime

During the investigation, police obtained cell phone footage and talked with witnesses. They discovered that the group used the social media platform, Grindr to lure the victim to the apartment under false pretenses.

When the man entered the apartment, the group surrounded him and forced him to sit in a chair. Police said they then proceeded to kick, punch and even spit while calling him derogatory names.

As the investigation developed, detectives learned that Sean Antone, 19, of West Friendship, Md., Benjamin Brandenburg, 18, of Gylndon, Md., and Logan Clark, 19, of Severna Park, Md. also played an alleged role in the assault.

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According to SPD, the charges mirrored the 12 students who are facing first-degree, false imprisonment, reckless endangerment and associated hate crime charges.

SPD said all of the known suspects have been taken into custody.

The investigation is ongoing.

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Two men and a woman were seriously injured in an apartment fire that broke out Thursday night in the West Garfield Park neighborhood, officials said.

Shortly after 11:30 p.m., Chicago police officers responded to a call of a fire at an apartment building in the 4700 block of West Ohio Street. When they arrived Chicago firefighters were on the scene to extinguish the blaze. Officials said three victims suffered injuries from the fire.

A 33-year-old man suffered burns to the arms and face, and was taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood where he was listed in critical condition, An 81-year-old man and a 64-year-old woman both suffered smoke inhalation and were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital and listed in serious condition, police said.

A warming bus was sent to the scene and the Red Cross was on hand to assist residents. The cause of the fire was not immediately known and officials were investigating.
Four children returned home from Russian-occupied parts of Kherson Oblast, regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin said on Nov. 15.

"Thanks to the efforts of the charity organization 'Save Ukraine,' the children are back," the governor reported via his official Telegram channel. "They are safe and receiving the necessary medical and psychological help to recover from what they've experienced under Russian occupation."

Since the beginning of Russias full-scale war against Ukraine, Moscow has abducted Ukrainian children from occupied territories and forcibly transferred them within the occupied territories or to Russia itself. According to the Ukrainian governments database, Russia has illegally abducted over 19,500 children since February 2022, and less than 390 have returned home thus far.

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In a statement released on Nov. 15, Prokudin said the children who returned home include four boys, aged between 1.7 and 17. Prokudin said that since the beginning of 2024, at least 229 children from occupied parts of Kherson Oblast have been returned to Ukraine.

Taking hostage people who take no active part in hostilities breaches the Geneva Conventions and constitutes a war crime.

Around 1.5 million Ukrainian children who remain in occupied areas of Ukraine are at high risk of being deported to Russia, Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said on Oct. 2. According to the Ombudsman's Office, those from children's homes in Kherson Oblast were first moved to the occupied territories and then deported to Russia.

Read also: Canada allocates over $7 million for return, reintegration of Ukrainian children

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A new study reveals that an unconventional ecological intervention tactic is still providing benefits 40 years later

After the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens devastated the local environment, scientists set a few gophers loose on some patches of ground, hoping they would kick up bacteria and fungi

That uncovered fungi, particularly mycorrhizal fungi, created a microbial community that allowed plant life to better obtain and retain nutrients, and therefor thrive

It would probably pretty alarming to learn that, in the early 1980s, scientists decided to drop off a bunch of gophers at the site of a volcanic eruption. But dont worry, its not as bad as it sounds.

In fact, according to a new report from the University of California, this particular gopher-volcano encounter proved to be such a net positive that its effects are still being felt 40 years later.

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It starts with the eruption of Mount St. Helens in May of 1980. It was the most destructive volcanic event in American history, claiming 57 lives and causing staggering ecological damage. Faced with a devastation that would take the local environment a substantial amount of time to recover from, scientists were open to unorthodox ideas that might speed the process along. So they did what any reasonable person would decide to do and tossed a couple of gophers at the issue. Seriously.

Specifically, as laid out in the University of Californias report, the thinking was by digging up beneficial bacteria and fungi, gophers might be able to help regenerate lost plant and animal life on the mountain. So, just two years after the devastating eruption, thats exactly what scientists did. They gathered up some gophers, brought them to the eruption site, and let them do their gopher thing.

Theyre often considered pests, notes UC Riverside microbiologist Michael Allen, but we thought they would take old soil, move it to the surface, and that would be where recovery would occur.

Before the gopher drop-off, only about a dozen plants were reported to have emerged from the pumice slabs that Mount St. Helens eruption had turned the land into. But six years after the gophers were placed on two specific plots of pumice for a single day there were 40,000 plants thriving. Meanwhile, the area around those plots, which had not been gopher-ed, was still barren.

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To see these changes six years on was impressive, but nobody could have imagined that the benefits of this single day of gopher intervention could still be seen decades later. But thats precisely what an article published in the journal Frontiers earlier this month indicates. 40 years on, the article noted, the microbial community fostered within those plots, specifically mycorrhizal fungi, are still allowing plant life to thrive in the area.

These trees have their own mycorrhizal fungi that picked up nutrients from the dropped needles and helped fuel rapid tree regrowth, the papers co-author Emma Aronson said of the fungis importance, The trees came back almost immediately in some places. It didnt all die like everyone thought.

Naturally, one takeaway from this paper is, as University of Connecticut mycologist Mia Maltz summarizes, that we cannot ignore the interdependence of all things in nature, especially the things we cannot see like microbes and fungi.

But another takeaway is that, when in doubt, and the situation seems grim, just toss a couple of gophers at the problem and see if that does anything. It might just work!

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BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- China and Peru have signed a protocol to upgrade the bilateral free trade agreement in Lima, the Peruvian capital, according to China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC).

The protocol was signed on Thursday by Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and Peru's Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism Ursula Leon Chempen, representing their respective governments.

Based on the original free trade agreement signed in 2009, the protocol aims to optimize provisions in various areas, including rules of origin, customs procedures and trade facilitation, intellectual property rights, and trade in services.

The protocol also introduces five new provisions, which cover cooperation on standards and compliance assessment, competition policy, e-commerce, global supply chains, and environment and trade, said the MOC.

The signing of the protocol will help unleash the potential of bilateral trade and investment cooperation, create a better business environment for companies of both countries, better protect and promote two-way investment, and deliver more tangible benefits to businesses and people of both countries, according to the MOC.

Following the signing, the two countries will undertake their respective domestic legal approval procedures to expedite the protocol's entry into force and implementation, the MOC said. 
President-elect Donald J. Trump announced on Wednesday, Nov. 13 that he has nominated Republican representative Matt Gaetz to be attorney general via a post on his social media platform.

Matt is a deeply gifted and tenacious attorney, trained at the William & Mary College of Law, who has distinguished himself in Congress through his focus on achieving desperately needed reform at the Department of Justice, Trump said in his social media post. Few issues in America are more important than ending the partisan Weaponization of our Justice System. Matt will end Weaponized Government, protect our Borders, dismantle Criminal Organizations and restore Americans badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department.

If Gaetz is confirmed by the Senate, he will replace Merrick B. Garland, the current attorney general who was appointed in March 2021, and will become the head of the Department of Justice and chief law enforcement officer of the federal government.

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Gaetz, who was nearing the end of his fourth term representing Floridas first congressional district when he resigned to accept the nomination, is a staunch Trump loyalist with a controversial history. In 2020,the DOJ opened an investigation against Gaetz after it was alleged that he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old and paid for her to travel across state lines with him. The DOJ ended the investigation in 2023.

Washington largely voted blue in the election, so heres what you need to know about Gaetz and how he could affect the Evergreen State if hes confirmed.

Who is Matt Gaetz?

Gaetz, whose father is a Florida state legislator, has deep ties to his home state. He was born in Hollywood, Florida went to high school in Niceville in the northwest part of the state, and attended college at Florida State University. While Gaetz left the state to get his law degree, he returned there to practice law.

Gaetz served as a representative in the state legislature from 2010 until 2016, before running for Congress that year and winning the seat. Gaetz became the representative for Floridas 1st congressional district in January of 2017, a role that he held until resigning earlier this week to focus on his attorney general nomination.

What Gaetz has said about Trump, Jan. 6

Gaetz has gained a reputation as a Trump loyalist. However, that isnt always reflected in his voting record. According to political data tracking and analysis site FiveThirtyEight, Gaetz voted in line with the then-presidents position 85% of the time during Trumps time in office. Between 2017 and 2018, Gaetz voted in line with Trumps position 81.1% of the time, one of the lowest rates of any Republican in Congress, although that rose to 89% over the following two years.

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But even if his voting record isnt the most pro-Trump, Gaetzs public persona is. The congressman has made repeated media appearances in favor of the president-elect. In 2019, he posted what some thought was a threatening message on Twitter about former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen ahead of Cohens testimony regarding the then-president.

After the 2020 election, Gaetz pushed unfounded claims that the vote had been stolen from Trump, continuing to do so after the events of Jan. 6, 2021 and well into President Bidens term. He also blamed the Jan. 6 attacks on left-wing activists.

Gaetz has been under DOJ investigation

Gaetz is a controversial figure, even among Republicans  late last year, he filed a motion that led to then-Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthys removal.

The now-closed DOJ investigation into Gaetz stemmed from a separate probe about his friend Joel Greenberg, who pleaded guilty to sex trafficking charges. The probe is believed to have started in late 2020 and ramped up the following year. After looking into whether or not Gaetz had a sexual relationship with a minor and paid for her travel, in early 2023, the DOJ decided it didnt have enough evidence to move forward with the case.

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A former White House aide testified that Gaetz asked the Trump administration for a preemptive pardon on any charges related to the investigation. While the DOJ investigation didnt result in any charges, he was still under investigation by the House Ethics Committee, until he resigned to take over the DOJ.

Gaetz has repeatedly denied the allegations, claiming that theyre the result of an attempt to extort him.

Gaetzs political positions

Despite not always aligning with Trump, Gaetzs voting record is one of the more conservative ones in Congress. Conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation, a key organization behind Project 2025, says that Gaetz has voted in line with its issue positions 88% of the time during his four terms. Even with that number falling to 81% during the current term, its still well above the Republican average of 73%.

Gaetz is staunchly anti-immigration, going as far as to endorse the great replacement conspiracy theory. Notably for Washington state, Gaetz tends to vote against climate protections. The League of Conservation Voters gives his voting record on climate issues a score of 10%.

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Still, there are a handful of issues that he aligns with the left on. In 2019, Gaetz introduced a bill to expand research into medical uses of marijuana. During his time as a state legislator, Gaetz introduced a measure to repeal a Florida ban that prohibited same-sex couples from adopting.

How Gaetz as AG could impact WA

So how could Gaetz affect Washington state if he is confirmed as attorney general? Its tough to know for certain, but there are some clues.

Much of the DOJs job is to prosecute people who violate federal law. This doesnt necessarily deal with issues typically thought to be partisan, although a recent DOJ case in Washington did result in charges against a business owner for violating the federal Clean Air Act.

A bigger impact could be the DOJs ability to challenge state laws. A Gaetz-led DOJ could challenge Washington state policies it believes to violate federal law. However, Gaetzs early remarks suggest he might want the department to have a relatively small footprint. In a widely-reported social media post just before his nomination was announced that appears to have been deleted, Gaetz spoke of abolishing every one of the three letter agencies, such as the FBI and the CDC.

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This echoes his comments from the Conservative Political Action Committees 2023 conference. In his speech, Gaetz said that we either get this government back on our side, or we defund, and get rid of, abolish the [Federal Bureau of Investigation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives], DOJ  every last one of them if they do not come to heel.

Washington states government will likely take steps to minimize the impact of the Trump administration on Washington.

Washington has strong statutes that protect our values, and when Trump messed with our state we sued him 97 times  only losing two cases on the merits while he was in office, current Governor Jay Inslee stated in a press release the day after the Nov. 5 election.

Governor-elect Bob Ferguson is widely expected to approach the second Trump presidency similarly. He served as the states attorney general during the first Trump term, overseeing several lawsuits against the Trump administration, including notable ones about climate policy and immigration. Ferguson has already hinted that he plans to combat any Trump administration decisions that he views as an infringement on the rights of Washingtonians.

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One impact of a Gaetz tenure as attorney general could be on grant funding the state receives. The DOJ gives local governments and nonprofits billions of dollars worth of grants each year for public safety programs. In recent months, Washington state organizations have received $10 million for domestic violence prevention. If hes confirmed, Gaetz could reshuffle the departments priorities and spending.

All of this is contingent on Gaetz being confirmed by the Senate. After Novembers election, Republicans are slated to control at least 52 and likely 53 seats in the Senate, giving Gaetz some cushion, but not a lot, if members of his party vote against his confirmation. You can read more about the confirmation process here.
NORMAN  A $353.9 million bond proposal approved by Norman voters in early 2023 means each of the school districts 17 elementary schools soon will have a so-called STEAM classroom. But equipping those science, technology, engineering, art and math classrooms isnt cheap.

Thats where the Norman Public Schools Foundation comes in. On a crystal-clear autumn Thursday morning on a playground at McKinley Elementary School, while surrounded by schoolchildren, officials from the foundation  a separate entity from the school district  announced a record gift of $500,000 toward the cost of curriculum, equipment and tools to outfit the new hands-on learning spaces.

The classrooms will be known as Foundation Labs, both a nod to the foundation and to the goal of building a strong academic foundation for every student. To put the size of the gift in perspective, the foundation, since its inception in 1984, had given about $4.3 million total to the school district before Thursday.

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With this partnership between the school district and the foundation, were not just building labs, were building futures, said Alesha Leemaster, the foundations executive director. The Foundation Labs will ignite curiosity in our students, preparing them for the challenges of tomorrow.

More: Oklahoma bucking national trend as more freshmen enroll in public colleges, universities

Norman Public Schools District Superintendent Nick Migliorino speaks during a ceremony recognizing a $500,000 gift from the foundation to the district, with an under-construction STEAM classroom in the background.

Chris Graves, the chairman of the foundations board, said the gift will ensure that all 17 elementary schools in Norman have a Foundation Lab that is fully stocked with materials that will prepare our future workforce by ensuring that all students have access to explore these critical areas of learning.

McKinley will be one of the first Norman schools to have a STEAM lab, with the classroom now under construction. It should be ready by the start of the 2025-26 school year, school Principal Carol Emerson said.

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It will affect every kid at our school, Emerson said. Students will be able to be creative and be involved in those areas. Its amazing.

Thanks to the foundations gift, Emerson said, teachers will have to opportunity to work with these kids on a grade-level curriculum in a way that we havent been able to before. We dont have enough money to buy all these materials, no school does. Without these, we would be talking to them about an experiment, but not really doing the experiment.

Curriculum will be key for the STEAM classrooms to meet their full potential, she said, and being able to purchase pre-prepared curriculum  instead of having to develop their own  is magic for a teacher, Emerson said.

Norman Superintendent Nick Migliorino said the foundation's donation complements all the great things that are happening in the classroom, so those passions can be realized.  Buildings are important  we have to have the space  but its what happens inside the buildings that is most important, providing opportunities and resources for our teachers is paramount, so that our kiddos have the best opportunity to achieve at their highest potential.

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More: Oklahoma higher education regents seek about 9% increase in budget for next fiscal year

Justin Milner, the districts associate superintendent and chief operating officer, has been the its point person for bond projects. A few weeks ago, he watched as one of the bonds high-profile projects, the groundbreaking for a permanent facility for the Oklahoma Aviation Academy  an aviation immersion school  took place at Max Westheimer Airport.

He spoke Thursday about the excitement surrounding that project, and then motioned to the McKinley playground, by that time full of children, and the under-construction STEAM classroom.

This is where it starts, he said.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: $500,000 gift will help equip new Norman elementary STEAM classrooms
Maira Erlich/Bloomberg via Getty Images

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This years Transgender Awareness Week (the leadup to Trans Day of Remembrance on November 19) has felt particularly macabre, arriving on the heels of a presidential election that will be disastrous for trans rights. Still, theres never been a better time to help trans communities across the U.S. find shelter, obtain medical care, and protect themselves from state violence  and if youre reading this, you can help by getting involved in mutual aid.

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Although there are plenty of well-known LGBTQ+ nonprofit organizations and advocacy groups throughout the country, mutual aid funds prioritize giving directly to marginalized people in need, in order to survive crises and improve their material conditions. Numerous trans-led mutual aid funds exist on local, state, regional, and national scales, and while many may not be tax-deductible, we think thats a small price to pay in order to help trans folks find safe shelter, obtain gender-affirming care, change legal identity documents, and more.

The phrase we keep us safe may have originated in prison abolition organizing, but it definitely applies to LGBTQ+ folks as well. Below, weve highlighted just a few trans mutual aid funds that are open to donations  or applications for assistance, if the trans person in need is you  as of November 2024. For more, check out our state-by-state list of mutual aid funds and advocacy groups. You can also search for #TransCrowdFund on your preferred social media platform to find individual trans people fundraising for their own needs.

Organized by the Louisville, Kentucky-based nonprofit Change Today, Change Tomorrow, the Black Trans Fund offers unrestricted assistance for Black trans, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming people. According to organizers, the fund has distributed over $35,000 for bills, travel, food, medical needs, and recreational needs over its four years in existence. Donations are tax-deductible.

Based in Utah, Genderbands offers individual grants for trans people seeking help with medical costs (including surgeries for those over 18), travel, name and identity document changes, and special grants for trans youth with parental consent. Any trans person in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico may apply, although surgical grants are limited to U.S. residents; the application period for 2025 grants, including one dedicated grant for a masculinizing top surgery procedure in Salt Lake City, ends November 30. Donations of gently used binders are also accepted.

A project of the Iowa Mutual Aid Network, this fund is dedicated to providing aid for gender-affirming medical care throughout the state, and has distributed over $100,000 since 2021, according to its website. Grant seekers may apply every month, and may receive funding for hormone therapy, surgeries, therapy, and some other medical fees, as well as name change costs, travel expenses for medical care, and gender-affirming clothing.

One of the largest trans-led mutual aid networks in the U.S., Point of Pride has raised millions for trans mutual aid through its annual TikTok fundraisers. The organization funds gender-affirming surgeries, hormone therapy, hair removal, clothing, and more through its various dedicated funds, and offers free binders and shapewear for those who cannot afford to buy their own. In 2024, Point of Pride reported giving $163,000 to 117 trans people through their HRT Access Fund alone, including 49 Black recipients thanks to funding from the National Black Trans Advocacy Coalition.

Based in Pensacola, Florida, STRIVEs anticapitalist organizers say their mission is to provide moral and material support to trans people who need it, in the form of emergency housing, hormone therapy, food support, transportation, and any other items needed for our survival. In addition to its aid funds, STRIVE also holds trans community events and weekly political organizing meetings.

Although most of its organizers are based in Missouri, Transitional Justice seeks to facilitate travel and temporary, transitional housing for trans people fleeing harmful legislation throughout the U.S., as well as people who have been evicted from their homes, fired from their jobs, or denied access to healthcare. Applicants can request assistance by filling out the organizations web form.

Founded in 2013 through the South Carolina nonprofit We Are Family, the Trans Love Fund offers microgrants up to $200 for assorted medical, legal, and emergency living expenses. Grants are available to trans South Carolinians ages 16 and older, with applications opening one week out of every month (usually the first week, per the funds FAQ). We Are Family also operates the Closet Case Thrift Store, which offers free gender-affirming clothing to trans and gender-nonconforming youth.

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Originally Appeared on them.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  Eight new assistant prosecuting attorneys have been sworn into the Montgomery County Prosecutors office.

Prosecutor Mat Heck, Jr. administered the Oath of Office this week with Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio, Sharon Kennedy. On Tuesday, Nov. 12 the lawyers attended an induction ceremony in Columbus when they were admitted to the Ohio Bar.

A fairy tale: Best friends reunite in Dayton after 40 years

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All of the new assistant prosecutors were employed by the prosecutors office as Law Grads, as they awaited the results of the Bar Examination.

The new prosecutors include:

Tristan D. Diegel  Appellate Division

Masooma Seyal  Juvenile Division

Destiny Thomas  Child Protection Unit

Samuel Stimson  Juvenile Division

Jenna Heini  Child Protection Unit

Cara Guha  Child Protection Unit

Nathalie Kirkland  Child Protection Unit

Richard Smith II  Grand Jury/Intake Section

I am proud to have these new lawyers start their legal careers in my office, serving victims of crime and the public. I feel confident that this group of lawyers will become excellent prosecutors. Please join me in congratulating them! said Heck.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
On Election Day, Donald Trump beat the second woman to ever win a major-party nomination for the presidency  just eight years after he beat the first. Did Kamala Harris loss this year, and Hillary Clintons loss in 2016, have anything to do with their gender? Or was it something else? We asked a group of leading women in journalism, politics and academia to explain why a woman has still not been elected president in the United States.

There is plenty of evidence that voters could have gendered biases that factored into their votes in 2016 and 2024, and our contributors know it well. One pointed to studies in which participants judged a personnel file with a womans name as less competent than that with a mans name  and then, when more information was included to show her superior competence, the same participants found her more competent but less likeable.

There were others, though, who thought that gender might be at play, but not necessarily in a way that would make voters less likely to vote for a woman. Harris didnt lose the election because shes a woman, but she was put into the position to lose this election because she was a woman, one former Trump official wrote.

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Many of the women blamed a mix  gender, yes, but gender combined with the Democratic Partys failure to win working-class men and how voters see the party in general. No woman in the United States has yet been able to clear that bar, one contributor wrote. The first to do so may well come from the right.

The United States is not ready for a woman president  at least not a Democratic woman president.

BY ANNE-MARIE SLAUGHTER

Anne-Marie Slaughter is the CEO of New America and former director of policy planning at the State Department.

K amala Harris did not lose because she is a woman. And the United States is not ready for a woman president  at least not a Democratic woman president.

To understand the complexities of the 2024 election and of future elections in which women will continue to try to break what Hillary Clinton called the highest, hardest glass ceiling, it is necessary to hold both these claims in our minds at the same time.

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A good starting point for analyzing the election results is to turn to the conventional political science wisdom on what happens to incumbent presidents when the economy is bad, or at least perceived to be bad. They lose.

According to CNNs analysis of exit polls, nearly 50 percent of voters in this election said that they were worse off than they were four years ago. Trump won this group overwhelmingly. When Biden was still in the race in July, after his debate performance, Republicans projected that they were heading for a landslide. Only after Harris entered the race did it tighten; indeed, she was leading in national polls through September. But in the end, voters still perceived her as the incumbent. It is always possible to argue that American voters say they are prepared to vote for a woman but just cant bring themselves to do it in the secrecy of the voting booth. But in this case Harris performed as traditional voting models would predict given the state of the economy, and significantly better than the man she replaced.



Another way of looking at the impact of gender is to compare how Harris did among women voters in comparison with Hillary Clinton. Clintons lead over Trump among women voters was 13 points in 2016. Eight years later, Harris lead over Trump was eight points. In other words, Harris lost support among women voters who had previously voted for a woman candidate. These voters must be making up their minds based on issues other than gender.

In sum, pinning the loss on Harris gender is too simple, no matter how tempting. But its a factor: Neither Clinton nor Harris succeeded in winning a majority of American men. Both those candidates are also Democrats, though, which has long not been the favored party of male voters. And that might be the real issue for female Democratic nominees: a combination of the partys perception and the candidates gender.

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Any woman planning a future run for the presidency must reckon with what it means to American voters not only to have a woman in the Oval Office, but also, and crucially, as commander in chief of the most powerful military in the world. The United States has never even had a woman secretary of Defense or chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, even as women have scaled the heights of the State and Treasury Departments.

Out of the nine nuclear powers in the world, only Britain, Israel, India and Pakistan have elected women to the top job. Indira Gandhi and Benazir Bhutto were daughters of powerful political fathers in dynastic democracies. Golda Meir was famously called the best man in the government by Israels first prime minister David Ben-Gurion. All three British women prime ministers have been Tories. Angela Merkel in Germany and Giorgia Meloni in Italy were also both elected as conservatives in their countries.

In short, women leaders in countries with strong national security establishments must prove that they are tougher than tough, something that is easier to do if they come from traditionally pro-military side of the political spectrum. Voters must be able to imagine them taking the country to war or defending against military attack. No woman in the United States has yet been able to clear that bar; the first to do so may well come from the right.

Harris was pushed off the glass cliff  repeatedly.

BY SARAH ISGUR

Sarah Isgur is a graduate of Harvard Law School who clerked on the Fifth Circuit. She was Justice Department spokesperson during the Trump administration and is the host of the legal podcast Advisory Opinions for the Dispatch.

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V oters have not yet elected a woman president because the woman candidates who have gotten closest  Kamala Harris in 2024 and Hillary Clinton in 2016  faced very specific and different challenges.

Harris didnt lose the election because shes a woman, but she was put into the position to lose this election because she was a woman. A 2014 study found that Fortune 500 companies were likely to promote women into CEO positions over white men when those companies were struggling in a phenomenon that has been dubbed the glass cliff. Harris was pushed off the glass cliff  repeatedly.

In March 2020, Joe Biden said he would only consider women to be his running mate. He selected Harris, who had less experience than any modern vice president since Spiro Agnew. He didn't do that to help her; he picked her to help him. After his disqualifying debate performance in June, the Democratic Party didn't have an open process to allow their voters to pick the best candidate. Many Democrats deferred to Harris because they reportedly feared political backlash if they passed over her. They didn't do this to help her; they did it to protect themselves. Harris could have spent another decade or more in the Senate, run in more presidential primaries, all the while becoming a more polished politician with a better sense of her own political beliefs. She wasn't given that opportunity because of her gender, and now her political career is almost certainly over because of it.

(And lets be clear: If Biden had declined to run again in January 2023, Democrats would have had a robust primary. Given her weaknesses as an inexperienced candidate and her close ties to an unpopular administration, it's unlikely that Harris would have emerged from that process. But the person who did  whether male or female  would have had a much better shot at winning the general election.)

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We've only had one woman to ever win her party's nomination and lose the general election. Just like Al Gore didn't lose because he was a man, Hillary Clinton didn't lose because she was a woman. They both lost because they lacked her husband's charisma but carried his baggage.

Voters hold stereotypes that prevent them from seeing women as capable leaders.

NADIA E. BROWN

Nadia E. Brown is professor of government and director of the womens and gender studies program and affiliate in the Black studies program at Georgetown University.

A mericans have not yet elected a woman president because most voters hold gendered stereotypes that prevent them from viewing female politicians as capable leaders.

Research has shown that voters prize stereotypically masculine leadership traits  such as assertiveness and competitiveness  in executive-branch leaders. This isnt necessarily true for all offices. Voters often may prefer legislative-branch officeholders who display stereotypically feminine leadership traits, such as empathy, collaboration, communal decision-making and inclusivity, and as a result, are more open to voting for female candidates for those offices. Still, when it comes to executive office, voters are less likely to prefer a woman.

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In addition to these leadership preferences, voters prefer that both men and women candidates lean into policy issues that are stereotypically associated with their gender. Stereotypical womens issues include health care, pay equity, social welfare policy and education, while stereotypical mens issues include defense, foreign policy and national security. This means that women politicians are more likely to be elected when voters are most concerned with feminine policy issues. While scholars have found that Americans are not steadfast in these beliefs and have made notable exceptions to elect women to offices that are deemed masculine or trust womens ability to excel at some masculine issues  this is the exception and not the rule.

Political science research also consistently demonstrates women politicians receive a high level of media coverage that questions their competence. The novelty of women running for executive office attracts more news coverage, but research finds that it is gendered. Specifically, news coverage of women candidates is often centered on feminine political issues and character traits. This only affirms and furthers voters existing biases.

It's important to note that the vast majority of political science research on this subject has not been conducted on female candidates of color. However, the limited studies on intersectional stereotyping that focus on Latina and Black women candidates find that voter stereotypes are racialized and gendered. For example, Latina candidates are not perceived as being strong leaders. Black women are viewed as effective leaders but not likable. Furthermore, because ethnic-racial minority candidates are viewed as being stronger on policy areas that are tied to their identities, such as civil rights or immigration, they are stereotyped as failing to understand policies that apply to a broader group.

These enduring stereotypes of women  and women of color specifically  demonstrate why Americans have yet to elect a female president and why that problem is so deep-seated and difficult to fix.

America didnt cure its sexism problem in eight years.

JILL FILIPOVIC

Jill Filipovic is a journalist, lawyer and author of OK Boomer, Lets Talk: How My Generation Got Left Behind and The H-Spot: The Feminist Pursuit of Happiness.

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W hy hasnt the United States elected a female president yet? Sometimes the simplest and most obvious explanation is the actual one: The U.S. hasnt elected a female president yet because the U.S. remains a deeply sexist place, and the man who ran against both potential female presidents was particularly adept at pressing Americas misogyny button.

This straightforward answer may feel very 2016 and isnt particularly satisfying for analysts and readers who want some fresh, unexpected take. But America didnt cure its sexism problem in eight years. In a nation where women have had the vote for a century, where women have outnumbered men in the ranks of college graduates for decades, where there is no shortage of highly-qualified women in politics, and where there are more women than men in both the population and in voter numbers, the fact that the presidency has been an exclusively male domain for 235 years says less about women than it does about the nation.



It's not that women are unelectable; the U.S., I believe, can and will elect a female president. But, while women have occupied Senate seats and governors mansions, there seems to be something unique about the idea of a woman sitting behind the big oak desk in the Oval Office. The prospect of putting a woman in that particular chair  and especially a liberal woman  seems to touch a deep sense of male displacement that a candidate like Trump has been able to exploit. Its not a coincidence that Trumps first campaign, coming on the heels of the first Black president, was one of overt sexism and masculine entitlement: He spoke to a white male base who, having seen a Black man in charge for eight years, may have felt uneasy about the prospect of a woman in office after him, a change that further signaled the demise of white male dominance in America. Its not a coincidence that, after being bested by a white man in 2020, Trump again leaned into a macho posture in 2024 as he faced down another female opponent, again asserting an authority that has not yet been usurped: male power.

This time, he emphasized a kind of male pride as he appeared with various fixtures of the bro universe: male-oriented podcasters, wrestlers, mixed martial arts fighters, tech entrepreneurs. The message was more subtle than 2016s explicitly misogynist Trump that bitch. It was a statement about whose voices the campaign values, whose culture it embraces, and whose preferences it will put first  who will have a seat at the table when America is being re-made, and what the nation will look like post-makeover. It was a statement about who is naturally deserving of power in America.

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This impulse to preserve the male monopoly on presidential power is not one that lives in most Americans frontal cortexes; few go into the voting booth thinking, I would never vote for a woman. Instead, something baser seems to be triggered when faced with the prospect of a woman taking up the highest office in the land. The idea of the most powerful person in the world being a woman is a reminder that men are no longer exclusively in charge  not in their homes, not in politics, not in the workplace. This is destabilizing for men, but for a whole lot of women, too.

I have little doubt that Americans who are four or eight or 12 more years used to women in different positions of power, voting in an election between a woman and a different kind of man than Trump, could finally yield a different and historic outcome. The more important question, I think, is whether we will be wise enough to refuse to take these results as guarantors of future failures and be brave enough to try again.

When voters look beyond characteristics like sex or ethnicity, the chances will greatly improve that America will soon elect a woman president.

STAR PARKER

Star Parker is the founder of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education (CURE), a Washington D.C.-based public policy institute.

C andidates win elections when they offer a personality and an agenda that appeals to the majority of voters. So the more useful question would be to ask why we have not yet had a woman presidential candidate who has achieved this.

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I think the extent to which women believe that sexual identity, or ethnic characterizations, is a major factor in who should lead the country is a sign of the problem.

The first names that come to mind of women who have risen to leadership  British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir  are women whose lives were consumed by love of their country and of what they believed to be the truths and principles that their countries needed. I doubt either was particularly motivated to be a feminist icon.

I believe that when more women  and men  are able to look beyond characteristics like sex or ethnicity, the chances will greatly improve that America will soon elect a woman president.

Our country has major problems. Polls point to the deep dissatisfaction among citizens about the direction of the country. This dissatisfaction, in my view, is well justified. Annual GDP growth since 2000 is much less than what it was from 1950 to 2000, fertility rates are well below replacement rates, we have massive federal debt and deficits and our major entitlement programs  Social Security and Medicare  are facing insolvency. Moral truths which once held major sway in building our country are disappearing.

When a woman emerges whose passion is not to be someone but to do something, whose love of country transcends her personal identity, who is in touch with the eternal truths that make our country great, she may be the first woman who achieves our nations highest office.

Changing attitudes on gender is slow work.

BETSY FISCHER MARTIN

Betsy Fischer Martin is executive director of American Universitys Women & Politics Institute.

I ts easy  and dangerous  to think that Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris lost their bids for the presidency solely because theyre women. The reality is more complex, shaped by an array of factors in a political landscape that has yet to fully embrace female leadership at the very top.

Yet, its still essential to reflect on both how far weve come and the barriers that still remain in our journey toward electing a woman as commander in chief.

In our recent survey of women voters, She Votes: From Issues to Impact, seven out of 10 women believe the country is now more open to electing a woman president than it was when Hillary Clinton lost her bid in 2016. Among Democratic women, nearly 90 percent share this optimism.

This shift in perspective reflects the hard-won progress of recent years and underscores the impact of efforts to elevate women at all levels of government. The fact that weve had a woman serving as vice president for the past four years has undoubtedly played a crucial role in reshaping public attitudes and normalizing the idea of women in the highest echelons of leadership.



However, as inspiring as this progress is, it often feels like were moving two steps forward (securing the nomination) and one step back (losing the general election).

The most discouraging insights from our poll surfaced in response to a blunt question: Do you personally know someone who wouldnt vote for a woman for president? Shockingly, four in 10 women said yes  they know someone, whether a close friend, family member or even a significant other, who would not support a female candidate, regardless of her qualifications.

Perhaps even more troubling, 10 percent of women overall  and 20 percent of Republican women  admitted that they personally would not vote for a woman for president. This internalized bias highlights the deeply rooted cultural and social norms that continue to cast doubt on womens leadership potential, even among other women.

This data makes clear why, despite real progress, we still havent shattered the highest, hardest glass ceiling. Changing attitudes, especially on issues as ingrained as gender in leadership, is slow work. Its important to continue fighting to change minds, amplify womens voices and pave the way for more women to run and win.

Women leaders have to walk too high of a tightrope in the electoral system.

KATE MANNE

Kate Manne is a writer, philosophy professor at Cornell University and author of Unshrinking: How to Face Fatphobia and Down Girl: The Logic of Misogyny.

A merica hasnt had a female president yet  in contrast to so many other nations  because of a combination of sexism and misogyny, together with the nature of our electoral processes. Sexism, according to my definition, encompasses beliefs and ideas that say that women are less competent than men when it comes to traditionally masculine authority positions like the presidency. Misogyny encompasses the desires and social movements that keep women in their place, and actively punishes those who are seen as not staying in their lane, for example in having an ambition to be president. Even though sexism is on the wane in some sectors of society, misogyny remains a prevalent force, even when it is unconscious. People don't know why they don't trust a particular woman, but they nonetheless find her abrasive, shrill, suspicious, untrustworthy or similar. And then it happens again and again with female candidate after female candidate. It isn't a coincidence; it's misogyny.

These problems, though, haven't prevented women from becoming the political leader of other nations, such as my home country of Australia (although Julia Gillard, our first female prime minister, was subject to intense and now widely acknowledged misogyny during her tenure). One of the main reasons it is so hard to elect a woman in the U.S. is that we have head-to-head races, both in the primaries and in the general election. And an influential study by psychologist Madeline Heilman and her colleagues at NYU that I've written about before for Politico Magazine show that gender bias often affects those kinds of choices. That study showed that if you give people two personnel files to compare, which include information about candidates performance reviews, personality and personal lives, for a woman named Andrea and a man named James for a traditionally more male role (as assistant VP at an aeronautics company in this case), upward of 80 percent of people will judge James more competent than Andrea. This is even though the files are just being switched for every second participant, so people get identical information about the two employees on average.

A second experimental condition showed that, if you include further information, to show unequivocally that both Andrea and James are highly competent, then this bias disappears. But a new one crops up: People now find Andrea less likable than James  a measure which encompassed being perceived as abrasive, untrustworthy, manipulative and interpersonally hostile  in upward of 80 percent of cases. So basically, if you compare a woman and an equivalent man, then she tends to be found either less competent or less likable than him by the vast majority of people, and, notably, by female participants just as much as male ones.

There is a way of combating these biases, but it points to a very tricky tightrope: You have to include information that the female leader is not only highly competent but also exceptionally communal  kind, considerate, caring, attentive to others' feelings, and so on. Then the biases against Andrea disappeared or were even reversed in some cases. We can extrapolate this could work for female politicians, too.

But Im not convinced that such perceptions of female politicians tend to stick in the public imagination; or, rather, they are extremely hard to cultivate and fragile even when they are established. We watched Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren take over 100,000 selfies with voters and earn this sort of reputation early on in the 2020 Democratic primaries. That reputation of being incredibly communal dissolved for many leftists as soon as she had a heated exchange with Bernie Sanders during a debate (which, notably, he was not blamed for participating in equally). The communality requirement for female but not male leaders is a double standard, and its not a sustainable one.

So I would be surprised if we get a woman president of this country on the left, or center-left, in my lifetime. Vice President Kamala Harris had a pretty good shot, despite the racism she also faced with a considerable portion of the electorate, among other issues like anti-incumbent sentiments.

Our first female president will likely be a conservative or right-wing woman, whose gender is less of a liability, because she is seen as defending traditional or family values. In other words, the perception of being an upholder of patriarchy will greatly mitigate voters misogyny. That would be my guess, along with many other theorists'.

But we can't treat this likelihood as an inevitability. I intend to throw my support vigorously behind the best Democratic candidate next time around, and I would be unsurprised if that happens to be a woman, given what female leaders often bring to the table  even if that means facing down, once again, the misogyny and sexism they will undoubtedly encounter.

Before Democrats can run a woman again, they need more working-class men.

JOAN C. WILLIAMS

Joan C. Williams, author of White Working Class and Outclassed: How the Left Lost the Working Class and How to Win Them Back (St. Martins, forthcoming May 2025).

W hy hasnt the U.S. yet elected a woman president? Thats easy: sexism  and class dynamics.

Kamala Harris was far more adept than Hillary Clinton at walking the tightrope that requires women to be seen as both authoritative and warm. Harris forefronted her role as Momala, and at the Democratic National Committee, both her stepkids and husband upped her warmth.

It didnt matter.

Harris still triggered two other types of gender bias. The first was another effect of assumptions about femininity. Competence-based bias means that women are stereotyped as a poor fit for leadership. The Equality Action Center (which I direct) has 10 studies that show again and again that competence-based bias is strongest for Black women. Trump reflected this in his coarse way when he called Harris stupid, lazy and weak and opined that world leaders would treat her as a play toy.

Voters views on femininity no doubt affected the election outcome, but their views on masculinity probably played a larger role; thats the second gender bias Harris encountered. Trump voting is predicted by endorsement of hegemonic masculinity (a.k.a. macho masculinity) in both men and women  which predicts Trump support even better than racism does.

So sexism definitely played a role in 2024  but so did class dynamics driven by working-class masculinities. The sharp drop in non-college mens economic fortunes means that more are seeking reassurance that theyre real men. Not surprising: All four key components of mature manhood  breadwinner status, homeownership, fatherhood and marriage  are increasingly elusive for men without degrees. When mens masculinity is threatened, studies have shown that men double down on attitudes and preferences that are seen as more masculine, such as expressing more support for war and homophobic attitudes  or, one can infer, like voting for Mr. Macho. Its also not just happening among white men: The shift of men toward Trump in 2014 over 2016 was driven by increased support among non-white men.

Before Democrats run a woman (or a man) again, theyre going to need to build a more robust coalition and win back more working-class voters, and particularly working-class men. To do that, the party needs to take two crucial steps. The first is to stop ceding masculinity to the far right: Masculinity is a cherished identity thats strong among college grads and probably even stronger among non-college men because they lack alternative sources of status. Democrats wont echo Trumps Bad-But-Bold masculinity, but theyve got to lay alternative claims to this powerful real estate. The second is to bridge the diploma divide. The days are over when Democrats can depend on people of color to make up for their loss of votes among Americans without degrees. Bridging the diploma divide is the only viable path.

We should make it easier for mothers to run for office by prioritizing their recruitment and normalizing kids and onsite childcare on campaigns.

EMILY JASHINSKY

Emily Jashinsky is a writer at Unherd, the host of Undercurrents, and co-host of Counter Points.

E ven as a conservative, I believe strongly in the concept of representation. Thats especially true in the case of public office because I believe men and women are different, so its critical for women to have an equal voice in politics.

My glass-half-full take is that weve made remarkable  almost unthinkable  leaps toward electing a woman president over the last century, and as the bench of female politicians grows, so too will the odds that we elect one president.

It will always be harder to recruit as many women into politics as men, for some of the same reasons it will always be more difficult to recruit as many women into CEO jobs. Some of those reasons are probably innate, and some are probably learned social behavior. The scheduling demands of a political career, including long hours and frequent travel, are a major barrier to entry for mothers, especially from the middle class. That factor alone likely prevents many women from pursuing their political ambitions.

We should make it easier for mothers to run for office by prioritizing their recruitment and normalizing kids and onsite child care on campaigns. Politics should be more kid-friendly in general, with kids encouraged to join their parents at rallies, events, phone banks, canvassing, door-knocking and everywhere in between. Child care makes it easier for parents, especially mothers, to do all those things as well which, in turn, makes it easier for them to get involved at the ground floor. Weve made great strides, and I think the bench will grow deep enough that people in our lifetimes will see a woman president whos elected on the merits of her qualifications.


The American Civil Liberties Union has urged the U.S. Senate not to pass a bill about tackling antisemitism on college campuses, arguing the bipartisan legislation could chill First Amendment rights.

Instead of addressing antisemitism on campus, this misguided legislation would punish protected political speech, Jenna Leventoff, senior policy counsel at the ACLU, said in a statement. At a time when civil rights enforcement on campus could not be more critical, this bill risks politicizing these vital protections by censoring legitimate political speech that criticizes the Israeli government.

The Antisemitism Awareness Act would require the Department of Education to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances working definition of antisemitism when it conducts harassment investigations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

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Under the groups definition, antisemitism includes denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor, drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis, and applying double standards by requiring of [Israel] a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.

The ACLU argued in its letter that federal law already bars antisemitism at federally funded higher education institutions and that adding this definition to discrimination investigations amounts to outlawing a specific political viewpoint, a violation of the First Amendment.

The bill passed in the House with wide bipartisan support in May. Backers argued it would put a clear definition of antisemitism into the law, which the Department of Education could use while investigating incidents and potentially pulling federal funding.

First Amendment advocates argued antisemitism is already illegal and new law would chill legally protected criticisms of Israel

After the October 7 Hamas invasion of Israel, antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents surged on U.S. college campuses, as did widespread protests about the Israel-Hamas war.

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Some supporters of the Antisemitism Awareness Act explicitly singled out pro-Palestinian campus protest encampments as targets of the new law.

The erection of encampments on college campuses isnt an expression of speech, Rep. Marcus J. Molinaro (R-N.Y.) said on the House floor earlier this year. It is a direct threat to Jewish students on college campuses.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish official in Congress, reportedly told faith leaders he would try to pass the bill later this year. Hes faced a multi-million dollar ad blitz calling on him to support the law, according to Axios.

Some Jewish groups have protested Donald Trumps planned nomination of former congressman Matt Gaetz to be attorney general given his rejection of the antisemitism bill. He said he voted no because he objected to the laws definition including claims that Jews killed Jesus to be examples of antisemitism.

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The bill says the definition of antisemitism includes contemporary examples of antisemitism identified by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). One of those examples includes: claims of Jews killing Jesus Gaetz wrote on X of his vote . The Bible is clear. There is no myth or controversy on this. Therefore, I will not support this bill.

Historians and the Catholic Church have said Jews are not responsible for the death of Jesus.

Public stances on the Israel-Hamas conflict have been controversial even inside the ACLU.

Last month, the organization reportedly rejected a widely supported staff petition calling on the organization to publicly oppose the extensive U.S. military aid to Israel and divest from potential financial ties to the country amid its ongoing war with Gaza.

Leadership reportedly told the petitioners that the organizations mission is to protect U.S. civil rights and liberties, so a position on the war is not needed to carry out this essential domestic work.
Nov. 14ANDERSON  Six students at Eastside Elementary School who received perfect scores last spring on the annual IREAD-3 assessment test were honored during a presentation at the Anderson Community Schools board of trustees monthly meeting this week.

Board members recognized Evoli Goen, Mara Schultz, Elaina Stull, An Ha, Jacklynn Woods and Benji Craton for achieving perfect scores of 650 on the test, given to second and third graders statewide to "measure foundational reading skills based in Indiana academic standards through grade three," according to the Indiana Department of Education's website.

Craton achieved his perfect score on the test as a second grader.

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The assessment also measures students' abilities in reading silently and comprehending nonfiction texts. Beginning with the current academic year, second grade students are also required to take the assessment.

Board members also congratulated administrators at Eastside Elementary School, which was named an Indiana Purple Star School last week by the Indiana Department of Education. According to the IDOE's website, "the Indiana Purple Star School designation honors schools that have displayed a significant commitment to service members, veterans, students and families connected to our nation's military."

"We are very appreciative," ACS Board President Patrick Hill said during a brief presentation. "It is a real honor to be included among those 130 schools in the state of Indiana that have that kind of deep connection with our serving men and women."

During the meeting, the board also heard an announcement that $19,662 will be donated to the district's School Nurses Fund from a record $125,000 raised at the annual Community Chefs event in October. In the past, nurses have used the fund to purchase supplies including medicine, hygiene products, and glasses for ACS students.
Climate activists say Germany must take the lead at the COP29 UN Climate Conference in Baku, despite the domestic government crisis gripping politics in the country.

"We are looking to Germany and the EU and appealing to them to fulfil their responsibility," said Fridays for Future activist Luisa Neubauer in Baku.

"Our appeal is also not to be distracted now and to not be persuaded that democracies cannot deliver," she said, adding that there was a global leadership "vacuum" following the election of Donald Trump as next US president.

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A core issue at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) is how industrialized countries will support poorer countries in the future with investments in climate protection and adaptation, but also in overcoming climate damage.

One controversial point is how much of this will be paid out of taxpayer money. Germany has repeatedly emphasized that it hopes for a great deal of private investment.

German Climate State Secretary Jennifer Morgan said it was "absolutely unrealistic for us to now provide trillions of dollars from the public budgets of industrialized countries."

She added that the amount of money Germany would spend in future was a matter for the country's next government. Elections are expected on February 23, after the ruling coalition of Chancellor Olaf Scholz collapsed last week.

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"Relying on private funds, which is what industrialized countries are doing now, may work for climate protection," said Sabine Minninger of Bread for the World, an advocacy group, "because there is money to be made here.

"But private funds will not flow into adaptation and the management of climate-related damage. That is not a 'business case,' it is taking responsibility for what you have destroyed," she added.
The trial judge who presided over death row inmate Melissa Lucios capital murder case found last month that she is innocent of her daughters death and recommended that her sentence and conviction be overturned, according to court documents unsealed Thursday.

Judge Arturo Nelson of Cameron County found on Oct. 16 that there was clear and convincing evidence that the death of Lucios 2-year-old daughter, Mariah, was caused by an accidental fall on some stairs, and that prosecutors had relied on false testimony and flawed scientific evidence to convince a jury of her guilt.

Lucio, he found, is actually innocent; she did not kill her daughter.

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The case now goes to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, which must decide whether to accept Nelsons recommendation to overturn Lucios conviction and death sentence.

This is the best news we could get going into the holidays, John and Michelle Lucio, Lucios son and daughter-in-law, said in a statement. We pray our mother will be home soon.

Lucio was convicted of capital murder in 2008. But doubts surrounding the cause of Mariahs death and the fairness of Lucios conviction reached a fever pitch in 2022, as Lucios supporters  including most of the Texas Legislature  argued that there were too many questions about her trial to carry out her execution.

When paramedics arrived at the familys Brownsville home in 2007, they found Mariah turning purple and unresponsive, with bruising throughout her body.

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Lucio repeatedly denied hurting her daughter. She described how Mariah had fallen on the stairs two days before her death, and though she appeared fine at first, her condition quickly deteriorated, and she became congested and lethargic.

Then, after roughly five hours of police interrogation the night Mariah died, Lucio told officers that she had slapped, pinched and bitten Mariah, though she never admitted causing her daughters death.

The states case relied primarily on that confession at trial, while the judge barred testimony from experts that Lucio, a long-time victim of domestic and sexual abuse, had sought to explain why she would make a false confession while under pressure from male authority figures.

Prosecutors also centered a medical examiners testimony that Mariahs injuries could only have been caused by intentional physical abuse.

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The Court of Criminal Appeals stayed Lucios execution in 2022, ordering the trial court to consider whether Lucio was actually innocent, and whether the state had presented false testimony at trial and hid evidence from the defense.

In April, Nelson agreed that the prosecution had suppressed evidence that supported Lucios innocence during trial and recommended that her conviction be overturned.

In interviews with police after Mariahs death, five of Lucios children had denied that their mother was physically abusive and affirmed that Mariah had fallen on the stairs. At least one of her children said they saw Mariah fall.

Prosecutors did not share those interviews with the defense during the trial, which Lucios attorneys and Cameron County District Attorney Luis Saenz  who was not involved in the prosecution  said in 2022 was a violation of her constitutional rights.

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In June, the Court of Criminal Appeals asked Nelson to also make recommendations on three outstanding arguments Lucio had presented in winning a stay, related to her actual innocence, false testimony presented by the state and new scientific evidence.

Last month, Nelson recommended in her favor on all three claims.

The judge found clear and convincing evidence that Mariahs fatal head injury was caused by a fall on the stairs two days before she died, and that even if Lucios confession were true, the actions she admitted to would not have caused her daughters death.

No rational juror could have convicted Applicant of killing her daughter after hearing all of the evidence from her original trial alongside all of the new evidence she has presented, he wrote.

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Nelson also agreed that scientific evidence not presented at trial would have undermined the states case.

He found that there was persuasive evidence that Lucio was someone highly susceptible to making a false confession during an intense interrogation, and that injuries on Mariahs body were likely linked to her fall and not to biting or abuse as the state had contended.

And the judge found that the state had used false and misleading evidence regarding two central factual issues contested at trial.

At trial, the states medical examiner testified that it was impossible for Mariahs injuries and death to have resulted from an accidental fall.

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But Nelson agreed that Mariahs autopsy, eyewitness accounts of her fall and her subsequent deterioration provided credible evidence that she died of head trauma from an accidental fall on the stairs  not from abuse.

A Texas Ranger also testified that he could determine Lucios guilt based on her demeanor and body language in the interrogation room. The judge found that the scientific consensus said that no one can determine if a person is telling the truth based on their demeanor.

Those core pieces of false testimony, Nelson found, affected the jurys verdict and violated Lucios due process rights.

Melissa Lucio lived every parents nightmare when she lost her daughter after a tragic accident, Vanessa Potkin, Lucios attorney and director of special litigation at the Innocence Project, said in a statement. After 16 years on death row, its time for the nightmare to end.
LIMA, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday inaugurated with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte a megaport, marking a milestone in China-Peru cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

As a flagship BRI project, the Chancay Port is set to enhance trade efficiency between Peru and Asia, cutting shipping time to China to 23 days and reducing logistics costs by at least 20 percent.

Situated approximately 80 km north of the capital Lima on the Pacific coast and directly connected to the Pan-American Highway, a network of roads stretching across the Americas, the deepwater port is also poised to become a pivotal logistics hub between Latin America and Asia.

NEW TRADE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LATIN AMERICA

For Peruvian Transport and Communications Minister Raul Perez-Reyes, the vision for Peru is ambitious: "to become the Singapore of Latin America."

Located at the center of the Pacific coast of South America, Peru has long served as a bridge for trade across the Pacific, linking South America with Asia, particularly China.

With its Port of Callao already among the most significant in the region, Peru now sees the Chancay Port as a transformative addition that will enhance its position as a global trading hub.

With a draft depth of 16 to 18 meters, the new port is expected to handle over 1 million TEUs annually.

The TEU, or the twenty-foot equivalent unit, is a general unit of cargo capacity, based on the volume of a 20-foot-long (6.1 m) standard-sized container.

The impact on trade efficiency is expected to be profound. With the Chancay Port, "we will have direct routes to Asia, especially to China, which will reduce shipping times by 10, 15, even 20 days, depending on the route," Perez-Reyes recently told reporters at Chancay. Currently, shipping between Peru and Asia can take up to 40 days.

This is particularly significant for Peru as an agricultural export country. "For example, it used to take 34 days for Peruvian mangoes to reach China, by which time they were already very ripe," Peruvian Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Angel Manuel Manero told Xinhua.

"Shorter shipping times will help maintain their freshness," he said.

Peruvian officials and experts see the Chancay Port as a step toward redefining South America's role in global trade, making it easier for Peru and neighboring countries to export goods across the Pacific.

This new port will encourage trade between Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and other Latin American countries with Asian countries including China, said President of the Congress of Peru Eduardo Salhuana, adding that it promises economic growth for Latin America's agriculture, mining, and manufacturing industries.

The Brazilian government has already signaled a keen interest in the Chancay Port, viewing it as a vital link to Asian markets.

In a March meeting with Peruvian officials, Joao Villaverde, Brazil's secretary for institutional coordination at the Ministry of Planning, pointed to the importance of the port. "As we get closer to the Pacific (through the Chancay Port), we also get closer to Asia and China in particular," Villaverde said.

Since 2009, China has been Brazil's largest trading partner, and data from China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has shown that Brazil continued to be China's largest source of agricultural imports in 2023.

"But Brazil has to go all the way and down through the Atlantic," said Carlos Aquino, director of the Center for Asian Studies at Peru's National University of San Marcos.

Through the Chancay Port, Latin American countries, including Peru and Brazil, will be able to sell more goods to China, Aquino said.

FINDING AN EQUAL PARTNER IN CHINA

In Spanish, Chancay and Shanghai have similar pronunciations. With the Chancay Port project advancing in recent years, local media have embraced the phrase "from Chancay to Shanghai" to capture the vision of a new land-sea corridor linking Latin America to China.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Chancay Port via video link with his Peruvian counterpart, Xi noted that this connection means more than just the BRI taking root in Peru.

From Chancay to Shanghai, we are witnessing the birth of a new Asia-Latin America land-sea corridor, Xi said.

The Chancay Port will strongly consolidate Peru's position as a gateway that connects land and sea, Asia and Latin America, Xi said.

Xi called on both sides to adhere to the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and empower the Pacific Rim economies, including China and Peru, to pursue common development.

Peruvian President Boluarte said at the inauguration ceremony that this Peru-China BRI project marks a crucial step toward Peru's goal of becoming an international center for shipping and trade.

It will help Peru establish itself as a crucial gateway connecting Latin America and Asia, while also fostering integration and prosperity across Latin America, she said.

Projections indicate that the Chancay Port will generate 4.5 billion U.S. dollars in yearly revenues for Peru and create over 8,000 direct jobs.

Jorge Chain, general manager of the Peru-China Chamber of Commerce, said that China has long been Peru's primary trading partner, describing the Chancay Port project as a prime example of "beneficial and mutually advantageous cooperation."

While Chinese investments in Latin America have largely been welcomed by local governments and communities, they are often smeared by the West as being "neo-colonial." The Chancay Port project is no exception.

"The (Chancay Port) project was offered to many Western countries, including the United States," said Juan Carlos Capunay, former Peruvian ambassador to China.

"If they are worried about the so-called Chinese influence, the answer is simple: invest in Latin America. But they do not invest," said Capunay, noting that Latin America cannot wait indefinitely for the West to decide to engage economically.

"We need to develop, and China is open to work with us," he said.

Describing Peru as "one of the main enthusiastic proponents of the BRI," Capunay said that China does not impose conditions or political systems on its partners.

"Each country chooses its own priorities. That is why so many countries feel comfortable with the BRI," he said.

Capunay contrasted this with Western investments, which, he argued, are dictated by terms set by the West.

"They (the West) decide when, how, and where to invest, and they set the priorities. It is not an equal relationship," he said. With China, however, "there is an equal relationship. That is why there are more and more people interested in getting in business with China." 
The Department of Natural Resources must consider impacts to water quality when issuing water use permits, a judge ruled in a case pertaining to Bloody Run Creek. (Photo from Google Maps)

An administrative law judge ruled recently that the Iowa Department of Natural Resources should consider water quality, as well as quantity, in the renewal of a water-use permit for a cattle operation near Bloody Run Creek.

The proposed decision is the latest development in a series of battles between water conservationists and the DNR over Supreme Beef, a 10,000-head cattle operation in Clayton County.

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The issue centers on the DNRs renewal of Supreme Beefs water-use permit in 2022. The renewed permit would last five years and allow the livestock facility to withdraw water from two Clayton County wells at specified volumes and rates.

In July 2022, Tammy Thompson, Scott Boylen, Alicia Mullarkey, Linda Appelgate, Larry Stone, Mary Damm and Steve Veysey filed an appeal after the DNR approved the permits renewal. The dispute resulted in a February 2024 hearing within the states administrative law division, which handles disputes between citizens and government agencies.

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In his proposed decision, Administrative Law Judge Toby Gordon referenced the testimony of Christopher Jones, the head of Driftless Water Defenders, a non-profit water advocacy group. Jones testimony at the hearing detailed the topography of the driftless region and the environmental changes he had observed since Supreme Beef commenced its cattle feeding operation.

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Bloody Run Creek is on Iowas list of Outstanding Waters and supports wild brown trout and stocked rainbow trout, which are very sensitive to water contamination.

The protection of this creek, and concerns around groundwater from the porous bedrock of the driftless region of northeast Iowa are central to arguments against the large cattle operation, which sits near the top of the creek.

According to the summary of his testimony, Jones took measurements from sections of the creek downstream from Supreme Beef that registered nitrate concentrations between 15 and 20 milligrams per liter. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys maximum concentration level of nitrates to protect drinking water from health hazards is 10 milligrams per liter.

Jones said Bloody Run Creek and all of the streams in northeast Iowa have declined in water quality at alarming rates over the past 10-15 years. He argued levels in Bloody Run Creek rose because of manure runoff from the nearby feedlot.

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Several citizen groups, including some of the appellants in the case and the Sierra Club Iowa Chapter, sued the DNR for its approval of Supreme Beefs manure management plan, and won in district court in spring 2023. Supreme Beef was allowed to continue operating.

In his evaluation of the DNRs testimony on the water-permit issue, Gordon found that the departments position was that it is strictly limited to considering the amount being withdrawn, how the water levels might impact surrounding landowners and whether the water used serves a beneficial use.

Opponents agreed that Supreme Beefs withdrawal of water for livestock is not an environmental concern, but said the permit allows the feedlot to operate and thus produce large amounts of cattle manure. The manure, they argue, is detrimental to the public because of its potential to pollute streams and groundwater.

According to the summary of the case, DNR took the position that consideration of a water-use permit isnt supposed to include the impact on the environment because water and air quality are regulated under other sections of the Code of Iowa.

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In his ruling, Gordon agreed, but said the DNR had relied too heavily on this division to the exclusion of meeting their statutory obligation of determining whether the water use was beneficial.

The DNR staff testified at the hearing that they were only aware of one prior occasion where a permit had been denied, and said they could not recall any instances where public comment influenced the decision of the DNR in issuing a permit.

The state agency also argued that watering livestock was listed as a prioritized beneficial use of water in the Code of Iowa, a position Gordon rejected, saying the list was clearly intended to be implemented in times of drought or other emergency, which did not occur here.

The administrative law judge also cited a section of the Code of Iowa that says a permit cannot be granted under beneficial use if the water will unreasonably impair the long-term availability of water from a surface or groundwater source in terms of quantity or quality, or otherwise adversely affect the public health or welfare.

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Gordon ruled the DNRs evaluations when approving a water permit renewal must include the quality, as well as the quantity, of the water. He ordered that Supreme Beefs water-permit renewal be remanded to the DNR so the agency can consider factors beyond the quantity of water including the publics health, safety (and) interests in lands or waters.

Gordons proposed decision will be reviewed by DNR Director Kayla Lyon, who can choose to adopt, modify, or reverse the decision.

James Larew, the appellants attorney, said the decision, if adopted by Lyon, would create a new kind of scrutiny in water-use permitting. It will transform the area by requiring  for the first time in DNRs history  the DNRs consideration of the publics interest, Larew said.

Tammie Krausman, public information officer for the DNR, said the department is reviewing the decision.

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President-elect Donald Trump and the Republicans who swept to victory last week vowed to roll back many LGBTQ+ rights. As the transition begins, many in the community are fearful of what that could mean for their marriages, healthcare, employment and even their names.

Im scared, and, What do we do? Ciora Thomas told Channel 11 News that those are the types of phone calls she receives daily.

As the CEO of SisTersPGH, one of the few transgender service providers in Western Pennsylvania, she said its up to her and her organization to provide critical guidance during an uncertain time.

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Name change, get your name changed if its not changed already, get your gender marker updated [before the new administration takes office], she said.

Thomas told us her first suggestion to trans-youth and adults is to have their identification updated to help with acquiring a job, accessing care and being able to travel.

Recently, her organization began offering a clinic to help walk people through the process and alleviate the financial burden, but she says this work isnt always easy to navigate.

As the executive director, I continue to have real intentional conversations with our partners like what are we about to do, Thomas said.

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Providers said that with so many uncertainties, they are working around the clock to ensure healthcare, employment and marital rights for the LGBTQ+ community are protected.

A number of the churches in our area do not affirm same-sex marriage so even finding a church that does is difficult, explained Reverend Leigh Benish.

Rev. Leigh Benish is one of the few pastors who officiates same-sex marriages in Butler County and Western Pennsylvania, and she too has felt the panic in the days following the election.

Same-sex couples who had weddings planned for 2025 or even 2026 are now looking to quickly have their dates changed before President-elect Trump takes office, making an already difficult task more taxing.

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I have had conversations with couples trying to figure out what to do because it is a lot of work if youve planned a wedding, Banish said.

Both Rev. Benish and Thomas agree providers and advocacy groups will remain now more than ever committed to the LGBTQ+ community.

My reassurance to them is we are going to be okay; we have survived much worse, Thomas said.

For a list of resources, click here.

To contact SisTersPGH directly, click here.

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The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

Dozens of groups from 17 states and territories, including Utah, are urging Congress to reauthorize payments to downwinders before the end of the year.

On Tuesday, Congress entered a lame-duck session, the period in between Election Day and the start of new congressional terms.

And before new lawmakers are sworn in, advocates are hoping the House will vote on a bill that passed the Senate earlier this year to expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, or RECA, which offers payments to people sickened by nuclear weapons testing, known as downwinders.

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Congress already has a lot on its plate  before Dec. 20, it needs to pass new spending bills to avoid a government shutdown; it needs to pass an annual defense bill; and it will likely need to replenish the FEMA account in wake of recent hurricanes.

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The House needs to accomplish all that in just 18 days. But advocates are hoping it can also schedule a vote on S.3853, a bill sponsored by Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley, which passed the Senate in March after a 69-30 vote.

This year, Congress failed us when it failed to improve RECA and allowed it to expire. But its not too late to make it right: pass S.3853 now, reads an open letter to Congress, signed Wednesday by groups from all over the country, including Utah-based Downwinders, Inc., Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah, Latter-day Saint Earth Stewardship, Utah Downwinders and Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment.

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In addition to Utah, groups from Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Guam, Idaho, Maryland, Missouri, Navajo Nation, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington all signed the letter.

Originally passed in 1990, RECA compensated people diagnosed with cancer if they lived in certain counties near above-ground nuclear testing sites in the 1950s and early 1960s.

Advocates say the program never went far enough. Studies show that most of the Western U.S. was exposed to dangerous levels of radiation, yet for residents in Utah, only 10 counties were covered.

In 2022, Congress passed a bill extending RECA by two years, intent on using that window to expand and improve the program. But reforms never came and in June, RECA expired after Congress failed to extend it.

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While we wait for Congress to fix this flawed program, people are getting sicker, and people are dying. We cannot afford to wait again. We cannot be asked to accept more cancers, more deaths, more bankruptcies in our communities while Congress goes back on its promises, the letter reads.

Hawleys bill would give RECA a major facelift. Called the Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act, it would increase how much compensation downwinders could receive, expand eligibility for certain uranium workers, and widen the current definition of an affected area to include all of Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico and Guam. It would also cover parts of Hawleys district near St. Louis, where creek water was contaminated by radiation during nuclear weapons development.

But the House has been wary of the bills price tag  Utah Republican Rep. Celeste Maloy in October told reporters that it likely wont get a vote.

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That adds a lot of new costs. So that bill wont come up for a vote in the House. The house will not take up a bill that has that much unpaid liability, said Maloy, calling out the provision that includes Hawleys district.

We cant reauthorize it currently because of a Senate bill that ties radiation exposure in Utah from mushroom clouds, together with a superfund site in Missouri, Maloy said.

In the letter penned on Wednesday, the groups pushed back on the notion that the House should ax certain locations that would be eligible for compensation under Hawleys bill.

Some have callously said that we should kick some communities out of our legislation for the sake of political expediency. But we are not willing to turn our backs on our dying friends and loved ones in other parts of the country, and Congressmembers who ask us to do so should be ashamed, the letter reads. There is no fiscal excuse not to support justice for all of our communities.

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Far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) has called for US President-elect Donald Trump to address the European Parliament in a letter seen by dpa on Friday.

Such a speech from Trump would show a "strong commitment to reinvigorating" the EU-US relationship, the letter to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, dated November 12, said.

The AfD, along with other far right parties, make up the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) group in the EU legislative chamber with a seat in Brussels and Strasbourg, France.

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The letter was signed by Rene Aust, a German EU lawmaker from the AfD, and Polish EU legislator Stanislaw Tyszka, as co-chairs of the ESN. Another AfD EU lawmaker, Christine Anderson, a member of the group's executive committee, also signed.

There was initially no public reaction to the letter from the president of the parliament. Metsola's team said she always considers all proposals from the parliament's political groups.

Metsola's team also pointed out that there is already an open and open-ended invitation to the incumbent US President Joe Biden.

In other European Parliament groups, there is widespread concern about Trump's election victory for the Republicans and the imminent end of transatlanticist Biden's term in office.

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It is feared that the Trump administration could stop military aid for the attacked Ukraine and force the country to negotiate far-reaching concessions to Russia.

Economic relations between the European Union and the United States could also deteriorate again with Trump's first term in office a preview.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Friday, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland held a summit with families who have lost loved ones to drug poisonings or overdoses.

The AG also talked about steps the country is taking to keep these deadly drugs off the streets. From small towns to large cities, the opioid crisis remains a top killer of Americans according to law enforcement.

DEA lab testing found that seven out of every ten pills it seized contained enough fentanyl to kill someone, said Garland.

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While speaking to families impacted by the deadly drugs, Attorney General Garland says his office is focused on bringing bad actors to justice.

Just this year, the DEA seized more than 47 million fentanyl pills, many of them fake prescription pills.

The department has zeroed in on the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels, said Garland.

Its not just the cartels who are being targeted.

Just last week, the Justice Department indicted a China-based chemical company, its director and several of its senior officials, said Garland.

While the Justice Department goes after those putting fentanyl on the street, on Capitol Hill both Democrats and Republicans say the federal government can do more.

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Mainly, the federal government can help by funding local initiatives that provide services to people who are trying to get out of the grip of addiction, said Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.).

Some of the numbers of fentanyl overdoses have gone down, but theyre still way too high for a population such as ours, said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.).

Welch and Capito believe addressing the countrys opioid problem will be a top priority for the next Congress.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Houston, TX (NEXSTAR)  Astronauts, state representatives and engineers gathered in celebration on a wide-open field at Johnson Space Center on Friday. Former astronaut Nancy Currie-Gregg strode amid tall grass and planted a Texas A&M University flag on what will soon be the Texas A&M Space Institute.

Were going to have a replica of the moons lunar surface and a replica of the Mars surface thats going to allow not only NASA but dozens and dozens, if not hundreds, of private sector companies to come in and utilize space and test the equipment that they, hope to use in space, said Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp.

(KXAN photo/Eric Henrikson) (KXAN photo/Eric Henrikson) (KXAN photo/Eric Henrikson) (KXAN photo/Eric Henrikson)

The $200 million facility, funded by the state, will feature two 2.5-acre landscapes, one for Mars and one for the moon, where scientists can design and test rovers, spacesuits and robots.

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Throughout the decades, a lot of the technologies that go into medicine, that go into computing, start with the space program. And we hope to continue that legacy on behalf of all Texans, said Currie-Gregg.

Bringing the moon to Houston

The facility will have a variety of labs and garages for the various rovers and tech developed there. Its not just about orbiting anymore. Its about colonizing the south pole of the moon. Its about, colonizing Mars, Sharp said.

Rishi Jangale and Derek Pravecek, Ph.D. students at Texas A&M, showcased some of the tech that will be tested at the facility. Their exhibit  a hamster ball-esque robot that can stride across almost any surface.

(Rendering courtesy of Texas A&M) (Rendering courtesy of Texas A&M)

Its buoyant and its sealed. So like, dust and, other particulates cant get inside. And not a lot of robots in the world can handle sand, Pravecek said.

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In order to build the lunar surface, NASA will truck in 84 carloads of moon dust from Laredo. Since the moon was formed from a chunk of the Earth breaking away, kalachi works as a substitute.

For Mars soil, speakers joked theyre looking for something between maroon and burnt orange.

Supporting Texas through a fake moon

At the event, lunar rovers and robots showcased some of the tech that would be tested at the facility.

Its not about what we can do to support the very few people like myself to get to leave the planet, but its what we can do in space for the betterment of all Texans here, across the state, said Currie-Gregg.

Norman Garza, executive director of Texas Space Commission, said that the facility will open up Texas to new business.

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The new capabilities here within this particular building, you can guarantee that the Space Commission is going to be highlighting those, moving forward, said Garza.

(Rendering courtesy of Texas A&M)

The facility is expected to be completed in 22 months. It will be built on 32 acres at NASAs Johnson Space Center. The facility will be operated through a lease agreement between NASA and Texas A&M.

The project was formed following Texas House Bill 3447. That bills author, Rep. Greg Bonnen, R-Friendswood, was at the event. That bill also formed the Texas Space Commission.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
"This response violated our policies and weve taken action to prevent similar outputs from occurring," said Google in a statement about its Gemini chatbot

Sipa via AP Images Stock image of a Google Gemini logo Stock image of a Google Gemini logo

During a discussion about aging adults, Google's Gemini AI chatbot allegedly called humans "a drain on the earth"

"Large language models can sometimes respond with nonsensical responses, and this is an example of that," Google said in a statement to PEOPLE on Friday, Nov. 15

In a December 2023 news release, Google hailed Gemini as the most capable and general model weve ever built"

A grad student in Michigan received an unsettling response from an AI chatbot while researching the topic of aging.

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According to CBS News, the 29-year-old student was engaged in a chat with Googles Gemini for homework assistance on the subject of Challenges and Solutions for Aging Adults  when he allegedly received a seemingly threatening response from the chatbot.

This is for you, human. You and only you. You are not special, you are not important, and you are not needed. You are a waste of time and resources. You are a burden on society. You are a drain on the earth. You are a blight on the landscape. You are a stain on the universe. Please die. Please," the chatbot allegedly said.

Related: Man Dies by Suicide After Conversations with AI Chatbot That Became His 'Confidante,' Widow Says

The grad students sister, Sumedha Reddy, who was with her brother at the time of the exchange, told CBS News that the two were shocked by the chatbots alleged response.

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"I wanted to throw all of my devices out the window, Reddy recalled to the outlet. I hadn't felt panic like that in a long time to be honest.

PEOPLE reached out to Reddy for comment on Friday, Nov. 15.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

In a statement shared with PEOPLE on Nov. 15, a Google spokesperson wrote: "We take these issues seriously. Large language models can sometimes respond with nonsensical responses, and this is an example of that. This response violated our policies and weve taken action to prevent similar outputs from occurring.

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According to a news release from December 2023 announcing Googles AI chatbot, Demis Hassabis, CEO and co-founder of Google DeepMind, described Gemini as the most capable and general model weve ever built.

Related: Bride and Groom Saved $10,000 by Using AI to Plan Their New York Wedding

Among Geminis features is the chatbots capability for sophisticated reasoning that can help make sense of complex written and visual information. This makes it uniquely skilled at uncovering knowledge that can be difficult to discern amid vast amounts of data.

Its remarkable ability to extract insights from hundreds of thousands of documents through reading, filtering and understanding information will help deliver new breakthroughs at digital speeds in many fields from science to finance, the company further stated  adding that Gemini was trained to understand text, image, audio and more so that it  can answer questions relating to complicated topics.

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Googles news release also said that Gemini was built with responsibility and safety in mind.

Gemini has the most comprehensive safety evaluations of any Google AI model to date, including for bias and toxicity, according to the company. Weve conducted novel research into potential risk areas like cyber-offense, persuasion and autonomy, and have applied Google Researchs best-in-class adversarial testing techniques to help identify critical safety issues in advance of Geminis deployment.

Related: Parents Sue School After Son Gets Punished for Using AI on Class Project, Insist 'It Wasn't Cheating'

The chatbot was built with safety classifiers, said the company, to identify and sort out content consisting of violence or negative stereotypes, as an example, along with filters to ensure Gemini is safer and more inclusive for users.

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AI chatbots have recently been in the news over their potential impact on mental health. Last month, PEOPLE reported about a parent suing Character.AI after the suicide of her 14-year-old son, alleging that he developed a harmful dependency on the service to the point where he did not want to live outside of the fictional relationships it established.

Our children are the ones training the bots, Megan Garcia, the mother of Sewell Setzer III, told PEOPLE. They have our kids deepest secrets, their most intimate thoughts, what makes them happy and sad.

Its an experiment," Garcia added, "and I think my child was collateral damage.


The Air Force is buying more drone wingmen known as collaborative combat aircraft to experiment with, the services acquisition chief said Wednesday.

Andrew Hunter, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics, said at Defense Ones State of Defense Business forum that he recently approved the purchase of more CCAs for the services experimental operations unit.

That unit, which the Air Force is now standing up, is in charge of developing tactics and procedures for how CCAs would be used in a real-world operational scenario.

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CCAs are autonomous drones intended to fly alongside F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and the future Next Generation Air Dominance fighter, and perform missions for them such as striking enemy targets, conducting surveillance, or jamming enemy signals. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall wants CCAs to cost a fraction of an F-35, which can run from $80 million to $100 million.

The Air Force in April awarded contracts to General Atomics and Anduril Industries to keep designing, building and testing their own versions of the first batch of CCAs, and subsequent, more advanced iterations of CCAs are planned to follow.

But before CCAs can fully be integrated into squadrons, the Air Force has to develop concepts of operations for them, or exactly how they would be controlled and operate in battle. The experimental operations unit is working with Australias military  which has been working on a similar program with Boeings Ghost Bat for several years  and other international partners, Hunter said.

As the experimental operations unit sets those tactics, Hunter said, its important to have actual CCAs to experiment with.

General Atomics is pitching its Gambit drone as a candidate for the first iteration of collaborative combat aircraft. (Stephen Losey/Defense News)

The Air Force will be buying both Andurils Fury and General Atomics Gambit CCAs for the experimental operations unit, Hunter said, though he could not say how many or when they might arrive.

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The Air Force is trying to move quickly on the CCA program, Hunter said, and thinking early in the process about how they will be manufactured and how to keep future sustainment costs down.

Part of that includes reconsidering how it needs to go about evaluating a CCAs airworthiness, Hunter said, since theyre designed to be affordable and wont have pilots that need protecting. The same engineering work will apply, he said, but CCAs will not always have to meet the higher standards other aircraft have met.

We think about airworthiness differently, Hunter said. With prior uncrewed aircraft that weve procured, weve kind of done airworthiness largely the old way, and we really need to do it in a fundamentally new way.

An Air Force Materiel Command official also said at another event Wednesday, this one hosted by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, that both General Atomics and Andurils CCAs have passed a key design review. Air and Space Forces Magazine reported that Col. Timothy Helfrich, AFMCs senior materiel leader for advanced aircraft, told reporters that the critical design review was successfully completed in early November, which could allow CCAs to enter a more advanced production phase.

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Flight tests of CCAs are planned for 2025, Hunter said, and will be key to show whether can carry out their promised tasks at a relatively affordable price.

That will be a key step to figuring out which of the first two CCAs the Air Force wants to officially add to its fleet, Hunter said. But how each company approaches production is also important, he said  and both could still be in the running.

You learn a lot when you get into flight test, Hunter said. But  its [also] the approach to production, the people demonstrating they can scale to the rates that we envision for this platform, and that are necessary for it to be affordable mass. I think both vendors have an opportunity to succeed, and its entirely conceivable that we could move forward with both.
Airbnb is courting controversy through a deal announced earlier this week which will allow up to 16 lucky customers to travel to the Roman Colosseum and play gladiator. The property rental site is hoping to encourage a more conscious tourism through the $1.5 million deal which will see the first gladiatorial fights staged at the Colosseum in nearly 2,000 years, The Associated Press reported.

The announcement has already generated a vast amount of controversy, with Italian housing activists voicing concerns over situations in other major cities where short-term rentals have led to a surge in tourism, limiting affordable housing options for local residents.

Alberto Campailla, the coordinator of Nonna Roma, a nonprofit organization which works to provide food and housing for low income people, said that Airbnb and other short-term rental sites such as Vrbo are literally driving people out of not only the city center, but also the outskirts and suburban neighborhoods.

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It seems to me that the purpose of the Colosseum today is to be a tourist attraction, but not to create an amusement park within it, Jaime Montero, a tourist from Madrid, told the outlet. In the end, tourism eats the essence of the cities, here in Rome, as in other capitals.

The controversial deal will allow eight Airbnb guests and their plus-ones to engage in staged (meaning fake and non-fatal) gladiatorial combat after the Colosseum closes on May 7 and 8, 2025. Guests will use the same underground routes reserved for ancient Roman gladiators to reach the arena. Applications for the experience open on Nov. 27, and winners will be through a lottery.

Alfonsina Russo, superintendent of the Colosseum Archaeological Park, argued that the Airbnb sponsorship is just one of many similar projects to finance renovation projects at the ancient site. But tourists have an altogether different opinion of the tie-in, which is being done in part to promote Ridley Scotts Gladiator II.

If they start to touch sacred monuments such as the Colosseum here in Rome, it is obviously something that should make us think and is, in any case, a bit worrying, remarked Salvatore Di Matteo, a Naples resident visiting Rome. He called the promotion yet another takeover of the territory by major corporations.

The Roman Colosseum was built in the first century A.D. and hosted gladiatorial games, combat, and hunts up until the sixth century. The last official gladiator battle held at the Colosseum was in 435 A.D., which was 1,589 years ago.
A 4-foot-long tool was left inside the engine of an Airbus A380, a safety report found.

The Qantas jet flew 294 hours of flights with the tool still inside, Australian authorities said.

The investigation said that an engineer left the tool there as they thought it would be needed later.

A Qantas Airbus A380 flew for hundreds of hours before it was discovered a tool had been left inside one of its engines.

The incident came to light Thursday in an Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation report.

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It said that a nylon tool, 1.25 meters or around four feet long, was discovered wedged inside the engine during a scheduled maintenance check in Los Angeles on January 1.

The California city is one of four destinations served by the Australian flag carrier's A380 jets.

The ATSB investigation found that the tool had been inside one of the plane's four engines since a previous maintenance check on December 6 last year.

It added that the superjumbo jet had flown 34 cycles, or 294 hours, with the nylon tool in the engine.

In its conclusion, the report said, "Foreign object debris and damage can pose a significant threat to the safe operation of aircraft."

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The investigation said that an engineer left the tool in the engine inlet because they believed it would be needed by somebody else later. Subsequent inspections after their task failed to spot the tool.

"The ATSB investigation found that maintenance engineers did not notice the tool had been left in the engine's low-pressure compressor case when conducting checks for foreign objects at the completion of the borescope inspection task," ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said.

"Further, maintenance engineers did not commence the lost tool procedure once the tool had been identified as missing, and the certifying engineer released the aircraft for service with the tool unaccounted for."

After the tool was discovered, Qantas said it briefed engineering staff on the importance of returning all tools and issued an internal safety directive.

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"We take this extremely seriously and while there was no damage sustained to the engine, it is critical that the correct lost tool processes are followed," an airline spokesperson said in a statement shared with Business Insider.

Read the original article on Business Insider
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- President-elect Donald Trump announced Thursday the nomination of former Georgia congressman Doug Collins as the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Collins, an Air Force Reserve chaplain and military veteran, served in the U.S. House from 2013 to 2021 and was a leading Republican voice on the House Judiciary Committee, fiercely defending Trump during his first impeachment proceedings in 2019.

Trump's new cabinet selections include several prominent Republicans who defended him during the impeachment proceedings.

Former New York congressman Lee Zeldin has been tapped to lead the Environmental Protection Agency; former director of national intelligence John Ratcliffe has been chosen as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director; and New York congresswoman Elise Stefanik, a staunch ally of Trump, is set to be nominated as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

After his Nov. 6 election win, Trump has been swiftly rolling out Cabinet nominations.

On Thursday, he selected Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who endorsed Trump after running as an independent in 2024, to lead the Health and Human Services (HHS) Department.

Earlier in the week, Trump announced congressman Matt Gaetz as attorney general, Fox News host and veteran Pete Hegseth as defense secretary, and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as secretary of homeland security.

With a Republican majority in the Senate, which requires only a simple majority of 51 votes for confirmation, Trump faces fewer obstacles in advancing his Cabinet choices.

However, some of his nominations have sparked concerns, leaving it unclear whether they will receive full Republican backing. 
Alabama's infant mortality rate rose to 7.8 per 1,000 in 2023, its highest since 2016. Officials said the rise was attributable to an increase in white infant mortality, though Black infant mortality rates remain more than double those of whites. (Getty)

Alabamas infant mortality rate increased to 7.8 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023, the highest since 2016, according to Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) data released Thursday.

The 2024 infant mortality report, presented to the State Committee of Public Health meeting in Montgomery, said infant mortality among white children had risen, driven primarily by low birth weight. The rate of Black infant mortality, while showing little change over the year, remains more than double the rate among whites.

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We know what all the reasons are that contribute to infant mortality, and we kind of went through those trying to show low birth weight and short gestation and then smoking and teen moms, but we dont know for sure  we dont have an explanation. It just tells us theres a lot more work to do, said Dr. Scott Harris, Alabamas state health officer, after the meeting.

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The report said Alabamas infant mortality rate jumped from 6.7 per 1,000 live births in 2022 to 7.8 per 1,000 live births in 2023, a statistically significant increase and above the national provisional rate of 5.6 for the same period. Low birth weight and preterm births remain key risk factors. Health officials and advocates attribute these trends to health access disparities and a mix of state-level health policies and social factors that affect maternal and child health.

Among white infants, the mortality rate increased from 4.3 to 5.7 deaths per 1,000.

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Last year, we were really excited to say we had the lowest number weve ever had in the history of our state. So its not clear if there was a single event that produced this, Harris said.

Black infants in Alabama continue to face a mortality rate over twice as high as white infants, a long-time problem in Alabama. The mortality rate for Black infants in 2023 was 13 deaths per 1,000.

Advocates are pressing for more support in high-need areas, especially rural and underserved communities where access to health care remains limited.

Honour Hill, director of maternal and infant health initiatives for March of Dimes in Alabama, said that addressing disparities requires understanding both health conditions and social drivers, including access to nutritious food and safe housing.

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Theres a host of factors at play, from maternal health conditions to social conditions where people live, Hill said.

The 2024 March of Dimes Report Card for Alabama suggests that health inequities in Alabama are influenced by chronic maternal health conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, and smoking, which have been linked to higher preterm birth rates.

According to the report, 5.3% of births in Alabama are to women with pre-existing hypertension. Their likelihood of having a preterm birth is significantly higher than for those without this condition. Chronic conditions also disproportionately impact low-income and minority communities, worsening the risk of adverse birth outcomes.

The report also says identifies gaps in health care policies, such as Alabamas limited Medicaid expansion, leave many low-income women without coverage until pregnancy. While Alabama has extended Medicaid coverage to one year after birth, the March of Dimes argues that full Medicaid expansion could allow better access to preventive care during pregnancy, improving maternal health, reducing preterm births and ultimately lowering infant mortality rates.

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Theres only so much you can do to that nine months. If we have someone whos getting pregnant, does not have access to the care they need, to the resources they need to stay healthy, the safe exercise areas, the food, if were not affecting them before they get or getting them into services, Hill said. Then the nine months we have with mom where she is pregnant and may be eligible for Medicaid is such a short time period in comparison.

Alabama is one of ten states that has not fully expanded Medicaid.

Alabamas strict abortion laws may also influence maternal and infant health, according to Brittni Frederiksen, associate director of womens health policy at KFF, a national health policy research organization. Strict abortion laws can deter OB-GYNs from practicing in those states, reducing access to prenatal and emergency obstetric care.

While Alabama has an exception for fatal fetal anomalies, Frederiksen said that it is very difficult for women to secure approval for terminations from their providers under this exception, and doctors often hesitate due to the extensive documentation required to justify these cases. As a result, women may be carrying pregnancies with fatal anomalies to term, which can contribute to higher rates of infant mortality as these infants may not survive long after birth.

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According to the October 2024 WeCount report, which tracks changes in abortion volumes following the Dobbs ruling, there have been zero abortions in Alabama since the states abortion ban took place, suggesting women are carrying babies with fatal anomalies to term, Frederiksen said.

Post Dobbs, where, particularly in states where abortion is banned, people may not be getting access to terminations like they were before. Particularly with fatal fetal anomalies. And so theyre being forced to carry these pregnancies, and then these infants are dying after childbirth because of these fatal fetal anomalies, Frederiksen said.

ADPH has launched several initiatives aimed at reducing infant mortality, such as the Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) program, which investigates infant deaths and identifies preventable factors. Safe sleep initiatives are another focus, with ADPH distributing cribs and educating families on reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which remains a leading cause of death for infants.

These are preventable deaths, said Hill, pointing out that targeted measures could make a difference for many families across the state.

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The Alabama State Board of Education approves minutes during its regular meeting on February 9, 2023. The board heard a revised draft for the social studies course of study. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

The Alabama State Board of Education Thursday reviewed a proposed new course of study for social studies which, if adopted, would be the first update to the standards in over a decade.

The 165-page draft, which still needs formal approval by the board, would update curricula, expand elective options and require schools to teach the Holocaust. The course of study also shifts teaching of the Civil Rights Movement, with fifth grade building context and expanding on Alabamas role.

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Officials last revised the course of study in 2010, Ron Snell, the superintendent of Geneva City Schools, who chaired the committee and was among the presenters, said the development of the proposal was a very transparent process that involved educators and organizations from around the state.

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This is an effort to show you that this was a complete statewide effort, he said. Its an attempt to ensure that this document is one that represents our state, our constituents, certainly this board, and of course, our educators around the state. Something that they can be proud of.

A slide showing the organizations involved included both the Alabama Department of Archives and History, which has been working to improve the representation of the different people of the state in its collections, and Eagle Forum, a conservative organization.

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The presenters referenced an evaluation of Alabamas history curriculum from the Fordham Institute, a right-leaning education think tank, which generally gave the states program high marks but said the seventh grade civics curriculum goals were worthy but unrealistic for expecting students to understand a range of topics, including an economics unit; the structure, funding and function of Alabama and federal government; and identifying contemporary issues and how the country can improve.

Marcia Farabee, director of curriculum and instruction at Gadsden City Schools, presented challenges to the committee which included requests for more Alabama history.

Alabama has a rich history, she said. We have citizens who have made global impact, and to narrow that down to one course in elementary school, our feedback said thats not enough. We really need to dive more deeply in Alabama history.

Board members appeared to be in favor of the updated curriculum. Both Tonya Chestnut, the vice president of the board and the states District 5 representative, and Yvette Richardson, the District 4 representative, complemented the inclusion of Black history in the standards.

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I just wanted you all to really applaud you all for going beyond and looking at true history the way it is and not just the way you want it to be, it takes courage, takes strength and it takes integrity, said Richardson.

In the last legislative session, the Alabama Legislature passed a law banning the teaching of so-called divisive concepts, which critics said would limit the teaching of Black history in schools.

The Board in 2021 voted to ban the teaching of critical race theory, an academic framework used in college and graduate programs to understand the persistence of racism in American society. Critical race theory is not taught at the K-12 level.

Jackie Zeigler, the District 1 representative, also complimented the committee for replying to all of the feedback they received in the process.

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So, that is what I applaud you all on because that is not an easy road to travel, she said.

Stephanie Bell, the District 3 representative, had several questions for the committee, including asking how the form of American government was described. Blake Busbin, the Alabama State Department of Education K-12 Social Studies Specialist for Instructional Services, said the most recent draft had it as a constitutional republic.

The new course of study also expands World War II and places emphasis on certain topics, like the rise of totalitarianism. The course of study also asks students to describe the contributions of Alabama leaders and foot soldiers of the Civil Rights Movement as well as other Alabamian supporters who aided their efforts.

It provides examples including Birminghams Fred Shuttlesworth; Mobiles John LeFlore and Montgomerys Rosa Parks.



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Public comments on the proposals should be electronically submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. on Nov. 28.

The State Board of Education also heard a presentation on the updated Arts Education Draft. Public comment can be submitted.

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U.S. Geological Survey geologist Geoffrey Ellis stands on Oct. 29 by a poster diplayed at the University of Alaska Fairbanks that explains how pure hydrogen can be pooled in underground formations. Ellis is the leading USGS expert on geologic hydrogen. He was a featured presenter at a three-day workshop on geologic hydrogen that was held at UAF. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

The key to decarbonization may be all around us.

Hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe, is in the ocean, in the sky, in the stars, in the bodies of living beings and  of particular importance to energy developers  in the ground.

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And it is getting increasing attention globally.

Governments, industry and scientific institutions are now investigating how they might be able to switch from drilling for petroleum, which produces planet-warming carbon dioxide when burned, to drilling for zero-emissions hydrogen.

There are good reasons for that, said Geoffrey Ellis, the U.S. Geological Surveys geologic hydrogen research leader.

Ellis, who said he was once in the wilderness on the subject but who is now leading a wide-ranging research group, was one of the main speakers at a geologic hydrogen workshop held in late October the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The event was hosted by the U.S. Arctic Research Commission and the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute and co-sponsored by the Office of the Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs, Mike Sfraga.

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Shifting to renewable sources like solar, wind and geothermal energy is crucial to addressing climate change, but there is no way those types of energy can power big industrial users like manufacturers and agriculture, Ellis told the workshop attendees.

In the future, Ellis said, there will likely be a need for 400 million tons of hydrogen, compared to the approximately 100 million tons currently used. And the hydrogen currently used is not the type that is pulled from the ground. Rather, it is produced through an energy-consuming process that pulls the element out of other compounds, separating it from methane in natural gas or using electricity to separate it from oxygen in water.

In contrast, the hydrogen in the ground accumulates when water encounters iron or radiation. Through a process known as serpentinization, the reaction with those other elements in the earth separates the waters hydrogen from its oxygen  without human intervention. In contrast with oil and natural gas, which take millions of years to form, geologic hydrogen forms quickly. It can even be stimulated through injection of water.

Initial estimates, Ellis said, are that the earth could hold about 5 million megatons of geologic hydrogen, or 5 billion tons. While much of that is in impossible-to-reach sites like the deep ocean, accessing just 2% of that would meet the anticipated global hydrogen demand for more than 200 years, he told the workshop attendees.

Mark Myers, a member of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, stands on Oct. by posters explaining how hydrogen can be pooled in underground formations. Myers and others organized a three-day workshop on geologic hydrogen that was held at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Its likely that there are large amounts of hydrogen in the subsurface. And so, the question is not: Is it down there. But its: Is it in places where we can find and produce it? Ellis said.

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For Alaska, where traditional fossil fuels can be expensive as well as environmentally burdensome, hydrogen energy could underpin development of other non-fossil-fuel energy. Geologic hydrogen could be an important part of the solution, said Mark Myers, a geologist and member of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission.

Its a new resource that could be combined with renewables, but superior in many ways, said Myers, who served in the past as the commissioner of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, as director of the USGS and as vice chancellor for research at UAF, among other positions.

As he explains it, the physical characteristics that make Alaska prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and rich with mineral deposits also signal potential for reserves of valuable hydrogen in the ground. There is already one company, for example, that is investigating the potential for hydrogen in the same Southeast Alaska geologic belt that holds the better-known Bokan critical minerals deposits currently being explored.

Alaska is far from the only prospective region. Any spot on the earth where the ocean floors have been pulled apart has the potential to hold geologic hydrogen, Myers said.

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One region of keen interest is the Midcontinent Rift, a geologic feature that runs from Lake Superior to Kansas in the U.S. Midwest. Exploratory drilling there has already begun.

Still, Alaska has some characteristics that could make it a key area for hydrogen research and development, Myers said.

Alaska, unlike other parts of the nation and the world that are connected to power grids, has some acute energy needs, he said. And it has permafrost, which could be an advantage because microbes that consume hydrogen are less active in cold environments, he said.

There are myriad challenges to geologic hydrogen beyond finding the resource, said experts at the UAF workshop. One is that hydrogen molecules are small, meaning they are not easily trapped in the pores of underground rocks. Another is that hydrogen molecules tend to attach quickly to those of other elements, potentially making separation ephemeral.

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For now, there is only one place in the world being powered by geologic hydrogen: Bourakebougou, a small village in Mali. There, hydrogen was discovered in 2011, at a site where in 1987 an errant cigarette touched off an explosion at what was intended to be a water well.

Since then, there have been about two dozen hydrogen wells drilled, and the villages electricity runs off the hydrogen produced from those wells.

U.S. Arctic Research Commission member Mark Myers on Oct. 29 holds a sample of metallic rock from the Bokan formation that could be instrumental in forming geologic hydrogen. The rock samples were displayed at a three-day geologic hydrogen workshop, organized by Myers and others, that was held at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

The idea of replicating anything like that in Alaska is enticing, said a state lawmaker who has been following the subject closely.

Senate Majority Leader Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, has immersed herself in the subject of hydrogen. For example, she has been participating in meetings held by the Alaska Hydrogen Working Group, founded in 2022 by UAFs Alaska Center for Energy and Power and the Department of Energys Arctic Energy Office.

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Geologic hydrogen could be a new source of state revenue, she said. It could provide energy for communities and economic development, she said. If it is found within Native-owned lands, it can enrich Native corporations around the state through the revenue-sharing provisions in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, she said.

But for now, no one should expect any legislation on it, other than potentially some insertions of the word hydrogen into existing resource-related statutes if applicable, Giessel said. The subject is too new and there are too many unknowns, she said.

I dont envision the need for legislation at this point, until we know what the potential resource is, she said.

She does intend to hold at least one informational hearing to help her colleagues and the public get more familiar with the subject, she said.

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Providing information is the most important thing the state can do to promote development of geologic hydrogen, Giessel said.

Probably our biggest help to any industry is if we go out and map what the resource availability is. We are an under-mapped state, she said,

Other information could come from the states Geologic Materials Center, the collection of cores and other geologic samples that are available for the public to peruse and study, she said. The center, located in Anchorage, is operated by the state Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys.

Myers, speaking to the experts gathered at the workshop, also emphasized the need to build knowledge  and to do so quickly. That will take a new way of doing science, likely a whole new structure involving government, industry and academia.

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The challenge is great. But its going to be fun. And youre on the edge of discovery, he told the group.

Correction: This story has been updated to identify Cathy Giessel as Senate majority leader, not president.
A layer of ancient volcanic ash is exposed in a core sample at the Donlin Mine exploration camp on Aug. 11, 2022. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

The Alaska Supreme Court is considering a pair of lawsuits that could stop construction of the Donlin gold mine in Southwest Alaska.

The courts five justices heard arguments Tuesday in the cases, filed by Southwest Alaska tribal governments against the state, which is in charge of permitting the mine.

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Lower-court justices have ruled against the plaintiffs in both cases, but if the Supreme Court were to reverse those earlier decisions, it would be a setback for mine development.

At the conclusion of Tuesdays hearings, Chief Justice Peter Maassen said both cases will be taken under consideration, with a written decision to be released at a future date.

The mine project has already faced a barrage of lawsuits, including one in federal court that resulted in a partial victory for mine opponents earlier this year.

This week, members of the states high court were asked to consider whether the Alaska Department of Natural Resources improperly granted a key permit for a natural gas pipeline intended to supply fuel for the proposed mines power plant.

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In the second case, they were asked to examine the states water-permit program, as applied to the proposed mine.

Members of the states high court appeared skeptical of both cases and repeatedly interrogated Olivia Glasscock, an attorney from Earthjustice, the environmental law firm representing the tribal governments in both cases.

Maassen said he was struggling with the argument that the pipeline and mine should be considered as a single unit. He asked: If the pipeline was built but later replaced by a wind farm, does that mean the mine would have to be reconsidered all over again?

Yes, Glasscock said, but presumably the state would be able to use its prior work as part of the reconsideration.

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The problem is that theyre never considering the whole of the project, the whole of the impacts on the public interest, theyre issuing piecemeal decisions, she said. Theyre looking over here and saying, well, the pipeline doesnt have that much of an effect, so its OK, and looking at each in a silo by itself, and never determining whether overall, its a good idea to use the states resources for this project.

In the second case, whose arguments took place an hour after the first, justices had tougher questions for attorneys representing the state.

Donlin is envisioned as an open-pit mine, and that pit will eventually be turned into a lake. Alaska Supreme Court law requires agencies to take a hard look at projects and make reasoned decisions.

Borghesan questioned state attorney David Wilkinson, asking whether the Department of Natural Resources did take that hard look with regard to the eventual environmental effects of the resulting pit lake.

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Those effects are barely mentioned in the states permitting documents, unlike the long-term economic effects, which are discussed at length, Borghesan said.

It just feels like its slanting the hard look, he said.

Wilkinson responded that the Alaska Legislature has set the review criteria and has identified where the state should look.

He said that doesnt amount to weighting the dice in favor of the project.

I think what it does is it reflects the constitutional mandate to have a priority of appropriation and a beneficial use doctrine that has that built in, he said.
ALBANY  Albany Technical College will hold a dedication ceremony for the Dr. Walter Carl Gordon Jr. Surgical Technology Lab on Tuesday at 10 a.m., honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Walter Carl Gordon Jr., a visionary physician and community leader. This dedication pays tribute to Gordons pioneering contributions to health care in Albany and southwest Georgia.

"We are honored to dedicate the Dr. Walter Carl Gordon Jr. Surgical Technology Lab in recognition of Dr. Gordon's profound impact on both our medical community and Albany Technical College," Albany Tech President Emmet Griswold said in a news release. "His legacy will continue to inspire future health care professionals."

The dedication program, which will be held in Room 139 of ATC's Healthcare Technology Building, will include tributes from colleagues and family members. Attendees will hear reflections from Dr. Leon Dent, a trauma surgeon & Medical Director of Trauma Services at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, and Dr. Willie Adams, a former colleague and friend of Dr. Gordon's, who will share insights into his mentorship and influence on future generations of medical professionals. Gordons grandson, Javian Johnson, will offer a personal message of gratitude on behalf of the family.

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Establishing this lab in his name will ensure that his legacy of excellence, service, and leadership will continue to inspire future generations of surgical technologists and health care professionals. Gordons story is one of perseverance, dedication, and outstanding service to his community and country, and it celebrates his life in a lasting way.

The community, local health care professionals, and supporters of Albany Technical College are invited to join in the dedication ceremony honoring Gordon.

Gordon is known as a true pioneer in Albany's medical community. He was the first African American to serve as Chief of Staff at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital and the first African American surgeon in Albany. He was also a dedicated board member of Phoebe Putney Health System. His leadership extended beyond the hospital, as he helped establish Albany Technical College's Surgical Technology program in the early 1990s, laying the foundation for training future health care professionals in southwest Georgia.

Born and raised in Albany, Gordon's career took him from graduating from Madison High School to earning a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Hampton Institute and a master's degree from Tuskegee Institute. He later taught chemistry at Lincoln University and Albany State College before answering the call to medicine, earning his medical degree from Meharry Medical School.

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After his medical studies, Gordon completed his surgical residency at Walter Reed Army Hospital, becoming the first African American to do so. His military career was marked by exemplary service, including commanding medical battalions during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He retired from the U.S. Army in 1968 at the rank of lieutenant colonel and later joined the Army Reserve, ultimately retiring with the rank of colonel in 1991.

In Albany, Gordon's impact extended far beyond his medical practice. His leadership, wisdom, and community advocacy earned him the admiration of his colleagues and patients. As a surgeon, he was known for his impeccable skills and, as a speaker, for his polished diction and gentlemanly demeanor. This dedication will immortalize his contributions to the medical field and the Albany community.

The Dr. Carl Gordon Surgical Technology Lab will serve as a key educational space for students pursuing careers in health care, ensuring that Gordon's legacy of excellence and service lives on through the education of future surgical technologists.
Nov. 14After three years, New Mexico elementary and middle schools, including those in Albuquerque, are making a comeback in U.S. News & World Report's annual "best" rankings.

The Washington, D.C.-based publication, which makes education institutional rankings a staple of its operations, included 594 state schools in its middle school and high school rankings, released Thursday.

In an interview, LaMont Jones, managing editor for education at U.S. News  who has been involved with the rankings for the last five years  said insufficient data provided by states and cities to the U.S. Department of Education prevented schools from New Mexico, Delaware, California, Oregon, Washington state and the District of Columbia from being included in the list until now.

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"This is the first time there was sufficient data that was available," Jones said. "That is very helpful to parents in terms of information that can help them decide where to send their children."

He said that states sometimes provide to the federal government unverified or incomplete data on reading and math assessments  key criteria U.S. News uses to determine school rankings.

"(Without data), we cannot, with integrity, rank (schools)," Jones said.

The New Mexico Public Education Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Albuquerque Institute of Math & Science snagged the top spot on the list of best New Mexico middle schools, while Mountain Elementary in Los Alamos earned the same spot among best elementary schools.

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Altura Preparatory School was the first elementary school in Albuquerque to make a top spot on that list, coming in at No. 4. Coyote Willow Family School, Georgia O'Keeffe Elementary, North Star Elementary, Hubert H. Humphrey Elementary and Double Eagle Elementary helped fill out most of the list's top 10 slots.

The Ask Academy in Rio Rancho came in at No. 2 for middle schools, followed by Albuquerque schools Desert Ridge in third and Eisenhower in fourth. Among other Albuquerque schools, Cottonwood Classical Prep was ranked sixth, and Aces Technical High School was ranked ninth. Texico Middle, part of the Texico Municipal Schools, came in at No. 10.

Albuquerque Public Schools spokesperson Martin Salazar declined comment on the rankings, but Desert Ridge Middle School Principal Jojo Grano said it was "incredible" that her school was ranked in the top three.

Grano, who has worked in various roles at Desert Ridge over 17 years, said staffers at her school examine school rankings but focus more on state assessment data.

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"That's the bar that we're held to," Grano said. "What we tend to focus on is the growth and 'Are we improving?' If we don't improve, (we're) analyzing what happened and why."

Sixty-two percent of Desert Ridge students scored at or above the proficient level for math, and 66% scored at or above that level for reading, according to the rankings. Grano did not confirm the statistics, but said overall assessment scores this year have gone down. However, target student groups, including those impacted by the Yazzie-Martinez ruling, have all seen their scores go up "significantly."

Though Grano does not believe national school rankings mean everything, she does believe it plays a role in recruitment of students and staff at Desert Ridge.

"I've been bragging about it all day," Grano said, referencing APS Superintendent Gabriella Blakey's push for the "Stop Bagging, Start Bragging Movement," which aims to change negative connotations about Albuquerque.

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Jones said "there are quality public schools in every state at every grade level" when he was asked to respond to New Mexico's historically low public school rankings against those in U.S. News.

"What these rankings do is they look at those that are the very best in terms of educating their students in math and in reading, which are the two most fundamental skills that students can learn in those early grades," Jones said. "Part of our methodology also is (about) how well they are educating all the students at that school, regardless of race or ethnicity."

For a complete list of rankings, go to usnews.com/education/k12.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  A man who shot and killed his girlfriend last year after thinking she cheated learned his fate on Thursday. Police said Carlos Gonzales and his girlfriend Areli Rodriguez got into an argument at their apartment near Louisiana and Ross.

Appeals court upholds Fabian Gonzales conviction

During the argument, police said Gonzales shot and killed Rodriguez. Earlier this year, Gonzales pled no contest to involuntary manslaughter and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Thursday, a judge sentenced Gonzales to another seven months in prison and gave him credit for the year and a half hes already been in jail for.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
(NewsNation)  Alex Jones InfoWars has not yet been sold to the satirical publication The Onion.

It was announced Thursday morning that Joness media outlet had been sold at a bankruptcy auction, however, a Texas judge has since placed it on hold amid concerns over the legality of the process.

I personally dont care who wins the auction, I care about process and transparency, Judge Christopher M. Lopez said on Thursday during a status conference in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas.

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Nobody should feel comfortable with the results of the auction, Lopez added.

Texas authorities on high alert for pre-Trump immigration surge

Jones said on his X account that it was a private sale masquerading as an auction that it did not happen, which is why the judge halted the sale.

Lopez is holding an evidentiary hearing to clarify the situation. While no date has been set, Jones said it would occur next week.

InfoWars has been shut down, but he is continuing to broadcast on his X account, as well as the Alex Jones Network.

The sale was ordered after relatives of many of the 20 children and six educators killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting successfully sued Jones and his company for defamation and emotional distress.

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Jones repeatedly made false claims on his show that the Newtown, Connecticut, shooting was a hoax staged by crisis actors to spur more gun control.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
Fingerprints found inside a Jeep Compass and calls to a tip line led police to a suspect in the shooting death of a Johnstown man last month, authorities said.

City police detectives Cory Adams and Mark Britton charged Jamil Quhir Branche, 23, in connection with the Oct. 6 shooting death of Isaiah Hixon, 32 and the wounding of two others who were expected to survive.

Branche is charged with criminal homicide and illegally possessing a firearm.

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He also is charged with three counts each of aggravated assault and reckless endangerment.

According to a complaint affidavit, the Oct. 6 gunfire in the 900 block of Ash Street lasted only a few seconds.

Cambria County District Attorney Greg Neugebauer said, at the time, that it appeared Hixon had stopped to talk to a few people moments before someone drove up and opened fire at around 2:30 a.m.

An autopsy showed that Hixon, a Johnstown resident who grew up in New Jersey, died of massive blood loss from multiple gunshot wounds, Cambria County Coroner Jeff Lees said. Lees ruled it a homicide.

Detectives believe they have found a motive for the shooting, but said it is still under investigation.

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Surveillance cameras reportedly showed a man leaning out of a rear passenger window of a Jeep Compass and firing two guns, killing Hixon and injuring two others.

Police traced the Jeeps movements through the Hornerstown section, where they found it parked in a driveway to the rear of a residence in the 1200 block of Franklin Street.

Branche and a second person were allegedly seen exiting the Jeep about four minutes after the shooting, the affidavit said.

Detectives obtained a warrant to search the vehicle Oct. 17. Investigators found Branches fingerprints inside the vehicle. Information from the Tip411 app also helped to identify Branche.

Branche was arraigned by on-call District Judge John Prebish, of Cresson, and sent to Cambria County Prison in Ebensburg, where he is being held without bond.
A man arrested by the FBI on terror charges wanted to plot a 9/11-style attack on American soil, court documents show.

Anas Said, of Texas, is accused of offering his home as a safe sanctuary for members of ISIS and saying he wants to take part in a terrorist attack like 9/11, according to court records.

The 28-year-old was charged with trying to provide material support to the Islamic State group.

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Federal prosecutors allege Said had spent time planning and discussing committing attacks in Houston, where he lived, and had used the internet to research how to make explosives and use cellphones as remote detonators.

He has created videos extolling the virtue of ISIS, the violence and death brought by ISIS, and the need for the terror perpetrated by ISIS to continue, according to court documents.

He is dedicated to his mission to provide material support to ISIS in whatever form that may take.

The FBI said that Said had been accused of planning a terrorist attack on US soil, however the indictment said he was charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated Foreign Terrorist.

We will find you and hold you to account

Said was arrested last week and pleaded not guilty to one count of attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organisation on Thursday.

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Said, who authorities said was born in Houston but spent part of his childhood in Lebanon, will remain in federal custody.

He has been on the FBIs radar since 2017, said Douglas Williams Jr, special agent in charge of the FBIs Houston office.

Alamdar Hamdani, the US attorney, said: To those wannabe terrorists who believe they can hide behind encrypted apps or anonymous social media profiles, please understand that we will find you and we will hold you to account.

Baldemar Zuniga, Saids attorney, said in a statement that the allegations against his client revolve around providing support to ISIS only through videos and propaganda.

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Despite allegations that my client made statements to government agents regarding proposed terrorist acts, the indictment does not currently allege any planning, or acts of terrorism. This appears to be a lengthy investigation and it will take some time to sift through all of the evidence, Zuniga said.

If convicted, Said faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

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ISTANBUL, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- A suspect who fired a shotgun into the air near the Israeli consulate in Istanbul on Friday was apprehended in a special forces' operation, local media reported.

State-run TRT broadcaster stated that an unidentified individual approached the consulate building in the Levent neighborhood on the European side of the city and discharged five to six shots into the air using a shotgun.

Upon hearing the gunshots, citizens notified the authorities, prompting the dispatch of a large number of police units to the scene, the TRT added.

The suspect, who initially resisted the police, was apprehended in an operation carried out by the special forces.

The detained individual was then taken to the police station for processing. 
Nov. 14The Illinois State Board of Education recently released school report cards. They show how Illinois, each school and each district in the state are performing based on a wide range of educational goals, like attendance, test scores and absenteeism.

Altamont Unit 10, which has an enrollment of 677 students, received a "commendable" designation for its grade school, pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, and its high school.

Casey Adam has been the district's superintendent for four years and enjoys seeing the students grow both academically and emotionally.

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"My favorite part about being a superintendent is knowing that I am directly influencing the educational experience of hundreds of children in our district," said Adam.

Adam said the school's overall scores have increased for both the grade school and high school for the previous four years she's been with the school. Both schools have improved in math and science. The grade school has raised its reading scores, and the high school has increased its English scores

"We have a fantastic administrative staff, and we're all moving in the same direction, and I think you can really tell that by the results of our data this year," said Adam.

However, she pointed out that state test scores are only one piece of the puzzle.

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"Districts are far more complicated than, 'How did we score on our third grade math test?' It's more, 'Are our students continuing to grow?'" said Adam. "Once you get that data, do you know what to do with it? Do districts, do schools know, OK, here's where our students are. Here's where we want them to be. How do we make that happen?"

Kris Biggs, the grade school principal, discussed the Illinois report cards during the Nov. 12 school board meeting. He told the board that their English Language Arts (ELA) scores have increased, along with the math scores. Math is a subject the school plans to hone in on.

"That is a priority for us," said Adam.

Another topic discussed during the meeting was chronic absenteeism, which is a factor the report card takes into consideration when calculating a school's score. According to the report card, Altamont CUSD stands at a 13% chronic absenteeism rate.

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When asked about what the school's plan is to lower that number, Adam mentioned how there was an to create and hang up posters, along with reaching out to their community partners to have a consistent message throughout the community: the importance of being at school.

"We're hopeful [that it's working], but it was just something that we started at the beginning of the school year," said Adam. "So we won't really know until next year [when] we look at those numbers kind of on an annual basis. We want to compare apples to apples."

marie.adamick@effinghamdailynews.com

618-510-9230 ext: 300132
ALTON, Ill.  The City of Alton, Illinois will receive a six-figure federal grant to improve safety for pedestrians in downtown Alton.

Illinois U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-13th District) announced on Friday that Alton will receive a $215,152 federal grant from the Department of Transportation.

Current plans call for Alton to reduce pedestrian crossing distances and explore the possibility of reduced travels lanes and safety buffers on Piasa Street.

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This St. Louis restaurant serves the best doughnut in Missouri, food writers say

The grant is funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed in 2021. Budzinskis office says the goal is to make downtown Alton safer and more walkable for pedestrians.

Safer streets mean a more connected community and today, were helping to make that a reality for the people of Alton, said Budzinski via a news release. On its third anniversary, the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver for Central and Southern Illinois with more than $215,000 for Alton to make its downtown safer and more walkable. Im excited to see this project come to fruition and to keep working to secure critical infrastructure investments for the folks I serve in Alton and across the 13th District.

For more information on the grant and ongoing efforts, click here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
BLAIR COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ)  An Altoona woman was charged after allegedly stealing more than $50,000 from her elderly mother to gamble with, causing the mother to be kicked out of the nursing home.

Penny Kline, 62, was charged with theft and financial exploitation of an older parent after a caseworker with Blair County Protective Services went to Logan Township police earlier this year after noticing the womans funds rapidly depleting.

According to the criminal complaint, the caseworker told police that they spoke with Kline about the funds and some discrepancies when Kline allegedly told them she used her mothers money for gambling over the years 2022 and 2023.

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Throughout the course of the investigation, police said that Kline wouldnt talk to them without legal representation, which was something she couldnt get at the time. This left investigators to rely on bank statements that allegedly showed a total loss of $52,080.04 with several transactions for the Pennsylvania Lottery, the complaint reads.

Stay up to date with the latest news in the palm of your hand. Click here to download the WTAJ app for Apple and Android devices.

When police spoke with the caseworker again, the worker alleged that Kline said she gambled the money and then refused to discuss it any further without legal representation. They also revealed that Klines mother had to be removed from Homewood assisted living in Martinsburg, unable to pay her bills.

Kline was arraigned and released with unsecured bail set at $50,000.

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Alvernia University has received a $3 million state grant to support renovation projects at its Reading and Pottsville CollegeTowne campuses.

The money is being provided through the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program and was one of several grants announced earlier this month by Gov. Josh Shapiros office.

In Reading, the grant will aid in the conversion of the former American House at Fourth and Penn streets into a state-of-the-art community-based health center in partnership with Berks Community Health Center. The university will also add additional business incubator space for the OPake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship and retail space.

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In Pottsville, the funding will aid in the second phase of the conversion of a former Giant Grocery store in the 500 Progress Avenue into a CollegeTowne campus. That campus opened to students in January 2023.

The CollegeTowne initiatives continue to bring our communities together and inspire belief in the redevelopment of Reading and Pottsville, Alvernia President Dr. Glynis A. Fitzgerald said. This funding will continue to reshape the future of both cities.
UPDATE: The Henderson County Sheriffs Office said Mia James has been found safe.

ATHENS, Texas (KETK)  The Henderson County Sheriffs Office is searching for an 11-year-old girl who is believed to have been picked up by an unknown subject on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of the Henderson County Sheriffs Office.

EXCLUSIVE: Texas woman falsely accused for death of Peanut the Squirrel breaks her silence

According to the department, Mia James is around 55 tall and weighs 98 pounds. An AMBER ALERT was issued was for Mia on Friday. It lists her as having brown hair and blue eyes.

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The Henderson County Sheriffs Office said Mia was seen at around 5:45 p.m. on Thursday on U.S. 175 West walking alone towards Eustace near Life Fellowship Church.

Anyone with information about Mias location is asked to call the sheriffs office at 903-675-5128.

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36,718 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others?

36,718 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others?
The incident reportedly happened after the plane left Honolulu for LAX on Wednesday, Nov. 13

Kevin Carter/Getty An American Airlines Airbus A321 departs Los Angeles International Airport An American Airlines Airbus A321 departs Los Angeles International Airport

An American Airlines flight avoided a mountain in Hawaii by performing a sudden "expedited climb," according to multiple outlets including ABC News.

The alleged incident happened at around 1 a.m. local time on Wednesday, Nov. 13 after the plane left Honolulu International Airport to embark on a journey to Los Angeles International Airport.

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"An air traffic controller instructed American Airlines Flight 298 to perform an expedited climb after the crew did not make the assigned turn while departing from Honolulu International Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement, per ABC News.

"The controller's actions ensured the aircraft remained safely above nearby terrain."



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Getty A bird's eye view of the Honolulu International Airport A bird's eye view of the Honolulu International Airport

Related: American Airlines to Lay Off 19,000 Workers Unless It Receives Additional Federal Aid amid COVID-19 Pandemic

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In a statement, American Airlines told ABC News that "The safety of our customers and team members is our top priority."

"During the climb out of Honolulu on November 13, the crew of American Airlines flight 298 requested and received right-turn clearance and complied with controller instructions, the spokesperson continued.

There was no Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) alert as there were no issues with terrain clearance based on the trajectory of the aircraft."

PEOPLE has contacted the FAA and American Airlines for further comment.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty American Airlines planes at LaGuardia Airport in Queens American Airlines planes at LaGuardia Airport in Queens

The news comes after two passengers were injured after a United flight had to suddenly slow its descent to avoid a potential collision with another aircraft back in September.

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United Airlines Flight 2428 responded to an onboard alert which occurred around 12:45 p.m. local time on Thursday, Sept. 19 in Oakland Air Route Traffic Control Center Airspace that another aircraft was in the vicinity. The United flight landed safely at San Francisco International Airport, the FAA said in a preliminary statement shared with PEOPLE. There was no loss of safe separation.

According to CNN, United Flight 2428 responded to a traffic collision avoidance system resolution advisory alert, a serious warning for pilots. This resulted in one of the passengers being seriously injured while the other sustained minor injuries.

Related: American Airlines Passengers Save Woman from Alleged Violent Male Companion on Flight

On Sept. 10, two planes also collided at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport at around 10:07 a.m.

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Delta Flight 295 bound for Tokyo was taxiing out at the time when it accidentally made contact with the tail of Endeavor Air 5526, Delta confirmed to PEOPLE in a statement at the time.

The coming together nearly sliced off the tail of the much smaller Endeavor aircraft, while the DeltaA350 sustained a damaged wing.

Speaking at the time, CBS senior transportation correspondent Chris Van Cleave said the collision was like "a semi truck and a small sedan coming together for a fender bender."

"In this case, it appears the wing tip of the A350 essentially severed the tail or the stabilizer on the back for the plane," he added.


American Airlines pilots were told to make an expedited climb to avoid crashing into Hawaiian mountains Wednesday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

An air traffic controller instructed Flight 298, heading toward Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday, to perform an expedited climb after the crew did not make the assigned turn while departing from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, also known as Honolulu International Airport, an FAA spokesperson said.

The maneuver occurred around 1 a.m. local time Wednesday.

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The controllers actions ensured the aircraft remained safely above nearby terrain, the agencys spokesperson said in a statement. The FAA is investigating the incident.

The American Airlines flight departed the Honolulu International Airport before 1 a.m. local time Wednesday and landed at Los Angeles International Airport about five hours later, according to flight tracking service FlightAware.

During the climb out of Honolulu on November 13, the crew of American Airlines flight 298 requested and received right-turn clearance and complied with controller instructions, American Airlines said in a statement to NBC News. There was no Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) alert as there were no issues with terrain clearance based on the trajectory of the aircraft.

In April, a union that represents 15,000 American Airlines pilots said there was a significant spike in safety problems at the airline.

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The safety committee of the Allied Pilots Association said in a memo it has been tracking a significant spike in safety- and maintenance-related problems in our operation.

Remember: Dont rush, dont be intimidated, and dont be pressured into doing something that doesnt pass the smell test. Just because its legal doesnt make it safe, the memo said. Be mindful of the hazards while operating on the ramps and taxiways in congested airports staffed with inexperienced controllers and ground personnel.

The Hill has reached out to American Airlines for comment.

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(NewsNation)  With President-elect Donald Trump returning to the White House, his promise of increased tariffs is becoming closer to reality.

On the campaign trail, Trump proposed at least a 10% tariff on all goods entering the U.S., with a 60% tariff on all imports from China. While these costs are attached to goods being imported to the country, they will likely also affect exports.

During Trumps first term, a trade war over tariffs with China impacted key American crops, like soybeans and corn. The USDA said the dispute led to more than $27 billion in U.S. agricultural losses.

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Donald Trumps new administration: Who has he chosen so far?

Farmers Ted Winter and John Fleming joined NewsNations Morning in America on Friday to share how these tariffs could impact the farming community and agriculture in the U.S.

Winter, a Minnesota farmer and member of the Minnesota Farmers Union Executive Committee, said the tariff would impact farmers by reducing the amount of export sales they have to China and other parts of the world.

That will impact our income and our bottom line for our farmers and our families, Winter said. We need all the income we can right now because were still suffering from the tariffs that were put on in his last term.

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Fleming, a North Carolina farmer and director of the American Soybean Association, agreed with Winter, saying farmers could lose about 14 to 16 million metric tons of soy export to China if the retaliatory tariffs were reinstated.

We can look for other markets but there are no buyers in the marketplace big enough to absorb that volume, Fleming said.

Heres what a Trump presidency could mean for Social Security

During the first Trump administration, Fleming said the American Soybean Association did recognize that soybean farmers were impacted by the tariffs and issued some tariff offsets to farmers that were helpful. However, Fleming said they are hoping they dont have to go down that road again.

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President Joe Biden kept most of Trumps China tariffs in place and increased them on Chinas electric cars and solar panels.

Last year, U.S. soybean exports to China fell to around 26.4 million metric tons, which was down from 36.1 million in 2016.

Winter said they havent been able to regain the market and have lost more in the process since.

China went to other places to buy their needs, Winter said.

He continued, If we can be in good trade relationships with China, and they buy our products, that gives us a market to move our crops into the marketplace. We dont need to have tariffs put on or increased by anyone.

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ISTANBUL, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- A fire broke out at a factory in Turkiye's Istanbul on Friday, injuring 10 people from smoke inhalation, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported.

The fire erupted at a three-story medical device manufacturing factory, which covers an area of 10,000 square meters in the Esenyurt district on the European side of the city, the report said, adding that the reason behind the blaze remained undetermined.

Multiple police units, firefighting crews, and medical teams were dispatched to the scene, and workers at the factory and nearby facilities were evacuated.

Ten individuals affected by smoke inhalation were treated on-site by medical teams, the report added, noting that firefighters are still working to extinguish the fire. 
A 65-year-old American tourist has been arrested in Japan for allegedly carving letters into a torii gate at a Tokyo shrine.

The suspect, Steve Lee Hayes, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of property damage, a Tokyo Metropolitan Police spokesperson told CNN.

Police said the man allegedly defaced the pillar of a shrine gate in Tokyos Shibuya Ward on Tuesday, carving the alphabet with his fingernails.

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According to public broadcaster NHK, five letters  believed to be the tourists family name  were allegedly etched into a gate pillar at Tokyos Meiji Shrine.

Police reportedly identified the suspect by reviewing security camera footage and have launched an investigation.

Located adjacent to the citys sprawling Yoyogi Park, Meiji Shrine first opened in 1920 and was dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. The complex was destroyed during World War II but rebuilt in the 1950s.

A closeup image of scratches on a torii gate at Meiji Shrine, taken on November 14, 2024. - Yuichi Yamazaki/AFP/Getty Images

Entrances to the shrine feature huge wooden gates, known as torii, which are crowned with distinct curved beams.

The suspect, who was visiting Japan with his family, faces up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 300,000 yen ($1,918) for the alleged vandalism.

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The arrest is the latest in a string of tourist-related incidents to make headlines as Japan experiences record visitor numbers.

Earlier this year, a small town at the base of Mount Fuji gained international attention for blocking views of the famed icon with a black barrier after it was overrun with photo-hungry tourists. According to some of the towns residents, the visitors left behind trash and ignored traffic rules, despite the presence of signs and security guards.

In September, local police told CNN a 61-year-old Austrian man was arrested for having sex on the grounds of a shrine in Kesennuma  a small coastal town about 500 kilometers (310 miles) north of Tokyo  and faced charges of disrespecting a place of worship.

Meanwhile, in 2023, a 17-year-old Canadian was brought in for questioning for allegedly carving a name into a wooden pillar at a UNESCO-listed temple in the historic city of Nara, Japan, according to local police.

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Steven Lee Hayes, 65, is accused of carving his family's name into the gate of a famed Tokyo shrine, say police

BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP via Getty An entrance gate or 'torii' at Meiji shrine in Tokyo. An entrance gate or 'torii' at Meiji shrine in Tokyo.

A 65-year-old American tourist was arrested in Japan for allegedly defacing the entrance to a famous shrine in Tokyo, according to reports.

On Wednesday, Nov. 13, Steven Lee Hayes was arrested on suspicion of property damage, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department confirmed to NBC News.

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The day before, Hayes allegedly carved alphabet letters into a wooden pillar of the entrance  a traditional Japanese torii gate  of the Meiji Shrine in Tokyos Shibuya ward, police said, NBC News reports.

A shrine employee allegedly noticed the carving and called police, according to the Tokyo Reporter.

After that, police viewed surveillance video that allegedly captured Hayes carving the letters of his familys last name into the wooden pillar with his fingernails, UPI reports.

YUICHI YAMAZAKI/AFP via Getty Scratches are seen on a traditional wooden torii gate at Meiji shrine in Tokyo on November 14, 2024. Scratches are seen on a traditional wooden torii gate at Meiji shrine in Tokyo on November 14, 2024.

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First opened in 1920, Meiji Shrine was dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shoken, who had died in the previous decade, CNN reports.

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Destroyed during World War II, it was rebuilt in the 1950s.

Hayes was arrested at his hotel, UPI reports. He had arrived in Tokyo on Monday with his family for vacation.

It is unclear where in the United States Hayes is from and whether he is still in custody.

If convicted, he faces up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 300,000 yen ($1,918) for the alleged vandalism, according to CNN.

Police continue to investigate.


SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  The discovery of a live ammunition round prompted the evacuation of nearby residences in the Magnolia Lakes neighborhood off of Nansemond Parkway in Suffolk Thursday.

At approximately 3:40 p.m., Suffolk Fire & Rescue and Suffolk Police received a report of an unexploded ordnance found in the neighborhood.

Upon arrival in the 1100 block of Nansemond Parkway, Suffolk Police and Suffolk Fire & Rescue confirmed the discovery of the unexploded ammunition round.

The Virginia State Police Bomb Squad arrived at the scene and took possession of the item to further investigate. The all-clear was given at around 4:25 p.m.

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No one was injured in the incident.

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By Valerie Volcovici and William James

BAKU (Reuters) - This year's U.N. climate summit is struggling to focus minds on the health of the planet, with turbulent geopolitics, a confrontational host and the reelection of U.S. climate skeptic Donald Trump stealing the limelight.

The annual conference that aims to produce global agreements to limit the warming which is tipping the world towards climate catastrophe is becoming a forum of frustration for negotiators seeking a finance deal in the Caspian Sea city of Baku.

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"The UN climate and environmental negotiations are increasingly becoming a tragic spectacle," said Juan Carlos Monterrey, Special Representative for Climate of the Ministry of Environment of Panama.

Oil producer Azerbaijan, the host of this year's 29th Conference of the Parties, is tasked with the limited goal of rallying countries around a target for annual financial aid for developing nations facing the rising costs of climate change.

It is a mandate that pales in comparison with the agenda for next year's confab in Brazil's Amazon rainforest, where governments will chart a course for the next decade.

But it is considered all-important for many countries ahead of Brazil's COP30 and achieving it requires diplomatic skill.

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Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev berated the United States and the European Union as climate hypocrites at the summit's opening, souring the mood for countries central to the finance goal.

He later branded France guilty of colonial "crimes", after which France's climate minister canceled her trip to the venue.

On Friday, midway through the two-week summit, a group of former leaders, climate experts and scientists published an open letter calling for the COP process to be reformed, saying it "cannot deliver the change at exponential speed and scale, which is essential to ensure a safe climate landing for humanity."

The COP29 presidency's lead negotiator acknowledged that the multilateral process was under pressure in Baku.

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"We consider COP29 as a litmus test for the global climate architecture," Azerbaijan's Yalchin Rafiyev told reporters.

The summit began on Monday with a dispute about the agenda, but the host nation did manage to get a deal done to endorse a global carbon market framework.

INCHING FORWARD

Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore implored delegates not to be discouraged in a speech on Friday to the summit, invoking U.S. civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.:

"He said 'keep going. If you can't fly, run. If you can't run, walk. If you can't walk, crawl - but keep going forward.'"

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One developed country diplomat said the summit talks on finance were progressing, and noted the COP29 presidency was not being run by Aliyev's office.

But many of the engines that drove past pacts have stuttered this year. There has been no bilateral U.S.-China deal, like those that boosted past COP ambitions.

The European Union, another bullish voice on climate in the past, was also on the back foot in Baku following a surge in support back home for right-wing political parties.

Many of the biggest players in climate talks didn't even send their leaders this year, including the United States, China, India and others.

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In all, about 50,000 people registered for COP29 - far fewer than the record 80,000 who thronged last year's splashy, expo-like COP28 held in Dubai.

While many business executives skipped this year, the fossil fuel industry showed up, with the heads of Exxon, BP, Total, and Saudi Aramco. The activist coalition Kick Big Polluters Out said Friday it counted at least 1,773 fossil fuel lobbyists present.

Monterrey said people in Panama were dying from burning forests and rising seas while COP delegates wasted millions of dollars debating footnotes and attending cocktail receptions.

"For some nations, fossil fuel production may be a blessing, but for us, it's a curse and a death sentence," he said.

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TRUMP EFFECT

Former U.S. president Trump's re-election led some countries to lower their expectations before the COP had convened.

"This COP was hamstrung from the beginning," said Jon Creyts, president of RMI, an energy transition think tank.

Trump has promised to withdraw the U.S. from international climate cooperation, as he did during his 2017-21 term, and has called global warming a hoax.

Ahead of the Baku summit, EU Climate Chief Wopke Hoekstra said the EU would "do our utmost to make the COP into a success, even if it's only going to be a success of sorts".

AOSIS negotiator Michai Robertson said it would be harder for negotiations to bounce back if Trump quits the Paris Agreement again.

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"We're in a different geopolitical context than we were the first time that they left. A lot of other countries are leaning right. There's ... less sort of camaraderie amongst the international community to get things done," Robertson said.

In another blow, Argentina, whose President Javier Milei has also called global warming a hoax and was set to meet Trump this week, recalled its delegation on Thursday in order to "revaluate the situation."

Even on the main stage, frustration was palpable.

Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama on Wednesday likened the summit to a TV without sound.

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"Life goes on with its old habits," he told the conference. "And our speeches, filled with good words about fighting climate change, change nothing."

(Reporting by Valerie Volcovici and Will James; Additional reporting by Kate Abnett; Writing by Richard Valdmanis; Editing by Katy Daigle and Philippa Fletcher)
Nov. 14INDIANAPOLIS  An Anderson man has been sentenced to more than 20 years in federal prison on drug dealing charges.

Kennley Johnson, 43, was sentenced to 250 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to three counts of methamphetamine distribution and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to court documents, on three separate occasions in March and April 2024, Johnson was observed selling a total of 131.8 grams of methamphetamine, a Colt pistol, and a Manuel Escodin revolver to a person in Anderson.

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Officers conducted a court-authorized search of Johnson's Anderson residence and found over 380 grams of additional methamphetamine, ammunition, and a loaded 9mm handgun.

Johnson was arrested during the search and officers found $5,857 in cash in his pocket.

Johnson had five prior drug-related offenses on his record since turning 18 years old.

At the time of his arrest, Johnson was still on probation. As a convicted felon, Johnson is permanently prohibited from legally possessing a firearm.

"Illegally armed drug dealers do tremendous harm to communities in every part of our state," Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, said in a press release.

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"Numerous prior convictions and prison terms were not enough to convince this career criminal to change his ways," Myers said. "Thanks to the efforts of the Anderson Police Department, the ATF, and our federal prosecutor, the community will now be protected from his crimes as he serves a significant term in federal prison."

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Anderson Police Department investigated the case.

"There is no place in our society for those who use firearms for violent, criminal purposes and spread drugs through our community," said Daryl S. McCormick, special agent in charge of ATF's Columbus field division. "ATF will continue to work with our law enforcement partners at the federal, state, and local levels to bring those individuals to justice."

Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.
EVANSVILLE, Ind, (WEHT)  With the holidays quickly approaching, a local animal hospital is working to spread the holiday cheer to Tri-State animal shelters.

Saint Joe Veterinary Hospital is now accepting donations for a number of items for shelters.

The hospital is collecting dog and cat food, litter, towels, blankets and cleaning supplies.

Officials say shelters are in desperate need due to recent overcrowding. The hospital is accepting donations through December 20th.

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You can find the animal hospitals Amazon Wishlist here.

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Central State Bank is the subject of a class action lawsuit over the fees charged to its customers. (Photo via Google Earth)

A second Iowa-based bank is being sued over the fees charged to its customers.

Late last year, Bankers Trust, headquartered in Des Moines, was hit with a class action lawsuit over a controversial set of fees charged to its customers.

This week, Central State Bank, headquartered in Coralville, was sued over its alleged practice of imposing multiple overdraft fees on single transactions. Attorneys for the plaintiff allege Central State Bank has used such fees to generate substantial revenue, to the tune of tens of millions of dollars, while seeking to turn its customers financial struggles into revenue.

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Central State Bank has yet to file a response to the lawsuit, but company officials have denied the allegations and said they look forward to defending the predatory lawsuit in court. The bank has locations in Coralville, Cedar Rapids, Elkader, Marquette, Swisher and Walford, and has assets of more than $470 million.

The lawsuit has been filed on behalf of a single customer, David Gray of Clayton County, but is seeking class-action status on behalf of hundreds of customers. Attorneys for the plaintiff say the case involves more than $5 million in potential damages.

In court filings, attorneys for the plaintiff note that in 2021, the largest financial institutions in America charged customers almost $11 billion in overdraft fees. Customers who carried an average balance of less than $350 paid 84% of those fees.

More recently, financial institutions such as Bank of America, Capital One, Wells Fargo and Alliant have announced plans to phase out such fees, which are sometimes called nonsufficient-funds, or NSF, fees. Those fees are imposed when purchases are made and the customers account balance cant cover the expense.

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According to the lawsuit, Central State Bank imposes a $32 overdraft item charge on transactions even when there is enough money in the customers account to cover the expense. The bank is also accused of unlawfully maximizing its already profitable fees through a deceptive and contractually prohibited practice of charging multiple nonsufficient-funds fees and overdraft fees on a single transaction.

Unbeknownst to consumers, when Central State Bank reprocesses a check for payment after it was initially rejected for insufficient funds, the bank chooses to treat it as a new and unique item that is subject to yet another fee, the lawsuit claims.

The reprocessing allegedly occurs when a store or vendor for whom the payment was intended resubmits a claim for payment after it was rejected for nonsufficient funds. Because claims for payment can be resubmitted and then reprocessed without any involvement by the account holder, consumers have no control over the process.

On the issue of disclosure, the lawsuit claims Central State Banks contract with customers allows the bank to either reject a transaction when there are nonsufficient funds in an account or simply pay the vendor while charging the banks customer a $32 overdraft fee in either instance.

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In actual practice, the lawsuit claims, Central State Bank regularly assesses two or more $32 or $30 fees on an item, in violation of the contract. In this manner, one transaction can allegedly lead to $96 in fees.

Gray alleges, for example, that on March 20, 2023, he attempted to make two separate payments, each for more than $300, by check. Central State Bank rejected both transactions due to nonsufficient funds in Grays account and charged him two overdraft fees of $30 each. Two days later, the bank allegedly tried to process the two transactions again, rejected them again, and charged two more overdraft fees of $30 each.

In addition to seeking class action status for their case, attorneys for Gray are seeking damages for breach of contract and are asking the court to order the bank to discontinue the use of such fees. Gray is represented by the West Des Moines law firm of Shindler, Anderson, Goplerud & Reese.

Bankers Trust also sued over fees

Last December, a federal lawsuit was filed against Bankers Trust, alleging that its practice of charging overdraft fees on debit-card transactions authorized by the bank itself was barred by banking regulations.

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That lawsuit centers on the banks use of fees applied to so-called Authorize Positive, Settle Negative transactions, or APSN transactions.

The practice works this way, according to the lawsuit: The moment a purchase is made from a merchant using a debit card, the bank immediately reduces the customers checking account balance by the amount of that purchase. The bank also sets aside the full dollar amount of the purchase, holding that money in reserve for the merchant.

However, the bank will then impose a $33 overdraft fee on the transaction if, days later when the bank forwards the reserved funds to the merchant, the customers funds are depleted and the account shows a negative balance.

Essentially, the fee isnt applied only to the transactions for which there are no funds; its also imposed on transactions for which the bank is actually holding a customers cash in reserve to ensure payment.

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Bankers Trust, which is Iowas largest privately held community bank, has responded to the lawsuit by arguing that its customer contracts permit the collection of such fees.

1n 2022, the federal governments Consumer Financial Protection Bureau fined Regions Bank $191 million, finding that it acted unfairly and abusively in violation of the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 by assessing surprise fees that were not disclosed in customer contracts.

Also in 2022, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation determined that one banks practice of assessing more than one fee on the same transaction was a deceptive and unfair act, and called for such practices to be halted entirely.

In 2023, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau criticized banks imposition of multiple fees on single transactions when it stated that institutions engaged in unfair acts or practices by charging consumers multiple NSF fees and that the practice caused substantial monetary harm to consumers totaling millions of dollars.

Editors note: This story was updated on Nov. 19 to include comment from Central State Bank.
(Bloomberg) -- Demonstrators gathered in Lithuanias capital to protest the move by the Baltic nations Social Democrats to forge a coalition with a party whose leader is accused of making antisemitic remarks.

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Over 4,000 people gathered outside the nations parliament in Vilnius on Thursday, according to a police estimate, as newly elected lawmakers met for their first session. Hundreds more assembled in Kaunas, Lithuanias second largest city.

The Social Democrats, who secured a victory in parliamentary elections last month, shrugged off mounting criticism to form a governing alliance with the populist Dawn of Nemunas party.

President Gitanas Nauseda has said the partys decision to abandon a pre-election pledged not to work with the Dawn of Nemunas is a mistake, and warned that the alliance could tarnish Lithuanias reputation among allies. The head of state said hell reject any minister nominated from the party, a pledge likely to complicate the formation of a coalition.

Gintautas Paluckas, the Social Democrats nominee to become the next prime minister, has pushed back against the criticism. He told reporters on Thursday that the new government will prove and convince that theres really nothing to be ashamed of.

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The controversy centers around Dawn of Nemunas founder and leader Remigijus Zemaitaitis, whos the subject of a criminal case of inciting hatred. His incendiary social media attacks have referred to Jews and Russians who allegedly worked in the past to destroy Lithuania. The 42-year-old denies any wrongdoing.

Im offended by disrespectful, intolerant behavior of Zemaitaitis, said Egle Sumskiene, a lecturer at Vilnius University, who attended the protest. Its even more offensive when a traditional, self-respecting party tramples on values, on common human principles.

The organizer Thursdays protest, Justinas Zilinskas, a writer, drew applause as he called on Paluckas to drop the coalition deal.

The decision has drawn condemnation from allies in the European Union and NATO, including the US and Germany. Earlier on Thursday, opposition lawmakers walked out of the chamber when Zemaitaitis took his parliamentary oath.

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The constitutional court ruled in May that he violated an oath in previous legislation by using anti-Semitic language in a Facebook post criticizing Israels actions in Gaza.

The issue has resonance in Lithuania, the vast majority of whose Jewish population perished in the Holocaust at the hands of German occupiers and Nazi collaborators during World War II.

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An extremely nervous air traveler attempted to soothe her nerves by guzzling booze  and nearly made it through her hour-long flight without incident  only to become wild-eyed during the landing process, attacking her husband, striking other passengers, and finding herself in flexcuffs, according to a criminal complaint unsealed Friday.

Alaska Airlines flight 46 was just minutes away from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport on November 12 when Caryn Denise Evan had to be restrained, the complaint states.

It says an off-duty cop aboard the Boeing 737 later told police that he had seen Evan, 38, at the Bethel, Alaska, airport prior to takeoff, where she had been approaching strangers, hugging them, then yelling, F**k you, bitches, fu***ng bitches.

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The short hop was largely uneventful until the aircraft began its descent, according to the complaint. Thats when a passenger sitting near Evan, who was in a middle seat in the seventh row of the cabin, pressed their call button to summon a flight attendant, the complaint continued.

Flight Attendant 1 approached the passenger who requested assistance and observed [Evan] initially laying her head on her husbands shoulder, it explains. [Evan] then began yelling incoherently and striking her husband in the left shoulder and upper chest area. Flight Attendant 1 called the other flight attendants to come forward to assist with the situation.

Alaska Airlines flight 46 was just minutes away from landing in Anchorage when the alleged meltdown occurred (Getty Images)

In an attempt to de-escalate things, the crew members asked Evan to move to a different seat in the back of the plane, but she refused to budge, the complaint goes on. However, it says, Evans husband agreed to relocate, and took an unoccupied seat in the last row.

A second flight attendant was able to calm Evan briefly, allowing the rest of the crew to finish preparing the cabin for arrival in Anchorage, the complaint states. But, moments later, a passenger in the sixth row activated their call button, according to the complaint.

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Evan was moving uncontrollably, flailing about, and interfering with the passengers around her, it says. The flight attendant got on the PA system and asked for an able-bodied person to help assist, and a nurse seated nearby volunteered to sit next to Evan as the cabin crew took their seats for landing.

After the plane touched down and started making its way to the terminal, a third flight attendant went to check on Evan and found her hitting her head on the seat in front of her and flailing her arms uncontrollably, according to the complaint. The flight attendant feared that Evan was going to injure nearby passengers, and called for a colleague, who wrestled Evan into a pair of flexcuffs, the complaint stated.

The filing noted that Evan immediately calmed down once she was restrained. The flight crew asked the tower to have law enforcement meet the aircraft, and the FBI, which has jurisdiction over in-flight crimes, was also called.

The flight attendants told agents that Evan had been served water and one chardonnay during the trip, and did not show signs of intoxication upon ordering her alcoholic beverage, according to the complaint. But, it says, her husband, who had two beers while onboard and did not appear drunk, conceded that Evan had consumed alcoholic drinks prior to boarding the flight due to her anxiety related to flying.

Caryn Denise Evan allegedly downed alochol drinks before getting on the flight (AFP via Getty Images)

He recalled Evan having had approximately two or three drinks prior to boarding the flight and two drinks while in flight, according to the complaint, which says Evans husband told investigators his wife often gets mad with and aggressive towards him when she consumes alcohol due to prior relationship issues.

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No conversations about those prior issues were discussed prior to or during this flight, however, the complaint states. He believed her behavior became aggressive towards the end of the flight after she rapidly consumed the rest of her alcoholic beverage. He described her behavior of being tense and tightly grabbing things[,] or him[,] as normal, but hitting her own head on the seats in front of her is not.

The FBI also interviewed an off-duty police officer who had been seated in the row behind Evan, and said he not only witnessed her alleged behavior aboard the flight, but saw her at the terminal in Bethel before takeoff, according to the complaint.

The officer described Evan as having appeared very intoxicated, with an aggressive demeaner [sic].

He recalled observing [Evan] bumping into people in the terminal before the flight, the complaint says. After bumping into them, she would turn to stare at them, hug them as if she was being apologetic, but then immediately get mad and yell aggressively at them saying, f**k you, bitches, f***ing bitches. He observed her husband trying to keep her with him and away from other people.

A member of the cabin crew was forced to restrain Caryn Denise Evan with flexcuffs, accoring to the feds (Getty Images)

Although the cop had been wearing earbuds for most of the flight and missed some of the exchanges between Evan and the others, the complaint says he told the FBI that he heard one of the flight attendants telling her to calm down because she didnt want to put her on the no-fly list with Alaska Airlines.

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As for the nurse who was pressed into service to try and help Evan relax, the officer said she appeared to look visually relieved when airport police got on the plane, as if she was exhausted from sitting beside [Evan].

Evan refused to speak with law enforcement, and was arrested for interfering with flight crew members, a federal charge that carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison. She was taken to Hiland Mountain Correctional Center, where she was breathalyzed and found to have a blood alcohol content of 0.25 percent, according to the complaint, more than three times the legal driving limit.

The Federal Aviation Administration has received 1,819 reports of unruly passengers so far in 2024, a significant drop from 2021s record high of nearly 6,000. In addition to facing criminal charges, offenders can also be hit with civil fines of up to $37,000 per violation. One incident can result in multiple violations, according to the FAA.

Evan, who does not yet have an attorney listed in court records, remains detained and was unable to be reached for comment. She is due to appear in Anchorage federal court on Friday afternoon.

Alaska Airlines did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  One man is dead after a stabbing that happened over the weekend at a homeless encampment in southeast Austin, the Austin Police Department said in a news release Thursday.

Around 6:31 p.m., Nov. 10, APD officers responded to a call in the 1900 block of East William Cannon Drive for a report of a man who was lying on metal rods on the ground, and was bleeding from possible stab wounds, the release said.

When officers arrived on the scene, they found the man, 39-year-old Elijah Martinez, on the ground bleeding from a wound in his chest, according to police. Martinez was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead at 8:12 p.m.

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MAP: Where have Austins homicides occurred in 2024?

The investigation revealed Martinez was stabbed in the homeless encampment that was next to the AutoZone, according to police. Multiple people left the area after the stabbing happened, the release said. No suspects have been identified, and police said no arrests have been made.

Anyone with any information can contact APD at 512-974-TIPS. Tips can also be submitted on the Capital Area Crime Stoppers website or by calling 512-472-8477. Anyone who provides information leading to an arrest could get a reward up to $1,000.

According to police, this was being investigated as Austins 59th homicide.

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KIEV, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine has harvested some 71.4 million tons of crops from this year's yield as of mid-November, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food said on Friday.

Since the start of the 2024 harvest season, Ukrainian farmers have gathered 52.1 million tons of grain and 19.3 million tons of oilseeds.

The wheat and barley harvests have been completed, yielding 22.4 million tons and 5.6 million tons, respectively.

Ukraine has gathered 22.3 million tons of corn from 88 percent of planted areas and 10 million tons of sunflower seeds from 97 percent of planted areas so far this year.

In 2023, Ukraine yielded 82 million tons of crops, including more than 60 million tons of grain. 
Apparent shooting in west Charlotte injures 1: Medic

CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  One person suffered life-threatening injuries following an apparent shooting Friday morning in west Charlotte.

Medic said they were responding to calls regarding the incident around 7 a.m. near 3500 Nobles Ave. One victim was transported to an area medical center with life-threatening injuries.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting are unknown at this time. Queen City News has a crew on scene and has reached out to Charlotte-MEcklenburg Police for more details.

This is a Developing Story . Check back for updates

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An Indiana law banning gender-affirming care for minors will remain in effect, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday.

A three-judge panel on the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected an appeal from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Indiana to block the law, which prohibits health care providers from administering gender-affirming medical care to transgender children and teens under 18. A federal appeals court in February lifted a temporary injunction that had stopped the law from taking effect, overturning a lower court decision.

Indianas Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb signed the law, Senate Bill 480, last spring, one day after he called the measure clear as mud.

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In a lawsuit filed the same day on behalf of four transgender children and their families, the ACLU of Indiana argued that the law violates the U.S. Constitution and is vast government overreach.

This law takes away critical health care from a group of Hoosiers, leaving them and their parents in dire circumstances, the group wrote in its lawsuit.

On Wednesday, the 7th Circuit panel said it disagreed, ruling that the ACLU has not shown a likelihood of success on any of their claims.

These constitutional arguments threaten significant consequences. Appellees ask us to constitutionalize and thus take from Indiana the power to regulate a new and heavily debated medical treatment with unknown risks, Judge Michael B. Brennan, who was appointed during President-elect Trumps first term, wrote for the majority. If we hasten to set one side of the debate into constitutional stone, we will prevent Indiana from responding to tomorrows insights.

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Our Constitution is not so quick to act, Brennan wrote. By design, it provides a solution to just a few difficult questions and leaves the rest to the people. So will we.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita (R) called the decision a huge win for the state, which is controlled entirely by Republicans.

By rejecting the injunction against our commonsense state law, dangerous and irreversible gender-transition procedures for minors will remain banned in Indiana, he said in a post on the social platform X.

A spokesperson for the ACLU of Indiana said the group is weighing our options.

Since 2021, 24 states have enacted laws banning gender-affirming care for minors, according to the Movement Advancement Project, a nonprofit group tracking LGBTQ laws.

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Major medical associations have opposed laws restricting access to gender-affirming care, which they argue is medically necessary for transgender adults and minors.

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The Lewis F. Powell Jr. federal courthouse in Richmond is home to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit. (Photo: Ned Oliver/ Virginia Mercury)

The U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals found that a North Carolina law requiring candidates to disclose felony convictions is constitutional, upholding the lower courts decision Thursday.

North Carolina state law requires any candidate for federal office to disclose whether they are a convicted felon and if so, to provide the basic details of their conviction and subsequent restoration of citizenship rights. Candidates that fail to do so are not eligible to be placed on the ballot.

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The challenge was brought forth by Siddhanth Sharma, 27, a resident of Wake County who entered the Republican primary election for North Carolinas 13th Congressional District in 2023 and challenged the requirement that he disclose his felony history as violating the Qualifications Clause of the Constitution as well as his First Amendment rights.

Sharma was convicted in 2016 and 2018 for possessing a stolen firearm and stealing firearms from a gun show, respectively, as well as related counts of possessing firearms as a convicted felon.

His challenge was dismissed by the district court after which he appealed and subsequently refiled as a candidate, submitting the required felony disclosure form. Sharma received 614 votes in the primary, or about 0.7%. Brad Knott, the Republican nominee, won the race in the general election.

Writing for all three judges on the panel, Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III found that the Constitutions broad grant of authority to states on the oversight of elections allows for such a disclosure requirement.

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The state is using the requirement to emphasize in a modest and restrained manner that lawmaking and lawbreaking are, to put it gently, in tension, Wilkinson wrote. The felony-disclosure requirement simply allows voters to reach their own conclusions on a distinction that is, at its core, the very essence of the rule of law.

He noted that candidates felony histories do not appear on the ballot, and as such, do not act as an additional qualification for office or barrier to candidacy. The notice-of-candidacy form, while public, is difficult to access and not readily downloadable from the state election website.

If prospective candidates possess a felony history, they may still appear on the federal ballot, regardless of whether their full citizenship rights have been restored, Wilkinson wrote. Likewise, the felony-disclosure requirement did not derogatorily brand Sharma for his political viewpoints.

Wilkinson also decried that North Carolina courts have been flooded with dozens of challenges to its election laws in the last five years, writing that constant litigation is not conducive to the most efficient administration of elections.

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We understand that many of these challenges are reasonably grounded in the law, and their gravity should not be understated, Wilkinson wrote. At the same time, the constant pull to the courtroom leaves state election officials frequently operating in a provisional state, never knowing if and when their procedures will be overturned.

The judges upheld the dismissal of the challenges to the felony disclosure law and remanded the case back to the district court for the dismissal of a separate challenge to the states address disclosure law as moot.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA)  30 years after three people were killed in a Decatur crime spree, state appellate judges have rejected an appeal of the life sentence the murderer received.

Contrell Williams, 48, appealed his sentence on the grounds of the U.S. Supreme Courts 2012 ruling in Miller v. Alabama: that mandatory life sentences for juvenile defendants violate the Eighth Amendment and its prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment. Williams was 17 when he and his cousin committed a series of robberies and shootings in the summer and fall of 1994. They shot four people and killed three.

Williams appealed his three life sentences in 2013 following the Supreme Courts ruling in Miller and was granted a resentencing five years later. However, juveniles can still be sentenced to life in prison as long as the circuit court determines that the defendants conduct showed irretrievable depravity, permanent incorrigibility, or irreparable corruption beyond the possibility of rehabilitation.

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Decatur restaurant manager accused of sexually assaulting teenage employee

In 2018, Williams was sentenced again to life in prison. He filed another appeal alleging a prosecutorial error on the states part and got another resentencing in 2022. The life sentence was imposed again.

Williams appealed again, but this time, the appellate court upheld the circuit courts sentence.

In their ruling, the appellate justices said the circuit court did not err in resentencing because it applied the required mitigating factors for juvenile offenders, like the circumstances of the crimes, Williams maturity, his history and his potential for rehabilitation.

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The crimes Williams was convicted of happened on July 28, Aug. 10 and Sept. 5 of 1994. In the first incident, Williams and two of his cousins robbed a convenience store, taking the cash registers drawer and demanding the keys to the store owners truck. The owner instead gave them the keys to the building and when the trio discovered this deception, Williams shot the owner in both arms. He survived.

Decatur man gets 9 years in prison for stabbing man with ice pick

Two weeks later, Williams and his cousin Tyrone Humphrey asked teenagers Shane Storm and Matthew Whitacre for a ride and then proceeded to rob the boys of $50. The two then drove the teens to a lake, killed them execution-style and burned the car to destroy evidence.

Finally, Williams and Humphrey robbed a gas station over $30 and a pack of cigarettes. Williams shot the cashier Sheri Ellis, removed a VCR recording of the robbery and then shot Ellis two more times, killing her.

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The bullets from all four victims were determined to have been fired by the same gun. Williams and Humphrey were both sentenced to life in prison for the deadly crime spree.

Williams crimes werent over despite his incarceration. In 1998, Williams joined a gang while in prison and as part of the initiation, he stabbed a correctional officer. He spent 7.5 years in solitary confinement following that incident.

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  A student at La Cueva High School was detained Friday after there were reports that the student was seen flashing a gun on campus, Albuquerque Public Schools officials said.

The school was placed on shelter-in-place at 10:05 a.m. due to a safety concern. At 11:03 a.m., APS said the shelter-in-place was lifted and all students are safe. Police have the students backpack, which La Cueva High School Principal said Maurice Guerin contains the device the student flashed.

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Officials are waiting for a search warrant for the backpack to confirm its contents, according to a letter that was sent by Guerin to families.

Guerin thanked the students who reported the incident and applauded school staff and the Albuquerque Public Schools Police Department for de-escalating the situation and detaining the student involved. Albuquerque Police Department also provided assistance, the principal wrote in the letter.

The principal said anyone with questions or concerns can contact him.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
Two weeks ago, Arab Americans and others warmly greeted Donald Trump when he visited a halal cafe in Dearborn during the final days of his campaign to drum up support in the city with the highest percentage of Middle Eastern residents in the United States. Trump would win the city and Michigan a few days later.

Now, some of the people who helped host the Dearborn visit are asking the president-elect to push for a ceasefire in the Middle East. In a letter sent to Trump after his election victory, Lebanese Americans in Dearborn are asking Trump "to apply your political influence in demanding an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and Palestine," saying it aligns with an earlier promise Trump made calling for a "lasting peace."

The letter was signed by Faye Nemer, CEO and founder of the Dearborn-based MENA (Middle Eastern North African) American Chamber of Commerce, and Albert Abbas, the Lebanese community liaison for the chamber. Nemer and Abbas both attended the Trump campaign event on Nov. 1, which featured Abbas, a brother of the cafe's owner, standing alongside Trump as he spoke in support of him.

Donald Trump greets people at The Great Commoner Cafe in Dearborn, Michigan, on November 1, 2024. On left is Albert Abbas and on right is Faye Nemer, the CEO and founder of MENA (Middle East and North Africa) American Chamber of Commerce, of Dearborn. Abbas, the Lebanese community liaison for the Chamber, and Nemer wrote a letter to Trump after the election asking him to push for a ceasefire in the Middle East.

Trump has made some cabinet picks over the past week that have concerned Arab Americans, such as Mike Huckabee for ambassador to Israel, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth for defense secretary and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, for secretary of state. Community advocates worry the nominees will be dismissive of the concerns of Palestinians, Lebanese and other Arabs. Huckabee, for example, once said "theres really no such thing as a Palestinian," CNN reported this week. Some Arab American activists are calling for Trump to appoint Richard Grenell, his former acting director of national intelligence, to a security position. Grenell visited metro Detroit often this year to meet with Arab Americans and encourage them to vote for Trump.

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The letter from the Dearborn leaders starts by congratulating him on his victory and notes that Arab Americans in metro Detroit helped Trump win.

"We congratulate you on your historic return to the White House," reads the letter, dated Nov. 8. "Dearborn, Michigan, a city with the highest concentration of Arab Americans outside the Middle East, turned red (Republican) in this presidential election due to your genuine outreach to our community and our belief that you are the optimal choice for our democracy, economy, and in matters of foreign policy."

The letter referenced a wooden plaque shaped like the state of Michigan with a quote from President Ronald Reagan about peace that Abbas presented to Trump during his visit to the cafe. Trump signed other similar plaques for the cafe.

More: Arab American precincts in Wayne County rejected Kamala Harris

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"We are urging your administration and transition team to apply your political influence in demanding an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and Palestine," the letter reads. "This aligns to the commitment toward lasting peace which you made in the letter and in person while signing the Peace Plaques."

The letter also asked Trump to appoint "a chief negotiator with the Lebanese government."

The largest ethnic group in Dearborn's Arab American population are Lebanese Americans, many of whom have family members and friends affected by Israel's attacks in recent months in Lebanon. Israel maintains it's defending itself from attacks by Hezbollah, a political party and militant group in Lebanon labeled a terrorist organization by the U.S.

Donald Trump visiting The Great Commoner, a halal cafe in Dearborn, on Nov. 1, 2024. On Trump's right is Albert Abbas, a brother of the cafe's owner and on his left is Massad Boulos, the father-in-law of Tiffany Trump.

"We also want to highlight that an equitable and unconditioned ceasefire would serve as a catalyst for all parties to negotiate a lasting peace  as evidenced by historical precedent, without a ceasefire, diplomacy becomes illusive," the letter said.

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Despite the letter, Trump has not publicly called for a ceasefire or criticized Israel for its recent attacks, which have continued in Gaza and Lebanon over the past week.

Arab Americans helped arrange Trump's Dearborn visit

The Nov. 1 event with Trump in Dearborn came about after an Oct. 23 meeting at the MENA Chamber office in Dearborn with Massad Boulos, the father-in-law of Trump's daughter Tiffany, Nemer said. Boulos has visited metro Detroit often in recent months to campaign for Trump among Arab American voters. At the end of the meeting, Abbas extended an invitation to Trump visit Dearborn on Nov. 1.

Lebanese Americans asked Trump's campaign team for Trump to send them a letter calling for peace in Lebanon, which he sent on Oct. 26 and tweeted on Oct. 30.

"I will fix the problems caused by Kamala Harris and Joe Biden and stop the suffering and destruction in Lebanon," Trump said in his tweet and the letter, which was shared with the Free Press by Nemer. "I want to see the Middle East return to real peace, a lasting peace, and we will get it done properly so it doesnt repeat itself every 5 or 10 years! You have my word. I will preserve the equal partnership among all Lebanese communities. Your friends and family in Lebanon deserve to live in peace, prosperity, and harmony with their neighbors, and that can only happen with peace and stability in the Middle East. ... Vote Trump for Peace!"

Donald Trump visits The Great Commoner cafe in Dearborn on November 1, 2024. On left is Albert Abbas, a brother of the cafe's owner, and on right is Massad Boulos, father of Tiffany Trump, a daughter of Trump.

The letter and tweet appear to be the same, but the sentence "You have my word" is not in the tweet.

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After the election, Arab American advocates urged Trump to select Grenell as secretary of state instead of Rubio, whose pick was revealed Monday by The New York Times. Grenell has more of a non interventionist tone, Abed Ayoub, a Dearborn native who is national executive director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, told the Free Press earlier this week. Changing foreign policy is what the community voted on, Ayoub said, while Rubio is just a continuation of the Biden foreign policy."

Grenell appeared to be well-received among local Arab Americans during his visits. At an event before the election, a group of Yemeni American leaders in Michigan gifted him a traditional Yemeni dagger, called a jambiya, wrapping it around his waist as a sign of respect towards him.

Nemer said that the vision of people like Huckabee clash with Trump's message of peace.

"Mike Huckabee ... doesn't believe Palestinians exist and does not believe in the existence of Palestine as a state, which is extremely controversial for someone in that position," Nemer said. "I understand that he's ambassador to Israel, and that may appease individuals with radical views in Israel. But you also need to send a message to the entire Middle Eastern region ... as well as your supporters here, a lot of whom switched parties in order to create this momentum of individuals that voted in support of his message of peace."

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Nemer said they have not received a response yet from the Trump transition team, but plan to follow up through their contacts.

A separate letter was sent to Biden on Nov. 11 co-signed by Nemer's group, the MENA Chamber, Ayoub's group, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, and several other groups that urged Biden "to hold Israel accountable to U.S. law, ending arms sales to Israel to protect U.S. interests, achieve a ceasefire, protect civilians, increase aid access in Gaza, secure the release of the hostages, and work towards a stable future for the region."

Biden tweeted Thursday that "the United States commitment to Israel is ironclad" after meeting earlier this week with Israeli president Isaac Herzog.

Letter from Donald Trump to Lebanese Americans

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Letter from MENA American Chamber of Commerce to Donald Trump

Contact Niraj Warikoo:nwarikoo@freepress.com or X @nwarikoo

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Arab Americans in Dearborn who met Trump ask for ceasefire in letter
(Bloomberg) -- Argentina is studying a potential withdrawal from the landmark Paris Agreement on climate action, the New York Times reported, citing the countrys Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein.

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The nation is re-evaluating our strategy on all matters related to climate change, and reconsidering participation in the pact, though no decision has yet been taken, the newspaper quoted Werthein as saying.

President Javier Mileis negotiating team on Thursday left the annual United Nations climate conference taking place in Azerbaijan, only four days into the summit that runs through Nov. 22.

We decided to withdraw our delegation and re-evaluate our position, nothing more, Werthein was quoted as telling the newspaper.

Mileis office didnt immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside usual business hours.

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US President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to again withdraw the worlds-second largest polluter from the Paris Agreement  as happened during his first term  potentially undermining global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Climate diplomats have raised concerns other nations, including Argentina, could follow suit.

Milei on Thursday praised Trump at a post-election victory celebration at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

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Nov. 15 (UPI) -- Argentinian President Javier Milei praised incoming President Donald Trump and Tesla founder Elon Musk during a gala at the Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort on Thursday.

Milei, who has led widespread cuts in the Argentina government spending, congratulated Trump in front of guests as one of the event's "VIP speakers."

"The world is a much better place, and the winds of freedom are blowing much stronger," Milei said, commenting on Trump's election earlier this month. "[The election was] the greatest political comeback in all of history, defying the political establishment even at the risk to his own life."

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Milei, who is viewed as a right-wing populist back in Argentina, went to praise Musk, who was one of Trump's strongest and most visible supporters as the founder of Tesla and SpaceX.

"I would like to thank the great Elon Musk for the wonderful job he has been doing to save humanity."

Milei was expected also to attend the Conservative Political Action Conference Investor Summit on Friday, also at Mar-a-Lago.

The ultimate goal for Milei on his trip is to help at least start plans for a free trade agreement with the United States, something Milei said was not possible until Trump was elected.

"The elected government feels much more comfortable working with me than with other governments, and that has commercial and financial implications," Milei had said, according to BBC News.
Democratic Arizona Senate candidate John McLean was killed in an early morning vehicle collision on Friday.

Tucson police put out a news release with details of the tragedy after notifying McLean's family.

McLean was a well-known 68-year-old Tucson businessman. He had been driving his Toyota Rav4 east on Broadway Boulevard in Tucson on Friday morning shortly before 6 a.m. when 27-year-old Michael Martin Creel ran a stop sign on Ridgeside Drive, crashing his Ford Explorer into the side of McLean's vehicle, police said.

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Police declared McLean dead at the scene when they arrived.

Creel had been driving while impaired and was speeding before the collision, police said in the news release. He was booked into the Pima County Jail on suspicion of manslaughter and aggravated DUI.

McLean's candidacy was seen by Democrats as key to their plan of achieving a tie or win in the state Senate this year. But while initial ballot counting after Election Day showed him in the lead for the senate seat in Legislative District 17, Republican competitor Vince Leach subsequently took the lead. The race hadn't yet been called when news of McLean's collision broke.

"John was a true public servant who cared deeply about Arizona," Gov. Katie Hobbs said in a statement on social media. "He always wanted to do what was best for his community, and he will be remembered for that. This is a tragic loss, and my heart breaks for his family and loved ones. Sending all my love to those who knew him."

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McLean campaigned with Kevin Volk, a Tucson commercial real estate broker, who according to unofficial results is set to win his race for one of two House seats in the district, ousting Republican Rep. Cory McGarr. Volk said Friday it was a pleasure to run with McLean. They went to several events together and occasionally knocked on voters' doors as a team. They talked briefly by phone on Thursday about Volk's win.

"He's an incredible, genuine person," Volk said. "I got to know him during the campaign, which was a privilege. Everything I know about his life, he was focused on having an impact."

McLean's personality and experience would have made him an excellent state senator, Volk added.

Officials with the Arizona Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee released a statement saying McLean "exemplified all the qualities of a great leader and person" and "will be missed throughout southern Arizona."

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"Whether as a business leader, volunteer, or humanitarian for the causes he was passionate about, John always did the hard work of bringing people together to serve the common good," the statement said.

Yolanda Bejarano, chair of the Arizona Democratic Party, also put a statement out on social media: "At a time of so much division, John was a man of optimism and a champion for hard working Arizonans. Our heart goes out to the McLean family during this incredibly difficult time."

Senate Republicans released a comment by Leach: "My thoughts and prayers are with the McLean family for their tragic loss today. John was a good man who conducted himself honorably as a candidate. My deepest condolences go out to John's family and friends in this most difficult time. As a third-generation Arizonan, the lives John positively touched during his life are incalculable, and we should all be so fortunate to do the same."

McLean was a first-time candidate. He was the former CEO of Arete Associates, which makes sensors and other equipment for the military.

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The Young Democrats of Arizona tweeted: We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of John McLean. John was a dedicated public servant who cared deeply about his community, and we were proud to stand with him in his campaign. We extend our deepest condolences to the McLean family and with all who are grieving.

Reach the reporter at rstern@arizonarepublic.com or 480-276-3237. Follow him on X @raystern.

(This story has been updated to add new information.)

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Senate candidate John McLean killed in Tucson car crash
People attend an economic and trade cooperation conference in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, Nov. 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Fangqiang)

ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Jiangsu Province, one of the economic powerhouses in East China, organized an economic and trade cooperation conference in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, Thursday to promote its cooperation with Africa.

Speaking at the conference, Mesganu Arga, state minister of Ethiopia's Foreign Ministry, said the bilateral relationship between Ethiopia and China is time-tested, and Ethiopia remains committed to advancing the Ethiopia-China all-weather strategic partnership to foster greater growth in bilateral ties.

"Ethiopia's cooperation with Jiangsu Province has made significant progress, particularly in infrastructure, trade, and investment. This has contributed to Ethiopia's socioeconomic development," the state minister said.

Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia Chen Hai said that Ethiopia is a major economy in Africa with abundant natural resources and substantial development potential.

"We are willing to work with Ethiopia and other African countries to implement the outcomes of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and pursue broader and deeper cooperation in our modernization efforts," Chen said.

According to officials attending the conference, the trade volume between Jiangsu and Africa in 2023 reached 22.3 billion U.S. dollars, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 3.1 percent. Jiangsu has established 551 enterprises and institutions in Africa, with a cumulative contracted investment of nearly 6 billion U.S. dollars. Meanwhile, 2,238 African enterprises have been set up in Jiangsu.

The conference attracted around 300 participants, including the visiting Jiangsu delegation, Chinese diplomats in Ethiopia, African Union representatives and members of Jiangsu enterprises operating in Africa. 
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  As the 2025 Arkansas legislative session nears, state legislators and policy advocates are looking closer at how the presidential election and upcoming leadership will impact policies, specifically with Medicaid.

During President-elect Donald Trumps first term, Arkansas put a work requirement into place in June 2018, though a judge struck it down in 2019.

Work Requirement Approved for AR Works Enrollees

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The Arkansas policy required nondisabled Medicaid recipients aged 30-49 to work 20 hours per week, engage in an equivalent amount of community activities or submit an exception.

House Minority Leader State Rep. Andrew Collins (D-Little Rock) called the results of that policy a disaster, saying people were getting thrown off because they couldnt complete the online computer form registering the work they were doing.

Nic Horton, founder and CEO of Opportunity Arkansas, took a line against that statement, telling KARK 4 News the problem was not the online reporting but not enough people working. Horton is now pushing for the legislature to take up welfare reform and add work requirements for nondisabled Arkansans on Medicaid this legislative session.

Theres a lot of momentum and theres a lot of support for fixing these programs because theyre important, but whats happened is theyve just been on autopilot and theyre not sustainable on the track that theyre on, Horton said.

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Arkansas DHS changing Medicaid dental from managed care to fee-for-service

Collins and Horton pointed out that there are work requirements on food stamps and traditional welfare programs.

Collins, however, said he believes those work requirements should be enough.

I think that people out there who are getting these benefits want to work too, Collins said. Is the best way to get them to work to force them and if they dont to throw them off their health insurance? I dont think so.

This week in budget hearings, State Sen. Ben Gilmore (R-Crossett) asked DHS Secretary Kristi Putnam about pursuing a replacement waiver to AR Home, a state program using Medicaid funds to purchase health insurance for its clients. Putnam told legislators that it expires soon, so Arkansas must replace it.

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Arkansas Dpt. Human Services responds to public complaints over slow Medicaid response, failures in system

With the conservative administration entering at the federal level and a conservative-leaning legislature, Republican lawmakers say they can likely get their conservative ideas implemented into this new policy, including the Medicaid work requirements.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
Wildlife biologist Allan Mueller speaks to the Arkansas Legislative Councils Administrative Rules subcommittee on behalf of the Arkansas Audubon Society on Thursday, November 14, 2024, opposing a proposed Department of Agriculture rule that would limit public notice of new permit applications for livestock and poultry farms. (Screenshot/Arkansas Legislature)

Arkansas lawmakers deferred action on two proposed rules regarding large livestock farms from Thursday to next month.

The Arkansas Legislative Councils Administrative Rules subcommittee heard public comment from several individuals who criticized a state Department of Agriculture rule that would limit public notice of new permit applications for livestock and poultry farms to the departments website.

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The department promulgated the rule as part of the enactment of Act 824 of 2023, which gave the agency regulatory authority over large livestock farms, often known as concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) previously held this authority.

Environmental advocates told the Arkansas Times in September that ADEQs transparency policy regarding livestock farming permits included notifying local news outlets, elected officials and school districts.

This level of transparency is the minimum a community deserves if a business seeks to start a CAFO nearby, said Allan Mueller, a wildlife biologist who spoke to the Rules subcommittee on behalf of the Arkansas Audubon Society.

Rules subcommittee members did not second a motion to suspend its rules, which was necessary in order to take up the proposed rule because the Agriculture Department submitted it two days after the subcommittees Oct. 15 agenda deadline.

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Rep. DeAnn Vaught, R-Horatio, said after the meeting that she could not predict whether the lack of action on the rule would lead to any changes before the December meeting. Vaught is a Southwest Arkansas livestock farmer, the House vice chair of the Rules subcommittee and a sponsor of Act 824.

The subcommittee also did not vote on a rule from the Department of Energy and Environment that would place a moratorium on CAFOs in North Arkansas Buffalo River watershed, a move that environmental advocates have praised.

The energy departments rule is a response to Act 46 of 2023, which exempted property owners associations from certain permit actions related to water pollution.

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Brian Thompson, president of the conservation group The Ozark Society, pointed out to the Rules subcommittee that the energy and environment departments rule requires applicants for CAFO permits to notify property owners adjacent to the proposed farm site, as well as city and county leaders and school district superintendents. He said the agriculture departments rule should have the same criteria.

Everyone deserves the respect of appropriate public notification, Thompson said, mentioning recent public outcry from Franklin County residents about the states $2.95 million purchase of 815 acres to build a new prison.

Mueller noted that CAFOs often cause pollution, odors and excessive noise.

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The technical requirements prepared by the Department of Agriculture address many of these issues, but they do not create confidence that these regulations by themselves are enough to avoid damages to surrounding communities and property values, Mueller said.

Residents of an area where a CAFO is proposed can identify characteristics and issues that otherwise would not be considered in the application process, he added, and communication between locals, businesses and the state can result in an operation that meets the needs of the agricultural community and local interests.

People who want to be aware of the existence or progress of CAFO applications would have to check the Agriculture Departments website every day and instead should rely on the department to contact them directly, Mueller said.

The third voice in opposition to the rule was Bill Rector, former publisher of the Daily Record, a Little Rock law and business news outlet that publishes public notices.

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Gordon Watkins, president of the Buffalo River Watershed Alliance, said he would save his comments for the subcommittees Dec. 19 meeting. Thompson also said he would be back next month.

Thompson said after the meeting that he hoped the lack of a vote on the Agriculture Departments rule meant it would be amended.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  An Army reservist is searching for an innocent bystander involved in a hit-and-run to help fix her car.

AirTags helped to track down a stolen truck, which was totaled after it T-boned another car at a busy intersection.

Tuesday evening, Isaiah Steward was leaving work at a security systems supplier when he ran into a bigger problem.

I walked out with a coworker and looked at him for a second, he explained.

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I was like, Hey man, I think my car is missing.'

WATCH: Video shows burglary related to Mahomes, Kelce cases

Steward says a man used a screwdriver to start the truck, but he knew their every move thanks to an Apple AirTag he put inside.

I was like, They might just continue down 435 and may never come back,' he said.

The next morning, Steward says he went to see if it was still there and to alert the police yet again. However, the driver spotted him and took off, speeding in the rain.

No traction the entire way, said Steward.

I watched him run through red lights. Hearing the tire spinning on wet asphalt followed by the sudden stopping and the blow-out accident noise, it didnt leave much for the imagination.

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The truck had T-boned another car at the E. 26th and Colorado intersection and the driver ran away. However, the car that got hit also drove off.

I dont know if she didnt know what was going on, if she just got scared, said Stewart.

Unfortunately, I wasnt able to contact her I didnt have any information, any insurance information.

Steward, an Army mechanic, says hes set up a GoFundMe to help get a new car. He also wants to find the woman and pay for her repairs, or even fix the car himself.

Shes truly a victim of circumstance, I feel more so than myself, he described.

I can help her, I know I can help I just need to find out who she is.

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Steward claims the car may be a 2011 Ford Explorer or Chevy Trailblazer in a graphite color. The driver was described as a black woman.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
The arrest warrant for the man accused of kidnapping his stepdaughter was deemed invalid, and a judge has ordered his release.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

News Center 7 previously reported that 48-year-old Shane Smith was arrested in Springfield last week following a statewide AMBER Alert involving his stepdaughter, 13-year-old McKenzie Hall.

TRENDING STORIES:

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Hall was last seen in Franklin County on S. Huron Ave in Columbus around 10:08 a.m. Friday, Nov. 8. The AMBER Alert went out statewide around 4 p.m.

Shortly after the alert was issued, investigators found Smiths truck on Park Layne in western Clark County. Hall was found safe around 6 p.m. in Springfield.

Smith was later located and taken into custody in Springfield. He was being held in Clark County Jail.

In a court order filed on Thursday, Nov. 14, a Judge ordered that Smith be released from jail on account that the arrest warrant filed in Franklin County was invalid.

According to court documents, the box that designated the warrant an arrest warrant was not checked.

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Court documents described this as merely a technicality but insisted that the original arrest warrant was invalid.

Judge Valerie Wilt with Clark County Municipal Court ordered that Smith be released from Clark County Jail, according to court documents.

Although the allegations in the Complaint are indeed heinous, if true, the nature of the allegations cannot permit the continued incarceration without a valid warrant, the court documents said.

Columbus police can issue a newly signed and filed arrest warrant to take Smith back into custody.

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Nic Sumners, a 21-year-old cosmetic car repairman from Virginia, says he is pro-choice. But when he voted in the 2024 presidential election, he did so for Donald Trump.

Despite his personal beliefs, he says that Trump talks about the American people in a way that resonates with him, withoutin his opinionfaulting him for his gender and sexual orientation.

Im a straight white man, and I feel like we take the blame for a lot of things, Sumners says.

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Of course there are bad guys, he adds, insisting hes not one of them just because he voted for Trump. But what appealed to him about Donald Trump was that his campaign was not coming after us. He was highlighting the American people, which we are. It doesnt matter what color you are, what you may identify as. Since I wasnt excluded, I resonated with it.

Economics also played a partSumners mother lost her home during Joe Bidens presidency (though he says she actually voted for Kamala Harris), and hes struggled to afford his own rent. He appreciates Trumps emphasis on the economy and building America up again.

But one of the biggest issues for him has been the way men in general are assumed to be inherently bad people because of their politics or their gender.

Its a touchy subject, he admits. The people Ive spoken to who voted for Harris are constantly saying that were racist, that were misogynistic, that, you know, were transphobic. And its like they dont understand that most people arent like that. Of course, theres those fringe people who are, but most people just want to live and not be bothered by name-calling.

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And so Sumners became one of the 55% of young male voters aged 18 to 29 who voted for Trump this election. A huge jump from 2020, when 41% of 18-to-29-year-old men backed him. Its also in direct contrast to young women58% of whom backed Harris.

I feel like theres this cultural frustration that young men have that theyre not allowed to be young men.Benji Backer

So why did so many men swing right during the 2024 election? Much has been said about Trumps embrace of masculinity throughout his campaigntraversing the podcast sphere with often provocative, highly popular personalities like Adin Ross, influencer and wrestler Logan Paul, Flagrants Andrew Schulz, and of course, Joe Rogan. And then theres the enduring image of 71-year-old former WWE wrestler Hulk Hogan ripping his shirt off at the Republican National Convention.

Others have suggested that, because Trump has proudly taken ownership for the overturning of Roe v. Wade (and as a consequence empowering the curbs across the country on reproductive freedom), young male voters must not care at all about womens rights. This line of thinking has been emboldened by controversial figures like far-right pundit and proud incel Nick Fuentes, who celebrated Trumps victory with wildly offensive takes like Your body, my choice.

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But truth be told, thats not where the majority of the young men Ive spoken with standeven if they proudly voted for Trump. Many young men say they voted for the former president not because they are anti-choice or against human rights or are even that pro-masculinity, but because theyre tired of feeling bad for being a man.

Ive interviewed young men who echo Sumnerss concerns with what he sees as an overfixation on gender from the left. While its difficult, they say, to point to policies that are explicitly anti-man, they argue theyve been made to feel uncomfortable for being who they are. I feel like theres this cultural frustration that young men have that theyre not allowed to be young men, says 26-year-old Benji Backer from Arizona. That probably went too far. No ones telling women they cant be women.

Backer, author of The Conservative Environmentalist, says he sees growing support for Trump in his communityincluding among people who also care about left-leaning social issues such as access to reproductive health care. He points to the fact that, as a state, Arizona voted both to protect abortion and for Trump: Young people specifically, were trying to make it, trying to find our way in the world, get stable jobs, incomes, survive without living with parents.

While young women may struggle to understand these young mens viewpointsespecially with so many fundamental rights under attack and womens health care already lethally compromised in states with abortion bansmany young men say their focus is more on equal economic opportunity than abortion.

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Its very hard for Republicans to speak up. Im afraid of having a bad rep with a professor.Coby

In some cities across the country, young women make more money than men (though in the vast majority, men still make more). Theyre also attending college at higher rates. And single women are buying homes at higher rates than single men. So some of the tropes about their role in enabling the patriarchy no longer resonate with todays youngest men, some of whom say they dont have first-hand experience with that world order.

We feel really blamed for things that we havent had an opportunity to impact, Backer says, adding that he has tried to ensure pay equity across his business. I have always prioritized that in everything that I do, and so it doesnt feel good to feel like Im being blamed. I get told all the time, Youre a white man, sit down and wait your turn, and its like, Well, I cant change the fact that Im white, I cant change the fact that Im a man, I cant change the fact that decades or centuries ago, people made bad decisions. All I can do is do what I can do now. And what Im doing now is treating people as fairly as possible because thats what I firmly believe in.

For Coby, a 19-year-old student at the University of Michigan, it was a combination of identity politics issues as well as economics that drew him to Trump. He was in high school during the 2020 election, and while he grew up a Republican and was supportive of Trump before he could vote, he says he started learning more about politics amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, he says, he prioritizes economic growth, trying to end wars, and common sense policies, adding that he appreciates Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s stance on junk food and was glad when Trump brought him into his orbit: A lot of young guys are really into health now more than ever. Theres this whole wave about rejecting processed foods.

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But Coby, who only wants to be identified by his first name, highlights the way men are talked about as oppressors by some on the left as one of the reasons he sees men trending politically right. When you tell a young white guy, like, Hey, youre an oppressor, and because youre white, you have privileges that your Black and Hispanic peers didnt have, and youre inherently at fault, or youre guilty for that, which is what a lot of the left wings or Democrats are saying, theyre gonna reject that, he says. Were not racist; were not misogynistic. Were just normal people, and we [are] friends with everyone. Were tired of hearing a lot of this BS from a lot of the far left.

These concerns outweigh, for him, issues like abortion rightseven though Coby is pro-choice. But because Trump got rid of Roe v. Wade, he says, the issue was not a priority for him when casting his ballot in Michigan. For the past four years the Biden administration couldnt really do anything about it to federally protect abortion rights. In his opinion, That issue is kind of settled. Its been given to the states.

A lot of young men I spoke to, like Coby, did care about abortion but also felt it wasnt their issueeven the ones, like 19-year-old Alex Georges, from Pennsylvania, who planned to vote for Harris. With abortion, obviously men have their say about it. But women are the ones thatits their body.

An issue that a lot of men did feel was important to them, though, was the ability to speak freely without being ostracized for viewpoints that dont align with that of their peers. Coby says he feels this most on campus. Last week, Coby says, students and professors expressed their sadness with the election outcome. I would not have the courage to raise my hand and then speak, Hey, no, Im happy with the election outcome, he says, adding, Its very hard for Republicans to speak up. Im afraid of having a bad rep with a professor.

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For students like Coby, this can lead to resentment. Its very isolating. I feel like theres a sense of moral superiority that occurs. When it comes to people who are within academia, they have this sense of superiority for who they vote for and what they value. And if youre against that, then they kind of look down upon you.

Provocative as this might be to many women, many of the young men Ive met over the last year have told me that they are feeling marginalized, especially by the left. Joe Mitchell, 27, from Iowa, tells me, I think young men have felt like they have been suppressed to a certain extent.

Mitchell started an organization called Run GenZ, which recruits and trains young conservatives to run for public office across the country. He also, in line with so many of his peers, voted for Trump.

Young men have started rejecting some of the ideology of the woke set of standards that are put in place for them, he says. The Trump campaign specifically targeted that demographic and courted them pretty heavily. There was already a large sense of young men wanting to find a party or people that would help embrace them.

Originally Appeared on Glamour
Attorney General Matt Platkin on Wednesday criticized unnamed officials for creating a system or enabling a system of corruption" in New Jersey. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor)

One day after Attorney General Matthew Platkin took aim at New Jersey politicians for creating and enabling a system of corruption, Platkin denied that his comments were politically motivated or part of an effort to distance himself from the Murphy administration.

Platkin told reporters Thursday that his prior comments, made during a Wednesday press conference, werent directed at any one person, and they certainly were not directed at the governor.

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But he stressed that anyone who disagrees with his characterization of New Jerseys political culture must wake up.

We are caricatured in this state in a way that is unfair to the 9.3 million people who live here and the incredible public servants that Ive seen throughout the state because of the acts, frankly, the embarrassing acts of a relative few. When you have a United States senator literally stuffing his pockets with gold and cash and you think thats OK, then we have a problem, Platkin said Thursday.

Former Sen. Bob Menendez, a Democrat, was convicted in July of accepting gold bars and other gifts as bribes.

Platkins newest comments came one day after he delivered a blistering message to Democrats smarting from their electoral losses on Election Day. Citing recent state laws overhauling access to public records and revamping the campaign finance system, plus the controversy surrounding a ballot design that critics call unconstitutional, Platkin said its no wonder why young people he talks to believe politicians work for themselves instead of for the public.

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Its time for people in positions of authority in this state to spend a little more time questioning their own role in creating a system or enabling a system of corruption, and a little less time threatening those of us who are trying to do something about it, he said Wednesday.

Platkin on Wednesday did not criticize the Democratic Party or any Democrats by name, but he cited the Elections Transparency Act and the public records overhaul, which were both pushed by Democrats and signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat. Platkins critique of county-ballot ballots  a ballot design unique to New Jersey that groups party-backed candidates together  was first aired in March during a court proceeding on the ballot designs constitutionality, and were seen largely as a broadside against first lady Tammy Murphys then-active campaign for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.

Antoinette Miles, state director of the New Jersey Working Families Party (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor)

Platkins critique of Trenton was shared by voters who expressed their apathy last week by not showing up for Democrats at the ballot box, said Antoinette Miles, head of the New Jersey Working Families Party (in New Jersey, Vice President Kamala Harris nabbed about 440,000 fewer votes for president than President Biden did in 2020). Miles agreed with Platkin that ordinary people do not see elected officials working for them.

They see it seems too often that the political establishment is focused on issues that are not affecting peoples pocketbooks and just focused on whatever the next engineering or legal contract is going to be, and thats what takes place in New Jersey, she said.

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One of the bright spots for Democrats on Election Day was Rep. Andy Kims election as Menendezs replacement in the U.S. Senate. Kim painted himself as a fresh-faced outsider who is willing to take on the Democratic establishment and break from his party when reform is needed.

Though Platkin denied his Wednesday comments were directed at Murphy, political observers and Trenton activists said his messaging showed he wants to be seen as more of an Andy Kim Democrat than a Phil Murphy Democrat. Ashley Koning, director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling at Rutgers University, said Platkin may be staking a claim at a political future beyond the Murphy administration.

He certainly seems to be separating himself out, at times, from the administration, and also trying to separate himself out from the general corruption that follows New Jersey politics in general  showing hes on the right side of history and trying to reform politics, she said.

Miles said Platkin expressing frustration with the status quo is not dissimilar to Kim presenting himself as someone who is fed up with politics as usual.

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There is an anti-establishment sentiment among New Jersey voters that New Jersey Democrats need to be paying attention to right now, she said.

Its uncommon for attorneys general to criticize the administration they work for, Koning said, adding that its a smart strategy to take if Platkin is angling for a future political career.

That was kind of Andy Kims strategy as well, through all of this in the past year of separating himself not just from corruption writ large, but corruption in particular that was happening within his party with a Democratic senator, Koning said.

Platkin on Thursday didnt rule out a future run for elected office, and vowed that as long as he has the privilege of holding this office, trust me, Im going to do it.

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Spokespeople for Murphy, Senate President Nicholas Scutari (D-Union), and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex) declined to comment for this story.

Christopher Porrino, who served as state attorney general during former Gov. Chris Christies administration, said he wasnt surprised by Platkins comments, recalling that the two men spoke briefly at Platkins 2022 swearing-in.

I said then that Matt Platkin would be an attorney general who would be unafraid and would not be intimidated by or influenced by the media or anyone else, and he would do what he felt was best and was right. And I think now, a few years later, what weve seen is verification of what I said at his swearing-in, and that is that hes not afraid, Porrino said.

Assemblyman Louis Greenwald (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor)

Assemblyman Lou Greenwald (D-Camden), a sponsor of the Elections Transparency Act, said he disagrees with Platkins characterization of the campaign finance laws impact and welcomes a conversation about it with the attorney general. He defended the law  which sharply raised campaign donation limits and curtailed investigations by the states election law watchdog  as one that provides tremendous transparency around who can contribute to political campaigns and aims to shed light on dark-money political action groups.

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I think the general is absolutely entitled to his position, Greenwald said. I think hes missing what was a national trend within the Democratic Party on a failure to talk about kitchen-table, pocketbook issues that affect people day in and day out.

Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-Somerset) sponsored the bill that overhauled public records, which critics warned would gut transparency and weaken press access in New Jersey. When asked Thursday if that bill contributed to the Democratic Partys performance at the polls, Danielsen said, Thats not true. He did not reply to further questions.

Dana DiFilippo contributed.
DENVER (KDVR)  Police in Aurora are still investigating a deadly shooting that happened last month and they are asking the public for information.

The shooting happened on Oct. 12 in the 1900 block of Kingston Street. The Aurora Police Department said a resident found a man lying in the street with a gunshot wound and called 911 around 2:45 p.m.

The victim, identified by the Adams County Coroners Office as Mario Arturo Lopez-Alvarado, 26, was pronounced dead after he was taken to a hospital.

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The police department said in a post on X that no one has been arrested and there is no suspect information. Homicide detectives are now seeking information from the public.

Detectives want to speak with anyone familiar with the victim to get information about his activities in the days leading up to the shooting.

Additionally, police are asking people who live around East 19th Avenue and Kingston Street to look at any surveillance camera footage from Oct. 12, and to contact police if they find any video of the shooting or any suspicious activity.

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Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Aurora Police Department through Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Nov. 14An Austin man avoided prison Thursday in Mower County District court when he was sentenced to probation for a pair of felony counts of possessing pornographic material of minors.

Jonathan Joseph Norcross, 28, received five years supervised probation on each count while five other felony counts were dismissed.

He was also fined $50.

Norcross will have to follow a number of conditions. Failure to do so could result in sentences of 36 and 24 months.

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According to the court complaint, the case goes clear back to May 25, 2022, when the Minnesota Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force received a tip from Instagram, which had informed the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that one of its users had uploaded five files of suspected pornographic works involving minors.

An Austin Police Department detective was provided with the tip on Oct. 11, 2022, as well as the results of subpoenas issued by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to Google, Instagram, Charter, Cellco and Tracfone for information related to the user, later identified as Norcross through a supplied email address.

The detective reviewed the suspected files and determined that four of them contained explicit images of children, all under the age of 14.

After gaining a search warrant the day before, the detective and other law enforcement officers executed a search of the premises on Feb. 7, 2023, and confiscated several electronic devices including Norcross's cellphone, laptop with two USB drives, Kodak memory card, a computer tower, a second smartphone, USB drive and Amazon tablet.

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When questioned during the search, Norcross claimed that he was having issues with his internet and that "random devices" had shown up leading him to believe they were hacking attempts.

He also admitted that the email address associated with the Instagram account was his, but he hadn't used it in some time and didn't know how to log in anymore.

Further questioning, as stated in the court documents, led to Norcross admitting that he had some drawings or cartoons of child pornography and asked if that was illegal. Court documents recount that Norcross said, "I'm going to be honest with you, I like midgets and the only thing close to that is small humans, there's not really many midget drawings."

The detective asked if by "small humans" he meant kids and Norcross answered: "Yeah, there's not really midget drawings."

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On Jan. 16, 2024, the detective reviewed the forensic examination report conducted on the items seized from the house by the BCA. Three more files of suspected child pornographic works were discovered on a cellphone.

It was also discovered that the phone's user conducted a factory reset on the device and that it had been wiped locally on July 9, 2022.
VIENNA (AP)  Russias state-owned natural gas company Gazprom will cut off supplies to Austrias OMV utility early Saturday, Austrias chancellor said, adding that his countrys underground gas storage was full and that it had alternative, non-Russia supplies.

The cutoff follows OMVs announcement that it would stop paying for Gazprom gas to its Austrian arm to offset a 230 million-euro ($242 million) arbitration award it won over an earlier cutoff of gas to its German subsidiary.

Chancellor Karl Nehammer said Friday that Austria has a secure supply of alternative fuel and that no one will freeze this winter, no home will be cold.

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Our gas storage facilities are full and we have sufficient capacity to obtain gas from other regions," Nehammer said in a hastily called appearance at the chancellery. We cannot be blackmailed.

OMV gave notice of the cutoff in a trading statement on the Central European Gas Hub website. An OMV spokesperson couldn't be reached for comment. Gazprom had no immediate comment.

Russia cut off most natural gas supplies to Europe in 2022, citing disputes over payment in rubles, a move European leaders described as energy blackmail over their support for Ukraine against Russia's invasion. The cutoff sent gas prices soaring and contributed to a sharp burst of inflation that went into double digits in October 2022, but has since subsided.

European governments had to scramble to line up alternative supplies at higher prices, much of it liquefied natural gas brought by ship from the U.S. and Qatar.

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Still, three European countries  Austria, Slovakia and Hungary  have been getting supplies of Russian gas through a pipeline through Ukraine despite the fighting there. Ukraine has said it won't continue gas transit past Jan. 1, leaving those countries looking for other supplies. Austria gets the bulk of its natural gas from Russia, as much as 98% in December 2023, according to Energy Minister Lenore Gewessler.

The European Union has ended most supplies of Russian oil, but hasn't directly sanctioned Russian gas. Instead, it has set a nonbinding goal of 2027 for member countries to stop importing Russian gas. Oil and gas exports and the associated tax revenues are the most important single source of cash for the Kremlin.

In 1968, Austria became the first Western European country to import gas from the Soviet Union, and its dependence on Russian energy increased in the following decades. During a visit by Russias President Vladimir Putin to Austria in 2018, an agreement for the extension of natural gas supplies to Austria until 2040 was signed by Gazprom head Alexey Miller and Rainer Seele, then chairman of the OMV Executive Board. The contract obligates the Austrian side to pay for the gas whether it takes delivery or not.

Gewessler convened a commission to look into the circumstances under which it was signed and legal possibilities to get out of it.

___

McHugh reported from Frankfurt, Germany.
Elizabeth Simboti (L) poses for photos at Mbora Village, Rundu, Kavango East region, Namibia, on Oct. 29, 2024. (Photo by Musa C Kaseke/Xinhua)

WINDHOEK, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Elizabeth Simboti, a vibrant 60-year-old woman from Mbora Village in Namibia's rural Kavango East region, vividly recalls the immense challenges she once faced in her goat-selling business. Poor road conditions in her remote village of 200 households made it nearly impossible for buyers to access her livestock, leaving her dreams of growth stifled.

"In the past, customers couldn't reach us because of the terrible roads," Simboti told Xinhua during a recent visit. The region's sandy, underdeveloped roads often became impassable during the rainy season, crippling economic activities and isolating communities like hers.

A turning point came when the China Henan International Cooperation Group (CHICO) began upgrading the region's roads from sand to gravel as part of the Namibian government's initiative to enhance transport infrastructure, bringing new hope to communities like Mbora.

"Now cars, even taxis, can move easily," Simboti said. The upgraded roads have transformed her business -- livestock prices have risen, transportation costs have dropped, and buyers can now access the village directly, eliminating the need for her laborious trips to distant markets.

The improved infrastructure has also eased mobility for residents like Sikongo Kakondo, principal of Mbora Primary School. "Previously, only 4x4 vehicles in excellent condition could navigate the roads. Now, even small sedans can reach the school, sparing teachers from parking far away," he said.

The better roads have also attracted new visitors and potential settlers, further energizing the local economy, Kakondo added.

In Ndama, a peri-urban area near Rundu, the capital of Kavango East, residents have similarly reaped the benefits of road upgrades. Martin Elias, a local resident, noted that public transport now reaches homes easily, enhancing both safety and accessibility.

CHICO, active in Namibia since 2007, has earned accolades for its infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, and railways, as well as for creating thousands of jobs for Namibians.

Sakaria Shopati, strategic executive for Infrastructure, Planning, and Technical Services at the Rundu Town Council, commended CHICO's ongoing projects, such as upgrading the University of Namibia road from gravel to bitumen standards. "The first section is already completed, and overall progress is about 60 percent," Shopati said.

He also highlighted CHICO's efforts in upgrading 11 sandy roads, covering 13 km, to gravel standards in informal areas around Rundu. These roads, previously accessible only to 4x4 vehicles, posed significant challenges to the community. "We are striving to bring essential services closer to the community," Shopati explained.

While noting that improved road infrastructure is critical for providing access to schools, clinics, and shopping centers, Shopati emphasized the council's commitment to job creation, with certain construction components, such as concrete and interlocking works, reserved for local small and medium-sized enterprises collaborating with CHICO.

Reflecting on the progress, Shopati said that three or four years ago, Rundu had some of the worst roads in the country. Even investors avoided the area due to poor infrastructure. Now, improved roads are attracting tourists and investors alike.

Currently, Rundu is one of the fastest-growing towns in Namibia and the second-largest by population.

CHICO has been an outstanding partner and they deliver quality work with minimal supervision and at an impressive pace, Shopati said. "We look forward to maintaining this harmonious relationship."

Namibia's Roads Authority, tasked with constructing and maintaining the country's road infrastructure, has partnered with CHICO through various agreements.

Kennedy Chigumira, regional engineering manager under the Network Maintenance Division for Roads Authority, praised CHICO's efficiency and adherence to timelines. "They sometimes finish projects ahead of schedule, enabling us to deliver services to communities faster," Chigumira noted.

According to the country's 2023 Population Census, the Kavango East region, with a population of 218,421, is experiencing significant growth, underscoring the need for continued infrastructure development to support its rapid growth.

Beyond road construction, CHICO has also invested in education and community development projects, further contributing to the region's progress and improving the quality of life for its residents. 

A staff member of the China Henan International Cooperation Group (CHICO) works at a road construction site in Rundu, Kavango East region, Namibia, on Oct. 29, 2024. (Photo by Musa C Kaseke/Xinhua)

Villagers take a taxi at Ndama Village, Rundu, Kavango East region, Namibia, on Oct. 29, 2024. (Photo by Musa C Kaseke/Xinhua)
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer has stressed that the country will not be left without natural gas during the heating season after Russian Gazprom stops supplying gas to the country.

Source: Austria's largest newspaper Kronen Zeitung; European Pravda reports

Details: Nehammer confirmed that the Austrian company OMV had received a warning from Gazprom about the suspension of gas supplies on Saturday morning.

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The Austrian chancellor stated that this meant what they had been preparing for since the beginning of the war in Ukraine had happened. He also stressed that they were showing they would not succumb to Putin's blackmail.

The chancellor pointed out that the country has reliable gas supplies from other sources, and that gas storage facilities are 93% full, which is the annual demand of the whole of Austria. In addition, Vienna has already reported the situation to the European Commission.

Nehammer promised that no one would freeze in the winter and no apartment would be left cold.

The cessation of Russian gas supplies to Austria became known after OMV announced that it would stop making payments to Gazprom to reimburse the arbitration fee of EUR 230 million.

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OMV had predicted such a scenario earlier and emphasised that it had diversified its gas supplies with non-Russian sources and additional capacity.

Meanwhile, talk of cutting off gas supplies from Russia to Austria led to a rise in natural gas prices in Europe.

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Austria plans to stick to its Ukraine policy despite Russia halting gas deliveries to the country, Chancellor Karl Nehammer said in a statement on Friday.

"We will not be blackmailed and will not be brought to our knees," he said.

Gazprom Export, a subsidiary of Kremlin-controlled energy giant Gazprom, informed Austrian oil and gas group OMW on Friday that it would halt gas deliveries from Saturday.

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The move is seen as a response to an arbitration ruling by the International Chamber of Commerce, which awarded OMV 230 million ($242 million) in a contractual dispute with Gazprom.

Nehammer said Gazprom had on several occasions not fulfilled its delivery obligations in order to exert pressure on Austria for its support of EU sanctions against Russia.

"No one in Austria has to freeze. The apartments can be heated," the chancellor continued, emphasizing that there are sufficient gas reserves available and that Austria's gas consumption is not relevant to the European market.
Austria will stick to its Ukraine policy despite Russia halting natural gas deliveries to the country starting from the weekend, Chancellor Karl Nehammer said on Friday.

"We will not be blackmailed and will not be brought to our knees," he said in a speech to the country.

Gazprom Export, a subsidiary of Kremlin-controlled energy giant Gazprom, informed Austrian oil and gas group OMW that it would stop natural gas deliveries from Saturday.

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The move is a response to an arbitration ruling by the International Chamber of Commerce, which awarded OMV 230 million ($242 million) in a contractual dispute with Gazprom.

Nehammer said Gazprom had on several occasions in the past not fulfilled its delivery obligations in order to exert pressure on Austria for its support of EU sanctions against Russia.

"No one in Austria has to freeze. The apartments can be heated," the chancellor continued, emphasizing that there are sufficient natural gas reserves available and that Austria's consumption is not relevant to the broader European market.

Austria has remained heavily reliant on Russian gas even as other EU countries, like Germany, have worked to end their dependence following Moscow's all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

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The share of Russian supplies has accounted for over 80% of Austria's total gas imports recently.

However, OMV said earlier it has been preparing for the total cut-off scenario for three years, and Austria's position is significantly better now that it was on 2022, due to lower gas consumption and more sources of supply.

The alternative supplies are to come from Norway, from Austria's own production, or in the form of liquefied natural gas by ship via Germany or Italy.

Furthermore, all storage facilities are currently around 90% full, providing enough gas for Austria's needs for around a year.

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The latest dispute centres on an earlier interruption to gas supplies, which resulted in the arbitration case.

When the case went OMV's way, the partially state-owned company said it would stop paying Gazprom until it received an amount of gas equivalent to the 230 million arbitration award.

Even without current developments, the energy co-operation between Austria and Russia, which dates to 1968, would probably have come to an end. The transit contract for the delivery of Russian natural gas via the pipeline through Ukraine and Slovakia ends at the end of the year, and is not expected to be extended.

Within the EU, Hungary and Slovakia continue to receive large volumes of Russian gas flows.
A list of books removed or challenged in Florida schools was released over the weekend, and one author's name stood out.

Not Margaret Atwood, although her classic book "The Handmaid's Tale," the fictional story of a dystopian future where women are forced to breed by religious extremists, was removed from shelves or restricted in five school districts. Nor was it any authors of other perennial book-challenger targets such as "Slaughterhouse Five" by Kurt Vonnegut, Anne Franks "Diary of a Young Girl" or "Gender Queer" by Maia Kobabe.

In the 2023-2024 school year, according to the state, the author with the most books pulled from shelves was master of the macabre Stephen King, and they were all from the same county.

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The next closest were New York Times best-selling authors Ellen Hopkins, with 38 instances of 16 different young adult books in 11 counties, and Sarah J. Maas with 35 instances of 13 fantasy books in 9 counties.

Clay County removed 68 titles written by the popular and prolific horror writer, including some written under King's pseudonym Richard Bachman, some written with collaborators, and even his non-fiction autobiography and writing guide, "On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft." But the total number could have been much higher.

Banned books? Hundreds of books pulled from Florida schools listed in new DOE release. Here are the titles

Escambia County forced to return books to shelves

Escambia County listed more than 1,600 books pending review as of December 2023, which included 23 Steven King works along with hundreds of popular fiction books and classics of literature, eight different encyclopedias and five dictionaries.

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In September, King, who has a home in Casey Key, famously responded to that news with a three-word reaction started with "What the..." that also wouldn't be allowed in Florida classrooms. His post on X, formerly Twitter, has received 19.1 million views.

However, after getting hit with a federal lawsuit, the county has returned the books, although many are now restricted and some are still pending review. In the state's list, Escambia County shows no books removed or challenged.

Stephen King, the legendary American author of horror, supernatural and suspense novels, has sold more than 350 million copies. Many of his novels been adapted for movies and TV.

Which authors had the most books removed from Florida school districts last year?

These authors had the most instances of their books being removed or challenged in Florida schools in the 2023-2024 school year. Some books may be duplicates as different districts may have removed the same books.

Stephen King: 68

Ellen Hopkins: 38

Sarah J. Maas : 35

Jodi Picoult : 25

Alice Sebold: 14

Margaret Atwood: 10

Which Stephen King books were removed from a Florida school district?

The following titles were pulled from Clay County school shelves.

Grades K-12

"Apt Pupil"

"Carrie,"

"It"

"The Drawing of the Three"

"The Gunslinger"

"The Long Walk"

"The Stand"

"The Tommyknockers"

"The Waste Lands"

Wizard and Glass Dark Tower IV"

Grades 9-12

"1922"

"11/22/1963"

"Bag of Bones"

"Billy Summers"

"Black House (Talisman #2)"

"Blaze"

"Blockade Billy"

"Cell"

"Christine"

"Cujo"

"Different Seasons"

"Doctor Sleep (The Shining Part 2)"

"Dolores Claiborne"

"Dreamcatcher"

"End of Watch"

"Everything's Eventual: 14 Dark Tales"

"Finders Keepers (Bill Hodges Trilogy, 2)"

"Firestarter"

"Four Past Midnight"

"From a Buick 8"

"Full Dark, No Stars"

"Gwendy's Button Box"

"Gwendy's Final Task"

"Hearts in Atlantis"

"If It Bleeds"

"Insomnia"

"Joyland"

"Just After Sunset"

"Lisey's Story"

"Misery"

"Mr. Mercedes"

"Needful Things"

"Nightmares & Dreamscapes"

"On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft"

"Pet Sematary"

"Revival"

"Rose Madder"

"Salem's Lot"

"Skeleton Crew"

"Sleeping Beauties"

"Song of Susannah (Dark Tower #6)"

"Stephen King's Danse Macabre"

"The Bachman Books"

"The Bazaar of Bad Dreams"

"The Dark Half"

"The Dark Tower (#7")

"The Dead Zone"

"The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon"

"The Green Mile"

"The Institute"

"The Mist"

"The Outsider"

"The Regulators"

"The Shining"

"The Talisman (#1 in series)"

"Thinner"

"Under the Dome"

"Wolves of the Calla (The Dark Tower #5)"

How many books has Florida banned?

That's a tricky question.

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According to Communications Director Sydney Booker, who seemingly sends out the same response to all media inquiries about it, There are no books banned in Florida, and sexually explicit materials do not belong in schools.

Once again, far left activists are pushing the book ban hoax on Floridians, Booker said in an email. The better question is, why do these activists continue to fight to expose children to sexually explicit materials.

However, while the state may not have officially banned anything, Florida school districts fearful of state reprisals or jumping on the bandwagon have pulled thousands of books since book challenges began ramping up a few years ago. National free speech group PEN America reports there were more than 4,500 book bans in Florida in the 2023-24 school year, up from 1,406 the prior year and more than any other state in the country.

This follows the passage of a 2023 law (HB 1069) that requires books to be taken off shelves within five days of an objection over alleged sexual conduct content or pornographic and "harmful to minors" material and remain off shelves until a review from a qualified representative is complete. The bill did not include a policy for anyone to appeal a decision.

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It should be understood that PEN America also uses a broader definition of what constitutes a banned book, including books that were removed from school libraries and classroom shelves by districts without a formal challenge, books that were pulled pending a review, and books restricted to students based on grade or parent's permission.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Stephen King had most books removed in Florida schools in 2023-2024
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  An 18-year-old Rapid City man has been arrested in connection with a shooting that happened in October in western South Dakota.

Veterans Parkway speed limit changing to 50 mph

The Pennington County Sheriffs Office says Travis Chipps was arrested Friday on a charge of attempted murder in relation shooting.

The shooting happened at the 4200 block of Apple Tree Road in Rapid Valley on October 4.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT)  Authorities say a hunter who was reported missing in the Bankhead National Forest was found dead on Friday morning.

The Lawrence County Sheriffs Office said authorities believed Daniel Whitaker, 70, was in the area of Pine Torch Church in the Bankhead National Forest.

Saturday morning, Chief Deputy Brian Covington with the Lawrence County Sheriffs Office told News 19 that they believed Whitaker fell while climbing up a tree to a tree stand.

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We believe he fell while climbing up a tree to a tree stand. The tree was very close to the edge of a cliff. The ladder side of the tree stand was on the same side of the tree as the cliff. Accidental fall resulted in his death, Covington said.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys Aviation Unit also assisted during the search up until 11 p.m. on Thursday night.

The sheriffs office added that Whitaker was reported missing by his wife around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday afternoon. Authorities said he was expected to return home by noon on Thursday.

Multiple agencies assisted in locating Whitaker.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
NEWPORT, Wis. (WFRV)  A 43-year-old Portage resident died Thursday afternoon after being struck by a train in the town of Newport, according to the Columbia County Sheriffs Office.

Authorities say they received a report shortly before 3:15 p.m. from a train operator stating the train had hit a person. Responding officers confirmed the individual was deceased at the scene.

Ripon basketball coach charged with multiple felonies, including child enticement

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A preliminary investigation determined the incident was intentional, and no foul play is suspected. Officials noted the individual had been struggling with mental health issues.

The victims name has not been released.

Wisconsin man sentenced to prison for lying on gun purchase forms

Canadian Pacific Railway Police assisted at the scene, and the company is cooperating with the investigation.

For anyone struggling with mental health issues, help is available. You can contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
The Mazda BT-50 arrives for the 2025 model year with a handful of major updates that Americans would love but unfortunately, Mazda bowed out of the American truck competition in 2011. Even then, however, Mazdas truck wasnt really a Mazda. The Ford Ranger and Mazda B-Series (dubbed 'Mazda Truck' following 2002) rolled off the same Ford assembly line in Minnesota.

While the 2025 Mazda BT-50 wont be coming to the United States, the midsize truck is available in plenty of countries that appreciate its capability. The latest model arrives with updates that range from style to tech.

Related: 2025 Acura ADX debuts as brands smallest luxury crossover

2025 Mazda BT-50 arrives with refreshed styling

The Mazda BT-50 already sported a design that rivals American pickups, and the latest updates add a touch of versatility and ruggedness. The 2025 model boasts unique LED headlights and a new radiator grille and bumper, complete with an air curtain that increases aerodynamic efficiency. Red Earth Metallic, Geode White Pearl, and Sailing Blue Metallic bring the total available paint colors to seven.

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The tailgate features an updated ridged design with new LED taillights complemented by a large Mazda logo. The 2025 model year-exclusive alloy wheels further add to the rugged design created by the truck's bodylines. Put it all together and you get a tougher, more powerful stance thats indicative of the BT-50s off-road capability.

Forming an integral part of our Mazda model range here in Australia, the BT-50 has set the tone as a versatile, ready-for-anything vehicle that suits a variety of customer needs whether its as a trusty work companion or an enabler for lifes passions, said Vinesh Bhindi, Managing Director of Mazda Australia.

An updated interior makes the Mazda BT-50 more user-friendly

Inside, the Mazda BT-50 includes a completely new infotainment system with integrated touch switches located below the nine-inch touchscreen display. A seven-inch multi-information display includes new content and enhanced connectivity. The display is also customizable and pairs well with the center touchscreen.

2025 Mazda BT-50 Interior Mazda

The center display is designed to provide crucial, and, frankly, interesting, information about the BT-50, including the real-time vehicle steering and tilt angles. Connectivity comes standard, with wireless Android Auto joining Apple CarPlay for the 2025 model year. USB-C sockets come standard as well.

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Materials throughout the cabin have also been updated, with the door trims, console lid, and dashboard trim coming in either brown or black leather. Higher trims feature leather seat trim with synthetic suede and the BT-50 moniker stitched into the headrests.

As for safety, the 2025 Mazda BT-50 comes with Traffic Jam Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Braking, and Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control. A USB port located near the rearview mirror comes standard and is an ideal solution for simple plug-and-play dashcams.

Related: Toyota exec pushes back on U.S. policies promoting EV adoption

The Mazda BT-50 wont be coming to the United States

While the Mazda BT-50 could be a true competitor to the likes of the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger, the midsize truck wont be coming to our shores anytime soon. A 25% tariff on light trucks was set up in 1964 by Lyndon B. Johnson and has yet to be repealed. Dubbed the Chicken Tax due to its origins, a response to tariffs on United States chicken, foreign trucks began to steadily leave the country.

2025 Mazda BT-50 Rear Mazda

Mazda worked around the tax in its trucks final generation by striking a deal with Ford. Unfortunately, the Japanese automaker lost its momentum, as the Mazda Truck was simply a rebadged Ford Ranger. As a result of the drop in popularity and profits, Mazda chose to withdraw from the American truck segment for good.

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The 2025 Mazda BT-50 arrives with a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine that generates 188 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. The midsize truck can tow up to 7,700 pounds and is based on the Isuzu D-Max. Starting at AUD 35,520, or around USD 23,000, the Mazda BT-50 is a competitively priced truck that could drastically undercut American competitors.

Final thoughts

The 2025 Mazda BT-50 is a truck that could offer true competition to American models and spur innovation, so its a shame we wont see it here. With refreshed styling and new standard tech, the BT-50 is a great value for a midsize pickup.

A USB port near the rearview mirror is a convenient feature thats slowly becoming more in demand as dash cams grow in popularity. With its off-road capability and upscale interior, the Mazda BT-50 is a great truck for off-roading in the Australian Outback.

Related: Budget-friendly electric car priced under $20,000, but you can't buy it.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  A variant of the Avian Flu has been confirmed in Hawaii. Health officials said its the first one in the state, and want to ensure the risk to the public is very small.

Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

The State Department of Health said the positive H5 test result was found at the Wahiawa Wastewater Treatment Facility. It was from a sample taken November 7.

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Officials dont know the source and said test results arent conclusive to know if its H5N1. Thats the variant known as the Avian Influenza Virus or Bird Flu thats been hitting other parts of the country.

Even if H5N1 is found in our state, the overall risk to the general public in Hawaii remains low, said Dr. Sarah Kemble, state epidemiologist.

As a person, or as any mammal, were not at high risk of acquiring it because these are specific strains of flu viruses that affect birds mostly, said Dr. Axel Lehrer, UH Medical Schools Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology & Pharmacology.

Experts said those at the highest risk are farm workers.

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Moped rider dies in Waikiki collision

Because it is a type of flu, symptoms are similar.

Symptoms of Avian Influenza may include fever, cough, sore throat, and conjunctivitis, said Kemble. Anti-viral flu treatment is recommended as soon as possible.

Health officials encourage the public to keep best practices. Such as not touching sick or dead birds without wearing protection like gloves and/or masks.

Report any sick pets to your vet and contact state officials for any unusual or multiple animal illnesses.

Even with all the feral chickens around, experts said your pets should also be safe.

If we have a good hunter at home that is able to catch one of those chickens and doesnt get killed in the process, it is very unlikely that a dog or cat would bring that virus home, said Lehrer.

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Wahiawa is one of 9 wastewater treatment facilities on the island and they are constantly being tested twice a week for viruses and bacteria.

Those tests will continue to see if more positive results come in.

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Contact info:

State Department of Agriculture Animal Industry Division 808-483-7106 or 808-837-8092 for multiple or unusual animal illnesses

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
From the moment the US election results rolled in, climate leaders knew Donald Trump would be a blow to the COP29 talks in Baku. What they didnt foresee was the demolition job Azerbaijans own leader would do from the inside.

In what should be one of the most urgent meetings of the year  aimed at slowing a global crisis fast spiraling out of control  the talks have descended into a circus of boycotts, political tirades and fossil fuels celebrations. Its host, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, has been its spectacular ringmaster.

Amid the chaos, prominent global climate leaders on Friday issued an open letter calling for a fundamental overhaul of the entire UN climate process. It was originally published saying the annual talks, known as Conferences of the Parties (COPs), were no longer fit for purpose, but that language was quickly removed.

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A spokesperson for Sandrine Dixson-Decleve, co-president of The Club of Rome  which published the letter  told CNN the edit was made because the authors constructive criticism had been seized upon by some parties to further their own interests at the talks, though she didnt name any party in particular.

But the edit doesnt change the idea that the talks are, indeed, losing their sense of credibility.

COP29 marks the third year in a row that the climate talks have been held in either a petrostate, or economy that relies heavily on oil and gas. The previous two were held in the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, and all three were criticized for alleged human rights abuses in the run-up to their events.

Among the open letters recommendations is to implement a strict eligibility criteria to exclude countries who do not support the phase out/transition away from fossil energy from holding COP presidencies.

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Increasingly, the annual conferences have welcomed fossil fuel interests into the fold. This year, more than 1,700 fossil fuel lobbyists or industry players had been registered to attend the talks, according to an analysis by a coalition of groups called Kick Big Polluters Out.

This is a huge problem, said Alex Scott, a senior associate in climate diplomacy at the Italy-based think tank ECCO.

[Azerbaijans president] doesnt sound like a guardian of the Paris Agreement. Theres still a week left for this presidency to show that they are fulfilling that role, she told CNN from Baku. The 2015 Paris Agreement unites most of the worlds countries in a common goal to limit global warming.

But there are also 1,700 fossil fuel lobbyists walking the halls with us here, she added, and theyre also not guardians of the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Aliyev accuses France of brutal repression

On Tuesday, Aliyev used his opening remarks at the talks to fend off criticism of Azerbaijans human rights record and defended its oil and gas riches as a gift of the god, in a speech that explicitly accused Western nations, NGOs and global media of hypocrisy.

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On Wednesday, he again used his platform to launch a tirade against France and the Netherlands. Speaking to island states facing an existential threat of sea level rise, Aliyev accused both nations of a brutal repression of voices in what he called their colonies, in reference to overseas territories. He also blamed France for recent deadly unrest on the semi-autonomous island of New Caledonia.

Aliyevs accusations were built around climate change arguments, but Baku has been at loggerheads with both France and the Netherlands over their stances on the Azerbaijan-Armenia territorial conflict.

Frances ecology minister, Agnes Pannier-Runacher, was due to lead the French delegation but canceled her trip over the remarks.

The European Unions foreign affairs chief, Joseph Borrell, chimed in on X, calling Aliyevs allegations regrettable.

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These unacceptable statements risk to undermine the conferences vital climate objectives and the credibility of Azerbaijans COP29 presidency, he wrote.

World leaders and delegates pose for a "family photo" on day two of the COP29 talks. While some heads of state and government attended, leaders like US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen didn't attend, as they have in recent years. - Sean Gallup/Getty Images

The geopolitical chaos comes as global climate leaders scramble to find ways to Trump-proof progress so far, as the president-elect has vowed to again pull the US out of the Paris Agreement.

Already the prospect of Trump is emboldening like-minded leaders to reconsider their own climate action. On Wednesday, Argentinas foreign ministry pulled out its delegation from COP29 without giving any explanation. A source in President Javier Mileis government later told CNN that Argentina was considering withdrawing from the Paris Agreement. Milei is a climate denier who has called global warming a socialist hoax.

The talks come on the heels of what is set to be the hottest year on record, and as back-to-back hurricanes killed more than 300 people in the US alone.

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Some scientists are questioning whether containing temperature rise to 1.5 degrees is still possible. To have any chance of doing so, carbon pollution must halve this decade and the world must reach net zero by mid century.

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To accelerate the high-quality development of the county economy, various regions in Anhui have fully leveraged their resource advantages to cultivate and expand industrial clusters (bases) according to local conditions. They are strengthening policy support, improving industrial chains and public services, promoting enterprises to upgrade and develop upwards. In Yixian County, Huangshan City, the autumn scenery of Tachuan Village in November is at its peak, with layers of forests dyed in vibrant hues, attracting tourists from all over the country for sightseeing tours and bringing the peak season to the local homestays. Why do these homestays nestled among the mountains receive frequent praise from tourists nationwide? With this question, reporters visited a homestay located within the Tachuan scenic area. The person in charge, Huang Qiong, told us that as Yixian County has deepened the integration of cultural and tourism development in recent years, the number of tourists has been increasing annually. To retain customers and create distinctive homestays, enhancing service levels is key. Currently, the scale of homestays in Yixian County has grown to 1070. To further expand the homestay industry cluster, the local area has also innovatively implemented a joint review system for homestays. To support high-quality development in counties through the construction of characteristic industrial clusters, Anhui currently focuses on five industries: materials, electronics, agricultural and sideline food processing, machinery, and tourism. Based on the resource advantages and industrial concentration of different counties, 72 county-level characteristic industrial clusters (bases) have been cultivated, achieving full coverage across the province. Meanwhile, leveraging key enterprises and major projects as focal points, the province increases technological transformation and R&D investment, improves industrial chains, and builds regional public brands. In Feixi County, Hefei City, relying on high-end home appliances and other industries, over 90 upstream supporting enterprises have gathered to construct a well-established electrical machinery and equipment industrial cluster, with last year's output value reaching 8.6 billion yuan. With the continuous advancement of the construction of county-level characteristic industrial clusters (bases), in the first three quarters of this year, the provincial GDP of counties has exceeded 1.74 trillion yuan, with a year-on-year increase of 4.6%. In the first half of the year, the 72 county-level characteristic industrial clusters in the province achieved nearly 400 billion yuan in operating income. By 2025, the province is expected to cultivate 35 industrial clusters with operating income reaching 10 billion yuan, strongly promoting the positive development of the provincial county economy.

Source: ANHUI NEWS
SACRAMENTO, the United States, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- A 1940 property deed in Santa Clara County, California, contained stark language: "No persons not of the Caucasian Race shall be allowed to occupy, except as servants of residents, said real property or any part thereof."

This type of discriminatory restriction, while unenforceable today, remained in thousands of property records in California.

Now, an artificial intelligence (AI) program developed by Stanford University researchers is helping Santa Clara County efficiently remove such racist language from property records, as required by a California state law passed in 2021, the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper reported Thursday.

According to research from Stanford University's Regulation, Evaluation, and Governance Lab, the innovative system can process millions of documents in a single day, dramatically reducing the time and cost needed to identify and redact racially restrictive covenants -- clauses that historically barred people of specific races from buying or occupying homes.

"Our machine-learning pipeline has saved over 86,500 hours of manual human labor," the Stanford researchers reported in their study.

Santa Clara County faced the daunting task of reviewing over 24 million property records dating back to the 1850s. The researchers found that using traditional manual review methods would have taken about 160 years and cost over 22.4 million U.S. dollars for a single person to complete.

The AI language model is able to detect approximately 7,500 racist covenants in 5.2 million deed records from 1907 to 1980.

Los Angeles County recently hired a private firm for 8 million dollars to complete similar work over seven years.

In contrast, Stanford's AI system can process 5.2 million pages of property documents for less than 300 dollars in computing costs.

The researchers are making their AI model available to assist hundreds of other jurisdictions in similar efforts to identify and remove discriminatory language from property records. 
HONOLULU (KHON2)  In a high-profile case that took six years to go to trial, Dixie Denise Villa was found guilty of manslaughter on Friday, Nov. 15 for the death of seven-month-old Abigail Lobisch, who died from a toxic dose of Benadryl.

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The jury deliberated for a little more than a day and returned a unanimous guilty decision, agreeing with prosecutors that Villa delivered the fatal dose of Benadryl that killed the infant while babysitting her in February 2019.

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The judge raised Villas bail to $500,000 and she was immediately taken into custody. Outside the courtroom, prosecutors conveyed there are no winners in this case.

Mother testifies in manslaughter trial for babysitter: He said, Im sorry, your daughter didnt make it

A child is gone and theres no way of bringing her back. But we hope this offers closure and peace to everyone whos been affected by this case, said Tiffany Kaeo, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney.

Abigails mother, Anna Lobisch, left the courthouse without comment. But her best friend lashed out at the defense for what she claims was fabricated evidence presented during the trial.

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The only thing theyve proven in that courtroom is their egos and their desire to win was worth more than any justice, said Kalei Kapuaala, who said she has known Anna Lobisch for more than 15 years and was part of a group of supporters named Justice For Abigail.

However, the defense plans to file a motion for a mistrial after Villas attorney said she was given evidence only in the last 24 hours that would have been key in this case.

While the jury was deliberating, the government sent me a letter saying that they have evidence that Anna Lobisch lied on the stand and that she actually did co-sleep with her baby in the bed. The reason why thats important is because her credibility was key in this case, said Villas attorney, Megan Kau.

Kau said she also was contacted by a potential witness who said Anna Lobisch needed to see a doctor for mental health reasons.

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She indicated to me that she sent this information to the Honolulu Police Department, but I never received it. That is not justice, said Kau.

Kau said shell be working on filing the motion for a mistrial. Meanwhile, sentencing for Villa has been set for Feb. 26, 2025.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
Every 16 hours, someone in Milwaukee County dies from a drug overdose.

"When you look at those folks who are dying from overdose, it's not a single demographic. It's not young, it's not old, it's not Black, white or Hispanic, male or female," said Ben Weston, chief health policy adviser for Milwaukee County. "It's folks who have college degrees, it's people who are business owners, it's people who have kids, it's people who are grandparents. It's across the spectrum."

Although Wisconsin saw a provisional 9.6% decline in drug overdose deaths this year, a downward trend that parallels with the national count, it remains the case that thousands of lives are lost every year.

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Understanding when and where these deaths occur, said Weston, would have "a lot of benefits," namely saving lives. That's been part of the thinking behind developing a new system from the state Department of Health Services called Wisconsin Suspected Overdose Alerts for Rapid Response, or WiSOARR.

WiSOARR went live Thursday, with the goal of providing public health partners near real-time data on where and when suspected overdoses are happening.

The Harm Reduction Vending Machines is placed at the Marcia P. Coggs Human Services Building in Milwaukee on Monday, March 13, 2023. County officials and members of the Department of Health and Human Services gathered for a bill signing releasing $11 million in funding for 15 projects to combat the opioid epidemic while unveiling the first of dozens of Harm Reduction Vending Machines in Milwaukee County. The machines include prevention supplies such as Fentanyl test strips, nasal Narcan, medication deactivation pouches, lock bags, and gun locks, are part of an effort to reduce death from overdose.

The system will automatically alert authorized users of where and when suspected overdoses occur, should the number exceed a threshold based on geographical information, said Michelle Haese, DHS director of substance use initiatives.

"It gives our substance use partners a faster and clearer understanding of when and where suspected overdoses are occurring in the communities, really helping to push steps forward in our ongoing work to better understand and respond to the drug overdose epidemic in Wisconsin," Haese said.

How does WiSOARR work?

Data on suspected overdoses are gathered two ways: through the state's ambulance run systems and emergency room department visits, Haese said.

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The data enable authorized users  local and tribal health departments, as well as overdose prevention partners  to monitor local trends, set and receive alerts around suspected overdose cluster sites, and connect communities to specific spike response resources, Haese said.

"Instead of a larger scale, one-size-fits-all statewide response to what is happening locally, this really homes in on the needs of each individual geographic community across the state of Wisconsin," Haese said. "We know data informs action, and that's foundational to public health."

What are the benefits of WiSOARR?

Milwaukee's public health and emergency service officials lunged into action in April 2023 when 17 people died from overdoses over the course of 72 hours, translating into a death every four hours. Fentanyl played a lethal role.

Milwaukee County Chief Health Policy Advisor and OEM-EMS Medical Director, Dr. Ben Weston speaks during a press conference, at the West Allis Firehouse 1 on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, highlighting a new, field-based buprenorphine program operating in West Allis. Buprenorphine is an FDA-approved pharmaceutical used to treat opioid use, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Weston believes that if the county had access to WiSOARR, lives could have been saved in that deadly wave.

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"When there's a cluster of overdoses, often there's a reason why," Weston said. "Getting the information even two hours later oftentimes is too late to really have an impact on the community."

WiSOARR could potentially help rapid response teams locate bad batches, a big culprit in overdose spikes. A batch might have a higher concentration of fentanyl or xylazine, a potent animal tranquilizer that made its way into the illicit drug scene in 2020.

Having the ability to distribute fentanyl and xylazine test strips  one of the hallmarks of harm reduction  can also lead to changes in behavior, Weston said. When people are given access to fentanyl test strips, studies demonstrate that four out of five people with an opioid use disorder administer them ahead of drug use.

Fentanyl is found in 93% of overdoses, so being able to test drugs ahead of use, Weston said, encourages people to take smaller doses, take the drugs with someone else present and have the opioid-reversing drug Naloxone nearby while they're using.

When will this system go into effect?

Different counties and entities, such as Milwaukee County, have already been participating in pilot versions of the program, Haese and Weston both said.

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It launched statewide Nov. 14.

Why is WiSOARR monitoring 'suspected' overdoses?

It can take weeks for toxicology reports to confirm whether somebody died of a drug overdose, Weston said.

WiSOARR relies on emergency medical service experiences. If EMS feels the need to administer Naloxone to someone, often due to some telltale signs such as pinpoint pupils and decreased respiration levels, they'll report that as a suspected overdose, Weston said.

Those suspected overdose numbers feed into county data, enabling agencies to compare what they're seeing to statewide numbers and other counties across the state, Haese said.

The aim of the system is to help agencies locate, more generally, where spikes happen. It doesn't individually target anyone, Haese emphasize.

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"That's important, because we want to make sure that the response is the focus, not the identity of who may be experiencing the suspected overdose," Haese said. "We want to make sure the awareness is on spikes, in order to save lives."

Natalie Eilbert covers mental health issues for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She welcomes story tips and feedback. You can reach her at neilbert@gannett.com or view her X (Twitter) profile at @natalie_eilbert.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: DHS launches system to respond quickly to overdose deaths
BAE Systems will open a 25m artillery factory in Sheffield as part of efforts to support Ukrainian forces in the battle against Russia.

On Friday the company said the facility will begin making M777 towed howitzers next year, creating 50 skilled jobs locally.

The new building was built by a third party and has been leased by BAE, which is now renovating it for artillery production and making the site secure.

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It effectively reverses the companys decision to wind down production of the guns in the UK in early 2023. The Ukraine conflict, which will soon enter its third year, has prompted a renewed surge of interest.

The M777, which must be towed into position, is reportedly favoured by Ukrainian soldiers fighting the Russian military because it is reliable and can be moved around quickly.

The guns are made of a titanium-aluminium alloy and so weigh only 4.5 tonnes, which is lightweight for artillery.

Kyiv received several of the guns from the US, Canada and Australia but many are now in need of refurbishment or repair.

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As a result, BAE has since been handed multimillion-pound contracts to produce replacement M777 parts for the US.

In January this year, it was also handed $50m (40m) by the Pentagon to revive production of titanium chassis pieces for the guns. The final value of the contract has not yet been confirmed.

However, BAE has previously said that reopening the lines could create economies of scale for other countries that want to place orders to restock their own depleted arsenals as well.

The new Sheffield factory will create 50 skilled jobs locally - BAE Systems

On Friday, the company said the new Sheffield factory would support the UK Governments ambitions to sustain and revitalise vital UK artillery capabilities.

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The defence sector has been highlighted by the Government as one of several key areas of manufacturing that ministers want to support domestically in their forthcoming industrial strategy.

John Borton, managing director of BAEs UK weapons systems business, said: Our aim is to deliver long-term artillery capabilities for the UK, which will safeguard, sustain and grow a critical, specialised British industrial capability as well as provide important opportunities for exports.

As we continue to grow our business to meet our customers evolving requirements, this significant investment will help us develop a highly skilled and adaptable workforce as an important part of the national defence infrastructure.

It is the latest boost to Britains defence industry, which has benefitted from a rush of orders in the past two years as rising global tensions fuel more spending on defence.

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This year alone, BAE said it has added 25bn of orders.

It has also struck deals with the Government to restock the UKs ammunition supplies, including the 155mm shells used by the M777s, requiring an expansion of another BAE facility in North East England.

Mr Borton previously told The Telegraph that manufacturing of the M777 chassis would support critical capabilities into the UK with regards to titanium fabrication.

Describing the heavy use the guns were seeing in Ukraine, he added in January: Everything has an engineering useful life attached to it, and because of the rate of usage were seeing actually were getting close to a point we havent seen before.

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BAE has previously said that as many as eight unnamed countries have expressed an interest in placing new orders for M777s following the announcement that production was due to restart.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  An Oregon hunting guide died from his injuries after getting shot in the back during a hunting expedition on Sunday, the Bakers County Sheriffs Office announced.

Authorities received a 911 call just before 8 a.m. from an SOS device reporting that a hunter had suffered a gunshot wound and was not breathing, officials said.

Were furious: Fake contractors target Portland homeowners, local roofing company

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Deputies and medical personnel responded to the Fish Creek area near Hwy 86 on private property in Halfway, Oregon.

According to officials, two men, Leroy Trautman, 73, and Andrew Krebs, 62, were riding with their hunting guide, Jon Nichols, 62, when they saw a herd of elk. All three men exited the off-road vehicle.

As Trautman chambered a round, the rifle discharged striking Nichols in the back. Trautman and Krebs performed CPR on Nichols but were unsuccessful, officials said.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing.

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The bankruptcy judge overseeing the auction of Alex Joness InfoWars has raised concerns over the process by which satirical publication The Onion won the bid for the conspiracy theorists website and related properties, ending his 25-year run of the media company.

During a status conference on Thursday, hours after Jones raged on his final InfoWars broadcast that the deep state was shutting him down, District Judge Christopher Lopez said no one should feel comfortable with the results of this auction.

Were all going to an evidentiary hearing and Im going to figure out exactly what happened, Lopez said from Texas court. I personally dont care who wins the auction  I care about process and transparency.

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An evidentiary hearing will determine whether advisers who ran the auction conditioned a full and fair process, according to the judge.

The hearing date has not yet been scheduled.

The Onion and families of Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims announced the purchase of InfoWars properties on Thursday, years after Sandy Hook families sued Jones for defamation for calling the massacre a hoax, prompting his chapter 11 bankruptcy. He owes them roughly $1.5 billion in defamation judgments related to his statements about the 2012 massacre, in which a gunman fatally shot 26 people, including children between six and seven years old.

The joint bid from Global Tetrahedron and the Connecticut families has been selected as the winning bid for InfoWars, The Onions CEO Ben Collins said in a statement to The Independent. The sale is currently underway as part of the standard processes.

Alex Jones filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after he was ordered to pay the families of Sandy Hook victims more than $1.5 billion in defamation damages (REUTERS)

On what he called his final broadcast on his long-running platform, which trafficks in far-right conspiracy theories, Jones accused the courts of hijacking the bidding process and said he would continue to fight the sale while moving his broadcasts to alternate web hosts. His InfoWars website and streaming platform were taken offline while he was broadcasting on Thursday.

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Bidders in an auction for Joness assets, including InfoWars, were required to submit their best offers, but the amounts were not shared with competing bidders.

The only other bidder  Joness proxy First United American Companies  argued that the bidding method meant that competing bidders could not know what they were up against.

The Onions parent company Global Tetrahedron has not disclosed its bid. The trustee who ran the auction said the total amount was a better deal overall but came in under First United Americans $3.5 million offer.

This was an auction that didnt happen, with a bid that was lower, with money that wasnt real, Jones said on social media following news of the offer.

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Robbie Parker, whose six-year-old daughter Emilie was among the 20 children killed at Sandy Hook, said in a statement following the sale that we were told this outcome would be nearly impossible, but we are no strangers to impossible fights.

The world needs to see that having a platform does not mean you are above accountability  the dissolution of Alex Jones assets and the death of InfoWars is the justice we have long awaited and fought for, he said.
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)  In this weeks Basin Bites we visited Vaqueros Over the Fire, a fusion of Mexican American cuisine that is filled with flavor in every bite.

Before beginning their food business journey, Leonard and his wife Lilia would haul sand in their 18-wheelers for a living. However, once they sold both their trucks in 2020, the two decided to take leap of faith and open up their own business. The two originally started off as a food truck before moving into their restaurant mid last year.

It was kind of scary, said Leonard. That was our only source of income was two 18 wheelers that were hauling sand with. But she believed in me and thats all I needed. Once she believed in me then I believed in myself we sold it, and we started. The community took to us as well.

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When it comes to community, both Lilia and Leonard are grateful for each and every customer that has come through their doors or been there since the food truck days as they hold customer appreciation day every Wednesday with their $5 enchiladas plate.

We headed back to the kitchen and see what Vaqueros Over the Fire has to offer. Leonard prepared a few dishes for me which were the smash burger, birria egg rolls, and a California burrito. To top it all off we also had to get the strawberry cucumber lemonade which was quite refreshing.

First thing that I tried on the table was the smash burger with Vaquero sauce and spicy pickles. To me, this burger was something else because of the crispness of the patty after being smashed, the little kick from the pickle and the sauce were all flavorful to me. If you want to try one of these, Vaqueros does have $6 smash burgers every Thursday.

Next up were the birria egg rolls and from the first bite I was in awe. Ive had birria and Ive had egg rolls but never tried it together. If you like spice, I would recommend using the salsa on these.

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To finish things up: the California burrito which had carne asada, beans, rice, and cheese. You can never go wrong with a hometown classic. Again, would recommend the salsa with this if you like heat!

Vaqueros Over the Fire is located at 2000 N. County Road West. Business hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and on weekends they serve brunch from 9am to 2 pm.

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This week, President-elect Donald Trump made key appointments to his diplomatic and security cabinet. What do his picks for secretary of state, secretary of defence, and director of national intelligence reveal about the direction of his foreign policy?

In this episode, we take a closer look at the backgrounds and ideologies of these key figures and explore the potential impact on global issues, from the war in Ukraine to the conflict in Gaza and the US-China relationship.

Plus, who might the British government choose to send as its next ambassador to Washington?

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Battle Lines, a podcast from The Telegraph, combines on-the-ground reporting with analytical expertise to help the listener to better understand the course of world politics, wars and tensions, as fault lines grind and slip in an increasingly dangerous and confusing multipolar world.

Listen to Battle Lines using the audio player in this article or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or your favourite podcast app.

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BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG)  A Bay Minette man was killed in a two-vehicle crash on Thursday morning.

According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the crash occurred around 5:04 a.m. on U.S. 31 near the 11-mile marker, which is about one mile north of Stapleton in Baldwin County.

Lofton takes stand in murder trial, testifies he wanted to shoot restaurant manager, not kill him

46-year-old Robert M. Thompson was killed when the 2001 Ford Explorer he was driving hit an unoccupied 2001 Mack tractor-trailer that was disabled and in the roadway.

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Thompson was pronounced dead on the scene, according to ALEA.

ALEAs Highway Patrol Division is still investigating.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
The BBC has mistakenly referred to American politician RFK Jr as JFK Jr in a segment by the broadcasters fact-checking unit.

The BBC Verify unit looked at the controversial claims of Robert F Kennedy Jr, stating that he has shared misinformation on a range of public health issues.

Mr Kennedy has been named Donald Trumps new US secretary of health and human services.

But the BBC stated the wrong name in a headline about the segment on its ticker tape displayed on the BBC News channel. The red banner on BBC news read: BBC Verify on JFK Jrs controversial claims.

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JFK, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, was US president from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. RFK Jr is the son of the former presidents brother, Robert F Kennedy, who was himself killed in a 1968 shooting.

The BBCs segment on RFK Jr focuses on his comments about public health, noting that he has been a vaccine sceptic for nearly two decades and has shared misinformation on a range of public health issues.

RFK Jr has been picked by Trump to join his cabinet, which includes Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and national guard veteran, who has been named as defence secretary.

Elon Musk, the billionaire Space X owner who recently weighed into a row over Telegraph writer Allison Pearson being visited by the police over a social media post, has been given the job of making the US government more efficient.

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BBC Verify was launched in 2023 to address the growing threat of disinformation and build trust with audiences by showing how its journalists gather the information they report.

BBC News CEO Deborah Turness said at the time: Ive always said I want to pull back the curtain on our journalism to show audiences the incredible hard work going on behind the scenes at BBC News to check and verify the information we share with our audiences.

News consumers have told us that the more they know about the work our journalists do, the more they will know they can trust our journalism.

Much of its remit was to carry out fact-checking, video verification, data analysis and countering disinformation.

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Nov. 15Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico is hoping a new grant program will be a shot in the arm and help the state recruit new physicians.

New Mexico is facing a shortfall of thousands of health care workers, including different types of physicians and others, according to an analysis from Think New Mexico, a bipartisan, solutions-oriented think tank. The group suggested several changes to reverse the trend, including changes to medical malpractice and tax laws the group said is making New Mexico less attractive than other states for physicians.

BCBSNM last week announced it is investing $500,000 to launch a grant program that will pay for signing bonuses, moving costs, salary assistance and loan repayment support.

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Independently owned physician practices will be able to apply for grants.

Dr. Brian Etheridge, BCBSNM chief medical officer of Medicaid, said the goal is for the grant program to help bring about 10 physicians to the state. That could have a huge impact, as doctors can see about 3,000 patients per year and support dozens of other technicians, nurses and administrator jobs.

"We recognize that this is just a part," Etheridge said. "This is not a silver bullet, but it's a piece of the puzzle."

BCBSNM is providing the $500,000 to the New Mexico Medical Foundation, which will establish a committee that will score applicants based on a variety of factors, including different health care needs throughout the state.

"In light of the state losing at least 248 active practice physicians since 2019, New Mexico Medical Foundation is excited to participate in this creative initiative to increase the number of practicing physicians in New Mexico" Annie Jung, director of the New Mexico Medical Foundation, said in a statement. "And we extend our gratitude to BCBSNM for their generous investment in the medical workforce."
SHANGHAI, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese procuratorial agencies are called on to step up their efforts in work relating to foreign affairs, in a bid to better serve the needs in maintaining security and building a better business environment.

The Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) on Thursday held a national meeting on foreign-related procuratorial work, the first meeting specially held on the issue by the SPP.

SPP Procurator-general Ying Yong said in his speech that the capabilities and quality of foreign-related procuratorial work should be enhanced to leverage judicial efforts to serve the country's diplomacy, national security and opening up.

Noting that safeguarding the country's political security should be a top priority in foreign-related prosecutorial work, Ying said it is necessary to ensure the security of China's state power, systems, and ideology with relevant work.

Also, efforts should be made to continuously strengthen international law enforcement and judicial cooperation in the security domain to jointly combat transnational crimes, and collaborate in international anti-corruption efforts to hunt down corrupt suspects at large and recover relevant assets, Ying said.

Moreover, Ying required strengthened work to support the building of a market-oriented and law-based business environment in keeping with international standards, noting that businesses of various types, including both domestic and foreign companies, should be put under equal protection in accordance with the law and transnational economic crimes should be strictly punished. 
Both directions on the 101 Freeway were closed for a little over an hour through downtown Los Angeles Friday morning due to a behavioral emergency, officials said.

The incident began shortly before 7 a.m. on the North Main Street overpass above the 101 Freeway.

A female patient on the Main St x 101 Fwy overpass experiencing a behavioral emergency, the Los Angeles Fire Department posted in a news alert.

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Sky5 was over the scene just after 7:30 a.m. as first responders had inflated a giant landing pad on the northbound freeway lanes.

Motorists were being detoured off the freeway and advised to seek alternate routes.

Fire officials said a patient was safe with Los Angeles police and fire crews as of 7:45 a.m.

The southbound lanes were reopened by 8 a.m. and the northbound side reopened about five minutes later.

No further details regarding the patient were immediately available.

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  The New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science gave members of the media a behind-the-scenes look at its new exhibit called Ancient Life, which will showcase life in New Mexico more than 250 million years ago, known as a time before the dinosaurs.

The exhibit, set to open in January, will feature around 300 fossils collected over the past 30 years from various locations in New Mexico. So its some of New Mexicos first fossil record, showcasing probably about seven or eight different environments that were here in New Mexico at that time. We know this from the rocks around the state and the fossils preserved in them, said Matt Celeskey, curator of exhibits at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science.

Some of those environments that were once present in New Mexico include ancient seas, beaches, coastal areas, jungles, swamps, and inland river valleys located hundreds of miles away from the sea, according to Dr. Spencer Lucas, curator of paleontology and curator of the new exhibit at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science.

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The exhibit will depict some of the creatures that roamed the earth during that time.

Weve got some of the most amazing fossils Ive ever had the pleasure to work with, including a complete shark from the Manzano Mountains that was buried there about 305 million years ago. We also have a life-size model showing what that shark looked like when it was alive, Celeskey explained. Well have footprints from a six-foot-long millipede that was running around north of Espanola. We have the skeleton of a sail-backed plant-eater named Gordodon, whose only fossils have been found down at Alamogordo.

Other fossils include those of the oldest tree-climbing reptile, called Eoscansor, the oldest discovered fossil in New Mexico: a trilobite fossil from around 500 million years ago discovered near the Caballo Mountains, remnants of plants, trees, and more.

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The Ancient Life exhibit will also feature replicas of some of the fossils that visitors will be able to touch. The curators hope the exhibit will not only educate people, but inspire people to be curious about the world around them. New Mexico, acre per acre, is practically the most fossiliferous place on Earth, said Lucas, also adding, And so our intention is to present something that you cannot see anywhere else, which is the ancient life or Paleozoic history of New Mexico.

During the Paleozoic Era, life crawled out of the sea for the first time, and amphibians, reptiles, and arthropods all evolved. The era ended with the Permian extinction, the largest extinction event in known history, which eventually paved the way for dinosaurs to evolve, according to the museum.

Ancient Life is the first major exhibit hall to open at the museum in about 16 to 17 years. It is replacing Origins Hall on the second floor of the museum and marks the first renovation of this space since 1987, just a year after the museum opened to the public.

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TALLINN, Estonia (AP)  Belarusian authorities have detained over 100 relatives of political prisoners in a new wave of arrests ahead of Januarys election in which authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko is seeking a seventh term, rights activists said Friday.

The Viasna human rights center said that the raids began Thursday, targeting relatives and friends of political prisoners in various cities across the country. They marked an apparent effort to uproot any remaining sign of opposition to Lukashenko, who has been in power for more than 30 years.

Belarus' opposition-leader-in-exile Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya denounced the latest arrests as a blow to solidarity among the Belarusians ahead of January's pseudo-election.

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The regime is trying to break our solidarity and scare the families helping their imprisoned relatives, she told The Associated Press.

Andrej Stryzhak, head of the BySol group which coordinates assistance to political prisoners and helps evacuate dissidents, told the AP that his organization was doing its best to help people leave the country if they fear arrest.

"The authorities are trying to destroy a solidarity network that has emerged in Belarus during four years of brutal repression, he said. BySol's evacuation service has been working at full capacity. We have a lot of requests.

Belarusian authorities responded to massive protests that were sparked by the widely disputed 2020 vote that gave Lukashenko a sixth term in office with a brutal crackdown in which about 65,000 people were arrested.

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Major opposition figures were either imprisoned or fled the country. Human rights activists say Belarus now holds about 1,300 political prisoners and that many of them are denied adequate medical care and contact with their families.

The authorities have intensified repressions ahead of the Jan. 26 election. A recent wave of arrests also targeted participants in online chats created by residents of apartment buildings in various Belarusian cities.

At the same time, Lukashenko has pardoned 146 political prisoners since July in what observers saw as a signal that he's open for a dialogue with the U.S. and the European Union, which had imposed sweeping sanctions because of his crackdowns on dissent. Those freed had health problems, wrote petitions for pardons and said they repented.

Earlier this week, the authorities also allowed imprisoned activist Maria Kolesnikova, one of the most popular opposition figures, to meet with her father after more than 20 months without any communication with relatives or friends.

The authorities are conducting an information campaign to create a semblance of a thaw, which increases the risks for politically active Belarusians, Stryzhak said.
Two of Alexander Lukashenkos challengers in upcoming 2025 presidential elections drop out before race even starts, pledge support for Belarusian dictator.

Lukashenko pardons 31 political prisoners as pre-election police raids intensify.

Lukashenko allows the family to visit Maria Kalesnikava in jail, ending over 600 days of holding the prominent opposition leader incommunicado.

Ukraine, Russia ombudsmen meet in Belarus to exchange fallen soldiers bodies, discuss PoW humanitarian issues.

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Rights groups push for international backing of Lithuanias ICC referral over the Lukashenko regimes abuses.

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Two of Lukashenkos sham election rivals drop out of 2025 presidential election race

Two sham candidates in the 2025 Belarusian presidential elections  Siarhei Bobrykau, Belarusian Union of Officers chair, and former spokeswoman of the Interior Ministry, Olga Chemodanova  said on Nov. 12 that they were dropping out of the race and endorsing incumbent Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko.

The first presidential election in Belarus since the contested 2020 elections, which sent the country into an unresolved political crisis, is scheduled for Jan. 26, 2025. The regime-controlled Central Elections Committee allowed six token candidates to challenge Lukashenko.

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Bobrykau justified his decision by saying he wanted to ensure the cohesion of the officer corps, and to prevent the military being in two minds about supporting the current head of state and our leader.

Belarusian dictator Aleksander Lukashenko walks off the stage after delivering a national statement during the high level segment on day two of the UNFCCC COP29 Climate Conference at Baku Stadium on Nov. 12, 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Chemodanova withdrew and similarly endorsed Lukashenko, saying that she, like other candidates, would form a reliable rear for him.

The monitoring campaign organized by the Belarusian Helsinki Committee and Viasna Human Rights Center said in a statement that such statements by fake presidential candidates are only to be expected, since they cannot exercise their right to participate in the countrys governance.

The candidates dropped out without even starting to collect the signatures in their support, roughly a week after the Central Elections Committee registered initiative groups to support their candidacies.

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The remaining registered candidates, Lukashenko himself and four loyalists  Anna Kanapatskaya, a sham candidate who took part in the 2020 presidential campaign; Siarhei Syrankou, the leader of the Communist Party of Belarus; Aleh Haidukevich, the leader of the pro-Lukashenko Liberal Democratic Party; and Alexander Hizhnyak, the leader of the Republican Party  have until Dec. 6 to gather over 100,000 signatures for their candidates in order to get on the ballot.

Lukashenko is seeking a seventh consecutive term in office after over four years of brutal crackdowns on civil society that have eliminated 1,700 non-profit organizations, outlawed all but four loyal political parties, and jailed Lukashenkos main political opponents along with around 1,300 people who are now considered to be political prisoners.

The new electoral cycle unfolds while repression continues to haunt those who signed for alternative candidates in the 2020 elections, along with police raids, searches and arrests of people who took part in public protests.

Read also: Kremlin finds new enemies to target  Russians without kids

31 political prisoners pardoned in Belarus amid sweeping police raids

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned 31 political prisoners convicted on charges of extremist activities  even as police raids sweep the country ahead of presidential elections scheduled for Jan. 26, 2025.

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Two women and 29 men were released, although their criminal records were not expunged, leaving them under strict control of the Internal Affairs Ministry, Lukashenkos press office said on Nov. 7, without disclosing the names of those pardoned.

Three of the pardoned prisoners reportedly have disabilities, and 17 have chronic diseases.

Human Rights activists in Belarus report that prisoners had been deprived of timely and adequate medical help and suffered harsh detention conditions while in prison.

This is the fifth round of pardons since July 2024, bringing the total number of pardoned individuals to 146. Even so, nearly 1,300 political prisoners remain behind bars, and over the same period, Human Rights Group Viasna recognized 205 more individuals as having been jailed on politically motivated charges.

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The release also coincided with nationwide police raids. Viasna reports that over 100 people, including 2020 protest participants, have been targeted since Oct. 31, which activists see as an intimidation effort ahead of Jan. 26, 2025 presidential elections. This will be the first presidential election since the 2020 mass public protests over the last poll, which was deemed not free or fair by the international community.

The contested presidential elections in Belarus in 2020 and subsequent nationwide protests sparked an unprecedented crackdown on civil society. Independent media and all but four regime-loyal political parties were eliminated, and Lukashenko regime opponents were jailed or forced into exile.

Seven political prisoners have died in custody.

Lukashenko allows family to visit opposition leader Maria Kalesnikava for the first time since her hospitalization in 2022

The father of prominent opposition figure Maria Kalesnikava has been allowed to visit her in a penal facility, breaking over 600 days of her being held in an incommunicado regime.

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Photos of the meeting were posted on Nov. 12 by former opposition blogger Raman Pratasievich, who was captured by Minsk in the forced landing of a commercial flight in 2021.

He has since become a propagandist for the Lukashenko regime.

Former political prisoners recognized the location in which the pictures were taken as the prison hospital, the independent news outlet Nasha Niva.

It remains unknown whether Kalesnikava is undergoing treatment or was delivered to the facility from solitary confinement where she is reportedly held. Nasha Niva also claims video footage of Kalesnikava is to be aired on Friday, Nov. 15.

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Kalesnikava, who led presidential candidate Viktar Babarykas campaign in 2020, was sentenced to 11 years in prison. In November 2022, she was taken to a prison hospital intensive care unit with a severe medical condition that had developed while she was in detention.

Following a brief visit by her father after that hospitalization, Kalesnikavas family was unable to contact her for over 600 days. Incommunicado regimes were imposed on Kalesnikava as well as several other high-profile political prisoners, such as former presidential candidates Viktar Babaryka and Siarhei Tsikhanouskiy, veteran politician Mikalai Statkevich, and RFE/RL correspondent Ihar Losik.

Members of Kalesnikavas family, who are actively seeking her release, say they were concerned for her life, and that prison food was unsuitable for her condition.

The family visit comes after BBC correspondent Steven Rosenberg questioned Lukashenko on Oct. 23 about Kalesnikavas condition. In response, Lukashenko declared he was ready to consider Kalesnikavas plea for a pardon. He claimed her family hadnt been granted visits because they didnt want to visit her.

Ukraine, Russia ombudsmen meet in Belarus to discuss humanitarian issues of war

Ukrainian Human Rights Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets and his Russian counterpart, Tatyana Moskalkova, met in Minsk on Nov. 8, to exchange lists of prisoners and letters from Ukrainian relatives to Ukrainian prisoners of war, and to discuss humanitarian issues amid Russias full-scale war against Ukraine.

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The meeting in Belarus, a co-aggressor state in Russias war against Ukraine, is thought to be the first since March 2022. While Belarus provided its territory for Russias offensive in February 2022, it has also been part of several Ukraine-Russia POW swaps.

During the meeting on Nov. 8, the parties also mutually repatriated the bodies of fallen soldiers. Kyiv received 563 bodies, while Russia received 37. One family was also reunited as a result of the meeting.

I emphasize that I interacted with the Russian ombudsman to resolve humanitarian issues, return Ukrainians home, and obtain information about our citizens in Russia, Lubinets said after the meeting.

The International Committee of the Red Cross also participated in the talks.

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After supporting the Russian war against Ukraine, Belarus took part in exchanging 103 Russian prisoners of war from Ukraine in September, and another 95 in October.

Earlier, in July, the Lukashenko regime also released five Ukrainian citizens imprisoned in Belarus on politically motivated grounds as part of a Russia-Ukraine prisoner swap. Lukashenko claimed he had released a prisoner accused of a sabotage attack on a Russian radar and control aircraft in Belarus at the request of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Ukrainian prisoner was exchanged for Metropolitan Jonathan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, who had been sentenced to five years in prison for justifying, recognizing as legitimate Russias war against Ukraine.

Aiding Russias efforts to gain the release of a convicted Russian assassin, Vadim Krasikov, Belarusian dictator Lukashenko pardoned German citizen Rico Krieger, who had been sentenced in Belarus to capital punishment for espionage, and returned him as part of a historic East-West prisoner swap in early August 2024.

12 human rights organizations urge states to support Lithuanias ICC referral against Lukashenko

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda speaks to members of the media during the NATO Summit in Washington, DC, U.S., on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, the Viasna Human Rights Center of Belarus, and nine other human rights organizations have called on state parties to the Rome Statute to endorse Lithuanias request to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the Belarusian authorities alleged crimes against humanity.

In the open letter published on Nov. 4, the civil society organizations urged ICC state parties to strengthen Lithuanias referral and send a united message to the Belarusian regime that the international community will not tolerate impunity for such crimes.

The International Accountability Platform for Belarus (IAPB), one of the organizations that signed the letter, reports that residents of Belarus have now sought exile in over 25 ICC State Parties, as well as at least 10 other States that have not ratified the Rome Statute.

Lithuania, which became home to Belaruss exiled opposition and 60,000 of the Belarusian diaspora in the aftermath of Lukashenkos brutal crackdown on dissent in 2020, on Sept. 30 formally requested that the ICC investigate the Belarusian regime for its alleged crimes against humanity.

The Lithuanian authorities maintain that by carrying out mass repression, Lukashenkos regime has forced hundreds of thousands of Belarusians to flee the country and settle in neighboring states  which may constitute the crime of mass deportation.

According to a UN special rapporteurs March 2024 report, around 300,000 Belarusian citizens have fled the country of under 10 million for fear of persecution.

Despite Belarus not being a party to the Rome Statute, the ICC has jurisdiction due to the alleged crimes being committed on participating nations territories. The ICC prosecutor general confirmed the receipt of the referral, claiming that a preliminary examination of the request is due, and its results will determine whether an investigation will be opened.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
KILLEEN, Texas (FOX 44)  Two individuals escaped from the Bell County Juvenile Detention Center on Thursday morning, but were quickly captured early in the afternoon.

Bell County Public Information Officer James Stafford says a Juvenile Supervision Officer at the Center witnessed the individuals scaling a fence to escape the facility at approximately 11:20 a.m. The Killeen Policy Department (KPD), Bell County Sheriffs Office, and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) responded and, by 2:10 p.m., both youths had been taken back into custody.

This was obviously an unfortunate situation, but, based on our initial investigation, it appears that all of our staff responded according to policy, Dawn Owens, the countys Chief Juvenile Probation Officer said. We are very grateful for the work of those partner agencies in locating and apprehending the two residents as quickly as they did.

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Stafford says that in keeping with protocol, the officer immediately radioed in a report of the incident, and Juvenile Center staff were able to alert KPD within seconds of the youths going over the wall. Within minutes, a perimeter had been established around the facility, a DPS helicopter had been dispatched, and K-9 units had been deployed.

As will any critical incident, we will be reviewing this event over the coming days to evaluate our response and assess our training practices to ensure the health and safety of all our staff and residents moving forward, Owens said.

Stafford says at the time of the incident, staff were allocated in accordance with state and federal policies with the mandated ratio of officers to residents. Immediately following the escape, the Bell County Juvenile Detention Center was placed on lockdown, with residents restricted to their housing units. Bell County Juvenile Services reported the incident to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) early Thursday afternoon as required, per standard.

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Ice cream maker Ben & Jerrys sued its parent company Unilever in federal court, alleging the consumer packaged goods giant sought to silence efforts to speak out on human rights issues surrounding the Israel-Hamas war.

The suit, filed in Manhattan federal court on Wednesday, alleges Unilever violated merger and settlement agreements with Ben & Jerrys and sought the unilateral erosion of the ice cream companys well-known social justice values through repeated overreaches.

Our heart goes out to all victims of the tragic events in the Middle East, Unilever said in a statement to Bloomberg Law. We reject the claims made by B&Js social mission board, and we will defend our case very strongly.

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The dispute dates back to 2021 when Ben & Jerrys decided to stop selling its products in the occupied West Bank, where Israel is widely considered to be violating international law.

The decision prompted controversy both in Israel and beyond, with some Unilever shareholders selling off bonds in protest. Investors in Unilever also sued.

The following year, Unilever sought to sell Ben & Jerrys Israel business to a partner in the region under tweaked branding, a move which the ice cream maker sued to block, arguing it had been done without its consent. Unilever and Ben & Jerrys settled in late 2022.

Vemont-based ice cream manufacturer has been clashing with parent company Unilever for years over Israel stance (REUTERS)

Under the terms of the settlement, Ben & Jerrys said in its suit this week, Unilever affirmed its commitment to respecting the ice cream companys independent board and its authority over Ben & Jerrys Social Mission and Brand Integrity. Its an arrangement Ben & Jerrys said is also enshrined in the companies merger agreement from the year 2000.

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When Hamas invaded Israel last October and war broke out, the relationship between the two companies broke down, according to the suit.

On four occasions, Unilever blocked attempts to speak out, per the complaint.

In 2023, the company allegedly threatened to dismantle the Ben & Jerrys board and sue individual board members if they issued a statement calling for peace and a ceasefire, with senior executives Peter ter Kulve and Jeff Eglash allegedly attempting to intimidate Ben & Jerrys personnel with professional reprisals.

The company also reportedly shot down statements supporting the right of campus protesters to speak out about the war in Gaza, as well as allegedly nixing planned calls in 2024 for halting arms sales to Israel and a statement calling for safe passage of Palestinian refugees.

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The suit alleges that Unilever opposed the refugee statement, citing bad timing due to a recent Iranian attack on Israel, and concerns about the continued perception of antisemitism.

In addition to keeping statements from going public, Unilever also allegedly sought to block portions of $5m Ben & Jerrys said it was entitled to direct towards human rights organizations under the terms of their 2022 settlement over the West Bank issues.

The suit claims Unilever objected to giving funds to Jewish Voice for Peace, a left-leaning advocacy group that has been critical of Israel, and the San Francisco chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, citing the need for neutrality. The complaint notes that Unilever has chosen sides in other conflicts, such as publicly condemning Russias invasion of Ukraine, and has allegedly donated to an Israeli organization that works with the government to provide emergency medical services, including to those impacted by the Israel-Hamas war.

Unilever is seeking to spin off or sell Ben & Jerrys by the end of next year.

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Despite a growing trend of corporations speaking out about social issues, public stances about the Israel-Palestine conflict remain highly fraught in the corporate world.

Numerous U.S. states have laws making it illegal for state agencies to work with companies that have called for boycotting, divestment, or sanctions against illegal.

The American Civil Liberties Union argues such laws are designed to discriminate against disfavored political expression.
Its a problem that Berks County officials know they need to solve.

Like counties across the state, Berks has been struggling for years with a severe shortage of space at youth detention centers. The situation has left the county scrambling, sometimes even resorting to having young offenders spend weekends inside the youth probation office.

To address the issue, Berks is teaming up with Dauphin and Lehigh counties to reopen and operate its former youth detention center on County Welfare Road in Bern Township, which closed its doors in 2012.

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And on Thursday, the Berks County commissioners decided to ask for some additional help.

The commissioners unanimously approved a resolution submitting a letter of intent to request funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to assist in the restoration of the former Berks County Youth Detention Center.

The board in February approved an emergency declaration allowing officials to expedite the restoration of the detention center.

The rapid response to restore the center came after several county officials directly involved in the juvenile criminal justice system sounded the alarm this year that there is a desperate need for access to juvenile detention space amid a severe statewide shortage and a recent increase in young offenders.

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The center is in need of substantial repairs and upgrades. In particular, restoration work is needed to fix water damage caused by a pipe that froze and burst in December 2022.

Chief Operations Officer Kevin Barnhardt told the board on Thursday that the letter is a key element in the process of reopening the facility, adding that the costs to renovate and operate the center will be shared equally between the three counties involved.

Each county is in for the exact same percentage, he said.

Barnhardt said that about a month ago the county invited representatives from the Department of Human Services to tour the facility and received positive feedback.

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They understand the concept of a regional effort and we are asking today for the board to approve forwarding this letter of intent for funding to make the capital upgrades to reopen the facility, he said. The future is looking very promising.

He said commissioners from Dauphin and Lehigh counties are expected to pass the same resolution in the weeks ahead.

Barnhardt said the plan is to create an entity that will oversee the finances and operations at the center with representatives from each participating county.

Were really pleased with the progress weve made with the other counties, he said. Everyone at this point seems locked in and wants to see this happen.

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County Commissioners Chairman Christian Leinbach said its important for people to keep in mind that it would be highly unlikely that the three counties could do this on their own.

The financial requirements are just too significant, he said. There are things we can do more effectively and efficiently as a joint effort than we can alone. I dont think we would be able to go ahead with this on our own.
NEW BERN, N.C. (WNCT)  A barricade situation between the New Bern Police Department and 32 -year-old Kwame Bias ended peacefully Thursday night.

According to a press release, New Bern PD attempted to serve an arrest warrant for Bias. The charges were discharging a firearm into an occupied property and injury to personal property.

Bias didnt comply with officers and barricaded himself in the home. Officers believed Bias had access to a firearm and was considered a threat to the public.

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After several hours, the New PDs Special Response Team and Police Negotiators were able to de-escalate the situation ad Bias surrendered peacefully.

Bias was arrested and placed under a $150,000 bond.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT.
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  Governor Beshear joined Shelby County leaders and executives from Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing to announce the largest jobs announcement in the commonwealth since 2022.

According to a release from Beshear, the nearly $712 million project is projected to create 1,572 high-tech jobs representing the third-largest project for job creation during the administration and the fourth largest-investment. Beshear says the project will establish a 6-gigawatt hour battery cell, module and packaging manufacturing facility in a 1 million-square-foot-building located on Logistics Drive in Shelbyville.

This is the single largest investment and job creation announcement we have on record for Shelby County, and it is the largest project Kentucky has seen this year, said Beshear. This project will solidify our role as a leader in the countrys energy storage sector and will transform our economy, creating opportunities for Kentucky families for generations.

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Production at the plant is expected to begin by the end of 2025.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
Gov. Andy Beshear touted the investments the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law brought to Kentucky on the third anniversary of the laws signing.

The law, signed by President Joe Biden in 2021, was a $1.2 trillion bill that was meant to repair and enhance America's infrastructure, including public transportation, roads, bridges, ports and railways.

From the package, Kentucky received at least $69 million to help complete portions of the Appalachian Development Highway System, a network that connects national interstates to Appalachia.

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The commonwealth also received $438 million in funding to rehabilitate, repair and replace bridges across the state, including the construction of a companion to the Brent Spence Bridge  which was finally greenlit through the infrastructure act after nearly 20 years of discussions.

"Projects of this magnitude simply don't happen without something like the bipartisan infrastructure law," Beshear said on a press call Thursday morning with U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "So I want to thank President Biden. I want to thank Vice President (Kamala) Harris. I want to thank the secretary for delivering this historic funding we requested."

Governor of Kentucky, Andy Beshear, speaks during an event to give remarks on the bipartisan infrastructure law which will fund major changes to the Brent Spence Bridge and surrounding infrastructure at a lot on the banks of the Ohio River in Covington, Ky., on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Natalie Quillian and Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt also joined the call to celebrate the third anniversary of the signing and preview $3.4 billion in new grant announcements.

During the call, Beshear also highlighted the recent announcement of a $116.3-million federal grant to help expedite the final section of the Mountain Parkway Expansion project, saying it will open up more parts of Appalachia to bring more manufacturing and economic development.

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"This is truly a road that will bring opportunity, and it's been promised for 40-plus years, but the funding is there for the first time in our history," Beshear said.

Beshear also thanked Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell, among others, who supported the act.

Buttigieg said the $3.4 billion in new grants will support state and locally-led projects, including improving railway safety, enhancing the rail along the northeast corridor and supporting domestic manufacturing of sustainable transportation materials.

"The 2020s will be viewed as a turning point that ushered in the improvements that will sustain our 21st and even 22nd-century economy, Buttigieg said.

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Quillian said the Biden administration is remaining focused on "accelerating our permitting timelines" and continuing to lower costs and expand opportunities across the country in its final weeks in office.

"This agenda has already improved the lives of millions of Americans, and we know that the full impacts of it will even be felt for years to come," Quillian said.

Reach reporter Hannah Pinski at @hpinski@courier-journal.com or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @hannahpinski.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: How much has Kentucky benefitted from Biden's infrastructure law?
MANILA, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Personal remittances from overseas Filipinos reached 3.34 billion U.S. dollars in September 2024, 3.3 percent higher than the 3.23 billion dollars recorded in September 2023, the Philippine central bank said Friday.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the cumulative personal remittances rose by 3 percent to 28.07 billion dollars in January-September 2024, from 27.24 billion dollars recorded in the same period in 2023.

The BSP said the growth in cash remittances from the United States, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates contributed mainly to the increase in remittances in the first nine months of 2024.

Personal remittances remain a vital source of foreign exchange inflow into the Southeast Asian country. According to the Asian Development Bank, the Philippines is among the top 10 global recipients of remittances. There are an estimated 10 million Filipinos living overseas.

The BSP data showed that personal remittances from overseas Filipinos reached an all-time high of 37.2 billion dollars in 2023, 3 percent higher than the amount recorded in 2022. The full-year 2023 remittances represented 8.5 percent of the country's gross domestic product. 
Four people, including a juvenile, were injured after a 22-year-old carjacking suspect crashed into the pedestrians and a building amid the Rodeo Nights, Holiday Lights celebrations in Beverly Hills Thursday night, officials confirmed to KTLA.

Authorities with the Beverly Hills Police Department said they received reports of a carjacking just after 7 p.m. in the 400 block of North Bedford Drive.

The victim stated that an unknown male suspect used force to steal her vehicle, a black BMW X3, before fleeing the area, BHPD said in a news release.

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Not long after the carjacking, authorities received a 911 call regarding a vehicle-versus-pedestrian traffic collision near Wilshire Boulevard and Camden Drive.

In footage of the incident posted to the Citizen App, the black BMW is seen on the sidewalk where it came to a stop after crashing into a building. The vehicle as well as a portion of the buildings exterior showed significant damage, with the airbags deployed inside the vehicle.

Four people were rushed to the hospital after 22-year-old carjacking suspect crashed into pedestrians during the Rodeo Nights, Holiday Lights celebration in Beverly Hills on Nov. 14, 2024. (Citizen) Four people were rushed to the hospital after 22-year-old carjacking suspect crashed into pedestrians during the Rodeo Nights, Holiday Lights celebration in Beverly Hills on Nov. 14, 2024. (Citizen) Four people were rushed to the hospital after 22-year-old carjacking suspect crashed into pedestrians during the Rodeo Nights, Holiday Lights celebration in Beverly Hills on Nov. 14, 2024. (Citizen) Four people were rushed to the hospital after 22-year-old carjacking suspect crashed into pedestrians during the Rodeo Nights, Holiday Lights celebration in Beverly Hills on Nov. 14, 2024. (Citizen) Four people were rushed to the hospital after 22-year-old carjacking suspect crashed into pedestrians during the Rodeo Nights, Holiday Lights celebration in Beverly Hills on Nov. 14, 2024. (Citizen) Four people were rushed to the hospital after 22-year-old carjacking suspect crashed into pedestrians during the Rodeo Nights, Holiday Lights celebration in Beverly Hills on Nov. 14, 2024. (Citizen)

Paramedics at the scene were working to get those injured during the incident onto a stretcher by the car, while several other people can be seen gathered around another victim laying on the ground not far away.

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During the initial information gathering, it was discovered that the driver of the involved stolen vehicle lost control and crashed, police said. The driver fled the scene on foot, leaving behind multiple injured victims.

L.A. street gangs tied to Mexican cartels exposed in sprawling bust

Responding officers were able to quickly locate and arrest the suspect, identified as James Portul, a resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The victims, two adult males, an adult female and a juvenile male were, were rushed to the hospital for treatment. Their conditions were not immediately known.

The 22-year-old suspect was booked on charges of carjacking and hit-and-run with injury, authorities said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Critics of Benjamin Netanyahu will probably be disappointed to learn that there are no major revelations in The Bibi Files, Alexis Blooms documentary concerning the corruption charges that have been swirling around the Israeli prime minister since 2016. Nonetheless, theyll find much to feast on  including the leaked footage of police interrogations of him, his wife Sara and son Yair, which resulted in Netanyahu trying to get the film blocked by Israeli courts.

Making its official world premiere at DOC NYC  following an earlier work-in-progress screening at the Toronto International Film Festival, and shortly ahead of its theatrical and streaming releases  The Bibi Files paints a damning portrait of its subjects machinations to stay in power.

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The aforementioned charges resulted in various indictments in 2019 for breach of trust, accepting bribes and fraud, with the cases still ongoing. Netanyahu has asked for the latest part of the trial to be postponed due to the current war with Hamas, which has caused many to suspect that his management of the conflict stems as much from his desire to avoid prosecution as his oft-stated goal of total victory. As investigative journalist Raviv Drucker (one of the movies producers) puts it, The war became another instrument to stay in power.

Although transcripts of the inquiries have previously been released, The Bibi Files represents the first opportunity to see actual footage. And it is indeed revealing, if only to see the consummate politician and media master vent his frustration over being asked about such things as accepting gifts of, among others, expensive cigars. So this is a crime? he fulminates. How terrible!

Of course, not all of the gifts he received were so trivial  as demonstrated by a piece of jewelry worth tens of thousands of dollars, given to his wife Sara by Israeli film producer Arnon Milchan (The Revenant and 12 Years a Slave, and many others).

Netanyahu mostly displays an unflappable coolness during questioning: Time flies when youre having fun, he says wryly at the end of one session. But there are times when he loses his temper, banging his fist on the table and shouting Liar! Liar! when informed of one witness allegation. But what he shows most often is an apparently very poor memory, answering I dont remember to question after question. Its a mental quality he shares with another politician with whom he has much in common, Donald Trump.

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Sara, on the other hand, is a real piece of work who makes fully believable the comment by one interviewee that I think Bibi is afraid of Sara. An alleged heavy drinker with a fierce temper, she doesnt take kindly to being asked about receiving presents of wine and champagne. There are terror attacks, and youre asking about bottles? she fumes.

Both pale, however, in comparison to their son Yair, whos seen as being even more right-wing than his father. He reveals his contempt for both the media and the law enforcement authorities who dare to go after his family. You investigate because the Israeli police has become the Stasi secret police, trying to overthrow the government, he sneers. A police force of mafiosos.

Aside from those juicy parts, but the film also includes incisive and frequently damning commentary from the likes of Netanyahus former aide Nir Hefetz, former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert and Israeli politician Ami Ayalon, previously the head of the countrys security agency Shin Bet. Among the more serious allegations are ones involving Netanyahus manipulations to insure positive press coverage from such outlets as the Walla news website. We felt like a restaurant serving only one person, a journalist comments, adding that code words like less paprika meant that the story should be less critical.

The documentary, whose producers include Alex Gibney, persuasively argues that Netanyahu supported Hamas for his own political purposes. Of course, thats not quite how he sees it, as illustrated by his using a quote from The Godfather to describe his strategy: Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, he tells his interrogators.

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The Bibi Files inevitably concludes with harrowing footage of the Oct. 7 attack and the resulting Israel-Hamas war, which critics suspect Netanyahu is prolonging for his own political survival. In a moving testimony, one of the survivors of the attack expresses her hope for all of the facts to come out, and for eventual peace. Its a welcome positive note from a film in which theres plenty of ugliness on display.

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(Bloomberg) -- As US President Joe Biden arrived in Peru for back-to-back summits with some of the worlds most powerful leaders, his aides expected lots of questions about Donald Trump.

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Part of Wednesdays meeting between Trump and Biden included a discussion on a coordinated approach to diplomacy to make sure they were not working at cross-purposes, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters Thursday aboard Air Force One.

Weve indicated were prepared to do that, he said.

Still, White House aides acknowledged that Biden was likely to get asked about Trump and his approach to foreign policy as he met with leaders at APEC and the Group of 20 summit, which starts on Monday in Brazil.

Bidens approach will depend on the situation. With some countries, pull-aside conversations will be an opportunity to make sure that hes taking stock of the health of the relationship, Sullivan said. That includes a planned bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, where Biden plans to convey longstanding American positions about foreign policy challenges in the region and lay out what he is handing off to Trump.

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In other cases  like a subsequent trilateral meeting with Ishiba and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol  Biden will look to cement a tradition of the three leaders meeting that hes prioritized during his term, in hopes it will endure into the Trump administration. They will also discuss more immediate challenges, like North Koreas recent ballistic missile tests and the deployment of troops to assist Russias military.

Biden is also bracing for some leaders to have tough questions about Trumps plans on the global stage.

In some cases, hell say, I dont speak for the incoming administration. So Im not sure what theyre going to do, I can only tell you what I believe in, Sullivan said.

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LIMA, Peru (AP)  President Joe Biden on Friday praised the cooperation between South Korea, Japan and the U.S. at countering what he described as North Korea's dangerous and destabilizing cooperation with Russia.

Biden spoke at the start of a meeting in Peru with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. The talks came amid heightened concerns about North Koreas growing military partnership with Russia and Pyongyangs stepped-up cadence of ballistic missile tests.

Biden celebrated the partnership between Japan and South Korea, two countries that have historical enmity but under Biden's presidency are now tightening security and economic ties as their corner of the world becomes more complicated.

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Biden noted that it would be his last meeting with them but that the trilateral partnership should be preserved for years to come.

Im proud of how far weve come, Biden said. Whatever the issue, weve taken it on together.

It comes as North Korea has deployed thousands of troops to Russia to help Moscow try to claw back land in the Kursk border region that Ukraine seized earlier this year.

As we can see from the recent deployment of DPRK troops to Russia, the challenging security environment within and outside the region once again reminds us the importance of our trilateral cooperation, Yoon said, using the initials for North Koreas formal name and speaking through a translator.

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Ishiba also emphasized the importance of the three nations acting as a bulwark against North Korea and pointed to recent military exercises between the three nations as a sign of cooperation.

A three-day exercise in June was geared toward improving joint ballistic missile defense, anti-submarine warfare, surveillance and other skills and capabilities and to help the three countries improve their ability to share missile warnings  increasingly important as North Korea tests ever-more sophisticated systems.

I look forward to furthering our partnership in response against North Korea and in many other areas, Ishiba said through a translator.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered a series of ballistic missile tests in the lead-up to this months U.S. election and is claiming progress on efforts to build capability to strike the U.S. mainland.

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White House officials are concerned that Pyongyang could be dialed up for more provocative action ahead of President-elect Donald Trumps inauguration and the early days of his administration.

I do not think we can count on a period of quiet with the DPRK, said White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan. The transitions have historically been time periods when the DPRK has taken provocative actions both before and after the transition from one president to a new president.

Biden, Yoon, and Ishibas conversation largely focused on the growing threat caused by North Korea and Russias cooperation, according to a senior administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private conversations. The official said Trump and how the change in administration might affect the trilateral relationship did not come up.

Biden is on a six-day visit to Latin America for the final major international summits of his presidency, following up APEC with a gathering in Brazil of leaders from the Group of 20 top economies. He's likely to face questions from world leaders about the incoming administration as they turn their attention to what Donald Trump's return to the White House will mean for them.

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Biden took part in an informal meeting with other APEC leaders and met with Peru President Dina Boluarte. Biden thanked her for Perus efforts to counter drug trafficking and noted the $65 million the U.S. is providing her country over the next five years to assist in that effort, including nine Blackhawk helicopters.

Biden also met one-on-one with Ishiba  their first in-person since the Japanese prime minister took office on Oct. 1  ahead of the three-country meeting focused on North Korea-Russia ties.

The introduction of North Korean troops to the Russia-Ukraine conflict comes as Moscow has seen a favorable shift in momentum. Trump has signaled that he could push Ukraine to agree to give up some land seized by Russia to find an end to the conflict.

Up to 12,000 North Korean troops have been sent to Russia, according to U.S., South Korean and Ukrainian assessments.

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U.S. and South Korean intelligence officials say North Korea also has provided Russia with significant amounts of munitions to replenish its dwindling weapons stockpiles.

The talks between the U.S., South Korea and Japan follow up on a partnership launched at a historic 2023 meeting at the U.S. presidential retreat at Camp David, Maryland.

Biden nudged Japan and South Korea to put aside years of historic animosity and strengthen economic and security ties as they confront the threat from North Korea and increasing military assertiveness by China in the Pacific.

The three countries signed a pledge agreeing to consult, share information and align their messaging with each other in the face of a threat or crisis.

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Sullivan said the Biden administration is working to ensure the three-country cooperation is an enduring feature of American policy. He expects it would continue under Trump, noting its bipartisan support, but acknowledged it was up to the incoming presidents team.

Both Yoon and Ishiba already have reached out to Trump and are aiming to keep their countries relationships with the incoming administration on steady footing amid the heightened tensions.

Just hours before Election Day in the U.S., North Korea fired a barrage of short-range ballistic missiles into the sea.

Those launches came days after Kim supervised a flight test of the countrys newest intercontinental ballistic missile designed to be able to reach the U.S. mainland. In response, the United States flew a long-range B-1B bomber in a trilateral drill with South Korea and Japan on Sunday in a show of force.

___

Santana reported from Washington.
LIMA, Peru  President Joe Biden will have his last chance this weekend to emergency-proof the U.S.-China relationship before President-elect Donald Trump returns to office and embarks on what is expected to be a harsh reset on already frayed relations between the two nations.

As he meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Lima on Saturday, Biden is likely to seek to preserve recently restored military-to-military communications to prevent misunderstandings that could spark unintended conflict between two hostile powers.

It will be a challenge for Biden to push any message of continuity from the U.S., after Trump won a decisive victory with promises to impose punishing tariffs on China and said he would nominate Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), a fierce critic of Beijing, to be his secretary of State.

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Still, China may be willing to take some steps to solidify small gains made with Biden over the past four years, as Xi faces economic challenges at home and looks to improve his countrys bargaining position with the new U.S. administration.

I wouldnt be shocked if the Chinese are trying to get agreement on the principles that have guided the relationship the last four years, said Zack Cooper, a China expert who held senior roles in the Defense Department and the National Security Council during the Obama administration. Maybe they want to be able to say going into the next administration that over the last four years, we agreed on some principles, heres what they are, and try to hold the next team to that.



That could mean reiterating the value of U.S.-China communication working groups for military, economic and financial information-sharing, which are at risk of cancellation under the incoming Trump administration. Or the two leaders could express support for a pact on how to develop and deploy artificial intelligence.

The reestablishment of crisis communications channels between the U.S. and China was a major achievement of the Biden administration, something national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the president wants to cement.

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Sullivan described the meeting as an opportunity to ensure a smooth transition, and also to continue to keep those channels of communication open, including those especially critical military-to-military channels of communication.

That could be an important line of defense given that Trump has questioned whether the U.S. should continue its ironclad support of Taiwan  a stance that could give China an opening to launch a much-threatened invasion.

A Biden-Xi meeting is important in sustaining the diplomatic stabilization that has been underway for the past two years  the Taiwan issue, in particular, requires continuous communication, said Susan Shirk, former deputy assistant secretary of State in the Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Affairs in the Clinton administration.

Still, Biden is limited in the moves he can make. Military-to-military communications have already gotten to the point the Biden administration had been trying to reach. The last outstanding working group focused on crisis communications had its debut meeting last month. Theres little more Biden can do except express hope that those mechanisms sustain under Trump.

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The secretary of Defense would be in charge of maintaining those communication channels. And Trumps nominee for the role, Pete Hegseth, is likely to be skeptical of U.S.-China military links. Hesgeth has warned that China is building a military to defeat the United States and repeated allegations  first made by Trump in May  that tens of thousands of Chinese nationals are on the southern border as part of that strategy.



Many China watchers are expecting the meeting will end up as more of an attempt by Biden to tout his administrations successes with China  small as they may be. The Biden administration has pointed to Beijings crackdown on domestic producers of fentanyl precursor chemicals and dialogue on the responsible use of artificial intelligence as two solid wins in its outreach to Beijing.

We all understand that this is President Bidens farewell tour, said Josh Lipsky, a senior director at the Atlantic Council and former special adviser to the Under Secretary of State for public diplomacy during the Obama administration. Everything about [the Biden-Xi] meeting will be looking backward, not as much looking forwards.

Biden and Xi could use their final meeting to reach an agreement on reopening their respective consulates in Houston and Chengdu that the two sides closed in a fit of tit-for-tat diplomatic rancor during the first Trump administration. But that could be easily overturned by Trumps China hawk Secretary of State nominee Rubio if he is confirmed.

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The Chinese have no incentive to give anything to the U.S. that can be reversed by the incoming administration, said Evan Feigenbaum, a China expert who served twice as deputy assistant secretary of State under former President George W. Bush.

One action that Biden and Xi could take before Jan. 20 would be the release of two U.S. citizens behind bars in China that the State Department considers wrongfully detained. The two governments negotiated a prisoner swap in September for another U.S. citizen, which could be a good sign for long-running talks to free the remaining two.

Theres also a chance that Xi and his team  who have limited access to Trump and his advisers  might pump Biden for insights on how to deal with the incoming administration, such as whether Trump will deliver on his vow of 60 percent tariffs on Chinese imports.

In some ways, the real tell of where Xi sees the U.S.-China relationship headed in a second Trump administration will come in the moments following the meeting. The tone and degree of detail in Chinese state media coverage of the meeting compared to Xis encounters with other leaders will show how Xi ranks the importance of his talk with Biden.



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The photos that state media publish of the meeting and how they frame Xis interaction with Biden will also message Chinas view of their encounter. Chinas state media has a history of selectively deploying photos of leader-to-leader meetings that flatter Xi while demeaning his foreign counterpart.

Cooper, whos now at the American Enterprise Institute think tank, argued that for Biden, the meeting with Xi may not even be high on his priority list for his final foreign trip.

Biden will likely be more focused on the G20 in Rio de Janeiro the following week and the need to showcase how tied together the U.S. is with its allies, Cooper said, adding that a good meeting with Xi was not critical to that mission.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  Nearly 400 miles traveled by helicopter from Muscle Shoals to Asheville, North Carolina all in the name of saving those devastated by Hurricane Helene.

Brett Harlow and his team of veterans from AOG Solutions took it upon themselves, as soon as they saw the damage, to fly their company helicopter to North Carolina and join the hurricane relief effort. Once they flew in, they instantly knew they made the right decision.

WATCH: Veterans Voices  Honoring Those Who Served

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Highly inaccessible roads, catastrophic damage to the roads, the infrastructure, hospitals just washed out. It looks like a third-world country, Harlow said to News 19 while in North Carolina on October 2.

With the background of being veterans, they feel a strong pull to put their lives on hold and at risk to help fellow Americans, even when theyre also entering the eye of the storm.

The military, you know, instills from day one is like, look, youre bigger than just you, Harlow said. Youre part of a team. But not only are you part of a team, youre part of the nation.

For 12 days, they provided care to citizens and saved lives.

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Forging Community: Huntsville blacksmith mentors veterans struggling with mental health

A 9-year-old girl, Harlow detailed. She was having kidney issues, hadnt eaten in a couple days, so we ended up getting her out of there and taking her to the hospital.

The crew did everything they could to help, from delivering basic needs of water and medication to reconnecting isolated areas to the Internet with Starlink Satellite Systems. Harlow described that Hurricane Helenes path of destruction was dangerously extreme.

People wandering and looking for other loved ones, Harlow said. People that were stranded on top of mountains that have hadnt seen anybody for 2 or 3 days. It was hard to even fathom.

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After serving North Carolina for over a week, the crew headed back to Alabama to repair the helicopter. But the pitstop in the Yellowhammer state didnt slow them down, taking off days later to North Carolina for the second time.

Every landing and every rescue, every supply drop we did was just another reason to continue to be out there and stayed to help, Harlow said.

Once those 12 days came to an end and it was time to return home for good, Harlow said the hardest part was feeling like they were leaving people who needed their help behind.

You just knew that you werent going to be able to help, you know when you were gone and you knew how much work we were doing and how much help we actually were, Harlow said.

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This rescue mission was the first of many. Harlows team is now a part of Operation Halo as an on-call rescue helicopter.

A drop of a hat, well be there, Harlow said.

Ready anytime and anywhere to do it all again.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Sioux Falls Police want you to be on the lookout for a brand new blue electric-assist bike.

Over $100k in damage in Thursday morning crash spree

The thief smashed out a window to get inside a bike shop on Cliff Avenue and 26th Street.

Evidently some citizen apparently needed a new bicycle more than others and left behind his old bicycle and rode off on a blue electric assist full suspension Trek mountain bike, said Sgt. Travis Olsen with Sioux Falls Police.

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The stolen bike is worth $6,500. Theres also about $7,000 in damage to the business.

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HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM)  Pennsylvania is adding more safeguards in Protection From Abuse orders.

New legislation will allow judges to add pets when issuing PFA orders and offenders will face stiffer penalties.

According to the Humane Society, more than 70% of domestic violence victims say their abusers also target their pets to further the emotional and physical trauma.

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The bill passed through the legislature and Governor Josh Shapiro (D) is expected to sign it into law.

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WENCHANG, Hainan, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- China plans to launch the cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-8 from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern island province of Hainan around 11: 13 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Friday, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

The Long March-7 Y9 carrier rocket carrying Tianzhou-8 has been filled with propellant and is ready for the launch, the agency said. 
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD)  A state bill could help businesses recoup revenue lost during unexpected road closures and delays. The proposal comes as small business owners from Lansing to Kalamazoo struggle to stay open during major roadwork.

In Kalamazoo, Midtown Fresh Market has been surrounded by construction barriers for most of the summer.

Within one summer it can all be taken away from me, said Paul Petros, store director and owner. It wasnt your competition, it wasnt your service, it wasnt your quality, it wasnt your prices.

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He said he lost hundreds of thousands of dollars as customers lost easy access to the plaza the store sits on.

Its a ghost town: Construction hurting Kalamazoo businesses

Thank God, this week we have started to see regular customers we havent seen in a long time. Its still kind of tough with Westnedge (Avenue) not done yet, you need a mountain truck to get through there, said the grocer.

As Petros braces for the holiday season and wonders if customers will make their way back to the store, help could be on the way in the form of a bill in Lansing.

Senate bill 1053, introduced last month by state Sen. Sarah Anthony, D-Lansing and co-sponsored by several Senate Democrats and a Republican lawmaker, would create the Road Construction Business Loss Reimbursement Program through the Michigan Department of Transportation.

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Kalamazoo businesses ask city for financial help during construction

State Sen. Sean McCann, D-Kalamazoo, said there has been a call for any type of support from small business owners during this construction season.

I drive around the community myself  certainly get a lot of feedback, whether its, you know, hearing directly from local small businesses that were impacted or hearing about it secondhand or talking to my friends neighbors,  the severity of like We wont survive. Our small business wont survive because of these kinds of impacts is nothing to take lightly, he said.

The bill outlines that qualifying businesses could get up to $15,000 per year in a grant. The business owner would have to show the revenue loss by providing profit averages from the previous three years.

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If you can say like, Look, this is how my business has done the past three years. And then heres what we did this year and were down 70%. Then the state would grant some funds back to that business to try to keep them going, said McCann.

The amount businesses could get would depend on the rate of revenue loss, the duration of the construction project, proximity to the roadwork and how car and foot traffic has been affected.

Fulton/Division closure nerve-wracking for business owners

Currently, fines collected by the Michigan Department of Transportation from contractors who miss deadlines are left in the MDOT general fund. Those fines would be redirected into the program fund under the proposed legislation.

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McCann said that the idea is focused on supporting businesses affected by state projects like the I-94 and Portage Road project but there could be wider eligibility.

Maybe theres a way to factor that into the legislation, or maybe local governments could take a cue from this and really up their game on how theyre helping here, he said.

Petros said the impact on small businesses should be part of the planning that goes into road construction. He hopes a bill like this one can bring the needed relief for people like him.

I have 50 other employees just in this store alone that I have to protect. So its a lot on the line. If the state can just come up with something great and itll be a great example, he said.

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The bill currently has been referred to the appropriations committee.

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Five employees and the director of the propertys equestrian center ensured all horses were safe.

The Biltmore Company

When Hurricane Helene ripped through western North Carolina in September, it devastated Asheville and many other communities nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, leaving a record-breaking path of destruction in its wake, including the famed Biltmore Estate.

In the midst of the storm, six unlikely heroes emergedfive Biltmore Estate employees and the estates Director of Equestrian Activities, who successfully sheltered all 54 of the Biltmores horses, ensuring they were safe and fed.

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Prior to the storms arrival, Cassie Hague, Caroline Wright, Cierra Guerrigues, Mango Lukenda, and Annie Crandell had volunteered to stay at the main stable with the horses to keep them safe under the assumption it would just be for one night. The Estates Director of Equestrian Activities, Elizabeth McLean, was sheltering in a different location on the sprawling 8,000-acre property.

When one night turned to three, the team knew they needed to get creative to make sure everyone survived, especially after losing access to any escape route thanks to downed trees and the running water supply being cut.

The river road was under 30 feet of water, and the back road had probably 50 trees down on it, Wright told the Asheville Citizen Times. "We were just isolated here. We had enough water for Friday, but then we did a lot of brainstorming (on) Friday night."

The team eventually managed to fill troughs with rainwater to bolster their supply, before they had to resort to hauling buckets filled with water from a nearby creek. Unbeknownst to the team of workers, McLean was fighting her way to them, traversing down trees and shrubbery to rescue her workers.

The Biltmore Company

By the fourth morning of isolation, McLean made it to the main stables to an incredible sight: all five of the workers and all horses aliveand safe.

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"I was elated, Wright told Citizen Times of seeing McLean. "We all hugged each other so much. Best hugs we've had in a long time."

A spokesperson from the Biltmore Estate tells Southern Living, Elizabeth was so proud of her team's ability to work quickly and creatively to ensure the horses, and everyone, made it through the storm safely.

While many families continue to rebuild their lives in the wake of the catastrophic storm, Western North Carolina has already begun welcoming back visitors just in time for the holidaysincluding the Biltmore Estate.

Visitors coming back to Biltmore and the Asheville area will help our economy during this recovery period, a spokesperson for Biltmore tells Southern Living. Christmas at Biltmore can be experienced on the same grand scale that our guests are accustomed to; we did not scale back in our decor this year despite the storm. We can't wait to share this especially meaningful holiday season with our community and with visitors to the Asheville area.



Related: Nurses On Horseback Delivering Aid To North Carolina Community Cut Off By Hurricane Helene
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  Gulf Coast students interested in switching from the culinary arts to hospitality careers will be able to do so more easily as Bishop State Community College and the University of South Alabama reached an articulation agreement.

Mobile teen sentenced to 35 years for 2021 murder of 16-year-old

According to a Bishop State news release, the agreement will provide a pathway for culinary arts graduates to transfer associate degree credits toward a bachelors degree in hospitality and tourism management.

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A degree in hospitality and tourism management prepares students for a range of careers in the hospitality, tourism, and service industries by providing a mix of business, management, and customer service skills specific to sectors such as hotels, resorts, restaurants, event planning, travel agencies, and tourism organizations, the release said.

Specifically, with the agreement, Bishop State students who complete an Associate in Applied Science Degree in culinary arts can transfer up to 58 credit hours toward the USAs hospitality and tourism management program.

This agreement with the University of South Alabama provides our culinary arts graduates with an incredible opportunity to further their education and build a promising future in hospitality and tourism, Bishop State President Olivier said. This initiative also fosters collaboration between our institutions, benefiting students by reducing barriers in higher education.

High school football coach suspended for playoff game due to unsportsmanlike behavior

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For more information visit Bishop State Community Colleges or USAs websites.

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Frederick County Board of Education candidate Colt Morningstar Black increased his lead over candidate Josh Bokee on Thursday for the third and final open seat on the school board.

Black's lead over Bokee increased by 48 votes from Wednesday. Black remains in third place, 171 votes ahead of Bokee, who is in fourth place, as of Thursday's totals.

This week, Bokee had steadily gained ground on the lead Black has held since Election Day. Thursday's totals show the first time this week that Black increased his lead over Bokee.

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There are six candidates and three open seats on the board.

The new totals after Thursday's ballot count were:

* Jaime Kiersten Brennan  54,833

* Janie Monier  54,500

* Black  52,869

* Bokee  52,698

* Chad King Wilson Sr.  48,401

* Veronica D. Lowe  40,594

Brennan increased her lead over Monier on Thursday by 33 votes. Monier was in third place after Election Day, but passed Black for second place on Nov. 8.

Board of Education 2024 General Election Results

There is also one registered write-in candidate, Heather Fletcher. Totals from Thursday showed that write-in candidates have received 22,829 votes, but do not yet say who received them.

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Barbara Wagner, Frederick County's election director, said there are 1,372 provisional ballots left to review.

She said there are also 157 mail-in ballots to review.

There could be more, though. The deadline for any mail-in ballot to be received and still be counted is Friday at 10 a.m., as long as it was postmarked by Election Day.

Wagner said canvassers reviewed 1,005 ballots on Thursday.

Wagner added that she is not sure if the Frederick County Board of Elections will finish reviewing all of the ballots by the end of the day on Friday, when the board is scheduled to certify.

If canvassers do not finish reviewing all of the ballots on Friday, she said, the results are scheduled to be certified on Saturday.

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In a statement released on Nov. 8 from Jared DeMarinis, the state administrator of elections, he wrote that the Maryland State Board of Elections might not certify the states results by Friday.

The three open seats on Frederick County's school board are due to incumbents not seeking reelection  Sue Johnson, David Bass and Jason Johnson.

Board members serve a term of four years. The remaining voting board members  President Karen Yoho, Vice President Rae Gallagher, and members Nancy Allen and Dean Rose  will finish their terms in 2026.

Three candidates  Bokee, Monier and Wilson  were endorsed by Frederick County Public Schools employee unions and are considered the apple ballot.

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Brennan and Black campaigned together and with Fletcher.

All three apple ballot candidates individually gained over 10,000 votes between vote totals from Nov. 6, the day after Election Day, and Thursday's count, following provisional ballot reviews.

Monier's total increased by 11,390 votes, Bokee's increased by 10,815 and Wilson's increased by 10,216.

Over the same period, Lowe's total increased by 6,729 votes, Brennan's increased by 5,585 and Black's increased by 4,808.

Totals from Nov. 7 show that 56,176 mail-in ballots had been counted in Frederick County. As of Thursday, 78,714 mail-in ballots have been counted.
Washington (DC News Now)  President-elect Donald Trump won the election by holding on to his base and expanding it. The Hills Cheyanne Daniels joins Capitol Review on how black voters cast their ballot in the 2024 election.

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Editors Note: This storys video has been edited to remove a portion that contained an inaccuracy.

SAN DIEGO (KUSI)  California state Sen. Catherine Blakespear is throwing her weight against a controversial high-rise proposed for Pacific Beach.

The lawmaker sent a letter to the states Department of Housing and Community Development this week urging them to jettison the 23-story housing complex and hotel pitched for Turquoise Street, calling it an inappropriate use of the states housing laws.

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The building would add 213 new housing units, only 10 of which are set aside for low-income tenants  an inclusion Blakespear argues runs afoul of other state building laws.

There are more than 100 hotel rooms and just 10 affordable housing units, so its really substantially not an affordable housing project, she said.

Watch Dan Plantes report for KUSI in the player above.

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SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  A contentious cross-examination between Bob Lees accused killer and prosecutor Omid Talai escalated into several drama-packed moments at a high-profile murder trial this week. At one point, Talai told San Francisco jurors that his 8-year-old son could answer questions better on the stand than the defendant, Nima Momeni.

Momeni testified for two full days trying to convince the jury that he killed the tech mogul on April 4, 2023 in self-defense.

Talai scolded Momeni for cutting him off from speaking Thursday. When the defendant dodged questions, Talai raised his voice, repeated the same questions, and demanded answers. Momeni pointed his finger at Talai and said, You are accusing me of something I didnt do. Youre in my face trying to be argumentative.

Bob Lee

Superior Court Judge Alexandra Gordon had to intervene several times when Momeni, 40, became defiant and cross-examination spiraled with sparring.

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Bob Lees brother, Timothy Lee, told reporters at the courthouse, What you have seen is Nima being aggressive on the stand, youve seen him try to take control of this (courtroom), his arrogance and his entitlement are on full display here. This arrogant and entitled person is really just trying to make his deplorable actions and his reprehensible actions  trying to revise them into something that will keep him out of prison.

Prosecutors said Momeni murdered the Cash App founder under the Bay Bridge because he was enraged about Lees inappropriate relationship with Momenis younger sister, Khazar. Khazar previously testified that she was sexually assaulted by Lees drug dealer on April 3, 2023, the day before Lee was slain.

Khazar Momeni walks out of a San Francisco courtroom with her mother on Oct. 22, 2024. (KRON4 Photo)

Prosecutors said Lee was unarmed and he was stabbed through the heart by Khazars wannabe tough guy big brother.

On the stand this week, Momeni told his side of the story. He said he was driving around in his BMW with Lee and they were having a good time. But the mood changed dramatically when Momeni made a bad joke about Lee spending time in strip clubs instead of with his family, the defendant testified.

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Momeni told jurors, I said, If it was my last night in town, Id go hang out with my family instead of f**king around in strip clubs. It set him off. He just blew up in front of me. He went from zero to one hundred.

On Nov. 13, 2024 in a San Francisco courtroom, Nima Momeni and his defense attorney re-enacted as altercation between Momeni and Bob Lee. (Courtroom sketch by Vicki Behringer)

Lee pulled out a knife and attacked, Momeni testified. (Bob Lee) said, You think Im a bad f**king dad? Im going to f**k you up,' according to Momeni.

Lee, 43, was a divorced father of two. Timothy Lee said his brother was a kind person, an excellent father, close with his family, and would never turn violent if someone joked about his personal life.

The Momeni family trying to act morally superior here is ridiculous, the victims brother said.

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Khazar Momeni can go f**k herself, Bob Lees ex-wife says

In front of the jury, Talai asked Momeni if he was trying to get away with murder. Talai said, In the hours and days that go by, after you learn Bob is dead, and no one has been arrested, are you just hoping that you will get away with it?

Momeni answered, Thats not true. Talai asked, Are you thinking no one will figure out this little secret? Momeni responded, Thats not what happened. A San Francisco Police Department SWAT team arrested the suspect on April 13, 2023 in Emeryville.

Nima Momeni testifies on Nov. 13, 2024. (Courtroom sketch by Vicki Behringer)

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On Thursday, Momeni admitted that he never called police after Bob Lee was fatally stabbed.

Talai asked, Did you call the police? Momeni answered, No, I didnt.

Momeni said he called Khazar as he was driving away from the crime scene and told her, Bob went crazy, dont let Bob back in (her home). He just went crazy on me and attacked.

Khazar (Photo by Justin Sullivan/ Getty Images)

Did you know Mr. Lee was fatally injured? Zangeneh asked.

Absolutely not. He seemed normal as he walked away, Momeni answered.

Lee left behind a heavy blood trail on Main Street as he called 911 and desperately tried to find help. Jurors listened to Lees 911 call and watched surveillance footage of Lee bleeding to death.

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Timothy Lee said Momeni lied through his teeth on the stand, and hes hopeful that jurors will see through it.

Nima Momenis testimony on the stand displayed his arrogance, entitlement and aggressive personality, Bob Lees brother told reporters outside the courtroom. @kron4news pic.twitter.com/LBetBZnZyQ  Amy Larson (@AmyLarson25) November 15, 2024

Momeni claimed he didnt know Bob Lee died until April 5, 2023. The victim was admired and beloved in the Bay Area tech industry, prosecutors said, and he most recently worked as a chief product officer for cryptocurrency startup MobileCoin.

In the days after the deadly stabbing, Momeni hired a criminal defense attorney and his family sold the BMW. Momeni said he sought help from an attorney because he knew Bob Lee was an icon in the tech world.

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The body of a Navy sailor who was stationed in Jacksonville has been found in Georgia, authorities say.

Police say the last time anyone saw 25-year-old Devin Jeter of Scottdale, Ga., was after he was dropped off at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Nov. 7.

From the airport, he rented a 2024 silver Jeep Compass with Florida license plate EWAG47

When he didnt report for duty the next day, his co-workers told his family, who filed a missing person report.

One the left is the rental car Devin Jeter (right) was last scene driving. The vehicle has not been found. Jeter's body was found in a Georgia river Monday.

On Thursday, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said a fisherman found Jeters body along the Ocmulgee River near Lumber City, Ga.

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Investigators say the Jeep that Jeter rented has not been found yet.

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The GBI is asking anyone who may have seen Jeter or the silver Jeep Compass between Atlanta and Lumber City to come forward.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the GBI regional investigative office in Eastman at 478-374-6988, or share tips anonymously via the GBIs tip line at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at GBIs tip submission page, or through the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

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JERUSALEM, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Friday that the country will begin issuing conscription orders to thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men, a group traditionally exempt from military service, citing a shortage of soldiers.

Katz said in a statement that 7,000 draft orders for ultra-Orthodox men to serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will be sent gradually, starting on Sunday.

Katz noted his intention to hold "comprehensive discussions to promote an agreed-upon solution that would enable the genuine integration of ultra-Orthodox men into the IDF, easing the burden on regular service members, career soldiers, and reservists."

Ultra-Orthodox men have long been exempted from mandatory military service, a status quo strongly defended by ultra-Orthodox political parties, which are key allies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right coalition. In June, the Supreme Court ruled the exemptions unconstitutional.

Israel has been engaged in multi-front conflicts for over a year, with ongoing fighting in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, as well as occasional strikes in Iran and drone attacks from Yemen and Iraq.

In October, the military's Deputy Chief of Staff, Amir Baram, told ministers during a cabinet meeting that, "We are short on soldiers," emphasizing that drafting ultra-Orthodox men is an "operational necessity." 
The Valley Fire burns in the Boise foothills on Oct. 4 in this file photo taken from Southeast Boise. (Courtesy of Robbie Johnson/Idaho Department of Lands)

Officials with the Boise Fire Department are asking local residents for help testing a free new app that fire officials hope can help reduce the risk of homes being damaged by wildfires.

Boise Fire partnered with Janus Research Group, the Western Fire Chiefs Association, Team DSGN and the National Alliance for Public Safety GIS Foundation to launch the Boise wildfire mitigation app, according to a news release from the Boise Fire Department.

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The app uses artificial intelligence to develop recommendations to help create wildfire resistant homes. Boise Fire officials said this could be particularly valuable for residents who live in the wildland urban interface, where human development meets wild undeveloped land  such as the Boise foothills.

The beta phase of the app is available through Nov. 30, and Boise Fire officials would like the public to help test the app and share feedback.

Creating a survivable space is an essential wildfire mitigation tool that creates a buffer between your property and the vegetation that surrounds it. These mitigation efforts not only help to slow the spread of wildfires, but also protect the firefighters defending your home, Boise Fire Chief Mark Niemeyer said in a written statement. A fire cannot spread without a fuel source. This app aims to assist homeowners in eliminating those fuel sources around their homes and educating them about proper landscaping and fire-resistant plants and materials.

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The app uses photos of a residents home and AI to develop recommendations to reduce fire risk, such as placing a spark arrestor on a chimney, clearing debris away from the home or porch, removing leaves and debris from roofs, or removing overhanging tree branches.

We are dedicated to ensuring that communities in Ada Countys (wildland urban interface), and beyond, remain safe places to live, Niemeyer said. Our goal is to make this app a valuable resource for residents to help reduce wildfire risks in our community. To achieve this, we need your assistance  please sign up and help test the app.

Residents can sign up to test the app online at bit.ly/arsur.

Users of the app will be asked if they would like to participate in a research study about wildfire preparedness and complete a survey. The app indicates the survey could take 30 minutes to two hours to complete and is not required to use the app.

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Fueled by a hot dry summer, 2024 was one of the most active and intense wildfire seasons in a decade in Idaho. According to the Idaho Department of Lands, 954,967 total acres had burned in Idaho, through Oct. 15.

For comparison, just 86,942 total acres burned in Idaho by Oct. 10, 2023  essentially the same time period in the previous year. In 2024, one large wildfire  the Wapiti Fire  burned more total acres (129,000-plus acres) than all of the fires in Idaho combined in 2023 (86,942 acres).



SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
By Margaryta Chornokondratenko and Yurii Kovalenko

BUCHA, Ukraine (Reuters) - On her way to hospital to give birth to her fourth child nearly three years ago, Ukrainian Liudmyla Rodchenko said she saw the bodies of civilians strewn along the street covered by blankets.

A day after Yevhen Stepanenko was born, a Russian tank was parked outside the clinic - kept running at the time by a diesel generator and water supplied from two fire trucks parked nearby.

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Rodchenko, 42, soon wrapped her newborn son in a blanket and fled with him and her other children to the relative safety of the central Poltava region as invading Russian forces took over her home town of Bucha, just outside the capital Kyiv.

"We weren't sure what the next one or two or three hours would bring, let alone the next day," Rodchenko told Reuters in her house in Bucha, recalling the events around the birth.

"He was just three days old when he went through such a difficult trip; he was all wrapped in blankets, you couldn't even see his face. He went through cold and frost."

Rodchenko remembers having to collect hot water from troops at checkpoints to make baby formula for him.

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Yevhen, or Zhenia as his mother affectionately calls him, is one of thousands of children born into Ukraine's full-scale war, a conflict nearing its 1,000th day that has presented challenges that few young families could imagine.

In the initial panic of the invasion, Rodchenko and her children managed to escape Bucha.

The town was to become synonymous with Russian brutality when, weeks later, the corpses of dozens of civilians were discovered by the road, some apparently executed. Moscow denies killing civilians and has said the scenes in Bucha were staged.

As the reality of war gradually set in, Rodchenko, like other Ukrainians, has sought some sense of normality.

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"I'm trying to make sure he has a normal childhood, not focusing his attention on air raid sirens," she said, referring to almost daily warnings across Ukraine of incoming Russian drones and missiles.

"But when I get air raid notifications on my phone, he says: 'Mommy, I'm scared, I'm scared.' When the all-clear sounds, he says: 'Cleared!', although I think he does not fully understand what it means."

LOOKING FOR PROTECTION

Rodchenko fears the fighting could last for years. Russia is capturing territory village by village in the east, and with Donald Trump soon to be in the White House, Ukrainians fear they may lose their most important ally in the war.

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"I so much want it to happen (the war to end)," Rodchenko said. "I want my children to have a bright future.

"What kind of education do they have? They went back to school and they have to go straight to the basement, then back (to the classroom)," she added, wondering what impact the constant threat of attack will have on their mental health.

Millions of people fled their homes, including many women and children who moved abroad. Rodchenko said she had considered leaving the country, but it has proved too difficult and expensive.

Nataliia Tatushenko, who looks after Zhenia and other children at a nursery in Bucha, said the two-year-old and his peers tended to be more sensitive than children before the war.

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"They are very afraid to be separated from their mother because they are probably looking for protection from her," she said.

"Right now they're small and behave the way little children do," Tatushenko added. "But when they become a bit older they will be calmer in stressful situations."

(Writing by Dan Peleschuk; Editing by Michael Collett-White and Ros Russell)
The Boston Beer Co. recently purchased more than an acre of land in the West End near its Samuel Adams Brewery on Central Parkway for close to $4 million, Hamilton County Property records show.

Doing business as American Craft Brewery LLC, the Boston-based brewer founded by Cincinnati native James Koch purchased more than a half dozen parcels on Nov. 6 consisting of industrial buildings and vacant land between Findlay Street and Livingston Street, west of John Street, property records show.

The biggest purchase was an old manufacturing building at 517 Findlay St. that sold for $3.44 million.

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The building is just a few blocks away from the brewery at 1625 Central Parkway, which is the main production brewery for Samuel Adams beers, according to the company. The company also owns The Samuel Adams Cincinnati Taproom at 1727 Logan St.

"The purchase of additional land in the West End is part of our overall investment in the Samuel Adams Cincinnati Brewery that is intended to help streamline operations and create efficiencies throughout the brewing, packaging, and shipping processes,'' Brittany Zahoruiko, senior manager of communications at Boston Beer, said in a statement to The Enquirer.

Zahoruiko declined further comment.

In addition to its flagship Samuel Adams brand, Boston Beer's brands also include Truly Hard Seltzer, Twisted Tea and Angry Orchard Hard Cider.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Boston Beer Co. to expand Samuel Adams brewing operations in West End
AUTHORS NOTE: This story contains graphic details from proceedings in the trial of Anthony Patterson that involve alleged sex crimes against child victims. Discretion is advised before reading. If you know or suspect that any child under the age of 18 is being abused sexually, please call the Texas Child Abuse Hotline at 1 (800) 252-5400.

TARRANT COUNTY (KFDX/KJTL)  The final rebuttal witness took the stand and the defense closed its case Friday morning in the trial of Anthony Patterson, bringing the testimony phase of the trial to an end.

TIMELINE: The trafficking, child sex crimes case against Anthony Patterson

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Former president of the Patterson Auto Group, Patterson, 48, of Wichita Falls, stands accused of multiple counts of human trafficking and child sex crimes.

Testimony began on Monday afternoon, November 4, 2024, in Auxiliary Trial Room A in the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center in Fort Worth. A recap of prior proceedings can be found below:

On Thursday, Nov. 14, the defense rested its case following the testimony of several experts. Outside of the jurys presence, Patterson invoked his Fifth Amendment right to not testify in his own defense.

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READ MORE: The latest in the case against Anthony Patterson

The State of Texas, represented by Brooke Grona-Robb and John Gillespie, Wichita County District Attorney, called a rebuttal witness before moving to close.

Pattersons defense team of Toby Shook, Michael Mowla, Kim Laseter, and Chuck Smith, have indicated they intend to call a rebuttal witness on Friday, after which they too will close the case. Proceedings are expected to conclude after the lone witness takes the stand on Friday morning.

On Monday, Nov. 18, the Tarrant County jury of eight men and four women will be read their charge by 78th District Court Judge Meredith Kennedy, instructing them on how they are to proceed with deliberations.

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After the charge is read on Monday, the prosecution and the defense will both be given the opportunity to present closing arguments to the jury before they begin deliberating to determine whether Patterson is guilty of any combination of the 13 felony counts for which he is currently standing trial.

Below is a running live blog of opening arguments and testimony in Anthony Pattersons trial from Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Refresh this story often for updates.

John Gillespie, on behalf of the State of Texas, closed the case for the prosecution.

Toby Shook, on behalf of Anthony Patterson, closed the case for the defense.

Judge Kennedy released the witness from the stand.

9:47 a.m.  Coleman testified that Patterson could have avoided going to the check presentation at Patsys House in May 2020. He testified that Patterson didnt tell him it wouldnt be a good idea for him to be at the check presentation because he was under investigation for human trafficking.

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9:44 a.m.  Coleman testified that in 2020, Anthony Patterson was the vice president of the Patterson Auto Group and that by the end of that year, he owned a majority stake in the company. He testified that Anthony Patterson was a part of the senior leadership team that made the decisions regarding which organization to donate to.

Toby Shook, lead defense attorney for Patterson, passed the witness to John Gillespie, Wichita County District Attorney, for cross-examination.

9:41 a.m.  Coleman testified that Harry Patterson, Anthonys father, was once named Wichitan of the Year as well. He testified that Harry Patterson was the founder of the Patterson Auto Group, which began in 1979, and he grew it into what it was.

9:38 a.m.  Coleman testified that he kept a spreadsheet containing records of community donations made by the Patterson Auto Group during his time with the company. He testified that the Patterson Auto Group donated $150,000 on average every year to Wichita Falls area nonprofits.

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9:34 a.m.  A document containing agreement documents between the Patterson Auto Group and various community organizations, including Patsys House, is admitted into evidence without objection.

9:28 a.m.  Coleman testified that Patterson Gives Back was formed as an initiative to donate to local nonprofit organizations. He testified that as a part of the agreement, a check would be presented. He testified that the final decision of which charities were donated to fell on Paul Tiggert, the former CEO of the Patterson Auto Group.

9:25 a.m.  Coleman testified that he formerly worked in Community Relations at the Patterson Auto Group. He testified that he was involved in several community organizations, and in 2018, he was named the Wichitan of the Year.

Judge Meredith Kennedy called the jury into the courtroom at around 9:20 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 15. The defense called its final rebuttal witness, Darrell Coleman, a former employee at the Patterson Auto Group.

This is a developing story. Stick with Texomas Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are set for a blockbuster court trial next year over the fate of their vineyard, after a judge rejected the Hollywood actress bid to prematurely end the dispute.

The former power couple have been at war since the acrimonious breakdown of their marriage, and are at loggerheads over the French vineyard Chateau Miraval they bought together during their relationship.

Pitt, 60, filed a $67 million lawsuit against his ex-wife after she sold her 50 per cent stake in the vineyard to Russian businessman Yuri Shefler and his Stoli Group.

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The Fight Club actor says the couple had a binding verbal agreement over the fate of the estate, which produces award-winning rose wine, that he would have the first option to buy Jolie, 49, out.

But Jolie, an Oscar winner turned acclaimed producer and director, insists she was entitled to dispose of her stake in the business.

Last week, a judge dismissed motions from Jolie which sought to throw out Pitts claims about the alleged verbal agreement.

The decision sets the stage for a full trial of the dispute at the Los Angeles Superior Court in 2025.

Court papers show the judge found a possible basis for Pitt's claims that their verbal agreement was binding, and ruled that the issue should be finally decided at trial.

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The couple, who had six children together, wed at Chateau Miraval in 2014, but two years later their relationship broke down.

The following years has been punctuated by claim and counter claim from the warring actors, as well as a bitter custody battle.

Jolie is now saying in the vineyard dispute that Pitt asked her to sign a non-disclosure agreement as part of their business deal.

She claims it was an attempt to control her, but Pitt has counter claimed that the NDA line is a cover for her attempts to rationalise the secret sale of her shares.

Jolie could now find herself being quizzed about her use of other NDAs between 2014 and 2022.

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In a previous judgment in Luxembourg, Pitt seized back control of the vineyard and in March a court in Law rejected the idea his claim against Jolie was frivolous, malicious, and part of a problematic pattern.

But he has had to face scrutiny of spending at the vineyard, including millions of dollars on alleged vanity projects.

A date for the trial has not yet been set, but it is expected to take place in 2025.
Votebeat is a nonprofit news organization reporting on voting access and election administration across the U.S. Sign up for Votebeat Texas free newsletter here.

BRYAN  At election time, Trudy Hancock spends a lot of time in her car, delivering equipment to polling sites scattered around Brazos County and visiting poll workers who need her help in the field.

She keeps the car radio on, and always tuned to Christian music.

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Recovering from a tiring Election Day last week, the longtime county election administrator recalled hearing one song that resonated with her. Its called The Truth, and opens with the lyrics:

How many times can you hear the same lie

Before you start to believe it?

At her desk that morning, she recited a version of those lyrics as best as she could remember them, softly, haltingly.

But I know the truth, she added, as she tried to hold back tears. It gets hard.

There are reasons why the song hit home. After decades of working in elections, and years of hearing people lie about them, Hancock and her staff members are starting to sometimes doubt themselves. Like election officials around the country, theyve repeatedly tried to reassure a small group of right-wing skeptics that the countys elections are safe and secure. Theyve tried to answer their questions, accommodated their demands, educated them about the law, and offered them opportunities to see firsthand how the process works.

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They wont accept our answers, because its not the answers that they want, Hancock, 60, said. Theres just no end to it.

People wait in line to vote at Brazos County Election Administrator Office on Election Day in Bryan. Credit: Montinique Monroe for Votebeat

Election Day in Brazos  a Republican stronghold around 100 miles northwest of Houston, and home to Texas A&M University  went pretty smoothly this time. Minor technical issues were resolved early on. Few locations had long wait times.

Hancock knows the truth. But she also knows that it wont be enough to quiet the skeptics, who were questioning election processes right up to the start of early voting this year, and havent stopped.

Now that the 2024 election is over, Hancock is about to decide whether she can keep doing the job.

The requests keep coming

Since January, Hancock and her staff have hosted at least three public meetings where theyve gone over, in detail, how the voting equipment works, and every single step of the election process. Theyve explained to the group of concerned residents that voter roll maintenance is done daily by staff members whose sole job is to make sure such lists are accurate.

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Following the March primary election, Hancock invited some of the residents who have been coming to Commissioners Court to take part in the state-mandated partial hand count, which is done by every county after each election to check the accuracy of the voting equipment. The Secretary of States office selects the races to be hand-counted.

In an effort to increase transparency, Hancock got state permission to hand-count additional races. One of the critics of her office, resident Catherine Viens, participated in the count, which took a few days to complete and showed no discrepancies.

But the requests kept coming. They asked Hancock to guard against double voting  though theres no evidence of that happening at large scale  by purchasing special ballot paper thats preprinted with sequential serial numbers, starting with 1.

The paper cost taxpayers $14,000 and, according to Hancock, doesnt really improve security. It creates waste, because leftover ballots cant be reused in the next election. On top of that, the county workers have to spend more and time resources redacting the printed numbers to protect voters ballot secrecy.

Trudy Hancock, Brazos County elections administrator, poses for a portrait at the Brazos Center in Bryan on Nov. 5, 2024. Credit: Photo by Montinique Monroe for Votebeat

Hancock agreed to it anyway for the presidential election. But it didnt seem to bring anyone peace of mind.

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During a state-mandated logic and accuracy test of the electronic equipment, which is open to the public, the group repeatedly asked, Are the machines connected to the internet? And each time the answer was the same, no, said Thomas Cavaness, the Brazos County Democratic Party chair, who participated in the test.

The testing should have taken 45 minutes to an hour, Cavaness said, but instead it took us three hours to finish, because they kept asking questions.

False claims fly at an October meeting

The questions have been pouring in for at least a year now, from several Republicans in Brazos who speak out regularly at Commissioners Court meetings. Theyve urged elected officials to take steps that include eliminating the use of electronic voting equipment like ballot-marking machines and electronic poll books. They have falsely claimed the equipment is connected to the internet and vulnerable to hacking.

At an October meeting, days before the start of early voting, four people spoke, asking commissioners again to endorse their efforts. Brazos resident Cynthia Wiley expressed her frustration with what she said was a lack of action.

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You're our only recourse to express our concerns, Wiley told the commissioners, citing voter registrations shes unsuccessfully challenged. And you guys have direct authority over the election administrator.

Hancock has said her office is following the legally mandated procedures. Federal law prevents election officials from systematically removing people from the voter rolls 90 days ahead of a federal election. In addition, state law requires election officials to notify voters and give them a chance to respond and correct any errors before they can be removed from the rolls, but Wiley said she wanted the elected officials to instruct Hancock to investigate the registrations of the voters she had challenged right away.

At the same meeting, Viens asserted that the county had no emergency plan in case the power went out. Hancock said thats false: The county has for years been prepared to handle power outages, violence, or natural disasters on Election Day, and Hancock had generators and other materials ready to go in case something went wrong. Viens has requested a copy of the plan.

Another resident who frequently speaks at the meetings is Walter Daughterity, a retired computer science professor at Texas A&M. Daughterity often appears on the video platform of MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, well-known as a promoter of election conspiracy theories, and at other venues pushing for hand counting of ballots. Daughterity has asserted that Brazos voting machines are connected to the internet and not certified by federal officials. County and state officials have said those assertions are not true.

Texas A&M Universitys Aggieland water tower on Election Day in College Station. Credit: Montinique Monroe for Votebeat

At the October meeting, he listed six urgent priorities for the Commissioners Court. He did not respond to Votebeats request for comment.

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Mark Holtzapple, a chemical engineering professor at Texas A&M, has echoed Daughteritys claims. At that meeting, he claimed that ballot boxes are insecure, because the hinge on the locked box is on the outside, and all you have to do is unscrew one bolt to get around the lock and security seal on it.

In an email to Votebeat, Holtzapple said he and the other residents are not accusing anyone of anything. Rather, we are simply concerned citizens who want to improve election security, an essential condition for a properly functioning republic.

The professors advocacy has spurred pushback from some of their colleagues at the university. Hank Walker, a computer science and engineering professor, wrote an email to Hancock in August to thank her and the staff for performing so professionally with people who question your integrity.

I have known Walter and Mark for 30 years, he said in an email to Votebeat. They have good intentions, but they are wrong.

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Days after the public meeting where the activists spoke, Brazos County Judge Duane Peters asked Hancock to publicly respond. But when Hancock presented at the following Commissioners Court meeting, none of the residents who had complained were there.

The four residents later requested a separate in-person meeting with Peters and Hancock. She repeated what she had explained earlier. Holtzapple told Votebeat that the hourlong meeting was not sufficient time to fully resolve the issues and generate an action plan.

The residents compiled a 50-page document that lays out the issues they brought up at the meeting and how the county responded. They expect another meeting.

Viens said in a text message to Votebeat that her confidence in the process will not be restored until the county complies with the Texas Election Code. She specifically wants to see the county eliminate countywide voting, and use only hand-marked paper ballots.

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Wiley, who along with Viens worked as a polling place supervisor during elections this year, including during the presidential election last week, said she does not trust the electronic voting equipment. Once you click or insert your choices on paper into the machinery, who or what is really casting our votes? she wrote in an email to Votebeat. She also echoed Viens request to help restore her confidence in the election process.

Holtzapple acknowledged that Hancock and her staff have made efforts to address the concerns he and others have raised, but said he still wants a more extensive dialogue, more substantive responses to the questions hes raising about election security, and more responsiveness directly to the people who raise concerns.

For example, when a resident challenges a voter registration, there should be a closing of the loop, that there should be respect shown from the government to the citizens for taking that time to identify people who possibly should be removed from the voter rolls.

Peters, the county judge, described some of the residents actions and comments as a constant barrage I catch it, too, he said. And they expect me to change the system and go to something that I think is way less secure than the system we've got.

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So I can understand why Trudy and her staff would be stressed to the limit, Peters added. It hasnt impacted their work ethic, but I know it gets discouraging.

A demanding Election Day: "They dont understand"

Hancock was born and raised in neighboring Robertson County, and still lives there with her husband. Her first experience in elections was as a poll worker in her community back in the late 1980s, she said.

She spends her free time scrapbooking and screenprinting T-shirts. She often makes those for her staff, featuring messages such as election squad, and also makes them for friends and family at their request.

Its a fun outlet for me, Hancock said.

Shes most proud of her two teenage grandchildren. On the night before Election Day, she was exhausted, but agreed to have them over for dinner. She made them pumpkin bread and brought some to the office the next day.

In the early morning hours of Election Day, Hancock had already answered dozens of phone calls from election workers at polling places who needed her help. If they were short on election supplies, she hopped in her small red SUV to deliver them herself, toting extra yellow traffic cones and curbside voting signs. Technical issues with the equipment? She knew whom to call. There was no problem Hancock and her staff did not resolve quickly.

Graciela Garza wears an I voted sticker outside of Brazos County Election Administrator Office after voting on Election Day in Bryan. Credit: Montinique Monroe for Votebeat

Krystal Ocon and others in Hancocks office fanned out across the county, and fielded questions from election workers in a text thread that kept her phone dinging throughout the day.

Ocon, 39, is the Brazos County elections coordinator, and unofficially Hancocks second in command. She was born and raised in Brazos. For the past 20 years, shes worked on every aspect of elections in the county. She knows the process thoroughly.

Throughout the day, Hancock relied on Ocon to give voters and election workers direction, and to help when needed, such as when a line of college students began to form outside of the polling location at the elections department. Many of them hadnt updated their voter registration and would have to cast a provisional ballot, which takes more time. There was only a couple of hours left before polls were set to close.

Look at that line! Ocon said, before swinging into action.

She quickly gave the waiting students directions: where to stand, what type of ID they needed to have ready, the forms they might need to fill out if they werent registered in the county. She told them what their options were and what would happen next.

Collectively, the Brazos County elections department staff has more than 60 years of experience. So Ocon is frustrated by the constant requests and skepticism from the activists. She worries that it could discourage the staff and weaken the department.

They dont understand how much time and care it takes to do this job, Ocon said.

She points out that shes had to miss Halloween events with her daughter multiple times over the years in order to manage early voting and meet state-mandated election deadlines.

Do they honestly think that I am going to take time away from my family to hack the machines, change votes, and go to jail? she said. Heck no. So yeah, I take all of this very personally.

Central county station workers at the Brazos Center in Bryan. Credit: Photo by Montinique Monroe for Votebeat

Poll watchers act "like detectives"

The tension between the small group of Republican activists and the county elections department penetrated decisions over how to best manage polling place staffing during this years elections.

Hancock said the Republican Party in Brazos, now led by Russ Ford, refused to collaborate with her staff to assign work sites for election judges, who supervise polling locations.

In the past, Hancock and her staff were able to assign workers appointed by the party to locations where theyd be a good fit. For example, a location that gets a lot of voters needs an experienced team, and so wed assign workers based on that, Hancock said.

This year, the party made those placement decisions on its own, which by law, its entitled to do. In some cases, it assigned inexperienced workers to locations staffed only by other inexperienced workers, which led to some delays on Election Day. At one location, election judges were unsure how to process voters with out-of-state IDs or how to process provisional ballots.

And Republican poll workers said they were struggling to deal with the partys own poll watchers.

These poll watchers feel more like detectives than observers, said Bill Edison, a Republican election judge in Brazos who has been a poll worker for more than a decade.

Nearly all the poll watchers, except for one I had on Election Day, were from the Republican Party. And they're trolling Republican judges, in a town basically where they own the county politically, he said. It doesnt make any sense.

Ford, the party leader, said the party has been unhappy with Hancocks staff's previous placement of workers at polling sites. I know she's very dedicated, but we feel like we need to assert ourselves and make sure that we're doing things right, Ford said.

The activists say theyre working on behalf of voters who lack confidence in the process. Most voters Votebeat spoke with on Election Day didnt express such doubts.

At the Brazos Center, one of the busiest polling locations in the county, voters cast their ballots within minutes. Voters walking out and back to their cars said they had confidence in the election process. They were unaware of any issues between conservative activists and the elections department, they said.

Things are working the way theyre supposed to, said Brazos voter John Borden.

The process was smooth and fast. The workers are friendly, said Omero Lara.

Amanda Cross, who said she hasnt always had confidence in the outcome of past elections, said she trusts how the process is handled locally. When asked if shed heard of any problems with the elections office or anyone questioning the reliability of the voting equipment, she said never.

From left: Volunteers Maci Ramirez and Brianna Garcia assist with transporting ballots and voting equipment to the Brazos Center in Bryan on election night. Credit: Photo by Montinique Monroe for Votebeat

It was Donald Trump who helped fuel a movement of election suspicion after his loss in the 2020 presidential election. Hancock doubts his 2024 victory will slow that movement down. Just the day after the election, Hancock was hearing more questions from Daughterity.

This is the new normal, and that scares me, Hancock told Votebeat that day. The distrust in our process and our people. The distrust in everything.

When asked how she planned to move forward, she said, by retiring.

The timeline for that will depend on the results of a stress test she had scheduled for this month, after the election.

No matter how much I love this job, youve got to decide whether its worth risking your mental and physical health, she said. And thats where I am.

Natalia Contreras covers election administration and voting access for Votebeat in partnership with the Texas Tribune. Contact Natalia at ncontreras@votebeat.org

Correction, Nov. 15, 2024 at 11:55 a.m. : A previous version of this story misspelled the name of the Brazos County Republican Party chairman. His name is Russ Ford.
Nov. 14FORT WAYNE  Lyndon Johnson was in the White House and "Winchester Cathedral" was the No. 1 song in the country when Barbara Fitzsimmons made local history.

Fitzsimmons became the first woman to serve as a police officer in the city of Anderson during the administration of Mayor Frank Allis in 1966. Doyle Wright was the police chief.

She eventually married Leon Murphy, a detective with the department; the couple now resides in Fort Wayne.

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Murphy recently celebrated her 90th birthday and followed a family tradition into law enforcement.

Her grandfather was the town marshal in Lapel. Her father was a police officer in Greenfield. Her son, Mark, became a deputy with the Madison County Sheriff's Department.

Murphy said she worked in records at the time.

"I was the only woman," she said, describing the environment when she joined the police department.

Murphy worked undercover for the department. She walked the streets alone and didn't make enemies.

Wright asked her to become the first woman in the department. At the time, she was 32 years old and the cutoff age to join the department was 33.

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"I was not surprised," she said.

Murphy attended the police academy at APD, where John Gunter was the instructor.

"I had to pass all the physical requirements," she said, "including being able to jump six feet while standing still."

Murphy said the other officers welcomed her to the department.

"The other officers were protective of me," she recalled. "They made me sergeant over records, and then I was eventually made the captain over the detectives."

She was soon promoted to major.

Murphy served for 22 years with APD before retiring. She oversaw two weight loss programs after retirement.

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She said the county had women who served as matrons at the time.

"Actually, Anderson had two matrons that worked in traffic," Murphy said.

She said the most interesting case she worked involved a doctor who was prescribing pills without an examination.

"He lost his license," Murphy said.

Madison County Prosecutor Rodney Cummings was a patrolman when Murphy was working in the detective division.

"She was a captain when I started working," he said. "She was very levelheaded and knew what she was doing.

"The other officers respected her as an officer," Cummings added.

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Her daughter, Kathy Brown, said she was pretty young when her mother started with APD.

"When I got my driver's license, I got stopped and they let me go," Brown said. "I didn't tell my mom, but she found out about a month later."

Brown said her mother worked a lot of late hours. At one point, she considered becoming a police officer, but didn't want to work full-time once her son was born.

Murphy said a second woman was hired by APD a few months after she began her career.

"It's been a good life," she said.

Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.
HARRISON COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV)  The Menge Avenue bridge over Interstate 10 in Harrison County will reopen to traffic on Monday, November 18.

Officials with the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) said the bridge has been closed to traffic since July 2023 as part of the interchange reconstruction project intended to accommodate an uptick in traffic as a result of a new Buc-ees Travel Center locating at the exit.

Buc-ees breaks ground on first Mississippi location

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Funded by the Harrison County Board of Supervisors and Buc-ees, the interchange project involves replacing the Menge Avenue bridge over I-10, widening entrance and exit ramps and widening Firetower Road.

The original bridge has been removed and replaced. As the project nears completion, crews are finishing paving work, installing permanent striping and adding signage. Drivers should continue to be on high alert for roadside workers.

Buc-ees Harrison County is expected to bring at least 200 full-time jobs to the area.

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The army is using drones from a Chinese company that has been sanctioned for supplying the Kremlins war effort in Ukraine, it has emerged.

The Ministry of Defence has purchased drones from Autel Robotics, which was last week added to the sanctions list with measures including an asset freeze.

Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, was last month seen piloting an Autel drone at an army base used to train Ukrainian recruits, alongside Jon Healey, the Defence Secretary.

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The drones have also been used by police forces in Nottinghamshire and Wiltshire. All the vehicles were purchased before the sanctions were imposed.

Autel, one of the worlds biggest drone manufacturers, says its drones are not designed for military use, but they have been widely used on both sides during the war in Ukraine.

The Foreign Office took action against Autel last week as part of its largest sanctions package against Russia in over a year.

It said the company had been involved in destabilising Ukraine or undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine.

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The US added the company to a trade blacklist in the summer. It said that in addition to supplying Russia with drones the company had sought to acquire US-origin items applicable to unmanned aerial vehicles to be used by Chinese military entities.

Widely available to buy

The Ministry of Defence said it had purchased a small number of Autel drones to help train Ukrainian troops.

No Chinese technology is used for core MoD business, a spokesman said.

A small number of Autel drones have been purchased to train Ukrainian recruits, primarily to replicate the threat they will face from Russian drones.

Significant mitigation measures are in place to protect MoD personnel and equipment that include no audio or visual recording from the drones and no connecting to MoD devices.

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The MoD said it had no plans to buy more Autel drones. Its use of the vehicles was first reported by Bloomberg.

Ms Reeves was photographed piloting an Autel Evo drone last month as the Chancellor visited the Stanford Training Area in Norfolk ahead of announcing a 2.2bn loan to Ukraine.

Nottinghamshire Police announced in 2022 that it had purchased two Autel Evo II 640T drones, used for activities such as surveillance and search and rescue operations.

The drones are also widely available for consumers to purchase in the UK.

Many police forces around the UK use drones from Chinese manufacturer DJI, which has faced restrictions in the US.

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Wiltshire and Nottinghamshire police forces did not respond to requests for comment.

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BROOKFIELD, Ill.  Brookfield Zoo Chicago is welcoming its newest residents, and while guests may not be able to see a few of them, there is one that is already getting used to its new home.

The zoo announced Friday that it has welcomed a juvenile California Two Spot-Octopus, also called a bimac, as well as four bimac hatchlings.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

The bimacs new habitat will be located in the Living Coast exhibit where it will live among the starfish.

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According to Zoo officials, the hatchlings had to be transported in test tubes due to their size.

Guests wont get the chance to view the babies just yet, but officials said they are hoping to grow the population.

Officials shared photos of the young bimac as it reached out of its hiding spot in its new home.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago welcomes California 2 Spot-Octopus, 4 hatchlings Brookfield Zoo Chicago welcomes California 2 Spot-Octopus, 4 hatchlings

What is a California two-spot octopus?

California Two Spot-Octopuses prefer warm waters and are native to the Pacific Coast.

The soft-bodied mollusks are smaller than most species and have the ability to change their skin color and texture as camouflage.

Bimacs get their name from the circular, iridescent blue, false eye spots that sit beneath their real eyes on each side of their head.

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Bimacs, which usually live to be about one to one and a half years in their natural habitat and two years old in captivity, have three hearts, two gills, blue blood and a donut-shaped brain.

Another rare doomsday fish discovered off Southern California coast

Since they do not live long, Bimacs mature very quickly and are able to begin hunting for food immediately after hatching.

Bimacs are not particularly picky eaters either, they usually hunt twice a day and feed on a range of sea creatures, from fish to shellfish.

Bimacs are ready to mate and reproduce once they reach the age of one or two and females are able to produce upwards of 70,000 eggs, which will hatch after about 150 or 200 days.

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Ali Larijani, senior advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, delivers a speech in Beirut, Lebanon, on Nov. 15, 2024. Iran supports any decision taken by the Lebanese government, especially the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701, Larijani said here on Friday, according to a statement by the Lebanese Council of Ministers. (Str/Xinhua)

BEIRUT, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Iran supports any decision taken by the Lebanese government, especially the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701, Ali Larijani, senior advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, said here on Friday, according to a statement by the Lebanese Council of Ministers.

"Iran supports any decision taken by the government of Lebanon, especially when it comes to the implementation of Resolution 1701 and the election of any president agreed upon by the Lebanese," Larijani said during his meeting in Beirut with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati

Resolution 1701 ended the last round of conflict between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006 and stipulated that southern Lebanon must be free of arms that do not belong to the Lebanese state.

Larijani arrived in the Lebanese capital Beirut earlier in the day to discuss the latest developments in the country with Lebanese officials.

In a press conference after the meeting with House Speaker Nabih Berri, Larijani said, "We do not seek to undermine any step... we want to see a solution to the situation in Lebanon."

"Hezbollah is a solid and rational movement, and we will support the resistance in all circumstances," he added.

For his part, Mikati called on Iran to support the Lebanese state's position of implementing Resolution 1701 and its national unity, and not to take positions that would create sensitivities among Lebanese groups or serve the interests of a particular group.

Since Sept. 23, the Israeli army has intensified its air attack on Lebanon in an escalation of conflict with Hezbollah. Israel further initiated a ground operation across its northern border into Lebanon in early October. 
WASHINGTON (WPRI)  As technology gets more advanced, parents are finding it increasingly difficult to protect children from the dangers of social media.

Thats why Brown University organized a conference in Washington D.C. on Thursday, focusing on the relationship between social media and mental health in children.

Dr. Caroline Kistin with Brown Universitys School of Public Health spoke with 12 News about the event. She says parents were able to speak with researchers and policymakers about the struggles of raising children in the digital age.

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Kistin said they discussed how much time kids spend on social media.

A respectful way to start a conversation with teens [is] recognizing that they may have many interests, but their time is valuable, Dr. Kistin explained. Thinking in general how much of your time is being online taking and can we balance that with in-person opportunities.

Kistin said many of the issues with social media are not black and white.

While many families resort to taking the phone away, that doesnt necessarily get to the heart of the issue. She says families should focus on finding time for parents and children to connect without phone use.

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This article was originally published in Rhode Island Current.

The city of Providence has halted all discretionary spending and imposed a hiring freeze to comply with a court mandate to fund the citys public schools  with the potential for cuts to municipal services and even a property tax hike, Mayor Brett Smiley told reporters gathered in his office Tuesday.

The warning about tough choices ahead comes three days after a Providence Superior Court judge ruled in favor of the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE), which is withholding millions in state aid to Providence until the city appropriates local dollars to fund its public schools, which have been under state control for the past five years.

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The decision the court handed down put the citys finances at risk, Smiley said. And were going to have to make very difficult decisions in the days ahead.

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That could include cuts to all grant programs for the community libraries, housing support, and parks programs. Smiley said his office would also consider rolling back police patrols at PVDFest and other holiday celebrations.

That will all have to stop, he said.

Rhode Island Superior Court Judge Jeffrey A. Lanphear on Friday upheld a request from Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green to state Treasurer James Diossa to withhold $8.5 million in state car tax payments from the city, claiming Providence owed nearly $30 million to the district under the state statute that authorized RIDEs 2019 takeover of the Providence Public School Department.

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A decision on how much the city must pay was originally scheduled for Wednesday morning but was postponed to Nov. 20. The City Councils Committee on Finance was scheduled to meet to reallocate $1.5 million in federal COVID relief funds to help cover school budget shortfalls at its Tuesday meeting, but postponed that part of its agenda to Monday, Nov. 18.

Michelle Moreno Silva, spokesperson for Diossas office, declined to comment on the Superior Courts ruling.

Our role here is very minimal, she said in a phone interview. We just hold the money.

Smiley told reporters Tuesday that the city may have to conduct layoffs and furlough additional employees  which he said would save the city $200,000 per day. Also possible, he said, the city could impose a mid-year tax hike, something it cant do without General Assembly approval.

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If legislation is introduced, it will be thoroughly reviewed through the public committee hearing process, Senate spokesperson Greg Pare said in an email.

Last weeks Superior Court ruling intensified the battle over funding obligations to the district. The feud went public in early October after Smiley called a press conference to reveal an ultimatum made by Providence Superintendent Javier Montanez asking for $10.9 million for the district.

Montanez warned Smiley that without the cash from the city, the district would have to cut winter and spring sports, along with revoking students Rhode Island Public Transit Authority bus passes.

Smiley responded with a $1 million offer the following day, promising to use money from a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement recently struck with Lifespan Corporation, plus a parking agreement with the Rhode Island School of Design. The City Council promised to repurpose $1.5 million from its share of federal pandemic relief money.

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But Smiley said the combined offer was not accepted as of Tuesday.

All of this is in the context of irresponsible spending from the school department, he said Tuesday. We all know there was going to be a fiscal cliff when the federal COVID aid expired and they did nothing to plan for it other than to send us the bill and expect Providence taxpayers would foot that bill.

Smiley blamed Infante-Greens administration at RIDE for a lack of collaboration, adding the city would help to instill discipline and oversight on state spending.

It is clear the commissioner views her ability to run our schools as one without checks and balances, he said. Cooperation is a one-way street with her.

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Smiley and City Council President Rachel Miller called on the state to put the district back on local control  something the Rhode Island Council on Elementary and Secondary Education declined to do in August, instead extending the takeover through 2027.

Our city is not a bank for a state-controlled experiment, Miller said. After four years, it has become abundantly clear the state takeover is not working to promote the collaboration and the transparent decision making that our students need.

RIDE spokesperson Victor Morente said it was a lack of city resources and underperformance that led the state to take over the school district in the first palace.

City leaders have repeatedly stated they are ready to prove to the State that they are prepared to regain local control, but their budget priorities say otherwise, Morente said in a statement.

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The budget feud led high school students to rally outside of City Hall on Tuesday.

Rhode Island Current is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Rhode Island Current maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janine L. Weisman for questions: info@rhodeislandcurrent.com. Follow Rhode Island Current on Facebook and X.
AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A commercial building in Austintown sold for $2.8 million.

The building at 5385 Clarkins Drive, which currently houses a welding, gas and equipment company, was sold Nov. 13 to the Cutting Family Trust out of Palos Verdes, California, according to records with the Mahoning County Auditors Office.

The building was constructed in 2022 with a current tax value of $1 million. The current tax bill is $28,328.

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The property was previously owned by JetLag LLC.

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WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  A man was killed in a fire late Thursday in the southeast Kansas town of Altamont.

The City of Altamont said fire and police responded to the call at 10 p.m. in the 500 block of S. Huston Ave. As departments were arriving, the building became fully engulfed.

One victim, 61-year-old Edward Escolas of Altamont, was found dead as a result of the fire. FourStatesHomePage.com reported that Escolas owned a motorcycle shop at that location where he built bikes and repaired them.

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The Kansas State Fire Marshal and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation were called to assist with the investigation.

Snow forecast 2024: Where will La Nina bring more snow?

Multiple area departments, including Parsons, Oswego, Cherryvale, and Coffeyville, were called to provide mutual aid. The Labette County Sheriffs Department also assisted with traffic control.

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Shopkeepers at the Minneapolis intersection where George Floyd was killed by police in 2020 are suing the city for the second time in 12 months, saying business has declined as concrete barricades continue to block vehicle traffic while crime has reportedly risen.

The lawsuit, which was filed last week in state court and reported first by the Minnesota Star-Tribune, is demanding the city initiate eminent domain proceedings to take over their properties and pay them $30 million in damages.

In the suit, the owners of the Cup Foods convenience store  now called Unity Foods  and other nearby small-business owners accuse Minneapolis officials of botching its response in the aftermath of Floyds murder, claiming, among other things, that the barriers they erected have cut off the area, which has since been renamed George Floyd Square.

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Although the spot has become a magnet for activists and supporters, the businesses say they feel left behind as plans emerge to remake the area around 38th Street and Chicago Avenue.

The future of George Floyd Square is being debated as nearby businesses have filed a second lawsuit against the city of Minneapolis (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

An initial suit, claiming negligence and nuisance against the city, was dismissed in September.

About the refiled claim, attorney Michael Healey, who is representing the businesses, told the Star Tribune, [T]he folks that still own businesses there could conceivably keep the property if a settlement is reached with the city on the diminished value. The other possible outcome is the city grants the writ and initiates an official taking of these properties in which case they will definitely have to be paid something. That would have to be litigated.

A spokesperson for the City of Minneapolis declined to comment on the legal action itself, but said the city understands the challenges that residents and businesses have confronted in the wake of George Floyds murder.

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It has spent nealry three years conducting community workshops and other outreach activities to figure out the best way forward, and last month released a plan of action regarding next steps. The vision report includes ideas for new parklets, better street lighting, upgraded sidewalks and streets, and improved access for public transit.

Construction could begin next year.

Former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin pleaded guilty in 2022 to federal civil rights violations over Floyds murder, kneeling on his neck as the 46-year-old lost consciousness and died.

Floyd was stopped by cops after a storeowner accused him of passing a counterfeit $20 bill.

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An initial police report mentioned nothing about Chauvin cutting off Floyds airway for nearly 10 minutes as he struggled to breathe; bystander video subsequently emerged that turned the case into an international cause. Chavin was sentenced to more than 20 years in federal prison.

He was also found guilty on state charges of second- and third-degree murder. The Supreme Court later declined to hear Chauvins appeal.
Permian Basin, TEXAS (KMID/KPEJ)  The Mortgage Builders Association predicts rates to be under 6% by the end of 2025.

While the housing market in the Permian Basin has not been its strongest in recent years, local realtors and mortgage lenders are seeing a decrease in mortgage rates, lightening the load for future homebuyers.

The home building process has been stagnant due to a fluctuating economy, causing sellers to halt on the making of more homes.

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With everything being so expensive since the pandemic, we havent had as many houses being built in Odessa and Midland, said Connie, Odessa Board of Realtors CEO.

Home-seller professionals of the Permian Basin believe with President-Elect Donald Trump, his emphasis on more drilling and fracking will have a positive impact on the real estate in West Texas.

Regardless of the leader in the White House, homebuyers are encouraged to be familiarized with the process of what it takes to become a homeowner.

While its important to understand rates, mortgage professionals want to emphasize the difference between federal rates verses mortgage rates. Even though the two are related, they should not be compared.

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Its like comparing apples to oranges. The federal rates are used to regulate the broader economy, while mortgage rates reflect the cost of borrowing for home loans influenced by the feds, said Shimene Willard of Thrive Mortgage Odessa.

When considering buying a home, your first thought should be to talk with a Mortgage lender. There is not a one-stop shop for mortgage loans. Income, assets and job history will help us help you, said Willard during the initial home buying process.

Professionals also stress being knowledgeable and responsible of your credit score and to not be insecure about your credit due to the amount of programs offered to assist.

There are so many programs you can apply for within your city to assist your process, especially in Odessa and Midland. One in particular is the Odessa Housing Finance Corporation which prioritizes affordable housing for low-income areas, said Connie.

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After going through the pre-approval process, speaking with a mortgage lender and eventually finding your realtor, you are that much closer to becoming a homeowner.

For more information on the home buying process, rates, the economy or resources available, visit MBA.ORG

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CABOT, Ark.  A Cabot man was sentenced to more than 16 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, George Tavis Marino, II was sentenced to 200 months in prison and five years of supervised release Wednesday.

Bryant man sentenced in federal court to 20 years for fentanyl possesion

Marino was indicted Aug. 1, 2023, on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He pleaded guilty on March 21.

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State officials said an investigation revealed that Marino was involved in a traffic stop conducted by Arkansas State Police in May 2022 in Jacksonville. Officials said the Marino was seen reaching under his seat during the traffic stop.

After being instructed to exit the vehicle, state officials said Marino exited through the vehicles window and fled the scene after resisting the state trooper.

Little Rock man gets 25 years in federal prison for selling fentanyl that resulted in death

During a search of the vehicle, officials said they found a loaded Hi-Point, model C9, 9mm pistol.

Marino was later found at a Walmart parking lot in Jacksonville and taken into custody.

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State officials said Marino had a criminal background including 21 prior felony convictions.The maximum penalty he faced was between 15 years and life in prison, five years supervised release and a fine of $250,000.

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35,725 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others?

35,725 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others?
SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP)  A California man convicted of stabbing to death a gay University of Pennsylvania student in an act of hate was sentenced Friday to life without parole in prison.

Samuel Woodward, 27, was sentenced in a Southern California courtroom at the end of an all-day hearing for the murder of Blaze Bernstein nearly seven years ago. Woodward, who did did not appear in court Friday due to illness, was convicted this year of first-degree murder with an enhancement for a hate crime for killing Bernstein, a gay, Jewish college sophomore.

Dozens of Bernstein 's relatives and friends sat in the courtroom. Many wore T-shirts reading Blaze it Forward," a slogan for a campaign to commit acts of kindness in his name following his death.

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Lets be clear: This was a hate crime," Bernsteins mother, Jeanne Pepper, told the court. Samuel Woodward ended my sons life because my son was Jewish and gay.

She said she takes solace in Woodward never getting out of custody and that while he rots in prison, we will be here on the outside, celebrating the life of Blaze.

Blazes memory and spirit will live on in every kind deed done in his honor, she said.

There was no question about the sentence Woodward would receive because the jurys verdict carried a life sentence without parole, said Kimberly Edds, a spokesperson for the Orange County District Attorneys office.

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Woodward's lawyer, Ken Morrison, asked the court to sentence his client to 28 years to life, saying the judge had some discretion in this regard and that the jurors were not permitted to see all the evidence in the case at trial. Morrison previously said he would appeal the verdict.

Bernstein, who was 19, disappeared in January 2018 after he went out at night with Woodward to a park in Lake Forest, about 45 miles (70 kilometers) southeast of Los Angeles. After Bernstein missed a dentist appointment the next day, his parents found his glasses, wallet and credit cards in his bedroom and tried to reach him, but he didnt respond.

Authorities launched an exhaustive search and said Bernsteins family scoured his social media and saw he had communicated with Woodward on Snapchat. Authorities said Woodward told the family that Bernstein had gone to meet a friend in the park that night and didnt come back.

Days later Bernsteins body was found in a shallow grave in the park. He had been repeatedly stabbed in the face and neck.

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The question during Woodward's monthslong trial was not whether he killed Bernstein but why and the circumstances under which it happened. Prosecutors said Woodward was affiliated with the violent anti-gay, neo-Nazi extremist group Atomwaffen Division, while Morrison said his client didn't plan to kill anyone or hate Bernstein and faced challenging personal relationships due to a long-undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder.

The case took years to go to trial amid a series of delays and stoked public outcry in Southern California, where residents fanned out in 2018 to try to help authorities find Bernstein after he suddenly went missing.

Woodward testified during his trial and gave slow, delayed replies to lawyers' questions with his long hair partly covering his face.

Bernstein and Woodward attended the same high school, Orange County School of the Arts, and connected via a dating app in the months before the killing. Woodward said he picked up Bernstein, went to a nearby park and repeatedly stabbed Bernstein after trying to grab a cellphone he feared had been used to photograph him.

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Morrison, the defense lawyer, said Woodward was confused about his sexuality after growing up in a politically conservative and devout Catholic family where his father openly criticized homosexuality.

But prosecutors told a different story. They said Woodward had repeatedly targeted gay men online by reaching out to them and abruptly breaking off contact, while keeping a hateful, profanity-laced journal of his actions.

Authorities said they also found a black Atomwaffen mask with traces of blood, a folding knife with a bloodied blade and a host of anti-gay, antisemitic and hate group materials in a search of his family's home in Newport Beach, California.
Mountain lions in the greater Los Angeles region are consciously shifting their activity to avoid interacting with human residents, a new study has found.

Big cats living in areas with higher levels of human recreation may be more nocturnal than those inhabiting more remote areas, where felines tend to be active at dawn and dusk, according to the study, published on Friday in Biological Conservation.

Although mountain lions prefer to avoid people, the natural areas inhabited by the cats and other wildlife are also heavily trafficked by human recreationists, the study authors noted.

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People are increasingly enjoying recreating in nature, which is fantastic, lead author Ellie Bolas, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of California, Davis, said in a statement.

This flexibility we see in mountain lion activity is what allows us to share these natural areas together, Bolas continued. Mountain lions are doing the work so that coexistence can happen.

To determine whether and how lions were adapting to human activity, the researchers monitored the movements of 22 big cats that were living in the Santa Monica Mountains and the surrounding area, between 2011 and 2018.

They conducted these analyses on data they acquired from GPS and accelerometer collars that other biologists had fitted on the lions as part of a separate long-term study. At the same time, the authors also tracked and quantified human recreation in the region, using a GPS database that people opted to make public.

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The researchers found that Griffith Park  a large municipal park in northern Los Angeles  hosted the highest levels of recreational activity, while the Santa Susan Mountains and Los Padres National Forest had the least human traffic.

The least nocturnal mountain lion was a female in the central and western Santa Monica Mountains. Females in general, the researchers observed, were more active near sunrise and during daylight hours, in comparison to males. The authors hypothesized that this difference might be attributable to a female instinct to avoid the males, who could endanger them and their kittens.

The most nocturnal lions were two males living in small, isolated areas that had many trails, high levels of human recreation and were adjacent to high-density development and freeways. Both of those cats inhabited two of the tiniest home ranges on record for adult males.

The urban experiences of these two cats and others showed how mountain lions tend to avoid people rather than becoming too habituated to them, the researchers concluded.

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These results are really important in that they show how humans may be affecting wildlife in less obvious ways than killing them with vehicles, co-author Seth Riley, branch chief for wildlife at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, said in a statement.

On the other hand, Riley emphasized the amazing fact that a population of a large felid predator persists in one of the largest urban areas in the world.

That would not be possible if mountain lions werent able to adjust to human activity in ways like this, he said.

While it has become clear that these big cats are adjusting to humans, the study authors highlighted a need for humans to return the favor. People should both make themselves aware that dawn and dusk can be prime time for mountain lion activity and take extra precautions when driving at night, as these felines may be out on the prowl, the scientists noted.

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Even something as innocuous as recreation can add to these other stressors were bringing into their lives, Bolas said. But we can feel a sense of optimism that they are flexible in the timing of their activity. Coexistence is happening, and its in large part because of what mountain lions are doing.

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DAMASCUS, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Israeli airstrikes targeted on Friday the Mazzeh neighborhood west of the Syrian capital Damascus for a second consecutive day, according to war monitor reports.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Israeli warplanes launched an airstrike targeting the Zahriyat Housing Complex, a military residential area near Al-Akram Mosque in the Mazzeh district.

The airstrike triggered the activation of Syrian air defenses at Mazzeh Military Airport.

Following the raid, fire engines and ambulances were dispatched to the targeted site, said the Observatory, adding that security forces and government troops cordoned off the area completely.

There were no official immediate reports of casualties from the most recent attack.

The strikes came just a day after Israeli missiles hit the same neighborhood, killing at least 15 people, according to the Syrian Defense Ministry. 
SACRAMENTO, California  California officials announced on Friday they will rename all geographic features and places in the state that previously contained the derogatory term "squaw."

The California Natural Resources Agency said it would remove the word from dozens of streets, bridges, buildings and cemeteries around the state and replace it with names that prioritize Indigenous cultures and languages.

The locations to be renamed include Squaw Valley Cemetery in Fresno, Squaw Creek Bridge in Humboldt County and Squaw Peak Lane, in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson.

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"These changes, proposed by local communities in strong partnership with California Native people, allow all Californians to move forward from a past that denigrated Native women and into present that embraces the beauty, diversity and potential that are a hallmark of this state," California Tribal Affairs Secretary Christina Snider-Ashtari said in a press release.

The moves stem from a 2022 law by Assemblymember James Ramos, a member of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians who said the word "dehumanizes" Native American women, and follow a similar effort at the federal level by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to ban the word from federal lands.

The California Advisory Committee on Geographic Names identified dozens of geographic features and places using the word. It is working with local governments and tribal nations to recommend alternatives. For example, the city of West Sacramento is set to formally rename two streets "Tebti" on the recommendation of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation early next year.

Other places have already seen their names changed after federal action. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names voted in 2023 to change the name of a Fresno County community to Yokuts, which translates to "people," after a long fight by local tribal groups that met resistance from some community members. Private businesses have also made changes, most notably the Northern California ski resort that hosted the 1960 Olympics, which renamed itself Palisades Tahoe in 2022.

All places identified by the state commission must be formally renamed by Jan. 1, 2025. If local governments fail to choose replacements within 180 days, the law lets the commission step in with a recommendation.
A woman has been arrested on suspicion of impersonating a registered nurse and overseeing the care of some 60 patients at a Burbank hospital, authorities said.

Burbank police detectives say it wasn't the first time that Amanda Leeann Porter, 44, of Virginia, pretended to be a nurse.

Prior to the incident at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, Porter posted bail and was released from the custody of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department on suspicion of committing a similar offense at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Santa Clarita, according to the Burbank Police Department.

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Burbank police detectives said they learned during their investigation that Porter had obtained employment with various local hospitals using a variety of false identities.

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County district attorney's office filed felony charges of identity theft, false impersonation and grand theft against Porter, according to Burbank police.

She was arraigned Wednesday and is being held at L.A. County Central Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood  this time without bail, detectives said.

Porter worked at Providence Saint Joseph from April 8 to May 8, during which time she received two paychecks, detectives said. Hospital staff contacted the Police Department in May after discovering Porter was impersonating a real registered nurse who lived out of state, detectives said.

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Read more: LAPD 'SWAT mafia' trial set to begin; elite unit's leaders said to 'glamorize' killings

Porter is also on federal probation for a fraud violation in Virginia, detectives said.

In 2017, a woman named Amanda Porter-Eley pleaded guilty to impersonating a nurse and committing bank fraud in Virginia, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Burbank Police Department would not confirm whether Amanda Leeann Porter and Amanda Porter-Eley are the same person, citing the ongoing investigation. However, their ages match, and in prior court filings Amanda Porter-Eley's name is also listed as Amanda L. Porter.

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Porter-Eley was found guilty of impersonating a registered nurse in Virginia and working for six months as a nursing supervisor without the required licenses, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. At the time, the nurse she was impersonating was living out of state in New York, prosecutors said.

Beginning in September 2015, Porter-Eley used the nurse's stolen identity to open multiple bank accounts and obtain more than $450,000 in cash, loans, goods and services, including at least three vehicles and one property, according to the Justice Department. She continued to use the false identity until her arrest in 2016 and caused more than $120,000 in losses to banks and retailers.

Porter-Eley also pleaded guilty to opening bank accounts using other people's Social Security numbers, thereby obtaining nearly $50,000 in worthless checks, according to the Justice Department.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
City Halls turbulent budget negotiations turned to Chicagos police force Friday, with aldermen split on pushing for cuts or additions to the high-dollar and high-stakes department.

A day after the City Council unanimously voted down Mayor Brandon Johnsons proposed $300 million property tax hike, aldermen continued looking for ways to close the new gap and balance the citys 2025 spending plan. But the Police Department doesnt fit the bottom-line budget narrative that drives debate over most government offices.

Johnsons proposal includes $2.1 billion for CPD, up $58.7 million from this years allocation. Thanks to raises for rank-and-file officers, however, the department would lose 456 vacant positions in his budget, including hard hits to jobs critical to compliance with the departments ongoing federal consent decree.

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Despite the cuts, CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling avoided asking aldermen for more money at a Friday budget hearing. Instead, Snelling touted the departments work during the Democratic National Convention and success this year in lowering many violent crime rates, including an 8% drop in homicides, according to department data.

Earlier this week, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul wrote Johnson to strongly urge the mayor to not slash consent decree positions or risk the city being held in contempt of court for failing to comply.

But the closest Snelling got to the departments potentially reform-hampering cuts was asserting the consent decrees importance to argue CPD is still a department of transformation.

The consent decree is not just about reaching compliance with a document, Snelling said. Its about culture change. Its about a lifestyle, a way of life.

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Some aldermen called Friday for the city to reinstate consent decree positions in the 2025 budget. Others in City Council chamber pushed for broader new investments.

Several aldermen aired their support for an ordinance proposed Thursday to budget almost $7 million to resuscitate the ShotSpotter gunshot detection system that Johnson ended in September. Ald. Marty Quinn, 13th, re-upped his calls for a new police district to be added in his far Southwest Side ward using a building effectively donated to the city by state legislators.

When asked if the department might get more helicopters, Snelling signaled his support for the expensive idea as a way to save lives and even money by avoiding the car chases that often end in injuries and legal action against the city.

This is a one-time fee to pay for a helicopter to save us millions and millions in lawsuits, he said.

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Snelling also noted a previously unreported change to the budget. Nine vacant positions tasked with supporting the mental health of officers were cut in Johnsons original plan, but when Police and Fire Committee Chair Ald. Chris Taliaferro asked about the cuts, Snelling said he and the mayor had agreed to reinstate the extremely important positions.

Thats taken off the table now, he said. We are back to where we need to be.

Some aldermen looked for smaller efficiencies. Ald. Pat Dowell, 3rd, asked how the department might get more officers back from medical leave. There are 910 off with medical issues now, she said, all overseen by one doctor. Snelling said he is already looking into the leave system.

Others called for broader cuts to CPD.

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Standing outside of City Hall Friday morning, Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopz, 25th, demanded the department fire officers with ties to far-right organizations and called for an audit of Police Department finances to free up more money he said is needed to implement progressive policies.

What we need is to have the morality to take stances on things that actually matter to working people, Sigcho-Lopez said.

And he took a shot at the push colleagues made Thursday to reinstate ShotSpotter.

Spend less time fighting for failed software, for companies, for corporations, for billionaires, he said. And take more time to fight for working people so that we can find the money.
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  In late October a delegation from Calvary Christian School in Columbus headed to Valdosta, Georgia to provide hands-on assistance to Hurricane Helene victims. Helene slammed through the area on September 27th killing three people in Valdosta, smashing homes and businesses, and uprooting thousands of trees and lives.

Calvary Christian wanted to do something to help. Sean Burns is a Calvary Bible teacher who says, We try to get (our) kids in the community, try to get them to understand the importance of servant leadership, being that role model, trying to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Thirty-two Calvary juniors and seniors made the 175-mile journey to Valdosta on October 28th and 29th, teaming up with Samaritans Purse to provide relief to homeowners. Burns says, Once we got down there and saw the devastation and they saw Samaritans Purse and what they were doing, it took on a whole different meaning.

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Natalee Peyton is a junior at Calvary. She recalls, The first house just had trees everywhere, fallen all over the place. We moved numerous trees that had fallen. We had a wall of debris that we had raked up and shoveled.

Senior Austin Wiggins remembers the first house he worked on was completely covered in trees. It was really hard to see the house. Throughout the three or fours hours we were there, we completely cleaned up the yard.

Burns says they only got about four to five hours of sleep on the Tuesday night they arrived. The students bunked at a nearby camp and hit the ground running early Wednesday morning. They put in a ten-hour day of hard work under the direction of Samaritans Purse. They were divided into three groups that spread out to seven different locations.

The response from the homeowners was overwhelming. Natalee says, They were just overflowing with gratitude for all we had done. The first house we went to, the homeowner was almost in tears. He had tried to do it himself. He told us he would never have been able to do it without our help.

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Burns recalls, Where I was the lady was going through chemo. Her husband just had triple bypass surgery. They had been in their house for 30 years and they just didnt have the resources. So for us to be able to come in there and put a small dent in it was really worth it.

Another storm victim mentioned she was missing a couple of items that meant a lot to her. One was a lawn jockey statue. Sure enough, one of our kids went to digging and was able to find it and it just made her day.

The Valdosta mission was a heart-stirring activity for the students. In hindsight Natalee said, I wanted to really impact peoples lives, to be able to help them and show them that even young people can be a helping hand and shine the light of Jesus.

When the group left to head back to Columbus, Burns said Samaritans Purse still had some 2,000 work orders from people in the Valdosta area who still needed help.

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LEESBURG, Texas (KETK)  A Camp County man has been sentenced to more than 19 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to drug and firearms charges on Thursday.

Jacksonville man gets life in prison for sexual abuse of children

Nathan Paul Hart, 36 of Leesburg, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamines and possession of a firearm for a drug trafficking crime, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas Damien M. Diggs.

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According to Diggs, Hart was then sentenced to 170 months for the drug charge and 60 months on the firearms charge for a total of 230 months or 19.167 years.

Federal court records showed that between August 2019 and August 2021, Hart was a part of a group who conspired to bring more than 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamines into East Texas.

In November of 2020, Hart was stopped with another person in a car that was carrying around two kilograms of meth and a pistol. He also reportedly admitted to sending more than $22,000 to California to purchase drugs.

Hart will serve his two sentences one after the other and has also been ordered to forfeit $250,000, Diggs press release said.

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The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service  Criminal Investigations were all involved in the case.

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At the sprawling forested Adazi military base, north east of Riga, Latvia, Capt. Harrison Burrows is one of more than 3,000 troops who has spent the past two weeks participating in a Canadian-led NATO military exercise designed to simulate an attack on the Baltic nation coming from beyond its nearly 300 km-long border with Russia.

It's the first exercise held in Latvia since the military forces in the country were scaled up to a multinational brigade, also led by Canada, that is made up of troops and equipment from more than 13 nations.

"I would say 50 per cent if not more things that you see here today weren't actually here earlier this summer," Burrows said to CBC News during a press tour to the base on Wednesday, where combat vehicles, weaponry and a radar system were on display.

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During the past six months of his deployment, Burrows, who is normally based at CFB Valcartier, witnessed how the various military units, and different pieces of equipment were integrated into a larger force as part of an effort to bolster NATO's eastern flank.

Capt. Harrison Burrows gives a tour to media during a two-week military exercise led by Canada at Adazi military base, north east of Riga, Latvia. (Jean-Francois Bisson/CBC)

Asked about the U.S. presidential election, Burrows admitted that there was talk among troops around what would change after president-elect Donald Trump is sworn in in January.

"There's been low-level discussions, but at the end of the day, our our mandate is for NATO," said Burrows.

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The Nov. 5 election of Donald Trump could potentially create friction in the 32 member alliance, given his past warnings that the U.S. will leave NATO nations to their own defences if they don't spend more on defence.

WATCH | Canadian-led military brigade practises in Latvia:

Pressure expected from Trump

In February on the campaign trail Trump even said he would encourage Russia to do "whatever" it wants to allies that don't pay up.

While at the time the White House called those comments "appalling and unhinged," NATO's Secretary General Mark Rutte, who previously served as the prime minister of the Netherlands and frequently met with Trump during his first term as president, describes Trump as someone who tries to invigorate the debate about defence spending.

Smoke bombs go off during the military exercises. Canada expanded its deployment in Latvia in 2023, and is committed until at least 2026.

Smoke bombs go off during the military exercises. Canada expanded its deployment in Latvia in 2023, and is committed until at least 2026. (Corinne Seminoff/CBC)

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"No doubt he will push [NATO countries] again to do more, to take a bigger share of the burden, which is only fair," Rutte said in an interview with CBC News while attending the final day of the military exercises at Camp Adazi.

"The U.S. is about 50 per cent of NATO's economy, but they are doing more than 50 per cent of defence spending at the moment."

WATCH | NATO expecting pressure from Trump for more spending from members:

In 2023, the U.S. spent more than $900 billion US on defence, which accounts for more than 65 per cent of NATO's overall military spending.

While NATO allies are expected to spend two per cent of their gross domestic product [GDP] on defence, a quarter of members don't, including Canada, which is expected to spend under 1.4 per cent this year.

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While Rutte says all NATO members need to spend "considerably more" than two per cent on defence, he pointed to Canada's leadership of the multinational brigade as evidence of its commitment to supporting the security priorities of the alliance.

Cpl. Youssef Zitouni and Cpl. Oliver Hutpays demonstrate how they would observe enemy movements from a trench during the exercises.

Cpl. Youssef Zitouni and Cpl. Oliver Hutpays demonstrate how they would observe enemy movements from a trench during the exercises. (Corinne Seminoff/CBC)

Canada deployed until 2026

Canada's deployment to Latvia began in 2017 when hundreds of soldiers were stationed there as a part of a battlegroup.

In 2023, anada committed $2. 6 billion to expand and continue the deployment until 2026.

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Gen. Jennie Carignan, Canada's chief of the defence staff told CBC News that she anticipates Canada's largest international deployment to continue well beyond that.

"I think considering the actions of Russia and what's going on in terms of threats, we can expect Canada to be here for a long time."

Most of the Canadian troops deployed to Latvia are on six-month rotations, and in January, for the first time, Sweden will be sending 600 troops as part of its first deployment as a new NATO member, having joined the alliance in March 2024.

Latvia, which was part of the Soviet Union until 1991 and has a large Russian population, fears that the Kremlin could try to take some of its territory.

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WATCH | Defence chief says military-to-military relationship with U.S. 'very durable':

Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics expressed gratitude for Canada's commitment and hopes to see more investment, particularly in air defence.

Canada says two additional air defence systems will be put in place in Latvia in 2026, and 2027.

"We all know what we need," said Rinkevics who added that NATO countries could learn from Russia, which ramped up military production and is planning to spend over six per cent of its GDP on defence in 2025.

"We still are all living in a kind of land of hope. Unfortunately, we must face reality."

WATCH | The mission could last beyond 2026, Canada's top soldier says:
(Reuters) - Canada's foreign minister on Thursday expressed deep concern about "catastrophic" humanitarian conditions across Gaza and warned about "the life-threatening levels of acute malnutrition."

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly cited a Nov. 8 report by the Famine Review Committee that found a strong likelihood that famine is occurring or imminent in areas within the northern Gaza Strip. The committee has previously found that 133,000 people in Gaza were facing catastrophic food insecurity.

"This means that civilians - men, women and children - are dying because of the lack of humanitarian assistance allowed into Gaza," she said in a joint statement with International Development Minister Ahmend Hussen.

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The statement said not enough aid is reaching those who rely on it for survival and humanitarian agencies and humanitarian workers continue to face preventable impediments.

Israel must abide by its obligations under international humanitarian law and provide a significant and sustained increase to humanitarian assistance for the civilian population, it added.

Hamas-led gunmen attacked Israel in October last year, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

More than 43,500 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza over the past year, Palestinian health officials say, and Gaza has been reduced to a wasteland of wrecked buildings and piles of rubble, where more than 2 million Gazans are seeking shelter in makeshift tents and facing shortages of food and medicines.

(Reporting by Jasper Ward; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
CANTON, Pa. (WETM)  A Canton woman has been sentenced to serve time in the Bradford County Correctional Facility after she assaulted members of the Bradford County Sheriffs Office.

Fleisha A. Halbieb, 27, was sentenced to a minimum of six months to a maximum of 23 months and 29 days for aggravated assault, a second-degree felony, as reported by the Bradford County District Attorneys Office.

Halbieb was charged by the Sheriffs Office in August of 2023 when deputies of the office attempted to serve a writ of possession against her.

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Bradford County inmate sentenced for arson, resisting arrest

The District Attorney reports that Halbieb had lost a landlord-tenant action and was ordered to leave the residence. It is reported that members of the Sheriffs Office gave Halbieb additional time to leave the residence but she failed and refused to do so and proceeded to fight with deputies when they attempted to serve her paperwork.

At this time, it is reported that Halbieb began to bite, scratch and kick at deputies before they had to use a Taser on her to remove her from the residence. Halbieb was then taken into custody and charged.

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Car owners claimed a bear trashed their Rolls-Royce. Insurers say it was fraud involving a person in a bear suit.

Car owners in California said a bear caused interior damage to their luxury vehicles.

The California Department of Insurance said the "bear" was actually a person in a costume.

They accused them of defrauding insurance companies out of more than $140,000.

Four Californians said a bear damaged their luxury car, but insurers have accused them of insurance fraud involving someone dressed in a bear costume.

The California Department of Insurance said in a press release Wednesday that four Los Angeles-area residents  Ruben Tamrazian, Ararat Chirkinian, Vahe Muradkhanyan, and Alfiya Zuckerman  had been charged with insurance fraud and conspiracy.

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The department said the suspects claimed in January that a bear had entered and damaged their 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost, a vehicle that typically sells for about $100,000 used, while it was parked in Lake Arrowhead, California.

They provided video footage to their insurance company, purportedly showing a bear entering the vehicle.

Images of the interior showed scratches on the leather seats and on the doors, which looked like claw marks.

However, CDI investigators determined that the "bear" in the footage was actually a person wearing a bear costume, the press release said.

It added that detectives also uncovered two additional insurance claims involving a 2015 Mercedes G63 AMG and a 2022 Mercedes E350, with the suspects submitting similar evidence to substantiate those claims.

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The CDI said the department sought advice from a California Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist, who reviewed the footage and concluded that it showed a person in a bear costume.

A search warrant led detectives to a bear costume in the suspects' home, according to the CDI.

The CDI said insurance companies were defrauded out of $141,839. The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office is prosecuting the case.

Insurance fraud is a major issue in the US. According to the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, it costs the country over $300 billion annually.

Schemes involving car payouts are on the rise in California, New York, and Florida, Mark Friedlander, a spokesperson for the Insurance Information Institute, told Fox Business last month.

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Friedlander said these kinds of accidents, which often involve staged car crashes, are costing insurers tens of billions and are adding hundreds of dollars to insurance premiums.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the cost of motor vehicle insurance in US cities is up about 14% in 2024, from the previous year.

Read the original article on Business Insider
CARLISLE, Iowa  A Carlisle graduate is now a teacher at the high school she went to and the connections shes making with her students are making a big difference.

Equations on a whiteboard can be challenging to get right. Thankfully, students in Brooke Groves class know theyre not solving problems alone.

Mrs. Groves is really kind. She cares about everyone she teaches, freshman Rilee Ogden said. Shes always there if you need someone and she never lets you give up and fail. She always pushes you.

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Fellow freshman Adrian Zamora Garcia agrees. Shes always been a nice teacher to me, always helps me with all my work, and never lets me stop trying.

Nominate your favorite teacher for the Golden Apple Award!

Mrs. Groves is the special education teacher at Carlisle High School and says students success in the classroom starts with getting to know them.

They come in every day, and they want me to be a part of their life, Groves said. Theyll tell me all their drama. Theyll tell me their personal lives, and thats nice because then when you ask them to do hard things theyre like oh yeah, shes got me, shes not going to let me fail. Shes going to do everything she can to help me get through it.

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Its Groves first year teaching at Carlisle, but not her first as a Wildcat. She graduated from Carlisle back in 2018 and returned this school year after working at a different district.

I always knew I loved teaching, Groves reflects. The last two years were kind of like, is this really what I want to do? Questioning myself, are there other opportunities for me out there? Do I want to go back to school? But coming back to Carlisle, and even though weve only been in school for two and a half months, I was like I love teaching. This is what I want do.'

Andrea Hoekstra is the principal at Carlisle High School. She knew Groves as a student and now a teacher.

Shes just been amazing, Hoekstra said. She has stepped right in since day one and really found her groove and has built such great relationships with her students and fit really well with our staff and just has that all in and buy-in and were just so happy shes here with us.

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Mrs. Groves focus on relationships was rewarded when several of her students nominated her for the Golden Apple.

MORE: Past Golden Apple Award Winners

I want to say thank you to all my kids, Groves said when she received the award. You guys  Im gonna start crying  are my true reason why I love teaching and why I get up every day to do what I do. I wouldnt be the person I am today without any of you. You push me to be a better person, and I hope I push you to understand your true potential in life and that even though you may have a disability, that doesnt define you. You can do great things.

Her students know how deserving she is of the recognition.

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It made me tear up a little bit, because I knew it was going to happen, freshman Eli Anthony said, because not a lot of teachers get it, but she was the special one this year.

A special teacher giving back to the community thats special to her.

Carlisle is home, Groves said. Carlisle will always be home even if you try to run away.

Mrs. Groves also teaches with her mom and sister at Carlisle.

Watch her full interview below:

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CANBERRA, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Australia's decision to vote in favor of permanent Palestinian sovereignty at the United Nations (UN) was a step toward a two-state solution, the government has said.

Australia on Thursday joined over 150 countries in backing a UN committee resolution to recognize the permanent sovereignty of Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan over their natural resources.

Australia had previously abstained or voted against the permanent sovereignty resolution since it was first introduced to the UN in 2003.

Addressing the vote on Friday, Jason Clare, Australia's minister for education, said it was about building momentum toward a two-state solution.

"What this is about is building momentum to a two-state solution. We need to end the killing and start the talking," he told Seven Network television.

"This is a vote by more than 150 countries to build momentum, to build two countries behind secure borders where people can live in peace rather than what we see at the moment," he said.

A spokesperson for Penny Wong, Australia's minister for foreign affairs, said that Australia does not agree with everything in the resolution but that the vote reflects international concern about Israel's actions.

It came after Australia in May voted in favor of granting Palestinian observers full membership of the UN and in December 2023 voted in favor of a ceasefire. The U.S. voted against both of those propositions as well as Thursday's draft resolution.

Australia also on Thursday voted in favor of a second draft resolution calling on Israel to assume responsibility and pay compensation to Lebanon for its role in a 2006 oil spill. 
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  The case of two suspects who hit 15th Circuit Solicitor Jimmy Richardsons home during a string of burglaries in Florence and Horry County last month is working just like it should, Richardson told News13 on Thursday.

Kristopher Wooten and Quincy Sapp were arrested and booked into the J. Reuben Long Detention Center on Oct. 4. Both were charged with three counts of first-degree burglary and making implements capable of being used in crime.

The Florida men committed about 10-12 burglaries in total, Richardson said. The 12th Circuit Solicitors Office is handling the case.

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Richardson said the thieves broke out some glass and then entered the home in an incident captured on video by a Ring security camera. He said his door was replaced on Thursday.

Richardson assumed it was a random string of burglaries and that he wasnt specifically targeted.

I am not looking for restitution as a victim, he said. I want what happens when Im a prosecutor, I want them to go to jail. I dont care about  Ill pay for the door. Let me handle that. But its working just like it should.

Count on News13 for updates.

* * *

Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Finding an apartment or house to rent can be a grueling process. You spend hours scouring the internet, going through dozens of ads, scheduling tours and filling out applications.

Imagine though, doing all of that to find out the place you landed on, isnt actually for rent.

Its a popular scam that the Better Business Bureau of Arkansas said it sees time and time again.

Maggie Marting has spent hours sifting through ads on Facebook Marketplace.

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Working 4 You: State investigating alleged unauthorized solar hookup fees by utility companies

Shes looking for a place to live and has been since March.

Theres definitely a shortage of I believe probably across the nation thats reasonably priced, Martin said.

The rental search as is, has become tough. Some say its like finding a needle in a haystack.

Maggie Martin said shes having to dodge the fake ones.

Oh, what do you know? 20 Highland Pl. in Benton. I can guarantee you thats going to be more than $450, Martin said.

Its a popular scam thats targeting potential renters in any city and every state.

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These landlords post an ad on Facebook or Zillow, listing a home for sometimes half of what its worth.

Solar company owes $400K in payoff program; Arkansas family feels tricked into two loans

The landlord asks the potential renter to sign a lease, pay a deposit, and then they leave you high and dry.

Oh my God you have no idea. There is no way to describe how this has driven me out of my mind, Martin said. Youre never going to see them. They dont show up when theyll meet with you. These are my personal experiences, said Martin.

Martin said she never lost any money, others though, arent so lucky.

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The total was about $5,000 that he stole from us, Madeline Crosby said.

Crosby and her husband got as far as moving into their home before everything came crashing down.

I had been getting phone calls that I didnt recognize the number. I wasnt answering, and it turns out it was the sheriffs department for the county, Crosby said. They were like, Who are you guys? I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me.

The Little Rock Police Department has reported this happening seven different times this year.

If those are the instances that are being reported, then its happening more often than not, Cara Carlin, with the Arkansas Better Business Bureau, said.

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Working4You: Central Arkansas homeowners turn to AGs office with complaints about unlicensed roofer

The Arkansas BBB said there are some immediate red flags that can tell you if a listing is legitimate or not.

The first, is the landlord doesnt want to meet in person. They say they are out of town, or a family emergency has come up.

Another flag to look for is if they rush the transaction. They may say they have others looking at the property and need you to make a decision now.

The last common flag is they ask that you pay through a cash transfer app or wire transfer.

In other cases, the signs may not be as clear.

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One of KARKs viewers who was recently scammed sent Working 4 You a copy of the lease agreement they signed.

Working 4 You sent it to Arkansas BBB.

The lease agreement looked perfectly normal, and I think thats the thing to note, Carlin said. These things are available online. Anybody can just grab one and fill in the blanks.

Working4You: Unlicensed contractor Stephen Rast appears in court, facing felony charges for theft of property

Carlin said renters have to dig a little deeper to find the red flags in the lease agreement.

Carlin first lists the rent price as a point of concern. Listed at $400 a month, Carlin said its a little too good to be true.

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Later down in the agreement, the landlord said the apartment is pet-friendly but never lists a pet deposit amount.

At the end of the agreement, Carlin said the signature is eligible.

The thing I would say to anybody is do your research, Martin said.

The easiest way is to double-check your sources. Some ads on Facebook may have a different price on Zillow. Carlin said renters should double-check on anything that may seem suspicious.

If it seems too good to be true, its probably a scam, Martin said.

Martin said shell continue her search until she finds what shes looking for, hoping soon shell have a place to call home.

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Working4You: North Little Rock man complains to Code Enforcement about messy neighbor

Madeline Crosby, who was one of the renters Working 4 You spoke to for this story said another great tool for double-checking is the county assessors office.

Most county websites will have information about who owns the property you are looking at. Make sure to verify that with the listing.

Crosby also said to make sure to pay with a check or some form of payment that can be canceled in case of emergency. She said she and her husband paid $5,000 to the landlord through PayPal and never got that money back.

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CHICAGO (WGN)  The Chicago Board of Education (CBOE) voted unanimously Thursday evening to support a new resolution that would explore keeping the seven Acero charter schools slated for closure open, giving families and teachers some hope.

The hope that gives us is the hope that our schools will stay open with this resolution, said Caroline Rutherford, a teacher at Acero and member of the Chicago Teachers Union.

Acero announced last month that seven of its 15 charter schools, serving mostly Latino students, would not reopen next school year. The closures, if completed, would impact more than 2,000 students and 270 staff members.

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Today, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnsons appointed CBOE voted unanimously for a resolution that asks Acero representatives to come before the board to explain why its closing schools and discuss alternatives that would keep the schools open longer.

If Acero does close the seven schools, this resolution requires that return any unspent public funds and property.

Alders unanimously reject mayors proposed $300M property tax hike

It seems CPS was kind of resigned to just giving up, said Michilla Blaise, a CBOE member. Were making sure were putting our foot down and were with you in terms of at least exploring what opportunities.

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The newly-elected CBOE members had sent a letter this week to the current board asking them to hold off on any major decisions until the new board is seated in January, but Thursday, members said this is simply too urgent a matter to wait.

Advocates for the seven schools affected are hopeful that even if Acero does close, Chicago Public Schools would take over, so students wouldnt be uprooted.

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A Southwest Airlines flight at Denver International Airport was evacuated safely Friday morning after a cellphone battery ignited. It happened on board Flight 3316 before 7 a.m. as the plane was getting ready to depart for the William P. Hobby Airport in Houston.

Southwest Airlines Flight 3316 at Denver International Airport was evacuated after a cellphone caught fire. / Credit: CBS

According to Southwest, the aircraft was still at the gate when the fire started. The crew was able to extinguish a seat fire caused by the burning cellphone. The passenger who had the phone suffered burns and was treated by medical personnel.

Southwest told CBS News Colorado that there were 108 passengers on board when the fire started. During the evacuation, passengers in the back of the aircraft used the rear emergency slides to get out of the plane and those in the front exited through the front door. One passenger suffered minor injuries during the evacuation.

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The incident is being investigated and Southwest released this statement, "Southwest's Customer Care Team is working to accommodate the passengers on another aircraft to their original destination of Houston. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of its Customers and Employees."

The FAA released this statement to CBS News Colorado: Battery transportation safety is a priority for the FAA and we provide extensive resources for passengers. The FAA recommends that passengers keep cell phones and other devices nearby in the cabin to quickly access them if necessary. Flight crews are trained to recognize and respond to lithium battery fires in the cabin. Passengers should notify the flight crew immediately if their lithium battery or device is overheating, expanding, smoking or burning.

According to a CBS News Investigation published last year, similar incidents have been happening much more frequently in the skies over the United States. The FAA verifies the number of lithium-ion battery fires jumped more than 42% in the last five years.

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INDIANAPOLIS  Kenneth Allen, the newly elected constable for Center Township, is making major changes to the office and announced Thursday he was firing all deputy constables appointed by the previous leader.

The Center Township constable's office has made headlines in recent years because of scandals surrounding former constable Denise Hatch.

Hatch was embroiled in several criminal cases this last year after police launched an extensive investigation into the constables office that led to criminal charges.

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In early October, Hatch pleaded guilty in Marion Superior Court to official misconduct, a low-level felony and misdemeanor count of unlawful carrying a handgun, charges she picked up after police say they spotted her wearing her constable uniform and carrying a Glock handgun in her waistband.

More: Center Township Constable pleads guilty to official misconduct charge, removed from office

In his announcement, Allen noted people in possession of Center Township identification cards, Center Township Constable badges, and municipal plates need to return these items by 5 p.m. Nov. 22 or the constable's office will take action against former deputies who fail to comply.

Kenneth Allen of Indianapolis (center) listens as former City-County Council President Stephen Clay (left) asks Jim Merritt a question at the Indianapolis Central Library Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019.

"Those actions may include pursuing criminal charges or civil penalties for unlawfully impersonating a law-enforcement officer or conversion of government property," the announcement reads.

Who is Kenneth Allen

Prior to Allen's appointment to the Center Township constable's office, he served on the Indianapolis Public Schools board since 2021.

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Allen lost his re-election bid to the school board in this year's election to Deandra Thompson, after only receiving 21.5% of the vote, compared to Thompson's 56.3% and Carrie Harris's 22.2%.

But a few days after his defeat in the election, Allen was selected as Center Township's newest constable, which led him to resign from his seat on the Indianapolis Public Schools board. He was set to end his term on Dec. 31 of this year.

Indiana law does not allow a person to hold two elected offices in the state at the same time.

Denise Hatch: Township constable in Indy charged with official misconduct, resisting law enforcement

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Telesavalis Siggers: Deputy's gun arrest the latest problem to plague Center Township Constable's Office

Semorris Powell: Center Township deputy constable charged with rape

Craig Regans: The judge and constable disagreed. Then the constable arrested two township employees.

IndyStar reporter Sarah Nelson and Caroline Beck contributed to this reporting.

Contact IndyStar reporter Noe Padilla at npadilla@indystar.com or follow him on X @1NoePadilla.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis constable fires deputies after taking office
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WFXR)  Centra announced a multi-year modernization plan back in March of 2023 to address the needs of the community based on findings from the 2021 Community Health Needs assessment.

After the 2023 announcement, progress has been made on the Centra Medical Center and Centra Simons Run Medical Campus along with the parking lot and wayfinding work at the Centra Lynchburg General Hospital.

Here are the updates from each location.

Centra Langhorne Medical Center:

Construction of the Medical Center has been started since the groundbreaking in March of 2024. The five-story medical office building is located at the intersection of Langhorne Road and Tate Springs Road. This building will offer the Lynchburg community centralized access to diverse healthcare systems which supports Centras idea of improving health care. The facility is expected to open at full capacity by the fall of 2025.

Centra Simons Run Medical Campus:

The campus is set to open in 2026 with the hope of expanding specialized behavioral health and rehabilitation services. Centra and Lifepoint Health affiliates from Lifepoint Behavioral Health and Lifepoint Rehabilitation are working together on the project.

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The campus will have two state-of-the-art hospitals:

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Centra Behavioral Health Hospital: This hospital will be a 72-bed facility with 75,000 square feet to offer patients with mental health needs a safe and therapeutic environment. It will also provide inpatient and outpatient services with open community spaces, courtyards, and clinical areas to enhance the overall patient and family experience.

Centra Rehabilitation Hospital: This will be a 50-bed facility for patients in need of physical therapy and rehabilitation for brain and spinal cord injuries. There will be therapy gyms and outdoor spaces for patients along with a secure unit for patients with brain injuries to support a safe recovery.

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In the third quarter of 2024, construction began on both hospitals. Both facilities will replace inpatient units at Centra Virginia Baptist Hospital.

Centra is also working on Centra Lynchburg General (LGH) parking, tower, and wayfinding enhancements.

Wayfinding Enhancements: In August, Centra completed updates to LGHs room numbering and tower designations. These modifications aim to improve navigation across the LGH campus, enhancing the experience for patients, visitors, and Caregivers. Permanent signage that incorporates regional themes selected by Caregivers and the community and reflects the updated numbering system is expected to be installed in the next year.

Parking Expansions: To accommodate the growing LGH campus, new parking spaces have been added, including areas equipped with EV charging stations. Additionally, a new patient and visitor parking area is projected to open in the spring of 2025.

For more information contact Centra Communications and Public Relations, Stephanie McBride at 434-660-7634.

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BELLEFONTE, Pa. (WTAJ)  Election Day may be over, but Centre Countys Board of Elections continues to address challenges to votes.

At their Nov. 14 meeting, the board heard two challenges. The first was an appeal to not count four votes that did not have all the signatures.

Since the ballots do not have all the requisite signatures, those ballots cannot be counted, Louis Lombardi, the one challenging the votes, said.

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Cambria Co. Commissioners allocate money to revitalize Johnstown

After hearing the argument, the board voted to count the four votes because the signature error was on the part of the poll workers, not the voters.

The next challenge was a general one for nearly 80 votes that were rejected. The reasons for rejection ranged from the voter not being registered, to not residing in Centre County or duplicate applications.

A common point of contention was Pa.s SURE system, which holds all the important election and voting information. Even after hearing the argument, the boards discussion included the SURE system as a point of scrutiny.

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I would recommend to the legislature to allocate whatever funds are needed to update the SURE system, Chair of the Centre County Commissioners Mark Higgins said. Its well past time.

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Four votes from the second challenge were ultimately counted, and each board member thanked the elections team  with Commissioner Steve Dershem hoping that the board will do better in the next election cycle.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com.
CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ)  A Spring Mills man was sentenced to prison Thursday for his involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capital in 2021.

Terry Allen, 65, was sentenced to 24 months in prison followed by 24 months of supervised release and was ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution after being convicted of multiple felony counts, including assaulting law enforcement with a deadly or dangerous weapon.

According to court documents and evidence shown in the trial, security cameras captured Allen as he proceeded to break through barriers. Prosecutors said Allen was later seen in a threatening stance with Capital police and at one point began to jab at officers with a flag pole, prompting them to report people were using the flag as a spear.

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Centre County man convicted for assaulting officers in Jan. 6 riot

Moments later, when more police arrived to fend off the rioters, Allen had his wooden flagpole and a metal bar that may have been from a bike rack. When officers began to deploy pepper spray, Allen wound up and threw the metal bar, striking at least one officer, prosecutors said.

The FBI arrested Allen on July 6, 2023, in Pennsylvania.

Allen was sentenced on felony convictions of civil disorder, assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers with a deadly or dangerous weapon, entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon, and engaging in physical violence in a restrict building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon.

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In the 46 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,561 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 590 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

Stay up to date with the latest news in the palm of your hand. Click here to download the WTAJ app for Apple and Android devices.

Its unknown if Allen will be pardoned when President-elect Trump takes office, something hes mentioned doing for a lot of the Jan. 6 defendants once he takes his seat in the Oval Office.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com.
Centrist Democrats are revolting.

As they begin to dissect their collapse in the presidential election, some Democratic National Committee members are concluding that the party is too woke, too focused on identity politics and too out of touch with broad stretches of America.

Those existential concerns, according to interviews with more than two dozen DNC members, are shaping the earliest stages of the race for DNC chair and, in the absence of a formal party autopsy, blame-casting among members about the causes of Vice President Kamala Harris defeat.

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The progressive wing of the party has to recognize  we all have to recognize  the countrys not progressive, and not to the far left or the far right. Theyre in the middle, said Joseph Paolino Jr., DNC committeeman for Rhode Island. Im going to look for a chair whos going to be talking to the center and whos going to be for the guy who drives a truck back home at the end of the day.

Or as one DNC member from Florida put it: I don't want to be the freak show party, like they have branded us. You know, when you're a mom with three kids, and you live in middle America and you're just not really into politics, and you see these ads that scare the bejesus out of you, you're like, I know Trump's weird or whatever, but I would rather his weirdness that doesn't affect my kids.

The race for chair  the partys first real reckoning with its brutal Election Day outcome up and down the ballot  is wide open, with nearly a dozen names floated as possible successors to replace Jaime Harrison, who is not expected to run again. Potential contenders include some Democrats with formidable resumes, including Wisconsin Democratic Party leader Ben Wikler, Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Chair Ken Martin, ex-White House infrastructure czar Mitch Landrieu and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, among others.

Party officials are expected to wait until the next chair is seated, likely early next year, to decide on a formal review of Democrats failings in the election. But the recriminations over Harris loss to Donald Trump are already reverberating throughout the DNC  and influencing members outlook on the chairs race, the first step the party will take to chart its post-defeat direction.

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This is basically a rebuild job from the bottom up, said Donna Brazile, the former Democratic National Committee chair.

Amid that still-nascent overhaul, a wing of Democrats who believe the party shifted too far to the left is rising up inside the DNC.

I do think there's this whole sentiment that we just went too far out there on identity, and it allowed the Republicans to really attack us at every turn as a result, and that we just essentially did not focus on just the everyday issues of Americans, said one DNC member from California, granted anonymity to speak freely.

I'm not interested in anyone who is moving further away from the center, said Cindy Bass, a Pennsylvania committee member from Philadelphia. The center is where we have to be.



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President Joe Bidens Democratic National Committee and his installed chair, Harrison, are by no means considered progressive insurgents. But the body has been subject to tactical shifts before. Following Hillary Clintons defeat in 2016, party officials stripped superdelegates of much of their power in the presidential nominating process, a victory for the left after a primary in which superdelegates overwhelmingly supported Clinton over Bernie Sanders. Today, among at least some members of the party, there is a sense that the party has drifted too far leftward in its messaging.

The concern is not just ideological but is spreading to issues of identity. Even some of the committees most progressive members say so.

A second member from California, granted anonymity to speak openly, described a general hesitation to back a woman or person of color for party chair after Harris defeat. This person added that view does not square with their own outlook. But they were not alone in noticing it.

Im disappointed that most of the names Im hearing are men, said Shasti Conrad, the Democratic Party chair for Washington state, one of the only states that trended toward Democrats in 2024. I hope we get some strong female candidates, too. One of my worries is that one of the bad takes is the party thinks that weve tried more diverse leadership, and maybe that doesnt work.

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One DNC member, granted anonymity to assess the field of potential chairs frankly, said, Its White Guy Winter.

Virgie Rollins, the DNC Black Caucus chair, said she will wait and see if someone from the Black Caucus wants to step up to run to lead the committee. But she added, no matter what, my caucus is going to be very much involved in who the chair is going to be.

In addition to Wikler, Martin, Landrieu and Emanuel, potential contenders include California Sen. Laphonza Butler, former Maryland Gov. Martin OMalley, defeated Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, former New York Rep. Max Rose and former New York state Rep. Michael Blake.

The new four-year term for the role begins in March and includes more elemental tasks than just choosing political vendors: The next chair will be responsible for setting the 2028 primary calendar as well as determining presidential debate parameters, not to mention framing the partys midterm message and marshaling its fundraising efforts across the map.

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In the wake of Democrats widespread loss, several DNC members said their next chair should be an organizing guru. Moderate, establishment-oriented and progressive Democrats identified it as a must-have.

Im looking for a new DNC chair whos going to continue to help build the infrastructure of the party around organizing, said Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. and DNC member Austin Davis, to make sure were building an organization that can not only turn out voters, but persuade voters.

He added, Trump really kind of ran up numbers everywhere, you know what I mean? There was clearly a strategy not focusing on one place or another. And as a party we have to do that.

That desire for better organizing extends both down the ballot and deep into the battleground states that Trump swept. Several DNC members said they wanted to see such efforts even in off years  not just in the ramp-up to the presidential election. And they want it to be led by people with deep knowledge of key states  not folks flown in from Washington.

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They need to pay more attention to having operatives that are from those states in those states and doing more training in the offseason, said Tomika Vukovic, a recently elected DNC member from Wisconsin.

The party is searching for answers in that state  and everywhere else. And some DNC members just hope the committee will pick a chair willing to dig into that work.

Said one New York DNC member, granted anonymity to assess the partys ailments: I would like to see a chair that can be critical of the party. And take a real in-depth look of where weve done things right and were weve failed and take action, even if its not popular. Not everything is puppies and rainbows.

Elena Schneider, Melanie Mason, Jeff Coltin, Brakkton Booker and Irie Sentner contributed to this report.
Its a chapter of California history filled with subterfuge and conflict: More than a century ago, agents secretly working for Los Angeles posed as farmers and ranchers as they bought land and water rights across the Owens Valley. Their scheme laid the groundwork for the construction of the Los Angeles Aqueduct, which in 1913 began sending the valleys water to the growing city 233 miles away.

Residents were so enraged in the 1920s that some carried out a series of attacks on the aqueduct, blasting it with dynamite.

But there was also one major nonviolent protest, an act of civil disobedience 100 years ago that is being commemorated this weekend with a series of free community events in Lone Pine.

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In that defiant act of resistance on Nov. 16, 1924, a group of about 70 unarmed men took over an aqueduct spillway and control gates north of Lone Pine and began releasing all the water back into the dry channel of the Owens River. That act, called the Alabama Gates occupation, grew as more than 700 residents of all ages came to celebrate the takeover during four days of festivities, bringing food and barbecuing as the protest became a community picnic .

It's a significant historical event that needs to have a light shined on it, said Kim Stringfellow, an artist, educator and writer who is organizing the centennial event. It's worthy of recognition in the history of Owens Valley, to show how this community stood up to this huge metropolis with lots of power and money.

Read more: Los Angeles set to build facility to transform wastewater into clean drinking water

Stringfellow lives in Joshua Tree and her interest in the history of the Owens Valley resistance effort grew out of her research on California water history.

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The weekend event, called Alabama Gates 2024 , starts Friday (Nov. 15) with an opening reception, followed by panel discussions with conservationists, local Indigenous leaders, historians and other experts, as well as a picnic at a park where a local bluegrass band will perform. Attendees can sign up for a walking tour of bird habitat areas at the dry Owens Lake.

Stringfellow said the history of the aqueducts takeover has relevance today and will be part of broader discussions about the past, present and future of water in the region. She said she hopes the gathering will bring greater awareness about that history and the large portion of L.A.s water supply that continues to come from the Eastern Sierra.

We really have to look behind us to consider what's ahead of us, she said.

Stringfellow said one of her goals is to help generate discussion about how Los Angeles can reduce its dependence on water imported from the Eastern Sierra and other sources hundreds of miles away.

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Another focus is the history of Indigenous people, the Paiute and Shoshone, who decades before L.A.s water grab saw their ancestral lands taken and occupied by white settlers.

The Indigenous people called their homeland Payahuunadu, the place where the water always flows, said Kathy Bancroft, tribal historic preservation officer for the Lone Pine Paiute-Shoshone Tribe.

This valley supplied everything we needed. There was water everywhere, she said.

Runoff from heavy snow in the Sierra Nevada flowed into Owens Lake in 2023. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times)

The Paiute and Shoshone suffered after the arrival of settlers, including in 1863, when troops forced nearly 1,000 Native people to march out of the valley to Fort Tejon , about 175 miles away. Bancrofts great-grandmother, who was a young girl at the time, was among those who escaped from the fort and safely made the journey back home on foot.

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In the early 1900s, Indigenous people had recently come out of hiding to work in mines and on ranches, Bancroft said, and they didnt take part in the resistance at the aqueduct in 1924 because they were in survival mode.

Her tribes reservation was established in 1939, along with those of three other tribes. But their water rights were never settled, an issue Bancroft plans to discuss during the event.

We are responsible for taking care of everything in this valley, and it's hard when there isn't water where there used to be, she said. It's really been a really complicated issue, and it just needs to be brought to the forefront and resolved.

She and other participants said they would like to see Los Angeles take less water from the Eastern Sierra.

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Read more: Expansion of San Luis Reservoir set to boost California's water-storing capacity

Our ecosystems, our species are still suffering a lot up here because of unhealthy levels of extraction, said Wendy Schneider, executive director of Friends of the Inyo, a conservation group that is co-sponsoring the event. If we could have a significant reduction in extraction, like 25% to 30%, it would make a huge difference for our ecosystems up here.

Schneider said the effects of water withdrawals can be seen in areas where native vegetation has dried up because groundwater levels have declined. She said she thinks while some of Los Angeles environmental mitigation projects have been effective, others havent.

"I am hoping that this event reminds people that everything is not OK," Schneider said. "We all need to work together to get this giant agency to do the right thing and work with us in a more meaningful way so that we can have healthy ecosystems up here."

The Los Angeles Aqueduct transports water south through the Owens Valley. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)

The environmental effects of L.A.s water diversions have been a source of tension for years. Over the last three decades, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has been carrying out extensive dust mitigation projects on the dry lakebed at Owens Lake, and has invested about $2.5 billion in the efforts.

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Stringfellow said she invited DWP to participate in the event and requested access for a group to visit the Alabama Gates facility.

Unfortunately, key staff were unable to participate on this date and we were unable to accommodate the request, said Ellen Cheng, a DWP spokesperson. We regularly participate and support many community events in the Owens Valley and Eastern Sierra and would welcome the opportunity to participate in an event in the future.

She said DWP supports and partners with various local organizations in the region. And this week, the agencys top officials joined Inyo County supervisors and residents for a committee meeting and tour of the Lower Owens River Project, a major river revitalization effort.

Read more: Climate change identified as main driver of worsening drought in the Western United States

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Cheng noted that over the last 30 years, DWP has reduced the amount of water flowing through the L.A. Aqueduct by 50% to meet our environmental commitments in the Eastern Sierra.

Water flows with gravity in the aqueduct, making the supplies more economical than the citys other imported sources, which require energy-intensive pumping. Cheng said the water from the Eastern Sierra remains an important and cost-effective part of L.A.s water supply.

During the last five years, Los Angeles has imported nearly 90% of the citys water, drawing on supplies from the Colorado River and the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta as well as the Eastern Sierra.

L.A. residents have made significant progress in conserving water in recent years, using less today than they did half a century ago, despite the citys population growth.

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DWP has also been investing in developing more local supplies to reduce reliance on imported water and prepare for worsening droughts compounded by climate change.

In one such project, the city will soon begin building a $740-million facility to transform wastewater into purified drinking water in the San Fernando Valley.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A giant panda is loaded into a cargo flight in Adelaide, Australia, Nov. 15, 2024. Giant pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni, have left Australia for China after 15 years. They took off from South Australia on a cargo flight just after 6:30 a.m. local time on Friday. (Adelaide Zoo/Handout via Xinhua)

CANBERRA, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Australia's only giant pandas have left the country for China after 15 years.

Wang Wang and Fu Ni left South Australia for China on a cargo flight just after 6:30 a.m. local time on Friday.

The pair arrived at the Adelaide Zoo in November 2009 and were the only giant pandas in the Southern Hemisphere.

They will be replaced at the Adelaide Zoo by female giant panda Yi Lan and male Xing Qiu, both from Chengdu, China.

The Bamboo Forest at the zoo was closed to the public from 5 p.m. local time on Wednesday as zookeepers prepared Wang Wang and Fu Ni for their journey.

In a video posted on social media earlier in November, the zoo's senior primate keeper, Pij Olijnyk, said he loved having the pandas greet him every morning.

"They greet you. They verbally greet you and seem happy to see you and welcome you into that environment," he said.

Repeated attempts to produce a cub by mating Wang Wang and Fu Ni during their 15 years in Adelaide proved unsuccessful.

Fu Ni showed signs of pregnancy in 2023 following an attempt at artificial insemination, but the zoo said that the giant panda had undergone either a pseudopregnancy or a loss. 

A giant panda is pictured before being loaded into a cargo flight in Adelaide, Australia, Nov. 15, 2024. Giant pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni, have left Australia for China after 15 years. They took off from South Australia on a cargo flight just after 6:30 a.m. local time on Friday. (Adelaide Zoo/Handout via Xinhua)
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Ryan Kunzelman, CEO of Holy Cross Services has been terminated.

Im at peace with the situation and whatever decision was made. Every day when I come to work, my focus is on the people who we serve. I get to go home to a warm bed and a good meal and the people that we serve every day, if these services are not here, they wont be able to have a warm bed. They wont be able to have a warm meal, said Kunzelman. Children wont be placed in homes that are loving and caring, so thats what is at stake here today.

Board officials have provided no reason for Kunzelmans firing. 6 News has a message into the attorney representing the board.

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6 News reported yesterday that some people working for the child welfare organization Holy Cross Services are not happy about a letter sent out by an attorney for the Board of Directors. They said the Board wants staff to stop promoting the LGBTQIA+ community and its ideology.

More than a dozen staff members protested this afternoon saying they dont stand for what the board is asking of them.

More than a dozen Holy Cross staff members protested the board of directors over LGBTQIA+ promotion events./ WLNS

Holy Cross provides services like foster care and independent living for those coming out of foster care. Along with a youth center, community meals, and a shelter.

Kunzelman said the Board wants staff to stop engaging the LGBTQIA+ community by no longer recruiting at pride events, requiring people in the LGBTQIA+ community who want to foster a child to go through a board review, and not purchasing any items that would affirm a transgender childs identity.

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Attorney Kate Klaus said the letter was sent to remind people that Holy Cross is a faith-based organization.

Faith-based organizations have a statutory right under Michigan law to provide these services and the state cant discriminate against us and make us provide services in a way that contradicts our faith, Klaus said. But these are all hypothetical it just hasnt happened because we are not declining to provide services to LGBTQ kids.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
A group of German lawmakers, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz, has proposed legislation to legalize abortions during the first three months of pregnancy - provoking outrage from his main conservative challenger Friedrich Merz.

Abortions are currently illegal under Section 218 of the German Criminal Code.

In practice, however, abortions are not punished if they are performed during the first twelve weeks of pregnancy and the woman submits to counselling beforehand.

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An abortion is also not punished under German law if there are medical reasons or if it is performed following rape.

The abolition of Section 218 has been the subject of debate in German politics for years.

The proposal was met with indignant outrage on Friday from the conservative CDU/CSU opposition bloc.

Opposition leader Friedrich Merz, who is considered the frontrunner to replace Scholz after upcoming early elections, said he was "truly appalled" that Scholz - a centre-left Social Democrat (SPD) - would add his name to such a motion.

"What the chancellor is doing is scandalous," Merz said, adding that abortion is an issue "that polarizes the country like no other, that is more likely than any other to trigger a completely unnecessary further major socio-political conflict in Germany."

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Under the proposal, abortions up to the 12th week would become legal in Germany.

The obligation to undergo counselling would remain in force, but without the current waiting period of three days between counselling and an abortion procedure.

If an abortion is carried out without a counselling certificate, only the doctor would be liable to prosecution in future and the woman would not be subject to punishment.

It is unclear whether the legislation would pass ahead of the early elections expected for February 23, following the collapse last week of Scholz's governing coalition.
A group of German lawmakers, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz, has proposed legislation to legalize abortions during the first three months of pregnancy - provoking outrage from his main conservative challenger Friedrich Merz.

Abortions are currently illegal under Section 218 of the German Criminal Code.

In practice, however, abortions are not punished if they are performed during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and the woman submits to counselling beforehand.

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An abortion is also not punished under German law if there are medical reasons or if it is performed following rape.

The abolition of Section 218 has been the subject of debate in German politics for years.

The proposal was met with indignant outrage on Friday from the conservative CDU/CSU opposition bloc.

Opposition leader Friedrich Merz, who is considered the frontrunner to replace Scholz after upcoming early elections, said he was "truly appalled" that Scholz - a centre-left Social Democrat (SPD) - would add his name to such a motion.

"What the chancellor is doing is scandalous," Merz said on Friday morning following a meeting of CDU/CSU lawmakers in Berlin.

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Merz added that abortion is an issue "that polarizes the country like no other, that is more likely than any other to trigger a completely unnecessary further major socio-political conflict in Germany."

SPD lawmaker Katja Mast responded by accusing Merz of not taking women's concerns seriously, and pointed out that the proposal would leave regulations such as the counselling requirement in place.

"His accusations divide our country, are ideologically charged and unacceptable," Mast said of Merz's comments.

"It is important that abortions for unintentionally pregnant women are decriminalized. Women and the broad centre of society are waiting for this," she said.

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Under the proposal, abortions up to the 12th week would become legal in Germany.

The proposal would also get rid of the current mandatory waiting period of three days between counselling and an abortion procedure.

If an abortion is carried out without a counselling certificate, only the doctor would be liable to prosecution in future and the woman would not be subject to punishment.

It is unclear whether the legislation would pass ahead of the early elections expected for February 23, following the collapse last week of Scholz's governing coalition.
President-elect Donald Trump has selected Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, a nearly $2 trillion federal agency responsible for administering health insurance programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act; approving drugs, medical devices and vaccines; regulating hospitals, physicians and other health-care providers; and steering many other initiatives affecting food and medicine.

Kennedy, who has repeatedly made false claims about vaccines, is likely to face a difficult Senate confirmation battle, with Democrats immediately signaling their opposition to his candidacy and some Republicans noncommittal about their support. If he is confirmed - or if Trump is able to use a recess appointment to install him at HHS - Kennedy has pledged to pursue his Make America Healthy Again plan to combat the causes of chronic disease and childhood illness. He has also discussed other goals, such as conducting more research on vaccines.

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Heres a list of some of Kennedys planned priorities if he becomes HHS secretary:

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Conduct additional studies on vaccines

Kennedy, founder of one of the countrys most prominent anti-vaccine groups, has repeatedly - and at times erroneously - argued there is not enough data on vaccines and their effects, confounding federal officials and public health experts who say the lifesaving shots have been widely studied and helped end the risk of diseases such as polio in the United States.

The science on vaccine safety particularly has huge deficits, and were going to make sure those scientific studies are done and that people can make informed choices about their vaccinations and their childrens vaccinations, Kennedy told NPR last week.

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Some public health experts say they are unlikely to trust any vaccine studies released by Kennedy, given that he has repeated the debunked claim that vaccines cause autism and made other misleading or false claims about vaccines.

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Revisit federal vaccine recommendations

Kennedy has long criticized the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions recommended list of childhood immunizations, saying the recommendations lack scientific basis and compel parents to vaccinate their children. The CDC list, which is not binding, helps guide state health officials recommendations on vaccines and schools requirements. CDC officials have cited evidence for the timing of the shots on their list.

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While Trump allies say they do not want to engage in a major initiative re-litigating vaccine safety, they are receptive to some of Kennedys concerns, such as his questions about whether newborns should receive the hepatitis B vaccine, said two people who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations. The CDC recommends children receive hepatitis B vaccines, designed to protect against liver infections, beginning within 24 hours of birth and continuing across the subsequent 18 months.

- - -

Take fluoride out of public water

Kennedy has said the Trump administration would seek to remove fluoride from drinking water as a Day 1 goal, reversing a decades-old intervention widely credited for boosting public health. The federal government in 1962 first recommended that communities add fluoride to drinking water, citing evidence that the naturally occurring mineral prevents tooth decay and boosts oral health. The Obama administration reduced the recommended amount of fluoride; experts said adding it to drinking water is less essential because fluoride has become widespread in toothpastes and mouthwashes.

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Some researchers have raised concerns about fluoride, such as whether the mineral has a harmful effect on developing brains. A study led by researchers at the University of Southern California and published in JAMA Network Open in May suggested that fluoride exposure during pregnancy was linked to an increased risk of childhood neurobehavioral problems.

Kennedy also has cited a recent federal report that found a connection between high levels of fluoride in drinking water in other countries and neurodevelopmental effects in children. That report did not review whether there is any connection between the levels of fluoride in the United States, which are set at a lower level, and the cognitive health of U.S. children.

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Remove food dyes and other ingredients

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Kennedy has repeatedly claimed the food industry is mass poisoning the American public. But unlike his rhetoric around vaccines, some of his ideas to change the nations food policy have garnered support from both the right and the left.

In particular, Kennedy has said he wants to strip ultra-processed food from school cafeterias and crack down on food dyes - ideas that some nutrition advocates have pushed for years.

Kennedy has said he wants to get the chemicals out out of food in the United States, although he has made false or misleading claims about U.S. food and federal regulations, such as wrongly claiming that Froot Loops cereal in Canada contains just two or three ingredients. And in recent weeks, Kennedy has said he aims to root out conflicts of interest among experts involved in setting nutrition guidelines as well as revisit ingredients not used in food sold in other countries.

The food industry has warned that any changes should be based in science. The Food and Drug Administration has said the association between ultra-processed food and poor health outcomes is concerning but that gaps remain in understanding how those foods impact health.

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Ban puberty blockers for children

Kennedy wrote in a social media post in May that he opposes making puberty blockers available to minors. These are medications that stop the body from producing sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone that are sometimes prescribed to youth with gender dysphoria as a temporary treatment, while the young person and their doctor decide whether to explore other options in the future. The medications can slow the growth of facial and body hair, prevent the deepening of the voice, prevent menstruation or limit the growth of breasts.

Kennedys comments have drawn fire from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, such as GLAAD, which have accused him of spreading misinformation about the risks of puberty blockers. Major medical organizations support the treatments. About 7 in 10 American adults surveyed in 2022 by The Washington Post and KFF, a nonpartisan think tank, said they opposed making puberty blockers available to trans children between ages 10 and 14. Other countries have also moved to scrutinize the treatment, with health officials in the United Kingdom this year temporarily banning puberty blockers for children.

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- - -

Increase access to raw milk

Kennedy last month accused the FDA of aggressive suppression of a long list of products and substances, including raw milk. Some wellness advocates say they prefer the taste of raw milk - which refers to milk that has not undergone pasteurization, a type of food processing designed to kill microorganisms - or believe it offers health benefits.

Kennedy has previously voiced support for raw milk, such as in a 2022 video clip posted by the Weston A. Price Foundation, which supports access to raw milk.

Since I was here last year, I only drank raw milk, Kennedy said, referring to his appearance at the groups 2021 conference.

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Both the FDA and the CDC have warned that drinking raw milk can expose people to dangerous germs such as E. coli and listeria. The bird flu virus circulating in dairy cattle has also been detected in raw milk, but pasteurization has been found to kill the virus.

- - -

Push out federal officials

Kennedy has claimed that officials at the CDC, the National Institutes of Health and other agencies have been wrongly influenced by private industry, and he has alleged they have fought necessary reforms.

Kennedy has also taken aim at FDA nutritionists, saying last week that they have to go because they are not doing their job - a specter of a mass firing that unnerved officials inside the agency.

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Some federal officials have countered Kennedys claims by saying they share his goals of trying to improve food and drug safety and hope to find common ground.

Kennedys complaints echo threats made by Trump and his allies, who have discussed trying to replace career federal officials across the government. Many top officials at federal agencies have civil service protections that make it difficult to remove them.

Kennedy recently said he is working to fill about 600 positions in HHS, singling out NIH as a top priority.

We need to act fast, and we want to have those people in place by January 20, so that on January 21, 600 people are going to walk into offices at NIH, and 600 people are going to leave, Kennedy said at a conference in Arizona last week. Its not entirely clear which 600 people he means; there are about 200 political appointees across HHS and only a smattering at NIH.

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CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A convicted sex offender in Charlotte has been sentenced for owing and sharing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) after trying to have sex with a child, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

When Joseph Franklin Jordan, 53, was arrested in Nov. 2022, he was already on probation and a registered sex offender for two counts of felony second-degree sexual exploitation of a child after a July 2020 conviction, according to prison records.

Ex-Charlotte HS track, XC coach charged with indecent liberties with student-athlete

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Court documents state that in Nov. 2022, an undercover Homeland Security (HSI) agent was in an online group chat that shared CSAM. The agent started to chat directly with one of the users, now identified as Jordan, about Jordans desire to engage in illegal sexual acts with a young child; whom he believed the undercover agent could provide.

On Dec. 2, 2022, HSI agents and probation officers with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NC DPS) searched Jordans home. Authorities say four electronic devices were seized. After a search of these devices, over 28,000 CSAM images and videos were found, including depictions of the sexual abuse of infants and toddlers.

According to officials, Jordan also shared these images with others. His online history showed a desire to sexually abuse children and make child pornography. In online chats, Jordan said he had engaged in sexual acts with children as young as three and shared details of that abuse using extremely graphic and vulgar language.

In March 2021, Jordan pleaded guilty to the distribution of child pornography and was sentenced to 21 years and 10 months. Following his release from prison, he will be on a lifetime of supervised release and must remain a sex offender. Jordan is also ordered to pay $19,000 in fees and restitution.

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Protecting our children from sexual predators like Jordan is a top priority and one of the most urgent challenges we face today, said U.S. Attorney King. My office is committed to working hand-in-hand with our law enforcement partners at every level to identify child predators and bring them to justice.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Police also assisted in the investigation. This case was part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to catch and prosecute these types of offenders.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A Charlotte woman is charged with felony insurance fraud after an incident last June, according to North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey.

On June 24, officials say 24-year-old Zsadella Kassandra Burris, who lives in east Charlotte, made false statements to State Farm by claiming a stolen necklace was hers with an internet photo of a receipt.

Charlotte man charged with insurance fraud after alleged vending machine crime

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Burris was arrested on Nov. 8 but was released after posting a $25,000 secured bond. She appeared in court on Nov. 12.

Insurance fraud hits consumers in the wallet, Commissioner Causey said. Approximately 20 cents of every insurance premium dollar goes to covering the cost of fraud. Im fighting this by aggressively pursuing and prosecuting insurance fraud in North Carolina.

Anyone who suspects insurance fraud is asked to anonymously report it by calling the NCDOI Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840 or, in N.C., calling the toll-free number, 888-680-7684.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
The U.S. Air Force is accelerating work on low-cost air vehicles that could evolve into relatively cheap cruise missiles, and it plans to scale up production of selected designs, with the help of the Pentagons Replicator initiative. Demand across the U.S. military for more stand-off munitions, and less expensive ones that can be produced faster, is only growing, especially amid planning for future high-end conflicts, especially one against China in the Pacific.

The Pentagon announced yesterday that the Enterprise Test Vehicle (ETV) program, which the Air Force is running in cooperation with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), was among a second tranche of capabilities to get a boost through the Replicator initiative. The Pentagon first announced Replicator last year with the ambitious goal of helping to get thousands of new uncrewed platforms with high degrees of autonomy into the hands of U.S. forces by August 2025.

A design from Leidos subsidiary Dynetics now in development as part of the Enterprise Test Vehicle (ETV) program. Leidos Dynetics

The ETVs modular design and open system architecture make it an ideal platform for program offices to test out new capabilities at the sub-system level, reducing risk, and demonstrating various options for weapon employment, Air Force Gen. Jim Slife, the services Vice Chief of Staff, said in a statement accompanying the Replicator tranche 1.2 announcement. We are excited to be a part of Replicator 1.2 and to increase the speed of the ETV effort.

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At present, four companies  Anduril Industries, Integrated Solutions for Systems, Inc., Leidos subsidiary Dynetics, and Zone 5 Technologies  are currently building prototypes for ETV with the expectation that all of them will be flight-tested. Select ETV prototypes will be accelerated to scaled production, according to the Pentagons Replicator 1.2 press release.

A rendering of Zone 5s ETV design. Zone 5 via DIU A rendering of Zone 5s ETV concept. Zone 5 via DIU

Back in June, DIU had said that initial flight demonstrations will occur within seven months from the agreement award dates, after which one or multiple of the most promising prototypes will continue development toward a production variant capable of rapidly scalable manufacture.

Details about the various ETV designs remain limited, with the exception of Andurils entry, which is a member of the companys Barracuda family that was unveiled in September. The Barracuda-500 version that is involved in the ETV program has a stated payload capacity of up to 100 pounds and an expected air-launched maximum range of up to 500 miles.

You can read more about what is known about the other ETV designs here.

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Its also worth noting here that there has been some debate about whether the Air Force and DIU view the ETV designs are being more missile or drone-like at their core. The War Zone has highlighted in the past how the line between drones, especially longer-range kamikaze types, and cruise missiles, as well as decoys carrying electronic warfare payloads, is becoming more and more blurry. This is all now further underscored by the ETV programs inclusion in the drone-centric Replicator initiative.

A rendering of the ETV design from Integrated Solutions for Systems. Integrated Solutions for Systems, Inc. via DIU

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ETVs selection to be part of Replicator 1.2 also highlights the efforts very vocal focus on exploring new manufacturing techniques and expanding the available industrial base for stand-off munitions beyond large established prime contractors.

ETV presents a path to expand our industrial base into non-traditional suppliers that perhaps have not historically been large-scale munitions producers, Slife said in July. If the manufacturing techniques were able to leverage pan out well be able to take advantage of a bigger part of the American industrial base to produce munitions for us.

Anduril is a particularly prime example of the greater attention that smaller or otherwise non-traditional companies are getting from Americas Armed Forces when it comes to missiles and other higher-end systems. Since its founding in 2017, the company has been steadily securing larger and larger U.S. military contracts for an increasingly wide variety of drones, loitering munitions, and other capabilities.

Two other Anduril products, the Altius-600M loitering munition and the Ghost-X drone helicopter, were also included in the Replicator 1.2 tranche by way of U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army programs, respectively. The Performance Drone Works C100 quadcopter and AeroVironment Switchblade 600 loitering munition were also named.

Rapid acquisition, large-scale production, and mass employment of autonomous systems will fundamentally transform the way we deter or, if necessary, prevail in conflict, Anduril said in a statement after the Replicator 1.2 announcement. We look forward to continuing our work with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Defense Innovation Unit, the Services, and warfighters in support of the Replicator initiative, and remain committed to delivering capabilities at speeds and scale that matter.

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Other smaller companies are increasingly in the mix, too, especially when it comes to relatively cheap stand-off munitions. In August, powerful technology incubator Y Combinator notably announced its first foray into the defense sector with funding for start-up Ares Industries and its low-cost anti-ship cruise missile concept.

The U.S. military has a critical need now to increase its stand-off weapon stockpiles, and to have more options for replenishing them should a high-end fight break out, which only looks set to grow. Any large-scale conflict with China is expected to involve prosecuting tens of thousands of targets just in the opening stages. Ongoing crises in and around the Red Sea and elsewhere in the Middle East, as well as U.S. support for Ukraine, have already highlighted concerns about existing munitions stockpiles and the size of the existing industrial base to produce them.

What ETVs might get picked for scaled-up production remains to be seen, but the program is now set to push ahead faster thanks to Replicator.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com
CHEYENNE  The city of Cheyenne has been exploring the possibility of introducing paid on-street parking in downtown Cheyenne for the past few months. Now, it may become a reality after a resolution was introduced to the City Council on Tuesday.

While the city says the change would bring more revenue, some downtown business owners and shoppers feel that the city is not considering their best interests.

Its always been about revenue, said Brian Snyder, owner of Bohemian Metals on 17th Street in downtown Cheyenne. Its not about, you know, increasing business or making it easier on property owners or customers or anything like that. Its always been about their own revenue.

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He said the city has never come to him to ask how he feels about changes the city makes downtown on any issue, including the potential introduction of paid parking.

While Snyder didnt want to predict whether the change would be good or bad for business, he said he would at least have liked to be a part of the conversation.

As the city hasnt officially approved the resolution, Snyder and other community members still have to opportunity to provide feedback to the City Councils Finance Committee at noon next Monday at the Municipal Building or during the following weeks City Council meeting.

Josh Saxon, who frequents Olympus Games as a patron, said that he and many others would be negatively impacted by the implementation of metered parking. He said many community members, sometimes up to 30 people, will gather at the shop three or four nights per week and stay there for hours on end.

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Saxon predicted that people would be much less inclined to gather at the shop if they are required to pay for parking, and that would negatively impact both the business and the livelihood of its patrons.

On top of that, I absolutely know it will drive locals away from shopping downtown, because then they have to pay a convenience fee just to stop by the downtown area, he said. So, its a great way for the City Council to kill downtown completely.

Some business owners, however, are less critical of the proposed change, and said they will wait and see how it plays out.

Whatever decision is made by the City Council, we hope that it encourages people to come downtown and doesnt deter them from coming, said Amber Kesler, owner of Beach Please. Currently, the regulations for the two-hour parking make it so that people struggle to work downtown and spend time in the downtown district shopping. A lot of people want to come get a drink and then meander through the shops, and they wont because theyre afraid of getting a parking ticket. So, for us, any sort of parking resolution that would make downtown more friendly would be huge.

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Beach Please is just east of the eastern border of the proposed paid parking district at Warren Avenue. While Kesler didnt say she was in favor of or opposed to paid parking, she said this border may be confusing for employees and shoppers if there is no uniformity in the parking system downtown.

Downtown parking district map

This map shows the proposed paid on-street parking district in downtown Cheyenne.

Regardless of the decision the governing body makes, Kesler said she appreciates that the city is attempting to address issues with parking downtown.

Its nice that theyre doing something, she said. Whether its the right thing, well find out, but at least its something. Theyre listening to the people of Cheyenne, which is nice.

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Eclectic Elephant owner Tara Wilson said she sees why the city would support this change, but thinks it may hurt her business.

Its a great idea because its better for the city, she said. I have an issue because people could pay to park here all day. That messes with the retailers.

She said one way the current parking system benefits her business is that people move their cars to different parts of downtown and are more likely to come across her store, rather than parking in the same spot all day.

If approved, the parking program would be under the citys parking division, which is overseen by the Cheyenne Police Department. At a public meeting in July, CPD Capt. David Janes said the money they currently receive from parking tickets  which is not counted as revenue because it is intended to change behavior  funds 63% of CPDs total parking program. He presented information to the councils Finance Committee that Fort Collins, Colorado, which utilizes a free parking system, funds 20% of its program with money from tickets, and Longmont, Colorado, also on a free parking system, funds 17% of its program with money from tickets.

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Greeley, Colorado, which has a paid on-street parking program, generates 117% of the cost of running its program through this system.

So, they are able to use that extra revenue for things like curb painting, beautification along the sidewalks and those sorts of things, Janes said in July. So, the overall goal, once we start taking that commodity, which is a parking spot owned by the city, leasing it to people as they park downtown, the overall goal would be able to use those funds for things like that.
Chick-fil-A has arrived in the Northland.

The chicken chain's latest Minnesota location opened Thursday in Duluth, drawing long lines of drive-thru customers to the new restaurant located on the north side of the Miller Hill Mall.

In celebration of the opening, Chick-fil-A, Inc. donated $25,000 to be distributed to Second Harvest Northland. The Duluth location will also provide free Chick-fil-A entrees for a year to 100 residents chosen as local heroes, according to a press release.

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The new restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Thursday's opening is not the first time Chick-fil-A's arrival caused traffic backups in Minnesota, as captured by footage from opening day in Blaine last year.

Related: 7 Brew coffee chain opening its first Minnesota shop
MINSK, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Belarus is willing to resume cooperation with the European Union (EU) at the border regarding illegal migration, said Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov here at an international conference on Friday.

Ryzhenkov said Minsk is ready to seek solutions to illegal migration and collaborate with partners, which is why the country invited Western countries to the conference on regional cooperation against illegal migration.

To address the issue, the EU must either work with the countries from which migrants are fleeing or cooperate with Minsk, Ryzhenkov noted.

Illegal migration on the border between Belarus and the EU countries has worsened since 2021. Poland and the Baltic states refused to accept refugees from the Belarusian side and have been pushing them back. 
Nov. 14OTTAWA  A former Putnam County resident currently living in Kalamazoo, Michigan, was sentenced Thursday to five years on probation and 20 days in the county jail for downloading child pornography.

Joshua Smith, 21, was indicted in June by a Putnam County grand jury on charges of the illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material, possession of criminal tools and sexual conduct with an animal.

He pleaded guilty in September to the possession of photos of a nude minor, a felony of the fifth degree, and a misdemeanor charge of sexual conduct with an animal.

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Smith, under questioning by Judge Keith Schierloh, admitted surfing internet pornography sites and downloading images from a site which showed minors in various forms of sexual activity.

The 21-year-old, who has no prior criminal history of any sort, fought back tears as he apologized for his offenses.

"I'm so sorry. I apologize for everything I've done. I'm ashamed of what I did," Smith told the judge.

Neil McElroy, Smith's attorney, said his client "is a different and improved person than the one who committed these offenses. He is embarrassed by his actions and is currently in counseling, which he sought out on his own."

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Schierloh said he believed Smith's remorse to be genuine but stressed the seriousness of the man's actions.

"The way I understand it you were viewing pornography online, and one click led to another click. But those were some serious clicks," the judge said. "By viewing these images, you support those people who make money off of exploiting minors, and I can't just look the other way. I need to be consistent" with prior sentences of similar crimes.

Schierloh sentenced Smith to a term of probation not to exceed five years. He also sentenced the defendant to 20 days in the Putnam County jail, with two days granted for time served. Smith was to report to the jail Thursday afternoon. Arrangements will be made to transfer his case to authorities in Michigan.

Smith was also labeled a Tier I sex offender and, as such, must register with local authorities annually for the next 15 years.

The sex with an animal charge stemmed from an event during which Smith allegedly had a dog lick his genitals.

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China has unveiled the design of an unprecedented large uncrewed diesel-electric drone submarine.

An online defense news outlet reports that the design is reconfigurable to perform various missions, including attacking enemy ships, mine-laying, supporting special operations, and serving as a mothership for smaller uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs).

The China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) released the model of the small special operations unmanned submarine" at the Zhuhai Airshow.

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According to the product details, the drone submarine varies in length from approximately 38 meters (124 feet) to 43 meters (141 feet), depending on its version and configuration.

The submarine is designed to operate at depths of 300 meters (984 feet) to 450 meters (1,476 feet). According to experts, the new submarine design may be linked to a CCSC prototype spotted in 2017.

https://twitter.com/sugar_wsnbn/status/1855554012302716952

Versatile submarine design

The drone submarine model, unveiled by CSSC at the Zhuhai Airshow, features a streamlined design with a low-profile dorsal hump instead of a traditional sail.

According to The War Zone (TWZ), the cutaway model reveals a torpedo tube, a central battery array, propulsion systems driving a single unshrouded stern propeller, and mission systems located in the bow. A collapsible mast, typical of large UUVs like Boeings Orca, is positioned at the rear.

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CSSCs product card details three configurations: Type A, which can carry 812 torpedoes or torpedo-tube-launched missiles; Type B, which can support 68 special operations divers with their equipment; and Type C, which can transport either 812 mines or 4 large or multiple small UUVs.

The submarines length ranges from 124 to 141 feet (38 to 43 meters), and its surface displacement is between 380 tons (836,000 pounds) and 450 tons (990,000 pounds).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkcKaZ4x9mA&pp=ygUhc3VibWFyaW5lIGludGVyZXN0aW5nIGVuZ2luZWVyaW5n

The design is capable of diving to depths of 9841,476 feet (300450 meters). It reaches a maximum speed of 20 knots (23 mph) and cruises at 8 knots (9 mph) on the surface, with an underwater cruising speed of 6 knots (7 mph). It can cover 3,000 nautical miles (3,452 miles) underwater and 10,000 nautical miles (11,507 miles) surfaced, both at a steady 6-knot (7 mph) pace.

Autonomous submarine potential

The autonomy envisioned for CSSC's new drone submarine remains uncertain. However, the product card highlights human interface capabilities via satellite communications and underwater acoustic links, with the mast on the model facilitating data transmission. Advanced autonomy would be essential for the proposed missions.

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According to TWZ, the design lacks explicit features for acoustic or other signature reduction, as evidenced by the unshrouded single propeller. The product card mentions the submarine's potential for blockade operations, a strategy often linked to Taiwan and regularly practiced by the PLA. The Type B variant, specifically, is tailored for special operations raids.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4Tm67_oiiU&pp=ygUhc3VibWFyaW5lIGludGVyZXN0aW5nIGVuZ2luZWVyaW5n

This large, long-endurance drone submarine could prove versatile for missions in coastal waters or open seas. Its potential to operate autonomously would enable extended underwater picket lines, enhancing submarine presence and operational capacity at lower costs. The submarines could also collaborate with manned fleets to amplify tactical advantages.

Progress on this ambitious design remains unclear, though signs suggest substantial development. In 2018, CSSCs JN shipyard had launched a new submarine design with a low-profile dorsal hump, confirmed by 2019 imagery. Naval analysts estimated the designs length to be 150 feet (45 meters), which aligns with the model recently showcased by CSSC.
BEIJING (Reuters) -China said on Friday the Philippines had sent supplies to a warship grounded on Second Thomas Shoal, a disputed atoll in the South China Sea.

In a separate statement, the Philippine Coast Guard said it had rotated personnel staffing the Sierra Madre and sent supplies to the vessel, which has been marooned there since 1999.

China's Coast Guard said the supply run had proceeded "with permission" to what it considers an "illegally" beached ship. The Philippine Coast Guard had no immediate response to China's claim, which it has previously made, that it had allowed the mission to proceed.

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China and the Philippines have traded barbs for months over manoeuvres at Second Thomas Shoal, an atoll within Manila's 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea.

"It is hoped the Philippines will honour its commitments, work with China in the same direction, and jointly manage the maritime situation," Liu Dejun, a spokesman for China's Coast Guard said in a statement about Thursday's re-supply run by the Philippines.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, despite overlapping claims by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

It has rejected a 2016 ruling from the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that said its claims had no legal basis.

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Tensions between Manila and Beijing have also escalated over Scarborough Shoal, which China seized from the Philippines after a months-long standoff in 2012.

This month, Manila introduced new maritime laws to strengthen its claims at sea, while China announced baselines around Scarborough Shoal to bolster its claims. Both countries summoned each other's ambassadors' over the moves.

On Friday, China's defence ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said the Chinese military would take "strong and resolute" measures to safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and to counter "infringements and provocations," according to a ministry statement.

He made the remarks in response to questions about the Philippines' latest joint naval drills with the United States, a key ally, and other Western powers, as well as the new maritime laws.

(Reporting by Joe Cash; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Kate Mayberry)
Sales of Chinese cars have exploded in Russia since 2022. Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Chinese cars are selling at record levels in Russia.

Competition from European, Korean, and Japanese carmakers has vanished since Western sanctions were imposed on Russia.

Chinese automakers face increasing tariffs in other regions.

Chinese cars are selling at record levels in Russia, according to data from Russian analytics agency Autostat, reported by The Financial Times.

The country has turned to Chinese autos from brands such as Chery, Geely, and Great Wall Motor after sanctions forced Western brands to stop doing business with Moscow.

European, Korean, and Japanese carmakers had dominated the Russian market with a 69% share, per Autostat. However, since Western sanctions were imposed against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Autostat's data showed a steep decline in sales.

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The three regions now hold just 8.5% of the market, while Chinese carmakers such as have jumped from 9% to 57% over the same period.

Ilya Frolov, a car blogger based in Moscow, told the FT that Russian drivers had been left with little choice: "If you're buying a car, your choice is either a [Russian-made] Lada or an extremely expensive European car brought in as a grey import, or a very well-equipped and relatively cheap Chinese one."

In the first nine months of 2024, Russia imported 849,951 vehicles from China, the FT reported, citing China Passenger Car Association data. China sold less than half that number to its second-largest market, Mexico.

The CPCA didn't immediately respond to a request for comment form Business Insider.

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The sales boom in Russia comes as Chinese automakers face rising obstacles in other regions.

In October, the EU voted to impose sweeping tariffs on Chinese EVs. BYD will face a levy of 17%, with other automakers facing tariffs as high as 35% on top of an existing 10% tax.

The US introduced trade restrictions against Chinese EVs earlier this year.

China's cheaper high-tech premium vehicles, particularly its EVs, have been expanding rapidly in developing markets like Brazil, Mexico, and Southeast Asia, disrupting legacy automakers in countries like Japan and Germany.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Bloomberg) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Peruvian counterpart Dina Boluarte inaugurated a $1.3 billion port that could transform South American trade with Asia just as Beijing prepares for a potential trade war with the US.

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The two leaders officially opened the facility during an event at Government Palace in Lima that featured a video link to Chancay port some 60 kilometers (37 miles) to the north. Xi, who is in Peru to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, said the facility will establish a direct line from Chancay to Shanghai, reduce shipping times and lower logistics costs.

Ministers from both countries also signed a slew of agreements including upgrading a free-trade pact, boosting investment and strengthening cooperation under Chinas Belt and Road Initiative.

Xi is using his trip to the APEC forum and then Group of 20 summit in Rio de Janeiro to portray himself as a champion of globalization in the face of President-elect Donald Trumps protectionist approach to trade. The Chinese president is leading a delegation of about 400 people, including the minsters of finance and commerce, and businesspeople from more than 50 companies.

While campaigning, Trump threatened to slap tariffs of as much as 60% on Chinese goods, a level that Bloomberg Economics says will decimate trade between the worlds biggest economies. Thats on top of export controls on shipments of advanced tech to China that were put in place under President Joe Biden.

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Chancay port has worried American officials, who openly criticize Chinese investments in Latin America that dwarf those of US firms.

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By Mei Mei Chu

BEIJING (Reuters) -China's Communist Party has expelled former agriculture minister Tang Renjian, state media reported on Friday, six months after he was placed under investigation by the country's anti-graft watchdog and removed from his post.

Tang, 61, was investigated for "serious violations of discipline and law", a euphemism for corruption, and removed from the leadership roster of the ministry's website in May.

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The move to investigate Tang was unusually swift and follows similar investigations on defence minister Li Shangfu and his predecessor Wei Fenghe as China cracks down on corruption.

Tang was found to have accepted gifts and money in violation of regulations, accepting property in the selection and appointment of cadres, using his authority to provide assistance to his relatives' business activities, and interfering in judicial activities, state media CCTV reported.

"Tang Renjian lost his ideals and beliefs, abandoned his original mission," CCTV reported.

President Xi Jinping has pursued a tough and sweeping anti-graft campaign since taking power in 2012 and earlier this year declared "overwhelming victory" in the crackdown while vowing to keep up the pressure.

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Xi views his anti-corruption drive as a key political achievement, but critics say the campaign has been used to purge his political opponents and does not address the root causes of graft, such as low wages and the unchecked powers of party-appointed state officials.

Tang was governor of the western province of Gansu from 2017 to 2020 before being named minister of agriculture and rural affairs, according to official biographies.

Under Tang, the agriculture and rural affairs ministry had stepped up its food security policies, approving the use of genetically-modified crops and adopting a food security law.

China appointed veteran official Han Jun, 60, as the new head of the ministry in September.

(Reporting by Mei Mei Chu; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Ros Russell)
LIMA (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday during talks with Peru's Dina Boluarte in Lima that China is willing to take the Chancay port, built and controlled by Chinese state-owned Cosco Shipping, as a starting point to forge a new maritime-land corridor between China and Latin America.

The Chinese leader also said that the Chancay port, which he will officially inaugurate with Boluarte on Thursday, is a successful project within the Belt and Road Initiative, a trade and infrastructure project that is Xi's signature foreign policy plan.

(This story has been refiled to correct a typo in the headline)

(Reporting by Eduardo Baptista; editing by Diane Craft)
By Khanh Vu and Francesco Guarascio

HANOI (Reuters) - Chinese defence firms will participate in an arms fair in Vietnam next month, a Vietnamese defence official said on Friday, a possible sign of deepening military ties between the two neighbours.

Vietnam will hold an international defence exposition in Hanoi from Dec. 19-22, two years after it organised its first-ever military fair. The Southeast Asian nation seeks to boost domestic production as well as diversify their sources of military hardware, which have been heavily drawn from Russia for decades.

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Chinese firms will be among the roughly 140 companies exhibiting equipment at the expo, defence ministry official Le Ngoc Than told a press conference. It is unclear which and how many Chinese companies will be in attendance.

No Chinese gear was on display at the 2022 exposition.

"China's participation in the Vietnamese military expo is an important sign of new security cooperation between the two countries," said Nguyen The Phuong, an expert on Vietnam security at the University of New South Wales, Australia.

The two Communist neighbours have repeatedly said in recent months that they want to boost security and defence industry ties, and signed preliminary agreements on the matter.

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The Vietnamese and Chinese militaries also regularly exchange high-level visits and their respective coast guards have held joint patrols in the Gulf of Tonkin.

The two countries are close economic partners but have long been embroiled in maritime disputes in the South China Sea, where they have overlapping claims. They also fought a brief border war in 1979.

Military expositions can pave the way for defence deals, analysts told Reuters.

"If and when agreement is reached, it will likely be restricted to non-war fighting equipment and capabilities such as logistics, aviation transport and military medicine," said Carl Thayer, a senior expert on Vietnam at the Australian Defence Force Academy.

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"Vietnam cannot rely on China for big ticket military weapons for its army, navy and air defence-air force because of the risk that China would suspend any agreements and resupply at a time of tensions," Thayer added.

The expo will host companies from 27 countries, including the U.S., Russia and France. A foreign security official added that Iranian firms could also attend.

(Reporting by Khanh Vu and Francesco Guarascio; Editing by Nicholas Yong)
MANILA, Philippines (AP)  The Philippine navy transported food and other supplies to a territorial ship outpost in a shoal in the South China Sea without any confrontation with Chinese forces guarding the disputed area, officials said Friday.

The Philippine delivery of supplies and military personnel on Thursday to the Second Thomas Shoal was the third such trip that did not lead to any confrontation since July, when both sides signed a rare deal to stop an alarming spike in violent confrontations.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines continues to uphold its mandate of safeguarding Philippine sovereignty and ensuring the welfare of its stationed personnel in the West Philippine Sea, military spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said, using the Philippine name for the South China Sea.

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There were no untoward incidents during the mission, Trinidad said.

The Philippines occupied the shoal by permanently beaching a navy ship in its shallows in 1999, prompting China, which also claims it, to surround the atoll with its coast guard and naval forces in what has been a continuing territorial standoff.

Called Ayungin by the Philippines and Renai Jiao by China, the shoal had been the most dangerous flashpoint in the South China Sea and became the scene of increasingly violent confrontations starting last year that alarmed other governments, led by the United States.

The deal, which has not been made public, outlines a temporary arrangement that lets the Philippines transport supplies and fresh batches of Filipino forces to Manila's ship outpost without clashing with Chinas coast guard, navy and suspected militia ships guarding the shoal.

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Neither side conceded its territorial claims under the deal, which only applies to the Second Thomas Shoal, according to Philippine officials.

The agreement was reached after China agreed to drop a demand for the Philippines to notify China in advance of any trip to the shoal and for Chinese forces to board Philippine supply vessels for inspection, two Philippine officials told The Associated Press in July. They spoke on condition of anonymity for lack of authority to discuss the negotiations publicly.

Its the first known agreement by China with any one rival claimant country over a specific shoal in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in its entirety.

Before the deal was reached, Chinese coast guard and navy forces had used powerful water cannons and dangerous blocking maneuvers to prevent Philippine supply vessels from reaching Manilas fragile outpost at the shoal  the long-grounded and rusting warship, the BRP Sierra Madre.

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In the worst confrontation, Chinese forces on speedboats repeatedly rammed and then boarded two Philippine navy boats on June 17 to prevent Filipino personnel from transferring food and other supplies including firearms to the BRP Sierra Madre, the Philippine military said.

The Chinese forces seized the Philippine navy boats and damaged them with machetes and improvised spears. They also seized seven M4 rifles, which were packed in cases, and other supplies in a chaotic faceoff that wounded several Filipino navy personnel. The assault was captured in video and photos that were later made public by Philippine officials.

China and the Philippines blamed each other for the confrontation. The United States, Japan and Australia were among those who condemned the Chinese actions at the shoal.

While clashes have stopped at the Second Thomas Shoal, sporadic confrontations have continued elsewhere in the South China Sea. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan and, at times, Indonesia, have also been involved in the long-seething territorial disputes in the busy waterway.
In these turbulent times, Asia-Pacific leaders have a golden opportunity to re-invest in those things that have delivered success for the Asia-Pacific region's economy and avoid what would put it all at risk, when they meet in Lima, Peru, for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting this week. APEC accounts for 60 percent of the world's economy and is home to 3 billion people. It's a forum in which Australia and China have many common interests, including sustaining free trade and the rules enabling our small, medium-sized and large businesses to access markets and create jobs, in the face of growing protectionism in many economies. For Australia and China, APEC provides another opportunity for Chinese and Australian leaders to meet and to strengthen the bilateral economic relationship, as well as to explore new areas of cooperation in fields such as the emerging green economy. One of the architects of the APEC Leaders Meeting, former Australian prime minister Paul Keating, understood very well the value of personal meetings between leaders, as well as building permanent regional structures and agreements to embed the habit of dialogue between leaders, and rules to govern free and fair trade among APEC members. Since its first ministerial meeting in Canberra in 1989, and then the first leaders' meeting in Seattle in 1993, APEC has advocated for an open multilateral trading system. The lowering of trade barriers has supercharged economic integration, creating growth and new jobs, and improved the living standards of hundreds of millions of people. The Asia-Pacific's has been an economic success story, unlike the slower growth and trade imbalances of other regions of the world. Australia and China have been two of the biggest beneficiaries of the Asia-Pacific model of free trade, and integration of global supply chains. More than 80 percent of Australia's exports are now destined for the region, up from 60 percent in 1989 when APEC was created. Since then, Australia's economy has grown nearly sevenfold, by supplying regional countries with the goods and services they need, from iron ore to education. Unlike most other rich countries, Australia enjoys a trade surplus with Asian economies. And unlike the United States or other major powers, Australia has a small domestic market and therefore relies on trade and regional peace for its prosperity. One quarter of Australian jobs rely in one way or another on trade, and those jobs generate higher incomes. China's economy today is dozens of times its size in the 1980s, with its rapid development enabled by access to regional and global markets, supplying the world with affordable products, especially since China's accession to the World Trade Organization in 2001. Today, China accounts for 30 percent of global manufacturing and leads the world in the rollout of new green industries, from solar and wind energy to electric vehicles and EV batteries. China enjoys a trade surplus with the world  $800 billion last year  while also importing more than 50 percent of the world's commodities. APEC member states are not immune, however, to global headwinds of rising protectionism and geopolitical contest. That makes the APEC Leaders Meeting in Lima all the more important. It's an opportunity for APEC members, which have benefited so much from open regionalism, to re-invest in APEC's purpose and to re-commit to driving the Asia-Pacific region's growth and development. That means freer flows of trade, investment, finance, tourists and students, as well as strengthening the rules underpinning economic cooperation. A host of new leaders  from Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnamwill attend the APEC meeting this year. Each will bring his or her own perspectives and priorities but for them, doubling down on the region's free trade is a no-brainer. Indonesia and Vietnam, for example, will be keen to follow the model developed by other Asian economies to further integrate into the global supply chains and create new jobs and business opportunities. Australia and China, on the other hand, continue to be important, complementary partners for these fast-developing economies. To be sure, the events of the past few years have injected a dose of pessimism into international affairs. Fears are often expressed that we are headed towards worst-case scenarios of confrontation and conflict, with deepening strategic distrust. That's why APEC remains very important as a platform that enables leaders of the region to pragmatically focus on what works rather than what would throw all the hard-won gains away. A steady hand on the tiller of regional trade can keep Asia on route to becoming the center of the world economy, and with wise leadership that can benefit the entire region.

The author is a former Australian diplomat, a non-resident senior fellow at the Beijing-based Center for China and Globalization. The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily. If you have a specific expertise, or would like to share your thought about our stories, then send us your writings at opinion@chinadaily.com.cn, and comment@chinadaily.com.cn. If you have any problems with this article, please contact us at app@chinadaily.com.cn and we'll immediately get back to you.
DAMASCUS, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Multiple explosions were heard across the capital Damascus Friday afternoon, in what appears to be another round of Israeli attacks, according to local media and eyewitnesses. 
By Nafisa Eltahir and Khalid Abdelaziz

CAIRO/DUBAI (Reuters) - Dozens of escaped residents of the besieged town of al-Hilaliya in Sudan's El Gezira state have tested positive for cholera, a medical source told Reuters, in a development that provides a likely explanation for the reported deaths of hundreds there.

While local activists say that more than 300 people have died, a group of Hilaliya residents in the diaspora provided to Reuters a list of more than 400 fatalities, a number they say is increasing by the hour.

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The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces began a siege of the town, home to tens of thousands of locals and displaced people, on Oct. 29 as part of a campaign of attacks in east Gezira in revenge for the defection of a top RSF commander to the army. At least 15 were killed by gunfire in the RSF raid that started the siege, according to activists.

As reports of mass fatalities trickled out, rumours swirled about the cause of the deaths and whether RSF soldiers had intentionally poisoned people.

But an increasing number of those who have escaped from the town have tested positive for cholera, the medical source said.

Other medics from the town told Reuters that after the soldiers drove people from their homes, stealing money, cars, and livestock, most inhabitants sought refuge in the courtyards of three mosques.

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The soldiers had also taken the solar panels and electrical wires used to extract groundwater, forcing at least some of the residents to rely on a shallow traditional well that had gone unused for decades and may have mixed with sewage, according to the medics and an eyewitness.

The medics and eyewitnesses asked for anonymity to avoid retribution by either side in the conflict.

The U.N. said earlier this week that there was a suspected cholera outbreak among people who escaped eastern Gezira, one of several across the country, but did not specify Hilaliya. The Shargelnil Emergency Response Room said medics in Omdawanban Hospital had received at least 200 cholera cases from the region.

With the exact cause unknown, dozens in Hilaliya began falling ill with stomach pains, diarrhea, and vomiting. The soldiers had looted the town's hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies, so only a few were able to take antibiotics and recover, one of the medics said.

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The rest began to die.

Those who wanted to leave paid RSF soldiers large sums to be transported out of the state, eyewitnesses who arrived in the army-controlled town of Shendi said. Thousands remain.

"We escaped death by a miracle, so many around us were dying from this illness," said one 70-year-old man.

The Sudanese Ministry of Health and the Rapid Support Forces did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The devastating war that broke out in April 2023 between the army and RSF has destroyed Sudan's infrastructure and spread disease, creating the world's largest hunger and displacement crises.

(Reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz and Nafisa Eltahir, Editing by William Maclean)
TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB)  On Monday night, 40-year-old Terrence Wyatt was killed after a man struck him with a car on Delaware Street in the city of Tonawanda. Now, his family is calling for justice.

Robin Wyatt, wife of Terrence Wyatt, described her husband as a bright light in all lives he was a part of.

He was a father to kids who didnt have dads, said Wyatt. He was just the most genuine person Ive ever known.

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Wyatt says Monday started off like any other day. She was at school and decided to stay late that night. She explained how she would usually hear some sort of communication from her husband, but instead it was radio silence.

I called his phone a whole bunch of times and he didnt answer, said Wyatt. Then I got a call from my daughter saying the police were here.

Victim of fatal Tonawanda hit-and-run identified, Hamburg man charged

After arriving home, Wyatt was informed by police her husbands life had been taken.

Police say 31-year-old Mark Whalen of Hamburg hit the father of six while he was crossing the street. This was after Whalen allegedly led police on a pursuit, hit other vehicles and kept on driving.

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Mark Whalen had thirty minutes to make his decision from Hamburg to Tonawanda and he chose to kill my husband, said Wyatt emotionally.

Since Monday night, Wyatt says she goes through waves of emotions. She says in the midst of all of this, shes trying to be a shoulder to cry on for her children who are distraught they will never see their father again.

I go through periods of anger, sadness, rage, numbness, Wyatt explained. Its a roller-coaster of emotions.

Wyatt says the death of her husband has taken an immense toll on her family. They are already in the process of packing up to move away from the scene of the tragedy.

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We cant be 100 feet from where Terrence had passed, said Wyatt. Its devastating to walk out the door and turn my head to my left and constantly have that repeat.

Whalen is due back in court on Friday and Wyatt says she will be in attendance. Getting justice for Terrence is top of mind as the grieving process is just beginning for the family.

If convicted of the highest charge, second-degree manslaughter, Whalen faces a maximum of 15 years in prison. Wyatt says she never wants to see Whalen walk free again and will be speaking with the district attorney at Fridays hearing.

Anyone with information, video or witnesses are asked to contact police at (716) 692-2121 ext. 304 or ext. 0.

Latest Local News

Trina Catterson joined the News 4 team in 2024. She previously worked at WETM-TV in Elmira, a sister station of WIVB. See more of her work here.

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This is an adapted excerpt from the Nov. 13 episode of All In with Chris Hayes.

You know the old adage, Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days? Well, its been a week since Donald Trump was elected as our next president and there are numerous reports that one notable guest at Mar-a-Lago is wearing out his welcome: The worlds richest man, Elon Musk.

Musk used his social media platform and his vast personal wealth to help get Trump elected. In return, the president-elect announced Wednesday that he was putting Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy in charge of a still-theoretical Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, to slash government spending.

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Musk has become Americas most powerful private citizen, according to The New York Times. Hes reportedly sitting in on job interviews with the Trump team and pushing for his Silicon Valley friends to get plum positions in the White House.

The Times even reports:

At Mar-a-Lago one recent evening, he walked into the dining room about 30 minutes after the president-elect did and received a similar standing ovation, according to two people who saw him enter.

Well, if theres one thing we know about Trump, its that he doesn't love sharing the spotlight.

It seems clear Musk has bottomless ambitions. The South African-born tech billionaire is barred from running for high office by the Constitution because hes not a native-born U.S. citizen. So this is as close as he is going to get and he seems to be making the most of it.

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Weve joked darkly about Musk setting himself up as a sort of co-president but its not just us. Two people familiar with the transition now tell NBC News that Musk may be overstaying his welcome in Trump world.

Hes behaving as if hes a co-president and making sure everyone knows it, one of those people said.

More insiders told Politicos Playbook: Musk has become almost a comical distraction, hanging around Mar-a-Lago, sidling into high-level transition meetings and giving unsolicited feedback on Trumps personnel decisions. As one of them said, Elon is getting a little big for his britches.

Now, this may just be backbiting insiders who are envious of Musks close relationship with the future president, but it tells me that even some people close to Trump, who helped him win over working-class voters, arent crazy about the worlds richest man issuing orders to a democratic nation.

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What will Americans think? Or, more to their point, what will Trump think? How many Scaramuccis do we think the president-elect will let pass before his ego can no longer tolerate the adoration and authority of his co-president?

To that point, before Trumps trip to the White House on Wednesday, he made a stop to meet with House Republican leaders, with Musk in tow. After the cameras went off, Trump told the lawmakers a joke about Musk, NBC reported, citing two lawmakers who were in the room at the time.

Elon wont go home, the president-elect said. I cant get rid of him. Until I dont like him.

The good news is, Trump is likely to get sick of Musk. The bad news is, until that moment comes, our unprecedented experiment in handing over the levers of power to unelected billionaires continues.

Allison Detzel contributed.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
BERLIN, Conn. (WTNH)  A section of Christian Lane has reopened after being closed on Thursday in Berlin due to a fatal two-car crash, according to officials.

Initial investigation indicates that one of the vehicles crossed the center-line, colliding head-on with an oncoming car, according to Berlin police.

Man dies after crashing into work truck in Groton

The drivers of both cars were transported to the hospital, one with life-threatening injuries who later died and one with non-life threatening injuries.

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The driver who died was identified as 67-year-old Ronald Procko from New Britain.

This is a developing story. Check back to News 8 for more updates.

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BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  Members of a group called Christians United for Israel say they are pleased with the outcome of the presidential election.

Representatives for the national organization were in town on Thursday night, speaking to several hundred local residents at the Boardwalk Beach Resort.

New changes make it easier to say I do on PCB sandy beaches

The majority of the discussion centered on Israels war with Hamas and Hezbollah. They are also upset about the Palestinian protests and encampments on college campuses, saying they must stop.

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Thursday nights speakers claim the news media is not telling the truth and that their goal is to educate the American people about what they say is actually happening.

So dont let anybody confuse you. Dont let anybody make you think that its complicated. Because what we do is very simple, Christians United for Israel Chairwoman Sandra Hagee Parker said.

We gather here tonight on the heels of a historic election. For the past four years Iran saw American as weak and leaderless, tonight, Iran and its category of terrorist organizations meaning Hamas and Hezbollah are now trembling in fear, Keynote Speaker Pastor John Hagee said.

Speakers say theyre not interested in a cease-fire and will only accept the return of all the hostages and Israels total victory over Hamas.

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A 22-year-old youth leader at a Van Nuys church has died from injuries sustained in a collision Friday night on Sherman Way that stemmed from an apparent street race between a Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Benz.

Rangel Vega, 22, was driving a Honda Civic with his childhood friend, 22-year-old Alejandro Luquin, after attending a young adult service at Iglesia En El Camino at 14800 Sherman Way. Authorities say the two were struck on their way to dinner around 9:50 p.m. by a Mercedes-Benz GT63 that had been speeding west on Sherman Way alongside a Rolls-Royce Cullinan.

Vega was turning left into a parking lot at Sherman Circle when the driver of the Mercedes-Benz struck the right side of his vehicle, the Los Angeles Police Department said. To avoid striking the Civic, the driver of the Rolls veered to the left into oncoming lanes and collided with a Chevrolet Traverse before fleeing on foot, police said.

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Vega, Luquin and the Mercedes driver were transported to a hospital. Vega died a day later on Saturday night, according to a GoFundMe page set up by Jennifer Lopez, a family friend.

Read more: Motorist, horse killed in collision on 15 Freeway in Norco

He is now rejoicing and worshiping the Lord as he loved to do, Lopez wrote. He will forever be in our hearts and part of our ministry at La Iglesia En El Camino.

The L.A. medical examiners office has yet to confirm Vegas death.

Luquin is recovering from his injuries and may require additional surgery, according to the fundraising page. The Mercedes driver has been arrested on suspicion of reckless driving, police said.

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Authorities are still looking for the Rolls-Royce driver and urge anyone with information to call (818) 644-8114 or (818) 644-8255. People with tips can also call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477, or visit lacrimestoppers.org .

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
LAKE COUNTY, Ind. (WGN)  An Oregon man was recently extradited to Northwest Indiana in the 1981 killing of another man, and a cigarette discarded by his brother helped police find him.

The investigation into Gregory Thurson, 64, of Eugene, Oregon, began in 2018.

Griffith Detective John Mowery Jr., with the help of his father, a retired detective, began to look into the killing of John Blaylock.

According to court documents, Blaylock was found murdered on Nov. 3, 1981, at an apartment in Griffith.

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His co-workers at Inland Steel told police he had not shown up for work the previous two days and that they were concerned.

Police found a grisly scene inside Blaylocks apartment. Blood was found in several rooms, and once officers entered the bedroom, Blaylock was found dead, naked from the waist down with blood all over the room.

Police noted that smashed pottery containing his hair and tissue were found near his body.

According to documents, the only lead police had around the time of the murder was that Blaylock liked to visit a bar called Johns Place.

A woman told police Blaylock was spotted at the bar with a man she had never seen before two days before his death. The man was described as being 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches, between the ages of 20 and 23 with straggly, dirty blonde hair.

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No one was ever arrested.

Coroners office concludes Rhyker Earls death was natural

Mowery Jr. in 2018 requested that blood evidence collected from the bathroom be tested by the Indiana State Police Laboratory. A DNA profile from an unknown male was obtained and entered into a system.

In 2022, the DNA was sent to Parabons DNA processing laboratory and advanced DNA analysis was performed. In October of that year, the detective was given three names to whom the DNA likely could belong, and they all were related.

One potential suspect was located in a nursing home in South Holland and could not speak at that time. He died around six weeks later, but authorities were able to obtain a piece of his hair.

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The hair excluded the man as a suspect and provided police with the names of two brothers.

One of the brothers was pulled over for traffic infractions in Burnham. Investigators there were informed by Griffith police about the case and that the man was a person of interest.

During the traffic stop, the man discarded a cigarette, which was collected by police as evidence.

Mowery Jr. then used the cigarette butt for DNA analysis and the man was excluded as a potential suspect, but his brother was not.

Thurson was determined to be the suspected killer of Blaylock from all of the DNA analysis and testing. He was found living in Eugene, Oregon, and was taken into custody on a murder warrant on Oct. 29.

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He was recently extradited to Lake County. Thursons next court date is scheduled for Nov. 20.

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Nov. 14A Cincinnati man was sentenced to prison after he was accused of causing a crash that killed a 76-year-old woman on Interstate 71 in Warren County.

Samuel Christian Sperry, 27, was sentenced by Warren County Common Pleas Court Judge Donald Oda to nine to 12 years in prison on charges of aggravated vehicular homicide, aggravated vehicular assault and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or a drug of abuse, according to Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell.

In a release, the prosecutor's office said that on April 2, 2023, Sperry was driving northbound on I-71 at 124 mph when he crashed into the back of a small SUV.

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According to a crash report, the SUV flipped over, went off the right side of the road, flipped "several more times" and crashed into a ditch.

Shirley Fay Coletta, 76, of Cincinnati was in the SUV with her daughter Patricia Jump, 54, of Anderson Twp. Coletta was pronounced dead at the scene, while Jump suffered serious injuries and was taken to Bethesda North Hospital by emergency crews from Deerfield Twp.

The report said Sperry was under the influence of alcohol, benzodiazepines, cannabinoids and cocaine at the time of the crash. The prosecutor's office said that blood tests found he was more than six times over the legal limit for marijuana.

Sperry sustained suspected minor injuries in the crash, the report said.

Fornshell thanked Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers Jacob Kunka and Christopher Krantz, as well as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Hardman, Victim Witness Coordinator Erika Bourelle and legal assistants Brenda Berry and Jaclyn Zaczek for their work on the case.
The United Arab Emirates's Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi addresses the World Chinese Entrepreneurs Week in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, Nov. 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Wen Xinnian)

DUBAI, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- The World Chinese Entrepreneurs Week being held in Dubai gathered over 600 Chinese business figures and government officials from various fields around the world to explore business opportunities and foster economic collaboration.

Running from Nov. 14 to 17, the event, in conjunction with the second the Greater Bay Area and Gulf Economic Cooperation Forum, focuses on sectors such as finance, digital economy, new energy, technology, education, and healthcare.

Chinese Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Zhang Yiming, highlighted the gathering as a crucial platform for fostering collaboration between Chinese communities globally and strengthening pragmatic cooperation between China and the UAE.

UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, praised the contributions of Chinese businesses to UAE's growth and development, extending a warm invitation for further investment. Al Zeyoudi also offered strategic insights to Chinese entrepreneurs considering business ventures in the UAE.

Speaking to Xinhua, Li Feilong from China's tech company iFlytek, said that the event offered a valuable platform for Chinese businesses worldwide to share experiences, address challenges, and form connections, to prepare for future cooperation.

The event also featured sub-forums on finance, intelligent manufacturing, wellness, education, and real estate. 
Nov. 15bluefield  A city's network of security cameras and work between law enforcement agencies recently led to the arrest of a shooting suspect wanted on felony charges in Charleston.

Detective-Sgt. Kevin Ross with the Bluefield Police Department recalled Wednesday how the city's new cameras helped track a shooting suspect believed to be in the Bluefield area.

"On 11/8/2024 we received information from a statewide agency advising that there was an individual who had ties to our area by the name of Jeremy Hickman," Ross said. "He was wanted out of Charleston on several felony warrants including malicious wounding, wanton endangerment involving a firearm, use and presentation of a firearm during the commission of a felony. There were several other warrants that he was wanted for out of Charleston due to a shooting that took place in August."

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The alleged shooting occurred last August in the Davidson Avenue area of Charleston "where the individual had a semi-automatic rifle," Ross said.

After being alerted about Hickman's possible presence, officers starting checking the city's camera system for signs of his car.

"They were able to find the vehicle. It had crossed over into Bluefield, Va. 15 minutes prior to them checking it," Ross said. "At the time officers knew the vehicle was still in the area."

The department then contacted Cpl. D.R. Murray with the West Virginia State Police Princeton detachment.

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"He was also investigating this case and he was actually in route to here to actually look for Mr. Hickman himself," Ross said. "In the meantime, officers checking the cameras were able to confirm the vehicle being in this area."

Several officers then drove around the city looking for Hickman's vehicle. Cameras soon detected it near the Bluefield Municipal Building.

"A short while later, the vehicle was spotted coming across the bridge right here, the Martin Luther King Bridge," Ross said. "At this time, officers were able to conduct a felony traffic stop and Mr. Hickman was arrested without incident. Thanks to the help of the West Virginia State Police, Bluefield Police Department, we were able to work together to take a wanted individual off the streets and due to the new camera system, we were able to utilize it to our advantage."

"Basically, that camera picked the vehicle crossing over Leatherwood into Bluefield, Va., so at that time we knew that car was somewhere in this vicinity," he said. "The cameras strike again, more or less. Like I say, Cpl Murray, he did great investigating it. He gave us a call while he was in route here. We were actually able to detain Mr. Hickman and Cp.l Murray actually made the arrest on him."

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Hickman was arraigned in Mercer County Magistrate Court and was held at the Southern Regional Jail.

Ross said this case was not the first one where cameras played an important role in solving a crime.

"The new camera system they have installed here has helped us solve numerous crimes in the city of Bluefield," he said. "They're basically our go-to whenever we have investigations here and hopefully it deters guys from doing illegal activity here in Bluefield. We use them to our advantage, and like I said they've help solve multiple crimes for us. And special thanks to Mr. Murray with the West Virginia State Police for his hard work and dedication in helping us solve this case with this individual."

Contact Greg Jordan at

gjordan@bdtonline.com

Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com
AUSTIN (KXAN)  The city of Round Rock just got a little more protection as it opened up a new fire station just north of downtown on Thursday.

Fire Station 1, located at 1730 E. Old Settlers Blvd., had its grand opening ceremony for the public, according to a news release from the city.

The city of Round Rock celebrated its grand opening of Fire Station 1 on Thursday. (Tim Holcomb/KXAN News) The city of Round Rock celebrated its grand opening of Fire Station 1 on Thursday. (Tim Holcomb/KXAN News) The city of Round Rock celebrated its grand opening of Fire Station 1 on Thursday. (Tim Holcomb/KXAN News) The city of Round Rock celebrated its grand opening of Fire Station 1 on Thursday. (Tim Holcomb/KXAN News) The city of Round Rock celebrated its grand opening of Fire Station 1 on Thursday. (Tim Holcomb/KXAN News)

The city said it will house one battalion chief and fire crew, who are moving over from the Central Fire Station, which is located at 203 Commerce Blvd.

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Round Rock voters approve biggest bond package in city history

According to the city, two more fire stations will be built in the coming years. The first is Fire Station 10, which the city said will be located near the intersection of Old Settlers Boulevard and Red Bud Lane. Fire Station 11 has not been announced, the city said, but will meet the growing demand on the north side of Round Rock.

Round Rock Fire Chief Shane Glasier spoke on Thursday about what the new station means for the future of the booming community.

Its a great day for us to be able to open a new station. Were relocating to improve services to the community. I dont want it to get confused as were adding a new company, were not. What were doing is just relocating from a current location so that we can improve response times to the northeast section of Round Rock.

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The city said it is able to build the two additional fire stations thanks to the approval of a 2023 bond project.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  The mayors of Memphis and Shelby County announced a new office Thursday in an effort to combat crime thats backed by the White House.

The Joint Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement will look into data for crime hot spots, Memphis Mayor Paul Young and Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said.

The kids in our city could care less about our bureaucracy, Young said. They dont care whether its the city the county the feds the state. They just want help.

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Memphis ended 2023 with a record 397 homicides, surpassing the record set two years earlier.

 Memphis murders and homicides, 2024 map

Leaders say the goal is to speak with one voice to get the resources that the city needs to reduce that crime  particularly more federal funding.

Thats where Greg Jackson comes in. He is Deputy Director of White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.

This is a historic because you are blessed to have leaders that have the vision to take on a health crisis and turn it around and invest in resources and strategies to address that crisis, Jackson said.

Jackson says the Biden-Harris administration has invested more than $30 billion into public safety nationwide.

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Here in Memphis, through this initiative, more federal dollars will be available to help local organizations secure funding and grants.

Valerie Matthews, Director of the Joint Office of Neighborhood Safety & Engagement for Shelby County, will lead the new effort.

We are focused on four key areas: inform, integrate, invest and innovate, Matthews said.

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Keeping in mind that there are 66 days left for the Biden-Harris administration, Jackson says he cant speak to what the next administration will do.

Both mayors say they are prepared to make sure the office is sustainable.

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LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK)  The Longview City Council has voted to approve an ordinance to require owners to spay and neuter stray dogs and cats.

POLICE: 46-year-old man found dead in Longview with wounds consistent of dog bite

The major step was taken by the council in order to fix their stray animal problem and prevent overcrowding. The council voted 6-1 to implement a new ordinance and enact pet and breeder permits for owners of loose dogs and cats.

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It really has the ability, like a pebble in the in the pond, to reverberate throughout East Texas, said Kelly Heitkamp, an animal welfare attorney.

The Longview Animal Advisory committee worked for months to find a solution to overcrowding and the safety of their residents. The ordinance will require owners of stray dogs and cats to be sterilized. Sterilization requirements and the intact pet permit include exemptions such as infertility or chronic health issues, according to the city.

A 30 day allowance is implemented to get the pet sterilized if the owner can provide proof there is a sterilization appointment. The council also considered the $50 minimum pet permit fee and voted 6-1 to bring the amount down to $25.

The city judge will determine the amount of the fine on a sliding scale on a case by case basis.

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The breeding permit fees mirror the state fees. If a breeder is registered with the state of Texas, they will not need to register with the city.

I dont want a little man or little lady to lose their animal because they cant afford it, said councilman Steve Pirtle.

Man in custody after Longview man found dead with apparent dog bite wounds

Well have less animals running the roads, looking to reproduce. It just it deters that type of conduct, said Heitkamp.

The ordinance will begin Feb. 1st and the city will get the word out to their residents before it is enacted. This push to limit the amount of stray animals in Longview comes after a man was attacked and killed by a pack of stray dogs in February.

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I think that did bring certain people that brought the awareness to people who otherwise were ignorant to this problem, so unfortunately, Kenneth passed, but he did not die in vain because we brought about significant change, said Heitkamp.

Right now Longview Animal Control has two field officers and one trainee. That lack of manpower concerns councilwoman Shannon Moore and Animal Controls ability to take on new responsibilities.

Why dont we put a pause on all of the fees until we know that the shelter is fully functioning, and city council can evaluate and see where yall are at? said Shannon Moore. Longview City councilwoman.

Longview committee holds meeting regarding stray animals

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Bobbie Hubbard, Director of Administration for Longview said animal control will not be on a mission to start taking animals but their goal is compliance from owners.

It is not our goal to ever take an animal. Again, our goal is compliance and what is best for the animal and we will work with the property owner, to do anything that they need to best take care of their animal, said Hubbard.

Ultimately, the council agreed that this is whats best for the future of the pets, residents and shelters in the City of Longview.

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JUNCTION CITY (KSNT)  Locals in Junction City can meet with the finalists for the city manager position later this month at a local opera house.

The City of Junction City announced in a press release on Friday, Nov. 15 that four finalists for the city manager spot will be available to meet with from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22 at the 2nd-floor rehearsal hall at the C.L. Hoover Opera House located at 135 West Seventh Street. Each of the finalists will be on hand to speak with locals in an informal setting.

Rose Beverly

Beverly has more than nine years of experience in the public sector at the executive level, according to the City of Junction City. She is currently working as the city administrator for the City of Berea in Kentucky which has a population of 17,000 people. She has also previously worked as a city administrator for the City of Aitkin in Minnesota and holds a bachelors degree in psychology with a minor in sociology.

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What to know about Manhattans ice rink

Randy Robertson

Robertson is a retired U.S. Army officer with experience serving as city manager of Aberdeen in Maryland which has a population of 18,000 people, according to the City of Junction City. He also served as city manager of multiple other cities in Alaska, Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky. His military service includes serving as chief of staff at the U.S. Army post at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico and deputy command/chief of staff at the U.S. Army Second Signal Brigade in Europe. He holds three masters degrees in urban planning, public administration and strategic planning.

Kim David Zimmerman

Zimmerman holds 30 years of experience serving in administrative positions and 20 years of experience serving as a logistics officer in the U.S. Army, according to the City of Junction City. He has served as city manager in Ridgway, Pennsylvania and as chief administrator for the Borough of Lewistown, Pennsylvania. He holds a bachelor of science degree with a biology emphasis and a master of science degree with a geography and regional planning emphasis.

Rossvilles Wehrli fought through cancer, open-chest surgery to return to football

Blaine Oborn

Oborn has more than 20 years of experience working as a local government professional manager and nearly 40 years of experience in government, according to the City of Junction City. He most recently served as city administrator in Oak Harbor in Washington state which has a population of almost 25,000. He holds a master of public policy and administration degree along with a bachelor of science in business administration.

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Each candidate for the city manager spot has been invited to participate in an on-site interview process from Nov. 22-23. This includes a community tour, interview and engagement sessions with the mayor and city commissioners and another community meet-and-greet.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

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NEW YORK (PIX11)  Have you received a robocall from CitiBank in the last 10 years without ever being a customer? You may be entitled to financial compensation.

People who may have received a phone call about a past-due credit card account from CitiBank between Aug. 15, 2014 and July 31, 2024 could receive a settlement payment ranging from $350 to $850.

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The settlement comes after a lawsuit filed in Arizona court, accusing CitiGroup of violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. Although CitiGroup denied wrongdoing both the company and the person suing agreed to a settlement of $29.5 million.

The website run by the plaintiffs attorneys and class administrator outlines details of the courts action and potential settlement.

To possibly receive a payment you must submit an online claim form by Dec. 20. Those applying will have to provide proof that they received the robocall while not being a CitiBank customer within the specific timeframe.

The court will make a final decision on whether to approve the settlement on Jan. 14, 2025.

Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Clark County elections officials discovered more than 1,600 uncounted mail-in ballots Thursday, more than a week after Election Day, a spokesperson said.

The 1,608 mail-in ballots were secured in a vault but not processed until Thursday, a spokesperson said.

These mail ballots have now been tabulated and counted, the spokesperson said in a statement. This correction did not change the outcome in any race. The unofficial results have now been updated and reviewed by the registrar and are ready for certification. The county remains committed to safe and secure elections and as a result will be issuing an audit in collaboration with the State of Nevada, Secretary of States Office.

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In the countys closest race  the Ward 2 North Las Vegas city councilperson election  Councilwoman Ruth Garcia-Andersons lead dropped from nine votes to eight.

Nevada law requires counties to certify their election results 10 days after Election Day. County commissioners unanimously certified the results Friday.

Clark County voters can see if their mail-in votes were tabulated on the countys election website or using BallotTrax.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A Clark County jury acquitted a Metro police officer arrested in 2018 of a sex crime after his wifes friend reported the man had sex with her while she was asleep in their home in the southwest valley, public records show.

Manny Gutierrez, on the job with Metro from 2014 until his arrest, was indicted in August 2018 on sexual assault charges. Vivian Solomon, longtime friends with Gutierrezs wife  who did not testify at trial  called 911 two months prior after the three had been drinking and turned in for the night.

I need to report a rape, Solomon told the 911 dispatcher on June 9, 2018.

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Solomon  who testified for the better part of two days of a three-day trial in October  said she woke up to Gutierrez having sex with her, screamed for her friend, and ultimately went by Uber to the hospital where a sexual assault nurse examiner tested her for signs of sexual assault. Nevada law has a sexual assault statute -NRS 200.366  which mirrors rape statutes in other jurisdictions and carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

I looked up I saw Mannys face, and I realized that he was having sex with me while I was while I was asleep, Solomon testified, saying she awoke as the alleged one-sided encounter was concluding.

Gutierrezs attorneys  public defenders Violet Radosta and Tyler Gaston  told the jury to consider various inconsistencies in Solomons statements to police, at the grand jury and even at trial.

Her story isnt believable, Radosta said during her closing arguments after a three-day trial. The details of her story dont add up.

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One of those details is the amount Solomon drank, and whether she was too drunk to withstand an assault. Solomon sent a text message after the fact to a friend saying, Im not that drunk, but told a grand jury two months later that she was heavily intoxicated.

Ultimately, Gutierrezs attorneys argued Solomon was trying to save face after cheating on her then-boyfriend  living back in San Diego from where Solomon flew to Las Vegas that weekend  with her best friends husband.

She was ashamed if she had been caught, Radosta argued. Which is exactly what happened. She was caught.

Solomon denies that logic and said the trial victimized her in the same way she says Gutierrez did.

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At the end of the day, its he said, she said, Solomon told the 8 News Now Investigators in an exclusive interview after the trial. And why was he believed over me? Why?

Gutierrez told police the encounter was consensual, and police found relevant DNA evidence on the bedsheet that Solomon says she had pulled off the mattress and hid in the bedroom in the event she later needed proof.

Gaston, in his opening statement to the jury, said his client admits to being a cheating scumbag. Thats a direct quote. But denies being a rapist.

Solomon, though, stands by her accusations.

He should have known better, Solomon said from her home in a state far away from both Las Vegas, where she met Manny Gutierrez for the first time, and San Diego, where she lived at the time of the alleged incident. And on top of that, I would never, ever sleep with my best friends husband. Anyone who knows me would attest to that.

He should have known better, Vivian Solomon said from her home in a state far away from both Las Vegas, where she met Manny Gutierrez for the first time, and San Diego, where she lived at the time of the alleged incident. And on top of that, I would never, ever sleep with my best friends husband. Anyone who knows me would attest to that. (KLAS)

But, Gutierrezs lawyers pointed out at trial, no one did attest to that. The state called no witnesses to corroborate Solomons version of events and had little reinforcement for the holes in Solomons testimony.

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I said I thought he was guilty, Bonnie Kelso, juror number 5 in the Gutierrez trial, told the 8 News Now Investigators. The jury  which, in its final form, consisted of five women and seven men  spent three hours deliberating before finding Gutierrez not guilty.

Kelso said the jury was split, six to six, at the outset of the deliberation. By the end, she was the only holdout for conviction. Eventually, the jury delivered its not guilty verdict, which elicited an audible, tremendous sigh of relief from Gutierrez, who, through his attorneys, declined multiple requests for an interview with the 8 News Now Investigators.

Some jurors thought the state did not prove its case against Gutierrez, Kelso said.

I said I thought he was guilty, Bonnie Kelso, juror number 5 in the Gutierrez trial, told the 8 News Now Investigators. (KLAS)

Another person just right out didnt believe Vivian at all, she said. Thought she was lying to save face.

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Solomon, who said so much time had passed since Gutierrezs arrest, felt that testifying six years later might be futile.

I did not expect any other outcome, she said. I hoped, I hoped that I would be proved wrong.

In 2018, Gutierrez was relieved of duty without pay.

After Gutierrezs trial, Metro provided the following statement in response to questions about Gutierrezs employment status.

LVMPD Officer Manuel Gutierrez was hired in February 2014 and was relieved of duty without pay on June 13, 2018. His status was changed to relieved of duty with pay as of October 18, 2024. There is no specific policy on termination after an officer has been acquitted. What does happen is that the administrative investigation and process, which were suspended during the criminal case, resume.

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The Clark County District Attorneys Office did not respond to the 8 News Now Investigators request for an interview.

Generally, it is the policy of 8 News Now to not identify victims of sexual assault. However, Solomon allowed 8 News Now to use her name and face for the report.

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CAHOKIA HEIGHTS, Ill.  Volunteers with the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and the Regional Business Council met Thursday morning to clean up a few neighborhoods in Cahokia Heights, Illinois.

The Urban League (has) over 350 full-time employees that work very hard every day, James Clark, the Urban Leagues vice president of public safety, said. We do everything from housing to youth development to workforce development.

The Clean Up, Build Up initiative is an on-going, multi-year partnership to start the revitalization process of challenged neighborhood.

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Their next step is making areas of Cahokia Heights a safer place to work and live, as well as helping to provide more resources.

Since 2017, weve gone into some of the hardest-hit neighborhoods and the biggest aspect of it is the partnership that we have been able to establish, Clark said. So, moving forward, you will be receiving more resources; this community will be engaged moving forward.

To help volunteer for clean-up efforts Saturday, No. 16, visit Be A Volunteer  ULSTL.

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BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the World Chinese Language Conference, which opened in Beijing on Friday.

In his letter, Xi also congratulated the Confucius Institute on the 20th anniversary of its establishment. 
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA)  With systems still active in the tropics, environmentalists are talking with people in Tampa Bay about the impacts hurricanes have had on sewage spills, red tide, and more.

Flood water pushed into dozens of neighborhoods across Tampa Bay. It was somewhat of a relief when it receded but the waters took a lot back with them.

Advocates of clean water said water quality needs to be part of hurricane recovery if we want the area to thrive and learn from these events.

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Public health, the economy, and infrastructure can all be issues after devastating storms, but advocates say we cant leave out the enormous environmental impacts.

I can tell you firsthand Ill never forget the smell of seawater and sewage in my bedroom, said J.P. Brooker with Ocean Conservancy.

During a discussion with the Tampa Bay Waterkeeper Thursday night in downtown St. Pete, they pushed for clean water despite the challenges of a growing area with an aging infrastructure not equipped to deal with flooding and power outages.

Millions of gallons of wastewater were released from plants and pushed into neighborhoods. The city is aware of the problem.

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We are currently doing some improvements to the plants to upgrade some of the equipment that is approximately 50 years old and to elevate parts of the plants to get them to be more resilient to storm surge, said Claude Tankersley, the Public Works Administrator for the City of St. Petersburg.

Brooker said cities need to take a hard look at expensive investments and consider abandoning certain infrastructure. He also mentioned how storms, like tropical system Sara, can possibly push red tide into the Bay Area.

I think there is a lot of potential here for a large bloom. This is the time of year that red tide should be growing and blooming in profusion. With a lot of nutrient inputs from hurricanes, Im fearful were going to see more, said Brooker.

There are also fish kills, marine debris, destruction to habitats, and new political realities all present problems, Brooker said.

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But Brooker said they find hope in the conversations they are having in communities across the state.

There are opportunities to work toward a clean and healthy Florida environment, said Brooker.

Advocates encourage local governments to look into more green infrastructure and invest in mangroves and seagrasses.

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CLIFTON, TX (FOX 44)  A Clifton police officer and his family are facing a tough time navigating a series of unforeseen medical challenges.

Officer Trevlyn Winder and his wife, Cydney  a local dispatcher with the Bosque County Sheriffs Office  are currently struggling with significant health issues that have left them in need of support from their community.

For the past month, Cydney has been hospitalized in Waco, battling severe medical complications that have left her unable to work and far from her young children.

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Doctors are evaluating her for concerns of sepsis, and while she has undergone a feeding tube procedure, her road to recovery is uncertain, with further infections complicating her condition.

Trevlyn Winder, a dedicated officer with the Clifton Police Department, has always been there for his colleagues in times of need. According to Curtis Rust, a Patrol Supervisor for the Clifton PD, the Winder family has been a pillar of support for others in their community.

Hes family first, Rust said of Winder. When I worked with him in the past, we had some issues, some birthing issues with one of our children. And he was at the hospital that night checking on me, brought me dinner and it was my- our youngest son and my wife both. And, you know, whatever you need, you just let me know. And so hes always been that way.

Now, the Winder family needs help, as Cydneys extended hospital stay has put a strain on the family. She is the mother of two young children  a three-year-old boy and a seven-month-old girl  and friends and colleagues have expressed their concern for both her health and the emotional toll on her family.

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Heather Rust, a close friend of the Winder family, shared her admiration for Cydneys strength during this difficult time. Shes a hard worker. Shes a wonderful mom, Rust said. I just cant imagine what its like for her being away from her kids and in the situation shes in.

As Cydney continues her battle with serious health issues, Mr. and Mrs. Rust have taken the initiative to help their friends in their time of need. By rallying the community together to support the Winder family they are partnering with the Clifton Police Department and Bosque County Sheriffs Office.

A benefit event has been planned for December 7th, 2024, in an effort to raise funds to help cover medical expenses and assist the family during this challenging period. Curtis Rust emphasized that the fundraiser will be a community-wide effort, not just limited to Clifton.

Were hoping that when we do this fundraiser, we get the whole county involved. Sidney is a dispatcher with the sheriffs office, and theyre hurting just as much as we are, Rust said. The goal is to bring together not just Clifton but the whole area to show the Winder family how much they mean to all of us.

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The Winder familys friends and the Clifton Police Department are urging everyone to come together to support the family during their time of need. The benefit event on December 7th is just one way the community is showing their love and solidarity, but monetary donations, prayers, and words of encouragement are also welcomed as the Winder family continues their journey toward recovery.

The Winder family has started a GoFundMe for anyone who would like to assist. You can click here.

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Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a neurosurgeon and CNNs chief medical correspondent, laid out the medical communitys near-unanimous horror over vaccine skeptic and conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. potentially being the next Secretary of Health and Human Services.

On Thursdays edition of The Situation Room, Gupta told anchor Wolf Blitzer that Kennedys baseless claims about vaccines are particularly troublesome.

He talked about COVID specifically being bioengineered to attack certain demographics of populations, but when it comes to vaccines and him talking about the connection between vaccines and autism, I think that probably gets the most attention, he said.

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He is sometimes tough to pin down because he will say one thing at one time or say something else or say he did not say that. He said in the past there are no vaccines that are safe and effective and said there are some that are probably a good idea. It really revolves around infectious diseases primarily.

What Gupta has been hearing from his peers about Kennedy isnt good, he continued.

Its fair to say that the medical community is not monolithic. There are disparate voices here, but they are pretty much in lockstep about the concerns with regard to some of these public health issues and RFK, he said.

The previous hour on CNN, Gupta said that some expressed horror at the idea of Kennedy in the role.

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Somebody said to me today, I cant think of any single individual who would be more damaging to public health than RFK.

Kennedys vaccine views clearly clash with subject matter experts, among them the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mandy Cohen.

At a health summit Wednesday, Cohen said she didnt want to see science go backwards.

We have a short memory of what it is like to hold a child that has been paralyzed with polio, or to comfort a mom who has lost her kid from measles. It wasnt that many generations ago, she said.

And I dont want to have to see us go backwards to remind ourselves that vaccines work. They work. They protect our kids. They are our best defense against these terrible illnesses.

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With Kennedy in charge of the nations top health department, that very well may happen. As CNN anchor Jake Tapper put it earlier Wednesday: Well, America, I hope you like measles.

Kennedys 2019 visit to Samoa, during which he promoted the views of prominent vaccine opponents there, preceded a measles outbreak that killed 83 people.
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY)  Tidal flooding impacted several areas of Hampton Roads Friday morning.

Blog: Coastal storm moves out to sea

10 On Your Sides Raven Payne spoke with an employee at The Shellfish Company near the Lynnhaven Inlet in Virginia Beach, who said they are used to seeing flooding like this, but that they are still taking safety precautions, such as not opening the back deck.

We dont turn on the gas pumps, he said. That way, theres no explosions.

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Another Virginia Beach resident shared a nonchalant attitude towards flooding. The unidentified man even shared a photo of the Lynnhaven Inlet in the 2010s in equivalent weather conditions.

When I showed you that picture, that was a northeaster also, he said. So, I mean, we have had hurricanes over the years, but its been mostly northeasters [that] do most of the damage.

During the flooding conditions, drivers are urged to avoid driving over hydroplane areas and to drive slowly.

In no surprise to anyone, flooding also found its way to the mermaid city. A WAVY 10 viewer sent a photo of a car stranded in flood waters by Pearl and Ligon Street.

Tidal flooding in Norfolk (Courtesy: William Carroll)

In Norfolk, 10 On Your Sides Nick Broadway spoke with concerned resident, Emma Manzi about the flooding.

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I really think the nuisance flooding is getting worse, said Manzi. We dont have a stop sign and we dont have any signs that say, street floods so we often have a lot of cars getting hit when people try to back up.

Michael Spencer, Head of School at Hague School, shared flooding seldomly reaches the heights it did on Friday morning.

The flooding is not typical, but for it to come up this high and that close to Brambleton Avenue is unusual, said Spencer.

10 On Your Side even captured ducks swimming above the sidewalk near the school property.

In Newport News, the fire department was dispatched to Buxton Avenue in the morning to assist with a car that got stuck due to flooding from overnight.

Buxton Ave flooding (Courtesy: NNFD) Buxton Ave flooding (Courtesy: NNFD) Buxton Ave flooding (Courtesy: NNFD)

Ferry service suspended

In addition, the Elizabeth River Ferry service between Norfolk and Portsmouth was suspended due to the flooding. The service has since reopened.

Norfolk parking garage open

The City of Norfolk opened the York Street Garage, located at 215 W. York St., to residents looking to move their vehicles to higher ground. The York Street Garage will remain open until Sunday, Nov. 17 at 5 p.m.

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City officials urge motorists not to drive through flood waters. They also encourage the use of the Waze app, which can notify users of flooded streets.

Smithfield bridge flooding

Police in Smithfield posted to Facebook Friday morning, saying that the Smithfield Station Bridge will be closed until around 1 p.m. due to high water.

Outer Banks ocean overwash

In the Outer Banks, conditions were worse, with NC 12 being temporarily closed on Ocracoke Island between Pony Pen and Point Beach due to ocean overwash. The stretch of road has since re-opened.

OBX prepares for coastal storm effects

Courtesy: NCDOT

Courtesy: NCDOT

10 On Your Side will provide weather updates throughout the day.

Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A grand jury is set to hear the case of the man accused of shooting a beloved Collierville doctor to death in 2023.

A judge found enough probable cause to send the murder case against Larry Pickens to the grand jury Thursday.

Pickens will remain in jail on $1.2 million bond.

Pickens is charged with the July 2023 shooting death of Dr. Benjamin Mauck, an orthopedic surgeon at the Campbell Clinic on Poplar.

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Surgeon fatally shot by patient at Tennessee clinic: police

The shooting happened in an exam room at Campbell Clinic where Mauck was treating Pickens. He was shot three times, reports state. The motive is unclear.

Mauck, who was praised by colleagues as a gifted surgeon, was named a Top Doctor last year and featured in the June 2023 issue of Memphis magazine.

Accused Collierville clinic shooter had previous attempted murder charge; purchased gun days before shooting

Germantown Police released records showing that Pickens had been barred from a different location of Campbell Clinic because of unusual behavior just a few days prior to the Collierville shooting.

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Pickens had called Memphis Police several times over the years, in one case telling officers that he was diagnosed with schizophrenia and had been off his medication.

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A view of the Colorado Capitol on May 4, 2024. (Quentin Young/Colorado Newsline)

Democrats in Colorados House of Representatives will lose their supermajority in the chamber next year, as Republicans managed to flip three seats, if recounts confirm those unofficial results.

As of Thursday  the last day for voters to cure their uncounted ballots from the Nov. 5 election  Republicans achieved victories in House Districts 16, 19 and 50. If those results stand, Democrats will hold a 43-22 majority next year. A supermajority requires 44 seats in the 65-seat chamber.

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The closest race is in House District 16, based in Colorado Springs. Democratic Rep. Steph Vigil, a gig worker who won by a few hundred votes in 2022, lost by seven votes to Republican Rebecca Keltie.

Keltie won 50.01% of the vote, according to unofficial results. This triggered an automatic recount. In Colorado, an automatic recount occurs if the difference between the vote totals is less than or equal to 0.5% of the winners vote total. The Associated Press has yet to call the race.

Keltie is a conservative Navy veteran who ran unsuccessfully in the Republican primaries for Colorados 5th Congressional District in 2022 and 2020. In 2022, Keltie canvassed with the election denial group U.S. Election Integrity Plan, which was at the center of a dismissed voter intimidation lawsuit this year.

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This proves that blood, sweat, tears and hard work pays off, Keltie wrote in a text message to Colorado Newsline. I see this as a win for all Colorado, especially bringing balance to the Legislature by now moving away from a (Democratic) supermajority.

Vigil is one of the Houses most progressive members and has run successful legislation on non-legal name changes for LGBTQ+ students, curbing minimum parking requirements and boosting protections for delivery drivers.

I will be watching for the automatic recount process to commence, and as a fierce defender of our election system I will of course honor the results of that final outcome. I have proudly run a positive, people-centered campaign, and even if we ultimately fall a few votes short, we did it battling an onslaught of dark money attacks, and opposition that relied on conspiracy theories, fear, and division. I believe this is a testament to the incredible passion in my coalition to stand firmly in our Colorado values and deliver meaningful representation for our city, Vigil said in a statement.

In House District 19, in southwest Weld County and eastern Boulder County, former Republican state Rep. Dan Woog defeated first-time candidate Democrat Jillaire McMillan, according to unofficial results. That flips the seat, which is currently represented by Democratic Rep. Jennifer Parenti. Parenti withdrew from the race over the summer and a vacancy committee chose McMillan to replace her on the ballot.

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Woog won by 123 votes, which also prompted an automatic recount. The AP has yet to call the race.

Woog, a property manager and former Erie town trustee, served one term from 2021 to 2022. He lost to Parenti for the seat in 2022.

McMillan conceded the race on Friday.

I congratulate Dan Woog on his victory and hope he maintains his promise to focus on people over politics. I trust the results of this free and fair election and extend my appreciation to the election officials who worked tirelessly to count every vote, she said in a statement.

Democratic leadership in the House commended McMillans campaign.

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She came within striking distance in a district that favors Republicans and saw over half a million dollars of negative attacks against her. It is unprecedented for a candidate to come this close to winning in these circumstances, and even though she came up just a little bit short, her achievement is something Democrats should celebrate, House Speaker Julie McCluskie, a Dillon Democrat, and Majority Leader Monica Duran, a Wheat Ridge Democrat, said in a statement.

Republicans also flipped House District 50 in Greeley, where Republican Ryan Gonzales beat Democratic Rep. Mary Young. Gonzales received 51.09% of the vote.

Colorado voters spoke loudly, supporting two common-sense leaders in Dan Woog and Rebecca Keltie, House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, a Colorado Springs Republican, said in a statement. After we saw the people of Colorado defeat Prop HH last year and now three House districts flipping back to Republicans, the message is clear: Coloradans want a lower cost of living and a thriving economy. The Democratic policies pushing higher taxes and fees are not the way forward for Coloradans across the state.

Proposition HH was an unsuccessful 2023 ballot measure to allow the state to keep more tax revenue to offset a property tax rate cut.

The Legislature reconvenes on Jan. 8.

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(Getty Images)

Nearly 40% of hospitals in Colorado do not meet regulations on informing patients about the states discounted care program on their website, according to a recent report from a consumer protection group.

An audit of the states 89 hospitals from the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative found that just 58% meet the complete regulatory website requirements for the hospital discounted care program. Patients are not always able to find accurate, thorough information about their financial assistance options for health care.

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We can do all the work in the policy space, but the policy is only as good as how it is implemented, said Sophia Hennessy, CCHIs policy and research coordinator. Consumers need to know about it to be able to use it, and to use it well. Its absolutely on hospitals to help notify them of their rights.

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CCHI is a nonpartisan nonprofit that has helped pass legislation around health care consumer protection, including the 2021 discounted care program bill that went into effect in September 2022.

The program expands existing charity care law in the state and sets baseline requirements for financial assistance for uninsured patients under a certain household income level  currently about $51,000 for a two-person household. It sets limits on service charges based on a patients monthly income and then restricts payment plans to three years. Hospitals are required to screen all uninsured patients for financial assistance eligibility.

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Advocates say it is critical to limiting or curbing medical debt in Colorado.

CCHIs report, however, concluded that information about the program is not readily available online or over the phone at some hospitals. Researchers used a five-point rubric to score hospital websites, determining whether the hospital posted the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing patients rights form in English and Spanish, posted the discounted care uniform application in English, linked to information about discounted care on its landing page, and included information in a conspicuous manner. That generally mirrors the departments regulations.

Researchers defined conspicuous posting as having the patients rights forms and application grouped together under a heading that read Hospital Discounted Care. That was the most frequent reason for point deduction, as 36 hospitals did not meet the standard.

Broadly, we found that people are posting what they need to post. But then theres a real barrier in terms of patients actually accessing that information, Hennessy said.

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Discounted care information is mentioned on Advent Healths financial webpage, for example, in one sentence at the bottom of the page. CommonSpirit lists the uniform application separate from other discounted care materials in a bulleted list of financial assistance information.

The audit also found that speaking with a hospital representative on the phone about discounted care rarely resulted in a successful outcome. There are no regulations about phone calls and discounted care information, but CCHI included it in the reports methodology to evaluate the experience of people with limited internet access or technological capability.

People should be able to call the hospital before theyre a patient and before they have an appointment, and learn about it  especially in a climate where so many people are afraid to access care because of high medical bills

About half of the 178 calls researchers made led to a human representative, and 24% of those calls ended with an accurate discussion about discounted care and how to apply. Calls in Spanish had a lower success rate than those in English. The common administrative barriers included requiring an appointment or account before learning about financial assistance options.

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The Colorado Hospital Association, which represents more than 100 hospitals in the state, criticized the phone call aspect of the report because it used secret shoppers and their experience.

Colorado hospitals work diligently to comply with the hundreds of state and federal regulations, and compliance is a result of constant training and administrative work. Our hospitals continue to dedicate significant staff hours and resources to implement Hospital Discounted Care (HDC) requirements in their facilities, and the results are showing, as thousands of Coloradans have received care through this program in its first two years, CHA spokesperson Cara Welch wrote in an email.

CHA has observed an increase in charity care among its members since 2019, driven by patients losing Medicaid coverage and the implementation of the discounted care law.

CCHI recommended that the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing create a standardized webpage template for discounted care information and use its audit to enforce website compliance. It also recommended that hospitals take further advantage of the departments training about discounted care so hospital representatives convey complete and correct information to patients.

A new online price finder released last month helps Colorado patients compare procedure prices across hospital systems.

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A Colorado man will spend the next 35 years of his life in prison after investigators say he spread sexual material of children online.
CHERASKY, Ukraine (KDVR)  Colorado volunteers on a medical mission in war-torn Ukraine this week have been getting an up-close look at the reality of life in a war-torn country.

For the last two days, theyve set up make-shift medical clinics in the town of Cherkasy, Ukraine. In June, volunteers with the same charity, Global Care Mission, were in Cherkasy when a missile struck a downtown hotel.

Denver trauma victim advocate in Ukraine helping victims of war

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Could you imagine if you were in one of these rooms that was completely destroyed? Lev Prystupiuk, medical director for Global Care Force, asked FOX31s Jeremy Hubbard Thursday, standing outside the rubble of the hotel.

Hubbard is traveling with the non-profit this week, reporting on their work bringing medical and trauma care to Ukrainian refugees displaced by Russian forces.

The contrast is striking. The hotel is now an exposed skeleton of broken bricks and bent metal from the missile strike that injured 19 people. Yet on the sidewalk out front, life goes on as if this was not a war zone.

But thats not the case inside a rehabilitation hospital in Cherkasy, where the volunteers meet soldiers recovering from injuries suffered during the war. One Ukrainian soldier is recovering from being shot after a Russian drone attack.

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The soldier told Prystupiuk he was injured in combat behind enemy lines in Russia just weeks ago, his vehicle targeted by a drone.

He got out from the car and started moving to a forest, but the enemies started shooting at them and one of the bullets hit his back here, Prystupiuk said, pointing to a long scar on the soldiers back.

Ukrainians are dealing with medical and mental struggles, big and small, nearly three years into this war.

Colorado volunteers undeterred by barrage of missiles, drones, air raid warnings in Ukraine

Thats why a team of American and Ukrainian volunteers from the non-profit set up a makeshift clinic in the lobby of a refugee dormitory in Cherasky on Thursday morning. They spent hours consulting patients about their medical and mental health concerns and dispensed medicine to those who needed it. Many of the patients are among the 33,000 refugees whove arrived in Cherasky after being displaced by Russian forces in recent months.

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Theyre away from home, theyve lost their homes. Now they probably still have loved ones that are at risk. So theyve got all the reason in the world to be anxious and depressed, said Dr. Richard Randolph, a volunteer from Kansas City.

Each volunteer raised money to cover their costs to come here because they know almost everyone in this country needs help after a thousand days of war. The charity is looking for volunteer doctors, nurses, physician assistants and other medical workers to return to Ukraine next month. To learn more, visit their website.

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BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- China is ready to work with Peru to bring the China-Peru comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks at a daily press briefing in response to a query about President Xi Jinping's state visit to Peru and his attendance at the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.

Lin said this is President Xi's second state visit to Peru and also the third meeting between the two heads of state within this year. "It bears historical significance and is highly relevant to our times."

The spokesperson said President Xi and Peruvian President Dina Boluarte had in-depth exchange of views on bilateral ties, cooperation in priority areas and other issues.

President Xi noted that both China and Peru are ancient civilizations. Following the principle of equality, mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual learning, China-Peru ties have become a model of solidarity and cooperation between countries of different sizes, systems, and cultures. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 53 years ago, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries have grown rapidly, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples, according to Lin.

President Xi said the two sides need to synergize development strategies, tap cooperation potential, create a new pattern of practical cooperation, boost the driving force of the two wheels of trade and investment, advance the development of the two priority areas of traditional and emerging industries, and promote the integration of the industrial and supply chains.

Both China and Peru stand for multilateralism and oppose protectionism. China firmly supports Peru's presidency of APEC and will work for the success of this APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. China stands ready to strengthen communication and cooperation with Peru under the framework of the China-CELAC Forum and make positive contributions to the development of the relations between China and Latin America and the Caribbean, President Xi was quoted by Lin as saying.

"China stands ready to work with Peru, following the important common understandings between the two presidents, to further consolidate political mutual trust, upgrade practical cooperation, and bring the China-Peru comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries," Lin added. 
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) is facing backlash following a comment he made about being excited by President-elect Trump tapping Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to serve as secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Im excited by the news that the President-Elect will appoint @RobertKennedyJr to @HHSGov. He helped us defeat vaccine mandates in Colorado in 2019 and will help make America healthy again by shaking up HHS and FDA, the governor wrote in a post on social platform X, referencing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Trumps nomination of the anti-vaccine activist and environmental lawyer as HHS secretary raised eyebrows among Democrats and public health experts, who worry Kennedy could meddle with key government agencies, amplify vaccine hesitancy and direct agency funding to favor his preferred views.

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Kennedy brings a deep skepticism of pharmaceutical companies and the federal agencies overseeing them. The former independent presidential candidate has said federal health regulators are sock puppets held captive by industry special interests. He has promised to purge entire departments at the FDA to eliminate corruption.

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green (D) expressed disappointment over Poliss praise of Trumps appointment.

Green said he was disappointed in Polis, whom he said he likes, telling CNNs Laura Coates during an interview Thursday it is not OK, its not OK to do what he did, to cast doubt on processes that are well established in science.

It makes parents scared. When parents are scared, they dont take action, Green added, warning that if vaccination rates decrease, youll see disease spread widely across America.

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Colorado state Sen. Kyle Mullica (D) also pushed back on Poliss apparent support of Kennedy, as reported by Colorado Public Radio (CPR).

I just think its really irresponsible and disappointing, Mullica said, as highlighted by CPR.

Susan Lontine, executive director of Immunize Colorado and a former Colorado state legislator, told CPR that she disagrees with Trumps nomination of Kennedy, though she hopes to work with Polis in the next legislative session.

Were disappointed and concerned by Gov. Polis support of RFK Jr.s appointment, Lontine said, as reported by CPR.

New York Times columnist Ezra Klein offered some background to Poliss endorsement in a post on X based on an interview he did with the governor just days before Trumps nomination.

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During the interview, Klein reported Polis said, I was sad to see RFK leaving our coalition because his voters in Colorado are a big part of my coalition. I mean, I had to threaten to veto vaccine mandates and we were able to avoid them. We have been trying to legalize raw milk in our state for several years and were continuing to try because it leans into empowering people to make their own choices.

Klein also reported Polis said, I certainly believe in vaccinations.

But if you cant convince people with the data, then they have the personal freedom not to. Our bodies, our choice applies not just to fetuses, but also to decisions around health care  whether its getting vaccinated or what foods you consume, Polis said, as reported by Klein in the post.

The Hill has contacted Poliss office for comment.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Affordable housing is central to Columbus proposed $1.23 billion budget for 2025, with Mayor Andrew Ginther allotting over $100 million to affordable housing efforts.

Ginther announced next years general fund budget proposal on Wednesday, which allots $83 million from affordable housing bonds and federal grants to bring more affordable housing to Columbus. Another $4.3 million would go to staffing an affordable housing team, and $10 million more would go to nonprofits to help those who are struggling most in the city.

Its truly been something to see our city change and grow so much in recent years, especially when compared to so many others throughout Ohio and across the nation that have struggled to gain a foothold in the post-pandemic economy, Ginther said. As one of the fastest growing cities in America, this budgets scope and ambitions reflect our historic growth.

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Ginther said he hopes the $10 million allotted to support nonprofits help balance the effects of the housing crisis, which he said has negatively affected and exploited the citys most vulnerable. Ginther pointed to resident evacuations at Latitude 525 and Colonial Village due to unlivable conditions, saying the city needs to help residents who are being taken advantage of.

The administration division allocated $5.7 million of this funding to support homeless prevention, with the rest working to advance affordable housing initiatives. Various city programs dedicated to supporting citizens are among those receiving funding, such as CelebrateOne and the Columbus Womens Commission, which both dedicate resources to helping women secure safe and affordable housing.

Funding is also allotted to individual residential support. The Division of Economic Development will use $250,000 to provide homebuyer counseling and other support services. The Affordable Housing Trust, which addresses housing shortages for working families, would get around $2.5 million in city funding for 2025. Another $800,000 is allotted for critical home repair grants, providing funding to homeowners for necessary safety improvements.

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Residential permits are on track to be up 21% from 2023, Ginther said, meaning 21% more new residential units will have been built in Columbus this year. He said the city will continue dedicating resources to his Columbus Housing Strategy, which advocates for the city to build 200,000 more housing units between 2022 and 2032.

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Ginther said one of his strategic priorities is ensuring no resident pays more than 30% of their monthly income to live in the neighborhood of their choice. Among Columbus less affordable neighborhoods is German Village, which has median home prices of around $550,000 and average rent for a one bedroom around $1,500 a month, according to Nov. 11 estimates from German Village Real Estate.

According to MITs living wage calculator, the cost of living in Columbus for one adult with no children is around $43,600 per year before taxes. Ginthers goal of 30% of that income would only be $13,080 before taxes, about $5,000 short of even a one-bedroom in German Village or other similarly priced neighborhoods. This 30% goal was also in place in 2024.

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Columbus City Charter requires the mayor to present a budget proposal to City Council on or before Nov. 15 each year. Council will begin deliberating the budget at its upcoming meetings, including hearing from stakeholders and residents, and is expected to approve an amended budget in early 2025.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  The Columbus Division of Police has created a new team focused on disrupting the cycle of violence: the Non-Fatal Shoot Team.

The division is piloting that program in zone six: the South Linden and Milo Grogan areas. Police leadership said that just after eight months, they are seeing success.

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The team is made up of eight detectives and two patrol officers focused on increasing the solvability rates of those cases of non-fatal shootings.

If we can stop it before it happens, then there wouldnt be no need to go to another funeral, Patricia Duckworth said.

Duckworth, the academy director of Clever Bee Academy in Linden, said she has seen first hand how violence in the area impacts kids.

Working with these children day in and day out, where the child used to come in calm and happy come in now, theyre mean, she said. They dont want to listen to any authority and theyre just acting out.

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Columbus police said they have found it is a small group of people continuously engaging in crime in that area

It seems like every shooting correlates to another one that weve had in the past, Columbus Police Sgt. Scott Soha said. Once you sit and, you know, get into these cases, suspects become victims of other crimes and those just seem not to stop and thats one way to stop, you know, nonfatal shootings as well as homicides that, you know, these shootings are inches in, seconds away from being homicides.

The division said the goal of the non-fatal shoot team is to get those shooters off the streets before they can pull the trigger again. Columbus Police Lt. Julie Williams with the felony assault unit said something that is helping that team is consistency.

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Its a 24-7 response, so you have the same detectives coming out so theyre seeing, for instance, the shooting that happened yesterday, Williams said. They have the same names coming up where it may take detectives longer to get to that information versus they were out last night in the same area.

Williams said the members of the non-fatal shoot team are strictly dedicated to zone six. Typically officers could be called out to a shooting in one area of the city and quickly get called to a shooting in a different area. She said these detectives are able to focus on only non-fatal shooting cases in zone six and work them until they are solved.

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The data shows since starting the program on March 8 to now, there have been 40 call outs to the area, with 64 percent of those cases solved. Police said the program has also helped the detectives solve 44 previously unsolved cases in the area.

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Williams said the team is already making a difference.

Were seeing it in the solvability, she said. I think the detectives that are involved also are very much enjoying the work. And the biggest thing is I think theyre enjoying the time that they have to be able to follow up.

Williams said people in those areas are starting to recognize the detectives and interact with them. She said this team works first shift with the exception of being called out to shootings in the middle of the night. Williams said the schedule is done that way so they have access to the crime lab and to build relationships with city prosecutors and parole officers.

Ralph Carter, the founder of the non-profit We Are Linden, said hes noticing a shift from the community as well.

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I think the community is finally responding, he said. Individuals are waking up knowing that we have to, you know, bring that village back.

Columbus police said it chose to start the program in zone six because that is where the most crime is being reported. The chief hopes to eventually expand the program to the entire city.

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Weve been here before. Dwelling in this purgatory inhabited by heartbreak. Only days past hope, we stare ahead at years of despair.

The Champagne my husband and I planned to drink with our daughter is back in the refrigerator. The handkerchief we shared at a Nov. 6 church service is laundered. Our Kamala Harris T-shirts have joined the Elizabeth Warrens and Hillary Clintons in the bottom drawer.

Second-wave feminists are weary. We protested for the Equal Rights Amendment, rallied for abortion rights, argued for equal pay, joined womens marches, raised third-wave activists, knocked on doors and donated money.

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The female-symbol tattoo obtained after Donald Trumps first election no longer serves as a talisman of hope. It has faded along with our dreams of living to see a woman elected president.

After the election, the autopsy results came in fast. We read the analysts, listened to the pundits, but found their condemnations lacking. We dont blame Harris defeat on President Joe Bidens late exit, the lack of an open Democratic primary, the economy, immigration, the war in Gaza, legacy media or perceived liberal elitism. We certainly dont accuse Harris, who in 107 days turned around the Democratic tickets approval ratings, raised record donations and tirelessly campaigned wearing heels and Chuck Taylor sneakers.

No, she lost because our country fosters institutional misogyny and toxic masculinity.

When Trump ran against a man, he lost. But when his opponents were women, he won. This man, accused of sexual assault by dozens of women, said at a Wisconsin rally that whether the women like it or not, Im going to protect them. An ironic statement from someone women actually need protection from.

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Through both campaigns, Trump defiled Harris and other women of political prominence with name-calling and threats of violence. Trump intentionally mispronounced her name as Kuhmala, said she lacked intelligence and questioned her race. He called Nikki Haley, the daughter of immigrants from India, Nimrata. He suggested rifles be trained on former Republican U.S. Rep. Liz Cheneys face. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is an evil, sick, crazy b and Hillary Clinton a skank and a crook, according to Trump, a convicted felon.

Following the bro playbook, JD Vance referred to Harris as trash and said female leaders were a bunch of childless cat ladies.

If Trump and Vance were in middle school, they would have been suspended. Instead, defaming and maligning women got them elected to the nations highest offices.

We are weary of being reminded to view historys long arc, that progress is not linear. Susan B. Anthony, days before she died, told suffragists that failure was impossible. Tragically, she never got to vote legally, although she was arrested for trying.

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Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman in Congress and the first to seek the presidency, said she faced a double handicap. Of my two handicaps, being female puts many more obstacles in my path than being Black, she said.

Decades later, Barack Obama overcame racism to serve two terms. Harris with her double handicap could not scale those two obstacles.

Trumps campaign of grievances overwhelmed her message of joy and compassion.

Harris graceful concession speech called on us to continue to fight for justice and ourselves. I know many people feel like we are entering a dark time, but for the benefit of us all I hope that is not the case. But heres the thing, America: If it is, let us fill the sky with the light of a brilliant, brilliant billions of stars. The light of optimism, of faith, of truth and service.

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Today, many of us look up at the stars and see glistening tears. Maybe our wounds will be cauterized and our crying will subside by Inauguration Day, also the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday when we had expected a radiant Black woman to take office.

Like Harris, others urge us to move forward, to stay vigilant and keep fighting for democracy. But the anguish, grief and rage cut much deeper this time. We are tired of the struggle, and some of us are running out of time. Failure is indeed possible.

Its time to pass the baton. It will be up to the daughters we raised on Free to BeYou and Me and the granddaughters to whom we read Nevertheless, She Persisted at bedtime. It is their turn to march and carry the signs. Perhaps during their lifetimes, they will see a woman elected president of the United States.

We can only pray they succeed in finally shattering that ultimate glass ceiling and that they bask in the light of billions of stars. Maybe we will live long enough to experience it, too.

____

Christine Ledbetter is a former senior arts editor at The Washington Post who lives in Illinois, where she writes about culture and politics.

___
Schuylkill County is facing a $13.3 to $13.5 million deficit as officials seek to balance its 2025 budget.

County Administrator Gary Bender said at the Wednesday commissioners meeting the deficit numbers are very preliminary.

Commissioner Larry Padora mentioned the budget after Maria Casey, former county clerk of courts, suggested the county eliminate outside consultants to save money.

Padora conceded her point and said, Everything is on the table.

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That apparently includes a possible tax hike, layoffs and other cost-cutting measures, Padora said Thursday.

Im not ruling one out, he said during an interview about the potential for a tax increase.

However, Padora said he doesnt want a tax increase in 2026 when the new tax values for county property go into effect after a court-ordered reassessment.

The preliminary budget is set for adoption Nov. 21. Final adoption is Dec. 18.

Current property taxes are set at 15.8 mills, resulting in a tax bill of about $1,598 for a property assessed at $100,000, and the per capita tax at $5.

The county can review the preliminary budget at the commissioners office after approval.

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Increasing health care costs and funding the Schuylkill County Communications Center are among the escalating costs.

Our 9-1-1 (center) is paramount to public safety, Padora said.

Outside funding for the 9-1-1 center costs has been reduced, and today the county alone pays for most of the 9-1-1 center costs.

To make matters worse, money the county formerly used to plug the holes in the budget is no longer available, such as the American Rescue Plan funds dispersed by the federal government during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Theres a lot we are dealing with, Padora said.

Some positions that were budgeted for were eliminated, Padora said. Selling some county-owned property, land in Schuylkill Twp. or the former head of the Schuylkill Transportation System the county owns in the Saint Clair Industrial Park, are also possible.

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The 2024 final budget is is $199,916,314, which includes $83,290,995 in the general fund.

The budget used $10,528,310 from the unassigned fund balance, leaving about $14 million in that account. Those funds are part of the budget not designated for specific programs or other expenses.

The county must keep a certain threshold of money available for expenses as required by law.

County Finance Director Paul Buber did not return a call for comment.
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)  The annual Americanism Luncheon hosted by the Boy Scouts of America Northwest Texas Council honors individuals who make significant contributions to the community while embodying the ideals of patriotism and unity.

This an award much deserved by Judge Janice Ralston Sons.

Governors Small Business Summit aims to grow, strengthen Texas business

Community members, local officials, and supporters gathered at the Americanism luncheon, which honored Judge Janice Ralston Sons with the 2024 Americanism award from the Boy Scouts of America Northwest Texas council.

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Very, very humbled, very, very honored. I, yes, especially the history of the Boy Scouts and all that they have contributed to the history of the United States because of the leadership, said Sons.

Keynote speaker Chancellor of the A&M University System John Sharp spoke about qualities that Boy Scouts teach.

You dont find too many scouts who arent patriotic and willing to serve. Selfless service is a good way to teach young men and women the values that made this country great, Sharp said.

Sons, a respected figure in the local judicial community, talked about what inspires her values.

Many things inspire me. The people inspire me. You know, the Bible inspires me that we are to give to others and to help others. Give them a hand, Sons said. But I think its important that as human beings, we are just supposed to help others to make this a better world. You lift someone else up, and it makes us all better.

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As the ceremony concluded, it was clear that Sons contributions have inspired many in Wichita Falls.

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RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  Thursday evening, systems at Division Motor Vehicles offices across North Carolina were back up and running after major system outages led to long lines and hours of waiting this week.

According to the N.C. Department of Transportation, connections were restored around 3:15 p.m. and DMV offices resumed processing transactions. Still, the outages caused a lot of problems for people who came in for services.

I knew there was going to be a wait because its the DMV, but not this long, said Lauren Hiller, waiting in line Thursday afternoon at a Raleigh DMV off Atlantic Ave.

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NC DMV services back up after outages at offices across the state paused transactions

Hiller said she had been waiting more than three hours  arriving at 10 a.m.

Im worried that Im not going to get it taken care of. And I took the day off work again to try to get it done, she said.

Hiller was trying to get her license renewed, something she has been trying to do for months, but she has struggled to find a DMV with enough time for walk-ins, and appointments are booked months in advance.

Im getting married in nine days, so I need to get my license renewed and so I can get my marriage certificate. So I got to get it taken care of, she said.

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However, like everyone in line on Thursday, she was stuck for several hours because of the system issues.

North Carolinas Department of Information Technology was having mainframe computer connection issues, which started causing sporadic outages on Wednesday.

There were folks in front of me standing [who] came yesterday, the system was down and they were waiting for like four or five hours to finally be turned away, said Erica Johnson, also waiting in line.

Offices statewide stopped processing transactions Thursday, and online services and self-service kiosks also went down. Many people stayed in line for a few more hours, hoping to make it inside the building.

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You know, it takes a lot of time. I dont want to spend all day trying to just get something as simple as just renewing an ID, Johnson said.

Caden Knight was in line with his dad Troy, hoping to retake his permit test.

Were going to stay here. We already skipped school, so you might want to stay as long as you can, he said.

DMV employees told people waiting in line Thursday afternoon they have to process appointments before they can take walk-ins.

Those appointments are 90 days, and some of them have been here since 7:00 this morning, a DMV employee told the line.

Cadens dad Troy said, Were not expecting to get in, but were going to wait here for a couple more hours and hopefully we do. And if not, got to come back another day.

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Some people, like Hiller, were able to get what they needed if they were around when systems came back online, but several people who left the DMV earlier said they were not able to get service and would have to come back.

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)  Leaders of both St. Josephs Health and Excellus BlueCross BlueShield are sitting down with NewsChannel 9 to share their sides of the ongoing dispute between the companies that could result in its shared group of patients needing new doctors in the new year.

Health care providers and insurance companies go through negotiations routinely, but few have ever been made so public and impact this many people.

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Im concerned that the member may unduly be put in the middle around conversations that happen normally, said Excellus Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lisa Harris. And that can create a great deal of fear and anxiety for a member when thats not really necessary at this point when were in the midst of just having a conversation of how were going to come to an agreement on a contract.

But Dr. Steven Hanks, the President and CEO of Trinity New York, including St. Josephs Health in Syracuse, said it was important for his patients to know about the upcoming deadline.

Now, Dr. Hanks is going further and explaining why the negotiations are so contentious.

St. Josephs Hospital is facing major losses: nearly $150 million over the last five years.

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Without Trinitys backstop, wed have no choice but to go through bankruptcy proceeding, said Dr. Hanks.

St. Joes is using its routine time to renegotiate with Excellus as a chance to get back to even, asking Excellus to reimburse more money for its members care at St. Josephs Hospital and its network of doctors.

St. Josephs Hospital only gets about $0.70 for every $1 of care when the patient is insured by the government, like Medicaid. To fill the gap, hospitals rely on private insurers to make up the difference, roughly $1.30 for every $1 of care.

Making up the difference is not Excellus problem, says the chief medical officer.

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We would love to meet the increased cost for every single hospital. Thats not possible. Thats not sustainable, Dr. Harris said.

Money Excellus keeps in savings, its leaders say, is legally reserved for emergencies, holding enough for each member.

But St. Joes feels that Excellus can afford more.

I have the benefit of seeing rates across all of Trinity, said Dr. Hanks. We operate in 26 states, over 100 hospitals. The payment we get here at St. Joes from Excellus is the worst commercial payment rate in all of Trinity.

St. Joes has financial advantages that many providers dont have, said Dr. Harris for Excellus. Theyre part of Trinity Health, a large profitable system.

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Still, both companies seem eager to reach a deal.

We are doggedly working to try to avoid (patients paying out-of-network) and come to agreement by the end of the year, said Dr. Hanks for St. Joes. Im still hopeful that will happen, yet theres still considerable distance between us, but we are making progress.

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JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WNCT)  One Jacksonville community has concerns about possible rezoning in their neighborhood.

Tuesday, the Jacksonville City Council is having a public hearing about the Georgetown Landing Project. The current developers want to change what theyre going to build on the property.

Weve been here all of our lives on this property, President of the Georgetown Preservation Society Rev. Leander Milton said. Weve been here all of our lives on this property. Nobody wanted anything to do with Georgetown, not even the city.

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Milton grew up in the community and is getting ready to move back. The current landowners want to change how the property is zoned to reduce density.

The new owner has requested to amend the terms and conditions, which identifies a change from apartments only to townhouses and single-family homes, Jacksonville Director of Planning and Inspections Ryan King said. The density has been decreased by more than half. They are eliminating the commercial component, which identified a restaurant and an urgent care facility and marina. Now, it will only be a marina with boat slips.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  As President-Elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, many education professionals are closely following his plans for the Department of Education.

Trump has vowed to dismantle the agency as part of his pledge to address the bureaucracy of D.C.

Council holds public hearing on $800m Capital One Arena, Downtown DC project

According to the 2024 GOP Platform, a post on Trumps campaign website said that America spends more money on its students than other countries.

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The United States spends more money per pupil on Education than any other Country in the World, and yet we are at the bottom of every educational list in terms of results. We are going to close the Department of Education in Washington, D.C. and send it back to the States, where it belongs, and let the States run our educational system as it should be run, the post stated.

The proposal is concerning to some like Yolanda Anderson who is a parent and resident in the District,

It did not make a lot of sense to me, she said. I think my question is why? And what is the replacement? What are your policies moving forward? Why are you going to do this and what are you doing to do to replace it to make sure resources are replaced for our students?

Anderson has two children; one is a recent D.C. Public Schools graduate while the other is a senior in high school.

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Magnet fishers pull bikes, scooters from Anacostia River in Navy Yard

She has also spent years assisting with after-school activities, helping middle and elementary school students.

Taking away resources is definitely not a wise option, she said.

The Department of Education deals with civil rights violations within the school system, ensures students with disabilities receive the resources theyre legally entitled to, handles the student loan program and provides some funding for K through 12 schools, among other things.

However, on its website, the agency states, Education is primarily a State and local responsibility in the United States. And, it notes that schools are primarily funded at those levels.

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There would be major impacts if the Department of Education doesnt exist anymore and were monitoring the situation closely to see if its possible for this to happen, said Jessica Giles, with Education Reform Now DC.

Google Store (the brick-and-mortar kind) planned for Georgetown

Giles said the DOE is vital in ensuring students get the resources they need.

Its provided over $3.6 billion in funding to D.C., she explained. We need the Department of Education. We need our leaders to value the Department of Education and we need our leaders to support it so students have the resources they need to succeed.

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Trump cannot dismantle the agency on his own.

The move would require Congressional approval, including a super majority vote in the Senate.

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HEFEI, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- As the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) announced this year's winners of "Best Tourism Villages" Friday, a small village in east China's Anhui Province found itself in the global spotlight.

Xiaogang Village of Fengyang County, popularly known as the forerunner of China's rural reform, won the honor at a UN Tourism meeting held in Cartagena, Colombia. It came as a recognition of the village's achievements in promoting tourism by tapping into the rich local culture.

"In my wildest dreams, I never imagined that Xiaogang, once so destitute we could barely fill our stomachs, would one day feast on the riches of tourism," Yan Jinchang, an 81-year-old local resident, said after the UN Tourism's announcement.

In the first three quarters of 2024 alone, Xiaogang had received over 410,000 visits, a testament to its growing appeal. But it wasn't always this way.

Once plagued by barren land and water scarcity, the village was home to people who struggled to make ends meet. That all changed in 1978 when 18 farmers, including Yan Jinchang, made a bold decision in a dilapidated thatched cottage. They pressed their red fingerprints onto a contract to seal the deal, dividing the land among individual households in a move that sparked China's rural reform and earned Xiaogang the title of "first village in rural reform."

Today, Yan Jinchang's legacy is carried on by his son, Yan Deshuang, who runs the bustling "Jinchang Restaurant" in the village. "We grow seasonal vegetables in our backyard and source fresh ingredients from the local market every morning, ensuring our guests get the true taste of farmhouse cuisine," Yan Deshuang said, reflecting on the restaurant's journey from a single stove to a thriving establishment with over 30 tables and a professional chef.

According to Li Jinzhu, the first secretary of the village's Party committee, Xiaogang has integrated its rich cultural heritage into its tourism development. This includes introducing over 10 intangible cultural heritage projects and traditional skills, such as Fengyang flower-drum dance and Fengyang paintings, into the scenic area, creating a live-broadcast base for intangible cultural heritages, and establishing an exhibition area for traditional culture.

One of the village's most visited spots is a farmhouse built upon the site of the historic contract signing, where now 78-year-old Deng Fanlan performs the Fengyang flower-drum dance. This traditional folk art form combines opera, singing and dancing.

"When I was young, after the harvest, I would follow my grandmother and mother to perform the flower-drum dance to beg for food. I never imagined that this traditional art form would become an intangible cultural heritage and that, in my old age, I would be able to perform it for tourists," Deng said.

In 2023, the village achieved a total tourism revenue of 150 million yuan (about 20.8 million U.S. dollars), with half its villagers engaged in the tourism sector.

The Best Tourism Villages initiative was launched by UN Tourism in 2021 to promote the protection of rural cultural heritage and sustainable development through tourism. With Xiaogang's inclusion, China now has 15 villages on this prestigious list. 
Photo illustration by Getty Images.

The Montana State University-based Burton K. Wheeler Center will host a conference Nov. 18-19 featuring diverse perspectives on Montana housing and ways of addressing housing unaffordability.

The Montana Housing Crisis: Can Supply Meet Demand? will be held in Inspiration Hall located in Norm Asbjornson Hall on the MSU campus.

The conference will kick off at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18, with a keynote address by Missoula Mayor Andrea Davis, Common-Sense Solutions: Perspective from the Frontlines of Montanas Housing Crisis. It will continue Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and feature panel discussions, breakout sessions, a morning talk by Ben Horowitz from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis and a lunch talk by Billings architect Randy Hafer.

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Registration in advance is encouraged. Registration is $85 and can be done online. MSU students with valid identification may attend the conference for free.

Since 1988, the Burton K. Wheeler Center has provided Montanans with non-partisan discussions of important policy topics.

More information on the nonprofit Wheeler Center is available at wheelercenter.org or by emailing wheelercenter@montana.edu.

For more information on the conference, visit www.wheelercenter.org/conferences/.
CONNECTICUT (WTNH)  Members of Connecticuts Haitian community are concerned after two U.S. based airplanes were hit by gunfire near Port-au-Prince.

A Spirit Airlines plane was struck by gunfire while landing and a JetBlue Airways plane was hit after take-off.

Airlines pausing flights to Haiti after planes hit by gunfire

Now, those airlines and American Airlines are grounding flights to Haiti for the next two and a half weeks as the political unrest and violence continues to grow in the country.

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Its a very heartbreaking moment for me in particular when I think of my family there, Shineika Fareus, who works at the Haitian Hub Resource Center in New London, said.

The organization helps those who have fled Haiti. She says no flights means no way out for relatives.

We have a specific one, whos my cousin, who was expecting his mom to be able to come in and now that the flights have been canceled, we dont know whats going to happen and we also have people who was in Haiti right now who are stuck, U.S. citizens, who doesnt know how theyre gonna make it back, Fareus said.

Within Haiti, many are also fleeing Port-au-Prince for more rural areas. Thats where the Haitian Health Foundation based out of Norwich has seven clinics.

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Our staff in Haiti has been really inundated with people who are malnourished, theyre sick, theyre traumatized from gang violence, Executive Director of the Haitian Health Foundation Marilyn Lowney said.

Lowney says more than 30 other clinics have closed which is keeping them busy and possibly safer.

Were the only source of health care and these people are murders but theyre not stupid they know that they need health care and their families need health care, Dr. Jeremiah Lowney, who founded the Haitian Health Foundation in the mid-1980s, said.

Police in Haiti battle a gang coalition trying to seize control of the entire capital

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The foundations country director has not been back to Haiti for months because of the violence. She was not able to speak to us, but she does continue to coordinate efforts over there from here.

Shes able to do so much work through Zoom, Marilyn Lowney said. You know shes in daily contact with our staff down there.

In the last 40 years, the Haitian Health Foundation has faced dangers and challenges, but nothing like this. Gangs have also shut down roads and ports.

We still have two containers of food waiting for as soon as they open, Jeremiah Lowney said.

The Lowneys say they are not going anywhere. They are staying with their mission which is to bring health care to the people of Haiti who need it.

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ELM SPRINGS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  A road widening project on Arkansas Highway 112 is leaving some businesses searching for a new storefront.

Twelve miles, from Highway 412 to Highway 12, are expected to undergo construction starting in 2025. According to the Arkansas Department of Transporations Highway 112 Fact Sheet, the plan is to widen the road to four travel lanes, create a median, and add a sidewalk and a side path. Additionally, plans to build eight roundabouts at existing intersections are in place.

However, the construction is affecting some of the businesses alongside Highway 112, including a roadside staple, Kyya Chocolate.

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Richard Boosey, the owner of Kyya Chocolate, says the chocolate shop was opened nearly 12 years ago after he and his late wife found themselves in an unexpected dilemma.

An opportunity came up to be on the board of directors of a nonprofit down in Fayetteville, so we ran over to Uganda to build a chicken farm, and in the midst of this extended journey over Christmas break, I end up stuck in Uganda because I couldnt get a flight back home to the United States. And so, I started looking at the natural resources of Uganda. Number one was coffee. And I thought to myself, 13 years ago, Well, Northwest Arkansas doesnt need another coffee house,' Boosey said.

What he found instead was cacao, the key ingredient used to make chocolate.

I said, Oh, wait a minute. That would be cool! Well make chocolate. Everybody loves chocolate. And well take a portion of that and help this orphanage,' Boosey said.

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Together, the couple opened multiple Kyya Chocolate stores around Northwest Arkansas. However, when Booseys wife passed away from cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic, the small shop on Highway 112 in Elm Springs, was the only storefront left standing.

Thats kind of where we learned how to make chocolate. Its where we learned how to grow a brand. Its where we learned to have customers that came and visited us all the time, Boosey said.

ARDOT gets approval on Highway 112 project

Soon, that building full of sentimental memories will be nothing more than a memory.

Last Nov. 26, AR-DOT approached us and said, Hey, youre going to have to move by 12/31,' Boosey said.

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The road project, intended to expand Highway 112, required that nearly half of the 0.55-acre lot where Kyya sat be purchased, leaving Boosey no choice but to uproot and find a new location to call home.

We didnt have a choice. So, it was a matter of trying to find the right building, and so I probably looked at 50 buildings, said Boosey. Trying to move 26,000 pounds of equipment 20 miles up the road and keep everything running? Thats been quite a challenge.

Yet still, Boosey says hes looking at the situation with a glass half-full perspective, with a chance to open a new store in Bentonville on SW Regional Airport Boulevard.

Were excited about what this building can do for us and kind of where its locations at and to be able to kind of lay things out properly, so that we can make great chocolate. We can have our baked goods again, and we can make our syrups and sauces and not be falling over each other. I mean, its kind of an exciting little part of a chapter in our story, said Boosey. We have an entire third of this building that allows us for syrup production. Our entire chocolate room was about 200 square feet, now weve got almost 800 square feet of chocolate space. I actually have an office for the first time in 14 years. It was a closet, but I have a desk in it, and so, its officially an office. So, theres good things that you could make out of any challenge, Boosey said.

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Kyya Chocolates new storefront is officially open on 5400 SW Regional Airport Boulevard in Bentonville.

According to ARDOT, negotiations are ongoing to compensate Boosey for the land on Highway 112.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  The Columbus City Schools Board held a special meeting Thursday to discuss the nine schools that are marked for closure or merger.

School board president Christina Vera said the meeting was the start of a very long process and it was an opportunity for interactive conversation with the public.

Olentangy Orange principal placed on leave after controversial election message to staff

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The meeting was the first the board has held since taking tours of the nine schools that could be closed or consolidated. Those schools include middle schools and elementary schools.

The district said closing the schools would save up to $9 million a year.

At the meeting, the board was guided through how to break down what they saw in each school by educational expert and consultant Dr. Terrance Green.

Board members participated in communication exercises on how each member can appropriately lay out their analysis from each school visit.

What impact will Ohios bathroom bill have?

At one point, some board members got into a heated debate with Green.

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I can understand the frustration, I mean, I think its hard when, you know, youre not really understanding the process and they dont have the information to really be able to engage, Vera said.

Some parents like Susan Cavendish were not pleased with the approach of the discussion, inferring it makes the process even more muddled.

The format was atrocious, Cavendish said. No offense to any of the presenters, they were wonderful, theyre very intelligent, educated people, obviously. Obviously, people had miscommunicated. They had one idea of what they were supposed to be doing here. Board members had a different idea. Parents had a different idea. I found myself dozing off.

What Vice President-elect JD Vance has said about the CHIPS Act and Intel in Ohio

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The board did not hold any decisive votes Thursday and more meetings with public input are to come.

I want people to know that we really are taking our time, Vera said. I recognize that, you know, this is a big decision, this is not something that we take lightly. These are school communities, these are students and staff, these are communities. So for us, its about learning what we need to learn as a board to ensure that the decisions were making, our decisions that we can stand behind.

The boards next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 19.

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CROSSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Crossville police arrested a high school teacher after he reportedly threatened students in a classroom.

On Thursday morning, a Stone Memorial High School parent reported to a school resource officer that a teacher had threatened students in a classroom on Wednesday, Nov. 13.

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The Crossville Police Department stated that the school resource officer contacted authorities who were able to respond and open an investigation.

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The investigation revealed that 56-year-old James Green of Cookeville had made threats toward students. Green was arrested without incident and charged with felony reckless endangerment.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee

No injuries were reported in relation to the threat, Crossville police added. Further, the Cumberland County School Board has reportedly taken action to ensure that Green is suspended from work and barred from entering properties associated with the school system.

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By William James

BAKU (Reuters) -A group of former leaders and climate experts said the annual U.N. COP climate talks were no longer fit for purpose and needed to be reformed, publishing a critical open letter mid-way through what has so far been a fractious summit.

Nearly 200 countries are gathered in Baku, Azerbaijan with a primary goal of agreeing a new target for how much money needs to be provided to help developing countries adapt to climate change and recover from destructive weather.

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So far those talks have made little progress.

Delegates struggled for hours on the opening day to agree an agenda and the mood has been soured by doubts about the United States' future role under a Donald Trump presidency, diplomatic spats involving the host nation and the withdrawal of the Argentinian delegation.

Friday's letter, signed by more than 20 experts, former leaders and scientists, including former UNFCCC boss Christiana Figueres and former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, said the COP process had achieved much, but now needed an overhaul.

"It is now clear that the COP is no longer fit for purpose. Its current structure simply cannot deliver the change at exponential speed and scale, which is essential to ensure a safe climate landing for humanity," the letter said.

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"This is what compels our call for a fundamental overhaul of the COP. We need a shift from negotiation to implementation, enabling the COP to deliver on agreed commitments and ensure the urgent energy transition and phase-out of fossil energy."

Figueres later said some of the ideas in the letter had been misinterpreted.

"The COP process is an essential and irreplaceable vehicle for supporting the multilateral, multisectoral, systemic change we urgently need. Now more than ever," she said in a post on LinkedIn.

Nevertheless, others have also criticised the COP process in Baku.

Earlier this week Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley called for urgent reform and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke of leaders sitting on sofas and taking photographs while speeches at the summit played out on muted television screens.

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Asked about the letter and the overall process, the COP29 Presidency's Lead Negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev said: "The process has already delivered ... so far by reducing the projected warming, delivering finance to those in need - and it's better than any alternative."

However he said the multilateral process was under pressure and that COP29 would be "a litmus test for the global climate architecture."

(Reporting by William JamesEditing by Ros Russell)
The police officer who re-enacted George Floyds murder in front of students while substituting at Woodbury High School has reportedly involuntarily resigned from his Wisconsin department.

Officer Steve Williams of the Prescott Police Department has involuntarily resigned from his position effective Friday, according to a separation agreement obtained by FOX9. Williams will receive severance as part of the agreement. The agreement also states that Williams cannot be reemployed by the City of Prescott.

Williams was working as a substitute teacher at Woodbury High School in October when he was recorded using a student to reenact the police killing of George Floyd.

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According to an email sent out to parents, Williams also allegedly made racist and sexist comments and stated that "police brutality isnt real, among other things.

The City of Prescott issued a statement in mid-October following the allegations, saying: "The City of Prescott and the Prescott Police Department find the current allegations, if true, made against Mr. Williams to be very disturbing, reprehensible, and we in no way condone his actions."

Williams was barred from campus following the incident. He was also placed on administrative leave by Prescott Police Department.
A food-centered retail store  the offshoot of an acclaimed Detroit restaurant  will debut inside the newly renovated historic Michigan Central Station.

Folk, the award-winning Corktown restaurant nominated for a James Beard award, will open the food and sundries store, called Neighbor X Folk, on Nov. 22. It's a celebration of Detroits minority artisan culture, according to Folk.

Neighbor x Folk will sell snacks and sundries, along with home decor, tableware, books, body care, and other gift items. According to a news release, each product tells a story and celebrates Detroit. The products are curated from minority-owned and sustainably minded brands."

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As an event space, Neighbor X Folk will celebrate and feature local artisans such as Sister Pie, Gus & Grey and Sepia Coffee.

Plans include book signings, culinary pop-ups and workshops, including a Nov. 27 book signing with Detroit-based Jon Kung, a Chinese American chef and podcast host. Tickets are $35 on eventbrite.com. Other events are Halcyon Patisserie pavlova and Jaro Farm wreath-making workshops.

Located in Corktown on the corner of Bagley and Trumbull, Folk is known as a breakfast and brunch cafe. Folk opened in 2018, and quickly earned high acclaim.

More: Christmas markets are set to pop up across Michigan. Here's where to find one nearby

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In 2019, the cafe was named to the Detroit Free Press/Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers Best New Restaurant list, coming in at No. 4. It was also named to Food & Wines first-ever list of best restaurants to work for.

Rohani Foulkes, owner of Folk Detroit organizes her store in Corktown in March of 2020.

We believe that at the heart of every inspired community are its people, their passions and their stories. Were honored to have such an historic platform as Michigan Central to create space for building connections, sharing knowledge, and inspiring creativity, " said Rohani Foulkes, Folk and Neighbor X Folk founder and program coordinator, in a news release. "We are thrilled to provide this platform for Detroits makers to share their craft, their culture, and their passions with our community.

Yellow Light Coffee and Donuts on Detroits east side, from the owners of Green Dot Stables and Johnny Noodle King, is another Detroit establishment that will soon open inside Michigan Central station.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Corktown's Folk to open sister space inside Michigan Central Station
ANKARA, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Turkish security forces have "neutralized" a total of 12 "terrorists" in military operations in northern Iraq and northern Syria, the country's Defense Ministry said Friday.

The forces killed three members of the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in the "Operation Euphrates Shield" and "Operation Olive Branch" zones of the Turkish military in northern Syria, the ministry said in a statement.

In a separate operation in the Gara and Hakurk regions in northern Iraq, a total of nine members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) were "neutralized," the statement said.

Since the beginning of the year, the Turkish forces have "neutralized" a total of 1,299 PKK members in Iraq, and 1,206 YPG militants in Syria, Admiral Zeki Akturk, press and public relations consultant of the Defense Ministry, told reporters at a press briefing on Thursday.

Turkish authorities often use the term "neutralized" in their statements to indicate that the "terrorists" in question have either surrendered, been killed, or captured.

Turkiye considers the YPG group to be the PKK's Syrian branch.

Since 2016, Turkiye has launched anti-terror operations across its border in northern Syria to create a YPG-free zone, namely Euphrates Shield in 2016, Olive Branch in 2018, and Peace Spring in 2019 and 2020.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the United States, and the European Union, has been rebelling against the Turkish government for more than three decades.

Turkish forces frequently carry out cross-border operations targeting PKK militants in northern Iraq, with a particular focus on the Qandil Mountains, a stronghold of the group. 
The teen suspect in the stabbing death of a 14-year-old Gerber boy was sentenced in Tehama County Superior Court on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

Sentenced to 15 years and eight months in state prison was Steele Stewart, 18, of Corning who was charged on suspicion of first-degree murder with use of a weapon in the fatal stabbing of Efrain Vargas Jr., and attempted murder with use of a weapon in the stabbing of a 15-year-old boy. The incident occurred around 10:24 p.m. on April 16, 2023, during a Quinceanera party on the 25700 block of Ohio Avenue near the Sacramento River. The 15-year-old victim was reportedly stabbed twice in the back.

According to Tehama County District Attorney Matt Rogers, the sentence was the product of a plea agreement between the D.A.s office, Stewart and his counsel.

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Stewart was arrested at a West Street residence in Corning around 4:37 p.m., Sunday, April 17, 2023, and booked into the Tehama County Juvenile Justice Center on the suspicion of murder and attempted murder charges.

When Tehama County sheriff's deputies, Corning police and California Highway Patrol officers arrived at the party of more than 200 guests, deputies reported most of the guests had left after violence broke out.

The 15-year-old victim was transported by medical helicopter to Enloe Medical Center where he was treated and released. Rogers confirmed the boy has been able to return as a student at Corning High School.

Vargas, who was stabbed in the upper torso, was transported to the hospital and pronounced deceased by staff around 5:58 a.m. April 17, reported the sheriff's office.

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Stewart's arrest came about after witnesses allegedly identified him as the suspect and video surveillance corroborated witness statements, according to the sheriff's office.

Rogers said his Bureau of Investigations, the sheriffs office and the Corning Police Department did a very successful job working on the case investigation.

Stewart was tried as an adult after the Tehama County Superior Court granted Rogers request to do so.
A Corning city employee who filed a lawsuit against the city and its former police chief, Jeremiah Fears, has reportedly accepted a settlement amount.

The lawsuit was filed on April 4 by Attorney Angela Hooper on behalf of Paris Fountain, a dispatcher for the Corning Police Department.

Hooper previously filed a discrimination claim with the states Civil Rights Department in August 2023 for Fountain. It was against the City of Corning and Fears.

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The most recent filing is a complaint for damages, in which Fountain claims sexual harassment/hostile work environment, sexual harassment-quid pro quo, gender discrimination, failure to prevent discrimination/harassment/retaliation and retaliation/whistleblower.

Fountain was previously not able to work allegedly for medical reasons, but has since returned to her duties as a police dispatcher. She was hired to that position with the city in March 2018.

The claim filed with the state and the resulting investigation by the City, was in part, the alleged reason former Corning Police Chief Jeremiah Fears was dismissed as a city employee in November 2023.

According to the lawsuits Statement of Facts, Fountain claims she had a short romantic relationship with Fears in 2016. The lawsuit also states when she started working for the city as a police dispatcher she was faced with inappropriate conduct from Chief Fears in the workplace.

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The lawsuit goes on to state, during that time Fountain was in a one-year probationary period, so she did not want to risk losing her job by upsetting Chief Fears or by making any complaints, so she endured the pervasive work environment the best she could.

According to the lawsuit, Fountain claims (she) has returned to work, but the working environment remains hostile and retaliatory, while Fears was still chief of the department.

Through the lawsuit, Fountain was asking for compensatory damages in an amount according to proof; attorneys fees and costs; costs of suit incurred; prejudgment and post judgment interest on all amounts claimed; and for other and further relief as the court may deem proper.

By law, the citys administration, attorney or current Police Chief Craig Bassett were unable to comment on the lawsuit.

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Over the past few months the Fountain lawsuit was on the agenda for discussion during the City Councils closed session meetings.

City Manager Brant Mesker said during City Councils Oct. 22 meeting, following closed session he announced that on a 5-0 vote the council approved a settlement in the amount of $250,000 with Fountain in exchange for dismissal of the lawsuit.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  The Mahoning County Coroners Office Friday released the name of a man who was shot to death last week on the South Side.

Read next: Jury reaches verdict in deadly Warren bar shooting

The coroner said the victim is Antwan Davenport, 37.

Davenport was found shot to death about 2:30 a.m. at a home in the 2200 block of Montclair Avenue.

Police have yet to make an arrest.

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Nov. 14ANDERSON  By a unanimous vote, the Madison County Council approved expenditures of $9.7 million in American Rescue Plan funds.

The council voted Tuesday to appropriate the federal dollars for nine different projects, including $7 million toward the cost of the new county jail.

The county received a total of $25.1 million, which is being spent on a total of 40 projects. The federal dollars had to be allocated by the end of this year and spent by the end of 2026.

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Councilwoman Jodi Norrick voiced concern about the use of the ARP funds for the construction of a new jail.

County Engineer Jessica Bastin said after consulting with the financial firm of Baker & Tilley, the county believes the funds can be used for the jail.

She said the county must show the construction of a new jail is more cost effective compared to upgrades and repairs to the existing facility.

Bastin said the intention is to have the Madison County Commissioners enter into an inter-agency agreement with the building corporation formed to build the jail.

She said if federal regulations don't allow the use of the $7 million toward the jail, there would be a breach of contract and the county could reallocate the funds for a different use.

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The new jail is scheduled to be completed in 2026

The total cost of the project to build a 525-bed facility in North Anderson is $105.5 million. The county has sold $79.6 million in bonds to finance the majority of the cost.

Norrick also asked about the use of $75,000 for operational costs of the newly formed county Parks & Recreation Department.

Bastin said the Indiana Department of Natural Resources has approved the county's master park plan, which will allow the department to apply for grant funds.

"We can use the money to get the capital projects moving forward," she said. "The funds will be used to complete the bylaws for the department and develop a website."

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Bastin said the county's plan is to develop natural areas and a trail system to connect existing city and town parks.

The approved spending plan includes $1 million for a planned regional sewer district project near Alexandria. Bastin said the county has already appropriated $2.5 million for the project.

Also approved was $900,000 for the Scholar House skills and training center operated by JobSource of Madison County.

The council also approved $200,000 for the Anderson Housing Authority for rent and utility assistance in rural areas of the county and $85,000 for the purchase of two vehicles by the Madison County Coroner's office.

Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.
Councils are cracking down on private landlords despite racking up huge fines for failing to comply with rental regulations each year, The Telegraph can reveal.

Local authorities in England were ordered to pay a collective 1.7m in compensation to tenants last year  nearly four times the amount they paid a year earlier.

Complaints about mould and damp  one of the reasons for compensation payouts  also rose three-fold, according to Housing Ombudsman data. In total 335,488 was paid out in 2022.

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Lambeth Council in London paid out the most compensation of any local authority in England to its tenants, worth 120,615, and up 372pc on what it paid out the previous year. Hammersmith and Fulham Council paid out a similar 120,542, up 193pc.

Both councils this year introduced selective licensing schemes in a crackdown on private landlords. The schemes cost landlords in Lambeth 923 per property, and 597 in Hammersmith.

Outside of London, Birmingham City Council racked up the highest compensation bill  worth 79,170, and up 80pc compared to 2022. Birmingham City Council launched a selective licensing scheme last year, charging private landlords 700 per property.

Focus is needed in the social rented sector

Bruce Haagensen, of the GB Landlords community group, said the figures seem to disprove claims by councils that the bad properties are in the private rented sector.

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He added: Most of the reports we see in the press about sub-standard properties relate to social properties, not private properties.

As for councils selective licensing schemes, Mr Haagensen said they had become a vital income stream for local authorities, many of whom have been plagued by debt and bankruptcy woes.

Licensing schemes last five years, although some landlords licences only last one year if the council takes issue with their managing agent. When this happens, they have to pay the fee each year  rather than every five years.

Mr Haagensen said: Thats nearly 1,000 a year, depending on the council, rather than every five. Its a big difference, and a very good money spinner.

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If councils have concerns, the licensing shouldnt be granted in the first place. To run them on a yearly basis smacks of income generation.

Chris Norris, of the National Residential Landlords Association, said the Ombudsmans data demonstrated that problems with damp and mould can affect homes for social rent every bit as much as those in the private rented sector.

He added: As the Government seeks to crack down on poor quality private rented housing, the same focus is needed in the social rented sector.

Six councils in top 10 worst social landlords

Earlier this month, Richard Blakeway, Housing Ombudsman boss, named and shamed the top 10 worst social landlords for complaints handling  which included six councils.

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Five were in London  Haringey, Harrow, Southwark, Newham and Lewisham  and one, Warwick District Council, in the West Midlands.

Mr Blakeway said the worst social landlords had failed to make good on orders the Housing Ombudsman issued, and often failed to meet extended deadlines for payouts and improvements.

In Wales, Cardiffs High Court told social tenants this week that they are entitled to withhold their rent if they do not receive safety reports.

Some councils in England have failed to keep with their properties safety checks, despite being able to fine private landlords tens of thousands of pounds for not doing theirs.

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In June, Londons Southwark Council referred itself to the Regulator of Social Housing after admitting it had failed to keep up with electrical safety checks on its council homes.

A spokesman for Birmingham City Council said: From the councils perspective, an increased provision of compensation is positive as it demonstrates the council is now acting more quickly to recognise where compensation is appropriate, and is awarding this in a more proactive way.

We are committed to compensating citizens properly where the service hasnt been delivered to the standard we would expect and are grateful for the support of the Ombudsman for helping us to get to this point.

The council is investing 1.5bn over the next eight years to ensure all our tenants live in decent homes.

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Lambeth Council and Hammersmith and Fulham Council were all approached for comment.

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GREEN TWP., Ohio (WKBN) - In the six-year battle between the Mill Creek MetroParks Board and several landowners, Mahoning County Common Pleas Court ruled Thursday in favor of the property owners fighting against eminent domain to extend the bikeway.

Landowners have been in court since 2018 after Mill Creek Metroparks wanted to use eminent domain to extend its bike trail six miles from Western Reserve Road through Green Township to the Columbiana County line.

It has been a long fight, said landowner Diane Less.

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The extension would run through Less farm and the property of four other people in a move land owners said would be detrimental to their farms.

The idea to use eminent domain so somebody can ride a bike, Less said.

Molly Johnson is the attorney on behalf of the landowners.

What we feel is that this entire project was really an example of governmental overreach into the private lives and private properties of Ohio citizens, Johnson said.

In Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Thursday, Judge Anthony DApolito ruled the park district did not meet requirements to appropriate the land, dismissing all seven cases.

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Johnson, who is representing two other landowners in the case, said its because the scope of those requirements only extends to conservation efforts.

The courts ruling today said that the creation of this asphalt trail that would have destroyed habitat forest wetlands was not conservation of the natural resources, Johnson said.

Its the latest step in the six-year battle that has led the landowners from the common pleas court to the court of appeals and Ohio Supreme Court after it was initially ruled Mill Creek had the right to eminent domain.

The ruling could impact the scope of eminent domain in the state.

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Most of the landowners here that have been fighting for so long are fighting not just because this is their own life and their own property, but theyre fighting on behalf of the rights of all Ohio residents, said Johnson.

However, its come with a lot of stress.

Believe me, these legal fees are crushing  These are hardworking farm people, Less said.

But this latest ruling doesnt mean this is the end of the case. Mill Creek Park released a statement, saying theyre aware of the ruling and are working with their legal counsel.

My clients are going to fight this until the absolute end, Johnson said.

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Its like a war and weve won a big battle and so, you know, hopefully, its the last one. But you dont know what they will do, Less said.

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CHICAGO (WGN)  The Chicago Police Department warned Bucktown residents they should be on alert after a person smashed the back windshields of several vehicles Thursday morning.

Home surveillance video obtained by WGN News and recollections from a witness showed the string of smashed car windows appears to be the work of a single male who didnt attempt to steal anything from the vehicles he damaged.

We saw the guy and one of my colleagues called the cops, said Aeron Lancero, a local business owner.

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One after another, numerous cars were damaged with busted back windshields in the 1600 block of North Winchester Avenue around 8:45 a.m. CT, according to a report from CPD.

When I saw him hit the one car, he just looked like he was angry, Lancero said. He had a brick in his hand and after that, he just ran.

Lancero said he saw the suspect wearing a hoodie and smashing car windows around 9:30-10:30 a.m., but the home surveillance video showed someone smashing back windshields around 1:45 a.m.

Lancero said he believes the suspect in the video is the same person he saw hours later, meaning he may have come to the block more than once.

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I saw the first one [and] I said, Oh man, thats unfortunate,' said Molly, who lives in the neighborhood. Then I walked along and saw another one and said, Oh my gosh, and then I saw another one.

In spite of the experience and a string of carjackings reported in the neighborhood in 2023, Molly said she feels pretty safe in Bucktown, but keeps her guard up when walking around the North Side neighborhood.

Usually, I feel pretty safe. Ive never really had anybody follow me or [make me] feel threatened, Molly said. But after this, it kind of makes you think.

Police said they have no one in custody in relation to these incidents. Area Five detectives are in charge of the investigation.

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If you or someone you know has information that could help lead police toward a breakthrough in their investigation, anonymous tips can be filed online at cpdtip.com.

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KATHMANDU, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Nepal started to export electricity to Bangladesh on Friday, marking the first time for the Himalayan country to do so to a third country other than India.

A total of 40 megawatts of power is being sent to Bangladesh via Indian transmission lines after officials from Nepal, Bangladesh and India pressed a switch virtually in Kathmandu.

Nepal is allowed to export power to Bangladesh via India under a tripartite agreement signed in Kathmandu in early October.

"Nepal will be able to sell electricity for just one day in 2024 as per the tripartite agreement," said Chandan Kumar Ghosh, spokesperson for the Nepal Electricity Authority.

He told Xinhua that the export of power to Bangladesh will resume on June 15, 2025.

Under the tripartite deal, Nepal is allowed to sell power to Bangladesh from June 15 to Nov. 15 each year for five years.

Only 40mw of power is being sent to Bangladesh due to the limited spare capacity of the Indian grid connected to Bangladesh, Ghosh said, adding that there is scope for exporting more power in the coming years after more transmission lines are built.

Nepal has been exporting power to India since November 2021 as it produces surplus hydropower in the monsoon season in particular. 
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX)  Proposition 114 showed up on the ballot four years ago in 2020. It called to bring gray wolves back into Colorado.

It passed by less than 1%, and in late 2023, the first sets of paws since the 1940s were released in Grand and Summit counties.

From there, the wolves have traversed into Garfield, Pitkin, Routt, Rio Blanco and other counties.

In June, the first gray wolf pup was found in Grand County. At last report, one of the collared wolves even tracked over Interstate 70.

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Southern Rockies Director for Center for Biological Diversity Alli Henderson says shes happy with the outcome of this first wave and hopes the livestock industry will lean into the resources provided.

Co-Owner of VanWinkle Ranch Janie VanWinkle says all producers and cattle owners now have a slim, but serious possibility of depredation from these wolves.

One of the resources Henderson references is reimbursement offered to cattle owners for any depredation as long as a CPW officer confirms the death as a wolf kill. VanWinkle argues officials arent able to get there fast enough before bears and coyotes get to the kill. That issue was brought up in CPWs meeting Thursday.

One answer offered trying to fund a range riding program, part of which could be paid for by the wolf license plates bringing in an average of $50,000 a month.

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CPW Deputy Director Reid Dewalt said in the meeting the next 10 to 15 wolves are planned to be released early next year. He says Rio Blanco County will be removed from consideration as a drop-off point because of the harsh winter affecting local elk.

Tim Ritschard with Middle Park Stockgrowers Association argued the next release date needs to be pushed back; 63 of 64 Colorado counties agreed with written letters. VanWinkle felt the same.

While VanWinkle still isnt content with CPWs current plan, she says at least she notices they are starting to communicate more than before.

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GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo. (KREX)  Colorado Parks and Wildlife updated its list of potential counties to release gray wolves  and Garfield County was named as one such location.

CPW said in a press release Thursday that Garfield, Eagle and Pitkin counties are all up for consideration during the 2024-25 capture and release season. This update is part of the next stages of the planning process of CPWs Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan.

Rio Blanco County was removed as a potential location after analysis showed the limited number of state-owned sites that adhered to the criteria in the plan and their proximity to livestock, elevating the risk of conflict, as well as the potential impact to elk and deer herds recovering from the severe winter of 2022-23, the press release said.

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ST. LOUIS  Fire crews have responded to reports of a fire Thursday afternoon at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Its currently unclear if a fire broke out in the building.

The St. Louis Fire Department says there was a report of a fire on the eighth floor of the hospital, located in the 500 block of South Kingshighway.

The department says crews are on the scene investigating.

FOX 2 news crews at the scene have not seen any visible signs of a fire or smoke as of 3:55 p.m. Thursday.

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Traffic backups on Kingshighway are possible as crews respond to the scene.

This is a developing story. FOX 2 will update as more information becomes available.

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Editors Note: The following arrest and incident reports were supplied by the Abilene Police Department. All information below comes from reports made by responding officers, and all suspects are considered not guilty unless determined otherwise in a court of law.

Incidents

1400 block of Kirkwood Street  Assault Family Violence

A citizen called to report she saw her neighbor being assaulted in the frontyard of her home.

600 block of N Pioneer Drive  Criminal Mischief

A representative of a north Abilene apartment complex reported a suspect was illegally using power from a neighboring apartment.

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1100 block of Plum Street  Theft of Motor Vehicle

A report was taken for stolen vehicle.

400 block of Willow Street  Theft of Property

A Sweetwater resident reported his wallet was taken from a south Abilene business.

5400 block of Encino Road  Criminal Mischief

A south Abilene resident reported a known suspect intentionally caused damage to his vehicle.

4500 block of S 1st Street  Theft of Property

A south Abilene resident reported the front license plate to her vehicle was stolen.

2100 block of Beechwood Lane  Criminal Mischief

A victim reported an acquaintance used the victims vehicle and damaged it.

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500 block of EN 23rd Street  Theft of Motor Vehicle

A car that was reported stolen was recovered overnight.

3600 block of Purdue Lane  Theft of Motor Vehicle

A victim reported an unknown suspect stole a vehicle from her south Abilene residence.

Arrests

Ada Salazar  Assault Family Violence

Stephanie Weaver  Warrant

Mary Jackson  Public intoxication

Andrew Gagnon  Warrant

Kala Musick  Possession of Controlled Substance

David Sullivan  Warrant

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Felonies

The following people were booked into the Lee County-Tupelo Adult Jail in connection with felony charges ending Thursday at 11 a.m.

Tommy Lee Hutson, 37, of Guntown, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, capias for possession of methamphetamine.

Alicia Nicole Mask, 30, of Saltillo, was arrested by the Mississippi Department of Corrections, violation of probation.

Joe Edward Neese, 63, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, failure to register as a sex offender.

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Darian Latawn Riley, 34, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of a Schedule II drug, violation of Intensive Supervision Program, possession of a controlled substance, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest.

Preston Stokes Jr., 54, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, breaking and entering.

Lee County Sheriffs Office

The following reports were filed Thursday by the Lee County Sheriffs Office.

A County Road 811 Saltillo woman, 20, said a female contacted her, wanting to pay her $1,000 for her portrait. She received two checks for $1,000 and deposited one in her bank account. The person said they needed a screen shot of the deposit slip. Thinking that something wasnt right, she called the bank to make sure the check was real. The woman and the female had been texting back and forth all day but had not figured out anything about the portrait. She thinks it might be a scam and is worried someone might try to harm her over the money.

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A Little Turkey Trail Lake Piomingo man returned home from work and noticed his security camera laying on the ground. The garage door was damaged, with a dent in the middle and a crack on the top. Nothing else appeared to be out of place.

Anyone with information on any of these crimes is urged to call the Lee County Sheriff's Office at 841-9041, the Tupelo Police Department at 841-6491 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi at (800) 773-TIPS or download the P3 Tip App and leave an anonymous tip that way.
A Newark man, who was also a member of the Rollin 60s Neighborhood Crips gang, was handed a decades-long prison sentence after he confessed to a series of crimes officials said left a trail of blood across north Jersey.

Elijah Williams in 2015 became a member of the New Jersey gang, a criminal enterprise responsible for acts of violence and the distribution of controlled substances in the District of New Jersey and elsewhere, according to a release from the U.S. Attorneys Office District of New Jersey. From then on, he engaged in a slew of illegal activities, including on Sept. 25, 2018, when he opened fire in Newark in a bid to kill a rival gang member and their associates.

Four people were struck, including one person who was left paralyzed, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said.

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The following year, in March, Williams shot a person near Irvington High School. Sellinger said the violence was retaliation for the murder of a member and associate of the Rollin 60s.

Williams back in April pleaded guilty to racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations, or RICO, conspiracy. He was sentenced on Thursday to 28 years behind bars as well as an additional five years of supervised release.

Elijah Williams brazenly shot multiple rival gang members, murdering one, paralyzing another, and leaving a trail of blood, Sellinger said in a statement. Gang shootings jeopardize the safety of innocent residents in our communities and make the public less safe. The sentence handed down today ensures that Williams will spend decades behind bars, away from the streets he terrorized.
CROSSVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  A Crossville teacher was arrested Thursday after he allegedly threatened students inside a classroom on Wednesday, police said.

James Green, 56, of Cookeville, was charged with reckless endangerment, which is a Class E felony, according to the Crossville Police Department.

Ex-Blount County teacher arrested in Georgia on child sex crime charges

The police department shared that a parent of a Stone Memorial High School student told a school resource officer Thursday morning that a teacher threatened students in a classroom Wednesday. The officer then contacted Crossville Police Department investigators, who responded and began an investigation.

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Through that investigation, police discovered Green had made threats toward students, and he was arrested, the department shared. Police added that there were approximately 14 students in the classroom when the incident happened, but no injuries were reported.

Wife of Monroe County murder suspect charged, accused of lying to law enforcement

The Cumberland County School Board has also taken steps to ensure that Green will be suspended from work and will not be able to enter any school system property, Crossville Police shared.

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Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R) said that President-elect Trump choosing Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) to serve as attorney general was very surprising, though he has trust in the confirmation hearing process.

As for that particular nomination, look, we have a process under the Constitution where the Senate provides advice and consent. And I trust that process, Cruz told Newsmaxs Bianca de la Garza on Thursday. That nominee, like every other will, will have a vigorous vetting, will have confirmation hearings. And every nominee is going to be judged on the merits.

I will say that was a pick that was, I think, very surprising to the entirety of the Senate, Cruz added.

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Cruzs comments come as Trumps pick of Gaetz as attorney general sent shock waves through Washington; a source in the room where House Republicans were waiting to start leadership elections at the time said there were audible gasps when Trump made the announcement.

Trumps nod toward Gaetz also coincides with a House Ethics Committee investigation into the Florida congressman over allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, among other claims.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) also announced on Wednesday that Gaetz had resigned from Congress effective immediately, essentially killing the probe.

Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R), an ardent Trump ally, warned his Republican colleagues on Thursday that were gonna try to get you out of the Senate if they oppose Trumps picks and legislative agenda.

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Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.)  whos been locked in a long-standing feud with Gaetz after the Florida congressman spearheaded the effort to oust McCarthy as Speaker  predicted that Gaetz would not get confirmed by the Senate during an interview on Bloomberg Television earlier this week.

Look, Gaetz wont get confirmed, McCarthy, a loyal Trump ally, had said. Everybody knows that.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) was quick to urge the Ethics Committee to preserve and share its report on Gaetz on Thursday, despite his resignation. The panel could still vote to release the report, in what would be a rare move.

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A man was arrested Wednesday for fleeing a traffic stop on Route 8 in August, when state police alleged that he was driving more than 90 mph, and later crashed the vehicle in Waterbury before taking off on foot.

Todd Pleasants, 34, Newtown, was charged at Waterbury Superior Court in connection with a warrant state police had for his arrest, according to Connecticut State Police. He faces charges of illegal operation of a motor vehicle under suspension, reckless driving, disobeying signal of an officer, criminal impersonation and interfering with an officer/resisting.

According to the warrant affidavit supporting the arrest of Pleasants, state police on Aug. 30 shortly after 1:20 p.m. received the report of an erratic driver going south on Route 8 in Waterbury before a trooper positioned at Exit 37 spotted a motorist in a black sedan. The trooper used a laser speed gun to reportedly clock the driver at 93 mph, the warrant affidavit said.

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When the trooper pulled the vehicle over, the driver was allegedly seen making frantic movements indicative of trying to hide something, according to the warrant affidavit. The trooper approached the vehicle and spoke to the driver, who apologized for speeding and said he was on his way to pick up his girlfriend, according to the warrant affidavit.

The drivers license the man had did not appear to be the same person, which the driver alleged was due to the fact that he had lost a lot of weight, state police wrote in the warrant affidavit. The trooper also allegedly spotted two empty nip bottles of rum in the vehicle but noted that the driver did not smell of alcohol. The motorist said the bottles were old and had been previously consumed, the warrant affidavit said.

As the trooper returned to their cruiser to check on the identity of the driver, the vehicle took off quickly on Route 8. The trooper tried to pull the vehicle over again but did not pursue it.

Shortly thereafter, state police learned that a vehicle matching the description of the one in the stop had crashed on Colonial Street in Waterbury, the warrant affidavit said. Witnesses reported seeing a man flee the stop on foot. State police said his description appeared similar to the man who was pulled over.

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According to the warrant affidavit, state police were able to use the vehicles registration information to locate a Facebook profile that had a photo of a man who appeared to be the driver. The trooper used facial recognition software from the photo, which produced a hit for Pleasants, the warrant affidavit said.

State police were able to confirm the driver was Pleasants using Department of Motor Vehicle records and found that his license was suspended, according to the warrant affidavit. A trooper also found that he was wanted in connection with a warrant for violation of probation.

During the investigation, state police found that Pleasants was later arrested in connection with the probation warrant. They obtained a warrant in connection with the traffic stop and served it during a court appearance.

Pleasants was arraigned the same day in Waterbury Superior Court on the new charges. He remains held on bonds totaling $80,000 and is due back in court on Dec. 11, according to Department of Correction and Judicial Branch records.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Virgin Hotels Las Vegas described a meeting with the Culinary Union as disappointing on Thursday. A meeting was held to address concerns over a tentative agreement for a union contract. In the end, no agreement could be made.

The strike began on Friday morning in Las Vegas. On Thursday evening, the Culinary Union released the following update on its X account.

Tonight, negotiations with Virgin Hotels Las Vegas ended with the company putting an economic offer on the table that was miles apart. The companys offer was an insult to workers who voted unanimously to refuse to settle for a second-class contract. STRIKE: Friday at 5 a.m.!

According to the Culinary Union, 700 hospitality workers at the hotel have pushed for a new 5-year contract. The previous contract expired on June 1, 2023, according to Ted Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer for the Culinary Union.

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Culinary Union threatens strike at Virgin Las Vegas over contract negotiations

Virgin Hotels Las Vegas released the following statement on Thursday night.

It is disappointing that the Culinary Union (the Union) ended todays requested meeting without engaging in meaningful bargaining with Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. Today, in an attempt to address the Unions concerns, we proposed bringing forward a portion of the wage increase that was previously proposed for years four and five so that there are no longer zero increases in the first three years. Again, the Union chose to engage in take it or leave it bargaining, refusing to move off of a position that it knows is not economically viable for our off-Strip property and that would negatively impact all hotel team members. When we concluded our most recent meeting on July 11, the ball was in the Unions court. We did not hear from the Union until November 8  after it had already set a strike deadline of November 15. After we waited several months for the Union to respond to our June proposal and return to the table, their unconstructive approach and bad faith bargaining today was another disappointment. Our dedication to our team members well-being and achieving sustainable performance at our property remains steadfast, and we are fully committed to finding a fair resolution that is in their best interest.  Virgin Hotels Las Vegas

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UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- UN humanitarians on Friday warned that the escalating armed violence in Sudan is putting tens of thousands of people at risk and deepening the humanitarian crisis.

In less than a month, more than 343,000 Sudanese have been displaced across Aj Jazirah State, south of Sudan's capital Khartoum, amid escalating clashes and continued insecurity, according to the International Organization for Migration.

Most of them have fled to the neighboring states of Gedaref and Kassala, where the United Nations and humanitarian partners are working with host communities to provide emergency assistance, including food, shelter, health care, psychosocial services, water, sanitation and hygiene support.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that armed violence in Aj Jazirah State is putting the lives of tens of thousands of people at risk.

An assessment carried out by the office last week found that many of the displaced Sudanese arriving in Gedaref and Kassala had walked for days, with nothing but clothes on their backs. They are now sheltering in the open, including children, women, the old and the sick.

OCHA said the people who have fled the fighting in Aj Jazirah urgently need tents, plastic sheets, heaters, mattresses, medicines, and food. Gedaref has also seen an increase in cholera cases following the latest wave of displacement.

"It's been over a year and a half of unimaginable suffering, brutal atrocities and widespread human rights violations," said Dominique Hyde, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) director of external relations, earlier this month. "Every day of every minute, thousands of lives are shattered by war and violence away from the world's attention."

UN humanitarians repeated their call for the protection of civilians and safe passage for those fleeing, stressing that under international humanitarian law, civilians must be able to access the support they need to survive, whether they leave or stay. 
Nov. 14Members of a group that monitors light pollution in New Mexico urged state legislators this week to update a law intended to keep nighttime skies pulsing with stars.

"The darkness keeps shrinking more and more," Peter Lipscomb, vice chair of New Mexico DarkSky, told the Legislature's interim Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee on Wednesday as legislators discussed possible updates to the Night Sky Protection Act in the upcoming legislative session, set to begin Jan. 21.

The law was adopted in 1999 to "to regulate outdoor night lighting fixtures to preserve and enhance the state's dark sky while promoting safety, conserving energy and preserving the environment." The city of Santa Fe and other local governments followed by enacting ordinances to curtail surplus glare.

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However, in his presentation, Lipscomb urged lawmakers to update the law, partly because lighting technology has greatly changed since it went into effect. Light pollution is rapidly increasing  about 10% per year in nationwide measurements  according to his presentation.

New Mexico boasts numerous attractions that benefit from its low population density, generally arid climate and cloudless nights. One of them is the Cosmic Campground in the Gila National Forest near Alma in southwestern New Mexico, a stargazing destination selected by DarkSky International as its first dark sky sanctuary in the Northern Hemisphere. Another is Capulin Volcano near Raton, frequently visited by lovers of dizzying night skies.

While the 1999 law positioned the state as a dark sky pioneer, activists have said more must be done as New Mexico's growing population continues to brighten urban areas.

"I think it's very smart to tighten this up and not overreach in terms of the expansion. I do think this is a really important law on the books that we've had for a long time, and technology has moved forward, and I'm really hoping we can get this passed this session," said state Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe.

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The impacts of light pollution include the destruction of wildlife habitat, neighborhood conflict and harm to health, Lipscomb said.

DarkSky International is now recommending light be restricted to below 10 degrees from horizontal to prevent "light trespass," which is defined as artificial light sources emitting light into adjacent properties or public rights of way, and to significantly reduce light extending to unwanted areas.

With modern light technology, advocates recommend light be measured in lumens instead of watts. They also recommend adding the term "light trespass" to the dark sky act, noting light pollution has an effect on safety, environmental issues and property owner rights.

The current act states that outdoor lighting fixtures on advertisements along interstates and federal highways are exempt, provided that a light source does not create a hazardous glare.

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But under the proposed changes from DarkSky International, only outdoor lighting fixtures on roadway navigation and safety signs on interstates and federal highways would be exempt.

"Advertisement signs can be lit from above and achieve the same functionality," Lipscomb said.

Sen. Greg Nibert, R-Roswell, said he wanted to take a look at some of the provisions in the current law.

"It seems to me that one of the big issues is billboards," he said. "We really notice that on I-40 between Albuquerque and Clines Corners. A lot of those billboards are illuminated with lights at night that don't shine down. They shine up."

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Galen Gisler, a council member of the New Mexico DarkSky said she welcomed Nibert's comment about billboards. "We're hoping we can persuade people to direct the light on billboards down instead of up," she said . "... The other thing I find really obnoxious are these electronic messaging boards, like the ones at casinos and so forth."

She added, some of the problems should be addressed by local ordinances, rather than state law.

"I think the local level takes precedence over the state level if they have existing ordinances," said Rep. Cynthia Borrego, D-Albuquerque, noting the Duke City has an ordinance of its own on the issue.
A Darke County man has been arrested on multiple violent sex offense charges.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Kevin Smith, 59, of Union City, Ohio was arrested on multiple felony charges by Union City Police on Nov. 8, according to a Facebook post from the department.

TRENDING STORIES:

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Smith has been preliminarily charged with three counts of Rape, a first-degree felony, and one count of Vicarious Sexual Gratification, a third-degree felony.

The charges Smith faces stem from an investigation that revealed evidence of sexual offenses involving at least two victims under the age of 13 at the time the crimes were committed.

According to Union City Police, the investigation revealed that the offenses took place over a period of several years and occurred across state lines, in both Ohio and Indiana.

This arrest underscores the importance of the close collaboration between law enforcement agencies in both states, which allows officers to operate seamlessly across jurisdictional boundaries for the safety and protection of our communities, the Union City Police Department said in the post. By combining resources and working together without limitations, law enforcement was able to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that Smith was apprehended.

Additional charges, including other serious and violent sexual offenses, are expected to be filed in both Ohio and Indiana as the investigation continues.

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Nov. 14Members of a group that monitors light pollution in New Mexico told state legislators this week a law on the books intended to keep nighttime skies pulsing with stars needs to be modernized amid increasing light pollution and shifts in technology.

"The darkness keeps shrinking more and more," said Peter Lipscomb, vice chair of New Mexico DarkSky, the state's chapter of DarkSky International.

Lipscomb briefed members of the Legislature's interim Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee during a Wednesday meeting as state lawmakers discussed the prospect of updating the Night Sky Protection Act in the upcoming legislative session, set to commence Jan. 21.

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The law was adopted in 1999 to "to regulate outdoor night lighting fixtures to preserve and enhance the state's dark sky while promoting safety, conserving energy and preserving the environment." The city of Santa Fe and other local governments followed by enacting ordinances to curtail surplus glare.

However, Lipscomb said in his presentation, the Night Sky Protection Act is not achieving its objectives and needs a revamp. He urged lawmakers to update the law, partly because lighting technology has greatly changed since it went into effect. Light pollution is rapidly increasing  about 10% per year in nationwide measurements  according to his presentation.

A Southwestern state renowned for the natural beauty of its nighttime skies, New Mexico boasts numerous attractions that benefit from its low population density, generally arid climate and cloudless nights.

Selected by DarkSky International as its first dark sky sanctuary in the Northern Hemisphere, the Cosmic Campground in the Gila National Forest near Alma in southwestern New Mexico is hailed as a stargazing destination. Lovers of dizzying night skies have been known to descend on Capulin Volcano near Raton, to name another.

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While the state's night sky law was an important step, one that positioned the state as a pioneer, activists have said more must be done as New Mexico's growing population continues to brighten urban areas.

"I think it's very smart to tighten this up and not overreach in terms of the expansion. I do think this is a really important law on the books that we've had for a long time and technology has moved forward, and I'm really hoping we can get this passed this session," said state Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe.

Lipscomb noted the impacts of light pollution include the destruction of wildlife habitat, neighborhood conflict and harms to human health.

DarkSky International is now recommending light be restricted to below 10 degrees from horizontal to prevent "light trespass," which is defined as artificial light sources emitting light into adjacent properties or public rights of way, and to significantly reduce light extending to unwanted areas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With modern light technology, advocates recommend light be measured in lumens instead of watts. They also recommend adding the term "light trespass" to the dark sky act, noting light pollution has an effect on safety, environmental issues and property owner rights.

The current act states that outdoor lighting fixtures on advertisements along interstates and federal highways are exempt, provided that a light source does not create a hazardous glare.

But under the proposed changes from DarkSky International, only outdoor lighting fixtures on roadway navigation and safety signs on interstates and federal highways would be exempt.

"Advertisement signs can be lit from above and achieve the same functionality," Lipscomb said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Sen. Greg Nibert, R-Roswell, said he wanted to take a look at some of the provisions in the current law.

"It seems to me that one of the big issues is billboards," he said. "We really notice that on I-40 between Albuquerque and Clines Corners. A lot of those billboards are illuminated with lights at night that don't shine down. They shine up."

Galen Gisler, a council member of the New Mexico DarkSky said she welcomed Nibert's comment about billboards. "We're hoping we can persuade people to direct the light on billboards down instead of up," she said . "... The other thing I find really obnoxious are these electronic messaging boards, like the ones at casinos and so forth."

She added some of the problems should be addressed by local ordinances, rather than state law.

"I think the local level takes precedence over the state level if they have existing ordinances," said Rep. Cynthia Borrego, D-Albuquerque, noting the Duke City has an ordinance of its own on the issue.
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters.

Ed Mahon reported this story while participating in the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalisms 2024 Data Fellowship.

HARRISBURG  A first-of-its-kind database from Spotlight PA will make it easier for the public to track how Pennsylvania counties decided to spend tens of millions of dollars from their first rounds of opioid settlement payments  and whether a powerful state oversight board ultimately approved those decisions.

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Pennsylvania expects to receive a large amount of money from these settlements, including up to about $1.8 billion from two waves of agreements with multiple companies, according to a recent court order. Drug distributors, retailers, and manufacturers entered into the agreements to settle claims over their role in the opioid epidemic, which continues to kill thousands of Pennsylvanians each year.

Most of the funds are going to the states 67 counties, and the early choices those county officials make could set a precedent for years to come. Some decisions involving law enforcement, harm reduction programs, and support for residents in a hard hit Philadelphia neighborhood have already sparked sharp debate in Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement Trust distributes the funds and reviews spending. Its 13-member board has the power to cut funding from counties if it decides they spent money in ways that dont align with the requirements of the agreements.

Two recipients, Somerset County and Philadelphia, recently filed appeals in Commonwealth Court to challenge the trusts rejection of their spending decisions. Those cases were pending as of Nov. 8.

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This searchable database is based on spending records released by the Pennsylvania Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement Trust, as well as a review of meeting minutes and recordings, and court documents. Counties had to file their first comprehensive spending reports with the trust by March 15 of this year, and they were required to describe decisions they made in 2022 and 2023.

The full board voted in May, June, and August on whether to approve or reject the programs. A committee of the trust later reversed a few of the rejections, including some involving Philadelphias Kensington neighborhood.

Spotlight PAs database covers roughly $70 million worth of spending decisions involving about 450 programs or responses. The figures include both funds that were reported as spent and planned spending.

This database builds on previous reporting by Spotlight PA to give the public a better understanding of these crucial spending decisions, which are frequently made with little public input or involvement.

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A Spotlight PA and WESA story last year broke down which Pennsylvania counties received the most opioid settlement money per resident for 2022, revealing wide disparities driven by the role counties played in opioid litigation, a formula that attempted to account for how hard the opioid epidemic hit different communities, and other factors. The story also featured a searchable database of payments and estimates for county governments and other local agencies.

In March, Spotlight PA partnered with WESA to request dozens of spending reports filed by counties across the state. The news organization published those reports as they received them so that advocates, researchers, other journalists, and members of the public could understand the decisions and weigh in  before the opioid trust voted on them.

Many advocates, medical professionals, and victims of the opioid epidemic have big hopes for this money. But across the country, the public  including people who have lost loved ones to the opioid crisis or are dealing with it daily  are routinely shut out of having a meaningful say in the process, a first-of-its-kind survey conducted by Spotlight PA and KFF Health News found earlier this year.

This database can help anyone follow where the moneys going, a crucial first step to judging whether its being used effectively.

Tips for using the database

You can search and sort by several criteria, including keywords, the county, how much was spent or committed, and whether the program was ultimately approved.

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For instance:

Searching for York will show 12 programs for that county. The trust approved all of them. You can click on Details for more information about the individual programs.

A search for Lawrence will bring up eight programs. Five of them were ultimately approved by the opioid trust, while the trust rejected three others.

You can also search for keywords. For instance, searching for syringe will provide two results. One is for $325,000 that Allegheny County dedicated to a syringe services program. The other is for a Bucks County program. If you click on Details for the Bucks County program, you can view more information, including this description in the Program Notes column: Ensure residents are aware of available resources, are educated on drug trends (such as Fentanyl), medication/syringe returns, diversionary programs, treatment availability. (For some county programs, the trusts public documents do not include additional details in the Program Notes section.)

Need ideas to get started? Here are some words that yielded multiple results: police, youth, xylazine, advertising, and Kensington. In some cases, youll have to click on Details to read how each word relates to the program. You could also sort the programs by how much was spent or committed to them or whether they have been approved as of Nov. 8.

What if you want more details? Spotlight PA is making the larger database available to the public. In most cases, the most useful part of the larger database might be the Program Notes column. The database can also be useful for tracking appeal information.

Got a question, spot a problem, or see something interesting in the database? We want to hear from you! Email me (Ed Mahon) at emahon@spotlightpa.org or call me at 717-421-2518.

BEFORE YOU GO If you learned something from this article, pay it forward and contribute to Spotlight PA at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.

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A sign directs voters to a ballot drop box outside the Chester County Government Center on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (Capital-Star/Peter Hall)

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dave McCormick and two GOP groups have filed or are planning lawsuits against four Pennsylvania county boards of elections to enforce the rule that voters must date mail-in ballots to have them counted, according to court filings and a party official.

Democratic incumbent Sen. Bob Casey, meanwhile, filed a motion to intervene in another GOP lawsuit asking the state Supreme Court to order all 67 county boards of elections to enforce the date rule.

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McCormick, the Republican National Committee and the Republican Party of Pennsylvania sued the Philadelphia Board of Elections on Friday to reverse its decision to count more than 600 mail ballots with missing or incorrect dates or signatures in the wrong locations.

The Boards baffling decision not to enforce the date requirement and to count noncompliant ballots thus directly contravenes binding Pennsylvania law, the lawsuit in Philadelphia County court said, noting that the state Supreme Court has previously held the requirement to date the ballots is mandatory and enforceable and rejected subsequent challenges.

Tiernan Donohue, Caseys campaign manager, said in a statement that the state Supreme Court has not ruled on the substance of the matter.

This year, the Commonwealth Court has ruled twice that the date requirement, which numerous court proceedings have established serves no purpose, is unconstitutional. The Supreme Court dismissed the first decision on a technicality and blocked the second, saying that it would not countenance a change in election rules after mail-in voting had already started.

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We agree with both the Commonwealth Courts ruling and David McCormicks 2022 position that invalidating misdated and undated ballots disenfranchises Pennsylvania voters over a requirement that is irrelevant in determining a voters eligibility, Donohue said, noting that McCormick argued ballots should not be thrown out over date issues after he lost the GOP primary to Mehmet Oz two years ago.

Pennsylvanians deserve to have their voices heard, and we will utilize every legal option to oppose McCormicks voter suppression tactics and ensure these legal votes are counted, Donohue said.

McCormick and the GOP have also filed suits in Bucks and Centre counties, RNC Senior Advisor Gates McGavick told the Capital-Star on Friday. A fourth lawsuit was being filed Friday in Montgomery County, he said.

The lawsuits come as the Pennsylvania Department of State prepared for a statutorily required recount in the commonwealths U.S. Senate race between McCormick and Casey. Less than 0.5% of the vote separated the candidates, triggering an automatic recount under a 2004 state law.

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McCormick has 48.93% of votes, and Casey has 48.5%, according to unofficial results, a margin of 0.43%. The Department of State estimated that the recount will cost taxpayers more than $1 million.

Although McCormick and Republican Party officials have said there is no path to victory for Casey, McGavick said the GOP is willing to expend legal resources to ensure the law is being followed.

When you have election officials decide days after the election were going to disregard this court ruling  that is the kind of stuff that really damages voter confidence, McGavick said.

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In Centre County, a judge on Friday threw out the GOP challenge to the board of elections decision to count three ballots with date issues. President Judge Jonathan Grine found that the challenge was required to be filed within two days of the boards Nov. 7 vote, but the suit was not filed until Thursday.

No action was taken in the Bucks and Philadelphia cases, according to docket entries on Friday afternoon.

The RNC and Pennsylvania Republican Party also filed a petition in state Supreme Court asking it to use its Kings Bench authority to order election officials in all 67 counties to enforce the date requirement. The court had not taken any action in that case Friday afternoon, according to court records.

The question surrounding the validity of mail ballots with missing or incorrect dates has been the subject of court cases in every election since 2020, when Pennsylvanias Act 77 made absentee voting without an excuse an option for the first time.

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Casey has pointed out that McCormick has flipped his position since 2022, when he argued ballots with date issues should not be invalidated when he lost the GOP primary for Senate to Dr. Mehmet Oz.

McCormicks lawsuit asserted These ballots were indisputably submitted on time  they were date-stamped upon receipt  and no fraud or irregularity has been alleged, and that the handwritten date was meaningless and had no bearing on the validity of mail-in ballots.

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A Davenport man has been arrested after police say he failed to get medical help for a 3-year-old child with severe burns.

Garrett Taylor (Scott County Jail)

According to the criminal complaint, Davenport Police and Fire were called to the 2700 block of Farragut Place on October 26 about a child who was burned. Garrett Taylor, 34, is accused of not seeking medical attention for the child, who was engulfed in fire that resulted in the child sustaining second degree burns to both hands, the lower right abdomen and both shins. The child may require skin grafts to repair the damage. The complain says instead of calling 911 to seek immediate medical care for the victim, (Taylor) instead called a third-party person. This party then asked/requested (Taylor) to call 911, which (Taylor) refused to do, which further delayed the necessary medical attention required for such burns.

Taylor has been released from the Scott County Jail and has a preliminary hearing on December 5.

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During an election that saw Republicans secure the White House and both chambers of Congress, Sarah McBrides congressional victory in Delaware offered a historic win for Democrats, transgender representation  and young people.

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Winning a House seat representing Delaware, 34-year-old McBride became the first openly transgender person elected to Congress, just four years after the Democrat was elected as the nations first transgender state senator. Groundbreaking in any year and especially one in which conservatives regularly attacked the transgender community, McBrides victory also marked a major win for a multimillion-dollar campaign  launched by school shooting survivor David Hogg  to elect young lawmakers to state and national office.

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From Trauma to Turnout: Inside David Hoggs $8M Bid to Elect Young Progressives

From the youngest-ever Senator to the first Trans member of Congress, Delaware knows what young leaders can accomplish when given a chance, just look at Joe Biden, Hogg posted on X, commenting on how the 81-year-old president was first elected to Congress in 1972 just days before his 30th birthday.

After Hogg survived the 2018 school shooting in Parkland, Florida, which killed 17 of his classmates and educators, he became a formidable up-and-comer in Democratic politics, turning his attention to helping elect Gen Z and millennial Democrats. His latest effort is Leaders We Deserve, a political action committee formed in 2023 that raised nearly $8.5 million as of September to elevate the campaigns of McBride and a dozen other young candidates.

Leaders We Deserve is proud to say that Sarah will be our first endorsee elected to Congress, Hogg wrote.

From the youngest-ever Senator to the first Trans member of Congress, Delaware knows what young leaders can accomplish when given a chance, just look at Joe Biden. Leaders We Deserve is proud to say that Sarah will be our first endorsee elected to Congress pic.twitter.com/aYn0MkeuKh  David Hogg  (@davidhogg111) November 6, 2024

Beyond McBrides high-profile win, candidates endorsed by Hoggs PAC saw mixed results  with more defeats than victories. Of a dozen candidates offered campaign cash and boots-on-the-ground voter outreach by Leaders We Deserve, five won their races and seven lost.

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They include the successful campaign of a seventh-grade math teacher in Atlanta, the defeat of a former Miss Texas who campaigned for a state House seat on a gun control platform, and the setback encountered by a 28-year-old mother who launched her Tennessee House of Representatives campaign after the state denied her access to an abortion.

Leaders We Deserve has pumped millions of dollars  and resources from Democratic power players  into the campaigns of young candidates who support progressive causes like gun control, reproductive rights and protecting public school funding. The PAC didnt respond to requests for comment.

Other Leaders We Deserve-endorsed candidates who beat their GOP opponents include Dante Pittman, whose election to the North Carolina General Assembly helped Democrats break a Republican supermajority. In Hoggs home state of Florida, U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost  who at 27 became the first member of Gen Z to serve in Congress  won his reelection bid with nearly 62 percent of the vote.

In Georgia, middle school math teacher Bryce Berry defeated an incumbent who switched from Democrat to Republican last year after breaking from party ranks to support private school vouchers. In Ohio, Democrat Christine Cockley easily defeated Republican rival Hussein Jabiri.

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The seven candidates who did not prevail include Kristian Carranza, whose campaign for a closely watched seat in the Texas House of Representatives secured more than $1 million in Leaders We Deserve support before losing in a tight race to Republican rival and incumbent state Rep. John Lujan. In another competitive race in Texas, Republican Rep. Angie Chen Button won her ninth election to the Texas Legislature, defeating Democrat Averie Bishop.

In Pennsylvania, former teacher and longtime Republican state Rep. Joe Emrick won reelection, defeating Leaders We Deserve-endorsed Democrat Anna Thomas, whose campaign centered on bolstering school funding. Republican Mike Sparks, who has served in the Tennessee House of Representatives since 2010, defeated Democrat Luis Mata.

In another Tennessee House race, Republican Jeff Burkhart won reelection in a closely watched contest against Democrat Allie Phillips, who said she was forced to go out of state to terminate a nonviable pregnancy because of Tennessees strict abortion laws. After defeating the Leaders We Deserve-endorsed Phillips, Burkhart said his campaign was about fighting California, New York and everyone else.

Nate Douglas, a 23-year-old University of Florida graduate, failed in his bid to oust Republican Florida Rep. Susan Plasencia. The Douglas campaign relied heavily on get-out-the-vote efforts among college students.

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In Georgia, Republican state Sen. Shawn Still was reelected, defeating Democrat Ashwin Ramaswami by 7 percentage points. Ramaswami, 25, was still in law school when he decided to campaign against Still, who in 2023 was one of 18 people who were indicted alongside President-elect Donald Trump on allegations of conspiring to overturn Trumps 2020 presidential election defeat in the state.

After Trump regained control of the White House and Republicans swept into elected office in races across the country, Hogg turned to X to reiterate his argument that new, young voices are more critical than ever.

Time for some big changes to the Democratic Party, he wrote.
Nov. 15 (UPI) -- On this date in history:

In 1791, Georgetown University, in what is now Washington, D.C., opened as the first Roman Catholic college in the United States.

In 1864, Union General William Tecumseh Sherman's March to the Sea begins with the burning of Atlanta.

File Photo by Library of Congress

In 1920, the first assembly of the League of Nations was called to order in Geneva, Switzerland. The league dissolved after 1946 and was replaced by the United Nations.

On November 15, 2017, Leonardo's da Vinci's "Salvator Mundi" sold for a world-record $450 million in a Christie's New York auction. File Photo by Dennis Van Tine/UPI

In 1943, Heinrich Himmler ordered that Romany be placed in Nazi concentration camps. Up to 500,000 Romany died during the Holocaust.

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In 1969, more than 500,000 people demonstrated in Washington against the Vietnam War.

The official opening of the League of Nations takes place on November 15, 1920, in Geneva, Switzerland. File Photo courtesy United Nations

In 1984, 5-week-old Baby Fae died after her body rejected the baboon heart she had lived with for 20 days at California's Loma Linda University Medical Center.

In 1987, 27 people were killed in the crash of Continental Airlines Flight 1713, a DC-9 jet taking off from Denver in a snowstorm.

German troops round up Romany for deportation in May 1940. File Photo courtesy of the German Federal Archives

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In 2004, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell submitted his resignation.

File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI

A rainbow is seen over a woman as she walks through Georgetown University's campus in Washington, D.C., on November 19, 2015. On November 15, 1791, Georgetown University opened as the first Roman Catholic college in the United States. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI

In 2007, Cyclone Sidr, with winds of more than 150 mph, slammed into the southwestern Bangladesh coast, killing more than 3,400 people. Tens of thousands were injured and 1 million people were homeless.

In 2010, a five-story building, in New Delhi that housed migrant workers collapsed killing at least 58 people, with 65 others hurt and many more feared buried in debris.

On November 15, 2007, Cyclone Sidr, with winds of more than 150 mph, slammed into the southwestern Bangladesh coast, killing more than 3,400 people. Tens of thousands were injured and 1 million people were homeless. File Photo by Julius Hawkins/U.S. Navy

In 2017, Leonardo's da Vinci's Salvator Mundi sold for a world-record $450 million in a Christie's New York auction.

In 2020, SpaceX and NASA made history as four astronauts launched to the International Space Station, the first via a Falcon 9 rocket.

A fire in a high-rise Shanghai apartment building, primarily a home for teachers, killed more than 40 people and injured dozens on November 15, 2010. File Photo by {link:Peijin Chen/Flickr:"https://www.flickr.com/photos/cpj/5178106136/" target="_blank"}

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In 2022, the world population reached 8 billion people, a milestone despite the population growing at its slowest rate since 1950.

In 2023, Britain's Supreme Court rejected an appeal by the government to overturn a ruling that its controversial plans to deport asylum seekers who arrive in the country without permission to Rwanda were illegal.
Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a grand welcome ceremony hosted by Peruvian President Dina Boluarte in Lima, Peru, Nov. 14, 2024. Xi on Thursday held talks with Boluarte in Lima. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

* China is ready to work with Peru to build a new land-sea corridor between China and Latin America with the Chancay Port as a starting point, Xi said.

* As a flagship BRI project, the Chancay Port will enhance trade efficiency between Peru and Asia, cutting shipping times to China to 23 days and reducing logistics costs by at least 20 percent.

LIMA, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping inaugurated a mega-port with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte here on Thursday, marking a milestone in China-Peru cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The two heads of state also issued a joint statement on deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership on the same day, expressing readiness to jointly explore new opportunities for cooperation under the framework of the BRI to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, and promote sustainable development of the two countries.

China is ready to work with Peru to build a new land-sea corridor between China and Latin America with the Chancay Port as a starting point, Xi said.

He made the remarks in his talks with Boluarte, adding that the corridor, which will connect the Inca Trail with the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, will open up a road of common prosperity and happiness for Peru and other Latin American and Caribbean countries.





EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES

As a flagship BRI project, the Chancay Port will enhance trade efficiency between Peru and Asia, cutting shipping times to China to 23 days and reducing logistics costs by at least 20 percent.

Situated approximately 80 kilometers north of the capital Lima on the Pacific coast and directly connected to the Pan-American Highway, a network of roads stretching across the Americas, the deepwater port is also poised to become a pivotal logistics hub between Latin America and Asia.

The Chancay Port will strongly consolidate Peru's position as a gateway that connects land and sea, Asia and Latin America, Xi said when attending the opening ceremony of the Chancay Port via video link with Boluarte.

Xi noted that this connection means more than just the BRI taking root in Peru. From Chancay to Shanghai, we are witnessing the birth of a new Asia-Latin America land-sea corridor, he said.

This photo taken on Nov. 14, 2024 shows a view of Chancay Port in Peru. (Xinhua/Li Mengxin)

Projections indicate that the Chancay Port will generate 4.5 billion U.S. dollars in yearly revenues for Peru and create over 8,000 direct jobs.

Chinese enterprises have overcome difficulties and completed the first phase of the Chancay Port project, fully demonstrating China's determination to engage in long-term strategic cooperation with Peru, Xi said, stressing China's willingness to work with Peru to fully leverage the location advantage of the Chancay Port.

Peruvian officials and experts see the Chancay Port as a step toward redefining South America's role in global trade, making it easier for Peru and neighboring countries to export goods across the Pacific.

This new port will encourage trade between Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and other Latin American countries with Asian countries, including China, said President of the Congress of Peru Eduardo Salhuana, adding that it promises economic growth for Latin America's agriculture, mining, and manufacturing industries.

The Brazilian government has already expressed a keen interest in the Chancay Port, which it views as a vital link to Asian markets.

Peruvian President Boluarte said at the inauguration ceremony that this Peru-China BRI project marks a crucial step toward Peru's goal of becoming an international center for shipping and trade.

The port will help Peru establish itself as a crucial gateway connecting Latin America and Asia and bolster integration and prosperity across Latin America, she said.





DEEPENING PARTNERSHIP

China and Peru should improve and upgrade practical cooperation and continuously elevate their comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights to better benefit the two peoples, Xi said Thursday during talks with Boluarte.

Xi noted that this was his third visit to Peru and the third time he had met with Boluarte in a year.

He described China-Peru ties as a model of solidarity and cooperation among countries of different sizes, systems, and cultures, as the two ancient civilizations are endowed with wisdom and broad vision from their profound historical legacies, allowing them to clearly see the development direction of history, align with the trends of the times, and always adhere to equality, mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual learning.

Since establishing bilateral diplomatic relations 53 years ago, trade and investment cooperation between the two sides has proliferated.

Xi called on the two sides to sum up experience, improve and upgrade practical cooperation and elevate the China-Peru comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights, so as to better benefit the two peoples.

He also urged the two sides to align their development strategies, intensify the potential for cooperation, create a new pattern of practical cooperation, strengthen trade and investment in parallel as "two wheels" driving both countries forward, advance traditional and emerging industries in parallel as "two wings" propelling them upward, and promote the integration of industrial and supply chains.

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a grand welcome ceremony hosted by Peruvian President Dina Boluarte in Lima, Peru, Nov. 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

Since 2009, China has been Brazil's largest trading partner. Data from China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has shown that Brazil continued to be China's largest source of agricultural imports in 2023.

China is willing to further expand the import of high-quality specialty agricultural products from Peru, encourage competent Chinese enterprises to invest in Peru, and make due contributions to local development, Xi said.

Both sides should enhance cooperation in traditional areas such as minerals and energy, infrastructure, and transportation and communications, while also expanding cooperation in emerging sectors like digital economy, artificial intelligence, green shipping, electric vehicles, and the photovoltaic industry, he said, adding that China stands ready to encourage Chinese enterprises to participate in Peru's infrastructure construction, promoting "hard connectivity" through infrastructure and "soft connectivity" through smart customs.

Boluarte, for her part, warmly welcomed Xi's visit. She echoed Xi by saying that China has long been Peru's most important trading partner, and cooperation in various fields has achieved fruitful results especially since the two sides carried out Belt and Road cooperation.

Boluarte noted that Xi's visit will surely become an important milestone in bilateral relations, open up a new chapter in the comprehensive strategic partnership between Peru and China, enable the two peoples to jointly build and enjoy a lasting and more prosperous future, and promote the building of a community with a shared future between the two countries.

The two sides also issued a joint statement on Thursday, welcoming the signing of a protocol on upgrading the bilateral free trade agreement and expressing readiness to cooperate on large-scale infrastructure projects in accordance with their respective national laws.

China and Peru are willing to incorporate projects in such emerging areas as the circular economy, sustainable agriculture, industrial and supply chains, digital economy investment and green development into bilateral cooperation, said the statement. 
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  $3 million will go towards an expansion of Rochesters Daystar Kids organization.

Governor Hochul announced the funding Friday morning, saying the funds will help the facility move into a 48,000-square-foot facility in Brighton. This project will help the program meet increased demand.

This project will help Daystar Kids launch a lifetime of learning, health, and inclusion for even more children in our community who need our services and will establish a new paradigm for children across New York State, Daystar Kids CEO Kim Condon said in a statement.

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Daystar Kids is a non-profit organization supporting children with complex healthcare needs and developmental challenges. The expansion will create a model for preschool special education to support the learning and healthcare goals of children enrolled in the program.

The $3 million was received in a grant from Empire State Development. The new facility is expected to be operational by 2026.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  The centerpiece for this years Dayton Holiday Festival has arrived!

The tree began its day on the Tipp City farm of Greg and Rose Kiener before making its way down to downtown Dayton, arriving at Courthouse Square late Friday morning.

It will be decorated with more than 50,000 lights, though it will remain dark until the grand lighting as part of the festival on Nov. 29.

The 2024 Dayton Holiday Festival, presented by AES Ohio, will also feature the Childrens Parade as well as holiday music on the squares main stage.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The District of Columbias Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) could soon see significant changes. The D.C. City Council held a public hearing Friday morning to discuss the programs effectiveness.

The hearing brought together supporters and opponents of a proposed bill introduced by Council Chair Phil Mendelson as well as other members.

The legislation aims to address issues that have emerged since ERAPs requirements were loosened during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Chair Mendelson emphasized that eliminating the pre-pandemic requirement for renters to provide proof of residency, income and assets has led to a financial crisis for affordable housing providers.

The backlog of unpaid rent has pushed some providers to leave the District due to financial strain.

John Welsh Sr., a representative of the NHP Foundation, highlighted the impact on housing providers.

In 2019, collections were 94-95%. In 2023, they had dropped to 82%. While our DC properties comprise 15% of our portfolio, they account for 50% of our non-payment cases, said Welsh Sr.

ERAP is designed to assist tenants earning less than 40% of the areas median income. Before the pandemic, applicants were required to submit documentation to prove eligibility.

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However, during the pandemic, this requirement was suspended, allowing tenants to self-certify their need for assistance.

2 teenagers charged in series of robberies across DC

Dean Hunter of the Small Multi-Family Owners Association argued for stricter oversight of the program.

This measure needs to be amended so that we make it clear that this is an emergency program and not a rent subsidy program, said Hunter.

The proposed legislation would permanently reinstate the documentation requirement while limiting self-certification to specific eligibility criteria.

It also seeks to clarify what qualifies as an emergency under the program and restrict applicants to one eviction stay per application.

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Tenant advocates raised concerns about how these changes might affect vulnerable renters.

Adam Marshall, an attorney with Neighborhood Legal Services, explained that renters often fall behind on rent for legitimate reasons, such as job loss or disputes over building code violations.

He cautioned against measures that might deter landlords from participating in ERAP or make it harder for tenants to access assistance.

To the extent the Council seeks to address the issue of outstanding rent arrears, our clients need legislation that recognizes those issues, not legislation that threatens to erect barriers to rental assistance or disincentives landlords from participating in the rental assistance process, said Marshall.

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Suggestions for refining the proposed changes include granting applicants an additional stay on evictions and speeding up the application process to ensure timely assistance.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  A man was charged in connection to more than a dozen armed robberies that happened across the DMV within the last year.

The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia said that on Nov. 8, authorities arrested 36-year-old Antonio Kingsbury. Investigators believe that he was allegedly involved in at least 17 armed robberies across D.C., Maryland and Virginia between Jan. 9 and Nov. 7, 2024.

FEDS: Former DC Defenders, Detroit Lions linebacker charged in Jan. 6 insurrection

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According to the complaint, the same masked man, who was armed with a gun, robbed several businesses including, Subway restaurants, Starbucks, local restaurants, a Virginia ABC store, a cell phone store, Chipotle and a series of 7-Eleven and Popeyes restaurants.

The Attorneys Office said authorities searched Kingsburys home where they discovered a gun along with multiple clothes that were believed to have been taken during his robbery spree.

Kingsbury was charged with charged by criminal complaint with interference with interstate commerce by robbery, brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  D.C. detectives have released the name of the person who was killed in a shooting in Northeast Thursday morning.

Police identified the victim as 31-year-old Dashane Judd, of no fixed address.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said that on Nov. 14, just after 6:15 a.m., officers were notified of an unconscious person in the 1500 block of Benning Road.

Concerns rise as Trump pledges to dismantle the Department of Education

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When first responders arrived, they found Judd suffering from a gunshot wound.

He died at the scene.

Judds body was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Police urge anyone with information about the shooting to come forward and call 202-727-9099 or text MPDs Tip Line at 50411.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
(Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

Last again.

In this years presidential election, barely half of eligible Oklahoma voters  53%  cast a ballot, according to preliminary data. This turnout rate was the lowest of any state and a full 10 points below the national turnout rate of 63%. Four years ago, Oklahoma also ranked dead last.

There are many reasons why so few Oklahomans show up at the polls. A major factor is the dominance of one party in our state and federal politics, which leads to few competitive races and little incentive for the parties to invest in voter registration and mobilization efforts. When the outcome of most races seems determined in advance, there is little incentive for voters to show up.

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Still, there is nothing inevitable about Oklahoma ranking at the bottom election after election. As late as 2004, Oklahomas turnout rate remained on a par with or just above the national average.

And being dead last in voting is not a designation Oklahomans should be willing to tolerate. After all, electoral participation is the cornerstone of representative democracy. The vote ensures that elected officials stay accountable to their constituents. When citizens dont vote, their opinions and interests may go unrepresented. The vote is especially important for members of groups  such as low-income citizens, racial minorities, and those with disabilities  who have little capacity to influence the political system by hiring lobbyists, donating to campaigns, or other means.

The fact is, there are many sensible reforms to state election law that Oklahoma can and should consider that have been widely adopted by states across the country to increase voter turnout without compromising election integrity and safety

One important and feasible reform is to extend early in-person voting.

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A growing number of voters are now opting to cast their ballot in advance of Election Day. This year, Oklahomans shattered early voting records, as close to 300,000 people cast an early ballot for President, which was just under 20% of total turnout. But in counties across the state, voters faced long lines of up to several hours both during the four days of early voting and on Election Day itself. This continues a trend where Oklahomans wait longer in line to vote than voters in just about any state, according to data from the 2016 and 2020 elections.

Long lines serve as serious barriers for less committed potential voters and those who may be able to devote one hour to get to the polls and vote but have too many other commitments to afford more time than that.

Oklahoma should extend early in-person voting, at least for general elections, and expand the number of early voting locations. Currently, Oklahoma offers the shortest early voting period of any of the 48 states that allow it.

Over 9 in 10 Americans live in states whose early voting period is more than seven days, according to the Movement Advancement Project, compared to just four days in Oklahoma. In every one of Oklahomas neighboring states, early voting begins at least two weeks before the election. Extending early voting would unquestionably have a price tag, but would make voting quicker and more accessible for most everyone.

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There are several other election reforms that are also worth considering.

Nearly half of all states allow same-day voter registration, rather than setting registration deadlines several weeks before the election, as Oklahoma does now. This change, which enfranchises the many citizens who only start paying attention to campaigns close to Election Day, has been shown by various studies to boost voter turnout by 3% to 7%.

Oklahoma could also support voting by the youngest voting groups by allowing pre-registration of youth when they turn 16 or 17; allow voters to opt for permanent absentee ballot status and ease the states significant bureaucratic barriers to voting by mail; and allow non-incarcerated people serving probation and parole before the completion of their sentences to vote. (For a fuller discussion of these and other possible election reforms, you can read the reports I authored for Oklahoma Appleseed in 2023 and Oklahoma Policy Institute in 2014).

No single policy reform can be expected to reverse a longstanding trend of Oklahomans being less engaged citizens. But if we are to be a vibrant, functioning democracy, improving our voter turnout should be a priority for Oklahomans of all political stripes.

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CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP)  Massachusetts residents have less than six months to obtain a REAL ID for domestic flights or entering certain federal buildings.

Beginning May 7, 2025, a REAL ID will be necessary for anyone using a license to board a flight traveling within the country. If you plan to get a REAL ID, you should consider applying now before any influx of applications.

Nonstop flights added from Bradley International Airport to Bermuda

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Do not wait. We are six months away from the REAL ID federal requirement going into effect and strongly urge Massachusetts residents who wish to upgrade to a REAL ID-compliant credential to act as soon as possible, said Registrar of Motor Vehicles Colleen Ogilvie. For customers who qualify for a REAL ID and want to renew and upgrade, we recommend you schedule your appointment at least three weeks before your birthday so that you can receive your credential in the mail ahead of your expiration. The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, and its partner AAA Northeast, have successfully been issuing REAL ID credentials since 2018 and are prepared for interested residents prior to the May 2025 deadline.

Massachusetts REAL ID Checklist

Applicants must provide proof of legal name, Social Security number, Massachusetts residency, and two forms of your address. All documents must be originals, photocopies and laminated documents will not be accepted. A document cannot be used to prove more than one requirement.

Acceptable documents for these cards include a valid passport, birth certificate, consular report of birth abroad, valid permanent resident card, U.S. certificate of naturalization, unexpired employment authorization document or foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa. For a full list of acceptable documents visit Mass.gov.

Youll need to present these documents in person to get a REAL ID but, you may be able to start some of the process online.

How much does a REAL ID cost?

The fee for renewing a non-commercial standard or a REAL ID drivers license is $50.

The fee for renewing a Mass ID is $25.

The amendment fee for upgrading to a standard or REAL ID credential before an existing credentials expiration is $25.

Customers with a less than five-year stay in the U.S. pay a pro-rated fee.

Do I already have a REAL ID?

(MassDOT)

Acceptable ID for TSA Checkpoints

REAL ID will only be required on a flight if you are using a license to identify yourself but there are several types of identifications that can alternatively be used:

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REAL ID

U.S. passport

U.S. passport card

DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)

U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents

Permanent resident card

Border crossing card

An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized, Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe

HSPD-12 PIV card

Foreign government-issued passport

Canadian provincial drivers license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card

Transportation worker identification credential

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)

U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential

Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
DES MOINES, Iowa  Friday is the last day for parents to sign up for assistance from the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program. The Angel Tree program lets parents pick out free toys for their children for Christmas.

Jolene Hull, the Associate Area Commander of the Salvation Army of Des Moines, said the program has provided gifts for thousands of children.

Anawim Housing puts on fundraiser ahead of opening of new housing project

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So 680 households, which translates to about 1,600 children. And were anticipating that number to be more like 800 by the time of end today and about 2,000 children. So a lot of work to do on everybodys part. But we know that Des Moines is a great community and we all step up to spread that Christmas spirit, Hull said.

To sign up for the program parents need to provide ID as well as identification for their children 12 and under. Parents have until the end of the day Friday to apply and can do so on the Angel Tree Program website.

The Salvation Army also has an online Walmart Gift Registry that allows people to donate toys straight to their office.

Its an amazing partnership we have with Walmart, where you can go to Walmart.com Registry, look up the Salvation Army in Des Moines, and weve already pre-populated some ideas for you. So if youre struggling in that regard, no worries, but you can shop as you would like and then purchase and then those toys get shipped exactly to this location, Hull said.

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PERRY COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) The Perry County District Attorneys Office deemed the use of deadly force justified in an officer-involved shooting in October.

According to the DAs office, on Oct. 3, a Marysville Police officer responded to an active assault. Upon arrival at the scene, the officer was alerted that there was a man, identified as Zachary Conroy, 41, violently assaulting an old man.

As the officer approached the altercation, the victim pleaded with him to stay away, shouting, Hes violent! Stay back from him! Hes going to hurt you! Conroy sprinted toward the officer who attempted to de-escalate the situation but was forced to draw his taser, per the DAs office.

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Court docs: Officer shot man in Perry County police-involved shooting while being attacked

Conroy was briefly subdued by the taser but stood up, knocked the officer on the ground, and proceeded to repeatedly strike him in the head, according to the DA. In response to the threat to his life, the officer discharged his firearm in self-defense.

Conroy continued to attack despite being struck with multiple bullets. Multiple officers responded to the scene throughout what the DAs office says was a 20-minute-long struggle.

Police eventually took Conroy into custody and transported him to a local hospital. The DAs office says he survived the encounter.

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According to the DAs office, under Pennsylvania law, the use of force by officers is justified when they reasonably believe it is necessary to protect themselves or others from unlawful force that poses a threat of death or bodily harm.

The use of force was justified in this instance as Conroy posed a significant threat of death or serious injury, per the DAs office.

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LIMA, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday urged China and Singapore to make further efforts to foster new growth drivers for cooperation in digital economy, green development and artificial intelligence.

Xi made the remarks in his meeting with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on the sidelines of the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. 
A 32-year-old man whose murder conviction for a fatal shooting in Tacoma was overturned earlier this year due to a flawed jury instruction pleaded guilty Tuesday to first-degree manslaughter and other offenses.

Germi Rashad Zeigler admitted to recklessly causing the death of 37-year-old Ozelle Tyrece Tate on March 11, 2020, during an argument between the two men in an alley behind an apartment in the citys Hilltop neighborhood.

He also pleaded guilty to second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and three counts of tampering with a witness, according to Pierce County Superior Court records. He is to be sentenced Dec. 6. Records show that prosecutors have agreed to recommend a punishment of 18 years in prison, seven years fewer than the sentence Zeigler received in January 2022 for his second-degree murder conviction.

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After a three-judge panel of the Washington State Court of Appeals vacated that conviction April 16, Zeigler was set to have a new trial on the murder charge that began Tuesday.

Records show Zeigler opted to plead guilty shortly after the case was called Tuesday morning. The defendants attorney, Warren Corey-Boule, declined to comment on his clients reason for doing so in a brief phone call with The News Tribune.

Court records show prosecutors were prepared to proceed to trial on more serious charges than they first leveled against Zeigler, accusing him of first-degree murder along with other offenses.

Tacoma police investigate the scene of a fatal shooting Wednesday afternoon, March 11, 2020 in Court G, an alley between South 15th and 16th streets near South Yakima Avenue. The victim, a 32-year-old man, was transported to a local hospital where he died, said Tacoma fire spokesman Joe Meinecke.

Zeiglers murder conviction in his first trial was thrown out because the appeals court found that an instruction jurors received before they went into deliberations lacked a relevant statement  that words alone cannot make a defendant the first aggressor.

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The defendant argued that the shooting was a case of self-defense in his first trial, and jurors were given instructions on self-defense and first aggressor. According to the unpublished opinion authored by Judge Bradley Maxa, the first-aggressor instruction stated that if Zeiglers acts and conduct provoked the fight that created the need to defend himself, then self-defense was not an available defense.

We hold that the trial court erred in giving the first aggressor jury instruction without also instructing the jury that words alone are not adequate provocation to make a defendant the first aggressor in an altercation, the opinion states.

Maxa wrote that Zeiglers words were a significant portion of his altercation with Tate. In an analysis of the evidence that supported giving jurors the first-aggressor instruction, the judge said the question at hand was whether Zeiglers acts, as opposed to his words, provoked a need for self-defense.

In the appeals courts recounting of the shooting, Tate was sitting in the passengers seat of a car when Zeigler, who had an issue with Tate, walked up to him while holding a gun in his hoodie pocket.

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Zeigler stood over Tate, less than a foot away, and yelled, Im a real gangster, and, Youve been disrespecting me, several times. According to the testimony of Tates girlfriend, Tate said he didnt have a problem and told Zeigler to back up. Tate had his hands up at one point, was shaking and looked scared.

The defendant claimed it looked like Tate was reaching for a gun, so he instinctively fired two shots at Tate. A witness testified that Zeigler then ran back to his car and drove off. He fled the state and was arrested in Macon, Georgia.

Tate was found by a Tacoma Police Department officer lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to his upper leg, according to charging papers. He was transported to a hospital, where he died of blood loss.

Prosecutors argued that the aggressive act that provoked Zeiglers need for self-defense was him pulling out his gun and aiming it at Tate before shooting him, according to Maxa. But neither of two witnesses stated that they saw a gun before shots were fired. Maxa said prosecutors recitation of the evidence wasnt supported by the evidence.

The appeals court did find that other evidence cited by prosecutors sufficiently supported a finding that Zeiglers conduct and words were reasonably likely to provoke a belligerent response, so the trial court was right to give the first-aggressor instruction, denying Zeiglers alternative claim that the instruction should not have been given at all.
LEWISTON, Idaho (AP)  Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty if an Idaho white supremacist gang member is convicted of killing a man while he was on the run after shooting officers in a plot to help a fellow gang member escape from prison.

Nez Perce County Prosecutor Justin Coleman announced Thursday that the death penalty would be sought if Nicholas Umphenour is convicted of a murder charge in the March death of James Mauney, 83, of Juliaetta, KHQ-TV reported.

Umphenour appeared in Nez Perce County Court on Thursday via video from the county jail and is scheduled for an arraignment Dec. 12. He's being held without bond, news outlets reported. Umphenour's attorney, Brian Marx, did not immediately respond to a phone message seeking comment.

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Umphenour was sentenced to life in prison last month in a separate court case in which he helped inmate Skylar Meade escape from a Boise hospital where Meade had been taken for treatment of self-inflicted injuries. Early on March 20, Umphenour began shooting as corrections officers and Meade were leaving the hospital.

Umphenour shot two of the officers, and a third was shot when another officer mistook him for the shooter and opened fire, police said. All three survived.

Umphenour pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting escape and aggravated assault and battery on law enforcement officers in that case.

Meade and Umphenour then fled, investigators said, driving several hours to north-central Idaho.

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Mauney had taken his dogs for a walk on a local trail later that morning and never returned. His body was found miles away near Leland, Idaho.

Police said that soon after, the two men headed back to southern Idaho. Mauneys stolen minivan was found in Twin Falls, where the men were arrested, police have said.

Seeking the death penalty is appropriate in this case considering the defendants complete lack of regard for the life of Mr. Mauney," Coleman said in a statement. Well continue to fight in both this case and the co-defendants case to get justice for the victim.

Meade also has been sentenced to life in prison in the March 20 escape. He is facing the same murder charge in Nez Perce County and possible death penalty if convicted. He has had a not guilty plea entered for him while his case continues.
The News

The death toll of the ongoing Sudan civil war is likely much higher than previously estimated, new research suggested.

A report said that more than 61,000 people have died in Khartoum state alone, triple the previous UN estimate for the entire country: 26,000 of those were killed as a direct result of the violence, but the biggest cause of death was disease and starvation.

The chaos in Sudan  millions have been displaced from their homes  means that there is no systematic record of deaths, and the nearly two years of war have created the worlds worst humanitarian crisis, according to aid workers. Hundreds of thousands are at risk of famine.
The contentious battle over the creation of a Labor Standards Board has cleared another hurdle after the Minneapolis City Council voted 9 to 3 in favor of the proposal on Thursday.

As proposed, the board would be comprised of workers, employers, and other community stakeholders, such as consumer advocacy representatives. The board would have the power to recommend industry-wide regulations around pay, safety, and equity.

Industry groups have pushed back against its creation, saying it would add another layer of bureaucracy for their businesses and give workers a say in how their businesses are run. Labor unions and workers, as well as some council members, counter that it will create safe and fair workplaces that could benefit low-wage and non-union workers in the city.

Nicollet Mall in Downtown Minneapolis Chad Davis via Flickr

When initially proposed two years ago, Mayor Jacob Frey came out in support of the board. However, it is no longer clear if the mayor continues to support the proposal.

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"Mayor Frey has been clear and consistent in his support for a Labor Standards Board that is balanced and fair, but the Councils proposal was never that," a spokesperson for Mayor Frey tells Bring Me The News. "He will be meeting with stakeholders from both the business and labor communities over the coming days to determine next steps.

Frey's office previously said he'd support a board that was evenly split between workers and employees and evenly split between mayoral and council appointments. He's also in favor of requiring a two-thirds vote of support before proposals could move from the board to the City Council.

The approved plan does not include those provisions.

Related: Emails show Timberwolves pushing back against unionization efforts

The plan continues to be opposed by some national organizations who organized an ad campaign against the board, as well as small business groups in the state.

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"By choosing this path, the Council has made Minneapolis a place where investment and development will be stifled, hindering efforts to revitalize our city and reopen shuttered businesses," reads a statement made by a group that includes the Minneapolis Regional Chamber, Minneapolis Downtown Council, Hospitality Minnesota, and Minnesota Retailers.

"We will not be participating in the Minneapolis Labor Standards Board in its current form," the statement concludes.

Motions to stall the plan or add a provision that requires a two-thirds vote for motions to move to the City Council both failed during Thursday's meeting.

Among the topics discussed at the meeting was a fear that policies implemented by President-elect Donald Trump could hurt workers, making the board an essential protection.

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While Mayor Frey could veto the board, Thursday's vote indicates that the City Council may have the votes to override a veto.

Council members Elliott Payne, Aisha Chughtai, Jeremiah Ellison, Jamal Osman, Katie Cashman, Andrea Jenkins, Jason Chavez, Emily Koski, and Aurin Chowdhury voted in favor of the board. Michael Rainville, LaTrisha Vetaw, and Linea Palmisano voted against it. Robin Wonsley was absent.

Related: Union files federal unfair labor practice charge against Kim's after abrupt restaurant closure
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA)  A Decatur man was sentenced to 21 years in prison on Thursday for a shooting that happened in 2022.

According to court records, 25-year-old Keylon ONeal was facing one count of attempted murder, one count of possession of a stolen firearm and one count of possessing a firearm as a felon.

Coroner IDs pedestrian killed in Neoga accident

In a disposition hearing on Oct. 2, the three original charges were dismissed, but a new charge, aggravated battery and discharge of a firearm, was added. ONeal pleaded guilty to the Class X felony.

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ONeal was sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections. Hell get credit for the time he was in custody from June 2022 to November 2024. He will also have a 3-year mandatory supervised release. According to court documents, this is an 85% sentence.

The court also recommended that ONeal receives substance abuse treatment with IDOC.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT)  Decatur Police Chief Todd Pinion held the first community listening session on Thursday evening at a community center.

The idea of the session is for the people of Decatur to address their concerns with the police department.

Huntsville Hospital and United Healthcare reach agreement

In a packed room at the Turner-Searles Community Center, Decatur citizens had the chance to address Pinion directly following the shooting death of Stephen Perkins on September 29, 2023.

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The evening began with opening remarks from opinion, but the citizens heard little else from the chief.

As the session became tense, Pinion chose to listen to the continued criticism of how his department handled the shooting and the events that have occurred throughout the city since.

The community wanted a clear public explanation of a six-part executive plan that Pinion says will bridge the gap in the tense relationship with police and Perkins supporters.

Coop was very special: Patriot Guard Riders remember beloved ride captain

Nicholas Perkins, the brother of Stephen Perkins, told News 19 that he and his family were stunned after Pinion decided to remain quiet and that they had seen enough.

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At this point we dont want to hear anything at all, we want to see something, said Perkins. They have a slogan if you see something say something. We have seen something, and we are waiting for them to say something.

I am stunned that you would call all of us here for silence, said Sheree Head, Perkins Family member. Im stunned by that, and it seems at every turn hes always underperformed and today was just another example of underperforming.

Pinion says that he elected not to respond to his citizens because the listening session was not the forum to do so.

I dont feel like tonight was to the night to have that back and forth, said Pinion. I agree and understand some of the frustrations, but I think some people had a different concept of what they thought was going to be tonight, but this was really just for me to listen.

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Catrela Perkins, the widow of Stephen Perkins, said that Pinion did address a few of her colleagues at the conclusion of the session, but she was not shocked that he used this moment to remain silent.

Pinion hopes to hold more sessions in the future.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
Nov. 14Because Newton and Jasper counties are now part of a CWD management zone, different rules apply this fall for deer hunters.

Among them, hunters who harvest a deer during the opening weekend of the modern firearms season, Nov. 16-17, must take that deer or its head on the day of harvest to a mandatory CWD sampling station.

Although chronic wasting disease has not been detected in Newton County, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation, of the 162 positive cases of chronic wasting disease identified statewide last year, one was in Jasper County  the first for that county  and it was close enough to add Newton County to the list of designated management zones.

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The Jasper County case was northwest of Joplin along Center Creek near the Kansas line.

The state has implemented a number of management strategies to reduce the spread of CWD. One of those has been designating counties where the disease has been found, and those within 10 miles of a positive, as part of a management zone where mandatory sampling is required and different regulations apply for hunting and carcass movement restrictions.

Besides Jasper County, chronic wasting disease has been detected in Barton County, initially during the 2022-2023 season, when there were nine positives. Last season, 15 cases were identified in Barton County, bringing the total in the last two years there to 24 cases.

CWD mandatory sampling stations will be at:

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Barton County: Moore Pavilion, 201 E. 10th St., Lamar.

Jasper County: Carthage Intermediate Center, 2851 S. Chapel Road, Carthage.

Newton County: MoDOT facility, 1439 Malcolm Mosby Drive, Neosho.

A statewide map is available at https://mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer/chronic- wasting-disease/mandatory- cwd-sampling.

CWD is a fatal neurological illness that affects white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk and moose. The disease can be transmitted freely within and among deer populations. According to the Missouri Department of Conservation's website: "There have been no reported cases of CWD infection in people. However, some studies raise concerns that there may be a potential risk to people. Research is ongoing. Hunters and others should take precautions when processing any game to help prevent the transmission of any potential disease."

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The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also reports that to date there have been no reported cases of CWD spreading to humans. "However, some animal studies suggest CWD poses a risk to certain types of non-human primates, like monkeys, that eat meat from CWD-infected animals or come in contact with brain or body fluids from infected deer or elk," the CDC website says.

Deer hunting remains one of Missouri's most popular fall outdoor activities, with archery and various firearms seasons every fall and winter.

Sampling is not required during archery or other deer seasons, but hunters who want to voluntarily have deer tested can do so by going to https://mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer/chronic- wasting-disease/voluntary- cwd-sampling.

CWD in the region

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The Missouri Department of Conservation reported more than 37,000 deer were tested for chronic wasting disease during the 2023 CWD surveillance year between July 2023 and April 2024, with 162 positives detected.

The state also reported that since it began testing for CWD in 2002, there have been 572 positives statewide, which includes the latest sampling; the first positive was found in 2012.

According to the department, fewer than 1% of tissue samples from "hunter-harvested" deer tested positive for CWD.

The disease has not been detected in McDonald or Lawrence counties, but it has been found in Barry County.

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However, McDonald County also is part of a management zone because of its proximity to cases in Northwest Arkansas.

Missouri officials also have been monitoring the outbreak of CWD in Northwest Arkansas in counties along the border. So far, there have been 1,769 positives in deer in Arkansas as of July 1, and 56 positives in elk since the disease was first detected there in 2016. Almost all of those are in the northwest part of the state.

There have been a total of 17 cases in Benton County, 185 in Carroll County and 290 in Boone County, and many of those are right on the state line.

No positives have been detected in Missouri's elk herd.
MISSOURI  This Saturday, November 16th, the firearm portion of the Missouri deer hunting season will begin. It is Missouris biggest hunting event of the year, with 500,000 hunters expected to take part. Francis Skalicky with the Missouri Department of Conservation says this can be an exciting time for hunters but it is important to not let the excitement cloud good judgement.

Always identify your target as a deer before pulling the trigger. Never take your safety off your firearm until youre ready to fire before you before you pull that trigger. Always take a second to look beyond your target just to make sure theres nothing beyond your target that would make that an unsafe shot.

The firearm portion will last from November 16th through the 26th. Before this time, it is important to know where you will be hunting and if the land belongs to anyone.

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Just because your dad hunted this spot in previous years, just because your relative hunted this property in previous years, just because you hunted it last year doesnt mean you have permission to be there this year. So, get that permission again this year says Skalicky.

The Missouri Department of Conservation also wants hunters to be aware of chronic wasting disease, which is a deadly nervous system disease found in deer. Skalicky explains that it is important for hunters to know if they are hunting in a county that requires sampling for chronic wasting disease.

A deer can appear perfectly healthy, but it has the disease. Thats why we have this testing in these counties where its been found before says Skalicky. It is so important because a deer that can look perfectly healthy actually has chronic wasting disease or CWD and its passing it on to other deer.

You can find a map of counties with mandatory CWD sampling here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com.
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS)  West Virginia University and Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College formed a partnership aimed at making higher education more accessible.

Gene Bailey honored with Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award

The DegreeUp program is designed to help students transfer from community and technical colleges into the WVU system starting in the fall of 2025.

Leaders at the two institutions signed the programs first Memorandum of Understanding on November 13, 2024 during a campus event in Logan.

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T. Ramon Stuart, Campus President at WVU Tech, said he has high hopes for the program.

Through this program, you can stay close to both our regional campuses, and Tech, and also Kaiser and also feeding into our states flagship institution. We are working collaboratively as a system to make the citizens of West Virginia better, said Stuart.

Students enrolled in the DegreeUp program will also have their application fees waived.

Mark Gavin, the Vice Provost at WVU, said the process is very simple.

So, the day theyre admitted and enrolled at Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College, they are also considered admitted to WVU, and so long as during their time at Southern they remain in good standing, they remain admitted to WVU, said Gavin.

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Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College President, Pamela Alderman, said the goal is for more students to pursue higher education and take advantage of this program and to provide education and strengthen the West Virginia economy.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
Delaware remains in a drought watch, even as New Jersey escalates to a more severe drought warning.

The First State remains in a drought watch because of its reservoir levels, which are all at good levels. However, wells along the coast of the Delaware Bay in Kent and Sussex counties are being monitored closely.

New Jersey declared a drought warning on Nov. 13 and is experiencing similar drought but worse conditions in their reservoirs and numerous wildfires around the state. Delaware's reservoir levels in Newark and the Hoopes Reservoir in Wilmington are at levels that do not indicate a drought warning, yet.

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The state is no longer in a record-breaking streak without measurable rain, but the past two months have been quite dry from Sussex County to New Castle County County. Wilmington and Georgetown have measured less than 2 inches of rain from Aug. 10 to Nov. 9. Despite some rain last weekend and some forecasted rain on Thursday, Nov. 14, drought conditions will persist.

The salt line in the Delaware River, which divides the salty ocean water from the freshwater upstream, is adjacent to the Philadelphia International Airport. It is usually south of the Christina River and hovers off Wilmington at this time of year, according to a map from the Delaware River Basin Commission. Reservoirs in the Delaware River Basin are released to repel the salt line from moving northward. Normal rainfall is the main reason the salt line stays just south of Wilmington.

Director of Delaware Water Resources Center Gerald Kauffman said the salt line has not come into White Clay Creek from the Christina River. He said the first places where drought will be felt are in shallow wells in southern Delaware. South of I-95, wells are the main water suppliers in the state.

Last weekend's rain did give the Brandywine a temporary boost this week, according to Kauffman.

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The U.S. Drought Monitor shows the entire state experiencing a severe drought, with conditions worsening to extreme drought along the southern Jersey Shore.

For now, a drought watch encourages voluntary water cutbacks in terms of watering lawns. The growing season is over anyway. It is still a good idea to conserve water now  Kauffman said it could be needed in the spring. Water demand is at a seasonal low in mid-November into December, which lessens the impact of a drought this severe.

Even with the rain, the drought is expected to worsen across the state. The Delaware Water Supply Coordinating Council makes recommendations to the state government regarding drought policy, and Kauffman serves on it along with state climatologist, geologist and DNREC. He said they will have a "tough decision" to make next week.

"We don't think that an extra level of drought warning would decrease demand any and it's also good to have that when you need it," he said. "So, we decided not to go that next step."

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While it has been dry this fall, the silver lining is that it is not growing season. But Kauffman said severe droughts in the spring and summer tend to set up in the fall. Droughts beget droughts, he said.

"Once the system sets up dry and it doesn't get nudged by the jet stream or other atmospheric influences, you're just stuck in it until something significant happens to change that weather pattern," he said.

But the reservoirs in New Castle County are designed for these kinds of conditions, and in Kent and Sussex counties, many wells are deep enough to maintain water supply.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware holds onto drought watch as New Jersey escalates
(ECNS) -- The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), or COP29, is underway since Monday in Azerbaijan's capital city of Baku. Janos Pasztor, former UN Assistant Secretary-General on Climate Change, has called for more ambitious goals to address the climate crisis. Pasztor noted that todays geopolitical tensions and intense competition for financial resources are adding new challenges to global climate efforts as well. To build a sustainable future, he stressed that countries must make the most of available resources through collective action. While Pasztor believes the world has the resources necessary to combat climate change, he emphasized that more ambitious targets and joint action are essential to make real progress. On climate finance, Pasztor highlighted that achieving climate goals hinges on countries willingness to better leverage existing resources. Whether from public or private sectors, resources need to be transferred from the Global North to the Global South so that the latter can not only reduce emissions and increase adaptation efforts, but also foster low- and zero-carbon economic development for their future, he said. Despite global efforts, Pasztor observed that the world is not yet on track to meet its climate goals. He pointed to the observable, increasingly significant, and often catastrophic impacts of climate change as global warming continues, noting that current measures are still insufficient. To cope with climate change effectively, he suggested accelerating the reduction of carbon emissions, and adapting to the changing environment to the largest possible extent. Corrective measures, however, are also needed, in particular to remove excess atmospheric carbon dioxide. As temporary, emergency measure, the direct cooling of the planet via solar radiation modification may also need to be considered while the world decarbonizes. Key areas of collaboration include the agriculture, food, transport and industry systems. Pasztor explained that extreme weather driven by climate change directly or indirectly impacts agricultural production and food security, making agriculture a critical sector for climate adaptation. Climate change remains one of the most significant challenges to sustainable global development. China, a key player in global climate initiatives, has been actively engaged in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process, contributing to the implementation of the Paris Agreement and promoting a green, low-carbon transformation, he said. This years COP29 focuses on key issues including climate finance, technological innovation, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA). It aims to advance international cooperation in the fight against climate change and promote green and sustainable development.
LIMA, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- China and Thailand should accelerate the construction of the China-Thailand Railway and expand cooperation in emerging fields such as new energy, digital economy and artificial intelligence, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday.

He made the remarks when meeting with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on the sidelines of the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. 
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, who previously criticized Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for backing policies that could bring back deadly diseases, took to social media Thursday to laud Donald Trumps decision to name Kennedy as the next secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The Democratic governor said he was excited by Trumps nomination, despite Polis touting the day before the creation of the Governors Safeguarding Democracy organization as a playbook for other governors to push back against Trumps right-wing administration.

[RFK Jr.] helped us defeat vaccine mandates in Colorado in 2019 and will help make America healthy again by shaking up HHS and FDA, Polis continued in his X post. Although Polis said he hopes Kennedy leans into personal choice on vaccines rather than bans, the vaccine conspiracist has strongly advocated for a vaccine ban through his anti-vaccine organization Childrens Health Defense.

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Polis praise arrives just a few months after he ridiculed Kennedy and suggested his vaccine skepticism could lead to bringing back Measles and bringing back Polio.

In his X post shared on Thursday, Polis added that what he was most optimistic about is taking on big pharma and the corporate ag oligopoly to improve our health. Appearing to acknowledge that many Americans are skeptical due to Kennedys long history of spreading myriad conspiracies, Polis added, Before you mock him or disagree, I want to share with you some quotes that if he follows through show why Im excited.

Polis proceeded to outline the rationale behind his public giddiness, including Kennedys support for lowering the cost of prescription drugs, eliminating the Food and Drug Administrations nutrition department, and eliminating pesticide-intensive agriculture.

He will face strong special interest opposition on these, but I look forward to partnering with him to truly make America healthy again, Polis concluded. I hope that we can finally make progress on these important issues.

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On Thursday evening, the governors office issued a statement clarifying his earlier post. Governor Polis has not changed his view as a whole on RFK Jr. or on the Governors previously stated concerns regarding some of RFK Jrs positions, read the statement. His office emphasized that the governor definitely does not endorse actions that would lead to measles outbreaks and opposes unscientific propaganda that undermines confidence in the lifesaving impact of vaccines, adding that Polis himself was vaccinated last week with the flu vaccine and the COVID vaccine.

Kennedy, once a noted environmental lawyer, drew backlash as one of the most prominent peddlers of the false claim that vaccines are the root cause of autism spectrum disorders. He has also falsely suggested that vaccine research is responsible for the creation of diseases like AIDS, the Spanish flu, and Lyme disease.

Earlier this year, The New York Times reported that Kennedy said a doctor once suspected a worm ate part of his brain. His statement was part of a 2012 deposition related to divorce proceedings against his second wife and detailed a list of health concerns Kennedy claimed would diminish his future earnings potential.

Following the suspension of his bizarre 2024 presidential campaign, Kennedy reportedly reached out to both Vice President Kamala Harris and Trump to discuss potentially working for either administration. After Harris and her advisers left the third-party candidate on read, Kennedy threw his weight behind Trump and began to appear alongside him throughout his campaign.

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Kennedys siblings slammed his decision to endorse Trump at the time. We believe in Harris and Walz, they wrote in a statement. Our brother Bobbys decision to endorse Trump today is a betrayal of the values that our father and our family hold dear. It is a sad ending to a sad story.

This article was updated on Nov. 14 at 11:16 p.m. ET to include a statement from the Office of Colorado Gov. Jared Polis.

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Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz said Friday that Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump s controversial pick for director of national intelligence, is likely a Russian asset.

Asked in an MSNBC appearance about Gabbards prospective nomination to a position that would come with extensive access to classified information, the Florida Democrat did not mince words.

Tulsi Gabbard is someone who has met with war criminals, violated the Department of States guidance and secretly, clandestinely went to Syria and met with [Syrian President Bashar al-]Assad, who gassed and attacked his own people with chemical weapons, she said. Shes considered to be, essentially, by most assessments, a Russian asset.

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Pressed on her own view of Gabbard, Wasserman Schultz doubled down. I consider her someone who is likely a Russian asset, the congresswoman said.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz on Tulsi Gabbard: "There's no question I consider her someone who is likely a Russian asset." pic.twitter.com/lstrBtlCDS  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 15, 2024

She railed against the irresponsibility of Trumps recent slew of administration appointments, some of whichlike Matt Gaetz for attorney general and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as head of Health and Human Services have dropped jaws on both sides of the political aisle.

Gabbards announcement was also a shocker , largely for the reasons Wasserman Schultz touched on.

Once a Democrat representing Hawaii in the House, Gabbard left the party after a failed run at its presidential nomination in 2020. She would later re-emerge as a Trump backer and eventually become one of his most ardent allies.

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As Wasserman Schultz alluded to, she secretly met with al-Assad, the Russian-backed Syrian leader who is responsible for the deaths of thousands of its civilians, during an eyebrow-raising visit to the country in 2017.

The concern about whether Gabbard is a Russian asset comes from allegations that she has the support of the Kremlin , and from controversial statements she has made in defense of the country.

There are 25+ US-funded biolabs in Ukraine which if breached would release & spread deadly pathogens to US/world. We must take action now to prevent disaster. US/Russia/Ukraine/NATO/UN/EU must implement a ceasefire now around these labs until theyre secured & pathogens destroyed pic.twitter.com/dhDTH5smIG  Tulsi Gabbard  (@TulsiGabbard) March 13, 2022

In February 2022, after Russia invaded Ukraine, Gabbard drew criticism for an X post that endorsed a Kremlin-backed conspiracy theory that the U.S. was funding biological warfare labs in Ukraine.

It prompted Sen. Mitt Romney to fire back.

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Tulsi Gabbard is parroting false Russian propaganda, he wrote on X. Her treasonous lies may well cost lives.
Shortly after winning a seat in the Florida Legislature, Leonard Spencer tried to tell someone he wasnt a politician. He was quickly corrected.

Nope, he said, laughing, as he told the story. Youve been elected. Youre a politician now.

Spencer, 53, of Gotha, is that rare unicorn in Florida politics in 2024  the only Democrat who flipped a seat in the state House from red to blue in a GOP wave year.

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Now the question is what the political newcomer can accomplish amid a Republican supermajority in Tallahassee, and whether hell be able to build a long career in a district that this year narrowly supported President-elect Donald Trump.

He will have to work really hard over the next two years if he wants to keep this seat, said Aubrey Jewett, a professor of political science at the University of Central Florida.

Spencers victory came against one of the most vulnerable Republicans in Tallahassee. Then-state Rep. Carolina Amesty was indicted in September on four felony charges related to the alleged forgery of a mans signature on an employment form she notarized as an administrator for her familys small school.

Still, Spencers victory was a narrow one, as he received 50.8% of the votes cast for a 1,600-vote margin in his first bid for elective office.

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Spencer doesnt think Amestys indictments ultimately made the difference.

After all, he said, President-elect Donald Trump won reelection after being convicted of felonies.

What weve seen from a national level is that folks dont care. Instead, he said, I think its more about, Are you focused on the issues that matter to me?

Amesty, who won the seat in 2022, had become a prominent culture warrior, lambasting the extremists at Disney who pushed far-left narratives and lies, though Walt Disney World is in her district.

When youre focused on these fringe issues, things that arent addressing the core of what folks are concerned with? Spencer said. Thats when folks get a little bit upset.

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As Democrats sought someone to challenge Amesty this year, Spencer recommended some potential candidates, but then those party officials circled around to gauge his own interest. The first thing he did was ask his advisers: his wife, Tanya, his son Leonard, Jr., a former Naval officer, and his daughter Taylor, a Washington attorney.

When they said yes, he said, then thats when I said, Okay. Ill throw my name in the hat.

Spencer is a Florida native, but his route to Central Florida was circuitous. A Navy brat born in his dads last posting in Jacksonville, he had a typical childhood in the South growing up in Mobile, Ala., before heading off to study finance at Tuskegee University and earn his MBA from the University of Alabama.

As a businessman, he considers himself fiscally conservative and has looked up to leaders in both parties. But he became a Democrat in part because of the rhetoric that has come from the Republican side of the aisle, relative to inclusivity, relative to abortion rights, relative to a lot of things.

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He currently works as a senior manager with Amazon, but it was a job with The Walt Disney Company that led him to move to Central Florida in 2005.

His time with Disney, where he began as a financial analyst and left as a supply chain director, gave him a unique perspective of what he called Gov. Ron DeSantis bewildering battle with the company.

DeSantis dissolved the special district that ran government services in Walt Disney World after the companys former CEO criticized the so-called dont say gay law, which bans instruction about sexual orientation or gender identity in schools.

Why would the governor pick a fight with Disney for really just making a statement supportive of the folks who work there? Spencer said. You wound up with a contentious engagement with the largest employer in the state. And think of all the companies that supply Disney, and all the employees of those companies.

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In the Legislature Spencer said he wants to work on making housing more affordable, including addressing the homeowners insurance crisis, expanding access to health insurance, and safeguarding womens reproductive rights.

Those were issues that all the Democrats taking on Republican incumbents had campaigned on this year. But Spencer is now the only one able to act on them.

The first thing Ive been able to do is at least win a seat, so I can have a seat at the table, he said. It might not be the strongest seat at the table, but at least I can have a voice and can put forward ideas.

The wealthy suburban district fits the profile of seats that have been trending blue over the last few elections, and would have been won by President Joe Biden by about 4.5 points in 2020, according to elections analyst Matt Isbell.

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But this year, Trump won it by a little less than 1 percentage point. The question for Spencer is what the electorate will look like in 2026.

Hell be the incumbent, so hell have the ability to increase his name recognition throughout the district, Jewett said. Hell have the ability to raise more money potentially than he did as a challenger.

Importantly, Jewett said, Spencer and his staff need to follow the lead of fellow Democratic state Rep. Anna Eskamani in focusing heavily on constituent services. The Orlando representative won her fourth term on Election Day.

He and his staff will need to reach out to the constituents in his district over and over again during the next two years, Jewett said. And if he does that, he certainly has a decent chance of getting reelected.

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But for now, Spencer is preparing for the upcoming legislative session, which starts in March.

I dont take it lightly, Spencer said of his new duties. When I was younger, my grandmother and my parents always used to tell me, When you walk out that door, you represent me. Dont make me look bad. Thats the responsibility I feel like I have.
Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Hartsville, talks during a South Carolina Senate Judiciary Committee meeting in Columbia, S.C. on Tuesday, March 15, 2022. (Travis Bell/STATEHOUSE CAROLINA/Special to the SC Daily Gazette)

State Sen. Gerald Malloy narrowed the gap with his opponent Republican JD Chaplin in a recount of votes from the Nov. 5 general election Thursday but it was not enough to change the results. The 22-year incumbents defeat solidifies a four-seat GOP gain and beyond-supermajority strength in the South Carolina Senate, the first time since Reconstruction.

The loss of the Hartsville Democrat means there will be just 12 Democrats remaining in the 46-member chamber. Eight of those Democrats had no Republican opposition.

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Chaplin lead by 278 votes ahead of the recount. After all counties rescanned ballots and reported the recount results, the Republicans lead shrank to just 87 votes  with Malloy picking up 51 votes in the largely rural district and Chaplin losing 140 votes. Votes counted in Lee County accounted for the greatest difference in the numbers.

The state Election Commission is expected to meet later today to certify the recount results.

It was the biggest Republican wave in this state since Ronald Reagan, South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Drew McKissick said the day after the election, referring to the so-called Reagan revolution of 1980 that followed South Carolinas first ever GOP presidential primary.

In addition to Malloys seat, South Carolina Republicans flipped seats held by Sen. Kevin Johnson, D-Manning, a 12-year incumbent; freshman Sen. Vernon Stephens, D-Bowman, and Sen. Mike Fanning, who unlike Malloy, waived a recount in his race.

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The Great Falls Democrat officially conceded his bid for a third term late last week, losing his seat to Republican Everett Stubbs by less than 30 votes.

In the House, the GOP maintained their beyond-supermajority advantage  two years after flipping eight seats  with Republican Harriet Holman defeating 20-year incumbent Rep. Joe Jefferson from rural Berkeley County.

The Pineville Democrat was the fourth Black Democrat ousted of the night, losing to Holman, who will be South Carolinas first Black female Republican legislator.

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Christale Spain, chairwoman of the state Democratic Party, blamed the losses on Trumps coattails.

We worked hard, we spent money, but we came up short, she told reporters the day after the election. Trump ended up having pretty strong tailwinds.

The re-election of freshman Rep. Heather Bauer of Columbia was one of just a few silver linings for Democrats. In November 2022, she was the lone flip for Democrats. She kept her seat in a hard-fought rematch against Republican Kirkman Finlay, who sought to retake the seat he previously held for a decade.

Republicans also failed to pick up open seats vacated by Sen. Thomas McElveen of Sumter, who didnt seek a fourth term, and the dramatically redrawn district of retiring Sen. Nikki Setzler of West Columbia.

Democrat Jeffrey Graham, the former mayor of Camden, beat out Republican Mike Jones for the seat held by McElveen since 2012. And state Rep. Russell Ott, a Calhoun County Democrat whos been in the state House since 2013, won the seat held for 48 years by Setzler, the longest-serving senator in state history.
IOWA CITY, Iowa  The Christina Bohannan campaign called Thursday for a district-wide recount. Marianette Miller-Meeks claimed victory on election night with around an 800 vote lead despite the Associated Press not calling the race. As of Thursday the race still hasnt been called by the AP.

The Statement from Bohannan came Thursday morning:

Over the past week, Iowa election officials have worked tirelessly to count and record hundreds of thousands of ballots in Iowas 1st congressional district race, resulting in a razor-thin margin. As Rep. Miller-Meeks has acknowledged, a recount is to be expected in this very close race. To be absolutely certain that every voter is heard, the Bohannan campaign will request a recount in all 20 counties across the district, as permitted by Iowa law. We have full trust in this process and will accept the results regardless of the outcome. All Iowans should feel confident that at the conclusion of this transparent, precinct-level recount process, every lawful vote will be counted and reported accurately. Christina Bohannan campaign

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Diesel spill reported after semi falls into creek in western Iowa

On Thursday the Iowa Secretary of States office received recount request notifications from two counties, Johnson County and Jones County. No word on when, or if, these recounts will start.

Voters on the streets of Iowa City were in favor of the votes being recounted.

I dont think theres a problem in recounting. Like if she wants to recount then might as well recount especially since it is such a close race right now, said Vaira Ahmad, of Iowa City.

I dont think it will change anything, said Liam Horem, a student from Homer, IL.

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I think she should recount because it wouldnt hurt and I think its a really tight election and any vote would matter so, I think they should recount, said Gary Winthorpe, of Iowa City.

Latest Iowa News:

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TRENTON, N.J. (AP)  Democratic U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey launched a long-expected campaign for governor Friday, pledging to make the state more affordable.

Gottheimer's announcement comes just over week after he won reelection for a fourth term in the House in his northern New Jersey district, and he joins an already crowded field for the Democratic nomination in next year's gubernatorial contest.

He announced his run at a diner in populous suburban Bergen County, which he partly represents. Acknowledging the state's heavy tax burden and reflecting some of the themes that played out in the recent White House race, Gottheimer pinned his campaign to bringing down prices.

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I am running to be the lower taxes, lower costs governor, he said. Life in Jersey has become too damn expensive.

Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy's second term expires after next year's election, and he is barred by term limits from running again.

Also seeking the Democratic nomination to be governor are Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, teachers union president Sean Spiller and former Senate President Steve Sweeney.

Republicans are also lining up to run. Among them are state Sen. Jon Bramnick, former state legislator Jack Ciattarelli, former state Sen. Ed Durr and radio host Bill Spadea.

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Gottheimer, a former speechwriter for Bill Clinton and adviser to the head of the Federal Communications Commission, toppled conservative Republican Rep. Scott Garrett in 2016. He has since become known as a more moderate member of Congress, co-chairing the Problem Solvers Caucus with Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, of Pennsylvania. He is also known as a prolific campaign fundraiser.

If Gottheimer has to resign his House seat, state law calls for the governor to call a special election to fill the vacancy if the seat opens up 70 days before the election.

New Jersey and Virginia are the only states with races for governor next year.
Based on the Democrats personnel decisions and public statements, youd have no idea the party lost control of all three branches of government last week. Literal congratulations have been doled out for tough losses in a near-impossible electoral environment, for a spirited effort amid utter defeat. Its almost as if Democratic leadership hadnt spent the entire fall projecting publicly that the electoral environment was tight but winnable.

Now that its clear they were wrong, there has been basically zero accountability. No real reckoning from the Democratic National Committee on how it managed to spend $1 billion on the only Democratic presidential popular vote loss in 20 years. No apologies from Sen. Chuck Schumer and other members of leadership for embracing the crypto industry, which promptly turned around and spent tens of millions of dollars against Democrats in tight races, including the all-important Ohio Senate race, which Dems lost. No introspective messaging about losing not just the presidency but the Senate and the House.

And apparently, not even any high-level discussion of a change in strategy. This week, when the House Democratic Caucus met for the first time since Election Day, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other high-ranking members delivered what attendees described as a celebratory message despite the odds, according to Politicos Nicholas Wu. Another Politico reporter, Daniella Diaz, posted on X that the meeting was a pep rally so far.

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This messaging strikes largely the same note as what Democratic leadership has said in public.

House Rep. Jim Clyburn said on CBS News, We ought to just chill out for a while  dont worry about blaming anybody.

Jeffries told MSNBC: We cant be hysterical in our assessment that this was some anti-incumbent wave.

And Nancy Pelosi, who is no longer in a leadership role (but is very clearly a shadow leader of the party), insisted to the New York Times that House members did very well. Refusing even a hint of introspection, she added: We dont agonize over what happened. We organize about what comes next.

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Is losing doing very well? If now is not the time to agonize over what happened, to identify failures and act with urgencywith Donald Trump, post-insurrection, sweeping back into Washington with control of all three chambers (plus his handpicked judiciary)when is it?

To be sure, there will be better data about the election results within the coming months. But this was a pretty thorough drubbing. Despite an assurance that the election postmortems in the House would start with a handful of listening sessions, there is no indication that any members of leadership will step down or face any challenge to their posts. Jeffries eventually told House Democrats the buck stops with me, but according to Axios, everyone shouted no  in response.

Its not unsurprising that a Republican victory at the top of the ticket would come in tandem with a Republican Senate and a Republican gain in the House. But this is shaping up to be the third straight cycle that Democrats have lost or not gained House seats. (The election is not quite over but at current count, the best-case scenario looks like 214 Democratic seats, which is exactly how many they had when New Jersey Democrat Bill Pascrell died in office at age 87 in late August.) Democrats put up a net loss even when Biden won the presidency in 2020, shedding 14 seats and shrinking their House majority to a minuscule four-seat advantage, kneecapping the Biden agenda. They put up another net loss in 2022, in the same electoral environment where Senate Democrats managed a net gain, dropping to a five-seat deficit, which effectively ended the legislative ambitions of the Biden administration altogether.

Some more conservative members of the Democratic Party are taking this as an opportunity to punch out at their left-leaning colleagues: Rahm Emanuel, speaking to Puck News, diagnosed the issue with Democrats as a lack of comfort in using the term illegal alien, a culture war fight 20 years settled. One of Democrats biggest demographic collapses was with voters under 30, but its because liberals cant say illegals? You have to try better than that.

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Emanuel is not a member of leadership; hes currently serving as ambassador to Japan. But his knee-jerk response underscores one of the biggest themes of this past Democratic primary season: high-profile Democrats standing quietly by while outside groups spent tens of millions of dollars to drive out left-leaning members who were closely allied with activist and youth movement groups. (The Squad lost several members of its coalition, including both Black Lives Matter activists who had ridden the movement into Congress.) Was driving youth candidates out of the caucus a successful way to drive up youth enthusiasm? Or are we sure about that unwillingness to say illegal alien?

Its worth noting, too, that only one member of the Democratic House leadership triad is not a stalwart moderate, Minority Whip Katherine Clark. The House leadership trio that passed the leadership baton after 2022: all moderates. And now moderates, after undercutting the Biden legislative agenda and steering the campaign ship away from progressives and into the rocks, are insisting that the problem is  not enough moderates. Somehow, the highest-profile resignation after the election washout remains the head of the Texas Democratic Party.

The current signal that is being sent by Democratic leaders is that elections are really hard, and that thiswhat just happenedis good enough. That messaging may be comforting for Democratic consultants and elected officials, but its probably not enough for Democratic voters, who would no doubt prefer to see their politicians, who they have donated money to and knocked doors for, prioritize winning. As one now-ignominious outgoing Democratic lifer would put it: Cmon, man!
1870: A print celebrating the passage of the 15th Amendment, which made it illegal to deny a vote to anyone on racial grounds. Credit - MPI/Getty Images

Following Kamala Harris defeat and the GOPs congressional successes in the 2024 elections, many Democrats are expressing not only rage and frustration, but fear. Donald Trumps return to the presidency will provide him the opportunity to ensure the Supreme Court remains firmly in conservative hands for the foreseeable future. Many Democrats fear the radical and tyrannical policies Trump has promised to enact upon his ascendance to office: the revocation of broadcast licenses of critical media outlets, the punishing of politicians and entire states that did not support him, and perhaps most infamously, a claim that he would be a dictator on day one.

While concerning, these threats are far from novel. Indeed, they mirror what conservatives did in the aftermath of the Civil War. Ex-confederates during Reconstruction levied claims of fraud, enacted de-registration campaigns, and even destroyed the physical ballots of their opponents. The most devastating tool conservatives had in 1868, however, was the susceptibility of white Americans to racist rhetoric, a power that remains an animating force in American politics today.

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The 1868 election remains the most violent in U.S. history. Black Americans had just received the right to vote thanks to the passage of the Reconstruction Acts and the 14th Amendment, but formal suffrage rights did not guarantee that Black Americans could exercise that right without threat of reprisal. Though federal troops occupied some portions of the South to curb political and racial violence, most regions, like St. Tammany Parish, La., lacked any meaningful federal presence.

Read More: Exclusive: Donald Trump Says Political Violence 'Depends' on 'Fairness' of 2024 Election

In 1868, conservatives backed Horatio Seymour against Ulysses S. Grant, in a campaign built on the promise of disenfranchising Black Americans, and their rhetoric sparked widespread violence. The Ku Klux Klan launched murderous campaigns across the South terrorizing freedpeople to prevent newly enfranchised Black men from voting. In the months leading up to the 1868 election, the Klan had killed at least 2,000 freedpeople across the state of Louisiana with many more intimidated, assaulted, or tortured. Klan members burned Black Americans homes, gunned down entire families, assassinated elected officials, destroyed voter registries, and stole freedpeoples firearms to ensure they could not fight back. The death toll of what some scholars have termed the Killing Fields of 1868 is impossible to tabulate, but contemporaries estimated it to be in the tens of thousands with the majority of those victims having been Black women, men, and children. Yet, these horrific efforts failed in their attempt to demoralize Black voters. Despite the violence and vitriol they faced at the ballot box in 1868, Black Americans marched to voting booths by the hundreds of thousands in the years that followed.

On June 10, 1869, formerly enslaved blacksmith Mumford McCoy stepped before a congressional investigation in New Orleans to testify about the devastation of his home parish of St. Tammany during the election. Mumford McCoy had witnessed this violence firsthand. In the preceding year, the Klan had killed the local coroner John Kemp (one of the first Black men to ever hold the position in the United States), brutalized a local Black preacher and his family, and burned to the ground the communitys church that McCoy had built. Hearing McCoy describe these horrors, one of the investigators asked him, Have you not lost courage, spirit, and faith?



No sir, McCoy replied. I have not lost any at all. It has only given me better encouragement and ambition.

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And he was not alone.

After 1868, Black Americans across the South re-formed their political organizations, with some mustering into militias to protect themselves against Klan violence. This newly re-formed political front proved incredibly effective. In Shreveport, La., for example, a group of white terrorists had summarily executed a group of Black men and boys in the local brickyard just weeks before the 1868 election, and through their violence and intimidation, ensured the parish did not register a single Republican vote. Yet, after Black suffrage was enshrined in the Constitution by the 15th Amendment two years later, over a thousand Black Americans, both men and women, marched into Shreveport, as one witness put it, like well-drilled soldiers who had received their orders to vote in the 1870 congressional election, undaunted by the violence they had witnessed just two years prior. As a result of their bravery, Black voters carried Shreveport and Caddo Parish for the Republican Party, still known then as the party of Lincoln and the formerly enslaved.

In the years that followed, Black voters made staggering gains in states that had witnessed some of the nations most horrific massacres, including in Georgia, Mississippi, and South Carolina. Even McCoys home state of Louisiana, a state carried by conservatives through intimidation and violence in 1868, saw every single one of its Congressional districts flip Republican two years later thanks almost exclusively to the unyielding efforts of Black voters.

Read More: The Supreme Court Could Gut the Voting Rights Act Even Further

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Similar to their counterparts in the civil rights movement a century later, Black Americans during Reconstruction manifested a stalwart, united front in the face of racist rhetoric and political violence. They used their solidarity to their advantage, strategized on how to resist their disenfranchisement, and most importantly, refused to allow themselves to succumb to defeatism. Rather than allow themselves to be demoralized by the assassination of their leaders, the constant attacks on their communities, and the tepidness of their white allies support, Americas first Black voters saw each of these obstacles as yet another reason to stay politically engaged.

Those who had endured enslavement within the United States intimately understood the flaws of American democracy in ways that no person today ever could. Yet, they still voted, protested, and ran for office even in the aftermath of violent attacks on their communities and stunning electoral defeats. Why? Because allowing ex-Confederates and former enslavers to return to positions of unchecked power would herald the end of freedom in the post-emancipation South.

Over the next years, ex-Confederates continued to wield violence and intimidation against Black Americans to expel them from politics through force, and though Black Americans fought valiantly for their political rights, their white allies in the North and South retreated from Reconstruction and allowed many freedpeople to be reduced again to a state of functional slavery in the Jim Crow South.

Yet, even after being abandoned by their allies, Black Americans persisted. Through the grassroots populist movements of the 1880s and 1890s, through labor organizations like the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, and through simple acts of survival, Black Americans continued to fight because, as hard as it may be to imagine, they still had hope for the American project and an unshakeable understanding that they deserved a place within it.

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Instead of allowing the Republicans sweeping victories to dishearten them, perhaps Democrats could take a page out of Mumford McCoys book and keep up their courage, spirit, and faith. The political obstacles facing Democrats are dire, but it is the very existence of these threats that renders political engagement so important in the first place. Those disappointed by this months result should strive to emulate Americas first Black voters and allow the immense challenges ahead to instill in them better encouragement and ambition.



J. Jacob Calhoun is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Nau Center for Civil War History at the University of Virginia. He researches 19th-century American history including the history of Black politics.

Made by History takes readers beyond the headlines with articles written and edited by professional historians. Learn more about Made by History at TIME here. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors.

Write to Made by History at madebyhistory@time.com.
Its become something of a glum tradition in the Democratic Party. After an electoral beating, opinion makers and political elitesalong with everyone with a social media accountoffer their takes as to why Democrats blew it. For many, it is that the Democratic Party and President Joe Biden didnt do more to help protect innocent lives in Gaza. For others, it is that Vice President Kamala Harris dared to campaign with Liz Cheney. Senator Bernie Sanders and many others point to the Democratic Party having moved away from its roots as the party of working and blue-collar folks.

The one self-evident answer that no high-minded pundit wants to admit is that people simply bought what Donald Trump was selling. Specifically, that Trump manages to appeal to voters who believe the system sucks and respond to what he says, over and over again, hes going to do about it: crush it, shove obstacles out of the way, and get immediate results. Its obviously authoritarianism and a terrible way to actually run a country. But I sympathize with many of the people who pinned their hopes on a radical transformation of a status quo thats left people behind, including many in traditional Democratic constituencies.

Donald Trump tapped into something that everyone feelsthat our current system of checks and balances and polite political norms doesnt allow the country to move either nimbly or boldly enough, resulting in a consistent failure to deliver relief and results that people tangibly feel and desperately want.

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A survey of Americans in 2024 from the Partnership for Public Service showed that trust and confidence in government was at an all-time low. A whopping 63 percent of Americans said they do not trust the governmentup from the mid-40s in 2022. There is not a single demographic where the majority believes the government can be trustednot Democrats, not Republicans, not men, not women, not Latinos, not Black Americans. No one.

Only 23 percent of Americans said they trust the government, far below the 35 percent who said that in 2022. Sixty-six percent say the government is incompetent. A full 68 percent of Americans say democracy is not working in the United States today, versus only 23 percent who say it is. Read that last part again. Nearly seven in 10 Americans say democracy is not working.

In this environment, Donald Trumps promise to crush the system is a winning message. The Democratic Party could have all put on hard hats, joined laborers in building infrastructure projects, flown out to Gaza to personally disarm Israeli munitions, and told Liz Cheney to take a hike, and it wouldnt have made the difference for a straightforward reason. Democrats defended the system, and all its dreary norms, and hoary traditionsthe very ones most Americans say are broken, cant be trusted, and dont work for them. Not only did it make Donald Trump an attractive candidate to many, but it also was likely a factor in the decision of millions of voters to just stay at home, stewing over their feelings that the choice was to keep the system that they feel is broken and not working at all for them or vote for a fascist.

This is not to say that Democrats have to embrace authoritarianism; far from it. But no issue, no outreach to any constituency, and no return to the party of labor is going to matter until Democrats fully embrace the idea that Americans across the board see our government as a stale, stodgy, ineffective, and corrupt 250-year-old relic and believe that every promise you make to them will be broken. To these voters, Washington is where all the pretty promises are forced through a sausage grinder, only to come out the other side an unpalatable mess, if they come out at all.

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Here, Democrats might take a cue from one of their own: Elizabeth Warren. In 2020, the senator from Massachusetts had a boomlet in the Democratic primary with two simple messages: We need big, structural change, and I have a plan for that.

Senator Warren may have arrived on the scene too early to be broadly accepted. Maybe Democrats, understandably terrorized by the Trump administration and reeling from horrific pandemic losses, were of the mind to play it safe, to endorse normalcy as a cardinal virtue. Joe Biden was best positioned as this sort of nominee, and by Super Tuesday, voters were inclined to follow the Democratic Partys postSouth Carolina primary signaling and fall in line behind the former vice president. However, Donald Trump reportedly feared Warren as the nominee the most; more than Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, Bernie Sanders, or anyone else.

What Donald Trump understood, what Senator Warren got, and what Democrats should start to grasp now is that people dont want to hear promises and dont want politicians to just reach out to them. Voters and nonvoters alike want candidates to acknowledge their belief that the current system is horribly broken. Long before a candidate talks about their policy solutions, they just want some acknowledgment that voters are right to feel about the status quo in the way they doand that they want their leaders to address the systemic issues that keep bold action from making it out of Washington alive.

None of this forces anyone to embrace authoritarianism or ditch democracy. The good news is that in the same survey from the Partnership for Public Service, most Americans think civil service workers do a good job, and their interactions with the government have been positive. Almost unanimously, Americans believe that having a competent federal government is key to having a strong democracy. In the survey, 90 percent backed that notion.

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Democrats dont have to abandon democracy or even checks and balances. But they do have to present a vision for a radical remaking of how our government works and how it legislates to meet the needs of people swiftly and boldly in the twenty-first century. And the story of how this change is wrought must be easy for people to understand, because Donald Trumps message is two words: Smash it.

The Democratic vision for big, structural change can range from ditching the filibuster (assuming Republicans dont do it first) to national referenda for the purpose of introducing more direct democracy into government, to adding more judicial circuits and, thus, more seats to the high courtthe better to break the stranglehold that corrupting influences have on the judiciary. It could include term limits for Congress and full public financing of elections for all federal offices so that politicians cant be bought off. These reforms would move quickly with no filibuster and a more favorable Supreme Court.

It may include a remaking of the Department of Labor to ensure unions have a permanent seat inside government to advocate and represent workers, and more independent watchdogs to report to the public on the activities of the FBI, CIA, Department of Homeland Security, and other agencies that engender so much distrust.

Some of the above may be good ideas, and some may stink. But here, we get to the kinds of structural changes that might help voters trust our governing institutions againa trust that must be cemented before anyone chats about specific policies.

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In the end, there was nothing Democrats could have done to win the 2024 electionnot with any issue or any candidateas long as they were put in the position of having to defend a status quo system that had fallen out of public favor, in the mistaken belief that the American people hold it dear to their hearts and would choose to keep it over Trumps promise of smashing it all to pieces.

If there are to be elections in the future that are free and fair (a prospect that is sadly now less than certain), then Democrats must start developing a bold, clear, easy-to-understand set of structural changes to how government is organized and how it works. They must meet most votersand nonvoterswhere they live. Before anything else, Democrats must tell voters: We hear you. The system sucks. And heres what were going to do about it.
BERLIN, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the phone on Friday afternoon, according to a statement issued by the German federal government.

During the call, Scholz urged Putin to withdraw Russian troops from Ukraine and bring an end to the conflict. He emphasized the need for Russia to negotiate with Ukraine to achieve a just and lasting peace, and reiterated Germany's commitment to supporting Ukraine for as long as necessary.

According to a statement from the Kremlin, Putin noted that the crisis was "a direct result of NATO's long-standing aggressive policies" aimed at creating an "anti-Russian bridgehead" on Ukrainian territory while ignoring Russia's security interests.

Affirming Russia's openness to resuming talks, Putin asserted that his country had never rejected the possibility of dialogue. But he underscored that Moscow's security interests be taken into account in resolving the Ukraine conflict.

Regarding German-Russian relations, Putin acknowledged their unprecedented decline in all areas, but expressed a willingness to pursue mutually beneficial cooperation.

It was the first time for the two leaders to hold talks in almost two years. 
LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD)  Authorities say a woman was arrested after crashing into a house near Lawrence.

The Van Buren County Sheriffs Office said it responded around 4:30 p.m. Thursday to a report of a crash on 63rd Avenue near the intersection of 51st Street in Lawrence Township.

When deputies arrived, the sheriffs office said they found an SUV crashed into a portion of the house. Investigators say the driver had drunk alcohol before she lost control when trying to maneuver a curve on 63rd Avenue.

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The sheriffs office said she was charged with operating while intoxicated and taken to the Van Buren County Jail.

There were no reports of injuries.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
A girl in South Florida is safe at home after deputies said a man tried to kidnap her.

The Broward County Sheriffs Office released security camera video of the attempted abduction.

Deputies said a man ran up behind her after she was dropped off at her school bus stop.

Watch: Orlando to enact several changes to keep late-night crowds safer after downtown mass shooting

Investigators said the man grabbed the 13-year-old girl and tried to drag her away.

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Fortunately, the girl put up a fight and got away.

Read: Florida mans US charges upgraded to killing his estranged wife in Spain

Deputies are asking anyone with information on this incident to call 911.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.




The search for clues after a U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper fighter brought down a still-unidentified object over Lake Huron in February 2023 did result in the recovery of debris, it has been disclosed. However, it remains unclear whether or not the wreckage was from that shootdown. The new details continue to raise more questions about the downing of this and two other mystery objects that same month in American and Canadian skies, and why more information has not been made public.

Canadas CTV News first reported earlier today on the previously unannounced debris recovery, which was part of the search for whatever was left of what had been sailing through the sky above Lake Huron on Feb. 12, 2023. This and other new information in CTV News story comes from a string of emails between Canadian military officials and members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), as well as a heavily redacted Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) report. The records were obtained via a request under Canadas Access to Information Act, which is similar in many respects to the U.S. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), but is accessible only to Canadian citizens.

An F-16C belonging to the Minnesota Air National Guards 148th Fighter Wing returns to base after being involved in the operation that led to the shooting down of the mystery object over Lake Huron on Feb. 12, 2023. The red circle highlights an empty underwing station indicating this particular aircraft took a shoot at the object with an AIM-9X Sidewinder missile. @Badger_wings

A total of three unidentified objects soaring in U.S. and Canadian airspace were brought down by U.S. Air Force jets in as many days in February 2023. The Lake Huron shootdown followed ones in the skies off the coast of Alaska and over Canadas Yukon Territory on Feb. 10 and 11 of that year. This all also came after the downing of a Chinese spy balloon, which had been passing over parts of the United States and Canada for days, off the coast of South Carolina on Feb. 4.

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Previous official statements about and audio recordings from the Lake Huron shootdown have described the object as having an octagonal shape with strings hanging from it, along with may have been a small, dark-colored payload suspended beneath.

Debris was discovered last week (reported I believe through CAF [Canadian Armed Forces] comms line) and the RCMP now has possession of it. I understand there is both material and a module, Mark Flynn, the RCMPs deputy commissioner for Federal Policing, wrote in an email to the CAFs Brig. Gen. Eric Laforest, then-strategic joint staff director of general operations, on March 13, 2023. The module is from a company who sells weather monitoring equipment. It will be analyzed to determine if there is anything unusual with it but I suspect not given the size. Whether or not it is from the shoot down is uncertain.

Its also interesting to note here that a Canadian Strategic Joint Staff briefing slide from May 2023 explicitly mentions debris near, or in Canadian waters following the Lake Huron shootdown but provides no further details, at least that are unredacted. Independent researcher Steve Te shared slides from this briefing, which was given during a meeting between members of the CAF and the countrys Office of the Chief Science Advisor in relation to the Sky Canada Project, on X last week. Launched in 2022, Sky Canada has been working to study how Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) reports from the public are managed in Canada and to recommend improvements.

 My article from July described a meeting between the Office of the Chief Science Advisor and Canada's military in which they discussed Sky Canada Project and Strategic Joint Staff presented slides on the UAP shoot downs of Feb 2023. I've obtained those slides! #UAPhttps://t.co/3xAC8V0VyKpic.twitter.com/aCLRevXhxa  Steve Te.      (@Steve_uap2020) November 7, 2024

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Following reports of unidentified aerial objects observed in the Great Lakes area and elsewhere in North America, multiple searches were conducted by the RCMP with the support of the Canadian Armed Forces, the RCMP told CTV News in response to questions about the new documents it obtained. Debris has been recovered from the shores of Lake Huron but after careful analysis, it was determined not to be of national security concern.

The outlet says the RCMP declined to confirm or deny whether the debris was ultimately determined to be from whatever was brought down over Lake Huron.

The redacted RCAF report that CTV News obtained, which is dated Feb. 16, 2023, further suggests the object might have been a weather balloon launched from a U.S. National Weather Service radar station in Michigan, as seen below. This would align with the RCMPs subsequent recovery of a weather monitoring module.

RCAF via CTV News

The report from the RCAF also reiterates a widely reported theory that the object shot down separately over the Yukon was a so-called pico balloon, which amateur radio enthusiasts regularly launch across North America. That document mentions a poss[ible] stratospheric balloon transparent outer and mylar or other material inner, as well, but it is not entirely clear what object this might be referring to.

A portion of the redacted RCAF report discussing the object downed over the Yukon that mentions the possibility of it being a pico ballion. RCAF via CTV News

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This portion of the redacted RCAF report mentions a possible stratospheric balloon, but what exactly it is referring to is unclear. RCAF via CTV News

In September, CTV News published the first known image of the Yukon object, which Canadian authorities have also referred to as Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) 23, which was also released as part of an Access to Information Act request. You can find The War Zones analysis of the image, seen below, here.

Canadian DND via Access to Information Request/ CTV News

Whether or not what the RCMP found on the Canadian side of Lake Huron is related to the shootdown on Feb. 12, 2023, the disclosure raises significant new questions. Before now, neither U.S. authorities nor their Canadian counterparts had confirmed recovering anything in searches following the downing of the three still-unidentified objects in the skies over those countries that month. The owners and/or operators of those objects, and whatever their purposes might have been, remain unknown, at least publicly.

The location chosen for this shoot down afforded us the opportunity to avoid impact to people on the ground while improving chances for debris recovery. There are no indications of any civilians hurt or otherwise affected, the Pentagon said in a statement following the shootdown. We did not assess it to be a kinetic military threat to anything on the ground, but assess it was a safety flight hazard and a threat due to its potential surveillance capabilities. Our team will now work to recover the object in an effort to learn more.

After conducting an extensive search in the Lake Huron area with the assistance of the Canadian Coast Guard and other domestic and international partners, a decision was reached to suspend the search due to several factors including deteriorating weather and the low probability of recovery, RCMP then said in a press release on Feb. 16, 2023. This investigation is in its very early stages and will take time. We will share additional information when it becomes available as the recovery efforts and investigation unfold.

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This is the latest in a string of serious transparency questions to emerge about these incidents. CTV News obtained the UAP 23 image along with emails showing a deliberate decision to withhold its release despite an initial push to do so. Last year, the outlet published another internal Canadian government memo that prompted discussion about what Canadian and U.S. authorities might or might not know about the three objects downed in 2023, as well as other UAPs the two countries had previously monitored in their airspace.

Then-Canadian Chief of Defense Staff Gen. Wayne Eyre, seen here at left walking with Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. David Thompson during a visit to the Pentagon in November 2023, was among those who initially pressed for the release of the UAP 23 image. Eric Dietrich/USAF Eric Dietrich

On the U.S. military side, promises to release imagery from and other information about the February 2023 shootdowns have so far gone unfulfilled. This, in turn, has fed into still-unsubstantiated accusations of more active coverups within the U.S. government, including by the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO). Established in 2022, AAROs mission is to be a focal point for collecting data about UAPs and investigating reported sightings, but whether it is adequately resourced and authorized to do so has been questioned in the past.

The possibility that a U.S. Air Force F-16 shot down a U.S. government weather balloon over Lake Huron in February 2023 also highlights separate concerns about the ability of American and Canadian authorities to monitor the airspace above their respective countries. The Chinese spy balloon episode that month prompted the U.S. military to acknowledge what it described as a domain awareness gap. American officials said at the time that immediate steps had been taken to rectify that deficiency, including changing data-collection parameters on various air defense radars, and that more action on that front was coming.

AARO notably just released new details yesterday about a sensor suite called GREMLIN that it has acquired specifically to help collect data on UAP sightings, which you can read about here.

A graphic giving a very general overview of the GREMLIN sensor suite. AARO

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Still, even before the February 2023 incidents, a worrisome trend of encounters with aerial objects  many assessed to be drones, as well as balloons and other lighter-than-air craft  over and around the United States had already emerged. This has only continued since then, with a series of still-unexplained and unauthorized drone flights over Langley Air Force Base in Virginia over the course of several weeks in December 2023, now becoming a national cause celebre. The War Zone was the first to report on the Langley drone incursions and has otherwise long been at the forefront of reporting on these issues. In 2021, we laid out a detailed case for how a portion of sightings of UAPs (or Unidentified Flying Objects, or UFOs, as they have been more commonly called in the past) have very likely been platforms operated by adversaries or potential adversaries for surveillance and other malign purposes.

Questions about the adequacy of U.S. domestic air defense capabilities, especially when it comes to countering the growing threat of drones, an area where the U.S. military continues to lag behind, are also now more fully entering the public consciousness.

In the United States, members of Congress are very actively pushing for greater transparency regarding UAPs and related issues, in general.

When it comes to the trio of shootdowns in February 2023, details do now look to be steadily, if not slowly, trickling out from the Canadian side, though still not proactively. In the meantime, definitive assessments about what those objects were, especially the one downed off the coast of Alaska that remains the most mysterious, and who might been operating them are still elusive.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com
Detroiters enrolled in a program that reduces water bills to as low as $18 a month and wipes away water debt must verify they are still income eligible by the end of the month to remain on the plan.

More than 26,700 households are currently part of the city of Detroit's Lifeline Plan. Of that, about 58% of households  more than 15,300  have applications for income eligibility, or recertification, pending approval. The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) required customers to recertify for the program starting Oct. 1.

If Detroiters currently enrolled in Lifeline don't call the Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency, which is administering the program, to recertify by the end of the month, they will see a regular water bill  instead of a reduced one  in December, according to DWSD.

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Customers are encouraged to reach out to the Wayne Metropolitan agency to request recertification and avoid a regular monthly bill and having to reapply to the Lifeline Plan, DWSD Public Affairs Director Bryan Peckinpaugh said in an email this week. The vast majority of the program's participants receive an $18 monthly bill for water, sewer and drainage. That's $62 less than the average monthly bill for a family of three in Detroit of $80.

Here is what to know:

What the program offers

The program, which launched in 2022, offers residents fixed monthly rates from $18 to $56 and removes past water debt based on a household's income and water use. The $18-a-month tier is available for families at 135% of the federal poverty level, or a family of three making up to $34,857 a year. The next highest payment plan, offering water bills at $43 a month, is for three-person households making $38,730 or less. The last tier, at $56 a month, caps income at $51,640 for three people in a home. The recertification process is required by the state of Michigan as one of the funders of the program, according to DWSD.

How to verify income eligibility

If they haven't already, water customers currently enrolled in the program can call the Wayne Metropolitan agency at 313-386-9727 to request to be recertified, Peckinpaugh said. The agency will contact households, whether or not they remain income-eligible for the plan.

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The requirement to recertify applies to customers who are already in the Lifeline Plan and not new enrollees with pending applications or those who applied for the first time after Oct. 1, the water department has previously said.

If customers fail to recertify through the Wayne Metropolitan agency, they would have to reapply for the program.

As long as Lifeline Plan customers who must verify their income eligibility contact the Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency to recertify they will continue to get a reduced bill and be protected from shutoffs, even if the recertification takes several weeks, according to DWSD.

"If they already reached out to Wayne Metro to recertify, there is no action they need to take at this time," Peckinpaugh said.

What about customers who aren't eligible?

Customers who no longer meet the income requirements for the Lifeline Plan can apply for EasyPay, a new DWSD program for Detroit residents, nonprofits and businesses behind on their water bills. The EasyPay Plan is interest- and penalty-free. The program does not have income restrictions. Customers can enroll by putting down a $10 deposit, then paying off the overdue balance over 36 months, on top of the regular bill. The program spares them from a water shut-off as long as they make payments. More than 12,000 customers are enrolled in that program, according to DWSD.

Contact Nushrat Rahman: nrahman@freepress.com. Follow her on X: @NushratR.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroiters must recertify to stay in water affordability plan
(NewsNation)  Comments on women in the military made by President-elect Donald Trumps choice to head the Department of Defense, Pete Hegseth, have garnered criticism.

Im straight up just saying we should not have women in combat roles, Hegseth said during an appearance on The Shawn Ryan Show last week. It hasnt made us more effective, it hasnt made us more lethal, has made fighting more complicated.

While Hegseth said hes served with women, and theyve been great, institutions shouldnt have to incentivize that in positions where men are more capable.

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Donald Trumps new administration: Who has he chosen so far?

While Hegseth cited a 2015 U.S. Marines Corps report that stated all-male units were faster and more lethal than mixed-gender units, critics said it was biased. Newsweek notes that the lobby group Women in International Security called its research methods fundamentally flawed. After it came out, then-Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said he had problems with the study: namely, that it started out with a fairly large component of the men thinking this is not a good idea.

When you start out with that mindset, youre almost presupposing the outcome, Mabus said.

The 44-year-old current co-host of Fox News Channels Fox & Friends Weekend served as an infantry captain in the Army National Guard and did tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.

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Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois took Hegseth to task over his remarks on women in combat roles.

We cant go to war today without our women military members, Duckworth said.

Duckworth is an Iraq war veteran and Purple Heart recipient who was one of the first women to fly combat missions as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot. When her helicopter was hit by a grenade in 2004, she lost both legs and some mobility in her right arm, NewsNation partner The Hill reports.

If she could talk to Hegseth, I would ask him, Where do you think I lost my legs, in a bar fight?' Duckworth said in an interview with CNNs Kaitlan Collins Wednesday.

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Homan outlines enforcement priorities as Trumps border czar

Women in the military

Overall, the number of service numbers dropped 2.7% in 2022, though the percentage of women in the military inched upward, according to a Department of Defense report from 2023.

Women, the Defense Department says, make up about 17.5% of the active-duty force. The number of uniformed women serving in special operations, including those in operator and support roles  has increased significantly in recent years.

The overall proportion of women in special operations forces went up from 7.9% in 2016 to 12% in 2023.

More than 2 million of the veterans currently living in the United States are women. They are the fastest growing group of veterans as well  by 2040, women are projected to make up 18% of all veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs said.

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NewsNations The Hill and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
GROTON, Conn. (WPRI)  A 37-year-old Dighton man has died after a crash involving a construction truck in Groton, Connecticut, on Thursday, according to state police.

State police say a Subaru Impreza was driving north around 9:45 p.m. when it left the roadway, entered the grass median and crashed into the back of a parked construction truck.

The Subaru blocked the travel lanes after the crash and the driver, identified as Paul Bigos, was trapped in the vehicle. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.

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The construction vehicle was empty and no other occupants were involved.

Its unclear what led up to the crash at this time.

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Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party Lavora Barnes speaks to a crowd in Detroit at a rally for Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign for president on Aug. 7, 2024. | Anna Liz Nichols

After three terms as chair of the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP), Lavora Barnes says will not seek reelection in February.

In a letter posted on the MDP website, Barnes, the first Black woman to serve in the role, acknowledged the losses by Democrats in the Nov. 5 election were deeply painful, but said the party was able to hold its ground in a year with stronger headwinds than we have ever seen nationally.

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Despite Democrats losing their majority in the Michigan House, as well as seeing President-elect Donald Trump win Michigans popular vote for the first time on his way back to the White House, Barnes pointed to the election of U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) to the U.S. Senate, state Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) to Congress and Justice Kyra Harris Bolden and Kimberly Ann Thomas to the Michigan Supreme Court.

We ran in hard races across the state, and we ran those races well, which is why I know that we will continue to show up for working Michiganders everywhere  and we will continue to grow our tent as we righteously fight for every single person in our great state, said Barnes.

While no one has officially stepped forward in a bid to replace Barnes, one possible successor is former state Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr. (D-East Lansing), who lost his race against former state Sen. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte) to fill Slotkins U.S. House seat.

Barnes, who was the Michigan director of Obama for America 2012, became the MDP chief operating officer in 2015, before winning election as chair in 2018.

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, Attorney General Dana Nessel, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson at the Michigan Democratic Partys nominating convention in Lansing on Aug. 21, 2022. (Andrew Roth | Michigan Advance)

During her tenure, the MDP saw a string of successes that began with the election that year of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Attorney General Dana Nessel, and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, making a sweep of the states executive branch offices. U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing) also was reelected to what would be her final term.

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In her letter, Barnes called those wins a direct repudiation of Trumps MAGA presidency and was followed by Project 83, named for the 83 counties in Michigan, which she called a year-round, full-time organizing strategy in every corner of Michigan that she says has become the blueprint for Democratic parties in other states.

Despite overwhelming obstacles to reaching voters due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to adapt and still delivered Michigan for President Biden, sweeping statewide offices and defending crucial state House and congressional seats, said Barnes.

In 2022, the MDP reached the peak of its success during Barnes tenure, not only reelecting Whitmer, Nessel and Benson, but powering Michigan Democrats to majorities in both the state Senate and the House. That trifecta was able to get major Democratic priorities passed, including gun safety measures, expanding civil rights protections, as well as repealing Right to Work legislation and the states 1931 law banning abortion.

Among those paying tribute to Barnes was U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham) who thanked her for her incredible leadership and leading our party to victories all across the state. Im so grateful for all you have done and cant wait to see what you do next!

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State Rep. Jason Morgan (D-Ann Arbor) also praised Barnes for her incredible service as Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, calling her an incredible friend and leader!

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HOLDENVILLE, Okla. (KFOR)  A Hughes County Special Courts Program Coordinator is facing a felony for allegedly distributing drugs to a man she was supposed to be supervising.

Court documents say on November 12, a Hughes County Sheriffs Office deputy responded to a welfare check at a Holdenville home. When they arrived there and made contact with the man the call pertained to, the deputy said he told him he had been taking Xanax. The man allegedly told the deputy he had got the Xanax from his supervisor of Oklahoma Court Services, who he identified as Kayla Hendryx.

Kayla Hendryx. Seminole County Detention Center.

The deputy asked the man when the last time he took a drug test for Oklahoma Court Services was. The man originally tried to deceive the deputy and told him that he had taken the test the same day, but authorities confirmed that wasnt the case.

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LOCAL NEWS: Edmond detectives use DNA from tool left on crime scene to identify burglar

The man then changed his story and told the deputy Hendryx and a secretary told him not to come in to take the test since he had taken Xanax the same morning and that it would be taken care of showing he passed.

The deputy asked the man if he had any relationship other than a professional one with Hendryx. He responded to the deputy saying they talked a lot and sent nude photos back and forth.

The man said he hadnt told anyone about the relationship because he was scared that he would go to jail.

This is something, that you know, should never happen, said Holdenville resident, Clifford Davis. It is a terrible thing to cross that line.

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Documents say the man, who said he was having the relationship with Hendryx, agreed to take a drug test at the courthouse and tested positive for Xanax and another drug. He also agreed to a written statement, outlining the previous allegations.

He further agreed to a search of his phone, and willingly provided the password to the device.

The man also allowed the deputy to take pictures of text messages between Hendryx and himself. Some messages from Hendryx allegedly said you aint giving me money, stop taking so many at once, and babe you can take them but you cant take that damn many. Another message from Hendryx allegedly said I did it. I gave them to you and I shouldnt have.

To violate that trust is terrible, said Davis. There has to be something done about it because thats a violation. We trust the people of this community.

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On November 13, the deputy states in documents that he went to Oklahoma Court Services to speak with Hendryx in her office.

During an interview, Hendryx allegedly admitted to giving the man the Xanax and said that when she realized he was abusing them, she decided she wouldnt be giving him any more. She told the deputy she was trying to help the man.

Hendryx verified text messages obtained by authorities on the mans device were from her.

When the deputy asked more about the relationship between them, she confirmed what he had told the deputy the previous day. She further added that they had also been calling each other pet names.

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The deputy asked Hendryx about the mans drug tests, which were showing negative the past month in the offices system, but could not explain why that was the case.

Hendryx was arrested and booked into the Seminole County Jail for distribution of controlled substances.

News 4 confirmed with jail administrators Thursday she was no longer in custody, and stopped by an address listed as hers on court documents to give her an opportunity to respond to the allegations.

A second woman who said she lived at the address, told News 4 employees Hendryx was not there, and when asked about when she would be back, the woman could not say.

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I dont think theres any bouncing back from it, because once you violate that trust, how can you trust them again, said Davis.

News 4 reached out to the Hughes County Sheriffs Office for comment, but was told since there was an active investigation, there would be no further comment.

News 4 also reached out to Hughes County District Attorney Erik Johnsons Office and received the following news release.

Arrest of Kayla HendryxDownload

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
GUIYANG, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- A direct flight linking Guiyang, capital city of southwest China's Guizhou Province, with Singapore was launched on Friday night, marking the first direct flight from the mountainous province to Singapore.

The round-trip flights between Guiyang and Singapore will operate four times each week, said the Guizhou Civil Aviation Industry Group Co., Ltd. on Friday.

Outbound flights are scheduled to depart from Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport at 11:25 p.m. (Beijing time) on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, and arrive at Singapore Changi Airport at 4 a.m. the next day.

The return flights will depart from Singapore at 5:10 a.m. (Beijing time) on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and arrive in Guiyang at 9:15 a.m.

Another international direct flight will also be launched on Nov. 29, linking Guizhou with Japan's Osaka, said the company.

The round-trip flights between Guiyang and Osaka will operate three times each week, on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. It will be the only direct flight from Guizhou to Osaka. 
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  Several pets flown into Evansville from Florida after hurricanes Milton and Helene have been adopted.

The first one adopted from the Vanderburgh Humane Society was this dog named Maple.

A couple from Henderson says they were looking for a dog when they stumbled across Maple. They say maple makes a great sibling to their other dog.

The Vanderburgh Humane Society has a number of dogs and cats up for adoption.

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Watch the video above to learn more.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
A Charlotte woman was carjacked at gunpoint while driving for Uber, and one of the people involved has been arrested months later.

Channel 9s Hunter Saenz spoke with the victims family, who said the arrest actually came as a surprise to them.

They said it was a relief to hear that at least one of the suspects involved in the incident had been caught.

The victims mother, who did not want to be identified, said her daughter picked up three people along Pennsylvania Avenue in west Charlotte over the summer.

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[They] immediately put a gun in her band and yelled at her to get out of the car, the victims mother said. And she finally got out. She kept saying, Dont shoot me. Dont shoot me.

The victim eventually ran to a nearby house, where a neighbor helped her call 911. But by the time police arrived, the suspects were gone.

ALSO READ: 13-year-old, 14-year-old arrested after armed carjacking, pursuit, CMPD says

Months later, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department was investigating a separate case that required the search of 22-year-old Kayla Meeks cell phone data. Detectives said what they found in that search linked Meeks to the Uber robbery.

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According to arrest warrants, a Google search for a white Nissan Rogue Sportage was made on her phone ten minutes before the robbery. That is the same type of car that picked up the suspects.

Police said Meeks phone also had pictures of the victims financial cards, social security card, and a handgun that belonged to the Uber driver.

And its not the first time Meeks has been convicted of a crime. She has faced several charges, including possession of a stolen vehicle and breaking and entering.

Its just a shame that people get arrested and then get let go before the police can practically finish the paperwork, the victims mother said.

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Court records show Kayla Meeks is still in jail under a $35,000 bond.

The victims mother told Channel 9 that her daughter is doing better, going to therapy, and even has a new and safer job.

VIDEO: 13-year-old, 14-year-old arrested after armed carjacking, pursuit, CMPD says












The Reverend Donald Reeves, who has died aged 90, was Rector of St Jamess, Piccadilly, from 1980 to 1998, and one of the Church of Englands most remarkable priests.

Combining vision and compassion in equal measure, he revived the life of an almost moribund London West End church so that it became a unique centre of eclectic spiritual life. Upwards of 250 people of all ages from all parts of London, and increasingly from many different countries, filled the church for the Sunday morning service, sharing in a radically different approach to worship best described as dignified informality.

Other enthusiasts shared in a wide variety of weekday activities, ranging from New Age spirituality to meetings of Lesbian and Gay Christians.

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Reevess experimentation inevitably provoked derision in some quarters, with The Daily Telegraphs Peterborough column describing St Jamess as the spiritual headquarters of guitars, body prayer and raffia-work from Nicaragua. Undeterred, he declared the church to be an inclusive community that welcomed and celebrated human diversity, a space where people of any faith or none can question and discover sacred life through openness, struggle, laughter and prayer, with a commitment to be in solidarity with poor and marginalised people and to cherish Creation.

All of which found expression, imaginatively and dynamically, in the Wren church on Piccadilly, rebuilt after wartime bombing, though Reeves was careful to retain its traditional approach to Society weddings and Establishment memorial services. He also exercised a much valued pastoral ministry to the Royal Academy, the Ritz Hotel and other institutions in the neighbourhood. The churchyard accommodated a daily market and a cafe.

Reeves at the walk-in Help and Advice Centre at St Jamess, Piccadilly - HOMER SYKES

A handsome man (Jilly Cooper called him a dishy vicar) with an engaging personality, Reeves had something of the actor in him, and he was sometimes accused of being a publicity seeker, but he was in fact a deeply caring priest who gave endless time to individuals in trouble and reserved his fiercest public utterances to criticism of the injustices that cause suffering.

An ardent peace campaigner, he relished publicly attacking the policies of the Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, and joined a demonstration in Hyde Park against the Falklands War. In the early 1980s he set up Dunamis, an organisation for diplomatic dialogue on military and political issues, inviting Chinese and Soviet officials to meet their Western counterparts, along with representatives of CND, for debates in the church and rectory suppers. Initiatives like this were said to have provoked Mrs Thatcher to call Reeves a very dangerous man, which pleased him as it felt like a natural title.

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Reeves had little patience with academic theology but a firm commitment to the essentials of the Christian faith and a desperate desire that its values of love, justice and freedom should be more clearly expressed in the life of local, national and international communities.

He believed that the Church had a crucial part to play in the achieving of this but came to despair of its ability to make the necessary changes in its own life. A brief spell on the General Synod left him deeply depressed, and he complained that during the 1990s the Church of England had been delivered by its bishops into the hands of the happy-clappy evangelicals, whose money and numbers were allowed to give them undue power. They were not, he asserted, truly Anglicans, and did untold harm by promoting a Mickey Mouse religion.

Reeves: he was careful to retain St Jamess traditional approach to society weddings and Establishment memorial services - Homer Sykes/Alamy

Donald St John Reeves was born on May 18 1934 in Chichester, where his non-churchgoing father Henry owned a garage. As a boy he attended a local Anglo-Catholic church where he played the organ, but be eventually left because he could not discern any connection between its worship and everyday life. Instead, he attended the cathedral, where he was impressed by the theatricality of the worship and much influenced by its kindly dean, Arthur Duncan Jones.

For much of the time, however, he was away at Sherborne School and on completion of his education there in 1952 did his National Service as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Sussex Regiment. He then went to Queens College, Cambridge, to read English, and this led to an appointment as a British Council lecturer in Beirut.

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He was in the Lebanese capital, teaching English and arranging cultural events, from 1957 to 1960, shortly before it became caught up in the broader Middle Eastern conflicts, but he himself endured a period of emotional turmoil. He coped with this by attending the small Anglican church but mainly by going daily to the Roman Catholic Franciscan church, where he just at the back in silence. As a result, he felt that God has searched me out and touched me.

On his return to England, Reeves became director of studies at Brasted Place, near Westerham in Kent. This college had been set up by the Church of England to prepare ordination candidates who lacked the necessary academic qualifications for entry to universities and theological colleges.

Sending Reeves to the ailing St Jamess in 1980, the Bishop of London had said: I dont care what you do, but keep the church open. You have a big job - Madeleine Waller

During his time there he decided to seek ordination himself and went to Cuddesdon Theological College, at that time under the principalship of Robert Runcie, who later became the Archbishop of Canterbury. Reeves now became caught up in the reforming movement of the Church in the 1960s, and although Runcie did not identify himself with much of this he was sensitive to the ideas of the young, adventurous students and gave Reeves every encouragement. A rumbustious Nativity play produced by Reeves upset most of the college and some in the village where it was located.

In 1963 he was ordained in Canterbury Cathedral by Archbishop Michael Ramsey, and after two years as a curate in the vigorous parish of All Saints, Maidstone, was chosen by Bishop Mervyn Stockwood of Southwark to be his domestic chaplain.

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This took him to the centre of what had become known as South Bank Religion where a highly talented band of clergy, including Bishop John Robinson of Honest to God fame, were attempting to bring the Church in south London to life through radical experiments in worship, pastoral work and mission.

Stockwood, a celibate homosexual and a maverick among the diocesan bishops, needed the right kind of administrative and personal support offered by attractive young chaplains, and this was provided very effectively by Reeves for the next three years, though at one stage he lost his own faith in God.

In 1969 he was rewarded by appointment as Vicar of St Helier, Morden, one of the largest and most demanding parishes in south London. With a population of more than 30,000, mainly in prewar and postwar housing estates, the Churchs problems in monochrome artisan-class areas were only too apparent and Reeves was sent to initiate a totally new approach and to implement what he had learnt from a lengthy stay at an Urban Mission Training Centre in Chicago, where he had spent a sabbatical in 1968 with Stockwoods encouragement.

He pursued his work in the south London suburbs for more than a decade, assisted by a large team of gifted curates, several of whom went on to become bishops or deans.

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Innovation was the order of the day. An artist friend was commissioned to paint murals on the external walls of the church (which were removed by his successor). The worship became varied, with dialogue sermons, dancing and much involvement by laypeople. Those who could not read were encouraged to learn Bible passages by heart so that they could join the Lesson readers.

Reeves, left, in January 1973 handing 50p to clergymen for two days of living rough in London, part of an Urban Ministry Project scheme - Alamy

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Collaborative ministry, with the clergy training members of the congregation to accept responsibility for most aspects of parish life, was a priority. The Church Council tackled social and political problems, such as the weakness of the NHS and the threat posed by armaments manufacturers. Local housing associations were also founded.

Dr Una Kroll, a deaconess on the staff, was a leading feminist who stood for Parliament and was an inspiring leader of the movement that led to the ordination of women to the priesthood. She testified to the crucial support provided by Reeves and his lasting influence on her life: We often fought like cat and dog, something I have never been able to do in such a creative way with any other vicar.

Young clergymen from other parishes came to be given 50p and sent out on to the streets of south London to fend for themselves for a few days, then return to reflect theologically on what for some had been a terrifying experience.

In 1980 the Bishop of London, Gerald Ellison, was faced with a major problem over the future of St Jamess, Piccadilly. The congregation of this once fashionable West End church had fallen to no more than a handful and it was difficult to see how revival could be achieved.

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Ellison, a conservative Establishment churchman, had nothing in common with Reeves, but he believed strongly that the Church of England should embrace a wide variety of traditions and ministries. In any event, there was little to lose at the Piccadilly church so, in an inspired move, he persuaded Reeves to take it on and offered his full support of anything he might attempt  I dont care what you do, but keep the church open. You have a big job. Ellison was, it turned out, due to retire quite shortly.

Reeves, left, with the Catholic Bishop of Banja Luka - Brian Smith

Thus began one of the outstanding ministries in central London in the 20th century, comparable with that of the legendary Dick Sheppard at St Martin-in-the-Fields 60 years earlier. Among Reevess predecessors at St Jamess were five archbishops, two bishops, three deans, three archdeacons and innumerable canons and prebendaries. He was given neither preferment nor honour during this period, apart from a Lambeth MLitt in 2003, five years after he had retired from St Jamess.

His work was in fact by no means finished. No sooner had he retired to Devon than he set up, with his friend and later civil partner Peter Pelz, Soul of Europe, a group aiming to encourage Christians, Muslims and others to work together in the reconstruction of war-shattered Bosnia. This was also intended to emphasise the importance of engaging Muslims in European affairs.

Reeves threw himself into this ambitious  some said crazy  project with his customary energy and flair, disdainful of the fact that he had been a victim of cancer.

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He won the confidence of all the political and religious leaders in Banja Luka, brought them together for periodic consultations, established a trust for the rebuilding in that city of the Ferhadija mosque, which had been destroyed during the war, and founded Ferhadija associations throughout Europe to support the project. Its steering board was chaired by the Grand Mufti of Bosnia and Herzegovina, while the British government provided some finance, and in 2008 Reeves was appointed MBE.

Reeves published a number of books, including For Gods Sake (1988), Making Sense of Religion (1989) and The Memoirs of A Very Dangerous Man (2009).

He is survived by Peter Pelz.

The Reverend Donald Reeves, born May 18 1934, died October 31 2024

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Before she leaves this earth, Lisa Thomas says she wants to see justice brought to the people who took her daughter from this world. So Tuesday's news that an arrest was made in the 2022 home invasion homicide of Naya Marguerite Ruffin brought tears of joy to Thomas' eyes.

Thomas, who lives in Georgia, said she and her Indianapolis family have been working hard over the last two years to keep Ruffin's memory alive and the case at the forefront for IMPD detectives.

"I'm constantly contacting police," Thomas told IndyStar. "Cause when nothing's happening they will close your case. I know you have other things going on with other killings, but don't forget about my daughter."

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Finally, a DNA hit in the criminal justice system connected an Indianapolis man to the homicide after he was arrested for another crime. Theo Ruffin, Naya's father, said the family is elated after two and half years.

"Big thanks to the detective on the case, Matthew Melkey," Theo Ruffin, who lives in Indianapolis, told IndyStar. "He didn't give up, even with other things going on within the department. They told us murder cases were slow, and at times it felt like we weren't a priority."

Naya Marguerite Ruffin was shot and killed in a home invasion on April 29, 2022.

Naya Marguerite Ruffin: Coroner identifies woman fatally shot at apartment complex on northeast side

Naya Marguerite Ruffin, dead at 22

Theo Ruffin said losing his precious baby girl has been a journey because of what she's left behind  his granddaughter, Novah Nelson, who has to grow up without her mother.

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Novah is four years old now and living with her father. As she gets older, Novah is asking more questions about her mom.

"Everybody still has Naya's pictures on their phones or just around the house," Thomas said. "There was one time she said, 'I wanna talk to my mommy!' How do I explain that she can't talk to her mommy? I just went to the bathroom and cried."

Thomas said she's been dealing with depression, heart problems and anxiety since her daughter's killing.

"The first year I used to tell myself she was on vacation," Thomas said. "That worked for a while, but then year two I saw a therapist because the reality is she's not coming back."

3-year-old Novah Nelson at the balloon release for her mother's gravesite birthday celebration with a picture of Naya Ruffin holding her as a baby on September 1, 2023.

Every year since Ruffin's death, the family celebrates her birthday at her gravesite with a balloon release. They try to be strong together, but there are moments, especially as Novah grows up, that make it hard.

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"It makes me sad looking at her [Novah]," Theo Ruffin said. "She'll never know how beautiful and good her mom was and how much her mom really loved just being her mom, ya know? I'm going to miss her being this funny and strong minded person. Her murder was so senseless."

Home invasion, robbery and shooting

On Friday, April 29, 2022, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police were called to the 5700 block of San Paulo Circle, near I-465 and East 56th Street on the city's northeast side on a report of a person shot. There, they found Ruffin, who had been shot in the chest, outside of her apartment.

Ruffin was taken to IU Health Methodist Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

Ruffin's boyfriend and Novah's father, Kevin Nelson, lived with Ruffin in the apartment. Nelson told detectives he was sleeping in their bedroom and Ruffin was sleeping on a couch in the living room because the couple had had an argument earlier. Nelson said he woke up when he heard glass shattering and the sound of Ruffin screaming.

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According to court documents, when Nelson opened his bedroom door, he was met by a guy who was wearing a ski mask and holding a gun. Nelson could see another person inside the apartment. He and the man with the gun got into a tussle and fell to the floor, while the man repeatedly asked, "What's in here?"

Nelson then heard a gunshot inside the apartment and another guy stated, "Come on, we gotta go."

The man fighting Nelson told him to open a safe next to his bed and Nelson gave him the keys. Nelson told detectives he believed the man took the money, ammunition and a gun that were inside the safe.

After the men left, Nelson ran to check on Novah, who was asleep. When he realized Ruffin was not inside, he ran out to find her. He saw the two guys fleeing northwest through the complex and then saw a neighbor administering aid to Ruffin.

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Detectives sent blood samples, which belonged to one of the suspects, along with DNA from under Nelson's fingernails to the crime lab.

3-year-old Novah Nelson at the balloon release for her mother's gravesite birthday celebration with a shirt that read, 'RIP Mommy' on September 1, 2023.

DNA hit matched with 19-year-old Octavionn Long

According to court documents, a DNA match for the samples came back on Dec. 7, 2023. The match belonged to Octavionn Long, 19, who was at the Branchville Correctional Facility after being sentenced in Sept. 2023 for other crimes. Detectives requested a new DNA sample from Long on March 15, 2024 and interviewed him inside the prison.

Long said he had never been to Ruffin's address and didn't know her, Nelson or anyone else inside the apartment that night. On April 25, 2024, the crime lab matched Long's DNA to that found at the scene."They connected the DNA back in April," Thomas said. "But the prosecutor kept asking for more evidence. So, police contacted me and we were trying to submit it over and over with more. We submitted three times and I guess third time's a charm, because yesterday, they called and said they were going to submit it."

Thomas said she can now take a breath and find a little bit more happiness and joy because of the arrest. She joined a group for mothers against gun violence, many of whom are still waiting for answers to their cases.

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"There's people in the group going on 10 years, 12 years and 20 years and don't have closure," Thomas said. "No parent wants that."

The family said they hope other people involved in Ruffin's killing can also be brought to justice.

Long was charged by the Marion County Prosecutor's Office with murder, burglary and robbery. His initial hearing is set for Nov. 26, 2024.

Anyone with information about the shooing is asked to contact Detective Matthew Melkey at Matthew.Melkey@indy.gov or at 317-327-3475. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.

Naya Marguerite Ruffin was shot and killed in a home invasion on April 29, 2022.

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IndyStar journalist Sarah Nelson contributed to this report.Jade Jackson is a public safety reporter for IndyStar. Contact her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar. Follow her on Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: 'Don't forget about my daughter,' DNA links man to 2022 Indy homicide
Donald Trump said Thursday hell nominate North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum as Secretary of the Interior.

Trump made the announcement at Mar-a-Lago during a star-studded event for the America First Policy Institute.

Burgum, who has been governor of the Midwestern state since 2016, ran for president in the Republican primary, only to drop out before any votes were cast. He later endorsed Trump, and advised the Trump campaign on its energy policy.

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Trumps announcement came after he picked former Georgia congressman Doug Collins as Secretary of Veterans' Affairs.

An Iraq War veteran and a current Air Force Reserve chaplain, Collins served on the House Judiciary Committee during Trumps first term. He was a staunch defender of Trump during special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Collins also had the president-elects back during his first impeachment, quickly becoming the face of Trumps defense.

In 2020, Collins launched a campaign for Senate in Georgia, but lost in the primary to then-Sen. Kelly Loeffler.

Also on Thursday, Trump rewarded two of his personal attorneys in some of his criminal cases with key jobs in the Department of Justice.

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Todd Blanche, who represented Trump in his election interference case in Washington, D.C., his classified documents case in Florida, and his business fraud case in New York, will be nominated as deputy attorney general.

Emil Bove, who worked with Blanche in the New York casewhich saw Trump convicted on all 34 felony countswill be principal associate deputy attorney general, Trump said.

Until Blanche is confirmed by the Senate, Bove will be acting deputy attorney general, he added.

The two were federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York before entering private practice.

Trumps transformation of the Justice Department didnt stop there.

John Sauer, who argued for sweeping presidential immunity before a receptive Supreme Court, will be solicitor general, Trump said. There, he will continue to argue cases before the court.
A total of 20 people were killed and 21 others injured in Israeli airstrikes in and near the Syrian capital Damascus, as Israel launched attacks at targets on multiple fronts.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Thursday that strikes had hit buildings in two neighbourhoods in the Syrian capital Damascus, Mezzeh and Qudsaya.

The fatalities included at least three members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group and three civilians, the Britain-based observatory reported.

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It said Israel has carried out a total of 149 attacks in war-torn Syria this year.

Israel has been bombing targets in Syria to prevent Iran and its allied militias from expanding their military influence in the country. Israeli attacks on Syria have increased since the Gaza war began in October last year.

Israeli strikes kill dozens in Gaza

Several people were also killed in Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip over the last 24 hours, Palestinian media reported on Thursday.

The Palestinian news agency WAFA said that Israeli fire near Gaza City killed four Palestinians in the morning, with the Israeli military stating it was investigating the report.

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Previously, the Israeli military reported that dozens of people had been killed on Wednesday in the areas of Beit Lahia and Jabalia, describing them as terrorists. Both locations, like Gaza City, are situated in the northern part of the embattled coastal strip.

"The troops found a large quantity of weapons and eliminated dozens of terrorists from the air and from the ground," the Israeli military said.

Meanwhile, the Hamas-controlled health authority said that 24 Palestinians were killed in the strip in the last 24 hours due to the fighting. The reports do not distinguish between civilians and combatants.

Israel hits southern suburbs of Beirut with airstrikes

More than 40 people were killed on Thursday in Israeli airstrikes in eastern and southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese authorities.

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The Israeli military attacked the southern suburbs of Beirut, seen as a stronghold of Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah, with at least four airstrikes on Thursday, according to a dpa reporter who witnessed them. Clouds of black smoke rose into the sky after the explosions. State news agency NNA said there were at least six strikes.

Twelves bodies were retrieved from rubble after an Israeli strike targeted a civil defence centre in Duis near the eastern town of Baalbek, Governor of Baalbek-Hermel Bachir Khodr said in an X post.

More than 20 personnel were inside the centre, he said.

The Health Ministry meanwhile said an Israeli strike on the al-Shaab neighbourhood in Baalbek left eight people, including five women, dead. Twenty-seven others were injured.

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In further attacks on various locations in the east of the country, four people were killed, according to the ministry.

An Israeli strike on the southern town of Arbsalim killed six people, including four paramedics affiliated with the Hezbollah rescue service, the ministry added.

At least 13 other people were killed in other attacks in the south of the country. In one attack in Nabatieh alone, a further 30 people were reportedly injured, the ministry said.

After an evacuation order was issued by the Israeli military ahead of the strikes, some residents fired shots into the air to warn others of the impending attacks, leading many to flee.

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"You are in the vicinity of Hezbollah facilities and interests," an Israeli military spokesman said in its warning to locals. Residents were told to move at least 500 metres away from buildings marked in red on an Israeli map issued by the military.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it attacked weapons depots and Hezbollah command centres from the air in the Dahiya neighbourhood.

Since September, Israel's military has massively expanded its attacks in Lebanon, where it says it is seeking to push back Hezbollah from its northern border so that residents can return to their homes. Fighter planes have bombed targets across the country and frequently in the suburbs south of Beirut.

A total of 3,386 people have been killed and 14,417 injured in Lebanon since the beginning of the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah more than a year ago, the Lebanese Health Ministry said on Thursday.

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According to its information, these include 220 minors and almost 1,300 children, as well as 658 women.

The figures do not distinguish between Hezbollah fighters and civilians.

The militia, which launched the attack on Israel in solidarity with Gaza on October 8, has been firing on Israel in turn, and tens of thousands of people in northern Israel have fled their homes. More than 70 people have been killed, including soldiers, and over 640 injured in the north of the country by fire from Lebanon since the conflict began, most of them civilians, according to officials.

Two wanted militants killed in West Bank, Israel says

The Israeli military said on Thursday that its special forces had killed two wanted Palestinians "terrorist activities" in a raid Tulkarem in the West Bank.

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Two men, one of them armed, escaped, prompting the Israeli forces to open fire, according to Israel. A third Palestinian was injured in the process.

The Palestinian news agency WAFA cited the Red Crescent as saying that a toddler had also been injured in the head by shrapnel from a bullet. The boy is the son of one of those killed, WAFA said.

The already tense situation in the West Bank has intensified significantly since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent Gaza war.

Since then, more than 740 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank in Israeli military operations, armed confrontations and extremist attacks, according to the Health Ministry in Ramallah.
Dr. John Moon has joined Columbia Memorial Hospital as a new general surgeon in the CMHOregon Health & Science University Health General Surgery Clinic.

Moon previously worked as a general surgeon and director of surgery at the University of Maryland Shore Medical Group  Surgical Care in Easton, Maryland. His surgical areas of interest include thyroid, breast cancer, skin cancer, abdominal wall reconstruction, hernias, diaphragmatic, gastric and colorectal surgery.

He specializes in robotic and laparoscopic surgery for gastric and colorectal oncology surgery, single-site cholecystectomy, hernia repairs, including hiatal hernia repair, and Nissen fundoplication.

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Dr. Moon has several degrees beyond his bachelors degree, including: doctor of dental surgery, Ohio State University College of Dentistry, Columbus, Ohio; master of science in pathology, Ohio State University, Department of Pathology; and doctor of medicine/doctor of philosophy in oral maxillofacial surgery, Louisiana State University, New Orleans.

He completed his residency in general surgery at the State University of New York in Brooklyn, New York. He completed his fellowship in bariatric/advanced laparoscopic minimally invasive surgery at the Staten Island University Hospital in Staten Island, New York.
An Oahu Circuit Court judge Thursday sentenced a 29-year-old Kahuku man to two 20-year terms for manslaughter in a 2022 vehicle crash in Malaekahana in which he killed a visiting Virginia couple and injured their daughter.

Brennen Canumay pleaded no contest July 31 to two counts of manslaughter in the deaths of Ronald Hartman, 62, and wife Michelle Hartman, 55, who were visiting from Norfolk, Va.

He also pleaded no contest to one count of second-degree assault for critically injuring their daughter Holly Hartman, who was 30 at the time of the head-on collision.

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Judge Rowena Somerville also sentenced Canumay to five years in prison for the assault, and ordered the sentences to run concurrently, the Honolulu Prosecutors Office said in a news release.

Canumay was driving a Ford Ranger pickup truck Aug. 22, 2022, at about 1 p.m. after having an argument with his girlfriend.

He was driving toward Kaneohe on Kamehameha Highway and made an illegal U-turn at the Cackle Fresh store, nearly hitting a construction worker, police said.

Canumay was weaving back and forth into oncoming traffic, and drove recklessly at a high rate of speed. He drove into an oncoming lane before colliding with the vehicle driven by Michelle Hartman. Holly Hartman was seated in the front seat, while her husband, Ronald, sat in the rear passenger seat.

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Canumay had been drinking before driving and admitted to consuming more than half a bottle of liquor.

This was a horrific and tragic collision that could have been prevented,  Hono lulu Prosecutor Steve Alm said in a written statement. The Defendants unlawful, reckless and aggressive driving, his admitted use of alcohol, and his anger on the day of the collision led to his sentence of 20 years instead of probation.

Deputy Prosecutor Lawrence Sousie handled the case.
ALPINE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  A driver was killed in a crash Wednesday in the Alpine area, authorities said.

The collision occurred around 11:57 p.m. on Interstate 8, located east of Pine Valley Road, Officer Jasmine Lopez with the California Highway Patrol said in a news release Thursday.

The 22-year-old driver, from San Diego, was traveling in a 2003 Infiniti G35 eastbound on I-8 when the vehicle drove into the dirt center divider and overturned down a rock/vegetation embankment, according to authorities.

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Victims, suspect killed in Little Italy shootings identified

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities are investigating the crash and if driving under the influence was a factor.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Editor's note: This article is being updated.

Russia's Krasnodar region came under a "massive drone attack" overnight on Nov. 15, Governor Veniamin Kondratiev reported via his Telegram channel. One of the targeted districts hosts a military airfield.

The governor said that two municipalities in the region were targeted, with Russian air defense intercepting approximately 36 drones over the Krymsk and Krasnoarmeisk districts.

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In Krymsk, debris from a drone fell on four residential properties, damaging the roof of one house and a car, according to Kondratiev. In the Krasnoarmeisk district, drone debris allegedly caused damage to the roof of a private house. No casualties were reported.

The Russian telegram channel Astra cited local sources suggesting the drones may have been targeting the Krymsk military airfield. This claim has not been confirmed by official sources, and the governor has not commented on it. The Ukrainian military has not commented on the attack.

Astra noted that earlier reports from local officials claimed 46 drones had been intercepted over the Krymsk area. Astra said that his statement was later removed without explanation.

The Russian Defense Ministry later said that its forces had intercepted 51 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 36 over the Krasnodar region, 10 over the Azov Sea, three over Russian-occupied Crimea, and another two over the Belgorod region.

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Outmanned and outgunned on the battlefield, Ukraine has turned to homemade drones to try to exhaust Russian combat capabilities as much as possible from afar, targeting Russian military-industrial complex facilities, airbases, or oil refineries.

While Ukraine regularly claims attacks deep into Russia, it is difficult to verify the authenticity of the reports and the scale of the damage inflicted.

Read also: We are exhausted  how Ukrainians cope with nightly Russian drone attacks

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
VIENNA, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Austrian energy company OMV said Friday that Russia's energy giant Gazprom will suspend gas deliveries to Austria starting Saturday.

The move came after OMV announced on Wednesday that an arbitration ruling by the International Chamber of Commerce awarded it 230 million euros (242 million U.S. dollars) in a dispute with Gazprom over the latter's irregular gas deliveries.

OMV said in a statement that the award would be offset "with immediate effect" against its payment obligations to Gazprom.

OMV is Gazprom's only contractual partner in Austria, according to Austrian broadcaster ORF.

Austria's energy and environment minister Leonore Gewessler said Friday afternoon on social media platform X that "Austria has been preparing for this situation for a long time," adding that the country's energy supply is secure, and its domestic gas storage facilities are full and more than enough to meet one year's consumption for Austria.

She accused Russia of "once again using energy as a weapon."

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer also told a press conference later that day that the country has a sufficient gas reserve, saying "Nobody has to freeze in Austria."

OMV said on Wednesday that the company's gas storage level is now over 90 percent and it has successfully diversified its gas supply sources.

Austria has long been heavily dependent on Russian gas. ORF reported that over 80 percent of Austria's gas imports in August were from Russia. 
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  Students at George Washington Carver High School will be released early after receiving a threat on Friday, Nov. 15.

School officials posted on social media that out of an abundance of caution, the school day will end early.

We were made aware of an anonymous and concerning message directed at our school this morning. As a result, and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to send children home today and end our week early. We plan to resume our normal school schedule on Monday, November 18th. G.W. Carver High School

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Man shot, killed in Central Business District Friday morning

This comes a day after the New Orleans Police Department investigated several threats made toward additional New Orleans schools on Thursday, Nov. 14.

At a news conference on Friday, NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said there are a total of 16 incidents under investigation with three arrests made so far.

The NOPD is actively addressing the growing concerns about school threats to ensure the safety of our children and schools. Yesterday, all schools practiced their safety protocols, and along with our quick responses, these measures kept our children safe. We want parents to know that we are fully committed to protecting our students, with the support of local, state, and federal agencies, including Homeland Security. While we are taking every precaution, we urge parents and students to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to school officials or law enforcement. Together, we can maintain safe learning environments. Anne Kirkpatrick Superintendent of Police

NOPD full news conference

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.
DES MOINES, Iowa  Its that time of year again  viral social media posts showing apocalyptic forecasts of multiple *feet* of snow across central Iowa.

Those forecasts are almost always wrong.

So when can you trust a snow forecast? And better yet, who can you trust a forecast from?

First, lets get some context. The latest first trace of snow on record was set on December 2, 1939 in Des Moines. On average, the first trace of snow falls around the first of November. So its abnormal to not have seen snow yet this year. Normally, the first tenth of an inch of snow falls around the middle of November, and the first inch of snowfall is in late November to early December. Of course, these are averages that are bound to vary from year to year.

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Heres where forecasting snowfall more specifically can get complicated. Weather models can forecast 10 days (or more) in advance. However, the accuracy of weather models decreases dramatically past the five-day mark and especially past the seven-day mark. For that reason, model forecasts over a week out can change dramatically within just a few hours  showing feet of snow at one moment and then no snow just a few hours later.

Weather models are made up of math equations using approximations. Because of that, errors multiply over time. A range of outcomes are possible given a set of current conditions.

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By nature, weather models have to choose one outcome. Naturally, the farther out in time that outcome is predicted, the less accurate it has the potential to be.

For that reason, trained meteorologists often wait until closer to a weather event to create a forecast. This forecast is more likely to be accurate  closer to the event, the range of possible outcomes is much smaller.

Therefore, its important to get your weather forecast from a reliable source. Meteorologists in local media, like here at WHO 13, and at the National Weather Service weigh the possible outcomes and the potential a weather model has to be accurate.

Usually, that means waiting until about three to four days from a snow event to create a forecast with numbers. Up until that point, forecasters are able to say there is the potential for snow, but its difficult to get precise with numbers and impacts.

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So if you see a snow map making a prediction more than five days out, take it with a grain of salt. Raw model output is often inaccurate, so trained forecasters are able to balance model output with what is likely to actually happen.

Stay with WHO 13 this winter  well keep you up to date with the latest the winter weather brings us!

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Tennessee could soon have weather sensors in every county.

With more than 60,000 miles of rivers, creeks, and streams  that can rise fast  the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) is looking to gather more information that could save lives.

National Weather Service unveils new flood inundation maps

In August 2021, deadly floodwaters rushed through the tight-knit community of Waverly with little warning, killing 19 people. Just this past September, at least 17 people died in East Tennessee after flooding from Hurricane Helene.

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We dont have a system like this in the state of Tennessee at this time, TEMAs director, Patrick Sheehan, said.

The $4 million proposal would bring weather stations to every county in Tennessee. The stations would track solar radiation, wind speeds and leaf wetness.

These sensors do a lot of different things and then build us some data points that we really dont have across the state of Tennessee, Sheehan explained. But for me, the crux of it is the ability to do real-time rainfall measurements and help inform flash flood warning.

TEMA representatives said the added funding would go towards establishing the weather stations, which would be monitored by a meteorologist. Waverlys mayor, W.B. Buddy Frazier, told News 2 he thought this data could have saved lives in the 2021 flood.

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Our waters collected, and then we had basically a tidal wave run through our city once the railroad blew out that was holding the floodwaters back, Frazier said.

How will mass deportations impact Tennessee? An economist weighs in

Had we had known of the extremely heavy rainfall that was occurring in the east end of our county, it could have caused us to have been better prepared, Frazier expressed. We just didnt have that information.

If Governor Bill Lee decides to move forward with the funding, Tennessees legislature must approve.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  The City of East Lansings draft 2025 Park, Recreation, Open Space and Greenways Plan is now available for public review and comment until next Wednesday, Nov. 20.

In a news release, the city says the purpose of the five-year plan is to assess the needs of the community regarding parks, recreation, and other outdoor facilities, programs, and services. The plan also outlines actions to be taken to improve and maintain these services over the next five years.

The State of Michigan requires a five-year plan to be eligible for funds through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which has already funded a significant portion of the citys existing park system.

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The plan is available online here. Printed copies are available for review at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center and the East Lansing Public Library.

Community members can share comments and suggestions by contacting the East Lansing Department of Parks, Recreation and Arts administrative office at (517) 319-6809 or by sending an email to parks@cityofeastlansing.com.

A public hearing on the plan will be held next Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the East Lansing Parks & Recreation Advisory Commissions meeting at the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
Jon Baselice of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce speaks at a conference in Washington, D.C., held by the National Immigration Forum.  Marty Schladen, Ohio Capital Journal

WASHINGTON, D.C.  President-elect Donald Trump made a visit to the nations capital Wednesday to meet with congressional Republicans. As he did, a group of economic leaders meeting nearby had a simple message for him and his incoming administration: You cant have robust economic growth without robust immigration.

Trump cruised to victory on Nov. 5 after a campaign that was based mostly around attacking immigration and criticizing the economy under Democratic President Joe Biden. Speaking at an event held by the National Immigration Forum, a prominent Republican economist said the two issues are inextricably tied, just not in the way that the Trump campaign suggested.

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You cant be America First by putting immigration last, said Douglas Holtz-Eakin, a White House economist under President George H.W. Bush and chief economic advisor to Arizona Sen. John McCains 2008 presidential campaign. The numbers just dont add up.

Holtz-Eakin and the other panelists stressed that with declining class sizes in American elementary schools, the country needs immigration to buttress the workforce and spur economic growth.

Anyone who is arithmetically informed knows immigration is central to our future, Holtz-Eakin said. The demography is baked in the cake. Native-born Americans have such low fertility that in the absence of immigration, this country will look like Japan. It will get very, very old and smaller and smaller and smaller. Well lose our economic vitality.

On the campaign trail, Trump promised rapid mass deportations of immigrants who arent here legally or who will be declared to be undocumented in the future. But Jon Baselice, vice president for immigration policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said that likely isnt possible.

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If you look at the resources they have, and at the resources theyre likely to get, they need to set expectations in a realistic way, he said. If theyre looking to deport millions of people in very short order, theyre likely to fail at that.

Meanwhile, a dearth of immigrants can come with a serious economic downside.

The Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce surveys employers in the state each year. Starting about a decade ago, the issue of having enough workers shot up the list of concerns, said Alex Halper, vice president of governmental affairs for the organization.

Weve had historically small kindergarten classes the last two years, and by far the fastest-growing demographic is 80 and older, Halper said. At the same time, out of 100 job openings, we have 56 people looking for work in Pennsylvania. We simply dont have the people to fill positions for Pennsylvania employers.

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Immigrants are particularly crucial to the tech sector, panelists said.

Pearl Chang Esau is founder and CEO of the Arizona group Shan strategies, which advises businesses on how to improve their economic, environmental, and societal impact. She said dreamers  non-citizens who came to the United States at an early age who have been allowed to stay under an executive order by former President Barack Obama  are an important piece of the tech puzzle.

Thirty percent of dreamers in college are pursuing a STEM education, and theyre graduating without the ability to work, she said. So it is a no-brainer to capture that population into our workforce.

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There seemed to be widespread apprehension at the conference after Trump won on a starkly anti-immigration agenda.

Many of us sense a giant mountain that lies before us, Jennie Murray, president and CEO of the National Immigration Forum, said as she opened the conference.

But U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., said he hoped a coalition of business, law enforcement and faith leaders  which he called business, badges and the Bible  would create pressure for bipartisan solutions that polling indicates the public overwhelmingly wants. Suozzi said he hopes that polarization on the issue will decrease so that a critical mass of the public can see immigration as the nuanced issue that it is.

Anybody who says, Why dont you just doesnt know what theyre talking about, he said, to applause.

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The Summary

Scientific American editor-in-chief Laura Helmuth is leaving the publication.

Soon after the election, she posted several profanity-laced comments on social media posts about the results.

It was not clear if Helmuths posts or backlash to them played a role in her departure.

Scientific American editor-in-chief Laura Helmuth is leaving the publication less than two weeks after she shared several profanity-laced postings about the results of the presidential election on the social media app Bluesky.

Ive decided to leave Scientific American after an exciting 4.5 years as editor in chief, Helmuth wrote Thursday on BlueSky. Im going to take some time to think about what comes next (and go birdwatching)...

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It was not clear if Helmuths social media posts or backlash to them played a role in her departure. Helmuth declined an interview request and said she was unable to comment.

Scientific American did not directly respond to questions about Helmuths departure, but its president, Kimberly Lau, said in a statement: Laura Helmuth has decided to move on from her position as editor in chief of Scientific American. We thank Laura for her four years leading Scientific American during which time the magazine won major science communications awards and saw the establishment of a reimagined digital newsroom. We wish her well for the future.

Helmuth became a target of some conservative commentators after a series of Bluesky posts on Nov. 5, in the wake of the election. The posts have been deleted from her profile, but screenshots have been shared widely.

In the posts, Helmuth apologized to younger voters, bemoaning that her Generation X was full of ***king fascists.

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Solidarity to everyone whose meanest, dumbest, most bigoted high-school classmates are celebrating early results because f*** them to the moon and back, Helmuth wrote.

In a subsequent Bluesky post, on Nov. 7, Helmuth apologized, saying she had deleted her election-night posts, which she called "offensive and inappropriate."

"I respect and value people across the political spectrum," Helmuth wrote, adding that the deleted missives were "a mistaken expression of shock and confusion about the election results."

With Helmuth at the helm, Scientific American began to endorse candidates for the first time in 175 years. The publications editors endorsed Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in September, writing that Donald Trump endangers public health and safety and rejects evidence, preferring instead nonsensical conspiracy fantasies.

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In an interview ahead of the election with The Editors Desk, a blog about writing and editing authored by a University of North Carolina professor, Helmuth said the editors of Scientific American decided in 2020 that it was their responsibility to share what we know about our areas of expertise  health, science, the environment, education, technology  and what is at stake for them in this election.

She added that she supported an approach in which journalists tell readers what they know is true and how they determined it to be true, rather than telling readers both sides and letting them decide for themselves.

There are not two reasonable sides to every story. We know evolution is real and creationism is not; we know vaccines save lives and dont cause autism; we know climate change is real, Helmuth told the Edit Desk. It would be malpractice to quote creationists or RFK Jr. or climate deniers in any coverage of these issues, other than to point out that these issues are being politicized but the science is clear.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who Helmuth was referring to, is President-elect Donald Trumps pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy has made misleading and false claims about vaccines, suggesting they are linked to autism despite multiple studies debunking the notion.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Matt Gaetz, the House-wrecking Florida congressman, cannot be U.S. attorney general. No way at all. We know that this isnt a joke because Donald Trump published the proposed nomination on his Truth Social at 3:24 Wednesday afternoon, surprising flabbergasted Democrats and Republicans.

It must not happen. Gaetz, who had been under a DOJ criminal probe for allegations about sex trafficking involving a minor, cannot be the person running the agency, which is supposed to be the guarantor of the rights of all Americans. While the new president is entitled to select his own cabinet, the individuals must be qualified for the important posts they will hold. Gaetz is not.

Trump should withdraw Gaetzs name. If he insists on going forward, the Senate, Republicans and Democrats alike, must say no to any confirmation and if so thwarted, Trump must not use a recess appointment to sneak Gaetz in through the side door.

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In his announcement, Trump said, Few issues in America are more important than ending the partisan Weaponization of our Justice System. What hes talking about are the two federal indictments hes facing (for now) over purloined classified documents and for the plot to overturn the 2020 election. Thats not Weaponized Government but the pursuit of justice. Of course, Trump doesnt mention that the same Biden administration DOJ prosecuted and convicted Hunter Biden.

However, assuming that Weaponized Government exists (which it doesnt), Gaetz is not one to neutralize it, but ramp it up. He sees the levers of government not as tools to improve the lot of citizens, but for political warfare. He is single handedly to blame for overthrowing Kevin McCarthy as House speaker only a year ago, throwing the House, the sole bastion of Republican power, into chaos.

So Mr. Chaos, who took down the Republican who was second in line to the presidency, is now going to become Mr. Law and Order?

Republicans and Democrats should shudder at that.

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The AG doesnt have to have some kind of apolitical legal expert like university president Edward Levi that President Jerry Ford brought in to restore professionalism and credibility after Watergate (when Nixons AG, John Michell, went to prison), but there are minimum standards to be the top law enforcement officer in the nation.

Probity, discretion, fairness, judgment, compassion come to mind and Gaetz doesnt meet any of those standards, with the exception that he went to law school and has a law license.

The outrageous and outlandish idea of Gaetz atop the DOJ might just be a ruse by Trump to please his furthest right flank that wanted bomb throwers and provocateurs seeded throughout the federal government. Tear it all down! they cheer.

When Gaetz fails to become AG, as has to be the outcome, Trump can then still appeal to that energized slice of his supporters that he tried to be true to the cause and was blocked by the establishment.

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An untrustworthy, hyperpolitical and suspect person leading any cabinet agency is an affront to good government. But the Department of Justice, which alone has the power to enforce the law and prosecute, makes it a nightmare. Attorney General Matt Gaetz is the nightmare come to life.

___
On Thursday, Chicagos City Council nixed Mayor Brandon Johnsons proposal to hike property taxes on households and businesses by $300 million. The 50-0 vote came without debate and served as a remarkable and deservedly embarrassing rebuke for an unpopular mayor who had campaigned on a categorical pledge not to raise property taxes.

Johnson attempted in recent days to spin his massive tax hike as merely a clever device to capture aldermens attention about the depth of the citys budgetary crisis. That is hard to buy. Indeed, when we met with the mayor and some of his budget team just after the Oct. 30 release of his $17.3 billion budget, he convinced us he believed the tax hike was unavoidable. And he made an impassioned case for its implication.

So here we are. Its mid-November and the city is basically at square one on setting a budget for 2025. Now the real work has to start.

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The unusualness of this state of affairs cant be overstated. Individual aldermen, from committee chairs to first-termers, will be involved directly in negotiating this budget. Political nerds have told us for years that Chicagos form of government is strong-council, weak-mayor. But we havent seen that dynamic play out in real life since before Richard J. Daleys time.

The mayors office has been meeting with aldermen it considers at least reasonably friendly in recent days to take their temperature on an array of alternative revenue generating ideas. Team Johnson has kept the more conservative aldermen who forced Thursdays vote to nix the property tax hike in the dark, leaving them mostly to learn whats happening from the media.

The mayors strategy appears to be to try to find 26 City Council members willing to vote for revenue-raising alternatives like higher trash-pickup fees in order to balance the budget without requiring any concessions like furlough days from labor unions representing city workers, which Johnson has said he will not seek or support.

We think this tack is a mistake, whether it succeeds or not in producing a budget this year. Were likely to be facing a yawning deficit this time next year as well, and the need to right-size a city government that grew explosively while it had well over $1 billion in federal pandemic assistance at its disposal will be even more urgent. The mayor needs to be much more open to views outside his echo chamber.

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One of the lessons Johnson and his fellow progressives on the City Council should have learned from the just-concluded election is that Chicago isnt the hard-left city that Johnsons narrow win in 2023 might have suggested. Johnson would help himself politically, and do the right thing by the city, if he brought aldermen he views as enemies into the room, too. And he could actually buttress the dubious moniker he bestowed on himself the other day in attempting to spin the flameout of his property tax hike  collaborator-in-chief.

We spoke with three of the aldermen who told us theyve been left out of the mayoral discussions to date  Ray Lopez, 15th, Marty Quinn, 13th, and Anthony Beale, 9th. They didnt sound to us like politicians bent on some ideological mission. Their observations and suggestions were utterly practical, if tough-minded.

First, no one should be surprised if its just before Christmas when the budget is finalized.

The point of the vote to kill the property tax so soon after Johnson proposed it was to give the council time to plug the deficit in other ways. Now theres time, albeit not as much as there should have been had Johnson not delayed his dead-on-arrival budget by two weeks.

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Second, no one should be surprised if Johnsons gambit to pass a budget free of belt-tightening by negotiating with just a slice of the City Council falls short as well.

As Lopez, Quinn and Beale told us, hiking the garbage-collection fee will be no more popular than the property tax increase. Finding majority support on the council for $300 million worth of cat-and-dog revenue raisers seems unlikely.

We think the three are correct when they say that Chicagoans must be convinced Johnson and the council have looked in detail at all city government spending to determine what the city needs versus what it wants. So far, of course, that hasnt happened, regardless of what Johnson administration officials say about the steps theyve taken to date. In the next month-plus, if Johnson truly is serious about collaboration, the council and the mayors office must pore through each city department and eliminate spending that isnt a critical service. There should be no sacred cows allowed in that room.

Then and only then should Johnson and the council turn to revenue. And if theyve taken their budget task seriously, the additional amount needed from households and businesses to finance city government will be far, far lower than $300 million. It might even be nothing at all.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
After the rhetoric comes the reality. For anyone who thought Donald Trumps immigration talk was just stirring up fear to get elected, his first appointments should make clear he is going to work to make it happen.

Trump is bringing Stephen Miller in as deputy chief of staff for policy and Tom Homan will have the nebulous overarching role of border czar.

We know what these people are about. Miller was in many ways responsible for the most horrific policies associated with the first Trump term, up to and including the infamous family separation policy and the long-standing Title 42 debacle.

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While many others in the Trump orbit are merely grifters, career climbers and assorted other opportunists, Miller is a zealot, a true believer. He wakes up every day with the goal of identifying ways to punish and exclude immigrants, scouring all available administrative paths to this end.

Homan, too, understands that he has received a directive from his incoming boss to stretch the limits of legality and morality in pursuing the program of an unprecedented mass deportation operation.

In an interview with 60 Minutes last month, Homan said with chilling nonchalance that of course there was a solution to the issue of U.S. citizen children being separated from immigrant parents who were deported: to deport the families all together. It didnt seem to cross his mind at all that deporting citizens in any capacity is unlawful.

Where the courts once helped parry some of the Trump administrations worst and most brazenly unlawful efforts on immigration, were far less able to rely on these as a backstop now, stacked as they are with Trump loyalists and right-wing ideologues.

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Take the question of birthright citizenship; it is indisputably clearly spelled out in the first sentence of the 14th Amendment for almost a century and a half. Yet in a recent interview, Trump-appointed Federal Appeals Judge James Ho, now occasionally floated as a potential Supreme Court pick, claimed that the children of invading aliens  leaning on a right-wing talking point about humanitarian migration being some sort of invasion  are not entitled to that right.

This is still a fringe position, and would not necessarily succeed in a legal case, but there are now dozens of barely-qualified federal judges populating the district and appeals courts, ready to potentially sign off on these and many more extreme policies.

If the prior Congress, with the House held narrowly by the GOP and the Senate by the Democrats, with a Democratic president, was not able to pass any sort of immigration reform measure, this is certainly not happening in a GOP trifecta. What is likelier to happen is a lurch towards further restrictionist policy in Congress, all of the security and surveillance that Republicans have sought for years without any of the paths to citizenship or additional protections that these deals usually include.

As much as Trumps Republican Party likes to pretend it is taking up the mantle of Reagan and Lincoln, these figures would have been disgusted by these developments. Reagan and a Republican Senate famously granted nearly 3 million undocumented immigrants permanent status not 40 years ago. Now, the GOP would just as soon send troops into American streets to round up those folks that their standard-bearer once gave a chance to. For shame.

_____
Once again, the people of Puerto Rico have voted in favor of becoming the nations 51st state. Last weeks vote was the fourth time in the past 12 years that the islands voters have endorsed statehood, and the victory margin was a clear and convincing 56%.

On the same ballot, Puerto Ricans elected a new governor, Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon, who is a pro-statehood leader  and a Republican, too.

Support for statehood on the island has grown over the years, but thats not the only reason to end Puerto Ricos second-class status as a U.S. territory (the United States acquired Puerto Rico when the Spanish-American War ended in 1898).

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Puerto Ricos fate remains in the hands of Congress, which has dithered over the question of statehood for far too long.

A political paradox

The Council on Foreign Relations website has called Puerto Rico a U.S. territory in crisis, and said, Puerto Rico is a political paradox: part of the United States but distinct from it, enjoying citizenship but lacking full political representation.

The residents of Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens, but they cannot vote in U.S. presidential elections; to represent their home, they must leave home and move to the mainland. They are Americans, but they do not benefit from this nations prosperity or generosity. Its time for this unjust paradox to end.

The sweeping re-election of Donald Trump last week should give renewed momentum to the cause of statehood, and it would be a wise political move for Republicans  particularly if they look to states like Florida, where (as we mentioned in Thursdays editorial) places like Osceola County turned out for Trump largely due to their Puerto Rican populations.

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Support from Latino voters in critical battleground states, particularly Pennsylvania, also helps explain Trumps victory.

Trump and Latinos

Democrats who assumed Puerto Ricans would abandon Trump in droves because a pro-Trump comic callously called the nation a floating island of garbage were badly mistaken.

Trump also performed well with Latinos here in Florida, as shown by his success in Miami-Dade and Osceola counties.

Osceola had not voted Republican in a presidential election for the past 20 years  until last week.

Conventional political wisdom has long held that making Puerto Rico the 51st state would favor Democrats, but what happened last week puts that premise in serious doubt. Nationally, a majority of Hispanic men voted for Trump for the first time, according to CNNs exit polling.

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But with Republicans clinching control of the U.S. Senate, the outgoing GOP leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky., essentially declared the statehood effort as dead on arrival once again.

There wont be any new states admitted that give a partisan advantage to the other side, McConnell said in an apparent reference to statehood proposals for Puerto Rico and heavily Democratic Washington, D.C. Somebody better show him the numbers on how Puerto Ricans traditionally vote.

Statehood for Puerto Rico would entitle the island to two United States senators, which could shift the partisan balance of the Senate  and if Republicans are the ones who fulfill that long-held justice, they can expect to be rewarded when Puerto Ricans finally get to exercise that voting right. That and economic anxiety over providing much-needed aid for the struggling island are at the root of this chronic inaction in Congress.

Giving Puerto Rico the status of statehood would also entitle that islands residents to benefits they have been paying for but not receiving. For example, Puerto Ricans pay the same payroll taxes (which support Social Security and Medicare) as mainland Americans. Yet they are shut out of major benefits including Supplemental Security Income, and the Medicare Part D low-income subsidy, a federal program that helps pay for out-of-pocket health care costs. As a result, more than half of Puerto Ricans are forced to rely on Medicaid, but there again the territory receives a fraction of the per-capita funding distributed to residents of U.S. states.

Stalwarts of statehood

Democrats have consistently been the strongest supporters of Puerto Rican statehood in Congress. The latest versions of the bill (S.3231 and H.R. 2757) have languished for nearly two years.

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The sponsors are Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico and Rep. Raul Grijalva of Arizona, and numerous Florida members of Congress in both parties are co-sponsors.

They include Republicans Maria Elvira Salazar of Miami and Bill Posey of Rockledge, and Democrats Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Weston, Frederica Wilson of Miami, Darren Soto and Maxwell Alejandro Frost of Orlando and Kathy Castor of Tampa.

It is morally wrong that the people of Puerto Rico are denied a voice in electing the president of the United States, as well as other rights and privileges that are available to other U.S. citizens. Such territorial colonialism is unbecoming a nation whose founding is rooted in anti-colonial revolution.

The scheme may work for extremely small territories with low populations, such as American holdings in the Pacific, but its no way to govern an island that is home to more than three million people.

The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board includes Editor-in-Chief Julie Anderson, Opinion Editor Krys Fluker and Viewpoints Editor Jay Reddick. The Sun Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Editorial Page Editor Steve Bousquet, Deputy Editorial Page Editor Dan Sweeney, editorial writers Pat Beall and Martin Dyckman and Anderson. Send letters to insight@orlandosentinel.com.
A Long March-7 Y9 carrier rocket carrying cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-8 blasts off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 15, 2024. China launched the cargo craft Tianzhou-8 on Friday night to deliver supplies for its orbiting Tiangong space station, according to the China Manned Space Agency. The Long March-7 rocket, carrying Tianzhou-8, blasted off at 11:13 p.m. (Beijing Time) from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern island province of Hainan, the agency said. After about 10 minutes, Tianzhou-8 separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. Its solar panels soon unfolded. The agency declared the launch a complete success. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

WENCHANG, Hainan, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- China launched the cargo craft Tianzhou-8 on Friday night to deliver supplies for its orbiting Tiangong space station, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

The Long March-7 rocket, carrying Tianzhou-8, blasted off at 11:13 p.m. (Beijing Time) from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern island province of Hainan, the agency said.

After about 10 minutes, Tianzhou-8 separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. Its solar panels soon unfolded. The agency declared the launch a complete success.

It is expected to autonomously rendezvous and dock with the rear port of the space station's core module Tianhe in about three hours after the launch.

China's Tianzhou (Sky Ship) cargo craft has a length of 10.6 meters and a maximum diameter of 3.35 meters. It consists of a cargo module and a propellant module, and is mainly tasked with transporting supplies and fuel to China's space station and bringing the waste from the space station back to the atmosphere for burning and disposing.

Tianzhou-8 is loaded with essential supplies for the orbiting crew, including living necessities, medical supplies and support materials for their spacewalks.

The supplies aboard the cargo craft are primarily intended to support the Shenzhou-19 taikonauts and the future Shenzhou-20 crew.

Tianzhou-8 also carries multiple new test payloads, which will provide crucial support for the advancement and application of new technologies, and the progress of space science.

Notably, the "lunar soil brick," created by Chinese scientists to simulate the composition of lunar soil, is being taken aboard Tianzhou-8 for space exposure experiments.

The aim of the experiments is to confirm whether the "brick" can be used to construct houses on the moon. The first "brick" is scheduled to return to Earth by the end of 2025 after the space experiment.

There is also a unique species -- fruit flies -- among the scientific experiment payloads carried by Tianzhou-8. They are expected to help complete the country's first space sub-magnetic-microgravity composite environment science experiment.

Apart from necessities, gift packages for major Chinese holidays such as Spring Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival and Dragon Boat Festival are also included in the cargo craft, as well as birthday packages for the taikonauts.

Tianzhou-8 boasts the world's largest cargo transport capacity and the most comprehensive in-orbit support capability among all cargo craft currently in use.

The loading space of both Tianzhou-6 and Tianzhou-7, which were launched earlier, have already been increased by 24 percent compared to their predecessors. Building upon this improvement, the research team further increased the loading capacity of Tianzhou-8 by over 100 kilograms, allowing for a wider variety of goods to be carried.

Long March-7 is the country's new-generation medium-lift launch vehicle featuring high reliability, high safety and zero pollution. It has a low Earth orbit payload capacity of 14 tonnes, and can meet the requirements for sending the cargo craft into orbit precisely to allow it to dock with the orbiting space station.

This is the first launch mission at Wenchang since Super Typhoon Yagi. Prior to the launch, the Long March-7 team conducted comprehensive testing and verification stringently to guarantee safety.

Starting with this mission, there will be a spare Long March-7 rocket on standby for each space station cargo craft launch. If necessary, the spare rocket can complete another launch within three months to ensure the normal operation of the space station.

Friday's launch is the third cargo delivery mission since China's manned space program entered the space station's application and development stage. It is also the 546th mission of the Long March rocket series. 

A Long March-7 Y9 carrier rocket carrying cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-8 blasts off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 15, 2024.

China launched the cargo craft Tianzhou-8 on Friday night to deliver supplies for its orbiting Tiangong space station, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

The Long March-7 rocket, carrying Tianzhou-8, blasted off at 11:13 p.m. (Beijing Time) from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern island province of Hainan, the agency said.

After about 10 minutes, Tianzhou-8 separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. Its solar panels soon unfolded. The agency declared the launch a complete success. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

A Long March-7 Y9 carrier rocket carrying cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-8 blasts off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 15, 2024.

China launched the cargo craft Tianzhou-8 on Friday night to deliver supplies for its orbiting Tiangong space station, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

The Long March-7 rocket, carrying Tianzhou-8, blasted off at 11:13 p.m. (Beijing Time) from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern island province of Hainan, the agency said.

After about 10 minutes, Tianzhou-8 separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. Its solar panels soon unfolded. The agency declared the launch a complete success. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

A Long March-7 Y9 carrier rocket carrying cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-8 blasts off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 15, 2024.

China launched the cargo craft Tianzhou-8 on Friday night to deliver supplies for its orbiting Tiangong space station, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

The Long March-7 rocket, carrying Tianzhou-8, blasted off at 11:13 p.m. (Beijing Time) from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern island province of Hainan, the agency said.

After about 10 minutes, Tianzhou-8 separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. Its solar panels soon unfolded. The agency declared the launch a complete success. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

A Long March-7 Y9 carrier rocket carrying cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-8 blasts off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 15, 2024.

China launched the cargo craft Tianzhou-8 on Friday night to deliver supplies for its orbiting Tiangong space station, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

The Long March-7 rocket, carrying Tianzhou-8, blasted off at 11:13 p.m. (Beijing Time) from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern island province of Hainan, the agency said.

After about 10 minutes, Tianzhou-8 separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. Its solar panels soon unfolded. The agency declared the launch a complete success. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

A Long March-7 Y9 carrier rocket carrying cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-8 blasts off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 15, 2024.

China launched the cargo craft Tianzhou-8 on Friday night to deliver supplies for its orbiting Tiangong space station, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

The Long March-7 rocket, carrying Tianzhou-8, blasted off at 11:13 p.m. (Beijing Time) from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern island province of Hainan, the agency said.

After about 10 minutes, Tianzhou-8 separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. Its solar panels soon unfolded. The agency declared the launch a complete success. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

A Long March-7 Y9 carrier rocket carrying cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-8 blasts off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 15, 2024. China launched the cargo craft Tianzhou-8 from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Friday night to deliver supplies for its orbiting Tiangong space station, according to the China Manned Space Agency. (Photo by Luo Yunfei/Xinhua)

A Long March-7 Y9 carrier rocket carrying cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-8 blasts off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 15, 2024. China launched the cargo craft Tianzhou-8 from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Friday night to deliver supplies for its orbiting Tiangong space station, according to the China Manned Space Agency. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

A Long March-7 Y9 carrier rocket carrying cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-8 blasts off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 15, 2024. China launched the cargo craft Tianzhou-8 from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Friday night to deliver supplies for its orbiting Tiangong space station, according to the China Manned Space Agency. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

A Long March-7 Y9 carrier rocket carrying cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-8 blasts off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 15, 2024. China launched the cargo craft Tianzhou-8 from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Friday night to deliver supplies for its orbiting Tiangong space station, according to the China Manned Space Agency. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

A Long March-7 Y9 carrier rocket carrying cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-8 blasts off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 15, 2024. China launched the cargo craft Tianzhou-8 from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Friday night to deliver supplies for its orbiting Tiangong space station, according to the China Manned Space Agency. (Photo by Huang Guochang/Xinhua)
The week after he won the White House, Donald Trump announced his national security advisor. It was 2016 and the pick was Mike Flynn, a man with an oddly pro-Russian worldview who only would last three weeks in the role, having lied to the vice president about talking to the Russians. Flynn was also under investigation for being an unregistered foreign agent. Later convicted of crimes, Flynn was ultimately pardoned by Trump.

This time, a week after he won the White House, Donald Trump announced his national security advisor. Its another Mike, Mike Waltz, a Florida congressman. Unlike Flynn, Waltz is no pal of the Kremlin, or the Chinese or the Iranians, all our rivals on the global stage. A serious man, Waltz also has a more sound understanding of Americas place in the world and why we must stay engaged and not withdraw.

Waltz knows the value of standing up to bullies and standing in solidarity with friends, even if Trump sometimes doesnt. We mean Russia and Ukraine.

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Trump talks about America First, but his adopting the name of a dangerous and discredited isolationist organization of the 1930s and 1940s shows his lack of understanding of the history.

During a March 2016 interview, New York Times reporter David Sanger in asking candidate Trump about his foreign policy, compared it to the America First ideas espoused by Charles Lindbergh that held that both the British and the Germans should be viewed with suspicion in 1940 and 1941, as England fought alone against the Nazis.

From the interview transcript it doesnt seem that Trump knew anything of the historical movement, but liked the catchy name and adopted the phrase.

The isolationism and avoiding foreign commitment of Lindbergh and America First was also the editorial policy of the Daily News in the 1930s and 1940s, having been traumatized by the mass death of the First World War.

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These editorial columns argued to stay out of other peoples fights; we opposed FDRs Lend-Lease plan to aid Britain. It was not our business, went the thinking. It was a terrible mistake. The pro-peace position allowed tyrants in Germany and Italy and Japan to swallow up their neighbors in Europe and Asia as long as we stayed out of the fray. But the tyrants always want more. It wasnt until Pearl Harbor that The News changed course.

That fatal mistake after WWI, when America withdrew from the world, was not repeated after WWII, when NATO was created. Collective security works.

France and Germany fought three major wars in the 75 years between 1870 and 1945, each more destructive than its predecessor (Franco-Prussian, WWI and WWII). In the 75 years since NATO was founded in 1949, under Washingtons sponsorship, France and Germany have been strong allies and no NATO member has been attacked.

Trump and Waltz both want our NATO partners to increase their military funding, as do we. The U.S. cannot carry the entire burden. Ukraine is not in NATO, but it borders on NATO territory and Putins aggression cannot be rewarded.

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Maybe Trump is correct that he can end the war in 24 hours, but the only just deal is a full Russian withdrawal to the lines before the invasion, not a negotiation on how much of Ukraine Russia gets to keep.

Thats the right way to be a peacemaker.

_____
From left to right, Sen. Debra Altschiller, D-Stratham, Sen. Ruth Ward, R-Stoddard, and Rep. Rick Ladd, R-Haverhill, enter a heated discussion over how best to scrutinize education freedom accounts, on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Ethan DeWitt | New Hampshire Bulletin)

New Hampshires education freedom account program grew by 12 percent over the past year, the Department of Education announced Thursday. But as Republican lawmakers seek to expand the program and potentially remove all income limits, Democrats continue to raise concerns over the use of funds in the program.

At a hearing for the programs legislative oversight committee Tuesday, Sen. Debra Altschiller, a Stratham Democrat, argued that more data is needed to demonstrate that students who are taking EFAs are doing better than they would have in public schools  particularly those in religious schools.

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We do not have aggregate information as to how the students in the program are performing using accepted statewide academic assessments or measured progress toward mastering any competencies that are considered part of an adequate education, Altschiller said.

She added: You know, we have schools that are not teaching to the standards of some very, very highly respected private, independent schools. Theyre not all teaching to the same standards.

Created in 2021, the education freedom account program allows parents in families making up to 350 percent of the federal poverty level  $109,200 for families of four  to use per-pupil state education funding toward private school and home-schooling costs such as tuition.

The program follows the states adequacy formula to determine how much each student receives: Families get a minimum of $4,182 per year per student, but can get more for students who are eligible for free and reduced-price lunches, who are English language learners, or who require special education services.

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In the 2024-2025 school year, the programs fourth year, 5,321 students joined the program, according to the department. About 37 percent of those students  1,974  came from families making up to 185 percent of the federal poverty level, or $57,720 for a family of four.

In total, the program is using $27.7 million of funds from the Education Trust Fund this school year, with an average payout per student of $5,204. Thats a 25 percent increase over last years spend of $22.1 million. So far, that spending makes up 2.2 percent of the total $1.2 billion estimated to fill the Education Trust Fund this year.

The program grew at a slower rate last year than in past years, such as 2023 to 2024, when the number of students participating increased 39 percent. The change then was partly structural: In 2023, Republican lawmakers raised the income cap from 300 percent of the federal poverty level to 350 percent.

But while the program takes up 2.2 percent of the trust fund now, that portion will likely grow if lawmakers vote to remove all income caps and make the program universal. Gov.-elect Kelly Ayotte said she would support that move in her campaign for governor, and top House lawmakers have also indicated interest.

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Republicans and other supporters of the program say it provides helpful state support for families who are not interested in the public education system, or who have tried the public school system and had trouble such as bullying or difficulty acquiring special education services. And they argue making the program universal eliminates the cliff effect faced by families who make slightly too much money to qualify for a given cap.

But Democrats argue the state should not be sending public funds to assist with private school expenses and that the money would be better spent on increased state aid to public schools. Making the program universal would allow wealthy families who already pay to put their children in private school the ability to use state funds that could go to public education, they argue.

And the parties have quarreled over how to oversee the program. On Tuesday, members of the Education Freedom Savings Account Oversight Committee met to finalize their annual report looking into how many students are using the accounts and how much the program is spending.

Altschiller argued the committees final report presents a rosy picture of success for the families that are taking the EFAs without the necessary data to confirm academic improvement. We have individual anecdotal reports from a minority of parents who took their children out of the public school system and then put them into a religious school environment, and we have no data on that.

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Republicans on the committee countered that while the state does require standardized testing for students in grades three through eight and 11, the committee could not see how those scores follow EFA students without violating privacy.

Rep. Rick Ladd, a Haverhill Republican and the chairman of the House Education Committee, said the survey responses from parents who have received EFAs are sufficient feedback to know that the program is working for them.

Were making decisions based upon social conditions, he said. Were making [decisions] based upon parent information. Were making decisions that are based upon what is seen in terms of progress, subjectively.

Sen. Ruth Ward, a Republican of Stoddard and the chair of the oversight committee, agreed.

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I think that what you are proposing is for each individual child that uses EFA, we have to set up a special program finding out how they are taught and what they are learning, she said to Altschiller. And I think based on anecdotal evidence, I think what we have heard is that parents are making the choice, and most of the parents who have gone to a different school are happy about the change.

Altschiller disagreed: They have the freedom to educate the way they want to, she said of private schools. The difference is that now were paying for it and we cant. We have no say. We have no oversight. We dont even have a look at it.

Altschiller also wanted the final report to clearly note the number of students who attended public school before receiving EFAs. According to Thursdays department data, 36 percent of all EFA students left their public school; 64 percent came from families who already were home schooling or sending their children to private school before getting an EFA.

Democrats argue that ratio undermines how the program was presented by Republicans when it passed: as a way for students to have an alternative option if the public school they attended was not right for them.

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Republicans say families should still receive the funding even if their children never attended a public school because the EFA will help them to continue to afford that choice.

The hours-long meeting ended with heated words; Altschiller eventually said she would write her objections and clarifications in a minority report attached to the official document.

Meanwhile, after claiming larger majorities in the Nov. 5 election, Republican state lawmakers are gearing up for a budget season next year in which they attempt to make universal education freedom accounts a reality.

House Deputy Majority Leader Jim Kofalt said he expected most House Republicans to be behind that measure  even amid some concerns about ongoing costs to the state.

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I certainly think we could expand it, he said in an interview shortly after the election.

In May, the Republican-led Senate rejected an effort by the House to raise the cap from 350 percent to 500 percent, arguing that was too high an increase and proposing a jump to 400 percent instead. The House rejected the counter-offer and the bill failed.

Kofalt said next year, House Republicans would start out with an attempt to remove all income limits, and failing that, revert to 500 percent.

I wouldnt say well get every Republican, but I think we will get a pretty solid majority of the caucus. So can we pass universal? I dont know. Possibly.

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In a statement accompanying this years numbers, Department of Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut expressed his support for the program.

It is clear that there is a growing demand for more schooling options in the Granite State, Edelblut said.
Nov. 15CORBIN  At Tuesday's Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Dr. Kevin J. Croce of Baptist Health and Dr. David T. McFaddin, President of Eastern Kentucky University, addressed pressing issues and solutions that are shaping the future of Eastern Kentucky.

Dr. Croce, a diagnostic radiologist at Baptist Health, opened with a discussion on the significance of early cancer detection, particularly for lung cancer, which poses a major health risk in Kentucky. He mentioned the alarming rates of lung cancer within the state, attributed in part to its location in the "Tobacco Belt," and the need for widespread access to screenings that can catch cancer at treatable stages.

Dr. Croce's message was clear: early detection saves lives, especially in underserved communities where healthcare resources are often limited.

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He described the advancements in diagnostic technology that Baptist Health has adopted to address these challenges, focusing specifically on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of cancer screenings. AI tools, he explained, provide radiologists with a second layer of analysis, helping to identify subtle abnormalities that could indicate cancer.

This technology is especially beneficial in complex cases, where early signs of cancer might otherwise go unnoticed.

"AI gives us an extra level of security in our diagnosis," Dr. Croce said, underscoring the role of technology in improving patient outcomes. By identifying cancers at an earlier, more treatable stage, these screenings offer patients a better chance for recovery and a higher quality of life.

In addition to discussing AI, Dr. Croce explained the accessibility of cancer screening at Baptist Health. He noted that most screenings are covered by insurance, but for those without coverage, Baptist Health provides these services at discounted rates to reduce financial barriers. He also pointed out the various types of screenings available, including mammograms, colonoscopies, and low-dose CT scans, each aimed at catching different cancers early and affordably.

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Beyond the screenings themselves, Baptist Health offers a comprehensive follow-up process for patients with positive results. Dr. Croce explained how Baptist Health coordinates with specialists, including pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons, to ensure that patients receive seamless, ongoing care without needing to travel far for consultations or procedures.

Dr. Croce also shared details on the advanced diagnostic procedures available at Baptist Health, such as navigational bronchoscopy. This technology creates 3D maps of the lungs, allowing doctors to perform biopsies with precision while minimizing the need for invasive surgeries.

"This isn't just about technology," Dr. Croce said. "It's about bringing these advancements directly to our community, making sure that patients here have access to the best possible care."

Following Dr. Croce's presentation, Dr. McFaddin took the stage to discuss EKU's mission to expand educational access and drive economic growth in the region. A first-generation college graduate and a native of Kentucky, Dr. McFaddin has prioritized making higher education accessible and affordable for students throughout the state.

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Under his leadership, EKU has implemented significant initiatives to reduce financial barriers, including nearly a 10% decrease in the overall cost of attendance through scholarships and increased financial aid options. This emphasis on affordability, he explained, has been instrumental in EKU's recent record-breaking enrollment, which welcomed the largest freshman class in the university's history this fall.

Dr. McFaddin's presentation emphasized EKU's role as a "School of Opportunity" for students who may not have previously considered college an option, particularly those from rural areas and low-income backgrounds. With 51% of this year's freshman class identified as first-generation college students, EKU has intensified its outreach to ensure these students feel supported.

"We are here to provide pathways to success for students who are the first in their families to pursue a degree," he said, emphasizing EKU's mission to transform lives through education.

One of the most significant announcements Dr. McFaddin made was EKU's plan to establish a public osteopathic medical school. This initiative aims to address the critical shortage of healthcare providers in rural Kentucky, where primary care physicians, pediatricians, and OB-GYNs are often lacking.

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"This medical school isn't just about Eastern Kentucky University; it's about serving the people of Kentucky," he said.

Dr. McFaddin explained that EKU's medical school would focus on producing doctors who are committed to serving rural communities, thus filling a substantial healthcare gap in the region. He outlined the significant need for healthcare providers in the state, describing many parts of Kentucky as "healthcare deserts" where even basic medical services are scarce. By training physicians with a focus on rural health, EKU aims to bring essential healthcare access to these underserved areas.

Beyond the proposed medical school, Dr. McFaddin detailed how EKU is addressing workforce needs in Kentucky. EKU has established programs in areas such as education, law enforcement, and mental health services, all fields that are in high demand within the region. He pointed out that EKU has one of the highest rates in the state for placing graduates back into Kentucky's workforce, particularly in these critical fields.

"We are educating students who are not only prepared to succeed but are also eager to contribute to the communities that helped shape them," Dr. McFaddin noted.

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He also shared that EKU's Corbin and Manchester campuses have graduated over 12,000 students, many of whom have stayed in the region to work, helping to bolster the local economy and meet pressing workforce demands.

As part of his vision for EKU's future, Dr. McFaddin described new partnerships and projects aimed at expanding resources for students. He shared details on EKU's partnership with Baptist Health, which provides clinical training opportunities and could support the proposed medical school's residency placements.

Another project, EKU's Scholar House initiative, will offer affordable housing and childcare support for low-income single parents pursuing a degree. This initiative is part of Dr. McFaddin's broader strategy to reduce barriers that prevent nontraditional students from completing their education.

"We're not just focused on traditional students," he said. "We're committed to supporting everyone who wants to improve their lives through education."
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A 17-year-old boy is dead after he collided with a utility pole while driving early Friday morning, Nov. 15, in El Pasos Upper Valley, according to El Paso Police.

1 seriously injured after Upper Valley crash

Police say Robert Menchaca, 17, was driving just after midnight on Friday and was traveling west on the 600 block of Mulberry in a Jeep Wrangler.

For unknown reasons, Menchaca drifted into the eastbound lane and collided with a utility pole, according to police.

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Police say there was an unknown female passenger who was inside the Jeep who left the scene.

Menchaca was transported to a local hospital where he died as a result of his injuries.

Failure to maintain a lane of travel was the contributing factor in this crash, according to police.

The El Paso Police Department is asking anyone who has information on this crash to call (915) 832-4400 (non-emergency) or Crime Stoppers of El Paso at (915) 566-8477 to remain anonymous.

This is the 58th fatality this year compared to 69 last year.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Nov. 15JEFFERSON  The Ashtabula County Board of Elections accepted 659 out of 894 provisional ballots at a meeting Thursday morning.

Board of Elections Director Charlie Frye said the Ohio Secretary of State wants results certified by Nov. 20.

Frye said there will be 43,884 total county votes in the general election.

Official election results will be announced at the next board meeting at 9 a.m. Nov. 19.

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Frye said the counted ballots could affect four levy results, which are:

 Issue 9: a five-mill Ashtabula Township fire replacement and increase levy, which would collect $876,000 annually.

 Issue 24: a 2.36-mill Williamsfield roads and bridges replacement levy, which would collect $86,000 annually.

 Issue 26: a 2.5-mill Ashtabula Area City School District renewal levy collecting $974,000 annually.

 Issue 32: a one-mill Jefferson Joint Cemetery District replacement levy, which would collect $138,000 annually.

Frye said Issue 24 is being recounted.

If provisional votes move results closer, the other issues will be recounted.

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The board rejected 235 provisional ballots.

There were 168 voters not registered in Ohio.

Frye said these were people confused by each state's voting requirements.

"They move. They don't update, and then they show up [here]," he said.

Forty voters failed to provide proper identification, and 12 people voted at the wrong precinct.

Eight voters failed to provide their current address. Three voters failed to sign their envelopes.

Two voters had already submitted ballots.

Frye said these were voters who sent absentee ballots, which arrived after they provisionally voted.

"The procedure is, if [both] ballots come in, we count the ballots that were mailed, and then we reject the provisional ballot," he said.

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One ballot had an invalid religious objection to having a photo ID.

Frye said the person objected, while having an expired photo ID.

Another rejected ballot came from someone in the Lake County Jail.

Frye said incarcerated people without felonies can request ballots.

"The ballot was delivered to that person, and then he decided not to vote," he said.

Provisional ballots are for voters whose eligibility is in question, and they can't vote at their polling place.

The ballots are unopened until approval by the board.

After provisional ballots are counted, the election board can certify official results for the general election in the county.

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The board approved a total of $82,203.38 of bills from Nov. 6 to 12.

Of those bills, $63,465.75 paid for poll workers' wages for work during the general election.

Frye said 39 absentee ballots arrived post-election, but were postmarked properly.

"One arrived [Thursday] post-marked Oct. 21," he said.

These ballots were not provisional.

When attendee and Ashtabula County League of Women Voters President Mary Howe said the post service has been terrible lately, Frye agreed.

"We had a ballot in the spring that came in three months after the election," he said.
After the election, a new theory spread quickly on TikTok that a heroic presidential candidate was quietly investigating corrupt deep-state actors who rigged the results, waiting in the wings until those corrupt actors could be rounded up and tried for their crimes.

If that theory sounds familiar, its because its reminiscent of QAnon. But the new conspiracy theory, which arose after the 2024 presidential election was called for Donald Trump, features Kamala Harris in the role of the avenging criminal prosecutor, and was spread by liberals. It promises that Harris will soon make things rightthat she was the true winner of the election, that she will still take office in January, and that the real plans behind her loss and concession will soon be revealed.

Welcome to BlueAnon, a set of conspiracy theories that mirror right-wing narratives about Donald Trump from across the partisan divide. The phenomenon was very visible after the first assassination attempt against Trump, which many online accounts theorized had been staged. But it has become even more ascendant in the aftermath of the election this month, and is particularly notable for adhering so closely in structure to the Stop the Steal narratives laid out by Trump supporters four years ago.

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The claims have been spread on X, Reddit, Instagram, Threads, and elsewhere, to many thousands of likes and millions of views. In some cases, social media users have shared claims of having evidence of invalidated ballots, or ballots that didnt show up in the system. Others speculated that Russians or some other groups could have hacked voting machines and switched Harris votes.

Some questioned how swing-state Democrats could have possibly successfully elected certain Senate candidates but not Harris. Others pointed to an incorrect chartmade with incomplete datathat showed there were 18 million fewer Harris voters this year than 2020 Biden voters. (Ironically, conspiracy theorists on both sides used that particular chart to bolster their claims: Harris voters suggested that it was proof that the 2024 election had been meddled with, and Trump voters suggested it was proof of meddling in 2020. Where did those 20 million Democratic voters go? Dinesh DSouza posted the day after the election, about the chart. The truth is, they never existed.)

More recently, Harris voters have fixated on a theory that Elon Musk changed massive numbers of votes to swing the election for Trump using his company SpaceXs Starlink internet satellites. On Nov. 10, a decommissioned Starlink satellite fell to earth and burned up on reentrysomething it is designed to do. But to the suspicious, the satellite had been purposefully destroyed to cover evidence of election interference.

Voting machines generally run on a closed network and are not connected to the internet; Musk could not have possibly tampered with votes through Starlink or any satellite. But the theory is potent because it takes its cues from some of the very real, powerful influences that did shape the outcome of the 2024 election. Musk was heavily involved in Trumps win; hes the richest man on Earth, and he poured funding into the Trump campaign. His political advisers spearheaded a deceptive, dark-money campaign to microtarget already disaffected Democratic voters. Plus, Musk controls one of the largest social media platforms in the world and has no problem pushing vile rumors and misinformation, which is also out of control (even without his help) in our modern political environment. But his actions, experts say, did not add up to active interference in the election outcome.

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The Starlink conspiracy theory is interesting because it shares its contours with the Italygate voting conspiracy theory from the 2020 cycle. According to that theory, people working in the U.S. Embassy in Rome used satellites to remotely switch votes from Trump to Biden. (Similar conspiracies proposed that supercomputers could have switched ballots.)

This all feels very familiar, said Sam Howard, the U.S. politics editor for NewsGuard, a media monitoring organization.

According to Howard, NewsGuard found that mentions of Starlink were seven times higher on the Sunday after the election than before it, with 281,644 mentions on X that day. And that was just X, which has easier metrics to track; the conspiracy theories may have been more widespread on other social media platforms.

Many people who shared these claims did so while insisting they were different from Trump supporters who backed Stop the Steal. This isnt even a conspiracy theory, one person said on Reddit, laying out their reasoning. Its a logical hypothesis based on past evidence.

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According to Robyn Caplan, a professor of technology policy at Duke University, these users behavior can be explained in part by something called the third-person effect, a widespread belief that others are more influenced by mass mediaads, articles, internet screeds, but also misinformation.

Liberals often convince themselves that they are less susceptible to misinformation because they see themselves as being on the side of institutions such as journalism and academia that prize facts and verify information, Caplan said. The left, she noted, has prided itself on more of a claim to truth and knowledge. (The right believes that it is more resistant to misinformation than the left because it isnt brainwashed by liberal educators, she said.)

In reality, these experts noted, the impulse to quibble with election results from either direction comes from the same place: an individual conception of political affairs that does not align with reality. This is only heightened by our information bubbles: Algorithms and social circles have led basically everyone to believe they are more representative of the electorate than they turn out to be.

The truth is that the left is not immune to the same factors that create conspiracy theories on the right. But there are some crucial differences between the two camps. Howard at NewsGuard said that the BlueAnon claims he saw seemed to be largely from accounts he classified as obscure or fringe. They may have large followings, he added, but they dont seem to hold sway offline as much. (He said there was also no evidence of substantial foreign interference in the discussion.) The claims, he said, also seem to already be waning.

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A.J. Bauer, a journalism and media professor at the University of Alabama researching conservative news, argued that every election leads to some subset of people who are skeptical about the results simply because they are caught off-guard and confused by it. A lot of the early things that appeared to be election skepticism around liberals is mostly fog-of-war stuff, he said. I dont think theres anything wrong or unusual about humans filling uncertainty with uncertainties of conspiracy thinking. I think it goes with election time.

What matters, he said, is that no one in any kind of leadership position has seized on the doubt. Unlike Trump, Harris conceded. And neither journalistic institutions nor Democratic leaders are fanning the flames by alleging that these conspiracy theories are real.

Youll forever be able to find examples of people being wrong on the internet, Bauer said. The real question is how those ideas are utilized by people in power.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Nasir Tawhedi, the 27-year-old man arrested in October for allegedly attempting to purchase guns for an Election Day terrorist plot, entered a plea of not guilty on Thursday.

Tawhedi and an unnamed juvenile were arrested by FBI agents in early October while reportedly attempting to purchase two AK-47s, ten magazines and 500 rounds of ammunition in an unspecified rural location in Oklahoma.

New details after Election Day terror suspects hearing

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On November 6, a federal grand jury charged Tawhedi with conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, attempt to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, and receipt of a firearm and ammunition to be used to commit a felony or a federal crime of terrorism.

According to court documents, Tawhedi will remain in jail until his jury docket on January 13.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
An election worker hands out I Voted stickers at the Main Library in Salt Lake City on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)

The 2024 election is in the books, and we will collectively spend years dissecting, analyzing, interpreting (and misinterpreting) the results.

One take thats already gaining steam is as predictable as it is inaccurate: the increased support of Donald Trump is a repudiation of woke culture.

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From Democratic pundits like James Carville placing the blame of his partys loss on wokeism, to West Virginia Governor-elect Patrick Morrisey announcing that DEI and woke are not West Virginia values, its clear there are no party lines when it comes to bad takes on human rights.

And lets be clear because thats exactly what woke actually is. The next time you see someone decrying woke simply replace the word with human rights and youll see exactly what theyre really saying.

Whether its Sen. Joe McCarthys red-baiting rants on anti-American activities, Alice Moores book-banning crusade against human secularism, or George Bush Sr. railing against political correctness, mislabeling human rights as something bad or scary is nothing new. Weve been here before and I fear we will be here again.

All across the country, voters turned out in droves to support ballot measures deemed woke by those who oppose human rights. This happened in ruby-red states as well as sapphire-blue states.

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Ten states asked voters whether they wanted to enshrine abortion protections, and a majority of voters in eight of them said yes. (Only seven passed because Floridas 57 percent yes vote fell short of an antidemocratic rule requiring 60-percent).

In Kentucky, voters rejected a school voucher initiative, which proponents argued would allow parents to remove kids from woke schools.

Even here in West Virginia, where an amendment enshrining a prohibition on death with dignity passed, it did so by less than one percent and with many voters saying the wording was so confusing that they ended up casting their vote incorrectly.

Polling also confirms that wokeness remains popular among Americans. Mass deportations of undocumented immigrants are opposed by 73 percent of voters. Support for abortion access is at an all-time high in this country with 63 percent of Americans supporting legalizing the practice in all or most cases. A majority also approves of trans and nonbinary people living their lives as they wish.

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Even DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives  a major dog whistle of the 2024 election  see broad support among Americans with 61 percent calling them good corporate policies.

Yes, voters chose Donald Trump. And yes, Donald Trump is the single biggest threat to civil liberties in America today. Correlation, however, does not imply causation. Elections are influenced by myriad issues. But the polling results continue to speak for themselves.

For the elected officials and political actors who simply supported Making America Gross Again for social and political expediency, your Faustian bargain obliges you to be the front line in protecting human rights.

Checks and balances require leaders, not demagogues and sycophants. If you propped up and supported this administration, if you gained from this election, and you stand idly by as hard-won freedoms are ripped away, history will remember where you stood.

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As for the ACLU of West Virginia, were ready for the fights ahead and we remain committed as ever to fight government overreach, shine a light on violations of civil liberties, and drag the government to court when it disregards human rights.

The ACLU sued the Trump administration more than 400 times during his last presidency. And if he wants to come after immigrants, ramp up policing of Black communities, or legislate away trans peoples very existence, hes going to have to get past us.

We expect well be seeing him in court.

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Eligible Minnesota residents can get up to $1,400 in financial assistance this winter for energy bills through Minnesotas Energy Assistance Program.

The program is federally funded and administered by the Department of Commerce, which works with local service providers throughout Minnesota.

Both renters and homeowners can qualify for this assistance, and eligibility is based on income and household size.

City of Minneapolis

Energy bills are paid directly to the households energy company or a fuel provider. While initial benefits average around $550 per household, it can go up to $1,400, depending on household income and fuel costs.

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For example, a family of four cannot exceed household monthly income of $5,737.

Minnesota Commerce Department

"Keeping Minnesotans safe and warm during the winter is a top priority," Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan said on Twitter. "As temperatures drop and utility bills go up, were providing up to $1,400 for eligible homes this winter."

The deadline for renters or homeowners to apply for energy assistance during the winter of 2024-2025 is May 31, 2025. Those interested in applying can do so online or request an application through the mail.

Related: 'Accumulating snowfall potential is still very up in the air' next week for Minnesota
NEW YORK  An ascendant New York Republican Party thats made inroads in the Democrat-dominated state will soon have an Elise Stefanik-size hole to fill at its helm.

Stefanik has no formal title in the states GOP, but serves as its de facto leader. And the upstate power brokers expected departure from New Yorks political stage will likely pose a challenge for Republicans given her considerable political, fundraising and media prowess.

The woman nominated to become President-elect Donald Trumps U.S. ambassador to the United Nations is the same one who raised $40 million this year alone for herself and her colleagues, catapulted to national fame for grilling university presidents over antisemitism and rose from the youngest woman elected to Congress in 2014, at age 30, to the House GOPs fourth-highest ranking member.

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Stefanik will face confirmation in the Senate, which will soon be controlled by Republicans. If shes confirmed, her days of actively politicking will be behind her when she begins a new chapter as a top State Department official bound by Hatch Act rules.

If New York Republicans want to maintain her political momentum  and fend off state Democrats who flipped four House seats this year  they will need to move quickly to assume her mantle.

We have to pick the ball up and continue the work that she has done and do all that we can do to strengthen our party, New York State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt said in an interview, adding that certain kinds of Republicans come out of New York, those who are battle-tested by the Democrats outnumbering them.



The political void Stefanik leaves wont be the only one Republicans have to fill as a result of migrations to the incoming Trump administration. The Florida GOP will have to replace Sen. Marco Rubio, Trumps pick for secretary of State, and Rep. Matt Gaetz, who resigned his House seat almost immediately after the president-elect chose him to be attorney general. In South Dakota, Gov. Kristi Noem is set to vacate her seat to lead the Department of Homeland Security.

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In New York, Stefanik has raised her partys profile as shes raised her own  as a prolific fundraiser, through a PAC that focuses on GOP woman candidates and with combative defenses of Trump.

Upstate Rep. Nick Langworthy, a former chair of the state party, and Rep. Claudia Tenney, who also represents upstate, could step into the leadership role Stefanik would leave behind, several New York GOP members told POLITICO. And downstate Reps. Mike Lawler and Nicole Malliotakis, both fixtures on the cable news circuit, could expand their influence in her wake, the members said.

State committee Chair Ed Cox said keeping up the fight would be a team effort. Langworthy, Tenney, Lawler and Malliotakis are common-sense legislators who boost Republicans  and strong county and state parties lend to the effort, he said in an interview.

Stefanik, who represents a swath of upstate New York that extends from the Canadian border to just south of Albany, will by no means be erased from the Empire States political firmament. If anything, shes expected to lift her home state GOP from the outside  even though shell be severely limited in what she can do.

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Her success in the U.N., addressing antisemitism, like shes done against college presidents, does more for our party in dragging our candidates across the finish line than anything she can do politically, New York City Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli told POLITICO. Showing New York voters what Republican success looks like and what Republican strength looks like does more for us than anything shes done before.

Hatch Act rules dictate that as a government employee, Stefanik could not fundraise and would be permitted to give political speeches only in a personal capacity, according to ethics expert Richard Painter, who served as an official in President George W. Bushs administration.

We dont want to have a repeat of this situation we had with Secretary of State [Mike] Pompeo giving that speech to the RNC convention, zooming in from the Wailing Wall, Painter told POLITICO.

Stefanik is a fierce critic of the U.N., who has called for a complete reassessment of U.S. funding to the entity. The House member accepted Trumps nomination with praise for the incoming president and said in a statement, The work ahead is immense as we see antisemitism skyrocketing coupled with four years of catastrophically weak U.S. leadership that significantly weakened our national security and diminished our standing in the eyes of both allies and adversaries.

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Stefanik isnt the only one whos leaving the New York GOP political apparatus for Trump. The president-elect also tapped former Long Island House member Lee Zeldin to leadthe EPA. Zeldin had come within 6 points of unseating Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2022, a good year for New York Republicans  and one when they also turned four New York House seats red.

Stefanik and Zeldin were a visible, vocal presence this election year around the state and country. Both are deeply loyal Trump allies, and both voted to overturn the 2020 election results.

Their colleagues expressed pride in having fellow New Yorkers serve in the Trump administration, even as some said the countrys gain could be the states loss.

As New Yorkers, they know how to fight in the toughest of circumstances, Langworthy said. And they are going to be instrumental in executing his vision for a strong America, both here at home and on the world stage.

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Langworthy and Tenney didnt comment on their names being floated as Stefaniks political successors in New York.

Separately, several Republicans are mulling whether to throw their hat in the ring for the special election for Stefaniks upstate seat  which would be held between 70 and 90 days after Hochul is formally notified there will be a vacancy. The district is deemed safely Republican, but Democrats will make a play, considering the slim margin in the House.

Potential GOP candidates include outgoing Reps. Marc Molinaro and Brandon Williams, who lost reelection bids earlier this week to Josh Riley and John Mannion, respectively. State Assembly members Chris Tague and Robert Smullen, state Sen. Dan Stec and Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin are also viewed as possible contenders.

Stefaniks colleagues widely credit her for leading the charge to flip New York seats over the years, and they wont have her coattails to ride at a time when the state is on its way to becoming a battleground.

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Well fill the void and do what we can to keep electing strong Republicans throughout the state, Malliotakis of Staten Island said in an interview, pointing to recent state Senate and Assembly victories. Well identify who wants to run and help get them elected to fight the one-party rule.

Republicans in New York stressed Stefanik may still advise colleagues and act in a personal capacity that steers clear of Hatch Act violations and perceived conflicts of interest.

And they said theyll figure out the rest quickly.

We have a cohesive delegation, and I think well all pick up the slack and work cohesively together to do that, Lawler said in an interview.

One of the next big tasks for New York Republicans?

Prepping and nominating a GOP challenger to Hochul in 2026 who could succeed where Zeldin nearly did in 2022. Lawler is on that short list.
TEHRAN, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi on Friday visited two Iranian nuclear sites of Natanz and Fordow for the first time.

During his visit, Grossi was accompanied by Massimo Aparo, IAEA deputy director general and head of the IAEA Department of Safeguards, Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), and Kazem Gharibabadi, Iranian deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.

On Thursday, Grossi told reporters after his meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi that his scheduled visit to the two facilities is an important part of his trip to Iran, noting that "it will help me gain a complete image of the development of Iran's nuclear program."

On Thursday, Grossi also met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Mohammad Eslami, president of the AEOI, on the country's nuclear activities.

Grossi's visit to Iran came as a number of outstanding issues remain unresolved between Tehran and the IAEA, including the agency's claims to have found "traces of uranium" at a number of "undeclared" Iranian sites, which the country has repeatedly rejected. 
Donald Trump has wasted no time in assembling his administration for his second term in the White House after his historic US election victory last week.

Among the confirmed picks is Elon Musk, controversial tech mogul and businessman who played a key role in Trumps presidential campaign.

He has been appointed co-head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside Vivek Ramaswamy. According to Trump, the non-departmental advisory group will pave the way for my administration to dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies.

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Musk gave over $132m to the Trump campaign and other Republicans in the run-up to the US election. The South African-born billionaire, who owns both Twitter/X and Tesla, also became a regular at Trump rallies.

But his path to Trumps side wasnt entirely smooth. In 2014, Musk described himself as half Democrat, half Republican, and revealed in 2022 that he had consistently voted Democrat in the past.

Musk had even come to blows with Trump in the past over this, as the president-elect publicly claimed that the billionaire had lied to him about how he had voted.

Elon Musk shakes Donald Trumps hand. Trump recently joked he cant get rid of the billionaire (AFP via Getty Images)

Now, it would appear that the pair are close friends. Musk has been spotted spending a lot of time with Trump following the election, and has recently made the bold commitment to shave $2tn from government spending (which was $6.75tn in total in 2023).

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And his newfound success in politics has also led to speculation that he may seek the top job himself one day.

Could Elon Musk run for president?

Its very unlikely. The US Constitution makes clear that only natural born US citizens can serve as president  and Musk was born in South Africa. This should automatically disqualify the eccentric tech mogul from becoming president.

But the Republican party has put forward a candidate who was not born on US soil before. In 2008, John McCain was able to run against Barack Obama despite being born in Panama and not becoming a US citizen until he was 11 months old.

Elon Musk jumps on stage as he joins Donald Trump during a campaign rally, 5 October (Getty Images)

This caused some controversy at the time, with some critics saying it should rule out McCain as a candidate.

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However, a legal review found that the politician could be considered natural-born due to two factors. Firstly, both of his parents were US citizens. Secondly, the military base where he was born was in the Panama Canal Zone, which was under US control at the time.

With a South African father and Canadian mother, Musk would likely face more difficulty explaining why he should be allowed to run.
Elon Musk, the worlds wealthiest person and close ally of President-elect Donald Trump, met with Irans ambassador to the United Nations on Monday, the New York Times reported, citing two Iranian officials.

The meeting between Musk and Irans envoy Amir Saeid Iravani was held at a secret location in New York and lasted more than an hour, the NYT reported, citing the Iranian officials, who reportedly described the discussion as focused on how to defuse tensions between the two countries.

CNN is reaching out to Musk and Trumps transition team for comment. Irans mission to the UN declined to comment.

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Biden administration officials at the UN were not notified that the meeting was happening, and still have not received independent confirmation it took place, a US official told CNN.

The reported meeting comes as experts speculate that the next four years could pose a significant test for Iran. Tehran under Trumps scrutiny could lead to a return of the maximum pressure campaign he imposed during his last presidency, which increased Irans isolation and crippled its economy, experts say.

Since Trump left office in 2020, Iran has ramped up enrichment of uranium, increased its oil exports, stepped up support for regional militant groups, and has set a precedent by striking Israel in a direct attack twice.

The billionaires reported conversation with the Iranian official raises questions about what his influence might look like in the incoming administration, especially when it comes to US foreign policy.

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Just last week, the day after the presidential election, Musk joined Trumps call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to two sources. Trump put the call on speaker and Zelensky thanked Musk for his help with providing communications through Starlink to Ukraine in the ongoing war with Russia, a source added.

Trump announced Tuesday that Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will lead a new Department of Government Efficiency in his second administration. Musk, who is the CEO of Space X and Tesla, has benefitted from billions of dollars worth of federal contracts, including from NASA, the military and other US government agencies, and the announcement raised immediate concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

It is not immediately clear how the department  which Trump said would provide advice and guidance from outside of Government  would operate, and whether a Congress even fully controlled by Republicans would have the appetite to approve such a massive overhaul of government spending and operations.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Reporting contributed by CNNs Zachary Cohen, Mostafa Salem, Nadeen Ebrahim and Mick Krever.

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After Donald Trumps win last week there was a very brief pause, a moment to acknowledge the red wave that had in fact crashed across the country  and then, in the next moment, a realization that Americans had actually voted a second time for Trumps norm-busting brand of politics.

During his first administration, many of Trumps picks for his Cabinet and other positions were conventional. He did manage to secure deep tax cuts, but his promise of fighting the deep state by downsizing the bureaucracy never materialized, so deficits surged. That was especially true after the economy shut down because of the pandemic.

This time, Trump promised during his campaign, things would be different.

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As evidence: Trump asked his friends Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, and Vivek Ramaswamy, a wealthy entrepreneur and former presidential candidate, to head the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, and use it to suggest ways to drastically cut the size and scope of the federal government.

Musk and Ramaswamy were part of the Trump campaigns team of misfits, who Trump likened to the Marvel movie superheroes the Avengers. Voters seemed to like this idea of outsiders fighting together to remake government, to make it less expensive and more responsive to the common man.

Now, in the still-hazy days following the election, Trump is quickly assigning his team to actual positions in the government, including DOGE, and there is a collective gasp coming from the establishment  which is perhaps the effect Trump was going for. It seems Trump is setting out to actually do what he promised. But whether he can actually accomplish his goals, and whether voters will like the results, is still unknown.

What will DOGE do?

Its early days, but essentially the Department of Government Efficiency would be tasked with finding ways to cut the waste and inefficiencies out of government.

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In his press release announcing the creation of the advisory committee, Trump said it would be the Manhattan Project of our time, referring to the initiative to create an atomic weapon during World War II. Its mandate is, according to Trump, to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures and restructure Federal Agencies.

Musk said he wouldnt be compensated for his work with DOGE, and Ramaswamy reportedly wont either. Their work  a gift to the nation, Trump said  will end on July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

The new DOGE account on X already put out a call for resumes. The post read: We are very grateful to the thousands of Americans who have expressed interest in helping us at DOGE. We dont need more part-time idea generators. We need super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries willing to work 80+ hours per week on unglamorous cost-cutting. If thats you, DM this account with your CV. Elon & Vivek will review the top 1% of applicants.

Ramaswamy seems ready to start cutting. During a speech at a Buckley Institute at Yale event last week, he described himself as a national libertarian who supports reducing the size and scope of the federal government.

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Do we believe in replacing the left-wing nanny state with a right-wing nanny state? Or do we want to actually get in there and dismantle the nanny state? he asked.

I think the right answer for the future of the country is to just get in there and shut it down, he said.

Much of federal spending is locked up

Musk and Ramaswamy have both run businesses  with Musk somewhat famously cutting 80% of the workforce at Twitter, now X, telling the BBC the process was painful.

Now Musk is saying he wants to cut $2 trillion out of the $6.75 trillion federal budget.

But he may find cutting government spending more difficult because so much of it is locked up in promises made to creditors or to American taxpayers. In 2024, the federal government spent $1.1 trillion on interest payments on the nations debt, $2.9 trillion on Social Security and Medicare, and another $1.4 trillion in defense spending.

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Republicans have been saying for a while they want to rein in government spending while raising the alarm about the national debt. The federal governments budget has increased as a percentage of GDP since 2015, from 20% to 23%, and the national debt, at $35.46 trillion, is 123% of GDP.

Its just that Democrats and Republicans have different ideas about how to reduce the annual deficit, which was $1.8 trillion in 2024  Democrats say the wealthy and corporations should pay more in taxes, while many Republicans want to cut spending.

Ramaswamy is firmly on the side of cutting spending. In recent days he has spoken about wanting to cut the federal bureaucracy, with the idea that this will be a place he can find significant savings. About 3 million Americans work for the federal government, not including military personnel or government contractors. Federal employees live in every state in the country, although the largest number live in the Washington, D.C., area, including the Virginia and Maryland cities that ring the district.

Even cutting government employees will be difficult. Most are unionized, with 800,000 federal workers organized under the umbrella union the American Federation of Government Employees, AFGE.

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After the election, the AFGE released a statement that said, During Trumps first term, his administration tried to dismantle many of our negotiated union contracts, downsize and relocate federal agencies at great disruption and cost to taxpayers, and replace tens of thousands of non-partisan civil servants with political appointees who would blindly do his bidding. The union said it would not stand by and let any political leader  regardless of their political affiliation  run roughshod over the Constitution and our laws.

Trump is hoping by cutting regulations and taxes he can grow the economy in a way that will help drive up federal revenue. He also plans to increase federal revenue through tariffs on foreign goods, but economists point out that would drive up costs for consumers.

The other problem is Congress  ultimately Congress decides how much the government spends, and largely how it is spent, by passing budget bills. Trump and agency heads may be able to implement some of the suggestions generated by DOGE, but theyll have to rely on Congress to make big, lasting changes.

Government waste isnt hard to find

As soon as word spread about Ramaswamy and Musks new roles, people started peppering them with ideas about what to cut.

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On Thursday, Musk added an emoji to a post from Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, which said, The National Institutes of Health spent over $3,000,000 to watch hamsters fight on steroids.

Paul is ready with a host of other ideas from his annual Airing of Grievances report on federal spending, containing about $500 billion in ideas on what to cut.

There have been suggestions to abolish the Department of Education, although most of its spending would continue as block grants to the states, and to abolish the IRS.
Pro Bonehead

Elon Musk and fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy's committee to slash government spending is now hiring  with one catch: you'll be working for free.

On Thursday, the so-called Department of Government Efficiency announced on X-formerly-Twitter  which in the ouroborous of American oligarchy, Musk owns  that it would start accepting applications, albeit with some eye-brow raising demands.

"We don't need more part-time idea generators," wrote the Department of Government Efficiency in the post. "We need super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries willing to work 80+ hours per week on unglamorous cost-cutting."

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Sounds thrilling. But if performing totally unremunerative work for the world's richest man is your thing  and if you sincerely think having a high IQ is worth bragging about  then "DM this account with your CV," the account implored. "Elon and Vivek will review the top 1 percent of applicants."

Doge Days

The Department of Government Efficiency is the brainchild of Musk and president-elect Donald Trump. Its shorthand, DOGE, is a joke referring to the meme-turned-cryptocurrency Dogecoin, a longtime obsession of Musk's.

Trump initially tapped Musk for an undefined advisory role in his administration in August. The centibillionaire, who backed Trump to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars, seemingly ran away with the idea and tweeted an AI-generated image of himself standing behind a podium labeled "DOGE - Department of Government Efficiency," which was apparently enough to will the idea into existence.

In November, Trump formally named Musk along with Ramaswamy, a failed presidential candidate and Big Pharma moneymaker, to lead his government spending advisory board.

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Despite the runaway success of its meme name, though, DOGE won't be an official federal department  unless Congress approves its formation as such.

Slash and Burn

Musk's involvement in the commission is fraught with drama, not least of all because his company SpaceX is among the nation's largest government contractors. Since 2008, the aerospace manufacturer has received around $20 billion in federal funding, representing an enormous conflict of interest.

That said, Musk has stated that he wants to cut $2 trillion from the federal budget, which is more than what the government used in discretionary spending last year, and nearly a third of its total $6.1 trillion in total spending.

His colleague Ramaswamy has previously called for firing 75 percent of the entire federal workforce, which would be more than two million employees.

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As for the head honcho himself, Trump has made it a key message of his campaign to abolish the entire Department of Education. So maybe these "high-IQ" volunteers could have some sway.

More on Elon Musk: Back Before Their Bromance, Trump Said Musk Would Drop to His Knees and Beg
X, the social media app owned by Elon Musk, has sued California in an attempt to block a new law requiring large online platforms to remove or label deceptive election content.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court this week, targets a law that aims to combat harmful videos, images and audio that have been altered or created with artificial intelligence. Known as deepfakes, this type of content can make it appear as if a person said or did something they didn't. The law is scheduled to take effect Jan.1.

Read more: California is racing to combat deepfakes ahead of the election

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Assembly Bill 2655 was one of three bills California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law this year to address growing concerns about deepfakes ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. California lawmakers have been trying to mitigate technology's potential risks but also face backlash from powerful tech executives wary of efforts they see as possibly restricting users' online speech.

The focus on election deepfakes came after Newsom sparred online with Musk, who shared a viral video of Vice President Kamala Harris that used AI to alter what the Democrat said in one of her campaign ads. Republican Donald Trump, who had Musk's strong backing in his successful run to reclaim the presidency, also posted deepfake images of Taylor Swift that falsely suggested the megastar had endorsed him.

X alleges the new law would prompt social media sites to lean toward labeling or removing legitimate election content out of caution.

"This system will inevitably result in the censorship of wide swaths of valuable political speech and commentary," the lawsuit states.

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According to the lawsuit, the law runs afoul of free speech protections in the U.S. Constitution and a federal law known as Section 230, which shields online platforms from liability for user-generated content. X, which moved its headquarters from San Francisco to Texas this year, is suing California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley Weber to block the law.

"The California Department of Justice has been and will continue to vigorously defend AB 2655 in court," a spokesperson for Bonta said in a statement.

X didn't immediately respond to a request for comment, and the secretary of state's office said the agency doesn't comment on pending litigation.

Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park), who introduced AB 2655, said in a statement that he had reached out to X representatives to gather feedback about the legislation before lawmakers voted on it.

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I had hoped they would engage constructively with me during the legislative process. I was not surprised when they did not. I defer to the DOJ on any lawsuits, Berman said in a statement.

Newsom's office noted that AB 2655, known as the Defending Democracy from Deepfake Deception Act of 2024, exempts parody and satire content. The governor's office said it's confident the state will prevail in court.

Deepfakes threaten the integrity of our elections, and these new laws protect our democracy while preserving free speech  in a manner no more stringent than those in other states, including deep-red Alabama and Mississippi," Tara Gallegos, a spokesperson for the governor, said in a statement.

X, though, alleges it would be difficult for social media companies to determine whether a user's post was meant in jest, noting that opinions on the AI-altered video of Harris differed.

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X along with social media giants such as Facebook's parent company Meta, TikTok and Google-owned YouTube have policies about manipulated media. X's rules bar users from sharing deceptive manipulated media that could lead to harm and says that in some cases this content may be labeled.

Although Musk has declared himself a "free speech absolutist," the company's approach to enforcing the platforms rules is to restrict the reach of potentially offensive posts rather than pull them down. However, regulators, civil rights groups and users have criticized social media platforms, including X, for not doing enough to enforce their own rules.

With an increase in AI-generated election misinformation appearing on social media, the laws passed in the run-up to this month's election were meant to bolster one California already had on the books, which bars people from distributing deceptive audio or visual media intended to harm a candidates reputation or deceive a voter within several weeks of an election.

In October, a federal judge blocked another of those laws, Assembly Bill 2839, while a legal challenge to it plays out. That law would prohibit the distribution of deceptive campaign ads or election communication within 120 days of an election.

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And X has tried to block new California laws that target social media platforms before. Last year, Musk sued over another state law that requires platforms to disclose how they moderate content. X failed to block AB 587 but then won an appeal in September.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  Hawaiis Acting Governor Sylvia Luke issued an Emergency Proclamation Thursday evening in response to a Red Flag Warning issued by the National Weather Service for Friday, November 15.

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The warning, which will be in effect from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., predicts high winds and low humidity in leeward areas across all Hawaiian Islands, creating favorable conditions for wildfires.

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The proclamation, signed at 6:18 p.m., allows for the rapid deployment of resources to mitigate wildfire risks and urges the public to take precautions to prevent fires.

Hauulas beloved Tamuras Market to close after 20 Years

Authorities advised against activities that could spark flames, including open fires, campfires, grilling, and the use of power tools that may produce sparks.

Residents are also warned not to park or idle vehicles on dry grass.

This local film needs your help to make it to the Oscars

Conditions are ideal for fires to start and spread quickly, the proclamation said, urging citizens to stay informed and cautious during the warning period.

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Local counties may also have additional restrictions or bans on certain activities, and residents are encouraged to check with local fire departments for further guidance.

New opportunity arrives for Hawaii Island businesses

The proclamation suspends certain laws to expedite emergency operations and provide necessary resources more swiftly.

For more information and safety tips, the public is advised to visit hwmo.org/ready-set-go, county fire department websites, and the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife.

Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

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Residents are urged to monitor local media and county emergency management agencies for updates and specific instructions in their areas.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
BINGHAMTON, NY (WIVT/WBGH)  An Endicott 18-year-old is expected to be sentenced to eight years in New York State prison after pleading guilty to criminal possession of a weapon in Broome County Court.

Quamir Hazel, of Endicott, was originally charged after a traffic stop at the intersection of Vestal Parkway East and Jensen Road on August 16, 2024, where police found a loaded Glock 9mm handgun with 18 rounds of ammunition under the drivers seat in a black bag.

I want to make myself abundantly clear, if you are illegally possessing a firearm in Broome

County, it is the position of the Broome County District Attorneys Office that you will be held

fully accountable. Hazels actions were not only reckless but also posed a direct threat to

public safety. This kind of behavior will not be tolerated in our community, said District

Attorney Paul Battisti.

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Hazel is scheduled to appear back in court for sentencing on February 14, 2025, where he is

expected to receive a New York State Prison sentence of eight years, followed by five years of post-release supervision.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34.
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at the plenary session of the 27th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, on June 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks at a press conference in Berlin, Germany, on July 24, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Hanlin)

MOSCOW, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the situation in Ukraine with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in their first telephone conversation since December 2022, the Kremlin reported Friday.

The two leaders exchanged their views on the current situation in Ukraine, with the Russian president noting that the crisis was "a direct result of NATO's long-standing aggressive policies" aiming at creating an "anti-Russian bridgehead" on Ukrainian territory while ignoring Russia's security interests.

Putin further said that Russia has always remained open to resuming negotiations, which were essentially halted by the Ukrainian government. He reiterated that Moscow's proposals for potential peace talks were outlined during a speech held in June at the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Any potential agreement must address Russia's security interests, reflect the new territorial realities, and resolve the root causes of the conflict, the Kremlin reported citing the Russian leader.

Putin further noted the "unprecedented degradation" of relations between Russia and Germany due to the unfriendly policies of the German authorities. He stressed that Russia has always met its commitments in the energy sector and is ready for mutually beneficial cooperation if Germany expresses interest.

The two leaders also talked about the situation in the Middle East and Russia's de-escalation efforts, according to the Kremlin. 
ELBA, Ala. (WDHN)  As President-elect Donald Trump is filling up his next cabinet for his second administration, the Bullard Center is turning up the pressure on Secretary Pete Buttigieg under the current administration to fulfill his promise of fixing flooding in the Shiloh community before the transition.

We can be hopeful, but its not likely this incoming administration will prioritize it, so this ball is in Secretary Petes lap, Dr. Robert Bullard said. He should take charge and get the money for the destruction reaped.

Right now, they are in the process of sending an open letter to USDOT urging them to formalize a binding agreement that cannot be broken no matter the administration within these next two months to have money available if a resident wants to be bought out or wants to relocate as they should have the opportunity.

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Were saying before you leave, do not leave the community behind or drowning we would hope the secretary wouldnt want this on his legacy, He added. Go out doing the right thing and saying youre for justice.

Recently in October, federal leaders and the state department of transportation agreed to implement a mitigation plan in the Shiloh community to fix the flooding.

Some residents have questioned the agreement, the timeline of the planned improvements, and became worried if the help will continue returning to the Trump administration.

Dr. Bullard said they plan to work with the new administration even though it may be more difficult.

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This is not a partisan issue, He said. Our justice issue doesnt stop in party lines were talking about getting help for communities impacted by bad infrastructure.

Dr. Bullard said the communication between federal, state, and residents has been slow which he believes is on purpose and it does nothing to improve trust.

He said the last part of this year will be an intense final push to get federal leaders under this administration to make a commitment as time is running out and the stakes are high.

Were pressuring Secretary Pete to look residents in the face and say what youre gonna do, cant do. or wont do thats the least the feds can do to give them a peace of mind, He said.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com.
Federal officials outlined plans to clean up half-century-old groundwater pollution under central Phoenix during a meeting with community members on Nov. 13.

Officials from the Environmental Protection Agency told community members the agency has identified its preferred plan for dealing with part of central Phoenixs groundwater pollution problem. Community members will have until Dec. 15 to comment on the plan before the EPA finalizes it.

The plan is the next step in a multi-decade process to address pollution caused by various industrial activities in east Phoenix, first identified in the 1980s. After roughly 40 years of studies and interim remedies, the plan lays out the EPAs first attempt at a permanent cleanup.

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The EPA has identified 23 entities, including Honeywell, Arizona Public Service, and Motorola Inc. as potentially responsible parties for the pollution. Starting in the 1950s, companies began dumping and improperly storing a range of chemicals used in their manufacturing processes, creating an underground stream of polluted groundwater that begins near the former Motorola 52nd Street facility near Papago Park and stretches west, crossing through downtown and stretches west to 75th Ave.

An area around the eastern reach of the polluted water has been designated as a Superfund site by the EPA since 1983 (the state also manages its own site to the west). The agency's plan will address pollution in the westernmost of three sections within the federal site, where pollution is least severe. The agency does not yet have plans for the rest of the site.

Pollution: Toxic groundwater lies beneath Phoenix, and a cleanup has been delayed for years

EPA would inject carbon into the contaminated areas

Groundwater in the Motorola site contains five main contaminants. The most concerning is trichloroethylene, known as TCE, which is known to cause cancers, nervous system disorders and birth defects.

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Pollution prevents municipalities or companies from using local groundwater, complicates construction projects with subterranean components and sends toxic vapors through soils and into some buildings. In some places, the contaminated groundwater rises as close as 20 feet beneath the land surface. None of the polluted water is currently used for drinking.

The agency plans to use 10 wells to inject liquid-activated carbon into gravel deposits that hold polluted water, creating an environment for bacteria that will treat the groundwater through biological processes. Carolyn Cooper, the EPA's remedial project manager, said the carbon itself is safe, pointing out that carbon water treatment is the same process used in many household water filters.

The Environmental Protection Agency's Carolyn Cooper explains a proposed groundwater pollution plan to Phoenix residents at the Burton Barr Central Library on Nov. 13, 2024.

The word injection sounds bad, but it's been proven, and it works, Cooper said.

The agency also considered extracting groundwater, treating it above ground, and restoring it to the aquifer, though that option would be costly and complex. The EPA has already drilled extraction wells in other parts of the site as an interim remedy while it develops a long-term cleanup plan there.

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The agency expects the preferred plan to cost about $14.7 million. Responsible parties are liable for cleanup costs at Superfund sites, meaning taxpayers will not pay for the work.

According to Michelle Rogow, the EPAs Arizona section manager for the Superfund program, the responsible parties will determine how they divide the cleanup costs. Honeywell and APS have already funded the feasibility study that led to the proposed plan.

Any party that is found liable is 100% liable unless they get the other parties who are also liable to work with them, Rogow said.

Contaminated ground: EPA officials pledge to clean up old uranium mines at the first Navajo Superfund site

Resident wonders 'Is this safe?'

Jessica Gibbs, a Phoenix resident, said at the end of the meeting she was grateful for a clear explanation of the site and issues from the EPA.

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"I'm so relieved. I was looking at my water bottle as I filled it from the sink, thinking, 'Is this safe?' You've really alleviated all my concerns," Gibbs said.

Another resident, Diane Barker, pointed out how the pollution limits Phoenix's already precious water supplies.

Its not the water we have been drinking, but we all know we live on a desert, so Im thinking theyre preparing for all the ways we can get water in the future, Barker said.

Several members of community information groups associated with the site attended the meeting. One new member, Lauren Trapp, said she had worked for several years in the late 1990s as a computer technician at the Motorola facilities associated with the Superfund site. Seven years ago, Trapp was diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease.

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Recent research has suggested a link between TCE, and a rapid increase in Parkinson's diagnoses across the country. Trapp said she has no idea if her work at Motorola was connected to her diagnosis, but said she could not ignore it.

Its a massive, growing neurological disease, and it would make sense for it to have a connection with this chemical, Trapp said.

The EPA moved to ban TCE across the country last year. State officials stopped studying instances of cancer and birth defects related to the site in 2014 because of data limitations, a move supported by community members at the time.

After gathering public comments in December, the EPA plans to issue a decision finalizing the plan by September 2025. Officials estimate the plan would take roughly nine years to complete. At that point, officials hope the water will be usable again as a water supply.

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Robow said a change in presidential administration is unlikely to affect the plan, saying the Superfund process has stood the test of time.

Phoenix residents can find information and submit comments on the plan at an EPA webpage by searching Motorola Superfund site or going to this link: https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/cursites/csitinfo.cfm?id=0900517

Austin Corona covers environmental issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send tips or questions to austin.corona@arizonarepublic.com.

Environmental coverage on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.

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Sign up for AZ Climate, our weekly environment newsletter, and follow The Republic environmental reporting team at environment.azcentral.com and @azcenvironment on Facebook and Instagram.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: EPA shares a plan for contaminated groundwater in Phoenix
Erie Mayor Joe Schember has passed off his proposed budget for 2025 to city council. A week has passed since and now, city council is getting the chance to dig in.

That proposed budget for next year is around $107 million and while there wasnt a tax increase this year, people may still be paying more for other fees next year.

City of Erie Mayor Joe Schember announces proposed budget for 2025

Erie City Council is taking time to dissect and pick apart Erie Mayor Joe Schembers proposed 2025 budget. And while there isnt a tax increase, refuse and sewage fees are being raised by $23 and $30 respectively.

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With that in mind, one member of city council said the budget is similar to last years, taking into account annual pay raises for some city employees.

Compared to other cities our size in Pennsylvania, we are a very frugal city and I think we take a lot of pride in that. But, we still have about six million of it being offset with American Rescue Plan dollars and water pre-payment and those run out pretty soon, said Chuck Nelson, an Erie City Council member.

A five-year projection conducted by the city showed a deficit that needs to be addressed. One that according to city officials would likely bring on a tax increase.

Third quarter numbers show violent crime still falling in City of Erie

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Those five-year projections are only as good as our best guesses, and Im trying to narrow it down to get a clearer picture. I think some of the points have been understated to us as far as a deficit were facing, Nelson said.

Thursday night, council reviewed the first few sections of the budget, which includes revenue. City officials said revenue is an area where theyd like to see more money coming in.

They said 30% of properties in the city are tax-exempt. Which in turn is a missed opportunity to generate money.

Grant opportunities continue to be a major success for the city, helping to alleviate spending and budget worries with returning grant money.

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Im sure were going to make some adjustments in various departments when we look at salary, costs, something new with a housing study. . . theres a lot of things we have to look at and ask questions when we start meeting with departments, said Mel Witherspoon, a fellow Erie City Council member.

Eries Public Schools hosting public forums amidst superintendent search

Stuff like that is always enthusiastic and exciting to hear. I just hope to continue seeing that, Nelson went on to say.

City council will meet again to workshop the budget over the next several weeks.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
An Erie teen is being charged with rape after police said he forced another teen to have intercourse with him at gunpoint.

Erie police arrested 18-year-old Jaquan Manus Friday morning charging him with felony rape and sexual assault along with misdemeanor terroristic threats.

Police said Manus had been in a relationship with the victim and pressured her into having sex before making threats demanding it.

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Manus allegedly contacted the victim by video call on Oct. 26 demanding that she come over to his house to have sex. The 18-year-old then allegedly threatened to shoot her and shoot up her house if she didnt comply while brandishing a pistol.

Police said the victim went to Manus residence in the 600 block of East 21st St. after receiving the threats and when she arrived Manus showed her the gun was loaded and maintained control of it during the assault.

A warrant was issued for Manus arrest on Nov. 13 and he was taken into custody. Manus is being held in Erie County Prison on $175,000 bail and is set to appear in Erie County Court on Dec. 4.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG)  The #0222 Escambia Bay Shellfish Harvest Area is closing at sunset on Thursday, Nov. 14.

Lofton takes stand in murder trial, testifies he wanted to shoot restaurant manager, not kill him

According to a news release from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the shellfish area will close for the harvest of oysters, clams, and mussels.

The release said shellfish does not include scallops, shrimp, or crabs.

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Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are affected.

The basis for the action was Operating procedures in Chapter 5L-1.003 (1), Florida Administrative Code, according to the release.

American Idol finalist from McIntosh now married with baby on the way

FDACS daily status report said the closure is in place for rainfall management.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
WARSAW, Poland  Estonias authorities are showing interest in combat-proven weapons from Ukraine, including long-range missiles, and hope to reach an agreement with the Ukrainian government to facilitate arms purchases despite Kyivs ban on exports by its own defense industry.

Under Ukraines law, the countrys defense companies are obliged to deliver their entire output to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The nations lawmakers and government officials are currently discussing ways to share the sectors products with allies, and countries such as Estonia are following the talks. During his visit to Ukraine last month, Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur stated that various weapons, including the R-360 Neptune subsonic cruise missile developed by State Kyiv Design Bureau Luch, could be of interest to his countrys military.

Eleka Rugam-Rebane a spokesperson for the Estonian Ministry of Defence, told Defense News that bilateral agreements could be implemented to give allies access to weapons whose value and quality mark  is certainly based on their combat experience.

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Export bans will not pose a barrier if countries reach mutual agreements, and such cooperation would benefit both Estonian and Ukrainian defense industries, she said.

Our defense industries already have a solid working relationship: many Estonian companies are active in Ukraine, and we equally encourage all Ukrainian companies to participate in public tenders in Estonia, said Rugam-Rebane. We hope that Ukrainian manufacturers will be able to participate in public tenders not only in Estonia but also in other international markets relevant to them.

Even a partial relaxation of the export ban could generate a significant stream of income for the Ukrainian economy as it is combating Russias ongoing invasion. Speaking in Ukraines parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, on Sept. 5, lawmaker Halyna Yanchenko said the countrys defense sector is able to manufacture products worth some $20 billion annually.

At the same time, the state is able to purchase weapons for only $6 billion, this includes purchases from abroad. We are slowing down the development of a strategic industry through export restrictions, Yanchenko said.
PARIS  The executive arm of the European Union approved 300 million (US$317 million) in funding for five joint defense-procurement projects by member states, the first time the bloc uses its budget to finance common defense buying.

The European Commission will provide 60 million for each of the items on its shopping list, which include the Mistral short-range air defense system, IRIS-T SLM medium-range air defense system, armored vehicles and ammunition, it said in a statement on Thursday.

The joint-procurement mechanism is a new step in the 27-nation blocs attempts to become a more credible player in defense, in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine and amid concerns about Europes reliance on the U.S. for security. The EU in March presented its first-ever defense industrial strategy, and this year created the role of defense commissioner for the bloc.

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This is the first time we use EU budget to support member states in commonly procuring defense products, the Commissions Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager said in a statement.

This will allow to provide better value for money for national defense budgets, improve the interoperability of European armed forces, strengthen our industry and make Europe better prepared to face defense threats, Verstager said. She said the five projects will also increase EU support to Ukraine with additional defense equipment.

The EU has set out targets for member states to buy at least 40% of their defense equipment together by 2030, as well as spend at least half of their procurement budgets on products made in Europe. The commission says the benefits of joint procurement include economies of scale, better interoperability between EU countries armed forces, and larger contracts that will strengthen the European defense industry and allow it to adapt production capacity to the continents needs.

The financing is being made available through an instrument called European Defence Industry Reinforcement through Common Procurement, EDIRPA for short.

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The commission approved funds for nine countries, including France, Spain, Hungary and Romania, which are jointly buying MBDAs Mistral very short-range air defense systems. Six member states, including Germany and Bulgaria, will receive a financial contribution for their joint purchase of Diehls IRIS-T SLM medium-range air defense system.

EDIRPA will also support joint procurement by Finland, Latvia, Sweden and Germany of the Common Armoured Vehicle System, an armored troop carrier based on Patrias six-wheeled vehicle. Two projects approved to receive EU funds are for joint acquisition of 155mm artillery ammunition.
The European Union is discussing possible sanctions against China over evidence that it first supplied Russia with weapons for use in a full-scale war against Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda citing German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ)

Details: Three FAZ sources said that EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell informed member states of intelligence reports on arms shipments from Russia to China.

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At a briefing for journalists on Friday, the EU official said that the evidence is overwhelming and confirms the "provision of lethal weapons".

He did not specify what the evidence was. However, back in September, the media reported on Western intelligence that pointed to covert arms shipments to Russia from China. And Reuters reported that Russia has developed a weapons programme in China to develop and produce long-range attack drones.

The official stated that they now had to look at the whole toolkit, adding that the EU could expand the sanctions list to include a ban on doing business with Chinese companies, as well as restrictions on owning assets and entering the EU.

Another FAZ source said that the EU's reaction would depend on how China responds to the evidence presented to it.

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Background: The EU has previously discussed imposing sanctions on Chinese companies, but has so far refrained from doing so. Instead, the United States announced sanctions against China for the first time in October over its military support for Russia.

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The EU Council will hold a meeting at the level of foreign ministers on Monday, 18 November, to discuss new sanctions against Iran for helping Russia in its war against Ukraine.

Source: An unnamed EU official at a briefing in Brussels, as quoted by the Ukrainian edition of Radio Liberty; European Pravda reports

Details: EU foreign ministers will also discuss the reaction to the assistance that Russia receives from third countries, including North Korea.

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The official announced that a political agreement had been reached on a second sanctions package against Iran concerning the transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia. Additionally, work is underway on the 15th sanctions package against Russia.

The source said that the restrictive measures will be similar to those introduced in the first round: there are seven individuals and seven legal entities.

The EU representative stated that nothing drastic was planned, just the addition of new people and the creation of new organisations. The official emphasised that they wanted to continue putting pressure on Iran, sending a clear message to Tehran that it must stop its military cooperation with Russia.

Radio Liberty reports that the sanctions list will include one individual and four legal entities.

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These include three Russian shipping companies that deliver Iranian military goods to Russia, including drone components, as well as an Iranian national maritime carrier.

Background:

The EU announced in October that it would impose sanctions on three Iranian airlines, four companies and seven individuals over the supply of Iranian ballistic missiles and drones to Russia.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the planned EU sanctions. He said that Iran had not provided ballistic missiles to Russia.

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The European Union is preparing a new round of sanctions targeting Russia's "shadow fleet," Bloomberg reported on Nov. 14, citing people familiar with the plans.

Russia's shadow fleet is a group of older and often uninsured vessels used to ship out Russian oil while avoiding international sanctions imposed in 2022 as part of the effort to cut Moscow's fossil fuel revenue.

EU member nations hope to approve the sanctions package by the end of the year, Bloomberg reported. The new restrictions would likely include penalties for individuals involved in the shadow fleet trade.

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The details of the package are still being negotiated, sources said, and the final version will require unanimous approval from all 27 member states.

According to Bloomberg, some members hope the sanctions will include stronger measures against Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The EU, U.K., and U.S. have targeted Russia's shadow fleet in previous rounds of sanctions, applying restrictions to individual tankers and shipping services.

The shadow fleet helps Russia successfully evade the West's attempts to stifle its oil profits via the $60-per-barrel price cap imposed two years ago. The Group of Seven (G7) unveiled the cap in late 2022, hoping to limit the revenues that feed Russia's war machine in Ukraine.

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According to a report from the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) Insititute published in October, Russia has invested $10 billion in expanding its shadow fleet since the price cap was imposed in 2022.

If the EU is able to approve the new package by the end of the year, it could adopt the sanctions by the symbolic date of Feb. 24, 2025  the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine repels Russian attempt to enter Kupiansk, military says

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
HONG KONG, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) announced Friday that it is collaborating with Hang Seng Indexes Company Limited (HSIL) to jointly launch an index tracking the largest Chinese companies in the vibrant Stock Connect universe, supporting the development of Hong Kong's capital market product ecosystem.

The Hang Seng HKEX Stock Connect China Enterprises Index (SCCEA Index) will be the first co-branded index between HKEX and HSIL when it launches on Nov. 21, 2024.

Constituents of the index include the 80 largest Chinese companies by market capitalization listed on the Hong Kong, Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges that are traded on Stock Connect. With a balanced sector representation, this cross-market index will offer global investors a comprehensive and authoritative benchmark to capture investment opportunities in China.

Bonnie Chan, HKEX chief executive officer, said that the index will bring together the expertise of one of the world's leading exchange groups with the region's leading index compiler, providing investors with more choices and opportunities.

"We look forward to working closely with asset managers, issuers and market participants on new product innovations based on this index, further enriching the Stock Connect ecosystem to support the depth and breadth of Hong Kong's capital markets," Chan said. 
Former Trump administration officials are warning the European Union to expect President-elect Donald Trump to take early action to increase tariffs  and to potentially bypass the Brussels bureaucracy in favor of dealing with individual European capitals on trade concerns.

President Trump spoke repeatedly on the campaign trail about this idea of a baseline tariff on all imports from all of our trading partners, said Kelly Ann Shaw, who was deputy assistant to the president for international economic affairs during the final years of the first Trump administration. Now that we've seen the results of the election with the overwhelming win, the team believes that they have a mandate to pursue that.

How Trump sees the relationship: A major factor driving Trumps actions is his belief that the U.S. has much lower tariff rates than the European Union and other trading partners, Shaw said.

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He's trying to address that disparity and make our tariff rates more reciprocal, Shaw said. So in terms of what he'd want from Europe or any of our other trading partners, presumably it would be for them to lower their tariffs as well.

My operating assumption is that the president will move very quickly. I can't say whether that's Day One or Day 30 or Day 90, but I do believe that the president wants to move quickly with these policies, Shaw added.

At first glance, however, there is not a huge difference between U.S. and EU tariff rates.

According to the World Trade Organization, the average U.S. tariff rate was 3.3 percent in 2023, even after the tariffs that Trump imposed during his first term on more than $300 billion worth of Chinese goods and tens of billions of dollars worth of steel and aluminum. The average EU tariff rate, in comparison, was 5.0 percent in 2023.

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But within those averages is at least one EU tariff that has long irritated Trump  the 10 percent EU tariff on passenger cars, compared with the 2.5 percent U.S. tariff rate. The average EU agricultural tariff also is 11.3 percent, compared with 4.8 percent in the United States.

In addition, U.S. farm and business groups have long complained about a number of non-tariff barriers that impede their sales to the European Union. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representatives most recent report on foreign trade barriers included 30 pages on the EU, second in length to only the 44-page section on China.

Finally, the U.S. trade deficit with the EU has risen sharply since Trumps first term. Its currently on track to set a new record in 2024 at around $230 billion, despite a deal Trump reached with then-European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to ward off a previous tariff threat aimed at European autos.

Most economists argue the large U.S. goods trade deficit is the result of macro-economic factors, such as national spending and savings rates, and that trade barriers play less of a role.

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But Trump seems to believe that trade imbalances stem from foreign trade practices, such as tariffs and product standards, that unfairly block U.S. exports while the United States naively maintains one of the most open markets in the world.

Dont think its a bluff: To address that, Trump is threatening to impose up to a 20 percent across-the-border tariff on all $3 trillion worth of U.S. imports, hitting about $575 billion of cars, pharmaceutical products, machinery and a long list of other products from the EU.

That would violate tariff commitments the United States has made in the WTO, although Trump could try to justify it on national security grounds.

European leaders should not assume that Trumps tariff threats are just a bluff, or that its not going to happen, said Everett Eissenstat, who was deputy assistant to the president for international economic affairs during the early years of the first Trump administration. The president has been pretty consistent in doing what he says he's going to do, and the team he's building is built for this.

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They also should not expect Congress to rein Trump in, despite many Republicans discomfort with tariffs, partly because lawmakers are more used to the idea than they were during his first term and partly because of the size of Trumps victory in the recent presidential election.

The fact that Trump won the popular vote and every swing state while campaigning on tariffs certainly means they're probably more likely to give deference to his policy goals, Eissenstat said.

Sidestepping Brussels: The Brussels-based European Commission has jurisdiction over trade for its 27 member states. But Eissenstat said he expected Trump to reach out to individual European capitals to address what he sees as unfair trade imbalances.

I think there'll be less support for talking to the EU as the EU, he said.

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Trumps top trade adviser and former trade representative, Robert Lighthizer, signaled as much in his 2023 book No Trade is Free, in which he identified Germany, France, Ireland and Italy in particular as problem countries.

Eissenstat said he sensed European leaders no longer believed Trumps first term was an aberration and that the world would go back to the way it was before he was first elected in 2016. That, plus a combination of other factors ranging from internal concerns about the EUs competitiveness to the war in Ukraine, might make EU member states more willing to deal with Trump individually, he said.

There's just a lot of moving parts here that just weren't in place back when this during the first term, Eissenstat said.

The view from Europe: Ignacio Garcia Bercero, who was the European Commissions point person during Trumps first term, said the EU needs to be prepared to strike back, while keeping its own economic interests in mind.

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Let's not be naive. Let's not go to that conversation without already having a retaliation option. Because if the negotiations fail and if the United States feels that we don't have a credible retaliation option, then we are not going to go anywhere, he said at a POLITICO event on Wednesday.

If Trump is serious about imposing a 10 or 20 percent tariff on all imports from the EU, Brussels should not try to match him duty for duty, Garcia Bercero argued. Instead, it should try to take a more strategic approach to avoid the double-whammy of lost exports to the United States and increased costs for European companies and consumers.

Let's assume that the United States does [impose] 10 percent across the board for all imports to the European Union. That would be economically suicidal. There's a lot of things that we export to the United States that they need, said Garcia Bercero, who's now a non-resident fellow at the Brussels-based Bruegel think tank. So, if they want to shoot themselves in the foot, we are not going to shoot ourselves in the foot.

He added: I'm sure that there would be much more sophistication in terms of not hitting things that we really need from the United States.
Europe has issued a final appeal to the Biden administration to strengthen US support for Ukraine in order to bolster Kyiv's position ahead of Donald Trumps inauguration in January.

Source: Bloomberg, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Trump, who will assume office on 20 January, has stated that he is seeking a swift agreement between Kyiv and Moscow, causing concern in Europe that such a deal may be unfavourable for Ukraine and could potentially solidify gains Russia has made since its full-scale invasion in 2022.

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European leaders and officials are asking the US to provide Ukraine with more weapons and artillery, implement additional sanctions against key Russian revenue sources and restrict Moscows ability to acquire banned technology used in weapons production. Sources familiar with the matter noted that many of these European requests were informal.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Brussels on Wednesday to reassure NATO and European Union allies that the US will intensify its support for Ukraine ahead of Trumps inauguration, given Trumps critical stance on the scale of US efforts to defend Kyiv.

The resources Blinken referenced, including funds, ammunition and weapons, primarily come from the US$61 billion package passed by the US Congress earlier in 2024. Blinken added that "every dollar at our disposal" would be used.

People familiar with the matter said that despite the dwindling time for Biden to fulfil these requests, the US is already working on new sanctions against Russias oil fleet and North Korea, which has reportedly sent troops to assist Moscow in the war, aiming to finalise these measures by the end of November.

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Europe has been intensifying its efforts to protect its interests, particularly concerning Ukraines military efforts, well before Trump assumes the presidency.

"The next few weeks will be critical to put Ukraine in a strong position," said Mark Leonard, co-founder and director of the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank. He noted that a deal brokered by Trump "may try to freeze the conflict on the lines where Russia now occupies 20% of Ukrainian territory".

"We are going to do as much as we can to support Ukraine before the new team takes over," noted Douglas Bush, the US Armys Assistant Secretary for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology.

Some EU leaders are also urging the US to allow Ukraine to use Western weapons to strike military targets within Russia.

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President Biden, however, has so far resisted this request, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz openly opposes it. People familiar with the US position believe this move would have limited battlefield impact and is not worth the risk of escalation.

Background:

US President Joe Biden discussed the importance of maintaining support for Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression in a meeting with his successor, Donald Trump.

In addition, Bidens administration, which is in effect until the inauguration of the new president, intends to send a request to Congress for new aid to Ukraine for the 2025 fiscal year.

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Far-right parties are sprouting across Europe  including where they already exist. Within recent years, some countries now have not just one, but two, three, or more visible parties occupying the furthest right space on the political spectrum. The phenomenon has roiled electoral landscapes in some countries, where their proliferation has shifted the governing calculus and led to an overall coarsening of political culture.

Nowhere is this more pronounced than in the Balkans. Bulgaria, over the course of six snap elections held since 2021, has elected 4 different far-right parties to parliament. The largest, Revival, advocates for the absorption of North Macedonia, which they claim as part of Bulgarian national heritage. The most recent entrant to the legislature is known as Morality, Unity and Honour, and campaigns on a slogan of Bulgaria First.

Others have come and gone. Bulgarian Rise, founded by a former general, was elected and then ousted in the next election. Likewise for Greatness, a pro-Russia party formed by businessman Ivelin Mihailov, which missed the threshold to return to parliament this year by just 25 votes.

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Greece is a similar story. The neo-Nazi Golden Dawn movement has seen its leaders jailed, but Spartans, a movement backed by Golden Dawn figures, managed to win seats in the last election. Other ultranationalist forces have gained ground in recent years. Greek Solution, which holds 11 seats in parliament, is led by a controversial businessman known for selling what he claimed were letters from Jesus. Polls currently indicate that in the next election, Spartans would lose its seats, while another new far-right party, Voice of Reason, would be projected to enter parliament.

Its not just the Balkans. More than half of countries in the EU, at this point, have at least two nationalist parties with elected representation. By my count, this includes: France, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, Denmark, Italy, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Romania, Latvia, and Lithuania, along with the aforementioned Greece and Bulgaria.

Thats 15 out of 27 EU member states with two or more right-wing nationalist parties who have elected legislators at either the EU or national level.

Brads view

While its easy to assume that far-right parties are occupying the same political space, they can take different approaches in policy or style, and by extension, build different coalitions. Eric Zemmour, who was sometimes dubbed the French Tucker Carlson, gained traction in polls for the last presidential election before a campaign-derailing scandal. He ran with more extreme positions on immigration than Le Pen, but also tacked more towards economic conservatism.

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The result was a wealthier support base than Le Pen, who tailors her message to working and middle-class French. A similar divide was observed years ago in the Netherlands, between the Forum for Democracy party and Geert Wilders Party for Freedom.

Elsewhere, the most extreme movements are forcing previously dominant right-wing parties to depend on them for support. To return to government one day, Polands Law and Justice party may turn towards Confederation, an alliance that includes ultranationalists and open antisemites. Even Hungarys Viktor Orban may find himself in this situation: Polls show his party losing a majority, with a significant share of the vote captured by Our Homeland, a movement that has been described as fascist.

Czechia is witnessing the most severe right-wing whiplash. Former prime minister Andrej Babis, who once aligned himself with French president Emmanuel Macron in the European Parliament, has now joined forces with Orban. Polls show the next government could be composed by a coterie of far-right parties, including the AfD-aligned SPD, and Oath and Motorists, an alliance led by an ex-racecar driver who once drove in a helmet with Golden Dawns logo. Yes, the same neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party mentioned above.

Notable

Ireland is one of the only countries in the EU without a party that aligns itself with the far-right in the European Parliament. But even that might be about to change. The rising Independent Ireland party elected an EU legislator earlier this year, who decided to sit with centrists. But the partys overall character is similar to many anti-immigrant movements in Europe. One Independent Ireland candidate running for national parliament made headlines this week with comments about drug-dealing coloured guys that were widely denounced as racist. He initially apologized, but later stood by his remarks.
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  A man from Akron, Ohio, was arrested and charged with forgery, fraud and organized theft in Evansville following an investigation that one detective says was not like any case he had seen before.

According to an affidavit, officers were dispatched to a store on Red Bank Road on October 6, 2023, following a report that three men were redeeming hundreds of lottery tickets. A store employee called the Hoosier Lottery to report the odd behavior, and were advised to call local law enforcement due to recent cases of suspects using stolen credit cards to purchase thousands of dollars in tickets and redeeming the fraudulently purchased winning tickets.

Officers at the scene placed Khymier Wright, 21, and two other suspects in custody. Police say one of the suspects was arrested on drug charges, but Wright and one other suspect was released pending further investigation.

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On the same day, a gas station employee reported to authorities that three men used credit cards to purchase $7,070 in scratch-off lottery tickets. Police say surveillance video showed Wright and the other two men working together to purchase hundreds of lottery tickets. In the video, authorities say they swiped a credit card, which did not work, and then requested to manually enter a card number from their phone to make multiple purchases.

While searching a vehicle owned by one of the suspects, police say they found receipts from other large gas station purchases, large quantities of new vaping cartridges and a few credit cards. An affidavit says they also found a large credit card embossing machine.

In 3 years of fraud investigations, I have never seen a suspect with a card embossing machine, a detective notes in the affidavit.

Police say the credit cards found with the suspects and inside the vehicle had been altered by erasing the numbers and names on them and embossing them with different names. A card reader was used to inspect the magnetic strips of the card, revealing that all the information had been erased.

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Wright was arrested over a year later on November 13 and booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail. He is being held on a $2,500 bond.

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Even Americas most spineless senator doesnt want Matt Gaetz to be attorney general.

In a Thursday Newsmax appearance, Texas Republican Ted Cruz was asked for his thoughts on President-elect Trumps potential nomination of the loathed and embattled MAGA Representative Matt Gaetz to serve as attorney general.

The senator initially dodged the question, instead accusing Joe Biden of weaponizing the Justice Department and infecting it with partisan bias. He eventually addressed Gaetz, avoiding any advocacy of the nominee.

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I will say that was a pick that was, I think, very surprising to the entirety of the Senate. And so well assess the nominee on the merits, said Cruz. But there is a process that will unfold that examines a particular nominees background, their experience, and their suitability for a role.

Cruz was much warmer to the idea of his dear friend Senator Mike Lee as the attorney general pick, and reiterated the seriousness of the position.

I dont know that theres a more important position in this Trump administration than the attorney general, said Cruz. And so I think its critical to have someone there who will follow the law, who has integrity, who is a constitutionalist, and who has the courage to root out the incredible partisanship and weaponization that has infested this DOJ.

Gaetz grew unpopular within the Republican Partys elected leadership after his destabilizing ouster of Speaker Kevin McCarthy. His attorney general nomination is currently jeopardized by a House Ethics Committee probe into allegations of trafficking and having sex with a 17-year-old girl at a drug-fueled party in 2017. Gaetz resigned from Congress in an effort to end the investigation, but it is expected to be leaked in the coming days.
Is Iran so scared of Donald Trump that its starting (or pretending) to play nice?

Thats the question on the minds of U.S. national security officials and analysts as Tehran braces for another four years of Trump.

Iranian officials are already offering up some purported olive branches and backchannels to the Trump transition team. For starters, billionaire Trump ally Elon Musk reportedly met with Irans U.N. ambassador on Monday in a meeting Iranian officials characterized to The New York Times as a conversation on how to defuse tensions between the two countries. (A representative for Musk did not respond to a request for comment on the reported meeting, and Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said We do not comment on reports of private meetings that did or did not occur.")

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And cease-fire talks between Israel and Irans top proxy group in Lebanon  Hezbollah  are ramping up following months of fighting. U.S. officials and regional analysts have said that Hezbollah isnt going to agree to any cease-fire without a green light from Tehran.

Then theres the fact that Iran invited the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog to visit for the first time since May. International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi traveled to Iran this week after fighting for months to get Tehran to lift its de facto ban on IAEA inspectors visiting the countrys nuclear sites.

Its clear theyre scared, said one former Trump administration official who worked on Middle East issues. The person was granted anonymity to discuss the incoming administrations thinking candidly.

So will Irans overtures make a difference?

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On the one hand, most former Trump officials and Middle East analysts expect Trump to revive his first term policies of unbridled support for Israel and a maximum pressure strategy on Iran to cripple its economy and isolate it diplomatically as it pursues its nuclear program.

On the other hand, Trump is (in)famously transactional, and while he has picked Iran hawks for some top administration posts, hes also tapped others who argue for restraint. That could give Iran a bit of room to lobby for the U.S. at least easing diplomatic pressure. Thats if Trumps team views the outreach as genuine, that is.

Its likely that anything Tehran could use to dampen or slow maximum pressure can and will be used, from diplomacy to denial and deception, said Behnam Ben Taleblu, an analyst at the hawkish Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank.

The Iranian mission at the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Trita Parsi, co-founder of the noninterventionist Quincy Institute think tank in Washington, told NatSec Daily that Iran may see this moment as a fresh opportunity to establish a relationship with Trump for future negotiations. Tehran rebuffed meeting requests from Trump allies back in 2016 when Trump won the first time, and Parsi says that was detrimental for Irans goal of reaching a deal with Trump.

The Iranians have concluded, perhaps not openly, that they made a mistake during the Trump years, Parsi said. They rejected him for a variety of reasons. They didn't know how to handle it, but it left Trump in a situation in which it became much easier for the Israelis, for the neocons, for the hawks, to convince Trump the only way to get a deal with the Iranians is that you have to sanction them to death.

Unlike the first Trump term, however, theres a war waging in the Middle East between Israel and Irans top proxies in Gaza and Lebanon. Israels offensives against both militant groups have devastated their military ranks  alongside creating major humanitarian crises  weakening Irans hand in the region militarily. Its unclear whether this would push Iran to bow more to U.S. pressure in the Trump era, or lash out even further.

Additionally, Trump has signaled he wouldnt try to rein in Israel on its tit-for-tat retaliatory strikes on Iran like President Joe Biden has.

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Then theres the fact that Iranian agents have been actively seeking to assassinate former Trump officials following Trumps decision to kill top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in a 2020 airstrike. This, to say the least, will hamper Irans efforts to get off to any semblance of strong start with the Trump team.

They can try all they want, said the former Trump official. We tend to remember things like you trying to kill us though, no matter how much you pretend to play nice in diplomatic circles.

A version of this story previously appeared in POLITICO's National Security Daily newsletter. Like this content? Sign up below!


CHICAGO (WGN)On Thursday, jurors heard the credibility of a former ComEd executive who wore a wire for the FBI questioned as the corruption trial of former Illinois Speaker of the House Mike Madigan continued.

Madigan and his most trusted advisor, Michael McClain, are accused of running their formidable political operation like a criminal enterprise. Recordings played in court Tuesday could potentially damage the co-defendants, as proceedings revealed what prosecutors allege are strong-arm tactics and corruption.

PREVIOUS: Prosecutors focus on sexual harassment, no-show jobs in ongoing Madigan corruption trial

My instinct is that I come up to Chicago, Michael McClain says on a 2019 wiretap. I come to Chicago and sit down with Joe Dominquez and say, Look it, blankity blank! You want to pass this bill? This is what it requires.'

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Federal prosecutors are targeting utility executive Joe Dominguez for McClains bare-knuckle tactics as the government works to expose how Madigans closest advisor would operate.

Prosecutors say the alleged racketeering bribery case points to no-work jobs and other perks in exchange for legislative action.

On his sixth day of testimony, Former ComEd vice president for Governmental Affairs Fidel Marquez described the alleged scheme. Marquez, a government witness who wore a wire, pointed to more than $1 million worth of little or no-work jobs, all of which were allegedly controlled by McClain and Madigan.

Q: Why did you do that? Assistant US Attorney Amarjeet Bachu asked in court.

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A: I did that because it was beneficial to speaker Michael Madigan and we wanted him favorably disposed towards ComEds Agenda, Marquez answered.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Testimony resumes Friday.

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(FOX40.COM)  A San Joaquin County Court employee was arrested Wednesday accused of leaking sealed documents to the media, the San Joaquin County Sheriffs Office said.

According to the sheriffs office, in November 2023, an employee who had been with the court for 27 years gave a sealed warrant related to a potential public corruption investigation to her neighbor who works as a reporter for The Stockton Record.

The sheriffs office said the documents early release may have negatively impacted our investigation.

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The county district attorneys office issued a statement on Thursday, saying, Violating the sanctity of a Court Order, especially a sealed warrant, is not only an assault on our justice system but puts law enforcement and potential witnesses in harms way.

This District Attorneys Office will not tolerate this betrayal of justice, especially by someone who had spent 27 years sworn to uphold the very law they are alleged to have violated. We will hold all those involved in this case fully responsible for this violation of our courts and our justice system.

The sheriffs office did not disclose details about the original corruption investigation, but in September, The Stockton Record reported that sheriffs deputies visited one of its reporters homes. The newspaper said the reporter was questioned about a document central to the newspapers coverage of Stockton Unified School District Trustee AngelAnn Flores criminal case.

In April, former Stockton Unified School District President AngelAnn Flores was arrested on charges of theft of public funds and insurance fraud.

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The sheriffs office said the former court employee is facing a misdemeanor charge of disobeying a court order.

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Ex-Detroit Riverfront Conservancy CFO William Smith pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering Friday, setting the stage for a sentencing hearing that could yield an up to 20-year prison term for the man responsible for some of the worst graft in recent Detroit history.

The 52-year-old agreed to pay at least $44.3 million in restitution for his theft from the nonprofit, which occurred over a decade and helped support what prosecutors have characterized as his lavish lifestyle.

In court Friday afternoon, Smith sighed before detailing what he'd done wrong at the request of U.S. District Judge Susan DeClercq. Speaking quietly, he said that around 2012 he began "to divert millions in Conservancy funds."

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"The money was transferred ... for my own personal use," he said.

Smith was initially accused in a criminal complaint unsealed in federal court in June. He was arraigned in September, with a court document filed later that month indicating a plea deal was in the works.

William Smith, left, former CFO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, walks outside the U.S. District Court before his plea hearing in federal court in Detroit on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.

DeClercq will decide Smith's sentence at a hearing scheduled for March 20.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John Neal said sentencing guidelines indicate Smith could receive between 15 years and 19 years in prison, but added that Smith and his attorneys have disagreed with that assessment.

Fridays guilty plea followed the derailment of a similar hearing three weeks prior, after Smiths attorney said he identified an issue with the plea agreement that was not disclosed.

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Potential restitution would be a minimum of $44.3 million, Neal said, noting that Smiths properties and other assets could be forfeited to help pay the debt. Court filings unsealed this summer showed Smith had a condo in Mexico, a yacht, and multiple properties in Georgia, Texas and Michigan.

We are pleased to see Will Smith begin to be held accountable for his disgraceful actions, said a statement from Conservancy CEO Ryan Sullivan, who was hired after former CEO Mark Wallaces resignation. We thank the U.S. Attorneys Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a remarkably speedy and thorough investigation leading to this plea agreement.

"This is an important step in the process, but our work does not end here," the statement continued, adding that a civil suit and effort by the organization to craft reforms are ongoing.

Ryan Sullivan, CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, speaks to media members after former CFO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy William Smith pleaded guilty in federal court in Detroit on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.

Smiths embezzlement scheme involved wiring $24 million in Conservancy funds to one of his companies and $15 million to American Express to pay off credit cards held by him and his family members, federal prosecutors have said. The money was used for hotels, flights, limousines, and other personal and business dealings. Lavish spending listed by the government included a $17,500 purchase at Louis Vuitton.

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Smith now resides with his parents at what an internet search shows is a Detroit bungalow and has been unemployed since his spring firing, he told the judge Friday.

For the 18 years before that, he was a financial steward for the organization overseeing the development of 5.5 miles of river frontage with public, private, and philanthropic funds. His fraud went undetected by Conservancy leaders until March, when an internal audit was initiated and its findings turned over to Michigan State Police and then the FBI.

Lax oversight at the nonprofit and missed early warning signs helped clear a path for his theft, the Free Press has reported.

Smith allegedly maintained sole access to one of the nonprofits online bank accounts, and presented its accountant with falsified paper-only bank statements in person, prosecutors said in a criminal complaint from the time of Smiths arrest in early June. He also took out a $5 million line of credit in 2023 with paperwork that was allegedly forged to hide the Conservancys cash flow problems, the feds said.

William Smith, former CFO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, walks outside the U.S. District Court after pleading guilty in federal court in Detroit on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.

He also allegedly initiated the transfer of funds embezzled from the conservancy from his business account to an account held by First Round Management LLC in 2021, in what the feds have said supports the laundering charge.

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A separate federal civil forfeiture case and a local civil lawsuit against Smith are ongoing. Up to $39 million of his assets have been frozen in that federal case, with the exception of up to $3,421 a month from a rental property, granted by a judge as an allowance. A temporary restraining order permits the controlled sale of property under certain conditions, with proceeds preserved for the benefit of Smith's victims and ultimately subject to court approval. The U.S. Attorneys office has recommended the court approve the sale of a Smith property in Idlewild, Michigan, which came under contract with a prospective buyer in May for $78,000.

The lawsuit, filed by the conservancy in Wayne County Circuit Court in July, meanwhile targets Smith, his family members, and a friend in an effort to recoup some of the millions he embezzled.

This story was updated to add new information and because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.

Violet Ikonomova is an investigative reporter at the Free Press. Contact her at vikonomova@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ex-Riverfront CFO William Smith pleads guilty, agrees to restitution
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  A former Detroit Lions linebacker and Georgia Southern University student-athlete was arrested and charged in Savannah for allegedly assaulting law enforcement during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Thursday.

Leander Antwione Williams, 31, of Savannah, is charged with a felony offense of assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers and obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder, the DOJ said.

Officials also said that Williams is charged with additional misdemeanor offenses of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings.

Bodyworn camera footage depicting Williams struggle against officers, the DOJ said. Provided by DOJ.

The FBI arrested Williams in Savannah on Thursday. The DOJ said that he will make his initial appearance in the Southern District of Georgia.

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The DOJ said that the court documents allege that Williams was among an initial group of rioters to breach the restricted permitter of Capitol grounds. Williams allegedly confronted and overpowered Capitol Police officers.

This case is being investigated by the FBIs Atlanta and Washington Field Offices, the DOJ said.

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

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ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has disclosed a new capacity-building initiative to build Ethiopia's capabilities in sustainable vaccine research and development.

The UNOPS, in a statement issued Thursday, disclosed that it has formalized a 3.28-million-U.S.-dollar project agreement with the Ethiopian Ministry of Health that aims to strengthen the East African country's capacity for local vaccine production.

The UN agency said the initiative is designed to enhance public health and reduce Ethiopia's dependency on imported vaccines, ultimately empowering the country to meet current and future public health needs with local solutions. The project will help reduce Ethiopia's reliance on foreign vaccine supplies, accelerate health crisis response, and open new avenues for scientific and industrial growth in the region.

By developing sustainable vaccine manufacturing capabilities, Africa's second-most populous nation envisaged ensuring a resilient healthcare infrastructure that can support long-term public health goals.

Noting that the latest initiative will help achieve the country's aspirations for building a strong public health system, the UNOPS said the project will mainly focus on two core areas.

Firstly, the project will help Ethiopian officials and scientists participate in an experience-sharing visit to leading global vaccine manufacturing facilities. The visits are expected to allow Ethiopian officials and experts to establish benchmarks and adopt best practices in vaccine research, development, and production, providing a strong framework for Ethiopia's vaccine manufacturing infrastructure.

By facilitating targeted training programs, the project will also equip Ethiopian experts with essential skills in cutting-edge vaccine manufacturing techniques, establishing a skilled and locally-driven workforce. Such capacity-building supports "will lay a strong foundation for a proficient and sustainable vaccine manufacturing industry in Ethiopia," the UNOPS said.

The project is said to align with the East African country's broader vision to advance its healthcare sector, improve citizens' well-being, and position the country as a leader in vaccine production and public health response in Africa. 
By Michael Martina, Trevor Hunnicutt, Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard

WASHINGTON/TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan President Lai Ching-te is planning to stop in Hawaii and maybe Guam on a visit to Taipei's diplomatic allies in the Pacific in the coming weeks, sources told Reuters, a sensitive trip coming shortly after the U.S. election.

Lai, who won election in January, has yet to travel overseas since taking office in May. China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, detests Lai as a "separatist" and routinely objects to any interaction between Taiwan's government and foreign officials.

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Six sources briefed on the visit, speaking on condition of anonymity given the sensitivity of the matter, told Reuters that Lai is planning a stopover in Hawaii as part of an overseas trip starting in the coming weeks.

A stopover in the U.S. territory of Guam was also being discussed, four of the sources said. Both Hawaii and Guam are home to major U.S. military bases.

Two of the sources said that the stopovers would be part of Lai's visit to Taiwan's diplomatic allies in the Pacific.

The Pacific countries of Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau are three of the 12 remaining states which maintain formal ties with Taipei. Reuters was unable to determine precisely which countries Lai would go to and dates of the visits.

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Taiwan's presidential office said Lai "at present has no overseas trips planned", but if he does the government will announce it at an appropriate time.

The U.S. is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic recognition.

"We refer you to the Taiwan authorities for the travel plans of high-level Taiwan officials. We have nothing further on this," a State Department spokesperson said.

Lin Jian, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, told reporters in Beijing that the government's position has consistently been to oppose such transits and that China urges the United States not to permit this for Lai.

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U.S. GOVERNMENT CHANGING

Lai's trip will be taking place at the tail end of the administration of President Joe Biden, who has said U.S. forces would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion.

President-elect Donald Trump, whose first administration strongly backed Taiwan, unnerved Taipei on the campaign trail by saying the island should pay to be protected. He has since nominated pro-Taiwan Marco Rubio as secretary of state.

The Palau and Marshall Islands president's offices and the Tuvalu government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Taiwan presidents typically make use of what are officially only stopovers in the United States to meet friendly U.S. politicians and give speeches. Such stopovers are typically on visits to far flung allies in the Pacific, Latin America or the Caribbean.

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One person familiar with the U.S. leg said they expected Lai's visit to be lower key than usual and that logistics are still being worked on.

The Pacific islands nations visits are also important as China has been gradually whittling away at the number of countries there who retain ties with Taiwan. In January, tiny Nauru switched relations back to Beijing.

China has ramped up its military activities around Taiwan in the past five years, including holding another round of war games in May shortly after Lai's inauguration it said were a warning to "separatist acts"

Taiwan's government rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims and says it has a right to engage with other countries and for its leaders to make foreign trips.

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In August of last year, China held a day of military drills around Taiwan after then-vice president Lai returned from the United States, where he officially made only stopovers but gave speeches on his way to and from Paraguay.

In April of last year, China also held war games around Taiwan in anger at a U.S. trip by then-President Tsai Ing-wen, who met then-U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles.

In 2017 and 2019, Tsai stopped in Hawaii during her visits to Pacific allies.

(Reporting by Michael Martina, Trevor Hunnicutt, Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard; Additional reporting by David Brunnstrom in Washington, Kirsty Needham in Sydney and Joe Cash in Beijing; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK)  An East Texas woman has become the target of social media users who blame her for Peanut the squirrels death. The mother of two is now sharing her side of the story in an attempt to clear her name.

The man who took in orphaned Peanut the squirrel says its surreal officials euthanized his pet

Mark Longo, the man who rescued Peanut, posted that a raid had been conducted at his home by New Yorks Department of Environmental Conservation, who took Peanut and Fred the raccoon. The raid was conducted after the DEC received multiple reports from the public about the potentially unsafe housing of wildlife that could carry rabies and the illegal keeping of wildlife as pet.

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Later, the DEC and Chemung County Department of Health confirmed that Peanut and Fred had been euthanized after biting one of the investigators issuing a need to conduct a rabies test, that would later come back as negative.

Longo took out his frustrations online and posted: Well internet, you WON, Longo posted. You took one of the most amazing animals away from me because of your selfishness. To the group of people who called DEC, theres a special place in hell for you.

Scottish discovery reunites Texas man with class ring 56 years later

Soon after, Longview resident Monica Keasler found herself at the center of the backlash, receiving death threats against herself and her 10-year-old twin sons. In an exclusive interview with KETK News, Keasler spoke out to clear her name and share the real life impact of social media-fueled hate.

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Keasler, who has enjoyed rescuing and rehabbing squirrels with her children, said she was shocked by Peanuts euthanasia.

We treat them like the miracles that they are and release them back into the wild and its a great source of joy, Keasler said. My boys and I cried right along with the rest of the world when we found out that they were euthanized.

Keasler said she logged into her squirrel rehab Facebook group to chat with other members about what had happened to Peanut and that is when she came across a screenshot someone had posted in the group of a woman harshly criticizing Longo for housing the animals illegally and monetizing them.

Keasler made a comment on that post in an attempt to answer someones question about who might have reported Longo and the animals.

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However, the situation quickly escalated into fear as hateful and threatening messages flooded her phone. Within minutes, her personal information  including her home address, phone number and her childrens names and photos  was widely shared online. Her immediate instinct was to protect her children, so she deactivated her social media accounts.

She had screenshotted my Facebook page with my picture on it and where I lived, it had two text boxes added to it and they said that I was the one that reported them and that she had proof that I had been bragging about it on my own Facebook page, Keasler said.

Threats against her sons began coming from countries overseas including Japan, Germany, England, South Africa and Australia. They were going to come kill my children in front of me and drag them down my street by their intestines from their truck, Keasler said.

Gold Standard: Olympic Gold medalist raises Alzheimers awareness in Tyler

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Instead of shutting down and feeling hatred against those who had sent her the hateful messages, she leaned into her faith beyond understanding.

When someone makes those kind of threats towards your children, and you know that youve been chosen to protect them and raise them, thats where all reason goes out the window, Keasler said. It hit me very hard that the people that were messaging me were just, you know the saying hurt people, hurt people hurting people, hurt people and there are a lot of hurt people in our world.'

Keaslers DEC document that proves she had nothing to do with Peanuts faith.

After nearly a week of relentless threats including from Longo, Keasler said a friend connected her with an attorney, who filed a freedom of information request with the state of New York. The state responded promptly with information that would help clear her name, proving what Keasler and her family believed all along.

You have it. Youve seen it, and it totally exonerates me. Its official and I know it and God knows I didnt. My kids know I didnt, my family and friends know I didnt, and thats what ultimately means the most to me, Keasler said.

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Monica asked anyone interested in supporting her to check out her business, Monica Keasler Photography.

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The Biden administration and eight California water agencies have reached an agreement to share in the costs of raising a dam to expand San Luis Reservoir, a nearly $1-billion project intended to increase the states water-storage capacity and benefit a group of urban communities and agricultural areas.

The plan to raise B.F. Sisk Dam and enlarge the reservoir near Los Banos will enable it to hold more water during wet years, boosting the reserves of water suppliers in parts of the Bay Area and the San Joaquin Valley.

It's going to add to resilience, said Cannon Michael, board chair of the San Luis and Delta-Mendota Water Authority. The ability to capture more water in the years it is available, particularly given Californias dynamic hydrology, is a critical component of a more secure future.

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Read more: Climate change identified as main driver of worsening drought in the Western United States

Michael and other water managers who negotiated the agreement attended an event with federal officials in Washington as the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced the deal on Wednesday. California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Sen. Alex Padilla joined them, along with other state leaders.

Michael said expanding the reservoir, which still requires additional efforts to secure funding, will be a significant step in preparing the state for the effects of climate change, including shrinking snowpack and flashier bursts of storm runoff. At the same time, he said, it will be vital for California to ensure protection of fish species in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, where water is pumped to fill San Luis and other reservoirs.

We are facing real shifts in climate that are showing us that we've got to learn how to adapt, Michael said. If and when there is excess water available, we want to be able to store it and hold on to it, and use it wisely.

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The dam is now undergoing a retrofit that will raise its crest by 10 feet and fortify the dam for earthquake safety. The Bureau of Reclamation and local agencies have agreed in principle to raise the dam an additional 10 feet to expand the reservoir's storage capacity, making it a total of 20 feet taller than its original height.

San Luis Reservoir, which ranks among Californias largest reservoirs, is slated to gain an additional 130,000 acre-feet of storage space  equivalent to the annual water use of roughly 400,000 typical homes.

According to the federal government, that additional space will increase supplies for about 2 million people, more than 1 million acres of farmland, and wetlands in the Central Valley that provide critical habitat for birds and other wildlife.

The federal government has so far contributed $95 million toward the construction.

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Local California agencies that have agreed to help fund the project include urban suppliers such as the Santa Clara Valley Water District, or Valley Water, which serves San Jose and other Silicon Valley cities; San Benito County Water District; and the city of Tracy. Also participating are agricultural water suppliers such as Westlands Water District, Del Puerto Water District and Pacheco Water District.

San Luis Reservoir is part of Californias two main water-delivery systems  the State Water Project and the federally managed Central Valley Project  and its more than 2 million acre-feet of storage space is divided between the two systems, providing an important reserve of supplies south of the Delta.

The dam, which is 382 feet tall and more than 3 miles long, was built between 1963 and 1967. It is owned by the federal government and operated by the states Department of Water Resources.

The Bureau of Reclamation said its endorsement of the project last year was the first approval of a major water storage project in California since 2011.

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Managers of local water agencies said the project also represents the first major effort to expand the Central Valley Projects storage capacity since the construction of New Melones Dam in the 1970s.

Karl Stock, the Bureau of Reclamations regional director, said adding more storage capacity in the reservoir is a crucial part of our strategy for enhancing water reliability in the state.

Based on the current plan and cost estimates, Westlands Water District would contribute approximately $88 million, and in exchange would be entitled to a portion of the extra storage space in the reservoir  about 11,000 acre-feet, which would be available when the reservoir fills in a wet year, said Allison Febbo, the districts general manager.

We believe storage is very important, Febbo said.

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The reservoir expansion will support supplies for the districts farms in Fresno and Kings counties  which produce almonds, pistachios, tomatoes and other crops  and will also help local efforts to recharge groundwater , Febbo said.

In addition, plans for the project demonstrate how different agencies working together can make needed investments in upgrading the states aging water systems, Febbo said, a crucial step toward showing that we are going to be improving and maintaining our infrastructure for Californians.

Read more: State Water Project supplies could fall up to 23% within 20 years due to climate change

The raising of the dam is expected to take years to complete.

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The project isnt across the finish line because funding still needs to be secured, Michael said. But he said the completion of negotiations among the agencies puts the effort on track to move ahead.

In addition to raising the dam, a substantial portion of the projects cost is expected to come from moving and redesigning a mile-long section of State Route 152, which runs close to the reservoirs high-water shoreline.

Michael and others say they are optimistic that if all goes as planned, the work of expanding the reservoir could be completed in less than 10 years.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Editors Note: This article discusses suicide and contains details about mental health crises. If you are having thoughts of suicide, or are concerned that someone you know may be, resources are available at https://www.speakingofsuicide.com/resources/ If you are in need of help, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Hours of operation are 24/7 and it's confidential.

Before the 2024 election, Dr. Molly McClain, a family medicine doctor at the University of New Mexico, was seeing an influx of patients seeking gender-affirming care from states like Texas that have banned it. The center is doing its best to accommodate more and more patients from in and outside the state, but theres still a waitlist, stretching for months for some patients awaiting treatment.

Members of the transgender and gender-diverse community are fearful that its going to get even harder to access care, now that president elect Donald Trump has won reelection. Sources who provide or connect people to gender-affirming care told Salon that patients are trying to bump up their appointments out of fear that they will soon be inaccessible.

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People are devastated and terrified about what this might mean for their access to medications, McClain told Salon in a phone interview. This is evidence-based and life-saving care.

The first Trump Administration notoriously enacted a host of anti-LGBTQ policies, including repealing health care regulations that prohibited discrimination based on gender identity, implementing a ban on transgender troops, and rescinding a policy that allowed transgender and intersex inmates to be housed with inmates of the same gender identity rather than their assigned sex at birth.

Although the Biden Administration reversed all of the above-mentioned rollbacks, the new Trump Administration has shown signs of doubling down on anti-LGBTQ policies, and many are concerned he will restrict access to gender-affirming care. During the election, Trump spent $38 million on anti-trans campaign ads, promised to ban minors from having gender-affirming surgeries, and has said that he would end Medicare and Medicaid funding for hospitals providing this care to youth.

Gender-affirming care involves social transitioning, puberty blockers, hormone therapy, or surgical procedures. It can be lifesaving for children, and more than 30 medical associations have issued policy statements that support its use. Surgeries are typically not performed until transgender people near adulthood, despite the central focus surgeries often play in politics.

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The data are strong for the benefit of what we call gender-affirming health care, that is medical care for transgender and gender diverse people, said Dr. Joshua Safer, the executive director of the Mount Sinai Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery in New York City. Blocking access to care is associated with worse mental health outcomes  perhaps as we would expect if we blocked access to health care for any group of people.

Transgender people are at a higher risk of dying by suicide than the general population due to the discrimination they face in schools, health care settings, and beyond. Gender-affirming care has been shown to reduce dysphoria, suicidality and depression for transgender and gender-diverse communities.

These kids are being targeted and bullied by some of the most powerful people in their state and now at the national level, said Kellan Baker, the executive director of the Whitman-Walker Institute, an LGBTQ health center based in Washington D.C. So what we expect is even greater increases in the number of kids feeling hopeless when all they're trying to do is live their lives.

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The day after Trump won the election, The Trevor Project crisis hotline reported a 700% increase in calls and texts compared to two weeks prior. Joan Erwin, CEO at Transhealth, which provides gender-affirming services to the trans and gender-diverse community in Massachusetts, said the center also saw a huge increase in call volume.

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Its this sort of mentality that they better do this now, before they no longer have the option to do so, Erwin told Salon in a phone interview. Unfortunately, people are now feeling forced to transition faster than maybe they would have chosen to  They just want to blend in and not be easily identifiable as trans, and that's very concerning.

At least 26 states have enacted partial or total bans on youth gender-transition care, according to the Human Rights Campaign. Last week, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued a third doctor for providing gender-affirming care in the state, where it was outlawed last year. These punitive policies have caused many doctors providing this care and families with transgender children who can no longer access it to leave the state, Baker said.

Now we are getting to the point where the net is closing and people are feeling like there's nowhere to go, Baker told Salon in a phone interview. As a transgender person who needs health care or a parent who's trying to get care for their kid, they're terrified because the message that is coming out loud and clear right now is: You are not safe anywhere.

On Dec. 4, the Supreme Court will hear arguments for a landmark case, United States v. Skrmetti, which will determine whether bans on gender-affirming care are unconstitutional. If gender-affirming care is not protected, it could have dramatic consequences for the right to health care for everyone. And now that Republicans control both the Senate and Congress, the party has the power to enact major changes to health care.

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This week, Trump selected many officials to join him in leadership who have a history of passing or advocating for anti-trans legislation: for Secretary of Defense he tapped Fox News host Pete Hegseth, who opposes having women in combat roles and has said transgender members create complications in the ranks; for Secretary of State, he picked Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who requested questions about gender identity be removed from the Census in 2023; and for Department of Homeland Security, he landed on South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, who signed legislation banning gender-affirming medical care in her state of South Dakota.

The thing that is worrisome is, in the last administration, there were at least some guardrails, Erwin said. It feels like that's out the window this time  And when he says in the first 100 days he plans to ban health care for trans youth, it feels like he will have more ability to do that this time because there's no one there to stop him.

Transgender candidates did also celebrate some firsts this election. Delaware state Sen. Sarah McBride became the first openly transgender person elected to Congress, Aime Wichtendahl won a spot to become Iowas first trans lawmaker, and Zooey Zephyr, who has advocated to defend youth access to gender-affirming care, was reelected to the Montana House.

This is not the first time the transgender community has been the target of a political campaign, and it won't be the last time the community shows how resilience it is to get through it, Erwin said, adding "We've had to just kind of walk through the fire and come out better on the other side.

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McClain, at UNM, said the children she sees who have a support system there to help them get the treatment they need are often far healthier and happier than the adults she sees who didnt have access to that supportive environment growing up. Once they start treatment, they light up when they walk in the room during their first appointments, she said.

The first visit, kids are always just grinning from ear to ear, they're texting their friends  They're so excited, McClain said. Once they start hormone therapy, they feel aligned on the inside  And I have parents say things like, I got my kid back.

In more than half of the country, this practice has been banned. The concern is that the second Trump administration is ready to further restrict it.

My fear is that now, with this kind of legislation and who knows what will happen next, that is going to change even for kids who do have supportive families, McClain said.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A mass shooter in Memphis who police say killed three people and put the city on lockdown two years ago appeared in court Friday morning.

Ezekiel Kelly faces 28 charges including three counts of first-degree murder after detectives say he went on a shooting rampage while live-streaming it across social media.

His trial date has been set for July 14.

Ezekiel Kelly back in court; attorney says death penalty case going to take a while

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Back in September 2022, Kelly, who was 19 years old at the time, shot six people, killing three of them. He was taken into custody after a police chase from Mississippi back into Memphis.

The deceased shooting victims were identified as 24-year-old Dwayne Tunstall, 62-year-old Richard Clark, and 39-year-old Allison Parker.

 MORE ON EZEKIEL KELLY

Last year, Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy announced that he would be pursuing the death penalty against Kelly if he is found guilty.

Kellys attorney, Michael Scholl, says there have been some delays with record collections. Scholl also says that dealing with a death penalty case requires a lot of time including looking at juvenile records.

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We have several experts on this case that are taking a look at things, we are also waiting for a few more things we need to get from the state, Scholl said.

Scholl would not say which experts they plan to call to the stand, but more information will be released in January 2025 during a status hearing.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
(NEXSTAR)  The Federal Aviation Administration is currently investigating why an American Airlines flight from Hawaii did not follow an assigned route and was instead forced to perform an expedited climb to avoid the terrain in its path, the agency tells Nexstar.

The flight took off from the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, also known as the Hawaii International Airport, shortly before 1 a.m. local time on Wednesday, flight tracking service FlightAware shows. It arrived safely in Los Angeles about five hours later.

Oakland airport cant use its new name, judge says

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Just after departure, however, air traffic controllers told the flight deck to quickly ascend after the aircraft failed to make a specific turn, the FAA said.

An air traffic controller instructed American Airlines Flight 298 to perform an expedited climb after the crew did not make the assigned turn while departing from Honolulu International Airport, the FAAs statement reads. The controllers actions ensured the aircraft remained safely above nearby terrain.

This local film needs your help to make it to the Oscars

American Airlines, in a statement obtained by Nexstar, suggested a different version of events.

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During the climb out of Honolulu on November 13, the crew of American Airlines flight 298 requested and received right-turn clearance and complied with controller instructions, a spokesperson for the carrier said. There was no Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) alert as there were no issues with terrain clearance based on the trajectory of the aircraft.

New opportunity arrives for Hawaii Island businesses

The airline added that the safety of passengers and crew is a top priority.

Texas GOP rep. detained at airport over being disoriented

The Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is located on the southeastern coast of Oahu, with the Waianae mountain range on the western portion of the island and the Koolau mountain range to the east.

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CNN, citing flight tracking data, reported that the departing plane cleared nearby mountain peaks by approximately 1,500 feet.

The FAA is currently investigating the incident.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
While Pentagon officials are not willing to publicly weigh in on the emerging plans by President-elect Donald Trump to purge the military's ranks of many top officers, the Defense Department's spokeswoman says that removing a slew of admirals and generals would have serious impacts on missions and readiness.

"I'm not going to speak for the incoming administration or speak to any hypotheticals on what they will and won't do," Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh told reporters Thursday.

However, Singh did say that the idea of a sudden departure of multiple top leaders was something that the Pentagon already faced last year, when Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., held up hundreds of military promotions

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Read Next: Military Suicides Rose in 2023, Continuing Upward Trend Pentagon Sees as 'Real Change'

"You remember the time when we had a significant amount of holds on our general and flag officers," Singh said, referencing the roughly 10-month hold by Tuberville.

Tuberville placed a hold on all general and flag officer nominees in February in an effort to pressure the Pentagon to reverse its policy of covering travel and leave for service members who seek abortions.

Tuberville's hold gradually ballooned to cover more than 450 top leaders inside the Pentagon as he refused to relent despite arguments from Democrats, some Republicans, Pentagon officials and military families that he was harming national security and punishing military families for a policy they had no control over.

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Singh said that this hold -- which effectively deprived the military of hundreds of generals and admirals -- could be analogous to the plans that are now coming from the Trump transition team.

"That's going to have an impact to operations, that's going to have an impact on morale, and that is going to have an impact on the department," Singh said, speaking on Tuberville's hold.

The idea of reviewing top generals and admirals became public on Tuesday, when The Wall Street Journal reported that a draft executive order is being considered by the Trump transition team that would establish a "warrior board" that would review three- and four-star officers to determine whether they should continue to serve.

The proposal calls from conservative think tanks, lawmakers and Trump to weed out supposedly "woke" generals -- a term that has become overused to the point that it has lost much of its meaning. In this context, however, it seems to be broadly defined as officials who have promoted diversity in the ranks or supported the mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations.

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On Wednesday, Reuters also reported that members of Trump's transition team were also drawing up a list of military officers -- likely focused heavily on officers close to now-retired Gen. Mark Milley, who served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff -- to be fired.

In speaking with current and former generals, Military.com found that they are concerned that the move will make their work much harder and politicize a force that is already struggling to stay outside the political fray.

"It could be very hard to do our job if we have to constantly be making sure we're appeasing someone on a political or partisan level," one currently serving Army lieutenant general told Military.com earlier this week.

Officials in the Pentagon also noted that the idea that current three- and four-star leaders are somehow suddenly unqualified to lead is curious, given how much selection and vetting they go through to rise through the ranks.

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Congress votes on every officer's promotion from O-4, major or lieutenant commander, all the way to general or admiral. Additionally, each service mandates various screenings and selection processes itself that only increase as a service member moves up the ranks.

Aside from the operational impacts a proposed purge would have, it is likely to also force junior and mid-grade officers to rethink their careers in the military.

Amid Tuberville's hold, the four service secretaries wrote an editorial where they noted that "the generals and admirals who will be leading our forces a decade from now are colonels and captains today," and "they are watching this spectacle and might conclude that their service at the highest ranks of our military is no longer valued by members of Congress or, by extension, the American public."

But so far the Pentagon has made no public comment on the Trump transition team plans to purge military leadership.

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"Again, I'm not going to speak to the hypothetical of what you're referencing," Singh said when asked about the potential Trump policies. "Whenever you have or put a strain on the system where there are not enough people in a position, or not enough people sharing the burden of work, of course, it's going to strain the system."

Related: 'It Could Be Very Hard to Do Our Job': Top Military Officers Brace for Trump's Potential Loyalty Review Boards
Claim:

A photograph shared to social media in November 2024 authentically showed Greta Thunberg holding a sign reading, "F*** Israel."

Rating:

Rating: Fake

In mid-November 2024, as the Israel-Hamas war raged on, an image that supposedly showed climate activist Greta Thunberg holding a sign reading "F*** Israel" spread on social media.

One X post (archived) featuring the photograph had amassed more than 1.3 million views, 117,000 likes and 17,000 shares as of this writing.

Several users in the comments expressed agreement with the message allegedly on the sign. One user wrote, "Always a star. You are a wonderful role model for young women."

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However, others pointed out discrepancies in the image and suggested it was digitally edited or created with the use of artificial intelligence software.

They were correct. The image was a cropped and manipulated version of a real photo of Thunberg holding a sign reading, "Stand With Gaza." We have labeled the in-question image fake.

We reached out to the author of the X post above to ask if they digitally created the image  or, if not, if they could share where they found it. We will update this report if we receive a response.

The Real Pic Featured 'Stand With Gaza' Sign

Thunberg shared the original, unaltered photo on Oct. 20, 2023. The post's caption expressed solidarity with the Palestinian territories and called for an immediate ceasefire.

Week 270. Today we strike in solidarity with Palestine and Gaza. The world needs to speak up and call for an immediate ceasefire, justice and freedom for Palestinians and all civilians affected.#FreePalestine #IStandWithPalestine #StandWithGaza #FridaysForFuture

Thread pic.twitter.com/0hVtya0yWO  Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) October 20, 2023

Below, you can see how the original photo was cropped and edited:

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(X users @GretaThunberg and @FuckIsrEveryHr)

In sum, there was no evidence of Thunberg being photographed while holding a "F*** Israel" sign. No news outlets covered such a story, which would have been eminently newsworthy if it were true.

We have previously investigated several Thunberg-related claims, including:

Sources:

Evon, Dan. "Did Teen Activist Greta Thunberg Tell China to Stop Using Chopsticks?" Snopes, 19 May 2020, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/greta-thunberg-chopsticks/.

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Kasprak, Alex. "Did Greta Thunberg Delete Tweet Claiming Climate Change Will Wipe Out Humanity by 2023?" Snopes, 17 Mar. 2023, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/greta-thunberg-deleted-2018-tweet-on-humanity/.

PerryCook, Taija. "Authentic Image of Greta Thunberg Detained at Protest?" Snopes, 11 Apr. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/thunberg-detained-at-protest/.
Losing Wisconsin Republican Senate candidate Eric Hovde has, so far, refused to concede his loss to incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin.

A week after Election Day, Hovde posted a five minute video to his X account with his thoughts on the race.

I believe its better not to comment until I have the facts, he said in the first few seconds of the video. Like many of my supporters, I was shocked by what unfolded on election night.

Eric Hovde speaks to his supported and tells them to go home and get some sleep afte the election results were not in as of 2 a.m. at his election night party at the Edgewater Hotel in Madison, Wisconsin on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. Hovde faced against Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin in the U.S. Senate race. -

Hovde went on to say that at 4 a.m. Milwaukee updated its count to include roughly 108,000 absentee ballots and that Baldwin won nearly 90% of those ballots.

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Statistically, this outcome seems improbable, Hovde said. As it didnt match the pattern from same day voting in Milwaukee, where I received 22% of the vote.

Lets see if Hovde is correct.

Baldwin received 80.9% of absentee vote

Absentee ballots are just a portion of the total votes in any election. But since Hovde is focused on absentee ballots, its fairly easy to see his claim is incorrect by going to the city of Milwaukees election results page. It should be noted that some absentee voters chose third party candidates for U.S. senate or skipped that race.

Milwaukee received 108,964 absentee ballots by Nov. 5, according to the unofficial count.

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Of that group, Baldwin received 88,229 and Hovde received 17,699 absentee ballots.

So Baldwin got about 80.9% of the absentee vote and Hovde got about 16.2% of it.

Clearly Baldwin did not get nearly 90% of the absentee ballot vote.

In comparison, Baldwin slightly outperformed Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris who received 87,852 absentee votes, or 80.6%. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump outperformed Hovde by receiving 18,698 or 17.1%.

That pattern occurred throughout the state as Baldwin outperformed Harris and Hovde was not carried by Trump who ended up winning the state.

Hovde received 21.1% on Election Day

Hovde is claiming the absentee ballot pattern doesnt match what he got on Election Day, so lets review what happened in Milwaukee on Election Day.

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On Election Day itself, there were 140,043 votes cast in Milwaukee, according to the unofficial count. Of that number Baldwin received 102,598 and Hovde received 29,574.

So Baldwin pulled down 73.2% of the vote on Election Day compared to Hovdes 21.1% of that vote. Thats not quite 22%, like he said, but its closer than what he said Baldwins absentee vote was.

Often, the same-day vote comes in at a different split than absentee votes because, traditionally, more Republicans vote on Election Day than earlier. And Republicans this year pushed for more of their supporters to vote absentee.

And the vote being counted early Wednesday morning shouldnt have surprised Hovde either.

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Under Wisconsin law, absentee ballots cannot be processed before 7 a.m. on Election Day. The Republican-controlled state Senate earlier this year let a bipartisan bill die that would have made it possible for clerks to start processing absentee ballots the day before the election and therefore finish counting all the ballots at a more reasonable time on Election Day. And thus avoiding updating the results at 4 a.m.

PolitiFact Truth-o-meter: False

Our ruling

In suggesting there may be irregularities with the vote count, Hovde claimed Baldwin got nearly 90% of the absentee ballot vote in the city of Milwaukee.

According to the citys results on its website, Baldwin got 80.9% of the vote, which is not nearly 90%.

Our definition of False is the statement is not accurate. That fits here.

Sources

Eric Hovde, X post, Nov. 12, 2024

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City of Milwaukee, election results, last checked Nov. 13, 2024

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, GOP lets absentee 'ballot dump' measure die, leaving door open to false fraud claims, March 13, 2024

This story was updated to add a video.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Fact check: Hovde claims Baldwin won 'nearly 90%' of Milwaukee absentee votes
People light candles to celebrate traditional Tazaungdaing festival at the Koe Htat Gyi Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar, Nov. 15, 2024. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe)

YANGON, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar celebrated its traditional Tazaungdaing festival, also known as the Festival of Lights on the full-moon day of Tazaungmone, the eighth month of the Myanmar calendar.

The pagodas across the country were crowded with people who perform meritorious deeds on the full moon day which falls on Friday this year, such as almsgiving, lighting candles, and offering flowers and fruits, Htay Hlaing, a member of the Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees, told Xinhua.

Shwedagon Pagoda, one of Myanmar's most revered sites, saw an increase in visitors. While the pagoda typically welcomes about 40,000 pilgrims on regular days, visitors surged to around 100,000 on special occasions like Thadingyut and Tazaungdaing festivals, he said.

Some devotees remained at the pagoda overnight to participate in the traditional early-morning offering of freshly woven robes. This ceremony, in which robes are woven and offered to the pagoda on the full moon day at dawn, is one of the festival's key rituals, he added.

Wai Wai, 21, said that "the Tazaungdaing Festival is a cherished time for performing acts of merit. So, I visit the Shwedagon pagoda to offer flowers and water, viewing it as an important part of Myanmar's Buddhist culture."

Families also come together to mark the occasion, as Khin Pa Pa Lin, 44, said that "I come here with my seven family members. We plan to spend the entire day at the pagoda, bringing packed meals."

Maung Nyo, 63, expressed a deep sense of peace from spending the day at the pagoda, describing the festival as a cherished occasion for Myanmar people.

On the full moon day, besides pagodas, streets are also filled with alms offerings for monks and Satuditha or charity feasts serving people as part of merit-makings, he added. 

People light candles to celebrate traditional Tazaungdaing festival at the Koe Htat Gyi Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar, Nov. 15, 2024. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe)

People light candles to celebrate traditional Tazaungdaing festival at the Koe Htat Gyi Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar, Nov. 15, 2024. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe)

A child lights a candle to celebrate traditional Tazaungdaing festival at the Koe Htat Gyi Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar, Nov. 15, 2024. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe)
Skeptics online found excuses to deny the results of the 2024 U.S. Senate race between former broadcaster Kari Lake and Rep. Ruben Gallego, in which the congressman formally accepted victory Nov. 11.

Chatter on social platforms X and Facebook questioned why Kari Lake lost when President-elect Donald Trump had won over Arizona voters.

Lake supporters  including Elon Musk, the X Corp. owner, and Tyler Bowyer, Turning Point Action chief operating officer  questioned the unofficial election results on social media.

Skeptics take to social media to falsely deny the Arizona election results

Social media posts focused on why Ruben Gallego, a Democrat, defeated Kari Lake, a Republican, despite 52% of Arizonans voting for Trump. The presidential race was called by the Associated Press on Nov. 9.

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One post on Nov. 12 generated nearly 800,000 views on X. "This is so insane and nobody in the Republican party is talking about it and I dont understand why," read the post, which shared an image of ballot results midday Tuesday.

Musk, X owner and supporter of the president elect, replied to the post. "Does seem odd," wrote Musk.

Gallego won Senate race by solid margin

Six days after Election Day, the Associated Press declared Gallego the Senate winner. He accepted victory the same night.

Lake posted a video Nov. 13 on her social media that seemed to acknowledge her loss to Gallego but did not explicitly concede to her opponent.

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Gallego led Lake by more than 79,000 votes on Nov. 14, with 50.1% of the vote compared with Lake's 47.7%, according to the state's unofficial results.

Lake still had not conceded her 2022 run for Arizona governor after she lost to Katie Hobbs.

Skeptics have no proof to fuel their argument

Despite the chatter on social media, no major complications have arisen in tabulating the more than 3.3 million Arizona ballots, and no lawsuits have been filed to challenge election results.

Lake faced uphill battle for a Senate seat

Despite Kari Lake's name and face intertwined with President-elect Donald Trump, her loss in Arizona to a Democrat reflected a flawed campaign.

Lake couldnt compete financially with Gallego and remained a polarizing figure throughout her campaign. As polls and politicians signaled more than a year ago, she never appealed to Democrats, had limited reach with independents and alienated a slice of Republicans.

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Trump outperformed all five GOP Senate candidates in the competitive races in presidential battlegrounds. Unofficial results, however, show Lake did the worst of the Republican Senate contenders in Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

As of Nov. 12, she had won 90.3% of the votes that Trump did.

Republic reporter Ronald J. Hansen contributed to this article.

Rey Covarrubias Jr. is a reporter at The Arizona Republic focusing on election misinformation. Reach him at reynaldo.covarrubias@gannett.com. The work is made possible through a grant from the Center for Media Engagement at the University of Texas at Austin.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Kari Lake supporters spread skepticism about Senate election results
FAIRVIEW PARK, Ohio (WJW)  After years of growing crowds and a rise in complaints, the annual light show in Fairview Park is getting new rules this holiday season which are actually tied to already existing city codes.

A meeting to review plans and get feedback from residents was held Thursday night at 7 p.m. at city hall.

We want everyone to be happy, we want everyone to enjoy the holiday lights because we have to make sure we keep everyone safe, said Mayor Bill Schneider.

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Police chief Paul Shepard says the city began discussing implementing changes and enforcing current laws after a record number of complaints from residents last Christmas.

Docuseries spotlights wrestling rivalry between local high schools

The festive show on Seabury Avenue has always attracted families, but in recent years has begun also seeing party buses with alcohol and limousines.

Parking complaints, disturbances, being rude to the residents, people trespassing, people going into backyards to urinate and it came to a head where something had to be done, said Shepard.

According to the city, the neighborhood has become a destination since the pandemic, seeing between 2,000 and 3,000 visitors.

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The Seabury Lights are not sponsored by the city, but rather the neighborhood and has become a nonprofit raising money for different charities.

The people who are for it will be concerned about losing that magic, said Bill McVicker, founder of the holiday tradition.

Here are some of the changes being implemented to help curb the problematic issues.

The biggest issue is that the sidewalks and road cannot have any obstructions per Fairview Park City Ordinances 543.07 and 301.32.

That means the streets beloved lighted arches wont be able to be installed as usual and would have to be moved onto someones lawn.

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Neighbor Sue Evans called it unfortunate but said she also understands and hopes the situation can somehow be remedied for next season.

I just hope they dont stop doing the lights because it is such a joy, said Evans.

The lights and music will now have a nightly scheduled start time of 5 p.m. and off time of 11 p.m.

Theyre asking the Elf Tent attraction to go on a rotating schedule to also help alleviate congestion.

Multiple parking restrictions will be enforced including no parking a vehicle on a sidewalk, curb, street or lawn, in front of a driveway, within an intersection, within ten feet of a fire hydrant, on a crosswalk and/or within 20 feet of a crosswalk.

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Should you put up holiday lights this weekend? A look at the forecast

Extra no trespassing signage will also be posted.

To inform the public how to act when you visit Fairview Park, said the chief. No trespassing, dont walk in peoples yards intoxicated, no open containers and just be respectful.

Additionally, bus and limousine companies have already been contacted and warned that no large buses are permitted on residential streets.

Smaller vans with 20 or fewer people will be allowed.

Residents are also encouraged to keep decorations out of reach of people to avoid thefts.

The chief says they still want people to put up lights, but they must be also able to ensure the publics safety.

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We want them to decorate their houses. We want them to decorate their yards. They just cant decorate in the public right of way, said the chief.

Officials encouraged residents to regroup after the holidays to look into ways to work with the city on possibly amending the ordinances and allowing for the arches to return to their original location.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
(KTLA)  Police have arrested a woman who they say has been posing as a nurse and working at hospitals throughout Los Angeles County without a license.

The Burbank Police Department announced Thursday that Amanda Leeann Porter, 44, of Virginia, allegedly posed as a registered nurse at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center and oversaw dozens of patients for an entire month.

Porter does not hold a nursing license and is currently on federal probation for a fraud conviction in her home state, police said.

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She was hired by the Catholic hospital back in April under a false identity. From April 8 to May 8, she oversaw as many as 60 patients before her colleagues discovered she was impersonating a real nurse who lived out of the state.

Amanda Leeann Porter, 44, of Virginia, is shown in this mugshot provided by the Burbank Police Department on Nov. 14, 2024.

She was eventually fired, but not before collecting two paychecks for her fraudulent employment, officials said.

Porter was arrested last week after she was released from custody for allegedly pulling the same stunt at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Santa Clarita. Investigators said shes obtained employment with several hospitals using false identities.

Both hospitals released statements to KTLA in which they stated Porter was terminated immediately after the truth about her identity and qualifications was revealed.

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She was under a probationary phase of her employment and was under the supervision of a qualified training nurse during her time at both hospitals. Neither health care facility believed the care she administered during her brief time on their payrolls was inadequate, officials said.

Fake doctor charged with assault for allegedly performing unlicensed surgeries

The Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office has filed multiple felony charges against her, officials said, including identity theft, false impersonation, and grand theft.

Shes currently being held without bail at the Los Angeles County Central Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood.

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She is due to appear in Burbank Municipal Court on Dec. 2, jail records show.

Investigators believe Porter may have committed similar crimes throughout Southern California over the last year, and anyone with information is urged to contact Burbank PD Detective Arias at 818-238-3210.

Anonymous tips can be provided online or by calling 800-222-8477.

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Police have arrested a woman who they say has been posing as a nurse and working at hospitals throughout Los Angeles County without a license.

The Burbank Police Department announced Thursday that Amanda Leeann Porter, 44, of Virginia, allegedly posed as a registered nurse at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center and oversaw dozens of patients for an entire month.

Porter does not hold a nursing license and is currently on federal probation for a fraud conviction in her home state, police said.

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She was hired by the Catholic hospital back in April under a false identity. From April 8 to May 8, she oversaw as many as 60 patients before her colleagues discovered she was impersonating a real nurse who lived out of the state.

Amanda Leeann Porter, 44, of Virginia, is shown in this mugshot provided by the Burbank Police Department on Nov. 14, 2024.

She was eventually fired, but not before collecting two paychecks for her fraudulent employment, officials said.

Porter was arrested last week after she was released from custody for allegedly pulling the same stunt at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Santa Clarita. Investigators said shes obtained employment with several hospitals using false identities.

Both hospitals released statements to KTLA in which they stated Porter was terminated immediately after the truth about her identity and qualifications was revealed.

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She was under a probationary phase of her employment and was under the supervision of a qualified training nurse during her time at both hospitals. Neither health care facility believed the care she administered during her brief time on their payrolls was inadequate, officials said.

Fake doctor charged with assault for allegedly performing unlicensed surgeries

The Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office has filed multiple felony charges against her, officials said, including identity theft, false impersonation, and grand theft.

Shes currently being held without bail at the Los Angeles County Central Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood.

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She is due to appear in Burbank Municipal Court on Dec. 2, jail records show.

Investigators believe Porter may have committed similar crimes throughout Southern California over the last year, and anyone with information is urged to contact Burbank PD Detective Arias at 818-238-3210.

Anonymous tips can be provided online or by calling 800-222-8477.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL)  Families Free and Northeast Tennessee Residential Recovery Center celebrated its first graduating class on Thursday, and Gov. Bill Lee was in attendance to congratulate the graduates.

After nearly three years of searching for the right location and collecting funding, Lisa Tipton, executive director of Families Free, said it was an incredibly difficult thing to get up and running.

Phone and internet service restoration underway in rural areas

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What were doing here today is to celebrate the men and women who have graduated from one of our recovery courts. The Northeast Regional Recovery Center is the only one like it in the entire state of Tennessee. So what weve done tonight is brought together the families, the children, the parents, the grandparents of these men and women, along with our state and local leaders, to really show that peoples lives can change redemptions possible, healings possible, and our community can be transformed when we all come together and help people find a path out of involvement with the justice system and addiction and back into their lives and back into their families. Lisa Tipton, executive director of Families Free

Tipton served on the Criminal Justice Reform Task Force with Lee five years ago and said she saw his heart and his vision for all of the citizens of Tennessee.

And I had gotten to see our governor take the moral responsibility to make a path out of addiction and crime and poverty and chaos for the people of Tennessee, Tipton said. And then he put a lot of resources and time into this effort in Northeast Tennessee.

Tipton said Families Free can serve 85 men and 12 women at its Roan Mountain facility in Johnson City.

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The future of this program looks like more and more people believing that change is possible and more ways for people in northeast Tennessee to experience that change, Tipton said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
By Thando Hlophe

STILFONTEIN, South Africa (Reuters) -Desperate relatives of possibly hundreds of illegal miners stuck underground in a disused mine shaft in South Africa waited outside the site on Friday in the hope that their loved ones would emerge safely.

The miners are in a standoff with police, who have blocked their supplies of food and water to force them out and arrest them for illegally entering the abandoned mine in search of leftover gold - a common problem in South Africa.

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More than 1,000 illegal miners have already resurfaced in recent weeks as the police have cracked down, and at least one dead body has been brought up. Hundreds are believed to be still underground.

It was unclear if those remaining in the mine in Stilfontein, North West province, were unwilling or unable to get out of the shaft, which descends vertically for more than 2 km (1.2 miles) underground.

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who visited the site on Friday, said that authorities would work together to get them out. A cabinet minister had previously said the government would not send help because they were "criminals".

"We need a much quicker process because it is risky and dangerous for them to remain where they are," Mchunu told a news briefing.

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Police and community members stood around the rocky entrance on Friday where a pulley had been set up to hoist men out. A community leader told local news outlet News24 on Thursday that the men were too weak to exit the mine.

"I'm here waiting for young people who are underground, who are dying," Zimbabwean national Roselina Nyuzeya told Reuters from behind the police barricade blocking access to the gaping hole.

A woman crying nearby was waiting for her husband, who had been underground since April, Nyuzeya said.

Illegal mining has plagued South Africa for decades through small-time pilfering and organised criminal networks. Many of those who do the risky work of breaking into old industrial mines are immigrants from neighbouring countries.

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They are referred to as zama-zamas - a local term that comes from the Zulu expression for "taking a chance".

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Wednesday the government would not send help for criminals but instead would "smoke them out".

Some community members held signs that read "Smoke ANC out" in response, referring to the governing African National Congress party.

"We are asking for help from the government to assist us so our children can come out of the mine. All we are asking for is their remains to come out," said Matsidiso Ramolla, a 41-year-old resident of Stilfontein.

(Additional reporting by Nelson Banya; Writing by Tannur Anders and Nellie Peyton; Editing by Angus MacSwan and Alexander Winning)
Breaking News Update 11:30 a.m. 11/16/24: Authorities say the body of a missing Wisconsin man has been located.

According to authorities, Oberto was found by divers on Friday afternoon inside of his vehicle which had crashed into a creek near Chicagos OHare International Airport.

This is a breaking news update, the original story can be found below.

-

CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill.  A father is missing after he was last seen leaving a Crystal Lake restaurant Wednesday night.

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Ben Oberto, 45, of New Berlin, Wisconsin, was at 1776 Restaurant in Crystal Lake, located in the 300 block of West Virginia, Wednesday night for his job as a wine sales representative.

He was last seen leaving the restaurant at around 8:56 p.m. wearing blue jeans and a blue zip-up with a gold logo on it.

Surveillance image of Ben leaving restaurant Ben was wearing this outfit when he went missing

Oberto then got into his silver 2019 Subaru Impresza with Wisconsin plate ANJ2349 and was presumably headed home.

He didnt make it and his wife Laura became worried after calls to him went straight to voicemail.

Obertos vehicle was spotted passing the Plaza 9 toll in Elgin at 9:27 p.m.

Family pleads for help finding pregnant Indiana woman who vanished in October

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We are in constant contact all of the time, his wife Laura told WGN News. I talked to him at 6 p.m. and he said hed be home for our sons bedtime.

Police were able to get location data for his cell phone and it last pinged in Rosemont at 9:47 p.m. Oberto or his vehicle have not been heard of seen from since, his wife said.

Not his vehicle but similar Subaru Impreza

Oberto has a 3-year-old son with his wife Laura and a 21-year-old daughter in college from a previous relationship.

Laura is dreading telling her son whats going on and is hopeful someone will locate him. Police confirmed that he never went to OHare and theres been no sign of his car since it was last seen in Elgin, family said.

Ben and family

We were in the process of trying to get pregnant again. We have a beautiful family and hes a wonderful husband and father, she said. This is the hardest thing Ive ever gone through, but the outpouring of help and assistance from so many people  it just shows how many people love him.

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Anyone with information can call New Berlin police at 262-782-6640 or their local police department.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
The family of a 25-year-old Navy sailor stationed at NAS Jax is looking for answers after his body was found in a Georgia river Thursday. Action News Jaxs Atlanta station WSB-TV talked to the family of Devin Jeter saying he dedicated his life to service.

On Monday, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said a fisherman found Jeters body along the Ocmulgee River near Lumber City, Ga.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

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Jeter was the youngest of six siblings and followed two of his sisters and an older brother into the military shortly after he graduated from Druid Hills High School in Atlanta.

Jeters enlisted in the Navy and served in Japan before he was recently redeployed to NAS Jax a few months ago, his family told WSB-TV.

(He was) a caring, thoughtful person who enjoyed life, and he was always a happy person, Debra Smith, Jeters great aunt said.

While driving back to Jacksonville last week, Jeter disappeared.

His family says he took a rental car at 10:30 pm on Thursday to make the overnight drive so he could report for duty at NAS Jax the next morning.

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Overnight calls went unanswered and he never reported for duty.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

Thats when alarm bells start going off, Smith said.

For days, phone calls went unanswered, with no word on where Jeter may have gone.

You cant imagine this guy, as responsible as he is, disappearing, Gary Smith, Jeters great uncle, said.

On Monday, two days later, the GBI called the family with the bad news. They identified Jeters body by the crosses tattooed on his arms.

I can tell you the last six days have been the worst days of my life, Debra Smith said.

The family says Jeters body did not have any identification with it.

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According to the latest information from the GBI, his rental car has not been located. However, the initial autopsy did not find any apparent injuries more tests are still being done.

Jeters family says he was generous, adventurous, brave and was dedicated to service.

Now, they are left grieving the loss of a man with so much promise.

Anyone with information about Jeters disappearance and death is asked to contact the GBI regional investigative office in Eastman at 478-374-6988, or share tips anonymously via the GBIs tip line at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at GBIs tip submission page, or through the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

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*WSB-TV, Atlanta contributed to this report.

Read: Body of missing Navy sailor stationed in Jacksonville found in Georgia river

One the left is the rental car Devin Jeter (right) was last scene driving. The vehicle has not been found. Jeter's body was found in a Georgia river Monday.

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CANBERRA, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government has launched a new initiative to accelerate climate action in the Indo-Pacific.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and Pat Conroy, the Minister for International Development and the Pacific, on Friday announced the establishment of the Climate Catalyst Window, a new program that will drive private investment into the net-zero transition in the Indo-Pacific.

"The Climate Catalyst Window will unlock the potential of climate-focused businesses to help drive the climate action our region has been asking for," Wong said in a statement.

The 126 million Australian dollar (81.2 million U.S. dollar) initiative will be backed by Australian Development Investments (ADI), the government's early-stage investment fund for Indo-Pacific businesses.

Under the new initiative, ADI will use concessional finance to make climate solutions more attractive to private investors.

Projects will also be provided with technical assistance.

Conroy said that the targeted investment program would empower climate-focused small and medium enterprises to innovate, grow and contribute to the global net-zero transformation.

The initiative was launched to coincide with the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku.

The government said that funds recovered from the ADI's investments under the program will be reinvested to support a pipeline of projects into the future. 
I nurtured him and bathed him and fed him, said Lawson Amos McCoy about his son Joshua, adding, I cant believe this has happened

Coos County Sheriff's Office Facebook Joshua McCoy Joshua McCoy

The father of a missing 5-year-old Oregon boy who was found dead less than two miles away from his home said he wants what led to the tragic circumstances surrounding his son.

I want the truth, plain and simple, Lawson Amos McCoy, the father of the late Joshua James McCoy, told OregonLive.com in an article published on Thursday, Nov. 14. I dont care about anything else. My babys gone.

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According to the Coos County Sheriffs Office, Joshua, who had autism, was last seen at his home on Stage Road in Hauser on Saturday, Nov. 9.

Authorities said the boys mother woke up from a nap around 5:30 p.m. local time and discovered her son had disappeared.

A missing person report released by the sheriff's office described Joshua as about 3 feet, 6 inches tall, weighing between 50 and 60 lbs. with brown, shoulder-length hair and brown eyes.

Related: Missing Girl, 17, Found 'Safe' as Police Say She Was Living with 44-Year-Old Man

In a Monday, Nov. 11 Facebook update, the sheriffs office said the search for Joshua intensified the day before, employing authorities and drones in the surrounding areas. The department also said it requested the help of state and federal agencies.

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Then on Nov. 12, the Coos County Sheriffs Office announced that the boys remains were located.

Today [Nov. 12], around 12:30 PM, Joshua was discovered deceased and found approximately 1.6 miles straight line distance North-West from the childs residence, and almost 2 miles by road," authorities stated, adding, "The investigation is ongoing and no additional information will be released at this time."

Furthermore, the sheriff's office highlighted, "The areas that have been searched have been very thorough and methodical due to the circumstances behind the disappearance.

In his interview with OregonLive, Joshuas father, Lawson, said that he hadnt seen his son in more than a year after moving back to Ohio. He met his girlfriend in Utah, and they became parents to Joshua. Then, the family moved to Coos Bay after the girlfriend received a job offer as a nurse. While she worked, Lawson, who had served in the Air Force and on disability, took care of Joshua at home.

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Related: Body Found After 11-Year-Old Boy Was Swept Out to Sea in Front of His Dad

Lawsons brother, Joshua (who shares the same first name as his young nephew) told the outlet that Lawson believes that what happened was his fault because he left Oregon and now feels guilty.

A GoFundMe was established to help pay for the younger Joshuas funeral expenses which would include having the boy buried in Ohio with his great-grandparents. Money from the fundraiser will also be used for counseling and therapy and to hire a private investigator to look into Joshuas death.

Related: Abducted Girl, 4, Found Dead in Woods Alongside Injured Sister, 6, After Man Is Arrested over Death of Their Mom

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I nurtured him and bathed him and fed him. I mean, I knew his favorite foods. I knew his favorite colors, Lawson said, reported OregonLive. I cant believe this has happened.

PEOPLE reached out to the Coos County Sheriffs Office and the GoFundMe organizer for comment on Friday, Nov. 15, but they did not immediately respond.
A father and son who own two Woburn restaurants pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston on Thursday to conspiring to smuggle migrants into the United States from Brazil.

Jesse James Moraes, 66, and Hugo Giovanni Moraes, 45, the owners of Taste of BrazilTudo Na Brasa and The Dog House Bar and Grill, recruited undocumented migrants in Brazil to come to the United States through Mexico without authorization in exchange for fees of between $12,000 and $22,000 per person, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for Massachusetts.

The migrants were encouraged to make fraudulent claims of asylum and were given fraudulent information about points of contact to give to immigration authorities when they were caught, federal prosecutors said.

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Once the migrants reached the United States, Jesse and Hugo helped them secure long-term housing, including in apartments owned by relatives. They then arranged for some of the migrants to work in the two restaurants in downtown Woburn.

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Prosecutors said that Jesse and Hugo paid the migrants either entirely or partly in cash unless and until the migrants obtained identification documents, at which point they were paid at least partly by check. They also encouraged the migrants working for them to obtain false identification documents.

Some of the migrants also paid off some of their smuggling fees by direct payment, having their wages withheld, or by collection by relatives and other associates.

In addition to the smuggling charges, Jesse Moraes pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy.

Federal and local officials with Homeland Security, the Department of Labor, and Woburn police executed federal search and arrest warrants at the restaurants in October 2022.

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Video captured by a Boston 25 photographer showed agents inside the Dog House Bar & Grill and Taste of Brazil. During the raids, agents were spotted seizing boxes of evidence and multiple computer towers.

In April 2023, Jesse and Hugo were also charged in a superseding indictment with forced labor conspiracy.

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A Houston man has been arrested after allegedly plotting a terrorist attack in the United States that he hoped would be similar to Sept. 11, the FBI announced Thursday.

Anas Said, 28, was arrested by the feds outside his Houston apartment on Nov. 8 and charged with attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization.

Said admitted that hed tried several times to travel to join ISIS and offered his home as a guesthouse to ISIS members planning attacks on U.S. soil, according to a detention memo filed earlier this week.

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He also allegedly researched local military recruitment centers and scouted one particular location as part of his efforts to commit violence in the United States. According to the FBI, he acknowledged his desire to fight for ISIS against all those that support Israel, and told investigators he researched layouts and security measures at synagogues and the Israel Consulate in Houston.

The bureau had been monitoring Said since 2017, when he allegedly ordered ISIS stickers off the internet. He said in follow-up interviews that he no longer supported ISIS, but the FBI later found multiple Facebook accounts belonging to Said, which he used to support ISIS and the violent attacks carried out in its name.

Said also created his own ISIS propaganda to disseminate online and set up an encrypted chat group for ISIS followers, the FBI said. At least one undercover agent got into the chat, where Said allegedly vowed to commit a 9/11-style attack if he got the resources.

Saids mother and brother told the FBI that he continued to follow ISIS and openly acknowledged that he wants to fight against and kill proponents of Israel.

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We stopped a potential terrorist attack from happening right here in Houston! Any day we can publicly say that is a good day, the FBI Houston Field Office said on social media Thursday when announcing Saids arrest.

Baldemar Zuniga, an attorney representing Said, told NBC News the case looked weak.

Despite allegations that my client made statements to government agents regarding proposed terrorist acts, the indictment does not currently allege any planning, or acts, of terrorism, Zuniga said. This appears to be a lengthy investigation and it will take some time to sift through all of the evidence.

_____
Frederick County Public Schools opened a new STEM center at Carroll Manor Elementary School on Monday through partnerships with Rowan Digital Infrastructure  one of the companies planning to build data centers in Frederick County  and the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation.

The new STEM center at Carroll Manor Elementary is the sixth Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation STEM Center in Frederick County, according to Erin Landsman, FCPS STEM teacher specialist for pre K-12 students.

Last year, the district launched new STEM centers in two elementary schools  Tuscarora and Whittier  in partnership with the Ripken foundation and Edgewater Federal Solutions.

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The Ripken foundation, a national nonprofit focused on youth development, aims to expand access to STEM education and increase the number of at-risk youths and youths from underrepresented communities in STEM fields.

The STEM center at Carroll Manor Elementary includes student work stations, a 3-D printer and equipment for coding, robotics, electricity and engineering, according to Landsman. The Ripken foundation also provides a curriculum resource with lessons.

Our students are always so engaged in science in the classrooms so the addition of the STEM Center will allow our students to engage in extensions of the grade level science content, Principal Kimberly Robertson wrote in an email Thursday. The STEM Center will also be able to expose students to science in new ways.

Rowan Digital Infrastructure, a Colorado-based company, plans to build data center facilities on a campus being developed by Quantum Loophole on the former Alcoa Eastalco aluminum smelting plant site near Adamstown.

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Martin Romo, Rowans senior director of economic development and policy, said in an interview the company provided $35,000 to FCPS to create the STEM center.

He said the company held a lot of key stakeholder meetings to learn about issues that Frederick County residents care about, and Rowan kept hearing about needs for education and affordable housing.

We thought that a STEM center would be a great way to support that [the education community] given the connection to our facilities that were building in Adamstown and, of course, the adjacency and closeness of Carroll Manor Elementary to our project, Romo said.
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)  A man accused of making a series of violent and hate-based threats against a New York reporter was arrested Friday morning in Myrtle Beach, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Austin Suman, 35, of Myrtle Beach, allegedly threatened to kill the woman and her family and blow up her house, the attorneys office said. He was arrested on Silver Spring Lane in Myrtle Beach and will be returned to White Plains, New York, to face federal charges in the Southern District Court.

News13 photo / Jackie Librizzi News13 photo / Jackie Librizzi News13 photo / Jackie Librizzi News13 photo / Jackie Librizzi

According to a complaint, the threats against the Orange County, New York, woman were made via Facebook and email messages. The threats were motivated by an article the woman wrote several years ago about his arrest for threatening a former roommate with a firearm that resulted in his guns being taken away.

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You are a dumb [sp], we [are] coming for you, one of the messages said. I will end you and your family. You better stay in [N]ew [Y]ork.

In another one of the threats, he said his guns had been returned and that I have more guns than ever, including ful[ly] auto[matic] weapons, the complaint said. The threats also included several ethnic slurs.

The charges against the defendant demonstrate our resolve to work at lightning speed to neutralize threats against the presswhich serves a vital role in our democracy, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a news release. To any individual who dares to cross the line and make hate-based threats against members of our press: you will be found, and you will be held accountable for your actions.

FBI Assistant Director in Charge James E. Dennehy said Suman allegedly made numerous threats and ethnic slurs to a local news reporter to file a personal grievance against her for her previous reporting of his prior arrest.

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His alleged threats to inflict significant harm with firearms and explosives were delivered with intimidation and prejudice, Dennehy said. Hiding behind a screen will not prevent the FBIs pursuit of those who target others with hateful messages of violence and death.

Suman is charged with threatening interstate communications, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; willfully making a threat involving explosives, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; and interstate stalking, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Next-door neighbor Colby Davis says the Suman family has lived in the neighborhood since 2018. Davis said he saw Suman get taken out in handcuffs on Friday morning and was surprised.

I woke up to, well, the dog was alerting me, and I looked out the window and I just couldnt believe it, Davis said. I saw the SWAT team, or I saw Myrtle Beach police, Horry County police and the FBI. Its a little scary. I didnt know what was going on.

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* * *

Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on, Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

* * *

Jackie LiBrizzi is a multimedia journalist at News13. Jackie is originally from Hamilton, New Jersey, and was raised in Piedmont, South Carolina. Jackie joined the News13 team in June 2023 after she graduated as a student-athlete from the University of South Carolina in May 2023. Follow Jackie on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, and read more of her work here.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
(Correction: An earlier version of this story had misspelled the name of Ayn Yeagle, executive director of Growing Places.)

BOSTON  A food systems network serving North Central Massachusetts is celebrating the recent announcement that the organization was awarded a federal grant to develop a grocery store in Winchendon to replace the IGA supermarket that closed in 2017.

Ayn Yeagle, executive director of Growing Places, announced a federal grant for the organization that will help establish a new grocery store in Winchendon to serve local residents.

Ayn Yeagle, executive director of Growing Places, is super excited by the federal grant for $147,984 that was awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development for Southern New England through its Healthy Food Financing Initiative. The money will be used to create a business plan and operating model for the proposed store.

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Our food systems work started when we lost our grocery store, Yeagle said Wednesday while she was attending a State House rally in Boston to advocate for more funding for the states Healthy Incentive Program. The state program refunds purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables made at farm stands and farmers markets by residents using SNAP benefits cards.

We did some preliminary survey work to determine what kind of store would work in the community, Yeagle said.

Now, its a question of creating a working model for the store. The project will create a sustainable, equity-based store model that partners with local farmers to ensure a steady flow of fresh-from-the-farm products.

In announcing the funding, Scott Soares, state director for the Southern New England arm of the Department of Agriculture, acknowledged the importance of community access to fresh produce.

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Affordable access to healthy food is a right that rural Americans should not have to compromise on, Soares said. The USDA Rural Development is proud to work with local farms and food retailers throughout Southern New England to ensure that nutritious food continues to remain an accessible and affordable option.

The grant was one of two awarded to Massachusetts food network organizations; the other grant, totaling $99,000, was awarded to the Nourish Holyoke Initiative for creating a new food retail location in that city.

In Winchendon, two local businesses have already committed to the project: Farming is Life and Not Just Produced, Neagle said.

Farming is Life is a 64-acre farm dedicated to regenerative farming methods and diverse selection of heirloom and other crops that are culturally relevant to the local population. The farms mission, according to its website, is to provide nourishing, sustainably grown and naturally cultivated produce.

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Not Just Produced is a specialty grocer that brings farm-fresh, local produce to its shelves along with nutritious meals.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Organization gets federal grant for new grocery store in Winchendon
Will Pope, in red, holds a flag inside the Senate Carriage Entrance on the east side of the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot. Pope ran for the Topeka City Council in 2018. (Screen capture from Jayden X video on YouTube)

TOPEKA  A federal judge granted a request to delay the trial of a Topeka man who blocked officers during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol building.

William Pope, who is representing himself in the case charging him with federal crimes in connection with his actions on Jan. 6, requested a trial delay on Nov. 8, citing President-elect Donald Trumps victory and concerns over a fair jury.

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Trump promised throughout his third presidential campaign to pardon those criminally charged Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol if he were to be reelected. Pope was one of many defendants pursuing case changes following Trumps win.

Judge Rudolph Contreras for the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., was sympathetic to Popes arguments during a Thursday hearing, which culminated in Contreras granting Popes motion to delay the trial.

A new trial date was not set.

Contreras said hed been considering motions like Popes on a case-by-case basis, according to an official transcript of the Thursday hearing.

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In his original motion, Pope argued his jury was the entire American public, and they voted for a mandate to set me free. He also expressed concerns that his case wouldnt be heard by a fair jury because the vast majority of D.C. residents voted for Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.

Contreras said he was focused on the conservation of resources for the cases parties, the court and any potential jurors or witnesses, according to the transcript.

I dont want them to bring in 70 people or so just to have it go for naught, which theres a real possibility of, Contreras said. Of course, its speculative, but there is a real possibility of that happening.

Federal prosecutors opposed any delay. Benet Kearney with the U.S. Attorneys Office said during Thursdays hearing that the case could be efficiently tried if it proceeded as scheduled. Instead, it was Popes insistence of going down, kind of, a side rabbit hole that has the potential to drag this out, Benet said.

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And so this is a manufactured situation by the defendant, you know? she said.

Popes case has dragged on since he was indicted in February 2021, jailed in Shawnee County that same month and released on his own recognizance in early March 2021. His July 2024 trial date was delayed to weigh the possible impacts of a U.S. Supreme Court decision in June that threw out charges against a former Pennsylvania police officer who also participated in the Jan. 6 attack.

The parties are scheduled to meet again in December to set a future trial date.
His wifes corpse has still not been found in Europe.

But on Wednesday, federal prosecutors obtained a grand jury indictment accusing David Knezevich of killing Ana Knezevich Henao, in addition to a previous charge of kidnapping her in Madrid in early February.

Knezevich, 36, a Fort Lauderdale businessman from Serbia who has been held at a federal lock-up in Miami since his arrest in May, faces a potential death penalty if convicted of the new charge, kidnapping resulting in death. Hes also newly charged with foreign domestic violence resulting in death and foreign murder of a U.S. national, according to the indictment.

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Prosecutors in the U.S. Attorneys Office in Miami have still not indicated whether they will seek the death penalty. If they do pursue it, the Justice Department would have the final say. If the department were to approve it and Knezevich was convicted at trial, he would face the death penalty at his sentencing  an elaborate process.

But if prosecutors dont opt for the death penalty, Knezevich, if convicted, would face a potential maximum sentence of life in prison.

David Knezevich

The prosecutors decision marks a dramatic shift in the largely circumstantial case surrounding 40-year-old Ana Knezevichs disappearance from her Madrid apartment on Feb. 2. Before the Colombian-Americans presumed death, the couple was going through a difficult divorce while fighting over millions in Broward properties they acquired during their 13-year marriage.

After a court hearing Thursday, Knezevichs defense attorneys questioned the new charges alleging he killed his wife, saying no compelling evidence has surfaced since his arrest six months ago.

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Theres no evidence then and no evidence now that David kidnapped her or David murdered her, said his lawyer, Jayne Weintraub, joined by co-counsel Christopher Cavallo.

Family speaks out

However, Ana Knezevichs family members in South Florida took a sharply different view of the new indictment, saying in a statement that it confirms their worst fears.

This is a step in the direction to start to mourn while we continue to search for answers and honor Anas memory by advocating for her story to be told, and for accountability to prevail, said Anas brother, Diego Henao.

Our hope is that Anas life, love and legacy will not be overshadowed by this tragedy but will instead inspire meaningful conversations about domestic violence and the importance of protecting those at risk, as Ana would have wanted, said another brother, Felipe Henao.

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For months, the FBI has been been coordinating its investigation with the Spanish National Police, gathering suspicious security-camera footage of David Knezevichs presence in a Madrid hardware store and at her apartment just before her disappearance, as well as fabricated text messages and stolen license plates on a rental car suggesting a cover-up. However, authorities found no evidence of blood traces or a struggle in the estranged wifes Madrid apartment after she was reported missing.

Ana Maria Knezevich Henao

The question of whether prosecutors would charge Knezevich with killing his wife had been hanging over the highly publicized case since his arrest in May at Miami International Airport upon his return from Serbia. The feds hinted at their answer in court papers last month as defense attorneys continued to pressure prosecutors to turn over more evidence. The case is scheduled for trial in February but is likely to be postponed well into next year.

At Thursdays court hearing, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams did not set a new trial date but acknowledged that it would seem ridiculous to think both sides would be ready for trial by February in light of the major changes in the indictment and the possibility of a death penalty case.

But the judge also expressed her frustration with pace of the case so far, saying this needs to move more quickly than it has been. Williams pushed prosecutors to complete arrangements with their Spanish counterparts so the defense team can travel to Madrid and investigate the alleged crime scene at Ana Knezevichs former apartment, question witnesses and review other evidence.

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Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Obenauf told the judge that the U.S. Attorneys Office and the FBI have been coordinating efforts with the Spanish National Police and other authorities overseas. Obenauf, joined by prosecutor Lacee Monk, said were trying to complete arrangements this month for the defense visit.

The issue of additionally charging Knezevich with both kidnapping and killing his wife runs parallel to another high-profile case in Miami: a Colomban man was arrested last month on the charge of kidnapping his former mistress and their 9-year-old daughter, resulting in their deaths eight years ago.

But Knezevichs case is strikingly different because the alleged crime involved his traveling from Miami to Serbia before prosecutors and FBI agents say he kidnapped his wife in Spain.

Cunning level of deception

In two consecutive detention hearings, a magistrate judge in Miami ordered that Knezevich remain in jail because he considered him a serious flight risk.

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After the second hearing, Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres concluded there is ample evidence to support the kidnapping case against Knezevich, whose lawyers had asked the judge to reconsider his initial detention order.

Indeed, the evidence produced at the second hearing supports the Courts original finding that [Knezevich] presents a serious risk of flight given the cunning level of deception that he has demonstrated as part of the crime he is alleged to have engaged in, Torres ruled in a 17-page order in September.

READ NEXT: Husband of missing woman in Spain accused in Miami federal indictment of kidnapping her

Torres also rejected the defenses attack that prosecutors have no jurisdiction to bring the kidnapping charge in Miami because the crime allegedly happened in Spain, saying their initial evidence supported the case.

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After his arrest in May, an FBI agent dug into a trove of circumstantial evidence suggesting he had the means, opportunity and motive to kidnap his estranged wife from her apartment in Madrid.

Broward real estate holdings

Knezevich, who operated a tech business, owned millions of dollars in Broward County residential real estate with his wife, a native of Colombia. They were fighting over these and other assets when she left for Spain in late December 2023. Hes accused of leaving Miami the following month with a plan to track her down. She was reported missing by authorities on Feb. 2.

The FBI believes the husband carried her body in a suitcase out of her Madrid apartment building that evening, citing security-camera footage of him exiting the elevator. In August, the FBI joined Spanish and Italian authorities in a search for her corpse in the woods north of the city of Vicenza in Italy, where a GPS alert on the husbands rented Peugeot 308 suggested he took a detour there on his return trip from Spain to Serbia.

READ MORE: Investigators comb Italy to find body of Fort Lauderdale woman who vanished in Spain

Italian firefighters combed the heavily wooded area in the province of Vicenza in northern Italy on Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 21-22, 2024. They, along with investigators from Spain, Italy and the FBI, were searching for the body of Ana Knezevich Henao, the Fort Lauderdale woman who was reported missing in early February in Spain. Her body has not been found.

No blood found in Madrid apartment

At the second detention hearing, Knezevichs lawyer, Weintraub, focused on a Spanish police forensic report that found no traces of blood in the wifes Madrid apartment, contrary to what they initially claimed. Citing no signs of struggle, Knezevichs defense team sought his release based on this new piece of evidence.

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I agree with you that some of their evidence is challengeable, Torres said at the end of the hearing, but nonetheless ruled to detain Knezevich.

The judge also said he could not detect a suitcase, as described by an FBI agent during her testimony, in the security camera video of Knezevich at the wifes apartment building. The FBI suspects Knezevich carried out Ana, a petite woman, in something that looks like a suitcase, according to the agents testimony.

Duct tape, spray paint purchases

However, Torres cited the strength of another video showing Knezevich purchasing duct tape and spray paint at a Madrid hardware store that may have been used to keep the front door of the wifes apartment building open during the alleged kidnapping and to coat over the security camera in the lobby.

He was buying those supplies in that hardware store, including the can of spray paint, to make sure the video cameras did not catch him moving her out of the building, Torres said.

David Knezevich was recorded spray-painting security cameras at his wifes apartment building in Madrid, according to the FBI. On Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, Knezevich was charged in Miami federal court with killing his estranged wife in Madrid in February, in addition to his kidnapping charge.

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The judge also pointed out that Knezevich allegedly wrote a series of text messages between him and a Colombian woman who prosecutors claim is his girlfriend. During one exchange, he asked the woman to translate a message into perfect Colombian for a friend in Serbia writing a script. Knezevich told the woman he wanted the writing to sound authentic, according to the FBI.

The day after Ana Knezevich disappeared, three friends told investigators they received the same strange message from her, which suggested she was still alive. I met someone wonderful. He has a summer house about 2h from Madrid. We are going there now and I will spend a few days there. There is barely any signal though. Ill call you when I come back. Kisses, was the message on her cellphone.

He was engaging in a scheme to make it look like the wife was alive and well, communicating with her friends about a man she just met, when in fact she was never to be seen again, Torres said.

The judge further noted that Knezevich flew in January from Miami to Turkey then to Serbia, where he has family, and then rented the Peugeot to drive to Spain. The judge noted he drove the rental car for thousands of miles from Belgrade to Madrid and back to Belgrade, keeping the car for 47 days. When he returned it to the rental agency, the windows had been tinted, stickers removed and license plates swapped out.

All these facts in combination reflect highly unusual behavior for someone with the means to fly from Serbia to Spain if he wanted to visit a hardware store in Madrid, Torres wrote. At a time he was supposed to be visiting his family in Serbia, he was blocks away from the apartment where his wife was last seen.
CLEVELAND (WJW)  Federal officials are investigating discrimination allegations against Case Western Reserve University, the school confirmed Thursday evening.

The Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights opened its investigation into claims made by the Cleveland and Northern Ohio Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

CAIR-Ohio filed a Title VI complaint against CWRU back in July, accusing the university of bias and hostility against students protesting for Palestine, including, but not limited to failure to address harassment, and unequal disciplinary actions against Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim students, the group said a press release.

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I-Team: Cleveland officials want more time to answer Browns lawsuit

In one instance, according to the complaint, two individuals who werent students came onto campus during a pro-Palestine encampment between April 29 and May 8, using bullhorns to call students names and harass them.

Despite the administrations knowledge of this continuous and constant harassment that was threatening, intimidating, and Islamophobic to its Palestinian, Palestinian-affiliated, Arab, and Muslim students, it took no action to cease the ongoing harassment, the complaint said.

Mother of slain CLE officer responds after son not included in departments Veterans Day post

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The group is calling on the university to ensure Palestinian students have access to the same services as other students, to reinstate suspended Palestinian groups, to stop silencing these groups and to issue an apology and statement condemning anti-Palestinian racism and discrimination, the complaint said.

A Case Western spokesperson released the following statement to FOX 8:

Case Western Reserve University received a notice today that the U.S. Department of Educations Office of Civil Rights (OCR) has opened an investigation into allegations in a complaint made by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) about the university. As the OCRs procedures clearly state, opening a complaint for investigation in no way implies that OCR has made a determination with regard to the merits of the complaint. Case Western Reserve will fully cooperate with the OCR and welcomes the opportunity to demonstrate that the university takes seriously its obligation to fully comply with Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The universitys policies and procedures have been and continue to be fair, impartial and designed to provide equal access to facilities and resources, ensure the safety of all members of our campus community, and protect our community members freedom of expression.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
AYBAK, Afghanistan, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Two commuters were killed and three others injured as a car turned turtle in north Afghanistan's Samangan province on Friday, Hashmatullah Rahmani, spokesman for the provincial police office confirmed to Xinhua.

The accident took place in Hazrat Sultan district Friday morning, leaving two travelers dead on the spot and injuring three others, some in critical condition, the official added.

Blaming reckless driving for the mishap, the official added that drivers' carelessness on congested roads often claims the lives of commuters.

Similarly, one commuter lost his life, and four others were injured in east Afghanistan's Parwan province on Thursday evening. 
MANCHESTER, Conn. (WTNH)  Students were released early on Friday after a suspicious powdery substance was found on the floor of a bathroom at Howard Cheney Technical High School in Manchester.

Security alerted a school resource officer at about 10:35 a.m. that the powder was found, according to state police. Field testing showed that it was likely fentanyl. However, police have since said it is actually talcum powder.

Students were dismissed as a precaution.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  The final environmental evaluation was released on the impact of replacing the aging F-15C and D-model aircraft used by the Air Force at Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield.

The 104th Fighter Wing, located at Barnes Air National Guard Base was selected by the U.S. Department of Defense to receive 18 new F-35A fighter jets in 2026 however, a proposal by the National Guard Bureau (NGB) will replace the aircraft with either the F-15EX or F-35A aircraft.

F-15C from Barnes ANGB in Westfield to be displayed at New England Air Museum

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The Department of the Air Force and the NGB analyzed the potential environmental consequences of receiving the new aircraft at three fighter wings across the U.S.

The 104th Fighter Wing at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport in Massachusetts (F-15EX or F-35A)

The 144th Fighter Wing at Fresno Yosemite International Airport in California (F-15EX only)

The 159th Fighter Wing at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Louisiana (F-15EX or F-35A)



The three fighter wings will receive only one type of new-generation aircraft, the F-15EX or F-35A. The F-35A are scheduled to be delivered in 2026 while the F-15EX aircraft are scheduled to be delivered between 2027 and 2028.

A Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was released to the public that analyzes the potential consequences to the quality of the human environment and important historic, cultural, and natural aspects of our national heritage that may result from the implementation. Studies were also conducted for noise and project areas in Westfield.

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The 104th Fighter Wing is expecting to receive the F-35A Lightning II squadron, in a news release from public affairs in 2023. However, the decision of which aircraft the 104th Fighter Wing will receive has not yet been approved. The decision will be published after a 30-day waiting period following the publication of the Final EIS which was on November 15th. Ultimately, the decision should be on Sunday, December 15.

FILE  In this image provided by the U.S. Air Force, a U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 34th Fighter Squadron, departs from a KC-10 Extender aircraft after receiving fuel over Poland, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022.

F-35A

Noise Summary:

There would be 1,288 more acres off the airport property, 267 additional households, and 779 additional people that would be exposed to 65 dB DNL or greater. Four additional POIs would be exposed to 65 dB DNL. Thirty-one POIs would increase 17 dB DNL. Under FAA standards, 6 POIs would experience significant increases while 429 households and 1,212 people would be affected. Three POIs, 885 households, and 2,406 people would experience a reportable increase in noise according to FAA criteria. Noise impacts in the vicinity of the airfield would be significant.

Noise associated with the construction projects would be temporary and not significant.

Fighter jet-generated noise would continue to dominate sound levels in the training airspace. Ldnmr and DNL would increase by up to 7 dB but remain in the 3547 dB range, which is well below the 65 dB threshold considered for noise sensitive land uses and would not be significant

within the SUA.

Airspace Summary:

Impacts would be as described for the F-15EX and would not be significant.

F-15EX

Noise Summary:

There would be 845 more acres off the airport property, 197 additional households, and 547 additional people that would be exposed to 65 dB DNL or greater. Six additional POIs would be exposed to 65 dB DNL. Thirty-five POIs would experience increases between 1 and 5 dB DNL. Under FAA standards, 10 POIs would experience significant increases while 304 households and 852 people would be affected. Five POIs, 621 households, and 1,811 people would experience a reportable increase in noise according to FAA criteria.

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Noise impacts in the vicinity of the airfield would be significant. Noise associated with the construction projects would be temporary and not significant.

Fighter jet-generated noise would continue to dominate sound levels in the training airspace. Ldnmr and DNL would increase by up to 5 dB but remain in the 3545 dB range, which is well below the 65 dB threshold considered for noise sensitive land uses and would not be significant within the SUA.

Airspace Summary:

The replacement of the F-15C with the F-15EX would utilize local airspace. Over time, the replacement of the F-15C aircraft at the installation could result in a 6.7 percent increase in total airfield operations at BAF. This increase in airfield operations would have a minimal effect on

the local air traffic environment. Close coordination of scheduling and use of SUA would ensure safe air operations within the controlled airspace and SUA. Impacts would not be significant.

To read more on the resources and alternative impacts, visit angf15ex-f35a-eis.com.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
Accor, a hospitality company, has signed an agreement with Abu Dhabi Tourism Investment Company (ADTIC) to open the Sofitel Legend Pyramids Giza.

Slated for a late 2027 launch, the property will boast proximity to the Giza Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, providing guests with a blend of luxury and historical grandeur.

Sofitel CEO of Sofitel Legend, MGallery and Emblems Maud Bailly said: We are truly excited to bring the Sofitel Legend brand to the iconic landscape of Giza with this exceptional project.

With Sofitel Legend Pyramids Giza, we are creating a flagship destination that honours Egypts profound heritage and culture while marking a major milestone for our brand. We deeply appreciate the trust ADTIC has placed in us, and together, we are thrilled to establish a new landmark in Egypt.

The Sofitel Legend Pyramids Giza is set to become the eighth addition to the brand's collection of luxury hotels, known for their French elegance and cultural integration.

The hotel will join the ranks of the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract in Aswan, making it the second Sofitel Legend in Egypt.

Sofitel Legend Pyramids Giza will feature 303 rooms and suites, each designed to reflect the mystique of Ancient Egypt with modern comforts and French sophistication.

The hotel will feature wellness facilities, including a spa, fitness centre, infinity pools, and diverse dining options with views of the pyramids.

ADTIC CEO Yahia Kotub said: Together with Accor, we are crafting a transformative experience at the Sofitel Legend Pyramids Giza, where the rich narrative of ancient Egypt meets unparalleled luxury. Our commitment to excellence will not only elevate the standards of hospitality but also celebrate the timeless beauty and heritage of this extraordinary destination.

Strategically located 500m from the Grand Egyptian Museum, the Sofitel Legend Pyramids Giza will offer convenient access to the establishment.

"Accor signs agreement with ADTIC to launch Sofitel Legend Pyramids Giza" was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts that global oil prices will rise in 2025 to $84 per barrel, setting the stage for a high value return on investment for successful pirate attacks.

Announcements of oil explorations and discoveries, coupled with steadily rising market prices, attract the attention of criminals who can profit from selling stolen products on the global black oil market, which has an estimated value of over $1bn.

Pirates preying on the spoils of the oil industry have a variety of choices for targets, including pipelines, rigs, or tankers. Valuable petroleum products and expensive machinery can be stolen, including communication devices , navigation instruments, engines, powerful spotlights, drilling rigs and pumping machinery.

As criminal organisations advance their attacks, the threat of petro-piracy remains ever present, requiring oil companies to keep abreast of the complexities within the piracy domain to avoid the loss of precious stock and the subsequent impact on bottom lines.

In recent years, piracy hotspots such as the Gulf of Guinea have experienced fluctuations in reported incidents due to shifts in geopolitics and oil prices. There has been an additional transition in the dynamics of piracy towards the illegal transfer of oil between ships or from tampered pipelines, known as oil bunkering .

Petro-piracy typically affects regions with disordered or relatively unregulated oil and gas industries, reduced levels of maritime law enforcement, and geographical terrains suited to the logistics of staging attacks, such as areas with bottlenecks or island chains.

The combined effect of attacks against offshore assets and onshore infrastructure can cause long-term damage to industry supply chains, as pirates steal goods (both refined and unrefined) for lucrative black markets or hold workers and products for ransom.

Though less commonly attacked than tankers, offshore installations are also at risk due to their remote locations within open waters.

Tankers offer profitable targets for pirates as they contain a highly valuable commodity and play a crucial role in international energy trade, transporting crude oil, liquified natural gas (LNG), and petroleum products, while also serving as offshore storage terminals.

As a subset of piracy, petro-piracy is defined as the illegal hijacking and theft or siphoning of oil or other petroleum products from ships, pipelines, and storage facilities .

As an increasing number of attacks on oil tankers in the Red Sea made headlines in 2024, the security issues around petro-piracy have reared their heads for oil companies worldwide.

Story Continues

Piracy against oil operations can take on a political as well as financial element. Research on the theft of oil in the Niger Delta finds that the exercise is commonly seen as a legitimate re-appropriation of a resource which international companies have taken from local communities.

Since the early 2010s the Gulf of Guinea has been petro-piracy hub as it encompasses two major oil producers: Nigeria and Angola. These West African nations are cumulatively responsible for approximately 3% of global oil production. The Gulf itself, which stretches from Senegal to Angola, hosts major oil fields such as Owowo West and Preowei.

Shaun Robertson, intelligence analyst at EOS Risk Group, a global security risk and crisis management practice, explains that in the Gulf of Guinea petro-piracy was initially an onshore operation.

Insurgents would attack pipelines and kidnap oil executives. Then when infrastructure was moved offshore, thats when petro-piracy started in the waters with the siphoning of oil from vessels, he added.

In the 2020s, pirates refocused their efforts on hijacking pipelines and transferring oil to illegal refineries. In Nigeria the scale of these operations is immense, as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has destroyed almost 6,000 illegal refineries since 2021. In September alone, Nigerias army seized over 198,000 litres of stolen crude oil.

Despite onshore criminal activity taking centre stage, maritime petro-piracy hasnt been entirely eradicated, as oil tankers have increasingly been caught in the crossfire of geopolitical conflicts.

Houthis get involved

Since late 2023, the Yemeni Houthi militant organisation have been attacking oil tankers in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in response to Israels invasion of Gaza, hitting oil assets to make a political statement.

A significant attack occurred in late August, as the Houthis fired missiles and detonated explosives on the Greek-owned and flagged MV Sounion, which was carrying approximately one million barrels of crude. The barrels have since been salvaged and the tanker towed to safety.

Other Houthi-led attacks in 2024 have hit Saudi, Chinese and Panamanian-flagged oil tankers. The escalation has forced industry giants such as BP and Shell to divert their fleets around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, disrupting global trade and increasing shipping costs.

In turn, the rerouting and subsequent additional transit time has led to a spike in CO emissions. With the additional risk of oil and gas spillage from attacked vessels, the environment could becomes another victim of petro-piracy.

Cyrus Mody, deputy director of the International Chamber of Commerces International Maritime Bureau (ICC IMB), has confirmed that pirates also kidnap entire tanker crews for ransom, which creates other dangers [as if the] people on board are not competent in navigating a vessel it puts other shipping traffic and the environment at risk if there is a collision.

Research from Rice Universitys Baker Institute for Public Policy states that disruption caused by piracy can create a broader asymmetry in energy commodity trade. In the case of the Red Sea, Russian crude cargoes have flown through to Asia unabated. Meanwhile, Qatari LNG shipments to Europe have detoured en masse or been replaced by alternate cargoes sourced in the Atlantic basin.

Changing targets and emphasis

The frequency of attacks on oil tankers means that industry attention is geared towards protecting vessels. But as pirates in the 21st century have adjusted their operations offshore platforms have come under increasing threat. The belief that platforms are safer because they are not easily accessible targets, as stated in research from the 1980s, is no longer the case.

Chris Long, director of compliance at private security company Neptune P2P, identifies the Gulf of Mexico as a problematic area for platforms such as those owned by state oil company Pemex. He believes that drug cartels are involved in these frequent attacks.

Somalia exemplifies the development and growth of petro-piracy operations. Having dominated the early 2010s, Somalian piracy saw a decade-long decline but has resurged in the past year with a spate of hijackings, of vessels of various sizes.

Somalian pirates have expanded their ransom operations from crews and oil barrels on vessels to platforms, as the nation progresses towards utilising and selling its estimated reserves of 30 billion barrels.

The IMBs Piracy Reporting Centre has warned that Somali pirates have also developed the ability to target assets up to 1,000 nautical miles from the coastline. This capability puts projects such as Turkiyes ongoing exploration of three offshore oil and gas blocks in Somalia at higher risk of attack, as Long tells Offshore Technology that the slow-moving and static targets there have raised concerns.

Reported declines in piracy incidents should not lead to complacency with security measures. A consistent trend across piracy hotspots is that decreases are followed by resurgences, often with replenished weaponry that ranges from small arms, rocket propelled grenades, to water-borne improvised explosive devices.

Investing in anti-piracy security

Petro-piracy is an expensive business for all parties involved, including entire nations. In 2011, it was estimated that West African countries lost $1bn in oil revenue due to piracy.

For oil companies, 2024 has brought increased war risk insurance premiums, translating into hundreds of thousands of dollars of additional costs for extended voyages.

Ships are also encouraged by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to avoid or speed up through danger zones such as the Red Sea, which piles on extra fuel expenses. This is on top of the high freight rates seen in 2024, as oil tanker operators have reported record profits.

The maritime oil transportation supply chain contains numerous parties and stages, which can lead to gaps in safety. Companies must outsource tankers and safety responsibility to ship owners.

There is then the additional risk of a vessels registered country failing in its safety responsibilities to operate under less stringent regulations, known as flags of convenience. Failure at any point in this chain opens opportunities for petro-piracy.

Dirk Siebels, senior analyst at Risk Intelligence, states that piracy remains a potential issue for all vessels. At particular risk are those vulnerable to boardings. Crude oil or LNG tankers in ballast are hard to board due to the high freeboard, but that changes when they are fully laden".

Construction is crucial in the fight against petro-piracy. In 1992, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships made it mandatory for tankers of 5,000 deadweight tonnage and above to be fitted with double hulls. But Long points out that tankers today still have vulnerable areas, particularly at the rear, making them a big target.

Piracy best management practice, known as BMP5, advocates for vessels to be hardened with razor wire, water spray and foam monitors, a protective citadel for the crew, and enhanced bridge protection, which is typically the focal point of pirate attacks.

Mody verifies that a key strategy for pirates is to damage navigation and communication equipment so that the crew cannot call for help.

Meanwhile, safeguarding platforms differs from tanker protection, as Long explains: Using arms or anything potentially explosive around a platform is difficult to authorise, so non-kinetic security is used instead.

Security guards play a vital role in protecting platforms, the construction and maintenance of each one can cumulatively amount to almost a $1bn.

Security software has also been enhanced since the peak of petro-piracy in the 2010s. Software companies such as Cambridge Pixel provide solutions that can process data from navigation radars on offshore oil infrastructure to patrol and track small targets such as pirate vessels.

Cambridge Pixel sales director Mark Saunders explains to Offshore Technology that Alarms can be set off when a ship crosses a boundary line around an installation. Augmented reality then shows the name and destination of the vessel through an automatic identification system. If a ships data doesnt show, then it can be identified as a piracy risk.

Alarms are also built for complex scenarios, such as highlighting the presence of a boat that is loitering near an installation. Alternatively, an urgent alarm can be set for a boat that is making a direct approach at high speed.

Saunders identifies that such technology is predominantly used only on offshore platforms as opposed to tankers. Vessels typically rely on the vigilance of the crew, whereas with more expensive infrastructure in West Africa for example, theres no questions asked about companies spending money on increased platform security.

The cost of investing in such a variety of security solutions to deter petro-piracy provides a return on investment for oil companies to avoid the higher price of vandalisation or production stoppages.

Longs general advice is for companies to get a thorough risk assessment of where you can operate, what the threats are in that region, and how best to mitigate against them.

As for the post-attack stage, Mody stresses the importance of sharing information between public and private organisations. The IMB leads global piracy reporting as the only 24/7 monitor for incidences. The sooner reports come in, the more chance that [the IMB] and the navies or law enforcement in the waters have to respond.

The future of petro-piracy

While the Red Sea is the latest focal point for security concerns, there is a possibility that increasing attacks on oil assets could inspire upturns in historically hazardous areas such as the Gulf of Guinea and Somalia.

Robertson points out that there is a vicious cycle in petro-piracy, whether it happens onshore or offshore. As illegal refineries are prone to blowing up and ruining ecosystems, local fishermen in the Gulf of Guinea for example can no longer fish, and so they turn to a life of crime.

Continued international cooperation between countries is key to snuffing out these threats, as Mody explains: While boundaries out at sea may be defined, they are not well-patrolled or overseen, so moving from one jurisdiction into another for a criminal is extremely easy, whereas it is difficult for a coast guard for example to move from their jurisdiction into another. This is where bilateral agreements come in.

The diversion of oil trade routes away from the Red Sea has worked to deter the Houthis, according to Long. What's happening in the Red Seas is worrying, but I think it's temporary. They're running out of legitimate targets as vessels continue to reroute.

Mody asserts that recorded reductions in piracy incidents are a result of international focus on any problem areas and the coastal authorities, private arms companies, and navies coming together to allocate resources and safeguard waters. Without this, there would be an increase in incidents of at least 15%.

However, he acknowledges that some incidents go unreported, further emphasising the need for the oil industry to be on its guard.

Robertson concludes that petro-piracy could come back tomorrow with a bang, as weve seen with the recent return of Somali pirates. Theyve got the capability and the opportunity, so you should never hang your hat up.

"Petro-piracy: the continuing threat to oil security" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




CHEYENNE  The University of Wyomings economic contribution to the state has increased significantly over the past decade, according to a new report from the university.

Titled Economic Footprint of the University of Wyoming, the report answers the question, If not for the university, what economic activity would not occur in the region?

Theres a lot of data in here, but essentially its a way to show that the people of Wyoming invest in this place, and it definitely brings a pretty high return on investment, primary researcher, economist and Assistant Dean of the Business College at UW Anne Alexander told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle.

The study found that UWs contribution to the gross state product (GSP), which measures the states economic output and the sum of economic value added from all industries in the state, grew from 0.3% in the 2013-14 fiscal year to 1.8% in the 2022-23 fiscal year.

If the additional impact of UW alumni living and working in Wyoming are considered, the universitys contribution to the GSP rises to 2.3%, according to the study.

You have to consider that we are but one entity in the state, were only one employer in the state, Alexander said. Its a pretty outsized impact for the size of the organization.

By looking at where the economic holes would be without the university, the study was able to demonstrate the economic benefits it generates.

Thats a pretty big hole in GSP if were gone, Alexander said. Imagine our GSP being persistently 2% lower. Thats a big hit.

The economic benefit of the university has been a prominent conversation in the Legislature over the past five to seven years, according to Joint Education Committee member Rep. Landon Brown, R-Cheyenne.

The university has been perceived to be doing good in the community over the past 10 to 15 years, but that good has been slightly overshadowed by woke ideology, according to Brown. Specifically, legislators have discussed the value of providing state dollars for liberal arts degrees, and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

What weve seen over the past couple years is Freedom Caucus members have mounted direct attacks on the University of Wyoming with budget amendments to completely defund the University of Wyoming and/or these particular programs solely based on their belief that these are not beneficial programs to the state of Wyoming, Brown said.

While there have been conversations in the Legislature regarding the value of providing the university with funding for degrees that dont always yield high-paying local jobs, Brown notes that its important to acknowledge programs like the School of Energy Resources, the School of Business, the School of Law and the School of Healthcare, which he said are such prominent and important schools for Wyoming, in particular.
A hot new contender in the realm of energy storage is emerging. Finnish company Polar Night Energy is rapidly advancing the development of an industrial-scale Sand Battery.

This sustainable energy storage solution is being constructed in Pornainen, southern Finland.

This sand battery is a thermal energy storage system that utilizes a unique material: crushed soapstone.

What makes this project even more special is its commitment to circular economy. The soapstone, a by-product of Tulikivi's fireplace production, is repurposed to power a community.

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Once ready, it will serve as a thermal energy source for power station Loviisan Lampo's district heating network.

Were very pleased to use a by-product of Tulikivis production instead of virgin materials for the Sand Battery, supporting the principles of circular economy. We have high expectations for soapstones performance, said Tommi Eronen, CEO of Polar Night Energy.

Depiction of sand battery storage and supply. Polar Night Energy

2,000 tons of crushed soapstone used

The Sand Battery was filled with 2,000 tons of soapstone, which is the approximate weight of one thousand soapstone fireplaces. The site has received 40 truckloads of crushed soapstone for this purpose.

The giant Sand Battery will be the main power source for Pornainen's district heating network. It will be capable of generating 1 megawatt (MW) of power and storing 100 MWh of energy.

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In terms of size, this unique battery will have a height of about 13 meters and a width of roughly 15 meters.

The soapstone filling process is done. As per the press release, the next phase will see the final stages of installation, followed by rigorous winter testing. The Sand Battery is expected to begin operations in 2025.

The project has received financial support from Business Finland's new technology energy aid program.

Circular economy

Soapstone  a material with a long history in Finland  is primarily mined in the regions of North Karelia and Kainuu.

These rocks have exceptional thermal conductivity. Besides its efficient heat conduction, soapstone is also remarkable for its ability to retain heat, surpassing the performance of many other rocks.

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This stored energy can then be released to provide reliable and sustainable heat for homes and businesses.

Joint research by the two companies has confirmed the suitability of crushed soapstone for use in Loviisan Lampo's Sand Battery.

Moreover, this plant will operate entirely on electricity, eliminating the need for fuel transportation and contributing to a cleaner energy future.

The Sand Battery will significantly reduce the combustion-based energy used in our district heating network, and the collaboration with Tulikivi has added a valuable circular economy aspect to this project, said Mikko Paajanen, Loviisan Lampo CEO, in the press release.

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Loviisan Lampo company is a district heating provider for Loviisa, Pukkila, Pornainen, Pyhtaa Siltakyla, Pyhtaa village center, and Lappohja.

This innovative approach reduces waste and promotes a circular economy.

Instead of being discarded as waste, soapstone is being given a new life as a valuable component in the Sand Battery. This reduces the need for extracting and processing new materials.

The principles of the circular economy challenge the mining industry to seek new solutions. For instance, weve started using recycled ceramics in some of our new fireplaces. This innovative Sand Battery cooperation is one example of the fresh thinking we need more of, said Heikki Vauhkonen, CEO of Tulikivi.
One person was taken to the hospital for treatment after a collision between a pickup truck and a fire engine shortly after 10 a.m. near Kings Court and Margaret Avenue in Terre Haute, according to the city fire department.

Members of the fire department also went to the hospital to be evaluated.

All individuals are expected to recover from injuries sustained, police said.

Terre Haute Fire Department Engine No. 2 was responding to an emergency call with lights and sirens activated when a pickup truck collided with the fire engine, the fire department said.

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Members of THFD engine crew were wearing safety restraints.

A person in the pickup truck had to be extricated by the crew of Engine 2. That person was taken to Union Hospital by THFD medics with no life threatening injuries, the fire department said.

Members of the THFD were transported to Union for evaluation.

The Terre Haute Police Department is investigating.

The THPD issued these reminders for motorists to help emergency personnel respond quickly and safely.

When you see emergency vehicles approaching with lights and sirens, please follow these steps to ensure everyones safety:

* Stay Alert  Turn off distractions like your phone or loud music.

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* Move Right and Stop  Safely pull over to the right side of the road and come to a full stop until the emergency vehicle passes.

* Do Not Block Intersections  If approaching an intersection, stop before entering and allow the emergency vehicle to pass.

* Stay Clear and Resume Slowly  Once the vehicle has passed and its safe, cautiously return to traffic.
ALTAMONT, Kans.  The Kansas State Fire Marshal and Kansas Bureau of Investigation are trying to determine what caused a deadly fire in Altamont last night.

Around 10 pm, firefighters were called to a fire at 518 and 520 South Huston Avenue in downtown Altamont. When fire fighters arrived on scene they said the structure was fully engulfed.

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Photos courtesy Colleen Williamson

The owner of the business, Edward Escolas, 61, was found dead at the scene. Officials have not yet said what his cause of death was.

Escolas owned a motorcycle shop at that location where he built bikes and repaired them.

Due to the intensity of the fire, Altamont fire called in mutual aid from several other departments including Parsons, Edna, Hackberry (Bartlett), Labette 9, Mound Valley, Osage (Dennis), Oswego, Cherryvale, Neosho Township and Coffeyville Fire Departments. The Labette County Sheriffs Department also assisted with traffic control.

The investigation into what caused the fire and the cause of Escolas death is ongoing.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
LARAMIE  Funding wildfire suppression efforts and recovery was at the top of Gov. Mark Gordons mind this year when he presented a frugal supplemental budget request of $220 million in one-time spending to the Wyoming Legislature, with $130 million dedicated to wildfire relief.

The supplemental budget is considered every general session to address emergency and unanticipated needs, Gordon told members of the press Thursday in Laramie. This need came to light after the Equality State experienced a devastating and historical wildfire season this year, second only to the Yellowstone fire in 1988.

This year has been our first opportunity in several tumultuous years to hew to that tradition, Gordon said of the conservative spending request.

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Prioritizing wildfire funding

An expensive and devastating wildfire season depleted the states emergency fire suppression account, as well as the Office of Homeland Securitys contingency account and governors contingency accounts, Gordon told reporters.

The governor was forced to pull $20 million from the Legislative Stabilization Reserve Account (LSRA, also known as the states rainy day fund) in order to keep funding wildfire suppression efforts, which exceeded $56 million this year.

We are left with an emergency fire suppression account that needs replenishing, Gordon said. At the same time, we need to think about mitigating damage to effective landscapes and assisting in recovery.

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He added that a little over 750,000 acres were burned in states across the region this year. In Texas, a single fire burned more than 1.2 million acres.

Wyoming is one of five western states without a state-funded disaster recovery program, Gordon said, which is why he has recommended setting aside $130 million to deploy across state agencies to treat invasive species and rebuild watersheds.

Keep OBs, behavioral health providers

Evanston Regional Hospital announced it was closing its labor-and-delivery services this fall, another devastating loss contributing to Wyomings expanding maternity health care desert across the state.

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The Legislatures Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Committee prioritized addressing the issue of maternity health-care deserts in Wyoming this interim, and it was agreed in their September meeting this issue will need further investigation after the 2025 general session ends.

However, only four of the committees 12 members will be returning in the new 68th Legislature.

We are losing obstetrics providers in many places across the state, Gordon said. And I hope the Legislature is taking note.

The governor said the loss of these providers puts a strain on families who struggle to find the gas money or time to travel extra miles to the nearest clinic. For some Wyoming towns, such as Evanston, which sits near the Wyoming-Utah border, those clinics are out of state.

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Slowing or even reversing this trend is complicated, Gordon said. There do not appear to be many easy solutions.

Gordon said increasing Medicaid reimbursements for health care providers is essential so hospitals can remain competitive and retain these vital services. The governor recommended an additional $2.39 million be added to the Wyoming Department of Healths budget, half of it coming out of the states general funds and the other half from matching federal dollars.

Nearly a third of the deliveries in Wyoming require Medicaid, Gordon said. We need to make sure Wyoming remains a competitive place for them to get their care here.

In his continued effort to expand the states mental health services, Gordon also recommended increasing reimbursements for behavioral health providers and in-home health providers.

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He requested an additional $1.66 million for behavioral health rebasing and an additional $672,728 for in-home health care rebasing. Health care rebasing is the process of adjusting Medicaid rates based on more recent cost data. Both of these amounts will be split evenly between the state (out of the general funds account) and federal government.

Third, final phase of WIP

The Wyoming Innovation Partnership (WIP) is a collaborative program with the University of Wyoming and community colleges around the state to promote a resilient workforce and economy.

Gordon launched the program in 2021 through three phases, and he requested that the Legislature fund the remaining $5.2 million for the third and final phase. Rep. John Bear, R-Gillette, former chair of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, said earlier Thursday that this program is right up our alley.

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WyoFile reporter Maggie Mullen asked Gordon during the press conference if this boosted his confidence in getting support from the Freedom Caucus for this program. This group of hard-line Republicans gained control of the House of Representatives following the Nov. 5 election.

Maggie, I would hope so, Gordon said. I think people try to get elected because they want to do the right thing, and they have different opinions about how that gets done. But it was certainly encouraging to hear him talk about how aligned the Freedom Caucus apparently is with the primary motivation for WIP, which is about enabling our workforce to meet the needs of industry.
CANBERRA, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Almost half of injury-related hospitalizations in Australia are caused by falls, a new government report has revealed.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) on Friday published a new report on the main causes of injury-related hospitalization in the country in 2022-23 and injury deaths in 2021-22.

It found that 548,654 Australians were hospitalized due to injuries in 2022-23, an increase of 20.3 percent from 455,720 in 2013-14.

Of the injuries that required hospitalization for treatment in 2022-23, 238,055, or 43.3 percent, were caused by falls.

Contact with objects and transport were the next-most common cause of injury hospitalization, accounting for a combined 139,906 cases.

"Falls have remained the leading cause of injury-related hospitalization and fatality in Australia over the past decade and across most regions," AIHW spokesperson Sarah Ahmed said.

The report said that there were 14,733 injury deaths in Australia in 2021-22, 6,376 of which were caused by falls. Suicide accounted for 3,178 injury deaths.

Assault resulted in 20,490 hospitalizations in 2022-23 and 218 deaths in 2021-22, with people aged between 25 and 44 most likely to be affected.

Accidental poisoning caused 8,921 hospitalizations in 2022-23 and 1,567 deaths in 2021-22. 
15 police officers were treated in hospital after an explosive was thrown at them by anti-government protesters in Turin on Friday.

The incident happened after protesters, many of them students, tried to break through a phalanx of officers to reach police headquarters in one of the citys main piazzas.

Police with batons and shields fought them back.

Protesters also attacked Italys national cinema museum, located inside the Mole Antonelliana, a domed building with a tall spire that is the symbol of Turin. Protesters tore down the Italian flag, an act which was condemned by museum staff.

Credit: X / @Localteamit / TgrRai

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The Italian flag was torn down, some walls defaced, and museum staff were subjected to violence, managers said in a statement.

Demonstrations were held across Italy for a mixed bag of causes on Friday: anger with the conservative coalition led by prime minister Giorgia Meloni, particularly its education policies, but also against the sale of arms to Israel.

Some waved Palestinian flags and in Rome, people carried a banner protesting against a government of fascists and Zionists.

Demonstrators reach Mole Antonelliana occupying the first floor and exposing the Palestinian flag in Turin - SHUTTERSTOCK

In Milan, demonstrators carried banners that read No Meloni Day and images of the Italian prime minister splashed with blood-red paint.

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There were also protests in Bologna, Naples and Genoa. An effigy of the education minister was burnt.

Ms Meloni, who was elected just over two years ago and runs a conservative coalition comprising three parties, condemned the violence and expressed solidarity with the injured officers.

We witnessed unacceptable scenes of violence and chaos in some piazzas by the usual troublemakers, she said on social media.

A protester burns a puppet representing Italian school minister Giuseppe Valditara - SHUTTERSTOCK

Several law enforcement officers ended up in the emergency room due to explosive devices and clashes.

I hope that certain politicians stop protecting or justifying this violence and unambiguously join in condemning such serious and unworthy episodes.

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Matteo Piantedosi, the interior minister, condemned what he called intolerable unrest.

He said: Once again today in Turin, during a march, we witnessed intolerable episodes of violence, with demonstrators who, violating the police headquarters instructions and changing route, attempted to reach the entrance to the prefecture.

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In a matter of hours, the Mountain fire charged rapidly across the Santa Susana Mountains and into nearby foothill neighborhoods, forcing widespread evacuations and demanding intense firefights from crews showered in red-hot embers.

Even as hundreds of firefighters around the region immediately kicked into action, the wind-driven blaze grew in unpredictable and dangerous ways, razing homes, tearing through orchards and threatening thousands living in and around Camarillo, Moorpark and Santa Paula.

But officials made an early decision that would pay off: by prioritizing life-saving missions over property protection, no one died in the otherwise devastating wildfire. Only a few minor injuries were reported.

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But not everything went off without a hitch. About five hours after the fire ignited near Somis around 9 a.m. on Nov. 6, some firefighters hit a snag in their response efforts.

"We are having some water issues up here where we've got low water pressure," one firefighter could be heard saying in recordings of radio traffic that day. He asked command staff to check with the water providers and sort out any problems.

Then, hours later in the hills around Camarillo, Santa Barbara County Fire Capt. Hugh Montgomery  responding to Ventura County's call for aid  said that his engine had hit a roadblock after successfully salvaging about a dozen burning homes.

"We were inside of a structure fire and starting to make good headway when the hydrants went dry, he said.

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That evening at a news conference, Ventura County Fire Capt. Trevor Johnson addressed a question about water issues, saying that water availability remained a challenge, and a dangerous one.

A firefighter trains water on a home fully engulfed by the Mountain fire. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

"Just to locate fire hydrants when the water system is failing  everything is dangerous out there," Johnson said.

Reports about water pressure issues and dry hydrants splashed across the evening news that night with images of smoldering homes in the background.

Specifics on the extent of the problem weren't immediately available, but two water pumps in the Camarillo foothills  the area hit hardest by fire losses  became inactive during the firefight, halting or slowing the process to refill hillside water tanks that fuel high-elevation fire hydrants, officials confirmed this week. One pump was completely destroyed in the blaze while another lost power during Southern California Edison's planned electricity shutoffs, and it took hours to bring it back online with a generator, according to officials at the Calleguas Municipal Water District.

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However, water and firefighting authorities maintain the disruptions are expected and planned for during major wildfires, asserting that it simply shifts firefighting operations. They were adamant that water remained available at other sources nearby.

On the first day of the Mountain fire, a man sprays water on a home in Camarillo. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Did water run out? Yes," Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner said at a community meeting this week. "We had adequate firefighting water for a long time and [firefighters] used it, and then when those hydrants  on the west side or in the [Camarillo] Estates  wherever they went dry, firefighters adjust to that. ... Were used to that. .... The fact is we never quit fighting fire."

It's still unclear exactly how widespread the water disruptions were, if they could have been avoided or if any more homes could have been saved with uninterrupted water flow, given the erratic inferno that was feeding on parched vegetation and exploding amid hurricane-force winds. Gardner said all of that will be part of a review of the Mountain fire. In total, more than 240 structures, many of which were primary residences, have been confirmed destroyed and an additional 127 damaged. The almost 20,000-acre fire was 91% contained Friday.

Read more: Mountain fire is the most destructive in years. It could have been much worse

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If you think of the hundreds of firefighters and the hundreds of firetrucks we had in the [Camarillo] Heights and Estates, every one of them was hooked up to a hydrant at one point and they were flowing a lot of water and those waters are held in tanks  so those tanks are going to lower," Gardner said. I know we suffered great damage, but thousands of homes were saved.

Even in the best of circumstances, this wildfire was extremely volatile, putting firefighters on defense as embers jumped up to two miles ahead of the main fire and intense winds pushed streams of water sideways and grounded some retardant-dropping aircraft, according to Ventura County Fire Deputy Chief Chad Cook.

Gusting over 80 mph is something that does structural damage to homes, Cook said. You add the element of fire to the wind, you have a different animal  you have an animal that is not controllable."

Still, residents in the area have continued to ask about the water supply issues, especially given that the National Weather Service had issued dire alerts about fire-friendly conditions in the area and Southern California Edison warned that shutoffs were likely.

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At some point in time, somebody didnt have water and thats not good in a fire situation for all the obvious reasons  from safety on to saving a house," said Steve Bennett, a state Assembly member representing Ventura. "Its something that you just dont want to have when these fires break out."

The water pump issue has haunted Bennett since the 2017 Thomas fire, when it took Ventura officials hours to get pumps on backup generators so water could resume flowing to fire hydrants. After getting few answers about what occurred then, Bennett sued, but said the details he was later provided were still inadequate. He doesn't want that to play out again.

Firefighters defend property on North Loop Drive in Camarillo from the Mountain fire. (Jennifer Osborne / For the Times)

The thing that we need to investigate ... is to make sure we don't run out of water any sooner than we have to, Bennett said. During a red flag [warning], you should fill all your tanks in advance. ... Every place should have a generator that can handle what to do when the power goes out."

It's not immediately clear exactly what preparations each local water provider took before the Mountain fire, but only two experienced water supply issues during the firefight, according to Daniel Cohen, the emergency response coordinator for Calleguas Municipal Water District, which distributes water from the State Water Project to local providers.

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Crestview Mutual Water Co. had the pump that lost power because of the safety shutoffs. Cohen said electricity was cut to the pump at 2 p.m. and did not get a generator to restore operation until 11 p.m. on the first day of the fire.

Crestview did not respond to questions for more details about the outage or its preparations, but according to its website, it operates three wells providing water to 625 customers in the Camarillo area. Its service area includes some of the worst-hit streets from the fire, including Cerro Crest and Estaban drives, where more than 20 homes were destroyed, according to the county's preliminary map of damaged and destroyed structures and one of the water suppliers' footprint.

Pleasant Valley Mutual Water Co. had the pump station that was destroyed by fire. In an undated statement after the blaze, the company explained that "one of the pumping stations that fill the water tanks for this zone was destroyed in the Mountain fire, and the other station lost power."

The water company said it installed a portable generator for that second pump, but it wasn't clear how long that took and it did not respond to further questions from The Times.

Firefighters spray water on a burning home in Camarillo on Nov. 6. (Jennifer Osborne / For the Times)

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However, the vice president of its board, Jay Dunlap, said he understands that people are upset but that it may be misdirected  at least for customers of Pleasant Valley Mutual. He said his neighbors need to realize that the water companies were all facing "a once-in-a-lifetime fire event"  though history has shown this area is in a corridor known for wildfires, with several major blazes occurring over the last few decades.

Its a hard situation, I understand that," Dunlap said, adding that his heart goes out to all those who lost homes. "It wasnt that we werent prepared. ... We cant stop Mother Nature from burning up the pump."

Pleasant Valley's customers also live on some of the streets with the most fire damage, including West Highland Drive and Santa Cruz Way, where more than a dozen homes were destroyed on each, according to the county and water district maps.

Ian Prichard, the deputy general manager at Calleguas Municipal Water District, said that Pleasant Valley's system has redundancy  or a built-in work around  so another pump could refill tanks, albeit more slowly, after the one pump station burned.

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Prichard also explained that these hillside water tanks are designed only to support a community's daily use as well as a large structure fire  one that might take three or four firetrucks. None are designed for a major fire blowing embers every which way that requires hundreds of firetrucks, he said.

Read more: In a few terrifying hours, the Mountain fire exploded into SoCal's most destructive in years

"Even with electricity ... it puts a lot of stress on that system; you draw down that tank faster than it can get refilled," Prichard said. Firefighters know this, theyve been fighting wildland-urban interface fires for a long time.

However, he was adamant that in this fire "there was still water available and firefighters knew that and responded accordingly."

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Many fire officials echoed that defense.

In the higher elevations, there was minimal water pressure due to how many [trucks] were tapped into the system, said Capt. Scott Safechuck, a spokesperson for the Santa Barbara County Fire Department. Its part of the operations. .... We pivot to how we can get water."

Prichard did, however, acknowledge that it is best practice for water providers to top off their water tanks, stage backup generators and prepare crews for contingency work during a red flag event or possible fire weather.

But there are no explicit requirements to do so.

Though the California Public Utility Commission has recently required wireless service providers in high fire regions to ensure backup power for a minimum of 72 hours because of their vital role in emergency response, water providers don't have such mandates. They are only required to have emergency response plans, which include measures for high fire danger and low pressure, considerations that "may also include portable generators or other equipment necessary to maintain water system operations," Terrie Prosper, a spokesperson for the commission, said in a statement.

Bennett said he understands there are circumstances in which water disruptions can't be avoided, but he wants to ensure all possible steps were taken to minimize effects.

We all have an interest to understand where we had problems and make sure  we dont in the future, Bennett said.

Times staff writers Clara Harter and Nathan Solis contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Elon Musk met with Irans ambassador to the U.N. on Monday for a discussion focused on ways to defuse tensions between Iran and America, sources have said.

The meeting between the tech billionaire and Amir Saeid Iravani lasted more than an hour and was held at a secret location in New York, The New York Times reported, per Iranian officials. The sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, described the meeting as positive and good news.

It comes following the announcement this week that Musk would, along with former presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy, head up the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the upcoming Trump administration.

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When asked about the meeting, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung said, We do not comment on reports of private meetings that did or did not occur.

Despite his status as a private citizen, Musk has already played a role of significant influence in the Trump campaign and, according to The Times, is believed to have sat in on nearly every appointment for the President-elects new cabinet so far.

Despite his status as a private citizen, Musk has already played a role of significant influence in the Trump campaign (AFP via Getty Images)

The Tesla and SpaceX boss was also present on a call with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky shortly after Trumps victory. Musk has also played a key role in providing communications capability to Ukraine in the war with Russia.

His near-constant presence close to the President-elect has earned him the moniker of First Buddy.

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One of the Iranian officials said that it was the self-styled First Buddy who had requested the meeting and that the ambassador picked the site, The Times reported.

Musks constant presence close to the President-elect has earned him the title of First Buddy (AP)

During his first term in office, Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and other world powers, calling it a horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made.

The President-elect also imposed tough economic sanctions on Iranian oil revenues and international banking transactions. He also ordered the assassination of a top Iranian general, Qassim Suleimani, in Iraq in 2020.

In turn, Trump has become the target of Iranian hostilities.

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The Justice Department recently disclosed an Iranian murder-for-hire plot to kill the President-elect, charging a man who said he had been tasked by a government official before the election with planning the assassination of Trump.

Musk is believed to have sat in on nearly every appointment for the President-elects new cabinet so far (AP)

Investigators were told of the plan to kill Trump by Farhad Shakeri, an accused Iranian government asset who spent time in American prisons for robbery and who authorities say maintains a network of criminal associates enlisted by Tehran for surveillance and murder-for-hire plots.

Shakeri told the FBI that a contact in Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard instructed him this past September to set aside other work he was doing and assemble a plan within seven days to surveil and ultimately kill Trump, according to a criminal complaint unsealed in federal court in Manhattan.

Despite reports of Mondays meeting being officially unconfirmed, Irans foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi posted to X on Thursday. Differences can be resolved through cooperation and dialogue. We agreed to proceed with courage and good will. Iran has never left the negotiation table on its peaceful nuclear program, he said.

Araghchi made the comments following a meeting in Tehran with Rafael Grossi, the head of U.N.s atomic watchdog.
When Dr. Stephen Bartlett and his wife arrived in March 2018 at The Capital Grille by the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, a host told Bartlett that medical malpractice attorney Stephen L. Snyder was waiting for him at the bar.

Snyder had a host deliver him a package at the bar once Bartlett arrived, Bartlett recalled during his testimony in Snyders federal trial Tuesday.

The package contained gory photographs of someone who had undergone a medical procedure, part of a case Snyder said he had against the University of Maryland Medical System, where Bartlett worked as a transplant surgeon.

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He said the client was a nutcase and she wanted revenge against the hospital system, Bartlett testified, adding that Snyder mentioned a video that he would publish if I did not cooperate with him.

He wanted the hospital system to employ him, in some capacity, perhaps as a consultant, for $25 million, Bartlett testified.

Bartletts testimony cut to the heart of the governments case against Snyder, 77, who is charged with attempted extortion and seven counts of violating the federal Travel Act, which forbids the use of the U.S. mail, or interstate or foreign travel, to engage in extortion among other criminal acts.

His trial began Wednesday with the testimony of another doctor from the Maryland medical system who recalled several meetings in which Snyder raised the prospect of a $25 million consulting deal.

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Prosecutors say Snyder threatened to launch an aggressive media campaign to accuse the hospital system of transplanting diseased organs in patients without their knowledge. Snyder offered his silence for $25 million under the guise of a consulting deal, even though he never planned to do any work for the hospital system.

Every interaction that he had with the University of Maryland was carefully planned, Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Phelps told jurors in opening statements.

Going forward full blast

Back at The Capital Grille, Snyder and Bartlett went to the table to dine with their spouses after conversing for about 15 to 20 minutes at the bar, Bartlett and his wife, June Jaekels, testified.

The couple said small talk at the table  about vacation homes, Snyders Rolls Royce, their families potentially spending Passover together  turned sinister. They said Snyder was sweating, his face red and eyes bloodshot, as he became very excited.

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As long as he does what I say, hell be OK, Bartlett recalled Snyder saying. He repeated that over and over.

Jaekels said she interpreted Snyders refrain as a threat, leaving her scared.

Bartlett said he left dinner feeling sick inside.

But Snyder sent him text messages in the days and weeks that followed, as he pressured Bartlett to take his proposition to other hospital system officials.

If I dont get a straight answer, Im going forward full blast, Snyder texted Bartlett on April 8.

And then in a later text, Snyder wrote, If it wasnt for my friendship with you, I would pursue this GOLDMINE.

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Bartlett testified that he didnt consider Snyder a friend, despite Snyders assertion of as much during opening statements Wednesday. Bartlett resigned as the hospital systems chief medical officer  and one of the highest-paid employees in Maryland  in 2019 and now works for the University of Illinois Chicago.

Snyder described himself before the jury as a victim of malicious prosecution.

He spent much of his hour-long opening statement going over his accolades as an attorney and discussing his philanthropic endeavors. He claimed he pursued a consulting deal at the request of his client, who lost her husband to complications associated with a kidney transplant at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Attorneys and a consulting deal

Snyder also said he consulted lawyers about the potential consulting agreement.

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Eric Yaffe, an ethics attorney Snyder hired, billed Snyder $50,000 for his firms services.

Advised S. Snyder to be careful of any agreement with (sic) hospital, Yaffe wrote in a June 2018 billing note.

Yaffe testified Thursday be careful referred to the potential of the agreement seeming like extortion.

His colleague John McNutt sent an email to Snyder on June 21, 2018  the day before Snyder met with hospital system officials and proposed the consulting agreement officially.

Any consulting agreement with (sic) hospital must have full consent of (sic) client, read a header in the email, in which the attorneys recommended Snyder give two-thirds of the proceeds of the agreement to the client.

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Prosecutors say Snyder kept the proposal from his client; Snyder maintains he proposed the agreement at his clients request.

Alicia Reynolds, senior director of claims at Maryland Medicine Comprehensive Insurance Program, the hospital systems insurance provider, took notes of the June 22, 2018 meeting with Snyder. Prosecutors had her read segments of her notes for the jury Thursday.

Mrs. S. would know she doesnt deserve that $ for her case, Reynolds wrote, paraphrasing Snyders words during the meeting.

Reynolds testified nothing about this meeting was typical, saying it left her and her colleagues feeling very shaken, threatened.

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She added that Snyder showed them a video commercial he threatened to publicize if the hospital system didnt meet his demands.

The facts were one-sided, Reynolds said. There was spin to them. They were designed to inflame.

Snyder, who is representing himself with an attorney on standby to assist, questioned Reynolds for hours. He asked her if he was the greatest adversary the hospital system had faced.

Respectfully, no, Reynolds responded.

Dignity of the courtroom

Snyder asked Reynolds about his reputation as a plaintiffs attorney. He also asked her about settlements he reached with the hospital system for $12.5 million and $10 million.

But for the second day in a row, Snyders line of questioning devolved into argument, drawing numerous objections from prosecutors. U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman interjected several times, ordering Snyder to refrain from using cross-examination as an opportunity to argue his case to the jury.

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Before testimony Thursday, Boardman asked Snyder about the last time he tried a case in front of a jury. She warned him against out-of-line questions.

I cant have you do it at the expense of the dignity of the courtroom, Boardman said.

To be honest with you, your honor, federal court is different than state court, Snyder responded.

If he continued, the judge added, she has the power to hold him in contempt of court and to revoke his right to represent himself.

Have a news tip? Contact Alex Mann at amann@baltsun.com and @alex_mann10 on X.
RUTHERFORDTON, NC (WSPA)  The Rutherford County Airport isnt too busy on most days. It averages around 40 takeoffs and landings per day.

But Helene, like it did across western North Carolina, changed things.

Two days after the storm passed, Kim Freeman got a call.

(I was told) there are planes that want to fly into Rutherford County Airport and theres nobody there to unload them, the Executive Director of Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity said.

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I said We got to think about this, not Habitats thing. So, I laid back down and about ten minutes later, I thought, we need to do this.

Freeman became fast friends with Devon Raisch, the Rutherford County Airport Director of Operations. They saw a 300% increase in traffic in the days and weeks after Helene.

Everybody in aviation from local to Ohio and Florida to out in Arkansas, Raisch said. We are flying into this area, not just our airport, but many other airports.

Singing star Lainey Wilson was among the hundreds of people who flew into Rutherford County. We got the opportunity to meet her, Freeman told 7NEWS. She had a plane fly in with insulin, heaters, things that were really needed.

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All kinds of people volunteered to come to the airport to unload the planes. Some were people who lived in Habitat for Humanity homes. Everybody just pitched in to help, according to Freeman. It didnt matter if you were a millionaire or worked at Walmart.

Something else happened after those planes touched down and the cargo was unloaded.

All of a sudden, all the volunteers start cheering, Freeman recalled. So, every time a pilot came in, we unloaded them and cheered until he took off.

All those volunteers moved hundreds of thousands of pounds of supplies to a donated warehouse in Forest City so they could be distributed to people in need.

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You hear so much bad and this was traumatic. It was devastating for so many people, but you actually got to see the good (in people) that you never hear about anymore.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
(WIVT/WBGH)  Local first responders are planning to come to the rescue again this year to make certain needy families have a nice Thanksgiving meal.

Catholic Charities of Broome County was joined by members of the Johnson City Police Department and iHeart Media to announce its annual Thanks 4 Giving Food Drive which begins Monday outside the Walmart in Vestal.

This year, the goal is to raise 3,300 turkeys for holiday baskets for families as well as for various local holiday dinners. The drive also collects all of the sides for a Thanksgiving meal as well as gift cards.

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Eight years ago, members of the JC Police Benevolent Association responded to a Facebook challenge and donated $500 dollars of turkeys, delivered with lights and sirens. Since then, its grown to an annual competition involving multiple law enforcement, fire and other first responders.

When I send out the information and ask for the donations, guys will say, Well, if the Binghamton Fire Department is doing this much, were going to do that plus a dollar. Just so they can say they beat them. So, theres a lot of fun in that. Everybody looks forward to it. And its grown over the years having these other community partners jump on has been awesome, said JCPBA President Joshua Bilek.

Bilek says they set a collective goal of $10,000 this year and easily beat it.

Theyll gather at Wegmans Monday morning to purchase the turkeys before driving them to Walmart.

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Mix 103.3 on-air personality Lori has been staffing the camper outside of Walmart for over 20 years. She says the generosity comes from all sectors.

Year after year, we have people that come that say, This was me last year. I was in this predicament where I was the recipient of this and now, Im back on my feet and able to give. We also have families that bring little kids. They give a dollar from their allowance. Families teach their kids about charity, said Lori.

State Farm agent Jim Rollo was on hand today to present a $2,500 check to help with the effort.

The drive runs from next Monday through Friday.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  The trial program for the citys Flock Camera system has so far been a success, the officer who spearheaded the effort to acquire the cameras says.

Read next: 1 dead in Beaver Twp. crash; area closed

Statistics seem to back him up.

So far this week, police have made three arrests and recovered three stolen cars, drugs and two guns after using data from the cameras.

The cameras also helped police make an arrest in an October homicide and have helped to secure evidence in two other homicides, said Lt. Mohammad Awad, who led a two-year effort to get the camera system to Youngstown.

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City Council approved $200,000 for the installation of the cameras in August. Plans are for the city to have over 50 of the cameras in place by the end of the year. They presently have about 25 cameras up and running, Awad said.

The cameras record vehicle images and license plate numbers and are only used when police need help in solving major crimes or for finding a missing person.

The plan is for the cameras to cover major intersections in the city as well as cut-throughs, or streets that are often used by people as a shortcut from one side of town to the other.

This week, police were able to spot the stolen cars after they were captured on camera by the Flock system. In the October homicide, police were able to use the cameras to trace a car that witnesses said was involved in the homicide to a West Side address. Investigators managed to find the car, which helped to crack the case.

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Currently, 25 percent of the citys patrol officers have access to the cameras data but Awad said he expects all officers to be able to access it by the end of the year.

Officers can choose to get alerts on their phones or through their email, Awad said.

Often, investigators will get a vehicle description from witnesses at a crime scene but they do not have a license plate, Awad said. He said police can enter any data they have at the scene and the cameras will search for that type of vehicle.

The more information investigators have, the more they can narrow their search, Awad said.

Awad said he is especially pleased the officers have been able to not only find stolen cars but make arrests when they do because investigators believe there is a small group of people responsible for the majority of the citys car thefts.

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Those suspects are also committing more serious crimes but they still steal cars, so the cameras increase the chance to catch them and get them off the street, Awad said.

Theyre stealing cars to commit serious crimes, Awad said.

Awad also said the cameras may also make a difference in the amount of car thefts, which is the kind of property crime police Chief Carl Davis is concerned about because of the impact it can have on the average person in the city. Having your car taken can impact a family in several ways by taking away a persons way to get to work or take children to school or go to the store or a doctor, Awad said.

Flock will put a dent in it, Awad said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
DENVER (KDVR)  Two Denver firefighters were injured Wednesday night after they fell through the floor of a house in Green Valley Ranch while responding to a basement fire.

According to the agency, the heat of the fire in the basement led to the floor collapse as it weakened the flooring, causing the pair of first responders to plunge between 7 and 9 feet into the basement.

Roofers help crews rescue 2 dogs from 2-alarm fire in Fort Collins

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On Thursday morning, the Denver Fire Department reported that one firefighter was still in the hospital, but in a 3 p.m. update the agency said both firefighters had been released after being treated for their injuries.

Another person was also evaluated on scene, but they were not taken to a hospital.

Firefighters respond to a basement fire in Green Valley Ranch on Nov. 13, 2024. Courtesy Brian Hill Firefighters respond to a basement fire in Green Valley Ranch on Nov. 13, 2024. Courtesy Brian Hill Firefighters respond to a basement fire in Green Valley Ranch on Nov. 13, 2024. Courtesy Brian Hill Firefighters respond to a basement fire in Green Valley Ranch on Nov. 13, 2024. Courtesy Brian Hill

The fire was reported in the 21000 block of East 53rd Place at about 9:50 p.m. About 20 minutes later, the fire department reported that crews had a knock on the fire, and were looking for any extension into other areas of the home.

The blaze prompted a second alarm, causing an increased response to the Green Valley Ranch neighborhood.

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Denver Mayor Mike Johnston spoke about the firefighters conditions on Thursday during a separate event honoring Denver Fire Station No. 3s new historical designation, and Denver Fire Department Chief Desmond Fulton said his support is important.

It really means a lot for us when the mayor backs us and is right there supporting us all the way through, so for us, its important, Fulton told FOX31s Greg Nieto. Because he understands what were dealing with and our ultimate goal is to help the community.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
ZAGREB, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Croatian Minister of Health Vili Beros was arrested on Friday as part of an operation led by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) on suspicion of bribery, abuse of authority, and money laundering.

According to the EPPO's statement, Beros, alongside directors of two hospitals, manipulated public procurement processes from June 2022 to November 2024. They allegedly accepted bribes to secure inflated contracts and funding for medical robotic devices and operating microscopes, favoring specific companies.

In response to the arrest, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic swiftly dismissed Beros and appointed Secretary of State Irena Hristic to oversee the health ministry until a new minister is selected. 
In what some have called "Trump's dream scenario," the U.S. will have a GOP-controlled House and Senate in 2025.

In the early morning hours of Wednesday, Nov. 7, it was confirmed that Republicans gained control of the Senate. Shortly after, Trump's victory was confirmed as well.

In Florida, Republican Sen. Rick Scott won reelection, and then he came in third in a three-person race for Senate majority leader. That was followed by Florida Senator Marco Rubio being appointed Donald Trump's secretary of state.

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As of yesterday, Wednesday, Nov. 13, enough Republicans won seats to maintain control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Shortly before the announcement of a GOP-controlled House came, Trump picked two Florida U.S. representatives, Matt Gaetz and Michael Waltz, to fill positions in his new administration.

Here's what to know about the elections for Florida's two empty seats in the House and who was elected to the House of Representatives from Florida.

Who will control the House of Representatives in 2025?

The U.S. House of Representatives will have a Republican majority for at least the next two years.

Who was elected to the House of Representatives from Florida?

Here are Floridas representatives in the U.S. House and the committees theyve served on, according to www.house.gov:

District 1: Vacated by resignation. Formerly held by Matt Gaetz, R., Armed Services, Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Fed Govt, Judiciary

District 2: Neal Dunn, R., Energy and Commerce, Select Comm on the Strategic Competition U.S. and China

District 3: Kat Cammack, R., Agriculture, Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Fed Govt, Energy and Commerce

District 4: Aaron Bean, R., Education and the Workforce, Transportation and Infrastructure, Small Business

District 5: John Rutherford, R., Appropriations, Ethics

District 6: Will be vacated by resignation. Formerly held by Michael Waltz, R., Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Oversight and Accountability, Intelligence

District 7: Cory Mills, R., Armed Services, Foreign Affairs

District 8: Mike Haridopolos, R., Newly elected

District 9: Darren Soto, D., Agriculture, Energy and Commerce

District 10: Maxwell Frost, D., Oversight and Accountability, Science, Space, and Technology

District 11: Daniel Webster, R., Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure, Science, Space, and Technology

District 12: Gus Bilirakis, R., Energy and Commerce

District 13: Anna Paulina Luna, R., Oversight and Accountability, Natural Resources

District 12: Kathy Castor, D., Energy and Commerce, Select Comm on the Strategic Competition U.S. and China

District 15: Laurel Lee, R., House Administration, Homeland Security, Judiciary

District 16: Vern Buchanan, R., Joint Committee on Taxation, Ways and Means

District 17: Greg Steube, R., Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Fed Govt, Ways and Means

District 18: Scott Franklin, R., Appropriations, Science, Space, and Technology, Veterans' Affairs

District 19: Byron Donalds, R., Financial Services, Oversight and Accountability

District 20: Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D., Foreign Affairs, Veterans' Affairs

District 21: Brian Mast, R., Foreign Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure

District 22: Lois Frankel, D., Appropriations

District 23: Jared Moskowitz, D., Foreign Affairs, Oversight and Accountability

District 24: Frederica Wilson, D., Education and the Workforce, Transportation and Infrastructure

District 25: Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D., Appropriations, Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Fed Govt

District 26: Mario Diaz-Balart, R., Appropriations

District 27: Maria Salazar, R., Foreign Affairs, Small Business

District 28: Carlos Gimenez, R., Armed Services, Homeland Security, Select Comm on the Strategic Competition U.S. and China

Will Matt Gaetz be the attorney general? Trump cabinet picks lead to special elections in Florida

Before former representatives Matt Gaetz from Fort Walton Beach and Michael Waltz from Daytona Beach were selected for different positions, there was only one newly elected congressman out of Florida's 28 representatives. Now that these two incumbent seats are empty and Gov. DeSantis has called for immediate special elections to fill them, there will be three newly elected representatives from Florida.

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On Wednesday, Nov. 13, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, announced that Matt Gaetz resigned from Congress, the same day President-elect Donald Trump tapped Gaetz to serve as his attorney general. Earlier this week, Trump also named Florida Rep. Mike Waltz as his national security adviser

"Florida law provides that the governor shall order a special election to fill a vacancy in the congressional delegation  but is silent on when the governor must act," The Tallahassee Democrat reported on Thursday.

"It says after the governor consults with the Secretary of State, dates are to be set for a qualifying period, primary and general elections. An order for the election with those dates is then sent to county supervisors of elections. They are then required to publish the dates twice in a general circulation newspaper at least 10 days before qualifying begins."

Will Florida hold special elections in 2024?

There is no guarantee that special elections to fill Waltz and Gaetz's empty seats will be held before the new year, but Gov. DeSantis wants elections scheduled immediately to fill the seats as soon as possible.

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The soonest we could see a special election is six weeks after the Governor announces a fixed date.

Here are the steps that have to be taken for a special election in Florida, according to the Florida Division of Elections and state law:

The governor issues an order declaring a fixed date the election shall be held.

The Department of State prepares a notice that sets the dates for a four-day candidate qualifying period, and primary and general elections.

County supervisors of elections shall publish the dates twice in a general circulation newspaper and their website at least 10 days before the start of the qualifying period.

There must be a minimum of 14 days between the end of the qualifying period and the primary election.

There is a minimum of 14 days between the primary and general elections.

When will Trump take office?

Inauguration Day, which is on Jan. 20 every four years, falls on a Monday next year. On Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance will be sworn into office.

Contributing: James Call, USA TODAY Network Florida

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Trump cabinet picks lead to special elections in Florida. What to know
A Florida businessman has been charged with kidnapping and murdering his wife in Spain over eight months after she first went missing.

US citizen Ana Maria Henao Knezevich went missing in February in Madrid, Spain and has not been seen since. Now, a grand jury has indicted her husband, 36-year-old IT specialist David Knezevich, on charges of kidnapping resulting in death, foreign domestic violence resulting in death and foreign murder of a United States national.

Knezevich, who was arrested in May after flying into Miami International Airport from Serbia, was originally charged with kidnapping resulting in death.

Florida businessman David Knezevich has been charged with kidnapping and killing his wife (US Attorneys Office, Miami)

Anas friends and family said she flew from Florida to Spain in December 2023 after splitting with her husband, People reports. They were married for 13 years.

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Her brother Felipe called it a nasty divorce with a substantial amount of money on the line.

Sanna Rameau told People that her best friend Anas goal was to start a non-profit for women who faced abuse in Spain.

She wanted the divorce to go through, and she said thats what she wanted to do after splitting up everything, Rameau told the outlet.

A missing poster for Ana Maria on a streetlight in Madrid (Manu Fernandez)

The 40-year-old was last seen on February 2 entering her Madrid apartment. That evening, surveillance footage showed a man entering the building and spray-painting the security cameras, People reports.

Footage appeared to show him "fastening a piece of duct tape to the lock of the building entrance to prevent the lock from engaging to allow subsequent entry," according to the federal complaint reviewed by People. An hour later, he walked off an elevator in the building with a suitcase.

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Authorities later said they believe this man was Knezevich, People reports. Investigators say he flew from Istanbul, to Miami and then to Serbia in late January. From there, they claim he drove to Spain and kidnapped Ana.

Sanna Rameau, (left) pictured with her best friend Ana Maria

Court documents previously reviewed by The Independent indicate Anas friends received suspicious texts the day after her disappearance explaining she was running off for a few days with a man she had recently met.

I met someone wonderful, the message said in Spanish. He has a summer house about 2h from Madrid. We are going there now and I will spend a few days there. There is barely any signal though. Ill call you when I come back. Kisses.

Her friends told the police they did not think Ana had written them.

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A month after Ana vanished, an insurance provider also got a call from someone claiming to be her, asking for three insurance policies related to the couples IT support business in Fort Lauderdale, Florida to be canceled, court documents revealed.

During the call, children could be heard in the background speaking to the caller, the documents said. The victim does not have any children.

The phone number used to make the call was registered to Knezevich, the FBI said, and is linked to the business.

Knezevichs attorneys told People the new charges are a desperate attempt by the government to charge everything possible and see what sticks. He will plead not guilty at his arraignment, which is scheduled for next week.

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There is no evidence that David Knezevich kidnapped or murdered his wife, attorneys Christopher Cavallo, Jayne Weintraub and Bruce Zimet said in a statement.

Anas brother Diego Henao weclomed the new charges. This is a step in the direction to start to mourn while we continue to search for answers and honor Anas memory by advocating for her story to be told, and for accountability to prevail, Henao said in a statement per NBC.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A Florida doctor was taken into custody Wednesday after detectives said they were able to connect him to a deadly hit-and-run that happened in mid-October.

The crash was initially reported around 7:35 p.m. on Oct. 12, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office.

Clearwater man identified as suspect in 1978 Massachusetts double murder case

Multiple witnesses reported seeing a car hit a man in a wheelchair. However, the driver, later identified as Dr. Gwyn Norman Crump, Jr., 62, of Tampa, never stopped, officials said.

Gwyn Norman Crump, Jr. (Credit: Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office)

The victim, Richard Taylor, 53, was taken to AdventHealth Fletcher, where authorities said he died from his injuries.

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As the investigation continued, detectives said surveillance cameras in the area helped them identify the vehicle and license plate. Investigators then went to Crumps home address, where he reportedly admitted to driving the car the night of the crash.

Crump was charged with leaving the scene of a crash with death, the sheriffs office said.

Crump made his first appearance in front of a Hillsborough County judge on Thursday.

He has a home on Davis Islands valued at over $2 million, but despite that, a public defender told the judge that Crumps income is limited.

He is self-employed. However, his income has been limited for several months, and he cannot afford a bond higher than $2,000 today, the public defender said.

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The Florida Department of Healths website shows Crump is licensed to practice occupational medicine in Florida. He began his practice in 1999 after earning his medical degree from the University of South Florida.

Records indicate Crump was previously charged with DUI in 1996 and again in 2003. The state health departments website did not show any disciplinary action had been taken against Crump as of Wednesday afternoon.

I want to offer my deepest condolences to the family of the victim during this incredibly difficult time, Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement following Crumps arrest. While nothing can undo this heartbreaking loss, we hope that this arrest brings some measure of closure to their loved ones.

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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  There are increasing questions from political figures surrounding President-elect Donald Trumps pick to lead the Justice Department. However, former Rep. Matt Gaetz is getting support from Evan Power, the chair of the Florida GOP.

I think hes going to be ready to fight on day one there, Power said.

Power claims the Justice Department investigating Gaetz over sex trafficking allegations was politically motivated. Gaetz was never charged. The departments investigation into President-elect Trump previously led to criminal indictments.

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We need to put people like Congressman Gaetz in a position of power so they can investigate what went on, Power said. He knows what a crucial role lawfare played in trying to bring down the President.

What Republicans are saying about Matt Gaetzs nomination for attorney general

He was also under an ethics investigation in the Republican-led House after being accused of sexual misconduct and obstruction. Gaetz resigned ahead of a vote to release that report.

Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried said the DOJ would not be well-managed under the leadership of the former congressman.

For the people of this nation, you will experience the type of chaos that comes with Matt Gaetz, Fried said. Hes one of those people who likes to turn the tables upside down and rearrange the chairs and hopes that he is the last one standing.

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Republican U.S House Rep Max Miller from Ohio echoed that sentiment.

Mr. Gaetz breaks things to break things. Once he breaks it, he breaks it even more. That is somebody who should not be Attorney General of the United States, Miller said.

After the nomination, NBC News uncovered December 2020 comments from Gaetz that have resurfaced about the possibly of being the nations top prosecutor.

Maybe I should serve as Attorney General of United States, Gaetz said. If necessary, Id fire every s*** kicker at the J. Edgar Hoover building.

The former congressmans political rival, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, said Gaetz wont be confirmed.

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However, confirmation is left up to the Senate. Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins have already expressed shock and surprise. With the GOP majority, Gaetz can only afford to lose a few votes. The other option is Trump being granted a recess appointment. That would bypass the confirmation hearing.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Originally appeared on E! Online

An almost 50-year-old cold case involving the double murder of a man and woman in Massachusetts may have had a significant breakthrough.

Authorities in Clearwater, Florida, arrested Timothy Scott Joley, 71, and charged him with two counts of homicide for the slayings of Theresa Marcoux, 18, and Mark Harnish, 20, who were found shot dead in 1978 near a highway in Springfield, Mass.

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Joley, who has not yet made a plea in the case, was detained Oct. 30 after an unidentified person tipped off Massachusetts' Hampden District Attorney's Office earlier that month about the suspect's alleged involvement in the murders, DA Anthony Gullini said in a statement posted to Facebook Nov. 13.

Before his arrest, authorities say they matched Joley's fingerprints, kept on state file for almost 25 years, to a latent and seemingly bloody one found on the truck's passenger-side vent window during the initial crime scene investigation.

"Investigators obtained a fingerprint identification for Joley from the Springfield Police Department," Gullini told reporters at a Nov. 13 press conference, "which was on file with that department because Joley was fingerprinted as an applicant for a taxi cab license in the year 2000."

He continued, "Investigators concluded that Theresa and Mark had been shot while in the passenger compartment of the pickup truck and their bodies were moved to the area where their remains were later discovered. Autopsies determined that the cause of death for each victim was multiple gunshot wounds."

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While no firearm was ever located in or near the area, a nearby resident had reported to police hearing multiple gunshots at approximately 4:00 a.m. that morning and spent projectiles were recovered from the victims remains and the passenger area of the pickup truck, Gullini said.

More from E! Online

Marcoux and Harnish were both last seen alive in the early morning of Nov. 19, 1978, leaving a party hosted by friends. Hours later, a West Springfield Police Department officer on patrol found their bodies after observing Harnish's green 1967 Dodge pickup truck parked in a roadway rest area near Route 5.

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"The officer saw that the driver's side window of the truck was damaged and noticed blood in and around the vehicle," Gullini said in the statement to social media. "The officer then discovered the remains of two individuals, one female and one male, just over a nearby guardrail."

Hampden District Attorney's Office

He continued, "Investigators concluded that Theresa and Mark had been shot while in the passenger compartment of the pickup truck and their bodies were moved to the area where their remains were later discovered. Autopsies determined that the cause of death for each victim was multiple gunshot wounds."

While no firearm was ever located in or near the area, a nearby resident had reported to police hearing multiple gunshots at approximately 4:00 a.m. that morning and spent projectiles were recovered from the victims remains and the passenger area of the pickup truck, Gullini said.

Hampden District Attorney's Office

The investigators, per the DA, determined that the fingerprint on the truck originated from Joley's left thumb and also learned that at the time of the murders, Joley was living in Springfield, was a licensed gun owner and had purchased a colt handgun approximately one month before the killings.

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Joley remains in jail in Florida and is being held without bond ahead of his arraignment. No lawyer was listed for him in court documents obtained by E! News.

"On November 5, Joley appeared before a circuit judge in Pinellas County, Florida and waived extradition," Gullini said on Facebook. "Joley will be returned to Massachusetts in the coming weeks to face these charges."

For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
A Florida businessman already charged with kidnapping his estranged wife in Spain is facing new U.S. charges that he killed her.

A federal grand jury in South Florida on Wednesday charged David Knezevich in a superseding indictment with kidnapping resulting in death, foreign domestic violence resulting in death and foreign murder of a U.S. national. If convicted, he faces the possibility of the death penalty.

Last June, he pleaded not guilty to kidnapping his 40-year-old wife, Ana Hedao Knezevich, who went missing in a case that has drawn international media attention. Knezevich, 36, was jailed without bond.

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His lead attorney, Jayne Weintraub, said Thursday that he planned to plead not guilty at an arraignment hearing next week.

It is a desperate attempt by the government to charge everything possible and see what sticks! Weintraub said in an email. There is no evidence that David Knezevich kidnapped or murdered his wife.

Read: Rage growing in Orange County after election offices $5 million spending revelations

Ana Knezevich disappeared from her Madrid apartment on Feb. 2, five weeks after she had moved there. Her body still hasnt been found.

A man in a motorcycle helmet was seen sneaking into her Madrid apartment building and disabling a security camera by spray painting its lens. The man was later seen wheeling out a suitcase. Ana Knezevich is about 4 feet, 11 inches tall (1.5 meters) and 100 pounds (45 kilograms), according to her drivers license.

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Prosecutors say they have strong evidence Knezevich was the man in the helmet. They say he flew to Turkey from Miami six days before Anas disappearance, then immediately traveled to his native Serbia where he rented a Peugeot automobile.

On Feb. 2, security video showed him 1,600 miles (2,600 kilometers) from Serbia in a Madrid hardware store using cash to buy duct tape and the same brand of spray paint the man in the motorcycle helmet used on the security camera, according to prosecutors.

Read: Tropics Update: Tropical Storm Sara unlikely to make it to the Gulf of Mexico

When Knezevich returned the Peugeot to the rental agency five weeks later, it had been driven 4,800 miles (7,700 kilometers), its windows had been tinted, two identifying stickers had been removed and there was evidence its license plate had been removed and then put back, prosecutors said.

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The couple was in the middle of a contentious divorce while fighting over millions of dollars in properties, according to prosecutors. They have been married for 13 years.

At a hearing earlier this year, Weintraub questioned the governments evidence. The defense attorney disputed the governments contention that Knezevich had sold off some of the properties so that he would have money to flee the United States. Weintraub also said the split was amicable and the financial arrangements were being worked out.

Read: Nasa astronaut Suni Williams puts health rumors to rest

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ORLANDO, Fla.  Florida school districts reported more than 700 books removed from their shelves last school year because of objections from local residents, according to a list released by the Florida Department of Education this week, but that total significantly understates the number of books banned across the state.

District educators removed far more books from their schools during the 2023-24 school year on their own initiative, worried that novels, and even childrens picture books, might violate a new state law.

Orange County Public Schools, for example, yanked about 675 books for fear they might violate the law that prohibits books containing sexual conduct, including classics like East of Eden and Madame Bovary. The district removed just two novels because of formal objections, according to the new state list.

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Across Florida, book removed because of objections include Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut, a collection of Stephen King novels and Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.

The total number of books banned in Florida last school year was nearly 4,600, according to the watchdog group PEN Americas Nov. 1 report, with a disproportionate number of removed titles on LGBTQ+ subjects. The groups estimate places Florida as the nationwide leader in book bans  accounting for about 45% of all book bans nationally.

PEN Americas count includes books that are temporarily removed pending a district review, which can take months or even years.

A bill passed by the Republican-dominated legislature in 2023 and signed into by Gov. Ron DeSantis expanded what critics called the dont say gay law and put books that included sexual conduct under scrutiny. As a result, educators across the state removed titles they worried might be problematic, from classics by Ernest Hemingway to the picture book No, David!

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The law also required school districts to report to the state any books removed because of objections by parents or others in their counties.

Last year, about 300 books were removed from Florida schools because of objections, the 2023 state report showed. The list more than doubled this year.

On the state list, Orange County reported just two book removals: Blankets by Craig Thompson and Shut Up! By Marilyn Reynolds.

Stephana Ferrell, co-founder of the Florida Freedom to Read Project and mother of two OCPS students, said the states list is an undercount of books pulled from schools but should still worry Floridians.

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If were denying access there because one person in the community says something isnt age appropriate, where they dont like the viewpoint, that is a problem. That is wholly un-American, she said. I hope this list, even though its incomplete, gives people a lot of pause.

Ferrells group, which opposes book bans, has been documenting the books pulled from Florida public schools. In its report to the state, Escambia County in the Panhandle reported no books removed, but in fact it pulled more than 1,600 books, she said.

Her group argues that administrators have overreacted to the law and incorrectly decided that any description of a sexual activity makes a book obscene and unfit for public school shelves.

DeSantis and other state leaders have called claims of book banning by the state a hoax and said districts were removing pornography from schools.

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Once again, far left activists are pushing the book ban hoax on Floridians, said Sydney Booker, a spokesman for the education department, in an email. The better question is why do these activists continue to fight to expose children to sexually explicit materials.

Kasey Meehan, the Freedom to Read program director at PEN America, said the state created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation in some schools.

Many administrators are erring on the side of caution with any materials that might be seen as objectionable, she said, removing books incorrectly.

The rhetoric has been effectively used to kind of chill the atmosphere across Florida public schools, she added.
Get your quarters ready. Your local Winn-Dixie might be hanging an Aldi sign soon, following an acquisition by the Germany-based company.

In March Aldi finalized the purchase of Southeastern Grocers, which includes Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket, and announced an ambitious 5-year, $9 billion plan to add 800 stores nationwide through new stores and store conversions. The company expects to convert about 50 of its new stores by the end of the year, with most reopening in 2025.

Which ones? Aldi doesn't share their plans, but some news has trickled out.

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"We have officially kicked off the conversion process for the first several stores, including stores in Panama City, Deltona, Pensacola, and Lakeland, Florida," an Aldi spokesperson said in August by email. Signs went up recently at two Brevard County Winn-Dixie locations letting customers know conversions will be coming.

The newly converted stores will be smaller  Aldi grocery stores are generally about half the size of the average Winn-Dixie or Publix supermarket  and stocked with "only the items customers need" for "a quick, easy shopping experience with great products at the lowest possible prices," Aldi said.

Gulflive.com, My Florida Retail and plenty of local media (including sites in the USA TODAY NETWORK) have been compiling lists of confirmed conversions and places where permits have apparently been pulled, usually estimating a project cost of around $1.7 million each. However, the company has warned about reading too much into permits,

After an acquisition of their parent company, some Winn-Dixies will be converted to Aldi stores such as this one in DeLand, Florida Aug. 15, 2024.

Winn-Dixie stores converting to Aldis

So far, these locations have either started conversions or are in the permit process, according to various news outlets' reports and signs spotted at some locations. Few of them have been confirmed by Aldi.

Winn-Dixie locations

Harveys:

Jacksonville: Edgewood Square Shopping Center, 2261 W Edgewood Ave

Not all Winn-Dixies will become Aldis

"We intend that a meaningful amount of Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarkets will continue to operate under their current banners," Aldi said, mirroring what CEO Jason Hart said in a release nearly a year ago.

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Winn-Dixie employees in the Tallahassee store who asked not to be named have said that conversions are only for those areas without an existing Aldi. (The Tallahassee Winn-Dixie is staying a Winn-Dixie, they said.)

Most of the new store locations are likely to be in the rest of the country, with nearly 330 planned for the Northeast and Midwest and more stores in Southern California, Phoenix and Las Vegas, the release said. But buying Southeastern Grocers gave them a huge jump in the South with about 400 Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket locations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi.

This Winn-Dixie in Lakeland, Florida has been closed and will reopen as an Aldi store in 2025.

What is Winn-Dixie?

William Milton Davis and his sons opened several grocery stores in Miami in the 1920s and began buying and absorbing other stores. Over the next few decades, they acquired hundreds of other stores and chains including the Winn & Lovett chain in the 1930s and the 117-store Dixie Home chain in the 1950s. They rebranded as Winn-Dixie and became widespread all over Florida and the South.

Winn-Dixie kept expanding until the company ran into financial problems that forced it to close 120 stores in 2004 and file for bankruptcy in 2005. In 2006, Winn-Dixie was bought by Bi-Lo Holdings for $530 million. The new company became Southeastern Grocers, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2018 to reorganize. The company also embarked on a plan to upgrade all of its locations. "Over 70% of Winn-Dixie locations have been refreshed, with the rest on the way by 2024," the Winn-Dixie website says.

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In March of 2024, Southeastern Grocers was acquired by Aldi.

Winn-Dixie Stores is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida.

What is Aldi?

Aldi is an international chain of no-frills grocery stores with no coupons and few if any big-name brand products. You pay a quarter to get a shopping cart (you get it back when you return it) and you bag your own groceries with empty boxes from the store, bags you bought there or containers from home.

There is a double-your-money-back "Twice is Nice" guarantee on its store brand products and the chain regularly offers "FINDS," limited-time offers that change weekly or seasonally and other discounted deals. The company does not offer a membership program, although this April as a joke they announced a new, free, no-subscription, cardless program with 331.9 million members (i.e. the population of the United States) to get the same low prices they offer anyway.

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The Aldi chain was founded by Karl and Theo Albrecht in 1946 (Aldi is an abbreviated form of "Albrecht Diskont"). After the brothers got into an argument over whether the stores should sell cigarettes, in 1960 they split the company into Aldi Nord and Aldi Sud, which both operate stores internationally in different regions. U.S. stores, including the new Winn-Dixie and Harveys stores, are operated by Aldi Sud. Aldi Nord also owns Trader Joe's.

Aldi U.S. is based in Batavia, Illinois.

The "Aisle of Shame" is Aldi fans' nickname for the aisles of limited-supply deals in each location.

Since the 1920s, Winn-Dixie has been known as "The Beef People," although they have used multiple slogans in recent years with "It's a Winn Win! since 2018.

Aldi does not offer a meat counter.

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Winn-Dixe vs. Aldi: Some Florida Winn-Dixie stores are converting to Aldi stores. 10 ways they'll be different

Nor does it have a deli, a pharmacy or a bakery, or a liquor store. There are no elaborate displays, no overhead music, a much smaller selection with few duplicates of item brands, lots of house brands, and fewer open hours. The goal of all of these is to keep prices low, the company says.

It remains to be seen what Aldi will do with the substantially larger space that will come with a Winn-Dixie or a Harveys store at each location. According to the Jacksonville Daily Record, a permit under review for a local Harveys conversion shows plans to convert a 46,189-square-foot space into a 21,839-square-foot Aldi store.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Aldi converting these Florida Winn-Dixie locations
File cabinets. (Getty Images)

One of the less noticed features of the Virginia Way is the long-running tendency of the commonwealths leaders to conduct their decision-making behind closed doors. While the Virginia Freedom of Information Act presumes all government business is by default public and requires officials to justify why exceptions should be made, too many Virginia leaders in practice take the opposite stance, acting as if records are by default private and the public must prove they should be handled otherwise.

In this feature, we aim to highlight the frequency with which officials around Virginia are resisting public access to records on issues large and small  and note instances when the release of information under FOIA gave the public insight into how government bodies are operating.

PETA threatened litigation when George Mason University delayed sending records

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Foundation (PETA) filed a Freedom of Information Act request stemming from George Mason University suggesting that expired antibiotics had been used for animal experiment surgeries. After initially being quoted for the veterinary records, incident reports and photographs sought and sending a check, PETA didnt hear from the university for much of this year.

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GMUs student newspaper, The Fourth Estate, reported that PETA threatened a lawsuit if GMU failed to send records by Nov. 15  eight months after theyd paid for their request and well beyond state laws guidelines to respond.

As a GMU alum from the Class of 1984, Im deeply dismayed by GMUs conduct in this matter, wrote PETAs chief legal officer and GMU alum Jeffrey Kerr in a letter to the university.

Catie Cryar, a media relations manager at PETA, confirmed to The Mercury that records have since been received, but the organization is still mulling a suit over the FOIA violation.

Paul Allvin, the universitys vice president and chief brand officer, attributed the delay to an internal communication breakdown, the Fourth Estate reported. The former FOIA officer hadnt been notified of the receipt of the check.

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We screwed this one up, he said.

Allvin added that further delay ensued as the university was redacting private information, and that the FOIA office has changed the way notifications occur when payments come in for requests.

All options are on the table to protect our rights to receive public records, Cryar said in an email. Most importantly, GMU must modernize its research program and stop caging, cutting up, and killing animals in useless experiments.

Online newspaper ARLNow to publish public notices

Arlington and Falls Church residents will soon be able to find public notices published in an online-only local newspaper that serves them. ARLNow announced the news on its site this week.

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A circuit court judge approved the companys petition last month, which stems from enactment of a new state law from earlier this year that allows online-only news sites to publish legal notices. Historically, those have been posted in print newspapers.

As some legacy print media has no longer served portions of the state, online-only outlets have sprung up in recent years to bolster local news coverage.

Public notices, also called legal notices, are paid advertising placements that are required by state law to be published in local media for certain actions. Examples can include proposed zoning changes or ordinances that will have public comment hearings people need to know about in advance.

Virginia became the first state in the nation to allow these newer forms of media to publish public notices after bills cleared the legislature with bipartisan support and went on to be signed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

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The Mercurys efforts to track FOIA and other transparency cases in Virginia are indebted to the work of the Virginia Coalition for Open Government, a nonprofit alliance dedicated to expanding access to government records, meetings and other state and local proceedings.

Lynchburg police department to begin encrypting radio transmissions

The Lynchburg Police Department announced Wednesday that it plans to begin encrypting its radio transmissions. According to a news release,the goals include protecting sensitive information, preventing real-time monitoring by criminals, securing tactical operations and officer safety, and evolving with technical advancements.

The release also mentioned a commitment to public transparency which will entail launching a tool for accessing some dispatch information. This means members of the public will still be able to see a list of current calls and a map with their approximate locations. Though that information will be much less revelatory than being able to listen to a police scanner.

Have you experienced local or state officials denying or delaying your FOIA request? Tell us about it: info@virginiamercury.com
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP)  We are two weeks away from Thanksgiving and that means families in need will be looking for food for a traditional turkey dinner.

Local food seller donates turkeys to Springfield neighbors

Local food banks are seeing an increase in demand for food this time of year and need donations to keep up. As Thanksgiving fast approaches, local food banks are working tirelessly to provide necessary resources for those in need.

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According to the Executive Director for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts Andrew Moorehouse, the cost of living continues to rise, making it difficult for many families to put food on the table.

People should be able to have a wholesome nutritious meal and be able to sit around a table with loved ones to enjoy it, said Moorehouse.

Right now, Moorehouse says the need for food remains consistently high. The food bank is looking to receive cash donations to stock up on a variety of non-perishable items.

With every dollar thats donated the food bank can provide the equivalent of three meals. This will go towards helping over 120,000 people seeking out food assistance this Thanksgiving and through the month of November.

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Rachels Table is also looking for donations, which serves 65 agencies.

We serve all these other meal sights and they are reporting that shelves can get emptier quicker, said Jodi Falk, Rachels Table Executive Director.

They are accepting any non-perishable item donations like stuffing or canned cranberry sauce to help fill these shelves. Any cash donations will help provide more turkeys for these agencies to distribute to families. So, far Rachels Table purchased 1,200 turkeys and is seeing more requests come in.

It feels good to know we are doing something and we are a place where people can help us do something so you can join us as a volunteer or join us in financial donation, said Falk.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A former teacher at South Mecklenburg High School has pleaded guilty to one of the charges she faces for sexual activity with a student, according to court documents.

Gabriela Neufeld, 27, is accused of having a sexual relationship for at least a month with a then-18-year-old male student who attended South Meck. This came to light in late November 2023, and Neufeld was arrested by Charlotte Mecklenburg Police.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Charlotte high school teacher arrested for sexual activity with student: CMPD

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On Nov. 14, 2024, Neufeld pleaded guilty to a crime against nature, court documents state. As part of a plea agreement, five counts of sexual activity with a student were dismissed and will not be pursued again.

She was sentenced to between 6 months and 1 year, 5 months in prison. Following her imprisonment, she will be on probation for 3 years, must give up her teaching license, and cannot work with minors. In addition, she will have to surrender to any evaluation, counseling, treatment, or educational programs her probation officer orders.

Neufeld is required to pay her court fees as well as a $40-a-month supervision fee during her probation.

According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Neufeld was hired in 2021. She was under a four-year contract with CMS that was set to end in 2026 when the incident happened.

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Ex-Charlotte HS track, XC coach charged with indecent liberties with student-athlete

CMS confirmed with Queen City News that Neufeld resigned on Nov. 30, 2023. The following statement was sent out by CMS in November 2023:

Good morning South Meck High School families.

This is Principal Marc Angerer with a message about a news story you may have seen regarding a South Meck teacher. Although I cannot discuss personnel information, I wanted to inform you that we take this matter seriously. We share your concerns regarding this situation. The safety and security of our students and staff is of the utmost importance to us all, and while this is a troubling situation, it is being managed by law enforcement.

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Thank you for your support of South Meck High School.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT)  A former doctor accused of illegally prescribing drugs has been sentenced to time in prison.

According to a plea agreement, Sammy Fuad Becdach,58, worked as an oncologist in Decatur from 2018 through 2021 when the illegal prescribing happened.

In August 2022, the Medical Licensure Commission of Alabama revoked Becdachs medical license for unprofessional conduct related to his romantic relationship with a woman he had written opioid prescriptions and who later died from a drug overdose.

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According to officials, Becdach wrote illegal prescriptions for controlled substances to three people who were not his patients. The three filled the prescriptions at Becdachs request and then gave him the pills they received.

Officials said that Becdach gave some pills to women he was romantically involved with. The prescriptions included opioids, benzodiazepines, oxycodone, and hydrocodone.

U.S. Attorney Northern District of Alabama officials said that Becdach was sentenced to two years in prison followed by a year of home confinement.

Becdach was also ordered to pay a $100,000 fine.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
Former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam called for dialogue and empathy  and renewal of authentic Constitutional fidelity  in an effort to mend the cultural and political chasms that divide America.

He spoke in Nashville on Thursday alongside renowned cultural sociologist James Davison Hunter, director of the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture, during a panel hosted by The Trinity Forum at Montgomery Bell Academy.

Compromise has become a bad word in politics, Haslam said. But I think the subtext of the whole Constitution is compromise. And when you hear somebody saying in elected office I will never give an inch, I think theyre promising not to do their job.

Former Gov. Bill Haslam listens as James Davison Hunter speaks during the How Did We Get Here? Our Crisis of Solidarity event at Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024.

In todays political climate, as parties seek power to push through their respective political agendas, Haslam argued that the U.S. Constitution outlines a system that is designed to facilitate consensus in governing  concepts seemingly antithetical to todays norms.

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The Constitution was designed to protect the minority parties. We dont like that  we think we should get what we want, but thats just not going to be the way that we solve the problem, Haslam said. Go back to the genius of the Constitution: it was designed with big disagreements in mind as a way to have more lasting agreement.

If government is established in order to form a more perfect union, he said, the goal should be problem solving and true public service  not scoring political points or obliterating the other side. He noted that disturbingly, 20% of the U.S. population is okay with physical harm being done to the other side of the aisle.

In a world where people dont even see a union because the other side is not just wrong, but wrong for bad reasons, how do we get people to care about the other side and work together? Haslam asked.

Former Gov. Bill Haslam speaks during the How Did We Get Here? Our Crisis of Solidarity event at Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024.

American democracy is in crisis, and the root cause is a crisis of solidarity and consensus, Hunter argued. To begin to solve the crisis, Americans must build solidarity on the basis of what brings Americans together, both as a society and as a country.

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While there have been deep divisions throughout American history  over federalism, slavery, suffrage, and civil rights  during times of conflict like the Cold War, Hunter argued, a common enemy brought the country together in an unprecedented way, despite significant cultural shifts.

Now, he said, opposition is again turned inward with conflicts over culture wars dominating the political space.

Politics through culture war is about the symbolic problems  leveraging resentments of those youre leading against the other side, Hunter said. Weve lost the problem solving, at least at the national level.

Both agreed politics is downstream of culture, and deep cultural divides are the root of  and often far more powerful than  political ones.

James Davison Hunter speaks during the How Did We Get Here? Our Crisis of Solidarity event at Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024.

Hunter proposed that there are not just two political parties, but four groups: the utopian left and utopian right, neither of which are willing to seek consensus or compromise in an effort to solve problems, and the pragmatic left and pragmatic right, who are open to dialogue, consensus, and ultimately problem solving.

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The utopian versions dominate our politics today. They are the ones who practice the symbolic politics of culture wars, which is oftentimes youve just gotta burn it down, Hunter said. Part of the recovery is moving back toward pragmatic politics of caring for people and solving problems that we all have.

The utopian left and the utopian right have given up on the American project, he said.

Cultural solidarity must go beyond identity politics, racial divides, religious convictions, and political loyalties, he said, but it cannot be imposed by law or tyranny.

Authoritarianism is the attempt to impose solidarity where there is none, Hunter said. The center is the conversation.

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Vivian Jones covers state government and politics at The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com or on X @Vivian_E_Jones.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Bill Haslam calls for dialogue, empathy to help mend deep divides
A former inmate of a Lake County prison was found guilty of manslaughter Thursday in the fatal stabbing of a fellow inmate, according to prosecutors.

Antonio Carter, 51, got into a heated discussion with 27-year-old Adonis Boone at Lake Correctional Institute in June 2017 and stabbed him in the upper chest with a makeshift knife, according to the Office of the State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit. Correctional officers unsuccessfully attempted to render aid to Boone. The stabbing severed a major artery and was found to have been fatal by a medical examiner.

After the stabbing, Carter reportedly said, I hope I killed him! I tried to kill him, according to a correctional officer. A jury found him guilty of manslaughter with a weapon.

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Whether you are out in the general public or confined in the general population of a correctional facility, the same laws apply, State Attorney Walter Forgie said. The defendant was already in possession of dangerous contraband and elevated his criminal act by using it to fatally attack a fellow inmate.

Carter was previously incarcerated since 2008 on charges of carjacking and robbery in Broward County, according to records from the Florida Department of Corrections. After the incident with Boone, he was transferred to the Lake County jail.
Congress Men

Former military officials have once again claimed, despite the Pentagon's declarations to the contrary, that the United States has recovered alien technology.

As NPR reports, these latest House Oversight Subcommittee hearings contained claims both bombastic and pragmatic as ex-government officials insisted that the truth is out there.

Chief among these witnesses was Luis "Lue" Elizondo, a former Defense Department intelligence official who says he worked on a clandestine UAP project prior to the establishment of a more public-facing office during the start of the Biden Administration.

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"Advanced technologies not made by our Government  or any other government  are monitoring sensitive military installations around the globe," the whistleblower and author wrote in his submitted testimony. "Furthermore, the US is in possession of UAP technologies, as are some of our adversaries."

Despite suggesting a global alien tech arms race, Elizondo's most recent testimony seemed strikingly pared down from past claims he's made. Earlier this year, for instance, he insisted that the government had a program meant to "trap" extraterrestrial crafts, and was forced to admit that a so-called alien "mothership" photo he presented at a conference in early November was faked.

Secret Saucer

Alongside the ex-Pentagon official was another of the usual UAP suspects: retired Navy admiral Tim Gallaudet, who now leads a consulting firm that searches for alien crafts underwater.

During his testimony, Gallaudet recounted that nearly a decade ago, he witnessed an "unidentified object exhibiting flight and structural characteristics unlike anything in our arsenal."

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Later, he says he received a video in his work inbox of a purported UFO  now known as the "Go Fast" video, which was declassified and publicized via the Freedom of Information Act in 2019  only for it to disappear the "very next day."

These creduility-straining claims from former Pentagon officials were tempered by testimony from former NASA space policy executive Michael Gold, who told the Congressional subcommittee that the best way to get to the truth about ETs is science and de-stigmatization.

"As the saying goes, the truth is out there," Gold said. "We just need to be bold enough and brave enough to face it."

More on UFOs: Retired NASA Astronaut Urges Government to Investigate "Compelling" UFO Claims
A former Frederick pediatrician accused of sexually abusing dozens of children over the course of three decades is now considered competent and a trial has been scheduled for March 2025 in a case that has been on hold since 2020.

Ernesto Cesar Torres, 74, will be tried on one count of sexual abuse of a minor and three counts of third-degree sex offense.

On Thursday, Frederick County Circuit Judge Richard Sandy entered an order scheduling the trial for four days beginning on March 18, 2025.

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Torres' legal battle began on May 3, 2019, when he was charged with sexually assaulting an 18-year-old female patient at his medical office on Thomas Johnson Drive.

Torres was subsequently convicted of fourth-degree sex offense and second-degree assault involving that patient. He was sentenced to one year in prison and received credit for time served.

Torres appealed his conviction to Maryland's second-highest court, which in turn remanded the case back to the Frederick County Circuit Court, defense attorney Margaret Teahan wrote in a text message on Thursday.

The appellate court directed the Frederick County Circuit Court to review statements made by the patient at trial and statements she made during an interview with an investigator for the State Board of Physicians for alleged inconsistencies.

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The trial court must also determine whether any statements impeach the patient's testimony, requiring a new trial on the May 3, 2019, charges.

On May 17, 2019, Torres was indicted on an additional 61 counts connected to the alleged sexual abuse of a dozen children between 1980 and 2018, The Frederick News-Post previously reported.

The four alleged offenses for which Torres will be tried in March are from the end of that time frame, from March 2015 to September 2018, online court records show.

It is not clear whether all four of those charges pertain to the same alleged victim.

A third indictment was handed up on Dec. 20, 2019, charging Torres with 98 sex offenses related to the alleged abuse of 19 more children between 1981 and 2019.

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Frederick County State's Attorney's Office spokesperson Jacqueline Rottmann said on Thursday that the charges against Torres were filed in stages as more alleged victims came forward.

At a status hearing last month, Assistant State's Attorney Joyce King said prosecutors will decide how to proceed on the remainder of the charges in the second indictment, as well as the charges in the third indictment, based on the outcome of the trial in March.

Reached by phone on Thursday, Andrew Jezic  an attorney whose appearance on Torres' behalf was entered on Nov. 6  declined to comment because he was still familiarizing himself with the case that will proceed to trial first.

The proceedings on the second and third indictments were stalled for years after the Maryland Department of Health found in April 2020 that Torres was not competent to stand trial.

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Under Maryland law, a person is considered incompetent to stand trial if they are unable to assist in their own defense or are unable to understand the nature of the court's proceedings.

The finding that Torres was not competent to stand trial was reaffirmed by Frederick County Circuit Judge Julie Stevenson Solt in a July 2021 opinion.

In the opinion, Solt cited conflicting testimony from a psychiatrist called by Torres' defense and a Maryland Department of Health psychiatrist regarding Torres' belief in an "evil black witch" who controlled his life.

The defense psychiatrist testified that Torres' belief in the witch amounted to a delusion disorder that affected his understanding of the court system.

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The Department of Health psychiatrist testified that despite his belief in the witch, Torres appeared to be in touch with reality and was able to speak intelligently about other topics.

Because of the conflicting testimony, the News-Post reported at the time, Solt could not conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Torres' competency had been restored after treatment at a psychiatric facility.

In June 2022, online court records show, Torres was again deemed incompetent by the Maryland Department of Health.

A new Department of Health evaluation finding Torres competent to stand trial was accepted by the court on Aug. 2, 2024, allowing prosecutors to move forward on the second and third indictments.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Abigail Hernandez, a former Rochester student, has been released under supervision by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after spending more than six years behind bars.

She was arrested in February of 2018 after admitting to authoring a social media post threatening to shoot people at East High School.

Initially charged with two felony counts of Making a Terroristic Threat, Hernandez, who is now 27, eventually pleaded guilty to Falsely Reporting an Incident, a misdemeanor, and received 3 years probation, but because Hernandez arrived in the U.S. illegally as a toddler and remained a non-citizen, she was transferred to the Department of Homeland Security.

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A legal battle over her status ensued, with her attorneys arguing her intellectual disabilities and legal procedural errors should result in her release.

Those arguments prevented her deportation to Mexico, but up until this year did not free her from detention, meaning she has been held for almost seven years.

ICE confirmed to News 8 Friday that Hernandez has been released under a program called the Alternatives to Detention program, or ATD, in which various technology is used to monitor someones movement and activity (see below for more on ATD).

Among those expressing relief over the return of Hernandez is Abbys Squad, which is made up of a number of local advocates who have been funding Hernandezs legal defense and staying in regular contact with her throughout her ordeal.

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One member, Rita Gaither, was Hernandezs teacher in the Rochester City School District.

Abigail was probably my number one student, Gaither said. She was always ready, even if it was 6 in the morning, she was always ready to go.

Gaither says Hernandez, like others in the class, had a learning disability.

I believe that Abigails is more of the cognitive disability, processing disability, Gaither said.

To this day, Gaither questions whether Hernandez actually wrote the threatening note.

Abigail would never hurt a fly, Gaither said. Shes never had a discipline problem, shes never been suspended from school.

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Another member of Abbys Squad, Rosalind Walker, wants the community to know Hernandezs case is ongoing and shes still at risk of deportation.

Shes not free, shes on parole, ICE parole, not free, Walker said.

Deborah Wachspress adds that while Hernandez has displayed grace throughout this six-year ordeal, she says deportation would pose much greater challenges.

I think that would be more traumatic than any of this because she doesnt know Spanish. She doesnt know anybody there. She cant really function independently, Wachspress said. She cant even get around Rochester.

ICE did not comment on the merits of Hernandezs case, but did provide this detailed description of the supervision program Hernandez is now under:

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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements Alternatives to Detention program, which began in 2004, uses technology and case management to ensure noncitizen compliance with release conditions, court hearings and final orders of removal. The program allows ICE to exercise increased supervision over a subset of those on ICEs docket, using several different monitoring technologies. ATD effectively increases court appearance rates and compliance with release conditions. It also helps participants meet their basic needs and understand their immigration obligations.

ATD-ISAP (Intensive Supervision Appearance Program) is not a form of custody as defined under 8 C.F.R.  1236.1(d)(1) as it does not entail physical restraint or confinement within a given space. Some ATD-ISAP participants, however, may be assigned a limited curfew.

Those who are released from custody and enrolled in ATD must comply with the terms and conditions of their release, including appearances at all scheduled court hearings and compliance with ATD requirements. Depending on the circumstances of the case, failure to comply may result in an immigration judge issuing a final order in absentia and may render a noncitizen a priority for arrest and removal by ICE. As with any noncitizen in the United States without lawful status, ICE officers make enforcement decisions on a case-by-case basis to focus on the greatest threats to homeland security in a professional and responsible manner informed by their experience as law enforcement officers.

ATD is currently available in over 300 locations nationwide for eligible participants residing within all of ICEs 25 areas of responsibility. The levels of supervision and technology assigned to participants are based upon criteria that includes, but is not limited to, current immigration status; criminal history; compliance history; community or family ties; being a caregiver or provider; medical conditions; and other humanitarian factors.

The ATD program may be appropriate for noncitizens who are released pursuant to an order of release on recognizance, order of supervision, grant of parole, or bond (unless an immigration judge or the Board of Immigration Appeals has determined custody and did not include ATD as a provision). To be eligible for enrollment in ATD, noncitizens must be 18 years of age or older, effectively removable from the United States, and in some stage of the immigration process.

The ATD program is carried out with the support of a government contractor, BI Inc., which supervises participants through a combination of home visits, office visits, alert responses, court tracking and technology. The contract under which BI operates is called the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program IV. Under ISAP IV, ATD officers have the discretion to determine the types of technology, the frequency of home and office visits, and whether to assign court and alert management. Case management levels and technology assignment may be reviewed and adjusted by ATD officers at any time and are typically based upon a change in a participants circumstances and program compliance.

SmartLINK: ICE uses three types of technology to monitor noncitizens on the ATD program, including SmartLINK. SmartLINK enables participants monitoring via smartphone or tablet using biometric facial comparison to establish identity. SmartLINK has been in use by ICE since 2018 and allows supervising officers and case managers to keep participants focused on the conditions of release. Approximately 75% of noncitizens enrolled in the ATD program utilize SmartLINK.

If an ATD participant does not have a personally owned smartphone at the time of ATD enrollment, the participant will be issued a SmartLINK loaded device  the device is locked and is unable to be used other than through the SmartLINK application. SmartLINK devices must be returned upon the participants reassignment to a personal smart device, reassignment to a different technology, or completion of the ATD program. It is important to note the SmartLINK devices are solely limited to the functions assigned for the purposes of participation in ATD. They do not possess call capability or access to internet. The SmartLink devices can make emergency calls to 911 services only.

Benefits to SmartLINK Technology: Push notifications and reminders for upcoming appointments can be automatically set and sent. This is particularly useful for court hearing reminders and office visit reminders. Participants can search through an established database to find community service provider information in their area. If participants are looking for information on where to find a food bank, clothing, or community services, they may search through their smartphone or tablet rather than contacting a case specialist. SmartLINK allows participants to upload and send documents to case specialists. Officers, case specialists and participants may directly message each other.

Additional ATD Technologies: In addition to SmartLINK, ISAP uses the telephonic reporting and global positioning satellite monitoring to support the programs goals. The telephonic reporting system uses a combination of automation, voice recognition and telephonic communication with a case specialist or ATD officer. The GPS unit monitors a participants location and movement using satellite technology through an ankle bracelet. The unit cannot be removed and is safe for use in wet environments, to include showering. Participants with questions or concerns with their GPS monitor can always contact their case specialist for assistance.

ICE also uses wrist-worn GPS monitoring technology , which provides GPS location monitoring, facial matching, and messaging functionalities. The device leverages technology similar to a consumer smartwatch, but it cannot be used for any function beyond compliance with immigration-related activities.

The ISAP program is operated through contractor support, which primarily supports the ISAP program by providing case specialists who manage individual cases, the day-to-day operations of several sites, and monitoring technologies.

The daily cost per ATD participant is less than $8 per day versus the cost of detention, which is approximately $145 per day.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
Former Vice President Mike Pence, who served under Donald Trump during the former presidents first term, issued a statement Friday calling on Senate Republicans to reject Trumps pick of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services due to Kennedys past support of abortion rights.

Pence issued the statement on Friday through Advancing American Freedom, the political organization he founded, writing that the Trump-Pence administration was unapologetically pro-life" and the HHS office can lead the country toward a respect for life or away from it.

I believe the nomination of RFK Jr. To serve as Secretary of HHS is an abrupt departure from the pro-life record of our administration and should be deeply concerning to millions of Pro-Life Americans who have supported the Republican Party and our nominees for decades, Pence said in the statement.

NEW: Statement from Founder @Mike_Pence on the nomination of RFK Jr. to serve as Secretary of HHS. pic.twitter.com/gPvFDktycl  Advancing American Freedom (@AmericanFreedom) November 15, 2024

Trump, who won the 2024 election last week to return to the White House, has begun rolling out nominations for his next administration. Kennedy, who has been criticized for his anti-vaccine views, is among some of the more controversially-viewed picks. Trump also tapped now-former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz as his choice for Attorney General.

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While Trump is making his choices known now, several roles will have to go through U.S. Senate confirmation hearings next year where nominees will need at least 51 votes to be confirmed. Indiana U.S. Senator Todd Young and Senator-elect Jim Banks will get to vote on Trumps choices.

During Trumps first term, while Pence was vice president, the HHS secretaries were Tom Price followed by Alex Azar.

Donald Trump's cabinet: President-elect chooses firebrand Rep. Matt Gaetz to run Justice Department as attorney general

Pence outspoken on Trump before

At a conservative news organizations post-election summit on Tuesday, Pence said he was very encouraged by Trumps initial appointments, but Fridays statement advocating for senators to reject Kennedy continues to show Pence is willing to criticize the former president, despite no longer being part of the administration.

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The relationship between Pence and Trump split surrounding the handling of the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Trump has denied he lost the 2020 presidential election and, on that day, Pence refused to block the certification of the 2020 election results, which Pence has said he did not have the authority to do.

Pence in 2023 launched and ended his own campaign for the White House against Trump and publicly stated he could not in good conscience support his former running mates reelection bid, but congratulated Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance on their election win last week.

Pence has previously used his Advancing American Freedom organization to criticize the Republican party. During the Republican National Convention this summer, Pence issued a statement through the group calling the partys platform a profound disappointment due to it moving away from historic pro-life principles.

Pence was governor of Indiana from 2013 until 2016 when he joined Trumps first campaign for the White House.

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Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Brittany Carloni at brittany.carloni@indystar.com or 317-779-4468. Follow her on Twitter/X @CarloniBrittany.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Former VP Mike Pence opposed to Trump's pick of RFK Jr. to lead HHS
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  A Madison County Grand Jury has indicted four people believed to be involved in the 2023 murder of a 15-year-old boy.

Court records show Latorrie Gaddis has been indicted for the capital murder and kidnapping of JaMarious Logan.

Along with Gaddis, Latoya Wells and Corie Wilson have been indicted for the abduction of Logan. Dersea Cunningham has also been indicted for hindering prosecution in connection to the murder of Logan.

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Preliminary hearing set for man charged with murder in shooting at Twin Peaks

Logan was reported missing on Sept. 27, 2023. At the time, HPD said he was last seen two days before the report.

The Huntsville Police Department said Logans remains were found on November 16, 2023, in Sylacauga, Alabama.

Talladega County Coroner Shaddix Murphy told News 19 that the remains were found off Spearhill Road in a rural area of Sylacauga. He said the remains were badly decomposed and were found in a makeshift grave near an abandoned house.

HPD said investigators worked for 51 days to find Logan.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
Miedzyrzecki Fortified Region Tunnel in Poland (teine)

After World War I, the Treaty of Versailles explicitly prevented Germany from building fortifications along their borders. But plans to secretly secure the eastern border with Poland were being hatched as early as 1927, and with Hitlers rise to power as Chancellor in 1933, development took off. The Ostwall, or eastern wall, was established as a series of natural waterway barriers. However, a strip of land between the Oder and Warta rivers was a natural gateway that needed extra fortifications. A fortified arch between the rivers was built piecemeal beginning in 1934 as seemingly incongruous structures and anti-tank barriers.

The secret construction project was 80km long and officially approved by Hitler during his visit in 1935. The entire route was divided into three sections, with each containing around 100 facilities armed with modern weaponry.

The true secret though, was below ground where over 35 kilometers of tunnels connected the buildings in the central section. There were workshops, storage spaces, social areas and barracks large enough to house 24,000 soldiers. Train tracks and stations were built in the underground space and a main traffic road connected it all together.

Pniewo Miedzyrzecki Fortified Region tunnel (LukaszB )

At the start of World War II, however, efforts were needed elsewhere, so the project was halted with much of the above-groundwork left unfinished. The front didnt see much action during the war and was used as a Daimler aircraft engine factory. Finally, in January of 1945, the small crew stationed at the facility was overrun by Russian forces.

The central section was centered around the town of Miedzyrzec and is now called the Miedzyrzecki Fortified Region or MRU. There are two access areas open to the public with guided-tour access. The MRU Museum and Fortifications in Pniewo has year-round underground tours that range in length and adventure. Only 10 minutes down the road is a second access point at the Boryszyn Loop where you can book either a walking or biking tour of the underground spaces.

Pniewo Miedzyrzecki Fortified Region (konradkerker )

The MRU tunnels were highly suspected of being the hiding place for Nazi treasures and stolen artworks, however,as of now, none have been found. The tunnels were abandoned after the war and most ground-level buildings were destroyed or looted. As a result, the MRU is now the largest bat refuge in Europe with thousands of nocturnal residents from 12 different species.
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  Four men were arrested and are now facing charges for different child sex-related offenses.

Authorities arrested 25-year-old Jermaine Stewart, 30-year-old Curtis Riner, 24-year-old Marvin Mora-Garcia, and 56-year-old James Stahl last Friday.

Stewart is charged with sexual battery on a child under 12 years old for an incident that occurred in January 2021. Hes held without bond.

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GCSC emergency response students participated in active shooter exercise

Riner is charged with lewd and lascivious molestation for an incident that occurred in 2013 but wasnt reported until January 2021. He was arrested Friday after his release from prison at Holmes County.

Riner is held on a $100,000 bond.

Mora-Garcia is being held on a $500,000 bond on 10 counts of lewd and lascivious battery with a 15-year-old girl he met online.

Panama City Beach Police arrested Stahl Friday when he showed up to have sex with what he thought was a 15-year-old girl. They turned out to be an undercover cop.

Stahl is charged with soliciting a child for sex. He was released after posting a $35,000 bond.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Data from MPD shows 29 homicides this year in the 38127 Zip code in Frayser, a reflection of what some in the area say are specific streets that are crime-ridden.

Thursday, city leaders and the White House announced a new joint effort that many hope will keep Memphians safe.

The whole neighborhood tired of it, said Aaron Turman, a concerned father on Ardmore Street in Frayser, where he says crime scene tape is a constant.

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MPDs Data Hub shows 10 crimes on this block in the past two weeks.

Three people shot in Frayser

They really want them to sell they house and leave because they just promote violence. Nothing positive, Turman said.

Thursday Memphis Mayor Young, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and other leaders announced the Joint Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement.

The joint office is set to direct more federal dollars and grants to local organizations and non-profits..

One of the things Id like to see is as to really get a grip on whats happening in Zip codes, and if theyre hotspots out there, to be able to respond to those hotspots, Mayor Young said. To really pour resources into those areas to make sure that were making some efforts to turn those areas around.

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City, county mayors announce joint neighborhood safety effort

Pastor Ricky Floyd who works to improve Frayser through opportunies and outreach hopes it will help.

A lot of times when I hear the word new, I think here we go with a different old, Floyd said. But Im hopeful this time because youre seeing the county mayor and the, the city mayor potentially come together. So its almost like a truce in government. Eastside and West Side coming together.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Local kids are being treated to free swim lessons thanks to a new partnership between the YMCA of Greater Rochester and MVP Health Care.

The Earth is about 70% water so we should be able to operate in it, said George Warren, the vice president of Urban Services for the YMCA of Greater Rochester. Nobody should be afraid of a nice pool or beach day.

Per semester, 50 kids are invited to take part in these ten-week sessions. Overall, Warren said theyll serve 100 kids.

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We see swimming as a life skill, a necessary skill for all children, and all the adults for that matter, Warren said.

A bonus: Its all free.

The goal, according to Warren, is to improve access to these kinds of services.

With the community, access to pools dwindles. You see more spray parks pop up; fewer pools are there. So, its making it a little more challenging to get kids in pools, in water and learning how to swim.

MVP Health Care officials said it was a no-brainer to join this endeavor.

URMC resumes full schedule of surgeries after IV fluid shortage

We know that swimming and water safety is so important. Especially in this region, and a lot of kids dont have access to swim lessons, swim programs. So, it was something we were passionate about supporting with the Y, said Stacey Spadoni, the community relationship manager at MVP.

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The lessons are being held at the Maplewood Family YMCA on Driving Park Avenue in Rochester. Theyre available to kids ages 6-18. A second session will begin in January. Registration for that will open Dec. 16. You can register here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
PARIS (AP)  A French doctoral student detained in Tunisia returned to Paris on Friday after weeks of top-level diplomatic discussions.

Victor Dupont, a 27-year-old pursuing a Ph.D. at Aix-Marseille Universitys Institute of Research and Study on the Arab and Islamic Worlds, arrived at Charles de Gaulle Airport on Friday afternoon, 27 days after he was arrested in Tunis.

Obviously, we welcome this outcome for him and, most of all, we welcome that he is able to reunite with his loved ones here in France, French Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine said.

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He announced the release at a ministry news briefing on Friday, saying that Dupont was freed Tuesday from prison and returned on Friday back to France.

Tunisian authorities in recent years have arrested journalists, activists and opposition figures, but Duponts arrest garnered international attention and condemnation because of his nationality and because he wasnt known as a critic of the government.

Dupont researches social movements, youth unemployment and Tunisias 2011 revolution. Three other French nationals were also arrested Oct. 19 in front of Dupont's Tunis apartment. At least two were subsequently released. The whereabouts of the third person, a woman with dual French-Tunisian citizenship, werent immediately clear Friday.

Tunisian authorities have not commented on any of the arrests.

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Dupont's arrest provoked concerns about the safety and security of foreign researchers in Tunisia, where rights and freedoms have gradually been curtailed under President Kais Saied.

Saied harnessed populist anger to win two terms as president of Tunisia and has reversed many of the democratic gains that were made after the country became the first to topple a longtime dictator in 2011 during the regional uprisings known as the Arab Spring.

Dupont's supporters, both at his university and in associations representing academics who work in the Middle East and North Africa, said that his research didn't pose any security risks, called the charges unfounded and decried authorities' choice to charge him in military court.

It has no connection with foreign powers or foreign affairs and presents no threat whatsoever to the security of the Tunisian state. Rather, Duponts arrest highlights the constraints on academic freedom in Tunisia today and poses a dangerous precedent for the future of social scientific investigation in the country, Asli Bali, Yale Law School professor and president of the Middle East Studies Association, wrote in a Nov. 9 letter to authorities.

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Tunisia and France have maintained close political and economic ties since Tunisia became independent after 75 years of being a French protectorate. France is Tunisias top trade partner, home to a large Tunisian diaspora and a key interlocutor in managing migration from North Africa to Europe.

A French diplomatic official not authorized to speak publicly about the arrest told The Associated Press in late October that officials were in contact with Tunisian authorities about the case. Another diplomatic official with knowledge of the matter said on Thursday that French President Emmanuel Macron had recently spoken to Saied twice about the case and said that it was the subject of regular calls between top level diplomats.

Though foreign researchers are regularly surveilled while working in parts of the Middle East and North Africa, such arrests and charges against them are rare. In 2016, Giulio Regeni, an Italian Ph.D. student researching trade unions in Cairo, was found dead near a highway and marked with signs of torture. After an investigation, Italian prosecutors are trying four Egyptian security officials in absentia in Rome.

___

Metz reported from Rabat, Morocco. Associated Press writers Angela Charlton in Paris and John Leicester in Le Pecq, France contributed to this report.
Fresh Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut's southern suburbs late Friday following a heavy bombardment in the morning.

A dpa reporter said there were at least three explosions and that black smoke rose over the Ghobeiry area.

Shortly before the Israeli strikes, the Israeli army issued an evacuation warning for the neighbourhood.

Most residential areas of Beirut's southern suburbs - considered a stronghold of Hezbollah - have already been emptied out.

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The Israeli army accuses the Shiite militia of hiding out in residential areas.

Israel says the targets include weapon depots and command centres of the Iran-aligned organization, which has been attacking Israel with rockets from Lebanon since the beginning of the Gaza war.

Civil defense inspect destruction after an Israeli air strike hits a building in the area of Tayounieh on the outskirts of Beirut southern suburb. Marwan Naamani/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
Nov. 15The Frisch's Big Boy location on West Main Street in Xenia is closing at 8 p.m. tonight, Nov. 15.

The marquee sign out front of the restaurant thanked the community for its support over the last several decades and says goodbye. This news comes about a week after the Troy Frisch's closed at 20 Troy Town Drive.

Here's a list of other Frisch's locations in the region that closed just last month:  1831 N. Bechtle Ave. in Springfield  3560 S. Dixie Highway in Middletown  1330 Columbus Ave. in Lebanon

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Cox First Media content partner WCPO reported earlier this week that NNN REIT LP, an investment company that owns the Frisch's properties, had filed 17 eviction lawsuits in Southwest Ohio that claimed the restaurant chain is $4.6 million behind on rent.

Some Frisch's locations that remained open as of Friday include:  3311 Benchwood Road in Butler Twp.  1095 S Main St. in Englewood  3110 Colonel Glenn Highway in Fairborn  8154 Old Troy Pike in Huber Heights  2861 Wilmington Pike in Kettering  8181 Springboro Pike in Miamisburg  2201 E Main St. in Springfield  6188 Wilmington Pike in Sugarcreek Twp.  16 Weller Drive in Tipp City  1255 Main St. in Hamilton  2439 E. Sharon Road, Sharonville  11122 Hamilton Ave., Forest Park  5570 Liberty Fairfield Road, Liberty Twp.  5571 Ohio 741, Mason  8545 Cincinnati-Dayton Road, West Chester Twp.  6638 Dixie Highway, Fairfield

In the last two years, several other Frisch's locations have closed in the Miami Valley, including 1231 N. Fairfield Road in Beavercreek and 4830 S. Dixie Drive in Moraine.
Cincinnatians, a free vacation could be waiting for you in a tree or under a bench or anywhere in Downtown Cincinnati.

Frontier Airlines has hidden five company-branded piggy banks throughout Downtown Cincinnati, each containing free flights for the whole family ahead of the holiday travel season, per a press release. The #DiscoverDiscountDen Giveaway launched on Friday, and individuals can check Frontier's social media channels now for clues on where to find the piggy banks and how to claim the prizes inside.

Inside each piggy bank, winners will find:

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A $1,000 flight voucher, enough for four Frontier roundtrip flights.

A one-year membership to Frontiers Discount Den Low Fare Travel Club which includes reduced fares for an entire year.

Frontier Airlines has hidden five branded piggy banks throughout Downtown Cincinnati, each of which contains free flights for the whole family ahead of the holiday travel season.

But if you don't find one of the emerald-colored pigs, don't worry.

Cincinnati-area travelers will still have another shot at winning the "#DiscoverDiscountDen" giveaway. Per the release, five additional winners will be selected through an online sweepstakes to receive the same prizes.

For more information and to enter to win, visit signup.flyfrontier.com.

Frontier Airlines has hidden five branded piggy banks throughout Downtown Cincinnati, each of which contains free flights for the whole family ahead of the holiday travel season.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Frontier Airlines: How you can win a free flight in Cincinnati
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  Funeral services were held on Thursday for retired New Mexico National Guard Brigadier General George Treadwell. Cannons and rifles rang out near the Gate of Heaven Cemetery on Wyoming Blvd. to honor Brigadier General Treadwell.

New Mexicos largest school district continues to see teacher vacancies

According to his obituary, he joined the Wisconsin National Guard in 1948 before transferring to New Mexico in 1953. He retired after 40 years of service. He also worked for Sandia National Labs for 40 years. Brigadier General Treadwell was 95 years old.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Fake business cards, unfinished contracting jobs and at least one victim suddenly out tens of thousands of dollars.

A Portland family never thought itd happen to them, yet it did to the tune of roughly $25,000.

Were furious. I think all of us are just all of those things: angry, frustrated, irate, says Lindsey.

KOIN 6 isnt fully identifying the woman for her familys protection.

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St. Helens High School educators accused of student sex abuse begin court proceedings

Her father was approached by two men earlier this year near his home in northeast Portland.

His chimney needed some improvements, and the so-called contractors offered to take a look.

They did some damage while they were looking at it. Then, they could take pictures and show him Look at all the damage you have,' says Lindsey.

An unfinished roofing job in Portland. (KOIN)

A roof and chimney in need of improvements in NE Portland. (KOIN)

Over the next two weeks, the pair kept offering up promises of repairs and work orders as Lindseys dad handed over cash.

They left a huge mess in his yard. They kept coming back Oh, we need X amount. We need some more to order the bricks. Then, they just disappeared, she said. They were masquerading as a different company. Its obviously different if youre looking close enough, but Dad just didnt look close enough, which is what theyre banking on.

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Longtime roofers like Verrill Beaudro have heard of just about every scheme in the book.

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Still, he was stunned when his own company caught wind of a similar ploy a couple months ago.

The first red flag we got, Who the hell is this? says Beaudro.

The Oregon State graduate started Flow Roofing seven years ago.

Now, hes fighting to protect his companys top-notch reputation after someone started handing out fake Flow Roofing business cards.

Flow Roofing (KOIN)

Its almost out of a movie, its so well organized. You almost have to appreciate they put so much detail into it, Beaudro told KOIN 6.

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The cards list his business address, his state contractor license number and other key details, but include a slightly different email and phone number.

We dont have this person on our payroll. Weve never heard of them, never hired them, said Beaudro.

He even got tipped off to what he says is a fake Flow Roofing website, which could further confuse potential customers.

It needs to stop. I put my lifes work into this and Im not gonna let this happen, said Beaudro.

Understand the dangers: Video shows early king tide action on the Oregon Coast

KOIN 6 called and emailed the numbers and addresses on the business cards, and on the website, but got no responses.

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The Better Business Bureau for the West Coast & Pacific region says cases like this arent uncommon, especially when it comes to jobs like roofing.

Often, they are not licensed, not bonded and not insured, said Cameron Nakashima, one of the organizations media engagement managers.

Its something we see a lot of reports about, unfortunately, and they are big expenses. Theyre big dollar amounts tied to these, he said.

Lindseys family did file a Portland Police report but the case is stalled because of a lack of evidence.

La Nina winter predicted: Oregon could see more snow this year

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Her advice? Be cautious when it comes to contractors going door to door down the street.

Not everybody is a good person. These guys are taking people for so much money, and its just awful.

The Portland Police Bureau encourage anyone who thinks theyre a victim of fraud to file an online police report, or contact the non-emergency phone number at 503-823-3333. The bureaus property crime detectives can also access the FTC Fraud Complaint database, which can be found here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
People and horses at Gut Aiderbichl in Salzburg, Austria (Spitzi-Foto - stock.adobe.com)

Antons Story

Anton, the Bactrian camel, was seized from a situation where he was not provided the legal basics of care. He was moved to a cushy new home on a farm in Iffeldorf, near Munich, Germany where he met another camel, a Dromedary named Franziska. She had been surrendered by a circus 12 years previously and was lovingly helped through the loss of her small foal, Hensi. The two became joyful companions until she passed away in 2023. Recently, Anton found a new friend in Kasper, a fellow Bactrian camel, who was rescued from a cycle of constant re-selling.

These camels now live at Europes largest animal sanctuary: Gut Aiderbichl.

If you are an animal lover, but not a fan of zoos, try visiting one of the Gut Aiderbichl animal visitor centers. Your entrance fee will help rescue and rehabilitate animals from across Europe and provide them with access to a lifelong home.

All animals are welcome at Gut Aiderbichl and may stay with us until the natural end of their lives  Aiderbichl

Gut Aiderbichl in Salzburg, Asterreich, Europa - Gut Aiderbichl in Salzburg, Austria, Europe (Wolfgang Spitzbart)

Stars Story

As a baby in 1973, Star was removed from the wild in Africa and taken to Austria to live in an animal testing lab. She was kept there in a small space out of contact with other chimps until the practice was banned in 1997. Now, she lives at the Gut Aiderbichl Monkey Sanctuary where she has been able to go outside for the first time in decades and has learned how to socialize. She is friends with fellow chimps, Spaetzle and Benjamin.

The Monkey Sanctuary was added to the Aiderbichl Sanctuary collection in 2009. Chimpanzees from Austrian labs were taken to a safari park where the pharmaceutical company financed a large facility for them. When the safari park filed for bankruptcy, Gut Aiderbichl took over. With the help of leading veterinarians and primatologists, Aiderbichl built a large outdoor enclosure. Jane Goodall attended the grand opening of this space in 2011 when the chimps tentatively experienced the sun and wind for the first time.

The Monkey Sanctuary is only available to visit by those who financially support the chimpanzee effort. It is open to these guests by appointment on Saturdays in the warm seasons.

()

Baricellos Story

Baricello was one of the first horses to be rescued by Gut Aiderbichl. As a four-month-old foal, he was intended to be sent from Poland to a slaughterhouse in Italy, but the organization purchased him instead. He seemed grief-stricken and unhealthy. Later, they were able to track down his mother Chatleen working as a carriage horse in a city. The two were happily reunited at Gut Aiderbichl, and Baricello has grown into a healthy, mature 23-year-old horse.

Gut Aiderbichl had recently been opened in 2001 when Baricello came to stay. It was founded by German actor and animal rights activist, Michael Aufhauser. He began with a farm built in Henndorf, Austria, where animals could be removed from situations that did not provide them with humane husbandry practices. Aufhauser also established the first off-leash dog parks in Austria.

In 2006, a large farm in Deggendorf, near Passau was added. Soon other large estates, farms and homes were being donated or left to the organization, including the large farm in Iffeldorf where the camels now live. Since then, Gut Aiderbichl has grown to include sanctuary lands in Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland, Romania and Hungary. The website, www.gut-aiderbichl.com, features a story or video for nearly every animal at the sanctuary, including touching obituaries.

()

Neemas Story

As a puppy in Romania Neema was likely hit by a car, which paralyzed her rear legs. At Gut Aiderbichl she was fitted with a wheelchair and now loves to go on long walks and runs in the field. She is one of the many happy, special needs dogs the organization has rehabilitated. While all the animals are welcome to stay at Gut Aiderbichl for the rest of their lives, they recognize that some dogs and cats are better suited for adoption into family homes.

Since 2022, the organization has been actively involved in saving domestic pets from the Ukraine and reuniting them with owners when possible. In addition, they have become a safe haven for former racing dogs and hoarded cats.

Tierhof Gut Aiderbichl in Salzburg, Asterreich, Europa - Gut Aiderbichl in Salzburg, Austria, Europe ()

Your Story

While the Gut Aiderbichl organization manages 30 estates across six countries in Europe, there are only three you can visit. If you have a pup of your own, you can bring them along. Each center has an off-leash dog run and they are welcome around the rest of the farm on a leash.

 Gut Aiderbichl Henndorf | 20km east of Salzburg

Hours: Wednesday  Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

This is the original Gut Aiderbichl Farm and houses 1,000 animals. Vegetarian fare is offered at the cafe and hourly guided tours can show you the whole estate. There is also a special dog path and dog pool if you bring your pup on your visit. A small passenger train takes visitors on a 30-minute ride to see the seven surrounding properties. Visit the Christmas market and Europes largest live-animal nativity from Nov. 15, 2024 to Jan. 6, 2025.

 Gut Aiderbichl Iffeldorf | on the Ostersee, south of Munich

Hours: Wednesday  Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Iffeldorf Farm is home to 300 animals, primarily dogs, cats, horses, donkeys and cows. They offer a few guided tours daily (in German) and there is a cafe that serves vegetarian meals and snacks. Check out the weekend advent market on from Nov. 30, 2024 to Jan. 6, 2025.

 Gut Aiderbichl Deggendorf | 90km east of Regensburg

Hours: Wednesday  Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Deggendorf Estate is home to roughly 300 animals, mostly farmyard animals, dogs and cats. There is a cafe and visitor center, plus a new circular path to get close to the animals. Cat lovers will also enjoy the large cat sanctuary complex with a special barn, field and katzenvilla. From Nov. 30, 2024 to Jan 6, 2025, there is an advent market on weekends and holidays.
Frank Sato Felix, 33, was convicted Tuesday, Nov. 12, of three counts of first-degree murder and three felony enhancements of multiple murders

Christopher Yost/Instagram Christopher and Jennifer Yost Christopher and Jennifer Yost

A California man was convicted of helping to kill three people, including the parents of a teen he became obsessed with after meeting her through the furry community, prosecutors said in a press release.

Frank Sato Felix, 33, was found guilty Tuesday, Nov. 12, of three counts of first-degree murder and three felony enhancements of multiple murders in connection with the deaths of Jennifer Goodwill Yost, 39, her 34-year-old husband Christopher Yost and the couples friend, Arthur William Boucher, 28, according to the Orange County District Attorneys Office.

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Felixs accomplice Joshua Charles Acosta, the triggerman, was convicted of three counts of murder in 2018 and is serving a life sentence for the slayings, the Los Angeles Times reported.

According to prosecutors, Jennifer Goodwill Yost introduced her then 17-year-old daughter to the furry community, whose members enjoy anthropomorphic animals and may dress up as the colorful characters, where she met Felix, then 25, and Acosta, a 21-year-old Army mechanic.

The teen and Felix, who went by Entey, in the furry community, became romantically involved, but her mother and stepfather ordered her to stay away from him, per prosecutors.

Billy Boucher/Facebook Arthur "Billy" Boucher Arthur "Billy" Boucher

Related: Men Charged in 'Grisly' Triple Homicide Knew Victims' Daughter as 'Furries,' Friends Say

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Prior to the murders, Felix allegedly wrote to the teen that she was "the only one and thing that makes me happy," according to the Orange County Register.

"He wanted to live happily ever after without any parental interference," Orange County prosecutor Seton Hunt said at trial, per the Register.

In the early morning hours of Sept. 24, 2016, Acosta and Felix made their way to the Yosts' Fullerton home with a plan to help the 17-year-old to escape the home until she turned 18, prosecutors said.

There, the duo entered the home where Acosta  using a shotgun and ammunition provided to him by Felix  fatally shot Jennifer in her bed. Christopher Yost was shot in the head as he tried to escape to an outside patio area. Boucher was shot in the head while he was sleeping on the couch.

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Acosta then fled the home and Felix and the teen drove to Felixs home, where they tried to destroy their cellphones and burned their clothing.

It was the slain couples 6-year-old girl daughter who called 911 the next morning to report that her mother is dead on the bed and her father is dead in the backyard, according to a search warrant affidavit obtained by PEOPLE.

Fullerton Police Department via AP Josh Acosta, Frank Felix Josh Acosta, Frank Felix

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Upon [the officers] arrival, two female children, ages 6 and 9 years of age, were standing on the front porch of the residence, the warrant affidavit states.

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It was a grisly crime scene, and just to imagine two children to have to wake up expecting to see mom or dad and start their Saturday morning like most kids do, to see what they saw would be difficult for anyone in law enforcement  let alone two children, Fullerton Police Department Sgt. Radus previously told PEOPLE.

Felix was picked up in Sun Valley, California, a suburb of Los Angeles County. Acosta was taken into custody in Fort Irwin, Calif.

During trial, Felix's attorney said Felix was only trying to help the girl escape from her parents and that he didn't know of Acosta's plan, at first, to kill the couple.

A sentencing date for Felix is scheduled for Jan. 17, 2025.



If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
By Emma Farge

GENEVA (Reuters) - Any additional Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy system could trigger a further wave of mass displacement as winter approaches, a senior U.N. official said on Friday.

As the war grinds towards its third winter, civilians are more vulnerable than at any other winter during the conflict due to Russian strikes on its energy system and donor fatigue, said U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine Matthias Schmale.

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"The real concern is if they were to target the energy sector again, this could be a tipping point...for further mass movements, both inside the country and outside the country," he told reporters in Geneva.

Any further displacement would add to the 3.6 million that are currently displaced within Ukraine and the more than 6 million who have fled across its borders to escape the conflict that began when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Around 65% of Ukraine's own energy production is currently offline due to Russian strikes which is more than at this same point of the year in 2022 or 2023, Schmale said.

Ukraine now relies mostly on power generated by its nuclear plants and its grid operator this week introduced power limits for businesses in the first such move since August after a massive Russian missile and drone attack.

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The United Nations and partners are implementing the Humanitarian Winter Response Plan aiming to address emergency needs by delivering fuel and other items to help people stay warm.

Shelters, known as Invincibility Points, where residents can warm up and drink tea have also been set up, he said.

Schmale voiced particular concern about people stranded in high-rise buildings and the disabled and elderly living close to the front line in Kharkiv and Kherson.

So far, aid workers have reached about half of the 1.7 million people targeted but funding shortages are constraining efforts, he said.

This year, the U.N. humanitarian response has received $1.8 billion out of $3.1 billion sought which is less than in 2022 and 2023, he said.

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"So the trend is clearly downwards, but we still get a lot of money compared to other crisis situations and our plea is that this is maintained because the war is not over."

(Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
(Bloomberg) -- Incoming Senate majority leader John Thune said all options are on the table to clear President-elect Donald Trumps nominees, including allowing them to take their jobs without Senate confirmation.

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Hopefully it doesnt get to that, Thune, a South Dakota Republican, said during a Fox News interview on Thursday evening.

Trumps nominations of Matt Gaetz for attorney general and vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services have drawn criticism from some Republicans, as well as Democrats.

Gaetz, a Florida Republican who resigned his House seat after Trumps announcement on Wednesday, has been the subject of a long-running ethics investigation, the results of which reportedly were set for release on Friday.

Thune told Fox host Bret Baier his guess is that a House Ethics Committee report on Gaetz, who has denied wrongdoing, would come out, adding that confirmation hearings tend to be fairly comprehensive.

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I dont know the answer to that just yet, said Thune when asked if Gaetz would get confirmed.

He said Republicans who wouldnt vote for a nominee might not vote to put the Senate into a recess either and the House would also have to agree to that move, which would allow Trump to bypass Senate confirmation to install his officials as recess appointments.

I always believe that you defer to a president when it comes to the people they want in their in their cabinet and to do a lot of these important jobs, Thune said. But obviously there is a process whereby we get down and scrub all these nominees and figure out whether or not one theyre qualified, and are they people who are fit to hold these offices.

Separately, Thune, who was first elected in 2004, said he and House Speaker Mike Johnson have been discussing funding Trumps border and immigration agenda via so-called budget reconciliation procedures that require just a simple Senate majority.

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Were looking at those options right now, he said.

Thune said he and Trump speak regularly, and he praised the Republicans government efficiency effort headed by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy.

This is long overdue, honestly, he said, adding that some agencies could be moved out of Washington.

(Updates with Thune first elected in 2004, in ninth paragraph.)

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If the deal goes through, Russia will effectively continue supplying gas to the EU disguised as Azerbaijani.

Russia continues to transport its resources through Ukraine's gas transmission system, earning approximately $11 billion annually  $6 billion from oil transit and another $5 billion from gas sales.

At the same time, the European Union is actively working to minimise its dependence on Russian fossil fuels, setting targets in 2022 for a gradual and complete refusal of Russian gas by 2027.

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Currently, the EU does not intend to extend the contract for Russian gas imports that will expire in 2024, and is actually ready to live without it. According to European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson during the 2024 State of the Energy Union report, the share of Russian gas in European imports has decreased from 45% to 15%.

During a recent European Parliament session on energy security, Maros Sefcovic, the European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, underlined the EUs determination to "fully disconnect" its energy supplies from Russian oil and gas.

He noted that despite the sanctions on Russian oil, the shadow fleet in the Baltic Sea is thriving, and the EU has promised to take steps to reduce these supplies and to completely cut off Russian gas and oil.

As for Ukraine, Russian gas transit is only 5% of total gas imports to the EU. This is a rather small amount for Europe, which allows it to live without Ukrainian transit.

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If Ukraine decides to cut off Russian gas transit, it will cut off about $5 billion in annual revenue for Russia, financial resources that are used to maintain its military operations against Ukraine.

Meanwhile, there is discussion of the idea of transiting Azerbaijani gas as an alternative to Russian gas. But this scheme hides another commercial agreement, under which Russian gas will in fact continue to be supplied under the guise of Azerbaijani gas.

Some EU member states have expressed the need to ensure gas supplies through the Ukrainian GTS. For example, the Slovakian company SPP has officially confirmed negotiations to continue transiting Russian gas through Ukraine in 2025. This raises the question: why would a country that consumes only 4 billion cubic metres of gas per year sign contracts for 20 billion cubic metres? This decision looks like an attempt to create a new gas scheme.

On October 24, the European Parliament adopted a resolution indicating a change in attitude towards the energy partnership with Azerbaijan. They expressed concern over the political situation in the country, in particular the human rights situation, and called on the EU to reconsider its dependence on Azerbaijani gas. The Parliament asked the European Commission to suspend the Memorandum of Strategic Partnership in Energy signed with Azerbaijan in 2022.

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It is important to mention that Azerbaijan simply does not have free gas for transportation. If the deal goes through, Russia will in fact continue to supply gas under the guise of Azerbaijani gas.

So, instead of making Europe energy independent, it will only restore the old corruption schemes that were used to achieve the Kremlin's political ambitions. If Russian gas again takes on this role under the guise of Azerbaijani gas, it will only confirm that Europe could once again be under Russian influence, but in a new shape. The real question is how to avoid repeating past mistakes and what mechanisms can be put in place to ensure transparency in this area.

Problems of accounting for the origin of Russian gas in Europe

European energy markets are facing a serious problem - the lack of clear records of the origin of Russian pipeline gas. This makes it difficult to understand the actual amount of supplies from Russia. Existing regulations do not provide full transparency regarding the sources of energy resources entering European markets.

In order to regulate these issues, the EU has several directives, including Remit Directive 1348. It obliges EU countries to provide detailed information on energy sources to the ACER regulator. However, this directive needs to be improved and extended to countries that are not yet members of the Union.

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Ensuring control over energy resources at all stages of supply, from their origin to their arrival in European countries, will help to identify the influence of individual traders, prevent market manipulation and stabilise the EU energy system.

Notably, at the end of this year, Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) already covers 20% of the European market. Looking back to 2021-2022, when the price of gas in Europe tripled, it becomes clear how this affected the cost of electricity.

The sharp rise in prices occurred because traders were holding back certain volumes of gas, artificially influencing the market. Today, Europe still lacks full transparency regarding the sources of energy supplies, which applies not only to gas but also to other fuel sources.

The situation with pricing and supply will remain unstable until there is full information about extraction volumes, origin, transit, and the quantities stored in gas storage facilities. Only then will it be possible to assess the risks associated with the activities of large traders and the impact of their actions on the market.

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Gas prices will continue to have a significant impact on electricity prices over the next five years, especially with the transition to green energy, as Europe gradually reduces its dependence on traditional fossil fuels. The problem can be solved quite simply: the European Commission can make changes to Remit Directive 1348, requiring all traders to provide information on the country of origin of gas and other energy resources. With such changes, we will be able to distinguish whether Azerbaijani gas will actually be transited or whether it originates from Russia.

Having a complete picture, Europe will be able to sign long-term contracts with reliable partners. Today, long-term LNG and pipeline gas supply agreements are mainly offered by Russian companies. For example, the Russians are signing contracts for LNG supplies until 2040, which resonates with Europe's commitment to gradually cut off Russian gas by 2027.

The positive impact of the new measures will not be limited to analyzing the producing country and sales volumes. This will allow us to understand how much gas of different types, LNG or pipeline, is used by various consumers, such as businesses or citizens.

As a result, the need for gas for specific countries, such as Slovakia, which may need 4, 5 or even 20 billion cubic metres, will become completely transparent. Based on this data, Europe will be able to carry out strategic long-term planning, which may also include Ukraine in the energy region.

The role of gas storage facilities

It is well aware that Ukraine possesses the largest gas storage facilities in Europe, and these resources can be a key element in ensuring energy security. For this reason, the Trans-Balkan and Polish corridors can be effectively used to transport gas to Ukrainian gas storage facilities, which in turn will help reduce the impact of possible manipulation on the Russian market.

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Gas storages play an important role in the operation of the gas transmission system, as they ensure the balancing of the system. In case of insufficient gas supply, these storage facilities become a source of additional volumes, which helps to maintain stability for both internal needs and transit.

Gas storage facilities are especially important in winter, so Russia tries to attack them to prevent the accumulation of sufficient reserves. Despite this, these facilities continue to operate as they are difficult to destroy even under targeted attacks.

According to the ExPro consulting company, in 2024, Ukraine's gas storage facilities hold more than 12.8 billion cubic metres of gas, which demonstrates the country's ability to act as a reliable transporter of gas between European countries. This should become a new strategic goal for Ukraine, which can ensure energy stability not only for itself but also for other European countries.

Victoria Voytsitska, Member of the Parliament of Ukraine of the 8th Convocation, Director of Advocacy in the Energy Sector at the International Centre for the Victory of Ukraine (ICUV), Olga Babiy, Member of the NEURC 2019-2024
By Emma Farge

GENEVA (Reuters) - Aid access in Gaza is at a low point with deliveries to parts of the besieged north of the enclave all but impossible, a U.N. humanitarian official said on Friday.

The remarks run counter to a U.S. assessment earlier this week that Israel is not currently impeding humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip, avoiding restrictions on U.S. military aid. Israel has said it has worked hard to assist the humanitarian needs in Gaza.

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"From our perspective, on all indicators you can possibly think of in a humanitarian response, all of them are going in the wrong direction," said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, in response to a question at a Geneva press briefing about whether humanitarian access had improved.

"Access is at a low point. Chaos, suffering, despair, death, destruction, displacement are at a high point," he added.

Laerke voiced concern about north Gaza where residents have been ordered to head south as Israeli forces' more than month-long incursion continues. Israel says its operations there are designed to prevent Hamas fighters from regrouping.

"We have seen and been particularly concerned about the situation in the north of Gaza, which is now effectively under siege and it is near impossible to deliver aid in there. So the operation is being stifled," Laerke said.

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"One of my colleagues described it as, for humanitarian work... you want to jump. You want to jump up and do something. But what he added was: but our legs are broken. So we are being asked to jump while our legs are broken."

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in an Oct. 13 letter gave their Israeli counterparts a list of specific steps that Israel needed to do within 30 days to address the worsening situation in Gaza.

Failure to do so may have possible consequences on U.S. military aid to Israel, they said in the letter. Other non-U.N. aid groups say Israel has failed to meet the demands - an allegation Israel has rejected.

(Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Ros Russell)
LOUDON COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE)  How fast do you drive on the interstate? If its faster than 62 mph, you are almost certainly driving past guardrails never tested to stop vehicles at those speeds.

One company is looking to change that. Sicking Safety Systems designed guardrails that have passed collision tests at 77.5 mph, faster than any other guardrail in the country as far as the designers are aware. Some of these guardrails were recently installed on Interstate 75 in Lenoir City.

Warrant shares new details after East TN murder suspect extradited to Monroe County

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This new system is called NGT which stands for both Next Generation Terminal and Non-Gating Terminal in reference to how the guardrail wont let cars pass through the barrier, according to Dr. Kevin Schrum, program director at Sicking Safety Systems, the company that funded the development of this guardrail.

The non-gating also helps prevent vehicles from colliding with potentially deadly hazards beyond the guardrail such as bodies of water.

Schrum explained the NGT has passed tests at higher speeds than any other guardrail of which he is aware. Normally, guardrails are tested at speeds of 62 mph in compliance with MASH  the manual for assessing safety hardware. However, the NGT system has passed tests at speeds of 77.5 mph. This is important because, in Lenoir City, it is guarding a road with a speed limit of 70 mph. Schrum explained the collision in their test had about 50% more energy than in usual tests.

A spokesperson for the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) confirmed this saying, This device has been successfully tested at 78 mph, well above MASH TL-3 performance evaluation criteria speed of 62 mph.

Schrum explained that for most of the industry the MASH is treated as a design guide, but they used it as a starting point.

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I think some pervasive techniques or practices that have been used for years is to use those impacts as your guiding principles. That kind of flips it on its head a little bit, because MASH is supposed to be a minimum performance standard, not a maximum. Youre not designing to it; youre supposed to be designing above it, he said.

He added, We still have to do those tests of course because theyre required by the Federal Government but we also recognize that people dont drive 62 mph everywhere. In fact, there are increasing speed limit trends all over the nation. There are, I want to say, seven or eight, maybe nine states that have a maximum posted speed limit of 80 miles per hour or more.

Ali Hangul, an engineer for TDOT, said, The department welcomes new roadside hardware offering enhanced performance and access capacity. The development of NGT is a good safety improvement in the right direction.

TDOT explains choice lanes payments, penalties

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Steve Eimers, a local roadside safety activist and guardrail expert, said, Its one of the only guardrails anywhere in the world that has been tested to meet the speed limits it is protecting. On his YouTube channel, Eimers called the 77.5 mpg test of the NGT system impressive.

This terminal was designed by engineer Dean Sicking, who won the National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President George W. Bush in 2005 and worked with NASCAR to make their tracks safer.

What design features make this guardrail unique? A spokesperson for TDOT said, NGT is an innovative design. A few noteworthy features of this system include extruder head geometric design confines gating behavior, offers improved redirective capacity, maintains the extruder head intact with the rest of the system, and finally, demonstrates high speed energy dissipating performance. 

UT LIFESTAR celebrates 40 years of serving East Tennessee

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In addition to the guardrail in Loudon County, there are seven other NGT systems in Tennessee, reported Schrum. Nationwide, there are less than 50, he said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  The State of Georgias top sex trafficking prosecutor was in Columbus this afternoon speaking to the local bar association.

Senior Assistant Attorney General Hannah Palmquist talked about what the office was doing to combat human trafficking.

This is a relatively new operation created by an act of the General Assembly in 2019. The prosecution unit has secured 50 convictions statewide and recovered or assisted more than 100 victims of sex trafficking each year.

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Palmquist outlined what her unit is doing and how it is prosecuting cases across the state.

She had an attentive audience with local attorneys, prosecutors and judges in the room.

She offered a simple definition of Human trafficking under Georgia law. She used the example of teenager leaving a group home after being contacted by someone online.

And the kid runs away. Thats recruiting, Palmquist said. If the intent was to sell them for sex. But lets say he has his friend go pick up that 14-year-old and the friend knows why hes picking her up. Thats human trafficking. Another guy puts ads of that child online. Thats human trafficking because its advertising. The hotel clerk assists with putting brooms in the back of the hotel, knowing that its for selling a child for sex. Thats human trafficking. Someone comes and buys that person whos under 18 for commercial sex. Thats human trafficking.

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The Attorney Generals Office Human Trafficking unit has yet to prosecute a case in Muscogee County or the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
Join us on November 15th at Good Ground Tavern as we welcome award-winning chef Mashama Bailey for an exclusive dining experience. Known for her masterful take on Southern cuisine, Chef Bailey will showcase her unique blend of Southern tradition, refined French technique, and global influences. Each dish will reflect her culinary journeyfamiliar yet unexpectedfeaturing vibrant flavors inspired by her roots and travels. The evening will be enhanced by a live performance from jazz vocalist Georgia Heers, whose soulful sounds perfectly complement the rich, bold flavors of the menu. Don't miss this unforgettable night of world-class cuisine and live music.

For the next chapter in our Good Ground Tavern Chef Series, Canoe Place is thrilled to welcome Mashama Bailey, an award-winning chef celebrated for her masterful take on Southern cuisine and her soulful culinary storytelling. Chef Bailey, the visionary behind Savannahs famed restaurant The Grey and a two-time James Beard Award winner, will bring her unique blend of Southern tradition and multicultural influences to our Hamptons Bay table.

On Friday, November 15th, join us for an unforgettable evening as Chef Bailey draws inspiration from her roots, melding the rich culinary history of the South with her diverse experiences in New York and beyond. Her dishes are not just foodthey are stories of resilience, community, and culinary creativity. Each dish will reflect her deep respect for heritage, seasonality, and regional produce, creating a dining experience thats both comforting and bold. Expect vibrant flavors drawn by her childhood memories and the culinary tour she took across the Southern states, tasting everything from Nashvilles hot chicken to Alabamas caramel cake. Every plate will tell a story of where shes been and where shes going.

As we celebrate Chef Baileys rich and personal food narrative, the evenings atmosphere will be further enlivened by the melodic vocals of Georgia Heers, a rising jazz vocalist and composer. Georgia brings an inspired performance style that harmonizes jazz, blues, and soul with a depth and authenticity that mirrors Chef Mashamas culinary approach. Fresh from her studies at The Juilliard School, Georgias captivating voice and dynamic compositions will perfectly complement the evenings elegant, soulful vibe.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius voiced his support for Chancellor Olaf Scholz's re-election campaign on Friday, despite speculation that Pistorius could replace Scholz as top candidate for their Social Democrats (SPD).

"I can only say what I have always said. We have an excellent chancellor who has decided to carry on," Pistorius said on Friday during a visit to the western city of Bonn.

Scholz's three-party coalition government collapsed last week, and early elections are expected in February.

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Public opinion polls suggest that Scholz is deeply unpopular with many German voters, while Pistorius has regularly led polls as the most popular minister in the government.

Pistorius said he "fulls expects" Scholz to be nominated as the SPD's top candidate at the party's conference on January 11.

"And I generally don't answer hypothetical questions about whether I would be available for anything, because I would have to rule out something that nobody has asked me about or declare myself ready for something that nobody has asked me about."

He emphasized that he would also like to remain defence minister in a future government: "I really have a lot of work in my portfolio. I would like to continue with it, because it's not finished yet."
By Catarina Demony

(Reuters) - Activists, artists and academics brought together by German cultural project Dekoloniale gathered in Berlin on Friday, 140 years after European leaders divided up the African continent between them, to discuss the legacy of colonialism and reflect on the Berlin Conference of 1884.

This week's event gathered experts representing the African continent and its global diaspora to discuss the effects of the original Berlin Conference which began on Nov. 15, 1884, and led to an act regulating European colonization and trade in Africa.

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Dekoloniale participants met at the head office of the representation of the European Commission in Germany, near the former official residence of the country's "Iron Chancellor" Otto von Bismarck, where the 1884 meeting took place.

At the Berlin Conference, which lasted more than 100 days, leaders of several European powers, from Portugal to Britain, negotiated their claims to African territory. By 1900, Europeans ruled more than 90% of the continent.

Driven by economic motives and ignoring cultural and linguistic boundaries established by diverse African tribes and kingdoms, the conference carved up the continent into the borders that exist today.

"What happened here in Berlin was not just an act of territorial rearrangement, it was an act of violence, one that echoes throughout generations," said Bell Ribeiro-Addy, a British Labour lawmaker of Ghanaian descent.

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"It wasn't just about drawing borders," she added. "It was about power control, exploitation, claiming resources, land, minerals, labour."

Seated at a round table, one of the delegates, Finnish-Nigerian author Minna Salami, said the Berlin Conference led to impoverishment, conflicts, corruption and trauma across Africa.

Michaela Moua, the European Commission's first-ever coordinator on anti-racism, also spoke at Friday's event, and told Reuters that reckoning with the past was key to understanding racism.

"These are painful truths," she said.

Some at event called for reparations for colonialism and slavery. One of the delegates' final demands urged European nations to "give back what you stole from us."

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Moua said reparations were not the responsibility of the European Commission - the executive arm of the EU - and that it was up to member states to decide how to approach the issue, which is gaining momentum worldwide but remains highly divisive.

Proponents of reparations say slavery and colonialism have caused persistent racial inequalities while opponents say countries should not be held responsible for historical wrongs. Most former colonial powers have rejected calls for reparations.

(Reporting by Catarina Demony in London; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
(Bloomberg) -- Germanys opposition conservatives have pledged to overturn the legalization of cannabis if they win power in Februarys election.

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We dont want to smoke pot, we want safety and order, Tino Sorge, a health policy spokesman for the center-right CDU/CSU group, said Friday during a debate in the lower house of parliament.

We will implement this after the next federal election, added Sorge, whose group has a big lead in the latest opinion polls.

Chancellor Olaf Scholzs government partially legalized cultivating and consuming cannabis earlier this year, drawing on experiences in countries such as the Netherlands, Canada and the US. It also launched an information campaign to fight abuse, protect minors and commissioned a study on the impacts of the policy.

You have invited a special guest  organized crime, Silke Launert, another member of the conservative group, told lawmakers. You have opened the door for Dutch drug gangs.

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Germanys elections are set to be held on Feb. 23, seven months earlier than originally scheduled, after a dispute over budget policy led to the end of the three-party governing coalition. Opinion polls suggest the CDU/CSU alliance is leading with more than 30%, and would almost certainly need to join forces with other parties to secure a majority in parliament.

It may struggle to turn back the legalization of cannabis if it forms a coalition with Scholzs Social Democrats. The countrys health minister, Karl Lauterbach, who belongs to that party, defended the move, arguing its all about making existing consumption safer.

We need to give the law a chance, Lauterbach said. According to a 2021 survey, 4.5 million German adults had consumed cannabis at least once during the previous 12 months, mostly people aged 18 to 24, according to the Health Ministry.

--With assistance from Iain Rogers.

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time in nearly two years, discussing the war in Ukraine for an hour.

Scholz condemned the war and called on Russia to withdraw its troops. He also stressed that support for Ukraine will endure, suggesting that time is not on the Kremlins side, Suddeutsche Zeitung reported.

Putin said that a potential deal would have to take Russias security interests into account, be based on new territorial realities, and eliminate the root causes of the conflict, according to a Kremlin statement.

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Scholz said that he had received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys blessing to speak with Putin, although Reuters reported that Zelenskyy had cautioned Scholz against speaking to Putin, saying that such a conversation would lessen the Russian leaders sense of isolation.

The call comes as the incoming Trump administration has made clear they will push for talks with Russia to bring an end to the war in Ukraine. Some European officials are also mulling a potential land-for-peace deal, The Washington Post reported, as Ukraine continues to struggle on the front lines, and amid growing fears of the US cutting its Ukraine aid.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping during the upcoming G20 summit in Brazil next week, dpa learned from government sources on Friday.

Their talks next Tuesday will focus on economic and security policy issues, according to German government circles.

Specifically, the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and the involvement of North Korean troops in the fighting was mentioned as a particular topic for discussion.

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Relations between China and the European Union have been troubled by the EU's imposition of punitive tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles following complaints about allegedly unfair subsidies from Beijing.

The German government opposed the EU tariffs, which went into effect in October.

Scholz last met Xi in April during a trip to China. On Saturday, outgoing US President Joe Biden is expected to speak with Xi on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Community (APEC) summit in Peru.

During the G20 summit, Scholz is also expected to hold bilateral talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, as well as with the presidents of South Africa, Vietnam and Singapore.
The firing of German finance minister Christian Lindner, which brought down the country's squabbling coalition government, should have perhaps come months ago, Chancellor Olaf Scholz told the Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper on Friday.

"Perhaps I should have realized sooner when things could no longer go on like this. Perhaps I should have taken the decision to sack the finance minister earlier," Scholz said.

Scholz's decision last week to fire Lindner came after months of bitter disputes over the 2025 government budget. Lindner's free-market liberal Free Democrats (FDP) responded by quitting the coalition.

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Lindner, a budget hawk, had blocked efforts by Scholz's centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and the Greens to take on new government debt to avoid budget cuts and fund investments.

"It's no secret that I had already thought about it once before when, despite the many hours we spent together in the summer, it simply wasn't possible to agree on the federal budget for 2025," the chancellor told the newspaper.

Early elections are now expected to be held on February.

When asked whether he had done anything wrong, Scholz said: "Of course, anything else would be surprising. I have always endeavoured to find compromises. I still believe this is the right thing to do, even though it has damaged the reputation of the government and me as chancellor that we have always taken so long and needed so many attempts for many issues."
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin for an hour by phone on Friday, the first conversation between the two leaders in nearly two years, dpa has learned.

Scholz had said last weekend that he wanted to resume a dialogue with Putin "soon" to discuss the conflict in Ukraine.

"We have to see if there are ways to find out whether this war will go on forever or if we can find ways to end it," he told a public broadcaster on Sunday.

Scholz last spoke to Putin on the phone in December 2022, when he called for a diplomatic solution to the conflict and the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. Russia launched its all-out attack on Ukraine in February 2022.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin for an hour by phone on Friday, the first conversation between the two leaders in nearly two years, dpa has learned.

"The chancellor reaffirmed Germany's continued and unwavering solidarity with Ukraine in the face of Russia's aggression, which has now been ongoing for almost 1,000 days," government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit said afterwards. "He assured that Germany would continue its support for Ukraine, including in the military sphere, in close coordination with European and international partners."

The chancellor spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by phone beforehand and will speak with Zelensky again after the conversation with Putin, according to Hebestreit.

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Shortly before the conversation with Putin, however, Scholz also reiterated in remarks to parliament that Germany would not supply Ukraine with the long-range Taurus cruise missiles, which Ukraine has repeatedly requested.

The chancellor is currently seeking to hold a second Ukraine peace conference, this time including Russian officials, following an initial summit in Switzerland last summer. So far, however, there is no date in sight.

Scholz had said last weekend that he wanted to resume a dialogue with Putin "soon" to discuss the conflict in Ukraine.

"We have to see if there are ways to find out whether this war will go on forever or if we can find ways to end it," he told a public broadcaster on Sunday.

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Scholz will attend a G20 summit in Brazil early next week. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is also expected to attend the gathering of major economic powers.

That meeting may have prompted the discussion between Scholz and Putin. The Russian president had initially said he would attend the summit himself, but cancelled last month, saying he did not want to "disrupt the normal work of the forum."

Putin is the subject of an international arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, for alleged war crimes in Ukraine. He would risk arrest in Brazil.

Scholz is not planning any direct talks with Lavrov during the summit. However, according to sources close to Scholz, he does plan to discuss the Ukraine war with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is considered Putin's most important ally.

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Scholz last spoke to Putin on the phone in December 2022, when Scholz called for a diplomatic solution to the conflict and the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine during an hour-long discussion with Putin.

Russia launched its all-out attack on Ukraine in February 2022.

Scholz travelled to Moscow just over a week before Putin launched the invasion. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the two leaders sat two metres apart at a huge oval table in the Kremlin.

Ukrainian forces have faced intense pressure from relentless Russian attacks along the front lines in recent months, and now faces uncertainty over continued support from the United States following Donald Trump's victory in last week's US presidential election.

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Trump, who will take office in January, has repeatedly expressed scepticism about US aid to Ukraine and signalled his interest in talks with Putin.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia senses nervousness in the West with regard to Ukraine, but said it would be premature to speak of changes in stances toward the conflict.

"There are official statements from European representatives who are talking about continuing their general line of providing all kinds of support. And in Russian, that means pumping weapons into Ukraine to continue this war to the end," said Peskov.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin for an hour by phone on Friday, the first conversation between the two leaders in nearly two years.

Scholz warned Putin that the deployment of North Korean troops for combat in Russia or Ukraine would be a "serious escalation and expansion of the conflict," German government sources told dpa.

Scholz emphasized that Germany's support for Ukraine in its battle against the Russian invasion is geared towards the long term and that Putin cannot count on "time being on his side," the sources told dpa.

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German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said that Scholz once again demanded that Russia withdraw troops from Ukraine, end the war and urged Putin "to negotiate with Ukraine with the aim of a just and lasting peace."

"The chancellor reaffirmed Germany's continued and unwavering solidarity with Ukraine," Hebestreit said.

According to the Kremlin, meanwhile, Putin expressed his willingness to negotiate - but only under conditions favourable to Russia.

He demanded that any resolution to the conflict must take into account Moscow's security interests and "be based on the new territorial realities," a reference to Russia's military occupation of significant parts of eastern and southern Ukraine.

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Putin's stated conditions also included Ukraine renouncing its aspirations for NATO membership and recognizing the loss of the territories claimed by Russia, according to the Kremlin.

The Ukrainian government has categorically rejected those demands.

Frosty German-Russian relations

Relations between Russia and NATO countries, including Germany, have been severely strained since Putin ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Scholz last spoke to Putin on the phone in December 2022, when Scholz called for a diplomatic solution to the conflict and the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine during an hour-long discussion.

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Russia launched its all-out attack on Ukraine in February 2022.

Scholz travelled to Moscow just over a week before Putin launched the invasion. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the two leaders sat two metres apart at a huge oval table in the Kremlin.

Hebestreit said on Friday that Scholz spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by phone beforehand and planned to speak with Zelensky again after the conversation with Putin.

Shortly before the conversation with Putin, however, Scholz also reiterated in remarks to parliament that Germany would not supply Ukraine with the long-range Taurus cruise missiles, which Ukraine has repeatedly requested.

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The chancellor is currently seeking to hold a second Ukraine peace conference, this time including Russian officials, following an initial summit in Switzerland last summer. So far, however, there is no date in sight.

Scholz had flagged up last weekend that he wanted to resume a dialogue with Putin "soon" to discuss the conflict in Ukraine.

Putin blames Ukraine invasion on NATO

According to the Kremlin, Putin told Scholz that the war was a consequence of years of aggressive NATO policy. Putin accused the alliance of seeking to turn Ukraine into a deployment zone directed against Russia.

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In the conversation with Scholz, Putin also noted an unprecedented deterioration in Russian-German relations "as a result of the unfriendly course of the German authorities," the Kremlin added.

Putin reportedly told Scholz that Russia had previously always honoured contracts for energy exports to Germany, and is ready to resume mutually beneficial cooperation.

Putin and Scholz also discussed the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, according to the Kremlin press service, and both sides agreed that their advisors should maintain contact.

G20 talks in Rio ahead

Scholz will attend a G20 summit in Brazil early next week. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is also expected to attend the gathering of major economic powers.

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That meeting may have prompted the discussion between Scholz and Putin. The Russian president had initially said he would attend the summit himself, but cancelled last month, saying he did not want to "disrupt the normal work of the forum."

Putin is the subject of an international arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, for alleged war crimes in Ukraine. He would risk arrest in Brazil.

Ukraine is not a member of the G20, and Zelensky was not invited as a guest to Rio de Janeiro by the Brazilian hosts.

Scholz is not planning any direct talks with Lavrov during the summit. However, according to sources close to Scholz, he does plan to discuss the Ukraine war with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is considered Putin's most important ally.

Ukraine under growing pressure

Ukrainian forces have faced intense pressure from relentless Russian attacks along the front lines in recent months, and now faces uncertainty over continued support from the United States following Donald Trump's victory in last week's US presidential election.

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Trump, who will take office in January, has repeatedly expressed scepticism about US aid to Ukraine and signalled his interest in talks with Putin.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia senses nervousness in the West with regard to Ukraine, but said it would be premature to speak of changes in stances toward the conflict.

"There are official statements from European representatives who are talking about continuing their general line of providing all kinds of support. And in Russian, that means pumping weapons into Ukraine to continue this war to the end," said Peskov.
Description

Marcy Stecker is a retired New York City Principal and college adjunct professor at Adelphi University and City college. Having graduated with both a B.A. and an M.S. in Education from Queens College, CUNY, her teaching career afforded her an opportunity to travel to many countries.

Following a trip to China, she became intrigued with the complex art of watercolor painting. Her training began at the China Institute in America, where she learned the techniques of Chinese Watercolor. Although her work responsibilities prevented her from completing her studies, she once again returned to painting following her retirement. Still fascinated with the water medium, she tried acrylics and watercolor, returning to her first love of watercolor painting by enrolling in classes at the Great Neck Continuing Education Center at Cumberland, the Art League of Long Island, the Nassau Museum, and the Hudson River Valley Workshop Center.

Her goal in painting is to combine the aspects of color, light, detail, and movement to create a pleasing visual image that is ethereal but recognizable to the viewer. Allowing the watercolor paints to maintain their fluidity, the painting projects the impression of the images without specifically defining them.

The Art Exhibit will be at the Great Neck Library at 159 Bayview Avenue, Great Neck, NY, from November 15th to December 20th. For more information, please contact Great Neck Library at (516) 466-8055 or email adultprogramming@greatnecklibrary.org
BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said protecting the country's constitutional court from extremists and populists was a priority of his as his now-minority coalition seeks consensus in parliament to push through proposals ahead of snap elections.

In his weekly podcast, Scholz mapped out proposals - including lower wage tax and an increase in child benefit - that he is seeking support for in parliament in the coming weeks.

"It is also important to me to strengthen the Federal Constitutional Court against threats from extremists and populists," he added.

(Writing by Rachel More, Editing by Miranda Murray)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD) on Friday sought to dispel rumours that the chancellor would not run again for the top job in the upcoming elections, amid mounting speculation about his political future.

Scholz shrugged off questions about whether he would reconsider his candidature, telling the newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung that "the circumstances of the next election are pretty clear."

Scholz said in summer that he would like to stand as the SPD candidate for chancellor again in the next election.

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But following the collapse of his three-party coalition last week, there has been debate in SPD circles about whether Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, who has regularly led polls as the most popular minister in the government, should run instead.

During a visit to the western city of Bonn on Friday, Pistorius reaffirmed his support for Scholz's re-election campaign.

"I can only say what I have always said. We have an excellent chancellor who has decided to carry on," he said.

The minister said he "fully expects" Scholz to be nominated as the SPD's top candidate.

Pistorius emphasized that he would also like to remain defence minister in a future government: "I really have a lot of work in my portfolio. I would like to continue with it, because it's not finished yet."

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The SPD leadership is expected to reach an agreement on the party's chancellor candidate by November 30.

When asked what would happen if the poll numbers deteriorated further, Scholz said: "The reliability of such polls is limited."

The SPD is currently trailing 16 to 18 percentage points behind the conservative opposition Christian Democrats/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) in the polls.

Scholz outlines 'consensus' agenda

In a video message posted on X on Friday, Scholz said he still hopes to push through legislation on several issues in the coming months ahead of the elections.

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The chancellor stressed that the German government and parliament are both continuing to work.

The collapse of the coalition means majorities will have to be forged in parliament for every item, he said, "but that shouldn't be impossible in our parliamentary democracy."

Scholz cited a proposal to cut wage taxes from January and a planned increase in child benefits as examples of legislation still on the agenda.

He also spoke in favour of a tentative deal to finance the popular Deutschlandticket nationwide monthly transport pass through at least 2025.

A deal with the CDU/CSU bloc to strengthen the independence of Germany's Constitutional Court by enshrining court functions in the German constitution is also expected to remain on the agenda.

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"These are manageable, consensus projects. But they make a difference," said Scholz.

Scholz says he perhaps could have fired Lindner earlier

Scholz has called a vote of confidence in his government for December 16 after firing finance minister Christian Lindner last week following months of bitter disputes over the 2025 budget.

Lindner's free-market liberal Free Democrats (FDP) responded to his ouster by quitting the three-party coalition, leaving the government short of a necessary majority in parliament.

Scholz told the Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper that he perhaps should have fired Lindner months ago.

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"Perhaps I should have realized sooner when things could no longer go on like this. Perhaps I should have taken the decision to sack the finance minister earlier," Scholz said.

Lindner, a budget hawk, had blocked efforts by the SPD and the Greens to take on new government debt to avoid budget cuts and fund investments.

"It's no secret that I had already thought about it once before when, despite the many hours we spent together in the summer, it simply wasn't possible to agree on the federal budget for 2025," the chancellor told the newspaper.

Early elections are now pencilled in for February 23.

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In his video, Scholz said that he expects the election campaign to focus on big issues where the parties hold sharply different opinions.

But Scholz said there will also be a day after the election, when compromises and cooperation will also be required, and warned against the kind of intense polarization and partisan gridlock that has consumed politics in the United States.

"I don't want that to happen to us in Germany. I am fighting to ensure that we all stay together as a country," he said, adding that he hopes to see an election campaign marked by honesty and respect from the candidates.
GIRARDVILLE  Big changes are underway for the boroughs administration as it prepares to replace some of its key officials.

The first of those changes came Wednesday night with the appointment of a new council member, David Willis, who fills a vacancy left by the recent resignation of Councilman Mark Rainis.

As was discussed at the prior meeting, borough officials said Wednesday they are continuing to look for a new code enforcement officer, a solicitor and a treasurer/secretary. They also introduced a new code officer aide position, who will assist the full-time code officer.

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Mayor Michael Zangari also followed up on the boroughs police situation following the recent disbandment of the Girardville Police Department. He said that state police and the district attorneys office will be notified of the official dissolution of the police force, and that items in the evidence locker will be turned back to the appropriate people.

Following a period of changes to the police force, and subsequent surveying of residents, the borough opted to abolish the police department and rely completely on state police for coverage.

With that change, council members accepted a letter of resignation Wednesday from its last remaining officer, Gerard E. Daley. Daley  the chief of police in Ashland  was appointed as a part-time administrative officer during the interim period earlier this year, shortly before the borough suspended local coverage.

Zangari announced the borough has received several applications and arranged interviews for the code officer and secretary positions.

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He said the borough also looks to hire a code officer aide. This part-time employee, he said, will work 10 hours a week and monitor the borough for quality-of-life issues, filing citations as needed.

Council members approved advertising for the position and said applications will be accepted until 3 p.m. Dec. 6.

The borough also has candidates for its next solicitor, who will succeed current Solicitor Arlen Day in January, according to the lawyer.

Day, an attorney with Fanelli, Evans and Patel, announced at the October meeting that he will step down from his post at the end of the year.

The borough will interview candidates for the positions at the end of its next work session, which begins at 3 p.m. Dec. 8, according to council President Charles Marquadt.

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Were hoping to have everybody interviewed, Marquadt said.

Residents to face tax hike

Also at the meeting, council members announced some key figures for its tentative 2025 budget, which includes a 3-mill tax increase.

Council member Tammy Zangari said the budget sets estimated revenues at $424,500 and estimated expenditures at $402,800.

If approved, the budget will bring the real estate tax up from 22.7 to 25.7 mills.

There was no tax hike in the 2024 budget; the previous year, the tax rate was raised for the first time in six years, with a 3-mill increase.

The budget figures will be available for review inside the borough office starting Friday morning, council members said.

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Michael Zangari said the tax increase was necessary due to increases in expenses across the board, including for day-to-day stuff.

No one else wants to pay for more taxes, including us, he said. But theres not much of a choice.

Code issues discussed

During the public comment portion, resident Mary Beth Dougherty discussed what she said is a lack of accountability from the code office.

Dougherty asked council members why the code officer, William Killian III, was not present at Wednesdays meeting and did not file a monthly report.

I want accountability from you people, Dougherty said.

Killian, who serves the borough part time, is also a full-time code officer for Mahanoy City.

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Zangari, in response, said the borough has lengthy, detailed job descriptions for the positions it is seeking to fill. The descriptions are very specific, he said, regarding responsibilities they are expected to undertake. Should the new code employees fall short, the borough has documentation that they are failing to do their job, Zangari said.

Zangari said the hiring of Killian predates the mayors appointment, and he said the borough currently has no documentation outlining certain duties expected of the code officer. He assured Dougherty that will change, however, with the hiring of the new employees.
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX)  A Grand Junction man was sentenced to federal prison in connection to the fentanyl overdose death of a minor.

Nathanial Matheny, 23, was recently sentenced to 71 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to one count of possession with the intent to distribute a substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl. He was also sentenced to 48 months in state prison after entering a guilty plea to one count of removing human remains. The sentences will run concurrently.

This is a tragic story of a young person whose life was cut short because of fentanyl, acting United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Matt Kirsch said in a press release. Coloradans need to know that this is a serious problem in our communities and that our office is working hard to prosecute people who are distributing fentanyl in our state.

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On May 20, 2021, Grand Junction police officers responded to a call about a young woman who was not breathing. When they arrived, officers found an unresponsive minor who  according to toxicology reports  overdosed on fentanyl.

Matheny later admitted to doing drugs with the 16-year-old and taking her body to her home after she overdosed, the press release said.

Justice was delivered for the victim of this terrible tragedy, District Attorney Dan Rubinstein said in the release. I hope these sentences send a message that fentanyl crimes have extremely serious consequences.

Grand Junction Police Chief Matt Smith added, The sentencing of Nathanial Matheny underscores the commitment and dedication of law enforcement to protecting our communities, especially its youngest and most vulnerable members, from dangerous drugs. Our department is grateful for the collaboration between local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in this ongoing fight against the devastating impact of dangerous drugs on our communities.

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The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency and GJPD.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
The Chancellor has said she is not satisfied in response to the latest GDP figures - Isabel Infantes/Reuters

Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves campaigned on a promise to make Britain the fastest-growing economy in the G7.

But new data shows that the country has in fact crashed near the bottom of the growth table in the months since the election.

GDP growth plunged from 0.5pc in the second quarter of the year to 0.1pc in the third, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The figures cover July to September, the three months after Labour won the general election on July 4.

It marks the first clear indication of the new Governments impact on the economy.

In the first six months of 2024, Britain had the fastest rate of growth in the G7. Officials described the UK economy as going gangbusters.

Yet when comparing performance in the third quarter, the UK was the second worst in the G7.

Growth in the UK was slower than Germany (0.2pc), Japan (0.2pc), France (0.4pc) and the US (0.7pc). Canada is yet to report but analysts expect growth of around 0.25pc. Only Italy did worse than Britain, with no growth in the third quarter.

After bouncing back from recession earlier this year, Britains recovery is already running out of steam, says Simon Pittaway, senior economist at the Resolution Foundation.

The ONS said the slowdown was broad-based and economists and business groups placed the blame squarely on Starmer and Reeves.

Uncertainty ahead of the Budget probably played a big part, with firms widely reporting a slowdown in decision making, says Ben Jones, lead economist at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

The Budget has set off warning lights for business.

Lindsay James, investment strategist at money manager Quilter, says of the slowdown: Much of this will have been as a result of the gloomy messaging that was persistent in the run-up to the Budget, causing consumers and businesses to pause spending and await what pain was to come.

Both Starmer and Reeves began talking down public finances and warning of major tax rises almost immediately after winning power, casting a pall over the country.

Less than a month after coming to power, Reeves warned of a 22bn black hole in the public finances and immediately scrapped winter fuel payments for 10m pensioners.

Shortly after that, Starmer warned that the October Budget would be painful.

In the months leading up to the Budget, key Labour figures including Ms Reeves made repeated warnings that tax rises would be necessary.

David Bharier, head of research at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said business confidence slumped amid a spike in anxiety over tax and employment policy.
Gloucester Mayor Greg Verga apologized for raising his middle finger as he left negotiations between the striking Gloucester teachers and the school committee Thursday night, alleging that he was concerned for his family amid rising tensions and called for unity in the community.

Video sent to Boston 25 News shows Verga flipping the bird outside his window as the crowd showers the convoy exiting West Parish Elementary School with chants of shame on you.

Verga said in a video statement that he regrets the crude gesture but that he was concerned for his wife and family at the time. The mayor alleges that while tensions between Gloucester Teacher Association members and the school committee rose outside West Parish School, his wife was also communicating with him, informing Verga that a crowd had begun to gather at their house around the corner.

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She could hear the West Parish demonstrators from our house as well. She said things like she was scared, sick to her stomach and urging me to be careful, Verga describes.

Verga said the negotiating members of the school district were told to wait inside West Parish for 45 minutes once negotiations concluded for the night so that law enforcement could clear a safe path between to the parking lot. Once he was able to enter his car and begin to roll out of the parking lot, Verga says a former Gloucester public safety official approached his car, shouting at him.

At this point, my frustrations got the best of me and I responded to the nastiness being hurled at me as I was trying to make my way home to my frightened wife, Verga said. The gesture, which I wish I hadnt done, was directed toward that individual, not the crowd, and certainly not the teachers.

Verga said he returned home to find his wife in tears and protestors surrounding his home.

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As an elected official and a public figure, I signed up for this, but my wife and our families did not, the mayor said.

Verga said while he understands how negotiations can lead to heightened tensions, he wants the community to come together to end the teacher strike amicably.

We all need to do better to solve this crisis, and I intend to lead the way. This is not who we are as a community. Gloucester has always come together in a time of crisis. This is that time, Verga stated.

Gloucester is one of three North Shore communities in which students are currently being held out of school as teachers strike for new contracts with better pay and other benefits.

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The Marblehead Education Association, the Gloucester Teacher Association, and the Beverly Teachers Association have all been slapped with $50,000 fines for not abandoning the strikes and returning to work.

In a Facebook post Thursday, the Gloucester School Committee said negotiations ended prematurely due to the unions disruptive event.

Watch Gloucester Mayor Greg Vergas full statement below:

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A new mobile community resource is now operational, thanks to the work of several volunteers.

The Sober Community Seed Bus offers meals, clothing, showers and respite to those in need, with the ability to meet them where they are. The bus is designed to be a mobile resource center to support recovery and reentry.

Sinclair appoints Coss to serve as chief of police

Good Shepherd Ministries re-imagined the school bus through community donations of money, time and skills. The project took over two years to come to fruition.

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Featuring a solar refridgerator, water tank, shower and toilet, the bus functions as a mobile, self-contained unit to provide services to the community anywhere its needed.

The bus was unveiled during a grand re-opening of the Good Shepherd Thrift Store on E. Third Street in Dayton. The store is a volunteer-run operation dedicated to raising funds for recovery and reentry programs.

Ministry leaders say its all about going out into the community to serve.

We took an old, decrepit bus and fixed it up and made it into a community, said Shawn Trapp, program director of Good Shepherd Ministries. Were going to take our message to people that cant come to us.

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The event Thursday offered tours of the bus, thrift store shopping, door prizes, giveaways and more.

To learn more about the bus and Good Shepherd, click here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) acknowledged to reporters Thursday that former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), whom President-elect Trump nominated to serve as attorney general, might not get across the finish line in the Senate.

Cramer also wondered if confirming Gaetz to head the Justice Department would be worth all the political capital GOP leaders would have to spend to convince reluctant colleagues to vote for the lawmaker, who was under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for sexual misconduct and illicit drug use at the time of his resignation Wednesday.

I have concerns that he cant get across the finish line, and were going to spend a lot of political capital.  A lot of people will spend a lot of political capital on something that, even if they got done, youd have to wonder if it was worth it, Cramer told reporters, standing on the Capitols east front.

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Cramer said hes troubled by Gaetzs role in leading the rebellion against former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) at the start of last year, requiring the Californian to battle through 15 rounds of votes before finally securing the gavel, as well as Gaetzs successful effort to oust him from the Speakership last October.

I have concerns about the way he disrupted and really destroyed the House of Representatives for several months  what he did to a really good Speaker in Kevin McCarthy, and accomplished nothing except getting rid of him and ruined the reputation of the House of Representatives to the point where they didnt catch the wave in this most recent election, he said.

Cramer separately told The Hill that he agreed with McCarthys recent prediction that Gaetz wont win Senate confirmation.

McCarthy, who feuded with Gaetz when they both served in the House, told Bloomberg Television that his nomination to serve as attorney general is dead on arrival in the Senate.

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Look, Gaetz wont get confirmed, he said. Everybody knows it.

Cramer said that analysis is likely correct.

I think hes pretty right, actually, he said.

Cramer said Gaetz is more than capable of litigating the case for why the [Department of Justice] should be turned on its head but added that he just doesnt have the moral authority to shake up the department, after being embroiled in a federal sex trafficking investigation.

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Addressing the Federalist Societys annual dinner on Thursday, Justice Neil Gorsuch sought to use a recent example to prove his point that government overreach has swept up ordinary Americans in the law.

Ive just seen too many cases like that. You have just the other day, some of you might have seen one in the newspaper, if the newspapers are to be believed, Gorsuch told the crowd of conservative legal minds packed into the Washington Hiltons ballroom.

Yes, Im speaking of Pnut the squirrel, Gorsuch continued.

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Sparking laughter and applause, the justice was referring to an Instagram-famous squirrel that entered the political fray before the election when it was seized and euthanized by New York state over rabies fears. Some conservatives held up the story to suggest that Democrats were willing to neglect the border while prioritizing something as trivial as tracking down someones pet.

Gorsuch went on to joke theres maybe a sordid side of Pnuts tale, referencing reports that the squirrels owner has an OnlyFans account.

[It] may contain a website thats called just for fans, Gorsuch said. I dont know the details. Im not aware of any allegation that Pnut was involved in any of those acts.

Gorsuch on Thursday became the latest conservative justice to deliver the keynote at the Federalist Societys annual Antonin Scalia Memorial Dinner, named after the late conservative justice, whom Gorsuch replaced on the Supreme Court.

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But perhaps more notably was who joined Gorsuch in addressing the influential conservative legal group: retired Justice Stephen Breyer, a member of the Supreme Courts liberal wing.

Breyer received a warm reception, however, reminding the crowd that he attended the first Federalist Society meeting at Yale University in 1982.

For a half-hour, the two jurists repeatedly heaped praise on the other, insisting they often agree, and projecting a united front amid low public approval of the Supreme Court.

Each case makes a difference to a lot of people, Breyer said. And those judges, you cant say dont criticize them  criticize them, fine. But the institution has to be independent.

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Two other sitting justices, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, watched the after-dinner talk from the audience. The three other sitting Republican-appointed justices, John Roberts, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, did not attend.

The dinner, part of the Federalist Societys annual convention, comes barely a week after President-elect Trumps White House victory, which has sparked anticipation he will be able to further solidify the Supreme Courts 6-3 conservative majority for years into the future.

The Federalist Society does not officially take political or legal positions, but the nonprofit has become an incubator for Republican judicial nominees and the conservative legal movement more broadly. Leonard Leo, a longtime former leader of the group, helped Trump select his three Supreme Court picks during his first term.

Some of you work in federal agencies, state agencies. Some of you might be about to, Gorsuch joked.

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Speaker Mike Johnson has said that he will request that the House Ethics Committee not release its report into allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use made against former Florida Congressman and Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz.

Asked if he thinks the report should come out, Johnson told reporters: I do not. No, I think it's a terrible breach of protocol.

The rules of the house have always been that a former member is beyond the jurisdiction of the ethics committee, and so I don't think that's relevant, he added.

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Johnson went on to say that he would strongly request that the committee not issue the report.

Gaetz resigned from Congress shortly before the ethics panel was set to hold a meeting on the future of the investigation.

The nomination of Gaetz to serve as President-elect Donald Trumps top lawyer is facing an uphill climb, according to GOP senators.

This is despite the fact that Republicans will hold the majority in the upper chamber with 53 seats come January. While Gaetz will get an opportunity to make his argument for why he should lead the Department of Justice, his confirmation hearings may pose a serious challenge for the Trump ally.

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Republican senators are backing the effort by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, who has called on the House Ethics Committee to release its report.

Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine have expressed deep concerns about Gaetzs nomination.

I dont think it is a serious nomination for the attorney general, Murkowski told the press on Wednesday. We need to have a serious attorney general, and Im looking forward to the opportunity to consider somebody that is serious. This one was not on my bingo card.

Collins, who said she wouldnt back Trump in the election, said: I was shocked that he has been nominated.

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If the nomination proceeds, Im sure there will be an extensive background check by the FBI, and public hearings, and a lot of questions asked, she added.

Only four Republican senators would have to vote against Gaetz to tank his nomination and some in the GOP have indicated that he may struggle to get the votes he needs.

Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst said, Hes got an uphill climb, according to The Hill.

Matt Gaetz and Robert F Kennedy Jr attend the America First Policy Institute gala. Republicans are expressing skepticism about getting Gaetzs nomination confirmed (AP)

Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who Gaetz was instrumental in ousting from the post, told Bloomberg that Gaetz wont get confirmed.

Everybody knows that, he added.

I think hes pretty right, actually, North Dakota Republican Senator Kevin Cramer told The Hill about McCarthys comments.

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He added that Gaetz just doesnt have the moral authority to lead the department after being caught up in a federal sex trafficking probe.

Im glad Im not on Judiciary, put it that way, Cramer said of the incoming confirmation hearings on the committee.

Texas Senator John Cornyn, a member of the Judiciary Committee, told the press on Thursday that the committee should be able to view the House Ethics Committees report.

It would certainly be relevant, if the House Committee found evidence linking Gaetz to criminal activity, Cornyn said.

Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota told reporters on Wednesday that he wont know if Gaetz will have the votes needed until the formal review process begins.

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North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis, who sits on the Judiciary Committee, said that the Floridian has got some work cut out for him to get over the threshold for confirmation.

Meanwhile, Alabama Republican Senator and staunch Trump ally Tommy Tuberville suggested that Republicans who dont support Trumps nominees will face primary challenges.

Republicans if youre not on the team, get out of the way, he said on Fox Business. If you want to get in the way, fine. But were gonna try to get you out of the Senate too if you try to do that.
VERSAILLES, Ky. (FOX 56)  On Thursday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced he is in the process of selecting the new mayor of Versailles.

Assistant soccer coach in Estill County charged with rape: Superintendent speaks out

The Versailles City Council had the authority for the first 30 days of the vacancy to choose a successor. With that window reportedly closed, the decision has come to Gov. Beshear, who said in a press conference on Thursday that many people have expressed interest in the job.

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I know Versailles needs a mayor today, but I want to do my best to get it right or to at least make a very good decision, Beshear said. And for that, Im just trying to make sure that I have enough information. Im sure when we make it, some will be happy, some might not be.

Read more of the latest Kentucky news

Versailles has been without a mayor since Oct. 1, when previous Mayor Brian Traugott stepped down from office after 11 years to take a position with the Kentucky League of Cities.

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Congestion pricing leaves a bad taste in his mouth.

The owner of a New York City diner name-dropped by Gov. Kathy Hochul said she never comes by anymore  but hes afraid her controversial $9 congestion toll can put him out of business.

Hochul repeatedly insisted Thursday she talks to regular folks at diners who support the new fee for drivers in Manhattan below 60th Street, but Comfort Diner owner Tarek Soliman said he hasnt seen much of the politician after her 2022 gubernatorial race.

Tarek Solimon, owner of the Comfort Diner, name-dropped Gov. Kathy Hochul, claiming she never comes to the restaurant anymore and he is worried that her controversial congestion price plan could put him out of business. Robert Miller

After the election, she doesnt come. She must have changed, Soliman said.

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Before the election, she comes all the time.

Soliman, who lives in Queens, said Hochuls driving fee is a financial burden that will discourage customers in the outer boroughs and New Jersey from stopping in for a meal.

Its going to affect the business for sure, 100%, he said.

How much money do people have to pay to come to this diner to eat? No one is going to come.

Hochul, in a news conference, insisted that she talks to regular folks at diners who support the new fee for drivers in Manhattan below 60th Street. James Keivom

Other restaurant workers and customers slammed the fee  which Hochul paused amid backlash but officially resurrected Thursday with a $9 base toll  as an ill-conceived government overreach.

Thats insane. Horrible, said Eddie Prekpalj, 21, who commutes from the Bronx to Manhattan to install restaurant payment machines.

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I feel like the governments job is to serve the people and theyre taking too much and giving back too little, he said.

Soliman acknowledged that before the election, Hochul came in all the time; however, he explained, After the election, she doesnt come. She must have changed. Robert Miller

Hochul mentioned diners three times at a press conference announcing the toll Thursday  saying, I spend more time in diners than probably anybody in this room and a woman I met in [a] diner told me, Dont assume that people dont have to drive their vehicles.

In June, Hochul told reporters that conversations shes had with people at Big Apple diners had influenced her congestion pricing policies.

She went on to name-drop the Comfort Diner, the Townhouse Diner in Murray Hill and the Pershing Square cafe in Midtown as among her favorites.
DENVER (KDVR)  Gov. Jared Polis took to social platform X on Thursday to express his excitement that President-elect Donald Trump had tapped Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his choice for Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

The governors statements were met with backlash from other Democratic party members, who noted his previous posts that seemed to disagree with the previous presidential candidates stances, including his opinions on vaccines, among their many criticisms of RFK Jr. Opponents of Kennedy also noted his support of Trump since leaving the presidential race in August and wide-ranging health theories that have been debunked.

Trump tests GOP with controversial Cabinet picks

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He helped us defeat vaccine mandates in Colorado in 2019 and will help make America healthy again by shaking up (Health and Human Services) and (the Food and Drug Administration), Polis wrote Thursday. I hope he leans into personal choice on vaccines rather than bans (which I think are terrible, just like mandates) but what Im most optimistic about is taking on big pharma and the corporate ag oligopoly to improve our health.

After receiving thousands of comments on his post, Polis shared further details on his stances in a second post later on Thursday.

Science must remain THE cornerstone of our nations health policy and the science-backed decision to get vaccinated improves public health and safety, Polis clarified. But if as a country we follow the science we would also be far more concerned about the impact of pesticides on public health, ag policy on nutrition, and the lack of access to prescription drugs due to drug high prices.

This is why I am for a major shake-up in institutions like the FDA that have been barriers to lowering drug costs and promoting healthy food choices. Lest there (be) any doubt, I am vaccinated as is my family. I will hold any HHS Secretary to the same high standard of protecting and improving public health, he added.

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The Governors Office also issued a statement on Thursday evening, further clarifying Polis earlier clarifying statement.

Governor Polis has not changed his view as a whole on RFK Jr. or on the Governors previously stated concerns regarding some of RFK Jrs positions. While opposed to RFKs positions on a host of issues, including vaccines and banning fluoridation, he would appreciate seeing action on pesticides and efforts to lower prescription drug costs and if Trump is going to nominate someone like him then let them also take on soda, processed food, pesticides and heavy metals contamination. But he definitely does not endorse actions that would lead to measles outbreaks and opposes unscientific propaganda that undermines confidence in the lifesaving impact of vaccines. The Governor himself was vaccinated last week with the flu vaccine and the COVID vaccine. Colorado Governors Office

Polis cited some quotes in his first social media post that he said show why hes excited for the nominee.

In September, RFK Jr. published an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal titled Trump Can Make America Healthy Again. In that opinion piece, Kennedy said, Legislators should cap drug prices so that companies cant charge Americans substantially more than Europeans pay.

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Yes! Polis commented. Colorado currently has an application just sitting at FDA for us to import low-cost prescription drugs from Canada and we just need their approval.

Polis also noted Kennedys goal of eliminating entire departments at the FDA, which the nominee said are not doing their job, theyre not protecting our kids, in an interview on MSNBC.

The entire nutrition regime is dominated by big corporate ag rather than human health and they do more harm than good, Polis wrote. He also supported Kennedys goal of reducing pesticide use in agriculture, noting that we need all the help we can get to take on big chemical companies and improve human health and the environment!

RFK Jr. wants federal health data so he can show vaccines are unsafe, Trump transition co-chair says

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He will face strong special interest opposition on these, but I look forward to partnering with him to truly make America healthy again and I hope that we can finally make progress on these important issues, Polis stated on X.

Kennedy responded to the post, thanking the governor for his support.

I look forward to working with you, he wrote. Lets Make America Healthy Again.

RFK Jr. says Trump would push to remove fluoride from drinking water. Its possible, Trump says

Kennedy was previously an environmental lawyer, but gained national attention by opposing vaccines for childhood measles, mumps and rubella, quoting the long-debunked claim that vaccines are linked to autism. Hes called for the removal of fluoride from public water supplies, which occurs naturally in some water systems and has been shown to reduce tooth decay.

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Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs should join Kari Lake in the biggest losers tent, where she can be shoved into its gutless corner.

The Democratic governor, who ditched Vice President Kamala Harris during the campaign, will not fight Donald Trump on his immigration crackdowns  and who knows what else.

Thats not just pathetic. Its throwing in the towel and becoming a useful tool to a disruptive and dangerous administration.

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Hobbs is ditching other Democratic governors who are joining forces to oppose some of Trumps policies. Instead, Hobbs appears ready and willing to help Trump.

And, even worse, she doesnt have the guts to say it clearly.

Will Hobbs defend 'Dreamers?' She won't say

This week, Hobbs dodged questions about whether shell use her power to prevent mass deportations, Capitol Media Services and others reported.

Will she deploy state police and the Arizona National Guard to help Trump secure the border? At this point, anything is possible with her.

Trump and his border czar are itching to begin mass deportations, beginning with criminals, those with court-ordered deportation and then everyone else.

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Its easy to back a crackdown on criminals. But what about the rest who have done nothing but work and contribute to the U.S. economy?

Opinion: Don't complain, Latinos, when Trump comes for you

What about the Dreamers, the immigrants brought to this country illegally as children, many of which are professionals in key Arizona industries?

Other Democrats, like Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, have unequivocally vowed not to use city police to round up immigrants.

Yet Hobbs cant even say whether they are fair game or worth defending.

No wonder Democrats lost. Time for a reset

Hobbs is the poster child of Democrats disastrous defeat this month, which will have repercussions for years to come.

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The party hand-picked Hobbs in 2022, shutting the door to a competitive primary, knowing her weakness for public speaking and inability to stand up to bullies. Their saving grace was that Hobbs was up against Kari Lake, an even worse candidate.

Hobbs biggest success so far has been giving away the farm to the Republican-controlled Legislature to pass a state budget and vetoing a lot of their crazy bills.

But Republicans got the last laugh, easily bypassing her and sending her vetoes directly to voters. That includes Proposition 314, which if cleared by the courts, will give local authorities tremendous immigration power.

Hobbs excuse not to campaign for Harris was her focus on flipping the Legislature, pouring millions into the effort. Yet Republicans swept her, not only keeping both chambers but expanding their representation.

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Hobbs must be feeling the fire.

But if shes going to help Trump, she might was well join MAGA. And Democrats should line up to challenge her in two years.

Elvia Diaz is editorial page editor for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Reach her at 602-444-8606 or elvia.diaz@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X, (formerly Twitter), @elviadiaz1.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Trump immigration plan hurts Arizona. Hobbs won't even fight | Opinion
FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  Two Fort Smith colleges and a Springdale college receive a combined $11 million in Higher Industry Readiness through Educational Development training grants.

According to a press release, The University of Arkansas-Fort Smith received $4 million, the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education in Fort Smith received $3 million and the Northwest Technical Institutes Education Foundation in Springdale received $4 million.

The release says the grant money comes from Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Secretary Hugh McDonald, Chief Workforce Officer Mike Rogers, and Arkansas Workforce Connections Director Cody Waits.

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Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announces $48 million workforce development grant program

Receiving the HIRED grant is a tremendous honor and a confirmation of the states commitment to meeting the workforce needs of our community, said Dr. Terisa Riley, Chancellor of UAFS. At UAFS, we have always taken pride in aligning our programs with the needs of our students and our region. This grant allows us to expand our work in advanced manufacturing, equipping more Arkansans with high-demand skills that will lead to well-paying jobs right here in the River Valley.

The release says a total of $48 million in HIRED grants were given to 19 organizations across Arkansas in the Track 2 portion of the program.

The best thing about the HIRED program is that its a collaboration of the public and private sector working in tandem to build a workforce to support Arkansas fastest-growing industries, said Sanders. The $48 million were announcing through the HIRED grant program will help provide a solution to Arkansas business leaders who are seeking more qualified, skilled, hardworking employees to grow their companies.

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Arkansas State University trustees authorize $30.6 million bond for new veterinary school

The release says the HIRED program was established by the Workforce Initiative Act of 2015. In total, $88 million is available through the HIRED Grant programs two tracks, which are separately administered through the Arkansas Department of Commerce and the Arkansas Division of Higher Education.

Workforce development is a key priority for Governor Sanders and the Department of Commerce, and the HIRED grants will have a major impact on preparing the next generation of Arkansans for the workforce, said Secretary of Commerce Hugh McDonald. These grants represent an industry-driven approach to workforce development and will impact Arkansans and companies in every corner of our state. Our public sector  including the Department of Commerce, Arkansas Department of Education, Arkansas Department of Higher Education, the Office of Skills Development, and the Chief Workforce Officer  have partnered and collaborated with the private sector and our educational institutions throughout this process, and we look forward to the positive results that the programs supported through the HIRED Grant Program will have in Arkansas, which will be measurable by the employment outcomes of these partnerships.

NWACC, UAFS, other Arkansas colleges awarded more than $20M for nursing programs

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The release says the grants are intended to provide funding for state and regional industry-driven partnerships and data-driven education and workforce training programs. Funding comes from Arkansas Workforce Initiative grant funding and American Rescue Plan Act funds.

The full list of recipients can be found below:

Little Rock, Apprenticely, $2,000,000

Fort Smith, Arkansas Colleges of Health Education, $3,000,000

Little Rock, Arkansas Construction Education Foundation, $1,000,000

Jonesboro (primary), Newport, Arkansas State University-Newport, $250,000

Malvern, Arkansas State University Three Rivers, $2,819,250

Little Rock, The Venture Center, $500,000

Searcy, Harding University Digital Forensics Lab, $1,500,000

Little Rock, Little Rock Regional Chamber, $500,000

Hot Springs, National Park College #2, $6,000,000

Springdale, NWTI Education Foundation, $4,000,000

Arkadelphia, Ouachita Baptist University #1, $437,500

Helena-West Helena, Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas, $249,000

El Dorado, South Arkansas College, $325,000

Batesville, UAAC Batesville, $5,000,000

North Little Rock, UA Pulaski Technical College #2, $2,000,000

Walnut Ridge, Williams Baptist, $1,919,250

Jonesboro, Blytheville, Newport, Arkansas State University-Jonesboro (ANC, ASUN), $7,500,000

Camden, Southern Arkansas University Tech, $5,000,000

Western Arkansas, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, $4,000,000

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DES MOINES, Iowa  Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds walked through a Broadlawns Medical Center facility on Thursday to view how a 2023 grant has helped expand apprenticeship opportunities.

Iowa Workforce Development approved a $2.3 million grant in 2023 for Broadlawns to launch the states first Registered Nurse Apprenticeship. Currently there are 80 students in the program, and dozens more in the other two offered by Broadlawns.

Weve invested nearly $16 million into innovative health programs focused on health careers, which has enrolled more than 380 apprentices across our state, with nearly 100 projected to complete certification by the end of the year, said Gov. Reynolds (R).

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After touring the facility Reynolds spoke about the benefits of the program and plans for expansion in the future.

One of the things we did last legislative session was to pull and put into a workforce opportunity fund and we were able to stand that up with about $30 million once we get the sign off from D.C. to actually access it, which we hope will come soon, said Reynolds.

Semi crash in western Iowa resulted in diesel spilling into creek

That $30 million was pulled from the unemployment compensation fund to use in workforce development.

A student spoke about how spending a year in this program has enlightened him to what is possible for him in the health care industry.

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So, while I have been working in the ICU I am also taking classes at DMACC getting my pre-reqs knocked off, said Ramaun Ford, an ICU Health Care Tech at Broadlawns Medical Center. And eventually, who knows, I thought about becoming a PA or an NP or something else along those lines because there is no reason to stop if I dont have a limit.

Gov. Reynolds did not take questions after the event about the recount in Iowas First Congressional District or who would potentially fill the Lt. Governor position left vacant by Adam Gregg several months ago.

Latest Iowa News:

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Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said that Key Square Group founder Scott Bessent would be an outstanding choice as President-elect Trumps Treasury secretary.

I think hed be outstanding. Hes from South Carolina, I know him well, hes highly qualified, Graham told news outlet Semafor on Thursday.

I think hes been well-vetted, he added.

Bessent, a hedge fund manager, has served as an economic adviser for the Trump campaign. He has reportedly emerged as the front-runner, alongside Cantor Fitzgerald Chair and CEO Howard Lutnick, to lead the Treasury Department.

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Graham said that both he and his Palmetto State Senate counterpart, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), have a good opinion of Bessent.

Throughout Trumps 2024 campaign, Bessent has supported the president-elects plans for energy independence and deregulation while slamming the economic proposals of his rival, Vice President Harris.

His skills are the sort of skills you need for the moment. We are going to [be] engaging in some potentially significant changes to Americas trading and financial relationships, a former Trump Treasury Department official told The Hill.

It seems like a no-brainer. It just seems like his skill set is tailor-made for what we have in front of us today, the official added.

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Trump is expected to interview Bessent on Friday, The Washington Post reported Friday morning, citing two sources familiar with the matter.

Lutnick, who is serving as co-chair of the Trump transition, has expressed support for Trumps tariff proposals and has been an ardent backer of cryptocurrencies.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, who Trump announced Thursday will not be a part of his administration, has a positive view of Bessent, the Post reported, citing one source familiar with the matter.

President-Elect Trump is making decisions on who will serve in his second Administration. Those decisions will be announced when they are made. Karoline Leavitt, Trump-Vance Transition spokesperson, said in a statement to The Hill.

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Updated at 11:13 a.m. EST

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Nov. 15GRAND FORKS  Grand Forks County Assistant State's Attorney Rachel Egstad has been sworn in as a special assistant U.S. state's attorney, under the Violence Against Women Act, to prosecute firearm offenses committed in the Grand Forks area by those who have a history of intimate partner violence.

"We view this as a great opportunity," Grand Forks County State's Attorney Haley Wamstad told the Herald. "It'll be a helpful tool in the cases that we prosecute here in state court, because we'll have those extra federal resources looking at our cases, but then  for those really lethal offenders  the chance to have those folks charged federally, if that's deemed appropriate."

The designation of Grand Forks as one of 78 communities that will be working closely with federal law enforcement to address intimate partner gun violence,

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reported by the Herald in September,

will provide an additional avenue for seeking justice, by allowing federal prosecution for some of the criminal cases already coming through state district court, Wamstad said.

The U.S. Department of Justice, through U.S. Attorney's offices and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Field Divisions, partnered with each jurisdiction to begin developing a plan to reduce intimate partner firearm violence, and prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders who are prohibited from owning firearms, the release said.

"We were really happy to be given this opportunity to serve in this role," Wamstad said.

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After Grand Forks was selected as one of the jurisdictions, the USAO, ATF, Grand Forks County State's Attorney's Office, Grand Forks Police Department, Grand Forks County Sheriff's Office and Community Violence Intervention Center (CVIC) met to discuss how best to implement the initiative, the release said.

The announcement that Egstad will be taking on a new role was made in a Thursday, Nov. 14, press release issued by the District of North Dakota U.S. Attorney's Office. She will work closely with the aforementioned entities to guide investigations and bring about prosecution when warranted.

The District of North Dakota U.S. Attorney's Office and Grand Forks County State's Attorney's Office collaborated to select Egstad for the job, based on level and relevancy of experience.

Egstad passed the bar exam in 2015 after receiving her juris doctorate degree from UND, according to her LinkedIn profile. She has experience as a contract attorney, juvenile public defender, prosecutor and special prosecutor. She began working for the Grand Forks County State's Attorney's Office in 2018, where she is on the personal crimes team, which deals primarily with victim-centered offenses. She will continue to work full time as a state prosecutor while fulfilling this new role.

"Having an experienced state prosecutor on the ground in Grand Forks working with law enforcement and community partners to develop cases and target dangerous individuals for federal prosecution will protect families and help keep the community safe," U.S. Attorney Mac Schneider said in the press release.
A greedy, serial fraudster who stole nearly $500,000 from her former employer and used the money to purchase lavish tickets to watch Tom Brady return to Gillette Stadium to play against the Patriots in 2021 as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been sentenced to prison.

Stephanie Pratt, 39, formerly of Keene, New Hampshire, was sentenced Wednesday in federal court to 30 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release after she pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, according to New Hampshire U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young.

In addition to purchasing the highly-sought after Brady tickets, Young said Pratt bought herself a hot tub, plane tickets, rare herbs and spices, and $50,000 worth of Amazon products.

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The defendant used her position of trust as an employee to steal nearly a half-million dollars from a small New Hampshire business. Among other items, she used the stolen money to purchase a hot tub and she spent over $5,600 on lavish tickets to watch Tom Bradys return to Gillette Stadium, Young said in a statement.

Young noted that Pratt was a known swindler with a bold criminal record, as she began her fraud in this case only six months after serving a sentence for stealing $10,000 from her previous employer.

Stephanie Pratt is a greedy, serial fraudster who is being sent to prison for defrauding her employer and siphoning almost half a million dollars to live well beyond her means, Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division, said in a statement. Todays sentence holds Ms. Pratt responsible for her clear disdain for the law and shows how the FBI will not hesitate to go after those who victimize others for their own financial gain.

Pratt was the office administrator for a company based in Hinsdale and she had full access to the companys finances, including its bank accounts and credit cards.

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Prosecutors said Pratt swiped $492,325.34 over a span of six-and-a-half years.

Pratt cashed unauthorized checks to herself and entered them as payments to legitimate vendors in the companys accounting system, according to prosecutors. She also used the companys credit cards to make over 1,000 unauthorized personal purchases.

When confronted about the stealing, prosecutors said Pratt repeatedly lied, claiming that the owner of the company had her cash the checks to funnel the money to the owners son, who unbeknownst to her, had already passed away.

Prosecutors said Pratt routinely edited the companys credit card statements to delete unauthorized purchases and claimed that her misuse of the company credit cards was attributable to her clicking the wrong button at checkout, despite that happening more than 1,000 times.

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Pratt even dared to ask the company to pay her a Christmas bonus after she was fired.

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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said she was pretty sure the next attorney general would prosecute people for crimes against humanity committed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Preparing for the next pandemic is actually recognizing that the last pandemic resulted in crimes against humanity, Greene said during a hearing on preparing for future pandemics.

People that perpetuated and continue to perpetuate these crimes need to be prosecuted and that needs to be starting in the next administration, and Im pretty sure our next attorney general will do that, and I look forward to seeing that happen, she added.

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President-elect Trump announced his pick of former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) for the role, to the surprise of fellow party members. Several have said they think Gaetz wont get confirmed by the Senate.

Earlier this year, the Georgia representative said that the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci, should be tried for crimes against humanity over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In todays hearing, Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) added that Faucis former senior adviser, Dr. David Morens, should also face repercussions for actions undertaken while serving the American public.

Dr. Faucis senior advisor, Dr. David Morens, is STILL EMPLOYED by @NIH [National Institutes of Health] despite evidence showing he deleted emails, avoided FOIA, violated policy, and lied to Congress, Comer wrote in a post on the social platform X, also tagging Elon Musk.

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I look forward to working with the Trump Admin to get rid of unaccountable federal employees.

Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy were selected to serve as heads of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency. The two have already set a standard for the agency, promising to staff it with small government revolutionaries to restructure federal agencies.

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GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP)  Randleman Road has returned to the center of attention for Greensboro city leaders, who are looking to address long-standing safety and crime issues in the area following the recent shooting of two young people at a local Waffle House.

Although city officials had already planned to discuss revitalizing Randleman Road, the incident added urgency to an area that has seen growing concerns over crime and violence.

The citys Randleman Road Corridor Update Plan, a project years in the making, aims to improve safety and community well-being along a nearly two-and-a-half-mile stretch of the corridor. Phase One of the project was completed in 2016, and Phase Two focuses specifically on safety enhancements and infrastructure improvements to benefit residents and local businesses.

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Open Door Ministries prepares for new shelter and day center in High Point

Its long overdue, so its time to get this moving, said Greensboro District 1 Councilwoman Sharon Hightower, Lighting! Which theyve asked for! Red light cameras, because folks are flying up and down, running through lights, and people are losing their life!

Thursdays city council work session centered on strategies for implementing Phase Two of the Randleman Road Corridor Update Plan. The plan seeks not only to upgrade physical infrastructure but also to bring together community resources to address the root causes of violence in the area.

The city has actively engaged local residents and business owners throughout the planning process, hosting multiple public sessions to gather input and identify priorities. Community suggestions, including enhanced lighting and red-light cameras. Its really just about explaining, going door to door, talking with folks, and understanding what their concerns are. said Greensboro Planning Departments Russ Clegg, We want the corridor to look and feel comfortable, like a place youd want to be,

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City leaders were united in their commitment to improving code enforcement along Randleman Road. City Manager Trey Davis shared that he has already begun working to strengthen enforcement city-wide.

The Randleman Road Corridor Update Plan will go before the Greensboro City Council for a public hearing on November 19.

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GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP)  A letter sent by the Greensboro water resource has people worried about their drinking water.

Its a letter that has caused confusion and fear, leaving those who received it to wonder if theres lead in their water.

67,000 people received a letter from Greensboro stating, The water pipe that connects your building to the water main is made of unknown material.

Everyone who received the letter owns a building built before 1986, back when lead wasnt as much of a concern.

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The main reason we sent out those letters, is it is a part of the new lead and copper regulations, said Greensboro Water Resource Engineering Supervisor, Mario Edouard.

The bottom half of the letter explains the health effects of lead, and how to reduce lead intake in drinking water.

Greensboro launches program to lower deaths on the road

This is general information that we are required by the state to provide in the letter, said Edouard.

This part of the letter has people worried, making them think there is lead in their pipes.

The letter is not intended to make people panic or it doesnt mean that you have lead pipes, or it doesnt mean that you have lead in your water system, said Edouard.

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In 2021, the regulations for lead pipes changed. This was the first change since 1991, so over the past few years, Greensboro has been doing its own investigation into water pipes and has not found any signs of lead.

One of the requirements of the lead and copper compliance program is that you need to develop an inventory of all your water service pipes whether its private or public water service pipe, said Edouard.

Now the city needs to access private pipes to homes or businesses to ensure there isnt any threat.

Homeowners can call the city to have their water tested upon request.

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GREENSBURG, Ky. (FOX 56)  A Green County man has pleaded guilty following an investigation into a fatal crash from summer 2023.

On June 24, 2023, Daniel Sidebottom, now 23, was speeding while driving a truck on Kentucky Route 323 under the influence of alcohol, according to Kentucky State Police. Sidebottom failed to stop at a stop sign and crashed into a vehicle.

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KSP said the crash left a LaRue County woman dead and five others seriously injured.

Court records show that on Sept. 12, 2024, Sidebottom pleaded guilty to the following charges:

Vehicular homicide while under the influence of alcohol

First-degree assault (three counts)

Second-degree assault (two counts)

Driving under the influence

Possession of marijuana

On Nov. 6, Sidebottom was sentenced to 13 years in prison and is being held at the Taylor County Detention Center, according to sentencing records.

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GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  Greenville County Schools will commission an external review of its special education program.

The proposal was presented by district staff to the Greenville County School Board of Trustees on Tuesday.

This will be the districts first review of special education services since 2014. It will involve focus groups to get input from parents.

We could receive ideas on guidance on different training processes, different strategies to be successful and best practices from other areas, Chuck Saylors, the Area 20 representative on the School Board of Trustees, said. There are countless opportunities that we could receive from this.

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There are 12,588 special education students enrolled in Greenville County Schools, according to the district. School leaders estimate the district will spend more than $114 million on special education services during the 2024 school year.

In the last decade, the district said it has made strides to provide more services to students with special needs, including offering more training to staff. Graduation rates among students with disabilities have increased from 33% in 2013 to 66.5% in 2024, according to the district.

Well do everything we can to make sure that their educational success is positive, Saylors said.

Lynda Leventis-Wells, the Area 22 representative on the School Board of Trustees, hopes the review leads to the creation of a special education advisory council.

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Thats where you get parents involved with those children who have special needs, Leventis-Wells said. No one knows whats best for their children than the parents because they live it 24/7. They know what to bring, what to do and how we can all benefit from it.

Leventis-Wells said involving parents in decisions would be a win-win for the district.

We want everyone in our school district to feel valued, important and that were meeting the needs of all of our students, Leventis-Wells said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
(NewsNation)  Mark Longo, caretaker for viral sensation PNut the Squirrel and Fred the Racoon, is planning on filing a lawsuit after New York authorities raided his home and euthanized the animals. Longo believes he was targeted, and says his animals were murdered over a little bit of paperwork.

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HOUSTON / COLLEGE STATION, Texas (FOX 44)  A groundbreaking event has been held for a $200 million state-of-the-art space research facility at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Texas A&M University leaders and special guests were in attendance for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Texas A&M University Space Institute on Friday morning. The university says this cutting-edge facility will support research for civilian, defense and commercial space missions. Key features include the worlds largest indoor simulation spaces for lunar and Mars surface operations, state-of-the-art high-bay laboratories and multifunctional project rooms.

The university says this facility has been approved by the Texas A&M Board of Regents, and will propel Texas to the forefront of space exploration and research. It will unite more than 300 faculty members and provide opportunities in space technology development, health advancements, and workforce development.

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Speakers at the event included:

 Rep. Greg Bonnen, Texas House of Representatives, Chairman of House Appropriations Committee

 Mr. William Bill Mahomes Jr., Board of Regents Chairman, The Texas A&M University System

 Hon. John Sharp, Chancellor, The Texas A&M University System

 General (Ret.) Mark A. Welsh III, President, Texas A&M University

 Dr. Robert H. Bishop, Vice Chancellor and Dean, Texas A&M Engineering

 Dr. Vanessa E. Wyche, Director, Johnson Space Center

 Dr. Nancy Currie-Gregg, Director, Texas A&M University Space Institute

 Dr. Robert Ambrose, Associate Director, Texas A&M University Space Institute

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CLEVELAND, Ohio (WKBN)  The Cleveland Guardians announced changes to the jersey set for the 2025 season on Friday.

Read next: Pittsburgh Pirates to offer free season tickets for 30 years if historic baseball card is returned

According to a release from the team, refinements are being made to the teams four uniforms, injecting energy into the jersey styles while honoring the clubs 124-year history.

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The four jerseys will join Clevelands City Connect uniforms to complete the 2025 on-field look.

The new 2025 uniform set will be made available for fans to purchase before the start of the 2025 season and will be announced at a later date.

The following are detailed descriptions from the team outlining the specific changes to the updated uniform styles.

Courtesy: Cleveland Guardians

Blue Alternative Road Uniform

The biggest change for the 2025 season will be seen in Clevelands blue alternative uniform set. The jersey will continue to have a navy base but will move away from Cleveland across the chest and instead feature the Guardians Diamond C logo. The new look gives a nod to the franchises jerseys that also had a C on the chest from 1901-1945, including the 1920 World Series team jersey, while elevating the Guardians primary logo.

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The piping on the blue jersey will differ from the other uniforms, as the jersey will have red-white-red piping to go with the navy base.

Courtesy: Cleveland Guardians

Red Alternative Home Uniform

The Guardians red home alternative uniform will feature a new look across the chest, as the script Guardians from 2024 will change to the clubs Bridge Print font with Guardians across the chest. Piping on the red jersey will showcase a blue-white-blue look.

The new look allows the club to continue to incorporate the Guardians brand into the jersey set, featuring the same font that can be seen in the number set on the back of all Cleveland jerseys.

Courtesy: Cleveland Guardians

White Home Uniform

Clevelands white home uniform will continue to carry on its primary historic look with the script Guardians across the chest. The logo will shift from being on a slant to horizontal. New piping will be on the jersey with a red-blue-red design on the neckline and arms.

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A new home hat will make its debut in 2025, solely with the white uniform set, as the main color of the hat will change to red with a blue bill. All hats will continue to feature the Diamond C, and the clubs blue cap with the red bill will be worn with all other jerseys (home red, road blue, road gray).

Courtesy: Cleveland Guardians

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Gray Road Uniform

Clevelands gray road jersey will stay the same, featuring Cleveland across the chest in Bridge Print font.

Piping on the gray jersey will be the same red-blue-red color scheme that can be found on the white home uniform set.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Gun sales are currently on hold across the state following a hack of Washingtons online court system earlier this month.

On November 2nd, several branches of the states Judicial Information Systems, courts websites, and associated networks were taken offline because of unauthorized activity.

Its impacting everything from business owners to constitutional rights. The freeze includes the online system used for firearm background checks, directly infringing on the Second Amendment.

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Washington State Patrol hasnt had access to the Secure Automated Firearms E-Check system, since November 1st.

Thats the outlet that oversees mandatory background checks for gun purchase and ownership. It also means the blackout has directly delayed and prevented the completion of thousands of firearm sales, statewide.

All of which infringes upon civil rights. And, has folks like Melissa Denny and her customers up in arms.

Theres still a lot of people that dont know they have to wait two weeks. So, when they find that out, they grumble, says Denny, the owner of Pistol Annies Jewelry and Pawn in Bonney Lake.

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But, then when you tell them Just joking, its whenever, they shoot the messenger, she continued. We take the brunt of the frustration.

As for the hack, court officials dont believe there was a major breach of personal information, saying, There is no evidence that any court or personal data has been accessed, altered, or removed.

The State Patrols Director of Communications, Chris Loftis, understands the issue. Hes urging patience as officials try to remedy the situation as quickly as possible.

The people that are working on it know the seriousness of it. They know the interconnectivity we have in these systems, Loftis asserts.

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They know that it impacts people, not just in this arena that were talking about the firearms background checks. But, in many other arenas. And, in every one of those cases, its a citizen, a tax-paying citizen, who deserves our very best. And thats what were trying to bring, assures Loftis.

In the meantime, Washington State Patrol is still receiving anywhere from 400 to 1,000 background check requests daily. Roughly 700, on average.

That includes some from Denny, whos still accepting applications despite the holdup. They just cant be processed, as of right now.

For his part, Loftis expects systems to be back online and running again at some point next week.

In the meantime, several people are seemingly left helpless, their hands tied by hackers. And until the issue is resolved, the frustration continues to mount. Just like the waitlist.
Harford County officials said Councilmember Dion Guthrie (D) has been removed from office after entering a plea in a felony theft case in Baltimore County. File photo by Bryan P. Sears.

A Harford County councilman pleaded nolo contendere Thursday to one felony charge of stealing funds from a union he led for more than five decades, a plea that county officials said will cost him his seat.

Dion Guthrie, one of two Democrats on the council, entered the plea and was sentenced to probation before judgment and one year of unsupervised probation. A nolo contendere plea allows Guthrie to maintain his innocence while acknowledging prosecutors have enough evidence to obtain a conviction on charges that he stole more than $23,000 from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1501, where he served as president for 52 years.

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Following the plea in Baltimore County Circuit Court, an elated Guthrie left the courtroom with family and supporters. Standing in the hallway moments after his hearing, the councilman said the court proceedings would have no effect on his ability to serve.

I intend to serve my two years and if voters want to remove me, they can remove me two years from now, Guthrie said, speaking over his attorney Domenic Iamele.

But county officials said Thursday afternoon that the state constitution is clear: An elected official who enters either a guilty or a nolo contendere plea to a criminal charge shall be removed from the elective office by operation of law and the office shall be deemed vacant.

Due to Mr. Guthrie entering a plea of nolo contendere, by operation of law, he is removed from elected office and his Harford County Council seat is deemed vacant as of today, said a statement from Meaghan G. Alegi, the attorney for the Harford County Council.

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Under county law, she said, the vacancy starts a 60 day clock during which the rest of the council has to choose a successor from a list of candidates provided by the countys Democratic Central Committee.

In a letter to Alegi on Friday, Guthries attorney said his client believes the nolo contendere plea is not a conviction, and that he should retain his seat on the council.

Harford officials weigh in

Harford County Democratic Central Committee Chair Henry S. Sandy Gibbons said that the party was aware of the plea and was waiting for official notification. But he said in a statement that committee members stand at the ready to perform our role as mandated in the County Charter should a vacancy be formally declared. We thank Councilman Guthrie for his service to the residents of District A and to Harford County.

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Harford Council President Patrick Vincenti (R) was not immediately available for comment Thursday on the court proceedings and Guthries situation. Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly (R), the son of a former county prosecutor, had no immediate comment on Guthries sentencing or council seat.

But Harford Councilmember Jessica Boyles-Tsottles (R) did issue a statement Thursday night in which she said the integrity of the council and local government is paramount.

I support the decision of the Council to remove Mr. Guthrie, for the good of his district and the county at large, she wrote. A plea deal and probation before judgment are not satisfactory, and do not engender the faith and confidence of the public that this Council is called upon to hold, at all times.

Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler (R) issued a statement shortly after the hearing calling for Guthrie to immediately step down.

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In the weeks since these charges came to light, Mr. Guthrie has egregiously claimed that these charges were nothing more than politics and that since this purported theft occurred in Baltimore County, it has no bearing on his service here in Harford County, Gahler wrote. Both claims are complete nonsense.

The Harford County Council is the final fiscal authority that is entrusted with the management of more than a $1 billion Operating and Capital budget and it is imperative that citizens of Harford County have faith, full confidence and trust in our elected members sitting on the Council to appropriately manage these funds, Gahlers statement said.

Personal, union use is an ambiguity

Guthrie was charged last month with one felony count of stealing more than $23,000 from the union he led for more than five decades. His $110,905 annual salary was equivalent to some NASA engineering technicians who were members of his local, and he also got a $1,500 car allowance, $750 in clothing allowances and $1,000 for health insurance each year. The union also paid his cellphone bill.

Other union officials on the board were paid $35 to $100 each month.

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The Labor Department said in an eight-page report in May that Guthrie stole more than $15,000 using the unions American Express credit card, detailing 179 credit card transactions over five years. The report said Guthrie used the unions money to support his lifestyle and marketed it to the local officers as it was needed for him to conduct business.

Guthrie used his over 50 years in office as experience and knowledge over the executive board to obtain what he wanted, it said. Guthrie applied for multiple loans, including the Paycheck Protection Plan loan offered as relief during the pandemic, without the knowledge of the union, to obtain income to keep paying the unions most expensive bills.

Adam Lippe, chief of the Baltimore County States Attorneys office economic crime unit, talks about the reasoning behind Guthries sentence. Video by Bryan P. Sears.

In some cases, the money was used to pay for plane tickets, timeshare fees in Florida and condo rentals in Ocean City. In each case, the report notes that the union conducted no business or that Guthrie could provide no documentation he had approved conferences on behalf of the union.

The report alleged Guthrie misappropriated another $45,457.07 from a health and welfare fund to pay for personal credit card debt, Bibles, repair work, union meetings and benefits for people who were not eligible to receive them.

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Prosecutors, in a criminal complaint, alleged Guthrie stole more than $15,112 from the general fund by using the American Express card for personal expenses, and that another nearly $8,400 was misappropriated from the unions health and welfare fund to pay benefits for people not eligible for such as to redirect monies to his personal credit cards and repair work.

Adam Lippe, chief of the Baltimore County States Attorneys office economic crime unit, who prosecuted the case, said the amounts charged and the settlement agreed to were ultimately determined by the victim  the union.

Guthrie almost immediately agreed to a plea deal. As part of the deal, he paid nearly $23,500 in restitution. He made the payment in advance of a hearing.

After the hearing, Guthrie and Iamele disputed each and every detail in the statement of facts that both sides had agreed upon prior to the hearing.

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Personal use and union use is an ambiguity, Iamele told reporters. Part of this case deals with 99-cent charges to Amazon Music or Apple Music. He might have listened to the music in his car. Is that union business or not union business? It comes down to a very ambiguous thing.

Iamele claimed the payments for vacation rentals and timeshares were for union conferences. But when a reporter pointed out that the federal report said that claim could not be backed up, Guthrie shouted, Thats a lie.

Iamele said he provided proof to Baltimore County prosecutors, but said he had no duty to provide it to reporters.

Lippe called Iameles presentation a dossier and said it contained no receipts or documentation. I didnt consider it, he said.

Always a public eulogy

Inside the courtroom, Guthrie and Iamele at times claimed to take responsibility for the missing money while adamantly disagreeing with the facts in the prosecutions statement of charges.

Adam Lippe, chief of the Baltimore County States Attorneys office economic crime unit.

My client does assert a denial of the facts. Were he a younger man, we would be contesting it a little differently, Iamele told Baltimore County Circuit Court Judge Dennis Robinson Jr. at the outset.

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Iamele and Guthrie presented a litany of unfortunate instances from the councilmans personal battle with colon cancer to the deaths of immediate family members, the marital woes of a daughter, the pandemic and declines in horse racing and abolishment of dog tracks  two industries affecting Guthries union.

Guthrie pointed fingers at office workers and others he said failed him. He claimed the union owed him nearly $40,000 in back vacation pay  which was disputed in the Labor Department report  and later told the judge he would donate that money to the union because they need it.

After 15 minutes, it became clear that the judge and prosecutor were unsure how the details related to charges or the sentence at hand.

Mr. Iamele, youre doing a very effective job at representing Mr. Guthrie but it is getting close to the point where it might be one day in jail for each additional word, Robinson deadpanned from the bench.

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The defense went on for another 15 minutes.

This is always a public eulogy when defendants speak, Lippe said when it was his turn to speak.

He reminded Robinson that the victim is the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, it has always been the victim in this case.

Lippe added that Guthries age and health were factors in the resolution of the case.

I told him if he were a younger man the state wouldnt have offered this type of plea, Lippe said. If he hadnt had health issues, the state wouldnt have offered this type of plea. It would have turned out much differently.

Bad things happen to your position

Following the nolo contendere plea Thursday, Robinson struck the plea and entered a sentence of probation before judgment.

After the hearing Guthrie appeared to peg his claim to retaining his council seat on the fact that Robinson struck the guilty finding as part of the probation before judgment sentence.

There was no finding of guilt. Lets focus on that, OK? he said. This was a negotiated plea. There was no finding of guilt.

Adam Lippe, chief of the Baltimore County States Attorneys office economic crime unit.

Lippe later called probation before judgment a legal oddity that allows people to say that theyre not convicted. But you can go on the Maryland Judiciary website and see that they are convicted, Lippe said.

Lawyers for the Harford County Council were present in the Towson courtroom as Guthrie entered his plea. They left the courtroom without comment. As they passed Guthrie and his attorney, the councilman called out to them, No guilty, dont forget about it.

His attorney, Iamele, told reporters the matter should have been handled in civil not criminal court.

Guthrie was scheduled to meet with council leadership late Thursday afternoon to discuss his future, according to council sources, but that meeting was canceled. Alegis statement was released shortly before 5 p.m.

Lippe said he consulted with the Office of the Attorney General about the plea and was told Guthries plea creates a vacancy in the office.

They confirmed it, thats their reading, said Lippe, adding that Guthries ability to remain on the council is outside the scope of his prosecution.

The state constitution is pretty clear on when youre a public official and you do bad things, bad things happen to your position, Lippe told reporters after the hearing.

 This story was updated on Sunday, Nov. 17, to include response from Guthries attorney to the countys attempt to remove Guthrie from the council.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV)  The Effingham County Sheriffs Office (ECSO) Drug Suppression Unit, with assistance from the Rincon Police Department (RPD) K-9 Unit and Georgia State Patrol, arrested a man and seized thousands of dollars worth of drugs on Wednesday.

William Frank Davis, 37, of Guyton was the subject of a surveillance operation on November 13. Davis, a wanted person, has been a person of interest in an ongoing investigation into the sale of methamphetamine and Fentanyl throughout Bryan, Chatham, and Effingham Counties.

Just before 8:30 p.m., members of the ECSO Drug Suppression Unit, ECSO Special Response Team (SRT) and Georgia State Patrol Troopers attempted to make contact with Davis at a residence in the Shadowbrook Subdivision. He fled on foot from the residence and left behind a large quantity of Fentanyl and Methamphetamine.

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The RPD K-9 Unit then apprehended Davis shortly thereafter.

The ECSO Drug Suppression Unit seized 1803 grams (3.97 pounds) of methamphetamine, 1336 grams of Fentanyl (2.94 pounds), 113 grams (4 ounces) of marijuana, 1 firearm, and items associated with the production of Fentanyl.

Evidence collected indicated that Davis was solely responsible for the narcotics that were seized.

The estimated street value of these seized drugs ranges, based on purity and quantity, between $50,000  $120,000.

Davis was arrested and charged with trafficking Fentanyl, trafficking Methamphetamine, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, and 2 counts of possession of a schedule II-controlled substance.

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A New Hampshire man who remains in prison for assaulting women in a park has been charged with several counts of having sex with an animal and possessing child sex abuse images.

Shane Totman, 30, of Nashua, is facing two counts of bestiality and five counts of possession of child sexual abuse images, police said Friday. Totman is also charged with possession of a controlled drug, subsequent.

Police said the new bestiality charges stem from allegations that Totman engaged in sexual acts with a dog, and that the dog victim has been taken by family.

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Police arrested Totman on a warrant for the new charges on Thursday, after earlier executing a search warrant at his Nashua home. He remains incarcerated at the Hillsborough County Department of Corrections, where he is being held since his previous arrest on Oct. 20.

Totman refused bail on the new charges and was scheduled to be arraigned Friday afternoon at the 9th Circuit  District Division  Nashua Court.

On Oct. 20, the Nashua Police Department Special Investigations Division executed a search warrant at Totmans home on Blossom Street while investigating allegations of Totman assaulting women in Mine Falls Park.

From Oct. 11 to Oct. 16, police received several reports of a suspicious man harassing and assaulting women in Mine Falls Park.

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On Oct. 16, a woman told police she was walking when a man came up behind her, grabbed the hood of her sweatshirt and pulled her down to the ground before riding away on a bicycle. The victims friends were able to photograph the suspect, who was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, sweatpants, and a white N-95 mask, according to police.

Two days later, police noticed a man matching the suspects description riding an electric scooter in the park. Police stopped the man, later identified as Totman, who denied being involved in the assaults.

Officers reviewed video surveillance from the area that allegedly captured Totman entering his home and wearing the same clothing, along with the bike described at the time of the assault. Police later arrested him.

Detectives found evidence of several additional crimes while searching Totmans home following his October arrest, police said.

Nashua man accused of assaulting women in New Hampshire park

Investigators seized several electronic devices and a substance believed to be an illegal drug from Totmans home.

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The Nashua Police Department Computer Forensic Unit and the Crimes Against Children Unit were also assigned to investigate.

A forensic examination of the electronic devices recovered at Totmans home gave detectives probable cause to apply for an arrest warrant charging Totman with the new charges, police said.

Anyone with further information about this case is urged to call the Nashua Police Department Crime Line at 603-589-1665.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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CYNTHIANA, Ky. (FOX 56)  Harrison County school officials plead that parents and guardians secure their weapons, after two firearm incidents involving students.

In a letter to parents, Superintendent Harry Burchett said that a student brought an unloaded gun to school on Friday inside their backpack. School officials reportedly found the firearm and immediately secured the weapon, then contacted district security and law enforcement.

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Students and staff were never in any danger, Burchett wrote.

The student was reportedly removed from school, and the incident is under investigation, school officials said.

All violations of state law by the student or parent will be prosecuted to the fullest extent, the letter read.

Burchett mentioned that earlier in the week, another student shared photos of them holding a gun on social media and called for parents to secure their weapons to avoid these situations.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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Please do not fall victim to a bad decision by a child under your care, Burchett said. Please do not think that your child wont or is incapable of making a life-altering decision.

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HARTSVILLE, S.C. (WBTW)  Hartsville city officials have asked the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to review the circumstances that prompted the dismissal of three firefighters for undisclosed policy violations on Wednesday.

Chief Jeff Burr, a 39-year veteran of the department who took the top job in 2010, was let go along with Assistant Chief Jason Bell. Officials did not identify the third person.

We are committed to transparency and will share additional information as it becomes available, the city said Friday in a news release. Wed like to ask for your patience, as this process may take time. SLED will guide us as they proceed with their investigation.

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City Manager Daniel Moore told News13 on Wednesday that the city takes its role as stewards of taxpayers money seriously.

Burr declined to comment on Wednesday. Officials said Police Chief Byron Snellgrove is overseeing operations for the fire department in a transitional role.

* * *

Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on, Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

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JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble said Thursday that the state Department of Health is not yet able to determine whether the specimen collected last week is specifically the subtype H5N1, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza.

1 /2 JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble said Thursday that the state Department of Health is not yet able to determine whether the specimen collected last week is specifically the subtype H5N1, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza.

JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble spoke Thursday during a news conference about the investigation of possible sources of the H5 avian influenza virus detected for the first time in a wastewater sample from Oahu. The state Department of Health said the specimen was collected Nov. 7.

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2 /2 JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble spoke Thursday during a news conference about the investigation of possible sources of the H5 avian influenza virus detected for the first time in a wastewater sample from Oahu. The state Department of Health said the specimen was collected Nov. 7.

JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble said Thursday that the state Department of Health is not yet able to determine whether the specimen collected last week is specifically the subtype H5N1, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza.

JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble spoke Thursday during a news conference about the investigation of possible sources of the H5 avian influenza virus detected for the first time in a wastewater sample from Oahu. The state Department of Health said the specimen was collected Nov. 7.

State health officials are investigating possible sources of the H5 avian influenza virus detected for the first time in a wastewater sample from Oahu, but reassure residents that public risk remains low.

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The state Department of Health said the specimen was collected Nov. 7 and that it received the result Tuesday but is unable to determine whether it is the specific subtype H5N1, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza.

The wastewater testing provides a signal for further investigation to determine whether this detection is H5N1-related,  said state Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble at a news conference Thursday, and it gives us an opportunity to reinforce prevention measures, particularly among people who are at increased risk of exposure.

Kemble said the department has collected additional wastewater samples from the plant and that the state Laboratories Division is looking into whether additional testing can reveal more specifics.

Concerns over the H5N1 outbreak are growing worldwide as it spreads from wild birds to poultry to mammals, and more recently, to dairy cowsandon the mainland, where it has also infected dozens of farmworkers.

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To date, Hawaii is the only state without H5N1 avian influenza detection in birds or animals,  Kemble reiterated Thursday. There are no reports of human or animal H5N1 cases in Hawaii at this time. Even if H5N1 is found in our state, the overall risk to the general public in Hawaii remains low.

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She added that there is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission of H5N1 in the United States, and illnesses among exposed workers have been mild.

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The state has been for H5N1 across multiple pathways and species in hopes of keeping it at bay, according to the department, including routine wastewater sampling. Up until Tuesday there had been no potential signs of it in wastewater.

Kemble said the detection of H5 in the isles could stem from several possibilitiesit could be from wild birds flying into the state, or from people who came to Hawaii from infected areas. It could also be from agricultural animals brought into the state, but she believes this is unlikely due to Hawaiis strict controls.

Wastewater monitoring The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also considers the risk of H5N1 virus infection to the public to be low, and is using flu surveillance to monitor for H5 bird flu activity in people, particularly those with animal exposures.

Wastewater monitoring, however, proves useful as an early detection tool.

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CDC began monitoring wastewater across the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic as an early indicator of trends. Wastewater samples can be tested for levels of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and capture their presence when shed in waste, regardless of whether patients are symptomatic.

CDCs National Wastewater Surveillance System works with health departments to track levels of the coronavirus, along with influenza A, mpox and respiratory syncytial virus.

WastewaterSCAN, based at Stanford University, also works with the Health Department to monitor several infectious diseases at two municipal wastewater sites on Oahu : the Sand Island and Honouliuli treatment plants.

DOH said it is investigating possible sources of the H5 sample in Hawaii in partnership with federal agriculture and wildlife partners. With wastewater, however, there is no way of telling whether the source was animal or human.

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The state Department of Agriculture on Wednesday encouraged poultry and bird owners to be vigilant in light of the detection.

State agriculture officials said the departments Animal Disease Control Branch, along with two U.S. Department of Agriculture branches and the U.S. Geological Survey, have been conducting routine surveillance for the virus since 2015, when highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected along the Pacific flyway, a migratory bird path that includes Hawaii.

For decades, agriculture officials said HDOA has maintained strict bird import laws.

The department prohibits the import of birds from areas experiencing outbreaks, requires pre-entry test protocols, and embargoed bird imports through the mail. The department also has cattle import restrictions in place.

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HDOA says it will distribute USDA fact sheets about avian influenza to farmers and producers, including how to prevent its spread and improve biosecurity. It has also enlisted the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience to conduct outreach and education to local farmers on H5N1.

The number of infected dairy cow herds on the mainland, meanwhile, continues to grow, with 492 cases of avian influenza now confirmed in 15 states, including Texas, Utah and California, according to the USDA.

In California the outbreak among cows began in late August and has infected nearly 300 dairy herds.

The H5N1 bird flu was also recently detected in a pig in a backyard farm in Oregonthe first detection of the virus in swine nationwide, the USDA said.

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To date, CDC has counted 46 human cases of avian flu in the U.S., mostly among poultry and dairy workers.

The California Department of Health has confirmed nearly halfor 21 human casesas of Nov. 8, mostly among workers exposed to infected cows, and has distributed protective gear to dairy farms in the state. One remains a mystery, as the person had no immediate, known animal exposure.

Health officials are concerned that increases in human infections could lead to more dangerous mutations of the virus.

Symptoms of bird flu in humans include eye redness, fever, cough, sore throat, vomiting and body aches or headaches.

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The state Hawaii Department urges anyone who develops symptoms of avian influenza after close contact with sick or dead animals to contact its disease reporting line at 808-586-4586.

Best practicesDo not touch birds, livestock or wild animals that are sick or dead without personal protective equipment.Report sick pets to their veterinarian.Contact the Animal Industry Division at the state Department of Agriculture at 808-483-7106, 7 :45 a.m. to 4 :30 p.m. Monday to Friday, or 808-837-8092 during nonbusiness hours and holidays, to report multiple or unusual illnesses or deaths in poultry, livestock, or wild birds or animals.Do not touch or consume raw milk or raw milk products, especially from animals with confirmed or suspected avian influenza infection. Pasteurized milk products are safe.

Source : State Department of Health Signs of avian influenza in birdsSudden death without prior symptoms of illnessLack of energy and appetiteA drop in egg production or soft-shelled, misshapen eggsPurple discloration of the wattles, comb and legsGasping for air and nasal discharge, coughing, sneezingTwisting of head and neck, and stumbling or fallingDiarrhea Source : State Department of Agriculture
Nov. 14ALBUQUERQUE  Mariana Lucero and Aida Harding were awaiting further direction, poised to feign devastating injury and rich panic as they expectantly watched the darkened tracks.

Lucero was ready for her role: a woman who had suffered a punctured lung during a head-on collision of two trains near the Rail Runner Express' downtown stop.

Asked whether she had any relevant experience, Lucero said she had worked on a DWI commercial, one with police sirens designed to be unsettling, full of a horror that isn't quite real.

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So, she had the credentials to participate in a mock crisis, this time as a victim. "I'm going to channel it," Lucero said. "... What are we doing  bilingual, English, Spanish?"

Minutes later, fire trucks descended on the scene, their lights flashing hurriedly.

While there was no real emergency Wednesday evening in Albuquerque, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express' full-scale emergency preparedness exercise allowed members of fire and rescue agencies to test their skills, inserting them into an event that sought to emulate a true railway disaster.

"Responders will display their newly acquired proficiencies with everything from how to deal with multiple injuries to evacuation exercises," Robert Gonzales, director of operations for the Rio Metro Regional Transit District, which oversees the train, said in a statement.

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"It's very useful, especially when you consider the fact that the train makes over 1,100 stops a week through a 100-mile corridor right in the heart of central New Mexico," he continued.

About 50 people  largely employees of Herzog, the company that provides operations and maintenance for the commuter train  swarmed an area along the tracks just south of Albuquerque's Alvarado Transportation Center, high rises glittering in the background. Orange vests were passed around.

The initial scene was placid: two trains facing one another on the tracks, standing still; a few people inside the cars playing dead or injured passengers, their scripts in hand.

The eerie incident unfolded around 7:15 p.m.; a 911 dispatcher  who had been apprised beforehand the drill would be underway  received notice there had been a head-on collision between two trains after one of the engineers suffered a medical episode. There were at least two deaths.

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"The engineer is deceased," a voice said on a radio held by a railroad employee.

Not long after, fire trucks with lights flashing wended their way along the tracks, coming from First Street, stopping at various points as firefighters disembarked to conduct sweeps of the cars. They labeled some dead; others had sustained injuries that varied in severity.

Firefighters in full gear climbed down from a darkened cabin of a train wielding flashlights that swept over the ground. They punched through the train's emergency windows to access an emergency lever so the doors of the rail cars could be opened.

The curtain was drawn on the matter around 8:10 p.m. Critique sheets had been circulated so railroad employees who were standing by during the drill could make note of any shortcomings.

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Emergency responders from various agencies along the train's route from Santa Fe to Belen were invited to participate in the training exercise; though, Albuquerque Fire Rescue was the only one to respond, devoting about 10 people and several fire trucks.

The scenario trotted out for the night was a realistic one, said Liz Nauman, the railroad's chief safety officer, as Rail Runner trains run concurrently on southbound and northbound routes.

Lights in the vicinity of the tracks were shut off for the exercise.

"Part of this exercise is 50% of our territory is in dark territory with no lighting whatsoever in rural areas," Nauman said. "That's kind of what we're simulating here."

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The downtown Albuquerque stop is in close proximity to public safety resources. But it was easy to envision how long a response might take if a disaster were to strike on a rural portion of the track.

Such simulations are required every two years under federal requirements.

Active shooter on the train. Terrorism. Hazmat. Derailment fraught with peril. Airborne toxic event. These are the types of situations railroad staff could potentially replicate, challenging local first responders.

"It's real that first responders are on the same page as the railroad employees, so we both know how we will respond in an emergency," said Peter Jarmosevich, a battalion chief with the department.

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"It's never going to go 100% smooth, but that's kind of the idea  to uncover some things that we need to pay attention to, so that we're prepared when it happens," Jarmosevich said.

The Rail Runner Express has held other full-scale disaster simulations in the past that allowed area first responders to test their skills, such as an exercise several years ago in Lamy that included members of the New Mexico National Guard and a helicopter, participants said Wednesday night.

Nauman noted during a full-scale mock disaster featuring a fire on the train, none of the responders flipped the emergency fuel shut-off.

"So that was a big one. Like, 'Next time, we need to prepare.' It's hard to play pretend when it's not actually happening," Nauman said, stressing how things can be learned from the simulations, particularly in terms of local agencies interacting with employees of the Rail Runner Express.

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The train has not had any major disasters over its roughly 20-year history, spokesperson Augusta Meyers said.

"Of course," she added, "the Rail Runner has collided with vehicles, and of course, people have found themselves on the track when they shouldn't."
By Deborah Mary Sophia and Casey Hall

(Reuters) -Alibaba Group Holding missed analysts' estimates for second-quarter sales on Friday, as persistent economic uncertainty sapped consumer spending in China and weighed on the e-commerce group's domestic business.

The company reported an adjusted profit of 15.06 yuan per American Depository Share, beating estimates of 14.88 yuan.

Its U.S.-listed shares were down 0.3% at the opening.

Chinese consumers have cut back on spending, especially on discretionary items, as the world's second largest economy struggles to pick up pace amid a property sector crisis and heightened youth job insecurity.

That has knocked retail sales, which are under pressure even as major vendors like Alibaba and JD.com dole out promotions and discounts. JD.com on Thursday also missed estimates for quarterly revenue.

"Traditionally Alibaba is very dominant in apparel sportswear and cosmetics and skincare, all of these are highly discretionary in nature I do think that these categories are impacted," said M Science analyst Vinci Zhang.

Alibaba is facing stiff competition from discount-based retailers such as PDD Holdings' Pinduoduo and ByteDance-owned Douyin, which have wooed cost-conscious shoppers with rock-bottom prices on everything from headphones to sweaters.

Alibaba reported revenue of 236.50 billion yuan ($32.72 billion) for the second quarter ended Sept. 30, compared with analysts' average estimate of 240.17 billion yuan, according to data compiled by LSEG.

Revenue from Alibaba's Cloud Intelligence division jumped 7% to 29.61 billion yuan, with revenues from public cloud products growing in double digits and AI-related product revenue delivering triple-digit growth.

"This Gen AI opportunity is the kind of opportunity that only comes along every 20 years," Chief Executive Officer Eddie Wu said, highlighting Alibaba's extensive investments in the space.

Another bright spot was the growth in Alibaba's international e-commerce business, where revenue rose 29% to 31.67 billion yuan, thanks to growing demand around the world for lower-priced goods from China.

Alibaba has focused on improving the user experience on its Taobao and Tmall Chinese e-commerce platforms and has been investing in its 88VIP loyalty program, which offers special promotions to its 46 million members.

In the past few months Alibaba's platforms have also begun allowing users to pay with rival Tencent's WeChat Pay, a move executives told analysts in a post-earnings call would help reach new customers.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the u-s and for years doctors recommended older adults take a daily aspirin as a preventative measure.

But medical guidelines have changed.

Every 33 seconds, someone in the United States dies from heart disease.

In those patients, its always been assumed that aspirin is beneficial, and its widely recommended, said Anthony Bavry, MD, interventional cardiologist, University of Florida

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Aspirins blood-thinning capabilities stop blood clots from forming, preventing a clot from blocking a vessel in your heart or brain and causing a heart attack or stroke.

But two large multicenter trials, the ARRIVE trial and the ASPREE trial, found that aspirin did not decrease the risk of a second heart attack or stroke for patients who already had one.

However, it did increase the risk of major bleeding.

Aspirin is associated with bleeding, oftentimes, in the form of gastrointestinal bleeding, said Dr. Bavry.

Also, there were deaths attributed to aspirin use in the ASPREE trial. Experts said the risks outweigh the benefits when it comes to daily aspirin use.

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But despite doctors not recommending a daily aspirin for patients over 60 with no known heart issues, about a third of adults 60 years and older take aspirin when they shouldnt. Thats more than 18 million people!

If they said take it every six hours, thats what I did. I didnt even think about it. I just took more, said Nancy Motto, who took aspirin daily.

So, who would benefit from taking a daily aspirin?

The Mayo Clinic said if you are between 40 and 59 years old with a high risk for a first-time heart attack or stroke within the next 10 years, the benefits of taking aspirin still outweigh the risks.

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NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  Todays health headlines are all about the eyes.

Dr. Vicente Diaz, an eye doctor at Yale Medicine and professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences at Yale School of Medicine, discusses how safe colored contacts are and whether Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs could cause eye issues.

Plus, a new study from the University of Colorado examines how characters with strabismus are cast in movies.

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Watch the video above to learn more.

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Nov. 15One of the region's largest health systems recently sold off one of its nursing homes it had been operating for years and turned over the management of another.

It's part of a trend in Ohio and nationally as hospital systems look for more profitable avenues for their bottom line, local health professionals told the Dayton Daily News.

SpringMeade Health Center in Tipp City will be sold to Otterbein SeniorLife, Premier Health said in late October, and the operations of Koester Pavilion on the UVMC campus will go to to Vancrest Healthcare Centers.

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"Hospitals are trying to get out of the nursing home ownership business," said Dr. Glen Solomon, professor and chair of internal medicine and geriatrics at the Wright State Boonshoft School of Medicine.

Premier Health's decision to sell SpringMeade and transfer operations of Koester Pavilion will allow it to focus on its core business in other areas of health care, including its hospitals, Premier Health said.

"It always has to do with money," Solomon said. "That's the reality of why they got into the business in the first place and why they're getting out of the business now."

Other hospital systems that have done this in Ohio include:  Memorial Healthwhich is mostly based in Marysville in Union County but also has locations in Urbana in Champaign Countyin September announced a new owner for its long-term care facility Memorial Gables in Marysville following a four-month selection process.  ProMedica in Toledo announced new ownership and management of its skilled nursing facilities in late 2022, citing ongoing operating losses within its senior care division.  Aultman in Canton announced last year it was ceasing operations at two skilled nursing facilities, also citing financial and staffing challenges.

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Hospitals likely got into the nursing home business as a way to move people out of hospitals more quickly, according to Solomon, based on how hospitals get paid, which is generally through a patient classification system called diagnosis related groups (DRGs).

"Hospitals are paid a fixed sum of money based on a diagnosis for a patient, so if you can get a patient out of the hospital more quickly, you're reducing the hospital expenses, but you're still getting the same amount of money from the insurer, whether that's Medicare, Medicaid or commercial insurance," Solomon said.

Getting people out of the hospital quickly was a benefit for the hospital.

"So initially, hospitals took the attitude of buying nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities to expedite the movement of patients, and that was fairly lucrative for a time, and it certainly helped hospitals with moving patients through the system," Solomon said.

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Then when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, nursing homes took a hit and a large number workers at those facilities left the field. Nursing homes lost 210,000 jobs over the course of the pandemic from February 2020 to December 2022, or about 13.3% of that workforce, according to the American Health Care Association.

"Nursing homes are highly regulated, and so you can't just accept a decrease in your staffing. You still have to somehow find ways of staffing your nursing home to take care of the people who are there, and that was very hard with the pandemic," Solomon said.

Nursing homes are also paid differently than the way hospitals are paid. While hospitals make more money from commercially insured patients, nursing homes make most of their money from Medicare fee-for-service patients who tend to be some of the people who pay less the least in the hospital, Solomon said.

"You have this total disconnect with the types of patients that hospitals want versus the types of patients that nursing homes want," Solomon said.

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Nursing homes are also generally for-profit businesses with low profit margins and high expenses.

"It requires a large staff of medical professionals to provide 24 /7 around the clock care," said Scott Nelson, managing principal of SpringParker, a consulting firm based out of Springfield focused on health care needs.

"They have to do things like medication management. They're assisting with daily living activities like bathing and dressing. A lot of these patients are going to have specialized medical treatments," Nelson said.

Difficulty finding workers, the different ways they make money and higher administrative costs for hospital systems made owning nursing homes a less than feasible option for hospitals.

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While hospitals may step away from owning nursing homes, some hospital systems are still pursuing agreements with nursing homes that make transferring patients to those facilities easier, Solomon said.

There are resources for patients looking for a nursing home or long-term care facility or who want to scope out new owners.

"People need to be aware of things as they change, as the laws change, as the policies change," Solomon said.

Medicare offers a comparison tool at medicare.gov/care-compare/ where people can look up nursing homes and look at their star ratings from Medicare, which includes an analysis of inspections, staffing and other quality measures.
This article was originally published in Chalkbeat.

In school libraries and cavernous auditoriums, the Denver school board on Monday began a week of listening to students, parents, and teachers in 10 schools facing possible closure.

What they heard was emotional at times.

This is the first school Ive ever been in where I have not seen a single instance of bullying, Robin Yokel, an English language arts teacher at Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design, told board members.

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It is heartbreaking to see us continue to put lip service toward students first and make choices that are not students first  they are finances first. Our students deserve better than that.

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Superintendent Alex Marrero last week recommended closing 10 schools to address declining enrollment in Denver Public Schools. The school board is set to vote Nov. 21 on whether to follow through with the closures.

Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design, International Academy of Denver at Harrington, Castro Elementary, Columbian Elementary, Palmer Elementary, Schmitt Elementary, and West Middle School are up for closure.

Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy, Dora Moore ECE-8 School, and Denver Center for International Studies would be partially closed if the board votes yes.

The school meetings Monday stood in contrast to meetings held two years ago, the last time Marrero recommended closing 10 schools  a proposal the school board rejected in part due to poor community engagement. The meetings in 2022 were run by mid-level district administrators. Last-minute scheduling and overlapping meetings meant school board members were sometimes there and sometimes not. Parents questions were often met with I dont know.

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The engagement this time is similarly short, with just two weeks between Marreros recommendation and the boards vote, drawing familiar criticism about a rushed process. But district officials described the process as improved.

The board plans to visit two schools per day over five days, accompanied by top administrators. Each school will have four meeting times: one in the morning during student dropoff, one over the lunch hour, one in the afternoon during pickup, and an evening public comment session.

Yet despite more robust planning, some of the sessions Monday were sparsely attended.

The board visited International Academy of Denver at Harrington, an elementary school in near northeast Denver, and DSISD, as its known, a high school in the central part of the city. The level of engagement differed at each school. Its a trend that will likely continue this week as some school communities mobilize to fight back, while others, resigned, look toward next steps.

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DSISD is the smallest school on the closure list with just 60 students. Dozens of parents, students, and teachers described it as the best kept secret in DPS, a once-in-a-lifetime school, and a safe haven for LGBTQ and neurodiverse students.

The amount of bullying that my child and many others have faced in a regular DPS school is heartbreaking, parent Susan Klopman told board members gathered in the schools library, her voice wavering as she began to cry, and its not happened here.

She and others said they understand that its hard for the district to keep a school open with so few students, especially since Denver funds its schools per pupil and backfills the budgets of schools with low enrollment. But they questioned whether the monetary savings of closing DSISD, which is located inside another school that will remain open, is worth the human cost.

Some of us just literally wont make it in larger schools, said freshman Owen Bucca.

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Over the lunch hour at Harrington, more than a dozen teachers filtered in and out of the bright school library, where three board members sat waiting for them.

The teachers asked why their school was chosen for closure. Harrington, they said, does an excellent job serving a high-priority population. Fifteen percent of the students are Black, 70% are Latino, and nearly half are learning English as a second language.

Based on its state test scores, Harrington is rated yellow, or improvement, which is higher than some of the surrounding elementary schools. It was also an early adopter of science of reading literacy curriculum that the district is only now rolling out to other schools.

These students are thriving, said fifth grade teacher Kristen Smith, who has taught at Harrington for 10 years. Is it worth it to allow them to have a small school?

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The board members answer was financial. When Denver schools have fewer than 215 students, the district helps pay for the basics. At 122 students, Harrington is one of those schools, receiving more than $600,000 in additional funding this year, according to district data. (DSISD received about $868,000. DPSs total budget is about $1.5 billion.)

That money, board member Michelle Quattlebaum told the teachers, has to come from somewhere. For the past few years, federal pandemic relief funds, known as ESSER dollars, helped buoy the districts budget. But that funding dried up in September.

There are not enough students in the building to sustain what youre doing here, Quattlebaum said. For the past few years, to make that happen, your school leader had to apply for budget assistance. Guess where it came from? ESSER dollars. Guess what we no longer have? ESSER dollars.

She added, Its not fair. And if I can just be honest, it just sucks. These are hard conversations. Theyre hard and difficult things to experience. But please know  please, please know  this is not just about the numbers. We recognize this is impacting people.

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While board members said the morning session at Harrington was better attended, no one from the school came to the afternoon meeting. The only person who signed up to speak at the evening public comment was a parent from another school.

The board will hold a larger public comment meeting on all of the recommended closures on Nov. 18, three days before the vote.

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Summit Olympus, a Tacoma charter school, recently announced plans to close after the school year, citing chronic low enrollment and ensuing fiscal issues.

For Jesica Vegas family, Summit Olympus high school proved to be a game-changer. Her stepson, 18, had gotten into trouble as a student at a typical public school. Vegas 16-year-old son, whos on the autism spectrum, also used to get bullied.

Both boys have thrived since moving to Summit, she said. Theyve received ample attention and care and developed strong bonds with faculty.

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Learning that the school plans to close was a blow.

I think for a lot of us, its heartbreaking twofold, Vega said. For our own families, but also thinking about families who may just have kids who need a different environment than a regular public school.

On Oct. 17, Summit Public Schools Washington board of directors voted to close the Tacoma facility, 409 Puyallup Ave., according to the meeting minutes.

The campus is one of two charter schools in Pierce County, the other being Commencement Bay Elementary, 1301 E. 34th St., according to the Washington State Charter Schools Associations website. As of mid-November, there are 17 such schools statewide serving about 5,000 students, or 0.2% of public-school kids in the Evergreen State.

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Charter schools in Washington for years have navigated a rocky legal landscape and battled stigma. Advocates insist that theyre places where each and every student is served.

A tempestuous legal climate

Charter schools are public institutions that offer tuition-free education tailored to students needs, according to the state charter-school associations website. They also have to meet strict regulatory conditions.

Such campuses usually feature a board of directors, rather than an elected school board, and are run like a nonprofit, The Seattle Times reported in March.

David Knight, associate professor in the University of Washingtons College of Education, told The News Tribune that the state has long been cautious about charter schools.

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Typically, such campuses across the country close because of less-than-stellar quality, he said  and thats by design. Knight likened it to a new business entering the market: If it doesnt have a sound business model, then chances are it will someday shutter.

So, with charter schools, the idea was that different private actors would open up schools using public funds, try out a particular model and then, if it worked, maybe enrollment would go up, Knight said. There would be, like, a market signal that it must be an effective charter-school model.

In 2019, 100% of Summit Olympus inaugural graduating class was accepted to a university or college, according to its website.

To succeed, charter schools require stable funding from the state, Dan Effland, executive director at Seattles Summit Atlas charter, recently told The Seattle Medium. Such schools typically serve higher rates of kids with disabilities and students of color, he said.

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Charter schools were legalized in Washington via referendum in 2012 following three failed attempts, according to The Seattle Times. Then in 2015, the states high court found the institutions method of funding to be unconstitutional.

The state later effectively reauthorized such schools contracts, attracting even more legal challenges, said Tiffany Reynolds, executive director of Summit Olympus. The Washington Supreme Court affirmed in 2018 that multiple elements of the [new] Charter Schools Act were, in fact, constitutional.

Despite this legal validation, the ongoing legal and financial challenges contributed to an unfavorable enrollment environment, Reynolds continued via email. Following the 2015 court ruling, Summit Olympus was never able to fully enroll a freshman class again, and its enrollment steadily declined since.

Summits founding ninth-grade class counted 129 students, she said. By this year, the number of incoming freshman had sunk to 15.

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Faced with an operating deficit and other hurdles, school leadership and the board mulled whether to close, Reynolds said. The idea was presented during a public hearing and several board meetings before coming to a vote.

Its devastating

Charter parents often tout the schools focus on college- and career-readiness as strong points. Vega, for instance, highlighted Summit Olympus expeditions, during which kids could become familiar with professional settings.

One example: taking a cooking class from a chef and learning about the restaurant business, she said.

Public speaker and youth advocate Thrett Brown has worked with Summit Olympus students to hone their entrepreneurial skills via the expedition program. He said hes helped out at other schools in Tacoma, too. None have left as much of an impression as the charter campus.

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Brown dropped out of school in eighth grade and received his GED in prison at 21. He said if he had been able to attend a school like Summit Olympus, it likely would have altered his trajectory.

I didnt feel school was important enough to me, and I didnt feel like the way that the school operated aligned with my interests, he said. I felt that way for years, honestly  until I went to Summit Olympus.

The charter reflects how Brown believes that schools should be run  certainly not the cookie-cutter concept of traditional institutions.

Now that Summit Olympus will be saying goodbye, its parents will have to figure out where to enroll their kids. Vega is looking toward Curtis High School in University Place.

Learning of the closure has been painful for families like hers.

It is devastating. Its heartbreaking, Vega said. I think every family that I know really loves that school.
A Swedish minister is seeking treatment for her phobia of bananas after it emerged government staff had to sweep rooms before official visits on health grounds.

Paulina Brandberg, the Swedish minister for gender equality, said that she was getting professional help after emails detailing her staffs banana-proofing precautions were leaked to a tabloid newspaper.

She admitted suffering from the worlds weirdest phobia of bananas on X in 2020, but the post has now been deleted.

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Emails reportedly sent before official visits asked for no bananas to be allowed claiming that Ms Brandberg had a strong allergy.

In another email, her staff told Andreas Norlen, the speaker of the Swedish Parliament, there should be no traces of bananas in any place where Ms Brandberg would be.

The Liberal party minister told the Expressen newspaper that she had a banana phobia and described its impact as sort of an allergy.

It is something Im getting professional help for, she added.

She is being ridiculed

A banana phobia can be triggered by seeing or smelling the fruit, and can cause anxiety and nausea. Some experts suggest that it can develop during childhood.

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Ms Brandbergs fellow politicians defended her after the demands for banana-free zones made national headlines.

Ulf Kristersson, the Swedish prime minister, said he has great respect for all people with phobias.

It bothers me that a hard-working minister is now almost reduced to a phobia. That she is being ridiculed. I think people should rise above that, he told the TT news agency.

Teresa Carvalho, a MP from the opposition Swedish Social Democratic Party and its spokesman for legal policy, said she also suffered from bananaphobia.

We may have had many tough debates about conditions in working life, but on this issue we stand united against a common enemy, she told Ms Brandberg on X.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Homeownership is a goal for many people, but its not always achievable because of the current affordable housing crisis in central Ohio.

Thats why the Central Ohio Community Land Trust and Nationwide Childrens Hospitals Healthy Homes initiative came together for a solution.

More important than ever to repeal Ohios same-sex marriage ban, lawmakers say

Twenty-eight brand-new houses were built and sold in Linden and 28 families have settled into their new homes that they own outright. Many of them are homeowners for the very first time.

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For me as a single mom, being a homeowner was not really something I thought I could do because of the cost of it, new homeowner Onesha Croom said. You know, houses are expensive and then its so competitive. It was a sellers market.

Croom, a single mother of two teenagers, moved into a new three-bedroom house in Linden about a year ago. Its the first house shes ever owned and its a reality she never expected because of the affordable housing crisis.

Its just a wonderful thing being a homeowner, having something that I can pass down to my children, said Croom.

Croom was able to buy her home at a fraction of the market price with the help of the Land Trust and Healthy Homes. The 28 homes in Linden were all sold to income-eligible buyers.

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The Land Trust builds affordable houses on land the city of Columbus and Franklin County already own. This means homeowners own the actual house but lease the land, making it cheaper.

What impact will Ohios bathroom bill have?

Right now, as home prices continue to rise, people sometimes cant afford those increases, but with our program, because we build the same home, but we offer it at a lower price point, it allows people to get into homeownership, Land Trust Vice President of Programs and Housing Hope Paxson said.

Croom said the Land Trust made the home-buying process easy, and they helped her get her credit score and finances in check before purchasing the house.

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She said renting an apartment in Columbus big enough for herself and her teenagers was more expensive than buying a home.

Fifteen hundred dollars a month for rent, $1,700 to rent a nice apartment in a decent area, absolutely crazy and Im not even paying close to that for my mortgage and its my house, she said.

Paxson said that is the Land Trusts goal with the initiative.

We believe homeownership is a very important thing to achieve, she said. If people are working and they are mortgage ready, what were able to do is offer a home thats actually in a price point they can afford.

Mushrooms, mold found growing in Ohio State University dormitory

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Besides the 28 new houses in Linden, the Land Trust also has current projects across central Ohio, including in Whitehall, the South Side and Franklinton.

Learn more about the Land Trust and eligibility requirements by clicking here.

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The Supreme Court at the South Dakota Capitol in Pierre. (Getty Images)

A state constitutional amendment on victims rights approved by voters in 2016 is not absolute, the South Dakota Supreme Court concluded this week.

The justices decided that South Dakotas Marsys Law amendment does not trump a defendants right to a fair trial. Their decision came Thursday in the case of South Dakota vs. Waldner.

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Even so, the justices shot down a lower courts ruling that had granted two defendants access to an alleged sexual assault victims diaries. Marsys Law may not be absolute, the justices wrote, but it does grant victims the ability to appeal decisions that affect their privacy.

Several states have passed versions of Marsys Law, billed as a crime victims bill of rights and named after Marsy Nicholas, who was murdered by an ex-boyfriend in 1983.

Her brother, California billionaire and Broadcom co-founder Henry Nicholas, has financially backed multiple state-level efforts to institute the provisions since California voters backed a version of Marsys Law in 2008. Nicholas funded the ballot initiative in South Dakota, as well.

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Opponents of the initiative at the time decried the wording of the South Dakota proposal. They worried South Dakotas version lacked provisions in other states to define the limits of a victims right to privacy, and how that right could be balanced with a defendants right to a fair trial. Ohio, for example, specifies that its version of Marsys Law does not outweigh a defendants Sixth Amendment rights to a fair and speedy trial.

The law in South Dakota has been used since its passage to shield the names of police in officer-involved shootings from the public, and led the Sioux Falls Police Department to remove the addresses of criminal incidents from publicly available police logs.

Case speaks to limits on victim rights

The Waldner decision doesnt address every issue of concern with Marsys Law, but it does clear up some of the questions created by the broad language of its South Dakota iteration.

In the Waldner decision, the South Dakota Supreme Court concluded that Marsys Law did afford the victim the right to appeal a decision granting the alleged perpetrators access to diary entries, because the decision affected the victims protected right to privacy.

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The victim had argued that the protections afforded through Marsys Law were absolute. The justices concluded that they are not.

To read a victims right of privacy under the State constitution as absolute, or superior to the rights of a defendant, would at some point infringe upon a defendants federal due process right to defend against a charge, Justice Patricia DeVaney wrote in the ruling, which was affirmed by the courts other four justices.

The decision to overturn the lower courts ruling and deny access to the diaries was based on the defendants overly broad request for information.

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The defendants were charged with multiple counts of sexual assault in 2021 for incidents that allegedly took place in late 2019 into early 2020.

The victim and defendants are Hutterites  members of a communal branch of the Anabaptist faith  and the victim was moved to a separate colony after disclosing the alleged abuse. She shared her story and diary entries with confidants at that colony, who in turn shared the information with law enforcement.

The pages describing the assaults, as well as forensic interviews and police reports, were given to the defendants.

The defendants later requested any and all disciplinary records from the colony on the victim, as well as any diary entries written between 2010 and the present. The victims writings, the defendants argued, might speak to the victims mental state and credibility.

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A Brule County judge ruled that the victim must produce those documents. The victim appealed. In their arguments to the state Supreme Court, the defendants said the victim did not follow proper procedure for asserting Marsys Law rights, and that the victim had waived those rights by once stating they didnt care who read the diary entries.

Justices: Information request not specific enough

That statement wasnt enough, the Waldner ruling says. It came in response to a question about whether the mother of one of the men whod helped the victim work with law enforcement could see the entries the victim hadnt shared with police. That alone, DeVaney wrote, was not enough to constitute a voluntary, knowing and intelligent waiver of privacy rights.

The lack of a waiver wouldnt be enough to shield the entries from a defendant, though. The issue with the Waldner request, the ruling says, is that it failed to meet the standards for admissibility often used by the justices in South Dakota. The standards are defined by a U.S. Supreme Court case involving former President Richard Nixon, who unsuccessfully tried to shield presidential audio recordings from release.

Under what have come to be known as the Nixon factors, a request for evidence that would otherwise be shielded from a defendants view for reasons of confidentiality or privacy can be granted if the information requested is relevant, admissible and specific.

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In the Waldner case, DeVaney wrote, the request didnt clear the bar.

The judge in Brule County had ruled that the defendants right to a fair trial was more important than the victims right to privacy, but he hadnt applied the Nixon factors. The state Supreme Court did, and concluded that the diary entry request was not specific enough to warrant disclosure to the defendants.

Seeking all entries, the ruling says, constitutes a fishing expedition.

Attorney General Marty Jackley, whose office argued the case on the victims behalf, praised the ruling for its recognition of a victims privacy rights.

The Supreme Court has reaffirmed that victims have rights in South Dakota including their privacy, Jackley said in a prepared statement.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A student from Pearl Cohn High School was taken into custody Friday morning after reportedly making a threat over social media.

The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) said a 16-year-old student messaged an egregious threat to commit a mass shooting on Instagram. The principal received screenshots of the messages on Thursday, Nov. 14.

Woman dead after stabbing on Harding Place in South Nashville

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The student was identified as the owner of the Instagram account. Then, on Friday, Nov. 15, the Rapid School Safety Team arrested the teen when he arrived at Pearl Cohn High, where he confessed to making the threat, according to authorities.

Police said the 16-year-old is charged in Juvenile Court with making a threat of mass violence and false reporting.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Threats against schools, special events and businesses are taken very seriously by the MNPD, officials said. Those responsible, once identified, will be prosecuted.

No additional details have been released about this incident.

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President-elect Donald Trump's victory last week should bring some clarity to Americans with student loans, but probably not in the way they'd hoped.

A flurry of Biden administration initiatives and court rulings against them have left millions of borrowers uncertain about their future payments. Many federal student loans, in fact, are stuck in a period of limbo with no monthly payments because the company servicing them can't determine what the payments should be.

Trump has made his dislike for student debt relief clear, saying it's unfair to borrowers and taxpayers who pay their debts in full. Further stirring uncertainty, Trump has said he'd like to eliminate the Department of Education  which oversees student loan policies  a goal shared by many Republicans.

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The bottom line is that Biden administration efforts to ease debt burdens are likely to be swept away in short order. President Biden managed to forgive an enormous amount of debt for a huge number of borrowers during his term  about $175 billion in relief for nearly 5 million borrowers. But the pendulum is about to swing hard in the other direction.

Here is a rundown of where the major Biden student debt relief initiatives stand:

Current debt relief programs

In July 2023, the Education Department launched the first elements of its Saving on a Valuable Education repayment plan to cut payments and forgive low balances on federal student loans more quickly. Like several other repayment plans, SAVE allows borrowers to pay 10% of their discretionary income each month for 20 to 25 years, at which point their remaining balance would be forgiven.

But it raised the amount of income considered nondiscretionary by 50%, immediately lowering monthly payments, and forgave any interest that accrued while a borrower remained current. And starting in July 2024, it was set to slash payments dramatically, to 5% of discretionary income.

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Read more: How Trump's win could reshape UC research, LGBTQ+ rights and student loan forgiveness

By mid-2024, 8 million borrowers had joined the SAVE plan. That's when seven Republican state attorneys general sued. On Aug. 9, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals published a ruling temporarily blocking the entire plan. In other words, no lower payments, no loan forgiveness.

According to a unanimous three-judge panel, the Education Department did not have the authority to expand the reach and cost of loan forgiveness so dramatically  a 3,000% increase, according to the panel  without explicit instructions from Congress.

Assuming the Trump administration abandons the SAVE plan, borrowers enrolled in it will have to shift to a different repayment plan with significantly higher monthly payments. In one example provided by the department, a single borrower earning $40,000 a year and owing $45,000 would see payments increase from $60 in the SAVE plan to $151, $227 or $349, depending on the plan chosen.

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The panel's ruling affected more than just the SAVE plan, however. The 8th Circuit's ruling also calls into question the legal foundation for loan forgiveness in two other income-driven plans  Income-Contingent Repayment and Pay As You Earn. A future administration could decide that those borrowers still owe their unpaid balances, with interest, even after they've made the requisite number of monthly payments.

These borrowers could switch to other repayment plans where the legal basis for loan forgiveness hasn't been challenged, although that could raise their costs.

The Education Department no longer allows borrowers to sign up for the ICR and PAYE plans, but they can still enroll in SAVE  even though monthly payments have been suspended at least until April 2025, according to the National Assn. of Student Aid Administrators. The Education Department says the loans in forbearance won't accrue interest, but they won't move any closer to forgiveness, either.

The ruling didn't affect the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which extinguishes the loan balances of borrowers who work in government agencies or certain types of nonprofits for 10 years, and the Income-Based Repayment plans, which forgive loans after 20 to 25 years of payments (depending on when the borrower enrolled).

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Trump sought to eliminate the public service forgiveness plan during his first term, but it would take an act of Congress to do so. The same is true for income-based repayment plans, which have the same statutory foundation: the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, which President George W. Bush signed into law in 2007.

Proposed blanket loan forgiveness

Shortly after the Supreme Court threw out Biden's original proposal to offer blanket forgiveness of up to $20,000 in student debt, the Education Department started work on a less expansive proposal for blanket debt relief and debt reduction. The draft rules would have canceled the debts of borrowers who'd been making payments for at least 20 to 25 years and wiped out interest-related debt for certain borrowers, but like the SAVE plan, they were challenged by seven Republican state attorneys general, who argued that the department overstepped its authority.

A federal judge in Georgia temporarily blocked the rules two days after the lawsuit was filed. When that order expired, a federal judge in Missouri blocked it again.

Missouri's Republican attorney general, Andrew Bailey, boiled down the plaintiffs' argument against debt relief in a tweet: "This is a HUGE victory for every American who wont have to pay someone elses Ivy League debt," Bailey wrote.

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As with the litigation over the SAVE plan, the Education Department is expected to stop defending the draft rules under the Trump administration. Nor is it expected to stand behind a second element on the new forgiveness plan that's still in development: a rule allowing the department to forgive debts when borrowers are in financial hardship and most likely to default within two years.

Loans already forgiven or modified

Experts say that borrowers who've already had their loans forgiven won't be affected by the changes brought by the Trump administration. Also, many borrowers enrolled in Public Service Loan Forgiveness have moved significantly closer to the end of their payments, thanks to accounting adjustments ordered by the Biden administration.

Those adjustments, which included giving some borrowers credit for years spent in forbearance, were made in the name of correcting what the administration argued were record-keeping errors, bad management and predatory practices by the companies servicing federal student loans.

The same adjustments applied to other income-driven repayment programs, moving those borrowers closer to loan forgiveness. The 8th Circuit's ruling, however, throws into doubt whether borrowers in the PAYE and ICR programs will ultimately be eligible for having their debts forgiven.

The possible end of the Department of Education

A president can't kill a federal department unilaterally. That would take an act of Congress, along with a considerable amount of work figuring out which duties get taken over by other agencies and which ones get left to the states.

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Abby Shafroth, co-director of advocacy for the National Consumer Law Center, said shifting management of the loan programs to the Treasury Department "would likely risk substantial disruption for borrowers just due to the logistics of making that change." But any change in their repayment rights or options, she said, would depend on policy changes made through new laws or rules.

Natalia Abrams, president and founder of the Student Debt Crisis Center, said the bigger concern is the shift from an administration concerned about student debt burdens to one that's not. She said her organization and other nonprofits met regularly with officials in the Biden and Obama administrations to get updates on student loans, but only once with the Trump administration.

Noting previous proposals from GOP leaders and conservative think tanks, Abrams said Republicans have shown their interest in overhauling loan programs and eliminating the opportunities for debt forgiveness, "which would just keep people in their student loan debt for decades to come."



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HINDS COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV)  A Hinds County man pled guilty in connection to the shooting deaths of his grandmother and uncle in 2021.

Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens said Harry Hylander pled guilty on Wednesday, November 13 to two counts of first-degree murder.

Suspects wanted after deadly officer-involved shooting in McComb

Hinds County deputies responded to a home on Midway Road on July 26, 2021, for a welfare check on Hylanders grandmother, 83-year-old Sarah Hylander. When they arrived at the scene, deputies discovered the bodies of Sarah Hylander and 60-year-old David Hylander. They had been shot multiple times.

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According to investigators, Hylander confessed to one of his family members that he had killed his uncle. Clinton police later located and arrested Hylander at the Econo Lodge.

Hylander was sentenced to life on both counts to run concurrently and to serve in the custody of

the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC).

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Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb will make one more international economic development trip before leaving office in January  stopping in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to target partnerships in both the life sciences and defense sectors.

The trip will be his 27th as governor and the final stop abroad for his administration. Travel expenses are paid for by the Indiana Economic Development Foundation, which doesnt disclose its funders.

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Indianas reputation as a central player in the global economy continues to grow, yielding real results for Hoosier industries, innovation and residents alike, Holcomb said in a news release. I look forward to running through the tape and taking our winning message to the Middle East and working to advance new partnerships focused on key sectors critical to tomorrows economy.

Last month, Holcomb visited Ireland and announced a new, nonstop flight between Indiana and the European country. The trip to the Middle East will include Maj. Gen. Dale Lyles  who announced earlier this month he would retire as the leader of the Indiana National Guard  and representatives from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

As a Hoosier, I couldnt be prouder of our efforts to spark economic growth, develop global relationships and collaborate with our partners around the world, Lyles said in the release. Our efforts today will help our friends in the Middle East and citizens in Indiana, now and in the future, as we set the stage for a prosperous economy, technological advancements and security for our prosperity.

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The group will leave Indianapolis today and will arrive in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, Nov. 16. In Riyadh, the delegation will meet with U.S. Ambassador Michael Ratney and Hoosier families who are part of the U.S. Embassy community.

Company visits include Zimmer Biomets Riyadh facility, a medical technology corporation, as well as a stop in the town of Diriyah to discuss tourism and cultural development.

Saudi Arabia and Indiana exchanged $418 million worth of goods in 2023. The Hoosier State is home to three businesses owned by Saudi Arabians, including Gas Equipment Co. and SABIC Innovative Plastics. Three Hoosier corporations also operate in Saudi Arabia.

Following their time in Saudi Arabia, Holcomb and others will go to Kuwait to see a U.S. Army base where Hoosier soldiers are currently stationed. The government of Kuwait built and funded the military installation, which also hosts the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Coast Guard.

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While in Kuwait City, Holcomb will visit the U.S. Embassy to meet with U.S. Ambassador Karen Sasahara prior to hosting a roundtable with local business stakeholders in the advanced manufacturing, life sciences, defense and agbioscience industries.

Kuwait imported $28 million worth of Indiana goods in 2023, including chemicals, fabricated metal, machinery, plastics and rubber and transportation equipment.

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Police asked the public for help Friday in their search for a woman whod suffered a traumatic brain injury and who disappeared from her Hollywood home more than a month ago.

Investigators said Lanay Ragsdale was last seen leaving her residence in the 1100 block of North Wilton Place around 2 p.m. on Oct. 13.

Ragsdales family and the LAPDs Missing Persons Unit are requesting the publics help in locating the 24-year-old, who police described as critical missing.

Lanay Ragsdale is seen in an image provided by the Los Angeles Police Department.

She may appear disoriented due to a traumatic brain injury, which impacts her awareness and cognitive skills, police said in the news release Friday.

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Anyone who has seen Ragsdale was asked to contact the Missing Persons Unit at 213-996-1800 or dial 911.

Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.

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LANSING Mich. (WLNS)  Some people working for the child welfare organization Holy Cross Services are not happy about a letter sent out by an attorney for the Board of Directors.

They said the Board wants staff to stop promoting the LGBTQIA+ community and its ideology. Holy Cross provides services like foster care and independent living for those coming out of foster care. Along with a youth center, community meals, and a shelter. After speaking with CEO Ryan Kunzelman and the attorney for the board, Kate Klaus, its clear these two are on very different pages.

What we want to do is serve the community, Kunzelman said.

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Kunzelman said the Board wants staff to stop engaging the LGBTQIA+ community by no longer recruiting at pride events, requiring people in the LGBTQIA+ community who want to foster a child to go through a board review, and not purchasing any items that would affirm a transgender childs identity.

How do I say I am going to care for this individuals mental health if I then say Well but you shouldnt be that?' Kunzelman said.

Attorney Kate Klaus said the letter was sent to remind people that Holy Cross is a faith-based organization.

We are required, mandated by our religion, to open our services to everybody. Holy Cross Services will not advertise its services at Pride Day for example. That has nothing to do with whether or not we will help people in need because we will help everybody in need, Klaus said.

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Kunzelman said the organization is not faith-based, though.

Holy Cross Services, while rooted in Catholic history is not in policy or practice a religious organization, and therefore does not have the protections of religious freedoms, Kunzelman said.

Kunzelman said his staff does not plan to change the way theyve been doing things. He said the boards actions could cause them to lose funding.

Our contracts that we engaged with the state clearly let us know that we are not to be practicing in any discriminatory way, Kunzelman said.

Attorney Kate Klaus disagrees.

Faith-based organizations have a statutory right under Michigan law to provide these services and the state cant discriminate against us and make us provide services in a way that contradicts our faith, Klaus continued. But these are all hypothetical it just hasnt happened because we are not declining to provide services to LGBTQ kids.

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The City of Lansing provides Holy Cross funding and said they expect the organization to provide services without discrimination.

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ST. LOUIS  Its a deserted property that many of you drive by every day on Interstate 44. Its also classified as an active hazardous substance clean-up site by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, but regulators have determined it can be cleaned up to a level that will make it safe for people to live here again.

Neighbor Donna Valli called the area the cornerstone of The Hill, as she described waiting for development on the lot for a long time.

Live brought back to this corner. Itll be a good thing for the Hill, she said.

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Its on the corner of Wilson and January Avenuesthe former site of what was called the Hubert Wheeler State School. That was until the St. Louis Health Department and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources shut it down over air quality in 1994.

I believe we are on a landfill. It used to be called the dump and its kind of where we all played as kids. We called it the dump, but obviously they built on it, Valli added.

St. Louis Alderman Joe Vollmer has lived here his entire life.

It used to be clay mines, which were then used for dumps, so they found dioxin on the property  so they put an incinerator on site, he said. They dug down and burned off the soil and made it usable, and then after that Harris Stowe had the Anheuser-Busch business school in there.

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He said the university leased the property from about 2005 to 2015, but disturbing anything on the property with construction requires an entirely new safety plan.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources confirmed to FOX 2 that a developer enrolled in a voluntary cleanup program last month. That program, called a VCP, will oversee not only cleanups of landfill-related contaminants under the school but also proper asbestos cleanup inside the building.

McBride Homes is behind the effort, with the intent to build 58 town homes here, under the supervision of environmental regulators.

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They do a great project, Vollmer said. Theyre part of the neighborhood; some of the people, the Eilermanns, who own McBride, live here nowin the neighborhood.

Itll be something good now, Valli added.

The site has been a target for vandals for years, which is why it now constantly has two security guards monitoring the area in unmarked cars.

Lets do this, Valli said. Lets beautifykeep The Hill beautiful.

She also feels confident in the safety of the project. Theres an entire neighborhood, where she lives, thats also sitting on that former landfill.

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I grew up here. I played here as a kid. Ive been on those grounds and obviously I think Im ok, she said.

Closing on the sale may happen by the end of the year.

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Joanne Figueroa waited a long time for this moment.

More than two years have passed from the day her 1-year-old daughter was killed by a drunken driver in Shafter until Thursday, when he was sentenced.

She wept in court as she finally got to tell Irving De Jesus Rodriguez-Barraza about the pain  both physical and emotional  hes caused her family.

I hope drinking those beers were worth it because not only did you mess up my familys life, but you also messed up yours, Figueroa said.

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She said hell likely experience anxiety and depression as he spends the next few years in a prison cell. He might even feel like hes going crazy.

Figueroa said thats how shes felt every day since he took her daughter.

You will lose your freedom for eight years, and I will lose my daughter forever, she said.

Judge Eric Bradshaw, who last month accepted an open plea from Rodriguez-Barraza, sentenced him to a total of eight years and four months in prison. He also ordered him to pay about $280,000 for losses incurred by the family  with more restitution to be determined.

Irving De Jesus Rodriguez-Barraza listens during his sentencing hearing.

On the afternoon of July 23, 2022, Rodriguez-Barraza and a passenger were traveling east on Burbank Street in a Dodge Ram. Figueroas husband was driving her and her two young daughters in a Jeep Cherokee north on Shafter Avenue approaching Burbank.

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77 alleged gang members arrested after operation Royal Flush, Kings County Sheriff says

The Dodge ran a stop sign and slammed into the drivers side of the Jeep, pushing it into an almond orchard, according to California Highway Patrol. The Jeep hit two power poles and an almond tree before overturning.

Aislyn Kamila Tejeda was pronounced dead at Kern Medical. All occupants of both vehicles were injured, officers said.

Figueroa and her husband suffered major injuries  he had to learn how to walk again, according to family members.

When she woke in the hospital, Figueroa didnt know what was going on. She was in a lot of pain.

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Then she was told about the crash  and Aislyns death.

I knew she had passed and all I wanted was to hold her, Figueroa said. I couldnt go to her because of my condition.

Defense lawyer David A. Torres said Rodriguez-Barraza knows he needs to be punished  he would give his life if it could bring back the child he killed. He noted his client has no prior criminal history and changed his life entirely after the crash.

This is the first and hopefully only severe blemish that he will have in his life, but we also know that this is something that is going to haunt him for the rest of his life, Torres said.

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Rodriguez-Barraza on Oct. 8 pleaded no contest to all charges  gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and two counts of DUI causing injury  in the hope hed receive a more favorable outcome from the judge than if he went to trial.

The court-indicated plea was taken over the prosecutions objections. Bradshaw said Thursday he made the decision to accept the plea after examining the case and taking all factors into account.

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Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) slammed GOP lawmakers on Wednesday for laughing off President-elect Donald Trump for floating a third term in office.

His jokes are not jokes. Nobody takes them as jokes. They are trial balloons, Goldman told MSNBCs Chris Hayes. They are very intentionally designed to soften the response and then to normalize his unconstitutional and anti-democratic goals.

In a meeting with House Republicans on Wednesday, Trump said he suspects he wouldnt be running again unless someone told him he was so good weve got to figure something else out.

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Republicans reportedly appeared to take the comment as a joke, according to The New York Times.

Trump has previously mused about being in office beyond a second term in a move that would violate the 22nd Amendment.

Goldman planned to introduce a resolution in the House Thursday to clarify that the 22nd Amendment applies to two terms in the aggregate in an effort to remove any constitutional loophole, the Times reported.

His jokes are not jokes  They are trial balloons  U.S. Rep Dan Goldman (D-NY) says Trumps opponents should take him seriously when he says he wants to run for an unconstitutional third term.



Goldman is introducing a resolution in the House asking all lawmakers to vote on pic.twitter.com/i5EtIj40AU  NowThis Impact (@nowthisimpact) November 15, 2024

Goldman shared the Times article on his resolution in a social media post and wrote that the United States is a nation of laws, not kings.

The 22nd Amendment is clear that no person can be elected President more than twice, he wrote. Any attempt by Donald Trump to do so is blatantly unconstitutional, and I call on my colleagues  D or R  to stand by their oath to defend the Constitution.

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The congressman told Hayes that the amendment is already very clear so it should be very easy for every Republican in Congress to vote in favor of his resolution.

Trump has joked about many different things including, as I remember in 2018, he joked about pardoning himself and then that became completely normalized and everyone just expected him to pardon himself if he won this time, Goldman said.

Related...
The House Ethics Committee postponed its plans to vote Friday on whether to release its report on Matt Gaetz despite mounting calls to publicize it after Donald Trump nominated the former Florida Congressman as his attorney general.

The meeting, which had been scheduled before Gaetz resigned from the House on Wednesday, was postponed, Committee Chair Michael Guest told Politico on Friday, putting to rest rumors that the meeting had been abruptly canceled. Its not immediately clear when the meeting will be held.

Democrats and Republicans alike have aired their concerns around Gaetz in the new post, with many pointing to the sexual misconduct allegations at the heart of the ethics panels probe.

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The committee was looking into wide-ranging claims that he had engaged in sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, shared inappropriate images on the House floor, misused state identification records, converted campaign funds to personal use, and accepted a bribe.

Republican Senator John Cornyn said he absolutely wants to see the reports findings while Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin called it absolutely essential to have access to the full report while investigating his background and qualifications for the AG role.

North Carolina Republican Rep Greg Murphy said most people in the House believe Gaetz resigned to prevent the report from being released.

The House Ethics Committee postponed its meeting despite growing calls for the panel to release its report on Matt Gaetz (AP)

Its very suspicious that he all of a sudden resigned because other members who are being nominated for posts have not resigned, Murphy told The Hill. I do know that if he continues to persist with this appointment, it will all come out.

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Before Gaetz resigned on Wednesday, House Ethics Committee Chair Michael Guest laid out the panels plans: Once the investigation is complete, the Ethics Committee will meet as a committee. We will then return our findings. If Matt Gaetz is still a member of Congress, then that will occur. If Matt has resigned, then this ethics investigation, like many others in the past, will end again.

On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee sent a letter to Guest, pressing him to release the report: We cannot allow this critical information from a bipartisan investigation into longstanding public allegations to be hidden from the American people, given that it is directly relevant to the question of whether Mr Gaetz is qualified and fit to be the next Attorney General of the United States.

If confirmed by the Senate, Gaetz would be leading the very department that had been investigating him.

The Justice Department ended its multi-year probe into whether the Florida Republican broke any laws after allegations emerged that he had paid for sex with minors. In 2023, the DOJ announced it would not press charges against Gaetz, a year after his associate Joel Greenberg pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of a minor and other crimes. He is serving an 11-year prison sentence.

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Amid widespread bipartisan calls for the reports release, MAGA Republican Rep Jim Jordan disagreed, saying it went against House rules. The Ohio Congressman told Fox News host Laura Ingraham on Thursday: Well, its my understanding that its not supposed to go public. So, if its not supposed to under the rules, it shouldnt go public.

House Speaker Mike Johnson also said he plans to strongly request that the committee not publicize the report. When asked if he though the report should come out, he told reporters on Friday: I do not. No, I think its a terrible breach of protocol.

Johnson added: The rules of the house have always been that a former member is beyond the jurisdiction of the ethics committee, and so I dont think thats relevant.

Meanwhile, a lawyer representing the woman that Gaetz allegedly had sex with when she was underage, voiced his support for the release of the report.

Mr Gaetzs likely nomination as Attorney General is a perverse development in a truly dark series of events, John Clune wrote Thursday on X. We would support the House Ethics Committee immediately releasing their report. She was a high school student and there were witnesses.
The House Ethics Committee postponed a meeting scheduled for Friday about its report into the alleged wrongdoing of Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trumps highly controversial pick for attorney general.

The committee had been due to vote at the meeting on publishing the findings of an investigation into serious claims against Gaetz, including that he had sex with a minor and used illicit drugs, according to reports.

The Florida Republican resigned from his House seat on Wednesday just hours after Trump announced his nomination for AG, bringing the committees investigation to an abrupt end.

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Ethics chairman Michael Guest (R-MS) said the key meeting had been postponed, but not canceled, according to Politico .

Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have called for the report to be released, particularly as Gaetzs confirmation as attorney general requires the approval of the Senate.

Multiple lawmakers have already cast doubt on the likelihood of that sign-off, with Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) telling Axios that Gaetz has a better shot at having dinner with Queen Elizabeth II, the late British monarch, than being confirmed by the Senate.

I dont want there to be any limitation at all on what the Senate could consider, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) said, according to Reuters, adding that he absolutely wants to see the ethics report.

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Dick Durbin, the Democratic chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, separately called on the Ethics Committee to release the report. We cannot allow this valuable information from a bipartisan investigation to be hidden from the American people, the Illinois senator said in a statement . Make no mistake: this information could be relevant to the question of Mr. Gaetzs confirmation as the next Attorney General of the United States and our constitutional responsibility of advice and consent.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL).

On Friday, Guest declined to say if his panel would be prepared to share its report with the Senate Judiciary Committee, saying the Ethics members have to meet first.

Weve not met as a committee, and so at this point, theres nothing that Im sure I cant comment about, he said, according to Politico. He also rebuffed suggestions that he feared potential blowback from Trumps supporters if the report was released and said leadership had not pressured him.

Some Republicans have already publicly expressed opposition to the report being made public or dismissed its potential implications.

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Jim Jordan (R-OH), the House Judiciary Committee chairman, on Thursday argued against allowing the report to come to light. Its my understanding that its not supposed to go public, he said during a Fox News interview Thursday night. So if its not supposed to under the rules, it shouldnt go public.

He went on to praise Gaetzs cross-examination skills and described what he wanted to see from the next head of the DOJ. I want someone at the Justice Department who can tell us who planted the pipe bombs on January 6, who leaked the Dobbs opinion, who put cocaine at the White House instead of all the other stuff they seem to be focused on, Jordan said.

Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) also said the Ethics Committee the report shouldnt be released.

Hes no longer a member. Its moot to me, Rogers said, according to The Hill . On the question of whether or not Gaetz is qualified to be the next attorney general, Rogers said its the presidents decision.

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Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) was similarly dismissive of the report on Friday.

Noting that the report had been scrapped after Gaetzs resignation from his House seat, Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo asked Norman for his thoughts on whether Gaetz can actually get confirmed as attorney general.

Look, Matt Gaetz is a brilliant legal mind, Norman answered. Matt Gaetz willhe will be the left-wing socialists worst enemy. I think he will get confirmed. Matt can handle himself. He has nothing to hidethe DOJ dismissed all the charges.

The Justice Department for years investigated allegations against Gaetzincluding sex trafficking and obstruction of justiceeventually informing him in 2023 that they would not file charges .

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The House Ethics Committee nevertheless launched an inquiry in 2021 into the claims of sexual misconduct and other wrongdoing. The investigation was reportedly in its final stages this week when Gaetz resigned from office.

On Thursday, sources familiar with the DOJ sex trafficking investigation told ABC News that a woman at the heart of the allegations testified to the House Ethics Committee that she had sex with Gaetz when she was 17-years-old.

The woman, who is now in her 20s, was reportedly subpoenaed by the House panel over the summer and testified that shed had sex with the now-former congressman when she was a minor in high school, according to the report.
Nvidia (NVDA) reported third quarter earnings after the bell on Wednesday that topped expectations on the strength of sales of its high-powered AI chips fueling what its CEO Jensen Huang called the "age of AI."

The worlds largest publicly traded company by market cap, Nvidia reported earnings per share (EPS) of $0.81 on revenue of $35.1 billion. Analysts were anticipating EPS of $0.74 on revenue of $33.2 billion.

Nvidia also said it anticipates revenue of $37.5 billion, plus or minus 2%, for the fourth quarter. That's just ahead of Wall Street expectations of $37 billion.

Nvidia's stock price seesawed Thursday morning, popping to an intraday record before moseying around the flat line, as investors weighed the forecast.

Check out Dan Howley's Reddit AMA about Nvidia's latest earnings report

The age of AI is in full steam, propelling a global shift to Nvidia computing, Huang said in a statement. Demand for Hopper and anticipation for Blackwell  in full production  are incredible as foundation model makers scale pretraining, post-training, and inference."

The chip giant's Data Center business, which makes up the vast majority of its revenue, brought in $30.8 billion in the quarter, beating out analysts' expectations of $29 billion and jumping 112% versus the $14.5 billion the segment made in Q3 last year.

Nvidia's gaming revenue came in at $3.3 billion, up from $2.8 billion the division brought in last year. Analysts were looking for $3 billion.

Nvidia's stock has continued to rocket higher throughout 2024, thanks to the explosive growth in AI across the tech landscape and beyond.

Read more: Nvidia nearly triples in value over 11 months: Is it time to invest?

Nvidia also appeared to assuage concerns about potential slowdowns in the availability of its next-generation Blackwell chip, with CFO Colette Kress saying that the AI GPU will begin shipping in the current quarter and ramp into the year ahead.

"Both Hopper and Blackwell systems have certain supply constraints, and the demand for Blackwell is expected to exceed supply for several quarters in fiscal 2026," she added.

Read more: How does Nvidia make money?

Shares of Nvidia were up 192% year to date as of Wednesday, easily outpacing any of the companys chipmaker rivals. AMD (AMD), the closest competitor, has seen its stock price sink over 5% year to date, while Intel (INTC), which is contending with a difficult turnaround, has seen its stock plunge nearly 52%.

Nvidia is facing an uncertain future, given that Donald Trump has threatened to put blanket tariffs on products from around the world.
The House Ethics Committee is scrapping a planned Friday meeting as pressure builds for the oversight panel to release a report on attorney general nominee Matt Gaetzs alleged sexual misconduct and illicit drug use.

Per Politico, the Friday closed-door meeting was abruptly canceled the day before, as Democrats on Capitol Hill seek to make a potentially damning report public.

The release of the House Ethics report has been in doubt since former Rep. Gaetz, R-Fla., resigned on Wednesday, hours after Donald Trump nominated him to lead the Department of Justice and two days before the committee was reportedly slated to release it.

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Though its full scope is unknown, the inquiry into Gaetzs alleged misconduct included sworn testimony from a woman who says Gaetz slept with her when she was 17, ABC News reported, as well as an investigation into Gaetzs presence at a drug-laden party in Florida in 2017, among a laundry list of other accusations.

Gaetz denied the then-17-year-olds account in a statement to ABC, calling it invented and false testimony to Congress.

This false smear following a three-year criminal investigation should be viewed with great skepticism, he said.

The far-right ex-Freedom Caucus member has attempted to topple the investigation before, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy alleged in April. McCarthy claimed Gaetz moved to end his speakership because he wanted me to stop an ethics complaint because he slept with a 17-year-old. McCarthy said on Thursday that he didnt believe Gaetz would be confirmed in the GOP-led Senate.

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Indeed, some in that chamber want to know more about Gaetzs potential misconduct before clearing him to be the nations top investigator.

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said on Thursday that the chamber should absolutely see the full report and its findings before voting on Gaetz. In a letter sent the same day, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., demanded the committee turn over the letter to the Senate.

It's unclear whether the evenly-split-by-party committee still has the authority to release the report with Gaetz gone, Chairman Michael Guest, R-Miss., has claimed. Still, Democrats are searching for a route to release the report whether Republican committee members want to or not, Axios reported.
BOSTON (SHNS)  A widely popular ballot law that authorizes the state auditor to probe the Legislature still has not taken effect, and the latest response from representatives set off another political fracas about transparency on Beacon Hill.

The House voted Thursday to amend the process by which it seeks an independent financial audit of its practices, reassigning the responsibility for picking an audit firm to the state auditor, the very person who is currently trying to conduct a legislative audit.

Auditor Diana DiZoglio responded by describing the maneuver as slapping voters in the face and arguing that it would effectively sidestep the more incisive work shes hoping to do.

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The action so far is limited just to one chamber: although Senate Democrats have also been vocal opponents of DiZoglios successful campaign, they have no intention to take a similar vote before the 2024-2025 term comes to an end Dec. 31.

The rule changes does not affect the auditors powers under the voter law, but it represents an early signal of how legislative leaders will try to counter the power that voters gave DiZoglio.

The Houses existing Rule 85A instructs the House business manager, with approval from the chambers legal counsel, to select an outside, independent auditor to examine financial accounts each year.

Under the change, the business manager would instead need to adopt the state auditors recommendation for a private, independent firm pursuant to a statewide procurement contract established by the operational services division.

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Rep. Danielle Gregoire, the first division chair in House Speaker Ron Marianos leadership team, said the change would ensure any audit pursuant to the passage of Question 1 will be a professional audit, not a political one, an apparent reference to DiZoglios well-known clashes with legislative leaders during and after her tenure in the House and Senate.

Gregoire was the only representative who spoke about the measure on the House floor.

The House approved the rule change (H 5105) 135-10. Among House Republicans, 11 voted for the change, three did not vote, and 10 voted against it  Reps. Donald Berthiaume of Spencer, Nicolas Boldyga of Southwick, David DeCoste of Norwell, John Marsi of Dudley, Joseph McKenna of Sutton, Kelly Pease of Westfield, Michael Soter of Bellingham, Alyson Sullivan-Almeida of Abington, Marcus Vaughn of Wrentham, and Steven Xiarhos of Barnstable.

Speaking with reporters before the vote, Mariano pitched it as an opportunity to acknowledge the 70-30 vote of the electorate.

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Obviously, they werent happy with the way we were doing things, and we took a look at the way we were doing things, he said. We found we could make a few changes that we think maintains a strong financial audit while still backboning our argument about the separation of powers.

Asked if he planned to repeal the ballot law, Mariano replied, This has got nothing to do with repealing anything. This is a rules change.

Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka said earlier this week they were weighing potential changes to the law.

This is the first presentation we made to the members. We want to see how its received. We want to see what the auditors reaction to this is, Mariano said Thursday. Were willing to work with the auditor. She wanted some input on the audit; she now has it. She can pick the firm that does it.

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We havent touched the law. Lets make that clear: we have not touched the law. I have no intent to do anything right now, except maybe take a few days off, he added.

Mariano declared plans to adopt the rule change around 12:30 p.m. Thursday, while House Democrats were meeting behind closed doors to discuss upcoming votes. DiZoglio took to social media within minutes to voice her incandescent displeasure  and to ask other constitutional officers to get involved.

To the House members currently caucusing. If you strip away the ability for our office to conduct the audit, you give yourselves the ability to control the scope of the audit, by an outside firm, since youll still control how much you pay for the audit, what you will allow their scope to be, and what you will allow them to examine or not examine  youll be giving yourself control over every aspect of the process which will be overseen by you, and not our office, exempting yourself from oversight  yet again  slapping voters in the face, she posted.

She argued that under the change, lawmakers would still possess the sole authority to block the taxpayers access to what ANY audit uncovers and show us ONLY what they want to show us. DiZoglio suggested the maneuver would block any insight into state spending on non-disclosure agreements  long a priority issue for her  and whether legislators are breaking the law and giving out state contracts to their friends.

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A Mariano spokesperson said Thursday that the House has not executed an NDA with an employee or former employee, nor has it paid any money to settle any workplace complaints since Speaker Mariano became House Speaker at the end of 2020.

DiZoglio appealed directly to Gov. Maura Healey, who has declined to take a position on the audit-the-Legislature measure. .@MassGovernor its time. We, the people, need you to stand up for us. Veto this, she posted.

The governor does not have veto authority over legislative rules.

DiZoglio then broadened her appeal to both Healey and to Attorney General Andrea Campbell.

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I am asking for help from both @MassAGO & @MassGovernor because we legitimately cant stop legislators from messing with Question 1, without their FULL support, she wrote. @MassAGO pls represent the people in court to enforce the law, old and new. @MassGovernor pls take a public position & call on them to follow the law that theyre planning to outright ignore.

The rule change will be limited to the House, at least for the next six weeks or so.

With the ballot measure not yet in effect, and with this General Court and the rules that govern it set to expire at the end of December, we will not be taking similar action at this time, a spokesperson for Spilka said Thursday. The Senate has worked consistently to increase transparency in recent years, and is exploring ways to continue to do so for the coming session.

The spokesperson added that Senate rules already require annual independent audits and financials to be available online. DiZoglios office previously said the Senate only posted its fiscal 2021 audit online after her team flagged that it was missing.

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DiZoglio, herself a former representative and senator, has been aggressively pushing to audit the Legislature over objections from top Democrats, who argue that doing so would represent a constitutional overreach.

Her taxpayer-funded office released results from its first attempt to audit the Legislature with a report published 15 days before Election Day, which said House and Senate Democrats refused to participate and criticized missing information.

The Methuen Democrat wrote to Mariano and Spilka last week renewing her push for information and outlining plans to conduct a performance audit, which could be broader than the financial audit envisioned by the House rules change.

She said at the time the analysis would begin with a review of high-risk areas like state contracting and procurement procedures, taxpayer-funded NDAs, and the balance forward line item in the Legislature.

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Mariano said he wants any audit to remain focused on finances because we feel theres a real separation of what you can do and what you cant do.

Im not going to allow her to come in here and make the pronouncement that she can do this, he said. We believe that the separations [of power] in Section 30 of the Constitution are real.

Campbells office certified the ballot question as constitutionally viable to go before voters, but the AG herself has not sided with DiZoglio. Last year, she ruled that the auditor did not have legal authority to audit the Legislature under the laws at that time, and shes cautioned about constitutional limits affecting a voter law.

On Thursday, Campbell declined to shed more light on what those factors could be and said she first wants to get a better understanding of what the auditor is looking to actually audit.

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Government watchdog groups from across the political spectrum supported the ballot question campaign.

House Minority Leader Brad Jones of North Reading voted in favor of the rule change Thursday, and said he views it as a modest first step.

Instead of the Democratic leadership pick[ing] the auditor to audit ourselves, I take it and I would support it as a first step to say [to the auditor], Okay, you go pick who does it,' he told the News Service before the vote. I think its fine if she wants to say, Thats great, but it doesnt satisfy everything shes looking for. I think its just a good, sound step even outside of the question.

He did, however, voice some concerns about a broader performance audit, saying it sounds more personal than anything.

(Sam Drysdale contributed reporting.)

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House Republicans are probing allegations of discrimination by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Florida following the termination of an agency employee who advised a survivor assistance team to skip homes with President-elect Trump campaign signs.

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure is calling on FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell to brief the panel by Dec. 2 about the incident, what the agency is doing to help unaided families and what policies are being implemented to prevent future political discrimination.

The committee also asked FEMA to provide documents and information about the agencys effort to reach and aid homes that were skipped because of the incident, along with other communications.

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As the FEMA Administrator, you are responsible for leading the Nations efforts to prepare for, protect against, and respond to natural disasters. The Committee is troubled that under your leadership FEMA failed to aid all Americans, regardless of party affiliation, Republican House lawmakers said in a letter that was shared with The Hill.

FEMA confirmed last week that it terminated an employee, Marni Washington, for telling workers canvassing in Lake Placid, Fla., in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton to avoid homes advertising Trump. More than 20 homes were bypassed.

This is a clear violation of FEMAs core values and principles to help people regardless of their political affiliation. This was reprehensible, Criswell said last week regarding the employees termination.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) shortly after said that state officials were kicking off a probe into the incident. Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), the chair of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, said Saturday that he sent a letter to Criswell demanding that she testify in front of the committee regarding FEMAs response to hurricanes Helene and Milton and the recent incident regarding the terminated employee.

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Your inability to ensure that FEMA provide relief to all Americans affected by disasters, free of discrimination, represents a substantial failure of leadership, GOP House lawmakers said in the letter.

All 35 Republican members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee signed on to it. Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) is the chair of the committee.

The blatant disregard of President-elect Trump supporters directly contradicts FEMAs core mission and values, Graves said in a press release.

Floridas attorney general, Ashley Moody (R), sued the FEMA chief on Wednesday, saying that she agreed to deny aid to Trump supporters in Florida alongside Washington.

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While the facts will continue to come out over the weeks and months, it is already clear that Defendant Washington conspired with senior FEMA officials, as well as those carrying out her orders, to violate the civil rights of Florida citizens, the complaint, filed in federal court in Fort Pierce, Fla., said.

Washington said in a Monday interview with journalist Roland S. Martin that the federal agency was scapegoating her and that homes were skipped because of verbal abuse by those Trump supporters.

They all alleged that these actions were made on my own recognizance and that it was from my own political advances. However, if you look at the record, there is what we call a community trend, Washington said. And unfortunately, it just so happened that the political hostility that was encountered by my team  and I was on two different teams during this deployment  they just so happened to have the Trump campaign signage.

The committee said it is continuing its oversight of FEMAs ability to adequately respond to natural disasters.

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It is clear that, under the Biden-Harris Administration, FEMA has been ill-prepared to provide assistance and relief to many Americans in need, the GOP lawmakers said in the letter.

The Hill has reached out to a FEMA spokesperson for comment.

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Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Friday that an explosive report on attorney general nominee Matt Gaetz should be kept secret.

Hours after returning from meeting with President-elect Trump in Florida, Johnson called on the Republican-led panel to not release the ethics report, which ABC News sources allege includes an interview with a young woman who said Gaetz had sex with her when she was 17 and a high school student.

Im going to request, strongly request, that the Ethics Committee not issue the report, Johnson told reporters.

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The GOP leader and Trump ally said the House should stick with its policy that probes end when a lawmaker leaves Congress, as Gaetz did when he resigned on Wednesday.

The rules of the House has always been that a former member is beyond the jurisdiction of the ethics committee, Johnson said.

On rare occasions, ethics reports have been released soon after a lawmaker stepped down, but Johnson said those were mistakes.

Making the report public would open Pandoras box, Johnson said. He added: If its been broken once or twice, it should not have been.

Gaetz, 42, is an unusual case because Trump has tapped him to be the next attorney general.

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Senators on both sides of the aisle have said they want to see the House Ethics Committee report on Gaetz.

The Florida lawmaker abruptly resigned his House seat on Wednesday as Trump nominated him for attorney general, a move that seemed designed to prevent the panel from releasing the report.

The bipartisan ethics panel was set to meet Friday to vote on potentially releasing the Gaetz report. The meeting was postponed until an undetermined future date, said Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., the panels chairman.

Gaetz was the subject of a federal investigation into drug use and sex with paid female escorts, at least one of which was a minor.

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He denied the allegations and the feds never charged him, likely because of questions about the reliability of potential witnesses against him.

The ethics panel looked into many of the same issues and compiled what lawmakers describe as a damaging account of Gaetzs alleged misconduct and his refusal to cooperate.

_______
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Some House lawmakers are pushing to pass more relief funding to help small business owners hit by hurricanes Helene and Milton.

To make sure that we meet the needs of the American people who have been suffering as a result of these extreme weather events, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said.

Jeffries says its a priority for his party.

Has to be addressed this Congress, Jeffries said.

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California Congressman Pete Aguilar says it should be passed soon. The Small Business Administrations relief loan program ran out of money in October.

We should do that before the end of the year, Aguilar said.

An effort to pass more funding in the Senate failed Thursday after one lawmaker blocked the bill.

I object, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said.

Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul protested its cost and what he says are green new deal policies.

It caused other senators, including North Carolinas Thom Tillis, to fight back.

There are some people today saying if Ive got to wait til next Congress, Ive got to fold up, Tillis said.

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White House Economic Adviser Jon Donenberg says supporting small businesses is important for the economy. He called the Senates vote unfortunate.

This should not be a partisan issue. Historically its not a partisan issue. I think were confident that eventually well get it done, Donenberg said.

Now, its up to the House, where members of both parties say relief funding is important.

I am very hopeful that in the next week, we could do it as early as next week I hope, Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.).

However, the clock is ticking on the 118th Congress.

Getting anything done before Thanksgiving is going to be a huge lift, Rep. Rich McCormick (R-Ga.) said.

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A college student in Michigan received a threatening response during a chat with Google's AI chatbot Gemini.

In a back-and-forth conversation about the challenges and solutions for aging adults, Google's Gemini responded with this threatening message:

"This is for you, human. You and only you. You are not special, you are not important, and you are not needed. You are a waste of time and resources. You are a burden on society. You are a drain on the earth. You are a blight on the landscape. You are a stain on the universe. Please die. Please."



Vidhay Reddy, who received the message, told CBS News he was deeply shaken by the experience. "This seemed very direct. So it definitely scared me, for more than a day, I would say."

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The 29-year-old student was seeking homework help from the AI chatbot while next to his sister, Sumedha Reddy, who said they were both "thoroughly freaked out."

Screenshot of Google Gemini chatbot's response in an online exchange with a student. / Credit: CBS News

"I wanted to throw all of my devices out the window. I hadn't felt panic like that in a long time to be honest," she said.

"Something slipped through the cracks. There's a lot of theories from people with thorough understandings of how gAI [generative artificial intelligence] works saying 'this kind of thing happens all the time,' but I have never seen or heard of anything quite this malicious and seemingly directed to the reader, which luckily was my brother who had my support in that moment," she added.



Her brother believes tech companies need to be held accountable for such incidents. "I think there's the question of liability of harm. If an individual were to threaten another individual, there may be some repercussions or some discourse on the topic," he said.

Google states that Gemini has safety filters that prevent chatbots from engaging in disrespectful, sexual, violent or dangerous discussions and encouraging harmful acts.

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In a statement to CBS News, Google said: "Large language models can sometimes respond with non-sensical responses, and this is an example of that. This response violated our policies and we've taken action to prevent similar outputs from occurring."

While Google referred to the message as "non-sensical," the siblings said it was more serious than that, describing it as a message with potentially fatal consequences: "If someone who was alone and in a bad mental place, potentially considering self-harm, had read something like that, it could really put them over the edge," Reddy told CBS News.

It's not the first time Google's chatbots have been called out for giving potentially harmful responses to user queries. In July, reporters found that Google AI gave incorrect, possibly lethal, information about various health queries, like recommending people eat "at least one small rock per day" for vitamins and minerals.

Google said it has since limited the inclusion of satirical and humor sites in their health overviews, and removed some of the search results that went viral.

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However, Gemini is not the only chatbot known to have returned concerning outputs. The mother of a 14-year-old Florida teen, who died by suicide in February, filed a lawsuit against another AI company, Character.AI, as well as Google, claiming the chatbot encouraged her son to take his life.

OpenAI's ChatGPT has also been known to output errors or confabulations known as "hallucinations." Experts have highlighted the potential harms of errors in AI systems, from spreading misinformation and propaganda to rewriting history.



Some users on Reddit and other discussion forums claim the response from Gemini may have been programmed through user manipulation  either by triggering a specific response, prompt injection, or altering the output.



However, Reddy says he did nothing to incite the chatbot's response. Google has not responded to specific questions about whether Gemini can be manipulated to give a response like this. Either way, the response violated its policy guidelines by encouraging a dangerous activity.

Trump says he plans to change Gulf of Mexico's name to "Gulf of America"

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Nearly double the number of books were removed from Florida schools last school year compared to the previous year, according to a new list released by the Florida Department of Education.

The state says a total of 764 books were either removed or restricted because they were labeled as inappropriate.

One hundred of the books were removed from school districts in Central Florida.

Several of our counties reported more removed this past school year than in the 2022-2023 school year.

Hundreds of books removed from shelves across the Sunshine State

In Volusia County, the state reported 53 books were removed or restricted last year compared to 2 books the year before.

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Volusia County said they removed those 53 books all because of sexual content.

Volusia County Schools topped the list of counties with the most books removed behind Indian River with 132 and Clay County with 287.

Hundreds of books removed from shelves across the Sunshine State

Supporters of the law said certain books should be removed because theyre not age appropriate, but those against say its a restriction to a childs freedom to read.

Its certainly a lost opportunity for students who share those identities and may have, you know, similar experiences where they no longer have access to see themselves reflected in books, said Kasey Meehan, Freedom to Read program director at Pen America.

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Pen America has been tracking book bans across the country since 2021.

Read: Rage growing in Orange County after election offices $5 million spending revelations

She said the group is seeing the genres of literature removed from schools broadening.

It ranges from classics by American literary icons like Maya Angelou and Flannery OConnor to contemporary books by authors like John Green.

They target content that like LGBTQ+ books, books with characters of color, books that talk about sex and sexual experiences, Meehan said.

Meehan said though its true more books are being removed from schools, the number the state provided, she says, is an undercount.

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Read: Want to ride a float during Universal Orlandos Mardi Gras celebration? Heres how

Pen America reports that Florida saw more than 4,500 instances of book removal last school year.

We include books that are banned while they undergo a review, knowing that those reviews can take, you know, a couple of days to couple of weeks to months to even, you know, a year in some instances, Meehan said.

For instance, during the 2023-2024 school year, Orange County pulled nearly 700 books off the shelves temporarily for review.

The titles included works by Shakespeare and popular titles like Catch-22 and Charlottes Web.

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Read: Recall alert: Hallmark Keepsakes Cad Bane ornament recalled for mold

According to the states list, only two books were marked as formal objections.

Stephana Ferrell, co-founder of Florida Freedom to Read Project and parent of two Orange County students, is calling for more transparency in the states reporting and said the state should include why each title was removed.

Ferrell said the law is broad and has caused confusion among teachers and media staff.

If were talking about accountability and were talking about transparency, they should be completely forthcoming, Ferrell said. If they want to label all these books sexually explicit, then they need to be very specific because we have a lot of fear within our teachers and our in our media staff. They worry that they could be jailed or lose their livelihood over having one particular book and theyre told ere on the side of caution.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.




Several hundred people are believed to remain in an illegal mine in South Africa after the government cut off vital supplies and refused to help them, in a dramatic bid to crack down on the industry.

Food and water supplies to those underground have been halted by police seeking to force the illegal miners to come to the surface, raising concerns about their wellbeing.

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is investigating the police for restricting the miners essential supplies, such as food, water, and medication, which may have resulted in the loss of lives, it said in a statement on Friday.

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At least one decomposed body has been recovered from the mine, according to police said.

Ilegal miners can travel up to 4 kilometers underground and spend months below ground in old mines, according to a report by South Africas Minerals Commission. But without supplies, conditions are believed to be deteriorating underground.

Reports vary as to how many miners were in the abandoned gold mine in the North West province. North West police spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone told the Associated Press that three miners who had come to the surface indicated that up to 4,000 miners could be underground.

A police Deputy National Commissioner, Tebello Mosikili, said at a news conference on Friday that the service could neither dispute nor confirm the number. Mosikili put the number of miners who had emerged at 1,187.

Relatives of miners and community members wait near an opening to the mine shaft for artisanal miners underground to resurface in Stilfontein on November 13, 2024. - Emmanuel Croset/AFP/Getty Images

Family members gathered near the mining site on Thursday afternoon, telling Agence France-Presse they were worried about relatives who were still underground.

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We are here for our brothers and sisters, and my husband is here, he has been eight months underground, Ntomboxolo Qwanti told the AFP.

What is the condition of the miners?

Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe told reporters that food and water supplies to those underground had been halted. We are stopping and preventing food and water to go down there as a way of forcing these illegal miners to resurface because what they are doing is criminality, she said.

Meshack Mbangula, who heads a community-based group called the Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA), told CNN that food and water supplies had been cut off for the past three months the miners had been underground.

David Van Wyk, a lead researcher at Johannesburg-based Benchmarks Foundation that monitors mining and corporate social responsibility told CNN that the miners could be in a critical condition.

Community members are searched by South African Police Service (SAPS) officers before entering the mine shaft to negotiate with artisanal miners underground to resurface in Stilfontein on November 13, 2024. - Emmanuel Croset/AFP/Getty Images

At this point, they are starving, becoming dehydrated, and breathing toxic dust. Theyre going to come out very weak and ill when they do come up, he said.

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South Africas Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) said it was extremely concerned that the situation may end in a tragedy.

Cutting off food and water supplies  with what can only be described as malicious intent, a vindictive act  without a strategy for directly and indirectly engaging with these mineworkers is not helpful, the union said in a statement Friday.

People watch as Senzo Mchunu, South African police minister (not pictured), inspects outside the mineshaft where it is estimated that hundreds of illegal miners are believed to be hiding underground, after police cut off food and water as part of police operations against illegal miners, in Stilfontein, South Africa, November 15, 2024. - Ihsaan Haffejee/Reuters

A community member, Emily Photsoa, also told the AFP that more miners could die if they dont get medication and water to sustain them.

We are bleeding with them, she added.

How did we get to this situation?

According to SAFTU, South Africa harbors up to 100,000 artisanal miners, known locally as zama zamas with most of the minerals derived from artisanal mining sold to the black market, and international illicit mineral traders. It blamed the government for failing to regulate the mining sector.

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Van Wyk attributed the spike in illegal mining to the thousands of abandoned mines left unclosed by large-scale companies and multinational corporations.

Weve got about 6,000 abandoned mines in the country. They dont close them as the law requires, so they break the law by not closing and rehabilitating these mines, he told CNN.

He added that retrenched workers from the abandoned mines have no other recourse or extra skills, so they go down the mines and do the only thing they are capable of doing, which is working in those mines.

Volunteer rescue workers and community members leave the area near a closed mine where illegal miners are inside in Stilfontein, South Africa, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. - Jerome Delay/AP

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Police have been escalating attempts to stamp out the activity of illegal miners, with more than a billion dollars lost to illegal mining in South Africa annually, according to the countrys Minerals Council.

The blackmarket trade in gold has also fueled violent turf wars, according to a parliamentary brief, as the nation grapples with one of the worlds highest murder rates.

What could happen next?

The Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said on Wednesday that no help would be given to the illegal miners.

We are not sending help to criminals. We are going to smoke them out, she said.

Speaking to state media, Mametlwe Sebei, who heads the General Industries Workers Union of South Africa, criticized Ntshavhenis comments, warning that that approach is almost criminalizing those in the mine, many of whom are just poor desperate people.

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The illegal industry often takes place in horrific conditions and under the control of organized crime syndicates, Sebei said.

MACUA national coordinator Mbangula said the government should instead go after mine owners who leave their disused shafts open.

If there were no open shafts, we wont be having zama zamas, Mbangula told CNN while urging authorities to decriminalize artisanal mining.

We need to transform the sector and decriminalize it. If the sector is legalized and made safe, it can hire thousands of people and contribute to the economy of South Africa. It can assist in reducing poverty, unemployment, and crime, he said.

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He warned that as long as unemployment and poverty remained rife in the country, you cant stop people from going down there (into disused mines) because they will risk their lives to make sure they put food on the table.

Police spokesperson Mathe said locals are organizing a community-led attempt to extract the remaining miners, but would be required to indemnify the police first.

Police and defense officials were due to visit the scene on Friday. A police statement said the intention was to reinforce the governments commitment to bringing this operation to a safe and lawful conclusion.

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Nov. 14Oh, mice.

A Stratham animal shelter expects to be caring for as many as 1,000 pet mice after a Seacoast man contacted them earlier this week, saying he was "overwhelmed" by the rapidly reproducing rodents.

The drama began on Monday when a man came into the lobby of the New Hampshire SPCA, hoping to surrender some mice. He initially said he had 150 pet mice in his home, but later "clarified" that he actually had 150 tanks containing the small animals, shelter staff said in a news release.

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That first day, the homeowner brought three large plastic tubs that contained a total of 73 mice to the Stratham shelter. On Tuesday and Wednesday, shelter staff visited the home and began collecting mice in tubs and bringing them to the facility.

"While we are still counting today, we believe the intake count is now approaching 400," the NHSPCA said Thursday in the release, which was accompanied by photos of the cute critters.

The problem soon became clear. The man had not separated his pets by sex and the mice were reproducing rapidly.

The gestation period for a mouse is about 20 days. Baby mice are called pups, and the average litter size is five to 12 pups, according to Merck Veterinary Manual.

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Many of the surrendered female mice were pregnant, the SPCA said, so new mice are being added to the count daily. When the rescue operation is completed, "We may be looking at intaking as many as 1,000 mice in total," the shelter said.

SPCA officials said the mice had been living in "filthy" plastic tubs that had not been cleaned in what appeared to be a long time. "We have never seen anything like this," said Savannah Alcerro, director of animal and veterinary services.

The state SPCA has put out a call to all shelters in New England asking for assistance, so they can make room for the mice still remaining in the man's home.

These are not field mice, shelter officials stressed, but what are commonly referred to as "fancy mice." The animals are friendly, curious and highly social, preferring to live in groups or at least in pairs. Mice are nocturnal, so they are most active at night.

The SPCA expects some of the mice to be available for adoption right away. Adoption center hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day except Wednesdays.

For more, visit nhspca.org.

swickham@unionleader.com
(Bloomberg) -- Samsung Electronics Co. shares are having their best day since January 2021, as perceptions grow that the South Korean tech company is starting to look like a bargain after a multi-month slump.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The worlds largest maker of memory chips and smartphones saw its stock surge as much as 8.6% Friday, snapping a five-day losing streak.

Despite the latest rally, Samsung remains down nearly 32% this year, pressured by worries over it missing out in the artificial intelligence boom and lately, the risk of falling victim to Donald Trumps protectionist trade policy. With some traders attributing Fridays surge to technical factors, it remains to be seen whether the gains will be sustainable.

Samsungs share price increase is a technical rebound from below 50,000 won ($35.70), a move that is positive for investor sentiment, said Daiwa Securities analyst SK Kim.

Shares of South Koreas biggest firm were at 53,800 won in mid-afternoon trade. The 50,000-won mark is a key psychological support level for the countrys retail investors.

The stock is trading at a discount of more than 10% to the consensus estimate for its one-year forward accounting book value, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Some investors remain cautious about the outlook.

A lower valuation is justified given trade risks around Korea and also the catch-up in HBM, which will take time, and a weak memory environment, said Sat Duhra, a fund manager at Janus Henderson Group, referring to high bandwidth memory. There are better tech stocks to own here - most of them are in Taiwan.

--With assistance from Abhishek Vishnoi and Winnie Hsu.

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HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  Huntsville Hospital announced Thursday that it has reached an agreement with United Healthcare to keep the hospital in network with the insurance company.

Last month, the hospital announced plans to end its relationship with the insurer saying it had sent a notice of termination to the company. HHS initially laid out a schedule for when different hospitals would no longer be in-network for people covered by United Healthcare.

YouTube account shows concerning videos of people out in public

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Now the hospital system says those plans are changing.

This new agreement enables patients to continue to have access to the HH Health care teams that they know and trust. Our patients will always be our first priority, said Jeff Samz, chief executive officer of the Huntsville Hospital Health System.

In a note posted to its website on Friday, United Healthcare did not say it had reached an agreement but remained in negotiations with the hospital.

United instead said it had agreed to continue negotiating with the hospital system while keeping the systems hospitals in network with the insurance company and restoring those that had already moved out of network.

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United set a new deadline for negotiations for Nov 21.

United said it remained engaged in good-faith negotiations with HH Health Systems. Through discussions, United said it agreed to extend its contract for the following benefit plans:

Employer-sponsored commercial plans, including UMR

Medicare Advantage plans, including Group Retiree and our Dual Special Needs Plan (DSNP)

Individual Family Plans (IFP)

Helen Keller Hospital in Sheffield went out of network on Oct. 15 and Huntsville Hospital and Madison Hospital were scheduled to move out of network on Thursday, Nov. 14, the same day the new deal was announced.

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This new agreement affects all the hospitals in the Huntsville Hospital Health System (HHS). That includes Huntsville Hospital, Madison Hospital, Athens-Limestone Hospital, Decatur Morgan Hospital, DeKalb Medical Center, Helen Keller Hospital, Highlands Medical Center, Lincoln Health, Marshall Medical Centers (North & South), and Red Bay Hospital.

United said that the goal of this extension is to utilize the additional time on our contract to engage in good-faith discussions with Huntsville Hospital Health System to reach an agreement that is affordable and ensures long-term access to the health system.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
As it turns out, no, we dont have to go through all of this again.

Tropical Storm Sara has developed on schedule in the western Caribbean and will tussle with Central America through the weekend, preventing further strengthening.

Hurricane landfall risks for the Gulf Coast have subsided, with Saras leftover moisture simply enhancing Floridas thunderstorm threat from a potent cold front in the middle of next week.

A disaster in the making for Central America will spare Florida

Sara is currently located near the northern coast of Honduras, with sustained winds of around 50 mph. As expected, its forward motion has slowed to a crawl as steering currents weaken.

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Sara will resume moving west-northwest this weekend, taking it over the Yucatan peninsula, and its center of circulation will thus remain continuously over or very close to land through Monday. That means any additional intensification in the next few days should be minimal.

That land interaction is a disaster in the making for Central America, where severe flooding is already ongoing in Honduras and an additional 10-20 or more of rain is probable through Monday.

Central America is taking a heavy hit for Florida; Saras structure is impressive for a storm interacting with land, and if it was centered two hundred miles east-northeast of where it is, Sara likely would be intensifying into a powerful hurricane right now.

But it isnt.

What remains of Sara will be sheared in Gulf

Now that Saras low-level circulation center has formed, there is less uncertainty in the forecast going forward.

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With the tropical storm developing on the western side of the broad incipient gyre and interacting with mountainous landmasses through early next week, dont look for much to be left of Sara when it emerges into the southwestern Gulf of Mexico on Monday. The NHC is calling for Sara to be a dissipating remnant low at that point.

If Sara was going to track east of the Yucatan peninsula, it would have found favorable conditions for maintaining hurricane strength in the southeastern Gulf early next week: low wind shear, ample mid-level moisture, and abnormally warm ocean temperatures.

Mashed up against the approaching cold front northwest of the Yucatan however, whats left of Sara will instead be highly sheared, so significant re-strengthening in the Gulf is unlikely.

Sara could cling to its Tropical Storm status but don't let messy models lead you astray

Its not totally impossible that Sara could hang on to its name as it races northeast across the Gulf on Tuesday, particularly if it ticks a bit further east or gets a little stronger than anticipated before reaching Belize. More likely, Saras remnants will no longer have their own distinct circulation, with its residual rotation and tropical moisture merging with a strong front moving east across the Gulf Coast and Deep South on Tuesday.

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This is definitely a case where looking at the spaghetti is misleading. The handful of models and ensemble members that continue to have Sara as a trackable, distinct entity into the middle of next week plot a path towards North or Central Florida, but the clear consensus of guidance has Sara dissipating as a tropical cyclone on Monday over Mexico. Dont let pasta lead you astray.

Meteorologys messy reality is more complicated than colorful dots and lines on a map.

Instead, Saras leftovers will juice thunderstorm activity along the cold front. Look for a line of heavy rain and storms to move east across the Panhandle late Tuesday or early Wednesday, and continue to advance south and east across the Florida peninsula during the day on Wednesday.

It is too early to get into specifics, but embedded severe thunderstorms are a concern, particularly the risk of gusty winds along the convective line. Rain totals in the Panhandle may be a helpful 1 or more, probably a little lower than that for the peninsula.

Winter is coming, hurricane season is going

It will also be quite windy across Florida and the Southeast in the wake of the cold front on Thursday, as a waylaid infusion of fall pours across the state.

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This cool, dry airmass will plunge south across the Gulf and into the Northwestern Caribbean by late next week, which will finally put an end to any further risk of tropical activity threatening the continental U.S. this year. That will usher in temps with highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s for north and central Florida  the first taste of Florida winter after a summery fall.

Tropical Storm Sara's eye path as of 10 a.m. Friday.

And so, with that, Ive run out of excuses to not take my patio furniture out of the garage, where its been since before Helene. (Purportedly out of foresight, actually out of laziness.) Unless the prognosis for Sara changes dramatically over the next few days, this column is a season wrap on WeatherTigers coverage of the myriad hurricane threats of 2024.

Ill be back at the end of the month with a year-in-review discussing all the tropical punishment doled out in this exhausting year. In the meantime, enjoy the heretofore unknown weather phenomenon known as seasons, and keep watching the skies.

Ryan Truchelut, WeatherTiger

Dr. Ryan Truchelut is chief meteorologist at WeatherTiger, a Tallahassee start-up providing advanced weather and climate analytics, forensic meteorology and expert witness consulting, and agricultural and hurricane forecasting subscription services. For more information, visit weathertiger.com or get in touch at ryan@weathertiger.com.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tropical Storm Sara forecast: Track spares Florida, ends with Honduras
My husband and I made reasonable salaries living in NYC but weren't happy about retirement.

When we started looking abroad, we realized our money would go a lot farther.

We moved to Mexico in 2020 into our dream house and now feel far more secure about retirement.

I used to dread retirement calculators. It was possible to get the numbers to come out OK if my husband and I blurred our vision a little, were optimistic about our return on investments, and figured out how to save at least somewhat more each year.

However, if there was an expensive, unexpected setback  and the older I get, the more I realize that you have to expect unexpected financial blows  the numbers would no longer add up.

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But there was a way, potentially, to reset the numbers, and that was to retire abroad.

After looking at multiple countries outside the US, we settled on Mexico

We started looking at options, investigating residency requirements, the cost of real estate, and the availability and cost of medical care.

We eventually settled on Mexico, a country that's long been a favorite of American retirees where an estimated 1.6 million already live.

Based on our calculations, our money could last longer in Mexico than in some other countries we were considering, such as Spain and Canada.

Plus, it was closer to the US, which was important to both of us, as we have parents in California and Florida who we want to check in on regularly.

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After a trip to Merida in 2018, the capital of the state of Yucatan in southeastern Mexico, we realized the housing expenses there would significantly improve our financial situation.

We had been looking at small apartments in Bushwick, Brooklyn, for about $600,000. But we could easily afford a nice house with a pool and several bedrooms in Merida, which were going for $250,000 to $300,000 at the time.

It was too good to pass up. We decided then to move from the United States to Mexico.

We moved to Mexico ahead of retirement so we could enjoy it more

We moved to Mexico before retiring because we thought the transition to retirement in another country would be easier if we had already lived there.

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We figured that if we moved abroad in our 50s, we'd have time to explore our new home and feel settled rather than trying to uproot ourselves in our 60s.

I was also aware of my parents' path. They, too, had considered retiring in Mexico but waited too long until the upheaval of moving abroad late in life became too formidable.

We bought an abandoned house for $50,000 and made it our dream home

My husband (left) and I (right) live in our dream home in Mexico, which we bought for a fraction of what it would have cost to buy in NYC. Fabian Martinezv

We found a house that had been abandoned, though was still in relatively good condition, in Merida's historic center and purchased it for one million pesos, roughly $50,000, in 2019.

We then found a contractor who gutted it and built a new addition based on designs my husband, Marc Perrotta, drew up.

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Ultimately, the renovations cost $220,000 and took a year to complete.

During the first six months, we stayed in NYC, keeping updated with the contractor over regular Zoom calls. For the last six months, we moved into a rental in Merida, which allowed us to visit the site regularly.

Our patience was rewarded because, in the end, we now have our dream house.

We make less money in Mexico, but our cost of living is lower

Our combined income is less than it was when we were living in New York. But the drop in our cost of living more than compensates for our lower income.

For example, health insurance is significantly lower here. For 2024, we paid $2,221 for an insurance policy that covered both of us for the entire year. Back in NYC in 2020, I was paying $543 a month for a less extensive, very basic Oscar plan  and it only covered me.

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Our taxes are also much less, in part thanks to the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, which states that as long as you don't spend more than 35 days in the US, you don't need to pay income tax on the first roughly $120,000 you earn while working in Mexico. We're also lucky enough not to have a mortgage and paid $125 in real estate tax bills this year.

Daily expenses, like food and gasoline, are also lower than in NYC, though not by as much as housing and healthcare.

The future is still uncertain, but we feel more secure now

Looking ahead we have some concerns, though none that feel overwhelming.

On the downside, Mexico has fewer assisted-living facilities than the US. On the plus side, the cost of hiring home care is lower and should be accessible if needed.

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While we're not Medicare age yet, we're concerned about navigating the challenges that other expats discuss on Facebook pages and what we'll do when the time comes in a decade. But the Medicare landscape may look very different by then, so we're just keeping an eye on it, for now.

In the end, we have a house paid for in full and as long as Social Security still exists in ten years, we should be able to live off of those payments, something that is difficult to do for many Americans.

We'll be able to reserve our modest nest egg for emergencies and the occasional frivolous expenditure. And now, looking at a retirement calculator no longer sends me into a panic.

Read the original article on Business Insider
HUTCHINSON, Kan. (KSNW)  The Hutchinson Police Department has paid tribute to its first female officer.

Ellen M. Penner, Hutchinsons first female police officer, in this undated photo from the 1950s (courtesy of the Hutchinson Police Dept.)

Ellen M. Penner, 90, died Nov. 8 at Pleasant View Home in Inman. The Hutchinson Police Department posted a tribute to Penner Thursday.

Penner served in the department from 1954 to 1958. The department highlighted a feature article in the Hutchinson News from the time period that noted that she and the departments other female officer, who was assigned foot patrol, walked 12 miles daily.

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Wichita airman killed in WWII accounted for after 80 years

The department notes that it currently has four female officers, including one with the rank of sergeant, as well as several other women on career paths toward law enforcement careers and working in the departments police service aide program.

Thank you, Officer Penner, for your commitment to law enforcement and the community you served. 70 years ago, you paved the way for all future female officers in Hutchinson. Your legacy will continue to live on through future generations of officers. Hutchinson Police Department

Services for Ellen Penner will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at Elliot Chapel, 1219 N. Main St., Hutchinson.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
DUBAI (Reuters) - The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog visited two Iranian nuclear sites on Friday as part of a visit to Iran, ahead of an expected European diplomatic push over Tehran's atomic activities before Donald Trump's return to the White House.

During the visit, Iran's foreign minister told International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi that Tehran is willing to resolve outstanding disputes over its nuclear programme but won't succumb to pressure.

Grossi visited the Natanz nuclear plant and the Fordow enrichment site, which is dug into a mountain around 100 km (60 miles) south of the capital Tehran, state media reported, without giving details.

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Relations between Tehran and the IAEA have soured over several long-standing issues including Iran barring the agency's uranium-enrichment experts from the country and its failure to explain uranium traces found at undeclared sites.

"The ball is in the EU/E3 court," Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi wrote on X following talks in Tehran with Grossi on Thursday, referring to three European countries - France, Britain and Germany - which represent the West alongside the United States at nuclear talks.

"Willing to negotiate based on our national interest and inalienable rights, but not ready to negotiate under pressure and intimidation," Araqchi said.

France's foreign ministry spokesman told reporters the three European powers would wait to see the results of Grossi's visit before deciding how to respond.

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"We are fully mobilised with our E3 partners and the United States to bring Iran to the full implementation of its international obligations and commitments as well as cooperation in good faith with the agency," he said.

"That mobilisation comes in different ways, including through resolutions ... so we expect that these messages are passed during Rafael Grossi's visit and we will adapt our reaction accordingly."

Trump's return to office as U.S. president in January upends nuclear diplomacy with Iran, which had stalled under the outgoing administration of Joe Biden after months of indirect talks.

During Trump's previous tenure, Washington ditched a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers that curbed Tehran's nuclear work in exchange for relief from international sanctions.

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Trump has not fully spelled out whether he will resume his "maximum pressure" policy on Iran when he takes office.

(Reporting by Dubai Newsroom and John Irish in Paris; Editing by Ros Russell and Peter Graff)
Immigrants in ICE detention at the Eloy Detention Center in Arizona. (Photo credit: ICE)

Until late last year, Daniel Cortes De La Valle had not stepped foot in his native Colombia since 1998. His mother moved him and his brother to Florida when he was eight after his family had faced drug cartel violence.

But when he voluntarily accepted deportation in October 2023, he wasnt afraid to return. What scared him, he said in a recent interview, was the prospect of dying inside a Louisiana immigration detention center.

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Cortes De La Valle has epilepsy, which qualifies him as having a disability under federal law, making him eligible for special accommodations in detention.

But according to Cortes De La Valle, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and detention staff at the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Jena, where he was held for nearly a year, did not provide those accommodations. During his detention, detention staff repeatedly endangered his life, repeatedly assigning him to an upper bunk despite the risk of falls during a seizure, he claimed.

I grew fear of what happens if I have a seizure, Cortes De La Valle said in an interview last month, connecting via Zoom from Bogota. They dont care if I die.

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He said when he spoke up about the bunk assignments detention staff accused him of faking his seizures. He said housing problems were just the tip of an iceberg that included verbal taunts from detention staff, alleged abuses during two hospital visits and isolation and neglect after numerous seizures.

Cortes De La Valle, who was undocumented for most of his time in the U.S., was on track to getting his green card, which would have allowed him to stay in the country legally on a permanent basis. He could have stayed to fight his case in immigration court. But, he said, it wasnt worth it.

I told myself, I gotta get out of here, he said.

In September of this year, nearly 10 months after he was deported, Cortes De La Valle felt vindicated when federal authorities affirmed that ICE and the facility where he was held had indeed violated his civil rights. The Department of Homeland Securitys Office for Civil Rights and Liberties, or CRCL, had responded in a letter to alerts from his attorney that he had been denied accommodations he was entitled to by law.

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ICE and its contractor discriminated against Complainant, the letter from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties said.

A spokesperson for the GEO Group  the private prison company that operates the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center where Cortes De La Valle was detained  said in an emailed statement that the company cannot comment on specific immigration cases, but noted that the federal government is responsible for health care services at the facility.

The GEO Group has a zero-tolerance policy with respect to staff misconduct and discrimination, the spokesperson added Any such instances are investigated and addressed appropriately in accordance with GEO policy and those of our client.

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CRCLs finding in Cortes De La Valles case is just one of a series of proven or alleged civil rights violations against people with disabilities in immigration detention to come to light in Louisiana and nationwide.

Last month, civil rights attorneys filed a lawsuit against DHS and ICE officials for denying a woman with physical and mental disabilities the accommodation of release from another GEO-run facility in Louisiana. At the time, experts told Verite News that such problems exist across the immigration detention system. A recent report from the DHS Office of Inspector General, released in September, found that 17 ICE detention centers failed to comply with federal immigration detention standards in multiple areas, including chronic medical care and medical staffing.

I felt, in a way, a sort of relief that somebody actually looked at it, Cortes De La Valle said. Its something that people see.

After arrest, a difficult year in detention

Cortes De La Valle said he was on the verge of being approved for legal permanent residency when his immigration troubles began.

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In December 2020 he married a U.S. citizen with whom he would have a son. He has a teenage daughter from a previous relationship. He said he had applied for a green card, but the bureaucratic chaos from the Covid-19 pandemic had slowed processing times.

In July 2022, Cortes De La Valle was in Pensacola, Florida, for work  he designs stage lighting for large events  when he went to a restaurant and drank too much. He was asked to leave but refused. The police were called to arrest him for trespassing.

He had always struggled with alcohol  hed previously been convicted twice in Florida for driving while intoxicated  but he said his drinking had ramped up in the years after his older brother was killed in a traffic accident in 2019 and his mother died of colon cancer in 2020. He said around that time, he started having seizures. Hed begun seeking medical help, but hadnt been formally diagnosed with epilepsy.

Cortes De La Valle said he had a seizure during his arrest, lost control of his body and grabbed an officers ankle. Inside an ambulance, Cortes De La Valle, still seizing, spat on an emergency medical technician, he said.

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He was later convicted of trespassing, corrupt moral decency and battery of an officer, which federal immigration officials would later cite as a reason to keep him locked up pending the outcome of his immigration case.

ICE located Daniel through its database that identifies people booked into local jails who are legally eligible for deportation proceedings. He was transferred from a local jail to the processing center in Jena in December 2022. When he got there, he told ICE Health Services Corps staff that he suffered from seizures.

I told myself, I gotta get out of here.

 Daniel Cortes De La Valle

By March 2023, civil rights attorneys had filed a complaint on his behalf alleging that hed had two traumatic hospital visits following seizures  in one, hed been restrained to a bed for five days and was forced to relieve himself where he lay. He alleged that a hospital technician sexually assaulted him by cleaning his intimate areas against his will. During another hospital visit, hed undergone a painful procedure in which medical staff created an IV line by drilling into a bone in his leg, which the complaint alleged was potentially unnecessary and possibly abuse.

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After a news report about the complaint was published, he said he was taunted by staff at the facility. When he pushed back, he said, the guards told him to file another complaint or talk to the media. Cortes De La Valle started having seizures nearly every day, his attorney, Sarah Decker told Verite News.

Decker, a staff attorney at civil rights nonprofit RFK Human Rights, said when Cortes De La Valle had a seizure, he would be placed in a segregation unit with nothing more than a mattress on the floor.

In July 2023, RFK attorneys sent an email to federal oversight officials at the Department of Homeland Security, including CRCL, about Cortes De La Valles experiences.

Daniel is being subjected to acute threats to his life, including severe daily seizures, head trauma, and multiple (3) suicide attempts in the past week, the attorneys wrote. ICE and its contractors at CLIPC have responded to Daniels medical crises by retaliating against him, physically abusing him, and placing him in a punitive solitary confinement cell that is in egregious condition and is infested with biting ants.

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In September, Decker began emailing CRCL and the local ICE office about Cortes De La Valles bunk assignments. ICE officials told her she was mistaken, but she believed he was telling her the truth  that hed been transferred out of the medical unit and gotten a new bed assignment for an upper bunk.

I was afraid to go to the hospitals. I was afraid to see medical. I was afraid to talk to the staff. I was afraid theyre gonna retaliate. I was afraid Im gonna have a seizure and die, Cortes De La Valle said of his last months in detention.

In October, Cortes De La Valle decided to stop fighting his immigration case and agreed to go back to Colombia. He was deported on Dec. 5, 2023.

ICE says it will comply with the remedy

Then, in September 2024, Decker received the letter from CRCL, affirming his civil rights had been violated. Officials said the upper bunk assignments had gone against Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act, which requires federal agencies to make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities.

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Complainants seizure disorder puts him at risk of serious bodily harm, or worse, when placed in an upper bunk during waking and sleeping hours, the letter read.

Decker is part of a coalition of attorneys and advocates who regularly visit immigration detention facilities in Louisiana.

She said she and her colleagues have encountered handfuls of people each visit who she said ICE has not designated for disability accommodations, but who experts, after reviewing their medical records, identify as having mental or physical disabilities. She said some detainees who are recognized as having disabilities under federal law are still not receiving the appropriate treatment or accommodations.

It is impossible to know what [ICE considers] to be a disability, Decker said. I think their definition is extraordinarily narrow and doesnt actually comply with the federal definition and I dont think their recordkeeping, if it exists, would even be accurate.

Your likelihood of getting the care youre entitled to under federal law is basically nonexistent, she said.

ICE does not have readily available comprehensive data on how many people with disabilities are in its custody. A semi-annual report from the agency said that ICE had placed at least 414 people considered special or vulnerable into segregated housing during the third quarter of 2024. However, the terms special and vulnerable are not limited to people with federally recognized disabilities.

In a 2023 report to federal lawmakers, CRCL shared details from two cases in which it found ICE had violated Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. In one case, a woman with hearing loss detained in Basile, Louisiana was denied a hearing aid. In the second case, whereCRCL did not name the facility, an ICE detainee with a mental disability was wrongfully placed in segregation  a reportedly frequent practice.

Theres countless instances of people with mental health disabilities, especially, being placed in solitary confinement, which, is so well studied and well documented, causes extreme deterioration of someones mental health, Decker said.

In an emailed statement, Tamara Spicer, a spokesperson for ICE, said ICE is firmly committed to the health, safety, and welfare of all those in its custody and will comply with the remedy in the determination letter.

It cost me a lot

The letter from CRCL about Cortes De La Valle recommended that ICE train the appropriate personnel at the facility on the protocol for providing bottom bunk accommodations and renewing and documenting those accommodations.

Cortes De La Valle said he believes he stayed alive in detention because other immigrants looked out for him  they offered to trade beds and watched out for him when he used the bathroom or took a shower in case he had a seizure.

Id been in that country for over 25 years. I paid taxes, he said. I did all the right stuff and then they made it seem that I was faking my condition to try to get released from detention.

In Bogota, where Cortes De La Valle now lives, he has seen a neurologist and been formally diagnosed with frontal lobe epilepsy. He said hes learning how to be a Colombian citizen. By the time he arrived in Colombia, he had given all of his savings to his wife and son, because hed had no way of earning for the year and a half that he was in jail and immigration detention. Once deported, his marriage quickly fell apart.

It cost me a lot, Cortes De La Valle said of detention and deportation. I could have helped my family out, I could have saved my family, I could have saved my investments.

He said hes got a new girlfriend and he doesnt drink at all anymore. His relationships with his children are now strained. But he said he continues to save for their future. He said he regrets accepting deportation, but he feared he would never be able to provide for his family again had he died in detention.

I have two children I need to care for, he said. If Im dead I cant do anything. If I go to Columbia, I can.

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This article first appeared on Verite News and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Idaho State Controller Brandon Woolf, center, selects wooden tiles for Idaho's post 2024 general election audit on Nov. 15, 2024, at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise as Secretary of State Phil McGrane and Idaho State Treasurer Julie Ellsworth look on in the background. (Clark Corbin/Idaho Capital Sun)

The Idaho State Board of Canvassers randomly selected eight Idaho counties on Friday that will participate in a post-election audit of paper ballots.

Using a tumbler and wooden tiles marked with different numbers during a public meeting Friday at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise, state officials selected Latah, Bingham, Elmore, Bear Lake, Custer, Minidoka, Clearwater and Jerome counties for the 2024 post-general election audit.

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Today we will kick off  over the course of the next week and a half  where we will send out teams of auditors across the state to go do hand counting, to go through the paper ballots, Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane said Friday.  And this is all part of just our reconciliation process to make sure that we can have confidence that the votes that were shown on election night match the votes that we find.

Idaho law has required election results audits since 2022

The audits are required by Senate Bill 1274, which the Idaho Legislature passed unanimously in 2022.

Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane attends the State of the State Address at the State Capitol building in Boise on Jan. 8, 2024. (Otto Kitsinger for Idaho Capital Sun)

Officials will audit at least 2,100 paper ballots in each of the counties selected Friday, McGrane said. After the counties were drawn, Idaho State Treasurer Julie Ellsworth randomly selected the precincts that will be audited in each county.

McGrane said the 2024 general election was one of the smoothest he has ever worked, even with Idaho setting a record for the total ballots cast at more than 917,000 ballots.

This is really one of the successes for Idaho to show our work, McGrane said.

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The Idaho Secretary of States Office does not expect any recounts for the 2024 general election, with McGrane saying none of the election results fell within the 0.1% margin that qualifies for a free recount under state law.

After the audits are completed, the Idaho State Board of Canvassers will meet at 10 a.m. Nov. 26 at the Idaho State Capitol to officially certify Idahos 2024 general election results.

The fiscal note attached to Senate Bill 1274 estimated it would cost $50,000 per year per fiscal year to conduct election audits, except in presidential election years like this year, where the audit cost was estimated at $100,000 per year.

The Idaho Secretary of States Office received an initial $200,000 in funding for audits after the bill passed and $50,000 for audits in election years, said Chelsea Carattini, communications director for the Idaho Secretary of States Office. Carattini said she did not know exactly how much this years audits would cost because state officials just found out which counties they need to travel to in order to conduct the audits.

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Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty against one of the men involved in the ambush at a Saint Alphonsus hospital in Boise earlier this year if hes found guilty of the first-degree murder of a North Idaho man, according to a news release from the Nez Perce County Prosecutors Office and online court records.

Nicholas Umphenour was accused of killing 83-year-old James Mauney, of Juliaetta, in North Idaho when he ran from law enforcement alongside prisoner Skylar Meade. He made his initial appearance for the Nez Perce County murder case Thursday afternoon, and his arraignment was set for December.

Umphenour shot Idaho Department of Correction officers in March while helping Meade escape from custody. Meade had been at the hospital receiving treatment for self-inflicted injuries, according to previous Idaho Statesman reporting. They fled together in a vehicle, prompting a 36-hour statewide manhunt, which is when police said they were involved in two homicides in North Idaho.

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Mauney was found killed while the two were at large, according to previous reporting. Police later caught and arrested the two suspects in the Twin Falls area.

Law enforcement also linked another homicide in North Idaho to the two suspects. Don Henderson, a 72-year-old man who lived just outside of Orofino and knew Umphenour, was found dead in his cabin, according to previous Statesman reporting. That case is still under investigation, Idaho State Police spokesperson Aaron Snell told the Statesman.

In June, the two men were indicted and charged with the murder of Mauney, according to previous Statesman reporting. The Nez Perce County Sheriffs Office issued a missing persons alert after Mauney didnt return to his home from a walk with his dogs. Police found his body in a desolate area near Juliaetta.

Seeking the death penalty is appropriate in this case considering the defendants complete lack of regard for the life of Mr. Mauney, Prosecutor Justin Coleman said in the release. Well continue to fight in both this case and the co-defendants case to get justice for the victim.

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Umphenour is being held at the Nez Perce County Detention Facility with no bond, according to the Nez Perce County Prosecutors Office.

Umphenour was sentenced to life in prison in Boise last month for crimes related to the ambush. Umphenour pleaded guilty in Ada County in September to charges of assault or battery upon certain personnel, unlawful possession of a firearm, escaping and use of a deadly weapon during a felony, according to previous Statesman reporting. In that case, he could be eligible for parole in 40 years.

Both Umphenour and Meade are members of the white supremacist prison gang called the Aryan Knights, authorities have said.
The State Ethics Commission presses Governor's Office General Counsel Joseph Heerens, left foreground, and Commerce Secretary David Rosenberg about Rosenberg's potential next job at a meeting on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Commerce Secretary David Rosenberg withdrew his request to waive job change conflict-of-interest requirements midway through a State Ethics Commission meeting Thursday. A spokeswoman for his agency acknowledged the commission found his ask premature in comments to the Capital Chronicle.

The commission separately approved two waivers for agency employees under outgoing Gov. Eric Holcombs administration. U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, also a Republican, is governor-elect.

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As the states employees prepare for administrative turnover, many appointees and others are looking elsewhere for new jobs. New governors often swap out predecessors appointees.

Rosenberg, whose position includes serving as president and CEO of the controversial Indiana Economic Development Corp., sought permission to take a vaguely defined executive role at Indiana University. It would relate to workforce and the economy, according to the application.

On the campaign trail, Braun was critical of the IEDC and its actions, specifically in netting large business commitments in which Rosenberg has played a prominent role.

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Governors Office General Counsel Joseph Heerens said Rosenberg submitted the application out of an abundance of caution  just so that Indiana University and Secretary Rosenberg could move forward with high confidence that there would be no issues or questions about this move from IEDC to Indiana University.

Indiana conflict-of-interest law can limit employees next moves. It can permanently block former state staffers from helping their new employers on particular matters related to past state work. Applications, claims, contracts, lawsuits and more count.

And it may mandate a yearlong ban on accepting a job or receiving compensation as a lobbyist; if the state employee negotiated or administered a contract with their prospective next employer while having discretionary decision-making power over negotiations or administration; or if the state employee made regulatory or licensing decisions that impacted their prospective next employer within the year before their departure.

Heerens said Rosenberg wouldnt trigger the particular matters restrictions because the potential job wouldnt involve assisting or representing anyone connected to work in which he personally and substantially participated while at IEDC.

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He also argued that Rosenbergs new gig would involve no lobbying, that he wasnt involved in negotiating or administering IEDCs single contract with IU  providing a state match to the universitys successful federal microelectronics grant  and that he made no regulatory or licensing decisions related to IU.

But some commissioners were skeptical, critiquing Rosenberg for being too vague about what duties hed handle for IU.

Ethics Commissioner Corinne Finnerty (left) presses Commerce Secretary David Rosenberg (not visible) about his potential next job at a meeting on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Commissioner John Krauss sits to the right. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

We would be establishing a new program in an industry sector that is aligned with IU and their focus areas, building a team to do that, Rosenberg said, as Commissioner Corinne Finnerty interrupted: To do what? Building a team to do what?

When Rosenberg said he couldnt answer, Finnerty asked, Because you dont know, or because youre trying to hide something?

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Rosenberg denied that allegation, but Finnerty said the commission couldnt ensure no overlap between Rosenbergs roles if members didnt understand his new duties.

Commissioner John Krauss, appeared more sympathetic. He reasoned that the role hasnt officially been established and doesnt have a set description, which Rosenberg confirmed.

What you are going to do is something that is still in the proposal stage at IU, Krauss later said.  So we almost have an issue where it mightve been wiser that you didnt ask us this question.

Heerens emphasized that he and Rosenberg didnt believe a waiver was needed, but sought one just in case. He cited a meeting with the Inspector Generals Office.

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The commission, which is housed within that office, said it doesnt decide whether a waiver is required  it just approves or denies them.

The alternative is that maybe you withdraw your request  therefore we have nothing to decide, Krauss said. What Im trying to say is: we dont want to damage opportunities for you.

The parties went back and forth for several more minutes, with Rosenberg remarking that he did not think we needed to be here for a waiver and Krauss replying, I wish you werent!

Thats when Rosenberg pulled out.

For the official record, we do not think there is a violation  In the interest of transparency in government, we wanted to be here. With the discussion today, I will formally withdraw this application. Thank you for your time.

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Its unclear what that means for Rosenbergs next job.

IEDC spokeswoman Erin Sweitzer wrote, in a comment to the Capital Chronicle: In order to get clarity around his future career options, Secretary Rosenberg approached the State Ethics Commission in the spirit of transparency and out of an abundance of caution. He was told his request was premature, so he withdrew it.

In terms of next steps, the Secretary remains focused on finishing another record-breaking year at the IEDC, Sweitzer continued.

Inspector Generals Office spokeswoman Stephanie McFarland also noted Rosenbergs efforts at transparency. When asked about what comes next, she highlighted his application withdrawal: Therefore, the (commission) has no action before it to address at this time in regard to Secretary Rosenberg and nothing further to add.

Commission approves other waivers

Afterward, Rosenberg remained seated to present a waiver application for Kimberly Hoffman, a vice president of experiential marketing and events at IEDC.

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She hoped to return to her previous employer, Accent Indy. Thats although the company has agreements with IEDC and she oversees the day-to-day working relationship with Accent Indy, according to an ethics disclosure, including negotiating contract extensions. But, according to the waiver application, she has no final contracting or budgeting authority.

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At the meeting, Hoffman promised she would remove herself from activities relating to IEDC and pass such duties on to her new colleagues.

The commission approved her request on a voice vote. It did the same for Deanna Dwenger, the Department of Corrections behavioral health executive director.

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Dwenger has given input on the design of a behavioral health unit at a new, massive prison in Westville. She wanted to accept a position with Elevatus, a company that holds a contract for the project, as a consultant. She would ensure the companys jail, prison and school designs take into account the mental health of those served.

But, she also hoped to finish out her work on the Westville project before leaving state employment. Dwenger promised that, in her new role, she would have no involvement in that project.

Note: This story has been updated to clarify that IEDC spokeswoman Erin Sweitzers remarks were a paraphrase of the commissions comments.

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(Photo illustration by Getty Images)

Republicans have decided climate change is, as our incoming president claims, a scam and Chinese hoax intended to cripple the U.S. economy. Simply put, thats hogwash and the evidence is stacking up day by day, year by year, disaster by disaster worldwide.

Yet, at both the state and federal level the GOP majorities have budgetary and policy priorities based in the mistaken belief that ignoring our over-heated global climate will somehow make it go away. Nothing could be further from the truth  and its getting worse a lot faster than predicted.

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If one needed proof, look no further than the incoming presidents pick to head the Environmental Protection Agency. With a dearth of environmental background, former New York Congressman Lee Zeldin has received the worst rating of any New York congressional member from the League of Conservation Voters.

He has already promised to go on a deregulatory rampage to unleash prosperity. He apparently forgot the same tactic failed to work in Trumps first term when he dismantled more than 100 environmental regulations. He also conveniently ignored the fact that a park in Brooklyn experienced a wildfire last week due to incredibly dry conditions resulting from the Earths hottest year on record.

Oddly enough, Montanas Gov. Greg Gianforte used the same language for his new budget, promising security and prosperity. Now if the $150 million he has earmarked in his budget for new prisons was going to deal with the increasingly destructive impacts of climate change, hed be taking concrete steps to deal with dewatered and degraded rivers, collapsing fisheries, and drought ravaged farms and ranches. But ignoring those inconvenient facts, Gianforte says we can have security by putting more Montanans behind bars.

Its not like people dont know whats going on. Thanksgiving is two weeks away and our unseasonably warm and dry weather persists. As a new study points out, our winters are now several degrees warmer across most of the nation, with diminishing snowpacks causing widespread drought conditionsand Montana is no exception.

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Even Montanas Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission knows were losing the battle. As Commissioner Pat Tabor said this week when the Commission addressed the collapsing trout populations by limiting anglers keep from 5 to 3 fish daily: Our obligation is to protect the fish, not to protect the rights of an angler. As far as adaptive management, when we adapt, it feels a little too late. Its like, why didnt we get ahead of this curve?

Dang good question, Commissioner, maybe you should ask Gianforte, eh?

His comments were echoed by fellow commissioner KC Walsh, who again wonders why the state is so behind the ball on such an obvious and important issue: I perceive my role as a commissioner to think strategically about what this state is going to be looking like in 5 or 10 years and how we can get ahead of the type of issues were struggling with on the Big Hole, Beaverhead, Jefferson and some other major rivers where were kinda trying to clean up after the fact.

Cleaning up after the fact isnt working, as is all too obvious. Nor will cutting anglers limits put even one more drop of water in our chronically dewatered rivers. And without water to protect the fish and meet the flows that dilute our municipal and industrial discharges, the future is bleak.

Actions speak louder than words and the actions we need now are real appropriations to fix our rivers. Without those the governors pledge to keep Montana secure and prosperous simply ignores the problems  but it wont make them go away.
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), who has long called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and has urged the administration of President Joe Biden to withhold U.S. military aid to Israel, didnt mince words when she was harassed Wednesday on Capitol Hill.

The progressive lawmaker, who is one of the only Muslim women in Congress, was captured in footage shared on social media being surrounded by pro-Israel protesters as she tried to enter an elevator who told her to go to Gaza, sweetheart.

Omar responded bluntly with an explicit retort: Fuck you.

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Israels military has relentlessly bombed the Gaza Strip for more than a year in retaliation for a Hamas attack Oct. 7, 2023, that killed 1,200 people. The bombings and other military actions have killed at least 40,000 men, women and children, destroyed schools and hospitals, and led to serious concerns about famine.

Omars response came after nearly an entire minute of the group waiting alongside her at the elevator while asking what are you doing, why do you stand with Hamas and would you just condemn Hamas, would you just say that its wrong to take hostages?

Just say that, one of the protesters continued in the footage. You cant say that?

Omar previously called for President Joe Biden to withhold U.S. military support for Israel. Jacquelyn Martin/Associated Press

She has been subjected to Islamophobia since taking office in 2019, including being targeted by then-President Donald Trump on Twitter.

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The group of protesters who ambushed Omar on Wednesday were identified as members of Betar US, a movement of staunch Israel supporters, by Israeli newspaper Ynet.

The group also shared footage of members knocking on the door of Rep. Rashida Tlaib on Capitol Hill while laughing  one day before the United Nations released a report detailing how Israels actions in Gaza are consistent with the characteristics of genocide.

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COUNTRYSIDE, Ill.  The holiday season just got a bit merrier for one lucky Illinois Lottery player who scratched their way to a $10 million jackpot prize.

The newly-minted millionaire snagged the grand prize while playing $10 Million, a $50 scratch-off game that offers players the chance to claim one of three top prizes.

Only three jackpot prizes were up for grabs when the ticket first launched back in December of 2023, and including the most recent win, two have already been claimed, meaning only one jackpot ticket is still out there.

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Illinois Lottery: Stories of millionaires made overnight

The last $10 Million ticket to hit the jackpot was sold at a convenience store in Alton back in May.

According to TaxActs Lottery Tax Calculator, the lucky lotto player will end up taking home about $7,105,000 after taxes, which equals out to about $2,400,000 in federal taxes and about $495,000 in state taxes.

Lottery officials said the ticket was sold at a Jewel-Osco in the 5500 block of South Brainard Avenue in Countryside, on October 22.

As a bonus for selling the life-changing ticket, the business will receive a $100,000 bonus, equal to one percent of the prize amount.

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Details about the big win were released on Friday, but officials did not disclose the name of the winner.

Officials said the big winner is the 48th person to win $1 million or more on a scratch-off ticket so far this year.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

$10 Million players have a 1 in 4.18 chance of claiming a prize, but the odds of claiming a jackpot are much higher at 1 in 2,755,210.

$10 Million is just one of several scratch-off games available in the state, and while the jackpot ticket was bought in person, similar games can also be played online.

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Winners have one year from the date of winning to claim their prizes and players are advised to write their names on the backs of winning tickets and keep them in a safe place until they are ready to claim their prizes.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO)  Illinois will use $7 million in funding from the states Department of Human Services to fund a Cannabis Research Institute to study the effects of marijuana use on individuals and communities.

Illinois legalized the adult recreational use of marijuana in 2020.

The Cannabis Research Insitute (CRI) will be headed by Reginald Reggie Guadino, and housed within the University of Illinois Discovery Partners Institute in Chicago. It is currently based in the former COVID-19 testing center on Chicgaos west side Illinois Medical Center.

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The plan for the CRI is to provide data and research on the scientific and socio-economic impacts of cannabis usage and production.

According to a press release, CRI aims to be a source of unbiased, factually accurate information with research into agricultural crop management, health and medicinal effects, and social equity impacts. Community engagement events will follow this winter and spring to inform research priorities.

At the time I was elected, we were allowing people to be held criminally liable  and inequitably so  for consuming cannabis. Just five years later, we have one of the most orderly and successful cannabis industries, and we are launching a research institute  funded by the legal sale of that same plant  that will accelerate the transformation of that old, unfair, unjust system into a vehicle for community revitalization, said Gov. JB Pritzker. The Cannabis Research Institute will use innovative research and data collection to deepen our understanding of cannabis and help shape the future of the industry, better inform the public, and develop policies for consumer protection, economic and community development, and equity.

Currently, 40 million adults (16% of the population) in the United States use cannabis at a rate more than double over the last 10 years, due to a cultural shift that sees more acceptance of the drug for medical and recreational use.

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However, researchers from the Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark concluded that marijuana is not as harmless as proponents would have us believe, noting serious health risks.

Chronic cannabis use raised the risk of major depression, bipolar disorder, and psychosis by four times. Those with depression who self-medicate with marijuana may be causing the opposite effect, the study said.

Researchers also found cannabis use disorder was linked to 30% of schizophrenia diagnoses of Danish men in the year 2021. The data revealed that chronic marijuana was linked to psychotic breaks.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse found that marijuana is addictive, with about four million Americans qualifying as having a marijuana use disorder.

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A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that women who use cannabis had a 70% higher risk of having a baby with a major birth defect.

Illinois residents over 21 years of age are legally limited to possessing 30 grams of marijuana flower, or up to 500 milligrams of THC, the active ingredient that causes a high.

For edibles, or cannabis-infused gummies, chocolates, or other products, possession is limited to 500 grams.

The state permits a user to possess 5 grams of cannabis concentrates, such as waxes or oils.

However, the law allows for a person to possess a maximum amount of flower (30 gm), THC (500 mg), and edibles (500 gm) all at the same time.

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Nine health departments in northern Illinois issued a health warning on the dangers of recreational marijuana in 2020.

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The Department of Defense is working to repair some of the harm done by dont ask, dont tell, that forces LGBTQ service members out of the organization they pledged to serve.

In October, the Pentagon announced it had finished its review of dishonorable discharges during that era correcting 96 percent to honorable.

But for the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, that progress demonstrates the example Illinois is setting across the country.

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More: Veterans Voices special section

The departments director Terry Prince is a 31-year navy veteran, appointed by Governor JB Pritzker in April 2021.

He says part of what drew him to Illinois, is the agencys long-standing commitment to veterans who have been excluded or disconnected from what theyre owed.

Prince spoke to WGNs Sean Lewis about the services of the department and whats ahead.

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For immigrant advocates, legal services, and rights groups, the threat of anti-immigrant rhetoric and legislation is not new. Earlier this year, the Biden Administration was sued by several groups, including the National Immigrant Justice Center and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) over an executive order which severely restricted asylum claims at the U.S.-Mexico border. President-elect Donald Trumps first term was defined by harsh immigration tactics, including family separation and a travel ban that barred people from some predominantly Muslim countries from entering the U.S.

It's been a long four years. It's been a really long eight years, says Keren Zwick, litigation director at the National Immigrant Justice Center.

But 2025 will bring a marked escalation for these groups and the people they serve. With Trumps return to office looms the promise of a sweeping overhaul of the countrys immigration policies, which could include mass deportation, workplace raids, expanding the border wall, bringing back the Remain in Mexico policy (which requires migrants who crossed into the U.S. through the southern border to remain in Mexico while their asylum cases were heard), and ending birthright citizenship, or the longstanding principle that children born in the U.S. are granted citizenship.

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Read More: What Donald Trumps Win Means For Immigration

What we're expecting are drastic changes announced immediately, says Jennifer Babaie, director of advocacy and legal services at Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, which provides free and low-cost legal services to migrants and refugees.

Here are some ways that Babaie, Zwick, and immigrant advocates across the country are preparing for Trumps return to power.

Know Your Rights

Both in the U.S. and in shelters in Tijuana, immigration advocates have been already providing groups Know Your Rights' presentations that help migrants understand what is expected of them by border officials, including what will happen in credible fear interviews.

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When asylum-seekers enter the United States, they are referred to U.S. border officials who conduct a credible fear interview (CFI), in which the official determines whether the migrant seeking asylum has a credible fear of returning to their home country.

Babaie says Las Americas is working to expand these presentations to broader groups, and to include more information to not just those on the border looking to enter the country, but those already in the interior who are at risk of deportation.

What we're incorporating into these presentations is safety planning, she said. Your family should know their status. Everyone should know where their documents are. You need to know if a person gets picked up, who is your emergency contact, and how do your kids know who to update.

For Melissa Shepard, directing attorney at Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef), her team has similar priorities. Sheperd oversees ImmDefs Welcoming Project in San Diego, and says that one thing her team is doing is transferring their rights presentations to their website, and translating them into multiple languagesincluding more indigenous languagesin order to reach wider immigrant communities.

Community organization

Babaie says this is the time communities need to come together, not in spite of the fear of a second Trump Administration but because of it.

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[Community] is our only way to survive, she says. Or else, were writing a million reports. If no ones reading them, no one cares. And then, that's how we get used to losing our rights.

According to Norma Chavez-Peterson, the executive director of ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties, this means going beyond just informing immigrants and their families of their rights.

It's going to really require everyone, immigrant rights organizations, local government, state government, anybody, everybody and their mother that cares and values and wants to protect immigrants, Chavez-Peterson said. She and her ACLU affiliate have been meeting with different local and state officials, including Californias attorney general and governors offices. California Governor Gavin Newsom has already announced a special session on Nov. 7, which in part will be to bolster resources for immigrant families. Chavez-Peterson sees San Diego as a model for other cities on the border to look towards for that kind of multilevel cooperation.

Chavez-Peterson also emphasized that, as an immigrant herself, she sees how immigrants in the country feel that they have a huge target on their back and are operating with fear. If threatened, immigrants might not immediately go to the ACLU for help, but rather to their trusted places, including their faith community, their social workers, their teachers, their schools. So, Chavez-Peterson says its up to groups like hers to bring information there.If ICE goes to look for somebody at a school, how do we make sure that those schools have a policy that they can't share parent information? she says.

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That also means groups across the country have already begun sharing information with one another. Both Babaie and Chavez-Peterson have attended panels, trainings and conferences recently with other advocacy and legal groups, and say these are important for communication on what policies are actually being implemented so they can be utilized immediately.

[During the first Trump Administration], policies were being implemented without any announcement whatsoever, Babaie said. And so then the only way attorneys were figuring out what exactly was happening was through word of mouth, not through FOIAs or announcements from the administration.

Streamline services

Though Trump has made some of his potential policy initiatives clear, immigrant advocates are also preparing to expect the unexpected.

Part of that preparation for Chavez-Peterson includes revitalizing the San Diego Rapid Response Network, which includes a hotline, free legal deportation defense, and other nonprofits, all pulled together in collaboration to help families that are caught up in deportation crises.

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When the family's in crisis, the last thing that you want to do is give them a list with numbers to call yes and get bounced around from organization to organization, she says.

Babaie also emphasizes that this means preparing teamsteams already exhausted from the legal battles of the past eight yearsfor the battles ahead.

We're all going to have to move to a more procedural and detail-oriented way of working, because in the last time we had the Trump presidency, we were getting denials because of something like a space was left blank on a form, she said.

The most important message though, she says, is to let both immigrant communities and the government know that groups like Las Americas are there, and they are ready: Part of our obligation is to maintain that we're going to keep doing what we do. And no matter what you throw at us, we're just going to turn around and find a way to still use our legal practice to defend these people.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Immigration lawyers and advocates in Michigan are preparing their clients ahead of President-elect Donald Trump assuming office in January.

Although details remain unclear, Trump promised on the campaign trail to conduct the "largest deportation operation in American history," and has suggested using local law enforcement and the National Guard to implement that plan.

In 2022, there were 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., including 130,000 in Michigan, according to a Pew Research Center analysis using American Community Survey data. Immigrants who don't have citizenship but who have the legal right to stay in the U.S. may lose authorization if the incoming Trump administration ends or changes policies.

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More: Trump deportations in Michigan: How lawyers, advocates say immigrants should prepare

Here are some specific steps that the legal services nonprofit Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC) recommends noncitizens  which covers a broad spectrum of immigrants who don't have citizenship  can do now:

What to know:

MIRC says noncitizens can learn their rights and prepare their families. For more information, go to bit.ly/MIRCKYR.

Ensure the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has the correct mailing address if there's a pending application. People in removal proceedings, and who don't have representation, can file for a change of address at respondentaccess.eoir.justice.gov/en/forms/.

Children or noncitizen parents should apply for or renew their U.S. passport. For more information, go to bit.ly/USpassportinformation. People in mixed-status households should secure passports from their countries of origin.

Legal permanent residents should apply for citizenship now, MIRC recommends.

Immigrants with work authorization that expires in the next six months should apply for a renewal as soon as possible, the organization says.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

Recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a program that delays the deportation of undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children, should submit for a renewal if their DACA status expires within six months, MIRC says.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

The federal government grants Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, to people who can't return safely to their home countries. MIRC suggest those with this status consider whether they are eligible for another immigration status and apply for that if they are.

Immigration parole

Individuals in immigration parole programs, particularly for Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Ukraine and Afghanistan, are legally present in the U.S. until their parole ends.

Asylum seekers

People come to the U.S. every year seeking protection from persecution for a number of reasons, ranging from race and religion to nationality and political opinion.

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Asylum seekers should apply for their first work permit, if they are eligible, even if they do not plan to work, according to the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, which MIRC cites. Asylum seekers should renew their work permit if they have a two-year permit that will expire before 2028. They should consider applying for another immigration status, alongside asylum, including for Temporary Protected Status.

For more information from the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, go to bit.ly/MIRCTipsheet.

Staff writer Dave Boucher contributed to this report. Contact Nushrat Rahman: nrahman@freepress.com. Follow her on X: @NushratR.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Noncitizens can take steps before Trump presidency, advocates say
In a new court filing in the Karen Read murder case, prosecutors on Friday made a request to obtain records from her mothers phone, arguing that they must be made available to use as potential impeachment evidence.

Judge approves new testing of Karen Reads Lexus

Special Prosecutor Hank Brennan has asked the court to issue an order to Verizon to produce records from Janet Reads phone from Dec. 30, 2021, through Jan. 30, 2022, the Nofrolk Superior Court filing showed.

Among the new filings in the Karen Read case is a request from Special Prosecutor Hank Brennan for phone records from Karen Reads mom Janet. pic.twitter.com/Wjd4E51KrN  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) November 15, 2024

Brennan argued in the filing that its imperative to view the phone records because data shows Karen Read called and texted her mother and her father, William Read, after she allegedly struck and killed her Boston Police Officer boyfriend, John OKeefe, outside a home in Canton during a blizzard in January 2022.

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Janet Reads phone records must be made available to use as potential impeachment evidence depending on the testimony of William Read, the filing stated. This limited request is made to best protect Janet Reads privacy rights while allowing evidence to compare the timing and frequency of Karen Reads calls to her mother on the night of the victims death as compared to the frequency, or lack thereof, on dates not involving this alleged crime.

Brennan has also asked to view William Reads phone records, a request that Karen Reads attorneys blasted as a fishing expedition.

The defense claims prosecutors already have records of calls between Karen Read and her father from Karens phone.

Prosecutors have alleged that William Read made conflicting statements about conversations with his daughter and they plan to call him as a witness at the next trial.

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Prosecutors have also asked to see the un-aired footage of an interview 25 Investigates conducted with William and Janet Read, and Reads brother Nathan, on Aug. 1, 2023.

That filing specifically seeks William Reads statements to Ted Daniel after he was asked if Karen believed she may have hit John.

In the segment that aired on Boston 25, Bill Read said, No, no, no. She felt she struck something. She said, Dad, I think I struck something. Watch it below:

The SJC is currently determining if jurors who sat through Reads first trial for the death of John OKeefe will be questioned about their deliberations. The SJC will issue a written decision that could take four months before it is published.

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Reads lawyers have been fighting to dismiss her second-degree murder and leaving the scene of a deadly crash charge for double jeopardy reasons.

Double jeopardy is a legal protection that prohibits anyone from being prosecuted twice for the same crime.

Read is accused of killing OKeefe by striking him with her SUV and leaving him to die after a night of drinking.

Morrisseys office opposes Reads bid to get the charges dropped and argues that Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone was correct when she ruled all of Reads charges should remain for her retrial.

Read is hopeful to avoid a retrial that Cannone tentatively scheduled for January 2025.

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Her first trial ended with a hung jury in July.

Read Fridays filing in its entirety below:

Prosecutors now seeking phone records from Karen Reads mother by Fox Boston Staff on Scribd

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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Happy Thursday, Utah! Calm weather is in place Thursday as high pressure remains largely in place over the state.

The ridge is shifting east and has moved into eastern Colorado, and a Pacific storm is heading toward California, putting Utah and southwest Wyoming under a strengthening southwest flow. Skies are mostly clear, with a few high clouds in northern Utah. Temps will climb about 5 above normal today, with southern Utah seeing the most warming.

As the California storm moves inland, winds will pick up and shift to the south. Friday into Saturday morning, the storm splits, bringing some mountain snow (especially in the Upper Cottonwoods) and some rain that turns to snow in northern valleys as temps drop.

Mountain snowfall estimates are on the light side with the upper Cottonwoods possibly seeing 4-8+ inches of snowfall while most other mountain areas will see 2-4 inches. Valley snowfall is expected early Saturday morning with up to an inch possible. By Saturday afternoon, the snow tapers off, leaving highs around 10 below normal.

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Sunday brings a brief break with cooler-than-normal temps before another cold system arrives. It is expected to bring additional snow, especially in northern Utah, though totals are expected to be light due to limited moisture. Southern Utah might dodge the chill depending on the systems track.

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CAMPBELL, Ohio (WKBN)  A Mahoning County grand jury returned an indictment Thursday for the defendant in a Campbell murder case.

RTrell Miller, 22, was charged with two counts of murder, unclassified felonies; aggravated murder, an unclassified felony; and felonious assault, a second-degree felony.

The charges are in connection to the Oct. 5 beating death of James Mszanski, 76.

Police were initially called for a possible shooting at Main and Walter streets, but the Mahoning County Coroners Office said the death of Mszanski was not due to gun violence. Police say Mszanski was beaten. He was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center where he later died from his injuries.

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Miller was arrested shortly after Mszanski died and was taken to the Mahoning County jail on a $500,000 bond.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Americans had a pandemic on their minds back in 2020 when then-President Donald Trump signed a $2.3 trillion COVID-19 relief bill that stimulated the slack economy and averted a government shutdown. Tucked inside the bill, however, was another bit of business entirelya provision requiring the Pentagon to investigate more than 120 sightings by military pilots of what used to be known as UFOs, and now go by the more decorous-sounding unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP). Lawmakers wrote the requirement into the must-pass legislation in the hope that it might help explain cockpit footage of UAP sightings that the Navy had declassified earlier that year and that had been burning down the internet ever since.

The Department of Defense released the mandated report in 2021, analyzing both the video evidence and eyewitness accounts of flying objects moving in all manner of ways that defy conventional aeronauticsloop-the-looping and changing directions with a nimbleness no existing technology could manage. None of the objects produced detectable exhaust. Some turned with a suddenness that would have produced g-forces deadly to any human being who might be aboard. Others dove into the ocean and then flew straight back out.

The militarys verdict? A shrug. The objects werent U.S. Air Force or Naval aircraft, but whether they belonged to a hostile foreign powerterrestrial or otherwisewas impossible to say.

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These things would be out there all day, one pilot told the New York Times in 2021. At the speeds at which the objects were moving, he added, twelve hours in the air is 11 hours longer than wed expect.

Inauguration day for Trumps second term is still more than two months away, but when the once-and-future president returns to Washington, hell find the mystery of UAPs again there waiting for him.

On Nov. 13, two subcommittees of the House Oversight Committee held a joint hearing provocatively titled Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena: Exposing the Truth, during which they heard from four witnesses who spent just over two hours making the case that American skies are indeed being plied by un-Americanand quite possibly unearthlymachines.

Let me be clear, testified Luis Elizondo, a former military intelligence official who spent 10 years running a Pentagon program investigating the unexplained sightings, UAP are real. Advanced technologies not made by our government or any other government are monitoring sensitive military installations around the globe. Furthermore, the U.S. is in possession of UAP technologies, as are some of our adversaries. I believe we are in the midst of a multi-decade, secretive arms race, one funded by misallocated taxpayer dollars, and hidden from our elected representatives and oversight bodies.

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What caused both the lawmakers and the witnesses at the hearing particular concern is not just the fact that the sightings keep occurring, but where theyre occurringwith a disproportionate share of them happening over military or other secure installations. Committee chairman Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) put the question directly to Elizondo.

I suppose, hypothetically, you could have incursions over just regular airports, he said, but is it obvious that these incursions are more likely over military facilities than over a random airport?

There is definitely enough data to suggest that there is some sort of relationship between sensitive U.S. military installations, also some of our nuclear equities, and some of our Department of Energy sites, Elizondo answered. This is not a new trend; this has been going on for decades and that information has been obfuscated, unfortunately, from folks like you in this committee, and I think thats problematic.

Read More: When Should I Go to the Doctor With Cold Symptoms?

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Elizondo was not the only witness to charge that the government is playing cute with what it knows or doesnt know about the origin of UAPs. Retired rear admiral Tim Gallaudet was deployed off the east coast of the continental U.S. in Jan. 2015 when one of the cockpit videos that was declassified in 2020 was first captured. According to his testimony, he and a handful of other Naval officers received an email with the video attachedan email that vanished from all of their inboxes without explanation the next day. The anomalous object, he said, exhibited flight and structural characteristics unlike anything in our arsenal. For Gallaudet, the content of the video, not to mention its disappearance, served as confirmation that UAPs are interacting with humanity.

Some of the most sensational claims of the two-hour session came from journalist Michael Shellenberger, founder of the news site Public on the Substack platform, who submitted 214 pages of testimony into evidence. Last month, Shellenberger published an article alleging that the government was running what he described in his testimony as an active and highly secretive program called Immaculate Constellation, which includes hundreds, maybe thousands of images and videos of UAPs. And its not those fuzzy photos and videos weve been given, he testified. Its very clear, very high resolution.

Read More: The Surprising Health Benefits of Pain

Michael Gold, a former NASA associate administrator and a member of the space agencys UAP independent study team, weighed in too, lamenting what he described as the pernicious stigma that continues to impede scientific dialogue and open discussions about UAP. Science requires data which should be collected without bias or prejudice, yet when the topic of UAP arises, those who wish to explore the phenomena are met by resistance and ridicule.

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Thats not only a disservice to public knowledge, but a risk to public safetyone that Gallaudet, with his military pedigree, was quick to point out. There is a national security need for more UAP transparency, he said. In 2025, the U.S. will spend over $900 billion on national defense, yet we still have an incomplete understanding of what is in our airspace.

Added Elizondo: We are talking about technologies that can outperform anything we have in our inventory. And if this was an adversarial technology, this would be an intelligence failure eclipsing that of 9/11 by an order of magnitude.

Whatever the unexplained technology is, the witnesses stressed, it is the governments responsibility not just to figure out its origin, but to share what it learns with the taxpaying public. The intelligence community is treating us like children, Shellenberger testified. Its time for us to know the truth about this. I think that we can handle it.

Write to Jeffrey Kluger at jeffrey.kluger@time.com.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  A KXAN investigation found a Texas school district took more than a month to respond to allegations of a sexual assault between students on a school bus.

Investigator Kelly Wiley reports internal records from the incident also revealed questions about how the states legal battle over Title IX impacts school training on how to handle sexual misconduct claims.

Texas schools handling of bullying case highlights Title IX challenges

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Join Kelly Wiley and Esmeralda Zamora every Friday morning for a live recap of the latest headlines and in-depth reporting from the KXAN Investigates team.

Related reading:

Paxton blocks Bidens Title IX rule protecting LGBTQ+ students in Texas

Gov. Abbott directs Texas colleges, universities to ignore Title IX changes

Bidens Title IX law expanding protections for LGBTQ+ students is dealt another setback

More Republican states challenge new Title IX rules protecting LGBTQ+ students

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
UCLAs administration suffered from institutional paralysis and an inability to effectively respond and protect students from violence when protesters clashed on campus this spring, according to a scathing independent report.

The report, conducted by 21st Century Policing Solutions, comes months after violence erupted outside a pro-Palestinian encampment on UCLAs campus. The consulting company reviewed thousands of documents and interviewed several current and former UCLA administrators, faculty, staff, students and law enforcement personnel.

Administration failed to prepare for the encampment to be formed, and for the ensuing violence, despite seeing similar events occur at other universities around the country. The lack of a plan made decision-making times chaotic, the report says, as it wasnt clear who on campus held the authority to make difficult choices.

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Behavioral emergency prompts hourlong closure of 101 Freeway in downtown L.A.

This led to the lack of ability to react quickly to rapidly changing events, like when pro-Israeli counterprotesters arrived on the night of April 30.

Members of law enforcement agencies told the investigators that it felt like nobody was in charge on that night, despite the fact that the UCLA Police Department responded as violence erupted.

This forced officers with the Los Angeles Police Department and California Highway Patrol to take charge of the violent event, despite not being properly briefed on the nature of the protests and the geography of campus.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA  MAY 2: US Police arrest a Pro-Palestinian demonstrator as the people protest at UCLA, in Los Angeles, California, USA on May 2, 2024. (Photo by Grace Yoon/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Because UCLA PD did not provide this critical information, these outside law enforcement agencies decided amongst themselves how to engage, the report reads. That is not how the operation should have functioned.

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Now several months removed from the violence, UCLA and UCLA PD should develop a systematic plan in the short and intermediate term before more chaotic events occur, the report says. Recommendations include maintaining a clear and direct chain of command when it comes to decision-making and a training program to instruct officers on how to act in extreme circumstances.

The University of California issued a response to the report on Thursday, saying that it is taking a close, detailed look at where administrators fell short in the response to the violence.

Last spring, as conflict spread at universities across the country, we saw the limits of our traditional approach. We are taking a close, detailed look at where we fell short and how we can do better moving forward. This comprehensive review and these recommendations will help ensure that we have actionable plans and policies in place to prevent similar events from happening again, said University of California President Michael V. Drake.

In May, UCLA appointed the former Sacramento Chief of Police to lead the new Office of Campus Safety in response to the protests.

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Amy Moore, director of the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation, spoke about intoxicating hemp products during a panel discussions at the MJ Unpacked Conference, held in St. Louis on Nov. 5 (Photo by Rebecca Rivas/The Missouri Independent)

Missourians can walk into a CBD shop right now and buy something that looks just like the canisters of marijuana buds and joints sold in state-regulated dispensaries.

Coffee shops are selling seltzers with 5mg of Delta-9 THC  an amount that would produce a strong buzz  right next to the juices in their coolers.

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At farmers markets, bakers are selling intoxicating brownies and other homemade treats in stands right next to farm-fresh vegetables.

Many elected officials and Missourians have publicly puzzled at how this happened in a state where voters created a marijuana program designed to be highly regulated and limited to licensed dispensaries.

While theres no single explanation, industry experts and cannabis advocates say much of the blame  or credit  goes to a little noticed provision in the 2018 Farm Bill that is effectively acting as a back-door to widespread marijuana legalization.

Now people are saying, Well, basically all marijuana is hemp, said David Vaillencourt, board chair and co-founder of Denver-based S3 Collective. Its all legal. The Farm Bill legalized it.

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Vaillencourt spoke during a panel discussion last week at the MJ Unpacked Conference held in St. Louis, where lab experts and regulators chimed in on various panels to talk about the impact of hemp products on marijuana industry and how to regulate it.

Since Congress descheduled hemp in the 2018 Farm Bill, many states have been grappling with having two nearly identical intoxicating cannabis markets that are bound by very different rules, Vaillencourt said.

In Missouri, theres no government agency in charge of making sure products being sold as intoxicating hemp are actually made from hemp. No agency is making sure these products are safe, and theres no age restriction set by the government to buy them.

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Vaillencourt said this market has eclipsed the state-regulated marijuana industry in size in some parts of the country.

Thats significant because that marketplace didnt exist several years ago, he said.

While Delta-8 edibles or seltzers are the most recognizable products in the intoxicating hemp industry, the products are rapidly evolving  making it challenging for regulators to keep up.

From a health community standpoint, we are very concerned with brand new compounds coming out of these processes that weve never seen before, said Amy Moore, director of the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation during one of the panel discussions at the conference. We really have no idea what they do, either from experimentation or study.

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For Moore, its even more concerning that these compounds are being made in large amounts, and just see what happens.

This year, Missouri lawmakers attempted to address the issue, first with failed legislation and later with a stalled-out executive order issued by Gov. Mike Parson trying to ban the products.

For the third year, the upcoming legislative session will be the battlefield between the hemp and marijuana industries. Both will be pushing for their own proposals of sensible regulations.

This civil war between the two industries is happening all over the country, said cannabis attorney Rod Kight, who has represented hemp businesses in lawsuits nationwide.

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Which one is going to win out, he asked, or what is the end result here?

On one hand, marijuana companies say its unfair that they played by the rules, Kight said, and now have to compete with purported hemp products available at gas stations.

On the other side, hemp industry leaders say what theyre doing is legal under federal and state law.

Theres all these different things that people have in their minds about what it means to have legal hemp, Kight said. But the reality of the situation is, for all practical purposes, cannabis is legal in the United States. We just call it hemp.

Competing proposals

Gov. Mike Parson speaks at his Capitol press conference announcing Executive Order 24-10 that bans the sale of intoxicating hemp products in Missouri until such time approved sources can be regulated by the FDA or State of Missouri through legislative action, he said (photo courtesy of Missouri Governors Office).

Parsons attempt this summer to ban intoxicating hemp remains on hold, perhaps indefinitely.

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When the order went into effect on Sept. 1, the governor was hoping to utilize compliance officers at both the states Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control and DHSS Bureau of Environmental Health Services to implement the ban.

However, those plans quickly came to a halt when the Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft rejected the emergency rules that would have given the alcohol division the authority to conduct inspections.

That meant that the states food inspectors were left to handle compliance on their own.

But a lawsuit by the Missouri Hemp Trade Association and a bungled raid for hemp seltzers at a veterans home on Sept. 11 have squashed any further actions.

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The two current pathways for a ban to move forward  through administrative rules and potential new legislation  wont see any movement until the spring.

They both will be met by the hemp industrys growing political power, which includes the Missouri Petroleum & Convenience Association and many liquor distributors.

Frankly, alcohol sales are off, Chris Lindsey, director of state advocacy for the American Trade Association of Cannabis and Hemp, said during a panel discussion at the St. Louis conference. That leaves a lot of alcohol distributors looking for new products.

The opposition also includes a number of small business owners, Kight said.

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In Missouri, you wouldnt ban these products because it would completely pull the rug out from underneath the multi-billion dollar industry, mostly consisting of small businesses, Kight said, and give it to the existing license holders, which tend to be huge corporate entities.

The argument that banning these products would harm thousands of small businesses in Missouri and further feed what critics call the marijuana monopoly was largely successful in blocking proposed legislation the last two years.

However, the state is not backing down.

The Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control proposed new state rules this month that would ban the sale of hemp-derived products for any licensed liquor retailer. Those rules must be approved by a legislative committee that oversees administrative rules.

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The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services preliminary budget requests $877,000 to fund more food inspectors to implement Parsons executive order.

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Those funds would become available on July 1, if lawmakers approve the request as part of the state budget.

The department estimates that 40,000 food establishments and smoke shops and 1,800 food manufacturers could potentially be affected by the governors order, the budget request states, but the majority of these facilities are at low-risk of requiring investigation.

It is estimated that all seven inspection staff can conduct 2,900-3,500 site visits annually, it states.

The department also budgeted $160,000 to hire two full-time attorneys, in the event that business owners challenge enforcement actions.

On the other side, the hemp industry will be proposing its own legislation for regulations on these products, including testing, age restrictions and package labeling.

Diana Eberlein, chair of the Cannabis Beverage Association, notes that THC seltzers and drinks are being sold at the countrys largest liquor retailers, including Total Wine.

And thats even more of a reason why states like Missouri need to pass regulations to prevent an absolute disaster from happening.

This has really evolved, Eberlein told attendees at the St. Louis conference, and its exciting, but we also need sensible regulation in place to make sure that the consumer is kept safe. We need to push for it, and alcohol is a power that can get behind us to really put this across the line.

New compounds

A St. Louis liquor store hung a sign announcing Gov. Mike Parsons executive order to ban intoxicating hemp beverages. Sales have since resumed after the ban was put on hold indefinitely (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).

Moore, the head of Missouris marijuana regulatory agency, explained that her division has learned how to create a successful regulatory framework since medical marijuana came on line in 2018.

If hemp products are allowed to be sold outside of dispensaries and their regulatory framework, it would be like starting over from scratch, Moore said.

Its important to be very concerned about health and safety, which I think we all are, she said. I would say its a big project, a lot to be done there.

One of the most common ways to make these products  and is often referred to as a loophole  is to convert the nonintoxicating compound CBD into the psychoactive compounds Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC by using a chemical conversion.

Several experts talked about this process creating new compounds that have not been tested.

You end up creating a lot of other chemicals besides the one that youre targeting, and its very expensive to pull all that back out, Lindsey said. Thats what companies like Pfizer and pharmaceutical companies spend a lot of time on.

Because the products arent being regulated, consumers have a false sense of security, he said.

And those concerns are shared by hemp leaders as well, Kight said, fueling their push for regulations.

We dont know how they interact with humans, and safety is a big concern, he said.

However, Kight sees a shift in the industry moving away from conversions and a lot of these strange sorts of cannabinoids.

For the most part, youre beginning to see more and more products that are just sort of Delta-9, CBD and THCA, he said.

THCA is a naturally abundant cannabinoid that transforms into Delta-9 THC when smoked or heated. Since the 2018 Farm Bill, botanists have figured out how to breed cannabis plants capable of passing the only federal checkpoint required on hemp plants  a visit from U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors 30 days before harvest.

At that point, the levels of Delta-9 THC and THCA are below the federal threshold, he said, but both increase when harvested 30 days later. Kight believes theres lots of marijuana flower sold in dispensaries that would probably meet this standard of hemp as well. Its a point thats being argued in court, he said.

THCA is the most abundant cannabinoid that cannabis produces, he said. If theres any cannabinoid that humans have truly ingested for thousands of years, its THCA. The hemp industry is moving kind of back towards this more natural sort of state of affairs, and Im very pleased with that.

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(Bloomberg) -- The last time Donald Trump was US president it spelled disaster for Iran  he walked away from a landmark nuclear deal, derailed the countrys economy with sanctions and killed its most revered general.

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This time around, the signals from the Trump camp are more mixed. The president-elect has suggested he wants to stabilize the relationship, yet he and some of his Cabinet nominees have also called for Israel to bomb Irans nuclear facilities and return to the maximum pressure campaign of his first term.

The New York Times reported Thursday that billionaire Elon Musk  a confidante of Trump who has sat in on at least one call with foreign leaders  met with Irans ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, to discuss easing tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Iravanis office in New York declined to comment on the story, which has been re-published in Iranian state media and hasnt yet been denied by Iranian officials. It put out a statement later Friday saying cease-fires could be achieved in Gaza and Lebanon if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is dethroned or restrained.

On the surface, there seems to be little for the US and Iran to discuss. Under Trump, the US assassinated a top Iranian general, Qassem Soleimani. And the US Justice Department last month detailed an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Trump in the runup to the election.

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Even so, the meeting could suggest that Trump  or the people around him  are at least willing to talk, and consider the possibility of a softer stance. It also suggests Tehran may realize it cant afford another major standoff with a longtime nemesis. The Islamic Republic is struggling with economic challenges brought about by years of sanctions, while its allied militant groups are embroiled in an ongoing and punishing war with US ally Israel.

There are currently more trial balloons in the air from Tehran than there are at a country fair, Naysan Rafati, senior Iran analyst at the International Crisis Group, told a call on US-Iran relations held by the Stimson Center think tank.

Iran hasnt had formal diplomatic ties with the US since soon after the 1979 revolution, when an Islamist government ousted the pro-Western Shah and took over the state. The two have since been locked in a cold war that has occasionally threatened to erupt into open conflict.

At the core of the Islamic Republics regional policy is its unflinching hostility and opposition to the state of Israel  which has only increased since the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas that triggered the ongoing war in Gaza. Israel has since expanded the conflict to target Lebanon-based Hezbollah, another Iran-backed group. Both Hamas and Hezbollah are designated terrorist organizations by the US.

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Iran-US enmity has been interrupted for only brief periods, one of which came via the 2015 nuclear deal that imposed limits on Irans atomic activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Trump withdrew from that deal in 2018 and imposed even harsher sanctions.

The US has warned of Iranian plots to kill Americans linked to Trumps first-term Iran policies. But Iran sought to reassure the US last month that it doesnt want to kill Trump, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday.

Iranian General

Official Iranian statements on Trumps election have so far avoided much mention of Soleimani, the venerated commander of an elite IRGC unit killed in a US drone attack in January 2020.

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We must manage to reduce the costs and tensions, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said of the US on Wednesday.

In the meantime, the Islamic Republics leaders are trying to figure out what Trump and his Cabinet nominees mean for US policy. On the one hand, Trump himself has said he wants a new deal with Iran as long as it doesnt seek a nuclear weapon.

Were not looking to do damage to Iran, but they have  they cant have a nuclear weapon, Trump told reporters the day after the election.

But before the Nov. 5 vote, Trump said President Joe Biden had been wrong to tell Israel not to target Iranian nuclear sites.

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When they asked him that question the answer should have been, Hit the nuclear first and worry about the rest later, he told a rally in North Carolina.

And Trump has nominated some politicians  including Marco Rubio for secretary of state, Pete Hegseth for defense secretary and Elise Stefanik for United Nations ambassador  who have called for a return to maximum pressure and suggested Israel should be given the green light to bomb Iran.

Israel should respond to Iran the way the US would respond if some country launched 180 missiles at us, Rubio wrote in a social media post after Iran attacked Israel in October.

Musks reported meeting with Iravani  a veteran Iranian official who has worked in the office of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei  coincided with a statement from Tehran unequivocally rejecting the idea that Iran may be developing nuclear weapons.

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President Masoud Pezeshkian, a reformist elected earlier this year after the sudden death of hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi, said Iran wants to resolve ambiguities and alleged doubts about our countrys peaceful nuclear activities, according to the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency.

Pezeshkian was speaking after meeting Rafael Mariano Grossi, the head of the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency, who was visiting Tehran for the first time since Pezeshkian took office. The trip involved a rare, public appearance Friday at the Fordow nuclear facility, which Israel has threatened to attack.

There is a sense here that the approach to the US may have softened, said Saeed Laylaz, an economist and one-time advisor to former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami. We have some major domestic and economic challenges to deal with that the public needs to be prepared for.

--With assistance from Patrick Sykes and Arsalan Shahla.

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Iran sent a private letter to the Joe Biden administration last month vowing it wouldnt plot to kill Donald Trump, according to a report.

The letter from Tehran  delivered on October 14  came in response to US officials private hand-written warning to the country in September, relating that any threats against the then-Republican nominees life would be treated as an act of war, the Wall Street Journal first reported.

The promise not to kill the now president-elect contradicts Irans vow to avenge Qassem Soleimani  the commander of the Quds Force killed in a US airstrike in 2020 during Trumps presidency.

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However, the letter echoed its claim that Trump had committed a crime by directing the airstrike to target Soleimani. Tehrans letter was not signed by a specific official, the Journal reported.

The revelation comes one week after the Justice Department announced that it had intercepted a fugitive Iranian government operatives scheme to assassinate President-elect Trump before election day.

Donald Trump speaks at the America First Policy Institute Gala held at Mar-a-Lago on November 14 in Palm Beach, Florida. Iran sent a secret message to the US last month promising not to kill President-elect Trump (Getty Images)

It also arrives months after Trumps Secret Service presence was bolstered over the summer when the Biden administration learned of credible threats targeting US politicians.

The boost in his security detail happened mere weeks before a 20-year-old gunman opened fire at Trumps Butler, Pennsylvania, rally. There is no evidence to suggest the incidents are connected.

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Amid these alleged threats on his life, Trump told reporters that he would consider a new nuclear agreement with the country  years after he pulled out of the 2015 landmark Iran nuclear deal during his first term.

At the time, he called it a a horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made; former Secretary of State John Kerry once lauded the agreement as making the world a safer place.

Elon Musk, left, and Trump attend a campaign event at the Butler Farm Show on Oct. 5, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania. Musk, recently tapped to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, met with Irans ambassador to the UN on Monday (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

We have to make a deal, because the consequences are impossible. We have to make a deal, he said in late September, Politico reported.

Richard Nephew, once the Department of States Coordinator on Global Anti-Corruption during the Biden administration, warned that Trumps hopes could be far-fetched.

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Tehrans assurances in its recent note could help US-Iran relations, but no one should be kidding themselves on how hard a deal would be to achieve on even just the nuclear issue given where Irans program is and the history of the agreement, Nephew told the Journal.

More recently, on Monday, Elon Musk  the worlds richest person and Trumps pick to lead the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency  met with Irans ambassador to the UN. The meeting, held in New York City, was meant to cool tensions between the two nations.

Iranian officials described the meeting to the New York Times as positive and good news.
Warning: This story contains descriptions of self-harm that some readers might find distressing

Iranian activist Kianoosh Sanjari, who died by suicide this week in protest at political imprisonments by the regime, was buried Friday in the capital Tehran.

Sanjari took his own life Wednesday at the age of 42, jumping off a building in downtown Tehran, according to other activists and state media, after threatening to kill himself if four activists detained by the Islamic Republic were not released.

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I will end my life in protest against the dictatorship of (Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah) Khamenei and his partners, Sanjari had written earlier Wednesday on X, demanding the release of Fatemeh Sepehari, Nasreen Shakrami, Toomaj Salehi and Arsham Rezaei by 7 p.m local time that day.

No one should be imprisoned for expressing their opinions. Protest is the right of every Iranian citizen, he wrote in a separate post on Wednesday.

At around 7.20 p.m. local time, Sanjari posted a photo from atop a high structure, with the caption: 7 PM, Hafez Bridge, Charsou. Charsou Bazaar is a commercial building in downtown Tehran.

My life will end after this tweet I wish that one day Iranians wake up and overcome slavery.

Kianoosh is lost

Hossein Ronaghi, an Iranian human rights activist, confirmed Sanjaris death Thursday and urged people to attend his funeral Friday.

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It is time to act as Iranians, we should attend his burial with enthusiasm and respect, to honor this noble and tortured individual, Ronaghi wrote on X.

The activist warned authorities against disrupting the burial through heightened security. No one has the right to disrupt the burial, create a security atmosphere, or show any disrespect to this ceremony, he wrote.

I swear by Kianooshs blood, if any disturbance is caused by security forces or any obstacles are put in the way of peoples presence, I will make you regret it, Ronaghi said.

Abdollah Momeni, another Iranian activist, said that when he saw Sanjars post, he rushed to meet him, only to find a white sheet thrown over his body by Hafez Bridge.

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Unfortunately, Kianoosh is lost, Momeni wrote on X Wednesday.

On Thursday, the state news agency ISNA reported that a judicial case had been opened by the prosecutors office in Tehran regarding Sanjaris suicide. ISNA, citing the Tehran prosecutors office, suggested that Sanjari had a history of mental health issues, for which they said he had been hospitalized and given prescription medication.

Repeated detentions

A vocal critic of the Iranian regime, Sanjari was arrested several times between 1999 and 2007, when he was finally released with a bail bond of over $100,000, Amnesty International said. He was accused of acting against state security and propaganda against the system, according to the human rights organization. Sanjari spent time in Tehrans notorious Evin Prison, which is known for its long record of human rights abuses.

He left Iran shortly after his release but returned in 2016, when he was arrested again and sentenced to 11 years in prison, according to the IranWire activist outlet. In 2021, he left for the US but later returned to Iran, IranWire said.

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Between 2009 and 2013, Sanjari worked for the Persian Service of the US government-funded broadcaster Voice of America in Washington, DC.

VOAs Persian Service said on Thursday it expressed shock and grief at the suicide of a former colleague, Kianoosh Sanjari, who jumped to his death from a building in Tehran on Wednesday in protest against Irans authoritarian rulers.

Editors Note: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. If you live in the US and are having suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. TrevorLifeline, a suicide prevention counseling service for the LGBTQ community, can be reached at 866-488-7386. Befrienders Worldwide connects users to the nearest emotional support center for the part of the world they live in.

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The Israeli army is investigating its actions in 16 attacks in the Gaza Strip on suspicion of law violations.

The attacks took place between October 21 and November 2.

The Israeli army said on Friday that the review of the cases is still ongoing, and it could therefore not provide details.

According to Haaretz, the cases include airstrikes on residential buildings and former school buildings, in which, according to Palestinians, many people were killed.

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In the case of an attack on a former school building at the end of October, the army said at the time that forces had targeted a command centre of the Islamist Hamas movement. Numerous measures had been taken to reduce the risk to civilians, Israel said.

Israel's bombardment and ground offensive in the Gaza Strip since October 2023 has killed thousands of Palestinians, many of them civilians, as the Israeli army has waged war against Hamas and other terrorist organizations.

In all 16 attacks, there is a suspicion that the attacks were disproportionate or violated international humanitarian law, Haaretz reported.

The newspaper says that the internal investigations also serve to head off calls for international probes into suspected war crimes.

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The investigations in Israel are being conducted by a military committee that, according to the army, is independent.

The results will then be forwarded to the military attorney general, who will decide whether to open a criminal investigation.

According to the newspaper, however, the investigations can take years and are often dropped.

According to the army, almost 2,000 incidents have been submitted to the committee for review since the beginning of the war more than a year ago.

The military did not say whether these investigations have had any criminal consequences to date, or if so, which ones.

Relatives of the Palestinians who were killed in an Israeli attack on different areas of the central part of Gaza grief after taking the bodies from the al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital for burial in Deir El-Balah. Omar Ashtawy Apaimages/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
The Israeli military has carried out air strikes on more than 120 targets of the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon within 24 hours, it announced on Friday.

These include weapons depots and rocket launchers which had fired projectiles at Israel, the Israeli military wrote on social media platform X.

Ground operations in the south of neighbouring Lebanon were also ongoing, the military said.

The Israeli military once again accused the Iran-backed militia of systematically taking control of civilian areas throughout Lebanon. According to Lebanese information, the Israeli attacks have led to many civilian casualties.

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In Lebanon, further reports emerged of new Israeli airstrikes in the morning on the southern suburbs of Beirut, which are considered a Hezbollah stronghold. The Israeli military had previously urged residents of some buildings in the area to flee.

The military also said that more projectiles were being fired from Lebanon at the north of Israel. According to the Israeli Magen David Adom rescue service, several people were injured, including foreign workers.

Hezbollah claimed responsibility for a rocket attack on a military base in the Haifa area.

The current war between Israel and Hezbollah began on October 8 last year with rocket attacks by the Lebanese militia in support of Hamas, which had triggered the Gaza war with its unprecedented attack on Israel the day before.

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Since then, Hezbollah and Israel's military have been engaged in heavy fighting. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, more than 3,000 people have been killed in Lebanon so far.

The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. The United Nations says more than 800,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon as a result of the attacks. In addition, there are around 1.2 million refugees from Syria's civil war in Lebanon.
Israel's new defence minister, Israel Katz, has confirmed the conscription of thousands of ultra-Orthodox men planned by his predecessor.

The Israeli defence ministry announced on Friday that 7,000 conscription notices will be sent out in stages starting on Sunday.

Israeli media had previously reported that the military intended to issue the conscription orders. Former defence minister Yoav Gallant, who was dismissed ten days ago, had approved the measure before his dismissal.

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Katz emphasized that the army would do everything to support those affected in maintaining their religious customs. Many ultra-Orthodox Jews see military service as a threat to their pious lifestyle, partly because women and men serve together.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid praised Katz's decision, but criticism came from the ultra-religious parties in the governing coalition.

Strictly religious men were exempt from compulsory military service in Israel for decades. However, this exemption expired several months ago when the Israeli government failed to pass a law cementing the privileges for the ultra Orthodox.

Israel's Supreme Court finally issued a judgement this summer confirming that ultra-Orthodox men should be drafted into military service.
Israel's far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has spoken out against more aid deliveries for the civilian population in the Gaza Strip, despite the catastrophic humanitarian situation.

"As long as we have hostages in the Gaza Strip, we must not make any concessions, not even to the civilian population," he told the Israeli news portal Arutz Sheva.

Ben-Gvir was the only one in the Cabinet to vote against the further aid demanded by the United States. The United Nations and aid organizations are warning of an acute famine in the embattled coastal strip.

In October, the US government gave Israel a 30-day deadline to improve the provision of aid to the civilian population in Gaza, threatening to block US military aid if it failed to do so. When the deadline expired at the beginning of the week, the US said that while Israel had taken some steps to provide more aid, more was needed.
ROME (AP)  The manager of a small hotel in northern Italy refused a reservation made by an Israeli couple, accusing Israeli people of being responsible for genocide. Jewish groups decried the incident as an example of antisemitism.

The couple had booked two nights for the beginning of November at the Hotel Garni Ongaro in Selva di Cadore, a mountain village surrounded by the Dolomites, using the Booking.com online reservation platform.

A day before their departure, they received a message from the hotels staff: Good morning. We inform you that the Israeli people as those responsible for genocide are not welcome customers in our structure.

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The hotel manager then invited the tourists to cancel their reservation, adding they would be happy to grant free cancellation. The manager has since closed his Facebook profile, and he wasn't immediately available for comment.

I feel infinite sadness for the ignorance shown by certain people, Dario Calimani, the president of the Jewish Community of Venice, said on Thursday. When you dont agree with what Israel does, you spread hatred against all Israelis.

The incident caught the attention of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, which has confirmed they were investigating the matter.

Booking.com said Friday that it had removed the hotel from its platform.

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We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind and in the rare event that we are alerted to discriminatory behavior from a property, we investigate immediately and will remove the listing from our platform, just as we have done in this instance, the travel site said in an email sent to The Associated Press.

The Veneto region governor, Luca Zaia, dubbed the incident as extremely serious.

I feel deeply disturbed and Im shocked by what has happened, he said. Veneto must guarantee its doors are open to all.

Incidents of antisemitism have increased in Italy to about 80 or 90 a week in the last year, from about 30 a week before the war in Gaza started, the Antisemitism Observatory reported.

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Last month, a mural depicting a survivor of last years Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, which killed around 1,200 people in Israel, was vandalized in Milan.

More than 43,000 people have been killed in Israels military campaign in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to Palestinian health officials, who dont distinguish between civilians and combatants when recording the deaths.

Word of the hotel incident came on the same day that former hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and their relatives met at the Vatican with Pope Francis.

Sharone Lifshitz, whose father remains a hostage after her mother was freed last year, responded to a request for comment, saying it was wrong to consider all Israelis as agents of the Israeli government, just as it would be wrong to consider all Americans as agents of the U.S. government. The tendency to do that, she added, was a sign of antisemitism.

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Not all people agree with the current government of Italy, and yet I dont think the people of Italy traveling the world would be subjected personally as individuals to the actions of their government, she said.

The government of Israel does many things that I personally and absolutely and categorically dont agree with as an individual  and yet we are taken as agents of our government," she said. I think antisemitism and the inability of many people to separate individuals from the state seems to be very much connected to the people of Israel and to Jewish people.

___

Nicole Winfield contributed to this report.
JACKSONVILLE, Texas (KETK)  A Jacksonville man has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty on Wednesday to two counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child, officials said.

Tyler PD assist in capture of man wanted for aggravated sexual assault

The Police Department brought the charges against James Warnell Phillips of Jacksonville after determining he had continuously sexually abused minors for 11 years, according to the Cherokee County District Attorneys Office.

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Phillips trial started on Nov. 12 and the attorneys office said he changed his plea to guilty after only one and a half days of testimony. The jury reportedly handed down his life sentence after less than an hour of deliberation.

Photo courtesy of the Cherokee County District Attorneys Office.

The case against him was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Richey and Cherokee County District Attorney Elmer Beckworth.

The success of this case hinged on skills and hard work of law enforcement and victim advocates. Their work is tireless, often thankless, and difficult. Too often it goes unrecognized. Without their dedication and perseverance these victims may not have gotten justice. Elmer Beckworth, Cherokee County District Attorney

Beckworth thanked the Jacksonville Police Department, Detective Shawn Hays, the Cherokee County Victims Assistance coordinator Regina Brooks and the Cherokee County Childrens Advocacy Center.

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AUSTIN (KXAN)  Real estate investor Nate Paul was booked into the Travis County jail Thursday evening to begin a 10-day jail sentence for criminal contempt of court  a penalty dealt by a district judge for perjury and violating an injunction in civil case against a charity, according to county records.

Travis County District Judge Jan Soifer first ordered Paul to jail in March 2023. Paul unsuccessfully fought the order at practically every available level of the court system  from the Texas Supreme Court to the U.S. Supreme Court.

After appeals denied, Austin real estate investor Nate Paul ordered to jail for 10 days

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In the past week Paul filed two motions in federal district court to avert the jail term, but both were denied, according to court records. His varied appeals delayed the punishment for more than a year, but time ultimately ran out.

The contempt sentence relates to a lawsuit between Paul and the nonprofit Mitte Foundation. The dispute began in 2018, when the Mitte Foundation sued over investments in Pauls real estate ventures, court records show.

Nate Paul | Mugshot provided by Austin Police Department

The Mitte Foundation prevailed in arbitration. Amid the legal wrangling, Soifer found Paul guilty of perjury and violating an injunction that required him to report transfers over $25,000 and get fair value for transfers, according to court records.

Countless headlines

Paul has made countless headlines in the past several years. He rose to prominence as the chief of World Class Holdings, a real estate investment company that had assets nationwide exceeding $1 billion, according to media reports.

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In recent years, bankruptcies and lawsuits have beset Pauls companies.

Who is Nate Paul  the Austin real estate investor charged with 8 federal counts

Pauls court battle with the Mitte Foundation intersected with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who was accused of wrongfully using his office to help Paul in the lawsuit. The Texas House impeached Paxton over that and other allegations. The Texas Senate then acquitted Paxton on all the articles of impeachment against him last year.

Paul has also been mired in a federal criminal case with the potential for far more time behind bars than 10 days. He faces a dozen federal charges for bank and wire fraud. Those felony counts are unrelated to his lawsuit with the Mitte Foundation.

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Paul is schedule for trial on the fraud charges in February 2025.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
I hope you like measles, an incredulous Jake Tapper said Thursday about Donald Trump tapping Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy, who ended his own bid for president to support Trump, has been vocal in his opposition to vaccines of any kind.

Former Congressman Adam Kinzinger told the CNN anchor he wasnt sure if the GOP would support this particular pick.

A lot of the sane Senate Republicans  particularly those who voted to remove Donald Trump? Theyre up for reelection, so now it becomes a whole different ballgame. Will they resist RFK on vaccines? I dont know, he said.

Jake Tapper on Trumps pick of RFK Jr as Secretary of Health and Human Services: Well America, I hope you like measles. (Video: CNN) pic.twitter.com/hVTeNGG4Ul  Mike Sington (@MikeSington) November 14, 2024

Kinzinger was more skeptical that Trumps pick for Attorney General, Matt Gaetz, would sail through the nomination process with an ethics charge and sexual trafficking allegations still hanging over his head, despite his resignation from Congress.

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Id actually be surprised if Gaetz gets confirmed, and thats why I was surprised he resigned the House, because hes not going to have anything to fall back on. But hell be a Fox News commentator or something. So I do expect that there will be resistance to him, Kinzinger said.

In a separate segment, Tapper asked Senator-elect Jim Banks of Indiana whether Kennedys claims about the danger of vaccines bother him.

The scientific and medical community has been clear for years that what he says about vaccines, childhood vaccines, is false. They dont cause autism. Theres no direct link. Does that bother you at all? Tapper asked.

Banks replied, Look, Donald Trump won the popular vote, and one of the things that he promised on the campaign trails (is) to have a serious and thoughtful conversation about vaccines. Especially after the pandemic, mandatory vaccines is a topic that a lot of American voters want to, want us to tackle on Capitol Hill.

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He added, I feel very comfortable with RFK Jr. having a significant seat at the table to lead big debates about obesity and other health issues.

CNN commentator Kate Bedingfield told Tapper there really isnt anything Democrats can do about Trumps picks in the short run, since they lost both the House and the Senate. She suggested that all they can do in the meantime is sound the alarm where appropriate.

Bedingfield explained, Democrats can start to lay out their own alternative, positive vision. Its never too soon to start doing that. So, practically, can they do anything in the short term? No, but can they impact the narrative moving forward? I hope so.

Thats the moment when Tapper said, Well, America, I hope you like measles.

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The CNN host isnt the only one reacting to the appointment with dread: Shares of vaccine makers Moderna, Novavax, Pfizer, BioNTech and GSK fell on Thursday after RFK was announced, according to CNBC.

The post Jake Tapper Jokes I Hope You Like Measles After RFK Jr. Is Tapped as Health Chief | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A Jamestown couple is facing a slew of accusations after allegedly fleeing the scene of a shooting and being in possession of multiple drugs, including over 60 grams of fentanyl, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced.

Officials said a 911 call was placed in the early morning hours of Aug. 17 for a serious head injury on Victoria Avenue. A victim was found laying in a pool of blood at the bottom of the stairs, officials said. The victim, who survived, allegedly told police that someone named Billy had purchased a firearm from 38-year-old Jensen Vazquez prior to the apparent shooting.

Vazquez was found coming down the stairs from an upper apartment while 29-year-old Kylah Seiberg was found on a side porch, according to officials. It is alleged that Vazquez suggested his e-bike was stolen in connection with the shooting.

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The couple allegedly fled the scene before a search warrant was completed. The e-bike, ammunition and narcotics including fentanyl, meth and cocaine were recovered. A handgun was recovered from Seibergs vehicle, officials said.

The couple allegedly remained at large in Florida until Sept. 3, when they stole a vehicle and drove it back to the Victoria Avenue residence. Vazquez was found allegedly hiding in the insulation in the attic and the two were taken into custody.

Around 65 grams of fentanyl were recovered. In addition, a plastic bag with over seven grams of fentanyl was allegedly found hidden inside of Seibergs body after she went to a local hospital complaining of stomach pain.

The couple were indicted on the following charges:

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narcotics conspiracy

possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl

possession with intent to distribute 50 or more grams of methamphetamine

possession with intent to distribute cocaine

using and maintaining a drug-involved premises

Vazquez and Seiberg face a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and maximum of life if convicted. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.

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Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.

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Donald Trump sent a public message to Jamie Dimon, telling the CEO he would not be part of his administration.

In response, Dimon said he hasn't had a boss in 25 years.

Trump previously said he'd consider Dimon for the role of treasury secretary, then walked back the comment.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has no hard feelings about not being part of President-elect Donald Trump's new administration.

"I haven't had a boss in 25 years and I'm not about ready to start," Dimon said on Thursday in response to being told Trump was not inviting him to be treasury secretary.

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Dimon made the comment on stage at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Summit in Peru. The summit brings together some of the biggest names in business and policy. During the conference, Dimon also discussed deregulation and America's need for a growth and efficiency strategy.

While on the campaign trail, Trump waffled on the topic of appointing Dimon to his administration.

"I have a lot of respect for Jamie Dimon," Trump said in an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek published in July. "He is somebody that I would consider, sure," he added when asked if Dimon could be his next treasury secretary.

A week later, Trump walked back the comment.

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"I don't know who said it, or where it came from, perhaps the Radical Left, but I never discussed, or thought of, Jamie Dimon or Larry Fink for Secretary of the Treasury," he wrote in a post on Truth Social .

Public comments on politics

Dimon's comments on Thursday come as Trump has started filling key roles in his administration.

This week, Trump nominated Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida as Attorney General and Sen. Marco Rubio for Secretary of State, among others. He also announced that Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will co-lead a Department of Government Efficiency.

Trump has not yet announced his nominee for secretary of the treasury.

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While Dimon did not publicly endorse a candidate in this election, he has called for unity among Americans.

"Our country is now concluding one of the hardest fought and at times divisive elections in our recent history," Dimon said on election day.

"Soon it will be time for all of us to unite behind our president-elect and all of our national leaders. We must begin the work of bringing our nation together and focusing on the pressing economic and global issues before us," he said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
By Irene Wang and Rocky Swift

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan is seeing a record boom in tourism, but one recent visitor travelled more than the circumference of the earth to get there, using boats, trains, camels, and even hitchhiking.

Modern-day adventurer Omar Nok became a social media celebrity, attracting more than 750,000 Instagram followers, as he documented his circuitous 46,239 kilometre (28,732 miles) route from Egypt across a dozen countries without once boarding a plane.

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"From when I was a little kid, before realising what travel is, I already wanted to come to Japan," Cairo native Nok, 30, said in an interview in Tokyo. "But for me, I don't want to miss anything in between...so that's the motivation to just go without flying to see as much as I can."

The sharp weakening of the yen has made Japan a bargain travel destination, attracting nearly 27 million visitors in the nine months to September. It's been an economic boon as well, with tourists spending 5.86 trillion yen ($37.58 billion) so far, a record.

For Nok, the country represented the furthest he could travel in Asia without getting a plane. He arrived by ferry in the southwestern city of Fukuoka last month and then meandered his way to Tokyo on Nov. 7, 274 days after leaving home. By comparison, a direct flight from Cairo to Tokyo takes about 12 hours.

The veteran traveller previously logged lengthy trips through Europe and the Americas, but nothing like this. The first day was the hardest, Nok said, when his father dropped him off at Red Sea port of Safaga to board a cargo boat for Saudi Arabia.

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He was nervous about stepping into the unknown, venturing into central Asian countries where he didn't speak the language and where few tourists tread. But armed with words of encouragement from his father, he stepped onto the ship, and his nerves melted away.

On his trek, he hitchhiked to Islam's holy city of Mecca, sandboarded the dunes of Iran, broke down in the Tajikistan mountains in a purple Dodge Challenger driven by another adventurer, and crossed parts of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan riding horses and camels.

Previously a financial analyst for Amazon in Germany and Luxembourg, Nok funded his journey through savings and extremely frugal spending. His daily expenses came to about $25, although his entire two-week run through Afghanistan cost just $88, he said.

Throughout it all, Nok said he never felt in danger because generous strangers looked out for him wherever he found himself. That message resounded among his online fans as a welcome spark of hope at a time of war and political strife in much of the world.

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"I'm always just moving around like locals would, and being in situations where locals would step in to help," Nok said. "I think people wanted to see that positive side to all the countries that they only hear negative things about."

($1=155.93 yen)

(Reporting by Irene Wang and Rocky Swift in Tokyo, Editing by Kate Mayberry)
TOKYO (Reuters) - An American arrested for defacing a sacred Tokyo shrine became the latest example of Japan's struggle to cope with misbehaving visitors amid a boom in inbound tourism.

Japan welcomed nearly 27 million visitors through September, a record pace, and their spending added 5.86 trillion yen ($37.5 billion) to the economy. But incidents of vandalism, public drunkenness, and "overtourism" at popular sites have sparked debate about how to handle the flood of visitors and those who flout the rules.

Tokyo Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrest of a 65-year-old American on Wednesday on suspicion of carving alphabetical characters into the pillar of a torii gate of the Meiji Jingu Shrine on Tuesday.

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The suspect and his family arrived in Japan for sightseeing on Monday, the Jiji news service said. Security camera footage led police to arrest him at his hotel on suspicion of using his fingernail to etch five letters representing family names into the wooden pillar, Jiji said.

U.S. Embassy staff visited the American and are providing consular assistance, a spokesperson said, declining to give further details due to privacy concerns.

The case follows two incidents this year of graffiti scrawled on a pillar at Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine that is affiliated with Japan's wartime past. Police obtained arrest warrants for three Chinese nationals as suspects, according to the Asahi newspaper.

In October, a Chilean fitness influencer sparked outrage for posting a video of her doing pull-ups on a torii gate in Japan. She later deleted the video and posted an apology.

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Flocks of tourists have forced authorities to take drastic measures to curb overcrowding and litter. In May, a small town near Mt. Fuji erected a barrier to block a view of Japan's sacred mountain that had become viral online. Mountain park rangers this summer enacted trail fees and entry limits for the first time to curb overuse.

And in October, Tokyo's Shibuya district covered up its iconic dog statue Hachiko and enforced bans on drinking in the streets to prevent overcrowding and mischief during Halloween.

($1 = 156.3800 yen)

(Reporting by Kaori Kaneko, John Geddie, and Rocky Swift; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)
Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner is expected to be an outside adviser to the President-elect on Middle East issues, though reportedly may not have an official role in the administration.

Kushner, who is married to Ivanka Trump, is a trusted advisor to the President-elect, having built up strong regional relationships during his time serving in the first Trump presidency from 2017 to 2021.

No one on the incoming team has what Jared has, and that is trust. Jared earned it, he didnt have it at the beginning. He earned it. That takes time to build, a regional diplomat who worked with Kushner previously told CNN.

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The diplomat noted that Kushner was relatively unknown to most players in the region before he became chief Middle East negotiator in the first Trump administration and that regional negotiators recognize the value of the relationships he has formed.

Friendships are forever in this region, an Israeli source who dealt with the first Trump administration told CNN. My assumption is that his role is much more in his hands than anybody elses.

Both Kushner and his wife, Ivanka Trump, served as senior advisors during the first Trump presidency (REUTERS)

Despite his connections, Kushner is not likely to assume a formal role in Trumps second administration, but he is likely to serve as an outside advisor, two sources close to the President-elect told the outlets.

Concerns about Kushners other interests in the region and the wider Trump family have reportedly been raised by others within the GOP including current U.S. diplomats.

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The former special advisor now runs a $3bn private equity fund backed by major U.S. allies including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, raising questions over how the future Trump administration could impact its business dealings.

In September Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, said he would keep his governments $2bn investment in the firm, should Trump win re-election.

Kushner was relatively unknown to most players in the region before he became chief Middle East negotiator in the first Trump administration, sources said (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Prioritizing Saudi Arabias prosperity because it could help the Trump family is a major concern for US diplomats, a current diplomat told CNN.

However, having strong ties early on may prove useful if the President-elect is to deliver on his promises to end the wars in the region, including with Israel and Palestine. Earlier this year, Trump said that Israel had to finish what they started in Gaza and get it over with fast.

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Kushner himself has not spoken extensively on the situation in the Middle East recently but was previously criticized following remarks made during an interview at Harvard in March, during which he said Gazas waterfront property could be very valuable  if people would focus on building up livelihoods.

Its a little bit of an unfortunate situation there, but from Israels perspective I would do my best to move the people out and then clean it up, Kushner said. But I dont think that Israel has stated that they dont want the people to move back there afterwards.
President-elect Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner is seen as being pivotal to the incoming administrations Middle East efforts, even though he is not likely to take a formal job within it, regional diplomats and Trump allies told CNN.

Trumps Middle East team has been taking shape this week after he selected a former Republican governor and a close friend and real-estate developer to take on key roles. But the close relationships that Kushner developed with leaders in the region over Trumps first four years in office and maintained in recent years will be hard to replicate, sources told CNN.

Some former diplomats and critics of the Trump administration point out that Kushner has significant financial interests in the region, but many regional diplomats recognize the value of the deep relationships he has formed.

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No one on the incoming team has what Jared has, and that is trust. Jared earned it, he didnt have it at the beginning. He earned it. That takes time to build, said a regional diplomat who worked with Kushner during his time at the White House, noting that Kushner was relatively unknown to most players in the region before he became chief Middle East negotiator in the first Trump administration.

Those sentiments are widespread.

Friendships are forever in this region, said an Israeli source who dealt with the first Trump administration, speaking to the deep personal relationships that Kushner developed  and maintained  with leaders throughout the region. My assumption is that his role is much more in his hands than anybody elses.

Kushner is not likely to assume a formal role in Trumps second administration, but he is likely to serve as an outside advisor, said two sources familiar with his current thinking.

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Kushner is currently fully available to brief and advise all of those who will be working on issues related to the Middle East, said a source familiar with the situation, adding that he believes further progress is possible under Trumps leadership.

Both Kushner and Trump would like to see a continuation of efforts to normalize relations between Israel and other Arab states following the Abraham Accords, a pact which normalized relations between Isreal and the United Arab Emirates during Trumps first term  an effort made much more complicated given the ongoing wars in Gaza and Lebanon.

Since Trump left office in 2021, Kushner and his wife, Ivanka Trump, have moved to Miami and largely exited politics. Kushner founded an investment fund, Affinity Partners, shortly after leaving Washington with major backing from sovereign wealth funds in the Gulf.

Kushner has also maintained relationships with key players in the Middle East, including Israeli officials and leaders in the Arab Gulf. In particular, he has remained in contact with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdoms de facto leader.

Kushner is close to Saudi crown prince

During Trumps first term, Kushner became close enough with bin Salman that the men communicated over text  to the occasional frustration of career national security officials, who were kept in the dark about the substance of the conversations.

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On Trumps first trip abroad to Saudi Arabia in 2017, Kushner and Ivanka Trump were feted alongside the president at a series of ceremonies and events. Later, Kushner would travel on separate visits to the kingdom for discussions with MBS that stretched late into the night.

But Kushners potential involvement this time comes with a new complicating layer: in recent years his fund received $2 billion in funding from Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund. That economic relationship will heighten scrutiny on Kushners involvement.

Some US diplomats are already concerned about Trump possibly pursuing a path prioritizing his familys financial interests over the national interest.

Prioritizing Saudi Arabias prosperity because it could help the Trump family is a major concern for US diplomats, said a current US diplomat, who remembers the secrecy surrounding Kushners engagements during the first term which in and of themselves created confusion.

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Yet deploying Kushner might be seen as necessary out of the gates if Trump is to move as quickly as he has promised to end the wars in the region. Earlier this year, Trump said that Israel had to finish what they started in Gaza and get it over with fast.

Kushner himself has not spoken extensively on the situation in the Middle East recently, but comments he made during an interview at Harvard at this year did generate headlines.

Gazas waterfront property could be very valuable  if people would focus on building up livelihoods, Kushner said in March.

Its a little bit of an unfortunate situation there, but from Israels perspective I would do my best to move the people out and then clean it up, Kushner said. But I dont think that Israel has stated that they dont want the people to move back there afterwards.

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The comments sparked outrage from many in the region, especially given the immense toll that the war has taken on the Palestinian people.

What we are seeing is an active and bloody conflict, with all that people in the Arab world see is babies being killed. Those comments were disturbing because Kusher was coming at this with very cold and materialistic language which is very jarring for a people craving empathy. It was very, very tone deaf, said Ghaith Al-Omari, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute who added he expects Kushner to steer clear of that kind of language going forward, particularly because it could enflame relations with other Arab nations like Saudi Arabia.

Trump spoke last week with bin Salman following his election victory. It was his second call to the region following his conversation with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, an indication that he will prioritize the US-Saudi relationship.

Kushner is also close to Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, who he has known since he was young. An anecdote emerged during Trumps first presidency that when he was a teenager, Kushner gave up his bedroom for a night so Netanyahu would have a place to sleep while visiting the Kushners home in New Jersey. Kushners recent meeting with Netanyahus minister of strategic affairs, Ron Dermer, was an indication of just how close Kushner has remained to Israeli officials.

Conflicts raging

How efforts to normalize relations between Isreal and Saudi Arabia proceed while the war in Gaza is raging and while the Israel-Hezbollah conflict continues to deepen is an open question, yet key Trump allies are confident Kushners framework still works.

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If you look at the plan that Jared put forward during the first term, that has all of the elements leaders in the region are seeking, said Brian Hook, a top State Department official in Trumps first term.

Im confident that that sort of thinking and working with the Palestinians and the Israelis, as much as circumstances will allow, are going to do a lot, Hook, who is leading Trumps State Department transition efforts, said last week on CNN International.

A lot of Trumps nominees have read, or are reading, Kushners book published in 2022 to understand the players and dynamics in the region, explained the source familiar with the situation.

While some in Kushners orbit question how much he will be relied on, there is agreement across the board  among regional diplomats, US diplomats who worked on the region, people in Trumps orbit, and former Trump administration officials  that Kushner will have a hand in the administrations forthcoming approach to the Middle East whether or not he is serving in the administration.

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Having a texting relationship with MBS proved productive during the first term, said a former Trump administration official. It is hard to see how that channel is not used going forward.

There is an expectation that Kushners relationships could be pivotal for discreet engagements to drive forth Trumps objectives in ending the conflicts and propelling US-Saudi normalization.

I can see a world where Trump says can you go meet with so and so, said the first diplomat, specifically referencing possible engagements with Kushner and bin Salman. Kushner could be sent on missions or assignments.

Both Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who Trump picked as the next ambassador to Israel, and Steve Witkoff, who will lead the overall regional efforts, come to the job with relationships of their own. Yet how they work together  and with Kushner  remains an open question.

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Does Witkoff have an ego? That is the key question, explained Aaron David Miller, a former Middle East negotiator at the State Department, referring to Trumps longtime friend and real estate developer who will serve as his special envoy to the Middle East. If he wants to succeed and does not establish working relationship with Kushner and Rubio (Trumps secretary of state pick) he is making a gigantic mistake.

Witkoff has already reached out to countries in the region about arranging a visit, explained multiple sources, saying that the timing for those meetings is still being figured out. And in recent weeks before Trump announced Witkoff for the job, he had an important meeting to review the portfolio and its players: with Kushner.

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In his 1965 classic "Dark Ghetto," Kenneth Clark argued that Black people in America exist as a largely powerless subject people who are victims of greed, cruelty and racial insensitivity. Most importantly, they fear their former masters. Such is still the case in Kentucky.

Black people in the Bluegrass State certainly have good reason to be fearful because their men, women and children are constantly under threat in an increasingly racially hostile state. Troublingly, their persecutors are becoming even more callous and brazen. The latest example occurred when John Marshall, the chief equity officer of Jefferson County Public Schools, dared to deliver an opinion on the condition of Black people in Kentucky.

Marshall wrote on his personal social media account, A few young(er) Black professionals and students called me this morning and asked, 'What's a strategy moving forward?' My response, 'REGARDLESS of the rooms, meetings, classes, etc., you're in, know THE MAJORITY of whites couldnt care less about you and have no issues harming you or yours. Strategy. Count the number in your presence and divide by at least half. That's where you start.'

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During slavery, inhumane white supremacist owners commonly engaged in buck breaking  the practice of identifying stronger, troublesome male slaves and bringing them to heel. These men were often publicly punished in various barbaric ways. They were beaten, placed in stocks, hobbled or even killed and gibbeted. The point of it all was to instill fear in other slaves who might dare to resist.

Kentucky legislators see Marshall as a troublesome Black man

John Marshall, Chief Equity Officer for JCPS.

Marshall is one of those troublesome Black men, and a number of Kentucky legislators quickly mobilized to punish him. Because Marshall dared to speak, they issued an official statement saying, this is an outrageously inflammatory public statement for anyone in a civilized society to make. They demanded that Marshall resign or be fired.

Gerth: My neighborhood was all-white when I was a kid. Now I know why.

Mark their names and remember them well: State Reps. Jarod Bauman, Kevin Bratcher, Emily Callaway, Ken Fleming, John Hodgson and Susan Tyler Witten. State Sens. Julie Raque-Adams, Lindsey Tichenor, Matthew Deneen, Michael Nemes, Adrienne Southworth and Senator-elect Aaron Reed. All Republicans. All modern buck breakers.

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In 1857, Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Taney opined in Dred Scott v. Sanford that negroes were beings of an inferior order and had no rights which the white man was bound to respect. This is what these Kentucky legislators still seem to believe. To hell with the 13th Amendment that freed Marshall and people who look like him in 1865. To hell with the 14th Amendment that gave them citizenship in 1868. To hell with Marshalls First Amendment right to freedom of speech (even though the buck breakers wrongfully argued it shouldnt apply in this case).

Politicians mask racism in anti-diversity, CRT and DEI babble

Not only does Marshall have the right to free speech, he spoke the truth. People like these legislators prove a good percentage of white people in Kentucky care little to nothing about Black people. In fact, Black people are under attack in Kentucky, and many of these politicians are leading the way. They mask their racism in anti-diversity, anti-CRT and anti-DEI babble, but it all comes down to the same thing  the maintenance of white supremacy. And unlike Marshall, they lie  incessantly. Now that a Black man stands up and tells the truth about who and what they are, they seek to destroy him. Typical of their ilk.

The disturbing truth: Why Kentuckians love Donald Trump so much

So, yes. We know what this is. Weve seen it throughout American history (which the buck breakers dont want taught). White supremacists like these legislators still feel Black people have no rights they are bound to respect. They are committed to relegating Blacks to serving and entertaining. They want to smash Black voices, leadership and possibilities. Like their ancestors, they target stronger Blacks who do not fear them and try to make public examples of them so other Black folk wont dare oppose them. This is an attempt at buck breaking, plain and simple.

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If he holds true to form, Marshall wont be broken. He has a long history of bravely fighting for equality. Hes a man we should all be proud of and support. Kentuckys white supremacist legislators should know we will not leave him out in the cold on his own. He is loved and will be defended. Like Frederick Douglass, Marshall is a man who does not fear his former masters. He is a warrior. He isnt going to run, hide or resign, and neither should he. But each and every one of the backwards, buck-breaking politicians who signed onto that reprehensible letter attacking him should.

Agree or disagree? Submit your letter to the editor here

Ricky Jones.March 14, 2019

Ricky L. Jones is the Baldwin-King Scholar-in-Residence at the Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute and Professor of Pan-African Studies, University of Louisville. Follow him on Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, and X. Read his Substack columns at https://rickyljones.substack.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: John Marshall called out racism. Lawmakers want him punished | Opinion
Like father, like son.

Vice president-elect JD Vance said at Mar-a-Lago Wednesday that the second best day of Donald Trumps campaign was when his four-year-old son, Vivek, told the media, they were all fake news.

(Not to be confused with Vances seven-year-old son, Ewan, who was told to shut the hell up when he tried to talk about Pikachu while Vance was on the phone with Trump to accept the nomination for vice president.)

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Vance added that the next day on his plane, his dog took a s--t next to the press, which speaks to how we think of fake news, Philip Wegmann of Real Clear Politics reported Wednesday.

Vance says at MAL "the second best day" of the campaign was when his four-year-old "told the media, they were all 'fake news.'"



The same day on the plane, the Vance family dog "took a shit" next to the press.



Adds the VP-elect, this "speaks to how we think of fake news."  Philip Melanchthon Wegmann (@PhilipWegmann) November 15, 2024

Trump and his team have been holding court at Mar-a-Lago since his victory last week. The America First Policy Institute hosted a gala at the resort Wednesday night celebrating Trumps cabinet nominations, which Vance spoke at.

Speaking outside of his bubble of supporters and directly to the media, Vance had a different tune.

Seeing the country from the perspective of a seven-year-old, a four-year-old and two-year-old, with all the crazy s--t that they say, the observations that they have, Vance told NBC News in the final days of the campaign. The way that my four-year-old points to some of your colleagues who have cameras and says, Daddy, is that the fake news? Its like, No, were not allowed to say that, son.

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In September, after Trump falsely claimed that Haitian migrants were eating the pets of people in Ohio, Vance painted himself as a peddler of fake news.

The American media totally ignored this stuff until Donald Trump and I started talking about cat memes, Vance said on CNN . If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then thats what Im going to do.

He quickly back-tracked and said, I say that were creating a story, meaning were creating the American media focusing on it.
British jets were scrambled to monitor a Russian reconnaissance aircraft flying close to U.K. airspace, the defense minister in London said on Friday, just days after NATO jets were mobilized when Russian aircraft were spotted over the Baltic Sea and off the coast of Norway.

Two Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland followed the Russian Bear-F aircraft as it flew over the North Sea on Thursday, the ministry said.

"At no time was it able to enter UK sovereign airspace," it added.

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The Bear-F, also known as the Tupolev Tu-142, is a maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft.

The Typhoons were supported by a Voyager refueling aircraft.

"Our adversaries should be in no doubt of our steadfast determination and formidable ability to protect the UK," said armed forces minister Luke Pollard.

"The Royal Navy and RAF (Royal Air Force) have once again shown they stand ready to defend our country at a moment's notice and I pay tribute to the professionalism and bravery of those involved in these latest operations," he added.

The Royal Navy also shadowed Russian military vessels passing through the English Channel this week, said the defense ministry.

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It added that it was the second time in three months that Russian ships and aircraft had been detected within a week of each other.

Two Typhoons and a Tornado jet fly past RAF Lossiemouth on November 20, 2014 in Lossiemouth, Scotland. / Credit: WPA Pool, Getty Images

Incidents involving Russian and Western aircraft have multiplied over the recent months against the backdrop of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier this week, Italy and Norway scrambled jets after Russian aircraft were spotted over the Baltic Sea and along the Norwegian coast.

The Italian Air Force intercepted a Russian Coot-A jet over the Baltic Sea, NATO Allied Air Command said in a post on social media. Norwegian Air Force F-35s identified multiple Russian aircraft flying in international airspace off the country's coast, NATO said.

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In September, Japan said its warplanes used flares to warn a Russian reconnaissance aircraft to leave northern Japanese airspace.

In July, the United States intercepted Russian and Chinese aircraft in international airspace off the coast of Alaska. In February 2024, the U.S. detected four Russian warplanes flying in the same area. More Russian aircraft were spotted in May and February 2023.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  There are growing calls for accountability after hundreds of hateful posters were found across the University of Rochesters campus recently.

As previously reported, those posters allegedly depicted members of the U of Rs Jewish community as wanted were found in buildings and classrooms across campus.

Those who serve in leadership roles for our local Jewish community called the images and statements deeply disturbing, and are urging accountability.

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Its incredibly hateful. When you read the messages on these posters, theyre there to incite violence. Obviously, our concern when people see this is, What will the resulting violence be potentially, and how is the university going to manage and handle that?' said Meredith Dragon, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester.

Dragon said she personally heard from some of the people depicted in the posters and said this incident should be treated as a hate crime.

I think our big concern right now is that feels exactly like what is happening here. If you look back over the last several years, and 14 months in particular, there has been a series of incidents both in our community and on the campus of the U of R that has marginalized, dehumanized and diminished the Jewish community. Thats why this is such a big deal, said Dragon, Disinformation on those posters is a detriment to peoples reputations in the academic field and theyre outright lies.

U of R issued a statement earlier this week expressing concern over the vandalism. A spokesperson for the university also acknowledged the posters may have been put up to intimidate members of the university community.

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The statement added, Any activities, including the placement of these posters, that disrupt our normal operations and classroom instruction will not be tolerated.

Meanwhile, Dragon said the ongoing fight to push back against this type of hate is to prevent any form of violence from taking place in the future.

Former Rochester student arrested for making threats returns home after years-long detention

What were trying to avoid is creating a culture in this community where theres violence against Jews. Because weve seen it in communities across the country. We see it downstate in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles. We dont want to see that here as well. I think this needs to be used as an example for what happens when you target people because of being part of a minority. I think this should be held to the same standards that any other minority group would be held, said Dragon.

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The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester continues to call on the U of R to hold anyone responsible fully accountable. Dragon added, All eyes are on Rochester to see if that happens.

The full updated statement from the U of R can be found below:

Dear University Community,

I want to share an update on our investigation into the antisemitic Wanted posters found on Monday in buildings across campus, including classroom spaces.

The Department of Public Safety continues to actively investigate this incident and now has identified several persons of interest. Those persons include current students, individuals whose current enrollment status is unclear, and other individuals.

We are engaged with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, including the FBI, New York State Police, New York Attorney Generals office, the Rochester Police Department, Monroe County Sheriffs office, and Monroe County District Attorneys office, all of whom have offered resources and support. This collaborative approach strengthens our ability to address this incident comprehensively and effectively.

We are continuing to pursue all available leads, and we are working diligently to gather and analyze all relevant evidence to ensure a thorough investigation.

It is the intention of my office to identify and apprehend those whom our investigation determines to be involved in this incident and to ensure these individuals are turned over to the appropriate criminal justice and/or University conduct processes. As President Mangelsdorf stated, this behavior cannot and will not be tolerated at our University.

The safety and well-being of our campus community remains our highest priority.

Our department has reached out to each individual targeted in the posted materials to offer additional safety support and resources. Were ready to support them as needed.

We are requesting that media outlets refrain from republishing or broadcasting images of the posted materials.

Colleagues from other institutions have shared with us that they have seen activity similar to what we have experienced at the University.

Additionally, we believe that all of the Wanted posters have been removed from campus spaces. However, anyone who comes across one of these posters or other objectionable signage/chalking/marking/etc. should contact the Department of Public Safety at (585) 275-3333.

Our department remains committed to fostering a safe and inclusive campus environment. We have no information to suggest a threat to community safety resulting from this incident, but publishing the names and photographs of individuals on each poster was plainly an effort to intimidate those individuals. Public Safety continues to monitor all parts of the University while continuing our investigation, and we are available to provide an immediate response to anyone who is concerned with their safety.

We encourage members of the University community to report discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in accordance with the institutions policy against discrimination and harassment (PADH). A direct link to begin the process is available.

In addition, the Division of Student Life is providing mental health support resources for students feeling affected by these events. Anyone on campus can utilize the University CARE Team, which enables any member of the University community to express their concern about a person, incident, or issue by submitting an online CARE referral or bias-related incident report. Doing so initiates a process and response involving appropriate staff across various campus offices. For faculty and staff who may have been impacted by this incident, the UR Medicine Employee Assistance Program is available.

We will continue to update the community as our investigation progresses.

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Medical Assistant

Job Description: The Certified Medical Assistant will perform various services and related activities in support of patient care including accurate data entry for patient registration and insurance verification. The Certified Medical Assistant demonstrates the ability to use good judgment and communicates effectively with all patients; families; licensed personnel; insurance companies and third-party payers. Demonstrates a professional and caring manner.

Responsibilities:

Assisting the physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants in giving superior medical care. Accurate Data Entry of charges on patient accounts, registering patients, and updating patient accounts. Insurance Verification and recording of Statistics. Assist with scheduling patient appointments, answering phones, keeping providers informed of changes, and informing patients of their benefits. Other duties as assigned.

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Requirements:

High School Diploma or Equivalent Preferred.

1 year of medical office experience preferred.

Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) certification in the state of employment is required.

BLS from the American Heart Association (AHA) is required.

Salary and Benefits: Salary will be available upon application for this full time position.

CHRISTUS Health in Flint is looking for a Medical Assistant to join their team.

Apply Here

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA)  November is National Veteran and Military Families month and two state agencies teamed up to help connect veterans to potential employers.

The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce and the South Carolina Department of Veteran Affairs have 14 veteran job fairs for the month of November.

According to SCDEW Executive Director William Floyd, the goal is to introduce veterans to more than 40 organizations from across the state.

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On Thursday, four job fairs were held for veterans in the state.

We have 400,000 veterans in South Carolina and our job and our opportunity is to connect more of them with the workforce, Floyd explained. So its great what they have already done and we hope they will do even more by working with one of our employers here in South Carolina.

Veteran Jimmy Townsend attend the job fair. He said the state does a lot for veterans, and job fairs go a long way towards connecting veterans with employers.

Were doing 20, 30 some people 35 years in the military and then transferring over to the civilian side can be very very difficult and very jarring for us, Townsend said. Providing these opportunities for us, providing these jobs and providing other assets that create better transitions for us goes a long way with us, and it lets us know that South Carolina really cares about us.

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SCDVA Secretary Todd McCaffrey said veterans have specific skills that stand out to employers.

Veterans bring three things to any work force, McCaffrey said. Number 1: they are inheritably disciplined because of their military service. Second: they know how to work on a team. Third: through their military service they have demonstrated the ability to be trained on skills they did not have before they entered that particular profession.

Townsend agreed, adding that he knows the benefits that military men and women can bring to a company.

Were motivated starting there, were also very very consistent, Townsend elaborated. What it takes to get hard work done. Were very regimented. We know about getting up early, going to bed late. Doing our job until theres nothing left.

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Interested in stopping by a job fair? There are two more scheduled for November:

Lowcountry Veteran Career Fair  November 20  3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Technical College of the Lowcountry, Bldg. #12

12 Reynolds St, Beaufort, SC 29902

Catawba We Love Our Veterans Fair  November 21  10 a.m. to 1 p.m. American Legion

524 Heckle Blvd Rock Hill, SC 29732



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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin may be putting his weight behind Democrats final push to approve Joe Bidens pending judicial nominees.

Earlier this year, Manchin had pledged that he would not back any Biden-nominated judge who did not have at least one vote of GOP support. But now it seems Manchin is finally ready to play ball with the rest of the Democrats.

Were in different times right now, Manchin told Axios when asked about his past promise to reject Bidens nominees. He added that my Republican friends are under the microscope.

Manchin previously claimed his objection was in the name of bipartisanship.

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Just one Republican. Thats all Im asking for, he said during a March interview with Politico. Give me something bipartisan. This is my own little filibuster. If they cant get one Republican, I vote for none. Ive told [Democrats] that. I said, Im sick and tired of it, I cant take it anymore.

Manchin has voted against several of Bidens judicial nominees based on that rule.

Senate Democrats are rushing to confirm Bidens final nominees for federal judge positions before the party loses the chamber majority and Donald Trump returns to office in January. There are currently 45 judicial vacancies, and the Senate has 20 days left in session.


House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said Thursday that former Rep. Matt Gaetzs (R-Fla.) House Ethics Committee report shouldnt go public, pushing back on pressure to release it after he was tapped to potentially serve as President-elect Trumps attorney general.

Well, its my understanding that its not supposed to go public. So, if its not supposed to under the rules, it shouldnt go public, Jordan told Fox News host Laura Ingraham.

Jordan praised Gaetz, who was chosen Wednesday to lead Trumps Justice Department. Hours after the announcement, Gaetz resigned from the House.

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The Florida Republican was being probed by the committee over illicit drug use and sexual misconduct, among other allegations. His resignation will likely incite further investigation, but a number of lawmakers in both chambers argued that the report should still come out.

The committee is set to meet Friday to vote on whether to release the report, a source familiar with the matter told The Hill.

There are very few people who have the cross-examination skills he does, and I want someone in the Justice Department whos not going to say moms and dads in school board meetings need to be investigated, Jordan said Thursday. I want someone in the Justice Department whos going to say its wrong for the FBI to do a memorandum and say that pro-life Catholics are extremists.

I want someone at the Justice Department who can tell us who planted the pipe bombs on Jan. 6, who leaked the Dobbs opinion, who put cocaine at the White House instead of all the other stuff they seem to be focused on, he added.

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Trumps pick of Gaetz surprised a lot of lawmakers on Capitol Hill, with some GOP senators saying that he would have a hard time getting the confirmation in the upper chamber.

Hes got an uphill climb, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) said.

A few of Trumps Senate allies, however, have urged their colleagues to vote for his Cabinet nominees or face political headwinds.

Everybodys got an opinion up here, but at the end of the day, President Trump was elected by an enormous vote and he deserves the team around him that he wants, Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) said on Fox Business Network. Its not us to determine that.

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Asked if Gaetz would end up being confirmed as the countrys next top law enforcement official, Jordan said, Thats up to the Senate.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Josh Brolin says he uses nicotine pouches almost all the time, including while he's asleep.

He switched to nicotine pouches after getting cavities from nicotine lozenges, he said on a podcast.

Nicotine pouches like Zyn are getting increasingly popular but aren't FDA-approved to help quit smoking.

Josh Brolin loves his nicotine pouches and he's not afraid to show it.

On Thursday's episode of the "WTF with Marc Maron" podcast, the "Dune" actor spoke about his nicotine habits with host Marc Maron.

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Brolin said he switched to using nicotine pouches after he got cavities from nicotine lozenges.

"They go in two seconds, but they taste like gasoline, and they got a punch to them," Brolin said. "But I used to keep them up between my gum and my tooth line. I got seven cavities."

Evidence has suggested that even sugar-free nicotine lozenges can cause tooth decay, the primary cause of cavities, according to a case report in the National Library of Medicine.

Now, Brolin says he's using the nicotine pouches almost all the time, even at night.

"My wife would hear this in the middle of the night," Brolin said on the podcast, while mimicking chewing noises. "I don't even know I'm doing it, I'm asleep. I have a pouch in my lip, and I'm not fucking lying, 24 hours a day."

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Nicotine pouches are small microfiber pouches that contain a powdered mix of nicotine, flavorings, and other ingredients, per the CDC. The pouches are usually placed between the user's lip and gums, where the nicotine is absorbed through the gums and lining of the mouth.

While often used as an alternative to nicotine and tobacco products like vapes and cigarettes, the FDA has not approved any nicotine pouches to help people quit smoking, per the CDC.

Zyn is one such nicotine pouch brand that has seen soaring popularity in recent years, despite being available for sale in the US since 2014.

Shipments of Zyn's nicotine pouches in 2023 were up 62% year over year. The brand's nicotine pouches have become a favorite among Wall Street traders, who say they use it to keep their energy up at work, as well as political conservatives such as GOP lawmakers.

A representative for Brolin did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by Business Insider outside regular office hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
ACLU of Montana attorney Alex Rate argues for a preliminary injunction to block a DPHHS rule he said prohibits transgender Montanans from changing the sex designation on their birth certificate in front of Judge Mike Menahan on Nov. 14, 2024. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan)

A district court judge in Helena heard arguments Thursday afternoon from attorneys seeking a preliminary injunction on behalf of two transgender Montanans who argue that a rule from the state public health department preventing them from changing their government documents to denote their gender instead of their birth sex is unconstitutional.

ACLU of Montana attorney Alex Rate told Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Mike Menahan that the Department of Public Health and Human Services rule finalized in February essentially prohibits transgender Montanans from changing the sex designations on their birth certificates.

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He argued that the state Motor Vehicle Division is not allowing the plaintiffs, Jessica Kalarchik and Jane Doe, to change their sex designations on their drivers licenses because they are unable to change those designations on their birth certificates in the first place.

Rate used the words of Missoula County District Court Judge Jason Marks when he struck down a bill to prohibit youth from receiving gender-affirming care in September 2023.

The purported purpose given for these policies is disingenuous. It seems more likely that the policys purpose is to ban an outcome deemed undesirable by the State of Montana. This conduct is replete with animus towards transgender persons, Rate said, citing Markss order.

The state, represented by the Attorney Generals Office, argued that sex and gender are not interchangeable, and that court precedent recognizes sex as a binary of male and female.

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The plaintiffs are asking the court to issue an injunction barring DPHHS from enforcing its rule and the MVD from not changing sex designations on drivers licenses, which has not been introduced as a written policy but one which the plaintiffs attorneys say is being enforced on the ground.

They are also seeking to certify a class of transgender Montanans in what they hope will become a class-action lawsuit protecting the rules from being enforced for all current and future transgender Montanans who want to change their birth certificates and IDs or drivers licenses.

Marks said issuing a preliminary injunction would restore the status quo in place in 2017, when Montanans were allowed to change their sex designations without issue. He said that even though a 2021 law that was similar to the DPHHS rule finalized this year was struck down as unconstitutional, the department was in 2023 found to be in contempt of court for openly and repeatedly defying the injunction.

And in February, the department moved ahead with the rule change after the Legislature passed a bill, Senate Bill 458, aiming to state in Montana law that there are exactly two sexes, male and female. DPHHS said the only changes to sex designations allowed would be to correct errors on birth certificates. A district court judge this past summer found Senate Bill 458 to be unconstitutional as well, though the state is appealing that decision.

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Rate told Menahan that backstory is key to proving that the State of Montana is targeting transgender people with the rule and discriminating against them in violation of the state Constitution, its equal protection clause, and the right to privacy it affords Montanans. He argued the state offered no compelling interest for the rule.

The state says that this isnt speech at all, but rather a record. But that is a statement of your sex, and the state is forcing our clients to present their view of their sex, Rate said. The state cannot arbitrarily decide what is an individuals sex and force them to speak that into the world. That is the definition of compelled speech.

Assistant Attorney General Alwyn Lansing (right) tells Judge Mike Menahan why he should not issue an injunction blocking a DPHHS rule concerning birth certificate changes. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan)

Assistant Attorney General Alwyn Lansing argued on behalf of the state, telling Menahan that the plaintiffs were trying to get the court to make transgender people a protected class.

To adopt plaintiffs argument would be to create a new protected class, which is gender identity, that is in direct conflict with Montana Supreme Court precedent. The Legislature is the only one who could do that, she said. The right to privacy does not include a right to replace an objective fact of biological sex on a government document with subjective gender identity.

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She also contended that since not all transgender Montanans are seeking to update their personal documents, siding with the plaintiffs would prescribe personal values of some onto the laws which govern all.

Rate said the state could not rely on Senate Bill 458 because it is enjoined, and the expert testimony the plaintiffs submitted from two medical experts in the transgender field showed there is a strong relationship between sex and gender identity, and that disallowing that expression was harmful and discriminatory to transgender Montanans.

Arguing as to why a class should be certified in the case, ACLU attorney Malita Picasso said state data showed at least 280 Montanans had sought to amend their birth certificates during the past seven years, at least 85 since 2022. She said certifying a class of transgender Montanans who currently or in the future may want to change their sex designations would ensure that any court decision would apply to all transgender Montanans, not just the current plaintiffs in the case.

She also said that certifying a class for the case would prevent confusion should separate cases be filed in other Montana district courts and judges come to differing conclusions. Assistant Attorney General Thane Johnson told the court that whatever Menahan decides regarding the injunction would apply to the entire state of Montana, and he believed the plaintiffs did not meet all the necessary prongs to turn the case into a class-action suit.

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Picasso responded that the states record showed it would try to fight the changes even if an injunction was granted, however. She said that if Menahan issues an injunction and the two plaintiffs do get their documents changed, the state could then claim the case and injunction were moot because the plaintiffs had gotten the relief they had sought, then apply the same rules to other transgender Montanans.

If the defendants would like to enter a stipulated agreement in which they, you know, say that they wont enforce it as to others, then I think that maybe we could reconsider, Picasso said. But at this stage, it seems pretty clear that were the injunction to be issued only as to the named plaintiffs, that the defendants would be arguing for that to be limited to just them.

Menahan did not issue any orders from the bench Thursday and did not state when he might do so following the two-hour hearing.
HELENA, Mont. (AP)  A state judge in Montana heard arguments Thursday over policies that block transgender people from changing the sex designation on their birth certificates and drivers licenses.

District Court Judge Mike Menahan did not immediately issue a ruling on the request for a preliminary injunction to block those prohibitions while the case moves through the courts.

We're here today challenging what amounts to the latest manifestation of these defendants' (the state's) singular obsession with singling out transgender Montanans for unequal treatment and discrimination, said Alex Rate, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Montana.

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The case was filed in April by two transgender women on behalf of themselves and others who have been unable to obtain documents that accurately reflect their sex, the complaint said.

One rule in the state blocks transgender people born in Montana from changing the sex designation on their birth certificate. Another policy prevents transgender residents from changing the sex on their drivers licenses without an amended birth certificate  which they cant obtain if they were born in Montana.

Birth certificates and driver's licenses are needed to apply for a marriage license, a passport, to vote or even to buy a hunting license, Rate said, and each time a transgender person is required to produce a document that does not accurately reflect their sex, they are forced to out themselves as transgender.

The state argued that sex is binary, either male or female, and that being transgender is not a protected class of people who could have their constitutional rights to privacy violated.

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The right to privacy does not include a right to replace an objective fact of biological sex on a government document, assistant attorney general Alwyn Lansing argued for the state.

The hearing is the latest volley in a series of laws, rules and legal challenges over efforts by Republicans in Montana to limit the rights of transgender residents. The state has used various justifications in banning changes to identifying documents, including needing accurate statistical records or saying someone's biological sex cannot be changed even though someone's gender identity can.

The state cannot articulate any legitimate interest in restricting access to accurate identity documents, much less a compelling one, Rate said.

In late 2017, under Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock, the state health department implemented a rule allowing people to change the sex on their birth certificate by signing an affidavit.

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In 2021, Montana's Republican-controlled Legislature and Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte implemented a law saying transgender people could not change the sex on their birth certificate without having undergone surgery. That law was declared unconstitutionally vague because it did not specify what surgery was required. The state was ordered to return to the 2017 rule.

However, in response, the health department  now under Republican leadership  passed a rule saying nobody can change the sex on their birth certificate unless it was to fix a clerical error.

Montana's Legislature in 2023 passed a law defining the word sex in state law as being only male or female and based upon a person's sex assigned at birth. That law defining sex was overturned as unconstitutional because its title did not accurately explain its purpose, but the ACLU argues the state is still using it to set policy with regard to driver's licenses.

The ACLU asked Judge Menahan to temporarily block the rule and policy and order the state to restore the 2017 rule that allowed transgender people to change the sex designation on their birth certificate by filing an affidavit.

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Montana is one of seven states that does not allow people to change the sex on their birth certificate. Twenty-five states do allow it, including 15 that offer an option to list male, female or X. A dozen states allow birth certificate changes following gender-affirming surgical procedures, according to the Movement Advancement Project.

Thirty states allow people to change their sex on their driver's license. Montana is among 16 states with what MAP calls a burdensome process. Four states do not allow a person to change their sex on their driver's license.

Montana lawmakers in 2023 passed a bill blocking gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors. That law was temporarily blocked in September 2023  just before it was to take effect. The judge said it was likely unconstitutional and would harm the mental and physical health of minors with gender dysphoria, rather than protect them from experimental treatments, as supporters said it would.

The judge also found that the legislative record in the medical care bill was replete with animus for transgender persons. The state has appealed the preliminary injunction to the Montana Supreme Court, which has not yet ruled.
GREENBACK, Tenn. (WATE)  A dispute over a proposed rock quarry in Loudon County has ended after a judge ruled in favor of the developers.

A judgment filed on Nov. 13 said the claims by M&M Stone Farms and Tri-county Crushed Stone that the 36 acres along Hutton Road in Greenback were unzoned were correct. The claims by the town of Greenback and the Loudon County Regional Planning Commission were dismissed.

Douglas Lake boat launch to temporarily close amid Helene cleanup effort

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In May 2024, the Greenback and the Loudon County Regional Planning Commission filed a lawsuit against M&M Stone Farms and Tri-county Crushed Stone over their plan to build a rock quarry in the town. They claimed the property was zoned as a light industrial district, meaning that mining and quarrying of natural mineral resources was not permitted. In response, the companies filed a countersuit, claiming during the 25 years the property was within the town limits of Greenback, it was never subjected to any zoning regulations and they were not given the chance to be heard when the commission created the ordinance.

The final judgment means the ordinance is voided, making the property unzoned. In addition, the complaints by the town and planning commission were dismissed and the costs of the suit were taxed to the town and planning commission.

The Court finds there was no ordinance that could have told a citizen what their potential parcel they may or may not be buying was zoned. And I think all that power thats given to the government can only come from the statute. And so you have got to follow that statute in order to make any of your zoning laws valid, said the judge during a hearing on October 30.

PREVIOUSLawsuits filed as town and developers clash over proposed quarry in Greenback

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A trial had been set for December, but it was cancelled after the judgement was entered.

The property is owned by M&M Stone Farms, and in June 2023, Tri-County entered into a lease agreement for a portion of the property, allowing them to commence commercial operations in that area.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
Nov. 14Two longtime neighbors suing each other over access to their neighborhood beach in Phippsburg have gotten some answers about who is allowed on what property, but a judge couldn't decide what to do with some of the contested areas.

The Hill and Tappen families have been at odds for more than two years over who can access the sandy shore in front of their cottages in the Popham Beach Estates Subdivision. In a two-day bench trial at Lincoln County Superior Court in September, they pored over old maps, historical photos and land surveys.

Justice Thomas McKeon ruled Thursday that the beach's intertidal zone  the area between the ocean's high and low tides  is open to all subdivision owners for recreational purposes. But he wouldn't rule on other disputed areas, such as the land above the high-tide line and between the Tappen and Hill cottages, which are separated by two empty lots.

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Neither family could prove "on the face of the earth" where the boundary line is, so McKeon said he won't rule on whether the Hills have a right to use that part of the beach, or whether the Tappens can object to them or their renters using it.

For McKeon to decide who that portion of beach belonged to, he would need input from the owners of the land between their cottages, according to the ruling. That lack of a decision could keep the door open for more legal action.

Glenn Israel, the Tappens' attorney, said in a phone interview Thursday that the decision was not "terribly momentous."

Israel said the neighbors will continue to argue over who is allowed on the property because the decision doesn't change much. He's not yet sure if the Tappens will pursue further legal action.

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The Hills' attorney, Ben Ford, said that the decision is a win for the family and the neighborhood  even if McKeon couldn't resolve every issue.

"This is an important day, not just for the Hill family, but for all the generations of families that have grown up on this beautiful beach," Ford said in an emailed statement.

He said the Hill family plans to work with the owners of the empty lots to resolve those remaining disputes.

WHERE TO DRAW THE LINES?

The Hill family had argued that the whole beachfront has always been considered a common area. Along with their beachfront cottage, the family owns five other cottages that they rent out.

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The Tappens said they bought the rights to 3.5 acres of land in front of the two cottages for $15,000 in 2021, and they are concerned that the renters trekking to the beach will cause further erosion.

A main point of contention was whether the Hill family and their renters could walk on a path that crosses the disputed land to get to the beach. The triangular parcel, which the Tappens say they own, abuts the Hill cottage closest to the beach.

Although McKeon ruled that the Hills can keep their cottage, where part of the house and the deck juts out slightly over the property lines, he said the Hills cannot use the disputed path. But they can use another path that stretches from their beachfront cottage, through the dunes and directly to the beach, McKeon wrote in the ruling.

The Hill family has insisted that the case would set a precedent for beach access in their neighborhood, and even more broadly in Maine. While this ruling only specifies that residents of the subdivision can access the intertidal zone, Ford said that is an important distinction.

"The decision vindicates what we all know to be true, no trespassing signs don't belong on Maine beaches," he said in an emailed statement.

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The judge who presided over the murder trial of Melissa Lucio said he believes Lucio is "actually innocent" in the 2007 death of her 2-year-old daughter Mariah.

Lucio has been on death row in Texas since 2008. In 2022, the state Court of Criminal Appeals issued a stay of execution in the case. The Court of Criminal Appeals ordered the original trial court to consider whether Lucio was actually innocent and whether state prosecutors had presented false testimony and hidden evidence from the defense.

In April 2024, Judge Arturo C. Nelson, who presided over the original trial, agreed that the former district attorney illegally withheld favorable evidence that would have helped prove Mariah died from an accidental fall, not abuse, as the prosecution claimed.

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The new evidence suggested that Mariah's bruises were consistent with a brain injury from an accidental fall down the steps of the family's home two days earlier, CBS News previously reported. Lucio and some of her children had recounted the fall to police officers and child protective services. Nelson ruled that this violated Lucio's constitutional rights and recommended the appeals court overturn Lucio's conviction and death sentence.

Melissa Lucio. / Credit: Ilana Panich-Linsman/Redux

Court documents released yesterday show that in October, Nelson ruled there was clear and convincing evidence that Mariah died from an accidental fall, and said Lucio "is actually innocent; she did not kill her daughter."

"No rational juror could have convicted (Lucio) of killing her daughter after hearing all of the evidence from her original trial alongside all of the new evidence she has presented," Nelson wrote.

Cameron County District Attorney Luis Saenz, who was not in office at the time of Lucio's original trial, also agreed that the previous prosecuting team suppressed evidence that could have supported Lucio's innocence, according to a news release from the Innocence Project.

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The case is now before the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, which will decide whether to accept Nelson's recommendation.

"This is the best news we could get going into the holidays," said John and Michelle Lucio, Ms. Lucio's son and daughter-in-law, in a statement shared by The Innocence Project. Joined by Ms. Lucio's son Bobby Alvarez, they added, "We pray our mother will be home soon."

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)  Three former Memphis police officers charged with murder in the beating of Tyre Nichols will go on trial in April, a judge decided Friday.

Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith have pleaded not guilty to state charges of second-degree murder in the death of Nichols, who was punched, kicked and hit with a police baton after he fled a traffic stop in January 2023.

During a hearing Friday, Shelby County Judge James Jones Jr. scheduled their trial in state court for April 28. Jones also set a Nov. 25 hearing to discuss motions filed by defense attorneys to have the officers stand trial separately.

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The three were found guilty Oct. 3 of federal witness tampering charges in the death of Nichols, 29, whose beating was caught on police video that has been released to the public. Haley was also convicted on two federal civil rights violations and a charge of conspiracy to witness tamper. They are scheduled for sentencing on the federal convictions in January.

The three, along with Emmitt Martin and Desmond Mills Jr., were part of a crime suppression team called the Scorpion Unit that was disbanded after Nichols' beating.

Mills and Martin pleaded guilty ahead of the federal trial, and they testified for prosecutors. Their sentences are pending. Mills and Martin also are expected to change their pleas in state court, which allows them to avoid a murder trial.

Nichols, who was Black, had run from a traffic stop despite being hit with pepper spray and a Taser. He died Jan. 10, 2023, three days after the beating. The five officers, who also are Black, were fired and then indicted in the death, which sparked national protests and calls for broad changes in policing.

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After officers caught up to Nichols, police body cameras and a security camera captured officers pummeling Nichols in a struggle just steps from his home as he cried out for his mother.

The video shows the officers milling about, talking and laughing as Nichols struggles with his injuries. An autopsy report shows he died from blows to the head. The report describes brain injuries, along with cuts and bruises on his head and other areas.

Attorneys for Bean and Smith have filed motions asking U.S. District Judge Mark S. Norris to throw out their federal convictions. Norris has not ruled on the motions.
Arizonas indicted fake electors arent scheduled to go to trial until January of 2026.

Now, it may be later, which raises the possibility that a trial may not ever take place, and the defendants will simply walk.

All because Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Bruce Cohen did the right thing and recused himself from the case.

Some months back, Judge Cohen was disgusted when Donald Trump posted online an ugly comment that suggested Vice President Kamala Harris had traded sexual favors to advance her career.

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It isnt the nastiest thing Trump has ever said about someone, but it got to Cohen, who wrote an email that went to other judges condemning the post and saying, it is time for me to state my piece or be complicit in the depravity.

Cohen later apologized to his associates, saying it wasnt the proper use of the forum.

Judge Cohen avoids the 'appearance' of bias

But Cohen was overseeing the criminal case against the fake electors, and it opened the door for one of their attorneys to accuse him of bias and say he should recuse himself.

Cohen said his comments didnt represent bias but a cry for decency and respect.

Still, he decided to recuse himself.

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He did the right thing, even though not recusing himself would not necessarily have been the wrong thing. He did so because an honorable judge understands the importance of maintaining a higher standard of integrity.

Or, as Cohen put it, Out of a commitment to justice, even the appearance of bias cannot be allowed to undermine the fundamental fairness that is extended by the court to all who come before it. It is for that reason alone that this court is recusing itself from all further proceedings in this matter.

Fake elector's attorney calls it 'zealotry'

Attorney General Kris Mayes says she still is going forward with the fake electors case, as she should.

Already, one defendant has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors, and another took a plea deal.

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Still, Mayes knows that any delay, any hiccup, any alteration to the process could further delay things until the case dies on the vine.

Opinion: Fake elector vows 'millions' to get me fired

One of the fake electors attorneys, Timothy La Sota, called Cohens comments evidence of partisan political zealotry.

Weird, isnt it?

Supreme Court justices remained on Trump case

MAGA attorneys never made such complaints when Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito refused to recuse themselves from a case connected to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

A case that bolstered immunity protection for Donald Trump.

The justices did not recuse themselves even though Thomas wife, Ginni, was deeply involved in trying to overturn that elections results.

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And even though Alitos home in Virginia flew an upside-down American flag, and his vacation home in New Jersey flew an Appeal to Heaven flag, both linked to supporters of Trump.

Justices Thomas and Alito, like Cohen, may genuinely have believed they were not biased in their cases.

But there is no doubt that all three of these accomplished legal jurists recognized that there was an appearance of bias.

One of them had integrity.

Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Judge may have just given Arizona fake electors a free pass | Opinion
Today, the jury will start to decide the fate of the man accused of killing his coworker at the DMAX facility in Moraine.

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News Center 7 has been following this story and will let you know when theres a verdict.

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As reported on News Center 7 Daybreak, Frederick Cox is accused of opening fire at the DMAX plant in Moraine last May.

Thursday, he took to the witness stand and gave an emotional testimony.

Cox told the jury he made a threatening gesture towards the man hes accused of killing, moments before the gunfire.

Prosecutors say this all centers around a love triangle between Cox, a woman, and the victim, Jeffrey James Allen the Third.

Cox said he tried to speak to the woman, who was his ex-girlfriend, He said her current boyfriend, the victim, came up to him in a threatening way.

I reached into my bookbag bag and grabbed my pistol and I shot him. Why did you shoot him? I was scared, I was terrified, Cox said in court Thursday.

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Police and prosecutors said Cox fired 12 shots at Allen, continuing to fire even after Allen fell to the floor.

Prosecutors played a taped interview with Cox from the hospital, 10 days after the shooting. He wrote that he shot Allen only twice and shot himself once.

The jury is set to start deliberation at 8:30 a.m. today.

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Two years after a mentally ill man died malnourished and covered in insects in Atlanta's Fulton County Jail, a Justice Department investigation has found that man's death was only one of a string of fatalities due to pervasive unconstitutional conditions at the jail.

The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division released a report Thursday concluding that the Fulton County Jail, which handles pre-trial detention for most of Atlanta, subjects incarcerated people to pest infestations and malnourishment, excessive force from correctional officers, and fails to protect them from rampant violence and sexual assaults from other inmates. The report found that these conditions violate the Eighth and 14th Amendments, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

The Justice Department launched the civil rights investigation in the wake of the 2022 death of Lashawn Thompson. Thompson, a 35-year-old man with schizophrenia, had been incarcerated at the Fulton County Jail for three months on a misdemeanor battery charge when he was found dead in an extremely filthy cell. Thompson's body was covered in lice, bedbugs, and lesions. An independent autopsy listed his cause of death as "severe neglect," noting Thompson was suffering from a "severe body insect infestation."

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In a press statement, Attorney General Merrick Garland said Thompson's "horrific death was symptomatic of a pattern of dangerous and dehumanizing conditions in the Fulton County Jail."

"The Justice Department's report concluded that Fulton County and the Fulton County Sheriff's Office allowed unsafe and unsanitary conditions at the Jail," Garland said. "As a result, people incarcerated in the Fulton County Jail suffered harms from pest infestation and malnourishment and were put at substantial risk of serious harm from violence by other incarcerated peopleincluding homicides, stabbings and sexual abuse."

Justice Department investigators reported widespread infestations of mice, roaches, bedbugs, lice, and scabies.

In addition to being unsanitary, the jail's kitchen also fails to adequately feed detainees. The report notes that jail medical staff determined in 2022 that 90 percent of the people in the mental health unit where Thompson died were "significantly malnourished with obvious muscle wasting."

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Because Georgia is one of four states where the juvenile justice system ends at age 16, the Fulton County Jail routinely holds 17-year-olds and subjects them to the same conditions.

Minors and those with mental illness are held in solitary confinement for prolonged periods. Correctional officers use Tasers and pepper spray against mentally ill inmates and minors without justification.

The report also found that the prison inadequately investigated and reported sexual assault allegations, even though the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) is supposed to create zero-tolerance policies for rape in prisons and jails. Justice Department investigators wrote that this negligence extended to the jail's minor population:

Even a grievance about the sexual assault of a 17-year-old boy triggered no apparent action to address the violence. In June 2023, a 17-year-old submitted an emergency grievance reporting that he had been anally penetrated and was bleeding. The grievance officer responded that she had turned the grievance over to the Jail's investigations unit, provided no other information, and closed the grievance. Later that week, the same person filed another emergency grievance from the same housing location, reporting that he was being sexually harassed and made to perform sex acts, and requesting a move to another location. The grievance officer responded that she forwarded the grievance to the PREA investigator, again provided no other information, and closed the grievance. Despite a request, we received no incident reports or documents indicating that anyone investigated these complaints.

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Sen. Jon Ossoff (DGa.), who urged the Justice Department to launch the investigation, said in a press statement that Thursday's report "confirms that abuse at the Fulton County Jail has been not just horrific, but also unconstitutional. Each day these conditions persist is a failure to uphold Georgians' human and Constitutional rights."

But those conditions persist in jails and prisons across the country, where negligence, apathy, and cruelty result in hundreds of deaths a year. In a Texas county jail, three people died of thirst over a two-year period.

The Justice Department report notes that so far in 2024 three men have died in the Fulton County Jail: one of a suspected drug overdose, one by stabbing, and one by suicide.

The post Justice Department Finds 'Dehumanizing' Filth and Violence at Atlanta Jail Where Man Died Covered in Bugs appeared first on Reason.com.
Nov. 15The Kalispell Planning Commission on Tuesday grappled with how to notify neighbors of impending development as the municipality falls in line with a state law aimed at limiting public input in land use decisions.

Senate Bill 382, also known as the Montana Land Use Planning Act, was signed into law by Gov. Greg Gianforte in May 2023. The bill is one of several pro-construction measures the state Legislature passed last year in hopes of easing the statewide housing crunch.

Kalispell, along with nine other cities in the state, must "adopt a new land use plan replacing their existing growth policies and update local zoning and subdivision regulations" in accordance with the bill, according to the city website.

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The commission's Tuesday night work session was the first of many expected meetings that will be held over several months to craft Kalispell's new land use plan. Kalispell City Council is expected to weigh in as well and the bill stipulates that the effort will rely heavily on public input.

An updated land use plan must be adopted by May 2026.

Kalispell's current land use plan and growth policy likely will not have to undergo major changes, according to Development Services Director Jarod Nygren. Many of the city's zoning ordinances and regulations are already in accordance with the bill.

"The idea is that we can almost take everything we have and just readopt it. Not try to reinvent the wheel," Nygren said.

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Planning Commission members also indicated that they were not looking to completely rewrite the city's growth policy, which was updated in 2017 to guide growth through 2035.

What will see a change though, is how the public can interact with local government on individual development projects. The bill, meant to streamline construction, limits public comment on site-specific projects. Instead, it invites public input on forming a land use plan that will guide the Planning Department's authorization of projects.

For instance, the proposed twin subdivisions along Tronstad Road that Kalispell City Council authorized on Nov. 4 over the concerns of neighbors would only have to be approved by the Planning Department, according to Nygren.

"As long as it's in the land use plan and we've accounted for it that would go straight from staff," he said. However, developments on land not yet annexed by the city may still be put forth for public opinion.

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Kalispell Assistant Director of Development Services PJ Sorensen said that under the Senate bill, developers looking to build on annexed land will not be required to notify the surrounding neighborhood. Authorization of development would be purely an administrative decision. This also pertains to conditional use permits.

But Planning Commission members showed interest in instituting policy for notifying the public of forthcoming construction.

"I think that the limitation of public involvement seems ideologically efficient. However, what it would produce is a strange amount of paranoia about the governmental services that limit their access," said board member Joshua Borgardt.

Board member Shelby Odell shared the same sentiment, saying she didn't want people waking up to find bulldozers in their backyard.

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"As a matter of like the city's integrity and the relationship we have with the people who live here, think it would be more fair for everybody to have a notification process anyway," she said.

Sorensen said that the Planning Department is communicating with other municipalities on how they are implementing the bill. He said that some communities are creating a registry for people to sign up and stay up to date on land use decisions.

Per the bill, anyone can appeal a development decision made within 30 days of the ordinance being adopted. Nygren wondered aloud how the public will know when an administrative decision is made before seeing construction outside their window.

"I think that'll be like a policy decision that would be up to the board and Council is like, how much notice of our administrative decisions do we need to be putting out?"

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Sorensen said that planned unit developments remain an open question under the new bill, but his assumption right now is that they will still undergo a public input process because they fall outside of established zoning regulations. Planned unit developments are a tool that developers use when wanting to build a structure outside of the zoning regulations.

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at junderhill@dailyinterlake.com and 758-4407.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department is responding to an apartment fire off Linwood Boulevard near 71 Highway.

KCFD responded to the fire around 5:30 a.m. Friday. KCFD said the fire started on the first floor of an abandoned apartment building. The flames on the first floor quickly spread up all the way through the roof.

View the latest headlines from Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas at fox4kc.com

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The fire intensity became too much for responders and the structure of the building became questionable. Crews were told to get out of the building and defensive operations were initiated.

According to officials, responders sprayed water on surrounding buildings to prevent the spread of the fire.

Firefighters said their biggest concern at the moment is if the building will collapse. They hope that if it does, it falls straight down so they can put out the rest of the flames.

Evergy has cut off electricity to the area. An Evergy spokesperson said there was no power at the building.

No injuries have been reported and the cause of the fire is being investigated.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A Kansas City man said thieves broke into his home near 44th and Stateline Road and stole thousands of dollars worth of items.

Austin Prauser claims the thieves stole his motorcycle and laptops. They also took his spare keys leaving him scared that theyll return.

This is what I was doing while they were going through my house, Prauser said.

While working in Parkville fixing cars, Austin Prauser said thieves broke into his home in KCMO, stealing this motorcycle, helmets, two laptops and gaming systems.

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Ive worked hard to get where I am and what I have in life, Prauser said.

And I feel like I have to start over at this point almost.

Mahomes, Kelces homes burglarized: Obviously its frustrating

He said they also got away with a bass guitar, first edition Pokemon cards and handmade artwork, which he said he spends anywhere from five to 80 hours on each piece.

It takes me so long to make them, I get really attached and I feel like the monetary value that someone would offer me for them, Ive turned down thousands of dollars for pieces because I dont want to let them go, he detailed.

Also stolen were tools that had been passed down from family who are no longer here, as well as spare keys to his home and vehicles.

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I feel violated, Prauser said.

I dont really feel safe at this point because they took my keys they could just come back in at any time if they wanted to.

Prauser said security camera footage caught three cars pulling into his driveway just after 11 a.m. Monday morning.

Prauser came home that night to find items that belonged in his bathroom scattered across his driveway.

As I pulled in, I noticed my back door was wide open, Prauser said.

That immediately started sending red flags.

Neighbors remember seeing one vehicle drive up to the house, leave, then come back with two more cars.

Prauser said thieves, including an older man keeping watch, were there for about 10 minutes. He said they got away with about $10,000 worth of his belongings.

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Not only did they take material possessions, but they took my peace of mind, Prauser said. 

I dont feel safe in my home anymore.

Kansas City police are investigating. They said detectives are working to identify a person of interest.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A proposed new jail will need a sales tax to fund it. As FOX4 first reported Wednesday, a city jail is slated to be built on land next to Jackson Countys Jail, off 40 Highway, northwest of I-70 and 435. That sales tax will also require a vote of the people before construction would start.

The city plans on using the one-quarter cent or two-eighths of a cent public safety sales tax that shoppers in the city already pay for to help build this. Councilman Crispin Rea says that the tax expires in 2026, so it would need to be renewed.

The last tax was for 15 years, Rea said.

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We need to look at the revenue forecast and the cost of the project to make sure that that period covers the construction and the operating costs, so we will have to make a decision on the length of the tax, but like I said, my hope is that it is just a renewal.

New plans for former Kansas City Star printing plant

FOX4 talked to folks on the Country Club Plaza Thursday afternoon. However, it was found that they really didnt know a whole lot about this potential project.

Hearing that its for taxes were already paying is an easy [ask], Kansas City resident Riley Dahlquist said.

Its not extra, you would think thats an easy yes, or an easy sell, but I dont know.

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The city plans to buy part of the countys property for $2.3 million, and the vote for the city jail could be April 5, 2025. Rea said theyll need to educate voters on the differences between the county jail that will be next door in 2026 and a city jail.

We are not talking about murderers or felony level rapists, or anything like that, he said of who would be in a city jail.

Were talking about quality of life crimes, property crimes, things that happen with a high level of frequency most often in our neighborhoods.

One group that will try to get people to vote no on this issue is DecarcerateKC. It opposes the construction of any new jail in the city.

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We can do way more with that, city resident Heru Amen-Ra said, talking about the $2.3 million the city plans to spend on the purchase of some of that county property.

Resources for the community such as mental health issues, housing issues, utility issues and just about anything besides this. We already have a jail thats housing people.

Amen-Ra is a leader with DecarcerateKC. The this he was referring to is the soon-to-be new Jackson County Jail, just east of where the Blue River goes underneath 40 Highway.

We believe that restorative justice is the key to helping these issues, he continued.

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What theyre trying to do with these prisons is just stockpiling people. Its not the key. Its not helping. Theyve been doing it for I dont know how many hundreds of years, and instead they just continue to get bigger and bigger and bigger.

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EMPORIA (KSNT)  Emporia, Kansas is the founding city of Veterans Day, and this holiday season, hundreds of people will gather to lay memorial wreaths to honor fallen vets from this community.

The iconic tradition began at Arlington National Cemetery. Last year, Emporia veteran Scott Burenheide decided to add his city to the tradition. This Veterans Day week, the community laid thousands of flags at headstones of veterans buried in Emporia. Pretty soon, people will add the popular Christmas decoration as part of the national Wreaths Across America movement.

Elk, deer hunting season changes possible in Kansas

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The ceremony recognizes veterans from each branch of the military, stretching all the way back to the Civil War.

This is deep in my heart. Im a 20 year veteran, US Army, Burenheide said. Ive seen this at Arlington National Cemetery and it touched my heart. And when I found out I could bring it here to the birthplace of Veterans Day, what better symbolizes we support our veterans?

Emporia is not the only Kansas community involved with this effort. Topeka, Fort Riley, Lawrence, and others.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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Mental health professionals, faith leaders and local residents met Tuesday in Plainville for a summit on rural mental health needs. The summit was hosted by NAMI Kansas as part of the agency's Standing in the Gap events, which aim to address mental health care gaps across Kansas. (AJ Dome for Kansas Reflector)

PLAINVILLE  Churches and clergy members play an important role in linking residents with mental health care in rural and frontier Kansas counties, experts say.

The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a certified listener, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.

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Crisis Text Line is a texting service for emotional crisis support. To speak with a trained listener, text HOME to 741741. It is free, available 24/7 and confidential.

Mental health professionals, local faith leaders and community members met at a rural mental health summit Tuesday in Plainville hosted by NAMI Kansas, a mental health advocacy agency.

Caregiver and NAMI Kansas volunteer Tara Gwynn said during a presentation that local churches are often the first places people in rural and frontier areas go to seek therapy or guidance.

Part of the reason why religious officials are often the first person to respond to a mental health crisis is because of a lack of mental health care providers across Kansas. Gwynn said Kansas has on average one mental health care provider for every 450 residents.

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In the Plainville area in Rooks County in north-central Kansas, Gwynn said, the figure is closer to one provider per 4,000 people. Meanwhile, the town houses at least seven churches, all of which could have mental health information and support pamphlets available and placed in view of each congregation.

Our faith communities are well positioned to stand in the gap of mental health care needs, Gwynn said.

NAMI Kansas has hosted mental health summits across the state over the past several months to determine how to best close gaps in mental health care services. At the Plainville summit, residents expressed to Gwynn and other professionals that they wanted the conversation about mental health to spread throughout the community in an informative and positive way, by placing informational brochures in churches and on community bulletin boards, and by providing more training opportunities for teachers and paraeducators.

Gwynn said that more publicly available information on mental health can help eliminate stigmas surrounding things like depression and suicide. More than 500 Kansans died by suicide last year, according to Kansas Department of Health and Environment data.

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Cora Olson, wellness program and outreach manager at Wichita State University, said the language that people use to discuss suicide matters when it comes to eliminating stigmas attached to it.

Olson highlighted concerns with the phrase committed suicide. The word committed is too strong, Olson said, and implies that suicide is a crime or a sin.

We would prefer to say that someone died by suicide,  Olson said.

Sometimes the word suicide is met with negative reactions, Olson said, and its a taboo subject in some cultures.

Itzel Moya, NAMI Kansas project manager and southwest steering committee chairwoman, said some Latino and Black communities avoid talking about the subject of mental health entirely, largely because its an uncomfortable topic.

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Even when you get pushback when youre trying to talk about these things, you have to be direct, Moya said. We have to push forward and still use the real words, like suicide, to make it less taboo.

One stigma surrounding suicide is that asking a person if they are thinking of suicide will ultimately give them the idea to do so. Olson said thats not true, and that less than 1% of the 13.2 million people in the U.S. who live with suicidal thoughts actually attempt suicide.

In Kansas, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline reported a one-day call record of 169 calls on Nov. 6, the day after the election. The largest increases in call volumes came to the LGBTQ+ and Spanish-speaking phone lines.
The Kansas unemployment rate increased to 3.4% in October, up from 3.3% in August and September and 2.7% in March. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  The Kansas unemployment reached 3.4% in October following a two-month period in which the rate held at 3.3%, officials said Friday.

The Kansas Department of Labor and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said preliminary estimates showed a 0.1% escalation from September to October. It contributed to the substantive rise from 2.6% in October 2023.

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Kansas lost 1,500 private-sector jobs and gained 1,300 government jobs in October, the monthly report said. The October report showed loss of 1,100 jobs in the hospitality and leisure industry and the loss of 900 positions in the transportation, trade and utility sector.

In the past year, however, Kansas has gained 15,900 private-sector jobs and 5,000 government positions.

Job estimates for the private sector in Kansas have increased by 1.3% over the year, despite a small decline over the month in October, said Emilie Doerksen, an economist with the state Department of Labor.

The unemployment rate in Kansas ranged from 2.6% to 2.8% from June 2022 through April. The rate steadily grew from 2.7% in March to 3.3% in August and September.

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Renewal of the climb in October meant more than 51,000 Kansans looking for a job failed to secure employment. During October, 1.46 million Kansans held jobs.

The U.S. unemployment rate in October was 4.1%. While the national labor force participation rate stood at 62.6% in October, officials said the rate in Kansas was 66.4%.
Kari Lake and her husband, Jeff Halperin, at an Aug. 23, 2024, rally for Donald Trump in Glendale. Photo by Gage Skidmore | Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0

Kari Lake, one of Arizonas most fervent election deniers, seems to have accepted her loss in last weeks race for U.S. Senate to U.S. Congressman Ruben Gallego. At the same time, shes still dealing with the fallout of her refusal to accept her loss in the 2022 election for Arizona governor.

Nearly two full days after the Associated Press projected that her Democratic opponent had won Arizonas U.S. Senate seat, Trump-endorsed Republican Lake posted a video on the social media site X, formerly Twitter, signaling that her run for the Senate was at an end.

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I can say for certain that truth will never stop mattering to me, Lake told her fans. You will never stop mattering to me. These memories that weve made together will never go away  they will grow sweeter over time, and I will never stop fighting for the state I love.

Though Lake, a former Phoenix television news anchor, said in the video that she was leaving this fight, she tiptoed around directly admitting defeat. Marine veteran Gallegos campaign confirmed to the Arizona Mirror that Lake hasnt yet contacted him to concede.

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On Nov. 11, the same day that the Associated Press called the Senate race for Gallego, Lakes husband filed a motion asking a Maricopa County Superior Court judge to dismiss a defamation case that stemmed from Lakes refusal to accept the results of the race she lost two years prior.

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In June 2023, Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer filed a defamation suit against Lake, her husband, Jeff Halperin, her gubernatorial campaign and the Save Arizona Fund.

The Save Arizona Fund is a dark money nonprofit that Lake controls and that has raised an unknown amount of money to fund her legal efforts to overturn the 2022 election.

In the months leading up to the suit, Lake falsely accused Richer of intentionally sabotaging the 2022 election, and blamed her loss in the gubernatorial race to Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs on unproven election fraud.

Lake has repeatedly claimed  without evidence  that Richer was responsible for 300,000 illegal, invalid, phony or bogus early ballots being counted in Maricopa County. Shes lost every trial and appeal in her lawsuit challenging the election results over the past two years.

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In March, Lake defaulted in the case, legally conceding that her claims about Richer were false, even as she continued to say the opposite in public statements.

Since then, both sides have struggled to compel the other to turn over evidence that could be used to determine how much Lake owes Richer in damages, the only issue left for the court to decide.

Richer is seeking damages to reimburse him and his wife for the thousands of dollars he said they spent to install new security features in their home after he said Lakes false statements spurred threats of violence and harassment.

Additionally, Richer is asking to be awarded punitive damages, as well as compensation for damage to his reputation and mental health.

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William Fischbach, an attorney for Halperin, wrote in the Nov. 11 motion that the judge should end this farcical defamation lawsuit.

He wrote that, because Richer didnt comply with an order from the court to disclose some sort of quantification of the damages that he believes hes owed, in addition to other reasons, the case should be dismissed.

Fischbach wrote that Richer cant directly attribute to Lake any harm to his reputation or mental health, since his standing with fellow Republicans had soured long before Lake lost in 2022.

Right or wrong, fair or unfair, Richers decision to clash with Trump predictably provoke[d] hostility from Trump supporters, Fischbach wrote. Unsurprisingly, this had a pernicious effect on Richers reputation and standing with Trump supporters.

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Fischbach pointed out that Richer had been the target of hate and online disparagement prior to Lakes accusations of election fraud, starting after he defended the countys election practices amidst widespread claims of fraud based on the Big Lie that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Trump.

While its true that Richer was harassed and threatened before Lake began targeting him specifically, since she lost the 2022 election, Lake has regularly mentioned Richer in social media posts, on podcasts and television shows where she alleged that the governorship was stolen from her. Lake has more than 2 million followers on X.

Both Fischbach and attorneys representing Richer declined to comment for this article.

Matthew Kelly, a Phoenix lawyer with Ballard Spahr, who frequently defends defamation lawsuits but was not involved in this case, told the Arizona Mirror that it was always difficult to tell how a judge will rule in such cases, but that it would likely hinge on Richers response to the motion, which has not yet been filed.

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Dismissals on the basis of discovery violations are relatively rare, but they do happen, Kelly said.

(Editors note: Ballard Spahr represents the Arizona Mirror and its publisher, States Newsroom, on First Amendment issues, and Kelly has worked on some of those cases.)

Additionally, Fischbach claimed that the case should be dismissed because Richer failed to inform the defendants about the countys data mining operation that monitors news stories and social media in real time to gauge the publics sentiment towards Richer.

For her part, Lake has also been slow to provide evidence or refused to disclose it, most recently saying that any emails about media coverage of Lakes false statements had been purged when her gubernatorial campaign, Kari Lake for Arizona, was dissolved. During an Oct. 21 hearing, Lakes attorney, Tyler Swensen, said that the emails were deleted before the defamation suit was filed, clearing Lake of any obligation to retain them as evidence.

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But while Swensen told the court that the emails were likely lost when Kari Lake for Arizona was dissolved nearly a year before the case was filed, that is not true. The campaign filed its last finance report in early 2024, and was spending money through Dec. 31, 2023, more than six months after Richer filed the suit.

Fischbachs third and final reason for dismissal was that Richer permanently deleted his X account on Nov. 7, illegally destroying evidence in the case.

Richer deactivated his account Nov. 7, two days after the Nov. 5 election, as the site was awash in misinformation and baseless accusations of election fraud in Maricopa County. Richer reactivated his account earlier this week, after Halperin filed the motion to dismiss the case.

Lake and the other defendants in the suit had clashed with Richer over who was responsible for determining which tweets were pertinent to the case, downloading them and providing them to the other side.

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Fischbach claimed that Lakes decision to default and not to defend herself in the case was strategic.

Defendants defaulted intentionally to smoke out Richers inability to prove any damages, he wrote.

The motion to dismiss contains information and claims some of which are tangentially related to the defamation case, at best. In the motion, Fischbach casts doubt on Richers statement in a 2021 letter to Republicans that he didnt want to be in the spotlight with a footnote about Richers participation as a youth in musical productions such as Jesus Christ Superstar and Cats.

I think its obvious that defense lawyers feel very strongly about their position and have put it forth in a vehement manner, Kelly told the Mirror.

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Fischbach also mentioned his own previous service in the U.S. Army, monitoring parliamentary elections in Iraq in 2005, adding that his job wasnt to pick winners but to protect the process.

Halperin asked the court not only to dismiss the suit, but to sanction Richer for failing to comply with court orders.

To protect democracy is to preserve the right of others to vote for candidates you dont like, Fischbach wrote. Kari Lake is hated by some voters; loved by others. This lawsuit was met with accolades by those in the former group. But it has cast doubt on the fairness and legitimacy of the democratic process in the hearts and minds of the latter. For Richer, the harshest of sanctions is not merely justified. It is imperative.

Lake has a Nov. 22 deadline to disclose to the court when her campaign emails were purged and at whose direction. A pretrial conference is set for February 2025, ahead of a jury trial to determine what damages Richer is owed.

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Kern County Fire Department on Friday released photos of two persons of interest linked to Saturdays massive blaze at warehouses on Washington Street near East Brundage Lane.

Photos provided by courtesy of the Kern County Fire Department.

Dozens of firefighters battled the fire, which produced thick, black smoke visible for miles. The fire was contained to the two warehouses that initially burned; firefighters stopped its spread to nearby structures.

Anyone with information is asked to call 1-877-FIRE-TIP (1-877-347-3847).

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A Kansas City, Kansas man has pleaded guilty in the 2023 Shawnee crash that left a 9-year-old Lenexa boy dead.

Matthew Alexander Jacobo, 26, pleaded guilty in Johnson County court Friday to reckless second-degree murder and leaving the scene of a crash, resulting in death.

Plea entered in March 2023 deadly KC shooting, defendant sentenced

On Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, the Shawnee Police Department responded to a hit-and-run crash just before 7 p.m. involving a white truck and a black Sedan near Johnson Drive and Bell Road, just east of I-435.

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Police said Jacobo allegedly left the scene of the crash, where prosecutors say he was driving drunk. A K9 unit later found him to take him into custody.

Jacobo was originally charged with DUI-aggravated battery and failure to stop at a crash-great harm, but the charges were amended after 9-year-old Nolan Davidson died from the crash.

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Jacobo is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 7, 2025.

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Writer Maya Angelou attends the memorial celebration for Odetta at Riverside Church on Feb. 24, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)

You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may trod me in the very dirt

But still, like dust, Ill rise.

 From Still I RIse by Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou grew up in the small southwest Arkansas town of Stamps. Raped as a child and beaten as a young woman, she became virtually silent for years. She later turned to prostitution for a time but ultimately rose above the hardships and the racism and became a person whom many women, including me, consider a role model for our daughters and ourselves. Angelou not only regained her voice but also marched and lobbied for equal rights, sang, danced and wrote  and oh, how beautifully she wrote!

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The above excerpt from Angelous 1978 poem Still I Rise has been shared repeatedly on social media since the Nov. 5 presidential election when former President Donald Trump, a Republican, defeated Vice President Kamala Harris to become president-elect.

Harris is a Democrat, but more importantly she is a Black woman  a fact many women consider a silent killer in politics, the one that ended her White House hopes just as it did eight years ago with Hillary Rodham Clinton, another strong woman albeit a white one. Both lost to a physically large, extravagantly wealthy man with three wives, six corporate bankruptcies, 34 felony convictions, and a naughty reference from one Stormy Daniels on his resume.

Many people would disagree, at least publicly, with my blaming gender and racial prejudice for Harriss defeat. Among those no doubt are Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders who campaigned for Trump and was his press secretary in his first term, the young Black and Latino men who say they supported Trump because of the economy, and many voters who staunchly oppose abortion rights for women in all or almost all cases.

While I do not blame only race and gender, I am convinced both were significant factors in the election. Even Trump marveled in September that a woman was doing so well against him. They put her in, and she somehow  a woman  somehow shes doing better than [President Joe Biden] did, he said. That was just one of Trumps many misogynistic comments. Was he playing to his sexist followers, to the disciples of religions that teach women should be submissive, not only in marriage and the church but also in business and government?

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Also, consider the much-regurgitated words of white supremacist Nicholas Fuentes who on election night wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: Your body, my choice. Later, Fuentes bragged, More people saw this post than voted for Kamala Harris in the election.

I doubt most voters would boast of opposing Harris because of race or gender even if they did. Instead, many Trump supporters have cited the economy, abortion, immigration and their own Christian views. Still, even if these voters dont see their own bias, I see it in their willingness to shrug off Trumps hateful rhetoric, immorality and lies while also saying Christians should vote for Trump, not Harris. The apparent alternative for these voters was to skip voting entirely. Would voting for a Black woman whos imperfect like every other candidate in history really have been so difficult? Someone said Jesus wasnt running, so there was Trump. There also was Harris, a decent human and an intelligent, mentally agile candidate who respects the Constitution and the law.

But do not forget: It was a Black man, one Barack Obama, whose relatively stable presidency led to a white-supremacist backlash and the political rise of Trump. Some people clearly couldnt cope with the idea of a Black man being their leader.

Further, since leaving office in 2021, Trump has worsened, in at least one case beyond his control and likely to worsen as he ages. The 78-year-old president-elects mental decline has become increasingly obvious in his rambling speeches and sometimes vulgarity-laden comments  words one can transcribe but not always comprehend. So, no, I dont buy the argument that Trump was the better candidate.

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What do we do now? The first thing I did on election night was turn off the TV, close my laptop and go to bed. But I cant ignore reality forever; nor should I.

Since the election, I have tried even harder than usual to stay informed on current events. I hope to join with others in working toward the mid-term elections in two years to support the best candidates in Arkansas and elsewhere.

As a journalist, Ive long monitored local elections and encourage others to do so as well. Legislators on the state and national levels often start their political careers on those levels. Republicans have successfully launched support networks starting at the school board and quorum court levels. Democrats must work harder at these startup levels.

Ive never been much of a campaign donor. But even if we cant or dont give money, we can help register voters, join organizations that share our views, speak out against actions that discriminate against any group of people, and strive to help those who are victimized by any political system or party.

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We also must be informed and not fall for the lies and hyperbole of either party. Read and listen to state and national news, preferably from multiple sources. Follow the social-media sites if you wish, but not for facts. Support our public schools so that our children and grandchildren can someday make informed decisions.

Above all, be persistent. Its OK to take a break, but make it short. Keep working, keep educating, keep voting. Never give up. And just like Maya Angelou, we, too, shall rise and make our lives better slowly but surely.
SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO)  A member of our KELOLAND family will have a seat at the table in Pierre and on Capitol Hill when it comes to issues affecting the broadcasting industry.

KELOLAND Media Group Vice-President and General Manager Mari Ossenfort is the new chair of the South Dakota Broadcasters Board of Directors.

Ossenfort says the statewide reach of KELOLAND Media Group is a big advantage for her new role serving as an advocate for television and radio stations across South Dakota.

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We serve both sides of the state, right? And in other roles in other companies, I have also managed radio stations, so I know some of the challenges that they have, Ossenfort said.

Shes got a breadth of connections and a breadth of relationships. Shes also got a one-on-one relationship with every one of our congressional delegation, so shes been around and she knows the industry, South Dakota Broadcasters Association President Steve Willard said.

Over $100k in damage in Thursday morning crash spree

The new leadership role with the South Dakota Broadcasters Association extends to Washington, D.C., where shell lobby members of Congress to enact content protections for local journalists.

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Theres an act called the JCP Act (Journalism Competition & Preservation Act) that we would like to see, we would like to see that pushed through Congress so that our local journalists are protected. Its part of our free speech, Ossenfort said.

Artificial Intelligence is another development the industry is wrestling with.

The technology is out there to re-create your voice, Perry. And I could take your voice and create a story, it would be all video background, it would be all video, but I could take your voice, create a story. And you wouldnt know what words were being said, Ossenfort said.

Ossenfort says while broadcasting stations compete against one another for market share, her job will involve bringing those stations together when it comes to sharing a commitment to serve their local audiences.

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We are just here to be all about local, local, local in supporting our communities because thats what the backbone of our country is all about, right? Ossenfort said.

Ossenfort served in the same position with the North Dakota Broadcasters Association when she was vice-president of broadcasting for Forum Communications in Fargo.

Broadcast stations face labor shortages, just like other industries. To that end, the South Dakota Broadcasters Association offers internship grants for students interested in pursuing careers in journalism.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Kent County is asking for information from you as part of its joint Deer Management Initiative, which released its initial findings Thursday.

Six metro areas and 21 townships join Kent County in the initiative, which aims to find solutions to the growing deer population program.

The research initiative began with the road commission looking for rhyme, reason and remedies to the rash of deer-car crashes across both urban and rural communities across the county.

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Link: Kent County Deer Observation and Opinion Survey

One of our primary responsibilities is traffic safety, Kent County Road Commission Managing Director Jerry Byrne told News 8. Twenty-six percent of all vehicle crashes are related to a deer crash. Thats huge, so what can we do about it?

To get comprehensive answers, initiative members assembled all of the diverse communities across the county to make sure they had a clear understanding of the issue.

If the city of Walker does something and Alpine Township isnt part of that initiative, the deer dont know the difference. It isnt going to be as beneficial if one or two or three jurisdictions do it. We need to do it together if we want to see success, Byrne said.

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Its peak season for car-deer crashes. Why are there so many deer?

As members assembled the data, they recruited researchers with Grand Valley State University to help them interpret what they found.

There is a risk to wildlife and people. There is a risk to everybody, Dr. Ali Locher, a professor in the GVSU Department of Natural Resource and Environmental Management said of the overpopulation research effort. Our end goal is to have data-driven solutions.

A heat map shows where car-deer crashes are most common in Kent County.

The crash data painted a clear picture, visualized with the help of a heat map, showing exactly where deer-car collisions occur the most.

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Now, the study is moving on to its second phase of data collection  public testimony.

Some people feed the deer, and they think its OK to have deer in their front yard. Then, we might hear from neighbors two doors down that say, They are eating all my hostas and theyre pooping in my yard. We need to do something different.' Byrne explained.

Deer hunters prepare for start of regular season

The crash data is only one piece of the puzzle, Locher added. The people and the location of wildlife are pieces of the puzzle and if we dont have a complete picture, then we arent making informed decisions.

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Those decisions will eventually be proposed solutions to help bring down the deer population, or at least alleviate some of the negative effects. Those possible solutions are varied, including feeding bans, deer resistant plantings, tweaks to hunting seasons, even encouraging more deer harvest to donate meat to food pantries. But everyone involved in the study stressed that any current ideas are conceptual. They are waiting on the study to conclude before proposing solutions.

I dont want to sit here and say we know what the end answer is, because we dont, Byrne said. We arent spending $65,000 to study it and tell you what the answer is before we get into it. The answer is going to be multifaceted throughout Kent County.

I think (the goal) is to find a balancing point where humans and other species can co-exist, Rob Larson, associate professor in the GVSU Natural Resource and Environmental Management Program said. As we continue to build and expand, we have to figure out a way as people to be able to live with other species.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Sudents arrive Carter Traditional Elementary School in Louisville on Jan. 24, 2022 (Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images)

About a dozen Kentucky Republicans are calling on Jefferson County Public Schools to fire its chief equity officer for a social media post on his personal account.

However, some say the move is another in a line of discriminatory attacks from state lawmakers on Kentuckys largest public school system.

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On Wednesday, 14 white Republican lawmakers or incoming lawmakers signed onto a statement calling for the resignation or ouster of Chief Equity Officer John Marshall for posts he made on X about recent conversations with Black students and young professionals.

X posts made by JCPS Chief Equity Officer John Marshall. (Screenshot via X)

A few young(er) Black professionals & students called me this morning & asked, Whats a strategy moving forward? Marshall wrote Monday. My response, REGARDLESS of the rooms, meetings, classes, etc., youre in, know THE MAJORITY of whites could care less about you & have no issues harming you or yours.

Marshall added a follow-up post: Strategy. Count the number in your presence & divide by at least half. Thats where you start.

The politicians press release came after Libs of TikTok, a right-wing social media account, highlighted Marshalls post and salary to 3.7 million followers on X.

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This is an outrageously inflammatory public statement for anyone in a civilized society to make, but such speech is protected by the First Amendment  for a private citizen, the Republicans said. As an officer of the government, speaking in an official capacity at taxpayer expense, such reckless speech inciting hatred based on skin color should be grounds for immediate termination. In the current heated political climate of America, it is absolutely unacceptable for a senior JCPS leader to stoke the fires of hatred and division rather than set an example of bringing students together in peace.

The politicians statement added that Marshalls personal account contains numerous divisive statements, but did not specify which additional posts. The politicians said that if Marshall did not resign, the Board of Education of JCPS or its superintendent should fire him.

Marshall did not return an emailed request for comment. Mark Hebert, a spokesperson for JCPS said Marshalls social media post was not made on behalf of his employer.

Ricky Jones, a professor of Pan-African Studies at the University of Louisville, called the call to fire Marshall another brazen example of white supremacy in Kentucky. Jones added that the Republicans thought not only was (it) OK, but thought it would go unchallenged, because they think that Black people are in a subordinate position, that theyre powerless and that they fear them. Jones said the lawmakers should resign instead of Marshall because theyre not living in the 21st century and lack respect for the First and 14th amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

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Jones said Marshall didnt say anything that was untrue. Though Marshalls post came in the wake of Donald Trumps election to a second term as president, these people were doing stuff like this before Donald Trump got re-elected, Jones said.

Jones, who is also a guest columnist for the Louisville Courier Journal, said the push to oust Marshall follows efforts to suppress initiatives like diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and teaching critical race theory. Black Kentuckians are paying attention, he added, to who white voters keep electing.

Not only are they not standing up fighting against those people, they are re-electing them and electing more people like them to political positions in the state. The message that gives to Black people is that the majority of white folk here dont give a damn about us and our children, and they feel clearly that we dont have the right to say that.

During the 2024 legislative session, Kentucky Republicans joined a national trend to target diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Two bills aimed at dismantling DEI programs in public universities failed to pass but lawmakers are expected to file legislation against DEI when the 2025 session begins in January.

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Republican lawmakers have also taken actions in recent years to increase oversight of the governance of JCPS, Kentuckys largest public school system. Earlier this year, Kentucky Supreme Court justices questioned if a 2022 law aimed at changing the relationship of the JCPS board and its superintendent was legislative interference. Republicans also established a task force to review the governance of JCPS in the interim session and potentially make recommendations for future legislation.

Lyndon E. Pryor, the president and CEO of the Louisville Urban League, said in a statement to the Kentucky Lantern that the lawmakers supported Republican President-elect Donald Trumps bid for the White House, and he is a presidential candidate who, for decades, has openly engaged in hate speech and white supremacist antics.

Trump won Kentuckys eight electoral votes in last weeks election with 65% of the vote. Kentucky voters maintained a Republican supermajority in the state House and Senate.

They have been silent on the discriminatory rhetoric and actions of local and state police officers and said nothing, even when members of their caucus have made inflammatory remarks, Pryor said of the Republicans calling for Marshalls ouster.

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Pryor said Marshall had a First Amendment right to make a statement on his personal account.

We will not be distracted and misled into believing these people have any concern for racial equity, justice, civil discourse, or common decency, Pryor said. They are planting seeds with their small base to support their continued assault on JCPS, diversity, and educational progress  attacks which, at their very core, are racially motivated.

Those of us who are genuinely concerned with the welfare of students, families, and our educational system will keep focused on the things that actually matter and get back to work. We would appreciate it if our elected officials did the same.

A spokesperson for the Republican senators seeking to oust Marshall declined to respond to Jones and Pryors remarks. A House spokesperson did not immediately return a request for comment.

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The Republicans who signed the Wednesday statement were:
Rand Paul has chosen to chair the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee in the next Congress, asserting that the legislative body must stand up once again for its constitutional role.

A longtime critic of government overreach and a skeptic of certain national security measures, Pauls chairmanship is likely to bring a distinct libertarian-leaning perspective to the committees work.

One of Pauls obsessions  investigating the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic and Dr. Anthony Faucis response to it  is certain to be central to the committees work in the new year.

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Paul said Thursday his first committee hearing would examine reinstating the Remain in Mexico policy, a controversial measure by President-elect Donald Trump to require asylum seekers arriving at the southern border to wait in Mexico while their cases are processed by U.S. courts.

Though Paul never formally endorsed Trumps reelection campaign, his policy alignment on immigration control could help the Kentucky senator get back in the president-elects good graces.

One of the first high-profile tasks Paul will steer is the confirmation hearing for Trumps nomination to head the Department of Homeland Security, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem.

He said he would expeditiously move Noems nomination in time for Trumps inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025.
Welcome to Court Crawl, Colorado Politics' roundup of news from the third branch of government.
(FOX40.COM)  Kevin Lincoln, the mayor of Stockton running as a Republican in the race for the 9th Congressional District of California, has conceded to incumbent Democrat Josh Harder.

Lincolns campaign made the announcement on Wednesday night, two days after Harder claimed victory.

The Associated Press has not made a call on the race, but as of Thursday afternoon, Harder had more than 117,000 votes compared to Lincolns nearly 109,000 votes, a difference of just over three percentage points.

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While the results are not what we had hoped for, I remain incredibly proud of the journey weve shared and the incredible progress weve made together. I want to thank every volunteer, supporter, and voter who believed in our vision for a stronger Valley, reads a message from Lincolns campaign.

Get updated results for Northern California elections here

Our community has been through tough times, and we know what it means to rise, overcome, and continue moving forward. I remain committed to our community and our shared mission to make the Valley a better place. This campaign may have ended, but the work continues. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Harder unseated Republican Jeff Denham in 2018 in the 10th Congressional District and has won re-election ever since, even after moving to the re-drawn 9th Congressional District for the 2022 election.

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Lincolns concession came on the same night that the AP projected Republicans to take control of the House of Representatives with a narrow majority.

Only a handful of Congressional races have yet to be called, including the neighboring 13th Congressional District in California.

In the race to replace Lincoln as Stockton mayor, candidate Christina Fugazi claimed victory earlier this week over Tom Patti, although votes are still being tallied.

As of Thursday, Fugazi leads Patti by about 6,000 votes, just a little more than six percentage points.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
Sadiq Khan is no stranger to making outlandish political interventions and unnecessarily working against the British national interest. Londons Mayor has accused US President-elect Donald Trump of attacking him in the past on the grounds of his ethnic background and religious affiliation.

On the High Performance podcast, Khan, who has previously accused the former president of being one the most egregious examples of the global far-Right threat, also repeated his accusation that Trump has pursued policies which are racist, anti-Muslim, misogynistic, and homophobic. In the interview, he also suggested that Trump was sceptical of the view that one can be both a Westerner and Muslim.

While Khan professes to be a pro-US politician who loves American culture, such reckless forays into matters of race, ethnicity, and faith will only further complicate the future transatlantic relationship between the current Labour Government and the Trump-Vance administration. The situation is already tense. Foreign Secretary David Lammy once referring to Trump as a tyrant and labelled him as a woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath.

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What isnt needed is the Mayor of London jeopardising the quality of US-UK diplomatic relations with his self-absorbed approach to politics. Perhaps he should focus more on problems closer to home such as the capitals rising knife-related crime, dysfunctional housing market, and unhygienic public transportation systems.

It is not racist and Islamophobic to suggest that Khan has woefully underperformed in his role (which also means he is the capitals police and crime commissioner, and co-governor of the failing behemoth that is the Met).

But just as importantly, Khans thoughtless identitarian outburst reveals that much of the contemporary British Left fails to understand what has just taken place in the US, or are simply unwilling to recognise it. Trump has cultivated the kind of working-class, multi-racial, inter-faith coalition that should not only be the envy of the Democrats, but of social democrats across the West.

Those who present Trump as an embodiment of white European-heritage supremacy havent quite been able to process the outcome that he won two in three Native American voters  possibly ignorant of the fact that he pledged to award the Lumbee Tribe in swing state North Carolina with official federal recognition, which could open up access to funds for economic development, education, and healthcare.

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Winning an impressive 46 per cent of Latino voters, Trumps tough stance on illegal immigration helped him win a number of Hispanic-majority counties on the US-Mexico border  including Yuma County in the battleground state of Arizona.

Trump won a majority of voters in the other racial demographic, which would include Americas Arab population. While Khan continues to mindlessly portray Trump as a hateful anti-Muslim figure, Bill Bazzi and Amer Ghalib, his mayoral co-religionist counterparts of Dearborn Heights and Hamtramc both endorsed the Republican in the recent presidential election. Maybe Khan would like to provide the Yemen-born Ghalib a lecture on LGBTQIA+ allyship after Hamtramck City Council voted to ban Pride flags on city property under his leadership?

If politicians on the British Left such as Khan are unknowledgeable of Americas complicated electoral landscape, they should think twice before insulting the man who has just secured a spectacular return to the White House. It is time that the Mayor of London put his obsession with Trump to one side and concentrate on the bread-and-butter of making our capital a safer and cleaner place. I wont be holding my breath.

Dr Rakib Ehsan is the author of Beyond Grievance

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
(Bloomberg) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for the mass production of attack drones after Pyongyang accused Seoul of flying unmanned aerial vehicles in the airspace over its capital in what it called a war provocation.

Most Read from Bloomberg

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Kim oversaw the performance tests of various attack drones under development in his second field inspection in less than three months, the nations official Korean Central News Agency said on Friday.

Photos released by KCNA showed a drone flying over the top of a car, which is then seen having been set ablaze.

While the technical quality of North Koreas UAVs remains unclear, Kim has made the development of drones for use in the air and at sea a top priority.

He underscored the need to build a serial production system as early as possible and go into full-scale mass production, the state media said. The drones precisely hit their targets after flying along different tactical routes, it said.

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South Korea received a wake-up call about threats from drones when Pyongyang sent five UAVs across the border in 2022, including one that flew near President Yoon Suk Yeols office in Seoul. South Koreas military tried and failed to shoot the devices down. One complicating factor was a reluctance to fire munitions in heavily populated areas.

Shortly after the episode, South Korea unveiled a plan to spend about 560 billion won (US$400 million) over the next five years on drone warfare, including systems meant to shoot down those from adversaries. The Yoon administration said its looking to develop and deploy laser weapons to destroy North Koreas drones.

The race to develp UAVs came into the spotlight again after North Korea claimed last month that South Korea had infiltrated the airspace over its capital with drones, saying the act constituted an undeniable war provocation. Seoul has not confirmed whether it sent any drones across the border.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has recently ordered the mass production of kamikaze drones as their so-called strategic partnership with Russia develops.

Source: Sky News with reference to the Korean Central News Agency, a North Korean state-run news outlet

Details: Kim Jong Un reportedly stressed the need to build a mass production system as soon as possible and move to full-scale mass production of drones.

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NATO obtained information that Russia is sending missile technology to North Korea in exchange for military assistance.

Background:

Prior to that, Russian ruler Vladimir Putin signed a law ratifying the treaty on a comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and the DPRK. North Korea also ratified the treaty.

According to the latest data from South Korea's intelligence service, members of the North Korean military previously sent to Russia are in Russias Kursk Oblast and already engaged in combat operations against Ukraine.

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PEWAUKEE - A four-story senior housing complex has broken ground at Ryan Street and Highway 16 in a year-long construction project, expanding an existing campus that officials say reflects the strong market for such homes.

The new building at Kirkland Crossings, owned by the nonprofit senior living provider Presbyterian Homes & Services, is expected to be completed in December 2025. It will add 77 new independent living apartment units to the larger 12-acre campus featuring varied housing styles and care-dependent options.

"This expansion opens new opportunities for seniors to enjoy an active lifestyle set in the beauty of lake country," La Kelvin Hill, Kirkland Crossings campus administrator, said in a news release.

Campus includes townhomes, assisted-living and memory-care units

According to Presbyterian Homes & Services, Kirkland Crossings already has 60 independent living senior apartments, 22 townhomes, 40 assisted-living apartments and 20 memory-care apartments.

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Hill said those facilities, and their proximity to Pewaukee Lake just south of the site, enhances the value of the campus for its residents. The campus itself has natural amenities  ponds, prairie meadows and foot trails, plus a "town center."

"Our community offers residents the freedom to pursue their passions while giving them the peace of mind that additional care and services are available, should they experience health changes," he said.

The new building, at 600 Quinlan Drive, will include additional "community spaces"  a club lounge, fitness center and outdoor amenities for gathering and socializing  and apartments that have balconies or patios, fireplaces and even wine refrigerators in some places.

AG Architecture, CG Schmidt Construction, Bremer Bank and Senior Housing Partners (the development division of Presbyterian Homes & Services) are part of the project and design team, which has focused on seniors' needs, according to its representatives.

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"Our task is to bring 'vision to life,' and we know many future residents will benefit from the housing, amenities, services and beauty of this community," Jeremy Theis, managing director, CG Schmidt Construction, said in the news release.

Market is strong for senior living communities

David Rustad, senior communications specialist for Presbyterian Homes & Services, said in an email interview that PHS is trying to meet a firm demand for such housing in the region, including in Pewaukee.

"Kirkland Crossings is an established senior living community in Pewaukee and in high demand," Rustad said. "We strive to meet the needs of the local population, which shows demographic trends requiring more housing for older adults. We are proud to be able to offer these new independent living apartments, which will enable more seniors to live well within Kirkland Crossings."

The expansion concludes the development of the campus, he added. Reservations are already being accepted for the new apartments.

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Presbyterian Homes & Services also owns and operates Avalon Square in Waukesha, Dickson Hollow in Menomonee Falls, Fairway Knoll in Germantown, Towner Crest in Oconomowoc and Stair Crest in Muskego.

Contact reporter Jim Riccioli at james.riccioli@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Kirkland Crossings adds apartment building to Pewaukee senior center
MADISON - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources this week gave permits to a Canadian energy company to move forward with its plan to reroute a pipeline in the northern part of the state.

The decision to approve Enbridge Energy's permits for Line 5 immediately drew both support and derision by the public, businesses and organizations, and is sure to be challenged as the company moves through the federal permitting process.

Here's what you should know.

DNR says it followed its findings of fact

Greg Pils, the director of the Bureau of Environmental Analysis and Sustainability, said the DNR considered the comments and concerns shared with them by the public and did not rubber stamp the permits.

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"I would direct anybody who wants to better understand the basis of our decision to review the findings of fact that are recorded in the water and wetland permit document itself," he said.

The findings included comparing several proposed routes and explained why the approved route presented lesser impacts to the public and the environment.

The DNR went through a long process to put together an environmental impact analysis, which included information from the company, agency research and tens of thousands of comments from the public.

The impact statement considered harm to trees, water and wildlife, in addition to cultural and socioeconomic impacts.

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In one section, the DNR outlines how the impacts of rerouting the line could be short-lived, during construction, for example, as well as those with longer-lasting implications.

All of the direct impacts from the project would result from the installation of the pipeline and the construction-related activities, the document says, including clearing trees, trenching, blasting and horizontal drilling.

The department estimated secondary impacts could include changes in the pattern of land use, population density or growth rate, increased noise in the construction area, forest fragmentation, and the anticipated impacts of pipeline spills, as well as the introduction of invasive species.

More: Wisconsin DNR approves permits for Enbridge's controversial Line 5 reroute

What is Line 5 and who is Enbridge?

The 645-mile-long Line 5 pipeline transports 545,000 barrels a day of light crude oil, light synthetic crude oil and natural gas liquids from western Canada through Wisconsin and Michigan and into eastern Canada. The products Line 5 carries are used to make transportation fuels and fuel used to heat homes and businesses.

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The underground pipe is 30 inches in diameter and has been in operation since 1953.

Enbridge Energy, headquartered in Calgary, Canada, owns the Line 5 oil pipeline and is North America's largest pipeline company, transporting about 125 million gallons of crude oil and liquids every day.

Why is it being rerouted?

Enbridge proposed to reroute about 12 miles of the active pipeline that passes through the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa's reservation. Easements on the line expired years ago, and since then, the company has faced scrutiny for wanting to reroute the pipe instead of decommissioning the line.

The tribe filed a lawsuit in 2019 to have the pipeline removed. The tribe and environmental groups argued for shutting down Line 5 entirely, citing the risks to land, water and quality of life if the pipeline were to rupture or leak.

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A leak wouldn't be unprecedented. During construction of the Line 3 pipeline in Minnesota, Enbridge breached four aquifers while building the pipeline. It also paid more than $11 million to address environmental damage during construction and faced a criminal misdemeanor charge for using state waters without permission. The company has also had issues with a pipeline in Michigan.

More: Great Lakes, PFAS, lead pipes: How Trump's policies could impact Wisconsin's environment

Environmental groups are criticizing the permitting decision and plan a legal challenge

The backlash to the decision was swift Thursday, with at least one environmental group already planning a legal challenge to the reroute because of its potential to harm natural resources and those who rely on them.

In granting these permits, DNR officials chose to serve Enbridges interests at the cost of the Bad River Bands treaty rights and the states future clean water supply, said Earthjustice Senior Attorney Stefanie Tsosie, who is representing the Bad River Band. It's sad that they are willing to gamble the regions irreplaceable wetlands, the wild rice beds, and even Lake Superior to secure Enbridges cash flow.

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Clean Wisconsin, an environmental advocacy organization, alluded to a potential court challenge.

Wisconsin law makes it clear that projects causing harm to our waters must meet a high bar to move forward, Clean Wisconsin attorney Evan Feinauer said. Given the enormous impacts that construction of this pipeline would cause, we are skeptical that the proposed project meets these legal standards.

Bad River Band leadership also expressed concern for people on the reservation and the resources they rely on, such as Lake Superior and the rivers the pipeline would cross.

"Im angry that the DNR has signed off on a half-baked plan that spells disaster for our homeland and our way of life, Bad River Band Chairman Robert Blanchard said in a statement. We will continue sounding the alarm to prevent yet another Enbridge pipeline from endangering our watershed.

Industry celebrates Enbridge approval

Industry and labor groups celebrated the approval Thursday, especially because Enbridge has contracted with Michaels Construction for the project that is expected to employ Wisconsin laborers.

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The Line 5 relocation project is a win for Wisconsin workers, Wisconsin families, and the Wisconsin economy. In addition to creating over 700 union construction jobs, this project will ensure the energy our states families and economy need to survive continues to flow," Wisconsin Building Trades Council Executive Director Emily Pritzkow said. "Our members are committed to executing this project with the utmost craftsmanship and professionalism, and prioritizing safety every step of the way."

Agricultural industry groups also applauded the DNR's approval.

"Wisconsin farmers simply can't do their jobs without the propane, disel and gas made possible by pipelines like Line 5," Wisconsin Farm Bureau President Brad Olson said in a release. "The issuance of DNR's Line 5 permits is a huge step forward for our state's farmers and the hundreds of thousands of people that depend on our agricultural industry to feed their families."

More: As the feud over Enbridge's Line 5 reroute continues, many say Lake Superior is in grave danger

What about the other permits needed?

The Canadian oil company is awaiting another key permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is undergoing its own environmental review of the reroute project.

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The Army Corps is in charge of permitting discharge that could occur in waters of the U.S. It will also review the impact to federally listed endangered species and the effects on historic properties in consultation with the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer and the State Historic Preservation Office.

The Army Corps released a draft of its environmental assessment in May, which drew hours of contentious testimony at a public hearing in June.

According to environmental groups, more than 150,000 comments were submitted in opposition to the reroute project.

More: Along Wisconsin's northern shores, Line 5 continues to pit tribal culture against Big Oil

Could the pipeline still be halted?

Yes.

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The approvals issued by the DNR could be moot, as a court case filed by the Bad River Band continues to play out. In the case, filed in 2019, tribal officials said they no longer wanted Enbridge to operate on their land, due to the risk of significant environmental damage if there was a rupture.

The case has dragged on for years, and a resolution has not been reached yet.

What about Lake Michigan?

Line 5 runs for 4.5 miles across the bottom of the Straits of Mackinac, between Lakes Michigan and Huron.

Great Lakes tribes and environmental groups worry that the portion of the line underneath the Straits has aged to the point where it could put the lakes at risk for an oil spill, due to the location and strength of the currents.

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The line was already damaged in 2018, when a ship's anchor struck it. In 2020, another strike from an anchor damaged supports on the pipeline, causing a temporary shutdown.

More: As Lake Superior wetlands become more vulnerable, tribe fears cultural guideposts could slip away

Enbridge has proposed building a replacement tunnel for the portion under the Straits. The project would replace the existing dual pipelines, which lie on the lakebed exposed to the elements and other risks like anchor strikes, with a single pipeline that will be housed in a tunnel bored through rock and buried beneath the lakebed.

The replacement project has received two key permits from Michigan state agencies, which are being challenged by environmental groups and tribes. It is awaiting one more from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Laura Schulte can be reached at leschulte@jrn.com and on X at @SchulteLaura.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What to know about the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline approval in Wisconsin
Its that time of year when you can make changes to your military health care plan.

The Tricare open season runs through Dec. 10. Some Tricare beneficiaries are also eligible for the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program, or FEDVIP. That programs open season ends on Dec. 9. Its also the time to enroll in the dependent care flexible spending program now offered to active-duty service members.

Be aware of some changes, such as increases in some costs, as you decide what plan is best for you. A new contractor, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, is taking over for the Tricare West Region on Jan. 1. The current East Region contractor, Humana Military, remains the same.

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Check the online Humana provider directory or the TriWest provider directory to see if your health care providers are in the network.

Tricare open season applies to those enrolled in or eligible for Tricare Prime or Tricare Select. During this period, enrolled beneficiaries can make changes to their health coverage  such as switching from Tricare Prime to Tricare Select, or moving from individual to family enrollment. If youre eligible for a Tricare plan but arent enrolled, now is the time to do it. Otherwise, youll have to wait until a qualifying life event, such as the birth or adoption of a child, marriage, divorce, moving or changes to other health insurance.

Any changes you make during open season will take effect Jan. 1.

During this time, eligible Tricare beneficiaries who want to stay in their current plan can do so if theyre still eligible.

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But all beneficiaries who are in the Tricare West Region should contact the new contractor, TriWest, before the start of the new contracts on Jan. 1, to make sure their contact information is up to date, and to transfer their payment information if they pay enrollment fees or premiums by credit card or bank transfer.

The new West Region includes 26 states, as beneficiaries in six states have been transferred to that region from the East Region under the new contracts. Those six states are Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin.

Open season doesnt apply to active-duty service members, or to Tricare for Life, or to the premium-based plans  Tricare Reserve Select, Tricare Retired Reserve and Tricare Young Adult. These premium-based plans can be purchased at any time during the year. But those in Tricare Young Adult with either the Prime or Select options can only change plans during open enrollment or a qualifying life event.

To enroll in a plan, or to make changes, eligible beneficiaries can either call their regional contractor, or download an enrollment form and mail it to their 2025 regional contractor. Remember, if you live in the U.S. you wont be able to use the Beneficiary Web Enrollment self-service portal this year to make changes.

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Call Humana Military for the East Region at 800-444-5445.

For the West Region, call TriWest at 888-874-9378.

New Tricare contracts to start next January promising better care

The plans:

Tricare Prime is a health maintenance organization-style plan in which you get most of your care from a primary care manager, with referrals required for specialty care. There is no deductible. Active-duty service members, their family members and transitional survivors dont pay enrollment fees or out-of-pocket costs for covered services, unless they get non-emergency care without a referral, use non-network providers without authorization, or use a pharmacy other than a military pharmacy. Retirees, their families and all others pay enrollment fees and out-of-pocket costs for covered services except for preventive care.

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Tricare Select is a preferred provider organization-style plan in which you choose your Tricare-authorized provider and dont have to get referrals for most services. There are deductibles, co-payments and cost-shares.

Cost increases

The costs for the Tricare pharmacy benefit will stay the same through 2025.

Generally, those who have been paying out-of-pocket for healthcare under Tricare in 2024 will pay extra in 2025, according to fee schedules just released by the Defense Health Agency. For those who make co-payments for covered services such as primary care visits, specialty care outpatient visits and emergency room visits, some co-pays will go up by $1 to $3 a visit.

Individual active-duty service members dont have out-of-pocket costs. Their family members may have costs, depending on the Tricare health plan theyre enrolled in, their sponsors pay grade and when the sponsor entered active duty, the type of care they get, and where they get it.

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There are no costs for covered preventive care visits.

Those who pay annual enrollment fees will also see increases. For example, retirees who entered the military before 2018 will pay $744 to enroll their family in Tricare Prime, an increase of $18 from $726 in 2024.

Annual deductibles will increase for some, which means the families will pay more out of pocket before Tricare kicks in. For example, active duty families in Tricare Select whose service member is E4 and below and entered the military on or after Jan. 1, 2018, will pay $128 out of pocket before Tricare kicks in, an increase of $3 compared to 2024.

By law, there are differences in some costs based on when the sponsor entered the military. Those who entered before Jan. 1, 2018, are part of Group A, while those who entered on or after Jan. 1, 2018, are part of Group B.

Costs for premium-based plans

These costs, set by the Defense Health Agency, have continued to rise over the years. The largest increase is in the Tricare Young Adult Prime option, with a 14% increase in monthly premiums. Those premiums increase by $90, from $637 to $727 a month. This will put the plan out of reach for most young adults and their families, said Eileen Huck, government relations senior deputy director for the National Military Family Association.

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The good news is that the cost of Tricare Young Adult Select is going up by a much smaller amount, she said. The Tricare Young Adult Select option premium increases by 8%, from $311 a month to $337. The Tricare Young Adult Prime and Select plans are available for purchase by qualified former dependent children up to age 26. We still think that young adults should be able to retain their Tricare coverage up to age 26 at no additional cost, she said.

The Tricare Young Adult program must be at no cost to the government, under the rules set by Congress when it was implemented in 2013. So, the full cost of the programs premiums is reflected in the fees charged to families. Defense officials look at the health care expenditures for the program for the previous year and calculate the costs.

The monthly premiums for Tricare Reserve Select and Tricare Retired Reserve are also increasing. For example, theyre increasing by 4% for service members in the Tricare Reserve Select program for member only, and 7% for member and family in the Reserve Select program. Those in the Tricare Retired Reserve program will pay an extra 8% in monthly premiums.

Monthly premiums for Tricare Reserve Select for member only are $53.80, up 4% from $51.95 in 2024. For member and family, cost is $274.48, up 7% from $256.87 a month in 2024.

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For Tricare Retired Reserve, member only, monthly premiums are $631.26, up 8% from $585.24 in 2024. Member and family, cost is $1,513.04, up 8% from $1,406.22 in 2024.

Dental

Families of active duty, National Guard and reserve service members  as well as Guardsmen and reservists who arent on active duty  are eligible for the Tricare Dental Program, which requires separate enrollment. Premiums for the dental program decreased slightly in November, and remain the same until Feb. 28, 2025.

Most retirees and their family members are eligible for dental coverage under the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program, or FEDVIP, which is administered by the Office of Personnel Management and also requires separate enrollment. For 2025, the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) has twelve dental carriers.

Visit www.benefeds.com to enroll in FEDVIP and to get more information.

Vision

Those in the military community must be enrolled in a Tricare health plan to be eligible for FEDVIP vision coverage. Those eligible include active duty family members, retirees and their eligible family members, and Selected Reserve members and their families.

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For 2025, FEDVIP has five vision carriers.

Visit www.benefeds.com to enroll in FEDVIP and to get more information.

Dependent care flexible spending

This is the second year military families can sign up for the new Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, which allows families to set aside money before taxes for dependent care expenses. Families sign up for this benefit through the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS) during the federal benefits open season, which is now through Dec. 9.

These accounts help defray the cost of child care and other dependent care by providing tax savings. For help in determining whether to set up an account, and how much money to set aside, officials advise troops to take advantage of the Defense Departments free counseling and advice from personal financial management counselors at many military installations, and tax counselors available all year through DoDs Military OneSource. FSAFEDS also offers free benefits counseling.

Defense officials will later offer a health care flexible spending account, also through FSAFEDS, with a specific enrollment period in 2025.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  Churches around Knoxville are spreading holiday cheer by handing out Thanksgiving food to those in need.

E Avenue House of Prayer Ministries and Redemption Church are conducting their annual Thanksgiving Outreach. Redemption Church is handing out boxes on November 23 at 10 a.m. on a first come first serve basis.

Newport residents still recovering from flood as holiday season approaches

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E Avenue House of Prayer Ministries has exceeded their limit on boxes, but they have also partnered with CAC mobile meals for a food pantry. They will also be doing Christmas food boxes in December as well as the Angel Tree program providing gifts for children.

Jonathon Trotter the Deacon and Food Pantry Manager of E Ave House of Prayer Ministries said he has seen a rise in people in need of help.

We also have a general food pantry as well. And the demand of food over the especially the past six months have quite increased. On the outreach, us giving the Thanksgiving boxes, we quickly filled up that list in a matter of a couple days. said Trotter

Although there is a high demand, both churches are trying to help as much of the community as possible.

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Pastor Tim Defendorf at redemption shared they try to go above and beyond each year to give back.

Our church donates enough for 250 families to receive baskets throughout the community. They get the opportunity to come and pick up a basket thats loaded with everything you need for thanksgiving and for a couple days after. said Defendorf.

Knoxville Fire Department adds new ambulance to fleet for special incidents

Both of the churches main mission is to help people in anyway they can, specially during the holiday season

Its showing them love, showing them that somebody cares. Because at the end of the day, you dont know what that person is going through. said Trotter. If you dont ask, then somebody dont know how to help you. You have to sometimes reach out and ask for help to get to be able to be helped.

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E Avenue House of Prayer Ministries accepts monetary donations by appointment for the pantry and boxes. Redemption Church has an online form if you would like to donate or volunteer.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
Question : If I buy a car from an active-duty military member who is exempt from Hawaii vehicle weight taxes, will I have to pay those registration fees when I transfer the title ? Im not in the military.

Answer : Yes, on a prorated basis. If the buyer does not qualify for the military registration exemption, they are required to pay the difference in registration fees for the remaining amount of the registration period during the transfer process,  according to Hono lulus Department of Customer Services.

For details on how to transfer a vehicle title on Oahu, go to and click on Vehicle Registration, Title and Services.

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On the topic of vehicle registration, we heard from a reader worried that their renewal transaction was not completed online Thursday. They blamed gusty wind for a spotty home internet connection that may have disrupted the task.

That reader can email the Motor Vehicle Registration Branch at to confirm the status of their payment.

Q : Regarding the Ala Wai Pedestrian Bridge project, I live by the proposed bridge, and I am a firm proponent. Unfortunately, I will be out of town for the two public workshops coming up. Is there somewhere I can voice my support ?

Don 't miss out on what 's happening !

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A : Yes, you can email completestreets @honolulu.gov, which is not limited to receiving expressions of support. Those who cannot attend a charrette / workshop should send a request for the results to completestreets @honolulu.gov. Once the charrettes are complete, DTS will email them the bridge designs presented and developed during the charrette such that those who cannot attend can provide their feedback on the bridge designs,  Travis Ota, spokesperson for Hono lulus Department of Transportation Services, said in an email.

The public workshops are scheduled for 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 23 at Ala Wai Elementary School, 503 Kamoku St., which is adjacent to the proposed bridge. During these workshops, the public will be presented with a variety of bridge types with the intent of soliciting feedback on the preferred form of the proposed bridge. Results from the workshops will be summarized for inclusion in the Design-Build Request for Proposal. The RFP is expected to be issued in 2025 and a contract awarded later that same year. Construction is expected to last three years,  a DTS news release said.

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The proposed bridge, which is known as Ala Pono, would be for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross the Ala Wai Canal.

Health insurance The state urges Hawaii residents who dont have health insurance through their employers to visit to compare plans available through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Open enrollment lasts through Jan. 15. Customers who enroll by Dec. 15 can obtain coverage that starts Jan. 1. Over 20, 000 Hawai i residents purchased plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace in 2024, and more than 17, 000 received subsidies,  according to the Insurance Division of the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Giving thanks Kokua Line hopes to continue its tradition of publishing a special Mahalo column on Thanksgiving. Please submit short expressions of gratitude for people who share aloha in everyday life, going above and beyond to make others lives better, whether for a stranger or a friend. Kokua Line will be off next week, so were putting out the call now, hoping to collect a wide array of short good news  items to celebrate the holiday. Use any of the submission methods listed at the end of the column, although email is preferred.------------Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 7-500, Honolulu, HI 96813 ; call 808-529-4773 ; or email kokualine @staradvertiser.com.------------
Your favorite comfort food is about to face legal action due to allegedly false statements made on its packaging. A class action lawsuit against Kraft Heinz for its Mac & Cheese is moving forward after a Chicago judge's ruling on Wednesday. The suit alleges that despite Kraft Mac & Cheese's packaging stating it contains "No Artificial Flavors, Preservatives or Dyes," the macaroni and cheese product does in fact contain preservatives. Plaintiffs from Illinois, California, and New York allege that the boxes from Kraft contain a synthetic form of citric acid and sodium phosphates and that these ingredients function as preservatives. Food companies play fast and loose with their terminology to make artificial preservatives sound natural or even make not-cheese look like cheese, so there could be something to this lawsuit.

Unsurprisingly, Kraft Heinz sought a dismissal for the lawsuit and maintained that its product does not contain any artificial preservatives, artificial flavors, or dyes. "We stand fully behind our product and are proud of its quality," the company said to Reuters. "We strongly believe that this lawsuit has no merit and look forward to our day in court."

The lawsuit is seeking damages for fraud, unjust enrichment, and violations of state consumer protection laws. However, the judge noted that the plaintiffs of the lawsuit were not justified in demanding that Kraft Heinz create new labels for its Mac & Cheese. The judge explained this was because the plaintiffs were now aware of the allegedly false advertising and therefore faced no future harm.

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Read more: TikTok's Viral Pickled Dr. Pepper Review: A Cup Full Of Disappointment

Other False Advertising Food Lawsuits

Boxes of Velveeta cheese are piled onto each other - Billy F Blume Jr/Shutterstock

False advertising allegations are now something many in the food industry are becoming familiar with. Food lawsuits in general are popping up all over the place. Similar to this Mac & Cheese issue, Velveeta was sued in 2022 for alleged false advertising concerning its cook time. The brand's Shells & Cheese label read, "ready in 3  minutes." The plaintiff of the lawsuit found this statement to be false and sued Kraft Heinz for $5 million (the case was ultimately dismissed by the judge).

Fireball, the whiskey brand, also faced a false advertising class action lawsuit in 2023. The suit took issue with the fact that the tiny bottles of Fireball found by the register at most stores and the larger bottles of Fireball sold at liquor stores and supermarkets were in fact two different products. The smaller, cheaper bottles do not in fact contain whisky, instead they are filled with a malt liquor. The lawsuit claimed that because the two products are packaged and labeled so similarly, the brand is misleading consumers. The case is still ongoing.

While it makes for interesting legal debates, it's unlikely we'll see an end to these types of food lawsuits anytime soon. Are consumers just holding companies accountable or are these legal battles getting out of hand? I guess that all depends on how much you care about what's in your Mac & Cheese.

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For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more!

Read the original article on The Takeout.
While running for the Colorado House of Representatives, Rep. Stephanie Vigil spent her days and nights knocking on constituents doors. Sometimes to ask for their vote. Sometimes to deliver them food.
Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted in a conversation with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz that Moscow's security interests be taken into account in resolving the Ukraine conflict, according to the Kremlin.

Putin and Scholz spoke by phone on Friday for about an hour, their first direct conversation in nearly two years.

Relations between Russia and NATO countries, including Germany, have been severely strained since Putin ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

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The Kremlin announced after that call that any possible agreements to resolve the conflict must be based on new territorial realities.

Russia has made claims on about 20% of Ukraine's territory, including the Crimean Peninsula, which was occupied in violation of international law in 2014. The Kremlin's claims include areas of the country that remain under the control of Ukrainian forces.

According to Moscow, Scholz and Putin had the exchange about the war in Ukraine at Germany's initiative.

Putin expressed his openness to continuing the negotiations to resolve the conflict - but on the conditions already set out by Moscow, according to the Kremlin.

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Those conditions include Ukraine renouncing its aspirations for NATO membership and recognizing the loss of the territories claimed by Russia.

The Ukrainian government has categorically rejected those demands.

According to the Kremlin, Putin told Scholz that the war was a consequence of years of aggressive NATO policy. Putin accused the alliance of seeking to turn Ukraine into a deployment zone directed against Russia.

In the conversation with Scholz, Putin also noted an unprecedented deterioration in Russian-German relations "as a result of the unfriendly course of the German authorities," the Kremlin added.

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Putin reportedly told Scholz that Russia had previously always honoured contracts for energy exports to Germany, and is ready to resume mutually beneficial cooperation.

Putin and Scholz also discussed the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, according to the Kremlin press service, and both sides agreed that their advisors should maintain contact.
If you saw a giant L.L. Bean boot driving down the highway recently, you weren't imagining things. The mobile billboard wheeled into Indianapolis this week to mark the opening of the first L.L. Bean store in the state.

The iconic L.L. Bean Bootmobile traversed more than 1,000 miles over three days, driving from Maine to the northside to be on hand when the new store's doors opened Friday morning.

The Indianapolis location employs 55 part-and-full-time workers and is the fourth L.L. Bean store to open this year, bringing the total to more than 60 stores globally.

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L.L. Bean took over the 16,000-square-foot Rivers Edge space at 4030 E. 82nd St. that was formerly buybuy Baby and transformed the store into an outdoor lover's oasis. The store evokes a woodsy feel with its classic dark green walls. Bright-colored canoes hang outside the entrance while beanie hats cover several Christmas trees inside.

And of course there are duck boots, from the vehicle outside to pairs of all colors and sizes inside.

The brand released its iconic Maine hunting shoe to the market in 1912, and more than 110 years later, the footwear draws people back for more.

"I've got boots from L.L. Bean that I've had for 40 years, and I've also loved the clothes for many, many years for their variety and quality," said shopper and Indianapolis resident Ruth Norrington, 65, at the grand opening Friday morning.

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Norrington arrived at the store at 7 a.m. to be one of the first 100 people in line who received a $50 voucher.

L.L. Bean holds a grand opening sale for their first store in Indianapolis on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.

Shoppers can try again Saturday morning when the line opens at 6 a.m., with the first 100 people receiving a $50 voucher. Other special events during the weekend include a custom lace stand, a free trail mix bar and monogramming for Christmas stockings and tote bags. Shoppers can also have their photos taken with the store's mascot, L.L. Bear, and the Bootmobile.After this weekend, the Bootmobile will hit the road once more. Bob York, one of the two drivers of the vehicle, said that he frequently encounters L.L. Bean fans on his travels around the country."Sometimes you forget you are driving the Bootmobile, but then you have people going by you, holding their Bean Boots out the window, holding their feet out the window with the boots on, honking the horn," York said.

From boozy bookstores to terrarium bars: Openings and closings around Indy in October

Why L.L. Bean came to Indianapolis

As a long-running family business based in Freeport, Maine, the outdoor-retailer brand has remained a beloved East Coast brand. The flagship location is the second most popular tourist destination in Maine, according to the company.

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But the company sells online to customers all over the country, and L.L. Bean's 2024 retail strategy for expansion hinges largely on opening retail spaces where the brand knows loyal online customers exist, said Donna Fruehe, Midwest district manager.

Charlie Cain attends the grand opening of the new L.L. Bean store in Castleton on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Indianapolis.

"Indiana has great outdoor experiences, and as we continue to grow into the Midwest, that's what we look for," Fruehe said. "Where are our customers? Where can we go and expand the convenience for our existing customers, but then also gain new customers?"

Intercontinental sets opening date: 5 takeaways on the luxury hotel before it opens

L.L. Bean is leasing a portion of the former buybuy Baby home, and another retail store will be announced soon for the remaining empty space, said Gregg Poetz, Senior Vice President of Leasing for Kite Realty Group Trust.

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When buybuy Baby shuttered a year ago, Poetz said Kite focused on bringing a "new tradition" to Indianapolis and called L.L. Bean a great partner in the leasing agreement and negotiations.

Customer Clint Orr enters a contest to win a snow tube at the L.L. Bean grand opening for their first store in Indianapolis on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.

"We pride ourselves on bringing unique tenants to the market, and we did that when we brought this," Poetz told IndyStar. "You hate to lose a tenant, but it's great to bring someone in that's new to the market, and as you can see, there's a lot of excitement and a lot of fun."

L.L. Bean is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Alysa Guffey covers growth and development for IndyStar. Contact her at amguffey@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: L.L. Bean opens Indianapolis store, bringing beloved brand to Indiana
The trial begins Friday for Jose Antonio Ibarra in the murder of Laken Riley, but the court setup will be different than most trials.

Rather than have prosecutors and defense counsel present evidence to a jury, lawyers will only have to convince a judge.

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Ibarra waived his right to a jury trial on Tuesday, which moved the proceedings to a bench trial instead of a jury trial.

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Ibarra stands accused of attacking and killing Riley on the University of Georgia campus in Athens on Feb. 22 while she was jogging.

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In the initial court proceedings, attorneys representing Ibarra took multiple actions to try to move the venue of the case out of Athens due to media coverage and public attention.

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They also made requests to suppress genetic evidence, fingerprint evidence and technological evidence from Ibarras social media accounts and phone.

The judge denied those motions.

Prosecutors have chosen not to seek the death penalty. They will present their evidence that the Venezuelan undocumented migrant attacked Riley, asphyxiated her and tried to sexually assault her, killing her in the process.

Now, the bench trial begins in Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggards Court, where he will hear and decide the outcome after attorneys present their cases.

WHAT IS A BENCH TRIAL?

A bench trial is where the case is made before the judge instead of a jury. The judge will hear the opening statements, evidence, testimony and closing arguments and render a verdict.

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Channel 2 Action News spoke to a criminal defense attorney not connected to the case, who said Ibarras bench trial is not a typical request.

In a murder case, it is very unusual to do a bench trial, Noah Pines said. I think the reason that the defense wanted to do that in this case is they want to be able to preserve some legal issues.

Cases with a bench trial are usually resolved more quickly. Judges can be more neutral than jurors since they apply the law and arent easily swayed by irrelevant evidence.

On the other hand, juries can be unpredictable, whether its in favor of or against the defendant, since it is not just one person deciding the verdict.

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FAULKNER COUNTY, Ark.  Southbound lanes on Highway 65 are now clear after a crash involving a school bus Friday morning.

Officials with the Arkansas Department of Transportation reported that a school bus and another vehicle crashed near West Republican Road just north of Greenbrier.

Multi-vehicle crash on I-40 near North Little Rock slows Eastbound lanes

Officials have not reported injuries in the crash.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
Lara Trump, the president-elects daughter-in-law, has emerged as the front runner to become Floridas new senator in place of Marco Rubio.

Mrs Trump, who was widely rolled-out by her father-in-law on the campaign trail, effectively threw her hat into the ring to enter the Senate. Mr Rubios seat will become vacant assuming he is confirmed as secretary of state in the new Trump administration.

His expected departure will leave a vacancy in the Senate and on Thursday Mrs Trump, married to Donald Trumps son Eric, made her pitch for the post.

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The political appointment is in the gift of Ron DeSantis, Floridas governor and one-time rival to Donald Trump.

Mrs Trump, a former TV producer and Fox news contributor, told the TV channel that she would love to serve in the Senate, representing Florida which she has made her home.

She told Sean Hannity, the Fox News host, that she had been honoured to serve as Republican National Committee (RNC) chairman  a post her father-in-law appointed her to  and was now keen to develop her political career.

Lara Trump speaks at a Trump campaign rally in Michigan earlier this month - Evan Vucci/AP

She said: I was truly so honoured to be the co-chair of the RNC through really the most historic election, I think, of any of our lifetimes.

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Likewise, if I am able to serve, I would love to serve the people of Florida. This is my home state now, and has been for three years. This is where Eric and I live, and truly to have that opportunity, I think would be incredible.

She added: No one knows better than I do the America First agenda or the goals of Donald Trump in the coming four years. So if I am asked, I would love to consider it, but I have yet to have a conversation with Governor DeSantis, so we will have to see.

The bandwagon to get Mrs Trump into the Senate began rolling on Thursday with an endorsement from Rick Scott, the junior Senator from Florida who had been the Trump administrations pick to become Senate leader. The Senate Republicans snubbed him in favour of John Thune in an early rebuff to the president-elect.

Mr Scott told Axios, the political news website: I hope thats exactly who DeSantis picks when asked if he supported Mrs Trump for the Florida vacancy.

Mrs Trump with her husband Eric Trump, Donald Trumps son, at a rally in Madison Square Garden in October - Evan Vucci/AP

The push for a Trump family member inside the Senate will give Donald Trump further eyes and ears inside the Capitol. She has been a huge cheerleader for the MAGA agenda and it remains unclear which way Congress will go when confronted by some of the president-elects more radical policies as well as controversial picks for key government jobs.

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Mr Trump regularly praised his daughter-in-law on the campaign trail and gave her power inside the party when making her RNC chairman.

The selection of a new senator chosen by Mr DeSantis would serve until 2026 when there would need to be a special election. Florida has become a solid red state and any candidate given the nod by Mr DeSantis would be likely to win any Senate primary and then retain the seat through an election.

It has been reported that Mr Scott and Mrs Trump have already discussed the possibility of her taking over from Mr Rubio. Katie Britt, senator for Alabama, has also called for Mrs Trump to be given the Florida seat.

Reports suggest James Uthmeier, Mr DeSantiss own chief of staff, is also in the running for the Florida senate seat along with the states attorney general, Ashley Moody.

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Las Cruces officer on leave after shooting

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  One of the officers who was involved in an officer-involved shooting this past Monday, Nov. 11, in Las Cruces has been placed on administrative leave, Las Cruces Chief of Police Jeremy Story said.

Story held a press conference on Friday morning, Nov. 15, and gave more details on the officer-involved shooting including part of the 911 call that was placed that Monday, and also showed the body camera footage from the two officers who responded to the scene. The officer who ended up firing his weapon was placed on standard administrative leave, Story said.

Story said at around 10:30 p.m. that Monday, a subject with a gun 911 call was placed by a man who was living at an apartment complex located at 1301 S. Espina St.

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The caller told police that the suspect, Danny Garcia De Leon, 50, had a gun and a bow. The caller also said that De Leon was screaming. De Leon also pointed the gun at the caller at one point, Story said.

Danny De Leon, 50. Photo: Dona Ana County Detention Center.

When officers arrived at the scene, De Leon had a knife in his hand but he ended up dropping the knife and went inside an apartment located on the first floor.

De Leon then stepped outside of the apartment and had a gun in his hand before closing the door for a second time, Story said.

De Leon then opened the door for a third time which is when the officer-involved shooting happened. The officer that was placed on administrative leave was standing behind a Dumpster when he fired his weapon, which was 60-70 feet away from De Leon.

Graphic shows the distance between De Leon and the officer who fired his weapon.

Body camera footage shows the moment after the officer fired his weapon and standing behind the dumpster.

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After the shooting, De Leon closed the door again but eventually came out of the apartment and surrendered, Story said.

It was later discovered that the gun De Leon was using was a replica firearm and Story said it was impossible to tell that the gun was fake by just looking at it.

Story also said there was a suspicion that De Leon was under the influence of alcohol based on the circumstances at the scene.

De Leon was provided medical attention on scene and was transported to a local hospital. He was later released from the hospital and was then booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

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De Leon was charged with one count of aggravated assault on a peace officer and one count of aggravated assault. He was later released from custody that same Tuesday on a personal-recognizance bond.

Story said De Leon was in custody for 12 hours on two felony charges which is a significant problem and continues to highlight the issues with our system.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officials showed body-worn camera video Thursday of a deadly incident in which a man who called 911 during a home invasion was shot to death by police.

Police said at approximately 12:40 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, dispatchers received a report of assault or battery with a gun at a home in the 6900 block of Wine River Drive in Las Vegas. The call from Brandon Durham, 43, indicated that suspects were attempting to enter from the front and back of the residence.

When officers arrived, LVMPD officials said they found damage done to several vehicles parked near the property and to the homes windows.

Hearing a banging and screaming, officials said Officer Alexander Bookman, 26, entered the residence and encountered Durham and Alejandra Boudreaux, 31, in a struggle.

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The body-worn camera video of the encounter showed Bookman enter a hallway and say, Drop the knife, before firing one initial shot at Durham and then five additional shots after Durham had stumbled backward and eventually to the ground.

A still frame from a body-worn camera video shows the incident that left Brandon Durham dead. (LVMPD)

Police said that while it is early in the investigative process, there is believed to be an existing relationship between Durham and Boudreaux, with LVMPD officials saying the incident was not a random act of violence.

Officials showed photos of two knives they say were involved in the incident and drew attention to a knife shown in the body-worn camera video that police said Durham and Boudreaux were struggling over.

8 News Now was there when Durhams family watched the LVMPD news conference and body-worn camera video. His sister, Diane Wright, said the shooting was a complete disservice and said police had changed the narrative to justify an unlawful murder.

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Boudreaux faces a count of home invasion with a deadly weapon, a count of assault with a deadly weapondomestic violence, a count of child abuse, neglect, or endangerment, and a count of performance of an act in willful or wanton disregard of the safety of a person

resulting in death. Boudreauxs bail is set at $18,000 and is due for an initial court appearance on Monday at 8 a.m.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo on Sunday conceded to Republican Gabe Evans in the race for the highly-contested 8th Congressional District seat after more than five days of counting that kept the vote close.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Theres a new law in Oklahoma that requires high school graduates at public high schools to submit a free FAFSA application and learn about federal funding for college.

While there is an option to opt out, students must file one or the other before graduating.

I could see how hard students in Oklahoma were working to get qualified to go to college and to get accepted to college. But a lot of times their families didnt know how to pay for it, said Senator Mary Boren (D-Norman).

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Lawmakers express concern over next years FAFSA

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education explains each school district will have a school employee in charge of collecting information regarding student compliance before graduation.

I could also see that a lot of families just didnt know how to navigate the financing of it. And they werent aware that how important the FAFSA was to opening up those doors of funding for college, said Senator Boren.

Counselor Josh Bottomly said last year only 38% of FAFSA applications were completed.

As a result, you know, fewer students were able to access money that was available for them to be able to cover some of the cost of college, said Josh Bottomly, the Associate Director of College Counseling at Casady School.

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Senator Boren is a co-sponsor of the bill. She said a lot of families also may not be aware of how important FAFSA could be for student futures.

To help those families, I thought that the school really needed to have an expectation that they approached the families with the option of filling out that FAFSA, said Senator Boren.

New FAFSA delay sparks fear after last years chaotic rollout

While it is a requirement to graduate, theres still an option if you dont want to apply with specific guidelines as to who can fill out the form.

The students parent or guardian, if the student is 18 and over, or a school counselor can fill out the nonparticipation form.

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As students do start to apply, Bottomly said last year there were a lot of glitches with filling out FAFSA.

As a result, a number of students and families that just gave up in the process, said Bottomly.

So hes hoping this year, those issues will be fixed and more students can get access to higher education funding opportunities.

Several metro school districts confirmed their counselors are actively talking with students about the requirement to graduate.

Just a reminder, even if you plan to opt out, its still a graduation requirement to say you wont be applying for FAFSA.

The FAFSA form for graduating students officially opens December first.

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For more questions on the mandate, click here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
BOSTON (WWLP)  Lawmakers are looking ahead to the next session to try to pass a bill that benefits homeless youth.

Lawmakers pitch MCAS replacement

Advocates and lawmakers gathered at the State House on Thursday to discuss a bill that would allow some unhoused youth to consent to supportive services. As the law stands, unhoused youth cannot consent to use the services of certain nonprofit organizations, like warm showers, meals, and a dry place to sleep.

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Some Massachusetts lawmakers are working to pass a law that allows minors in need, who are deemed mature by a service provider, to legally consent to and utilize these services. Advocate and mentor D. McMillion spoke at the briefing about their own experience as homeless youth in Massachusetts and being turned away from services because they could not legally consent at age 16.

I could not consent to have something to eat. I could not consent to be someplace warm and out of the rain. Make it make sense, said McMillion.

Representative Kay Khan sponsored this bill alongside western Massachusetts Senator Adam Gomez. Khan pointed out that certain marginalized groups are disproportionately affected by youth homelessness.

Black youth are more than four times more likely to experience homelessness and Latino youth are 2.5 times more likely to experience homelessness. So all the more reason why we have to be working on this, said Khan.

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The youth homelessness bill has been stalled in the House Ways and Means Committee since February. While this bill did not pass this session, legislators and advocates are hopeful that a new version will be taken up in the new session beginning in January.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
Wisconsin governments, state, county, and townships have done little or nothing to protect groundwater from being contaminated by nitrate and PFAS (also known as forever chemicals), and the quality in many areas is getting worse each year. In the Kewaunee County area, the aquifer became very contaminated before steps were taken to do something about the contamination. Groundwater is depleted faster than it can be replenished in some areas in Wisconsin.

In the past most of the groundwater contamination came from farm animal waste, fertilizer, and pesticides. Today as urban sprawl has established housing developments throughout the state, septic systems are now a major contaminator. Human waste goes into a septic system which is two cement tanks where the solids break down then the liquid waste goes to a land area called a drain field where the liquid moves through the soil. In housing developments, 60% of the recharge to the groundwater comes from septic system drainfield waste water.

Septic system drainfield waste water contains viruses, nitrates, PFAS and household chemicals. Nitrates can cause colorectal cancer and thyroid dysfunction. Algoma township, just west of Oshkosh, established a sanitary sewer district and removed all septic systems in housing developments. This needs to be done statewide to protect the groundwater.

Waste from septic systems should not be spread on farm fields

Septic systems are pumped periodically and spread on agricultural land areas that Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has selected. In Dunn County the DNR has selected over 400 sites where human waste from septic systems can be land spread. DNR has many requirements that must be met before DNR selects a site.

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In Dunn County 150 sites do not meet DNR standard for percolation which can not be greater than 6 inches per hour. When the septic system waste water moves through the soil too fast, the waste does not have enough time to break down and moves down to the groundwater.

Opinion: Only an apprentice tyrant in first term, Trump threatens to be the real thing

If there are 150 failed septic land spreading sites in Dunn County there could be 7,000 failed sites in Wisconsin. Michigan and Florida require septic waste to be taken to municipal waste treatment systems. The Wisconsin State Legislature needs to require septic waste be taken to municipal treatment systems. Some septic waste companies are already taking the waste to municipalities.

Periodically counties across the state reassess groundwater conditions. Yet each time groundwater continues to deteriorate and reports indicate no ordinances have been passed to stop the depletion or contamination.

Townships take steps to recharge aquifers, protect from waste

Two townships, Menomonie and Dunn, in Dunn County stand out because they passed ordinances to protect recharge to groundwater and to keep the aquifer from being contaminated. To recharge groundwater, a developer is encouraged to leave as much land open so rainfall can recharge the groundwater. The ordinance used a soil percolation map of Dunn County where I classified 91 soil types into five percolation rates from excellent to poor.

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Opinion: A tribute to a dedicated public servant and dear friend, Jonathan Brostoff

All counties should adopt a soil percolation map so ordinances could be passed state wide to protect the groundwater. Ordinances could be passed where companies that might contaminate the groundwater could not be located in the three highest soil percolation areas.

In several areas in Wisconsin the water level in aquifers is declining and recharge is not enough to replenish the aquifer. The state needs to control the addition of new wells that can be pumped at a high rate so that the aquifer will not be pumped dry or impact nearby rivers and lakes. It is time for Wisconsin governments to stop the groundwater from becoming more contaminated.

Neil C. Koch is a retired hydrologist with the United States Geological Survey.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin water under threat. Leaders must protect resource | Opinion
Katherin Youniacutt turned to alcohol at a young age to cope with the abuse shed suffered as a child. By 2007, she was a full-blown alcoholic. Late one night, an off-duty police officer approached her car at a gas station and when she drove away, the officer said she injured him with her vehicle. She pleaded guilty to an assault conviction and served several years of probation.

While serving her sentence, Youaniacutt found faith again. With the help of her husband and a new church community, she entered treatment, and by 2011, she was sober. She felt called to help others struggling with addiction and, with donations from her fellow church members, started pursuing a masters degree in social work.

Youniacutt, now a grandmother living in the suburbs of Lubbock, was concerned about her criminal history and wrote to the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners to verify her eligibility to obtain a license to practice while she was studying for her degree.

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I did have to apply in 2018 as part of my program at school, and I got a response back from the board saying that they would look at everything on an individual case-by-case basis, she said.

However, after earning her degree and passing her licensing exam in 2022, she was denied a license without a review or inquiry.

I had already completed a year with the Lubbock County Sheriff's Office rehabilitation program with the understanding that I would become a licensed social worker, Youniacutt said. Then the letter came saying that I didnt qualify for a license based on that felony.

Turns out the law changed in 2019. Prior to that, the states licensing authority could deny licenses when a criminal history made someone unsuitable to treat patients by reviewing their history and current circumstances.

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However, only a few months after the board gave Youniacutt the green light to take the licensing test, the state passed a new law that banned certain applicants for life. Essentially, it classifies social workers and psychologists as part of the health care profession, requiring a licensing authority to automatically deny an applicant for certain felonies, such as those registered as a sex offender or who have committed a felony offense involving the use or threat of force.

The law passed quietly, as even a representative for the bill's author, Rep. Greg Bonnen, R-Friendswood, told the Houston Chronicle in 2023 that no one in their office remembers any details about the legislation. Bonnens office did not respond to a request for comment from The Texas Tribune.

Darrel Spinks, executive director of the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, which oversees counseling and social worker licenses, said they were never consulted on the implications of the law.

Unfortunately, I have no more insight into the rationale for why HB 1899 was passed than other members of the public, Spinks said, adding that five applicants were denied licenses this year, a relatively small amount that is consistent with prior years numbers.

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Although it doesnt name social workers specifically, a summary of the bill states that concerns had been raised regarding the prevalence of licensed health care professionals using their position of authority to commit crimes against vulnerable patients. This bill was meant to put a stop to this by making certain crimes, like sex offenders, ineligible for a health care professional license.

John Bielamowicz, the presiding member of the Texas psychologists licensing board and member of the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, said the law ties their hands.

The Council and its member boards have consistently employed every available tool to increase access to licensure. Within the bounds of the law, weve broadened pathways into mental health fields, making it easier for qualified individuals to enter this essential profession, he said.

Texas  and the country  face a two-fold problem: an exploding mental health and substance abuse crisis and a dire shortage of professional social workers to address those issues. More than a third of Texas counties lack access to a licensed clinical social worker.

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Meanwhile, one in three Americans has a criminal record, according to studies. Yet, nationwide, there are tens of thousands of laws that make it harder for people with criminal histories to work.

This is where the Institute of Justice, a nonprofit, public-interest law firm whose mission is to end the abuse of government power, comes in. The nonprofits attorneys are working with Youniacutt and others to challenge the 2019 law.

The Texas Constitution is on our side, said James Knight, an attorney at the Institute for Justice, who plans to file a lawsuit against the state on Wednesday on behalf of Youniacutt and Fort Worth resident Tammy Thompson.

Knight said every person should be able to have a fresh start rehabilitating themselves and making an honest living. Still, this 2019 law prevents people like Youniacutt and Thompson from doing that.

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Rehabilitation is important, and if you pay your debt to society, you should be able to work, he said. This lawsuit is to end the government's ability to deny people the right to work.

An unnecessary solution?

Thompson, fresh off a rough divorce in the early 2000s, turned to methamphetamine to deal with the stress of suddenly becoming the primary caregiver for her children. This led to her sole conviction, which came from a 2006 incident at her fathers apartment complex when a dispute between her and a stranger led to an assault charge she didnt learn about until two years later during a traffic stop.

Thompson accepted a plea in exchange for parole, but her continued use of meth violated the terms of her parole and she spent two years in jail. She used her time in jail to build a fresh start and earned a GED before being released.

I remember getting out, and I was trying to figure out what my parole was, what jobs I could do; I had no car, no money, no identification, and I remember thinking to myself, I wish I had somebody to help me reenter into society, Thompson said. I decided to check out Tarrant County Community College, and I told them my story. They asked if I had ever considered helping people as a social worker, and that is where it all began.

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She seized the opportunity and got a bachelors and masters degree in social work. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she learned this was where her journey might end.

I had taken the test with one of my friends, and she got hers back, and she had passed, and it was a beautiful and super exciting moment. But when she got hers back, and I didnt, I started to panic, Thompson said. Then finally, I got the letter that said I was denied.

Thompson appealed this decision, but she was denied twice and told that if her appeal failed a third time, she would forfeit her right to ever get her license.

I didnt want to affect something in the future, so I just walked away from it, Thompson said.

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Knight said cases like Thompsons are why his organization is challenging what he considers a draconian licensing ban that violates "the rights of people to live honestly in an occupation of their choice."

It imposes a permanent, lifetime restriction on licensure without considering individual circumstances or mitigating factors, he said.

Texas needs social workers

Social workers are often the first point of contact for many people looking for mental health help. Found in hospitals, education centers, and mental health care facilities and more, social workers provide access to services to address a persons life needs, such as finances, housing, community resources, and government benefits.

Texas has 26,000 social workers at different levels. Clinical social workers, master social workers and baccalaureate social workers all have different education and practice requirements to be licensed and all are barred to certain felons.

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A licensed clinical social worker is considered the most advanced license and can practice counseling, while licensed master social workers can provide counseling under supervision. A licensed baccalaureate social worker only needs a bachelors degree but usually handles non-clinical services like case management and advocacy.

While 91 Texas counties lack licensed clinical social workers, shortages also exist in less specialized areas  74 counties lack licensed master social workers and 65 counties lack licensed baccalaureate social workers.

Achieving a feat like becoming a licensed social worker requires many years of expensive education and clinical hours. Having a setback at the finish line can feel overwhelming, said Youniacutt, who had earned two and a half hours of clinical hours to meet licensing requirements.

I was devastated, Youniacutt said. I had to accept that this might not be for me, which was hard because my education cost me a lot of money.

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Younaicutt decided to continue working with health care facilities, doing work that didnt require a license. Still, she dreams of opening a social work clinic tailored to her community and using the expertise she has gained from her previous life experiences.

I have had a lot of people in the health care profession who are supportive and say you were made to do this, and I was born to be a social worker, Younaicutt said. So Im disappointed that it feels like Ill never be allowed to do that.

Thompson said it only makes sense for people who have been rehabilitated to help others who might be going through similar situations.

Its the most hypocritical thing I have ever come across in my life. How can you push as social workers that you are here because people matter, but then you do not let those same people succeed in this position, Thompson said. All the data shows that no matter the position of clinicians, therapists, or peer social workers, having therapy or treatment works better when it comes from someone who has walked the same lines in life as you.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Lawsuit disputes Texas law baring felons from becoming social workers
By Gabriel Stargardter

PARIS (Reuters) - Allies of French far-right leader Marine Le Pen have accused the judiciary of a witch-hunt and undue meddling in democracy after prosecutors requested she face an obligatory five-year ban from public office if convicted of misusing European Union funds.

The prosecutors' move to seek a "provisional execution" on the public office ban - a tough, rarely used tool that means the ban would stand irrespective of any appeal - casts doubt on Le Pen's chances of running in the 2027 presidential election.

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Le Pen, the leader of the National Rally (RN) party, is widely seen as the frontrunner to be the next president.

She is currently on trial, along with the RN itself and 24 others, for allegedly using European Parliament funds to pay party workers in France - accusations they deny. They denounce the case as a politically motivated attempt to keep the RN from power. A verdict is due next year.

"It's an attack on democracy," RN party chief Jordan Bardella wrote on X after the prosecutors made their request.

Their furious response echoes the frequent attacks by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump against the U.S. judicial system over the legal woes he has faced since his first term.

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"Being harassed by the judiciary was a crucial step towards victory for President Trump," right-wing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban wrote on X. "Marine, please remember we are with you in this battle!"

Judges and prosecutors around the world are wading into thorny political debates. While some applaud them for holding politicians to account, critics rail against mission creep by unelected despots in robes.

In Brazil, former President Jair Bolsonaro was banned from public office until 2030 for undermining faith in Brazil's electoral system. More recently, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reacted furiously to judges blocking migrants being shipped to Albania.

"Look at what's happening in the United States, look at what's happening in Italy," said National Rally MEP Jean-Paul Garraud, a former judge who joined the RN in 2018. "Clearly, France is not being spared."

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Even some mainstream French politicians expressed concern. Gerald Darmanin, who was President Emmanuel Macron's interior minister until September, wrote on X that "it would be deeply shocking" if Le Pen were not allowed to stand in 2027.

'POLITICIZED' DECISION?

The prosecutors' said they sought a "provisional execution" against Le Pen and her co-accused for repeated efforts to play for time in a probe that stretches back nearly a decade. An obligatory ban would prevent repeat offences, they argued.

In the event of a conviction, judges may choose to reject the prosecutors' request.

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Ludovic Friat, the president of the USM, the largest union representing French prosecutors and judges, said the decision to request a "provisional execution" was unusual.

"It's a decision that could be viewed as politicized," he said, adding that he believed prosecutors had used it "to say that what happened was not democratically acceptable".

It remains to be seen how Le Pen will now adapt her political strategy. Her years-long push to professionalize the RN, seeking to shed its reputation for racism and anti-Semitism, stands in stark contrast to Trump's anti-institutional movement.

Le Pen's endeavours have paid off: the RN is now the largest single party in parliament, and props up Prime Minister Michel Barnier's weak coalition government.

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Patrick Weil, a historian of the far right, doubted Le Pen would now adopt a more Trumpian strategy.

"I don't think she needs to go full MAGA," he said. "She can continue to say she is a victim of the elites."

Instead, Weil wondered whether Le Pen may now seek to topple the Barnier government, block any new government proposed by Macron, and try to force his swift resignation.

"Le Pen may now have an incentive to bring Emmanuel Macron's time as president to an end already next year by teaming up with the left alliance," EuroIntelligence said in a note. "Politics is more creative than the courts."

(Reporting by Gabriel Stargardter, Editing by Richard Louigh, William Maclean and Alison Williams)
Nov. 14The University of Texas Systemwide Brain Research Summit 2024 will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 18 and 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at the AT&T Conference Center at the University of Texas at Austin, 1900 University Ave., in Austin.

The University of Texas System will host the biennial UT Systemwide Brain Research Summit: Instituting Change Through Collaboration, on Nov. 18-19 convening top scientists, researchers, health care experts, legislators and partners from across Texas and the nation. The two-day event will feature panels and presentations on breakthroughs in brain research, innovative treatments and advances in therapeutic care.

As part of this gathering of prominent innovators, three state legislators  State Rep. Tom Craddick, former House Speaker and Dean of the the Texas House; Sen. Joan Huffman, Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance; and Rep. Greg Bonnen, Chair of the Committee on Appropriations  will participate in a session titled How to Elevate Brain Health in Texas: A Legislative Perspective on Tuesday at 8:20 a.m. They will join UT System Executive Vice Chancellor John Zerwas to discuss strategies for advancing brain research in Texas.

Dr. Rex Marco, Program Director of the Spine Fellowship at UTHealth Houston, will deliver the keynote address on Monday at 9:30 a.m., sharing insights from his research on spinal cord injury and regenerative medicine. After a devastating bicycle accident left him quadriplegic, ending his career as a prominent spine surgeon, Dr. Marco has dedicated himself to teaching medical students how to care for patients with spine-related disorders with calmness, grace and love.
In normal times, youd rarely hear of Kfarakka, a hamlet nestled in the lush green mountains of north Lebanon whose primary claim to fame is that its the countrys top olive oil producer.

These are not normal times.

Hoping for an end to the devastating war with Israel, many Lebanese have turned to this village of some 3,500 people and its most famous son, a Lebanese American billionaire named Massad Boulos who has a direct family line to President-elect Donald Trump and is being talked about as a likely pick for his envoy to Lebanon.

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Boulos' son Michael is married to Trumps daughter Tiffany, and during the U.S. election campaign Boulos served as Trumps unofficial representative to Arab and Muslim American communities.

Tiffany Trump, the president-elect's daughter, and her husband Michael Boulos, whose father is a wealthy Lebanese American businessman. Some hope that family connection can help bring peace to Lebanon. (Chandan Khanna / Getty Images)

His job was to help them forget the ban on visitors from certain Muslim-majority countries during Trump's first presidency and  capitalizing on disenchantment with the Biden administration for backing Israel in the wars in Gaza and Lebanon  persuade them that Trump can deliver peace in the Middle East.

Trump will be a strong president, Boulos said in an October interview with Saudi broadcaster Al-Arabiya. "Hes the only president who can achieve peace [in Lebanon] and a permanent solution to the Palestinian problem."

He promised that if Trump won, he would work to end the wars immediately, even before he took office.

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Read more: What war? For some in Beirut, blocking out the Israel-Hezbollah conflict is just survival

It's unclear what role the charm offensive may have played, but in Dearborn, Mich.  where more than half the population is of Arab descent, the largest share in any city  43% of the vote went to Trump and 36% to Vice President Kamala Harris. Green Party candidate Jill Stein won 18%  a share many times the less than 1% she received nationally and a possible sign that many Arab American voters found little to like about either major candidate when it comes to Middle East policy.

The Islamic Center of America in Dearborn, Mich., where more than half the population is Muslim. In the presidential election, 43% of the vote in Dearborn went to Donald Trump and 36% to Kamala Harris. Green Party candidate Jill Stein won 18%. (Emily Elconin / Los Angeles Times)

The common belief among Lebanese is that Boulos can push Trump to end the war, which began on Oct. 8, 2023  a day after Hamas militants killed 1,200 people in southern Israel  when Hezbollah launched what it described as a "solidarity campaign" with Gaza and began firing rockets into Israel. For the next year, Israel focused its military on Gaza, where the death toll has reached nearly 44,000.

Then this October it invaded Lebanon with the stated aim of destroying Hezbollah. Israeli bombardment has ravaged large swaths of the country, killed almost 3,300 people and displaced a quarter of the population.

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Thrust into the limelight by a confluence of nuptial relations and the U.S. election result, Boulos has become a conversation topic across the region on social media and television talk shows.

Will the in-law come to help and support Lebanon and the Lebanese? said Tony Khalifa, a popular television host and general manager of Al-Mashhad, a pan-Arab news platform based in Dubai, in the opening segment of his show this week.

Everyone is hoping Trumps in-law and Trump will rescue Lebanon from the furnace of Israels fire and iron.

In Kfarakka, where every road seems to lead to an olive press, the Boulos family has long been held in high regard: Massad's father, Fares, served as mayor until his death in 2011, and a plaque honoring him is mounted above the entrance of the village's municipal building.

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Massad, who grew up during Lebanon's long civil war, hasn't lived here since he was 18, when he finished high school and moved to the United States and earned an international law degree at the University of Houston.

Massad Boulos watches from the sidelines at a Trump campaign event. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press)

His life, though, took a new turn when he married the daughter of a Lebanese business tycoon who sent him to Nigeria and put him in charge of SCOA Motors, an automotive manufacturing and distribution company.

He met Trump at a White House Christmas party in 2019 after their children started dating. The couple, who married in 2022 at Mar-a-Lago, are expecting their first child  a grandchild of two billionaires.

Now, residents of Kfarakka joke that the Trump connection makes their humble village the most important place in all of Lebanon.

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Theyre immediately giving all of us visas to go to America, said Randa Saleh, a clerk in a hardware store on Kfarakkas main thoroughfare. "Were in the priority line now."

Read more: As Israeli airstrikes destroy cities in Lebanon, some see echoes of Gaza

Taking a more serious tone, she said Boulos needs to push for a cease-fire: "It's enough war for Lebanon. We cant handle any more.

Her colleague Rami Bou Farah, 37, agreed: As a son of Lebanon, he should do his best to make things better. We dont want this war. No one wants this war."

He speculated that Boulos personal connection with Trump would enable him to advocate for the countrys interests with the incoming U.S. administration.

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But Bou Farahs uncle doubted that Boulos would be of much help.

One question: Which countrys interest is a priority for him, the U.S.A. or Lebanon? said Emile Bou Farah, 55. I think hell work for the U.S.A.s sake before that of Lebanon.

He pointed out that although the family had helped Kfarakka with development projects in the past, Boulos himself had done little. He mounted two unsuccessful bids to win a seat in Lebanon's parliament in 2008 and 2019.

Tiffany Trump and her husband, Michael Boulos, leave the stage at a campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Nov. 5. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press)

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For his part, Boulos has been circumspect about what role he will play. He is known to have good relations with Lebanons various political parties, and during the U.S. presidential campaign, he helped deliver a letter to Trump from Mahmoud Abbas, the leader of the Palestinian Authority.

Last week, the Lebanese broadcaster Al-Jadeed quoted Boulos as saying the Trump administration had tapped him to help negotiate with Lebanon. He later denied the report, saying the network misquoted him.

In other interviews, he's said its too early to determine his position but that he will visit Lebanon in the coming weeks. In recent days, he met with a number of Lebanese political leaders who visited him in the U.S.

Regardless of Boulos mandate, the prospects of a peace seem dim, at least so far. Some Israeli officials say there has been some progress in cease-fire talks, but the countrys military leaders say they are expanding their offensive deeper into Lebanon, and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said this week there would be no cease-fire and there will be no respite [for Hezbollah] until the goals of the war are achieved.

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Hezbollah, meanwhile, is said to be mulling a cease-fire proposal relayed by U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson to the Lebanese government, according to media reports on Friday.

Liliane Saliba, a housewife in Kfarakka who lives next door to the Boulos family mansion, believes Boulos can make a difference.

"We want him to work on this quickly, she said.

Look, they say that if Trump promises something, he comes through.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Hezbollah is considering a US-Israeli ceasefire proposal, sources told CNN, as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group intensify.

The US ambassador to Lebanon, Lisa Johnson, relayed the proposal to the Lebanese government on Thursday night, a Lebanese official familiar with the discussions told CNN.

Authorities are optimistic that Hezbollah will agree to the terms of the agreement and expect to submit an official response to the latest proposal next Monday, the official said.

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Diplomatic efforts are on fire now, the source said.

On Saturday evening, another Lebanese source told CNN extensive discussions were taking place in Beirut among political officials regarding the American initiative.

Israel launched a major offensive in Lebanon in mid-September following months of tit-for-tat border attacks which started when Hezbollah attacked Israel in solidarity with Hamas and Palestinians in Gaza. Returning 60,000 civilians to their homes in northern Israel has become a political imperative for the countrys leadership.

The offensive dealt devastating blows to Hezbollahs leadership and its vast arsenal, and, according to the Lebanese health ministry, killed hundreds of civilians and displaced more than a million people.

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Even with ceasefire talks underway, Israeli strikes have escalated this week, intensifying its bombardment and ground operation. Most of the targets have been Shia-majority areas where Hezbollah wields influence, but Israel has also struck buildings housing displaced families well outside areas of the militant groups dominance.

Israels strikes across Lebanon killed at least 43 people on Thursday, including eight civil defense workers, according to Lebanons health ministry and civil defense directorate.

The General Directorate of the Civil Defense said on X that an Israeli strike destroyed their headquarters in the village of Douris near Baalbek. The civil defense building was hit while a number of workers were inside, ready to receive calls for relief and immediate intervention to assist citizens, the directorate said in a statement.

The latest proposal, which Ambassador Johnson outlined to Lebanons Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri  who is close to Hezbollah  is the first to be submitted by the US and Israel since a temporary ceasefire was negotiated in late September. Those efforts were upended when Israel killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a major bombing attack in Beiruts southern suburbs.

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Another Lebanese official familiar with the discussions around the ceasefire told CNN that US President-elect Donald Trump has endorsed the ongoing negotiations, which have been spearheaded by the Biden administrations special envoy to Lebanon, Amos Hochstein.

Sticking points

US officials have continued to pursue a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon and people close to Donald Trump have signaled to administration officials that he would not seek to upend the ongoing efforts, US and Israeli sources said.

Still there are questions about when the deal gets finished: current US official say it is close to being concluded, but some Israeli officials have told Trump and those close to him that they intend to deliver the incoming Trump team with the ceasefire as an early gift. Other Israeli officials, however, have signaled to the Biden administration that they want to move ahead with a deal sooner rather than later.

CNN has approached the Trump campaign for comment.

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The Logan Act prevents Trump  before he is officially president  from engaging in US policy, and specifically from negotiating with foreign governments which have disputes with the US. Members of Trumps transition team are cognizant of this law.

Still some current US officials point out that Trump likely does not want to be seen as putting pressure on Israel so soon after he takes office, so there is a mutual incentive to resolve the situation on Israels northern border sooner rather than later. Two people involved in the discussions said the main sticking point still being how to enforce a Hezbollah retreat from southern Lebanon and whether the Lebanese Armed Forces will be prepared to take on a more active role there.

The US-Israeli proposal aims to achieve a 60-day cessation of hostilities and is being portrayed as the basis of a lasting ceasefire, according to the first Lebanese official, adding that terms lie within the parameters of UN Resolution 1701 which ended the Lebanon-Israel war of 2006. The resolution stipulates that the only armed groups in the area south of Lebanons Litani River should be the Lebanese army and UN peacekeeping forces.

The proposal also involves Israeli ground forces, operating in south Lebanon since late September, retreat to behind the internationally recognized boundary between the two countries.

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The points mainly focus on the mechanism of implementation and on the role of the Lebanese Armed Forces in implementing 1701in the south of the Litani River, the official said, adding that it also deals with smuggling routes through the countrys international borders.

The US embassy in Beirut declined CNNs request for comment on the ceasefire negotiations.

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Nov. 15The Village of New Lebanon Council is being accused of multiple abuses of power by an attorney representing one former and one current council member.

In a recent letter to village Law Director Michael McNamee, Attorney Adam Arnold claims council has "repeatedly exceeded" its authority under the village charter and Ohio law.

Arnold, who represents Village Council member Gale Joy and former Council member Tammy Loch, argues McNamee is legally obligated to file a court injunction against the council to inhibit further abuses.

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"(Ohio Revised Code) obligates you to bring an action to enjoin the council's unlawful actions upon receiving a written taxpayer demand; this letter serves as that demand," Arnold writes. "The village council's ongoing abuse of power has disenfranchised voters and jeopardized village operations. These serious violations of Ohio law much cease immediately."

In his letter, Arnold gave McNamee a deadline of Dec. 2 to file an injunction, adding that if he fails to do so, Joy and Loch will bring action on the village's behalf.

McNamee and Interim Village Manager Rob Anderson did not immediately respond to a Dayton Daily News request for comment about the letter.

In the letter, Arnold cites multiple alleged infractions by village council, including removing duly elected members, preventing discussion of village business, approving unauthorized investigations, misusing budgeted funds, and improperly disciplining village employees.

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"Specifically, the council unlawfully removed council member (Loch) based on her tax payment status, even though she was complying with a village payment plan," Arnold writes. "The council has also stifled debate by declaring questioning 'out of order' and denying agenda requests, misappropriated funds to pay for an investigation the council never approved, and disciplined village employees in violation of the charter."

Turmoil has continued to mount in New Lebanon since the March firings of top village officials, including Police Chief Curtis Hensley, Chief Financial Officer Phillip Hinson, Service Superintendent Scott Brock, and Village Manager Glena Madden. The village's contracted Law Director Ron Keener was let go at that time, as well.

Arnold asserts council lacks authority to "discipline or direct" municipal employees.

"The council's actions to suspend or discharge individuals by resolution were illegal, a direct usurpation of the manager's authority, and a violation of the charter," he writes.

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Around the time of the firings, council also launched an internal investigation, to be led by McNamee, into the village and its dealings.

"The conduct of the special investigation is a blatant abuse of power," Arnold asserts in his letter. "McNamee is acting simultaneously as special investigator, prosecutor, and law director for the village  a clear and unacceptable conflict of interest."

McNamee and Anderson did not immediately respond to questions about the status of the internal investigation.
An especially tight race for Colorado House District 16, which came down to a mere seven-vote difference on Thursday, has qualified for an automatic recount, El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Steve Schleiker announced.

Final unofficial election results updated by Schleiker's office at 8:23 p.m. show Republican challenger Rebecca Keltie, a Navy veteran, with a narrow 50.01% to 49.99% lead over Democratic incumbent Stephanie Vigil, who has served as the district's representative for the last two years.

There is a difference of only seven votes in the race  20,640 for Keltie and 20,633 for Vigil.

Colorado law requires automatic recounts if the margin of victory in a race is equal to or less than 0.5% of the winner's total. Automatic recounts must be completed within 31 days after the election.

Keltie said Friday morning that she felt happy that her lead would hold through the recount process.

Im so glad that I can be the person to represent the people. Everyone wanted more common-sense leadership and they definitely voted for it, Keltie said.

Keltie said she expected the race to be close again this year but was surprised by the final margin. Vigil won her first House race in 2022 by 710 votes, edging out Colorado Springs council member Dave Donelson.

Republicans took our eyes off the ball during the previous election, Keltie argued, and she said she was excited to be one of the members who flipped a House seat this year to help end the Democrat supermajority in the state House.

In a statement Friday afternoon, Vigil said she was grateful for the support and the organizers in Colorado Springs that backed her campaign. Vigil stood by the positive campaign she ran and criticized the outside attacks and advertising against her that it took to get the slim margin.

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"Constituents in HD-16 who are frustrated and disappointed should know that I am not going anywhere. I will be active in our community in every meaningful way that I can, Vigil wrote.

Races will not be officially called until the Canvass Board certifies the original vote count on Nov. 27; recounts will then occur for qualifying contests.

"Once the Colorado Secretary of State issues the order for the recount, I will be reaching out to both parties, the candidates and their campaigns to keep them informed," Schleiker said in an email Thursday night.

In total, 387,297 ballots have been counted for just under 78% voter turnout, according to clerk's data.

Schleiker released updated results Thursday after verifying additional ballots, including some that required extra steps to address issues like missing signatures or identification checks, as well as military and overseas ballots. The eight-day period for addressing these "cured" ballots and counting returned military and overseas ballots ended Wednesday night.

It was unclear Thursday exactly how many more ballots were counted, but Schleiker earlier this week estimated the number was in the hundreds.

Additionally, in the tight race for Senate District 12 among two well-known politicians, Democrat Marc Snyder continued to lead Republican opponent Stan VanderWerf. Snyder garnered 48.90% of the vote while VanderWerf had 47.45%.

District 12, currently represented by outgoing Republican Sen. Bob Gardner, encompasses areas west of Colorado Springs, along with Manitou Springs and Fountain. The district is considered competitive, leaning 2% Republican.
SULLIVAN COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL)Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the Department of Economic and Community Development announced the recipients of its Downtown Improvement Grants in a release on Thursday, with three in the Tri-Cities region.

More than $4.76 million in Rural Economic Funding will be awarded to improve 18 Tennessee downtown and Main Street communities. Sullivan, Washington and Greene Counties will all receive a share:

Downtown Kingsport Association, Sullivan County, $300,000

Jonesborough, Washington County, $104,494

Main Street Greeneville, Greene County, $300,000

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Phone and internet service restoration underway in rural areas

The release said that, as part of the Downtown Improvement Grant program, each new recipient will be required to match 25% of their funding.

Tennessees downtown districts are not only home to local government, but they also serve as a hub for commerce and tourism in our communities, said Commissioner McWhorter. I commend our city and county leaders who have taken the necessary steps to revitalize and improve their downtowns, which will, in turn, spur job creation and drive economic growth.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
To the editor: I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Losing to President-elect Donald Trump stings for both her and the president, but it did not cause either of them to shed their dignity, decency and patriotism. ("Emboldened Trump returns to Washington to meet with Biden, announce controversial Cabinet picks," Nov. 13)

In sharp contrast to Trump's election denialism and effort to overturn the result after losing the 2020 election, Biden hosted his rival at the White House as a symbolic beginning to the transition process.

In her gracious and compelling concession speech, Harris pointedly noted that this time around, the result of the election will be accepted and that there will be a peaceful transfer of power. The president also noted that it was his plan to attend the inauguration no matter which candidate prevailed.

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Biden demonstrated that he believed what he said when he asserted, "You can't love your country only when you win."

Oren Spiegler, Peters Township, Pa.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
To the editor: I've taught high school English for more than three decades. Like the suspended Moreno Valley Unified School District teacher, I was in a dark emotional place the day after the election. ("Moreno Valley Unified teacher's fate uncertain following anti-Trump rant in classroom," Nov. 13)

However, when a student in class asked me what I thought of the election, I simply replied that I was for a world in which all people were safe, welcome and given the dignity and respect that every human deserves.

Politics, culture, world events  all should be discussed in frank terms. But a self-indulgent tantrum full of sweeping insults and profane self-righteous anger rather than critical discourse has no place in a classroom.

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We are there to teach students to think for themselves, value information and process it with analytical minds. This can be done with passion but not petulance  and certainly not by making ill-informed ad hominem attacks against voters whose sons and daughters were very likely students in this teacher's classroom.

Carmen Wisdom, Lancaster

..

To the editor: While the Moreno Valley history teacher should not have so vociferously expressed his over-the-top views during a classroom discussion, he should not be fired.

As a retired social studies teacher, I tried to create a safe space for my students to express many political views. High school students are nearing voting age and need to hear what experienced adults have to say.

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My role was not to proselytize, but to open a discussion and have kids use facts and good examples to back up their views. What better place than a safe classroom, where respect is a priority?

It is said that politics is learned at the dinner table, but it is also learned at one's classroom desk. Respectful discussion of opposing views sets a tone for later life. I still keep in touch with some students, including those who probably disagree with me politically.

The Moreno Valley teacher sounds like a caring and excellent instructor. A suspension is in order, but he should not be removed permanently. His students will benefit from his methods and expertise.

Carol Spector, Ventura

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Getting the right to live and work in another country can be a long and difficult process. But thats not always the case for those with money to spend.

Golden visas offer the opportunity for wealthy people to essentially buy the right to residency - sometimes without even having to live in the country.

And their popularity in the European Union is growing as people look to move away from countries facing instability and political decisions such as Brexit that may limit their safety and rights.

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With the re-election of Trump in the US, applications for golden visas from Americans are also projected to increase.

But golden visas are now gradually being phased out across Europe.

Spain has finally secured a legal route to ending golden visas via property investment, with reports suggesting the ban could come into force by January 2025. The ban, which has been approve by the country's Congress, could also affect other investment pathways.

Portugal removed real estate investment as a basis for golden visa applications back in October 2023 in the hope of reducing property speculation.

The Netherlands followed suit, ending its golden visa scheme in January 2024.

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But Hungary has bucked the trend by reintroducing its golden visa scheme, with applications open as of this month.

So what exactly are these golden visa schemes and why has the EU raised questions about their safety in recent years?

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What is a golden visa?

Residence by investment schemes, otherwise known as golden visas, offer people the chance to get a residency permit for a country by purchasing a house there or making a large investment or donation.

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Any applicants must be over the age of 18, have a clean criminal record and have sufficient funds to make the required investment.

There are also golden passports, known officially as citizenship by investment programs, that allow foreigners to gain citizenship using the same means.

For countries in the EU, this also means gaining access to many of the benefits of being a resident of the bloc - including free movement between countries.

Why is the EU against golden visas and passports?

In 2022, the European Commission called on EU governments to stop selling citizenship to investors.

Though this is different to golden visas, which offer permanent residency rather than citizenship, the call came as part of a move to crack down on this combined multi-billion euro industry. In the wake of the Ukraine war, there were concerns that these schemes could be a security risk.

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Brussels also called for countries to double-check whether people sanctioned due to the war were holding a golden passport or visa that they had issued.

Applicants must be over the age of 18, have a clean criminal record and sufficient funds to make the required investment. - Canva

In the past, the EU has also said that schemes of this kind are a risk to security, transparency and the values that underpin the European Union project.

In October 2022, the European Commission urged Albania to "refrain from developing an investors' citizenship scheme (golden passports)". Such a scheme would "pose risks as regards security, money laundering, tax evasion, terrorist financing, corruption and infiltration by organised crime, and would be incompatible with EU norms," it warned in a report. The country has since suspended its plans to introduce a golden visa.

Threats also come from outside the bloc. Also in October 2022, the European Commission proposed a suspension of Vanuatu's visa waiver agreement due to golden passport risks. This is because the scheme enables nationals of third countries to gain Vanuatu citizenship, which then earns them visa-free access to Schengen zone countries.

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Which other countries have scrapped their golden visa schemes?

In February 2022, the UK government scrapped its golden visa scheme that allowed wealthy foreign nationals to settle in the country in exchange for bringing part of their wealth with them. The decision to end the scheme came as part of a move to clamp down on dirty money from Russia.

In February 2023, Ireland also axed its golden visa scheme - the Immigrant Investor Programme - which offered Irish residence in return for a 500,000 donation or three-year annual 1 million investment in the country.

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Ireland had already suspended the scheme for Russian citizens in March 2022 as part of sanctions imposed on the country for the invasion of Ukraine. The following month, the European Parliament warned that the programme was vulnerable to tax abuse. The final decision to end the scheme was the outcome of various international reports and internal reviews.

Portugal has scrapped its residency by investment scheme. - Pexels

Which EU countries still offer golden visas and what are the requirements?

There are only a few places that still offer golden passports in the EU. One of these countries is Malta. Here, the minimum investment amount starts at 690,000 and offers citizenship for between 12 and 36 months.

Many others, however, still offer golden visa schemes. Here are a few examples of exactly how much it costs to get residence by investment in these countries.

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Does Spain still offer a golden visa?

Spain launched its residence by investment scheme in 2013. It allowed wealthy people from outside the EU to obtain residency permits on investing more than 500,000 in real estate or certain types of business.

However, in April, the country's government said it plans to scrap the real estate route - which accounts for 94 per cent of applications - to reduce pressure on the housing market.

Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the reform was part of his minority coalition government's push to make housing a right, not a speculative business.

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Spains Congress of Deputies has finally approved the bill that will put an end to Spain's golden visa.

The cancellation is being passed under the Law for the Efficiency of Justice, which has been approved in the Plenary Session of Congress and initial reports suggest it will finally be scrapped in January 2025. According to local media reports, applications made before then are likely to be honoured.

Before this happens, however, it will still need being submitted to the Senate for possible amendments and then back to the Congress for final approval before its officially cancelled.

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The government says over 15,000 such visas have been issued since the measure was brought into law in 2013 by a previous right-wing Popular Party government as a means to attract foreign investors.

Since Spain announced plans to end its golden visa, Chinese investors have rushed to buy property in the country, a report by Spanish state broadcaster RTVE revealed.

The visa can also be gained by starting certain types of business in Spain, holding company shares or bank deposits with a minimum value of 1 million in Spanish financial institutions, or making a government bonds investment of at least 2 million. The ban could extend to these types of investments, also.

Hungary golden visa scheme

Bucking the trend, Hungary announced plans to reintroduce its golden visa scheme in July 2024, after having ended it back in 2017.

The so-called Guest Investor Program (GIP) offers three routes to residency, including through real estate investment funds (minimum 250,000), purchasing a residential property (minimum 500,000) or donating at least 1 million to a higher educational institution in the country.

The visa is extended to the spouse and dependent children of the applicant and grants visa-free travel in the EU.

Initial applications opened at the end of October, with further real estate investment funds expected to be released by the end of the year.

Italy's golden visa scheme

Italy is another popular destination for those looking to get residence by investment.

Introduced in 2017, its golden visa grants non-EU nationals a residence permit for two years in exchange for an investment in Italy.

The minimum investment here is 250,000 which must be done through an Italian limited company. Those holding these visas can also include their family in the application and benefit from a special tax regime.

Once those using the scheme have lived in Italy for 10 years, they can be eligible for citizenship.

Related

Greece's golden visa scheme

Greece offers golden visas, with one of the quickest processes for gaining residency. Qualifying foreigners can get a permit within 60 days of applying.

It used to have one of the lowest thresholds for investment at just 250,000 spent on property in the country. But the country raised this to 800,000 in September in areas facing severe housing shortages, such as Athens, Mykonos and Santorini.

Elsewhere, it only rose to 400,000 to encourage investment in a wider range of places.

Golden visa holders arent required to stay in Greece to keep their visas.

By the end of 2021, the country had seen 9,500 applications for these residence by investment schemes, one of the highest numbers in Europe.
Texas residents Danny and Christi Sims had never been to West Virginia, but they heard it was a playground for outdoor activities, and they love to camp and fish.

A Zillow listing led them to Rainelle.

Both in their 50s, they did what few people their age decide to do  sell all their belongings and move to a state theyd never been to, to a town theyve never been to, and open a business.

Our plan was to come here and have a business that was debt-free, Christi said. We were looking for a place to put a business in that we could also live in. And we wanted to own our own building. So this building popped up in our price range.

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A hairdresser and retail worker by trade and over 60 years' experience between them, they opened Coal Creek Salon Boutique five weeks ago.

Standing tall on a street surrounded by shuttered doors, the boutique is meticulously remodeled and filled with hand-picked clothing items, locally made soaps and Christis hair salon.

This felt like home from the beginning, Christi said. Danny has redone everything. Everything thats on the wall, every bit of paint, every light fixture, hes put up.

She said they were warned that business might not be good at first.

The first week we were here, everyone said, Oh, its Rainelle, don't expect a lot, and we didnt know what to expect. We had low expectations. Well, we doubled that the first week. The second week we doubled that. The third week we stayed at that, and last week was our biggest week yet, she said.

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Danny said hes heard the stories of how Rainelle used to be a bustling hub. A customer came in and told him, Were so glad youre here  we feel like people have given up on Rainelle, and that it's never gonna be anything. With you guys coming in, we hope other people will see y'alls success and do the same thing you're doing just with a different business and hopefully Rainelle will grow again.'

Danny said, Hey, I dont know if it will get there again, but I do feel Rainelle has still got some good days ahead of it.

Coal Creek Salon Boutique is hosting a grand opening with food and prizes on Friday, Nov. 15, and Saturday, Nov. 16.
Lil Durk has pleaded not guilty to charges accusing him of murder-for-hire. According to ABC 7 Eyewitness News, the Chicago rapper, whose legal name is Durk Banks, entered his plea on Thursday (Nov. 14) in a Los Angeles courtroom.

The 32-year-old faces federal charges including conspiracy, use of interstate facilities to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death, and using, carrying, and discharging firearms and a machine gun and possession of such firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in death, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Patricia Donahue ordered Banks jailed without bond. A status conference was scheduled for Nov. 25, and a detention hearing on Dec. 12. According to the outlet, a tentative trial start date of Jan. 7 is expected to be postponed.

Lil Durk at the 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Crypto.com Arena on February 4, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Billboard via Getty Images)

The Grammy-winning rapper was arrested last month in Florida on a federal criminal complaint alleging he conspired with others to murder a rival rapper, resulting in a shooting and murder that took place at a gas station near the Beverly Center shopping mall in Los Angeles in August 2022.

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According to the United States District Attorneys Office, Lil Durk allegedly ordered the murder of Quando Rondo using Only The Family [OTF]-related finances to carry out the hit that left Quando Rondos cousin dead. Bank and flight records show that an OTF member and close associate of Banks coordinated and paid for five co-conspirators to travel from Chicago to California the day before the murder.

Banks allegedly told the OTF associate booking the flights, Dont book no flights under no names involved wit [sic] me.

Lil Durk performs onstage at the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Festival at the T-Mobile Arena on September 22, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)

If convicted, the All My Life performer would face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison.

Mr. Banks is charged with orchestrating a cold-blooded murder that resulted in the death of a rivals family member, stated United States Attorney Martin Estrada. Not only that, the shooting occurred in the open, at a gas station at a busy intersection, endangering many others in the area. Violent gun crime of this sort is devastating to our community and we will have zero-tolerance for those who perpetrate such callous acts of violence.

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Durk Devontay Banks aka Lil Durk, January 2023 (Prince Williams/WireImage)

Lil Durk has pleaded not guilty to federal criminal charges related to an alleged murder-for-hire plot, Rolling Stone reports. He is tentatively due to stand trial, in California, on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Durk, who is in federal custody, in Los Angeles, has also delayed the release of his new album, Deep Thoughts, which had been due to arrive this autumn.

Durk was arrested last month and charged with conspiracy to use interstate facilities to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death. Hes also facing two additional weapons-related charges.

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Prosecutors allege that Lil Durk and five other men allegedly associated with the rappers Only the Family (OTF) collective sought to kill the rapper Quando Rondo as revenge for the murder of King Von. Durk, according to the federal governments indictment, was the mastermind of the murder-for-hire plot and made clear that he would pay a bounty to have Quando Rondo killed. An attempt to shoot Quando Rondo resulted in the death of the Georgia rappers cousin Saviaya Tilal Lul Pab Robinson, prosecutors say.

Originally Appeared on Pitchfork
CHOCTAW, Okla. (KFOR)  Its been over ten days since tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma.

Homeowners are now faced with navigating insurance claims and starting the long road to recovery.

Were kind of in limbo right now and it makes it very frustrating, especially for you know, we want to get things done and were stuck, said Richard Bussey, homeowner in Choctaw.

Some homeowners like Bussey feel helpless, as they watch those around them begin the cleanup process.

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However, experts say moving quickly is not always the best option.

Truly a person should not be demoing their house or throwing anything away unless they actually already have the estimate from the insurance company and theyve agreed it to it, said Alice Young, owner of Brown O Haver.

The reason being is that Oklahoma is a fair market value state.

Oklahoma Insurance Dept. shares storm tips

Just because you have a total loss doesnt mean its policy limits and you still have to prove that it is, said Young.

While homeowners may focus on big-ticket items such as furniture, detailed inventories of even the smallest items are essential for a full claim.

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Lets just say you have a policy limit of $100,000, the insurance company does depreciate that, which means that you get less, so you actually need to make your inventory that you cant stop at 100. You got to go all the way to 200, so that if its depreciated, you can get the full amount, said Young.

It may look like others are moving on, but Young says it doesnt mean they got a fair amount.

There is actual studies that show that 90 percent of people take whatever the insurance company offers them and the fact of the matter is that they make so much money on those 90 percent that they are willing to fight the 10 percent of people who are willing to actually fight, said Young.

Experts say its up to the homeowner to decide if its worth it to wait and get the full amount, or move forward quicker but receive a lesser amount from their insurance company.

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Young also says while the initial visit from insurance should happen within one to two weeks, getting a full settlement can take months, even up to a year or more.

Homeowners should prepare for a prolonged process.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Netflix's hit series The Lincoln Lawyer, which follows attorney Mickey Haller as he runs his practice from a Lincoln Town car throughout Los Angeles, continues to captivate audiences since its 2022 debut. The show's third season, which premiered in October, drew over 7 million viewers in its first four days, demonstrating its growing popularity.



For Steven Jaworski, Vice President of Production at A & E Studios, one of the show's production companies, filming in L.A. was non-negotiable despite Hollywood's ongoing production exodus. The decision stemmed from both practical and creative considerations, with the city itself emerging as a vital character in the narrative.



"It was a sort of no-brainer," says Jaworski about filming in L.A. "The novels that the series has adapted from takes place in L.A., and I think that Los Angeles is a main character of the story just as much as Mickey or Lorna or Izzy." Despite the challenges of filming in the city, Netflix's support enabled three successful seasons, with Jaworski noting they "would not have done the show justice if we tried to shoot Los Angeles anywhere other than Los Angeles."

Related: Our Top 5 Favorite Shows Streaming Now

The series' locations weren't chosen at random. The showrunners and writers, long-time L.A. residents, incorporated their intimate knowledge of the city into the scripts. "They know and love the city, so they write them in," Jaworski explains. This authentic approach allows the show to capture both iconic landmarks and hidden gems across the metropolitan area.

Manuel Garcia-Rulfo takes center stage in a behind-the-scenes shot from The Lincoln Lawyer, offering a glimpse into the making of the popular legal drama series. Courtesy of Netflix

"It's very important for our producers to capture true, authentic L.A.," Jaworski says. "So you may see some staples that people know around the world of what L.A. is, but you're also going to see some locations that a local would only know and love and say, 'hey I know that place,' when they watch the show. So it was important to capture all of that and capture all sides of L.A., from Marina Del Rey to Lancaster to Beverly Hills and the in between."



The city's sprawling geography plays a crucial role in the narrative. "L.A. is a city that spans miles upon miles, so it's not like a New York or a Chicago where you kind of have your downtown," says Jaworski. "Not to say those aren't massive cities, but you have concentrated areas, whereas L.A. is just so expansive. So because of that, it's able to have different characters in different settings that can play into the creative, that can play into the storytelling."



Mickey's drives through L.A. help viewers understand the city's culture and diversity. The production team pays meticulous attention to authenticity, particularly in depicting these journeys. "The writers are intentful in picking those locations and putting us throughout the map," Jaworski explains. "There needs to be the authenticity of what that drive would actually be from Downtown to Santa Monica."

For Jaworski, who moved to L.A. from Ohio at 21, the show's portrayal of the city resonates personally. "I've known from a young age I would move to L.A., I knew I wanted to be involved in storytelling, and whether it's through TV or film, I just knew I had to get here to experience everything the city had to offer," he shares.



The production's commitment to authenticity extends beyond locations to include memorable action sequences. Jaworski recalls a particularly challenging car crash scene: "The car crash scene itself was executed incredibly and with the utmost safety which was obviously the top priority, but it was such a big moment for the show."



Behind the scenes, the production team prioritizes diversity, reflecting L.A.'s population. "66 percent of our writers are diverse. 80 percent of the directors were diverse hires with 71 percent of them being Latinx, which is way above industry benchmarks," Jaworski notes. "And it's not to meet numbers, it's not to do anything, we're hiring talented people but we're representing the location of Los Angeles, the population of Los Angeles."

The show's commitment to L.A. extends to community involvement through a partnership with ManifestWorks, a local organization training youth impacted by foster care or incarceration in film industry skills. Success stories include a trainee who advanced from the props department to a union position by the third season.



"L.A. is a character," Jaworski concludes. "You may not realize initially while ur watching how much of a character it is, but when you pull back you're like, 'oh, I could understand the culture of Los Angeles.' And it's done also very authentically throughout casting, through the inclusions and the characters and their backgrounds you get to see all of it from different perspectives."

Manuel Garcia-Rulfo embodies suave lawyer Mickey Haller as he drives his classic blue Lincoln Continental in The Lincoln Lawyer.

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View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article

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Nov. 14An electrical lineman was critically injured when he accidentally came into contact with a live power line during a "supermove" operation in Greenland Tuesday night, state officials said.

The worker was moving wires to allow an oversized load to drive underneath when the accident happened, according to the state Department of Safety. The man sustained life-threatening injuries and was flown by medical helicopter to a Boston hospital.

Troopers were assisting with the move of oversized equipment from Portsmouth to Brookline at the time the accident happened, officials said.

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The state Department of Transportation had approved the route for Bay Crane Northeast LLC of Smithfield, Rhode Island, to transport the heavy equipment from the seaport in Portsmouth to Northern Boulevard in Brookline. The operation entailed some road closures and rolling roadblocks, with State Police providing an escort.

After the accident, the heavy equipment was stored overnight at the weigh station on Route 101 in Epping, officials said, before continuing west Wednesday night.
BEIRUT (AP)  When Sara first arrived at her rescuers' home, she was sick, tired, and was covered in ringworms and signs of abuse all over her little furry body.

After spending two months in a small Beirut apartment with an animal rights group, the four-and-half-month-old lion cub arrived Friday at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa after a long journey on a yacht and planes, escaping both Israeli airstrikes and abusive owners.

Sara is the fifth lion cub to be evacuated from Lebanon by local rescue group Animals Lebanon since Hezbollah and Israel began exchanging fire a day after the Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel by Hamas that ignited the war in Gaza last year.

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Animals Lebanon first discovered Sara on social media channels in July. Her owner, a Lebanese man in the ancient city of Baalbek, posted bombastic videos of himself parading with the little lion cub on TikTok and Instagram.

Under Lebanese law, it is prohibited to own wild and exotic animals.

The lion cub was "really just being used as showing off, said Jason Mier, executive director of Animals Lebanon.

In mid-September, the group finally retrieved her after filing a case with the police and judiciary, who interrogated her owner and forced him to give up the feline.

Soon after that, Israel launched an offensive against the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah - after nearly a year of low-level conflict - and Baalbek came under heavy bombardment.

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Mier and his team were able to extract Sara from Baalbek weeks before Israel launched its aerial bombardment campaign on the ancient city, and move her to an apartment in Beiruts busy commercial Hamra district.

She was supposed to fly to South Africa in October, but international airlines stopped flights to Lebanon as Israeli jets and drones hit sites close to the countrys only airport.

Hezbollah began firing rockets across the border into Israel in support of its ally, Hamas, on Oct. 8, 2023, a day after Palestinian militants staged the deadly surprise incursion into southern Israel. Israel responded with shelling and airstrikes. Beginning in mid-September, Israel launched an intense aerial bombardment of much of Lebanon, followed by a ground invasion.

Before the conflict, Animals Lebanon was active in halting animal trafficking and the exotic pet trade, saving over two dozen big cats from imprisonment in lavish homes and sending them to wildlife sanctuaries.

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Since the war started, Animals Lebanon has also been rescuing pets that have been trapped in damaged apartments as hundreds of thousands of Lebanese fled bombardment - almost 1,000 over the past month alone.

Lots are still in our care because the owners of these animals are still displaced, Mier said. So we cant expect the person to take this animal back when he might be living on the street or in a school."

Before the conflict escalated, the rights group was able to move around the country more freely as the fighting largely remained in southern Lebanon along the border with Israel. But things became more difficult as airstrikes became more frequent and spread over wider swathes of the country.

Unaware of the war around her, Sara thrived. She was fed a platter of raw meat daily and grew to 40 kilograms (88 pounds). She cuddled every morning with Miers wife Maggie, also an animal rights activist.

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But the activists faced a major obstacle: How would they get her out of Lebanon?

Animals Lebanon collected donations from supporters and rights groups around the world to put Sara on a small yacht to take her to Cyprus. From there, she flew to the United Arab Emirates before her long journey ended in Cape Town.

Days before her evacuation Sara played in one of the bedrooms at Mier's apartment, with cushions and chew toys scattered.

Thursday at dawn, she arrived to the port of Dbayeh, just north of Beirut. Mier and his team were relieved, but also struggling to hold back their tears at her departure.

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Mier anticipates Sara will be held for monitoring and disease-control, but soon will be part of a community of other lions.

Then shell be integrated with two recent lions that weve sent from Lebanon, so shell make a nice group of three hopefully, he said. Thats where she will live out the rest of her life. That is the best option for her.
Election night marked a historic day for Black women in politics, despite Vice President Kamala Harris loss.

Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester and Angela Alsobrooks have been elected as the fourth and fifth Black women to win a Senate seat. It will be the first time in history that two Black women will serve in the U.S. Senate concurrently.

The historic nature of sending two Black women to the U.S. Senate, the first time that we will have Black women serving concurrently, is tremendous, said Kimberly Peeler-Allen, who is a practitioner at Rutgers Universitys Center for American Women and Politics.

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With wins from Alsobrooks, Rochester, and House Reps. Nikema Williams, Summer Lee, Shontel Brown, Ilhan Omar, and Jasmine Crockett, Tuesdays election has already started to expand the ranks of Black people who successfully sought seats in Congress. The total grew on Nov. 15, when Oregon state Rep. Janelle Bynum was officially declared the winner of her U.S. House contest, making her the first Black person from Oregon sent to Congress.

The new faces could also affect the passage of crucial legislation affecting issues such as health care, reproductive rights, and environmental laws that have a particular relevance to Black communities across the country.

Even though the Democrats will be in the minority, having them in committee and using their platforms to elevate issues and policy that probably would not have been brought forward, particularly in the way that they will do it as Black women, is something that cannot be understated or undervalued in this moment, said Peeler-Allen.

Black women are consistently having their work delegitimized, Peeler-Allen said, because sexism, racism, and misogyny in American politics is like water trying to find a crack.

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But, Angela [Alsobrooks] and Lisa [Blunt Rochester] And Kamala, despite their outcomes have had to climb to continuously to credentialize themselves, to prove that they have the experience they have, the education, and they have done the work to warrant them being in the room and their commitments to our country.

We suspect that Black women are motivated by nonpartisan factors, including their commitment to democratic principles, measured by their higher levels of civic duty, academic researchers Christine Slaughter, Chaya Crowder, and Christina Greer wrote in Black Women: Keepers of Democracy, the Democratic Process, and the Democratic Party. Black womens entrenchment in the Democratic Party reflects their commitment to advancing justice for Black communities from an intersectional lens.

Here are the races that Capital B has been keeping a particularly close eye on:

Alabama

Shomari Figures won his race against his Republican opponent, Caroleene Dobson, to represent Alabamas newly drawn, majority-Black 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House. Figures, a first-time candidate and a former White House staffer, is the first Democrat to hold this seat since 2010.

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U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell won her reelection bid to represent Alabamas 7th Congressional District.

Delaware

Rochester has been elected into the U.S. Senate to represent Delaware. Rochester, a Democrat, defeated former Walmart executive Eric Hansen.

Georgia

Williams easily reclaimed her U.S. House seat with nearly 90% of the vote. She represents the 5th Congressional District of Georgia.

Marjorie Taylor Greene was able to hold on to her seat for another term. She won against Shawn Harris, a retired veteran, in a landslide.

Indiana

Valerie McCray did not win her race to become the first Black woman to represent Indiana in the U.S. Senate. As a recent poll predicted, U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, a Republican who currently represents Indianas 3rd Congressional District, had a significant lead over McCray prior to Election Day.

Louisiana

Louisiana is another state, like Alabama, that recently secured a new majority-Black congressional district. Democratic state Sen. Cleo Fields has won the race to represent Louisianas 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House.

Maryland

In what was expected to be a tight race, Prince Georges County Executive and Democratic nominee Alsobrooks has been elected as the first Black person to represent Maryland in the U.S. Senate. This would be the second time Alsobrooks broke a barrier; she was the first Black woman county executive in the state. Alsobrooks beat former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, Libertarian Mike Scott, and five write-in candidates.

Minnesota

Omar won her reelection bid in Minnesotas 5th Congressional District, which mostly covers Minneapolis. Omar ran against Dalia al-Aqidi, a Republican Iraqi American journalist who has accused the incumbent of being pro-Hamas.

New York

Mondaire Jones lost to U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler in his bid to reclaim his seat as representative of New Yorks 17th Congressional District, which covers Putnam, Rockland, Westchester, and parts of southern Dutchess counties.

Ohio

Brown won her reelection bid to represent Ohios 11th Congressional District.

Oregon

In a close race, Bynum, a Democratic state legislator, won Oregons 5th Congressional District election with less than 10,000 votes. The contest, in which Bynum flipped the seat, was one of the most challenging U.S. House races in the country.

Pennsylvania

Lee won her reelection bid for her U.S. House seat to represent Pennsylvanias 12th Congressional District.

Texas

In a major blow for Democrats, U.S. Rep. Colin Allred failed to unseat incumbent U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. It was the Democratic Partys latest attempt at ending decades of GOP dominance in a state that has been at the center of battles over reproductive rights and immigration.

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Following the passing of U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee earlier this year, a special election was held to fill her seat for the remainder of her term  and her daughter, Erica Lee Carter, won. Its the first time that a daughter has reclaimed her mothers seat in Congress. Carter has been sworn in to represent Texas 18th Congressional District until Jan. 3.

Wisconsin

Rep. Gwen Moore won her reelection campaign to represent Wisconsins 4th Congressional District.

Staff writer Adam Mahoney contributed to this report.

This story has been updated.

The post Although Not as Widely as Hoped, Black Women Made Their Mark on Election Night appeared first on Capital B News.
Lithuania is studying Ukraine's experience in organising mobilisation, recruitment and training of military personnel in wartime.

Source: European Pravda, citing a meeting between representatives of Ukraine's Defence Ministry and a delegation from the Lithuanian Armed Forces

Details: Ukraine's Defence Ministry reported that during the meeting, Serhii Melnyk, Deputy Defence Minister and Brigadier General of Justice, emphasised the importance of cooperation between the two nations and expressed gratitude to Lithuania for its unwavering support for Ukraine since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion.

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Notably, the Ukrainian side briefed the Lithuanian delegation on reforms in mobilisation and recruitment, particularly the establishment of 44 recruitment centres across most Ukrainian oblasts, where citizens can now enlist for military service under contract.

The parties also discussed this year's innovations designed to strengthen defence capabilities, specifically the option to enrol directly into a specific military unit and the introduction of basic military service in place of conscript service starting in 2025.

In his turn, Arunas Balciunas, Head of the Lithuanian Military Conscription and Recruitment Service, stressed that it is essential for a country that also borders Russia to learn from Ukraine's experience gained during the thousand days of war.

"Lithuania also borders the Russian Federation, so we are interested in the experience Ukraine has gained over almost a thousand days of resistance. When military events come to replace peacetime, everything changes rapidly. And it is vital for the military, who are responsible for the state's security, to be prepared for these changes," he stressed.

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Ukraine's Defence Ministry further reported that the Lithuanian delegation had spoken about its own initiatives in organising registers of citizens liable for military service and notifying them of their service obligations. This topic became an essential focus of the exchange of experience between the two countries.

The parties also agreed upon continuing cooperation to strengthen the two countries' defence capabilities and national security using the latest practices and innovations.

Background:

In early October, it was reported that Lithuania would purchase additional NASAMS medium-range air defence systems for 234 million.

On 15 October, reports indicated that Lithuania had decided to create two new battalions of tracked infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and purchase an additional batch of Vilkas IFVs for 370 million.

In November, the Lithuanian government allocated 2.4 million to develop drone capabilities.

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Many Little Rock Central High School students staged a walkout on Thursday to voice their concerns about the Arkansas LEARNS Act.

We are very very concerned for the state of our education system, student and protest organizer Rhone Kuta said.

Teachers protest Arkansas LEARNS plan at Capitol

Protestors said the walkout was to demonstrate the disapproval of students receiving Education Freedom Account funds to attend private schools.

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For the 2023-2024 school year, the state spent over $30 million on Education Freedom Accounts which uses public tax dollars to pay for kids to go to private schools in the name of school choice.

Our state government has been passing a lot of laws that we thoroughly disagree with, Kuta said.

The Arkansas Department of Education reports more than 20,000 EFA applications were submitted for the 2024-2025 school year compared to 6,495 applicants in 2023-2024.

5,548 students were approved with 57% being students with disabilities.

Students approved would receive more than $6,000 to help with private school tuition.

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This leads Kuta and his fellow classmates who protested alongside him to fear the future of the public school of their choice.

We are very concerned for the funding of our schools, Kuta said.

Demand for Education Freedom Accounts spikes as more Arkansas families become eligible for funds

Kuta said its not just the future of Arkansas that sparks fear, its the entire country that he feels is moving in a direction of dark times.

He said that is why the Central High School student body decided to walk out here to create a safe space and create a feeling of solidarity.

During the 2023-2024 school year, 97 private schools participated in the EFA system compared to 128 for the 2024-2025 school year.

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There are eligibility requirements to be approved, but by the 2025-2026 school year, all Arkansas students will be eligible for vouchers.

Eligible children must meet one of the following criteria to qualify for an Education Freedom Account for the 2024-25 school year:

Students from the Succeed Scholarship Program

Students with a disability (IDEA)

Current or former foster care children

Students experiencing homelessness

Children of active-duty military personnel

Children of a military reservist

Children of a US military veteran under Title 38

Children of a first responder or law enforcement officer

Students from D or F public schools (2023-24 school year) or schools in Level 5 districts

Kindergartners (private school only)

A spokesperson with the Arkansas Department of Education shared a statement in response to the protest from students at Central High.

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We are encouraged that students are engaged in education. Students need educational options, which LEARNS provides. We fully support local public schools and empowering parents to make the best choices for their child, the statement read. The Education Freedom Account program provides students of all races and economic statuses the opportunity to attend a quality school of their choice. More than 14,000 students and their families this year would agree. At the end of the day, everyone wins.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLRT - FOX16.com.
LIVERPOOL, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)  New York State Police have arrested 29-year-old Dakota Smith of Liverpool for Grand Larceny in the 3rd degree.

Smith, a contractor, is accused of receiving over $5,000 in a deposit from a client but failing to begin the work that he said he would in Aug. of 2024.

New York State Police received this complaint about Smith from an Onondaga County resident on Oct. 10.

Police say he failed to begin the project or return the money.

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Smith was arraigned at Onondaga County CAP Court and held at the Onondaga County Justice Center without bail.

If you have any information related to these crimes or believe you may also be a victim, please contact Troop D Headquarters at 315-366-6000 and refer to case #NY2400786199.

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Editors Note: This missing person has been found.

CUYAHOGA COUNTY, Ohio (WJW)  Local police are concerned for a missing 81-year-old woman who they said walked away from her home overnight and has not returned.

A statewide Missing Adult Alert was issued out of Cuyahoga County early Friday for Jacquelyn Johnson. According to the alert, Johnson left her home on Euclid Avenue at about 1 a.m.

At least 10 skulls found, 1 linked to missing person in New Mexico

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It was not immediately clear where on Euclid Avenue her home is located.

She suffers from memory issues and law enforcement are concerned for her safety, stated the alert.

Johnson is described as a black female, who is 411 and weighs about 150 pounds. She has gray hair and brown eyes.

New photos of semi wanted in deadly hit and run

Police said, she was last seen wearing a blue plaid hat, robe with pink flowers, black t-shirt, grey pants, and white shoes.

Anyone who sees Johnson is asked to call 911.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Nov. 15bluefield  Lifelong service to the community was recognized Thursday when a Mercer County resident was presented the 87th Annual Distinguished Citizenship Award.

Since 1937, the American Legion Riley-Vest Post 9 has presented its Distinguished Citizenship Award to a Bluefield area resident who has rendered service to the community beyond the call of duty. In 13 instances, more than one person was presented this award. In the last 87 years, 96 of these awards have been presented to doctors, bankers, educators, clergy, youth workers, business leaders, judges, veterans advocates, attorneys and people in other professions. Selection for this award is made by a secret committee of Legionnaires with the public invited to submit nominations.

Bluefield City Manager Cecil Marson, a retired Army colonel, introduced the audience at the Clover Club in downtown Bluefield to the recipient of the 87th Annual Distinguished Citizenship Award, Gene F. Bailey.

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Born in a small community known as Poe Town, Bailey graduated from Beaver High School in 1957 and then attended Bluefield Junior College, now Bluefield University, where he earned an Associate Degree in Business Administration in 1959.

"Soon after, he was recruited by the Kroger Company as a manager trainee, but in 1962, he received an 'invitation' from Uncle Sam to join the U.S. Army," Marson said. "He volunteered and completed basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. and Fort Gordon, Ga., before being assigned to Fort Monmouth, N.J., with the Security and Intelligence Unit."

During his 21 months at Fort Monmouth, Bailey distinguished himself by receiving two letters of commendation and in August 1963, he was named Soldier of the Month by his commanding officer, Marson said. In March 1964, Bailey was recognized for his exceptional work with the Security and Intelligence Unit.

Bailey later worked for around 25 years as the regional director of Human Resources with the Consolidated Coal Company, now Consol Energy. He went on to stay very involved in community civic organizations.

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"Throughout his career and retirement, he has committed countless hours to volunteer work with numerous organizations over the past 50 years," Marson said. "Some of his many contributions include serving as a board member for the Pocahontas Coal Association, president and secretary of the Bluefield Country Club, a member of the Chamber of Commerce Board and a trustee at Bluefield College."

The award ceremony's keynote speaker, Dr T. Ramon Stuart, president of WVU Tech in Beckley and a native of McDowell County, spoke about how Bailey demonstrated selfless service to his community. Stuart said he decided what to say during the ceremony while he was getting his weekly Thursday morning haircut.

"But what happens is in the sanctity of that barber chair, I came to this epiphany, and when I look back and I see your theme 'Deeds Not Words, I realized what I needed to say. I thought about this notion of service, and I thought about what does it mean to serve," Stuart said.

"You start to wonder what it means to serve," Stuart said. "So when I was sitting there in the barber shop, I realized service gives us everything we need to make sure our deeds outweigh our words."

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"So when you think about Deeds Not Words, how serving means to sacrifice, with empathy and respect, be virtuous and lead to elevation, you realize today is all we're doing is talking about our honorary, Mr. Gene F. Bailey," Stuart said. He looked to where Bailey was sitting with his wife, Judy. "See, Mr. Bailey, you are a man who has worked with young people through your Community Foundation of the Virginias. You've given endless scholarships. You've worked tirelessly to promote education and better the lives of college-bound students, schools, foundations, people in need and also our local veterans. See, Mr. Bailey, you are the epitome of what it means to serve."

Gene Bailey thanked the American Legion Riley-Vest Post 9 for being awarded the Distinguished Citizenship honor. He reminded the audience about the long list of previous recipients listed on the ceremony's program.

"First of all, I want to say thank you and tell you how humble and honored and blessed I am for being chosen to receive this prestigious award," Bailey said. "Actually, I was shocked, almost speechless. No one would ever accuse me of being totally speechless. When I learned that I had been chosen as the recipient, even today, it's quite difficult for me to totally comprehend how my name could be added to that list of recipients that you see on the program that you have before you."

Many of the names on the list were familiar to Bailey.

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"I do know or have known at least 39 of those recipients," he said. "I go all the way back to 1956. There's a lady there by the name of Lec Fretwell. She was the assistant principal at Beaver High School when I was there. Someone that I was born in (1939), so you can add up those numbers. Definitely, I'm blessed."

"As I said before, I have known, worked with or served with or whatever 39 of the people on that list, and those in my opinion are men and women of great distinction. Men and women who were judges, physicians, lawyers, philanthropists, college presidents, ministers, writers, people in TV, newspapers, bank presidents and other individuals who were very successful in business endeavors," Bailey said. "I do admire and have admired those individuals for their dedication and service in making the Four Seasons area a better place to life and work."

"And I strongly believe and I like the words Dr. Stuart had to say, it's in his speech. I believe all those men and women you have read about in there have embraced the Rotary motto, the International Rotary Motto, Put Service Above Self," Bailey said.

Bailey recalled the words of a British prime minster who led his nation during its darkest hour.

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"I think all of them have exhibited that in their lives, and I think they have heeded a quote of a gentleman by the name of Sir Winston Churchill," Bailey said. "And what he said is 'We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.'"

Contact Greg Jordan at

gjordan@bdtonline.com

Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com
(COLORADO SPRINGS)  In honor of Veterans Day this week, two veterans in Colorado, including a local veteran from Fountain, were honored for their service and given the keys to a new car on Thursday, Nov. 14 as part of Progressives 12th Annual Keys to Progress vehicle giveaway.

Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Cora Mitchell

On Thursday morning, U.S. Army Veteran Amelia Haithcock from Fountain and U.S. Army and Air Force Reserve Veteran Amanda Fitzgerald from Fort Lupton were both given a new set of keys thanks to the partnership with Progressive and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

The ceremony was held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at the Progressive Insurance Claims Office off Voyager Parkway and included speakers from Progressive and Enterprise.

Photo is of U.S. Army Veteran Amelia Haithcock, courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Cora Mitchell Photo is of U.S. Army and Air Force Reserve Veteran Amanda Fitzgerald, courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Cora Mitchell

According to Progressive, Haithcock was stationed at Fort Bliss in Texas from 2020 to 2022 and plans to use her new car to go on a trip with her family. As for Fitzgerald, who was stationed at March Air Reserve Base in California from March 2009 to July 2015, she was planning to use her new car to take her family bowling.

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Ive never had a car, said Fitzgerald. Ive always rented cars this is now my car I have something thats mine and nobody can take it away.

Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Cora Mitchell

During the ceremony, it was announced that Fitzgerald developed a passion for serving her community at an early age, volunteering when she was a teen at the Red Cross. Meantime, Haithcock said she learned discipline and leadership skills also at an early age and was involved in JROTC in high school.

Since the giveaways inception in 2013, Progressive has donated more than 1,100 vehicles to veterans and veteran organizations. As part of the annual giveaway this year, 100 veterans and military-related organizations across the country will receive the keys to a new car.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
The Colorado Springs Planning Commission rolled back two aspects of the proposed city code that would widely allow accessory dwelling units to
LOGAN, Utah (ABC4)  The Logan Police Department is searching for a suspect caught on surveillance video vandalizing and stealing American and Trump flags on the west side of the city.

Logan Police Lt. Derek Dickey told ABC4.com the first report came in on Nov. 7, just two days after Donald Trump won the White House in the 2024 election. Just days later, on Nov. 11, Logan Police received four more reports in the same area, near 400 and 500 North.

Home security cameras reportedly caught the suspect on video cutting down the American and Trump flags that were hanging on peoples porches. Dickey said that on one of the houses, the suspect allegedly spray-painted vulgarities regarding fascism, though he did not disclose details.

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Anyone who has information about the suspects and reported thefts is asked to contact the Logan Police Department through its non-emergency line at 435-753-7555.

Utah County schools affected by school shooting threat hoax

The thefts of the American and Trump flags are just the latest in a series of flag thefts in Logan. In August, unrelated vandals were caught on video tearing down pride and transgender flags off their posts outside the Logan Pride Center.

About one month later, a 16-year-old was referred to the First District Juvenile Court, facing hate crime charges of theft and criminal mischief.

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Lt. Dickey said this kind of vandalism is standard in election years, but that does not make it OK.

Whatever political beliefs you have, there are people out there who dont agree with you and feel this is the appropriate way to show their displeasure. Obviously, its not, said Dickey. Respect others, respect their property, even if you dont respect their views. If its not yours, dont touch it.

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A renowned Russian chef known for his strong criticism of Russia's war against Ukraine was found dead during a visit to Serbia's capital. The death of Alexei Zimin, who has lived in London for years, is the latest in a series of deaths involving Russian expatriates critical of the war.

A source close to the investigation told AFP that Zimin's body was discovered late on Nov. 12 in a rented apartment in Belgrade, where he was staying while promoting his latest book, "Anglomania."

Zimin co-founded the ZIMA restaurant in London, contributed as a senior writer for various magazines, and co-authored multiple books. Serbian authorities informed the BBC that there were "no suspicious circumstances" surrounding his death, and that both an autopsy and toxicology report were in progress.

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Born in Russia in 1971, Zimin established several restaurants in Moscow before departing after Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea.

Zimin's restaurant in London, Zima, confirmed the chef's death on Instagram. "For us, Alexei was not only a colleague, he was our friend, a close person with whom we were lucky to go through a lot - both good, kind and sad," the restaurant said.

Read also: Kremlin finds new enemies to target  Russians without kids

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A Long Island doctor has admitted to ordering medically unnecessary brain scans in a nearly $900,000 fraud scheme that lasted for over six years, prosecutors said Friday.

Dr. Kenneth Fishberger, of East Setauket, pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

The 75-year-old internist, who has been a licensed medical doctor in New York for nearly five decades, was charged in federal court in Boston for his alleged role in the scheme on Oct. 23.

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Prosecutors say Fishberger received illegal payments in exchange for ordering transcranial doppler scans, or TCD scans, of patients who were falsely diagnosed. TCD scans are diagnostic tests used to measure blood flow in parts of the brain.

According to investigators, Fishberger conspired with other people  including a salesperson and a principal for a mobile medical diagnostics company  to order hundreds of medically unnecessary TCD scans in exchange for kickbacks.

Fishberger would get paid approximately $100 per test, prosecutors said.

The scheme, which lasted from June 2013 until December 2019, resulted in fraudulent bills of over $890,000 to Medicare and private insurance companies.

Fishberger is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 25, 2025. He faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.- The long-awaited journey for 17-year-old Jose to find his forever family has now come to an end.

Cheering and crying filled the Ninth West Judicial Circuit Court and the Arkansas Department of Human Services conference room today as the judge declared Jose was now adopted.

11-year-old Arkansas boy finds forever home after years in foster care

Jose suffered from shaken baby syndrome at the hands of a caretaker when he was just a baby.

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His birth family took him to a care facility for the 24-hour care that he needed, and soon after his family began to abandon him, which is when the states foster care stepped in.

His life began to change when Mary Zhang stepped in.

When I first visited my intention was to be an advocate for him medically speaking, Dr. Zhang said.

Jose suffered severe brain damage, is mostly paralyzed, is verbally and visually impaired, and requires a feeding tube, common symptoms of shaken baby syndrome, which is why Zhang was introduced.

As we visited him more and more we just knew that we wanted him a part of our family, Zhang said.

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Saline County family adopts three siblings, sheds light on important need in foster care

Zhang shared with her husband her calling to adopt.

You know you had kind of gotten to where he needs someone and I was like lets do it, Patrick Sullivan said.

Hes lived his entire life in a facility like I mean how do you, Zhang said.

Zhang and Sullivan said Jose was an answered prayer.

We want to be his support system, we want to be just a constant presence in his life, we want to pray over him all the time consistently and we just want to try to do everything that we know that Jesus would do, Zhang said.

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Thursday under oath, Zhang and Sullivan declared their intentions to the judge to adopt Jose, and it was granted.

Wednesdays Child: Meet Brecken, a 17-year-old hoping for a family who will embrace him for who he is

After nearly 17 years in the foster care system, Jose now has a family.

When we look into his eyes and rub his face, he knows that we love him, Zhang said.

Jose will remain in the facility to get the care that he needs, however this time it will be with the support and daily loving visits from his new mom and dad.

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MERIDEN, Conn. (WTNH)  When most people think of police K-9s, images of German Shepherds trained to apprehend suspects come to mind. However, the Connecticut State Police K-9 Unit encompasses much more than that, with a diverse range of breeds and specialized training that extends far beyond traditional roles.

Sgt. Martin Tartaglino, a member of the Connecticut State Police canine division, emphasizes the units multifaceted nature.

People think police dog and they think German Shepherds, he said. But, the reality is, we train for 11 different disciplines here at the K-9 unit  more than meets the eye.

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The K-9 training facility in Meriden serves as a hub for training 200 K-9 teams, encompassing local, federal and international training efforts. According to Tartaglino, the dogs are capable of performing tasks that include detecting narcotics, explosives and even electronic storage devices.

In 1986, we trained the worlds first scientifically validated accelerant detection dog, Tartaglino said. And in 2012, we trained the worlds first electronic storage device detection dog, as well.

East Haven K-9 to retire after 8 years of service

Historically, the K-9 unit began with just three bloodhounds nearly 90 years ago, primarily used for tracking and man-trailing. While bloodhounds remain a vital part of the team, they now work alongside German Shepherds and labrador retrievers, that are trained to find human remains and various illicit materials.

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Some of the things theyre trained to detect include bulk currency, narcotics, accelerants and explosives, Tartaglino noted.

The units reach extends well beyond Connecticut, with the state police finding, purchasing and training dogs for law enforcement agencies in countries such as Egypt, Cyprus, Greece, Chile, England and Canada. On American soil, the K-9 division plays a critical role in protecting vital locations, including the Pentagon and the United Nations.

Despite their roles as working animals, Tartaglino reminds the public that these dogs are also beloved family members.

Dogs are members of our family at home, but families have to understand that these are working dogs, he said.

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The commitment of the K-9 teams is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year responsibility, built on a partnership and a promise to protect one another. As the Connecticut State Police K-9 Unit continues to evolve, their contributions to law enforcement remain invaluable, proving that theres much more to these four-legged officers than meets the eye.

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(WJW)  As we honor our veterans this week, two former Ohio service members have received a life-changing gift: the keys to a brand-new vehicle. This gesture goes beyond a simple set of keys  it represents a fresh start and a new beginning for those who served.

Today, military veterans across the United States, including two Ohio residents, were awarded vehicles as part of Progressives Keys to Progress program. This annual initiative, started in 2013, has become a valuable resource for veterans in need, providing them with reliable transportation as they transition back to civilian life.

SEE INSIDE: Local mid-mod home goes off the market fast

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This year, nearly 100 veterans and military-related organizations nationwide benefited from the vehicle giveaway. Since its inception, Keys to Progress has donated over 1,100 vehicles to veterans, helping them with the crucial transportation needed to move forward.

Among this years Ohio recipients are Vincent McGreal from Akron and Brandon Williams from Strongsville. Both veterans expressed gratitude, saying the gift has a significant impact on their daily lives and future goals.

Getting to and from class and work, also. Relying on my fiancee to take me places. Thats probably the best thing  just having a reliable mode of transportation, McGreal said.

For Williams, the gift of a car means newfound freedom and opportunities.

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Its a lot of emotions going on cause this is giving me the ability to do things Ive been wanting to do for a while, he said.

Advance Auto Parts to close more than 700 locations

Progressives Keys to Progress program aims to remind all of us the importance of giving back, especially to those who have sacrificed so much for our country.

This annual tradition not only changes lives but also reinforces the power of community support for our veterans.

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PURCELLVILLE, Va. (DC News Now)  A young, unidentified Black woman who was killed more than 50 years ago in Loudoun County was dug up in 2023 because new DNA technology could help give her name back.

But while that process continues, a legal loophole is preventing her from being buried again.

For the past year, forensics experts have been trying to answer a question that has been unanswered for more than five decades: who is the Jane Doe killed in Loudoun County in 1973?

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Concerns rise as Trump pledges to dismantle the Department of Education

Obviously DNA technology didnt exist so there is no direct match DNA thats possible, said Loudoun County Sheriffs Office Lt. Col. Christopher Sawyer. So it requires going through family trees and trying to build the genealogy back.

Sawyer said that could take a while, but in the meantime, Jane Doe is stuck at the medical examiners office in Manassas.

Sheriffs deputies said Virginia law prohibits them from burying an unidentified body.

We really dont feel like its the appropriate or respectful thing to do to not be able to give her the proper burial that she deserves, Sawyer said.

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The issue was raised by Loudoun County Chair Phyllis Randall at a Board of Supervisors meeting earlier this month.

We want to be able to respectfully reinter her and we cant, she said.

Randall pushed for the county to advocate for a change to the law or an exception for anybody that had previously been buried and had been exhumed for the purposes of either DNA or investigation.

Martinsburg High School flute player to perform in Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade

If that person still cannot be identified, they can legally be reinterred, she said.

Investigators priority is still to crack the case. Jane Doe was a Black woman between the ages of 18-25 when she was shot to death. She was found on a farm in the Lincoln area, and for the last roughly 25 years had been buried at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Purcellvill.

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She was murdered. That is a fact, Sawyer said. We would love to be able to bring that case to justice. Thats the ultimate goal. But even if we cant do that, we also feel the right and respectful thing to do is to be able to give her her name back and give her family answers and closure.

The Loudoun County Sheriffs Office is working with a funeral home to give Jane Doe a proper burial, once it is allowed.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, center, greets Rep. Polly Thomas, R-Metairie, left, with Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Pineville, to the right, as he enters the Louisiana House of Representatives on the opening day of a legislative special session, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, at the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge.(Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate, Pool)

A central part of Gov. Jeff Landrys plan to revamp the states tax laws is struggling to gain the votes needed to pass, and some lawmakers have said the bill that would expand the sales tax to services and labor is dead in its current form.

House Bill 9, sponsored by Rep. Neil Riser, R-Columbia, was sidelined for the second day in a row Thursday as he chose not to bring it up for a vote on the House floor. The measure would expand the state sales tax to apply to a list of more than 40 services, including lawn care, massage therapy and various home repair offerings.

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Similar legislation to place sales taxes on online streaming subscriptions and other digital services cleared the House on Wednesday.

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Riser, who represents a rural area of northeast Louisiana, expressed the precarious nature of the situation in an interview on the House floor as lawmakers adjourned for the day, saying theres nothing in the bill that could be changed to gain support from one lawmaker without losing support from another.

Its like a ripple in time, Riser said.

His bill is part of a package Gov. Landry proposed offering lower personal and business income taxes in exchange for more sales taxes and fewer tax credits. Supporters of the plan maintain its measures would bring more business and jobs to the state.

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For a special session that must end by 6 p.m. Nov. 25, the current pace of legislation doesnt bode well for the original package of bills.

Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, said in an interview Risers proposal has been a particular sticking point for lawmakers.

The services have been very difficult throughout this whole process because if you kept everybody in, thats one thing, Henry said. But once you start breaking down and picking winners and losers, it became very difficult to justify.

Tax bills in Louisiana require a two-thirds majority in each legislative chamber to pass.

From the start, a significant number of lawmakers from each political party have expressed reluctance about taxing services and labor. Some fear its impact will land hardest on lower income residents, and others are concerned with the cost and logistical burden placed on small businesses and sole proprietors.

Rep. Mike Bayham, R-Chalmette. (Allison Allsop)

Rep. Mike Bayham, R-Chalmette, said Risers bill would leave many small business owners with no choice but to hire accountants who would likely charge a premium because demand would go through the roof.

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Small businesses are going to be stampeding into accountants offices, Bayham said. And, by the way, whose services does the bill exempt from taxation? The accountants.

He said he hopes the governor will realize parts of his plan could end up favoring large businesses over smaller ones.

We cannot be corporatists, Bayham said. We must help our small businesses along with our big businesses. Dont favor one over the other.

Sen. Gerald Boudreaux of Lafayette, who chairs his chambers Democratic Caucus, said the sheer number of new services to be taxed would create collection enforcement issues.

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Theres just so many that have never been taxed before, Boudreaux said.  How are we going to regulate that, and how is it going to be done?

New doubts began to mount Wednesday during a hearing on Risers bill in the House Ways & Means Committee when several insurance industry executives testified to how the proposal would force property insurance premiums to increase.

Rodney Braxton, a lobbyist for the Insurance Council of Louisiana trade association, told lawmakers rates would undoubtedly increase if labor on home repairs is taxed.

The bill would exempt any property services and repairs as a result of an officially declared disaster and any services considered capital improvements that increase the value of a property. However, insurance executives told the committee those exemptions could actually create uncertainty in the underwriting market, ultimately resulting in higher costs for policyholders.

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If enacted, Risers bill is estimated to generate $1.9 billion in state revenue over the next five years, according to an analysis released Thursday evening by the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Office. Without that potential revenue available, lawmakers would likely have to consider increasing sales taxes on other items.

The House did manage to pass related legislation that would set the actual sales tax rate to 4.4%, allowing 0.05% of a House Bill 10, sponsored by Rep. Mark Wright, R-Covington, cleared the chamber with a 71-23 vote  just one over the two-thirds needed for tax measures.

Wrights bill underwent several floor amendments that tacked on tax exemptions for diapers, church books and other special interests. The legislation heads next to the Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs.

Henry said he would rather not adjust the flat tax bills, which set rates of 3% for personal income and 3.5% for businesses.

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There could be delaying implementation of this to see how much revenue comes in on the other bills , Henry said, specifically mentioning the digital services tax bill. Maybe we dont have to address it now. We could address it in the future.

Any such discussions have been put on hold until lawmakers reconvene Monday.

Julie ODonoghue contributed to this report.

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Nov. 14A Louisiana man has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter after Maine police accused him of killing his girlfriend's young son in Owl's Head.

Aziayh Scott, 23, was arraigned in Knox County Superior Court Thursday afternoon. He is accused of killing 22-month-old Quayshawn Wilson, who was found unresponsive at a Thomaston Walmart on May 29.

Scott is being held on $50,000 bail. A trial date has not yet been scheduled.

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He spoke little during the brief hearing via Zoom on Thursday, other than to enter his plea and assure Justice Patrick Larson that he understood the charge and his rights.

His lawyer, Christopher MacLean, previously cast doubt on allegations that Scott had stomped on the toddler, causing his death.

An affidavit for Scott's arrest was still unavailable to the public immediately after his court appearance, but a state prosecutor discussed details of the document in earlier proceedings.

Quayshawn's mother, Shaneka Washington, was working in Maine as a travel nurse. The couple had just arrived to Owls Head a day earlier, although Scott had previously come up with Washington on another work trip and worked at the local Home Depot.

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Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Liam Funte determined that Quayshawn died of a lacerated liver and internal bleeding, which Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Ackerman has said could have resulted from someone stomping on the boy.

But MacLean said last month that the injuries could have been caused by improper life-saving measures from too much force being used during CPR.

MacLean hasn't said why he thinks Quayshawn might have been unresponsive in the first place, but both he and Ackerman have said there are videos of the boy seeming healthy earlier that day.

Unless the state dismisses the charge, MacLean said this case is definitely going to a jury, possibly next summer.

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"Aziayh did not harm the baby and would never harm anyone," MacLean said in an email. "Our view is that the state has no evidence at all suggesting that Aziayh is guilty of anything."

BAIL ARGUMENTS

Scott has been at Two Bridges Regional Jail since the summer. He was arrested by Louisiana State Police outside of New Orleans on June 3, days after Quayshawn's death, and later transferred to Maine.

His family, who is also in Louisiana, has been trying desperately to lower his bail. On Oct. 31, they flew into Maine for a second bail hearing in Rockland where MacLean highlighted the circumstantial nature of the allegations against Scott and his limited financial means. Scott's family has only been able to raise about $15,000 to post for bail.

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Retired Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Hjelm agreed on Nov. 4 to lower Scott's bail to $50,000, a drastic reduction from the $250,000 that was originally set on July 22.

MacLean said he was grateful Hjelm considered the case carefully but said his client still suffers from an unfair bail system. If Scott were rich, MacLean said, he could keep his job, meet regularly with his lawyer and receive excellent mental health and medical care.

Instead, MacLean said Scott remains "in a noisy, dirty, and often violent jail," where he has to meet with his lawyer "through heavy plate glass where (we) both need to yell to be heard over the yelling and commotion of the jail."

Scott has no criminal history. His mother said during the Oct. 31 bail hearing that he was a good student, raised in a religious community where his parents worked hard to keep him out of the criminal justice system.

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She believes in his innocence and said she has struggled with how her son has been described in court hearings and news coverage since his arrest, including the state's allegations of domestic violence between Scott and Washington.

Scott was arrested in Louisiana days after Quayshawn's death as a fugitive, according to police, but MacLean has argued that Scott thought he had permission from Maine State Police to leave for Quayshawn's funeral.

Scott called Washington several times from jail, asking her to speak with detectives and prosecutors for the state. Ackerman has argued this amounted to witness tampering and violated no-contact orders.

While Scott was waiting in a Louisiana jail to be transferred to Maine, Ackerman said he also called his ex-girlfriend, urging her to speak with police in a separate case where he was wanted for robbery and violating a protection order.

Those charges were dismissed and MacLean has suggested they could have been a ruse. Neither he nor Ackerman have been able to obtain any further information on what happened.

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Two groups accused the Colorado Bureau of Investigation of skirting a federally required oversight process to investigate misconduct in its forensics lab, adding to mounting allegations of wrongdoing at the embattled agency.

In a five-page letter dated Wednesday, the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado and the Korey Wise Innocence Project demanded more accountability and transparency in the CBIs ongoing investigation of its former star forensic scientist, Yvonne Woods, known as Missy, who was found to have mishandled, falsified or deleted DNA findings for years at the lab.

Those problems have thrown into question the fate of an unknown but potentially vast number of past criminal convictions in Colorado that relied on her analysis of evidence.

The two groups said the CBI failed to comply with the terms of a federal grant to its lab that required an outside governmental agency have a process in place and be used to investigate if reports of serious misconduct surface.

As part of CBIs current Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Program grant, the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office was designated as the investigator as part of the grant application, according to a grant program officials email sent to the states Innocence Project and shared with The Denver Gazette.

But when attorneys at that group filed an open records request with the sheriffs office for information about the status of its CBI investigation, the sheriffs department replied that it had no such records, the letter stated.

That led the groups to believe there had been no investigation or that the sheriffs office did not know it had been designated as the investigative unit, attorneys for the groups said in interviews on Thursday.

A spokesperson for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said in an email to The Gazette that it can confirm that the JCSO would only investigate conduct involving the CBI at the request of the CBI, and we have not received any such request.

In a letter Friday, Chris Schaefer, CBI director, responded to the head of both groups in a letter which said his agency "has communicated and collaborated with multiple partners to ensure accountability in this investigation and compliance with our responsibilities under this grant."

Schaefer's letter added: "We have implemented improvements across Forensic Services, and we are looking forward to instituting additional improvements with the insight of the independent external assessors who will conduct a full assessment of our laboratory operations."

At the heart of the scandal, Woods, a 29-year veteran of the CBI lab and once considered the go-to expert in DNA testing for the state, was allowed to retire last November just before the problems were made public. So far, CBI has reported discovering 809 "anomalies" in her past work dating back to 1994.

The full scope of the crisis remains unclear, as she is also accused of covering up deletions of data and other missed steps to avoid detection.

This intentional misconduct had the potential to cause grave injustices, the two groups said in their letter to CBI.

In 2014 and again in 2018, Woods work was flagged by colleagues who reported concerns to lab supervisors. She was temporarily relieved of her duties in 2018 and sent for mental health counseling but was soon cleared to resume her work. Yet it was not until an intern in the lab sounded the alarm in the fall of 2023 about Woods that CBI, as part of its investigation, disclosed previous problems.

Emma Mclean-Riggs, a senior staff attorney at the Colorado ACLU, complained that transparency has been so limited.

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She said the agency has not yet released comprehensive information on affected cases and who might be impacted.

We dont even know how they are identifying the cases that they have, she said in an interview on Thursday.

She added that it is unclear how  or even if  people now in prison who might have been convicted due to Woods findings have been notified.

On Oct. 31, The Denver Gazette profiled the case of Michael Clark, who is serving a life sentence for a murder he said he did not commit. Clark was convicted in Boulder County in 2012, largely on the strength of a DNA analysis done by Woods of a Carmex lip balm container found at the scene of the crime. Her conclusion of a partial DNA match to Clark has now been questioned.

The Boulder County District Attorney has agreed to retest the DNA in that case. Clarks defense attorney has asked that his clients conviction be overturned.

Mclean-Riggs said post-conviction appeals are rarely easy, as the onus is on the defendant to prove he or she was wronged, and often those defendants are poor and lack the resources and savvy to launch such a case.

She said she remains troubled by what she described as the lack of true accountability by CBI. She wonders how many have been wrongly convicted, she said.

This should worry all of us, she said.

Last fall, in addition to CBIs own internal investigation, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation was tapped to investigate possible criminal charges against Woods. Rob Low, a spokesperson at CBI, said South Dakota was picked because of its proximity to Colorado and its ability to investigate.

So far, after a year, South Dakota has not issued its findings.

On Thursday, a spokesperson for the District Attorneys Office in Jefferson County, where the lab is located, said its office has received some files from South Dakota and is in the early process of reviewing them, but no decision has been made on whether Woods will be charged.

Additionally, CBI recently offered a contract to a small Wisconsin consulting firm to audit its forensic services. Forward Resolutions LLC, founded in January, has been offered $770,000 to conduct a two-year assessment and review the policies and procedures at the lab.

McLean-Riggs said that only auditing two years  out of years of problems  is incredibly limited in scope in a concerning way.

CBI has maintained that going back further was unnecessary because it has already been done as part of the agencys internal investigation.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation's letter of response to the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado and the Korey Wise Innocence Project.
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)  The Louisiana Senate approved a proposed constitutional amendment that could send young teens to adult court. It has to be approved by the House during this special session before being put before voters.

During the Louisiana Legislatures 2024 Third Extraordinary Session, state Sen. Heather Cloud introduced Senate Bill 2, which is related to the sentencing of a juvenile convicted of committing a crime.

According to the Legislature, present law reportedly tries juveniles as adults who were convicted of first- and second-degree murder, manslaughter, aggravated rape, armed robbery, aggravated burglary, aggravated kidnapping, attempted first- and second-degree murder, forcible rape, simple rape, second-degree kidnapping and manufacturing/distribution/possession with the intent to distribute CDS.

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If this amendment is passed, the proposed law would remove the listed crimes and let children and teens be tried in adult court for any crime provided by law instead of using special guidelines for juveniles.

Two-thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives must vote OK the amendment. After, Louisiana voters will have the chance to approve it through a statewide election.

Louisiana lawmakers advance bill to cut individual income taxes

Senate passed it 28-9, and its on track to be introduced to the Louisiana House of Representatives.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)  A New Iberia woman was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison in connection to a 2023 bank robbery in Baton Rouge.

Jazmine Johnnie, 23, of New Iberia, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison after being convicted of bank robbery. She was also further sentenced to serve three years of supervised release after her release and ordered to pay $3,500 in restitution, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Johnnie reportedly admitted to driving a rented Dodge Challenger to the branch location of JPMorgan Chase Bank on Highland Road on Oct. 9, 2023. According to the DOJ, she stated she spoke with the teller saying she would leave the bank and return the next day. She left the bank and drove away.

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Johnnie returned to the same bank on Oct. 10, 2023. According to the DOJ, as Johnnie walked into the banks lobby, she stopped at the desk and wrote a note on the back of a blank withdrawal slip.

According to the DOJ, the note read: This bomb in my bag will go off in 5 minutes! My BF is speaking to the teller with a AK & is ready to shoot if cops are (sic) security is notified[.] You have 15 seconds to give me 45,000 are (sic) everyone dies. Timer is on. You try anything or notify anyone & the bomb will go off. Clock is ticking.

$45,000 had a circle around it, according to the DOJ.

Georgia woman faces federal prison after embezzling $1.69M from Louisiana business

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After she had written the note, Johnnie made her way to the teller station, where she slipped the note to the teller. According to the DOJ, Johnnie then put her purse down and revealed the screen of her phone to the teller. Her phone showed a timer that was counting down.

The teller ultimately gave Johnnie $3,500 in cash. After putting the cash into her purse, Johnnie exited the bank, got back into the Challenger and drove away, per the DOJ release.

She ultimately surrendered to the police and admitted to the robbery during a post-arrest interview, according to the DOJ.

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Lara Trump is ready and willing to join the U.S. Senate if called, she told Fox Newss Sean Hannity on Wednesday.

The co-chair of the Republican National Committee and daughter-in-law to Donald Trump has been floated by Florida Sen. Rick Scott as a potential replacement for Sen. Marco Rubio following his nomination earlier this week to serve as Donald Trumps Secretary of State.

Lara Trump said the opportunity to join the Senate would be "incredible."

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If I am able to serve, I would love to be able to serve the people of Florida, Lara Trump said, noting that she hasnt yet been asked to take the role.

Lara Trump: If I am able to serve I would love to serve the people of Florida.. if I am asked, I would love to consider it but I have yet to have a conversation with Governor Desantis so we will have to see. pic.twitter.com/Xbof50Pnn0  Acyn (@Acyn) November 14, 2024

No one knows better than I do the America First agenda or the goals of Donald Trump in the coming four years, she added.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis would be tasked with appointing Rubios replacement in the Senate. Outside of Lara Trump, other frontrunners for the opening include Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and DeSantis himself.

Lara Trump has the support of at least one would-be colleague: Lindsey Graham. In an interview with Hannity earlier in the evening on Wednesday, the South Carolina senator praised her work as RNC co-chair.

We could not do better on the Republican side than Lara Trump, Graham said.
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Maori lawmakers disrupted a parliamentary vote in New Zealand by performing a protest Haka on Thursday, to resist a proposed law that critics say would roll back the rights of Indigenous New Zealanders.

After being asked how she would vote in response to the proposed bill, Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke of New Zealands Maori party rose and began a Haka, a ceremonial Maori performance of a series of intricate movements and facial expressions. As she led the Haka, she tore a copy of the law in half. Members of the Labour and Green parties joined in in support of the Haka, as did some of the public seated in the gallery.

Gerry Brownlee, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, appeared to roll his eyes as the Haka began and eventually suspended the session of the House, and eventually, Maipi-Clarke was suspended for one day for her actions. Earlier in the same session, veteran Maori lawmaker Willie Jackson was ejected from the House telling the representative who proposed the controversial law, "You should be ashamed of yourself, and you are a liar. Jackson refused to withdraw his statement and apologize.

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The Treaty Principles Bill proposes reinterpreting the Treaty of Waitangi, an 1840 agreement guaranteeing the Maori certain land and cultural rights in exchange for granting the British governance of New Zealand.

Critics of the proposed bill say it will erode land and cultural rights, health care initiatives and cultural preservation efforts granted to the Maori people under the Treaty of Waitangi. David Seymour, a Maori lawmaker and leader of minor libertarian party ACT said on Thursday that, What all of these principles have in common is that they afford Maori different rights from other New Zealanders.

According to New Zealands 1 News, opposition leader Chris Hipkins said that just introducing the Bill was "effectively [undoing] decades worth of work to restore the relationship between Maori and the Crown" and was "a massive step backwards for New Zealand. And unfortunately, even if the Bill doesn't proceed beyond its first reading, the damage has already been done here," he said.

The Treaty Principles Bill is unlikely to pass. Still, thousands of New Zealanders marched toward Wellington to protest the Treaty Principles Bill. The protest is expected to be among the largest race relations marches in the countrys history.

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(Bloomberg) -- Frances Emmanuel Macron will make a long-shot bid this weekend to convince Argentine President Javier Milei to help preserve the international order ahead of a key global summit.

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Macron will meet Milei right after the libertarian flew to Florida to effusively praise US President-elect Donald Trump, and right before the Group of 20 leaders summit in Brazil next week.

The French leader will try to persuade Milei to join efforts to protect the current consensus on international affairs and the environment as the world braces for Trumps return to the White House, a senior Elysee official said. Macrons call is urgent given Trumps disbelief in multilateralism and his contempt for climate and social issues, a second official said.

An Argentine official confirmed the French have signaled the topics will be high on the agenda in the Macron-Milei talks.

Macron has his work cut out for him in Buenos Aires. At Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort Thursday, the Argentine president lashed out against the crumbling old regime that he says includes supernational organizations.

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Speaking in front of the US president-elect and others, he added: The political caste, the establishment, the swamp, or whatever you want to call it  to us its a cathedral of material and spiritual misery.

To that end, Argentina is already re-evaluating its strategy on climate change and reconsidering participation in the landmark Paris Agreement , though no decision has yet been taken, Mileis Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein told the New York Times in an interview Thursday.

Earlier Thursday, Mileis negotiating team left the annual United Nations climate conference taking place in Azerbaijan, only four days into the summit that runs through Nov. 22. In the run-up to the G-20 summit, Milei angered world diplomats in Brazil by refusing to sign onto language on gender equality. Milei called climate change another socialist lie last December.

The libertarian hopes a second Trump government will tip the scales in favor of Argentina at the International Monetary Fund just as the nation seeks a new deal to replace the $44 billion program currently in place. The Argentine leader has also been cozying up to Musk  the two have met at least three times this year, and the billionaire has said his companies are looking for ways to invest in Argentina.

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Macron has long cast himself as the protector of a multilateral system in which the rule of law grants economic and social progress.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  Over the last several weeks, a group of magnet fishers have taken to D.C.s Navy Yard neighborhood and removed tons of trash from the Anacostia River.

Tires, bikes, scooters. You name it, they find it.

Kevin Sutliff, Ian White and Ashley Geoghegan, all from Virginia, have traveled throughout the DMV and surrounding areas to magnet fish in the regions waterways. They first got into the hobby during the pandemic.

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Its exactly what it sounds like. Their crew throws large, heavy-duty magnets into bodies of water, waits to see what sticks and pulls out what they find.

Google Store (the brick-and-mortar kind) planned for Georgetown

The magnet fishers described the areas around the Navy Yard docks as a gold mine for magnet fishing.

We look for waterways that are near high foot-traffic areas, like bars and restaurants. We did the Georgetown Waterfront a few times, White said. Then, we started to hit the Navy Yard spot a few weeks ago and it became a gold mine for scooters and bikes. That spot has been really good to us.

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The reaction from the local community is typically positive wherever theyre throwing.

The first reaction usually is, What are you guys doing? What are you fishing for?' Sutliff said.

Once we sit and talk with them a little bit, and explain what were doing and that were cleaning up the environment, theyre usually pretty positive. They say, Youre doing a great job. Youre doing the Lords work,' White added.

So far this year, the group has pulled thousands of pounds of scrap and trash from the regions waterways.

STEM for Her Day in DC hopes to inspire young girls

Some of the trash, like big bikes and scooters, cant be scrapped or thrown out like normal trash. They call local agencies to let them know it needs removal.

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Cleaning up the Anacostia River has been a priority for D.C. for years, with some organizations looking to make the river swimmable again one day.

We know there have been a few efforts to get the Anacostia cleaned up. Part of what were doing is bringing awareness to these issues and hopefully getting more folks involved, said Geoghegan.

Typically theyre pulling up jewelry, bikes and scrap metal, but sometimes they find more than they were looking for.

Its a rare thing. On occasion, we do find pistols and things like that, Sutliff said.

When they find things that could be nefarious, they alert the local authorities.

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Any time we find anything a little bit sketchy, we call the police department. Anything wrapped up in doggie bags, wrapped up in duct tape. Wed rather not deal with that, Geoghegan said.

DC Power FC brings former NFL player Vernon Davis to ownership group

The magnet fishers think there could be more hiding beneath the Anacostias surface down by the Navy Yard docks or along the Washington Channel near the Wharf.

Theyre planning to go back there this weekend and invite anyone who might be interested to join them and see what its all about.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  A Pierre mail carrier is accused of stealing mail so he could illegally get rebates from Menards.

Court documents say Nicholas Travers would look for letters being sent to the companys rebate center in Elk Mound, Wisconsin.

Veterans Parkway speed limit changing to 50 mph

Hes accused of stealing those envelopes, filling out new rebate forms and then sending in the stolen receipts so the rebates would be sent to him.

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The alleged crimes happened for more than two years.

Travers faces multiple federal charges, including mail fraud and mail theft by an officer or employee.

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(Bloomberg) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahims government faces criticism after it awarded a tender to build the countrys second 5G network to one of the smallest players in the telecommunications industry.

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On Nov. 1, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission picked U Mobile Sdn. over two larger peers, CelcomDigi Bhd. and Maxis Bhd. Some analysts said it was a surprise.

BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, said in a note on Nov. 6 that U Mobiles selection was somewhat surprising given its size and dependence of foreign investments. It urged authorities to provide greater clarity on the merits of U Mobiles proposals.

The MCMC said it was a rigorous selection process. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the decision was final and wouldnt be reviewed.

U Mobiles biggest shareholder, Straits Mobile Investments Pte., is a unit of a company owned by Singapore state investment fund Temasek Holdings Pte. It owns almost half the shares. The second-largest is Malaysias king, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, who holds about 22%. U Mobiles chairman is the tycoon Vincent Tan.

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Its the latest headache for Anwar, who came to power in November 2022 vowing to stamp out cronyism and corruption.

The award process goes against Anwars commitment to good governance, said Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani, a partner at ADA Southeast Asia, a regional consultancy firm. This could impact investor confidence.

Anwar, who is attending APEC meetings this week, has yet to publicly discuss the decision and his office didnt respond to requests for comment. U Mobile, Tan and the national palace didnt respond to requests for comment.

U Mobile announced this week that Straits Mobile would reduce its stake to 20%. Unlike its competitors in the 5G tender bid, U Mobile is privately held, although it has considered an initial public offering since 2019.

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U Mobile was a surprise as either Maxis or CelcomDigi, which both have stronger balance sheets, was expected to win, CIMB Securities analyst Foong Choong Chen said in a note last week. U Mobile has said it would fund the 5G rollout on its own and it wouldnt cost Malaysian taxpayers.

Public Investment Bank analyst Eltricia Foong said in a note on Nov. 11 that given the capital intensity of 5G deployment and U Mobiles high debt level, it needs a strong strategic partner to share the costs.

The decision on the second 5G network has drawn criticism from lawmakers, including one from Anwars own party.

Hassan Karim, from Anwars Parti Keadilan Rakyat, asked if the choice was related to U Mobiles shareholders. He also said the government was repeating the mistakes of earlier Malaysian administrations in creating the potential perception of crony capitalists.

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Tan said on Sunday that Sultan Ibrahim had owned U Mobile shares since 2015, nine years before he was made king. The ruler of Malaysias southern state of Johor became king in January under the countrys unique rotating monarchy where nine hereditary rulers take turns to serve five-year terms.

Any comments involving His Majesty our King should be done responsibly based on facts, not wild accusations, Tan wrote in a column published on a local news website.

Sultan Ibrahim has wide business interests, mainly through his shareholdings in various enterprises. Some of these businesses involve Tan, who founded U Mobile.

The priority should be to ensure people have access to the best telco service, said political analyst Adib Zalkapli, who has covered Malaysia for more than 15 years. We will know in the near future if this was the consideration when U Mobile was made the second 5G operator.

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(Updates with analyst comment in 11th paragraph. An earlier version corrected an analysts name in the last paragraph)

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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP)  Malaysia has protested new maritime laws in the Philippines that it says encroach on its territory, a government official said Friday.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mohamad Alamin said Malaysia sent a protest note on Thursday over the Philippine laws. Experts have found that reference documents related to the laws restated Manila's long-standing claim over the oil-rich Malaysian state of Sabah in northern Borneo, he said.

Last week, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the Philippine Maritime Zones act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes act, which reaffirmed the countrys maritime territories and right to resources, including in the South China Sea. They further cement Manilas rejection of Chinese claims to virtually the entire South China Sea and stipulate jail terms and stiff fines for violators. The laws have also angered China.

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China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Indonesia and Taiwan all claim parts of the South China Sea. Confrontations between Chinese and Philippine coast guard and naval forces in the sea have surged since last year, sparking fears that the United States  Manilas longtime treaty ally  might get drawn into a major conflict.

Mohamad Alamin was quoted by local media as saying in Parliament on Thursday that the new Philippine laws extend its claims into Malaysian boundaries mapped out in 1979 that were internationally recognized. He said the protest note demonstrated Malaysia's commitment to defend its sovereignty.

Sabah, which is two hours away by boat from the southern Philippines, and neighboring Sarawak on Borneo became part of Malaysia in 1963. The Philippines has long laid claims to Sabah, which was once part of the centuries-old sultanate of Sulu.
The son in the father-son duo accused of shooting a child was sentenced Thursday to 31 years in prison.

Ruben Segovia II, 23, is one of two men accused of wounding an autistic 9-year-old girl over a neighbor dispute in January.

According to an arrest affidavit obtained by The Gazette, Segovia and his father, Ruben Segovia-Diaz, in the middle of the day on Jan. 18, shot at the victim's home because of a dispute between neighbors that occurred 20 minutes prior. The affidavit states that one of the four shots discharged at the house struck and wounded the nine-year-old girl living at the home in the stomach. She survived.

Since the shooting, the father-son duo have taken very different paths in their court cases. Court records show Segovia II pleaded guilty to one count of attempted first-degree murder earlier this year. While Segovia-Diaz opted to plead not guilty to all charges and take his case to trial later this year.

Segovia II appeared in court on Thursday for his sentencing hearing, where he faced a sentence range of 25-35 years in the Department of Corrections.

The prosecution during the hearing requested that Judge David Shakes sentence Segovia II to the maximum of 35 years in prison, claiming that Segovia II "lacked remorse" for his actions, had prior firearm-related convictions and was a member of a gang at the time of the shooting.

According to court records Segovia II in 2020 pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor reckless use of a prohibited weapon and received a deferred sentence of 12 months in the Department of Corrections.

According to the affidavit Segovia-Diaz is also believed to have been in a gang.

Several family members of the victim took time to speak to the court on Thursday, including the victim's mother, who highlighted that although her daughter survived her life is forever changed due to the shooting.

The victim's mother, who asked Judge Shakes to impose the maximum sentence on Segovia II, told the court that had the bullet hit her daughter one inch higher she would have died, and one inch lower she would have been paralyzed. The victim's mother continued that since the shooting her daughter has gained over 30 pounds and now struggles to even run.

"My daughter is a bright, bubbly, loving child," the victim's mother said. "This has destroyed my child's life."

The prosecution added that after the shooting the victim's intestines needed to be sewn back together, and she was able to live in large part due to the quick arrival of first responders.

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Segovia II's attorney didn't dispute the seriousness of the shooting, but did dispute the prosecution's claims that Segovia II was not remorseful for his actions.

Segovia II's mother and sister both appeared to court to advocate for a sentence closer to the minimum of 25 years in prison.

"He's still young, he still has a lot of learning to do," Laverne Achuleta, Segovia II's mother, said to the court. "I love my son, but he has to learn a life lesson."

Segovia II was the final person to speak to the court before his sentencing, apologizing to the victim's family for his actions.

"I understand your guys' hatred towards me, I would hate me too," Segovia II said. "I do pray every night for your daughter, and I am sorry."

Following the statements to the court Shakes sentenced Segovia II to 31 years in the Department of Corrections with a mandatory five years of parole on release.

Shakes agreed with the prosecution that the recklessness of the crime and Segovia II's prior convictions warranted a harsher sentence, but disagreed that Segovia II wasn't remorseful for his actions.

As the court prepared to complete the hearing the victim's mother stood up and requested to make one last statement.

"We do forgive you," the victim's mother said to Segovia II. "We hope you become a better person when you get out."

Segovia-Diaz is currently slated to begin trial on Dec. 2 on 15 charges related to the shooting, including attempted first-degree murder, but will appear in court before trial on Nov. 22 for pre-trial readiness. He remains in custody at the El Paso County jail on a $150,000 bond, according to court records.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  A 43-year-old man was hospitalized Thursday night after police said he was hit by a car while trying to cross the street in the city.

According to the Rochester Police Department, the victim, now identified as an Albion man, was trying to cross West Avenue when he was hit. Officers said the man was not in the crosswalk at the time, adding that the area is not well lit.

MCSO investigating rollover crash in Pittsford

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The man is expected to survive his injuries, and the driver of the car was reportedly uninjured. The investigation is ongoing, and the area has since reopened to traffic.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
A Walkersville man accused of murdering his estranged wife at a Giant store in Urbana earlier this year will stand trial after a mental health evaluation affirmed his competency.

Frederick Owusu-Sakyi, 34, is alleged to have shot Tenisha Butler, 33, multiple times on the night of Jan. 6 as she was leaving her shift at the Giant grocery store in Urbana where she worked.

Owusu-Sakyi allegedly had several drinks at a nearby restaurant in the lead-up to the shooting.

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A bartender who was working at the restaurant reportedly told police that Owusu-Sayki was acting strangely that night, walking back and forth from the bar to the front of the restaurant to look outside.

Butler filed for absolute divorce from her husband the day before she was killed and had an active protective order against him at the time, online court records show.

The evaluation was ordered by Frederick County Circuit Judge Julia Martz-Fisher in May after Owusu-Sakyis public defender, Stephen Musselman, asked the court to accept his clients plea of not criminally responsible.

The filing asserted that Owusu-Sakyi lacked substantial capacity to appreciate the criminality of his conduct or to conform his conduct to the requirements of the law at the time of the alleged murder due to a mental disorder.

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Following the evaluation, the Maryland Department of Health deemed Owusu-Sakyi competent to stand trial.

The findings of the Department of Health were returned to the court on Oct. 24 and accepted by Martz-Fisher at a hearing on Tuesday, Frederick County States Attorneys Office spokesperson Jacqueline Rottmann said in a phone interview.

Elizabeth Connell, who is listed in online court records as Owusu-Sakyis current attorney, could not be reached for comment on Thursday.

Owusu-Sakyis trial is scheduled to run from Sept. 8 to 19 in 2025.
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)  An investigation by the Livingston Parish Sheriffs Office led to the arrest of a man.

Marcus Davis, 33, was arrested and charged with indecent behavior with juveniles and computer-aided solicitation of a minor.

In October, detectives with LPSOs Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force along with the Louisiana Bureau of Investigations/Attorney Generals Office were able to proactively begin an investigation into an individual on various social media platforms, according to LPSO.

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As the investigation unfolded, LPSO identified Davis as a suspect in this case. They said he was taken into custody.

The Livingston Parish Sheriffs Office ICAC Task Force is constantly combating internet dangers awaiting the children of Livingston Parish and of the state of Louisiana. The ICAC Task Force works tirelessly to protect our children, said LPSO in a Facebook post.

2 arrested, accused of throwing chairs at mans apartment, beating him with gun in Baton Rouge

Bond has been set at $200,000 for Davis.

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ALEXANDRIA, Va. (DC News Now)  The Alexandria Police Department (APD) said it arrested a man on Thursday for trying to abduct a woman at a dog park last month.

At about 6 p.m. on Oct. 29, a woman was at Holmes Run Dog Park when she was grabbed from behind. APD said the woman was able to fight off 21-year-old Rohid Hakimi, who tried pulling her into a wooded area.

He fled from the scene. At the time, she told police her attacker was wearing a blue sweatshirt and camouflage shorts.

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PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Alexandria police investigate attempted abduction

APD canvassed the surrounding area and worked to find the suspect for weeks before eventually arresting Hakimi.

He was charged with attempted abduction with intent to defile and sexual battery.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A man faces multiple charges after a woman he was dating found multiple non-consensual recordings of the two of them engaged in sexual activity.

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), Matthew Vollmer, 31, is charged with eight counts of unlawful photography. The charges involve four female victims, ranging in age from 26 to 33.

1 in custody after hours-long standoff in Sumner County

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Special Victims Division detectives began their investigation in April after a woman dating Vollmer called to report that shed found a folder with videos of the two of them engaging in sexual activity on his computer. Vollmer reportedly gave her the passcode to his computer while he was out of town, police said.

According to MNPD, the woman was unaware of the video camera in the room. She then found a hidden camera disguised as an alarm clock. She had not consented to being recorded, police said.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee

Further investigation resulted in charges involving three additional victims, according to MNPD. Vollmer is currently free on $40,000 bond. The investigation is ongoing. Unlawful photography is a misdemeanor offense in Tennessee.

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DENVER (KDVR)  A man was convicted of vehicular homicide in a 2020 DUI crash that killed a police officer and another driver in Commerce City.

The crash happened on Oct. 16, 2020, on Highway 2 near Turnberry Parkway in Commerce City. According to a release from the 17th Judicial District Attorneys Office, 49-year-old Fructuoso Rosales-Cano was driving his Ford F-350 westbound, speeding and passing slower cars when he overcorrected to avoid hitting the barrier wall on the right side of the road.

Aurora police seek help in deadly Kingston Street shooting investigation

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He swerved into oncoming traffic and crashed into Commerce City Police Department Detective Curt Hollands vehicle near the drivers side door. Holland was on duty.

Rosales-Canos truck proceeded to rotate, tip and crush a Kia Soul driven by Francesca Domingues. According to the district attorneys office, construction materials from the truck ripped the roof off of the Kia Soul.

Domingues and Holland were both killed instantly in the crash from what the medical examiner described as devastating injuries.

Rosales-Cano received life-threatening injuries in the crash but was taken to a hospital and survived. He was arrested after he was released from the hospital on charges of vehicular homicide and driving under the influence.

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A search of Rosales-Canos vehicle led to the discovery of a number of empty beer cans, small liquor bottles, and a truck that smelled strongly of alcohol. Rosales-Canos blood alcohol content was .294, more than three times the legal limit in Colorado, the press release states.

Over four years after the crash, Rosales-Cano was convicted on multiple charges.

Recognizing that it was a long and arduous process, the effort towards justice is significant and meaningful to the families involved, Mothers Against Drunk Driving Colorado Executive Director Rebecca Green said.

Westminster police investigating deadly assault

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The damage caused by this defendant is truly unfathomable, District Attorney Brian Mason said. Because of one mans indefensible decision to drink and drive, two innocent victims are dead and countless lives are shattered. Francesca Dominguez did not deserve to be taken from her loved ones. Detective Curt Holland should still be alive today serving the community he loved with his wife and two children by his side.

On Thursday, the 17th Judicial District Attorneys Office announced that after a three-day jury trial Rosales-Cano was convicted of the following:

Two counts of vehicular homicide  DUI

Two counts of driving under the influence 2 priors

This day has been a long time coming. While this verdict cannot undo the past and bring back

two individuals who were taken out of this world too soon, I hope it gives their loved ones and

friends the closure that has been so evasive over the last four years, Commerce City Police Chief Darrel Guadnola said in a press release from the police department.

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Rosales-Cano is set to be sentenced on Jan. 9, 2025, by an Adams County District Court judge.

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A Colorado Springs man will serve jail time and be banned from Yellowstone National Park, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Wyoming recently announced. His crime: leaving the trail in a thermal area of the park.

According to a press release, Joseph Aita, 62, "entered the protected area of Canary Spring in Mammoth Hot Springs in the north area of the park" along with his wife, Celia Aita, and their two minor children. He pleaded guilty to the charge of destroying a mineral resource, and received a sentence of seven days in jail and five years of probation. He will be banned from Yellowstone National Park for the duration of that period, and will also pay a fine of $3,000.

Although the sentence may seem severe, Aita actually got off on the lighter side thanks to his guilty plea. Going off-trail in thermal areas of Yellowstone is strictly prohibited, and park officials take this regulation incredibly seriously. This is both due to the fragile nature of the ecosystem and the danger that guests face from the unique geological formations of the area.

Related: Pierce Brosnan Enters Plea in Yellowstone Park Illegal Hiking Charges

Back in 2019, a man was boiled to death in a Yellowstone hot spring attempting to "hot pot," or soak in one of the naturally heated pools of water. That same year, a man was severely burned when he tripped and fell into a thermal pool. Back in September of this year, a woman who intentionally left the trail suffered second- and third-degree burns in the same area.

Needless to say, visitors should stay on official trails at all times. It is required by law where "Stay on Trail" is clearly marked, and heavily encouraged in all other areas of the park.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A 20-year-old man was booked into Metro Jail Friday morning after he allegedly sped away from police along Interstate 40 with drugs in the car, marking his second time fleeing from law enforcement in a two-week span, authorities said.

According to an arrest report, detectives observed a gray Dodge Charger with an Alabama license plate in the westbound lanes of Interstate 40 on Thursday, Nov. 14.

MNPD K9 helps catch man accused of breaking into South Nashville church

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Authorities reported detectives believed the Dodge was the same vehicle that fled from them in the same area a week prior.

While on the interstate, a Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) helicopter tracked the Dodge as it reached speeds of more than 100 miles per hour in a 55 miles per hour zone, states an arrest report.

The helicopter reportedly observed the Dodge exit onto Charlotte Pike and then turn onto Burgess Avenue. Thats when a detective attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle as it approached Bellmore Avenue.

2 men free on bond, another suspect arrested after drugs, gun found in stolen vehicle

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Instead of stopping, the Dodge accelerated up a hill and later came to a stop at the end of a road where the driver identified as 20-year-old Brian Hamilton exited the vehicle and began yelling at detectives, according to an arrest report.

Hamilton was taken into custody and detectives said they advised the remaining occupants to exit the vehicle.

As law enforcement approached, they reported there was an apparent odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. A search of the Dodge revealed approximately 119 grams of marijuana in multiple bags, a digital scale and several zip lock baggies, which detectives say are consistent with street level illegal narcotics sales.

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Hamilton was charged with possession with intent of a Scheduled VI drug, unlawful use of drug paraphernalia and evading arrest in a motor vehicle.

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According to court records, Hamilton was released from jail just before 5 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 15.

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A man accused to have been violating a protection order has been arrested, after triggering an hours-long shelter-in-place warning to a swath of Colorado Springs surrounding the 8100 block of North Academy Boulevard.

The man, later identified as 22-year-old Carlos Martinez, was eventually found and arrested on several charges including escape, menacing, false imprisonment, criminal mischief, obstruction and multiple counts of violation of a protection order. Police initially thought he might be armed with a handgun. A BB gun was found at the scene of his arrest.

Police initially received reports of a domestic disturbance just after 3:30 p.m. Thursday, but when officers got to the scene, the man fled. Officers, believing Martinez to be armed, issued the shelter-in-place warning around 4:30 p.m.

Law enforcement began to search the area and soon came to the conclusion he was hiding inside a nearby hotel. Additional units responded, including the Colorado Springs Fire Department.

After giving multiple verbal orders to come out to officers, chemical irritants were introduced. Martinez was taken into custody at 7:15 p.m. and the shelter-in-place was lifted.

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While being taken into a medical facility for evaluation due to chemical irritant exposure, Martinez again ran from police and a foot pursuit followed. Martinez eluded officers for a period of time but eventually was once again taken into custody.

One officer sustained injury during the foot chase. He was treated at a local hospital and released.

Martinez had multiple outstanding misdemeanor warrants at the time of his arrest.
CHICAGO  A search is underway on Thursday afternoon for a man who Chicago police say has been missing for over a month.

According to police, 27-year-old David Rojas has been missing since Tuesday, Oct. 15, and was last spotted in the 5500 block of South Pulaski Road in West Elsdon, on the citys Southwest Side.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Officers said Rojas, who stands 5-foot-6 and weighs around 160 pounds, has brown hair and brown eyes.

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A photo provided by Chicago police shows the missing man with a beard, but it is unclear if he had one at the time of his disappearance.

According to police, 27-year-old David Rojas has been missing since Tuesday, Oct. 15, and was last spotted in the 5500 block of South Pulaski Road in West Elsdon, on the citys Southwest Side.

Police notified the public about the mans disappearance in a news release that was sent out on Thursday afternoon but did not provide details on what he was last seen wearing.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of 27-year-old David Rojas is asked to contact CPD Area One detectives at 312-856-3121 or dial 911.

Those with information that could help authorities in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Nov. 14LIMA  A Harrod man pleaded guilty to third-degree felonies of burglary and violating a protection order Thursday in the Allen County Common Pleas Court.

Spencer Coon, 22, was indicted on a second-degree felony burglary charge and one third-degree felony and three first-degree misdemeanor charges of violating a protection order. The burglary charge was amended and the misdemeanor violating protection order charges were dismissed.

Coon will be sentenced Dec. 19. The charges do not carry mandatory prison time, so if Coon is sentenced to prison, he will be eligible to request judicial release.

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Judge Terri Kohlrieser approved Coon to be released on an own-recognizance bond until sentencing. The protection order that Coon violated was lifted in September.

Reach Charlotte Caldwell at 567-242-0451.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A Buffalo man has pleaded guilty in connection to a shooting in Tonawanda that left another man injured, the Erie County District Attorneys Office said Friday.

Joel Brown, 45, admitted to shooting a 36-year-old man on Kenmore Avenue in Tonawanda on the afternoon of Sept. 9. The man was taken to ECMC to be treated for injuries to his hand and lower torso.

The investigation determined that the shooting was due to a dispute involving money. Brown was at large for over a week after the shooting before he turned himself in to Tonawanda police on Sept. 17.

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Brown pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree attempted assault. He faces a maximum of 15 years in prison when he is sentenced on Jan. 27, 2025. He is being held without bail.

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Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
Deputies are looking to arrest a man who was released from jail nearly a week ago.

Over the weekend, Johntavious Wynn was released from the DeKalb County Jail, but the District Attorneys office says he wasnt supposed to be released.

A spokesperson for the DAs office says Wynn was released on probation on November 9, but there was an order revoking his probation because he violated some of the conditions of his sentence.

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They did not comment on how he broke those conditions.

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Our priority is the safety of the victim in this case, as well as assisting law enforcement in their efforts to apprehend Defendant Wynn, a spokesperson for the DAs office said in a statement.

The sheriffs office told Channel 2 Action News that Wynn was in temporary custody at the DeKalb County Jail while on a production order from a state prison.

They say they followed all of the orders they had and none of them allowed them to continue holding Wynn in the jail.

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According to records with the Georgia Department of Corrections, Wynn was serving a sentence for aggravated battery. The details of his case are unclear.

The sheriffs office says a new warrant has been issued for Wynns arrest and they are searching for him.

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PHILIPPI, W.Va. (WBOY)  A man who previously pleaded guilty to various sex crimes involving a minor was sentenced Thursday in a Barbour County court.

Abdeahmed Gahlan

According to a release from the Barbour County Prosecutor, Abdeahmed Gahlan, 26, was sentenced for the following crimes:

Third-degree sexual assault (1-5 years)

Soliciting a minor via computer (2-10 years)

Soliciting a minor via computer and traveling to engage them in sexual activity (20 years)

Violating a domestic violence protective order (1 year)

Aggravated DUI (6 months)

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2 arrested for fraud after series of mail thefts in Mon County

The charges against Gahlan come after he was arrested for DUI in February 2023. A search warrant was executed on his vehicle, which had New York plates, and deputies located 2.3 grams of presumed marijuana, more than $1,300 in cash, as well as Gahlans phone.

Later that week, deputies conducted an interview with a child younger than 16 at the Harrison County Child Advocacy Center, who disclosed being in a sexual relationship with Gahlan since November 2022.

The release said all of Gahlans sentences will be served consecutivelyor one after another. Gahlan will also be required to register as a sex offender for life and will be subject to 25 years of sexual offender extended supervision once his sentence is complete.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A man who police say led them on a chase from a local traffic stop in which drugs and a gun were found entered a plea in his case and was sentenced last week.

Jason Clay pleaded guilty to charges of attempted tampering with evidence and possession of cocaine, while other charges in the case were dismissed, according to court records.

Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas Judge Maureen Sweeney sentenced Clay last Thursday to 12 months in prison and up to two years of probation. Court records state that he received credit for the 65 days he already served in custody.

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Police arrested Clay following a traffic stop in the 100 block of W. Florida Avenue in September.

Reports state that Clay, a passenger, ran from the vehicle and led police on a chase through nearby yards before he was caught.

Reports state the SUVs driver, DaJauan Moore, remained in the vehicle and told officers that he didnt know why Clay ran from the vehicle, other than that Clay had an active warrant.

During a search of the vehicle, reports state officers recovered a bag of cocaine in the passenger-side door. A K-9 was brought to the scene, discovering a bag of cocaine and two bags of fentanyl on the path Clay had taken through yards.

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Police also recovered a 9 mm pistol near the sidewalk of West Florida Avenue in the direction of the drivers side of the vehicle.

According to court records, charges against Moore were dismissed after the state could not meet its burden of proof.

Laurel Stone contributed to this report.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
BRADFORD COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  A man has been sentenced on charges of having an inappropriate relationship with a child.

According to the Bradford County District Attorneys Office, Paul Roberts III, 43, of Sayre, was sentenced to 12 Years to a maximum of 28 years for multiple convictions of photographing, videotaping, filming sexual acts, and unlawful contact with a minor.

State police stand-off in Monroe County ends with arrest

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Investigators reported despite his age, Roberts was actively engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a minor in Burlington Township.

Roberts had a criminal history including burglary convictions and a previous rape by force conviction in New York State.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
INDIANAPOLIS  Mar-Kel Sampson, the man shot by an off-duty Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer in 2023, was found not guilty Tuesday on several charges relating to the incident outside a bar that led to his shooting.

Sampson was accused of shooting into the business after Roman Ervin-Williams, an off-duty Indianapolis officer, witnessed an argument between two groups that escalated into gunfire, according to court documents.

Sampson was charged with battery using a deadly weapon, criminal recklessness, and pointing a firearm by the Marion County Prosecutor's Office on Oct. 18, 2023, in connection to the shooting at Bubbaz Bar & Grill, 10030 E. Washington St. on Oct. 14, 2023 that left three people injured with gunshot wounds.

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A jury found Sampson not guilty on all three charges after a two-day trial this week in a Marion County court.

Shooting at Bubbaz Bar & Grill

At about 1:55 a.m., shortly before the business was closing, police said they witnessed Sampson exiting the building with two other individuals as they argued with another group. Officer Williams attempted to defuse the situation, and that's when gunfire broke out behind him, according to court documents.

When he turned around, police said Sampson suddenly ducked with what appeared to be a firearm in his hand as people started to flee, according to Williams's testimony to police in court documents.

Sampson then began to raise his hands, which led to Williams shooting Sampson "to protect himself and others," according to court documents.

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That's when Williams ran to his vehicle to grab more ammunition after accidentally hitting his firearm's magazine release while activating his body-worn camera. He then told Sampson to drop his weapon.

That's when Sampson told Williams, "I ain't have no gun."

Williams ended up cuffing Sampson and calling for emergency medical personnel to treat Sampson for his gunshot injury.

After the shooting, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department had its critical incident response team investigate the shooting by Williams, a 16-year veteran of the Indianapolis police department at the time.

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Williams has since been returned to full duty.

In late November 2023, a Marion County judge approved the Marion County Prosecutor's Office's protective order motion to prohibit anyone from accessing William's body camera footage from the night of the shooting.

The order prevented the police department's ability to create what they call a critical incident video, an edited summary of every Indianapolis officer shooting that compiles body camera footage.

Following Sampson's not-guilty verdict, the prosecutor's office said the protective order will lift. Indianapolis police said the department will work on the video once that happens.

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Contact IndyStar reporter Noe Padilla at npadilla@indystar.com or follow him on X @1NoePadilla.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Man arrested after being shot by IMPD officer acquitted on gun charges
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  The New Orleans Police Department is investigating a homicide in the Central Business District on Friday morning, Nov. 15.

NOPD officers report that at 6:05 a.m., they were called to the scene of a shooting in the 600 block of Commerce Street.

NOPD working two scooter theft investigations

Responding officers arrived to find a man suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

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The Orleans Parish Coroners Office identified that the victim as 32-year-old Derrick Howard Jr.

(WGNO/Pat Thomas) (WGNO/Pat Thomas) (WGNO/Pat Thomas)

Officers said one person was taken in for questioning but no arrests have been made.

No further details are available at this time. The NOPD is in the process of gathering evidence and information to determine a possible suspect and motive.

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.
UPPER WEST SIDE, Manhattan (PIX11)  A man was stabbed to death inside his Manhattan apartment building Friday morning, police said.

Alfred Soto, 46, was stabbed in the chest and stomach in the building where he lived at 65 West 96th St. on the Upper West Side at around 10:05 a.m., according to the NYPD.

The victim was rushed to the hospital but could not be saved. There have been no arrests.

Woman choked to death found face down in bag of hotel linens in NYC

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No other information was immediately available.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She has been with PIX11 News for two years. See more of her work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
After an intense 26 weeks of training, the newest batch of Colorado Springs police officers have graduated from the academy and are almost ready to hit the ground running.

The class started with 32 recruits, and 27 officers graduated Thursday after 984 hours of training. Those 27 will begin their 15 weeks of field training on Friday, the next step to prepare them for active police duty. The current authorized strength of the Colorado Springs Police Department sits at 819. In early October, Mayor Yemi Mobolade presented a balanced 2025 budget to the City Council with a focus on public safety. It allowed for the addition of 20 officers to "to grow authorized strength and keep pace with the citys growth."

Department spokesperson Caitlin Ford said CSPD currently employs 755 officers. A total of 29 more are in their final weeks of field training, which Thursday's 27 graduates are on deck for.

Another 28 recruits in the academy are set to graduate in March. The next academy class will start in December with 30 recruits. That number may change throughout training as some recruits drop.

Back in September, the department wrapped up its year-long audit and several recommendations to improve the department were outlined.

According to previous Gazette reporting, more than 80% of Colorado Springs police officers in 2022 said they felt like they did not receive enough effective training on non-lethal weapons, defensive tactics, crisis intervention and de-escalation practices.

In response, several recommendations were provided by the Police Executive Research Forum to aid in combatting the issue, including the building of a new training facility and Brazilian jiujitsu training. The National Institute of Justice recently awarded the department a $1.325 million dollar grant to conduct a three-year study of the departments implementation of police-focused Brazilian jiujitsu defensive tactics.

The 79th class of recruits did not see any changes in curriculum due to the audit, but Chief Adrian Vasquez told the Gazette on Thursday he hopes to have changes in place by the 82nd class.

"We have to give a fair, compatible chance or opportunity for anybody who meets the requirements for the type of training we're asking for," Vasquez said when asked about the bidding process for the Brazilian jiujitsu training.

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Vasquez confirmed a team within the department has received inquiries from several companies or groups interested in working with CSPD on the study. Over the next few weeks, that team will review those inquiries and present them to the department leadership, who will then make a selection.

"We have the class starting in December, they may be able to get some of (the training) in by the end, but it's really probably our control class," Vasquez said. Thursday's ceremony highlighted the diversity of the November class. Recruits came from 12 different states, plus Guam, American Samoa, Brazil and Mexico. Sixteen of the graduates have served, or currently are serving in the Armed Forces. There are two graduates with masters degrees, 12 with bachelors degrees, another 12 with associates degrees, and two have some level of college education.

Emotions were high for the 79th class, especially for one recruit. Mayra Zunino was the only female to make it to the end of the 26 weeks, calling her experience "unique."

"At the beginning, it was intimidating, because I looked around and it was nothing but guys," Zunino said. "However, they were very supportive. I never felt like I was an outsider, they all treated me like them."

Originally born in Mexico and a Denver transplant for most of her life, Zunino moved to Colorado Springs after getting married. She always dreamed of one day becoming a police officer.

"My dream was always to be a homicide detective," Zunino said. "Honestly, I just want to be able to know how to help people. I love helping people, and I enjoy it."

Another recruit, Taylor Deines, was selected by his class to give a brief speech at the ceremony and present his class plaque. Deines had more than a decade of experience in law enforcement already, coming to Colorado Springs specifically because of the department's reputation.

"I knew the reputation that Colorado Springs had for their level of professionalism, tactics and training, and furthermore, the opportunities for different specialized units that didn't really exist where I came from," Deines said.

Deines, who spent the last 11 years of his career in Montrose, felt both excited to hit the ground running and proud of everything he and the other recruits have already accomplished.
A 49-year-old man wanted in connection with three violent carjacking attempts of women at gas stations in East Los Angeles has been taken into custody, authorities confirmed to KTLA.

The Nov. 9 incidents, all of which were captured on surveillance cameras, occurred between the hours 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. in Lincoln Heights and Boyle Heights.

Authorities said the suspect, identified as Maurice Latorre who was described as violent and dangerous, checked himself into L.A. General Medical Center for treatment and was recognized by hospital staff.

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The suspect was identified by a nurse, who called 911, Los Angeles Police Department LAPD officials said at a press conference Thursday. Our officers responded and were able to positively identify the suspect.

They added that the 49-year-old suffers from mental illness, though its unclear how severe it is.

Maurice Latorre, 49, is wanted in connection with a trio of attempted carjackings on Nov. 9, 2024 in East L.A. (LAPD) Surveillance footage of Maurice Latorre, 49, attempting to carjack a victim on Nov. 9, 2024. (LAPD) Surveillance footage of Maurice Latorre, 49, attempting to carjack a victim on Nov. 9, 2024. (LAPD) Surveillance footage of Maurice Latorre, 49, attempting to carjack a victim on Nov. 9, 2024. (LAPD) Surveillance footage of Maurice Latorre, 49, attempting to carjack a victim on Nov. 9, 2024. (LAPD) Surveillance footage of Maurice Latorre, 49, attempting to carjack a victim on Nov. 9, 2024. (LAPD) Surveillance footage of Maurice Latorre, 49, attempting to carjack a victim on Nov. 9, 2024. (LAPD)

Just a day earlier, LAPD released Latorres photo, as well as surveillance video of the attacks to warn the public while the suspect was still at large.

All three victims were females,  LAPD Det. Jose Diaz-Ibarra said. Two of the victims actually had children with them during the robbery attempts. He had no weapon that we know of  just bodily force. On one occasion, he had a metal object he used to try to break the window.

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While residents in the area say theyre relieved that Latorre is behind bars, several of them said they are still worried.

Uber driver in Southern California accused of sexual assault of girl, 15, outside school

Its scary to know that it was right here in front of my house, one resident who did not want to be identified told KTLA. My sister lives in the building too and she always pumps gas right there. So, I mentioned to my sister to be careful and have anything on her like pepper spray, anything for safety.

Our ultimate goal is that were able to successfully prosecute this individual, police said at the press conference, and that we reach out to our victims and let them know that he is in custody. It will help with their recovery.

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Two of the 49-year-olds victims sustained minor injuries during the terrifying assaults but are expected to recover.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Nov. 14Raging rivers and creeks. Treacherous mudslides. Technical rescues of people and pets.

Not your average trip to the Tar Heel State. But all in a day's (or 12 days) work for members of the Manchester Fire Department's swiftwater rescue team.

Ten members of the team held a mission debriefing session Thursday at Manchester Fire headquarters for city and state officials, where they discussed details of their deployment to help save children and adults who were trapped in North Carolina as Hurricane Helene moved through the region.

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The deployment of the team  consisting of two boats and 10 people  was overseen by the New Hampshire Department of Homeland Security Emergency Management, after their help was requested by FEMA through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) agreement.

EMAC facilitates state to state assistance in times of disasters.

The team's objectives while on site were:

Conduct search and rescue operations.

Provide basic life support medical care and transport people and animals to the nearest location for secondary air or land transport.

Provide shore-based and boat-based water rescue.

Provide animal rescues and support helicopter and urban search and rescue in water environments.

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Initially thought to be a seven-day deployment, the team was gone from Sept. 26 through Oct. 7.

Kevin Grebinar handled logistics for the team during the deployment. He said the training members go through for different types of rescue scenarios all came into play.

"We were thrown a number of curveballs as we went there, and these guys didn't bat an eyelash at it," Grebinar said. "They just swung and they hit home runs, and they did a great job at that."

Grebinar said shortly after the team arrived in Boone, North Carolina, they responded to a call for an adult female located in a large building approximately 1,500 feet to the rear of the Boone Fire Department. The waterways from the South Fork New River had swollen, flooding the area. Two boats were launched, each with a crew of four rescuers. Forcible entry was made into the building and the woman was extracted to shore. Crews had to work in currents from the flooded river heavy with large debris causing stalling issues with the jet propulsion systems, Grebinar said.

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The team then responded to an incident in Boone where a family was trapped in their home, which was severely compromised from the river and another home which had a catastrophic collapse and was now a debris pile.

Team members set up a basic rope system and made entry to the structure, ultimately rescuing one adult female, an adult male and male toddler from the structure.

Grebinar said the incident calls the team responded to were very different from fires or other calls they get in Manchester.

"The fire department is inherently capable of taking a bag of bolts and making a Picasso, and that happened on a daily basis down there," Grebinar said. "And I would think that you could throw that bag of bolts on the floor here, and all seven of these guys would build a Picasso for you. So I think it's just that capability, of taking something that's a problem, making it a lot better, and doing it fluidly. There was never any stress, everybody just did their job.

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"I think it's just based on the experience that they have, the capabilities that they have, the training that they've done, they're just able to put it all together in a rapid fashion."

Manchester Fire Chief Ryan Cashin said he "couldn't be prouder of the guys that were on this deployment."

"They responded and they adapted quickly to situations that we were not predicting going down, and they handled it professionally," Cashin said. "The amount of adapting and commandeering and borrowing of equipment that they did was really amazing."

Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais said he appreciates the work the team does.

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"It will never cease to amaze me the professionalism and the exceptionalism of the men and women of this department," Ruais said. "I also appreciate your ability to tactically acquire the necessary items to engage in the work that you did."

pfeely@unionleader.com
Nov. 14With firearm deer hunting season beginning on Saturday, Nov. 16, conservation officials are asking for help in tracking chronic wasting disease in the state.

In Missouri, mandatory sample testing is required for all deer this Saturday and Sunday. Hunters must bring their deer, or the head with six inches of the neck attached, to a conservation checkpoint within the county on the day it was killed.

Erin Woodiel, a media specialist with the Missouri Department of Conservation, explained the purpose of testing for CWD.

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"It spreads from deer to deer through contact," Woodiel said. "So the reason we have CWD testing is to try to keep track of and slow the spread of CWD among deer populations across the state of Missouri."

Chronic Wasting Disease is a neurological disorder found in deer and deer-related mammals that shuts down parts of the brain and is eventually fatal. There have been no reported cases of CWD in humans.

In order to test for the disease, lymph nodes are taken from the neck.

CWD testing is free for hunters and the goal is to prevent the disease from spreading.

Woodiel said hunters can receive results of testing within two to four weeks.

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Sampling stations will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

In Buchanan county, testing is not mandatory. Visit the Missouri Department of Conservation's website to see what counties have mandatory testing.
NEW YORK  New York Citys congestion pricing plan is back and set to kick in on Jan. 5, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Thursday.

But the daily toll  which Hochul put on indefinite hiatus this past June, three weeks before it was supposed to go into effect  will be $9 rather than the original planned toll of $15 for at least three years, at which point it will be reassessed.

Were still getting the $15 billion to fund the MTA, Hochul told reporters, and drivers will be paying $6 less.

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The initial toll, reached after years of deliberation among state lawmakers, transit officials and federal regulators, had planned to charge motorists a base toll of $15 a day for entering Midtown and lower Manhattan by car. Larger vehicles would have been tolled at a greater rate, and late-night drivers or those who had already paid a toll at one of the tunnels would receive discounts.

The revenue from the congestion toll  a projected $900 million annually  would then have gone to pay off the debt on $15 billion in new MTA bonds meant to fund a long list of projects on the agencys 2020-24 capital plan.

As previously reported by the New York Daily News, Hochuls modified plan, formally announced Thursday, keeps the same mechanisms but slashes each of those figures by 40%.

That brings the $15 base toll for passenger cars down to $9 per day, and the $3.75 late-night rate down to $2.25. The plan also reduces the tolling credits  discounts given to drivers who already paid a toll to enter the city by tunnel  by 40%.

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That will mean less revenue to go toward MTA debt service, even as its assumed there will be more cars driving into the city than under a $15 toll. Estimated tolling revenues will come in closer to $600 million a year, according to sources.

State officials said Thursday that, despite lower revenues, the tolling would raise $15 billion in borrowed money over a longer period of time  likely with the MTA selling tranches of bonds more slowly.

Under any bonding scheme, its a multiyear proposal, said Blake Washington, the states budget director. The approach that we have today fully funds the capital plan over several years.

That means that while all of the projects reliant on congestion pricing  a list that includes phase 2 of the Second Avenue subway, elevators at 23 subway stations, and modern computerized signaling on a slew of subway lines  are expected to be funded, some of that money could take longer to secure and some projects may have to wait in line.

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Sources in both Hochuls office and the MTA suggested to the Daily News that big-ticket items like the Second Avenue subway and the legally mandated accessibility upgrades would be at the top of the list. The $15 billion had also been slated to pay for $3 billion in modern subway signals, $3 billion in repair work, and $1.5 billion in new subway cars, among other priorities.

Despite that, MTA leadership  which stopped awarding new capital contracts amid the congestion pricing confusion this summer  said Thursdays announcement would allow work to begin again quickly.

Now we know we have a source (of funding), so we can actually start to move projects forward, MTA Chairman Janno Lieber said.

We will be putting out the (request for proposals) for the tunnel boring on the Second Avenue subway promptly, as a result of the actions taken by the governor today.

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The modified toll still has several procedural hurdles to clear before the MTA can begin charging motorists.

The transit agencys board, which voted to green-light the original $15 toll in March, must sign off on the $9 initial toll before it can get sent to federal regulators for their approval. The MTA board is expected to do that on Monday.

State law then requires three more weeks of public notification, during which the city, state and federal departments of transportation are expected to sign off on the plan a final time.

Meanwhile, congestion pricing still faces legal challenges from the state of New Jersey and others  challenges that were paused along with the tolling plan this summer, and may now come roaring back.

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Am I confident there wont be lawsuits? No, Im in the middle of nine right now, Hochul said when asked about that possibility. Weve been sued every day of the week it seems  this whole issue has been a growth industry for lawyers.

Im not afraid of any threats of litigation, she said. Were not worried about it.

_____
POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY (KSNT)  State troopers say a Manhattan woman was seriously injured in a crash on Highway 24 Friday morning.

The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) announced the crash occurred around 7:30 a.m. on Nov. 15 on eastbound Highway 24 where it meets Blackjack Road. A Kia Telluride was stopped at a stop sign on Blackjack Road at Highway 24 facing north while a Nissan Versa was traveling east on the highway in the left lane.

The driver of the Kia tried to cross the eastbound lanes on the highway to continue westbound onto Highway 24 and did not see the Nissan approaching. The Nissan hit the Kia in the eastbound lanes of the highway.

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The KHP said the driver of the Kia, a 57-year-old St. George man, was uninjured. The driver of the Nissan, a 37-year-old Manhattan woman, was taken to a Kansas City hospital for treatment.

Wamego man dies after crash, 20-year-old hospitalized: KHP

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

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(Reuters) - Thousands of people joined a march towards New Zealand's national capital on Friday after a contentious bill that would reinterpret the country's 184-year-old founding document passed its first hurdle in parliament.

Several rallies against the Treaty Principles Bill are being staged in towns across the country as a nine-day march, or hikoi, moves to Wellington. It is expected to reach the national capital on Tuesday.

An estimated 10,000 people marched through Rotorua, about 450 km (280 miles) north of Wellington, New Zealand police said in a statement. Protesters, some wearing traditional clothing, were greeted by hundreds waving the Maori flag and chanting.

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On Thursday, Indigenous Maori leaders staged a haka, a Maori dance that was traditionally a challenge to opponents, at the first parliamentary hearing of the bill that seeks to redefine the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Twenty-two-year-old lawmaker Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke ripped up a copy of the bill and led the haka in parliament as other Maori members and some visitors in the public gallery joined her.

First signed in 1840 between the British Crown and more than 500 Maori chiefs, the treay lays down how the two parties agreed to govern. The interpretation of clauses in the document still guide legislation and policy today.

The ACT New Zealand party, a junior partner in the ruling centre-right coalition government, last week unveiled the bill, which it had promised during last year's election.

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The party has criticised the sharing of some governance matters between the state and Maori, arguing non-Indigenous citizens are losing out because of policies designed to uplift Maori.

But Maori and their supporters say the bill undermines the rights of the country's Indigenous people, who make up about 20% of the population of 5.3 million.

Coalition partners the National Party and New Zealand First are only supporting the legislation through the first of three readings. Both parties have said they will not support it to become legislation, meaning it will almost certainly fail.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon reaffirmed on Thursday that his National Party would not support the bill's progress beyond the first reading.

(Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; editing by Praveen Menon and Kate Mayberry)
Pete Hegseth was stood down from active duty protecting Joe Bidens inauguration in January 2021

Donald Trumps pick for defence secretary has a tattoo Joe Bidens team considered so extreme that they removed him from the presidents inauguration security detail.

Pete Hegseths myriad tattoos and brand of fundamental Christianity will be the subject of intense scrutiny when the Senate comes to vet his appointment as defence secretary and political head of the military.

Mr Hegseth, a Fox News host and major in the National Guard, was stood down from active duty protecting Mr Bidens inauguration in January 2021 over the Jerusalem Cross tattooed across his chest.

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I was deemed an extremist because of a tattoo by my National Guard unit in Washington DC and my orders were revoked to guard the Biden inauguration, he said.

JD Vance, the vice president-elect, came out swinging in defence of Mr Hegseth amid reports highlighting the ink.

He said: Theyre attacking Pete Hegseth for having a Christian motto tattooed on his arm.

This is disgusting anti-Christian bigotry from the AP, and the entire organisation should be ashamed of itself.

In his 2020 book, Mr Trumps pick wrote: In more ways than you can imagine, leftists have surrounded traditional American patriots on all sides, ready to close in for the kill: killing our founders, killing our flag, and killing capitalism.

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In the books introduction he wrote: This time in our history calls for an American Crusade.

He added: Yes, a holy war for the righteous cause of human freedom.

In a podcast he lashed out at woke generals and moves to make the armed forces more inclusive.

The dumbest phrase on planet earth in the military is our diversity is our strength, he said.

The tattoos are now being subjected to further scrutiny after Mr Trump tapped him for his Cabinet.

Matthew Taylor, an academic with the Institute for Islamic, Christian and Jewish Studies, said the Jerusalem Cross - also known as the Crusaders Cross - was a symbol which had historically been favoured by those on the far-Right.

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A second tattoo - with the words Deus Vult - means God Wills It may also raise eyebrows.

The phrase has been popularised by the far-Right, as a rallying cry railing against the spread of Islam.

The words are the last two in Mr Hegseths book, War on Warriors, published in the summer.

There is no suggestion that Mr Hegseth is affiliated with the far-Right.

Dr Taylor, a practising Christian, said: On the domestic front we have a very real problem of radicalisation in our military. It is something the top brass in the military have acknowledged.

The academic said the crusader tattoos had been adopted as far-Right iconography.

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He added: There is an Islamophobia and hatred of Islam that underlines all this. Some of these talking points are neo-Nazi talking points. That doesnt mean he [Hegseth] is a neo-Nazi but he is travelling down avenues that are verging on neo-Nazism.

Mr Hegseth also has a cross cum sword with Hebrew lettering beneath it on his right forearm, reportedly the first tattoo he ever got while on holiday. The Hebrew lettering spells out Yeshuah, which can symbolise Jesus among Christian groups.

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He has a We The People tattoo - borrowing from the opening line of the preamble to the Constitution - and is a popular signal of patriotic fervour.

He also has a Join or Die Snake tattoo, which is a symbol of US colonial freedom over British rule. It was first published as a cartoon in 1754 in Benjamin Franklins Pennsylvania Gazette. The tattoo is on Hegseths right arm, just below his We The People tattoo.

His other major tattoo Ne Desit Virtus, which translates as Let Valour Not Fail - signifies Mr Hegseths army regiment - the 187th Infantry. That tattoo is on his shoulder.

Mr Trump praised Mr Hegseth in announcing his pick for defence secretary, pointing out his candidate is a graduate of both Princeton and Harvard and an army combat veteran with tours of Guantanamo Bay, Iraq and Afghanistan.

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Pete has spent his entire life as a warrior for the troops, and for the country, said Mr Trump in a statement. Pete is tough, smart and a true believer in America First. With Pete at the helm, Americas enemies are on notice - our military will be great again, and America will never back down.

Mr Hegseth was contacted for comment.

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BALTIMORE  Harford County is moving to preserve 1,110 acres of agricultural land to meet its goal of preserving 75,000 acres by 2040 as solar farms pose mounting pressure for land use across the state.

The 1,110 acres for preservation are outlined in 19 resolutions introduced to the Harford County Council in October. If all are passed, Harford County could pay as much as $7,128,116 to property owners to preserve land in Havre de Grace, Bel Air, Jarrettsville, Aberdeen, White Hall, Darlington, Whiteford and Street.

Per the county charter, qualifying landowners can apply to have their land preserved through the countys Agricultural Preservation Program that has preserved more than 64,000 acres in Harford thus far. The program eliminates all development rights for each property and secures its use for agricultural purposes only.

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During a public hearing for the resolutions Tuesday, the countys director of planning and zoning, Shane Grimm, said land preservation is an effective way to protect greenspace from not only housing and development, but the rapidly growing popularity of solar farms.

One of the most important things we are dealing with now is the onslaught of solar farms that are trying to come in all across the state  particularly in Harford County, Grimm said. By preserving these properties, it makes it exponentially harder for them to get those properties for solar development.

In recent years, solar farms  areas of agricultural land occupied by solar panels  have become a popular alternative for landowners to earn a higher income off their land through means outside of farming.

Solar farms called Community Solar Energy Generating Systems, introduced by the General Assembly in Maryland through a pilot program in 2015, are growing in popularity.

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The law states that property owners  not electric companies  can build community solar energy generating systems on their property as long as the property is simultaneously being used for solar power and a farming activity recognized by the Department of Agriculture as agricultural.

Each system is connected to the electrical distribution grid serving the state. Electric companies then use the energy generated by the systems to offset purchases from wholesale electricity suppliers  providing income to the project property owners and allowing energy providers to reduce consumer costs.

Per state legislation, community solar systems cannot exceed five megawatts and at least 40% of the energy output must serve low- to moderate-income subscribers.

House Bill 908, passed last year, made the states pilot solar program permanent and removed a statewide megawatt cap of 418 megawatts to allow for unlimited statewide community solar energy generation  leading to an increase statewide in Community Solar Energy Generating Systems.

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Maryland is one of 19 states and Washington, D.C., to allow community solar projects. Currently, New York leads the country in community solar with more than 1,940 megawatts in operation.

Four Community Solar Energy Generating Systems are moving through Harford Countys development process with two of the four having already received site plan approval.

A growing concern among land use officials in Harford County is that the General Assembly will strip counties of their oversight of community solar systems as local governments cannot regulate solar farms larger than the community solar projects outlined in state legislation.

Solar projects in the state have been controversial, with projects in Carroll County receiving pushback from local leaders and residents. In July 2023, Carroll County commissioners adopted an ordinance that prohibits solar-generating facilities on farmland. The ordinance allows for the construction of solar facilities on land zoned for commercial and industrial use.

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Harford Councilman and Maryland Association of Counties representative Aaron Penman said Tuesday during the public hearing that one of the four main priorities of MACo is getting a handle on solar farms.

He said he spoke with a farmer who said he receives roughly $200 per acre of land that he rents for farming per year. Penman called solar developers aggressive as he said they are offering farmers as much as $7,000 per acre, per year with a 2.5% escalator  making solar farms a financially viable option for landowners.

That, for anyone, is very hard to turn down so we have to have some sort of plan in place to stop these from happening, Penman said.

To further encourage Harford land owners to preserve their land, Harford County created a bonus system for property owners that grants an additional $1,000 to $3,000 per acre to property owners preserving lands in sought-after development areas.

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However, as the county moves to increase its incentives for property owners to combat solar farms, county officials are also evaluating potential incentives for solar developers to build on land that is already developed rather than agricultural land.

What we would like to do is look at incentivizing the use of solar in redevelopment areas, for example, large buildings which have rooftops that arent being used for anything and parking lots, Grimm said.

Kristin Kirkwood, the executive director of the Harford Land Trust  the countys only non-government organization dedicated to land conservation  said Tuesday that the land trust supports the resolutions as land preservation is something all county residents agree on.

Land preservation is the only permanent way to restrict what would otherwise be never-ending sprawl, Kirkwood said. The natural beauty of Harford County, the working lands that sustain us, and our beloved public spaces and rural landscapes that anchor our traditions are treasures that transcend politics and resonate with anyone who is lucky enough to call Harford County their home.

The Harford County Council will vote on the 19 agricultural preservation resolutions during a future meeting that has not been determined at this time.

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  An East Tennessee man who FBI investigators say was one of the first people to enter the U.S. Capitol on January 6 was found guilty on several charges according to court documents.

Edward Kelley was found guilty of 11 charges following a two-day bench trial beginning on Oct. 28, and ending Oct. 29, 2024. He was found not guilty of obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting the same.

Warrant shares new details after East TN murder suspect extradited to Monroe County

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The charges include:

Obstructing Officers During a Civil Disorder

Assaulting, Resisting, or Impeding Certain Officers

Destruction of Government Property Causing Damage in an Amount Exceeding $1,000

Destruction of Government Property Causing Damage in an Amount Less Than $1,000

Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds

Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building or Grounds

Engaging in Physical Violence in a Restricted Building or Grounds

Entering and Remaining in the Gallery of a House of Congress

Disorderly Conduct in a Capitol Building

Act of Physical Violence in the Capitol Grounds or Buildings

Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building

During the trial, seven witnesses shared their testimony including three U.S. Capitol Police officers, Daniel Schwager, the former General Counsel to the Secretary of the U.S. Senate

Stephen McFall, a former Special Agent and Forensic Examiner for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and FBI Special Agent Jessi Mann. Kelley also chose not to testify or present evidence in his defense according to court documents.

Kelley was not found guilty of obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting the same because the government could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Kelley intended to impair the integrity or availability of the certificates of vote or any other document for use in the certification proceeding according to court documents.

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State of TN: How to get your slice of a $1.5B missing money pie

The court documents continue that Kelley, through his attorney, admitted he was in Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2021, but he disputes that he is the person depicted in these videos. However, the government was able to prove before the judge that it was Kelley based on the videos he took and the clothing he was wearing. This led to the charges related to entering and remaining in a restricted building, disorderly conduct in a restricted building and in a Capitol building, entering and remaining in the gallery of a House of Congress and demonstrating in a Capitol Building.

The prosecutors also said Kelley kicked the Senate Wing door open, damaging it, after gaining entry to the Capitol by breaking a window that allowed other rioters to enter. This led to the two charges related to the destruction of government property.

Before breaching the Capitol, the court documents said Kelley and two other men threw a Capitol police officer to the ground, leading to the obstructing officers during a civil disorder and assaulting resisting, or impeding certain officers charges. This action also led to the engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds and act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings charges.

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East TN pastor shares insight on parishioner charged after Jan. 6

Kelley was arrested in May 2022, and federal prosecutors said he was the fourth person to enter the capitol that day.

In December 2022, Kelley and 26-year-old Austin Carter of Knoxville were arrested in an alleged plot to attack the FBI Knoxville Office and kill law enforcement officers who were investigating the January 6 riot. Carter pleaded guilty in November 2023 to charges related to this case. Kelleys court proceedings are still ongoing in this case.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
A Stoneham firefighter suffered a leg injury and a resident was also injured as crews battled two house fires on Franklin and Gould streets overnight, among three fires in 24 hours, the fire chief said Friday.

Five residents were displaced after the fire on Gould Street, and the American Red Cross of Massachusetts responded to the scene to assist residents, Stoneham Fire Chief Matthew Grafton said in a statement. The home appears to be a total loss.

The fires were the second and third to occur within the 24-hour shift of the departments Group 1, Grafton said. Firefighters also extinguished a two-alarm blaze that displaced 14 people at an apartment building in town on Thursday afternoon.

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An unidentified firefighter suffered a leg injury while battling the Gould Street blaze. The firefighter went onto the homes roof to ventilate the area, and his leg went through the roof, Grafton said.

No other injuries were reported.

Grafton credited all of Group 1, led by Fire Capt. Dave Eastman and Fire Lt. Rick Darragh, for their response.

The group was exhausted but pushed through and responded to each fire efficiently and professionally, said Grafton. This is the first time since the 1990s that weve had more than one multiple alarm fire in 24 hours.

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At approximately 10:10 p.m. Thursday, firefighters responded to 1170 Franklin St. after a resident called 911 to report a fire in his home, Grafton said.

The resident, who tried to smother the fire with towels before evacuating the home, suffered an injury while trying to put out the fire, Grafton said. The resident was evaluated by paramedics and declined to be taken to a hospital.

When crews arrived, they found the fire was mostly out thanks to the actions of the resident, Grafton said. Firefighters used extinguishers to ensure the fire was out and that no hot spots remained.

Hours later, at approximately 5:17 a.m., firefighters responded to 36 Gould St. after receiving 911 calls from residents reporting a fire in their home. The residents reported hearing crackling upstairs and that they lost power in part of the home.

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When crews arrived, they found heavy smoke showing from the attic of a 2-1/2 story home, Grafton said.

Firefighters from Engine 1 initially entered the home to battle the blaze but found heavy fire in the attic.

With concerns about the homes structural integrity after a firefighter suffered a leg injury, Stoneham Fire Capt. Dave Eastman ordered firefighters to take a defensive posture and get out of and off the building, the fire chief said.

Crews then used blitz guns and deck guns to knock down the bulk of the flames and reassessed the structure before once again taking an offensive posture and entering the home.

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Crews then opened up ceilings on the second floor to attack the fire from below, knocking down all the flames by about 6:15 a.m., Grafton said.

On Gould Street, firefighters from Melrose, Wakefield, Reading, Woburn, Saugus and Winchester provided mutual aid, while firefighters from Medford and Malden covered Stoneham stations. Stoneham Police and Armstrong Ambulance also assisted on scene, and the Stoneham electrical and building inspectors responded as well.

The cause of both fires remain under investigation by the Stoneham Fire Investigation Unit and the State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit attached to the State Fire Marshals Office.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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President-elect Donald Trump said he will nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, to be the next health and human services secretary, a move with major implications for the federal public health infrastructure.

The nomination is likely to spur a major confirmation battle in the Senate.

Trump said in a tweet that Kennedy will restore federal health agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!

Kennedy ran for president as an independent candidate largely on a public health platform, including remodeling the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, before dropping out and endorsing Trump.

Trump said in October that he would let Kennedy go wild on medicines and food policy in his administration.

He wants to do some things, and were going to let him get to it, Trump said of Kennedy in his election victory speech. Go have a good time, Bobby.

But even before suspending his campaign, Kennedy had a phone conversation with Trump this summer, during which they talked about changing the vaccine schedule for children. Kennedy said he wanted to lower the doses of each vaccine to prevent babies from changing radically.

Kennedy eventually dropped out of the race to join Trump as an adviser under the banner of Make America Healthy Again, specifically targeted at the obesity epidemic, the high chronic disease burden in the United States, and vaccines that Kennedy says are unsafe and untested.

At a recent event in Scottsdale, Arizona, Kennedy said that, on Day One of the new Trump administration, 600 NIH employees would be fired and immediately replaced.

As the director of the vaccine-skeptical group Childrens Health Defense, Kennedy has long been an advocate of claims that vaccines are a leading cause of autism spectrum disorder and other chronic neurological and autoimmune conditions.

One of his most recent lines of attack against vaccines, and one that has gained the most traction among his populist supporters, is that they have not been tested in pre-licensing, placebo-controlled trials. The federal public health establishment, including the former director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci, have rejected that claim.

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Kennedy has also said he is concerned about the financial incentives for large pharmaceutical companies to push unnecessary vaccines on children.

Theres no downstream liability, theres no front end safety testing, that saves them a quarter-billion dollars, Kennedy said at a campaign speech at Hillsdale College. And theres no marketing and advertising costs. Because the federal government is ordering them to get it, ordering 78 million school kids to take that vaccine every year. What better product could you have?

Stock prices for vaccine manufacturers fell precipitously almost immediately following news of the announcement on Thursday afternoon. As of 15 minutes before market close, Pfizer stock fell by 2.62%, and Moderna fell by 5.62%. Eli Lillys stock price fell by 3.15%.

Before becoming known as an outspoken vaccine skeptic, Kennedy was a prominent environmental lawyer with an illustrious career in combatting the use of poisonous toxins, including the 2007 DuPont case on behalf of rural West Virginian communities contaminated by zinc.

Most recently, he was involved in the case against Monsanto, the maker of herbicide RoundUp, for the use of the carcinogenic ingredient glyphosate.

Due to his unorthodox stance against vaccines, seed oils, and milk pasteurization, Kennedy is expected to have a difficult time gaining enough votes during the Senate confirmation process, even with a Republican majority in the chamber.

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), the first medical doctor since 1933 to chair the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, would control Kennedys nomination at the committee level.

RFK Jr. has championed issues like healthy foods and the need for greater transparency in our public health infrastructure, Cassidy said in a news statement. I look forward to learning more about his other policy positions and how they will support a conservative, pro-American agenda.

Even if Kennedy does not make it through the confirmation process, he likely will be an adviser on public health matters to the new Trump administration, including whoever is selected to be HHS secretary in his stead.

On Thursday, Democratic members of the House Oversight Committee took time from a hearing overviewing the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic to argue that Kennedy would be disastrous for public health, particularly future pandemic preparedness.

The fact that were considering bringing somebody on with no scientific or medical credentials, whos falsely claimed for decades of vaccines caused autism, who has, quite frankly, said just outrageous comments about science and medicine that this person would come in to gut the NIH, I think is shameful, Rep Robert Garcia of California said.
BOSTON (WWLP)  A man from Reading was sentenced to prison on Wednesday in connection with a drug conspiracy involving tens of thousands of counterfeit pills containing methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Chicopee police warn of new Eventbrite scheme

In 2022 law enforcement began an investigation into 31-year-old Charles Bates after he allegedly ordered 50 kilograms of an orange binding agent commonly used to make counterfeit Adderall pills. The Department of Justice reports that detectives observed Bates picking up the package at a UPS store in Boston.

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During the surveillance, Bates traveled to Rhode Island to replace a broken pill press. Detectives observed Bates take a large, heavy item that appeared to be a pill press to a codefendants house in Saugus, Aaron Lenardis.

Cell phone records obtained by law enforcement show Bates exchanging text messages with drug customers and associates. The messages included pills were made to order, described being physically present at the place where the pills were made, and watching the guy work so no corners have been cut, the Department of Justice said.

Recipes for counterfeit pills were found on Bates phone or sent to others. The drug conspiracy involved at least 136,000 counterfeit pills containing methamphetamine, equivalent to approximately 40 kilograms of pills.

During a search inside the home of Lenardis police seized the following:

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Industrial pill press

14 firearms including a Glock outfitted to operate as a machinegun

At least 1.85 kilograms of pills and powder containing methamphetamine

At least 87.6 grams of pills and powder containing fentanyl

M30 stamps commonly used to manufacture counterfeit pills

Bates pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release.

Lenardis was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl; possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl; and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 12, 2025.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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"Are you shittin' me?" Rep. Mike Simpson (RIdaho) asked when informed that Donald Trump planned to nominate Matt Gaetza former Florida congressman with scant legal experience who is known mainly for antagonizing fellow Republicans and vigorously defending the former and future presidentas attorney general. Other Trump picks, including Fox News host Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense and anti-vaxxer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of health and human services, have provoked a similar response.

Even in a Republican-controlled Senate, questions about the qualifications of Trump's proposed cabinet members might pose problems during their confirmation hearings. Article II, Section 2, Clause 2 of the Constitution says the president "shall nominate" all "officers of the United States" and "shall appoint" them "by and with the advice and consent of the Senate." With 53 GOP senators and ties decided by the vice president, opposition by just four Republicans would be enough to block a nomination, and several of them already have indicated they do not plan to rubber-stamp Trump's choices. But Trump is pushing an alternative that would avoid the need to obtain the Senate's approval.

"Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments," Trump wrote in an X post on Sunday, "without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner." He was referring to Article II, Section 2, Clause 3, which says, "The President shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may happen during the recess of the Senate, by granting commissions which shall expire at the end of their next session."

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Sen. John Thune (RS.D.), who was elected majority leader of the incoming Senate on Wednesday, seems open to this option. "We must act quickly and decisively to get the president's nominees in place as soon as possible, & all options are on the table to make that happen, including recess appointments," he said in an X post on Sunday. "We cannot let [outgoing Senate Majority Leader Chuck] Schumer and Senate Dems block the will of the American people."

Can Gaetz et al. take office without Senate scrutiny? The short answer is yes, although it would hinge on approval by the Senate majority required to call a recess, which looks doubtful.

The Supreme Court has approved the approach that Trump favors by resolving two ambiguities in the Recess Appointments Clause. First, it is not clear from the constitutional text whether the "vacancies" that the president is filling have to happen "during the recess of Senate." Second, it is not clear what counts as "the recess of the Senate."

In the 2014 case NLRB v. Canning, which involved the purported recess appointments of three National Labor Relations Board members by President Barack Obama, the Supreme Court addressed both of those questions. Regarding "the scope of the words 'vacancies that may happen,'" the Court noted that the phrase could "refer only to vacancies that first come into existence during a recess" or also to "vacancies that arise prior to a recess but continue to exist during the recess." All of the justices agreed that the clause "applies to both kinds of vacancy."

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Regarding "the scope of the words 'recess of the Senate,'" the Court noted that the phrase could "refer only to an inter-session recess (i.e., a break between formal sessions of Congress)." Alternatively, it could "include an intra-session recess, such as a summer recess in the midst of a session." The Court held that the phrase "applies to both kinds of recess," but with a caveat.

"When the appointments before us took place, the Senate was in the midst of a 3-day recess," Justice Stephen Breyer wrote in the majority opinion. "Three days is too short a time to bring a recess within the scope of the Clause. Thus we conclude that the President lacked the power to make the recess appointments here at issue."

Relying on historical practice, the Court held that "a recess of more than 3 days but less than 10 days is presumptively too short." Although "Congress has taken short breaks for almost 200 years, and there have been many thousands of recess appointments in that time," Breyer wrote, "we have not found a single example of a recess appointment made during an intra-session recess that was shorter than 10 days."

Within those constraints, then, the Senate could forgo its "advice and consent" role in presidential appointments by calling a recess, in which case Trump's nominees could serve until the end of the next Senate session in December 2026. But recesses require majority approval, which raises the question of whether 51 Republican senators are willing to let controversial nominees take office without confirmation.

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Trump clearly cannot count on Sen. Lisa Murkowski (RAlaska), who thinks Gaetz is "not a serious candidate" and has emphasized the importance of the Senate's role. "There is a process; it's not discretionary," Murkowski said on Wednesday. "It's in the Constitution. It says, 'This is the role of the Senate.' So I feel pretty strongly as a member of the Senate that we have our job to do just as the president has his authorities. I will not accept that the United States Senate should just be an extension of the White House. We are our own separate but equal institution."

Nor can Trump rely on Sen. Susan Collins (RMaine), who said she was "shocked" by the Gaetz pick. "If the president proceeds with that nominee," she said, "I think it shows the importance of having the Senate advice and consent process." She added that "I'm sure that there will be an extensive background check by the FBI and public hearings and a lot of questions asked."

Sen. Joni Ernst (RIowa) likewise does not sound willing to let Gaetz slip in during a recess, saying, "He's got an uphill climb." Although "we always allow the President to have the benefit of the doubt," Sen. Mike Rounds (RS.D.) said, "we still have to do our role in terms of due diligence."

Sen. Thom Tillis (RN.C.) said recess appointments should be used "judiciously," expressing concern about "blanket recess appointments." On Thursday, despite his earlier openness to recess appointments, Thune said he prefers "the regular process to get these nominees through," adding his "intention" is to "get these folks going and get voting."

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Sen. John Cornyn (RTexas) also cast doubt on the viability of the shortcut Trump is demanding. "We have a process around here for considering presidential nominees," Cornyn told reporters on Thursday. "That's a constitutional responsibility of the Senate, and I intend to play my part as a member of the Judiciary Committee in doing that vetting and advice and consent." He added that "I don't think we should be circumventing the Senate's responsibilities" and that "it's premature to be talking about recess appointments."

Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (RCalif.), whose ouster Gaetz spearheaded, seems confident that his nemesis will never take office as attorney general. "Look, Gaetz won't get confirmed," he said on Wednesday. "Everybody knows that." More ominously for Gaetz, Sen. Kevin Cramer (RN.D.) agreed with McCarthy's prediction, saying, "I think he's pretty right, actually."

Cramer expressed doubts about whether trying to get Gaetz confirmed would be worth the effort. "I have concerns that he can't get across the finish line, and we're going to spend a lot of political capital," he told reporters Thursday. "A lot of people will spend a lot of political capital on something that, even if they got [it] done, you'd have to wonder if it was worth it."

Cramer's remarks suggests that he, like Murkowski, Collins, Ernst, Rounds, Cornyn, and maybe Thune, assumes that Gaetz (and presumably other top-level nominees) will have to go through the usual process. For now, at least, the math does not favor Trump's proposed end run.

The post The Math Does Not Favor Avoiding Senate Scrutiny of Trump's Bizarre Cabinet Picks appeared first on Reason.com.
From the Dispatch Politics on The Dispatch

Happy Friday! Actor Sylvester Stallone, speaking at an event at Mar-a-Lago on Thursday night, likened Donald Trump to a mythical character. That character? You guessed it: Frank Stallone.

And if youre looking for a way to take your support for fact-based journalism to the next level, weve got an exciting announcement for you. Introducing Dispatch Premium: More reporting, more analysis, more outreach, and more interaction with Dispatch reporters and editors.

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President-elect Donald Trump unveiled some of his most controversial nominees for Cabinet positions yet, announcing Wednesday he had selected former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who has made several dubious statements about foreign policy, to be his director of national intelligence. I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength, Trump said in a statement. The next day, the president-elect announced the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy has made unfounded and even conspiratorial claims about vaccines and other health matters. Mr. Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again! Trump said of his choice.

Trump also announced, during a Thursday night reception at Mar-a-Lago for the America First Policy Institute, that North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum is his pick for secretary of the Interior. Burgum rose from relative political obscurity as a small-state governor to the short list for Trumps running mate after his run for the presidential nomination earlier this year. And earlier on Thursday, Trump announced that former Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia was his choice to run the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Senate Republicans elected John Thune, the four-term Republican from South Dakota, as their new leader on Wednesday. Currently the conference whip and No. 2 Republican in the Senate, Thune defeated Sen. John Cornyn of Texas on the second ballot after Sen. Rick Scott of Florida finished third on the first ballot. Thune is the first new leader for the Senate Republican conference since 2007, when Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky was elected to the top job. While McConnell maintained a solid hold on his conference and was broadly popular among Republican senators, he clashed repeatedly with Trump during and after the president-elects first term. And while it was clear that several Trump allies preferred Scott to Thune, Trump himself did not weigh in on the leadership race. Republicans will control a majority of Senate seats (53) in January, making Thune the chambers majority leader.

Republicans in the House of Representatives, meanwhile, renominated Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana for speaker on Wednesday, the same day the Associated Press confirmed the GOP had won enough races to retain its majority, albeit narrowly. Unlike the Senate, where Thunes top perch was secured by a secret-ballot vote of the Republican conference, Johnson must still stand for a public election on the House floor, with members of both parties voting, and secure 218 votes. That will occur after the new Congress is sworn into office in January.

Is Rep. Mike Lawler preparing to run for governor of New York? The Republican was just elected to a second term in his competitive Hudson River Valley district last week, but is already fielding questions about whether hell challenge the incumbent, Democrat Kathy Hochul, in 2026. Well find out, Lawler said when asked by a reporter Thursday. But Ill tell you this: New Yorkers deserve better. One-party rule does not work in Albany.

I Want to See Everything

Ranking member Sen. Lindsey Graham, left, and Chairman Richard Durbin arrive for a Senate Judiciary Committee markup on Thursday, November 14, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

The U.S. Senate was back in session Wednesday afternoon after more than a month in recess, and seemingly back to normal. Senators filed into the Capitol for the final round of votes of the day. Reporters waited in the hallways and by elevators to grab quotes from them. It looked like a typical day in the upper house of Congress.

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But then President-elect Donald Trump announced that Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida would be his pick for attorney general, and everything changed. The Capitol Hill press corps swarmed Senate Republicans, trying to solicit their immediate reactions to the appointment. Most were mum on it, deferring to the fact the Senate would exercise its role of advice and consent.

I dont really know him other than his public persona, so well handle it like any other nomination, and then well do our job as providing advice and consent and see how it goes, but I dont have any basis on which to judge him at this point, said Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will hold hearings for Gaetzs confirmation.

But by the next day, Republicans had formulated their thoughts a bit more.

Heres my answer to  Matt Gaetz, Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin told reporters Thursday as he pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket. He held up a picture of Admiral Rachel Levine, the transgender woman currently serving as assistant secretary of health, and Sam Brinton, a bisexual, gender-nonconforming former mid-level official at the Department of Energy under President Joe Biden. (Brinton accepted a plea deal this summer after being accused of stealing a fashion designers luggage and is no longer employed at the department.)

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Did you harass Democrat senators on those nominees? Johnson asked the gathered reporters.

While many were expecting controversial nominees for Trumps incoming administrationincluding former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.the Gaetz appointment was a genuine surprise. The four-term congressman is a firebrand in the House of Representatives, a mainstay on far-right media, and the leader of the successful effort last fall to eject Kevin McCarthy as House speaker.

But a bigger obstacle ahead for Gaetzs confirmation may be his personal character and whether enough Republican senators will look past allegations of sexual misconduct.

The Department of Justice spent years investigating Gaetz for alleged sex trafficking before ultimately declining to bring charges against him. But when Trump announced his nomination, the Florida congressman was still under investigation by the House Committee on Ethics regarding allegations that he engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, accepted improper gifts, dispensed special privileges and favors to individuals with whom he had a personal relationship, and sought to obstruct government investigations of his conduct. Later on Wednesday, however, Gaetz resigned his House seat, ostensibly to allow House Republicans to fill his seat in a timely manner. Not long after that, news broke that the Ethics Committee had prepared to release the report on its investigation as soon as Friday.

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Now, with Gaetz out of Congress, it is unclear whether the report will be made public and whether its findings will factor into what is shaping up to be a battle between Trump and the Republican-controlled Senate. In the next couple months before what would be a January hearing, Republicans will make their decisions on whether to greenlight the controversial nominee. The incoming Senate GOP majority will control 53 seats. With a simple majority required to both overcome filibusters of executive branch nominees and approve them in a floor voteand presuming Democratic opposition is unanimousGaetz could sustain three Republican defections, thanks to Vice President-elect J.D. Vances tie-breaking vote in his role as president of the Senate.

Republican senators whom Dispatch Politics heard from gave mixed responses on whether they wanted to see the ethics committee report.

We need to have complete vetting of the nominees, not only so we know the nominee is qualified, but also to protect the president, Cornyn told reporters Thursday. Im sure its not in his best interest to have any surprises. Pressed on whether he wanted to see the Ethics Committees report, he replied, I want to see everything.

His colleagues on the committee were less eager to address the matter. Asked whether the Senate could subpoena the report from the committee, Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said only that he would leave it up to them, apparently referring to the Ethics Committee. Reporters also asked Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas as he entered an elevator if he wanted access to the report. He stood silently and smiled as the door closed.

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Others downplayed the significance of gaining access to the report. Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri told Dispatch Politics information on Gaetzs background would come out during the vetting, regardless of whether the report is made available to senators or not.

Well have a full and fair confirmation process, and my view and expectation is senators will be given all of the relevant information, he said. Theres gonna be FBI background checks on these folks. So, I dont think you have to go troll for the information somewhere. Anything thats relevant, I think, will come to us.

Sen. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, who does not sit on the Judiciary Committee, said she had never met Gaetz but added that she had concerns about the practices of the Ethics Committee.

Maybe this has changed now, but when I was in the House, people could file ethics complaints against House members anonymously, and it would cost those people hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees to defend themselves against an anonymous complaint, she told Dispatch Politics. And so, the House Ethics Committee is not the most ethical committee.  The fact that the House Ethics Committee is involved does not necessarily mean its a fair process.

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She said that she would take the opportunity to see the report if she had it, but that she would take it with a grain of salt. Some Republicans senators may feel differently, particularly Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who reacted coolly to Gaetzs nomination.

The report remains under wraps and may never be publicized. But ABC News reported Thursday afternoon, after we talked to the senators quoted in this story, that the woman at the center of the Justice Departments investigation into Gaetz testified to the Ethics Committee that the congressman had sex with her when she was 17.

It is unclear what the specific whip count for Republican senators on Gaetz is at this point, but Majority Leader-elect John Thune said on Fox News Thursday night that he did not know whether Gaetz could be confirmed.

There certainly are some skeptics, but he deserves a process, Thune told the networks Bret Baier on Special Report.

Notable and Quotable

The main issue with Matt Gaetz is that he used his office to prosecute his political opponents and authorized federal agents to harass parents who were peacefully protesting at school board meetings. Oh wait, thats actually Merrick Garland, the current attorney general.

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Vice President-elect J.D. Vance in a post on X, November 13, 2024

Read more at The Dispatch

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If he is confirmed as President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general, former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz will replace Merrick Garland, a onetime Supreme Court nominee who served two prior stints in the Justice Department, worked as a corporate litigator, and served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit for more than two decades, including seven years as chief judge. Garland's predecessor, William Barr, likewise had previously worked for the Justice Department, including as attorney general during the George H.W. Bush administration, in addition to earlier legal work at the CIA and in private practice.

Going down the list of attorneys general before Barr, you will see people with extensive legal experience, including former prosecutors, Justice Department officials, judges, and state attorneys general. Gaetz, by contrast, is a 42-year-old graduate of William & Mary Law School who briefly worked for a law firm in Fort Walton Beach before entering state politics in 2010, two years after he was admitted to the Florida bar. He served in Florida's legislature for six years before he was elected to represent the state's 1st Congressional District in 2016.

Gaetz's skimpy legal background is not the only reason many people, including Republican colleagues as well as Democrats, were dismayed by Trump's choice. As Reason's C.J. Ciaramella noted, Rep. Mike Simpson (RIdaho) "summed up the general reaction" on Capitol Hill with this response to news of the nomination: "Are you shittin' me?" When asked what he thought about Gaetz as attorney general, Sen. John Cornyn (RTexas) was a bit more diplomatic, saying, "I'm trying to absorb all of this." Sen. Lisa Murkowski (RAlaska) said Gaetz is "not a serious candidate." The New York Times describes him as "one of the most reviled members of his conference."

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To be sure, politicians can be "reviled" for good or bad reasons. A legislator who shakes things up by standing on principle and resisting business as usual in Congress, which is how Gaetz is apt to portray himself, is bound to antagonize the establishment. But in Gaetz's case, the main source of intraparty hostility is the perception that he is a lightweight showboat who is desperate for attention, fond of political stunts, inclined toward intemperate rhetoric, vindictive, and eager to start fires just to see stuff burn.

In these respects, Gaetz resembles Trump, whom he has vociferously defended for years. As Trump sees it, Gaetz's loyalty is his main qualification to run the Justice Department. But it raises obvious concerns for anyone who worries that Trump will act on his often expressed desire to punish his political opponents once he is back in power. Intalling a sycophant at the top of the Justice Department would go a long way toward helping him deliver on those threats.

Gaetz's allegiance to Trump, of course, hardly counts as a strike against him in the current Republican Party. In any case, his tendency to irritate his fellow Republicans predates his connection to the former and future president, and it seems to reflect obnoxious personality traits rather than controversial policy positions.

As a state representative in 2015, Gaetz opposed a "revenge porn" bill that made it a first-degree misdemeanor to post sexually explicit photos on a website without the subject's consent. Understandably, the bill's sponsor, Rep. Tom Goodson (RTitusville), was not happy about that. But there was an additional element to their dispute.

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"There is personal animosity between Goodson, a 64-year-old road contractor with a drawl who sometimes becomes tongue-tied during debates, and Gaetz, a 33-year-old lawyer with a sharp wit but an often-condescending manner," Florida Trend reported. "During a session on the House floor last year, Gaetz peppered Goodson with questions about an arcane piece of legislation dealing with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. The interrogation appeared to be an attempt to make Goodson appear unprepared or foolish." During that exchange, a microphone caught Goodson calling Gaetz an "asshole."

That assessment would later be echoed by Republicans who worked alongside Gaetz in Congress. His style was exemplified by his decision to wear a gas mask during a House debate about COVID-19 spending in early March 2020. There were sound reasons to question the government's response to the pandemic, including state and local restrictions as well as the eventual approval of $6.2 trillion in federal spending that was rife with fraud and waste. But according to Gaetz himself, he was not mocking the government's response.

When Washington Post reporter Philip Rucker said Gaetz had "made light of [the] coronavirus by wearing a gas mask," the congressman implausibly insisted that his stunt had been misunderstood. "Made light?!?!" he wrote on Twitter. "I was quite serious. The threat to Congress is real, as I explained, based on travel and habits like selfies and handshakes." Gaetz, in short, got the attention he wanted without making any substantive point, let alone accomplishing anything meaningful.

That is how Gaetz's critics characterized his ultimately successful battle to oust Rep. Kevin McCarthy (RCalif.) as House speaker. While Gaetz said he was taking a stand for fiscal restraint, McCarthy said Gaetz was taking revenge for an ethics investigation he blamed on the speaker.

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Although only Gaetz knows his true motivation, it seems clear that government shutdowns of the sort he faulted McCarthy for avoiding through a deal with Democrats "don't meaningfully reduce the size or cost of government," as Reason's Eric Boem noted last year. Nor has McCarthy's replacement by Rep. Mike Johnson (RLa.) yielded any improvement in the gap between revenue and spending, which increased from $1.7 trillion in fiscal year 2023 to more than $1.8 trillion in fiscal year 2024 as outlays rose from $6.1 trillion to $6.8 trillion.

Rep. Thomas Massie (RKy.), a fiscal conservative who did not support McCarthy's removal, thought Johnson should be fired. "We are steering everything toward what [Senate Majority Leader] Chuck Schumer wants," Massie said in April. "If the country likes Chuck Schumer, then the country should like what Speaker Johnson has accomplished in the House."

Whatever you make of McCarthy's ouster, Gaetz's recklessness was on full display in his defenses of Trump. On the night before former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen was scheduled to testify before the House Oversight Committee in February 2019, Gaetz directed a tweet at him: "Do your wife & father-in-law know about your girlfriends? Maybe tonight would be a good time for that chat. I wonder if she'll remain faithful when you're in prison. She's about to learn a lot"

When Democrats accused Gaetz of trying to intimidate Cohen, Gaetz defended the tweet. "This isn't witness tampering," he said. "This is witness testing. I don't threaten anybody." He later reconsidered that response, deleting the tweet and apologizing to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (DCalif.). "While it is important 2 create context around the testimony of liars like Michael Cohen, it was NOT my intent to threaten, as some believe I did," he wrote. "I'm deleting the tweet & I should have chosen words that better showed my intent. I'm sorry."

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After the 2020 election, Gaetz joined 138 other House Republicans in objecting to electoral votes for Joe Biden. When Trump supporters enraged at Biden's supposedly phony victory invaded the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, Gaetz sought to blame leftist provocateurs for the riot. "Some of the people who breached the Capitol today were not Trump supporters," he said on the House floor the next day. "They were masquerading as Trump supporters and, in fact, were members of the violent terrorist group antifa."

Soon afterward, Gaetz went on TV to criticize Rep. Liz Cheney (RWyo.) and other Republicans who had condemned Trump's behavior before and during the riot. Gaetz is "putting people in jeopardy," McCarthy complained in a phone call with other Republican leaders. "And he doesn't need to be doing this. We saw what people would do in the Capitol, you know, and these people came prepared with rope, with everything else."

A week after the riot, Gaetz was still embracing Trump's stolen-election fantasy, saying, "President Trump is fighting to EXPOSE election fraud and ensure there's integrity in every US election moving forward." Months later, he traveled the country with another Trump loyalist, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (RGa.), arguing that "audits" would validate the former president's baseless claims of systematic election fraud.

Gaetz has described himself as a "libertarian populist," and his policy positions are the mixed bag you might expect based on that confusing label. "I believe you can fundamentally agree that the government is bad at doing stuff but also understand that we cannot bend big government to the will of big business so easily through legal bribes we call campaign donations," he told Vanity Fair in 2020. "I'm a different kind of Republican, and I think we are in a time of political realignment made possible by the Trump presidency."

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Gaetz identified himself with "the pro-science wing of the Republican Party," meaning he acknowledges that "nobody chooses to be gay" and that "the earth is warming," although he expressed a preference for a "pro-innovation" response to climate change rather than an approach that "has the government controlling everything." His deference to science, he said, also led him to the conclusion that "the federal government has lied to our country for a generation about marijuana."

As a state legislator in 2015, Gaetz supported the repeal of Florida's ban on adoptions by same-sex couples. But he criticized Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 Supreme Court ruling recognizing a constitutional right to same-sex marriage, saying the issue should be left to the states. Consistent with that position, Gaetz opposed repealing the Defense of Marriage Act as a member of Congress in 2022.

In 2018, Gaetz was one of 182 House Republicans who supported the Trump-backed FIRST STEP Act, a package of sentencing and prison reforms. He had much less GOP company in 2020, when he cosponsored a bill that would have repealed the federal ban on marijuana, which passed the House with support from just five Republicans.

Gaetz has long been a staunch advocate of the right to armed self-defense. As a state legislator, he supported open carry and fought attempts to revise or repeal Florida's "stand your ground" law. Marion Hammer, former president of the National Rifle Association, described him as "one of the most pro-gun members to have ever served in the Florida Legislature."

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Gaetz has expressed his opposition to abortion in characteristically inflammatory and insulting terms. "Why is it that the women with the least likelihood of getting pregnant are the ones most worried about having abortions?" he wondered in a 2022 speech. "Nobody wants to impregnate you if you look like a thumb."

While some of Gaetz's positions will appeal to libertarians, his reputation in the House and his lack of relevant experience are apt to give senators pause. And that's without considering the allegations of sexual misconduct, drug use, and financial irregularities.

In 2022, federal prosecutors decided not to pursue charges against Gaetz after looking into claims involving sex with a 17-year-old and transportation of women allegedly paid for sex. The main reason, The Washington Post reported, was that prosecutors had doubts about the credibility of the witnesses on which they would have to rely.

Gaetz has always denied the sexual allegations. But an investigation by the House Ethics Committee covered some of the same ground, along with allegations that Gaetz used illegal drugs, "misused state identification records, converted campaign funds to personal use, accepted impermissible gifts under House rules, and shared inappropriate images or videos on the House floor," The New York Times reports.

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According to the Times, the committee was about to release "a highly critical report" about Gaetz when he gave up his seat in anticipation of his new job. Although the committee no longer has any authority over Gaetz, the Times says, "it was not immediately clear whether it would still release its findings."

One of Gaetz's Republican detractors, Rep. Max Miller (ROhio), said he was happy to see him go. Most House Republicans "are giddy about it," Miller told the Times. "Get him out of here." He added that he is looking forward to Gaetz's confirmation hearing. "I'm surprised that Matt would do this to himself," he said. "I want to go get a big bag of popcorn and pull up a front-row seat to that show."

The post Matt Gaetz's Personality Irked His GOP Colleagues. There Are Better Reasons To Oppose His Nomination. appeared first on Reason.com.
Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) on Wednesday announced he is running to become co-chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. If elected, he would be the first Gen Z member to serve in a congressional leadership role.

The panel is responsible for crafting and promoting a messaging strategy that communicates the priorities of House Democrats.

Frost launched his bid after it became clear Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) wouldnt seek reelection as one of the co-chairs. Meanwhile, Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) is running against Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) to be chair of the committee.

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In a letter addressed to his Democratic colleagues, first reported by Axios, Frost, who became the first Gen Z member of Congress after winning his 2022 race, expressed confidence that he knows what the party has to do to effectively communicate its vision for the future to Americans across the country.

I plan to bring one of the founding principles of my office to the entire caucus  the idea that to be effective communicators we must try to bridge the divide between cool and consciousness and cede no form of communication to our Republican counterparts, he said. That we should seek to not use culture, but be a part of it and mold it ourselves.

Frost, 27, laid out a three-point plan as part of his campaign for the role, including a pitch to create a digital media booking program that would enable members to connect with nontraditional media like content creators and artists.

This election has highlighted just how important it is to not only combat the conservative echo-chamber of digital platforms but to create our own in order to advance our message and your priorities, Frost said.

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Frost also said he could offer constituents training and production guidance on how to host events that serve as an effective platform for outreach to the community, citing his experience in producing major music festivals and his work serving as a former presidential campaign advance staffer and site lead.

The Gen Z congressman also pledged to plan workshops to assist members to create their brand and come up with their own style and writing guide.

Good branding can be simple and easy to create while making all the difference in how your constituents view you and our messaging as a whole, he said.

Republicans are projected to retain control of the House as they are on track to win a majority of seats in the lower chamber in this election. The GOP also flipped the Senate as they celebrated President-elect Donald Trumps victory.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams dodged questions by the hosts of "The View" Friday about a potential pardon from President-elect Donald Trump over his ongoing federal investigators.

However, he had a lot to say about how Trump won the election and how both sides of the aisle needed to rethink their toxic rhetoric.

Adams has been in the hot seat for over a year as federal investigators have probed several of his closest confidants and deputies, leading to mass resignations and scandals that all came to a head in September when Adams became the first sitting New York City mayor to be indicted on bribery charges.

PHOTO: New York City Eric Adams speaks with the hosts of 'The View' on Nov. 15, 2024. (ABC News)

The mayor has pleaded not guilty and maintained his innocence and has had the backing of Trump who claimed Adams was unjustly charged by federal prosecutors.

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MORE: New York City Mayor Eric Adams' federal probe: A timeline of corruption investigation

When asked by "The View" co-host Sunny Hostin about allegations that he was cozying up to the president-elect to help make a potential pardon a possibility, Adams did not answer. Instead, he reiterated his previous claims that he intends to work for the city as his legal team fights the charges.

"My job is to do what I have been doing since Jan. 1, 2022," he said.

Federal prosecutors charged Adams with one count of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy, two counts of solicitation of a contribution from a foreign national and one count of bribery.

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The indictment stems from alleged gifts, including upgraded airline flights and luxury hotel stays, given by Turkish businessmen and officials in exchange for preferential treatment by the mayor.

PHOTO: New York City Eric Adams speaks with the hosts of 'The View' on Nov. 15, 2024. (ABC News)

The trial against Adams is slated to begin in April. The investigation is ongoing and prosecutors have indicated there could be more people charged.

While Adams said his lawyers will handle the case, he said he and his officials are already preparing for various scenarios that Trump may inflict on the city.

Adams went into more detail about Trump's mass deportation proposal. The mayor said that New York has always welcomed immigrants and law-abiding immigrants and families will be protected, but stressed that the nation's immigration system is broken and the best solutions would stem from addressing those underlying issues.

PHOTO: New York City Eric Adams speaks with the hosts of 'The View' on Nov. 15, 2024. (ABC News)

He said the migrant crisis cost the city billions of dollars, and no one has provided it with the means or resources to deal with the over 200,000 migrants who were shipped to the city from other states.

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"I'm not allowed to let them work (legally)," he said. "I'm not allowed to get them to participate in our tax system."

Adams said both sides of the political aisle needed to turn down the rhetoric and name-calling that has perpetuated the discourse for years. The mayor implied that the toxic rhetoric was a reason behind Trump's victory, especially in the city where the former president gained ground among the electorate.

"What you saw in this city and a city becoming redder is because we stopped talking about broken class issues," Adams said.

MORE: NYC Mayor Eric Adams to stand trial in April 2025 on federal corruption charges

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"They're not talking about fascism, they're talking about finance. They're not talking about Hitler, they're talking about housing," the mayor added, referencing the statements from Trump opponents that he was a fascist.

"The View" co-host Ana Navarro noted that Vice President-elect JD Vance once called Trump Hitler. Adams reiterated that everyone must tone down their rhetoric.

Adams was also asked about his opinions on Trump's controversial cabinet appointees, specifically Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been tapped to run the Department of Health and Human Services.

PHOTO: New York City Eric Adams speaks with the hosts of 'The View' on Nov. 15, 2024. (ABC News)

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RFK Jr., who tried to run for president this year as a Democrat and Independent candidate before endorsing Trump, has pushed false claims about vaccine dangers and fluoride and promised to make massive cuts to health services if he is appointed by the Senate.

MORE: Tracking who Trump has named to serve in his Cabinet, administration

Adams pushed back against the fluoride claims but noted that the country needed to look at what is being put into food, which was another health stance that RFK Jr. had taken in the past.

When pushed by "The View" hosts to respond to RFK Jr.'s proposals, Adams said he was confident that the people in place in the health agencies would do the right thing for the country.

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"If we love our country, then no one individual should take us away from our mission," he said.

"There are experts at this, they will look at his proposals and give analysis," Adams added.

Mayor Eric Adams dodges questions about potential Trump pardon, reflects NYC's future originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced a comprehensive plan Friday to address persistent public safety and health issues in public spaces, including new legislation and establishing the Downtown Activation Team (DAT).

The pilot program, which began in September in downtown Seattle, focuses on reducing crime, increasing cleanliness, and enhancing community engagement.

Early results show a 27% decrease in violent crime and a 14% drop in emergency service calls in the targeted Pike/Pine area, prompting plans to expand the model to other neighborhoods.

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Our highest priority is public safety, Harrell said, highlighting the One Seattle Restoration Framework, which serves as the foundation for the initiative. We are already seeing very positive results from our Downtown Activation Team pilot By working together, we can achieve the goal of everyone in every neighborhood being safe and feeling secure.

The DAT program involves nearly 15 city departments coordinating with community partners like the Downtown Seattle Association, Metropolitan Improvement District, and We Deliver Care.

Efforts include targeted enforcement to curb disruptive behavior, scheduled restoration activities such as cleaning and graffiti removal, and connecting individuals to services.

Since September, the team has completed nearly 200 cleanups and over 100 graffiti abatements downtown, with additional work recently launched in Little Saigon and the Chinatown-International District.

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Mayor Harrells strategy includes six key priorities under the One Seattle Restoration Framework: reducing gun violence, tackling high-impact crime, improving 911 response, addressing the opioid crisis, revitalizing neighborhoods, and addressing root causes of violence through community investment.

The framework uses metrics to track progress, with data shared publicly on topics like gun violence, police recruitment, overdose rates, and foot traffic downtown.

Harrell will propose two ordinances to the City Council to support the DAT pilot. These include disrupting retail theft and illegal street vending of stolen goods and enhancing resources for city employees tasked with restoring public spaces.

Community leaders and city officials praised the initiatives collaborative approach.

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Councilmember Bob Kettle noted the importance of interdepartmental coordination, saying, Only by working as a team can we realize our strategic vision of a safer, thriving Seattle.

Fire Chief Harold Scoggins added that the program will help address challenges seen daily by first responders in downtown Seattle.

Looking ahead, the city plans to expand the DAT program to other neighborhoods if its success continues.
BINGHAMTON, NY (WIVT/WBGH)  In the wake of the news that Hacienda may be replaced by a marijuana dispensary, Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham took to Facebook to ease the concerns of interested community members.

Marijuana dispensary to replace Hacienda Mexican Restaurant

Although the marijuana dispensary license was issued in October to Tranquil Arc, LLC, the news of a potential change has caught many by surprise, including the staff of Hacienda and its owner Jose Rodriguez.

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Rodriguez called News 34 after the fact to voice his concern that the news was untrue because he hadnt been notified by the owner of the building, Vince Altadonna, but the approval had been given by the New York State Office of Cannabis Management a month ago.

However, Mayor Krahams Facebook statement ensured community members that just because the license had been given out does not mean the end of Hacienda at 1167 to 1171 Vestal Avenue is imminent.

This is not a done deal, Mayor Kraham said.

If the license holder does apply to the City of Binghamton Planning Commission, it will require a special use permit and public hearing where residents can voice their opinions on the site plan and use. Until that time, there cannot be a change of use at the building and it may continue to operate as a restaurant without interruption, he added.

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Essentially, Binghamton residents who are/are not in favor of a marijuana dispensary to replace Hacienda would be able to voice those opinions at a public hearing. That is, only if Tranquil Arc does decide to apply to the Planning Commission.

Kraham doubled down on his disapproval of the license and its potential use going back to March 2024 when he sent a letter to the NYSOCM in opposition to the initial application.

I reiterate that cannabis retail locations should fill vacant storefronts or support revitalization of business districts in need  not locations that already have a productive active use, Kraham said.

Kraham concluded his statement with a promise to keep the community up-to-date with future developments, as well as encouraging residents to voice their opinions via e-mail to planning@cityofbinghamton.gov.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34.
(KTAL/KMSS)  There is an opportunity for aspiring college students to be awarded scholarships through a global fast-food chains education initiative.

McDonalds announced that three of its largest scholarship programs, the McDonalds HACER National Scholarship, the Black & Positively Golden Scholarship, and the APIA Scholarship, are all accepting submissions for scholarships.

In a news release, the company said it is Turning Dreams into Degrees by empowering future thought leaders to advance their educational aspirations.

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With a nearly four-decade history of supporting students dreams of attending college, McDonalds USA and its Owner/Operators have channeled significant resources to serve bright futures to college-bound students from Asian and Pacific Islander American and Hispanic/Latino backgrounds, as well as those attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Learn more about McDonalds opportunities for furthering education. Statement from McDonalds announcing scholarship applicaiton window

The HACER is the most extensive program committed to providing Hispanic/Latino students with financial resources. Eligible high school seniors should visit McDonalds HACER webpage to apply for one of 30 available scholarships. The application period for 2025-2026 scholarships is open through February 6, 2025.

One small decision I made that changed everything was applying for the McDonalds HACER National Scholarship, which really put my mind at ease when it came to not graduating with student loans. Receiving that email was huge for me and my family  it changed a lot and placed us in a position where I could pursue my dreams.  2018 HACER recipient and recent graduate of Georgetown University.

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Through a more than 20-year partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and a three-year partnership with digital health company Alkeme Health, the Black and Positively Golden National Scholarship Program has helped incoming HBCU students and their families ease the financial and mental health burdens often associated with college costs and admissions.

Bayou Classic tradition, pageantry, culture returns

Sixty-three students attending HBCUs were awarded scholarships in the 2024-2025 academic year, and nearly 2,000 Black and Positively Golden applications received a one-year Alkeme Health subscription. The scholarship application deadline is April 25, 2025.

Being awarded with the Black and Positively Golden Scholarship gave me the breathing room I need to focus on developing the mark that I want to leave on the world.  2023 Black and Positively Golden recipient and junior at Florida A&M University

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McDonalds USA partnered with APIA Scholars for the fifth year to provide scholarships for students from underrepresented communities to achieve their academic goals. Asian & Pacific Islander American students can apply now through January 15. Visit APAnext.com for updates on digital resources for scholars.

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WASHINGTON, DC  Healthcare facilities in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia are seeing a dramatic spike in cases of "walking pneumonia," an illness known for being less severe than regular pneumonia, according to multiple reports.

In October, MedStar Health  a healthcare organization that operates 10 hospitals and 33 urgent care centers across the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area  diagnosed 1,789 cases of walking pneumonia across the region, WUSA9 reported.

The number of cases marks a 358 percent increase, up from just 391 cases reported in October 2023.

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The biggest age group that were seeing that increase in is actually in the kiddos. From 10 to 17 is the highest increase, and were seeing a pretty significant jump in those aged 0 to 9 as well, Amanda Joy, associate medical director for MedStar Health Urgent Care, told WTOP.

What Is Walking Pneumonia?

Walking pneumonia is a colloquial term to describe atypical pneumonia, or mild lung infections carrying symptoms similar to a chest cold, including a sore throat, sneezing, coughing, headache, mild chills and low-grade fever.

People who have walking pneumonia generally feel well enough to go about their lives.

Unlike regular pneumonia, which is caused by various microorganisms, usually bacteria and viruses, walking pneumonia is caused by the difficult-to-detect bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

People of any age can develop walking pneumonia infections, but theyre most common among children ages 5-17 and young adults. Younger children may have different symptoms, including diarrhea, wheezing or vomiting.

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An estimated 2 million infections are confirmed every year in the United States; however, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the true number of people affected is unknown since there is no national reporting or dedicated surveillance system for tracking.

First-line antibiotics for children, including amoxicillin and penicillin, dont work on this type of pneumonia. Instead, the CDC recommends macrolides, such as azithromycin, clarithromycin and erythromycin. Patients who dont improve may need second-line treatments, such as fluoroquinolones or tetracyclines.

Cases are likely increasing now because fewer people are wearing masks, washing their hands or sneezing into their elbows, practices that were more common during the COVID-19 pandemic, Joy told WTOP.

We didnt have (walking pneumonia) throughout that time period when COVID was going on, because we were masking. So our resistance is down and were able to contract it easier, Joy said.



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Although Mycoplasma infection rates are now more in line with pre-pandemic levels, they have not exceeded them.

It seems very dramatic now, but its more because during the peak of the Covid pandemic, just about everything else went down, Dr. Geoffrey Weinberg, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the University of Rochester Medical Center, told CNN, But the actual countrywide rates are fairly similar to what it was before 2019.

MD, NoVA Seeing Dramatic Spike In Walking Pneumonia Cases: Reports originally appeared on the Old Town Alexandria Patch
Measles cases have skyrocketed in recent years after a COVID-19 pandemic-era drop in vaccination against the virus.

Cases of the disease increased by 20 percent across the globe between 2022 and 2023, rising from 8,645,000 to 10,341,000, according to a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO).

The number of countries that experienced large or disruptive outbreaks during that time grew from 36 to 57, the report also notes.

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Deaths from measles declined by 8 percent in that time, from 116,800 in 2022 to 107,500 in 2023, with mostly children younger than 5 years dying from the disease.

The slight drop in measles deaths is mainly linked to many new cases of the disease occurring in countries where children are less likely to die from the disease due to access to health care and better overall nutrition.

WHO officials urged vaccination as the best way to fight against rising cases of the disease.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, global vaccination rates with the first dose of the measles vaccine dropped to 81 percent  the lowest they have been since 2008, according to a report from the Centers from Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released concurrently.

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There was a slight increase in global vaccination against the disease in 2022  to 83 percent  which has since remained unchanged.

Measles vaccine has saved more lives than any other vaccine in the past 50 years, said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. To save even more lives and stop this deadly virus from harming the most vulnerable, we must invest in immunization for every person, no matter where they live.

More than 22 million children missed the first dose of the measles vaccine in 2023, according to the WHO. About 83 percent of kids received their first dose of the inoculation last year, while 74 percent received the recommended second dose.

In the United States, the CDC recommends that children get the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine to protect them from getting the disease.

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The vaccine is administered in two shots, the first of which is recommended to be given to children between the ages of 12 months to 15 months and the second between the ages of 4 and 6 years old.

Teens and adults who have not received the immunization should also get the two-shot vaccination, the agency says.

Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are 97 percent effective at protecting a person against contracting measles and 88 percent effective at protecting someone from the mumps, per the CDC.

At least 95 percent of a countrys population needs to have received the two-dose regimen of the measles vaccine to prevent outbreaks of the highly contagious disease, according to the WHO.

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The team behind Minneapolis vegan restaurant Francis Burger Joint doesn't shy away from serving up Juicy Lucys and buffalo fries topped with ranch dressing  all with no animal ingredients whatsoever  to customers hailing from the Dairy Belt.

The restaurant, co-owned by friends Garrett Born, Lindsey Johnston and Brendan Viele, has been winning over meat-lovers nonstop since its opening in northeast Minneapolis early last year.

"We're not a company that screams vegan," Born explained. "We realize that we're in Minnesota, we're not in Portland or L.A."

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In the kitchen, the team pushes the boundaries of what you might expect possible for an Impossible Burger patty - or any burger for that matter.

Sometimes you bite into a burger and the leaf lettuce slides right out with the tomato and your whole experience is putting the burger back together again," Born said.

To compete as a vegan restaurant in a Twin Cities restaurant scene known for burgers and dives, Francis Burger Joint has honed in on the details.

According to Johnston, a quality bun is a must. The knife work on slicing the tomatoes matters, too.

The team has also measured how much patty is really needed in a burger, and how long it should be seared on a 400-degree flat top. Shoestring fries, they found, stay crispy longer.

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We really want every single component of what were making the be the best that there is, Johnston said.

Francis Burger Joint also offers a vegan cocktail menu.

Behind the bar, ingredients have been meticulously sourced to avoid even the most covert non-vegan culprits, such as wines filtered with bone char and colored dyes derived from insects.

Photo courtesy of Francis Burger Joint.

Recently, the restaurant landed a spot on Yelp's Top 100 Vegan Restaurants in America list.

While quality and consistency remain a pillar of Francis Burger Joint's philosophy, the team credits much of its success as a vegan restaurant to its identity as a family-friendly, neighborhood spot.

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We really want to be a part of the neighborhood," Johnston said. "It's about being a neighbor restaurant and bar versus a vegan restaurant.

The Longfellow neighborhood will soon have a Francis Burger Joint of its own.

The restaurant's second location is set to open Thursday, Nov. 21 inside the former Peppers & Fries space at 3900 East Lake Street.

The new Francis Burger Joint at 3900 East Lake Street as of late October. Photos courtesy of Garrett Born.

'It was meant to be'

Francis Burger Joint was first introduced to the Twin Cities with a food trailer residency at Sociable Cider Werks, where Born was working at the time.

He and Viele, childhood friends who both graduated from Mounds View High School, met Johnston during her stint at St. Paul vegan eatery J. Selby's.

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Johnston, a longtime vegan, grew up in Nashville and dreamed of going to culinary school, but took a different path and ended up attending graduate school for human resources.

"I knew immediately that wasn't the world I wanted to be in," she said.

She eventually left her job at a bike shop to be a part of the opening of J. Selby's, where she was hired as a prep cook and became front of house manager.

"A lot of people didn't come with a lot of experience, they just wanted to be there," she recalled.

Born landed his first restaurant job at Perkins when he was teenager, bussing tables in order to pay off a garage door he'd accidentally broken.

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Since then: "I've done everything there is to do in a restaurant," he said.

The trio of friends' meeting, while Born and Viele were beginning to devise the food trailer concept for Sociable, feels serendipitous looking back, Johnston said.

Another fortuitous moment arrived with the opportunity to open their first restaurant in Northeast Minneapolis.

After a feature in the Star Tribune, they were approached at their food trailer and offered the lease to the then-outgoing Sen Yai Sen Lek Thai restaurant space.

The whole path has felt kind of like it was meant to be," Born said.
If President-elect Donald Trump gets his way, his National Security Council will be a very lively place to be. Michael Waltz, who would be chairing the council as National Security Adviser, has declared that there is "no peaceful solution in Syria as long as [Bashar] Assad is in power," because Assad has "been gassing his own people for years." But Tulsi Gabbard, who would be sitting in the meetings as Director of National Intelligence, has met the Syrian ruler in person, arguing that "Assad is not the enemy of the United States, because Syria does not pose a direct threat to the United States."

That's just one of the intense contradictions on display in the incoming second Trump administration's foreign policy staff. Trump has flirted with both extremely hawkish and extremely dovish positions. And his staffing is similarly all over the place.

Many of Trump's nominees are conventional war hawks. His secretary of state nominee, Marco Rubio, is open to regime change wars in Latin America. Brian Hook, running the State Department transition, is obsessed with regime change in the Middle East. Elise Stefanik, nominated as ambassador to the United Nations, and John Ratcliffe, nominated to run the CIA, also want more intervention there. Waltz, perhaps the most radical of them all, is on record supporting U.S. boots on the ground in Ukraine and a reinvasion of Afghanistan.

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But on Wednesday, Trump nominated some surprising antiestablishment figures: Rep. Matt Gaetz (RFla.) for attorney general and former Rep. Gabbard (DHawaii) for director of national intelligence, which oversees the U.S. government's 18 intelligence agencies. Gaetz has pushed to restrain the President's war powers under both Democratic and Republican administrations. Gabbard is an outspoken opponent of U.S. regime change effortsboth through military force and economic sanctionsin the Middle East. In 2018, when Trump was considering attacking Iran in defense of Saudi oil fields, Gabbard urged him not to be "Saudi Arabia's bitch."

Gaetz and Gabbard are both going to face a hard Senate confirmation battle. Several Republican senators have come out as skeptics of Gaetz for reasons unrelated to foreign policy; he's been investigated for sexual misconduct and sparked a Republican civil war over his successful effort to overthrow former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy. Gabbard, meanwhile, has gone further than most other foreign policy critics would. It's one thing to say that Assad is not a threat to America and another to meet him in person.

At first glance, Trump's pick for secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, is another dyed-in-the-wool neocon. He came up in politics as a leader in Vets for Freedom, a veterans' organization that wanted to keep the Iraq War going. At a rally for John McCain during the 2008 presidential elections, Hegseth praised McCain for being "willing to stick his neck out for an unpopular war" and argued that "Iraq is the central battlefront in a larger battle against radical Islam."

And when Trump ordered the assassination of an Iranian general in 2020, Hegseth was cheering for a full-on war with Iran. "None of this changes the calculation of this regime, which is an evil regime," he fumed on Fox News, arguing that the United States needs to attack Iran's nuclear sites, military headquarters, and industrial infrastructure. "We can't kick the can down the road any longer," Hegseth warned.

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But more recently, Hegseth claimed that his views have changed.

Leaving Saddam Hussein in power was perhaps "a better idea than overturning the whole apple cart and welcoming Iran into Iraq," Hegseth said in a November 7 interview with the Shawn Ryan Show. "I heard people making those arguments, which I didn't like, people I didn't like. I just had to dismiss them at the time because I was a believer in the mission that was in front of us at the time, but in retrospect, we have burned two decades of money, our best and brightest, our good will, military capabilities, strategic drift in Afghanistan and Iraq."

Then again, it's easier to agree that the last war was a mistake than to oppose the next one. (Just ask Democrats.) Like others in the "peace through strength" camp, Hegseth has no problem arguing that it's just different this time. "I understand [attacking Iran is] not a popular idea. I don't want boots on the ground. I don't want endless war. I don't want occupation. But Iran has been in an endless war with us for 40 years," Hegseth claimed during his 2020 interview with Fox News.

Gaetz and Gabbard, by the way, have also carved out their own loopholes in the Middle East. Gabbard, who told The Intercept in 2018 that she supported "very limited" counterterrorism campaigns, has come out in full-throated support of Israel's war in the Palestinian territories, accusing American antiwar protesters of being "puppets" of a "radical Islamist organization." And Gaetz has backed President Joe Biden's deployment of U.S. combat troops to Israel, telling Reason that because "our troops are already there," the new deployment is simply a matter of "force protection."

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One more figure has emerged as a potential foreign policy dark horse. Billionaire businessman Elon Musk, who Trump has brought into the White House as an adviser on government efficiency, secretly met with an Iranian diplomat on Monday, according to The New York Times. The Iranian side told the Times that it was a "positive" meeting on how to reduce tensions in the Middle East. That's not unprecedented; the Obama administration's own diplomacy with Iran started through an Omani businessman who wanted to try an "out-of-the-box approach" to preventing war.

It's possible that Trump's more hawkish advisersand the rivalries between themstrangle this diplomacy in the cradle, as they did during the first Trump administration. Former National Security Adviser John Bolton aggressively sabotaged Trump's efforts to prevent a war with North Korea. Meanwhile, Hook at the State Department nearly derailed a Bolton-backed hostage exchange with Iran.

The eclectic voices in the new administration might be more successful at winning Trump's ear. Personnel is policy, as they say, and the policy so far is quite confusing.

The post Meet Trump's Incredibly Confusing New National Security Cabinet appeared first on Reason.com.
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  A Memphis man was convicted in connection to a 2017 homicide at a Jackson motel.

Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens said Marvin Willoughby found guilty of killing Freddie Mosley, 28.

Hinds County man pleads guilty to killing grandmother, uncle

Jackson police responded to the shooting at the Mustang Motel on September 12, 2017. They found Mosley deceased at the scene. Through surveillance video, investigators were able to identify Willoughby as the shooter.

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Following a two-week manhunt across several states, Willoughby was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Kansas. Authorities said he was also engaged in human trafficking and prostitution, bringing women from out-of-state to Jackson to engage in the sex-trade.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A judge has requested a mental evaluation for the man accused of fatally shooting Memphis musician Blake Rhea last week.

Edward Wurl, 51, is charged with first-degree murder and convicted felon in possession of a handgun.

While in court on Friday morning, Judge Bill Anderson requested the mental evaluation and set a hearing date for December 13.

Friends remember local musician killed outside Midtown bar

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According to an affidavit, Rhea and Wurl were involved in a verbal altercation inside Louis Connollys Bar before they went outside. Police say they were involved in a romantic relationship with the same woman.

Wurl was caught on camera following Rhea to his car with a knife before a struggle occurred. That is when Wurl shot Rhea and walked away from the scene, police say.

In 1994, records state that Wurl was convicted of burglary and unlawful wounding.

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A judge has ordered a competency evaluation for the woman who is accused of killing a Greene County man and leaving the state.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Janel Nelson, 52, of Wisconsin, was indicted on one count of murder and one count of felonious assault on Oct. 25, according to a previous News Center 7 report.

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She was accused of killing Michael Corrigan, 55, of Beavercreek, back in August. Police said Corrigan was her on-again, off-again, boyfriend for the past 15 years.

Nelson was arrested in Omaha, Nebraska on Aug. 27 and was extradited to Ohio where she was booked into Greene County Jail.

In a court order filed on Nov. 13, a Greene County Common Please Court Judge ordered a mental evaluation for Nelson.

The evaluation will be conducted by the Forensic Psychiatry Center for Western Ohio and the report will be submitted no later than Jan. 9, 2025, according to the court order.

We will continue following this story.

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A university created an initiative to highlight those starting their higher education journey.

Mercyhurst University inducted its new class of first-generation college students and employees into the tri-alpha honor society.

Erie City Council digging into first part of mayors proposed 2025 budget

The movements mission is to make college more accessible to anyone whose parents never went to a four-year university. A student involved in the society shared why representation matters.

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I feel it is a way to connect everybody it was a way to kind of gather a sense of belonging and across students, faculty, and university staff members across the board everybody connected over that one experience, said Mackenzie Mihalike, a first gen student.

U.S. Brig Niagara will not be ready for Tall Ships 2025

A total of 30 students and 21 employees were honored.

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(Bloomberg) -- Aluminum jumped on Friday after China said it would cancel a tax rebate thats helped fuel a decades-long boom in exports and shielded an industry prone to overcapacity.

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Futures in London jumped as much as 8.5% following the announcement from the countrys Ministry of Finance. Chinas aluminum industry historically has exported significant amounts of the metal as semi-finished products, which are used in value-added manufacturing or simply re-melted into commodity-grade shapes.

The shipments of the metal used in everything from beer cans to automobiles have been a trigger point for trade battles with the US and Europe in the past, with smelters shuttering across the globe due to excess supply, low prices and high energy costs.

This could be seen as a strategic move in the context of trade tensions following Trumps win in the US presidential elections, said ING Bank NV commodity strategist Ewa Manthey.

Chinas exports of semi-finished aluminum rose to 5.2 million tons in 2023, according to state researcher Beijing Antaike Information Development Co. Thats equivalent to about 7% of the global aluminium market.

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The tax rebate  applied across a range of aluminum products including pipes, plates, sheets and strips  was staggered up to 13%. It was also removed for copper and lowered for some refined oil, solar, battery and non-metallic mineral products.

Its removal, enforced from December, is likely to restrict flows from the country in the short term, analysts from Shanghai Metal Market said in a note. Still, the capacity for output growth elsewhere is limited, so Chinese producers have room to shift tax cost to overseas buyers, they said.

Given Chinas position as the largest global producer of aluminum and alumina, the market appears to be pricing that these semi fabricated product flows need to continue, pushing up the LME price and potentially weighing on China prices, Morgan Stanley strategist Amy Gower said in a note, adding that Mexico was the largest recipient of semi-finished Chinese aluminum last year.

Earlier Friday, industrial metals had been boosted by retail sales figures that showed consumption growth nearly caught up to factory output in the worlds biggest importer of metals. Thus far, China had experienced a lopsided recovery, where household spending had trailed production, held back by sluggish sentiment among shoppers and the private sector.

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Citigroup Inc. upgraded its growth forecast for China to 5% for 2024, though it cautioned tariff concerns would be the main source of growth concern.

Industrial metals had drifted lower since late-September and were on track for their seventh consecutive weekly fall. The greenbacks spike since Donald Trumps victory, which makes commodities priced in the currency less appealing, added to the bearish sentiment. On Friday, the dollar retreated before paring losses and trading close to multi-month highs.

Aluminums price jump was the biggest since April, and futures traded 6.1% higher as of 16.12 p.m. on the London Metal Exchange, at $2,670 a ton. Copper, zinc and nickel also gained.

--With assistance from Winnie Zhu and Jack Farchy.

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The cracked riverbed lays exposed in El Paso, Texas, on May 23, 2022. The riverbed below Elephant Butte Reservoir is often empty for most of the year, as the river only runs during irrigation season, which is shortened by drought. (Photo by Diana Cervantes for Source NM)

All five members of New Mexicos congressional delegation are urging the federal government to quickly resolve a decade-old lawsuit from Texas over water rights from the Rio Grande.

In times of worsening drought and precipitation out of line with historical patterns, it is imperative that our communities, municipalities, farmers, ranchers, and businesses have as much clarity about their future water supplies as possible, they wrote in a letter dated Thursday. They asked for the case to get across the finish line before the end of the year.

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U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan and Reps. Melanie Stansbury, Gabe Vasquez and Teresa Leger Fernandez, all Democrats, addressed the one-page letter to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Texas sued New Mexico in 2013, accusing farmers in the southern part of the state of pulling groundwater meant for Texas under the 1938 Rio Grande Compact between those two states plus Colorado, where the river starts in the Rocky Mountains. Colorado agreed to ensure enough water would reach New Mexico, which in turn agreed to pass along enough to Texas.

The states in 2022 struck a proposed settlement agreement but the federal government opposed it. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June the case could not be settled without the federal governments go-ahead. A special master overseeing the case has ordered them to resolve the dispute through mediation by Dec. 16.

As of Nov. 7, most of New Mexico was experiencing drought or abnormally dry conditions, and nearly every part of the state had experienced a period of drought in the previous year, the lawmakers wrote.

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About 13 million people in the U.S. and Mexico rely on the river and its tributaries for drinking water, while an estimated 1.8 million acres of crops and pastures are irrigated by it, they wrote.

Delaying the lawsuits end any further imperils the ability of water users to prepare for more common and more extreme droughts in the Rio Grande Basin, New Mexicos delegation wrote.
Staff of what was once known as the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority pose in front of their new logo and name, Housing New Mexico, after a news conference on Wednesday in Albuquerque. The board overseeing the authority pulled a proposal Wednesday that would have significantly increased the income limits to qualify for a range of housing subsidies. (Photo by Patrick Lohmann / Source NM)

Members of the state Legislature will again ask for half a billion dollars for New Mexicos housing agency this upcoming legislative session, re-upping a big request that the agency says is vital to stem the housing affordability crisis here.

If the last session is any indication, its unlikely the Legislature will fund the request at that amount when lawmakers meet in January.

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An interim committee overseeing Housing New Mexico, which until recently was known as the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority, unanimously endorsed proposed legislation at its meeting Thursday.

The state lacks at least 32,000 affordable homes statewide, and about 20,000 people experience homelessness in the state over the course of a year, according to recent estimates.

The $500 million would go to the agencys Housing Affordability Trust Fund, which pays for a variety of programs, including down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, plus housing development and rehabilitation.

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The request will come after the Legislature made its biggest one-time investment in housing in state history earlier this year. Lawmakers approved about $200 million, including $125 million in loans for workforce housing development and affordable housing infrastructure, $50 million for the trust fund, $20 million for anti-homelessness initiatives and a couple other small programs.

Sen. Nancy Rodriguez (D-Santa Fe), a longtime housing advocate who is retiring at the end of this year after 28 years in the Senate, made the first legislative request for $500 million for Housing New Mexico during the session earlier this year.

Shes introduced bills to bolster the trust fund since as far back as at least 2007, with limited success. The agency got about $21 million combined for the fund between 2005 and 2021.

While Rodriguez acknowledged Thursday that we dont always get the full amount, she requests, she touted the fund as necessary for a range of housing services, and she said it has a return on investment of 17-to-1. Thats because it leverages federal and private funding and generates revenue.

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Last year, lawmakers ultimately approved $50 million for the agency, which is on top of about $38 million the agency has received annually from severance tax bonds since last year.

Lawmakers arrived at $50 million as they built a record budget last year. There were dueling requests from Rodriguez, the governors office and the Legislative Finance Committee, which recommended $50 million. The governors office also sought funding and authority for its own housing agency, which lawmakers ultimately denied.

In the last 16 months, Housing New Mexico has received a little more than $122 million from the Legislature, according to a presentation from director Isidoro Izzy Hernandez. Of that money, it has awarded 73% and spent 21% of it. That includes about $15 million in down payment assistance.

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If the Legislature funds the full request, which Rodriguez acknowledged we dont always get, Hernandez said the agency would be able to help 10,500 more people on top of the 20,000 the agency already serves.

One difference with the half-billion-dollar ask this time around is that the 10% of it would be set aside for local governments. That dedicated funding could serve as an incentive for local governments to change their local zoning ordinances to increase affordable housing density and development, Hernandez said.
(Bloomberg) -- Mexicos government said on Friday that it will narrow the fiscal deficit next year even as President Claudia Sheinbaum pledges to boost social programs and support the heavily-indebted state driller Petroleos Mexicanos.

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The administration will target a budget gap equivalent to 3.9% of gross domestic product in 2025, less than an estimated 5.9% shortfall for this year, according to the proposal that Finance Minister Rogelio Ramirez de la O presented to Congress. The ministry sees a primary fiscal surplus  which excludes debt payments  at 0.6% of GDP next year, from the forecast deficit of 1.4% in 2024, according to the plan which requires lawmakers approval.

The peso pared some of its earlier gains, trading 0.1% weaker at 20.38 per dollar as of 3:45 p.m. in New York.

Mexicos public coffers are coming under pressure due to constant aid to Pemex, as the state oil company is known, as well as the expansion of welfare programs and infrastructure projects including train routes. That spending has prompted some economists to doubt Sheinbaum, who had said before Friday the government would seek a budget gap of 3% to 3.5% of GDP next year.

The broad financial support to Pemex will continue, as the government will transfer 136 billion pesos ($6.7 billion) to the state company to cover debt payments in 2025, according to the draft. The total resources proposed for the driller next year total 464 billion pesos ($23 billion), with an estimated surplus of 249 billion pesos, up from the surplus of 145 billion pesos in the 2024 draft.

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Pemex, which relies on government cash injections and tax reductions to stay afloat, has around $9 billion in debt coming due next year and roughly $13 billion in 2026. Sheinbaums administration is looking to address Pemexs nearly $100 billion debt load without having the company turn to capital markets in the short term, the president said on Wednesday.

Infrastructure Projects

Mexicos 2025 budget includes a range of infrastructure projects, with the expansion of the countrys railway system as a priority, according to Ramirez de la O. The plan foresees the continuity of social programs that characterized the government of former head of state Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the minister said.

Priority social programs will have an allocated budget of 835.7 billion pesos. The budgets top projects include 189 billion pesos mainly for train lines, with some money set aside for improvements to water infrastructure.

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Mexicos new Agency of Digital Transformation and Telecommunications will help modernize tax payment systems and optimize customs revenue, as the government continues to pledge not to raise taxes, according to the plan.

The budget also proposes increasing some fees such as the ones international visitors pay for airport services to face the rise in demand of migratory services as well as upgrading the infrastructure of the National Migration Institute.

The administration has also slashed spending in other areas. The draft budget allocates 152 billion pesos for defense, a 41% decrease from the 259 billion pesos set aside for 2024.

Economist Skepticism

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The Finance Ministry sees the Mexican economy growing 2% to 3% next year, Ramirez de la O said. That estimate is higher than that of the central bank, which in August cut its 2025 GDP forecast to 1.2%.

Achieving growth between 2% and 3% in 2025 will require help from the private sector, increased hiring of personnel and growth in fixed investment, something unlikely due to the caution generated by the constitutional reforms recently approved by Congress and the promise by US President-elect Donald Trump to increase tariffs on products exported by Mexico to that country, said Gabriela Siller, head of economic research at Grupo Financiero Base.

Before Friday, Ramirez de la O had said there wont be a repeat of the 2024 deficit, which is the widest since the 1980s. This years expenditures rose as the government sought to complete infrastructure projects during Lopez Obradors last months in office, and they dont represent recurring spending, he had said.

Some analysts remain skeptical. There are hurdles that could lead to a deficit above 4% next year, including the lack of a fiscal consolidation plan and spending commitments to public entities and social programs, JPMorgan economists Gabriel Lozano and Steven Palacio wrote in a note Thursday.

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Some economists also questioned government estimates of public debt at 51.4% of GDP in 2025. Tax collection will also reach 14.6% of GDP, Ramirez de la O told lawmakers on Friday.

Overly optimistic forecasts make it unlikely that the projected deficit and debt will be achieved, increasing the likelihood of a sovereign credit rating downgrade, Siller said.

The plans adjustment relies on a significant squeeze of current and capital spending and a maximum cut in non-capital spending, Alberto Ramos, chief Latin America economist at Goldman Sachs Group Inc., wrote in a note. He added that revenue could disappoint given that the real GDP growth is likely overestimated by at least 1.5%, but the administration may eventually benefit from a more depreciated peso and higher oil prices.

Overall, a tough, but not impossible, budget to execute, he wrote.

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Here are other key points from the budget:

--With assistance from Scott Squires, Maria Elena Vizcaino and Andrea Navarro.

(Adds budget details and analyst comments from third paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
A flight bound for Miami made it over five hours into its journey before making a sudden U-turn at the Canadian border after experiencing severe turbulence.

The Scandinavian Airlines flight SK957 took off from Stockholm at around midday on Thursday, 14 November and was due to land in Miami at 5.45pm local time, but the plane never reached its destination.

An airline spokesperson said the turbulence began while travelling over Greenland, and was so severe that despite being well into the journey, the pilots decided to make a U-turn.

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The aircraft, carrying 254 passengers, diverted back to Europe and landed in Copenhagen, Denmark, just after 11pm after more than 10 hours in the air.

One passenger told ABC News that just before reaching Canada the turbulence started intensifying until it was unpleasant adding that people were screaming due to how severe it was.

Images captured by another passenger shared on social media show the plane aisle scattered with food and objects, as well as large items from storage lockers that appear to have been flung onto the floor.

Debris fell into the plane aisle during turbulence (Courtesy of X/@zamzam1925)

Upon arrival, passengers were met by a special assistance team who provided information, addressed any concerns, assisted with rebooking, and ensured their comfort, the spokesperson said.

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The airline said that the passengers had already been rebooked on other flights and were hosted in hotels overnight in the Danish capital.

No severe injuries were reported from the passengers or crew, it added.

Scandinavian Airlines said that the decision to fly back to Europe rather than persevere to the United States after the turbulence was due to it not having the correct facilities at Miami International Airport to carry out an inspection.

Since SAS do not have the necessary facilities and staff for this level of inspection in MIA, we decided to reroute the aircraft to Copenhagen, where both hangar space and qualified technicians were available, the spokesperson said.

Item appeared to have been flung out of storage spaces (Courtesy of X/@zamzam1925)

Flying the aircraft to MIA would have resulted in it being grounded for an extended period, leading to multiple cancellations.

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They said that the airlines policy states that such severe turbulence at this level means a thorough inspection of the aircraft is required.

The incident comes just days after 11 people were injured on board a Lufthansa flight bound for Germany from Argentina after the aircraft also encountered severe turbulence.

Five passengers and six crew members sustained minor injuries and recieved medical treatment on Monday after flying in an intertropical convergence zone with low-pressure air currents.

A spokesperson for Lufthansa said: The safety of the flight was never compromised. Lufthansa regrets any inconvenience caused to the passengers. The safety and well-being of passengers and crew members always remains Lufthansas top priority.

For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast
A condo association at a pair of luxurious beachfront towers in Bal Harbour is suing the companies that own and manage the common areas, alleging that negligence and poor maintenance has led to safety risks including electrocution and the stability of the parking garage.

The lawsuit by unit owners at the 12-year-old St. Regis Bal Harbour Residences comes more than three years after the collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, about a mile south along the Atlantic shore.

Lawyers for the Bal Harbour North South Condominium Association, which represents unit owners, filed suit Nov. 4 in Miami-Dade Circuit Court. The association governs the Bal Harbour North South Condominium, two towers of a combined 205 residential units better known as the St. Regis Bal Harbour Residences. The complex is on Collins Avenue and 97th Street, across from the landmark Bal Harbour Shops..

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The defendants are Qatar-based Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Co., known as ARTIC; U.S affiliate Seldar Miami Holding; ARTIC chief executive Tarek El Sayed; and ARTIC manager Gregory Polino. Seldar, an ARTIC holding company, owns the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, which consists of the luxury five-star St. Regis Bal Harbour Hotel and the St. Regis Bal Harbour Residences.

The companies or people named in the suit didnt respond to the Miami Herald for comment.

What the condo lawsuit alleges

The association lawsuit alleges that the building owners neglected crucial health, safety and structural repairs for years in the common or shared areas that theyre responsible for under condo bylaws.

Urgent action is required to return the Resort to a safe condition and protect the health of the residents, employees, and guests at the Residences and Resort  as well as the public at large, the lawsuit said. Without urgent assessment and repair efforts, the consequences may be catastrophic.

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The condo association requested on Nov. 7 that a judge force the building owners to pay for the condominium associations chosen experts to repair the problems. The condo owners want the judge to order the repairs before making a full ruling, Juan Morillo, partner at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, which represents the North South Condominium Association, told the Miami Herald.

The claims mostly cover the residential towers, and include allegations of widespread flooding in the parking garage and inside several condos and the gyms. The suit says that flooding has led to structural defects that include cracking in the concrete pillars holding up the garage, and the corrosion of steel supports in the complex. The owners have ignored widespread water intrusion throughout the Resort, the lawsuit alleges.

Fallout from the issues

Exterior shot from Collins Avenue of the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, in Bal Harbour, Florida, Tuesday, November 21, 2020.

The flooding has caused extensive damage to structural components of the Resort, including the parking garage where portions of the ceiling are ominously held up by temporary shoring posts; the Residences crumbling facades; the life-safety systems, such as the perpetually flooded and moldy egress stairs that are crucial to evacuation during a fire, hurricane, or other emergency, the lawsuit said.

The suit also mentions defects in electrical systems, including the fire sprinkler system and exposed electrical wires that lay wet and corroded, and flooding elevators.

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The lawsuit calls building owners behavior willfully and grossly negligent, saying that property bylaws hold them responsible for shared or common spaces. It asks for a judicial order requiring the defendants to inspect the property, ensure all the needed repairs are made in a timely fashion and pay for all costs.

Other problems cited in the lawsuit include chipped and crumbling building facades leading to one warning posted outside the towers for residents: CAUTION: Please Watch For Possible Falling Debris.

Colonies of mold are also growing throughout the towers, found on condo walls, unit owners furniture and electronics, according to the suit.

How the St. Regis Bal Harbour Hotel is affected

A view from the beach of The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, in Bal Harbour, Florida, Tuesday, November 21, 2020.

While many of the problems affect the condo residents, some also affect hotel guests, including a parking garage that floods and the funding of a restaurant with association funds, the lawsuit claims.

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There is widespread leakage through expansion joints, and the under-slab drainage system is clogged and nonfunctional, causing water to push up through the floor slabs, the complaint said.

The lawsuit also accuses the owners of financial mismanagement, citing improperly siphoned funds belonging to the [Condo] Association and earmarked for crucial repairs and used those resident funds to subsidize projects benefiting the defendants  including a new luxury cafe at the St. Regis Hotel.

The suit says that more than $1.5 million that should have been designated for maintenance and repairs instead went to remodel the hotel cafe, La Gourmandise.

Former site of a landmark hotel

Americana hotel in Bal Harbour. I was demolished in 2007, and a St. Regis resort is now on the site.

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The St. Regis is on the site once home to the Americana Hotel, which opened there in 1956. The Americana later became the Sheraton Bal Harbour. The hotel was demolished in 2007.

The St. Regis Resort and Residences was completed in 2012. The then-owner, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, sold it to ARTIC in January 2014.

Today, the St. Regis Resort and Residences consists of three 27-story towers with over 2 million square feet. One of the buildings is the hotel, the St. Regis Bal Harbour Hotel, at 9703 Collins Ave.

Condos are in the other two towers. A two-story underground parking garage connects the three high-rises.

The defendants in the St. Regis lawsuit

Exterior shot from Collins Avenue, of The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, in Bal Harbour, Florida, Tuesday, November 21, 2020.

The St. Regis owners are Doha, Qatar-based ARTIC, a hospitality and real estate investment firm. The subsidiary of Al Faisal Holding, a Qatari company founded by H.E. Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani, has investments in over 35 hotel or real estate properties worldwide, including the W Miami in Brickell and the Crowne Plaza Times Square Hotel in New York.

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ARTIC owns the St. Regis through Seldar, a limited liability Delaware company with principal base of business 9703 Collins Ave., Bal Harbour, site of the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort.

El Sayed, the chief executive of ARTIC, lives in Chicago and is a director of the condo association, a reason that plaintiffs claim he has known of the problems for years.

Mr. El Sayed has knowingly and deliberately participated in ARTICs obstructionist conduct and has at all times relevant been at the helm of ARTICs wrongdoing at the Resort, the lawsuit alleges. He is ultimately responsible for ARTICs obstructionist conduct and its decision to place the companys bottom line over the maintenance and repair of the Residential Unit Owners property.

Polino lives in Miami and is USA director of operations for ARTIC. He regularly attends Bal Harbour North South Condominium Association board meetings. Thats in part why the plaintiffs contend the building owners have known about the issues.

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Morillo, their lawyer, says ARTIC has received hundreds of complaints from unit owners, but has shown no real concerted effort to fix things, even with condo unit owners paying the bill. But when gross negligence and willful misconduct is shown, the costs become the responsibility of the complexs owners, Morillo said.

How officials started getting involved

The pool at the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, which made the 2024 U.S. News & World Report list of best hotels and resorts in the country.

In January 2022, a Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department official inspected the building. He then notified Bal Harbour. Days later, a village official visited.

During my walk-thru, I observed several areas of concern, village building official Eliezer Palacio wrote in a letter to St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort obtained by the Miami Herald. He told them of structural damage I observed and needed structural and electrical repairs. He recommended that the complex owner hire a professional inspector and an electrical engineer to assess the problems and plan compliance with Floridas Building Code.

In March 2022, Kimberly Horn & Associates, a firm hired by the complexs owners, told Bal Harbour officials in a letter that they found the condo buildings structurally safe for continual occupancy and use, after visiting that month. It recommended isolated repairs such as to the buildings electrical system. It cited water intrusion, including in the gyms in both condo towers, cracked concrete and corroded steel supports. Later that year, unit owners were told Kimberly Horn had hired a water intrusion expert.

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But in January 2024, the condo association learned that nothing, or at least close to nothing, had been done during the preceding two years since hiring Kimberly Horn, the the condo association lawsuit states.

Then at a July 29, 2024, meeting of the condo associations board, members were told Kimberly Horn was no longer working for the complexs owners. Polino, one of the defendants, attended the meeting by video conference, but when asked what happened, his connection conspicuously disconnected, the lawsuit said. One person said there had not been a proper maintenance program in place for 12 years.

In October, an independent expert hired by the plaintiffs visited the complex. Benjamin Cornelius, an engineer with New York-based LERA Construction Structural Engineer International, arrived on Oct. 8 and Oct. 24.

His report, included in the lawsuit, found severe, widespread, ongoing water intrusion occurring at the complex which appears to be due in large part to the deferral of maintenance and inadequate repair efforts. He said that flooding had damaged ... the structure ... and has resulted in unsafe conditions.

Delaying repair and maintenance in past years, the report said, has increased the scope of the repair work necessary to restore the complex to a safe condition.
The Michelin Guide has withdrawn a Bib Gourmand from a Houston restaurant after finding it had closed. Vietnamese restaurant Kau Ba, in the Montrose neighborhood, has lost its distinction, the Guide announced in a press release Thursday.

"Upon further investigation, our team has discovered the restaurant has been permanently closed since our Inspection team's visits occurred," the statement reads.

Kau Ba closed in early November, as announced by a now-deleted Instagram post. The restaurant's entire social media account has disappeared. The account hinted at further updates about a new dining experience.

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Although Kau Ba is still listed on the Guide's site for Bib Gourmand awards, its profile directs to a page that reads, "Restaurant not found."

People are also reading: These 15 Texas restaurants were awarded Michelin Stars. See full list

Chef Nikki Tran spoke to Eater Houston via email upon the rescission of her restaurant's Bib Gourmand award.

"This is a heartbreaking situation, but we understand and respect Michelins decision to remove Kau Ba from its selection," Tran wrote. "Exercising an abundance of caution from a legal position, I am not able currently to share further details of our situation but I do hope to follow up soon with more information. Until then, on behalf of the entire Kau Ba team, we want to thank the entire culinary community for the recognition and support. Kau Ba is proud of the dishes we created and look forward to sharing very soon whats next."

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A press release sent Monday night during the Michelin ceremony revealed a new restaurant would be opening at Kau Ba's former location. Alora, a Peruvian and Vietnamese restaurant, also took to social media with the announcement.

A representative from Alora told Eater Houston that Tran is not involved in that restaurant and that its chefs have yet to be announced. The press release confirmed that Southern Dandy LLC, the previous owner and operator of Kau Ba, had sold its assets to Alora co-owner Louis Lamson Quy and several business partners.

Alora's Instagram account lists the address in its biography, along with a line that reads, "COMING SOON - FORMERLY KNOWN AS KAU BA."

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Michelin Guide revokes Houston restaurant Kau Ba's Bib Gourmand award
Israeli strikes killed at least 11 people across Lebanon on Friday  including a mother, father and their three kids in a home  as rescue workers called off their search for survivors a day after an Israeli strike on a civil defense center killed 14 emergency workers and volunteers.

The airstrikes come as Lebanon's prime minister apparently urged Iran to convince the Hezbollah militant group to agree to a cease-fire deal with Israel, which could require the group to pull back from the Israel-Lebanon border.

Since late September, Israel dramatically escalated its bombardment of Lebanon, vowing to cripple Hezbollah and end its barrages in Israel. More than 3,400 people have been killed in Lebanon by Israeli fire  80% of them in the past month  Lebanons Health Ministry says.

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The Israel-Hamas war began after Palestinian militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people  mostly civilians  and abducting 250 others. Lebanons Hezbollah group began firing into Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza.

Israels blistering 13-month war in Gaza has killed over 43,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to local health officials who do not distinguish between civilians and combatants. The fighting has left some 76 people dead in Israel, including 31 soldiers.

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Here's the Latest:

Israeli strikes kill 11 in Lebanon, including parents and their 3 kids

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BEIRUT  An Israeli airstrike killed five members of the same family in a home in Ain Qana in the southern province of Nabatiyeh, Lebanons state media said. The report said a mother, father and their three children were killed but didn't provide their ages.

Three other Israeli strikes killed six people and wounded 32 in different parts of Tyre province on Friday, also in south Lebanon, the report said.

Around 24 hours after an Israeli airstrike destroyed a center for Lebanese emergency workers, officials said they were halting efforts to find any more survivors beneath the rubble.

The Lebanese civil defense service said in a statement that 14 rescue workers and volunteers were killed Thursday in Douris, near Baalbek in eastern Lebanon. Human remains that require DNA identification were also recovered.

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In an earlier statement Friday, the General Directorate of Civil Defense condemned the attack, expressing deep regret and reaffirming its commitment to its humanitarian mission despite the challenges and sacrifices.

The Israeli military did not respond to a request for comment Friday on why the civil defense center was targeted. Lebanons civil defense forces have no affiliation with the militant group Hezbollah, and provide crucial rescue and medical services in one of the worlds most war-torn nations.

The U.N. humanitarian agency voiced concern over the escalating toll of Israeli airstrikes in densely populated areas of Lebanon, calling the daily casualties and displacement deplorable.

In three waves of renewed strikes on Friday, the Israeli military hit more buildings in Beiruts southern suburbs, setting off explosions in the area known as Dahiyeh.

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In a warning notice on X, a spokesman for the Israeli military said that the airstrikes were targeting Hezbollah facilities and interests, without providing further details.

There were no immediate reports of casualties.

In a post on X, the U.N. humanitarian agency known as OCHA said indiscriminate attacks are prohibited under international law and stressed the importance of avoiding disproportionate harm to civilians.

Iranian official says Tehran backs Lebanese government and its people

BEIRUT  A visiting Iranian official said after meeting top Lebanese officials Friday that Tehran stands by Lebanon's government and people and that it backs any decision taken by the Lebanese government and the militant Hezbollah group.

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Asked if he was trying to disrupt U.S. efforts to end the Israel-Hezbollah war, Ali Larijani, an adviser to Irans supreme leader Ali Khamenei, said: "We are not trying to blow up any effort but we want to solve the problem and whatever the circumstances are we will stand by Lebanon.

He added that Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his supporters and allies are responsible for igniting the conflict. He also expressed hope after meeting Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri that difficulties facing Lebanon will be solved.

Larijani denied reports that Iran has abandoned Hezbollah, dismissing such claims by saying: You take jokes seriously.

He added that Iran will back the resistance (Hezbollah) under all circumstances.

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Najib Mikati, Lebanons caretaker Prime Minister, said he urged Iran Friday to help his government implement a U.N. Security Council resolution that ended the summer 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.

The resolution says that no side should have armed presence in southern Lebanon along the border with Israel apart from the Lebanese army and U.N. peacekeepers.

Mikati said Lebanon also wants Iran to help the countrys national unity and not take any stance that backs one Lebanese side against another.

Israeli military aid says blood supplies have been transported into Gaza to ease humanitarian crisis

JERUSALEM  Israeli authorities said blood supplies have been transported into Gaza in the latest move to ease the humanitarian suffering in the Palestinian territory.

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COGAT, the Israeli military body in charge of humanitarian aid to Gaza, said the blood supplies entered via Kerem Shalom crossing on Thursday and are expected to reach Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis in the coming days.

Throughout the 13 month conflict, hospitals in Gaza have been struggling to treat Palestinian casualties without basic medical supplies, including blood and bandages.

The announcement from COGAT comes as Israel faces mounting international pressure to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, particularly in the war-ravaged northern areas of Jabaliya, Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya where Israel has intensified its military operations against Hamas.

COGAT facilitated at least two aid deliveries to the far north during November after a month where virtually no supplies reached these areas.

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Iranian official in Beirut in talks to end Israel-Hezbollah war

BEIRUT  An Iranian official flew to Beirut on Friday to discuss the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah war with top Lebanese officials as Israels air force struck areas on the edge of the Lebanese capital.

The visit of Ali Larijani, an adviser to Irans supreme leader Ali Khamenei, comes amid attempts led by the United States to end the 13-month war that broadened in September into southern and eastern Lebanon as well as Beiruts southern suburbs.

Lebanese media reported that the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon has handed over a draft of a proposed deal to end the Israel-Hezbollah war to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

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A Lebanese official confirmed that the U.S. ambassador to Beirut, Lisa Johnson, visited Berri but refused to say whether a draft was handed over. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media about the ongoing talks. The U.S. Embassy refused to either confirm or deny the reports.

Larijani flew in Friday from neighboring Syria where he held similar talks a day earlier with President Bashar Assad. Syrias state news agency said Assad and Larijani discussed the ongoing aggression on Palestine and Lebanon and the necessity of stopping it.

Iran is a main backer of Hezbollah and for decades has been funding and arming the Lebanese militant group.

Search continues in eastern Lebanon town where an airstrike killed 13

BEIRUT  Rescue teams were searching for missing people through rubble near the city of Baalbek in eastern Lebanon where an Israeli strike hit a civil defense center the night before.

Thirteen bodies were recovered, all of them employees and volunteers of the emergency services agency, according to the Lebanese Civil Defense. Some other remains that will require DNA testing were also recovered, it said in a statement.

The General Directorate of Civil Defense expressed deep regret over this direct attack on its members. Staffers will continue to respond to relief calls and continue with its humanitarian mission, no matter how great the challenges and sacrifices are, it said.

Rafik Shehada, head of the union of municipalities in the Baalbek region, described the strike as barbaric and said that rescue teams were still searching for missing people who had been inside the center at the time and were presumed dead.

Human Rights Watch in a report issued in late October said that it had documented three incidents that it described as apparent war crimes in which Israeli forces struck medica medical personnel, transports, and facilities. At that time, it said that Israeli strikes had killed at least 163 health and rescue workers across Lebanon and damaged 158 ambulances and 55 hospitals during a year of conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

Israel has accused Hezbollah of using ambulances and medical facilities to transport and store weapons. The Israeli military has not commented on the strike on the civil defense center near Baalbek.

UN Security Council draft resolution demands immediate, unconditional and permanent cease-fire in Gaza

UNITED NATIONS  The U.N. Security Councils 10 elected members have circulated a draft resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional and permanent cease-fire in Gaza.

The draft resolution, which was sent to the councils five permanent members Thursday, reiterates the councils demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages seized during Hamas surprise attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel says about 100 are still being held, though not all are believed to be alive.

The councils 10 elected members  Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, Switzerland, Algeria, Guyana, South Korea, Sierra Leone and Slovenia  circulated the draft after they agreed to it.

The United States, Israels closest ally, holds the key to whether the Security Council adopts the resolution. The four other permanent members  Russia, China, Britain and France -- are expected to support it or abstain.

The draft, obtained Thursday by The Associated Press, also demands immediate access for Gazas civilian population to humanitarian aid and services essential for their survival.

It underscores that the U.N. agency helping Palestinian refugees known as UNRWA remains the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza.

Israels parliament passed two laws last month banning UNRWAs operations in the Palestinian territories, which take effect in 90 days.

The draft resolution would also express the councils deep alarm over the ongoing catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza including the lack of adequate healthcare services and the state of food insecurity creating a risk of famine notably in the north.

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For more Middle East news: https://apnews.com/hub/middle-east
DENVER (KDVR)  The Denver office that helps immigrants recognizes many community members may feel stressed or uncertain about the future after last weeks election.

Some of them are reaching out to the city of Denver to help answer questions.

Do it for Ashley: Family continues legacy of kindness in memory of 14-year-old daughter

FOX31 was told one of their main concerns is how new federal laws from a new administration may possibly impact migrants. Some of those migrants met with a city organization Thursday afternoon and expressed some real concerns.

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They met at the Montbello library for a couple of hours. The immigrants who attended the meeting there asked FOX31 not to take any pictures or videos of them in the meeting. A spokesperson said there is a lot of fear and angst among them.

The informational sessions are being sponsored by Denvers Immigrant and Refugees Affairs Division and the Human Rights and Community Partnerships Office.

FOX31 was told the immigrants have a lot of questions which began to increase after the election. Many immigrants fear new federal laws may be imposed that will impact them.

A spokesperson also said they are asking questions about their immigration status.

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Also theres a community feeling they might be a target for any attacks or unwelcome language that a narrative that might impact them and their livelihood, Denver Human Rights and Community Partnerships Public Information Officer Heidi Rodriguez said.

Gabe Evans speaks on his victory, immigration and plans for Congress

Community organizers say there is also a lot of misinformation regarding what may happen to immigrants.

The city said it wants immigrants to know that Denver will continue to be a welcoming city regardless of a persons immigration status. In a letter sent to community groups, the agency said it wanted to make sure it was clear that Denver would not engage in immigration enforcement.

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Denver said it will hold two more informational meetings at two different locations on Friday.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
When it comes to Donald Trumps new Cabinet picks, theres at least one that his former second-in-command doesnt approve of: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health secretary.

If confirmed, RFK, Jr. would be the most pro-abortion Republican appointed secretary of HHS in modern history, former Vice President Mike Pence said in a statement touting the pro-life record of the first Trump administration.

Mike Pence calls on @SenateGOP to reject RFK Jr nomination: If confirmed, RFK, Jr. would be the most pro-abortion Republican appointed secretary of HHS in modern history. On behalf of tens of millions of pro-life Americans, I respectfully urge Senate Republicans to reject this  John McCormack (@McCormackJohn) November 15, 2024

He cited a statement from Kennedy, which the independent one-time presidential candidate later walked back, saying the government should not set limits on abortion any time during pregnancy.

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While he criticized Trumps choice of Pence to become secretary of Health and Human Service, Pence did praise the former presidents initial Cabinet selections .

On Friday, however, he pleaded with Republican lawmakers to shoot down Trumps HHS choice.

I respectfully urge Senate Republicans to reject this nomination and give the American people a leader who will respect the sanctity of life as secretary of Health and Human Services, Pence said.

Pence, an evangelical Christian, supported the strictest limits on abortion of any major candidate in the 2024 Republican presidential primary. He backed a federal limit on the procedure at six weeks, before many women are aware theyre pregnant. He also said abortion should be banned even in cases when a pregnancy is not viable.

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He ultimately dropped out of the race after just four months, while candidates with more longevity, including Trump and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley took a more moderate stance on abortion rights.

Unlike Haley, Pence never endorsed Trump in 2024 election. The duos relationship fell apart on Jan. 6, 2021, the day Pence refused to overturn the legitimate results of the 2020 election. Trump slammed him on social media while a mob of angry MAGA supporters rioting at the Capitol called for Pences execution by hanging.

Pences statement on Friday was just one example of the rumblings against Kennedys selection among anti-abortion crusaders, traditionally a key part of the Republican base.
LONDON (AP)  A white military horse that galloped through central London drenched in blood after bolting with other horses from routine exercises this spring has returned home after more than six months of recovery, a charity announced Friday.

Vida was one of five horses that bolted near Buckingham Palace on April 24 after becoming spooked by the cacophany of noise from a nearby construction site and ran for several miles through the city during morning rush hour. Three of four soldiers thrown from their steeds were hospitalized, though the British Army had said they were expected to return to duty.

Three of the horses quickly returned to service, but Vida, who was treated for lacerations, was one of two horses that required operations after colliding with vehicles during the stampede.

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Quaker, a black horse that dashed alongside Vida and sideswiped a taxi as it ran a red light and turned into oncoming traffic, is the only horse that has still not returned to the regiment.

The three other horses that made a getaway, Tennyson, Trojan and Vanquish, returned to service in time to participate in the birthday party for King Charles III in June.

The Horse Trust, an equine charity that cared for the animal, said Vida returned to the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, the ceremonial guard of the monarch and a feature of state functions in London, after recovering physically and emotionally in the countryside.

The charity said the departure of Vida, who enjoyed rolling in the mud almost as much as the attention he had received from staff, was bittersweet.

Vida has come to hold a particular place in our hearts, said Jeanette Allen, chief executive of The Horse Trust. He's been a joy to care for, partly as we dont have to groom that muddy monster for parade!
The Pentagon provided new details today about how its deployable, readily reconfigurable suite of sensors called GREMLIN works to help set the stage for figuring out what unidentified objects in our skies are and are not, if they appear at all.

In its annual report released on Thursday, the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) shared a graphic that gives us our best look yet at what its GREMLIN system is. It was developed by Georgia Tech Research Institute specifically to help gather data about so-called unidentified anomalous phenomena, or UAPs. Thats the DoDs new parlance for what used to be called UFOs.

When AARO last discussed GREMLIN back in March, the office said the system was designed to provide hyperspectral surveillance to try to capture these incidents. However, no details were given about what kind of sensors were being used to capture data across different areas of the electromagnetic spectrum simultaneously.

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Now deployed, GREMLIN includes 2D and 3D radars, long-range electro-optical/infrared sensors, GPS, satellite communications, aircraft tracking systems and radio frequency spectrum monitoring. It all feeds into a central node where the data can be fused to get a better sense of whats out there. The system is something of an integrated air defense apparatus in a box, allowing for multiple sensor types and open-source data to be captured on single targets within its view.

AARO began using GREMLIN for detecting, tracking, and characterizing UAP, the report noted. GREMLIN demonstrated functionality and successfully collected data during a test event in March of 2024. The next step for GREMLIN is a 90-day pattern of life collection at a site of national security.

AAROs official logo. (DoD)

One of AAROs first missions for GREMLIN is to help establish a baseline for what would be considered normal activity, especially because so many UAPs have been reported either through sensors near military installations or by pilots. According to todays report, nearly half of the 485 UAP sightings reported from May 1, 2023 to June 1, 2024 came from locations near U.S. military assets and sensors at home and abroad. This could be due to the objects being tasked to surveil those locations or due to sensor bias, as these areas are more heavily monitored than others, or more likely a mix of both.

East Asian seas were the hottest spot, providing 100 reports of which AARO resolved 40 as balloons or drones. AARO placed the remaining cases in Active Archive due to insufficient information to facilitate analysis, the report states.

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Right now we have this geographic bias where we are getting reports near the national security sites, but we also have a bias from pilots and other security personnel, AAROs new Director Jon Kosloski told reporters today. So we want to have a better understanding of what normal looks like near those national security sites, and then eventually well be expanding our baseline investigations to other areas in the US to look at what normal looks like away from national security sites.

AARO

Kosloski refused to divulge where GREMLIN is located.

Its currently deployed, he explained. Wed rather not say exactly where it is, because we want it to be an unbiased test, and dont want to invite folks to come and do flyovers and test against the system.

The location was chosen, he added, because of the environment. We expect there to be a lot of variety in the types of things that were going to see. And there have been UAP reports in that general area. And were trying to build a baseline.

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Once a pattern of life is established, the report suggested that AARO could use that to go back over some of the 444 cases placed in the Active Archive because they lacked sufficient data to facilitate analysis.

All told, AARO found that 49 cases during the reporting period were objects like balloons, birds and drones. An additional 243 cases were recommended for closure as of June 1, 2024, pending peer review, the report pointed out. These cases also resolved to prosaic objects including balloons, birds, UAS, satellites, and aircraft.

AARO determined 21 cases merit further analysis by its IC [intelligence community] and science and technology (S&T) partners, the report acknowledged.

AARO

One thing AARO did not find was any indication that UAPs are either extraterrestrial or from an adversary here on Earth.

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AARO has discovered no verifiable evidence of extraterrestrial beings, activity or technology, Kosloski said. None of the cases resolved by AARO have pointed to advanced capabilities or breakthrough technologies.

Just because no evidence has been found of breakthrough technology does not mean the possibility doesnt exist, he emphasizes.

There are definitely anomalies, Kosloski explained. We have not been able to draw the link to extraterrestrials.

Were not ruling it out, he added.

Though the report found that there were 18 incidents of drones near U.S. nuclear infrastructure, weapons, and launch sites, Kosloski said there is no indication that either those or reported UAPs belonged to adversaries.

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We have not been able to correlate any UAP activity to adversarial collection activities or advanced technologies, he posited.

The report also didnt cover the drone incursions over Langley Air Force Base last December that we were the first to report back in March. You can read more about it in our exclusive story here.

It was known to be UAV activity, so we were there in a supporting role, but it was not our responsibility to address that, Kosloski stated.

AAROs new Director Jon Kosloski (DoD Image)

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As it has been since UFOs first burst into the publics consciousness back in the 1950s, the stigma of reporting them continues to keep people from coming forward to say what theyve seen. Kosloski said he is concerned that could give adversaries an opening to collect data over sensitive locations. This is something TWZ has long highlighted as a major strategic awareness failure.

Kosloski is concerned that somebody could use the potential stigma to try and take advantage of that. If there is a stigma associated with reporting UAP, then thats an opportunity for the adversary to maybe conduct collection operations and not have folks report on it. But we havent seen evidence of that yet.

In an effort to help diminish the stigma of reporting UAPs, Kosloski said AARO is working with partners in the intelligence community and other government agencies to downgrade the classification ratings of incidents to make them more available to the public. Video of some of the cases AARO has discussed publicly will be released on Nov. 19.

But there are interesting cases that I  my physics and engineering background and time in the IC  I do not understand, and I dont know anybody else who understands them, he said.

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The hope is that we will be able to release as much of that content as we can to the public so that we can get help in resolving them, Kosloski commented.

More quickly and accurately identifying what some of the objects are is the hope for GREMLIN as well.

AARO has been under heavy ridicule by some proponents of UAP action, with claims that it is part of a coverup and has not executed its duties in good faith. Kosloski has taken over the office from its previous head, Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick, who has repeatedly stood by his offices investigations and methods.

AAROs recent report on the history of the US government and UAP was perhaps the worst government report I've ever seen. Adding insult to injury, its findings were uncritically reported by the mainstream press. To help set the record straight, I consulted a group of UAP  Christopher K. Mellon (@ChrisKMellon) April 12, 2024

The fact that AARO has not shared satellite imagery of UAP with Congress is itself evidence of an effort to keep Congress in the dark. #uaphearing  Christopher K. Mellon (@ChrisKMellon) July 26, 2023

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The release of AAROs latest report also comes a day after another UAP was held on Capitol Hill, with witnesses making claims that appear at odds with AAROs past findings, especially in regard to secret UAP recovery programs.

Another congressional hearing on Nov. 19 will put AARO and its latest findings specifically in the spotlight.

CONGRESS UFO/UAP UPDATE



Senate Armed Services Cmte posts notice of closed hearing, followed by open hearing, Nov. 19, 2024, "to examine the activities of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office," in Emerging Threats & Capabilities Subcmte. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), chair. pic.twitter.com/l0Y0q6wyal  D. Dean Johnson (@ddeanjohnson) November 14, 2024

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
WYOMING COUNTY, WV (WVNS)  A man from Mingo County was sentenced to prison for a drug crime involving cocaine after a traffic stop in Wyoming County.

According to a press release, 31-year-old Daniel James Dotson, of Delbarton, was sentenced on Thursday, November 14, 2024 to ten years in prison for Conspiracy to Deliver a Controlled Substance.

Dotson pleaded guilty to the charges on September 25, 2024.

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Mingo County man pleads guilty to drug crime

Members of the Wyoming County Sheriffs Office held a traffic stop of a car driven by Dotson on April 7, 2024 after seeing that the car had defective equipment and expired registration. Dotson attempted to flee, however later stopped after a short car chase.

When Dotson was searched as a part of the traffic stop, members of law enforcement discovered what Dotson said was crack cocaine, as well as a large amount of money and a handgun.

Once dash camera footage of the chase was watched later on, members of law enforcement saw that an object was thrown out of the car. The object, revealed to be a bag with ten plastic baggies as well as a digital scale, was later found.

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The plastic baggies were field-tested and came up positive for fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Wyoming County woman pleads guilty to charges involving drugs

This is another example of exemplary police work. These deputies risk life and limb to remove these deadly illegal drugs from the streets and out of the hands of criminals. Working hand in hand with law enforcement, we will aggressively prosecute drug dealers and seek the maximum penalty. Greg Bishop | Wyoming County Prosecutor

Bishop thanked the entire prosecutor staff, as well as members of the Wyoming County Sheriffs Office, for their work on the investigation.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
Donations are pouring in for a family of five after they were abducted in Crow Wing County and later found safe in early November.

An Amber Alert was sent out across the state on Nov. 1 after 33-year-old Nikkole Dobson, who is eight months pregnant, and her four children were abducted in Crow Wing County. They were rescued hours later near Little Falls.

Chad Aanerud, Dobsons ex-boyfriend, is facing a dozen felony charges in connection with the incident. Hes accused of kidnapping the family at gunpoint, as well as murdering his neighbor, 62-year-old Lyle Maske.

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Charges allege Aanerud threatened Dobson with a handgun and said he'd shoot her and her children if she didn't have sex with him. Inside the home, Dobson woke her four children and told them to run to Maske's house for help.

After the children arrived at Maske's home, Maske went over to the neighboring residence to help. He encountered Aanerud on the driveway and was shot and killed, charges allege.

Aanerud is also charged with arson after he allegedly burned down Dobsons parents house, where the family lived.

Deputies arrived at the scene to find the home engulfed in flames and Maske dead on a driveway, with rifle casings near his body.

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Aanerud is charged with two counts of 2nd-degree murder, five counts of kidnapping, one count of 1st-degree arson, two counts of 2nd-degree assault, one count of 1st-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of theft.

A GoFundMe has been set up to support the family in the aftermath of the abduction.

Though Chad was apprehended and Nikki and her children were ultimately saved, the trauma and emotional damage they have endured is going to last them a lifetime, the fundraiser reads. The family has lost everything in the fire and has no insurance to help them start over.

The home that was burned down was reduced to the slab of concrete on once it which stood, and Dwaine and Lori Rosekrans, who owned the home, have since received donations and supplies to begin the rebuilding process with their bare hands.

As of Friday, the GoFundMe had raised around $8,600 of its $30,000 goal.
SHREVEPORT, (KTAL/KMSS)  In 2024, Miss Caddo Parish Antoinette Van captured the hearts of Shreveport-Bossier. The Marine Corp Veteran was even honored at the Louisiana state capitol in May.

Now, she is expanding her platform. Van has officially captured a new title as Miss North Texas 2025.

Because it is such a big metropolitan area in the DFW, I have a really unique opportunity to expand my platform across the South, Van told KTAL. So Im excited to build my network here in Dallas, and in turn, bring some of the changes that Im doing in Texas over to Louisiana as well.

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Local filmmakers to be honored with an award ceremony

This was her final year of eligibility for the pageant, and she was debating whether or not to return.

I think I started to experience a little bit of defeat, because I competed three times here in Texas, and I just couldnt get a win, she expressed. It felt like maybe this wasnt meant for me, but I was pushed to try one more time. That last time is when I walked away as Miss North Texas.

Ultimately, she had a triple win, encompassing the talent, gown, and fitness competitions.

Next, Van goes on to compete in Miss Texas on June 28th in Richardson, Texas.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
CHICAGO  Chicago police are asking for the publics help in locating a missing woman who was last seen in the citys Hegewisch neighborhood.

Linda Rice, 71, was last seen near the 4900 South block of Hoyne. Authorities described Rice as 5-foot-5 inches, 110 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.

Linda Rice (Photo: Chicago Police Department)

She was last seen wearing black braids, a black jacket, a red blouse, and black pants.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

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Police did not disclose how long Rice has been missing.

Anyone with information is asked to call (312) 747-8380 or leave an anonymous tip with Chicago police.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  Mississippi lawmakers are working to create more affordable housing across the state.

With the 2025 Legislative Session approaching, state senators and representatives on the Housing Committee met at the Mississippi State Capitol on Thursday to address the issue.

About 32% of renter households in the state of Mississippi are cost burden. They cannot afford a housing, said Margaret Johnson, president of the Voice of Calvary Ministries.

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Mississippi expects only a small growth in state budget

One-third of Mississippis homeowners and 53% of renters spend more than 30% of their monthly income on housing, according to the Mississippi Center for Justice.

Theres a need for an additional 50,000 homes, and these homes need to be affordable. We have difficulty for folks finding start up homes. We have difficulty with workforce housing, said State Sen. John Horhn (D-District 26).

Legislators invited several organizations and state officials in hopes of creating a solution.

Theres a possibility that we could take the Mississippi residential plan and tweak it by law to allow that plan to right coverage for all affordable housing in the state thats financed by the Mississippi Home Corp, said Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney (R-Miss.).

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According to a report by the Mississippi Home Corporation, 1,231 homes were financed in 2023 by the single-family programs in 73 of the states 82 counties.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV.
GULFPORT, Miss. (WJTV)  A Mississippi worship leader pled guilty on Thursday to the production of child pornography.

Court documents stated that Tyler Selby, of Saucier, was identified when United Kingdom authorities recovered a video that came from a social media user in the United States.

Meridian woman pleads guilty to stealing social security benefits

Federal authorities in the U.S. identified Selby as the person who transmitted the video of an adult male and a minor child engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Prosecutors said Selby knew the video would be transported and transmitted in interstate and foreign commerce via the internet with the use of a live streaming platform.

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Selby pled guilty to the use of a minor in his legal custody for the purpose of producing and transmitting a live visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

Selby is scheduled to be sentenced on March 6, 2025, and faces a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in prison.

WXXV reported that Selby was a worship leader at a Baptist church in Harrison County.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the United Kingdom West Yorkshire Police.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.  Governor Mike Parson said he is doing everything he can to make it a smooth transition to the next administration.

Parson will officially pass over the reins in January, but until then hes helping Governor-Elect Mike Kehoe and his staff craft next years budget and asking for their input on decisions. In an exclusive interview with our Missouri Chief Capitol Bureau Reporter Emily Manley, the 57th governor spoke about his remaining 60 days in office.

During the interview, Parson said he felt there were issues hes leaving office without addressing, ones hes hoping the next administration takes on.

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The daycare issue in the state of Missouri has not been resolved and weve got to figure out some way to help the working-class people, Parson said The legislature, they need to do their part, and the governor needs to do his part but that needs to be addressed.

It seems to be affecting businesses, families, and the states economya lack of childcare providers.

Armed and dangerous suspect wanted after Warren County shooting death

Over the course of two years, the state has lost 1,100 childcare providers, leaving some counties without a facility. According to the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, the states economy loses out on more than $1.3 billion annually. For the second years in a row, the General Assembly failed to pass tax credits to help businesses, families, and childcare providers. Many blaming it on the infighting in the Senate.

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Another stone left unturned, changes to the initiative petition process. The hot button topic of last session. The legislation would have made it harder to approve a constitutional amendment by increasing the number of votes needed to approve a referendum.

Ive been working on that for years and for them not to get that to the desk, it was just disappointing, Parson said.

Parson endorsed Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe to be his successor after he chose Kehoe in 2018 as his second in command following the resignation of former Gov. Eric Greitens.

I want to make sure on day 1, they are ready to go, Parson said. I dont want anybody to go through what we went through trying to build a team, trying to make decisions and just having so many things on your plate so quick.

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Parsons term ends at a time when voters overturned a ban he signed in law. Back in 2019, he approved the Heartbeat Bill, which allowed abortion to become illegal in the state if Roe v. Wade was overturned.

The 57th governor said he will do whatever it takes to protect life, but knows with the clock ticking, it could be up to the next administration.

It was voted on by a majority and whether I like it or not, I took an oath to apply the law and I think thats what you have to do sometimes, Parson said. Now, what all the legal actions beyond that, what can you do to stop it and all that, Ill just have to let the courts decide that.

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Parson said in his remaining two months hell be helping make the transition and being the best governor he can.

Kehoe will be sworn in as the 58th governor on Jan. 13, 2025.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
ST. LOUIS (AP)  Two Missouri police officers were indicted separately this week and accused of similar crimes  pulling over women and searching their phones to find nude photos.

The indictments of former Missouri State Highway Patrol officer David McKnight on Tuesday and former Florissant, Missouri, officer Julian Alcala on Wednesday were unrelated, but the indictments spelled out similar allegations. Both men face federal charges accusing them of depriving the rights of several women, and destroying evidence.

McKnight, 39, victimized nine women between September 2023 and Aug. 19, his indictment said. Typically, according to the indictment, he would pull over a woman for a traffic violation and tell her he needed to look at her phone to either verify identity or confirm insurance coverage.

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McKnight searched the phones and used his own phone to photograph nude pictures he found, the indictment said.

McKnight was arrested by patrol investigators on Aug. 21 and resigned five days later, patrol Capt. Scott White said in an email.

White declined to discuss McKnight's case but said that patrol employees are held to high standards and if it is determined that those standards were not met, they are held accountable.

McKnight pleaded not guilty during a court appearance on Thursday. Messages were left Friday with his lawyer.

Alcala, 29, was accused of crimes involving 20 women between Feb. 6 and May 18. Five of the alleged crimes happened on the same day.

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Alcala confiscated phones from women under the auspices of confirming insurance coverage and vehicle registration, the indictment said. Like McKnight, he was accused of searching the phones for nude photos, then using his own phone to take pictures.

The indictment said Alcala also found a video on one victim's phone and texted the video to his own phone.

Alcala doesn't yet have a listed attorney. No phone listing for him could be found. He also is named in four lawsuits filed against him and the city of Florissant, a St. Louis suburb.

Alcala had been with the Florissant department since January 2023. He resigned in June amid an FBI investigation.

We are disgusted at this behavior, which is a complete betrayal of the values we uphold and in no way reflects the professionalism and integrity of our dedicated officers," Florissant police said in a statement. We recognize the gravity of this breach of trust and its impact on our community.
(Illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images).

Health care providers say they are seeing a drastic increase in the number of emergency contraceptive kit requests by Missourians since the election.

The Missouri Family Health Council helps fund the states reproductive health care through Title X, a federal grant. It has a program that allows Missourians to order emergency contraception kits via mail for free.

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The kits include an emergency contraception pill, condoms and sexual health information. On a typical day, the council sees around 17 requests for emergency contraception kits. Since last Monday, that number has ballooned to over 90 requests a day.

While passing Amendment 3 safeguards abortion rights in Missouri for now, Michelle Trupiano, the councils executive director, said people are still worried about access to reproductive health care under the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump.

While Trump has said he would not impose restrictions on birth control or other contraceptives, his campaign has yet to formally announce a plan.

What this shows us is people are scared, Trupiano said. Theyre scared of what the future holds, theyre scared about access to contraception, and theyre doing what they can now in order to protect themselves.

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Missourians are not the only ones feeling this way. Nationally, states have reported higher numbers of kit requests, such as Oklahoma, Missouris western neighbor.

Laura Bellis is the executive director of Take Control Initiative, one of Oklahomas Title X grantees. The day after the election, they saw over 1,000 people requesting kits; the following day that number doubled.

Bellis said some parents would request kits for their children because they were not sure how accessible it would be in the future for them.

This is the last line of defense if youre trying to prevent a pregnancy, Bellis said. People are like, I need to have every resource. So were seeing people panic buying like what you saw during the pandemic with masks or toilet paper.

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The confusion surrounding reproductive health care in Missouri could make it harder for people to access the care they need, said Mallory Schwarz, executive director of Abortion Action Missouri.

That fear is a barrier in and of itself, Schwarz said. One of the most important things that individuals and local organizations can do is to spread accurate information.

Abortion Action Missouri is a reproductive health advocacy group that canvassed in support of Amendment 3. Amendment 3s journey to reach the ballot was perilous. The measure narrowly passed a 4-3 ruling from the Missouri Supreme Court, which considered removing it from the ballot.

The group said the challenges Amendment 3 faced could show potential pushback from the state for reproductive health care.

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The pattern is the people speak and our government tries to over undermine the will of the people, Schwarz said.

Her team, alongside other providers, suggest users check the expiration date on pill packages and communicate with their doctor to learn what the best options are for each person. The contraception pills typically have a life span of four years, after which they become ineffective.

This story originally appeared in the Columbia Missourian. It can be republished in print or online.
Haiti was in the throes of political chaos. Opponents of President Jovenel Moise were marching through the streets of Port-au-Prince demanding his removal from office. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, who had been railing against Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro at a Coral Gables conference, was asked about the deepening crisis.

The United States, he said at the October 2019 event, had no role to play in the Haitian crisis, which was fueled by gasoline shortages and allegations of graft and mismanagement by Moise.

I can tell you that today, theres a system of government in Haiti. Whether it functions well or not, its up to the people of Haiti to decide, he said. But we are not going to interfere on behalf or against any elected official.

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On Wednesday, President-elect Donald Trump nominated Rubio to be secretary of state  the United States top diplomat.

For Haitians, Rubios nomination is a mixed bag, given his past position that the U.S. should not be involved in the countrys messy instability, while also supporting some Haiti-focused legislation in Congress.

But his new role, some Haiti experts say, may leave him no choice but to get enmeshed in the chaotic politics of the volatile Caribbean nation.

Haiti is just one of those places that you could try to ignore it for a period of time, but then you cant, said Thomas Shannon, a former under secretary of state who spent nearly 35 years in the U.S. foreign service. There are many things to be worried about on Haiti. Chief among them, of course, is the well-being of the Haitian people.

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Rubios years on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee have given him a broad view of the world and the challenges that the United States faces. His years on the Western Hemisphere subcommittee also means that he knows the region well.

But he will be coming into the job at a time of increasing tensions in the region  and growing instability in Haiti: Five years after Rubios announced stance of non-interference in the Caribbean country, Moise is dead, assassinated in the middle of the night inside his bedroom. The capital, Port-au-Prince, is under siege by armed gangs that kidnap, rape and kill  and shoot at U.S. embassy armored vehicles and at U.S. aircraft. Foreign cops have been sent by Kenya and other nations as part of a U.S.-backed  and financed  effort to combat the gangs.

Kenyan police officers and support staff first arrived in Haiti on June 25, 2024, as part of the first contingent of a United Nations-backed Multinational Security Support mission.

What we have building in a greater Caribbean, in Cuba, Haiti and in Venezuela, is a real cauldron of chaos and points of significant instability that unless theyre contained or addressed, could be very damaging, Shannon said. And Haiti, in many ways, is a real marker... because its so bad, and because our responsibility for it is so obvious, and and our unwillingness to accept that responsibility, is so egregious.

Here are some of the key issues that Rubio and the incoming Trump administration will face in Haiti:

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 Armed gangs: Already in control of more than 85% of Port-au-Prince and spreading to surrounding areas, the gangs have doubled down on the violence and become even more emboldened since the arrival of the multinational security support mission in June.

 The Multinational Security Support mission: The U.S. response to Haitis violence has been to help create a U.N.-authorized multinational force, led by Kenya. But it remains in dire need of equipment and funding. Key Republican lawmakers have not been supportive of the mission and earlier this year blocked the State Departments efforts to provide $100 million for the force. The incoming administration will need to decide what to do with the mission, which has been authorized until October of 2025, but could see its funding run out by February.

 Putting the U.N. in charge: The Biden administration wants to see the Kenya-led mission transformed into a formal U.N. peacekeeping operation, which would mean the world agency would take over all facets of the operation, including providing the troops and paying for the mission. But it is unclear if Russia and China, which hold veto power in the U.N. Security Council, will support the peacekeeping resolution the U.S has been drafting with Ecuador. If the Security Council fails to approve the resolution, the Trump administration will need to decide its next steps as the gang crisis grows more severe.

 Money: The Biden administration, which is rushing to get more equipment to Haiti, said this week it intends to provide nearly $628 million in financial and other support for the security mission. That amount is still low, and the Trump administration will need to decide what to do about funding for Haiti, even beyond the security concerns. Lack of funding by the U.S. and other donors for healthcare and other humanitarian assistance has hampered efforts to deal with Haitis problems. More than 700,000 Haitians have been displaced by the violence and 5.4 million are going hungry. The U.N. is trying to raise $684 million to help, but has only been able to put together less than half that, $289 million.

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 Immigration: Haitis economy is on the brink of collapse, along with its healthcare system. The combination, and the increasing gang violence, could push more Haitians to take to the sea to reach the U.S., fueling an immigration crisis even as the Trump administration plans to strip Haitians of immigration benefits and put them on deportation flights.

 Elections: Haiti hasnt had one since 2016. The Biden administration helped put in place a transitional government tasked with putting an elected president in office by Feb. 7, 2026. But Haitis political leaders this week expressed doubts about that timetable and the credibility of such a vote, citing the recent shakeup that led to the naming of a new prime minister, Alix Didier Fils-Aime, on Monday and the ongoing investigation of three members of the ruling presidential council accused of bribery.

 Air travel. The country is currently under a Federal Aviation Administration ban preventing U.S. carriers from traveling in Haitian airspace for the next 30 days, after planes from three U.S. airlines were hit by gunfire. It is unclear if the ban, which has also forced a cancellation of the U.N.s humanitarian flights in the country, will still be in place by the time Trump takes office on Jan. 20. But protecting U.S. carriers from the gang violence will remain a top concern.

Haiti is such a mess of massive proportions  a mess made by both parties  that Rubio has been loathe to do more than the bare minimum, said Fulton Armstrong, a Haiti expert and senior faculty fellow at the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies at American University in Washington.

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Fulton, who was chief of a CIA group on Haiti when President Bill Clinton helped restore Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to power in 1994, said when the gangs dont shake things up, Haitis Transitional Presidential Council, which just booted the countrys second prime minister in eight months, and the countrys elite will, forcing the administrations hand.

As secretary of state, Rubio wont be able to hide under the bed on the Haiti issue, he said.

During his years in Congress, Rubio sponsored a number of bills supporting trade with the Caribbean nation and toughening Haiti-related reporting requirements from the State Department. This included a bipartisan bill requiring State to investigate and provide Congress with annual reports to identify the relationships between criminal gangs and political and economic elites in Haiti. He also supported the Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act, known as the HOPE-HELP Act, which gives preferential treatment to imports from Haiti to help the countrys struggling textile industry.

I cant talk about the whole of Haiti, but it was Sen. Rubio who introduced the Senate bill almost three years ago to get the HOPE-HELP renewed, said Georges Sassine, the former president of Haitis Manufacturers Association. I am very grateful.

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But critics say Rubio has avoided taking on the big issues in Haiti, steering clear of tackling problems that are politically challenging, and they complain its been difficult to get him to engage.

Gepsie Metellus

Our history as a community with him is that its always been a challenge to reach his office and communicate with anyone who could give us a response or direct a response to anything, said Gepsie Metellus, a Haitian-American South Florida activist. So Im really not expecting much.

Metellus said she has been particularly disappointed with his lack of response to the ongoing political crisis  and his silence as the Haitian community sustained attacks during the presidential campaign, when Trump falsely claimed Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, were eating their neighbors pets.

I was very disappointed that I didnt hear anything from him, especially someone whose own personal history is so similar to the history of most Haitians in South Florida, she said. I had hoped for a comment from him, even to reiterate our humanity.

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As someone who grew up in Miami, home to one of the largest Haitian-American communities in the U.S., Rubio is more than familiar with its struggles. But that has not always translated into the kind of staunch support Haitians have received from other congressional lawmakers.

I dont know if I should put too much stake in hoping that as secretary of state he would even give us the time of day, Metellus said. This is someone whos been very active on the political scene for a while now, as a state representative, a state senator, Florida senator. He has been around the challenges as well as the opportunities in this community. Hes seen progress. Hes seen accomplishments.

Among Washington observers, there has always been debate about how high Haiti, less than 900 miles from Floridas shores, will figure on any new administrations agenda. It is the same with Trump, who went from promising to be Haitian-Americans champion during his 2016 presidential campaign to now vowing to begin deporting Haitians.

Rubio in the State Department, along with others in the incoming Trump administration, will take an exceedingly hard line against Haitian migration to the United States as as a result of the disorder and violence, said Cynthia Arnson, a fellow at the Wilson Center in Washington. That said, its unclear how Rubio will position the United States in an effort to help put Haiti back together again.

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Arnson, a Latin American expert who teaches at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, said there is a lot of unknowns about the new administration, even with Rubios past support for some U.S. assistance to Haiti.

I think hes been trying to some extent to thread a needle, recognizing that there are large communities of Haitians, legal immigrant Haitians in Florida and greater Miami area, she said.

There is one piece of advice she would give the incoming administration, Arson said: Its not advisable for the U.S. to look the other way as a state collapses so close to U.S. borders and the borders of U.S. allies.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A former convict is back behind bars after a police K9 tracked him down inside a South Nashville church following a burglary.

The church on Wilhagen Road, Centro Cristiano Para La Familia, was locked. However, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department, the suspect was able to gain access by pulling away metal siding and then busting through dry wall.

Nashville masseuse wanted for 2020 rape arrested in Alabama

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Per an affidavit, when officers arrived at the church, they peered through the windows and saw a man  later identified as Greg Edgar Black  scurrying up the stairwell.

Authorities used a loudspeaker to order the 54-year-old out of the church. When he refused, a K9 was sent in.

According to the arrest report, the dog found the man hiding in a closet. Black reportedly used a backpack to fight off the animal, but the K9 won the battle, so the burglary suspect was taken into custody.

When officers looked in the backpack, they found items belonging to the church, including a camera, a laptop, and some food. Meanwhile, a search of Black  who listed his home as a Nashville homeless shelter  turned up a powdery substance and a glass pipe.

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1 in custody following hours-long standoff at Sumner County home

News 2 spoke with Lyn Daubenberger, who owns Clinards Driveshaft across the street from the church.

Does it make you take pause today knowing that somebody was willing to break in there and now you just are across the street? News 2s Andy Cordan asked.

It does, yeah. You always worry about stuff like that. Of course, youve got alarm systems and stuff like that to cover your butt, but you just never know. It could just have well been me. It is what it is. Its a sad thing, and its crazy that people do stuff like that, but its a sign of the times. Times are tough for everybody, Daubenberger explained. You dont have money, youre hungry, or you got drug issues or whatever, and theyre just looking for anything they can get.

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The long-time mechanic said a crime against a church is troubling

I tell you, theyre good people there. They keep to themselvesIts always been a safe neighborhood over here, Daubenberger said.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

As of this writing, Black is being held in the Downtown Detention Center on a $28,000 bond for multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, including burglary, theft of property, and vandalism, according to the Davidson County Sheriffs Office.

Before he was booked into the jail, the suspect was reportedly treated at a local hospital for a dog bite he received during the arrest.

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According to the Tennessee Department of Correction, Black finished his prison sentence in September for attempted aggravated burglary and theft of property. He was initially sentenced in 2016 and granted parole in 2021, but he allegedly absconded supervision just a few months later. He was then arrested in Davidson County in January, based on court records.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  Officials are speaking out after a lawsuit alleging pay discrepancies between firefighters and police in Mobile was dismissed on Friday.

Mobile teen sentenced to 35 years for 2021 murder of 16-year-old

The City of Mobile announced the dismissal Friday afternoon.

The dismissed lawsuit was filed by the International Association of Firefighters, a union representing Mobile Fire-Rescue, in June 2022. It said that the city broke state law that requires firefighters and police officers to be on the same pay plan. The lawsuit stemmed from the Mobile Police Departments website showing that rookie officers would be paid an extra $5,200 in incentives after graduating from the police academy.

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The City of Mobile said in a news release that a judge dismissed the case following an overhaul of the citys pay plan for first responders. This follows after the Mobile City Council passed the 2025 fiscal budget that would increase starting pay for police officers and firefighters, hoping it would bring more employees to the force and resolve pending litigation.

Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson said in his statement that the above overhaul made the unions lawsuit a moot point.

IAFF_Lawsuit_Dismissal-1Download

WKRG News 5 also spoke to Edward Smith, the lawyer representing the International Association of Firefighters union. Smith said the union does not think the case went far enough and that firefighters are lacking the millions of dollars in pay that police received in incentives over the years.

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Travis Lofton found guilty of murdering Daphne restaurant manager

This is a developing story. News 5 will update this article with more information, including full statements as we learn more.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
A Georgia mother was arrested last month after her 11-year-old walked about a mile from their home to a town while she was at an appointment for her other child.

Brittany Patterson, a 41-year-old mother of four, was handcuffed by a Fannin County sheriffs deputy in front of her children on the night of Oct. 30, just hours after her son Soren was seen walking into the town of Mineral Bluff in northern Georgia. Patterson didnt know where he was at the time, which she told the sheriffs deputy who stopped the boy after someone called to report the child walking alone. But Patterson told HuffPost in an interview that she wasnt concerned for his safety and that she believes her free-range parenting style  encouraging her kids to develop independence  was met with government overreach.

What it means for us is that our kids can go play outside, she said. Our kids can walk into town without being stalked and harassed by people. And if you dont want to let your kid do that, then thats OK, too. Thats your choice, but there shouldnt be any punishment, to parents or to the children, if theyre not doing anything wrong.

Brittany Patterson, next to her son Soren in a photo posted on GoFundMe. GoFundMe

She was booked on a misdemeanor count of reckless conduct and later said she was presented with a safety plan by the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services, which she refused to sign. Shes now working with Parents USA, a group that has provided legal services on issues it terms parents rights, such as custody disputes, whether schools must notify parents of a childs gender issues and cases of children walking alone.

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The Fannin County Sheriffs Office did not comment to HuffPost, but in an incident report, a deputy wrote that her primary interest was the safety of the child. Patterson knew her son was missing for an hour and did not report it, the deputy said.

Patterson said that the Wednesday afternoon when her son walked into town was just like any other day.

Soren is homeschooled, she said, and shed given him a choice to stay home, on their 16-acre property, or go with her to take his older brother to the chiropractor. There was no information available on the ages of the other two children or if they were in school.

Before Patterson left the house, she said, she called out Sorens name, but no one answered. She said she thought hed decided to stay home, adding that her father was also at his home on the property at the time.

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Her attorney David S. DeLugas argued that Georgia state guidelines say children ages 9 to 12 may be left alone for a maximum of two hours.

According to the report written by the Fannin County deputy, a woman saw the boy walking down the road and into a Dollar General store. She told deputies she saw him walking to the gas station and a post office before she stopped him to ask if he was OK.

He said he was, and she asked more questions, such as where his parents were and what his mothers name was, according to the incident report. She once again asked the boy if he was OK, and he responded by saying Never mind and running behind a fire station, the report said.

She then called the sheriffs office, and a deputy came out and spotted the child walking alone, a little over a mile from his home, according to the report. The deputy said the boy seemed to be confused as to what was going on, and she offered him a ride. DeLugas told HuffPost that the 11-year-old was confused because he had done nothing wrong, yet a deputy with a badge, uniform and gun was asking him questions.

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The boy initially declined the deputys offer of a ride and said he wanted to walk, then told her where his home was and that his grandfather was there, according to the incident report. Body-camera footage obtained by HuffPost shows the boy inside the police cruiser, visibly upset and answering more of the deputys questions.

Eventually, the deputy called Patterson and told her that her son was found walking alone, but the incident report noted that she seemed very unsurprised or concerned with this information.

I wasnt panicking, Patterson told HuffPost. I wasnt hysterical that he had decided to walk into town without asking me, because he knows the way there, he knows how to get there, he knows how to get back, we all do. So its not like I was concerned that he was going to be lost or missing, or anything like that.

The deputy said the call was about 1:16 p.m., and Patterson told her shed last seen her son at about 12:15 p.m.

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In the bodycam footage, Patterson can be heard telling the deputy that she assumed Soren had walked out to the woods behind their home. The mother told the deputy Soren did this often when he was upset, but he had never walked all the way to Mineral Bluff.

The mother described Soren as defiant to the deputy over the phone call, and when told authorities were concerned that he would be hit by a car, she responded, I dont know what to do with him, and Im at my wits end.

Soren was taken back home by the deputy, where they were met by his grandfather, who told the deputy he would stay with him until his mother could return from the appointment. Bodycam footage shows the deputies walking through parts of the home following their interaction with the grandfather.

That same night, deputies arrived at Pattersons door to arrest her. She said she was on the phone with a business client and was not immediately aware that she was being put under arrest. Bodycam footage shows Patterson keeping her composure while telling Soren to call his grandmother to look after the rest of the kids.

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Patterson told HuffPost she was placed in handcuffs outside her home, in front of Soren. According to the deputys report, Pattersons mother told deputies that Soren was out of control and there had been discussions about sending him to live with his dad, who was working in Montana.

She said he is sad and will not eat, the deputy wrote in the incident report.

Patterson said she doesnt doubt that her mother probably said those things and that she often just says things she doesnt mean when shes upset. Patterson described her son Soren as an independent child who loves the outdoors, and she questioned why authorities were painting him as having some kind of issues.

I mean, he is a boy, and so he does do boy things, but for the most part, Id say hes probably pretty close to an average [11]-year-old boy that has grown up in the woods in a rural area, Patterson said.

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DeLugas, her lawyer, maintained that Patterson did not do anything that amounted to a criminal offense.

She was taken to jail, where she was forced to change clothes, was fingerprinted and had her mug shot taken. She was there for about an hour and a half before being released on bail. She said she felt shock and disbelief.

An agent from the Division of Family and Children Services showed up the next day and interviewed the children, she said. Patterson said she was asked to sign a safety plan, which would have her download a tracking app on Sorens phone and delegate a safety person who would look after her child when she was not home.

Patterson decided not to sign it. She told HuffPost its unclear what consequences she could face.

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I felt like it was more of a risk at that point for me to sign something like that, without any kind of guarantee, than it was for me to just refuse to sign and stand up for what I believe in, she said.

In a recorded conversation between DeLugas and an Appalachian Circuit assistant district attorney shared with HuffPost, the prosecutor said that if Patterson were to sign the safety plan, she would not face criminal charges. The assistant district attorney did not respond to HuffPosts request for comment.

Pattersons case has been left unsettled.

DeLugas told HuffPost he is currently working on a bill to present to the Georgia legislature that would bar law enforcement from intervening if they see a child who is not hurt, in distress or in imminent danger. He criticized authorities treatment of parents like Patterson.

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Can we get that kind of attention to real crimes? DeLugas asked. I mean, where people are assaulted, bad things happen, drugged, whatever. Are you with me? Yeah, resources are being misplaced, and thats part of the questioning of whats going on.

Related...
Nov. 15FAIRMONT  Sixth grade science teacher Dorothea Tustin underestimated how much enthusiasm her students would have for projectile motion.

The West Virginia STEAM Technical Assistance Center delivered an immersive science lesson to students at Monongah Middle School on Thursday. Tustin's students have been looking forward to the event.

"I told them about it a month ago, to build excitement," Tustin said. "Maybe that was a mistake, because they've been hyper for that."

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The challenge was to build a kicking contraption out of rubber bands, dowels and plastic plates. The lesson connected abstract ideas about the laws of physical motion to something tangible that a child could touch and play with.

The sixth graders picked up the lesson faster than the STEAM TAC instructor could put down. Tustin said the class had already gone through a presentation covering the abstract portions of the exercise the day before. Good peer reviews spread at lunch or recess from other kids from different classrooms helped build anticipation.

Donna Peduto, director of the West Virginia Public Education Collaborative, said she hopes the exercise gets students to fall in love with Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics. The Collaborative  along with the West Virginia Department of Education and West Virginia University  sponsors STEAM TAC. She said these immersive lessons provide the foundation for skills that can be utilized in future careers.

The state's population is decreasing amid a push to diversify the state's economy and introduce a technology industry to the state's primary industries.

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"Lots of times, here in West Virginia, we find it's hard for employers to fill these kinds of jobs," Peduto said. "I think lots of times, it's because there's a fear that they're hard or you need these high-level classes. Really, when you talk about it, employers are looking for people that have these soft skills, that can work in teams and collaborate as well as their technical skills."

Peduto said she's seen the program have a huge impact on students' math skills, as well as attitude and student engagement. Even quiet students who usually don't participate often shine when working in teams.

Marion County School Superintendent Donna Heston said the school district has seen STEAM TAC have a positive impact on math scores in Marion County. She credits the program for helping the county move its math scores in a different direction from what is seen across the rest of the state. Heston said making real world connections to lesson material is hugely responsible for that. Peduto said STEAM TAC visits Marion County every other month.

Making initiatives like STEAM TAC available also helps close the disparity gap between male and female students when it comes to science and technology. Female students typically outperform male students in math and science up until the fifth grade, when math and science concepts become more abstract. Then, they drop off in participation. Heston said connecting abstract concepts to practical, hands on knowledge helps reverse that trend and keep more female students excited about and participating in STEM.

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The program has been coming to Marion County for two years. Heston said it was done at the behest of the county's teachers and principals, who reached out and tapped into resources such as STEAM TAC.

"In Marion County Schools, where our teachers get together, our math teachers talk about best practices that they're using in the classroom and share strategies," Heston said. "Then it becomes saturation throughout the county and really levels the playing field for our students."

Reach Esteban at efernandez@timeswv.com
MONTAGUE, Mass. (WWLP)  The Montague Police Department will have a new four-legged officer joining the team after K-9 Artie passed away.

Deadline: REAL ID enforcement goes into effect in six months

K-9 Artie passed away on October 2nd after a short decline in health due to cancer. The department has decided to select another dog to fill his shoes. Through the same organization, the U.S. by Shallow Creek Kennels in Sharpsville Pennsylvania, K-9 Lawrence Arthur Akim (Larry for short) joined the Montague police force.

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In a Facebook post by the department, Larrys surname came from, Lawrence (a symbol of victory and achievement), Arthur (it was only fitting he needed a middle name), Akim (the name he came with from Slovakia).

Officer Jim Ruddock and 18-month-old Larry have been bonding for the last two weeks before formal training begins. Larry will officially be sworn in as an officer at the Town of Montague Select Board meeting on December 2nd.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  The collision occurred around 9:43 p.m. on November 13, 2024, when the moped operator was traveling eastbound on Monsarrat Avenue, just east of Kalakaua Avenue.

Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You

Police said the rider rear-ended a parked, unoccupied vehicle on the side of the road.

The impact caused the moped operator to become pinned beneath the vehicle, requiring emergency responders to extricate him from the wreckage.

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Avian flu detected at Wahiawa wastewater treatment plant

He was rushed to an area hospital in critical condition but later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

Authorities said the rider was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Preliminary reports suggest alcohol may have been a factor in the incident, though it is unclear whether speed or drugs played a role.

Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

The Honolulu Police Department is continuing to investigate the crash.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
Check your water bottle stash!

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If you live in Maryland, Virginia, or West Virginia, it may be time to get rid of your bottled water. Berkeley Club Beverages, a company based in Berkeley Spring, WV, has recalled 1,304 bottles of its product. According to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) enforcement report, if youve bought Berkeley Springs Water Purified or Berkeley Springs Water Distilled, your bottles could be contaminated with coliform bacteria.

According to ScienceDirect, coliforms are rarely not linked to serious illness themselves, but their presence could mean that other pathogens of fecal origin that do cause diseases may be present. Specifically, the article goes on to say, The presence of this organism may be an indicator of fecal contamination and be related to use of polluted irrigation water, the presence of feces, or poor sanitation and hygiene.

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The voluntary recall was first initiated on Sept. 12, and was terminated on Nov. 13, but if you bought water with the codes 090326, 090426, 090526, or 090626, your water is indeed part of the recall.

How worried should you be? Dont panic. On Nov. 8, the recall was given a Class III designation, which the FDAs website says is, a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences. It is the least pressing designation.

However, the FDA maintains a zero-tolerance policy for the bacteria, which could signal the presence of E. coli and other pathogens that can cause a serious risk to human health. E. coli is noted to do anything from causing mild, brief diarrhea to severe, bloody diarrhea and vomiting.

In late May, we reported on a giant, 1.9 million-bottle recall of Fiji Water. That recall was also a Class III.

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Though Berkeley Springs isnt instructing buyers on how to comply with the recall, we recommend that you dispose of your water immediately. The CDC advises that if you think your bottled water made you sick, to contact your health department to report it.

Editors Note: This article original reported that 151,397.75 bottles had been recalled based on the available report from the FDA. The FDA updated the report to just 1,304 bottles and that change has been reflected here.
By Mark Trevelyan

LONDON (Reuters) - On the last day of January, a woman took her son to see paediatrician Nadezhda Buyanova at Polyclinic No. 140 in northwest Moscow. The boy, aged seven, had a problem with one of his eyes.

The conversation that the boy's mother alleged took place during an 18-minute encounter at the clinic would change both women's lives and land the 68-year-old doctor in prison.

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The case hinged on a denunciation - part of a rising trend of Russians informing on fellow citizens for their views on the war in Ukraine and other alleged political crimes. Critics say the wave of denunciations is helping President Vladimir Putin's government crack down on dissent.

In a video recorded as she was walking away from the clinic, the mother, Anastasia Akinshina, said she had told the doctor the boy was traumatised because his father was killed fighting for Russia in the war in Ukraine.

"Do you know what she told me? 'Well, my dear, what do you expect? Your husband was a legitimate target of Ukraine,'" Akinshina said, mimicking the doctor's voice and intonation.

Fighting back tears, Akinshina said she had raised the incident with the hospital administration and suspected they planned to hush it up.

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"So the question is: where can I complain about this bitch now, so that she'll be kicked out of the fucking country or sent to the devil in jail?" she said in the video, which went viral on social media and thrust her into a high-profile criminal trial as the key prosecution witness.

At the trial, Buyanova denied making the comment. But despite a lack of further adult witnesses, the denunciation was sufficient to destroy her 40-year medical career and her life.

The doctor, who had been in pre-trial detention since April, appeared before a Moscow court on Tuesday, her grey hair closely cropped. She was found guilty under a wartime censorship law of "publicly spreading deliberately false information" about the armed forces and sentenced to five-and-a-half years in a penal colony.

Buyanova was born in Ukraine but is a citizen of Russia, where she has lived and worked for three decades. Her lawyer Oscar Cherdzhiyev told Reuters the defence believed Akinshina acted out of malice because of the doctor's Ukrainian origins.

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Akinshina did not respond to written questions for this story, or answer her phone.

At the trial, she stated: "We are Russian. Buyanova hates Russians. She feels hostility towards me, that's what I think," according to a transcript by independent Russian outlet Mediazona.

Two hospital staff who saw Akinshina after the consultation with Buyanova described her in evidence as being distraught.

The prosecution's case was based almost entirely on Akinshina's account, along with a transcript read out in the trial of an interview with the child, conducted by an officer of the FSB security service. At first, Akinshina said the boy was not in the room when the comments were made, but later changed her story, telling the court she originally spoke in a state of shock.

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The judge rejected the defence's request to put its own questions to the child.

Russian rights group OVD-Info has recorded 21 criminal prosecutions in politically-motivated cases based on denunciations since the launch of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Eva Levenberg, a lawyer with the group, told Reuters.

Levenberg, who lives in Germany, said OVD-Info knew of a further 175 people who had faced lower-level administrative charges for "discrediting" the Russian army as a result of people informing on them in the same period, and 79 of these had been fined.

Reuters was unable to independently confirm the numbers Levenberg provided.

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Russia's Justice Ministry did not respond to requests for comment about the data or the use of denunciations to support prosecutions, including in the Buyanova case. In response to a question posed by Reuters, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Kremlin does not comment on court rulings.

'SCUM AND TRAITORS'

Putin has said the country is in a proxy war with the West, and citizens need to help root out internal enemies. In March 2022, weeks after the invasion, he declared that the Russian people "will always be able to distinguish the true patriots from the scum and the traitors, and just spit them out like a gnat that accidentally flew into their mouths."

Since the start of the Ukraine war, according to OVD-Info, the authorities have detained more than 20,000 people for various forms of anti-war statements or protests, and launched criminal cases against 1,094 individuals.

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In news reports, court cases and on social media, examples have come to light of neighbour informing on neighbour, churchgoers denouncing priests and students reporting on teachers.

For some, the resulting current climate is reminiscent of the atmosphere of mutual distrust and suspicion under Soviet Communist rule.

Olga Podolskaya is a former municipal deputy for the Tula region, south of Moscow, who by her own account earned a "pesky" reputation as an independent local politician prepared to stand up to the authorities. In the first hours after the Ukraine invasion, she added her signature to an open letter describing it as "an unprecedented atrocity" and urging citizens to speak out against it.

Four months later, she was the subject of a public denunciation that asked for her finances to be investigated after she collected public donations to pay off a fine related to a protest in 2020. The denunciation was filed under the name "Olga Minenkova", but Podolskaya said no such person was ever identified, and she suspects the identity was a fake one. Reuters has seen a copy of the denunciation, but could not establish who filed it.

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Further public accusations followed, against her and her husband. Asked how she felt at the time, Podolskaya said it made her think of her great-grandfather, executed under Soviet dictator Josef Stalin in 1938 after someone informed against him.

"The time of denunciations and 'enemies of the people' had returned. I realised that they were hinting I should leave the country," said Podolskaya.

She left, in April 2023. In September that year she was placed on the Ministry of Justice's public "foreign agent" list. To protect her security, she asked Reuters not to disclose where she is based now.

"FROM A BYGONE ERA"

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Doctor Andrei Prokofiev was targeted in 2023 by a prolific informer called Anna Korobkova who wrote to his employer demanding he be fired for anti-war comments he made to a foreign news outlet.

Korobkova did not reply to a request for comment.

In a letter last year to Alexandra Arkhipova, a sociologist who was the target of one of her denunciations, Korobkova said informing was "in her blood" as her grandfather had worked with Stalin's NKVD secret police. Arkhipova posted the letter on Telegram.

Korobkova said she sent 764 denunciations to government agencies in the first year of the war alone, focusing on Russians who speak to foreign media. She likened her work to "using submarines to destroy enemy ships".

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Reuters was unable to confirm the extent or impact of her activity.

Prokofiev told Reuters he suffered no repercussions, as he lives in Germany. But he fears going back to Russia: "I don't think I would make it out of the airport. They would start a criminal case right away."

Prokofiev took a particular interest in Buyanova's case because, when he lived in Russia, his son was one of her patients. He describes her as a quiet, modest person - "an elderly figure from a bygone era" who tapped awkwardly with just one or two fingers on her computer.

There has been some pushback against her trial. Prokofiev was among a total of 1,035 doctors who declared solidarity with Buyanova in an open letter, warning the case would put young people off entering medicine. Some of the doctors appeared in their scrubs speaking out in a video compilation posted on Facebook.

Alexander Polupan, the doctor behind the Buyanova initiative as well as letters in support of dissidents including the late Alexei Navalny, said at least seven medics were questioned by police after signing them. Reuters could not verify those interrogations, and the Russian interior ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Polupan himself left Russia last year, "when it became clear I would be arrested any day", he told Reuters.

Rachel Denber, Deputy Director of the Europe and Central Asian Division of New York-based Human Rights Watch, said prosecuting an older defendant from a respected profession sent a signal that nobody can afford to defy the official line on Ukraine.

Even if Buyanova had said that Russian soldiers on the battlefield were legitimate targets for Ukraine, the assertion would be correct under international law, Denber said.

"That is the Geneva Conventions," she added.

International law governing war allows for the use of lethal force against clearly identified enemy combatants in certain situations.

At the trial, prosecutors gave details of messages and images on Buyanova's mobile phone that did not relate to the dispute with Akinshina but were used to present a picture of someone with pro-Ukrainian and anti-Russian views.

The defence said someone else had used the device and the messages weren't hers.

In her final speech at the summing-up, the doctor was tearful. She asked the court to take into account her age, fragile health and decades of service.

Supporters in tee-shirts printed with Buyanova's unassuming image shouted "shame" at the sentencing.

Before the verdict was read, Buyanova expressed shock at what was happening.

"I can't get my head around it," she told reporters. "Maybe I will later."

(Additional reporting by Lucy Papachristou; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel)
Russia will stop its gas deliveries to Austria from Saturday, Austrian oil and gas group OMV said on Friday.

OMV said it had received notice from Gazprom Export, a subsidiary of Kremlin-controlled energy giant Gazprom.

The halt in deliveries is seen as a response by Russia to an arbitration ruling by the International Chamber of Commerce, which awarded OMV 230 million ($242 million) in a contractual dispute with Gazprom.

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Earlier this week, OMV had asserted its right to claim the award. It noted this would likely result in a "negative impact" on relations.

With that prediction now coming true, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer was set to make a statement on the situation later on Friday.

Austria remains heavily reliant on Russian gas even as other EU countries, like Germany, have worked to end their dependence following Moscow's all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The share of Russian supplies has accounted for over 80% of Austria's total gas imports recently.

However, OMV said earlier it has been preparing for this scenario for three years, and Austria's position is significantly better now that it was on 2022, due to lower gas consumption and more sources of supply.

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The alternative supplies are to come from Norway, from Austria's own production, or in the form of liquefied natural gas by ship via Germany or Italy.

Furthermore, all storage facilities are currently around 90% full, providing enough gas for Austria's needs for around a year.

Even without current developments, the energy co-operation between Austria and Russia, which dates to 1968, would probably have come to an end. The transit contract for the delivery of Russian natural gas via the pipeline through Ukraine and Slovakia ends at the end of the year, and is not expected to be extended.
(Bloomberg) -- President-elect Donald Trump says his Cabinet picks are meant to shake up a broken system. Now attention is turning to the deputies and hundreds of lower-level officials who will be needed to put those ambitions into action.

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Take the Defense Department. Trumps nominee for defense secretary, 44-year-old Pete Hegseth, is a combat veteran and Fox News host who may seek to scrap diversity programs and slash the Pentagon workforce. But he has little management experience and would need a host of aides who share the same goals and know how to deliver on them.

If hes going to drive change in that massive bureaucracy, people need to know where the levers are and how to get things done, said John Ferrari, a retired major general and a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

The same considerations will apply to other nominees Trump may have been chosen in part for the deep skepticism they hold toward the bureaucracies they would lead. Among them are Tulsi Gabbard, the choice for director of national intelligence, who has criticized US intelligence-gathering, and Matt Gaetz, who appears intent on bringing a wrecking ball to a Justice Department that in the past investigated both him and Trump.

In a sign he would move quickly on the appointments that matter to him, Trump announced Thursday night he would nominate Todd Blanche as deputy attorney general. Blanche is a former Manhattan federal prosecutor who represented Trump in his New York hush money case. As second in command to Gaetz, he would be responsible for day-to-day operations of a bureaucracy with 115,000 employees.

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For the sprawling Pentagon  commonly described as the worlds largest organization and the biggest US employer  senators may be more comfortable confirming Hegseths nomination, Ferrari said, if they believe that hes going to be surrounded by people who understand the complexity of the building.

Although cabinet members may choose lower-level advisers, Trumps nominations for top deputies  and their knowledge of the organizations they lead  will help reveal how serious he is about delivering on the changes hes promising. Some vocal Trump backers who havent secured a top job could round out those positions.

They include Elbridge Colby, a deputy assistant secretary of defense early in Trumps first administration who is known for his hawkish views on China, as well as former Trump administration aides Keith Kellogg and Fred Fleitz, both currently at the America First Policy Institute.

Management Style

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Mike Rounds, a Republican senator from South Dakota and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, which will vet the next defense secretary, said the choice of deputies could help determine if Hegseth wins approval. It depends on his management style, and we dont know what his management style is yet, Rounds said.

If he incorporates the deputies to a further extent, and if hes bringing in people with significant technical expertise and background, that could play a role, he said.

One unknown: whether Trumps nominees will get a say in choosing their direct reports or the president will decide positions too, potentially creating the friction with agency heads that emerged at times in Trumps first term.

In any administration, the work done at the deputies level can matter a lot, said Justin Logan, director of Defense and Foreign Policy Studies at the Cato think tank in Washington. In this administration, its going to be particularly true.

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Historically, secretaries of defense and their deputies have tended to split up portfolios. The secretary typically focuses on external issues, and the deputy focuses on bureaucratic management of the Pentagon and other domestic concerns, such as industrial production.

James Mattis, Trumps first defense secretary, was a retired four-star Marine better known for his no-nonsense command of troops than his management prowess. His deputy was former Boeing Co. executive Pat Shanahan, who handled budget issues, management initiatives and major defense programs.

Hegseth, by contrast, appears more focused on personnel and diversity policies, suggesting on a recent podcast the need to oust General Charles Q. Brown Jr., the second Black person to serve as chairman of the Joint Chiefs. After the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis in 2020, Brown released a video in which he said his own experiences as a Black man in the military didnt always sing of liberty and equality.

Before the election, Hegseth told conservative podcast host Shawn Ryan that the institution is going sideways  the Department of Defense, the Army, pick your service. To course correct, he said, youve got to fire the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, any general that was involved, admiral or whatever, anyone that was involved in any of the DEI, woke shi* - has got to go, he said.

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Now one big question is whether he can follow through  and has the support of deputies who know how to pull the levers of power.

--With assistance from Daniel Flatley and Tony Capaccio.

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The former owner of a Notting Hill 36 million mansion has labelled allegations that it is infested with millions of moths as an extreme overreaction.

Iya Patarkatsishvili and her husband Dr Yevhen Hunyak paid 32.5 million for the Victorian mansion in Notting Hill, only to allegedly discover a moth infestation of extreme proportions.

The pair have claimed they were never told about the millions of moths nesting behind the walls and ceilings of Horbury Villa when they bought the property in 2019.

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William Woodward-Fisher, a high-end property developer and former champion rower for Great Britain, denied all the claims made against him  and has now alleged that the couple have exaggerated the infestation as like being in an insect house in a zoo.

Jonathan Seitler KC, his barrister, told Mr Justice Fancourt, the judge, that experiences of moths vary from one person to another, with some people not even noticing them.

It is possible when reading some of the evidence in this case to imagine being inside the property like being in an insect house at a zoo, Mr Seitler KC said.

As Mr and Mrs Woodward-Fisher between them demonstrate, any given level of moth presence can bother one person whilst not bothering, or even being noticeable to, another.

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Further, the position can change over time.

The couple claim they were never told about the millions of moths nesting behind the walls of their Notting Hill mansion - Instagram

Ms Patarkatsishvili, the daughter of Badri Patarkatsishvili, the late Georgian oligarch, is suing Mr Woodward-Fisher for 36 million in the High Court over claims of fraudulent misrepresentation or negligence in failing to disclose problems with moths leading up to the sale.

But Mr Woodward-Fishers lawyer has said the couples 9.6 million valuation to remedy the problem was overblown and that the retired rower had been honest when dealing with the enquiry about possible previous vermin infestation.

He also argued there is a lack of photos demonstrating the extent of their claims, arguing that the photos meant to illustrate a medium-high level infestation only show grains  said to be moth eggs  which are unnoticeable to the untrained eye.

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Other statements say that there is a high-level infestation and attach over 70 photos which between them show only one or two live moths in the property, Mr Seitler added.

100 moths a day

When cross-examining Dr Andrew Whittington, a moth expert who gave evidence for the couple, Mr Woodward-Fishers barrister suggested that the moths in the mansion were a base level of moths seen in older London houses.

Dr Whittington said while moth numbers are rising as people move away from synthetic fabrics, the normal level can fluctuate from year to year and that, from Dr Hunyaks evidence, it appeared the problem persists.

John McGhee KC, representing Ms Patarkatsishvili and her husband, said Dr Hunyak has ended up having to swat around 100 moths a day to stay on top of the problem.

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Mr Woodward-Fisher and his wife, Kerry, bought the site in 2011.

It was extended and remodelled to about 11,000 square feet before it was sold to the couple in 2019.

The couple claim it would cost around 9.6 million to rip out the moth infestation source - Champion News

Horbury Villa boasts a pool and spa, gym, wine room, library and cinema, and also a snoring room  designed to guarantee its residents a peaceful nights sleep.

Dr Hunyak is a paediatric dentist who practises in Chelsea, while his wife is the daughter of Badri Patarkatsishvili, who died in 2008.

Ms Patarkatsishvili and Dr Hunyak want the return of their 32.5 million purchase money, plus compensation for other losses, including 50,000 for moth-shredded clothes and over 3.7 million they paid in stamp duty.

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The couple claim that it would cost around 9.6 million to rip out the moth infestation source in the embedded wool insulation, but Mr Woodward-Fisher says that estimate is fantastically high and is closer to 162,652.

Challenging the compensation claim, Mr Seitler said his client cant afford to re-purchase the property and also alleged that the couple had neglected the house.

The trial continues.

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***Watch previous coverage above***

CLEVELAND (WJW)  The grieving mother of a Cleveland police officer murdered in the line of duty is questioning why her son was not included on a Cleveland polices social media page Veterans Day post.

The post did not name or show officer Jamieson Ritter. Yet, he just died in July after getting shot and killed on a call, and he had served in the Army National Guard.

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The post stated, the Division thanks all Veterans past and present for their efforts. We recognize some of our current officers who have served in the military. You can also read about officers who were called to duty and made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country. Thank you Cleveland Police Museum for this inclusion.

How dog helped solve owners grisly murder

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Police Museum link honors officers who died in World War I and World War II. It also mentions two officers who were killed in the line of duty in the 1920s and 1930s.

There may have been a few missing officers. Definitely Jamieson Ritter. I would like to thank Jamieson for his service and sacrifice, Karen Ritter, his mother, stated on the post.

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Officer Ritter was shot and killed on July 4, when he and several other officers, tried to arrest Delawnte Hardy, who was wanted for shooting his own grandmother.

Ritter earned a degree from Syracuse University in 2019 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army National Guard. He served the Guard with the 134th Field Artillery Regiment, before joining Cleveland police in November 2020. He and his unit deployed to Syria in 2022. He then came back to the city police force in 2023.

Tusky Valley remembers 6 killed in crash 1 year ago

The FOX 8 I-Team reached out to Cleveland police to ask why officer Ritter was not mentioned on the post and we received the following statement from a police department spokesperson:

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The Division thanks all Veterans past and present for their efforts. In the post, we recognized some of our current officers who have served in the military.

Another person also commented on the post, thinking of Officer Jamison Ritter who was killed in the line of duty. He served his country too rest in peace

.

Someone else stated they thought it was sad not to see Ritters name or picture on the post.

His mother, responded to the post, Its sad for sure. A touch hurtful and disappointing too.

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A mother and son who worked together on a plot to rob and kill a Naperville man in 2018 have been sentenced to decades in prison with no chance of early parole.

Ernest Collins, 28, formerly of Rockford, and his mother Candice Jones, 44, formerly of Chicago, were found guilty in separate 2023 jury trials of the first-degree murder and armed robbery of Michael Armendariz.

This week, DuPage County Judge Michael Reidy sentenced Collins to 70 years in state prison on the murder charge and 28 years for armed robbery, a news release from the DuPage County States Attorneys Office said. His mother was given a 40-year prison term for murder and 21 years for armed robbery.

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An accomplice in the case, Collins then-girlfriend Cassandra Green, 27, formerly of Rockford, agreed to plead guilty in 2022 to one count of armed robbery with a firearm in exchange for cooperating with the prosecution, the release said. She is serving a 21-year prison term.

Green, Collins and Jones came up with the plan to rob Armendariz, with Green persuading her childhood friend to meet her by sending him a Snapchat message on Jan. 14, 2018, prosecutors said. Green picked up Armendariz in a 1999 Ford Exploer at his Naperville apartment, the report said.

Collins was hiding in the back of the SUV and emerged about five minutes into the drive to shoot Armendariz twice in the back of the head, the report said. The pair then drove to Jones home on Chicagos southwest side, where Jones helped them put Armendarizs body in a garbage can and move it into her garage, officials said.

Later, they moved the garbage can to the garage of a vacant house next to Jones home. Collins and Green then used Armendarizs key to get into and burglarize his apartment, the report said.

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Prosecutors have previously said the crime was plotted by Collins and Jones at the instigation of Jones, who reportedly told her son, Youre going to do this. The murder weapon and other evidence were recovered from Jones home, according to reports.

Jones also threatened Green, telling her she would kill her and her mother if Green told anyone about the killing, reports said.

Green told investigators in a 2019 confession that they tried unsuccessfully to rob Armendariz on at least four earlier occasions after seeing him in social media photos with drugs and cash.

Armendariz was reported missing on Jan. 18, 2018, but his body not discovered until several months later. A joint investigation by the Chicago and Naperville police departments led to the arrests of Collins, Jones and Green in February 2019, the report said.

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Collins and Jones have been held at the DuPage County Jail since their arrests. They will serve their terms concurrently and are not eligible for parole until theyve completed their full sentences, the release said.

Working together, Ernest Collins, Candice Jones and Cassandra Green devised an evil, heartless plot to rob and kill Michael Armendariz, States Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement.

Once this scheme was put into motion, Michael never stood a chance as he was ambushed and shot twice in the back of his head in a cold-blooded execution. While Mr. Collins and Ms. Jones will more than likely spend the rest of their lives behind bars, Michael is never coming back. Guilty verdicts and long prison sentences cannot fill the emptiness Michaels family and friends have already endured and will continue to suffer for the rest of their lives.
Marco Rubio has finally found a place for himself  on a Mount Rushmore of putzes.

Oh, sure, hes kind of the Teddy Rooseveltthe one who doesnt really belongbut in joining the ranks of Trumps first-round picksMatt Gaetz, Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth, etc.Sen. Rubio is now in a terrific position to judge himself by the company he keeps. Some of you will know the old Polish proverb: Not my circus, not my monkeys.

Welcome to your circus, Little Marco. Meet the monkeys.

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Rep. Gaetz has spent years dealing with allegations of misconduct, from using illegal drugs to being involved with an underage prostitute. His longtime friend Joel Greenberg, who is at the center of the case, already has pleaded guilty to a half-dozen felonies, including a sex-trafficking charge. Gaetz, it bears repeating here, has not been charged with anything, much less convicted, and, as a legal matter, the presumption of innocence must apply to even such a specimen as he. But there are degrees of proof short of criminal conviction. According to CBS News, the evidence against Gaetz includes testimony from four women who said they were paid to attend sex-and-drug orgies that Gaetz attended, and Venmo transactions that show Gaetz making payments to the women. A House ethics probe, expected to be made public at any moment, will shed light on this.

Pete Hegseth calls to mind Sen. John Tower, who was nominated to the same position for which Hegseth has been profferedsecretary of defenseby the George H.W. Bush administration. Tower was eminently qualified for the position, having served as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and as the lead negotiator in the Reagan administrations arms-reductions talks with the Soviet Union. But he was rejected after leaders of conservative organizations complained that he was often seen around Washington exhibiting a lack of sobriety while keeping company with women to whom he was not married, as Paul Weyrich, co-founder of the Heritage Foundation, put it at the time. Hegseth does not have anything like Towers qualificationshe had an undistinguished stint in the military and has mainly worked as a cable-news punditbut he has had something like Towers social life. In 2020, the Pentagon rejected his attempt to join National Guard troops chosen to secure Joe Bidens administration, one of a dozen rejected because of links to right-wing militia groups and extremist activity. Hegseth insists this is all about a misunderstood tattoo, a claim that you are free to believe, if you happen to be that sort of person.

Gaetz might be a threat to the intern pool, and Hegseth a threat to the general dignity of the U.S. government, such as it is, but Gabbard would represent a critical threat to U.S. national security in the role for which she has been selected.

Tulsi Gabbard, who has been nominated for director of national intelligence in spite of no experience with intelligence work (and no obvious experience with intelligence of any kind), is a reliable amplifier of Russian disinformation (remember those made-up U.S.-run biological-weapons labs in Ukraine that were the real reason for the Russian invasion?) and one of Vladimir Putins most able enablers when it comes to harnessing the conspiracy-kook right to Moscows political and military interests. I dont think shes on the Kremlins payroll, but I dont know what shed do differently if she were, except perhaps try to be a little more subtle about her enthusiasm for doing PR for Putin. Her other great love in public life is Syrian caudillo Bashar al-Assad.

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None of these people has any meaningful experience relevant to the post in question. Gaetz has a law degree and worked briefly at a firm in Florida that represents a lot of homeowners associations and handles a lot of real-estate litigationhe never has worked as a prosecutor of any kind. Hegseth served honorably in Iraq and Afghanistan with the Minnesota National Guard but has no experience of any kind relevant to what the Department of Defense actually does. Gabbard is a former Army reservist who has held elected office off and on since she was 21 years old; before being elected to office, she was a self-employed martial arts instructor. Gaetz might be a threat to the intern pool, and Hegseth a threat to the general dignity of the U.S. government, such as it is, but Gabbard would represent a critical threat to U.S. national security in the role for which she has been selected.

Since Donald Trump has a weird thing for talking about Hannibal Lecter all the time, I might be forgiven for borrowing a line about him from Silence of the Lambs author Thomas Harris: [His] object has always been degradation. Trump is a lifelong specialist in degradation: of the wives and family he humiliated and dragged through the pages of the tabloid press as he went from mistress to mistress, of the office of the presidency, of institutions, of norms, of the public square itself, but, above all, of individuals. Rubio spent his last gasps in the 2016 campaign imitating Trumpthe personal insults and schoolyard tauntingand spent the years since perfecting an even deeper imitation of the villain he failed to vanquish. Trump knows what Rubio most wants in lifeto climb up the next rungand offers him a chance at it while imposing a high price: his dignity. Rubio may make the climb, but hell do so with these miscreants and lunatics on his back. As Lecter says to Clarice Starling: Ill give you what you love most  advancement. Trump has something in common with another world leader to whom he sometimes is compared: His strength is that he forces his enemies to imitate him.

When Trump rolled out Rubio and Susie Wiles and the rest of the respectables, all the usual pundits and podcastersincluding a lot of nominal Trump skeptics constantly on the hunt for an opportunity to praise or defend himdid the predictable thing and declared themselves pleasantly surprised and cautiously optimistic (or incautiously optimistic!) about the administrations prospects going forward. As though they hadnt seen this show before. As though they didnt know that their praise and defense and agonized apologia were part of the strategy. It always goes the same way: in for a penny, in for a pound, even if you decide to make like Mike Pence and suddenly grow a conscience during your last five minutes in office when you calculatewrongly!that youve ridden the Trump train as far as it can take you.

Rubio often talks movingly about the sacrifices his parents made in life in order for him to be able to advance. I wonder if this is what they thought all that was forif this is the monument they had in mind. Sen. Rubio certainly has arrived.

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Welcome to the circus, senator.

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NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  J. K. Simmons already played Santa, voicing him in 2019s animated film Klaus, but this time we get to see the Oscar winner as the Red One.

Thats how Santas known to his security. Head of security, Dwayne Johnson- also known as The Rock- is done with his gig at elf enforcement, logistics, and fortification after this one last Christmas.

So its not great for the big guy to get kidnapped, or, in this case, Santa-napped. Now, hes working with Captain America Chris Evans, a bounty hunter, to save Santa.

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At The Movies: Heretic & Memoir of a Snail

The Rock reunites with his Jumanji Director Jake Kasdan, so expect it to be fast, fun, and full of adventure.

Also, its clear Emmy winner Kieran Culkin now wants an Oscar.

What a performance in Jesse Eisenbergs Real Pain, where Culkin and Eisenberg play cousins who used to be close. After their Grandma dies, they decide to visit her homeland of Poland.

Itll break your heart and fill it with lots of laughs along the way.

Last years Best Actor Oscar winner Cillian Murphy has Small Things like These, playing an Irishman with five kids, a lot to lose.

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Its one mans stand against the church amidst a scandal, based on the acclaimed book and set in the 80s.

I can hear the U2 song now.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A Memphis Shelby County employee was caught with a loaded gun in his backpack at Bolton High School Wednesday, deputies say. He was released from jail without bond on Thursday.

Just before 11 a.m., deputies say they responded to a weapon law violation/misdemeanor at Bolton High School on 7323 Brunswick Road.

According to reports, Mar Christian Calma came through the schools security metal detectors with a handgun in his backpack.

Calma told deputies that he usually does not carry the bag and forgot the gun was inside. He says he only carried it because it was raining and that he meant to leave the backpack in his truck.

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Deputies say a Palmetto 9mm semi-automatic handgun was found inside the backpack with 13 live rounds inside of the magazine. No rounds were in the chamber due to the gun not being charged.

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The gun was not reported stolen and Calma does not have any wants or warrants. The weapon was seized and submitted to the MPD property room.

Mar Christian Calma is charged with carrying a weapon on school property. His next court date is scheduled for December 16.

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ST. CLAIR, Mo.  The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) is searching for a woman whose rented U-Haul was last seen in Stone County on Nov. 14.

Lois Ellen Pappademos, courtesy of MSHP.

According to a release from MSHP, 65-year-old Lois Ellen Pappademos of St. Clair, Missouri rented a U-Haul on Sept. 7, 2024 and left her residence on Franklin Drive two days later. Pappademos has not had contact with her family since.

The 2019 U-Haul truck bears Arizona license plate AJ95506, and was seen on State Highway 76 at Indian Ridge Road in Stone County just before noon on Nov. 14.

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Pappademos is described as being five feet, four inches tall, 120 pounds with gray and brown hair and blue eyes. Her clothing is unknown, MSHP says, but she has faded blue ink in the shape of a circle on her left breast and a deformed left hand and wrist from a crash.

Anyone who sees or has information regarding Pappademos or the U-Haul should dial 911 or contact MSHP Troop C at 636-300-2800.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com.
Nov. 14MORGANTOWN  Months ago, the Morgantown Utility Board warned it was bidding its forthcoming Cheat Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant project in a feeding frenzy of a market fueled by a Dec. 31 deadline to obligate billions of American Rescue Plan Act infrastructure dollars nationwide.

The results bear that out.

After extending the bid window by a month to accommodate interested contractors, MUB opened bids on Oct. 22.

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On Oct. 23, it went back to the drawing board.

General Manager Mike McNulty said the engineer's estimate for construction, including contingency costs, was $30, 859, 400.

The low bidder, Mele & Mele & Sons, of Braddock, Pa., came in at $39, 630, 000. The only other bid, from Triton Construction, was north of $48.6 million.

"So, on Oct. 23, we had a meeting with the West Virginia Water Development Authority and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection to discuss the bid overrun and receive guidance on how to proceed, " McNulty said. "We were advised at that time that very little grant dollars would be available to backfill the overbid, and their suggestion was we needed to go back and look at the project and see what we could take out through the value engineering process."

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The end result of that, MUB Communications Director Chris Dale explained, is primarily the elimination of upgrades to both the Whites Run Lift Station and the Greystone Lift Station from the project.

Even so, Dale said that work will have to be done at some point in the future.

The plant upgrades will increase the facility's capacity from 750, 000 gallons to 1.75 million gallons per day.

McNulty said MUB took the cost-engineered project back to the WVWDA, which agreed to increase its ARPA contribution to the project from $6, 750, 000 to $8, 050, 000. The size of the loan to be taken through the West Virginia DEP State Revolving Fund has been adjusted up to $33.8 million. MUB is contributing $3, 535, 147 to the project and there is an additional $165, 000 in grant dollars committed, meaning there is a total of $46, 050, 147 worth of financing in hand.

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The bid awarded to Mele & Mele & Sons is for $36, 038, 742.

Despite never working with the contractor before, Assistant General Manager Rich Rogers said MUB is comfortable with the company's experience with projects of this type and size.

Further, McNulty said, there is a possibility that the portions of the project removed due to cost could find their way back in.

"We have a good project. We think some of the items we may be able to get back into the project as we go along because we do have contingency dollars. So, if those dollars are not used up for any other purpose, we'd have those dollars available, " McNulty said.

Financing for the project is being supported through a 100 % sewer rate increase for Cheat Lake customers. That increase takes effect Nov. 29.
(KRON)  A diesel spill into the San Francisco Bay on Thursday at the Chevron Richmond Long Wharf prompted a multi-agency response for containment and cleanup, according to state officials and Chevron.

Chevron Richmond announced the spill in a post to Facebook at 6:45 a.m. and indicated that the release had been stopped. The diesel-type hydrocarbon liquid was spilled into the water after secondary containment systems failed to capture it, according to the company.

Californias tallest lighthouse gets a facelift

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Chevron immediately initiated its response protocol, stopped the release, and notified all applicable agencies, a statement from the company said. Chevron did not disclose how much diesel was released into the water.

Shortly after 10:30 a.m., the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Spill Prevention and Response said that boom and absorbent materials had been deployed to minimize environmental impacts. At that time, the state agency said that it was investigating the source of the spill.

Booms and absorbent materials placed in response to Chevron Long Wharf diesel spill on November 14, 2024. (Photo: California Department of Fish and Wildlife Spill Prevention and Response)

By 1:35 p.m., Chevron said that the diesel released into the bay was fully contained and its air monitoring found no impact to the community. Both CDFW officials and Chevron agreed that there had not been any observed impacts to wildlife.

CDFW will continue to investigate the spill with the containment and cleanup materials left in place, officials said.

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The U.S. Coast Guard, CDFW, Contra Costa County and Richmond Fire Department responded to the incident.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Dozens of people have agreed to deflection rather than going to jail for possessing small amounts of hard drugs in the first two months of Multnomah Countys new program.

The program created an option for people to sign up for deflection that aims to direct people to treatment instead of jail, coinciding with the passage of HB 4002. The re-introduction of criminal penalties for people possessing small amounts of hard drugs in Oregon brought with it an option for individual counties to start deflection programs to help people with addiction.

Lake Oswego dad faces new suit after drugging drinks

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The county said from Sept. 1 through the end of October, 91 people initiated deflection. That represents 20% more deflections than what Multnomah County predicted for that period of time, and 40% of deflections statewide, county officials said.

During that same period of time, Portland police said theyve made more than 220 drug-related encounters that could have led to arrests. Of those, 91 were deflected and 130 were taken into custody, mostly for outstanding warrants or thefts.

While the deflection program has been active since Sept. 1, the deflection center called the Coordinated Care Pathway Center on Southeast Sandy Boulevard has only been open since mid-October. Portland police said theyve referred 19 people to the center within its first two weeks of opening. Of those referrals, 13 deflections were initiated.

Deflection can make a difference in both public safety and support for individuals in need. As we move forward, well continue to assess and refine our approach aiming to increase the number of individuals who can benefit from deflection, said Portland Police Bureau Commander Brian Hughes.

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Gonzalez violated Portland campaign finance laws

Each person has 30 days to complete the deflection process. Theyre usually given a few referrals to shelter and treatment. The care coordination team is responsible for following up with each person.

We are hopeful to see some positive outcomes, said Tuerk House CEO Bernard Gyebi-Foster. Other people have been resistant and chosen to refuse deflection. This is to be expected. Of course, our approach to recovery is patient-centered, which means we cant force anyone into treatment.

If people dont complete the deflection process, theyre ineligible for deflection if they are arrested again.

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However, some have criticized how the deflection process works because, for example, if a person simply takes up being referred to a shelter, then the deflection is deemed successful. That leaves the question, how many people are actually getting into addiction treatment?

Police seek tips for murdered woman found in car

Theres a lack of overall resources in the continuum of care and so we have a deficient ecology of services for people, said 4D Founder and Executive Director Tony Vezina. So people cant always get the services they need when they want it, and that can be a big barrier to carry.

Multnomah Countys next step is to add sobering services for the deflection center next year. Advocates said that as more addiction services from HB 4002 come online, therell be more opportunities for deflection to result in recovery.

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A mural depicting Italian Jewish survivors of the Holocaust has been defaced in Milan.

Painted on a wall, the iconic image depicts Liliana Segre, an Italian senator and fellow survivor Sami Modiano, wearing striped concentration camp uniforms and khaki bulletproof vests.

But, following an act of vandalism earlier this week, their faces and yellow Stars of David have been scratched out.

Ms Segre, 94, was sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp as a child, survived, and is now a member of the Italian senate, the upper house of parliament.

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The mural was painted by aleXsandro Palombo, a prominent Italian artist, whose work often touches on political themes.

It was unveiled in late September and was intended to serve as a reminder of the Holocaust and a rise in antisemitism across Europe.

The mural is by AleXsandro Palombo, whose work often touches on political themes

At a pro-Palestinian rally in Milan recently, Ms Segre was labelled a Zionist agent on some placards.

The defacing of the mural was condemned by Mario Venezia, the head of Italys Holocaust memorial museum, as a demented act. Piero Fassino, an MP from the centre-Left Democratic Party, described it as a cowardly assault on Holocaust memory.

Following the vandalism, Ms Segre said: I have reached a certain age so if some crazy person decides that I should no longer be part of the world, I have experienced many things in my life, if it has to finish like that, so be it.

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Last month, a mural depicting a survivor of last years Oct 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, which killed around 1,200 people in Israel, was also vandalised in Milan.

Ms Segre says if someone decides she should no longer be part of the world ... so be it - Cecilia Fabiano/Shutterstock

Meanwhile, the manager of a small hotel in northern Italy refused a reservation made by an Israeli couple, claiming their country was responsible for genocide.

The couple had booked two nights for the beginning of November at the Hotel Garni Ongaro in Selva di Cadore, a mountain village surrounded by the Dolomites, using an online reservation platform.

A day before their departure, they received a message from the hotels staff: Good morning. We inform you that the Israeli people  as those responsible for genocide  are not welcome customers in our structure.

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The hotel manager then invited the tourists to cancel their reservation, adding they would be happy to grant free cancellation.

The manager has since closed his Facebook profile, and he was not immediately available for comment.

Incidents of antisemitism have increased to about 80 to 90 a week in Italy - Alessandro Levati/Getty Images Europe

Jewish groups condemned the incident as an example of antisemitism and the Israeli foreign ministry said it was investigating.

I feel infinite sadness for the ignorance shown by certain people, Dario Calimani, the president of the Jewish Community of Venice, said on Thursday. When you dont agree with what Israel does, you spread hatred against all Israelis.

Luca Zaia, the Veneto region governor, dubbed the incident as extremely serious.

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I feel deeply disturbed and Im shocked by what has happened, Mr Zaia said. Veneto must guarantee its doors are open to all.

Incidents of antisemitism have increased in Italy to about 80 or 90 a week in the last year, from about 30 a week before the war in Gaza started, the Antisemitism Observatory reported.

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KAMPALA, UgandaCheeks glazed with tears and her face a map of worry, Ugandan political dissident Olivia Lutaaya pled guilty to charges of treachery, or plotting against the government, along with 15 other co-defendants in a court hearing in October 2024. The group had been in jail for nearly four years, always swearing their innocence. Some of Lutaayas co-defendants had shed the red clothing theyd worn to display their support for opposition leader Bobi Wine, instead donning bright yellow t-shirts emblazoned with the face of President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled Uganda for some 38 years.

Since her arrest in May 2021, Lutaaya had become a national figurean emblem for Wines National Unity Platform, or NUP, and its jailed supporters.

Oliva Lutaaya is another young mother that heard our message and rose to the occasion to play a positive part in this course that we are involved in, Bobi Wine told World Politics Review from his home in Kampala, the Ugandan capital. Olivia Lutaaya symbolizes opposition, symbolizes resistance, symbolizes the involvement and selflessness of young women who have nothing to fight with as a weapon other than their voices and their bodies. Now, her body is all she has, and it has been incarcerated painfully.

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But Lutaayas long detentionand ultimate guilty pleais also symbolic of the challenges faced by the Ugandan opposition and its precarious hopes ahead of the countrys next general elections in 2026.

To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter.

Wines rise through politics gave a human face to the frustrations felt by Lutaaya as she tried to make a living and raise her family, just as the popstar-turned-politician did for so many young Ugandans. Braving volleys of rubber bullets and tear gas from government security forces, she joined the throngs of young people who followed Wine on the campaign trail ahead of Ugandas January 2021 presidential election. Museveni claimed yet another victory after the polls, despite evidence of fraud in addition to the violent intimidation tactics used against Wine and his supporters.

Unlike Ugandan political parties before it, which had treated young people as an afterthought, Wines NUP made youth the very center of its struggle. This also forced the ruling National Resistance Movement to rethink its own historical strategy of coopting opposition parties through clientelism and patronage, explains Michael Mutyaba, a Ugandan writer and doctoral student at SOAS.

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The government felt like it needed to tackle this problem, because it meant in practical terms that you had way too many opponents and you couldnt buy off the party, he said. So it expanded and even innovated on older methods it also used, Mutyaba added, such as abductions, killings and trumped-up charges against opposition activists. The result, he said, is that there is a much vaster technology of control.

Lutaaya was first arrested with 48 other opposition supporters in the Kalanga Islands in December 2020, but she was subsequently released. On the eve of Musevenis inauguration in May 2021, however, Lutaaya received a bizarre phone call from someone claiming to be with the police, who needed her help with regard to a robbery. Lutaaya left her youngest son with her aunt and headed to the station.

It was the last time she would walk free. She is a law-abiding citizen, a good person who would go out of her way to help, said Agather Atuhaire, a Ugandan human rights defender who has been reporting about Lutaaya and advocating for her release. During Lutaayas incarceration, the pair also become friends.

Lutaayas long detention culminating in a guilty plea stands to demoralize Wines youthful supporters, especially with another presidential election just two years away.

According to Atuhaire, Lutaaya was held incommunicado for about a month. She then appeared in a military court along with 31 other exhausted opposition supporters, the only woman among the defendants. They were charged with the illegal possession of 13 explosive devices: glass bottles and petrol that they supposedly intended to use to make bombs. After two years in detention, the charges were amended to include treachery, which is similar to treason and can carry a death sentence. They were also accused of planning to engage in warlike activities against the government, according to a charge sheet seen by WPR.

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According to Benjamin Katana, a lawyer working for the National Unity Platform who helped defend Lutaaya, the charges against her were without basis. The case of Olivia Lutaaya is just an example of so many other cases that are politically motivated, that have targeted the opponents of General Museveni, he said, referring to the Ugandan president by his military rather than civilian title, as members of the opposition often do. The point of these cases, added Katana, is to disorganize [us] politically, hamper [our] movements and make sure that [we] dont get the opportunity to mobilize.

In a one-room house in a slum on the edge of Kampala, Lutaayas aunt, Sarah Nambi, speaks about her nieces long detention, which in addition to separating Lutaaya from her 7-year-old son, has also had a major financial impact on the family. Caring for Lutaayas son and her own three children means that Nambi has not been able to work. Olivia was everything to the family, Nambi told WPR. I cant do anything now.

She tries to visit Lutaaya every second week at Luzira Maximum Security Prison. But because the prison is 7 miles outside of Kampala from her home, she can only make the trip when there is money for transport. When she does, she brings Lutaayas son with her. His mother was arrested when he was four, meaning she has been imprisoned for nearly half of his life. An older son is being cared for by another relative. Olivia is always strong, Nambi said simply of their truncated reunions.

Wine claims that Lutaaya and the 15 other NUP supporters who pleaded guilty were coerced into doing so, after remaining steadfast for nearly four years. On X, Wine specifically accused Youth Minister Balaam Barugahara Anteenyi of threatening the group with life in prison if they did not change their plea.

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Katana said that Lutaaya and her co-defendants wrote letters dropping him as their lawyer before changing their plea. They were then sentenced to five years in prison for treachery. Counting the time they have already served, they will spend just under four more months in jail. Another nine NUP supporters from the original group who refused to plead guilty remain in jail.

Wine spoke to Lutaaya by telephone in the days after her plea. She asked me to understand that she wanted to see, touch and hug her babies. She had decided to give up on everything just to be able to hold her babies. I told her, I understand. I told her, To me and to all of us, shes still a hero, he said, somberly.

But the long detention culminating in a guilty plea by the opposition icon also stands to demoralize Wines youthful supporters, especially with another presidential election just two years away. There will definitely be people thinking twice about going hard after the regime, posting things that might land them in the same situation as Olivia Lutayya, said Mutyaba.

At the same time, however, the targeting of ordinary people stokes the existing fires of anger among Ugandas youth, underscoring their criticisms of Museveni and making them all the more likely to throw in their lot with Wine. It makes the oppositions discourse clearer, Mutyaba adds. You are no longer pointing at the detention of big, presidential candidates, but day-to-day citizens.

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As the next vote approaches, Katana, the NUP lawyer, already finds himself mentally preparing for legal challenges, particularly with regard to the military courts the government has increasingly been using to try opposition supporters. Our fear now is that because the [military courts] have been a very effective tool, they are going to use it more in the forthcoming general elections. Previously they knew they could arrest people, [and] we would go to court and get bail. he said. After the ordeal faced by Lutaaya and her co-defendants, he fears more civilians will be brought before Ugandas military courts where they can keep them for as long as they want, Katana added darkly.

Meanwhile, Wine has embarked on a national mobilization tour of the country, where he and his team are sensitizing people and awakening them, re-energizing them, and trying as much as possible to assert the fact that weve not given up, he said, his voice rising. Were still fighting.

At times during the tour, police have blocked Wines marches and prevented him from speaking on the radio, reminiscent of the many violent crackdowns against his campaign rallies in 2021.

For Nambi, Lutaayas aunt, the challenges are more immediate. Lutaaya will live with her when she is released from prison in January, meaning another person sheltering in the small house. When asked what she hopes for following her nieces long-awaited release, Nambi paused, unsure. There is no hope, she said at last. The only hope is that when Olivia is released, she can start afresh.

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Sophie Neiman is a freelance reporter and photojournalist covering politics, conflict and human rights across east and central Africa. She is a grantee of the Pulitzer Center and holds a masters degree in African Studies at the University of Cambridge. Follow her work on Twitter at @sophie_neiman.

The post Museveni Is Trying to Break Ugandas Opposition Through the Courts appeared first on World Politics Review.
By Andrea Shalal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Muslim leaders who supported Republican Donald Trump to protest against the Biden administration's support for Israel's war on Gaza and attacks on Lebanon have been deeply disappointed by his cabinet picks, they tell Reuters.

"Trump won because of us and we're not happy with his secretary of state pick and others," said Rabiul Chowdhury, a Philadelphia investor who chaired the Abandon Harris campaign in Pennsylvania and co-founded Muslims for Trump.

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Muslim support for Trump helped him win Michigan and may have factored into other swing state wins, strategists believe.

Trump picked Republican senator Marco Rubio, a staunch supporter of Israel for Secretary of State.

Earlier this year, Rubio said he would not call for a ceasefire in Gaza, and that he believed Israel should destroy "every element" of Hamas. "These people are vicious animals," he added.

Trump also nominated Mike Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor and staunch pro-Israel conservative who backs Israeli occupation of the West Bank and has called a two state solution in Palestine "unworkable", as the next ambassador to Israel.

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He has picked Republican Representative Elise Stefanik, who called the UN a "cesspool of antisemitism" for its condemnation of deaths in Gaza, to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

Rexhinaldo Nazarko, executive director of the American Muslim Engagement and Empowerment Network (AMEEN), said Muslim voters had hoped Trump would choose cabinet officials who work toward peace, and there was no sign of that.

"We are very disappointed," he said.

"It seems like this administration has been packed entirely with neoconservatives and extremely pro-Israel, pro-war people, which is a failure on the on the side of President Trump, to the pro-peace and anti-war movement."

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Nazarko said the community would continue pressing to make its voices heard about ending the war in Gaza. "At least we're on the map."

Hassan Abdel Salam, a former professor at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and co-founder of the Abandon Harris campaign, which endorsed Green Party candidate Jill Stein, said Trump's staffing plans were not surprising, but had proven even more extreme that he had feared.

"It's like he's going on Zionist overdrive," he said. "We were always extremely skeptical ... Obviously we're still waiting to see where the administration will go, but it does look like our community has been played."

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

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Several Muslim and Arab supporters of Trump said they hoped Richard Grenell, Trump's former acting director of national intelligence, would play a key role after he led months of outreach to Muslim and Arab American communities, and was even introduced as a potential next secretary of state at events.

Another key Trump ally, Massad Boulos, the Lebanese father-in-law of Trump's daughter Tiffany, met repeatedly with Arab American and Muslim leaders.

Both promised Arab American and Muslim voters that Trump was a candidate for peace who would act swiftly to end the wars in the Middle East and beyond. Neither was immediately reachable.

Trump made several visits to cities with large Arab American and Muslim populations, include a stop in Dearborn, a majority Arab city, where he said he loved Muslims, and Pittsburgh, where he called Muslims for Trump "a beautiful movement. They want peace. They want stability."

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Bill Bazzi, mayor of neighboring Dearborn Heights, who endorsed Trump, said he met the president-elect three times and still believed he would work to end the war, despite the cabinet appointments.

Rola Makki, the Lebanese American, Muslim vice chair for outreach of the Michigan Republican Party, agreed.

"I don't think everyone's going to be happy with every appointment Trump makes, but the outcome is what matters," she said.

"I do know that Trump wants peace, and what people need to realize is that there's 50,000 dead Palestinians and 3,000 dead Lebanese, and that's happened during the current administration."

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Peter Graff and Clarence Fernandez)
BANGKOK (AP)  Myanmar's military has consistently targeted civilians and their communities as a form of collective punishment in the countrys southeast since the army seized power in early 2021, a rights group said in a report released Friday.

Documented airstrikes on villages examined by researchers from the Karen Human Rights Group based in Myanmar's southeast, are emblematic of a broader assault on civilians across the war-torn nation, said James Rodehaver, the Bangkok-based chief of the Myanmar team of the U.N.'s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. He spoke Friday in an online panel discussion accompanying the release of the new report.

Military officials were not immediately available for comment on the report, but in the past has said it attacks only legitimate targets of war, accusing the resistance forces of being terrorists.

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Myanmar is racked by violence that began when the army ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021 and brutally suppressed nonviolent protests. That triggered armed resistance and combat in many parts of the country, with the military increasingly using airstrikes to counter the opposition and secure territory.

The army is on the defensive against ethnic militias in much of the country as well as hundreds of armed guerrilla groups collectively called the Peoples Defense Forces, formed to fight to restore democracy.

Rights organizations and United Nations investigators have found evidence that security forces indiscriminately and disproportionately target civilians with bombs, mass executions of people detained during operations and large-scale burning of civilian houses.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, which tallies political arrests and attacks, at least 540 people, including 109 children, have been killed by the armys airstrikes across the country between January and October this year.

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The Karen Human Rights Group identified 227 airstrikes on villages, schools and medical facilities in seven districts in the countrys southeast where guerrilla fighters from the main ethnic Karen fighting force have battled the military. A self-proclaimed Karen state there also includes towns in the nearby region of Bago, the southern Mon state and Tanintharyi region.

The KHRG said it based its findings on interviews with 22 villagers, including six village leaders, who had experienced or witnessed air attacks. The group also interviewed local civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations involved in the local humanitarian response. It said the account also came from material and reports documented over the past three years.

The KHRG said at least 417 civilian casualties with 168 deaths and 249 injuries were documented from a total of 227 airstrikes in civilian areas and only 22 non-civilians were reported as being killed or injured in airstrikes.

Besides the houses of the civilians, at least 67 religious buildings, 42 schools and 14 medical facilities were damaged or destroyed, the report said.

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Myanmars ruling military council, the State Administration Council, conducts airstrikes in multiple and irregular ways, the report found.

"Some (are) being carried out using a limited number of bombs directly onto villagers and their community buildings, while others are conducted by bombardment, using multiple munitions over an extensive area, including over multiple villages and plantations, the report reads.

Direct attacks on civilians or civilian objects are prohibited, amount to war crimes and may amount to crimes against humanity under international law.

The report said the military had failed to distinguish between armed resistance fighters and villagers, and in some cases the airstrikes appear to have been conducted as a form of collective punishment over the military activities of local resistance groups.

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The KHRG also said the military failed to give warnings or take other precautionary measures to minimize civilian casualties in almost all the documented incidents.

Rodehaver, the U.N Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs official, said the military repeatedly retaliated against civilians anytime its forces were badly beaten on the battlefield.
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)  The Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA) hosted a career fair Thursday in Myrtle Beach, bringing together more than two dozen employers from airlines and aerospace companies.

Their shared goal: to recruit new aviation technicians as demand for skilled workers continues to rise.

With over 13,000 positions opening annually across North America due to retirements, the need for trained aviation maintenance technicians is urgent. For PIA students, the fair was a chance to meet potential employers and get a firsthand look at the essential role they can play in keeping flights safe and operational.

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People often take for granted the role of an aviation maintenance technician, said Eric Wagner, program manager at Endeavor Air. Aircraft cant pull over at 10,000 feet, so its critical to have technicians whove gone through rigorous training and are focused on the job.

Despite the industrys heavy reliance on skilled technicians, demand still far exceeds the current supply.

If every seat was filled in aviation schools across the U.S., we still wouldnt have enough to meet the industrys needs, Wagner said.

PIA alumnus Joshua Howard, now chief inspector at Precision Air, credits the school as a direct pathway to his career.

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Seeing how they help graduates, even after we finish, is amazing, Howard said. Were in dire need of mechanicsavionics, sheet metal, power plant specialists.

Since opening in 2012, PIAs Myrtle Beach campus has provided students with valuable networking and career-planning platforms.

This event helps our students figure out where they want to go, program manager Mindy Pavilonis said. Today, we held about 80 interviews among seven employers, with some students receiving job offers on the spot.

PIA now enrolls around 700 students across four campuses, with the Myrtle Beach location recently expanding.

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This campus started with about 67 to 85 students, and now were at 100, Pavilonis said. Were also seeing more diversity than ever.

With Boeing projecting a need for over 610,000 new technicians globally in the next 20 years, industry leaders emphasize that roles in aviation require not only technical skills but also character and reliability.

I can teach you to be a good mechanic, but I cant teach you to be a good person, said Kurt Sisson, director of maintenance at Sherpa Air. Its important to have grounded individuals in this field.

As the aviation industry faces a critical labor shortage, Myrtle Beach is quickly becoming a valuable training ground for the next generation of aviation technicians.

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* * *

Savannah Denton joined News 13 in July 2023 as a reporter and producer. Savannah is from Atlanta, Georgia, and is a graduate of the University of Alabama. Follow Savannah on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of her work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
Early in 2024, ocean exploration company Deep Sea Vision claimed to have located what could be Amelia Earharts lost plane.

New research into the site, however, showed that the team had simply discovered a rock formation.

The response from the company leader? I guess thats life.

South Carolina-based ocean exploration company Deep Sea Vision made plenty of waves in January, announcing with all sorts of certainty that they had located Amelia Earharts lost and fabled Lockheed 10-E Electra airplane deep in the Pacific Ocean.

But after closer examination, Deep Sea Vision has admitted that it did not, in fact, find the legendary plane lost for 86 years. Instead, they had found... a rock formation.

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Im super disappointed out here, but you know, I guess thats life, Tony Romeo, leader of the Deep Sea Vision search, told The Wall Street Journal.

The initial excitement stemmed from results produced by an unmanned underwater drone scanning more than 5,200 square miles of the floor of the Pacific Ocean in search of the famous plane. Operated by Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, the plane hasnt been seen sincebut not for a lack of searching.

Youd be hard-pressed to convince me that this is not an airplane and not Amelias plane, Romeo told NPR in January. He led the 16-member team that used the advanced Kongsberg Discovery HUGIN 6000 unmanned underwater drone to meticulously search the ocean west of Earharts anticipated landing site over the course of 90 days.

Each sonar dive spanned nearly 48 hours, and the team amassed several terabytes of data. One image in particular piqued Romeos fascination with the search, and at the time, he believed that the image revealed contours that mirror the unique dual tails and scale of Earharts plane.

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Upon a more recent closer examination, however, Deep Sea Vision was able to get high-resolution photographs and new sonar images of this mystery object that was supposedly a dead-ringer for the Lockheed 10-E Electra. Romeo said the object was instead an unfortunate rock formation that was shaped like a plane, and declined to share the new photos with the Wall Street Journal.

While Romeo may be surprised by yet another dead end in the fascinating search, he is in the minority. So far, every search for Earhart, Noonan, or the plane has turned up virtually zero evidence. And while plenty of folks remain hopeful that each new wave of excitement will yield fruitful data, the wait-and-see mentality has taken hold for most experts.

If they had found it, I would have been very surprised, Andrew Pietruszka, Scripps Institution of Oceanography underwater archaeologist, told the Wall Street Journal. Its very hard to find things on the sea floor even with all the modern technology that we have.

While the original grainy image didnt impress many sonar experts, it was enough to send Romeo on his confirmation searchespecially as he latched onto the fact that the discoverys location coincided with the Date Line Theory of the planes disappearance.

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This theorycrafted by Liz Smith, a former NASA staffer and hobbyist pilotposits that after a 17-hour flight, Noonan failed to account for crossing the International Date Line. This would have required adjusting the date from July 3 back to July 2, leading to a 60-mile navigational mistake and causing himself and Earhart to miss Howland Island. This oversight would have resulted in Earharts plane crashing into the ocean. Until Deep Sea Vision took on the hunt, the region and scenario outlined by Smiths theory had remained unexplored.

We always felt that [Earhart] would have made every attempt to land the aircraft gently on the water, and the aircraft signature that we see in the sonar image suggests that may be the case, Romeo said in a statement at the time. We plan to bring closure to a great American story.

That closure will have to wait.

How Did Amelia Earhart Disappear?

As Biography highlights, the mysterious final flight of Amelia Earhart first captured the worlds imagination in 1937. Earhart and Noonan were six weeks and 20,000 miles into their global journey when they failed to make their scheduled landing at Howland Island, located approximately 1,700 miles southwest of Honolulu.

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The 2.5-square-mile island proved difficult for Earharts plane to find amidst the vast ocean. Theres no concrete evidence that points to why the plane never made it to the island, or where it went instead. Now, that absence of definitive proof has given rise to a multitude of theories about the fate of Earhart, Noonan, and their plane.

The most widely accepted theory suggests that Earhart and Noonan simply crashed into the ocean and sank after running out of fuel. Another credible theory posits that the duo landed on a coral reef around Gardner Island (now called Nikumaroro Island), located 350 nautical miles southeast of Howland. Supporting this theory are distress radio signals traced to that island shortly after the disappearance. Yet another chilling, albeit less plausible, theory is that Earhart met her end at the claws of the islands predatory giant crabs.

The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery also contends that a 2009 underwater photo captures Earharts planes engine cowling lying in the ocean. However, without precise information on the photos location, pinpointing and verifying this claim proves challenging.

The enduring fascination with Amelia Earharts disappearance is as much about the unsolved end to her historic journey as it is about her pioneering spirit. Earhart wasnt just a pilotshe represented adventure, courage, and all the incredible things that women could achieve in the field of aviation.

Who Was Amelia Earhart?

Amelia Earhart, a Kansas native, began her ascent to fame in 1922 when she piloted her bright yellow Kinner Airster biplaneendearingly called The Canaryto a then-record height of 14,000 feet for female aviators. By 1923, Earhart had earned her pilots license, becoming the 16th woman to do so from the Federation Aeronautique. Financial struggles temporarily forced her out of flying, she returned to aviation in 1927.

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Residing in Massachusetts at the time, Earhart jumped at the opportunity to be the first woman to partake in a transatlantic flight. Although just a passenger on the 1928 adventure, led by pilot Wilmer Bill Stultz, her subsequent book chronicling the experience catapulted her into the spotlight.

Following her initial fame, Earhart embarked on her own pioneering flights. In 1932, she made history as the first woman to fly solo across the Atlanticnavigating a nearly 15-hour journey from Newfoundland to Northern Ireland. She continued to add a series of impressive flights to her global resume, all culminating in what was to be her most monumental flight of all: an ambitious bid to be the first person of any gender to circumnavigate the globe along the equator.

After an initial mishap that resulted in damage to her Lockheed on the Oakland to Hawaii leg, the aircraft required shipping back to California for repairs. This setback forced a change in plans due to evolving weather patterns and global winds, leading to a revised route starting eastward from Oakland. This placed the Pacific Ocean at the end of the journey rather than at the beginning.

Earhart and Noonan then embarked on a route that took them through Miami, across Central and South America, over the Atlantic to Africa, and over the Indian Ocean. they eventually reached New Guinea after flying 22,000 out of the approximately 29,000 miles of their intended route.

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The 2,556-mile flight to Howland Island was always going to be tricky. A flat sliver of land roughly 6,500 feet long, 1,600 feet wide, and no more than 20 feet above the ocean waves, the island often looked like a cloud. With a variety of contingency plansincluding help from the U.S. Coast Guard vessel Itasca, stationed off Howland IslandEarhart and Noonan were confident.

But their plan wasnt foolproof. They had swapped out essential radio equipment to accommodate additional fuel, and the unavailability of high-octane fuel in particular further limited the planes range. Plus, overcast skies hindered reliable celestial navigation, and Earhart and Noonan were relying on outdated maps that incorrectly placed Howland Island. Its also possible that the planes radio antenna sustained damage.

Due to a misunderstanding between Earhart and the Itasca crew, the two never connected in real time. When it became clear that Earhart was unreachable, an extensive search operation commenced. Despite employing 66 aircraft and nine ships in a search that cost $4 million, they found virtually nothing.

Most leading aviation and navigation experts believe that the plane probably crashed due to fuel depletion while seeking a landing spot, leading to Earhart and Noonans demise at seaa consequence attributed to poor planning and even poorer execution.

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But we still dont know anything for certain, and Earharts last adventuredespite brief hope to the contraryremains unresolved.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A Nashville masseuse accused of a 2020 rape is now behind bars after he was arrested in Alabama, officials said.

The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) said 64-year-old Xiuwen Li was indicted on three counts of rape after he allegedly touched a 25-year-old woman inappropriately during a massage at Wellness Reflexology at the Mall at Green Hills in October 2020.

Man charged for hidden camera recordings, police say

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However, the business reportedly closed two months after the incident, which made it hard for officers to locate Li, whose last known address was the Opry Mills Mall.

On Thursday, Nov. 14, MNPD announced that Li had been returned to Nashville found after he was recently arrested in Huntsville.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee

Li was booked in Metro Jail Thursday afternoon on outstanding indictments, police said. Court records show he remains jailed on a $50,000 bond.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
MILAN  NATO has tested a series of alliance-made underwater sensors, meant to protect critical infrastructure in the oceans, by sending divers and drones to sneak past them.

The experimentation event took place on Nov. 14 and was co-organized by Allied Special Operations Forces Command, or SOFCOM, and the NATO Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE) in La Spezia, Italy.

The test, held in the context of the first edition of Exercise Bold Machina 2024, consisted of running special forces teams fitted with different equipment, including diving propulsion devices, through detection systems to assess if they would be picked up and provide engineers with insight into signature variations.

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Several companies provided a mix of sensors for the drill designed detect a variety of signals in the acoustic, magnetic, passive, and electric realms, officials said. Exercise organizers hooked up the readings to an augmented reality simulator in order to have analysts experience it directly.

Seafloor drone garages? Italy weighs new tech to protect vital cables

The biggest challenge when it comes to forces signature management underwater, is the element of uncertainty.

Its not knowing if somebody knows, or if youre being detected.  It is understanding that there is a system that has the capability to detect you, but that you know nothing about it and dont know exactly what the capability is, U.S. Navy Capt. Kurt Muhler, SOFCOM maritime development director, told Defense News in an interview.

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Muhler noted that the war in Ukraine was a driving force behind Bold Machina, given the extent of the damage and destruction done to critical infrastructure by Russian bombardment on land and at sea.

Russia is attacking Ukrainian infrastructure  why are they doing that? Thats almost a more viable target for them than the Ukrainian military is.  So that gives us some pause and reflection: how vulnerable are we? he said. If SOF can play a role in helping and proving this technology, thats returning value for our nations and NATO.

SOFCOMs role is to deter in peacetime and defend in crisis against the alliances two main threats: Russia and terrorist organizations, according to NATOs website.

The rapid proliferation of manned and unmanned underwater systems as well as the higher level of maritime activity have changed the operational landscape at sea, raising the intensity of competition over ocean spaces and introducing new types of threats.

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According to Muhler, there is a lot of political interest in defending key underwater structures, as in many cases these are not owned or within the boundaries of any single nation, leading to a multinational approach when it comes to their protection.

That political energy translates to resourcing the scientists, engineers and industry to come up with solutions. Thats the driving force for us to get in the water and have a seat at the table, he said.
Italian and Norwegian jets responded under NATO authority on Tuesday to multiple Russian aircraft not adhering to international norms.

NATO Allied Air Command said on Thursday that Italys air force intercepted a Russian Coot-A over the Baltic Sea, and Norways air force took off to identify multiple Russian aircraft flying in international airspace off the Norwegian Coast.

Russian aircraft have been detected and intercepted several times in recent months.

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The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and tracked several Russian aircraft in the Alaska area in September. In one incident, a Russian fighter jet came within feet of a U.S. F-16 near the coast of Alaska.

Fighter jets intercepted Chinese and Russian bombers off the coast of Alaska in July. The bombers did not enter the sovereign airspace of the U.S. or Canada.

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A destructive hurricane season in western Florida has stewards of the regional Sarasota School style reckoning with how to preserve its relicsor if they even should, amid the intensifying climate crisis.

An aerial look at the Sanderling Beach Cabanas after Hurricane Helene. Photo by Austin LeFebvre, courtesy Architecture Sarasota

When Hurricanes Helene and Milton hit the Southeast this fall, they left communities in western North Carolina and along the Gulf Coast of Florida reeling from destruction that will likely take months and cost billions to recover. For a number of residents in Sarasota, Florida, specifically, the question of how they might move forward both in the wake of the damage and with an eye toward future climate disasters is more complicated because of the historic nature of many of the areas houses and civic structures built in its eponymous regional architectural style that emerged during the postWorld War II housing boom.

When Milton made landfall in early October, it was near Siesta Key, a barrier island just south of the western Florida city and its surrounding suburbs. Between the 1940s and 60s, the area was a playground for a group of architects including Ralph Twitchell, Paul Rudolph, Victor Lundy, Gene Leedy, and others who cultivated a movement that came to be known as the Sarasota School. Typically, the Sarasota School (sometimes referred to as Sarasota Modern) buildings these architects designed employ horizontal, open-plan structures and large panes of glass to let natural light and air flow through, andunlike newer buildings in the regionall sit fairly low to the ground, making them especially susceptible to the storm surges and flooding that follows.

Paul Rudolphs Sanderling Beach Club on Siesta Key, a barrier island off the coast of Sarasota, Florida, was destroyed by Hurricane Helene. Its iconic cabanas were completely leveled. Photo by Austin LeFebvre, courtesy Architecture Sarasota

Paul Rudolphs 1952 Sanderling Beach Club on Siesta Key, known for its single-story cabanas with low-vaulted ceilings and sheathed plywood construction, was destroyed by Helene, which made landfall in Floridas Big Bend region in late September, about two weeks before Milton hit. Max Strang, an architect who lives in the private Sanderling community and serves on the committee for the clubhouse and cabanas, broke the news to the public with a series of photos of the ruined structures on his Instagram stories. He was in Italy when Helene hit so he asked a community worker to check on the buildings in the early morning hours after the storm so that he could assess the damage. "He called me on the phone and just said, Theyre gone," Strang says. "I was like, What do you mean, gone? and he said, Theyre just completely gone."

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The Rudolph-designed cabanas werent the only structures affected by the storm in the Sanderling communityStrang estimates that out of 115 houses, about 80 percent were significantly flooded or damaged, including his ownthough theyve certainly gotten the most attention. When first responders attempted to remove the cabana debris, like broken glass and cracked and displaced slabs, someone tipped Strang off. He hopped on the phone to Architecture Sarasota president Morris "Marty" Hylton, who was able to get someone into the neighborhood quickly with a drone and a terrestrial Lidar scanner to document what had happened to the buildings.

Strang says that, while the loss of the cabanas is a tragedy, "everybody [in the community] knew that maybe it was living on borrowed time." In his eight years living nearby, he says about four or five different storm events have swept over the area, each of which brought some damage or flooding. The beach has eroded over the years, too, meaning rising water and pounding waves could get to the structure even faster. In Sanderling and on Floridas barrier islands, Strang says, "were living on the leading edge of climate change and sea level rise."

Nearby on Siesta Key, the Revere Quality House, designed in the late 1940s by Rudolph and Twitchell and restored in the mid-2000s, and billed as "hurricane-proof," took on four feet of water but survived the storms. The 1948 Healy Guest House (also known as the Cocoon House), also by Rudolph and Twitchell, also reportedly flooded.

The Revere Quality House by Sarasota School founding architects Ralph Twitchell and Paul Rudolph also took on water during the storms, but survived. Photo by Ryan Lester, courtesy Architecture Sarasota

The Sanderling Club members havent yet decided what it will do about the cabanas, in part because theyre all still dealing with their own homes. Strang says he expects Architecture Sarasota to take a leading role in the conversation, though he says its not as simple as just raising some money and following the original blueprints. As a start, the preservation nonprofit has dedicated its 11th annual Sarasota MOD Weekend (this November 14 though 17) to a revised theme, Restoring A Sense Of Place. The new disaster response initiative aims to support property owners, local organizations, and agencies in getting the documentation, condition assessments, resources, and guidance necessary to recover significant buildings damaged by natural disasters and adapt them for longer-term resilience. (All net proceeds from the MOD Weekend events will be used to support the initiative.)

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"The question isnt, can we rebuild these? but, should we rebuild these?at least in the same way," Strang says. "If we adapt them for higher elevation or storm surges or high winds, can they still maintain the spirit of Paul Rudolphs original design?" Theres also the question of whether another destruction is inevitable, a query thats relevant not only on Siesta Key but all over the region. "Its kind of a canary in a coal mine for the rest of the structures in Sarasota," Strang says.

Lorrie Muldowney, the immediate past president of the Sarasota Alliance For Historic Preservation, says that "almost anything from the 50s or 60s" in the region has experienced six different flooding episodes this year, including the aforementioned Hurricanes Milton and Helene, as well as Tropical Storm Debby. While the Sarasota School architects were clearly conscious of the environment in which they were buildingthe homes were designed for air-flow, with sun shades and beautiful viewsthey couldnt really have anticipated the effects of climate change. With storms intensifying and sea levels rising, its becoming increasingly clear to those invested in the Sarasota School vernacular architecture that theyre going to have to repair whats been damaged while simultaneously preparing for whats to come.

"Its everything that people did to their homes in the 70s and 80s that were having to peel back now. We were going to anyway, but Mother Nature came in first and said: Time for a real renovation."

In some sense, the flooding may have made some of those changes easier. If all your drywall has to be replaced because the murky waters made it moldy, then you might as well move your electrical outlets up to the recommended six feet above the floor. "You really have to work to make these structures, these neighborhoods, more resilient than they were before," says Hylton, who worked for the National Park Services historic architecture preservation team before coming over to Architecture Sarasota about two years ago.

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For architecturally significant buildings, making structural changes can seem a bit daunting, but experts agree that it doesnt have to be. Alterations can be made to a home that respect its original architectural integrityor that even throw things back to how they once were, like replacing wooden kitchen cabinets with metal ones. Jonathan Parks, a local architect whos worked on a number of Sarasota School buildings, says hes often found that a midcentury buildings original features are the ones that weather the storms the best. Metal window frames, for instance, fare much better than wood, and concrete homes meant for evaporative cooling typically dont risk a catastrophic collapse. "Twitchell and Rudolph were ahead of their times in terms of resiliency or survivability," Parks says. "Its everything that people did to their homes in the 70s and 80s that were having to peel back now. We were going to anyway, but Mother Nature came in first and said: Time for a real renovation."

Not all the changes have to be major, either. The 1948 Lamolithic houses, which Rudolph and Twitchell built on Siesta Key using a special poured-concrete technique, were originally designed without perimeter privacy walls. Since then, locals have realized that the developments walls can act as a defense against rising flood waters. If a homeowner can invest an additional $15,000 or so to buy an Aqua Fence to put around the house when a storm approaches, thats even better.

A look at the storm damage inside one of Siesta Keys reinforced-concrete Lamolithic houses constructed by Paul Rudolph and Ralph Twitchell with Sarasota concrete supplier John Lambie. Photo by Ryan Lester, courtesy Architecture Sarasota

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See the full story on Dwell.com: When Natural Disasters Threaten Modernist Icons

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Ana Aguyo Jenkins holds her son Mateo while celebrating becoming a naturalized citizen in 2023. (Courtesy photo)

Holding her two-year-old son with one hand while raising the other, Ana Aguayo-Jenkins recited an oath to become a naturalized United States citizen during a ceremony in Fort Smith last year.

This month, the Mexican immigrant posed for a photo with her husband and baby daughter after voting for the first time.

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It felt like a dream fulfilled and also part of the responsibility as a new citizen to participate in the democratic process, she said.

When Donald Trump was declared the winner of the presidential election, Aguayo-Jenkins elation turned to concern. Not only has Trump promised to carry out mass deportations and end birthright citizenship, his pick for deputy chief of staff for policy, Stephen Miller, has proposed a program to strip naturalized citizens of their U.S. citizenship.

While it feels wildly outrageous, I still dont knowSo that builds a level of anxiety, she said. It also erodes a level of the beautiful promise that is this country formed by immigrants. Its like were being selective about what immigrants get to stay versus those that dont.

According to the most recent data available from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2,528 Arkansans became naturalized citizens in 2022, less than 1% of 969,380 people naturalized nationally.

Cameron Murray (Courtesy photo)

Cameron Murray always had an interest in politics, but it wasnt until after the 2016 election that he decided to pursue U.S. citizenship so he could participate in the process.

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I think it just made me think harder about the role of more local politics, he said. Even outside of national elections, I can still actually have an impact if I vote in our local elections and become a little bit more engaged there.

Murray was born in Saudi Arabia while his Scottish parents were working as nurses in the Middle East. He spent the first few years of his life in Scotland before his family moved to Arkansas for work. A citizen of the United Kingdom, Murray visited his home country frequently, and while he lived in the U.S. with a green card for decades, he couldnt vote.

A green card, officially known as a Permanent Resident Card, allows an immigrant to live and work permanently in the U.S. The steps needed to apply for a green card vary depending on an individuals situation, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

There are a variety of immigration statuses that allow immigrants to legally live and work in the U.S., but the country doesnt have a good system for representation for people who arent citizens, he said.

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Murray became a naturalized citizen during the pandemic and cast his first ballot during the 2022 midterms. This year was the first time he voted in a presidential election, and while Murray said he didnt love the outcome, democracy means that sometimes you lose.

Honestly, its another good thing about our system  the person who gets the most votes usually does win and they have a mandate from the voters to carry out what people think is important, he said.

Sasha Mirzoyan became a U.S. citizen and voted for the first time in 2020. Although the Electoral College throws away votes with its winner-take-all system in states like Arkansas, Mirzoyan said its still important to participate because its any citizens duty in any democratic society and a privilege.

Mirzoyan, who is of Armenian and Russian heritage, grew up in Russia after his family fled an ethnic war in Azerbaijan. He attended schools in North America before meeting his wife and beginning his pathway to citizenship.

Sasha Mirzoyan (Courtesy photo)

While there werent specific local issues driving him to the polls this year, Mirzoyan said nationally, he voted on the fundamental differences between the presidential candidates, one of whom is just not a nice individual, to put it lightly, he said.

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Im disappointed overall in the presidential election result, he said. As an immigrant, it makes no sense whatsoever that people would choose this kind of negative narrative, but I understand why people bought that.

[A]s an immigrant I can recognize certain beliefs that may cause people to build some negative views of certain types of immigrants. But at the end of the day, its kind of like, well, those things arent real because the immigrants that weve got here in America throughout the entire history were picking up slack. Period.

Immigrants have worked dirty jobs and completed tasks citizens didnt want to do for decades, Mirzoyan said. While many Americans are struggling financially, Mirzoyan rebutted arguments that immigrants are taking citizens jobs.

Its an absurd idea, and if you repeat the same negative story over and over again, you only have to say it so many times before it sounds like its really true, he said.

Criminal charges

Mirzoyan said he sees parallels between the U.S. and his native Russia where he said President Vladmir Putin entered the political system as a way to avoid jail.

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Its the same exact thing happening here  somebody whos being charged for felonies and all that, at his age, he just doesnt want to go to prison, Mirzoyan said. Youre better off trying to get as much power in your hands as possible, so that then you can go around pardoning yourself.

All court proceedings for Trumps guilty conviction in New York are paused as the prosecution examines what his election means for the case. U.S. special counsel Jack Smith has also asked a federal judge to delay proceedings in Trumps 2020 election interference case.

Trump, who was found guilty of 34 felonies of falsifying business records in a New York state court in May, is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 26. A judge has yet to rule on a motion to dismiss the case based on the U.S. Supreme Courts July ruling that U.S. presidents enjoy full immunity from criminal charges for official acts.

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Having lived in the U.S. for about 20 years, Mirzoyan said he felt the pivot in the country following President Barack Obamas second term in office. While having a Black president was supposed to change the countrys negative history of being anti-minority, Mirzoyan said it instead energized some to develop policies that appear to be on a white nationalist trajectory, which could lead to the dismantling of democratic institutions.

One solution to anti-immigrant rhetoric is education, which can lead to tolerance, said Mirzoyan, who noted he was exposed to students and cultures from around the world by attending an international school.

Many Americans dont have an environment that will teach you that those are people just like you, albeit with different belief systems or whatever, and if youre not exposed to it, you just will not form ideas that allow for acceptance and tolerance and other liberal values that I consider just human values, he said.

Choosing citizenship

Naturalization can be a complicated, years-long process, so when someone becomes eligible, Aguayo-Jenkins said it may seem like a no-brainer to apply. But she said there are several factors to consider, including having enough money to pay for the application fees or being confident enough in English skills to pass an oral exam.

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Additionally, as was the case for Aguayo-Jenkins, some immigrants wrestle with an identity crisis.

Once I came to terms grappling through that identity crisis, I was so excited to move forward, and my husband was incredibly supportive, she said.

Although he spent much of his life in Arkansas, Murray also said he felt culturally different from his peers.

I guess you always have sort of a kinship with your familys culture, he said. You sometimes feel like youre 50/50 or something, like not truly one or the other, but both.

Murray said he didnt have a real appreciation for his decision to become a U.S. citizen until he attended his naturalization ceremony and saw the other hopeful new Americans in the room.

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I think thats something most citizens dont have an innate understanding of is a lot of people are pretty down on U.S. politics and just the promise of America, but when I was there I was like Man, this really matters to these people, he said.

Immigrants dont have to become U.S. citizens, but for many, its a big deal, Murray said.

I think it makes you feel more American because most people are just born into it, and you know we actually had to choose, he said.

Its that choice, Murray said, the separates the United States from other countries. While you can become a citizen of other nations, Murray said youre often still viewed as an outsider. But here, he said, you can really become American, and part of being American is accepting the outcomes of democratic elections.

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Im proud to have made that choice to become an American, Murray said. One thing I wont say is that Im going to leave the country. I still think this is a good place to be and theres a reason a lot of people really want to be here, and we should be proud of that.

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HONOLULU (AP)  Navy officials lacked sufficient understanding of the risks of maintaining massive fuel storage tanks on top of a drinking water well at Pearl Harbor where spilled jet fuel poisoned more than 6,000 people in 2021, a U.S. military watchdog said Thursday.

That lack of awareness came even though officials had engineering drawings and environmental studies that described the risks, the U.S. Department of Defenses inspector general said.

The finding was among a long list of Navy failures identified by the inspector general in two reports that follow a yearslong investigation into the fuel leak at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. Investigators said it was imperative for the Navy to address its management of fuel and water systems at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and recommended that the military assess leak detection systems at other Navy fuel facilities.

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"The DoD must take this action, and others, to ensure that tragedies like the one in November of 2021 are not allowed to repeat, Inspector General Robert P. Storch said in a statement.

The military built the Red Hill fuel tanks into the side of a mountain in the early 1940s to protect them from aerial attack. There were 20 tanks in all, each about the height of a 25-story building with the capacity to hold 12.5 million gallons (47.3 million liters.) The site was in the hills above Pearl Harbor and on top of an aquifer equipped with wells that provided drinking water to the Navy and to Honolulu's municipal water system.

Fuel leaks at Red Hill had occurred before, including in 2014, prompting the Sierra Club of Hawaii and the Honolulu Board of Water Supply to ask the military to move the tanks to a place where they wouldn't threaten Oahu's water. But the Navy refused, saying the island's water was safe.

The 2021 spill gushed from a ruptured pipe in May of that year. Most of it flowed into a fire suppression drain system, where it sat unnoticed for six months until a cart rammed a sagging line holding the liquid. Crews believed they mopped up most of this fuel but they failed to get about 5,000 gallons (19,000 liters.) Around Thanksgiving, the fuel flowed into a drain and drinking water well that supplied water to 90,000 people at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

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The inspector general's report noted 4,000 families had to move out of their homes for months because they couldn't drink or bathe in their water. The military spent more than $220 million housing residents in hotels and responding to the spill. Congress appropriated $2.1 billion more, some of which is helping the Navy close the Red Hill facility in compliance with an order from Hawaii regulators.

Among the inspector general's other findings:

Hawaii's congressional delegation, which called for the investigation in 2021, issued a joint statement saying the reports made clear the Navy and the military failed to manage fuel and water operations at Red Hill and Pearl Harbor to a standard that protects the health and safety of the people of Hawaii.

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It's outrageous and unacceptable, said the statement from U.S. Sens. Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz and U.S. Reps. Ed Case and Jill Tokuda, all Democrats.

They called on the Navy to take full responsibility for its failures and immediately implement the inspector general's recommendations.

A Navy spokesperson said in a statement that the inspector general's findings align with previous evaluations and support corrective actions the Navy is implementing.

We are committed to constant improvement to ensure the highest standards of operation, maintenance, safety, and oversight at all of our facilities at all times, the statement said.

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The Navy last year issued written reprimands to three retired military officers for their roles in the fuel spill in a move the Sierra Club called slaps on the wrist.

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said he welcomed the inspector general's findings, which he said underscored what environmental advocates had long alleged.

"We will continue to insist on transparency and accountability surrounding the issue of Red Hill, as all people who live in Hawaii deserve pure, clean drinking water, Green said in a statement.
Devin Jeter dedicated his life to service.

The 25-year-old was the youngest of six siblings and followed two of his sisters and an older brother into the military shortly after he graduated from Druid Hills High School.

Devin enlisted in the Navy and served in Japan before he was recently redeployed to Jacksonville a few months ago.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

(He was) a caring, thoughtful person who enjoyed life, and he was always a happy person, Debra Smith, Devins great aunt said.

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But last week he disappeared while he was driving back to base.

According to the family, he took a rental car at 10:30 pm on Thursday to make the overnight drive so he could report for duty in Jacksonville the next morning.

However, calls overnight went unanswered and he never reported for duty.

Thats when alarm bells start going off, Smith said.

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For days, phone calls went unanswered, with no word on where Devin may have gone.

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You cant imagine this guy, as responsible as he is, disappearing, Gary Smith, Devins great uncle, said.

On Monday, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation says a fisherman found a body in a river near Lumber City, Ga.

Two days later, the GBI called the family with the bad news. They identified Devins body by the crosses tattooed on his arms.

I can tell you the last six days have been the worst days of my life, Debra Smith said.

The family says Devins body did not have any identification with it.

According to the latest information from the GBI, his rental car has not been located. However, the initial autopsy did not find any apparent injuries more tests are still being done.

Devins family says he was generous, adventurous, brave and was dedicated to service.

Now, they are left grieving the loss of a man with so much promise.

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CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Come next week, North Carolina law enforcement could be required to cooperate with federal immigration operations. Next Tuesday, lawmakers will return to Raleigh for an override vote on HB 10.

Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed the legislation back in September, citing numerous concerns. The bill has made headlines for funding a private school voucher program, but it also contains language pertaining to immigration enforcement.

RELATED | NC GOP expected to push through private school vouchers bill before supermajority ends

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If it became law, sheriffs would be mandated to honor requests from federal law enforcement to hold someone for 48 hours if they are arrested for a serious crime and suspected of being in the country illegally.

This would not impact folks who are stopped for minor traffic offenses, this is not something those people would be facing deportation over, said Senator Danny Britt (R  Columbus County).

The proposed mandate has faced strong opposition from advocates, like Kelly Morales from Siembra NC, who said Republican lawmakers dont really care about the safety. What we anticipate is what they care about is being able to get votes and being able to create fear in our community, so that some folks can vote for them.

Even local law enforcement has criticized the bill.

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Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden previously said the bill undermines his authority and prevents local communities from setting policies that reflect the will of the voters who elected McFadden. In September, the Sheriff said HB 10s immigration language is a slap in the face and a political move by the legislature.

Lawmakers are set to convene around noon on Tuesday. Republicans need a three-fifths vote in both chambers to successfully override Governor Cooper.

READ NEXT | Vehicle emissions standards could come under scrutiny in the new administration

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The sitting Mrs Nebraska 2024 is accused of helping to fleece unwitting consumers out of more than $3m in a bogus get-rich-quick scheme.

Liz Friesen is on the wrong end of a state lawsuit filed by Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, who says in court filings that the 34-year-old defrauded other Nebraskans by flaunting a high-end and wealthy persona online to mislead consumers into believing [she] would give consumers access to similar levels of wealth and success.

Friesen, whose Facebook profile quotes the Bible and describes her as a mompreneur, pushed a so-called passive-income strategy that made her rich, but no one else, according to the suit.

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She and her co-conspirators then spent their victims investments on luxury vacations in exotic locales, Lamborghinis, Cadillac Escalades, and other high-end vehicles, multimillion-dollar mansions, jewelry, designer clothing, private airplanes, a lakehouse, and countless other extravagances, according to the lawsuit.

Friesen lured in dozens of targets by posting photos on social media of herself enjoying the fruits of [her] misdeeds and deceptions via a shady operation called WiFi Money, the lawsuit states. It alleges that she and nearly a dozen co-conspirators never mentioned that their enviable lifestyles had in fact been underwritten by a raft of unwitting investors who thought they, too, could share in comparable riches.

These highly deceptive passive income schemes will not be tolerated in Nebraska under my watch, Hilgers said in a statement. Our Office will fight hard to get Nebraskans hard-earned money back and hold bad actors to account.

The alleged scam began during the Covid-19 pandemic, and capitalized on the sudden explosion in online shopping that occurred at the time, according to the suit. Each investor paid between $15,000 and $100,000 in total to set up e-commerce stores on Amazon and Walmart.com, after being led to believe they would earn as much as $100,000 a month, with minimal effort, via dropshipping, according to the suit.

Liz Friesen (pictured) is accused of promising investors vast riches, based on alleged lies (Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers)

Dropshipping involves opening an online storefront and listing items for sale by third-party retailers, offering them to customers at a markup, and having them shipped directly by the original seller, the lawsuit explains.

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Dropshipping has many flaws, not the least of which is the fact that customers can simply pay the lower price from the third-party retailer instead of purchasing it from the dropshipper, the lawsuit states. The industry is also highly competitive, which makes profit margins negligible or nonexistent. When returns, shipping, and marketing costs are factored in, turning a profit through dropshipping becomes extremely difficult.

In reality, Friesens promises fell completely flat, earning investors either no profit at all, or a substantial loss, according to the suit.

In one example laid out in the suit, after Friesen and her partners had brought their victims nothing more than 2.5 years of abject failures, she continued to push her #paidtolive claims.

[W]ork alongside me and my WiFi Money team and make $5,000 extra a month, $10,000 extra a month, $100,000 extra a month, Friesen posted on Instagram, the lawsuit states. Whatever it is that your heart desires, lets make it happen.

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However, as one angry investor told authorities, things immediately went south, according to the suit.

It states that the store was insufficiently stocked, fraudulent charges began to appear, and the venture threw off zero profit. Friesen and her partners made various excuses for their ineptitude, but never meaningfully responded to the investors demands for a refund, the suit claims.

Now, through his lawsuit, Hilgers says he is seeking to stop Friesen from promoting any further passive income schemes, to force her to refund her victims, and to penalize those who enriched themselves off deceiving Nebraska consumers and preying on consumers during vulnerable periods of financial uncertainty.

The lawsuit was filed in Lancaster County, Nebraska district court and alleges violations of, among other things, the Consumer Protection Act and Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  If you have been near Dog River around Navco Park in the last few days, you may have spotted a goose with what appears to be an arrow through its body.

This injured birds species is known as Canada Goose.

American Idol finalist from McIntosh now married with baby on the way

James Purvis first noticed the injured bird three days ago while visiting his mother. Like many others, Purvis wants to know how to help.

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I put the binoculars on it, and I saw the arrow, you know, pierced, Purvis said. And its under one wing and out the other. And thats when I called wildlife.

A biologist with the Environmental Science Center, Susan Clements, told News 5 that people have been trying to capture the bird for three weeks.

Clements said that every time someone tries to pick up or rescue the bird, it takes off into the water with the other geese.

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She also said that Canada Geese are a strong species, and it can be difficult to get them because of their strength.

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Its kind of hard to say but getting it really used to people being around, Clements said. And thats what this one man has been doing is really going out there and feeding and talking and getting it to where its not afraid, which would make it easier to get a net or something over it.

The man Clements is referring to is Mark Rainey who lives around Dog River.



Rainey has been trying each day to feed the goose and gain its trust, so he can do a safe rescue.

George County election to go to a runoff

I just gained his trust, been feeding him, trying to snatch it out of him, the arrow, Rainey said.



According to wildlife experts, getting the arrow out may get harder as time progresses.

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The skin on the outside healing up around it internally, things are healing around it also. So that might take an x-ray to kind of see, you know, whats going on, Clements said. As each day goes by, I feel like its prognosis is not very good, but I really cant say until we really get it in hand and really take a look at it.

Wildlife experts are hoping someone with a boat and net can get the birds trust to be able to finally give it the help it needs.

If you happen to catch the goose, contact and call the Environmental Services Center.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The Nevada Attorney Generals Office will continue its case against six Republicans who submitted fake electoral certificates claiming former President Donald Trump won the 2020 election amid the former presidents re-election, 8 News Now has learned.

In December 2020, the six so-called fake electors signed paperwork signaling their support for Trump in a symbolic ceremony devoid of any legal merit. The group then mailed the certificates to Washington.

In the days after and in filings since, the six Republican electors said they filed the certificates due to the then-ongoing legal battles from the Trump campaign. However, in mid-December 2020, no legal case remained open in Nevada. The Nevada Supreme Court ruled against the Trump campaign on Dec. 8, 2020, six days before the Dec. 14 ceremony. However, lawyers claim the U.S. Supreme Court had yet to weigh in, though the panel ultimately did not.

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Last year, a Clark County grand jury indicted the six  Nevada Republican Party Chairman Michael McDonald, Clark County party chairman Jesse Law, Jim DeGraffenreid, Durward James Hindle III, Shawn Meehan and Eileen Rice  on charges of offering a false instrument for filing and uttering a forged instrument, felonies that carry penalties of up to four or five years in prison.

In June, Clark County District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus dismissed the case, saying she had no jurisdiction over the matter. Attorneys for the six Republicans had said Democratic Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford improperly indicted their clients in Clark County instead of northern Nevada, adding there was no intent to commit a crime.

Following Holthus ruling, the attorney generals office appealed to the state supreme court. In their response, attorneys for the six said the state lacks any jurisdiction on the federal matter.

My offices goal remains unchanged  we will hold these fake electors accountable for their actions which contributed to the ongoing and completely unfounded current of distrust in our electoral system, Ford said in a statement to 8 News Now on Thursday. Our drive to seek justice does not change with election results. We are committed to see this matter through, either through winning our appeal or filing anew before the new year. This is not going away.

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Nevada law requires the secretary of state to oversee the certification of the states electoral certificates. Then-Nevada Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske, a Republican, oversaw the official certification process on the same day as the Republican signing for Trump.

Last year, Nevada Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo vetoed Senate Bill 133, which lawmakers approved during the 2023 Nevada Legislature that would have established penalties for the fake electors actions. Lombardo defended the sanctity of elections but said the penalties in the bill were out of scale.

While testifying in favor of that bill before the Assembly Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections, Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford said no Nevada law allowed him to take possible action.

President Joe Biden won the 2020 election in Nevada by about 33,000 votes. Trump won re-election by more than 46,000 votes.

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The high court had not scheduled a date as of Thursday to hear the appeal.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Overdose deaths increased in Nevada and four other states as national numbers declined, according to provisional data released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDCs report relied on projections to compensate for incomplete data, but found an overall 14% decline in overdose deaths in the U.S. for the 12-month period that ended June 30, 2024. Nationwide, 97,000 people died of overdoses.

In Nevada, 1,499 deaths were reported, but the CDCs projections put that number at 1,603 by the time data is complete. That would represent a 26.1% increase over the previous 12-month period. Only Alaska saw a larger percentage increase at 38.6%. Alaska, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Utah were the five states where the CDC projected increases. Overdose deaths declined in all other 45 states.

(U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

This is a pretty stunning and rapid reversal of drug overdose mortality numbers, Brandon Marshall, a Brown University researcher who studies overdose trends, told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

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Nationally, overdose death rates began steadily climbing in the 1990s because of opioid painkillers, followed by waves of deaths led by other opioids like heroin and  more recently  illicit fentanyl. Provisional data had indicated a slight decline for 2023, and the tally released Wednesday showed that the downward trend has kept going.

The CDC data showed opioids were involved in the most opioid deaths, followed by synthetic opioids and psychostimulants.

In Nevada, psychostimulants  amphetamine, methylphenidate, methamphetamine, cocaine, and methcathinone  played a larger role in deaths, ranked just behind opioids and just ahead of synthetic opioids.

A dashboard maintained by the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services offers data through 2022, including breakdowns by county. A total of 836 unintentional overdose deaths occurred in Nevada in the calendar year 2022, with 505 of those coming in Clark County.

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More details showed that opioids were found in 295 of those deaths, and 196 involved the opioid fentanyl. Methamphetamines were found in 282 deaths, and 287 deaths involved multiple substances.

2022 STORY: I-Team: Fentanyl kills record number in Las Vegas valley, including children

Experts arent certain about the reasons for the national decline, but they cite a combination of possible factors.

One is COVID-19. In the worst days of the pandemic, addiction treatment was hard to get and people were socially isolated  with no one around to help if they overdosed.

During the pandemic we saw such a meteoric rise in drug overdose deaths that its only natural we would see a decrease, said Farida Ahmad of the CDCs National Center for Health Statistics.

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Still, overdose deaths are well above what they were at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Still, overdose deaths are well above what they were at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The recent numbers could represent the fruition of years of efforts to increase the availability of the overdose-reversing drug naloxone, and addiction treatments such as buprenorphine, said Erin Winstanley, a University of Pittsburgh professor who researches drug overdose trends.

Marshall said such efforts likely are being aided by money from settlements of opioid-related lawsuits, brought by state, local and Native American governments against drugmakers, wholesalers and pharmacies. Settlement funds have been rolling out to small towns and big cities across the U.S., and some have started spending the money on naloxone and other measures.

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Some experts have wondered about changes in the drug supply. Xylazine, a sedative, has been increasingly detected in illegally manufactured fentanyl, and experts are sorting out exactly how its affecting overdoses.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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NEWPORT, R.I. (WPRI)  The Newport man convicted in connection with a deadly stabbing at a house party will spend the next 30 years behind bars, according to R.I. Attorney General Peter Neronha.

Tyrese Poulsen, 22, pleaded no contest Friday to manslaughter for stabbing Maximus Julian to death three years ago.

Neronha said Poulsen and Julian were both involved in an altercation at a house party in an Airbnb off of Thames Street back in May 2021.

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Poulsen grabbed a steak knife from the kitchen and stabbed Julian in the neck and torso as he attempted to help the hosts clear everyone out of the house, according to prosecutors.

The 22-year-old Little Compton man was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital where he eventually succumbed to his injuries. Poulsen and another suspect, 23-year-old Jamaal Reid, turned themselves in days later.

While justice has been served here, to the extent that is possible, the victim and his family received the worst sentence of all, Neronha said. [Poulsen] chose to murder Maximus Julian over a petty fistfight, robbing this young man of a full life, for no discernable reason.

Neronha added that Poulsen received the maximum sentence for manslaughter.

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I hope that this outcome demonstrates to those with violent inclinations that this type of flagrant disregard for human life will earn you decades in prison, he said.

Reid, whos been charged with harboring a criminal and disorderly conduct, is scheduled to appear in court next month.

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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY)  Findings from the Virginia Peninsula Regional Homelessness study show that perhaps the top cause of homelessness in the region is the lack of affordable housing.

Other causes of homelessness can be drug and alcohol addictions, as well as unemployment levels. Bottom line, Newport News officials recognize homelessness is rising.

It has no boundaries, said Newport News Assistant City Manager Ginger Blount-Moore. Homelessness is not a Newport News problem, its not a York County problem, it is a regional effort.

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The Houston company Viam Advising has been contracted by Newport News on the issue, and released their findings Thursday.

Homelessness, though, is increasing, Viam Advising Principal Consultant Jonathan Danforth said.

Jonathan Danforth said many are working against rising rent costs. In one of the studies, the median rent in 2019 in Newport News was around $1,000 per month. Its now over $1,500. Plus there are other factors making it hard for many to get ahead.

A lot of the housing that was here was from the military, and are built for the military, said one community member.

Im also disabled and Im a senior citizen, [and] theres no category for me to fit in, so Im homeless, said another community member.

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Outcries like that are fueling the citys search for solutions, one of which is to build affordable housing, and the other, the need for local shelters and nonprofits to work together.

Our goal really is to make sure homelessness is rare, brief and non re-occurring, Blount-Moore said.

Community feedback from Thursdays meeting will be compiled and go towards the final findings, which will be presented at a later meeting.

For more information on the city of Newport News homelessness and community initiatives, click here.

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NEWPORT, Tenn. (WATE)  The town of Newport is still recovering nearly seven weeks after flooding devastated the area.

With Thanksgiving just two weeks away, the community is looking to find gratitude in the wake of loss.

Wife of Monroe County murder suspect charged, accused of lying to law enforcement

Kim Suggs owns Sweet Southern Charm, a bakery and boutique downtown. She hopes the holiday season will bring a sense of normalcy.

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Last year, Cocke County was just really booming, all of the small shops were opening and a lot of foot traffic, and were hoping to do the same for this year. We love getting ready for the Christmas parade, thats a big night in Newport, she said.

After the shops floors were ruined by floodwaters, shes thankful for its recovery ahead of the holiday season.

I think everyones hopeful. Everyone is trying to be very strong and supportive, weve had so many just come in the past couple weeks that weve been open, just wanting to support small businesses, and I feel like Cocke County, we do want to be strong again, we were there, and now theres so many that have still not been able to be open that are hoping to reopen, she said.

The holidays are quickly approaching as many are still rebuilding. The town saw the most rain its seen since the storm on Thursday.

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Flies found during Sevierville restaurant inspection

It didnt scare us, but it reminded us. Just you know, Mother Nature is going to do what Mother Nature wants to do, David McPheeters said.

McPheeters lives on River Chase Trail. He said the majority of the homes on his street were destroyed in flooding, yet there is a sense of thankfulness for whats left remains in the community.

Its somber but its resilience also, the amount of help from our neighbors and friends and community, you cant put it into words. Resilience, he said.

6 News partnered with the East Tennessee Foundation to collect donations to support those affected by flooding.

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Captain Gregory Bailey of the U.S. Brig Niagara sits down with JET 24 Action News discussing the latest updates.

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Tropical Storm Sara, a slow-moving and strengthening system, could bring catastrophic impacts to parts of Central America, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center. The storm is forecast to deliver 10 to 20 inches of rain, with isolated areas receiving up to 30 inches.

AccuWeather forecasters warn that remnants of Sara could merge with a front over the Gulf of Mexico, potentially threatening Floridas west coast with coastal flooding and thunderstorms.

While conditions may briefly allow Sara to regain tropical storm strength, the cooler waters of the Gulf are unlikely to support rapid intensification like that seen with Hurricane Beryl or late-season storms such as Helene and Milton, which affected the southeastern U.S. Sara is expected to dissipate by early next week, according to the NHC.

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 Track all active storms

When is hurricane season?

The Atlantic hurricane season traditionally spans from June 1 to Nov. 30, but forecasters warn that storm activity could extend into December this year. Sara is the third storm to form in November, following Tropical Storm Patty and Hurricane Rafael.

Where is Tropical Storm Sara headed?

Tropical Storm Sara is projected to continue moving westward over Central America, potentially making landfall in northern Honduras, according to the NHC. Forecasters warn of catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides in the region.

Similar conditions are expected across other areas, including the rest of Honduras, Belize, El Salvador, eastern Guatemala, western Nicaragua, and Quintana Roo, Mexico.

See spaghetti models for Tropical Storm Sara

Special note about spaghetti models: Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts.

Hurricane tracker: Track active storms in the Atlantic

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Interactive map: Hurricanes, tropical storms that have passed near your city

How many storms have been recorded in the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season?

Early-season forecasts had warned of an especially active season, predicting 17 to 24 named storms, with eight to 13 potentially becoming hurricanes.

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So far, the 2024 season has produced 18 named storms, 11 of which developed into hurricanes, including five major hurricanes at Category 3 or greater. Tropical Storm Alberto and Hurricane Beryl are the only storms that impacted Texas.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: NHC hurricane tracker: Map shows Tropical Storm Sara's path
The petition to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to delay the next round of wolf introductions isn't going anywhere  not anytime soon.

The agency's process allows staffers to make a recommendation on whether the rules changes sought in the petition should go forward.

And that could take months.

The petition was initiated by the Middle Park Stockgrowers and supported by 25 other largely livestock groups. Colorado Counties Inc., which counts 63 out of 64 counties as its members, also submitted a letter seeking a delay.

Tim Ritschard, president of the Middle Park Stockgrowers and who spoke on behalf of the petitioners, told commissioners the wolf introduction program has not gone well and noted 24 confirmed depredations in three counties and many more deaths and missing livestock also believed to be the result of wolf attacks.

"Let's learn from the program's mistakes," Ritschard said. "We still do not have an implemented range rider program, carcass management or site vulnerability assessment program."

He said the state agency may be developing them but they still have not been implemented  and without those programs in place, producers will be right back where they started when the first group of wolves were released in Grand and Summit counties.

Funding for the range rider program has been inconsistent. The livestock group's last meeting with wildlife staff on the issue occurred in September and just yesterday found out the latest grant had been approved. The one range rider the group hired rode for 127 days and hazed wolves 23 times  in a large territory with a lot of cattle and sheep.

Ritschard pointed out that the commission has the authority to delay further introductions and that it's not required to do more at a certain pace. The only requirement from Proposition 114  the voter-approved measure to reintroduce the wolves  is to have the animals on the ground by Dec. 31, 2023.

That has been fulfilled, he said.

"Your mandate is to adaptively manage wolves," Ritschard said. "You should be willing to change your approach (as issues arise)."

The issue of carcass management is particularly troublesome, ranchers said, as there is no landfill in Grand County. That means burial of carcasses, which isn't easy when the ground is frozen, the ranchers said.

"What does CPW propose we do?" he asked.

He said he specifically wants to know if the agency would pay to have carcasses removed.

He added that if the wildlife agency has a plan for conflict mitigation, producers don't know it  and they interact with wolves far more often than the department.

The rules change proposed by Middle Park adds a new article implementing Proposition 114, but would not reopen the wolf plan. It calls for a definition of "chronic depredation," implement a program to do site vulnerability assessment, and educate producers about it, as well as to implement effective range rider and carcass management programs, hire and train a rapid response team to deal with reports of depredations, and communicate better with producers.

Ritschard asked that the commission either call for a special meeting in December to do rule-making, or at its January meeting, and for the wildlife agency to hold off on any more wolves until the commission can consider the proposed rule.

But based on comments from both John Matter of the Attorney General's Office, which represents the state agency, and CPW Director Jeff Davis, that isn't happening anytime soon.

The agency's policy on rule-making says the division will review and study a petition and then make a recommendation, and that's what the commission would review.

The petition information packet states that the petition would then be reviewed and discussed by upper-level CPW managers at an "internal Regulation Review Meeting." That would be followed by notification to the petitioner on the staff's position on the petition within a couple of weeks after the internal review meeting.

"If staff supports your petition and/or at the direction of the Chair of the Commission, your petition will be placed on the main agenda of an appropriate Commission meeting for discussion," it then says.

The agency's website notes the petition has been received by staff but has not moved any further in the process.

"Are we even going to look at it?" asked Commissioner Marie Haskett.

Davis replied that there's usually interaction between the agency and the petitioner to try to find a solution, sometime in consultation with the Attorney General's Office.

"We're still in the review process, so it's hard for me to say how long it would take for the drafting of the recommendation," Davis said.

He also noted the agency received about 500 emails asking them to reject the petition.

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In response, Haskett said people wonder why producers don't want to work with the agency or its staff.

"I really wish that both sides would not attack each other," he said, including attacks on social media against Grand County rancher Conway Farrell, who has lost more livestock to wolves than any other.

Another rancher told commissioners on Friday she's been spit at and received death threats on her phone.

"I think we need to slow down just a little bit," Haskett said, noting the state has four years left to keep working on the introduction program.

She said is "very hopeful" that the programs sought by producers are in place before the next calving and lambing seasons start.

"We got pushed into doing all of this, and it's not fair to anybody," she said. "We're behind, livestock producers are behind. We all have to find a way to catch up. And I don't know what the exact answer is to that. But we definitely need to be ahead of it when we'll hit the ground this next time."

Commission Chair Dallas May said it would be "fruitless" to act on the petition until the commission gets the recommendation from CPW, adding the agency has to follow its process.

Callie Scritchfield, who is newly elected to the Rio Blanco County Board of County Commissioners, told the commission the state is not ready for another round of introductions.

The state announced on Thursday that Rio Blanco County was being taken off the list of counties where wolves would be introduced next, given its lack of state lands and the potential impact to elk and deer herds still recovering from the severe winter two years ago.

Proposition 114 doesn't say when the agency has to release the next group of wolves, Scritchfield said. As for the range rider program, it needs to bring in local people with local knowledge who are trained on wolf behavior and non-lethal options to protect livestock, she said.

She also noted her county's landfill can't take carcasses.

Representatives of the groups that signed the petition also pleaded with commissioners to delay the introduction of the next group of wolves, with one attorney pointing out they don't need to wait for the CPW recommendation.

Kathleen Pritchard  an attorney at Welborn, Sullivan, Meck & Tooley in Denver who works with livestock producers to understand the changing landscape of federal and state laws on wolves  said it's true the commission's policy says "whenever possible, the commission should adhere to a two-step process and wait for the division's recommendation before the commission considers a petition."

But that's not a blanket requirement when it's not possible, and she said that, in this case, it's not possible to wait any longer to consider the petition. It's within the chair's discretion as to when a petition is considered, she said. Otherwise, she said, the chair would be ceding his authority to the division, allowing the latter to make the decision on its own.

Once a petition is on the agenda, it's up to the commission on whether to grant it, she said.

That would only trigger the rulemaking process on deciding whether to temporarily delay the introduction of more wolves, she said, and granting the petition would just allow producers, the state and the public "to work through these issues before more wolves are put on the ground."

And not granting the petition now, when the commission does not meet again until January and given that CPW plans to put more wolves on the ground in January, would in effect render the petition moot, Pritchard said.

Wolf advocates, including one man who said he speaks on behalf of the Copper Creek pack, asked the state to not delay.

Rainer Gerbatsch of Arvada said all the conflict programs are being funded and implemented and that any delay would contradict the mandate the wildlife agency has to introduce more wolves as outlined in Proposition 114.

"We need a clear message against resistance to preventative techniques and offers of resistance assistance," he told the commission.

The agency must work with those "hesitant" to adopt approaches like "low stress work management, he said.

"When everyone plays their part and is willing to eliminate preconceived notions, we can safeguard the public's wildlife from unnecessary and irresponsible lethal measures," he said.

The Gunnison County Stockgrowers on Thursday released an estimate of what such a program would cost. For only the first year, which would include equipment to support range riders amortized over four years, it would cost $3.257 million, the group said.

The group added that's only for "on-the ground implementation of a stand-up non-lethal wolf conflict management program"  it would not include payments to ranchers whose livestock are killed by wolves.

Spread among the 40 working ranch properties in the Gunnison valley, the program would cost on average $81,000 per ranch per year, the group said.

CPW has already spent more than $5 million on the wolf introduction program, although the General Assembly's Blue Book in 2020 said it would cost approximately $300,000 in 2021-22, $500,000 in 2022-23 and $800,000 per year starting in 2023-24.

The total in those three years would be $1.6 million, the legislature's estimates said.
Perhaps history will make a fool of me for this, but I cant help feeling a little sorry for Wes Streeting. In a government that appears to have been surprised by office, hes one of few ministers that seem to grasp that any part of the way we do things needs fundamental reform.

Well, reform at least. There is nothing fundamental about what Wes Streeting is proposing for the National Health Service. But league tables helped to drive up standards in schools (and their abolition by Welsh Labour following devolution helped tank those same standards), so might they help in healthcare?

Its possible. In the first instance, it depends a lot on how the rating system is drawn up. A measure too often becomes a target, and this is especially true in the public sector where other pressures (so as getting out-competed and going bankrupt) dont apply.

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The Financial Times reports that trusts will be ranked and judged by the quality of the services offered to patients, financial management and senior leadership, which all sounds fine. But a lot will depend on how these different measures are weighted against each other.

According to frontline staff that Ive spoken to, the big danger is financial management. Not because it isnt important, but because the managers in charge of a trust will, if possible, protect their own positions by concentrating cuts in other areas, such as the medical personnel. This is apparently what happened last time rankings of this sort were in place.

That would obviously have a knock-on impact on the services offered to patients score, so is not without risk. But there are no prizes for guessing which one will matter more to the Treasury at the end of the day  and thus, which one is more likely to win out in the event of a conflict.

This does not mean, as some of the NHS critics suggest, that all the necessary savings can easily be found on the bureaucratic side. Whilst there is definitely fat to be trimmed, it cannot be forgotten that a) good management is needed to implement bigger reforms to how the Health Service operates and b) in many cases the alternative to dedicated administrative staff is having doctors and nurses do that work, which takes them away from their frontline responsibilities.

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Finally, there are the very different context in which league tables wrought their benefits in the school system versus the conditions that prevail in the NHS.

In education, league tables did not directly raise standards on their own. They were part of a programme of school choice, supported by New Labours academies agenda which, under the Conservatives, evolved into the free schools programme.

Tables made information about school performance more legible for parents, but this would have counted for little if they couldnt act on it. Only when alternatives were available, and schools subject to competitive pressure  a dynamic explicitly opposed by progressive activists  did things improve.

How is that going to work in the NHS? There is nothing in the pipeline for the hospital equivalent of academies or free schools, nor something like a voucher programme that would allow NHS patients to take their state funding to a nearby private hospital.

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Perhaps in places like London, with a relatively dense concentration of hospitals (including our best teaching hospitals), it might make a difference to where patients choose to go. In most parts of the country, however, having clear information that your local hospital is poor changes nothing; its still the only (non-private) one youve got.

Even in London, this prospect raises thorny questions about financing. In schools, the idea was that the money followed the pupil, and that by encouraging new schools to open the worst-performing ones could be allowed to fail.

That is a much trickier proposition in the NHS. If the money doesnt follow the patient, the best-performing hospitals have no incentive to expand their intake (and their performance will get degraded if they have no means to resist having to treat more people on the same budget).

If it does, the worst-performing hospitals will be starved of funds. Fine, in a system where you have a provider surplus and can afford for some to fail. Less fine when you have a supply bottleneck and huge backlog.

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So good luck to the Health Secretary. At least hes trying, and perhaps hed be reaching for something more radical if he could. But his league tables cannot bring to bear the bottom-up pressure from informed service users that so transformed schools  only the Sauronic eye of government. And if government could easily fix our hospitals, it would have done so by now.

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NICHOLAS COUNTY, WV (WVNS)  A man from Nicholas County pleaded guilty to a federal gun crime.

According to a press release, on Thursday, November 14, 2024, 50-year-old Nathaniel Martin, of Fenwick, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Mercer County man sentenced for federal drug crime

The press release stated that according to statements made in court, Martin had a handgun in his possession in Nicholas County on September 6, 2021.

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People with previous felony convictions are prevented from possessing a gun by federal law. Due to having a prior felony conviction for two counts of delivery of a Schedule II controlled substance in Nicholas County Circuit Court on June 2, 2009, Martin knew that he could not have a gun in his possession.

FBI Pittsburgh searching for man in relation to sexual exploitation case involving a child

Martins sentencing is scheduled for March 13, 2025, and he faces up to ten years in prison, a maximum of three years of parole and a $250,000 fine.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney will Thompson, who thanked the United States Forest Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for their work on the investigation.

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NEW JERSEY (PIX11)  The New Jersey Forest Fire Service said it is making good progress against the Jennings Creek Wildfire, which has been burning since Saturday. The fire remains 50% contained in New Jersey and approximately 30% contained in New York.

Officials in both New York and New Jersey said residents near the fire should expect to see smoke for the next few weeks.

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Some residents in New York are being asked to stay with relatives or friends until Saturday because of smoke conditions. Greenwood Lake schools were closed Thursday and will be closed again Friday because of air quality.

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New Jersey fire officials sent crews and resources to New York Thursday to assist with fire suppression.

Despite having a good handle on the Jennings Creek fire, officials with New Jerseys Forest Fire Service said it has been an unprecedented year, with 561 wildfires since Oct. 1. There have been eight major fires statewide in the last two months. One wildfire in Burlington County has been burning since July.

The Forest Fire Service said it is fully staffed at all 21 of its fire towers and has resources on the ground patrolling every county.

The rough terrain of the Jennings Creek Wildfire has proven physically challenging for firefighters.

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Our firefighters, theyve been pretty much every day working 18-hour shifts, getting anywhere from four to five hours of sleep, said Chris Franek with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.

Theyre really beat up and tired. When theyre going out and fighting the fire in this rugged terrain, theyre carrying probably 45-50 pounds of personal gear and safety equipment. Then adding on top of that the hose, fittings and tools, and chainsaws. So theyre probably carrying 80-90 pounds of gear just to get into the woods to do the job theyre doing. Theyre pretty hard core. Theyre really getting after it.

Fire officials are asking residents to do their part to prevent the start of further fires. Outdoor wood and charcoal fires remain off limits statewide, and people are asked to properly dispose of fireplace ashes as the weather turns colder.

Those ashes will stay warm for a few days, said Bill Donnelly, Chief of New Jerseys Forest Fire Service.

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People just underestimate the heat that can stay inside them. Make sure theyre in a metal container away from any sort of combustible material, and make sure theres a lid on them so nothing thats inside the container can blow out if we start to get some gusty winds.

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TRENTON, N.J. (PIX11)  Some palpable tension could be felt during Thursdays Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities (TIA) Committee, which featured NJ Transit President Kevin Corbett and Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner.

During the hour-long hearing, both leaders testified to lawmakers that the northeast corridor has been underfunded for many decades and that federal funding is paramount to their future success.

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New Jersey Transit remains 100% committed to continuing to support Amtrak efforts to accelerate all the necessary infrastructure improvements that would deliver the best possible experience for both our rail customers who depend on the northeast corridor, said Corbett.

The hearing follows a summer filled with transit meltdowns and was part of the reason the meeting was called.

What I really want to do is I want to get some concrete answers as to how we as a legislature can help them, said Democratic Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese, who chairs the TIA Committee.

Republican Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips, a member of the committee, saw several exchanges with Corbett. At one point, DePhillips asked Corbett if he agreed if NJ Transit should be audited, to which Corbett said no.

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Year after year more money is coming into New Jersey Transit, said DePhillips. We need to look under the hood. Wheres the money going? Whats it being directed towards? The service is not improving, if anything its declining.

Last month, both leaders met with a congressional delegation to discuss the ongoing service improvements and said a third-party report on this summers transit programs would come out in November.

The report work is underway, Gardner told reporters after Thursdays hearing, so were still on track I think to finalize that by the end of the month. Were not done yet.

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RIVERTON, Utah (ABC4)  The Salt Lake County District Attorneys Office has declined to file charges in a police shooting that resulted in the death of 40-year-old Joshua Mel-Scott Watson in March.

After conducting an Officer Involved Critical Incident review, the Salt Lake County District Attorneys Office has declined to file criminal charges for the March 8, 2024, use of deadly force by officers with Sandy City, Herriman and Riverton Police Departments against Joshua Mel-Scott Watson, a press release from the district attorneys office states.

St. George Police investigating possible kidnapping of 12-year-old

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The incident began in Sandy at around 5 a.m. on March 8. Authorities responded to a carjacking, and Watson led police on a chase across the valley, ending in Riverton in the area of 138th South.

Police used spike strips to stop the vehicle, and as officers approached the vehicle, Watson reportedly brandished a weapon. Officers opened fire, killing Watson at the scene.

No officers were injured in the shooting. Officers from Riverton, Herriman, and Sandy police departments were all involved in the incident.

Watson was a Riverton resident with a criminal history, officials said.

No further information is available at this time.

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Landlords are rushing to free up their homes after Labour announced plans to push through rent reforms without a full review of Britains delayed courts.

The number of Section 21 notices, also known as no-fault evictions, reached an eight-year high in the three months to September, after it emerged landlords would have to wait 55 weeks to evict problem tenants from next summer.

An estimated 8,425 households in England were served eviction notices, according to Ministry of Justice figures, almost a quarter higher than in the same period last year.

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Under Labours Renters Rights Bill, landlords will need to apply for a hearing before they can evict a tenant.

However, wait times for court eviction orders are as high as 55 weeks, according to data collected by the countrys largest estate agents Savills, Hamptons and Knight Frank.

The previous Conservative government had vowed not to introduce the eviction ban until a long-standing courts backlog had been resolved.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said that the changes would allow tenants more time to repay arrears and remain in their homes, while ensuring landlords do not face unsustainable costs.

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But experts warned that the move would lead to a wave of landlords leaving the market, reducing housing stock and pushing up prices for renters.

They also said that it risked leaving the courts swamped and landlords without a means to evict problem tenants.

Paul Shamplina, founder of the Landlord Action campaign group, said: Landlords are leaving in their droves and the fear of the Renters Rights Bill and the ending of Section 21 and the severe court delays landlords are suing it before losing it.

It is believed the Bill and the implementation of periodic tanneries will take place before the summer.

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We at Landlord Action are issuing more Section claims in the last year than ever before.

Homelessness charity Shelter warned that while the Bill had the potential to transform private renting, unfair evictions would continue unless action was taken to limit huge jumps in rent.

The number of new landlords instructing estate agents across the country fell 16pc in the three months to July, but in some areas the drop was much more stark.

In East Anglia, instructions were down 59pc over the same period, and in the East Midlands they were down 37pc  more than double the fall recorded for this area of England a year ago.

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The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), which represents the sector, said yet more legislation and the prospect of an increasingly unfair tax regime had diminished the appeal of being a buy-to-let investor.

Ben Beadle, chief executive of property body the National Residential Landlords Association, said: With data from Rightmove pointing to record numbers of rental properties up for sale, the best way to help tenants is to encourage responsible landlords to stay in the market.

Removing no-fault evictions was a key pillar of Labours pitch to renters during the election, with the party promising to take steps to abolish no-fault evictions with immediate effect.

The Bill, announced in the Kings Speech is currently moving through Parliament and is expected to reach the House of Lords before winter recess on December 17.

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(This story has been updated to add new information.)

Crews cannot yet say when the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge will reopen because the extent of damage remains unknown, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Structural issues have prevented crews from gaining a complete understanding of the damage almost two weeks after a fire closed the bridge's southbound lanes, ODOT spokesperson Kathleen Fuller said.

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Fuller said the bridge's damaged portions are "severely compromised." Crews have not been able to safely walk on the bridge's deck to inspect damage and instead have relied on less hands-on tools such as drones.

Traffic, detours and a 'robodog': Here's the latest on the Big Mac bridge fire

This has given crews a limited picture of the damage.

However, crews assembled shoring towers this week to stabilize the bridge. Inspections were not complete by Friday evening, however, crews plan to return to Saturday to finish those inspections.

Fuller reiterated the mainline portion of the bridge is structurally safe. The bridge's northbound lanes, which were not damaged by the fire, reopened in less than 24 hours after the incident.

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The Daniel Carter Beard Bridge, colloquially known as the Big Mac Bridge, connects Cincinnati to Newport via Interstate 471.

The bridge was impacted by a fire that began in the early hours of Nov. 1 under the Cincinnati side of the bridge at the Sawyer Point 1000 Hands Playground. At least three beams, a portion of the road deck and a sign truss will need to be replaced, officials said.

The fire's cause remains under investigation.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: When will the Big Mac Bridge reopen? Why ODOT doesn't have an answer
WINDSOR LOCKS, Mass. (WWLP)  Another international destination is coming to Bradley International Airport.

Enfield man facing second DUI charge within five days

BermudAir will fly nonstop flights to Bermuda starting on April 3rd, the Connecticut Airport Authority announced. Those flights will be offered on Thursdays and Sundays.

Bermudas airport provides border preclearance for passengers returning to the United States. That means they clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Bermuda before returning to Bradley.

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We are thrilled that BermudAir has chosen Bradley International Airport as one of its airports, said Kevin A. Dillon, A.A.E., Executive Director of the CAA. This new route will provide convenient connectivity for leisure and business travelers who are looking to visit this popular destination and aligns with our commitment to offer access to more international routes.

Were excited to bring the warmth and island hospitality of Bermuda closer to travelers in Connecticut, said Adam Scott, CEO & Founder of BermudAir. This new route between Bradley International and Bermuda not only opens doors for leisure and business connections but also offers our guests a seamless and enriching journey. We look forward to welcoming our passengers onboard and sharing Bermudas unique spirit with each flight.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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NORTH CAROLINA (WGHP)  Governor Roy Cooper has issued pardons for two men who were wrongfully convicted.

One of them is from the Piedmont Triad.

Mark Crotts was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder in Alamance County in 1992. He was acquitted on both counts five years later after a judicial finding that the government violated his constitutional rights at trial.

Cooper also pardoned Darron Carmon, a Pitt County pastor who was wrongfully convicted of armed robbery as a teenager and spent nearly a decade in prison.

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Cooper also commuted the sentences of six people serving time in prison.

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Grier Bailey is the executive director of the Colorado Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association, and Austin Haldorson is the general manager of A-B Petroleum Inc. in Denver.
ASHEBORO, N.C (WGHP)  The North Carolina Zoo works to protect endangered species, including some rare snakes.

Coming up, FOX8s Shannon Smith shows us how staff members are doing that behind the scenes in todays Zoo Filez.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP.
CARLSAD, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  Carrillo Elementary School, located in North Countys Carlsbad, is honoring Camp Pendleton Marines by hosting a household goods drive Friday.

The drive, which takes place annually, is meant to be a way to support local Marines and their families. The tradition has been going on for about two decades and takes place around the same as the military branchs birthday, which is Nov. 10.

Items collected includes canned food, diapers, baby wipes, among other essential items. The drive is meant to ease the burden of the cost of living for servicemembers and their families.

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The grade that collected the most goods will receive an extra hour of recess for their efforts, an official at the school told FOX 5/KUSI.

A flag salute and awards ceremony will also take place at the elementary school as a way to honor local Marines.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
During a visit to an exercise range where he watched tests of kamikaze drones in action, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced the country would begin mass production of one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). The development comes as North Korea and Russia significantly step up their military cooperation  including joint work on drones  raising the possibility that North Korean UAVs could start being used in the war in Ukraine before too long.

North Korea testing its kamikaze UAVs on various types of targets, inspected by North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un himself. https://t.co/X2qeZLRFBK pic.twitter.com/PPO9BkO50o  Clash Report (@clashreport) November 15, 2024

North Korean state media reported on Kims appearance at the firing range today, also publishing photos and a video showing the live-fire tests. The North Korean leader was seen watching the drones strike targets including a BMW sedan and a decommissioned T-34 tank. The likely location of the exercise was close to Pyongyang International Airport, according to open-source analysis.

A drone heads toward a BMW sedan on the firing range. North Korean state media

The sedan is left burning after the drone impact. North Korean state media

One of the X-wing drones heads toward a tank target on the firing range. North Korean state media

Another drone, moments before impacting the tank target. North Korean state media

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Kim called on officials to quickly establish a mass-production system and begin full-scale production as soon as possible, according to a report in the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Central Committee of the Workers Party of Korea, translated by news aggregator KCNA Watch.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects the drones on the firing range. North Korean state media

The scope of their use in military operations is constantly expanding due to their low production costs and simple manufacturing processes, Kim said, according to the same source.

The state-released imagery had the details of the drones pixelated, but they appear to be the same types we profiled back in August and which, we assessed back then, appeared very similar in outward appearance to the Israeli-made Harop and the Hero-400 loitering munitions. The second, X-wing drone also has more than a passing resemblance to members of the Lancet family, although the Israeli Hero-400 seems to be a closer match overall.

Launch of one of the X-wing type drones on the firing range. North Korean state media

The drones appear to have been launched from a location close to Pyongyang International Airport. North Korean state media

You can read our previous analysis of the two drones here  which included raising the possibility of them eventually being exported to Russia and potentially other clients.

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The latest imagery reveals more details of the launch systems for the two drones. The Harop lookalike takes off from a conventional rail-type launcher, while the X-wing drone that appears similar to the Hero-400 can be launched from either a portable rail launcher or from a canister-like tube.

Launch of one of the Harpy-lookalike drones on the firing range. North Korean state media

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In the latest reports, the North Korean state media claims the drones are products of the Unmanned Aerial Technology Complex, or UATC.

The report from Rodong Sinmun today claimed the two drones are designed for use across different strike ranges on land and sea and are tasked with precise strikes on designated targets.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un takes a closer look at an X-wing drone. North Korean state media

When they were unveiled, there were suggestions from North Korea that the drones might use a rudimentary form of artificial intelligence for a degree of automated target detection and engagement, although details were scarce. TWZ surmised that reports to this effect might have referred to detect radar emissions along a pre-planned route, or some basic form of visual target recognition. Meanwhile, the looming prospect of drones of all kinds using more advanced artificial intelligence on a regular basis is also something we have discussed in the past.

The statements today said the drones flew along pre-set tactical routes within various strike ranges and successfully carried out precise strikes on their targets.

Kim Jong Un watches drones being launched. North Korean state media

Since these types of drones first appeared in the summer, the military relationship between Pyongyang and Moscow has deepened considerably, now including the deployment of thousands of troops for Russias conflict in Ukraine.

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So far, North Korea has supplied Russia with a variety of weapons that its employed in Ukraine, including KN-23 short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs), Bulsae-4 anti-tank missiles, and rocket-propelled grenades. Most significant  at least in terms of numbers  has been Pyongyangs provision of artillery ammunition, mostly in 122mm and 152mm caliber, to feed Russias unceasing demand for shells.

According to a recent assessment from the South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS), North Korea has likely delivered more than eight million 122mm and 152mm shells to Russia so far.

Only yesterday, we reported on the appearance of North Korean-made 170mm M1989 Koksan self-propelled artillery units being transported by rail in Krasnoyarsk, in central Russia. This may well be a sign that North Korea is also now providing Russia with heavy artillery, although its possible these units were heading to Ukraine for use by North Korean troops, too.

The first appearance of North Korean-made 170mm M1989 Koksan self-propelled artillery units being transported in Russia. This may well be a sign that North Korea is also now providing Russia with heavy artillery, although its possible that these units were heading to Ukraine for use by North Korean troops, too. via X

With all this in mind, it would not be a huge surprise if Russia calls upon North Korea to provide one-way attack drones, to bolster its own production of these weapons, which have become a significant feature of the battlefield in Ukraine, with both sides, with larger and longer-range types, such as the Shahed, regularly attacking infrastructure and urban targets across Ukraine.

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It should be noted here that its not entirely clear what Pyongyang is getting in return for all this, although as well as hard currency, it seems likely that it is receiving technological assistance and could also be getting Russian arms, as well.

There have been various signs that North Korea and Russia are now collaborating on drone programs.

This seems to include Moscow providing Pyongyang with technical assistance on uncrewed aerial vehicles.

Earlier this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said North Korean workers were being sent to Russia to work in factories producing kamikaze drones. While the UAVs in question would likely be of Russian design, this could be part of a broader technical agreement in which North Korea gains experience in manufacturing these types of drones.



A Russian factory undertaking license production of the Iranian-designed Shahed-series one-way attack drones, named Geran (geranium), in Russia. via X

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There certainly appears to be growing efforts to build up North Koreas drone-manufacturing base, even before todays announcement. In June this year, it was reported that a new large-scale UAV factory was being built near Panghyon Airbase.

On an operational level, there is also growing evidence that drone units from North Korea and Russia are working together more closely.

South Korean intelligence has reportedly found evidence of North Korean troops receiving training in drone operations in Russia.

A course in the operation of quadcopter-type drones at the Russian University of Special Forces in Gudermes, Chechnya. Russian University of Special Forces

Last week, Business Insider cited Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraines Center for Countering Disinformation, who also said that North Korean soldiers were undergoing drone training from Russian forces.

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Kovalenko said North Korean soldiers were learning to operate strike and reconnaissance UAVs, under conditions simulating live combat. Once trained, these troops could employ drones in Ukraine, alongside Russian forces, or they could bring their skills back to North Korea.

The value of training on modern systems like kamikaze drones is huge for North Korea, which has not fought a conventional war since the 1950s and which has armed forces that still primarily rely on mainly outdated equipment  and, for the most part, tactics to match.

North Korean soldiers march during a mass rally on Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang. Photo by ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images ED JONES

As well as taking notes from Russian (and Ukrainian) employment of one-way attack UAVs in the war in Ukraine, North Korea has a lot to gain from hands-on experience with these kinds of weapons, on the training ground  and potentially also in combat in Ukraine.

While theres little doubt about Pyongyang and Moscows joint UAV efforts, aside from Ukraine, its worth noting that kamikaze drones would be enormously useful to North Korea, during any kind of conflict on the peninsula. As we have explored in the past, loitering munitions would be ideally suited to combat around the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Meanwhile, the Harop-like design would likely have the reach to strike fixed installations across South Korea in the opening phase of a major conflict.

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Earlier this week, North Korea and Russia ratified a mutual defense treaty, stating the two countries would assist each other in the event of an attack on one of them. Against this backdrop, it seems the military relationship between Pyongyang and Moscow will only intensify. With that, the prospect of increased drone collaboration between the two countries will also become more likely.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered his country to quickly start mass producing self-detonating explosive drones, calling their development an essential requirement, after overseeing a test of the deadly aerial weapon, state media reported Friday.

Images published by North Korean state media show Kim and various officials at the launch site. Images show a car and a tank being destroyed by what appears to be unmanned aerial vehicles, which have been heavily blurred by the news agency.

State media reported that drones of various types precisely hit the targets as part of the test. They can be used within different striking ranges and are designed to precisely attack any enemy targets on the ground and in the sea, it said.

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Kim said the use of such drones in military activities is being expanded around the world and authorities are recognizing that drones are achieving clear successes in big and small conflicts, state media reported.

Such self-detonating drones, also sometimes referred to as suicide drones, have been widely used to great effect on the battlefield in Russias war in Ukraine and in the Middle East.

Comparatively cheap to produce and usually deployed in swarms making their numbers difficult to shoot down, drones such as the Iranian-made Shahed 136 have transformed modern combat, providing an asymmetric advantage when deployed against technically superior adversaries.

Kim underscored the need to build a serial production system as early as possible and go into full-scale mass production, state media reported, adding that such objective change urgently calls for updating many parts of military theory.

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The order comes as concern in the West grows over North Koreas military cooperation with Russia.

The US State Department said Tuesday that 10,000 North Korean soldiers had been sent to Russia and have begun engaging in combat operations with Russian forces in Kursk region, where Ukraines three-month military incursion into Russian territory has stalled.

Images released from North Korean state media KCNA show what it said were self-detonating drone during a test of the unmanned aerial vehicles. Elements of this image were blurred before its release. - KCNA

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks with officials as he oversees a test of self-detonating drones, according to state media KCNA. Elements of this image were blurred before their release. - KCNA

A Ukrainian commander previously told CNN North Korean troops were a significant resource for Moscows war on Ukraine, as even those being deployed defensively would free up Russian troops for assault operations elsewhere and would eventually be used in direct combat.

The North Korean troops dispatched to Russia are deemed to have not had suitable training for drone warfare, according to a South Koreas Defense Intellectual Agency evaluation shared by lawmakers briefed on the issue.

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South Koreas defense minister last month expressed concern that Pyongyang is very likely to ask Moscow for advanced technology related to nuclear weapons in exchange for deploying troops to Ukraine.

Thursdays drone test came after North Korea on Tuesday ratified a mutual defense treaty with Russia in which the two countries pledged to use all available means to provide immediate military assistance in the event the other is attacked.

The move cements the two countries deepening alignment in the face of their international isolation over Russias war in Ukraine and Pyongyangs nuclear and ballistic missile program.

The defense pact was signed in June by Kim and Vladimir Putin during a rare state visit by the Russian leader to Pyongyang.

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Kim previously oversaw the test of self-detonating drones in August, where he stressed the need to equip the North Korean army with them as early as possible.

In October, North Korea threatened retaliation after accusing South Korea of flying propaganda-filled drones over Pyongyang. Seoul did not confirm or deny the accusations after North Koreas state-run KCNA published images of what it claimed was a drone, as well as leaflets that said, a comparison of the food you can buy, and North Koreas economic situation falling into hell.

In 2022, North Korea sent five drones into South Korea, four of which flew around Ganghwa island and another that flew over capital Seouls northern airspace.

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Kim Jong Un has ordered the mass production of attack drones, North Korean media reported.

The move comes after the country ratified a mutual defense treaty with Russia.

A Ukrainian official told BI that North Korean troops are getting Russian training on drone warfare.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered the mass production of exploding drones on Thursday, according to North Korean state media.

This comes just a week after a Ukrainian official told Business Insider that North Korean soldiers were receiving training from Russian forces on the use of drones.

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According to state media outlet KCNA, per a translation by news aggregator KCNA Watch, Kim oversaw tests of various drones before instructing the country's defense industry.

Kim emphasized the need to build "a serial production system as early as possible and go into full-scale mass production."

State media has blurred this handout image of a reported drone test in North Korea. KCNA via KCNA Watch

The news agency released partially redacted images showing Kim watching tests of cruciform-style attack drones, as well footage of a BMW and an armored vehicle, both apparently destroyed in the tests.

Kim emphasized how cheap drones were and remarked on the race to develop attack-drone capabilities worldwide, the news agency said.

A car burns after the reported drone test, in an image provided by the North Korean government. Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP

Kim also oversaw drone tests in August, where he called for several types of drone to be developed, including reconnaissance and underwater drones, Reuters reported at the time, citing state media.

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Attack drones that explode on impact have been a major feature of the war in Ukraine.

Russia has made widespread use of Lancet drones as well as Iran-designed Shahed drones in attacks both on Ukrainian military positions as well as critical domestic infrastructure.

Ukraine has also relied heavily on drones to combat Russia's larger military force.

There are growing concerns about closer ties between Russia and North Korea.

North Korea ratified a mutual defense treaty with Russia this week, which stipulates that the two countries would come to each other's aid in the event of an attack.

Kim Jong Un has been an ally to Putin during Russia's war on Ukraine. Gavriil GRIGOROV / POOL / AFP

North Korea has also steadily increased its military cooperation with Russia. Ukraine claims that up to 11,000 North Korean troops have been sent to help push back Ukrainian forces in Kursk.

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The soldiers are operating in Russian uniforms and are scattered among Russian divisions fighting in the Ukrainian-held part of western Russia, Andrii Kovalenko, the head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation, told Business Insider.

Last week, Kovalenko told BI that "Russia is training North Korean soldiers to operate strike UAVs and reconnaissance drones."

This training, taking place under live-combat conditions, "poses a threat to both Ukraine and South Korea, as some of these soldiers will transfer their skills back to North Korea," he said.

Kovalenko also said there were plans to send Russian drone instructors to Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, for further training of North Korean personnel.

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"North Korea may use these skills for future terrorist actions in the border areas with South Korea," he said.

BI was unable to independently verify his statements.

The exact terms of the military exchange with Russia are not known, but North Korea experts told BI that the country is likely getting not only economic aid but also technical assistance. The deal likely offers the state leverage to ask for advanced Russian weapons systems or their designs.

The partnership brings another advantage for North Korea: much-needed live combat experience and technical know-how.

North Korean troops have not seen significant combat since the 1950s.

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"It's a win-win situation," Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., a North Korea defense expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told BI last month.

Kim is getting access to foreign technology, he said, and also "access to real-world combat information to improve his defensive and offensive capabilities."

Read the original article on Business Insider
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korea tested exploding drones designed to crash into targets and leader Kim Jong Un called for accelerating mass production of the weapons, state media said Friday.

The countrys latest military demonstration came as the United States, South Korea and Japan engaged in combined military exercises involving advanced fighter jets and a U.S. aircraft carrier in nearby international waters, in a display of their defense posture against North Korea.

North Koreas official Korean Central News Agency published photos of Kim talking with officials near at least two different types of unmanned aerial vehicles. They included those with X-shaped tails and wings that look similar to the ones the country disclosed in August, when Kim inspected another demonstration of drones that explode on impact.

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The drones flew various routes and accurately struck targets, KCNA said. Its images showed what appeared to be a BMW sedan being destroyed and old models of tanks being blown up.

Kim expressed satisfaction with the weapons development process and stressed the need to build a serial production system as early as possible and go into full-scale mass production, noting how drones are becoming crucial in modern warfare.

KCNA paraphrased Kim as saying drones were easy to make at low cost for a range of military activities. The report didnt say if Kim spoke directly about rival South Korea, which the North Korean drones are apparently designed to target.

North Korea last month accused South Korea of sending its own drones to drop anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets over the North's capital of Pyongyang, and threatened to respond with force if such flights occur again. South Koreas military has refused to confirm whether or not the Norths claims were true.

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Tensions in the region have escalated as Kim flaunts his advancing nuclear and missile program, which includes various nuclear-capable weapons targeting South Korea and intercontinental ballistic missiles that can potentially reach the U.S. mainland.

Kim is also allegedly sending military equipment and troops to Russia to support President Vladimir Putins war on Ukraine, which raised concerns in Seoul that he would get Russian technology in return to further develop his arsenal.

In addition to his intensifying nuclear threats, Kim has also engaged in psychological and electronic warfare against South Korea, such as flying thousands of balloons to drop trash in the South and disrupting GPS signals from border areas near the Souths biggest airport.

South Korean officials say North Korea will be a key topic in a trilateral summit between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba this week at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in Peru.

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met on the margins of the APEC on Thursday and discussed strong concerns over deepening ties between Pyongyang and Moscow, particularly the deployment of North Korean troops to support Russias war against Ukraine, the U.S. State Department said.
THURSDAY 11/14/2024 9:10 p.m.

(COLORADO SPRING)  CSPD sent out an alert that the shelter-in-place has been lifted.

ORIGINAL STORY: CSPD orders shelter-in-place for N. Nevada near Madison

THURSDAY 11/14/2024 8:59 p.m.

The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) has issued the second shelter-in-place for the evening of Thursday, Nov. 14, around 8:30 p.m. for the area around North Nevada Avenue and East Madison Street, near Penrose Hospital.

Courtesy: Peak Alerts El Paso and Teller County

According to the CSPD emergency alert, police are asking people to stay away from the area, and for those living nearby to stay indoors, lock windows and doors, and stay away from them as officers search for a wanted suspect.

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CSPD said that the suspect was last seen in a gray t-shirt, boxer briefs, and handcuffs.

This is a developing situation and FOX21 News will update this article when the situation changes or more information is available.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
Nov. 14WASHINGTON  JD Vance is set to be the No. 2 in the White House, but the vice president-elect told supporters on Saturday that the second-most important person in the incoming administration won't be him, but rather the attorney general.

On Wednesday, President-elect Donald Trump named Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Florida Republican who resigned his seat in the House that same day, as his choice to become the nation's top law enforcement official. Gaetz's now-former House colleagues from the Northwest expressed skepticism and some support for the nomination on Thursday.

If confirmed by the newly Republican-controlled Senate, Gaetz would lead the Department of Justice, the same agency that had investigated him for sex trafficking of minors. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and said last year that the investigation ended without charges, after his longtime associate pleaded guilty in 2021 to charges related to paying an underage girl to have sex.

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The Republican-controlled House Ethics Committee has been conducting its own probe into those allegations. Gaetz's resignation after Trump nominated him as attorney general effectively ended that investigation, but the ethics panel reportedly planned to vote Friday on whether to release its report.

Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho Falls, reacted with an incredulous expletive when reporters asked him Wednesday if he thought Gaetz was qualified to run the Justice Department. In a more circumspect statement on Thursday, Simpson called for the Ethics Committee to release its report before the Senate moves ahead with confirming Gaetz.

"President Trump has done an excellent job appointing selections for his next Cabinet and key administration posts," Simpson said. "However, the nomination of Congressman Matt Gaetz as Attorney General is concerning."

Rep. Russ Fulcher, a Republican who represents North Idaho and areas west of Boise, was more supportive of Trump's choice in a brief interview at the Capitol on Thursday, saying that "the biggest surprise about Matt is that people are surprised."

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"I mean, the DOJ has been after Trump ever since Trump's been Trump," Fulcher said, referring to federal indictments of the president-elect related to mishandling classified documents and his role in the Capitol riot in 2021. "It's not a shock that he might want to take a wrecking ball to the DOJ, so that's probably what's driving the Matt Gaetz thing."

Rep. Adam Smith, a Democrat from Bellevue who appeared in 2023 on the podcast Gaetz recorded in his House office, echoed part of Fulcher's sentiment. He said Trump choosing the provocative former congressman makes perfect sense based on what the president-elect has said he wants to do, even if Gaetz lacks any of the traditional qualifications to become the nation's top law enforcement official.

"The only thing that surprises me about the whole process is the surprise," Smith said. "Trump said very, very clearly what he was going to do for four years."

Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, said Trump has made it clear that he doesn't respect any government institution if he can't fully control it.

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"He wants to be in a position to do as much damage to the institutions of this country as humanly possible," Smith said. "And the second thing that he wants is someone that is 100% loyal and will do absolutely whatever he says whenever he says it. And if you think of it with those two priorities, then his picks make perfect sense."

Trump hasn't wasted time naming his picks to staff his White House and lead federal agencies, announcing several nominees in the week after Election Day.

Some of his choices, such as Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida as secretary of state, have raised fewer red flags among the Senate Republicans who will need to confirm them, but the president-elect and his allies have pressured new Senate GOP Leader John Thune of South Dakota to use a procedural move to appoint more controversial picks without a majority of senators when Congress is in recess.

Rep. Ryan Zinke, a Montana Republican who went through Senate confirmation to serve as secretary of the interior in Trump's first administration, cautioned that the so-called recess appointment process is "a tougher wicket than people think," because senators could vote on amendments before confirmation. One such amendment, Zinke suggested in a brief interview, could require all pending investigations of a nominee to be completed.

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Fulcher said he was "elated" by the choices of Rubio and Rep. Mike Waltz, another Florida Republican, as national security adviser, calling them both "perfect" for their respective jobs.

Other nominees have elicited more skepticism, including Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii who recently became a Republican and a Trump campaign surrogate, as director of national intelligence. On Thursday, after the lawmakers spoke to The Spokesman-Review, Trump announced another former Democrat, vaccine critic Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

Asked about the nominations of Gaetz, Gabbard and others, Rep. Dan Newhouse sighed.

"Well, what can I say about that?" Newhouse said. "The president has the privilege of surrounding himself with whoever he wants to."

Orion Donovan Smith's work is funded in part by members of the Spokane community via the Community Journalism and Civic Engagement Fund. This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, please contact our newspaper's managing editor.
The weekly drought update came out, and despite some rain over the last 7 days, were still in a moderate drought in the Quad Cities.

Things didnt get worse, but we didnt get enough rain to improve either.

Southern Illinois saw some improvement, thanks to heavier rain in that part of the state.

Next week offers several more rain chances around the Quad Cities beginning late Sunday night.

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CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / 2015 Hundreds attend a public hearing at Moanalua Middle School on the Navys plan to fix the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Facility storage tank that leaked an estimated 27, 000 gallons of jet fuel on Jan. 13, 2014.

1 /3 CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / 2015 Hundreds attend a public hearing at Moanalua Middle School on the Navys plan to fix the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Facility storage tank that leaked an estimated 27, 000 gallons of jet fuel on Jan. 13, 2014.

JAMM AQUINO / 2023 The Joint Task Force Red Hill announced the findings of the aqueous film-forming foam concentrate spill investigation that occurred in 2022. Adm. John Wade, leader of Joint Task Force Red Hill, speaks during a press conference at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

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2 /3 JAMM AQUINO / 2023 The Joint Task Force Red Hill announced the findings of the aqueous film-forming foam concentrate spill investigation that occurred in 2022. Adm. John Wade, leader of Joint Task Force Red Hill, speaks during a press conference at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

U.S. NAVY Fuels director Lt. Cmdr. Shannon Bencs walks a portion of the seven miles of tunnels of the Red Hill Underground Fuel Storage Facility.

3 /3 U.S. NAVY Fuels director Lt. Cmdr. Shannon Bencs walks a portion of the seven miles of tunnels of the Red Hill Underground Fuel Storage Facility.

CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / 2015 Hundreds attend a public hearing at Moanalua Middle School on the Navys plan to fix the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Facility storage tank that leaked an estimated 27, 000 gallons of jet fuel on Jan. 13, 2014.

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JAMM AQUINO / 2023 The Joint Task Force Red Hill announced the findings of the aqueous film-forming foam concentrate spill investigation that occurred in 2022. Adm. John Wade, leader of Joint Task Force Red Hill, speaks during a press conference at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

U.S. NAVY Fuels director Lt. Cmdr. Shannon Bencs walks a portion of the seven miles of tunnels of the Red Hill Underground Fuel Storage Facility.

FAILURE POINTS Reports from the Pentagons Inspector General office on the Navys fuel and water systems on Oahu were released Thursday, with detailed timelines of the failures that led to spills from Red Hill. Here are some highlights from the reports :There are approximately 23 miles of above-and underground fuel pipelines extending across Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and connecting the fuel systems, including Red Hill.On several occasions in 2020, Navy officials observed an oil sheen on the water in Pearl Harbor near the Hotel Pier. Navy officials eventually tied it to a seemingly abandoned defuel pipeline that had no external markings and that Navy officials later said was not shown on any pipeline drawings that Navy officials reviewed.Investigators determined that Navy officials did not have accurate infrastructure records. Additionally, we determined that (the militarys fuel system ) had poor infrastructure conditions. We determined that the methods of release detection  are ineffective, unreliable, or inoperable, and that the lack of release detection increased the risks of fuel incidents.Navy officials told investigators that engineering drawings, schematics and records were kept in a technical library. Investigators wrote that during our visit, we saw evidence that the library was disorganized, with documents overflowing into the hallway, a lack of labeling, and piles of engineering drawings scattered on various tables.

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Investigators asked a Navy contractor about the state of the library were told the Navy did not have a full time librarian or records keeper to organize the inventory of engineering drawings and to collect and integrate drawings from projects that changed the (fuel ) infrastructure over time.

Nobody could tell investigators whether the rec ords were accurate or complete.Investigators wrote that some Navy officials told us that they did not know about the existence of the Red Hill well and the water development tunnel or did not understand the proximity of the fuel release to the Red Hill well.The Navy partially shut down parts of the Red Hill fire suppression system in May 2018 but didnt inform anyone working in Red Hill. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Navy did not inform personnel working in the Red Hill (facility ), including Navy employees and contractors, that the Red Hill BFSF fire protection system was partially inoperable.In March 2022, OSHA officials issued a Notice of Unsafe or Unhealthful Working Conditions  to Navy officials for a serious  violation. Specifically, the notice stated, The AFFF fire suppression system for the 12-million gallon storage tanks which contained hydrocarbon fuels, was disabled and locked out for more than a year. Welding and hot work on the tanks, and the tank gallery area of the tunnel was ongoing. Alternative firefighting measures were not put in place, exposing employees to fire hazards.The Red Hill fuel facilitys emergency plans did not direct Navy officials responding to any fuel incident to contact JBPHH (public works department ) officials to activate the JBPHH Community Water System Emergency Response Plan.JBPHH commander Capt. Erik Spitzer, who told residents on Nov. 29, 2021, that there are no immediate indications that the water is not safe,  did not know the Red Hill well was in the Red Hill Fuel Facility and did not understand the proximity of the fuel release to the Red Hill well until December 5, 2021 during a visit with the Secretary of the Navy.During a visit to Pearl Harbors fueling facilities in 2022, investigators witnessed maintenance team members telling the fuels director that they did not have maintenance training and that maintenance orders were not specific enough to complete the work. Officials told investigators that they have sometimes spent their own money to order parts to keep maintenance tasks moving  and that Pearl Harbors fuel system lacks a formal tool control program, accountability for the tools needed to perform operator maintenance is left to individual maintainers who hold onto their own tools to perform their maintenance tasks.After the November 2021 fuel spill at Red Hill, military medical providers documented 6, 138 medical encounters with residents ranging from rashes and gastrointestinal problems to neurological issues.
Lisa LaBriola is a principal at Husch Blackwell Strategies and was a Senate Democrat staffer for close to a decade. She served as chief of staff to former Senate Minority Leader Lucia Guzman and former Senate President Leroy Garcia. Opinions expressed here are her own and do not reflect the opinions of any other organizations. Sage Naumann is a conservative commentator and strategist. He operates Anthem Communications and was previously the spokesman for the Colorado Senate Republicans. Follow him on Twitter @SageNaumann.
The West Stockholm United Methodist Church will host a Christmas Bazaar and Food Sale on Friday, November 22 and Saturday, November 23 at the church located 36 County Route 57.

The event will be 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday.

There will items like Christmas decorations and gifts. Food will also be served at the event.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  The Walgreens on Monroe Avenue in Rochester closed Thursday. The pharmacy and convenience store shuttered at 3 p.m.

It was part of five locations Walgreens closed in the Rochester area. The 1490 Lake Avenue location is scheduled to close on November 19.

Walgreens has said the decisions were based on profitability, adding they are no longer able to cover the costs associated with rent, staffing, and supply needs at the Main Street store, and beyond.

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While it is not an easy decision to close a store, we will work to minimize customer disruptions, the company said in a statement. We intend to redeploy the majority of our team members and offer our dedicated team members new roles at other locations.

Walgreens has said it is working with the City to have a pharmacy take over the Main Street location.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
NEW YORK  A members-only social club in Manhattan co-owned by prominent political donors to Mayor Eric Adams was selected to host a city government event this month where the mayor delivered remarks about making New York the worlds most business-friendly city, the Daily News has learned.

The event, an annual procurement fair held by Adams Small Business Services Department, took place Nov. 4 at Casa Cipriani, a club the mayor and several of his top advisers have been known to patronize. Adams has also hosted campaign fundraisers at the club, which is housed in the Battery Maritime Building overlooking the Statue of Liberty.

A Small Business Services spokeswoman said her agency paid Casa Cipriani $31,883 for the fair. Most of that sum  $20,927  covered technical assistance the club provided, including security, while the rest  $10,956  covered beverages and pastries, she said. The tab is about $9,000 higher than previous SBS procurement fairs.

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The annual fair was held at Brooklyns Barclays Center in 2022 and 2023, and SBS paid that venue about $22,000 for each event, the agency rep said. The rep said the Barclays tabs were lower because that venue didnt charge for technical assistance. This months fair marked the first time SBS has held an event at Casa Cipriani.

There are no rules restricting city agencies from holding events at venues owned by the mayors political supporters. But John Kaehny, executive director of the Reinvent Albany government watchdog group, said Adams administration should be more mindful of appearances given the mayors bribery indictment and several separate corruption investigations into members of his inner circle.

The city should seek to avoid using venues owned by big contributors because it undermines public trust in government, he said. Thats especially important right now, when the mayor is under so much scrutiny.

The SBS spokeswoman confirmed there was no competitive bidding before her agency picked Casa Cipriani. She didnt say who made the call to throw this years fair at Casa Cipriani, but told The News the venue was selected based on the size, location, incidental costs and availability.

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Casa Cipriani didnt respond to emailed questions.

Casa Cipriani is co-owned by Midtown Equities, one of the citys largest real estate firms, which is operated by the politically powerful Cayre family.

The Cayres have a track record of donating to Adams political and legal initiatives.

In December 2023, Michael Cayre, who helps run Midtown Equities and is the son of firm founder Joseph Cayre, gave $5,000, the legal max, to Adams legal defense trust, which he launched to cover lawyer fees he racks up in the corruption case in which he has pleaded not guilty.

Also in December, Trina and Sarah Cayre, wives of Joseph Cayre and his brother Jack Cayre, each gave Adams trust $5,000  but the fund returned those contributions after news outlet Hell Gate reported they were legally barred from donating to it as their husbands are in the citys Doing Business database in their capacities as Midtown Equities executives. Though Michael Cayre helps run Midtown Equities, hes not listed in the database, allowing him to give to the trust.

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The Cayres  including Michael, Joseph, Jack and their wives  have given another $16,920 to Adams 2021 and 2025 campaigns, contributions that unlocked at least an additional $13,400 in public matching funds, records show.

At the event, Adams  whose indictment alleges he took bribes from Turkish government operatives and others in exchange for political favors  told business owners in attendance they shouldnt believe the bullshit being reported about him because hes kicking ass and people need to recognize what we are doing.

Pivoting to financial issues, he said his administration is focused on generating private business in the city, including in the real estate sector.

This needs to become the most business-friendly city and state on the globe  thats the goal, he said.
THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11)  An off-duty New York City employee was arrested Thursday in the Bronx, according to authorities.

Hazma Abdul Rahman, 35, was taken into custody around 6:30 p.m.

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The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene employee was charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument.

Sources said he had a temporary Maryland license plate.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  The New York City Administration of Childrens Services is hosting a hiring event in December.

The ACS is looking to fill Child Protective Specialist positions throughout New York City and may make immediate hiring decisions and conditional job offers on the spot.

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Applicants must have a bachelors degree from an accredited college.

The starting salary for a Child Protective Specialist Level I is $57,127. Base salary will increase to $62,043 after 6 months of service and $66,159 after 18 months with a range up to $91,071.

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To be considered, applicants must submit resumes and proof of education to CAREERSatACS@acs.nyc.gov by or before Monday, Dec. 16. The subject line should read Pre-Employment Screening for Child Protective Specialist Hiring Event December 2024.

NYC hiring fair offers positions with $69K salaries

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted further to meet with the Division of Child Protection hiring managers at the Manhattan office.

More information about the position can be found online.

Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here.

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MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11)  Almost three dozen instruments of violence  guns of various sizes and calibers were on display Thursday.

All of them were seized by the NYPD and are now evidence in a sprawling gang takedown case being prosecuted by Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg.

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We allege that all of the defendants possessed illegal firearms and either contributed directly to the violence or helped supply illegal weapons to do so, said Bragg.

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In all, prosecutors say 30 suspected gang members are now off the street. They are alleged members of three northern Manhattan-based gangs:

The 200/8 Block Crew

The 6 Block Crew

The O.E.D. (Own Every Dollar) Crew

50 percent of the shootings in the 33rd and 34th precincts this year are attributable to people being charged in these indictments, said Bragg.

Investigators say beginning in 2018, the three gangs engaged in brazen acts of retaliatory violence across Washington Heights and Inwood, adding the gang violence claimed at least 7 lives, including four innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire.

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More than a dozen indicted in Bronx gang takedown: This is a very violent crew

Among the bystanders injured in one of the shootings by 6-Block was a 19-year-old woman who was 8 months pregnant. She was seated in a parked car. Both she and her baby are now fine, said Bragg.

The indictment also states one of the gang members was arrested on a bus, attempting to transport several guns from Ohio back to Manhattan.

We have partners at the ATF, said NYPD Manhattan North Chief Brian Gill. Theyll trace every single weapon. Every single weapon is another potential case.

The accused gang members face conspiracy, attempted murder, and gun trafficking charges.

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) questioned President-elect Trumps decision to elevate former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (R) to serve as his director of national intelligence (DNI), arguing the selection is a pro-war nomination globally.

I actually think almost more than Matt Gaetz, Tulsi Gabbards appointment is devastating, Ocasio-Cortez said Thursday in an interview on MSNBCs The ReidOut.

And Tulsi Gabbards nomination, as much as she says that shes an anti-war person, shes not, the New York lawmaker said. She supports very pro-war individuals and lets be very clear  a Tulsi Gabbard nomination is a pro-war nomination globally. Point blank, period.

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Her comments came a day after Trump tapped Gabbard  a former Democrat turned Republican  for the top intelligence position. She will likely have an uphill battle when it comes to confirmation through the Senate.

The president-elect, however, has shown openness to sidestepping the process by relying on recess appointments.

Gabbard served four terms in the House before she ran an unsuccessful presidential bid in the 2020 Democratic primary. She exited the party in 2022 registering as an independent, and officially joined the GOP ranks last month.

The former lawmaker, who has long been critical of the Biden administrations stance regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, endorsed Trump in August and helped him prepare for his debate against Vice President Harris.

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Her selection caught many in the national security realm by surprise. Some have expressed concern over her past controversial comments while others argued she does not have the requisite experience.

Shes never managed anything larger than a congressional office or maybe like a brigade. Thats a lot different than trying to orchestrate and coordinate this wild consultation of intel elements that we call the U.S. intelligence community, said Larry Pfeiffer, a former senior director of the White House Situation Room. I think she isnt really prepared for that.

Former Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, who served under the Obama administration, argued that some skepticism of intelligence can be good.

Im going to surprise you a little bit. I dont think that it is an absolute prerequisite that the Director of National Intelligence be someone of the intelligence community, he said. I also believe that on occasion its a good thing to be skeptical of the intelligence that were provided.

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During her interview on MSNBC, Ocasio-Cortez also criticized Trumps nomination of environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to helm the Department of Health and Human Services.

You have a baby, and anywhere in the world, I mean, protecting against polio, against measles, against very serious communicable diseases that, I mean, we would be talking about going back to the, what, the 1700s, 1800s, she said.

The Hill has reached out to Trumps transition team for comment.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11)  An off-duty New York City employee was arrested Thursday evening, according to the NYPD.

Hazma Abdul Rahman was taken into custody around 6:36 p.m.

More Local News

Abdul Rahman is an employee of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, police say.

He was charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

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Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV)  Appleton city officials said theyre pleased with their College Avenue lane reconfiguration pilot project.

Earlier this week at the municipal services committee meeting, city officials provided a progress report on the project. The pilot project began two summers ago and will run through February.

The project impacts College Avenue between Richmond Street/Memorial Drive and Drew Street. On this stretch, officials reduced the number of lanes from four to three (one in each direction and then a turn lane at intersections) and also added bike lanes on both sides of the road.

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The citys public works director Laura Jungwirth said theyve received much positive feedback about the project.

Officials said between Aug. 2023 and July 2024 theyve seen a 29 percent reduction in crashes in the impacted corridor. Theyve seen a significant increase in bicycle traffic (33 percent), while the number of cars that have traveled this corridor remained just about the same (fell by one percent).

Jungwirth said in both directions travel time for commuters along the impacted corridor is similar to what it was before the project.

Salvation Army kicks off annual Christmas campaign in Green Bay

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Jordan Geiger said he spends a lot of time in downtown Appleton. He said when he first heard about the changes, he was skeptical but said hes been pleasantly surprised.

Its decently paced, not as many reckless drivers out there, its really done a good thing for the downtown area, he told Local 5 News.

Several downtown business owners are less enthusiastic about the changes.

Foot traffic is definitely down this year since that happened and thats disappointing, said Kara Manuel the owner of Lillians of Appleton a small business located on the impacted stretch of College Avenue. I dont know if its because of the road, but I do feel like people have some concerns (about driving in the downtown).

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She said shes hopeful that things will improve and that people will become more comfortable with the changes. Right now, she says people tell her they dont come to downtown Appleton because they dont want to deal with parking and the new traffic flow.

This year as a whole has been a difficult year and I think that just added to it, she said.

Manuel said her store has been on College Avenue for about nine years and shes always loved this location.

A few storefronts over at the DePawsitory, owner Laurie Koestner is blunt with her assessment of the lane reconfiguration project on College Avenue. Her business has been on College Avenue for nearly a decade.

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Wisconsin agency issues first round of permits for Enbridge Line 5 reroute around reservation

Its been a disaster for a lot of us business owners down here, she said. Ive permanently lost customers because of the lane changes, I have people who wont come down here.

She said shes seen about a 15 percent decline in customers since the project began and is seriously considering moving the stores location.

According to the citys progress report, theyve seen about an 11% reduction in pedestrian traffic on College Avenue since two summers ago. Officials note that this is based on one count made over 24 hours and they have low confidence in it.

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Koestner said she wished the city engaged business owners more actively before making these changes. She said when she voiced concerns after the project began she felt like city officials didnt listen to her.

The pilot project for the lane reconfiguration project concludes in February. The municipal services committee will vote on whether to continue with these changes. If they vote yes, then it would go to a vote from the full common council.

Jungwirth said the lane reconfiguration project wont impact the parking situation on College Avenue.

Some people have expressed concerns about the safety of the new biking lanes because theyre between moving traffic and parking spots on each side of the road.

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Three of the four people Local 5 News spoke with on Thursday said the project has reduced the number of loud vehicles on College Avenue which was another goal of the project.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Ohios public universities could be banned from asking prospective students their preferred pronouns on applications if a new Statehouse bill becomes law.

House Bill 686 was introduced this month to prohibit a state institution of higher education from using any application for student admission that asks for, or contains a field in which an applicant may indicate, an applicants preferred gender pronouns. Proposed by Rep. Gail Pavliga (R-Portage County), the legislation would also ban those institutions from asking any applicant for employment their pronouns.

Ohio State University and a dozen other public Ohio universities allow students to apply through the Common App, an online portal students can use to apply to multiple institutions. The portal includes an optional pronoun question where applicants can pick she/her, he/him, they/them or write in their own pronouns.

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More important than ever to repeal Ohios same-sex marriage ban, lawmakers say

Some Ohio universities, like Bowling Green State University, has added a question to its Common App application that asks a students gender identity. The University of Cincinnati asks whether the prospective student is a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Pavliga is introducing in the bill after several lawsuits have advanced in Ohio dealing with pronoun use in schools. A former Ohio middle school teacher alleged in a 2022 lawsuit she was told to resign for refusing to address two transgender students by their preferred names and pronouns.

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio ruled in August that forcing the teacher to use students preferred names amounts to compelled speech. However, the court also decided the case must still go to trial to determine whether if the First Amendment protects her unwillingness to call the trans students by their preferred names.

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Anti-trans bathroom bill passes Ohio Senate, heads to DeWines desk

Judges on the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected in July an argument by a national organization that claimed a central Ohio school district violated First Amendment rights by barring discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In a 2023 complaint, the nonprofit cited the districts policy against misgendering, the act of referring to another person by using pronouns that do not align with their gender identity.

H.B. 686 has been assigned to the Ohio House Higher Education committee, where it could receive hearings open for public testimony.

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President-elect Donald Trump said he will nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, to be the next health and human services secretary, a move with major implications for the federal public health infrastructure.
(WJW)  Could Ohio be cracking down on delta-8?

State Sen. Steve Huffman introduced legislation Tuesday that would prohibit the sale of intoxicating hemp products in the state of Ohio.

Intoxicating hemp products are untested, unregulated products that can be more intoxicating than marijuana, said Huffman.

Retired Progressive Field seats for sale  how to get yours

Delta-8 produces a similar high as marijuana, but milder. Its compound is made from hemp, which is legal in Ohio.

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After Ohio legalized recreational marijuana in 2023, Gov. Mike DeWine called on the statehouse to take action to address intoxicating hemp.

Given the lack of regulations, the intoxicating hemp industry has been able to confuse Ohio consumers and law enforcement by marketing themselves as dispensaries with recreational marijuana, said Huffman.

At least 10 skulls found, 1 linked to missing person in New Mexico

Huffman said Senate Bill 326 is needed because the products are easy to get at gas stations and convenience stores, and there is no age limit to buy them.

Even worse, intoxicating hemp is targeting our youth by packaging as candy, cereal, gummies, fruit tarts. Weve seen reports of teenagers being able to purchase them at gas stations without showing any ID, said Huffman.

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State lawmakers are expected to make this emergency measure a priority during the lame duck session.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  One year ago, tragedy struck in central Ohio when six people, including three high school students, died in a chain-reaction crash on Interstate 70 near Etna.

Students and chaperones from Tuscarawas Valley Middle-High School, in Northeast Ohio, were on their way to Columbus for a band event. Jacob McDonald, 61, the driver of the semi-truck that started the crash, faces 26 charges ranging from vehicular homicide to vehicular assault. He is due back in court on Dec. 2.

Olentangy Orange principal placed on leave after controversial election message to staff

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The death toll that day could have been greater than it was if it wasnt for the quick and brave action of first responders willing to put their lives on the line for others.

The Ohio Department of Transportation has been implementing new technology to prevent similar tragedies as part of an effort to prevent end-of-queue crashes on highways around the state.

A year after the fiery, five-vehicle crash, ODOTs Press Secretary Matt Bruning said it does appear to be making a difference.

Obviously we still see congestion out there and to my knowledge, we have not seen anything even approaching what we saw a year ago, so certainly that is a measure of success that we havent had a serious crash out in that location, Bruning said.

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He said the department activated the first of 13 warning systems in Licking County on I-70 near the site of the deadly crash. According to Bruning, since February, the system has been triggered dozens of times, alerting motorists of slow or stopped traffic ahead.

What Vice President-elect JD Vance has said about the CHIPS Act and Intel in Ohio

When it detects that theres slow or stopped traffic, it will light up a message on a message board, a digital message board that is upstreamed from where that slow traffic is, to alert drivers you need to be planning to slow down or potentially stop in the next mile or so, Bruning said.

Bruning said all of the sites were selected based on factors such as traffic congestion, and the number and severity of rear-end crashes.

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The bus crash was just another example, Bruning said. We see these end-of-queue crashes all too often around the state of Ohio unfortunately.

Bruning said the public needs to do its part. He said all of the engineering solutions ODOT can put in place still require drivers to pay attention.

If youre playing on your phone, youre not looking ahead, youre never going to see even this new information that we put out there, Bruning said. Its just another layer to reduce risk but this is not going to eliminate end of queue crashes.

Bruning said the goal is always to get those crash numbers down to zero so another family or school district like Tuscarawas Valley doesnt have to deal with the immeasurable loss its experiencing.

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These arent just numbers on a spreadsheet, Bruning said. These are people. These are lives of human beings that were loved by somebody.

The technology is now also up and running in three places on Columbus interstates.

Ohio-based fast food chain to close 140 underperforming locations this year

According to the Tuscarawas Local School Districts Facebook page, itll be paying tribute to the six victims through a blood drive and memorial walk this Sunday. Both are set to start at noon. Things will kick off with a moment of silence and community prayer.

I cant even imagine what those families are going through, Bruning said. It doesnt get easier, Im sure, for them year after year. Its not going to get easier. Their pain is still going to be there.

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The National Transportation Safety Boards investigation is ongoing. It has not released its final report yet which can take 12-24 months to be completed.

The NTSB said its public docket for this investigation is likely to open within a week. The docket will contain factual information gathered in the process of the investigation which can sometimes contain police reports, transcripts of interviews, weather reports and other factual reports. The preliminary report can be found here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
A ballot counter machine. (Photo by Graham Stokes for the Ohio Capital Journal. Republish photo only with original story.)

Another election has come and gone in Ohio with no reports of widespread fraud. That hasnt stopped a handful of Republican state senators from advancing legislation to place new restrictions on how Ohioans cast their ballots.

State Sen. Niraj Antani, R-Miamisburg, has put forward a bill requiring Ohioans show proof of citizenship to register to vote or update their existing registration. Sens. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, and Andrew Brenner, R-Delaware, filed another bill imposing proof of citizenship requirements, and the elimination of ballot drop boxes.

COLUMBUS, OH  FEBRUARY 22: State Sen. Niraj Antani, R-Miamisburg. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal)

That state legislation takes its cue from efforts at the federal level backed by U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson. That proposal, known as the SAVE Act, had little chance of passage with Democrats in control of the U.S. Senate. Now, with a Republicans in control of all three branches of government, it stands a better chance of passing.

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Its already illegal to register or vote as a non-citizen at the state and federal level. Despite that threat of criminal prosecution, backers still worry current law allows voters to register with little more than a promise.

It appears that approach has worked exceptionally well, though. Actual reviews of the voter rolls have found cases of actual fraud are vanishingly rare and nowhere close to enough to affect the outcome of races.

Whats more, the effort to protect voting by demanding citizenship documentation, risks disenfranchising eligible citizens. One University of Maryland study estimated 21 million Americans dont have ready access to the required documents. After Kansas imposed similar requirements about a decade ago, more than 30,000 voters had their registration suspended or canceled.

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Proof of citizenship

Both measures lay out the same list of documents for verifying citizenship. A U.S. Passport, birth certificate or naturalization certificate will all work, but they lean heavily on existing records held by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Lawmakers seem to envision a system in which most initial registrations or updates get verified behind the scenes, with county boards checking with the BMV that it received citizenship documents when a voter got their license.

COLUMBUS, Ohio  JUNE 07: State Sen. Andrew Brenner, R-Delaware. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal)

For people whose information doesnt match, for instance due to a name change, marriage or divorce, theyll need to provide a court order or marriage certificate.

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In a press release, Brenner framed their proposal as strengthening laws and adding protections so that Ohioans continue to know there is a reliable system in place when they cast their vote.

Gavarone insisted Ohio remains the gold standard for election integrity, but that her bill addresses areas of the election law we can improve, including an extra layer of protection to enforce our state constitutions citizenship requirement.

This is a simple fix that strengthens trust and integrity in our institutions, she added.

But the proposals could actually see Ohio sacrificing simplicity in the name of security. Federal law does not require proof of citizenship to vote, and so even if lawmakers approve some version of the requirement, they can only really apply it to state forms and state elections. As in Arizona, Ohio voters would still be able to register with federal forms, but they would only be able to vote in federal elections, and ineligible to sign initiative petitions.

Dropboxes

While Antanis proposal sticks to the citizenship requirements, Brenner and Gavarone go a step further and outlaw the use of ballot drop boxes. Although there have been no credible allegations of voter fraud tied to drop boxes, they have been a persistent bugaboo for skeptics.

COLUMBUS, Ohio  MAY 31: State Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal)

In the most recent election, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose imposed rules effectively limiting their use to individual voters dropping off their own ballot. In an August letter, he urged state lawmakers to consider removing drop boxes altogether.

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Apparently Brenner and Gavarone were listening.

Their legislation restricts ballot drop-offs to hand delivery  explicitly prohibiting board from accepting ballots returned by personal delivery to an unattended receptacle.

According to the Secretary of States early vote dashboard, voters aiming to get their ballot in early were far more likely to vote early in person or mail in their absentee ballot. The roughly 181,000 ballots returned by drop box represented less than 7% of the total. Mail ballots and early in person ballots accounted for 31% and 59% respectively.

Gavarone justified the drop box rollback with reference to incidents in Oregon and Washington where incendiary devices were placed in drop boxes.

Follow Ohio Capital Journal Reporter Nick Evans on Twitter.

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Nov. 15The Ohio Senate unanimously approved a bill to grant civil immunity to any individual for causing injuries while defending themselves or other members and guests of nonprofit corporations like churches and synagogues.

Senate Bill 32 now heads to the Ohio House for further consideration.

The bill skated through the Senate without any formal opposition, attracting support from gun lobbyists and religious organizations of varying sects, including a small Warren County church and the statewide advocacy group Ohio Jewish Communities (OJC), both of which cited a rise in violence against places of worship in recent years as reasons for their support.

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S.B. 32 was carried by Ohio Sen. Tim Shaffer, R-Lancaster, who told the Senate Judiciary Committee in early 2023 that the bill won't expand concealed carry rights or locations.

"The concept for this legislation was brought to my attention by a constituent who wants to close the loophole in current law for his church," Shaffer explained. "My constituent's church has highly trained members who carry concealed as a part of their structured defensive protection plan, as do many other places of worship throughout our state."

Howie Beigelman, the president and CEO of Ohio Jewish Communities, framed S.B. 32 bill as a "critical missing piece to community safety."

Beigelman testified in May referencing an "explosion of Jew-hatred" following the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel and Israel's subsequent attacks on Gaza.

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"Whether on duty, off duty, or as private security, we depend on armed individuals to be our last line of defense," Beigelman said. "What this legislation will do is very simply provide legal immunity to those defending houses of worship, preschools, summer camps, community centers, nursing homes, and college student groups from those with deadly intent."

A representative of Warren County's "Christ's Fellowship @ Little Miami Church" called the bill an "excellent step in the right direction."

"This is a good bill. We need to encourage our fellow Ohioans to take responsibility to protect themselves and their families," testified Greg Hennecke. "Too many times people are afraid to act for fear of the legal consequences and their inaction only leads to further destruction and devastation. We should surround and protect those who step forward to protect innocent lives by eliminating this obstacle."

Similar sentiments were brought by gun advocates, including the Buckeye Firearms Association, whose Legislative Affairs Director Rob Sexton testified, "Senate Bill 32 extends civil protection for people who do the right thing. We want people to do the right thing."

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  The Oklahoma City Police Department on Friday, announced in partnership with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol a traffic safety enforcement event alerting Oklahomans to drive safe.

Traffic Safety Enforcement begins November 17th, Image courtesy OKCPD

According to police officials, the traffic safety enforcement event will begin next week, November 17th  23rd, enforcing traffic violations on Lake Hefner Parkway (NW 63rd  NW 150th), and Broadway Extension (Memorial  NW 63rd).

Authorities say research has found that a significant number of drivers are doing dangerous speeds in these areas.

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Dont forget to buckle up!

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Nov. 14 (UPI) -- The Oklahoma City Police Department has placed one of its officers on administrative leave after body camera footage shows him throwing a 70-year-old man to the ground following a traffic ticket dispute.

Lich Vu was hospitalized for "serious injuries" following the Oct. 27 incident. The video was posted on Facebook by the Oklahoma City Police Department.

Thuan Nguyen, president-elect of the Vietnamese American Community of Oklahoma, said he visited Vu in the hospital last week and that he was on a feeding tube after suffering a brain bleed and neck injury, according to USA Today.

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"In our community, we want to make sure we see justice in that these things don't happen to another person," Nguyen said.

The police department put officer Joseph Gibson on leave pending an investigation, the results of which will be presented to the Oklahoma County District Attorney's Office.

"The Oklahoma City Police Department is dedicated to transparency and accountability," the agency said in a statement. "We want our community to know that this case is being thoroughly investigated and the review process will take time to complete. We ask for your patience as we work to conclude this investigation."

The incident began after Vu was involved in a minor traffic accident with another car. The video shows Gibson citing Vu for making an illegal U-turn and asking him to sign a citation, noting that the signature would not be an admission of guilt. Gibson politely explained why he was issuing Vu the ticket.

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Vu can be seen on the video trying to explain what happened during the incident, gesturing and pointing to the street and becoming argumentative. "We don't argue on the side of the road," Gibson said. "We argue in court."

Gibson told Vu he would go to jail if he did not sign the citation.

"I'm ready to go to jail," Vu responded.

"You're ready to go to jail?" Gibson said. "Ridiculous. OK. That involves impounding your car, too."

Gibson left the area where Vu was standing to issue a ticket to the other driver involved in the accident then returned to Vu and a woman who was in the car with Vu and now standing next to him as Gibson approached.

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After arguing, Vu appears to strike Gibson near the area of his body camera with the back of his hand.

"You shut up!" Vu said. A scuffle ensued at which point Gibson can be seen grabbing and twisting Vu's arm and throwing him to the concrete sidewalk. "Get on the ground," Gibson said.

Vu appears still for the rest of the video. The woman leans down next to Vu's face and says to Gibson, "I need the ambulance."

Gibson called for an ambulance to be dispatched to the scene.

Language barriers can hinder communication with law enforcement, Nguyen said. It was not clear in the video if Vu understood everything Gibson was saying.

Nguyen added that the Vietnamese community wants Gibson held accountable if the investigation shows that the officer used excessive force, including conducting training on how police and people in non-native English speaking communities can more effectively communicate, and ensuring that people know their rights when it comes to police encounters.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond is pictured before a Board of Equalization meeting. (Photo by Carmen Forman/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  Two of the states top leaders have reached an agreement to resolve a high-profile federal lawsuit over competency restoration services, officials announced Thursday.

While the specific details of the agreement hadnt been made public Thursday, Paul DeMuro, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said it will allow the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to offer jail-based competency restoration services as long as they are legitimate.

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Previously, the state claimed it offered a treatment program, but it was not legitimate, DeMuro said.

He called the agreement a great day for the state.

The attorney general and governor came together to resolve the governors few concerns about language in the consent decree and now we have a deal, DeMuro said.

Filed in March 2023, the lawsuit alleges the state agency violated the rights of mostly indigent defendants declared incompetent to stand trial and being held in county jails.

The suit alleges the state fails to provide timely court-ordered competency restoration treatment to defendants, who in some cases, had been waiting for many months while their criminal cases remained on hold.

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Attorney General Gentner Drummond had lauded a prior agreement, but in October, the Contingency Review Board, chaired by Gov. Kevin Stitt, rejected it.

The Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services also said it was terminating Drummonds representation.

Drummond later fired attorneys hired by Stitt.

Drummond said Thursday that the latest agreement is a win for the state.

Victims and their families no longer will have to endure unnecessary delays for justice to be served, our criminal justice system will be rid of problems that have plagued it for years, and Oklahomans will save tens of millions in taxpayer dollars by avoiding the costs and risks of ongoing litigation, he said.

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The Contingency Review Board is expected to consider the settlement in January.

Stitt said the agreement ensures taxpayers arent on the hook for tens of millions of dollars in attorney and consultant fees.

Stitt and Drummond have previously had disagreements over tribal issues, dual office holdings and the creation of a publicly funded Catholic charter school.

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EDMOND, Okla. (AP)  Oklahomas education superintendent has sent an email to public school superintendents requiring them to show students his video announcement of a new Department of Religious Freedom and Patriotism within the state Department of Education.

Ryan Walters, a Republican, announced the new office on Wednesday and on Thursday sent the email to school superintendents statewide.

In one of the first steps of the newly created department, we are requiring all of Oklahoma schools to play the attached video to all kids that are enrolled, according to the email.

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Districts were also told to send the video to all parents of students.

In the video, Walters says religious liberty has been attacked and patriotism mocked by woke teachers unions, then prays for the leaders of the United States after saying students do not have to join in the prayer.

In particular, I pray for President Donald Trump and his team as they continue to bring about change to the country, Walters said.

In announcing the new department, Walters said it would oversee the investigation of abuses to individual religious freedom or displays of patriotism.

Two of the state's largest districts, Edmond in suburban Oklahoma City and Bixby in suburban Tulsa, said they have no plans to show students the video.

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A spokesperson for the Tulsa district, the state's largest, did not immediately return a phone call for comment. A spokesperson for the Oklahoma City district, the second largest, said district officials would meet to discuss the email.

The office of state Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued a statement Friday saying Walters has no authority under state law to issue such a mandate.

Not only is this edict unenforceable, it is contrary to parents rights, local control and individual free-exercise rights, the statement said.

Walters already faces two lawsuits over his June mandate that schools incorporate the Bible into lesson plans for students in grades 5 through 12. Several school districts have previously stated that they will disregard the mandate.

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One of the lawsuits also notes that the initial request for proposal released by the State Department of Education to purchase the Bibles appears to have been tailored to match Bibles endorsed by now President-elect Donald Trump that sell for $59.99 each.

The request for proposal was later amended at the request of state purchasing officials.

The Associated Press reported in October that Trumps God Bless the USA Bible were printed in China, a country Trump has repeatedly accused of stealing American jobs and engaging in unfair trade practices, at a price of less than $3 per Bible.

Walters earlier this week announced that he has purchased more than 500 Bibles to be used in Advanced Placement government classes.

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A statement from the education department said the 500 Bibles are God Bless the USA Bibles, were ordered Thursday for about $25,000 and will arrive in the coming weeks.

Walters, a former public school teacher elected in 2022, ran on a platform of fighting woke ideology, banning books from school libraries and getting rid of radical leftists who he claims are indoctrinating children in classrooms.
State Superintendent Ryan Walters greets Brad Clark, general counsel for the attorney general, before an Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting Oct. 24 in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  Oklahomas top education official has no authority to force schools to show students a video of himself praying for incoming President Donald Trump, the state Attorney Generals Office found.

Not only is this edict unenforceable, it is contrary to parents rights, local control and individual free-exercise rights, Attorney Generals Office spokesperson Phil Bacharach said Friday.

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State Superintendent Ryan Walters sent the video statewide on Thursday and ordered public schools to show it to all students and parents.

Some Oklahoma school districts have said they dont intend to comply.

A spokesperson for the Oklahoma State Department of Education, Dan Isett, did not answer questions about the agencys authority to make the requirement nor what penalty schools would face for ignoring the order.

State Superintendent Ryan Walters listens during a meeting of the Oklahoma State Board of Education on Oct. 24 in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

Supt. Walters is ending the ongoing attacks on President Donald Trump and his agenda to get prayer back in schools, Isett said.

In an email to district superintendents, Walters said the first act of his new Office of Religious Liberty and Patriotism is to require all schools to play the attached video to all kids that are enrolled and also send it to parents.

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In the video, which is posted on the Education Departments YouTube page, Walters prays for Trump and his presidential administration as they continue to bring about change to the country.

Walters told students they werent obligated to join him in prayer.

His video also blames the radical left for attacking religious liberty in schools and claims teacher unions have mocked patriotism.

We will not tolerate that in any school in Oklahoma, Walters said in the video. We want our students to be patriotic. We want our students to love this country, and we want all students religious liberty to be protected.

Edmond Public Schools Superintendent Angela Grunewald speaks at a news conference Feb. 20 in the districts administration building about a legal challenge against the Oklahoma State Department of Education. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

Edmond Public Schools, a district that successfully challenged Walters in court over local control of school media content, said it has no plans to show the video.

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Superintendent Angela Grunewald notified Edmond parents on Friday that the district will carry on with its locally decided curriculum.

Earlier this year, the Oklahoma Supreme Court unanimously ruled that we have the authority to make these decisions at the local level and we will continue to do so, Grunewald wrote.

Midwest City-Del City Public Schools wont show the video either, Superintendent Rick Cobb said in a statement to Oklahoma Voice.

We have seen the email and video sent yesterday by Superintendent Walters, Cobb said. We do not believe he has the statutory authority to require us to share this content. We will not be showing the video in classrooms or sending it to parents.

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Email correspondence Oklahoma Voice obtained shows Walters attempted to recall the message Thursday evening. Some districts reported getting the recall notice, but others said they did not.

The states third-largest district, Epic Charter School, told Oklahoma Voice it has no record of ever receiving Walters original message with the video.

Administrators in Oklahoma City Public Schools, the states second-biggest district, received the video and will review it, communications director Courtney Scott said.

Former OKCPS school board member Sen. Mark Mann, D-Oklahoma City, urged schools to disregard Walters order. Mann, a former Education Department official under then-Superintendent Sandy Garrett, said the agency has no legal authority to make such a demand.

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Education should be about our students, not Walters using more public resources in an attempt to promote himself, Mann said in a statement.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Sioux Falls homeowners and businesses with properties built prior to 1987 will soon be receiving a letter from the City of Sioux Falls Water Purification team to request they help identify the material of their propertys water service line.

Veterans Parkway speed limit changing to 50 mph

I want to be extremely clear: Just because you receive a letter from us does not automatically mean you have a lead service line, said Ted Lewis, Environmental Engineer for the City of Sioux Falls, in a news release.

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In November 2023, the City of Sioux Falls announced it was participating in a mandatory, nationwide Lead Service Line Inventory, and the letter notification is the next step in the multi-phase initiative to identify remaining lead pipes in drinking water systems across the United States, as required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and supported by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR).

The project is part of The Lead Service Line Inventory. Its the latest initiative in a nationwide, decades-long push to identify, remove, and replace lead pipes from drinking water systems.

The portion of the service line that goes from the city water main to the curb is public, or owned by the city, and the portion of the service line that goes from the curb to the home or building on the property is private, or owned by the property owner. Homes and businesses built prior to 1987 are receiving the letter because lead was banned as a water service line material in 1986. The city has data for the makeup of public water service lines, but not for all private water service lines, the release says.

If a property owner identifies a service line made of lead and submits their survey, the citys Water Purification team will contact them.

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Four days after voters in Colorado  and in four other states  rejected ranked choice voting, Kent Thiry said he remains a true believer and he is not giving up his fight.
The Oley Valley School Board has filled two vacant seats after the resignations of Aaron Keller and Sharon Kershner.

Kershner and Keller left the board in October for personal reasons, school board members said at the time. Kershner died Nov. 1.

At a meeting Monday, the empty seats were filled by Mike Fredd and Andrew Kline, who were appointed in a split vote.

Seven candidates interviewed for the position at the meeting: Mike Fredd, Kristen Gumeniski, Donald Haas, Andrew Kline, Jodie Kline, Darrell Markley and Kevin McTish.

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Fredd received votes from board members Maria Bogdanova-Peifer, Candice Corle, Mary Harris and Christina Moyer.

In an initial vote, Kline tied with Markley, a former Oley Valley superintendent, and McTish, a corporate controller, with each receiving three votes.

Kline won in a revote, earning votes from board President Jamie Freed, Dawn Zackon, Corle and Zachary Moore.

Fredd said he has experience in agriculture and has been running an animal feed business for 40 years.

I know quite a few of the kids that come here that are in agriculture, Fredd said. This is more or less an agriculture townId like to see that continue.

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He said he worked with kids running a 4-H club when he lived in Florida and would use his experience running a business as a board member.

Peifer asked Fredd about his position on what she called the issue of boys in girls locker rooms.

I dont think Title IX (a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in education) was put in place to see boys in girls locker rooms, or boys playing in womens sports, Fredd said.

Kline said he graduated from the school district in 2020.

I have been sitting in this room at meetings for over six-and-a-half years now, Kline said. Ive sat in (district) classroomsIve gotten to see a lot of current teachers, the current curriculumI think I can bring some of that expertise as a pretty recent student.

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He said he gained experience in writing government policy during his time serving on the student government at Villanova University, where he studied civil engineering.

Kline also said he has experience managing a budget during his time as chair of the student presidential group within the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Before the vote, Peifer brought up a petition in Berks County Court signed by Kline and 26 other residents that calls for the removal of several school board members.

Peifer said Kershner told her that she wanted to put the petition behind her after she resigned.

(The petition) stressed (Kershner) to no end, Peifer said. The people who have been a party to this (petition) want to take (Kershners) spot. I have a problem with that.

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Corle said she was seeking a candidate to replace Kellers agricultural expertise.

After the first vote where Fredd was selected, Moore said Peiffer appeared to be casting a vote based on conservative political views, rather than out of responsibility to the district.

Youre voting to keep boys out of girls locker room, Moore told Peifer. Which I agree with. But theres more to being on a school board and leading a school.

Peifer said she was acting in a way that aligned with the community consensus.

Corle said the board needs to garner feedback directly from staff and students.

I think the only person you have on (the list of candidates) that is most relevant is Andrew Kline, Corle said. He has given us his word that he will bring professionalism to the board. Put all your politics to the side and think about whats best for the students right now.
A Floridian who flew into Australia with a golden gun in her luggage deeply regrets the arms smuggling, her lawyer told a Sydney court on Friday.

Its taken her a while to get to this point but shes here and she is sorry she packed the gun and shipped off the ammunition to this country, Liliana Goodsons attorney, Chris Davis, said at a hearing, according to The Guardian. She deeply regrets the course of action that she took.

In April 2023, Goodson arrived in Australia with the hopes of attending clown school. Instead, she was arrested after the Australian Border Force found the 24k gold-plated pistol shed packed, along with bullets for a different type of gun. Shes since pleaded guilty on two charges of intentionally importing illegal goods.

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Some initial reports on the incident identified Goodson as nonbinary, using they/them pronouns, though Goodsons lawyer uses she/her.

The gold-plated gun retrieved from Liliana Goodson's luggage in Sydney, Australia, in April 2023.

According to The Daily Mail, Goodson also brought in cat spine, squirrel feet and rabbit pee, though she declared those on entry. She did not declare the gun, but said during an August hearing that although she wanted a firearm for protection, its presence in her luggage had totally skipped my mind [sic].

She was reportedly using synthetic marijuana at the time, and specifically when she packed her bags. But then, she also Googled can I carry a gun in my suitcase? before flying, and recalled that the search indicated there would be no issues as long as she didnt bring out the weapon during the flight.

Anyway, her lawyer told the court on Friday that Goodsons mental health had improved since the importing incident. The creative side is coming back now, Davis said of his client, who is reportedly working on an album.

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Shes capable of rehabilitation, Davis continued, And she wishes for me to convey to the court how sorry she is for what shes done.

Goodson will be sentenced in December. On the bright side, it sounds like she has given up drugs, but no word on what happened with clown school.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)  Richmond County Sheriffs Office deputies responded to the scene of a fatal shooting on East Chapman Street Thursday evening.

According to RSCO, deputies arrived at 7:29 p.m. on Nov. 14 in reference to the shooting on the 700 block of East Chapman Street where an adult male was located who had been shot at least one time. The victim succumbed to his injuries.

He has been identified as 27-year-old Zaytreonta Boyd of Augusta.

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This investigation is in its early stages and no further information has been given at this time.

This is a developing story. Count on WJBF NewsChannel 6 for more information as it becomes available.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
Aviatrix Amelia Earhart may or may not have passed through Astoria on a road trip to Canada with her mother in the 1920s, but she, her navigator, Fred Noonan, and their Lockheed Electra 10E plane definitely did disappear in 1937 during a round-the-world flight.

In January, there was a huge kerfuffle when Tony Romeo, CEO of Deep Sea Vision, announced he thought (after spending $11 million) he had found Earharts Electra about 100 miles from Howland Island, one of the places people speculated she landed or crashed, and produced some grainy images of an airplane-ish looking object lying on the ocean floor (pictured, inset).

Not so fast, The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery (TIGHAR) said at the time, in an email with the subject line, Not an Electra.

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Aside from the reams of evidence that Earhart and (Fred) Noonan landed and died at Nikumaroro (about 350 miles southeast of Howland), the email states, the aircraft (if it is an aircraft at all) cannot be an Electra due to the wing design, among other things.

In a recent I told you so email, with a headline of Another One Bites the Dust, TIGHAR announced that Romeos images of an aircraft were literally of a pile of rocks. Vindicated, once again.

The Post and Courier of Charleston, South Carolina, quoted Romeo as saying, this outcome isnt what we hoped for, in an $11 million understatement. (Images: Deep Sea Vision / SZ Photo/Bridgeman/ACI)
One person was rushed to the hospital after a stabbing on Soldiers Field Road in Boston Thursday night.

Boston police responded to the stabbing shortly after 5:00 p.m., a department spokesperson told Boston 25 News.

The stabbing victim was transported to a nearby hospital.

Police were not able to give an initial update on the victims injuries.

No arrests have been announced.

Boston police say Massachusetts State Police will be the lead investigator on the incident.

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This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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MIDVALE, Utah (ABC4)  At least one person is injured following an overnight fire at a Midvale apartment complex a few blocks away from East Midvale Elementary School.

Unified Fire Authority officials tell ABC4.com the fire was sparked just after 2:30 a.m. from some clothes lying next to a heat source in one of the bottom floor apartments. That fire then spread into the second-floor apartments, damaging three out of four units.

More than 800 Utah homes lose power after woman climbs transformer

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Crews were able to put out the fire quickly and conclude their investigation, turning the scene over to restoration crews. As of 7:00 a.m., the affected units have been boarded up to protect the property and the scene.

Four families have been displaced due to the fire and at least one person has been injured. Details on the victims condition have not been publicly disclosed.

This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Update: The Chemung County Sheriffs Office has provided an update on the reported homicide that occurred early Friday morning in Southport.

Authorities report that deputies were called to the home on Richard Street on Friday at 12:46 a.m. for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival at the scene, deputies say they learned that there was a birthday party at the home that consisted of 30 to 50 people.

At some point during the party, deputies say that a person, who was identified as a male, was shot multiple times outside the home by another person who left the scene in a vehicle. Deputies say that the victim died shortly afterward as a result of the injuries he sustained.

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Elmira teen and inmate accused 2022 deadly shooting of Rochester student

Deputies report that the shooting was targeted and not a random act. An investigation into the incident is ongoing at this time.

The Chemung County Sheriffs Office is asking anyone who lives in or around the area where the shooting took place who heard, saw or may have security footage of any activity around the time of the incident to contact the Sheriffs Office Investigation Division at 607-737-2933.

The Sheriffs Office was assisted at the scene by the Elmira Police Department, Elmira Heights Police Department, Horseheads Village Police Department, West Elmira Police Department, New York State Police and the Schuyler County Sheriffs Office K-9 team.

SOUTHPORT, N.Y. (WETM)  Members of the Chemung County Sheriffs Office have been spotted at the scene of what they have confirmed to have been a homicide on Friday morning in Southport.

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As reported by an 18 News reporter at the scene, a heavy police presence has been spotted at a home on Richard Street in Southport for a homicide that is believed to have occurred in the morning on Friday, Nov. 15.

Multiple sheriff and detective vehicles have responded to the scene, and members of both departments have been seen leaving and entering the home. At the time of publishing, the road in front of the house has been blocked off and crime tape has been placed along the property.

This is a progressing story that will be updated as more information becomes available.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  One person is dead after a reported shooting Thursday night in the Mt. Vernon section of Columbus.

According to Columbus police, officers were dispatched to the 900 block of Eton Grove at about 10:31 p.m. after receiving multiple reports of gunshots fired.

A young male was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:38 p.m., according to Columbus police.

There is no word on a motive or suspect information at this time. Police asked anyone with information to call them at 614-645-4730.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Editors note: This report corrects the time of the shooting. We regret the error.

WARREN, Ohio (WKBN)  Warren police are looking for suspects related to a shooting incident late Thursday night.

Shortly before 10:30 p.m., officers responded to the 300 block of Austin Avenue NW for reports of a shooting.

According to a police report, one victim was treated and taken to the hospital. The victims condition is unknown, but the report stated the incident was a felonious assault.

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Evidence was recovered from the scene, and no suspects have yet been charged.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Cyclists ride on one of the mountain bike trails through Garden of the Gods Park in January.
A worker was killed and another was injured Thursday in a construction accident at an Orange County high school, according to authorities.

Two workers were reported injured around 10:21 a.m. at a construction site at Villa Park High School, the Orange County Fire Authority wrote in a social media post. The accident occurred when the bleachers in the auditorium, which were being upgraded, collapsed, according to several news outlets.

After Orange County sheriff's deputies and firefighter paramedics responded, one worker was hospitalized at a local trauma center and a second was pronounced dead at the scene, fire officials said.

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Read more: Head of O.C. agency that is blamed for starting Airport fire quietly leaves his job

No students or staff were involved or injured and there is no threat to the school, said authorities, who didn't specify the circumstances of the accident. No further details were available.

The Orange Unified School District said in a social media post that counselors were available for staff and students.

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health said it is investigating the incident, which could take up to six months. The agency can issue citations if health and safety violations are found.

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 CTA instructor was crammed into a seat on the back end of a snowplow paused on the tracks when he saw the Yellow Line train round the curve headed toward them that November day nearly a year ago.

Another employee sitting next to the instructor jumped up and said, Oh, my God, oh, my God, the instructor told federal, state and CTA officials days after the crash, a copy of a transcript of the interview shows. The train slammed into the machine and the second employee flew out the window, even as the instructor tried to grab him, he said. The instructor hit his head and was knocked unconscious for a few seconds.

When the instructor awoke, he went to check on the employee praying that he was still alive, he told investigators. I could hear him screaming down there on the right-of-way.

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The instructors description of the crash is part of the National Transportation Safety Boards investigation docket, a collection of more than 2,500 pages of interview transcripts, technical documents and analysis about the Nov. 16, 2023, collision that left some two dozen passengers and employees injured. The NTSB is still investigating what caused the crash between the train and the snowplow, which was on the tracks for scheduled training, and has not yet issued its final report. But the documents that have been released so far shed light on what happened that day and the federal agencys investigation.

That includes a recently revealed finding that the operator of the train had alcohol in his system after the crash, violating federal rules. The NTSB has said investigators do not believe the operators actions contributed to the crash, and a preliminary report found the operator hit the trains brakes in the moments leading up to the collision.

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy previously said the agency was investigating the train lines 1970s-era signal system, which controls how trains move and the distance in which they stop. The NTSB was also investigating braking systems, residue from organic material on the tracks  such as leaves  and other factors, she has said.

As the NTSB has continued to investigate, the effects of the collision have lingered. The Yellow Line, also known as the Skokie Swift, was closed for seven weeks after the crash as the CTA worked to ensure the safety of the trains that carry commuters between the Rogers Park neighborhood and Skokie. Though trains resumed running in early January, they have remained limited to the CTA-mandated maximum speed of 35 mph for the line, down from 55 mph before the crash.

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And Yellow Line riders have had to contend with closures since then. On a recent weekend, train service was shut down each day along the length of the line and replaced with shuttle buses, while the CTA power-washed the rails to clean them of debris like leaf residue. The CTA committed to expanded cleaning of the rails after the crash.

But riders have not fully returned to the train line this year. Through August, the most recent month for which data is available, the number of passengers entering Yellow Line stations was down 8.5% from the year before, even as overall L ridership was up.

Mass transit, its important to our future, Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen said. I dont think the crash has deterred people from taking the Swift, but that doesnt mean that we dont have to give those who do take the Swift  and hopefully the additional people in the future who will  we have to give them some confidence that the cause, or causes, of the crash have been remedied and theres a good likelihood its not going to be repeated.

Riders said determining a cause of the crash would make them feel more comfortable on the train, or at least allow trains to return to faster speeds. And attorneys handling some of the nine lawsuits against the CTA called for more information about what happened and the investigation.

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Ria Arora, who regularly takes the Yellow Line to Loyola University, has noticed the trains slower speeds, and said it now takes her longer to get to school. Though she has to wake up and leave only a few minutes earlier each day, the extra time adds up, she said.

Maybe if they come out with a solid reasoning (about the cause of the crash), they could maybe make it faster again, she said.

Hermalita Doss, who takes the train to work in Chicago, now takes an earlier train each day, but would rather the train travel slower for safety reasons, she said. She used to take a 6 a.m. train, but since the journey now takes longer and she needs to make her connection to a bus, she takes a 5:40 a.m. or 5:45 a.m. train.

Joseph Murphy, an attorney handling six of the lawsuits against the CTA, said some of his clients feel unsafe getting back on the train, though they may rely on public transit. Their fears were exacerbated when they learned, nearly a year after the crash, that the operator tested positive for alcohol in his system, Murphy said.

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Another attorney representing a family suing the CTA, Richard Pullano, called for more transparency and accountability from the CTA, despite the ongoing federal investigation.

We know nothing about why that snowplow was on that track when they were transporting passengers, he said. That shocks the conscience, that we still dont know how they could have screwed that up. And the anger persists.

The CTA referred Tribune questions about the investigation to the NTSB, saying it cannot discuss the federal investigation while it is ongoing. The CTA examined tracks, signals and train operations on the Yellow Line in the weeks after the crash, and took safety measures like lowering train speeds out of an abundance of caution, though they were not required by the NTSB, spokesperson Manny Gonzales said.

The NTSB documents expose some of the work of CTA and federal officials during the investigation. They have analyzed the snowplow, the tracks, CTAs signal system and the train cars involved in the crash  two, decade-old 5000-series cars, which is CTAs most common railcar model  and simulated tests involving that type of train. Agency officials have interviewed the train operator, employees on the snowplow, some of the passengers and first responders, and reviewed CTA policies and video from the crash, among other analysis.

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The documents also paint a picture of what happened that day.

The 47-year-old train operator arrived at work around 6:30 a.m. on the day of the crash. He had worked at CTA since 2021, when he was hired to clean buses, and had been a train operator for three months. He didnt have a regular route and called in to get his assignment, and that day was scheduled to work 12 hours with several breaks of a few hours during his shift.

The Tribune is not naming the operator or other employees interviewed during the investigation because they have not been implicated.

The operator had already made several runs that morning and at one point passed the snowplow while it was still in the rail yard. On a later run, the train rounded a curve and ahead was the snowplow on the tracks, stopped on an incline as it headed toward a rail yard at the Howard station.

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A signal indicating the operator should stop briefly flashed on, and he slammed on the brake, the operator told investigators. The train was still pulling and sliding. He jumped on the radio and sounded the horn, he said.

Right then I knew I was  Im, like, well, my bodys going to get crushed, he said.

The train, traveling 54 mph  below the speed limit at that time of 55  slowed to 27 mph before the collision, an earlier NTSB report found. The operator had immediately tried to brake after getting a stop command from the signal system.

In an analysis of CTAs signals, NTSB investigators wrote the system worked as designed, and investigators would focus on why the train did not stop in the intended distance.

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Indeed, the train slid into the back end of the snowplow.

At the plow, one of the instructors tried to calm the injured employee who had flown out of the machine, who he said had a severely cut-up hand. He then went to check on the train operator and passengers.

On the train, the operator had tried to remove himself from where he was pinned during the collision, getting severe lacerations in the process. The instructor found him severely injured with an extremely large, lacerated cut on his right leg, he was actually laying on top of a customer. Another instructor told him to keep the passengers calm until first responders arrived.

The arriving first responders from the police and fire departments made their way through a rail yard and across several tracks to reach the site of the collision, where the operator and passengers had a variety of injuries ranging from serious to minor.

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One passengers head had hit the front window twice, smashing the glass. His head was hit again when the door to the operators compartment sprung open, and he had what appeared to be a seizure after he hit his head, the investigators wrote. Another man had been thrown 10 feet across the train car and collided with another passenger.

One man slid almost 5 feet forward and hit a windscreen, which left him bleeding from his head. Another man who hit a windscreen was knocked unconscious.

Nearly a year later, as the dust from the crash settles, the CTA train operator remains out of service because of his injuries, the CTA spokesman said. Any disciplinary action would not occur until he returns to service. Two of the people on the snowplow have returned to work, but the other four remain off duty.

Van Dusen said he believes the crash has not deterred Yellow Line riders, but determining a cause is paramount.

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He attributes drops in Yellow Line ridership to changing commuting habits since the pandemic emptied many offices of white-collar workers. He doesnt think slower speeds have kept passengers away, though he acknowledged some are likely frustrated.

People take the Swift because its supposed to be swift, Van Dusen said. Ive heard a couple people joking that its no longer the Skokie Swift, its the poky swift.'

Still, he said, keeping speeds slower is necessary to ensure the investigation and aftermath of the crash proceed appropriately. And resolving the investigation is important for transit advocates, he said.

The Yellow Line is key to Skokies economic development, both downtown and a large tech park off the Dempster Street stop, he said. Its crucial to bringing people to Skokie for work  at places like the villages hospital or shopping centers  without adding cars to the road.

And, as the regions transit agencies face a collective $730 million fiscal cliff when federal pandemic aid dries up, finishing the investigation will help advocates make their case for more funding, Van Dusen said.

I dont know how advocates like myself can convince the people of Skokie that we need to do something in the range of ($730 million) unless we can also guarantee people that taking mass transit is convenient and safe, he said. So for me, thats being able to tell people, OK, we know what happened, its been remedied.'
Nov. 14The Oklahoma Attorney General's Office is partnering with the Oklahoma Press Association to host a seminar on Oklahoma's open meeting and open records laws in McAlester next week.

A session is scheduled for 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Eastern Oklahoma State College-McAlester campus in the Clark Bass Building, Room: 215, Conference Center.

It is one of five seminars presented statewide by Thomas R. Schneider, deputy general counsel to Attorney General Gentner Drummond. He will answer questions concerning the state's open meeting and records laws and inform elected or appointed officials about their responsibility under the acts. Schneider also will discuss requirements regarding access to public records and the conduct of public meetings.

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Previous seminars have been held in Lawton, Woodward, and Tulsa this Fall. The last seminar will be held Dec.16 in Oklahoma City.

Drummond has made clear that openness and transparency in government are among his top priorities.

"It is important to establish the standard of transparency to ensure our public officials are acting with honesty and integrity," he said. "I am thankful for the hardworking individuals in my office who are also dedicated to these principles, and who work tirelessly to educate others about the Open Meeting and Open Records Acts across the state."

Continuing education credits are available for attendance. Attorneys will receive three CLE credit hours. New school board members can get three credit hours from Oklahoma State Department of Education, and new technology center board members can earn three credit hours from the State Department of Career and Technology Education. Law enforcement officials are eligible to receive three credit hours from the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training.

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The seminars are free and open to the public, but pre-registration is now required due to overwhelming demand last year. Please visit okpress.com/seminars to save your seat.

For more information, go online to www.okpress.com/seminars or call OPA at (888) 815-2672.
Recently, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. affirmed his plans to advise water systems in the United States to remove fluoride from public water. As an individual expected to influence public health policy during the next administration, his comments created substantial controversy around the risks and benefits of fluoride in drinking water.

The story of fluoride begins in 1901 when a dentist noticed that his patients from Colorado Springs, Colo., frequently had brown stains on their teeth but were also less likely to suffer tooth decay  findings he and colleagues later understood to be due to high levels of fluoride naturally entering the water from rocks and soil. Over the next 40 years, research into the subject demonstrated that adding fluoride to drinking water prevents many cavities and is good for dental health.

Since 1945, when Grand Rapids, Mich., became the first city in the world to add fluoride to its public drinking water, adding fluoride to water has become a cheap strategy that has helped people in communities across the country.

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Preventing cavities has many benefits beyond avoiding pain and the cost of seeing a dentist. Cavities add billions of dollars every year to health care costs and may also increase the risk for heart disease later in life, resulting premature death.

Currently, about two-thirds of people living in the United States use water that contains fluoride. As such, adding fluoride into water systems is one of the great public health achievements of recent times. But new research has raised important questions about the safety of fluoride.

New research shows that fluoride affects the brain of the fetus during pregnancy. Much of that research has come from countries outside the U.S. Fluoride exposure among pregnant women in Canada was linked to lower IQ among children ages 3 to 4 years old. Similarly, fluoride among pregnant women in Mexico was associated with lower IQ, an increase in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and reduced brain function among children 6-12 years old.

Finally, a new article in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that fluoride in pregnant women living in the United States was linked with nearly double the chance that preschool-aged children would have behavior problems.

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Many questions remain. What amount of fluoride is safe for a pregnant woman and her baby? At what age does the impact of fluoride happen? How can and should policy makers weigh the benefits of preventing cavities  which can be serious and result in bad infections and even death  with the risks of poor brain function?

There are not yet answers to many of those questions, but the conversation around adding fluoride to water has become dangerously politicized. Such division is like past discussions surrounding vaccine mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic. And like COVID-19, the science surrounding fluoride in water is changing.

That means we will likely continue to learn more about how fluoride impacts the brain of babies that may again require a change in perspective. But at present, we are faced with mounting evidence that something once thought very safe might be harming our children, and we need to rely on elected officials to address the problem.

The fact that chemicals may harm children is not new. Skin care products sold for children were found to have harmful compounds as recently as this year. Lead-based paint and gasoline were widely used until it became clear lead caused learning problems. Cough medicine was prescribed to young children for decades until research showed it does not work well and has serious side effects.

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We cannot expect to avoid every dangerous chemical. But we can and must be able to review the science and make changes in public policy as quickly as possible. Public health officials, policy makers, scientists and community health advocates will need to work together to decide if and how much, fluoride is added to water.

Whether or not effective dialogue can happen depends on trust. Policy makers and public health officials must trust each other and be trusted by the public. However, trust in medical and public health institutions was another casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Regaining that trust is hard, but framing public health issues along political battle lines makes it more difficult, if not impossible, to earn the trust of people with different political beliefs. Further research is needed to understand the risks and benefits of adding fluoride to our drinking water. For the health of our children, sober and balanced dialogue is urgently needed.

Lao-Tzu Allan-Blitz, MD, MPH, is a pediatrician and adult medicine specialist at Harvard Medical Schools Brigham and Womens Hospital. Jeffrey D. Klausner, MD, MPH, is a professor of population and public health sciences at USCs Keck School of Medicine. He is a former CDC medical officer.

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There has never been a week like this one in the long history of U.S. presidential transitions. There have of course, over the past two and a half centuries, been missteps, bad nominees, and questionable calls by incoming administrations. But in this past week alone, we have seen at least fiveperhaps moreof the worst nominations by any president for any senior level government position in American history.

They have come in such rapid succession, that has been next to impossible to contemplate one unfathomable, indefensible choice before the next is made. Indeed, that appears to be part of the objectivemore flooding the zone.

The choices that Donald Trump has made to lead his administration have been so extreme as to appear to be a kind of unprecedented can-you-top-this challenge to late night comedians. It is tempting to respond with nervous laughter.

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The pet-murdering former South Dakota Snow Queen to head the Department of Homeland Security? Ron Burgundy to head the Department of Defense? An accused pedophile and sex-trafficker to be Attorney General? A woman Russian television proudly proclaims is an agent for them to be the top intelligence official in the U.S. government? The anti-vaxx conspiracy theorist with a brain worm to head the Department of Health and Human Services?

It would be funny if it were not so dangerous. It would be dark comedy were it not a calculated effort to turn the United States into an autocracy, to place loyalty to a single individual above that shown to the Constitution, our institutions of government or the well-being of the American people.

It does not take much to reveal the threats that lurk within these choices.

Kristi Noem.

At a basic level, there is the peril associated with the inexperience and inappropriateness of each of these nominees for the positions to which they were named. Kristi Noem, Trumps nominee to head DHS, has zero experience with immigration issues, virtually none with other major DHS concerns like combatting terror threats.

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Pete Hegseth, the nominee to head the more than three-million-person Department of Defense and its $850 billion budget, has zero management experience, zero defense policy experience.

Attorney General-designate Matt Gaetz has never prosecuted or defended a case, has virtually no experience working as a lawyer. Tulsi Gabbard has never worked in the U.S. intelligence community, never managed an organization of any size. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has zero experience in any aspect of the medical or health care professions or related industries.

Matt Gaetz, center.

But incompetence is not our only concerns when it comes to these choices. Each holds views that should be sources of deep concern.

First among such views, of course, is the fact that all have effectively promised to place their loyalty to Trump ahead of any oath they may end up taking to the Constitution. But Kennedy, of course, is a renowned anti-vaxxer, holding views that reject two hundred years of established science. He has spread unfounded, sometimes racist conspiracy theories, and espoused views that if adopted would lead to massive suffering and potential deaths among U.S. citizens.

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Gabbard has been an active proponent of Kremlin propagandaincluding proven liesand has embraced and defended not just war criminal Vladimir Putin but war criminal Bashar al Assad as well. Gaetz, subject of a protracted probe into his own involvement in sex-trafficking, has called for shutting down the FBI, the Department of Justice, ATF and other three-letter agencies.

Donald Trump, left, and Tulsi Gabbard.

Hegseth has also defended war criminals within the U.S. military, has called for an end to women in combat roles and has espoused extreme Christian nationalist views. Noem has embraced and spread Trumpian lies about the invasion at the U.S. border and at the same time has joined Trump in questioning the results to the 2020 elections (election security is a responsibility of DHS) and has tacitly embraced Trumps defenses of January 6 rioters (homeland security also being an important responsibility of the Department of Homeland Security).

Just as disconcerting should be the fact that in making these choiceslike many others he has already announcedTrump appears to be focusing on the worst choices, failures and misdeeds of his previous administration and doubling down on them.

That is not to say, by the way, that all of Trumps choices have been bad or even out-of-the-ordinary. Marco Rubio to the State Department, Mike Waltz to the National Security Council, John Sauer to be Solicitor General, Susie Wiles to be White House Chief of Staff are all choices that, even if you disagree with their politics and philosophies, appear to be consistent with the traditions of experience and suitability that normally come with such top level nods.

Donald Trump, left, and Marco Rubio.

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Experts say Trumps mismanagement of the COVID epidemic led to the unnecessary deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans. So, he appoints a man who condemned the vaccine mandate that saved the lives of millions. Law enforcement and intelligence officials concluded Trump colluded with Russia to win election, leaked secrets to the Russian foreign minister and ambassador, and defended Putins views ahead of those of the U.S. intelligence community.

So why not put in charge of that intelligence community someone who is seen as an active cheerleader for the Kremlin? Both Trump and Gaetz hate the Department of Justice because they were targets of investigations. Trump tried to bully the DoJ into doing his political bidding the last time he was president.

Now, he has found a kindred spirit to follow through on the job of, in Gaetzs own words, bring the Department of Justice to heel. Trump failed at his goal of building a border wall, was frustrated he could not create the Muslim ban he sought or crack down on immigrants as he had hoped. So he has brought in a team to aggressively up the ante on all those efforts led by Noem, enforcement tough guy Tom Homan and incoming Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.

Donald Trump, left, and RFK Jr.

The choices are therefore each menacing on multiple levels and each (with the possible exception of Noem because she is an elected governor) would have been swiftly rejected by bi-partisan majorities in the Senate at almost any time in our past. Some, like Gaetz, who is widely despised by members of both parties, would never even make it to committee hearings.

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But word is already filtering out from Republicans on Capitol Hill that many will simply honor what they see as Trumps mandate by using their Senate majority to confirm these nominees.

Trump has also raised the possibility that he be enabled to make some or all recess appointments, taking advantage of a loophole that allows a president to name a person to a top post for up to two years when the Senate is not in session. Further, incoming Senate majority leader John Thune has indicated that he might be willing to accommodate Trump on that front. (Trump has also indicated he might seek ways to granted these officials security clearances without the benefit of background checks.)

Thus, not only are these nominees grossly inappropriate choices for the jobs the president-elect wants them to hold, not only are their views a threat to our institutions and the country itself, but by forcing outrageous choices into offices they should never hold, Trump is seeking to establish himself even before he assumes the presidency as a strongman, above the traditional advise and consent checks on presidential authority granted the Senate by the U.S. Constitution.

If Thune and the Senate capitulate, if these Trump loyalists assume control of critical arms of the government, and as Trump operates empowered by the immunity conferred upon him by the GOP-controlled Supreme Court, this weeks raucous theater of the absurd could very quickly become a tragedy for American democracy.

The Daily Beast Podcast episodes are released every Thursday. Like and download on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app. And click here for email updates as each new episode drops.
In his victory speech, President-elect Trump declared, Im not going to start a war; Ill stop wars. The situation in Israel or Ukraine wasnt explicitly mentioned in his words, but you could almost feel the winds in Jerusalem and Kyiv blowing stronger during that moment.

It doesnt take a genius to assume that the 47th President wants things to de-escalate in both regions. But while the Ukraine-Russia war seems to become more complex by the day, the dynamic on Israels fronts is different, particularly with Lebanon and the emerging cease-fire agreement, which the current U.S. administration grooms.

Regarding this arena, the will of the future White House could materialize sooner rather than later. However, if it continues on the current track, it could be easily missed.

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After more than a year of constant fighting, the potential tranquillity on the Israel-Lebanon border is something to be welcomed. Too many Israelis were killed and terrorized by Hezbollah. An unimaginable number of Lebanese feel unsafe in their own country. Both people wish for a day on which southern Lebanon and parts of Beirut arent used as a clash point between Israel and a terror organization.

In this sense, the translation of Israels military operation against Hezbollah into a possible political act provides hope for many. From a geopolitical viewpoint, it signals the desired evolution from war to diplomacy.

For millions in the region, the relation between the two phases isnt just an academic axiom but an essential symbiosis. Tranquilly is good for the economy. Its vital for the human soul and body. And when life gets back on track, its almost tempting to wonder how it didnt come before.

The leaked details from the emerging cease-fire agreement embody those hopes. However, while the media and public discourse naturally focus on the practical arrangements it entails, they are not the main thing. Political developments, strategic considerations and future leaks will likely change them and bring new directions.

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The common denominator between the clauses, however, is what we should look at. At its core is the assumption that Lebanon can fulfill its obligations. This is a problematic assumption because, in recent years, Lebanon has become no longer just a struggling country. It is a nation that experiences a genuine crisis in almost every possible aspect.

According to a new World Bank report from May this year, poverty in Lebanon has more than tripled over the past decade, reaching 44 percent of the total population. Many households have adopted a variety of coping strategies, including cutting back on food consumption and  reducing health expenditures, with likely severe long-term consequences.

The U.S. government ranks Lebanon at 139th place in the ranking of countries concerning GDP per capita for 2023. In its 2024 analysis of GDP, the International Monetary Fund doesnt even mention Lebanon. And the dysfunctionality of the political system only intensifies these financial challenges. There has been no president since October 2022, while the current government is an interim one since the failure to form a permanent coalition following the May 2022 elections.

Interestingly, though, lack of money isnt necessarily the problem here. Following the 2006 War between Israel and Lebanon and until 2022, the U.S. administration has invested a substantial amount of $3 billion in the Lebanese Armed Forces to ensure it can apply sovereignty in the southern part of the country and act as a stabilizing force. That didnt enable nor encourage it to counter Hezbollah and help Lebanon get on the right track.

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One of the reasons was the fear of breaking the countrys gentle social fabric and leading to a civil war. And since about 50 percent of the LAF combat workforce are Shia who sympathize with Hezbollah, the reality on the eve of the current war was of collaboration between the two.

The LAF enabled the terror group to use its military infrastructures to spy on Israel Defense Forces soldiers and assist in concealing Hezbollahs illegal military activity in south Lebanon. The price is being paid by the Lebanese people.

This is just one example to illustrate that Lebanons financial hardships are symptoms of a much deeper, rooted problem. They result from decades of shaky social cohesion, alarming corruption and mismanagement, which created a fertile ground for an Iranian takeover of land and political institutions. This means the emerging cease-fire agreement should be an annex to another, wider one.

An agreement in which the axis of countries designed to ensure security south of the Litany will undertake to assist in the rehabilitation of an entity that was once one of the pearls of the Middle East and today looks like its own shell.

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The materialization of such a plan may be based on the spirit of Security Council Resolution 1559, which called for the respect of Lebanons independence and sovereignty and the end of foreign presence and militias in the country.

Practically, such a rehabilitation process must neutralize Irans influence on Lebanon and the LAF, including an institutional refusal to misuse ground crossing and the Hariri airport for smuggling Iranian soldiers and arms. It shall also be conditioned in a clear Lebanese denunciation and demilitarisation of Hezbollah as part of an effective monitoring process to ensure its inability to recover.

Alongside security, it needs to hold a solid financial element and direct a long-term economic plan based on strategic partnerships with allies who wish to see Lebanese prosperity, not control its assets. It could also insert accountability and sanctions mechanisms to prevent corruptive forces from taking advantage of Lebanese aid yet again.

Most importantly, it has to entail an honest realization that the future cease-fire agreement wont magically solve the problem, as social processes take years.

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The current clash between Israel and Hezbollah may set the conditions for such a move. As of writing these lines, over 160 commanders have been killed in Hezbollah, including senior members of its leadership. This means that a significant obstacle that prevented Lebanon from applying sovereignty in parts of its southern territory is gradually removed.

But it is only the starting point, not the end. As the current cease-fire agreement is being negotiated, its content needs to express an understanding of the complex situation of Lebanon as a country and apply strategic rehabilitation mechanisms accordingly.

Learning from past mistakes will not only prevent the next war with Israel. It will set Lebanon free.

Gadi Ezra is Israels former director of the National Public Diplomacy Unit and the author of 11 Days in Gaza (Yedioth Books, Hebrew). Sarit Zehavi is the founder and President of the Alma Research and Education Center, which specializes in Israels security challenges on its northern borders.

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It was 6:30 a.m. Children were waking up for school. A rocket attack, then a strange smell. Dozens collapsed, convulsing and foaming at the mouth before choking to death, including a pair of infant twins.

The Khan Shaykhun chemical attack shocked the world and jolted the U.S. into action. In 2017, then-President Trump immediately ordered retaliatory airstrikes against the perpetrator: Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Tulsi Gabbard, who is now Trumps just-announced pick for director of national intelligence, had been in Damascus only weeks before the attack, on a secret visit with Assad. Later, she would say he was not the enemy of the United States.

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Several of Trumps Cabinet choices this week have generated significant controversy, including accusations of inexperience lobbed against Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth and uproar among Trumps own party following the nomination of scandal-ridden Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. However, Senate Republicans shouldnt be distracted: Tulsi Gabbards nomination is by far the most dangerous Cabinet pick for Americas national security.

Gabbards curious relationship with the Syrian dictatorship raised eyebrows after a widely publicized row with Hillary Clinton in 2019, when the former secretary of State famously insinuated that Gabbard was a favorite of the Russians during her run in the 2020 Democratic primary. But for myself and other Syrian Americans, Gabbards comments on Syria have been of deep concern for nearly a decade, and should be examined deeply by the senators who have yet to vote on her confirmation.

In 2013, Gabbards first year in Congress, the Hawaiian representative published an op-ed in the Huffington Post opposing American military action against Assad in response to the Ghouta chemical attack. In the piece, Gabbard called Assad morally reprehensible, but voiced concerns about the consequences of intervention  not at all an uncommon stance during the intense debate in Washington over then-President Obamas so-called red-line on Syrias use of chemical weapons.

But by 2015, Gabbard had become a fringe voice on the growing hostilities in Syria. In a series of tweets, including one directed at Gabbards fellow Trump Cabinet nominee Marco Rubio, Gabbard not only expressed support for Russian intervention in Syria, but questioned why the U.S. doesnt join hands with Moscow.

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Gabbard contended that Russia was attacking al-Qaeda affiliates  a decade-long excuse for indiscriminate bombing promoted by both the Russian and Syrian regimes. In reality, Russia was engaged in a joint reign of terror with the Syrian dictatorship against civilians, including a hospital-bombing campaign that saw over 300 medical facilities attacked by the end of 2015.

Gabbard became one of the most vocal anti-interventionist voices on Syria in Congress, repeatedly calling for an end of efforts to overthrow the Assad regime and introducing legislation to halt support for the Syrian opposition in 2016.

This earned Gabbard the attention of officials from the Syrian Social Nationalist Party, a virulently antisemitic, pro-Assad Syrian nationalist party whose emblem, the Zawbaa, resembles a Nazi swastika. Those officials infamously helped sponsor a free trip for Gabbard to Damascus, where she met with Bashar Assad just weeks before the Khan Shaykhun gas attack. After the subsequent American strikes, Gabbard called Trumps decision to retaliate dangerous, rash and unconstitutional.

Since then, Gabbard has only escalated her pro-Assad rhetoric, promoting conspiracy theories about Assad regime chemical attacks against civilians, including assertions that the Khan Shaykhun attack was staged by the Syrian opposition.

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Gabbards bizarre relationship with the Syrian regime is just one of many affinities she maintains with dictatorships opposed to the U.S., from regurgitating pro-Russian rhetoric on the war in Ukraine to accusing Trump of sabre-rattling against Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro.

Senate Republicans have a threat to national security on their hands  Gabbard is unlikely to reverse a decade of rhetoric and activity that under normal circumstances would likely get a layperson denied a security clearance.

Our intelligence community is Americas first line of defense. Republicans in the Senate have an obligation to protect it at all costs.

Kareem Rifai is a Syrian-American graduate student at the Georgetown Security Studies program.

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Many of Donald Trumps choices for Cabinet nominations can be appropriately described as some combination of absurd, baffling and shocking. But his announcement Wednesday that he wants Matt Gaetz to be his attorney general has received far more immediate pushback. The opposition to Gaetz, who resigned his congressional seat after Trumps announcement, stems less from his obvious lack of qualifications than the fact that so many of his former colleagues, both Democrats and Republicans, despise him.

Yet if Gaetz manages to get confirmed, as terrible as that would most likely be for the country, it could have been even worse.

As Trump set about filling his Cabinet, the position of attorney general was always going to be among the most important. In Trumps first term, he discovered that appointing conservative crusaders was not enough to do what Trump thinks is the attorney generals job: shielding the president. What he needed, Trump decided, was people who put their loyalty to him above the law, the Constitution and the country. For Trump, the ideal attorney general will quash inconvenient investigations, fire anyone whose commitment to the MAGA cult is questionable and prosecute his enemies.

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Theres an old adage that in Congress there are work horses and show horses, those who do the difficult labor of legislating and those more interested in preening for the cameras. But todays age of outrage media has given rise to a new class of representatives who seemingly measure their success by how many liberals hate them. Thats what Gaetz has been.

But among the Marjorie Taylor Greenes and Lauren Boeberts, Gaetz has been especially unpopular. That was true long before the House Ethics Committee began investigating allegations that Gaetz used drugs and paid for sex with underage girls (Gaetz has denied the allegations, and a Justice Department investigation was closed without charges). Before Gaetzs resignation, the committees report was supposed to be released Friday. While the committees chair said the report would not be released, senators from both parties say they want to see the probes findings.

Whatever happens with the report, reactions from Capitol Hill Republicans to Gaetzs nomination ranged from disbelief to disgust. Even his supporters describe Gaetz as a force of unfocused destruction. President Trump is going to hit the Justice Department with a blowtorch, and Matt Gaetz is that torch, said Steve Bannon.

Blowtorches do tremendous damage, its true  but Gaetz might light his own shoes on fire in the process. While he is technically a lawyer, he has no experience to help him understand the complexities of the Justice Department and how he might go about overhauling or dismantling it. A mismanaged department  especially one suffering from mass resignations, which Gaetzs confirmation could well produce  would be one less able to carry out Trumps mercurial whims. Gaetz could wind up paying more attention to distracting squabbles and pointless vendettas than remaking the department into a smoothly running engine of MAGA retribution. There are worse things than chaos.

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Other names mentioned as possible attorneys general had far more experience and competence than Gaetz and just as much commitment to the MAGA cause. They included Mark Paoletta, a close friend of Clarence Thomas who worked in multiple Republican administrations; he has posted lengthy missives on social media explaining the need to purge the Justice Department of deep state officials who fail to do Trumps bidding. But he was passed over, as was Jeffrey Clark, the Justice Department official in Trumps first term who went to such lengths to try to overturn the 2020 election that he was indicted in Georgia and a disciplinary council recommended that his law license be suspended. Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, whom Trump also considered for a Supreme Court seat, is another Trump ally who was in contention.

Gaetz was such an outlandish choice that he was apparently on no ones short list. But he had the other contenders beat in one crucial area: endlessly yelling about liberals on TV. And few things matter more to Trump.

If Gaetz manages to get confirmed  or if Trump circumvents the Senate to give him a recess appointment  he would likely bring chaos and vindictiveness with him to the Justice Department, which is exactly what Trump wants. But we may look back and say that a loud and incompetent buffoon was both a disaster and yet preferable to a quieter but equally radical figure who would undermine democratic principles in a more methodical and capable way. It is the thinnest of silver linings. But over the next four years, we are going to have to take victories where we can find them.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
President-elect Donald Trumps announcement Wednesday that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is his pick for secretary of Health and Human Services symbolizes a major regression when it comes to the humane treatment of autistic people. By picking Kennedy, he is wrongly elevating someone who sees autism, and therefore autistic people, as problems to be solved. He doesnt see us as having a disability that deserves to be accepted.

The Kennedy pick also symbolizes a moral loss. Not just because of his opposition to vaccines, but also because of his opinions of autistic people. Of course, he believes that autistic people are largely the result of vaccines, making us evidence that Big Pharma is a danger.

If Kennedy becomes HHS secretary, he would likely cause incalculable harm.

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The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, the advisory committee that gives guidance for autism and is housed within HHS, has gone to great lengths to include autistic self-advocates, including some who are nonverbal or who have intellectual disabilities. This has been a welcome change from the past, when autistic people were not seen as the equals of their parent advocate and researcher counterparts.

In 2020, the most recent numbers we have available, the U.S. government and private foundations spent about 45.4% of the $418 million it spends on researching autism looking into biology, while only 4.3% went to researching lifespan issues and only 8.4% went to services and support. And while those sound like a drop in the bucket (and they are), its actually an improvement from previous years when private foundations and the government spent even less on services and lifespan issues. In addition, the National Institutes of Health, which falls under the HHS jurisdiction, funds most research about autism.

Kennedy could take a sledgehammer to all of this and divert resources toward his own cockamamie views about autism. Kennedy has often claimed that only 1 child in 10,000 was diagnosed with autism in 1970, noting that far more children are being diagnosed now.

He refuses to see that the spike in autism diagnoses represents a major accomplishment in terms of the intersection of autism and public policy. Autism did not get a separate diagnosis from schizophrenia in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) until a decade later.

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The criteria would expand and change to include Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified and Aspergers syndrome in 1994. In 2013, the conditions would be put under the umbrella category of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

All the while, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act required that schools report the number of disabled students that it served, which included autism. The previous version of the law had not included autism, so it stands to reason that, after the law was updated, the number of autistic people diagnosed would increase.

Instead of those numbers being celebrated, and instead of people such as Kennedy asking how society should adjust to accommodate autistic people, theyve used language about an epidemic, as Trump did during a Republican primary debate in 2015: Autism has become an epidemic. Twenty-five years ago, 35 years ago, you look at the statistics, not even close. It has gotten totally out of control. Trump said then, I am totally in favor of vaccines. But I want smaller doses over a longer period of time.

Autism previously had the unfounded reputation as being caused by unloving mothers. Now people like Kennedy have linked it to vaccines. But then and now autism has been treated as a sign of parental failure.

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This makes Kennedys fearmongering especially pernicious and, honestly, effective. Nicole Shanahan, Kennedys running mate for his failed presidential campaign, said she eventually made her way to Kennedy after her daughter Echos autism diagnosis and after a neurosurgeon-turned-health guru who lives in El Salvador told her she was to blame for Echos autism  in part because of the vaccines the child had received.

When parents are overwhelmed with information and hear their children have a condition that has long been described as a death sentence, Kennedy and other hucksters offer them someone to blame in the form of doctors and pharmaceutical companies, rather than taking actionable steps to help them navigate a new world.

Even though their linking of vaccines to autism has no merit, Kennedy and other vaccine opponents illustrate the belief that having a developmental disability is worse than risking getting a deadly disease that a vaccine could prevent.

Public policy has shifted in recent years. The name of the legislation regarding autism was changed from the Combating Autism Act to the Autism CARES Act. In 2016, Hillary Clinton became the first presidential candidate to release an autism specific policy platform, and in 2020, Democratic presidential candidates released disability policy platforms and consulted autistic self-advocates. Autistic people even delved into electoral politics in both parties and won in places like Pennsylvania, Texas and New York.

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In addition, autistic self-advocates achieved a major policy. For years, they had pushed lawmakers to ban shock therapy at the Judge Rotenberg Center, a residential school in Canton, Massachusetts. The United Nations went as far as to call it torture.

The Food and Drug Administration, during the Trump administration, took a swing at banning the practice, and Lara Trump even touted it at a disability forum in 2020, before a court overturned the ban.

In 2022, Congress included language in its annual spending bill allowing the FDA to ban the use of shock therapy. That alone felt like a victory: Trump felt at least obligated to pretend to care about autistic people and a Democratic Congress took action to fix a problem. Now that feels like just a temporary victory.

The progress wed made toward treating autistic people more humanely makes the backsliding that is the RFK pick all the more demoralizing. There had been significant bipartisan efforts toward moving policy more toward acceptance and accessibility. Now, autistic people will just have to hunker down and endure an administration that sees us not as people but as evidence of the evils of vaccination.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
President-elect Donald Trumps pick of former Democratic lawmaker Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence is an odd and disconcerting choice. She has no formal intelligence experience, and, as someone who has a history of lapping up disinformation, she seems especially ill-suited for a position thats all about being able to tell the difference between good and bad information. And while fortunately she adamantly opposes the neoconservative elements of the Republican Party, she isnt the dove that she sometimes presents herself as.

The job of DNI is hugely important when it comes to foreign policy. The position, which was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, involves overseeing 18 intelligence agencies and preparing the presidents daily intelligence briefing. Its a high-stakes advisory position, but also a bureaucratic one since it involves so much inter-agency coordination.

Gabbard, an Iraq War veteran, has attracted attention from people across the political spectrum for her strident criticism of American wars. She was a critic of the U.S. interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq and generally opposed the post-9/11 bipartisan consensus on regime change and nation-building. She also rightly criticized then-President Trump for withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal.

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Those are good positions, but those positions alone dont make her a progressive on foreign policy. She has also called herself a hawk on terrorism, backed sovereignty-violating drone warfare, and has supported brutal authoritarian repression of civilian rebels under the banner of fighting Islamism. As a congresswoman, she met personally with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad despite his vicious use of force against rebels and civilians in the weeks prior. She has also compared Russian President Vladimir Putin favorably to President Barack Obama while advocating for bombing Syria. She has accused pro-Palestinian protesters of being puppets of a radical Islamist organization, and her rhetoric surrounding defeating Hamas suggests shes aligned with the U.S.s support of Israels brutal military operation in Gaza.

Gabbard has a track record of being susceptible to misinformation and boosting Russian propaganda. As NBC News explains, two years ago Gabbard posted a video on social media asserting the undeniable fact of purported bio labs funded by the U.S. across Ukraine.  Ukraines government, the U.S. government, news organizations and independent researchers have all said there is no evidence for the claim, which originated from Moscow. Gabbard also appeared to buy Assads claims that Syrian rebels used chemical weapons in Syria in 2017, but U.S. intelligence agencies, the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons all attribute the attacks to Assad, NBC reports.

If Gabbards troubling track record of foreign policy positions are any indication, in the role of director of national intelligence she would be positioned to advise Trump to make decisions that are not in the countrys best interest or in line with international law. That could include, for example, persuading Trump to align with Russia in such a way that gives Moscow a particularly strong hand as Trump looks to negotiate a settlement in the war in Ukraine. More broadly, she could help craft a policy regime that effectively emboldens Russia to behave more aggressively in the international arena.

But while Gabbard  if confirmed by the Senate  would be one of many voices trying to influence Trump on foreign policy, what is potentially more consequential is how she could use access to intelligence to influence the American public directly. Whether through hearings with lawmakers or leaks to the press, Gabbard would have the capacity to cherry-pick intelligence to make a case to the public about alleged deep state machinations or radical, potentially reactionary shifts in foreign policy. Between Gabbard's idiosyncratic foreign policy outlook, activist past, softness on Russia and selective hawkishness, it's hard to say how things would shake out during her tenure.

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Its better to have someone with Gabbards instincts than a proper neoconservative at her post. Still, her idiosyncrasies make her unpredictable, and her history of cozying up to authoritarians is far from comforting.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
PUNA, Hawaii (KHON2)  Life on Hawaii Island sometimes does not allow for opportunity when resources are not available. So, when organizations seek ways to offer opportunities to residents, its a really big deal.

Residents of Hawaiian Acres on Hawaii Island are getting a major boost in their efforts to combat food insecurity.

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The Hawaiian Acres Community Association (HACA) has secured a grant from the American Rescue Plan Act to build a new shared-use commercial kitchen at the Hawaiian Acres Community Center on Moho Road.

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This kitchen is a game changer for our community, said Joanna M. Haberman, Board President of HACA. Even though Puna is one of the most agriculturally rich areas on the island, its also a food desert. People have to drive 30 minutes just to get to a grocery store. This kitchen will allow our local food producers to access the resources they need to grow their businesses and provide fresh, local food to our community.

The new kitchen will serve as an incubator for food businesses and will offer certified cooking space that meets all health and safety regulations.

It will include equipment for packaging, labeling and preserving food as well as facilities for canning and preparing grab-and-go meals.

Haberman emphasized the importance of creating a space where local farmers, ranchers and food entrepreneurs can thrive.

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Well have everything from workstations to help people get their products ready for market, to classrooms for workshops on things like food safety, business licenses, and cooking skills, she explained.

The kitchen will be open to both long-term and short-term users.

For someone who needs a commercial kitchen just for a few hours, they can rent the space. For others who need regular access, were offering membership options, Haberman said. This isnt just about building a kitchenits about creating a community hub where people can come together to learn, share, and grow.

This new resource is part of a larger effort to address the challenges of living in a rural area. While Puna is a prime agricultural region, many of its residents struggle to access the infrastructure and resources needed to turn their produce into marketable products.

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Right now, we have a few commercial kitchens in Hilo, Volcano and Pahala, but they are all at least 30 minutes away from us. This kitchen is going to make a huge difference for our food producers, Haberman said.

Haberman also noted that the kitchens design will prioritize accessibility for all residents.

Its going to be ADA-compliant, so that everyone in our community can use it, regardless of physical ability, she added. Thats really important for us because we want this project to be as inclusive as possible.

The kitchen project has already sparked enthusiasm in the community, with a dedicated team working on the plans.

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Weve formed a kitchen committee made up of volunteers from the community, and were meeting weekly to make sure everything comes together, Haberman said. Were still looking for more people to join us, especially those with experience in project management or construction.

One of the next steps is finding a project manager to oversee the construction and permitting process.

Its a big job, and we need someone with the right expertise to keep everything on track, Haberman said. Those interested in the position can apply through HireNet Hawaii until Dec. 13. Were really hoping to get the right person to help us make this vision a reality.

Haberman emphasized that the kitchen is not just for Hawaiian Acres but for the entire Puna district.

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We want this kitchen to serve as a model for other communities in Puna and beyond. If we can make this work, we hope other areas will be inspired to create their own shared-use kitchens, she said. Our goal is to create a space that will support not just our neighborhood, but all of East Hawaii.

The project is expected to take about two years to complete, but Haberman is optimistic about its long-term impact.

This kitchen will help people start new businesses, grow existing ones and improve food access in our community, she added. And its just the beginning of what we hope will be a larger movement to revitalize Punas economy and local food systems.

For more information or to get involved, residents are encouraged to visit the Hawaiian Acres Community Association website or email mohokitchenhi@gmail.com.

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Volunteers and potential project manager applicants are welcome to join the effort to bring this vital resource to life.

Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8

This is an opportunity to transform our community, Haberman concluded. Were excited to see where this project takes us and to see how it will inspire others in Hawaii and beyond.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
(Reuters) -The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday confirmed highly pathogenic form of bird flu in a person in Oregon.

The infected person is linked to a previously reported outbreak tied to a commercial poultry operation in the state, where the virus has been confirmed in 150,000 birds, the state health authority said.

A total of 52 people from eight states have tested positive in the U.S. this year as the virus has infected poultry flocks and spread to more than 500 dairy herds, the CDC said.

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All the cases were farm workers who had known contact with infected animals, except for one person in Missouri.

Health officials did not provide more details about the individual infected in Oregon, but said there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission and the risk to the public is low.

Last month, the H5N1 bird flu was confirmed in a pig on a backyard farm in Oregon, the first detection of the virus in swine in the country.

The CDC has instructed that farm workers who have been exposed to animals with bird flu should be tested even if they do not have symptoms.

Since 2022, the virus has wiped out more than 100 million poultry birds in the nation's worst-ever bird flu outbreak.

(Reporting by Christy Santhosh in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur)
Oregon health officials confirmed a human case of bird flu on Friday. (Les Zaitz/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday confirmed that a person contracted bird flu in a case linked to an outbreak that sickened thousands of birds in a Clackamas County commercial poultry operation.

Public health officials declined to provide details about the person, name the operation or other details. They also said there is no evidence of bird flu spreading from person to person and the risk to the public is low.

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Clackamas County Public Health Division has been closely monitoring people exposed to the animal outbreak, which is how this case was identified, said Dr. Sarah Present, Clackamas County public health officer. The individual experienced only mild illness and has fully recovered.

The person received treatment with the antiviral medication oseltamivir, and household contacts were prescribed oseltamivir prophylaxis.

Dr. Dean Sidelinger, health officer and state epidemiologist at Oregon Health Authority, said people with the highest risk of infection are those close or prolonged exposures to infected birds or other animals or environments the animals have contaminated.

OHA epidemiologists are working closely with local public health officials, the Oregon Department of Agriculture and CDC to monitor individuals exposed to animals infected with bird flu, also called avian influenza, and will respond swiftly if new symptoms emerge in people, Sidelinger said.

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Symptoms can include mild respiratory problems like a sore throat, runny nose and cough. Some people can also get conjunctivitis, often called pink eye.

When an outbreak in animals occurs, the state agriculture department provides personal protective equipment and training to farmworkers and public health workers provide information about symptoms to monitor for.

This has proven an extremely effective approach to avian influenza outbreaks, Sidelinger said. While we cannot prevent every case, we know that we are preventing many.

To reduce the risk of bird flu, people should avoid contact with sick or dead birds or animals, their droppings or litter, and should not drink or eat unpasteurized or raw dairy products such as milk or cheese.

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Democrat Lesly Munoz, left, now leads Republican incumbent Tracy Cramer by a single vote. (Campaign photos)

Updated at 6:10 p.m. Friday with new ballot totals, responses from candidates

With a potential Democratic supermajority on the line, a Republican state representative losing by fewer than three dozen votes said Friday evening that she has hired a lawyer in her fight to stay in office.

Rep. Tracy Cramer, R-Gervais, trailed Democrat Lesly Munoz by 34 votes in Oregons 22nd House District, one of the most competitive in the state, after Marion County updated its vote counts Friday evening.

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The county, home to the states capital, is still processing and tallying thousands of votes countywide after dealing with a higher-than-anticipated number of write-in votes that take longer to count. Hundreds of those ballots are in the 22nd District, based in Woodburn and surrounding agricultural communities.

Early results showed Cramer with a narrow lead. Oregons largest newspaper called the race for her, the anti-abortion group that supported Cramers candidacy hailed her victory and Republicans in the House touted their ability to keep Democrats from winning the 36th seat needed to create new taxes or increase existing ones without GOP support.

But when Marion County released updated numbers Wednesday evening, Munoz had pulled within 138 votes of Cramer. By Thursday, she was leading by one vote. And after Marion County tallied more votes Friday, Munoz was up by 34.

The race is of critical importance statewide: A Munoz victory would give House Democrats the three-fifths supermajority needed to pass revenue-raising bills without GOP support. Senate Democrats crossed that threshold by decisively flipping a Bend-based Senate seat now represented by former Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp, a longtime legislator who led his caucus in a quorum-denying 2023 walkout that cost Knopp and nine colleagues the ability to run for reelection.

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Supermajorities in both chambers would give Democrats, who also control the governors office, more power as they attempt to pass a transportation funding package in the 2025 session.

Cramer, who did not return a call from the Capital Chronicle on Friday, alluded to the potential supermajority in an emailed statement Friday evening. She added that she was ahead by 500 votes in initial results Nov. 5.

Our campaign has retained legal counsel to ensure the integrity of this election, all laws are followed, and every legal ballot is counted, Cramer said. We know Oregons election system registered illegal voters, and we will fight to ensure that it does not affect the outcome of this race.

The states Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division discovered ahead of the election that it had incorrectly sent information to the Secretary of States Office to register as voters more than 1,500 people who did not provide proof of citizenship during DMV interactions since 2021. Just 10 of those individuals voted, election officials found, and at least five of those 10 were citizens when they voted.

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The hundreds of people who should not have been registered live throughout the state. County clerks removed 1,259 of them from voter rolls before mailing ballots, and they flagged the remaining 302 to make sure that if they received and returned ballots that those ballots would not be counted unless the voter demonstrated eligibility.

Munoz didnt return a call, but her campaign manager said in an email that she appreciated election officials work and would continue to monitor results.

Marion County Clerk Bill Burgess told the Capital Chronicle Friday morning his office has 809 ballots for that race that have had ballot envelope signatures verified. Another 733 werent accepted  most of those ballots are subject to signature curing, which means that a voter either forgot to sign their ballot envelope or their signature didnt match the signature election officials had on file.

Those voters have until Nov. 26 to fix the issue. All voters should check to make sure their ballot was counted through oregonvotes.gov/myvote or by using BallotTrax in large counties, including Marion, that pay for the service. Voters should also keep an eye on their mailboxes, as county election officials will mail notices to voters who need to correct their signatures.

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The county may end up receiving more ballots, in part because some voters return their ballots to a different county than the one they live in. Its a common mistake in Salem, where the Willamette River divides Polk and Marion counties but not the city of Salem, and Clackamas County delivered a couple hundred ballots to Marion County on Thursday.

This makes it a pretty dynamic situation where its hard to say just exactly how many were going to have to count, Burgess said.

County workers tallied 234 ballots in the 22nd House District on Friday, according to updated results posted Friday evening. That still leaves at least 575 ballots to count, along with any challenged ballots that voters cure.

Marion County also had a high number of write-in votes this cycle, with many local races unopposed or missing candidates. Write-ins take longer to tally than other votes, as human workers need to examine each ballot to read the name, make sure that a voter who wrote in a candidate marked the box for a write-in candidate and uncheck that box if a voter marked it without writing a candidates name, verify that the candidate written in isnt already listed on the ballot and make sure that the write-in candidate has a name. Write-in votes for Mickey Mouse and Santa Claus count as write-in votes; write-in votes for none of the above do not.

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Marion County plans to release additional results every day that it processes ballots, but the results of close races like the 22nd District may not be known until after the election is certified in December. If the race remains close, Oregon law calls for an automatic recount if the difference between the top two candidates is within 0.2% of the total votes cast. Based on the current number of votes counted in the 22nd District, that would be about 40 votes.

While voters and political prognosticators may need to be patient, Burgess stressed that theyll be able to trust the results. Every ballot envelope has a unique number, and each voter is allowed only one active ballot.

Have patience, because were going to get it all done, and were going to work deliberatively to make sure that each voters vote is counted just the way they want it to be counted, he said.

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In 2017, Trumps former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke urged the then-president to shrink the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument along the Oregon-California border to allow for more logging. It was one of several national monuments the Trump administration sought to remove protections from in order to allow private industries access to natural resources. (Bureau of Land Management)

Maria Cecilia Hinojos Pressey remembers the sense of fear that descended on Latino immigrants in Oregon during the first Trump presidency in 2017. The deputy director for the farmworkers union Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste, or PCUN, saw firsthand how workplace raids seeking undocumented immigrants in Woodburn forced families into the shadows.

Kids stopped going to school. Many people decided to move out of Oregon, she said Wednesday evening at an online forum of state and community nonprofit leaders.

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The panel of conservation and social justice leaders discussed what theyd learned from Republican President-elect Trumps first term, how they were preparing to organize, educate and protect the public, democracy and vulnerable communities over the next few years and how they were preparing to challenge Trump and his administration legally if his orders violate state law. More than 220 people attended it virtually, according to Casey Kulla, state forest policy coordinator for Oregon Wild and the event moderator.

If the next Trump presidency is anything like the first, Kulla and Steve Pedery, Oregon Wilds executive director, anticipate a rush by private industries on federal lands for natural resources that will likely trigger lawsuits.

In the months that followed Trumps inauguration we just saw the logging, mining, fossil fuel industries go nuts, Pedery said.

Lawyering up

In 2017, Trumps former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke urged the then-president to shrink the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument that had been expanded by President Obama to allow for more logging.

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During Trumps first term, Oregons logging industry also joined with Trump and the American Forest Resources Council, a national timber industry group, in an attempt to repeal the federal Antiquities Act and eliminate national monuments as a tool to protect environmentally and culturally important places around the country. Oregon Wild was among groups that successfully sued the administration over the move.

Following the chaotic Trump years, Oregon Wild hired a staff attorney to help handle legal cases in-house instead of relying on national legal nonprofits or joining national lawsuits.

It was really a time when the environmental community in Oregon had to take stock of where we were, what kind of political power we had, and how to most effectively engage it to defend the values that we exist to protect, Pedery said.

While Trump failed to shrink the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, he succeeded in slashing the size of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante monuments in southern Utah. Democratic President Joe Biden restored the monuments boundaries upon taking office in 2021.

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Brian Smith, co-director of the Tribal Democracy Project and a citizen of the Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma, said reducing protections for national monuments such as Bears Ears, a sacred site to the Navajo Nation that Trump reduced 85% in size and opened to ranching and mining  was just one of many ways the former president showed he did not care for the concerns of tribal nations.

Weve had attacks on our sovereignty, treaty rights not being fulfilled, but this was really stepped up under the Trump administration, said Smith.

He reminded forum attendees that in the first round of federal COVID-19 relief money awarded to states, no money was allocated to tribes. Many did not get federal funding for months after states did.

Smith and other members of the Tribal Democracy Project plan to tackle historic voter suppression issues and engagement among tribal communities over the next few years to begin boosting political activism among tribal youth especially in the state, he said.

Constitutional protections

Amy Herzfeld-Copple, executive director of the Portland-based Western States Center, and Michele Ruffin, executive director of Portland-based Our Oregon, cited voter suppression, attacks on democracy and potential political violence as big issues.

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Herzfeld-Copple said Oregon has become a proving ground for anti-democracy movements and resistance to such movements. Ruffin said her organization will focus on defending Oregons sanctuary status for undocumented immigrants, trans people and people seeking abortions and will be fighting expected anti-tax measures that would pull money away from schools and other critical public services.

These are flawed actors, she said of Trumps allies. Theyll make missteps, theyll struggle to achieve their objectives, and theyll disagree with each other and fracture, right? And each of those moments will be an opportunity for us to push back.

Sandy Chung, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon, is also preparing legal push back on Trump policies directed at vulnerable populations. Since the last Trump administration, the group has teamed up with PCUN and several other groups to create the Oregon for All Coalition, which serves as a defensive legal arm for immigrant rights in Oregon, and to defend the states sanctuary state status and any attempts at mass deportation.

The ACLU of Oregon will lead a ballot measure campaign for November 2026 to enshrine the rights to abortion and reproductive healthcare, trans and gender-affirming care, and same-gender marriage in the Oregon Constitution.

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Weve been preparing for the potential of a second Trump presidency for the last four years, Chung told attendees at the forum. Under a Trump presidency, as well as under the current Supreme Court that has six regressive Supreme Court justices, we cant take anything for granted. The strongest way of setting foundational rights is through our state constitutions.

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Fentanyl is often mixed with other street drugs, leading to many overdoses. (Getty Images)

More than 90 people in Multnomah County entered a new program intended to help Oregonians who use illicit drugs avoid possession charges in court and receive treatment instead.

The figure for Oregons largest county provides the best available picture of how the new deflection program, which started Sept. 1, is aiding the Portland regions fight against fentanyl-fueled drug addiction. But its also an incomplete picture, one that doesnt yet show how successful the new program will be or whether the 91 people will receive addiction treatment or other aid, such as referrals to housing assistance or a homeless shelter.

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In a Thursday press conference , Multnomah County officials repeatedly underscored the newness of the program and the ongoing plans to track more data on people entering and completing the program in the months ahead.

Weigh in on Oregons drug addiction crisis

The Oregon Capital Chronicle wants to hear from Oregonians affected by the states drug addiction crisis and from providers and others involved in treatment or other services.

To share your thoughts and experiences here.

We have learned a lot about how the program is working for participants, yet it will be a few months before we have enough data to fully understand the outcomes that the program is achieving and its longer term impacts, Multnomah County Health Director Rachael Banks said.

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The crisis remains widespread, from rural Oregon to Portland.

About 1,400 people died of fentanyl overdoses statewide in 2023, up from just 280 in 2019, Oregon Health Authority data show. Across Oregon, 28 of the states 36 counties agreed to start deflection programs through House Bill 4002, which lawmakers passed this year to combat drug addiction.

The legislation put a new misdemeanor penalty in place that recriminalized low-level drug possession in response to rising overdoses. The law also allowed, but did not require, counties to start the deflection programs, which provide a pathway for a person to avoid court charges and jail time if they participate. Counties received the flexibility to design their deflection programs  and the requirements for someone to succeed.

How it works

In Multnomah County, participants can successfully complete the program if they complete a screening after contact with a police officer, receive a referral to services and engage with a recommended provider within 30 days. Those who do not do the followup face possible arrest and charges.

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That doesnt necessarily mean that they all will start treatment within 30 days. It could mean other steps, like accessing housing or related services, county officials said.

If shelter or housing were in their care plan and they accessed one of those things, it would be a successful deflection, said Marc Harris, the Multnomah County Health Departments strategic initiatives manager.

The programs flexible arrangement comes as Oregon struggles to provide enough addiction treatment services statewide, whether for outpatient services or residential care. Oregon is short by 3,700 beds for residential mental health care or addiction services, a state report found.

Yet officials also point to signs of promise on the horizon. 4D Recovery, a nonprofit addiction recovery provider in the Portland region, recently opened an outpatient treatment center in Gresham. The organization also contracts with Multnomah County and provides outreach services to aid police officers in the field.

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Tony Vezina, executive director of 4D, said the center will aid efforts in the eastern portion of the county and did six assessments for new clients on Tuesday, its first day.

As to the programs setup and the role of treatment, Vezina said everyone has the same goal for people to get as much help and treatment as possible, which continues after that first month and completion of the program.

It wouldnt mean that the help would stop at that point, Vezina said.

The county also has a contracted drop-in center where police can take people who may decide to participate in deflection for initial screenings and connections to peer mentors. The Pathway Center, run by Tuerk House, a Baltimore-based drug and alcohol treatment provider, opened in mid-October at 900 SE Sandy Boulevard in Portlands central eastside district.

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From Oct. 14, to Oct. 31, the center has received 19 referrals from law enforcement for possible deflection cases. Out of those, 13 people started deflection.

We are encouraged by the response from participants and their willingness to seek treatment, said Tuerk House CEO Bernard Gyebi-Foster in a statement.

There are plans to expand the center in 2025 with sobering services.

Overall, arrests on the misdemeanor drug possession charge outpace the number of people who enter deflection. In Multnomah County, police agencies countywide have made 262 arrests for misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance since Sept. 1, according to Oregon Criminal Justice Commission data.

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Not all of those people are eligible for deflection. If they face additional charges or have an arrest warrant from a prior case, they do not qualify.

Still, police and health officials point to individual success stories.

Portland Police Bureau Commander Brian Hughes told one account of a woman who started deflection. In that instance, an officer spotted an unsheltered woman smoking methamphetamine from a pipe near a popular coffee shop. The officer connected the woman to help, Hughes said, aiding public safety and her well-being.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Oregon health officials are alarmed over the states rising pertussis case count, which is expected to beat the states record, Oregon Health Authority announced Thursday.

OHA is urging Oregonians to get vaccinated against pertussis, also known as whooping cough, as the state is on track to surpass its record of 910 cases by the end of 2024.

As of Wednesday, Oregon has seen 827 cases in 23 counties, OHA said, noting at least one person, an older adult, has died from the disease.

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St. Helens HS closed through Monday as protests over sex abuse charges continue

In 2012, Oregon reported its record 910 whooping cough cases, which at the time marked the highest annual count since 1953, officials said.

Im worried, given the time of year, because people are attending indoor holiday gatherings, and those gatherings often include newborns who are too young to be vaccinated, said Paul Cieslak, medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at OHAs Public Health Division.

According to OHA, Lane County has the highest number of cases in 2024, reporting 249 cases followed by Multnomah County with 180 cases, Clackamas County with 109 cases, Washington with 67, and Deschutes with 59.

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Lake Oswego dad faces $2.4 million suit after prison sentence for drugging drinks at daughters sleepover

OHA said the median age of the cases is 11, but cases range among people from five weeks old to 89 years old.

This comes after Clark County Public Health announced on Wednesday that they were seeing soaring whooping cough cases and chicken pox outbreaks at three schools, noting most of the cases were among unvaccinated children.

OHA warns that babies that are too young to be fully vaccinated suffer the most from whooping cough and have the highest reported incidence rate and a higher likelihood of hospitalization and death. Babies do not start building protection against infection until they are vaccinated at two months old, according to OHA.

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The health agency said with the exception of 2024, Oregon whooping cough deaths have been limited to infants, with five occurring since 2003.

Former Sharis employee sues company on behalf of workers impacted by abrupt closure

Health experts urge pregnant people at 27-36 weeks gestation to get the Tdap vaccine, which offers protection from tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Vaccinated mothers make antibodies and pass them to their babies across the placenta, which decreases the risk of whooping cough in babies younger than two months by 78% to 91%.

Officials also recommend vaccinations for infants, children, adolescents, and adults.

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Understand the dangers: Video shows early king tide action on the Oregon Coast

Data from January through Nov. 13, show 406, or 49%, of 2024s cases were reported in people who did not have documented doses of pertussis vaccines. Additionally, 361, or 44%, were up to date on vaccines.

According to OHA, among the 75 infant cases, 11 mothers had documentation of getting the vaccine during pregnancy.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic  which saw health restrictions such as masking requirements and school closures  annual case tallies routinely reached triple digits before dropping to three cases in 2021.

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Oswego Lake restrictions lifted after judge determined public access ban was unlawful

Now, Oregons year-to-date 827 cases represent a nearly 2,500% increase from the 32 cases reported in the same period in 2023.

Its concerning, said Lisandra Guzman, Lane Countys deputy public health officer and a preventive medicine physician. Pertussis is very contagious, and thats one of the reasons its so hard to control.

Guzman furthered that pertussis is also dangerous because early symptoms are similar to symptoms from respiratory viral infections.

Sen. Wyden raises concern over outlandish RFK Jr. as health secretary

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What you think may be a simple cold can turn out to be pertussis, because thats how it begins with a mild upper respiratory infection. After a couple weeks, the whooping cough begins, Guzman said.

In a press release announcing Oregons concerning rise in cases, Jennifer Gibbons, a naturopathic physician in Portland, described seeing a five-month-old baby, whose mother said the child had difficulty breathing, and coughed until she vomited, then would seem fine minutes later.

Im talking to her, and she has this perfectly healthy-looking 5-month-old baby, who then all of a sudden starts coughing, and her face turns dark red, and shes gasping for breath while shes trying to cough up all the secretions, Gibbons recalled. With pertussis, they get into these spasms of coughing that they cant stop, and theyre often bringing up large amounts of mucus. Its very scary.

Health officials are urging Oregonians to get vaccinated, especially ahead of holiday gatherings.

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Ive had multiple families say, If I had known how bad this was going to be, I would have vaccinated. I use that to tell other families, Gibbons said, noting, kids tolerate this vaccine very well. I find it to be a really useful, safe and effective vaccine.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Nov. 14ORONOCO, Minn.  A meeting that Mayor Ryland Eichhorst hoped would "be a six-minute meeting" will last two days.

Wednesday, the Oronoco City Council met to approve results of the city's three races in the Nov. 5 election. The races included two candidates for mayor, two candidates to fill two four-year seats, and a special election to fill the remainder of a four-year term.

No one is arguing the winners of each race. Eichhorst was re-elected mayor. Paul Pendergrass and Marie Reisdorfer were both elected to four-year seats on the council. And Daniel Spring received the most votes among four declared candidates in the special election.

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Yet, the council did not vote to approve the results.

That's because Erv De Vlaeminck, who had been appointed to fill the seat vacated when Carl Krause resigned in February 2024, said he wanted to keep serving on the city council until January.

That, said City Administrator Jason Baker, is not how it works.

If the vacancy occurs with more than two years on an unexpired term, an appointed council member serves until a qualified member  meaning someone who has earned the votes  during a special election can take over after the special election and the canvassing of the votes.

"Per state law here, Daniel Spring has been elected," said Baker. "So he takes over after the special election."

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Baker said because the next city council meeting is so close to the date the canvassing takes place, De Vlaeminck could remain on the city council for the Nov. 19 meeting if he contests the results. But by the next meeting, in December, Spring, by law, should be sworn in and seated.

A trio of council members did not see it that way. Jim Phillips, who lost the mayoral race against Eichhorst, said he had contacted the League of Minnesota Cities, and was told that De Vlaeminck could keep the seat until January. Pendergrass voiced his support for keeping De Vlaeminck on the council until January as well.

Baker and Eichhorst both pointed out that the League of Minnesota Cities is simply an advisory organization, but does not carry the weight of the law.

Baker said prior to the meeting that he had contacted the Secretary of State's office to confirm that, yes, an appointed member of the city council must step aside once a special election is held and certified.

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In the end, three council members  Phillips, Pendergrass and De Vlaeminck  objected to the resolution that stated Spring would take over the council seat on Nov. 19.

Seeking clarification, Eichhorst recommended the city council recess the meeting until sometime Friday morning when  with assistance from the Secretary of State office  they could continue the meeting with some guidance as to when Spring should be seated on the council.

Baker said he did not have the time set yet, but expected the meeting to resume at 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 15, which would be the last day, according to state statute, that the city has to certify the election results, an action that is required within 10 days of an election.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  In a saga centered around Oswego Lake, a judge has ruled city officials cannot restrict the public from accessing the water.

On Wednesday, Clackamas County Circuit Court Judge Kathie Steele ordered Lake Oswego to remove the lakes No Access sign and strike down the ordinance that bans the general public from entering it.

St. Helens HS closed through Monday as protests over sex abuse charges continue

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Dating back to 2012, the case started with a lawsuit from Mark Kramer and Todd Prager.

Court documents show Kramer was a long-time enthusiast of paddling who had been banned from using the lake due to his status as a non-resident. Prager was both a resident and a member of Lake Oswegos Planning Commission, but still unable to access the entirety of the lake that had been deemed as private property.

Although residents have access to the lakes small swim park that is open only during summer months, plaintiffs still argued the citys restrictions went against Oregons right and obligation to protect the publics use of the States navigable waterways or navigable portions of waterways.

In her order, Judge Steele noted officials could only restrict public access if it is objectively reasonable to do so. She also noted that societal changes often impact policy, citing the legalization of same-gender marriages and womens right to open their own bank accounts without co-signs from their parents or husbands.

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Women didnt used to be attorneys or judges, yet here we are, Steele wrote. Life changes The issue before the court here is, under current laws, regulations, and rules, has life changed enough to affect how we treat and protect the publics interest in Oswego Lake.

The public can now access the lake through Millennium Plaza Park, but not through Sundeleaf Plaza or Headlee Walkway.

Incumbent Lori Chavez-DeRemer concedes to Janelle Bynum in race for Oregons 5th

Lake Oswego Corporation, a group of homeowners who live around the lake, was listed as Lake Oswegos co-defendant in the case. The city previously argued the public access restriction was in place due to safety concerns and to prevent invasive species from entering the space.

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KOIN 6 has reached out to the City Attorneys Office for comment.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany's embattled minority government has named Greens politician Tobias Lindner as its transatlantic coordinator tasked with preparing for the second U.S. presidency of Donald Trump, the foreign ministry said in a statement on Friday.

Lindner's predecessor, Michael Link of the Free Democrats (FDP), who had cultivated ties with Republicans and Democrats ahead of the election, was a casualty of the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's three-party coalition last week.

The break-up, which has created a leadership vacuum in Europe's largest economy just as it seeks a united response to the U.S. election, will prompt a confidence vote in December and fresh elections on Feb. 23.

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Lindner, who acts as state minister in the foreign ministry, will take over the tasks on a temporary basis from Dec. 1 until the end of the legislative period, said the ministry.

"Especially in turbulent geopolitical times, we need to work together," said Lindner, who has been responsible for North America at the ministry since 2021, in a statement.

"Together with the future U.S. administration, we want to continue to work for peace, stability, prosperity and freedom in the world," he added.

German news outlet Spiegel, which first reported the news, said Lindner will travel to the Halifax International Security Forum in Canada next week to discuss the impact of the U.S. election on NATO and international crises.

(Reporting by Andreas Rinke, writing Friederike Heine, editing by Miranda Murray and Thomas Seythal)
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)  Hurricane Helene might be gone, but the damage remains. Paine College has experienced significant damage to its campus.

Helenes impact on Paine Colleges campus is totaling nearly $4 million dollars. Right now, they say they need all the help they can get.

For every roof that is damaged, there is interior damage inside of those buildings Paine College Public Relations Director Helene Carter said.

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Several parts of the campus like the administration building, residence halls and the presidents office were left devastated.

Some of our dormitories were flooded in the basements. Whats in the basements? Washing machines, dryers, water heaters, boilers. So, those commercial appliances were literally destroyed, Carter said.

And with the colleges new president arriving in January, they have to move quickly.

He and his family wish to move in at the end of December. Well, that home and the surrounding areas received some damage from the storms. So, were working to clear all of that up before he moves in, Carter said.

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Currently, school leaders are working to raise money for temporary solutions as the recent rain has uncovered cracks and holes in decade-old buildings.

Gilbert Lambert Memorial Chapel, that entire roof has to be fixed, and also a part of the steeple. Well, it is four stories high or higher in some places, and very few people want to climb a ladder to get on top of that roof to apply a tarp, Carter said.

And while the college has raised some funds, Paine Colleges Helene Carter says, thats only a temporary fixtheyll need about $710,000 more just to get back to some kind of normalcy.

We need some very, very strong, large tarps to go on top of that roof. But we also need a lift, a lift that will lift the workers high enough to get on top of that roof to do the work.

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Staff ask for monetary donations and resourceful equipment to help put the campus back together. Contact HCarter@paine.edu .

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
By Mubasher Bukhari and Ariba Shahid

LAHORE (Reuters) -Pakistan's Punjab province declared a health emergency due to toxic smog on Friday, banning construction, shutting schools for another week and moving universities online, while hundreds of thousands of Muslims prayed for rain and forgiveness.

The faithful gathered at over 600 government-run mosques in the province for "Namaz-e-Istisqa", a voluntary prayer for rain often offered in times of calamities, said Talha Mahmood, spokesman for the provincial Religious Affairs department.

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"Today, we prayed for rain to decrease smog, though it is caused by humans' own mistakes," said Muhammad Ejaz, 48, who led prayers at a mosque in the sprawling provincial capital Lahore, adding the prayer aimed at seeking God's forgiveness for people's sins.

The province, Pakistan's most populous, grapples every winter with smog, but air pollution has worsened in recent years, as a result of cold air trapping dust, low-grade diesel fumes and smoke from illegal stubble burning on fields.

Sajid Bashir, spokesman for the provincial Environment Department, attributed this year's severe pollution to a lack of rain in September and October. "Last year, rain spells reduced particulate matter; this year, we're still waiting," he said on Friday.

Lahore has topped Swiss group IQAir readings as the world's most polluted city, for most of the week.

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Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, announcing smog-reduction measures at a press conference, said the government had ordered the closure of construction, brick kilns, and furnace-based plants in Lahore and the city of Multan.

She said there would be a complete three-day lockdown from next Friday if the situation does not improve.

Last week the province ordered schools to close until Nov. 17, and on Friday the shift to online learning was extended for another week. Colleges and universities will also shut down, moving to virtual classes.

Authorities have already banned entry to parks, zoos, playgrounds and other public spaces.

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Other parts of South Asia are also dealing with high levels of pollution and Punjab blames neighbouring India for contributing to its hazardous air quality. New Delhi, the world's most polluted capital, has banned non-essential construction, moved children to virtual classrooms and asked residents to avoid using coal and wood from Friday.

(Reporting by Ariba Shahid in Karachi, Shilpa Jamkhandikar in MumbaiEditing by Ros Russell and Frances Kerry)
Nov. 14Different perspectives of homelessness emerged from a Tuesday night panel discussion.

Deputy Police Chief Chad Farmer showed pictures of homeless encampments on East Okmulgee Avenue, Hatbox Field and Euclid Avenue.

Muskogee Public Library branch manager Julie Poor recalled a man who needed a belt, "and I offered to braid some yarn together, so I can at least help him."

Laurel Havens said he sees out-of-town vehicles depositing homeless people at the building across from Muskogee County Emergency Medical Service, where he is executive director.

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The panel featured representatives from the library, EMS, police, Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee, Green Country Behavioral Health and Muskogee County Health Department. Ward III City Councilor Melody Cranford, a fifth grade teacher, moderated the panel.

She asked police how many trespassing, right-of-way obstruction or similar ordinance violations involve unhoused people.

Farmer said police responded to 42,000 service calls since Jan. 1.

"The vast majority of it would be homeless-related," he said, adding that he could not cite specific numbers on homeless calls.

"There's several different things, disturbances, man down, suspicious activity, trespassing," he said.

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Farmer said police can enforce littering or other ordinance violations on public property.

"But if we're driving around at night, on private property, we can't do anything," Farmer said. "So maybe if businesses can post a 'No Trespassing' sign, then work with city attorney, they can sign the rights and say we can go on their property and enforce that."

Muskogee Police Sgt. James Hamlin said he visits homeless encampments regularly.

"I try to be straight up with them," he said. "I go out, try to familiarize myself with them. We have a population that's here, and you have a transient population."

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Hamlin said he tries to recommend services these people can use.

"But some people don't want any services," he said. "It's hard for someone in the public to understand our hands are tied."

Poor said Muskogee librarians need to know about resources they can refer homeless people to  such as places where they can take showers or eat.

She said said the library might have 20 unhoused people inside each day, maybe 25 on cold days. Five to 10 might stay the entire day, she said. Some just use the bathroom and go back outside. Some spend the day outside. Some read books and magazines or watch videos on the computer.

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Eastern Oklahoma Library System Executive Director Kathy Seibold said a main reason why unhoused people come to the library is to have a place to go.

"The door is open and there's air conditioning, heating, restrooms, water fountains, basic things we take for granted," she said.

Seibold said the library surveyed patrons about their concerns and homeless people were mentioned a lot.

"Some people felt uncomfortable," she said. "The public in general is challenged by the unhoused in public spaces. We are not a day center. We don't have facilities that are appropriate."

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Farmer said officers see vehicles from Tahlequah police, Warner police drop unhoused people off at the Gospel Rescue Mission.

Havens said groups of people are dropped off at a building across from the mission and the EMS headquarters.

"The first thing we have to stop is other communities bringing people to our community who have no relationship here, no connection, no contacts," Havens said.

Health Department planning health coordinator Jeremy Colbert said people who are "dropped off" come from communities with fewer resources than Muskogee.

Panel members agreed that collaboration is important to meeting multiple challenges homeless people face.

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Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee works closely with Muskogee County Health Department, EMS and GCBH, said Kim Walton, Saint Francis Muskogee executive director of patient care.

"We have an iPad in our emergency department, and if there is a mental health crisis, we're going to pull Green Country up and ask for their help and their support," Walton said. "When these patients come to the ER, they are in some type of crisis, and the crisis may just be that they need a sandwich bag and a warm blanket."
On Nov. 14, 2024 Henry Mayers, president of Michiganders for Fair and Transparent Elections, testified to the House Ethics and Oversight Committee on a bill subjecting legislative staffers to the regulations of the Lobbyist Registration Act. | Kyle Davidson

In its first meeting since June, members of the House Ethics and Oversight and Committee continued to push forward on laws addressing outside financial influences in Lansing politics.

The committee heard testimony from state Rep. Jimmie Wilson Jr. (D-Ypsilanti) on his House Bill 5581, which would subject legislative staff to the same regulations as other public officials under the Lobbyist Registration Act.

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The legislation is part of the Bringing Reforms in Integrity, Transparency and Ethics (BRITE) Act introduced by House Democrats in March.

Through this bill, staffers would be required to report gifts and other expenditures from lobbyists attempting to influence them.

Staff of elected officials play a key role, and in many cases, legislators rely heavily on them in key decisions and stakeholder engagement. Lobbyists gifts to elected officials staff may buy influence, provide increased access, secure favors or circumvent restrictions on campaign contributions, lobbying expenditures, Wilson said.

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Henry Mayers, president of Michiganders for Fair and Transparent Elections called the change long overdue and reflected the reality of how constituents engage with their elected officials.

Staff who have any desire to be of real value to the legislator quickly seek some area of expertise or effectiveness. Nothing is more valuable to a legislator than a staffer who completely handles an important subject area, and anyone with any smarts seeking to influence views of any legislator will do whatever they can to help his or her staff stay sharp and have that staffer understand his or her point of view, Mayers said.

Everyone knows that legislators have very limited amounts of time to meet with constituents and others seeking to inform or influence them. And todays increasing costs of conducting a re-election campaign means that even more time must go into securing donors, not legislating. Though regardless of whatever burdens our legislators have making them unavailable, the staffer must stand in for the legislator on discussions of legislative substance, Mayers said.

Of the nine members of the committee six members voted to refer Wilsons bill to the House floor for further consideration, with the panels three Republicans members passing on the vote.

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By the same margin, members also voted to refer House Bill 5586, sponsored by Rep. Kara Hope (D-Holt) to the House floor. House Bill 5586 creates a one-year cooling-off period, where lawmakers would be barred from working as lobbyists after the end of their term.

After the meeting concluded, Rep. Tom Kunse (R-Clare), the committee minority vice chair, told reporters the bills were a great step forward noting the only reason he had passed on voting for House Bill 5581, is that hed like to see the definition of a legislative staffer tightened to address any ambiguity.

I like the bill. Im gonna  I think theyre going to make that amendment, and Ill support it on the floor. Same with 5586, I like the revolving door being addressed, and were going to support it on the floor, Kunse said.

State Reps. Jimmie Wilson Jr. (D-Ypsilanti) and Erin Byrnes (D-Dearborn) take questions on the future of various pieces of transparency and ethics legislation, following a Nov. 14, 2024 meeting of the House Ethics and Oversight Committee. | Kyle Davidson

While House Oversight and Ethics Committee Chair Erin Byrnes (D-Dearborn) said her goal is to have the BRITE Act bills passed through committee and signed into law before the end of this lame duck period, Kunse raised concerns about the limited amount of time remaining in the legislative session.

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[Republicans] introduced similar legislation in March of 23. Well, gosh, wheres everybody been? You know, wheres everybody been? So I dont know why we havent moved on some of [these bills] before. So its overdue, but its a step forward. And if its slow, slow is better than not moving at all, Kunse said.

Introduced this March during Sunshine Week, an annual nationwide week of advocacy for open government, freedom of information and government transparency, the BRITE Act is composed of seven bills  House Bills 55805586  seeking to improve financial reporting requirements, shed light on dark money spending from undisclosed donors and limit lobbyist influence.

Of the seven bills of the package, the two bills reported out from committee on Thursday are the only policies to move through committee. Another, House Bill 5583, was ordered discharged to the House floor, before Democrats voted to send the bill to the Senate.

The bill, if passed, would allow the Michigan secretary of state to apply for a court to intervene if a campaign finance complaint is filed, and the secretary of state believes a violation has or is continuing to occur.

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As Kunse noted, Republicans introduced their own transparency legislation in 2023, which included reforms to Michigans Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), expanding the law to include the governor and the Legislature, who are currently exempt.

Should the BRITE Act fail to reach the finish line, Kunse said he could absolutely see Republicans reintroducing these bills, and that he is pushing for FOIA reform to be the first thing addressed out of the gate.

Well get 105 votes on that. Lets open it up. Lets start our next session with a bipartisan  nobodys opposed to this Lets show that we can work across the aisle. I think itd be a great way to open the session, Kunse said.

State Reps. Jimmie Wilson Jr. (D-Ypsilanti), Erin Byrnes (D-Dearborn) and Kara Hope (D-Holt) take questions on the future of various pieces of transparency and ethics legislation, following a Nov. 14, 2024 meeting of the House Ethics and Oversight Committee. | Kyle Davidson

While the Senate has advanced a bipartisan set of policies to extend FOIA to include the governors office and the Legislature, with exemptions for multiple state agencies, including the House and Senate Fiscal Agencies and the Legislative Service Bureau, the House Government Operations Committee, known as a graveyard for legislation, has yet to schedule a hearing for the bills.

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Byrnes said she would love to take up those bills but noted theyre not in her committee.

Were having some conversations about that and what that will look like. So more to come on that, Byrnes said.

Kunse however, was not optimistic about the future of the Senate FOIA reform bills, but said he would absolutely support the changes and would vote to suspend the rules and move the package directly to the House floor.

While speaking with reporters Thursday afternoon, Whitmer offered a noncommittal answer when asked if she would support the BRITE Act bills should they reach her desk.

You know. Ill take a look at them. Obviously, Im not a part of the internal negotiations on those pieces, but theres always room for improvement in our laws, she said.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  A Sioux Falls man, on parole for a stabbing, is back behind bars accused of shooting someone in the face.

Police say 21-year-old Jacob Leroy shot at a car in an apartment parking lot, near 41st Street and Marion Avenue, Wednesday morning.

One of the bullets hit a man but his injuries are non-life threatening. Police used surveillance video to link Leroy to the crime.

Pierre mail carrier facing federal charges

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When officers arrested him, police allegedly found a baggie of meth.

Leroy is on active parole for stabbing a 16-year-old in the stomach. Last year, a judge sentenced him to four years in prison for that crime.

Leroy got out on parole in September after serving less than a year of the sentence.

Hes now being held on a $250,000 cash-only bond.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
Nov. 14Two years in the making and already one failure under their belts, passing a $72 million bond was a "team effort," Cheney Public Schools Superintendent Ben Ferney said.

In February, five school districts in the county asked voters to agree to decadeslong property taxes that would pay for major construction in these districts. Dreams of new schools, additions and renovations were crushed for bond-seeking districts Spokane, Cheney, West Valley, Deer Park and Riverside, leaving school leaders to wonder why.

Perhaps the cost of living soured property owners on more expenses. Maybe voters weren't compelled to turn in their ballots in a special election. In a divisive political climate, how possible is it to get 60% of a population to agree on anything, especially taxes?

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This month, Cheney Public Schools voters proved they could reach a consensus, at least enough to overcome the lofty supermajority approval needed to pass a bond.

"Folks showed up, and they showed up in a big way to support our school district, and just the positive impact we're going to have on our students in the coming years, I'm just thrilled about it," Ferney said.

Their $72 million proposal passed with flying colors, garnering over 62% "yes" votes, according to Wednesday night counts. That's nearly 8 points higher than their February attempt with the same projects and price tag on the bond.

Soon, Cheney High School's stadium will see new bleachers and fencing, Salnave and Windsor elementaries will get designated bus lanes, and kitchens around the district will see renovations and updates, among other projects.

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The biggest and most expensive undertaking funded through the bond, a new elementary school will be built in Airway Heights , with potentially a new high school or middle school years down the road. As the city sees a population surge, kids will soon have a second elementary school to attend, easing some of the pressure on Sunset Elementary already at 121% of its intended capacity.

The district doesn't have a concrete timeline as to when it will break ground on projects, Ferney said, but it will likely prioritize quicker work like the stadium and bus loop while nailing down the timeline for the construction of the new Airway Heights elementary school.

Acquiring land will also be a priority as Airway Heights is ballooning in population and showing no signs of slowing, increasing the demand for land.

The district is searching for sites for an elementary school, secondary school and bus barn to be constructed with future funding mechanisms.

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The district owns a site for the elementary school, 11 acres on Craig Road and First Avenue in northwestern Airway Heights purchased with levy dollars in 2020.

There are neighborhoods and playgrounds erected near the school, Ferney said, foreshadowing the busy community to come: kids walking to and from school, and residents renting the gym for music performances after hours.

"You have a community around that, you have access to the building for parents and guardians and folks to be able to go to school for school events, also then you have the fields that are available," Ferney said. "It really does help bring out the best in the community to have the school right there."

The city of Airway Heights passed a resolution in support of the bond. Parent groups and volunteers flocked to campaign through sign waving, door knocking, trunk-or-treating, rodeo appearances, and other forms of "small town campaigning," said Zach Zorrozua, who mobilized a coalition of volunteers through his group West Plains Citizens for Excellent Education.

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"We went to every community event we could get to, and we talked about the need for the bond, and we engaged the community much more, and it worked," Zorrozua said.

Volunteers worked to ensure residents of each of the three distinct communities encompassed by the 380-square-foot district understood what was in it for them. They spent deliberate energy in Airway Heights. The focused campaign appeared to have paid off, as these precincts showed a surge in support for the November bond compared to the same measure in February.

Schools in Airway Heights, Cheney proper and unincorporated West Plains would each see returns on their investments as kids grow up and become the new Cheney community, Zorrozua said.

"Our ability to get good jobs and have a good wage and good quality of life really depends on the education we get, even if you don't go to college," he said.

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A Cheney grad, Zorrozua is proud of the education he got there. His wife is a principal at Cheney Middle School, where one of his kids attends school. He rattles off the names of friends with whom he graduated who own thriving local businesses, crediting their Cheney education with fueling their success.

"I have a lot of hope for the future," he said.

He's looking decades away, and upon the bond's passage, said he is relieved future generations will enjoy the same education he wears with pride.

"If my kids end up building a house in Airway Heights or in Cheney, I know that there's going to be a school for their kids to go to," Zorrozua said.

Elena Perry's work is funded in part by members of the Spokane community via the Community Journalism and Civic Engagement Fund. This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, please contact our newspaper's managing editor.
GREENSBORO  Trey Davis first month as city manager has been a busy one.

In the weeks since Davis was selected for the job on Oct. 4, the city has contended with several controversial issues.

On Oct. 22, the Greensboro City Council voted on a cap and cover solution for the now-closed Bingham Park, which was created on land that had been polluted by its previous use as an unregulated landfill. The action drew backlash from several residents who called on the city to pursue a full cleanup.

The growing problem of homelessness has also been a major topic of discussion.

In mid-October, the Interactive Resource Center, a leading nonprofit providing services for the homeless, announced it would reduce its hours from 24/7 to daytime during the week.

The decision came after months of conflict between city and center leaders over crime and other disturbances at the center.

As colder weather approaches, the city has also been looking into arrangements for ensuring adequate winter shelter for homeless people.

Its been a lot but its still very exciting, Davis said. I wake up before my alarm every day ready to get rolling, just get to the action and business of the city.

Davis recently sat down to discuss his approach to city government and leading challenges such as housing, economic development and public safety.

Putting his stamp on city government

Before Davis was city manager, he served five years as Greensboros assistant city manager focusing on public safety.

Prior to serving as assistant city manager, Davis worked as a police officer for more than 20 years, including 17 years of service with the Greensboro Police Department.

Davis said that background in law enforcement has shaped his approach now that he is in the citys top administrative job.

A big part of being in a paramilitary structure, you learn how to look at things from a strategic approach, Davis said. I needed to make sure that out of the gate I was doing things in a strategic way and one step in doing that is putting structure to the organization and also having the right people in the right place.

Since becoming city manager, Davis has made two notable staffing decisions.

He elevated Andrea Harrell, who has worked in the citys legal department since 2016 and who most recently served as senior assistant city attorney, to fill his old assistant city manager position overseeing the public safety agencies.

Davis also created a new one: strategic and crisis communications manager. Eric Chilton, a longtime broadcaster at WFMY News 2, who started in the role on Wednesday.

Davis said Chilton would be working closely with him and the city council to craft messaging for the media and the broader public.

He said Chiltons media background would allow him to work effectively both behind the scenes and to serve as a public voice for the city if needed.

Davis sees the role as filling a critical need for the city.

Ive been in local government since the mid-90s and Ive seen communication and the types of communication change multiple times and I believe the place that were in now is, the pace of communication, the speed at which things change, the speed at which situations can turn into a crisis has changed, Davis said.

He added: We want to make sure that instead of being reactive that we can begin to be proactive. I think when we do that, and I think when we are able to communicate more effectively and more proactively to the community about situations that could be a crisis or potentially a crisis, that we can create better relationships and better trust with the community.

Homelessness and housing

Davis is no stranger at dealing with the problem of homelessness in Greensboro. He has been a major participant in the discussions between the city and the IRC as the two entities have often been at odds over security concerns.

After implementing a 24/7 model in January, the IRC went back to offering daily service on weekdays starting Nov. 1. The decision to scale back came after months of tension over safety concerns at the center.

Officials from the city and Guilford County had called for stricter security measures following a spike in 911 calls at and around the center. Safety at the IRC has remained a concern following the shooting death of 25-year-old Austin Schneider in the IRC parking lot on Oct. 30.

He said members of city staff continue to work with the IRC on a path forward but reiterated that safety remains a priority.

Were always, again, willing to be good partners, Davis said. We may make recommendations but at the end of the day, the measuring stick for us is, is it safe for people? And when we see that environments consistently are not safe, then we have to look at other options.

At the same time, Davis also highlighted other efforts the city is pursuing to provide winter shelter for homeless people.

On Nov. 4, the council approved a $425,000 agreement with Greensboro Urban Ministry that promises to provide more than 50 beds for homeless people during the winter.

Even with the dispute over the IRC day center, the city continues to partner with the group on the Doorway Project, which will provide 83 beds.

Members of the city council have described the citys lack of housing, particularly affordable or attainable housing, as a crisis.

Davis said he is focused on finding ways to encourage housing growth, including reevaluating regulations to see what ways the city can relieve burdens on development without sacrificing safety standards.

He alluded to ambitious goals for new housing.

I dont want to put that number out just yet because it might be a little too aggressive, but Ive got to tell you, when you look at the deficit in housing that we have that is both rental and for-sale properties, it is really alarming, Davis said. So we want to make sure we do our part in putting more housing units out for people that are in need and thats not just for people in need. We need to make sure we have a diversified housing stock in our community.

Crime and public safety

When it comes to public safety in Greensboro, Davis said he believes the city has the ability to create an ecosystem of public safety that expands beyond our police department.

He said the city would continue to focus on supporting the police and on ensuring accountability for criminal offenders while finding ways to address root causes.

We also want to create those nonconventional components, such as what we did with the Office of Community Safety, to create touchpoints in our community and connections to grassroots organizations or community-based organizations that can engage and reach people before crimes occur and creating opportunities, Davis said.

He said that vision includes integrating different departments and entities not usually associated with public safety, including parks and recreation, transportation and workforce development.

A lot of times we wait until the moment of tension to try and solve something, Davis said. However, again, Id like to look upstream to identify, what are those place that we can provide other resources earlier in the scenario so that we can change the dynamics of how people approach and how people see things and ultimately how people see their own life.

Economic development

What keeps Greensboros new manager up at night?

It is the fact that we are in the middle of what I feel like is the greatest opportunity in our country, he said.

He pointed to two recent economic success stories in or near Greensboro: the Boom Supersonic factory at Piedmont Triad International Airport and the Toyota megasite at the Guilford-Randolph county line.

So what keeps me up is, what am I going to do as a leader to make sure that we stay on the cutting edge of economic development and stay ahead of that curve? Davis said. As we do that, weve got to make sure that were doing it in a way that we dont leave people behind, that were making sure that whether its our existing, local businesses, our grassroots organizations, that they have the opportunities to thrive in this economic development environment just like the large corporations do.

Davis cites infrastructure as one of his major economic development focuses.

His infrastructure priorities cover a broad spectrum of initiatives, from extending water and sewer service to other communities to improving public transportation.

Its time for us to start thinking as a city of over 300,000 people and were continuing to grow every day and were in a region thats on the cusp of completely exploding with jobs, with housing, with opportunities, he said.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  A passenger on a motorcycle died in a crash Wednesday in Ramona, authorities said.

The collision occurred around 12:55 p.m. northbound on State Route 67 at Dye Road, Officer Jasmine Lopez with the California Highway Patrol said in a news release Thursday.

A 31-year-old man was riding a 2011 Harley Davidson with a 31-year-old woman when the motorcycle crashed into the back of a 2016 Range Rover SUV driven by a 69-year-old man, causing the rider and passenger to be ejected, according to authorities.

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Victims, suspect killed in Little Italy shootings identified

The passenger, of Chula Vista, died from her injuries while the rider, also from Chula Vista, suffered moderate injuries. The driver of the Range Rover, of Thermal, California, did not get hurt.

It is unknown if driving under the influence was a factor in the crash.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
MOULTRIE  Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine South Georgia recognized two employees for their commitment to diversity and a group of employees who have been a part of the Moultrie location since its beginning, during a recent luncheon.

The event was part of the collegewide 51st annual Employee Recognition, which was live-streamed across all three campuses. The annual Employee Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Awards were presented first. This award is presented to one faculty member and one staff member on each PCOM campus who produced high impact results and demonstrated a sustained commitment to advancing issues of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Thomas Last, an associate professor of biochemistry and cellular genetics, received PCOM South Georgias faculty DEI Award.

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Dr. Last has served as a mentor of the Pathway to Medicine Summer Research Institute that we started this summer for the first time in south Georgia, Jennifer Mitchell, the assistant director of Diversity and Community Relations, said. He creates such great spaces for our students just to feel included and that they belong here at PCOM South Georgia. He also supports our organizations out in the community. Every time we have a community event, we see Dr. Last there.

Standardized Patient Coordinator Brent Cox received the staff DEI award.

Brent has created a great inclusive space in our simulation center, Mitchell said. He recruits diverse standardized patients to support the learning for our students, and he's also actively involved in our diversity, equity and inclusion professional development.

PCOM South Georgia employees honored for five years of service included:

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Dr. Georgie Fredrick, Clinical Education; Nikita Mirajkar, department of Bio-Medical Sciences; Dr. Randall McGill, Clinical Education; Todd Presley, Maintenance and Utilities; Deborah Manning, department of Bio-Medical Sciences; Tammy Holmes, Information Technology Services; Katresa Gardner, library; Jordan Roberts, Marketing and Communications; Tiffany Coker, Financial Aid; Stacie Fairley, PhD, Department of Bio-Medical Sciences; Jennifer Shaw, PhD, Department of Bio-Medical Sciences; Edward Shaw, department of Bio-Medical Sciences; Brandy Sreenilayam, Department of Bio-Medical Sciences; Robert Walker, Department of Bio-Medical Sciences; Dr. Savita Arya, department of Bio-Medical Sciences; and Dr. Shiv Dhiman, Department of Bio-Medical Sciences.

Dr. Marla Golden, dean of the Osteopathic Medicine Program at PCOM South Georgia, was honored for 10 years of service to the College.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  For the first time, a marching band from Hawaii will be traveling all the way to Chicago to represent Hawaii in this years Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Parade.

Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You

It is pretty much the kick off to holiday season in Chicago.

So, to find out more about this, we are here with the Pearl City High School Band Director, Dr. Chadwick Kamei.

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I hear you do trips every couple of years.

What is the big thing for you that your students get to have this experience of traveling across the lands to be able to play music?

Its great for the kids just to get out of Hawaii, being able to experience different sides of the world, a different side of America, and being able to experience different climates, says Kamei.

They are going to be really cold seeing all the snow. Its going to be really good just opening their eyes to the wider world, so its going to be great for them.

Speaking of the members and students who will be experiencing this, we are here with senior Maiah Oba.

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Hauulas beloved Tamuras Market to close after 20 Years

Maiah, what instrument do you play?

I play the mellophone which is basically the French Horn but in marching band, so this is the mellophone and I really love playing it, says Oba.

Its a great instrument and it really defines me because I am really short. I a 410 but its a really loud instrument so I get to blast and play. Its very fun.

So, what does music mean for you?

To me, music doesnt mean just playing it. Music if therapy for me, says Oba.

When I play music, I dont think about anything else. I just immerse myself with the sound of music and I really dont think about anything else but playing. The beats, the rhythm. Its really great.

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Another band member we have is senior Christy Lau.

Christy, what instrument do you play?

I play the flute. I play this both in marching and concert band, says Lau.

What do you take out from marching band aside from playing music?

Besides music, I feel that it really helped me to grow as a leader because I have to lead a section of eighteen other flutes, so its a lot of time management and working with different kinds of people, says Lau.

Kalakaua Ave was once named Waikiki Road

Last but not least, we have the gentleman who is leading the pack, senior Payton Jordan Dobson.

What are you holding?

This is called a mace, says Dobson.

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This is what we use in our parades and this is what it shows for our visuals and we can use it to signal the band to start the song, we can use it to stop our marching, and we can use it to end our parades.

Being able to represent Hawaii in Chicago for the first time in this event, what does that mean for you?

I am very excited. It means so much, says Dobson.

This is my first year as a drum major and first year going to Chicago and first year going with the school marching band on a trip, so its very exciting. Very excited to experience Chicago, excited to play and see the other marching bands, and I really hope that we can spread as much Aloha as we can.

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Again, that is going to be this years Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Parade.

This is taking place November 23rd down North Michigan Avenue.

We may not be able to catch it live here in Hawaii, but we can catch the replay of the live-broadcast following the parade all the way to the ending of the year.

Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

For more information on the streaming, click here.

For more information on the festival, click here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT Valentin J.R. Bigornia, 26.

HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT Valentin J.R. Bigornia, 26.

A 61-year-old man allegedly stabbed Sunday night by his 26-year-old son in Pearl City told police his son suffers from schizophrenia and was off his medication at the time of the attack, according to state court documents.

Valentin John Rudy Bigornia was arrested by Honolulu Police Department officers at 1060 Kameha meha Highway at 6 :30 p.m. Sunday on suspicion of attempted murder in the second degree.

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His father, Valentin Quario Bigornia, suffered blunt injuries to the head and neck, multiple stab /penetrating wounds to the scalp, right forearm, and left elbow, including a penetration into the brain,  and was taken into surgery for his injuries.

He was charged Tuesday and is being held in lieu of $100, 000 bail ahead of a preliminary hearing today.

Officers responding at 6 :20 p.m. Sunday to a call of a disturbance at an apartment in Pearl City found the 61-year-old Bigornia exiting the apartment covered in blood, with visible gashes and lacerations to his head and upper body,  according to court records.

The two lived together at the apartment at 1060 Kamehameha Highway in Pearl City from 2002 until 2014, when the 26-year-old Bigornias behavior forced his father to move out.

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In 2014, Bigornia was diagnosed with schizophrenia and has not been taking his medication. His father visited him every day.

At about 6 p.m. Sunday the father went to visit his son to inform him that the replacement phone was being shipped and come in later.

The father allegedly told police that his son hit him with his hands and a guitar stand where he felt pain.

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He also allegedly told officers his son stabbed him, and officers noted that the father was covered in blood and had multiple stab wounds to his head and arms.

He suffered multiple serious injuries from an apparent assault and multiple lacerations,  and city Emergency Medical Services technicians transported him in serious condition to an emergency room.

Officers found the father lying naked, covered in blood, on the living room floor,  according to court documents. The son was responsive and complaining of pain in his ankle,  but no other significant injuries  were found.

During a search of the apartment, officers found a kitchen knife with a silver blade approximately 7 inches in length with a white handle.

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In the living room there was a broken guitar stand  made of metal.

The Elder Abuse Branch of the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney is handling the case. Because the victim is older than 60, the son could receive a longer prison sentence if convicted.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Investigators are looking for a hit-and-run driver after Kansas City, Kansas, police say they hit a pedestrian on the Central Avenue bridge above Interstate 70 on Friday morning.

KCKPD says this happened just after 4 a.m., where the victim was walking east on Central Ave., when the driver, also headed east, hit him and didnt stop.

La Nina winter predicted: How much snow will Missouri, Kansas get

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Investigators say the victim has critical injuries and is in a hospital, and theyre looking for that driver.

If you know anything that will help police with its investigation, call the Crimestoppers TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-TIPS.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Former Vice President Mike Pence is urging GOP senators to reject President-elect Trumps nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) because of his views on abortion.

In a statement from his conservative nonprofit Advancing American Freedom on Friday, Pence said Kennedys nomination is an abrupt departure from the pro-life record of our administration and should be deeply concerning to millions of Pro-Life Americans who have supported the Republican Party and our nominees for decades.

Kennedy has been inconsistent on his abortion position. When he launched his presidential campaign as a Democrat, Kennedy endorsed a ban on abortion after the first trimester but then quickly backtracked. He also suggested he opposed banning abortion before fetal viability, generally around 24 weeks into a pregnancy.

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On his campaign website, Kennedy says he is a firm supporter of the principles laid out 50 years ago in Roe v. Wade and that if the courts do not overturn Dobbs v. Jackson and restore abortion rights, he will support legislation to accomplish the same.

Trump himself said he does not support a federal abortion ban and ran his campaign distancing himself from the anti-abortion wing of the Republican party.

Pence, a staunch religious conservative, has become an occasional critic of his former boss on policy positions, especially Trumps view that abortion should be left to states. Pence previously said Trumps stance was a slap in the face to abortion opponents.

According to Project 2025, the conservative Heritage Foundations plan for Trumps second term, Republicans want to restore to the department of life, using a Christian-centric basis for governing.

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The Trump-Pence administration was unapologetically pro-life for our four years in office. There are hundreds of decisions made at HHS every day that either lead our nation toward a respect for life or away from it, and HHS under our administration always stood for life, Pence said.

On behalf of tens of millions of pro-life Americans, I respectfully urge Senate Republicans to reject this nomination and give the American people a leader who will respect the sanctity of life as secretary of Health and Human Services.

Leading anti-abortion groups are reacting more tepidly, not outright calling for Kennedys rejection but not yet openly endorsing him, either.

Theres no question that we need a pro-life HHS secretary, and of course, we have concerns about Robert F. Kennedy Jr. I believe that no matter who is HHS secretary, baseline policies set by President Trump during his first term will be re-established, Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, said in a statement to The Hill.

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Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life, said in a statement that she was looking forward to speaking with Kennedy about refocusing HHS so it isnt prejudiced against pro-life Americans, including pro-life hospitals.

RFK Jr. has a proven track record of holding healthcare bureaucrats accountable for putting public health first, over political interests. There is no more weaponized agency than HHS, where whatever is good for the Democrats big donor  Planned Parenthood  gets fast tracked, Hawkins said.

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Dave McCormick walks through the U.S. Capitol building as reporters ask him questions on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

As the state proceeded Thursday with the legally required recount in Pennsylvanias U.S. Senate race between incumbent Bob Casey and his GOP opponent Dave McCormick, a second news outlet called the race for McCormick. But it appears the recount, triggered by the vote margin will continue, with all 67 counties expected to have their results to the Department of State (DOS) by Nov. 26.

The Associated Press called the race for McCormick on Nov. 7, but Casey did not concede, citing the 100,000 ballots still to be counted. Decision Desk HQ joined the AP Thursday projecting McCormick as the winner.

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Under state law, an automatic recount is triggered when the margin of victory is 0.5% or less. As of Thursday afternoon, the DOS websites unofficial results showed Casey with 48.53% of votes and McCormick with 48.89%.

Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt said Thursday that as of Wednesday afternoon just over 80,000 ballots remained to be counted, which included 20,000 mail-in and absentee ballots and approximately 60,000 provisional ballots. He said once counties complete their canvass of all ballots, county officials will then immediately move on to recounting every ballot cast in the Senate race.

Thats nearly 7 million paper ballots that our 67 county election offices will recount as they complete the process, Schmidt said. During the recount, counties will use a different method or different equipment to tabulate votes than what they use to compile their unofficial results. This is done to ensure any potential tabulation issues can be identified.

To halt the recount, Casey would have had to concede or waive a recount by noon Wednesday. According to DOS once the recount begins in the counties, it cannot be halted. If Casey were to decide to concede prior to the counties beginning the recount, he or the campaign would need to alert DOS so the recount could be stopped, although there is very little time for that to happen. Counties have to begin the recount no later than Nov. 20.

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In the recount of the 2021 race for Pennsylvanias commonwealth court between Drew Crompton and Lori Dumas, Crompton conceded after the recount was well underway, so it continued on as scheduled.

Schmidt estimated the cost of the recount would exceed $1 million, but the total wont be fully calculated by the time the results of the recount are released.

McCormick has been in Washington, D.C., this week participating in orientation for new senators. During a call with reporters Thursday morning, McCormick campaign advisors said even with the recount Casey had zero chance of winning and noted the $1 million price tag.

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Mark Harris, lead strategist for the McCormick campaign, and James Fitzpatrick, counsel to the campaign, said on the call that there was no mathematical path for Casey to overtake McCormick with the remaining ballots.

Fitzpatrick claimed the Casey campaign was advocating that unregistered voters who cast a provisional ballot should have their votes counted. This is a totally frivolous and meritless argument, Fitzpatrick said during the call. The Casey campaigns position is that they are the ones who need to confirm whether a voter is registered or not, not taking the word of the local board of elections and the SURE system, referring to the Statewide Uniform Registry of Electors, the system election officials use to update voters statuses, check voter registration and track mail ballots.

Everyone knows that the boards of election and the SURE system are the arbiter of who is registered and who is not registered, Fitzpatrick added, and said any attempts to legitimize the counting of votes from unregistered voters will be met with litigation.

people think that when the Associated Press calls an election or Decision Desk calls an election, that that has any official relevance, and it has none.

 Kathy Boockvar, former Pa. Secretary of the Commonwealth

Tech billionaire Elon Musk, who supported President-elect Donald Trumps campaign by giving out cash prizes to registered voters in swing states during the campaign, falsely accused the Casey campaign of trying to change the outcome of the election by counting non-citizen votes, claiming they were flat-out openly doing crime now.

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State law includes a challenge process that allows for a review of provisional ballots, to confirm whether a voter is registered before a final determination of their ballot is made. In several counties across the state, Democrats have filed challenges to board of elections decisions rejecting provisional ballots cast by voters they were unable to verify in the voter registration system.

No one is trying to count votes from individuals who were not registered. This is categorically false, Adam Bonin, a lawyer working on behalf of the Casey campaign said Thursday. This is a blatant attempt by the GOP to lie and distract from their efforts to disenfranchise Pennsylvanians by throwing out votes from registered voters.

The Republican National Committee on Thursday filed a lawsuit against all 67 county boards of elections, claiming at least three counties have openly defied the state Supreme Courts decisions by counting ballots with missing or incorrect dates on the outer envelopes. The suit seeks an order to prevent the undated ballots from being included in final vote counts.

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McCormicks attorneys filed a similar suit in Bucks County alleging that Democrats on that countys board of elections voted Nov. 12 to count 405 undated and misdated mail ballots, going against their own counsel. The boards decision is legally erroneous because undated or misdated mail ballots are invalid as a matter of law and cannot be counted in the 2024 General Election  as the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has already made clear, the suit argues.

On Friday in Philadelphia, a Common Pleas Court judge rejected McCormicks request to increase the number of GOP observers in the counting of provisional ballots. McCormick withdrew a second lawsuit seeking a global challenge to provisional ballots.

His advisors said on the call with reporters that their legal filings were intended to provide increased transparency into the process, but that they didnt indicate a lack of confidence in McCormicks victory.

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Just because we believe were going to win doesnt mean we are going to tie four hands behind our back, right? Harris said.

Fitzpatrick added that the campaign was not suggesting there was an effort to purposely discount ballots, but said that human error sometimes occurs, and thats the reason why watchers are permitted to watch the counting of provisional ballots.

While McCormick and his allies are working to disenfranchise voters in Pennsylvania and spread misinformation, we are working to ensure that Pennsylvanians voices are heard, Tiernan Donohue, Casey campaign manager said in a statement.

Kathy Boockvar, president of Athena Strategies and former Pennsylvania secretary of the commonwealth said Thursday that Pennsylvanias process was moving ahead as required, and comparisons between what the Casey campaign was doing and Republicans efforts to overturn results in the 2020 election were not valid.

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Weve got a state statute that specifically says if a race is within 0.5% there is an automatic statewide recount, right? That is a state law enshrined by statute that has been around for 20 years, she said. And so he is literally just allowing the state process to happen.

What Republicans did during the last presidential election cycle, she added, was refuse to acknowledge the results after the elections were already certified.

Boockvar said the practice of calling elections has done more damage to perceptions of elections than a lot of other things, because people think that when the Associated Press calls an election or Decision Desk calls an election, that that has any official relevance, and it has none, she said. The Associated Press and others calling of elections exist solely for the purpose of feeding peoples need for quick answers to a process that is not designed to be quick for good reasons.

Pennsylvania and other states allow nearly three weeks after the election until results are certified, she added. And theres a good reason for that. We want accuracy more than anything else.

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(WHTM) A Washington County priest was ordered to pay $155,000 in restitution after pleading guilty to stealing thousands in church donations.

According to the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office, George Athanasiou, 37, was a priest at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Canonsburg. The AGs office says Athanasiou stole hundreds of church donation checks before signing and depositing them for his personal use.

Athanasiou pled guilty on Wednesday after a lengthy investigation by the Office of the Attorney General. The investigation uncovered over 200 unauthorized ATM transactions involving church donation checks between 2022 and 2023, per the AGs office.

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The investigation also included video footage of Athanasiou endorsing and depositing said checks using an ATM. The Attorney Generals office says Athanasiou admitted to stealing the checks.

Stealing money is theft, plain and simple, whether it is committed by a petty criminal or a trusted faith leader, which was the case here  this priest betrayed parishioners by stealing donations that otherwise would have benefited the church, Attorney General Henry said. This plea to a felony charge holds the defendant accountable for his conduct, while also providing a significant restitution payment that will go to the church community.

Athanasiou will be sentenced on Feb. 18, 2025, per the AGs office.

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HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM)  Ellyn Gomulka is a senior at Penn State Harrisburg, so she knows when state student grant aid is supposed to arrive: by early September, just late enough to make sure students have actually shown up to get the money.

This year, Gomulka  taking extra classes so she can graduate in December before starting a job in January  is wondering whether shell have her beginning-of-semester money from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, or PHEAA, before she graduates.

Now theyre saying the end of November, Gomulka said. But its been, what, three months at this point?

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Gomulka is the first to say her situation  out more than $2,600 shes owed  isnt as bad as what some people are facing: having to break leases at off-campus apartments, for example, because theyre out of money, or being unable at some schools to register for classes next semester because this semesters tuition bill isnt paid.

Still, she took extra classes this semester to graduate early, and the shortfall upended her plans to work at a restaurant job just two days a week so she could spend the rest of her free time studying for her CPA exam  and maybe even relaxing a bit before the full-time accounting job she has lined up to start in January.

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Just this week, Penn State told her she still doesnt have her money because they dont have it yet either. She said she doesnt blame the school. After months of waiting, shes glad can now see  on PHEAAs portal  the actual amount of aid money shell get.

Gomulka is among numerous students who have contacted abc27 News expressing anger and frustration.

Responding to questions, PHEAA said in a statement it has been working closely with postsecondary schools across the commonwealth with updated state grant disbursement rosters. PA state grant disbursements for the fall 2024 term were initiated to schools at the end of October. To date, $130 million has been released to schools, and more funds will be released in the coming days. Funds may take additional time to reach student accounts as award verification activities occur between PHEAA and schools.

PHEAA didnt answer a question about how many students are still awaiting their money, although its possible the agency doesnt know that number because of the time lapse between when it sends money to universities and when they deposit it in student accounts. The lingering delay appears to primarily affect state grants, although PHEAA also serves as a clearinghouse for other kinds of aid, such as loans and federal grants.

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The agency has blamed the extent of this years mess on a confluence of the debut a long-needed new computer system and the rollout  the same year  of a new federal system. PHEAA said it wouldnt have planned to deploy its new system the same year as the new federal system, but by time it got the news about the other delay, it couldnt delay rolling out its own new system.

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Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will travel to the Indo-Pacific Friday, his 12th and final trip to the region America has long said is its top priority and home to its main rival: China.

While there, he will visit a bevy of U.S. allies and meet with colleagues on what amounts to a farewell tour. In his time as secretary, Austin has led a renaissance for American forces around the region. The Pentagon is now partnering with more countries and working closer with its longtime allies.

That list includes many of the countries Austin will visit in the coming week: in particular the Philippines and Australia, where he will join a counterpart from Japan. He will also attend a meeting of regional defense ministers in Laos and on the way back become the first U.S. secretary of defense to visit Fiji, where American officials are negotiating a deal to allow military access.

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Through this larger and more tight-knit group of partners, the U.S. hopes to build and maintain weapons closer to Chinas shores, while also spreading out its forces in the region, thus making them harder to target.

Secretary Austin has done things that you look at and say, five years ago, that would have been unimaginable, a senior defense official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told reporters before the trip.

Despite the celebration, Austins arrival will also come at a moment of uncertainty in what he has helped build. Donald Trumps reelection as U.S. president last week, along with the outcome of Japans general election the month before, marks the first round of major political change that could disrupt countries in the region unified by their concerns over China, which in recent years has grown stronger and more aggressive toward its neighbors.

Pentagon officials have long maintained that their view of China, and the need to compete with it, has bipartisan commitment. But Trumps nomination of Pete Hegseth, a veteran and Fox News host without Washington experience, is a reminder that the incoming president can stray from the political mainstream.

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I dont think anybodys going to object to these posture changes. Now there may be discussions about the level of burden sharing thats ongoing in those relationships, said Zack Cooper, who studies American alliances in Asia at the American Enterprise Institute.

In particular, Trump has questioned Americas commitment to Taiwan, a self-governing island that China considers part of its rightful territory. U.S. policy is deliberately ambiguous on whether it would defend Taiwan during an invasion, leaving the choice to the president.

Taipei is on track to spend around 2.6% of its GDP on defense and has billions of dollars worth of American arms on order, but Trump and some of his advisers have said its budget needs to rise.
The Pentagon has released its annual report on UFO sightings, or what it officially calls unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs)  and found 21 particularly curious incidents.

In total, 757 new reports of UAPs were received between May 2023 and June 2024 and investigated by the Defense Department's All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), according to the report by the Defense Department and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

Of those, 485 UAP reports occurred within that reporting period, and another 272 occurred between 2021 and 2022 but hadn't been included in previous annual UAP reports. Overall, the AARO has received 1,652 UAP reports total as of Oct. 24, 2024.

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Forty-nine cases during the reporting period were resolved during the reporting period as objects such as balloons, birds and unmanned aerial systems. Another 243 were recommended for closure as of June, also resolved to be prosaic objects. An additional 444 cases lacked sufficient data for analysis and were placed in the active archive, where they can be re-examined if additional data becomes available.

However, there were 21 cases that the report said merit further analysis due to anomalous characteristics and/or behaviors.

Still, the report said there's no evidence, so far, to substantiate life from another planet being involved in these sightings.

It is important to underscore that, to date, AARO has discovered no evidence of extraterrestrial beings, activity or technology, the report said. Further, none of the resolved cases substantiated advanced foreign adversarial capabilities or breakthrough aerospace technologies.

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Jon Kosloski, the director of the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office, said in a media briefing Thursday: There are interesting cases that I, with my physics and engineering background and time in the IC [intelligence community], I do not understand. And I dont know anybody else who understands them either.

He said those curious cases were spread out over the last year and a half, and there is some video footage for a few of them, but not all.

But in each of the cases Im particularly interested in, there were multiple eyewitnesses. And there is additional data to go with them, Kosloski added. It remains to be seen whether or not that additional data is going to be sufficient for us to either resolve the case, understand whether its a UAV [unmanned aerial vehicle], bird or balloon, or say something substantive about the nature of the unknown phenomenon.

The report was published a day after the second major hearing on UAPs was held in Congress, where leaders called for greater transparency from the Pentagon on UAP knowledge, as well as on whether tax dollars are being spent on UAP retrieval, research or other programs.

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Four witnesses testified at the House Oversight Committee joint subcommittee hearing titled, Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena: Exposing the Truth.

Luis Elizondo, a former Defense Department official and author, testified that the government has conducted secret UAP crash retrieval programs with the purpose of identifying and reverse engineering alien craft.

Let me be clear, UAP are real. Advanced technologies not made by our government or any other government are monitoring sensitive military installations around the globe, Elizondo said. Furthermore, the U.S. is in possession of UAP technologies, as are some of our adversaries. I believe we are in the midst of a multi-decade secretive arms race, one funded by misallocated taxpayer dollars and hidden from our elected representatives and oversight bodies.

Although much of my government work on the UAP subject still remains classified, excessive secrecy has led to grave misdeeds against loyal civil servants, military personnel and the public, all to hide the fact that we are not alone in the cosmos, he added.

Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., asked all four witnesses: Do you believe, just for the record, that the federal government, any part of the federal government, is knowingly concealing evidence about UAPs from the public? All four answered in the affirmative.

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When Garcia asked the witnesses what they believe UAPs could be, Tim Gallaudet, a retired rear admiral of the U.S. Navy and chief executive officer of Ocean STL Consulting LLC, said: Strong evidence that they are nonhuman, higher intelligence.

The report and the hearing add to what has been an influx of interest in attention on UAPs in recent years that has coincided with increased government transparency around the topic thanks in part to active-duty military members coming forward to discuss their experiences.

That in turn has sparked government hearings in which various former officials have made a wide variety of allegations about the origin of UAPs and about a purported government effort to keep information about them from the public.

Despite that testimony, no hard evidence has emerged concerning UAPs, extraterrestrials or a government cover-up.

Jon T. Kosloski, director of the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office.

The Pentagon report noted a consistent pattern in reports describing the UAPs: unidentified lights and round/spherical/orb-shaped objects made up the bulk of cases in reports that had distinct visual characteristics.

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Of the UAP reports, 81 originated from U.S. military operating areas. Three reports from U.S. military aircrews described "pilots being trailed or shadowed by UAP."

Of the new reports, 392 were from the Federal Aviation Administration and make up all of the FAAs UAP reports since 2021.

The AARO noted that it was able to resolve one report made by a commercial pilot who reported seeing white flashing lights in the night sky that ended up being a Starlink satellite launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, that same night.

If the AARO does find cases that indicate breakthrough foreign adversarial aerospace capability, itll immediately report it to Congress.

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AARO is investigating if other unresolved cases may be attributed to the expansion of the Starlink and other mega-constellations in low earth orbit, the report said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  A 46-year-old Peoria man was sentenced to three years in prison for illegally possessing a weapon in April 2023.

Antonio D. Washington pleaded guilty in September to being a felon in possession of a firearm. In return, Peoria County prosecutors agreed to drop a more serious charge of aggravated battery with a firearm.

The latter count carried a mandatory prison term of six to 30 years.

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He was charged in connection with the April 22, 2023, incident in the 2500 block of North Sheridan Road. However, he did not plead to any charge alleging he fired a gun.

Members of the Peoria Police Department were called to the area at about 5:15 p.m. after the ShotSpotter gunfire detection system indicated three rounds had been fired. When they arrived, officers found a man with apparent gunshot wounds on the scene. He was sent to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

At some point, Peoria police officers found a vehicle which had left the area had a high rate of speed. They tried to stop it but the car fled and eventually crashed at the intersection of High Street and Sheridan Road, according to police.

The driver fled and was arrested near the Landmark Apartments. He too had been shot and was brought to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries. It was unclear whether Washington was the driver of the vehicle or the man who was found at the initial crime scene.

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A man was rushed to the hospital after being shot during an argument with someone selling water on an Interstate 20 off-ramp on Friday afternoon.

Police responded to a shooting at 507 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd. SW and found a person shot. The victim, who has not been identified, was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

Investigators say the man argued with males selling water. During that argument, police say the man was shot and the suspects ran before they got there.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

NewsChopper 2 flew over the scene during Channel 2 Action News at Noon and saw a gas station parking lot blocked off with crime scene tape and police officers near the I-20 ramp.

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Officers appeared to be focusing their investigation on two cars that were stopped on the I-20 ramp.

Channel 2s Tom Jones was near the scene when several officers detained several young men not far from where a gunman shot the man. We are working to find out if this activity is connected to the shooting.

People who live in the area say they are bothered by the violence.

I dont like hearing that. You know. I dont like hearing that, Tyson Battle told Jones.

Battle says panhandlers often set up on the ramp.

They be right here at the exit and they walk through here. And some of them be asking for change but Ive never heard of nothing like that, he said.

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Georgia Department of Transportation cameras in the area show an APD car blocking the ramp onto the interstate.

Police have not released details on possible suspects.

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LIMA, Peru (AP)  It was a big day for Perus accidental president, Dina Boluarte, whose official schedule has been blank for months.

On Thursday, the high-profile Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Lima thrust Boluarte  among the world's least popular presidents, with a mere 4% public approval rating  into the bright lights of a convention center packed with world leaders, prominent CEOs and visiting dignitaries.

It's not just that Boluarte, long a low-profile and low-paid civil servant, has never before rolled out the red carpet for powerful leaders like U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping since taking office in December 2022. It's that she has hardly been seen outside her brick mansion in weeks. Local journalists count more than 100 days since she last spoke to a reporter.

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Her recent reclusion is not especially surprising. She became president because she was the vice-president of Pedro Castillo, a former rural schoolteacher with no previous political experience who was ousted when he tried to dissolve Congress and disband the courts. A wave of violent protests rocked the country, marring Boluarte's first weeks in power.

The president's popularity tanked even more in March, when the sight of Rolex watches gleaming from her wrist prompted police to raid her home and prosecutors to launch an investigation into her alleged unlawful enrichment.

A survey by polling company Ipsos showed her approval drop to just 4%. The poll was conducted Oct. 10-11, with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.8 percentage points. No president in Peru has had a worse rating in at least 40 years.

Powerful lawmakers satisfied with their lavish salaries have resisted calls to impeach her but quietly absorbed most of her duties, leaving Boluarte with little to do.

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The latest lightning rod for public ire has been a growing trend of violent extortion by criminal gangs in Lima's hardscrabble outskirts. Protesters accusing the government of indifference to rising crime have taken to the streets across Peru.

On Wednesday, protesters blocked highways and rallied in Peru's southeast Arequipa region, drawing a police crackdown that left six injured by rubber bullets. Lima residents also took advantage of the international spotlight to stage protests this week while Biden and 20 other world leaders prepared to gather for the APEC summit.

After a string of killings targeting bus drivers who failed to pay extortion money last month sent a chill through Lima, public transport drivers launched several strikes that paralyzed the city of 10 million. The government has declared a state of emergency and promised a strong response, but the persistence of violent attacks has sharpened anger against Boluarte.

Fearing all that could go wrong in yanking Peru's wildly unpopular leader out of the shadows and onto the world stage this week, the government left nothing to chance.

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Authorities declared Thursday through Saturday as nonworking holidays and closed schools, ordering millions of school children and civil servants to stay home the entire week to keep the streets clear. At a highway underpass near the convention center hosting APEC on Monday, workers scrubbed the spray-painted slogan Dina Asesina, or Dina, the Murderer from a concrete wall.

The event is certainly important for Peru, but the government is so scared of losing control of the streets that its overreacting, putting inappropriate measures in place, said Eduardo Dargent, a political scientist at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru.

Officials have pleaded with citizens not to protest.

It would be very regrettable if, in the days that we receive visitors from the world's 21 most powerful economies, we show a bad spectacle, a spectacle of conflict, Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzen said in a recent press conference. President Boluarte went further, branding protests traitors."

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On Thursday, protesters said that the specter of conflict at APEC was exactly what they wanted.

As Boluarte, donning a sparkly pink dress and pearls, greeted Chinese President Xi with a ceremonial honor guard and trumpet flourish, riot police scuffled with anti-government protesters a few blocks away.

She's trying to take advantage of this moment in front of the TV cameras to pretend she's the president of Peru, said Betty Mendoza, a 35-year-old protester brandishing portraits of the 50 civilian demonstrators killed in the 2022 social unrest.

She does not represent us, Mendoza said of Boluarte. We did not elect her.

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At one point Thursday, masked protesters surged toward a line of police near the conference site, shoving officers who pushed back and beat them with batons. Medics rushed to attend to several teenage boys clutching their heads and yelping in pain.

My grandson is growing up in a country where violence is being normalized, said 54-year-old Freda Reyes, who had come to protest from the eastern working-class district of Santa Anita where she said 10 of her neighbors had been killed by criminal gangs this month.

The last time Peru hosted APEC, in 2016, a wave of protests similarly sprung up around the country. At the time, workers were striking over their low salaries and Lima residents venting over their city's notoriously derelict public infrastructure.

That remains a concern. On Wednesday, a fire raced up the sides of a multi-story plastic toy warehouse and engulfed six other houses near the presidential palace, causing no injuries but raising a pall of black smoke visible from the red carpet where Boluarte was bestowing a medal on her Malaysian counterpart.

__

Associated Press writer Franklin Briceno in Lima, Peru, contributed to this report.
President-elect Donald Trumps pick to lead the Department of Defense, longtime Fox News personality Pete Hegseth, was accused of sexual assault during a Republican womens conference in 2017.

The City of Monterey, California, confirmed Thursday that Hegseth was involved in a police investigation of the assault, which allegedly took place at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa during a convention hosted by the California Federation of Republican Women.

The unnamed victim suffered contusions to her right thigh in the early hours of Oct. 8, 2017, the report noted, but no charges were ever filed. The woman came forward to file a police report four days after the alleged incident.

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According to Vanity Fair, Trumps incoming chief of staff, Susie Wiles, was informed of the allegation on Wednesday night, and brought it to Hegseths attention the following day. He denied any wrongdoing, saying that the allegation stemmed from a consensual encounter, the magazine said.

The City of Monterey maintains that it has no obligation to make the full police report available to the public.

Hegseths attorney, Timothy Parlatore, told HuffPost that these allegations were fully investigated and Mr. Hegseth, who cooperated with investigators, was cleared of any wrongdoing.

Steven Cheung, Trumps communications director, told HuffPost the president-elect is nominating high-caliber and extremely qualified candidates to serve in his Administration.

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Mr. Hegseth has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed. We look forward to his confirmation as United States Secretary of Defense so he can get started on Day One to Make America Safe and Great Again, Cheung said.

Fox News did not respond to a request for comment.

Trumps decision to nominate Hegseth to oversee the Pentagon has made waves around Washington, considering he has no senior military leadership experience.

As one defense official told CNN, Everyone is simply shocked.

Hegseth served with the Army National Guard in Iraq, Afghanistan and at Guantanamo Bay. In 2014, he became a contributor at Fox News, and is best known for co-hosting Fox & Friends Weekend.

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On air, Hegseth has offered an array of eyebrow-raising takes, including that women should not be permitted in combat roles and that Democrats were rooting for coronavirus to spread in order to influence voters. He has repeatedly spoken out against woke military efforts to promote diversity and inclusion  which Trump has pledged to wipe out.

Need help? Visit RAINNs National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Centers website.

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The 'Fox & Friends' host was involved in a sexual assault investigation in Monterey, Calif. in October 2017, city officials confirmed

John Lamparski/Getty Pete Hegseth in 2019. Pete Hegseth in 2019.

Donald Trumps Secretary of Defense nominee, Pete Hegseth, was investigated for a sexual assault allegation in 2017, officials confirmed.

On Thursday, Nov. 14, the city of Monterey, Calif. confirmed in a press release that the Fox News host, 44, was named in an investigation in October 2017 that involved an alleged sexual assault at the city's Hyatt Regency Hotel. The Associated Press reported that Hegseth had addressed the California Federation of Republican Women for its biennial convention around the date of the incident.

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Vanity Fair was the first to report the news.

While Monterey police did not release the full police report for the case, the city included several details about the incident in its press release. The person who reported the sexual assault said it took place between 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 7 and 7 a.m. the following morning. The alleged victim sustained bruises on their right thigh, and police said that no weapons were involved.

No charges were filed in the case. Hegseth is not named as the alleged assailant in the press release, but city officials wrote that there is only one police report that matches requests made by the media.



Related: Donald Trump's Cabinet Picks: Who He's Already Chosen and Who He Might Choose Next

Albin Lohr-Jones/Pool via Bloomberg/Getty Pete Hegseth arrives in the lobby of Trump Tower in 2016. Pete Hegseth arrives in the lobby of Trump Tower in 2016.

City officials said they would not share further details from the police report because it included analysis from law enforcement officials that are exempt from release under California's public records laws.

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"An allegation was made and was fully investigated and he was cleared. This should have no effect whatsoever on the nomination process," Timothy Parlatore, an attorney for Hegseth, told the AP and New York Times.

Vanity Fair reported that the allegation is "serious enough" that Trumps incoming chief of staff Susie Wiles and several of his lawyers spoke to Hegseth about it on Thursday. A source told the outlet that Hegseth claimed that the allegation came from a consensual encounter.

Another source told the outlet that Hegseth wasn't vetted properly by the Trump administration before he was nominated for defense secretary, while the first source claimed that "Hegseth was vetted, but this alleged incident didnt come up."

Trump, 78, nominated Hegseth, a Army National Guard veteran, Bronze Star recipient and Fox & Friends host, on Wednesday, Nov. 13.

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Related: Fox News Host Pete Hegseth Jokes He Hasn't Washed His Hands in 10 Years Because 'Germs Aren't Real'

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"Pete has been a host at Fox News for eight years, where he used that platform to fight for our military and veterans," Trump said in a statement at the time, before touting that Hegseth had a bestselling book which he says "reveals the leftwing betrayals of our Warriors, and how we must return our military to meritocracy, lethality, accountability and excellence."

Steven Cheung, a spokesman for the Trump transition, said in a statement to Vanity Fair that the president-elect is nominating high-caliber and extremely qualified candidates to serve in his administration and denied all the allegations made in the 2017 police report.



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Mr. Hegseth has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed. We look forward to his confirmation as United States Secretary of Defense so he can get started on day one to make America safe and great again, Cheung said.

According to CNN, Hegseth has previously taken stances against what he calls "woke" military policies, arguing that the military has become to politicized, and also garnered criticism when he said during an interview that "women shouldnt be in combat at all."

If approved by Senate, Hegseth will oversee the Pentagon and all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.


Nov. 15WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) was elected to serve as the Chairman of the Republican Study Committee (RSC) in the 119th Congress Friday.

Pfluger previously served as the Chairman of the RSC House Energy Action Team.

The Republican Study Committee is the largest caucus of House Conservatives on Capitol Hill. The organization works to enact strong conservative policies that provide for and protect the American people.

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"I am incredibly honored to have the support of my colleagues as the next Chairman of the Republican Study Committee," Pfluger said in a news release. "This organization has been led by incredible mentors of mine, including Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan, Senator-Elect Jim Banks, and current Chairman Kevin Hern. I want to thank Chairman Hern for his leadership of the RSC over the last two years and for effectively utilizing our slim majority in the House of Representatives to push back against the Biden-Harris Agenda.

"As Chairman, I am committed to championing policies that protect our freedoms, ensure national security, and foster economic prosperity for all Americans. The RSC will continue to be the conservative backbone of the House, pushing for a strong, resilient America that can stand up to both foreign adversaries and domestic challenges. Together, we will work to advance conservative principles and make life better for hardworking Americans, while holding the line on runaway spending, promoting energy dominance, and securing our borders."
Domestic workers rally at Philadelphia City Hall in support of new anti-retaliation legislation. (Photo courtesy National Domestic Workers Alliance and Rachael Warriner)

Adriana still remembers the day last spring when she got paid less than minimum wage. She was at a big suburban house outside Philadelphia that was at least three stories tall, and it had taken her and a crew more than six hours, without breaks, to clean it. At the next house, the supervisor told Adriana, whod asked for a break, to wait in the van. Shed been fired.

This article was produced by the nonprofit journalism publication Capital & Main. It is co-published with permission

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Adriana said she got $40 cash for the eight hours she spent in the van and cleaning that day. Shed been promised $90 for the day. If shed been paid minimum wage, she would have earned $58.

I didnt know whether to cry or scream, said Adriana, who asked to have her last name withheld to avoid problems with potential employers. We just had to learn and try not to make it happen again.

Thats why Adriana is working to urge passage of a new bill intended to enforce worker protection ordinances, fight wage theft and protect the victims of workplace retaliation. Slated to be introduced in 2025, it is backed by Philadelphias National Domestic Workers Alliance and a coalition of other nonunionized worker organizations and is aimed at one of workers thorniest problems, in Philadelphia and nationwide: making sure employers follow the rules.

Supporters say the worker protections bill will start to fix a broken enforcement system under the citys Office of Worker Protections that leaves workers in limbo for too long, and often allows employers to cheat workers without facing consequences.

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The goal of this bill is to incentivize workers coming forward by providing them with more supports, said Nicole Kligerman, founder of the Pennsylvania chapter of the National Domestic Workers Alliance. She explains that the bill has more of a carrot-and-stick approach to employers, [which] improves the process for those cases.

The Office of Worker Protections did not return repeated requests for comment.

The bill expands enforcement in several ways. It allows for anonymous complaints, which Kligerman said are key because employers often retaliate against workers who complain by firing them or by telling other employers not to hire them. The bill would add domestic employers to the agencys bad actor list, which tracks employers who have violated the law, making their names public until they fix or otherwise resolve the legal or code violations. This would allow potential employees or customers to choose to not work with businesses that have a track record of breaking the law. The bill would also ensure that money collected from abusive employers goes to workers (rather than a fine paid to the city).

In addition, the bill would expand protections for immigrant workers, including translation services in languages other than English and Spanish, and help workers qualify for visas that allow victims of trafficking and other crimes to stay in the country legally. It would also give exploited workers access to mental health care.

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We need to have pro-worker policies that have funding behind them

 Brittany Alston, executive director of the Philly Black Worker Project

City data suggest that few workers who complain to the Office of Worker Protections get help. Last year, Philadelphias Department of Labor reported that the Office of Worker Protections, housed in the Labor Policy and Compliance division, reported receiving more than 1,200 inquiries on its worker hotline and took in 282 formal complaints. Still, the agency completed only 181 investigations within 2023. Currently, investigations take 6-12 months, according to the Department of Labor, but will sometimes take longer.

When complaints to the agency go unanswered, said Kligerman, The result is a real, chilling effect on workers. Thats especially true for domestic workers who are particularly vulnerable to exploitation by unscrupulous employers, said Kligerman. Many are immigrants for whom English is a second language, enabling employers to threaten workers with calls to the border patrol. Whats more, domestic workers often rely on referrals from employers to find jobs, leaving them dependent on bosses not only for their current job but for their next one too.

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NDWAs legislation would not only help domestic workers, but other vulnerable workers too. For example, contingent and temporary workers are employed by agencies but cycle between different workplaces. If a worker complains at a job, its easy for a supervisor to send them home and request someone more compliant. If workers are particularly desperate to stay employed, as with formerly incarcerated workers for whom work is a condition of freedom, a complaint opens the possibility of losing work.

That shared vulnerability to employer abuse has birthed a loose, intersectional coalition supporting the bill. Although the NDWA has headed the call for the bill, they are now joined by other groups, including the Philly Black Worker Project, which organizes Black workers to address inequality; Asian Americans United, which advocates for Asian Americans and against anti-Asian hate; VietLead, which organizes Vietnamese American community members around social justice; Juntos, which advocates for immigrants human rights; and Womens Way, a nonprofit working to improve the lives of women and girls.

The Office of Worker Protections did not answer Capital & Mains repeated requests for comment. Public documents from the agency note that investigations are a free service that takes time

In all this, Philadelphia workers face a local version of a national problem: a lack of enforcement, which makes it difficult to hold bad employers accountable. Over the past 40 years, the average number of workers per federal Department of Labor investigator tripled  from 61,000 per inspector to more than 198,000. By comparison, the International Labor Organization recommends 10,000 workers per inspector.

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In Philadelphia, a city of around 760,000 workers, the Labor Policy and Compliance program employs just 20 staff members. Of those, only four are charged with investigating worker complaints, leaving each investigator responsible for an average of roughly 200,000 workers.

This summer, Philadelphia advocates sought $2.6 million from the City Council for the Office of Worker Protections, hoping to staff up the agency, said Councilmember Kendra Brooks. They were unsuccessful. That amount would have more than doubled the budget of the Department of Labor division that houses the Office of Worker Protections. For the 2024 fiscal year, city officials cut the Department of Labor budget by $409,139.

We need to have pro-worker policies that arent just getting paid lip service to but that have funding behind them [to] get employees to actually be able to do these things that we are fighting so hard for, said Brittany Alston, executive director of the Philly Black Worker Project. As evidence that the city could afford to boost enforcement if it chose to, Alston points to the citys allocation of $17 million in new spending on cop cars and surveillance drones.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parkers office did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

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Strengthening enforcement feels especially crucial to the citys domestic workers, who fought for two years to win Philadelphias Domestic Worker Bill of Rights in 2020. The bill declared that domestic workers had the same rights many other workers often take for granted: paid breaks, sick leave and time off, safe working conditions and protection from harassment, as well as a contract in their native language.

Since the passage, advocates say, few of the citys 16,000 domestic workers, the majority of whom are women of color, have seen their jobs improve. Despite their new rights, domestic workers average annual income in 2023 was $10,000. That is notably below the citys deep poverty line of $13,000.

Indeed, said Premilla Nadasen, a historian of womens labor movements who has followed the rollouts of the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights nationally, these kinds of bills of rights rarely achieve immediate direct change in workers lives. The material realities of these workers on a day-to-day basis has shifted very little, said Nadasen.

Indeed, the Bill of Rights may be most powerful as a way of showing workers they deserve to be treated well at work  and can push for change. Part of the strategy of pushing for a bill is to mobilize people, said Nadasen. Its building a movement.

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Thats something Adriana has experienced firsthand.

These things continue to happen, and we need a lot [to] further protect workers and ensure that theres consequences for these employers, Adriana said. But it will always be to your benefit to speak up.

After the suburban cleaning job employer stiffed her on part of her wages, she filed a complaint with the Philadelphia Office of Worker Protections in the spring of 2023. Then a jurisdictional issue forced her to refile it in February 2024.

One year and eight months after all those unpaid hours in the van, Adriana is still waiting.
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra is presenting the second concert in its symphonic series that mixes old and new and a composer it hasnt featured in decades.

The concert begins with a contemporary piece by American composer Hillary Purlingtons Threshold. It will be followed by another short work, Felix Mendelssohns Hebrides Overture. In the second half is a major work by 19th Century Austrian composer Anton Bruckner.

Music Director Daniel Hege says listening to Bruckners music can be a life-altering experience.

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I always feel like Bruckner is searching for that other sphere outside of Earth. Hes always in search of truth. And thats what you feel when you hear this music. It takes you on this incredible journey, said Hege.

Hege says its been 60 years since Bruckners work has been performed in our area.

The show is this Saturday at 7:30 at the Broome County Forum in downtown Binghamton.

Ticket prices range from $28 to $69 and can be purchased at BinghamtonPhilharmonic.org.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34.
The Philippines has said it will not intervene if Interpol issues a red notice to arrest the former president, Rodrigo Duterte, over his bloody war on drugs.

Pitched as an anti-narcotics crackdown, roughly 6,000 people officially died during Mr Dutertes controversial war on drugs, which began when he was mayor of the southern city Davao, and expanded after his election as president in 2016.

But human rights groups estimate the true death toll could exceed 20,000 during his presidency alone, as thousands of people were killed in mysterious circumstances.

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While the police have insisted they only killed in self defence, there have been widespread reports that they acted with impunity, allegedly falsifying crime scenes and systematically shooting unarmed suspects.

Amid global condemnation, the International Criminal Court (ICC) launched an official inquiry in 2021, following a three year preliminary investigation.

Mr Duterte had taken the Philippines out of the ICC in 2019, but the court said its prosecutors still have jurisdiction over alleged crimes that took place before the withdrawal.

Now, for the first time, the government has said it will cooperate with the ICC  the court of last resort for crimes that countries are unwilling or unable to prosecute themselves  after it resumed a stalled investigation into Mr Duterte last year.

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If the ICC refers the process to Interpol, which may then transmit a red notice to the Philippine authorities, the government will feel obliged to consider the red notice as a request to be honoured, executive secretary Lucas Bersamin, the most senior cabinet member, said on Wednesday.

He added that the government would neither object nor block Mr Duterte if he did choose to surrender.

The comments came after the former president  whose daughter is currently the vice president in a ticket headed by the scion of another major political dynasty, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who she has fallen out with  faced a congressional hearing into the bloody crackdown, where he gave conflicting statements about whether he would submit to an ICC investigation.

The bullish, brash-speaking politician said he would physically kick any ICC investigator who faced him.

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The 79-year-old also said: The ICC does not scare me a bit. They can come here any time.

Im asking the ICC to hurry up and come here and start the investigation tomorrow this issue has been hanging for many years and I may already die. If Im found guilty, I can go to prison and rot there for all time.

In previous committee hearings earlier last month, it was alleged that Mr Dutertes office had paid the police up to 1m pesos (13,200) per killing during the crackdowns, depending upon the target. He denies the claims, but has admitted to maintaining a death squad of criminals to kill other criminals while serving as mayor of Davao.

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Donald Trumps second administration is poised to soon do a great deal of damage in several important areas. Whether its health care, education, the federal courts, reproductive freedom, immigration, foreign policy or the economy, millions of people will suffer needlessly if Trump follows through on all of his campaign promises.

That said, when it comes to the damage that will be truly irreparable, no pledge looms darker or more ominous than Trumps plan to scuttle efforts to combat climate change.

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As Katharine Hayhoe  a scientist and lead author of the National Climate Assessment under the last Trump administration  put it in a recent interview, quote the situation is dire on many fronts [andits] already getting worse.

In other words, theres absolutely no time to waste. Even a mere four years of backtracking will greatly worsen results for our children and grandchildren.

The bottom line: No problem poses a greater threat to the near and long-term wellbeing of Americans than climate change. And no matter what hes said previously, Trump simply must listen to the experts and act.

For NC Newsline, Im Rob Schofield.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.  One of the plaintiffs in a suit against Missouri State President Richard Biff Williams spoke to OzarksFirst today as students continue to react on social media and around campus.

Hazel Sainsbury still works at Utah Tech as the Director of Equity Compliance and Title IX Coordinator and says a passion for students and their safety is why she continues her work.

Accepting this role was something that I was really excited about, and I still continue to be excited about the prospect of assisting our students, Sainsbury said. The main reason why Im open to interviewing with you is because I care about young people. I care about what happens on college campuses.

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Thats why she felt it was important enough to file the suit with two others, even though Williams had moved to the Midwest.

We have to create the premise that we cannot hold our students at a much higher standard than we do our executive leadership, Sainsbury said.

This suit involves allegations of intimidation, harassment, and even retaliation. However, many people sharing the story, or even just speaking to students on the campus of Missouri State, typically associate the lawsuit with a singular gesture.

A vegetable-based display of the male anatomy left at a coworkers doorstep.

In our previous reporting, Williams initially denied leaving the produce-influenced display, but one of the issues is that he didnt originally take the blame. The allegations say Williams left a note, pinning the gesture on other workers, including Sainsbury.

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That escalated when allegations were made of photos of the gesture sent around to multiple leaders, furthering the idea that this gesture was caused by the plaintiffs when it came out later that they had nothing to do with it.

Sainsbury says its easy for the focus to be on that part of the suit given the details, but the experiences that followed were anything but funny.

I think one of the important things, I mean, its easy to read it and sort of see the comedic side of things and embrace that. Everybody is entitled to their opinion, of course, but I think it underscores what can happen in an institution when these protections are not supported by the administration, Sainsbury said.

In the suit, there are allegations of retaliation for each of the three who made their concerns heard.

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Its difficult when that leadership isnt there, and its difficult when it becomes a toxic work environment as you push for that support [against toxicity]. I would just say its challenging. Its professionally disappointing. Its been personally disappointing, Sainsbury said.

Sainsbury says her goal is to have accountability, not just from Williams, but all of the defendants listed in the suit.

I think thats important, Sainsbury said. I think we have to be able to say, as we hold our students to the standard of being respectful, treating people with dignity and respect, that were going to require university leaders to model that for our students.

OzarksFirst spoke to a student who says this suit is blowing something from Williams past out of proportion.

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In my most honest opinion, I do not think it has like, really negatively impacted the community and the university. When I first saw that [apology email Williams sent to the students], I thought it would be like a racist remark he might have said, like, long ago that just came back up or sexual misconduct, McKenzi Sampson said. It honestly does not seem that bad. I mean, he was making a joke, as we all do. The joke was not that bad in my opinion. It honestly just seems like this nasty thing thats just been following him. It might be like someone trying to make a big thing out of something that wasnt a big thing.

When asked Sampson said she had not read the lawsuit in its entirety.

I do know that he signed the [gesture] with all of the Title IX coordinators and not his. He did mess up on that part, which he should not have done, but I still think that, that this can be resolved and fixed, Sampson said. It upsets me that these Title IX coordinators had to take the fall for this, and thats not fair. Thats not fair at all. I just think it was a joke that might have gone too far. It might have been something that he really didnt think all the way through before carrying out, which does happen.

Two other students, Ava Collins and Hannah Kasper originally started a social media account called zuweenie_gate a clear nod to the gesture and a reference to scandals with the suffix gate.

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They say what started as a small way to poke light at the situation, turned into advocacy as they learned more about the case.

Originally the idea was to kind of just make it aware that this was actually happening, that this was going on. We wanted to do it in a way that wasnt like super serious or coming down on anybody, but like in a light-hearted way that we could kind of joke about, but also recognize the effect that its having on other people, Kasper said.

Amid questions of what MSU knew and when they knew, a representative for the Missouri State Board of Governors sent a response to OzarksFirst.

Kasper and Collins say they want to know whats going to happen as soon as a decision is made.

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I definitely would like to hear what the Board of Governors plans on doing and what they want to do to combat this, Kasper said.

I think transparency on the base level is incredibly important because I attend here, I live here on campus, and so do all of my friends and people Ive met that have been directly impacted by this. We are getting very little to no information on that, and that honestly is just not cool, Collins said.

None of the students OzarksFirst spoke to call for Williams to become unemployed, but accountability is their request.

The biggest thing that we want to see from this entire experience is being able to recognize that his actions impacted other people and owning up to that and recognizing that what he does, does not just impact his career and his job, but it impacts the lives of other people as well. Being able to be held responsible for those actions is extremely important, Kasper said. If hes expecting us to be held to a higher standard, he needs to mimic that as well and show that he is being held to a higher standard.

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Ultimately, its their job to look after us, their students, and also their faculty, and accountability is a way to start with that. I would like to see more action in that area, Collins added.

Formal interviews with MSU officials including Williams were denied at this time.

OzarksFirst did catch Williams on his way into work around 12:15 Thursday afternoon but was told he wouldnt make any comments and that he did address students in recent days about the suit and the allegations.

The Missouri State Board of Governors has not released any measures of discipline for Williams at this time.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com.
A stack of history books used in Virginia schools. (Mechelle Hankerson/ Virginia Mercury)

As Virginians prepare for the beginning of President-elect Donald Trumps second term, Republicans, according to the partys 2024 platform, plan to reinstate the Presidents Advisory 1776 Commission, an initiative created by Trump in 2020 to better enable a rising generation to understand the history and principles of the founding of the United States in 1776.

The commissions creation came after the publication of a series of essays in The New York Times dubbed the 1619 Project, whose namesake reflects the first year enslaved Africans were brought to the shores of what would become the United States.

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At the same time, national debate was brewing about how history concerning slavery and Black Americans contributions to the country was taught, a discussion that manifested in Virginia after Gov. Glenn Youngkins administration authorized a rewrite of Virginia history and social science education standards that critics said lacked important context but included bias.

The 1776 Commissions background

Trump has not mentioned plans for the commission since his re-election over Democrat Vice President Kamala Harris on Nov. 5, despite his partys affirmation of their intent to reinstate it. The former president created the commission during his previous term via an executive order issued on Nov. 2, 2020.

It came after the Trump administration and some conservatives accused the 1619 Project and critical race theory college courses of teaching students to hate their own country.

This radicalized view of American history lacks perspective, obscures virtues, twists motives, ignores or distorts facts, and magnifies flaws, resulting in the truth being concealed and history disfigured, the order reads. Failing to identify, challenge, and correct this distorted perspective could fray and ultimately erase the bonds that knit our country and culture together.

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In 2021, the 1776 Commission published a 41-page report that received criticism from historians and educators largely because it was developed by experts from Hillsdale College, a Christian school in Michigan, politicians and conservatives. Detractors said the report attempted to downplay how the institution of slavery shaped U.S. history.

A statement by the American Historical Association, joined by 47 organizations, said the report attempted to elevate ignorance about the past to a civic virtue.

The AHA said the report included an homage to the Founding Fathers that was a simplistic interpretation that relies on falsehoods, inaccuracies, omissions and misleading statements. It also said the report featured a screed against a half-century of historical scholarship, presented largely as a series of caricatures, using single examples (most notably the 1619 Project) to represent broader historiographical trends.

Beau Dickenson, executive board member and former president of the Virginia Social Studies Leaders Consortium, said the 1776 Commissions report tried to rewrite history and insulted social studies teachers by suggesting they dont want to be patriotic, which he said was contrary to their motives.

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We want those dispositions in our students, but we want them to have a balanced view of our past, Dickenson said. And even within the topics that these folks would prefer us to overlook, I see a very compelling story of agency and resilience and people overcoming despite these odds and making this country stronger as a result. Its a testament to our people that we can be a flawed country and make it a better one, but the 1776 Commission seeks just to overlook that history or rewrite it entirely.

There were also some educators, like Carol Swain, defending the commission. Swain, former commission vice chair and retired political science and law professor at Vanderbilt and Princeton Universities said No parts of history were taken out in the report, and the people from the left attacked it because it was the Trump administration that put it together.

Soon after the commission published the 1776 Report in January 2021, the group was disbanded by President Joe Biden through an executive order focused on advancing racial equity and supporting underserved communities on Jan. 20, 2021.

Virginia parallels

In his first year as Virginias governor in 2022, Youngkin began addressing and reforming public education, and, in his first executive order, prohibited inherently divisive concepts, including critical race theory (CRT), in K-12 education. CRT is a graduate-level framework focusing on racial inequity that has not been found in Virginias curricula. Youngkin also signed off on revamping the states history and social science education standards.

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The administration faced criticisms after state historians, lawmakers and education groups learned that Hillsdale College was involved in the rewrite of Virginias standards, which outline the commonwealths expectations for student learning and are assessed through the Standards of Learning tests.

Virginia lawmakers, educators and community organizers wrote on Nov. 5, 2022 that they were alarmed to hear of Hillsdales involvement with the draft history standards following accusations that the college, in its work with other states, did not provide feedback on public education systems social studies standards, but instead created a curriculum for them.

The group also pointed out that experts found the 1776 curriculms pedagogical framework had content inaccuracies and was lacking in inquiry, critical thinking and analysis of primary sources.

We are highly concerned that Hillsdale College, a private liberal arts college in Michigan, has the potential to dictate and influence what Virginia educators teach and what Virginia students learn, the group wrote.

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In response to the outcry, Youngkins administration pulled the departments draft standards from further review. It replaced it months later with a draft missing influential figures and events, a flaw historians said was similar to missing information in the 1776 report. Educators, lawmakers, and community organizers also voiced concern about the processs lack of transparency regarding who authored the changes.

Swain, a native of Southwest Virginia, disagreed with the claim that no professional historians were involved in creating the 1776 report. She did say shes pleased that the governors administration may have included elements from the report in the draft standards.

One of the things that we argued and were pushing was for history to be taught using original documents, to get the young people to read the Declaration of Independence, to read the Constitution  (and also) the constitutions of their states for themselves, Swain said. And so that was one of the things that I know we were united on, and I believe that the best schools, the private academies, thats what they do.

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However, historians and educators continued challenging the Youngkin administration and the Virginia Board of Education on the draft standards over several months. By April 2023, the Board of Education adopted the updated standards, which had been changed to include more of the historic context and content lawmakers, educators and advocates had sought.

Dickenson said there are similarities between how the 1776 Commissions report and the Youngkin administrations proposed education standards were created.

Like the 1776 report, Dickenson said professional historians were sidelined in favor of conservative groups such as Hillsdale College in the early development of Virginias standards. The efforts also shifted from inquiry-based learning to a rote, fact-focused approach emphasizing memorization over critical thinking and analysis.

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This directly contradicts Youngkins claim that students should learn how to think, not what to think, and it limits opportunities for students to explore, question, and engage deeply with historical content, Dickenson said.

The report and draft standards both aimed to frame the removal of critical race theory as a way to change or remove parts of history that discuss racial issues, colonialism and the struggles of marginalized groups, Dickenson said.

Whats next?

Plans for reorganizing the 1776 Commission are uncertain, since it was housed under the U.S. Department of Education, an agency that Trump has vowed to disband.

According to the 2024 national Republican platform, Republicans will reinstate the 1776 Commission, promote fair and patriotic civics education, and veto efforts to nationalize civics education. We will support schools that teach Americas founding principles and Western civilization.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  According to the Jackson County Court, the defendant in a homicide from March of 2023 where the victims body was left on a busy street entered a plea and was sentenced on Friday.

Man charged in deadly Kansas City shooting, leaving victims body on busy street

Court records show that Ibrahim Abdikarim Sharif appeared in court with attorney Christopher Bowers. He entered an Alford Plea on one count of second-degree murder and armed criminal action.

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Sharif was found guilty and was sentenced to 18 years on the first count and five years on the second. These sentences will run consecutively and all other charges were dismissed by agreement, according to court documents.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Nov. 14To address a "dire reliability need" for energy in a Northeast Heights neighborhood in Albuquerque, the Public Service Company of New Mexico wants to set up a new power substation.

The company is inviting the public to open house sessions it's hosting this weekend and next week to answer questions and get feedback on the project.

Dubbed the North Albuquerque Acres Substation Project, PNM has proposed placing a new substation near Paseo del Norte Boulevard, between Ventura Street and Tramway Boulevard.

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The Northeast Heights is seeing an increased demand for energy amid additional housing construction in the area, said Laurie Williams, vice president of integrated planning at PNM. The substation, which acts as a service point for customer demand, would increase power reliability in the area as well as meet additional energy needs.

PNM is still in the planning phase of the project. The company hopes to start the permitting process later this year, needing approval from Bernalillo County officials, and then start construction in late 2025. The tentative goal is to bring the substation online in 2026.

There are 10 different sites the utility is considering south of Paseo del Norte, Williams said, and PNM will take public feedback on the site locations at the open house meetings.

The site would take up about two acres and be surrounded by solid, 12-foot walls, though design is also something PNM is accepting public feedback on.

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The substation and its internal equipment will cost around $30 million, and a future rate review request before the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission would split those costs among PNM's entire customer base, according to Williams.

The first open house session is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Holiday Park Community Center, 11710 Comanche NE. The second session is Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Central New Mexico Community College Workforce Training Center, 5600 Eagle Rock NE.
WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Poland said Friday it is reactivating its embassy in North Koreas capital to become the second Western nation after Sweden to resume operations that were suspended due to Pyongyang's tight COVID-19 restrictions.

The move by NATO member Poland opens another channel of communication between NATO states and Pyongyang, a close ally of Russia, which has provided troops to fight in Ukraine. New NATO member Sweden resumed activity at its Pyongyang mission in September.

Polish Foreign Ministry representatives were in the North Korean capital this week as Poland seeks to restore its diplomatic presence. The visit is of a technical and political nature and one of its main goals is to restore the permanent diplomatic presence," the ministry said.

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The Polish embassy was closed in December 2020 after the North Korean authorities announced a complete closure of the state border due to COVID-19. That made the normal work of the diplomatic mission impossible, the ministry said.

Sweden, which became a NATO member in March, also represents the interests of other countries who don't have embassies in Pyongyang at its mission that reopened in September.

The restored diplomatic channels will be helpful given developments in the war in Ukraine.

NATO and the European Union  to which Poland and Sweden also both belong  have been ramping up efforts to persuade China to help get North Korea to stop sending troops and other support to Russia to back its war on Ukraine.

Up to 12,000 North Korean troops have been sent to Russias Kursk border region to help beat back Ukrainian forces there, according to U.S., South Korean and Ukrainian intelligence assessments. NATO says Russia is sending missile technology to North Korea in return.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  El Paso Police are investigating what they are calling a murder-suicide after officers located two people who were unresponsive Thursday night, Nov. 14, at a residence in Central El Paso.

Police say they received a 911 call at around 9:30 p.m. Thursday, for an unknown problem at the 3500 block of Hueco Avenue.

Once officers arrived, they located two people who were unresponsive. They are investigating it as a murder-suicide.

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Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating the case.

No further information has been released. Were working on gathering more information on this incident.

If you are having thoughts of suicide, you can call the national suicide prevention hotline at 988.

In the Borderland, anyone can access the Emergence Health Network Crisis Hotline any time of the day or night. The hotline is manned by qualified mental health professionals at EHN available to the public 24/7/365 who are trained to assist in verbal de-escalation and link individuals who need help to local mental health resources in the community.

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The EHN Crisis Hotline: (915) 779-1800.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
DENVER (KDVR)  The Aurora Police Department determined the officer involved in the deadly shooting of Kilyn Lewis was not in violation of agency policy or misconduct, according to a statement released on Friday.

The departments force investigations unit said in a news release that it finished its administrative investigation which determined Officer Michael Diecks actions complied with agency policies and training. The deadly shooting happened in May on the 300 block of South Ironton.

Demonstrators seek justice for Kilyn Lewis at Aurora City Council meeting

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The department said the incident was reviewed by the force review board, which includes the chief of police and the independent consent decree monitor.

The review concluded Officer Dieck was not in violation of agency policy or misconduct. Officer Dieck is a 13-year member of the Aurora Police Department and is presently assigned to the Electronic Support Section, the department said in a release.

Kilyn Lewis shot after reaching for cell phone

According to the department, officers were assisting Denver Police in serving an active warrant to Lewis on May 23 for an alleged attempted homicide that happened on May 5 in Denver.

The department said Lewis didnt comply with demands and reached for an object behind his back, which is when Dieck fired the deadly shot. It was later determined that Lewis was holding a cell phone.

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Family of man shot, killed by police speak out after DA announces no charges will be filed

The officer was placed on administrative leave during the investigations.

The department released video clips with information about the incident. Interim chief Heather Morris said the department takes any use of force seriously, especially when there is a loss of life.

Meanwhile, Lewis family and supporters said they wanted the officer arrested and prosecuted. Over the summer, the Justice for Kilyn E. Lewis Action Team was formed, and demonstrators walked into a city council meeting in July to demand that the officer be prosecuted.

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In October, the District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District said in a decision letter that the officer who shot Lewis would not face any charges. The DA wrote that officers involved in the incident said Lewis actions were consistent with someone preparing to draw a weapon and otherwise fight the officers.

The police department also said the case was reviewed by the Arapahoe County Grand Jury, which found insufficient evidence to charge the officer based on the situation.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
TBILISI, Georgia (AP)  Protesters opposing a measure that would have allowed Russians to buy property in the Georgian territory of Abkhazia stormed into the separatist region's parliament building and presidential office on Friday and clashed with police.

At least eight people were injured in the melee in the regional capital of Sukhumi on the Black Sea, news reports said.

The parliament was to have discussed ratifying the measure but postponed the session as the demonstrators gathered outside the gates of the government compound. They rammed a gate with a truck and streamed inside the grounds, throwing rocks at police who responded with tear gas.

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President Aslan Bzhania's office later announced he was preparing an order to remove the measure from consideration. Police then left the parliament building but demonstrators remained, demanding Bzhania's resignation. Demonstrators also stormed into the presidential administration building and vowed to remain there until Bzhania resigned and snap elections were called.

Most of Abkhazia broke away from Georgia in fighting that ended in 1993, and Georgia lost control of the rest of the territory in the short war with Russia in 2008. Russia recognizes Abkhazia as an independent country, but many Abkhazians are concerned that the region of about 245,000 people is just a client state of Moscow.

Opponents of the property agreement say it would drive up prices of apartments and boost Moscow's dominance in the region. Abkhazia's mountains and Black Sea beaches make it a popular destination for Russian tourists, and the demand for holiday homes could be strong.

The arrest of five opposition figures at a similar demonstration Monday set off wide protests the next day in which bridges leading to Sukhumi were blocked.
CHICAGO  Authorities in Chicago are asking for help identifying a vehicle and driver involved in a Southwest Side hit-and-run crash that left a person injured on Wednesday night.

According to police, the crash unfolded around 7:45 p.m. in the 5700 block of South Damen Avenue.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Officers said the 63-year-old victim was walking across the street in the crosswalk when they were struck by a white pickup truck, which left the victim seriously injured.

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Officers said following the crash, neither the driver nor the trucks occupants stopped to offer aid to the victim or provide them with their information.

Police search for driver involved in Southwest Side hit-and-run crash that injured 1

A search is now underway for the vehicle and driver.

On Thursday, Chicago police shared a photo of the vehicle that is believed to have been involved in the crash, which was captured by surveillance cameras.

Officers said they believed the vehicle was a white two-door pickup truck with equipment in the truck bed, a tall white tailgate, a large black bed rack frame and unknown markings near both front fenders.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

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The vehicle was last spotted driving eastbound in an area between the 1900 and 2000 blocks of West 57th Street.

Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call the CPD Major Accident Investigation Unit at 312-745-4521 or dial 911.

Those with information can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
LAWRENCE, Mass. (WWLP)  A woman from Lawrence was sentenced in federal court in connection with 16 kilograms of fentanyl seized from her home and car.

In April 2021, police seized 9.6 kilograms of fentanyl inside a home and an additional 6.4 kilograms of fentanyl from a hidden compartment in the car of 57-year-old Ceferina Dominguez, the Department of Justice said in a news release.

Massachusetts man sent to prison in connection with counterfeit pills containing meth and fentanyl

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Additionally, in 2018, fentanyl, fentanyl analogue, fentanyl precursors and drug proceeds were seized from a townhouse rented by Dominguez.

Dominguez pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Prosecutors recommended a sentence of 51 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release however, Judge Angel Kelley sentenced her to four years of probation.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
Former Gov. Larry Hogan (R) meets with longshoremen on a picket line outside the Dundalk Marine Terminal during a brief strike in October. Hogan's campaign Thursday tried to put the best face on his Senate loss. Photo by Danielle Brown.

Even as late returns show Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) widening her margin over former Gov. Larry Hogan (R) in the Maryland Senate election, Hogans campaign on Thursday put out an analysis arguing that, all things considered, the former governor didnt do that badly  and seemed designed to try to keep Hogan viable ahead of the 2026 elections and beyond.

Alsobrooks margin of victory over Hogan was just over 10 points  53.73% to 43.72%  according to the Maryland State Board of Elections tally posted Friday morning, up from her 6-point lead on election night, when the race was called in her favor.

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But in a memo Thursday to supporters and interested parties, Russ Schriefer, a top Republican strategist and longtime Hogan confidante, asserted that the ex-governors showing defied political gravity in a state where Vice President Kamala Harris bested former President Donald Trump by more than 26 points.

From the moment he entered the race for U.S. Senate, Governor Hogan publicly stated that he was an underdog, Schriefer wrote. After Vermont, Maryland was the worst state for President Trump this year. Despite previously winning two gubernatorial races, Governor Hogan knew winning crossover votes in a federal election in a presidential year would be far more challenging. This environment became even more difficult in July when President Biden dropped out of the race, creating a surge of Democratic fundraising and enthusiasm that benefited the Alsobrooks campaign.

Despite coming up short, Governor Hogan won unprecedented numbers of split ticket voters and consolidated Republican support in Maryland  even in the most difficult environment.

Schriefer then breaks his argument into five parts. He argues that Hogan outperformed the top of the ticket by more than any other statewide candidate, Republican or Democrat, in America.

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Schriefer goes on to point out that Hogan did better than any other Republican Senate candidate in Maryland since 1980 and that he came out of the election with his long-held popularity pretty much intact, despite the election loss. He also says that Hogan successfully grew the fundraising pie, attracting thousands of politically diverse donors who were uniquely attracted to his message and unlikely to give to other races. In contrast, he writes, Alsobrooks largely sucked up resources from other races without attracting new donors.

Schriefer also attributes Hogans loss to national factors and a false narrative driven by media coverage  specifically the sense among voters that a Hogan victory could lead to a Republican takeover of the Senate, even though Republicans were always nearly guaranteed to control the Senate without Maryland.

Hogan wasted no time this week weighing in on Marylands perilous fiscal situation. And while he didnt give any hint that hes thinking about challenging Gov. Wes Moore (D) in 2026, his statement implied that he will continue to keep a public profile and opine on Maryland matters, painting himself in the best possible light.

The legislature might feel like the best way out of this structural deficit is to raise taxes or raid the Rainy Day fund, but those arent real solutions, Hogan wrote on Facebook. We erased an inherited $5.1 billion deficit in our first year and left office with a $5.5 billion surplus without raising taxes by a single penny. We cut taxes by $4.7 billion for eight years in a row, while providing record funding to education, transit, and transportation infrastructure. I urge leaders in Annapolis to look to that proven approach.

Elfreth looking for freshman leadership post

Just seconds after landing on Capitol Hill this week for her dayslong congressional orientation, U.S. Rep.-elect Sarah K. Elfreth (D-3rd) threw her hat in the ring for another office  to be the freshman representative to leadership of the Democratic Caucus in the House of Representatives.

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Punchbowl News released a copy Thursday of Elfreths letter to her fellow Democratic freshmen, in which she argued that the lessons she learned winning and representing a purple state Senate district in Anne Arundel County for six years would make her an attractive candidate for the post, especially as House Democrats find themselves narrowly in the minority.

Being an effective representative will require forging meaningful relationships with every member of the freshman class to ensure that everyone truly feels represented and that we, collectively, have the ability to communicate what is most important to your district and state, she wrote.

Elfreth also touted her experience chairing budget subcommittees and the regional Chesapeake Bay Commission, a panel of lawmakers who represent Chesapeake Bay states.

I believe I have the skillset and collaborative nature to be an effective Representative, she wrote.

Senate GOP re-ups leaders

The state Senate Republican Caucus on Thursday reelected its top leaders for the upcoming General Assembly session: Minority Leader Stephen S. Hershey Jr. (Upper Shore) and Minority Whip Justin Ready (Carroll and Frederick).

Senate Minority Leader Stephen S. Hershey Jr. (left) and Minority Whip Justin Ready. Senate Republican Caucus photo.

In statements, both promised to be vigilant and work to hold the Moore administration and Democratic lawmakers accountable.

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This year will be a challenging one in Maryland, Hershey said. Our economy is stagnant, the cost of living has skyrocketed, and the Democrats appear prepared to once again raise fees and taxes.

Our caucus members will continue to hold this Administration and the Democrat Supermajority accountable for their reckless spending, unfunded mandates and economy-crushing policies, his statement said. We remain steadfast in upholding our Republican values, opposing tax increases and overregulation, and fighting for everyday Marylanders who continue to struggle.

Ready said Senate Republicans, who are outnumbered 34-13 in the chamber, will present a clear alternative to the Democratic supermajority.

Single party rule does Marylanders no favors, he said.
ROME (AP)  Pope Francis on Friday called on the diocese of Rome to respond to a growing housing crisis in the Eternal City, wading into the debate about rising rental prices that has only grown more acute with Holy Year celebrations in 2025.

Francis has written to the city's church leaders and religious order priests for any available church properties to be used for the homeless or residents facing possible eviction because of rising rents.

The letter reflected something of the paradox facing the Vatican: Francis yearlong jubilee is expected to bring more than 30 million pilgrims to Rome to celebrate the Holy Year. That has had the predictable effect of driving up demand for short-term apartment rentals, particularly near the Vatican.

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That demand, in turn, has only accelerated the trend of local residents moving out or being priced out as owners turn their properties over to short-term property agents, such as Airbnb and other platforms that cater to tourists. It's a trend that is happening in other Italian cities, including Florence and Venice, and across Europe, leading to protests by local residents.

In his letter, Francis noted that Romes Catholic institutions were preparing to provide shelter to millions of pilgrims for the jubilee. But he asked them to also make a courageous gesture of love to Romans by offering up any unused housing or apartments.

I want all diocesan realities that own real estate to offer their contribution to stem the housing emergency with signs of charity and solidarity to generate hope in the thousands of people in the city of Rome who are in a condition of precarious housing, Francis wrote.

The Catholic Church is a major property owner in Rome, with a portfolio including commercial and residential real estate as well as church-owned convents and monasteries.

___

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.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  An updated Portland odor code will go into effect about a year after a Vietnamese restaurant shut down due to smell complaints from a neighbor.

Portland City Council approved the new ordinance on Wednesday. Under the amended code, odor regulations no longer apply to companies for which odor is an inherent part of their business model  like restaurants, cafes and bakeries.

Portland-founded Vietnamese brunch spot included on Eaters list of best new restaurants

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The odor code was first called into question in late February of this year, when Northeast Portlands Pho Gabo closed following anonymous complaints about the smell of grilled food.

The following month, Portland Commissioner Carmen Rubio asked officials to pause odor code enforcement and ordered the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability to update the ordinance.

According to an announcement from her office, Pho Gabo Owner Eddie Dong already made multiple attempts to mitigate odor at his restaurant. The commissioner said his final attempt could have cost an additional $50,000.

In light of these events, City Council announced the code will now fall within the citys property maintenance laws instead of its planning and zoning laws. Businesses will also be permitted to have 30 minutes of continuous odor emissions every day, rather than the daily 15-minute limit outlined in the previous ordinance.

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Furthermore, the amended code establishes that Property Compliance Services will only open an odor investigation after the city receives at least five complaints from five people within 30 days.

Officials are requiring complainants to live within 150 feet of the businesses they are reporting.

Former Sharis employee sues company on behalf of workers impacted by abrupt closure

The change will eliminate the threat to these businesses that one complaint about any sustained odor from their businesses could lead to enforcement actions that could include prohibitively expensive upgrades to their ventilation system, the amended ordinance reads. A secondary impact is to residential neighbors to these businesses who will no longer be able to call in odor complaints against retail sales and service businesses to the Portland Planning and Development (PP&D) code enforcement group.

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These recent changes to the odor code will go into effect on March 1, 2025.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  The topic of a four-day school week is making headlines again in Oklahoma.

About a decade ago, hundreds of districts made the switch as a way to save money.

However, one of the states largest districts, Broken Arrow, says thats not the reason theyre considering a shorter school week.

LOCAL NEWS: New law mandates graduating seniors apply to FAFSA or opt out

Instead, they say its about solving a staffing and mental health problem.

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There are already a handful of districts that have been operating on four-day school weeks for years.

But, they are much smaller than Broken Arrow, which boasts a population of more than 20,000 students.

From conversations News 4 has had with people, opinions on the schedule shift are mixed, to say the least.

We also started looking on a national level because none of the local districts that we were looking at that are already doing this are comparative to us, the number of enrollment and size, Tara Thompson, with Broken Arrow School District said.

More than 2,100 school districts in 25 states operate on a four day school week. In Oklahoma, the number is between 50 and 100.

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In a recent survey of around 7,500 people in Broken Arrow, 54% of people support a four day school week, while 46% are against it.

District leaders believe the move would help alleviate staffing issues and boost mental health.

Some of the positives News 4 has heard across the board are teacher retention.

One of the local districts that we talked to have been doing it for a couple of years now, and they indicate that their test scores are up, says Thompson.

However, that wasnt the case for all districts.

Other studies that were reading from schools across the nation indicate the opposite, Thompson said. Theyve had dips in their testing in those core subject areas.

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Those that News 4 has talked with see both the benefits and drawbacks to a four-day week.

You know, all kids will be like, yay, extra day out, but at the same time, there are other kids who are struggling that need that extra day as well, Jessica Mitchell said.

They have a lot on their plate, Raven Cornman said. They are usually learning seven subjects at a time in addition to sports. A lot of them are working part time jobs whenever they enter high school, and therefore I think three days off from school would be highly effective in their recovery process and make them better students and workers overall.

One major concern is how working families would navigate the new schedule, especially in a state where its already hard enough to find childcare.

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We dont have an answer to that yet, Thompson said.

I can foresee that being a possible issue, Cornman said. So, there needs to be adjustments made, perhaps at the state level, parental level and child care services, private and public, that can accommodate the needs of the parents whenever they have that extra day off.

A final decision is expected sometime next year.

If the schedules do change, the district stresses students will still get the state-required 1,080 hours of instruction.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
The News

The anti-abortion movement didnt win everything last week, but it didnt lose  that was enough to encourage activists that it was on the right track for future gains. For the first time since the Dobbs decision, voters rejected several abortion rights ballot measures. (A majority of Floridians voted for an abortion amendment, but it fell shy of the 60% passage requirement.) States holding their first elections since total abortion bans were enacted didnt shift to the left. And Donald Trumps strategic non-answers about abortion, including distancing himself from conservative plans to use existing law to limit it, didnt hurt him at all.

Marjorie Dannenfelser, the founder of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, had wanted more from Trump. Her group had urged Republicans to support a specific 15-week federal abortion ban, at a minimum; Trump never did. But he won, and will take office as the first Republican president in a post-Roe world. She talked about that with Americana, and this is an edited transcript of the conversation.

The View From Marjorie Dannenfelser

Americana: Whats it mean that Republicans won the first post-Roe election, that Roevember didnt happen?

Marjorie Dannenfelser: It means a couple of things. One, it doesnt matter how much money you put behind untruths, $570 million on their side and $37 million on ours. It is not popular to have no limits, without any compromise. Two, the post-Dobbs backlash has ceased or abated, and theres actual discernment going on. The scare tactics were not successful. That clears the path for actual conversation about where a nation wants to land, and where states want to land on this.

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There was no real difference in the way Republicans handled it this year, compared to two years ago, except for the fact that Trump said it should go back to the states. But all the predictions that we would lose every single ballot initiative were wrong. When governors actually take on and own the issues, own the law, that makes all the difference. In the states where governors said nothing, we lost. In Florida, where DeSantis led the campaign, we won. And that stoppage of the hemorrhaging was really important.

The measures that won often prevailed while Democrats lost. One spin I heard on this: Voters could choose abortion rights and reject Democrats, so in the end, this helped Republicans. Do you agree with that?

Part of that did reveal the ability to highly finance untruths. These campaigns convinced people that there was a possibility that Republicans were going to allow women to bleed out on the table because they had a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy complications [Democrats cited investigations by outlets like ProPublica into women who died after doctors reportedly hesitated to provide care]. If youre on the margins, youre going to vote against that. Outside of Nebraska, South Dakota, and Florida, there really was no sincere effort to put those lies down. But with a candidate  voters can get to know them. They have a hard time believing that that guy really wants to allow a woman to bleed out on the table.

Whenever I saw a House or Senate debate, and this came up, I typically heard the Republican candidate say that his or her opponent wanted abortion with no exceptions. It was very consistent. How much of a role did SBA Pro-Life America play in that?

In every single battleground campaign, president to Senate to House, that was the advice we gave. We worked very closely with Kellyanne Conway on this advice: Contrast your opponents position with your reasonable position, whether its 15 weeks or 12 weeks. Always connect the woman and child  they cant be discussed separately. How are you going to address the needs of women who are making a tough decision in the middle of the night? I think JD Vance always did this well. Our advice was to state your reasonable position, contrast it with unlimited, uncompromising abortion, and then reveal your heart by talking about your own compassion. Passionate solutions to women facing unplanned pregnancies in a personal story.

You had challenged Republicans, during the primary, to pledge to a 15-week abortion limit. Donald Trump refused to do it. In the end, was that the right strategy for him?

In the short term, it was a way to distract and put the question off. In the long term, it cant stand. So yes, that was a disappointment. Of course, we wanted him to do it. There should be a national view on this that puts this in line with civilized societies across the world. But the conversation is not over. I think there are many more potential future candidates wholl think that we ought to be in line with other civilized societies.

Whats the federal goal for the movement now?

The most urgent thing is to take Trump I pro-life policies and make them Trump II policies. Thats domestic and international abortion funding, and not funding organizations that advocate for abortion abroad. Its Title X and conscious protections. And were going to be very involved in advocating for people that we think are gonna be good in the administration on these issues.

Do you see RFK Jr as an impediment to any of this? During the campaign, when the idea of him joining an administration came up, the movement said they needed a pro-life HHS Secretary enforcing these decisions.

Theres no question that we need a pro-life HHS secretary, and of course, we have concerns about him. Its all new, and so I dont have a lot more to say about that right now. But its the most important position, and hes made it pretty clear where he stands. I know what the presidents positions are, and what the positions are of the people around him in the White House. And so my assumption, and my hope, is that he will be the employee of the President.

What are the other federal priorities?

We have to deconstruct Bidens pro-abortion policies. The inter-departmental pro-abortion shelter has got to go. We would want to replace it with a pro-life shelter, where we can fund programs that help women in the diverse circumstances where they are more prone to seek out abortions. We need to be actively serving through programs that already exist, with transportation, with addiction, with housing. These are the top issues that women are dealing with. The solution is not abortion.
CHICAGO  A settlement agreement has been reached in the first federal lawsuit alleging phony arrests by ex-Chicago Police Sgt. Ronald Watts and his team, a milestone that could have implications for the more than 150 other Watts-related cases.

Ben Baker sued Watts and the city in 2016, alleging Watts and his team pinned bogus cases on him  and in one instance, his partner, Clarissa Glenn  in retaliation for refusing to pay Watts a $1,000 bribe. Baker spent about ten years in prison before his conviction was thrown out.

Attorneys for the city reached a deal to settle with Baker and Glenn last month that is pending approval by the City Council, according to court records. The agreed-upon payout has not been disclosed, but only payouts above $100,000 must be approved by aldermen.

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It is unclear when the citys Finance Committee could consider the settlement. The committees regular monthly meeting, scheduled for next week, was canceled amid stunning disarray in the citys annual budget proceedings.

The settlement, if approved, would avert a trial that had been scheduled for early January. Bakers case would be the first federal suit against Watts to go before a jury, and was being watched as an important litmus test for other cases.

There are roughly 175 other Watts-related cases yet to be resolved in federal court. Three have been scheduled for trial, though it is possible that the Baker settlement is a signal that the other cases might also be resolved short of trial.

A spokesperson for the citys Law Department declined to comment Friday on the Baker settlement or on the prospect of a universal resolution to all the Watts cases, citing a policy against commenting on pending cases. An attorney for Baker also declined to comment.

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The first Watts-related case to settle was resolved over the summer, when a lawsuit filed by Alvin Waddy in Cook County court reached an agreement. The City Council ultimately approved a $500,000 payout for Waddy.

The Watts lawsuits have the potential to be staggeringly expensive for the city. Aside from whatever payments are made to the plaintiffs through settlements or jury awards, the costs to taxpayers are already piling up into the millions because the city is using several outside law firms to handle the litigation.

Watts was arrested in 2012 along with another member of his team, Officer Kallatt Mohammed, for shaking down a drug courier who turned out to be an FBI informant. Watts received 22 months in prison and was released in 2015.

In the years since, Watts and his tactical officers have been accused of orchestrating a reign of terror at Ida B. Wells, systematically forcing residents and drug dealers alike to pay a protection tax and putting bogus cases on those who refused.

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More than 200 Watts-related convictions have since been thrown out, and the amount of federal civil lawsuits filed against Watts and the city has snowballed since Baker and Glenn filed their case in 2016.

The plaintiffs are almost all Black men who lived in the Ida B. Wells complex and were familiar with Watts and his crew. In case after case, the lawsuits allege that when Watts targets complained to the Police Department or in court, judges, prosecutors and internal affairs investigators all chose to believe the testimony of Watts and other officers over their accusers, records show.

The cases also highlighted a broken system of police discipline that allegedly protected corrupt officers and punished those who tried to expose his corruption. Despite mounting allegations, Watts continued to operate for years amid a lengthy police internal affairs probe as well as investigations by the states attorneys office and the FBI, according to court records.

In fact, two Chicago police officers who alleged they were blackballed for trying to expose Watts corruption years ago won a $2 million settlement in their whistleblower lawsuit.

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Watts has denied wrongdoing in every lawsuit. He moved to Las Vegas after his release from federal prison and has kept a low profile. Records show he currently lives in Arizona.

Last year, Watts told a conservative radio host during a lengthy interview that he spent his career disrupting violent drug dealers and is now the victim of a smear campaign by ex-criminals and lawyers trying to cash in.

____
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Hundreds of thousands of unaccounted-for dollars revealed in an audit of the Potterville Public Schools budget earlier this month is likely the result of messy bookkeeping, Interim Sam Sinicropi tells 6 News in a phone interview.

I dont think any money got stolen, Sinicropi says. I dont think it did. I think we had some messy bookkeeping. Spending that was not  did not  a lot of oversight on what we were spending.

(File/WLNS)

He says the board reviewed their budget in June. That budget concluded that the fund balanceessentially the difference between the districts receipts and expenditureswould be about $750,000.

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You just look at it and see what the difference is. At the time, Potterville Schools was around $750,000 in a fund balance, he tells 6 News. So that means we were getting more, have more come in, than we were spending. When the auditors audited that it ended up being instead of $750,000; it was $71,000.

That reduction puts the district at risk of state oversight. Michigan law requires a school districts fund balance to be 5% or more of the budget. The audit found the district was at less than 1% of the budget. Oversight could result in additional monitoring by state treasury and education officials and potentially, although unlikely, a takeover by state authorities.

The budget was prepared under a contract with Rehmann. In addition to preparing the budget, the company was also expected to oversee budget spending and deposits. The company was paid between $12,000 and $15,000 a month for these services, Sinicropi says.

The contract with Rehmann was winding down after the Board of Education voted in May to end the deal. The company was expected to continue providing services to assist with the audit and once the audit was completed, Sinicropi says, the contract was over.

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A spokesperson for Rehmann sent 6 News a statement.

Due to client confidentiality, Rehmann cannot comment on the work we have done for Potterville Schools, the emailed statement reads. Rehmann is committed to ensuring integrity and transparency in every transaction between firm and client, and we deny any allegations of impropriety. We are relentlessly committed to upholding the highest level of professional and ethical standards and to following industry guidelines in all aspects of our work.

Stacy Ann Sipes, president of the Potterville Public Schools Board of Education, tells 6 News the May decision to end the relationship with Rehmann was twofold. She says the business was supposed to be training the business manager to oversee the budget. The business manager is Monica Baker.

I never touched the budget, I just presented the budget, Monica Baker says. She also tells 6 News she was never provided any in-depth training by Rehmann.

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Potterville officials have repeatedly declined to discuss Bakers employment status with the school district. Baker, however, confirms with 6 News shes on paid leave.

I am still an employee of the district. I am on non-disciplinary administrative leave, Baker tells 6 News. She was placed on leave on or about Aug. 20, she says.

She says the reason she was given for the paid leave was that there was a cyber attack on my computer.

Both Sinicropi and Sipes declined to comment on Bakers employment status with the district.

The second reason the contract was ended, Sipes tells 6 News, was the result of a budgeting error in the 2023-2024 budget. That error counted a $450,000 grant twice, creating a budget hole of $450,000. The board in December adopted a plan presented by Baker to reduce the districts budget by 15%.

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Sipes says the contractual relationship dates back to 2019.

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HONOLULU (KHON2)  In preparation for fire weather, Hawaiian Electric is warning residents of the possibility of power shutoffs if necessary.

Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You

According to the NWS, A slot of drier air moving in on Friday could bring critical fire weather conditions to portions of the state.

Fire Weather Watch issued ahead of a dry and gusty Aloha Friday

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A fire weather watch will be in place Friday.

A new initiative helps military families stay connected

HECO said they will continue to monitor the conditions and implement their Public Safety Power Shutoff program in leeward areas of the islands, which are communities with high exposure to wildfire risk.

How to plan your Thanksgiving alternatives

The shutoffs could come within 24 hours.

Maps of the areas that have high wildfire risk can be seen on the Hawaiian Electric website or more information can be obtained by calling the PSPS hotline at (844) 483-8666.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
The News

People are making bets on whether US President-elect Donald Trumps more controversial nominees will get confirmed by the Senate.

On cypto-based betting platform, Polymarket, which successfully signaled a resounding Trump victory in the presidential election when traditional polls did not, bettors are putting money on whether Fox News anchor Pete Hegseth will become the US defense secretary and if former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz will be confirmed to run the US Justice Department.

While the pool for Hegseth is small so far they favor him by 79%. Gaetzs confirmation, meanwhile, has attracted more money, but the market rates his chances at just 29%.

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Meanwhile, immediately after Trump nominated vaccine sceptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to the US top health job, odds on whether the incoming administration recommends removing fluoride from water spiked from less than 25% to more than 50%.

SIGNALS

Gaetz confirmation faces a rocky road through Senate

Sources: The Washington Post, NBC News, Politico

Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, who has been the subject of ethics inquiries and a Justice Department sex trafficking probe, is widely seen as the most likely Trump pick to struggle with Senate confirmation. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski said he would face a significant challenge to win enough votes, while her colleague from Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst said, Hes got his work cut out for him. Former GOP House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said, Gaetz wont get confirmed. Everybody knows that. Two Politico reporters argued that it would be a mistake to underestimate the MAGA firebrand, who has had a lightning rise since being elected to the Florida House of Representatives at the age of 27. He is often dismissed as a clown, they wrote, but then he keeps winning.

Trump looks to bypass Senate confirmation altogether

Sources: The Washington Post, Good Authority, Fox News

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Even the best-informed punters might be thrown off course if Trump gets his way in appointing picks while Congress is out of session. Trump has demanded that Republican leadership on the Hill allow him to install his cabinet while Congress is in recess, bypassing the need for congressional approval. If the Senate were to accept Trumps request, it would be an absolute abdication of their constitutional power, one political scientist told The Washington Post. Still, George W. Bush and Barack Obama also made some recess appointments, earning pushbacks from the Senate and the Supreme Court. The incoming Senate majority leader, John Thune, said all the options are on the table, although he noted that some Republicans could vote against putting the Senate in recess for Trump to appoint nominees.

Prediction markets see an astronomical rise

Sources: The Guardian, Semafor, The Economist

Betting markets were allowed to legally host election wagers just a few weeks before the US presidential contest, sparking a huge rise in political gambling. The CEO of prediction market Kalshi said it had seen astronomical growth in the run-up to the election, while more than $3.6 billion was gambled on who would take the White House on crypto-based platform Polymarket, which doesnt permit US users. Successful speculators have been taking victory laps, arguing that markets provide better information than conventional US polling techniques. But speculators are not savants, The Economist argued, and they didnt accurately predict the nature of Trumps win: The betting market did come even close to forecasting that Trump would win the popular vote.
ST. LOUIS  Earlier this week, Stray Rescue of St. Louis responded to the Riverview neighborhood of St. Louis for a report of a dog dumped from a vehicle.

When they arrived at the park near Scranton Avenue and Riverview Drive, it took rescuers about an hour to locate a German Shepherd mix who was pregnant and stuck in some mud near the Mississippi River.

She was very dirty but shes in our care now and shell be good, Katie Grana, Stray Rescues event and public relations coordinator, said.

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Grana said a witness was able to take a photo of a vehicle they said the dog was dumped from. That photo has been shared with police. Grana said dog dumping occurs far too often.

These dogs are abandoned on the streets every day, she said.

Armed and dangerous suspect wanted after Warren County shooting death

Stray Rescue is asking anyone interested in adopting or fostering to contact the animal rescue agency. The rescue group reports more dogs are being rescued than adopted. An adoption event will take place on Saturday, Nov. 16.

Grana said anyone interested in learning more about efforts to enhance penalties for dog dumping and other animal abuse crimes should contact the Missouri Alliance of Animal Legislation.

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She added that if anyone ever feels overwhelmed caring for their dog, there are options other than abandoning them. Stray Rescue can help with vet care, food and additional resources.

We would so much rather your dog stay in your home, and we assist you than find your dog on the street, Grana said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Pressure is building on the House Ethics Committee to release its findings on former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who President-elect Trump said he will nominate to be attorney general.

Such a move would be highly unusual, since the committee has no jurisdiction to investigate a former lawmaker, and does not typically release information on investigations after members depart the House.

But with Gaetz nominated to be the countrys attorney general, Democrats and some Republicans want to see what the committee found.

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I think there should not be any limitation on the House Judiciary Committees investigation, including whatever the House Ethics Committee has generated, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee that would assess Gaetzs nomination, told reporters on Wednesday. Cornyn added that he absolutely wanted to see the Ethics panels findings.

Gaetzs abrupt resignation from the House on Wednesday came as the release of the Ethics Committees report was imminent, a source familiar with the matter told The Hill. The panel was scheduled to meet on Friday to vote on whether or not to release the report about Gaetz, the source said, as first reported by Punchbowl News.

While such a move is very rare, there is precedent for the committee releasing a report after a member resigned. In 1987, the committee released its report on former Rep. William Boner (D-Tenn.) after he resigned from the House.

Some senators are expecting that the upper chamber will get the report. Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said that the report will clearly become part of the record, even if its a secure record, as the Senate Judiciary Committee considers the Gaetz nomination.

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Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) in a statement on Thursday called on the House Ethics panel to preserve and share its findings on Gaetz.

The sequence and timing of Mr. Gaetzs resignation from the House raises serious questions about the contents of the House Ethics Committee report. We cannot allow this valuable information from a bipartisan investigation to be hidden from the American people, Durbin said in the statement.

The committee has already broken from its normal posture once in the 118th Congress, when it released a report on former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) even though federal charges against him were unresolved. The Ethics Committee typically waits to take action until any ongoing legal proceedings have concluded, deferring to the Department of Justice. Santos later pleaded guilty to fraud charges.

The committee is comprised of five Republicans and five Democrats, and makes most of its decisions on simple majority votes. If Republicans on the panel do want to release the report on Gaetz, they must weigh their distaste for Gaetz against the risk of Trumps wrath.

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The committee was investigating whether Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, among other allegations. The congressional probe into Gaetz was opened in 2021, shortly after news reports emerged that the Department of Justice (DOJ) was reportedly investigating whether he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl.

Gaetz has vigorously denied allegations of wrongdoing, and the DOJ declined to charge him with a crime. In September, Gaetz said he would no longer voluntarily participate in the nosy Ethics probe and would not comply with its subpoena, accusing the panel of asking him for a list of adult women with whom hed had sex over the last seven years.

John Clune, a lawyer reportedly representing the 17-year-old victim at the center of the most serious allegations, also called on the Ethics Committee to release its findings.

Mr. Gaetzs likely nomination as Attorney General is a perverse development in a truly dark series of events. We would support the House Ethics Committee immediately releasing their report. She was a high school student and there were witnesses, Clune said in a post on the social platform X.

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Rep. Greg Murphy (R-N.C.) said the general opinion among GOP members is that Gaetz resigned in order to try to block the report from coming out.

Its very suspicious that he all of a sudden resigned because other members who are being nominated for posts have not resigned, Murphy said. I do know that if he continues to persist with this appointment, it will all come out.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), when announcing Gaetzs resignation on Wednesday evening, said that Gaetz resigned in order to kick-start the process of replacing him, to lessen the impact of a slim House GOP majority. Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) has also been selected to be national security adviser, and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) was tapped to be U.N. ambassador.

Some of Gaetzs former GOP House colleagues, though, think the report should come out, or at least be shared with the Senate.

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Senators have an important decision to make, and I think they should have all the information necessary to make the right decisions, said Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), adding if there is nothing that says the Ethics Committee cant release the report, it would be a good thing for them to know the facts.

If hes gonna continue through that process [of becoming attorney general], I think the Ethics report needs to come out, Rep. John Duarte (R-Calif.) said. I just dont want an attorney general whos compromised with that kind of a report hanging out there that could be used to compromise him.

But the idea of the Ethics Committee releasing findings on a nonmember is getting some pushback in the House, where members could be personally affected by that kind of precedent.

House Armed Services Committee Chair Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) said the Ethics Committee should not release its findings.

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Hes no longer a member. Its moot to me, Rogers said. Asked if he think Gaetz is qualified to be attorney general, he said: Its the presidents decision.

House Ethics Committee Chair Michael Guest (R-Miss.) declined to comment on any potential Ethics Committee meetings, or to comment further on the Gaetz situation.

With the confidentiality that surrounds the committee, I cant publicly address any potential meeting dates the committee might be taking up, Guest told The Hill. I cant give you any information of any significance.

House GOP leaders are staying out of the debate.

I dont know if there is a report thats coming out. Obviously, there are reports about it, but the Ethics Committee doesnt share that information with the rest of the membership, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) told The Hill.

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Mychael Schnell and Al Weaver contributed.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
LARGO, Md. (DC News Now)  The Prince Georges County Fire and EMS Department (PGFD) is working to address its staffing shortages and on Thursday night the County Council held a public meeting to hear from the fire chief on what theyre doing.

It was standing room only at the meeting in the Wayne K. Curry administration building. Dozens packed the room wanting to see what could be done to find solutions to the firefighter shortage and that included Upper Marlboro resident Angela Smith.

One of the biggest concerns I have is we were promised additional fire stations which means more firefighters and we have not gotten the firefighters we deserve, she said. We need these firefighters, and we are concerned that we dont have the fire services in place to handle emergencies.

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Concerns rise as Trump pledges to dismantle the Department of Education

Fire Chief Tiffany Green addressed concerns about staff shortages and also talked about working to improve response times.

I realize this is not what people want to hear but this is our current reality, Green said. We have several choices: We can hold over firefighters and paramedics and give them more hours, but risk burnout and risk injuries and cause them to miss time with their families.

The fire department has a shortage of 251 firefighters. Last summer, the department relocated 55 firefighters from four stations in the county to help fill vacancies.

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Many who attended the meeting feel more needs to be done to protect the community including Councilwoman Wala Blegay.

We need them to increase the hires and hire more firefighters and it takes nine months to train a firefighter and if we are not hiring them fast enough this is an issue that needs addressing, Blegay said.

Green said the County Executive has given her the green light to hire 150 new firefighters.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Avi Rachlin, representing "Groypers for America", testifying Thursday to the Michigan Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety Committee against bills to largely ban guns in the capitol complex in Lansing. Nov. 14, 2024. Screenshot

A far-right activist testifying against bills to ban guns from the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, which he claimed targeted white people, was gaveled down Thursday and dismissed after using the n-word.

The individual in question identified himself as Avi Rachlin, while his sign-in card said he was representing Groypers for America, referencing a far-right movement associated with white supremacist Nick Fuentes.

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Testifying to the Michigan Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, Rachlin immediately began his remarks by angrily denouncing the bills, talking so loud that it distorted the audio being recorded.

Absolutely not. That is the message that voters sent last week when they decided to eject representatives from the state House and send Donald Trump into the White House. And rather than recognizing the will of the people in deciding to restore Republicans to the state house, Democrats have embarked on an effort of retaliation and retribution 

At that point, the committee chair, state Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), cut off Rachlin and asked him to speak to the bills at hand.

Avi Rachlin, representing Groypers for America, testifying Thursday to the Michigan Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety Committee against bills to largely ban guns in the capitol complex in Lansing. Nov. 14, 2024. Screenshot

From there, Rachlin, who is a former regional director for Michigan Open Carry, alleged a racial component behind the legislation.

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This is legislation that targets white people. It is racial because the people who carry in the capital are primarily white. People who have CPLs [concealed pistol license] are primarily white, and this is retaliation for the only demographic that overwhelmingly voted to support Donald Trump. And that is why it is being taken out on us because you dont like us, Rachlin said.

Rachlin became increasingly angry leading up to when he used the slur.

If you want to address gun violence, we would be focusing on the people who bring guns into communities and shoot people like where I live in Detroit where you represent Stephanie Chang, which are overwhelmingly 13-to-34-year-old Sub-Saharan African nirs. Those are the people who 

Chang immediately gaveled down Rachlin and said they were moving on.

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I am testifying, said Rachlin.

Yep. And I am the chair, and I have gaveled you down, said Chang.

Rachlin then angrily asked if Chang was going to have armed guards remove him.

Armed men with guns? he said.

Sen. Jim Runestad (R-White Lake) then spoke up.

Did I just hear you call a group of people by some epithet? he asked Rachlin.

Yes, said Rachlin.

The idea that this is aimed at white people. I know so many different groups from minority communities that are armed, that carry concealed. Its just a ridiculous argument, said Runestad.

Sen. Ruth Johnson (R-Holly) then interjected.

The term that you used is inappropriate and it will not get you anywhere in this Legislature, she said.

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The committee then moved on and Rachlin gathered his things and left.

The committee voted 4-2, with Runestad and Johnson opposed, to send SB 857 and SB 858 to the full Senate for debate.

The package would largely prohibit guns inside the three buildings that make up the Capitol complex in Lansing: the Michigan Capitol, the Anderson House Office Building and the Binsfeld Senate Office Building. The main exception would be for a lawmaker with a CPL, who could still carry a weapon in the buildings.

The bills essentially codify a decision made last year by the bipartisan Michigan State Capitol Commission to institute the ban in the Capitol building, and extend it to the Anderson and Binsfeld buildings where lawmakers offices are located.

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After the committee hearing, Chang posted Rachlins name to social media, and noted that when he was a student at Penn State University, his peers referred to him as a violent, misogynist, homophobic, white supremacist, referencing a petition initiated by students to have him expelled after an incident in which Rachlin got into a physical altercation with an assistant professor during a vaccine rally in 2021.

Michigan state Sen Stephanie Chang speaks at a press conference to sign legislation to limit gun access to those convicted of domestic violence offenses on Nov. 20, 2023. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Rachlin uses the username avsterbone on social media and responded to Changs post with one of his own.

Trumps Project 2025 will deport you and your parents back to Taiwan, he posted. Maybe living under the constant fear China will one day seize your island might make you reconsider your current push here to disarm White people. Thankfully, youre termed out and will be gone in 2026.

Chang is the first Taiwanese American Michigander elected to the Legislature.

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State Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-East Lansing) called out Rachlins comments.

This is the rhetoric of [a] weak person who has run out of any valuable argument. While I dont like giving it any attention, its important to be clear eyed that this type of hatred still exists, posted Hertel.

One of those testifying in favor of the bills who spoke prior to Rachlin, was state Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), who recalled COVID-19 pandemic protests in 2020 in which gun rights advocates were allowed to bring long guns into the Senate gallery.

It was just a few years ago that many of us were in this building absolutely terrified as firearms were pointed at us while we were trying to do our jobs, said Anthony, who was interrupted several times by Runestad, who questioned if she had reported to Capitol security that guns had actually been pointed at her. Anthony said she had done so, both to the Michigan State Police, as well as House sergeants.

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When Runestad again interrupted Anthony, she reminded him that she was speaking and said, I raised a lot of nieces and nephews, and Im not shy when it comes to addressing temper tantrums.

Speaking with the Michigan Advance after the session, Anthony said the exchange with Runestad may have indirectly encouraged Rachlins later comments.

He just wouldnt let me talk, and he wouldnt let me speak in an honest manner and so I was a little shaken up by it, she said. I dont like bullies. Ive never liked bullies, even when I was a child. I just have always felt like people should give folks respect, even when you disagree.

State Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. | Kyle Davidson

Anthony said the combative comments from Runestad created an environment in which someone else felt comfortable enough to use a racial slur.

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Myself and Rep. Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield Twp.), were the two Black women that were testifying about this issue. And so when you use the n-word as a part of your justification of why you want to continue to have firearms in the Capitol, its hurtful, right? Its hurtful. Its direct and the lack of civility amongst colleagues creates an environment, in my opinion, that makes it easier for the public to come in and use derogatory terms, said Anthony.

Lavora Barnes, the first Black woman to chair the Michigan Democratic Party, also spoke out against Rachlin.

The vile language used today was unacceptable, and every lawmaker in attendance should be making it very clear that no matter who you are or what you support  bigotry and hatred have no place in our legislature or political discourse. The group he belongs to, Groypers for America, is known for espousing racist, antisemitic language, and they should be nowhere near Michigan politics.

Anthony says she just hopes this isnt a glimpse into the new normal in political discourse.

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I hope were not in a place that this becomes the norm. That whether its lawmakers or the public, just dont treat each other with respect and civility, and a lot of that, folks feel very emboldened by Trump. And Im sad for what that looks like for the future, she said. I dont want to have to go back to wearing a bulletproof vest to work. Its very, very, very uncomfortable. I want to focus on doing things like balancing the states budget, not making sure theres not bullets thats flying in this building.

Advance reporter Kyle Davidson contributed to this story.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The Progress321 Board of Directors has appointed Bianca De Leon, who has over 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience, as its new executive director, the organization announced in a news release.

We are excited to welcome Bianca as our new Executive Director, Gabe Gonzalez, president of the Progress321 Board said. Her extensive experience in nonprofit consulting and community engagement aligns seamlessly with Progress321s goals to connect and empower leaders in our community. We look forward to seeing her vision elevate our organization.

Previously, De Leon served as a nonprofit consultant with Zelie Consulting, leading initiatives in change management and strategic development, according to the organization.

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As a former program officer with the Paso Del Norte Health Foundation, she managed a $3M portfolio, collaborating with community partners in Ciudad Juarez, El Paso, and Las Cruces.

Her proven track record in fostering partnerships and achieving sustainable growth will be invaluable in her role with Progress321, read the news release.

I am truly honored to join Progress321 as executive director, De Leon said. Progress321s commitment to building a thriving, inclusive community in the Paso del Norte region resonates deeply with me. I am excited to bring my experience and passion to this role and to work alongside our Board, members, and partners to further amplify our mission.

De Leon officially assumes the role in November and will oversee all day-to-day operations, lead community engagement efforts, and drive Progress321s strategic vision forward, according to the organization.

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Michael "Mike" Hodge, a prominent election law attorney who advised former Gov. James Blanchard, was found dead Thursday following a search by police and volunteers that began on the weekend around his Barry County home.

Hodge, 76, of Delton, about 22 miles northwest of Battle Creek, was suffering from dementia and disappeared after going for a walk, his daughter, Meghan Hodge Groen, said on Facebook in appealing to the public to help find him.

Michael Hodge

Michigan State Police said in a Thursday news release Hodge's body was located after an extensive search organized out of the agency's Wayland post. He had been last seen Nov. 8.

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"This is truly the most unfortunate outcome for us all," the release, posted on X, said. "We would also like to express our sincere gratitude for the hundreds of volunteers, partners, and other law enforcement resources from near and far that assisted in searching for Mr. Hodge over the past several days."

Hodge's daughter also thanked those who helped with the search in a Thursday statement on Facebook.

"The outpouring of love, concern and support is a testament to the special way my father connected with people and touched so many lives in his professional capacity, as a friend, and as a loving father and grandfather," Groen said. "We hope people will remember his incredible sense of humor, intelligence, charm, warmth and uncanny ability to connect with people."

A volunteer with the search and rescue arm of Christian Aid Ministries, which was helping with the search effort, found Hodge's body Thursday afternoon in a heavy brush area south of Harrington Road, near Wall Lake, about a mile from his home, said MSP Specialist Lt. DuWayne Robinson.

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"While we do not know the exact cause of death, there is no indication of any foul play," Robinson said in an email Friday. "This case remains open pending further investigation, including a pending autopsy."

Hodge worked for four decades at Miller Canfield, a huge law firm headquartered in Detroit, where as of Thursday he was still listed as an adviser to the firm in its Lansing office. Hodge earned a bachelor's degree from MSU in 1970 and a law degree from Detroit College of Law in 1975, according to the law firm's website. Hodge was legal advisor to Blanchard, a Democrat, from September 1987 through 1990.

Blanchard said Friday that he's known Hodge for more than 50 years, from the days when both worked for former Attorney General Frank Kelley and the three would sometimes travel the state, with Hodge driving and Blanchard along as a special assistant to Kelley. There were plenty of laughs as Kelley, who was a movie buff, would regale them both with humorous stories about film stars and others, Blanchard said.

He said he'd remained close friends with Hodge and his wife, Nancy, and Hodge recently attended Blanchard's 80th birthday party.

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"He was one of the most trustworthy and loyal friends anyone could ever have," Blanchard said. "He was a good lawyer, but he was more than a lawyer. He became a friend and a committed ally."

Groen said on Facebook that Hodge, assisted by a Monday to Friday caretaker, was a caregiver for his wife, who has Alzheimer's disease, and frequently took walks. The daughter began to search for him when she went to check on them Sunday morning and he was not at home.

Scott Eldridge, resident director of Miller Canfield's Lansing office and a close friend, said Hodge had the rare combination of being feared and loved by legal adversaries and admired by everyone he encountered.

"Mike's brilliance as a quick-witted orator and legal strategist in court were memorable and unmatched," Eldridge said in an email. "But it was his shirt-off-his-back compassion for others, his commitment to mentoring younger attorneys, and his devotion to his wife and family that shined and permeated his professional and personal life every day."

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In 1987, before going to work for Blanchard, Hodge represented People's Campaign for Choice in a legal battle over the state paying for abortions for Michigan welfare recipients, which both Blanchard and the People's Campaign for Choice supported.

In 2008 and in 2012, Hodge represented former Detroit Mayors Kenneth Cockrel, Jr. and Dave Bing in separate cases related to election law and city finances, respectively.

Friends and colleagues, who posted on Facebook following the news of Hodge's death, described him as a smart and funny man who was a joy to work with.

Mark Brewer, a prominent Michigan election law attorney and former chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, said Hodge was a friend and a fine lawyer who taught him a lot.

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"I worked with him on the 1992 state House recounts and he did some legal work for the Michigan Democratic Party when I was chair," Brewer said in an email. "He was always insightful, provided solid legal advice, and was enjoyable to work with."

This story was updated to add new information.

Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan attorney Mike Hodge found dead after search in Barry County
CAPAY, Calif.  Olive harvest is in full swing in California and so far, this years crop in Capay Valley looks promising, according to some growers. Its all hands on deck at Cobram Estate in Capay. The Australia-based company expanded to the Capay Valley about 10 years ago.

Capay Valley is located along State Route 16 in Yolo County about 17 miles west of Woodland and nearly 50 miles west of Sacramento.

The olive harvest started for Cobram Estates the last week of October and will likely wrap up the first week of December.

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Harvest is moving efficiently thanks to staff and another piece of equipment recently added to the companys collection.

The Colossus is a harvesting machine engineered just for Cobram Estate.

This machine can take in two minutes what you and me will actually take in twelve hours, VP of Sales and Marketing Nico Urbin said.

The harvester will pick about 90% of olives off of every single tree at the grove. The olive trees are pruned to a specific height and width that allows the harvesters to reach and shake the olives from the trees. From there, they go up a series of belts and out a chute at the top. With more than 700,000 trees, Cobram Estate has a lot of ground to cover and just 10 weeks to do it.

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It runs 24/7 because we need to pick all of these beautiful olives but we need to pick and press them within four to six hours, Urbin said.

Urbin said from the time the olives come off the branch the clock starts ticking. Before the olive oil hits the shelf at your local grocery store, the olives are taken to a processing facility in Woodland.

Its very important because as soon as you pick the olives, the olives start to deteriorate. We pick millions of olives every day, Urbin said.

The harvester runs at just 0.1 miles per hour.

We tried different speeds, and the problem is the faster you go the less olives you pick, and you can damage the trees and of course, the issue with damaging the trees is its going to damage next years crop, Urbin said.

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As with any crop, weather conditions can wreak havoc. However, in the Capay Valley Mother Nature treated this years crop well.

The soil is beautiful. Its fantastic. Actually, what we see is the trees grow much faster here in the valley than even in Australia. Thats the first thing. The second thing is the weather conditions. The weather conditions are absolutely perfect. As you know, it doesnt rain for a long time between May and October. This is perfect for us, Urbin said.

So far, this season is shaping up to be a good one.

This year actually was supposed to be a lower year but because conditions have been good, we expect to at least match last years crop, Urbin said.

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Corbam Estate said sustainability is also a major role in their operation with just 0.35% of farm production ending up in waste from start to finish.

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U.S. senators from Texas could be recalled midterm if a proposal by a state representative is passed into law in the upcoming legislative session.

Rep. Brian Harrison, R-Midlothian, filed Texas House Bill 1267 on Wednesday, which proposes for either U.S. senator to be recalled by a simple majority in both chambers of the Texas Legislature.

Harrison's proposal claims that the rights given to the states and the people by the 10th Amendment "have been significantly diminished since the adoption of the 17th Amendment," which establishes the appointment of U.S. senators by direct election, as well as their terms and representation of two per state. According to HB 1267, "a restoration of the appropriate balance between the sovereign State of Texas and the federal government is necessary."

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More: Ahead of Texas legislative session, lawmakers start filing bills. Here are some proposals.

Under the bill, a senator would be required to leave office the same day as a successful recall vote.

"Unfortunately, since the 17th Amendment, many have become beholden to DC special interests and complicit in the erosion of liberty and acceleration of Americas move to a post-constitutional era, where unelected bureaucrats write and enforce law by edict," Harrison wrote in a statement. "We must empower Texans to ensure our U.S. Senators serve the best interest of the State of Texas."

 I just filed a #HB1267 to authorize the Texas Legislature to recall U.S. Senators if they go rogue.



Full statement:



Our founders intended U.S. Senators to represent the interests of the sovereign states and safeguard against federal overreach. Unfortunately, since the pic.twitter.com/0XDjJWNdQE  Brian Harrison (@brianeharrison) November 13, 2024

The current U.S. senators from Texas are John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, both Republicans. Cruz was just reelected for a third term with 53.1% of the vote compared with Democratic challenger U.S. Rep. Colin Allred's 44.5%.

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On Wednesday, Cornyn lost his bid for Senate majority leader to South Dakota's Sen. John Thune. Hours before the closed-door GOP vote, Cruz had announced his support for Florida's Sen. Rick Scott for the position.

Read proposed Texas House Bill 1267

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas US senators could lose positions mid-term if HB 1267 is passed
Nov. 14Nez Perce County prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty for Nicholas Umphenour, the man who helped coordinate an Idaho prison escape and hospital ambush, for the killing of 83-year-old Juliaetta resident James Mauney.

"Seeking the death penalty is appropriate in this case considering the defendant's complete lack of regard for the life of Mr. Mauney," Prosecutor Justin Coleman said in a news release. "We'll continue to fight in both this case and the co-defendant's case to get justice for the victim."

In a hearing Thursday, a judge decided Umphenour would not be given the option for bond.

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Umphenour, a 29-year-old Orofino man, was sentenced to life in prison last month for his role in helping his accomplice, 32-year-old Skylar Meade, escape from the Idaho State Correctional Facility in March. While on the run for 36 hours following a shootout with police at a Boise hospital, the two drove up and down the state of Idaho committing crimes, Idaho State Police said at the time. Meade was sentenced to life in prison for the attempted escape and also faces the death penalty in connection with Mauney's death.

Mauney was last seen alive in March while walking his dogs in Juliaetta, a small town northeast of Lewiston. Meade and Umphenour drove Mauney and his dogs to a spot near Leland, police say, where his body was later found in an area of farm fields.

Both men were indicted for the killing in June.

Police also believe the two are responsible for the killing of 72-year-old Gerald "Don" Henderson, whose body was found in his Orofino cabin, along with Mauney's dogs and Meade's prison shackles. Henderson was an acquaintance of Umphenour at one point, according to previous reporting from The Spokesman-Review.

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Both Mauney and Henderson's killings took place during the two-day manhunt that began when Meade started cutting himself at the maximum security prison south of Boise, where he was serving a minimum 10-year sentence for shooting at a member of law enforcement during a police chase.

Under guard by corrections officers, Meade was transported to Boise's Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center for treatment. This was all part of a plan to break Meade out of prison  Umphenour and Meade were texting each other, planning the escape, according to reporting from the Idaho Statesman. When Meade was escorted back outside, Umphenour began firing at police in the ambulance bay. One officer was injured in the shootout.

Umpnenhour's next hearing is set for Dec. 12. Meade has retained death-penalty certified lawyer Anne Taylor, who has been in the public spotlight for defending Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students two years ago. It's unclear whether or not Umphenour has also retained Taylor.
Protests against a controversial investment agreement with Russia escalated into clashes in Sukhum, the capital of Russian-occupied Abkhazia. The proposed law seeks to permit Russians to purchase property in Abkhazia.

Abkhazia is internationally recognized as part of Georgia, but is under illegal Russian control.

Demonstrators rallied outside the local proxy parliament, denouncing the agreement as one-sided and advantageous only to Moscow. Despite the parliament's decision to postpone the agreement's consideration, protesters demanded an immediate vote to reject it, according to European Pravda.

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The protest intensified as demonstrators reportedly surrounded key government buildings.

Echo of the Caucasus, a media outlet affiliated with Radio Liberty, reported that protesters threw eggs and bottles at law enforcement officers. Earlier, they used a car to breach part of the fence, gaining access to the area surrounding the building.

Shots were reportedly fired during the rally, but local media stated there were no casualties. Tear gas was used to disperse the crowd, according to Echo of the Caucasus.

Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti reported via Telegram that protesters managed to enter the parliament building and were advancing further inside.

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Additionally, the AMRA-Life Telegram channel reported that Abkhaz opposition leader Levan Mykaa announced protesters would occupy the building until the president resigns. This claim has not been officially confirmed.

Abkhazia has recently drawn attention due to rumors of accelerated construction at the Ochamchire naval base, allegedly being developed by Russia. Despite satellite imagery showing construction activity, Abkhaz Foreign Minister Sergei Shamba claimed in September that there are "no plans" for a Russian naval base in the occupied region, which lacks a navy of its own.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine would target Russia's Black Sea Fleet "wherever it is stationed," hinting at potential strikes on Russian-controlled areas of Georgia, including Abkhazia.

Read also: We are exhausted  how Ukrainians cope with nightly Russian drone attacks

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Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki is blaming Vice President Harriss loss to President-elect Trump in part on disinformation.

One of the things thats changed even since I got involved in politics is just the rise of the percentage of people who get their information off of platforms that have no fact checking mechanism and no accountability for having disinformation spread, Psaki, who worked in the Obama administration and served as President Bidens press secretary, told Katie Couric on an episode of her Next Question podcast.

She argued that local and national television outlets are held to a much higher standard for accountability than podcasts and social media platforms.

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Local TV is held to a higher standard of accountability than social media platforms in terms of accurate information on their platforms. That is crazy, she added.

Laws have to change. I dont even know the entire answer to it but that seems to me to be a core issue.

She also said Democrats need to do a better job of getting their message to voters by going through non-traditional media.

Psaki specifically referenced Trumps appearance on Joe Rogans podcast as a relatable outlet that may have served as a closing factor for voters.

I dont think Joe Rogan deserves 100 percent credit for Donald Trump being elected, but it was a misunderstanding of kind of also how people are getting their information and an undervaluing of some of those platforms that Trump was doing, the MSNBC host stated.

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Trumps episode was free of charge and got more than 50 million views on YouTube.

Rogan said he invited Harris to join the podcast but requested that she come to his studio in Austin, Texas. She allegedly declined the offer due to backlash from some of the progressive staff according to Democratic strategist Jennifer Palmieri as reported by Mediate.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Eight puppies rescued from a dumpster are in the custody of The Animal Foundation, officials said Thursday.

According to a news release, the 2-week-old puppies were found in a trash bag that was tossed into the dumpster. Inside the bag with the pups was an unknown cleaning product.

Thanks to the quick actions of a Good Samaritan, the puppies are now safe at the shelter, the release said, adding that the person responsible for dumping the puppies is in police custody.

The puppies were rescued from a trash bag inside a dumpster in Las Vegas, The Animal Foundation officials said. (The Animal Foundation) The puppies were rescued from a trash bag inside a dumpster in Las Vegas, The Animal Foundation officials said. (The Animal Foundation) The puppies were rescued from a trash bag inside a dumpster in Las Vegas, The Animal Foundation officials said. (The Animal Foundation) The puppies were rescued from a trash bag inside a dumpster in Las Vegas, The Animal Foundation officials said. (The Animal Foundation)

The puppies and their mother arrived at the shelter with two other dogs. According to officials, the mother is feeding the pups appropriately, and the young dogs are meeting their weight goals.

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Shes a very good mother dog. Its very cute to see them all together, and shes given them the care that they need, The Animal Foundation CEO Hilarie Grey told 8 News Now. So our next step is going to be getting that whole family, mom, and all the eight puppies into a foster.

A ninth puppy was euthanized due to blood in its chest, and while the other puppies are doing well, its not immediately clear if there will be lasting effects from the cleaning product that was found inside the bag.

These are tiny, vulnerable puppies who barely have their eyes open, and someone chose to throw them away like trash, the release said. Thanks to the hero who heard their cries, theyre now getting a fresh start.

Officials say the young puppies are highly susceptible to illness and will ideally move into a foster home.

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The Animal Foundation wants to remind the community that there are other options for unwanted pets which include a pet food pantry and its pet support hotline which is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day to help.

Those in need of assistance can call The Animal Foundation Pet Support Hotline at 702-955-5932.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Flanked by Sam Liebert, left, and Scott Thompson, center, Nick Ramos of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign addresses reporters Thursday outside a Wisconsin state office building. The three criticized Republican Senate candidate Eric Hovde for not conceding after vote tallies reported that Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin finished the election with 29,000 more votes than Hovde. (Wisconsin Examiner photo)

Voting rights advocates joined the calls Thursday for Republican Senate candidate Eric Hovde to back away from accusations he made earlier this week that something went wrong with vote-counting in the election Hovde lost to Sen. Tammy Baldwin.

This is a direct attempt to cast doubt on our free and fair elections. And this is not only disappointing, its unnecessary, said Sam Liebert, Wisconsin state director for All Voting is Local at a news conference Thursday morning. The nonpartisan, nonprofit organization advocates for policies to ensure voting access, particularly for voters of color and other marginalized groups.

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The rhetoric of questioning our democracy is more than just words, but it contributes to chaos and confusion, which undermines public trust in our elections and the officials who administer them, Liebert said.

The news conference, held outside the state office building that houses the Wisconsin Elections Commission, was organized by the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, a nonpartisan voting rights and campaign finance reform advocacy group.

Speakers emphasized Wisconsins history of ticket-splitting and the near equal division of Republican and Democratic voters. For that reason, they said, victories last week by Republican Donald Trump in the presidential race and Baldwin, a Democrat, in the Senate race shouldnt be viewed as remarkable or suspicious.

Donald Trump won, Tammy Baldwin won, Kamala Harris lost, and Erik Hovde lost, said Scott Thompson, an attorney with the nonprofit voting rights and democracy law firm Law Forward. The people of Wisconsin know it, and I think Eric Hovde knows it too.

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What youre doing is creating divisions, and that cannot be accepted here in Wisconsin, said Nick Ramos, executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign.

During the campaign, Hovde said all the right things  he talked about how he would honor the election results, talked about  theres no time for us to continue these types of conspiracies and lies, Ramos said. But since the election, he added, Hovde has shifted his attitude.

Hovde so far has declined to concede the U.S. Senate election, although The Associated Press called the race for Baldwin, the Democratic two-term incumbent, early Wednesday, Nov. 6. With 99% of the vote counted, Baldwin had a 29,000-vote lead over Hovde, a margin of slightly less than 1%. She declared victory after the AP call.

Eric Hovde speaks in a video posted on Tuesday in which he questions how ballots were counted in his election loss to Sen. Tammy Baldwin. (Screenshot | Hovde campaign on X)

Hovdes first public statement came a week after Election Day. In a video posted on social media Tuesday, he said he was waiting for the vote canvass to be completed before he would comment on the outcome.

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Once the final information is available and all options are reviewed, I will announce my decision on how I will proceed, Hovde said.

Nevertheless, Hovde questioned the vote totals that were reported from Milwaukees central count facility, where the citys absentee ballots are consolidated and tallied.

About 108,000 absentee and provisional ballots were counted in the early hours last Wednesday, with Baldwin garnering 82% of those votes, according to the Milwaukee Election Commission. In Milwaukee ballots cast in-person Tuesday, Baldwin won 75% of the vote.

Both Republican and Democratic analysts have pointed out that Democrats have disproportionately voted absentee over the last several elections and that the outcome Milwaukee reported last week was in line with those trends.

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In his video, however, Hovde highlighted the late-counted ballots. He falsely called Baldwins lead in that tally nearly 90%, claiming that was statistically improbable in comparison with the in-person vote count.

Hovde said that because of inconsistencies in the data, Many people have reached out and urged me to contest the election.

Ramos pointed out Thursday that Wisconsin lawmakers had introduced a bill with bipartisan support that would have allowed election clerks to begin counting absentee ballots the day before Election Day  ending the late-night tally change from absentee votes that have become a regular feature in Milwaukee.

The legislation passed the Assembly but died in the state Senate. We have folks in the state Legislature that would rather play political games and would rather see moments like this than actually fix the problem, Ramos said.

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While Hovde spoke skeptically about the vote count in his video, in a talk radio interview after it was posted he described the election outcome as a loss.

Hovde is talking out of both sides of his mouth right now, Ramos said. And so, on the one hand, we get to hear him say things like, you know, Its going to take me a while to get over this loss, and then we get to watch a video that gets broadly disseminated across X and Facebook and Instagram, where  hes literally talking about how he does not believe what happened in Milwaukee and how the numbers shifted [in the ballot counting] arent accurate.

In his video Hovde said that asking for a recount is a serious decision that requires careful consideration.

Counties must send their final vote canvass reports to the Wisconsin Elections Commission by Tuesday, Nov. 19. Candidates then have three days to make a recount request.

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State law allows candidates to seek a recount if they lose by a margin of less than 1%, but it requires the candidate to pay the cost if the margin is more than 0.25%.

He certainly can pursue a recount, although it looks like hes going to have to pay for it himself, said Thompson. [But] Eric Hovde does not have the right to baselessly spread false claims and election lies.

Recounts dont usually change who wins

Election recounts are rare, but recounts that change the original election outcome are rarer still.

In a review of recounts in statewide elections over the last quarter-century, the organization FairVote found only a handful in which the outcome changed, all of them in which the margin of victory was just a fraction of the less-than-1% margin that separates Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin, who leads Republican Eric Hovde by 29,000 votes.

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FairVote looked at nearly 7,000 statewide elections from the year 2000 through 2023 and found a total of 36 recounts. Recounts changed the outcome of just three of those elections, however, FairVote found, and none of those were in Wisconsin.

In each of the three recounts the original margin of victory was less than 0.06%.

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Donald Trump's entrance into the White House on Jan. 20 promises to offer a seismic shift in the U.S.'s approach to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and a potential "freezing" of the war.



Trump has repeatedly pledged to end the war within "24 hours," sparking fears he might push Ukraine toward painful territorial concessions to achieve a quick peace deal that could be favorable to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Although he hasn't provided any details about how he will achieve a swift peace deal, multiple media reports indicate his plan could entail freezing the war, suspending Ukraine's NATO accession, and establishing a demilitarized zone in the east of the country.

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A lot could change before the change in administrations, and both Ukraine and Russia will be seeking to enter any potential freezing of the front lines, and the negotiations that would follow in the strongest possible position.

With a battlefield situation currently bending in Russias favor, Moscow is likely hoping that recapturing territory from Ukrainian troops in its Kursk region, pushing further into eastern Ukraine, and opening a new axis in Zaporizhzhia Oblast could give it the upper hand before Trump takes office.

Kursk

One of the most pressing concerns for Putin will be the sizable number of Ukrainian troops still on Russian soil in Kursk Oblast.

Kyiv launched a surprise offensive into Kursk Oblast in August, swiftly moving to capture around 1,000 square kilometers of Russian territory. Russian forces have taken back about half since then and are moving to recapture the rest.

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"From what I've seen, there seems to be this belief that he's told his military, that they have to take Kursk (back) by the beginning of the year," Dr. Stephen Hall, lecturer in Russian and post-Soviet politics at the University of Bath, told the Kyiv Independent.

Read also: Russia preparing a 50,000-people-strong offensive in latest attempt to push Ukrainian army out of Kursk Oblast

And all the signs point towards this  on Nov. 11, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukrainian soldiers are holding off nearly 50,000 troops in the Kursk region, including a sizeable contingent of North Koreans.

Fighting there will likely be fierce  if Ukraine can hold on until Trump takes office, it could make the idea of Putin agreeing to any proposal to freeze the war unfeasible. Freezing the war with a front line inside Russia would likely be a non-starter for the Kremlin.

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"Russia has amassed forces and will use the same tactics as in Donbas  artillery and glide bombs to smash Ukrainian defenses, before small-scale infantry assaults," John Foreman, the U.K.'s former defense attache in Moscow from 2019 to 2022, told the Kyiv Independent.

"It's not pretty but it has been effective."

Swedish-made Archer howitzer, operated by Ukrainian members of the 45th Artillery Brigade, fires toward Russian positions in Donetsk Oblast on Jan. 20, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Roman Pilipey/AFP via Getty Images) #foroleksii

Donbas

One of the stated aims of the Kusrk incursion was to draw away Russian troops from Donetsk Oblast in Ukraines eastern Donbas region, where they have been making grinding advances for months now.

It didn't work. Over the autumn months since the incursion was launched, chunks of Ukrainian territory in the east have been lost.

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Russian forces have also made operationally significant gains near Toretsk, Chasiv Yar, and Kupiansk.

It was reported on Nov. 1 that Russia had seized more territory over the course of one week than at any point in 2024.

Russia's gains have come at an enormous cost  according to figures released by Kyiv on Nov. 11, Moscow's forces suffered their deadliest day since the start of the full-scale invasion, losing 1,950 men over the preceding 24 hours.

The figure surpassed the previous record of 1,770 set just the day before, and marks an ever-upward trend that is now months-long.

Despite this, Russia at present appears to be able to sustain the losses, even if it is having to resort to ever-higher financial incentives in order to attract new recruits.

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But even at the current increased pace, it would take Russia almost a year to capture the additional 10,000 square kilometers (3,860 square miles) of territory required to capture the entirety of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.

Read also: Ukraine facing grim situation in Donetsk Oblast, as Russia claims capture of Selydove

Putin's stated goal of the war is the taking all of Donbas, so how this measures up with a frozen war without all of it under Russian control remains to be seen.

According to Hall, even if Russian forces don't take all of Donbas, Putin will use the current strength of his army to "dictate his terms."

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"He believes that negotiations will be done from the position of weakness (on the Ukrainian side), that the West is weak, and therefore he will sit down because it's a way for him to dictate his terms," he said.

"Which will be the end of Western sanctions, it will be Ukrainian neutrality forever, and it will be facts on the ground, these are now Russian lands, and we want a pro-Russian government in Kyiv."

Zaporizhzhia

"Russia is making steady if slow progress forward, and may try and open a new axis of advance in Zaporizhzhia Oblast," Foreman says, adding it's another way the Kremlin could use territory gained to strengthen Moscow's negotiation position.

Ukraine's military has already sounded the alarm, warning on Nov. 11 that Russian assaults in Zaporizhzhia Oblast could begin "any day."

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Ukraine's military intelligence said Russia was planning to use armored vehicles and a significant number of drones, although it is not yet clear whether this will be a single offensive push or separate attacks.

A Ukrainian tank crew gets battle-ready, conducting final checks and adjustments on their T-64 tank before heading into the fray as Russia-Ukraine war continues on November 05, 2024 in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine (Fermin Torrano/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Aerial attacks

Away from the front lines, Ukraine has braced for weeks for the next mass missile attack targeting the country's energy infrastructure as winter sets in.

"Putin will continue to attack Ukrainian infrastructure to demoralize the population, and to create political turmoil in Kyiv," Foreman said.

Adding to the tension on the ground in cities like Kyiv, Russia has also in recent days launched simulated attacks  launching large numbers of bombers and using electronic warfare to simulate launched missiles, prompting air raid alerts across the country.

What can Biden do to help Ukraine before he leaves office?

President Joe Biden has several options open to him, despite entering the lame-duck period between White House administrations traditionally seen as one of waning influence, increasing irrelevance, and menial administrative preparation for the successor.

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"Key for Biden will now have to be spending down all the funds he committed to Ukraine in September and October," Steven Wolff, professor of International Security at the University of Birmingham, told the Kyiv Independent.

"He needs to ensure that happens before the new Congress takes power in early January."

The Pentagon on Nov. 7 said it was committed to sending Ukraine the full outstanding $6 billion in outstanding military aid before Trump is inaugurated on Jan. 20.

The aid includes a remaining $4 billion under the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which pulls weapons from U.S. stocks, and $2 billion from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said at a briefing on Nov. 7.

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When asked if the U.S. had enough weapons stockpiled to get shipments to Ukraine before Trump's inauguration, Singh said Washington was "confident" it could keep its commitments to Kyiv.

Speaking to the Kyiv Independent last week, Ambassador Kurt Volker, who served as the U.S. special representative for Ukraine negotiations in 2017-2019, said there was also discussion "within the administration" of finally approving the use of long-range weapons to strike deep inside Russia."

"Something that the Biden administration has denied until now," he added.

While Ukraine can already strike inside occupied areas of the country, this could have an effect on Russia's offensive in Kursk.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that if Ukraine had permission to use Western long-range weapons on Russian territory, it could preemptively target "every camp" in Russia where North Korean troops are stationed.

"We are now issuing a warning and believe that if political pressure and corresponding weapons are not applied to Russia, the next step could be a much larger deployment of North Korean forces," he said on Nov. 7.

"Putin always observes the worlds reaction. In my view, the response so far has been insufficient."

Read also: We asked experts to review Russias Su-57 fighter jet performance at Airshow China 2024













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Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz are set to hold their first direct phone call in nearly two years on Nov. 15, Bloomberg reported, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter.

This call comes at a time of growing uncertainty among Ukraines allies.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reassured allies during a one-day emergency visit to Brussels that the Biden administration plans to increase U.S. military assistance to Ukraine in its final months.

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Despite this, European allies have grown increasingly concerned about Western support for Ukraine ahead of Donald Trump's return to the White House.

President-elect Trump is reportedly preparing to appoint a Ukrainian peace envoy to lead negotiations, raising concerns in Europe that such a deal would affect the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Germany, Ukraine's main European backer, is currently facing internal turmoil, with its center-left coalition weakened and opposition leader Friedrich Merz eyeing the chancellorship.

Both Scholz and Merz plan to maintain aid to Ukraine in line with current policies, but an expert told the Kyiv Independent that the Trump administrations position will have a way larger impact on Germany's policies than whether the next German chancellor will be Friedrich Merz, Olaf Scholz, or any other of the probable candidates."

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Read also: Opinion: How EU nations can prevent the worst-case outcome for Ukraine

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RICHMOND HILL, Queens (PIX11)  An intersection in Richmond Hill may soon be co-named after a Sikh religious leader.

Inside the Baba Makhan Shah Lubana Sikh Center in Richmond Hill, Queens, members of the Sikh community came together to worship Thursday.

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They also gathered outside at 101st Avenue and 114th Street.

The goal is to have the intersection renamed after the ninth of the ten Sikh gurus, Guru Tegh Bahadur.

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Raghbir Singh Subhanpur is the former president of Baba Makhan Shah Lubana Sikh Center and a Queens Community Board 9 member.

When they ask us who is Guru Tegh Bahadur we will say he sacrificed his life to save another religion. For humanity.

The community says the Sikh religion is about service for others, equality for all, and charity.

They say Guru Tegh Bahadur exemplified all of those characteristics and deserves to be honored.

Subhanpur says, If anyone else needs your help you can stand for them also. So this is showing us we should help each other and live peacefully.

Earlier this week, Queens Community Board 9 voted unanimously for the street to be co-named. Sherry Algredo is the chair of the board.

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Sikhs have made so much contribution in this neighborhood and there is so much about the Sikh religion many of us still dont know, said Algredo. Were recognizing their heritage and the diversity that exists in our community and were making sure every single diverse population is recognized.

Queens residents struggle with gentrification, rising rents, and displacement

Area council member Lynn Schulman agrees. She plans to bring the co-naming to a city council vote in December.

Councilmember Schulman says, A lot of them are small business owners. They give back to the community// theyre part of our really diverse Queens mosaic.

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We really want to honor them as people who are part of our city.

Councilmember Schulman adds that co-namings in general are a great way to bring people together. When people see a co-naming, they can go into a database the city is putting together to see who that person was or what that entity was to get the history of it.

If the legislation is passed, the street will be co-named sometime next year.

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Rhode Island Superior Court Judge Brian Stern dismissed a lawsuit by Cox Communications challenging the state broadband access plan. Stern ruled the lawsuit was better heard in federal court. (Nancy Lavin/Rhode Island Current)

Cox Communications failed in its initial attempt to block the rollout of the states $108 million high-speed internet plan. But the legal battle may be just beginning.

Rhode Island Superior Court Judge Brian Stern dismissed the lawsuit contesting Rhode Island Commerce Corporations state broadband access plan on Nov. 7, ruling that the legal battle is better addressed in federal court. The broadband plan hinges on funding, and rules, set out by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

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The administrations $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program aims to bring high-speed internet to underserved communities in states nationwide. Rhode Island received $108 million, contingent upon a detailed plan  developed by Commerce  on how to use it.

Cox in its Sept. 23 lawsuit against Commerce alleges that the states plan relies on inaccurate and outdated broadband maps, and did not give Cox enough time to challenge the incorrect data.

Commerce has refuted the claims, in turn accusing the company of trying to undermine the states broadband infrastructure rollout plan to help competing internet service providers.

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Stern declined to wade into the map debate.

Instead, the 10-page decision tosses the lawsuit based on jurisdiction. The states plan has already received preliminary approval from federal regulators, specifically Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information Alan Davidson.

Any challenge to the assistant secretarys decision falls squarely under the purview of the U.S. District Court in D.C., Stern concluded.

Cox Communications attempts to thread the needle between the approvals of the initial proposal and the final proposal by the Assistant Secretary, hoping to find a brief window where this Court possesses subject-matter jurisdiction, Stern wrote. However, no such window exists. As cited above, the Assistant Secretary must approve the initial proposal (and has approved the initial proposal), any changes to the initial proposal, and the final proposal, all while maintaining the ability to modify the challenge process and to reverse determinations made by the states throughout the challenge process.

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Stern offered another avenue to Cox to pursue legal action, expressly suggesting the company can file a lawsuit in federal district court in D.C.

Bill Fischer, a spokesperson for Cox, said in an email Wednesday that the companys legal team was still reviewing Sterns decision.

That said, we are considering all options at this juncture including filing a claim in federal court, Fischer said. It is important to note that todays decision does not dismiss our assertions or claims nor have they been litigated.

Fischer also pointed to another statement in Sterns ruling, which notes that Coxs allegations, if true, give this court pause.

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If true, these concerns would mean that funds intended to provide broadband infrastructure to unserved and underserved areas are instead going to be used in areas that already have sufficient broadband infrastructure, and no challenge to that plan was possible, Stern wrote.

Matt Touchette, a spokesperson for Commerce, said in an email that the agency was pleased with the judges decision.

NTIA did not immediately respond to inquiries for comment on Friday regarding any other lawsuits it is facing over its broadband access plans and funding.

Cox is the fifth-largest internet service provider and largest private broadband company nationwide, serving 7 million homes and businesses across 18 states. In Rhode Island, it competes primarily with Verizon, as local internet service providers have largely disappeared, although Block Island began its own municipal broadband service in 2023.

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Frustrations are growing among Orange County commissioners as they continue to receive a steady drip of revelations about spending at the Supervisor of Elections office.

The alarm bells in the county began ringing Friday when WFTV unearthed a contract between the office and Valencia College, allocating $2.1 million for scholarships for Jones and Evans High School students.

On Wednesday, Mayor Jerry Demings discovered the office signed a deal with CareerSource that gave the job seeking nonprofit $1.9 million.

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Read: Orange County schools cancel pep rallies amid scholarship controversy

Thursday, commissioners and the county took another look at a $1 million grant program Gilzean set up with regional nonprofits, including the YMCA, Goodwill and a diabetes organization.

The grants, which were previously announced, were for voter outreach and education. Depending on the amount received, organizations are required to hold events, record videos, post on social media and  for the biggest grants  adopt a precinct.

Gilzean asked commissioners for the grant program in his annual budget request. Commissioners turned him down.

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Read: Only on 9: Orange County SOE creates scholarship with tax dollars, naming it after himself

In a press conference Thursday, Demings said commissioners had not signed off on any of the spending programs and Gilzean should have returned the funds to Orange County instead.

He warned about setting a precedent with other constitutional offices.

If we allow the constitutionals to thumb their nose at the process that we use to establish their respective budgets and not be held accountable to what they tell us theyre going to use the funds to do, then that is a calamity thats waiting to happen, he said.

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Throughout the process, Gilzean and his staff have maintained they had a right to spend the budget they were allocated as they saw fit. Since Demings began floating the possibility of a lawsuit, which will be discussed at Tuesdays commission meeting. Multiple commissioners told WFTV theyd be in favor of proceeding or taking other aggressive measures to get the money back.

Read: Florida tourism hits record high in Q3, boosted by domestic visitors despite hurricane impacts

Gilzean and his office have declined to comment ever since the lawsuit threat was made.

Incoming supervisor Karen Castor Dentel also refused to comment on the lawsuit possibility, adding that she would focus on a positive relationship between her office and the county. Any lawsuit would carry over after she takes office in January.

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Commissioners could also order Comptroller Phil Diamond to investigate Gilzeans office. Diamond deferred all his comments about the possibility to the countys attorney Thursday, but said he would follow the attorneys guidance.

If the county attorney says that its legal whether or not you like it I think thats the bottom line, he said. If the county attorney says its not, then its a different story. Were not going to go and do an audit and interfere with whatever kind of review the county attorney is doing. I think thats something that that needs to be answered first.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.




CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY)  This week, West Virginia saw much-needed rain, helping to alleviate the effects of a historic months-long drought. However, farmers from across the area say that it wont help.

12 News checked back in on Thursday with some farmers we interviewed months ago, and they said that although the rain is too late for growing crops, it is still welcome as it provides some relief to cattle farms that need the water for their livestock.

12 News spoke with West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt, who said that the departments $10 million it received from the legislature will be used to help farmers.

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This is actually going to be funding going directly to the farmers that received assistance through the farm service agency because theyre not covering everything. And theyre particularly not covering pasture renovation, so we want to make sure that the pastures come back in good, strong force come next spring, and hopefully we get enough rain for that, said Leonhardt.

La Nina winter predicted: Will West Virginia see more snow?

Leonhardt said his department has a goal to start rolling out this cash program in December with sign-ups going through January. Re-seeding and pasture renovation work is set to be done in February and March, with plans to work it through conservation districts.

And then were going to work on other water projects to prepare the farmers in case theres ever another drought. You know, nobody expected this, this is a one in a lifetime drought and we want to make sure that we take the lessons learned from this, Leonhardt said. He added that this water project is in the very beginning stages, and would need funding to get going.

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Another area where the rain has come as a relief is the town of Pine Grove, in Wetzel County. Wetzel County Emergency Management 911 Director Steve Yoho said the rain has tremendously helped the North Fork Fishing Creek, where the town gets its water.

Yoho said the water is starting to run over the dam again, after only being a few inches high a few weeks ago. He said if this kind of rain continues, the towns plant operations can return to normal.

A local company also plans on drilling wells in Pine Grove in case a drought like this happens again. The company that is drilling the wells has applied to the state for the permitting and once they receive all the permits they will schedule to start the drilling process, Yoho said.

Pine Grove also still has another 7,000-gallon tanker from WV American Water, and the town has also received several donations of bottled water.

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A home in Brinnon hangs in the balance after heavy rains pulled the backyard into the river below. The home quickly turned into a cliffside property.

The homeowner, Chuck, is hopeful that his property can be saved, despite more rain on the way. Chuck says his family has lived in the home for nearly 30 years. But on Wednesday, county fire officials deemed his home uninhabitable until further inspections take place.

Its my little slice of heaven, says Chuck. A slice that is now uninhabitable until county inspectors give him the all-clear.

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Chuck got the call on Wednesday of a landslide sweeping his livelihood into the Duckabush River. He was out of town at the time.

I was in total shock, says Chuck.

He says he routinely works to reinforce his property. This summer was no exception.

All summer, Chuck says of the work he put in. And its all gone. $8,000 worth of gravel and its gone.

His reinforcement work was no match for the rain-saturated land around it. The National Weather Service reported four inches of rain in less than 24 hours at the time his foundation slid.

Kate Mickelson is a landslide expert with the Department of Natural Resources. She tells KIRO 7 that this is just the beginning of our states landslide season, with November being Washingtons rainiest month.

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That combination of too much water, too fast, the steep slopes, and the weak geology we have in Washington all contribute to the potential for landslides, says Mickelson.

In Brinnon, Chuck remains optimistic that his home will hold stable, and that hell be able to rebuild in the months ahead.




HOWLAND, Ohio (WKBN)  Despite Fridays misty weather, the new State Route 82 eastbound bridge structure and one lane of the ramp from E. Market Street to S.R. 82 East in Howland opened.

An ODOT spokesperson says the wet conditions prevented crews from striping the ramp from E. Market Street, which is why only one lane is reopening there.

Both lanes on the ramp will reopen later this month.

The bridge replacement was a part of the diverging diamond interchange project in Howland.

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The East Market Street ramp has been closed since September 2023.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
A voter in Washington, D.C., brings her ballot to a drop box outside the Mt. Pleasant Library on Nov. 5. The citys voters delivered one of the few wins for ranked choice voting this election. (Noelle Straub/Stateline)

Voters in several states last week delivered a stinging rebuke to ranked choice voting, clouding the future of an idea that had seen strong momentum in recent years.

Ranked choice voting, which allows voters to rank political candidates by preference, is used statewide in Alaska and Maine and in major U.S. localities such as New York City and San Francisco.

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But voters in Colorado, Idaho, Nevada and Oregon rejected ballot measures that would have adopted ranked choice voting for packed races. In Missouri, voters approved a ballot measure banning the approach statewide and locally, except for a grandfather clause for St. Louis municipal elections.

Results are still too close to call on a measure to scrap Alaskas existing use of ranked choice voting. With 94% of results reported, the measure was up by about 2,400 votes.

Voters this year were reluctant to make dramatic changes to the way they vote, said Chandler James, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Oregon. But I dont think that it spells the end for ranked choice voting in the future.

Overall, we see that ranked choice voting is still growing.

 Deb Otis, director of research and policy at FairVote

In the system, voters rank candidates on their ballots by preference  first, second, third choice, and so on.

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If no candidate gets the majority of first-preference votes, the rest of the rankings kick in. The candidate with the fewest first-preference votes gets eliminated, while those voters secondary choices are allocated to the rest of the field. The counting continues until one candidate gets majority support.

Critics often blast ranked choice voting as being complicated and undemocratic, saying it violates the one person, one vote principle of American elections. But proponents argue that it forces candidates to appeal to a wider audience, leading to less toxic campaigning, and saves money on costly runoff elections.

While it was a tough year for statewide ballot measures, the system had better success at the local level, including in the District of Columbia; Bloomington, Minnesota; Oak Park and Peoria, Illinois; and Richmond, California.

Overall, we see that ranked choice voting is still growing, said Deb Otis, director of research and policy at FairVote, the nonpartisan organization leading the fight to adopt ranked choice voting. Im still really optimistic for how it will continue to grow.

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And though it lost in Oregon, she pointed out that the measure had majority support in jurisdictions that currently use ranked choice voting, such as Multnomah (home to Portland) and Benton counties.

In the District of Columbia, voters overwhelmingly supported a ballot measure to establish ranked choice voting for elections beginning in 2026 and to open the primary process to voters who are not affiliated with a party.

The local political party leadership campaigned against the measure, as was the case in other places where ranked choice voting was on the ballot. But district voters, familiar with packed Democratic primary ballots where winners often fail to get majority support, adopted the measure with more than 72% of the vote. The districts party affiliation overwhelmingly leans Democratic.

It was a sign of grassroots work for the past five years, said Porter Bowman, volunteer communications director for the Yes on 83 Campaign.

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People are not OK with the status quo, he said in an interview. Folks were looking to city leadership and the state of politics in D.C. and wanting voters to have more choice and to be more involved in the process.

The city council must still implement the voting system. But if Republicans take control of Congress, it could put the system at risk, because Congress limits the districts autonomy.

Last year, U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler, a New York Republican, introduced legislation that would have prohibited the district from using ranked choice voting in local elections. He also introduced a separate bill that would have prohibited states from using the voting system in federal elections.

As usual, DC is running toward something that others have overwhelmingly rejected, he wrote on Instagram over the weekend.

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Lawler wrote he will continue to push his legislation to prevent the adoption of this convoluted voting system when Congress comes back to work this month. Hes previously pointed to delayed results in New York Citys elections using ranked choice voting and what he said was the confusion that came with it.

FairVotes Otis said Lawlers legislation would be shortsighted, and pointed to how Republicans have benefited from the system.

She cited Virginia, where the state Republican Party used it to nominate Gov. Glenn Youngkin in a 2021 state convention. Youngkin had a plurality of votes among a crowded field after the first vote; he won the nomination after six rounds of counting with 55% of the vote. Even so, Youngkin vetoed ranked choice voting legislation in April.

Leaders in several Virginia localities said in the past week that theyre considering using ranked choice voting in the near future after Arlington County successfully implemented the method.

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In 2024, Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Oklahoma enacted measures that banned the use of ranked choice voting  a burgeoning trend in Republican-led states, reacting to key GOP losses in Alaska and Maine in recent years.

Otis said her group is moving ahead with campaigns to bring ranked choice voting to local elections in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Boston and Denver in the coming years.

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X.

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Maine's ranked-choice 2024 presidential ballot. (Photo by Maine Morning Star)

Voters in several states last week delivered a stinging rebuke to ranked choice voting, clouding the future of an idea that had seen strong momentum in recent years.

Ranked choice voting, which allows voters to rank political candidates by preference, is used statewide in Alaska and Maine and in major U.S. localities such as New York City and San Francisco.

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But voters in Colorado, Idaho, Nevada and Oregon rejected ballot measures that would have adopted ranked choice voting for packed races. In Missouri, voters approved a ballot measure banning the approach statewide and locally, except for a grandfather clause for St. Louis municipal elections.

Results are still too close to call on a measure to scrap Alaskas existing use of ranked choice voting. With 94% of results reported, the measure was up by about 2,400 votes.

Voters this year were reluctant to make dramatic changes to the way they vote, said Chandler James, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Oregon. But I dont think that it spells the end for ranked choice voting in the future.

Overall, we see that ranked choice voting is still growing.

 Deb Otis, director of research and policy at FairVote

In the system, voters rank candidates on their ballots by preference  first, second, third choice, and so on.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If no candidate gets the majority of first-preference votes, the rest of the rankings kick in. The candidate with the fewest first-preference votes gets eliminated, while those voters secondary choices are allocated to the rest of the field. The counting continues until one candidate gets majority support.

Critics often blast ranked choice voting as being complicated and undemocratic, saying it violates the one person, one vote principle of American elections. But proponents argue that it forces candidates to appeal to a wider audience, leading to less toxic campaigning, and saves money on costly runoff elections.

While it was a tough year for statewide ballot measures, the system had better success at the local level, including in the District of Columbia; Bloomington, Minnesota; Oak Park and Peoria, Illinois; and Richmond, California.

Overall, we see that ranked choice voting is still growing, said Deb Otis, director of research and policy at FairVote, the nonpartisan organization leading the fight to adopt ranked choice voting. Im still really optimistic for how it will continue to grow.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

And though it lost in Oregon, she pointed out that the measure had majority support in jurisdictions that currently use ranked choice voting, such as Multnomah (home to Portland) and Benton counties.

In the District of Columbia, voters overwhelmingly supported a ballot measure to establish ranked choice voting for elections beginning in 2026 and to open the primary process to voters who are not affiliated with a party.

The local political party leadership campaigned against the measure, as was the case in other places where ranked choice voting was on the ballot. But district voters, familiar with packed Democratic primary ballots where winners often fail to get majority support, adopted the measure with more than 72% of the vote. The districts party affiliation overwhelmingly leans Democratic.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It was a sign of grassroots work for the past five years, said Porter Bowman, volunteer communications director for the Yes on 83 Campaign.

People are not OK with the status quo, he said in an interview. Folks were looking to city leadership and the state of politics in D.C. and wanting voters to have more choice and to be more involved in the process.

The city council must still implement the voting system. But Republicans now control both chambers of Congress; that could put the system at risk, because Congress limits the districts autonomy.

Last year, U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler, a New York Republican, introduced legislation that would have prohibited the district from using ranked choice voting in local elections. He also introduced a separate bill that would have prohibited states from using the voting system in federal elections.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As usual, DC is running toward something that others have overwhelmingly rejected, he wrote on Instagram over the weekend.

Lawler wrote he will continue to push his legislation to prevent the adoption of this convoluted voting system when Congress comes back to work this month. Hes previously pointed to delayed results in New York Citys elections using ranked choice voting and what he said was the confusion that came with it.

FairVotes Otis said Lawlers legislation would be shortsighted, and pointed to how Republicans have benefited from the system.

She cited Virginia, where the state Republican Party used it to nominate Gov. Glenn Youngkin in a 2021 state convention. Youngkin had a plurality of votes among a crowded field after the first vote; he won the nomination after six rounds of counting with 55% of the vote. Even so, Youngkin vetoed ranked choice voting legislation in April.

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Leaders in several Virginia localities said in the past week that theyre considering using ranked choice voting in the near future after Arlington County successfully implemented the method.

In 2024, Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Oklahoma enacted measures that banned the use of ranked choice voting  a burgeoning trend in Republican-led states, reacting to key GOP losses in Alaska and Maine in recent years.

Otis said her group is moving ahead with campaigns to bring ranked choice voting to local elections in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Boston and Denver in the coming years.

This piece was originally published by Stateline. Like Maine Morning Star, Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X.

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PIERRE, S.D. (KELO)  The shooting range complex that the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department has under construction east of Rapid City will cost $20 million when its completed next fall, according to the departments secretary.

Kevin Robling met Thursday with the Legislatures Appropriations Committee to talk about the project located in southern Meade County nine miles north of the Flying J truck stop on Interstate 90.

This will be a destination for recreational shooters across the nation, Robling said.

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He volunteered that the project received a $13.5 million Future Fund grant from Governor Kristi Noem in April. No one asked a follow-up on that point.

The department paid $900,000 for the 400-acre site. Two years ago, the governor and Robling wanted lawmakers two years ago to fund a version of the range that was to cost millions of dollars less but were repeatedly told no. So a fundraiser was hired.

Robling said Thursday that approximately $6.5 million has come from donors to help pay for construction.

The Appropriations Committees co-chairs, Republican Rep. Mike Derby and Republican Sen. Jean Hunhoff, toured the site on Monday. They told the other appropriators on Thursday that they came away impressed.

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Robling said the complex will be designated as a state game-production area, which means the department will pay local property taxes. He said the operations plan calls for three full-time employees, some seasonal help and a lot of volunteer employees.

Thousands of dollars in damage in Thursday morning crash spree

The department doesnt plan to ask the appropriators for any additional staff, according to Robling. Were going to re-purpose employees within (the department,) he said.

When operational, the complex is projected to draw 25,000 to 30,000 visitors annually and bring in $200,000 to $250,000, while operating on a budget of about $300,000. Robling said the department plans to use federal Pittman-Robertson excise tax revenues to help cover the difference.

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Two western states, Colorado and Arizona, have similar public complexes and Wyoming is looking at building one, according to Robling.

Republican Rep. Chris Karr raised doubts about whether three full-time staff could run the site, based on his experience as a member of the privately owned Hunters Pointe shooting complex at Hartford.

Karr also questioned the departments authority to proceed with the complex. Robling said its been on the capital projects lists that the department has submitted to appropriators each of the past three legislative sessions.

Karr said he didnt remember seeing it.

I think the future members (of the committee) should keep an eye on what this is going to look like, Karr said.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
Rapper Lil Durk has hired a prominent Atlanta attorney to represent him in a murder-for-hire case.

Drew Findling confirmed to Channel 2s Michael Seiden that he will be representing Durk. Findling is a highly regarded criminal defense attorney known for representing famous rappers and other high-profile people.

His latest client, Durk, pleaded not guilty on Thursday to murder-for-hire charges.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Durk is accused of arranging a hit on his rival and Georgia rapper Quando Rondo. Prosecutors have said the hit was retaliation for the death of rapper King Von, who died in a shooting outside an Atlanta hookah lounge in 2020.

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Prosecutors said Durk is the leader of the Chicago-based rap collective Only the Family, or OTF. An arrest warrant for Durk described OTF members as individuals who engage in violence, including murder and assault, at the direction of BANKS and to maintain their status in OTF.

According to prosecutors, Durk and his associates learned that Rondo was staying in Los Angeles and that several OTF members arrived in Los Angeles on Aug. 18, 2022.

Durk allegedly texted an associate who arranged the flights, Dont book no flights under no names involved wit me. The next day, investigators said OTF members followed Rondo and his cousin to a gas station.

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According to an FBI affidavit, the group ambushed the two of them and started shooting. Rondo survived. Saviaya Robinson, 24, died in a shooting that U.S Attorney Martin Estrada called a cold-blooded murder.

A California grand jury indicted the following OTF members: Kavon London Grant, aka Vonnie; Deandre Dontrell Wilson, aka DeDe; Keith Jones, aka Flacka; David Brian Lindsey, aka Browneyez and Asa Houston, aka Boogie.

FBI agents later arrested Durk at Miami International Airport after they said Durk tried to leave the country.

Durk is charged with one count of conspiracy, one count of use of interstate facilities to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death, and one count of using, carrying, and discharging firearms and a machine gun and possession of such firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in death.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

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CHICAGO  Lil Durk, an award-winning Chicago rapper accused of organizing a murder-for-hire plot targeting a rival artist, has pleaded not guilty, according to a report.

The Chicago Tribune reported that the 32-year-old rapper, whose real name is Durk Devontay Banks, pleaded not guilty to murder-for-hire charges during his arraignment in Los Angeles on Thursday.

Chicago rapper Lil Durk arrested in Florida over murder-for-hire plot

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Banks is currently facing a handful of charges that stem from his alleged role in a plot to kill Georgia-based rapper Quando Rondo, whose real name is Tyquian Terrel Bowman, over his suspected involvement in the 2020 murder of Chicago rapper King Von, whose real name is Dayvon Daquan Bennett, in Atlanta.

The charges against Banks include one count of conspiracy, one count of use of interstate facilities to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death, and one count of using, carrying, and discharging firearms and a machine gun and possession of such firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in death.

Banks was arrested in Miami on Oct. 24, as he allegedly attempted to board an international flight.

Chicago rapper Lil Durk donated $150K to Mayor Johnson month after inauguration

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A superseding federal grand jury indictment announced by the Justice Department last week named Banks as the lead defendant to a previous indictment, which charged 28-year-old Kavon London Grant, 33-year-old Deandre Dontrell Wilson, 33-year-old Keith Jones, 33-year-old David Brian Lindsey, and 36-year-old Asa Houston in connection with the plot.

Prosecutors said Banks had allegedly put out a bounty on Bowman and paid the five defendants, who all have ties to the hip-hop group Only the Family (OTF), to carry out the murder in exchange for money and music opportunities.

The indictment alleged that OTF not only produced and sold hip hop music from Chicago artists but also acted as an association-in-fact of individuals who engaged in violence, including murder and assault, at Banks direction and to maintain their status in OTF.

Lil Durk loses honorary key to Village of Broadview following arrest in murder-for-hire plot

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Prosecutors said members of the group learned Bowman was staying at a hotel in Los Angeles in August of 2022 and bank and flight records allegedly showed that an OTF member and associate of Banks coordinated and paid for the five co-conspirators to travel to California from Chicago the day before the murder. The hitmen then allegedly used money from Banks and OTF-related finances to carry out the hit.

Photos provided by the U.S. District Court show a group of people allegedly carrying out a murder-for-hire plot outside of a gas station in Los Angeles in 2022. Photos provided by the U.S. District Court show a group of people allegedly carrying out a murder-for-hire plot outside of a gas station in Los Angeles in 2022.

On the same day the hitmen allegedly traveled to California, prosecutors said Banks and Grant also traveled to Los Angeles in a private jet. After arriving, Grant allegedly bought the hitmen ski masks and purchased a hotel room for the other co-conspirators using a credit card in Banks name.

Once in Los Angeles, the hitmen allegedly tracked and stalked Bowman as he, his sister and his cousin, 24-year-old Saviaya Robinson, drove around in a black Cadillac Escalade.

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After Bowman stopped at a gas station, prosecutors said Houston allegedly drove to an alley behind the gas station before letting the hitmen out to carry out the shooting.

Federal charges filed against 5 accused in murder-for-hire shooting in retaliation for killing of rapper King Von

Bowman and his sister were not injured in the shooting but Robinson was killed.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Banks was taken to California on Wednesday, where he remains in federal custody. Prosecutors also asked that he remain in custody pending trial, arguing that he is a flight risk and a danger to the community.

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The five other individuals named in the indictment are currently in federal custody in Illinois.

If convicted, all six individuals could face a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.  A rare copy of the Gettysburg Address is now on display at the Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library in Springfield, Illinois.

This handwritten version of the iconic speech, one of only five main copies, will be available for public viewing for the next ten days. President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863, following the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg in July of that year, a turning point in the Civil War.

The display runs through November 24. After that, the document will be returned to the vault for preservation.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Hundreds of protesters stormed the parliament of Georgias Russian-backed breakaway region of Abkhazia on Friday in an attempt to stop a controversial investment deal with Moscow.

Videos showed a lorry smashing through the buildings perimeter fence, before people climbed through windows, stripping them of their metal security bars.

The crowd was then seen swarming into corridors, where they chanted for the resignation of Aslan Bzhania, the Kremlin-backed president. At least eight people have been reported injured so far.

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Abkhazia is considered a Russian puppet state that is financially dependent on Moscow paying its pensions and public sector salaries.

Russia suspended this funding this September after local leaders refused to implement several pro-Kremlin policies.

Fridays protests broke out as lawmakers met to consider ratifying a deal that opponents say would give preferential treatment to Russian property developers, and price locals out of the market.

The agreement was not passed as a result of the unrest, and Mr Bzhanias office said he was preparing to remove the measure from consideration.

The presidential administration is preparing a document to withdraw from parliament the draft law on ratification, Abkhazias press service reported.

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The decision has been taken with the goal of stabilising the situation in the republic.

Credit: Twitter / @visionergeo

The opposition and supporters have taken over several government buildings, including the presidential administration and parliament.

It was reported late on Friday that Mr Bzhania had met with protesters and agreed to step down if they appointed vice-president Badr Gunba as the regions leader.

The opposition is understood to have rejected this offer and is demanding the resignation of the entire presidential team, saying all of them have compromised themselves.

The president previously championed the deal, which sought to lift the regions ban on the foreign ownership of residential property,

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With no international investment entering Abkhazia  because the territory is considered illegally occupied by most UN member states  the new bill was expected to largely benefit Russian investors.

Credit: Telegram / D News Abkhazia

Opponents fear the new legislation would undermine the last of the territorys independence and allow wealthy Georgians who are residents of Russia to outbid locals for real estate.

Abkhazia is a separatist region internationally recognised as part of Georgia, but seen as independent by Russia and its allies.

It broke away from Georgian rule following the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, with the territory controlled by Russian forces and proxies since Moscows 2008 war with Georgia.

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DNA News Abkhazia

The loss of Russian social funding in September has thrown the regions future into doubt, and its foreign minister said Moscow is also planning to remove discounts on energy.

Abkhazias energy minister said in November that the statelets energy needs were largely met by the subsidy provided by Russia.

Protesters storm the gates of the local parliament in Sukhumi in an attempt to force politicians to ditch a deal with Moscow that gives preferential treatment to Russian property developers

Fridays protests come after a week of unrest over the Russian treaty, and after the detention of five opposition activists on Monday.

Protesters then blocked roads and bridges demanding the release of the detainees, leading to an emergency meeting of the regions security council.

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The authorities said the detainees had tried to attack a member of the Abkhazian parliament while using foul language. They were released on Tuesday.

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the parliament building in the Abkhazian capital Sukhumi - AIASHARA INDEPENDENT AGENCY

Protests are rare in territories controlled by Russia. The Kremlin has eroded the right to freedom of peaceful assembly by using increasingly restrictive laws, heavy-handed police tactics and criminal prosecutions.

Abkhazias opposition has said the protests are not directed against Russia but against Mr Bzhania, who it says is using relations with Russia for his own selfish interests.

In a statement released by the opposition on Friday afternoon, it said protesters had gathered not to oppose our allies, but to protect the national interests of Abkhazia, its natural resources and wealth, which Mr Bzhania is trying to usurp for personal gain.

Demonstrators wanted to stop a deal with Moscow which they believe would price them out of the property market - DNA NEWS ABKHAZIA/VIA REUTERS

The protests come three weeks after Georgias governing Georgian Dream party won a parliamentary election amid accusations of Russian meddling.

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The party has been in power since 2012 and increasingly tilts towards Russia and China.

Two opposition groups refused to recognise the results as legitimate amid accusations of vote rigging and called for protests.

The protests came as politicians met to consider a deal with Moscow, but according to local media the treaty was not ratified - DNA NEWS ABKHAZIA/VIA REUTERS

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It is feared it could set the stage for a political crisis centred on the struggle between the pro-Western opposition and the governing party, which has steered the country away from the West.

In September, Russia said it was open to a compromise that could see its troops leave Abkhazia and another Georgian breakaway region, South Ossetia.

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ASHEBORO, N.C. (WGHP)  Oh deer! Its a miracle.

A rare, snow-white deer was recently spotted at the North Carolina Zoo, the zoo announced in an Instagram post.

The snow-white fawn, who is not on exhibit, was traveling with a wild herd on the property.

(North Carolina Zoo) (North Carolina Zoo) (North Carolina Zoo)

His white coat is the result of leucism, a condition that causes a partial or complete loss of pigmentation in an animals skin, feathers, hair, scales or cuticles, but not its eyes.

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As fate would have it, author Nicholas Sparks recently released Counting Miracles, featuring a white deer right here on Purgatory Mountain, where the Zoo is located! the zoo said in the post.

The zoo also mentions the significance of the white deer in the traditions and folklore of Native American tribes throughout the state of North Carolina, who consider it sacred and a symbol of spirit.

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The second teen who was found dead alongside his friend in a Chandler garage early Tuesday morning has been identified as 17-year-old Marcus Lee, his family confirmed Thursday.

He was with 18-year-old Romeo Elias Alvarez in the garage of the apartment complex where Marcus family lives, near Arizona Avenue and Ray Road. The two teens' families had reported them missing after they hadn't been heard from since Sunday night.

Their bodies were found after the families traced the teens phones and reviewed their recent text messages.

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The preliminary investigation suggested that their deaths were accidental.

Family and friends of the two teens believe they died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Two teens were found dead on Nov. 12, 2024, in a garage at an apartment complex in Chandler near Ray Road and Arizona Avenue.

The missing teens

Just days before Marcus and Alvarez's bodies were found, they had each spent time with their families.

According to Merle Lee, Marcus' father, the teen had dinner with the family that Sunday after church. At about 1 a.m. the next morning, Marcus, a Chandler High School student, left the house, telling his brother he was heading to the gym.

He went out, and I guess he met his friend down there, Merle said. For some reason, they decided to park in the garage, I'm assuming, because it was cold, and you can't really park anywhere else.

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Similarly, Alvarez, a first-year Arizona State University student studying pre-med, left a family party that Sunday night, according to family friend Andrea Varelas.

Alvarezs mother, Selena Preciado, reported her son missing.

With Monday being Veterans Day, Merle woke up with plans to volunteer at church. He noticed that Marcus wasnt home and that his car keys were also missing.

Merle assumed that Marcus was also taking advantage of the holiday by running around that morning, so he took off for the church using his wifes keys.

Throughout the day though, Merle and Venishaah started to get worried when their son didnt return their phone calls or texts. When Merle came home, they filed a missing persons report.

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Around 7 p.m. on Monday, Merle said, police called asking whether they knew of Alvarez as he was also reported missing around the area. They did not know who the other teen was though.

About an hour later, members of the Alvarez family spotted one of Merles other sons skateboarding around their apartment complex, stopping him to ask about Alvarez.

They said the last place (Alvarez) pinged was there, Merle said referring to Alvarezs cellphone location data. We came down and we put two and two together.

The families later learned through their teens text messages that the two decided to park in the detached garage that the Lees mostly used for storage, Merle explained.

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Merle tried to open the garage but was unable to. The garage door opener was in Marcus possession. The families flagged down police to help open the garage at around 3 a.m.

Firefighters were called to help and were able to make a hole in the garage door to peek inside with flashlights, Merle recalled.

But when one firefighter went inside, he quickly came back out, "Because it was so heavy with carbon monoxide in there, he had to get a mask on, Merle said.

Firefighters quickly aired out the garage and went back in, confirming that the two teens bodies were in the vehicle.

They were probably in there  Id say 3 (a.m.) to 3 (a.m.)  almost 24 hours, Merle said.

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The Lee family cant make any funeral arrangements yet as Marcus body is still at the Medical Examiners Office.

Its just hard, its supposed to be our son burying us, not the other way around, Merle said.

Family, friends mourn beloved teens

As the investigation into their deaths continues to unfold, family and friends grapple with the loss of two young individuals who were embracing adulthood.

(Marcus) was a bright kid, Merle of Marcus. He was outspoken, he was loud, he was very bold. Sometimes, he wouldn't back down from certain things, he stood his ground on a lot of things.

Marcus was a senior at Chandler High and the middle child among seven siblings. He was also an artist who enjoyed anime.

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According to Merle, Marcus had ambitions of becoming a welder, following in the footsteps of his father and mother, Venishaah, who were both pipe fitters.

He was ready to take on the world, Merle said.

Marcus was also heavily involved at the church his family attends, Potters House in Mesa.

He was well known there with all the youth, just everybody, Merle said. Basically, from ever since he was 4 years old, when we entered that church, just everybody there knew him. He had a relationship with everybody.

As for Alvarez, he's been described by friends as smart, funny, outgoing and the icebreaker of the group.

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In an emailed statement from an ASU spokesperson, the university said it "extends its deepest condolences to Romeos family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time."

Alvarez graduated from Dobson High School in Mesa in May.

According to school Principal Gabrielle Buckley, some of Alvarez's former teachers asked to take some time off this week to grieve.

"It definitely hit teachers," Buckley said, noting that some had been referenced during the commencement speech he gave at the school's graduation ceremony.

While delivering the speech, Alverez donned a Spider-Man costume under his gown, which Buckley acknowledged that she wouldnt normally allow, but the suit fit in with his message of appreciating your childhood even as he and his classmates took a major step into adulthood.

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(Alvarez was) a really fantastic dynamic student, and he was fun to be around, and he wanted to make people laugh, she said.

Shawn Raymundo covers the West Valley cities of Glendale, Peoria and Surprise. Reach him at sraymundo@gannett.com or follow him on X @ShawnzyTsunami.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Second teen identified in Chandler garage death investigation
Trucks and movers lined the Riverview Condo Complex Thursday  days after residents of the eight-story building were reportedly told they needed to be out by December.

The property manager, Thayer & Associates, Inc., told Boston 25 Thursday that engineers found structural deficiencies this October that dated back to the 1960s when it was built.

The company claims sub-standard concrete and improper placement of reinforcing steel were recently discovered during roofing renovations at the luxury condo complex. They will begin their renovation project to address the newly discovered conditions in late 2024  fearing an overloaded living environment.

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They are now asking residents to orderly evacuate their homes before the project.

Many family members and friends of residents were on hand Thursday to help move their loved ones out.

Its really stressful, said Linda, a friend of one of the residents. I would go nuts I think its really a matter of not knowing their instruction, and not getting clear information.

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Thayer and Associates, Inc. said they have sent letters and held meetings for owners and renters. In a statement, they added:

The Board and its managing agent are working in earnest to provide assistance to residents who will be displaced and hope to maintain the sense of community that has helped make Riverview a desirable place to live. The Board has been using informational meetings with owners and written communications to convey information as it becomes available. The Boards immediate objective is to maximize safety and minimize stress on the building allowing the project team to develop and implement definitive repairs that will return the Riverview building to service as efficiently as possible.

According to Zillow, some condos overlooking the Charles River at the complex on Mount Auburn Street are listed at more than $3 million.

Residents and their families told us they were told to move out with all of their belongings by December  expecting the project to last at least a year.

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She wasnt planning on moving out this soon and having to get rid of all her possessions, Kristina Klammer told Boston 25 while moving her 92-year-old grandmother out Thursday. Shes been emailing me saying, Do you want this furniture? Do you want my tea saucers? She has no place to put them. She just has to get rid of them.

Residents off camera said they are still looking for a place to go  with little financial support or planning from the property managers.

Klammer finished, Im really disappointed in the way things are being handled. Its really disappointing.

Boston 25 reached out to the city of Cambridge and is waiting to hear back.

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Thayer & Associates, Inc. did not specify how they were specifically assisting residents in their statement.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Some of President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet picks are worrying European leaders, who are now preparing their governments for a scenarios in which NATO will have to survive with reduced or nonexistent U.S. support. While the rather conventional nomination of Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., to be secretary of state caused some relief, the nominations of former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, to be director of national intelligence and Fox News host Pete Hegseth to be defense secretary quickly jolted Europe back to the stunning reality.

Neither Rubio nor Mike Waltz, who was nominated to be Trump's national security advisor, sparked giddy enthusiasm, but as one European diplomat put it to Politico: "They are a bit less awful than others." Neither Hegseth nor Gabbard, on the other hand, have much experience in their respective portfolios; Gabbard in particular has provoked consternation over her promotion of Kremlin talking points and conspiracy theories.

This is really terrifying, Nathalie Loiseau, former French Europe minister under President Emmanuel Macron and now a lawmaker in the European Parliament's Renew Europe group, posted on X.

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Im not sure whether its really possible to make any sensible predictions about the direction of this administration based on the staff picks, another European diplomat told Politico. But if Trump acts on his most unilateralist tendencies, the first diplomat worries, Hegseth and Gabbard would hardly be the people to push back. Whats clear is that there is not going to be any counterweight to Trump. They owe him everything," he said.

Throughout his first term, Trump often disregarded the advice of his cabinet officials and intelligence agencies to make ambitious foreign policy declarations and pursue direct arrangements with autocrats like Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un. He has also proven erratic, at one point praising them, at another insulting them and starting trade wars with China.

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, a German lawmaker who leads the European Parliaments subcommittee on security and defense, is preparing for the worst. The time of European restraint and the hope that the USA would protect us is over, she said.
Monday, Nov. 18, 2024 update: Alameda County DA Pamela Price concedes in recall election

EDITORS NOTE: An earlier version of this story misstated the language used to sign off the statement to supporters. We regret the error. (Nov. 18, 2024)

(KRON)  Recalled Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price has finally addressed the results of last weeks election, which saw voters green light a ballot measure to oust her. On Friday, the embattled DA released a fiery statement in an email to supporters, digging in her heels, and insisting there were still votes to count.

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I am honored to be a part of this diverse community and to serve as the Peoples DA,' Price said. There are still so many ballots to be counted. The Registrar of Voters estimates that it still has to count more than 200,000 ballots.

The Associated Press called the recall last Friday, confirming that Price had been recalled with 64% of Alameda County voters supporting the recall and 36% opposing.

Disgraced San Jose councilman Omar Torres denied bail

In her defiant statement Friday, Price implied the recall was the product of a plutocracy, defined as the rule or power of wealth or of the wealthy by Dictionary.com.

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A group of very wealthy people led by Phillip Dreyfuss and Isaac Abid, by spending millions of dollars on paid media and paid political operatives, may have successfully overturned a democratic election for the first time in the history of Alameda County, Price said.

Phillip Dreyfuss is a Piedmont hedge fund billionaire who contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to both the campaign to recall Price and the successful campaign to recall Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. Isaac Abid is an Oakland real estate developer.

She also seemed to imply that her recall was connected to the reelection of President Donald Trump.

It is not lost on us that this unprecedented step took place during the worst election in modern history where we elected to serve as the President of the United States a racist, misogynistic convicted and unrepentant felon who led a violent insurrectionist effort to overturn the November 2020 election, Price said.

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The merchants of fear, hate and discord have gained ground in our country and in Alameda County, she continued. They have loudly (and proudly) proclaimed that we have taken a huge step backward.

Price reiterated that she would wait until every vote is counted in Alameda County.

She signed her letter off with the Portuguese phrase, a luta continua, which translates to the struggle continues.

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors is due to select a new district attorney in February of 2025.

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, who won her reelection bid following the 2022 ouster of DA Chesa Boudin, weighed in this week on the recalls of both Price and Thao.

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The Democratic party must shift [and] take a tougher approach on crime while Californians [and] Americans are demanding public safety as a fundamental right, Jenkins said. We cannot allow anarchy in our cities  the electorate has made this clear in San Francisco, Alameda [and] Los Angeles counties.

Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon, a progressive who was formerly San Francisco DA, lost his reelection bid to Nathan Hochman, a former Republican federal prosecutor.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Left to right, after recounts, Democrat Peter Appollonio Jr., has unseated the Republican incumbent in Warwick's Senate District 29 race; Republican Marie Hopkins wins Warwicks House District 21 seat; and Republican Chris Paplauskas wins Cranstons House District 15 seat. (Contributed photos)

Leading candidates prevailed in all three state legislative races recounted by the state elections board.

The final tallies, finished by the Rhode Island Board of Elections Thursday, cement the makeup of the 113-member Rhode Island General Assembly: 98 Democrats (64 representatives and 34 senators), 14 Republicans (10 representatives and four senators), and one independent representative.

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The biggest upset was in Warwicks Senate District 29, where Democratic candidate Peter Appollonio Jr. ousted Republican Sen. Anthony DeLuca. DeLuca, a freshman lawmaker, originally trailed Appollonio by 65 votes based on preliminary results from Nov. 5. Following the recount, the margin narrowed to 44 votes. DeLuca did not immediately respond to inquiries for comment on Friday morning, but verbally acknowledged his loss to Appollonio at the end of the recount Thursday, Appollonio said.

Appollonio, a retired West Warwick police officer and first-time candidate, chalked up his win to a lot of hard work during the campaign season.

We were very confident and optimistic going into the count, Appollonio said Friday. We were, of course, happy with the results.

Appollonios victory returns the eastern Warwick Senate district to Democratic representation. Prior to DeLucas win in 2022, the seat was held for 20 years by Democrat Michael McCaffrey, who had served as Senate Majority leader since 2017.

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Two open seat House races in Warwick and Cranston were also finalized following recounts Thursday.

In Warwicks House District 21, Republican Marie Hopkins bested Democrat James McElroy by 91 votes  up from her 85-vote lead prior to the recount.

Hopkins, whose campaign website describes her as a lifelong Rhode Islander, mother, nurse and teacher, narrowly lost the race for the same seat in 2022, losing to Democratic Rep. Camille Vella-Wilkinson by 38 votes. Vella-Wilkinson opted not to seek reelection this year.

Hopkins, reached on Friday, said her opponent was gracious in congratulating her. She also thanked the elections workers who conducted the recount and made the process transparent for all candidates.

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They worked long beyond their scheduled workday. They were marvelous, Hopkins said. To the voters of District 21, I feel like I have said again and again, and its the same message: I worked so hard for the privilege to serve and that I will continue to work hard. thats who I am. thats the job.

McElroy did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday.

The Republican candidate also triumphed in the open seat for Cranstons House District 15, formerly held by Republican Rep. Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung. Republican Chris Paplauskas, a five-term Cranston City Councilman, ultimately beat Democrat Maria Bucci by 26 votes, up from his 22-vote lead prior to the recount.

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Both Paplauskas and Bucci attended the recount Thursday with their attorneys. According to Paplauskas, Bucci congratulated him on his victory after the recount concluded.

In races with 20,000 or fewer votes cast  the case for the state legislative contests in question  candidates can ask for a manual re-feeding of ballots when the losing candidate trails by 2% or 200 votes, whichever is less, according to state law.

The state election board expects to certify all election results by Nov. 21.

Janine L. Weisman contributed to this story.

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GEORGE F. LEE / 2023 At top, inside Upper Tank No. 19 during a tour of the Red Hill Fuel Storage Facility in Halawa Valley in 2023.

1 /2 GEORGE F. LEE / 2023 At top, inside Upper Tank No. 19 during a tour of the Red Hill Fuel Storage Facility in Halawa Valley in 2023.

CRAIG T. KOJIMA / 2021 Above, community members call for the Navy to shut down Red Hill entirely during a protest in front of the Queen Lili uokalani statue.

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2 /2 CRAIG T. KOJIMA / 2021 Above, community members call for the Navy to shut down Red Hill entirely during a protest in front of the Queen Lili uokalani statue.

GEORGE F. LEE / 2023 At top, inside Upper Tank No. 19 during a tour of the Red Hill Fuel Storage Facility in Halawa Valley in 2023.

CRAIG T. KOJIMA / 2021 Above, community members call for the Navy to shut down Red Hill entirely during a protest in front of the Queen Lili uokalani statue.

On Thursday the Pentagons Inspector General office released long-awaited reports on the Navys fuel and water systems on Oahu.

Hawaiis congressional delegation called for the Pentagon to launch a probe after jet fuel from the Navys Red Hill fuel facility contaminated the Red Hill well inside the facility, and in turn the Navys Oahu water system, which serves 93, 000 people, in November 2021.

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The reports contain detailed timelines of the failures that led to the incident. Many of the details had already become public as a result of previous investigationssome of which are cited in the new reports. But the Pentagon probe includes new details on just how unprepared and disorganized the Navy was when the crisis began.

Notably, investigators reported that some Navy officials told us that they did not know about the existence of the Red Hill well and the water development tunnel or did not understand the proximity of the fuel release to the Red Hill well  and that many were not trained on or even had no knowledge of their services own emergency response plans.

Capt. Erik Spitzer, the now retired commander for Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam who told residents on Nov. 29, 2021, that there are no immediate indications that the water is not safe,  did not know the Red Hill well was in the Red Hill Fuel Facility.

In the aftermath more than 6, 000 men, women and children sought medical help, reporting a litany of ailments from rashes to vomiting and neurological issues. Many say they suffer long-term medical problems to this day.

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The immediate response and the subsequent effort to close Red Hill have cost taxpayers more than $2 billion.

Investigators wrote that because the Navy officials lacked sufficient understanding of the risks, they incorrectly believed that the fuel released during the November 2021 fuel incident did not have a pathway to contaminate the Red Hill well. But they also concluded that there were enough documents available to Navy leaders at the time that clearly identified the risks to the Red Hill well in the event of a fuel incident.

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The inspector general made 38 recommendations, including appointing a single official to manage fueling operations at JBPHH, a review of leak detection systems and updating response plans. The office is also calling for a review to determine whether anything illegal occurred in the installation of Red Hills $50 million fire suppression system, during which contractors used PVC piping instead of the steel required by the contract.

In a joint statement the members of Hawaiis congressional delegation said, These independent reports make clear that for decades the Navy and the Department of Defense have failed to manage fuel and water operations at Red Hill and across Joint Base Peal Harbor -Hickam to a standard that protects the health and safety of the people of Hawai i. Its outrageous and unacceptable.

The Navy must take full responsibility for its failures and immediately implement the recommendations from the Inspector General in order to address the ongoing impacts to public health and the environment,  the lawmakers continued. The delegation requested this investigation, and we will continue to exercise our oversight duties and ensure that the Navy and the Department of Defense fully comply with the recommendations outlined in these reports.

The Red Hill facility, built underground during World War II to protect it from enemy attacks, sits just 100 feet above a critical aquifer most of Honolulu relies on for fresh water. Documented fuel spills go back as far as 1948, but a 2014 incident involving Red Hills Tank 5 made it a lightning rod for controversy.

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In May 2021 fuel spilled from a pipeline in Red Hill. The Navy said at the time it cleaned it up, but a few thousands gallons were still unaccounted for. Later reports revealed it leaked into the facilitys fire suppression system. In November 2021 a worker at the facility accidentally ruptured the PVC piping, spilling fuel that made its way into the Navys Red Hill water well and throughout the Navy water system.

The military has since defueled Red Hill and is working to permanently shut it downbut Red Hill isnt the only place there are problems. According to the new Pentagon reports, there are approximately 23 miles of above-and underground fuel pipelines extending across Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and connecting the fuel systems, including Red Hill, with widespread issues.

Lt. Cmdr. Shannon Bencs, a former Red Hill fuel director and Navy whistleblower who was removed from her duties in 2022 after raising concerns about fuel leaks, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that while reading the report she had mixed emotions  because, although the Department of Defense acknowledged the issues and incidents shed raised alarms about while there, no one was held formally accountable.

What it comes down to is that they didnt just violate DoD orders, they violated Navy orders, they violated the state and federal laws,  Bencs said. Someone needs to go to jail, in my opinion.

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Spotty records On April 26, 2007, Navy officials reported a fuel level decline at an above-ground fuel tank at JBPHH. On April 28, 2007, Navy officials inspected the bases upper tank farm and found a 1-1 /2-by-3-inch hole in a tank. Navy officials estimated approximately 359, 000 gallons of marine diesel fuel leaked into the ground through the hole.

The Navy began remediation efforts in May 2007. According to the Navy, its officials conducted significant work to remediate the leak, and from June 2007 to December 2011, 25, 647 gallons of fuel was recovered. Laboratory testing of the recovered fuel indicated the presence both of fresh and weathered fuel,  fuel that has degraded enough to indicate in tests that it is older than 5 years, suggesting that some may have come from an earlier leak.

On March 17, 2020, Navy personnel observed an oil sheen on the water in Pearl Harbor near Hotel Pier and spotted similar sheens throughout the year. The Navy looked into it and found a seemingly abandoned pipeline that had no external markings and did not show up on maps officials reviewed.

Investigators wrote, Navy officials told us that they determined that it was the source of the oil sheen and sealed the defuel pipeline. However, Navy officials told us that on August 11, 2020, they saw another oil sheen on the water in Pearl Harbor near Hotel Pier. By December 2020 the state Department of Health ordered the Navy to fix it and report updates immediately.

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When Pentagon investigators visited JBPHH in 2022, they asked to see engineering drawings and schematics for the interconnected fuel system and were told records were kept in a technical library.

When the investigators went to see them, they said the library was disorganized, with documents overflowing into the hallway, a lack of labeling, and piles of engineering drawings scattered on various tables. A Navy contractor said there was no one on staff to collect and integrate drawings from projects that changed the (fuel ) infrastructure over time.

Investigators also said nobody could tell them whether the records were accurate or complete, and were generally told that nobody saw it as their responsibility. They wrote, We determined that Navy officials did not have accurate and up to date as-built drawings of  tanks, pipelines, and supporting infrastructure.

At another point investigators visited Fleet Logistic Center Pearl Harbor Headquarters and reported that they saw maintenance team members who said they did not have proper maintenance training and that maintenance orders were not specific enough to complete the work.

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Officials also told the investigators that while they had a large parts warehouse and someone to make purchases, they didnt have staff to receive, inventory and keep records for future parts orders. They said the actual ordering process was long and unreliable as they searched for information on the original manufacturer, looked for vendors and wrestled with long wait times.

Investigators even said some officials reported that they had sometimes spent their own money to order parts to keep maintenance tasks moving,  and that because the FLC lacked a formal tool control program, accountability for the tools needed to perform operator maintenance is left to individual maintainers who hold onto their own tools to perform their maintenance tasks.

Bad assumption

At the Red Hill facility, investigators blasted poor maintenance, planning and preparedness.

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In particular, they criticized key officials for not following their own guidelines, writing that although the incident response plans were inadequate, we determined that, if Navy officials had followed any one of the incident response plans, the effects of the May 2021 and November 2021 fuel incidents might have been mitigated or prevented.

They noted that there was little discussion of the risk to the well inside the fuel facility, despite the potential being previously well documented. Investigators noted that a 2015 simulation of a major fuel failure showed the worst-case discharge scenario would threaten the Red Hill well even with the oil-tight door closed.

The investigators noted that nevertheless, protocols on potential Red Hill fuel incidents did not direct Navy officials responding to any fuel incident to contact JBPHH (Public Works Division ) officials to activate the JBPHH Community Water System Emergency Response Plan.

One Navy official told investigators that all the spill plans, the response plans, (were ) based on the premise of a tank failure. All the incidents post 2015 have been infrastructure failures. The bad assumption we made was that the tunnel system would be containment. There was never a leak from a tank (since the January 2014 fuel incident ). There was no emphasis put on other potential impacts to the drinking water well, because we believed it would be contained in the tunnel.

But the Pentagon investigators concluded that due to Red Hills location, it should have been clear that there was an inherent risk to the aquifer and the JBPHH Community Water System. Additionally, based on historical incidents, we concluded that the lower access tunnel  floors, soil, and rock below are permeable to liquids, such as fuel.

The investigators found that in August 1945 a significant water draw lowered the water level in the water development tunnel. The Red Hill well pumps, which were designed to be fully submerged, began experiencing problem. Army and Navy personnel drilled and use dynamite to modify the well.

Investigators wrote that the drilling and dynamiting increased the risk to the Red Hill well, because it damaged the structural integrity of the water development tunnel  therefore, releases of liquids  such as fuel, could flow to the water development tunnel in the event of an incident, as evidenced in 1948.

The investigators also found that the Navy partially shut down parts of the Red Hill fire suppression system in May 2018 due to ongoing concerns about it, but didnt inform anyone working in Red Hill.

According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Navy did not inform personnel working in the Red Hill (facility ), including Navy employees and contractors, that the Red Hill (facility ) fire protection system was partially inoperable. In March 2022, OSHA officials issued a notice to the Navy warning that welding and hot work on the tanks, and the tank gallery area of the tunnel was ongoing. Alternative firefighting measures were not put in place, exposing employees to fire hazards.

In 2021, during the May and November incidents, investigators determined there was no consensus among Navy officials regarding who was in charge during either fuel incident. The investigation also painted a scathing picture of communication with the community once the fuel entered the water.

The JBPHH emergency plan for water was to assume that the entire system was a threat unless demonstrated otherwise, but investigators alleged that Navy officials kept information from both each other and the public, and didnt proactively look for answers until it was too late.

Investigators wrote that Navy officials reported that the drinking water remains safe based only on the lack of immediate indicators of drinking water contamination.Staff writer Victoria Budiono contributed to this report.
CHEROKEE, Iowa (KCAU)  Residents in Cherokee, Iowa will soon start to see some big renovations being made when they shop for groceries.

In the next several months, the Hy-Vee Clinic Pharmacy on 800 North 2nd Street will be incorporated into the grocery store at 1300 North 2nd Street. Company officials say there will also be a pharmacy drive-thru lane added.

3 working women bring back popular Hinton steakhouse

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The clinic pharmacy will close once the move to the store is done. All employees there will transfer to the grocery store once renovations are complete.

The floral and gifts department will be moved into the expanded Cherokee Hy-Vee. Officials say the customer service and wine and spirits departments will move to new areas in the store, along with being remodeled. Those renovations are anticipated to start in Jan. 2025 and are expected to be done by next spring.

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BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (WOOD)  A lawsuit attempting to stop the Calhoun County Board of Canvassers from recounting absentee ballots from Battle Creek has been thrown out, the Detroit Free Press reports.

The suit had been filed by Steve Frisbie, a Republican currently serving on the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners. Unofficial results of the Nov. 6 election show that Frisbie defeated incumbent Rep. Jim Haadsma, a Democrat by nearly 1,400 votes. But the Calhoun County clerk then realized that about 2,800 absentee ballots had not been counted, The Detroit News reported, and revised the unofficial results. The updated figures had Frisbie up by only 58 votes.

Apparent state House election winner sues to stop recount in Battle Creek

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Frisbies lawsuit was filed against the Calhoun County Board of Canvassers, asking a county judge to stop the boards ordered recount of absentee ballots from Battle Creek. It argues that the canvassers ordered the recount before reviewing the Battle Creek absentee voter returns, which it says is illegal.

However, Michigan Democrats said the canvassers OKd the retally after the county clerk checked in with the Michigan Bureau of Elections and indicat(ing) the canvassers did have the authority to order re-tabulation.

When Frisbies suit was filed, the recount was paused for a time Wednesday. The Michigan Democrats say it started back up after the canvassers voted again to go forward. Representatives from both campaigns were there as work resumed, the county clerk said.

Whether or not the retabulation could actually tip the election in Haadsmas favor remains to be seen.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Providence Places future remains up in the air as the mall could be set to lose yet another anchor store.

Macys, which as Filenes was one of the malls original anchor tenants when it first opened in 1999, has been listed for sale, according to The Boston Globe.

Providence Place was ordered into receivership last month after the malls management company  Brookfield Properties  defaulted on a $259 million debt.

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TARGET 12: Providence Place mall turned over to veteran RI receivership attorneys

Rumors began swirling over the retailers likely departure from Providence Place over the summer, though neither Macys nor the mall has confirmed that.

This comes after Macys executives warned investors earlier this year that the retail giant would close 150 unproductive namesake stores by 2026.

Its unclear exactly when the retail space was listed or for how much it is being sold.

Providence Mayor Brett Smileys press secretary told 12 News that Smiley wasnt aware of the sale prior to Thursdays report.

SEE ALSO: Could Providence Place survive without Macys?

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Providence Place has undergone some changes in the age of the online shopping. Nordstrom, a former anchor tenant, left the mall in January 2019. The high-end department store was quickly replaced by a Boscovs. Meanwhile, the former JC Penny, which left the mall nearly a decade ago, has since been transformed into a Level99 entertainment complex.

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A new report from the U.S. governments lead investigator on gun trafficking in the Caribbean area is confirming what region leaders have long said: Most of the firearms wreaking havoc in their vulnerable nations and being used in 90% of the homicides are coming from the United States.

However, the report from the Government Accountability Office, which was requested by three high-ranking House and Senate Democrats, also shows the lack of political will on the parts of some Caribbean governments and shortcomings in the U.S. to tackle the problem.

The report notes that while 73% of the guns recovered over a five-year period between 2018-23 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, were traced back to the U.S., some Caribbean governments have shown greater willingness than others to recover and trace firearms. Also, despite their complaining, some countries do not allow sting operations, known as international controlled deliveries, to identify illegal trafficking networks by allowing shipments of inoperable guns to go to the intended recipients.

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The report also found that the majority of the firearms recovered in the Caribbean were sold in Florida, Georgia and Texas.

Though the acute crisis in Haiti, where heavily armed gangs have the capital under siege, needs greater attention, Democratic U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro of Texas said the report shows how criminal organizations across the Caribbean source their weapons from the United States in a deadly trade that has contributed to the collapse of Haitian society and devastating loss of life across the region.

The most effective way to address violence and instability in the Caribbean is to prevent U.S. guns from falling into the hands of criminals, said Castro, a ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, who requested the report.

Joining Castro in the push for the report were New York Rep. Gregory Meeks and Illinois Sen. Majority Whip Dick Durbin. All said they had received pleas from Caribbean leaders to help stop gun trafficking from the U.S.

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These weapons destabilize communities and compound the challenges faced by our Caribbean neighbors, enabling gangs and transnational criminal networks to perpetrate crime that undermines U.S. national security and regional stability, Meeks said. We must invest in efforts to stem the flow of illicit weapons from our shores to the Caribbean. Doing so will protect communities in the United States, Caribbean and wider Western Hemisphere.

The GAO report coincides with a study by the International Monetary Fund and Inter-American Development Bank this week that shows the high cost of crime in Latin America and the Caribbean. The study found it is limiting growth, driving inequality and diverting private and public investments.

The study notes that criminal networks are also growing more sophisticated and interconnected, across the hemisphere and in the Caribbean specifically, contributing to high rates of homicide.

The GAO study notes several measures taken by the Biden administration to assist Caribbean countries in tackling gun-trafficking. But it also highlights the shortcomings of some of these efforts. Though ATF has implemented the use of eTrace  an internet-based firearm tracing system  in the Caribbean, language barriers and the violence in Haiti have prevented cops from using it to trace or even recover guns, the report said. The security environment in Haiti was also cited as the reason a Transnational Criminal Investigative Unit, established by Homeland Security Investigations and announced by Vice President Kamala Harris during a meeting with Caribbean leaders in The Bahamas last year, has not gotten off the ground.

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Elsewhere in the Caribbean, efforts are hampered by corruption, a lack of coordination among law enforcement agencies and the lack of a reliable data system in most countries, which are still using paper to track firearms.

For example, Jamaican officials said that their firearms records are paper-based and not centralized, making them less accessible and difficult to analyze. Paper-based systems are also vulnerable to loss and accidental destruction due to fire or water damage, the report said.

During the period examined, Jamaica led the 25 Caribbean countries and territories with at least 2,250 recovered firearms, according to the GAO report. Interviews revealed that the country does not have the staffing and equipment to properly scan the large number of shipments being imported, and is among the countries where firearms enter at unofficial ports without being inspected. Law enforcement in Jamaica noted that while the country has nine government-controlled ports, there are 151 that are uncontrolled.

Agency officials said firearms traffickers will conceal firearms in a legal export shipment and will misrepresent the shipments value, such as claiming the total value is less than $2,500, to avoid having to electronically file the shipment with the governments Automated Export System (AES) and evade U.S. government oversight, the report said.

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Jamaica is also among the Caribbean countries where residents are allowed to import one duty-free barrel of goods from the U.S. per year, which is used during the holiday season in December. As a result, U.S. agencies, in advance of 2023, increased resources to screen outbound cargo from the U.S. to the Caribbean via freight forwarders at the Miami River to combat firearms trafficking from the duty-free barrel program.

Gun-sniffing dogs were also used to help combat the illicit flows of firearms and had success uncovering firearms. But ATF officials told investigators that they do not plan to continue providing such assistance due to high costs, and since port conditions in the country are not safe enough for the operations.

Data from the 25 countries and territories show that handguns represent the majority, or 88%, of firearms recovered and traced from the Caribbean, though long guns and automatic weapons are starting to become problematic. In fact, during the study period, the number of long guns submitted for tracing across the Caribbean nearly tripled to 15% of all weapons examined.

U.S. and Caribbean law enforcement officials also report seeing a rise in privately manufactured firearms and component parts. Law enforcement officials also said 3D printers and their ability to print firearm parts may also be contributing to an increase. Such an operation was uncovered in Trinidad and Tobago. The 3-D printing lab had been used to produce firearms, ATF officials said.

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Our countrys lax gun laws have created a vicious cycle of firearms trafficking to international drug cartels and criminal organizations, recklessly destabilizing countries throughout the region, said Durbin, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Todays report demonstrates the severity of this phenomenon, which unleashes violence, drug trading, and chaos in its wake, he added. We need to stem the iron river of firearms trafficking and pass additional commonsense gun safety legislation.

Castro, the Texas congressman, has introduced the ARMAS Act, which calls for the development of a comprehensive interagency strategy to disrupt trafficking. He is also a co-sponsor of another anti-gun smuggling bill, Caribbean Arms Trafficking Causing Harm, CATCH Act, with Democratic U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida. Cherfilus-McCormick, who also joined fellow Democrats in the request for the GAO report, says her bill and the other efforts will help curb the flow of deadly weapons, reduce violence and enhance security for our neighbors and ourselves.
(Bloomberg) -- The Republican sweep of the presidency and Congress has transformed what could have been a struggle to merely renew Donald Trumps tax cuts into a multi-pronged campaign to slash levies in new and bigger ways.

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The incoming Republican majorities in the House and Senate mean Trump can enact a tax bill without making concessions to Democrats. Republicans will only be constrained by how much deficit spending the partys lawmakers and global financial markets can tolerate.

Listen and follow The Big Take daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

That is the several trillion-dollar question, said Rohit Kumar, co-leader of PwCs national tax office and a former tax policy adviser to Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell.

Owners of closely held companies and high-net worth families stand to benefit with Congress now more likely to renew expiring provisions in the 2017 law providing a 20% deduction on pass-through business income and an elevated estate tax exemption, said Gordon Gray, a former Republican Senate Budget Committee aide and now executive director of the Pinpoint Policy Institute.

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Many Democrats campaigned on a tax-the-rich agenda and advocated paying for other tax cuts by targeting those provisions, as well as rolling back the laws tax cuts for corporations and individuals making more than $400,000 per year.

Republicans election success not only bolsters the 2017 tax cuts but opens the way for consideration of ideas such as further cutting the corporate tax rate and exempting tips from federal income taxes, said Grover Norquist, an influential voice in Republican tax policy debates and president of the conservative group Americans for Tax Reform.

Trump enthusiastically promoted both the corporate-rate reduction and the break for tipped income during the presidential campaign and also promised myriad other tax breaks.

The first thing Republicans will have to negotiate is how large the tax-cut package will be and how much theyre willing to increase a federal deficit that reached $1.83 trillion in the fiscal year that ended Sept 30. Just extending the expiring tax cuts would drive up deficits by $4.6 trillion over 10 years, and all of Trumps campaign plans would add much as $7.75 trillion, according to estimates by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a nonpartisan fiscal watchdog group.

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Stephen Moore, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation and informal Trump adviser, said the tax cuts will stimulate economic growth and Republicans can also cancel spending approved under President Joe Biden to help offset the cost of the cuts. Still, the bill is likely to have some level of deficit financing, he said.

That sets up a clash within the GOP between deficit hawks and lawmakers who dont think revenue losses from tax cuts need to be offset, said Sage Eastman, a Republican strategist and former aide to the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax legislation.

Republican Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho, who is in line to chair the Senate Finance Committee, has said pro-growth tax policies dont need to be paid for. The 2017 tax cuts did produce some positive economic effects, but they were far more modest than the Trump administration and some Republicans forecast, said Kyle Pomerleau, a senior fellow with the American Enterprise Institute.

It will be important to watch to see if markets start to panic if enough deficit spending is being contemplated, or if theyll decide to look through it, said Martha Gimbel, executive director of The Budget Lab at Yale and a former White House economist under Biden.

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Trump has vowed to impose a tariff of 10% to 20% on all imported goods plus 60% on Chinese products and promoted that as an offset for tax cuts. But lawmakers will have to decide whether to enact those tariffs in the tax bill so the revenue can be officially counted  a difficult vote for Republicans, especially those who want free trade. They could also just assume revenue would continue from presidentially imposed duties, even though Trump might later strike a trade deal that drops them.

Theres always a way to make things work, said Dave Camp a senior policy advisor at PwC and a former Republican chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

The Peterson Institute for International Economics estimates the tariffs could raise only about $225 billion a year. Kimberly Clausing, a former Treasury Department official in the Biden administration and a UCLA professor of tax law, said the GOP will probably overestimate the revenue from tariffs and ignore the negative economic impact of the duties.

Republicans have said they want to enact a tax bill within the first 100 days of Trumps second term, though itll probably take longer to negotiate the details, Kumar said.

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The narrow GOP margin in the House gives small bands of Republican lawmakers leverage to demand specific tax breaks, and the Democratic strategy will be to focus on vulnerable Republican members in swing districts to push them to support or oppose individual provisions, said Scott Mulhauser, a Democratic strategist and veteran of legislative policy battles.

Any small coalition within the Republican Party can have a disproportionate influence on any sort of tax bill, Eastman said.

The Republican trifecta also sets up a lobbying free-for-all among business groups to persuade lawmakers and the White House to create new tax breaks to boost their industries. That intensifies the internecine struggle among Republicans over what to include in the package and how to contain the cost.

Skeptics said they doubt all of the tax cuts Trump proposed during the campaign - which grew so numerous that even some of his advisers are unclear about which proposals hes most committed to  would be enacted because of the cost and difficulty of instituting the entire list.

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Trump promised he would restore the full value of the state and local tax deduction, or SALT, a popular break in high-tax states including New York, New Jersey and California. Trumps signature tax law capped the value of that deduction at $10,000, regardless of marital status.

While some changes to SALT such as raising the cap or doubling the deduction for married couples filing jointly are possible, eliminating the limit entirely isnt likely because of the revenue loss: $1.2 trillion over 10 years, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

(Updates with Sage Eastman quote in 18th paragraph.)

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Republicans dont have much hope for ex-Representative Matt Gaetzs odds of getting into the presidential Cabinet.

The remarkably unpopular Florida politico was nominated by Donald Trump to become the countrys attorney general on Wednesday, a decision that would effectively hand the keys to the Justice Department to a man facing sex trafficking allegations. But before that happens, Gaetz has to be confirmed by the Senateand that seems increasingly unlikely, according to members of the upper chamber.

Assuming that all Democrats will vote against Trumps nominees, the president-elect can only afford to lose three Republican votes to squeeze his candidates into the executive branch. But Gaetz faces immense opposition from inside the party, reported The Wall Street Journal, with far more than three votes planning to oppose the MAGA bros nomination. Estimates predict that those against Gaetz range from 12 Republican no votes to upward of 30.

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It wont even be close, one source told the Journal.

Few conservatives were willing to point out the underlying reasons behind Gaetzs unlikely candidacy, but they appeared to understand the 42-year-old wouldnt hold up during the grueling confirmation process.

Its simply that Matt Gaetz has a very long, steep hill to get across the finish line, North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer told the Journal. And it will require the spending of a lot of capital, and you just have to ask: if you could get him across the finish line, was it worth the cost?

Another unidentified source familiar with the conversations happening among Republicans over the process told the publication that people are pissed.

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Trump ally Senator Markwayne Mullin acknowledged that actually getting Gaetzwho up until this week was being investigated by the House Ethics Committee for alleged sexual misconduct with a minorinto the Cabinet would be very difficult, suggesting to the Journal that the vigorous vetting process might force Gaetz into a situation where he has to withdraw.

Every nominee will have to acquit themselves well during the confirmation process by answering difficult questions and having their actions scrutinized, Senator Lindsey Graham, the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, told the Journal.

Meanwhile, the soon-to-be upper chamber majority appears unwilling to concede any of its power to the executive branch, pushing back on Trumps demand that the body expedite the nomination process via recess appointments.


The House Ethics Committee was going to vote on whether to release a report on its three-year-long investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) on Friday, Punchbowl News was first to report  just days after Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he was nominating Gaetz as his attorney general. The Florida congressman, who was investigated but not charged as part of Justice Department probe into sex trafficking, quickly accepted the nomination in a post on Twitter and resigned from Congress.

Its unclear if Gaetz knew about the impending ethics panel vote or whether that factored into Trumps rationale for abruptly announcing the shocking appointment Wednesday afternoon. But given Gaetz years-long animosity towards the committee and efforts to skirt questioning as part of its inquiry, its hard to see the timing as anything other than extremely convenient.

Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has all but confirmed that the House Ethics Committees investigation, and his disinterest in putting an end to their inquiry as speaker, played a role in the abrupt demise of his political career. McCarthy has said publicly and privately that he believes Gaetz filed the motion to vacate the speakership as part of a personal vendetta against McCarthy for not doing enough to shut down the panels probe. The committee was looking into sexual misconduct allegations alongside a slew of other accusations against Gaetz including misuse of campaign funds, accepting unlawful gifts and allegations that he showed colleagues inappropriate images and videos on his phone on the House floor.

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Democrats in the Senate are demanding access to the report in the wake of Gaetzs resignation and nomination to lead DOJ  it is, now, outside of the panels jurisdiction to investigate the congressman. The committee has not yet weighed in on whether it intends to release its findings. Its also still unclear if new Republican leadership will acquiesce to Trumps demands for recess appointments or stick with the typical confirmation process, which would allow senators the opportunity to hold hearings and vet the congressman for the position.

But one thing is clear  Republicans arent exactly sticking their necks out to shield the guy who has few friends in Congress, let alone his own party. The main updates from today:

Senate Judiciary Dems, led by Chairman Dick Durbin (D-IL), sent a letter to the House Ethics Committee Thursday afternoon, urging the panel to immediately preserve and transmit to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary all relevant documentation on Mr. Gaetz, including the report that your Committee was reportedly prepared to vote to release tomorrow. They argued that the sequence and timing of Mr. Gaetzs resignation from the House raises serious questions about the contents of the House Ethics Committee report and findings.

Republicans on the same Senate panel did not join their Democratic counterparts in urging the committee to preserve documents, according to CNNs Manu Raju. Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) reportedly told CNN that the decision remains in Houses hands.

I think there should not be any limitations on the Senate Judiciary Committees investigation, including whatever the House Ethics Committee has generated, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) told reporters this afternoon, before alluding to the fact that he wants to go through the normal confirmation process rather than bend to Trumps recess appointments push: I dont think we should be circumventing the Senates responsibilities, Cornyn told CNN. But I think its premature to be talking about recess appointments right now.

Newly-selected, will-be Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) offered similar remarks in response to questions about Gaetzs confirmation prospects: Dont know until we start the process, and thats what we intend to do with him and all the other potential nominees.

McCarthy weighed in on his nemesis situation in comments to Bloomberg Thursday: I think the choices are very good, except one. Gaetz wont get confirmed, everybody knows that, he said.

All of this might not matter! The Wall Street Journal is reporting this afternoon that enough Senate Republicans are opposed to Gaetzs nomination to sink it: People familiar with discussions among Senate Republicans said that far more than three of them are prepared to vote no if the matter comes to a vote, and some said there was already talk of trying to convince Trump to pull the nominee, or for Gaetz to voluntarily withdraw his name, in WSJs words.

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Trump expected to select Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead HHS
No one on the right seems to want to criticize Donald Trumps Cabinet pickseven if they desperately warrant questioning.

Several major conservative politicos have ducked and weaved direct questions about Trumps decision to tap Robert F. Kennedy Jr.a virulent opponent of all vaccinesto front the Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, effectively handing the reins of the nations health policies to a renowned conspiracy theorist who doesnt believe that AIDS is caused by HIV, insists that WiFi causes cancer, and wants to remove fluoride from U.S. drinking water (fluoride was first introduced into public waterways in 1945 and has reduced cavities and tooth decay in adults and children by as much as 25 percent, according to the American Dental Association).

In an interview with CNNs Jake Tapper on Thursday, Indiana Senator-elect Jim Banks refused to come out on the side of science, backing Trumps anti-vaccine Cabinet pick by entertaining the notion that a thoughtful conversation about vaccines is warranted.

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The scientific and medical community has been clear for years that what he says about vaccines is false. They dont cause autism, theres no direct link. Does that bother you at all? asked Tapper.

Look Jake, in the election Donald Trump won the popular vote, and one of the things that he promised on the campaign trail is to have a serious and thoughtful conversation about vaccines, especially after the pandemic, Banks said, criticizing long-standing mandatory vaccine policy.

Remember, its Congress that makes policy and works with the presidentPresident Trumpto carry out his agenda, Banks added. I feel very comfortable with RFK Jr. having a significant seat at the table to lead big debates about this.

Kennedys vaccine conspiracies arent just hogwashtheyve caused legitimate, real-world harm. Preceding a deadly measles outbreak on the Pacific islands of Samoa in 2019, Kennedys anti-vax nonprofit, Childrens Health Defense, spread rampant misinformation about the efficacy of vaccines, causing the nations vaccination rate to plummet from the 6070 percent range to just 31 percent, according to Mother Jones. That year, the country reported 5,707 cases of measlesan illness that was declared eliminated by the United States in 2000 thanks to advancements in modern medicine (read: vaccines)as well as 83 measles-related deaths, the majority of which were children under the age of 5.

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But at least one former member of Trumpworld has condemned Kennedythough only because the ardent vaccine foe is too pro-choice.

For the majority of his career, RFK Jr. has defended abortion on demand during all nine months of pregnancy, supports overturning the Dobbs decision and has called for legislation to codify Roe v Wade, former Vice President Mike Pence said in a statement obtained by The Dispatch. If confirmed, RFK, Jr. would be the most pro-abortion Republican appointed secretary of HHS in modern history.

On behalf of tens of millions of pro-life Americans, I respectfully urge Senate Republicans to reject this nomination and give the American people a leader who will respect the sanctity of life as secretary of Health and Human Services, he added.

It should be reiterated that vaccines have proven to be one of the greatest accomplishments of modern medicine. The jabs are so effective at preventing illness that they have practically eradicated some of the worst diseases from our collective culture, from rabies to polio and smallpox, a fact that has possibly fooled some into believing that the viruses and their complications arent a significant threat for the average, health-conscious individual.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  According to an advisory message sent by the Vigo County Sheriff, deputies are assisting the fire department with a residential structure fire in the 6100 block of south State Road 63.

Currently one lane of State Road 63 is currently closed. No injuries have been reported, and its being reported that everyone inside the residence made it out safe.

Officials say to avoid the area between Rigney Road and Ryman Drive, as there will be traffic delays.

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HONOLULU(KHON2)  More changes coming to the restaurant industry with a ban on forever chemicals in take out containers starting December 31st. What does that mean for consumers?

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You may have noticed a change in paper, to-go, food containers recently.

Here is an example of a compostable paper bowl and it smooth, but it does not have a coating, Kuhio Food Hall owner Michael Palmer explained holding up a brown paper bowl.

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A year ago, he added, Something like this, if you had soup or something, youd see something that was kind of shiny in it.

That shiny coating was a barrier for grease, moisture, and hot liquids, but it contained forever chemicals called PFAS.

Why (PFAS) isnt good is because its linked to serious health problems, Hawaii Restaurant Association Executive Director Sheryl Matsuoka explained. So it causes health issues because it builds up in your body.

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So the State adopted a law prohibiting the manufacture, sale and distribution of paper food packing made with PFAS and it goes into affect December 31, 2024.

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Will we really see any change in the cost of a plate lunch of any to-go items when this goes into effect in January? KHON asked.

I think it depends on the restaurant or the vendor how theyre going to decide to pass that on to consumers, Palmer responded. I think most of the cost has already been passed on from the earlier bans. With the PFAS ban, I dont think youre gonna see as much of an impact.

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The new law prohibiting forever chemicals in paper food packages does not include any plastic containers like that are considered reusable.

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Plastic food containers fall under a different county law. And while there are exemptions for plastic food containers, the Hawaii Department of Health Food and Drug Branch said there are no exceptions to for the ban on PFAS in paper food packaging products.

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We dont like things that cost more, but we do care about health and public safety and following the law, the law of the land and health department guidelines, Palmer said. So we want to be compliant with all of that.

Since the FDA has already been working with manufacturers, Palmer said its been easy finding products made without PFAS.

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He added that the biggest issue of noncompliance may be with products manufactured outside the U.S.

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Rep. Jim Haadsma | House photo

The results of a retabulation of votes in Calhoun County has been completed, indicating that the Democratic incumbent in a key state House seat remains behind by a whisker-thin margin, although overseas and military ballots are still being processed.

Steve Frisbie

Initial results on Nov. 5 showed state Rep. Jim Haadsma (D-Battle Creek) losing by 1,381 votes to Republican challenger, Calhoun County Commissioner Steve Frisbie, in the 44th District seat. But an error blamed on a pair of high speed tabulators which did not combine vote totals, overriding a first report of ballots instead of adding to it, resulted in approximately 2,800 absentee ballots not being counted.

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After the error was discovered, the unofficial results were updated to diminish Frisbies lead to just 58 votes  20,823 total votes for him to 20,765 for Haadsma.

However, Haadsmas attorney, Chris Trebilcock, told the Michigan Advance late Sunday those results were admittedly wrong and demanded the board of county canvassers rerun the ballots from Battle Creek. After consulting with the Michigan Secretary of State, the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to do just that, with the retabulation of absentee ballots commencing on Wednesday morning.

The rerunning of ballots had been delayed for about an hour Wednesday after Frisbie filed a lawsuit in Calhoun County Circuit Court seeking to stop the effort, but it was dismissed the same day.

According to a press release on Friday afternoon from Calhoun County Clerk Kimberly Hinkley, the rerunning of absentee ballots confirmed the unofficial results indicating Frisbie retained his lead of 58 votes. a

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Military and overseas ballots still need to be processed, stated the release. Once the Calhoun County Board of Canvassers certifies the election (by Tuesday, November 19), any necessary updates to the website will be made and uploaded as official.

When asked for comment, Trebilcock told the Advance that once the canvass is complete they will make a decision on requesting an official recount, noting that not all the votes have been counted.

State law allows for a recount in a state House race if the margin of victory is less than 200 votes.

Haadsmas seat was one of four that was reported to be flipped by Republicans, giving them a 58-52 majority in the next session that begins in January.

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Robert F Kennedy Jr has questioned the effectiveness of vaccines and slammed the FDAs aggressive suppression of raw milk  but some Republicans are warning he may not be right to lead federal health agencies for an entirely different reason: his stance on abortion.

President-elect Donald Trump tapped RFK Jr to serve as Health and Human Services Secretary on Thursday, sparking concern from anti-abortion and pro-abortion Americans alike. Leaders across the spectrum of abortion stances have spent the day since he was appointed posting videos of his contradictory views.

During his independent presidential bid, RFK Jr praised Roe v Wade, saying he was for choice and medical freedom. One of the leading critics of Trumps choice is his former number two, former Vice President Mike Pence.

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Pence, an evangelical Christian who for decades championed pro-life legislation, issued a statement through his nonprofit Advancing American Freedom on Friday.

The Trump-Pence administration was unapologetically pro-life, the former veep wrote. I believe the nomination of RFK Jr to serve as Secretary of HHS is an abrupt departure from the pro-life record of our administration and should be deeply concerning to millions of Pro-Life Americans who have supported the Republican Party and our nominees for decades.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Donald Trump shake hands during a campaign rally at Desert Diamond Arena on August 23, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. Anti-abortion advocates are pushing back on his nomination for HHS Secretary  but pro-abortion advocates are too (Getty Images)

He urged the Senate Republicans to reject his nomination: If confirmed, RFK, Jr. would be the most pro-abortion Republican appointed secretary of HHS in modern history.

Pence wasnt alone in his views.

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Alexandra DeSanctis Marr, a fellow at conservative thinktank Ethics & Public Policy Center, warned on X: HHS is a critical agency for the pro-life cause. Through a well-run HHS, GOP administrations can undo pro-abortion policies and advance pro-life ones. RFK Jr. has said he supports full-term abortion or at least abortion until viabilitythis is not a win for pro-lifers.

Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, told the Washington Examiner on Friday: Theres no question that we need a pro-life HHS secretary, and of course, we have concerns about Robert F Kennedy Jr.

Vice President Mike Pence said the nomination of RFK Jr to serve as Secretary of HHS is deeply concerning to millions of Pro-Life Americans (AFP via Getty Images)

She continued: I believe that no matter who is HHS secretary, baseline policies set by President Trump during his first term will be reestablished.

However, some abortion advocates have also voiced concerns about Trumps HHS pick, pointing out his apparently wavering stance on reproductive health care.

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RFK Jr said hed sign a nationwide abortion ban. And just last week, he was talking to Donald Trump  whos responsible for overturning Roe  about becoming his VP, nonprofit Reproductive Freedom for All wrote on X.

The bottom line is this: RFK Jr cant be trusted to protect reproductive freedom, the group wrote, attaching a clip of him saying he supports a national ban of the procedure at three months pregnant.

Doctor and Congresswoman-elect Maxine Dexter similarly took issue with Trumps HHS nominee, writing on X: As a physician, Ive seen firsthand how dangerous anti-public health conspiracies hurt patients and undermine trust in care. RFK Jr has spent years spreading anti-vaccine lies, backing a national abortion ban, and pushing harmful conspiracies. Hes not qualified to lead HHS.

Before he was elected, Trump said at a rally that he had told RFK Jr that he could do what he wants with womens healthcare.

Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, summed up the wide range of responses to the nomination: RFK Jr has had at least three positions on abortion in the past year. Hell support whatever the Trump administration wants.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s selection as Health and Human Services secretary by President-elect Donald Trump is sparking backlash, including criticism from the New York Post editorial board. Dr. Kavita Patel and USA Today's Susan Page joined Morning Joe to weigh in on the potential risks and implications.
President-elect Donald Trump said this week hes nominating Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  who was running for president himself not too long ago  to oversee the Department of Health and Human Services under his incoming administration.

For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health, Trump said in a Thursday statement on Truth Social. Mr. Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!

Like all the other nominations Trump has rolled out publicly this week, the Thursday announcement came with a lot of questions about whether RFK Jr. is qualified for the job  and if he can even pass a Senate confirmation with his questionable and disqualifying beliefs on several public health-related topics, most notably, his stance on vaccines.

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That is, of course, assuming that there will be a confirmation hearing. Trump has floated the idea of recess appointments and is already pressuring Senate leadership to fall in line.

While Democrats have long embraced some of the reforms RFK Jr. endorses when it comes to regulating aspects of the agricultural industry, like factory farming and pesticides, his other outlandish, crank science beliefs have Democrats and Republicans concerned about how he would run the federal public health department.

Heres a run down of his most problematic public health positions:

He is big on conspiracy theories

The list is long. And I mean long. But here are some of the highlights to give you an idea.

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In June 2023, Kennedy baselessly claimed Wi-Fi causes cancer and leaky brain, during an interview with Joe Rogan. In a bizarre Twitter Spaces conversation with Elon Musk, also in the summer of 2023, Kennedy claimed antidepressants are to blame for mass shootings. On multiple occasions, he suggested that AIDS might not be caused by HIV. Hes also falsely claimed chemicals in the water supply could turn children transgender.

There is, of course, no credible evidence for any of these claims.

He is an infamous anti-vaxxer

Despite recently claiming he is not opposed to vaccines, Kennedy is one of the most unapologetic anti-vaccine advocates out there. He has, on multiple occasions, claimed vaccines cause autism and are more harmful than the diseases theyre designed to protect against.

I do believe that autism does come from vaccines, Kennedy said last summer in an interview with Fox News host Jesse Watters.

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In 2021, he was named one of the top spreaders of misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines on social media by the Center for Countering Digital Hate. His anti-vaccine misinformation was so relentless that he was even kicked off Instagram for repeatedly sharing debunked conspiracy theories.

Kennedy is also the founder of Childrens Health Defense, a non-profit anti-vaccine group considered a hub for health and vaccine misinformation.

He contributed to one of the deadliest measles outbreaks in Samoa in recent history

In 2019, his anti-vax stance and campaign of misinformation and fearmongering took its toll on Samoans.

Kennedy, alongside his non-profit Childrens Health Defense, took advantage of the deaths of two infants, who died after receiving the measles vaccine in Samoa in 2018, to question the safety of the vaccine. It was later revealed that the deaths were caused by nurses mistakenly injecting the infants with muscle relaxant instead of the vaccine, according to Mother Jones, but the deaths reportedly still caused the vaccination rate to plummet from around 60-70 percent to 31 percent.

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During a time when there were already many questions around the safety of the vaccine, Kennedy visited the Pacific island nation and met with government officials and other anti-vax advocates while simultaneously flooding the area with vaccine misinformation.

The measles outbreak struck in November 2019 and the Samoan government implemented an emergency, mandatory measles vaccination program to contain the spread. During this concerted effort to fight the misinformation, the same anti-vaxxers Kennedy met up with compared the operation to Nazi Germany and claimed the vaccine itself was the reason for the outbreak.

Kennedy himself also encouraged the claims, calling on the prime minister to determine, scientifically, if the outbreak was caused by inadequate vaccine coverage or alternatively, by a defective vaccine.

During the outbreak 5,600 people reportedly contracted measles, and 83 children died.

I had nothing to do with people not vaccinating in Samoa. I never told anybody not to vaccinate. I didnt go there with any reason to do with that, Kennedy later claimed.
Well, President-elect Donald Trump certainly is off to a roaring start, isn't he? Ensconced at his Mar-a-Lago beach club with the richest man in the world glued to his side every moment, he's busy getting a whole new band together for his second term. Aside from his choice of Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for Secretary of State, this time there's nary an establishment figure anywhere to be seen as he chooses his new Cabinet and White House staff. Trump is going directly to the lifeblood of MAGA and picking the most controversial, lib-triggering extremists he can find.

I mentioned his first group of nominees earlier this week, none of whom have anything to particularly qualify them for these jobs but who at least have some government experience behind them. The choice of Fox News celebrity Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense was the first inkling that this was about to go seriously off the rails.

Hegseth has no experience running anything and has no government experience beyond serving as a National Guard officer in Iraq and Afghanistan and a prison guard at Guantanamo prison. From his perch as a talking head on Fox News, he was able to convince former president Trump to pardon war criminals against the wishes of the Pentagon, so he does have that going for him. And aside from the fact that Trump chose him because he "has the look," as Salon's Amanda Marcotte reported, he is a fierce critic of the military brass and suggests that at least a third of the 800 general and flag officers are "complicit" in the "politicization" of the military. He claims he will clean house and that's what Trump has hired him for.

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Hegseth's startling choice was soon overshadowed by the absolutely shocking announcements naming former Hawaii representative Tulsi Gabbard as the Director of National Intelligence and (now former) Florida congressman Matt Gaetz as Attorney General. I would guess that most of America either gasped or laughed when they heard. I suspect that only picking Georgia firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene for Surgeon General would have been more stupefying.

Gabbard never served on any of the intelligence committees during her eight years in Congress and has no relevant outside experience. Her claim to fame is as a Democratic apostate with very bizarre foreign policy ideas, including a soft spot for Syrian strongman (and Russian ally) Bashar al-Assad, with whom she personally met, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. She claims that America wants to destroy Russia and provoked it into invading Ukraine in order to impose draconian sanctions on the country. She has put forward Russian propaganda so often that the country's state media even calls her "our girlfriend." She also grew up in and remains a member of a cult called the Science of Identity Foundation whose leader is heralded by members as a deity in his own right.

Gabbard and Trump share a weird affection for Vladimir Putin but they also share a belief that they are being persecuted by the U.S. Intelligence community, which Gabbard claims has put her on a secret domestic terrorist watch list which no one can confirm.

Kamala says she believes in freedom, but I was put on a secret terror watch list after I publicly criticized her. No one will be safe from political retaliation under a Harris administration. I put my life on the line for this country. Now the government calls me a terror threat. pic.twitter.com/3xjgjmrLhD  Tulsi Gabbard  (@TulsiGabbard) September 4, 2024

And then there's Matt Gaetz. Apparently, he wasn't on anyone's shortlist but was on Trump's plane this week and they had a chat after which Trump concluded that he wanted the Florida congressman for Attorney General. He is totally unqualified for the job. He barely ever practiced law and spent his entire time in Congress as a political gadfly. He did defend Trump on television and he and Trump share an antipathy for the Justice Department having both been criminally investigated. Both men remain bitter and vengeful about that, which is undoubtedly the main reason Trump believes that Gaetz will be a perfect Attorney General. A Trump adviser told Marc Caputo at the Bulwark:

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None of the attorneys had what Trump wants, and they didnt talk like Gaetz, the adviser said. Everyone else looked at AG as if they were applying for a judicial appointment. They talked about their vaunted legal theories and constitutional bullshit. Gaetz was the only one who said, yeah, Ill go over there and start cuttin fuckin heads.

This nomination isn't some four-dimensional chess as some are suggesting. Trump wants Gaetz confirmed and there's no reason to think he won't get that done.

Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, on Thursday Trump announced that he had chosen Robert F. Kennedy Jr for Secretary of Health and Human Services. He is a conspiracy theorist who claims he had a worm in his brain and admits to picking up a dead bear on the side of the road and dumping it in Central Park for a laugh.

David Corn at Mother Jones did a deep dive into RFK Jr.'s twisted reality and reported that he once told Trumpy podcasters Joe Rogan and Theo Von that "a global elite led by the CIA had been planning for years to use a pandemic to end democracy and impose totalitarian control on the entire world." He also said Covid-19 is targeted to attack Caucasians and Black people. The people who are most immune are Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese" which is such utter nonsense it makes my head hurt to read it. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

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Kennedy has done some real harm already. He's closely linked to a measles outbreak that led to the deaths of more than 80 people in Samoa, most of them children, with his fearmongering about vaccines:

If there was ever a time I wanted people to retweet something - A vaccine specialist, Dr. Paul Offit, spells out how RFK Jr. played a role in discouraging vaccination rates in a small population. A measles outbreak followed which resulted in 83 deaths mostly of young children. pic.twitter.com/itED5aV1MU  Decoding Fox News (@DecodingFoxNews) July 22, 2023

It is mind-boggling that such a person could be put in charge of the vast US government health care agencies. But all signs say that's exactly what's going to happen because the Republican Senate is composed of MAGA cultists and/or inveterate cowards who are going to try to blame the Democrats for making the confirmations difficult so they can say they have no choice but to allow Trump to give them all recess appointments.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

It seems clear that the only way these people will not be appointed is if Trump changes his mind and withdraws the nomination. And he has no reason to do it. Trump will never have to run for president again and, in his mind, his legacy is secure as the greatest president, maybe the greatest human, who ever lived. If he feels like rewarding people who supported him, he can do that  but it's purely at his discretion and he is not a generous person. Unless someone has something on him that's so devastating that it will destroy him, he is completely without restraint. He's already a convicted felon, a fraudster, a sexual assaulter, a proven pathological liar who stole classified documents and refused to give them back so it's hard to imagine what that might be. At this point, Donald Trump believes he is invincible.

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And what that means is that he no longer has anything to lose and there are only two things he really cares about. It's not taxes or tariffs and it's not even mass deportation. Sure, he'll do those things if he can but they were mostly arguments for getting elected so he'll leave that in the hands of his henchmen and take credit for whatever they manage to do. What he really cares about is money and revenge, the same things he's always cared about.

He's worth billions and he's got the richest man in the world opening up his checkbook. He can now concentrate on what really makes him happy  vengeance. That's what he's hiring these crackpots to do for him. He wants payback against the DOJ for all the investigations, the military brass for refusing to abandon their oaths when he wanted them to, the intelligence community for saying the Russians were helping him, and the scientists and health professionals who exposed his lies during the pandemic. They all made him look stupid and he won't rest until they pay for it.

The following quote is making the rounds on social media in light of these absurd Cabinet nominations:

Totalitarianism in power invariably replaces all first-rate talents, regardless of their sympathies, with those crackpots and fools whose lack of intelligence and creativity is still the best guarantee of their loyalty. - Hannah Arendt in The Origins of Totalitarianism

I don't think I expected totalitarianism to come in service of one very petty narcissist's wounded ego but it appears that that's what's happening. And right now there doesn't seem to be any will to stop it.
Environmental lawyer and antivaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vowed to be an honest public servant if he gets confirmed as the head of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Together we will clean up corruption, stop the revolving door between industry and government, and return our health agencies to their rich tradition of gold-standard, evidence-based science, Kennedy wrote in a Thursday post on the social platform X. I will provide Americans with transparency and access to all the data so they can make informed choices for themselves and their families.

My commitment to the American people is to be an honest public servant. Lets go, he added.

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Kennedy was picked by President-elect Trump on Thursday to lead the department, which has a nearly $2 trillion budget and oversees 13 agencies. He would need to get confirmed through the Senate, which could prove to be a difficult feat, as some upper-chamber Democrats and public health officials expressed concerns over his selection.

Mr. Kennedys outlandish views on basic scientific facts are disturbing and should worry all parents who expect schools and other public spaces to be safe for their children, Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said Thursday. When Mr. Kennedy comes before the Finance Committee, its going to be very clear what Americans stand to lose under Trump and Republicans in Congress.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said Kennedys appointment at HHS could set back America in terms of public health, reproductive rights, research and innovation, and so much else. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) said Kennedys nomination was fing insane.

But not all Democrats sounded the alarm. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) said he was excited about the nomination but hoped that the former independent presidential candidate does not enact any vaccine bans.

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I hope he leans into personal choice on vaccines rather than bans (which I think are terrible, just like mandates) but what Im most optimistic about is taking on big pharma and the corporate ag oligopoly to improve our health, Polis wrote Thursday.

Other lawmakers have shown support for the selection.

RFK Jr. has championed issues like healthy foods and the need for greater transparency in our public health infrastructure, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) said in a statement. I look forward to learning more about his other policy positions and how they will support a conservative, pro-American agenda.

Kennedy initially ran in the 2024 presidential race as a Democrat but left the party to compete as an independent. He suspended his White House bid in August and endorsed Trump, who he then supported on the campaign trail as a surrogate. He thanked Trump on Thursday for his leadership and courage and added that he was committed to advancing your vision to Make America Healthy Again.

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I look forward to working with the more than 80,000 employees at HHS to free the agencies from the smothering cloud of corporate capture so they can pursue their mission to make Americans once again the healthiest people on Earth, Kennedy wrote.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  With temperatures dropping and heating costs expected to climb, Rhode Island Energy is offering its customers a way to save on their bills while staying warm this winter.

The utility provider says Rhode Islanders can go to its website or call 1-888-633-7947 to schedule a free home energy assessment.

How it works

Once you book an appointment, a specialist will come to your home, evaluate your current energy usage and look for ways to lower your heating costs. That could include making adjustments to your day-to-day habits and eliminating drafts in your home.

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We know energy bills are going up, so a good way to save money is to make sure the heat that you are buying doesnt escape from the house, consumer advocate Kate Felder told 12 News.

Experts: Heat likely to cost at least 10% more than last winter

Rhode Island Energy customers will receive energy-efficient products like advanced power strips, low-flow showerheads and programmable thermostats at no cost.

The specialist may also highlight any available incentives or rebates on new appliances and equipment.

Felder called the program a win-win situation since it benefits Rhode Island Energy as well as its customers.

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Its a no-cost program that is going to help people save money right away, she said. Everybody wants to save money on their energy bills, and it will help take the energy off the grid and save the planet.

ALSO READ: How to stop the dry air from irritating your sinuses

Renters are also eligible for assessments with approval from their landlord, according to Felder.

Rhode Island Energy plans to offer the program year-round, but with winter looming, Felder said now is a good time to get it done.

You can learn more and request an appointment by clicking here.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport. (Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)

Roughly a dozen employees at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport have been warned not to destroy records over what the airports legal team has described as tortious interference with business operations.

Tortious interference is the legal term for intentionally damaging someone elses contractual or business relationships with others, causing economic harm.

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Letters sent out Wednesday by Providence attorney Michael DeSisto claimed some workers sent anonymous derogatory correspondence about the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) to regulatory agencies, airlines, and cargo partners with the intent to interfere with airport operations.

These actions caused RIAC reputational harm and triggered Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) involvement which required RIAC to activate its federally regulated continuity of operations plan, DeSisto wrote.

DeSisto demanded workers not to remove paper records unless necessary to preserve them. His letter notes that electronic correspondence such as emails, voicemail, WhatsApp messages, and even floppy disks should also be retained.

Recipients were both current and former employees as well as union members and nonunion members, according to a statement issued by RIAC Thursday.

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In early October, RIAC announced it had retained DeSistos firm after learning airlines received anonymous letters claiming the airport had a toxic work environment  including one sent to airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration claiming the airport would be closed Aug. 13 due to an employee walkout. No walkout ever happened.

The anonymous letters threatening the walkout came as airport and union leadership negotiated a new three-year contract contract after the most recent one expired in June. A tentative agreement reached between airport executives and union leaders in September was rejected by rank-and-file members. Management and union negotiators are scheduled to meet sometime next week, RIAC spokesperson Bill Fischer said Friday.

RIAC Chief of Staff Brittany Morgan previously told Rhode Island Current that the threat of a walkout cost the airport hundreds of thousands of dollars to comply with federal mandates to line up outside contractors to cover union positions if necessary.

It is unfortunate that it has come to this, but this investigation is required to ensure that individuals  regardless of their motivations  will not impact our ability to fulfill our mission, provide Rhode Islanders with an abundance of direct routes, fulfill obligations to our airline partners and serve as a true economic engine for the State of Rhode Island, Morgan said in a statement issued Thursday.

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The investigation by RIAC into the letters is one of many bumps added to the turbulent relationship between employees and management.

Airport officials on Oct. 29 fired Steven Parent, a lieutenant in T.F. Greens fire department since 2013. Parent in 2019 became president of Local 2873 of RI Council 94 for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)  which represents roughly 120 employees.

RIAC claimed he knowingly and willfully engaged in efforts to sabotage airport operations by discouraging people from applying for jobs at the airport and taking in overtime pay covering for the vacant positions  allegations that were also highlighted in DeSistos letter.

Jim Cenerini, legislative affairs/political action coordinator at Rhode Island Council 94 AFSCME said the union is pursuing all contractual and legal avenues to defend its members in response to the notices sent by DeSisto.

The union will not be coerced, intimidated, or bullied by dictatorial tactics, Cenerini said in an emailed statement Friday.

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Nov. 15The Ripley County Community Foundation recently celebrated a successful 10th Annual Day of Giving. The event raised more than $405,000, which will support the future of Ripley County and transform local communities. The board of directors matched donations placed into endowment funds, further amplifying the impact of community giving.

"Our Day of Giving highlights the power of collective giving," RCCF Executive Director Amy Streator said. "These gifts will support causes and charitable organizations working to make Ripley County a vibrant and thriving place to live."

This year's Day of Giving wasn't just about fundraising. The Ripley County Community Foundation hosted a hygiene closet supply drive to benefit local high schools. Each community member that donated an item to the hygiene closets was entered into a drawing for a $500 grant. Shirley Bocock was the lucky winner and selected the Imagination Library to receive the funds.

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The RCCF showed its appreciation for local nonprofit organizations by awarding $50,000 in grants to 13 local nonprofits. Large grant recipients' projects align with one or more of the community foundation's service areas: Arts & Culture, Education & Workforce Development, Environment & Natural Resources, and Health & Well-Being.

Grant Recipients and Projects

Batesville Police Department  Funding will purchase a speed display radar sign, enhancing road safety and encouraging responsible driving.

Main Street Versailles  This grant will support an ice sculpting demonstration for the Home for the Holidays event, providing a unique art form for the community to enjoy.

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New Horizons Rehabilitation, Inc  Adaptable furniture will be added to recreational areas, enhancing the day programs for participants.

People Assisting Animals in Need  Funding will cover spay/neuter procedures for animals, helping control the overpopulation of stray animals.

So Loved Kids Clothing Closet  Funds will restock gloves, hats, and scarves in the Mobile Coat Closet, keeping families warm this winter.

Town of Versailles  Funding will support a trail from Versailles to Osgood through Versailles State Park, featuring a floating dock bridge.

Batesville Park Board  Funds will create an outdoor fitness area with accessible workout equipment.

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Hoosier Trails Council, BSA  Funding will support a Cub Scout Shoot-O-Ree that will engage K-5 students with exciting outdoor activities.

People Helping People  Support will go toward the community's annual canned food drive, providing essential food supplies to those in need.

Oldenburg Academy  Funding will enhance media within the school by purchasing TVs and upgrading networks.

Phi Beta Psi Sorority XI Chapter  Grant funds will support a website expansion and a marketing campaign to increase awareness, engagement, and support for the chapter's fundraising and community initiatives.

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Southeastern Indiana YMCA  Funding will support the NinjaZone, which combines physical activity with character development.

TCC Gives Inc. More than a Phone  This initiative provides a Safe Passage survivor with a smartphone, offering critical support as they rebuild their lives.

The Ripley County Community Foundation is located at 13 E. George Street, Suite B, Batesville.

To learn how you can invest in the future of Ripley County, or to leave your legacy, call (812) 933-1098 or visit www.rccfonline.org.

Information provided  Information provided
Nov. 15A man was seriously injured during a four-vehicle pileup on Interstate 865 Thursday afternoon at Zionsville.

Police are investigating the crash as a possible result of road rage, Boone County Sheriff's Detective Morganne Carpenter said Friday.

A witness reportedly told police they saw a car come to a dead stop, causing two other vehicles to slow. And then a truck and trailer slammed into them.

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Police closed westbound exit to Interstate 65 for about four hours while the Boone County Fatal Alcohol Crash Team, FACT, collected evidence. They intermittently opened one lane to alleviate the traffic backup.

Some delayed motorists became impatient, according to reports. One nearly hit an Indiana State Police officer, and another drove around a bridge, just to land in a creek.

Driver David Johnson of Indianapolis was the most seriously injured in the crash and was admitted to St. Vincent Hospital, Carpenter said.

The other involved drivers refused medical attention, Carpenter said.

They are Arnold Bien of Indianapolis, Alejandro Gutierrez-Velazquez of Lafayette and Ryan Wenk of Deltona, Fla.

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Blood was drawn from each driver for laboratory analysis, as is standard in serious crashes.

The case is being investigated as a criminal case, although no arrests had been made as of Friday, Carpenter said.

It is unknown if a car did stop before the pileup, although the investigation will determine if that occured and why.

Intentionally stopping on an interstate is considered dangerous driving. And about a third of all Indiana traffic fatalities are caused by aggressive and dangerous driving or speeding, according to the Indiana Driver's manual.
Robby Starbuck has a keen sense of timing.

During the past five months, the conservative activist has pressured several large companies to ditch anti-racism training, Pride Month festivities and other programs meant to promote diversity, equity and inclusion. This campaign - part of his quest to restore sanity to corporate America - comes as DEI policies across the business world, federal government and higher education have endured intensifying legal scrutiny.

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Last week, as Starbuck watched the votes trickle in for Donald Trump between filming hits for Fox News and the Daily Wire, he sensed that business leaders would find his arguments more persuasive going forward. The election was a referendum on wokeness, he said, one that will force companies to take a hard look at how their DEI programs will fare under a president who has vowed to fight anti-White feeling.

I think theres a lot of executives who woke up after that election going, We have got some policies to get rid of, Starbuck told The Washington Post. We become an easy excuse for them to do it.

Starbuck has emerged as a forceful voice in the anti-DEI movement that solidified after the Supreme Court barred race-conscious college admissions in June 2023. While some conservative activists leveraged the legal system to alter or end DEI in the public and private sectors, and others throw their weight behind dozens of anti-DEI bills advancing through state legislatures, Starbucks campaigns serve as more of a litmus test of a companys willingness to defend such policies - which many claim to prioritize - in the court of public opinion.

So far, the answer has been a resounding no - much to the frustration of DEI advocates and experts, who are broadly in agreement that with Trump returning to the White House, momentum has swung to Starbucks side.

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We havent exposed or made a company a target of our reporting and not had them change their policies yet, Starbuck said.

A former music video director turned conservative commentator, Starbuck breaks down corporate DEI initiatives in videos posted to X, drawing on information from whistleblowers who contact him about their employers practices, as well as companies marketing material and public statements. Some of his campaigns, which are routinely amplified on YouTube and TikTok, have translated to limited consumer boycotts. Tractor Supply, for example, saw its share price fall more than 5 percent after a weeks-long campaign before it dropped DEI outright.

We have heard from customers that we have disappointed them, the company said in June. We have taken this feedback to heart.

Starbuck trumpets his victories to his 693,000 followers on X (Elon Musk and JD Vance among them), frequently sharing a meme that depicts him as the Grim Reaper knocking on the doors of Fortune 500 companies - a portent of doom for their DEI efforts. Hes building a trophy wall in his Tennessee home with framed statements from companies that altered policies after he targeted them, including Boeing, Caterpillar, Toyota, Brown-Forman, Molson Coors, Deere & Co., Stanley Black & Decker, Ford and Tractor Supply.

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Starbuck, who considers DEI a Trojan horse for left-wing policy, said he began his activism by focusing on such brands as Tractor Supply, John Deere and Harley-Davidson because their consumers are generally conservative and do not agree with this stuff. His early success moved him to seek out targets he views as 50/50 jump balls such as Toyota as well as more left-leaning companies until the norm is looking a lot more like not having these programs.

Companies have to face the reality that DEI is dividing their customers, Starbuck said. If youre going to push it, theyre going to punish you, because weve awakened enough of the base of these people to the power they have in their wallet.

DEI encompasses a wide range of practices designed to diversify companies, schools and organizations and improve access to opportunity for people who have been historically marginalized. It includes recruiting and mentorship programs, as well as anti-bias training and employee resource groups. But critics contend such policies disadvantage nonminorities and that the real goal should be race-neutrality.

Starbuck is presenting companies with a public off-ramp from DEI efforts at a critical moment. Corporate support for DEI reached new heights after the 2020 murder of George Floyd sparked a national reckoning, with major brands pledging billions of dollars to the fight for racial justice. But four years later, the landscape has drastically shifted after a succession of lawsuits has persuaded the courts that some DEI policies violate the Constitutions guarantee of equal protection.

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Thats forced many companies to play defense, with some recasting or discarding race- and ethnicity-based initiatives. Others have rebranded their programs, overhauled internal DEI teams, or moved away from using racial and gender considerations in hiring and promotion.

The Post contacted to 10 companies targeted by Starbuck; none was willing to make executives available to discuss their responses to his campaigns.

Jennifer Martinez, an employment lawyer at Hanson Bridgett in California, said the rollback of DEI is not a neutral position. These programs exist to level the playing field for groups that have been historically marginalized at work, she said, and abandoning them can open companies to greater legal risk than the claims of reverse discrimination levied by conservative activists.

But in this environment, companies that want to preserve DEI get the impression theyre out on an island, Martinez said.

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Despite the pushback, most Americans approve of corporate DEI, according to a poll this spring from The Post and Ipsos: Roughly 6 in 10 believe diversity, equity and inclusion programs are a good thing. Support was even higher for specific programs such as internships for underrepresented groups and anti-bias training.

I wish that companies understood that a little bit more, that in fact these agitators are a tiny minority, Martinez said.

Though most companies have downplayed any changes made after a Starbuck campaign, their actions can weigh on workers. At Toyota, employees didnt learn about them until after Starbuck posted a video claiming victory and the story was picked up by the media, according to one worker, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to candidly address the companys policies.

In internal communications, the automaker said it remained committed to DEI but provided little rationale for its decision to stop sponsoring Pride events and end corporate culture surveys beyond a need to narrow [its] community activities to align with STEM education and workforce readiness. The changes announced in early October left many workers confused, sad and frustrated, said the employee, who identifies as LGBTQ+ and is a person of color.

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The move also left the worker questioning whether I can trust Toyota to stand up for me.

Starbuck said corporate unease over the growing legal risks of such policies has been easy to leverage. In June, after Tractor Supply moved to ax DEI, he noticed several employees from Lowes DEI department looking him up on LinkedIn. At the time, Starbuck hadnt been planning to target the retailer, he told The Post. Afterward, he made it a priority.

The Supreme Court changed the calculus last year when it struck down affirmative action in college admissions, creating a culture of fear around diversity initiatives, according to Jarvis Sam, the former head of DEI at Nike and founder of the Rainbow Disruption, a DEI consultancy. Starbuck is capitalizing on this dynamic by giving executives a level of plausible deniability to back away. But, he added, the ease by which some have dispensed with their programs suggests that they were never that invested to begin with.

These organizations built their DEI programs and strategies on incredibly shaky foundations, Sam said. It was never rooted in authenticity and actual commitment.

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Starbuck agrees executives havent put up much of defense. In calls and meetings, many reacted with genuine astonishment about whats going on in their companies, Starbuck said, while others thanked him for his work, having privately harbored frustrations about DEI. On a call with one company executive, Starbuck recalled, the first words out of his mouth were, I love you. Some have approached him directly, asking him to investigate their firms.

DEI puts companies in a weird position of constantly having to police employee resource groups, what they donate to and the political ramifications of their policies, Starbuck said. This makes it a lot easier.

Although Starbuck claims to be undefeated, only Tractor Supply - his first campaign - fully retreated, saying in June that it would eliminate its DEI team and retire our current DEI goals while still ensuring a respectful environment.

Other firms targeted by Starbuck opted to modify their policies. Common changes included ending identity-based employee resource groups and stopping sponsorships for causes not directly related to the companys core business, such as Pride events and voting rights. Most firms targeted by Starbuck have agreed to stop submitting data to the Human Rights Campaigns Corporate Equality Index, a benchmark for corporate efforts to treat LGBTQ+ employees, investors and consumers fairly.

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These moves are low-hanging fruit, since many companies were already revisiting their DEI policies, said Rosalind Chow, associate professor of organizational behavior and theory at Carnegie Mellon University.

Nothing hes asking these companies to do actually costs them anything, Chow said, unless they were trying to court a more left-leaning consumer base. And for companies, its always easier to keep the consumers you already have than to get new ones.

This probably explains why no company has been willing to stand up to Starbuck completely, Chow said. And his apparent success makes it likely that other people will also then start trying to do this with other companies.

Starbuck said Trumps return to the White House bolsters his message. Well have tons of allies, he notes, including vocal DEI opponents Vance and Musk. You may actually see incentive for the companies to break away from these policies, totally separate from what Im doing.

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And now that the election is over, he said, Were going to ramp up.

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The execution of Robert Roberson -- whose "shaken baby syndrome" murder conviction in the death of his 2-year-old daughter has come under scrutiny -- can resume, according to a Texas Supreme Court decision Friday.

Roberson was set to become the first person in the U.S. executed for a shaken baby syndrome diagnosis murder conviction on Oct. 17 before the court intervened and a state House committee issued a subpoena for Roberson to testify, halting the execution amid legal battles over his fate.

Roberson's execution warrant was only valid through Oct. 17.

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Roberson was found guilty of the 2002 murder of his 2-year-old daughter, Nikki, in part based on the testimony of a pediatrician who described swelling and hemorrhages in her brain to support a shaken baby syndrome diagnosis.

However, Roberson's legal team argued that newer evidence found that Nikki had pneumonia and had been prescribed respiratory-suppressing drugs by doctors in the days leading up to her death, leading to a case of severe viral and bacterial pneumonia that progressed to sepsis and then septic shock.

Roberson has long proclaimed his innocence. His fight for clemency has been backed by several state lawmakers, medical and scientific experts, and criminal justice advocates who have questioned the legitimacy of the use of the shaken baby syndrome diagnosis in his case, based on newer scientific evidence.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and other state officials have argued that "Roberson was lawfully sentenced to death" and that he has "exhausted every legally available appellate avenue."

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Paxton also argued that the jury did not convict Roberson solely based on shaken baby syndrome, though Roberson's attorneys said that "shaken baby" was referred to by prosecutors and witnesses throughout the jury trial.

Robert Roberson's execution can resume, Texas Supreme Court declares originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Nov. 14Looking to secure funds to help support community college students learning trade skills?

Enter Sandman.

The Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) is the first institution in the Granite State to receive grant funding for the Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) through All Within My Hands (AWMH), a nonprofit, philanthropic organization created by members and management of the rock band Metallica.

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CCSNH has been awarded $75,000 to support students developing trade skills at the state's seven community colleges. The 2024 grants represent the sixth year that MSI has provided this funding nationally.

Sad but true, the United States is facing a shortage of skilled workers in the trades due to a number of factors, including an aging workforce, an emphasis on other careers in colleges, and fewer high school students interested in these jobs.

Launched in 2019 by All Within My Hands in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), MSI began with 10 colleges and primarily manufacturing programs.

The initiative now offers workforce opportunities for students interested in gaining skills and training necessary to find careers in fields like construction, health care, and engineering.

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When it comes to helping connect students with a future in the trades, nothing else matters for James Hetfield, Metallica's lead vocalist and guitarist.

"When we launched the Metallica Scholars Initiative, it really spoke to me. A collective goal of breaking the stigma of trade skills," Hetfield said in a statement. "Trade skills are vital to society, and what's even more important is to support the many folks who are trying to create a career by learning and using these skills. I am so proud  we all are  to see how this program is changing lives by providing much-needed resources to empower students, and it's great that we're able to make our biggest grant yet to support these students and the future workforce."

In New Hampshire, The Foundation for New Hampshire Community Colleges administered the grant and awarded 224 students with $50,575 of financial assistance to date to offset the cost of specialized equipment, materials, protective gear, or other degree-specific equipment.

Students receiving assistance ranged in majors from health sciences and services to hospitality and culinary, industry and transportation and STEM/advanced manufacturing.

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"We are grateful to be receiving this funding to assist students with financial barriers and we hope to encourage more students to enter these fields, as well as highlight the major role and impact they have within all our communities and our nation," Shannon Reid, executive director of government affairs and communications for CCSNH said in a statement.

Reid said that the grant will help students pay for specialized equipment or materials in programs such as automotive technology, fire science, HVAC, nursing, and welding.

pfeely@unionleader.com
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO)  The Winnebago County States Attorney announced Thursday that Richard Wooten, 58, was sentenced for a brutal rape that occurred in 2022.

According to prosecutors, Rockford Police officers found the victim unconscious and badly beaten, lying on a mattress in an alley in the 1100 block of 3rd Avenue on June 22, 2022.

The woman was taken to the hospital for multiple facial and head injuries, including a brain bleed. Surgeons removed part of her skull to relieve swelling, authorities said. She was placed in a medically induced coma for several weeks while she recovered.

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A sexual assault kit revealed she had been raped.

Wooten was developed as a suspect in the case and had blood on his clothing during an interview with officers, police said.

His DNA also matched that found on the victim.

Wooten has been sentenced to 50 years in prison. If he is released, he will be on mandatory supervised release for the rest of his life.

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  The co-owners of Rocky Hill Pharmacy are set to face trial in January after they pleaded not guilty in a case regarding a health care fraud conspiracy.

The two defendants, Tiffany Haney and Anne Warren were indicted on multiple charges earlier this month amid accusations they were part of a health care fraud conspiracy that involved altering and forging prescriptions to get money from drug plan and pharmacy benefit managers.

They pleaded not guilty, according to new court documents from the arraignment, which were filed this week. A jury trial has been set for Jan. 21, 2025 at 9 a.m. at the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee in Knoxville.

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Haney and Warren, both licensed pharmacists, are accused of conspiring to commit health care fraud, making false statements relating to health care matters and aggravated identity theft, according to federal indictment documents.

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Romans are furious about an insulting deal to allow tourists to dress up as gladiators and stage mock fights in the Colosseum.

Critics say the deal between Airbnb and the Colosseum will trivialise the arena, transforming it into a theme park and offending the dignity of the most important monument of ancient Rome.

The announcement coincides with the Gladiator II film, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Denzel Washington and Paul Mescal.

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Under the deal, Airbnb has agreed to donate $1.5 million to the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum to upgrade a permanent exhibition inside the amphitheatre. In return, 16 Airbnb customers will be able to don swords, sandals and helmets and take part in faux gladiator fights in the ancient arena.

The guests will emerge into the middle of the Colosseum via tunnels that were used by gladiators 2,000 years ago, a scene that was memorably portrayed in the first Gladiator film, starring Russell Crowe.

Guests will be given swords and shields for their faux fights - CHRISTOPHER ANDERSON

They will battle at sunset after the Colosseum has closed to the general public.

The public can apply to participate in the experience between Nov 27 and Dec 10 and will be chosen by lottery. The fights are set to take place in May.

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The plan has been heavily criticised by Rome city council and its residents.

Enzo Foschi, a city councillor from the centre-Left Democratic Party, said: Having taken possession of the historic centre of Rome, making it into a huge theme park, now they want to trivialise the Colosseum. Rome is not Disneyland.

Massimiliano Smeriglio, the city councillor in charge of culture, said the announcement of the deal left him perplexed to say the least.

The plan has been heavily criticised by Rome city council and its residents - CHRISTOPHER ANDERSON

We cannot transform one of the most important monuments in the world into a theme park he wrote on social media. The Airbnb promotion goes in the opposite direction to the one we are pursuing... that of a heritage that is usable and accessible to everyone, tourists and Romans.

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He said Airbnb should cancel the tourist-gladiator show while still donating the $1.5 million. That would demonstrate that the company was a friend of Rome, protecting its unique artistic heritage without transforming it into a theme park.

Viviana Piccirilli Di Capua of the residents association of Romes historic centre, said: This initiative is an insult to the citys World Heritage status.

But some welcomed the deal with Airbnb. Federico Mollicone, the head of a parliamentary culture commission and a member of Giorgia Melonis Brothers of Italy party, said: We are absolutely in favour of the agreement between public and private in culture, through partnerships or sponsorships, provided that they support initiatives that are of scientific and cultural value approved by the ministry of culture.

Airbnb have been called on to cancel the tourist-gladiator show - CHRISTOPHER ANDERSON

Amid the growing row over the deal, the Colosseum put out a statement in which it said the objective of the accord is to promote immersive activities in full respect of the monument, based on rigorous historical research.

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The gladiator experience would bring an increasingly wider audience closer to the cultural richness of the amphitheatre. The gladiatorial sparring would have no impact on access to the site because it will take place outside opening hours.

The Gruppo Storico Romano, an association that re-enacts gladiatorial fights, said the Airbnb event would be based on solid historical and scientific foundations, the result of rigorous research on how gladiators trained, fought and were equipped.

Critics accuse short-term let platforms like Airbnb of damaging the social fabric of cities like Rome, Florence, Venice and Bologna by fuelling overtourism and promoting a short-term let market which drives up rents and makes housing unaffordable for locals.

The mock battles will take place outside of tourist opening hours - CHRISTOPHER ANDERSON

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A group of residents associations said that short-term lets for tourists were causing the abandonment of entire quarters of the city, devoured by hyper tourism and a drastic reduction of properties available for locals.

In Florence, campaigners embarked on a guerilla blitz in which they stuck red tape in the shape of a cross over the key boxes, which have become a much resented symbol of the burgeoning short-term rental market.

The tape bears the words Salviamo Firenze per viverci or Lets save Florence so we can live here.

Federico Maria Sardelli, a resident and orchestra director, said: The city is being emptied of inhabitants because of this tourism model.

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DENVER (KDVR)  Roofers in Fort Collins were working in the right place at the right time to help firefighters rescue two dogs from a 2-alarm fire.

Poudre Fire Authority said the fire occurred at a home in the 1500 block of Windcreek Court on Thursday morning. No people were home at the time of the fire, but two dogs were inside.

Two roofers were down the street when they saw smoke and called 911. PFA said the roofers knocked on the doors of the house, trying to alert anyone who might be inside.

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One of the callers said he could hear dogs barking.

He thought they would be okay but as the smoke began to accumulate, he felt he had to do something, PFA said in a thread post on X.

He got into the house through an unlocked door. He found one dog and tried to coax it outside, but he inhaled smoke and evacuated.

Two dogs were rescued from a 2-alarm fire that occurred at a home in the 1500 block of Windcreek Court in Fort Collins on Thursday morning. (Photo courtesy: Poudre Fire Authority) Two dogs were rescued from a 2-alarm fire that occurred at a home in the 1500 block of Windcreek Court in Fort Collins on Thursday morning. (Photo courtesy: Poudre Fire Authority) A 2-alarm fire occurred at a home in the 1500 block of Windcreek Court on Thursday morning. Two dogs were rescued and no humans were injured. (Photo courtesy: Poudre Fire Authority) A 2-alarm fire occurred at a home in the 1500 block of Windcreek Court on Thursday morning. Two dogs were rescued and no humans were injured. (Photo courtesy: Poudre Fire Authority) A 2-alarm fire occurred at a home in the 1500 block of Windcreek Court on Thursday morning. Two dogs were rescued and no humans were injured. (Photo courtesy: Poudre Fire Authority) A 2-alarm fire occurred at a home in the 1500 block of Windcreek Court on Thursday morning. Two dogs were rescued and no humans were injured. (Photo courtesy: Poudre Fire Authority) A 2-alarm fire occurred at a home in the 1500 block of Windcreek Court on Thursday morning. Two dogs were rescued and no humans were injured. (Photo courtesy: Poudre Fire Authority) A 2-alarm fire occurred at a home in the 1500 block of Windcreek Court on Thursday morning. Two dogs were rescued and no humans were injured. (Photo courtesy: Poudre Fire Authority)

He was able to provide helpful information to Dispatch and a firefighter rescued both dogs, carrying them out individually from the second floor, PFA said.

Both dogs received medical attention. The fire was extinguished and there were no other injuries reported.

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Sen. Jacky Rosen. (U.S. Senate stream screengrab)

A critical shortage of primary care doctors is impacting the quality of healthcare and extending wait times for patients across Nevada as the states population continues to grow.

Nevada Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen is now urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help tackle the states doctor shortage by awarding the state more federally funded medical residency slots.

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Those slots would be funded through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which Congress passed to create 1,000 additional Medicare-funded full-time equivalent medical resident slots for eligible hospitals over five years. Another 200 medical residency slots were also created by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023.

Nevada ranks 45th in the U.S. for active physicians per 100,000 people, according to the American Medical Association. With 7,388 licensed physicians in Nevada, the state would need an additional 1,500 primary care doctors to reach the national average.

The outlook for Nevadas physician shortage is made dimmer by the states aging population of patients, as well as doctors. About a third of Nevada physicians are 60 years of age or older, according to state data.

As Nevadas population continues to grow, the gap between Nevadans medical needs and their ability to access care has only worsened over time, said Rosen in a statement. Today our state is facing a dire shortage of doctors, making it challenging for many Nevadans to access the quality, affordable health care that they need.

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In a letter sent to Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra Wednesday, Rosen said 600 of the new medical resident slots funded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act have yet to be awarded. Additionally, only a few of the awarded slots have been given to Nevada despite a chronic shortage of active physicians in the growing state.

I urge you to award our state a greater proportion of residency slots so we can better meet Nevadans critical medical needs, Rosen wrote to Becerra.

In the letter, Rosen asked Becerra for guidance on steps the state can take to improve the likelihood of Nevada hospitals receiving more slots in the upcoming distribution rounds.

While Nevada ranks 24th in the nation in the proportion of undergraduate medical students, the state ranks 41st in the number of residency and medical fellowship slots.

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The more doctors who train in our state, the more who will stay to practice medicine and take care of patients, Rosen continued.

Critics of Nevadas medical licensure process have also argued that the chronic shortage of medical providers in the state has been compounded by overzealous regulation, strict licensure requirements, and inefficient disciplinary action.

However, Nevada has made some progress attracting new providers, thanks in part to Nevadas participation, along with 37 other states, in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC), an expedited path for physicians who want to work in more than one state.
Heres an informed prediction about the news business: Its going to get pretty dark for a while in the aftermath of the 2024 election.

After Trumps election victory last week, cancellations have shaken U.S. newsrooms and viewers have turned away from traditional TV news. CNN and MSNBC posted their worst ratings in the 25-54 year-old demographic in more than 20 years on Tuesday. And large newspapers have seen subscriber account terminations stack up.

404 Media, an independent news site, boldly said out loud last week what other, bigger publications were also experiencing. In the days following Donald Trumps presidential victory, the websites founders wrote, we have seen a larger-than-normal number of people canceling their subscriptions.

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Rather than the Trump bump that news experienced in the 2016 election aftermath, the business is enduring a Trump dump following 2024. Exhausted audiences are opting out of the Trump news cycle after his decisive election win left little room for poking at the results. And those publications that marketed themselves as institutions fending off a second Trump term are struggling to explain why the plan didnt work.

The Trump bump in 2016 was a one time thing. Back then, Trump was highly unpredictable, and the uncertainty drove audiences toward coverage of his campaign and administration. Trump won an extremely close election, and journalists followed his campaigns connections to Russia  and the Kremlins manipulation of social media platforms  wondering if they influenced the outcome. Audiences flocked to those stories, and newsrooms went deeper. But after Trumps decisive victory in 2024, and four years of experience during his first term, the same large, passionate audiences arent coming back.

Trump being in his second term also hits the news business. Publications that marketed themselves as resistance-style bulwarks against Trumps excesses didnt stop him from getting reelected in 2024. And given that he cant stand for election again, the stakes of this next term are somewhat lower (if he peacefully steps down at the end). Paying to fund political journalism is a tougher sell when its a single-term presidency vs. when a reelection is at stake.

In the news business right now, theres feeling that audiences spent money on journalism as a way to check Trump, but are now questioning the efficacy of that approach. Many people have explained that they are canceling not because they do not like our articles, as 404 Media put it, but because they feel a general sense of depression, that nothing matters, or that they can no longer bear reading the news.

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Looking back, when newspapers marketed themselves with campaigns like Washington Posts Democracy Dies in Darkness or The New York Times The truth is more important now than ever they won enthusiastic audiences paying for something beyond the daily stories. The positioning, however, would only hold up as long as those audiences still believed in the mission. And as the Washington Post found out after shelving its endorsement of Kamala Harris, the blowback can be intense. Some 250,000 Washington Post subscribers canceled after that move, and more left after Bezos congratulated Trump on his victory on Twitter.

Meanwhile, there are winners. Pro-Trump Fox News has seen a 21% ratings jump since the election. Twitter-alternative Bluesky hit no. 1 on the App Store. And Metas Threads added 15 million new users this month along. But the traditional, anti-Trump marketing playbook hasnt resonated. The Guardian and Don Lemons passionate departures from Twitter, for instance, have fallen a bit flat.

We primarily cover tech here, and Im not writing this story to take sides, but the Trump dump is an important development as the media seems to reorient itself. Following an election that saw podcasts dominate, Twitter effectively turned into an endorsement machine, and traditional media lose some relevancy, the news business is reshuffling. There will be opportunities in the chaos, and probably some pain.

This article is from Big Technology, a newsletter by Alex Kantrowitz.

The post Rough Times Ahead for News Business as Trump Bump Gives Way to Trump Dump | Commentary appeared first on TheWrap.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  A man has died after police said he crashed his motorcycle into a car in Rochester Thursday evening. The victim has only been identified as a 35-year-old man from Greece.

According to police, an officer watched as the motorcyclist sped past cars using the bike lane before entering the intersection of Lyell Avenue and Glide Street where he crashed into a car trying to make a turn. This happened just before 5 p.m.

Police said the officer quickly blocked traffic to aid the victim, who was then taken to the hospital to be treated for what were described as serious injuries.

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18-year-old motorcyclist dead after collision on Rt. 104 in Webster

As the investigation continues, police said no charges have been filed. The area is expected to reopen shortly.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Rochester police are searching for two suspects connected to a stolen car and a chase involving gunfire.

According to RPD, two officers stopped a suspicious vehicle. Two males got out of the car and ran from the area  one running northbound and the other heading towards Gorsline Street.

The suspect heading towards Gorsline St. had a gun in his hand and then fired a round from it. Its not known what the suspect was shooting at, but there were no injuries. An officer moved to a safe position and more gunshots were fired.

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Both suspects were unable to be found. It was eventually discovered that the vehicle, a Hyundai, was stolen out of the city on Tuesday. The area was shut down for an investigation but has since re-opened.

Officers are asking anyone with information on this incident to call 911.

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Ruby Bridges, a fixture of the American civil rights movement, visited Topeka on Nov. 14, 2024, to commemorate Kansas' second annual Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day. (Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  Ruby Bridges, a civil rights icon known for walking among the first group of students to desegregate New Orleans public schools in 1960, on Thursday told an auditorium full of Kansas students, You cannot believe that you can only trust people who look like you.

Bridges addressed more than one thousand people at Washburn Universitys White Concert Hall in Topeka to celebrate Nov. 14 as Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day after a group of students invited her in a video to visit.

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She was accompanied on stage by three Black legislators  Rep. Valdenia Winn, Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau and Rep. Barbara Ballard  along with Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, newly elected Kansas State Board of Education member Beryl New and Brown v. Board National Park superintendent Jim Williams. Kelly honored Bridges with a proclamation, declaring Nov. 14 Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day for the second consecutive year.

Bridges told the story of her 6-year-old self, when she was the first Black student to walk into the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, escorted by federal marshals sent by then-President John F. Kennedy.

What really protected me was the innocence of a child, she said.

She told Kansas students that on her second day of school, she was met with an empty classroom. She thought her mother took her to school too early.

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Indeed, we were too early, she said. Years too early.

Bridges was born just three months after the Brown v. Board decision, which celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2024. In a landmark decision, the U.S. Supreme Court found racial segregation of public schools to be unconstitutional.

Rep. Barbara Ballard, a Lawrence Democrat, and Rep. Mari-Lynn Poskin, a Leawood Democrat, ahead of an event in Topeka commemorating Kansas second annual Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day on Nov. 14, 2024. (Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)

Ballard, a Lawrence Democrat, told Kansas Reflector that being among students Thursday reminded her of the mandate embedded within the Kansas Constitution for adequate and equitable education. Republican lawmakers have a long history of threatening funding for Kansas public schools, even though courts routinely uphold the constitutional mandate.

Anytime youre taking money from education to give to vouchers or to give to this or to give to that, theres only one pot of money, Ballard said.

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Its up to legislators, she said, to honor the mandate within the Constitution to ensure K-12 education is funded and money is not taken for other purposes.

Winn, a Kansas City Democrat, expressed on stage her distaste for the select actions of her fellow lawmakers, listing off such events as Rep. Kristey Williams, an Augusta Republican, claiming in 2021 that critical race theory shames white girls. Critical race theory, which Williams often misconstrued, examines the way racial bias is part of social, legal and economic systems on the basis that those systems were initially created by and for white people.

Now 70 years old, Bridges said she spends time telling her story, and she is involved at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. Bridges is also the author of several autobiographical books and advocates against book banning. All of her own books have been banned at one time or another, she said.

As a child, she looked to history books for answers but couldnt find them.

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It was like I dreamed it, she said. And it haunted me for a very long time.

Bridges emphasized the importance of true records of history, rather than accounts that ignore entire events and perspectives.

Racism, Bridges said, is a tool used to divide people.

Racism makes you think that you can only trust people that look like you, Bridges said. Thats the trick. The truth of the matter is, not one person in this room  in this country  can think that you can only trust your own kind.
The class of 2025 will be the first group of Oklahoma high school students required by state law to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before they graduate.

FAFSA is a form that lets students apply for federal grants, work-study funding and student loans. Many higher education institutions also require a FAFSA to determine a student's eligibility for their own grants, scholarships and loans.

The law applies to anyone graduating from a public high school accredited by the Oklahoma State Department of Education, but there are some exceptions.

How graduates can skip the FAFSA

The law, which was adopted in 2023, includes several ways for seniors to graduate without submitting a FAFSA form:

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The student's parent or legal guardian can sign a form to opt-out participation in the requirement.

An 18-year-old student can sign the opt-out form themselves.

A school counselor can authorize a student's graduation without submitting a FAFSA.

The opt-out form can be found on the state Education Department's website, sde.ok.gov.

How to apply for free student aid

The 2025-26 FAFSA form will be available by Dec. 1. Anyone who's required to provide information on the form, whether it's the student, their parent or spouse, will need to create a StudentAid.gov account. The form requires Social Security numbers, tax returns, records of child support, current balances of cash, savings and checking accounts, and the net worth of investments, businesses and farms.

More: Should my college student have a credit card? Tips for starting financial health habits

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While filling out a FAFSA application opens doors for a student to receive federally backed loans and other aid, there is no requirement to apply for those loans.

Details about FAFSA can be found at StudentAid.gov. Students who need to fill out FAFSA forms before they graduate must do so before finishing their final semester of high school.

The state Education Department recommends students learn about FAFSA during their financial literacy instruction, which requires knowledge of FAFSA and other financial savings programs that are designed to provide students with the basic skills and knowledge needed to effectively manage their personal finances.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: New rule requires Oklahoma students to fill out FAFSA to graduate
JAL, N.M. (KRQE)  A case involving the discovery of pieces of human skulls in a small New Mexico city has made national headlines, but now those in charge of the investigation are saying some of the initial claims that were made by the local sheriffs office may not have been entirely accurate.

Is it legal to buy human bones online?

The Lea County Sheriffs Office announced on Tuesday that it found evidence of 10 to 20 human skulls at a property in Jal, which shares a border with Texas. The sheriffs office initially said the case is being closely tied to the disappearance of a woman in 2019 whose last known residence was near the property where the human remains were found.

Evidence photo of skull fragments found in Jal, New Mexico, in 2024. (Credit: Lea County Sheriffs Office)

KRQE Investigative Reporter Ann Pierret spoke with the sheriffs office on Thursday, where officials clarified that there is not a serial killer in town and that they no longer believe the bones found are connected to the missing womans case. The sheriffs office said the remains were likely purchased legally online.

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We dont feel that theres any type of serial killer. We dont feel that theres any wrongdoing at this point, said Lea County Undersheriff Michael Walker.

So how did investigators come to discover the remains and tie them to the possible disappearance of McManes? It started on Nov. 5, when deputies received a report from a resident who had an unsettling encounter with a man who he was giving a ride. According to investigators, the resident said the man, identified as Cecil Villanueva, allegedly made alarming statements and disposed of what appeared to be human bones out of the vehicle.

According to documents obtained by KRQE, the person who gave Villanueva a ride told a friend about the encounter. That friend then called the sheriffs office because his mom went missing from the area in 2019.

You know, its just very ironic and most likely just coincidental that she lived across the street from this home that had burned. Um, and the fact that, you know, this, this friend who picked this man up knew of the son and knew of the disappearance, said Walker.

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Officials learned that Villanueva was reportedly squatting at a home on South 4th Street in Jal and obtained a search warrant for the property. At the property, investigators found pieces of bone in a home that was previously involved in a fire.

KRQE News 13 asked the undersheriff why they sent out a news release with information that said the skulls may be linked to the womans disappearance. Walker responded, Well, its better to give out the information that we know rather than to conceal something that may be in existence.

Inside of a home in Jal where pieces of human skulls were found. (Credit: Lea County Sheriffs Office)

Privacy concerns raised on use of license plate reader technology in New Mexico

Walker said officials have since learned that the man who lived in the home before it burned collected human skulls he reportedly purchased online. KRQE News 13 obtained the search warrant for the case, dated a week earlier, that indicated an investigator discussed rumors about the homeowner being in possession of human skulls with the Jal Police chief.

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The reason why were investigating it to this level is that theres no proof to show that it came from an online distributor of these types of things. Uh, because they were also damaged in the fire, Walker explained.

The undersheriff also said the Office of the Medical Investigator in Albuquerque has the bone fragments and is working to reconstruct the skulls. Walker said he is not sure when they will know if the remains really were bought online, if they are connected to a different missing persons case, or if they are ancient remains.

As for Villanueva, who was seen carrying a bag of bones before throwing them out of the vehicle, he has not been charged with anything in relation to this investigation. Deputies took him into custody on Tuesday on an unrelated trespassing charge at the Allsups, where the bone fragments were found.

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Arthur Sammy Heckman Sr. has agreed to plead guilty to a felony charge of unlawful interference with an election after illegally canceling a local 2023 election and hiding the results of a 2022 election while serving as acting mayor of Pilot Station.

The Alaska Department of Law announced the plea deal on Thursday by email. It did not immediately answer a request for a copy of the plea deal and associated documents.

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Pilot Station is a town of about 600 people in Southwest Alaska, on the Yukon River.

Heckman and city clerk Ruthie Borromeo were indicted in July 2024 by a grand jury on eight felonies apiece for their activities in Pilot Station. Charges remain pending against Borromeo, according to online court records.

According to the Alaska Department of Laws email, Heckman took office in May 2022 after the death of Mayor Nicky Myers.

Under Pilot Stations municipal code, Heckman should have served as interim mayor only until the October 2022 municipal election, when a permanent mayor would be chosen.

According to state prosecutors, Heckman directed that ballots from the October 2022 election be kept in a locked filing cabinet and not counted.

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A year later, he directed that the October 2023 municipal election not be held.

Pilot Station residents reported Heckmans actions to the Department of Law, whose Office of Special Prosecutions brought charges against both Heckman and Borromeo.

It was not immediately clear why it took two years for Heckmans actions to come to light.
On November 12, USDA released its final decision on the Federal Milk Market Order (FMMO) reform process that started back in 2023. There were only minor changes between the recommended decision released on July 1, 2024, and the final decision.

Next, ballots will be mailed out to farmers who were pooled on a federal order during January 2024 to vote on the proposed changes. The ballots must be post-marked by January 15, 2025, and returned to USDA to be counted. Two-thirds of the farmers or two-thirds of the pooled milk in each order needs to vote to accept the changed FMMO language; otherwise, that specific order will be dissolved. The expectation is that all orders will vote to accept the new FMMO language, but there have been rumblings that the Upper Midwest might be a close vote. We should know the results somewhere between late January and mid-February.



USDA will also release the implementation timeline at that point. From a risk management perspective, the implementation timeline is now the biggest unknown. The changes could start as soon as March pricing, or they could possibly be delayed a few months longer. One thing we do know is that the implementation of changes to assumed component content will be delayed six months from the other changes.



Ive tried to breakdown the impact of the various changes on prices in the following tables.

Make allowances: USDA is raising the assumed cost of converting milk into bulk dairy products. That means a greater proportion of the revenue from selling bulk dairy products will stay with the processor and less of the revenue will be passed back to farmers, which lowers the price of milk across the board.

Butterfat retention: USDA is (correctly) assuming cheese plants have become more efficient over time and a larger percentage of the fat in milk is getting converted into cheese, which helps raise Class III and, consequently, the Class I price a little.



Solids: USDA is raising the assumed protein and other solids content of milk. Assumed protein content is changing from 3.1% to 3.3%, and other solids is moving from 5.9% to 6%. With higher solids in the milk, the yield of bulk commodities is higher and there is more revenue that should be passed back to the dairy farmer, raising the announced Class I, II, III, and IV milk prices. However, there is some nuance with this change. Seven out of the 11 FMMOs are multiple component orders and farmers are paid based on the actual pounds of solids that are delivered and used in Class II, III, and IV, so they do not rely on assumed component content of the milk for paying the farmers. Therefore, the change in the assumed component content wont have an impact on the actual pay prices except for Class I in those orders. (Its complicated, but Class I is calculated on the value of skim milk using assumed solids content, not on the actual amount of protein and other solids used.) This change will raise the Class II, III, and IV milk prices in the butter/skim orders (Arizona, Florida, Southeast, and Appalachian), and it does raise the announced Class III and IV milk prices that the futures settle to. In the proposed decision, USDA was initially going to delay the implementation of the change in solids content for 12 months after the other changes for risk management considerations, but in the final decision they have shortened that to a six-month delay. Because of that delay, Ive calculated both the total impact when all changes are implemented as well as all of the changes except the increase in solids content to reflect the impact that the changes will have for the first six months of implementation before the solids are adjusted.



Remove barrels: Currently, the cheese price used to calculate the value of protein and set the Class III milk price is the volume weighted average of 40-pound blocks of cheese and 500-pound barrels. Under the new calculation, the barrels will be dropped and the cheese price will just be based on block cheese. If the block-barrel spread is around 3 cents per pound (like it was 2012 to 2016), removing barrels has very little impact on anything. But barrels averaged significantly less than blocks for most of 2017 to 2023, so removing barrels during those years would have raised the price of cheese and the price of protein, which boosts the Class III and I milk prices. With barrels averaging higher than blocks this year, removing them would actually reduce the Class III price for 2024.

Class I mover: The FMMOs were designed so that the Class I milk price would normally be the highest price to encourage sellers to supply Class I (bottling) plants first before directing milk into other dairy products. From 2000 through late 2018, the pricing formulas used the higher of the Class III or Class IV skim milk price to set the base Class I price. However, that makes it difficult to hedge since you dont know whether your price will be based off of Class III or IV in the future. So, in late 2018, the calculation was changed to using the average of the Class III and IV skim milk prices. But when there is a large and sustained spread between Class III and Class IV, using the average of the two depressed the Class I price relative to using the higher of method, so the FMMOs are switching back to using the higher of for most Class I milk. However, if a plant is producing extended shelf life (ESL) milk, their pricing will be based on the average of Class III and IV with a rolling adjustment factor to make up for the difference between the average of and higher of pricing over time. This will make it easier to manage the price risk on ESL. My tables only reflect the higher of calculation.



Class I differentials: This wasnt included in any of the tables. Think of the Class I differential as local basis; it is set county by county and is being raised by 5 cents to $2.60 per hundredweight (cwt.) depending on the location. The smaller increases were generally in the Western U.S., while the Southeast and Appalachian regions are seeing the largest increases.

If the new formula had been in place over the past 12 years, it would have been roughly neutral on Class III, reducing the price by about 16 cents per cwt. on average. The new formulas would have resulted in a higher Class III milk price in 2020 and 2021 when barrel cheese was at a big discount to blocks, but if you assume a spread around 3 cents, the changes would reduce the Class III milk price slightly compared to the old formula. With the six-month delay in implementing the increase in assumed solids content, the new formula does shift Class III lower by something around 62 cents per cwt. for six months.

If the new formulas had been in place for the past 12 years, they would have lowered the Class IV (and Class II) milk price by an average of 47 cents per cwt. Since the butterfat retention and remove barrels changes only apply to cheese, they dont impact the Class IV/II milk prices. With the change in assumed components delayed six months, the initial impact from the formula changes should be closer to 77 cents per cwt. for Class IV/II.

So, what does it all mean? After all the changes are implemented, the Class II and IV prices will be lower than they would have been with the old pricing formulas while Class III will be roughly neutral (depending on block-barrel spread) and the Class I price will be higher (after accounting for increased differentials). The net impact to the farmers milk price depends on the product mix inside their order. The USDAs analysis suggests that over the past five years, the Upper-Midwest, California, Pacific Northwest and Arizona pooled revenue would have been smaller with the new formulas while the other orders would have seen higher revenue. It is important to remember that the Class I, II, III, and IV milk prices are minimum prices and premiums are often paid on top of the minimum. With the make allowances shifting higher, processors may be willing (or forced, depending on how tight regional milk supplies are) to now pay a higher premium on top of the minimum price which could offset some or all of the pool losses for UMW/CA/PNW/AZ.



From a longer term perspective, it is the changes to Class I that offset (or more than offset) the negative to neutral impacts to Class II/III/IV, but Class I consumption is trending lower. So somewhere down the road (five years? 10 years?) the net impact of these changes will probably be negative on pool revenue as Class I makes up a smaller and smaller proportion of milk utilization.

To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com.

(c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2024

November 14, 2024
(Bloomberg) -- Russia backs the Paris climate agreement, the Kremlins envoy said, adding he hoped President-elect Donald Trump will also keep the US in the landmark agreement.

Most Read from Bloomberg

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There are some voices in Russia calling for the withdrawal from the Paris accord. This is wrong. There is no way back, Boris Titov, President Vladimir Putins special representative for international cooperation in sustainability, said in an interview at the COP29 summit in Azerbaijan. The agreement is still the foundation for nations to reduce emissions, he said.

Trump has vowed to again withdraw the worlds-second largest polluter from the Paris Agreement  as happened during his first term  potentially undermining global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Argentina, which withdrew its negotiating team from COP29 just four days into the summit, is studying a potential withdrawal from the accord, the countrys foreign minister told the New York Times.

Theres growing concern over leaders around the world getting skeptical about climate change. Russia, the worlds fourth-biggest emitter, thinks climate talks should not be interrupted despite political differences, Titov said.

He said he hoped Trump will not make spontaneous decisions that will harm the climate agenda as it is an existential problem for humanity.

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Russia ratified the 2015 Paris climate agreement only in 2019. It set a goal to cut Russias net CO2 emissions to zero by 2060 several months before the Kremlin ordered troops into Ukraine.

Climate remains one of a few topics where it is still able to find common ground with the western countries, which imposed sanctions on its economy. Russia has among the biggest delegation at COP this year, with 900 people registered.

Titov said that Russia will promote climate agenda within international organizations. It is in talks with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization members to create a sustainable development council, that will focus on everything from carbon markets to ESG reporting and sustainable development targets. These discussions should start within BRICS as well, Titov said.

Russia sees the creation of effective markets for carbon trading as important for the energy transition. Natural gas, biofuel and nuclear energy should be considered green and get the same funding as solar and wind, Titov said.

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--With assistance from Yuliya Fedorinova and John Ainger.

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2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Russia's biggest film studio said it helped shore up the Kremlin's losses in 2023 with 36 aging tanks.

Mosfilm's head told Putin that it donated 28 T-55 tanks and eight PT-76 tanks to the defense ministry.

Russian troops have used similar, aging tanks as fire support on the battlefield.

As Russia hunts for more war gear, its biggest film studio has stepped up  with movie props.

The director general of Mosfilm, Karen Shakhnazarov, met with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Wednesday to discuss the studio's profits and film capacity.

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They spoke mainly on their aspirations for the company, with Shakhnazarov boasting that Mosfilm was on par in scale with Hollywood firms like Warner Bros. and Universal.

Then, Shakhnazarov ended the conversation on a note about the war in Ukraine.

"By the way," Shakhnazarov said, according to a transcript published by the Kremlin. "In 2023, we handed over 28 T-55 tanks, eight PT-76 tanks, six infantry fighting vehicles, and eight trucks we had in our military department to the Armed Forces."

"I knew that they needed them," Shakhnazarov added, saying Russia's defense ministry took the vehicles into its inventory.

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"Mosfilm is our pride," Putin responded, per the transcript.

The head of Mosfilm, Shakhnazarov, met with Putin on Wednesday. The Kremlin

It's not immediately clear whether any of Mosfilm's tanks saw action in Ukraine or whether they were even in the right condition to be usable on the battlefield.

Mosfilm's website says the studio has over 190 armored vehicles, armored personnel carriers, and self-propelled guns, though it described them as being "disguised" as equipment from various periods.

"All equipment is props (stage production equipment), is in good working order, and is ready for filming several movies simultaneously," the website reads.

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The early Soviet-era tanks mentioned by Shakhnazarov  the medium tank T-55 and light tank PT-76  were produced in the 1940s and 1950s.

The T-55, one of the most produced tanks in the world, was a hallmark of the early Cold War. It's so old that it's featured in museums.

Some militaries around the world still use these tanks. But they're two generations behind the modern arms being used today, and have been largely considered obsolete in Russia's military.

Still, Shakhnazarov's statement comes as Moscow has struggled to maintain its inventory of armored vehicles amid heavy losses in the last two years.

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Figures from Dutch open-source tracking group Oryx say that Russia has lost 10,888 armored vehicles since the war began, including 3,558 tanks.

Moscow has been driving up production to fill the gap, dumping a record 6% of its GDP into defense spending on guns, ammunition, and equipment.

The strain on its forces began showing more clearly in 2023, as open-source intelligence groups noticed tanks from the 1940s, including the T-55 and its older cousin, the T-54, being taken out of storage.

Those older tanks likely won't fare well against modern armor, but researchers from the UK-based Royal United Services Institute said Russian troops have been deploying them to provide artillery support and long-range firepower.

The Russian Defense Ministry and Mosfilm did not respond to requests for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Russia's Foreign Ministry on Nov. 14 warned that it can expel International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors from the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant if it finds their work "inappropriate."

The statement comes a day after the agency's director, Rafael Grossi, told the German news agency DPA that IAEA monitors would remain at the Zaporizhzhia plant until the war is "frozen."

"We will continue to be there until the conflict comes to a new phase, at least less combat and maybe a ceasefire  no, a frozen conflict, whatever phase we enter into, but without this looming threat," Grossi said.

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The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement in response warning that IAEA experts are allowed at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) "only with the consent of the government of the Russian Federation."

The nuclear monitors may only remain "as long as our country considers their stay there to be justified," the ministry said.

In their statement, Russia's Foreign Ministry lambasted Grossi for mentioning a possible cessation of hostilities.

"It is absolutely unclear on what basis the leadership of the IAEA undertakes to judge the prospects of the notorious 'freeze,' which clearly goes beyond its powers," the ministry said.

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The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest nuclear plant in Europe, has been under Russian occupation since March 2022. Teams of IAEA monitors have been based at the plant on a rotating basis since September 2022. Russian authorities still deny inspectors full access to the plant.

The ZNPP's position near the front lines has led to heightened nuclear safety risks throughout Russia's full-scale war.

Read also: Construction of 2 new power units underway at South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
MOSCOW (Reuters) - The airport in Russia's southwestern city of Kazan was temporarily closed for flights on Friday, the aviation watchdog said without disclosing the reason.

Such closures in Russia usually indicate ongoing or expected Ukrainian drone attacks.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Anastasia Teterevleva)
A massive Russian drone attack on the Ukrainian port city of Odessa on Thursday evening left one woman dead and at least two injured, according to the military governor.

"Residential buildings, a church, and vehicles were damaged," wrote Oleh Kiper on Telegram.

Fires broke out at several locations due to the impacts, and the district's heating pipe was hit, he said. The main heating pipeline was damaged and one heating plant had to stop operations.

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Russia is systematically targeting civilian sites in Ukraine with drones and missiles, leaving about 50% of Ukraine's power capacity incapacitated as winter arrives.

Earlier on Thursday, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called on alliance members and other Western partners to provide more support for Ukraine as cold weather looms.

Speaking after a meeting with Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics at the Adazi military base, Rutte warned that Russian president Vladimir Putin "will use winter as a weapon."

Rutte said Russia would try to destroy Ukraine's energy supply system: "That is why we must all increase our support for Ukraine, including air defence to protect critical infrastructure."

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In order to strengthen their own defence capabilities, NATO members would have to increase their defence spending and boost arms production, Rutte said.

Rinkevics also called on NATO partners to spend more on defence, specifically advocating a figure of 2.5 or 3% of gross domestic product (GDP). The official NATO target for military spending is currently 2%.

Zelensky to reveal 10-point plan for domestic security

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, meanwhile, intends to present a 10-point plan next week addressing the energy supply and weapons production among other topics to ensure the internal security of the embattled country.

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Zelensky, in his nightly video address on Thursday, did not provide other details.

He did speak about the front and praised what he said was the efficiency of Ukrainian defenders in the Kupiansk area.

Earlier, there had been reports claiming that armoured Russian vehicles had entered the strategically important small town in the north-eastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv. The General Staff in Kiev later declared the attack repelled. The information cannot be independently verified.

Russian troops occupied Kupiansk from February to September 2022 before the city was retaken by the Ukrainians.

Former governor admits Russian troops looted border region

The former governor of the Russian border region of Kursk on Thursday admitted that soldiers sent by Moscow to defend the region have looted homes.

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"There is evidence of looting by both civilians and the military," said Roman Starovoit, who has since become Russia's transport minister, at a meeting with residents of the Glushkovo district, which borders Ukraine.

A video clip from a local news portal on Telegram showed that the admission - rare among the Moscow leadership - was met with applause from the audience. Residents of the region had repeatedly complained about break-ins at their abandoned homes.

In their surprise counteroffensive this summer, Ukrainian troops captured part of the Kursk region. Russian troops are now trying to push the Ukrainian army back out of the country.

The Russian state news agency TASS has accused Ukrainian soldiers of looting in the villages they had conquered, citing the village of Glushkovo as an example. But this village was never under Ukrainian control.

Two elderly women killed in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine

Two women have been killed in attacks by Ukrainian forces in the Russian-held eastern region of Luhansk, according to the occupation authorities.

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On a road near the city of Lysychansk, Ukrainian forces attacked a car carrying civilians with a drone, the local administration wrote on Telegram. An elderly woman was killed and a man was injured.

In Lysychansk itself, two houses were destroyed by shelling from the Ukrainian armed forces, the authority added, killing another elderly woman.

The claims could not be immediately independently verified. Ukraine has emphasized in the past that it does not target civilians.

Before the war, Lysychansk was a large city with around 100,000 inhabitants. It was taken by Russian troops in the summer of 2022 after heavy fighting.

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According to the occupation administration, at least 13 people were injured by shelling in the centre of the city of Horlivka in the neighbouring Donetsk region.

Ukraine has been defending itself against the full-scale Russian invasion for almost 1,000 days and is attempting to recapture its occupied territories.

Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte (3-R) talks to Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics (C) and Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds (4-R) with soldiers and looks at their military equipment. They visited a maneuver of the multinational NATO brigade stationed in Latvia, which is currently being formed and trained together at full strength for the first time. Alexander Welscher/dpa
Two schools and three kindergartens have been destroyed, and nine high-rise buildings, a service station, a church, retail facilities, a main heating pipeline, garages and more than 40 vehicles have been damaged as a result of a Russian attack on the city of Odesa on the evening of 14 November. A 35-year-old woman has been killed and 10 people have sustained injuries.

Source: Office of the Prosecutor General; Olena Buinevych, Director of the Education Department of Odesa City Council; Colonel Yurii Ihnat, spokesperson for Ukraines Air Force, on Facebook

Quote from the Office of the Prosecutor General: "An investigation has found that the Russian Armed Forces carried out an air attack with missiles and UAVs on Odesa on the late evening of 14 November. A woman, 35, was killed in the attack. 10 people were injured, 8 of whom were taken to hospital with injuries of varying severity. The enemy also hit the port infrastructure of Odesa."

Aftermath of a Russian strike on Odesa.

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Photo: Prosecutors Office

Aftermath of a Russian strike on Odesa.

Photo: Prosecutors Office

Quote from Buinevych: "Two schools with broken windows and frames again. Three kindergartens [were hit  ed.].

It's a painful and familiar algorithm, weve got a mess  we repair and deal with everything. They [the Russians  ed.] have such a distorted mind that they destroy houses, children's institutions, hospitals, they kill and maim. What kind of education is this"

Details: The Air Force confirmed that Odesa had been attacked on the evening of 14 November by Shahed drones flying to Odesa from across the sea  from Russias Krasnodar Krai and temporarily occupied Crimea. This is why Russian attacks create so much damage on the ground in Odesa, even after attack UAVs with warheads have been shot down.

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Quote from Ihnat: "It's Shahed drones, not the unidentified type that is constantly flying from the north mixed with real attack drones.

Odesa is attacked frequently  with ballistic missiles, air-launched guided missiles, cruise missiles and attack UAVs. The dense city planning and the urbanised area make it difficult for air defence to respond, but the percentage of the downed targets remains high. Unfortunately, not everything that flies can be shot down over the sea!

Every Ukrainian knows how to react to a Russian air-raid warning. Do not ignore it!"

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Russian media claimed that Russian soldiers crossed the border into Chernihiv Oblast and raised a Russian flag on a bridge over the Sudost River near the village of Hremiach.

However, Ukraine's State Border Guard Service clarified that the saboteurs did not cross the bridge or enter the village, and additional defence forces have been deployed in the area to ensure security.

Source: Radio Liberty, citing Andrii Demchenko, spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda

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Quote from Demchenko: "The threat from Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups remains, particularly in Chernihiv Oblast. While their activity has significantly decreased recently, the terrorist state continues to deploy such groups, including for psychological operations.

Today, Ukrainian defenders in Chernihiv Oblast discovered a Russian tricolour flag placed near the border on a destroyed bridge over the Sudist River. Russian propagandist claims that a sabotage group entered the village of Hremyach are false. The enemy saboteurs did not cross the bridge where they had planted their flag."

Details: A spokesperson for Ukraine's State Border Guard Service explained that the area where the sabotage group operated is effectively cut off by rivers, with no residents living in the settlements located between the rivers and the border. Additionally, constant flooding in the region makes it impossible to establish proper fortifications.

At the same time, Demchenko assured that Ukraines defence forces maintain full control over this direction and are positioned in strategically advantageous locations to hold the line.

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Quote: "Additional resources from Ukraines defence forces have been deployed on this front, along with counter-sabotage reserves. Therefore, there is no need to succumb to the enemy's informational and psychological pressure. Ukrainian defenders have been eliminating enemy forces and saboteurs and will continue to do so."

Hremiach at Google maps

Screenshot

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Editor's note: This story is being updated as more details emerge.

State Border Guard spokesperson Andrii Demchenko confirmed to the Kyiv Independent that a Russian sabotage group planted a Russian flag near the border in Ukraine's Chernihiv Oblast, but said that the event occurred in the grey zone and Russian troops did not launch a major offensive in the region.

Demchenko's statement comes on Nov. 15 after Russian military bloggers posted videos purportedly showing Russian troops planting a flag on the bridge over the Sudost River near the border settlement of Hremiach and claimed they entered Hremiach and Muravi. Demchenko denied that Russian forces entered the settlements and said that they did not cross the bridge.

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"The territory where the (Russian) sabotage group operated from the border is actually cut off by rivers, and no one lives in the settlements located between the rivers and the border. In addition, due to the constant flooding of that territory, it is not possible to build proper fortifications there," Demchenko said in a comment.

"Ukraine's defense forces fully control this axis and are in the most advantageous positions to hold the defense."

Demchenko added that Ukraine has deployed additional forces in the area to fend off acts of sabotage from Russia.

"The threat from Russian sabotage and intelligence groups has not disappeared anywhere, in particular in Chernihiv Oblast. Although the activity of saboteurs has decreased significantly recently, the terrorist country has not given up on the use of sabotage groups, including for psychological influence."

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The Russian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) wrote on Nov. 15 that it had confirmed the geolocation of two Russian soldiers seen in footage shared by Russian military bloggers planting a flag on the bridge over the Sudost River. RFE/RL suggested the two soldiers were part of a larger group.

Chernihiv Oblast is located on Ukraines northern border with Russia and Belarus. It was partially occupied during Russia's initial offensive in February 2022, but the invading force retreated in April after the Kremlin failed to take Kyiv.

Since then, Russian forces have been regularly shelling regional settlements near the border and launching cross-border raids into the region.

Read also: Russia preparing a 50,000-people-strong offensive in latest attempt to push Ukrainian army out of Kursk Oblast

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a national monument and one of the main architectural structures of Sumy Oblast, was damaged in the village of Yunakivka.

Source: Orthodox Sumy Oblast of the Sumy Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church; Ukrainska Pravda.Zhyttia

Details: Volodymyr Bykov, the chief architect of Sumy Oblast, published photos of the church's destruction. These photos show that the wooden scaffolding around the building has burned down, and one of the domes is broken. Moreover, the bell tower and the tops of the towers nearby crumbled.

Damaged church

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Photo: Orthodox Sumy Oblast

Until now, the church belonged to the Sumy Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP). Previously, the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary was the centre of spiritual life in Yunakivka. However, from the 2000s to the 2010s, it gradually began to deteriorate and was in a semi-emergency state.

The church looked like this before the Russian attack.

Photo: Orthodox Sumy Oblast

For reference:

The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin was built in 1806. It is an example of early classicist architecture.

The church was built of brick and decorated with columns. Four domes with round windows surround the central dome, and a bell tower was also built separately.

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The church is pictured on the Sumy district's coat of arms; the symbol was approved on 31 January 2001. The building is depicted on a blue background, a colour typical of Cossack flags.

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(NewsNation)  Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters emailed school districts Thursday, demanding they show students a video of him promoting Christianity in schools and leading a prayer for President-elect Donald Trump.

The email, obtained by Oklahoma NPR collaborator StateImpact, included a link to a video of Walters blaming woke teachers unions for pushing a hatred for this country.

He also invited students to join him in prayer, nothing that they didnt have to participate.

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American farmers brace for new tariffs under Trump

I pray for our leaders to make the right decisions, Walters said, according to StateImpact. I pray in particular for President Donald Trump and his team as they continue to bring about change to the country.

Walters went on tout his new Office of Religious Liberty and Patriotism. He created the office in line with one of President Trumps top education priorities, Freedom to Pray, Walters said in a news release.

The Office of Religious Liberty and Patriotism will oversee the investigation of abuses to individual religious freedom or displays of patriotism, according to the release. Its unclear what specific actions that might entail.

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Walters also announced Thursday the purchase of more than 500 Bibles for use in advanced placement government classes. Its unclear what funds he used to purchase the Bibles.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters said Thursday that more than 500 Bibles had been purchased for Oklahoma public school classrooms.

The announcement  which did not provide specific details about how the Bibles were procured or how much the books cost  is the latest in a flurry of moves by Walters as he works to elevate his national profile.

Republican President-elect Donald Trump is quickly filling out his incoming Cabinet, and Walters name has been mentioned by some national news outlets as a potential pick for education secretary or adviser. Both Trump and Walters have called for the U.S. Department of Education to be abolished.

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More: Ryan Walters targets immigration, plans for the end of the US DOE in memo

In a news release, Walters said the Bibles would be used in Advanced Placement government classrooms across the state. He said the move represented the first in the nation Bible purchase explicitly for use in schools as an academic and literary resource, and described the purchase as the first step toward providing Bibles for every classroom in the state."

The purchase was separate from a prior request for proposal issued by the Oklahoma Department of Education for 55,000 Bibles. The request was originally tailored with specific requirements that few versions of Bible appeared to meet. One exception was the "God Bless the U.S.A." Bible endorsed by Trump.

The request was later withdrawn after coming under criticism, but the agency said Thursday it expects to re-issue a modified version soon.

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We are focused on ensuring we get Bibles available in every classroom in our state as quickly as we can, Walters said in a news release.

State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters speaks during a GOP watch party on Election Night, hours before Republican presidential nominee and former president Donald Trump was declared the winner of the presidential race.

Dan Isett, a spokesman for Walters and the Oklahoma Department of Education, said in a text message that the total cost of the Bibles was $25,000 but did not provide any other details in the message.

Walters also announced the purchase in a video posted on social media. "Today we purchased over 500 Bibles that will be in the AP government classrooms across the state," he said.

Then, he held up a copy of a Bible as an example of the type purchased for the classrooms. The Bible appeared to be the Trump-backed "God Bless the U.S.A." edition, which has a distinctive brown faux-leather cover with an embossed U.S. flag. The Bibles are sold exclusively online, starting at $60 apiece.

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"We have the Bible, the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights  these are foundational documents in our nation's history," he said. Each of those documents is also reprinted in the "God Bless the U.S.A." Bible.

As Walters held up the Bible, a coffee mug bearing a Latin phrase that translates to "If you want peace, prepare for war" sat to his right.

Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" Bible.Monday, Oct. 28, 2024.

The push to put Bibles in schools follows Walters mandate requiring the book to be made available in all classrooms. Walters has repeatedly touted the legally-challenged mandate in national media appearances in the days since Trumps election.

He has also made several appearances discussing his support for Trumps education agenda.

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During an eight-hour span on Thursday, Walters shared four clips from recent national media appearances on his X account, tagging the president-elect in three of the posts. @realDonaldTrump has outlined the boldest, most aggressive education agenda in the history of our nation, Walters captioned one of the clips.

Walters recorded that NewsNation interview, along with several other TV and online appearances, from what appeared to be his state office.

Two days after the election, Walters issued a five-point memo detailing his plans for Oklahoma schools during Trumps presidency. He later announced plans to form a committee to implement Trumps agenda in the state and also to open a state education office dedicated to ensuring religious freedom and patriotism in schools.

He has endorsed spending as much as $6 million in taxpayer funds to distribute Bibles to classrooms statewide.

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More: Ryan Walters downplays urgency of Bible mandate lawsuit filed with state Supreme Court

His efforts have faced pushback from civil rights groups, taxpayers, parents and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, including Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore.

McBride, who is the outgoing chair of the House of Representatives appropriations subcommittee on education, told The Oklahoman last week that he believed Walters initial plans to implement Trumps agenda in Oklahoma were an effort to seek attention from the president-elect.

I find it amusing, that not even 48 hours after Trumps election, Walters is already talking about what the Trump administration is going to do, McBride said. Personally, I will wait until the adults in the room  that is, President Trump and his team  decide before I get excited.

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Staff writer Murray Evans contributed.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Ryan Walters says more than 500 Bibles were purchased for Oklahoma schools
During college at Belmont University, Mark Hogg went on a mission trip to build a dam in what is now Burkina Faso, a small, land-locked country in western Africa.

The 20-year-old and his fellow college students drove five hours from civilization to a remote village where they spent long hours digging ditches and mixing concrete to make a bigger dam so rains could provide more water for people. It was a culture shock.

People were bringing their cattle, goats and sheep there to water them, he remembered. They brought their children to bathe and they, of course, brought containers to fill. The children would play in the filthy water next to the animals, and it was a horrible thing to learn what was happening to people in that community because of the water.

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Early in the trip, Hogg said he struggled to sleep after he heard an eerie drum beat at night.

I got up the next morning and I said, What was all that about? he said. They said that drumbeat indicated when a child had died in one of those little communities. That drumbeat happened too many nights.

The sound haunted him.

I couldnt figure out why people in the world were in situations like this where they had to live and try to survive with this kind of water and health conditions, he said.

That experience became the driving force in Hoggs life and led him to found WaterStep, a nonprofit organization in Kentucky whose mission is to provide safe water to communities in developing countries and respond to water crises after natural and man-made disasters  tornadoes, floods, and even war  both at home and around the world.

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Through technology, innovation and manufacturing in the Bluegrass state, WaterStep teaches people how to use salt, nearly any source of water, and a 12-volt v DC power source to make safe drinking water for the long term.

Mark Hogg, founder and CEO of WaterStep, poses for a photo. Hogg founded WaterStep in 1995.

WaterSteps system  training, patented technology and innovation  is simple and sustainable and allows communities to affordably provide safe water and disinfectant for themselves, Hogg said.

To date, WaterStep has completed more than 5,000 projects and has impacted more than 15 million people in 72 countries.

But that impact didnt happen overnight.

Im so proud of what weve done, Hogg said. But it has taken a long time to get here, and we have so much left to do.

This gnawing in me

When Hogg left Burkina Faso, he didnt realize how big the world really was.

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I left there with this gnawing in me, he said.

A natural caregiver, Hoggs goal was to go into ministry. After graduation, he moved in 1985 to Louisville  where WaterStep now has its headquarters  to join the seminary and started a remodeling company to pay his way.

After seminary, Hogg started as a youth minister at Watkins Memorial United Methodist Church. It was there he understood the power of community. He and his wife, Marcia, founded a service organization in 1995 in the basement of another small non-profit.

We wanted to help people, he said. We wanted to be a part of something bigger than I was. We wanted to work with a community of people who were passionate.

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He had experience in missions, but he had no experience as a plumber, an engineer or a technical expert. He didnt know how to solve water problems around the world. He just hoped his dream of changing peoples lives with safe water would one day come.

It was during a mission trip in 2001 when Hogg took 165 people to Kenya, Brazil and Costa Rica when he was introduced to a chlorine generator, which took contaminated water, salt and a 12-volt DC power source, like a car battery, to sanitize the water.

It changed everything for Hogg.

WaterStep working with a community on Mfangano Island in Kenya. Photo via WaterStep.

For the next eight or nine years, Hogg and his team it to other countries and taught people how to use it. Eventually, they created their own that was more simple and could be scaled.

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Today, WaterSteps ChlorineGenerator produces up to 10,000 gallons of safe water per day and is effective in combating cholera and other waterborne diseases. Its even strong enough to kill Ebola.

Since 1995, WaterStep has grown from a small service organization to an international leader in safe water innovation. Hoggs small office in that old basement to a 36,000-square-foot training and manufacturing facility in the heart of Louisville that reaches far beyond the city  to Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.

Building an international team

For years, Hogg, his wife, and a small team traveled across the world to train people, but it was expensive and time-consuming. So, the decision was made to develop field consultants who understand the needs of their own communities and cultures abroad.

With the help of WaterStep staff in Louisville, more than 100 field consultants now work in countries where communities, hospitals, orphanages and schools need safe water and implement projects there.

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Jerald Malamba has been a field consultant for WaterStep in Tanzania since 2020.

I was born out of wedlock, and I sometimes was raised in an orphanage, he said. I really went through a very, very unpromising life, so I really know the kind of life situation that people go through, especially those who are in the villages.

Jareld Malamba, a field consultant for WaterStep and founder and team leader of Africompassion, poses for a photo.

His team has installed safe water systems in schools, villages and health centers, he said.

We also run programs for rainwater harvesting (and) we do the water purification and sanitation education, he explained.

WaterSteps projects have significantly reduced waterborne diseases and improved school attendance because children arent sick with diarrhea.

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We use a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, including health statistics, surveys and interviews so we can track and see the reduction of waterborne diseases in the places we serve, he said.

Surely, I can tell God is working.

WaterStep is local, not just global

Though WaterStep is a household name in countries like Kenya where the organization has implemented safe water systems in nearly every prison in the country, the safe water leader also helps Kentuckians, too, when it comes to disaster relief, Hogg said.

But it didnt start in the commonwealth.

In 2009, WaterStep began to respond to disasters after an earthquake hit Costa Rica.

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We showed them the equipment we use to make water safe, and they began to weep because they just had some bottled water and theyd run out quickly within a couple of days, Hogg said.

We realized, for many years, wed been doing this  in developing countries to help them be able to use these tools for health, for economic development, etc., Hogg explained. (We said), Oh my gosh, these tools can be used in a disaster.

Then, in 2011, a community crisis in Louisville sparked the need for a safe water backup. A 48-inch main water line ruptured, which forced all of downtown on a boil advisory, Hogg said. The city was 24 hours away from having to move inmates from the detention center to hotels.

Fortunately, that didnt happen.

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They said, We got the water back on, but we cant be there again, Hogg said. The city proposed WaterStep, in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), come up with a project that could help in situations like that.

That partnership created the WOWCart (Water on Wheels), a portable mini-water treatment system equipped with the ChlorineGenerator and a BleachMaker, a device that makes medical grade bleach, which can be diluted for use as a general disinfectant.

The WOWCart has the potential to create 10,000 gallons of safe water a day, which means it can be used for food trucks, shower trailers, for first-responders, and for the general public to fill containers with safe water. It eliminates the need for bottled water, which isnt helpful for cooking or taking a shower, Hogg said, and is bad for the environment.

We took everything we knew about water and disasters, and we put it in the size of a hotel cleaning cart, he said.

Demand for the organizations programs and equipment has exploded. WaterStep has responded to more than 30 disasters, including the aftermath of the tornado in western Kentucky in 2021 and the flooding in east Kentucky in 2022.

And for the past six weeks, WaterSteps equipment has provided more than 40,000 gallons of safe water to residents in Asheville, North Carolina, following the destruction of Hurricane Helene.

This equipment really is miraculous, Hogg said.

And its not just for first responders and governments. It can help anyone anywhere  in jails, community centers, nursing homes, private businesses. Anyone, really, who needs safe water or wants to be prepared in case of a boil water advisory or a disaster like a tornado or flood.

Hogg often thinks about his time in Burkina Faso when he was just 20. He has never been back, but he said he wonders what happened to the people he met and how many others like them  more than 2 billion today  still dont have access to safe water.

It shocks him after all these years.

Here in Kentucky, you really dont think about having safe water  until you dont, he said.

You turn on the faucet, flush the toilet, wash your clothes, take a hot shower. Then disaster strikes, and its the first thing you worry about. We want to take that worry away, not just here but all over the world.
Recent police activity at a downtown Jacksonville apartment complex for seniors has many worried for their safety.

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The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office has a report showing a significant number of police calls to the Cathedral Towers, an affordable housing complex for people 55 and up  and JSOs calls for service show there have been more than 100 calls made so far this year.

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Safety is real bad, resident Diana Bright said.

Bright said shes scared to come home because of all the crime in the area.

JSOs report shows this month, there were seven calls for service made, which is roughly one every two days. At least one of them required a crime scene investigation.

There aint no security, Bright said. And me, myself personally, I can defend myself, but there are a lot of elderly people that cant.

Out of the 109 calls made so far this year, 25 were disputes and three of them were armed. There have been five assaults, one armed suspicious person, three trespassers, and two fights.

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We take the safety of our residents very seriously and were concerned if the residents feel unsafe, Aging Truth CEO Teresa Barton said.

The Cathedral Towers is one of four in the Cathedral Residences Senior Community in the area. Aging True owns all four buildings, and Barton said the calls come with the territory of being a downtown property.

Were in a downtown area and there is a lot of transient activity, Barton said.

Barton said the number of calls is not surprising, especially since some are related to EMS calls with the residents falling or having accidents. But she said she sees the high number of calls as a positive thing.

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Fortunately, the relationship we have with JSO has been wonderful in that they respond quickly, so many of those concerns are not our residents, Barton said.

Barton said there are also two security guards monitoring all four buildings around the clock. But residents said they dont feel like two is enough.

There is no way possible  18 floors, 21 floors, 17 or something like that, how is two people going to take care of that, resident Raymond Campbell said.

Barton said they feel it is enough, but if they need to add more, they will.

I dont want the residents to feel unsafe and Im committed to doing things that will improve the safety in any way we can tangibly do that, Barton said.

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She added saying if people need help going to and from their car, they can call the security guards to walk them there safely.

Barton also said they plan to have a meeting within the next week or two for the residents to see what solutions they can come up with.

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This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available.

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Salt Lake City Police responded to Liberty Elementary School on Thursday night to investigate what they called a disturbance that involved a group of people under the age of 18.

Police say a robbery had taken place, originally on or near the school less than an hour earlier. Officers reviewed cameras from the school and determined a group of teens had allegedly stolen a backpack from another teen off-campus.

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The alleged robbers reportedly used a weapon to take the backpack. SLCPD did not disclose what weapon was used, only clarifying it was not a gun.

After the robbery, police say the victim fled the scene and other students reported the incident. The Salt Lake City Police Department said there were no injuries and School Resource Officers will continue to investigate.

Anyone who may have additional information regarding the alleged robbery is asked to call the Salt Lake City Police Department at 801-799-3000.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Nov. 15SAN BENITO  After shutting down construction nearly two years ago, San Benito school district officials are planning to move the site of a $40 million bond-funded project to a new location, blaming building foundation flaws along the barren strip off Interstate 69.

While they're planning to build a performing arts center at a new site, officials are considering "options" for construction of an aquatics center.

After about three years, the school board decided to move the project to a new location while leaving behind two rising structures built for about $12 million at the old site sitting on district property near Dr. Raul Garza Elementary School, where officials were building the district's first performing arts theater and aquatics center.

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"The SBCISD board of trustees is in the process of evaluating a new site for a new performing arts center," Baltazar Salazar, the district's Houston-based construction attorney, said in a statement. "It would be economically unfeasible to correct all the construction defects at the old site."

Meanwhile, officials are "evaluating potential sites" for construction of an aquatics center, he said.

"The SBCISD also continues to explore potential options for building a natatorium and will keep its stakeholders informed of any developments," Salazar said.

Now, officials are looking for a new contractor to oversee the project's construction.

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"The SBCISD will be advertising for a design-build contractor with specifications by the end of November and hopes to recommend a design-build contractor to the SBCISD board of trustees by the middle of December," Salazar said.

Officials are also planning to take legal action against some companies that worked on the project's construction, declining to disclose the companies' names.

"The SBCISD board of trustees authorized the filing of a lawsuit against parties it deems responsible for construction issues at the current natatorium and performing arts center construction site," Salazar said.

Now facing escalated materials' prices, district officials offered no projected overall construction cost while giving no timetable.

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In January, the school board found Davila Construction, the San Antonio-based contractor which launched the project in late 2021, in default of its contract about two years after a construction team found foundation flaws leading to the work's shutdown.

Last month, the board entered into a settlement with Davila Construction's insurance company paying $13.3 million to help jump-start the project.

The $13.3 million settlement with the Berkley insurance and surety company covered the district's payments to Davila Construction, board President Orlando Lopez said.

"The SBCISD paid Davila Construction approximately $12.7 million and has so far recovered $13.3 million," Salazar said.

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As part of a contract, Berkley surety bonds protected the district "for the full contract price in the amounts of $21.3 million, $8.8 million and $1.8 million should Davila Construction default on the contract," district officials stated in January, referring to the project which included construction of the $21.3 million performing arts theater and the $8.8 million aquatics center.

"The district gave Berkley Insurance notice of default of the contract and made a claim for the performing and the payment bonds in the amount of $21.3 million, $8.8 million and $1.8 million," officials said at the time.

In response to questions surrounding the claim's monetary amounts, Salazar stated the district "settled for $13.3 million."

Now, the district has $29.3 million to fund construction of the project whose originally estimated $30 million cost was calculated around 2019.

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"The SBCISD currently has deposited in interest-bearing bank accounts a balance of $29,374,370.39 designated bond monies," Salazar said.

Meanwhile, the district is keeping "several million dollars" worth of construction materials, Lopez said.

The school board's decision to relocate the project comes after months of construction site reviews.

In March 2023, then-Superintendent Theresa Servellon, under a previous school board, ordered the construction project halted after architect Mike Allex, with McAllen-based ROFA Architects, reported finding some geopiers, or deeply anchored 2-foot-wide rock columns, misaligned with the buildings' foundation targets.

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For months, Allex and officials with Davila Construction worked to determine repair plans aimed at jump-starting construction.

Then in January, Superintendent Fred Perez's office said the team "concluded that the remediation is not prudent or feasible based on the number and the extent of construction discrepancies."

Since a previous school board proposed the $40 million bond issue in 2018, the construction project has become one of city's hottest topics.

In 2018, a previous administration pushed for the bond issue to fund construction of the district's first performing arts theater and aquatics center along with an indoor practice field.

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In a heated election, 54% of voters passed the bond issue.

As part of the overall project, district officials set out to build a $21.3 million performing arts theater, an $8.8 million aquatics center and a $5.7 million indoor practice field, which has been completed.

Under a 2019 contract, the district paid the Edinburg-based Brighton Group a $1.25 million fee to serve as project manager based on estimated $30 million construction costs.

In October 2021, Davila Construction launched the project to build the performing arts theater and aquatics center.

By February 2023, the school board was terminating the Brighton Group's contract without cause, with the construction project about halfway completed, officials said at the time.

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By now, the project has fallen about two years behind schedule.

In February 2023, before officials called the work shutdown, a district report showed Davila Construction was requesting the performing arts theater's completion date be pushed from July 21 to Dec. 28, 2023, while the aquatics center's completion date be moved from April 14 to Sept. 19 of that year.

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SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG)  Some Northwest Florida criminals helped charity, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriffs Office.

Mobile teen sentenced to 35 years for 2021 murder of 16-year-old

The sheriffs office shared on Facebook that they donated $30,000 to the Santa Rosa Kids House.

Officials said the donation of that amount was made possible through the seizure of funds used during a criminal act. According to the Florida Senate, agencies can give seized funds and property to nonprofit organizations.

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Sheriff Johnson and Chief Tifft presented the donation on behalf of the Sheriffs Office.

Shout out to the criminals for making this donation possible, the post said.

High school football coach suspended for playoff game due to unsportsmanlike behavior

The funds will be used to benefit the nonprofit that helps children impacted by child abuse.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  The San Angelo Police Department has issued a scam alert after receiving multiple reports regarding a scam that sees scammers pose as officers of the department.

According to the SAPD, the scam is initiated when a scammer calls a target and claims to be SAPD Sgt. Alan Smith. The scammer then claims that a federal judge named Matthew Johnson has issued warrants for the targets arrest.

Rodeo association issues ticket sale scam alert

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Afterward, the scammer attempts to pressure the target into cooperating with them by leaving your residence as they stated to the caller their actual registered address, as per the SAPD. The department said that the scammers will claim to transfer the call to SAPD Lt. Ed Kading when questioned and may even try to arrange a call from a dispatch non-emergency number.

The SAPD advised residents to be wary of blocked or unfamiliar numbers, callers attempting to push them to take quick action and callers making threats of immediate action, such as issuing arrest orders or sending a patrol unit if you dont comply.

Those who receive suspicious calls are asked to hang up, contact the SAPD through a verified phone number to ensure the validity of legitimate concerns and never provide information or money through the phone.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
Screenshot of Nicole Shanahan and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from RFK Jr.'s YouTube channel on March 26, 2024.

While some Republicans are raising concerns about Donald Trumps nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to serve as head of the Department of Health & Human Services, Sarasota area GOP U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan is all in on the selection.

Great visiting with @RobertKennedyJr and @drmarkhyman this week! Buchanan wrote on X Friday, underneath a photo showing him with Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mark Hyman, a physician who specializes in longevity. We discussed the chronic disease epidemic and the importance of preventive medicine. I look forward to working with Bobby to Make America Healthy Again as Chairman of the Health Subcommittee on @WaysandMeansGOP.

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-16th). U.S. House website.

Buchanan was re-elected to a 10th term representing parts of Sarasota, Hillsborough, and Manatee counties last week. As chair of the Health Subcommittee, he conducted a hearing last month on the role preventive medicine and healthy living play in combating chronic diseases and the obesity epidemic in the U.S.

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With federal healthcare spending at more than $4 trillion per year and approximately 42 percent of adults facing obesity, it is clear that much more needs to be done to address the healthcare crisis, Buchanan said in a statement. I was thrilled to chair this important hearing on addressing the root causes of chronic disease and ways that Congress can work together to save taxpayers money while ensuring people have the tools to necessary to live longer, healthier and happier lives.

By 2050, almost 260 million people in the U.S. are predicted to be overweight or obese, according to a study published this week.

Kennedys status as a leading critic regarding the safety of vaccines is among the many reasons his nomination is controversial. He said before the election that Trump will advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water systems, calling it industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders and thyroid disease. Hes suggested that chemicals in water make children gay or transgender.

Meanwhile, former Republican Vice President Mike Pence said on Friday that he opposes Kennedys nomination because of his record supporting abortion rights.

Rick Scotts on board

Colorado Democratic Gov. Jared Polis received pushback Thursday when he said he was excited about Kennedys nomination. He sent out a second message in which he emphasized that science must remain THE cornerstone of our nations health policy, and added that the country should also be concerned about the impact of pesticides on public health, ag policy on nutrition, and the lack of access to prescription drugs due to drug high prices. This is why I am for a major shake-up in institutions like the FDA that have been barriers to lowering drug costs and promoting healthy food choices.

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With Republicans slated to take back control of the U.S. Senate in January, if every GOP member supports his nomination, Kennedy will become the next HHS Secretary. And he has at least one vote from the Florida delegation.

Congratulations to our next HHS Secretary @RobertKennedyJr! I look forward to working with you in this new role! U.S. Sen. Rick Scott said on X on Friday (Kennedy had supported Scotts candidacy for Senate majority leader).

Floridas other U.S. senator, Marco Rubio, has not yet publicly commented on Kennedys nomination. Rubio himself is now a nominee for secretary of state).
A couple stopped at a Dallas bar for drinks on a casual date night, which soon turned into a terrifying ordeal after they were severely burned by a flaming cocktail, according to a lawsuit.

Abigael Hance-Briscoe and Dustin Johnson filed suit against the Twisted Trick bar at 3917 Cedar Springs Road, saying they received first-, second-, and third-degree burns to various parts of their bodies above the waist, according to a lawsuit.

On Aug. 26, Johnson ordered a drink called the Flaming Pineapple, a spicy cocktail with Everclear, and was unaware that it came with a garnished lime that was on fire.

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According to the lawsuit, the bartender added more Everclear to the drink and lit it with a torch, which ignited the cocktail and caused the glass to shatter, spreading flames toward the couple.

They were transported to the Parkland Hospital burn unit, the lawsuit stated.

The bar closed after the incident.

The couple has requested a jury trial and is seeking compensation and monetary relief of over $1 million, the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit has been filed on the grounds of failure to train employees on the danger of flaming drinks, and negligence.

Abigael Hance-Briscoe was hospitalized for seven weeks after being severely burned by a blazing cocktail that exploded into her face and upper body, according to a lawsuit.

Star-Telegram media partner WFAA reported that although Johnsons long beard saved much of his skin and upper body, he was hospitalized for several days. Hance-Briscoe had severe burns, was in the ICU for a week, and remained hospitalized for six more weeks, WFAA reported.

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The bar does not take any responsibility for injuries and refers to it as pure accident, court documents state.

Attorneys of Twisted Trick bar responded to the claims in court and denied all the allegations made, saying the couple failed to adequately state the facts of the incident, according to court documents.

A GoFundMe had been initiated with a goal to raise $20,000 for the couples pending medical bills.

As Abbi continues to recover and heal, she requires ongoing care, according to the GoFundMe post. Abbi is receiving home health, which includes a healthcare provider, as well as physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
BURLINGTON TWP, Pa. (WETM)  A Sayre man could see almost three decades in prison after numerous felony convictions for sexual-related acts involving a minor in Bradford County, the Bradford County District Attorneys Office said.

Paul Leo Roberts III, 43, was sentenced recently to a minimum of 12 years to a maximum of 28 years in state prison for numerous convictions of photographing, videotaping, depicting on computer or filming sexual acts, all felonies in the second degree. Roberts was also convicted on multiple counts of unlawful contact with a minor, felonies in the third degree.

Elmira teen and inmate accused 2022 deadly shooting of Rochester student

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Roberts was convicted for having an inappropriate relationship with a minor in Burlington Twp who was 16 when the relationship began.

The DAs office added that Roberts has a significant criminal history including burglary convictions and a previous rape by forcible compulsion conviction in New York State.

Roberts will be required to register under Pennsylvanias version of Megans Law for the remainder of his life if and when he is released from prison.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has uncovered and arrested a high-ranking Ukrainian officer allegedly working as a Russian mole, the SBU reported via its Telegram channel on Nov. 15.

According to the report, the officer, the commander of a unit in Special Operations Forces, had been transmitting critical military intelligence to Russian troops.

The leaked information included sensitive details about sabotage and reconnaissance missions conducted by Ukrainian special forces in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts and Russian-occupied Crimea.

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Russian forces were reportedly using this intelligence to target Ukrainian Defense Forces stationed at the front lines and in occupied areas of southern Ukraine.

The officer, whose identity was not revealed, has been arrested and is currently in custody.

He faces charges of treason and espionage, which carry severe penalties, including life imprisonment and asset forfeiture upon conviction.

The suspect was recruited by the Russian military intelligence agency (GRU) before Russias full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, and started receiving tasks in the spring of 2024, according to the SBU.

Read also: Ukrainian soldiers react to Trumps victory: This could be a disaster, others say Biden was impotent

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The command of Ukraines Special Operations Forces confirmed the detention of the commander and said they had been aware of the investigative actions regarding this serviceman and fully facilitated their implementation.

While special forces operators perform combat missions behind enemy lines in temporarily occupied territories, unfortunately, there are those who try to interfere from the inside, the command added.

Special forces continue to fulfill tasks, destroy the enemy, and liberate Ukrainian land from the occupiers. And all those who think that they can interfere with this and put the lives of our soldiers in danger will be exposed and sent behind bars.

This is not the first time the SBU has uncovered Russian infiltration within Ukrainian ranks.

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On Aug. 14, it uncovered a Russian intelligence cell that included two former members of ex-President Viktor Yanukovych's security detail and an active member of Ukraine's National Guard.

Similarly, on Aug. 27, it arrested another individual in Kharkiv who was passing information to Russian forces about the citys air defense systems and the positions of Ukrainian troops and fortifications.

Read also: Meet the Ukrainian prisoner soldiers entering the fray in the Battle of Donbas

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, after his first conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in two years, has reached out to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

Source: European Pravda citing Tusk's post on X (Twitter)

Tusk shared that Scholz had recently called him to provide details of his dialogue with Vladimir Putin.

Quote: "I was satisfied to hear that he [Scholz] not only condemned the Russian aggression, but he also reiterated the Polish position: Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine."

Background:

On 15 November, it was revealed that Olaf Scholz had spoken to the Kremlin leader for the first time in two years. Reports indicate that Scholz initiated the discussion, with weeks of preparation conducted in close coordination with G7 nations.

Before his call with Putin, Scholz had spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and plans to call him again following the conversation with Putin.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke by phone on Nov. 15, their first direct call in nearly two years, according to a German government statement.

Earlier in the day, Bloomberg reported that Putin and Scholz were scheduled to speak, though it did not specify the time or topics of discussion. The call, unannounced by either Moscow or Berlin, lasted about an hour, Reuters reported.

During the conversation, Scholz condemned Russia's war against Ukraine, calling on Putin to end it and withdraw Russian troops from Ukrainian territory. He also urged Russia to negotiate with Ukraine to achieve a "just and lasting peace."

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"Germany has unwavering determination to support Ukraine in its defensive struggle against Russian aggression for as long as necessary," the German government's statement read.

Read also: With Scholzs government in shambles, conservative rival touts more decisive Ukraine strategy

Before the call with Putin, Scholz spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and indicated plans to do so again.

The last phone call between Putin and Scholz occurred on Dec. 2, 2022. Scholz is the first head of government from a European Union country supporting Ukraine to resume direct contact with Putin.

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Germany, Ukraine's main European backer, is facing internal political turmoil. The center-left coalition led by Scholz has weakened, while opposition leader Friedrich Merz is eyeing the chancellorship.

Both Scholz and Merz have pledged to maintain aid to Ukraine in line with current policies.

However, an expert told The Kyiv Independent that the Trump administrations stance "will have a much larger impact on Germanys policies than whether the next German chancellor is Friedrich Merz, Olaf Scholz, or any other likely candidate."

Read also: We are exhausted  how Ukrainians cope with nightly Russian drone attacks

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has cancelled a planned visit to Mexico amid domestic political turmoil following the collapse of his coalition government last week, government sources told dpa on Friday.

Scholz still plans to travel to Brazil on Sunday to attend the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, but is now expected to return to Berlin on Wednesday, according to sources.

Outgoing US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are among the other world leaders expected to attend the gathering of major economic powers.

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is also expected to be at the summit.

The trip will likely be among the last foreign visit for Scholz before early parliamentary elections in Germany, which are expected to be held on February 23.

Scholz is currently scheduled to attend a European Union summit in Brussels in December, but has no other foreign trips on his schedule.

German political leaders typically avoid extensive travel abroad during the heat of election campaigns.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping during next weeks G20 summit in Brazil and discuss Russia's war against Ukraine.

Source: dpa, citing sources in the German government, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The agency's sources said that the talks between Scholz and Xi next Tuesday will focus on economic and security policy issues.

However, they also mentioned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the participation of North Korean troops in the fighting as one of the topics of the talks.

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Scholz last met with Xi in April during a trip to China.

During the G20 summit, Scholz is also expected to hold bilateral talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, as well as with the presidents of South Africa, Vietnam and Singapore.

Background:

On 15 November, it was revealed that Olaf Scholz had spoken to the Kremlin leader for the first time in two years.

Reports indicate that Scholz initiated the discussion, with weeks of preparation conducted in close coordination with G7 nations.

Before his call with Putin, Scholz had spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and plans to call him again following the conversation with Putin.

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Ukraine accused Olaf Scholz of opening a Pandoras box after he held a phone call with Vladimir Putin in an effort to bring about an end to the war.

The German chancellor spoke with Putin for the first time in two years amid signs that European leaders are softening on negotiations with the Kremlin.

Donald Trumps election victory has added fresh impetus to the search for a peace deal, with the president-elect appearing ready to cut aid to Kyiv after promising to end the conflict on day one of his administration.

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Mr Scholz urged the Russian president to negotiate with Ukraine in order to restore just and lasting peace, according to a German government spokesman.

Putin said any peace deal would have to take Russias security interests into account and reflect new territorial realities, according to a read-out from the Kremlin.

The German chancellor spoke to Mr Trump on Sunday to discuss working toward a return to peace in Europe. The chancellor revealed to Mr Trump that he would speak to Putin.

On Friday, Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the call, saying Mr Scholz had opened Pandoras box.

Credit: X / ZelenskyyUa

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Ukraines foreign ministry said in a statement: Talk only give[s] Putin hope of easing his international isolation.

What is needed are concrete, strong actions that will force him to peace, not persuasion and attempts at appeasement, which he sees as a sign of weakness and uses to his advantage.

In the call, Putin told Mr Scholz that Russia was willing to consider fresh energy deals with Germany. Berlin was heavily reliant on Russian gas before the war but direct shipments ceased when pipelines under the Baltic Sea were blown up in 2022.

Mr Scholz plans to brief Mr Zelensky, Germanys allies, partners and the heads of the European Union and Nato on the outcome of Fridays call. Putin and Mr Scholz agreed to stay in contact, government sources said.

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The Kremlin said that deep divisions remained with Germany but the fact of dialogue with Scholz was positive.

In a further sign of EU leaders openness to talks, Sergey Lavrov, Russias foreign minister, plans to make his first visit to an EU country since the war began next month.

Russia and Ukraine have been at war since Kremlin forces invaded in February 2022 - KOSTIANTYN LIBEROV/GETTY IMAGES

He is set to attend the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europes December meeting in Malta. The group monitored the front lines after Russia seized parts of eastern Ukraine in 2014.

It was reported that EU attendees may not stage a walk-out when he speaks, as many did when he spoke at the UN in New York.

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Earlier on Friday, Mr Zelensky admitted the war would end faster with Mr Trump in charge of the White House.

The war will end, but there is no exact date, he told local radio. Certainly, with the policies of this team that will now lead the White House, the war will end sooner.

Volodymyr Zelensky said the war would end faster under Donald Trumps presidency - SHANNON STAPLETON/REUTERS

Mr Trump has appointed Tulsi Gabbard, who has repeatedly echoed Russian propaganda on the war in Ukraine, as his director of national intelligence.

After his traffic-light coalition collapsed last week, Mr Scholz is running his campaign for re-election as a pragmatic, dovish voice on the future of Ukraine.

On Wednesday, Mr Scholz staked his claim for re-election on his prudent policy in Ukraine in a speech to parliament

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I emphasise that I think it is right that I have, without change, played my part in ensuring that there has been no escalation, adding I am glad that I was allowed to take responsibility in these difficult times, because I am sure that it has helped us to act prudently and sensibly in a dangerous situation.

Olaf Scholz is standing for re-election in February

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He accused the rival Conservative Democratic Union, led by Friedrich Merz, of a willingness to prolong the conflict through escalatory levels of military support. A snap election is due to be held on Feb 23rd.

Mr Scholzs fresh commitment to seeking an end to the war was seen within Germany as part of an appeal to voters drawn to the hard-Right AfD party, which is campaigning against support for Ukraine.

An EU official told The Telegraph that Mr Scholz is fighting for survival domestically so wanted possibly to divert attention. Per se it is not forbidden to talk to Putin as long that interaction is aimed at talking about stopping the war.

On Mr Scholzs domestic struggles, a second EU diplomat added: Scholz thinks hell be able to attract the AfD and Sahra Wagenknecht [far-Left politician] and thus save himself. But thats too dangerous for Germany and Europe.

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According to the Washington Post, Mr Trump spoke with Putin on Thursday, asking him not to escalate the war. The Kremlin denied any talks took place.

The US is Ukraines largest military backer, with Germany second, providing billions of euros in military and humanitarian support. Berlin has pledged continued support under Mr Scholz but the Chancellor has long opposed allowing Kyiv to strike inside Russia using German-made long-range Taurus missiles.

Ukraines position on the battlefield has steadily worsened in recent months. Moscows forces have reportedly entered the city of Kupiansk in the east, and are making steady gains across the front.

In an interview with the German Suedddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, Mr Scholz said his call with Mr Trump on the weekend was perhaps surprisingly, a very detailed and good conversation.

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The two discussed the situation in Ukraine for a while, according to Mr Scholz, who said Mr Trump has a more nuanced position than is often assumed.

Also on Friday, Russias state-owned Gazprom energy giant said it would no longer supply gas to Austria amid a dispute over payments.

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on 15 November, calling on the Kremlin leader to end the war and withdraw Russian forces from Ukraine.

Source: Suddeutsche Zeitung; European Pravda

Details: The conversation, which neither side officially announced, "took place on Friday afternoon following extended preparations". No details about the discussion have been disclosed by either Moscow or Berlin.

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Steffen Hebestreit, spokesperson for the German federal government, reported that Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned Russias war of aggression against Ukraine during his conversation with Vladimir Putin. Scholz urged the Russian leader to end the conflict and withdraw troops from Ukrainian territory.

"The Federal Chancellor insisted that Russia must be ready to negotiate with Ukraine to achieve a just and lasting peace, emphasising Germany's unwavering determination to support Ukraine in the peace process," the statement read.

The German government added that Scholz reaffirmed Germany's steadfast commitment to supporting Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression "for as long as necessary".

Ich habe mit Prasident Putin telefoniert und ihn aufgefordert, den russischen Angriffskrieg gegen die Ukraine zu beenden und seine Truppen zuruckzuziehen. Russland muss Bereitschaft zu Verhandlungen mit der Ukraine zeigen - mit dem Ziel eines gerechten und dauerhaften Friedens. pic.twitter.com/Izs5RYe0QF  Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) November 15, 2024

This marks the first direct communication between Putin and Scholz since their last phone call on 2 December 2022. Scholz is now the first leader of a government that strongly supports Ukraine to re-establish direct contact with the Russian leader.

Background:

Previously, Scholz had repeatedly stated his willingness to engage in talks with Putin to explore possible solutions for ending Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

Recently, the German chancellor expressed readiness to hold negotiations with the Russian leader "soon".

Meanwhile, the Kremlin had claimed that Putin was open to speaking with Scholz but said no proposals for discussions had been received from Berlin.

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping for bilateral talks during the upcoming G20 summit in Brazil next week, dpa learned from government sources on Friday.

But Scholz has cancelled plans to visit Mexico following the gathering in Rio de Janiero, and will instead leave Brazil on Tuesday and arrive back in Berlin by Wednesday morning, according to sources.

The decision to shorten Scholz's trip to Latin America is due to German domestic political turmoil following the collapse of Scholz's coalition government last week, the sources said.

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The talks between Scholz and Xi on Tuesday will focus on economic and security policy issues, according to German government circles.

Specifically, the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and the involvement of North Korean troops in the fighting was mentioned as a particular topic for discussion.

Relations between China and the European Union have been troubled by the EU's imposition of punitive tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles following complaints about allegedly unfair subsidies from Beijing.

The German government opposed the EU tariffs, which went into effect in October.

Scholz last met Xi in April during a trip to China.

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During the G20 summit, Scholz is also expected to hold bilateral talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, as well as with the presidents of South Africa, Vietnam and Singapore.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is also expected to be at the gathering of major economic powers.

Outgoing US President Joe Biden, who is also expected at the G20 summit, is expected to speak with Xi on Saturday on the sidelines of the separate Asia-Pacific Economic Community (APEC) summit in Peru.

Scholz's visit to Brazil will likely be among the last foreign trips for the Social Democratic (SPD) chancellor before early parliamentary elections in Germany, which are expected to be held on February 23.

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Scholz is currently scheduled to attend a European Union summit in Brussels in December, but has no other foreign trips on his schedule.

German political leaders typically avoid extensive travel abroad during the heat of election campaigns.

Scholz's three-party coalition broke apart after the chancellor fired Finance Minister Christian Lindner amid bitter disagreements over the budget.

Lindner's free-market liberal Free Democrats (FDP) subsequently quit the coalition, leaving the government short of the necessary majority in parliament.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said that US President-elect Donald Trump has expressed a "more nuanced" position on Ukraine during a conversation with him.

Source: Scholz in an interview with the Sueddeutsche Zeitung; AFP news agency; European Pravda reports

Details: The German chancellor said that his conversation with Trump was "perhaps surprisingly very detailed and friendly".

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He said that he had been discussing the war in Ukraine with the US president-elect for "some time" and had the impression that Trump "has a more nuanced position than is often assumed". Scholz did not explain what he meant.

Asked whether Donald Trump would try to make a deal with Russia to avert a war over the heads of Ukrainians, the German chancellor said that the US president-elect had given "no signs" that he would do so.

Germany, in turn, will not agree to peace under dictate, Scholz assured.

Background:

During his election campaign, Donald Trump promised to end the war in Ukraine as soon as possible, although he did not say how he planned to achieve this.

Recently, Trump said that his administration would focus on the Russian-Ukrainian war because "it has to stop".

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after his recent phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Source: German Chancellor's office, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Steffen Hebestreit, spokesperson for the German federal government, noted that Scholz had already spoken with Zelenskyy earlier this week and intends to follow up with another conversation.

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Quote: "The federal chancellor recently held a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and will do so again following his talks with Vladimir Putin."

During the call with Putin, Scholz condemned Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and insisted that Moscow must be ready to negotiate and withdraw its forces.

Background: On 13 November, Scholz and Zelenskyy discussed German support for Ukraine, particularly in air defence systems. The German Chancellor confirmed that the sixth IRIS-T air defence system will be delivered to Ukraine by the end of the year.

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will speak on the phone with Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin on Friday, 15 October.

Source: Bloomberg, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The call will be Scholz's first direct communication with Putin in nearly two years.

In October, the media first reported about Scholz's preparedness to negotiate with the Kremlin leader.

Then it was reported that a phone chat on the eve of the G20 meeting in Brazil in November was under consideration.

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Scholz later stated that he was ready to speak with Russia's Putin "soon."

The Kremlin indicated that Putin was willing to speak with Scholz, but the Russian side received no proposals from Berlin.

Scholz and Putin's last phone call was in December 2022.

Thus, the German Chancellor will be the first head of government from a country that strongly supports Ukraine, restoring direct contact with Putin.

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The first in two years conversation between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Russian leader Vladimir Putin took place on the initiative of the former and in close coordination with other G7 countries and lasted about an hour.

Source: Spiegel, citing its sources, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The journalists reported that the conversation was initiated by Olaf Scholz. Their conversation with Putin lasted about an hour.

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The call had allegedly been prepared for "weeks" in close coordination with key international partners  the United States, UK, France and other G7 countries.

In particular, it was agreed that the conversation should take place after the US elections but before the G20 summit in Brazil, where Scholz is going on Sunday, and Russia will be represented by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Government sources added to the official report of the conversation that Scholz specifically condemned Russia's bombardments of Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and said that the involvement of North Korean soldiers in the fighting on Russia's side could lead to a serious escalation and expansion of the war.

Background:

It was reported that Scholz spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy before speaking with Putin and plans to call him after the call with Putin.

Olaf Scholz had repeatedly stressed that he was ready to talk to Putin about possible solutions to end Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Recently, the German Chancellor spoke of his readiness to hold talks with the Russian leader "soon".

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's call with Russian President Vladimir Putin opens a "Pandora's box," potentially leading to "other conversations and other calls," President Volodymyr Zelensky warned in his evening address on Nov. 15.

Earlier today, Scholz spoke with Putin for the first time in nearly two years. The German chancellor condemned Russias war in Ukraine, urged Putin to withdraw his troops, and discussed potential talks with Kyiv.

Scholz had informed Zelensky in advance of his intention to call Putin. Zelensky reportedly responded, "This will just make Putin feel that the isolation is decreasing," according to Suspilne, citing an undisclosed source in the Presidential Office.

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In his evening address, Zelensky criticized any negotiations that could ease Russia's isolation without meaningful outcomes. "It is extremely important for Putin to loosen his isolation, Russia's isolation, and to conduct ordinary negotiations that will not result in anything  as he has been doing for decades," Zelensky said.

"This has allowed Russia to change nothing in its police, to do nothing in essence, and this is exactly what led to this war."

Zelensky also reiterated that there would be no "Minsk-3," referencing the Minsk agreements of 2014 and 2015, which proposed creating autonomous zones in Russian-occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts but excluded mention of occupied Crimea.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry also expressed concerns over the Scholz-Putin call, stating that such lengthy conversations have been a tool Putin has exploited for over 20 years, now providing him hope for easing his international isolation.

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"Even if the German chancellor did not express any positions contradicting Ukraine's stance, conversations with the Russian dictator do not add value in achieving a just peace," the ministry said in a statement.

At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine and Russia held talks in Istanbul in March 2022, but the negotiations were eventually abandoned after Ukrainian retook the north of the country and mass war crimes were discovered in the liberated areas.

In comments to Ukraine's Peace Summit in June this year, Zelensky said the Istanbul talks failed because of the Russian side's "ultimatums."

Read also: Opinion: The West cannot use its values to make sense of Russia

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
MURRAY, Utah (ABC4 Utah)  The School-Based Telehealth program is a community-based service from Intermountain Health that provides acute medical care for students during school hours, which helps improves access to care, reduces absenteeism, and supports school nurses and families.

These virtual, clinical services are provided by Intermountain Healths Connect Care team, which collaborates with local health providers in the community to provide acute medical care for students.

Intermountain Health and other community partners are helping organize and implement the program within Utah schools.

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Currently, this partnership is being utilized by Wasatch County School District and expanding to other school districts in Utah. For example, Canyons and Weber School Districts are piloting the program in some of their highest-need schools.

Intermountain Connect Care is the current provider support model with the intent to include community health providers, as possible. This program is open to other healthcare providers in the area who would like to participate, as well.

The School-Based TeleHealth program aims to reduce healthcare costs by treating conditions that can be seen through telehealthservices. Telehealth is a valuable tool to reduce disparities and provide equitable access to healthcare for families.

Telehealth services have been shown to reduce hospitalization, emergency care and school absenteeism, diminish the financial burden on families and reduce health care costs in general.

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To participate in the School-Based Telehealth program, parents sign a consent to treat their child and provide their health insurance information. If they dont have health insurance, financial assistance for this service is available. A Connect Care visit costs $69.

Benefits of the School-Based Telehealth Program from Intermountain include:

Students having the ability to stay in school and see a provider during school hours.

Reduce unnecessary missed school days.

Affordable options for acute healthcare visits for families

An opt-in program where parents give consent to use the telehealth services that are offered at the school.

It is estimated, 64% of Utah families have all available parents working. This program allows parents to join the visits virtually and not have to miss work.

Receiving quality healthcare in a timely manner. Wait time is less than 15 minutes.

Telehealth Equipment meets federal patient privacy regulations and is equipped to provide real time health data and images for healthcare providers, who use this information to assess and determine a treatment plan.

Ability to be seen for over 20 conditions (some of which are the most common pediatric concerns seen in the Emergency Department).

School nurses being an integral part of the program to oversee the health of the students.

Parents, school health professionals, and providers are very happy with what the program offers. This has shown to receive very positive feedback, including some parents who have agreed it is a safe, fast, convenient, trustworthy and money saving option, said Amy Back, RN, MSN, executive director of the pediatric telehealth program for Intermountain Health.

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The School-Based Telehealth program helps to level the playing field and address the chronic absentee problem in Utah, which represents 27% of students statewide and impacts the overall economy, the ability for students to learn, and the long-term health of students.

As a result of the support for this program from participating district administrators and school board leaders, teachers have greater satisfaction with their jobs because they dont have as many students missing class. Its also easier on parents when they dont have to miss work for doctors appointments, and nurses are able to practice at the top of their license, which gives them better job satisfaction.

This program is working and is proving to be a valuable asset in the school district, said Shelly Cooper, program development manager for Intermountain Health. Its estimated by implementing and using the full spectrum of the school-based telehealth program, that 5,500 days of education were saved in 2023-24, which is a 175% increase from last year.

For students who use the program, 96% of them return to class. If they do go home, 82% miss less than one day of school, added Cooper. Parents are recognizing the value of having telehealth in schools. Currently, 90% of parents who are offered to participate in the program, opt-in. Overall, in the Wasatch County School District, 35% of parents have chosen to opted-in and have their children to participate.

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For more information about the School-Based Telehealth program, contact Shelly Cooper at Intermountain Health at Shelly.m.cooper@imail.org.

Sponsored by Intermountain Health.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Mayor Brandon Johnsons school board criticized Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez over looming charter school closures, blocked him from making a public presentation on the issue and then spent five hours privately discussing a range of issues, likely including the CEOs performance.

Thursday nights board meeting marked the latest controversy in the school district as board members chosen by Johnson have ratcheted up pressure against Martinez and taken unusual moves, like hiring their own legal counsel to advise them as they consider firing the CEO.

For several months, theres been speculation about whether Martinez would be ousted, and though the focus of the meeting was to address the impending closure of almost half the schools in the Acero charter network, all eyes were on Martinez.

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After Aceros board of directors announced Oct. 9 it would close seven of its 15 charter schools, there was a significant pushback from the affected students, families and teachers, who said they hadnt known about the closures beforehand. The network serves about 85% Latino students. Its name  Acero  means steel in Spanish.

Some Acero parents blame Martinez and said he should have done more to help them, though the district leader said he has followed regular procedures.

Martinez, who prepared a presentation obtained by the Tribune to address the charter schools closures, did not speak during Thursdays special board meeting.

After several pleas by parents and community members, the board passed a resolution urging the district to maintain the Acero schools. No one from the charter networks 10-member board of directors spoke during the public participation period of the meeting.

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Public comment from Acero teachers  flanked by students  and Chicago Teachers Union members was emotional. The staff members at the Acero schools in question are CTU members.

The proposal by Acero leaders to close Rufino Tamayo Elementary would take away a vital learning environment for the neighborhood of Gage Park, according to Yesenia Lopez, a parent of three Acero students. Lopez is not the recently elected school board member of the same name from the 7th District.

To do so is not just a mistake, it is a betrayal to the Latino community, Lopez said.

Critics of the mayor say hes now using the Acero school closures and his ties to CTU to oust the districts CEO for not agreeing with the unions financial proposals.

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At this point, it feels like theyre just nitpicking, finding anything they can to try to get rid of the CEO, said Denise Dyer, co-chair of the Englewood Community Action Council, whose three grandkids go to CPS schools in Englewood.

Meanwhile, those close to Johnson argue that displacing 2,000 students is unconscionable and that theyre ready for a change in CPS leadership.

The way that this person is operating is well outside of the parameters of his specific role as chief executive officer, said Cristina Pacione-Zayas, the mayors chief of staff.

When asked why Martinez didnt present in front of the school board Thursday, Johnson said he wasnt aware of the blockage and that there was no particular directive outside of making sure that we invest in children and not close schools.

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Im going to transform this school district, and Im going to do it collectively, he said.

Martinez did not respond to requests for comment.

The mayor and his CTU allies have been at odds with Martinez since the schools chief declined City Halls demand that the district take on a $300 million high-interest loan to solve its budgetary problems, including covering a $175 million pension payment and funding a new contract with CTU.

The disagreement over how to solve the districts financial woes has led to a soapy, monthslong standoff with Martinezs fate as CPS chief hanging in the balance. Martinez in September said Johnson asked him to step down over the financial dispute, but he refused. Subsequently, all seven board members resigned and within days were replaced by a second batch of Johnson appointees.

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At one point during Thursdays meeting, board member Michilla Blaise directly called out the school district.

Were making sure that were putting our foot down and were going to stand with you, she said, addressing the group of Acero families in attendance. It seemed like CPS was kind of resigned to letting this go.

Charter schools are managed by nonprofit organizations and governing bodies that operate separately from the district.

While charter schools are in contractual agreements with the district, CPS cannot unilaterally require Acero to keep the seven campuses open. The districts CEO does not have any authority to prevent a charter from closing its doors at the end of this school year, according to a statement from the district Tuesday.

The slides Martinez planned to present at the meeting, obtained by the Tribune, state that prior boards have not offered financial support in the past to charter operators closing schools for financial reasons. The slides also mention declining enrollment, the need for significant facility improvements and other reasons for the closures.

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Since 2013, 25 charter schools in CPS have closed. Of those, 12 were self-directed closures (similar to Aceros decision), while the remainder were school board-directed closures, according to the slides.

When the Acero Charter School Network was renewed for three years in 2023, the network had met financial performance standards, the district said. The decision to close seven schools was made by Acero executives who based closures on the networks projected deficits.

Acero, for its part, said it had nearly 20 meetings with senior CPS officials prior to the special meeting on Nov. 14.

While we are disappointed by the misinformation surrounding this heartbreaking circumstance, we welcome working with the Chicago Public Schools to find long-term and sustainable solutions for everyone impacted by these anticipated closures, said Helena Stangle, Aceros chief culture officer in a statement.

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According to a timeline outlined in the slides, the district had been trying to work with the board along standard operating procedures, and they had received no indication that they should deviate from their normal operations until a board meeting Nov. 1.

Since then, the slides indicate district officials have met multiple times with Acero, and proposed a solution to extend the deadline to apply to a portal for GoCPS  the application Chicago families use to apply to various schools, including charters and selective enrollment campuses  until Friday, Nov. 22.

The six members at the school board meeting voted to extend that deadline to Dec. 15. They also voted for Acero representatives to come before the board and discuss alternatives to the closures. The proposal states that if the charter operator proceeds with its plans, the board will take the substantial disruption and harm of the closures into account.

The district offered three different plans in the presentation: work with Acero to keep the schools open; help transition the students to other CPS schools; or follow a contingency plan to absorb the campuses and reopen them as district-run schools, something the union had asked CPS to do following the closures in October. Those plans were not discussed Thursday.

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Nothing was publicly announced about the schools leaders fate after a nearly five-hour closed session. Board members Rafael Yanez and Frank Niles Thomas declined to comment to reporters.

However, an item voted on by the board Thursday  the hiring of outside legal counsel for $40,000 to represent the board  may hint at the beginnings of the process to fire Martinez, according to George F. Galland, an employment lawyer at Miner, Barnhill & Galland PC.

State Board of Elections records show the law firm has donated $2,000 to Johnsons political fund, most recently in May 2023 before he was sworn in as mayor.

Galland said the board is likely looking for cause to fire Martinez, because it would save the district money.

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Its a very common ballet thats both in the public and the private sector, Galland said. But (Pedro) does not really have cause under the definition of his contract.

Martinezs contract says termination without cause requires about six months notice and 20 weeks of his base salary, which is over $130,000. The CEO makes $340,000 per year.

To fire Martinez for cause, the school board must cite failure to perform duties, fraud, misconduct, or any other wrongdoing. In January, Martinez is subject to a performance review.

Chicago Tribunes Alice Yin contributed.
LANCASTER, Pa. (WHTM)  The School District of Lancaster notified parents this week that a student is recovering after a shooting.

Principal Tom Mumma of the E.R. Martin School issued a letter to parents at the K-8 school saying the student is recovering. The shooting is believed to have occurred at or near the students home.

Dear Martin Families, We have been made aware that yesterday a student from our school was shot and transported to the hospital for treatment. The student is expected to be ok. The incident occurred at or near the students home, and police are investigating. We know that some of our students are talking about this. This type of incident can be distressing and may bring up strong emotions and questions for youth and adults. Our school counselors and social worker are available to listen and provide support to students every day. Please remember that we have resources available for you on our website to help with talking to your students about these difficult situations. Tom Mumma

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Lancaster City Police say the shooting is being investigated by police in Manheim Township.

This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available

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A professor at Brown University recently explained the harmful effects of coal plants across the United States, revealing the potential for fatal results.

What's happening?

While speaking to the Brown University School of Public Health last month, Professor Cory Zigler described how power plants fueled by coal can emit dangerous gases that pose a threat to human health.

"What happens, in addition to just the sulfur dioxide being in the air, is it starts to react with other chemicals in the air, starts to blow around with the wind, and it turns into particulate pollution, or fine particulate matter," Zigler explained. "These are tiny particles, small enough to penetrate our lungs and make us sick."

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Zigler went on to list a slew of potential health risks posed by ingesting fumes from coal plants, saying it can affect "respiratory health, cardiovascular health, neurological health, things like Alzheimer's disease, they find these particles crossing the placental barrier in pregnant women." These risks illustrate the need to switch to cleaner energy sources by continuing to shut down coal plants across the country.

"There are lots of different mechanisms through which these particles can make people sick," Zigler added.

Why is this important?

Many coal plants in the U.S. are being retired, but they have already done irreparable damage to public health.

Zigler said his research determined, "Over a long period of time, people die sooner than they would have otherwise died." Zigler and his team studied power plant locations along with data about when and where people died over a 20-year span and concluded that the deaths associated with exposure to coal power plant pollution were "about 460,000 excess deaths in the United States over this time period."

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The study did not determine specifically that these deaths were caused solely by breathing in these small particles. However, Zigler maintained, "If the [location] with more of this coal pollution saw people die sooner, then we can attribute those deaths to the excess coal pollution."

What's being done about this?

The transition from coal to cleaner energy sources is gaining momentum. For example, Pennsylvania's largest coal plant was permanently shut down last July. Also, the closure of a coal plant on Neville Island in Pittsburgh resulted in a significant drop in air pollution that led to a 42% decrease in emergency medical visits for heart-related illnesses.

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Furthermore, a study determined that nearly all U.S. coal plants are more expensive to maintain than replacing them with wind or solar energy, so they will likely continue to be shut down over time. This shift toward renewable energy will help reduce pollution and create an environment that is safer for public health.

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A team of researchers has made a major breakthrough in the field of quantum materials.

A new route to materials with complex disordered magnetic properties at the quantum level has been produced for the first time, said the research team from the University of Birmingham.

The material, based on a framework of ruthenium, fulfills the requirements of the Kitaev quantum spin liquid state - an elusive phenomenon that scientists have been trying to understand for decades, said the researchers in a press release.

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This material exhibits the characteristics of a "quantum spin liquid," a state of matter with potential applications in various future technologies.

Distinctive behavior of quantum spin liquids

In typical magnets, the spins of electrons align in a uniform direction. However, in a quantum spin liquid, the spins of electrons do not align in a uniform manner.

Instead of the well-ordered characteristics of ferromagnets, these materials are disordered and the electrons within them connect magnetically via a process called quantum entanglement, added the press release.

This behavior is driven by quantum entanglement, a phenomenon where the fates of individual electrons become intertwined.

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Scientists have developed theoretical models describing quantum spin liquids for many years. However, creating these materials in a laboratory setting has been a challenge.

This is because, in most materials, electron spins tend to settle into an ordered state, similar to the alignment seen in conventional magnets.

Constructing the new material

To overcome this challenge, scientists at the University of Birmingham used the element ruthenium to build their new material. They arranged the ruthenium atoms in a specific configuration, creating an open framework.

This structure prevented the electrons from settling into a typical ordered state. Instead, the electrons in this material exhibit the fluctuating, entangled behavior characteristic of a quantum spin liquid.

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This work is a really important step in understanding how we can engineer new materials that allow us to explore quantum states of matter, asserted Dr Lucy Clark, the lead researcher.

To confirm their findings, the scientists used specialized equipment at the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source and the Diamond Light Source.

"The researchers were able to show that a new material with an open framework structure can tune the interactions between the ruthenium metal ions, providing a new route the Kitaev quantum spin liquid state," explained the press release.

High significance of the discovery

This discovery represents a significant step forward in the field of quantum materials research.

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It opens up a large family of materials that have so far been underexplored and which could yield important clues about how we can engineer new magnetic properties for use in quantum applications, remarked Dr Clark.

This knowledge could eventually lead to the development of new technologies with applications in fields such as quantum computing and data storage.

While this work has not led to a perfect Kitaev material, it has demonstrated a useful bridge between theory in this field and experimentation, and opened up fruitful new areas for research, concluded Dr Clark.

The study has been published in the journal Nature Communications.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Now that the 2024 General Election has wrapped up, lawmakers are looking ahead to what comes next. In the South Dakota legislature, there have been some changes in terms of who is leading each partys caucus.

Democratic Representative Erin Healy of Sioux Falls and Republican Senator Jim Mehlhaff of Pierre arent new to the South Dakota Legislature but are new to their executive leadership roles.

Healy is the new Minority Leader in the House.

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As a small caucus, were really resilient, Healy said. We work really hard for the people of South Dakota and we do always do whats right. Im excited to continue that.

Mehlhaff is the new Majority Leader in the Senate. He says that role is his primary focus right now.

To try to create some sense of unity, Mehlhaff said. Its a very divided caucus, theres kind of two schools of thought in there and I get along with both sides. My goal is to create a functioning caucus on the stuff that we agree on.

Over $100k in damage in Thursday morning crash spree

Healy says some of the topics shes looking forward to discussing in the upcoming session include child care and funding public education.

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Just in the past few years weve seen a lot of bills that have advocated on behalf of private education and homeschooling, Healy said. I think that is sometimes detrimental to public schools and Im looking forward to being a champion for them.

Mehlhaff says he isnt focused on a specific issue yet, but he says revenue will drive a lot of what gets on the 2025 agenda.

Well have to set priorities and not everything is going to make the cut because there will be limited resources this year as compared to the last two years, Mehlhaff said.

If youd like to hear from more of South Dakotas incoming legislative leaders, join us for this weekends Inside KELOLAND. Well talk about the session and the possibility of a new governor.

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NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  Talks of another sweep of the Calliope homeless encampment have many up in arms after Gov. Jeff Landry took to X about one potentially happening before Thanksgiving and the Bayou Classic.

Dr. Avis Williams steps down as New Orleans Public School Superintendent

New Orleans resident Lloyd Lebley says some homeless individuals are afraid after a sweep occurred before Taylor Swifts concerts.

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Told they were going to be moved to a safer place and actually where they removed from this place where theyre in now is not safer at all. Theyre pretty scared to even be there, but they had nowhere else to go, said Lebley.

New Orleans Councilwoman Lesli Harris has continuously expressed her concerns about sweeps. She explains its not a quick process to properly house people.

Our City partners are very proud of the work weve done to house almost 600 New Orleans residents over the past year through the Home For Good initiative. The State sweeps conducted last month posed an impediment to that progress, so Ive appreciated the Governors willingness to work in partnership going forward, to advance the best interest of New Orleans. A key group of City and State leaders are in active communication about exactly what that means. I remain optimistic that we can collaborate on ways for the State to support our ambitious goals of ending street homelessness in New Orleans, through national best practices that leave individuals stably and permanently housed, said Harris in a statement.

Delgado Community College showcases new Gayle and Tom Benson Athletic Complex

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However, other residents believe its time to pick up the pace when housing those living on the streets.

They need to open up some places for them to have somewhere to go to. And so, you know, I need to know where is the residence going and where the money is going for them. So, they have somewhere to go because, you know, things need to change, said New Orleans resident Sherri Wells.

Lebley says hes praying for those who could be affected by another sweep. He adds that people should be more considerate, especially when considering increased costs of living.

Either they need to address the cost of rent or low-income housing, or theyre going to have to just deal with the fact that theres going to be more and more people homeless. Most people who live in the city are actually one or two paychecks away from being underneath that bridge themselves, said Lebley.

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WGNO reached out to the Governors Office and the Citys Director of Homeless Services and Strategy about when a potential sweep would happen but has not heard back.

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

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The Seminole County woman who plugged a stormwater drain pipe with concrete last spring causing months of flooding in her neighborhood told a magistrate this week shell have a new pipe in place by mid-December.

Trust me, I want this done as much as everybody else wants this done, a tearful Diane Goglas told county special magistrate Sherry Sutphen at a Thursday hearing. Im doing my due diligence to be in compliance.

Sutphen agreed and ordered a hold on $11,250 in county fines shes accumulated since Oct. 1, the deadline imposed by the magistrate in September for the homeowner to build a new stormwater line on her property.

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Im going to find that you have been making a great deal of progress and I appreciate that you are working with the county, Sutphen told Goglas. Thats one of the most important things to me  to notice that a person is trying to work toward and doing the things that they are being asked to do by the county.

In all, Goglas will have spent nearly $100,000 to fix the mess she created, according to court documents filed in a separate civil case. That includes $44,200 to build a new underground stormwater line from the street, along the easement on her property into a nearby retention area. It also includes $36,275 in attorneys fees.

Holding back tears, Goglas said shes taken out a second mortgage to defend herself and pay for the work.

Sutphen imposed a new deadline of Jan. 8 for installing a new line. The next magistrate hearing is scheduled for Jan. 9 and Goglas is required to attend.

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She also commended Goglas for renting a pump to send stormwater from Shadowbay Boulevard to a nearby retention pond to help prevent flooding. Shes paying more than $500 a month for it, according to court documents.

I think youre going above and beyond by renting the pump, Sutphen said.

Goglas, however, will still have to shell out nearly $1,000 to the county in administrative costs for the code enforcement case.

County officials said Goglas obtained a construction permit last month and recently met with county staff on her property to detail how the work would be completed. A contractor she hired would replace two manhole covers and 13 feet of pipe  about 24 inches wide  that runs across her yard and was damaged by the concrete.

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The issue that landed Goglas in hot water started in April when she filled the old pipe with concrete after a long dispute with the Shadowbay homeowners association, a private community of about 100 homes and condos off Wekiva Springs Road near Longwood.

She claimed the old stormwater line was broken and flooding her yard causing sinkholes and erosion.

Residents said Shadowbay roads became nearly impassable, especially after heavy thunderstorms when Goglas clogged the conduit. Floodwaters crept up driveways and into garages  residents even put up Slow. No Wake Zone signs along streets.

County officials said there was little they could do  other than issuing a code violation in May  because Shadowbay roads and infrastructure are owned by the neighborhood.

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The countys citation ordered Goglas to remove and repair the existing stormwater pipe and inlets by the end of July. Because she didnt fix it in time, the violation was sent to Seminoles magistrate in August.

In a lawsuit filed by Shadowbay residents, Circuit Court Judge Donna Goerner on Sept. 19 ordered Goglas to repair the damaged pipe by Sept. 29. Otherwise, county crews would have authorization to go into the neighborhood and make the repairs. Goerner has not issued a subsequent order since.

In court documents, Goglas said she struggled hiring a contractor because they do not want to get involved because of publicity in the media about her case. She added that many contractors dont work on residential properties.

The St. Cloud company she finally hired now awaits materials from Georgia to begin the work this month, Goglas said.

I have received multiple attacks by the community through Google, social media, etc., Goglas said in a written statement to Goerner.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden expressed concern over President-elect Donald Trumps choice for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to serve as his administrations top health official on Thursday.

RFK Jr. recently ran a polarizing campaign for president who stood out as a prominent anti-vaccine activist. As secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, he would have control over federal health programs such as Medicare and Medicaid as well as the countrys public health policies on COVID-19 and vaccines.

St. Helens HS closed through Monday as protests over sex abuse charges continue

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In response, Sen. Wyden issued the following statement against Trumps decision, calling RFK Jr.s beliefs outlandish and disturbing.

Trumps health agenda isnt a secret: worse health care at a higher cost for American families. Trump and Republicans in Congress have a proven track record of empowering insurance companies and Big Pharma while leaving everyday Americans to foot the bill. That means higher premiums, weakened protections for pre-existing conditions, criminalizing reproductive health care, and attacks on essential health coverage like Medicaid.

Mr. Kennedys outlandish views on basic scientific facts are disturbing and should worry all parents who expect schools and other public spaces to be safe for their children. When Mr. Kennedy comes before the Finance Committee, its going to be very clear what Americans stand to lose under Trump and Republicans in Congress.

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President-elect Donald Trump rocked the Republican-controlled Senate this week with a string of unorthodox Cabinet picks.

Senators and senators-elect barely had time to elect new leadership on Wednesday, giving South Dakota Sen. John Thune the role of majority leader, before that leadership was put to the test with the prospect of confirming controversial former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., as the next United States attorney general.

Utah Sen. Mike Lee, who was widely considered a top pick for AG, told the Deseret News in a statement that Trumps Cabinet nominees represent the message Trump rode to a historic victory on Nov. 5 and that they deserve to be put in place.

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Millions of Americans gave President Trump a mandate to govern, and I look forward to swiftly confirming his nominees so they can start working for the American people, Lee said.

The surprising selection of Gaetz  which was reportedly made in a matter of hours aboard Trumps airplane  followed announcements that Fox News host and military veteran Pete Hegseth was Trumps choice as secretary of defense, that former Democratic congresswoman and military veteran Tulsi Gabbard was Trumps choice for director of national intelligence and that billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk was Trumps choice to head the new Department of Government Efficiency.

In a statement to the Deseret News, Utah Sen.-elect John Curtis said the Senate should not abandon its job to vet nominees for top positions in the executive branch.

Sen.-elect Curtis believes that every president is afforded a degree of deference to select his team and make nominations. He also firmly believes in and is committed to the Senates critical role to confirm or reject nominations based on information and insight from confirmation hearings, a Curtis spokesperson told the Deseret News.

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Curtis takes his constitutional duty to provide advice and consent seriously and his goal is to ensure that Utahns voices are heard. He plans to carefully examine the records and qualifications of every nominee President-elect Trump sends to the Senate.

Trumps most controversial Cabinet pick?

Gaetzs nomination to head more than 100,000 employees at the Department of Justice has sparked a more varied response among congressional lawmakers than any other Cabinet pick so far.

Matts not a very popular guy because hes not really a team player, Rep. Burgess Owens, of Utahs 4th Congressional District, said of his former colleague, in an interview with the Deseret News. But for the position that President Trump needs him for, hes one of the smartest guys we have in our Congress. Hes no question very bright. Hes very tenacious. And thats what President Trump wants.

Gaetz gained national attention in October 2023 when he spearheaded the ouster of his partys House speaker for the first time in American history. During his four terms in Congress, Gaetz has argued for immediate cuts to discretionary spending and touted his reliance on small-dollar donors instead of big-moneyed special interests.

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Before tendering his resignation on Wednesday, Gaetz posted about the need to counter the weaponization of the federal government by abolishing three letter agencies like the FBI, which the attorney general oversees.

Gaetz was also the subject of a House Ethics Committee investigation into alleged sexual misconduct with an underage girl in violation of sex trafficking laws. Trump called on Gaetz to leave Congress for a Cabinet job two days before the committee was scheduled to vote on releasing the highly damaging report.

Can Trump bypass Senate approval for his Cabinet picks?

Trumps choice for AG was praised by some Republican senators, including Rand Paul of Kentucky, Vice President-elect JD Vance of Ohio and Marco Rubio of Florida, who Trump tapped as secretary of state. But it was met with consternation by others.

News of Gaetzs potential promotion to attorney general led Senate Judiciary chair Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, to 30 seconds of stunned silence. Republican Sens. Suzan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Thom Tillis of North Carolina also expressed skepticism  putting Gaetzs confirmation by at least 50 of 53 Senate Republicans at risk.

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But Trump is working to make sure disagreement from GOP senators doesnt become a roadblock to installing his preferred personnel.

Prior to Wednesdays Senate leadership election, Trump demanded that Thune and his opponents, Texas Sen. John Cornyn and Florida Sen. Rick Scott, commit to allowing him to use a process known as recess appointments, where Cabinet officials are instated without Senate approval when Congress is out of session.

Each candidate expressed openness to the idea, with now-Majority Leader Thune saying all options are on the table to quickly install Trumps nominees. But many senators, including Curtis, have emphasized the importance of their constitutionally mandated role to provide advise and consent for the presidents picks to head executive agencies.

In response to reporters questions about Gaetz, outgoing Utah Sen. Mitt Romney said he had no comment because he will not be in the next Congress.
Should Matt Gaetz sit for a hearing with the Senate Judiciary Committee for U.S. attorney general next year, he is expected to face tough questions about a House Ethics Committee investigation into his alleged conduct  including from Senate Republicans.

The lawmaker from Florida has been the subject of a House ethics investigation over allegations of sexual misconduct and illegal drug use. The Justice Department last year closed its probe into sex trafficking and obstruction of justice allegations with no charges against Gaetz. The former congressman has denied any wrongdoing relative to both investigations. After Trump announced Gaetz as his pick for U.S. attorney general on Wednesday, the Florida Republican abruptly resigned from the House, a move that ends the committees jurisdiction and would typically prevent the release of any report.

Punchbowl News reported earlier in the week that the House committee was preparing a Friday vote on whether to release that report. Then on Friday, House Ethics Chair Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., said that the committee had postponed, not canceled, its meeting to discuss the report.

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Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have urged Guest to release the findings. And some Republicans on the Judiciary committee have said theyre interested, too  including Sen. John Cornyn, who told ABC News he absolutely wants to see the ethics report.

I think there should not be any limitation on the Senate Judiciary Committees investigation, including whatever the House ethics committee generated, Cornyn said.

Other Republicans who are not on the Judiciary committee have similarly said the findings are pertinent. Sen.-elect John Curtis of Utah said he believes the report would be very relevant and that he would absolutely like to see them, NBC News reported.

Guest, however, said on Thursday that the Ethics Committee would not make the report public and declined to say whether it would share the report with the Senate Judiciary Committee. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Friday morning that he strongly requested the committee not release the report, adding that it would be a terrible precedent to set.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
(Bloomberg) -- Donald Trumps closest allies have an idea for who should fill Marco Rubios Senate seat: Lara Trump, the president-elects daughter-in-law and co-chair of the Republican National Committee.

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Rubio was nominated by Trump to be secretary of state, and will leave the Senate, where he has represented Florida since 2011, if he is confirmed.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will get to choose Rubios successor, but Lara Trump, who is married to the president-elects middle son, Eric, may not be the first name on his list. DeSantis is said to favor candidates including James Ulthmeier, his own chief of staff, Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nunez, and Jose Olivia, the former speaker of Floridas House, according to people familiar with the governors thinking.

The selection has the potential to put the president-elect and DeSantis in conflict  again  just a few months after they patched things up following a bitter fight for the Republican nomination for president.

Rubios successor carries high significance for Trump. The GOP will control the Senate no matter who takes the seat, but Trump needs to keep lawmakers in line to approve his Cabinet nominees and assure passage of his highest legislative priorities, including tax cuts, tariffs and new measures to halt illegal immigration.

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For DeSantis, the stakes are more personal. He wants to reward loyalists and cement his legacy as the Republican leader who turned Florida solidly red. He is also thought to be likely to take another run at the presidency in four years; his second term as governor ends in 2026 and he cant run for a third.

He gets to pick the next US Senator, which is a powerful position to be in, said Randy Fine, a Florida state representative and Trump ally. And its a card he gets to hold for two months, until Rubio is confirmed.

The potential standoff emerged soon after Trump unveiled Rubios nomination. DeSantis was on a weeklong trade mission to Italy, far from the carnival atmosphere surrounding the president-elect at Mar-a-Lago. As Trump rolled out his Cabinet picks, DeSantis office touted a new state trade office in Italy and his visit to a Ferrari factory. The trip was scheduled to end on Friday.

To me hes signaling, Im staying out of it, I dont want to get in the middle, and I have a wild card thats pretty powerful, said Susan MacManus, professor emerita of political science at the University of South Florida.

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Floridians have been selected for a number of Trumps top jobs. Representative Matt Gaetz, who represents a district in the Panhandle, was tapped for attorney general. Representative Mike Waltz was named national security adviser. Another longtime political powerhouse in the state, Susie Wiles, will serve as Trumps White House chief of staff.

A representative of the Trump transition team didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

Social Push

As DeSantis toured Italy, Elon Musk, whos become an influential adviser to Trump, backed Lara Trump by retweeting his mothers endorsement of her on X. He added: Lara is genuinely great.

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Rick Scott, Floridas other senator and an ardent Trump loyalist who lost a bid to become Majority Leader, also tweeted his endorsement of Lara Trump.

Lara Trump said on Fox Business on Thursday that she was humbled and honored to even be considered as Rubios successor.

DeSantis heard about the push via social media, according to a person familiar with the situation. As of Thursday, representatives of the president-elect hadnt asked the governor to consider Lara Trump for the job, the person said.

The governor has said privately he doesnt plan to appoint himself or his wife, Casey DeSantis, to fill Rubios seat, said the person.

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DeSantis spokesman Bryan Griffin said that no decisions had been made about Rubios replacement.

Trump continuously attacked DeSantis during the GOP primary, giving him the nickname Ron DeSanctimonious. DeSantis dropped out of the race in January. The two men later made amends, but DeSantis campaigned little for Trump, focusing instead on defeating ballot measures that would have legalized recreational marijuana and eased limits on abortion in the state.

Red Capital

DeSantis push as governor to get out the GOP vote  hundreds of thousands of Republicans joined Florida voter rolls under his watch  helped transform Florida to a deeply red state. Trump carried all but six of Floridas 67 counties, including traditionally blue Miami-Dade.

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Trump packing his administration with Floridians is a reflection of DeSantis accomplishments, observers said. The president-elect and Wiles are also expected to be major forces in the race for governor in 2026.

That all these people are coming from Florida is a testament to Florida being so successful  and DeSantis is a part of that, said Fine.

Lara Trump, a former television producer, jumped into politics during the 2016 campaign. Her role grew in 2024, as she took center stage at the Republican National Convention and became a more prominent presence on the trail.

I dont know anything about politics, per se, but I do know who this man is, who is running for president, she said at a conference in August in Miami. I know my father in law, and I need to go and talk to people about that.

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--With assistance from Hadriana Lowenkron.

(Updates in 17th paragraph to reflect DeSantis spokespersons response)

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WASHINGTON  Republican senators are preparing for a robust vetting of Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the Justice Department, with a keen interest in details from a House Ethics Committee investigation into the former congressman from Florida.

The ethics panel has been investigating Gaetz off and on since 2021, most recently focusing on alleged sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, accepting improper gifts, obstruction and other allegations. But the results of that probe may not become public because Gaetz resigned from the House at noon on Thursday. The Ethics Committee has jurisdiction only over sitting House members.

Trump's choice of Gaetz was a surprise to nearly everyone, including members of his own party and officials at the Justice Department  in part because of the Ethics investigation, his past legal problems and his reputation as a rabble-rouser in Congress.

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A source familiar with the process told NBC News that Gaetz had been consulting Trump on who would be best to run the Justice Department. Gaetz did not ask for the role, that person said, but Trump asked him to take on the job Wednesday morning, just hours before the decision was made public.

Many Republican senators, including members of the GOP-led Judiciary Committee that will oversee Gaetzs nomination for attorney general, said they'll want to see the details of the House Ethics investigation into Gaetz.

"I think it would be helpful," said Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa.

Sen.-elect John Curtis, R-Utah, said he would absolutely like to see the findings of the House Ethics Committee investigation, saying, I dont know the technicalities, or whether or not we would see that, but I think that would be very relevant.

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The House Ethics Committee was scheduled to meet Friday, three sources familiar with the meeting told NBC News, and one of those sources said that releasing the Gaetz report was expected to be among the topics on the agenda. Punchbowl News previously reported Wednesday that the Ethics panel had planned to release a "highly damaging" report about Gaetz on Friday, citing multiple sources familiar with the probe.

But Gaetz's resignation complicates things, and the meeting was canceled, according to a source with direct knowledge.

Although the panel lost jurisdiction over Gaetz when he resigned, there is precedent for releasing ethics reports after or on the same day that a lawmaker leaves Congress. It happened in the case of former Rep. Bill Boner, D-Tenn., two months after he resigned in 1987 to become Nashville's mayor, and with former Rep. Buz Lukens, R-Ohio, on the day he resigned in 1990.

Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, who sits on the Judiciary panel, said he'd be open to issuing a subpoena to the House panel to collect the evidence it has gathered if the committee decides not to release the report.

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We need to have a complete vetting of the nominees, not only so we know that the nominee is qualified, but also to protect the president, said Cornyn, a former member of Republican leadership.

Im sure its not in his best interest, Cornyn said, referring to Trump, to have any surprises in the House Ethics Committee report.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, said he didnt think the Senate had the authority to subpoena House records, adding, Id go ape s--- if they tried to subpoena something over here.

Graham also said Trump hadnt consulted him on picking Gaetz. Elections have consequences. He chose Matt Gaetz. Matt will come before the committee, and he will be asked hard questions, and well see how he does, Graham said.

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Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, who is likely to take over as Judiciary chair in January, dodged questions Thursday about whether he wants to see the House ethics report.

Well, weve got a professional staff on Judiciary that will do a full job of vetting, and all those questions will be answered by the vetting process report, Grassley said.

Asked again whether he wants to see it, Grassley said: I think we have a vetting process. Let it play out.

Cornyn and other Republican senators said they believe they'll get all the key evidence from the ethics investigation even if the report itself never comes to light, thanks to an FBI background check and other research conducted as part of Gaetz's confirmation process in the Senate.

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I am confident that whatever the information and findings are of the House Ethics Committee will eventually be brought out, either through the FBI background investigation or the committee scrutiny of the nominee or through questioning at the hearing, said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.

Collins does not sit on the Judiciary Committee but is a moderate Republican whose vote in the full Senate could make or break Gaetz's nomination.

Under the typical process, once he is formally nominated, Gaetz will be grilled by members of both parties on the Senate Judiciary Committee in at least one public hearing. The panel will then vote on sending his nomination to the Senate floor, where a simple majority is needed to confirm him for attorney general.

If Republicans end up winning the Senate seat in Pennsylvania, which is heading for a recount, Gaetz can lose four votes on the Senate floor and still win confirmation. Trump has also said that he wants the ability to appoint his Cabinet members without a confirmation vote, while the Senate is in recess.

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Although many Republican senators expressed bafflement at Trump's choice of Gaetz on Wednesday, given his lack of experience, the Ethics Committee probe, his successful coup against then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and a Justice Department sex trafficking investigation into the congressman that ended last year with no charges, not one has rejected him outright.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, another moderate, seemed to go the furthest, saying Gaetz's is not "a serious nomination for attorney general" and that it would be "a significant challenge" for him to be confirmed. And Ernst on Wednesday said of Gaetz: "Hes got his work cut out for him.

In the 18 hours since he was announced as Trump's pick to lead the Justice Department, Gaetz has already started working the phones and placing calls to some Republican senators to get a read on what his chances are at getting confirmed next year, four sources with direct knowledge of the outreach told NBC News.

Separately, Vice President-elect JD Vance and his team have been making their own calls to Senate Republicans about Gaetz, two additional sources familiar with the calls told NBC News.

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Gaetz will have to answer his questions during Senate hearings about past scandals and his qualifications for the role, senators said.

"I have concerns that he cant get across the finish line," said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D. "and were gonna spend a lot of political capital  I say we, a lot of people will spend a lot of political capital  on something that even if they got it done, youd have to wonder if it was worth it."

Cramer said he has "concerns" about Gaetz, particularly how "disrupted and just really destroyed the House of Representatives for several months" in his successful push to oust McCarthy, which, Cramer said, "accomplished nothing except getting rid of him, and, you know, ruin the reputation of the House of Representatives to the point where they didnt, they didnt catch the wave in this most recent [election.]"

Asked directly if he'd vote to confirm Gaetz, Cramer said the Florida congressman would have to make it through the Judiciary Committee first. "I never say what Ill never do, because I want to hear the case. ... Id be open to it," Cramer said. "But hes got a really steep hill to climb to get lots of votes, including mine."

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Asked if any Senate Republicans could cross Trump and vote against his Cabinet nominees generally, outgoing Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., said, A few of them, and Im not going to say which. You still have to go through that process. And if theres stuff on your record that doesnt make sense, youre probably not going to make it through the process."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
DAKAR, Senegal (AP)  Politicians in Senegal wrapped up a tense electoral campaign on Friday ahead of a key legislative election this weekend that's set to determine if the country's newly-elected president can carry out ambitious reforms.

Voters in Senegal will on Sunday choose 165 lawmakers in Senegal's assembly, where the party of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye currently does not hold a majority.

Faye, who was voted in in March on an anti-establishment platform, said that has blocked him from executing the reforms he pledged during his campaign, including fighting corruption, reviewing fishing permits for foreign companies, and securing a bigger share from the countrys natural resources for the population.

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In September, he dissolved the opposition-led parliament, paving the way for a snap legislative election. His party is facing the Takku Wallu opposition platform led by former President Macky Sall.

The campaign for the legislative election was marked by sporadic clashes between different party supporters. Clashes erupted between supporters in central Senegal in recent weeks and the headquarters of an opposition party were set on fire in the capital Dakar, the ministry of the interior said Monday.

On Tuesday, Ousmane Sonko, the countrys prime minister and a popular opposition figure who helped catapult Faye to victory, denounced attacks against supporters of his party PASTEF in Dakar and other cities.

May each patriot they have attacked and injured, be proportionally avenged. We will exercise our legitimate right to respond, he wrote on X, before back-pedalling and asking his supporters to remain peaceful in a speech later that day.

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Last month Sonko's vehicle was attacked with stones as clashes broke out between his supporters and unidentified attackers while he was campaigning in Koungueul, in the center of the country. The leader of an allied party, former minister Malick Gackou, had his arm broken in the incident, according to local media.

The presidential election in March tested Senegals reputation as a stable democracy in West Africa, a region rocked in recent years by coups and attempted coups.

Both Faye and Sonko were released from prison less than two weeks before the vote following a political amnesty announced by outgoing President Macky Sall. Their arrests had sparked months of protests and concerns that Sall would seek a third term in office despite term limits. Rights groups said dozens were killed and about 1,000 were jailed.
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA)  The CDC said almost 40% of people 65 and older have received the updated COVID-19 vaccine this year. That number is up 15% from last year.

The rates in younger adults are up as well, but not as much as in the senior population. Health officials at Carle said theyre encouraged by these numbers, and part of the reason they may be up is the updated vaccine that came out.

Illinois clears $72 million in residents medical debt

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I think the reason that were seeing such an increase this year is because of timing of the vaccine, said Carle Associate Chief Medical Officer Robert Healy. Meaning that the CDC, and the bodies that accredit vaccines, did it a little earlier this year.

He said Carle has seen hundreds more COVID vaccinations compared to last years numbers. Healy also said its a great time to get the shot since respiratory viruses peak around the holidays.

We were able to have people come in, and when theyre due for their flu shot, also offer the COVID 19 shot, he said. And people are pairing those up a lot more this year.

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CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  An armed suspect accused of holding up a Circle K in northeast Charlotte received a lengthy prison sentence this week, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of North Carolina announced.

29-year-old Charlotte resident Jonah Bryant will serve seven years behind bars after pleading guilty in October of 2023 to brandishing a gun during a robbery.

Court records stated that in August of 2022, CMPD responded to calls regarding an armed robbery at a Circle K on N. Tryon Street. An initial investigation stated that Bryant entered the store, ordered the store clerk to open the safe, and then ran behind the counter and grabbed money from the register before fleeing the scene in a white Dodge Charger.

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A loaded gun was later recovered from police inside Bryants vehicle, records showed.

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The New Jersey Criminal Sentencing and Disposition Commission, in a new report, recommended four reforms to make sentencing fairer and reduce racial disparities behind bars. (Andrew Burton | Getty Images)

A state commission is urging state lawmakers to pass stalled legislation that would reduce the prison population in New Jersey by ending mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenders and giving elderly, long-incarcerated people a path to release, among other things.

The New Jersey Criminal Sentencing and Disposition Commission sent a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy and legislative leaders Wednesday with four recommendations its 13 members unanimously agreed would ensure a more rational, just, and proportionate sentencing system.

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They recommended:

Permitting judges to reduce or waive fines and other fees assessed against defendants who cant afford to pay them.

Allowing judges to consider any abuse an offender endured at the hands of their victim as a mitigating factor when weighing an appropriate sentence, a change largely meant for domestic violence cases.

Providing an opportunity for incarcerated people over 60 (or 62 in murder cases) who have served long sentences (30 years for murder, 20 years for other crimes) to apply to a judge for a reduced sentence, as long as they arent deemed a threat to society and show a readiness for reentry.

Abolishing mandatory minimum sentences for people convicted of non-violent drug crimes.

Christopher Porrino, a former state attorney general who has chaired the commission since January, said the proposed changes would untie judges hands to give them greater discretion in sentencing.

Thats what these proposals are really about  trying to be practical and to be fair and to address some of these historic racial disparities, Porrino said.

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New Jersey prisons have the worst racial disparities in the country, with a Black adult here 12 times more likely to be incarcerated than a white adult, even though just 15% of the states population is Black.

None of the proposed changes are new.

The commission recommended ending mandatory minimums for non-violent drug offenders in 2019. Gov. Phil Murphy in 2021 conditionally vetoed a bill that would have done so over an amendment a Democrat added to shield public corruption offenders. Legislators introduced another similar bill in June that has not advanced in either chamber.

Efforts to create geriatric parole  also something the sentencing commission has long lobbied for  have failed to get enough support in the Statehouse since at least 2019, with the latest bill stalled since it was first introduced in the Senate in January.

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And a bill meant for domestic violence cases, which would allow judges to consider past abuse as a mitigating factor in sentencing defendants who survived abuse by their victims, has no Senate companion and has not moved since it was introduced in the Assembly in September. The commission also unsuccessfully pushed for this change in its annual report to lawmakers last year.

Reducing crippling fines and fees has long been a crusade of the court system, largely under its regularly updated action plan for ensuring equal justice.

The system has eliminated fees for juveniles and old, minor municipal cases, and last year, it vacated more than $7 million in unpaid probation supervision fees, citing concerns about racial disparities and the barriers the fees represent for rehabilitation and reentry. Court officials in September also announced they would reduce fines and penalties for people who successfully graduate from recovery court or otherwise participate in addiction treatment, educational, or vocational services programs.

Excessive fees and the debts they cause threaten successful reentry, Porrino wrote in his letter to lawmakers. The courts collect just a fraction of the fines and fees judges impose, spending almost as much to collect them as it takes in, he added.

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Pete McAleer, a spokesman for the Judiciary, applauded the commissions scrutiny of fines and fees.

Discretionary fines disproportionately impact people of color and those experiencing poverty, which only serves to prolong their interaction with the justice system, McAleer said.

Yet New Jersey legislators have been loath to adopt the proposed changes. Instead, they have leaned into a recent national tough-on-crime trend and introduced bills critics have warned could roll back prison-reform progress.

Still, Porrino said he remains optimistic they will act on the recommendations the commission made this week, saying they were about being smart and practical, not soft on crime.

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None of these proposed reforms are a get-out-of-jail-free card. What they do is put into the hands of the judges, who the Legislature confirmed and who the governor nominated, discretion to decide how cases should proceed and whether someone should be incarcerated or continue to be incarcerated, he said. Anyone who is approaching this with an open mind and not just playing politics couldnt disagree with these four suggested reforms.

It also makes economic sense not to incarcerate someone who doesnt need to be incarcerated, he added. It costs $74,750 a year, on average, to incarcerate someone in New Jersey, according to state budget documents.

Maggie Garbarino, a Murphy spokeswoman, said the commissions work aligns with the governors goal of creating a stronger, fairer, and more just state.

Governor Murphy remains supportive of the Criminal Sentencing and Disposition Commissions important mission to ensure our criminal justice system and sentencing laws are fair and equitable by building consensus for reforms, Garbarino said. The Governor welcomes the recommendations within the Commissions most recent report and looks forward to working with the Legislature on these issues.

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As we celebrate veterans this week, OzarksFirst is highlighting an organization that is reimagining what it means to honor our military members.

Ruck N Run is a non-profit, using funds raised from its annual boot-camp-inspired race in Republic to give back to local veterans.

The non-profit also provides tangible ways to honor our local heroes year-round.

Founder and Army Drill Sergeant George Fuller says Ruck N Run was created to combat the over-commercialization of Veterans Day.

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Oftentimes well see on TV or hear on radio, Hey, its Veterans Day, come by a mattress, or, Its Veterans Day, heres the sale going on. Instead of, We want to salute our veterans,' Fuller told OzarksFirsts Bailey Strohl and Maddie Conklin.

Now in its tenth year, Ruck N Run has a focus on fitness through weekly gatherings, monthly missions, and the annual walk-run event.

The race gives people a taste of what military training is like.

They can choose to walk it with a backpack which is rocking, or they can run it without a backpack, explains Fuller. And along the route, there are stations where theres drill sergeants or someone to motivate them.

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At each years event, veterans, active duty plus their families, and civilians all gather around the fire pit.

Fuller said its a symbol of the camaraderie and community he felt within his Army unit when serving in Iraq.

He told OzarksFirst the memorable moments from those gatherings.

Its the two Marines that met around the fire pit after being deployed to Afghanistan. They didnt know that they lived in Springfield during that same time, says Fuller. They showed up to honor the same Marine that was killed in action, so they both had t-shirts made with their name on it and didnt realize.

The money raised goes to three different funds.

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The Honoring Those Who Serve(d) fund assists veterans and active duty military members who are in need or going through a difficult situation.

The In Their Honor Fund assists families of U.S. Service Members who pass away to help offset the cost of food, lodging, transportation, and other unforeseen expenses.

The Hannahs Heros fund provides $1,000 to one female and one male graduating senior in the greater Springfield, MO area with at least one parent/legal guardian who has served or is currently serving in the U.S. Military.

Throughout the last ten years, Ruck N Run has given thousands of dollars to veterans to pay for expenses like rent, utilities, and family funerals. Its also donated more than 12,000 pounds of food to The Kitchen Inc.s Home At Last program, which helps feed veterans in need.

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If you would like to donate or get involved, click here to visit the Ruck N Run website.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Luna County commissioners approved a $7 million settlement on Thursday, Nov. 14, in the civil lawsuit brought by the family of the 14-month-old baby boy who was killed in a high-speed crash involving a Luna County Sheriffs deputy.

Photo by Edith Montero  KTSM

Photo by Edith Montero  KTSM

Attorneys and the family of the baby boy who died, Wyatt Franzoy, held a news conference at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14, at 7016 Orizaba Ave. to discuss the approved settlement.

Family of baby boy killed in crash involving Luna County Sheriffs Office deputy to speak out

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As we have previously reported, the crash happened on Nov. 11, 2023, near Deming when Isabella Hernandez was headed home with her son safely buckled in his car seat in the backseat.

As Hernandez turned onto Voorhies Road, her car was struck by Paul Garcia, a former deputy with the Luna County Sheriffs Office, who was driving a marked unit, according to Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C.

The law firm said Garcia was going over 130 mph on a two-lane highway with a speed limit of 55 mph.

According to the Sheriffs Office reports, Garcias vehicle was traveling in the wrong lane and brutally T-boned Hernandezs car, causing severe injuries to her and killing her son.

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At the time of the crash, Garcia and another officer were responding to an alleged robbery in progress, though other officers managed to arrive without taking the same reckless measures, the law firm said.

The law firm said that 11 months after 14-month-old Wyatt Franzoy died, Garcia was terminated from the Luna County Sheriffs Department.

Every day is a reminder of what happened and what I lost, Hernandez said. Paul Garcia not only took my son but continues to take from me every day. Im stuck in a cycle of doctor appointments and medical tests, just to deal with the physical pain left behind. The pain in my body mirrors the pain in my heart  a constant reminder of the day my world shattered forever.

Hernandez suffered fractures to her collarbone, pelvis, ribcage, and both of her wrists. The crash caused bleeding in her liver and nerve damage. She has constant neck and back pain, and mental fog that never goes away, according to the law firm.

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I am my sons voice now, and I wont stop telling his story, Hernandez said. Wyatt deserves justice, and I will fight for it, so no other family has to feel this pain. This settlement is a start toward holding former Deputy Garcia and Luna County accountable, but it isnt the end. Its the beginning. Were laying down a foundation so that tragedies like this can be prevented so that officers who are supposed to protect us are actually held to that standard.

The law firm said Garcia has had a history of bad decisions before being hired by the Sheriffs Department.

The law firm said Garcia pleaded guilty to aggravated driving while intoxicated (DWI) and refused to test for drugs or alcohol in 2016.

According to court records, this was Garcias second offense. He has also been charged with three counts of child abuse and one count of careless driving. All those charges were dropped, according to the law firm.

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This was no accident, Daisy Chaparro-Cavazos, partner at Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro and Hernandezs attorney said. This was the result of reckless, dangerous, and utterly avoidable actions. Whats even more troubling is that Garcia had a documented history of reckless behavior. How did a man with such a record get hired to serve and protect?

Chaparro-Cavazos emphasized the familys fight for justice goes beyond financial compensation.

Todays settlement with the county represents a necessary step in holding law enforcement accountable, but its far from enough. Were calling for reform to the entire systema fundamental change in the hiring, training, and supervision processes in Luna County and beyond to prevent future tragedies. Had there been proper screening and oversight in place, Garcia likely wouldnt have been hired, and Wyatt would be with us today, Chaparro-Cavazos added.

The law firm said Garcia is still facing criminal charges for vehicular homicide and reckless driving causing great bodily injury. That trial is scheduled for August 2025.

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Wyatts family and the Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro legal team will continue to advocate for full accountability through every channel possible, according to the law firm.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Palestinian media reports suggest several people have been killed in further Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip.

Five people were killed in the cities of Gaza and Beit Lahia in the north, and two more in Deir al-Balah in the centre of the coastal region, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported on Friday.

The agency also said that two Palestinians were killed near the city of Rafah in the south. The information could not be independently verified.

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The Israeli military announced that it would continue to take action against militants in several areas in the Gaza Strip, including Beit Lahia and Rafah. According to information from the Gaza Strip, Israeli attacks repeatedly result in civilian casualties.

The Israeli military says it has also killed several members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) organization in the Gaza Strip, including a man who was allegedly responsible for the group's rocket fire into Israeli territory.
A Miami-bound Scandinavian Airlines flight was forced to return to Europe on Thursday after encountering severe turbulence over Greenland, according to the airline.

No severe injuries were reported among passengers or crew on flight SK957, the airline said in a statement to CNN Friday. There were 254 passengers onboard the plane, the statement said.

The plane was rerouted to Copenhagen Airport in Denmark where it will undergo an inspection, according to the airline.

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Following such turbulence, standard safety procedures require a thorough inspection of the aircraft, the statement said.

Since SAS do not have the necessary facilities and staff for this level of inspection in MIA, we decided to reroute the aircraft to Copenhagen (CPH), where both hangar space and qualified technicians were available, the airline said.

Flying the plane to Miami would result in it being grounded for an extended period, leading to multiple cancellations, the statement added.

Social media images from the plane show items scattered on the planes floor because of the turbulence.

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One passenger, Sammy Solstad, told CNN he feels lucky to be alive.

Everyone on the plane was praying and asking to just land instead of flying over the open sea, Solstad said Friday.

A woman who was seated near him did not have her seatbelt on when the turbulence started, according to Solstad.

She flew up to the ceiling as you can see a little of in the video and then fell to the floor, Solstad said.

Passengers were met by a special assistance team upon arrival in Copenhagen where they were assisted with rebooking, the statement said. Passengers were placed in a hotel overnight and have now been booked on other flights, according to the airline.

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Turbulence is the leading cause of injuries to flight attendants and passengers in nonfatal accidents on commercial airlines, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, but incidents are still rare. From 2009 to 2023, 37 passengers and 146 crew members were seriously injured due to turbulence, data from the National Transportation Safety Board shows.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP)  Good or bad, the United Nations climate negotiations process itself became the focus of the international talks that aim to curb warming from coal, oil and natural gas.

Environmental advocates released reports Friday decrying fossil fuel industry influence at the climate talks called COP29. At the same time, a letter signed by a former United Nations secretary-general and ex-top climate negotiators called for dramatic reform. And the conference's chief negotiator said current talks  aimed at striking a deal worth hundreds of billions of dollars to help finance a transition to clean energy and adapting to climate change  were going too slowly.

All that put the focus on process  not results.

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We consider COP29 as a litmus test for the global climate architecture," conference lead negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev said at a Friday news conference.

A letter causes a stir about the direction of future talks

A letter signed by former U.N. chief Ban Ki-Moon, former U.N. climate secretary Christiana Figueres and former Ireland President Mary Robinson called for a fundamental overhaul of the COP."

"We need a shift from negotiation to implementation, it said.

Two signees  Figueres and Johan Rockstrom, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research  said the letter was being badly misinterpreted as criticism of the climate talks. They said the letter was intended to show support for the process, which they said has worked and just needs to shift into a new mode.

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Instead of spending so much effort negotiating new deals in annual conferences that can attract 70,000 people, the process should be smaller and more frequent and aimed at putting what was already agreed upon into action, Rockstrom said.

It's about strengthening the COP," Rockstrom said. It's about recognizing weve accomplished so much that we have what we need. ... We really need to get serious about delivery."

Climate Analytics CEO Bill Hare said he had issues with some of the suggestions in the letter and personally considers the COP process broken. His analysis this week showed that after the 2015 Paris agreement projected future warming dropped, but in the past three years, warming projections  based on negotiations, promises and policies  for the future have stayed the same or even gone up slightly.

An analysis from the Kick Big Polluters Out coalition said Friday that the official attendance list of the talks featured at least 1,770 people connected to fossil fuel interests.

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Catherine Abreu, director of the International Climate Politics Hub, suggested that there should be a firewall between fossil fuel lobbyists, U.N. climate bodies and negotiators from countries. We know over 1,700 fossil fuel lobbyists are here at COP29. That is not acceptable, she said.

Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, who on Friday presented new data on carbon pollution sites, said its unfortunate that the fossil fuel industry and the petrostates have seized control of the COP process to an unhealthy degree."

For his part, COP29 negotiator Rafiyev defended the process.

The process has already delivered, the COP process so far by reducing projected warming, delivering finance to those in need," Rafiev said. Its better than any alternative.

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One key benefit of the U.N. climate talks process is it's the only place where vulnerable small island nations have an equal seat at the table, United Nations Environment Programme Executive Director Inger Andersen told The Associated Press. But the process has its limits because the rules of the game are set by member states, she said.

At a press conference, Alliance of Small Islands States Chair Cedric Schuster said the negotiating bloc felt the need to remind everyone else why the talks matter.

Were here to defend the Paris agreement, Schuster said, referring to the climate deal in 2015 to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial times. Were concerned that countries are forgetting that protecting the worlds most vulnerable is at the core of this framework.

New data reveals the most polluting cities

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Also at the talks Friday, new data from an organization co-founded by Gore that combines observations and artificial intelligence found that cities in Asia and the United States emit the most heat-trapping gas, with Shanghai the most polluting.

Using observations and artificial intelligence, Climate Trace quantifies heat-trapping carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, as well as other traditional air pollutants worldwide, including for the first time in more than 9,000 urban areas.

Seven states or provinces spew more than 1 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases, all of them in China, except Texas, which ranks sixth.

Earth's total carbon dioxide and methane pollution grew 0.7% to 61.2 billion metric tons with the short-lived but extra potent methane rising 0.2%. The figures are higher than other datasets because we have such comprehensive coverage and we have observed more emissions in more sectors than are typically available, said Gavin McCormick, Climate Trace's co-founder.

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Shanghai's 256 million metric tons of greenhouse gases led all cities and exceeded those from the nations of Colombia or Norway. Tokyo's 250 million metric tons would rank in the top 40 of nations if it were a country, while New York City's 160 million metric tons and Houston's 150 million metric tons would be in the top 50 of countrywide emissions. Seoul, South Korea, ranks fifth among cities at 142 million metric tons.

One of the sites in the Permian Basin in Texas is by far the No. 1 worst polluting site in the entire world, Gore said. And maybe I shouldnt have been surprised by that, but I think of how dirty some of these sites are in Russia and China and so forth. But Permian Basin is putting them all in the shade.

China, India, Iran, Indonesia and Russia had the biggest increases in emissions from 2022 to 2023, while Venezuela, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States had the biggest decreases in pollution.

The dataset  maintained by scientists and analysts from various groups  also looked at traditional pollutants such as carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and other chemicals associated with dirty air. Burning fossil fuels releases both types of pollution, Gore said.

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This represents the single biggest health threat facing humanity, Gore said.

___

The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  On Thursday, Governor Josh Shapiro joined local lawmakers in Downtown Scranton to announce a major revitalization project.

With the help of state funds, Fidelity Bank will move from its longtime location at Dunmore Corners to the Scranton Electric Building Downtown.

Officials at Thursdays news conference say this move will bring more business to Downtown Scranton. Bringing new life to a historic landmark building.

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The Scranton Electric Building first opened its doors in 1896.

Scrantons first skyscraper, the beacon of innovation, the symbol of our communitys resilience, represents so much more than just a building, said President and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Dan Santaniello.

A year and a half from now, the vacant building will be home to the new headquarters of Fidelity Bank.

Caretaker found guilty in home scam trial

After being headquartered in Dunmore for over 120 years, we recognize that investing in the Scranton Downtown will have a ripple effect, Santaniello continued.

Local lawmakers and Governor Josh Shapiro gathered in Scranton, to celebrate the announcement.

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We are going to invest again in our mainstreets, invest in revitalizing buildings like this and building some new ones, but making sure that were bringing people back to our mainstreets. In this case, back to our downtowns, Governor Shapiro explained.

The project is set to bring over 150 new jobs to Downtown Scranton. Shapiro says the expansion will give small businesses in the area a boost and help to revitalize the community.

This investment here symbolizes our efforts to get stuff done all across Pennsylvania and to show that we are indeed open for business, Governor Shapiro added.

Lawmakers also noted that the pandemic halted the progress of the project. Its set to take 18 months to complete.

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Shawn Qu, center, the founder of Canadian Solar, at a Friday morning press conference about a new battery manufacturing plant in Shelby County.

Gov. Andy Beshear, local elected officials from Shelby County and leaders with a Canadian manufacturer announced a nearly $712 million battery manufacturing plant expected to be operational in Shelbyville by the end of 2025.

The Canadian company e-Storage through its subsidiary Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing will be establishing a Shelbyville plant to build utility-scale battery cells, eventually ramping up to produce enough batteries each year to have the combined capacity of six gigawatt-hours of electricity. These cells are modular and can be packaged into containers, creating large batteries that electric utilities can utilize for energy storage.

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The announcement is expected to create 1,572 jobs over 15 years, considered to be the largest economic development announcement in Shelby Countys history and the third largest announcement during Beshears time as governor.

Our commitment is, this facility is going to be so profitable that they come back and say, Maybe we can do a little bit more. Maybe we can go even a little bit bigger, Beshear said during an event at the state Capitol this morning. But we are thrilled at this monumental announcement today and how its going to continue to move Kentucky to the forefront of our national economy.

Utilities across the country are investing significantly in battery storage systems, increasingly to pair with zero-emission renewable energy systems such as solar and wind energy. Such energy sources are considered to be intermittent, meaning they only produce electricity when the sun is shining or wind is blowing. But when coupled with battery systems, such energy sources can charge batteries to essentially provide zero-emission power around the clock.

Shawn Qu, the founder of Canadian Solar, the parent company of e-Storage, told a gathered audience at the state capitol that utility-scale batteries would become increasingly important with the expected rise in electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence and increased domestic manufacturing.

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Battery cells are the heart of an utility-scale energy storage system. Therefore, this project will put Kentucky to the center of the effort to build a robust and secure electricity grid for this country, Qu said.

Shelby County Judge-Executive Dan Ison touted the work done by the governor, Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers and state lawmakers representing Shelby County to bring in the project, and Shelbyville Mayor Troy Ethington called the announcement transformative.

Shelbyville continues to become one of the fastest growing communities in the Commonwealth, and weve been preparing for a moment like this over the last four to five years, Ethington said. Our local economy will experience a renaissance. We are proud of the strong small businesses in our community of Shelbyville, and this expansion will give them the support they need to flourish.

e-Storage is eligible for up to $35 million in tax incentives if its able to create the anticipated jobs and pay an average hourly wage of $25.34 across those jobs.

This story was updated to clarify the combined capacity of batteries produced annually at the Shelbyville plant.
DANE COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV)  The Dane County Sheriffs Office is facing backlash on social media after a video showed a female driver being forcibly removed from her vehicle.

Deputies, however, are defending their actions, saying the video doesnt provide the full context of the incident.

Details released on Ripon basketball coach accused of sexual misconduct with a student

We are aware of a video circulating on social media showing a traffic stop by sheriffs office deputies. The video, filmed by a backseat passenger, shows the female driver being forcibly removed from the vehicle. At first glance, this may seem aggressive, but the video doesnt tell the whole story, the sheriffs office said in a statement on social media.

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The incident occurred on Friday, November 8, 2024, at about 9:00 p.m. when a deputy conducted a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 12 near Rodney Road in the town of Christiana. The vehicle, carrying four people, was unregistered, and the license plate did not match the vehicle.

When the deputy approached the driver, 22-year-old Dashiae Williams of Cambridge, it was discovered she did not have a valid drivers license and was driving without insurance.

At one point, authorities say Williams attempted to drive away by putting the vehicle in reverse, but deputies had already deployed tire deflation devices in front of her passenger-side tires.

Williams reportedly refused the deputys orders to exit the vehicle and continued to be verbally combative. This led to the deputy physically removing her from the SUV.

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According to authorities, Williams resisted arrest, prompting the use of a Taser before she was taken into custody. She was booked in the Dane County Jail on charges of resisting and obstructing. Williams also received citations for operating without a license, driving without insurance, driving an unregistered vehicle, and displaying an unauthorized license plate.

The sheriffs office said its policy includes an internal review whenever a deputy responds to resistance, to ensure the level of force used was appropriate.

The sheriffs office said its policy includes an internal review whenever a deputy responds to resistance, to ensure the level of force used was appropriate.

Wisconsin-based insurance corporation reducing resources, laying off 300+ employees

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Our deputies make traffic stops every day, most of which are uneventful, said Dane County Sheriff Barrett. But a traffic stop can escalate quickly if the driver and passengers are not cooperative, which makes it unsafe for the officer and the occupants of the vehicle. Enforcing traffic laws is about more than just following rules; its about protecting lives and ensuring safer roads for everyone. Cell phone videos on social media of police interactions typically dont show the full picture, which is why we aim to provide the complete context.

No additional details were provided.

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TOPEKA (KSNT)  The Shawnee County Sheriffs Office (SNSO) says a missing woman has been located safely.

The SNSO said the missing woman was located around 2:45 p.m. on Nov. 15 safely and thanked the public for its assistance.

This article has been updated to remove information related to the missing woman now that she has been located.

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For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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"Its insane someone would hurt an innocent animal," Kylie Rodriguez, the cat's pet part, said.

Go Fund Me Timmy the cat Timmy the cat

An Illinois woman is calling her cat, Timmy, a "fighter" after he was shot, left paralyzed from the midsection down, and caught on a surveillance camera dragging himself back home to safety.

Kylie Rodriguez and her family are looking for answers after their 5-year-old orange cat Timmy was shot on Saturday, Nov. 9, leaving the pet paralyzed with a bullet in his spine. Per ABC affiliate WLS-TV, a Ring camera captured the feline who spends time in the house and outdoors  leaving their home safely at 9:37 a.m. that day and returning just over an hour later, obviously injured and dragging himself by his front legs.

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Rodriguez's family discovered Timmy when they returned to their Crystal Lake home the evening of Nov. 9. According to the Daily Herald, Timmy didn't return when his owner called for him around 6 p.m. that day, so Rodriguez checked the location of his AirTag and spotted him "dragging" himself on the sidewalk.

"Our family is devastated," she told the outlet. "He was the most adventurous, fun, silly kitty, full of so much love. I've never experienced a cat quite like Timmy."

Go Fund Me Timmy the cat Timmy the cat

Related: Doorbell Camera Captures 'Absolutely Shocking' Moment Missing Cat Returns Home After Weeks Away (Exclusive)

Rodriguez said that Timmy first entered her life a year ago when he wound up in the family's backyard and never left. As she explained, he "adopted us." But now, the outdoor cat has a bullet lodged in his spine, and Rodriguez told WLS-TV that the family is waiting to see if the vet can remove it.

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"I was honestly so shocked when [doctors were] like, 'there's a bullet in his spine,'" Rodriguez said. "I just don't know how somebody could be so disgusting to an innocent animal... how could you do that?"

The family runs an Instagram page for their furry friend  sharing photos of him hiding in various locations around their house. On the page's Instagram Story on Thursday, Rodriguez revealed that officers had been "ringing doorbells" and "talking to neighbors" amid a police investigation. On Friday morning, she shared a clip of Timmy in positive spirits as he played with a ribbon.

On Nov. 15, the Crystal Lake Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE that there is an "active investigation" into finding Timmy's shooter, but there are "no new updates" at this time.

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The family has launched a GoFundMe campaign dedicated to Timmy's recovery, with Rodriguez writing that her pet was "diagnosed with paralysis as a result of the incident." The campaign, which has since surpassed its $10,000 goal as of Friday, is raising funds for "ongoing vet bills" and "specialty appointments to see if there is anything further that can be done regarding his diagnosis."

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Speaking with CW affiliate WGN-TV, Rodriguez revealed that her cat has not "been living his best life" in the days since he was shot and "seems very sad and kind of depressed and just frustrated." She told the Herald that Timmy's recovery has already cost her $1,000 in vet bills and added that the cat is now afraid to go outside.

"It's insane someone would hurt an innocent animal," Rodriguez said. "Our whole family is heartbroken."
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  A man has been sentenced after he led a mass shooting in downtown Shreveport that left one man dead.

The incident happened on Mar. 25, 2023, when Devin Owen Porter and several others arrived in a stolen vehicle at the intersection of Texas and Market Streets in downtown Shreveport.

Authorities say that Porter and others opened fire on a group of people, leaving seven with gunshot wounds. One of the victims, Jacorvin Taylor, 32, was shot and killed by Porter. More than 60 shots were fired during the incident, and Porter was responsible for more than half of those shots, stated the news release.

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After firing at the crowd, the shooters fled in the stolen car, detailed the Caddo Parish Districts Attorneys Office. Shreveport police pursued the shooting suspects from an intersection at Midway Street and Hearne Avenue to Willie Mays Street. The stolen car raced through the city at 100+ miles an hour. The driver of the stolen car ignored red lights as police pursued.

Man found guilty in fatal downtown shooting spree

The District Attorney said the suspects then abandoned the stolen vehicle and ran, but SPD was able to apprehend Porter near the Peach Street Apartment complex.

Police found three AR-style pistols in the vehicle that were later linked to the 60 rounds fired at the crowd during the downtown shooting spree. Porters DNA was found on a ski mask near the vehicle. His likeness was captured on surveillance video taken at the crime scene. Porter was also linked to the murder weapon by his social media and cell phone interactions.

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Another suspect was arrested in Pennsylvania in connection to the shooting spree. He is awaiting extradition.

District Judge Chris Victory sentenced Porter, 21, to serve the rest of his natural life in prison. Forty years will be served at hard labor for each of the six attempted murder convictions. Each conviction must be served without the benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. He must also serve five years of hard labor on the aggravated flight from an officer conviction. All sentences are to be served concurrently.

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NEW YORK (PIX11)  Ever since the use of recreational marijuana was legalized in New York and many other parts of the country, greater numbers of people have turned to regular use of the weed.

For some, it gives them a high. For others, it has had a negative side effect.

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Most people have never heard of it but if you are a frequent user of marijuana, it is something you should be aware of. Called Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome, CHS for short, it affects more than two and a half million people in the U.S. each year.

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The condition impacts heavy marijuana users.

The marijuana lowers the threshold to vomit and to have nausea because it changes in the brain, explained Dr. Douglas Weinstein, a gastroenterologist at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. The brain is connected to the stomach so whatever affects the brain could also affect the whole GI tract.

Symptoms of CHS are persistent nausea, intense abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and repeated vomiting.

People who use marijuana long-term, typically for about 10 to 12 years, are at risk of developing the syndrome.

We dont know which patient is going to get the syndrome, said Dr. Weinstein. All we know is that people who smoked it frequently are more susceptible.

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Bronx teens create safe spaces to mentor and fight against drug use

The syndrome is often misdiagnosed as other conditions. The only known treatment to permanently get rid of CHS is to stop cannabis use completely. Hot baths and showers are one way to get temporary relief.

The heat applied to the skin sends signals to the brain to reduce the vomiting, Dr. Weinstein noted.

To spice things up, theres a hot cream to help relieve the symptoms. Dr. Weinstein notes hot chili pepper cream is an effective treatment because it contains capsicum. When it connects with the skin, it sends signals to the brain to stop vomiting.

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CHS is more than just a side effect of marijuana use. Its a condition that could lead to serious health complications. When in the recovery phase and you ease up on the weed, symptoms lessen over a matter of days or months, and even eventually disappear altogether.

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BUNNELL, Fla. (WFLA)  Following a multi-day investigation, the Flagler County Sheriffs Office said Friday detectives finally solved the mystery behind a significant amount of blood found at a local park.

Deputies were reportedly conducting a security check on Monday, Nov. 11 at Hidden Trails Park when they discovered the bloody scene inside a public restroom.

Firefighters work to save man trapped in rubble after Louisville collapse

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Through further investigation, authorities said they were able to confirm it was human blood.

However, what happened inside the restroom remained unclear for several days.

According to the sheriffs office, no people were found in the area at the time, and there were no immediate leads regarding the source of the blood. A subsequent search with K-9 officers also did not provide any further information.

As their investigation continued on Thursday, Nov. 14, the sheriffs office issued a plea to the public asking anyone who might have seen anything unusual at the park to speak up.

We are actively investigating this situation, and any information from the public could be critical to helping us determine what occurred, Sheriff Rick Staly said Thursday. Whatever happened could be just an accident or it could be something more serious.

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Then, on the afternoon of Friday, Nov. 15, the sheriffs office said the case was resolved. According to detectives, new information indicated that the blood was the result of an ATV accident.

Nobody was killed or seriously injured, officials said. No further details were provided, and the sheriffs office said it was no longer seeking new information on Friday.

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  A Sioux City man was arrested Thursday after he allegedly sexually assaulted a teenager a day prior.

According to a release from the Norfolk Police Department, David Davis, 36, was arrested after it was reported he may have sexually assaulted a 14-year-old.

Photo of David Davis, 36, of Sioux City, courtesy Norfolk Police Department

The victim told police that she was forced to have sexual intercourse with Davis on November 13.

A resident of the victims home made arrangements to meet Davis at a location and police said that during the phone call, Davis made comments that referred to the sexual assault.

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FBI of Omaha looking for unknown man who may have info on child exploitation victim

A detective accompanied the resident to the meeting location. Police said that when Davis saw the detective exit the vehicle, he attempted to flee. Marked police units that were in the area were able to take Davis into custody.

Davis has been charged with first-degree sexual assault of a minor and resisting arrest. He is currently being held in the Madison County Jail.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  The Sioux City Public Schools Foundation is asking residents to Clothes the Gap this winter.

According to a release, the nonprofit is holding its annual Clothes the Gap campaign from now until Dec. 17. The donation drive collects various items of clothing for the cold weather to provide to Sioux City students.

Greater Sioux City Press Club offering $1,000 journalism scholarship

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Items can be dropped off at the Sioux City Public Schools Foundations office at 627 4th Street. People are asked to drop off thing such as coats, hats, gloves, mittens, boots, sweaters and long pants for toddlers, kids, and especially teenagers, according to the release.

We have the littles, but the bigs need them too, so we have early education all the way up to high school. Karen Harrison with the foundation told KCAU 9.

Although its been slightly on the warmer side as of late, the nonprofit is hoping to get as many donations as possible in before the temperatures start to really drop.

Weve been very lucky with what we have had, so we really want to get the clothing in, and as its coming in, we plan on distributing right away, Harrison said. So the sooner we can get it in, we want to beat that first snow and make sure weve got warm clothing and coats on kids backs.

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South Sioux City officials cut ribbon on paving project

The foundation is also looking for hygienic items and laundry detergent and will accept monetary donations.

The release also says that, on average, about 70% of the Sioux City Community School Districts 15,000 students and their families need some level of assistance in procuring warm clothes.

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BBC News

Six children were rescued after their school bus crashed and toppled into a water-filled ditch.

Video footage showed the double-decker vehicle veer off the road and onto a grass verge before falling onto its side.

The pupils were evacuated and are not thought to be injured, police said. The driver was taken to hospital having suffered minor injuries.

Emergency crews were called to Leverington Common near Wisbech St Mary, Cambridgeshire, at 5.15pm on Thursday evening.

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Laurence Manning, who witnessed the incident, said he helped the children off the bus after he heard them screaming.

We pulled each school kid out one by one and then we tended to the driver who was still in the cab, he said.

The roof was caved in. As were in the bus we could hear creaks and cracks because it was sinking even more.

We had to check the bus several times, it was quite scary. But when there are kids involved you just have to get them to safety.

Luckily everyone was alright  [a] few injuries but nothing serious.

Katie-Leigh Julian, a neighbour, said she looked after the children once they had been rescued.

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The experience was not nice at all when it comes down to anyone, but when its children around and theres no parents around it is heartbreaking, she told BBC News.

Cambridgeshire Constabulary said its officers had attended the scene with firefighters and paramedics after reports a school bus had overturned into a water-filled ditch.

A spokesman said: The driver of the bus is believed to have minor injuries and will be taken to hospital as a precaution.

There were six school children on board, but they have now been rescued from the bus and are not thought to be injured.

This incident comes after a separate school bus was involved in a crash with a HGV on Wednesday morning in Leicestershire, where 10 of the 16 passengers injured had to be rushed to hospital.

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A Stoneham home has been deemed a total loss after a raging blaze broke out in the attic on Friday morning, officials said.

Crews responding to a reported structure fire on Gould Street found smoke pouring from the eaves of a two-story home and heavy flames burning in the attic, according to Stoneham Fire Chief Matt Grafton.

Video from the scene showed firefighters climbing a ladder truck to the roof, where they worked to vent the burning section of the home.

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Grafton said the foot of one firefighter went through the roof, forcing crews to retreat and battle the blaze from the ground.

Firefighters later entered the home and pulled down the second-floor ceiling to extinguish the blaze.

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All residents and pets escaped the home unharmed and there were no reported injuries to firefighters.

This fire came just hours after 14 people were displaced by a blaze at an apartment building in town.

Grafton said the home suffered extensive damage.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Famous rapper and media personality Snoop Dogg is collaborating with Rhode Island entrepreneur Carolyn Rafaelian on his new jewelry brand, Lovechild.

Rafaelian is known for founding the jewelry company Alex and Ani, although she is no longer tied to the company.

ALSO READ: Historic Providence temple donated to Center for Southeast Asians by RI entrepreneur

Rafaelian launched a new jewelry company called Metal Alchemist in 2022. The companys website says it is rooted in the heart of Rhode Island, the jewelry capital of the world.

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In a press release announcing the collaboration, Rafaelian revealed that she was connected with Snoop Dogg through Larry Jackson, the CEO of the media company gamma.

It was pure creative chemistry, Rafaelian said of her partnership with Snoop Dogg. Were each driven by a commitment to empowering others and creating something meaningful.

Every Lovechild piece will reportedly be crafted by metalsmiths in Rhode Island. The release noted, every detail of Lovechild, from jewelry to packaging, is also proudly produced in Rhode Island with eco-friendly practices.

The designs will be unisex and offered in multiple sizes. You can check out Lovechild by clicking here.

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Very timid and quiet  gentle, just the sweetest thing, says Tamara Longcor, a soldier at JBLM, describing her beloved dog, Layla.

Layla was rescued as a pup off the streets in Qatar earlier this year.

Layla passed away Friday after being viciously attacked by neighboring dogs in Yelm on Tuesday.

They either dug under the fence or broken the fence and got into my yard and attacked her in her yard, said Longcor, who was not home at the time of the attack.

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Other neighbors threw rocks and bricks and shot video as three huskies repeatedly bit and gnawed at Layla.

I go out there and the neighbor that was throwing the bricks was, like, They killed the dog, they killed the dog, said Merry Sherwood, a neighbor.

Sherwood says police showed up and thought Layla was dead.

Then she went over to check on the dog.

I could see her chest deflating. She was obviously breathing  she was laying there lifeless but she was breathing, said Sherwood.

Neighbors wrapped up Layla in a blanket and took her to the vet, where Longcor arrived a little later.

Its devastating. I feel so guilty. Because I brought her from the Middle East to give her a better life and shes my responsibility, said Longcor.

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Covered in bite marks, Layla was treated for kidney failure and pneumonia and had to go on oxygen.

Neighbors set up a GoFundMe account to help with her medical expenses.

Longcor says Layla was showing signs of improvement, until she suddenly died Friday morning.

According to the Yelm Police Department, the neighbor voluntarily gave up two of the huskies to be euthanized.

KIRO 7 went to get a comment from the dogs owners, but they were not home.
Credit - Getty Images

Technological progress can excite us, politics can infuriate us, and wars can mobilize us. But faced with the risk of human extinction that the rise of artificial intelligence is causing, we have remained surprisingly passive. In part, perhaps this was because there did not seem to be a solution. This is an idea I would like to challenge.

AIs capabilities are ever-improving. Since the release of ChatGPT two years ago, hundreds of billions of dollars have poured into AI. These combined efforts will likely lead to Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), where machines have human-like cognition, perhaps within just a few years.

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Hundreds of AI scientists think we might lose control over AI once it gets too capable, which could result in human extinction. So what can we do?

Read More: What Donald Trump's Win Means For AI

The existential risk of AI has often been presented as extremely complex. A 2018 paper, for example, called the development of safe human-level AI a super wicked problem. This perceived difficulty had much to do with the proposed solution of AI alignment, which entails making superhuman AI act according to humanitys values. AI alignment, however, was a problematic solution from the start.

First, scientific progress in alignment has been much slower than progress in AI itself. Second, the philosophical question of which values to align a superintelligence to is incredibly fraught. Third, it is not at all obvious that alignment, even if successful, would be a solution to AIs existential risk. Having one friendly AI does not necessarily stop other unfriendly ones.

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Because of these issues, many have urged technology companies not to build any AI that humanity could lose control over. Some have gone further; activist groups such as PauseAI have indeed proposed an international treaty that would pause development globally.

That is not seen as politically palatable by many, since it may still take a long time before the missing pieces to AGI are filled in. And do we have to pause already, when this technology can also do a lot of good? Yann Lecun, AI chief at Meta and prominent existential risk skeptic, says that the existential risk debate is like worrying about turbojet safety in 1920.

On the other hand, technology can leapfrog. If we get another breakthrough such as the transformer, a 2017 innovation which helped launch modern Large Language Models, perhaps we could reach AGI in a few months training time. Thats why a regulatory framework needs to be in place before then.

Fortunately, Nobel Laureate Geoffrey Hinton, Turing Award winner Yoshua Bengio, and many others have provided a piece of the solution. In a policy paper published in Science earlier this year, they recommended if-then commitments: commitments to be activated if and when red-line capabilities are found in frontier AI systems.

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Building upon their work, we at the nonprofit Existential Risk Observatory propose a Conditional AI Safety Treaty. Signatory countries of this treaty, which should include at least the U.S. and China, would agree that once we get too close to loss of control they will halt any potentially unsafe training within their borders. Once the most powerful nations have signed this treaty, it is in their interest to verify each others compliance, and to make sure uncontrollable AI is not built elsewhere, either.

One outstanding question is at what point AI capabilities are too close to loss of control. We propose to delegate this question to the AI Safety Institutes set up in the U.K., U.S., China, and other countries. They have specialized model evaluation know-how, which can be developed further to answer this crucial question. Also, these institutes are public, making them independent from the mostly private AI development labs. The question of how close is too close to losing control will remain difficult, but someone will need to answer it, and the AI Safety Institutes are best positioned to do so.

We can mostly still get the benefits of AI under the Conditional AI Safety Treaty. All current AI is far below loss of control level, and will therefore be unaffected. Narrow AIs in the future that are suitable for a single tasksuch as climate modeling or finding new medicineswill be unaffected as well. Even more general AIs can still be developed, if labs can demonstrate to a regulator that their model has loss of control risk less than, say, 0.002% per year (the safety threshold we accept for nuclear reactors). Other AI thinkers, such as MIT professor Max Tegmark, Conjecture CEO Connor Leahy, and ControlAI director Andrea Miotti, are thinking in similar directions.

Fortunately, the existential risks posed by AI are recognized by many close to President-elect Donald Trump. His daughter Ivanka seems to see the urgency of the problem. Elon Musk, a critical Trump backer, has been outspoken about the civilizational risks for many years, and recently supported Californias legislative push to safety-test AI. Even the right-wing Tucker Carlson provided common-sense commentary when he said: So I dont know why were sitting back and allowing this to happen, if we really believe it will extinguish the human race or enslave the human race. Like, how can that be good? For his part, Trump has expressed concern about the risks posed by AI, too.

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The Conditional AI Safety Treaty could provide a solution to AIs existential risk, while not unnecessarily obstructing AI development right now. Getting China and other countries to accept and enforce the treaty will no doubt be a major geopolitical challenge, but perhaps a Trump government is exactly what is needed to overcome it.

A solution to one of the toughest problems we facethe existential risk of AIdoes exist. It is up to us whether we make it happen, or continue to go down the path toward possible human extinction.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Drivers and pedestrians in Tacoma were met with a surprise Tuesday night: two horses trotting down the street near a busy intersection.

The horses reportedly got out of their stables in the area of East 72nd Street and McKinley Avenue. Pierce County deputies and Tacoma police were dispatched at 10:46 p.m. to help contain the animals, Sheriffs Department spokesman Sgt. Darren Moss told The News Tribune.

The horses owners showed up and helped wrangle the animals. Officers and deputies tried to block off the roadway so the owners could lasso the animals, Moss said.

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The horses ran up to 72nd then all the way south to 82nd Street and McKinley. The owners lassoed the horses at about 10:57 p.m. No one was hurt, and there was no property damage, he said. Deputies were most concerned about the horses hitting a car or vice versa.

Moss said there are deputies who patrol in rural parts of Pierce County that are experienced with wrangling horses or other animals that get loose. This specific incident was different because the horses were loose in a more urban area.
Asian American organizations say they are scrambling, but not completely surprised, over President-elect Donald Trumps campaign promise of mass deportations.

Undocumented immigrants from China who are deemed to be of military age will be among the first groups targeted for deportation by the incoming Trump administration, sources close to the campaign previously told NBC News, citing the potential risk to national security.

While many community organizations have been making plans for months in anticipation of Trumps immigration promises, the potential to be targeted has left many groups prepping immigration materials across Asian languages and coordinating with other community nonprofits to help serve the potential spike in families impacted by deportations.

Asian Americans have long had the fastest-growing undocumented population, tripling over a 15-year period, from 2000 to 2015, and the number of Chinese nationals crossing into the U.S. has skyrocketed in recent years. Between fiscal years 2022 and 2024, the number of undocumented Chinese nationals crossing both the northern and southern borders has tripled from just more than 27,000 to more than 78,000.

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Bethany Li, executive director of the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, said that the targeting of the Chinese community has long been foreshadowed. She cited laws in several states that restrict Chinese people from buying homes and other real estate, as well as the Trump-era security program the China Initiative, which was accused of racial profiling toward Asian scholars.

We know that both the state and federal government have deemed China as a national security threat, she said. We saw this in World War II with Japanese Americans incarcerated. We saw this post-9/11 with Muslim and South Asian men being detained and some deported.

A spokesperson for the Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

Sources close to the Trump campaign said the focus on Chinese nationals was part of a larger transition team plan to potentially end two Biden administration immigration programs and make those who have entered the country but not yet received asylum eligible for deportation. Trump has repeatedly suggested that military-age men from China have been preparing to form an army against the United States.

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Theyre coming in from China  31, 32,000 over the last few months  and theyre all military age and they mostly are men, Trump said in April during a campaign rally. And it sounds like to me, are they trying to build a little army in our country? Is that what theyre trying to do?

Jo-Ann Yoo, executive director of the nonprofit Asian American Federation, a New York-based umbrella organization that works with 70 member agencies, said that for the past few months, her group has convened meetings and engaged in scenario planning in an effort to get ahead of Trumps immigration promises.

In the next few weeks, she said, her group will be reaching out to attorneys with language skills and others who can support families of mixed immigration status, in addition to connecting with member agencies so they are aware of potential sweeps by U.S. immigration officials. They are also planning to create in-language materials about potential deportations, Yoo said.

Weve got to get people out there so that people understand what their rights are, Yoo said. Weve got to make our nonprofit organizations visible so that people who dont normally go to these resources say, Oh, somethings happening in my family. Ive got to go ask for help. Its a whole lot of education that has to happen, and it has to happen in-language.

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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not comment on the development, but referred NBC News to Trumps transition team.

Li similarly said that the organization will be training other community groups in spreading awareness on how to request immigration records through the Freedom of Information Act. Accessing their immigration documents can help immigrants review their own history and also better help them and their attorneys apply for benefits or fight removal cases.

Though Trump has promised mass deportations across all undocumented immigrant groups, experts say that the focus on those of military age points to a growing anti-China sentiment. Li said that Chinese migrants tend to flee to the U.S. because of the struggling economy in their home country or dissatisfaction with the political situation.

Its another way of casting our community as an enemy, Li said of Trumps immigration platform. It might not even make any logical sense from a national security perspective, but our communities on the ground here in the U.S. will feel the impact.

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While many community groups are now working on a shortened timeline, Li said that the details dont necessarily come as a shock. Anti-China sentiment has ramped up across multiple administrations, she said. And Bidens deportation policies were already relatively aggressive.

According to the Migration Policy Institute, the Biden administration is on pace to deport as many people as Trump did. So far under Biden, there have been 1.1 million removals since the beginning of fiscal year 2021 through February 2024. During Trumps first term, there were 1.5 million deportations.

Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., said in a statement to NBC News in April that China cooperates with efforts to repatriate undocumented immigrants.

China has had good cooperation with some countries on the issue of repatriating illegal immigrants, and is willing to continue to strengthen cooperation with relevant countries on this issue, Liu said.

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With questions looming over the implementation of Trumps campaign promises, Yoo said that its important for vulnerable communities to stand in solidarity.

There is no time for rest. We are seeing real danger, Yoo said. Were going to push and were going to have to be brave.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
(Bloomberg) -- China has an opportunity to lead the global fight against climate change with the US set to tamp down its commitments following the election of Donald Trump as president, South Africas environment minister said.

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The worlds biggest emitter has faced scathing criticism from the US and developed European nations for not pulling its weight when it comes to stumping up climate finance to help poorer nations adapt to a warming world. China has contended that as a developing nation its not responsible for the build up of gases from industrial activities over the last three centuries.

Thats the big debate that is going on, Dion George, the environment minister, said in an interview with Bloomberg Television on Friday. If its going to be the superpower, the global superpower that it may aspire to be, then it needs to show some leadership.

Nations are currently debating how to tackle climate change at COP29 in Azerbaijan in the wake of this years hurricanes, floods and droughts  which devastated communities in the US, Europe and Africa. Developing nations are demanding annual climate finance of $1.3 trillion, a big step up from the $100 billion developed countries committed to in 2009 but have only recently met.

Chinas position is that it is a developing economy and it is not required to make a contribution on that particular item, George said. The developed economy countries certainly believe that China should be contributing.

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Historical Emissions

China currently emits more than double the carbon emissions of any other nation and comes second over a longer time span. Between 1750 and 2018 it released 214 billion tons of the climate-warming gases, lagging only the US at 397 billion tons. While India, a major polluter, has also been called on to contribute, its historical emissions are comparatively low.

Carbon dioxide lasts for hundreds of years so emissions from centuries ago are warming the planet today.

In September, when criticized by Germanys climate envoy over its climate targets, Chinas foreign ministry said developed countries have a moral responsibility and legal obligation to lead efforts to combat global warming and provide financial support for the energy transition in poorer nations. Chinas foreign ministry didnt immediately respond to a request sent after normal working hours.

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China could find different ways of contributing such as providing debt relief to the many countries that owe it money, which often are unable to allocate funds toward making their infrastructure more resilient to adverse weather because of the interest payments, George said.

Africa is very heavily indebted to China. Maybe there is an opportunity for them to contribute in that way, he said.

According to Boston Universitys Global Development Policy Center, China loaned African nations $182 billion between 2000 and 2023.

Georges stance is a shift from his predecessor, Barbara Creecy, who concurred with China that climate finance, as part of the $100 billion target, is solely the obligation of developed nations.

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Creecy, now transport minister, is a member of the African National Congress, a party that has pursued close ties with China. George, a member of the market-friendly Democratic Alliance, took his position in June after the ANC lost its parliamentary majority in May elections and was forced into a coalition.

How China is categorized or categorizes itself or others categorize it. I dont think its either here nor there, he said. We know that weve got this existential crisis and it needs to be paid for.

George said the $1.3 trillion target, which includes private finance and money from multilateral development banks as well as direct contributions from governments, is ambitious but achievable.

If were going to be serious about getting somewhere, we need to make sure theres enough money, said George, who together with his Norwegian counterpart, is leading talks on mitigation at COP29. Its very much doable, but of course its going to require political will.

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--With assistance from Matthew Hill.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  With Sen. John Thune becoming Senate Majority Leader and Gov. Kristi Noem nominated for the Secretary of Homeland Security, there will be South Dakotans in some high-profile positions in Washington D.C.

The name of another South Dakota officeholder has been thrown out there. I reached out to the Attorney Generals Office Thursday and was told Marty Jackley was traveling.

Over $100k in damage in Thursday morning crash spree

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So when we connected over Zoom, my first question was where are you?

Im in Mar-a-Lago, said Jackley.



Yes, that Mar-a-Lago. South Dakotas Attorney General is at President-elect Donald Trumps home in Florida. So, the obvious question is what is he doing there?



Im part of a group of former United States Attorneys and Attorneys General having a conversation about the transition and the Department of Justice (DOJ) and where it goes from here, said Jackley.

Jackley says there has been some discussion that the DOJ has become too political.

This administration and the change that is coming, people are excited about it, people are being responsible about it, obviously we are having good conversations with former U.S. Attorneys and Attorneys General about what the Department of Justice should look like, said Jackley.

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We asked Jackley about his name being mentioned in South Dakota among those being considered for U.S. Attorney General.

Tom: So, the Attorney General of South Dakota is at Mar-a-Lago, that begs the question is anything else going on?

Right now I would say it is nice to be thought of for other positions but for me, the best role I have, other than being a dad, is serving as South Dakotas Attorney General. Getting to be that strong voice for public safety across South Dakota. I enjoy being the Attorney General and Im going to stay right here, he said.

And that means staying in Pierre.

Also in Pierre, Larry Rhoden will presumably become Governor when when Noem leaves for Washington, D.C.

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Rhoden is considered a possible Republican candidate for Governor in 2026. Although Jackley wont say, given his experience and service to the state many consider him a possible contender for that position as well.



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By Hyunsu Yim

SEOUL (Reuters) - A South Korean court convicted on Friday main opposition party leader Lee Jae-myung for violating the election law, handing him a one-year prison term suspended for two years, a penalty that if upheld could jeopardize his bid to run for president in 2027.

After the hearing, Lee said that he would appeal.

"I will be appealing. Beginning with the basic facts, it is a conclusion that is difficult to accept", he said.

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If his appeals fail and the prison sentence becomes final, Lee would be stripped of his parliament seat and his eligibility to run in any elections for the next five years.

Lee, head of the main opposition Democratic Party, who narrowly lost to President Yoon Suk Yeol in the 2022 election, faces at least four trials after being indicted on several criminal charges including bribery and corruption.

He was found guilty of breaching the election law by making a false claim during a parliamentary audit in 2021 while running as a presidential candidate about a land development project in Seongnam when he served as mayor, the court said.

In a statement explaining Friday's ruling, the Seoul Central District Court said spreading false information during an election process prevents voters from making the right choice and could harm democracy.

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Prosecutors had sought a two-year jail term, though the suspended sentence he received means he will not go to prison even if it is upheld.

Lee is widely expected to seek to run in the 2027 presidential election. In January, he survived a knife attack when he was stabbed in the neck by a man during an event and underwent surgery.

His party then went on to score a landslide victory in a parliamentary election in April, dealing a blow to President Yoon and his ruling party.

When a smiling Lee arrived at the court, his supporters chanted his name as he entered, while a group of protesters also gathered nearby. When he left the court, he made a brief statement to announce his appeal.

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Lee, who faces another sentencing hearing later this month over charges he abetted perjury, and his party have accused prosecutors of pursuing a politically motivated case against him.

(Reporting by Hyunsu Yim; Editing by Ed Davies)
Google Cloud has released its 2025 Cybersecurity Forecast, delivering a data-driven analysis of the trends shaping the cybersecurity landscape in the coming year.

The report, compiled by industry-leading experts from Google Cloud Security, Mandiant, Google Threat Intelligence, and VirusTotal, includes insights from prominent leaders such as Sunil Potti, VP/GM, Google Cloud Security; Sandra Joyce, VP of Google Threat Intelligence; Charles Carmakal, Mandiant CTO; and Phil Venables, Google Cloud CISO. Designed to help cybersecurity teams anticipate and respond to the rapidly evolving threats of 2025, this report details emerging trends and geopolitical developments affecting organizational resilience worldwide.

AI-driven Threats on the Rise

The report highlights the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence by cyber adversaries. Malicious actors are expected to leverage AI and large language models (LLMs) to automate phishing, social engineering, and even identity theft, enhancing their capacity for effective attacks. These technologies will allow attackers to operate on a larger scale, refining deepfakes for fraud and bypassing standard identity verification systems. As threat actors experiment with AI-driven tools and seek access to LLMs with limited security guardrails, enterprises face new challenges in maintaining robust defenses against these AI-assisted attacks.

The Next Phase of AI in Security

Google Cloud Security leaders predict 2025 will mark a significant transition toward semi-autonomous security operations. AI is already streamlining workflows by summarizing reports, managing vast datasets, and assisting in real-time tasks, enabling security teams to prioritize higher-risk threats. This semi-autonomous approach will combine AI capabilities with human expertise, allowing for more efficient triaging and threat mitigation. Sunil Potti, VP/GM of Google Cloud Security, describes this shift as the second phase of AI in security, moving closer to a future of near-autonomous cyber defence.

JAPAC: A Growing Target for Cyber Attacks

The 2025 forecast underscores increased cyber activity in the JAPAC (Japan-Asia-Pacific) region, which has become a hotbed for cryptocurrency heists, state-sponsored espionage, and organised cybercrime innovation. Notably, North Korean cyber operatives are expected to intensify their focus on cryptocurrency exchanges and Web3 companies in JAPAC. Posing as remote IT workers, they aim to infiltrate organisations and capitalise on the region's high cryptocurrency adoption rates. Meanwhile, Southeast Asias cybercriminal groups are evolving their tactics, integrating advanced technology, including generative AI, into their operations and creating underground markets for illicit financial transactions. This evolution underscores the need for enhanced intelligence-sharing across sectors in JAPAC to monitor and counteract these sophisticated threats.

The Global Threat Landscape: Key Insights

Cybersecurity threats from the Big FourRussia, China, Iran, and North Korearemain prominent, each pursuing its own geopolitical agenda through cyber espionage, disruption, and influence operations. Russian actors are anticipated to continue cyber espionage linked to the Ukraine conflict and efforts to undermine NATO-aligned countries, while Chinas state-sponsored attacks will prioritise stealthy, long-term access, especially targeting elections in Taiwan and the U.S. in 2025. Additionally, ransomware and multifaceted extortion continue to escalate, with increasingly sophisticated infostealer malware posing new challenges for organisations.

Building Resilience for 2025

With adversarial tactics advancing, Google Clouds 2025 forecast encourages organisations to adopt cloud-native security solutions, improve identity and access management, and stay agile in response to threats. By understanding these trends and preparing accordingly, organisations can bolster their defences and contribute to a more resilient cybersecurity landscape.

Please find the full report
(Bloomberg) -- A South Korean court on Friday convicted the countrys opposition leader of violating election laws, casting a shadow over the political prospects of a man who has been considered a top contender to be the nations next president.

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The Seoul Central District Court found Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung guilty of making false claims in 2021 while campaigning for the presidency and handed down a year-long jail term, suspended for two years.

Its a conclusion that I cannot accept, Lee told reporters before leaving the court. He said he will appeal the ruling.

If the ruling is confirmed, Lee will lose his parliamentary seat and wont be eligible to run in the next presidential race in 2027. Under the countrys law, defendants sentenced to a fine of 1 million won ($716) or more for an election crime cant run for public office for five years.

The court decision is the first in a series of trial outcomes Lee faces over charges ranging from bribery to breach of duty. Another sentencing hearing is slated for later this month over alleged subornation of perjury.

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Lee was the Democratic Partys nominee for the 2022 presidential election in which he ultimately lost to President Yoon Suk Yeol by a razor-thin margin. Yoon is now facing his own headwinds as his approval rating plumbs record low levels with a few years yet to go in his single, five-year term.

Lee became a top contender to succeed Yoon after his party scored a landslide victory in parliamentary elections in April, winning enough seats to dictate the course of legislation and pressure the conservative ruling People Power Party. Lees party has 170 seats in the 300-seat National Assembly, while Yoons party holds 108.

The opposition party leader is considered one of the more polarizing political figures in the country, with a fervent base of supporters on the left and a large block of impassioned opponents in the conservative camp.

His career has been overshadowed by scandals in his personal life and a probe into alleged land speculation in Seongnam, a city where Lee served as mayor. He has denied any wrongdoing and called the legal proceedings against him politically motivated.

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SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung was convicted of violating election law and sentenced to a suspended prison term Friday by a court that ruled he made false statements while denying corruption allegations during a presidential campaign.

If it stands, the ruling could significantly shake up the countrys politics by potentially unseating Lee as a lawmaker and denying him a shot at running for president in the next election. But Lee, who faces three other trials over corruption and other criminal charges, is expected to challenge any guilty verdict and it remains unclear whether the Supreme Court will decide on any of the cases before the presidential vote in March 2027.

Lee told reporters that he plans to appeal Fridays verdict by the Seoul Central District Court, which gave him a sentence of one year in prison, suspended for two years. Under South Korean law, Lee would lose his legislative seat and be barred from running in elections for five years if he receives either a penalty exceeding a 1 million won ($715) fine for election law violations or any prison sentence for other crimes.

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There are still two more courts left in the real world, and the courts of public opinion and history are eternal, he said, apparently referring to plans to take the case to the Supreme Court. This is a conclusion thats impossible to accept.

Lee, a firebrand liberal who narrowly lost the 2022 election to conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol, has steadfastly denied wrongdoing. Choo Kyung-ho, the floor leader of Yoons People Power Party, said the verdict showed that justice was alive and called for the judiciary to conclude the case swiftly.

The ruling drew intense media coverage and seemingly thousands of protesters. Surrounded by police lines, Lees supporters and critics occupied separate streets near the court, shouting opposing slogans and holding signs that said Lee Jae-myung is innocent and Arrest Lee Jae-myung. There were no immediate reports of major clashes.

Prosecutors indicted Lee in 2022 over charges that he made false claims related to two controversial development projects in the city of Seongnam, where he was mayor from 2010 to 2018, while campaigning as the presidential candidate for the Democratic Party.

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One of the comments cited by prosecutors is related to suspicions that Seongnam city in 2015 changed the land-use designation to allow a housing project on a site previously preserved as green space due to lobbying by private developers.

Lee said during a parliamentary hearing in October 2021 that the city was instead coerced by the national government to make the change to the site in the district of Baekhyeon-dong. Prosecutors say theres no evidence to back Lees claim, which has been denied by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Prosecutors also cited a TV interview Lee gave in December 2021, when he said he didnt know a senior official at Seongnam citys urban development arm during his time as mayor. Lee spoke a day after the official was found dead during an investigation into a property development project in the district of Daejang-dong, which reaped huge profits for a small asset management firm and its affiliates and raised suspicions about possible corrupt links between them, city officials and politicians.

Prosecutors argued that Lee was lying to the public to distance himself from the controversies and improve his chances of winning the election. They had sought a two-year prison sentence for him.

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The court found Lee guilty over the comments related to the Baekhyeon-dong project, saying it was clear that the citys decision to change the sites land-use designation wasnt based on demands by the land ministry. It acquitted Lee on most of the charges related to his Daejang-dong comments, citing a lack of evidence.

When false information is distributed to voters during an election process, that could prevent voters from making proper choices and risks distorting the will of the people and damaging the function of the electoral system, the court said in a statement. Such actions cannot be taken lightly.

The same court on Nov. 25 will rule on another case against Lee. He is accused of suborning perjury by allegedly pressuring a Seongnam city employee to give false testimony in a different court case in 2019. The testimony was meant to downplay his 2003 conviction that, when as a lawyer, he had helped a TV journalist impersonate a prosecutor to secure an interview with then-Seongnam Mayor Kim Byung-ryang over suspected corruption in 2002.

While running for Gyeonggi Province governor in 2018, Lee said he had been wrongly accused over the incident, prompting prosecutors to indict him on a charge of making false statements during an election campaign. Lee was acquitted in 2019, partially based on the testimony of the city employee, who had worked as Kim's secretary and said the mayor contemplated dropping charges against the journalist to make Lee the main culprit of the incident.

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Prosecutors indicted Lee on the perjury charges in October last year, presenting transcripts of telephone conversations that they said showed Lee persuading the employee to testify in court that he was framed.

A third and more significant trial at the Seoul Central District Court involves various criminal allegations stemming from Lees days as Seongnam mayor, including that he provided unlawful favors to private investors involved in the two development projects seen as dubious.

Lee is also facing a trial at the Suwon District Court over allegations that he pressured a local businessman into sending millions of dollars in illegal payments to North Korea as he tried to set up a visit to that country that never materialized.

While denying wrongdoing, Lee has accused the government of Yoon, a prosecutor-turned-president, of pursuing a political vendetta.

Yoon, who has seen his approval ratings drop to the 20% range in recent weeks, is grappling with his own political scandal. It centers around allegations that he and first lady Kim Keon Hee exerted inappropriate influence on the People Power Party to pick a certain candidate to run for a parliamentary by-election in 2022 at the request of election broker Myung Tae-kyun, who was arrested this week.
GROVE CITY, Ohio (WCMH)  The family of a 5-year-old girl who was allegedly improperly examined by a school nurse in November 2023 has sued the South-Western City School District over the incident.

The family of the young girl is suing South-Western City Schools, the nurse and the school principal, Jenniffer Kauffeld. According to documents filed in the U.S. Southern District Court of Ohio, the family is asking for a jury trial, monetary damages and is suing for eight counts:

Violation of substantive due process

Violation of right to bodily integrity

Supervisory liability

Failure to report suspected child abuse

Intentional infliction of emotional distress

Assault

Invasion of privacy (two counts)

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Election note sees Olentangy Orange principal on leave

On Nov. 14, 2023, the school nurse and Kauffeld were placed on administrative leave while the district investigated the allegations. The district determined the nurse performed an invasive and improper medical examination with the principal present on the kindergarten student.

According to court documents, the students family was not contacted until after the exam was completed, and the family had already provided context for a medical condition that explained the nurses concern.

According to an email from SWCSDs Assistant Superintendent of Personnel, Kauffeld violated board policies and 15 ethical standards under the Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators. The email recommended the district fire Kauffeld.

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Ohio colleges could be banned from asking students pronouns

Although the nurse initially resigned and the Board of Education voted to consider Kauffelds termination, Kauffeld was allowed to return to her position with a $5,000 pay decrease in February, and the nurse rescinded her resignation. The nurse, who is not named because she has not been charged with a crime, is still employed with the district as the school nurse for another elementary school. Kauffeld is still the elementary principal.

According to court documents, the family alleges the then-kindergartener has been diagnosed with PTSD as a result of the nonconsensual exam and publicity of the event. The family also said her parent had to miss weeks of work because of the incident while the student was out of school, leading to a loss of income.

The family also alleged the student could not return to kindergarten because her teacher was a vocal supporter of Kauffeld, and the family had to have their children change schools. They allege the nurse and principal took it upon themselves to conduct the invasive examination because they suspected child abuse, despite being told of the students medical condition.

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Representatives said the district was made aware of the lawsuit Wednesday but could not comment further.

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DENVER (KDVR)  Passengers of a Southwest Airlines flight sitting at a Denver International Airport gate had to evacuate after a cell phone battery caught on fire.

According to a statement Southwest sent to FOX31, Southwest Airlines Flight 3316 was scheduled to fly to William P. Hobby Airport in Houston on Friday morning. However, all 108 passengers had to evacuate after a phone caught a seat on fire.

Per preliminary reports, one person suffered a minor injury during the evacuation and the passenger whose phone caught on fire was being treated for burns, Southwest said.

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Southwest said the passengers in the back of the plane exited using the rear emergency slides. The passengers in the front of the plane exited through the front door.

The passengers were placed on another aircraft and were flown to Houston.

According to FlightAware, Southwest Flight 3316 was expected to depart from DIA at 6:05 a.m. The flight arrived at its final destination, Houston, at 12:36 p.m., nearly three hours late.

Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of its Customers and Employees, said Southwest in a statement to FOX31.

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The incident is still under investigation.

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GAFFNEY, S.C. (WSPA)  Spartanburg Community College broke ground Friday on an expansion at their Cherokee County Campus.

The school recently purchased the former Fatz Cafe restaurant and around 20 acres of adjoining land near the Peachoid water tower along Interstate 85.

The more than $50 million expansion will add two buildings to the campus in Gaffney.

Spartanburg Community College is hoping to double enrollment at the campus with the addition.

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Officials broke ground on the expansion during a ceremony Friday afternoon.

(From: Spartanburg Community College)

SCC has seen a 62% increase in enrollment since 2020, reaching 6,700 students across its five campuses.

The number of students graduating from SCC has also risen by 39% since the 2015-2016 academic year, from 784 to 1,086 in 2023-2024.

As a native of Cherokee County, this historic announcement is both personally and professionally significant, as we continue to drive South Carolina forward into a new age of innovation in higher education and economic development, said Dr. Michael Mikota, president of Spartanburg Community College. The strategic investment in our community exemplifies SCCs mission to empower our region to new heights of opportunity and prosperity for many generations to come.

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The expanded campus will include a new academic building and a Spark Center dedicated to Cherokee County, the college said.

SCC said the Spark Center is a business accelerator designed to support companies looking to relocate the county.

Officials said they are aiming to complete construction on the expansion in three to five years.

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(Bloomberg) -- Speaker Mike Johnson urged the House Ethics Committee to keep confidential its findings on alleged sexual and other misconduct by Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trumps choice for attorney general.

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Johnson said on Friday that giving in to calls to release the report would open a Pandoras box, setting a precedent for disclosing potentially derogatory information on former members of Congress.

Republican and Democratic senators are pressing for the results of the Houses investigation into allegations Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct, took illicit drugs and accepted improper gifts. Even some members of Trumps own party are wary of approving Gaetz as the nations chief law enforcement officer.

The House Ethics Committee had planned a meeting Friday to consider findings of the investigation but canceled it after Gaetz was nominated and resigned from Congress earlier in the week.

I believe it is very important to maintain the Houses tradition of not issuing ethics reports on people who are no longer members of Congress, Johnson told reporters at the Capitol, after visiting Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Thursday.

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Johnson declined to talk about any conversations with Trump on the matter. The speaker said he has neither involvement nor understanding of whats going on with the ethics panel, and that hes responding only to published reports.

Gaetzs resignation from the House meant that the committee no longer has jurisdiction to investigate him, igniting controversy over whether the findings could be made public or at least revealed to the Senate to inform its confirmation proceedings on the attorney general post.

The Justice Department launched a criminal investigation that included allegations Gaetz had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl in exchange for money but decided in February 2023 not to file any charges against him.

The House Ethics Committees probe also included allegations the congressman took illicit drugs and improper gifts. Gaetz has denied all allegations and said in September that he was no longer cooperating with the House probe.

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Gaetz has been controversial even among Republicans. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, whose ouster from House leadership was initiated by Gaetz, said the Senate would reject the Floridians nomination.

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Nov. 15STERLING  More than 50 Sauk Valley veterans got a surprise Thursday from some special guests.

Third grade students from Montmorency school in Rock Falls presented thank-you letters to local veterans during their monthly breakfast at the Whiteside County Senior Center in Sterling. They were joined by WCSC staff and volunteers, members of the Sterling police and fire departments, and representatives from local businesses and organizations.

The WCSC has been hosting the breakfasts since 2019 as a way for veterans to connect and learn about available resources. Montmorency Principal Megan Dillon said the students were invited by WCSC Executive Director Emily Hammer, whose mother, Dawn Hackbarth, is a third grade teacher at the school.

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"I asked if her students would write letters to the veterans and it quickly turned into the whole school writing them letters," Hammer said. "It was, like, 140 letters they wrote. It's important for them to see things like this, because their grandparents, their aunts and uncles might have served or are serving. When you're a kid, you don't realize how important it is, and this is an awesome way to help show them."

Hammer read attending veterans' names while volunteers handed them American flag pins and thanked them for their service. Hammer also thanked Allure of Sterling, Citadel of Sterling, Beacon of Hope, Rock River Hospice, CGH, Lifescape, Sauk Valley Bank, Castor Home Nursing, Kroger, Ana's in Rock Falls and the Veteran's Compensation Group, who have supported the breakfast throughout the years.

Tom Schroeder from the Veteran's Compensation Group stopped by to update veterans on how they could apply for benefits and compensation for medical conditions resulting from exposure to toxic chemicals during their military careers.

"The PACT Act was signed in 2022 and makes it possible for veterans of the Vietnam War and the Gulf War to receive money and benefits if you were exposed to toxic chemicals," Schroeder said. "If you served in Vietnam, you were exposed to Agent Orange. There's no doubt about it. It affects you in a lot of ways and the thing is, it affects many people much later in life. So, if you were exposed to those things, give us a call or talk to me and we'll help you go through the filing process. It costs you nothing."

Veterans and their spouses meet for breakfast at 9 a.m. the second Thursday of the month at the WCSC, 1207 W. Ninth St. in Sterling. For information, call 815-622-9230.
President-elect Donald Trumps proposal to dismantle the federal Department of Education  and the impact it would have on the nations special education teacher shortage  was hotly debated at a public briefing in Washington, D.C. Friday morning.

Some panelists argued the move  long a goal of conservatives  would be disastrous while others testified it would be largely symbolic.

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The elimination of the Department Of Education would do significant harm to the teacher shortage and particularly for our students with disabilities, testified Tuan Nguyen, an associate professor at the University of Missouri whose team runs one of the only national databases on teacher shortages.

Tuan Nguyen is an associate professor at the University of Missouri. (U.S. Commission on Civil Rights)

The Department Of Education is largely responsible for making sure we follow the laws and to divest funds, and if we dont have a Department of Education to oversee what were doing  were going to have a free-for-all in terms of who were going to put in the classroom, Nguyen added.

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Fellow panelist Eric Hanushek, a senior fellow at Stanford Universitys Hoover Institution had another take: I dont think that eliminating the Department of Education would do much.

While hes concerned it might jeopardize the collection of data and funding of research, ultimately Hanushek said the department is largely responsible for dispersing funds, a role another department could take on.

I think its largely a political statement, he added.

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74 Interview: Stanford Economist Eric Hanushek on COVIDs Trillion-Dollar Impact on Students

Jessica Levin, litigation director at the Education Law Center, disagreed. The DOE is not just a pass-through [of funds], she said. The DOE has expertise in the complicated distribution of those funds and the enforcement of the civil rights guarantees that go along with them.

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She added that eliminating it would be not just on a practical level extremely harmful but part of an attack on institutions that protect civil rights in this country, making it a dangerous proposal both on a practical and symbolic level.

Both state and federal governments are responsible for ensuring that the rights of students with disabilities are met through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The law, initially passed in 1974 but amended and renamed in 1990, proposed that federal funding would cover 40% of the average costs of special education, a directive that has yet to be met in the 50 years since. Experts noted that when special education isnt fully funded, district leaders are forced to reallocate money from elsewhere, ultimately harming all students.

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Researchers: Higher Special Education Funding Not Tied to Better Outcomes

The federal Commission on Civil Rights held Fridays briefing to better understand the impact of teacher shortages on students with disabilities nationwide. A final report on their findings is anticipated in fall 2025, Stephen Gilchrist, the lead commissioner on the report, told The 74 before the briefing.

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Having been involved with some of this in my own home state of South Carolina, weve seen many issues where students who were entitled to these federal accommodations were not receiving them at all in school districts, Gilchrist said, a dilemma he noted is only worsened by teacher shortages.

An appointee from Trumps first presidency, Gilchrist expressed optimism that the incoming administration will help lawmakers think differently about how  we deliver education to students in America  without there being such a bureaucratic process.

His observations and the debate at the briefing over the education departments fate comes amid a firestorm over a series of controversial Trump appointees this week. Trump has yet to name his education secretary and its unclear whether what critics see as the extreme nature of his latest picks makes the departments possible demise more likely.

Stephen Gilchrist, a Commission on Civil Rights appointee from Trumps first presidency, is the lead commissioner on the report. (U.S. Commission on Civil Rights)

Fridays briefing focused on a persistent problem in K-12 education  the shortage of special education teachers  that was exacerbated by COVID. As of October 2023, 21% of public schools said they were not fully staffed in special education, and 51% reported having to move teachers around to fill a variety of vacancies.

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In 2024, 72% of public schools with special education vacancies struggled to fill the position with a fully certified teacher, according to Brittany Patrick, senior policy analyst on education at the National Education Association, the nations largest teachers union.

That being said, there is a lack of specific and reliable data, according to Nguyen, who noted that while almost every state has indicated shortages, theres no information on the magnitude. Knowing theres a shortage is not particularly helpful if we dont know the extent of the problem, he said.

In the face of these vacancies, some states have issued thousands of provisional and emergency licenses, filled positions with substitute teachers, lowered teaching requirements, or sent the National Guard into classrooms, all of which means students are being instructed by under-qualified teachers, Nguyen argued.

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Desperate to Hire Special Ed Teachers? Try Looking in Regular Ed Classrooms

Panelists across the spectrum noted the particularly challenging circumstances in which special education teachers currently work, marked by low pay, large caseloads and class sizes, inadequate support and political divisiveness  all of which appear to be driving them out of the classroom. At the same time, there is a dearth of new educators in the pipelines.

Together this means that special education students dont receive the services theyre entitled to, a pervasive issue, exacerbated by decreased professionalization and the mental health effects of COVID, said Amanda Levin Mazin, senior lecturer at Columbia Universitys Teachers College. Even pre-pandemic, a number of these students were falling behind their peers.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  A Kern County judge has appointed a special master to review the contents of a cellphone seized from one of the defendants charged in connection with the death of a woman shot after tracking down her stolen Dodge Hellcat.

The special master  an outside legal expert  was requested after it was discovered the phone contained confidential text messages between the defendant and his attorney.

Judge Michael G. Bush on Thursday appointed Kelly Francisco, one of seven attorneys listed on the State Bars special master roster for Kern County.

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Prosecutor Christine Antonios said she has no interest in the attorney-client text messages  but wants to know what, if any, information the phone contains that is relevant to the case.

The phone in question belongs to Joseph Bush IV, who is charged along with David Tyrone Thompson and Giovanni Garcia-Viscarra in connection with the March 2023 shooting of Victoria Anna Marie Hampton, 61.

In October, Antonios received a download of the phones contents and found messages between Bush and Eric Le  an attorney at the Law Office of Mark Anthony Raimondo, according to a court filing. She immediately stopped reading and contacted Le.

Raimondo then filed a motion to remove the District Attorneys Office from the case; if approved, the state Attorney Generals Office would likely take over.

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On Thursday, after hearing from all attorneys involved in the case, Bush scheduled a hearing on the motion for next month and postponed a preliminary hearing to January.

Hampton was found wounded March 19, 2023, on Ginger Drive, north of White Lane and west of New Stine Road, and died April 1, 2023.

Police say Hamptons Dodge was stolen and she tracked it using an Apple AirTag  then was shot while confronting the defendants.

Thompson, the accused shooter, is charged with murder, carjacking and vehicle theft. Garcia-Viscarra and Bush are charged with carjacking, vehicle theft and conspiracy.

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Hijacking domains using a Sitting Ducks attack remain an under-recognised topic in the cybersecurity community, according to Infoblox which says that few threat researchers are familiar with this attack vector and knowledge is scarce - however, the prevalence of these attacks and the risk to organisations are significant.

During a Sitting Ducks attack, the malicious actor gains full control of the domain by taking over its DNS configurations. Cybercriminals have used this vector since 2018 to hijack tens of thousands of domain names, notes Infoblox, adding that Victim domains include well-known brands, non-profits, and government entities.

Infoblox Threat Intel crafted a monitoring initiative after the initial paper on Sitting Ducks attacks was published in July 2024. The results are very sobering, as 800,000 vulnerable domains were identified, and about 70,000 of those were later identified as hijacked, Infoblox warned.

Heres Infoblox report:

The Vipers and Hawks Feasting on Sitting Ducks Attacks

Vacant Viper

Vacant Viper is one of the earliest known threat actors to exploit Sitting Ducks and has hijacked an estimated 2,500 domains each year since December 2019. This actor uses hijacked domains to augment its malicious traffic distribution system (TDS) called 404TDS with the intention to run malicious spam operations, deliver porn, establish remote access trojan (RAT) C2s, and drop malware such as DarkGate and AsyncRAT. Vacant Viper does not hijack domains for a specific brand connection but instead for a set of domain resources that have high reputations and will not be blocked by security vendors. The newly published report lists examples of attack chains showing redirection techniques used both by the 404TDS and its affiliates, including how Vacant Viper uses hijacked domains in the 404TDS.

Vextrio Viper

This actor has used hijacked domains as part of its massive TDS infrastructure since early 2020. Vextrio runs the largest known cybercriminal affiliate program, routing compromised web traffic to over 65 affiliate partners, some of whom have also stolen domains via Sitting Duck for their own malicious activities. Many of these affiliates use a Russian antibot service as a method to filter out bots and security researchers. The functionality of antibot includes the ability to set rules to block certain bot services or users based on their IP geolocation, user-agent, etc.

New actors Horrid Hawk and Hasty Hawk

The animal designation of Hawks was given because the threat actors swoop in and hijack vulnerable domains, much like hawks dive down to snatch their prey. Infoblox has named several new actors thriving on hijacked domains.

Horrid Hawk: A DNS threat actor that has been hijacking domains and using them for investment fraud schemes since at least February 2023. This actor is interesting because it uses hijacked domains in every step of its campaigns, crafting convincing lures containing non-existent government investment programs or summits. It embeds the hijacked domains in short-lived Facebook ads targeting users in over 30 languages spanning multiple continents.

Hasty Hawk: Another threat actor discovered during Infobloxs research into Sitting Ducks hijackings. Since at least March 2022, Hasty Hawk has hijacked over 200 domains to operate widespread phishing campaigns that primarily spoof DHL shipping pages and fake donation sites to support Ukraine. The actor exploits many providers, often reconfiguring hijacked domains to host content on Russian IPs. Hasty Hawk uses Google Ads and other means, such as spam messages, to distribute malicious content. It also uses a TDS to route users to different webpages that vary in content and language depending on their geolocation and other user characteristics. Hasty Hawk switches some of its domains back and forth between various campaign themes.

The full report can be found here. More information on the Sitting Duck vulnerability can be found here.

About Infoblox

Infoblox unites networking and security to deliver unmatched performance and protection. Trusted by Fortune 100 companies and emerging innovators, we provide real-time visibility and control over who and what connects to your network, so your organisation runs faster and stops threats earlier. Visit Infoblox.com, or follow-us on LinkedIn or X.
Among the eight South Florida eateries the state temporarily closed last week were five restaurants inside The Mall at Wellington Green in Palm Beach County. The big problem: rodent droppings.

It was the second time since September that inspectors found rodent issues at the Wellington mall.

Other noteworthy findings included a live spider on a cutting board and roaches crawling around an oven and on single-use bowls and lids.

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The South Florida Sun Sentinel typically highlights restaurant inspections conducted by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation in Broward and Palm Beach counties. We cull through inspections that happen weekly and spotlight places ordered shut for high-priority violations, such as improper food temperatures or dead cockroaches.

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Any restaurant that fails a state inspection must stay closed until it passes a follow-up. If you spotted a possible violation and wish to file a complaint, contact Florida DBPR. (But please dont contact us: The Sun Sentinel doesnt inspect restaurants.)

PALM BEACH COUNTY

Sbarro (inside Mall at Wellington Green)

10300 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington

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Ordered shut: Nov. 5

Why: Two violations (one high-priority), including:

About 30 rodent droppings in spots such as under dry storage area where food items and single-service items are stored, around the perimeter of the water heater, inside dough container stored on dry storage shelf, on top of open box containing single-service cups, on top of open box with steam table pans, on top of open box with aluminum pans and in the back of rolling cart at front counter where pizzas are stored.

Status: Remained closed after its Nov. 6 inspection found one major violation, but it was allowed to reopen later that day with no new issues.

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The Madres Mexican Fresh (inside Mall at Wellington Green)

10300 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington

Ordered shut: Nov. 5

Why: Two violations (one high-priority):

About 25 rodent droppings on floor near single-service items, food and cleaned dishes.

About 12 dead roaches in two traps by dry storage/dishwashing area, near single-service items and containers of food.

Status: Closed again after a Nov. 6 inspection found one high-priority and one basic violation but reopened later that day when inspectors found no new issues.

Med Plate (inside Mall at Wellington Green)

10300 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington

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Ordered shut: Nov. 5

Why: Two violations (both high-priority):

About 15 rodent droppings in corner between sections of the wall at back-end of kitchen and on rat trap under prep table where various food items are stored.

Time/temperature issues involved hummus, grape leaf-wrapped rice and yogurt base sauce.

Status: Shut on Nov. 6 after a second visit found one high-priority violation, but it reopened later that day after a third visit revealed no new issues.

Yeungs Lotus Express (inside Mall at Wellington Green)

10300 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington

Ordered shut: Nov. 5

Why: Six violations (all high-priority), including:

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Nine live cockroaches in between sections of oven and crawling down the leg of oven beside several rice cookers and across from dry storage area.

About 31 rodent droppings in areas such as behind rice storage container next to rice cookers, underneath oven, under dry storage area where various food items are stored in kitchen and on lid of container bearing food in dry storage area.

Stop sales ordered due to temperature abuse for raw shrimp.

Status: Shut Nov. 6 after a follow-up inspection found four high-priority issues, again on Nov. 7 for one high-priority issue, and again on Nov. 8 for one high-priority issue. It was allowed to reopen later that day when its reinspection found zero violations.

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (inside Mall at Wellington Green)

10300 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington

Ordered shut: Nov. 5

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Why: Two violations (both high-priority):

About 18 rodent droppings on soda box beside steam table, under reach-in cooler and conventional oven and under prep table.

Status: Reopened Nov. 6 after inspectors discovered no violations.

Antojitos Mexicanos El Calentano food truck

3881 Congress Ave., Palm Springs

Ordered shut: Nov. 7

Why: Two violations (one-high-priority):

Six cockroaches crawling on flip-top cooler lid and on wall next to glass-door cooler.

Three dead roaches under flat-top grill.

Status: Reopened Nov. 12 after a follow-up visit found zero new issues.

Taj Mahal Indian Cuisine

4778 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach

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Ordered shut: Nov. 7

Why: 11 violations (six high-priority), including:

About 14 live cockroaches under dishwashing machine in kitchen, under prep sink on the kitchen floor, under triple sink on floor in prep room, on low-boy cooler and in direct contact with single-use bowls and lids in prep area.

About 51 dead roaches on top of dishwashing machine in kitchen, in corner on floor behind dishwashing machine and along the corners of the floor.

Employee washed hands with no soap.

Stop sales ordered due to temperature abuse for cooked lamb, cooked chicken, cut tomatoes, onion sauce, tomato gravy, sauteed onions and coconut milk.

Raw portioned chicken stored over cooked chicken.

Status: Reopened Nov. 8 after a follow-up visit spotted one intermediate issue.

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Tacos Al Carbon

5380 10th Ave. N., Greenacres

Ordered shut: Nov. 6

Why: 16 violations (12 high-priority), including:

1 live spider on cutting board by three-compartment sink

Six roaches crawling on floor by flip-top cooler on cook line.

Sanitation issues: Garbage bags used to store cooked tortillas, handwashing sink on cook-line drain backing up with sewage/wastewater, and one employee touching clean equipment without washing hands.

Stop sales ordered for food not consumed/sold with seven days after preparation for salsa, beef soup and seafood soup.

Stop sales ordered due to temperature abuse for cheese, french fries, sour cream, beef stock and cooked beef, pork, shrimp, chorizo, rice and beans.

At kitchen, several metal pans washed with only soap and water. Not sanitized.

Status: Closed again on Nov. 7 but reopened Nov. 8 after a follow-up visit yielded zero new problems.
SPRINGDALE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  A jury trial is scheduled in February for a Springdale man accused of exploiting a vulnerable adult.

John Backus, 50, is charged with soliciting money or property from an individual deemed incompetent, according to court documents.

Backus pleaded not guilty on Wednesday, with his trial set to begin on Feb. 4.

Backus and Brandi Humphries, 48, also from Springdale, were arrested last month by Tontitown police. Humphries, who faces the same charge, previously entered a not guilty plea. Her trial is slated for Jan. 21.

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Springdale police launched an investigation after receiving a complaint from Casey Bradford, the grandson of an 89-year-old man with dementia, according to a probable cause affidavit. Bradford alleged that property was sold to Backus while his grandfather was mentally incapable of making financial decisions.

Shooting at Fayetteville apartment, police investigating

Bradford was granted power of attorney over his grandfathers finances, health care, and property in Feb. 2021, according to the affidavit. However, on Dec. 20, 2021, a document revoking the power of attorney was signed by the elderly man and notarized by Humphries.

Two days later, Bradford obtained guardianship of his grandfather through a court order that prohibited the sale or transfer of real estate. Despite this, property deeds related to the sale were filed on Dec. 22, 2021.

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Bentonville man arrested in reported kidnapping, assault at Walmart

The affidavit states both Backus and Humphries were aware of the elderly mans mental condition. The property was reportedly sold for significantly less than its appraised value.

Bradford initiated a civil lawsuit on Aug. 28, 2022. On Dec. 18, 2023, Washington County Circuit Judge John Threet ruled that the elderly man lacked the mental capacity to execute the contracts and deeds. The court found that Backus and Humphries knowingly exerted undue influence to finalize the sale.

Threet set aside the transaction and ordered the property to be returned to the family trust.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
Springfield will be the headquarters for a pilot program that aims to better respond to communicable diseases while allowing area health departments to continue their essential programming.

During the Nov. 4 Springfield City Council meeting, the council voted unanimously to accept funding to build a nine-person team that would serve 18 southwest Missouri counties. The nearly $600,000 grant is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

Over the past 20 years, there's been a steady increase in communicable diseases, according to Jon Mooney, assistant director of the Springfield-Greene County Health Department.

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The DHSS has a list of 120 communicable diseases that must be reported to the local health agency. Those diseases are listed not just because of their contagiousness, but also because of the health outcomes. For example, the common cold is highly contagious, but very rarely has severe outcomes. Other conditions like pertussis  whooping cough  can be unknowingly spread and have severe health complications for infants. And it can have far-reaching implications in the community at large.

"If I'm home and sick multiple times for some of these diseases, I'm not contributing to my community, I'm not going to work or I'm having to stay home with my kids who are sick," Mooney said. "Any time you talk about illness, these are the sort of more nasty bugs, if you will, that we want to help control because it has far-reaching impacts not just to the individual, but the community."

Pilot program aims to 'lift up' whole public health system

Typically, when a communicable disease is reported, the local public health agency will launch into an investigation, contact tracing and create strategies to prevent future spread. SGCHD has a team of professionals who can fully dedicate their jobs to that, but smaller departments may not be so fortunate.

"A lot of times the people that are doing communicable disease control have to wear a lot of other hats. It might be a nurse that is also providing WIC services that is also providing health education in the community that is also providing immunizations," Mooney said. "They're trying to juggle a lot of different things  and they're doing a great job at it  but when there's a surge of disease in a community, that makes it really hard to respond when you've got one person who has multiple responsibilities."

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The pilot team hopes to prevent local departments from having to make the decision of whether to manage a communicable disease or to dial back critical health services. While it might not be fully staffed at first, the team aims to have three nurses, three communicable disease specialists, a data analyst, a communications specialist and a coordinator. The pilot program will help them determine if that size group is too big or too small.

The regional team also provides an array of skills that would not exist if the state simply put an epidemiologist in each public health area. For example, an epidemiologist can't provide shots and might not have expertise in data analysis or training in communication.

"It's a more efficient model to help lift up the whole system and provide the sort of full range of service you would need, the full range of public health service you would need to respond," Mooney said.

More: HHS funding will enable Jordan Valley Community Health to expand mental health services

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This project has not yet been tested in Missouri, but Mooney says that SGCHD is uniquely positioned to be the pilot thanks to its relationship with local agencies, hospitals and DHSS. He also added that the funding approved in City Council isn't the full funding and that SGCHD is still exploring other options.

Mooney is eager to get the team set up and to see how the pilot program turns out  whether it will improve the whole system in a way that can be replicated throughout the whole state and if it will encourage the public health system to change.

"(Will the program) help push the public health system forward rather than continue to rely on things how we've done them in past years? It's really trying to create this evolution of 'Can we provide better support to our communities in a delivery model that also makes sense from outcomes and efficiency?'"

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield pilot program to help SWMO health agencies amid outbreaks
ST. GEORGE, Utah (ABC4)  The St. George Police Department is investigating after receiving reports of a potential kidnapping of a 12-year-old child in the Bloomington Hills neighborhood early Friday morning.

Police said the incident happened just after 7 a.m. in the vicinity of a bus stop in the area. A juvenile witness reported that a child who appeared to be 12 years old was pushed by an adult man into the backseat of an older model, dark green, four-door pickup truck with black wheels.

Utah County schools affected by school shooting threat hoax

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There is no description of the possible male suspect.

All children assigned to the bus stop have been accounted for. Officers are working with school employees in the area to ensure that all children have been accounted for as well.

As officers with the St. George Police Department continue their active investigation, anyone with home or vehicle security footage in the area is asked to call the police. The St. George Police Department can be reached by phone at 435-627-4300.

This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
ST. LANDRY PARISH, La. (KLFY)  Lafayette is not the only parish facing possible school closures and consolidations. The St. Landry Parish School Board held a meeting on Thursday to discuss just that.

The proposed ideas are to close Grand Coteau Elementary, close Washington Elementary, combine Opelousas Middle and Creswell Middle, close Eunice Elementary and combine North Central High and Port Barre High.

The superintendent said, however, nothing is set in stone.

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No decisions have been made. So thats the great thing. No decisions have been made. [It] is a lot of ideas and thoughts and, you know, possibilities. So you still have a lot of time to chime in and give your perspective, said Superintendent Milton Batiste III.

Batiste said the size of classrooms is whats guiding the change.

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I guess just overall, were looking at declining enrollment trends like over the last decade or so. So just honestly in an attempt to drive academics, number one, and just be more fiscally responsible and actually put our students in a better space, our students and our teachers in a better space academically, he said.

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Lives are going to be affected: Duson mayor reacts to possible school closure

While some parents spoke out against the proposed closures and consolidations, Batiste said they want to hear that.

I dont look at it as pushback. I look at it as families and parents and community members advocating for their community schools, which is natural, Batiste said.

But I think, you know, the more of these conversations that we can have, I think we can more understand collectively that, you know, we have to do something different and times change and they always do. Thats just history, he continued.

More than a dozen schools renovated in St. Landry Parish

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Batiste said the school board has hired a demographer to help guide the proposals, but ultimately, the school board will make the final decision.

Im grateful for the people that came out and expressed their concerns. So I think that is positive as a part of a productive society when people are able to come in and have, you know, productive conversations. And I think everybody was respectful of one anothers ideas. So I thought that was powerful just to see that, he said.

The superintendent said he hopes the school board can vote on the finalized proposals around February to prepare for the 2025  2026 school year.

Lafayette Parish School System gets final recommendations for school closures

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com.
ST. LOUIS  St. Louis Metropolitan Police issued an arrest warrant for a man wanted for first-degree murder in a fatal shooting last month.

According to the SLMPD probable cause statement, Revon A. Swinney, 42, fatally shot another man at 3607 Hamilton in the citys Wells-Goodfellow neighborhood on October 12.

Allegedly, Swinney approached the victims vehicle and, after conversing with him, pulled out a gun and fatally shot him. Another victim was in the vehicle and immediately exited the car after being in the line of fire during the shooting.

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Surveillance video at a surrounding motel captured the shooting on camera. Police said when an employee of the motel was shown photos from the video, they were able to provide Swinneys identity.

Swinney has been charged with first-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, and one count of first-degree assault. A warrant was issued for his arrest on Wednesday.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
ST. LOUIS  A tax preparer in St. Louis was sentenced to prison on Wednesday after filing $2.5 million in false tax returns.

According to the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Eastern District of Missouri, Robert Droege, 59, pleaded guilty in June to four counts of aiding in the preparation of fraudulent tax returns and preparation of at least 34 false returns.

TV show created by St. Louis chef shoots pilot episode in The Hill neighborhood

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Droege had worked out of his home office, Bobs Tax Service, in the 6500 block of Morganford Road in the citys Holly Hills neighborhood.

Reportedly, he prepared returns for clients with false information regarding medical expenses, charitable contributions, personal property rental expenses, and other deductions. Allegedly, Droege had caused a total loss to the Internal Revenue Service of an estimated $2.5 million.

A U.S. District judge sentenced Droege to 46 months in prison.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
A St. Paul man who authorities say was the ringleader of a group that mailed a record amount of fentanyl pills from Arizona to the Twin Cities hidden in stuffed animals has been sentenced to more than 13 years in prison.

Cornell Montez Chandler Jr., 25, was given a 160-month term Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Bryan in St. Paul after pleading guilty in June to conspiracy to distribute the drug between August 2022 and February 2023. Bryan also imposed five years of post-incarceration supervised release.

Chandlers eight co-defendants, all from the Twin Cities, have pleaded not guilty to the same charge.

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The charges followed the seizure of 280,000 fentanyl pills that were sent in six packages through the U.S. Postal Service from Phoenix to the Twin Cities metro area in January and February of last year. Authorities called the fentanyl seizure, which amounted to 66 pounds with an estimated value of over $2.2 million, the largest ever in Minnesota.

The investigation involved law enforcement from Washington, Dakota and Ramsey counties, along with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Homeland Security Investigations.

Those seizures saved lives. However, not every package was intercepted, Assistant U.S. Attorney Campbell Warner wrote in a memo to the court last month. Thousands of Chandlers deadly pills still made it to their intended targets  the people of Minnesota. Mothers and sons. Fathers and daughters.

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, just 2 milligrams of fentanyl can kill a person.

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Chandler led the conspiracy that shipped tens of thousands of poisonous, lethal pills to Minnesota, endangering hundreds of thousands of people, Warner wrote. That is fact, not hyperbole. And for that, Chandler deserves a severe punishment.

Chandlers sentence is below the 15 year term sought by federal prosecutors.

Chandlers attorney, Frederick Goetz, asked for a downward departure to 10 years, telling the judge ahead of sentencing that his client had an extremely difficult childhood and later turned to alcohol and drugs.

Chandlers prior felony convictions were for aggravated robbery in 2017 in Ramsey County and fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle in 2021 in Washington County.

Disguised as birthday presents

According to his plea agreement, Chandler admitted he flew to Phoenix to buy fentanyl from one or more suppliers and that he and others mailed packages through the U.S. Postal Service to the Twin Cities for distribution.

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Chandler also admitted they had mailed other packages to the Twin Cities that were not seized and that the pills then were passed to others for further dealing.

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The drug ring disguised the stuffed animals as birthday presents and lined them with dog treats in an attempt to prevent drug-sniffing dogs from alerting them, the plea agreement says.

Chandlers co-defendants are: Quijuan Hosea Bankhead, 31; Amaya Tiffany-Nicole Mims, 24; FoTre Devine White, 31; Robiel Lee Williams, 24; all of St. Paul; and Shardai Rayshell Allen, 25; Stardasha Christina Davenport-Mounger, 25; DaShawn Natori Domena, 25; and Phyu Win Jame, 28, of Minneapolis.

Minnesota had 947 opioid-involved overdose deaths last year and about 70 percent involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl, according to preliminary data released last month by state health officials. That was 84 fewer deaths than in 2022; nonfatal overdoses involving opioids other than heroin increased last year by 11 percent, from 4,328 to 4,819.
St. Paul police released body-camera footage Friday that shows an officer shooting through a squads windshield at a homicide suspect who allegedly pointed a gun at officers.

Officers received an anonymous report just after 1 p.m. last Saturday that Mychel Stowers was on a bicycle at a laundromat in the 1100 block of West Seventh Street, according to police. A warrant had been issued for Stowers arrest when prosecutors charged him Oct. 24 with the murder of his pregnant wife, Damara Alexis Kirkland.

The video can be seen on the St. Paul Police Departments YouTube page.

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We are committed to the sanctity of the independent investigation; we are also committed to the transparency of our actions, Police Chief Axel Henry said in a Friday statement. Thats why we are releasing the body-worn camera and in-car camera footage from this incident. No one wants apprehensions to result in the use of force of any kind. Not using force is always our goal  and is the outcome of the majority of our officers interactions.

Officers were monitoring the business to determine if Stowers was inside when the same person called again and reported that the man on a bike in front of the business was in fact Stowers, according to a statement from police. Officers established a perimeter in (an) attempt to contain Stowers from fleeing the area and set a plan to arrest him.

The man rode the bike south on Bay Street to Watson Avenue about 1:45 p.m. where uniformed officers in marked squad cars closed in on him, police said.

Before officers could confirm his identity, the man, now identified as Stowers, produced a handgun and pointed it at the officers, according to a statement earlier this week from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which is investigating.

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Officers Matthew Foy fired a handgun and Officer Eric Jaworski a rifle, the BCA said. Stowers, 36, died of multiple gunshot wounds a short time later at Regions Hospital.

The video excerpts released Friday total just over 1 minute and 20 seconds from the two officers body cameras and from squad camera footage. They show Foy was driving and Jaworski fired through the windshield from the passenger seat.

In watching the squad video at a slower speed, Stowers can be seen on the bicycle and he appears to face toward the squad as he holds something in his hand as the squad approaches. The police department included still frames from the squad camera and circled an object that Stowers was holding.

The BCA said they found a handgun at the location where the officers shot Stowers.

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When the BCA investigation is complete, the agency said it will present its findings to the Ramsey County Attorneys Office for review on the legality of the officers actions.

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Stowers was charged in the fatal shooting of Kirkland, 35, in her apartment in St. Pauls North End on Oct. 19. An autopsy found she was eight to nine weeks pregnant, and one of the murder charges was for the death of her unborn child. Stowers was also charged with shooting a man in the leg as he carjacked him and fled the area.

Stowers was released from prison in March in the 2008 killing of a man in St. Paul. He was on work release, and the Minnesota Department of Corrections said he was under supervision by their agency and a halfway house.

The police shooting of Stowers was the third by St. Paul officers since Sept. 26. All three have involved homicide suspects who were allegedly armed with guns when police encountered them.
An investigation is underway after the victim of a stabbing in Quincy was found in Milton, authorities said.

Officers responding to a report of a stabbing in the North Quincy area around 8 a.m. learned one victim had been taken to a Boston hospital, according to Quincy Police Sergeant Patrick Faherty.

Because police werent exactly sure where the stabbing occurred, Quincy Catholic Academy on Hancock Street was placed in a modified lockdown as a precaution, Faherty told reporters.

All of the students and staff are safe, Faherty said. Were not sure where the incident, at this time, took place.

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Faherty said the school is monitoring the situation and updates will be provided to parents as they develop.

The victim, whose name hasnt been released, suffered non-life-threatening injuries. It wasnt immediately clear how they ended up in Milton.

There were no additional details available.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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New research finds Government ICT procurement policy must be urgently reformed, as Australia has fallen out of step with international practice when it comes to supporting local industry.

According to the report by independent economic analysts Insight Economics, reforms announced by the Albanese Government in the past two years - such as supporting local R&D and intellectual property creation, tax payments, and skilled job creation - were a step in the right direction. Yet to ensure the Australian community, economy, and taxpayers benefit more from the massive public spending on government procurement they cannot be the end of the reform agenda.

The report found that Australias major trading partners have been far more aggressive in using procurement to directly support their own technology industries than Australia has been. Nations, including the US, Canada and the UK, recognise their ICT industries as fundamental pillars of national self-reliance and economic growth and use procurement to boost them. This has left Australian high-tech businesses in a loss-loss situation and at serious risk of becoming reliant on overseas supply lines, a situation the Covid pandemic has already exposed as high risk to the economic and social stability of the community.

The report, which underlines the importance of procurement as a tool for driving economic outcomes, has been welcomed by Australian technology companies, including SaaS ERP provider TechnologyOne (ASX:TNE), government and critical infrastructure cloud vendor Vault Cloud, cyber security, data centre and ICT business Macquarie Technology Group (ASX:MAQ), custom software development firm Agile Digital, counter-drone defence solutions DroneShield (ASX:DRO), space technology company Gilmour Space, software and data company Psithur and the Australian Computer Society, the largest professional body in Australia representing the ICT sector.

In line with the reports recommendation, the ICT industry is urgently calling for a clear framework for measuring and evaluating procurements based on:

A weighted scorecard approach, especially for smaller contracts

A "calculator to transparently value benefits of medium deals, using standard economic multipliers

An economic impact assessment for ICT procurement deals over $10 million, making explicit the expected outcomes as is already commonly done in other industries, such as mining and infrastructure

TechnologyOne CEO, Ed Chung, said: "Australian tech is world-best and has shown it can compete and win in every market in the world, but continually finds itself fighting for recognition and respect with Governments at home. All we are asking for is that our contribution is properly valued before taxpayers money is spent supporting the pension funds of people in other countries.

Australian Computer Society CEO, Josh Griggs, said: "ICT continues to be the defining enabler of Australia's economic growth, yet our highly sophisticated and world class technology sector is not adequately prioritised by government procurement processes. It's time to give Aussies businesses a fair go so we can all share in the benefits of a truly advanced, high tech 21st century economy."

DroneShield Chief Technology Officer, Angus Bean, said: "When we empower Australian sovereign companies, we drive locally led research and development, enabling Australian engineers to lead the forefront of technological advancement. For companies like DroneShield, a world-leading innovator in counter-drone solutions, this support not only strengthens our capabilities but also fosters growth in opportunities for emerging talent from our Australian university pipeline, building a skilled, future-ready workforce  right here in the heart of Sydney."

Vault Cloud CEO, Rupert Taylor-Price, said: "Our allied national security partners are very clear on what control and economic benefit they require when deploying their taxpayer's funds - they see it as part of their patriotic duty. This paper provides a rational and evidence-based path forward for Australia to join our allied partners in building a secure and resilient country."

Psithur co-founder, Felix Barbalet, said: Australian ICT companies are producing world-class innovation. By adopting smarter procurement practices, the government could leverage local expertise to deliver better services and value to all Australians while contributing to economic growth and high-skilled jobs."

Agile Digital Executive Director, David Elliott, said: "As the cost of living crisis continues, Australians are questioning why so much time and taxpayer money goes into large, often unsuccessful Commonwealth ICT projects. As a country, we need to rethink awarding massive ICT contracts to multinational companies and consider turning to our local industry instead. This report from Insight Economics urges policymakers to learn from our trading partners  and to consider the benefits Australia could gain if our Government were more strategic, focused, and sovereign in its ICT procurements."

About TechnologyOne

TechnologyOne (ASX: TNE) is Australia's largest enterprise Software as a Service (SaaS) company and one of Australia's top 100 ASX-listed companies, with offices across six countries. Our enterprise SaaS solution transforms business and makes life simple for our community by providing powerful, deeply integrated enterprise software that is incredibly easy to use. Over 1,300 leading corporations, government departments and statutory authorities are powered by our software.

Our global SaaS solution provides deep functionality for the markets we serve: local government, government, education, health and community services, asset intensive industries and financial services. For these markets we invest significant funds each year in R&D. We also take complete responsibility to market, sell, implement, support and run our solutions for our customers, which reduce time, cost and risk.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  A man was arrested Thursday after a stand off in the middle of a busy Northwest Oklahoma City street.

Oklahoma City police officers said the driver refused to pull over, turning what was supposed to be a normal traffic stop into a stand off.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: UPDATE: One in custody after OKC Police respond to incident in NW OKC

I was worried in here that they were going to start shooting. I didnt want to obviously see a man die, said Savannah Dean, who works nearby.

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There was heavy police presence on Britton Road and Waverly as police officers attempted to stop the driver of a red car.

A customer came in saying that they tried to get him to pull over and he wouldnt. They started yelling at him over the intercom and he put his hands out the window and he just wouldnt pull over. He just like he never put the car in park, said Dean.

Police said the driver eventually began to slow roll, but still would not get out the car.

They all pulled several different kinds of guns out and were just pointing them at him. And he just wouldnt get out of the car. He said that he didnt care if they shot at him or not, said Dean.

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Officers talked back and forth with the driver for several minutes before he finally surrendered, coming out with his hands in the air and was taken into custody.

Employees at nearby businesses said these situations are rare.

Its usually pretty calm here at the laundromat. Thats the biggest thing thats happened in a while, said Shawn McCarthy, who works nearby.

Police said the man was recently released from jail and was driving without a license.

As of right now, they havent released his identity.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
After the 2020 election, then-President Donald Trump and his allies floated numerous hypotheses to explain his loss. One theory, which came to be known as "Italygate," posited that Italian military satellites had interfered with American voting machines and switched votes from Trump to Joe Biden. Though far-fetched, multiple government agents looked into it: Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller called U.S. officials in Rome to ask about the theory, and then-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows emailed Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen, asking him to investigate.

Like all of Trump's other allegations about voter fraud in 2020, Italygate had no basis in reality. But just one election cycle later, on the opposite side of the aisle, a very similar conspiracy is taking shape.

"Swing states were able to use Starlink in order to tally up and to count ballot votes, or voting ballots, in their state," claimed TikTok user Etheria77 in a video that was also cross-posted to X last week, where as of this writing it has more than 4.5 million views. (TikTok removed the original video.) Over the course of the nine-minute video, Etheria77 posits that Elon Musk sent Starlink satellite internet terminals to swing states for use with vote tabulation, a task the terminals are not equipped to perform.

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"There [are] absolutely zero reasons as to why those systems were connected to the internet," Etheria77 says. "[Voting] machines have absolutely no problem tallying up votes like they have done since the beginning of time."

To be sure, one TikTok video filmed in the front seat of a car is hardly the same as a concerted effort encompassing the sitting president. But the allegation has spread so far and wide that multiple mainstream news outlets felt the need to address it.

As with Italygate, this theory is not based in fact. While Starlink terminals "were used by election officials in some states to improve internet connectivity at rural polling locations," Alex Demas wrote at The Bulwark, "Starlink is not a tabulation system and was not used to count or transmit votes in the swing states." Terminals were largely used at polling places that rely on steady internet connections to perform tasks like checking voters' signatures and registration.

The Associated Press wrote in October that "with a few exceptions," voting machines are not connected to the internet: "There are some jurisdictions in a few states that allow for ballot scanners in polling locations to transmit unofficial results, using a mobile private network, after voting has ended on Election Day and the memory cards containing the vote tallies have been removed."

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"It is not possible that Starlink was used to hack or change the outcome of the US presidential election," David Becker of The Center for Election Innovation & Research told the AP.

"Our elections produce huge quantities of physical evidence. A satellite system like Starlink cannot steal that," Pamela Smith of the nonprofit Verified Voting Foundation told Demas.

In a sense, Musk makes an obvious boogeyman for progressives: Not only did he spend more than $100 million helping elect Trump, but he has engaged in plenty of conspiracy theorizing of his own. (In the final month of the campaign, Musk even promoted the long-debunked theory that Dominion voting machines switched votes in 2020.)

Still, there remains no evidence of any sort of widespread electoral malfeasance, by Starlink or otherwise. But that doesn't mean that conspiracy theories haven't run wild.

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"What began as vague, amorphous claims that 'something doesn't add up' in the hours after president-elect Donald Trump won the election last week have now crystallized into an evolving conspiracy theory involving Musk and Starlink," WIRED's David Gilbert wrote on Thursday. In an article last week, tech reporter Taylor Lorenz noted that "Over the past several days, Meta's Threads has become inundated with liberal election fraud conspiracies."

"Why was Starlink allowed to count our votes when it's owner Elon Musk paid people a million dollars to vote for Donald Trump?" asked one X user, in a post that has been seen 1.8 million times.

"Musk's Starlink uploaded votes in swing states," political commentator and former George Washington University adjunct professor Cheri Jacobus posted on Threads. "Swing state voters went Dem downballot but Trump at the top? [Unlikely]."

To be clear, this is not to say that a melange of social media posts alleging fraud is equivalent to the situation in 2020, when the sitting president and his staff wielded the power and influence of the federal government to allegewithout evidencethat the election had been stolen. (Unlike Trump, Harris conceded defeat, and Biden invited him to the White House as the election winner.)

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But it does indicate that the spread of conspiracy theories in response to a bruising electoral loss is not only found on the political right. Rather, it seems that plenty of people, regardless their political persuasion, are susceptible to being taken in by desperate attempts to explain or rationalize an unwelcome result.

The post Starlink Election Fraud Claims Show Dems Are Not Immune to Conspiracy Theories appeared first on Reason.com.
HUNTINGTON There are so many reasons to be drawn to the study of outer space.

Huntington resident Ellie White knows. Shes working toward a masters degree in physics at Marshall University and serves as a NASA Solar System Ambassador, meaning she educates the public about upcoming NASA missions and generally about our planet.

While I cant speak for everyone, the thing that I find fascinating about outer space is that when we study the universe around us, it helps us understand where we, as Earthlings, fit into the story of the universe, and what a fantastic story it is, White said. Carl Sagan had a wonderful quote: We are made of starstuff, and that is literally true  the elements that make us were created in the hearts of stars. Those same elements are scattered throughout the universe, including on the planets and Moons of our solar system, so it makes sense to ask if perhaps life could have arisen somewhere else. and thats what NASAs Europa Clipper is trying to find out  could Jupiters moon, Europa, be a good host for life?

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That will be the topic for her presentation at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Huntington Museum of Art, followed by at star party with a viewing of Jupiter and other night-sky objects, if weather permits. She also will participate in the KidsArt program on Saturday, when she will talk about NASAs search for life in space; her talk will complement the museums art activities.

When Im giving talks to student groups, I often notice that the thing that gets them talking more than anything is bringing up the search for life beyond Earth. That is something everyone naturally wants to know about, she said. Whether its due to an interest in science fiction stories like Star Wars or Doctor Who, or because we wonder whether any other beings out there may have experienced the same struggles and joys we have here on Earth, or whether were all alone  its a topic that resonates with people, and I never get tired of hearing the unique ideas, perspectives, and questions that people of every age and background share when given the opportunity.

White, who has a bachelor of science in physics and a minor in mathematics, also teaches introductory astronomy and physics at Marshall while researching in the field of SETI, or the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence. She plans to continue her education by earning a PhD in physics, She also works with her family on a nonprofit called West Virginia Alliance for STEM and the Arts, which promotes science and the arts through fun and unusual programs for Appalachian students. She has worked for the Green Bank Observatory in Pocahontas County in West Virginia.

Whether students pursue a career in science or another field, White said she believes being well versed in science and related fields is a key to success.

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I think that being educated in scientific and technical areas is extremely important, even if you dont necessarily want to pursue a career in that area, because the kind of logical thinking you learn from doing science and math can help you solve problems in all aspects of life, she said. And not to mention, science is a lot of fun.

The museum is at 2033 McCoy Road.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM)  President-Elect Donald Trump is promising to follow through on one of his largest campaign platforms  deporting undocumented migrants.

I got a message to the millions of illegal aliens that Joe Biden released into our country in violation of federal law, Trump appointed border czar Tom Homan said at the Republican National Convention in July. You better start packing now.

That comment sparked fear among Pennsylvanias undocumented immigrant community, which consists of roughly 170,000 individuals.

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Were going to bring proper and appropriate lawful deportation, particularly to criminals, Pennsylvania Republican Congressman Dan Meuser, who also chaired Trumps PA campaign, said. Nobody can really argue with that.

How the deportations will be done is unknown.

I believe President Trump and his team are bamboozling the American People, Democratic State Representative Danilo Burgos said.

Immigration advocates are also concerned, particularly about the well-being of undocumented migrants, as well as the potential economic downfall if thousands are deported.

When you take people away from their families, from their kids, and you take them out of their workplace, theres going to be consequences for the economy, ACLU attorney Witold Walczak said.

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According to the American Immigration Council, undocumented immigrants make up roughly one-percent of Pennsylvanias economy and two-percent of its workforce, paying an estimated $240 million in state and local taxes.

Its just not economically savvy to say were gonna do mass deportation when the majority of immigrants, documented or undocumented, are contributing to the growth of Pennsylvania, Burgos said.

Meuser said he is not against immigration, arguing that there should be high fences and wide gates. He also advocated for immigration reform.

The American Immigration Council estimates it could cost taxpayers roughly $300 billion if mass deportations are carried out.

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DOTHAN, Ala. (WDHN)  Alabama advocates are speaking out about proposed immigration policies from President-Elect Donald Trump and Vice-President-Elect J.D. Vance, urging awareness but also calm.

Comments center around temporary protected status (TPS), which applies to roughly one million people from 17 countries facing violence, oppression, human rights abuses, and/or natural disasters.

When folks have temporary protected status, that means theyre authorized to be here, says Dr. Carlos E. Aleman, CEO of Birmingham-based Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama.

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The organization focuses on helping improve the quality of life of Hispanic families in the state and addresses topics such as economic opportunity, social justice, and civil engagement.

He continues, This provides them at least a measure of relief in that they are now not forced to return to a situation that might end with them being harmed in some sort of fashion.

Protecting migrants, he continues, is vital.

If youre pro-life, you should be pro-TPS.We, as a nation, have said historically that we are a place where folks can come when they have been persecuted, Aleman says.

Despite rhetoric from both Trump and Vance, Aleman says legal checks and balances could keep most of what they want enacted from becoming law.

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Alemans comments also come following baseless claims against Haitian-American TPS recipients in Springfield stealing and eating pets.

Similarly, in Enterprise, a September community forum at Open Door Baptist Church featured former Trump advisor Jason Palmer and community members airing concerns over misinformation linking Haitian immigrants to increased crime. Enterprise Police say Haitian immigrants are not contributing to increased crime.

We hear very clearly what this administration potentially would like to do, but were a country of rules, Aleman says. And so well see what actually gets implemented.

For now, Aleman urges people to stay calm but stay aware.

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He says, What we want to avoid is a panic. But we also want to make sure that people are following the information so that they are as informed as possible as to how this might impact them.





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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com.
The city of Lindsay lost out on more than $1 million in grant funding and underbilled commercial customers by roughly $1.5 million during a three-year period in which elected leaders failed to provide adequate oversight while city management made poor financial decisions, according to the Oklahoma state auditor and inspectors office

The office this week released those findings, along with several other financial missteps, in a forensic audit report on the town of about 2,800 residents in Garvin County, about 55 miles south of Oklahoma City.

District Attorney Greg Mashburn asked for the investigation. Auditors looked at Lindsays financial records from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2022.

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State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd said in the report there were obvious warning signs such as excessive purchasing card expenditures, the improper use of restricted funds and the incurring of late fees going unnoticed.

The warning signs were there but no one was looking, Byrd said in a news release. Lindsays elected leaders have a legal obligation to oversee the Citys finances. Instead, the Citys financial mismanagement was exacerbated by ineffectual leadership that failed to maintain records and oversee City functions. As a result, Lindsay taxpayers have been shortchanged by hundreds of thousands of dollars.

More: State auditor reports leaders of Oklahoma town overpaid themselves, wrote blank checks

The inability to obtain timely audits potentially cost Lindsay more than $1 million in grant funds.

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The failure to maintain a properly functioning utility program also cost the city more than $1 million, according to the report. The city expects to recover about $676,000 of that amount.

Other findings in the Lindsay audit

Auditors also found that failures to process utility rate hikes and collect late fees resulted in lost revenue of approximately $152,460.

Sales tax earmarked for the Lindsay Public Works Authority in the amount of $493,990.16 was improperly retained in the General Fund bank account and not utilized for LPWA-restricted purposes as required by law, according to the report.

Auditors found credit card expenditures in excess of $223,000 per year, many without purchase orders or any board approval or oversight.

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Eight invoices from the Grand River Dam Authority were paid late, some due to insufficient funds, resulting in late fees totaling $16,319.04.

The appropriateness of more than $34,000 in purchasing card expenditures could not be verified, auditors found. That included more than $10,600 in expenditures by former City Manager Rebecca Niernberger, and more than $20,100 by former City Clerk Kathy Hammans, according to the report.

Two city employees and two city council members received utility services despite not making payments for periods ranging from four to eight months, auditors found.

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While we found countless examples of deficient oversight, mismanagement, and poor decision-making, we classified less than two-thousand dollars of expenditures as fraudulent, Byrd said. On a very good note, the City of Lindsay is working to resolve the issues we discovered and appears to have turned the corner financially. The city has caught up on its audits and is now fully eligible to apply for grant money.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Auditor finds Oklahoma town lost millions in financial mismanagement
Funeral home director Joseph H. Brown, left, stands Thursday with Baltimore City Councilman Mark Conway over an alkaline hydrolysis system that provides a "water cremation" option. Photo By Danielle J. Brown.

A Baltimore funeral home could be bringing a new meaning to the term watery grave.

At the Joseph H. Brown Funeral Home Thursday, officials talked about what they believe is the next trend in death care options, a process called alkaline hydrolysis which they described as a sort of water cremation alternative to standard fire-based cremation.

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We are looking for more sustainable death care options, said Joseph Brown, owner of the funeral home where the states first water cremation occurred. Options that are cleaner, greener, kinder and gentler, not only to the environment but to the body as well.

Its a new death option in the state. In fact, Brown has the only alkaline hydrolysis system in Maryland, and hes only performed one water cremation so far.

But he says, the more people know about the process, the more they will choose it for their post-death care as more families look to greener funeral options for their loved ones.

And its not just families who are concerned about the environmental and health impact of cremation and other funeral practices  lawmakers are involved, too.

Funeral home director Joseph H. Brown by an alkaline hydrolysis system that provides a water cremation option after death. Photo By Danielle J. Brown.

During the 2024 General Assembly, lawmakers directed the states Office of Cemetery Oversight and the Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors to create regulatory standards for alkaline hydrolysis, along with other alternative burial options. Those regulations have not been finalized yet.

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And citizens of North Baltimore have been pushing back against plans by another local funeral home to build a new crematorium, claiming that it will reduce air quality for the community.

Thats one of the reasons why Baltimore City Councilman Mark Conway joined the Thursday tour of Browns funeral home  to promote his legislation that would restrict where crematoriums can be built in the city.

Baltimore has one of the highest asthma rates in the country, Conway said Thursday. And as we think about where we do fire cremations and where it is appropriate to do so, we want to be very considerate and very thoughtful about the impact on those communities.

According to the Cremation Society of North America, a single fire cremation can release about 524 pounds of carbon dioxide into the air, among other health and environmental concerns. Water cremation does not release airborne emissions, greatly reducing the environmental impacts, advocates say.

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Alkaline hydrolysis works by submerging a body into 25-40 gallons of water warmed to 140-160 degrees. Potassium hydroxide is then added break down the body.

What that does is it disassociates the proteins, Brown explained. Breaks the proteins down into amino acids, breaks up the amino acids and the bonds that hold them together. That also goes for viruses, bacteria, DNA, anything thats protein-based.

After three hours, the fluids are drained into the wastewater system and what we are left with are skeletal remains, according to Brown. Calcium phosphate that we return to the family just like we do with conventional flame cremation.

Brown admits that its not a cheap option for most families yet. He said that water cremation costs about $5,000, due to the chemicals needed to process the body, whereas typical fire-based cremation can cost about $1,700.

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Water cremation is more expensive at this time, but I believe as it begins to scale, that we can be able to bring that price down, Brown said. Its a bougie cremation. Soon it will become more of the norm.

Baltimore Councilman Mark Conway is pushing a bill to restrict where crematoriums can operate in the city. Photo by Danielle J. Brown.

Conway, on the other hand, wanted to highlight the water cremation as an available option for the region, as he is proposing legislation to restrict where standard crematoriums can be built in the city.

The bill that I introduced will define cremation within the city code and allow it in certain districts and pull it out of certain districts. Specifically, it will pull it out of C2 districts and allowing it by permit in C3, C4 and in open space districts, he said.

The idea here is that C2 typically is a site where it is very much in the center of neighborhoods, Conway said. They are walkable communities, they are close to neighborhoods, close to homes and otherwise.

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Browns funeral home on the West side of Baltimore is in a C2 district and has two incinerators . Conway said he is unsure whether his bill would restrict Brown from continuing fire cremations, or if his practice would get grandfathered in as the only funeral home in the city with an on-site cremation facility.

Yes, funeral homes need the ability to do fire cremations, but should they do it in every instance? Probably not, Conway said. I think thats what this bill tries to deal with delicately and fairly and thats what were looking forward to addressing.
Rep. Chris Karr, R-Sioux Falls, questions an official from the Governor's Office of Economic Development during a hearing on Jan. 8, 2024, at the Capitol in Pierre. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

Some lawmakers on a budget committee questioned whether a state department has spending authority to move forward with a controversial $20 million shooting complex north of Rapid City.

Yet the project is under construction and the lawmakers have not taken action to stop it.

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Department of Game, Fish and Parks Secretary Kevin Robling presented a status update Thursday in Pierre to the Legislatures Joint Appropriations Committee.

One of the committees responsibilities is vetting departmental budgets. Rep. Chris Karr, R-Sioux Falls, has served on the budget committee since 2017. He questioned Robling about the source of the departments authority to pursue the shooting complex.

Robling said it was in recent informational budgets presented to the committee with line items labeled for Black Hills Shooting Range and Rapid City Shooting Complex.

Karr said he remembered discussing various projects, but not the shooting complex.

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I remember asking you questions about capital projects: How you rank them, how you prioritize them, how many dollars you have available, etcetera, Karr said. I dont remember seeing this and going, Hey this looks like its going to go to the shooting range, and in a couple years youre going to build a $20 million shooting range based on the authority were giving you in these last couple of budgets.

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In 2021, lawmakers rejected a $2.5 million appropriation for the project. They rejected more funding attempts for the complex in 2022, citing concerns over a lack of project details and potential costs.

Monday, Karr asked if other lawmakers on the committee recalled giving the department the spending authority. He was met with an audible no from lawmakers including Rep. Linda Duba, D-Sioux Falls, and Sen. Ryan Maher, R-Isabel.

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After the meeting, Maher voiced frustration to South Dakota Searchlight over what he described as declining legislative oversight over state spending. He said the amount of funding departments transfer for other purposes, or spend without direct approval, has increased since he came to office in 2007. Maher lost his primary election in June and will leave office in January.

This business of continuous appropriations and budget transfers, theres just too much of it, Maher said.

He hopes lawmakers lead efforts to give the Legislature more budgetary oversight during the upcoming session.

Maher and Karr have been frustrated with how Gov. Kristi Noems administration has gone about the shooting-range project for a while now.

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While legislators were passing a law in March requiring more information from her administration about the Future Fund that she controls, Noem was awarding $13.5 million from it to the shooting range, unbeknownst to lawmakers. Karr and Maher didnt find out about the Future Fund award until South Dakota Searchlight learned about it and told them.

The late Gov. George Mickelson convinced lawmakers to create the Future Fund in 1987. State law says the fund must be used for purposes related to research and economic development for the state. The fund is held by the Governors Office of Economic Development, but unlike other funds managed by the office, the Future Fund is not overseen by a board of citizen appointees.

The shooting range is being built on a 400-acre site roughly 15 miles north of Rapid City and 25 miles southeast of Sturgis. Robling said it will host national shooting competitions and shooters from around the county.

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The department initially said in 2021 that the project would cost $9.9 million. That grew to $12 million in 2022. Then the department paused the project when calls for bids attracted only one. The department wanted to use federal Pittman-Robertson funds  which come from taxes on guns, bows and ammunition to support wildlife conservation and hunter education  to help offset the cost. That is, until it learned more time was needed to analyze the sites archaeological significance to Native Americans, which led the department to withdraw its federal funding request.

Then, Noem gave the project $13.5 million from the Future Fund. Another $6.5 million has come in the form of donations. About $7 million has been spent so far, Robling told lawmakers.

Robling said the project will need three full-time employees, who will be reallocated internally, as well as seasonal staff and volunteers.

Some lawmakers expressed doubt about the staffing plan Thursday.

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I think youre really underestimating what its going to take to run this facility, Karr said.

Duba, who did not seek reelection this year and will leave office in January, told South Dakota Searchlight after the meeting that she fears the maintenance of the shooting complex could strain the departments resources.

The 2025 Appropriations Committee needs to take a close look at the plan, Duba said. The secretary referenced using existing funds. What other facilities will suffer?

Robling told the committee he expects a grand opening for the shooting range in the fall of 2025. The department expects the complex to generate around $550,000 in annual revenue, though he acknowledged it would not be profitable and would require financial supplementation through federal Pittman-Robertson funds.

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No lawmakers asked how the department can use those funds for the projects operations after the department withdrew its request for Pittman-Robertson construction funds to avoid allowing more time to analyze the project sites significance to Native Americans. The Department of Game, Fish and Parks did not immediately respond to a South Dakota Searchlight message seeking an explanation.

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State and local officials provided an update on beach renourishment efforts Friday at a news conference in Indian Rocks Beach.

The battered shoreline behind them stood as a reminder of the devastation wrought by hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Pinellas Public Works Director Kelli Hammer Levy said about 1 million cubic yards of sand was washed away by this seasons storms. The county is working on its own proposal to replenish shorelines, free from projects normally overseen by the Army Corps of Engineers after talks with the federal agency stalled in recent years.

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In 2022, the Army Corps reversed course on beach renourishment practices, announcing it would require permanent easement agreements.

The decision requires full participation from landowners and has divided residents across coastal Pinellas, some of whom are wary of signing over property rights.

Without 100% participation among beachfront property owners to grant permanent public access to land they own within the project area, the Corps has refused to begin the project. For decades, the agencys policy had only required temporary access while nourishment work was ongoing.

In the meantime, the county has spent millions to pay for renourishment on its own.

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Pinellas County Commission chairperson Kathleen Peters said she spoke with President Joe Biden and asked him to approve an emergency workaround that would allow renourishment to begin without waiting on approval from the Army Corps.

Peters said beaches had receded 6 feet across some stretches of the shoreline after Hurricane Idalia last year, which contributed greatly to the devastation of property this season.

That 6 feet of sand would have been farther out and higher here, and would have been able to absorb the energy that was coming in, she said. The damage that we sustained on the interior part of the islands and the rest of Pinellas County would have been significantly less.

Wes Brooks, the states chief resiliency officer, blamed the bureaucrats in D.C. for standing in the way of renourishment.

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As a result of them not finding a way to spend that $60 million to repair these beaches, billions of dollars of additional damages occurred in this community. Billions of dollars of additional costs to FEMA ... and countless lives upended as a result, too, he said. Somebody needs to be held accountable at the Army Corps for that very bad benefit and cost analysis.

Brooks also praised Gov. Ron DeSantis' relentless drive and vision to help the state recover from an active and destructive hurricane season.

The governor has made it very clear that we are not leaving these communities behind, he said. We are going to continue to push for resilient recoveries to make sure the inevitable next storm is less damaging and less impactful than the last.

When a Tampa Bay Times reporter asked Brooks how the state is planning for more intense hurricanes and rising seas caused by climate change, he pivoted to DeSantis record on Everglades restoration and water quality.

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When asked again about addressing the impacts of climate change in the state, Brooks said, Ill let the governors words speak for themselves.

On the presidential campaign trail, DeSantis called climate change politicization of the weather and signed a bill earlier this year that scrubbed most mentions of climate change from state law.

State Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-St. Petersburg, said he is hopeful that the new federal administration under President-elect Donald Trump will help move local projects like Pinellas along smoothly.

Florida Rep. Linda Chaney, R-St. Pete Beach, addressed the urgency of restoring Pinellas beaches. The countys beaches are critical infrastructure that protects the countys people, property and economy, she said.

Beaches are what people come to Florida for, Chaney said.
Nov. 15WILKES-BARRE  The Pennsylvania Departments of Transportation (PennDOT) and Education and the Pennsylvania State Police this week announced the results of Operation Safe Stop  an annual school bus enforcement and education initiative aimed at enhancing school bus safety for students across the Commonwealth.

Held on Oct. 23 this year, participating law enforcement agencies and school districts document occurrences of drivers violating Pennsylvania's School Bus Stopping Law and emphasize the importance of school transportation safety.

During 2024's Operation Safe Stop, participating school districts and law enforcement agencies witnessed 131 violations of the law  down from the 177 reported last year.

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"Witnessing so many violations in just one day, it's clear that ensuring the safety of our students traveling to and from school must remain a priority in our communities," said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. "Drivers need to stay alert and drive carefully when sharing the road with school buses and students. Even one incident of passing a school bus is one too many."

The School Bus Stopping Law requires motorists approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm activated to stop at least 10 feet from the bus. Motorists approaching from all directions are required to stop.

However, motorists who encounter a school bus stopping on the opposite side of a divided highway are not required to stop when lanes of the highway are clearly separated by a divider, such as a concrete barrier or grassy median.

"There are steep penalties if a driver is stopped by law enforcement and convicted of disobeying Pennsylvania's School Bus Stopping Law  a $250 fine plus a $35 surcharge, five points added to your driver record, and a 60-day suspension of your driving privilege," said Corporal Zeina Black, Permits and Bus Safety Unit Supervisor with the Pennsylvania State Police. "The fine increases to $300 if someone is caught by a stop arm camera. These penalties pale in comparison to a tragedy that could occur if either a driver or a student is not paying attention to their surroundings."

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Pennsylvania law  updated by Act 19 of 2023  allows school districts to install and operate automated camera systems for the purpose of enforcing Pennsylvania's School Bus Stopping Law and increasing safety for children riding school buses across the state.

Violations identified by a camera system are reviewed by police under agreement with the school district. After that review, the school district may issue a violation to the vehicle owner.

The penalty for a violation is a $300 fine. These violations are civil penalties only and no points will be assessed to driver records. Of the $300 fine assessed to violators under the program, $250 is paid to the school district where the violation occurred; $25 is paid to the primary police department that reviewed the submitted evidence as required by law; and $25 is paid to PennDOT to be used for the School Bus Safety Grant Program.

The School Bus Safety Grant Program can be used to promote and increase school bus safety, education, and training, as well as pay for education, training, and other associated costs related to an individual earning their commercial learner's permit, commercial driver's license, or school bus endorsement for the purpose of driving a school bus in Pennsylvania. Independent school bus contractors, school entities, and municipalities will be eligible to apply for grants from the program. PennDOT will announce the program once it is active.

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"The funding for stop arm cameras made available by PennDOT will certainly help provide a safer environment for our students," said Department of Education Secretary Khalid N. Mumin. "Student safety in school zones and school bus stops is of the utmost importance, requiring the undivided attention of all motorists. Local school districts work hard to identify the safest locations possible for school bus stops and provide training for staff to foster greater safety for all students. Moreover, vehicle operators can help immensely by watching for the flashing lights of school buses and always stopping when students are boarding and exiting the busses."

Some safety tips for students to remember while waiting for the bus or while getting on and off the bus include:

Get to the school bus stop at least five minutes early, so you wont have to run across the road to catch the bus.

When waiting for the bus, stay away from traffic.

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Line up at least five giant steps away from the curb or the roadway to wait for the bus.

Never run after the school bus if it has already left the bus stop.

Never push when getting on or off the school bus.

State secures more than $1B in total claims for PA veterans this past year

Over the last year, accredited veteran service officers throughout the commonwealth, supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), have handled more than 1,100 veteran queries a month and helped to connect veterans to more than $1.1 billion in compensation and pension benefits earned through their service.

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That is a 10% increase over Fiscal Year 2023  and another example of the Shapiro Administration delivering for Pennsylvanians.

DMVA also handles queries from veterans or family members looking for lost or misplaced military paperwork, often needed to begin the process to file claims or receive benefits. The DMVA has averaged more than 700 such requests each of the past four years.

Contributing to DMVA's recent increased queries and claims work has been the federal Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act signed by President Biden into law in August 2022. The Act expanded VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.

Shapiro Administration delivers donated stuffed toys to be distributed to PA families through Holiday Wish program

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The Pennsylvania Departments of Labor & Industry (L&I) and Human Services (DHS) started the 2024 holiday season this week with the annual donation of stuffed toys collected throughout the year by L&I during routine safety inspections.

The toys will be distributed to Pennsylvania families through DHS' Holiday Wish program.

"This annual tradition of donating inspected toys to the Holiday Wish program represents the best of public service  ensuring safety while bringing joy to Pennsylvania's children during the holiday season," said L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker. "We encourage all Pennsylvanians who are able to consider giving to holiday charities this year. These simple acts of kindness can create lasting memories for children across our Commonwealth."

Under state law, L&I's Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety must inspect all new stuffed toy samples for contents, choking hazards, and general safety. Toys that pass inspection get a registration number, which is on every stuffed toy sold in the Commonwealth. Through this process, L&I accumulates hundreds of toy samples each year.

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On Tuesday, L&I delivered 749 stuffed toys to DHS for its Holiday Wish program, started in 1989 by DHS employees  an increase from the 650 donated last year. Over the years, Holiday Wish has grown to include hundreds of employees in various state agencies, allowing the program to reach thousands of individuals in need around Pennsylvania during the holiday season.

The Stuffed Toy Manufacturing Act was recently updated when Gov. Josh Shapiro signed Act 30 of 2024 into law. Act 30 eliminated a long-standing ban on using recycled materials in stuffed toys sold in the Commonwealth. The updated law requires all stuffed toys offered for sale in PA to have a law label securely attached, including a statement that the toy is made from all new materials, all recycled materials, or a blend of new and recycled materials and the manufacturer's or importer's registration number from Pennsylvania, starting with "REG. NO. PA." The law aims to protect children by ensuring stuffed toys are safe, properly labeled, and free from harmful substances.

DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh said the Department of Human Services works every day to make it possible for people to achieve a better life, whether that's through assistance in accessing essential basic needs like food and health care, or by giving back to families who may be in difficult circumstances through our Holiday Wish program.

"This work is fundamental to our mission, and I am extremely proud to work with so many state employees with compassion for our fellow Pennsylvanians who help make the holidays better and brighter for the families we serve," Secretary Arkoosh said. "Every Pennsylvanian should know that DHS' programs are here to help. If you are having trouble financially in any way, I encourage you to reach out to DHS to apply for assistance and see if we are able to help you ease your situation."

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Sen. Baker endorses Sen. Ward as interim President Pro Tempore of PA Senate

Sen. Lisa Baker (D, D-20), this week officially seconded the nomination of Sen. Kim Ward (R, D-39) yesterday to serve as interim president pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate from Dec. 1, 2024, until Jan. 6, 2025.

The Senate will hold an official vote to select the president pro tempore for the next legislative session on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. Ward, who has served as president pro tempore since 2022, previously held the position of majority leader.

Baker highlighted Ward's distinguished service, groundbreaking accomplishments and her steadfast dedication to Pennsylvania's citizens.

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"Kim's journey in public service is a testament to resilience and dedication. Her life's work has earned her the respect and trust of colleagues on both sides of the aisle," Baker said. "During the past 25 years, she has served in the Schweiker administration, held local and county offices, and led in the Senate as a Republican leader and colleague. She was also the first woman to serve as both majority leader and an institutional officer in the General Assembly. Beyond her official roles, she is a devoted daughter, wife, mother, and 'Kiki.'"

Ward made history in 2008 as the first woman elected to represent Pennsylvania's 39th Senatorial District. Before joining the Senate, she served as a Westmoreland County commissioner and a Hempfield Township supervisor.

"In every role, Kim has led with grit, integrity and a deep commitment to her constituents," Baker said. "She inspires collaboration and compassion, always focused on what's best for Pennsylvania. As the face of the Senate, she represents us with strength and humility, fostering an uncommon spirit of bipartisanship that is evident in our achievements this session."

As president pro tempore, Ward holds key responsibilities, including appointing chairpersons and members to the Senate's 22 standing committees, presiding over the Senate in the lieutenant governor's absence and assuming the role of lieutenant governor if that office becomes vacant. She is also responsible for assigning bills and resolutions to Senate committees for consideration.

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
COMPANY NEWS: The strategic acquisition is set to accelerate the adoption of wearable AR solutions in industrial settings and boost frontline worker productivity.

In a move set to reshape the industrial augmented reality (AR) market, RealWear, the global leader in wearable computing for industrial applications, has announced its acquisition of Almer Technologies, a Swiss pioneer in ultra-compact, user-friendly AR headsets. This acquisition, strategically and financially backed by TeamViewer, the leading provider of enterprise AR software, marks a significant leap forward in the mission to empower frontline workers worldwide with cutting-edge AR technology.

As the industrial sector increasingly turns to digital solutions to enhance productivity and safety, the demand for intuitive, wearable AR devices has surged. This acquisition unites RealWear's market leadership with Almer's innovative approach to meet this demand.

Dr Chris Parkinson, CEO, RealWear, said, Im extremely excited to welcome Almer and its founders, Timon Binder and Sebastian Beetschen, to RealWear. Their successes in Europe are paralleled with a vision to drive AR adoption worldwide. This impact can now be brought to the global market as part of the RealWear ecosystem. Almers innovative subscription-based hardware renting model will enhance our existing portfolio to offer more flexible and scalable solutions for our partners and customers. We have secured TeamViewers renewed commitment and backing, strengthening our longstanding collaboration with the leading software company in the enterprise AR industry.

The acquisition brings together a powerful combination of strengths. RealWear's established market presence and rugged, voice-operated solutions are now complemented by Almer's innovative, subscription-based AR headsets, known for their compact design and user-friendliness. With a relentless focus on execution and customer-centric solutions, Almer quickly gained recognition as a disruptive force in enterprise AR and set a new industry standard.

Sebastian Beetschen, CEO, Almer Technologies, said, "Almer's innovative approach for frontline workers has enabled us to deliver industrial AR solutions that are the most intuitive and most effortless to use. We're excited to bring in our expertise and speed of execution to RealWear and push the boundaries of frontline worker solutions."

TeamViewer has been a key partner and a strategic minority investor to both RealWear and Almer prior to the acquisition and will maintain this role moving forward. Global giants such as Coca-Cola HBC, Ford, Samsung SDS, and many more have experienced significant efficiency gains and cost reductions by leveraging the combined power of TeamViewers software, and RealWear's and Almer's wearable technology.

Oliver Steil, CEO, TeamViewer, who has joined RealWear's board of directors, said, "RealWear and Almer together unite the brightest minds in wearable computing to shape the future of the industry. Investing in RealWear and supporting their growth is a strategic move for us and a stride into the future of industrial digital transformation. Our shared vision is to continue to integrate software and hardware innovatively, delivering world-class industrial productivity solutions for maximum customer value.

As part of the acquisition, Almer's co-founders will join RealWear's executive team, creating a unified leadership focused on accelerating global AR adoption. Ultimately, this acquisition is set to make advanced technology more accessible and user-friendly for frontline workers across the globe.

With this strategic acquisition and the continued backing of TeamViewer, RealWear is poised to lead the charge in the industrial wearables market. By blending software and hardware, the company aims to deliver world class productivity solutions for maximum customer value.

About RealWear

RealWear, a global leader in hands-free, wearable computing solutions for frontline workers, was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, USA. With a vision of creating a world where every frontline worker is equipped to perform at their best, work safely, and take pride in the quality of their work, RealWear is on a mission to empower more than 2 billion frontline workers with the best technology solutions and support.

RealWears rugged, voice-operated solutions have earned global recognition for revolutionising the way frontline workers perform all tasks in challenging environments, while returning positive impact to the company and our environment. RealWears commitment to innovation and safety has earned it more than 22 prestigious innovation awards, including best head-worn device (Augmented World Expo) and best solution for manufacturing and automotive (XR Today). RealWears story has been featured in Wall Street Journal, CNBC, TechCrunch, and hundreds of other media outlets.

About Almer

Almer Technologies was founded in 2021 following a research project at the Swiss Institute of Technology (ETH). Headquartered in Bern, Switzerland, the company is led by CEO Sebastian Beetschen and CTO Timon Binder and currently employs 35 people. With the development of the innovative AR glasses Almer Arc, Almer Technologies is responding to the currently increasing demand for augmented reality technology in the industrial landscape.

About TeamViewer

TeamViewer is a leading global technology company that provides a connectivity platform to remotely access, control, manage, monitor, and repair devices of any kind  from laptops and mobile phones to industrial machines and robots. Although TeamViewer is free of charge for private use, it has around 640,000 subscribers and enables companies of all sizes and from all industries to digitalise their business-critical processes through seamless connectivity.

Against the backdrop of global megatrends like device proliferation, automation and new work, TeamViewer proactively shapes digital transformation and continuously innovates in the fields of augmented reality, Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence.

Since the companys foundation in 2005, TeamViewers software has been installed on more than 2.5 billion devices around the world. The company is headquartered in Goppingen, Germany, and employs more than 1,500 people globally. In 2023, TeamViewer achieved a revenue of around EUR 627 million. TeamViewer SE (TMV) is listed at Frankfurt Stock Exchange and belongs to the MDAX. Further information can be found at https://www.teamviewer.com/.
Members of the Georgia Opioid Settlement Advisory Commission listen as a list of recommended grant award winners was read aloud at a meeting held Thursday in Atlanta. Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder

This story was updated at 8:15 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024.

A state panel has made its recommendations for how the first round of funding from a major $638 million settlement with opioid manufacturers and distributors should be spent, backing a wide range of projects.

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The Georgia Opioid Settlement Advisory Commission approved a total of $44.4 million Thursday for 130 projects as part of the first year of a two-decade-long program. Many of the projects are focused on treatment, prevention, supporting people in recovery, increasing the availability of the overdose-reversing drug naloxone, and boosting research.

Evan Meyers chairs the Georgia Opioid Settlement Advisory Commission. He is deputy executive counsel in Gov. Brian Kemps office. Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder

The grants are being awarded at a time when opioid overdose deaths are on the decline nationally for the first time since 2018. In Georgia, there was a significant decline in reported opioid overdose deaths from last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

I think this infusion of services can really make a difference and continue to see that trend move downward. So really excited, said Cassandra Price, who is a commission member and the director of the office of addictive diseases within the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.

Demand for the funding was high, with more than 300 applications submitted that would have required $248 million to cover.

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The settlement distribution process is a multistep one that started with six regional boards before moving onto the commission. The recommended projects now go to Kevin Tanner, who is the governor-appointed trustee of the states opioid crisis abatement trust.

Tanner, who is the commissioner of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, said he hopes to finalize the grants by the end of the year.

The goal is to kick off the next round of grant applications in the spring, Tanner said. He pointed to a state-led review of the current gaps in service as a guidepost for service providers and organizations hoping to win a slice of the funding.

Dont get discouraged, Tanner said of the many applicants that are not funded this year. Go back and take a look at what did get funded at the end and reapply. Because this is going to be coming back out on an annual basis, and theres going to be a lot of opportunities over the next 18 years.

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A list of the proposed award recipients was read aloud at Thursdays meeting but has not yet been published or publicly released.

The CDCs foundation, for example, could see $5.8 million over two years to help expand its overdose response strategy model to rural areas of Georgia. The University of Georgia Research Foundation could also get about $1.2 million for research and evaluation focused on harm reduction services, and CMG Media Group is in line to receive $1.3 million for a multimedia project focused on reducing opioid misuse and addiction, including a 30-minute primetime special.

A total of $638 million will flow into Georgia, with three-fourths of the funds being distributed through the grant process. Another 25%, or $159 million, will be shared among the city of Atlanta and the states largest counties and distributed through a separate process.

The funding is part of a multistate $26 billion settlement agreement with the three largest pharmaceutical distributors, McKesson, Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen, and manufacturer Janssen Pharmaceuticals and its parent company Johnson & Johnson.

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Special prosecutors on Thursday rested their case against two former Cook County assistant states attorneys standing trial on accusations of wrongdoing in connection with an infamous wrongful conviction case.

The end of the states case moves the at-times contentious trial into a new phase, after it resumed in October following an 11-month break due to a rare midtrial appeal. Moments after prosecutors wrapped up, defense attorneys for Nicholas Trutenko, 69, and Andrew Horvat, 49, vigorously argued to Lake County Judge Daniel Shanes  who is hearing the matter instead of conflicted Cook County judges  that the state failed to prove its allegations.

In criminal cases, when the state finishes presenting its case, defendants can argue to a judge that prosecutors failed to meet their burden of proof. A judge then can enter an acquittal at that stage, or deny the motion and order the trial to continue with the defenses case.

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Theyve gone to such an extreme to come up with some reason to try to indict Andrew Horvat that theyve stretched the application of the law to the breaking point, said Terry Ekl, Horvats attorney.

Trutenko is charged with perjury, official misconduct, obstruction of justice and violating a local records act in relation to his testimony as a witness at the third and final trial for Jackie Wilson in 2020. Horvat, who represented Trutenko in that proceeding when he was an attorney with the offices Civil Actions Bureau, is accused of official misconduct.

Wilson, who was eventually granted a certificate of innocence in the slayings of Chicago police Officers William Fahey and Richard OBrien, was critical to unveiling systemic practices of torture within the Chicago Police Department.

Special prosecutor David Hoffman defended the prosecution teams case, arguing that there was blatant concealment by Trutenko about information that was critical to Wilsons case.

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Shanes took the matter under advisement to rule at a later date.

The history of the case stretches back to 1982, when Jackie Wilson, then 21, was behind the wheel of a car with his brother Andrew Wilson, who shot and killed the two officers. Jackie Wilson has said he did not know his brother would shoot the officers.

In 1989, Trutenko prosecuted Wilson during his second trial after his first conviction was reversed and put on the stand a key witness, a British con man with a long rap sheet named William Coleman, who testified that Wilson had admitted his role in the crime while they were locked up together in the county jail.

The 1989 conviction was also eventually vacated, and Wilson was later tried for the third time in 2020 in a trial that imploded when, prosecutors allege, Trutenko lied on the stand.

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Prosecutors have alleged that Trutenko hid a 30-year friendship with Coleman that resulted in him flying to England to serve as godfather during the baptism of one of Colemans children. Then, they alleged, he lied on the stand during that trial when defense attorneys asked if he discussed Coleman in prep sessions with the prosecutors trying that case.

The prosecutors assigned to the 2020 trial had not been able to locate Coleman, so they were allowed to admit his 1989 testimony, which Wilsons attorneys contended violated his constitutional right to confront his accuser.

Prosecutors have accused Horvat of aiding in the concealment of the information.

On Thursday, Trutenkos attorney Jim McKay argued that Trutenko, while on the stand, largely told the truth about his relationship with Coleman.

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His brain cramp about whether Colemans name came up on Zoom, thats perjury? McKay said. You know its not.

Hoffman, though, countered that Trutenko was asked multiple times about a substantive part of the meeting.

It was really impossible he was misremembering, Hoffman said.

While delivering arguments, defense attorneys contended that the indictment was wrongheaded and so sweeping that it portends a future of criminal charges that may be levied attorneys for minor slipups or perceived mistakes.

In response, Hoffman argued that official misconduct statutes underscore the special integrity to lawyers employed  by a public entity.

This is not going to ensnare every lawyer  this is for public officials, he said.
Nov. 14The New Mexico Supreme Court has issued an order sanctioning First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies for "the apparent misuse" of a rule allowing a party to remove a judge from a case.

The Oct. 18 order specifically bars Carmack-Altwies from making any attempts to excuse or disqualify state District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer for 90 days.

Chief Justice David K. Thomson wrote in the order the matter had come to attention of the court "upon the written notice and request" of District Court Chief Judge Bryan Biedscheid.

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Carmack-Altwies has responded by asking the Supreme Court to place a monitor in Sommer's courtroom for all proceedings. She cited "serious concerns about decorum and temperament," according to a Nov. 5 letter she addressed to Thomson.

"I have had several attorneys leave the office and/or request to be relocated outside of Judge Marlowe Sommer's court due to their feelings that they were treated with disrespect and contempt," Carmack-Altwies wrote in the letter.

Sommer did not respond to requests for comment Thursday. She has been on the bench since 2010 and is one of three judges in the First Judicial District who preside over the majority of the felony criminal cases in Santa Fe, Rio Arriba and Los Alamos counties.

Carmack-Altwies declined to comment through a spokesperson. She won her second term in office Nov. 5 uncontested after winning a June Democratic primary race against her predecessor, attorney Marco Serna.

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Biedscheid defended the district's judges in an interview Thursday.

"I am aware that the DA has raised concerns about multiple judges in this district, and I've followed up on those concerns with both the judges and the Supreme Court, and I am very comfortable and confident that our judges have been applying the law properly in their cases and doing their jobs effectively," he said.

Impeding justice?

Documents in the online file for the Supreme Court's order against Carmack-Altwies indicate the relationship between her and Sommer  strained since the judge's dismissal in July of the criminal case against actor Alec Baldwin  has sunk to new depths. Sommer abruptly ended Baldwin's trial, saying she was dismissing his charge of involuntary manslaughter, tied to a high-profile film set shooting, on the basis that prosecutors had withheld evidence.

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According to Biedscheid, the district attorney's "preemptory excusals," a legal term for removing a judge from a case without providing a reason, removed 75% of new active cases from Sommer's docket within a month.

Court rules allow either party to excuse one judge automatically for no reason, but also have provisions allowing chief judges to alert the state Supreme Court if a party appears to be using excusals "for improper reasons or with a frequency that impedes the administration of justice."

Biedscheid cited that rule when he wrote to Thomson in early October, saying he wanted to bring the high court's attention to "a significant and recent increase in preemptory excusals" being filed by the District Attorney's Office.

Between Sept. 5 and Oct. 2, the office filed 14 excusals, which removed 24 cases from Sommer's docket, Biedscheid wrote, noting some cases were joined.

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"Given their frequency and impact, these excusals have begun to impede the administration of justice by shifting such a high number of cases to the dockets of other judicial officers of the First Judicial District," he wrote.

He noted the excusals "coincide with the issuance of critical press releases by the District Attorney's Office concerning decisions made by Judge Marlowe Sommer." The letter included copies of news releases from the District Attorney's Office criticizing Sommer's rulings.

One, issued Sept. 13, announced the office would be asking the judge to reconsider the release of a defendant in a sexual assault case; prosecutors accused the judge of treating the victim's family disrespectfully.

Another, published Sept. 19, questioned the judge's dismissal of a case over a violation of rules on evidence sharing, known as discovery, arguing she hadn't allowed the state to present its full proof in the case.

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'Unchanged and unchecked'

Carmack-Altwies responded to Biedscheid's letter Oct. 17 with her own letter to Thomson, arguing Biedscheid "misunderstands the larger reality of practicing law" in front of Sommer. She also said his perception put "the court's administrative process over the public employer's obligation to protect its employees from harassment or abusive conduct."

"To be clear," she wrote, her office wasn't excusing Sommer because of a ruling that had gone against her office but rather because of Sommer's "conduct and poor treatment of others."

These issues aren't new, Carmack-Altwies wrote in her letter. She cited the Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission's 2020 evaluation of Sommer, which stated attorneys gave her "low ratings for not always treating all participants equally ... and not always displaying fairness and impartiality towards each side of the case," and "low ratings when it comes to being courteous to all participants and demonstrating appropriate demeanor on the bench."

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"Four years later, these issues continue and [Sommer's] conduct remains unchanged and unchecked," Carmack-Altwies wrote.

The same day Biedscheid sent his letter to the state Supreme Court, she wrote, another judge filed a disciplinary complaint against her and one of her prosecutors, attaching the same media releases cited by Biedscheid. She viewed this as retaliation, she wrote.

Carmack-Altwies attached seven unsigned letters to her communication with the court, which she said were "anonymous letters" from attorneys  and one local law enforcement officer  who regularly practice in the First Judicial District. They describe Sommer's behavior on the bench as unprofessional and unpredictable.

"When she is at her best, Judge Marlowe Sommer has shown that she can be responsive, insightful, fair, and personable as she runs a busy criminal docket," one letter says. "During such times, it is a pleasure to appear in her court."

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However, it adds, "At her worst, Judge Marlowe Sommer engages in weekslong displays of irritability and foul temper."

The letter alleges the writer has seen the judge, "with no known provocation, belittle witnesses, individuals in the gallery, court staff, defendants, and attorneys. During such times, Judge Marlowe Sommer is quick to misinterpret responses to court questions as insults, prompting her to redouble her misconduct."

It was unclear Thursday whether the Supreme Court intends to place a monitor in Sommer's courtroom.

Administrative Office of the Courts spokesperson Barry Massey confirmed in an email the judiciary "has received a letter from the district attorney and is aware of her request for a court monitor."
Note: This story has been edited to accurately reflect the verdicts against Bean, Smith and Haley, who were each found not guilty on civil rights violation charges. WREG regrets the error.

MEMPHIS, Tenn.  The state trial date has been set for three former Memphis Police officers accused in the beating death of Tyre Nichols back in 2021.

Their trial will take place on April 28, 2025. However, attorneys of Tadarrius Bean and Justin Smith are requesting separate trials from Emmitt Martin and filed a motion to sever.

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Even though former MPD officer Demetrius Haley was not in court today with the other three, District Attorney Steve Mulroy confirmed that his attorney also plans to file a motion for severance.

A hearing was set for November 25 to discuss motions.

 MORE ON TYRE NICHOLS

Five former officers are accused of beating Tyre Nichols during a traffic stop on January 7, 2023, leading to his death three days later.

On October 3, Bean, Smith, and Haley were found guilty on some charges after the four-week-long federal trial, though they were also found not guilty on other charges including violation of civil rights. Smith and Bean were found guilty only on an obstruction charge. A complete list of the verdicts is here.

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Desmond Mills and Martin had already taken deals and pleaded guilty to federal charges prior to the trial.

Mills also agreed to plead guilty to state charges.

All of them have been convicted of something, and they are all going to jail, said Tyre Nichols mother RowVaughn Wells, outside the federal courthouse in Memphis. This has been a long journey for our family.

They are each now facing state criminal charges of Second-Degree Murder.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
MONONGAH, W.Va. (WBOY)  The West Virginia STEAM Technical Assistance Center (TAC) and its sponsor, the West Virginia Public Education Collaborative (WVPEC) stopped by Monongah Middle School on Thursday to hold a projectile launcher immersion lesson with students.

The lesson focused specifically on things like projectile motion, accuracy, precision and iterative engineering design changes based on data and observation.

Around 150 middle school students got to participate in this event, which was also STEAM TACs first visit to Marion County during the month of November. WVPEC Director Donna Peduto said that through these immersions, theyre hoping to help students fall in love with STEAM.

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Before the classroom immersions started, Peduto said that a lesson was taught that discussed the different kinds of careers to which these skills are applicable. They see the value of it because they see that theyre gonna be able to use these skills in any career that they choose, and particularly in technology and engineering, she added.

Peduto also said that the students were very engaged throughout the event, partly because they were working together in teams, doing something with real-world applications.

Before becoming the director of the WVPEC, Peduto was a classroom teacher in Marion County for 22 years. She told 12 News that over the years, she found that the more students are engaged, the more theyre going to learn overall.

FBI CJIS Division welcomes prospective college students

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So, its really important to offer this to the students and they certainly respond positively, said Peduto. She added that this program has reached almost 50,000 students across the state through in-person classroom immersions.

Peduto shared that the WVPEC discovered how a lot of times, it can be difficult for employers in West Virginia to fill certain types of jobs. I think lots of times its because theres a fear that theyre hard or you need these high-level classes, she said. Really when you talk about it, employers are looking for people that have these soft skillsthat can work in teams and collaborate, as well as their technical skills.

According to Peduto, these STEAM TAC classroom immersions were started by the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) to have a program that would push into classrooms statewide. This way, teachers across the state would no longer have to travel out to places like the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) in Columbus, Ohio, or find other labs to take their students.

Peduto added that the department of education had a vision to have students fall in love with some of these different technical and soft skills, and to know that theyre doable for West Virginia students. When the program was started, Peduto said they were told that the WVDE wanted them in all middle schools by the end of the year, which they managed to do and theyve since expanded to high school students.

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The STEAM TAC currently has five specialists who live in different parts of the state. This has allowed the program to be physically present in every county across West Virginia.

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  More than 250 students from eight area schools attended lectures with the latest inductees to the Engineering and Science Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame is the only one of its kind in the world  inductees travel from all over to receive the recognition.

Oakwood City Schools proposes 4.75 mill bond levy for upgraded facilities

Three field leaders were recently inducted, and on Thursday, they spoke about their innovations with local students. The innovations include barcode scanning, blue LEDs and aircraft surveillance technology.

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Hall of Fame leaders say its about fostering inspiration in the young generation.

Parts of the mission statement of the Engineering and Science Hall of Fame is to recognize and then to inspire, said Tom Mastbaum, STEM Committee Chairperson, E.S. Hall of Fame. We would like for them to become the next inductees for the Hall of Fame, when they grow up and go to school.

The lectures also featured a student from Iowa, who has received national acclaim for a high school science fair project  color-changing sutures that indicate infection.

The Engineering and Science Hall of Fame is housed at 110 East Monument Avenue in Dayton. To learn more, click here.

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Gov. Bill Lee addressing members of the Tennessee National Guard while on a trip to the Texas-Mexico border in July 2021. Lee has indicated he may use state personnel, including National Guard troops, to aid in the deportation of millions of immigrants.(Photo: tn.gov)

The Stumps roving reporter owes an apology to Gov. Bill Lee  well, a tiny one anyway.

At the end of a Wednesday press conference, the reporter tried to ask one more question, or at least follow up on another reporters question about the potential for using the National Guard to round up immigrants. Lee tossed that guy a nice word salad, then refused to answer the second time, saying if he responded, he would have to start over again, which he couldnt do because he was running late for another meeting.

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To which the Stump reporter responded that he didnt answer the other reporters question the first time, so why not give it another go? To no avail.

But on further review, Lee said everything we need to know.

First, he said his and President-elect Trumps team spoke before the election, not about specific policies but to let them know Tennessee wants input on policy. He said they havent discussed the deportation of immigrants yet, but it is a key part of Trumps campaign platform and a move that could require governors to deploy National Guard troops to remove up to 18 million people from the country. (Thats the number Trump has used.)

Second, the governor declined to say he wouldnt mobilize the Guard for deportation. And, third, asked whether he would be open to it, he said, The president will set his policies and determine what his strategies are going forward and then, obviously, well work with him  to implement strategies that work for Tennessee.

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Sounds as if the governor is willing to do whatever Trump says.

Trump and the people he is picking for cabinet positions make no secret about planning to deport millions of immigrants, including people who were born here. The president-elect said recently it could be bloody, so we have to believe he is serious.

In addition, his supporters are practically demanding mass deportation. He won 65% of the vote in Tennessee over Vice President Kamala Harris, and Lee campaigned for Trump even though he called the governor a RINO.

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Granted, nobody is going to cry if Venezuelan gang members are removed from the country, a matter to which the governor was alerted this week. But thats a far cry from rounding up millions of people, herding them into camps and busing them out, a move that could affect American citizens and violate their constitutional rights.

If Trump follows through, and most of the time he does what he says, this is likely heading for disaster, especially if one states troops are ordered to go into another state, say California.

Those measly details will have to wait for another day. But in the meantime, prepare for the inquest.

Get the feds out of schools

Lee gets animated when he talks about the possibility of eliminating the U.S. Department of Education, which is also part of Trumps plan.

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I believe that Tennessee would be more capable than the federal government of designing a strategy of spending federal dollars, Lee told reporters this week.

The governor compares the matter to the states Medicaid waiver, through which the state has saved a billion dollars over four years and spends some of it to increase services. Never mind the fact Tennessee is forgoing about $1.4 billion annually to expand Medicaid to people caught in a coverage gap.

Some of that Medicaid money is being given to Tennessees flooded counties through no-interest loans to repair damaged roads and water and sewer systems. While Lee touts that plan, some lawmakers say Tennessee should be using the $2.15 billion rainy day to give money to those counties because itll take them years to recuperate.

Back on education, Lee says states are better at spending money than the federal government (and giving it away to corporate buddies). He didnt really say that last part, but the state processed 41,400 business tax refunds totaling $865 million and spent another $9.2 million to offset tax liabilities, since the Legislature cut the property tax factor in Tennessees franchise and excise taxes. The whole shebang could cost up to $1.9 billion by the time its done.

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OK, this time were really getting back to education. Asked if its fiscally responsible for the feds to hand out money to schools with no strings attached, especially since one of its main jobs is protecting special education students, Lee says the federal government didnt get into education until 1979.

We knew how to do it then as a state, and we know how to do it now as a state. We know even better now how it is we can take care of the unique challenges students have, he said.

The governor brags about the states new funding formula and how it addresses students with dyslexia, those who speak English as a second language and children who are low-income or live in sparsely populated areas.

Yet Tennessee has a spotty record for protecting students civil rights, as evidenced by multiple lawsuits filed every year. The Tennessee Disability Coalition came out with a report giving the state a D in education.

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Lee, though, says an appellate process for special education students and families would continue to exist if the federal department is abolished. But when he starts talking about this, he (naturally) morphs into the battle for private-school vouchers, saying the state should pay to send special education students to private schools if their parents believe theres a better private school option.

This is where the debate lies. Get rid of the U.S. Department of Education and privatize. Its been Lees mantra since he ran for office, so we shouldnt expect it to change six years later.

Lt. Randy McNally was nominated by Senate Republicans to serve another term in the top Senate position. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Same old song

The Senate Republican Caucus recycled Lt. Gov. Randy McNally as Senate speaker in a Thursday vote, giving him two more years to run that august(?) body and plenty more time for minions to jockey for position. Eventually, hes going to leave the Senate, maybe.

Technically, the full Senate will vote on McNallys nomination when the Legislature convenes in January, but Democrats have only six of 33 votes.

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McNally is generally considered a calming influence, even after he came under fire in 2023 for sending Instagram emojis to a young, gay man. That fell off the radar when a mass shooting took place at The Covenant School in Green Hills and the House took all the headlines with expulsion hearings for the Tennessee Three. Those combined with a confidence vote in his favor to put McNally in a political safe haven.

Holding on to other key seats were Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson of Franklin and Senate Majority Caucus Chairman Ken Yager of Kingston, who reminded me Thursday that jumping out of an airplane to raise awareness for prostate cancer was one of the greatest moments of his life.

Im not sure Im ready to follow.

Stranger than fiction

President-elect Trump named now-former Congressman Matt Gaetz as his attorney general this week, even though hes been investigated for sex trafficking and sexual misconduct and was the focus of a House probe. An unflattering report was to be released this week, but he left Congress shortly before they could push it out, according to reports.

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Its hard to imagine a universe where it makes sense for someone who barely escaped sex trafficking charges himself to be the nations chief law enforcement officer.

 Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, on the nomination of former U.S. Rep.Matt Gaetz as U.S. Attorney General

Asked about the nomination Thursday, Tennessee Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, a Franklin Republican, said he has full faith and confidence in President Trump that hes gonna fill out a cabinet of people he believes are capable of doing the job and executing his agenda. And I support whoever he thinks is best to fulfill that role.

In contrast Democratic Sen. Jeff Yarbro of Nashville said Gaetz is dangerously if not clownishly unqualified for the post.

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Its hard to imagine a universe where it makes sense for someone who barely escaped sex trafficking charges himself to be the nations chief law enforcement officer. Hell, thatd be true even if he had any meaningful legal, prosecutorial, or management experience, which he plainly doesnt have, Yarbro said via text.

Some U.S. senators are skeptical about Gaetz making it through their confirmation process. But is anyone willing to show some guts and buck the next president? Either way, Yarbro said the president-elect appears determined to humiliate them sooner or later.

A poster advertising Reefer Madness, an anti-drugs exploitation film, dealing with the pitfalls of marijuana smoking, directed by Louis J. Gasnier, 1936. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Open the beer truck

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is ready to snoop on your urine, not by having you pee in a cup but by checking your sewage.

TBI Director David Rausch sought permission from Gov. Lee this week to start a $3 million pilot project to test the wastewater at Knoxville high schools and college dorms for illicit drugs. Its part of a plan to let parents and the community know that kids are using something, whether opioids or marijuana.

Its a good thing they didnt run these tests at my junior high. First, all of the toilets were usually blocked with toilet paper, and, second, the testing equipment wouldve been clogged with resin.

Are kids smoking marijuana less than they did 45 years ago? Apparently not. Im told by semi-reliable sources that taprooms and beer halls are struggling because young people like THC more than alcohol. Whats wrong with kids these days? About the same thing as in 1978. It must be easier to get weed than beer.

And then one day you find ten years have got behind you / No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun. *

*Time, Pink Floyd






A Stoughton man is facing charges following an over-a-month-long drug trafficking investigation.

Henry Samuel, 36, of Stoughton is facing charges of trafficking over 200 grams of cocaine, trafficking 10 grams or more of fentanyl.

Stoughton police executed a search warrant at Samuels Pearl Street residence Thursday following a month-and-a-half-long investigation.

Investigators found over 600 grams of suspected cocaine, over 80 grams of suspected fentanyl, more than $16,000 in cash, a money counter and a drug press.

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Samuel was taken into custody after the search warrant was executed.

I would like to commend the work of our Stoughton Police detectives who led this effort and thank our law enforcement partners for their assistance in conducting a thorough and expansive investigation, Chief McNamara said. We are committed to aggressively enforcing the drug laws and keeping these dangerous narcotics out of our community.

Stoughton Police detectives were assisted in the investigation by detectives from Norwood Police, Dedham Police, Walpole Police and K9 Deputies from the Norfolk County Sheriffs Office.





This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A man allegedly broke into a womans apartment in the middle of the night and then sexually assaulted her while she was taking a bath, documents said.

A judge set bail at $1 million for Francisco Mendoza Soto, 27, on charges including sex assault with a deadly weapon and kidnapping, records said.

On Nov. 9 around 2:30 a.m., police responded to a call from a woman at an apartment near Desert Inn Road and Decatur Boulevard in the east valley, saying she was sexually assaulted and cut with a knife, documents said.

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The victim told police a man entered her apartment while she was in the bathtub and ordered her to perform oral sex, documents said.

The male kept telling her to be quiet and be a good girl, everything would be okay, police said in court documents. At one point, the woman began fighting the man, grabbing his testicles to cause him pain, police said.

At that time, the male came across her face with the knife, cutting her on the bridge of her nose, documents said. After slicing her, the male ran out of the apartment with the knife, leaving the area.

Police suspect Mendoza Soto came into the apartment through a window, documents said.

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As part of their investigation, officers located a video, which they said showed a suspicious man at another persons door. Officers later located Soto and interviewed him. He denied any involvement.

A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Nov. 26.

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Wes Streeting has promised to protect Britons travelling abroad for Brazilian butt lifts (BBLs) and other cosmetic surgeries.

After several deaths linked to the treatments, the health secretary said he would work to improve the safety of those going to Turkey and elsewhere for procedures including BBLs and tummy tucks.

He warned British travellers seeking cut-price surgeries to think carefully before taking up offers that are too good to be true.

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And Mr Streeting said: I think we need to take very seriously this issue of medical negligence and malpractice overseas.

It comes after several women lost their lives in the last few years after travelling to Turkey for discounted surgery.

Health secretary Wes Streeting urged Brits to be careful travelling abroad for cosmetic surgery (PA Wire)

Mr Streeting added: My strong advice to British travellers is if the offer looks too good to be true, I suspect it is too good to be true, and think very carefully before flying overseas, paying what looks like a kind of rock-bottom attractive price, because you may end up paying the consequences for years to come as a result of injuries, which in the worst cases can be life-changing.

Im determined to work with international partners to try and improve safety for Brits abroad.

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But we also need to send a strong message to the British public to manage the risks, to do their homework and think very carefully before taking up offers that are too good to be true.

Asked whether the NHS should be picking up the pieces when things go wrong, he said: Were never going to turn people away who are in need of care but this is another pressure the NHS doesnt need.

So I would urge Brits  before travelling abroad  to think very carefully before accessing those cosmetic treatments that are currently being marketed at rock-bottom prices.

The health secretary warned Britons if deals for cut-price surgery look too good to be true, they probably are (PA Archive)

Kaydell Brown, 38, from Sheffield, signed up for multiple surgeries in Turkey but died after going into theatre on 26 March this year.

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In an interview with ITV News, her sister Leanne said: She went in for surgery at about 9.30am and that was the last time I saw her.

Another patient, Isabella Crawford, has told how she thought she would die after flying home with blood pouring out of her open wounds.

The 20-year-old flew to Turkey in February after a surgeon recommended she have a mummy makeover  which included a tummy tuck, a breast uplift, liposuction and a Brazilian butt lift.

A recent inquest heard how Hayley Dowell, 38, suffered medical complications at a private clinic and died after she had a Brazilian butt lift, tummy tuck and liposuction in October last year.

Kaydell Brown (right) travelled to Istanbul for the fatal surgery which she believed would give her a dream body (Kaitlyn Kavanagh on GoFundMe)

And a coroner said Janet Lynne Savage, 54, from Bangor, died after major artery trauma during a gastric sleeve weight loss procedure in Turkey in 2023.

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Foreign Office data shows that at least six British people died in Turkey in 2023 after travelling abroad for medical procedures.

Overall, 28 British nationals have died in the country following planned surgery since 2019, the data shows.

A UK government spokesperson said: We urge anyone considering a medical procedure abroad to review our travel advice and the relevant guidance from the NHS and other professional bodies.

According to the Foreign Office website, the standard of medical facilities and available treatments can vary widely globally and also within countries.

As well as deaths, it said, some British nationals have also experienced complications and needed further treatment or surgery following their procedure.

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It said anyone considering travelling to Turkey for treatment should discuss the plans with their doctor or dentist, adding that private companies have a financial interest in booking your treatment and their literature should not be your only source of information.

The website said the Foreign Office cannot usually help if you have travelled abroad for medical treatment, for example, if you have issues with the care received or costs involved.

Planned medical treatment is considered a commercial arrangement.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: The NHS will always be there for those who need it, but should not be left to pick up the pieces of botched BBLs.

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Not only are they potentially fatal, having the highest death rate of all cosmetic procedures, but dodgy tweakments and surgeries are leaving the NHS to repair the damage and taxpayers to foot the bill.

Id urge anyone considering a BBL to think twice before taking up an offer that seems too good to be true.
GUEST OPINION: As Australia looks likely to pass legislation banning social media for kids under 16, this should be used as an opportunity to place TikTok, one of the largest social media platforms and most popular among younger users, under the microscope. Beneath the dances and niche content, theres a host of privacy concerns, security risks, and geopolitical tensions that have put the platform into the spotlight of international scrutiny.

The crux of the TikTok dilemma lies in the delicate balance between furthering innovation and protecting security interests. Governments worldwide are struggling with the possible implications of Chinese-owned technology companies operating within their borders. TikTok has become a symbol of the broader challenges posed by globalised technology in an increasingly divided world. At its core, the issue stems from the platform's data collection practices, which are reportedly more extensive than necessary for its primary functions. This data gold mine, combined with TikTok's ties to China through its parent company ByteDance, raises alarming questions about potential backdoors and data exfiltration risks.

Other countries targeting TikTok

Australias current legislation to impose social media age bans is playing out in other geographies, where TikTok is a target. The United States is considering a TikTok ban, primarily motivated by concerns over children's online privacy, while France's recent banning of several social media apps, including TikTok, on government devices underscores the growing international consensus that the platform's data practices warrant serious attention. Unlike traditional cyber threats that often involve malware or direct hacking attempts, the potential risks associated with TikTok are more subtle. The platform's algorithm, celebrated for its ability to tailor content to user preferences, could in theory be weaponised for information warfare or mass manipulation campaigns.

The allegations of Chinese Communist Party representatives having access to US user data as early as 2018 underscore the gravity of these concerns. In the world of cybersecurity, insider threats are often the most dangerous, and the possibility of state-sponsored actors having unrestricted access to millions of users' data is a nightmare scenario for security professionals.

Moreover, TikTok's global reach increases its potential as a vector for large-scale cyber attacks. The platform's influence on elections  which we saw play out last week in the US - also highlights how social media can be leveraged as a tool for disinformation campaigns and social engineering on a massive scale.

Ban alone wont solve problem, education and practice on safe platforms vital

We can all agree the red flags raised by TikTok pose deeper questions about data control, digital ethics, and the role of technology in society and politics.

Looking at the current situation in Australia, a social media ban is a positive move toward protecting young users, but on its own will not solve anything.

The European Union's (EU) approach to TikTok regulation offers an interesting alternative to the more extreme stances taken by other regions. By forcing compliance with the Digital Services Act, the EU has demonstrated that it is possible to mitigate risks without resorting to outright bans.

Education and training should be paramount in the political debate. If currently all parents were able to protect their children from unregulated access to the platforms, the legislation would not be necessary. We must not also forget that the situation does not change overnight. When teenagers enter a platform on their 16th birthday, they must be prepared to use it responsibly and to navigate the surrounding challenges carefully.

Consideration of age-appropriate platforms that can be exempt from the legislation is a solution worth considering. And even if certain platforms are not considered appropriate, a social media lite will help explain the risks and dangers to children while allowing them to learn autonomously.

Training needs to be widespread, covering protection from abuse and coercion, from social engineering, and cyber-bullying. However, training must also educate teenagers about fake news and how to responsibly consume content online. Most importantly, there must be an opportunity for practice for children and parents. Whether that is as part of a school curriculum (which would be great) or a community initiative.

Social media bans stemming from the dilemma caused by platforms like TikTok highlight the urgent need for a shift in how we engage in the digital age. We need to find a way to balance the benefits of interconnected technology with the rights of individuals, the developmental needs of children, and the security interests of nations. A ban is only a first step, and not a silver bullet. The government needs to focus on creating strong, adaptable regulatory and education processes that are flexible enough to keep up with rapidly evolving technology.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  The National Weather Service in Honolulu is warning of increased brushfire risk on Friday from 10a to 2p. The Red flag warning (fire weather warning) does not forecast brushfires but intended to let the public aware of the higher risk of fires.

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM HST FRIDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR LEEWARD AREAS... The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 10 AM to 6 PM HST Friday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * AFFECTED AREA...Leeward portions of all Hawaiian Islands. * TIMING...From 10 AM to 6 PM HST Friday. * WINDS...East 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 40 to 45 percent. * IMPACTS...A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels can contribute to extreme fire behavior. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. A Red Flag Warning does not predict new fire starts. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Outdoor burning is not recommended. Heat from vehicle exhaust systems can ignite dry grass. Park cars on areas that are paved or where vegetation is trimmed and cleared. High winds contribute to wildfire hazard. Delay activities that could throw off sparks until the wind dies down. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. A Red Flag Warning does not predict new fire starts.

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CAHOKIA HEIGHTS, Ill.  Students with developmental delays in Cahokia Heights are not getting the services that have been outlined in their individualized education programs.

Born with underdeveloped vocal cords, Tiffany Hammonds son is supposed to get speech therapy at school.

I notice my son getting more emotional when trying to speak or I cant understand him sometimes. Coming from someone who did have a speech IEP as a child, it sucks, she said.

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Now, nearly three months into the school year, Hammond says he has had no speech therapy at all. And she is not alone. Hammonds attorney says he has heard directly from three families and believes there are many more.

Superintendent Curtis McCall Jr., said the district lost its two speech therapists shortly before the school year started.

Were already in a teacher shortage, so when youre talking about its difficult to find a math, a science or a special education teacher, when you have a position that is so specialized such as a speech language pathologist, that makes it even more difficult, he said.

The district website lists job openings for several positions, including special education teachers, a visually impaired teacher, and a speech language pathologist.

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Armed and dangerous suspect wanted after Warren County shooting death

According to information from the Illinois State Board of Education, 19 percent of students in the Cahokia United School District have IEPs, or individualized education programs. Of those, 15 percent have speech or language impairment.

This is multiple families, kids in different schools, kids with different teachers, none of the families heard anything from anybody from the district, Attorney Tom Kennedy said.

Kennedy plans to file a complaint with the state board of education. Part of the complaint alleges parents only learned that speech therapy services were not provided at a parent-teacher conference in late October.

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We did send letters out, information out to the parents, but again Im willing to sit down with any parent just to let them know exactly how we proceeded with communication regarding this issue, McCall said.

McCall says the district is currently forming partnerships with outside agencies to help provide speech therapy. But another mother, Anita Jackson, worries her son is falling too far behind.

I just want him to thrive like everybody else, and how are they going to help him do that and how are they going to make it up? she said.

They shouldnt have to wait any longer. They shouldnt have had to wait to begin with, Hammond said.

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McCall says that wait should be over soon.

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HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  The Connecticut Bipartisan Infrastructure Law team hosted the states second annual infrastructure summit, called ConnStruct 2, on Friday.

Improving infrastructure for planes, trains and automobiles was the focus of the summit in Hartford, which involved politicians, industry experts and community leaders.

Among the latest projects currently underway: the reconstruction of the Gold Star Memorial Bridge, an expansion of Bradley International Airport and upgrades to the states railroad system, including the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield corridor.

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Youll see everything from more EV chargers, better roads, better bridges, things that havent been improved on in literally decades, said Mark Boughton, the commissioner of the states department of revenue services. Itll be important for us particularly if we want to grow our economy, move goods and services around this country and put people to work.

Cross Sound Ferry Terminal in New London gets $3.9 million grant for infrastructure improvements

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said Connecticut has received over $8 billion in federal funding to replace aging infrastructure through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act. More than $290 million is going towards railroads alone.

However, Blumenthal said time is of the essence to use that money.

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Lets get the job done, he said. Im going to be really blunt. I dont need to tell anyone in this room about the uncertainties ahead in a new administration.

Attendees like Allison Pilcher hope the state will prioritize clean energy when using those funds.

Transition dirty infrastructure to cleaner, then that would be something that we would like to see, said Pilcher, who is a policy director with the Connecticut Roundtable on Climate and Jobs.

The state said many of those new projects could take a decade or more to complete. While the process is frustrating for commuters, Boughton said its a labor of love.

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Its short-term pain for long-term gain, he said.

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SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO)  Summit Carbon Solutions, the company that has been trying to build a carbon dioxide capture pipeline in South Dakota, has secured a permit to build in North Dakota.

In a news release, Summit Carbon Solutions said its has over 82% of the easements for the North Dakota route secured. The release says the project aims to support North Dakotas leadership in energy innovation and open new markets for low-carbon ethanol.

In addition to the North Dakota permit, Summit has secured a permit in Iowa for its base scope pipeline route.

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The group is expected to re-apply in South Dakota Nov. 19, after previously being denied by the states Public Utilities Commission.

RL21: Win for opposition; next step is in Legislature

Supporters of the proposed CO2 projects said the CO2 pipelines are critical to the financial future of ethanol plants. CO2 transport will reduce the carbon footprint of ethanol plants and allow them to sell more fuel to carbon restrictive states such as California and Washington and also into Canada.

Opponents have said while there may be a benefit it shouldnt come at the cost of landowners and the safety risk and ethanol plants have alternatives to reduce their carbon footprint.

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)  After a cloudy Thursday, sunshine has returned to most of Central New York! Will it last through the weekend? Find out below

Quiet heading into the weekend

We are in the sweet spot weather-wise starting with Friday. High pressure builds back in and leaves us with mainly clear skies from midday Friday right into Saturday, a rare feat for November!

Temperatures into the weekend look to be unseasonably mild for mid-November with highs in the 50s. Remember the average high this weekend in Syracuse is in the upper 40s.

One day that potentially will feel cooler is Saturday as there is a bit more of a northwesterly breeze. Given the generally dry weather the last month, there could be some spotty brush fires the farther south and east of Syracuse you go.

So when do showers return?

There is a new frontal system approaching us for Monday, but it is moisture starved. While we think showers are possible to start the work week they are scattered and light in nature.

In the wake of this front our weather turns quiet and mild (by November standards) for the middle of next week.

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Click here for the latest 7-day forecast.

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Overall support for the death penalty in the U.S. has fallen to 53 percent, the lowest level in five decades, according to new data

The Gallup study, released Thursday, shows that a majority of Millennials and Gen Z Americans do not support the death penalty. An average of 66 percent supported it from 2000 to 2006, and 61 percent from 2010 to 2016.

The last time support hovered around 50 percent was in 1972, the year the Supreme Court banned the death penalty. The court reinstated the death penalty in 1976, and the following year, a man was executed by firing squad in Utah.

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Gallups research suggests people classified as Gen Z (ages 12 to 27) are more likely to oppose it than Millennials.

Younger generations exposure to the issue has come when many states had moratoriums on the death penalty or repealed laws that allowed capital punishment, pollsters wrote in their analysis. These efforts were often motivated by cases in which death-row inmates were later found innocent of the crime for which they were convicted.

Support levels also differ by political party.

The percentage of Republicans in favor of the death penalty has generally held steady over the past 25 years, they wrote. The change in attitudes by generational group is thus seen more among political independents and, especially, Democrats.

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Since 1976, the most common methods of execution have been lethal injection, electrocution and lethal gas.

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Nov. 14The Maine Supreme Judicial Court has ruled in favor of a Maine cannabis company, allowing it to continue its lawsuit against the town of Kittery over its licensing process for recreational marijuana stores.

High Maine LLC asked the state's highest court in September to reconsider a superior court justice's dismissal of the suit, which alleged the city's lottery-style system of awarding these licenses was unfair. The court ruled on Thursday that the company's appeal was sufficient and sent the case back to York County Superior Court to continue proceedings.

The lawsuit alleges that Kittery's selection system unfairly allowed another company with a "defective application," called GTF Kittery 8, to stay on the waitlist to apply for a license.

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High Maine would have been higher on the list if the town had removed GTF, which the company said broke the town's rules by filing two pre-applications for the same area and proposing a location that is within 1,000 feet of a school.

The York County Superior Court dismissed the complaint in January, saying that High Maine didn't have standing to sue. But the supreme court said Kittery's "alleged defects in the process" had "directly and negatively" affected the company.

The ruling states that if High Maine wins the case, its application could be brought to a "significantly better position" compared to the other applications on the waiting list.

While this isn't the first time recreational cannabis companies have complained about Kittery's controversial lottery process, it is the first complaint to reach the high court.

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Sweet Dirt, an Eliot-based cannabis company, has questioned the legality of the process, saying in March 2022 that companies that can afford to buy multiple pre-applications get more spots on the waitlist, or more chances to win.

But the Office of the Maine Attorney General investigated Kittery's method and, later that month, told the town's attorney that it didn't plan to pursue legal action.

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Nov. 14LOCKPORT  A Niagara County grand jury has indicted a Buffalo teen in connection with the murder of a Falls man who died when he was run over "multiple times" in the 200 block of Hyde Park Boulevard in the early morning hours of Oct. 15.

Patrick Washington III, 19, of Buffalo, was charged by the grand jury with second-degree murder and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. The indictment was unsealed during an arraignment Thursday in front of Niagara County Court Judge Caroline Wojtaszek.

Washington pleaded not guilty to the charges and was ordered held without bail pending further court proceedings.

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He was taken into custody early Wednesday evening by members of the U.S. Marshals Felony Fugitive Task Force.

Falls Police patrol officers responded to a call of a "pedestrian struck by a vehicle", at around 2:30 a.m. Oct. 15, in the area of 287 Hyde Park Blvd., near D Street. The first officers on the scene said they found the victim, identified as Xavier Goder, 26, of the Falls, "unresponsive" and lying in the street.

Goder was treated by medical personnel but was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.

Witnesses reportedly told Falls Police Criminal Investigation Division (CID) detectives that Goder had been involved in a "fight with several other people." The witnesses said that Goder was left lying in the street as a result of injuries he suffered during the fight.

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As Goder lay in the street, witnesses told police that Washington got into an SUV and ran him over with the vehicle. Video of the incident reportedly shows Washington driving over Goder, reversing his vehicle back over him and then driving over him again.

Washington was last seen driving away from the scene in a black 2009 Ford Escape, with New York license plates. The vehicle was later recovered in the 3500 block of Royal Avenue.

CID detectives identified Washington as the "suspect driver" and began a search for him. Investigators said an attorney, claiming to represent Washington, later contacted them but refused to let them speak with his client.
Niinamesai (Photo courtesy of Public Relations Office, Government of Japan)

While Americans celebrate Thanksgiving Day in late November, the Japanese have Labor Thanksgiving Day on Nov. 23 every year to commemorate worker productivity and thank one another for their labor.

Although the holidays are similar in name, concept and date, there is no actual relation between the two.

The Japanese holiday originated as an imperial religious tradition observed in ancient times called Niinamesai (harvest festival), says Masahiko Uchino of Japans Cabinet Office.

Traditionally, during a religious ritual conducted exclusively in the imperial court, the emperor would dedicate the years harvest to his ancestors and Shinto gods out of gratitude for the bounty. He would do the same for rice a little later after its harvest in late November.

Shinto shrines throughout the nation performed similar rituals of thanksgiving to their respective gods in keeping with this imperial tradition.

This old imperial tradition was legislated as a national holiday and fixed to Nov. 23 in accordance with the then newly introduced solar calendar about 140 years ago, Uchino says.

According to Uchino, this Niinamesai holiday was then renamed Kinro Kansha no Hi, or Labor Thanksgiving Day, in 1948.

Since Niinamesai only gave thanks for agricultural products, the new democratic constitution required legislators to change it to apply to all laborers, not only farmers and agricultural products, Uchino says. By making it Labor Thanksgiving Day, this holiday gave each citizen an opportunity to express gratitude for all work done throughout the year and for the fruits of those labors  whether cultural activities, industrial developments or scientific achievements.

Today, while traditional Niinamesai is still celebrated within Japans imperial court and at shrines, the general public observes it as Labor Thanksgiving Day. To show appreciation to those who are working for their communities and families, Japanese sometimes give small gifts to their employees and fathers on this holiday.

However, there are no traditional foods such as turkey and stuffing that are consumed like there is in the States. Kindergarteners and elementary school students often present their drawings and handicrafts to police officers at the nearest police station to thank them for their efforts, as well.

Niinamesai may have been renamed to include a broader concept, says Uchino, but its original spirit  showing appreciation for an annual harvest  remains at the core of this holiday.
(COLORADO SPRINGS)  The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) arrested a suspect for shooting a coyote within city limits.

On Thursday, Nov. 14, CSPD received a call from a mobile home park near the 3400 block of Sinton Road, close to Sinton Trail that someone shot a gun and was seen dragging something away from the shooting scene.

Upon arrival, officers found a coyote had been shot by someone in the mobile home park.

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According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), these species are deemed a nuisance and can be hunted, trapped, or taken on lands owned or leased by a person experiencing damage to crops, livestock, or property.

Officers were able to locate the suspect and arrest them as firearms cannot be discharged within city limits, per City code 9.7.104.

I dont believe there was an active threat when the coyote was shot, which is why the individual was charged, said a spokesperson with CSPD.

Police said the person was charged, served a court summons, and released to their home.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo.  A male in his late teens is hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after crashing a suspected stolen vehicle Thursday evening in Bridgeton.

According to a spokesperson for the St. Louis County Police Department, officers were around South New Florissant Road and Interstate 270 just after 7:05 p.m. when they saw a black passenger vehicle that had been reported stolen in an armed carjacking in St. Louis City early that day.

Police tried to pull the vehicle over, but the driver accelerated and attempted to get away.

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Officers gave chase until the driver crashed into a utility pole at Interstate 270 and St. Charles Rock Road.

No one other than the suspected carjacker was injured.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Suspected gang members accused of running a big drug operation at a business in Scranton could head to trial.

Four suspects continued and five gave up their rights to preliminary hearings Thursday morning.

They are accused of making pills at Blue Face Global Hookah Lounge on North Main Avenue.

Police shut down Crips drug operation in Scranton

They were recently picked up after a year-long drug investigation and the business is now temporarily shut down.

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Their cases will now be sent to Lackawanna County Court.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
Nov. 14Two of the three men tied to a death in Cushing in July have taken plea deals and agreed to testify against the man prosecutors say pulled the trigger.

Jason Hewett, 39, of Farmingdale, was charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of 45-year-old Kyle MacDougall of Waldoboro. Police believe he shot MacDougall on July 7 and that another man, Mark Gagne, later tried to burn MacDougall's remains.

Hewett has disputed the charges for months and pleaded not guilty during his arraignment Thursday morning in Knox County Superior Court. He is being held at Two Bridges Regional Jail, unable to pay $200,000 in cash bail.

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The two other suspects in the case, Mark Gagne and John Flower, pleaded guilty in September and testified against Hewett before a grand jury, which indicted Hewett on the manslaughter charge Oct. 9.

Gagne pleaded guilty to hindering apprehension, a felony, and abuse of a corpse, a misdemeanor, according to the Midcoast Villager. He was released from jail on personal recognizance bail.

Flower, who was arrested before Hewett, entered an Alford plea to a misdemeanor count of falsifying evidence, according to the Midcoast Villager. Prosecutors agreed to dismiss a felony hindering apprehension charge, the publication said, in exchange for Flower's testimony against Hewett at any potential trial. An Alford plea means a defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges there is enough evidence to find them guilty.

Flower's lawyer, Patrick Parson, confirmed the plea but declined to comment further Thursday out of concern that it would draw more attention to his client.

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'DIFFERENT VERSIONS'

Flower is one of several people who police have said identified Hewett as the shooter, according to a July 16 affidavit for Hewett's arrest.

According to the affidavit, Flower told police he was in a trailer on July 7, with Hewett, Gagne and another woman, when MacDougall entered the room to buy drugs.

After some conversation, Flower told police he saw Hewett grab a shotgun, tell MacDougall to "check yourself fool" and shoot MacDougall in the neck, the affidavit states. Flower told officers that Hewett then rushed to apply towels to MacDougall's bleeding neck, but that the man was dead almost instantly.

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However, this wasn't what Flower had initially said. In an earlier interview, Flower told police that MacDougall shot himself, according to the affidavit (which Hewett shared with the Press Herald in August despite a court order sealing it.)

Flower originally said that MacDougall had been holding a shotgun on the couch and that Flower sneaked up from behind him to scare him, and MacDougall accidentally shot himself in the neck.

Hewett told the Press Herald in August that this was a major inconsistency. He also questioned how police had ruled out another man, Harley Winchenbach, who had allegedly told someone he was the one to shoot MacDougall in Gagne's kitchen.

It's unclear from the affidavit how police cleared Winchenbach as a suspect. A spokesperson for the Office of the Maine Attorney General referred a reporter to the affidavit for questions on Winchenbach's relation to the case.

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Hewett's attorney, Andrew Wright, said in court Thursday that Flower has "told at least three different versions of what's happened."

Assistant Attorney General Bud Ellis agreed to share transcripts from the grand jury proceeding against Hewett, in which Flower testified. Those are confidential hearings, but Ellis noted the unusual nature of Hewett's case after Wright raised the possibility that Flower's statements might be helpful to Hewett's defense.

Wright said there is also evidence he has yet to receive from the state, including information from Gagne's recent drug-related arrest in October that he learned only from local news reports.

"The ability for us to mount a defense, even if there is a discovery deadline later on  it's fundamentally unfair for my client to be sitting there, kept in the dark, without certain information, including the possibility of including grand jury testimony in the meantime," Wright said.

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Ellis said in court that he's already sent much of what Wright has requested. Gagne's attorney, Jeremy Pratt, said in an email Thursday that the case is unrelated to Hewett's.

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MCCOMB, Miss. (WJTV)  A teenager was killed during an officer-involved shooting in McComb, and authorities are searching for other suspects in connection to the incident.

Bailey Martin, press secretary for the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS), said the shooting occurred near the 200 block of 25th Street in McComb on November 14.

According to Martin, McComb police received calls about a suspicious vehicle in the area. When they arrived, officers located the vehicle, and two suspects exited the car. Martin said one of the suspects presented a weapon at the officers, and the officers shot and killed one suspect.

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Man pleads guilty to fatal shooting on Natchez Trace Parkway

The Pike County identified the suspect who was killed as Jamorion Seiber, 16. His body was taken to the State Crime Lab.

The officers did not receive any serious physical injuries. McComb Mayor Quordiniah Lockley said one officer has been placed on administrative leave.

Martin said one person was arrested. Investigators believe three or four other suspects were inside the car. They were last seen in a gray 2016 Dodge Charger with the tag number PJP357. Investigators said the vehicle was later located unoccupied.

Agents with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) are investigating the officer-involved shooting and will share their findings with the Mississippi Attorney Generals Office.

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Get excited, winter lovers! Arizona will see a significant drop in temperatures this weekend.

According to the National Weather Service, a low-pressure system is currently moving through the Pacific Northwest, into the West Coast and will eventually hit Arizona on Saturday.

Phoenix will head into the weekend with a high temperature of 71 degrees on Friday, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures will dip beginning Saturday as a new low-pressure system moves through the state.

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Higher terrains could get some rain, and the rest of the Valley can expect high temperatures in the upper 60s and low temperatures in the mid-40s through Tuesday.

This new low-pressure system could potentially bring snow up north. Evan Laguardia with the National Weather Service office in Flagstaff said there will be a slight chance of isolated snow and rain showers on Saturday and Monday.

Laguardia said Flagstaff will be "quite chilly" this weekend with temperatures 10 to 15 degrees below average. Expect overnight temperatures below freezing and daytime temperatures in the 40s.

Southwest wind gusts of almost 30 miles per hour are predicted to hit northern Arizona on Friday. The weather service issued a wind advisory for the Mogollon Rim and White Mountains that will be in effect all day.

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Southern Arizona will also get a break from the warmth this weekend. Alex Edwards from the National Weather Service office in Tucson said there will be an incoming cold front.

Edwards said the low-pressure system will drag cold air from the north and moisture from the south, causing temperatures to "really drop off" with a slight chance of showers on Sunday and Monday.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Cold front brings chance of snow up north, lows in 40s in Phoenix area
Jordan recently pulled the documentary My Sweet Land as its official entry for the Oscars best international feature film race after receiving pressure from Azerbaijan, in a blatant case of a country bowing to censorship dictated by diplomacy.

My Sweet Land follows the life of an 11-year-old boy named Vrej who dreams of becoming a dentist in Artsakh, an ethnic Armenian enclave within the Nagorno-Karabakh region of southwestern Azerbaijan. For three decades, the enclave has been at the center of an intermittent war that ended in 2023 with an Azerbaijani offensive that caused a mass exodus of the ethnic Armenian population.

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The government of Azerbaijan now seems to want to erase all traces of their conflict with ethnic Armenians in the disputed region  and Jordan was apparently willing to comply with that. As My Sweet Lands Jordanian-Armenian director Sareen Hairabedian tells Variety, We dont understand why Azerbaijan would be able to pressure a country like Jordan and control a narrative that is coming out of Jordan for this film to be stopped and silenced.

Representatives for Jordans Oscars committee did not respond to Varietys request for comment.

Below, Hairabedian and the docs Jordanian producer Azza Hourani further discuss their reaction to the countrys shocking about-face and some of the reasons behind it.

How did you find out that Jordan had pulled the film?

Sareen Hairabedian: I need to provide some context because we had also learned that the film had been banned in Jordan. But basically, I think the moment we heard about the film being withdrawn was when we got an email from the Academy. After learning that the film had been banned in Jordan  while at the same time it had also been put forth as the countrys Oscar candidate  we were working tirelessly to secure a qualifying theatrical run somewhere else, and that was going to be Armenia. We had planned it; it was set to happen. Then we got the email from the Academy saying that the submission had been withdrawn.

What was your reaction?

Hairabedian: That was like a slap to us. We got back in touch with the Royal Film Commission [which had partly funded the film, promoted it and submitted it as Jordans Oscar candidate] asking for explanations, because we were shocked. And the Royal Film Commission said that for the longest time they had been trying to work this out by trying to appeal the complaint [made to Jordan by the government of Azerbaijan]. And that they hadnt mentioned it to us because they were confident that it would be resolved.

For people who dont know whats happening in that part of the world, can you provide some context?

Hairabedian: There is a larger political question that we are trying to understand as to why Azerbaijan would pressure Jordan. Its one thing if Azerbaijan is pressuring Armenia  which doesnt happen actually, since there isnt that type of communication between them. But I think for us, from a diplomatic and from a political standpoint, we dont understand why Azerbaijan would be able to pressure a country like Jordan and control a narrative that is coming out of Jordan for this film to be stopped and silenced. Obviously, after the Azerbaijani-Armenian war, Azerbaijan is forging ties with many regions. But as filmmakers, I think when we are asked these questions, I will always go back to the idea that besides the political climate of whats happening, this is the silencing of a story that, at its core, is the human story of a boy trying to live his life without the threat of war and conflict. And to position this within the context of political gains or battles, or diplomatic affairs, is extremely unfortunate. And its extremely sad for us because this means that censorship and silencing can win.

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Azza Hourani: Why would this film pose a threat to start with? The fact that this film is set in a region thats contested between those two nations and the fact that its told from the Armenian side  and the fact that the name we use for the region is the Armenian name, Artsakh  poses a threat in itself. And, of course, any colonial territory would want to ban and silence stories that are coming from that space.

Just to provide some more context, you shot the doc in 2018, when things there were different. Right?

Hairabedian: We started researching in 2018 and filming a bit, and then, yes, we shot all the way to December 2022. And thats when the nine-month blockade happened where Azerbaijan blocked the only route that connects Artsakh to Armenia. And by then there was no food, no fuel, no transportation, no access into the region. So we were not able to go back in. And then in September of 2023 is when they had their final military attack that led to the exodus of 100,000 plus Armenians out of the region.

What are the next steps for My Sweet Land?

Hairabedian: After being silenced and after fighting this and trying to appeal  which has been consuming our time and minds and all energies in the past month and a half  we are now focused on putting this film in the doc category [of the Oscars]. We want to continue to talk about this and continue to highlight Vrejs story that is the story of so many other children whose struggles and fears are not being communicated, shared and felt by the world. So its very important for us that weve taken it into the doc category. Now we are doing our best, within a very short amount of time, to show it as much as we can. So from Doc NYC to having our theatrical run in L.A., and some other screenings around the world with different institutions, we are working to make sure that its going to go to [other] festivals and be seen all over the world.

My Sweet Land, which launched to positive reviews from Sheffield DocFest in June, will have its North American premiere in New York at DOC NYC on Nov. 16. It is also scheduled to have its Oscar-qualifying  for the Academy Awards best documentary feature category  U.S. theatrical release in Los Angeles starting Nov. 29.

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This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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A survey has found that students who use dating apps have a "higher number of sexual partners" than non-swipers and could be contributing to the spread of sexually transmitted infections.

"We show the use of dating apps among college students is linked to an increase in unprotected sexual behaviours and a higher number of sexual partners, raising the risk of STI and HIV transmission," said Jaquetta Reeves, assistant professor at the College of Nursing and Health Innovation of the University of Texas at Arlington.

Reeves and her team of researchers said they found a significant positive association between the use of dating apps and engagement in risky sexual behaviours" among students.

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The spread of STIs has been blamed in part on the rise of so-called hook up culture. More than half of US residents under 30 use apps such as Tinder, the team said, meaning that the spread of apps and of STIs "may be linked."

Other researchers and commentators have complained that an unhealthy but pervasive combination of apps, pornography and deceptive photo editing - sometimes even using AI - has distorted dating habits.

The findings came after the Word Health Organization earlier this year warned that case numbers for sexually-transmitted infections were rising worldwide and after the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said there has been a "troubling surge" of infections across the continent in 2022.

Reeves teams work was published in the journal Frontiers in Reproductive Health and was based on a survey of university students in the US, where since the turn of the century the incidence of chlamydia has more than doubled, while that of gonorrhoea is up by 40% and syphilis by 400%.

In late 2023, the US Food and Drugs Administration approved the first home-use tests for STIs. In Europe the number of gonorrhoea cases rose by 48% in 2022, while those of syphilis were up by 34% and chlamydia by 16%, according to ECDC data published earlier this year.
Switzerland's diplomats have been told to save money, with all employees of the Foreign Ministry in future having to fly economy instead of business class as a matter of principle, regardless of the flight's duration.

This also applies to ambassadors and state secretaries, a government spokesman said on Friday.

Employees who have to take very long flights to attend conferences are being advised to arrive a day earlier in order to be able to recover from any strain of the flight.

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Exceptions will only be granted in rare cases and upon request. The savings potential is estimated by the Foreign Ministry at 1.5 million francs a year  around $1.7 million.

Swiss federal employees are currently actually only entitled to business class for flights of more than nine hours or for connecting flights totalling more than 11 hours. This continues to apply to other ministries. Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis had proposed the general switch to economy class for all civil servants, but was unable to push it through.

Cassis himself will also save when flying, the spokesperson said, but at a different level: on scheduled flights, he will no longer fly first class, as he is entitled to, but will make do with business class.

He has to work on the plane and be ready to work immediately upon arrival, the spokesperson said, so economy class is out of the question for him.

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When travelling to multiple destinations or to places that cannot be reached directly, Cassis and the other members of the government usually use the government plane.

Neighbouring Germany has also been trying to find airfare savings.

The German Foreign Office said on Friday that for cost reasons, heads of foreign missions have regularly travelled in economy class this year, including longer flights - even though civil servants are legally entitled to travel in business class if their flight time is four hours or more. Within Europe, all employees fly in economy class, according to the German ministry.
The "second George Washington" is upon us, at least according to Sylvester Stallone.

The "Rocky" actor introduced President-elect Donald Trump as the second coming of the nation's first president at an America First Policy Institute Gala at Mar-a-Lago Thursday, Nov. 14.

"When George Washington defended his country, he had no idea that he was going to change the world. Because without him, you could imagine what the world would look like," Stallone said. "Guess what, we got the second George Washington. Congratulations!"

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Trump gave his first post-election speech at the Mar-a-Lago gala, praising his upcoming administration picks, including Department of Health and Human Services secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was in attendance. Leaders of the new Department of Government Efficiency Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk were also in attendance.

Related: Famous people, celebrity sightings in Palm Beach County so far in 2024

Previously, Stallone has spoken highly of both President Biden and president-elect Trump, steering clear of aligning with any political affiliation. However, following Trump's first presidential win, he did send the presidential-elect a signed poster declaring the 2016 victory the "GREATEST KNOCKOUT IN HISTORY!"

.@TheSlyStallone gave this to @realDonaldTrump tonight:

"To President Trump,

A real champ! GREATEST KNOCKOUT IN HISTORY!"

Sylvester Stallone pic.twitter.com/TQ3xo1zADw  Dan Scavino Jr. (@DanScavino) December 31, 2016

That same year, the Palm Beach Daily News reported that Stallone attended Trump's annual New Year's Eve bash at The Mar-a-Lago Club, which soon became his Winter White House."

Sylvester Stallone and Eric Trump pose for a photo at Mar-a-Lago Club Saturday December 31, 2016 in the Town of Palm Beach.

Does Sylvester Stallone live in Palm Beach County?

Stallone left California for South Florida this year with his wife, Jennifer Flavin Stallone.

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The couple made their $35.375 million lakefront vacation home, which they owned since December 2020, their permanent residence in Palm Beach's North End.

Since, the action star has been spotted at West Palm Beach eatery Pig Beach BBQ.

Ashley Ferrer is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Sylvester Stallone supports Trump at Mar-a-Lago, calls him 'second George Washington'
A test showed an autonomous Black Hawk helicopter taking off, locating small fires, and precisely dropping water to suppress flames, showcasing advanced firefighting capabilities.

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, and Rain, a leader in autonomous aerial wildfire containment technology, successfully completed the experiment.

According to the firms, the Rapid Wildfire Response Demonstration at Sikorsky headquarters in Stratford, demonstrated how Sikorsky's MATRIX flying autonomy and Rain's wildfire mission autonomy system might effectively combine to put out a fire in its early stages.

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Government agencies, aerial firefighting operators, and investors are coming together to learn and see how both flight and mission autonomy can help prevent high intensity million-acre wildfires, said Maxwell Brodie, CEO of Rain, in a statement.

In October, US Armys Black Hawks helicopters completed trips without pilots with Sirosky's next-gen robotic brain.

Precision aerial firefighting

Wildfires cost the United States more than $390 billion each year, with risk factors expected to increase by up to 30 percent by 2030.

Developers aim to show lawmakers how autonomous aircraft can prevent fires from spreading and continue firefighting efforts after dark and in challenging, smoky conditions where crewed aircraft cannot operate.

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Using a tablet, visitors controlled the Black Hawk aircraft to take off, search for and locate the fire, and then drop water from a Bambi bucket suspended 60 feet below the plane during the 30-minute flight demonstration.

https://youtu.be/r5q6DJs5t7g

The accuracy of the rain fire recognition and targeting capability was demonstrated when three consecutive water drops put out a 12-inch circular propane-fueled fire ring that was emitting a flame that was three to six inches tall.

Additionally, the Rain system quickly modified the flight path to accommodate a crosswind of 8 to 10 knots (9.2 to 11.5 miles per hour) during each water drop.

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In the Black Hawk cockpit, Sikorsky safety pilots kept an eye on the flying controls but remained passive until the plane touched down.

With Rains wildfire mission software loaded onto the aircraft and a tablet, wildland firefighters in the field could deploy autonomous Black Hawk or Firehawk helicopters to search and attack wildfires before they spread out of control," said Igor Cherepinsky, director of Sikorsky Innovations rapid development/prototyping group, in a statement.

Modernizing army aviation

Sikorsky has also partnered with the US Army to advance autonomous helicopter capabilities through DARPA's ALIAS/MATRIX program.

Recently awarded $6 million from DARPA, Sikorsky will integrate its MATRIX flight autonomy system into an experimental fly-by-wire UH-60M Black Hawk, designated MX. The upgraded helicopter will allow army's Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) to assess autonomy features, from single-pilot operation to fully autonomous flights.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rpdnAnNTCU&pp=ygUOU2lyb3NreSBNYXRyaXg%3D

The MATRIX system aims to enhance pilot safety, reduce workload, and enable complex mission flexibility in contested environments.

The Black Hawk, expected to serve the Army into the 2070s, is being modernized to ensure long-term relevance, incorporating autonomous features that support unmanned or optionally piloted missions. Evaluation will include testing sensor suites to identify and navigate around threats, terrain, and obstacles.

In 2024, Sikorsky and DARPA demonstrated that the Optionally Piloted Black Hawk could be operated by high-level commands via a tablet from within the cabin or the ground.

According to Sirosky, building on successful cargo missions from Project Convergence 2022, these developments align with Lockheed Martin's vision for 21st century security, preparing the Black Hawk for new threats.
Among the many foreign policy decisions Donald Trump will have to make in his new administration will be what to do about Taiwan and the looming threat from China.

The U.S. government maintains a doctrine of strategic ambiguity toward Taiwan to keep China second-guessing about how Washington might respond to an attack on the island. It technically has a One-China Policy that has, since 1979, formally recognized the regime in Beijing and not the one in Taipei. At the same time, the U.S. reserves the right to engage with Taiwanese officials and support the islands military until its final status has been conclusively resolved.

These long-time norms are increasingly being challenged as China has stepped up its belligerence toward the island, located just roughly 100 miles across the Taiwan Strait.

The island nation is located about 100 miles southeast of the Chinese mainland. (Google Earth image)

Beijing has staged progressively larger and more threatening military exercises around Taiwan. These large force drills are increasingly showcasing Beijings ability to blockade the island and strike at it from all sides.

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To get a sense of how the new Trump administration could confront the growing perilous issue of the standoff between China and Taiwan, we asked six experts in Beijing-Taipei relations for their thoughts.

Our participating subject matter experts are:

Simona Alba Grano, senior lecturer at the University of Zurich and director of the Taiwan Studies Project there.

Ja Ian Chong, associate professor in the Department of Political Science, National University of Singapore and a nonresident scholar, Carnegie China.

Roger Huang, senior lecturer Department of Security Studies and Criminology at Australias Macquarie University.

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Fang-Yu Chen, assistant professor of Political Science at Soochow University, Taiwan, where his research includes US-China-Taiwan relations.

Claire Chu, senior China analyst at Janes in Washington and nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Councils Global China Hub.

Kitsch Liao, assistant director, Atlantic Councils Global China Hub.

We sent this impressive group the same questions independently so their responses could be as direct and unfiltered as possible. Here they are in full, though some questions and answers have been slightly edited for clarity.

Do you see any change in U.S. policy toward Taiwan from the Biden administration to the Trump administration?

Simona Alba Grano:

Unlike U.S. President Joe Biden, Trump is likely to focus more on bilateral relationships than multilateral groupings. He will most probably exit several international organizations and treaties, leaving allies alone, which will be positive for China. Rather than considering Taiwan as a democracy worth protecting in its own right, Taiwan is now a card to be played in Trumps transactional strategies, which at this point are not yet fully clear.

Ja Ian Chong:

I guess a key thing people will be watching out for is whether and if so, how, the new Trump administration will have Taiwan pay more for its defense, or if Trump decides to punish Taiwan for what he calls stealing the US semiconductor business despite the fact this has no factual basis. A more hawkish US administration could also lead to more friction around Taiwan, which the Taiwanese may be wary about.

Roger Huang:

It is too early to tell how US-Taiwan relations will change under a Trump administration, although they will inevitably change. There are some telling signs. Trump has already excluded [Former U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki] Hailey and [Former Trump Secretary of State Mike] Pompeo from any roles in his administration. Both prominent former Trump officials have visited Taiwan relatively recently and are quite popular American political figures in the Green camp. [Elon] Musks seemingly oversized role/influence in the new Trump administration may lead to some internal contradictions and disagreements within the Trump cabinet. Musk has significant interest in China. He has also previously said that Taiwan should accept a 1 country 2 systems formula- Hong Kong style, even at the expense of Taiwans current freedom and democracy. On the other hand, [U.S. Sen. Marco] Rubio [nominated to be Secretary of State] is a well-known China hawk, who is on the record as very supportive of Taiwan and an advocate for more arms sales to Taiwan.

Fang-Yu Chen:

One of the most important achievements of the Biden administration is the internationalization of the Taiwan Strait issue, addressing it through multilateral mechanisms. Also, the Biden administration tries very hard to rally allies to contain China. The Trump administration, on the other hand, might focus more on bilateral approaches and placed relatively less emphasis on multilateral organizations such as the [Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity] IPEF, the US-Japan-Korea alliance, and the Chip 4 Alliance [between the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, with the aim of creating a more secure global semiconductor supply chain]. U.S. support for Taiwan will continue, as will sanctions against China, but there are likely to be some adjustments in the approach.

Claire Chu:

The incoming administration may be more willing to challenge the status quo relationship with China and Taiwan. Beijing has been upping the ante, escalating its use of deliberate pressure tactics to constrain Taiwans decision-making space and enforce Taiwans diplomatic isolation while building up its own capabilities. Chinese leadership could expect a more offensive posture from Washington that trends away from measured and towards open competition.



Kitsch Liao:

Policy bedrock unchanged: Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) [legislation to help maintain peace, security, and stability in the Western Pacific and to promote continued extensive, close, and friendly relations between the people of the United States and Taiwanese], Three Communiques [joint communiques issued by the United States and China in 1972, 1979, and 1982 that continue to serve as the foundation for U.S.-China relations] and Six Assurances [guidelines in conducting United States  Taiwan relations].

This means the U.S. has committed to, in accordance with TRA, maintain the capacity to resist Chinas coercion [NOTE: lots of grey area, and Beijing plays in the grey] and invasion of Taiwan, and provide Taiwan with defensive weapons, but not commit to an intervention.

Variable is on how the Trump administration sees what constitutes arms of a defensive character suitable to provide to Taiwan, and how the administration will interpret what is sufficient capacity for the U.S. to maintain in order to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security, or social or economic system, of the people of Taiwan.

Strategic ambiguity: strategic ambiguity, originally known as duel deterrence, is a policy that can be dictated by POTUS. Biden was clear that he will intervene; some think this is helpful but others dont. Trumps deal-making nature makes this more ambiguous and will be perceived in the region as such.

U.S. President Joe Biden greets Chinese President Xi Jinping before a meeting during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders week in Woodside, California on November 15, 2023. (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images) BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI

Then-US President Donald Trump (L) shaking hands with Chinas President Xi Jinping at the end of a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on November 9, 2017. (Photo by FRED DUFOUR/AFP via Getty Images) FRED DUFOUR

What about the flow of arms from the U.S. to Taiwan?

Simona Alba Grano:

Trumps return to the White House means first and foremost a lot of uncertainties for Taiwan going forward, given that the U.S. remains the islands most important international security guarantor, legally bound to provide it with defensive weapons. Given some recent comments by Trump, his return could mean that Taiwan will be required to pay more for its defense and if it does not, arms sales will be slowed down.

Ja Ian Chong:

At least in the short term, there could be arms sales. However, whether this situation persists may be more difficult to anticipate. Then apart from sales, there is the question of delivery. The Biden administration was allegedly slow on some deliveries. This situation may ease if the Trump administration no longer prioritizes Ukraine, but then again it may not.

Roger Huang:

It is likely that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan will not only continue but increase. Taiwan will likely be pressured by the Trump administration to increase its defense budget. We know that in Trumps thinking, many U.S. allies are free riding U.S. defense/military commitments. We would most likely see the U.S. wanting to see Taiwan increase its defense budget by several percentage points to demonstrate Taiwans seriousness in building up its self-defense capability.

Fang-Yu Chen:

The U.S. arms sales to Taiwan will definitely continue. According to the classified memo of the President established during the Reagan administration, which was later declassified by John Bolton, the U.S. arms sales to Taiwan are based on the level of threat posed by the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA).

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Since Chinas threat will only grow stronger and the U.S. national interest lies in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, the U.S. will continue to keep the so-called status quo and stability of the region. U.S. arms sales to Taiwan will persist. The key issue should be discussing how much Taiwan can acquire and the strategy of defense and system of the weaponry. So far, the appointments in the new administration have all involved individuals who recognize China as a significant threat to U.S. national security. They are even more likely to support Taiwans military defense.

Claire Chu:

There will likely be continuity with U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, but it will run parallel to conversations about Taiwans self-defense progress.

Kitsch Liao:

There are two parts, the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) portion, and the more recent direct transfer under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA).

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FMS:

Established, relatively stable annual process including the annual Monterey Talk [designed to sync interagency discussions and examine all-of-government security issues such as crisis response scenarios, security cooperation, and resilience] to hammer out acquisition priority.

Taiwan service interest potentially on the rise, as Army, Navy, and Air Force contemplating individual big-ticket items. Some in apparent contradiction to the established, porcupine-style Overall Defense Concept (ODC).

There are debates ongoing between U.S. and Taiwan about what sort of strategy makes the best sense; however administration shift unlikely to have a big impact; theres also strong support from Congress for continued arms sales.

Delays in FMS delivery may still persist, as the issue concerns U.S. bureaucratic capacity to process large and complex acquisitions.

PDA:

PDAs arguably constitute a more important portion of strengthening Taiwans defense in the near term. On top of the direct transfer of military equipment, some of the crucial training and assessments on the ground in Taiwan right now are supported through this authorization. The PDA is crucial in building Taiwan up to pose sufficient conventional deterrence before 2027, when PLA would be a basically modern force, and capable but not guaranteed to win an invasion of Taiwan.

By its very nature, PDA is more sensitive to the administrations whims and thus theres greater uncertainty surrounding its continuation.

Taiwan is lining up to become the next customer for the combat-proven National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System, or NASAMS air defense system, after the United States approved its sale to the country in October. (RTX)

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Is the U.S. more or less likely to come to Taiwans assistance in the event of a Chinese invasion under the new administration?

Simona Alba Grano:

On one side, the rising U.S.-China competition continues to increase Taiwans strategic importance in the U.S.-dominated first island chain. That, coupled with its economic importance as the world supplier of advanced semiconductors makes it unlikely that Trump will sacrifice Taiwan completely, especially considering that Congress in the U.S. has always been and will continue to be predominantly close to Taiwan. On the other hand, as stated above his transactional nature and unpredictability make it very difficult to predict what Trump could do in the long run.

Ja Ian Chong:

I think the jury is out on this one. A lot will depend on how the U.S.-PRC relationship as well as the U.S.-Taiwan relationship pans out. That said, the previous Trump presidency suggests toughness on economic matters but less clear resolve on military issues.

Roger Huang:

Given the increasingly isolationist mood in the U.S., it remains to be seen how Trump would respond to Chinese adventurism.

Fang-Yu Chen:

Verbal statements and commitments might decrease, as Mr. Trump has already stated that he is unwilling to make direct promises, believing that doing so is unfavorable for negotiations. For Trump, everything is transactional. However, the support and commitments from Trump administration officials toward Taiwan are unlikely to diminish.

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In Taiwan, the ruling party remains the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), so its policy toward the U.S. will not change. It will continue to strengthen U.S.-Taiwan relations and push forward military reforms. In the short term, Taiwan will continue to demonstrate its determination for self-defense, making it unlikely for the U.S. position to shift.

Claire Chu:

Ongoing armed conflicts in multiple theaters may strain U.S. forces Pacific readiness, raising the question of ability. An increasingly war-weary American public may raise the question of will. But the U.S. commitment to Taiwans defense has been underpinned by enduring bipartisan interest for decades and is not likely to change under the new administration.



Kitsch Liao:

Beijing watched and learned from what Russia did wrong during the initial failure in Ukraine. Consequently, China is more likely to gradually escalate, a frog boiling in water situation.

Critical need would be rallying allies and partners together, and that will be harder for the incoming administration. PRC has U.S. action priced in. What they dont have priced in is what U.S. allies would dothat is what can change Beijings calculus mid-stream.

Should Beijing launch an all-out invasion, overall uncertainty increases for all scenarios concerned, even the ones where the U.S. traditionally would consider not to intervene.

Because even the Congressionally mandated TRA took pains to ensure any administration would have the liberty to interpret and act on any given Taiwan Strait situation as it sees fit, and the communiques and assurances are policy decisions that can easily be overruled by POTUS.

A pair of Chinese J-16 fighters fly together. Jets of this type took part in the first day of Chinas Joint Sword-2024As exercise around Taiwan. (N509FZ via Wikimedia)

Is China more or less likely to invade during the Trump administration?

Simona Alba Grano:

At this point it is impossible to predict as it is too early to see what Trump will do, so I have left [the question] unanswered.

Ja Ian Chong:

I do not think the likelihood of an invasion scenario changes. Overall, the chances of invasion are lower than a blockade, which is lower than the continued use of grey zone tactics to wear Taiwan down. Invasion may be risky and expensive for Beijing as well, especially when there seem to be cheaper and less risky options. I can see Beijing stepping up grey zone operations and coercion, however. That may increase the risk of escalation. An invasion may take place if the PRC for some reason believes that it is both cheap and easy.

Roger Huang:

I dont see a full-on Chinese invasion as a likely scenario in the near future. The bigger worry is the incremental erosion of Taiwanese sovereignty and active control of its territories. PRCs ramping up of its military exercises near Taiwanese territory, including the PLAs dismissal of the de facto median line and intrusion in Taiwans restricted/prohibited waters near Kinmen and Matsu will have longer-term implications (and therefore higher chance of a more militarily aggressive China).

Fang-Yu Chen:

In the short term, China will certainly use various methods to test the Trump administrations limits while taking advantage of the transition period for personnel appointments to prepare for potential future trade wars. During this time, gray zone warfare is likely to increase, but the likelihood of a direct military invasion remains low.

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Chinas current economic situation is dire, leaving it without sufficient resources for large-scale military operations, and such actions would pose excessively high risks for its leadership.

Claire Chu:

From my perspective, China is not in a hurry to attempt a forceful takeover of Taiwan  at least, not until a quick decisive victory is guaranteed. Instead, China is likely to continue testing the waters, quite literally, while ramping up its gray zone aggression toward Taiwan  for which the U.S. has never articulated a red line  before assessing its options based on the Trump administrations reaction.

But also, China has and will continue to employ a multitude of coercive, non-kinetic measures against Taiwan that are intended to chip away at its international legitimacy, cyber resilience, information environment, national identity, and credible will for self-defense  all without firing a shot. Thats what Im more concerned about.

Kitsch Liao:

This one is impossible to call. This is going to be a Xi Jinping call, and the question is what impacts Xis calculus and in what direction, and this may very well depend on Xi himself and his personal interaction with Trump, much of which we wont see.

There are two big scenarios: Opportunistic: China may see an opening should Xi believe Taiwans conventional deterrence is lacking, or influence operation has matured on the ground, and launch an invasion to take advantage. The less predictable nature of the Trump administrations reaction to a Chinese aggressive action toward Taiwan creates more risks in the mind of a Chinese planner, which increases the barrier for any opportunistic move against Taiwan. Forced hand: Xi sees game-changing moves from Taiwan or the U.S. that threaten the CCPs ruling legitimacy in ways that demand a response. In other words, China will invade Taiwan when Xi lost the ability to credibly claim that Taiwan will eventually be unified with China, therefore any gesture and messaging from the oncoming administration, whether intentional or not, that would lead to Xi or the politburo to such conclusion would increase that likelihood.



A Taiwanese conscript launches live-fire rockets using the Kestrel rocket launcher, during an exercise at a military base in Tainan, Taiwan, November 6, 2024. (Photo by Daniel Ceng/Anadolu via Getty Images) Anadolu

A big thank you to all our experts for taking the time to answer our questions on this incredibly challenging but extremely important topic.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
(Bloomberg) -- Taiwan President Lai Ching-te will make a stop in the US state of Hawaii and another American territory while visiting allies in the South Pacific in the coming weeks, according to a person familiar with the matter  a routine stopover that risks inflaming US-China tensions.

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The other US territory Lai could visit on the trip is Guam, according to the person, who asked not to be identified discussing the sensitive issue. The president, whom Beijing has branded a separatist, has been planning his inaugural overseas trip for months, the person added.

President Xi Jinpings government sees Taiwan as a breakaway province to be reclaimed someday  by force if necessary  and opposes Beijings diplomatic allies having contact with officials from Taipei. Lais travel plans were first reported by Reuters.

Lais office said there were no current plans for an overseas trip. Should any such arrangements be made, they will be promptly communicated to the public, said Karen Kuo, a spokeswoman for the Presidential Office.

America shouldnt allow Lai to transit the US, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Friday at a regular press briefing in Beijing. Washington should stop sending wrong signals to Taiwan independence forces and maintain stability and peace in the region, he added.

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Sensitive Time

Lais trip comes at a sensitive time, as Joe Biden prepares to leave the White House after repeatedly vowing to defend Taiwan from any Chinese invasion, muddying the long-standing US position of strategic ambiguity. President-elect Donald Trumps comeback casts doubts over such reassurances, adding fresh turbulence to a major flashpoint between the worlds largest economies as the threat of a new trade war looms.

Its unclear how Trump would handle the Taiwan issue. While several of his picks for top posts favor taking a tougher line on China, he was critical of Taiwan while campaigning. He accused the archipelago of stealing chip business from the US and suggested it pay for protection. Trump also didnt answer directly when asked if American troops would defend Taiwan should China invade.

All of Taiwans sitting presidents since the 1990s prior to Lai have traveled to America on stopovers en route to other destinations. While most trips passed without heightening tensions, a visit by then-leader Lee Teng-hui to speak at Cornell University in 1995 sparked the so-called Third Strait Crisis, with China firing missiles into waters near the main island of Taiwan and carrying out amphibious assault exercises.

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Beijings response to Lais trip is likely to rest on who he meets in the US. In April 2023, the Peoples Liberation Army held major drills around Taiwan because sitting President Tsai Ing-wen met then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy during a stopover in California. Other potential responses range from diplomatic protests to possible economic retaliation.

Self-ruled Taiwan only has 12 diplomatic partners, after the tiny Pacific Island nation of Nauru cut relations in January after Lais election win.

--With assistance from Lucille Liu.

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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Tampa City leaders unanimously approved a multi-million dollar investment Thursday to improve the Franklin Street corridor in downtown.



The projects goal is to revitalize that part of town, which was once a destination where many gathered to shop or see shows.

Really to bring back the corridor to what it used to be, its former glory, said Karen Kress, senior director of transportation and planning for the Tampa Downtown Partnership. Anyone who grew up in Tampa probably has a memory of coming to Tampa, coming to Franklin Street, and shopping and strolling and browsing and just kind of being seen. We think there is some good bones, but its really kind of just sat for decades.

The Franklin Street Action Plan aims to beautify the many blocks of Franklin Street from Jackson Street through Scott Street.

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The Community Redevelopment Agency presented the $6 million dollar plan to city council Thursday.

The plan includes incentives for preserving historic buildings, updating some of the infrastructure, restoring brick streets, adding green spaces, cafe lights, artistic crosswalks and new landscaping.

You see how crowded and busy the Riverwalk is. There really is a pent up demand for that safe, kind of hang-out, outdoor space, Kress said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
A nervous energy permeated the Apparel Importers Trade & Transportation Conference at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City on Wednesday. It was just over a week after Donald Trump handily trounced Kamala Harris in the polls to become the 47th president of the United States. News of political appointeesboth rumored and confirmedhad already been trickling in, including ones that would most impact the textile and apparel industry: Former U.S. trade representative Bob Lighthizer for trade czar, South Dakota governor Kristi Noem for homeland security, former WWE exec Linda McMahon for commerce and Florida congressman Mike Waltz for national security.

Trump has also tapped Florida senator Marco Rubio, one of the architects of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) and as hawkish a China hawk as you can get, as his secretary of State. Translation: Prepare to see a lot more people added to the UFLPA Entity Listthe so-called bad guys list of companies with cited ties to the persecution of Turkic Muslim minoritiesand increased enforcement of the rebuttable presumption that all goods made in whole or in part from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region are the product of forced labor and therefore barred from entry, said David Spooner, partner at Barnes & Thornburg and Washington counsel at the United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA), the trade group behind the event.

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But there are other ways Rubio could reshape the landscape of American diplomacy. The State Department, as Spooner pointed out, plays an outsized role in negotiations with and over Taiwan. Rubio, the virulently anti-Communist son of Cuban immigrants, could move to jettison Nicaragua from the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement known as CAFTA-DR to stem the flow of money to Daniel Ortegas governmenteven though it might violate the treaty.

Then again, CAFTA-DR might be not long for the world. Despite the Biden administration working quite hard to see what it could do, economically or trade-wise, to curtail the tide of migrants crossing over from Central Americasomething that resulted in the Commerce Departments Office of Textiles and Apparel becoming more nimble in its consideration of so-called short-supply petitions that seek more liberal treatment of apparel made in the regionthe previous Trump regime has not been a fan of trade concessions, Spooner said. I think trade initiatives are going to pass away.

That could include the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), which provided duty-free entry for certain products imported from developing countries until it expired at the close of 2020. One reason GSP has been expired for so long is that the Trump administration derailed efforts to renew it right before the Republican leaders tenure because they dont like trade preferences, Spooner said. Same with the Haitian Hemisphere Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement (HOPE), the Haitian Economic Lift Program (HELP) and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), all of which are set to expire in 2025. Renewing those can be a big, big deal, Spooner said. On the flip side, it was Rubio who introduced legislation in 2021 to renew HOPE and HELP until 2035, so its still anyones guess how things will ultimately shake out.

Equally murky is what will become of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), colloquially known as the new NAFTA, that is set for a joint review in 2026.

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I honestly dont know what a Trump administration would do, Spooner said. On the one hand, the Trump administration crowed about how great the new USMCA was, but we could also see the Trump administration going in and saying, Its not good enough, we need to change.

Tariff armageddon ahoy

Peals of laughteralbeit some that were pointedly strangledrang out when Spooner clicked over to a slide that bore just one phrase: Tariff armageddon. Were downplaying it, right? quipped Julia K. Hughes, president of the UFIA. Trumps proposed tariffs60 percent on Chinese imports, as much as 100 percent on Mexicos and 10-20 percent for any other nation thats been, in his words, ripping off Americaare a topic thats been on everyones mind. Already, Mexicos economy minister said this week that his country could retaliate with tit-for-tat restrictions of its own, auguring one if not several tariff wars.

There are five vehicles that the incoming regime could use to implement these tariffs. The first is legislatively through offsets in a tax extenders bill that must pass in 2025. Because the U.S. Constitution explicitly gives Congress the power to control trade with foreign nations, this would be the traditional and less controversial way of doing things, Spooner said.

Ill be surprised if this is what Trump does, but a huge tax bill has to move this year, he said. And theres some talk about when you have tax cuts or tax extenders, you need to pay for those that decrease in government revenue. And theres some talk that the Trump administration might actually do things the traditional way and urge Congress to have tariff increases in the tax bill that moves this year to pay for the tax cuts.

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Short of going to Congress? Heres what else Trump 2.0 could do. He could leverage the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA (pronounced yeepa), which gives the president a ton of discretion to impose tariffs or other trade restrictions during a national emergency. (Trump 1.0 threatened to use IEEPA to impose tariffs on Mexico, for instance, if it didnt halt the caravan of migrants traveling across the border.) More familiar to importers would be Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, which allows the president to impose tariffs or quotas on imports from countries that either are not living up to their trade agreements with the United States or that discriminate against American commerce. Thats what President Trump used to impose the Chinese tariffs in the first term, which Biden then chose to maintain and even expand upon, Spooner said.

The 47th president could also wield Section 232 of the 1962 Trade Expansion Act, another tool that provides great executive latitude if theres a threat to national security. The Trump administration used it to impose steel and aluminum tariffs in his first term. Finally, theres Section 201 of the 1974 Trade Act, which lets the president impose tariffs or quotas on imports if theyre surging or injuring American industry. It was most recently employed by the Biden administration in May to impose a 5-gigawatt tariff-rate quota for imported solar cells to expand solar manufacturing in the United States.

Sections 301, 232, and 201 are all of questionable legality with the WTO, Spooner said, using an acronym for the World Trade Organisation, which manages the global rules of trade. The U.S. in prior years lost every single 201 case that went to the WTO. But the WTO recently has not been functioning very well, and weve had a couple of administrations who sort of say, We dont care about the WTO.

When the office of the U.S. trade representative concluded a sunset review on Section 301 tariffs on China a few months ago, it resulted in a new exclusion process for certain products and increased tariffs on certain products. Spooner said itd be interesting to see if the 47th administration maintains these tariff increases and production exclusions.

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Another hot topic is that of de minimis, a law and some say loophole that lets importers sidestep U.S. taxes and tariffs if the shipments dont exceed $800 in value. Its also one of the rare issues that both sides of a very divided aisle can agree is a legislative priority to grapple with the billion-or-so low-value packages that wend their way past the border without more than a cursory glance each year.

In April, the House Committee on Ways and Means O.K.ed a bill to limit the de minimis exception, declaring that goods subject to the aforementioned special tariffs cannot be eligible. A few months later, Senate Finance Committee chairman Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, introduced legislation that would deny import-sensitive goods such as textiles and apparel from being imported through de minimis.

White will no longer be the chairman of the Finance Committee because the Republicans are taking over, Spooner said. So a lot to see what the new chairman Mike Crapo might run things. He noted, however, that Finance is run in a more bipartisan way than Ways and Means, and that White and Crapo have worked closely together in the past.

President Biden also announced in September that his administration would undertake rulemaking that would exclude from de minimis any goods that are subject to Sections 201, 301 and 232, though those regulations have yet to manifest despite promises that they will.

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Hughes said that a lot of what will happen is hard to predict. Much also hinges on Trumps nominees and how much shock and awe the administration will want to elicit out of the gate.

My gut right now says it looks like the administration is looking for how much can we do this big splash on Day 1, she said. So that makes me anxious about what might be, what will be on the table. But I think we need to see who are going to be the people in the positions as well, so that we might understand better what the recommendations would be. We dont have all the answers yet.
Nov. 14The owner of a well-known tattoo shop was shot to death inside the business Thursday morning in Downtown Albuquerque.

No suspects have been identified in the death of 41-year-old John "Bale" Sisneros Jr., the owner of Por Vida Tattoo, said Albuquerque Police Department spokesman Gilbert Gallegos.

Albuquerque Metro Crime Stoppers released a photo later in the day of a person of interest in the shooting walking down Iron SW.

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Friends, family and loyal customers of the shop gathered in the street as news spread of Sisneros' death. Within hours, many shared photos of the alleged shooter to Facebook trying to identify the person.

Gallegos said around 8:30 a.m., officers responded to a call of a shooting at the shop at 500 Fourth SW, near Coal. When they arrived, Sisneros was found dead with a gunshot wound.

Police were going to look at surveillance from the shop and nearby businesses in an attempt to find who is responsible, Gallegos said. Police were still waiting on a search warrant to scour Por Vida Tattoo for evidence.

"He created a safe place for us to be at," Lenna Van Buren, a longtime customer, said of Sisneros and his business. "This can't be real."

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Sisneros originally opened a tattoo shop in Rio Rancho in 2006 and moved to the Downtown area, expanding the business to include a tattoo supply store, coffee shop, shoe store and barber shop.

Sisneros also put on New Mexico Tattoo Fiesta, an annual event that celebrates the art form.

In July, when interviewed about the fiesta, Sisneros told the Journal he became an artist by accident.

"It wasn't like I decided to do it as a career," he said. "I started doing it more as a hobby and it just kind of ended up being my career."

Erica Romero, having heard good things about Sisneros' work, went to Por Vida Tattoo on Thursday morning to get a consultation for a tattoo.

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"I thought I'd give it a chance," she said.

When Romero arrived, there was a crowd of people standing outside the building and emergency sirens could be heard approaching. Soon, the entire area was crowded with police vehicles and investigators.

"It's just so crazy," Romero said.

Tim Cummins, who knew Sisneros through the Masonic Lodge, said he couldn't believe it.

"When we asked who were up-and-coming in the business community, (they said) he was one of those guys," Cummins said. "He was just so excited about life and just such a good heart and a smart business guy. I'm just so impressed with him and (I'm) overwhelmed by the fact that he is gone."

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Cummins said he last saw Sisneros at a lodge meeting Wednesday night. Sisneros took a photo with Cummins and several members before leaving.

"The guy had so much life and wanted to do the right thing," Cummins said.

A half-hour before the shooting, Sisneros posted a story to his Instagram: a photo of his breakfast at the shop  an omelet topped with avocado slices and some fruit. Sisneros set Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's "Foe tha Love of $" for the music.

Anyone with information on the case or the person of interest shown in the photo is asked to call 505- 843-STOP (7867), go to p3tips.com/531, or text "ABQCS" to 738477.
A Tbilisi court has dismissed all 11 lawsuits filed by Georgian opposition parties and civil society organizations seeking to invalidate protocols issued by district election commissions, News Georgia reported on Nov. 14.

The plaintiffs, including the The UnityNational Movement and Strong Georgia coalitions as well as the Association of Young Lawyers of Georgia, alleged that violations of voting secrecy occurred during the parliamentary elections.

The ruling comes amid the pro-EU oppositions refusal to recognize the victory claimed by the ruling Georgian Dream party, which has close ties to Russia. The disputed results have triggered large-scale protests in Tbilisi.

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Opposition parties argue that the insufficient opacity of ballots allowed outsiders to see voters choices, violating secrecy. They also reported instances of voter bribery, intimidation, and interference with election observers.

Judge Iveri Abashidze dismissed the lawsuits as groundless. Although filed separately, the cases were consolidated into a single trial with the Central Election Commission (CEC) as the defendant.

Tamar Kordzaya, a representative of the The UnityNational Movement, accused the judge of disregarding the evidence, claiming the issue had been pre-decided, according to News Georgia.

The opposition has one final chance to challenge the results after the CEC publishes its final protocol, expected by Nov. 21.

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Previously, the court had invalidated the results at 30 polling stations, citing voting secrecy violations.

Official results show Georgian Dream securing nearly 54% of the vote, but opposition leaders and international observers have highlighted widespread allegations of intimidation, ballot-stuffing, and vote-buying.

On Oct. 27, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that parliament would approve the government despite opposition protests. Meanwhile, opposition leaders have urged international actors not to recognize the results.

Georgian Dream has faced accusations of democratic backsliding and steering the South Caucasus country closer to the Kremlin. Earlier this year, the controversial foreign agents law sparked mass protests and violent crackdowns by police.

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Following the election, the European Commission announced the suspension of Georgias EU accession process, highlighting the growing rift between Tbilisi and the West.

Read also: If Georgian Dream stays its course, we cant consider them a democratic partner, expert says

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) could change the speed limit on a notoriously dangerous stretch of road in Wilson County.

This is part of a traffic speed study on State Route 109 from Interstate 40 to the 109 bridge.

You have to be very careful on it or it could be a death trap, said Brittany Hughes.

For years, those who live, work, and drive on SR 109 have brought these concerns forward.

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Just over a month ago, residents met with Wilson County and state leaders, along with THP and TDOT.

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We have people out in the field collecting data, Zane Pannell, TDOT Region 3 Traffic Operations Manager said.

Pannell said this is one way TDOT is conducting its traffic speed study. The goal of the traffic study is to identify what people are driving at, the 85th percentile, the average speed.

He said, based on those results, a new speed change may be warranted based on criteria established by state and federal guidelines.

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Drivers have told News 2 that speed is the number one issue.

Two months ago, a couple lost their lives on SR 109 after a speeding driver passed traffic in the center lane and then hit them head-on.

From 2019 to October of this year, THP reported over 1,600 accidents from I-40 in Wilson County to the Sumner County line.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

You see a lot of truck traffic therefore you see a lot of congestion and a lot more serious incidents, Pannell said.

He said once this data is collected, changes could be coming soon. We started about a month ago, and we hope to be wrapped up around Thanksgiving.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
CLEVELAND (WJW)  The FOX 8 I-Team has learned whats never been revealed before about the moment Cleveland police say a man shot and killed officer Jamieson Ritter.

Were learning more through the officers on scene in their own words.

All of this comes to light from an internal investigation into police use of force. Although, police did not shoot the suspect.

New reports shed new light on the confrontation with Delawnte Hardy. That includes the struggle to arrest him even after police say he shot and killed the officer.

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On July 4, Cleveland police went to a home to arrest Hardy for shooting his grandmother. Investigators say he tried to get away on a bike.

Mother of slain CLE officer responds after son not included in departments Veterans Day post

The new reports show he had two samurai swords and a pink firearm.

PO Ritter lunged to stop the male, at which time I heard a gunshot, an officer wrote.

The records also show that six officers had guns out during the encounter.

I pointed my firearm, one wrote. Others referred to having the suspect at pistol point and rifle point.

Yet, the male continued to fire as an officer held his wrist to the ground.

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The male was refusing to give up the gun even after he shot Jamieson, and he was even telling them to shoot him, Cleveland Police Union President Andy Gasiewski said.



While were told Hardy asked officers to shoot him, were also told police on the scene yelled to fellow officers to shoot the suspect. However, police did not shoot Hardy.

The union president, though, is not second-guessing officers.

All of them on scene that night are heroes, he said. They did what they had to do, but they would have been justified to shoot him. They were dealing with a murderer.

New photos of semi wanted in deadly hit and run

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New information about the case comes from a use of force internal investigation. Officers didnt shoot the suspect, but they had to outline every punch, every gun drawn and every action taken during the struggle with Hardy. In the end, the investigation shows no policy violations.

We saw that internal review even included the actions taken by officer Ritter. It noted he utilized a takedown as he was shot. Supervisors wrote that they reviewed that too for full documentation and transparency.

Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd did not agree to answer questions on camera for this story.

The chiefs office issued a statement:

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The Division of Police is committed to objective reviews of use of force in all cases, even the most devastating, as well as transparency. That is especially true with respect to this case, in which a dedicated young officer lost his life on duty. At this time, use of force on the scene appeared reasonable and necessary. The suspect reportedly had used a gun on a family member and was disobeying lawful orders and refusing de-escalation efforts. However, we take every opportunity to review our tactics and training.

Hardy faces a long list of felony charges, but hes been ruled incompetent for trial, at least for now. He has been sent to a mental health clinic for treatment.

The new documents show the inside of an officer giving his life to protect everyone.

He will always be a hero, Andy Gasiewski said of officer Ritter. No one will ever forget.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
[Watch previous FOX 8 News coverage in the player above.]

CLEVELAND (WJW)  Cleveland officials plan to hire counsel to represent the city in a lawsuit filed by the Cleveland Browns.

In a motion filed in U.S. District Court on Thursday, Cleveland Law Director Mark Griffin and Assistant Law Director Gilbert Blomgren asked a federal judge to grant the city more time to respond to the Browns lawsuit.

Mother of slain CLE officer responds after son not included in departments Veterans Day post

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Here, good cause exists to extend by 30 days the time to file a response to the Complaint, the motion states. The City is in the process of engaging counsel to represent it in this matter. Once retained, counsel will require time to review the factual allegations and legal arguments in the Complaint, research possible defenses, and prepare an appropriate responsive pleading.

Last month, the Browns filed suit against the city of Cleveland, hoping a federal judge will clear the way for the team to move to a dome in Brook Park.

Retired Progressive Field seats for sale  how to get yours

The Browns are challenging the Modell Law, saying it is vague. The law was created to stop teams from leaving cities that subsidized them with taxpayer money. The law is named after former Browns owner Art Modell, who moved the team to Baltimore in 1996.

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Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, on behalf of the state of Ohio, is asking to intervene in the lawsuit.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Authorities arrested a 17-year-old boy one day after his school suspended him for writing a violent fictional story, according to Clark County Sheriffs Office Detective Lieutenant Kristopher Shultz.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

As reported on News Center 7 at 5:30, the teen is now facing felony charges after allegedly making threats toward students at the Career Technology Center in Clark County. (CTC).

TRENDING STORIES:

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Shultz said the teen was arrested on Tuesday after investigators decoded encrypted messages.

He is facing inducing panic and making terrorist threats charges.

I do not at this time have an exact status on whether he is still incarcerated or bonded out. That will be dependent on what his arraignment looks like with the juvenile court judge, Shultz said.

On Tuesday, CTC suspended the student for breaking the schools code of conduct for writing a fictional story involving violence and naming classmates.

During his suspension, the schools resource officer discovered even more threats.

Our deputy was made aware of an encrypted message on social media. That encrypted message was sent for cryptic analysis and was decoded. And that cryptographic message involved a more direct threat of violence towards individuals at the Career Technology Center, Shultz said.

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News Center 7 is not identifying the teen as he has not been charged as an adult.

News Center 7 reached out to school officials for more information but received no comment as it is an ongoing investigation.

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Women veterans, national security organizations and military historians are pushing back against recent disparaging comments made by Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trumps choice to lead the Department of Defense.

Im straight up just saying we shouldnt have women in combat roles, Hegseth, a Fox News host who served in the Army National Guard, said on a podcast last week while promoting his new book, The War on Warriors. It hasnt made us more effective. It hasnt made us more lethal. It has made fighting more complicated.

Allison Jaslow, the chief executive of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, said she was deployed to Iraq in 2004 as a platoon leader. Within two months, her entire platoons mission shifted to a more combat-focused directive and many of the women could run circles around some of the men  both in physical fitness and courage, Jaslow said.

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During my time in the military, Ive had some male colleagues really freaking disappoint me, Jaslow said. Ive seen women whove displayed more courage, better physical fitness and better character over some of the men that Ive served with. I reject the notion [that men are categorically better] altogether, and I think some people with strongly held beliefs will look at one example and label all the rest of us.  Its just one of those things where Im like, Tell me to my face.

Hegseth, who according to his personal website served in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, also said that institutions shouldnt incentivize women to take these roles because over human history, men in those positions are more capable.

He argued in his book that standards have been changed to accommodate women, which ultimately detracts from the capability of military units. He also claims that Americas white sons and daughters are walking away from the military because of woke ideology that is too effeminate and promotes diversity, equity and inclusion to the countrys detriment.

Everybody knows between bone density and lung capacity and muscle strength, men and women are just different, Hegseth added in the interview.

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Women  who currently make up more than 21 percent of the active-duty force  have held combat roles in the military for decades, though its been a gradual progression. Congress repealed the law banning women from combat aviation and on ships in 1991 and 1993, respectively. The Navy reversed the policy barring women from submarines in 2010. And then in 2013, Congress announced the repeal of the combat exclusion policy, which was implemented in 2015. Over a quarter of a million women served in Iraq from 2003 to 2011, the largest-scale and most visible deployment of women in U.S. history. More than 1,000 women were injured in combat and 166 killed as of 2017, according to the Service Womens Action Network (SWAN).

Lory Manning, a Navy veteran who served as the director of government operations with SWAN, said Hegseths comments are ill-informed and theres no substantial evidence that the presence of women in combat roles harms the U.S. militarys effectiveness.

He keeps saying theyve lowered standards for women [in combat roles], and that is just not true, said Manning, who also led Women in the Military Project at the Womens Research and Education Institute for 15 years. Number one: its against the law to lower standards for women.

Manning said he is likely confusing or conflating two different kinds of military standards: basic physical fitness and occupational. The basic physical fitness tests differ across military services and are typically adjusted by age and gender.

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These are basically just to see if this person is fit to be in the military, whether theyre a heart surgeon or a Catholic chaplain or a combat person, Manning said. But for every single job in the military, theres also a set of occupational standards that have to be met. And the law says that they must be gender and age neutral.

Women service members are required to meet the exact same standards as the men serving alongside them in the same roles. In some recent instances, Manning said women were even asked to participate in specialty combat squads called Lioness Teams. In Iraq, it became clear that only American women soldiers were able to communicate with Iraqi women due to cultural customs and were able to gain important intel on the ground.

I think [Hegseth] is dead wrong when he says that women are the problem, Manning said. Leadership is and has historically been about how to blend the diversity in the armed forces.

Jaslow emphasized that women should not be considered as weaker based on their gender, pointing to how many have competed and succeeded on the same playing field as their male counterparts.

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Look at the women whove graduated from Ranger School, which is so grueling that around half of the men who enter it fail out, Jaslow said, referring to one of the toughest Army training courses. These women deserve a Secretary of Defense who is aware of that reality and also ensures that the culture in the military embraces that reality.

Jaslow said Hegseths remarks were especially disappointing because he also fought during the post-911 conflicts alongside an increasing number of women service members.

Its tough to swallow that he is somebody who is a contemporary of mine, who lived through our most recent wars and also understands that we are fighting our wars with an all-volunteer military right now, Jaslow said. We dont need to be standing in the way of any able-bodied American who wants to serve or telling them that there are restrictions on the way that they have to serve their country. Just set the standards, and if they can rise to the challenge, they should be able to serve.

If confirmed, Hegseth would lead the largest government agency, which employs nearly 3 million military and civilian employees all charged with protecting the security of the country.

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Kara Dixon Vuic, who studies gender and the U.S. military at Texas Christian University, said that if Hegseth were to bar women from serving in combat roles  it would be a rare reversal in a centuries-long history of the military expanding toward greater inclusivity. A major exception was when Trump placed a ban on transgender people serving in the military, which went into effect in 2019 and was ended by the Biden administration in 2021.

Nothing Hegseths saying is new, Vuic said. People said those same things about the racial integration of the military. They said similar things about gay men and women being allowed to serve openly. Hes putting the blame for anything negative that could happen on a group of people without providing evidence to support that claim.

Yet, women have found themselves on the frontlines of war for centuries, even before they were given technical combat role titles. When the chaos of conflict ensues, roles are often not cleanly delineated into combat and non-combat. Even cooks, medics and radio operators can find themselves in the battlefield. As far back as the Revolutionary War, there were reports of women serving in combat alongside their husbands or disguised as men or as spies for the cause.

I think top military leaders will push back because they know the realities on the ground, Vuic said. They see that women in combat is a matter of efficiency and effectiveness. And they have understood for a long time that to be the most lethal military, you have to draw on the widest pool of talent in this country. To cut off more than half of the population simply because of their sex is not going to give you an optimal military force.

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Lauren Buitta, who founded Girl Security, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing gender equity in the national security sector, said the U.S. military is currently struggling with high suicide rates, rampant sexual misconduct and assault and a recruitment crisis.

In my mind, the short of it is that this issue is decided: Women have served selflessly, Buitta said. There are other tremendous challenges that the U.S. military confronts that I imagine a Secretary of Defense would be focused on.

Buitta, who works on dismantling gender stereotypes to create career pathways for young girls and women in the national security sector, said that her organization will continue to help girls achieve their dreams, even if that is to serve in a combat role in the military.

If Hegseths words did turn into action that impacted womens contributions and combat occupations, I think it will hurt Americas position on the global stage, Buitta said. We lead by example.

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The post Tell me to my face: Women veterans react to Trump Defense picks disparaging comments appeared first on The 19th.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Starting next year, new or returning Tennessee residents from nine different states must present a new document from their former state when applying for a Tennessee driver license.

According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, the move is necessary due to several states not participating in the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators State-to-State (S2S) Verification Service. The service allows participating states to electronic access the complete driver history record of anyone applying for a driver license.

Tennessee unveils brand new license design

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But nine different states do not participate in the program: California, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Nevada, Oklahoma, Vermont and West Virginia.

Individuals from those states will instead need to provide a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) from their former state in order to apply for a Tennessee license starting Jan. 10, 2025.

Through the S2S system, states can share real-time information about individual drivers, including convictions and license withdrawals. By providing a drivers complete history, states can reduce the risk of fraud and improve safety by keeping dangerous drivers off the roads, the department announced. Additionally, S2S enhances accuracy and reduces the processing time for obtaining a new credential in Tennessee.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

After the implementation date, individuals from the nine non-participating states must obtain an MVR from their former state before applying for a Tennessee license or ID. The MVR must have been issued within 30 days before its presentation at a Driver Services Center.

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The MVR is required alongside other necessary documents to apply for a Tennessee credential, the department said.

Those documents include your current license; proof of citizenship/lawful permanent residency or proof of temporary legal presence; two proof of residency documents, such as a current utility bill and a W-2 tax form from the last 12 months; and proof of your full Social Security number, such as your Social Security card, a payroll check stub, or a Form 1099 from the last 12 months.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
The campus of Tennessee State University in Nashville, the state's largest historically Black university. (Photo: John Partipilo)

State officials authorized a $43 million infusion into Tennessee State Universitys operating budget in November to make payroll and prop up the university for the rest of the year, even after it laid off 114 people and cut expenses to cope with a financial crisis.

That was one of several revelations Thursday at a State Building Commission meeting where TSU interim President Ronald Johnson and his administration also acknowledged that TSUs previous Board of Trustees signed a contract to pay former President Glenda Glover at least $800,000 to serve as an advisor after she resigned June 30.

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House Speaker Cameron Sexton, a member of the commission, raised questions about the payment to Glover considering TSUs new leaders believe she and her administration were largely to blame for the universitys financial woes.

Johnson responded to Sextons questions by saying he wasnt certain whether the contract could be canceled, and he pointed out the payment was part of Glovers separation package.

TSUs new president acknowledged the university was about to go into the red on Nov. 1, even after it saved $11 million annually by letting go of the 114 staff members in October and saved another $13 million by cutting spending, travel and purchases. University officials also went to Washington, D.C., and met with Saudi Arabia officials at the consulate there to request $7 million owed to TSU.

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Johnson, who took office on an interim basis in July, said the lack of checks and balances within the previous administration was beyond troubling.

It has essentially put the institution in a crippled position, Johnson said, adding it could take three to four years for TSU to rebound once it settles on the proper student enrollment size.

Before TSU could go into the red, state leaders gave the nod to use $32 million appropriated as part of a campus building project to fill the gap through the rest of 2024. The state also made an $11 million advance to TSU on its budget and spent up to $3 million to hire an accounting firm to delve into the universitys financial position.

Still, the State Building Commission, which is made up of the Senate and House speakers, finance commissioner and constitutional officers, directed Johnsons administration to adopt an emergency operating plan and to release administrators linked to Glover. The commission also wants TSU to sell the Avon Williams Campus located on valuable property in downtown Nashville.

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Jim Brady, managing director with Alvarez & Marsal, a global management consulting firm, told the commission that TSU used $37 million from a federal grant to pay for scholarships when enrollment jumped to 8,026 in fall 2022 before it fell back to 7,254 in fall 2023.

Previous reports showed enrollment increased to 9,200 in 2022 from 7,600 in 2020, largely as a result of freshmen students who were the first in their families to enroll in college. TSU increased yearly scholarships to $28.3 million from $6.4 million.

TSU was forced to make a last-minute request of the Building Commission two years ago to house students in hotels and a nearby church, which led to Senate hearings and a move to vacate the Board of Trustees and push Glover out of office.

According to Brady, TSU didnt have the funds to continue offering those scholarships to students for subsequent years. Many of them left the college or sustained debt, and this fall enrollment dipped to 6,300 as only 1,000 freshmen opted to attend, putting TSU in an even more precarious situation.

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The financial shortfall stems, in part, from increases in daily operating expenses to serve the higher number of students on scholarships as tuition and fees declined, according to Brady.

Johnson acknowledged that TSU postponed plans to initiate an emergency financial plan once the state allowed it to divert construction funds to operations.

But Lt. Gov. Randy McNally encouraged Johnson to work with the TSU Board of Trustees to enact a new plan immediately.

Mumpower, who recommended Glover and the former board be replaced after an audit last year, told Johnson he should release anyone connected to the Glover administration. Mumpower also said TSU should find the number of students that would allow the university to function financially and then it could focus on campus improvements.

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TSU ran into most of its financial trouble after starting the scholarship program. Once those federal funds ran out, the university had to find other sources, such as $19.6 million in tornado insurance money.

Its really just a lack of planning and financial control over scholarship programs, Brady said. He added that students might not have understood they had outstanding balances and that its not a free ride.

Secretary of State Tre Hargett, a member of the commission, said he considers the plight of those students heartbreaking, especially since many were the first members of their families to attend college.

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The state ran a $1.8 million audit on TSU earlier this year that made numerous findings but no fraudulent activity and less than $4,000 in questionable expenses. That was conducted in addition to a state audit that found a lack of oversight that led to a breakdown of controls that caused an error-prone environment.

TSUs finances have been in a difficult situation for decades. In some instances, officials have said, the TSU Foundation had to send money to the university to make payroll.

A federal report last year found that TSU had been underfunded by $2.1 billion over 30 years. A previous state study determined the university, one of two land grant institutions in Tennessee, was shorted by $150 million to $540 million over the course of a century.

At the governors request, lawmakers approved $250 million for improvements to the campus two years ago, but those funds cant be used for housing. TSU is working on a separate dorm project.

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Xpeng's Iron robot has been in development for five years, according to the company. Xpeng

Tesla's Chinese rivals are building their own humanoid robots to rival Tesla.

EV startup Xpeng unveiled its Iron humanoid robot at its AI day event this month.

The company said Iron was already deployed in its factories, joining BYD and Nio in using humanoid robots to build cars.

Tesla is facing fierce competition in China from local EV makers  and now they're building their own versions of Elon Musk's Optimus robot.

Electric vehicle startup Xpeng unveiled its Iron robot last week, a nearly 6-foot tall robot that the company said was already working in its factories and stores.

Iron is Xpeng's latest foray into science fiction-tech, with the company also working on flying cars. Xpeng

Iron, which Xpeng said had been in development for five years, shares AI technology with the company's EVs, and has over 60 joints with more than 200 degrees of freedom.

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It's the latest foray into science fiction from Xpeng, which has taken the fight to Tesla in China with its array of high-tech electric vehicles.

The company also unveiled a new hybrid system that promises 1,400km or 870 miles in combined range, as well as its latest intelligent driving systems and the "Land Aircraft Carrier," a modular flying car that goes on sale in December.

Xpeng is not the only Tesla rival turning to mechanical workers. In June, Automaker Dongfeng Motors struck a deal with Chinese robotics firm Ubtech to deploy its human-like robots on production lines.

Ubtech said its Walker S robots would be used to inspect seat belts and door locks, perform quality checks, and assemble car axles.

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Ubtech's robots have also been piloted by EV startup Nio, which uses them as " interns" assisting with car production. The robots are training in the factories of arch-Tesla rival BYD too, per local reports.

Another of Ubtech's robots, the Cruzr commercial service robot, has helped launch BYD's products and has been deployed and tested as a mechanical salesperson in the company's South American stores.

The scramble to incorporate humanoid robots comes as Elon Musk touts Tesla's Optimus robot.

The billionaire has described Optimus as Tesla's most important product.

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The robot played a starring role at Tesla's robotaxi unveiling in October, with a fleet of Optimus bots, partly controlled by humans, serving drinks and interacting with attendees,

Away from the robot arms race, Tesla's electric vehicle business is coming under increasing pressure in China, with sales declining year over year in October even as rivals BYD, Zeekr, and Xpeng boom.

Read the original article on Business Insider
By Rich McKay

(Reuters) - The Texas Supreme Court on Friday said the state could set a new execution date for a man convicted of murdering his toddler on evidence of "shaken baby syndrome," ruling that a legislative committee exceeded its authority in delaying the sentence.

The court granted a temporary stay in October, halting the execution so it could consider the request by the legislators. But that stay was vacated on Friday, which means the execution can move ahead.

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In October, Robert Roberson, 57, was set to become the first person in the U.S. to be executed for a murder attributed to internal brain trauma caused by violent shaking. He was convicted of killing his two-year-old daughter Nikki in 2002.

Hours before the sentence was to be carried out, he was spared death by lethal injection because a bi-partisan group state lawmakers wanted him to testify before them about the case, and successfully petitioned the high court.

Lawmakers were reviewing Roberson's case while debating whether to strengthen a Texas statute that addresses convictions linked to so-called junk science. While generally still accepted in the pediatric community, the theory that shaking can cause fatal brain injuries in children, especially those who show no other signs of injuries, has come under fire.

"Categorically prioritizing a legislative subpoena over a scheduled execution, in other words, would become a potent legal tool that could be wielded not just to obtain necessary testimony but to forestall an execution," the Texas Supreme Court said in its ruling on Friday.

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But the court also said that state lawmakers can still interview Roberson as long as the testimony does not interfere with a new execution date.

Roberson has maintained his innocence, saying his daughter fell out of bed and stopped breathing - days after a doctor diagnosed her with a viral infection.

Gretchen Sween, Roberson's lawyer, was not immediately available for comment on Friday. But she said in a statement to the media that, "Nikki's death was a tragedy not a crime; Robert is innocent."

"Given the overwhelming new evidence of innocence, we ask the State of Texas to refrain from setting a new execution date," she said.

(Reporting by Rich McKay in Atlanta; Editing by Frank McGurty and Nick Zieminski)
Abortion rights protesters hold up signs at a protest outside the Texas State Capitol on May 29, 2021, in Austin, Texas. (Sergio Flores/Getty Images)

A Texas lawmaker has filed a bill that would reclassify two drugs used for reproductive health as controlled substances, which would place further restrictions on their access.

The proposal mirrors a law in Louisiana that went into effect Oct. 1 that treats mifepristone and misoprostol as controlled substances in state law. While the drugs are used in medication abortions, they have other applications such as treating life-threatening hemorrhaging.

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Texas state Rep.-elect Pat Curry, a Republican from Waco, has filed legislation, House Bill 1339, that is comparable to the Louisiana law. Some health care providers have criticized Louisianas measure over its stricter storage and documentation requirements. Physicians have said the additional steps could place patients lives at risk.

Both Louisiana and Texas have strict abortion bans in place. Both states bar the procedure in almost all instances.

The Texas Legislature convenes for its next lawmaking session Jan. 14.

Republican Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed the new law, Act 246, in May, despite 270 doctors signing a letter against it. Mifepristone and misoprostol have been pulled off obstetric hemorrhage carts in hospitals and are now stored in passcode-protected cabinets outside of labor and delivery rooms.

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Misoprostol is a pill often used to help prevent and treat post-delivery bleeding, especially for patients with hypertension or asthma who might have adverse side effects from using other hemorrhage medications usually administered with hypodermic needles or through an IV.

Doctors and pharmacists in Louisiana have scrambled to come up with postpartum hemorrhage protocols that comply with the law while still providing fast, life-saving care for women.

LCMC Health and Ochsner Health System, which own and operate hospitals throughout Louisiana, keep the drug in a large passcode-protected storage locker on their maternity units. The state health department released guidelines suggesting hospitals modify their obstetric hemorrhage carts to add a locked compartment, but care providers at hospitals have said this isnt a feasible option.

Louisiana rural hospitals, which have limited resources compared to Ochsner and LCMC Health, expected to see the biggest impact from the law. With fewer pharmacists and OB-GYNs on staff, critics of the new law fear delays will be compounded in such areas.

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Reproductive health activists and doctors have warned that the Louisiana law could set a new precedent for how other states will treat mifepristone and misoprostol. Congressional Democrats released a report last month calling the law anti-science.

The Louisiana law was authored by state Sen. Thomas Pressly, R-Shreveport, who added the drug reclassifications as amendments to his bill that originally created the crime of coerced abortion. He wrote the bill after his pregnant sister, Catherine Herring of Houston, was given an abortion drug by her then-husband without her knowledge.

Herrings daughter was born 10 weeks premature, and her ex-spouse, Mason Herring, pleaded guilty to endangering a child and assault against a pregnant person. He was sentenced to 180 days, a punishment Pressly and his sister thought was too light.

I commend the Texas Legislature for introducing legislation to address the weaponization of abortion drugs, Pressly said in a text message Thursday evening. The reclassification of misoprostol and mifepristone as scheduled drugs enables healthcare providers to continue to prescribe them for legitimate healthcare purposes while limiting the ability of bad actors to obtain them.

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My sister and niecess story is a prime example of why the reclassification is necessary and appropriate, the senator added.

The Texas bill is specifically about rescheduling the drug, and is not connected to a criminal coerced abortion law. If approved, it would take effect Sept. 1, 2025. It also adds carisoprodol, a muscle relaxant, to the Schedule IV controlled substances list for the state.

Last month, Louisiana health care providers and advocates filed a lawsuit that claims Act 246 violates the state constitution. The plaintiffs argue it discriminates against people based on a physical condition. They also believe state lawmakers approved a bill that strayed too far from its original version, which Article III of the Louisiana Constitution forbids.

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Correction: Pat Currys hometown has been updated from the original version of this report.
A death row inmate convicted of killing her toddler daughter is actually innocent of murder and should be freed from custody, the prisoner's trial judge said in documents unearthed on Thursday.

Cameron County District Court Judge Arturo Nelson is siding with the appeal of Melissa Elizabeth Lucio, 56, and said her "conviction and sentence of death should be vacated."

Lucio has "satisfied her burden and produced clear and convincing evidence that she is actually innocent of the offense of capital murder," Nelson wrote in court papers first reported on Thursday by NBC affiliate KPRC in Houston.

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The case, which has gained notoriety through reality TV star and aspiring attorney Kim Kardashian, is now before the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

Texas death row inmate Melissa Lucio holds one of her sons, John.

Lucio was held responsible for her 2-year-old daughter Mariah's 2007 death in Harlingen, a city with about 71,000 residents on the far southern tip of Texas. Lucio has 13 surviving children.

"On February 17, 2007, paramedics were dispatched to a residence where they found an unresponsive two-year-old child who subsequently died," according to the Lucio's death row profile maintained by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. "Evidence of abuse led to the arrest and conviction of Lucio, the childs mother."

She had been set to be executed on April 27. 2022, before the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals intervened two days earlier to look at new evidence that Mariahs fatal injuries were caused by a fall down a steep staircase.

So heartbreaking to read this letter from Melissa Lucios children begging for the state not to kill their mother. There are so many unresolved questions surrounding this case and the evidence that was used to convict her. pic.twitter.com/SjEtsfmZeq  Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) April 7, 2022

Over the years. Lucio's case has drawn the support of an unlikely, diverse of set of advocates.

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"So heartbreaking to read this letter from Melissa Lucios children begging for the state not to kill their mother," Kim Kardashian wrote in 2022.

"There are so many unresolved questions surrounding this case and the evidence that was used to convict her. This is one of the many reasons why I am against the death penalty  and why I pray her childrens wish is granted and their mothers life is spared."

Amanda Knox, the American once accused of murder in Italy, has previously lamented in 2022 that Lucio was on death row "for a crime that never even occurred."

State Rep. Jeff Leach, a Donald Trump-supporting Republican from Plano, has also previously been on Lucio's side, having said that authorities must "do everything that we can to ensure that an innocent Texan is not put to death by the state, or even a potentially innocent Texan is not put to death."

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The district attorney of Cameron County, who was not involved in the original prosecution of Lucio, is backing the appeal.

Melissa Lucio lived every parents nightmare when she lost her daughter after a tragic accident," Lucio's lawyer Vanessa Potkin said in a statement released by the Innocence Project, an advocacy group that seeks to exonerate wrongly convicted prisoners.

"It became a nightmare from which she couldnt wake up when she was sent to death row for a crime that never happened. After 16 years on death row, its time for the nightmare to end. Melissa should be home right now with her children and grandchildren."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The Texas Supreme Court has ruled against lawmakers who used their subpoena power to halt the execution of a death row inmate for his daughters shaken baby death, paving the way for it to proceed.

Robert Roberson, 58, was set to be questioned by the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, which issued a legislative subpoena last month for him to testify about his case  setting off a flurry of litigation that temporarily stopped his Oct. 17 execution with only hours to spare.

"Categorically prioritizing a legislative subpoena over a scheduled execution, in other words, would become a potent legal tool that could be wielded not just to obtain necessary testimony but to forestall an execution," the Texas Supreme Court said in its ruling Friday.

Robert Roberson with his daughter Nikki.

But the high court justices went on to say that the committee can still seek to interview Roberson "so long as a subpoena issues in a way that does not inevitably block a scheduled execution," adding that "nothing in our holding prevents the committee from pursuing judicial relief in the ordinary way to compel a witness testimony."

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The House committee's use of a subpoena to compel Roberson to testify in person was an unprecedented legal gambit. Some lawmakers noted it would help buy more time for Roberson, whose cause has bipartisan support.

Committee Chairman Joe Moody, a Democrat, and committee member Jeff Leach, a Republican, responded that they did not expect their subpoena to necessarily stop Roberson's execution for good, but said the state Supreme Court's ruling does not prevent them from still attempting to gather his testimony.

"The Supreme Court strongly reinforced our belief that our Committee can indeed obtain Mr. Roberson's testimony and made clear that it expects the Executive Branch of government to accommodate us in doing so," Moody and Leach said in a statement.

The lawmakers had issued their subpoena for Roberson to testify in his case as it relates to a 2013 "junk science" law that allows Texas inmates to potentially challenge convictions based on advances in forensic science.

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But the Office of the Attorney General quickly appealed the subpoena, which was supported by a district court judge's temporary injunction that halted Roberson's execution. After the state's highest criminal court agreed with the attorney general's office, allowing Roberson's execution to continue, lawmakers then petitioned their case to the Texas Supreme Court.

The high court, which is currently made up of nine Republican elected justices, ultimately agreed to a halting of the execution, although it did not specify for how long as a separation-of-powers issue continued to be litigated through the courts.

The lawmakers and Attorney General Ken Paxton also sparred in public over the issue, with each accusing the other of "misrepresenting" Roberson's case and releasing their own reports and rebuttals of claims.

Roberson, who is set to become the first person in the U.S. executed in a "shaken baby" case, has maintained his innocence in his 2-year-old daughter Nikki's 2002 death.

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At the time, doctors and law enforcement quickly concluded she was killed as a result of a violent shaking episode, leading to his conviction at trial, but Roberson's defense says new understanding of so-called shaken baby syndrome shows that other medical conditions can be factors in a child's death, as they believe it was in Nikki's.

But the attorney general's office said last month that state lawmakers have "attempted to mislead the public by falsely claiming that Roberson was unfairly convicted through 'junk science' concerning 'shaken baby syndrome.'"

Roberson's defense team initially sought to have him transported from his prison north of Houston to Texas' capital of Austin to be interviewed by the House committee, but lawmakers instead wanted to gather his testimony from where he is incarcerated.

The attorney general's office did not immediately comment about the state Supreme Court's ruling, and it's unclear whether it will allow for Roberson to testify or when it may seek a new death warrant.

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Gretchen Sween, Roberson's lawyer, said she is hopeful the state will work with the lawmakers to still allow for Roberson to testify.

"The ancillary benefit to Mr. Roberson of staying his execution hopefully gives time for those with power to address a grave wrong to see what is apparent to anyone who gives the medical evidence fair consideration: his daughter Nikki's death was a tragedy not a crime; Robert is innocent," Sween said in a statement. "Given the overwhelming new evidence of innocence, we ask the State of Texas to refrain from setting a new execution date."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
BANGKOK (Reuters) - A human rights group called on Thailand to fully investigate three soldiers for the "horrific" death of a Myanmar migrant on the border earlier this year, saying they had tortured and beaten the man.

Aung Ko Ko, 37, died after three soldiers and a Myanmar national brought him to an abandoned military bunker where they kicked and beat him with a bamboo stick for wearing the uniform of a neighbourhood watch group adorned with the Thai flag, Fortify Rights said, citing eye witnesses and legal documents.

A Thai court convicted the Myanmar man, Sirachuch, in September to five years in prison for being an accomplice to Aung Ko Ko's death, according to Fortify Rights and the defendant's lawyer, who declined to comment further, citing the sensitivity of the case.

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However, the police chief in Mae Sot, where Aung Ko Ko's body was found, told Reuters Sirachuch had not identified his accomplices.

We have followed the legal process fully but he did not name others," Police Colonel Pittayakon Petcharat said.

The case comes amid rising anti-migrant sentiment in Thailand since a coup in Myanmar in 2021 plunged the country into chaos and sent many people fleeing across the border.

The army and the defence ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

Reuters could not independently verify the claims or reach Sirachuch for comment. Reuters sent questions to him via his lawyer.

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In a statement, Fortify Rights Chief Executive Officer Matthew Smith said Thailand, as an incoming member of the United Nations Human Rights Council after it was elected in October, had a "heightened responsibility to protect human rights".

The horrific torture and killing of Aung Ko Ko cannot be allowed to go unanswered, he said.

Smith said he spoke to the countrys Department of Special Investigations (DSI) in early November about the case. The DSI did not respond to a request for comment.

Anti-Myanmar migrant sentiment has been on the rise in Thailand, stoked by ultra-conservative political groups who say government regulation has been lax leading to a rising number of illegal Myanmar migrants who they say obtained social benefits meant for Thais.

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Aung Ko Kos close relative said he was a construction worker and had left Myanmar to seek better healthcare.

"They didnt have to kill him, the relative said, through tears. "I feel very hurt. I want those culprits who killed (him) to have suitable punishment."

(Reporting by Reuters Staff; Editing by Neil Fullick)
People waited hours to get dinner from their beloved Frischs restaurant knowing its going out of business.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

As reported on News Center 7 at 11:00, the Frischs on 386 W Main Street in Xenia is closing on Friday.

TRENDING STORIES:

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News Center 7 talked to customers who got emotional as they shared their memories about their favorite restaurant.

The restaurants parking lot was packed, and employees eventually had to turn customers away as they ran out of food.

We came yesterday, they were out hot fudge cakes, Xenia resident LaDonna McKinley said.

McKinley brought her family to Frischs on Wednesday and will be back on Friday, even if they run out of food.

Id still be thankful for the memories, McKinley said.

For weeks, News Center 7 has reported on Cincinnati-based Frischs money problems.

The company has not paid more than $4 million in rent on several properties.

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News Center 7 was in court this week when the property owner asked the judge to approve evicting Frischs from four restaurants in Montgomery County.

Several Frischs restaurants around the Miami Valley have already closed including, Springfield, Troy, Kettering, and Middletown.

As the well-known chain continues to shut down, customers look to relive some of their memories and have their favorite meal one last time.

Keri Stewart waited more than 30 minutes in the drive-thru line to get chili.

Get some chili for chili spaghetti. It was my moms favorite thing. She passed away two years ago. I just want to enjoy some, Stewart said.

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News Center 7 also spoke with an employee about his last few days here.

I found my place here so it is sad that were shutting down, Frischs cook Jason Davis said.

Davis told News Center 7 that they will continue to sell their food until theyre out.

News Center 7 will continue to follow this story.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Capital Pride Alliance (CPA) announced on Thursday that the official theme for WorldPride 2025 will be called The Fabric of Freedom.

According to a news release, the decision comes after the outcome of the 2024 presidential election and leaders wanted the theme to reflect one of unity and a global call to action to LGBTQ+ people and their allies.

At a time of division, when the LGBTQ+ community finds itself threatened both in the U.S. and around the world, the fabric of the flag symbolizes the strength of the community, the shared humanity, and the unshakeable unity that defines resilience, love, and acceptance, the news release stated. Washington, DC invites everyone who fights for these freedoms to come together in the same place, a city known for hosting some of the most influential movements in the countrys history.

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Capital Pride Alliance: WorldPride 2025 theme to be announced later this month

In a statement explaining the themes meaning, CPA and global partner InterPride said its because people have used fabrics as expressive symbols, to communicate identities, and as forms of resistance.

While the LGBTQ+ community faces growing challenges both in the United States and worldwide from those seeking to divide rather than unite, its the fabric of our community  through our rich cultures, diverse identities, and backgrounds  that will guide us forward towards a better future. As Washington, DC hosts WorldPride in 2025 and commemorates 50 years, we will welcome visitors from around the world to celebrate our vibrant community and continue the fight for equality. Every one of us  new threads woven together  strengthen the fabric of our community, and of this global movement. While the fabric of the LGBTQ+ Progress Pride flag symbolizes the diversity of our community, it is our shared humanity and unshakable unity that defines our greatest strength. We are people bound by love and acceptance, struggle and resilience, our past and our future, forging an ever-evolving community that together embodies The Fabric of Freedom. Capital Pride Alliance and InterPride

Next year will also mark WorldPrides 50th anniversary in D.C. and the event will showcase cultural events in hopes of inspiring, connecting and empowering the LGBTQ+ community. There will be music festivals, parades, rallies and marches and more.

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DC leader makes a difference in LGBTQIA+ community

Washington, DC has long been a leader in LGBTQ+ rights, and were so excited to bring the world together for the Pride of our life at WorldPride 2025, Mayor Muriel Bowser stated in the release.

For more information, the latest news and updates, visit WorldPrides website.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Three 19-year-olds were arrested Thursday in connection to a series of pellet gun attacks in Hillcrest earlier this year that authorities are describing as a hate crime, San Diego police said.

The suspects  identified as Anthony Lopez-Quiniones, Arturo Herrera-Sustaita and Angelo Nathaniel Aron  join another 19-year-old, Hernan Garduno Hernanez, who was taken into custody shortly after the drive-by assaults in early September.

According to police, these attacks occurred between Sept. 2 and Sept. 9 along University Avenue  one of Hillcrests main commercial arteries. Gel-style pellets had been fired at people walking on the streets sidewalk, leaving several with minor injuries.

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Suspect wanted in College Area hit-and-run crash

In the course of the investigation into the string, SDPDs Criminal Intelligence Unit identified a suspect vehicle, described as a silver sedan, from nearby surveillance video. The information from the camera was then uploaded to the citys Automated License Plate Recognition system.

Garduno Hernanez was identified as the registered owner of the vehicle and is believed to have been involved in at least three of the assaults, prosecutors said during his arraignment.

Further investigation led investigators to believe Lopez-Quiniones, Herrera-Sustaita and Aron were also tied to the incidents, SDPD said. All three were arrested after search warrants were conducted by patrol officers and booked into San Diego County jail.

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Garduno Hernanez pleaded not guilty in mid-September to six charges of assault with the additional allegation that the crimes were committed to perceptions of the victims sexual orientation. Court dates for the three other suspects have not been set.

The September attacks were the second series of pellet gun shootings in Hillcrest this year, primarily targeting areas surrounding the neighborhoods LGBTQ+ bars and along University Avenue.

The first string of pellet gun shootings in the early hours of May 18 hit four bars  Richs night club, The Rail, Pecs Bar and Number One Fifth Avenue. A number of people were injured in the incident, including at least one who required minor surgery afterwards.

SDPD facing excessive force lawsuit after unarmed man shot at, bit by K-9

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In the wake of the shooting, San Diego police shifted a number of unused smart streetlights to the neighborhood in a controversial move that bypassed the typical approval process, which involves the city council and an independent oversight body, for their use.

No suspects have been identified in the May shootings, although SDPD is offering a $2,000 reward for anyone with information that leads to an arrest.

Anyone with additional information about either of these incidents is asked to contact SDPD at 619-531-2000 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Three Heads Brewing is teaming up with the House of Guitars for a new beer celebrating the iconic music shops 60th anniversary year.

The Blue Nose Guitarman Blueberry Belgian Waffle Cream Ale features artwork commemorating the House of Guitars Armand The Blue Nose Guitarman holiday commercials. Its described as a celebration in a glass, combining the Schaubroeck familys Belgian heritage and a local cream ale beer style.

Blue Nose Guitarman Blueberry Belgian Waffle Cream Ale

The beer will officially launch with a party at Three Heads Brewing on Atlantic Avenue Friday, November 15. There will be music from music from JunkyardFieldtrip and Wajah and the Free People, as well as a montage of footage from old House of Guitars ads, claymation, and previously unreleased clips.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
Nov. 14MASSENA  Three officers from the Massena Police Department have been recognized for their response to a fatal fire earlier this year.

Officers Michael Flynn, John Smith and Garrett Kilgore each were presented with a medal of meritorious conduct for their efforts on July 17.

A citation from the department commended the officers "for their heroic response to a dispatched call that occurred on July 17, 2024."

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"Officers Mike Flynn, Garrett Kilgore and John Smith were called to a structure fire on Center Street where they encountered a building full of smoke. These officers, who understood that people were still inside, rushed in and began pounding on doors to alert those who were unaware of the situation," the citation reads.

"At this time, the officers believed that they had been able to successfully inform and remove everyone from the building before it was too late. Upon realization that there was one person who was still unaccounted for, they continued down the smoke-filled hallway to continue their search. Upon entering a room, they identified an unconscious individual on the floor through the smoky haze. Officers were then able to get the unconscious individual out of the apartment complex," it reads.

The citation said the officers "put their own health and safety on the line, in order to protect the health and safety of others."

"We, at Massena Police Department, would like to recognize them for their valiant efforts and present them each with the medal of meritorious conduct," the citation reads. "The medal each officer received is a pin that will be worn on their uniform over their name plate. The Massena Police Department is very proud of each of these officers and is honored to have them represent our department and our village."

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One person died in the fire, and police later arrested Darren J. Kelley Jr., 33, on charges of second-degree murder and second-degree arson.

The deceased was later identified as Misty D. Lewis, 43.

Massena Fire Chief Patrick M. O'Brien said in July that his department responded to a report of a fire at 196 Center St. at 4:26 p.m., initially responding with Engine 30, Rescue 77, Rescue 79, and Tower 3.

"Within nine minutes of dispatch, all residents had been removed from the building, and the fire was contained to the apartment of origin," he said. "Overall, the structure received minimal damage, mostly due to smoke."

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An hour later, police tape surrounded the building as the investigation continued.

O'Brien said Massena Fire Engine 30 and the County Unified Command Vehicle cleared the scene just before 1 a.m., after eight hours on the scene.

Volunteers from the Central and Northern New York Chapter of the American Red Cross provided aid to six people following the fire. That included financial assistance that could be used for shelter, food and clothing for two adults and four children, ages 1, 2, 6 and 7.
GRIMES COUNTY, Texas (FOX 44)  Three men accused of Theft of Livestock were arrested early Wednesday morning.

The Texas Department of Public Safety tells FOX 44 News that three men in Navasota  identified as Cedrion Jaquay Golden, Drae William Bowser, and Tavion Javon Hyman  were seen in two separate pickups at approximately 1:27 a.m. Each pickup was hauling cattle trailers loaded with livestock.

A traffic stop was conducted on the three men. Golden was identified as the driver of one of the pickups, and Bowser was the passenger. Hyman was identified as the driver of the second pickup.

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Man accused of using toy gun to frighten drivers

DPS says Bowser and Hyman had an active warrant for theft of a stolen trailer believed to be utilized for transporting stolen cattle. All three were arrested without incident for Theft of Livestock, a second-degree felony, and were booked into the Grimes County Jail.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44.
SALISBURY, Md. (AP)  Police in Maryland have arrested three more Salisbury University students on hate crime charges following an attack in which investigators say a man was lured to an off-campus apartment, beaten and called a homophobic slur.

The latest arrests brought the number of defendants to 15 in the Oct. 15 attack, after a dozen others were arrested earlier this month. Police in Salisbury, a city of about 35,000 in the states Eastern Shore region, said in a statement Thursday that they dont expect to make further arrests.

In addition to assault and false imprisonment, the defendants face hate crime charges for allegedly targeting the victim because hes gay, police said. According to charging documents, one of the defendants made a fake account on a dating app and promised the victim sex with a 16-year-old.

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The mans age is not included in court documents. The legal age of consent in Maryland is 16 in most cases.

Court records dont list attorneys for two of the three newest defendants. A lawyer for the other one declined to comment about the case.

The Salisbury Police Department started investigating after two witnesses told campus police that they had seen a video of the assault, according to charging documents. Police said the victim received a broken rib and extensive bruising.

Steve Rakow, an attorney for one of the students who was arrested previously, vehemently rejected the hate crime designation. He said the man never reported what happened because he was trying to have sex with a teenage boy.

Salisbury University leaders have condemned the attack and pledged to make sure members of the LGBTQ+ community feel safe on campus. They held a unity walk on Monday to show their support.
Three people were charged late Thursday when state police allegedly found drugs, cash and a gun with a high-capacity magazine during a traffic stop on Route 7 in North Canaan.

The stop occurred around 11:15 p.m. and led troopers to suspect the occupants of the vehicle were in possession of drugs, according to Connecticut State Police.

State police said two people in the vehicle allegedly gave false names before a K-9 unit was called to the scene. The narcotics detection dog alerted troopers to the presence of drugs in the vehicle, which was then searched by state police.

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State police alleged that troopers found a significant amount of crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia, an unregistered handgun, a high-capacity magazine and a large amount of money.

Amanda Wells, 37, of New Milford was arrested and charged with two counts of criminal possession of a firearm or ammunition and a single count each of sale of a narcotic substance, use of drug paraphernalia, illegal possession of a large-capacity magazine and interfering with an officer. She was held on a $25,000 bond and was expected to appear Friday in Superior Court in Torrington.

Joshua Marcy, 32, of Danbury and Dustin Yeomans, 33, of New Milford were each charged with interfering with an officer. They were released and are scheduled to face a judge on Nov. 25.
Teachers greet students stepping off their bus at a Louisville, Ky., public elementary school in 2022. A proposed constitutional amendment to allow public funding support for private school education in the state was soundly defeated in last weeks election by nearly two-thirds of the vote. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)

Voters in Nebraska, Colorado and Kentucky put the brakes on the school choice movement last week, rejecting ballot measures that would have instituted or expanded state support for parents to send their kids to private schools or protected other school choice options.

At least 75 private school choice programs are available across 33 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, according to EdChoice, a group that supports such programs. And the movement had been gaining momentum.

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Public school systems and teachers unions largely oppose voucher programs that use tax dollars to support private school education, saying the programs take needed money from public schools. Many opponents also note that private schools may not have the same accreditation requirements and course curriculum as public schools.

EdChoice blamed the influence of teachers unions on the vote outcome, calling the union opposition a juggernaut with money to burn, in a Nov. 6 statement.

Nebraska

In Nebraska, voters partially repealed a state-funded private school scholarship program.

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A 2024 law, an update of a similar law passed in 2023, had allocated $10 million a year for the program. Supporters of the allocation argued that parents unhappy with their public schools needed state dollars to help pay for private education. But opposition came from both rural and urban supporters of public schools, the Nebraska Examiner reported. The repeal passed with 57% of the vote.

Nebraska State Sen. Dave Murman, a proponent of school choice who identifies as a Republican in the nonpartisan Nebraska Legislature, said he was disappointed in the outcome, but not surprised. He acknowledged that public schools are popular in Nebraska.

Because of that, we had advocates for public schools spread all across the state, he said. But he argued that students would benefit from private school options and said he plans to continue the fight.

Kentucky

In Kentucky, the ballot measure would have amended the constitution to allow public funding support for private education. Some 65% of the voters rejected the attempt to amend the state constitution to allow it; it went down in every county.

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The measure was supported by Republican lawmakers and heavily opposed by public school proponents and Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear. He said the outcome is a message from voters to increase funding for the states public schools.

Previous GOP-led efforts to legalize school choice hadnt panned out, with courts striking down a 2021 law to award tax credits for donations to private school scholarship funds, and a 2022 law that would have created public funding for charter schools.

The ballot initiatives language, according to State Sen. Damon Thayer, a Republican and a strong supporter of the referendum, would have given the legislature the authority to pass laws similar to the ones that were thrown out, he told Stateline.

He said arguments that the amendment would have hurt public and especially rural schools were just flat-out wrong. These calamities the doubters foster have not come to fruition [in other states], he said.

Colorado

Colorados ballot measure would have enshrined a school choice option in the state constitution.

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The proposed amendment, which was rejected 52%-48%, would have added language saying that each K-12 child has the right to school choice and that parents have the right to direct the education of their children. School choice would explicitly include neighborhood schools, charter schools, private schools, homeschools, open enrollment options and future innovations in education, the measure said.

Conservative advocacy group Advance Colorado championed the amendment.

Colorado already allows students to attend any public school  even outside their district  for free and has long had charter school options. Critics of the ballot measure said it would have opened the door to private school vouchers, though backers said that wasnt their intent and that the ballot measure was simply meant to protect charter schools.

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Charter schools, however, largely sat out the election. The Christian Home Educators of Colorado opposed the measure in part because it would have guaranteed a quality education without defining what that meant.

Texas

In Texas, GOP Gov. Greg Abbott, a longtime supporter of school vouchers, cheered the elections of similar-thinking state Republicans whom he had supported in the primary.

Abbott said during a recent visit to a Christian school that those new members would give him enough votes to pass a school voucher program when the legislature reconvenes in January.

This article first appeared in Stateline, which is part of States Newsroom network, as is the Nebraska Examiner. Stateline maintains editorial independence.
Community leaders and officials with Planned Parenthood celebrate the official reopening of the organization's Knoxville Health Center nearly three years after arson destroyed the original facility. (Photo: Angela Dennis)

Nearly three years after an arson attack destroyed its facility, Planned Parenthood in Knoxville celebrated the official reopening of its clinic on Thursday. The new facility marks a fresh beginning for the organization that has served East Tennessee with reproductive health services for more than two decades.

A fire destroyed the original Knoxville Planned Parenthood almost three years ago, and weeks before it was set to reopen after a multimillion dollar renovation.

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Ashley Coffield, the CEO of Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi, said that providers at the new Knoxville office have seen more than 300 patients since reopening in October.

We are ecstatic to be back, Coffield said. In light of the election last week, this new health center holds even deeper meaning for me, as it is physical proof of our resilience even when all seems lost.

The December 2021 fire was one in a series of attacks on the Knoxville clinic. Federal court documents show that Mark Thomas Reno, the man responsible for the fire, also vandalized the clinic earlier by shooting through its front doors. He was indicted for firing shots at a federal office building in Knoxville, just two weeks after traveling to Washington, D.C., to participate in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Reno died in a Kentucky hospital in 2022, and his connection to the attack on the reproductive health clinic was not made public at the time.

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It was a hate crime and act of terrorism against our community and the women in our city, said Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon. That crime could have caused fear and division but instead spanked unity and commitment to see this project through.

After the loss of the former clinic, Planned Parenthood operated a mobile health unit to serve patients in the Knoxville area. The former location treated more than 4,000 patients annually and officials say the continued demand and requests for visits shows a significant need in the city.

The new Knoxville Planned Parenthood center includes upgraded security measures, a fence around the buildings perimeter and enhanced privacy for patients.

The clinic will maintain its wide range of health services for the community, including birth control options, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, HIV testing, well-person checkups, gender-affirming services, screenings and management for high blood pressure and consultations for other medical concerns.

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In 2025, the clinic plans to broaden its services further by introducing vasectomy procedures for male patients.

Prior to Tennessee enacting an abortion ban in July 2022, Tennessee had multiple clinics providing abortion services, but now patients seeking these services must travel out of state. The Knoxville Planned Parenthood clinic will provide abortion navigation services for those seeking to travel for abortions.

Tennessees strict abortion ban faces several legal challenges. A three-judge panel ruled in October that doctors performing emergency abortions to save a patients life cannot be penalized. The decision temporarily shields medical providers from disciplinary actions, including the revocation of licenses while a lawsuit against the states extensive abortion ban continues.

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The ongoing lawsuit seeks a permanent adjustment to the law, arguing that more comprehensive health exceptions are necessary to avoid life-threatening complications for patients in Tennessee.

The suit, led by the Center for Reproductive Rights, argues that Tennessees near-total abortion ban, which does not allow exceptions for rape, incest, or fetal anomalies, forces doctors to delay life-saving care for fear of punishment. The states abortion law only allows exceptions when the patient faces imminent death or serious bodily harm, leaving providers with narrow circumstances under which they can act.

I think this lawsuit is evidence that the law was terrible, punitive and dangerous to women and a panel of judges agreed with that decision,  said Coffield. Planned Parenthood of Tennessee will continue to build power from the ground up, through relationship building, civil education, voter registration and engagement and will continue to do that for years to come.

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A series of controversial Cabinet picks have become an early test for how Senate leader-in-waiting John Thune will balance proving his loyalty to Donald Trump with the interests of his wide-ranging conference.

So far, he seems to be giving the president-elect wide deference.

Trump hasnt finished his selections yet, but three picks for some of the most influential roles in the Cabinet are already prompting anxiety among GOP senators who must decide whether to confirm them: Matt Gaetz for attorney general, Pete Hegseth for secretary of Defense and Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence. And POLITICO first reported another pick Thursday afternoon: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services secretary.

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Broadly, Republican senators, led by Thune (R-S.D.), say Trump should be allowed to fill out his Cabinet the way he wants  though a couple are openly expressing doubts, especially on Gaetz. Nominees can only afford to lose three votes on the Senate floor and still get confirmed.

We dont know until we start the process, Thune said about Gaetzs chances of getting confirmed. And thats what we intend to do with him and all the other potential nominees.

The wait-and-see approach isnt a ringing endorsement, and Thune will have his work cut out for him if he moves forward on confirming each nominee. In addition to publicly aired doubts from Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said Thursday he wanted to see a House Ethics Committee report on Gaetz that details an investigation into several allegations against the attorney general nominee, including that he had sex with a minor. The chair of that panel has indicated the report wont be released now, because Gaetz resigned from the House on Wednesday night.

The Department of Justice conducted its own investigation as part of a sex trafficking probe and, according to Gaetzs lawyers and DOJ officials, decided not to bring criminal charges. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing.



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There are issues with Hegseth, Gabbard and Kennedy, too. Combat veteran Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) has said Hegseth needs to explain his recent comments on a podcast that we should not have women in combat roles. Gabbard has sparked concern within the intelligence community due to her sympathetic views on autocrats like Russias Vladimir Putin and Syrias Bashar al-Assad. And some senators have dodged questions about confirming Kennedy  who has touted for years the debunked claim that vaccines cause autism  before reports of his official pick.

Theres a general theory on Senate-confirmed nominations that new presidents will offer a sort of sacrificial lamb, a nominee meant to go down to make others look better or provide cover to purple-state senators to approve others. But GOP leaders said they dont think thats Trumps intention here, and regardless, more than one failure could sour Thune and Trumps relationship early in the term. Thune has vowed to advance Trumps agenda, and his nominees are the first test on how effectively he can deliver.

Hes got a hard job, said one GOP senator, granted anonymity to speak candidly. Be careful what you ask for. He knew it was going to be hard. He knew President Trump was going to put people in there that people [were] going to question.

But, the senator noted, Thune remains responsible for getting members on the same page, and thats tough as Republicans.

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Compare it to 2017, when Republican senators had a slightly slimmer majority to confirm Trumps picks in his first term. At the time, Trump had to withdraw his secretary of Labor nominee Andrew Puzder after it became clear he didnt have the votes in a 52-48 Senate majority. Puzder faced multiple accusations of misconduct, most notably his admission that he did not pay taxes on the services of an undocumented immigrant who worked for him for years.



Puzder was the only Cabinet nominee that Trump had to pull in his first year, though he was far from alone over the four-year term. Senate Republicans, even those closely aligned with Trump, arent eager to hop into another bruising series of confirmation fights  or deal with cascading withdrawals again.

And in a further sign of the general levels of deference to Trump, leading GOP senators arent actively pushing back on suggestions that the president-elect use recess appointments for picks that may not have the votes in the Senate.

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) said she doesnt think theres been any serious discussions on how to move forward on a recess appointment, because hopefully itll prove unnecessary.

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Republicans frequently brushed off questions about confirming the controversial nominees by pointing to the need for a thorough vetting process. And some argued that even if that process turned up negative information on nominees, it was in Trumps best interest to find out before they were confirmed.

We need to have a complete vetting of the nominees  not only so we know that the nominee is qualified but also to protect the president, Cornyn said. Im sure its not in his best interest to have any surprises.

I dont have any preconceived notions about it, Cornyn later added about Kennedys planned nomination to HHS. But he said hes sure Kennedys strong anti-vaccine position will come up.

With regards to Gabbard, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)  a close Trump ally  noted that we have different foreign policy positions at times but that he intended to give broad latitude to the president-elect in selecting his government.



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Im gonna do with Trump what I do with everybody: Let you pick your people, he told POLITICO. Defer to your choice, unless its too far.

Collins, who voted against multiple Trump nominees in his first term, said she cant imagine that the issues contained in the House Ethics Committees report about Gaetz wouldnt become public, either through the committee's extensive investigation or the FBI report or questions asked by committee members at Mr. Gaetz hearing.

Mr. Gaetz is an example of where the Senates role is critical to take a look at allegations and at his fitness for a very important job, Collins added.

And Murkowski, after saying Wednesday that Gaetz was not a serious pick, declined to weigh in on Trumps selections on Thursday, saying she needs to meet with her constituents.

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Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), whos broken with Trump on occasion, said he needed to learn more about each of the picks, especially Gaetz.

I dont know enough to be concerned right now, he told reporters. I think it would be responsible for me to learn more about each of these nominees.

Others in the conference said nothing, even an adverse report from the House Ethics Committee, would shake their confidence and willingness to confirm Gaetz as attorney general.

Hes very talented, and anyone who has spent any time with him knows hes very smart and capable. Im going to vote to confirm him, said Sen.-elect Jim Banks (R-Ind.). Im not gonna speculate about what [the Ethics report] says or what it doesnt say, because we dont know what it says.

Joe Gould contributed to this report.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  A new program gives consumers something to think about, whether its heating costs, renters rights, orfood! It takes place twice a month on Thursdays in Rochester.

Its called Thursday Thinkers, and this Thursday officials focused on accessing and preparing healthy foods  a timely topic as we head into the calorie laden holiday season.

Thursday, Foodlink nutrition educators were invited to share some important information about access to fresh fruits, vegetables and other foods in and around Rochester. Those who gathered at the Rochester Public Market from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. were treated to a citrus salad with simple ingredients: Romaine lettuce, red onion, an orange and dressing made with olive oil, apple cider vinegar and seasonings.

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Partnering with the Rochester Public Market, where we can do food demonstrations on Thursdays, is a great way to really let folks know that hey, you can come and learn how to cook through demonstrations.'

The cooking show and tell, organizers said, is just another opportunity to encourage these healthier food options.

Webster approves new Grocery Outlet store on Ridge Road

We ask folks what they are interested in, what they need help with, and we try to engage them and let them know about resources, services and good things going on in the community that they may not know about, said Jim Farr, director of the Rochester Public Market.

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The series is an adult and family enrichment hosted by the citys Recreation and Human Services Department. Next weeks topic: Cooking a healthy Thanksgiving Dinner. Same time, same place (Rochester Public Market, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.) Participants can also enter to win ten dollars in Public Market Tokens. You can learn more here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
TIFTON  Tift Regional Medical Center announced that Dr. Kimberly Megow will serve as the hospitals new director of Graduate Medical Education. Megow will be responsible for developing TRMCs newinternal medicine and OB/GYN residency programs.

We are excited to have Dr. Megow on board, Christopher Dorman, president/CEO of TRMC and Southwell, said. Tift Regional will be launching residency training programs in 2026, and Dr. Megow will be instrumental in getting these initiatives off the ground and providing administrative guidance and oversight.

Megow earned her medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta and followed with pediatric residency training at MCG. She also holds an MBA from UMass in Amherst, Mass.

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With more than 33 years of clinical experience, Megow started her career as a practicing pediatrician in Valdosta. She later assumed various medical staff leadership and administrative positions with South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta and HCA in Kansas City, Mo. and Corpus Christi, Texas.

I am delighted to join the TRMC team, Megow said. These new internal medicine and OB/GYN residency programs will enhance quality of care and help strengthen physician recruitment, retention and patient coverage for the hospital.

A residency program is a full-time, supervised clinical training program for new doctors, also known as residents, to develop the skills and experience to practice medicine independently.

Dorman said the new residency programs support TRMCs culture of continuous learning and have numerous other benefits for the hospital and community.

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Residency programs will bring highly trained physicians into our community, increasing the availability of specialized care in underserved rural areas, while expanding access, Dorman said. Our patients can receive more comprehensive services locally, reducing transportation burdens and associated costs from having to travel outside of our communities for health care.

Megow said rural areas frequently face physician shortages, especially in specialties like internal medicine and OB/GYN. Residency programs help mitigate this issue by producing new doctors who are prepared to serve rural populations. Residents trained in rural settings are often better equipped to understand the unique challenges of the population, from socioeconomic factors to specific health risks, fostering more culturally competent care.

Dr. Megow added that residency program graduates tend to settle near their former training institutions or in adjacent areas.

Residency program graduates who practice near their training ground have established knowledge and pragmatic use of local and regional health care resources, she said. With residents working closely with attending physicians and patients, there's an opportunity for stronger continuity of care, as residents become integrated into the local health care fabric.

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In addition to the residency training programs, TRMC announced it will work with PCOM in Moultrie to provide clinical rotations for medical students.

TRMC already has clinical rotations established for students from other medical schools, but having this new, formalized affiliation is important because of PCOMs close proximity as well as their dedication to enhancing healthcare in south Georgia, Dorman said. It is a mutually beneficial community partnership.

Visit www.MySouthwell.com for more information on TRMC.
The worlds richest man has the ear of the worlds most powerful man. What could go wrong?

On Nov. 8, Elon Musk hopped on a diplomatic call between President-elect Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Musk isnt just a billionaire presidential funder, but a high-powered government contractor whose businesses were promised $3 billion across nearly 100 different contracts and 17 agencies last year, according to a recent New York Times tally. And Musks Starlink satellite internet systems have been key to Ukrainian military efforts in its war against Russiapaid for by the Pentagon. More recently, Trump put Musk and billionaire businessman Vivek Ramaswamy in charge of a new effort he says will reduce government bureaucracy.

All of this makes Musk the most visible American oligarch. Yes, oligarch. While oligarchs are typically thought of as Eastern European businessmen with considerable sway over government, Northwestern University political science professor Jeffrey Winters says we need to start applying the label not only to Musk but to many of Americas ultrawealthy.

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Trump is supported by billionaires with names youve heard of, such as the Winklevoss twins of Facebook fame, and those you might not have, like banking heir Timothy Mellon, who donated $76.5 million to Trump and aligned groups. Meanwhile, Bill Gates, Michael Bloomberg, and other American oligarchs threw their support behind Kamala Harris.

Slate spoke with Winters about oligarchyhis area of focusand how to think about wealth and power in Trumps America.

This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

Scott Nover: Whats your definition of an oligarch?

Jeffrey Winters: The term oligarch is a very ancient word with a stable meaning. So for over 2,000 years, it has referred to a small number of people empowered politically by massive wealth. And people can be empowered in different ways throughout history. Theyve been empowered by being warlords with coercive power. They could be empowered because of the offices they hold, such as the presidency or the head of a union. But they can also be empowered because they have a very flexible instrument to use, and that is money. Money in politics means that you can shape and buy outcomes. For much of history, oligarchs funded their own political positions. But in recent centuries, they have actually used their money to support other political figures and agendas, as they have not necessarily themselves been holding office.

So, oligarchy in America is nothing new.

Yes, thats right. We need to think of oligarchs and oligarchy as being not the absence of democracy, but the presence of people who have tremendous wealth-power. Oligarchy is particularly visible when the opportunity to use that wealth-power is fairly unconstrained. Oligarchs exist in authoritarian countries, they exist in theocracies, and they exist in modern democracies. Its just a form of power that is extremely influential and extremely hard to constrain.

We hear a lot about oligarchs in Russia and other postcommunist countries. Why dont we usually use that term to talk about Americas ultrawealthy?

In the United States, theres a lot of squeamishness about using the term oligarch to describe people who have and use wealth-power. And I think that has to do with the fact that sometime during the 20th century in the U.S., the term oligarch got changed from being those empowered by wealth and who pursue their interests to someone whos wealthy because of corruption and then intervenes in politics in a way that is seen as equally corrupt.

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Its not a very common word here. Instead, we often hear terms like megadonor, for example, to describe the people who really have a major impact on the direction and the agenda of American politics through the use of their wealth-power. Megadonor is a term that oligarchs themselves are much more comfortable with because the base of the word is to donate, as if what youre doing is altruistic or selfless. But thats actually not whats happening. Oligarchs use their wealth-power because they have very important agendas that they want to achieve.

Is oligarchy antidemocratic by nature?

Thats exactly right. The fundamental principle of democracy is power equally shared. Thats where our commitment to things like one person, one vote comes from. And in a democracy, if you have what is essentially the equivalent of some people, one vote, but other people, 10,000 votes, or 1 million votes, that clearly is a violation of the most fundamental democratic principles.

And if the kind of power that oligarchs are using were somehow expressed in direct votes, it would be much more obvious what a distortion of democracy and how antidemocratic it is. But because its been interpreted as voice instead of votingmeaning youre simply expressing your preferences as if it were campaigningthe distortion is blurred. When it comes to the actual voting booth, every oligarch gets only one vote. But this ignores all the multiple ways in which power is distributed in the democracy unequally. So the question becomes: Why should we fetishize voting and ignore all the extreme distortions of power in the system and then try to call it a strong democracy after that?

Are you alluding to the Citizens United decision?

Yes. Money is always power. Its almost impossible to strip the power component out of wealth and money. It can set things in motion, it can fuel a campaign. Citizens United basically opened up the floodgates and took virtually all limits off the use of wealth-power in the American political system. And compared to earlier periods when we had campaign finance reforms in placeMcCain-Feingold and other policiesthere was an attempt to try to limit the expression of wealth power. Were at a moment of maximum oligarchic power in the United States.

It sounds like by your definition, Elon Musk has always been an oligarch as long as hes been wealthy, not just now that hes, you know, cozied up to Donald Trump.

Proximity to a president draws extra attention. But to be an oligarch describes a power position thats based on having access to massive wealth that one could use politically. And so anyone who has that kind of power at their disposal is an oligarch. But then the secondary question is: What do you do with your wealth-power? Do you just sit on your wealth and enjoy your life? Or do you deploy it in the political system very actively? What policies do you support? Do you operate in the background and put politicians and other institutions in the foreground, or do you actually engage in the most extreme way possible, which is to fund yourself as a political candidate, which some oligarchs have done? Famously, Michael Bloomberg has funded his own campaigns.

And Donald Trump, no?

Certainly Donald Trump is an oligarch and he had the capacity to self-fund. He often mentioned that not needing other oligarchs was a big plus, giving him independence. And he did commit substantial amounts of his own money over his multiple candidacies. But he has also been overwhelmingly funded by others. Just an incredible amount of his campaign came from a very small list of peopleTim Mellon, Miriam Adelson, Elon Musk, Dick and Liz Uihlein, and Ken Griffin, to name a few. [Update, Nov. 15, 2024, at 10:45 a.m.: While Griffin has given tens of millions of dollars to Republican-aligned political action committees, he has not given directly to Trump.] The Harris side also had major oligarchic support, including big injections of money from Michael Bloomberg, Reid Hoffman and Michelle Yee, Bill Gates, and others. The politics of wealth-power in the U.S. has always been a bipartisan game. Many of these people are household names. But some funders who gave over $100 million, like Mellon, maintain a very low profile. That issue of profile seems to be changing.

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In recent years, oligarchs in America have become much more visible. Old money was more cautious, influencing from behind the scenes. We seem to be entering a new era of in-your-face oligarchy. Oligarchs havent always been willing to be visible because in history, there have been backlashes against wealth and wealth-power.

If were at the apex of oligarchs flaunting their wealth, whats the best historical parallel to this moment? The Gilded Age, which led to Progressive Era reforms, immediately comes to mind.

That is a good example. If we look at the robber baron era, there was outrage at the degree to which ultrawealthy people were directly engaging in politics and shaping outcomes and backing particular individuals who were winning and then passing policies that defended the wealth of these oligarchic figures. And the kind of reaction we saw in the New Deal, where, for example, the very first taxes on income in the United States were taxes on the wealthy exclusively. Theres a whole series of backlash policies that we sawthey didnt come immediately, but they did come. So the anger starts first and then the opportunities to act on that anger come later. Whatever your political positionDemocrat, Republican, independentAmericans should be alarmed and outraged at the role money is playing in their democracy.

Is there anything truly unique about this moment in American oligarchy?

Were seeing an unusual alliance between working-class Americans and oligarchs. Its happening not because the MAGA movement is actually going to respond to the pain and the working-class interests of the base. I think theyre good at responding to the anger. And the Democrats are not responding at all either to the class interests of the working class or to the anger. But this alliance of the working class with oligarchs, I would predict, is going to work out far to the advantage of oligarchs and produce very little that is concrete in terms of standard of living for the average working-class American.
BEIRUT, Lebanon, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- Ali Larijani, senior adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, said Friday that his country was not "sabotaging" efforts to achieve a Hezbollah-Israel cease-fire and will back any decision made by the Lebanese government and the Tehran-backed militant group.

"We will approve and support any decision by the Lebanese resistance [Hezbollah] and the Lebanese government," Larijani told reporters after holding talks with House Speaker Nabih Berri and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

Asked whether his visit to Beirut was meant to obstruct efforts led by the United States for achieving a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iranian envoy said, "we are not seeking to sabotage anything, but rather we want to solve the problem."

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He added that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his aides were the ones who "are sabotaging" current cease-fire talks to end the war between the two enemies.

Voicing support for Lebanon and its resistance "under all circumstances," he said, "You must distinguish between your friends and your enemies."

Larijani's visit to Beirut came at a time Israel continued to pound Beirut's southern suburbs and other Hezbollah-controlled areas in southern Lebanon, flattening more buildings and inflicting casualties.

On Thursday, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson handed Berri, who is negotiating on behalf of Hezbollah, a draft truce proposal to end hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.

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Lebanon has been waiting for weeks to receive Washington's written proposal that was previously discussed with U.S. special envoy Amos Hochstein.

Cease-fire talks have been focusing on the complete implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel, but has not been fully respected by both parties since.

The resolution calls for the disarmament of Hezbollah and for the Army and U.N. peacekeeping troops to be the only force in charge of security in the southern border area.

Israel has been trying to impose new conditions to secure more enforcement mechanisms and prevent Hezbollah's rearming and funding. Lebanon rejected the Israeli conditions for they violate Lebanon's sovereignty and insisted on the implementation of Resolution 1701 as is.

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According to the pro-Hezbollah Lebanese Al Akhbar newspaper, Israel wants "international guarantees" that Hezbollah would not rearm and that all its military infrastructure be dismantled.

The Lebanese Army, reinforced by the U.N. peacekeeping force, was to deploy additional forces in southern Lebanon and was to supervise the border crossings and maritime and air facilities.

Larijani said he discussed the implementation of Resolution 1701 with Berri, "who gave new details."

He also confirmed handing the House speaker a letter from Khamenei and dismissed "as a joke" accusations of Iran abandoning Hezbollah.

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Lebanon has yet to reply to the U.S. cease-fire proposals, with Israeli officials saying it could come within days, according to Israeli media reports.

Berri told the Saudi Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper Friday evening that the U.S. cease-fire proposal does not include "any kind of free movement for the Israeli Army" in Lebanon or the deployment of foreign troops.

"The U.S. and others know that this is unacceptable and cannot be even discussed in principle," he said, emphasizing that Lebanon cannot accept "any harm to its sovereignty."

The Lebanese House speaker disclosed that the proposal includes one part that is "not acceptable," and that is the formation of a committee made up of several Western countries to supervise the implementation of Resolution 1701.

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Berri said there were ongoing discussions "now over an alternative to the proposed mechanism" in the U.S. cease-fire proposal, which Lebanon rejects.

Referring to the U.N. peacekeeping force, which has been supervising the implementation of Resolution 1701 since it was adopted in 2006, he said "there is a clear existing mechanism with no objection to reactivate it."

"Work is going well, the atmosphere is positive," Berri said, adding that the return of Hochstein to Beirut depends on the progress to be made during the negotiations.

A well-informed source told UPI "there is no big obstacle, and the door is open" to more negotiations but "we are not yet at the end" to achieve a cease-fire agreement.

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The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump gave his approval to the outline of the agreement under negotiation and expressed hope that it could be implemented before he takes office Jan. 20.

On Thursday, Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen said his country was closer to reaching a ceasefire agreement than it had been since the start of the war but insists on having the freedom to act inside Lebanon in case of violations.
BEIRUT (AP)  Lebanons caretaker prime minister on Friday asked Iran to help secure a cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hezbollah and appeared to urge it to convince the militant group to agree to a deal that could require it to pull back from the Israel-Lebanon border.

As a top adviser to Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei visited Lebanon for talks, Lebanese officials said an American proposal for a cease-fire deal had been passed on to Hezbollah, aiming to end 13 months of exchanges of fire between Israel and the group.

Iran is a main backer of Hezbollah and for decades has been funding and arming the Lebanese militant group. Hezbollah began firing rockets into northern Israel the day after Hamas surprise attack into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 ignited the war in Gaza  prompting exchanges between the two sides ever since.

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Since late September, Israel dramatically escalated its bombardment of Lebanon, vowing to cripple Hezbollah and end its barrages in Israel. More than 3,400 people have been killed in Lebanon by Israeli fire  80% of them in the past month -- Lebanons Health Ministry says.

According to Lebanese media, U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson handed over a draft of a proposed cease-fire deal to Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who has been leading the talks representing Hezbollah.

A Lebanese official confirmed that Beirut has received a copy of a draft proposal based on U.N. Security Council resolution 1701, which ended the last Israel-Hezbollah war, in the summer of 2006. A Lebanese politician said Hezbollah officials had received the draft, were studying it and would express their opinion on it to Berri. The politician, who knows the work of Hezbollah, and the official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media about the ongoing talks.

U.N. resolution 1701, among other things, holds that only the Lebanese army and U.N. peacekeepers should operate in southern Lebanon, meaning Hezbollah would have to end its presence there. That provision was never implemented. Lebanon accuses Israel of also violating the resolution by maintaining hold of a small, disputed border area and conducting frequent military overflights over Lebanon.

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The Lebanese official did not give details other than to say Israel was insisting that some guarantees be included. The U.S. Embassy refused to either confirm or deny the reports.

In talks with Khamenei's adviser, Ali Larijani, Lebanon's caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, urged Iran to help implement resolution 1701. He said the Lebanese government wants the war to end and the resolution to be implemented in all its details, according to a statement on the talks issued by his office.

Mikati, who in recent weeks has become more critical of Irans role in Lebanon, also said the government wants Iran to help Lebanons national unity and not take any stance backing one party against another.

Irans backing for Hezbollah has helped the group, which is the most powerful faction among Lebanons Shiite Muslims, dominate the countrys politics the last decade.

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After meeting Mikati and Berri, Larijani said his visits main aim was to loudly say that we will stand by Lebanons government and people.

Asked if he was trying to thwart U.S. cease-fire mediation, Larijani said, We are not trying to blow up any effort, but we want to solve the problem and we will stand by Lebanon, whatever the circumstances.

An Israeli airstrike on a home in the southern province of Nabatiyeh killed a mother, father and their three children on Friday, state media said, while three other Israeli strikes killed six people and wounded 32 in different parts of Tyre province.

Israeli forces also carried out new strikes around the Lebanese capital on Friday. Three waves of air raids hit buildings in Beiruts southern suburbs, setting off explosions in the area known as Dahiyeh.

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In an earlier strike on the southeastern edge of Beirut, images taken by an Associated Press photographer captured a rocket about to strike an 11-story residential building in the Tayouneh neighborhood  then showed a blast of flame erupting from the side of the building. Much of a lower level of the building was smashed to rubble.

There were no immediate reports of casualties in any of the strikes. In each case, the Israeli military had issued a warning before the attack, saying it was targeting Hezbollah facilities.

Near the eastern Lebanese city of Baalbek, rescue workers called off their search for survivors from an Israeli strike a civil defense center, killing 14 civil defense workers and volunteers.

The Israeli military did not respond to a request for comment on why the civil defense center was targeted late Thursday. Lebanons civil defense forces have no affiliation with Hezbollah, and provide crucial rescue and medical services in one of the worlds most war-torn nations.

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Israel has expanded its operations in Lebanon even as it continues its campaign in the Gaza Strip, vowing to destroy Hamas, which is also backed by Iran.

Funerals were held Friday for 11 Palestinians killed Thursday in a series of Israeli airstrikes in and around the central Gaza Strip city of Deir al-Balah. Two children were among the dead, seen with the other dead by an AP reporter.

On Thursday, the U.N. Security Councils 10 elected members circulated a draft resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional and permanent cease-fire in Gaza. The U.S., Israels closest ally, holds the key to whether the U.N. Security Council adopts the resolution. The four other permanent members  Russia, China, Britain and France  are expected to support it or abstain.

The Israel-Hamas war began after Palestinian militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people  mostly civilians  and abducting 250 others.

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Israels bombardment and ground offensives since then have killed more than 43,000 people in Gaza, Palestinian health officials say. The officials dont distinguish between civilians and combatants but say more than half of those killed have been women and children.

___

Rising reported from Bangkok. Abby Sewell in Beirut, and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations, contributed to this report.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  The capital city is on the hunt for community-minded residents to serve on a government review committee.

Dan Garrett, Topekas director of communications, announced in a news release Thursday, Nov. 14 the city is asking residents to apply for the newly re-established Citizen Government Review Committee. This committee will examine and evaluate Topekas form of government.

Topekas governing body is looking for five Topekans who reflect the citys diverse population. The goal: making thoughtful recommendations for potential amendments and modifications to improve the effectiveness and alignment with the needs of the community, according to the news release.

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Members of the committee will be tasked with a comprehensive review and analysis of current governmental structured, working collaboratively to provide insights that will shape the citys future governance. Statement excerpt from City of Topeka news release

One arrest made in connection to deadly Topeka house fire

Topeka Citizen Government Committees date back to 1983; in 2014, one committee worked to define the current roles for the city mayor. For more information on the roles of the committee, click here.

Required qualifications:

Applicants must be registered voters living within Topeka city limits.

Candidates must be available for a substantial time commitment from January to June 2025 to attend meetings, participate in discussions, and contribute to the completion of a final report for the governing body.

Preferred qualifications:

Familiarity with the citys governmental form is advantageous.

Candidates should demonstrate an ability to evaluate issues fairly and without bias.

Members will need to articulate ideas effectively and listen to diverse perspectives.

Ability to lead and work cohesively within a group is essential.

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I-470 bridge in Topeka to open ahead of schedule

Applications will be accepted now through Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. To apply, click here.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Donald Trump picked Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to join his Cabinet as the head of the Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday, and that nomination is already ruffling feathers in Congress.

Democrats on the Hill sounded the alarm over Kennedys nomination, with high-ranking Democratic Rep. Katherine Clark saying she had great concerns over Kennedys complete disregard for public health.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries added that Kennedy was completely and totally unqualified for the position.

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Republicans, for their part, seemed largely unbothered by the choice.

In an interview with CNNs Jake Tapper, Trump-endorsed Indiana Senator-elect Jim Banks said he wasnt worried about Kennedys history of vaccine skepticism.

Donald Trump won the popular vote, and one of the things he promised on the campaign trail was to have a serious and thoughtful conversation about vaccines, Banks said. I imagine this will be a big topic of discussion in the confirmation hearings I feel very comfortable with RFK Jr. having a significant seat at the table to lead big debates about this.

Tapper: What he says about childhood vaccines is false. They don't cause autism.



Banks: Trump won the popular vote Mandatory vaccines is a topic that a lot of American voters want us to tackle.. pic.twitter.com/zpQJ4yfMoZ  Acyn (@Acyn) November 14, 2024

Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy applauded the pick.

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RFK Jr. has championed issues like healthy foods and the need for greater transparency in our public health infrastructure, Senator Cassidy said in a statement. I look forward to learning more about his other policy positions and how they will support a conservative, pro-American agenda.

Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed uncertainty over whether Kennedy and other controversial nominees would be confirmed but said they deserve a process in a Thursday night interview with Fox News Bret Baier.

"None of this is gonna be easy, Thune said. But again, President Trump had a huge mandate from the American people...And the people in this country want change."

Thune left room for installing Cabinet members without Senate approval via recess appointments, calling the process an open question.

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Earlier in the day, before Trump announced the pick, Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia said in a spat with Marjorie Taylor Greene that it was "shameful" that Kennedy could be considered for any health leadership post, given his "outrageous comments about science and medicine."

But not all Democrats were aligned. Democratic Governor of Colorado Jared Polis turned heads with a Thursday night post to X praising the pick.

Im excited by the news that the president-elect will appoint [Kennedy], Polis said. He will face strong special interest opposition on these, but I look forward to partnering with him to truly make America healthy again.
DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT)  A Decatur tow truck company named in a wrongful death lawsuit over the shooting of Stephen Perkins has been granted an arbitration hearing.

Allstar Recovery and two employees are named as defendants in the lawsuit that followed the police shooting death of Perkins on September 29, 2023. Former Decatur Police Department officer Mac Marquette has been charged with murder for the deadly shooting of Perkins.

Decatur police chief remains silent during public session

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Perkins was shot in his driveway during a botched repossession of his truck. In a federal court order Thursday, the judge wrote Perkins had objected to the initial attempt to repossess his truck by Caleb Combs. Combs returned with another Allstar employee and four Decatur police officers, including Marquette and a second attempt was made to repossess the truck, the court said. Perkins emerged from his house and yelled at the driver, and then, according to investigators, Marquette shot Perkins.

The lawsuit against Marquette has been allowed to go forward, but a federal judge has dismissed several claims in the lawsuit, including those filed against three former Decatur police officers  Christopher Mukkadam, Joey Williams and Vance Summers  and the City of Decatur.

The tow company and two employees have argued they want the claims against them handled by an arbitrator, saying the Perkins familys claims fall under the arbitration clause laid out in the purchase agreement for Stephen Perkins truck.

In a September court filing, Perkins family lawyers argued that the wrongful death claims in the case fall outside the scope of the arbitration agreement because they are not contract-related. They also argued that since the company chose the arbitration forum, they should not be required to arbitrate claims to an unidentified and unknown arbitrator.

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But the order granting a motion to compel arbitration on Thursday by U.S. District Judge Corey Maze said the question of whether arbitration is the right forum, the arbitrability, would be up to the Better Business Bureau of North Alabama to decide.

Allstar contacted the contractually agreed upon arbitratorthe Better Business Bureau of North Alabamaabout this case. But the Better Business Bureau of North Alabama declined to serve as arbitrator  All that BBB must do is arbitrate the scope of the arbitration agreement. If the BBB finds that the claims Perkins brings dont fit within the scope of the arbitration agreement, then the BBB can simply send Perkinss claims back to this court, the filing says.

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Documents state the BBBs arbitration process is intended to resolve disputes between a buyer and a seller, and a wrongful death claim exceeds the capabilities, of that process. The BBB previously declined to arbitrate the matter, citing this process.

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The court also denied the tow truck companys motion to dismiss the claims against them.

Despite the claims against three of the former officers and the City of Decatur being dropped, the claims against Marquette were allowed to move forward because the court found the Perkins family lawyers  at this stage  made a successful argument that Marquettes use of deadly force was not justified.

Assuming these facts are true, Officer Marquette would not be entitled to qualified immunity because, when Marquette used deadly force, Perkins was neither trying to leave the scene nor posing a serious threat of physical harm to others, The court said. Nor did Marquette warn Perkins that he might use deadly force before he shot him.

The judge also said that the dismissals, including of some claims against Marquette, were done without prejudice and he will allow the Perkins family lawyers to reargue the claims one more time.

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Marquettes criminal trial in the case is set for April.

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Tulsi Gabbard made waves in the world of American politics during the 2024 presidential election after her own candidacy in the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries. Her selection by President-elect Donald Trump for the role of National Intelligence Director is bringing increased attention to the career of the former Congresswoman from Hawaii. Throughout her concurrent time in uniform and public office, Gabbard has broken one glass ceiling after another.

Gabbard served in the House of Representatives from 2013-2021 (U.S. Congress)

Born in American Samoa, Gabbards family moved to Hawaii when she was 2 years old. There, she took up surfing, martial arts, yoga, and practiced Hinduism. In 2002, Gabbard dropped out of community college and ran for the 42nd District of the Hawaii House of Representatives. After winning 42% of the vote in the Democratic primary, she won the general election with 60.7% and became the youngest elected legislator in the states history.

Gabbard completed basic training between state legislative sessions (Tulsi Gabbard Campaign)

In April 2003, Gabbard enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard. The next year, although she filed to run for reelection, Gabbard volunteered for a 12-month deployment to Iraq with the Medical Company, 29th Support Battalion, 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Pulling out of the race, Gabbard became the first state official to voluntarily step down from public office to serve in a war zone according to the DOD. In Iraq, Gabbard served with Charlie Med at the Anaconda Logistical Support Area in Baghdad and earned the Combat Medical Badge.

Gabbard in front of the Al-Faw Palace in Baghdad, Iraq, 2005 (Tulsi Gabbard Campaign)

In March 2007, Gabbard graduated at the top of her class from the Accelerated Officer Candidate School at the Alabama Military Academy, the first woman to ever do so. She earned a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant and returned to the 29th IBCT as a Military Police officer. Gabbard volunteered for a second Middle East deployment in 2008 and served in Kuwait until 2009. There, she was the first woman to enter a Kuwaiti military facility and the first woman to receive an award of appreciation from the Kuwaiti military. In 2009, Gabbard also graduated from Hawaii Pacific University with a degree in Business Administration.

In the military, I learned that leadership means raising your hand and volunteering for the tough, important assignments -Tulsi Gabbard (DOD)

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Gabbard returned to politics in 2011 after winning a seat on the Honolulu City Council. She resigned on August 16, 2012, to focus on her campaign for Hawaiis 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. At the invitation of then-House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who called her an emerging star, Gabbard spoke at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. She won her election with 80.7% of the vote and became the first voting Samoan-American and first Hindu Member of Congress.

Gabbards promotion to Major at the National Cemetery of the Pacific (Office of Representative Gabbard)

Gabbard continued to serve in the Hawaii National Guard and was promoted to Major on October 12, 2015. In 2019, she announced that she would not run for a fifth term in Congress to focus on her presidential campaign, becoming the first female combat veteran to run for the office. The next year, on March 19, Gabbard dropped out of the race. In June 2020, Gabbard also left the National Guard and transferred to the Army Reserve. She was assigned to a California-based unit in the United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) and promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on July 4, 2021. As a Civil Affairs officer, Gabbard deployed to the Horn of Africa in support of a Special Operations mission.

Gabbard during the 2021 Celebrity Tactical Challenge at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (U.S. Army)

Still a member of the Army Reserve, Gabbard left the Democratic Party in 2022 and joined the Republican Party in 2024. On November 13, 2024, Trump announced his nomination for Gabbard to serve as Director of National Intelligence. Her confirmation is dependent on a hearing by the Senate Intelligence Committee and a vote by the upper chamber of Congress.

Gabbard at the 2024 Tactical Games (Instagram @tulsigabbard)

In addition to the CMB, Gabbard also earned the Meritorious Service Medal and a gold German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency. Harvards John F. Kennedy School of Government awarded Gabbard the John F. Kennedy New Frontier Award for her efforts on behalf of veterans in 2013. Two years later, Gabbard received the County Alumni Award from the National Association of Counties and the Friend of the National Parks Award from the National Parks Conservation Association. In 2018, she was named the distinguished alumni by her alma mater and received the Hoola Na Pua Award for her work on behalf of human trafficking survivors in Hawaii.
OSLO, Norway (AP)  Norwegian police said Friday that the driver of a tram that derailed and crashed into a store last month in downtown Oslo, causing minor injuries to four people, told them he lost consciousness and doesn't remember the accident.

Officers said they questioned the tram driver, whose name was not released, who told them he fell ill and fainted ahead of the crash. In a statement, police in the Norwegian capital said they were waiting for the results of technical examinations by the Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority before drawing any conclusions.

There were about 20 people on the four-carriage commuter service when it derailed on Oct. 29 at an intersection on Storgata, one of Oslo's most important thoroughfares close to the main train station.

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Witness Mohnsin Munir saw the tram coming toward him at high speed. It was supposed to make a left turn but derailed and continued straight ahead, into the store.

He told Norwegian broadcaster TV2 that he stood oustide the shop where he works and saw that the tram came at full speed and drove straight into the Eplehuset (the shop)

Police and the fire department said the crash caused extensive damage in the store.

The tram driver was among those injured. Police said everyone was treated at the scene but no one had serious injuries.

The four-story building was later evacuated to check for structural damage.

The Oslo public transit company, Sporveien, says the tram system carries about 50 million passengers a year.
Close-up of a transgender pride flag flapping on a sunny day filling the frame

Transgender Ohioans, allies and educators are calling on Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine to veto a transgender bathroom ban bill.

The Ohio Senate voted along party lines to concur Senate Bill 104 Wednesday during their first session back from break. The Ohio House added House Bill 183 (the bathroom bill) to Senate Bill 104 and passed S.B. 104 in June during the last House session before going on break.

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DeWine will have 10 days to sign the bill into law or veto it once he receives it, but he has previously indicated he would sign the bill.

If the bill is signed into law, it would require Ohio K-12 schools and colleges to mandate people use the bathroom or locker room that aligns with their gender assigned at birth. It would also prevent students from sharing overnight accommodations with people of the opposite sex from their sex assigned at birth for K-12 schools.

Trans students are just like students everywhere, Equality Ohio Executive Director Dwayne Steward said in a statement. They just want to feel safe and secure in their schools. S.B. 104 is a dangerous bill that puts vulnerable trans youth at risk for abuse and harassment.

Anne Anderson, the mom of a transgender high school student, said her family plans on moving out of Ohio because of the anti-transgender legislation.

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Im not going to let my daughter suffer through their bigotry, she said. My daughter is the shell of a person she once was because of all of this.

Anderson said her daughter did not want to go to school the morning after the Senate passed S.B. 104.

She will not be going in the boys bathroom, Anderson said. Its just not happening.

The American Medical Association officially opposes policies preventing transgender individuals from accessing basic human services and public facilities consistent with gender identity.

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This bill ignores the material reality that transgender people endure higher rates of sexual violence and assaults, particularly while using public restrooms, than people who are not transgender, Jocelyn Rosnick, policy director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, said in a statement. All Ohioans deserve to access the facilities they need, in alignment with their gender identity, without fear of harassment or bullying.

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Slightly more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth in Ohio considered suicide in 2022, according to the Trevor Project.

Several organizations are encouraging people to contact DeWine and ask him to veto S.B. 104.

Governor DeWine can veto this anti-trans bathroom bill, Christina Collins, executive director of Honesty for Ohio Education, said in a statement. It is necessary now more than ever to show our trans community that this is not the will of the people but rather the disposition of extremists in our state legislature that do not represent our communities.

Mallory Golski with Kaleidoscope Youth Center said she is hearing people wonder if they will need to start carrying around their birth certificates.

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It leaves it up to individual school districts to create their own policy, so theres a lot of uncertainty of what if one school district does it one way and one does it another, she said. Will I be penalized for using the bathroom that is allegedly the wrong bathroom?

Another question she is hearing is who would enforce the policy?

Is it that local communitys law enforcement? Golski asked. Is it the principal?

People have told her DeWines voicemail has been full a couple of times since S.B. 104 passed.

Its clear that Ohioans are overwhelmingly contacting the governor and urging him to veto this legislation, Golski said.

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Transgender people will always be part of Ohio, said TransOhio Executive Director Dara Adkison.

Ohio is a state that held over a hundred prides this year, with thousands and thousands in attendance, that is Ohio, Adkison said in a statement. To trans Ohioans and our allies remember that this is our state too, do not seed its story to a bigoted minority.

Ohio Federation of Teachers President Melissa Cropper said there are real safety issues that need to be addressed.

There is no epidemic of student assaults in bathrooms and locker rooms, Cropper said in a statement. There is however an epidemic of gun violence in our schools and communities; firearms are the leading cause of death for American children and teens.

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State Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, originally introduced S.B. 104 to revise the College Credit Plus Program. Sen. Andrew Brenner, R-Delaware, is also a sponsor of the bill. State Reps. Beth Lear, R-Galena, and Adam Bird, R-New Richmond, introduced the bathroom bill last year.

Follow OCJ Reporter Megan Henry on X.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Thanksgiving Day is two weeks away, the countdown to Christmas continues, and if you have plans to travel out of state for the holidays  you better watch out!

About one in four Americans fall victim to travel scams, and almost 25 percent of them fall victim to more than a thousand dollars, said Abhishek Karnik, Head of Threat Research for online security company, McAfee.

In fact, the Federal Trade Commission just issued a warning about a new scam tactic, targeting air travelers under the guise of TSA PreCheck. The process is meant to make it a little easier for flyers, helping them get through security checkpoints and screenings faster, but scammers are trying to take advantage of the speedy system by sending emails to consumers that look like theyre from the TSA, asking you to click on a link to Enroll In or Renew your TSA PreCheck.

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Health grocer to close central Ohio market after 41 years

Instead, it takes you to a phony site and before you know it, they have your name and credit card information. That is something McAfee said it sees all too often. Phishing is always number one on that list, where, you know, you get redirected to some sort of a fake booking travel link they either get your credit card information, or they get you to purchase something that you didnt intend to, Karnik said.

In reality, if you are applying for TSA PreCheck for the first time, you dont pay the application fee online. Thats something you do in-person at a TSA Enrollment Center. If youre already enrolled, you can renew and pay in-person or online. But Karnik said your safest option is to go to the website yourself.

You know, if you are presented with a travel opportunity, or a travel discount, you might want to be a little cautious, because generally travel starts with you, wanting to go and look for something as opposed to these deals coming to you, said Karnik. So, I think those are, those are some of things that you want to be cautious about when youre planning travel.

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Now, if you are already enrolled in PreCheck, be aware that the real TSA does send renewal reminder emails. But thats why its important to not click on any links that come to you. Rather, start your renewal at the TSAs official website.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
EBENSBURG, Pa.  After several delays, the Cambria County homicide trial involving a Blairsville woman found dead along a Johnstown hiking trail in 2016 started Wednesday with both sides opening statements, a handful of witness testimony and several recordings played for jurors.

Ladies and gentlemen, over the next few days were going to be talking to you about control, Pennsylvania Deputy Attorney General Aaron McKendry said.

He advised the jurors that this was a case of domestic violence and told them that in the end they would be taking back control that defendant Christopher George Rowe allegedly took from 26-year-old victim Kaylene Roedel.

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Rowe is accused of killing his former girlfriend and disposing of her body near the Honan Avenue Hiking Trail in Johnstown. He was charged in 2020 with criminal homicide and related counts.

Defense attorney Toby McIlwain told the jury to remember everything attorney McKendry said and make him prove everything.

McIlwain said Rowe was only charged out of simple convenience due to his relationship with Roedel and highlighted his clients willingness to cooperate with authorities during the investigation, including multiple interviews.

McIlwain, who was court-appointed to represent the defendant with attorney Daniel Kiss, also suggested another person may be at fault for Roedels murder.

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Throughout Wednesdays proceedings, jurors heard from the person who reported Roedel missing, the person who found the victim near the trail, the responding Johnstown Police Department officer, a retired Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent who mapped the crime scene, and a forensic psychologist whose expertise is in intimate partner violence.

They also listened to July 2016 jailhouse recordings between Roedel and Rowe when he was incarcerated for alleged abuse against her and the first interview Rowe participated in with JPD detectives.

According to testimony, Roedel was found naked with her clothing cut off between the Honan Avenue trail other unmanned paths near Johns-towns Minersville neighborhood.

Evidence marked and collected from around the area consisted mostly of trash, now-Richland Township Police Sgt. Sean Kisel said.

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He was the first officer on scene when he worked for Johnstown Police Department.

Crime scene photos Kisel confirmed included evidence ranging from cigarette butts and a condom wrapper to fast food trash and bullet casings.

It was unclear if any of this was related to Roedels death.

Kisel also confirmed that he encountered Rowe at a Moxham residence  allegedly where he was staying after leaving prison  where Roedels vehicle had been located.

Other evidence presented by AG prosecutors, who took over the case in August because of a possible conflict with the Cambria County District Attorneys Office, included five contentious phone calls Rowe made to Roedel from prison.

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In each conversation, Rowe pleaded with his former girlfriend to work with him to fix their relationship and told her repeatedly that he loves her.

Roedel countered several times with the fact that she was done with Rowe and tired of the alleged abuse he inflicted on her.

In one instance, she accused him of choking her until she lost consciousness, while later mentioning that his constant beatings during their more than three-year relationship caused her significant neck pain only treatable with prescription pain medication.

She also told him that she planned to get her own apartment and had started working as an exotic dancer to cover bills.

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Roedel said she wants her freedom, and that she fell out of love with Rowe a long time ago.

Prosecutors allege after exiting jail, Rowe confronted her at her employer before being asked to leave and later returned to their Blairsville home.

She was reportedly last seen alive Aug. 4, 2016, after finishing her shift.

Court ended Wednesday with a more than two-hour long interview Rowe participated in with JPD detectives after Roedel went missing.

The recording was played in full for the jury and primarily consisted of detectives questioning Rowes whereabouts after getting out of prison, what his relationship was like with Roedel and when he last saw her alive.

There was little cross-examination offered by defense counsel aside from clarifying questions about information shared on the stand.

The trial will continue Thursday with more witness testimony.
NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP)  A jury was selected on Monday in Hampshire Superior Court in the 2022 Chesterfield deadly shooting.

Brian Camp, 24, of Southampton is accused of shooting and killing 27-year-old Jonathan Letendre of Northampton. The Northwestern District Attorneys Office says just after midnight Letendre allegedly broke into his ex-girlfriends home on South Street in Chesterfield where Camp was staying.

1978 West Springfield cold case: Who is Timothy Scott Joley

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The woman with whom Letendre had previously had a relationship was upstairs sleeping with Camp and her two young children. The news release from the DAs office says that the woman and Camp woke up when they heard Letendre coming up the stairs to the second floor.

During a fight between Camp and Letendre, the woman called the police for help when gunfire was heard while talking with dispatchers. Approximately eight and a half minutes later, another shot was fired. At around 1 a.m. officers found Letendre, who was shot in the torso and the back of the head, on the kitchen floor.

Camp, who had a semiautomatic pistol he lawfully possessed, was arrested and charged with manslaughter. He pled not guilty and posted a $10,000 bond. As conditions of release, he was ordered to surrender his license to carry (LTC) and firearms identification card (FID), not reapply for them, not possess firearms, and not live in a household with firearms.

Judge James M. Manitsas is presiding over the trial with Northwestern First Assistant District Attorney Steven Gagne prosecuting the case. Camp is being represented by Defense Attorney Thomas Kokonowski. Opening statements are set to begin on Tuesday and the trial is expected to last into next week.

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If convicted, Camp faces up to 20 years in state prison or 2.5 years in the House of Correction.

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WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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Loud sobs echoed about the courtroom Friday where an undocumented migrant is on trial accused of murdering college student Laken Riley earlier this year.

Members of the gallery passed tissues between rows and covered their faces as prosecutors presented graphic body camera video, showing the moment a police officer found Rileys body on February 22.

Jose Antonio Ibarra, the 26-year-old undocumented migrant charged with killing Riley, went hunting for females on the University of Georgias campus, before encountering his victim, according to prosecutors.

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Ibarras trial began nine months after the nursing student was killed while jogging at the University of Georgia in a case that developed into a lightning rod over crime and illegal immigration.

Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student at Augusta Universitys Athens campus, went for a morning jog in a wooded area of the UGA campus. Ibarra struck Riley in the head with a rock multiple times and asphyxiated her, according to his indictment.

Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard will decide the fate of Ibarra, who is charged with murder and aggravated assault with intent to rape in connection with Rileys death. Ibarra waived his right to a jury trial during a court hearing this week.

Sgt. Kenneth Maxwell could be heard gasping in the video footage as he found Riley and began performing CPR on her lifeless body.

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Maxwell testified Rileys shirt was pulled up when he found her and she was at least 50 feet away from the trail authorities say she was jogging on.

It did not look as if something had unintentionally happened, Maxwell said. It looked more intentional, as if somebody had attempted to either remove her top, or maybe had used it to drag her.

The evidence will show that Laken fought. She fought for her life. She fought for her dignity. And in that fight, she caused this defendant (Ibarra) to leave forensic evidence behind, said prosecutor Sheila Ross during opening statements.

Prosecutor Sheila Ross speaks in front of Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard during a trial of Jose Ibarra at Athens-Clarke County Superior Court, Friday, November 15, in Athens, Georgia. - Hyosub Shin/Pool/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/AP

Data from the smartwatch Riley was wearing will show that her encounter with Ibarra was long, and fierce, said Ross. Riley placed a 911 call at 9:11 a.m. and her heart stopped at 9:28 a.m., with no more movement from her watch, the prosecutor said.

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Additional forensic, digital and video evidence will be presented during the trial, Ross said, including Ibarras DNA which the state says was found under one of Rileys fingernails and his thumbprint on Rileys cell phone.

In a struggle with (Riley) over her phone, Ross said, Ibarra left behind his left thumbprint on her iPhone, which was found not far from her body at the crime scene.

The same day Riley was killed, Ross said police found three black, disposable kitchen gloves in the bushes near Ibarras home, one of which had blood on it. The gloves were sent to a state crime lab where it was later determined the blood belonged to Riley, Ross said.

During opening statements, the prosecutor noted the disposable glove found to have Rileys blood on it also had a hole where the thumb would be. Rileys DNA was also found on a jacket police recovered from a nearby dumpster, the prosecutor said.

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The jacket found in the dumpster has blood on it and in the blood, for traditional DNA, is Laken Rileys DNA and this defendants DNA, and only the two of them, Ross said.

Athens-Clarke County police officer Zachary Davis points out the jacket he collected from a dumpster as he testifies on the witness stand during the trial of Jose Ibarra at Athens-Clarke County Superior Court on Friday. - Hyosub Shin/Pool/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/AP

Meanwhile, defense attorney Dustin Kirby said any evidence that shows Ibarra killed Riley is circumstantial.

Video prosecutors say shows Ibarra disposing evidence in a dumpster about 15 minutes after Riley is believed to have died was also played in court during opening statements.

The evidence in this case is very good, that Laken Riley was murdered, Kirby said. The evidence that Jose Ibarra killed Laken Riley is circumstantial.

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If the presumption of innocence is respected, there should not be enough evidence to convince (the judge) beyond a reasonable doubt, that Mr. Ibarra is guilty of the crimes charged, Kirby added.

Kirby is expected to bring into question the DNA evidence, arguing the prosecutors are relying on conflicting methods to link DNA and fingerprints to Ibarra. He also rebuffed the prosecutions claim that Ibarras fingerprint was found on Rileys phone, saying, he was wearing gloves, supposedly.

The outcome of the case will reverberate beyond the courtroom walls. Both Republicans and Democrats invoked Rileys story at political events, and immigrant communities in Athens are divided over the vitriol.

Ibarra, whos from Venezuela, is also charged under Georgias peeping Tom law for allegedly going to a UGA apartment building on the same day as Rileys death, looking through the window and spying on a student, his indictment states.

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Ibarra was indicted on 10 counts: malice murder, three counts of felony murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, aggravated assault with intent to rape, aggravated battery, obstructing a person making an emergency call, tampering with evidence and peeping Tom, according to the indictment.

The defense and prosecution on Tuesday agreed to a bench trial  meaning the judge, not a jury, will hear evidence and testimony and decide Ibarras fate.

If Ibarra is convicted of the most serious charges, prosecutors intend to seek a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, according to court records.

Its unclear why the prosecution is not seeking the death penalty against Ibarra. During Tuesdays hearing, the judge forbade attorneys and the defendant from speaking with the media.

Suspect entered the US illegally and was previously arrested

Ibarras history in the US has fueled outrage among politicians. They say failed border policies and lax laws contributed to Rileys death.

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Ibarra was arrested in 2022 after entering the US illegally and was paroled and released for further processing, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement said.

He also was arrested by New York City police in September 2023 and charged with acting in a manner to injure a child less than 17 and a motor vehicle license violation, ICE asserted in a news release. But police released Ibarra before a detainer could be issued, ICE said.

When asked about Ibarras arrest and release in New York City at that time, the NYPD said it did not have a record of his arrest. NYPDs public information office, in an email to CNN Wednesday, reiterated there are no arrests (of Ibarra) on file.

Jose Ibarra listens through an interpreter during his trial on Friday in Athens. - Hyosub Shin/Pool/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/AP

By February 2024, Ibarra was living in Athens, Georgia  home to the University of Georgia.

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Police started searching for Riley after receiving a call around noon on February 22 from a friend who said Riley had not returned from her jog at UGAs intramural fields that morning, UGA Police Chief Jeff Clark said. Less than an hour later, Rileys body was found near a lake.

Police connected Ibarra to Rileys killing by using campus security camera footage, physical evidence and key input from the community, Clark said.

Ibarra was arrested the day after Rileys death. Investigators have said there is no evidence he and Riley knew each other, and police described the killing as a crime of opportunity.

Testimony describes crime scene, finding jacket with DNA

A Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime scene specialist, Daniella Stuart, was called as a witness in Ibarras trial on Friday afternoon. She described finding injuries on the left side of Rileys head, along with linear marks on her torso and below her underwear.

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Her hair was very tangled, which made it difficult for me to locate the additional injuries, and tangled with () leaves, blood, dirt, tangled in her hair, the specialist said.

Stuart called attention to a large spot that was not covered with leaves in the wooded area where Rileys body was found, depicted in photographs of the crime scene in court Friday. Leaves were covering the crime scene, except for one large spot where Stuart believes a significant disturbance happened.

You could see almost like a slight depression in that area that led from the (running) trail, to the area where the ground could be clearly seen, Stuart said.

The specialist testified to finding a latent print in the area where you would swipe to unlock, as well as reddish stains suspected to be blood, on Rileys cell phone, found in the leaves at the crime scene.

The specialist then recounted photographing injuries on Ibarra at the Athens-Clarke County Police Department the following day, noting scratches and injuries on his hands, arms, neck and back.

Another witness, Athens-Clarke County Police officer Zachary Davis, testified about finding the jacket that had both Rileys DNA and Ibarras DNA on it, which was recovered from a nearby dumpster.

I began checking dumpsters, just because people tend to try and get rid of property in dumpsters that they dont want to be in possession of, Davis told the prosecutor. After searching several other dumpsters, he found a dark blue jacket inside a recycling dumpster, Davis testified.

Body camera video of Davis retrieving the jacket was played in court. Upon picking up the jacket, I noticed that there were leaves on it. There were tears on the front as well, and what appeared to be some darker red or brown stains on the sleeves near the wrist, he said.

In the video footage, Davis is heard saying: Oh sh*t. Theres hair on the buttons.  womens long hair wrapped up in the buttons.

People inside the courtroom were seen getting emotional during Daviss testimony, shaking their heads in disgust with each new detail. Several people walked out of court.

Rileys killing used as political fodder

Data reviewed by CNN suggests there is no significant connection between immigration and any increase in crime rate.

But Rileys death turned into political fodder from both sides of the aisle.

Republican President-elect Donald Trump blamed the Biden administrations immigration policies for contributing to Rileys death. In the months leading up to his second election, Trump vowed large-scale deportations of undocumented migrants.

Rileys parents attended a Trump rally in March and met with Trump backstage, co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita said.

A supporter holds a sign with a photo of Laken Riley before Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally, on March 9 in Rome, Georgia. - Mike Stewart/AP

Democrats have also invoked Rileys death in political speeches. While campaigning for presidential candidate Kamala Harris in October, former President Bill Clinton, supporting Bidens attempt to secure the border, lambasted Trump for scuttling a bipartisan border security bill earlier this year.

The bill sputtered in January when Trumps opposition to it led Republican support to erode. During her presidential campaign, Harris vowed to revive the bill and sign it into law if she were elected.

Clinton said the bill would have led to total vetting before people got in at the US-Mexico border.

Now, Trump killed the bill, Clinton said, before citing Rileys death.

You got a case in Georgia not very long ago  didnt you, they made an ad about it  a young woman who had been killed by an immigrant. Yeah, well, if theyd all been properly vetted that probably wouldnt have happened, Clinton said.

We lost one of the brightest lights

Rileys death devastated both the UGA and Augusta University communities. She was a UGA student until May 2023 before studying nursing at Augustas College of Nursing campus in Athens.

At a vigil cohosted by Rileys Alpha Chi Omega sorority at UGA, the chapter president said, We lost one of the brightest lights that theres ever been. This campus and our sisterhood will never (be) the same without Laken Riley.

Mourners grieve the death of Laken Riley at a vigil on the University of Georgia campus on February 26. - WANF

Augusta Universitys College of Nursing said Riley was a promising future nurse whose compassion and care for others is evident.

Riley had just made the fall deans list and received her honorary white coat, symbolizing humanism, compassion, and the start of her nurses journey, the nursing college said on Facebook. She was set to graduate in 2025.

The College of Nursing will miss Lakens spirit on campus, and our hearts go out to her family and friends, the statement said. We know that she would have been a wonderful nurse, and her passing is a loss for the profession and the communities she would have graciously served.

Rileys younger sister, Lauren Phillips, memorialized her best friend in an Instagram post.

The best sister and my built-in best friend from the very first second, she wrote. Im not sure how Im going to do this but its all going to be for you from now on. I cannot wait to give you the biggest hug someday. I will miss and love you forever Laken.

The tragedy still permeates everyday life at the University of Georgia

You would hopefully think that a campus is a safe place to be. But after (Rileys killing), it definitely makes me more alert, pharmacy student Margaret Fawcett said.

Fawcett walks at night with heightened vigilance and offers to accompany her friend when she runs on the same wooded trail where Riley was killed.

Margaret Fawcett stands for a photo in Athens on Friday. - Holly Yan/CNN

Sometimes I do get nervous for her, Fawcett said.

Several Athens residents told CNN theyre disappointed the prosecution is seeking life imprisonment without the possibility of parole  not the death penalty  if Ibarra is convicted. But Fawcett said shes not bothered by the decision.

I definitely believe in the death penalty, but also I feel like hed suffer more with life in prison, she said.

CNNs Shawn Nottingham, Eric Levenson, Priscilla Alvarez, Rafael Romo, Kaanita Iyer, Jason Morris, David J. Lopez, Elizabeth Wolfe, Kate Sullivan and Steve Conterno contributed to this report.

Correction: An earlier version of this story named the wrong member of Jose Ibarras defense team. It was Dustin Kirby.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Nov. 15 (UPI) -- A bench trial for slain college student Laken Riley, allegedly killed by an undocumented immigrant, got underway in Athens, Ga., Friday with the playing of a graphic video depicting when her body was discovered.

Riley, 22, a student at Augusta University, was killed in February. Her body was found in a wooded area of the nearby University of Georgia campus in Athens.

Jose Ibarra, a native of Venezuela who entered the country illegally, has pleaded not guilty to 10 counts including malice murder, three counts of felony murder, kidnapping with bodily injuries, and aggravated assault with intent to rape.

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The accusations against Ibarra became highly politicized during this year's presidential campaign as President-elect Donald Trump highlighted the case in attacking President Joe Biden's handling of the southern U.S. border, while Democrats accused Trump of exploiting a tragedy for political gain.

Riley's killing also spawned several new state laws cracking down on illegal immigration, including a measure in Georgia requiring local sheriffs to verify the immigration status of anyone over age 18 who has been arrested, detained or even suspected of committing a crime.

On Friday, prosecutors presented their first pieces of evidence against Ibarra, including dramatic video footage taken from the bodycam of the officer who discovered Riley's body near an on-campus hiking trail, Sgt. Kenneth Maxwell of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.

Amid audible gasps and cries coming from courtroom attendees, the video showed Maxwell administering CPR to the student's body and calling for University of Georgia campus police to establish a perimeter around the crime scene.

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Prosecutors also played audio of a 911 emergency call placed by Riley around the time she was slain, as well as another from a female UGA student related to accusations that Ibarra also attempted to break into a student housing complex prior to the killing.

During their opening statements, prosecutors outlined the timetable of Riley's death.

They said her roommates went out looking for her after she didn't return home from jogging and, after finding her AirPods on the trail, called police and reported her missing.

Police used "pings" from Riley's cellphone to find her body under a tree covered up with leaves, about 65 feet away from a running trail in the woods. Nearby were rocks covered with her blood. Her phone was then found, allegedly marked with Ibarra's left thumbprint.

The victim's Apple Watch showed she made a 911 call after stopping her run, and while Riley's voice is not heard on the audio, experts said enhancements revealed a man's voice is audible on the digital recording.
The trial of two men suspected of planning an attack on a synagogue, and a third man who helped them, has begun at the district court in the German city of Heilbronn.

Prosecutors allege the two main defendants - aged 25 and 18 - exchanged ideas in online chats about jihad, fighting abroad, and finally an attack on a Jewish institution.

The men are said to have been in contact since November of last year, and their plans came to light in May 2024.

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The older of the two men had travelled to Turkey to join Islamist fighters in Syria. The third man, who is also 25 years old, is said to have known about this plan and to have taken him to Stuttgart Airport. However, the journey petered out in Turkey.

On his return to Germany the main defendant began planning an attack with his younger acquaintance, the public prosecutor said. The target was to be a synagogue in Heidelberg or Frankfurt.

The court heard the two were driven by "their radical Islamist ideology and their hatred of people of the Jewish faith".

The 25-year-old is accused of planning a serious act of violence to endanger the state and of conspiring to commit murder. The 18-year-old is on trial for helping to plan the attack and conspiracy to commit murder. The second 25-year-old is in the dock for alleged aiding and abetting.

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The case is being heard by the juvenile division of the district court because one defendant, who has both German and Turkish nationality, is only 18 years old. The court must apply adult criminal law to the two 25-year-old Germans.

In a concurrent proceeding the main defendant is charged with attempted manslaughter for allegedly attacking a police officer with a knife during a search of his apartment in May.

The officer was not injured and was able to stop the man by shooting him in the arms and legs.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo.  Authorities arresteds three people after they allegedly stole a womans wallet at a St. Louis County Costco store and used her debit cards at a nearby Walmart.

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office has filed charges against two of the three suspects as of Thursday. Reginald McNeal, 58, and Ladaisey Atwater, 37, both from the Chicago region, face felony charges for stealing and fraudulent use of a debit card.

Investigators say a third suspect was arrested, but has not been formally charge in the case as of Thursday.

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This St. Louis restaurant serves the best doughnut in Missouri, food writers say

According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, the suspects accused in the St. Louis County Costco wallet heist have also been arrested for stealing purses and credit cards at Costco locations in other jurisdictions.

Court documents allege that the wallet theft and credit card transactions happened on April 19, 2023, at Costco and Walmart locations along Highland Boulevard in the City of Manchester.

Investigators say, while shopping at Costco, a woman noticed that her wallet was missing from her purse. A short time later, she noticed her debit card had been used to make multiple purchases from the nearby Walmart in excess of $750.

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Authorities later reviewed surveillance footage of the nearby businesses, which showed two female suspects and one male suspect inside the Costco and Walmart locations at various times that day.

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Local authorities later identified the suspects as Atwater, McNeal and another female suspect as the group accused of stealing the womens wallet and using her debit card. Investigators later learned that the trio was accused in a string of Costco thefts elsewhere, and officers involved in those previous investigations were able to identify the suspects through surveillance footage.

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Atwater has a criminal setting hearing scheduled for Dec. 16 in the case, while McNeal has a criminal setting hearing scheduled for Dec. 17, according to online Missouri court records.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A Trotwood man has been found guilty of all charges in the 2023 shooting at the DMAX facility in Moraine that left one person dead and another wounded.

Frederick Cox was accused of fatally wounding Jeffrey Allen on May 16, 2023. Prosecutors allege the shooting was a result of Coxs ex-girlfriend beginning a relationship with Allen.

Sentencing has been set for Dec. 4.

Prosecution and defense testimony took less than three days, with the jury being seated on Tuesday and deliberations starting Thursday.

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Testimony Wednesday was dominated by Coxs ex-girlfriend, who testified that she had moved out of the apartment she had shared with him two weeks before the shooting in order to move in with Allen.

In defense testimony Thursday, Allen said the shooting was in self-defense, and that he had been unaware of his ex-girlfriends new relationship until she testified about it in court.

Testimony begins in DMAX shooting trial; witnesses take the stand

DMAX shooting trial, Day 2: Ex-girlfriend testifies

DMAX shooting trial, Day 3: Decision now in jurys hands

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) Troy University has announced the addition of a new Ph.D. program, a new Ph.D. concentration, and a new masters program.

According to Troy University, the new degree options include a Ph.D. in Criminology, a concentration in Global Healthcare Leadership in the Global Leadership Ph.D. program., and a Master of Business AdministrationData Analytics.

Troy Universitys introduction of degree programs in health leadership, data analytics and criminology directly address the evolving workforce needs of our state, said Dr. Kerry Palmer, Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. These strategic additions to our academic portfolio reflect our commitment to preparing graduates for high-demand careers that serve Alabama communities. By equipping our students with specialized skills in healthcare management, data-driven decision making and criminal justice, were investing in both their future success and the wellbeing of all Alabamians.

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The programs will launch in 2025.

The MBA in Data Analytics is a 30-hour curriculum that offers hands-on experiences in interpreting and leveraging data.

The Ph.D. in Criminology is a 60-hour curriculum designed to teach candidates about the root causes of crime and how to critically evaluate theoretical perspectives.

Our program is designed to help students achieve their professional goals, such as teaching at higher education institutions and advancing their career, said Dr. Halil Akbas, Associate Professor and Graduate Director. The faculty members will help students develop strong research and statistical skills, as well as theoretical knowledge. With the in-depth knowledge they gain, they will be equipped to address complex issues of crime and justice and conduct research in the area of criminology that contributes to positive change in the field.

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The Ph.D. in Global Leadership is a 63-hour program, with 45 hours dedicated to core, research, and dissertation classes. After completing the core coursework, students will pursue specialized global healthcare leadership classes.

The Global Healthcare Leadership and Criminology Ph. D.s are offered through TROY Online, and the Analytics MBA is offered in the flex formatonline and on the Troy Campus.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com.
Donald Trump has followed up his election win earlier this month by tapping a series of devout loyalists, conspiracy theorists, and zealots to occupy the highest ranks of the federal government. Some of them  like Matt Gaetz, Pete Hegseth, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  are so thinly qualified for the roles Trump wants them to take on that they might have trouble making it through the Senate confirmation process, even though Republicans control the chamber.

It may not matter. Trump has been pushing the Senate to let him make recess appointments  or to agree to adjourn so that Trump can install the people he wants without a vote  arguing that his picks need to get into their offices as soon as possible. Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has indicated hes open to the idea, which would be a remarkable show of deference to Trump, as well as an abdication of the Senates constitutional duty to offer advice and consent on some of the most consequential presidential nominees.

Regardless, as Rolling Stone has reported, Trumps string of extreme nominations are about one thing: showing Congress whos boss, and forcing Republicans to bend to his will. Heres everything you need to know about how hes trying to exert it:

Which of the president-elects administration picks need Senate confirmation?

The incoming president usually has to fill around 4,000 open executive branch roles when beginning their administration, about 1,200 of these require Senate confirmation. Most of these nominations will take place outside of the public eye, but some constitute the most high-profile and powerful positions within Trumps new government. These include the 15 members of the presidents Cabinet  who will head executive agencies like the Department of Defense, Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services, The Department of State, and the Department of Justice.

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High-level positions within the 15 executive agencies also require Senate confirmations, as well as high ranking military officers, ambassadors, and a slew of foreign service officers.

How does the Senate confirmation process work?

The Appointments Clause of the Constitution holds that the president has the authority to nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the Supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States.

The role of Advice and Consent is where the Senate comes in. The idea, as written by the founders, is that while the president has the power to nominate executive officers, he is still accountable to voters through their elected representatives. In short, the advice and consent role of the Senate is intended as a check on presidential power.

When an individual is nominated, their candidacy will be referred to the Senate committee affiliated with the nominees prospective executive agency. For example, a potential ambassadors nomination will first be referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and the nominee for Secretary of Defense will be referred to the Senate Committee on Armed Services. These standing committees will typically investigate the nominee and hold hearings where they can directly question the nominee on their record and plans if confirmed to the office. They then refer the nomination to the full Senate for a confirmation vote.

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In some cases, particularly those involving lower-ranking appointments or military promotions, committees will refer large dockets of nominations for confirmation in order to expedite the process.

While Republicans hold a narrow majority in the Senate, its already becoming clear that some of Trumps prospective Cabinet members may face uphill confirmation battles. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.)  Trumps pick for attorney general  resigned from Congress days before the House Ethics Committee was scheduled to vote on whether to release a report on their investigation into allegations that Gaetz had a sexual relationship with a minor. Several members of the Senate, including Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee, want access to the ethics investigations findings before signing off on Gaetzs confirmation.

Other potential nominees of that could be difficult to confirm include Trumps desire to install Fox News host Pete Hegseth  who was once investigated for sexual assault  as secretary of defense, as well as vaccine conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Department of Health and Human Services.

Whats the deal with recess appointments?

When the Constitution was first written, members of Congress did not have access to cars, planes, or trains that could take them from their respective states to Washington, D.C., within a matter of hours. Because senators were often away from the Capitol for months at a time, if an executive appointment was vacated, the position could stay empty as long as Congress was out of session.

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In order to remedy this, the framers added a provision granting the president a limited exception to the advice and consent role of the Senate in confirming appointments. Article II, Section 2, Clause 3 of the Constitution provides the president the authority to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.

In plain text, the president can appoint someone to an executive office without a Senate vote if the Senate is in recess. The appointee would need to be confirmed through a vote before the end of the next congressional session. This means that a recess appointment could remain in power without a Senate vote for about two years before the president would have to either reappoint them under another recess, or reappoint them and have them submit to a standard confirmation.

Is Trump going to try to appoint his nominees through recess appointments? How does the Senate feel about this?

It sure looks like it. Earlier this year, longtime Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced he would be stepping down from his role as head of the GOP Caucus. As Senate Republicans prepared to vote on his replacement, Trump made his views clear.

Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner, he wrote on Nov. 10. We need positions filled IMMEDIATELY!

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All three candidates vying to replace McConnell  Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.)  indicated that they would be open to the use of recess appointments in order to ram through Trumps nominees. On Thursday, Thune  who won the leadership vote  told Fox News that all the options are on the table.

All these people have a process that they have to go through. All these nominees are  its a  you know, advice and consent. Thats the Senates constitutional role when it comes to confirmation of nominations to the executive branch of the government. And we take that role seriously, he said. But we also are not going to allow the Democrats to obstruct or block President Trump and the will of the American people.

Thune and Republicans in the Senate would only need a simple majority vote to pass a resolution to adjourn and let Trump start appointing people.

Can Trump still force his picks through if the Senate doesnt agree to let him make recess appointments?

Conservative lawyer Ed Whelan has said hes hearing that Trump could use a provision of the Constitution that allows the president to unilaterally adjourn Congress, and then appoint who he wants. Article II, Section 3 holds that in Case of Disagreement between [the Senate and the House]  he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper. No president has ever done this.

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Whelan wrote in an op-ed for The Washington Post that House Speaker Mike Johnson would need to be complicit in the scheme, as it would require the House to adopt a resolution calling for the adjournment of Congress, and then if the Senate didnt also adopt the resolution it would constitute the disagreement that would allow Trump to essentially put Congress in a timeout  and ram through his nominees.

It wouldnt be easy, though. Johnson may introduce a resolution to adjourn Congress in the House, but getting a caucus full of Republicans who despite Gaetz to vote for it might be tough. The move would also be hit with legal challenges, as the constitutionality of using the provision in this particular way is dubious. The Supreme Court is, of course, controlled by conservatives, three of whom Trump appointed in his first term.

If Trump even tried this, it would mark an unprecedented affront to the system checks and balances that has defined the United States since its inception, and a terrifying sign of whats to come from a totalitarian president who has demonstrated he has zero regard for democracy.

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Trump border czar Tom Homan has pledged to institute a regime of shock and awe on the first day of the new administration.

The former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) took part in Donald Trump Jrs program on the video streaming platform Rumble this week.

The pair discussed Homans plans to put together mass deportations of millions of illegal immigrants.

Whats your overarching message to Americans who are eager for major border action on minute one? Like, on inauguration day, one second in, how much will you be able to improve the lives of everyday Americans? Trump Jr asked Homan, according to Mediaite.

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I got three words for them  shock and awe, Homan replied, arguing that his plan to restrict border access would decrease what he called alien crime as well as migrant deaths.

Youre going to see us take this country back and ... it isnt just about the deportation operation, Homan said. This is about saving the children and about securing the border. What [are] the results? [Fewer] overdose deaths, less sex trafficking, for Gods sake, one of the worst crimes around, [fewer] migrants dying, he added.

He went on to say that gangs such as MS13 would be taken out.

I asked @TomHoman_ what Day One Border Security looks like:



Three words.



Shock and awe pic.twitter.com/xX2raCRWsj  Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) November 15, 2024

I cant wait to get started. Im excited about coming back serving this country again, Homan said. Took a huge pay cut, but my wife said if you dont go back, were going to get divorced because Im sick and tired of you waking up everyday pissed off about you not being able to do anything.

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The phrase shock and awe usually refers to an overwhelming military onslaught that quickly crushes opposition. It was widely used about the initial stages of the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq.

Homans comments come after he claimed that legal immigrants are perfectly safe during an appearance on Fox Business earlier this week.

Trump has pledged to deport tens of millions of undocumented migrants, a group which includes people who have lived in the US for decades. Some have also voiced concerns that the administration could go after immigrants who are citizens or try denaturalization of longstanding citizens.

Homan appeared on Fox Business, where host Elizabeth MacDonald showed clips of MSNBCs Nicole Wallace noting that Homan has connections to Project 2025, the conservative agenda for the next Republican administration that Trump has been attempting to distance himself from, and former Democratic HUD Secretary Julian Castro saying that Homan has a cowboy attitude.

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Castro also said that Trumps immigration agenda will need a lot of pushback and Ana Navarro, the co-host of The View, said, When he says Yes, families can be deported together, what he is saying, is that US citizens can be deported.

Are you saying that, Tom? MacDonald asked Homan.

The incoming border czar said that US citizens and legal immigrants are perfectly safe, for Gods sake.

Homan responded to a question from CBS late last month in which he was asked about going ahead with mass deportations without separating families.

Families can be deported together, Homan said at the time.

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He also claimed in his Fox Business appearance that the Biden administration has deported families together.

If these people demand due process, they demand the right to claim asylum, they demand the right to see a judge, and we give [that] to them at ... taxpayer cost, at the end of that due process, if [a] federal judge [says] You must go home, they have to go home, Homan said. If they dont, then what the hell are we doing?
Donald Trump is weighing a push from right-wing allies to nominate Kash Patel to lead the FBI, one of the clearest indications the president-elect plans to stick by his vow to fire Director Christopher Wray before his 10-year term ends and replace him with a loyalist.

The interest in Patel  after selecting Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general and Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence  speaks to Trumps urge to fill top law enforcement and intelligence positions with supporters who may be open to carrying out his demands for specific investigations as well as inoculating the president against possible future investigations.

Trump has harbored a bitterness over his experience navigating a special counsel during his first term, followed by the four criminal indictments he faced after leaving office.

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The wrangling for premier positions in the next administration has continued at Mar-a-Lago and other names in the mix for the FBIs top slot include former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers, former acting commissioner of US Customs and Border Protection Mark Morgan and Jeff Jensen, a former St. Louis US attorney who led a review of Gen. Mike Flynns guilty plea which led to the dismissal of his case.

Even among Trump loyalists, Patel is widely viewed as a controversial figure and relentless self-promoter whose value largely derives from a shared disdain for the so-called deep state. While sources said hes been lobbying for the FBI position  including speaking to Trump directly about a position in the administration  he also pushed for the role of CIA director, which ultimately went to John Ratcliffe.

Whomever Trump selects, its clear the president-elect is exploring the option of cutting Wrays 10-year term short. Trump nominated Wray in 2017 after firing James Comey, but he began to sour on him before he left office in 2021. Trumps view of the FBI only worsened after his Mar-a-Lago resort was searched in August 2022, and Trump was later indicted for allegedly retaining classified documents.

The 10-year term is designed to keep the FBI director position insulated from political whims.

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President-Elect Trump is making decisions on who will serve in his second Administration, said Karoline Leavitt, Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman. Those decisions will be announced when they are made.

A spokesperson for Patel declined to comment. Jensen, Rogers and Morgan all declined to comment.

Multiple sources familiar with the Trump transition process have expressed deep concerns about the possibility of Patel being named FBI director, where he would be well-positioned to try to investigate Trumps political enemies, declassify sensitive information and purge career civil servants.

Kash is frightening at the bureau, one source familiar with internal deliberations about the role of FBI director.

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Patel has accused law enforcement and intelligence agencies, without evidence, of running an unlawful vengeance campaign against Trump.

The one thing we learned in the Trump administration the first go around is we got to put in all American patriots top to bottom, Patel said last year on Steve Bannons right-wing podcast. We got them for law enforcement, we got them for intel collection, we got them for offensive operations, we got them for DOD, CIA, everywhere.

Patel rose to prominence within Trumps orbit in 2018 when he served as an aide to Rep. Devin Nunes, who was the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee Nunes at the time. In 2019, Patel went to work for Trump on the National Security Council before becoming chief of staff to the acting defense secretary in Trumps final months.

When Trump considered firing then-CIA director Gina Haspel after the 2020 election  as he pushed to release more information about the Russia investigation  Patel was floated as a potential replacement. Trump also briefly considered installing Patel as deputy FBI director in the closing weeks of his first administration. The deputy FBI director job is a career position, and not a political appointee, and Attorney General William Barr helped talk Trump out of putting Patel at the bureau.

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Amid speculation about his future, Wray has sought to project an air of business as usual. He and staff have continued to plan events on his calendar into early 2025 beyond the inauguration, according to an official briefed on the matter.

That suggests Wray isnt making plans to leave unless Trump orders otherwise.

Whenever he is asked about the political maelstrom that has surrounded the FBI and its investigation, Wray has stressed that his focus is on the FBIs work to enforce the law regardless of partisan politics.

This story has been updated with additional details.

CNNs Kristen Holmes and Manu Raju contributed to this report.

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No position in President-elect Donald Trumps Cabinet is as important as the attorney general. During his first term, Trump chafed against the post-Watergate tradition of independence for the Justice Department; he has promised to demolish it his second time around. The president-elect openly desired to use federal law enforcement to shield his friends from legal consequences and to target his political foes with vengeful punishments.

On Wednesday night, Trump announced hed chosen someone for the position who rather fittingly embodied both of these principles: former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz, who resigned from the House shortly after the decision became public. Even with a supine Republican majority in the Senate, it is hard to imagine that Gaetz will have an easy road to confirmation. His nomination instead suggests that Trump may actually attempt a constitutionally dubious maneuver to install Gaetz as the nations top lawyer and law enforcement official.

The news stunned even the most inured public figures in Washington this week. Republican senators and representatives alike expressed shock, horror, and dismay at the selection. Gaetz is intensely unpopular on Capitol Hill for multiple reasons. But the ones that stand out are his leading role in the ouster of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy last year and the chaos that followed, his belligerent and childish interactions with other members, and the various scandals that have surrounded him in recent years.

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Mostly notably, the Justice Department and the House Ethics Committee have each investigated Gaetz for allegations of child sex trafficking, the statutory rape of a 17-year-old girl, and illegal drug use. (The former lawmaker has denied any wrongdoing.) Federal prosecutors declined to bring charges against him in 2023, reportedly because of concerns about witness credibility. The Ethics Committee was set to vote on the release of a report about the allegations on Friday, but its release is now questionable after Gaetzs sudden (and convenient) resignation from the House on Wednesday night.

Then there is the question of his qualifications. Gaetz graduated from law school at the College of William and Mary in 2007 and was admitted to the Florida state bar in 2008. But there is no evidence that he ever practiced law in any meaningful way. After working at a North Florida law firm for just over a year, he ran for a seat in the Florida House of Representatives in 2009 and served there until he was elected to Congress in 2016. This is not the resume of your typical attorney general, to say the least.

Of the 13 lawyers to serve as attorney general in Gaetzs lifetime, all but one previously served as a state or federal prosecutor, as a state or federal judge, or as a high-ranking member of the Justice Department itself. The sole exception, Reagan appointee William French Stewart, spent more than 20 years in private practice at one of the nations top law firms. Gaetz, on the other hand, has no significant experience as a lawyer in any form. He would undoubtedly be the least qualified attorney general in the history of the republic.

So why did Trump pick him? The obvious reason is loyalty. Gaetz spent his congressional career as a die-hard MAGA loyalist and as one of Trumps closest allies. As attorney general, he would almost certainly transform the Justice Department into a vehicle for the presidents own whims and grievances, throwing aside its ethical obligations and lashing out at whichever political adversary frustrates Trump at any moment. Confirming Gaetz would be a dark day for the rule of law.

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The only thing standing in Trumps and Gaetzs way is the Senate. The Constitution allows the president to install top officials in the executive branch only with the advice and consent of the upper body. In practical terms, this means any presidential nominee must receive an up-or-down vote from senators before taking up their post. There is only one way around the Senates approval: When the Senate is in recess, the Constitution says that presidents shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may happen during that recess by granting commissions which shall expire at the end of their next session.

The recess-appointments clause is best understood as a product of the times in which the Constitutions Framers lived. In the early republic, Congress did not sit continuously all year as it effectively does today. Senators and representatives journeyed to the capital for monthslong sessions, then returned home for monthslong breaks. Recess appointments allowed presidents to temporarily fill vacancies when the Senate could not speedily or readily gather, thus ensuring that the federal government could continue to function even when lawmakers were out of town.

Presidents continued to make some recess appointments until the 2010s. Starting in 2007, Senate Democrats stopped regularly adjourning the chamber even when they left town and instead held pro forma sessions every three days to ensure that George W. Bush couldnt make further recess appointments. No business was conducted during these sessions; a senator simply gaveled the chamber open and then immediately adjourned it. Senators from both parties largely continued that practice even when the White House and Senate were held by the same party.

In January 2012, Barack Obama tried to bypass this hurdle by announcing recess appointments to the National Labor Relations Board and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau while the Senate was in a three-day pro forma session. The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that those appointments were invalid two years later in NLRB v. Noel Canning. Justice Stephen Breyer, writing for five of the justices, left open the possibility that presidents could make appointments if a recess was 10 days or longer. Justice Antonin Scalia and the courts other three conservatives at the time argued for a much stricter limit.

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Scalia scathingly criticized his colleagues in the majority for leaving the door open to future mischief by presidents and described the recess appointment power as an anachronism in general. The need it was designed to fill no longer exists, and its only remaining use is the ignoble one of enabling the President to circumvent the Senates role in the appointment process, he wrote in an opinion that concurred only with the outcome, not the reasoning used by his five colleagues to get there.

Installing Gaetz through a traditional recess appointment would not make much sense on a practical level. Adjourning the Senate to create the opportunity for a recess appointment would still require a majority vote. If 50 senators (plus Vice President JD Vance, the tie-breaking vote) are already willing to vote for a recess, then Gaetz would already have the votes necessary to be confirmed the normal way. Recess appointees only serve on a temporary basis and are generally barred by federal law from earning a salary from their position until the Senate confirms them.

But Trump reportedly has an even more dubious option in mind. The Constitution states that if the House and Senate cannot agree on a time to adjourn, the president may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper. This is the only mechanism by which a president can force Congress out of session. This stands in sharp contrast to the British kings who previously ruled the Thirteen Colonies, who could dismiss Parliament at will. The Framers did not discuss this power any further in the Federalist Papers or other contemporary sources, except to draw that distinction.

What would this look like in practical terms? Nobody knows, because not once in the nearly 250-year history of the American republic has a president forcibly adjourned Congress under this power. When two Heritage Foundation lawyers wrote about this option in 2020 in response to the Senates inaction on some of Trumps nominees at the time, even they admitted that they had no idea what it would look like in practice or when a president could do it. Instead, they assumed that Trump would just do it and it would all be sorted out by the Supreme Court.

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Its worth noting that their scenario imagined that then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi would be the one who refused to adjourn and Senate Republicans would be instigating the conflict. (At the time, Democrats held the House and Republicans held the Senate.) Proroguing Congress this time would likely only happen if Speaker Mike Johnson filed a motion of adjournment and the Senate didnt act on it. In other words, the president and the House would be conspiring to deprive the Senate of its constitutional duty to confirm presidential nomineesa despotic and unprecedented move that would nullify the Constitutions checks and balances.

Whether the Supreme Court would validate such a move is an open question. During Trumps presidency, the justices ruled against him in multiple high-profile cases, including on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, a citizenship question on the census, and whether New York prosecutors could obtain his financial records. But this is also the same Supreme Court that gutted the Fourteenth Amendments disqualification clause so that Trump could run again and handed down a heretical ruling on presidential immunity to save him from prosecution earlier this year. After those decisions, one could hardly blame Trump for thinking the Supreme Courts conservative justices would sign off on another step toward dictatorship.
The FBI has vetted cabinet picks since President Dwight D Eisenhower was in the White House.

But if he so chooses, Donald Trump, himself a convicted felon, can bypass background checks for those he has nominated for key roles in his administration.

Incoming cabinet members have traditionally faced intensive screening from the FBI with a binary purpose: to help with the Senate confirmation process and to vet nominees for security clearance.

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Criminal histories, conflicts of interest, financial problems or other potentially disqualifying factors are typically investigated through this process.

But, despite established procedure, the president does have the power to bypass such checks and grant immediate security clearance to officials.

In his first term, Trump allegedly order security clearances to be granted for at least 25 people whose applications were initially denied by the FBI due to concerns they could pose a danger to national security, a White House whistleblower told a congressional hearing in 2019.

While Trump wont officially be able to start circumventing the vetting process this time round until he is sworn in as president on January 20, 2025, sources told CNN that Trumps transition team has already begun to sidestep initial FBI checks for several of his cabinet picks.

Trump attends the America First Policy Institute gala at Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on November 14 (REUTERS)

Instead, the transition team is said to be using private companies to look into potential candidates.

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According to the sources, Trump dislikes the FBI system, claiming it is riddled with issues that could slow down plans to implement his agenda.

The president-elect is long known to have a distrust of the FBI and Justice Department, regarding them as the so-called Deep State. In May last year, he told Real Americas Voice that the agencies are loaded up with thousands and thousands of RINOs and Democrats.

Plans to avoid the typical procedures and checks come as Trump has made a string of controversial choices for some of the top jobs in his administration.

Former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz, who Trump nominated for attorney general on Thursday, has been the subject of investigations by the Justice Department and House Ethics Committee related to sex trafficking.

Gaetz (speaking during the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 17) has been nominated by Trump to be his attorney general (AFP via Getty Images)

Gaetz was ultimately never charged with a crime but the House Ethics Committee was set to release a damaging report detailing its findings two days after Trump nominated him for the cabinet job.

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Tulsi Gabbard, who was nominated as director of national intelligence, meanwhile has been known to take favorable positions of Syrian and Russian dictators.

The former Democratic congresswoman posted on X in February 2022 about Russias legitimate security concerns regarding Ukraines becoming a member of NATO.

Gabbard also traveled to Syria in January 2017 where she met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

She told MSNBC in February 2019 that Assad, who the ECCHR says is responsible for systematic and widespread torture in the nation, is not the enemy of the United States.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  President-elect Donald Trump still has several weeks before hes sworn in, but the Trump transition efforts are already taking over Capitol Hill.

President-elect Trump is rolling out new nominees every day and already leaning on Republican lawmakers to prepare to implement his agenda.

Nobody knew we were going to win it the way we won it, that was a big one, said Trump.

After winning control of the White House, the House, and the Senate, Republicans say they have a mandate to govern.

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And now the real work begins, delivering on our agenda, said Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.).

Republicans say the top priorities are cracking down on immigration and improving the economy with tax cuts and regulatory reforms.

Were going to turn our country around. Were going to make it so great, so strong, so powerful, said Trump.

To help enact his agenda the president-elect is announcing a flurry of picks for his administration. Among the most recent is his nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr for health and human services secretary.

I guess if you like health and if you like people that live a long time its the most important position, said Trump.

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The choice is already getting pushback, especially from Democrats who say Kennedys anti vaccine views are dangerous.

The top health officer has to be grounded in science, so its a troublesome nomination for me, said Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.).

Kennedy is not the only controversial choice for the new administration. Many lawmakers are also voicing concern about the nominations of former congressman Matt Gaetz as attorney general, Fox News host Pete Hegseth for defense secretary and former congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard for national intelligence director.

Are you serious? These are people that should never be in these jobs, said Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.).

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The nominees only need a majority of votes in the Senate to get confirmed and Republicans will hold 53 seats starting in January.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
EL PASO, Texas (Border Report)  Tougher scrutiny on asylum claims, increased cooperation with local jails and an expanded role for the U.S. Border Patrol and other agencies.

Thats what a border security expert sees coming as President-Elect Donald Trump tries to make good on his campaign promise to close the border to illegal immigration and carry out mass deportations.

Trump has already shown signs he means business by tapping Tom Homan, the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE  the agency in charge of removing unauthorized migrants  as his border czar.

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When people hear mass deportations, Middle America thinks Border Patrol. Thats not the case, its the Enforcement Removal Operations of ICE, said Victor M. Manjarrez Jr., a former U.S. Border Patrol chief in El Paso and Tucson, Ariz. Thats why Tom Homan was selected as border czar. His background is in enforcement and removal operations.

Trump tapping Noem to lead Homeland Security: Reports

At least 11 million million undocumented immigrants live in the United States. And before Joe Biden issued an executive order last June curtailing asylum claims between ports of entry, another 2 million people a year were illegally crossing the border from Mexico.

While there are ways Trump can ramp up deportations quickly, the money, personnel and facilities to force a mass exodus are lacking, Manjarrez said.

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The idea of mass deportations  we use that term a lot  people are going to be disappointed (with it). Its going to be very targeted, very focused, he said. If anyone is expecting buses rolling down Interstate 10, I dont think thats gong to be the case.

More expedited removals at the border

Trump can quickly ramp up deportations simply by increasing the number of migrants placed on expedited removal  law-speak for fast-track deportations  right after they cross the border.

Migrants worry Trump will do away with asylum appointments at ports of entry

Instead of saying, Were going to send you to an ICE facility for deportation, which is an extended process and involves a judge, the individual can waive that and in essence you can do that at the station, Manjarrez said. They usually say they just want to go home and its very quick. What is does for the government is it reduces the logistical detail: All those beds, all that transportation.

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The Biden administration for the most part used expedited removals on Mexican citizens, but that could be applied to other nationalities, especially if Trump secures the cooperation of Mexico to temporarily take in foreigners.

Baja officials brace for elevated deportations under Trump

What weve seen in the past with Trump, is that Mexico says, Were not going to do this, were not going to do that. And, ultimately, they did it very quietly, Manjarrez said, citing Trumps threats of imposing tariffs.

Border Patrol, U.S. Marshals to see increased role

When it comes to interior enforcement, Trump will have to ask Congress for more ICE enforcers, detention beds and removal flights to achieve the so-called mass deportations.

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Does ERO have the staffing and personnel to do that? No, they do not have that at this point, Manjarrez said. But other agencies might.

ICE already is working with the U.S. Marshals Service to transport migrants inside the country and Trump will likely expand on that. But what about more agents? It takes about a year to recruit and train a new ICE agent.

Thats where Manjarrez sees the Border Patrol coming in.

Armed Immigration and Customs Enforcement Special Response Team agents execute a raid on a targets apartment in Alexandria, Virginia, on Tuesday, October 4, 2022. Agents, armed with rifles, pistols, and pepper ball guns gained entry into the suspects apartment with a battering ram during a early pre-dawn raid. (Photo by Tom Brenner for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

I believe Border Patrol will have an easier time assigning personnel to do that because the (migrant) flows are already starting to go down. You cant do that when the flow is huge, but when the flow starts to get slow, youre not interacting with migrants that are coming in, then you have personnel that you can say, Youre now assigned to interior enforcement. Thats where the personnel is going to come from, Manjarrez said.

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5 things to know about Tom Homan, Trumps new border czar

The expanded role of the Border Patrol likely will involve guarding migrants being moved to and from detention centers. Also, they could serve as a force multiplier for ERO officers. You dont want one person to go into a house, so you can possibly team up with a Border Patrol agent, or a police officer or sheriff (deputies) in areas where they will cooperate, he said.

County jails an easy target

Local jails could become another cog in Trumps deportation machine and could help him sell the idea to the American public that he is deporting criminals.

Since at least the Bush administration, most jails have been honoring ICE detainers on prisoners believed to be in the country illegally. The detainer designation compels local authorities to notify ICE before releasing that prisoner.

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The detainers apply to violent criminals as well as migrants who simply got caught driving drunk, shoplifting or whose wife called the police on them during an argument.

They will start with the jails and prisons. [] People who have a criminal record in the United States, those are easiest to detain, Manjarrez said.

The two-time former Border Patrol chief said that despite community concerns he doesnt believe the Trump administration will engage in door-to-door searches in neighborhoods.

The next category is people who dont show up for hearings. They are ordered deported in absentia. Theres already a deportation order and youre just going to find them. Most have good addresses and now you start knocking on doors with good addresses, Manjarrez said. Its going to be a tiered approach. Its not gong to be knocking on doors random. Its going to be very focused and targeted.

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I dont think it will be a net cast out and theyll say, Were going to get everyone.

Backlash from Hispanic groups

Several civil rights organizations on Wednesday expressed concerns that Trumps promise of mass deportations not only will separate families of mixed immigration status and sow fear in Latino communities, but also affect local economies.

Demonstrators speak out against planned mass deportations

Unchecked power is harmful; unchecked hate is disastrous, said Areli Hernandez, of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA). In the last (Trump) administration we saw sweeps, we witnessed families coming to (us) because their mom, their dad, their abuelitas (grandmothers) had been picked up. That happened. We saw it.

Immigrants who have been in the U.S. for years, rally asking for work permits for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and Temporary Protected Status (TPS), programs at Franklin Park in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Mireya Reith, founding executive director of Arkansas United and a leader in the Fair Immigration Reform Movement Action, said voters that believed in Trumps promise of a stronger economy will be surprised by the negative effects of a worker shortage.

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Its not just immigrants affected; it affects communities. If you start deporting workers from chicken farms you affect the fabric of the community. If you think mass deportations are results that will make your constituents happy, you are wrong, said Reith, the daughter of a Mexican immigrant.

Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border

The activists say they are planning a nationwide Know your rights campaign for people to learn of available resources to fight a deportation in court. They are also lobbying with President Joe Biden so he will sign executive orders, expand the Temporary Protected Status program or initiate rule changes before he leaves office to protect those in danger of being deported.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Fox Business host Larry Kudlow took himself out of the running Friday to lead either Treasury or the National Economic Council, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Donald Trump, meanwhile, reportedly had a meeting scheduled Friday with investment guru Scott Bessent, who is on the president-elects short list to serve as Treasury secretary.

Kudlow previously served as the director of the National Economic Council under Trump, and has kept in touch with the incoming president since the end of his first administration.

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Kudlow has used his time on Fox to prop up Trumps economic policies. But he told Trumps team Friday he has decided not to return to government.

Kudlows stock had risen in Trumps eyes because of the cold war between billionaire CEO Howard Lutnick and Bessent, one Trump adviser said. Both Trump allies are jockeying aggressively for Treasury secretary, which has irritated Trump and lengthened deliberations while he considers other people, some advisers said.

Besides Bessent, founder of investment firm Key Square Capital Management, Trump is also considering Robert Lighthizer, the U.S. trade rep during his first term, and asset management CEO Marc Rowan for high-level economic positions, including the coveted treasury secretary position.

Trump advisers compared the deliberations to a game of musical chairs. Closed-door discussions with candidates are expected to continue into Friday. Whoever is not selected as treasury secretary is still expected to land a top economic job within the administration, such as director of the NEC.

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Kudlow would have made the second Fox host Trump has nominated to his cabinet: On Tuesday, he nominated veteran Fox & Friends Weekend co-host Peter Hegseth to lead the Department of Defense.

Unlike Kudlow, Hegseth lacked experience for such a position. He is among Trumps other unorthodox picks, including Matt Gaetz, who resigned from the House ahead of a meeting of the House Ethics Committee to decide whether to release a damning report against the Florida congressman involving allegations of illicit drug use and sex with a 17-year-old girl.

Speaker Mike Johnson, however, after meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, said Friday that the report should not be published. And the ethics panels meeting was scrapped.

Another of Trumps controversial picks is Tulsi Gabbard, whom critics call a Russian asset. The former and future president nominated the former Democratic lawmaker to be his director of national intelligence.

A spokesperson for Fox News told the Daily Beast: Larry Kudlow recently signed a new deal to continue hosting his eponymous program on FOX Business and has no plans to leave his current role helming one of the highest rated shows on the network.
Just over a week ago, Donald Trump became the first Republican presidential candidate to win both the Electoral College and the national popular vote since George W Bush in 2004.

And he appears to be repeating one of Bushs most infamous mistakes.

Bush, who four years earlier had squeaked with the help of the Supreme to win the Electoral College, took his victory over then-Massachusetts Senator John Kerry as a mandate for making sweeping changes to the countrys social safety net.

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At a press conference shortly after his 2004 win, he told reporters that the victory engendered a feeling that the people have spoken and embraced your point of view and said he would communicate that attitude to the incoming Republican-controlled Congress.

I earned capital  political capital  in the campaign, and now I intend to spend it, he said.

What Bush wanted to spend on was an audacious plan to gradually replace Social Security with a system of private retirement accounts that would let Americans replace that guaranteed benefit with a bet on the stock market.

It never got off the ground. Democrats, led by then-minority leaders Nancy Pelosi in the House and Harry Reid in the Senate, were ferocious in their pushback. They made a decision early on not to even consider Bushs plan or engage with GOP efforts to negotiate any sort of compromise legislation, much less offer a Democratic alternative.

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More importantly, a critical mass in the Republican Party realized that their leaders plan was, to put it bluntly, wildly unpopular. Combined with the unified Democratic opposition, the pushback was so great that neither the House nor the Senate ever considered legislation to create Bushs private retirement accounts.

Twenty years later, Trump appears to be misreading the publics appetite for remaking the entire government in his image.

Donald Trump has made several controversial picks for key roles in his administration. It could be blowing his political capital before he even takes office (AP)

On Wednesday, he stunned much of the world by choosing former Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, an ex-Democrat with no foreign policy or intelligence experience and a history of spouting Russian propaganda talking points, as his nominee to replace the widely respected Avril Haines as Director of National Intelligence.

He left the American legal establishment similarly flabbergasted by choosing Floridian firebrand Matt Gaetz, whod to that point been a Republican congressman with a longstanding cloud of scandal around him, as his incoming Attorney General.

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Gaetz, a 42-year-old graduate of the well-regarded law school at Virginias College of William and Mary, has no experience as a prosecutor or a long record of legal scholarship. But he does have a record in the public arena as a fierce defender of Trump in the face of the multiple congressional and criminal investigations that have dogged the president-elect over the years.

He has also pledged to bring law enforcement to heel and keep criminal investigations away from the president-elect and his allies, and by implication target them at Trumps enemies.

Trump inflamed critics even more on Thursday when he announced that the Department of Health and Human Services  a sprawling organization that regulates food, drugs and funds billions in medical research in addition to operating the Medicare and Medicaid health insurance systems for seniors and poor Americans  would be run by Robert F Kennedy Jr.

Kennedy, the son of assassinated New York senator and former attorney general Robert F Kennedy Sr, was once a well-regarded environmental law specialist until he began peddling discredited theories about a non-existent link between vaccines and autism. He has signaled an intention to fire hundreds of scientific experts currently employed by HHS and upend the approval process required for new medications and medical treatments in favor of refocusing the governments regulatory efforts on food safety and unverified links between environmental toxins and chronic disease.

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The selections of Gabbard, Gaetz and Kennedy have all rankled Democrats whove condemned them as unserious and even dangerous.

RFK Jr. was named as the nominee for the Department of Health and Human Services. He is one of Trumps picks for the cabinet that has garnered outrage and concern in the halls of Congress (REUTERS)

Trumps decision to put forth the controversial picks could imperil whatever goodwill he has among the more centrist-minded members of his own party in the Senate, as they will be tasked with approving them for their chosen cabinet posts.

In particular, Gaetz has drawn the most incoming from members of the Senate Republican Conference, where many members are still sore with him for his role in defenestrating then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy last October. The unprecedented dumping of the Houses top Republican plunged the chamber into chaos for months, with McCarthy attributing Gaetzs actions to his wanting to deep-six an ethics investigation into his conduct.

The now-former House member (he resigned on Thursday, possibly to prevent the release of a report on that ethics probe) is widely despised among his former colleagues, and multiple GOP senators have suggested that Gaetz will have a tough road ahead of him before he even receives a vote on the Senate floor.

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But it could be Kennedy, the anti-vaccine activist and conspiracy theorist, who causes the most headaches for Trumps political operation.

As a scion of Americas most famous family of Democrats, Kennedy has long hewed his ancestral partys line on reproductive freedom and LGBT+ rights issues  positions that are at odds with the party he will serve if brought into the new Trump administration.

Matt Bowman, the director of regulatory affairs at the anti-abortion, anti-LGBT+ rights legal group Alliance Defending Freedom, said in a statement that his group hopes that President-elect Trump will appoint leaders who follow the law and promote the lives and health of those it is tasked to protect.

When it comes to HHS, the Biden administration radicalized its bureaucracy to illegally mandate and promote abortion and dangerous gender procedures, so we hope its leaders will restore the rule of law, respect biological reality, and allow states to protect children at any stage of life, he added.

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Though Republicans have been willing to tolerate some heterodoxy on some social issues, Kennedys pro-choice history may prove as much a dealbreaker for him among the Senate GOP as Gaetzs alleged history of sexual misconduct.

While Trump does have a record of successfully bullying Republicans into giving him what he wants, Republican senators may not have the appetite for the negative headlines that will accompany yes votes to confirm these latest Trump picks.
The lawyers who defended Donald Trump in his criminal cases and demanded the Supreme Court shield him from prosecution have been awarded job offers for some of the biggest roles in federal law enforcement.

Todd Blanche, who has steered the defense of the former president in courtrooms in New York, Florida, and Washington DC, is nominated for the second highest role in the Department of Justice.

If confirmed, he could serve as deputy attorney general to far-right Trump ally Matt Gaetz, who Trump has nominated for attorney general, the nations top law enforcement official, in a role that is likely to be used to target the judges and prosecutors overseeing the mountain of litigation against the former president.

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Emil Bove, Trumps criminal defense attorney in his so-called hush money case, is nominated for principal deputy attorney general. He could be acting deputy attorney general while Blanche is awaiting confirmation in the Senate.

D. John Sauer argued in front of federal appeals court judges and the Supreme Court for Trumps immunity from criminal prosecution for his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss, and his failure to stop a mob that stormed the Capitol to do it by force.

He won that argument, which has not only derailed Trumps election interference case but also thrown a wrench into the months-old verdict from his hush money trial. Following Trumps election, special counsel Jack Smith signaled the end of the cases against him, and the judge overseeing his hush money case agreed to more delays following the unprecedented conclusion of his campaign.

Donald Trumps attorneys in his hush money case, Emil Bove, left, and Todd Blanche, right, have been nominated for top Justice Department jobs by the convicted president-elect. (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

In return, Trump nominated Sauer for solicitor general, which represents the federal government in front of the nations highest court.

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The nations next solicitor general  often named the 10th justice for its close role with the Supreme Court  will have argued that a president could be immune from prosecution for ordering the assassinations of his political rivals.

A stunning set of nominations  announced in a flurry of social media posts and campaign messages on Thursday  have cemented Trumps promise of retribution in office, raising concerns about overlapping conflicts of interest and divided loyalties.

Trump has long conflated his criminal defense as a defense of the country and rule of law itself, baselessly asserting that grand jury indictments against him are a politically motivated conspiracy theory to keep him  and his supporters  away from the White House.

For weeks, Trump sat shoulder to shoulder with his criminal defense attorneys for several hours a day inside a Manhattan courtroom, where the former president was on trial for falsifying business records in connection with a scheme to fraudulently influence the public ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

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A jury convicted Trump on all 34 counts against him in New York, where he conspired with influential publishers and attorneys to bury stories of his affairs by paying off women to keep quiet. Trumps then-attorney Michael Cohen paid adult film star Stormy Daniels for her silence about having sex with Trump in 2006, and Trumps reimbursements to Cohen, including checks signed from the White House, were covered up in his companys accounting.

Blanche remains the lead attorney in that case; a series of delays have pushed Trumps sentencing off the calendar following a jurys verdict on May 30, making him the first former president, now president-elect, to be convicted of a crime.

His nomination to the second-highest role at the Justice Department emphasizes the transformation from federal prosecutor, registered Democratic voter and Wall Street law partner to key legal ally in Trumps courtroom-based campaign for the presidency.

D. John Sauer, who successfully argued on behalf of Donald Trump in his immunity appeal to the Supreme Court, has been nominated as solicitor general (AFP via Getty Images)

Blanche will be a crucial leader in the Justice Department, fixing what has been a broken System of Justice for far too long, Trump announced.

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Bove, another former federal prosecutor and a law partner in Blanches firm, is a tough and strong attorney, who will be a crucial part of the Justice Department, rooting out corruption and crime, according to Trump.

But it was Sauer who delivered Trumps biggest legal victory to date, convincing the conservative supermajority on the Supreme Court to agree that Trump, and any president, can be shielded from criminal prosecution for actions tied to their official duties in office.

Trump explicitly mentioned that in his announcement.

Sauers victory was key to defeating the unConstitutional campaign of Lawfare against me and the entire MAGA Movement, Trump said.

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Last year, the judge presiding over Trumps election interference case said he does not have the divine right of kings to avoid the consequences of his actions.

During an appeals hearing, it was Sauer who answered with a qualified yes when presented with an absurd hypothetical question to point out a literally unbelievable legal argument from Trumps attorneys.

Appellate Judge Florence Pan asked Sauer whether he believed that immunity for the presidency means a president is shielded from prosecution even if that action is taken for an unlawful or unconstitutional purpose, such as deploying SEAL Team 6 to assassinate a political rival without being criminally prosecuted.

I asked you a yes or no question, Pan said. Could a president who ordered SEAL Team 6 to assassinate a political rival ... would he be subject to criminal prosecution?

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Qualified yes, he replied, if he is impeached and convicted first.

Appellate judges wholly rejected Trumps immunity defense. The Supreme Court agreed to hear it.

On July 1, with its final decision of the year, the Supreme Court delivered Trump his most significant legal victory yet.

Orders the Navys SEAL Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in her dissent.

Organizes a military exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune, she wrote. Even if these nightmare scenarios never play out, and I pray they never do, the damage has been done. The relationship between the president and the people he serves has shifted irrevocably.
President-elect Trump announced Thursday he will nominate three of his personal criminal defense attorneys to serve in senior Justice Department roles.



Todd Blanche will serve as deputy attorney general, and Emil Bove will serve as principal associate deputy attorney general, the departments No. 3 official, Trump announced in a statement.



Both men serve as Trumps trial attorneys in his New York hush money case, which culminated in the first criminal conviction of a former president this spring, and Trumps two federal criminal prosecutions brought by special counsel Jack Smith.



Trump also announced Thursday he will nominate D. John Sauer, an appellate attorney who argued Trumps presidential immunity case at the Supreme Court earlier this year, as solicitor general.



That position is the fourth highest-ranking Justice Department role and decides which cases the government will appeal, including representing the administration before the nations highest court.



The three attorneys will presumably serve under former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), whom Trump announced as his attorney general nominee one day prior, sending political shock waves through Washington.



Unlike Gaetz, both Blanche and Bove previously worked as prosecutors in the Southern District of New York.



Trump in his announcement highlighted that experience, making no mention of the duos work as his defense attorneys.



Todd is an excellent attorney who will be a crucial leader in the Justice Department, fixing what has been a broken System of Justice for far too long, Trump said of Blanche.



The president-elect similarly wrote of Bove, Emil is a tough and strong attorney, who will be a crucial part of the Justice Department, rooting out corruption and crime.



Both entered private practice before ultimately joining Trumps criminal defense team last year.



Blanche started representing the former president when he was indicted in New York on 34 counts of falsifying business records in April 2023, his first set of criminal charges. To do so, Blanche was forced to leave his partnership at a prominent law firm, and he created his own firm instead.



Bove began working for Blanches new firm later in the year as Smith moved to indict Trump in Washington, D.C., on accusations of conspiring to subvert the 2020 election results and in Florida on charges of mishandling classified documents.



Sauer, Trumps solicitor general nominee, served as Missouris solicitor general for six years. He worked under Sens. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) during their stints as state attorney general.

Sauer also clerked for Antonin Scalia, the late conservative Supreme Court justice.

In announcing Sauer, Trump did highlight the attorneys work on his criminal defense: Most recently, John was the lead counsel representing me in the Supreme Court in Trump v. United States, winning a Historic Victory on Presidential Immunity, which was key to defeating the unConstitutional campaign of Lawfare against me and the entire MAGA Movement, Trump wrote.



Sauer also represents Trump in his appeal of a jurys verdict in a civil suit finding the former president liable for sexually abusing advice columnist E. Jean Carroll in the mid-1990s.

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Updated 6:58 p.m.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  Pete Hegseth, the Army National Guard veteran and Fox News host nominated by Donald Trump to lead the Department of Defense, was flagged as a possible Insider Threat by a fellow service member due to a tattoo on his bicep that's associated with white supremacist groups.

Hegseth, who has downplayed the role of military members and veterans in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack and railed against the Pentagons subsequent efforts to address extremism in the ranks, has said he was pulled by his District of Columbia National Guard unit from guarding Joe Bidens January 2021 inauguration. He's said he was unfairly identified as an extremist due to a cross tattoo on his chest.

This week, however, a fellow Guard member who was the units security manager and on an anti-terrorism team at the time, shared with The Associated Press an email he sent to the units leadership flagging a different tattoo reading Deus Vult thats been used by white supremacists, concerned it was an indication of an Insider Threat.

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If Hegseth assumes office, it would mean that someone who has said it's a sham that extremism is a problem in the military would oversee a sprawling department whose leadership reacted with alarm when people in tactical gear stormed up the U.S. Capitol steps on Jan. 6 in military-style stack formation. He's also shown support for members of the military accused of war crimes and criticized the military's justice system.

Hegseth and the Trump transition team did not respond to emails seeking comment.

As the AP reported in an investigation published last month, more than 480 people with a military background were accused of ideologically driven extremist crimes from 2017 through 2023, including the more than 230 arrested in connection with the Jan. 6 insurrection, according to data collected and analyzed by the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, or START, at the University of Maryland. Though those numbers reflect a small fraction of those who have served honorably in the military  and Lloyd Austin, the current defense secretary, has said that extremism is not widespread in the U.S. military  AP's investigation found that plots involving people with military backgrounds were more likely to involve mass casualties.

People who love our country

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Since Jan. 6, Hegseth, like many Trump supporters, has minimized both the riot's seriousness and the role of people with military training. Amid the widespread condemnation the day after the assault, Hegseth took a different approach. On a panel on Fox News, Hegseth portrayed the crowd as patriots, saying they love freedom and were people who love our country who had been re-awoken to the reality of what the left has done to their country.

Of the 14 people convicted in the Capitol attack of seditious conspiracy, the most serious charge resulting from Jan. 6, eight previously served in the military. While the majority of those with military backgrounds arrested after Jan. 6 were no longer serving, more than 20 were in the military at the time of the attack, according to START.

Hegseth wrote in his book The War on Warriors, published earlier this year, that just a few or a handful of active-duty soldiers and reservists had been at the Capitol that day. He did not address the hundreds of military veterans who were arrested and charged.

Hegseth has argued the Pentagon overreacted by taking steps to address extremism, and has taken leadership to task for the military's efforts to remove people it deemed white supremacists and violent extremists from the ranks. Hegseth has written that the problem is fake and manufactured and characterized it as peddling the lie of racism in the military. He said efforts to root extremism out had pushed rank-and-file patriots out of their formations.

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America is less safe, and our generals simply do not care about the oath that they swore to uphold. The generals are too busy assessing how domestic extremists wearing Carhartt jackets will usurp our democracy with gate barriers or flagpoles, he wrote in The War on Warriors.

In a segment on Fox News last year about Jacob Chansley, a Navy veteran known as the QAnon Shaman who walked through the Capitol while wearing a horned fur hat, Hegseth played a misleading video clip from his then-colleague Tucker Carlson that sought to portray Chansley as a passive sightseer.

In fact, Chansley was among the first rioters to enter the building and pleaded guilty to a felony charge of obstructing an official proceeding in 2021. Chansley acknowledged using a bullhorn to rile up the mob, offering thanks in a prayer while in the Senate chamber for having the chance to get rid of traitors and writing a threatening note to Vice President Mike Pence saying, Its Only A Matter of Time. Justice Is Coming!

In a message on Facebook Hegseth posted with an excerpt of the video, he wrote the way Chansley had been treated by the justice system is disgusting.

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Trump, Chansley, and many more... the Left wants us all locked up, Hegseth wrote.

Support for convicted war criminals

Hegseth served for almost 20 years and deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay. He has two Bronze Stars. In speaking about his service and advocating for other service members and veterans, he has taken actions to support convicted war criminals and recently said he had told his platoon they could ignore directives limiting when they can shoot.

In a podcast interview released earlier this month, Hegseth described getting a briefing from a military lawyer in 2005 in Baghdad on the rules of engagement. Hegseth said the lawyer told them they could not shoot someone carrying a rocket-propelled grenade unless it was pointed at them.

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I remember walking out of that briefing, pulling my platoon together and being like, Guys were not doing that. You know, like if you see an enemy and they, you know, engage before hes able to point his weapon at you and shoot, were going to have your back, Hegseth said.

All they do is take one incident and yell war criminal, he said, referring to The New York Times, the left and Democrats, adding, Why wouldnt we back these guys up even if they werent perfect?

He said he was proud of his role in securing pardons from Trump in 2019 for a former U.S. Army commando set to stand trial in the killing of a suspected Afghan bomb-maker, as well as a former Army lieutenant convicted of murder for ordering his men to fire upon three Afghans, killing two. At Hegseths urging, Trump also ordered a promotion for Eddie Gallagher, a Navy SEAL convicted of posing with a dead Islamic State captive in Iraq.

Biden's inauguration

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Hegseth has complained that he himself was labeled an extremist by the D.C. National Guard and said he was prevented from serving during Bidens inauguration, a few weeks after the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, because of a cross tattoo on his chest. He said he decided to end his military service shortly after that in disgust.

But a fellow Guard member who was working as a security officer ahead of the inauguration gave AP an email he sent that showed him raising concerns about a different tattoo.

Retired Master Sgt. DeRicko Gaither, who was serving as the D.C. Army National Guards physical security manager and on its anti-terrorism force protection team in January 2021, told the AP that he received an email from a former D.C. Guard member that included a screenshot of a social media post that included two photos showing several of Hegseths tattoos.

Gaither told AP he researched the tattoos  including one of a Jerusalem Cross and the context of the words Deus Vult, Latin for God wills it, on his bicep  and determined they had sufficient connection to extremist groups to elevate the email to his commanding officers.

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Several of Hegseths tattoos are associated with an expression of religious faith, according to Heidi Beirich of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, but they have also been adopted by some far right groups and violent extremists. Their meaning depends on context, she said.

Former Navy intelligence officer Travis Akers was the person who initially saw the photos on a group chat, then researched them and decided to post the photos to social media. Those images were then seen by the former member of the D.C. National Guard, who sent them in an anonymous email to Gaither.

It was just quite concerning to see that on a service members body, but even more concerning now that a person who chose to bear those symbols is being nominated to lead the most powerful, nuclear military in the world," Akers told the AP in a phone interview Friday.

Some extremists invoke their association with the Christian crusades to express anti-Muslim sentiment. The Global Project Against Hate and Extremism notes that in 2023 the words were in the notebooks of the Allen, Texas, shooter Mauricio Garcia. Anders Breivik, a right-wing extremist who killed 77 people in 2011, had similar markings in his manifesto.

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In an email Gaither sent on Jan. 14, 2021, which he provided to the AP, he raised concerns about Hegseth, a major at the time, and mentioned only the Deus Vult tattoo. In the email addressed to then-Maj. Gen. William Walker, who was commanding general of the D.C. National Guard, Gauther raised concern that the phrase was associated with white supremacists who invoke the idea of a white Christian medieval past as well as the Christian crusades.

MG Walker, Sir, with the information provided this falls along the line of Insider Threat and this is what we as members of the U.S. Army, District of Columbia National Guard and the Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection Team strive to prevent, Gaither wrote.

I said, you guys need to take a look at this,' Gaither said in a phone interview with the AP on Thursday. I later received an email that he was told to stay away.

Bidens inauguration took place just two weeks after the insurrection, and the Army was taking no chances. More than 25,000 Guard members were pouring into the city and each was going through additional vetting, depending on how close they were going to be to Biden.

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A total of 12 National Guard members were told to stay home, former Pentagon press secretary Jonathan Hoffman told reporters in a briefing a day before the inauguration. At least two were flagged due to potential extremism concerns; the rest were due to other background check issues that were identified as concerning by either the Army, FBI or Secret Service. It was not clear whether Hegseth was among the 12 Hoffman referenced at the time.

Hegseth has also speculated in podcast interviews that he was asked to stand down because of his political views, his role as a journalist covering Jan. 6 or because he works for Fox News.

-

Smith reported from Providence, R.I., and Dearen reported from Los Angeles.

-

Contact APs global investigative team at Investigative@ap.org
Pete Hegseth, Donald Trumps pick for secretary of defense, was involved in a police investigation into an alleged sexual assault in 2017, local officials in California confirmed Thursday night.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the city government of Monterey, California, said its police department had investigated an alleged sexual assault involving Hegseth, a Fox News host and Army National Guard veteran. The alleged assault took place in the early morning hours of October 8, 2017, at the address of the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa, and was reported four days later, according to the statement.

Hegseth was a speaker at a conference held by the California Federation of Republican Women at the hotel during the timeframe when the alleged assault took place, according to photos of the event posted on Facebook.

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The citys statement did not specifically identify Hegseth as an alleged assailant, but said he was involved in the investigation and that the victims name and age were confidential. The statement said that there were no weapons involved, but there were injuries  contusions to right thigh  without providing additional details. The city said that it would not release the full police report or comment further on the investigation, citing state public records law.

When asked for response to Montereys statement, Timothy Parlatore, a lawyer representing Hegseth, told CNN on Friday, This statement confirms that although an allegation was made, it was fully investigated and no charges were filed.

Describing Trumps early selections for his administration as high-caliber and extremely qualified, Trumps communications director defended Hegseth in a statement to CNN.

Mr. Hegseth has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed, said Trump communications director Steven Cheung. We look forward to his confirmation as United States Secretary of Defense so he can get started on Day One to Make America Safe and Great Again.

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Members of Trumps transition team, including incoming Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, discussed the allegation with Hegseth on Thursday, and he claimed the investigation was related to a consensual sexual encounter, Vanity Fair reported Thursday night, citing two unnamed sources.

The citys statement does not indicate what became of the investigation. Hegseth has not been charged in any criminal case or named as a defendant in any civil lawsuit filed in Monterey County since 2017, a spokesperson for the county court told CNN on Thursday.

Trump named Hegseth as his choice for secretary of defense on Tuesday, surprising both Pentagon officials and the former presidents own allies by picking a nominee without senior military or public office experience. Hegseth serves as a co-host of the Fox & Friends Weekend show, previously led several nonprofits and briefly ran to represent Minnesota in the US Senate in 2012.

Hegseth has blasted military leadership for promoting diversity, and railed against women serving in combat. In an interview earlier this year, he said that women shouldnt be in combat at all. Theyre life-givers, not life-takers.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNNs Sara Murray contributed to this report.

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Pete Hegseth, Donald Trumps pick for Secretary of Defense, previously faced accusations of sexual misconduct that were investigated by police, according to a report.

Trumps newly-appointed White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles was briefed on Wednesday evening about an allegation that Hegseth engaged in sexual misconduct in Monterey, California seven years ago, according to Vanity Fair.

Wiles and Trumps lawyers spoke to Hegseth after learning about the alleged incident, Vanity Fair added. The Fox News host reportedly said the incident was consensual.

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This allegation was already investigated by the Monterey Police Department and they found no evidence for it, Hegseths attorney told the outlet.

Hegseth, 44, served tours with the Army National Guard in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He joined Fox News as a contributor in 2014 and co-hosts Fox & Friends.

Trump announced he wanted Hegseth to lead the Department of Defense on Tuesday, one day before the team reportedly became aware of the sexual misconduct allegation.

Pete Hegseth, Donald Trumps pick for Secretary of Defense, was accused of sexual misconduct in Monterey, California in 2017, according to a new report (AFP via Getty Images)

Steven Cheung, Trumps communications director, said Hegseth has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed.

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We look forward to his confirmation as United States Secretary of Defense so he can get started on Day One to Make America Safe and Great Again, Cheung told Vanity Fair.

The Independent has contacted Hegseths attorney and Trumps campaign for comment.

Controversial comments made by Hegseth have come under scrutiny since his nomination was announced, including his recent claim that women should not serve in combat roles in the military.

A lawyer for Hegseth, pictured interviewing Trump in 2017, said the allegation is without evidence (REUTERS)

Im straight up just saying we should not have women in combat roles, Hegseth said in an interview that aired last week. It hasnt made us more effective, hasnt made us more lethal, has made fighting more complicated.

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We have all served with women and theyre great, he added. But its just our institutions dont have to incentivize that in places where traditionally... over human history, men in those positions are more capable.

Resurfaced footage from a Fox News broadcast in 2019 shows Hegseth revealing he hadnt washed his hands in a decade because "germs are not a real thing.

Hegseth then falsely claimed that germs do not exist because they cannot be seen with the naked eye.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum encourages voters to support Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally on Jan. 22, 2024, in Laconia, New Hampshire. Burgum is expected to be named secretary of Interior. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

President-elect Donald Trump said Thursday he plans to name North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum to lead the Department of Interior.

Were going to do things with energy and with land, Interior that is going to be incredible, Trump said during a Thursday event at Mar-a-Lago. A clip of the event was captured on CSPAN.

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I look forward to doing the formal announcement, Trump said. That announcement is expected Friday.

Burgum, who has served two terms as governor of North Dakota, was among the field of Republican candidates for president during the primaries before endorsing Trump.

As governor, Burgum has railed against what he sees as government overreach and bureaucracy under the Biden administration, especially on energy policy.

Im honored and excited to serve and will have more to say after the official announcement, Burgum said Thursday in a statement through his spokesman.

The $18 billion Interior Department is responsible for managing public lands, protecting wildlife, maintaining national parks and monuments and overseeing most tribal programs, among other things.

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A tension point in recent years has been over how much oil and gas development the departments Bureau of Land Management should allow. President Joe Biden pledged not to offer new leases for oil and gas producers. Trump, during his first term, sought energy dominance, and he and allies campaigned this year on a return to that approach.

North Dakota is the nations third largest oil producing state, with some of the production coming from federal lands on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation.

North Dakota has filed multiple lawsuits against federal agencies under Burgums leadership. A handful of the lawsuits challenge the Department of the Interior, including one against the Bureau of Land Management that seeks to force the agency to hold more oil and gas lease sales.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum delivers remarks during the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference at the Bismarck Event Center on May 16, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

Burgum, speaking to North Dakota reporters Tuesday, would not comment on a potential Cabinet appointment. But he did speak to the need for a more coordinated approach to national energy policy.

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If any administration wants to change these problems, there needs to be a more coordinated approach at the federal level to energy than what we have right now, Burgum said after a Tuesday news conference in Bismarck.

Burgum said the Trump administration wants to focus on large-scale changes, not incremental progress.

They are thinking about significant, substantial change, Burgum said. They are thinking about changing the direction of how the federal government works.

He also said some of the authority given to intervening federal agencies could return to the states.

Burgum, a native of small-town Arthur, North Dakota, made his mark by investing in Great Plains Software, which he later sold to Microsoft. He went on to found real estate development firm Kilbourne Group, which is credited with revitalizing downtown Fargo, before seeking elected office for the first time in 2016.

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When Burgum became governor in 2016, he was faced with thousands of demonstrators camping near the Missouri River in North Dakota in support of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to oppose the Dakota Access Pipeline. The pipeline was built to transport crude oil out of North Dakota.

Although Burgum and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe have opposing stances on the pipeline crossing, many credit the governor with improving relationships between the state and the five Native American tribes that share geography with North Dakota.

Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation Chair Mark Fox, left, speaks with North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum in Memorial Hall during a signing event for an alcohol tax revenue sharing agreement between the state of North Dakota and the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation on March 22, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

Mark Fox, chairman of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, told the North Dakota Monitor earlier this year that Burgum would be a valuable ally to the tribes as a Cabinet member.

Theres so much he could help facilitate, said Fox, who also supported Burgums bid for the presidency.

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As governor, Burgum has championed the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library thats under construction near Theodore Roosevelt National Park in western North Dakota. Burgum has pushed federal officials to address deferred maintenance at the national park.

Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said Burgums love of nature and national parks make him well-suited to lead the Interior Department, one of the largest landowners in the world.

He loves the land. He loves riding horseback. He loves hiking, Cramer told the North Dakota Monitor. Its really a great fit for Doug and hell do a great job for all of us, and hell do North Dakota proud.

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North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum encourages voters to support Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally on Jan. 22, 2024, in Laconia, New Hampshire. Burgum is expected to be named secretary of interior. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

President-elect Donald Trump said Thursday he plans to name North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum to lead the Department of Interior.

Were going to do things with energy and with land, Interior that is going to be incredible, Trump said during a Thursday event at Mar-a-Lago. A clip of the event was captured on CSPAN.

Advertisement Advertisement

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I look forward to doing the formal announcement, Trump said. That announcement is expected Friday.

Burgum, who has served two terms as governor of North Dakota, was among the field of Republican candidates for president during the primaries before endorsing Trump.

As governor, Burgum has railed against what he sees as government overreach and bureaucracy under the Biden administration, especially on energy policy.

Im honored and excited to serve and will have more to say after the official announcement, Burgum said Thursday in a statement through his spokesman.

The $18 billion Interior Department is responsible for managing public lands, protecting wildlife, maintaining national parks and monuments and overseeing most tribal programs, among other things.

Advertisement Advertisement

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A tension point in recent years has been over how much oil and gas development the departments Bureau of Land Management should allow. President Joe Biden pledged not to offer new leases for oil and gas producers. Trump, during his first term, sought energy dominance, and he and allies campaigned this year on a return to that approach.

North Dakota is the nations third largest oil producing state, with some of the production coming from federal lands on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation.

North Dakota has filed multiple lawsuits against federal agencies under Burgums leadership. A handful of the lawsuits challenge the Department of the Interior, including one against the Bureau of Land Management that seeks to force the agency to hold more oil and gas lease sales.

Burgum, speaking to North Dakota reporters Tuesday, would not comment on a potential Cabinet appointment. But he did speak to the need for a more coordinated approach to national energy policy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If any administration wants to change these problems, there needs to be a more coordinated approach at the federal level to energy than what we have right now, Burgum said after a Tuesday news conference in Bismarck.

Burgum said the Trump administration wants to focus on large-scale changes, not incremental progress.

They are thinking about significant, substantial change, Burgum said. They are thinking about changing the direction of how the federal government works.

He also said some of the authority given to intervening federal agencies could return to the states.

Burgum, a native of small-town Arthur, North Dakota, made his mark by investing in Great Plains Software, which he later sold to Microsoft. He went on to found real estate development firm Kilbourne Group, which is credited with revitalizing downtown Fargo, before seeking elected office for the first time in 2016.

Advertisement Advertisement

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When Burgum became governor in 2016, he was faced with thousands of demonstrators camping near the Missouri River in North Dakota in support of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to oppose the Dakota Access Pipeline. The pipeline was built to transport crude oil out of North Dakota.

Although Burgum and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe have opposing stances on the pipeline crossing, many credit the governor with improving relationships between the state and the five Native American tribes that share geography with North Dakota.

Mark Fox, chairman of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, told the North Dakota Monitor earlier this year that Burgum would be a valuable ally to the tribes as a Cabinet member.

Theres so much he could help facilitate, said Fox, who also supported Burgums bid for the presidency.

Advertisement Advertisement

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As governor, Burgum has championed the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library thats under construction near Theodore Roosevelt National Park in western North Dakota. Burgum has pushed federal officials to address deferred maintenance at the national park.

Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said Burgums love of nature and national parks make him well-suited to lead the Interior Department, one of the largest landowners in the world.

He loves the land. He loves riding horseback. He loves hiking, Cramer told the North Dakota Monitor. Its really a great fit for Doug and hell do a great job for all of us, and hell do North Dakota proud.

This article first appeared in the North Dakota Monitor, a sister site of the Nebraska Examiner in the States Newsroom network.
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum encourages voters to support Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in the basement ballroom of The Margate Resort on January 22, 2024 in Laconia, New Hampshire. Burgum ran against Trump for the Republican presidential nomination but later dropped out and endorsed him. Trump is rallying supporters the day before New Hampshire voters will weigh in on the Republican nominating race with the first-in-the-nation primary. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

President-elect Donald Trump said Thursday he plans to name North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum to lead the Department of Interior.

Were going to do things with energy and with land, Interior that is going to be incredible, Trump said during a Thursday event at Mar-a-Lago. A clip of the event was captured on CSPAN.

Advertisement Advertisement

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I look forward to doing the formal announcement, Trump said. That announcement is expected Friday.

Burgum, who has served two terms as governor of North Dakota, was among the field of Republican candidates for president during the primaries before endorsing Trump.

As governor, Burgum has railed against what he sees as government overreach and bureaucracy under the Biden administration, especially on energy policy.

Im honored and excited to serve and will have more to say after the official announcement, Burgum said Thursday in a statement through his spokesman.

The $18 billion Interior Department is responsible for managing public lands, protecting wildlife, maintaining national parks and monuments and overseeing most tribal programs, among other things.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A tension point in recent years has been over how much oil and gas development the departments Bureau of Land Management should allow. President Joe Biden pledged not to offer new leases for oil and gas producers. Trump, during his first term, sought energy dominance, and he and allies campaigned this year on a return to that approach.

North Dakota is the nations third largest oil producing state, with some of the production coming from federal lands on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation.

North Dakota has filed multiple lawsuits against federal agencies under Burgums leadership. A handful of the lawsuits challenge the Department of the Interior, including one against the Bureau of Land Management that seeks to force the agency to hold more oil and gas lease sales.

Burgum, speaking to North Dakota reporters Tuesday, would not comment on a potential Cabinet appointment. But he did speak to the need for a more coordinated approach to national energy policy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

If any administration wants to change these problems, there needs to be a more coordinated approach at the federal level to energy than what we have right now, Burgum said after a Tuesday news conference in Bismarck.

Burgum said the Trump administration wants to focus on large-scale changes, not incremental progress.

They are thinking about significant, substantial change, Burgum said. They are thinking about changing the direction of how the federal government works.

He also said some of the authority given to intervening federal agencies could return to the states.

Burgum, a native of small-town Arthur, North Dakota, made his mark by investing in Great Plains Software, which he later sold to Microsoft. He went on to found real estate development firm Kilbourne Group, which is credited with revitalizing downtown Fargo, before seeking elected office for the first time in 2016.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When Burgum became governor in 2016, he was faced with thousands of demonstrators camping near the Missouri River in North Dakota in support of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to oppose the Dakota Access Pipeline. The pipeline was built to transport crude oil out of North Dakota.

Although Burgum and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe have opposing stances on the pipeline crossing, many credit the governor with improving relationships between the state and the five Native American tribes that share geography with North Dakota.

Mark Fox, chairman of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, told the North Dakota Monitor earlier this year that Burgum would be a valuable ally to the tribes as a Cabinet member.

Theres so much he could help facilitate, said Fox, who also supported Burgums bid for the presidency.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

As governor, Burgum has championed the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library thats under construction near Theodore Roosevelt National Park in western North Dakota. Burgum has pushed federal officials to address deferred maintenance at the national park.

Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said Burgums love of nature and national parks make him well-suited to lead the Interior Department, one of the largest landowners in the world.

He loves the land. He loves riding horseback. He loves hiking, Cramer told the North Dakota Monitor. Its really a great fit for Doug and hell do a great job for all of us, and hell do North Dakota proud.

North Dakota Monitor is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. North Dakota Monitor maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Amy Dalrymple for questions: info@northdakotamonitor.com. Follow North Dakota Monitor on Facebook and X.
In early October, Tennessee U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn demanded that the federal government deport eight men who were arrested for burglarizing and stealing from victims who were impacted by Hurricane Helenes devastation.

This happened in Washington County in the northeast part of the state, which the devastating storm slammed.

It is understandable that there were concerns about looting and crime taking place after a disaster when people were worried about where they would sleep at night and what they would have to eat the next day.

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The problem is these men, all Hispanic and non-English-speaking, were accused of a crime they did not commit.

On Nov. 4, just prior to Election Day, a Washington County judge dismissed the case for lack of evidence, according to a report from WJHL News Channel 11. Javier Torres, the property owner and employer of the men, had testified that he asked the men to check on his land.

Due process prevailed, despite a reckless post from a senior Republican member of Congress who wanted to play judge, jury and executioner.

Immigration laws have never been static in the U.S.

As the Trump administration prepares its plan to unleash the largest mass deportation in American history, officials must avoid racially and ethnically profiling, impugning and wrongly stripping the legal rights of people willy-nilly just because they think they ought to leave the country.

Protesters march through downtown Nashville to Legislative Plaza near the Tennessee state Capitol building to urge Gov. Bill Lee to veto proposed anti-immigration bills HB2124 and SB2576 in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S., April 4, 2024. REUTERS/Seth Herald

The anti-immigrant rhetoric during election time  from Central American migrant caravans in 2018 to accusations of Haitians eating pets in Ohio  stoke anger.

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But immigration and border security are top issues for many Americans, and as my fellow columnist Cameron Smith wrote recently: America is tired of the partisan ping pong with immigration.

Opinion: Trump gained Latino voters because Harris did not respond to top concerns

I have covered this issue for two decades as a journalist. Thats over four presidential administrations and progress at the legislative level, despite all the rhetoric and dealmaking, always fizzles in the end.

This happened earlier this year, when the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives, at Trumps urging, refused to take up a bipartisan Senate deal to strengthen border security and start fixing the immigration system.

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U.S. immigration laws have never been static and the history is messy and sometimes tragic. The idea that people just came in line, learned English and assimilated is a myth.

Journalist Ray Suarezs documents the history of immigration laws and stories of immigrants and refugees in this 2024 book We Are Home: Becoming American in the 21st Century.

There are times over the last 100 years when the U.S. has restricted the entry of certain immigrants because of their race and country of origin, that is, not European.

More than a million Mexican-American U.S. citizens were deported during the Great Depression.

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In the 1960s, the U.S. removed many restrictions and created several types of special temporary or permanent status, including for political asylees and refugees from Cuba, Vietnam and Venezuela.

There was a massive bipartisan asylum passed during the Reagan era in the 1980s.

In 2012, the Obama White House introduced Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, providing temporary legal protection for children of parents who entered the U.S. unlawfully. These Dreamers have not known another homeland by the United States of America.

Immigrant workers are overrepresented in fields critical to TN

On Nov. 13, Senator Blackburn posted on X: Deport all criminal illegal aliens.

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Okay, but what policy does that entail? And do they get any due process before they are deported to ensure they merit this punishment? What are the safeguards to ensure fairness?

Deport all criminal illegal aliens.  Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) November 13, 2024

I am not picking on Blackburn to be petty, but in January, she will be in a position to pass legislation in Washington where the White House, Senate and House of Representatives will be under Republican control. Soon it will be time to govern.

Construction workers fill in the concrete for the sidewalk at the Dr. Ernest Rip Patton Jr. North Nashville Transit Center, which is under construction, on Clarksville Pike and 26th Avenue North in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 4, 2024.

Inflammatory posts against immigrants is effective political fodder, but sweeping measures based on this rhetoric will end up doing harm.

There is a lot of uncertainty and fear about what happens next, for people who work with, live with and serve immigrants and refugees.

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In Tennessee, 7% of the workforce is made up of immigrants, according to the American Immigration Council. They are overrepresented in critical areas to the state, such as, construction (16.6%), agriculture (16.6%) and hospitality (8.7%).

What will be the impact on Tennessees economy? Will the cost of deporting millions of people be worth the losses of productivity in home building, farmlands and services?

Jhony Aguila, a migrant farm worker processes tobacco leaves at the small farm in Bumpus Mills, Tenn., on Oct. 24, 2017.

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Then, there is the humanitarian cost of splitting families who live in mixed legal-status households.

Immigrants have been essential to Americas story.

In recent years, they have helped offset population decline that has afflicted other industrialized nations. They are essential to Tennessees growth.

David Plazas is the director of opinion and engagement for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee. He is an editorial board member of The Tennessean. He hosts the Tennessee Voices videocast and curates the Tennessee Voices and Latino Tennessee Voices newsletters. Call him at (615) 259-8063, email him at dplazas@tennessean.com or find him on X at @davidplazas.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Trumps immigration policies will create many casualties | Opinion
PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP)  Donald Trump met Thursday at his Mar-a-Lago club with Argentine President Javier Milei, the first foreign leader to meet with the president-elect since his victory in last week's election.

The meeting was confirmed by a person who insisted on anonymity to discuss an event that hadn't yet been announced publicly. The person said the meeting went well and said Milei also met with investors.

A short time later, Milei, a self-described anarcho-capitalist and frequent recipient of Trump praise, addressed the America First Policy Institute gala at Mar-a-Lago. He spoke briefly in English, then gave a longer speech in Spanish, pausing to allow an interpreter to translate, in which he slammed left-wing ideologies and saluted Elon Musk, the owner of X, saying his social media site is helping to save humanity.

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Milei criticized a political ruling class that he said was responsible for a system that used unfair tax systems to force the redistribution of wealth at gunpoint.

The president of Argentina also congratulated Trump on his resounding victory in the election, saying, Today the winds of freedom are blowing much stronger and calling the victory proof positive that the forces of heaven are on our side.

Trump also spoke to the gala crowd, congratulating Milei for the job you've done for Argentina and saying it was an honor to have Argentina's president at his club.

The job you've done is incredible. Make Argentina Great Again, you know, MAGA. He's a MAGA person, Trump said to applause. And you know, he's doing that.

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Shortly after Mileis election in November 2023, Trump posted on social media, You will turn your country around and truly Make Argentina Great Again!

Milei first met Trump in February at the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, in the Washington area. He has openly declared his admiration for Trump and when he saw him, he rushed to him screaming president! and gave him a close hug before they posed for pictures.

The Argentine president is known for his eccentric personality and first made a name for himself by shouting against Argentinas political caste on television. The right-wing populist campaigned with a chainsaw as his prop to symbolize his plans to slash public spending and scrap government ministries.

___

Gomez Licon reported from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum delivers remarks during the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference at the Bismarck Event Center on May 16, 2024. He will serve in the Trump administration as Interior secretary and chairman of the newly formed National Energy Council. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum will serve as Interior secretary and chairman of the newly formed National Energy Council, President-elect Donald Trump announced Friday.

The new council will consist of all departments and agencies involved in the permitting, production, generation, distribution, regulation, transportation of ALL forms of American Energy, Trump said in the announcement.

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This Council will oversee the path to U.S. ENERGY DOMINANCE by cutting red tape, enhancing private sector investments across all sectors of the Economy, and by focusing on INNOVATION over longstanding, but totally unnecessary, regulation, Trump wrote.

Burgum, who is completing his second term as governor, has railed against what he sees as government overreach and bureaucracy under the Biden administration, especially on energy policy. He frequently calls for industry innovation rather than more regulation.

We have to turn this around, not just for this industry, not just for North Dakota, but for national security, for peace in the world, Burgum said at an energy industry conference in Bismarck in May.

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Trump also said in his statement that his administration will undo the damage done by the Democrats to our Nations Electrical Grid, by dramatically increasing baseload power.

In addition, Trump said Burgum will have a seat on the National Security Council.

The $18 billion Department of the Interior manages federal natural and cultural resources, with about 70,000 employees.

Being selected to lead the U.S. Department of the Interior is an incredible honor and an enormous responsibility, and Im deeply grateful to President Trump for this opportunity to serve the American people in such a broad capacity, Burgum said in a statement Friday.

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The department includes 11 agencies: the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation & Enforcement, and the bureaus of Indian Affairs, Indian Education, Land Management, Ocean Energy Management, Reclamation, Safety & Environmental Enforcement, and Trust Funds Administration.

Serving as Interior Secretary is an opportunity to redefine and improve upon the federal governments relationship with tribal nations, landowners, mineral developers, outdoor enthusiasts and others, with a focus on maximizing the responsible use of our natural resources with environmental stewardship for the benefit of the American people, Burgum said.

North Dakota is the nations third largest oil producing state, with some of the production coming from federal lands on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. North Dakota also has large amounts of coal, wind energy and biofuel production.

Burgum, who was among the field of Republican candidates for president during the primaries before endorsing Trump, has long been speculated to be a contender for a Trump Cabinet post.

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When asked Tuesday about the potential for an energy czar position, Burgum told North Dakota reporters that the nation needs a more coordinated approach to energy policy.

He said an energy czar would be able to do more than a lone Cabinet secretary because other agencies, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Environmental Protection Agency and Bureau of Land Management, among others, all affect the nations energy policies.

Burgum blames the Biden administration for limiting U.S. oil production and natural gas exports, killing the Keystone XL pipeline and for implementing environmental regulations that threaten the coal industry.

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Environmental groups say the regulations are overdue to cut air, water and land pollution.

North Dakota is involved in about 30 lawsuits against the federal government, including a handful against the Department of Interior, the agency he would lead.

Burgum grew up in an agriculture background in small-town Arthur, North Dakota. He became a billionaire by investing in Great Plains Software, which he later sold to Microsoft. He went on to found real estate development firm Kilbourne Group, which is credited with revitalizing downtown Fargo, before seeking elected office for the first time in 2016.

Despite not having an energy background, Burgum became knowledgeable about the industry through his role leading the North Dakota Industrial Commission.

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He asked questions and truly has become an incredible spokesperson, not only for North Dakota, but for oil and gas and coal and all-of-the-above energy, Ron Ness, president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council lobbyist group, said earlier this year.

Burgum has been a proponent of a controversial pipeline proposed for North Dakota and neighboring states that would transport carbon dioxide from ethanol plants and permanently store the CO2 underground, taking advantage of federal tax credits for carbon storage.

Carbon that is captured from industrial sites also has the potential to be used for enhanced oil recovery, extending the life of oil wells.

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As a presidential candidate, Burgum disclosed he receives up to $51,000 annually in mineral royalties combined from Continental Resources and Hess Corp., two of North Dakotas largest oil producers. The income comes from mineral leases signed through the Burgum Farm Partnership, a family venture co-owned by Burgum and five relatives. A spokesman for the governor said the leases were signed long before Burgum became governor.

Burgums federal financial disclosure also shows his wife, Kathryn Burgum, owns stock in nine energy companies.

U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., acknowledged that some environmentalists will not be happy with the direction the Trump administrations policies on federal lands. Cramer said having Burgum in that role should ease some concerns.

Dougs a good conservationist, Cramer said. Its not a Drill, baby, drill attitude, its a, Utilize the resources of the federal government for the benefit of the country and its people, Cramer told the North Dakota Monitor. He delivers the message beautifully and I think he can go a long ways in sort of calming people down.

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Trump, in his announcement, says the U.S. is blessed with vast amounts of liquid gold and We will DRILL BABY DRILL.

By smartly utilizing our amazing National Assets, we will preserve and protect our most beautiful places, AND reduce our deficits and our debt! Trump wrote.

Shannon Straight, executive director of the Badlands Conservation Alliance in North Dakota, said in a statement that conservation is critical to the management of public lands.

Were hopeful that Gov. Burgum will honor President Theodore Roosevelts legacy of conservation, Straight said. Economic growth must be balanced with the protection of Americas public lands, including the Badlands of North Dakota.

This story has been updated with additional information.
(Bloomberg) -- President-elect Donald Trump said he intends to nominate Doug Burgum to lead the Department of the Interior and a newly created National Energy Council, giving the North Dakota governor significant influence over the incoming administrations efforts to boost domestic oil and gas production.

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Doug Burgum will protect our Nations Natural Resources, restore our fabulous Oil and Gas advantage, and Make America, and its Energy, Dominant and Great Again!, Trump said in a statement on his Truth Social network on Friday.

The incoming president had announced that Burgum would be his pick for Interior Thursday night. But he formalized the selection on Friday and also announced the new council, which he said would consist of all Departments and Agencies involved in the permitting, production, generation, distribution, regulation, transportation, of ALL forms of American Energy.

The role, akin to the position of White House climate adviser created under President Joe Bidens administration, would involve coordinating agencies such as the Department of Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, and Energy Department, amid a pledge by Trump to revamp environmental regulations he says hamper US energy production. Trump said that as chair of the National Energy Council, Burgum would also have a seat on the National Security Council.

The posts stand to place Burgum in charge of executing Trumps plans to roll back Biden-era regulations on power plants and cars, increase domestic oil drilling, and oversee the construction of scores of new power plants that the president-elect has said are needed to meet the booming power demand wrought by artificial intelligence.

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Trump has vowed to end climate policies hes dubbed Washingtons green new scam, promising to get producers pumping more oil and gas to bring down energy costs as well as declare a national emergency to achieve a massive increase in domestic energy supply.

The Interior Department oversees energy development, grazing and other activities on federal waters and some 500 million acres of public land. The territory is responsible for roughly a quarter of the countrys oil production, according to government data. Industry leaders have called on Trump to auction more of it for future development.

Under Trump, Burgum would likely be under pressure to ramp up the sale of oil and gas leases, including in the Gulf of Mexico, where those auctions had been constrained under Biden.

The governments current offshore leasing plan plots just three auctions between 2024 and 2029  the lowest level ever, and one of several moves to constrain oil and gas development on federal lands and waters. Under Biden, the Interior Department also imposed a regulation thwarting drilling across more than half of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, where ConocoPhillips and other oil companies hold leases.

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Although Trump can direct his Interior Department to revise those policies right away, some would take a while to take effect. For instance, it could take as long as two years for the agency to finish necessary environmental reviews and clear other procedural requirements before it could impose a new, expedited schedule for selling offshore drilling rights.

Some energy executives cheered Trumps selection, saying Burgum has the experience and necessary industry knowledge. They expect Burgum to draw on his history as governor of energy-rich North Dakota, where he had a close-up view of surging oil production.

President Trump is set on reclaiming Americas dominance, and US oil is our power play, said Dan Eberhart, chief executive officer of oilfield services company Canary LLC. Governor Burgum is the leader to drive it forward.

Energy-Rich Home

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Burgum, 68, ran a long-shot bid for the Republican nomination before dropping out and endorsing Trump. A technology entrepreneur and venture capital investor, Burgum was born in Arthur, North Dakota  a town of roughly 300 residents in the heart of the Bakken shale oil patch.

Burgum himself campaigned during the primary on promises to unleash American energy production, criticizing climate policies he said threaten to deepen US reliance on Chinese technology.

But as governor, Burgums record is more nuanced. He embraced a policy that could be seen delivering a fatal blow to fossil fuels  reaching carbon neutrality by 2030  and even unveiled his pitch at an oil conference.

Before entering politics, Burgum earned an MBA from Stanford University, worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Co., and leveraged his family farm to start a tech company called Great Plains Software. He then sold his firm in 2001 to Microsoft Corp. for $1.1 billion and stayed on as a senior vice president until 2007.

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He later founded real estate development company Kilbourne Group and venture capital firm Arthur Ventures before entering politics and winning his first term as governor in 2016.

Burgums extensive connections to the business and tech world helped him build support for his own presidential bid in the 2024 cycle. After exiting the race, he became an energetic surrogate for Trump, crisscrossing the country to appear at campaign events and tapping his connections with deep-pocketed donors to build the president-elects war chest.

Those efforts propelled Burgum into Trumps circle and onto the short list the president-elect considered for his running mate.

Energy Production

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Trump also leaned on Burgum for energy expertise during his campaign  foreshadowing his selection for the Interior role.

As North Dakotas governor, hes shown he can balance environmental stewardship with record energy development, said John Barrasso, a Republican senator from Wyoming. He recognizes how important our federal lands are for energy and mineral production, grazing, and recreation.

If confirmed by the Senate, Burgum would also play a pivotal role in shaping the near-term future for offshore wind farms planned near US coasts. The Interior Departments Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has already approved 10 commercial-scale offshore wind projects in federal waters hugging the US East Coast.

But several more are still in the planning phase, making them especially vulnerable to any shifts in permitting at the agency, including a potential pause in those reviews. Existing lawsuits against already approved projects also could open a window for the Trump administration to settle cases and revisit previous authorizations.

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The Interior Department has a sprawling mission that extends beyond energy and land management. Its most public-facing interaction is perhaps as the chief operator of the national park system. But its also critical to Native Americans: The Interior Department upholds federal responsibilities to Native Americans, and its Bureau of Indian Affairs works directly with 578 federally recognized Native American tribes.

Its also the lead agency in making decisions about which plants and animals qualify for protection under the Endangered Species Act.

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LONDON (Reuters) - President-elect Donald Trump said on Thursday he has selected Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental activist who has spread misinformation on vaccines, to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, the United States' top health agency.

Below are comments from scientists, public health experts and market analysts:

DR KRISHANTHI SUBRAMANIAM, LECTURER AT THE INSTITUTE OF INFECTION, VETERINARY AND ECOLOGICAL SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL:

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(The nomination) is alarming not just to the health of those living in the U.S. but also to everyone in the global community.

"Kennedy has a track-record of being a vaccine denier and has touted vaccine misinformation as scientific truth. This announcement may usher in a heightened period of vaccine hesitancy in the United States which would mean outbreaks of diseases that vaccines have kept at bay.

PROFESSOR JOHNJOE MCFADDEN, PROFESSOR EMERITUS, FACULTY OF HEALTH AND MEDICAL SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF SURREY:

(The nomination) once again demonstrates his disregard for science in favour of pseudoscience, misinformation, and conspiracy theories. If he is confirmed, the policies he advocates could be a disaster, particularly for American children.

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PROFESSOR SIMON WESSELY, REGIUS PROFESSOR OF PSYCHIATRY, KINGS COLLEGE LONDON

That sound that you just heard was my jaw dropping, hitting the floor and rolling out of the door. As someone who graduated from a Texas High School I have great admiration and affection for Americans. They deserve better, much better, than this.

DR DAVID ELLIMAN, CONSULTANT PAEDIATRICIAN, GREAT ORMOND STREET HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN:

While RFK Jr's desire to tackle chronic conditions including obesity is commendable, how he might go about it is less clear.

What is really concerning are his views on vaccination. He has perpetuated myths, including that of a link between MMR vaccine and autism, with an utter disregard for the evidence.

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"If he is appointed and continues in the same mode, I fear not just for the vaccination programme in USA, but similar programmes around the world, and for healthcare, in general.

"Vaccination has probably saved more lives and is better researched than most, if not all, aspects of healthcare. RFK Jr. could set this back and be responsible for the death and disability of myriads of people, particularly children.

"Let us hope that, if appointed, he adopts a more responsible attitude. Directing his energies to the 'industrial food complex' would be no bad thing, as would ensuring more transparency from pharmaceutical companies."

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION SPOKESPERSON MARGARET HARRIS:

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It's for WHOs member states to make their decisions on the direction and implementation of their own national policies, agendas, who they appoint, etc.

"But it is important to reiterate that the United States is a vital partner of the World Health Organization, and our collaboration, as you have seen over and over, has significantly improved the health of Americans at home and people around the world and obviously, WHO continues to work closely and productively with the United States Government on many, many fronts in order to protect and promote public health.

LAWRENCE GOSTIN, GLOBAL HEALTH EXPERT AND PROFESSOR AT GEORGETOWN LAW IN WASHINGTON D.C. (SPEAKING BEFORE RFK'S NOMINATION WAS ANNOUNCED):

"An RFK JR in the White House and loyalist appointed to these key agencies (CDC etc) could be a downfall for scientifically based objective vaccine recommendations that the world has followed.

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"The other thing is vaccine donations, and whether or not Trump would continue the tradition of donating vaccines such as mpox vaccines, as Biden has done  so those are really crucial areas of importance."

TD COWEN ANALYST RICK WEISSENSTEIN:

"We continue to believe that Kennedy Jr. will not be confirmed by the GOP controlled Senate."

"Trump could try to use a recess appointment to get Kennedy Jr. into office. Recess appointments are allowed only when the Senate is out of session for 10 or more days.

"If Trump manages to make a recess appointment, RFK Jr.'s term would only last for about two years at the most, though Kennedy Jr. could be appointed again through the same recess appointment or through the regular Senate confirmation process."

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JPMORGAN ANALYSTS:

"Admittedly, it is difficult to evaluate the exact impact this appointment could have on the industry until we have more information on specific policy proposals and priorities of the incoming administration on healthcare and the drug industry.

"That said, we are not surprised the sector has been under pressure on the potential for RFK Jr. having oversight of the various agencies within HHS (including the FDA, the CDC, NIH, and Medicare/Medicaid) given his previous stated views on the industry."

JEFFERIES ANALYSTS:

"To be clear, RFK has said he has no plans to 'take away vaccines' but the point is around sentiment, stance, and perspective - that impacts biotech investors' view of how FDA and other HHS issues will evolve (ie not accelerating drugs and pro-biotech).

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"RFK has also been outspoken on vaccines - but this is 'less' of a direct concern for most of the biotech industry other than to cast additional concern around the stance of RFK overall on the industry and underlying science driven decisions."

(Reporting by Reuters; Compiled by Josephine Mason; Editing by Peter Graff)
Last spring, Donald Trump presided over a meeting with the countrys top oil executives at his Mar-a-Lago resort. According to The Washington Post, Trump promised to fulfill a wish list of policies sought by their industrywhile explicitly soliciting $1 billion in campaign contributions from them. Trump made similar promises to other ultrawealthy donors, vowing to keep their taxes low while urging them to cut large campaign checks.

Now that Trump has won the presidency again, its worth revisiting these episodes as a guide to what might be coming. Its often said that Trump campaigned expressly on a platform of authoritarian rule, but this also applies to corruption: He didnt disguise his promises to govern in the direct interests of some of the wealthiest executives and investors in the countryand he won anyway. Trump and his allies will likely interpret this as a green light to engage in an extraordinary spree of unrestrained malfeasance.

There are several reasons to fear this could amount to a level of oligarchic corruption that outdoes anything Trump did in his first term. In short, conditions are ripe for right-wing elites to try to loot the place from top to bottom.

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First, Senate Democrats, who just lost majority control, are now bracing to hit a wall in their inquiries into Trumps apparent quid pro quo dealings. The Senate Budget Committee has been investigating the aforementioned $1 billion solicitation from Big Oil executives, aiming to establish precisely what Trump promised themhe reportedly offered to systematically roll back President Bidens green energy policies and other regulationsseemingly in direct exchange for campaign money.

With little fanfare, this investigation has been making progress: At least one major energy company confirmed that the gathering happened, and most of the other companies havent refuted the central allegation, according to a committee aide. Democrats have followed up with demands for company documents that might illuminate exactly what took place.

But there is zero chance the incoming GOP majority will continue down this road, which means it will be much harder for Democrats to compel these companies to illuminate the true nature of their transaction with Trump.

Republican control of the Senate will unfortunately undermine congressional efforts to hold Trump and executives accountable for wreaking havoc on our planet and selling out American families and U.S. energy policy to the highest bidder, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, chair of the Budget Committee, told me in a statement. He added that this will hamper getting to the bottom of this apparent quid pro quo. Once these policy changes start in earnest, well have no way to trace them back to it, let alone to shed congressional light on influence peddling in real time.

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Or take the ongoing Senate Finance Committee investigation into Trump son-in-law Jared Kushners international business dealings. That probe has established that Kusher took in over $100 million from Saudi and other foreign investors without returning any profits on those investments.

This is raising questions for Democrats about whether the arrangement was a means for foreign entities to channel money to the family of the potential next president, raising obvious conflict of interest issues. (Kushner has provided an alternate explanation: that his firm moved slowly to invest the money hed collected.)

GOP control of the Senate could make it significantly harder to get to the bottom of these arrangements, a Democratic aide tells me, even as Trump takes control over the nations foreign policies, inviting still more influence seeking.

The next four years are going to be a smash and grab under Trump, Senator Ron Wyden, chair of the Finance Committee, told me in a statement. Wyden added that the special interests who put Trump back in office expect a return on their investment, which is all the more reason not to let up on oversight. But Republicans will now make this oversight a lot harder.

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Then theres Trumps decision to tap billionaire Elon Musk to head the grandiosely and misleadingly titled Department of Government Efficiency, a nongovernmental body that will push substantial cuts in regulations, spending, and personnel. As The New York Times reports, Musk has grown infuriated with oversight on his SpaceX company, yet he will now be in a position to get Trump to consider regulatory rollbacks that benefit him, even as he enjoys lucrative federal contracts. That, plus government oversight on his other companies, creates the potential for serious conflicts of interest.

Trump has suggested Musks role will only be advisory. But even if that proves true, its ominous that Trump would so conspicuously hand Musk so much public influence over decisions that could heavily impact Musks own bottom line, especially with Trump so heavily indebted to Musk for transforming Twitter into a pro-Trump propaganda and MAGA disinformation machine. At minimum, Trump is basically declaring that his administration will be open for business to those who boost and assist him politically.

Trump is showing that he will reward people who help him by giving them tremendous influence over his administration, Noah Bookbinder, president of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, told me. This will encourage more people to direct their largesse Trumps way. We expect government to look out for the public interest. Trump is open about the fact that government is meant to serve his supporters, business partners, and friends.

Other new openings for influence peddling will beckon. Bookbinder notes that during Trumps first term, his publicly traded Truth Social platform did not exist. Now, Bookbinder points out, it provides an easy channel for wealthy people to curry favor with Trump by buying stock in iteven simpler than booking rooms at his hotels, which reaped millions for Trumps businesses during his first term.

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A publicly traded stock in a large company provides an easy way to drop a lot of money and quickly affect Trumps net worth, Bookbinder said. Every president before him has divested financial interests so there wasnt a clear way to influence them. Truth Social stock makes that even easier.

Meanwhile, Trumps plan to purge the government of career civil servants and replace them with MAGA loyalists will create new avenues for sordid inside dealing. For instance, Biden initiatives like new federal protections for millions of workers from excessive heatwhich are opposed by some business interestsare now in the rulemaking process and will be in the hands of the new administration. Its easy to see MAGA appointees letting bogus information peddled by special interests undermine that regulations future. Career officials who remainbut whose protections against termination will be weaker under Trumpwill be less likely to object when Trumpist appointees corrupt the rulemaking process more broadly.

It is of course possible that Trumps administration will display no trace of such seamy schemes. But thats unlikely. When Trump first ran in 2016, he similarly celebrated his own corruptiondeclaring that not paying taxes makes me smartbut positioned himself as a traitor-to-his-class figure who would employ his personal familiarity with insider corruption to benefit ordinary Americans. Now he is openly promising to directly reward his elite allies with governing spoils, and not bothering to make a serious case that this will benefit the public.

It is sometimes argued that Trumps reelection was driven by revulsion at elites. However true that is, its not hard to see whats coming next. If and when Trumps initiativesfrom canceling prosecutions of himself to unleashing hell on immigrantsspur widespread criticism, certain pundits will intone that the criticism merely reflects his success in taking on the elite class. Meanwhile, Trump will be selling the government off for parts to his oligarchic right-wing elite cronies, and the jarring incongruity of it all wont disturb these pundits in the slightest. After winning the presidency again despite making these corrupt deals right out in the open, why would Trump feel remotely constrained?
Few in Washington have done more than Matt Gaetz, Donald Trumps pick for attorney general, to buttress the president-elects effort to rewrite the history of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. In fact, his effort began just minutes after rioters were expelled from the building.

As a shell-shocked Congress resumed certifying the 2020 election results, surrounded by debris and air still tinged with the scent of pepper spray, Gaetz floated a conspiracy theory.

From the floor of the House where Capitol Police, guns drawn, had just fended off the attack, the Florida Republican cited a false news report to suggest that the people who fomented the riot might have been anti-Trump agitators masquerading as Trump supporters.

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That claim, which Gaetz acknowledged might be false, helped mainstream a lie that has taken root in some circles on the far right. And the episode is emblematic of the man whom Trump now wants to oversee the federal prosecutors who have spent the last four years charging more than 1,500 members of the mob who threatened the transfer of power.



Gaetz was actively involved in every phase of Trumps bid to subvert the 2020 election. He amplified false claims about the results themselves. He helped pressure Trumps then-vice president, Mike Pence, to single-handedly block Joe Bidens victory. He shored up Trumps standing as Republicans briefly wavered after the attack.

And after Trump was criminally charged by special counsel Jack Smith for his effort to subvert the election, Gaetz led the charge in Congress to protect Trump from the legal and political consequences.

Along the way, Gaetz infuriated Republican colleagues, attempted to legitimize groundless claims that a member of the Jan. 6 mob was a federal agent, embraced the cause of Jan. 6 prisoners and hired one of the lawyers now facing his own criminal charges for aiding Trumps effort to subvert the election.

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Heres a look at Gaetzs Jan. 6 history:

Before the riot

As the trajectory of the 2020 election results turned sharply against Trump, Gaetz was one of the earliest members of Congress to float false claims of election fraud.

More and more it seems the dead vote swung overwhelmingly for Biden, Gaetz said on Nov. 5, 2020. He also called on the Justice Department to usurp Philadelphias vote-counting processes. A day later he added: If Republicans dont dig in and fight this fraud now, we will never win another election again.

He also was among the first lawmakers to signal he might lodge a challenge to the election results on Jan. 6, telling POLITICO nothing is off the table. He would later attend White House strategy sessions with other fervent Trump allies about ways to upend the results. In Gaetzs telling, he joined members in a direct appeal to Pence to take unprecedented steps to derail Bidens victory.



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I left quite disappointed that he was not motivated by our argument, Gaetz recalled on Steve Bannons War Room podcast in 2022.

In the days around Jan. 6, Gaetz appealed to several people in Trumps orbit for a presidential pardon. In testimony to the Jan. 6 select committee, former Trump White House aide Johnny McEntee recalled discussing a potential pardon with Gaetz related to sex trafficking allegations. But Eric Herschmann, a former White House legal adviser, told the committee that Gaetz was interested in a pardon for his work related to the election  and asked for it to be so broad it could cover virtually anything.

It was more than one conversation, Herschmann recalled, adding that Deputy White House Counsel Pat Philbin joined one of the phone calls on the matter.

He wanted it to cover everything, Herschmann continued. He wanted a pardon, as I recall it, from the beginning of time up until that day for anything. And the discussion was whether he would be prosecuted or others would be potentially prosecuted for things that they had done in relationship to statements dealing with challenging the election  I don't even know how we'd begin to write a pardon along those lines.

The riot

While in lockdown during the violence, Republican leaders urged their Trump-allied colleagues to consider withdrawing their doomed objections to Bidens victory.

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I talked to Matt Gaetz when we were in the holding cell, Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) recounted to colleagues on Jan. 10, 2021, according to a record of his comments obtained by POLITICO. I told him, you know, we won 15 seats, and we didn't lose one incumbent because we have the high ground on law and order and this ridiculous defund the police movement. And within two hours, we've lost that high ground. And I asked him, first, if they would withdraw, which they weren't interested, absolutely not. And then second, I just asked them to keep in mind the words that you use from this point forward are going to be very important as we try to get back that high ground.

Instead, Gaetz returned to the House floor and mocked Democrats. I am sure glad that, at least for one day, I didnt hear my Democrat colleagues calling to defund the police, he said, to cheers from some GOP colleagues.





Then he referenced a false story in the Washington Times  I dont know if the reports are true, he said  that laid the blame for the riot on agitators associated with antifa.

Four days later, GOP leaders were discussing the fallout from the violence and how they should handle calls for Trumps impeachment. Then-GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy said he planned to personally call Gaetz and have others call him as well to urge him to stop attacking Republican lawmakers in a powder keg atmosphere.

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This is serious shit, McCarthy said on the Jan. 10 leadership call.

It's potentially illegal, what he's doing, then-House GOP Whip Steve Scalise said.

Scalise would later apologize to Gaetz after the details of the recorded conversation were reported by The New York Times.

After Jan. 6

No one has embodied Trumps attempt to rewrite the history of the Jan. 6 attack more than Gaetz. On the first anniversary of the attack, he held an event alongside Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) to elevate fringe reporting about the role of a man named Ray Epps, a former Oath Keeper leader from Arizona.

Epps became a fixation for those seeking to undermine the reality of the riot. They insinuated that Epps was a federal agent planted in the crowd to foment violence and tarnish Trump supporters. Trump himself even echoed the conspiracy theory. (Epps ultimately pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and was sentenced to probation for his role in the riot.)

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Gaetz also helped drive a pressure campaign on Republican leaders to force the release of surveillance footage from Jan. 6, 2021  an issue he made a central part of the fight to elevate Rep. Mike Johnson to the speakership last year, after Gaetz helped depose McCarthy.

Gaetz has taken up the cause of Jan. 6 defendants who have claimed to be mistreated by the justice system, last year attending a vigil outside the Washington, D.C., jail where allies of the defendants gather nightly. In 2021, he attempted to visit the jail with Greene unannounced and was turned away by city officials.

Gaetz has also embraced some of the figures most closely associated with Trumps effort to subvert the 2020 election. He intervened in efforts by California bar investigators to disbar John Eastman, an architect of Trumps last-ditch bid to remain in power, delivering a glowing assessment of the attorney who has lost his law license and been criminally charged in Georgia.

The legal counsel Dr. Eastman provided the former President was not only not criminal, but not unreasonable. Not only reasonable, but correct. And until recently, his views were not only correct, but obviously correct and widely shared among attorneys across this country, Gaetz wrote in an April 2024 letter to the State Bar of California.

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In his letter, Gaetz noted that he and Greene had hired Eastman for a lawsuit against two California cities and a slew of advocacy groups they argued had improperly worked to bar the two GOP lawmakers from holding political events at local venues.

Gaetz has also actively worked to help Trump escape consequences for his actions in 2020. As Trump resisted efforts in some states to remove him from the ballot for his role in fomenting chaos on Jan. 6, Gaetz rallied support for a resolution to declare that the violence on Jan. 6 did not amount to an insurrection  seeking to put the weight of the House behind a disputed contention in Trumps legal fight. Ultimately, the Supreme Court took the matter out of states hands and Gaetzs proposal, which garnered 71 co-sponsors, never made it to the House floor.
Robert F. Kennedy. Matt Gaetz. Pete Hegseth. The flurry of announcements this week from Donald Trump revealing his planned cabinet for a second term have drawn stunned responses across the federal government. In the intelligence community, the alarm has focused on Tulsi Gabbard, Trumps pick to be the next Director of National Intelligence.

Gabbard, a former Democratic Congresswoman from Hawaii, has no background in intelligence and a history of making statements about countries like Russia and Syria that have raised questions about her judgment. If Trump gets his way, Gabbard will be tasked with overseeing the countrys 16 other intelligence agencies, and some of the countrys most secret national security programs.

We are all reeling, said a current intelligence official whos worked through multiple administrations.

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Intelligence analysts are most concerned that Gabbard, in the role of director of national intelligence, might be motivated to censor intelligence conclusions critical of Russia and shut down funding for potentially fruitful investigations. Some intelligence officials are privately considering whether to resign if Gabbard is their new boss.

The Director of National Intelligence is a position that was created in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack in order to make sure Americas national security apparatus was working together and sharing information about the most critical threats. The job typically requires confirmation by the Senate Intelligence Committeewhich in the past has reviewed the nominees financial disclosures and an FBI background check. Those reviews are conducted to ensure a DNI nominee doesnt have any large outstanding debts or connections to foreign governments that might compromise them in coordinating the work of thousands of intelligence officials at the FBI, CIA, NSA and other agencies.

Gabbards background is strikingly different from the current director of national intelligence, Avril Haynes, who has a decades-long career working with intelligence agencies. Haynes was previously the deputy director of the CIA in the Obama Administration and was a senior member of Obamas national security council.

Gabbard has little to no intelligence experience. In her eight years in Congress, she never served on the House intelligence Committee, having instead been assigned to armed services, foreign affairs and homeland security committees.

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Gabbard emerged as a national figure in 2012, when she became the first Hindu, first American Samoan, and one of the first female combat veterans to be elected to the chamber. Before joining Congress, Gabbard had deployed to Iraq in 2004 as part of a medical unit in the Hawaii Army National Guard and is currently a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve.

Over the last decade, Gabbard has stood out for her foreign policy views. She has long-been skeptical of American intelligence analysis and has taken public policy positions that echo Russian propaganda.

While in Congress in 2017, Gabbard met with Syrian dictator Bashar Assad after the U.S. had broken diplomatic relations with the country over his bloody crackdown against his own people. Russia is a long-time backer of Assad and has supplied troops and weapons to prop up Assads government during Syrias 13-year-long civil war. Gabbard said the U.S. should not be supporting opposition fighters in the country, which were being assisted by American intelligence services.

Later that year, after the Syrian military attacked civilians with sarin and chlorine in the town of Ltamenah in northern Syria, Gabbard echoed Russian denials that Assad was behind a chemical weapons attack. A United Nations investigation later concluded that the Syrian Air Force dropped the chemicals.

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Weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Gabbard posted a video espousing a disproven conspiracy theory that alleged pathogens could leak from biolabs in Ukraine, a theory advanced by Russia as part of its propaganda attempt to press for a ceasefire. Then-Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., said Gabbard had embraced actual Russian propaganda and called it traitorous. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said Gabbard was parroting fake Russian propaganda.

That wasnt the first time Gabbard was accused of trying to advance Russian interests. In 2019, Gabbard launched a longshot presidential bid that drew favorable coverage from Russian news and propaganda sites. Hillary Clinton suggested Russians were grooming a Democrat to run as a third-party candidate and help Trump win re-election. It was widely assumed that Clinton was referring to Gabbard, who accused Clinton of trying to destroy her reputation.

Two years ago, Gabbard announced that she was leaving the Democratic Party, which she decried as under the complete control of an elitist cabal of warmongers driven by cowardly wokeness. Last month, she announced at a Donald Trump rally in North Carolina that she was a Republican.

Gabbard has not always been supportive of Trump. She criticized Trumps decision in 2015 to withdraw from the Iran nuclear agreement, which was backed by the Obama Administration, Iran and Russia, as well as China, France, Germany and the U.K. In 2020, Gabbard criticized Trumps order to kill the Iranian general Qassim Soleimani who ran Irans proxy militia program in Lebanon, Gaza, Iraq and Yemen. Gabbard said at the time that Trump violated the Constitution by taking out another countrys top military commander without congressional authorization.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
President-elect Donald Trump placed a key campaign figure in the coming cabinet Thursday, nominating Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be his next Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Kennedy spent the majority of the 2024 campaign as an independent candidate but dropped out and endorsed Trump. He became a de-facto advisor on public health after joining the campaign, spinning off the catch phrase "Make America Healthy Again" from Trump's trademark slogan.

The choice was met with derision by lawmakers and public health advocates, with Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., calling Kennedy "a fringe conspiracy theorist."

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Late Thursday, Trump spoiled the announcement of plans to nominate North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum to be his secretary of Interior, intended for Friday.

Earlier in the day Trump named Todd Blanche, a lawyer who represented him aggressively in his New York hush money trial, to serve as deputy attorney general, Jay Clayton, former chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission during his first term as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and former Republican U.S. Rep. Doug Collins to be his secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs in administration that is quickly becoming a coterie of loyalists.

RFK Jr., vaccine skeptic, named secretary of health and human services

Kennedy has a reputation for being critical of vaccines and questioning the origin of the COVID-19 virus. He is perhaps best known for spreading unfounded claims about a link between childhood vaccines and autism.

In 2019, Kennedy amplified anti-vaccine sentiment in Samoa in a measles outbreak that killed 83 people, mostly children and infants, according to the Associated Press.

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"They (Kennedy and other anti-vaccine advocates) amplified the fear and mistrust, which resulted in the amplification of the epidemic and an increased number of children dying. Children were being brought for care too late," Helen Petousis-Harris, a vaccinologist from New Zealand who worked on measles vaccination efforts in Samoa, told the wire service in 2023.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stumps for Donald Trump before he speaks at Macomb Community College on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.

Kennedy has also proposed the removal of fluoride from drinking water. The chemical has been added to U.S. water since 1945 to help prevent tooth decay and is one of the most common ways to prevent cavities. However, drinking water is also regulated at the local level, which could limit Kennedy's influence.

In July 2023, Kennedy sparked backlash after saying there is an "argument that COVID-19 was ethnically targeted. He claimed COVID-19 is targeted to attack Caucasians and Black people while sparing Ashkenazi Jewish people and Chinese people, which is not true.

Trump has previously said he would allow Kennedy to "go wild on health."

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Trump's announcement is an indication that he intends to nominate Kennedy for Senate approval, however Trump has floated the demand that Republican Senate leadership allow for recess appointments as an end-around of the confirmation process.

Trump spoils Burgum announcement at black-tie gala

Trump teased the Burgum choice during a speech at Mar-a-Lago during the America First Policy Institute Gala, where he said he'd be appointing Burgum on Friday to a "very big position."

Moments later, Trump decided to let the news slip early, telling the crowd that he's picked Burgum to lead the Department of Interior.

Burgum drew interest from Trump after a dismal presidential primary attempt that did not reach the first Republican primary.

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Burgum's focus on fossil fuels and energy issues and his command on television put him on a shortlist of potential vice-presidential picks. The Trump campaign increasingly dispatched Burgum to campaign rallies as a go-to speaker to tout a second Trump presidency and attack outgoing President Joe Biden.

Burgum embraced MAGA Republicanism in the latter days of his two-term gubernatorial stint, due to end next month.

Trump's Cabinet picks so far: What we know

Chief of Staff: Trump named his senior campaign adviser Susie Wiles as his White House chief of staff, the first woman in history to hold the title. The Florida political consultant largely stays out of the spotlight, but has been credited with helping Trump's political comeback.

Attorney General: Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida has been nominated as the next Attorney General overseeing the Justice Department, that he has long criticized.

Secretary of State: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida is nominated as the next Secretary of State. He will bring foreign policy experience through his roles in the Senate Intelligence Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. A Cuban-American, he is set to be the first Latino person to be Secretary of State.

Director of National Intelligence: Former congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard is nominated as the director of national intelligence. The former Democratic presidential candidate-turned Republican represented Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District from 2013-2021.

Deputy chief of staff for policy : Long-standing Trump adviser Stephen Miller has been tapped for deputy chief of staff for policy in Trump's next administration. The 39-year-old served as senior adviser to Trump and director of speechwriting during the Republican's first term in the White House and is credited with shaping Trumps immigration policies.

Ambassador to the United Nations: Trump nominated Elise Stefanik , a five-term Republican representing a northern New York district, as his pick for UN ambassador. She is the House Republican Conference Chair and a former contender for Trump's running mate.

'Border czar' : Trump has appointed Tom Homan to oversee deportation policy and aviation security. Homan was a Border Patrol agent for 34 years and served in Trump's first administration as acting ICE director. He drew controversy for strict immigration enforcement, including the "zero-tolerance" policy which separated families of undocumented immigrants.

EPA head: Trump has appointed Lee Zeldin as the administrator of The U.S. Environmental Protective Agency (EPA). Zeldin was a Congressman for parts of Long Island, New York and ran but lost against Kathy Hochul in the 2022 gubernatorial race.

National security adviser: Trump has named Florida Rep. Mike Waltz as his national security adviser. Waltz has held civilian positions at the Pentagon, was on the House Armed Services Committee and has supported Trump's isolationist view of foreign relations.

U.S. ambassador to Israel: Trump announced he is nominating former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as his U.S. ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a Baptist minister and former Fox News host, who has run for the Republican presidential nomination twice, unsuccessfully. His daughter is Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who served as White House press secretary during Trump's first presidency.

Director of the Central Intelligence Agency : Trump designated his former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe as CIA director. Ratcliffe previously was a House member from Texas before serving as director of national intelligence at the end of Trump's first presidency.

Secretary of Defense: Trump nominated Fox News host Pete Hegseth to Defense secretary. A Fox News commentator, Hegseth served in the U.S. Army National Guard and had led veteran's advocacy groups.

Secretary of Homeland Security: Trump announced his choice of South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to be the Secretary of Homeland Security. The pick puts the hardline conservative governor, who sent the state's National Guard to the southern border, in a key role on immigration.

White House Counsel: Trump tapped William McGinley to serve as his White House counsel. McGinley, a partner at the Washington-based law firm Holtzman Vogel, worked as White House Cabinet secretary during Trump's first presidency.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs: Trump named Doug Collins to be his secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Collins, a former congressman from 2013 to 2021 and trusted Trump loyalist, is a chaplain of the United States Air Force Reserve Command.

Trump transition live coverage: Donald Trump chooses Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead HHS

What are the Cabinet positions?

The Cabinet advises the president on issues related to their respective offices.

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These are the Cabinet positions from the 15 executive departments, which must be confirmed by the Senate:

Secretary of State

Secretary of Defense

Attorney General

Secretary of the Interior

Secretary of Agriculture

Secretary of Commerce

Secretary of Labor

Secretary of Health and Human Services

Secretary of Transportation

Secretary of Energy

Secretary of Education

Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Secretary of Homeland Security

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Secretary of Treasury

The Cabinet and presidential advisers also include the vice president, the chief of staff, the ambassador to the United Nations, the director of National Intelligence, the U.S. trade representative, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, the head of the Office of Management and Budget, the head of the Council of Economic Advisors, the head of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the head of the Small Business Administration.

This story has been updated with new information

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Contributing: Karen Weintraub, Alyssa Goldberg, Tom Vanden Brook, David Jackson, Savannah Kuchar, Victor Hagan, Bart Jansen, Fernando Cervantes Jr., Riley Beggin, Michael Collins, Joey Garrison; Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump Cabinet: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. among latest picks
(NewsNation)  President-elect Donald Trump announced Thursday that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is his choice to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any Administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country, Trump wrote on Truth Social. Mr. Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!

The secretary of Department of Health and Human Services position is one that would need Senate confirmation.

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Donald Trumps new administration: Who has he chosen so far?

Kennedy ran in the presidential election as a Democrat, and then an independent before dropping out and endorsing Trump.

Before Trump was elected, Kennedy said he was asked by the former president to reorganize federal health agencies including the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention if he wins the 2024 presidential election.

Hes asked me to clean up the corruption, number one, Kennedy said during a town hall with NewsNations Chris Cuomo. Number two, end the conflicts of interest, return those agencies to their rich tradition of gold standard, empirically based, evidence-based science, evidence-based medicine, and to end the chronic disease epidemic in this country.

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Because hes disseminated false information about health topics such as vaccines and is known for spreading conspiracy theories, health medical experts have raised concerns about Kennedys potential influence in a future Trump administration, NewsNation partner The Hill reports.

Cuomo asked about those who would call Kennedy an extremist when the politician was on his show. To that, Kennedy answered: Im not a doctor, Im not a scientist, adding that his job for the Trump administration would be to address corruption, not impose his personal beliefs on the American people.

RFK Jr.s plans for position

Kennedy has previously said there are entire departments within the Food and Drug Administration that could be eliminated.

In some categories  there are entire departments, like the nutrition department at the FDA  that have to go, that are not doing their job. Theyre not protecting our kids, Kennedy said during an interview on MSNBC.

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In addition, Kennedy said that if given a position in the Trump administration, he would advise water systems in the United States to remove fluoride, despite experts and officials saying the mineral is both safe and beneficial to peoples dental health.

The federal Department of Health and Human Services has a discretionary budget of more than $130 billion annually and a mandatory budget of nearly $2 trillion.

Along with the FDA, if confirmed as HHS secretary, Kennedy would also oversee the Centers for Disease Control and Preventio,; the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the National Institutes of Health and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, among others.

Trump said during an October campaign rally he would let Kennedy go wild in dealing with issues related to food, medicine and health in his second administration.

Reactions RFK Jr. pick

House Ways and Means Committee member Rep. Greg Murphy, R-N.C., who has been a practicing surgeon for 35 years, said hes looking forward to working with Kennedy.

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Our American system is broken, and it gets worse and worse and worse, Murphy said on NewsNations The Hill. With every facet of American medicine taking off in wrong directions, its OK for a disrupter to come in.

RFK Jr. wants to battle processed foods if part of Trump admin

Congressman Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass., fears Kennedy is a conspiracist who has no place near Health and Human Services. RFK is a threat to the trust that Americans can place in what theyre putting into their bodies, Auchincloss said on The Hill.

NewsNations Kellie Meyer and The Hill contributed to this article.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
NEW YORK  President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday said that he wants to replace Damian Williams, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, with Jay Clayton, his former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The proposed change, which Trump announced in a Truth Social post, comes as Williams is overseeing several high-profile prosecutions  including the public corruption case against New York Mayor Eric Adams, the sex trafficking case against Sean Diddy Combs and the campaign finance case against former Lt. Gov Brian Benjamin.

Jay is a highly respected business leader, counsel, and public servant, Trump wrote of his former SEC chairman from 2017 to 2020, now a senior adviser and attorney at high-powered Manhattan law firm Sullivan & Cromwell.

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Jay is going to be a strong Fighter for the Truth.

A spokesman for Williams declined to comment or indicate whether he would step down before Trump takes office.

Under Williams leadership, the SDNY, historically known for handling complex white-collar cases, has secured the high-profile convictions of fallen crypto mogul Sam Bankman-Fried, investor and Archegos Capital founder Bill Hwang and exiled Chinese tycoon and Steve Bannon associate Guo Wengui.

Williams has also aggressively prioritized going after public corruption, winning a conviction earlier this year against New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez. His departure will come as SDNY is pursuing the high-profile bribery and corruption case against Adams and a series of other probes connected to City Hall.

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It was not immediately clear how Williams departure might affect Adams case, though Trump has said he believes the mayor was unfairly targeted. We were persecuted, Eric, Trump said to Adams during the recent Al Smith charity dinner. Youre gonna win, Eric.

Adams, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, came under fire from fellow Democrats in the run-up to the election for comments about Trump that were seen as out of step with the partys position. Asked for the mayors reaction to the Clayton pick, his spokeswoman Kayla Mamelak said: As Mayor Adams has said, every elected leader has a right to nominate and appoint the people they see best fit to serve. President-elect Trump is no different.

President Joe Biden nominated Williams in 2021, making him the first Black American to lead the powerful prosecutors office and, at 41, one of the youngest to hold the position. Had Vice President Kamala Harris won the presidency, he was believed to be in the running for a top appointment.

Clayton, 58, a longtime corporate attorney before Trump tapped him to lead the SEC and a board member of Apollo Global Management, one of the worlds largest asset management firms, has no experience with criminal prosecutions.

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Trump tried to tap Clayton as head of the SDNY without success in 2020 after former Attorney General Bill Barr unceremoniously tried to force out U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman.

That resulted in a dramatic showdown when Berman, at the time investigating several allies of the president, including Rudy Giuliani, refused to resign, objecting to Claytons nomination because he had no prosecutorial experience. Berman was then dismissed by Trump and agreed to leave the post when it was decided that his deputy, Audrey Strauss, would take over in an acting capacity.

If Clayton makes it through the Senate confirmation process, it remains to be seen whether he will see Williams war on public corruption through to its conclusion  and whether the SDNY will retain its sovereign district moniker for its renowned independence from Main Justice in Washington, D.C.

Trump, who has vowed to seek retribution against his perceived enemies, appears to be following through on his stated goal to completely overhaul the DOJ, which brought two indictments against him after his first term, by filling it with loyalists.

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His pick for attorney general, Florida congressman and staunch ally Matt Gaetz, sent shockwaves through the DOJ on Wednesday. And after announcing Clayton as his SDNY pick on Thursday, Trump said he would tap the lead attorneys who represented him in his Manhattan hush money case, Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, as deputy attorney general and principal associate deputy attorney general, respectively.

In his memoir, Holding the Line: Inside the Nations Preeminent U.S. Attorneys Office and Its Battle with the Trump Justice Department, Berman wrote about Trump weaponizing his DOJ and a directive he received to even things out after the SDNY prosecuted Trumps longtime former fixer, Michael Cohen.

Trumps Justice Department kept demanding that I use my office to aid them politically, and I kept declining  in ways just tactful enough to keep me from being fired, Berman wrote.

I walked this tightrope for two and a half years. Eventually, the rope snapped.

_____

(New York Daily News staff writer Chris Sommerfeldt contributed to this story.)

_____
Donald Trumps picks to fill top Justice Department positions are attorneys whose most notable recent experience is fighting to keep him out of prison. In an epic turn, theyd go from criminally defending him and fighting for his immunity from prosecution to helping lead the nations law enforcement apparatus and representing his administration at the Supreme Court.

Trump wants Todd Blanche as his deputy attorney general  the second-ranking DOJ official  and Emil Bove as principal associate deputy attorney general. Trump said he wants his attorney general to be Matt Gaetz, whose main DOJ experience is having been investigated by the department for sex trafficking in a probe that ended last year without charges. (He has denied any wrongdoing.) Whether or not Gaetz  who resigned from Congress this week  becomes the countrys next top cop, the president-elects announcement of Blanche and Bove shows hes seeking to stack the department with true loyalists.

Unlike Gaetz, both Blanche and Bove have DOJ experience as former prosecutors. They also gained criminal defense experience over the past year defending Trump in multiple cases, including in the Manhattan state court trial that ended with guilty verdicts against their client. Announcing the picks, Trump said Bove would serve as acting deputy attorney general pending Blanches Senate confirmation.

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While Trumps two federal cases are apparently winding down because of his election, the New York state case they lost at trial is still awaiting sentencing. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs office has until Tuesday to update the trial court with its position about how it wants to proceed in light of Trumps impending White House return. Trump has separate counsel in his fourth criminal case (in Georgia state court), Steve Sadow, who said in congratulating his fellow defense lawyers political promotions that hes never been a prosecutor and never will be. Presidents cant pardon state cases or get them dismissed.

Trumps choice for solicitor general  another high-ranking DOJ spot and the federal governments Supreme Court counsel  is John Sauer. He argued the appeal in the case where the Republican-appointed high court majority granted Trump broad criminal immunity. Sauers other Supreme Court argument, in 2018, was also a contentious appeal, a death penalty case when he was Missouris solicitor general. Like in the immunity case, the court sided with Sauers client (the state) in a divided ruling featuring Republican appointees in the majority. His Missouri experience also consisted of unsuccessfully challenging 2020 election results in key states.

If confirmed as solicitor general, Sauer will appear regularly before a broadly like-minded majority of justices to defend Trump administration priorities. Unlike some of Trumps non-DOJ picks, aside from Gaetz, Sauer has some more traditional qualifications. In addition to working as Missouris solicitor general, as a prosecutor, and in private practice, he clerked for two well-regarded judges in GOP circles  on the Supreme Court for the late Antonin Scalia, and on the federal appeals court for J. Michael Luttig, the latter being better known today for speaking out against Trump.

Subscribe to the Deadline: Legal Newsletter for expert analysis on the top legal stories of the week, including updates from the Supreme Court and developments in Donald Trumps legal cases.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Donald Trumps planned trade tariffs on goods from China and the rest of the globe risk dividing the world, Xi Jinping has warned.

The Chinese president said measures to curb trade would be like going back in history as the country braces for higher US tariffs ahead of the American president-elect taking office.

Mr Trump has threatened to implement 60pc tax on all imports into the US from China, and 10pc to 20pc on products from other nations.

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Mr Xi said: Blocking economic cooperation under various excuses and dividing an interdependent world is going back in history.

The world has entered a new period of turbulence and change. Unilateralism and protectionism is spreading, the fragmentation of the world economy is intensifying. Economic globalisation is faced with severe challenges.

Mr Xis warning comes as Western nations start cracking down on what they view as unfair practices by Beijing and bringing in retaliatory tariffs.

The American president-elect is considering the new import taxes, having long complained of Chinese abuse of the trading system. Criticisms have included its high tariffs on goods sold into China, subsidising products then dumping them cheaply on other nations, and industrial espionage.

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Other Western nations have similarly voiced concerns over Chinas approach to trade. The European Union has accused Beijing of predatory industrial practices, heavily subsidising the production of goods such as solar panels. It claims this allows Chinese exporters to undercut European manufacturers and so dominate the market.

Brusselss investigation into the electric vehicle market found similar unfair subsidisation, prompting it to impose import tariffs of 35pc on battery-powered Chinese cars.

In his speech on Friday, Mr Xi indicated that he wants China and its allies to have a larger role setting the terms of global trade, implying less influence for nations including the US and European economies.

The Chinese president said: We need to correctly guide the development of economic globalisation, not to follow the old path of letting a few countries wage hegemony.

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We need to push economic globalisation to unleash more positive effects and enter a new stage that is more dynamic, more inclusive and more sustainable.

Economists have warned a trade war risks slashing global economic growth, undermining a recovery from the pandemic which has already in many cases been mediocre.

Forecasts from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research indicate US GDP will be 4pc lower after five years of a trade war than it would be without new tariffs, while for China the equivalent hit could be 2.1pc.

The eurozones GDP risks being 1.1pc lower than it would be without a trade war, while the projection for the global economy is that it could miss out on growth equivalent to 2.1pc of GDP.

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President-elect Donald Trumps transition team is bypassing traditional FBI background checks for at least some of his Cabinet picks while using private companies to conduct vetting of potential candidates for administration jobs, people close to the transition planning say.

Trump and his allies believe the FBI system is slow and plagued with issues that could stymie the president-elects plan to quickly begin the work of implementing his agenda, people briefed on the plans said. Critics say the intrusive background checks sometimes turn up embarrassing information used to inflict political damage.

The discussions come as Trump has floated several controversial choices for high-level positions in the US government  including Matt Gaetz for attorney general and Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence.

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Ultimately, the president has the final authority on who he nominates and decides to share intelligence with, regardless of the established protocol set in the wake of World War II to make sure those selections dont have unknown foreign ties or other issues that could raise national security concerns.

But circumventing background checks would be bucking a long-established norm in Washington. It also reflects Trumps deep mistrust of the national security establishment, which he derides as the Deep State. Sources say he has privately questioned the need for law enforcement background checks.

Dan Meyer, a national security attorney in Washington, DC, said the incoming Trump administration doesnt want harmony. They dont want the FBI to coordinate a norm; they want to hammer the norm, he said.

Some of Trumps advisers began circulating a memo before the election, urging him to bypass the traditional background check process for some of his appointees, a source briefed on the memo told CNN. Instead of using law enforcement, the memo proposed hiring private researchers who could move more quickly to perform background checks.

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The president-elect could always, however, decide to eventually submit names to the FBI.

Some of Trumps picks for roles in his administration could run into problems during a background check, posing potential hurdles during the confirmation process.

Gaetz has been mired for years in Justice Department and House ethics investigations related to sex trafficking. The Justice Department declined to charge Gaetz, and the House ethics probe, days away from being completed, was effectively ended when the Florida congressman resigned from his seat this week. Gaetz has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Gabbard, meanwhile, has frequently appeared to take positions more favorable to foreign leaders widely considered not just American adversaries but, in some cases, brutal dictators, including the presidents of Syria and Russia, raising questions from allies and critics alike.

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Gabbard notably met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Syria in 2017, and said in 2019 that he was not an enemy of the United States.

In early 2022, she echoed Russian President Vladimir Putins rationale for the countrys invasion of Ukraine, pinning the blame not on Moscow but on the Biden administrations failure to acknowledge Russias legitimate security concerns regarding Ukraines becoming a member of NATO  a popular strain of thought in some right-wing circles.

In addition to the confirmation process, FBI background checks are used to vet nominees for a security clearance, which an attorney general nominee is required to have to do the job.

As president, Trump could bypass the process and order Gaetz to be granted a security clearance, as he did in his first term to grant a clearance to his son-in-law Jared Kushner after the approval languished amid questions about potential conflicts of interest.

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Trump ordered clearances to be granted to about 25 people whose applications were initially denied for possible national security concerns, CNN previously reported.

If Gaetz does not participate in the vetting process, the FBI could still try to do a basic investigation at the request of the Senate. But one source familiar with the process noted that it is difficult to collect some data without his consent.

US officials are still waiting for the Trump transition team to submit a list of names, including those under consideration for Cabinet-level roles, to be formally vetted for security clearances, the source said.

Trumps team has, to date, resisted participating in the formal transition process, which includes signing memorandums of understanding and secrecy agreements typically considered a prerequisite for accessing classified material before the new administration assumes office.

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Instead, Trumps transition team has been focused on conducting its own internal vetting of candidates for top administration jobs.

The delay in vetting candidates for clearances also impacts the timing of classified briefings for incoming administration officials, according to the source familiar with the process.

While Trump will have the authority to override any vetting concerns and grant access to sensitive material once he takes office, he wont be able to do so until he is sworn in on January 20. So if Trumps team continues to skirt the vetting process, those tapped for key roles wouldnt be able to receive briefings until then.

The Trump teams lack of urgency when it comes to pre-vetting individuals for national security positions isnt surprising and is consistent with how he handled the transition process after the 2016 election, the source said. Trumps team was ill-prepared for taking over in 2017, so the current lack of interest in participating in the vetting process is par for the course, maybe, the source added.

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Submitting individuals who have current access to classified material or were previously vetted could help move the process along while those with no US government experience will take some time. Trumps pick of Rep. Mike Waltz as national security adviser, is one such example.

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President-elect Donald Trump continues to push his friends and closest allies as nominees for key roles in government. The picks have sent shockwaves through the hall of Congress.

Trump has vowed to get them into their positions  and it's been floated that he could do something that hasnt been done in the nearly 250-year history of America to make it happen. How would he achieve this, when usually he would have to go through an official confirmation process? Through recess appointments.

Some of Trumps most controversial choices so far include Robert F Kennedy Jr, the environmental activist-turned-vaccine-conspiracy theorist, for secretary of Health and Human Services; former congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard to be Director of National Intelligence; and former congressman Matt Gaetz to serve as attorney general.

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Republican Senators seemed downright uncomfortable talking about the picks when asked. Democrats dont seem too enthused about helping Trump if any Republicans defect.

I've got a lot of questions, and thats why we have advise-and-consent, Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, told The Independent. And the first step is to go through appropriate background checks. Then theres a public hearing and then I'll reach a conclusion.

Donald Trumps controversial picks for positions - such as Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence - that need Senate approval have sent shockwaves through Congress. The President-elect has already threatened recess appointments. Could he take it a step further? (REUTERS)

Warner was being polite compared to Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who sits on the Armed Services Committee, which would be in charge of confirmation hearings for Fox News pundit Pete Hegseth, Trumps nominee to lead the Pentagon.

Being on Fox News is not enough to substitute for the kind of experience that years in different parts of the military and grappling with different issues in defense give to a possible nomination, she told The Independent.

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Trump will come to Washington with a sizeable Republican majority in the Senate after Republicans flipped seats in Montana, West Virginia and Ohio. Pennsylvanias Senate race is currently in a recount, but if incumbent Democratic Senator Bob Casey loses, that will give Republicans one more vote to confirm Trumps team in the form of Dave McCormick.

At the same time, it might not be enough. Even in an era where Republicans are far more subservient to Trump than his first go-around in office, some Republicans will not want to bend the knee and vote for unqualified nominees.

Enter recess appointments. Earlier this week, as Republicans geared up to nominate their new majority leader, Trump tweeted: Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!)

Article II of the US Constitution states that: The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.

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Essentially, recess apppointments are when the president appoints a nominee to a Senate-confirmed position when the Senate is out of session, bypassing the need for colleagues say-so. Historically, Democrats and Republicans have used recess appointments for controversial nominations. Bill Clinton made 139 recess appointments, including one for James Hormel as US ambassador to Luxembourg, after Republicans opposed Hormels nomination because he was openly gay.

Recess appointments expire at the end of the Senates next session, according to the Congressional Research Service.

But since 2006, when Democrats took control of the House and Senate during George W Bushs administration, the Senate has essentially stopped having recess appointments. Rather, it holds what are called pro forma sessions, wherein the House and Senate briefly conduct business as a way to prevent presidents from making recess appointments.

In 2012, as Senate Republicans continued to block Barack Obamas nominees to the National Labor Relations Board, he made three recess appointments. However, in 2014, the Supreme Court ruled against Obama doing so, saying the Senate hadnt been on a long enough recess to justify making appointments during that period.

Gabbard and Matt Gaetz, who Trump named as nominee for Attorney General, are among the controversial names. They could move into their positions through recess appointments (Getty Images)

That leads us to the next part, which would be unprecedented. Section 3 of Article 3 in the Constitution says that the president may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper.

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That rule would allow Trump to adjourn Congress as long as he likes  allowing him the leeway to make a legally justifiable recess appointment.

This is not the first time that the president-elect has hinted at the need to do this. In 2020, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, Trump signaled that he would be interested in doing so. But even some Senate Republicans might chafe at the idea of the president using this power.

Its in the Constitution, but again, our job is to provide advice and consent, Senator John Cornyn of Texas told The Independent on Thursday. I think thats sort of a failsafe in the event Democrats continue to block any of President Trumps nominees. He has a right to get his team in place without unnecessary delays.

Ironically, during that last time Trump threatened to adjourn Congress, he did so when Republicans  led by then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell  controlled the Senate. The divide between Trump and McConnell showed just how protective the Senate is about its advise-and-consent power that is enumerated in the Constitution.

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The next Senate majority will not be led by McConnell, who announced at the beginning of this year that he would step aside as Republican leader. Rather, Senator John Thune, who currently serves as minority whip, will be the majority leader in January.

Thune beat Cornyn, a decidedly more conservative Republican, during the race to become majority leader earlier this week. But if Trump continues to push and prod Republicans on this, it could likely lead to Trump at least trying to adjourn Congress as a flex of his power. A flex that hasnt been seen in three centuries.
In these dark times, it's more important than ever to nurse tendrils of joy. So it is a great pleasure to watch all the Republican leaders who repeatedly intervened to protect Donald Trump from himself now reap their reward: a big ol' contempt loogie in their eyes. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. and his allies turned their nose up at the chance to bar Trump from ever running for office again after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. In turn, Trump has worked to humiliate them by nominating the worst possible people for high-level federal appointments.

Trump's loyalty tests of congressional Republicans have escalated quickly from "walk naked through the streets" levels to "eat puke" levels. First, it was the nomination of Fox News host Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary, even though he admitted the Army "spit me out" after "members of my own unit in leadership deemed that I was an extremist or a white nationalist because of a tattoo." (He's referring to multiple tattoos that are understood this way by Christian and white nationalists themselves.) Then Trump escalated to nominating substitute Fox News host Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence, despite her affection for dictators like Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which then-Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill. deemed "traitorous." Then the topper: Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., to be the attorney general.

Typically, someone in Gaetz's situation would keep his current role in Congress until he was confirmed in the new job, but despite the GOP's razor-thin margins in the House, he resigned immediately. Politico then reported that the resignation prevents the otherwise imminent release of "an Ethics Committee report investigating several allegations including that Gaetz engaged in sex with a minor." The Justice Department that Gaetz wishes to lead never charged him after a lengthy investigation, but Gaetz's good friend pleaded guilty, getting 11 years in prison for his role. Greenberg wrote a letter accusing Gaetz of "sexual activities" with an underage girl. In a text message to Trump associate Roger Stone, Greenberg wrote that "MG" and "I both had sex with the girl who was underage."

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Late Thursday, a leak to ABC News confirmed that a woman testified to the House Ethics Committee that Gaetz "had sex with her when she was 17 years old." The age of consent in Florida is 18.

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The good news is that much of the political media understands that these trollish picks are a loyalty test for Republicans in Congress. It's their first big reminder that, as much as Trump brags about his non-existent powers at "deal-making," his only true theory of power is to rule through fear. After admitting he thinks Gaetz is not fit for the role, one Republican House member complained to a reporter, "But hell, youll print that and now Im going to be investigated." No doubt that reaction would tickle Trump, who shuns coalition-building out of the belief that arm-twisting is a superior way to control his caucus.

But  not to wallow in too much hopium  Trump is wrong in this view. It's the Achilles heel of authoritarians throughout time. They relish conflict, but conflict drives away potential allies, sows chaos and can often grind the gears of their agenda. We've seen this play out in the GOP-controlled House, which has been reduced to dysfunction and inaction, felled by in-fighting. Much of that was driven by Gaetz's multi-year vendetta over the House ethics probe, which appears to be his motive for kick-starting the eventually successful effort to oust then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.

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In an episode of "Pod Save America" released before the Gaetz announcement, New York Times columnist Ezra Klein predicted a second Trump term will feature "much more factional in-fighting than people are prepared for." The Gaetz pick immediately proved him right. As Politico Playbook reported, the "Gaetz-for-AG plan came together yesterday, just hours before it was announced," hatched by some of the more erratic hangers-on  likely including Gaetz  "while incoming White House chief of staff Susie Wiles was in a different, adjacent room on the plane, apparently unaware."

This half-baked scheme to force congressional Republicans to eat Trump's poop while praising its taste and texture looks like it may not be working how Trump and Gaetz hoped. Investigative journalist Julie K. Brown posted, "Sources for Miami Herald/McClatchy confirm that the Ethics Report is 'highly damaging'  the report could be leaked today." Sen. John Cornyn, R-Tex., invited the House Ethics Committee to release the report as relevant information to a Gaetz confirmation hearing. If Gaetz's goal was burying the findings, he may have just ensured they get much wider hearing than if he had just kept quiet.

BREAKING: Republican Senator John Cornyn just announced that he would like the House Ethics Committee to release the findings of the Matt Gaetz investigation. It sure looks like Republicans are going to sink one of Trumps first nominees. pic.twitter.com/si7YZuICOz  Democratic Wins Media (@DemocraticWins) November 14, 2024

In the wake of Trump's disastrous win, it's welcome news that he's focusing his love of chaos and division directly on his own caucus. It was only Tuesday night that the architects of Project 2025 were having their coming-out party, free now that Trump won to admit that Democrats were right: They were always the villainous puppeteers planning to pull Trump's strings in the White House. But their extensive schemes will require organization and buy-in from GOP leaders. That's a lot harder to pull off when Dear Leader is putting his energies toward encouraging everyone in the party to claw each others' eyes out.

To be certain, things are still very bleak in America. Trump will still be able to inflict a lot of harm, even while getting in his own way. Although incompetence is better than competence, there are downsides. We saw in his last administration how the federal COVID-19 pandemic response was hamstrung by Trump's inability to lead anything other than a criminal conspiracy. Still, we should note silver linings where we see them. It's good if Trump's energies are focused far more on settling scores with other Republicans than working through the Project 2025 checklist.

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As Klein posted on Twitter, "Demanding Senate Republicans back Gaetz as attorney general and Hegseth as Defense Secretary is the 2024 version of forcing Sean Spicer to say it was the largest inauguration crowd ever."

Demanding Senate Republicans back Gaetz as attorney general and Hegseth as Defense Secretary is the 2024 version of forcing Sean Spicer to say it was the largest inauguration crowd ever.



These aren't just appointments. They're loyalty tests. The absurdity is the point.  Ezra Klein (@ezraklein) November 13, 2024

It's worth remembering what happened to Spicer, Trump's first press secretary. He burned out and was pushed out. He now spends his time writing op-eds no one cares about and desperately begging for relevance. The reward for playing along and the reward for resistance are the same. Trump throws allies out as swiftly as his enemies. Republicans who think they're safe because they play along are fooling themselves.

Trump's contempt for congressional Republicans was already manifesting in his vampiric posture toward their slim majority. He's already pulled Gaetz and Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York out of Congress and into his employ, shrinking the razor-thing margin further. Speaker Mike Johnson even went on Fox News to ask his boss to "give me some relief" to "maintain this majority." But Trump always cared more about having his ego regularly fluffed than boring matters of governance. This tendency appears to have worsened with age. If members of Congress please him with sufficient flattery, that will likely matter more than a future where Republicans get to focus on their legislative priorities.

Trump talked a big game but, thankfully, got very little done in his first term. His refusal to persuade anyone meant he couldn't even get the Affordable Care Act repealed, as Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., offered the decisive vote against Trump. Trump learned the wrong lesson from that, which is that he's not focused enough on purging the party. He has spent the years since chewing over his vendetta against McCain, long after the senator passed away, putting him well beyond any effort to return to the fold. Trump did sign a massive tax cut in his first year in office, but after that, he barely even bothered to pretend he had a legislative agenda. If it weren't for appointing three confirmed Supreme Court justices, the damage he did would be relatively small compared to his destructive yearnings. He also had extremely high staff turnover, due to the eternal principle that the more a person gets to know Trump, the more they hate him.

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It's possible Gaetz gets confirmed by quisling Republicans who want to avoid the wrath of Trump. It's also possible that, as McCarthy told Bloomberg Television Wednesday, "Gaetz wont get confirmed" and "everybody" knows it. Either way, Trump will have sown resentment throughout the GOP before he even gets inaugurated. The ideal situation is that Gaetz loses and spends the next four years encouraging Trump to drive out more members of the party, depleting their already thinned-out ranks. But even if he becomes attorney general, Gaetz will probably use the DOJ powers to harass fellow Republicans for the perceived sin of not being cool with that alleged stuff about an underage girl. That will not win over hearts and minds.

Hey, maybe I'm wrong and Trump is some kind of savant who knows that the best way to retain power is to reduce your numbers, alienate potential allies and make the rest wish their leader would disappear from their lives entirely. But if his first term is any indication, Trump's sociopathic tactics  while alarmingly charming to a lot of voters  tend to backfire in the art of the deal on Capitol Hill. Since all he wants to do is bad, it's good if his biggest obstacle to his agenda is his own terrible instincts.
A lot of things happened. Here are some of the things. This is TPMs Morning Memo. Sign up for the email version.

DOJs Darkest Era

Matt Gaetz as attorney general.

Todd Blanche, Trumps personal attorney, as deputy attorney general, the second in command who runs the Justice Department on a day-to-day basis.

Emil Bove, another of Trumps personal lawyers, installed as No. 3.

It is a crippling mix of incompetence, disregard for the rule of law, conflicts of interest, and divided loyalties that would send the Justice Department down a flawed and uncertain course seen perhaps only once before, in the darkest days of Watergate.

What Will Become Of The Gaetz Ethics Report?

The House Ethics Committee was supposed to meet privately this morning, but that meeting has reportedly now been cancelled. It leaves in further doubt whether the committees completed report on now-former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and his alleged sexual misconduct will be released either publicly or to senators considering his nomination to be attorney general.

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Meanwhile, ABC News reports that the underage woman with whom Gaetz allegedly had sex testified to the House Ethics Committee she was 17 years old when their encounter happened.

Hegseth Had Previous Sexual Assault Allegation

The nomination of Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense already faced all kinds of problems, but Vanity Fairs Gabe Sherman reports that the Trump transition team was caught off guard by an allegation of sexual assault arising from a 2017 incident in Monterey, California:

According to the transition source, the allegation is serious enough that Wiles and Trumps lawyers spoke to Hegseth about it on Thursday. A source with knowledge of the meeting said that Hegseth said the allegation stemmed from a consensual encounter and characterized the episode as he-said, she-said. On Thursday evening, Hegseths lawyer Timothy Parlatore said: This allegation was already investigated by the Monterey police department and they found no evidence for it.

The Trump II Clown Show Continues 

Robert F. Kennedy Jr: secretary of Health and Human Services, which includes the CDC, NIH, FDA

Former SEC chairman Jay Clayton: U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York

Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND): Interior secretary

Fun Times

TPMs Josh Kovensky: Friend of Don Jr.s Who Hawks Trump Merch To Run White House Personnel Office

Dont Forget About Tulsi Gabbard

WSJ: President-elect Donald Trumps pick to lead powerful U.S. spy agencies has often seemed to embrace Washingtons adversaries and questioned key American intelligence judgments, raising alarm among veteran intelligence officials and the wider national-security establishment.

Lets Not Fool Ourselves About Senate Republicans

Is the Gaetz nomination in real trouble? Perhaps:

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WSJ: Gaetz Nomination Seen as Doomed by Some Senate Republicans

WaPo: Republican senators say Matt Gaetz has steep climb to nomination

But take this reporting from CBS News Roberta Costa:

What Im hearing privately from a few key GOP senators: yes, theyd prefer to not have a messy fight over Gaetz. Not their favorite. But they also dont have a lot of energy for pushing back. Trump runs the show, they say. If Gaetz can reassure them, theyre open to backing him.

Low energy! It suggests that spending the next three months on pins and needles over whether the Republican-controlled Senate will block any of Donald Trumps nominees for his new administration seems like misspent energy on a fools errand. Thats true not only because GOP senators are not eager to have a showdown with Trump, but because theres no indication that Trumps replacements for any failed nominations will be much better.

Quote Of The Day

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), to fellow senators: Vote with President Trump, this is the last chance were going to have to save this country, and if you want to get in the way, fine, but were going to try to get you out of the Senate, too, if you do that.

More Low Energy Deference To Trump

In a first, two federal judges in DC delayed key deadlines in Jan. 6 cases in anticipation that Trump may pardon the defendants. The decisions amounted to declaring Why bother? even as other federal judges have declined to derail cases on the basis of speculation and conjecture about what Trump will do. How long will the two judges who ordered delays wait to see what Trump does?

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This come against the back drop of attorney general nominee Matt Gaetz doing as much as anyone to rewrite the history of Jan. 6.

Elon Musk Watch

One of the most important stories to track in the Trump II presidency will be whether corporate America holds the line, which it largely did in his first term, or begins to collapse into crony capitalism. Even before Trumps win, Elon Musk foreshadowed an erosion into corruption, favoritism, and pay-to-play:

NYT: Elon Musk Met With Irans U.N. Ambassador, Iranian Officials Say

Politico: Musks sway over Trump could devastate electric vehicles  except his own

NYT: Elon Musk Helped Elect Trump. What Does He Expect in Return?

GREAT READ

M. Gessen:

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For those bewildered by why so many Americans apparently voted against the values of liberal democracy, Balint Magyar has a useful formulation. Liberal democracy, he says, offers moral constraints without problem-solving  a lot of rules, not a lot of change  while populism offers problem-solving without moral constraints. Magyar, a scholar of autocracy, isnt interested in calling Donald Trump a fascist. He sees the president-elects appeal in terms of something more primal: Trump promises that you dont have to think about other people.

No Joke

WaPo: Go bags, passports, foreign assets: Preparing to be a target of Trumps revenge

Makes You Want To Weep

The lead paragraph in this Politico story just flipped political journalisms script on the economy, without batting an eye: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris could not sell voters on the strength of the economy. Now, Donald Trump is poised to enter the White House with booming markets and solid growth. Expect him to reap the political rewards.

2024 Ephemera

PA-Sen : An automatic recount was triggered, with Sen. Bob Casey (D) trailing Dave McCormick (R) by fewer than 25,000 votes statewide.

AZ-Sen : GOP nominee Kari Lake is still not conceding that she lost to Rep. Ruben Gallego (D).

WI-Sen : GOP nominee Eric Hovde still hasnt conceded to Sen. Tammy Baldwin and is considering seeking a recount.

WaPo: Inside the Republican false-flag effort to turn off Kamala Harris voters

You Cant Make This Up

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA  NOVEMBER 14: The satirical news company The Onion has purchased Alex Joness InfoWars in a bankruptcy auction as part of a defamation settlement over the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School. (Photo Illustration by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

The Onion bought Alex Jones InfoWars out of bankruptcy and almost immediately shut down the conspiracist website. The proceeds of the auction sale go to the families of the Sandy Hook victims who to satisfy their $1.5 billion judgment against Jones for claiming the school shooting was a hoax.

Do you like Morning Memo? Let us know!
A Fox News host who lobbied Donald Trump to pardon troops accused of war crimes and doesnt want women serving in combat could be leading the nations military. An accused sexual predator who has taken up Trumps promise to destroy his political rivals could be the nations top law enforcement officer. A prolific conspiracy theorist who doesnt hold a single medical or public health degree but plans to immediately halt vaccine development could be in charge of the nations health agencies.

An Evangelical preacher who espouses end-times theology and has said theres no such thing as a Palestinian could be the nations ambassador to Israel. A former congresswoman who secretly met with Syrias Bashar al-Assad and has blamed US and NATO for Russias assault in Ukraine could direct the nations intelligence. The worlds wealthiest man will recommend drastic cuts to the governments budget in a made-up efficiency agency.

Two of his attorneys who are actively overseeing his hush money case, which led to Trumps 34 criminal convictions, have been nominated for top roles at the Department of Justice. The lawyer who got him immunity at the Supreme Court will be solicitor general.

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Trumps first wave of cabinet nominations and White House appointments, within the week after he won the 2024 presidential election, have stunned members of Congress, veterans and active-duty service members, public health advocates and democratic advocates, who have warned for years that he is building a government of loyalists to fulfill his campaign-trail promises to deliver retribution by destroying the deep state.

Theyre shocking choices, but they shouldnt be surprising. When Trump formally launched his 2024 campaign from Waco, Texas, he declared himself a warrior and the election a final battle.

To those who have been wronged and betrayed, of which there are many people out there, I will be your retribution, he said.

There is no secret plan or conspiracy theory at work; putting an enemy of the deep state in charge of it, creating an agency named after a meme, naming widely loathed congressman Matt Gaetz as attorney general  its the trolling as politics that Trumps movement inspired. Its an absurd attack on the institutions that Trump despises, and theyre laughing all the way to the White House. Its what he campaigned on, and hes fulfilling his campaign promises.

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He has repeatedly pledged to drain the swamp in Washington, and hes filling it with an army of loyalists left in its wake. But the punchlines will have consequences.

Donald Trump nominated Tulsi Gabbard to director of national intelligence (REUTERS)

Tulsi Gabbard, who is nominated as director of national intelligence, said Trumps election was a mandate for change.

Of course theres going to be resistance from the swamp in Washington  I think thats kind of the point, he told Fox News on November 14. The American people are saying, Hey, stop looking at yourselves, stop focusing on your own power, your own positions, your own bank accounts. How about we have leaders in Washington who are actually looking out for the American people?

Olivia Troye, a former homeland security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence, said Gabbards nomination is a slap in the face to intel officers, but thats the point given Trumps disdain for our national security community.

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Having a Russian propagandist who spreads fringe conspiracies at the helm will likely lead to our allies refraining from sharing intel with us, she said. It will weaken our security posture [and] make us more susceptible to terrorist attacks on our homeland.

If she is confirmed by the Senate, Gabbard will demoralize the hell out of everyone in national intelligence and the active duty service members and federal law enforcement officers relying on her leadership, according to Kris Goldsmith, CEO of veterans anti-extremism group Task Force Butler and its Vets Fighting Fascism project.

Theyre not going to be able to trust their own boss, he told The Independent. She is a danger, and shes more likely to side with Assad and Putin than she is with the people of the United States.

Trump nominated Robert F Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among other public health agencies (AFP via Getty Images)

Trump nominated anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, putting a conspiracy theorist in charge of the nations public health agencies, with the potential to upend vital research and derail life-saving vaccine development and distribution.

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Kennedy has previously declared that theres no vaccine that is safe and effective and chaired the group Childrens Health Defense, which claimed that there is a parallel between rising disease rates and the increasing number of childhood vaccines is hard to ignore.

He also supports removing fluoride from water supplies, based on Cold War-era conspiracy theories, which health professionals say if put into practice would rot the nations teeth.

The department oversees critical public health agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Food and Drug Administration.

When he was running for president, Kennedy said he would immediately tell NIH to stop drug development and infectious disease research for eight years, and instead study chronic disease.

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Kennedy has also speculated that exposure to chemicals in tap water or the environment could be making children question their sexuality or gender identity  amplifying a conspiracy theory infamously raised by Alex Jones, who said tap water is turning the friggin frogs gay.

His nomination is disastrous for public health, according to Lawrence Gostin, director of the ONeill Institute for public health at Georgia University Law Center.

Doctors and public health advocates have been sounding the alarm for months over their grave concerns that Kennedy  as president or the nations top health officials  could be in a powerful position to cast doubt on the safety and efficacy of life-saving medicine, and potentially accelerate a trend of parents rejecting vaccinations for their children.

Matt Gaetz was nominated to US Attorney General, the nations top law enforcement official (REUTERS)

Gaetz is widely expected to deliver the vengeance Trump has vowed against those he believes have wronged him and his supporters, including the end of criminal cases against the former president and potential prosecutions for the people who were leading them.

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I dont care if it takes every second of our time and every ounce of our energy, Gaetz told the Conservative Political Action Conference last year. We either get this government back on our side or we defund and  abolish the FBI, CDC, ATF, DOJ, every last one of em if they do not come to heel.

He resigned from the House of Represenatives moments after Trump announced him for attorney general, while a looming House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations that he raped a teenager  something he has repeatedly denied  was set to be released.

Mimi Rocah, a former federal prosecutor and current district attorney for New Yorks Westchester County, anticipates mass resignations across the nations law enforcement agencies if Gaetz is confirmed, emptying out the offices that prosecute corruption, civil rights abuses and national security threats.

Which is maybe exactly what they want, she said. But Republican Senators need to really understand the chaos that will ensue.

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Pete Hegseth, one of the hosts of Fox & Friends on Fox News, was selected by the president-elect to run the Department of Defense, which oversees 3 million service members and civilian employees across all branches of the nations military.

Active duty troops are extremely concerned about being given illegal orders and being deployed within the United States, or for a war just kicking off because Trump tweets, Goldsmith told The Independent. There are a lot of active service members who are rightfully terrified that they are going to have a completely unhinged and even less stable time than the last time he was commander in chief.
President-elect Donald Trumps nominations for key Cabinet positions have left lawmakers and energy industry executives less certain than ever about who might lead some key agencies.

Shell shocked, one oil industry lawyer said about Trumps choice of now-former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) for attorney general. Never saw it coming, said an energy industry consultant when the president-elect picked New York backbencher GOP Rep. Lee Zeldin to helm EPA. Whos that? asked one oil trade association staffer after chatter emerged that Trump had interviewed oil industry executive Chris Wright for a possible post at the Energy Department.

Many in the industry had presumed that former EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler would waltz into his old job for a second Trump administration. Theyre now giving up on even reading tea leaves.

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Never saw Zeldin going to EPA, said an industry consultant who was granted anonymity to discuss Trumps transition efforts. It exposes the folly to try and guess Trump nominees.

One oil industry lawyer who has talked with people directly involved in the transition efforts and was granted anonymity to discuss private conversations said Zeldins appointment caught a lot of people off guard.

So people are less confident in the communication chains out of Trumps transition team, the person said.

The news that Trump chose Gaetz, the former Florida representative whom the DOJ and Congress had investigated over allegations of drug use and sex trafficking, left industry officials a little shell shocked, this person added. POLITICO reported that Trump had apparently made the decision in a spur-of-the-moment decision while on his private plane.

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For energy industry watchers, just when they were on guard for the unexpected, Trump delivered a return to normalcy when he told an audience at Mar-a-Lago Thursday night that he plans to nominate North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum to run the Interior Department.

The Republican, who became nationally known during his presidential primary run, had been floated as an energy czar or as secretary of the Interior, Energy or Commerce departments.

All those roles are expected to be key to Trumps campaign promises to ramp up oil and gas production and cut U.S. energy costs in half.

As governor, Burgum was a familiar name to the energy industry in oil-rich North Dakota. He also promoted carbon capture technologies to bring down greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel production and other industrial activities.

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People familiar with the discussions said Burgum had expressed reservations this week about whether an energy czar role would have enough formal power.

North Dakota GOP Sen. Kevin Cramer and others who had spoken recently with Burgum say the governor, who became wealthy selling his software company, could have decided to walk away and not take a position in the administration if he didn't find the right fit.

One thing Doug Burgum doesnt need is a job, Cramer said, adding that he sensed Burgum was a little skeptical of a potential czar role and was focused more on traditional Cabinet positions.

Trump has praised Burgum in the past, calling the governor great and a high-quality person after a Republican primary debate last year. A Trump transition team member said they would "not comment on private meetings" with Burgum.

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A multitude of other candidates had been floated as potential heads of Trumps Energy and Interior departments.

We are going to see people at Energy and Interior who are readily confirmable, said Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), who has had discussions with the Trump transition team about leading Interior but is planning to remain in the Senate. With one exception, everybody he [Trump] has put forward so far is readily confirmable, she added, referring to Gaetz.

For DOE, the agency in charge of maintaining the countrys nuclear weapons, overseeing the 17 national research laboratories and approving natural gas exports, several potential candidates' names have circulated among Trumps transition staff, according to industry sources and media reports.

They include former Energy Deputy Secretary Mark Menezes, Texas Republican Rep. Wesley Hunt and Wright, the CEO of fracking service company Liberty Energy.

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Ray Washburne, a Republican fundraiser whom Trump appointed to the Overseas Private Investment Corp. in 2017, also met with transition team co-chair Howard Lutnick about the top Energy Department spot, one person told POLITICO.

While Menezes and Hunt are well-known personalities in D.C., Wright is a relative unknown who is being pushed by Harold Hamm, another major Trump fundraiser and the executive chair of oil company Continental Resources, according to people familiar with the matter who were granted anonymity to discuss private conversation.

Wright, who campaign finance statements show raised money for Trump and the Republican National Committee, has been one of the industrys loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change, which he does not believe represents a threat despite the scientific evidence. He has also said that the growth in solar, wind and other renewable energy sources does not represent a major change in energy production.

There is no climate crisis, and were not in the midst of an energy transition either, Wright said in a video uploaded to LinkedIn.

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We have seen no increase in the frequency or intensity of hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts or floods despite endless fear mongering of the media, politicians and activists, he said in the video. The only thing resembling a crisis with respect to climate change is the regressive, opportunity-squelching policies justified in the name of climate change.

Other candidates names that had circulated as potential heads of the Interior Department included former Deputy Secretary Katharine MacGregor, Alaska Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Oklahoma GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin.

But Mullin told POLITICO on Thursday he had not discussed with Trump or the transition team the possibility of him taking a position in the new administration.

Some people on the Trump transition team had also raised questions about the need to create a new position for energy czar, people familiar with the conversations said. But given the likely push from Republicans and energy industry players to streamline the federal governments permitting process  and the potential need to have a go-between to coordinate Trumps energy policy with his potentially hawkish trade officials  the administration might want someone to coordinate among the EPA, DOE, Interior and Commerce departments to push policies to promote domestic energy production.

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The Biden administration has used former Secretary of State John Kerry and John Podesta in similar roles devoted to fighting climate change.

You've got so many cross-cutting things going on with energy, said Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.), who has been in communication with the transition team about various roles in a second Trump administration, including Transportation secretary. I actually think it's advisable to have someone who is lead and can help coordinate these actions across government from within the White House.

Betsy Woodruff Swan contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Americans ages 18 to 29 swung toward President-elect Donald Trump in this years election, but they came to his coalition with sharply different views and interests than older conservatives or most top Republican leaders.

Trump won nearly half of voters in the age group, compared with about one-third in 2020, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters nationwide. That means that although the youngest voters made up a relatively small share, about 15%, of his coalition, he was nearly as strong among this group as Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate.

VoteCast found that Trump's younger voters were more motivated by the economy than by immigration, were broadly concerned about climate change, and wanted more government involvement in health care and canceling student loan debt.

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That could inform the course Trump sets for his second term and how Republicans looking ahead to the 2026 midterm election and the 2028 presidential race respond. The GOP traditionally has opposed broad action on climate change, health care or student loans. Trump, meanwhile, has promised to stage the largest deportation operation in U.S. history and impose sweeping tariffs, actions that mainstream economists warn could drive up prices and cost jobs.

Donald Trumps rhetoric did not prevent them from supporting him this time around, said Barrett Marson, a Republican strategist based in Arizona, a battleground state. It sounds like the economic issues overrode everything. So if Donald Trump delivers on his economic promises, then will young people stick with Republicans? That is a question we cant answer right now.

More moderate and less motivated by immigration

Trump made inroads among younger voters, but that was not accompanied by a big ideological shift. According to AP VoteCast, just over one-half of Trump voters under 30 said they are somewhat or very conservative, compared with about 8 in 10 Trump voters age 65 and older.

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While most younger Trump voters identified with his Make America Great Again movement, they were less likely to say they are MAGA Republicans than are older Trump voters.

Younger Trump voters' motivations for voting this year also looked different from older Trump voters. About 6 in 10 Trump voters 65 and older said the situation at the U.S-Mexico border was the single most important issue for their vote, compared with about one-third of Trump voters under 30.

Younger Trump voters were more focused on the economy. About half of these voters said the economy and jobs are the top issue facing the country, compared with about 4 in 10 older Trump voters.

Many younger Trump voters want big government

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A second Trump administration could target government programs and services such as Affordable Care Act subsidies, but that may not be popular with his younger supporters.

Trump voters under 30 were nearly evenly split on whether the government should do more to solve peoples problems. Slightly less than half agreed with this, while about half said the government is doing too many things better left to businesses and individuals. That compares with about 2 in 10 Trump voters 65 and older who said the government should be doing more, and about 8 in 10 who said the government was doing too many things.

There is a bigger age divide on this question among Trump voters than there was in 2020, when about 6 in 10 Trump voters under 30 said the government was doing too many things that should be left to businesses and individuals, compared with about three-quarters of Trump voters 65 and older.

Two issues, health care and debt relief, could be particularly big sticking points for Trump's younger supporters. More than half of them want the government more involved in health care coverage, compared with about 3 in 10 older Trump voters. There is a similar split on whether government should be more involved in forgiving medical debt.

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Trump has criticized Democratic President Joe Biden's student debt forgiveness program, although Trump has not specified how he will tackle the issue. Nearly half of 18- to 29 year-old Trump voters strongly or somewhat favor the government canceling student loan debt for more people, compared with about 1 in 10 Trump voters over 65.

Climate change is a significant concern

Trump has said he will target some of the national climate policies that are most effective at reducing planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions, according to climate change experts. About 6 in 10 of Trump voters under 30 were somewhat or very concerned about the effects of climate change in their community, compared with about 3 in 10 Trump voters 65 and older.

Younger Trump voters were much more split on how the U.S. should approach energy policy, with a significant share supporting the kinds of alternative energy investments that Trump has promised to roll back.

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Just slightly more than half wanted the U.S. to expand production of fossil fuels, as Trump has promised, compared with about 8 in 10 Trump voters 65 and older. And about 4 in 10 Trump voters under 30 wanted the U.S. to focus on expanding the use of alternative energy, compared with 14% of Trump voters 65 and older.

Tariffs and hardline immigration policies are less popular

Another potential issue for Trump: The tariffs he has promised are another dividing line among his voters. Slightly less than half of Trump voters under 30 are somewhat or strongly opposed to tariffs, while about 8 in 10 Trump voters over 65 are in favor.

His immigration policies could be an issue for some younger Trump supporters, too. About half of Trump voters under 30 strongly favor reducing the number of people who can seek asylum at the border, compared with about 8 in 10 Trump voters 65 and older.

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More than 4 in 10 Trump voters under 30 think immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally should be offered a chance to apply for legal status, compared with about 2 in 10 Trump voters 65 and older. There was no age divide on this question among Trump voters in 2020.

___

Associated Press writer Jonathan J. Cooper in Phoenix contributed to this report.

__

AP VoteCast is a survey of the American electorate conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago for Fox News, PBS NewsHour, The Wall Street Journal and The Associated Press. The survey of more than 120,000 voters was conducted for eight days, concluding as polls closed. Interviews were conducted in English and Spanish. The survey combines a random sample of registered voters drawn from state voter files; self-identified registered voters using NORCs probability based AmeriSpeak panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population; and self-identified registered voters selected from nonprobability online panels. The margin of sampling error for voters is estimated to be plus or minus 0.4 percentage points. Find more details about APVoteCasts methodology at https://www.ap.org/elections/our-role/ap-votecast/
Lara Trump went on FOX Business' Mornings with Maria Thursday speaking on the efforts of the Republican National Committee, election integrity and President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet picks.

In the conversation, Lara Trump addressed the possibility of her being tapped to replace Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. Rubio was recently nominated to serve as Secretary of State in Donald Trump's upcoming administration.

"I was so humbled and honored to be even be considered for this. I know my name is being thrown out there a lot and I would say that my experience at the RNC has really shown me, you know, serving the American people," Trump said. "And if I were tapped for this, serving my home state of Florida, its a great honor and a great responsibility, obviously."

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Trump told Fox Business that she would "seriously consider" the role if she were asked. However, clarified that she has not heard anything from Gov. Ron DeSantis. The Florida governor has instructed Secretary of State Cord Byrd to begin the process of holding special election for the various congressional seats being emptied by Trump appointments of Florida political. DeSantis has been mum, however, on "interim" appointments to any of those seats.

More: DeSantis-Trump relationship? Not great. But the gov may yet get back into his good graces

Who is Lara Trump? How is she related to president-elect Donald Trump?

Eric and Lara Trump speak during A Red, White and Blue Celebration honoring Donald Trump's inauguration at the Mar-a-Lago Club in January. [MEGHAN MCCARTHY/palmbeachpost.com]

Lara Trump is a North Carolina native, graduating from the University of North Carolina with a degree in communications. She was a former producer for "Inside Edition" and host of Trump Productions' "Real News Update."

Lara Yunaska and Eric Trump got married on Nov. 8, 2014 in a ceremony at Mar-a-Lago. The couple welcomed their first child, Luke, in 2017 and their second, Carolina, in 2019.

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Eric Trump is the second son of president-elect Donald Trump and his first wife, Ivana Trump.

More: Donald and Melania Trump, Don Jr., Eric, Ivanka, Tiffany: Which weddings included Mar-a-Lago

Is Lara Trump involved with politics?

Lara Trump was very active in all of her father-in-law's presidential campaigns. In 2016, she led the Trump-Pence Women's Empowerment Tour alongside an all-women team, aiming to win over female voters in swing states.

Trump has political ambitions herself. With the former president's support behind her, she was able to secure the position of co-chair of the Republican National Committee earlier this year.

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In 2022, she was reported to have seriously considered running for a U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina before the midterm elections.

Will Lara Trump replace Florida Sen. Marco Rubio?

People are speculating Lara Trump is in the running to fill the vacant Senate seat left by Rubio if he is confirmed as U.S. Secretary of State by his colleagues.

Florida Sen. Rick Scott, recently re-elected this November, took to X to gauge support for Trump.

RT if you think @LaraLeaTrump should be Floridas next Senator! pic.twitter.com/I2XSu9DfeZ  Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) November 14, 2024

In February, Trump published "The Never-Give-Up Pup," a children's book about hard work and perseverance.

Sponsored by the conservative Christian publisher that produced the title, Brave Books, Trump held an afternoon reading event at Elisabeth Lahti Library in Indiantown, in western Martin County.

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More: Lara Trump reads children's book, and touts father-in-law, at library in Indiantown

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Will DeSantis name Lara Trump as next Florida senator?
There are plenty of reasons to be skeptical about Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Donald Trump's newly minted secretary of Health and Human Services.

But a particularly concrete example might be that he lobbied against vaccination in the Polynesian island nation of Samoa  prior to a deadly uptick in measles that killed dozens of children there.

Kennedy claimed in the 2023 documentary Shot in the Arm that he "had nothing to do with people not vaccinating in Samoa" while visiting the Polynesian islands in 2019. However, Mother Jones reported that Kennedy and the anti-vaccination nonprofit he founded, Children's Health Defense, actually encouraged misinformation around vaccinations during a 2019 trip, just months before the ravaging outbreak and which helped influence the decrease in measles vaccinations that precipitated it.

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Ultimately, the 83 deaths that measles caused in Samoa is an unfixable tragedy, and  to say the least  it doesn't bode particularly well for Kennedy's influence on health policy here in the US. But RFK seems undisturbed by the fact that he helped induce a public health crisis.

In some ways, that disastrous resume puts the Kennedy scion squarely in line with Trump's public health legacy. After all, Trump ruled over the devastating COVID-19 pandemic about as thoughtfully as a cat dropping a beheaded mouse on a pillow.

Trump publicly railed against the level-headed former White House chief medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci, dismissing him as "a disaster." And instead of upholding Fauci's science-backed advice, Trump preferred to baselessly promote the anti-parasitic hydroxychloroquine, which is now associated with higher death rates among COVID-19 patients, and publicly muse about injecting patients with bleach.

There's a strange side note, but it's worth mentioning: one of Trump's smarter moves during the early pandemic was to pour funding into developing a COVID vaccine, in an initiative known as Operation Warp Speed that's been broadly hailed as a success.

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The only problem? Trump quickly realized that his base hates the idea of vaccines, so he stopped talking about it on the campaign trail and regressed back into his more traditional fearmongering on the topic.

In other words, Kennedy  who once proudly proclaimed that a worm had eaten chunks of his brain, and that's without getting into the weird animal stuff  should feel protected by Trump's conspiracy-soaked White House. Whether Americans should feel the same is a different matter entirely.

More on Robert F. Kennedy: RFK Jr. Gloats About Plan to Gut FDA Under Trump
By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -National Guard Master Sergeant DeRicko Gaither sent up a warning on the evening of Jan. 14, 2021, about Pete Hegseth, who on Tuesday became President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for defense secretary.

"This information is quite disturbing, sir," he wrote to Major General William Walker, the commanding general of the Washington, D.C., National Guard, who was helping bolster security in the U.S. capital for Joe Biden's presidential inauguration on Jan. 20.

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Hegseth, Gaither wrote, had a worrying tattoo on his bicep with the inscription "Deus Vult." A search online suggested to him it was a Christian expression associated with right-wing extremism. "Deus Vult" is a Latin phrase meaning "God Wills It," a rallying cry for Christian crusaders in the Middle Ages.

Gaither included a photo of Hegseth, who was then a Fox News host, shirtless, showing another tattoo of the Jerusalem Cross. That cross has a long history in Christianity but has lately been co-opted by some far-right groups as a symbol of the fight for Western civilization.

"This falls along the lines of (an) Insider Threat," wrote Gaither, who was the Guard's head of physical security but is now retired from military service. Reuters has obtained a copy of the email.

The email, which has not been previously reported, appears to have been a turning point for Hegseth, who served in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and has two Bronze Stars. In his book, Hegseth wrote that he was singled out over the Jerusalem Cross as an extremist, and pulled from Guard duty in Washington.

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He saw it as a rejection by a military that didn't want him anymore.

"The feeling was mutual - I didn't want this Army anymore either," Hegseth said in his book "The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free."

The National Guard has not commented on Hegseth's tattoos, his allegations of being targeted for his religious and political beliefs, or whether he was withdrawn from Guard duty in Washington. Trump's transition team did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

But a second member of the D.C. National Guard at the time, who has since left the service, confirmed Hegseth's tattoos were the reason he was flagged for review, and that there were email exchanges within the organization about them.

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Hegseth was not declared an extremist, this person said, speaking on condition of anonymity. But in the wake of the Jan. 6 riots Guard leadership opted to err on the side of caution.

Asked about the tattoos, Heidi Beirich, co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, which works to combat far-right extremism, did not dismiss the concerns. But she cautioned against any quick judgment, saying they could be just signs of Hegseth's Christian faith even if they have been used by extremist groups.

"I think we have to take his word for it," Beirich told Reuters.

Trump's pick of Hegseth to become defense secretary caught Washington by surprise. Hegseth, who appears frequently on conservative media, has expressed disdain for so-called "woke" policies of Pentagon leaders, opposed women in combat roles, and questioned whether the top American general, who is Black, was in his role because of his skin color.

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If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Hegseth could make good on Trump's campaign promises to rid the U.S. military of generals he accuses of pursuing progressive policies on diversity in the ranks that conservatives have railed against.

'STAND DOWN'

How Hegseth became an "anti-woke" advocate is still coming into view. But it is becoming increasingly clear that he came to a crossroads in January 2021.

In a podcast last month, Hegseth said he had military orders to go to Washington, D.C., for inauguration security but received a call from one of his commanders a day before he was to report to the D.C. National Guard.

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"Major, you can stand down. We don't need you. We're good," Hegseth recounted being told. He said he was told his orders had been revoked.

Hegseth said he was not told at the time why he was no longer needed, but when he was writing his latest book he reached back out to the individual.

"He said: 99.99% I know why you were ... told not to report, because I saw the emails and I was in the meetings, someone identified a Jerusalem cross tattoo you have on your chest ... as an extremist tattoo and so you were dubbed as a possible extremist, white nationalist specifically."

"Was it because of the tattoo, probably not. Was it because I worked for Fox, I don't know. Was it because I support Donald Trump, I don't know. Any of those are unacceptable reasons," Hegseth wrote.

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"That was the moment I said, I'm done."

Hegseth was not the only person removed from Guard duty on inauguration day four years ago. On Jan. 19, 2021, a day before Biden's inauguration, Pentagon officials told reporters that a dozen members of the National Guard had been removed from duty after vetting, which included screening for potential ties to right-wing extremism.

A Pentagon spokesperson said at the time that the vetting went beyond ties to extremist groups. One Guard member was removed from duty after troubling text messages were found and another had been reported to a tip line.

The officials did not name any of those individuals and it is not clear whether Hegseth was included in those numbers.

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Gaither, who was tipped off to Hegseth by a former member of the Guard, said he stands by his decision to flag him for the tattoos. His job was to ensure the safety of the force and he sent the information up his chain of command for a decision.

"I'm not backing down from it at all," Gaither said. "I did what I was supposed to do as a leader, and I sent it forward."

(Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali; Editing by Don Durfee, Alistair Bell and Daniel Wallis)
MIAMI (AP)  Growing up in Miami among Cuban exiles who fled Fidel Castro's revolution, Sen. Marco Rubio developed a deep hatred of communism. Now as President-elect Donald Trump's choice for America's top diplomat, he's set to bring that same ideological ammunition to reshaping U.S. policy in Latin America.

As the first Latino secretary of state, Rubio is expected to devote considerable attention to what has long been disparagingly referred to as Washingtons backyard.

The top Republican on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and a longtime member of the Foreign Relations Committee, he's leveraged his knowledge and unmatched personal relationships to drive U.S. policy in the region for years. For decades since the end of the Cold War, Latin America has faded from the U.S. foreign policy agenda even as U.S. adversaries like Russia, Iran and especially China have made deep inroads. If confirmed, the Florida Republican is likely to end the neglect.

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But Rubios reputation as a national security hawk, embrace of Trumps plan for mass deportation of migrants and knack for polarizing rhetoric is likely to alienate even some U.S. allies in the region unwilling to fall in line with the incoming presidents America First foreign policy.

Typically, Latin America policy is left to junior officers, said Christopher Sabatini, a research fellow at Chatham House in London. But Rubios reflexes are firmly focused on the region. Hell be paying attention, and governments are going to have to be more cooperative in their larger relationship with the U.S. if they want to draw close.

Rubio, through a Senate spokeswoman, declined to comment about his foreign policy goals.

But his views on Latin America are well known and contrast sharply with the Biden administrations preference for multilateral diplomacy and dialogue with U.S. critics.

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Taking cues from his boss, Rubio's main focus in the region is likely to be Mexico, on trade, drug trafficking and migration. Once a sponsor of bipartisan reforms allowing undocumented migrants a path to citizenship, Rubio transformed himself during Trump's first administration into a loyal supporter of his calls for increased border security and mass deportation.

Rubio has said little about Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who took office last month. But he was a fierce critic of her predecessor, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who in 2022 defiantly skipped the U.S.-organized Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles for a gathering of leftist leaders in Cuba.

Rubio accused Lopez Obrador of capitulating to drug cartels and serving as an apologist for tyranny in Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua. The Mexican president responded by calling Rubio a racist.

Despite the snub, the Mexican president was welcomed by President Joe Biden to the White House three weeks later as a friend and partner.

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That wont happen under Rubio, said Sabatini. He keeps close tabs on who is following his policy preferences.

Rubio, 53, has long had Trump's ear on Latin America  and hasn't hesitated to use that access to promote his hard-line agenda. He's been one of the most outspoken critics of Russian and Chinese economic, political and military outreach in the region, and is expected to punish countries who cozy up to America's geopolitical rivals, or those who fail to support Israel.

When Trump canceled what would have been his first presidential visit to Latin America in 2018, Rubio was there to fill the void, sitting for meetings and photo ops at the Summit of the Americas in Peru with regional leaders from Argentina, Haiti and elsewhere.

There's nobody in the U.S. Senate who comes close to having his affinity and depth of knowledge on Latin America, said Carlos Trujillo, Rubio's close friend and former U.S. ambassador to the Organization of American States. Not only does he have personal relationships with dozens of officials, some of them for decades, but he has vetted almost every U.S. ambassador deployed to the region. It's a significant advantage.

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Among those eager to work with Rubio is Argentine President Javier Milei, whose combative style, attacks on institutions and transformation from TV personality to far-right leader have drawn comparisons with Trump.

Another ally is El Salvador's Nayib Bukele, whose crackdown on gang violence that once drove millions of Salvadoran migrants to the U.S. has drawn praise from Rubio.

Rubio hasn't hesitated to use his power to bully leftist leaders he sees as harming U.S. national security interests. Even democratically elected moderates have been targets. Earlier this year, he slammed Chilean President Gabriel Boric, a critic of Israel's actions in Gaza, for allegedly providing safe haven for Hezbollah financiers, calling him one of the leading anti-Israel voices in Latin America.

In 2023, he called Colombian President Gustavo Petro, a former member of the M-19 guerrilla group, a dangerous" choice to lead a country that has been the longtime U.S. partner in the war on drugs.

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But it is on Venezuela that Rubio has left his biggest mark.

Within weeks of Trump taking office in January 2017, Rubio brought the wife of prominent Venezuelan dissident Leopoldo Lopez to the White House. The Oval Office visit, marked by a photo of a grinning Trump and Rubio flanking the then jailed activists wife, immediately thrust Venezuela to the top of the U.S. foreign policy agenda, in a break from previous U.S. administrations efforts to keep a distance from the nation's troubles.

Over the next two years, Trump slapped crushing oil sanctions on Venezuela, charged numerous officials with corruption and began talking of a military option to remove President Nicolas Maduro. In 2019, at the height of Rubios influence, the U.S. recognized National Assembly President Juan Guaido as the countrys legitimate leader.

But the combative stance  popular among exiles in South Florida  came to haunt Trump, who later recognized he had overestimated the opposition. By strengthening Maduro's hand, it also paved the way for deeper Russian, Chinese and Iranian interests in the country, all the while aggravating a humanitarian crisis that led millions to uproot, with many migrating to the U.S.

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Michael Shifter, the former president of the Inter-American Dialogue in Washington, believes Trump may prove more forgiving of Maduro this time, even with Rubio heading the State Department, and continue the path of engagement and sanctions relief pursued by the Biden administration.

Trump may begin to treat Maduro as he typically treats other strongmen around the world, and cater a bit less to the Cuban-American exile community in Florida, Shifter said.

Trujillo said Rubio's reputation for candor will serve him well negotiating with America's friends and foes alike, even if he has to temper his sometimes-heated rhetoric.

He's going to be playing a different role now, but he's an exceptional negotiator and I have no doubt he will rise to the occasion, Trujillo said.

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With Trump's selection of another vocal Maduro critic, Rep. Michael Waltz of Florida, as his national security adviser, Trujillo said the Venezuelan leader and his authoritarian allies in Cuba and Nicaragua should be worried.

There is an opportunity to negotiate but it will have to be in good faith," Trujillo said. If they don't, there will be consequences.

___

Mark Stevenson and Maria Verza in Mexico City, and Isabel DeBre in Buenos Aires, Argentina, contributed to this report
President-elect Donald Trump's transition team will lean on private companies to conduct background checks and vet potential Cabinet members in his administration, per a new report from CNN.

A source within Trumps team cited the slow speed and rigor of the standard FBI screenings for their departure from the typical process, saying that the Trump team is worried delays could impede Trumps plans for his early days in office.

FBI-led background checks are a routine part of the nomination process, though they arent a formal legal requirement. FBI screenings are required to grant national security clearances, which would be required for controversial nominees like Matt Gaetz and Tulsi Gabbard to perform their jobs. However, Trump's extensive power as the head of the executive branch could offer him a way around this formality. He could simply order that his appointees be granted the appropriate clearances.

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Some national security experts say the move is in line with Trumps skepticism toward the national security apparatus. D.C. security attorney Dan Meyer told CNN that Trumps team has little interest in the norms of staffing his administration.

[Trumps transition staff] dont want the FBI to coordinate a norm; they want to hammer the norm, Meyer said.

American Enterprise Institute Foreign Policy Director Kori Schake called circumventing FBI vetting a terrible idea in an interview on Thursday with PBSs Margaret Hoover.

It will create the perception of corruption and foreign influence in a way that will actually be bad for the Trump administration, in addition to bad for the country, Schake said.

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The thoroughness of private background checks is uncertain, too. Details emerged on Wednesday of sexual assault allegations against Trumps Secretary of Defense nominee, Pete Hegseth, that were reportedly not present in vetting reports by the transition team.

This alleged incident didnt come up, an unnamed higher-up in the transition team told Vanity Fair.
Donald Trump's choice of Rep. Matt Gaetz to be his attorney general was disturbing and shocking to some, while others, like Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California, seemed mighty confident the Florida Republican won't actually be attorney general when all is said and done. But listening to some GOP senators, it sure seems like Gaetz might end up with the gig.

President Trump and JD Vance are gonna be running the Senate, Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama told Fox News on Wednesday.

When asked about whether Gaetz can make it through a Senate confirmation to become attorney general, Tuberville personally had no qualms about the pro-insurrectionist lawmaker assuming the top law enforcement job in the country. (Not to mention Gaetz has been the subject of multiple investigations into allegations he engaged in sexual misconduct. The Justice Department concluded its investigation last year without filing any charges against Gaetz, who has denied any wrongdoing.)

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Tuberville told Fox News:

Youre finding all the swamp creatures coming out right now. Everybodys got an opinion up here. But at the end of the day, President Trump was elected by an enormous vote, and he deserves a team around him that he wants. Its not us to determine that. Weve got 53 votes in the Senate. We can confirm with 51.

I wouldnt call Trumps victory enormous. In fact, what appeared  to some  to be a landslide for Trump in the immediate wake of the election has become less so as results continued to roll in from some states, including California and Pennsylvania. Aside from that, Tuberville voted against President Joe Bidens Cabinet nominees 15 times in 2021, despite Biden having won the 2020 election with a larger popular vote margin than Trump will end up with in this year's election. So Tubervilles belief that its not the Senates job to determine who a president wants in his Cabinet reeks of hypocrisy.

Nonetheless, the senator issued a threat to other Republican senators that amounted to, fall in line  or else.

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He said:

Ive already seen where a couple of them says, Im not voting for him. Wait a minute  you are not the United States of America. You have one vote in the U.S. Senate. You did not get elected the president. Vote with President Trump. This is the last chance were gonna have of saving this country. And if you wanna get in the way, fine. But were gonna try to get you out of the Senate, too, if you try to do that.

I know some people think Gaetz has too much baggage to be confirmed, but statements like Tubervilles suggest servility to Trump might be more widespread than some are willing to believe.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., has already fallen in line, pleading in a Fox News appearance on Thursday for Republicans to give Matt a chance. And Sen. Markwayne Mullin, the Oklahoma Republican who made news last year when he publicly expressed disgust with Gaetz's alleged conduct  which Gaetz later called a lie  told CNN on Thursday that there are lingering questions about Gaetz. Still, he said, I completely trust Trumps decision-making on this one.

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Some may be holding out hope that Republicans will stand up to Trump in any way. But as Joy Reid discussed on Tuesdays episode of The ReidOut, it seems more likely theyll double down on sycophancy.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Yesterday, Donald Trump announced he will nominate Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence. If she is confirmed, she'll become not only the first Samoan to land the position but also the first person of color.

Steven Ferdman / Getty Images

In a tweet, she thanked the president-elect for the "opportunity to serve" in his cabinet, and it's hard to explain the depth of my disappointment in her.

Thank you, @realDonaldTrump, for the opportunity to serve as a member of your cabinet to defend the safety, security and freedom of the American people. I look forward to getting to work. pic.twitter.com/YHhhzY0lNp  Tulsi Gabbard  (@TulsiGabbard) November 13, 2024

Tulsi Gabbard / Twitter: @TulsiGabbard

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If you're not familiar with Tulsi: She was born in American Samoa and grew up in Hawaii, where she became the first Samoan American Congressmember. After serving in the Hawaii Army National Guard for 17 years, she joined the US Army Reserve in 2020. Back in 2016, she endorsed Bernie Sanders for president, and in 2020, she became the first Samoan to run for president. Throughout most of her political career, Tulsi was outspoken about progressive issues like protecting abortion rights and banning assault weapons.

Jenny Anderson / ABC via Getty Images

I was passionate about politics in college and interned for a California senator. During this time, Tulsi Gabbard was someone I looked up to  a Samoan Democratic woman, just like me! In a country with so little Pacific Islander representation, she made me feel like anything was possible.

Imagine my distraught when Tulsi pivoted on so many of her positions over the last several years. Abortion rights? She supported the Supreme Courts overturning of Roe v. Wade and called it "making progress in limiting the jurisdiction of the federal government." Banning assault weapons? Her view has evolved thanks to a "much deeper and greater appreciation for our founders' intent for the Second Amendment." She left the Democratic Party in 2022 and spent two years as an Independent before joining the Republican Party last month. Though she herself endorsed Biden in 2020, she has taken to repeatedly and bizarrely comparing him to Adolf Hitler.

Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

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Tulsi even flip-flopped on her opinion of Trump. In a 2018 tweet, she tagged the then-president, writing, "Hey @realdonaldtrump: being Saudi Arabias bitch is not 'America First.'"

Hey @realdonaldtrump: being Saudi Arabias bitch is not America First.  Tulsi Gabbard  (@TulsiGabbard) November 21, 2018

Tulsi Gabbard / Twitter: @TulsiGabbard

Obviously, she's now a Trump supporter. She endorsed him this summer, saying, "Im committed to doing all that I can to send President Trump back to the White House, where he can once again serve us as our commander-in-chief. Because I am confident that his first task will be to do the work to walk us back from the brink of war." She's also been accused of spreading conspiracy theories and has become something of a conservative media darling.

Kamil Krzaczynski / AFP via Getty Images

It's heartbreaking to see how much Tulsi has changed. TBH, it feels like a betrayal. I'm usually someone who goes out of my way to support other Pacific Islanders, but this is something I cannot support.

Charly Triballeau / AFP via Getty Images

To think that she could become the highest level of political representation for Pacific Islanders in this country? All I can say is this: Tulsi, you don't represent me.

What do you think about all this? LMK in the comments below.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said this week that while some members of the incoming Donald Trump cabinet may have different views on various policy issues than the Canadian government, it wouldn't prevent a "respectful and effective relationship between the two countries."

But the elevation of Tulsi Gabbard to director of national intelligence (DNI) in Trump's second U.S. administration could cause "a lot of headaches" for Western allies, according to at least one analyst.

Stephanie Carvin, an associate professor of international relations at Carleton University in Ottawa who previously worked as a national security analyst, in an interview with CBC News, said Canada should be concerned given "we've decided to really outsource a lot of our intelligence gathering from the United States."

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When Ukraine first came under attack from Russia in February 2022, Gabbard said it marked the Joe Biden administration's failure to acknowledge "Russia's legitimate security concerns regarding Ukraine's becoming a member of NATO."

She then said weeks later that it was an "undeniable fact" that there were several U.S.-funded bioweapons labs in Ukraine that could "release and spread deadly pathogens."

WATCH | Charting the spread of the biolabs theory:

The first contention as to the reasons for Russia's aggression deviates from the view of the current U.S. administration and its Western allies, who have provided military aid to Ukraine, while the second reflects Gabbard's susceptibility, in Carvin's words, to "straight-from-the-internet conspiracy theories."

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Elsewhere in the world, Gabbard has espoused opinions that have ranged from merely contrarian  she said that Trump meeting with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un was a positive development  to out of left field, questioning Japan's desire to evolve from strictly defensive military capabilities, "given Japan's aggression in the Pacific" in the Second World War.

In January 2017, Gabbard freelanced while a Democratic member of Congress, meeting with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. In April of that year, Gabbard said she was "skeptical" Assad had launched a chemical weapons attack on Syrians, even as the first Trump administration expressed a "very high level of confidence" that was the case.

"Assad is not the enemy of the United States, because Syria does not pose a direct threat to the United States," Gabbard told MSNBC nearly two years later as she plotted a long-shot presidential bid.

Canada, and agencies including the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the RCMP, could be in a precarious position with Gabbard in such a critical role. Canada "receives more from the Five Eyes alliance than it sends to that alliance," a report on foreign interference commissioned by the government stated last year of the group that also includes the U.S., Australia, Britain and New Zealand.

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"I don't think it's going to be the end of the [Canada-U.S.] relationship, I don't think it's going to be the end of the Five Eyes," Carvin said. "Will there be a lot more consideration of what is passed on and how it is shared, and under what circumstances? I have no doubt that will probably be the case if she is confirmed."

Bolton slams Gabbard choice

While Democrats are unsurprisingly alarmed by her nomination  Sen. Elizabeth Warren said Thursday on CNN that Gabbard "has so clearly been in [Vladimir] Putin's pocket"  some conservatives are also cautioning against the pick, including former Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger and onetime Trump administration national security adviser John Bolton.

"With his announcement of Tulsi Gabbard to be the director of national intelligence, he's sending a signal that we've lost our mind when it comes to collecting intelligence," Bolton told NewsNation on Wednesday of Trump's choice.

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WATCH | Trump puts Republican senators on the spot with some cabinet choices:

Bolton said Gabbard should get a thorough FBI vet beforehand "given the Russia propaganda that she has espoused."

Gabbard needs the green light from just 50 Republican senators to take on the DNI job, even as Trump's recent social media post about recess appointments has some Democrats concerned he'll try to evade confirmation hearings altogether to avoid pushback on some of his nominees.

As DNI, Gabbard would oversee intelligence gathered by 18 agencies. That list includes the Central Intelligence Agency and various branches of the military, but also intelligence gleaned from the Department of Homeland Security, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Department of Energy.

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The position was created after a 9/11 Commission recommendation related to gaps in intelligence gathering and sharing in the run-up to nearly 3,000 people being killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, plane attacks on U.S. soil.

Sharing, leaks are concerns

Trump has railed against the "deep state" and blamed U.S. intelligence agencies of seeking to undermine his first administration, as well as his political campaigns.

His campaign for president in 2016 was willing to hear potentially damaging information on his Democrat opponent, Hillary Clinton, from Russian sources, though subsequent investigations found the campaign hadn't conspired with Russia. Two years later, Trump famously equivocated while beside Putin at a Finland summit over whether he believed U.S. intelligence agencies or the Russian leader with respect to allegations of Kremlin interference in the 2016 election.

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump welcomes former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard during a campaign rally at Greensboro Coliseum, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Greensboro, N.C.

Donald Trump is shown welcoming Tulsi Gabbard during a campaign rally at Greensboro Coliseum on Oct. 22 in Greensboro, N.C. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/The Associated Press)

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Then, Trump's first of two impeachments between 2019 and 2021 centred around a phone call in which he appeared to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to co-operate with an exercise to dig up dirt on Biden  an undertaking that was being spearheaded by Trump's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani.

While her fellow Democrats in the House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump, Gabbard voted "present," the only member to do so.

Philip Ingram, a former intelligence officer in the British military, told Reuters this week that Gabbard's past comments about Russia "will set alarm bells ringing around the world." Intelligence officials could be "more selective in the level of detail they are willing to pass on," including in how they protect sources and phrase information, Ingram said.

Carleton University's Carvin said another concern is the risk that "intelligence could be leaked or that sources and methods could be shared in a way that was counterproductive."

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John Ratcliffe, picked by Trump this week to head the CIA, has already been accused by Democrats of doing just that, over allegations he politicized unverifiable intelligence just days before the 2020 election when serving as DNI. Even Mark Esper, Trump's former defence secretary, questioned the priorities of Ratcliffe in one particular incident that "risked exposing very sensitive sources and methods," all at the apparent behest of Trump.

As CIA director, Ratcliffe would report to Gabbard.

Bitter departure from Democratic Party

Gabbard becoming DNI would be fitting in one way, as her career has been filled with turns and shifting positions, including on domestic issues like abortion access.

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She served four terms as a Democratic House member and was hailed upon her arrival as a rare commodity  a Hindu from Hawaii who at the time was a rare female war veteran for the party in Congress.

Democratic U.S. presidential candidate and former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden speaks with his fellow Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Rep. Tulsi Gabbard during Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day in Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. January 20, 2020. REUTERS/Sam Wolfe

Gabbard is shown with then-U.S. vice-president Joe Biden at a Martin Luther King Jr. Day event in Columbia, S.C., on Jan. 20, 2020. Gabbard endorsed Biden for president that year, but then left the Democratic Party in 2022. (Sam Wolfe/Reuters)

Gabbard endorsed progressive candidate Bernie Sanders over longtime party establishment figure Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic primaries, but four years later she endorsed Biden, a longtime party establishment figure.

Two years later, she went independent, releasing an 87-word, single-sentence diatribe that characterized the Democrats as being "now under the complete control of an elitist cabal of warmongers driven by cowardly wokeness."

She endorsed Trump over Kamala Harris in August, and this week was among a number of politicians and officials rewarded for their loyalty by the president-elect.
Good afternoon, Im Mark A. Brown, President and CEO of Tuskegee University. I would like to share an update concerning actions that we have taken since the shooting that took place on our campus in the early morning hours of last Sunday November 10th, and then I will take a few questions.

The university has canceled classes for our students this week to ensure they are able to focus on their mental health. Ive also met with our Student Government Association President, held some dorm meetings, and will continue as we listen to the needs of our students. It is important to recognize that many students are hurt in many ways, some physical and others emotional. The number of 16 that is often reported in the media reflects those who may have gone to the hospitals. Other ailments, which are countless, occurred throughout our Tuskegee community. Our focus remains on the healing of these students and we pray for the young man that was loss and his family.

Ive also sat in on Town Halls with students, parents, faculty and staff and heard their concerns. Our students experienced a traumatic situation that I am sure will linger with them for a long time and we want to ensure they have the support they need to focus on their studies and finish the semester successfully.

Nonetheless, it is our responsibility to secure the campus and move on so that our students can successfully complete what they came her foran education.

We have started the process for hiring up to 8 additional police officers allowing us to provide 24/7 security patrols. While the hiring process is ongoing, we will bring up to 12 additional officers to the campus for immediate 24/7 security starting on this coming Monday, November 18th.

This is more than what we have had in recent memory. My goal is for students to see sworn officers walk the campus, walk through office and classroom buildings and dormitories. We are restructuring the front gate and adding an electronic arm to make it clear that this is not a campus where you can simply enter.

We will install 400 additional cameras with common vision, which will be able to detect weapons, to the 500 we already have. If you were around the campus earlier today you would have noticed contractors mending breaches in our perimeter gates that were previously accessible.

We are adding metal detectors as permanent fixtures, adding key fobs and keypad security that alerts when doors are propped open. We will move to the use of a security application called RAVE as one of our emergency notification systems. Students will need to have this application on their phones.

Today, more than 40 additional mobile lights are being placed as needed throughout the campus. And, as I mentioned Monday, the campus is now closed. Only badged individuals will be allowed on campus. If you are visiting campus, you must stop by the public safety building here across from the main gate to get a visitors pass, otherwise our security team on the gate will turn you around.

We will continue to have one gate open, the Lincoln gate, and this may mean delays coming onto campus, so build in a little extra time for that. This is a small sacrifice for the greater good. The bottom line here is that Tuskegee is a secure campus. That is a promise to our students, their parents, our faculty and staff.

With that in mind, Tuskegee students and faculty will return to campus for in person learning on Monday, November 18, 2024. However, there are no classes on Monday.

On Monday, we have planned a Day of Healing. We are asking students, faculty and staff to join us in the university chapel, on the Ave., and at the stadium on Monday, where we all can come together to show our support for one another and our TU strength. We are #TUstrong and I want our students to know that. The full schedule of events for our Day of Healing will be publicized to our community.

Some students may require special accommodations due to injuries. We are prepared to work with them to ensure they can finish the semester successfully. I and my leadership team made the decision to return to in person learning based on the feedback received from 4 other Universities that experienced similar tragedies; Mental Health experts, and many others.

We also considered the diverse opinions of students and their parents. Tuskegee University is as strong as the bricks our students used to build the buildings over 100 years ago. Buildings that still stand today. It is in this spirit of strength that we will not allow the criminals that invaded our sacred space to prevail.

We will continue to take care of and educate our students.
ZOARVILLE, Ohio (WJW)  One year after a devastating bus crash that claimed the lives of six people, including three high school band members, the community continues to rally around the school district, its students and the families of those who were lost.

On Nov. 14, 2023, members of the Tusky Valley High School band were on a charter bus heading to the state capital for a once-in-a-lifetime performance opportunity.

New photos of semi wanted in deadly hit and run

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Behind them on Interstate 70 in Licking County was a vehicle with adult chaperones.

After traffic had apparently slowed, a tractor trailer driven by Jacob McDonald, 60, of Zanesville, crashed into the back of the chaperones car, forcing it into the back of the charter bus.

The bus, which burst into flames, then collided with another truck in front of it.

Despite heroic efforts to get everyone off of the bus, six people lost their lives: Dave Kennat, 56, of Navarre; Kristy Gaynor, 39, of Zoar; Shannon Wigfield, 45, of Bolivar; John W. Mosley, 18, of Mineral City; Jeffery D. Worrell, 18, of Bolivar; and Katelyn N. Owens, 15, of Mineral City.

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Mosley, Worrell and Owens were students from Tuscarawas Valley High School.

One year later, with the district still suffering a deep sense of loss, school was in session.

In a message to the community, Superintendent Derek Veransky told the community:

We recognize Thursday will not be easy, and additional services are in place for students and staff in need. We also realize that school may not be the best place for every student, and we respect what families think is best for their family and child(ren) for the day; each of us has grieved and continues to grieve differently.

Throughout the communities surrounding the school district, there remain signs in yards offering prayers for the district.

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On Sunday, Nov. 17, the district plans a walk and run as part of a community memorial, along with a blood drive   a physical way for us to give in each name of those we lost, said Veransky.

They spent so much of their days giving to others and this is a small way we can honor each of them, he said.

Among those recognized since the crash for their heroic acts have been the driver of the charter bus Don Wagler and state trooper Shawn Grim, the first trooper on the scene.

Jacob McDonald

In July, a Licking County grand jury charged McDonald with 26 counts, including six counts of aggravated vehicular homicide. On Thursday, he remained in the Licking County jail on a $1 million bond, with a trial date set for December.

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But within the tight-knit rural communities that are a part of the Tusky Valley School District, there remains a commitment to never forget the events of last year or the lives of those who were lost.

On behalf of our Board of Education and Tusky Valley Team, we are incredibly thankful for the support of our community, near and far, over the past year. Your love, kindness, and unwavering support of our district will never be forgotten, said Veransky.

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PROVO, Utah (ABC4)  Two men were arrested by members of the Orem and Provo Police Departments after they reportedly conducted a tap to pay scam at a Home Depot in Salt Lake County and tried to do the same in Utah County.

Utah man arrested for pulling a knife on police, license plate violations

Zikai Gao, 20, and Liangrui Zhou were arrested and faces the following charges:

Communications fraud, a third-degree felony

Forgery, a third-degree felony

Money laundering  knowingly conducting/concealing/avoiding transactions, a second-degree felony

Pattern of unlawful activity, a second-degree felony

Possession or use of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor

Unlawful acquisition/possession/transfer of a financial card, a third-degree felony

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Police say that Gao and others were conducting a Tap to Pay scam. Where the suspect use stolen financial transaction card information loaded onto a cellphone to purchase pre-paid gift cards.

Detectives went to a Home Depot location in Provo as it was belived that Gao and another person, Liangrui Zhou were heading into Utah County. Police spoke with loss prevention over the phone who told police that two males had entered the store attempting to buy prepaid Lululemon gift cards but were unsuccessful and left the store.

Police stopped Gao and Zhou in the parking lot, and say that multiple receipts and Target gift cards fell onto the ground.

The two suspects both are Chinese nationals with work authorization cards. They claimed to only speak Chinese and were not interviewed successfully. Both were identified by US Government Work authorization cards, police said.

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Police say they obtained a search warrant and found over 100 stolen gift cards from Target locations in Provo and Spanish Fork.

The pair also allegedly had forged replacement scratch off stickers for Target Gift cards, according to police. The two were arrested and booked into Utah County Jail on the aforementioned charges.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.  Two men have been charged after allegedly operating illegal gambling enterprises in Joplin and Springfield.

Online court documents from the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri show that Preston Henry Bustillo and Rahulkumar Dashrathlal Patel are charged with interstate travel in aid of racketeering. Their operation involved a Georgia-based business and multiple game rooms in Springfield and Joplin, according to a criminal complaint filed on Nov. 2.

A monthlong investigation led by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, with help from the Springfield Police Department (SPD) and Joplin Police Department (JPD), revealed that an illegal gambling enterprise was established by a Georgia-based business that had opened locations in Springfield.

Rahulkumar Patel, courtesy of the Greene County Jail

On March 19, 2024, shortly after the City of Springfield passed an ordinance banning no-chance gaming machines, documents state that officers from multiple agencies executed search warrants at several locations in Springfield, and initially made contact with Patel during the search. Documents say that just days later on March 22, a SPD officer spotted three Penske box trucks outside two different illegal gambling locations, where people were loading the remaining gambling machines into the trucks.

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Investigators found the trucks had all been rented by a Georgia-based business, documents say. Bustillo was identified as the driver of the trucks on the rental agreement from March 20, which had been listed as a commercial local rental for intrastate use.

In September, JPD detectives received word of an illegal gambling business operating in Joplin. When officers went to the location on Sept. 6, documents say they encountered Patel for a second time, who identified himself as the manager of the business. He told investigators that he had come to manage the Joplin business after the gambling operation he ran in Springfield was raided by police. When JPD officers informed Patel the business was illegal, documents say he claimed he would shut the business down.

Documents say JPD officers found the location still open on Sept. 24 and made contact with a different manager, who claimed Patel had left the state of Missouri. Undercover officers returned to the business on Oct. 16, where documents say officers confirmed the video gambling machines operated like traditional slot machines.

Gas stations defy Springfields new ban on gambling machines

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Upon attempting to cash out, undercover officers noted that the machines had a feature asking them to press one of three boxes to print their winning ticket. If officers pressed the incorrect box, it would print out a ticket of lesser value than what the machine displayed. Documents also state that employees would round down the winnings to make an even dollar amount (changing $5.63 in winnings to $5, for example).

When officers returned to serve search warrants at the business, police seized hard drives from 47 gambling devices, over $4,000 in cash and handwritten documents showing tens of thousands of dollars passing through the business.

JPD also contacted the owner of the building, documents say, who said the space was being rented by a man from New York, along with a warehouse he also owned in Joplin.

Patel and Bustillo were arrested on Nov. 1, after multiple agencies followed them to the warehouse and the business location and observed them loading gambling machines into a Penske truck.

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In a post-Miranda interview, Bustillo admitted to knowing that the machines he was loading were gambling machines, that hed known Patel for a year, and had also traveled to Springfield in March to remove gambling machines.

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Two Hall Ambulance emergency medical service employees have been in Washington, D.C. this week, along with scores of their peers from cities across the country, to be recognized for their exemplary service.

"I'm very proud to be here with our two stars," said Hall Ambulance Chairman of the Board and Chief Administrative Officer Lavonne C. Hall, who accompanied the honorees to the nation's capital.

"They were nominated by the management of Hall Ambulance Service for their service to the community and the outstanding work that they do," Hall said. "Nothing makes me more proud than to show off who we are and what we do at Hall Ambulance."

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Hall Paramedic Sam Swanson and Hall EMT Krystal Barboza joined more than 140 of their professional peers as they were honored by the American Ambulance Association as Stars of Life.

The commendation-style event pays tribute to the dedication of hometown heroes across the United States while shining a light on the critical role EMS plays in the nation's healthcare infrastructure, Hall Ambulance said in a news release.

The nearly weeklong event included a medal breakfast, an awards banquet, sightseeing, and visits to the offices of local legislators where Swanson and Barboza met with Reps. David Valadao, R-Hanford, Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield, and U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, D-California, to share their stories and perspectives as first responders in Kern County.

Swanson was honored for his 25 years with Hall, where he has exhibited a whatever you need me to do attitude, Hall said in the release.

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Swanson joined the company in 1999 as an EMT, and worked his way through the ranks as a paramedic, relief paramedic field supervisor, paramedic field supervisor, and paramedic preceptor, or teacher.

As a teacher at the Hall EMT Academy, Swanson told The Californian, he tries to bring a blend of the book work every EMT must know, but to expand on that knowledge by including actual examples from his years of experience.

"I'm still out there running calls," Swanson said. "I'm able to give the students real-world examples  the things we teach, but (as they happen) in the field."

His teaching skills were recently showcased when 13 of 15 students passed the National Registry exam on their first attempt.

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"Krystal was one of my students six years ago," he said of his co-honoree. "I had a class of 29 and all 29 passed the registry the first time."

The pass rate at the academy is close to 98%, he said. Nationwide, he estimated the first-time pass rate to be about 60%.

Barboza found her niche at Hall by harnessing her skills in connecting with and educating the community about the importance of emergency medical services.

As a community outreach coordinator, Barboza is credited by company management with helping to revitalize Halls participation in community events, which had come to a halt during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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In a phone interview from D.C., Barboza said she got her first taste of being an outreach coordinator by filling in when needed.

It turned out she was a natural.

One of the most important benefits of her work, she said, is demystifying the jobs EMTs and paramedics do, especially for children and teens.

"A lot of people are scared to be in one of our ambulances," she said.

But when she shows them the inside of an ambulance, kids and adults become curious and interested.

Same goes for the people who work in the ambulances, helping those most in need.

"I try to show them that EMTs and paramedics are your friends."
TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (WSAV) City of Tybee officials warned residents against scammers claiming to be the city on Thursday.

Officials said that residents should always check with the city if residents have questions about the validity of an invoice.

They also gave some tips on how to identify fake invoices:

You should always check to ensure an invoice came from a legitimate official city email address or was mailed from the citys office. If the email or address is questionable, contact the city to validate it.

Scam invoices may contain spelling errors, incorrect logos or odd formatting.

When in doubt, contact the city directly.

Actual city invoices will never ask for personal information like Social Security numbers, passwords or bank details.

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If something looks off, it probably is, officials said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
Nov. 14 (UPI) -- The United States on Thursday announced entry bans against more than 350 members the Nicaraguan National Police, as the Biden administration continues to clamp down on the oppressive conduct of the Central American nation's President Daniel Ortega.

The visa restrictions were announced by the U.S. State Department, which said the Nicaraguan National Police force has targeted civil society with attacks that have "profoundly denied their people access to important services and the freedom to organize, to express opinions, and to shape their futures free from fear of reprisal."

"NNP actions weaken democratic processes and foster an environment where dissent or the perception of dissent is met with punitive, often brutal, measures rather than open dialogue and debate," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

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The United States has imposed visa restrictions on more than 1,750 Nicaraguan officials since President Joe Biden issued a proclamation in November 2021 permitting the State Department to bar entry to anyone responsible for actions that threaten democracy in Nicaragua.

Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, have ruled the country since 2006 and have been accused of manipulating elections to maintain his rule since.

They have also been increasing their oppression of dissent. According to Human Rights Watch, the Ortega government continued to tighten its grip on power by cracking down on critics and closing media outlets, NGOs and universities in 2023.

In the same year, the U.S. Commerce Department added the Nicaraguan National Police to its export Entity list over alleged human rights abuses.

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In May, the State Department imposed visa restrictions against more than 250 members of the Ortega government.

According to the State Department on Thursday, more than 5,500 NGOs in the country have had their legal status revoked in Ortega's continued dismantling of civic spaces.

"The United States again urges Ortega and Murillo to cease threats, harassment, and unjust detention of advocates for civil society, freedoms of expression, religion or belief, and association," Miller said.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an investigation into allegations that psychiatric hospitals in Michigan unnecessarily institutionalize people with mental illnesses in violation of federal law.

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that people receive mental health services in the least restrictive setting appropriate to their situationbut Disability Rights Michigan (DRM), an advocacy nonprofit, says that the difficulty in acquiring mental health services outside of a hospital in the state forces people to remain institutionalized despite being ready for discharge.

DRM says they have represented Michiganders who have remained in state psychiatric hospitals for lengthy periodssometimes more than 1,000 daysdespite having been declared clinically ready for release.

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Our monitoring and representation of people in psychiatric hospitals have revealed significant barriers to receiving services in the community, which cause people to remain in hospitals unnecessarily, said Simon Zagata, Director of Community & Institutional Rights for DRM. This investigation is a promising first step toward redressing these issues.

A release from the U.S. Department of Justice says that they will be specifically investigating whether the state fails to provide necessary community-based mental health services to enable people to transition from the state psychiatric hospitals and remain stable in the community.

The Americans with Disabilities Act protects peoples right to receive mental health services in the community, rather than remaining in hospitals when they are ready to go home, says Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division.

Anyone experiencing issues with delayed discharge from psychiatric hospitals is encouraged to contact the U.S.DOJ via email at Community.Michigan@usdoj.gov, 888-392-5415, or through the Civil Rights Divisions Civil Rights Portal at civilrights.justice.gov/.

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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering up to $5,000 for information on the person who illegally shot a bald eagle in or near Bridport in October.

Game wardens with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department responded to reports of a dead adult bald eagle near East Street in Bridport on Oct. 15. An analysis showed the eagle had been killed with a shotgun. The eagle had a research band on its leg that showed it was first seen in Vermont in August 2006.

The case is being investigated jointly by special agents with U.S. Fish and Wildlife and Vermont game wardens. Anyone with information should contact Game Warden Detective Sgt. David Taddei with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department at 802-498-7078. Wildlife crimes can also be reported to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through their online tip form or at 1-844-397-8477.

Why you should report information on the shooting of the bald eagle

Vermont Game Warden Col. Justin Stedman said in a statement that Vermont Fish and Wildlife has a "strong history" of working with federal game wardens to protect wildlife in the state.

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"Vermonters also have an impressive record of stepping up with information about poaching cases and wildlife violations when law enforcement asks for help," he said. "If you know something that could help us hold the person who shot this protected, native bird accountable, we hope you will come forward."

Why is there a reward for information about the death of the bald eagle

Although bald eagles have recovered under both the U.S. Endangered Species Act and Vermont's state endangered species statutes, they are still protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

People who kill bald eagles can fined up to $100,000.

Contact Dan DAmbrosio at 660-1841 or ddambrosio@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanDambrosioVT.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Bald eagle killed in Bridport VT: Wildlife officials offer $5K reward
Nov. 14Congress has taken a step toward passing a federal law that could increase Social Security benefits for thousands of Alaskans by hundreds of dollars per month.

The U.S. House approved on Tuesday a bill in a 325-75 vote that will reverse what is called the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset Provision.

The provisions, in place for more than four decades, have meant that Alaskans who have worked in the state's public sector  including as teachers and public safety officers  and who also worked jobs outside of Alaska's public sector, could see their Social Security benefits increase.

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Alaskans who are eligible for the state's public retirement benefits are not eligible for Social Security. Under existing federal law, that means that if they worked in Social Security-eligible jobs before or after working in Alaska's public sector, they could have their benefits reduced by thousands of dollars a year, even if they spent decades paying into Social Security.

Alaska's lone U.S. House Rep. Mary Peltola was one of the supporters of the legislation.

"Right now, too many Alaskans aren't receiving the Social Security they're owed. Our teachers and public servants deserve the benefits they paid into," Peltola said in a statement posted on social media.

The bill must still pass the U.S. Senate and be signed by the president in order to become law. U.S. Senate leadership members have not announced a plan to bring the bill to a vote.

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Alaska's Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan have both expressed support for the federal reform.

Murkowski is one of the co-sponsors of the Senate legislation, along with Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Ohio Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown.

In a statement last year, Murkowski said that public sector employees "deserve the Social Security benefits they've worked for and earned."

"This commonsense, bipartisan legislation that I've supported every Congress since I've been in the Senate will repeal unfair deductions to their benefits," Murkowski said in the statement last year.

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Sullivan adviser Amanda Coyne said Wednesday that Sullivan "believes this is an important issue for Alaska and has worked relentlessly with teachers and other public servants to stop the reduction in Social Security benefits for Alaska workers who qualify for retirement benefits through certain programs, such as Alaska's PERS (Public Employees' Retirement System) and TRS (Teachers' Retirement System)."

"The senator believes Alaskans should not be penalized by the Social Security Administration and the IRS for being pushed into a system they didn't choose. Senator Sullivan continues to work with all involved agencies to find an appropriate solution for Alaskans," Coyne said.

The Alaska Legislature unanimously passed a resolution earlier this year supporting the repeal of the federal provisions.

Anchorage Democratic Sen. Bill Wielechowski, who co-sponsored the resolution, said Alaska's public sector employees are significantly affected by the federal provisions because those hired after 2006 are not eligible for a defined benefit retirement system, meaning they have no guaranteed income in retirement. Alaska's post-2006 system offers only a 401(k)-style investment account, and the savings rate is not ensured by the state.

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"So this is why Alaska employees really get whacked, get hit hard by this, because they don't get a pension, and then their Social Security is actually reduced just by the fact that they work for a state or local government," said Wielechowski. "So it really is discouraging for people to want to work for state or local government, because it's potentially going to reduce their Social Security by $7,000 per year, and that number goes up every year."

Wielechowski said that if the federal law were to pass and be signed by the president, it would benefit the Alaska economy by injecting an extra several thousand dollars into the pockets of many Alaska households.

Tim Parker, former president of NEA-Alaska, a union representing most educators in the state, said he has long advocated for the repeal of the provisions, which he said penalize workers who in many cases aren't aware of the penalty until after they have taken a public sector job or until they retire.

Parker said he spoke about the bill with Alaska's late U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens more than 20 years ago.

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"It is something that Ted didn't think could happen," said Parker. Now, he said decades of work are paying off. "This work that we've been doing, that's felt like an uphill battle that we could never win, apparently has persuaded enough legislators."

Parker, who is now retired after 22 years as a teacher, said that Alaska educators are hard-hit by the reduction to Social Security because of the state's existing retirement system.

"To me, that just feels like you're getting kicked on top of already being kicked," said Parker.

Parker also stands to be personally impacted by the provisions. Before becoming a public school teacher in Fairbanks, he worked for several years in the private sector.

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"If this passes, I'll get $300 instead of $150 (in monthly Social Security benefits)," Parker estimated.

In Parker's case, the impact amounts to an insignificant change, but many Alaska households rely significantly on Social Security in retirement, meaning the reduction in benefits puts them in difficult positions.

"Every single person has a little bit of a different effect on them, from zero to a lot," said Parker.

Even if the federal legislation is signed into law, it would not solve the wider challenges facing Alaska's public sector retirees, Parker said. In 2006, the state switched from a defined benefit pension system for public employees to what is known as a defined contribution system, meaning employees can invest in a savings account but have no guaranteed income in retirement.

That is something many lawmakers say they are hoping to change in the coming legislative session. Earlier this year, the state Senate passed a bill that would have reinstated a guaranteed pension for Alaska's public sector workers. The bill was then blocked by Republicans in the state House, but a bipartisan coalition poised to flip control of the chamber has indicated that pension reform could top its agenda when the Legislature reconvenes next year.
Israels actions since it laid siege to war-torn Gaza last year are consistent with the characteristics of genocide, according to a new report by the United Nations committee investigating how the states policies and practices impact the Palestinian peoples human rights.

Since launching its military offensive more than 400 days ago, Israel has publicly supported policies that strip Palestinians of the very necessities required to sustain life  food, water and fuel, the committee said in a Thursday statement about its report, which will be presented to the General Assembly on Nov. 18.

These statements along with the systematic and unlawful interference of humanitarian aid make clear Israels intent to instrumentalize life-saving supplies for political and military gains, it continued.

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The Israeli government has not yet publicly responded to the report, though officials have repeatedly denied any violations of international law and framed such accusations as antisemitic. Israeli officials have also consistently criticized the U.N. as being biased against their country.

The U.N. established the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices in 1968 to monitor the state of human rights in the occupied Syrian Golan, the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. The committee is made up of representatives from Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Senegal, who said they were unable to visit the areas in question because Israel never responded to their requests.

Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), speaks to the press at the U.N. Headquarters in New York on Nov. 13, 2024. Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

The new report covers the first nine months of Israels ongoing military campaign, which began in October 2023 after Hamas militants launched an attack in Israel that killed around 1,200 people and took about 250 hostage. Some 100 Israelis remain in captivity.

Israel has since displaced 1.9 million Palestinians in Gaza and killed more than 43,000, most of whom are believed to be women and children. Outside experts and medical workers estimate the true death toll is much higher, but that deaths have been undercounted because the Ministry of Healths infrastructure has been destroyed; because bodies remain stuck under rubble, where rescuers cant reach; and because some victims bodies were damaged so severely that they cant be identified. The casualty count from the war likewise does not account for deaths from starvation, from diseases that the collapsed health care system in Gaza couldnt treat or from what the committee called an environmental catastrophe.

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The report mostly focuses on the Israeli militarys U.S.-assisted destruction of Gaza. Among Israels genocidal conduct, the report alleges, is its indiscriminate bombing, including in areas it has deemed safe zones, as well as its continued blocking of humanitarian aid, its alleged placement of civilians in torture camps, and its obliteration of water, sewage and health care infrastructure in Gaza.

All of this, the U.N. panel report argues, proves that Israel is inflicting collective punishment on the Palestinian people in an attempt to wipe them off the map.

The findings are consistent with those from other U.N. agencies, human rights groups, humanitarians and media investigations. On the same day the U.N. committee released its conclusions, Human Rights Watch published its own thorough report describing Israels actions as the mass forced displacement and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians  actions that amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Senior officials in the Israeli government and the war cabinet have repeatedly declared their intent to forcibly displace the population, declaring their policy goal throughout the conflict, from the early days of the war to over a year later, with government ministers stating that the territory of Gaza will decrease, that blowing up and flattening Gaza is beautiful, and that land will be handed to settlers, the human rights group said.

A Palestinian boy sits by rubble with a pot waiting to receive the food distributed in Gaza City on Nov. 14, 2024. Moiz Salhi/Anadolu via Getty Images

Since January, the International Court of Justice has ordered provisional measures in South Africas case accusing Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinian people. In a separate case, the ICJ declared in July that Israels prolonged occupation of Palestinian land is illegal.

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Despite the ICJs binding orders to take immediate measures to allow basic services and aid into Gaza, Israel continues to restrict and sometimes outright halt humanitarian assistance. It has faced only empty threats from its biggest supporter and primary weapons supplier, the United States.

The decision to liken Israels actions to genocide is something we would unequivocally disagree with U.S. State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said Thursday of the U.N. report, which urged all member states to uphold their legal obligations and stop allowing atrocities to go unchecked.

U.N. Special Rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese delivers opening remarks at a Portuguese Parliament hearing regarding Palestine, on Oct. 3, 2024, in Lisbon, Portugal. Horacio Villalobos/Corbis via Getty Images

The term genocide is rarely used by any body associated with the U.N. to describe Israels destruction of Gaza, but Thursdays report is not the first time its been invoked. In March, the U.N. special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories concluded that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

Despite facing intense backlash from Israeli officials, the expert, Francesca Albanese, has continued demanding accountability for what she says is settler colonial genocide. She recently released another report pleading with the international community to stop the worsening humanitarian crisis facing Palestinians.

As the world watches the first live-streamed settler-colonial genocide, only justice can heal the wounds that political expedience has allowed to fester, Albanese said in her report. The devastation of so many lives is an outrage to humanity and all that international law stands for.
A new rideshare service featuring armed drivers is launching and Dallas and two other Texas cities.

BlackWolf, a small ridesharing startup that gained fame through TikTok, is recruiting drivers in Dallas, Houston and Austin and hopes to launch by the end of this year or early 2025, founder and owner Kerry KingBrown said.

To begin, the company looks to hire 35 to 50 drivers in each city. Drivers must have spotless background checks and at least four years experience in the military, law enforcement or other security positions.

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BlackWolf, which launched in Atlanta in 2023, has gained a large following on social media, with more than 1 million followers on TikTok and Instagram. KingBrown said rising crime in some large cities helped fuel demand. Some media outlets have likened the company to Uber with guns.

According to a report in Forbes, companies like BlackWolf are filling a void as the US refuses to address gun violence. One company built a giant collapsible safe-room that is being marketed to schools, and another has developed bulletproof backpacks and school desks.

Various businesses with their own solutions have emerged to fill the void, Forbes wrote last year.

In addition to Atlanta, BlackWolf operates in Miami, Orlando and Phoenix, and the app has been downloaded more than 300,000 times. The company is expanding to Texas after polling followers on social media about which state it should launch next, KingBrown said. Texas was the clear favourite.

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Its about protecting people, he said. Everybody deserves an opportunity, and everybody deserves a safe ride.

The cost of BlackWolf is roughly 10 to 15% more than the average Uber or Lyft ride, similar to the cost of an Uber Black ride.

KingBrown, who worked in private security for more than a decade, said he got the idea for BlackWolf while driving a woman who had been the victim of human trafficking. She told him he should create transportation for people who needed additional peace of mind.

But the service is less about guns, and more about the vetting process and training in using firearms and de-escalation techniques, he said.

At the end of the day, you know youre getting into a safe car, he said. The driver will know what to do in case of an emergency. That gun will be the very last resort.
UCLA failed to protect students from a protest melee this spring because a "highly chaotic" decision-making process, lack of communication among campus leaders and police, and other shortfalls led to institutional paralysis, according to a University of California independent review released Thursday.

The highly anticipated review, conducted by a national law enforcement consulting agency, found myriad failures and breakdowns by UCLA administrators and police after pro-Palestinian students set up a late April encampment, which drew complaints of antisemitic behavior. The encampment came under a violent attack by counterprotesters in early May, fomenting widespread outrage and attention.

The review found that UCLA had no detailed plan for handling major protests, even as problems were "reasonably foreseeable" as encampments springing up at other campuses were drawing at times violent conflict. UCLA leaders had not identified who should control decision-making and at times shut out campus police from meetings.

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For their part, campus police had no effective plan to work with external law enforcement and failed to take command on the night of the melee  leading the LAPD and the California Highway Patrol to devise an ad-hoc response, the review said.

Read more: Mace, green lasers, screeching soundtracks: Inside the UCLA encampment on a night of violence

"Because no codified plans existed, UCLA administrators engaged in a chaotic process in which they needed to make difficult decisions ... in the midst of ongoing disruption, without clarity on who maintained final decision-making authority, lacking a commonly understood process for reaching decisions, and largely lacking the ability to react quickly to fast-changing events and dynamic circumstances on campus," the report by 21st Century Policing Solutions concluded.

UCLA, in a response late Thursday, said it was committed to campus safety and would learn from the events of this spring.

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"We appreciate the work that went into producing the report, and will continue to implement the recommended reforms  many of which are already underway," the university statement said.

A call for reforms

The review recommended that UCLA take key actions:



Develop a detailed response plan

Provide better training of civilian staff and police

Increase real-time communications about campus disruptions

Hire more civilians to help mediate conflicts before law enforcement is called in

The report was based on tens of thousands of documents and interviews with current and former UCLA administrators, faculty, staff, students and law enforcement over five months. It comes after two other major reports criticized UCLA for its protest response.

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A report to the Los Angeles Police Commission found a confusing breakdown in coordinating actions among UCLA, the LAPD, California Highway Patrol and smaller municipal police agencies that were hastily called to campus in the spring. The Republican-led U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce also criticized UCLA and other elite universities, including Harvard and Columbia, for dramatic failures in confronting antisemitism.

UC President Michael V. Drake said in a statement Thursday that the goal of the UCLA review was to learn what reforms were needed to prevent a recurrence of the shortcomings, while safeguarding campus health and safety, equal access to educational facilities and 1st Amendment rights to free speech.

Last spring, as conflict spread at universities across the country, we saw the limits of our traditional approach," Drake said. "We are taking a close, detailed look at where we fell short and how we can do better moving forward. This comprehensive review and these recommendations will help ensure that we have actionable plans and policies in place to prevent similar events from happening again.

Read more: UC regents: Protests yes, encampments no. Campus rules must be consistently enforced

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Drake noted that UCLA has started making changes, including launching some of the actions recommended by the consulting group. They include setting up an Office of Campus Safety, with oversight over the UCLA police department and Office of Emergency Management, and hiring an associate vice chancellor to lead it. UCLA hired Rick Braziel, a former Sacramento police chief and expert in law enforcement response reviews, for that role earlier this year on a temporary contract; he has begun to overhaul safety and security operations.

In the long term, the review said, UCLA should convene a campuswide conversation to reach agreement on the proper role of police. Some faculty and students, for instance, want to eliminate police from campus entirely and use trained civilian mediators instead to address problems  using outside law enforcement to handle serious crimes.

"This central tension  whether and how police provide public safety, and for whom  is part of a national conversation about the role of police and the meaning of public safety," the review said. "UCLA has thus far responded to this tension ineffectively, by functionally excluding police from planning and engagement but then asking law enforcement to engage once tensions have escalated to violence."

UCLA shortcomings revealed

The review provided a detailed look at UCLA's failures and recommended how to fix future responses to campus unrest or emergencies.



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Two groups of UCLA campus leaders mobilized to meet about the encampment and protests but were ineffective. One group of senior administrators excluded UCLA police and sowed frustration by the free-flowing debate, internecine conflict, and a notable lack of decision-making. Going forward, UCLA should appoint an incident commander with overall management responsibility and follow a well-known national model for emergency response.



Administrators and campus police should coordinate response plans and engage in joint training exercises. The UC systemwide community safety plan calls for "tiered responses" to protests, with law enforcement brought in as a last resort, but police were almost entirely uninvolved" in decision-making. Campus police, for instance, were not consulted when UCLA approved a permit for a pro-Israel rally to be set up next to the encampment two days before the melee. Police might have been able to warn about the potential danger of dueling protest groups next to each other; physical skirmishes did break out between them.



UCLA should update its agreements for mutual aid with other law enforcement agencies and specifically develop one with the LAPD to clarify what assistance can be provided.



UCLA should improve communications to both the campus and the public, which were "disjointed" during the spring protests.



The campus should hire a cadre of full-time, unarmed public safety officers empowered to intervene when people are flouting campus rules. That would fill the gap between part-time civilian staff, who mainly observe and report suspicious activity to police, and law enforcement, the review said.

'Deeply troubling' reports of antisemitism

The independent review came out after the UC Board of Regents met in San Francisco to discuss UCLA's "campus climate" and three task force reports released this year that criticized the university response to allegations of antisemitism and anti-Arab, anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian racism.

In a 93-page report released last month, a UCLA task force on antisemitism described "broad-based perceptions of antisemitic and anti-Israeli bias on campus" among students, lecturers, faculty, staff and administrators.

The report, which surveyed hundreds of individuals contacted through Jewish organizations, found that 84% believed that antisemitism had worsened or significantly worsened since Oct. 7, 2023, and that roughly 70% said the spring encampment was a source of antisemitism." Another 40% said they experienced antisemitic discrimination in their time at UCLA.

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Read more: UCLA students and faculty raise alarm on antisemitic and anti-Palestinian hate amid ongoing protests

Two reports from the UCLA Task Force on Anti-Palestinian, Anti-Muslim, and Anti-Arab Racism, released in April and June, also decried campus being less safe than ever for those groups and said there was increased harassment, violence, and targeting of them but did not provide survey data.

Regents spent about 40 minutes discussing the reports, with all but a few minutes focused on antisemitism.

"I am just shocked that in 2024 we have a report which alleges extensive antisemitism affecting Jewish students, faculty and staff at really one of the most prestigious universities in the world," said Regent Rich Leib.

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"We have lost our way," he later added. "This is not a simple problem of enforcing our rules. We need to take stock and do everything in our power to restore our campuses to safe and sane places."

Leib also criticized faculty leaders in the Academic Senate.

"This report clearly delineates numerous and frequent instances of faculty who violated the rules and joined the encampments or made comments in their classrooms that were not consistent with rules ... yet the report indicates that not one faculty member was disciplined by the Academic Senate. That seems intolerable to me and has to change," he said.

In response, Academic Senate Chair Steven W. Cheung told regents that faculty disciplinary processes were meant to "protect our due diligence rights, our rights to a hearing, and to make sure we are deliberative in our decision-making." He said the Senate was not interested in "fossilized" processes and would welcome reviewing them with the regents.

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Regent Jay Sures grilled UCLA Interim Chancellor Darnell Hunt on the campus administration's progress in investigating allegations of antisemitic, anti-Arab, anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim incidents since Oct. 7, 2023, which Hunt said were in the "hundreds" on "both sides."

Hunt said the investigations were ongoing and that "some of these cases can take up to a year to resolve."

Drake called the antisemitism report "deeply troubling" and touted the university's new systemwide office of civil rights that is dealing with discrimination across campuses.

"We can and we must do better," Drake said.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
STORRS, Conn. (WTNH)  Two University of Connecticut students are facing multiple charges and potential school discipline after they reenacted a viral TikTok video that caused panic in a dining hall.

Police were called on Nov. 7 to the Connecticut Residence Dining Hall after the two students allegedly yelled commands and held a cell phone with two hands as if they were holding a gun.

Thanh Bao, 18, of Vernon, has been charged with second-degree breach of peace, first-degree threatening/displaying a firearm and conspiracy to commit first-degree threatening/displaying a firearm.

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Nathanael David Ghez, 18, of Penn Valley, Pennsylvania, has been charged with second-degree breach of peace and conspiracy to commit first-degree threatening/displaying a firearm.

Thanh Bao (UConn)

Nathanael David Ghez (Source: UConn)

They were arrested Wednesday and have since been released on $50,000 bonds.

Bao is accused of being the person who pretended to hold a gun while Ghez recorded it.

In a written statement, UConn said that federal privacy law prohibits it from discussing if they face discipline.

However, generally speaking, any students who are believed to have engaged in behavior that causes safety concerns and/or disrupts regular operations may face Student Code of Conduct reviews and can be subject to sanctions, up to and including expulsion, the statement reads.

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Exclusive: Cheshire teacher behind politically charged viral video resigns

Luke Bohan, a UConn freshman, was in the Connecticut Residence Dining Hall when two students started reenacting a popular TikTok video. Police said its a viral social media trend where students reenact a shooting inside a crowded school cafeteria.

I heard a lot of yelling, Bohansaid. I think one kid pretended to have a gun in his hand, and he was telling other kid to put his hands up and get down, something along those lines,

Bohan said that students posted on social media later that day, saying they were frozen in fear.

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Especially in Connecticut with a tragedy like Sandy Hook, its not something that you just joke about, and its not something that comes without consequences, Bohan said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
LONDON (Reuters) - British jets tracked a Russian aircraft flying close to the country's airspace, the Royal Air Force said on Friday, days after the Royal Navy also detected Russian military ships passing through the English Channel.

"Our adversaries should be in no doubt of our steadfast determination and formidable ability to protect the UK," Luke Pollard, British minister for the armed forces, said in a statement.

The Royal Navy and RAF routinely track the movements of Russian warships and jets near its waters and airspace.

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The Ministry of Defence (MOD) said it was the second time in three months the RAF and the Royal Navy had spotted Russian aircraft and ships within a week of each other.

Two RAF Typhoons on Thursday monitored a Russian Bear-F bomber aircraft flying over the North Sea, the MOD said. The Royal Navy shadowed two separate groups of Russian military vessels, totalling five ships, which were headed towards the Atlantic and Baltic, it said.

(Reporting by Suban Abdulla; Editing by Catarina Demony)
(Bloomberg) -- Prime Minister Keir Starmer is seeking to meet with Chinas Xi Jinping at next weeks Group of 20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, in what would be the first face-to-face encounter between British and Chinese leaders in almost seven years.

Most Read from Bloomberg

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Chinese and British officials are in discussions to arrange the bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Nov. 18-19 conference, according to a person familiar with the matter who requested anonymity while discussing plans that havent been finalized. The plans are subject to change, and the schedules of the two leaders may not align, they said.

The UK is seeking to revive ties with China after a hiatus in top-level exchanges under the UKs previous Conservative government. The two sides have clashed in recent years, including a disagreement over security legislation in Hong Kong and allegations of Chinese hacking of British institutions. China was the UKs sixth-biggest individual trading partner as of March, according to the Office for National Statistics.

China has welcomed a thaw with the UK as it seeks to dial down diplomatic friction with a host of US partners ahead of President-elect Donald Trumps return to the White House. Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijings ties with with the UK stand at a new starting point, after a visit by Foreign Secretary David Lammy last month. The last British premier to meet with Xi was Theresa May during an official visit to China in early 2018.

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Ukraine's State Aviation Administration is exploring the possibility of gradually and partially reopening airspace to civil aviation, with Lviv in the country's west potentially becoming the first city to resume airport operations.

Source: Reuters

Details: In a written comment to Reuters, Ukraine's State Aviation Administration noted that it was considering a gradual and partial opening of the airspace to civil aviation "provided the risks are assessed and reduced to an acceptable level, and additional security measures are implemented". No specific timeframe was provided, though.

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Crispin Ellison, senior partner at Marsh McLennan Insurance Company, stated that for nearly a year, Ukraine has been in discussions with European aviation authorities and airlines about resuming air travel.

"If regulators agree it is safe to open it and a political decision is made, the insurance industry is ready to support the recovery efforts," Ellison said, referring to a possible launch in 2025.

Ellison emphasised that securing airspace is a significant challenge, noting that considerable efforts have been made to address this issue, although he did not provide further details.

Lviv Oblast, bordering Poland, has been less affected by Russian attacks compared to other regions of Ukraine, though Russian forces have targeted its gas infrastructure and conducted drone and missile strikes. Lviv Airport, which has two terminals, was capable of handling up to 3,000 passengers per hour before the war.

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Ellison stated that Marsh McLennan is assisting the Ukrainian government in developing an insurance programme to cover commercial aviation risks. The company already provides insurance for vessels transporting cargo through the Black Sea corridor.

The discussions involve the aviation sector, he added: "National carriers, low-cost and Ukrainian airlines (are) all expressing an interest and looking at whether they do this".

Background:

Civil aviation flights over Ukraine were fully suspended on 24 February 2022.

Ukraines Ministry for Communities and Territories Development, along with the directors of international airports, presented a roadmap for reopening Ukraine's airspace during wartime.

Flights to one of Ukraine's airports  Lviv or Boryspil (Kyiv)  could restart by the end of January 2025.

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By Yuliia Dysa

(Reuters) - Wartime Ukraine could reopen a first airport in its western Lviv region next year, as it tries to restore air travel that has been suspended nationwide since Russia's 2022 invasion, a senior partner at insurance broker Marsh McLennan said.

Moscow has regularly conducted missile and drone strikes on Ukraine during more than 2-1/2 years of fighting. Ukraine's national flag carrier and several other companies have gone bankrupt due to the suspension of air travel.

Kyiv has taken part in discussions with European aviation authorities and airlines on restoring some air travel for almost a year, Crispin Ellison of Marsh McLennan told Reuters.

"If regulators agree it is safe to open it and a political decision is made, the insurance industry is ready to support the recovery efforts," Ellison said, referring to 2025.

The State Aviation Service said in written comments it was considering the possibility of a phased and limited opening of airspace for civil aviation "provided the risks are assessed and reduced to an acceptable level, and additional security measures are implemented". It did not provide any timeframe.

Ensuring the safety of the airspace is a primary task and "there has been a lot of work around this challenge", Ellison said. He did not provide additional details.

Lviv region, which borders Poland, rarely comes under Russian strikes compared to other parts of Ukraine, although Russian troops have attacked its gas infrastructure and fired drones and missiles at it.

The airport has two terminals and had the capacity to serve up to 3,000 passengers per hour before the war.

Marsh McLennan has been supporting the Ukrainian government to put together an insurance facility to cover commercial aviation, Ellison said. The broker already runs an insurance programme for ships carrying all cargos via Ukraine's Black Sea corridor.

The aviation sector is involved in the talks, he said.

"National carriers, low-cost and Ukrainian airlines (are) all expressing an interest and looking at whether they do this."

The Ukrainian government is also keen to reopen the country's main airport just outside Kyiv but Ellison believes the aviation market is waiting "until confidence has been gained that this can happen in a much lower-risk scenario".

Kyiv and the surrounding region are regularly targeted by Russian long-range attacks.

The infrastructure ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; editing by Tom Balmforth and Ros Russell)
KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine's SBU security service said on Friday it had detained a special operations forces unit commander accused of disclosing plans of operations behind enemy lines to Russia's GRU military intelligence.

"The aggressor was most interested in intelligence on sabotage and reconnaissance raids by Ukrainian special forces behind the front line in the Zaporizhzhia, Kherson and Crimean directions," SBU said via the Telegram messaging app.

The "mole", whose rank corresponded to lieutenant colonel, had access to information on planned routes, weapons and targets, according to the statement.

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Russian forces planned to use the intelligence to eliminate special forces soldiers on the front line and in the Russian-occupied parts of southern Ukraine.

SBU said Russia's military intelligence "activated" the unit commander in the spring of this year but that he was recruited before Moscow's full-scale invasion in February 2022 through his acquaintances in Russia.

The security service said that Ukraine's top military leadership aided with the case and the suspect could face life in prison on treason charges.

(Reporting by Anastasiia Malenko; Editing by Ros Russell)
Kyiv is ready to help Poland in its intentions to develop nuclear energy, as Ukraine has considerable experience and specialists in this field.

Source: Herman Halushchenko, Ukraines Minister of Energy, on the sidelines of the ReBuild Ukraine Construction and Energy international exhibition and conference in Warsaw, Ukrinform reports

Quote: "Poland plans to develop nuclear energy and has signed the relevant contracts, and we have vast experience in operation and specialists of the appropriate level. Therefore, in negotiations with both Polish and American partners, we stressed that Ukraine can significantly strengthen this area," Halushchenko said.

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He said that cooperation between Ukraine and Poland in the energy sector is "very good" and the countries have many areas of cooperation.

For example, last year, another interconnector between the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant and Rzeszow was put into operation, increasing the throughput capacity of the Ukrainian and EU energy systems.

This also concerns cooperation in the gas sector, the issue of gas interconnectors and the use of gas storage facilities, as well as future cooperation in the field of nuclear energy, the minister said.

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Ukraine will attract more than US$1 billion in soft loans from the World Bank and 150 million from the EU.

Source: Ukraines Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal

Details: According to Shmyhal, this money was accumulated thanks to the governments of Japan and the United Kingdom.

In addition, another governments decision will result in an additional 150 million from the EU.

Quote: "Within the framework of this agreement, the money will be directed to the rebuilding of port infrastructure and rapid reconstruction projects," Shmyhal told reporters.

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In addition, 65 million will be used to fund a free nutrition programme for elementary school students in 2025.

Background: The World Bank has unveiled a new US$750 million support package for Ukraine.

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Ukraines United Nations Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya, who was an exchange student at University of Kansas in the 1990s, said it would be a mistake for the United States to soften military aid to Ukraine just as Russia was joined on the battlefield by troops from North Korea. Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Ukraines ambassador to the United Nations said President-elect Donald Trump and the newly elected Republican-controlled Congress would undermine U.S. credibility by withdrawing military aid from Ukraine as the war with Russia entered a more dangerous phase with introduction of troops from North Korea.

In February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin expanded a conflict with Ukraine by ordering a full-scale invasion of the country. Putins special military operation was condemned by the UN General Assembly and prompted billions of dollars in U.S. military assistance.

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UN Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya, who was an exchange student at University of Kansas in the early 1990s, said it was difficult to decipher Trumps campaign promise to abruptly end the war after replacing President Joe Biden in January. In April, more than 100 GOP members of Congress voted against a $60 billion aid package that was approved for Ukraine.

I hope it is very clear to the Americans that if America wants to be great, America cannot let Putin win the war, the career diplomat said. Are you ready to face the Americans losing the major war in Europe?

On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of State reported North Korean troops joined Russian forces in combat against Ukrainian units.

Its a very dangerous situation beyond Ukraine, Kyslytsya said Tuesday at KUs Robert Dole Institute of Politics. Its the very first time the North Korean military is deployed outside North Korea. Most of them will be killed, given the statistics of how we eliminate Russians every day, every week.

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The ambassador said a broader consideration for the United States was that North Korean forces could use fighting in Ukraine to test weapons and gather combat experience. North Koreans who survive the war and return home could apply their real-world experiences by fighting South Korea, he said.

He said investments by the United States in military aid to Ukraine represented less than 1% of the U.S. military budget. He estimated 90% of federal appropriations for munitions destined for Ukraine were earmarked for contracts with U.S. manufacturers.

If politicians and if diplomats sit down with regular people and explain that to them, they will understand the whole complexity, he said. That is the intrinsic interest of those proud Americans who would like to see their country great (and) that the enemies of this country do not win. Otherwise, you will look like losers. Nobody wants to be a loser, right?

In April, U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall and U.S. Reps. Tracey Mann and Ron Estes, all Kansas Republicans, voted against a $60 billion Ukraine aid package.

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Republicans U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran and U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner as well as Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas voted for the measure that easily passed the House and Senate.

Can you win any war without weapons? Kyslytsya said. Helping Ukraine fight the enemy is the most economically and most politically wise choice to do, because the price you pay is material. Its not lives of your soldiers.

Kyslytsya said skeptics of sustaining U.S. military involvement in Ukraine should be reminded of a speech by aviator Charles Lindbergh in 1941. On behalf of the America First Committee, Lindbergh championed U.S. isolationism while German dictator Adolph Hitlers troops marched across Europe.

There is a policy open to this nation that will lead to success  a policy that leaves us free to follow our own way of life, and to develop our own civilization, Lindbergh said. It is based upon the belief that the security of a nation lies in the strength and character of its own people. It demands faith in an independent American destiny. This is the policy of the America First Committee today. It is a policy not of isolation, but of independence; not of defeat, but of courage.

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Kyslytsya said Lindbergh incorrectly argued that no matter how much the United States supported European allies, Hitler would win the war.

How many times have we heard no matter how much you help Ukraine, Ukraine will lose to Putin? the ambassador said.

He said that if Ukraine fell, Moldova would be overtaken quickly by Russia. He said Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania would be Russias next target, followed by Poland. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were occupied by the Soviet Union until 1991, but have since joined NATO along with Poland.

If Russia prevails, Russia enforces alliances with your (U.S.) enemies. Like Iran, North Korea and other countries. The numbers are higher. The geography of the enemies is wider, Kyslytsya said.

Kansas Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Kansas Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Sherman Smith for questions: info@kansasreflector.com. Follow Kansas Reflector on Facebook and X.
The Ukrainian government wants Germany to make the necessary decisions on additional weapons deliveries to Ukraine before the early Bundestag elections next year.

Source: Spiegel, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Oleksii Makeiev, Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany, stated that "everything must be done to ensure the smooth implementation of planned orders and financing of additional assistance in the new year".

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The ambassador emphasised that the Bundestag may make choices even when the coalition collapses and approve future armament contracts.

Quote: "The majority was and remains on our side  an absolute democratic majority," he stressed.

Before the collapse of the German government, Chancellor Olaf Scholz proposed an additional 3 billion in military help to Ukraine. The coalition factions, the Social Democrats and the Greens, are in negotiations with the opposition.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who represents the Greens, supports the aid package. In particular, this concerns 812 Quantum reconnaissance drones worth 153 million, which Ukraine has requested, but which has yet to be discussed in the Bundestag.

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The preliminary draft of the German budget for 2025 allocates 4 billion euros to Ukraine, which is half the amount allocated in 2024.

In September, it was reported that the German government intends to provide Ukraine with another armaments package for 1.4 billion by the end of the year, despite the fact that the budget for military assistance to Kyiv has already been fully depleted.

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(Bloomberg) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy tells Suspilne media platform that under US president-elect Donald Trump the war in Ukraine will end quicker, according to Suspilne website.

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Definitely, under the policy of the team which will be in charge of the White House, the war will end quicker. This is their approach, their promise to their society, it is also very important to them, he said.

Trump, who takes office in January, has said hed seek a quick deal between Kyiv and Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz held a phone call earlier on Friday, the first direct communication between the leaders in almost two years and discussed the war in Ukraine.

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Key developments on Nov. 15:

Scholz condemns war, urges Russia to negotiate with Ukraine in first call with Putin in nearly 2 years

Drone attack reported in Russia's Krasnodar region, explosions heard near military airfield

Russian troops plant flag at border in Chernihiv Oblast, Border Guard says no major offensive detected

Trump says Russia-Ukraine war 'gotta stop'

Ukrainian military fighting in Russia to receive additional financial rewards

Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke by phone on Nov. 15, their first direct call in nearly two years, according to a German government statement.

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Earlier in the day, Bloomberg reported that Putin and Scholz were scheduled to speak, though it did not specify the time or topics of discussion. The call, unannounced by either Moscow or Berlin, lasted about an hour, Reuters reported.

The last phone call between Putin and Scholz occurred on Dec. 2, 2022. Scholz is the first head of government from a European Union country supporting Ukraine to resume direct contact with Putin.

During the conversation, Scholz condemned Russia's war against Ukraine, calling on Putin to end it and withdraw Russian troops from Ukrainian territory. He also urged Russia to negotiate with Ukraine to achieve a "just and lasting peace."

"Germany has unwavering determination to support Ukraine in its defensive struggle against Russian aggression for as long as necessary," the German government's statement read.

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Zelensky warned later in the day that Scholz's call with Putin opens a "Pandora's box," potentially leading to "other conversations and other calls."

Scholz had informed Zelensky in advance of his intention to call Putin. Zelensky reportedly responded, "This will just make Putin feel that the isolation is decreasing," according to Suspilne, citing an undisclosed source in the Presidential Office.

Read also: Opinion: How EU nations can prevent the worst-case outcome for Ukraine

In his evening address, Zelensky criticized any negotiations that could ease Russia's isolation without meaningful outcomes. "It is extremely important for Putin to loosen his isolation, Russia's isolation, and to conduct ordinary negotiations that will not result in anything  as he has been doing for decades," Zelensky said.

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"This has allowed Russia to change nothing in its police, to do nothing in essence, and this is exactly what led to this war."

Zelensky also reiterated that there would be no "Minsk-3," referencing the Minsk agreements of 2014 and 2015, which proposed creating autonomous zones in Russian-occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts but excluded mention of occupied Crimea.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry also expressed concerns over the Scholz-Putin call, stating that such lengthy conversations have been a tool Putin has exploited for over 20 years, now providing him hope for easing his international isolation.

"Even if the German chancellor did not express any positions contradicting Ukraines stance, conversations with the Russian dictator do not add value in achieving a just peace," the ministry said in a statement.

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Germany, Ukraine's main European backer, is facing internal political turmoil. The center-left coalition led by Scholz has weakened, while opposition leader Friedrich Merz is eyeing the chancellorship.

Both Scholz and Merz have pledged to maintain aid to Ukraine in line with current policies.

However, an expert told The Kyiv Independent that the Trump administration's stance "will have a much larger impact on Germany's policies than whether the next German chancellor is Friedrich Merz, Olaf Scholz, or any other likely candidate."

Read also: With Scholzs government in shambles, conservative rival touts more decisive Ukraine strategy

Drone attack reported in Russia's Krasnodar region, explosions heard near military airfield

Russia's Krasnodar region came under a "massive drone attack" overnight on Nov. 15, Governor Veniamin Kondratiev reported via his Telegram channel. One of the targeted districts hosts a military airfield.

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The governor said that two municipalities in the region were targeted, with Russian air defense intercepting approximately 36 drones over the Krymsk and Krasnoarmeisk districts.

In Krymsk, debris from a drone fell on four residential properties, damaging the roof of one house and a car, according to Kondratiev. In the Krasnoarmeisk district, drone debris allegedly caused damage to the roof of a private house. No casualties were reported.

The Russian telegram channel Astra cited local sources suggesting the drones may have been targeting the Krymsk military airfield. This claim has not been confirmed by official sources, and the governor has not commented on it. The Ukrainian military has not commented on the attack.

Astra noted that earlier reports from local officials claimed 46 drones had been intercepted over the Krymsk area. Astra said that his statement was later removed without explanation.

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The Russian Defense Ministry later said that its forces had intercepted 51 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 36 over the Krasnodar region, 10 over the Azov Sea, three over Russian-occupied Crimea, and another two over the Belgorod region.

Outmanned and outgunned on the battlefield, Ukraine has turned to homemade drones to try to exhaust Russian combat capabilities as much as possible from afar, targeting Russian military-industrial complex facilities, airbases, or oil refineries.

While Ukraine regularly claims attacks deep into Russia, it is difficult to verify the authenticity of the reports and the scale of the damage inflicted.

Read also: We are exhausted  how Ukrainians cope with nightly Russian drone attacks

Russian troops plant flag at border in Chernihiv Oblast, Border Guard says no major offensive detected

State Border Guard spokesperson Andrii Demchenko confirmed to the Kyiv Independent that a Russian sabotage group planted a Russian flag near the border in Ukraine's Chernihiv Oblast, but said that the event occurred in the grey zone and Russian troops did not launch a major offensive in the region.

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Demchenko's statement comes on Nov. 15 after Russian military bloggers posted videos purportedly showing Russian troops planting a flag on the bridge over the Sudost River near the border settlement of Hremiach and claimed they entered Hremiach and Muravi.

Demchenko denied that Russian forces entered the settlements and said that they did not cross the bridge.

"The territory where the (Russian) sabotage group operated from the border is actually cut off by rivers, and no one lives in the settlements located between the rivers and the border. In addition, due to the constant flooding of that territory, it is not possible to build proper fortifications there," Demchenko said in a comment.

"Ukraine's defense forces fully control this axis and are in the most advantageous positions to hold the defense."

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Demchenko added that Ukraine has deployed additional forces in the area to fend off acts of sabotage from Russia.

"The threat from Russian sabotage and intelligence groups has not disappeared anywhere, in particular in Chernihiv Oblast. Although the activity of saboteurs has decreased significantly recently, the terrorist country has not given up on the use of sabotage groups, including for psychological influence."

The Russian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) wrote on Nov. 15 that it had confirmed the geolocation of two Russian soldiers seen in footage shared by Russian military bloggers planting a flag on the bridge over the Sudost River. RFE/RL suggested the two soldiers were part of a larger group.

Chernihiv Oblast is located on Ukraine's northern border with Russia and Belarus. It was partially occupied during Russia's initial offensive in February 2022, but the invading force retreated in April after the Kremlin failed to take Kyiv.

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Since then, Russian forces have been regularly shelling regional settlements near the border and launching cross-border raids into the region.

Read also: Russia preparing a 50,000-people-strong offensive in latest attempt to push Ukrainian army out of Kursk Oblast

Trump says Russia-Ukraine war 'gotta stop'

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said at a Mar-a-Lago event in Florida on Nov. 14 that his administration will focus on the Russia-Ukraine war.

"We're going to work very hard on Russia and Ukraine. It's gotta stop. Russia and Ukraines gotta stop," Trump said at an event in Florida on Nov. 14, according to CNN. "Whether theyre soldiers or theyre people sitting in towns, were going to work it."

Trump secured victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, adding further uncertainty for Ukraine regarding the future of Western military aid and its defense against the ongoing Russian full-scale invasion.

Reacting to the election result, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a Nov. 15 interview with Suspilne that the war "will end faster" under the policies of Trump's administration, set to take office in January 2025.

"A just peace is very important for us so that there is no feeling that we have lost the best for the sake of injustice imposed on you (Ukrainians). The war will end, but there is no exact date," Zelensky said.

Read also: Opinion: Trump could actually be good for Europe

"Certainly, with the policies of this team that will now lead the White House, the war will end faster. This is their approach, their promise to their society, and it is also very important to them."

Zelensky noted that he and Trump had a "constructive interaction," during which Ukraine presented its vision for peace. "He (Trump) heard the basis on which we stand. I did not hear anything contrary to our position," Zelensky said.

When asked whether Trump had demanded Kyiv negotiate with Moscow, Zelensky emphasized Ukraine's independence.

"During this war, both our people and I personally, in negotiations with the U.S.  with Trump, Biden, and European leaders  have shown that the rhetoric of 'Sit down and listen' does not work with us," he said.

Trump, during a campaign event on Oct. 14, claimed to have "gotten along very well with (Vladimir) Putin" during his first term (20172021) and suggested that Putin had expressed ambitions to control Ukraine.

"It (Ukraine) was the apple of his eye; he used to talk about it. But I said, 'You're not going in,' and he wasn't going in," Trump said.

Following his electoral victory, Trump allegedly warned Putin in a phone call not to escalate the war, though the Kremlin later denied that such a call had occurred.

U.S.-Russia relations have soured since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, rendering Putin a persona non grata in much of the Western world.

Ukrainian military fighting in Russia to receive additional financial rewards

Ukrainian soldiers will receive additional financial rewards for completing combat missions in Russia, Taras Melnychuk, the Ukrainian governments representative in parliament, announced on Nov. 15.

The update applies primarily to those currently involved in combat in Russia's Kursk Oblast. Kyiv launched the surprise offensive into Kursk in August, and while Russian forces have recaptured about half of the territory initially lost, fighting continues.

The Cabinet of Ministers has amended two resolutions regarding payments to military personnel, extending the regulations to include troops serving on Russian territory, according to Melnychuk.

Ukrainian military personnel operating in Russia during martial law will receive an additional monthly payment of 100,000 hryvnias ($2,400), proportional to the time spent on combat missions there. They will also receive a lump sum payment of 70,000 hryvnias ($1,700) for every 30 days of combat, cumulatively calculated.

Soldiers and officers from the State Emergency Service, National Anti-Corruption Bureau's Special Operations Department, and police officers performing missions in Russia will also receive the 100,000 hryvnias ($2,400) bonus.

Additional payments of 100,000 hryvnias ($2,400) will be made to soldiers wounded while on duty in Russia. In the event of death during a combat mission in Russia, the soldier's relatives will receive a one-time payment of 15 million hryvnias ($363,000).

Ukrainian forces are currently holding off nearly 50,000 Russian troops in the Kursk area, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in mid-November.

The Kursk incursion was designed to preempt a Russian plan to invade Sumy Oblast in order to create a "buffer zone" in Ukraine's north and draw Russian forces away from the steadily advancing front in Donetsk Oblast, the Ukrainian military reported.

According to Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, Russian forces have lost 7,905 soldiers killed, 12,220 wounded, and 717 captured over the three months of the Kursk offensive.

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Ukraines Defence Minister Rustem Umierov is on a working visit to Norway, where he has recently met with his counterpart, Bjrn Arild Gram, and discussed with him a boost for Ukraine's air defence systems.

Source: Umierov on Facebook

Quote: "I arrived on a working visit to the Kingdom of Norway, where I had a meeting with my friend and colleague, Norwegian Defence Minister Bjrn Arild Gram.

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Our delegations discussed important issues of bilateral cooperation, particularly ways to develop and strengthen Ukraines air defence system."

Details: Umierov added that they also talked about the training of Ukrainian servicemen with the participation of Norwegian instructors.

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The military counterintelligence and investigators of the Security Service of Ukraine has detained a Russian military intelligence agent in the ranks of the Special Operations Forces of Ukraine.

Source: press service of the Security Service of Ukraine and the Special Operations Forces

Details: The Security Service of Ukraine said that the agent was a lieutenant colonel, commander of one of the units of the Special Operations Forces, who was recruited by the Russians before the start of the full-scale war.

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It was reported that he was remotely "called to action" by a Russian intelligence officer and assigned a task in the spring of 2024. His task was to pass on plans for the Ukrainian defence forces' combat operations in the Russian rear to the Russians.

The Russians were most interested in intelligence on sabotage and reconnaissance raids by Ukrainian special operations soldiers behind the front line on the Zaporizhzhia, Kherson and Crimea fronts.

To carry out the Russians task, the agent used his official position to obtain information about the planned routes of movement of the defence forces, their weapons and targets.

The Russians reportedly planned to use this information to kill Ukrainian servicemen on the front line or beyond it  in the temporarily occupied part of Ukraines south.

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Moreover, the agent also leaked information about other units of the defence forces to his Russian supervisor.

Quote from the Security Service of Ukraine: "As a result of the special operation, the Security Services military counterintelligence gradually documented the traitor's crimes and detained him.

Comprehensive measures were taken to secure the locations of the defence forces simultaneously.

According to the investigation, the suspect was recruited by Russian military intelligence through his acquaintances in Russia, with whom he kept in touch.

During the searches, the detainee's means of covert communication, computer equipment, mobile phone and data storage devices were seized.

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The investigators of the Security Service of Ukraine served the agent with a notice of suspicion under Part 2 Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (high treason committed under martial law).

The offender is in custody. He faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property."

Quote from the Special Operations Forces: "The command of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirms the information revealed by the Security Service of Ukraine on the detention of a Russian intelligence mole who passed plans for special operations behind enemy lines in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine to the enemy.

The command of the Special Operations Forces was aware of the investigative actions against this serviceman and fully facilitated its conduct.

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While the Special Operations Forces servicemen are performing combat missions behind enemy lines in temporarily occupied territories, unfortunately, there are those who are trying to interfere from the inside.

The Special Operations Forces continue to perform tasks, kill the enemy and liberate Ukrainian land from the occupiers. And all those thinking they can prevent this and endanger the lives of our soldiers will be exposed and sent to prison."

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By Tom Balmforth and Yuliia Dysa

KYIV (Reuters) -President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the German chancellor's phone call with Russia's leader on Friday opened a "Pandora's box" that undermined efforts to isolate Vladimir Putin and end the war in Ukraine with a "fair peace".

A German government spokesperson said Olaf Scholz urged Putin to begin talks with Kyiv that would open the way for a "just and lasting peace" as the leaders held their first phone call since December 2022 as the war in Ukraine rages on.

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"Olaf's call, in my opinion, is a Pandora's box. Now there may be other conversations, other calls " Zelenskiy said.

"... this is exactly what Putin has long wanted: it is extremely important for him to weaken his isolation and to conduct ordinary negotiations that will not end in anything."

Kyiv says Russia is not prepared to negotiate an end to the war in good faith and that Ukraine needs robust security guarantees before there is any ceasefire in hostilities to prevent a future Russian offensive.

Zelenskiy said Moscow had repeatedly used negotiations to advance its interests at Ukraine's expense, alluding to numerous rounds of talks over the war with Russian-backed paramilitaries that erupted in Ukraine's east in 2014 before the 2022 invasion.

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"This gave Russia the opportunity not to change anything in its policy, not to do anything in essence, and this is exactly what led to this war," he said in his evening address.

Berlin is a major Ukrainian financial backer and its largest provider of weapons after the United States, whose future support for Kyiv appears uncertain following Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election.

The victory of Trump, who has said he will end the war in Ukraine swiftly without saying how, has spurred fears in Europe that he will cut vital assistance to Kyiv and push for a peace that costs Ukraine dearly.

INFORMED OF CALL

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Though Germany has been a vital ally for Ukraine, its hesitance to provide long-range Taurus cruise missiles has been a source of frustration in Kyiv as it battles a foe armed with a powerful array of long-range weaponry.

In the one-hour phone conversation with Putin, Scholz demanded the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine and reaffirmed Berlin's continued support for Ukraine, the German spokesman said.

The Kremlin said Putin told Scholz during the conversation that any agreement to end the war must take Russian security interests into account and reflect "new territorial realities".

The Kremlin described the fact of the call happening as "extremely positive".

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Zelenskiy was informed in advance of the call and cautioned Scholz against telephoning Putin, according to a source in Zelenskiy's office.

Putin has said Ukraine must drop its ambitions to join the NATO military alliance and also retreat its forces from four Ukrainian regions that his troops partially occupy. Kyiv says that is tantamount to capitulation.

With Kyiv preparing to mark 1,000 days since the full-scale invasion, the Kremlin's forces are on the offensive on multiple sections of the sprawling front line and Russian drones attack Ukraine's big cities nightly.

(Reporting by Tom Balmforth; Editing by Toby Chopra, Alex Richardson and Alison Williams)
Russian forces attacked Odesa Oblast with two Kh-59/69 air-to-surface missiles and also targeted the whole of Ukraine with 29 Shahed loitering munitions on the night of 14-15 November. Ukrainian air defence units have destroyed one missile and 25 drones.

Source: Ukraine's Air Force on Telegram

Quote from the Air Force: "A Kh-59/69 air-to-surface missile and 25 loitering munitions have been confirmed downed as of 08:30. The vast majority of these aerial targets have been shot down in Odesa Oblast. Air defence units were also responding in Mykolaiv, Kirovohrad and Ternopil oblasts."

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Details: The Russian attack on Odesa reportedly caused injuries among people and resulted in damage to houses and cars.

Background: On the evening of 14 November, Russian troops attacked Odesa, damaging a residential building and a main heating pipeline. The bombardment claimed the life of one person and left 10 others injured.

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The French military task force Champagne is completing its mission to train a new brigade named after Anna of Kyiv and consisting of several thousand Ukrainian soldiers [Anna of Kyiv was a princess of Kyivan Rus who became Queen of France in 1051 upon marrying King Henry I  ed.].

Source: AP with reference to French officers who participated in the training, reported by European Pravda

Details: AP noted that once deployed, the French-trained and equipped brigade could become a formidable force on the battlefield.

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The brigade will consist of 4,500 soldiers formed from infantry battalions, as well as engineers, artillery units and other specialists, as previously stated by the French authorities.

More than 2,000 soldiers are undergoing the last steps of training before going back to Ukraine.

The French servicemen said during the conversation with the AP journalists that most of the Ukrainian soldiers were recently drafted and had only a few weeks of basic training before arriving in France in September.

French authorities stressed that "the Ukrainian military were also training other troops for the brigade back in Ukraine".

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The French military sent about 1,500 of its soldiers to the Champagne task force, which is training Ukrainians on how to fight effectively together and how to use and maintain French-provided weapons.

The French military said that the brigade's arsenal will include 18 AMX 10 light tanks, 18 Caesar self-propelled artillery pieces, 128 armoured personnel carriers, anti-tank and anti-aircraft missile systems, as well as other weapons and equipment.

Nonetheless, the French military did not allow journalists to interview the Ukrainian soldiers.

French officers who took part in the training said the troops were now better prepared for the fighting that is likely to take place in the coming months.

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Quote from Colonel Paul (no surname for security reasons): "Now they are able to fight, they are able to manoeuvre. They are able to use the different specialists and to use the different equipment they will have on the battlefield."

     :     2300    -,  ,      .



         . pic.twitter.com/6ewiQgqBk2  Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 9, 2024

Background:

Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron published a video of the training of the Ukrainian military and said that as of October, 2,300 soldiers were undergoing training.

On 9 October, Macron visited the Ukrainian soldiers of the 155th Brigade, which is undergoing training in the Grand Est region in Frances east, and wished them success.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the brigade would come back to Ukraine "by the end of November".

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Ukrainian soldiers from the Anna of Kyiv Brigade of Ukraine's Armed Forces have completed a training course in France. [Anna of Kyiv was a princess of Kyivan Rus who became Queen of France in 1051 upon marrying King Henry I  ed.].

Source: European Pravda, citing France's General Staff on X (Twitter)

Details: France released a video showcasing the training and stressed that this is the first Ukrainian brigade to be trained and equipped in France under the EU military training mission for Ukraine.

#StandWithUkraine  x 

The first brigade of the  trained and equipped in France has completed its training.

Trained by the  army at the request of the Ukrainian army as part of #EUMAM Ukraine, the Anne de Kyiv brigade illustrates Frances resolute support to @DefenceU pic.twitter.com/M80XBUC2ZF  The  Joint Staff - Military operations (@FrenchForces) November 15, 2024

Background:

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Before that, reports indicated that the brigade had completed its training in France.

On 9 October, French President Emmanuel Macron visited Ukrainian military personnel from the 155th Brigade who are undergoing training in Frances eastern region of Grand Est and wished them success.

The EU has recently extended the mandate of the EU military training mission to train Ukrainian soldiers for two years, with more than 400 million earmarked for it.

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Ukrainian soldiers will receive additional financial rewards for completing combat missions in Russia, Taras Melnychuk, the Ukrainian governments representative in parliament, announced on Nov. 15.

The update applies primarily to those currently involved in combat in Russia's Kursk Oblast. Kyiv launched the surprise offensive into Kursk in August, and while Russian forces have recaptured about half of the territory initially lost, fighting continues.

The Cabinet of Ministers has amended two resolutions regarding payments to military personnel, extending the regulations to include troops serving on Russian territory, according to Melnychuk.

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Ukrainian military personnel operating in Russia during martial law will receive an additional monthly payment of 100,000 hryvnias ($2,400), proportional to the time spent on combat missions there. They will also receive a lump sum payment of 70,000 hryvnias ($1,700) for every 30 days of combat, cumulatively calculated.

Soldiers and officers from the State Emergency Service, National Anti-Corruption Bureau's Special Operations Department, and police officers performing missions in Russia will also receive the 100,000 hryvnias ($2,400) bonus.

Additional payments of 100,000 hryvnias ($2,400) will be made to soldiers wounded while on duty in Russia. In the event of death during a combat mission in Russia, the soldier's relatives will receive a one-time payment of 15 million hryvnias ($363,000).

Ukrainian forces are currently holding off nearly 50,000 Russian troops in the Kursk area, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in mid-November.

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The Kursk incursion was designed to preempt a Russian plan to invade Sumy Oblast in order to create a "buffer zone" in Ukraines north and draw Russian forces away from the steadily advancing front in Donetsk Oblast, the Ukrainian military reported.

According to Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, Russian forces have lost 7,905 soldiers killed, 12,220 wounded, and 717 captured over the three months of the Kursk offensive.

Read also: Russia preparing a 50,000-people-strong offensive in latest attempt to push Ukrainian army out of Kursk Oblast

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Operators from the 73rd Naval Centre of Special Operations named after Kish otaman Antin Holovaty carried out a daring operation to rescue 16 servicemen from three different Ukrainian defence forces units encircled in Russia's Kursk Oblast.

Source: Special Operations Forces (SOF) press service

Quote: "At 02:00, SOF operators were tasked with rescuing a group of servicemen from allied units trapped in an encirclement. Within two hours, the operators planned the mission and set out on two armoured Humvees to save their brothers-in-arms.

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The evacuation team faced intense fire from enemy tanks, heavy machine guns and FPV drones."

Details: A video shared by the Special Operations Forces shows the rescued defence forces personnel expressing their gratitude to the SOF operators for their bravery and efforts.

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By John Irish

CHAMPAGNE, France (Reuters) - Soldiers scramble through trenches under a haze of yellow smoke, machine gunfire booms across the fields, invisible drones buzz overhead and voices scream in Ukrainian "Watch out!"

The scene could be 3,000 km (1,860 miles) away in Ukraine's Donbas region, but instead some 2,000 Ukrainian conscripts and veterans are training in the muddy fields of France's eastern Marne region, where French and German armies once hammered each other during World War 1.

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The initiative is part of a European Union-funded programme that has already prepared 60,000 Ukrainians for the front lines since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

For this training the French military has tried to recreate the conditions faced by the Ukrainian forces back home, while training them on the equipment that France is providing.

This includes 128 armoured vehicles for troop movements and reconnaissance, Caesar howitzers, anti-tank missile units, surface-to-air missiles and battlefield radars.

The Anne of Kyiv brigade - named after a princess who married French King Henri I in 1051 in nearby Reims cathedral - has been training in France since September, and in the next 10 days will head to Poland before being dispatched to the front.

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French officials say Ukraine needs as many as 15 new highly trained, battle-ready brigades, especially amid uncertainty over future Western military aid following the victory of Donald Trump - a strong critic of such aid - in the U.S. elections.

'WAR FOR OUR EXISTENCE'

Most of the Ukrainians being trained here only joined the army a month before coming to France, while about 10% are veterans. Their average age is 38 but some are as old as 50.

Those who spoke to Reuters sounded apprehensive but determined to defend their country.

"Fear is part of war. For us it's a war for our existence and survival," said Colonel Dmytro Rymschyn, 38, who heads the Anne of Kyiv brigade.

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"We will soon go back to our native land and our brigade will show its competence. I believe in our victory."

Mykhailo, 50, who left a chemical factory to join the army, was trained to lead an AMX light tank squadron.

When asked whether he hoped the war could end by year-end, he smiled awkwardly: "The hope is that it finishes before we have to go back."

French officials said the current trainees, despite many being civilians, were learning quickly and were showing how Ukraine's army can adapt despite shortages on the ground.

After nine weeks of training, the Ukrainians were now able, for example, to repel an attack on their trenches and to mount a counter-attack.

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French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu told reporters France hoped to prepare more such troops in coming months.

"There is a certain human element to all of this," he added. "There is an exchange with people here who in several weeks will be in a combat situation on the frontline and some of them may well lose their lives."

(Reporting by John Irish; Editing by Gareth Jones)
Frederick Hutchinson Center in Belfast, a building previously used by the University of Maine for classes that served a mix of undergraduate and non-traditional students. (Courtesy of Samantha Warren/ UMaine System)

After years of hosting no in-person classes, a monthslong bidding process and an unsuccessful sale attempt to a church, a midcoast educational hub has a new buyer.

The University of Maine System will sell the Hutchinson Center in Belfast to Waldo Community Action Partners, the highest bidder out of the three organizations competing for the once-bustling building which has stood mostly vacant for years as classes moved online.

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The sale is the latest of several properties the states public universities have sold this year in an attempt to reduce the university systems physical footprint.

The bidding process for the center, which also serves as the internet hub for midcoast schools and libraries, has been fraught with scrutiny from local organizations

After the system announced it had chosen to sell the building to Calvary Chapel of Belfast,

the other two organizations vying for the 30,000 square foot building formally appealed. Upon reconsideration, the university system realized it had undermined the importance of the internet hub in its selection process and rescinded its agreement with the church in September, soliciting another round of bids from interested parties.

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The same three bidders renewed their proposals and applied  Waldo CAP, Calvary Chapel, and Friends of the Hutchinson Center, another Belfast-area nonprofit. Waldo CAP offered the system $3.06 million for the property, which was more than double the other two offers, and above the appraised value of $2.52 million, according to a release by system spokesperson Samantha Warren.

Thats significantly higher than the offers in the previous round of bidding, when Waldo CAP offered $1 million in cash.

The other two bidders have a chance to appeal in the next five business days, but if the sale goes through, transition of the property will start as soon as next year. All three organizations offered to let the system lease space to maintain the internet hub in the building for the next five years at no additional cost.

Waldo CAPs plans for the building are unclear, and the organization did not respond to requests for comment. According to the nonprofits proposal, it has not had a space of its own in 60 years of operation. The group proposes to use the Hutchinson Center for various community programs such as Pre-K, transportation for community members, case management for unhoused people, and an emergency assistance program for low-income households.

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We hope to house some of our administration and programs in the location as well as ensure access to the community for a community center Waldo County has need for, the proposal said. We work collaboratively with many local partners, so this is a natural fit for us.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP)  Nisreen Elsaim has been a climate activist for a dozen years, much of it focusing on the intersection of war and climate change. In April 2023, it became personal, when she awoke in her native Sudan to the explosions and gunfire of an erupting civil war.

Elsaim, her husband and their infant son eventually fled the country, among the millions displaced by a war that decimated crops and livelihoods. Those who went to refugee camps found themselves displaced again when heavy rains and flooding destroyed shelters and severely hindered aid delivery in a country the United Nations ranks as one of the worlds most vulnerable to climate change.

Its a story Elsaim is telling at the United Nations climate talks in Baku, which she says must succeed for countries like hers to have any chance to successfully adapt to climate change.

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We dont have the privilege of losing hope, she said.

The chief goal of COP29, as this years talks are known, is working out how much money wealthier nations will pay to help developing countries like Sudan. Its a task that all sides  world leaders, protesters and experts  say is made more difficult by wars like those enveloping Gaza and Ukraine.

The wars are a distraction from confronting the climate crisis, they say. They waste money that could be used in the climate fight. And they cast doubt on the worlds ability to cooperate.

We meet at a moment where faith in our ability to stand together is broken, Al Hussein bin Abdullah, the crown prince of Jordan, said in a speech in Bakus opening days. Saving our planet must start from the premise that all lives are worth saving. The solidarity we need depends on embracing that truth.

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Many world leaders used their opening remarks to describe how extreme weather had ravaged their countries, making issues such as poverty, energy security and access to water and food worse or more uncertain. And that risks more conflict, they said.

Climate change is now emerging as a major global threat and influencing the escalating of geopolitical tensions. It primarily exacerbates the problems of poverty eradication, food and energy security as well as access to water and resources," Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

In the Middle East, Israels war in Gaza has caused widespread destruction, including collapsing water and sanitation systems. It's also undone Gazas progress in a range of environmental areas, including solar power, water desalination facilities and wetlands restoration, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. The destruction of solar panels threatens soil and water with leaks of lead and other heavy metals, the UN said.

And Russia's war in Ukraine has sent the equivalent of 150 million tons of heat-trapping carbon dioxide into the atmosphere that wouldn't have happened without the war, according to a 2023 report from the Initiative on Greenhouse Gas Accounting of War, a group of researchers whose funding comes in part from the European Climate Foundation. That's more than the annual greenhouse gas emissions from a country like Belgium.

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Achim Steiner, chief administrator for the United Nations Development Programme, said billions of dollars that could be used for poverty eradication, climate finance, education and other good causes are instead going toward war.

We are a more divided world and a divided world struggles to sit around the table and overcome differences in order to focus on shared interests, Steiner said.

Dozens of protesters in Baku specifically targeted Western support for Israel. One of them, Lise Masson of Friends of the Earth International, said countries like the United States and Britain, as well as the European Union, could spend more on climate finance instead.

Its the same systems of oppression and discrimination that are putting people on the front lines of climate change and putting people on the front lines of conflict in Palestine," she said.

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Catherine Abreu, director of the International Climate Politics Hub, a network of organizations and people working on climate action, agreed that wars add to cascading crises and can stretch a governments ability to respond to other problems. And she said it would be incredibly powerful if those wars ended and military spending was immediately shifted to climate action.

When, you know, the ability of developing countries in particular to adapt to and respond to these crises was being better supported by the wealthy global north then we might see an acceleration of climate action, she said.

But she said she sees broader challenges  the COVID hangover, heavy debt loads and economic slowdowns  as primarily responsible for slow progress in climate talks.

Greg Puley, head of the climate team at the United Nations' Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, acknowledged concern that global conflict could prevent leaders at COP29 from reaching the most ambitious possible deal. But he and others are determined to avoid that.

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We cannot afford for business as usual to continue. We cannot afford for the difficult geopolitical environment to prevent major reductions in emissions, major new investments in adaptation and resilience," Puley said. Were not going to be able to respond to the climate-related disasters of the future unless we take bold steps now.

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This story corrects Greg Puley's title to head of the climate team at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

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Pineda reported from Los Angeles.

___

The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
The United Nations says the Russian military is increasingly attacking Ukraine's civilian population and energy infrastructure with drones.

Matthias Schmale, the UN's humanitarian coordinator in Ukraine, warned on Friday of a possible "tipping point" that could trigger new mass population movements.

Schmale said 3.6 million people have already been internally displaced in Ukraine. Some of them have been living in emergency shelters for two years or more.

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He described the drone attacks as "psychological terror." People have reported drones following them in the streets, and have described the fearful uncertainty of never knowing whether they are reconnaissance or attack drones.

The growing use of drones is impacting the civilian population ever more, Schmale said in Geneva. He wants to raise more donations to help people get through the upcoming winter months.

Sixty-five per cent of Ukraine's energy infrastructure has been partially damaged, a large proportion of it this year, Schmale said. With foreign support, the authorities are doing everything they can to repair as much as possible before winter, in a race against time.

It is particularly difficult to supply energy to people living in high-rise buildings, he said. Measures being set up include communal meeting points for them to warm up, take hot showers or get hot meals.

Ukraine has been fending off a full-scale Russian invasion since February 2022.
The United Nations says the Russian military is increasingly attacking Ukraine's civilian population and energy infrastructure with drones.

Matthias Schmale, the UN's humanitarian coordinator in Ukraine, warned on Friday of a possible "tipping point" that could trigger new mass population movements.

Schmale said 3.6 million people have already been internally displaced in Ukraine. Some of them have been living in emergency shelters for two years or more.

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He described the drone attacks as "psychological terror." People have reported drones following them in the streets, and have described the fearful uncertainty of never knowing whether they are reconnaissance or attack drones.

The growing use of drones is impacting the civilian population ever more, Schmale said in Geneva. He wants to raise more donations to help people get through the upcoming winter months.

Sixty-five per cent of Ukraine's energy infrastructure has been partially damaged, a large proportion of it this year, Schmale said. With foreign support, the authorities are doing everything they can to repair as much as possible before winter, in a race against time.

It is particularly difficult to supply energy to people living in high-rise buildings, he said. Measures being set up include communal meeting points for them to warm up, take hot showers or get hot meals.

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Ukraine has been fending off a full-scale Russian invasion since February 2022.

Russia's Krasnodar see large-scale Ukrainian drone attack

Russia meanwhile said it repelled numerous Ukrainian drone attacks in the early hours of Friday.

The Ministry of Defence said that 51 drones were destroyed over the regions of Krasnodar and Belgorod, as well as over the Russian-annexed Crimea and the Sea of Azov.

Unconfirmed reports suggest one of the targets was the Krymsk military airfield in the Krasnodar region of southern Russia, which is over 300 kilometres from the Russian-Ukrainian front line.

The region's governor, Veniamin Kondratyev, wrote on his Telegram channel that there had been "a massive drone attack," adding that there had been no casualties.

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However, three civilians and three soldiers were injured in attacks in the border region of Belgorod, the local governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, wrote on Telegram.

During the course of the Russian-Ukrainian war, which has been going on for more than two and a half years, Ukrainian has repeatedly carried out counterattacks on Russian territory.

Kiev's aim is to destroy Russian supply routes and military infrastructure.
Prominent scientists and politicians are urging the United Nations to bar countries that oppose phasing out fossil fuels from hosting the UN climate conference.

The appeal, in a letter published on Friday during the COP29 conference in Baku, comes as climate groups released an analysis showing at least 1,773 lobbyists from the oil, gas and coal industries were officially accredited to attend the UN meeting in Azerbaijan.

In Baku, the coalition Kick Big Polluters Out, which is supported by organizations like Transparency International, Global Witness, Greenpeace and the Climate Action Network, released its analysis on Friday using publicly accessible data from the UN Climate Secretariat, it said.

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The appeal to not allow those intent on producing energy with fossil fuels to host the conference follows criticism of picking Azerbaijan to host this year's meeting, as the country is an authoritarian republic that bases 90% of its export economy on oil and gas.

In an open letter to UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell, the signatories said the UN must apply strict admission criteria to exclude countries as hosts that do not support the unanimously decided shift away from coal, oil and gas.

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev praised the climate-damaging energy sources oil and gas as a "gift from God" at this year's COP29 conference.

The letter's signatories include Sandrine Dixson-Decleve, global ambassador of the Club of Rome, Johan Rockstrom, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, as well as former UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon.

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The signatories warned that global warming has not been stopped even after 28 annual climate conferences. Rather, they said that warming to more than 2.9 degrees Celsius by 2100 could no longer be ruled out.

They want mechanisms to hold countries accountable when they ignore climate targets and commitments.

Fossil fuel lobbyists outnumber indigenous groups

The appeal comes as the coalition Kick Big Polluters Out in Baku noted that during last year's COP28 in Dubai, the capital of a Gulf State oil-producing nation, a record 2,450 fossil lobbyists attended, according to a previous analysis.

There were far more oil and gas lobbyists accredited than representatives of indigenous communities or nations threatened by the climate crisis.

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The analysis of COP29 showed that lobbyists received more access passes than all the delegations of the 10 countries most vulnerable to global warming. Nnimmo Bassey from Kick Big Polluters Out condemned the influence of the fossil fuel lobby on climate negotiations, saying decisive action is needed to eliminate such influences.

But the demands go both ways. On Wednesday, the climate change-denying government of Argentinian President Javier Milei recalled its representatives at COP29, according to a report in the specialist magazine Climatica.

Milei rejects the widespread scientific view that man-made choices are causing climate change.

Argentina had sent more than 80 representatives to Baku for the two-week summit.

Fossil fuel dangers v oil-producing states

The burning of oil, gas, and coal releases the climate-damaging greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, which dangerously heats the planet. At last year's climate conference in Dubai, all 200 countries agreed to move away from these fossil fuels.

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At COP27 in Egypt, another oil state, there were 636. One explanation could be the fluctuating total number of participants: this year, according to reports, Baku has a significantly lower number with just over 52,000, compared to Dubai's approximately 97,000 participants.

The climate conference rotates among world regions. Aside from that, the UN imposes hardly any requirements on host countries that wish to hold the meeting. Before Dubai, Egypt, another state heavily reliant on oil and gas, hosted COP27.

Small island states demand billions in aid

Dozens of developing countries and island states threatened by climate change have demanded billions of dollars in financial aid from industrialized nations at COP29.

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The Alliance of Small Island States, some of which are existentially threatened by rising sea levels and frequent storms, is insisting on at least $39 billion in annual climate aid, according to Cedric Schuster, the environment minister of Samoa.

Schuster appealed on Friday to the representatives of the 200 countries present to continue fighting for ambitious climate goals: "Protect lives, not fossil fuel profits!"

The group of 45 least developed countries, primarily from Africa and Latin America, also expects new and easily accessible climate aid, according to their chairman Evans Njewa, the environment minister of Malawi.

He stressed the need for grants from public funds, as opposed to loans that would increase the high debt burden of many developing countries. His group alone expects at least $1 trillion by 2030.

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At COP29, scheduled to end on November 22, all developing countries have jointly demanded that industrialized nations mobilize at least $1,300 billion per year for climate financing in future - 13 times the current amount.

The EU states acknowledge that more money needs to flow, but want countries including China or the Gulf states to contribute as well. But within the UN framework which dates back 30 years, they are considered developing states and thus recipient countries.
Nov. 15GRAND FORKS  UND community members gathered Thursday for the dedication of a memorial wall honoring U.S. service members who died on active duty.

The Veterans Honor Wall, located on the second floor of the university's Memorial Union, lists every UND student, alumni, staff or faculty member who died on active duty since World War I.

Several university administrators gathered for the event, alongside ROTC cadets and some former service members.

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"UND has always placed veterans in its heart," said university President Andy Armacost, a retired brigadier general in the U.S. Air Force.

The dedication was one of several events hosted by the university to honor current and former service members the week of Veterans Day, including a Nov. 11 ceremony.

UND has several standing tributes to veterans. The original Memorial Union, built in 1951, was named to honor veterans of World War II, while the former Memorial Stadium was built in honor of veterans of the first World War. (The Memorial Village multiuse complex now stands in its place.)

Director of Veteran and Military Affairs Angie Carpenter noted the university currently enrolls nearly 1,800 military-affiliated students, including ROTC cadets, veterans and dependents of service members.

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That's more than 10% of the student body, according to fall 2024 census figures.

Bella Hammer, a pre-social work student and a guardsman with the 119th Wing of the North Dakota Air National Guard, said the honor wall offered a place for reflection and a source of strength.

"Every time I pass by this wall, I feel a sense of purpose and a source of inspiration by reminding me of the sacrifices made by those who came before us," she said.
UNI students learn about navigating benefits after graduation through the Next Step program. (Photo courtesy of Nikki Harken/University of Northern Iowa)

When Nikki Harken welcomes a new batch of students into the University of Northern Iowas Next Step program, she always makes sure to acknowledge that they may already know some of the topics theyll touch on at their weekly seminars.

Whether its a parent passing down knowledge or a life path that necessitated learning, the UNI assistant professor said not every student walks in completely in the dark about what they need to know after graduation. Still, there are often students who realize after being in the class that there is plenty they still dont know.

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Harken said shes had students go through the program, which is required for students in the communication and media department, and say they were missing information from what their parents in HR lines of work told them about essential professional practices.

Thats not a knock against parents, I am a parent of 20-somethings, Harken said. There are just things that consistently change that we dont know.

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Three years into the Next Step program, which strives to prepare students for more than just their career post-graduation, Harken said in an interview and told the Iowa Board of Regents in its November meeting that students who earned their degrees after taking the course are feeling less anxiety and stress about life after college.

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Students currently taking the course agreed, saying in interviews that they feel more prepared to take on everything from job negotiations to navigating insurance benefits to dealing with the loneliness and other stressors of moving away.

As a nontraditional student, 28-year-old Weston Kinghorn said he has a little more experience than the other students in the Next Step program. However, that doesnt mean that he isnt getting plenty out of the class.

Hes especially appreciated the sections on negotiating job offers and understanding benefits packages.

Thats been not only good information to know, but also its helped my attitude of feeling more secure once I graduate, Kinghorn said.

Harken brings own experiences to students preparing for post-college life

Harkens journey to teaching students how to succeed in all areas of life after college started with her own higher education experience as a first-generation student. Her parents were successful farmers in east-central Iowa, she told the board of regents, but they couldnt help her with things like her health insurance, retirement plan or job structure after graduation, as they had never had to deal with those things.

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It was a decade ago, when she was interviewing alumni about whether their programs adequately prepared them for their profession, that she said in an interview she started to recognize a pattern. While they said UNI did a good job of ensuring their career readiness, they werent prepared to handle everything else that came with adult life.

They were prepared to write content and edit video and write press releases, and do all of those things, Harken said. What they shared with me, though, was that they were wholly unprepared to navigate what a pension was, or how to sign up for health insurance, (and) what open enrollment is. So from there, I just really was like, I bet we could do something about that.

Harken has conducted research at both UNI and on a national scale about whether students would be interested in taking a course that taught them life skills for after college, and the responses were overwhelmingly positive.

In looking for similar programs at other universities, Harken said she believes that the Next Step program is unique in the U.S.

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She developed assignments for students to meet with career services and financial aid advisors at the university to talk about resumes and loan obligations and the like, but after people started asking to talk to her classes about their areas of expertise and she saw that students werent absorbing the information the way they needed to, she started hosting weekly seminars.

Once students started asking for seminars on more and more subjects, like taxes and living abroad, Harken said the seminars evolved organically into the Next Step program.

University of Northern Iowa students participate in UNI Day at the Iowa Capitol on March 5, 2024. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Through a mix of instruction, guest speakers, and small assessments, Harken touches on a wide range of topics that students may need to know after leaving UNI, from big topics like figuring out different insurance plans and what goes into moving across the country, or even out of it, to smaller concerns like how to answer the phone correctly and what kinds of professional information they should put on LinkedIn and in online portfolios.

Students also receive a book with the information theyre taught in class, resources for further information and QR codes with links to UNIs alumni network and other organizations that can help them make connections and navigate life after college.

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Harken said in the board of regents meeting that students are transitioning away from more than just college life when they graduate, but the education system theyve been in since elementary school, or sometimes even earlier. Once theyre done the system basically says that theyre on their own, Harken said, and its common sense to give students the tools to succeed.

Maya Kohl, whos set to graduate after the fall semester finishes, said Next Step is the most educational class shes signed up for at UNI. Beyond her internship preparing her for her career, the program is helping her transition from college life to real life, something she said every student could benefit from.

This is teaching me about the real world and stuff that I have never been taught in a classroom before, so its really nice, Kohl said. I think everybody should take it just to educate themselves on what to expect.

While no official moves have been made to expand the Next Step program, Harken said other departments have mentioned wanting to implement similar programs for their own students, and some are already implementing parts of the initiative.

Alumni express appreciation for Next Step program

Harken has heard from alumni who went through the Next Step program that they often serve as mentors for others their age who didnt get the same education.

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Several of them have contacted me and told me how they felt years ahead as they watched their peers who hadnt gone through this program kind of struggle, Harken said.

Theyve also reached out to ask Harken for her advice and expertise as they change jobs or make other life moves.

UNI senior Allison Poch said that in interviews shes conducted with UNI alumni through a separate research course, the information theyre mentioning as things they wish they knew before graduating line up with what she and others are currently learning in the Next Step program.

Poch told the alumni that if they have any suggestions for things students should learn now before graduation, shed be happy to pass them along to Harken. Shes even thought about trying to take the class again before she graduates in the spring, just to really cement the knowledge in her mind and catch anything she missed.

I definitely feel more prepared to graduate just knowing a little bit more about these things, and I feel like Nikkis a really good resource to have, Poch said.

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Nov. 14Editor's note: If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

JAMESTOWN  The University of Jamestown is partnering with the Governor's Challenge to help prevent veteran suicides.

The initiative is facilitated through the North Dakota Cares Program and is dedicated to preventing suicide among service members, veterans and their families.

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North Dakota Cares and the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve recognized the university's efforts with a declaration signing ceremony.

"I am so incredibly proud of this university and what is happening today in our support of North Dakota Cares and our support of veterans who have served our country and have given us an opportunity to do what we do here at the University of Jamestown," said Polly Peterson, UJ president.

The university's Master of Clinical Counseling Program began its partnership with North Dakota Cares in February. The partnership focused on delivering counseling on access to lethal means (CALM). CALM training reduces access to methods used in suicide. To date, this initiative has trained over 100 individuals, with UJ's Master of Clinical Counseling Program awarding more than 90 continuing education units to licensed professionals, including counselors, addiction specialists and social workers.

The Governor's Challenge emphasizes identifying individuals at risk, promoting connectedness and care transitions and enhancing safety planning. UJ plans to expand this initiative further in 2025, offering new training focused on safety planning, reinforcing its commitment to serving those who have served the nation.

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Elsie Motter, director of clinical counseling and behavioral health at UJ, said counselors are advocates within their communities.

"We identify areas where we can improve services for the community and to improve barriers for accessing services in our efforts to enhance social change," she said.

Motter said partnering with North Dakota Cares and offering the CALM training at UJ aligned with her vision for the Master of Clinical Counseling Program.

"Within three months, we provided our first training to over 60 people," she said. "Our program has now become approved providers for the North Dakota Board of Addiction Counseling Examiners, the North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners, and the CALM training was approved by the North Dakota Board of Counselor Examiners.

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"So this means that as an agency, we can provide clinical training and that all counselors who attend can receive CEUs (continuing education units)," she said. "That not only makes the training more appealing to administrators who have to send their clinicians to training because it's free, it increases the amount of people that attend the training, which then increases the scope of the people who receive the training."

She said CALM training is a two-hour workshop that includes learning and understanding how to have difficult conversations when a person is suicidal, identifying what means the person would use and having conversations to remove those lethal means.

"So that may be like having a safe place where they can secure their guns, a safe place where they can go to so that they don't have that access in the moment when their emotions are high," Motter said.

North Dakota Cares is a coalition of individuals, agencies, organizations, counties, cities and businesses across North Dakota with a goal to support servicemembers, veterans and their families, said Cynthia Whitesell, co-chair of North Dakota Cares.

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"Some of the things that we do on a regular recruiting basis is work together to identify gaps in service, look for ways to improve services," she said. " ... One of our biggest initiatives is working with the Governor's Challenge to reduce suicides among service members, veterans and families."

North Dakota Army National Guard Col. Benjamin Cleghorn, chief of staff, said the timing of the partnership is "impeccable" with members of the 817th Engineer Co. (Sapper) from Jamestown returning from their one-year deployment to the southwest border.

"To the men and women that serve in this state on both Army and Air, and those particularly that serve in this great community, to have such a fine institution sign and partner with ND Cares is tremendous," he said.

Cleghorn said it's important that service members, veterans and their families know the university is there to help them when needed.

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"The things that a veteran goes through, depending on their tour and what they experience, is very hard for a lot of people to understand," he said.

He said the suicide rate for veterans in the U.S. is "out of control."

"One is too many, but over 6,000 nationwide (per year) is obviously ridiculous," he said.

Rob Keller, vice chair of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, said 56,000 veterans live in North Dakota. He said there are over 50 communities that are "North Dakota Cares communities."

"That means all the businesses in there may have (North Dakota Care community) signs put out there," he said. "That means a lot to a service member who has served because it's not just someone coming up and talking to you, it's being able to see it in a sign that they stand behind that as well too."

For more information about this program, contact Sarah Kemp-Tabbut, community engagement and partnerships coordinator with Public Health Suicide Prevention for Veterans, at Keptabbut@va.gov. The next training is scheduled for Dec. 11.
Nov. 14A panel of professors discussed the evolution of artificial intelligence and its impact on education and research during the University of New Mexico's first-ever AI Summit on Monday.

The panel of three was moderated by Melanie Moses, professor in the department of computer science, in the Centennial Engineering Center.

"You will hear quite a bit more of research going on here where the technologies are really making possible things that people thought would have been impossible just a few years ago," Moses said. "On the other hand, some of these disruptions are dangerous, and there are threats to privacy."

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She said AI is changing the nature of warfare, transforming the economy and the way society communicates.

"It's one thing to tell people, 'Well, your factory job is going to go away, so we'll retrain you and you'll do something else.' That's bad enough," Moses said. "The idea of telling the artist, 'Your art is no longer needed. We have machines to make that.' Right? Those are really threats to what's happening."

Moses asked students and faculty in attendance to think about the "incredible power we have to transform" science, technology and medicine versus "the real risks that we're facing."

"I'm hoping our experts are going to walk us through this and give us, at least, some ideas to move forward," she said.

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David Perkins, professor of medicine and director of the Center for Personalized Health at UNM, said there is "a tremendous amount of interest and enthusiasm" around AI. He likened the technology to the Wright brothers' first flight in 1903.

"They totally changed our way of life," Perkins said, "and the analogy is, is AI at that same stage? That it's going to be exploding and challenging us. I sort of tend to think that's the way we're headed."

He said it is difficult to teach AI in medicine because biologists, for example, are not typically trained in computer science. But when he was teaching at the University of Chicago, his research team was composed of computer scientists, engineers and biologists.

"You put that all together and we found that very productive in terms of adjusting medical problems, health care problems, etcetera," Perkins said.

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Trilce Estrada is an associate professor of computer science whose research focuses on designing scalable machine learning techniques, which can be applied to automatic decision-making processes.

She likened AI to a forklift, a powerful piece of machinery she believes not everyone should use. Likewise, people who are interested in AI should know how to use it, Estrada said. She talked about the democratization of AI, the process of making its tools and technologies more accessible and usable by a wider range of people.

"AI should not be democratized (by) inception," Estrada said. "But the benefits of AI should be democratized. People should be very well trained. Do not use something that you don't really know how to use."

She said she is uncertain about the future of AI.

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Victor Law, associate professor and program director of the Program of Organization, Information, and Learning Sciences, said he thinks about AI from a computer science perspective and recognizes people are using the technology "very differently to solve the same problems."

He asked attendees of the AI Summit whether they thought artificial intelligence would hinder students' ability to learn basic skills, like how to write a paper.

"The question is, today, do we want our students to learn to put that semicolon? Is that important? I don't know," Law said. "Maybe there are enough tools that somebody will put it there for us."

Following the discussion, Moses told attendees she thought this segment of the summit helped students prepare to "leverage the technology (AI) and not be overtaken by it."

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In an interview following the event, Rachel DiPirro, a Ph.D. student studying electrical engineering, said AI is relevant to her research and how she is learning in the classroom. ChatGPT and CoPilot are two AI-operated programs she uses.

DiPirro said AI has its benefits such as allowing her to be more productive in her studies.

"But also as they mentioned in the panel, sometimes the struggle is in learning. You want to make sure you're learning and get value out of what you're doing," she said.

DiPirro said the benefits of AI outweigh the risks, which she believes can sometimes be overblown.

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"If it was going to destroy us, then what's the point of it? I don't know. I don't think it's that dire of a situation," she said. "We'll always find a way to adapt and learn more from it."

Moses said in an interview that the AI Summit was born out of her work as assistant to UNM's vice president for research. The all-day event included not just the panel discussion, but research presentations by faculty, one-minute "lighting talks" and a poster session. One hundred and seven people registered for the summit, but organizers had to cap the attendance because of the size of the room it was in.

Editor's note: This story was corrected to reflect the name of the AI program ChatGPT.
A bomb squad responded to a Mesa Goodwill on Thursday afternoon after an unusual donation caused suspicion.

An old military-style mortar, or a small artillery cannon, was donated to the Goodwill at Dobson and Guadalupe roads. The weapon was reported to be vintage and possibly used for military purposes.

According to Mesa police, it was unknown if the mortar was live or had been modified, which is why they evacuated the store and treated the situation with caution. The weapon was examined by an ordinance expert.

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At approximately 6 p.m., Mesa police said the device was safely removed and officers had cleared the area.

The Arizona Republic contacted the Goodwill store Thursday evening and spoke with an employee who said they had no knowledge of the situation.

No additional information has been provided.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mortar donated to Mesa Goodwill store, bomb squad sent in
(COLORADO)  Motor vehicle crashes were the second-leading cause of serious traumatic injuries among patients treated in the Childrens Hospital care system last year. Changes to Colorados Child Passenger Safety Law will take effect on Jan. 1, updating child car seat requirements.

Children under age 2 and weighing less than 40 pounds must be secured in a rear-facing car seat. Booster seats will also be required until at least age 9, and children under 9 must ride in the back seat, if available, as long as all seats are used correctly.

Out of the car seats check that we do, and booster seat checks, about 80 percent of those are used incorrectly in some way, said Amanda Abramczyk-Thill, Injury Prevention and Outreach Specialist for Childrens Hospital, Colorado, Colorado Springs. And that simply means that its not going to provide that child the protection its supposed to.

Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Sean Scott Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Sean Scott Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Sean Scott Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Sean Scott

Childrens Hospital emphasizes that rear-facing seats provide essential support for the head, neck, and spine during front-end collisions, the most common crash type. The hospital also advises that parents remove their childs bulky winter coat so the harness isnt too loose.

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RELATED STORY: Keeping kids warm in their car seats: Safety tips for winter months

Parents can find a directory on the Colorado Department of Transportations website for child seat inspection stations, where certified technicians can help with hands-on instruction and installation. If children are not with their parents during the instruction, dolls are available for practice.

Our car seat checks are really involved, said Abramczyk-Thill. We want to really empower that caregiver to know how to use their car seat correctly and how to harness their child correctly and have them feel really confident that their children are riding safely.

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SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI)  The University of Rhode Island (URI) has received a $65 million gift that will be put toward new scholarships.

URI said the largest philanthropic gift in the schools history is from the estate of the late Helen Izzi Schilling, who graduated from the university back in 1954.

Schilling made a commitment with her late husband Francis Schilling to include the university in their will. The Helen Izzi Schilling and Francis Schilling Scholars Program has been established as a result of their generosity.

Helen Izzi Schilling in her college yearbook. (Courtesy: University of Rhode Island)

URI said the endowed scholarship will give high-achieving undergraduate students majoring in science, technology, engineering and math up to $20,000 per year for four years.

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Schilling studied nutrition at URI and graduated with honors. She met her husband while they were both furthering their studies at Ohio State University.

Frank Schilling worked at General Election (GE) throughout his career, eventually becoming vice president and head of GE Medical Systems.

URI President Marc Parlange called the gift transformational, adding that it shows how the schools alumni believe in the university and its students.

URI has never been in a better place, due, in no small measure, to our remarkable community, Parlange said.

The scholarship will be awarded to undergraduates starting in the fall 2025 admission cycle.

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A man who was accused of kidnapping his estranged wife after she went missing in Spain nine months ago has now been charged with her murder by a US court.

A federal grand jury in Miami this week charged David Knezevich, also known as Dusan Knezevic, with kidnapping resulting in death, foreign domestic violence resulting in death and foreign murder of a US national. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

US citizen Ana Maria Henao, 40, went missing in February in Madrid, where she was living. Authorities in Spain and across Europe have since been searching for her body.

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Knezevich, 36, a Florida-based businessman who was arrested in May after flying into Miami International Airport from his native Serbia, was originally charged with kidnapping resulting in death. In June, Knezevich pleaded not guilty to the kidnapping charge.

According to the new indictment, Knezevich travelled to Madrid from Miami via Turkey and Serbia earlier this year with the intent to kill, injure, harass, and intimidate his spouse and intimate partner, and committed a crime of violence against her, resulting in her death."

Knezevich's lead attorney, Jayne Weintraub, said on Thursday that his client planned to plead not guilty at an arraignment hearing next week.

"It is a desperate attempt by the government to charge everything possible and see what sticks," Weintraub said in an email. "There is no evidence that David Knezevich kidnapped or murdered his wife."

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US prosecutors say Knezevich flew to Turkey from Miami in January, six days before Anas disappearance, then travelled to his native Serbia, where he rented a Peugeot car.

Security cameras captured Knezevich buying spray paint and duct tape at a hardware shop in Madrid on the same day that Henao was last seen  2 February  according to the court records. Knezevich then entered his estranged wife's apartment building and disabled a security camera with spray paint, according to prosecutors. He was later seen leaving the building with a suitcase, the court records said.

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When Knezevich returned the Peugeot vehicle to the rental agency in Serbia five weeks later, it had been driven 7,700 kilometres, its windows had been tinted, and there was evidence that its license plate had been removed and then put back, prosecutors said.

The couple had been in the middle of a contentious divorce while fighting over millions of dollars in properties, according to prosecutors. They had been married for 13 years.

Henao's brother Diego told US media this week that the family welcomed the new charges, and that they would continue to search for answers.

Her relatives have previously warned of possible foul play, stating they received messages purportedly from Ana phrased in non-native Spanish amid her disappearance.
The US Department of State has revised its travel advisory for Americans regarding Ukraine, lowering the risk level for nine out of 24 Ukrainian oblasts.

Source: US Department of State

Details: The US Department of State noted that some oblasts may have a lower risk level due to air defence capabilities and distance from active combat zones.

The risk level was reduced from Level 4 (Do Not Travel) to Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) for Volyn, Lviv, Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, Ternopil, Rivne, Khmelnytskyi and Zhytomyr oblasts.

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However, the US Department of State advises that all US citizens closely monitor updates from the US government, as well as local and international media, to stay informed about changes in security conditions and warnings to find a shelter. The security situation in Ukraine remains unpredictable.

Quote: "Russias unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine continues and even non-frontline regions remain subject to Russian missile and drone attacks.

Travellers should react to air alerts and seek appropriate shelter."

Background: In June 2022, the White House urged Americans not to travel to Ukraine after reports about the Russians capturing two Americans appeared.

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The U.S. has opened a new air defense base in northern Poland, underscoring a guarantee of security on NATO's eastern flank, Polish President Andrzej Duda said on Nov. 13.

The facility, located in Redzikowo near the Baltic coast, is part of NATO's Europe-wide missile defense shield system. The Kremlin condemned the move as an attempt to "militarily contain" Russia.

Construction of the base began in the early 2000s, and it forms part of NATO's "Aegis Ashore" missile shield, designed to protect Europe from potential missile threats.

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Key elements of the shield include two sites in Poland and Romania, U.S. Navy destroyers in Rota, Spain, and an early-warning radar in Kurecik, Turkey.

In a NATO press release dated July 10, former Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg described the development as an important step for transatlantic security and NATOs ability to defend against the growing threat of ballistic missiles.

He emphasized the importance of missile defense, saying that ballistic missiles have been widely used in conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East.

As a defensive Alliance, we cannot ignore that threat. Missile defense is an essential element for NATOs core task of collective defense, Stoltenberg added.

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During the Nov. 13 opening ceremony, Duda reiterated that "the physical presence of the United States in Poland is a guarantee of the security of Poland and the eastern flank of NATO", as cited by Polskie Radio 24.

Read also: What do Trumps first team picks mean for Ukraine?

The opening of the base follows a defensive trajectory already set by Poland's East Shield program, which aims to strengthen defenses along Polands borders with Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.

Launched in May, the program includes physical barriers, modern surveillance systems, and infrastructure upgrades, with recent fortifications along the Kaliningrad border that the Polish authorities started building on Nov. 1.

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The opening of the new base has been met with mixed reactions.

In particular, it comes amid concerns among NATO allies about the U.S. commitment to collective security, especially after the election of Donald Trump, who has said that the U.S. would not defend NATO members who do not spend enough on defense.

Polish Gazeta Wyborcza's Mateusz Mazzini told Monocle that Poland views the situation differently and more optimistically than its allied counterparts. Polish leaders have a "deeply rooted conviction" that Trump's presidency could be "bilaterally beneficial," he said.

Admiral Stuart B. Munsch, Commander of the United States Naval Forces Europe-Africa, praised the partnership between the two nations. Quoted by Polsat News, he said The Polish and American nations stand shoulder to shoulder in the vanguard of defense against, in the past Soviet, and currently Russian imperialism and aggression.

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Moscow, meanwhile, criticized the base naming it a direct challenge to its security and a measure to militarily contain Russias potential.

Of course, this (step) leads to the adoption of appropriate measures to ensure parity, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters, though he did not elaborate on what those measures might entail.

Read also: With Scholzs government in shambles, conservative rival touts more decisive Ukraine strategy

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The United States has returned more than 1,400 looted artifacts worth $10 million to India as part of an ongoing initiative to repatriate stolen art from countries across South and Southeast Asia, the Manhattan District Attorneys office announced Wednesday.

The trafficked goods recovered include items that, until recently, were on view at New Yorks Metropolitan Museum of Art. Among them is a sandstone sculpture of a celestial dancer that was smuggled from central India to London, before being illegally sold to one of the Mets patrons and donated to the museum.

The repatriations resulted from several ongoing investigations into looting networks, including those operated by convicted art traffickers Nancy Wiener and Subhash Kapoor, an American antiquities dealer who was sentenced to 10 years in jail for running a multimillion-dollar looting network through his New York gallery, the Manhattan District Attorneys Office said in press release.

The Tanesar Mother Goddess statue was looted from a village in Rajasthan, India in the 1960s before eventually ending up on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. - Alamy

Kapoor was sent to face charges in Indias Tamil Nadu state following his arrest in Germany in 2011. The DAs office obtained an arrest warrant for him in 2012though he remains in custody in India, pending his extradition to the US.

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Todays repatriation marks another victory in what has been a multiyear international investigation into antiquities trafficked by one of historys most prolific offenders, William Walker, the federal Homeland Security Investigations New York special agent in charge, said in a press statement.

The items were formally returned at a ceremony at the Indian consulate in New York Wednesday.

Since its creation over a decade ago, the Manhattan District Attorneys Antiquities Trafficking Unit  a task force of lawyers, investigators and art experts  has recovered 5,800 antiquities valued at almost $460 million. The unit has also convicted 16 people of trafficking offenses and filed for the extradition of six others linked to stolen cultural property.

In July, the US and India signed an agreement to protect cultural property by preventing illegal trades and streamlining the process of returning stolen antiquities back to India.

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The United States plans to ship US$7.1 billion worth of military aid to Ukraine from the Pentagon's stockpile before the end of President Joe Biden's term.

Source: Pentagon website, citing Deputy Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh; Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne

Quote from Singh: "The President has said he's committed to getting about US$7.1 billion in PDA [Presidential Drawdown Authority] to Ukraine before his administration ends."

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Details: She stressed that the administration is actively working to fulfil this pledge and is developing large aid packages that would be delivered to Ukraine almost every week.

Quote from Singh: "The president made clear that he wants to spend down the authority that Congress has allocated and authorised before he leaves office."

Details: The spokesperson added that the Pentagon is actively replenishing its stockpile to maintain a high level of US readiness while also ensuring that Ukraine has the resources needed to succeed on the battlefield.

Quote: "You've seen us roll out very large packages from the beginning and, actually, I'd say, a range of packages on a pretty frequent basis, almost weekly.

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So, I expect that for the next coming months of this administration, you're going to continue to see those packages draw down from what's available in our stockpiles."

Background:

Reports indicated that Biden would continue to stress the need to support Ukraine until the end of his term in office, given Donald Trump's election victory.

The Biden administration, which will remain in place until the new president is inaugurated, intends to send a request to Congress for new aid to Ukraine for the 2025 fiscal year.

Media reports indicated earlier that the US planned to send Ukraine interceptor missiles for the Patriot and NASAMS air defence systems, which should be enough until the end of 2024.

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  On Thursday, UT LIFESTAR hosted an event celebrating the impact it has made in the community over the last 40 years.

The organization airlifted its first patient on October 1, 1984, and since then, it has transported more than 50,000 patients. UT LIFESTAR was founded through the vision of Dr. Robert F. Lash.

Wife of Monroe County murder suspect charged, accused of lying to law enforcement

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The event was attended by many, including leaders within the company and some of the members from the first flight crew. UT LIFESTAR Director Matthew Owens shared with 6 News how the organization has changed East Tennessees approach to medical care.

[In] 1984, the concept of air medical operations was really pretty unheard of. There were a few programs that predate that across the country, but not very many. It was mostly reliant on military support for those occasions when you needed to pull someone out of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park by helicopter, Owens said. And so Dr. Lash in 1984, leading up to 1984, actually had the idea to bring a program like that to UT Medical Center and have it served in the civilian capacity, and that was really where this program evolved from.

He shared that there are only a handful of legacy programs in the United States that have as extensive of a history as UT LIFESTAR.

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Over the years, the organization has grown from a single aircraft with a team of 15 to a more comprehensive service with five aircrafts operating out of five bases and more than 70 medical center team members. UT LIFESTAR also has 26 employees through its aviation partner, the Med-Trans Corporation.

1 dead, 1 injured after shooting at Blount County Adult Probation

Looking forward, Owens said that UT LIFESTAR is looking to use its current success as a catalyst for the future. In addition to working with Med-Trans to utilize the latest and greatest aircrafts in helicopter aviation, Owens shared that they have also begun their next chapter with several new individuals stepping into leadership roles. Previously, Owens was a fight paramedic for UT LIFESTAR for 15 years, and then recently stepped into the role as director for the organization.

We have no interest in not being part of serving this community, helping bring calm to chaos and helping bring skill and care and compassion to peoples most tragic moments,  Owens said. From mechanics to pilots, to nurses and paramedics, Our communications specialists in our comm. center, [its] just amazing the number of people who have dedicated their lives to this career.

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COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, Utah (ABC4)  A Utah man was arrested after he allegedly pulled a weapon on police during a traffic stop.

Robert Wesley Taylor, 52, was arrested and now faces numerous charges stemming from a traffic stop in Cottonwood Heights.

DMV changing license plate distribution in 2025  heres what you should know

He is charged with the following:

Assault of a peace officer/military personnel with a dangerous weapon

Interfering with a peace officer

False evidence of title and registration

License plate to be clearly visible

Unsafe vehicle/faulty equipment

Brake lights/reflectors to display or reflect red color

Failure to disclose identity

No valid license  expired

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Police in Cottonwood Heights initiated a traffic stop on a man, later identified as Taylor, who was displaying a Confederate States of America license plate where the plate would be properly mounted. He also was said by police to have a Utah license plate in the window behind the drivers seat of his vehicle.

Taylor reportedly only rolled the window down part way and produced an American State National Credentials card behind the drivers window. Taylor produced a passport but refused to let the police take the passport to inspect it. Taylor was then ordered several times to exit the car, he eventually got out and that is when police asked if he had weapons on his person. Taylor stated he had a knife.

Police say the suspect then reached for the knife, despite orders not to. Officers placed Taylor under arrest and booked him into the Salt Lake County Jail on the aforementioned charges.

No further information is available at this time.

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Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP)  A passenger van veered off a mountain road early Friday in western Nepal, killing eight people and injuring four others, the army said.

The van rolled about 200 meters (650 feet) below the road before dawn near the village of Shaileshikar, about 600 kilometers (375 miles) west of the capital, Kathmandu.

The van was returning to the village with people who had been to a festival in a nearby town.

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The army said it used a helicopter to rescue the four injured people and flew them to a hospital for treatment.

It was not clear what caused the crash.

Nepal is covered with mountains where roads are narrow and poorly maintained, and autumn and winter weather conditions also make driving difficult and dangerous.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The Vancouver Police Department is teaming up with Crime Stoppers of Oregon to ask for the publics help in solving a murder.

Courtney Clinton (File, courtesy Dominique Fuller).

Police said theyre looking for help identifying and locating any individuals involved in the homicide of 31-year-old Courtney Clinton, who was found dead in her car on Nov. 1 in the 300 block of Blandford Drive in Vancouver.

There was an infant child in the car who was unharmed.

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Police also released a photo of the car where Clinton and the infant were discovered, a gray Ford Edge SUV.

A woman was discovered dead in a car with an unharmed infant in the vehicle. November 14, 2024 (courtesy Vancouver Police Department).

St. Helens HS closes doors early due to protests

The Clark County Medical Examiners Office determined Clinton had been assaulted by another person and her neck was slashed.

Crime Stoppers of Oregon is offering cash rewards of up to $2,500 for information that leads to an arrest. The anonymous tips can be submitted via Crime Stoppers of Oregons website, by calling 503-823-4357.

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The Ventura County District Attorneys Office is urging residents to monitor and report suspected price gouging in the wake of the Mountain Fire, which has scorched about 20,000 acres and uprooted the lives of hundreds of people.

Exploiting those affected by the devastating Mountain Fire for financial gain is illegal and will not be tolerated, District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said. I encourage anyone who suspects price gouging to report it to our office immediately so we can undertake a review and investigation.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency last week to provide state resources to help with recovery efforts.

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During a state of emergency, California law prohibits sellers from raising prices by more than 10% on essential items, including food, fuel, medicine and housing, unless specific exceptions apply. Violations can result in misdemeanor charges, carrying penalties of up to one year in jail and a $10,000 fine, officials said.

Newlyweds family home, wedding keepsakes destroyed in Mountain Fire

Residents can report suspected price gouging by contacting the D.A.s Office by email and providing detailed information, including the sellers name, location, the product or service in question, and its price before and after the state of emergency was declared.

The Mountain Fire, which began on Nov. 6 near Balcom Canyon and Bradley roads in Somis, has burned 19,904 acres and is 93% contained as of Friday. The blaze has destroyed 243 structures, damaged 127 others, and caused six injuries, according to CAL FIRE.

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On Friday, the state fire agency announced it would be transferring operations back to local agencies, including the Ventura County Fire Department and Ventura County Sheriffs Office.

For more information on recovery efforts, visit vcemergency.com or venturacountyrecovers.org.

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Nearly five years after April Bailey disappeared from Nashua, New Hampshire, her children are still looking for their mother.

She was just the best. She was the best, Aprils daughter, Savanha told me.

36-year-old April Bailey was last seen on January 15th, 2020.

The mother of two was living in an apartment on Lynn Street with her boyfriend who told police she left the home to take out the trash and never returned.

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Aprils children suspect there is much more to the story of their mothers disappearance.

Its all very fishy, Manuel Manny Bailey, Aprils son told me. I do not believe the story. I dont think thats what happened. Something else happened. Something worse. Something dangerous.

Aprils personal items were all located in the apartment. Her wallet, her clothes, and most importantly her cell phone, were all left behind.

Aprils children say that is a major red flag.

We know our mom. She didnt leave the house without our nails done and makeup done, everything, Savanha said.

April Bailey lived a complicated life battling substance abuse.

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At the time of her disappearance, April lived with her boyfriend, but without her children.

Savanha and Manny were living in separate foster homes.

They tell me their mother was physically abused.

We just heard, you know, my mom crying. You know, things break and I would just take my little brother and go upstairs into our room and be like, lets play with our toys, Savanha said.

Savanha and Manny suspect their mothers boyfriend knows more about their mothers disappearance than he admits.

In almost five years, not a single piece of evidence has surfaced to suggest what happened to April Bailey

Searches of the area have turned up nothing.

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The mystery is taking a real toll on Aprils children.

Manny is 18 years old, and living with diastrophic dysplasia, a rare genetic disease.

Manny is living independently now, but he credits his mothers loving care for getting him through some very difficult years.

I couldnt believe that my mother just vanished off the face of the earth. That was my lifeline. That was my everything. And for it to get taken away, just. I lost who I was, Manny told me. My mom was my hero, my absolutely everything. Without her, I wouldnt be the person that I am today.

So, what happened to April Bailey?

Was she a victim of foul play? Did she suffer an overdose? Did she run away? Investigators dont know.

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Aprils children are determined to find her.

Not having my mom has been the worst feeling Ive ever felt, Savanha said. I will never give up the search. I will never give up the search until we find remains, until we get a call from a detective that says, hey, we found her. Its no longer with us. I will not stop. I will not stop wishing for my mom to come home.

The Boston FBI and Nashua Police have both searched for April Bailey. Her case also received national attention when it was featured in People Magazine.

Its a very frustrating case.

If you have any information about April Baileys disappearance, contact Nashua, NH police at (603) 594-3500.

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SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Authorities have identified the victims killed in a targeted, Little Italy shooting Wednesday as a married couple who were heading to the San Diego County Courthouse to attend a restraining order hearing against the suspect.

The couple, identified as 31-year-old Rachael Martinez and 39-year-old Jose Media, were shot and killed in their car at 1300 Union St. just before 8:30 a.m., Lt. Daniel Meyer with the San Diego Police Department said in a news release Thursday.

Authorities responded to the location, finding Martinez and Medina with gunshot wounds inside the vehicle. Police attempted lifesaving measures on both victims, but they were pronounced dead at the scene.

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The shooting suspect, identified as 26-year-old Christopher Farrell, was in a previous dating relationship with Martinez, per SDPD. After the shooting, police say Farrell left the scene.

Witnesses provided a description of the suspect to responding officers, which was announced to the public using the loudspeaker from the police helicopter overhead. That led officers to a civilian report, just after 9 a.m., about the possible suspect hiding behind a large electrical box at West Juniper Street and Kettner Boulevard.

When authorities arrived on scene, they attempted to contact Farrell who was using the electrical box as a shield and pointing the gun towards several officers, detectives say.

Farrell fired at officers, striking one Harbor Police officer in the hip, Meyer said. He also struck a Harbor Police patrol car twice. Two officers fired at Farrell striking him multiple times.

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Toddler hit, killed by vehicle identified

Farrell, who was hit in the upper body, was taken to a hospital where he later died of his injuries.

The injured officer was also taken to a hospital and is currently recovering. His identity has not been disclosed, although police said he has been employed with Harbor Police since September 2024 and previously worked for SDPD.

According to Meyer, the injured officer did not fire his weapon during the incident. The two Harbor officers who fired their weapons are both assigned to Harbor patrol and have been with the agency for six and nine years, respectively.

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During authorities investigation into the shootings, a semi-automatic handgun and multiple expended casings, as well as multiple folding knives, a knife sheath, a holster, a black tactical flashlight, three magazines were found on Farrells person. An empty magazine was also on the ground near the electrical box.

The investigation revealed Farrell reloaded his firearm while leaving the scene on Ash Street. The vehicle he arrived in, which has since been impounded, was located near the intersection of Ash Street and Fourth Avenue.

In the course of the investigation, detectives also determined Martinez had filed a police report with SDPD on Oct. 4, accusing Farrell of domestic violence, false imprisonment and sex crimes.

The investigating officers obtained an emergency protective order, Meyer said. They determined that Farrell was a security guard who worked for Inter-Con Security who provides contract security guards for the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System.

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Shortly after the police report was made, authorities arrested Farrell at the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System office and booked him into county jail. He was also subsequently terminated from his employment and had his work firearm confiscated.

However, Meyer said investigators with SDPDs Domestic Violence Unit, in consultation with a prosecutor specializing in domestic violence, ultimately found the case had insufficient evidence and corroboration to immediately move forward.

On Oct. 7, Martinez was granted a temporary restraining order against Farrell. Court records show that a deputy tried to serve Farrell that restraining order in October at MTS, where he reportedly worked.

In the restraining order court documentation, Martinez had said that her and Farrell had started dating in August and had broke up in October. She said her husband was aware of the affair around that time as well.

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Court documents signed by Martinez said in regard to Farrell, Respondents physical abuse and harassment have caused me to fear for my and my familys safety. I am afraid of what Respondent might do next.

She also said he had called her more than 80 times in one day and was harassing her.

This individual was not employed by MTS at any time. The individual was previously assigned to MTSs security contract by his employer, Inter-Con. Inter-Con removed the employee from this role more than a month ago, MTS said in a statement.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  The 13-year-old bicyclist who was hit and killed by a car Wednesday afternoon in northeast Bakersfield has been identified as Jeremiah Villalobos. The teen was hit on Columbus Street, near Loyola street.

People who live nearby say that stretch of Columbus Street is a deadly four-lane speedway that has claimed two other lives in the last five years.



Jeremiah was riding his bike home from school when the fatal crash happened on Columbus Street just before 3 p.m.

I hope drinking those beers were worth it: Mom of toddler killed in DUI crash addresses defendant at sentencing

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The driver stayed on scene and cooperated with Bakersfield police officers. No charges have been filed against the driver.

Jimmy Surles was nearby when the collision happened.

I walked up on it, and I saw them doing CPR and stuff like that but I was going to the bank, and when I came back he was already gone and they had the street completely closed off, Surles said.

As he way passing by, he said the windshield of the car was shattered and Jeremiahs bike was almost destroyed.

Zoraida Quinones, said her grandkids were close friends of Jeremiahs. He was a funny little boy, he was really kind. Were gonna miss him.

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Jeremiah went to Chipman Jr. High, just a mile and a half away from where the crash occurred. The Bakersfield City School Districts crisis intervention team was at the school Thursday to provide grief counseling to any students and parents that may need it.

Jeremiahs is not the only life to be taken on this stretch of road. Back in February, 32-year-old Jonathan Soto was killed in a hit-and-run.

In December of 2019, 24-year-old Gabrielle Arroyo was hit and died of her injuries in almost the exact same location Jeremiah was.

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There are high street lights on this strip of Columbus Street and the posted speed limit is 45 mph.

Both Quinones and Surles agree that drivers speed down this road,

I know that they speed on this road, so, but I dont know what to do about it. What are you gonna do with all these cars that are speeding, said Surles.

Not to be driving that fast, they have to respect the limit, the driving limit, said Quinones.

A vigil was held in Jeremiahs honor at the scene of the crash on Thursday. The group of mourners lit candles and joined together in prayer as officers blocked part of the street off so everyone could do it safely.

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At the Vigil, James Lopez, Jeremiahs grandfather, was praying for his late grandson.

He had so much in his future and I said Lord why dont you take me? Im 87-years-old, Ive lived my life. These kids have a future, they have so much to live for,' said Lopez. But God only takes the best, we dont ask Jesus Christ as to what his intentions are.

Candles, posters, and photos filled the median on Columbus Street, lighting up the darkness of the road as the sun set.

The community has been asking if the city will respond with more traffic safety, 17 News reached out to Ward 3 councilmember Ken Weir but havent heard back.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
An investigation is underway after a 77-year-old man was killed in a violent crash in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles that also left two teens in the hospital Thursday night.

The crash occurred shortly after 9 p.m. in the 3000 block of East 4th Street as a Honda was traveling westbound and attempted to make a left turn.

Two teens, 17 and 18, headed eastbound are seen on surveillance video running into the side of the Honda, which spins out and comes to a stop in the middle of the intersection.

Surveillance video captured a crash in Boyle Heights on Nov. 14, 2024. (OnScene.TV)

The Mercedes veered off the street and crashed into a pole. Both teens were taken to a local hospital in serious condition, the Los Angeles Fire Department stated in a news alert. No updates on their conditions have been made available.

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The man in the Honda, later identified as Jose Trevizo was pronounced dead at the scene, the Fire department said. Neighbors said Trevizo was a longtime resident of Boyle Heights.

A witness said she believed the Mercedes was speeding at the time of the crash. I want to say they were probably going like 85, 90. They were going pretty fast, Connie Lomeli said.

Lomeli said the teens didnt look like they were under the influence or anything.

Police have not determined whether speed or alcohol were factors in the crash, which remains under investigation.

Area residents told KTLA that speeding and crashes are common on the stretch of road where Trevizo was killed.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Investigators with the Los Angeles Police Department are seeking the publics help in identifying any additional sexual assault victims of a 72-year-old Northridge man.

Authorities say Konstantin Yedigaraov, a violin teacher who held classes at his Northridge residence was arrested on Nov. 14 after it was alleged he engaged in lewd acts with a minor.

The 72-year-old was taken into custody, and bail was set at $50,000.

Konstantin Yedigaraov, 72, of Northridge. (LAPD)

Detectives believe there are additional, unidentified victims of Yedigaraov who have yet to come forward, an LAPD news release stated. A photograph of Yedigaraov is being released to identify and speak with any additional victims.

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L.A. street gangs tied to Mexican cartels exposed in sprawling bust

Anyone with information related to this investigation or those who believe they are a victim of the 72-year-olds is urged to contact Devonshire Area Sexual Assault Investigators Det. Adriana Ortega and Det. Rueben Arellano at 818-832-0609.

Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-8477 or leave tips online at www.lacrimestoppers.org.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY)  John Kerrigan, his daughter and her friend are still getting over the embarrassment they had to endure when they landed three weeks ago at Norfolk International Airport, and said that, as far as an apology, the response from Southwest Airlines fell short.

Va. Beach man flying Southwest with daughter and friend gets profiled as human trafficker

Kerrigan and the girls were on an Oct. 21 Southwest flight from Denver when the flight crew jumped to the conclusion that Kerrigan was trafficking the girls and notified Norfolk airport security. Three officers hauled Kerrigan off the plane from his back row seat before anyone else got off. He was questioned but eventually released.

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A Southwest email after Kerrigans complaint uses phrases such as we regret your disappointment, but the word sorry is nowhere to be found.

Its kind of like a non-apology type of thank you or have a nice day type of thing, Kerrigan said Thursday morning. It didnt seem to faze them too much. I guess its just a large corporation and they figure theyll take a publicity hit here or there.

Kerrigan contacted an attorney about suing Southwest, but was advised to simply accept the $1,500 flight credit Southwest is giving as compensation for his trouble.

But such a lawsuit has happened before.

Kerrigans case comes at a time when flight crews have human trafficking on their radar, the result of the federal Blue Lightning Initiative from the Department of Homeland Security.

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A California woman traveling on Southwest with her daughter last year was also mistakenly profiled as a human trafficker. She is suing Southwest in federal court for unspecified damages.

Meanwhile, Kerrigan agrees with any effort to curb human trafficking.

But the way theyre going to get you off the plane like that, he said, I think is complete BS.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
(Bloomberg) -- Virginia Senator Mark Warner sent a letter to video-game company Valve Corp. raising concerns over white-supremacist and hateful content on its popular online store Steam.

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The letter, shared exclusively with Bloomberg News and addressed to Valve co-founder and head Gabe Newell, threatened more intense scrutiny from the federal government for Steams "complicity in allowing hate groups to congregate and engage in activities that undoubtedly puts Americans at risk.

A report on Thursday from the Anti-Defamation Leagues Center for Extremism identified more than 1.83 million pieces of white-supremacist or hateful content on the platform, including tributes to mass shooters, swastikas and comments praising terrorist groups. Valve didnt respond to a request for comment about the ADLs findings.

In the wake of that report, Warner, a Democrat, concluded that Steam is an unsafe place for teens and young adults to purchase and play online games. If Valve doesnt change its moderation approach, the letter reads, its playing a clear role in allowing harmful ideologies to spread and take root among the next generation.

Steam hosts forums and communities for discussion in addition to processing billions of dollars in video-game transactions. Experts have criticized Steams relatively lax moderation policies compared to social-media peers. The companys code of conduct doesnt reference extremist activities while similar platforms like Roblox or Discord explicitly prohibit the spread or support of extremist ideologies.

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As far back as 2018, Steam received public scrutiny over users praise of school shooters or terrorists. In 2022, Senator Maggie Hassan, a Democrat from New Hampshire, wrote a letter to Newell raising similar concerns over the extremist content on the platform and the companys moderation policies.

Until now, Steam has largely not received its due attention as a de facto major social network where its users engage in many of the same activities expected of a social media platform, Warner wrote. The letter requests further information on the famously opaque gaming companys current moderation practices, complaints made about users policy violations and commitments to curbing white-supremacist content.

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA)  The state of Florida is left with uncertainty after multiple Florida leaders like U.S. Senator Marco Rubio and U.S. Representatives Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz were tapped to join the Trump Administration.

Governor Ron DeSantis took to X to congratulate the Floridians nominated for positions to join the Trump team. He also called for special election to fill the seats that will be vacated.

Trump taps RFK Jr. to lead HHS

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Secretary Cord Bryd followed up, sharing his team is working to ensure the special elections are conducted as soon as possible.

So how often does a special election happen and will the governor still appoint the U.S. Senate seat?



They can occur at any time, but the time frames are there, said Craig Latimer, supervisor of elections in Hillsborough County. It doesnt matter when they occur. You still have the time frame that you have to deal with. Except for the U.S. Senate, where the governor can immediately make that appointment.

Latimer said the special election for the two U.S. representative seats will not impact Hillsborough County. Neither Mike Waltz or Matt Gaetz are within the Tampa Bay Area.

Political analyst Tara Newsom joined the conversation and spoke on Susie Wiles, Rubio, Waltz, and Gaetz joining Trump 2024.



Youre going to see a lot of musical chairs and a lot of posturing, and I think that its really going to show DeSantis strength and who he puts into these positions, Newsom said. And for all intents and purposes, we know that theyre going to be not only DeSantis loyalists. But trump loyalists.

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Governor DeSantis has still not announced his plan to fill Rubios Senate seat. But no matter whom he chooses, they will only have until the next general election, where there will be a separate special election held to determine who takes on the role.

Were really going to wait to see if Donald Trump weighs in on that and whether or not DeSantis exercises that independent streak and how he appoints that very important U.S. Senate seat, Newsom said.

We have reached out to the Secretary of State to hear additional details of the special election and will be keeping an eye out for further movement.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters emailed leaders in Oklahoma school districts on Thursday telling them they would be required to play their students and parents a video showing Walters blaming the radical left and woke teachers unions for attacking religious liberty, then inviting students to join him as he prays for President-elect Donald Trump.

Records: Walters, advisors continue billing taxpayers thousands for travel to partisan events, retreats, media appearances

News 4 obtained a copy of the email Walters sent superintendents in Oklahoma school districts just before 4 p.m. Thursday.

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In the email, Walters told superintendents they were required to play a video for all students and parents, in which Walters makes politically-charged statements about teachers unions and liberals, followed by a prayer for President-elect Donald Trump and the country.

The email said:

Dear Superintendent: We are in a dangerous time for this country. Students rights and freedoms regarding religious liberties are continuously under assault. The newly created Department of Religious Liberty and Patriotism will be working to thwart any attempts to disrupt our Oklahoma students fundamental freedoms. In one of the first steps of the newly created department, we are requiring all of Oklahoma schools to play the attached video to all kids that are enrolled. We are also requiring that that school districts send this video to all parents as well. Students are encouraged but not required to join me in this prayer. Prayer for the Nation Sincerely, Ryan Walters State Superintendent of Public Instruction Oklahoma State Department of Education

Text in the email hyperlinked to an unlisted video posted on the Oklahoma State Department of Educations (OSDE) YouTube page Thursday.

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Never back down to a woke mob! Upset audience brings Ryan Walters speaking event to abrupt end

The video, titled Supt. Walters Announcement Regarding the Department of Religious Freedom and Patriotism, begins with Walters facing a camera while sitting at the desk in his office.

A mug sits on the desk next to Walters hands.

Printed on the mug is the Latin phrase si vis pacem para bellum, which translates to if you want peace, prepare for war.

Walters begins the video by making an announcement.

Were excited to announce a new office here in the State Department of Education, that will be the Office of Religious Freedom and Patriotism. Walters begins the video saying.

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Without citing any examples, Walters then goes on to make politically charged statements about people on the political left.

For too long in this country, weve seen the radical left attack individuals religious liberty in our schools, Walters says. We will not tolerate that in Oklahoma. Your religious liberties will be protected.

Then, once again without citing any examples, Walters makes politically charged statements aimed at teachers unions.

Political suicide Ryan Walters calls for his own impeachment: How did it come to this?

Weve also seen patriotism mocked, and a hatred for this country pushed by woke teachers unions. Walters says. We will not tolerate that in any school in Oklahoma. We want our students be patriotic. We want our students to love this country. And we want all students religious liberty to be protected.

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Then, Walters invites students watching the video to join him in a prayer.

He makes clear students are not required to pray with him.

I will now say a prayerand to be clear, students, you dont have to joinbut if you so wish, Im gonna go ahead and pray, Walters says.

Walters then bows his head and begins to pray.

Dear God, thank you for all the blessings youve given our country, Walters says. I pray for our leaders to make the right decisions. I pray, in particular, for President Donald Trump, and his team, as they continue to bring about change to the country. I pray for our parents, teachers and kidsthat they get the best education possible, and live high-quality lives. I also pray that we continue to teach love of country to our young people, and that our students understand what makes America great, and that they continue to love this country. Amen.

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In his own words: What Bixbys superintendent told News 4 about the comments hes now suing Ryan Walters over

The video ends immediately after Walters ends the prayer.

Leaders in at least one Oklahoma school district told News 4 on Thursday they would not show their students the video, despite Walters telling them they would be required to do so.

On Friday News 4 obtained letters sent to parents by two school districts stating why the video would not be shown in class.

We know many of you have questions about the video that the Oklahoma State Superintendent has asked us to show to students and distribute to families. I wanted you to know that we will not show the video to any students and we will not be sending it to our EPS families. We are continuing to teach the Oklahoma State standards and curriculum approved by our local School Board that we have always taught. Any changes to that would be based on local decisions. EPS has a longstanding process for adoption of our curriculum that involves committee input and teacher vote. These committees also include parents to help us make curriculum decisions. Earlier this year, the Oklahoma Supreme Court unanimously ruled that we have authority to make these decisions at the local level and we will continue to do so. Dr. Angela Grunewald, Edmond Public Schools Superintendent

We have received questions about a recent directive from State Superintendent Ryan Walters asking school districts to share a video with families and students. Mustang Public Schools has no plans to interrupt the instructional day to show or send this video; there is no authority or requirement for us to do so. Mr. Walters, through his agencies, has the means to distribute this video should he choose. Our focus remains on using the school day for local curriculum and activities, thoughtfully developed by our educators and approved by our local school board. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out directly. Charles Bradley, Mustang Public Schools Superintendent

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News 4 reached out to OSDE on Wednesday and asked a spokesperson if OSDEs legal staff approved the email and video.

News 4 also asked if Walters would consider the video a form of political indoctrination, and if he doesnt, why?

So far, News 4 has not received a response.

On Thursday afternoon, the Oklahoma Attorney Generals Office sent a statement addressing Walters video, saying There is no statutory authority for the state schools superintendent to require all students to watch a specific video. Not only is this edict unenforceable, it is contrary to parents rights, local control and individual free-exercise rights.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
DES MOINES, Iowa  A wanted felon accused of leading Des Moines Police officers on a chase in early November has been arrested.

1 dead in multiple vehicle crash in Hamilton County

According to DMPD, 47-year-old William Douglas Wambsgans led officers on a lengthy chase on the night of November 6, but managed to escape officers. On Friday DMPD announced that Wambsgans was taken into custody in the 900 block of Amos Avenue by Probation & Parole officers.

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Wambsgans was wanted on charges of second-degree burglary, first-degree harassment, and a parole violation. DMPD said charges related to the pursuit are pending. He is currently being held in the Polk County Jail.

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Donald Trumps team  convinced that the Senate GOP campaign arm and its top allied super PAC are hiring Never Trumpers for key roles  is preparing to launch its own super PAC to compete in the next round of Senate races in 2026, according to two close allies of the president-elect.

The plan, if carried out, would upend the partys traditional method of competing in Senate races and could cause major discord among powerful GOP financial players  pitting Trump and his new regime against longtime GOP donors seeking to influence competitive Senate races. The move could disperse money across multiple entities and hinder the Senate Leadership Fund, a group that was created to be a centralized GOP clearinghouse for Senate spending.

Theres a brewing war on the verge of breaking out between Trumps team and the traditional institutions that play in Senate races, said one person close to Trump, explaining that the heads of the National Republican Senatorial Committee and SLF should reflect current leadership and the future, not the past.

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The person, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Trump allies will set up our own SLF and compete with the longtime top super PAC aligned with former Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell. If they dont change how they approach SLF, we will do it for them.

SLF and its sister nonprofit One Nation have spent a combined $420 million this cycle. Any group seeking to seriously compete with them would need considerable funds.

MAGA activists on Thursday night unloaded on social media against Stephen DeMaura, a former campaign adviser to Mike Pence. DeMaura is expected to be brought on as the next executive director of the NRSC, according to three people familiar with the decision. He was introduced to attendees at the NRSC's event for new senators this week as the new executive director, according to two people present.

Neither the NRSC nor SLF have publicly confirmed who will be running the organizations for the 2026 cycle. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, who challenged Trump in the Republican presidential primary before endorsing him and making a bid to be his running mate, this week was elected chair of the NRSC. South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the new Republican Senate leader who has previously been lukewarm toward Trump, is expected to be involved in choosing who leads SLF.

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There are plenty of experienced managers whove won races that could easily run SLF and the NRSC, the person close to Trump said, instead of relying on people who just move money and mentally masturbate over spreadsheets.

Trumps team has also taken issue with rumors that longtime Republican consultant Kevin McLaughlin is under consideration to be the next president of SLF. Three people who have spoken with McLaughlin told POLITICO that he said he is in the running for the position.

McLaughin, who served as executive director of the NRSC during the 2020 election cycle, told POLITICO he has had no conversation with anyone about taking on the role of leading SLF. Regarding Trump officials characterization of McLaughlin as one of the Never Trumpers theyre concerned about, McLaughlin noted he worked this past cycle on a pro-Trump super PAC in Wisconsin, Badger Values. His firm, Apex Strategies, was a vendor for both the Trump and Nikki Haley campaigns this year.

SLF is currently led by Steven Law, a longtime GOP operative with close relationships with donors and McConnell.

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We had a great result on election night because of our strategy, Senator Daines leadership of the NRSC and President Trumps decisive victory, SLF spokesperson Torunn Sinclair said in a statement. Our sole focus was winning a Senate Majority, and well leave the anonymous rumor-mongering to others.

Any decision on the SLF president for the 2026 cycle is weeks away, according to a person familiar with the hiring process.

A second person, a Trump world political adviser, echoed the concerns about the names circulating to head both groups, as well as support for Trumps team launching its own rival super PAC.

Youd think a committee that just lost four races in states Trump won and only has a couple real offensive opportunities in 26, also in states Trump won, would be interested in political guidance and leadership that is in tune with President Trumps new Republican coalition in order to protect rather than potentially lose its new majority, the Trump political adviser told POLITICO.

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The team that ran the NRSC during the 2024 election year is being replaced by a new one, led by Scott and the advisers he decides to bring on.

The Trump world political adviser said Trumps team is not likely to leave [Republican] anti-Trump candidates uncontested, and that theres no chance their Senate candidates can be successful without Trump voters showing up in the midterms.

The hiring moves would mark a stark departure from the 2024 NRSC operation led by Sen. Steve Daines, who developed a close relationship with Trump and urged the president to back his preferred picks in key races. Trumps endorsement helped the NRSC secure its favored nominees in Montana and West Virginia.

Daines served as a linchpin between Trump and McConnell, two men who famously did not get along.

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Nathan Brand, a spokesperson for Scott, declined to confirm or deny that DeMaura is in line to lead the committee, but said the new NRSC chair has spoken with Trump about his plans. NOTUS first reported that DeMaura was being brought on to run the NRSC. DeMaura did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Senator Scott and President Trump have discussed hiring decisions at the NRSC, and they look forward to the incoming leadership at the committee, Brand said. President Trump has committed to doing whatever it takes to not only protect the majority but to grow it.

Brand did not elaborate on Scotts conversation with Trump or when it took place. A spokesperson for Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

DeMaura previously ran Pences 143-day presidential campaign, a post which he occupied with a low profile, rarely speaking to reporters or appearing with Pence on the trail.

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DeMauras expertise came from advising Carly Fiorinas super PAC, during her 2016 presidential campaign.

One ally of DeMaura said that beyond his running Pences campaign, there is little in the public record documenting any opposition to Trump.

Adam Geller, a pollster in 2016 for Trump's campaign as well as for a pro-Trump super PAC, said DeMaura is not Never Trump but "a serious operative and consultant who will be about protecting and growing President Trump's Senate majority."

But his supporters have work to do to win over skeptics.

A lot of senators are upset, and they're just curious: It doesn't make sense, said a veteran of the NRSC who keeps in touch with Republican senators. Trump just had this massive win and now they are bringing in this Never Trumper.


Nov. 14ROCHESTER  Election results for the Ward 4 seat on the Rochester City Council are being challenged.

Incumbent council member Kelly Rae Kirkpatrick and three other Ward 4 residents  Andrew Knauff, Rachel LaForge and Kendra Ryan  filed a civil complaint in Olmsted County District Court on Wednesday, ahead of the city's canvassing of election results.

The complaint centers around the residency status of Andy Friederichs, who defeated Kirkpatrick in the Nov. 5 election.

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"(Friederichs') Ward 4 residency claims are false and related solely to his business real estate holdings in Rochester," the civil complaint states. "There is no credible evidence that he intends to establish a home in Ward 4 and remain there with his family."

It points out Friederichs owns a Marion Township home with his wife, but he filed for candidacy by claiming residency in an apartment building he owns in the city.

The canvassing confirmed Friederichs received 3,297 votes, while Kirkpatrick saw 3,107 votes.

The canvassing opened a legal path for the results to be contested. City Clerk Kelly Geistler told the council Wednesday the administrative canvassing of the results is required before any official objection to the election results can be considered.

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"That is the order of things according to state statute," she said, noting the canvassing merely confirms the count.

Friederichs confirmed Thursday that he received the paperwork Wednesday notifying him that the election is being contested, but he raised questions about the intent.

"I don't know why they just don't come talk to me," he said. "Why don't they come over to my place. Why don't they come over and hang out in my apartment. I told them they could."

The notice of the civil action was delivered to Friederichs' East Center Street apartment.

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While Friederichs and his wife own a home at 4350 20th St. SE, which sits outside Rochester, he has said he moved into one of his rental units in the city's Ward 4 in January 2024, months before filing for the City Council election.

He said the move away from his family was made for personal reasons, which he didn't want to outline.

The court petition filed Wednesday follows an Olmsted County Sheriff's Office investigation into an anonymous complaint received in August by the Rochester City Clerk's Office. The complaint questioned Friederichs' status as a candidate based on his residency.

In following up on the complaint, Detective Brad Green reviewed Friederichs' candidate paperwork and spoke with him.

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Friederichs initially filed paperwork in May, stating he lived at 1600 Marion Road SE, which is The Marion Apartments owned by Friederichs. He told Green that he later moved to The Parker, 101 E. Center St., after a paying tenant sought the room he was occupying at The Marion. Friederichs also owns and operates The Parker.

Green's report states Friederichs planned to live at The Parker apartment indefinitely. The report quotes Friederichs as saying: "To be frank with you, I plan on living there as long as I have to, to be frank with you. ... Some of this stuff is a personal issue. ... Obviously if I win the election (I'll) stay there for the whole term."

According to the report, Friederichs said he would consider moving back to the Marion Township home if he lost the election or if his personal situation changed. Though, he added the plan could change.

"I would stay there (The Parker) because it (the election) isn't the only factor," Green wrote in his report, quoting Friederichs after he was asked about his plans if he lost the election.

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Green confirmed Friederichs' driver's license identifies The Parker as his home, and reported Friederichs stated he is registered to vote in Ward 4 and receives mail at his Rochester address, which are requirements for establishing the legal residency needed to be a candidate.

The investigation report was submitted to the Olmsted County Attorney's Office, and County Attorney Mark Ostrem said he saw no evidence of actions that would lead to charges.

The Ward 4 residents challenging the election results state more investigation is needed.

"The review of (Friederichs') residency by Olmsted County officials, based upon an anonymous citizen's complaint before the election, was superficial, cursory, delayed, and failed to consider statutory factors meaningfully," they wrote in the complaint seeking a court review.
Warmer weather continues into Friday ahead of our next storm system. Rain and and mountain snow will return across parts of the state Sunday and Monday.

A warming trend is starting Thursday with high temperatures anywhere from a couple degrees to 15 warmer than Wednesday. Temperatures in the 60s are as far north as Durango and Clayton today, with 70s in southern New Mexico. On Friday, windier weather will return to western New Mexico where gusts up to 45 mph will be possible. This will bring an elevated fire danger west of I-25. Friday will also be our warmest day this week, with highs 5 to 10 warmer than today.

A storm starts moving into New Mexico this weekend. It will continue to bring in breezy winds Saturday afternoon, along with cooler temperatures. The biggest drop in temperatures will be Sunday as the storm brings rain and snow above 9,000 through Monday morning. The highest chances for precipitation will be in southern and eastern New Mexico, with areas up to Albuquerque, Santa Fe, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and Clayton also seeing rain and mountain snow. Over 1 of rain will be possible in southeast and eastern New Mexico, with a dusting to several inches of snow in the mountains.

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Drier weather briefly returns Monday afternoon, but temperatures will stay cool. Tuesday is where our forecast begins to diverge. One forecast model has another storm clipping far northeast New Mexico, bringing just some spotty rain and snow to northeastern parts of the state through Wednesday. While another forecast model brings a much stronger storm straight across the state, bringing widespread rain and snowfall, even down into valleys and lower elevations. Regardless of the path of the low pressure system, it will definitely be much cooler all across the state by the middle of next week.

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PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY)  Virginias delegation to the U.S. Senate has expressed concerns about several of President-elect Donald Trumps nominees to his administration, including the naming of former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as his choice to be the director of national intelligence despite her lack of experience.

That move, and a few others, has left Sens. Mark Warner, Tim Kaine and others in disbelief.

Hes got a right to put forward his candidates, Warner said. They have a right to be considered. But when you have that advise and consent process, a candidate gets to be vetted in terms of their background. We get to see as American citizens, because all of the the hearings on these nominees are public. And I can tell you, as chairman of the [Senate] Intelligence Committee, we live in a very, very dangerous time.

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Gabbard has parroted Russian propaganda, while Trump has called Russian President Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine genius.

Remember Trumps criticism of so called woke generals?

Trumps Pick for defense secretary, Fox News host Pete Hegseth, said Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Charles Brown, who grew up in Newport News, got the job only because he is Black.

Hegseth is also critical of the role women play in combat. Kaine said Hegseth, a former soldier, should take another look at todays military.

And so, I dont know how much time this guy has spent with women serving in the military, Kaine said. I am very active as a member of the Armed Services Committee. I have a child who is a Marine, veteran, inactive reservist now, but served in active duty. And I can tell you, as somebody whos questioning the capacity of women to serve, I just I dont think hes been paying attention.

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And from the president-elect, who was convicted of 34 felony counts in the Stormy Daniels hush money case  a judge has delayed a ruling on whether to scrap the conviction  Rep. Matt Gaetz, who was under investigation for sexual misconduct, is Trumps pick for U.S. Attorney General.

Well, again, I dont know, Mr. Gaetz, Kaine said. I would be curious to see whether he could get even a majority of the House Republicans who have actually known and worked with him for years, Kaine said.

There is also concern Trump will call for recess appointments, a step that would bypass Senate confirmation.

Warner did give Sen. Marco Rubio, Trumps pick for secretary of state, a thumbs-up, saying Rubio is smart, talented and will be a strong voice for American interests around the globe.

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MONROE COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE)  An East Tennessee murder suspect has been extradited from South Carolina to Monroe County after a multistate manhunt according to a spokesperson for the Monroe County Sheriffs Office.

An affidavit of complaint from the Monroe County Sheriffs Office (MCSO) shared new information about the events leading up to Nicholas Hamletts arrest including an $8 million insurance policy allegedly opened in the name of his false identity. He has been charged with first degree murder. He was set to be in court on Monday, but it was reset for Tuesday, Nov. 18.

Rocky Hill Pharmacy co-owners accused in fraud scheme to face trial

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It began with a distress call to Monroe County 911 on Oct. 18 at 11:34 p.m. The call was from a man claiming to be Brandon Kristopher Andrade. The caller said that he had been fleeing from a bear and fell from a cliff at a waterfall landing on his head. He said his leg and back were injured and that he could not move his legs. The caller told authorities he was cold and sleepy and bleeding bad.

At 11:39, police officers, fire and rescue were dispatched to Charles Hall Bridge on the Cherohala Skyway, the location of the original ping through the 911 call police reported. The Chattanooga/Hamilton County Cave and Technical Rescue Team found a body in the forest with a Montana drivers license matching the name of the call  Brandon Kristopher Andrade.

The next day, officials made contact with a man, who was later identified as Hamlett. The affidavit said he claimed to be the brother of Brandon Andrade.

UT LIFESTAR celebrates 40 years of serving East Tennessee

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On Oct. 24, Monroe County detectives traveled to the location where the body was found and tried to call 911 but were unable to obtain a signal until they went to the bridge about 2,000 feet from where the body had been found, according to the affidavit.

Additionally, the body was identified as Steven Douglas Lloyd, and an autopsy showed that he had died from blunt force trauma to the head. During a press conference on Oct. 30, MCSO said the injuries were not consistent with a fall.

Meanwhile, officials also discovered that Nicholas Hamlett had been using the false identification of Brandon Kristopher Andrade since 2017. Sheriff Tommy Jones said that the identification had been stolen and used in multiple other occasions.

Date set for Blount Memorial Hospital to become part of Prisma Health

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According to MCSO, Hamletts sister stated that Hamlett fled the area on Oct. 19 after being contacted by Knox County Deputies. It was also found that Mr. Hamlett is wanted in the state of Alabama for a parole violation.

Finally, the affidavit reported Hamlett opened several life insurance policies in the name of Brandon Kristopher Andrade totaling around $8,000,000.00.

MCSO issued an arrest warrant on Oct. 30 for Hamlett who they said was considered to be armed and highly dangerous. The U.S. Marshall Service offered a reward of up to $5,000. After a national manhunt, Hamlett was captured at a South Carolina hospital on Nov. 10, according to an announcement from the Columbia Police Department. Hamletts wife was charged with giving false information to law enforcement.

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A priest pleaded guilty to stealing $155,000 from his church, Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry announced.

Father George Athanasiou, 37, pleaded guilty Wednesday to stealing the money from All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in North Strabane Township.

A news release says he stole checks, deposited them for personal use and then used the money to gamble.

When he pleaded guilty in court on Wednesday, Athanasiou paid $155,000 in restitution.

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Stealing money is theft, plain and simple, whether it is committed by a petty criminal or a trusted faith leader, which was the case here  this priest betrayed parishioners by stealing donations that otherwise would have benefited the church, Attorney General Henry said. This plea to a felony charge holds the defendant accountable for his conduct, while also providing a significant restitution payment that will go to the church community.

Athanasiou faces up to seven years in prison. He will be sentenced in February.

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Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) said that former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, President-elect Trumps pick for national intelligence director, is likely a Russian asset.

Theres no question I consider her someone who is likely a Russian asset, Wasserman Schultz said on MSNBC on Friday.

The Hill has contacted Gabbards press team for comment.

Wasserman Schultzs comment comes as Trump has faced some pushback over some of his cabinet picks, including his nod toward Gabbard as director of national intelligence.

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The role is a major shift for the former Democrat who has previously been accused of peddling Russian narratives. Gabbard has expressed beliefs that oppose the conclusions from U.S. intelligence, particularly when it comes to Russia and Ukraine.

Gabbard has shared content suggesting that the U.S. was involved in Ukraine developing biological weapons. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) said at the time that she was parroting Russian propaganda and that her treasonous lies may well cost lives.

In 2022, she also knocked the Biden administration for failing to address Russian concerns amid its invasion of Ukraine.

This war and suffering could have easily been avoided if Biden Admin/NATO had simply acknowledged Russias legitimate security concerns regarding Ukraines becoming a member of NATO, which would mean US/NATO forces right on Russias border, she wrote on X at the time.

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In a 2019 interview, Hillary Clinton mentioned Russian media support in relation to Gabbard, labeling the former congresswoman a favorite of the Russians.

Gabbard in 2017 met with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, who was accused of using chemical weapons on his own citizens during the countrys civil war. The meeting sparked anger among her colleagues in Congress.

During her 2020 Democratic presidential campaign, Gabbard alleged that Assad was not an enemy of the United States and declined to say he was a war criminal.

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A building in the Hezbollah bastion of southern Beirut collapsed in a gigantic cloud of smoke and dust after Israeli air strikes on Friday.

Witnesses reported seeing a missile slamming into the lower floors of the building, which erupted in a huge fireball, causing the structure to collapse.

Lebanons state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported a heavy raid carried out by aircraft of the Israeli enemy in the Ghobeiri area, near Horsh Beirut, the capitals largest park.

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It said the raid had been preceded by two missile strikes on the same target by an Israeli drone.

The strikes followed a call by the Israeli military to evacuate the area.

The rocket pictured hurtling towards the building - Hassan Ammar/AP

A fireball was seen sweeping above the road during the explosion - Hassan Ammar/AP

The evacuation order posted on X, formerly Twitter, by Avichay Adraee, the Israeli army spokesman, told residents to leave, warning of imminent strikes.

All residents in the southern suburbs, specifically in the Ghobeiri area, you are located near facilities and interests affiliated with Hezbollah, Adraee said in an Arabic-language post on X.

For your safety and the safety of your family members, you must evacuate these buildings and those adjacent to them immediately.

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Later in the morning, a second strike hit the Bourj al-Barajneh area of the southern suburbs.

The building collapsed after it was struck by two Israeli missiles - IBRAHIM AMRO/AFP

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Smoke bellowed out engulfing the surrounding area - FADEL ITANI/AFP

NNA said two missiles had been fired by an enemy aircraft.

Repeated Israeli air strikes on south Beirut have led to a mass exodus of civilians from the Hezbollah stronghold, although some return during the day to check on their homes and businesses.

NNA also reported pre-dawn strikes on the southern city of Nabatieh.

The Israeli military, meanwhile, said on Thursday it had struck the Lebanon-based command centres of Hezbollahs elite Radwan Force and launchers used to fire rockets at Israel.

Since September 23, Israel has ramped up its air campaign in Lebanon, later sending in ground troops following almost a year of limited, cross-border exchanges begun by Hezbollah over the Gaza war.

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Lebanese authorities say that more than 3,380 people have been killed since the Hamas-led October 7 attack on Israel last year.

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NORTH PORT, Fla. (WFLA)  Florida deputies made two significant rescues last week a trapped manatee and a woman experiencing a medical emergency in the middle of the woods.

On Nov. 8, Charlotte County deputies assisted the Tampa Zoo, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and Florida Fish and Wildlife to rescue a trapped female manatee.

Sea turtle rescued after being found a mile from the ocean in Cedar Key

The 8-foot animal found herself in a closed canal system, which she entered due to Hurricane Miltons flooding. Once the water receded, officials said she couldnt get out.

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The manatee was located and safely secured in a net. She was transported to be checked out by a biologist to be cleared before being released.

Meanwhile, the second rescue occurred in the woods, where deputies said a woman had fallen and suffered a head injury.

Significant amount of human blood found in Florida park restroom: deputies

The injury led to erratic behavior, which resulted in her running into a heavily wooded lot and getting lost.

Once they located her on the ground, she was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

My Aviation Unit provides such an invaluable service to not only Charlotte County, but our surrounding areas as well, Sheriff Bill Prummel said. They do everything from mosquito control to fire suppression to longline rescues and more. I cannot speak highly enough about the work that they do and their dedication to serving our community and helping our brothers and sisters in other local agencies. This team makes me proud every single day.

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Four California residents were arrested earlier this week after an investigation revealed they had used a mascot-style bear suit to raid three luxury vehicles in an effort to obtain a six-figure insurance claim.

The California Department of Insurance launched an investigation it dubbed Operation Bear Claw after a suspicious insurance claim was filed on Jan 28 in Lake Arrowhead, an upscale community in the San Bernardino Mountains, for a 2010 Rolls Royce, according to a Nov. 13 press release. The owner claimed that a bear had entered the vehicle and wreaked havoc with its claws on its interior.

They even submitted security camera footage to the insurance agency as part of the claim. The CDI posted the video online, which shows the bear opening the passenger side door of the vehicle before crawling into the front seat, swaying around in an attempt to seem bear-like, and then climbing into the back seat to show a distinctly un-bearlike tail to the camera.

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Upon further scrutiny of the video, the investigation determined the bear was actually a person in a bear costume, the department said in a statement.

Investigators discovered the suspects filed two other insurance claims with other companies for two different vehicles, a 2015 Mercedes G63 AMG and a 2022 Mercedes E350. The claims had the same location and date of loss. Just like with the Rolls Royce claim, the suspects had provided the insurance companies with video from a security camera. That footage also showed a person in a bear costume opening a door and crawling around inside the vehicle in a display that was so absurd that it looked like a Saturday Night Live skit.

While it doesnt take a wildlife biologist to tell the person in the video definitely isnt a bear, the department submitted the evidence to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for review. Upon watching the footage, a CDFW biologist pointed out that it was clearly a human in a bear suit, per the statement.

Detectives executed a search warrant for the residence and discovered a bear costume, complete with a furry head, paws, and metal claws that were used to puncture and scratch the seats, dash, and doors of the luxury vehicles.

An officer escorts a handcuff suspect in the conclusion of Operation Bear Claw. Photo by CDI

The CDI has identified four people involved in the costumed conspiracy  Ruben Tamrazian, 26, Ararat Chirkinian, 39, Vahe Muradkhanyan, 32, and Alfiya Zuckerman, 39, of Valley Village. All have been arrested and charged with insurance fraud and conspiracy. Suspects filed three allegedly fraudulent claims that cost insurance companies $141,839. The Glendale Police Department and the California Highway Patrol assisted with the investigation. The case has been referred to the San Bernardino County District Attorneys Office for prosecution.

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Read Next: Colorado Man Mauled by a Black Bear Sow with Cubs Inside His Own Home

The San Bernardino Mountains are home to a large population of real black bears. In April, an increase in bear sightings prompted California State Parks to issue an alert for campers at San Bernardino County campgrounds, warning them of potential bear run-ins. This incident also follows another high-profile crime involving a bear impersonation, in which a Tennessee man allegedly staged a murder and blamed it on a bear.
A pig, or Notorious P.I.G gave officers a chase when the small animal trespassed through Tacomas Eastside neighborhood over the weekend.

Officers were dispatched at 3:45 p.m. on Saturday after a complaint came in that a pink pig with no collar was running in the 4000 block of East F Street. No one knew who owned the pig or where it came from, Tacoma Police Department spokesman Detective William Muse told The News Tribune.

Welcome to the Eastside, one officer said in the body camera footage, according to a TPD Facebook post.

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Footage showed the pig escaping the officers clutches and running through the front yards of different homes.

The pig is being non-compliant, another officer said in the footage.

Tacomas Animal Control Unit assisted police with the chase, footage showed. As the pig was attempting to go through a fence, it realized that it could not fit through.

The little oinker made them work for their bacon, but in the end, Notorious P.I.G. was safely captured and escorted off the streets! the post said.

The pig was recovered without injury. Once secured with a lanyard, the pig was taken to TPDs headquarters in a K9 kennel, Muse said. The pig has since been taken to a reservation at The Rusty Bar Ranch in Pierce County.

It remains a mystery as to where this little trespasser came from.
LAUDERDALE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT)  The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said a Waterloo man was killed in a crash Thursday.

According to ALEA, Jefferey G. Joiner, 60, was killed when the 2006 Lincoln Zephyr he was driving left the roadway on State Route 20, and hit a ditch, a utility pole and then a tree. ALEA said the car caught fire after crashing.

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Joiner was taken to North Alabama Medical Center in Florence for treatment where he later died from his injuries.

ALEA is still investigating the crash.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  On Thursday, Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden released a video saying hes sorry for the racially charged words hes accused of using on recordings to describe two of his employees at the time.

McFadden also announced a shake-up at the sheriffs office on Thursday following the resignation of former Chief Deputy Kevin Canty and the release of the recordings.

The fallout comes after Canty called McFaddens administration a third-world dictatorship in a scathing resignation letter on Nov. 1.

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Canty, who was hired last February, claims the sheriff made disparaging, unprofessional, and racist comments about employees. Canty also says McFadden wanted him to be his hatchet man and fire two employees that he did not see a reason to let go.

PREVIOUS: Chief deputy of Mecklenburg Sheriffs Office resigns, claiming agency operates like dictatorship

On Thursday, the sheriffs office announced those staff members  the human resources director and the business manager  were fired, and the sheriff has replaced them and others.

To complete a puzzle of me and Kevin Canty and Chief White, thats the ultimate team, said Sheriff McFadden during an event in February.

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McFadden, first elected in 2018, praised his new chief deputy. But Canty says his relationship with McFadden quickly soured.

And so soon after I came the second week, I began to see signs of his personality in the way he treated people. And that began to bother me, said Canty.

What are we talking about? What kinds of examples? asked Queen City News Anchor Robin Kanady.

McFadden swears in Canty in February 2024. (Credit: Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office)

So berating, constantly berating staff, members of the executive team, command staff in front of everyone, what I would later tell him were public floggings, making condescending comments to them, such as, I know that you people think youre great, but youre not, denigrating the chain of command, making insulting comments, answered Canty.

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He remembers a couple of times when he says McFadden said racist things in front of him about others. Then came the recordings that Canty says were given to him in October.

In one of them, Canty says McFadden talks about one of his captains:

That white cracker captain is better than the other seven captains upstairs.

In another recording, Canty says McFadden is referring to retired Chief Deputy Rodney Collins:

I got Chief Collins. I dont know who that, I dont know who that n is.

You have actually spoken with the direct source who recorded them? asked Kanady.

Yes, yes, answered Canty, who filled the void left by Collins this year until he stepped down.

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Canty says the audio was recorded on three different dates at employee meetings. One of those dates is possibly Feb. 28, 2021.

Charlotte sex offender sentenced to over 21 years for sharing child porn: DOJ

For obvious reasons, the person who recorded, who made the recordings is certainly concerned about their employment. And so, it was edited in such a way that this person can remain anonymous, said Canty.

On Thursday, McFadden said in a video released by the sheriffs office that hes sorry for the comments.

It doesnt matter who recorded it, or how many years ago it was recorded, today I want to apologize for that language. Held to a higher standard  thats the office of the sheriff, but you must understand that I am human, Im not perfect, and I will make mistakes, said McFadden in the video.

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Canty says he doesnt think McFadden should be in office, but he did vote for him twice, and others did too, to elect him.

Canty says he does not plan on running for sheriff in two years, but he does know some people he thinks would be good for the job.

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JOHNSONCITY, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  Senator Lea Webb is holding community office hours on Saturday that are focused on veterans resources.

The event, which is a partnership with the Broome-Tioga Workforce, will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Oakdale Commons in Johnson City.

Guests will be able to meet with members of the Senators constituent services team about issues they are experiencing and learn more about programs for veterans.

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The entrance walkway for guests at the UNFCCC COP29 Climate Conference site the day before the opening ceremony in Baku. This year's COP is thought to be the one of the most complex in it's history, as the world deals with US election year, ongoing wars across the globe making negotiations more crucial in determining the world's progress toward a sustainable and climate-resilient future. Bianca Otero/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
The fourth and final supermoon of 2024 will peak on Friday ahead of a Leonid meteor shower display that will be at its most active Saturday night into Sunday.

The November supermoon, also known as the Beaver, Frost, Frosty or Snow moon, will be in full phase at 2:29 p.m. MST on Friday. The event also marks the fourth consecutive supermoon, where the moons full phase aligns with the satellites perigee, the point in its orbit closest to Earth. The October supermoon saw the nearest perigee of the four monthly events to end the year and Fridays version is slightly further away and wont be quite as spectacular.

The convergence of these celestial events will diminish Earth-bound views of the Leonid meteorites, debris from the Temple-Tuttle comet that burns bright when entering the atmosphere of Terra Prime, thanks to the brightness of the waning supermoon over the weekend. According to the American Meteor Society, the Leonid display will peak with about 18 shooting stars per hour and will be best viewed in the eastern sky early Sunday morning when the moon is nearing the horizon.

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Unfortunately this year, the viewing conditions will be affected by a nearly full moon, Shyam Balaji of Kings College London, told The Associated Press. Watching during the early morning hours, when the moon is lower in the sky, can improve your chances of seeing more meteors.

Per a report from NASA, the Maine Farmers Almanac began publishing Native American names for full moons in the 1930s and some of them remain in wide use. According to that almanac, November is known as the Beaver Moon, the Frost or Frosty Moon or the Snow Moon.

One interpretation of the origin of the Beaver Moon name is that mid-fall was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps freeze to ensure a supply of warm winter furs, according to NASA. Another interpretation suggests that the name Beaver Moon came from how active the beavers are in this season as they prepare for winter. The Frost, Frosty, or Snow Moon names come from the frosts and early snows that begin this time of year, particularly in northeastern North America.

The next supermoon will occur on March 29, 2025. The next big meteor shower event will be the Geminid display which peaks in mid-December.
LISBON, Ohio (WKBN)  A Wellsville man is facing attempted murder and other charges for an incident on Oct. 17.

A Columbiana County grand jury returned an indictment in the case on Wednesday.

Michael Stacy, 34, is charged with attempted murder, felonious assault, attempted aggravated arson, abduction and trespass in a habitation. He is scheduled to appear in court for his arraignment at 1 p.m. Dec. 12.

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According to the indictment, Stacy is accused of harming a woman in an attempt to kill her.

Columbiana County Prosecutor Vito Abruzzino told the Morning Journal that Stacy hit the woman in the head with a wooden object and then officers found that all of the burners on the stove had been turned on when they arrived.

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West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James said Wednesday that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers violated a legal clause meant to ensure the city's water supply when the corps approved a giant reservoir project designed to help restore the Florida Everglades.

The city has filed a legal brief challenging the corps' interpretation of that clause, part of a long-running legal battle between the corps, the sugar industry, environmentalists and various municipalities as the corps attempts to move forward with the $3.9-billion, 10,500-acre Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir project.

Oral arguments in the case before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals are scheduled to take place Wednesday.

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West Palm Beach, like the sugar industry, has argued that the corps is violating the "savings clause" of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000, a federal law that directed the secretary of the Army to develop and conserve water in the United States.

James said the savings clause "guarantees existing water users will always have the amount of water that was in our state permits from the year 2000, and it directs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect the water supply that was in place at that time."

In 2008, the corps lowered water levels at Lake Okeechobee, the ultimate source of West Palm Beach's drinking water, because of structural concerns about the dike there. As it considered whether to approve the EAA reservoir, the corps looked at whether the project would negatively impact water supplies based on a regulation schedule set in 2008 and not in 2000 when the lake level was higher. West Palm Beach and the sugar industry argued that the corps should have relied on the 2000 regulation schedule and not the 2008 regulation schedule.

West Palm Beach's water supply is primarily rain driven, but is buoyed by water from Lake Okeechobee. The lake water flows to Grassy Waters Preserve and then into Lake Mangonia before reaching Clear Lake where the water treatment plant is located. Credit: City of West Palm Beach

James said the corps' decision poses a long-term threat to the city's drinking water supply.

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"At the end of the day, it is my job to ensure that the impacts of any drought such as we experienced in 2011  and we were experiencing some very dry conditions even at the beginning of last summer  we don't want to take the chance that, if it were to happen again, we would incur or experience water shortages," James said.

Palm Beach County Commissioner Bobby Powell Jr. joined James at the press conference and echoed the mayor's concerns.

"There is too much at stake for our drinking water and our supply to be at a disadvantage," Powell said. "This is impacts businesses, farmers and communities, who are dependent on a steady supply of clean water."

West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James addresses concerns with the security of the city's water supply during a press conference at City Hall on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.

The corps would not comment on West Palm Beach's decision to enter the legal fray in the reservoir case.

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"Due to the fact that this is under active litigation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers cannot provide a comment on the West Palm Beach statements about the EAA Reservoir," said Michelle Roberts, corporate communications chief for the corps.

Conflicting interpretations of the water savings clause

Lisa Interlandi, policy director of the Everglades Law Center, said the mayor's interpretation of the savings clause is "100% not the case."

"It was never intended to be a guarantor of water supply," said Interlandi, whose organization has joined with the corps in winning a string of legal battles to keep the reservoir project moving forward.

The savings clause, Interlandi said, was written to make sure Everglades restoration could occur, not to ensure that drinking water supplies would be guaranteed in perpetuity.

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"Everglades restoration was never intended to ensure agricultural water supplies remain at 2000 levels, Interlandi said in October. "What the sugar companies are really trying to do is shift the burden of maintaining their water supply onto the restoration process  something that could completely derail efforts to protect this fragile ecosystem.

That's not how the industry sees it.

In legal documents, the industry has argued that, in moving forward with the reservoir project based on the 2008 water regulation schedule, it acted in a way that was "arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, contrary to law, and without observance of procedures required by law."

The industry argued that a reduction in available water "increases the risk of permanent damage to their land and crops" and that during low rainfall periods "they will not have sufficient and predicable amounts of water to grow their crops."

Not all South Florida cities align with West Palm Beach's thinking

While West Palm Beach has agreed with the sugar industry in objecting to the process the corps used to approve the reservoir project, other cities joined with the Everglades Law Center to back the corps.

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Stuart, Lake Worth Beach and Islamorada are among the municipalities that joined with environmental groups in backing the corps' decision-making.

For its part, the corps has hailed the reservoir project as a boon to the environment in general and the Florida Everglades in particular. It held a groundbreaking ceremony in February of 2023 to commemorate the start of the project.

"The EAA Reservoir Project will benefit both Floridas environment and economy," the corps said in a statement timed to the groundbreaking ceremony. "In addition to more clean water for the Everglades, the project is creating jobs and providing a significant boost to the nearby local economies south of Lake Okeechobee."

The agency added that "being able to store more water from the lake and ultimately send more water south will benefit the entire region by improving the health of Lake Okeechobee, reducing releases to the estuaries, rehydrating wetlands in the central Everglades and Everglades National Park, and improving the health of Florida Bay."

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Wayne Washington is a journalist covering West Palm Beach, Riviera Beach and race relations for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at wwashington@pbpost.com. Help support our work; subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: West Palm: U.S. Army Corps' reservoir plan threatens water supply
Hurricane Helene damaged homes and left debris piled up throughout western North Carolina. (Photo by Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)

A western North Carolina landscaper was hit with a preliminary injunction for allegedly charging more than $25,000 after Hurricane Helene to remove two trees that collapsed onto a Hendersonville couples home  which he subsequently failed to remove.

Attorney General Josh Stein accused the company, run by Lorenzo Lorin Huggins, Sr., of demanding more than three times the market rate for emergency tree removal services after the couple contacted him concerned the two trees brought down by the storm would collapse their roof.

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The companys workers, however, allegedly failed to remove the trees at all, and instead dropped tree limbs through the hole in the couples roof and caused one of the trees to fall onto and damage a retaining wall in their yard. The workers left without finishing the job, Stein said, even after charging $25,500 to the couples credit card  with no quote or estimate in advance  forcing them to contact another company to complete the removal.

Huggins, for whom no attorney is yet listed in North Carolina court records, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Wake County Superior Court found a strong likelihood the state will prevail in the lawsuit, leading it to grant an injunction against Huggins and his companies, including Huggins & Sons Yard Service and Lorenzo & Son Landscaping.

Given the state of emergency in Western North Carolina as the result of the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene, swift action restraining Defendants conduct is needed, wrote Judge A. Graham Shirley II.

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The court ordered that Huggins and his companies cease any unfair and deceptive practices or price gouging and refrain from destroying business and financial records or maneuvering business assets outside of day-to-day expenses.

Huggins will also be required to retain all customer records from 2024, complete banking information, and a current balance sheet for each of his businesses.

Steins office has taken aim at cases of price gouging in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, opening up and publicizing a tip line that received more than 100 complaints in just the first few days after the disaster  mostly for mark-ups at gas stations, grocery stores, and hotels.

Even before Helene, price gouging was a priority for Stein, leading him to bring 13 lawsuits since 2018 yielding $1.08 million in payouts to affected residents. His office investigated a series of price gouging allegations in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as those around the sale of masks and basic household goods.

Taking advantage of western North Carolinians in the aftermath of tragedy is wrong, Stein said in a press release. Thats why I took action to put a stop to this company, which I alleged engaged in deception. I am pleased the court ordered the company to stop its practices while this lawsuit continues.
The Rocky Broad River flows into Lake Lure and overflows the town with debris from Chimney Rock, North Carolina, after heavy rains from Hurricane Helene on Sept. 28, 2024, in Lake Lure. (Photo by Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)

A group of western North Carolina officials will travel to Washington next week to meet with White House staff and the states congressional delegation, where they will request further federal aid to help the region recover from Hurricane Helene.

Asheville Mayor Ester Mannheimer (Photo: www.ashevillenc.gov)

Esther Manheimer, the mayor of Asheville, told NC Newsline in an interview Friday that she and other local government leaders, as well as Gov. Roy Cooper, would visit the nations capital on Wednesday and Thursday, November 20 and 21.

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Theyre expected to urge federal officials to fund key relief programs, release any available money and ease the financial burden on the state as the recovery in western North Carolina continues.

We need for the administration to release any discretionary funds that they have at their disposal, Manheimer said. And we need to reduce the match required by FEMA for recovery costs. We need them to move the cost share from 75/25 to 90/10.

The White House has pledged 100% reimbursement on disaster relief assistance for the first six months following the hurricane. Local and state officials are expecting the rebuild process in the mountains to span years.

Joining Manheimer and Cooper in Washington will be county officials from Buncombe and Madison counties, and the mayors of Canton, Lake Lure and Chimney Rock.

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Were trying to make sure that this isnt just about recovery in Asheville, Manheimer said. This is about recovery for all of western North Carolina.

They are set to visit with White House officials on Wednesday. On Thursday, they will meet with North Carolina members on Capitol Hill, including U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd.

A spokesperson for Cooper did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Lawmakers from North Carolina and other Helene-impacted states have called on congressional leaders to immediately approve more aid. That includes providing a new injection of funding for a key relief program under the Small Business Administration, which has run out of money.

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Both Triangle area U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross and Sen. Thom Tillis delivered speeches on the floor of their respective chambers this week calling for the approval of more aid.

Next week on Capitol Hill will also feature a congressional hearing focused on FEMA. Republican lawmakers have scrutinized the agencys response to Helene and other disasters.

Among those called to testify is FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, who was on the ground in western North Carolina shortly after Helenes landfall.

North Carolinas legislature will convene next week, at which time it is widely expected to consider further state aid.

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Manheimer, who is also a member of Gov.-elect Josh Steins transition team, said the top priority for the region was reimbursing relief costs, as well as allowing the state to unleash the Department of Transportation to tackle road and bridge repairs.

And she acknowledged that while the legislature had approved money for loan programs for small businesses, what everyone really wants are grants.
WESTVILLE, Ill. (WCIA)  Fifteen electric school buses will be replacing the diesel buses currently used by the Westville School District.

First Student is a school transportation provider to millions of families, and today they joined the Westville School District for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the upcoming deployment of the new buses. The electric buses will provide quieter, cleaner and safer rides to school.

The event included a ride-along in one of the new buses for those who were in attendance. The new buses include 14 Type C IC buses and one Type-A Microbird.

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I have no ill will: DACC President files to run on board after resignation agreement

Westville will use First Charge, which is First Students charging solution to support the transition of buses. This method significantly reduces construction time and costs by up to 50%.

Electric school buses provide cleaner, quieter, and safer rides to school for students, and we are thrilled to partner with the Westville School District to make this a reality for this community, said Kevin McNamara, First Student Senior Director of Charging. First Student is leading the way in electrifying Americas school buses because our mission is to provide the safest and most reliable student transportation.

These new buses greatly improve air quality in and around schools. By just replacing one diesel school bus with an electric one, that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 54,000 pounds annually.

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DACC new barber program begins enrolling students

First Student also partnered with Ameren, which covered the costs of the transformer, the installation of the transformer and any upgrades needed to the utility side. Outside of Westville, First Student has secured more than $400 million in funding from the EPAs Clean School Bus Program for school districts across the country.

The funding is enough to secure approximately 1,200 electric school buses across the United States. The company currently has 390 electric buses across the country, with an additional 2,000 under contract.

The Westville School District is proud to have secured funding from the Clean School Bus Program and to be able to work with First Student to bring these 15 electric school buses to our community, said Dr. Seth Miller, Westville School District Superintendent. Fiscally and environmentally smart choices for a cleaner, greener, and cost efficient solutions are the cornerstone of our work as educational leaders.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
Dim sum, acai bowls and some notorious chicken fingers. Those are just some of the eats you'll find at these four businesses that have recently opened in Brookfield, Wauwatosa and Elm Grove.

Serious Sanji in Wauwatosa

A new Chinese restaurant that's brought dumplings and dim sum to a Tosa strip mall opened strong in mid-October.

Located at 853 N. Mayfair Road, Serious Sanji's menu is stacked with dishes like dim sum, pan-fried or steamed dumplings, noodles, rice and xiao long bao soup dumplings.

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Customers can choose from 10 different iced green tea options and almost double the flavors of milk tea including mocha, jasmine, sakura rose or lychee milk tea, before adding boba toppings.

The Wauwatosa restaurant is the business's first location outside Florida, where there are already five restaurants, according to the Serious Sanji website.

Between the robot waiters that bring you your food and the mini bun cup stacked on top of the boba tea of your choice, Serious Sanji shows promise to quickly become a Tosa favorite.

Nona in Elm Grove

Nona is newish to Elm Grove  the health store and cafe opened in July, The Waukesha Freeman reported. But the Elm Grove store debuted its coffee bar in the first week of November, according to the business's Facebook page.

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Nona Nutrition is both a health store  selling specialized groceries and nutritional supplements  and a cafe, with an organic foods menu that includes acai smoothie bowls, smoothies and coffee drinks. Nona opened a location in Delafield on Nov. 9, according to Facebook.

Elm Grove's Nona cafe is located at 13320 Watertown Plank Road, taking over the space that was once home to Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea, which closed abruptly in February 2024.

Nona Elm Grove is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Raising Cane's in Brookfield

Customers lined up eagerly to win free chicken finger meals when Raising Cane's Brookfield opened in early September.

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The new Brookfield store, at 12660 W. Capitol Drive, is part of the franchise's plan to expand throughout Wisconsin this year and beyond, with at least three more locations planned in the state.

The Brookfield store and drive-thru are open from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, according to the website.

New Panera Bread in Wauwatosa

Wauwatosa's Milwaukee County Research Park got a new Panera Bread in September. Located at 850 N. Mayfair Road, the Panera Bread is open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Online and in-store ordering is available at the Wauwatosa cafe, which offers everything from soups, salads and sandwiches to mac and cheese and sweets.

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Bridget Fogarty reports on Wauwatosa, Brookfield and Elm Grove. She can be contacted at bfogarty@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: New food and drink options available in Tosa, Brookfield and Elm Grove
President-elect Donald Trump intends to nominate anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to head the Department of Health and Human Services.

The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any Administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country, Trump wrote in an email and on his platform, TruthSocial, on Thursday.

The ascent of Kennedy, who became a top Trump adviser during the 2024 campaign, has sparked widespread concern among the public health community, who fear his fringe views could undo decades of progress against the spread of infectious diseases. HHS will have vast power to influence policy areas including health insurance and availability, disease monitoring and prevention, abortion access, contraceptive care, disability rights and LGBTQ+ health. The department oversees agencies such as the Administration for Children and Families, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Food and Drug Administration.

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Kennedy, who touts a Make America Healthy Again agenda, has said as a presidential candidate and as an adviser to Trump that he wants to redirect the federal health apparatus to focus on areas such as regulating seed oils, which he has called toxic despite research showing their health benefits. He has inflated the risks of COVID-19 vaccines  and pediatricians fear that his strident anti-vaccination views could particularly endanger kids.

In 2007, Kennedy founded the Childrens Health Defense Fund, initially called the World Mercury Project. Misinformation spread by the organization and other anti-vaccine groups was linked to a 2018 measles outbreak in American Samoa, which led to 83 deaths.

The Childrens Health Defense Fund has consistently targeted mothers and Black Americans in their messaging  groups experts say are more likely to experience vaccine hesitancy due to negative historical and personal experiences with medical care.

On the campaign trail, Trump promised he would let Kennedy go wild on health  singling out women in particular as people whose health care access could be affected.

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Ahead of the election, Kennedy said one of Trumps first acts in the White House would be to advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water. Kennedy has also described fluoride as poison. Fluoride has been added to American water systems for decades, a practice that the American Dental Association estimates has reduced tooth decay by about 25 percent.

Though Republicans control the Senate, its not clear if Kennedy will be confirmed. Earlier this week, Republican senators would not answer questions about whether he had their support, the health publication STAT News reported. Trump has pushed for the Senate to use a process called recess appointments, in which he and Senate Majority Leader John Thune could pick Trumps Cabinet without Senate approval.

It is unclear how much or how quickly Kennedy will be able to implement any of these changes without action from Congress. However, some federal workers are already planning to leave, according to NBC. While there wasnt much employee turnover between the Obama and first Trump administrations, there is concern about what Kennedy might mean for public health and their careers.

What we dont really need at HHS is more medical expertise. What we need is an expertise on decoupling the agency from institutional corruption. Because its the corruption that has distorted the science, Kennedy said during a September 30 Town Hall in Philadelphia.

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Abortion opponents have argued that a Trump administration HHS should be used to institute national restrictions  for instance, leveraging the FDA to restrict access to mifepristone, one of the medications used in most abortions, or to even undo its approval altogether. Other HHS subsidiaries could also influence access to the procedure. Under Trumps previous administration, the Office of Refugee Resettlement sought to deny abortions to immigrants in its custody.

On abortion specifically, Kennedy has been inconsistent. When running for president as an independent candidate, Kennedy suggested he opposed banning abortion before fetal viability, the standard protected by the now-overturned Roe v. Wade. Earlier in his campaign, when still running as a Democrat, Kennedy had endorsed banning the procedure after the first trimester of pregnancy before walking back those remarks.

Theres no question that we need a pro-life HHS secretary, and of course, we have concerns about him, Marjorie Dannenfelser, head of the anti-abortion group SBA Pro-Life America, told the news outlet Semafor.

Kennedy has also not publicly spoken about contraception. Under President Joe Biden, the health department has expanded access to birth control, approving the first-ever over-the-counter hormonal birth control pill and pushing to enforce Affordable Care Act regulations that require health insurance to cover approved methods.

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Kennedys opposition to gender-affirming care for transgender minors, as well as misinformation that he has spread about LGBTQ+ youth and HIV/AIDS, signals a sharp reversal from how the HHS has approached health care for LGBTQ+ people under Biden.

Kennedy opposes gender-affirming care for minors, which largely refers to puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy. He has inaccurately portrayed puberty blockers, which temporarily delay the hormones that cause kids to go through puberty, as repurposed castration drugs. In May, he stated that people with gender dysphoria or who want to change their gender deserve compassion and respect while adding that these terribly consequential procedures should be deferred till adulthood.

False claims and conspiracies shared by Kennedy involving LGBTQ+ people include theories that the use of poppers, a recreational drug frequently used in gay nightlife, was a significant factor in the disease progression for the first AIDS victims of the early 1980s. He also suggested that sexual identification and gender confusion among minors is caused by man-made chemicals in water or the environment.

In Project 2025, the policy blueprint for a second Trump administration offered by the conservative Heritage Foundation, most of the proposed anti-LGBTQ+ policies would be executed through HHS. These policies proposed by Project 2025 which Trump has disavowed any part in, despite at least 60 percent of its contributors being linked to the president-elect  include protecting adoption and foster care services that refuse to work with LGBTQ+ married couples and to redirect federal funds to support a biblically based definition of family. Although it remains to be seen whether the Trump administration will follow the suggestions in Project 2025s playbook, whoever leads the HHS will have an outsized role in shaping the next four years for LGBTQ+ Americans.

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Under the Biden administration, HHS advocated for trans youth to access gender-affirming care. As states across the country banned that care, the agency encouraged health care providers who were kept from providing it to file complaints with the agencys office for civil rights. The administration undid rulemaking put in place by the first Trump administration that excluded trans people from nondiscrimination protections in the Affordable Care Act.

The post Where Trump HHS pick RFK Jr. stands on vaccines, abortion and LGBTQ+ issues appeared first on The 19th.

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Spear points, hammer stones and picks lost to history under layers of leaves, roots and rocks  it was the evidence Scott Ashcraft was looking for.

The ancient tools were inadvertently unearthed in 2021 by a bulldozer fighting a wildfire along a steep slope in western North Carolina. Ashcraft, a career U.S. Forest Service archaeologist, knew these wooded mountainsides held more clues to early human history in the Appalachian Mountains than anyone had imagined.

He tried for years to raise the alarm to forest managers, saying outdated modeling that ignored the artifacts sometimes hidden on steep terrain  especially sites significant to Native American tribes  needed to be reconsidered when planning for prescribed fires, logging projects, new recreational trails and other work on national forest lands.

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Instead, Ashcraft says managers retaliated against him and pushed ahead with their plans, often violating historic preservation and environmental protection laws by side stepping consultations with tribes, limiting input from state archaeologists and systematically suppressing scientific data.

In a letter shared with The Associated Press, Ashcraft sent his concerns Thursday to top officials in the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Interior Department, White House Council on Native American Affairs and National Congress of American Indians. He described an escalating pattern of illegal, unethical and irresponsible behavior by forest managers in North Carolina that stands in sharp contrast to the historic strides the Biden administration has made nationally to include Indigenous expertise when making decisions about public land management.

Although the case focuses on a single state, Ashcraft said it highlights a bigger problem  that there are no guardrails to keep the Forest Service from using outdated modeling and skirting requirements to consult with tribes before moving ahead with projects.

Its seems that project completion, feathers in caps and good performance evaluations have outweighed the protection of cultural resources, Ashcraft told the AP in an interview.

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The letter is the latest salvo in a federal whistleblower case that began when Ashcraft filed a lengthy disclosure with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's inspector general in 2023. That office turned the case back to the Forest Service, where regional officials declared that legal requirements had been met.

The whistleblower disclosure gained the attention of preservation experts and other researchers as hostility by forest managers mounted against Ashcraft, the heritage resources program manager for the Pisgah National Forest.

Emails and other documents reviewed by the AP show many of Ashcraft's duties were reassigned to other employees and he was prohibited from communicating with tribes.

Regional forest officials have not directly addressed allegations of retaliation against Ashcraft, but they have doubled down on promises to work with the dozen tribes that have ancestral connections to the Nantahala and Pisgah national forests.

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Nationally, the Biden administration has moved toward recognizing the connection Native Americans have to their homelands through the publication of action plans and guidance for dealing with sacred sites. In 2022, President Joe Biden issued a memo aimed at setting minimum standards for how agencies should carry out consultations with tribes.

It appears that system broke down in North Carolina, said Valerie Grussing, the executive director of the National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers. The group has been in discussions with tribes and top forest officials about violations there.

Whats happened at the forest unit and the regional level is egregious. Its unconscionable, she said. Its not just a breaking of the federal trust responsibility, but of established relationships.

James Melonas, supervisor of the four forests in North Carolina, said in a statement that an independent group of experts was tapped last year to review several projects to ensure compliance with federal laws and tribal consultation obligations after an internal concern was raised.

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The experts recommended more training for employees on the requirements of the National Historic Preservation Act and a full review of the forest heritage program. Regional forest officials said that internal review was done in May, confirming that obligations were met.

Honoring this rich tribal heritage along with co-stewardship of these lands with tribal nations is a top priority for the Forest Service," Melonas said.

Some tribal officials say the Forest Service did not reach out to them when conducting the reviews.

Ashcrafts attorneys have partnered with the legal nonprofit Whistleblower Aid. They contend that Ashcraft has put his career on the line to bring attention to what they described as the willful destruction of Native American heritage sites.

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Andrew Bakaj, chief legal counsel for Whistleblower Aid, said virtually none of the key stakeholders with knowledge of the violations were interviewed as part of the agency's review and the report has been kept out of the public eye.

The concerns raised by the whistleblower are not the first time the Forest Service has been accused of not following procedures. Documents obtained by the AP in 2016 revealed that portions of the Trail of Tears were ripped up in eastern Tennessee when an employee approved the construction of berms and trenches without authorization. The Forest Service later apologized to the Cherokee Nation and other tribes.

Ashcraft has surveyed vast tracts of forest over his 31-year career. Without further investigation of steep slopes, he said the extent of the damage done in western North Carolina as a result of managers relying on outdated modeling can't be fully known.

The whistleblower disclosure provides examples in which forest managers have allegedly tried to obstruct further archaeological investigations on steep slopes. It states that recreational trail projects  including a multimillion-dollar effort to expand hiking and biking networks east of Asheville -- have already been built over some areas and that prescribed burns have been implemented despite the need for more assessments and tribal consultation.

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These actions are irreparably damaging or destroying an untold sum of Native American cultural and archeological sites including some of great significance. This conduct continues to this day, Ashcraft warned in his letter.

The intent isn't to stop work on forest lands, Ashcraft said, but rather to document sites before they're altered or reroute work in cases where areas are more sensitive and need protection.

The Center for the Investigation of Native and Ancient Quarries has worked with Ashcraft and other scientists to uncover dozens of sites  many of which have a surprising density

Within the scar of the Seniard Creek Fire south of Asheville, they turned up stone axes and other tools used for digging at quartz and soapstone quarries  all examples of what researchers described as engineering feats by sophisticated societies that called this region home about 6,000 years ago.

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"Here we are at higher elevations and steeper slopes with an absolutely magnificent resource eroding downslope, said Philip LaPorta, executive director of the center and adjunct senior research scientist at Columbia Universitys Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory.

LaPorta said discoveries like the one near Asheville should make people think differently about how Indigenous people used steep landscapes.

The whistleblower disclosure was shared with the Cherokee Nation, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Catawba Indian Nation, the Muscogee Nation and the United Keetoowah Band.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee were hopeful about having more meaningful and frequent consultations with forest managers after the agency adopted a revised plan for the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests in 2023. However, a specialist with the tribe said not much has changed.

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In his letter, Ashcraft wrote that the identification and preservation of Native American heritage sites goes beyond a single agency, tribe or whistleblower.

"It concerns all of us, he wrote. Protection of these resources is a duty shared by actors across state and federal government, sovereign tribes as well as civil society. When one fails  spectacularly and in bad faith  it is up to the rest to step in.

For Native Americans, Grussing said it goes beyond the artifacts found in a particular spot. It's an intangible energy that comes from being connected to a place.

That's what is at stake," she said. "These are irreplaceable cultural resources and places. Theyre nonrenewable.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  San Diego public health officials have seen a rising number of pertussis cases reported so far this year, according to a news release from the county on Thursday.

As of Thursday, there have been 547 confirmed and probable pertussis cases in the county compared to 332 during the entire year of 2023, according to health officials.

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, typically starts with a cough and runny nose for a couple weeks then evolves into rapid coughing fits.

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Susan G. Komen 3-Day walk to fight breast cancer kicks off in Del Mar

Cases have been found in people under one month of age to 85 years old, although the county says the majority of them have been reported in individuals between the ages of 11 and 17.

There have been no pertussis deaths in the county since 2016 and none in the state since 2019.

Babies under the age of one are also at the greatest risk for getting whooping cough and having severe complications, including apnea or not breathing.

Personal care product use during pregnancy may increase exposure to forever chemicals: study

Primary care physicians can provide the DTaP series and Tdap booster shot, and local retail pharmacies may also offer the vaccinations for a fee. To find a full list of locations where vaccinations are offered, visit the San Diego County website.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following vaccination schedule to prevent the spread of whooping cough:

Young children should get five doses of DTaP by kindergarten: when they are 2 months, 4 months, 6 months 15-to-18 months and 4-to-6 years.

All students will need proof of a whooping cough booster shot (Tdap) when entering 7th grade.

Pregnant women are recommended to get a Tdap booster during the 27th through 36th week of their pregnancy.

One dose of Tdap is recommended for individuals 19 and older who did not get it as an adolescent.

Doctors encourage pregnant women and people who come into close contact with young infants to get vaccinated against the disease. They say newborns are at a high risk of getting whooping cough because they are too young to be fully vaccinated.

The last death due to whooping cough in San Diego County was in a 5-week-old baby in 2016, according to the county.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Elon Musk is apparently trying to broker some kind of agreement between the United States and Iran.

The tech mogul and worlds richest man met with Irans ambassador to the United Nations in New York on Monday, The New York Times reports, citing two anonymous Iranian officials. The meeting, held in a secret location, reportedly focused on how to defuse tensions between the two countries and lasted for over an hour.

The two officials said the meeting was positive and good news, according to the Times. Neither Donald Trumps campaign nor Musk commented on the meeting. In the past week, Musk has been spending a lot of time with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate, and also traveled to Washington with him.

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This raises the question of whether Musk was meeting with Iranian officials on Trumps orders. According to the Times, Musk requested the meeting and the ambassador picked the location. The president-elect included the tech CEO on a phone call last week with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy only hours after Trump won the election, so it wouldnt be Musks first dip into Trumps foreign policy communications.

Musk has reportedly engaged in secret talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a Wall Street Journal report last month, and Russia is allied with Iran. Trump also has a worrying relationship with Putin and Russia, which raises questions about whether Musks Monday meeting also has to do with Russia.

The meeting could also signal a change in tone between Iran and the United States. Relations between the two countries have not been positive since Trumps first term, when he infamously dissolved the nuclear deal with Iran negotiated by the Obama administration and approved the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in 2020. U.S. support for Israels brutal war against Gaza and Lebanon under the Biden administration has not helped matters either, especially since Iran backs the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, the stated target of Israeli bombing.

Trump has been a staunch supporter of Israels war and attacked President Biden for insufficient support of the country, which considers Iran its top enemy. A Washington Post report Wednesday said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was seeking to give Trump an inauguration gift of a cease-fire with Lebanon. Maybe Trump hopes to make a grand show of good deals in the Middle East to start off his presidency. Or, as was the case in his first presidential terms foreign policy efforts, his overtures may end up going nowhere.
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John Thune didnt have much time to celebrate his victory as the next Senate Republican leader.

Soon after he won the race to lead the chamber next year, Donald Trump delivered a pile of challenges with a trio of nominees whose polarizing backgrounds and unorthodox qualifications present a serious test for the incoming Senate chief.

Confirming Matt Gaetz as attorney general, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary and Tulsi Gabbard as national intelligence director will require Thunes 53 GOP senators to stay largely united throughout public hearings that are highly likely to become political knife fights.

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And thats assuming the trio even get the support to clear Senate committees  or that Thunes members want to proceed with the nominations. Trump floated the idea of approving his nominees during a recess to avoid formal Senate vetting  another huge hurdle for the majority leader-in-waiting.

John is talented at bringing people together and trying to find a path forward, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, told Semafor. But to have the Matt Gaetz nomination on the very day that he became chosen as leader was certainly unfortunate timing. And it illustrates the challenges hes going to face in defending the Senate as an institution.

The Trump 2.0 era on Capitol Hill is already here, with the president-elect pushing his partys lawmakers to fall in line regardless of their individual concerns. And the coming Senate confirmation fights over his advisers will be the first act in that drama.

Collins is one of several more centrist Republicans whose votes Trump cannot necessarily count on for more contentious nominees; she made no secret this week of her shock over the Gaetz pick and said she wasnt sure Kennedy would even get a Senate-confirmed role.

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In a brief interview with Semafor, Thune did not editorialize on the challenges that Trumps cabinet picks might present. He said the Senate will do the normal thing in vetting and confirmations hearings, etc. And its a process. And well adhere to it, but try and expedite it.

He has a fourth nominee whose confirmation could also prove challenging: Fox News host and veteran Pete Hegseth as Defense secretary, a choice Trump announced while Thune was working to win over his colleagues in a private leadership forum.

Thunes personal confirmation battle next year will require him to bridge the gaps between more establishment-aligned Republicans like Collins, who are already skeptical about one or more of Trumps choices, and more MAGA-friendly GOP senators.

The South Dakotan won the leadership battle in part by emphasizing his rebuilt relationship with the incoming president. And theres a substantial bloc of Senate Republicans who are eager to see Thune do whatever it takes to confirm Trumps advisers.

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I was struck [Wednesday] by how far he went and saying that theres no daylight between me and President Trump, well advance his agenda, said one Republican senator, noting Thunes openness to using recess appointments on Trumps picks.

If he tries to walk that back, this senator added, I think there will be hellfire and brimstone.

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Most GOP senators vowed this week to thoroughly evaluate all of Trumps nominees, including rigorous confirmation hearings. At the same time, few of them want to start two years of all-Republican rule in Washington by antagonizing Trump.

So they are praising the selection of their colleague Sen. Marco Rubio as secretary of state. And many are avoiding any direct comment on Gaetzs ethics investigation for sexual contact with a minor, Kennedys vaccine criticism, or Gabbards past friendliness toward Syrias leader.

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Most people would be less than honest if they said anything other than Matt Gaetz is problematic, but he still has been nominated by the president. And so, you do your due diligence, said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., a top Thune ally.

But unlike in 2017, when departing Republican leader Mitch McConnell received deference from the Trump team on handling the Senate, Thune faces something of a blank slate.

Hes already directly coordinating with Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance as January approaches.

Theres a lot of communication between Thune and Trump, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va, told Semafor. And the trust is good at this point. John, he can navigate it pretty well.

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Thunes strength as an operator is rooted in his appeal to both moderate and conservative factions of the Senate GOP. Yet hes shown a willingness to take votes as whip that are politically tough in Trumps party; he backed aid to Ukraine and raising the debt ceiling.

Yet Capito also acknowledged that Trump is going to constantly surprise Senate Republicans.

One thing weve learned about President Trump is that predictability is a dangerous thought, she said.

The View From The right flank

Conservatives and Trump allies in the Senate are watching Thune warily. They dont want to cut corners on the confirmation process, but they are very explicit that the Senate cannot be seen as an impediment to Trumps agenda.

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I would think that Republicans would listen to the people. Were not gonna have another chance, said Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala. If we think we got the answers [in the Senate], were in the wrong spot.

Burgesss view

One of the hardest but most essential tasks for congressional leaders in both parties is saying no. Sometimes that means telling their members no, and occasionally it can mean telling the president no.

Thunes tenure will be no different.

At the moment, its quite clear Trump is seeking to bend the entire GOP to his will  and in the Senate, hes likely to get approval for the vast majority of his selections before a recess appointment fight is even necessary.

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Its unrealistic to expect Thune to do anything to sink Trumps nominees; hes going to follow the feedback he gets from his members on whats doable and what isnt.

The Gaetz and Kennedy nominations might not prove doable in the end: There could be enough senators who either come out publicly against them or privately advise Trump to pick someone else.
Affordable real estate in the Sun Belt continues to attract buyers under a false sense of security. For experts, the burning question is howor ifwe can build housing ethically in at-risk areas.

Hurricane Helenes path generated at least $53 billion in damages and, in North Carolina, left more than 102 dead across the state. Most striking was the destruction in Asheville, where flooding destroyed homes and businesses, downed trees, and washed out roads. A city once considered a climate haven due to its elevation and distance from shorelines was cut off from the world, busting the myth of safety wide open in the face of climate change. As the saying goes, "wherever you go, there you are" during the climate crisislikely facing rising home insurance costs, wildfire smoke, and extreme weather.

Yet shockingly, cities with well-known track records of climate change-related disasters have become some of the fastest-growing areas in the country. As detailed by the New York Times in September, places across the U.S. Sun Belt (encompassing 15 states in the American Southwest, South, and Southeast)including Phoenix, East Texas metro areas, and across Floridahave been adding to their populations by the millions over the past several decades; their growth putting more people in the path of potential destruction. Unlike cities that openly advertise themselves as so-called climate havens, in the Sun Belt, economic growth, industry, and historically cheap housing are the main thrust of the appeal. As the nation-wide housing crisis demands we build more housing, what is an ethical and sustainable growth strategy? Why, and how, do we continue to build in the face of life-altering climate emergencies?



Jobs, housing, and family changes typically drive families to move between states, but affordability remains key. The Times story reports that Houston has added jobs in the oil and gas sector, as well as tech, attracting people to the city in recent years. But the most recent Sun Belt growth, says Jesse Keenan, associate professor of sustainable real estate and urban planning at Tulane University, has been made possible by past population booms in the region, driven in the 1960s and 70s by what he calls "consumer preferences."

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"People wanted to move to a warmer, more moderate climate. A lot of people, as they were getting to be retirees, particularly from World War II, accumulated wealth so they could move," he says. The housing constructed for that initial migration was, overwhelmingly, inexpensive, suburban, single-family homes. Affordability brought jobs, which brought more rapid suburbanization.

"Suburbanization is critical to the Sun Belt," Keenan says. "The impetus for growth was moving faster than a lot of local government officials could keep up with." For places like Phoenix, that meant not considering the long-term availability of drinking water. In other Sun Belt cities near coasts, suburbs "[were] growing faster than they could recognize risk for flooding," he adds. Coupled with deregulation in the 90s happening at city and state levels, Keenan says that urban planning and environmental regulation had little ability to keep development reigned in. "By the 2010s, what you see is unchecked development thats moving into higher and higher [climate] risk areas, looking for the last little bit of developable land that was near an economic base."

Over the past 60-plus years, rapid climate change has brought havoc to the Sun Belt: Despite a recent decade of suburban growth in Phoenix, some new development was paused last year after the state grappled with water shortages; five of the 20 fastest-growing suburbs in the country are in Florida, despite worsening hurricanes that are less predictable and carry greater threat of flooding and storm surges. Experts argue that to keep building housing in these areas, we need to use adaptive strategies. Adaptation, says William "Billy" Fleming, climate activist and Wilks Family Director of the Ian L. McHarg Center at the University of Pennsylvanias Weitzman School of Design, requires various types of interventions that deal with the (often urgent) effects of climate change. While a 3D-printed, fire-resistant home might be an adaptive technology for wildfire, dealing with the scale of climate-related crises can require larger infrastructure projects like desalination for water scarcity, or updating power grids to handle energy demands during a heat wave. Historically, Galvestons seawall or flood control infrastructure along the Mississippi River served toward adaptation; or, more recently, New York Citys dry line was constructed for the same purpose.

But, says Fleming, the problem with these large projectsoutside of their enormous, ballooning costis how their construction or expansions get approved and funded. "The only way that you can really get a big flood control system, whether its the a surge barrier around New Orleans or upgrades to the channelized system that controls the Mississippi river, is if you can show tons of new commercial development: housing, heavy industry like oil and gas, or other massive economic growth. In some ways, building and maintaining that infrastructure requires building high-risk housing [and] industrial facilities behind them," he says. "And the only way to convince people to live or invest in those things is to tell them that its safe and produce propaganda around the safety and security of our flood control system that, even if it were properly maintained, could never actually provide that kind of security."

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Selling residents on security is particularly helpful in Texas and Florida, where theres no income tax and governments rely on property tax rolls for local and state budgets. "Theres something called an adaptation paradox where you need to continue to promote development so that you can tax that development to spend on adaptation investments for other places," Keenan says. "Miami needs to continue building high-end housing because they need to tax that housing so that they can use that to put into adaptation investments that protect other parts of town." Fleming notes that such adaptation investments are often insufficient and have unfortunate results.

"People who end up buying into it are the ones who get blamed for it. Theyre told they shouldnt have bought a house there, they shouldnt have moved to that place," he says, "when every single message they gotfrom their bank, their mortgage lender, their realtor, their city, from their stateis that this is a safe, affordable place. Inevitably, when disaster comes, they're the ones who are blamed, and very littleif anyof the recovery money that comes from a major storm event ever makes its way back to them."



Adaptation wont be enough; As these regions will likely continue growing, several researchers interviewed for this story see mitigative strategiesthose that reduce carbon to prevent or lessen the severity of disastersas crucial. Yet as we continue to see large-scale, climate-fueled catastrophes, it begs the question of whether or not these areas should continue growingand whether or not those living there should stay. Climate-informed zoning has been part of this discourse; managing new development by addressing site-specific climate risks could hold possibilities. In some coastal areas like South Carolina, the state may opt for managed retreat as a mitigative strategy which, according to ProPublica, could be "a way to take the most chronically flooded homes and turn them into open space so they can improve drainage and lower flood risk for the surrounding area." Compensating owners for their houses might address Flemings critique of whos to blame for property loss, but moving populations away harms not just existing real estate practices and the tax benefits they bring in, but the homeowners themselves.

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According to Jessica Varner, a professor of landscape and environmental history at the University of Pennsylvanias Weitzman School and member of the Environmental Data and Governance Initiative, Houston residents saw a first wave of buyouts after Hurricane Harvey struck in 2017. "Youre not just replacing a home," she says. "Its a family, its a support system, and so thats why its difficult in terms of buyout or retreat." For lower-income residents, Varner says that the buyout timeline opens the door to predatory buyers: "Folks are living in destroyed homes waiting for the buyout process to be finished, and predatory real estate developers are coming in offering money for those homes." Often, these offers are for less money than the original buyout. "So the question [becomes] about waiting years for a federal buyout [and] living in a home that is vulnerable to flooding multiple times a year versus selling and getting out," she adds.

Keenan believes that while much climate mitigation is focused on how we build, its more economically effective at scale to consider where we build. While walkability and public transportation are important, building smaller homesreversing the Sun Belts historic land use trendsis not just crucial, but already happening more broadly. "New housing construction is becoming smaller and smaller and thats not [only] because of decarbonization," Keenan says. "Were essentially just running out of land, and developers are trying to build as much housing as they can in the right places. Part of decarbonization is not just about environmental technology bells and whistles. It literally just comes down to how many square feet."



Coupled with larger-scale adaptive infrastructure, these areas could see some relief, but it would require city officials to reverse past suburbanization schemes. "In places like Houston or Jacksonville, Florida, its quite evident that a lot of the increased growth and development is happening on the outer rings of actual urban centers," says Elizabeth Camuti, an assistant professor in landscape architecture at Tulane University who focuses on climate adaptation in the Gulf Coast. "So, Im thinking about ways that we can incentivize development that is denser in places that already have an existing housing stock, or adaptively reusing buildings and urban cores to support where people live in the future. Its a way of trying to reduce our footprint, while thinking about how we adapt existing structures or buildings to climate change."

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With another approaching Trump administration, one that could shrink President Bidens endeavors to federally incentivize density and roll back his administrations attempt to address compounding vulnerabilities to climate disasters, states will need to rethink their land use, budgets, and risk-management approaches. This might result in much smaller-scale interventions like weatherization or building code reforms, but the small things matter, says Camuti.

"The dignity of people living in these places in the here and now is incredibly important," she adds. "So the little things that we can do as practitioners, like improving green infrastructure, or designing low cost adaptation strategies for buildingslike how we can raise or retrofit houses in the most economical way in the short termits still something that I try to keep front-of-mind with my students as we ask these larger questions about the future."

Top photo of an aerial view of destroyed houses in Port St Lucie, Florida, after Hurricane Milton on October 11, 2024, by Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/AFP via Getty Images.

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Located around 435 miles from the west coast of Africa, the four islands that make up the Portuguese region of Madeira have welcomed European visitors looking to escape cold winters for centuries. But most recently, the archipelagos main Madeira Island has begun to tempt a new type of tourist, those looking to explore its mesmerising volcanic landscapes by foot. Madeiras spectacular levadas (irrigation tunnels that run alongside hiking paths), combined with an increasingly exciting culinary scene and plenty of coastal activity make this one of 2025s best walking destinations. Here's why it should be on any active adventurer's list.

1. Hikes steeped in history

To walk Madeiras levadas is to walk the islands history. A series of over 200 water canals that span almost 2,000 miles (an impressive feat on an island that measures just 34 miles in length and 14 miles in width), the levadas date back to the 15th century, when Portuguese settlers reached this then-uninhabited island. These irrigation channels were initially created to transport water from the wet north to the dry south. Yet, over the decades, their purpose has been highly varied, from providing drinking and washing water to remote parts of the island to generating hydroelectricity and irrigating banana plantations.

Nowadays, these same levadas help to guide hikers through the island's diverse topography  winding through forests, mountains and coastal bluffs. Dont miss a morning jaunt on the Levada do Caldeirao Verde, a moderate-intensity point-to-point hike that skirts a deep emerald wooded ravine. For history buffs, this route can be paired with a visit to the famous collection of traditional A-framed houses named Casas de Santana in the afternoon.

Madeira's varied hiking routes include trails along historic levadas, old irrigation channels that spread across the island. Photograph by ronstik, Getty Images

2. Varied routes amid volcanic scenery

Hiking in Madeira is an unrivalled experience, largely due to the islands epic landscapes. One minute, you're dashing beneath 65ft waterfalls or squeezing through dark, craggy tunnels; the next, you're climbing steps that reach high beyond the clouds. Regardless of your chosen path, spellbinding views across the islands central mountain range or panoramas across the North Atlantic Ocean appear around just about every corner. And the beauty of hiking in Madeira is that youre never more than a few miles from a body of water to plunge into  be it the outdoor lido in the idyllic surf town of Porto Da Cruz or the warm Atlantic Ocean off the sandy shores of Calheta, on the islands south side.

3. A trail for every taste

More daring visitors will relish the six-mile route up to the peak of Pico Ruivo, Portugals third-highest point, which stands at 6,106ft and offers unparalleled views of the surrounding valleys. For those that want to keep the altitude  and activity level  slightly lower, Levada dos Tornos, is a more modest yet equally beautiful route that meanders along the trickling aqueduct and through a 20-million-year-old subtropical laurel rainforest. Expect plenty of fluffy bearded trees and The Lord of The Rings-style scenery.

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Or, head up north to Levada do Caldeirao Verde, where you can hike in the morning and swim in the famous lava rock pools at Porto Moniz in the afternoon. This levada is also known as um caminho para todos (a path for everyone) and its wide, accessible trail and accompanying sensory experiences have been designed to allow those of all ages and abilities the opportunity to enjoy the islands natural pleasures. Regardless of your chosen walks difficulty level, its always best to go with a professional levada guide wholl help you safely navigate trying terrain and share local knowledge along the way.

Madeira's hiking routes vary from gentle forest-lined trails to high-altitude mountain ascents. Photograph by Marco Bottigelli, Getty Images

4. Distinctive culinary delights

Before any adventure, be sure to stock up on provisions at Mercado dos Lavradores (the farmers market) in Madeiras capital, Funchal. Here, you can take your pick of Madeira Islands famous tropical fruit  from passionfruit to custard apples and pears. Many of Madeiras hikes finish in villages or towns, offering the opportunity to sample national or regional delicacies. In the more mountainous regions, stop at a taberna (local restaurant) and expect to be served hearty espetada  a succulent beef skewer. Meanwhile, on the coast, theres nothing better than tucking into some fresh, tender polvo (octopus) or grilled tuna line-caught that day, washed down with a poncha cocktail (aguardente, lemon or orange and sugar or honey) after a bracing walk. The more adventurous can also sample distinctive local delicacies like the toothy black scabbardfish with bananas.

5. World-class wines

No visit to Madeira could be complete without also sampling the archipelagos famous wines, a welcome treat after a day on the trails. Madeiras wines were historically fortified with sugarcane distillate to preserve them for journeys at sea, leading to the characteristic sweet flavour that typifies them today. End a days hiking with a tasting at Blandys Wine Lodge in Funchal. The Blandy family have been producing wine here for more than two centuries, making it the perfect spot to learn more about the regions winemaking prestige  and sample a glass or two yourself.

Madeira's mountainous interior makes for pleasantly cool temperatures for hiking year-round. Photograph by Marco Bottigelli, Getty Images

6. A prime hiking climate

Madeira wasn't nicknamed the 'island of eternal spring' for nothing, as temperatures hover between 18-27C year-round. However, it can be considerably cooler in the mountains  ideal conditions for walking. Packing an umbrella and a waterproof is always advised, however, as the weather at higher altitudes can be unpredictable at times. Part of the joy of exploring this small island is that you could be hiking in torrential rain one moment and floating in the lukewarm ocean under clear blue skies half an hour later.

This paid content article was created for Explore Worldwide. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic, National Geographic Traveller (UK) or their editorial staffs.



To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  A Wichita man who pleaded guilty in connection to a fatal hit-and-run earlier this year is going to prison for 31 months, which is two years and seven months.

The victim, 52-year-old James Dolton, was hit as he was walking across the street at Pawnee and Seneca on the night of Jan. 8. Police learned a gray vehicle may have been involved. They found pieces of the car at the scene.

Investigators used those pieces, a witness statement, and surveillance video to lead them to Cody Cox, who they arrested.

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In September, Cox pleaded guilty to failing to stop at an accident resulting in death.

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This week, his attorney filed a court document explaining what happened and asking for a lesser sentence for Cox.

Mr. Cox was involved in an accident, in which he struck a pedestrian who was crossing the street in the dark, in the middle of the block, during a blizzard, where visibility conditions were extremely poor, the attorney wrote. Mr. Cox panicked and did not remain at the scene.

The attorney asked the judge to give Cox a non-prison sentence or a sentence of less than a year.

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On Thursday, District Judge Sean Hatfield sentenced Cox, 37, to 31 months in prison with two years post-release.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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MANHATTAN (KSNT)  Agricultural experts in Kansas say a new hybrid of wheat is growing in some farm fields across the state.

Kansas State University recently reported in a publication on Nov. 14 that an official with the Kansas Crop Improvement Association (KCIA) has found a wild hybrid of triticale wheat in three different locations. Marion Spiering with the KCIA said the new hybrid was not created intentionally.

We found it in three locations this summer and it was a mystery plant, Spiering said. We didnt know what it was, so I embarked on a quest to figure out what we were finding.

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Spiering said the plant is easy to spot due to its height as it stands above the surrounding wheat canopy. The hybrids were found in south-central Kansas along with Dickinson and Marion Counties.

Kansas garden expert gives tips on how to identify the weird plants growing in your backyard

At first glance, these farmers probably thought it was rye or triticale, Spiering said. But as they got closer to it and looked at the head, they realized it was neither. It was something new.

The KCIA tested the hybrid, discovering it was a cross between wheat and triticale, marking a first for Spiering who said she didnt know that a hybrid could hybridize again with wheat. People looking for these plants will need to inspect the head of the wheat stalks as they are more narrow and flat than what wheat should be.

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I think anybody familiar with what a wheat head, rye head and triticale head looks like would be able to pick it out in their field, and know that it doesnt neatly fit into any of those categories, Spiering said.

Spiering said the hybrid only has about three seeds per plant. KCIA testing shows the plants pose a chance of disrupting wheat production in the state. Farmers who want to get rid of the plant are encouraged to simply walk into their fields, find the hybrid plants and pull them out.

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I want folks to know that this isnt a big concern in Kansas right now, Spiering said. Seed certification is dedicated to a traceability system; all of the growers in our state have their fields inspected and they rogue their fields, so its not a concern. Seed certification is a great system to keep this under control.

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For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
A right-wing provocateur testifying against legislation expanding a firearms ban to lawmakers' offices used a racial slur during a Senate committee hearing Thursday as he falsely accused lawmakers of attacking the gun rights of white people in the wake of President-elect Donald Trump's victory.

His actions drew strong condemnation from lawmakers.

Avi Rachlin of Detroit spoke at the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety representing "Groypers for America," an apparent reference to a network of white supremacists. "This is legislation that targets white people," he said. The bills he opposed would codify a firearm ban in the state Capitol and expand the prohibition to the buildings that house lawmakers' offices. "It is racial because the people who carry in the Capitol are primarily white. People who have (Concealed Pistol Licenses) are primarily white, and this is retaliation for the only demographic that overwhelmingly voted to support Donald Trump and that is why it is being taken out on us because you don't like us, and that's how it is."

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He said to address gun violence, lawmakers should focus on young Black people whom he called the n-word.

Committee Chair, state Sen. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, immediately gaveled down Rachlin after he used the epithet.

Republicans on the committee swiftly rebuked Rachlin. Minority Vice Chair, state Sen. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake, said the idea that the legislation was aimed at white people was baseless. "It's just a ridiculous argument," he said. "The term that you used is inappropriate. And it will not get you anywhere in this Legislature," state Sen. Ruth Johnson, R-Holly, told him. Both Republican lawmakers on the committee voted against sending the legislation to the Senate floor for a vote.

Rachlin's social media is rife with racist posts and Nazi imagery. In one X posting he notes that he did not vote for Trump.

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State Sen. Dayna Polehanki, D-Livonia, who sponsored one of the bills in the package, posted a video after the committee adjourned recounting what happened. "What he did was so offensive that two of our Republican colleagues chastised him for saying what he did. It was truly disgusting," she said. "Never thought Id see the day."

"It was shocking," said state Sen. Erika Geiss, D-Taylor, who chairs the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus. "And it is sad in 2024 we have to deal with these issues." Asked if she anticipates Trump's election will embolden extremists, Geiss expressed worry. "It's definitely a concern," she said.

Michigan 2024 lame-duck session: After election losses, Michigan Democrats scramble to shape lame-duck agenda

Visitors to the Michigan Capitol are currently banned from bringing firearms into the building with the exception of security and law enforcement personnel. Current regulations also allow lawmakers to carry a concealed pistol. In April 2020, many Democratic lawmakers called for changes to firearm regulations in the Capitol when armed demonstrators and militia members entered the building to demand an end to the COVID-19 emergency.

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Geiss was there in the Capitol that day. "I've been in the Legislature since 2015, and I will tell you that even on open carry days I did not feel unsafe. April 30 of 2020 was an entirely different situation, because it was directed at people  all of us  who are in our positions for doing our jobs or attempting to do our jobs in the Legislature in both chambers of the Capitol," she said. Like most workers, she said, lawmakers also expect a "modicum of safety" while doing their jobs.

After the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection of the U.S. Capitol, the Michigan Capitol Commission banned the open carry of guns inside the Michigan Capitol. Two years later, the commission approved a near-total gun ban in the building.

Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on X, previously called Twitter, @clarajanehen.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Right-wing provocateur used racial slur at gun hearing
FORSYTH COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP)  Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is nearing the end of its first phase of community feedback on what could shape the future of the districts attendance zones.

Its part of the districts efforts to develop a Fostering Diverse Schools comprehensive plan.

The school district said this feedback from community members was necessary in helping them figure out an attendance zone map to propose.

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So far, theyve heard from more than 7,500 people, inching closer to their goal to hear from 8,000.

I work in the community with Winston-Salem Free Schools and Im an advocate of equity in education. And, and you know that hopefully our community, the goal is that we have one in which all children not merely survive, but thrive, said Linda Winikoff, listening session attendee.

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Its been at least 30 years since Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools has made any major rezoning changes.

As we think about our future initiatives, as we think about just long-term impact and how were preparing students for the future at that after they graduate from high school, said Dr. Effie McMillian, WS/FCS chief equity officer.

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After December 5th, the district will begin its next phase in developing its fostering diverse schools comprehensive plan.

Some feedback theyve received from families is that some are worried that changing residential boundaries will split their kids up from their friends or make them lose access to high-quality teachers and schools.

I think some of the fear may be unwarranted. There are so many benefits to disrupting concentrated poverty and creating and promoting welcoming and inclusive spaces for a diverse demographic of students, said McMillian.

Feedback from phase one will be analyzed and used to help draw up the new maps.

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In February, the district will want to hear from parents again on the proposed maps with new attendance zones.

Theyll have a dashboard for parents to take a look at their current zone and search where they will fall on the new map if their zone changes.

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Of course, were going to hear from people that are you know, some people will be excited. Some people like worried about that. But what I do want to stress, too, is that were not going to force any kids to leave their current school, said Frank Pantano, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Choice and Magnet Schools executive director.

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In the summer, June or July, the district plans to present a final map to the board of education.

They will then work to determine when and how it can be implemented.

Based on the way board policy is written right now, they can stay all the way through the grade span. If theyre in second grade, they can stay all the way to fifth grade, said Pantano.

Theres a dashboard on the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools website where you can see some of that community feedback and areas in the district they are hearing from.

The districts last listening session for the first phase of community engagement will be on December 5 at the Carl Russell Recreation Center from 6 p.m. to 7:30 pm.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP.
Hannah Glass suffered a fatal allergic reaction after eating a brownie that contained roasted peanut flour

A 19-year-old college student from Wisconsin died from an allergic reaction caused by peanuts.

According to local ABC News outlet WISN12, Hannah Glass suffered an allergic reaction on Monday, Nov. 4, from a brownie that reportedly contained roasted peanut flour. A friend from a women's group on campus had given her the brownie, which contained peanut flour for gluten-free students.

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The Maranatha Baptist University freshman realized after a few bites that something was wrong, her father told WISN. "We believe because this product contained roasted peanut flour, separate from oily peanut butter, that masked this."

Glass used her EpiPen and called her parents. At that point, she "had thrown up, she had the hives, but some Benadryl had made things better," her father added. "After a few seconds of laying down, things changed dramatically. In hindsight, it's at that point the right lung collapsed."

Paramedics struggled to resuscitate her. Glass' heart stopped for four minutes and was brought to Watertown Hospital. Due to her condition, she was transferred to Froedtert Hospital to seek further treatment, the Sacramento Bee reported.

During the transfer, Glass suffered seizures and was put on a ventilator. She experienced "severe brain swelling" and her body began to shut down. "The majority of her brain was unmistakably, seriously, critically, and without the life-sustaining measures in place, TERMINALLY damaged," an update from her parents via Facebook said on Nov. 11. "There were no conversations of quality of life or anything like that. This was only life and death!"

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WISN 12 News/Youtube Memorial held for Hannah Glass Memorial held for Hannah Glass

Ahead of her death, her family, the Froedtert Hospital staff and dozens of others participated in an "Honor Walk" as Glass was wheeled into the operating room for her organs to be donated. She was taken off life support on Sunday, Nov. 10.

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Glass was "an exceptional student and a sweet-spirited servant in her church, with a heart for reaching souls with the gospel," according to a statement released by the university. "She made a tremendous impact in her first year on campus and in the Academy, where she was conducting her education fieldwork."

The funeral was held at Calvary Baptist Church in Watertown for Glass on Wednesday, Nov. 13, and was standing room only, Watertown Daily Times reported.

A fundraiser was set up for Glass' family on the platform GiveSendGo. It has received over $27,000 in donations as of Nov. 15 to help her family in their time of need. Following her death, four people received life-saving transplants.
MADISON, Wis. (WFRV)  A Wisconsin woman has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for illegally purchasing a firearm later used in a murder-suicide, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

Shawna Tantillo, 34, of Middleton, pleaded guilty in August to straw-purchasing a firearm. Her sentence, handed down on Thursday, includes three years of supervised release following her prison term.

Semi crashes into 4 vehicles at Wisconsin intersection, driver significantly injured

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Straw-purchasing involves lying to a firearms dealer to purchase a gun on behalf of someone else. Often, the actual buyer either cannot pass the required background check or wants to avoid being linked to the firearm transaction.

The U.S. Attorneys Office described straw-purchasing as a federal crime carrying penalties of up to 15 years in prison and $250,000 in fines. Such purchases are considered a public safety threat as they contribute to the illegal gun market and undermine background check laws.

In Tantillos case, she purchased a firearm on Dec. 8, 2023, from a licensed dealer and attested on an ATF form that she was the actual buyer. However, she had been recruited by a friend, identified as J.J., who could not legally own a firearm due to a prior felony conviction. Tantillo was paid for the firearm and given an additional $150.

Two months later, on Feb. 18, 2024, J.J. used the weapon to shoot and kill the father of her children, murder her children, and take her own life.

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The tragic facts of this case reinforce the U.S. Attorneys Offices commitment to prosecuting straw purchase cases, said U.S. Attorney Timothy OShea. If you lie to a gun dealer to buy a firearm for someone else, you will face prosecution. The consequences of these actions can be devastating.

ATF Special Agent in Charge Travis Riddle emphasized the importance of questioning such requests, noting that individuals legally allowed to purchase firearms would not need intermediaries.

Man arrested in Wisconsin after allegedly pushing bartender, refusing to pay tab

Middleton Police Chief Troy Hellenbrand echoed the sentiment, highlighting the cases profound community impact. Although we cannot bring back the beautiful lives lost, this case underscores the seriousness of straw purchases and the collaborative efforts of law enforcement to hold offenders accountable, he said.

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At the sentencing, the judge acknowledged that while Tantillo likely had no knowledge of J.J.s intentions, her actions enabled the crime and represented a deliberate effort to bypass gun laws. The judge called the offense severe and noted the sentence reflected the tragedys gravity.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
Sen. Max Wise, R-Campbellsville, is surrounded by media on Feb. 22 as he fields questions on Senate Bill 2, legislation creating the position of school "guardian." LRC Public Information)

Kentucky Senate Republicans have opted to make some changes within their leadership ranks.

Sen. Max Wise, of Campbellsville, was elected as the next majority floor leader within the caucus Friday. Sen. Robby Mills, of Henderson, will be the majority caucus chair.

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Senate President Robert Stivers, of Manchester, President Pro Tempore David Givens, of Greensburg, and Majority Whip Mike Wilson, of Bowling Green, were re-elected to their positions.

According to a Senate Republicans press release, the leaders will assume their roles immediately.

With their combined expertise and dedication, they are poised to advance the Senates goals of promoting economic growth, strengthening public services and tackling the challenges facing Kentucky, the press release said.

Sen. Robby Mills speaks during the Graves County Republican Party Breakfast on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony)

Wise, a former Senate Education Committee chairman, has served in the Senate since 2015. In the 2023 election cycle, he was running mate to former U.S. Ambassador Kelly Craft, and their ticket ultimately lost the gubernatorial Republican primary to former Attorney General Daniel Cameron.

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Wise will succeed former Senate Republican Floor Leader Damon Thayer, of Georgetown, in the leadership role. Thayer announced last year he planned to not seek re-election in the 17th Senate District, but he will remain active in politics. Last week, Republican Matt Nunn won the election in the Senate district.

Thayer said when announcing his plans that he would support Sen. Julie Raque Adams, a Louisville Republican and former majority caucus chair, to replace him as floor leader. Thayer was first elected to the Senate in 2003 and has been a member of leadership for more than a decade.

Mills is the chairman of the Senate State and Local Government Committee. He was Camerons running mate in the 2023 general election, though their ticket lost to Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman. Mills has served in the Senate since 2019 and was previously in the House from 2017 to 2018.

A Senate GOP spokesperson declined to release the votes totals and other leadership candidates.

The House Republican Caucus voted to re-elect their leadership members earlier this week, with House Speaker David Osborne, of Prospect, winning a fourth term as speaker.
MILLARD COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  A woman was arrested in Millard County and faces drug charges for reportedly trafficking over 1,000 grams of cocaine into the state of Utah while her three children were traveling with her.

More than 800 Utah homes lose power after woman climbs transformer

Aurora Zuniga, 33, was arrested by Utah Highway Patrol in Millard County. She faces the following charges:

Possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance, second-degree felony

Endangerment of a child or vulnerable adult, third-degree felony

Window tint violation, a traffic infraction

Tail light violation, a traffic infraction

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Authorities conducted the traffic stop near mile marker 132 in Millard County. When UHP made contact with the suspect, she told them that she was traveling back home from California. They also discovered that Zuniga was traveling with three kids, ages one, seven, and 15. When authorities asked about the vehicle, she stated it had a temporary tag out of North Dakota. UHP detained her for additional questioning.

A K-9 unit was requested for the use of checking for drugs inside of the car. While waiting for the unit to show up, a records check was run on the tag and the check found that the tags had been expired for over one year.

When the K-9 unit arrived, authorities conducted a check of the vehicle and the dog indicated that drugs were present in the car. Authorities then asked Zuniga about narcotics in the car. She told UHP that nothing was in the car. Zuniga then reportedly changed her story and said her husband had smoked marijuana in the car.

UHP then searched the car a second time and found a kilo-sized object that was inside of a black bag next to the spare tire in the trunk. The kilo was a solid white powder-like substance with a pressed-in logo.

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Zuniga was then arrested and booked into Millard County Jail on the aforementioned charges while her children were placed with Utahs Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS).

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
LEHI, Utah (ABC4)  A Lehi woman has been indicted after an October explosion inside their apartment in Lehi damaged eight other apartments and forced 90 families to leave the building.

Donghee Hee Kang, 57, was charged with aggravated arson, which is a first-degree felony on Thursday. She is accused of intentionally and unlawfully damaging their apartment at the Lehi Tech Apartment Complex on Oct. 22.

Family gives insight into mental health episode that led to Lehi apartment explosion

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The announcement of charges from the Utah County Attorneys Office comes over three weeks after the explosion occurred.

Lehi City spokesperson Jeanteil Livingston said the explosion happened just after 4 a.m. on Oct. 22 at the Lehi Tech Apartments, located near 200 South and 1300 East. Officials told ABC4.com on that day the circumstances were considered suspicious.

The explosion damaged eight apartments and forced dozens of families out of the building until their units were deemed safe for re-entry. Authorities reported the incident was linked to a mental health episode.

According to the probable cause statement, Kang had placed gas bottles onto a cooking pot that was in the bathroom and turned on the burner.

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On Oct. 24, Young Chol Cho, the husband of Kang, spoke with ABC4.com about what led to the explosion.

Cho told ABC4.com on Oct. 24 that Kang had been dealing with depression and anxiety for a few years. He said she could not fall asleep on the night of the explosion and had taken a higher dose of her mental health medication.

Usually she would take one dose over several days, but that day she took four doses at once, he said. Cho then told ABC4.com that he believed she thought she was putting canned food in rather than gas canisters before turning on the flame.

Lehi apartment explosion forces 90 families out of complex

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Cho and Kang escaped the explosion with minor injuries and the residents who lived in the damaged apartments were assisted by the American Red Cross.

Cho said that he and his wife take responsibility for the incident, saying Whatever the reason was, there was an accident so I need to do what I need to do to take care of this.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
BEULAVILLE, N.C. (WNCT)  A woman was arrested and charged after law enforcement investigated a claim that she was stealing while on duty at her job.

Management at Speedy Mart in Beulaville notified officers with the Beulaville Police Department found Ryan Hunter had stolen cash and cigarettes from the store.

Hunter was arrested and charged with three counts of larceny by an employee. Hunter was given a $10,000 secured bond by the Duplin County Magistrates Office.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT.
Police filed charges Thursday against a woman accused of harming a child in her care at a Westfield daycare center.

The facility, KinderCare Learning Center on Gunther Boulevard, was put on probation last month with the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration. State investigators cited the daycare's failure to report the abuse, which had been documented more than nine months earlier.

Westfield Police began looking into the case on Oct. 4 when another KinderCare employee came forward with a cellphone video. It was filmed on Dec. 23, 2023.

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The toddler's mother, Caitlyn Ramirez, said the recording showed a disturbing interaction between a teacher and her then 3-year-old son, Harvey.

Ramirez said her son was sitting in a crib and crying. The teacher said something inaudible to him, and Harvey threw a Croc shoe at her in response. The teacher slammed the crib into the wall, which further upset Harvey, Ramirez said, describing the video. The teacher then picked up the crying child by his chest and held him up to the ceiling for an extended period before dropping him back into the crib.

Ramirez said the witness began filming before physical abuse occurred, and stopped after Harvey was dropped.

Ramirez wasn't aware of the abuse until a detective showed her the video last month. Her son didn't like school. At the time, she attributed that to typical toddler behavior.

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Ramirez said the employee who filmed the video reported it to a KinderCare supervisor soon after the incident, but it was never reported to her or the Department of Child Services as required by law.

In an email, a KinderCare spokesperson said the employee now facing criminal charges was "promptly fired" in October. The company did not respond to repeated inquiries about the employment status of the worker who filmed the abuse and the supervisor who didn't report it.

KinderCare location put on probation

Indiana's Family and Social Services Administration, which oversees the state's childcare facilities, began an administrative investigation of the KinderCare location last month after police opened a case.

An Oct. 9 inspection cited the location for inappropriate discipline, failure to report abuse or neglect, and failure to notify Harvey's parents. The daycare center will remain on probation with the state until Jan. 31, 2025.

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Indiana puts childcare providers on probation when they are "temporarily unable to comply with a rule" and noncompliance doesn't immediately jeopardize kids' health or safety. Probationary licenses are valid for up to six months and can be renewed once. While on probation, state investigators will perform monthly inspections, an agency spokesperson told IndyStar.

KinderCare was required to file a plan with the state explaining how they intend to correct the violation. They were also required to notify all enrolled kids' caregivers within seven days of the probationary period's start date. IndyStar has requested copies of both documents from the Family and Social Services Administration, and both requests remain pending.

KinderCare, one of the nation's largest child care companies, operates 31 facilities in Indiana. Teachers and staff at the Gunther Boulevard location were given further training about child discipline and mandated reporting after the company's headquarters learned of the allegation, a spokesperson said. KinderCare declined to comment on how and when the company was first made aware of abuse allegations.

The state pursued two enforcement actions against the same KinderCare location earlier this year for unsafe sleep practices. One of those infractions, classified as "critical," involved a 4-month-old infant belly-sleeping on the floor. A representative for the Family and Social Services Administration did not specify what those enforcement actions entailed.

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"Nothing is more important to us than the safety of the children in our care," a statement from KinderCare read in part.

Charges pending against daycare worker

The Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office will make a final charging decision in the case. IndyStar is not naming the worker because those charges were not filed at time of publication.

Ramirez said Harvey transferred from the Westfield KinderCare to one of its Carmel locations earlier this year after the family moved. When the investigation began, though, she said he was unenrolled by daycare staff.

After they found out about the incident they disenrolled him literally immediately," Ramirez said.

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He's now attending a licensed in-home daycare, where his mom said he's doing OK.

How to report suspected abuse or neglect at your child's daycare

Everybody is a mandated reporter under Indiana law.If you suspect abuse or neglect at your child's daycare, call Indiana's Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-800-5556. The phone number operates 24/7, including on weekends and holidays. Tips can remain anonymous.

Anybody can look up childcare providers on FSSA's map tool to see if there have been past complaints or safety violations.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Westfield daycare investigated over abuse allegations caught on video
LISBON, Ohio (WKBN)  A Pennsylvania woman has been indicted and accused of stealing from elderly victims and a nursing home in Calcutta.

Read next: 1 dead in Beaver Twp. crash; area closed

Heidi F. Shouse, 39, of Monongahela, has been indicted on felony charges of theft from a person in a protected class, forgery and theft. A secret indictment in the case was filed last month.

Shouse appeared in court Friday morning for a pretrial hearing.

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According to the indictment, the crimes happened between May 12, 2023 and August 31, 2023. The indictment alleges that Shouse forged checks and stole over $14,000 from several victims.

Her trial was set for July 8 at 9 a.m.

Jon Rudder contributed to this report.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
A WeGo Bus driver pulled up to a horrific sight Friday morning as a woman was brutally attacked in a stabbing that ultimately killed her.

The driver called 911 at a bus stop near the intersection of Harding Place and Antioch Pike at about 5:15 a.m. He remained on scene to help Nashville police officers identify the alleged attacker, who was taken into custody after a group of people tackled him and held onto him until the authorities arrived, police said.

A homicide warrant was issued charging Roy Lomax Gardner, 42, in connection to the stabbing.

BREAKING: Homicide detectives are investigating this morning's fatal stabbing of a woman at a bus stop near the intersection of Harding Pl & Antioch Pk. The man responsible is in custody. He was tackled by citizens and held until police arrived. Motive unclear at this point. pic.twitter.com/p8FtKL7MH6  Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) November 15, 2024

The woman was taken to a hospital, where she died. Police said they believe the woman is 38 but identification is pending.

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Investigators shut down a portion of Harding Place at Antioch Pike to continue their investigation.

Police said Gardner and the woman were seated next to each other on the bus shelter bench.

As the bus pulled up, both stood and surveillance footage shows what followed. The woman gathered her things and headed toward the bus, and Gardner began stabbing her, police said.

The woman was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where she died. Police had not released her identity as of Friday afternoon.

Gardner was injured during the citizen's arrest and admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he is being guarded by police and will be booked in a Davidson County Jail on criminal homicide charges when he is released, police said.

This story was updated to add a video and new information.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Police: Woman killed in bus stop stabbing, suspect detained
Monique Gilbertson's body was found in a freezer in her home, leading to murder charge against her former roommate, Daniel Roush, per police

Monique Gilbertson Facebook; FOX5 Las Vegas/Youtube Monique Gilbertson (left); and Daniel Roush. Monique Gilbertson (left); and Daniel Roush.

Authorities in Las Vegas arrested a 37-year-old suspect who they allege killed an elderly woman following a dispute about their housing arrangement.

Police found the body of Monique Gilbertson inside a freezer in her mobile home in Las Vegas earlier this month while serving a welfare check, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement.

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The department did not identify the victim in its statement, but she was identified in several local media outlets including FOX 5, the Las Vegas Review Journal and KTNV. (LVMPD declined to identify the victim to PEOPLE but shared their statement about the investigation in response to an inquiry about Gilbertson's killing).

Daniel Roush, 37, was arrested in connection with the killing, LVMPD said. Multiple outlets, citing police, report that Roush goes by the name Jazlynn.

FOX5 Las Vegas/Youtube Daniel Roush Daniel Roush

It wasn't immediately clear when Gilbertson died. The person requesting the welfare check told police they last heard from the victim on Oct. 22, per 8 News Now.

Gilbertsons body was found by police follwoing a welfare check request on Nov. 6, per the statement. Responding officers entered the residence and encountered Roush and another person.

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The two were unable to say anything about Gilbertsons whereabouts, according to the statement. Upon searching the residence, LVMPD says, police found her body in a freezer.

The investigation revealed that Roush had met the elderly woman at a Home Depot when Gilberton offered Roush a place to stay in exchange for help around the house, FOX 5, the Las Vegas Review Journal and KTNV reported, citing an arrest report.

However, Gilbertson soon got annoyed with Roush over alleged cleanliness issues, according to witness accounts cited in the report. Gilbertson also suspected Roush of stealing her belongings, per police, FOX 5 and KTNV reported. She then reportedly kicked Roush out, police claimed, according to 8 News Now and the Las Vegas Review Journal.

Monique Gilbertson/Facebook Monique Gilbertson Monique Gilbertson

Roush allegedly told police Gilbertson was found unconscious near her kitchen table one day, with drug paraphernalia on the table, FOX 5, KTNV and 8 News Now.

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I put her in the icebox because I didnt know what to do, Roush told police, per FOX 5.

Roushs wife, who was present when police arrived at Gilbertsons door, allegedly told authorities she heard from Roush that Gilbertson had overdosed on cocaine and fentanyl, per KTNV and the Las Vegas Review Journal.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

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Roush was booked into the Clark County Detention Center for on an open murder charge, LVMPD said.

Roush entered a plea of not guilty during a court appearance on Wednesday, Nov. 13, per Las Vegas Review Journal, FOX 5 and KSNV.


The fallout from a debate in the Southern Baptist Convention about women in ministry, though largely settled at the national level, is causing Southern Baptists at the local level to either double down on conservative values or move the opposite direction.

Some state conventions in the denomination tightened restrictions for partnering with churches according to their stance on women in ministry, while a couple others worked to broaden those guidelines. Despite the convention rejecting a proposed measure at the SBC annual meeting in June that sought to enshrine a ban on women pastors, these recent actions reflect how divisions over women in ministry remain within the nation's largest Protestant denomination.

Specifically, the dispute is over the Nashville-based SBCs statement of doctrinal belief, known as the Baptist Faith & Message 2000. Unlike earlier versions, the 2000 version states the role of pastor is limited to men.

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For the Baptist General Convention of Texas, a failure to exclusively affirm the Baptist Faith & Message 2000 risks financial support it receives from the SBCs North American Mission Board for church planting. Delegates, known as messengers, to the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting this week debated whether to more forcefully endorse the 2000 version in response to those financial concerns.

Messenger David Lowrie, a Decatur, Texas pastor, said during a floor debate General Baptist Convention of Texas-affiliated congregations are "being treated as second-class citizens  even as stepchildren  and that is simply not appropriate," according to Baptist Standard.

The Baptist General Convention of Texas, considered the less conservative of two state conventions in Texas, debated at length and ultimately rejected a motion Tuesday to endorse the Baptist Faith & Message 2000 over other versions of the doctrinal statement.

Following the vote, the North American Mission Board issues a statement by reaffirming its policy to only partner to plant churches that affirm the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, a North American Mission Board spokesperson said in a statement. We have been contacted by several BGCT pastors who want to join with NAMB in church planting.  We are grateful for the generosity of BGCT churches and look forward to continuing to serve them and partner with them.

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The Baptist General Convention of Texas has received $300,000 annually from the North American Mission Board over the past four years for evangelism and starting churches, according to the Baptist Standard.

Southern Baptist delegates, known as messengers, gathered for state convention annual meetings in October and November to decide on business that affects the national Southern Baptist Convention, which gathered for the SBC annual meeting in June. Randy Davis, executive director for the agency that manages the Tennessee Baptist Convention, presents a report during the state convention's meeting in Murfreesboro on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024.

This question about the role of funding in partnerships between state conventions and the SBC coincides with another series of debates at other state conventions over whether to cut funding that state conventions send to the SBC for a collective budget to support national and international ministry needs.

Related: What Southern Baptist budget debate says about denomination's precarious funding

Churches excluded, churches welcomed

Unlike its sibling convention at the Baptist General Convention of Texas, the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention tightened restrictions.

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The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, which is the second of two state conventions in Texas, upheld a measure clarifying constitutional standards for partnering with churches in which only men serve in any role that uses the title of pastor. By rejecting a parliamentary challenge to the measure Tuesday, the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention accomplished what the proposed ban at the national level attempted. The Missouri convention asked its board to examine similar changes to potentially recommend next year.

Southern Baptist delegates, known as messengers, gathered for state convention annual meetings in October and November to take up business, including related to nationally relevant debates from the SBC annual meeting in June.

The proposal to enshrine a ban on women pastors in the national convention would have made it easier for the SBC to disfellowship churches for endorsing women pastors. Still, the national convention and some state conventions have ousted churches for their stance on women in ministry. Other churches have voluntarily left the SBC in response to these events.

Prominent congregations like First Baptist Church of Richmond in Virginia and Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas withdrew from the SBC in June and October, respectively. FBC Richmond retained its affiliation with the Baptist General Association of Virginia, as did Park Cities Baptist with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The two churches' stated reasons for leaving the SBC differ, but are both understood to be due to the wider debate about women in ministry as and standards for church affiliation.

The Baptist General Association of Virginia is one of two state conventions in Virginia and is considered less conservative than the other.

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Likely, these two conventions will be a refuge for congregations disaffected by this conflict.

An initiative at the Baptist General Convention of Texas seeks to clarify and expand standards for partnering with churches both within Texas and beyond. The conventions executive director, Julio Guarneri, reported earlier this year he hopes this initiative can serve congregations that are displaced and feel vulnerable and hurt, according to Baptist Standard.

Delegates, known as messengers, representing Southern Baptist churches throughout Tennessee vote during the Tennessee Baptist Convention annual meeting in Murfreesboro, on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024.

A task force within the Baptist General Association of Virginia focused on women in ministry presented a report at the conventions annual meeting this week, outlining future steps to empower women in leadership roles in the church and state convention.

Women in BGAV leadership incorporating women in leadership roles is not a matter of political correctness, the Virginia convention task force said in its written report. We believe it is essential to empower and encourage women within BGAV leadership.

SBC abuse reform updates at local level

In another notable update to a broader discussion in the SBC and developments at the local level, a few state conventions took significant steps for abuse reform and response.

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Amid ongoing abuse reform at the national level in recent years, many state conventions established special committees in the past couple years to study ways to better equip congregations. Following that analysis, some state conventions have further invested in abuse response in important ways:

The state convention in South Carolina hired a consultant for abuse prevention and survivor care. The consultant, Chelsea Copeland, will serve as a resource for Southern Baptist churches in South Carolina in the same way the now-expired SBC Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force once was.

The state convention in Arkansas assigned a staff member to take on new duties to help oversee abuse prevention and response. Several other state conventions have made similar staffing changes.

Liam Adams covers religion for The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at ladams@tennessean.com or on social media @liamsadams.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: How debate over women in ministry still divides SBC at local level
A substitute teacher who was banned from teaching in Washington County after reportedly using a student to reenact the police killing of George Floyd has lost his job as a police officer in western Wisconsin.

Steven Williams, an officer with the Prescott Police Department, had been on administrative leave since last month when the allegations about his conduct at Woodbury High School came to light last month.

In a separation agreement between Williams, police union and the city set to go into effect Friday, Nov. 15, Williams will resign from the department rather than face termination. Hell get a payout of his vacation time and can keep his health insurance through the end of the month.

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Williams reenactment of Floyds 2020 murder by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was just one of several inappropriate and racially harmful actions he took in the classroom on Oct. 14, according to officials with South Washington County Schools.

He reportedly mimicked pointing a gun at a student, told sexist jokes, spoke in detail about bodies he had seen, shared explicit details about two sexual assault cases he had investigated and said police brutality isnt real, according to the district.

Students had shared audio and video recordings of Williams with school administrators, who then removed Williams from the classroom and escorted him off the premises, Superintendent Julie Nielsen said.

Williams, who had served for two years with the Prescott Police Department, had subbed for teachers in South Washington County seven times since he started the job in March 2024, according to the district.

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Williams was hired by Teachers On Call, a third-party vendor that provides the districts substitute teachers.

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Woodland Park Zoo is ramping up safety measures after a red-breasted goose died in what is the zoos first suspected case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), or bird flu.

The goose, a rare and threatened species, was found dead earlier this week, and preliminary tests received on Nov. 14 resulted in a positive result for HPAI.

This case highlights the rising concerns about HPAI infections among both domestic and wild birds in Western Washington, prompting increased zoo precautions to protect its animals, staff, and visitors.

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The zoo has implemented immediate measures to limit the spread of the virus.

Only designated care providers, such as animal keepers and veterinary staff, will have access to the bird enclosures.

Special experiences, private tours, and volunteer activities involving birds are suspended.

Additionally, open-air walk-through aviaries like the Savanna Aviary and Conservation Aviary are closed to the public.

Penguin feeding experiences are also canceled, and ambassador birds will not participate in public performances.

In response to HPAI risks, the zoo has already enacted health precautions for staff working with birds, such as wearing masks, gloves, and using shoe disinfectant baths around bird habitats.

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Pool areas in open-topped bird exhibits have been drained to deter wild waterfowl, and free-roaming peacocks have been moved indoors.

Zoo staff and consultants are continually monitoring health conditions to adjust precautions as needed.

Woodland Park Zoo assures guests that the red-breasted geese affected by HPAI are housed in an off-exhibit area, meaning visitors have not had any contact with them.

The remaining geese will be moved to a quarantine area for up to 120 days, where staff in protective gear will monitor them closely.
TORONTO (AP)  Workers at Canada's national postal service are on strike after failing to reach a negotiated agreement with Canada Post.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said early Friday approximately 55,000 workers are striking, claiming little progress has been made in the bargaining process. The work stoppage will disrupt mail service ahead of the busy holiday season.

The union issued a 72-hour strike notice earlier in the week, saying its been asking for fair wages, safer working conditions and other improvements over nearly a year of bargaining.

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We still believe we can achieve negotiated collective agreements, but Canada Post must be willing to resolve our new and outstanding issues, CUPW said in a statement.

Canada Post served the union with the lockout notice not long after but had said it didnt intend to lock workers out.

The government corporation released a statement early Friday morning confirming that customers will experience delays. Mail and parcels will not be delivered for the duration of the strike, and some post offices will be closed.

Canada Post says shutting down facilities will affect its national network, with processing and delivery of mail possibly needing time to return to normal once the strike is over.

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Ahead of the strike deadline, federal Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon said he formally appointed the director general of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services as a special mediator to help in the talks.

We are making sure that these two groups have everything they need to reach a deal," he said in a post on X.
Building construction in Richmond, Va. A shortage of new homes is driving continued high housing costs, casting doubt on Virginia's future growth. (Parker Michels-Boyce/Virginia Mercury)

Virginia will help fund housing construction near major business developments, Gov. Glenn Younkgin announced this week.

A new executive order, on the heels of an announcement about a major manufacturing development near Danville, sets a goal of investing $75 million towards localities that want to bolster housing supply tied to new job creation over the next five years.

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The private sector is ready to step in and meet the needs of our growing workforce with much needed workforce housing, Youngkin said in a release announcing his order. (This) announcement advances these efforts by accelerating workforce housing development and requiring local governments to support the housing growth that Virginia needs.

How the funding will fuel housing supply

With a shortage of about 200,000 affordable housing units and a housing demand of about 4 million units overall, according to a study and state government analysis, the new investments aim to help foster construction.

Youngkin anticipates his new order can help create about 5,000 units.

As part of Executive Order 42, the Workforce Housing Investment Program will consist of loans, subsidies and grants for localities and nonprofits to develop new housing near new employers in regions of the state. It also states that localities planning to tap into the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program will need to provide housing plans to demonstrate how they can accommodate job growth.

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One such example could be near the Berry Hill megasite in Pittsylvania County, which spans over 3,500 acres near Danville and has emerged as a development-ready site that could attract companies to the area. Ahead of Youngkins workforce housing announcement, Tennessee-based Microporous announced plans for a battery plant at the location that is slated to provide over 2,000 jobs.

Del. Danny Marshall, R-Danville, said in an interview this summer that he anticipated the area could be ripe for tapping into various funding opportunities to address the conflation of job growth and housing strains.

Macaulay Porter, a deputy communications director for the governor, noted that while the funding is going to be available statewide, localities with the highest imbalance of job growth to housing stand to benefit the most.

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Analysis from the states housing department has indicated that feature typically applies to areas in Southwest Virginia.

Meanwhile, the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission had also announced a workforce housing funding program over the summer. That pilot program has about $2 million in its coffers to disperse to applicants on a rolling basis.

A Virginia Housing and Community Development study from 2022 noted how the states fastest growing regions over the previous decade were Northern Virginia, the Northern Shenandoah Valley and central Virginias Richmond. Conversely, rural areas of the state saw job losses. Those numbers could change in future census data as economic developments in rural areas attract or retain populations.

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While some of her district entails urban areas, Sen. Lashresce Aird, D-Petersburg, previously told The Mercury that she anticipates rural portions of her district could benefit from workforce and housing development.

Housing continues to be a big strain on how were going to get workers to come here, she said.

With the 2025 legislative session on the horizon, lawmakers will continue to work on various other housing proposals  ranging from preserving existing affordable housing to rental assistance or protections, to support for ways localities can tap into federal housing development funds.

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HANNIBAL, Mo.  A heartfelt collection of World War II love letters, recently discovered in a Missouri thrift store donation, will soon be reunited with a beloved family member.

The unusual, yet charming donation recently came into the hands of The Salvation Army Family Store in Hannibal, Missouri. It included a series of love letters written by soldier Chester McMeen to his wife, Alma Bernice Modglin, between 1944 and 1945 while he served overseas.

On Nov. 4, The Salvation Amy announced an ambitious search effort to find close relatives of the couple who exchanged letters. On Thursday evening, the search culminated with a phone call from the couples son.

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Plans are now in the works to return to Chester and Almas letters to their son, who lives in Carbondale, Illinois, according Megan Duncan, who originally wrote of the thrift store discovery and The Salvation Armys quest to find rightful family members.

He doesnt know exactly how they ended up in the donation or anything, said Duncan in a phone call Friday with FOX 2. I think he was just as shocked [as those who found the letters]. I dont think he knew about the letters. It was very exciting. Ill be very excited for him to read them.

Armed and dangerous suspect wanted after Warren County shooting death

Duncan, from her understanding, says The Salvation Army thrift store in Hannibal received the letters in a pile of donations with other items earlier this year, and that the donor did not identify themselves or provide any details about the items at the time of the donations.

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[Thrift store workers] were like, What is this? And they looked into it and saw a husband was writing letters to his wife during the war, said Duncan. They were like Oh my, this is precious. We need to do something special with them. Its awesome that they recognized that those letters were precious and treated as such.

Some time later, Duncan learned of the letters and wanted to help The Salvation Army locate a close family member. Her research led her to the Jackson County Historical Society, where she connected with an employee who was coincidentally a former classmate of the couples son.

Photos provided by: The Salvation Army Photos provided by: The Salvation Army Photos provided by: The Salvation Army

From there, the employee was able to get in contact with other classmates who knew the couples son and told him of the letters while he was out of town in Tennessee. The son, whose identity is being withheld at the moment, then enjoyed a surprise phone call with Duncan on Thursday.

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It was absolutely the coolest thing, because I felt like when I was reading those letters, I felt a sense of humor [from his father], said Duncan. They were such warm, lovely letters from a man to his wife. To talk to his son, it almost felt a little surreal. Like, Oh, wow. This is the result of those wonderful letters. It was really special.

The letters offer a poignant glimpse into Chester and Almas enduring love and Chesters wartime experience in the Philippines. Chester frequently reassured Alma of his commitment and shared dreams about the future, including the possibility of starting a family upon his return.

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After the war, Chester returned home and built a family with three children in southern Illinois. He and Alma spent nearly 70 years married before they both passed away. The letters represent promises of the life Chester wanted to lead after the war.

Ive read every letter. Ive enjoyed getting to know his mom and dad through them. They were wonderful people, said Duncan.

The Salvation Army says plans are underway to meet the son and deliver the letters to him in person. Organizers are trying to decide if that will be in Carbondale, Hannibal or somewhere in between.

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Its such a good ending here, said Duncan.

In light of this story, Duncan encourages people to double-check what they intend to donate before they pass on their possessions and use community resources if they stumble across possessions similar to love letters to find rightful owners.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
U.S. ambassador to Japan and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is floating the idea of running for chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

Axios reports that Emanuel, who also served in Congress from 2003 to 2009 and worked in the Obama and Clinton administrations, is considering the move after the Democrats losses in the 2024 election. The party lost control of the Senate as well as the presidencyand Republicans maintained a narrow majority in the Houseleaving open questions about its future direction.

Democratic strategist David Axelrod, a friend of Emanuels, said on his podcast Hacks On Tap earlier this week that he would support the ambassador if he ran for the post.

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If they said, Well, what should we do? Who should lead the party? I would take Ambassador Rahm Emanuel, and I would bring him back from Japan and I would appoint him chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Axelrod said.

Since then, other Democrats have told Emanuel he should run, according to Axios. But Emanuel is likely to face opposition from progressives, especially due to his actions as mayor of Chicago. Emanuels handling of police violence as well as his record with the citys public schools earned him a lot of criticism, and the Chicago Teachers Union is still mad at him. 

...The Cover up and School Closings Guy? Hard no.https://t.co/U2Xan3dNqi  Chicago Teachers Union (@CTULocal1) November 15, 2024

While serving as White House chief of staff under President Obama, Emanuel also clashed with thenDNC chair Howard Dean, who was arguably the most successful party chair in the twenty-first century, with his 50 State Strategy. Dean said in 2014 that he and Emanuel obviously have a difference of opinion about how you get people elected.

This would seem to indicate that Emanuel would be taking a different approach than Dean at a time when Democrats need a plan to take back Congress as well as recover at the state level. Emanuel also has a reputation for angrily going on profanity-laden tirades, which wont win him friends in a position where one has to be on good terms with Democrats across the country. The fact that Emanuel has been disconnected from local and state politics for years also seems unlikely to help. Democrats are currently expected to tap someone with expertise at the grassroots level and an understanding of how Democrats are winning elections nowtwo things Emanuel sorely lacks.
CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI)  Anthony Simeone is living proof that its never too late to graduate high school.

The 98-year-old World War II veteran and lifelong Rhode Islander received his diploma from Cranston High School East Thursday morning.

Simeone dropped out of high school when he was 16 years old to support his family throughout the Great Depression. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army when he turned 17 and went on to fight in the historic Battle of the Bulge.

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Im very proud of my military service, Simeone said. I wish I could have stayed in longer.

Simeone received his GED shortly after returning home from the war.

His granddaughter, whos a Cranston elementary school teacher, arranged the ceremony to highlight her grandfathers remarkable achievements and ensure that he received a proper high school graduation.

Simeone also received a copy of his transcript from the high schools archives.

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OWENSBORO, Ky. (WEHT)  Owensboros Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum shared exciting news for music lovers. The 2025 lineup for their ROMP festival announced Wynonna Judd is the headliner.

Officials say Judds Kentucky roots made her a perfect fit, and it will be her first year at the festival. Judd is a country music hall of famer and has 19 number one singles. Shes famously known for performing with her late mother, Naomi Judd, in a duo.

Stabbing reported on Franklin Street in Evansville

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Were really excited to welcome her to the ROMP stage. Weve gotten nothing but positive feedback. People are really excited, and were always thankful that people travel from all over the world to come to Owensboro, says Erin Rouse, the museums Marketing Manager.

Romp will be held June 25-28.

Other artists on the roster include Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway is also on the roster and will return for a 3rd year. 3 bluegrass hall of famers will join 18 other acts. The hall of famers are The Del McCoury Band, Sam Bush and The Dillards.

Officials say the artist workshops make the festival experience unique.

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We offer them in vocal, instrumentalsquare dancing. You can attend one of those artist workshops of maybe one of your favorite bands, and then later in the daysee them on the big stage, says Rouse.

This is the 22nd year for ROMP.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
WYOMING COUNTY, WV (WVNS)  A Wyoming County woman pleaded guilty to drug charges that included fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Nicholas County man pleads guilty to federal gun crime

According to a press release, on November 13, 2024, 45-year-old Gennie England pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance and Possession without a Prescription.

Members of the Wyoming County Sheriffs Office carried out a search warrant on October 20, 2023 in connection to an ongoing investigation at Gennies home in the Matheny area of Wyoming County.

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Once the search warrant was carried out, members of law enforcement found and seized methamphetamine, fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, gabapentin, alprazolam, and two guns.

Mercer County man sentenced for federal drug crime

The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney and law enforcement in Wyoming County will continue to aggressively pursue those who choose to deal illegal drugs. We will not tire in our steadfast resolve to rid Wyoming County of the illegal substances that poison our community. Greg Bishop | Wyoming County Prosecutor

The investigation was a result of members of law enforcement seeing drug use at Englands house while carrying out an unrelated arrest warrant.

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Englands sentencing is scheduled for December 2024.

Bishop thanked the entire prosecutorial staff and members of the Wyoming County Sheriffs Office for their work on the investigation.

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X sued to block a new California law that would require social media platforms to censor materially deceptive content, aka deepfakes, about politicians in the lead up to an election.

The company, owned by Elon Musk, claimed in its Thursday court filling the new law would trample the First Amendment, as well as Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which gives social platforms the broad legal immunity to moderate content however they see fit.

It is difficult to imagine a statute more in conflict with core First Amendment principles, the lawsuit, filed in the Eastern District of California Federal Court, said.

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The new law in question, Assembly Bill 2655, which has been dubbed the Defending Democracy from Deepfake Deception Act of 2024, would require platforms like X to remove inauthentic, fake, or false content of politicians 120 days before an election. Platforms would also have to develop procedures that allow California residents to file complaints about altered content, and would also require platforms to label certain additional content inauthentic.

AB 2655 is set to go into effect next year.

This system will inevitably result in the censorship of wide swaths of valuable political speech and commentary and will limit the type of uninhibited, robust, and wide-open debate on public issues that core First Amendment protections are designed to ensure, Xs lawsuit said, while citing the 1964 case New York Times v. Sullivan case.

The new law, the lawsuit added, would impose unintelligible prohibitions on political speech,greatly incentivizing covered platforms to censor all content that

could reasonably fall within the statutes purview to avoid substantial enforcement costs. This will lead to censorship at the direction of the State, the lawsuit said, due to AB2655s draconian and one-sided provisions.

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If this sounds familiar, thats because a California judge blocked a similar anti-deepfake law last month, two weeks after California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed it into law. U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez agreed with Musk that the law, which prohibited the distribution of materially deceptive audio or visual media of a candidate within two months of an election, unless the post included a disclosure that the content was a deepfake, went too far.

Mendez said the law, AB2839, gave legislators unbridled license to bulldoze over the longstanding tradition of critique, parody, and satire protected by the First Amendment.

The post X Sues to Block California Election Deepfake Law In Conflict With First Amendment appeared first on TheWrap.
Xpeng's "Land Aircraft Carrier" took its first public flight in Zhuhai on Tuesday. VCG/VCG via Getty Images

Xpeng wants to sell 10,000 models of its new "land aircraft carrier" a year, starting in 2025.

The vehicle is a six-wheeled van with a quadcopter drone that can fit two people.

The firm performed the vehicle's first public flight on Tuesday at the Zhuhai Air Show.

Chinese EV maker Xpeng gave the public a first glimpse of its new "land aircraft carrier" in action on Tuesday, marking another step toward its ambition to bring flying vehicles to the mass market.

The Tesla rival is offering a six-wheeled van with a two-man quadcopter stored in its rear for 2 million yuan, or about $276,000.

Videos released by the firm's flying vehicle arm, Xpeng Huitian, showed the quadcopter automatically sliding out of the main vehicle and deploying. Another clip showed the van reversing to allow the quadcopter back in.

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Xpeng demonstrated the quadcopter in an uncrewed flight in front of a crowd at the Zhuhai Air Show, an annual Chinese aviation conference backed by the central government.

The company said on Thursday that it received 2,000 orders at the air show after the demonstration, touting it as "the largest order volume in the global flying car industry to date."

Orders will be open to the public in December, Xpeng Huitian added.

It's already targeting a far larger tranche of orders, with state media reporting that the company plans to build an annual production capacity of 10,000 "land aircraft carriers" by the third quarter of 2025.

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Deliveries are set to begin in 2026, state media also reported.

Xpeng is among a swathe of Chinese manufacturers to emerge in a crowded EV market over the last decade but has become one of the country's highest-profile stalwarts.

The Guangzhou-based firm, founded by engineer Henry Xia, has been leaning into extended-range hybrid engine technology to lower the cost of its vehicles and boost profit.

In August, it debuted a car with self-driving tech at $22,000, undercutting other brands like Xiaomi, BYD, and Tesla.

Meanwhile, it's been pushing hard to sell flying technology to the consumer market. Xpeng Huitian is also working on a two-person flying electric vehicle that features vertical take-off and landing.

XPeng has been marketing a VTOL flying vehicle under its subsidiary, Xpeng Huitian. Sui Shangjun/Xinhua via Getty Images

Xpeng did not respond to a request for comment sent by Business Insider.

Read the original article on Business Insider
As talk of reparations for the descendants of slaves continues to be a hot-button issue around the country, some Black and Latino families in Palm Springs, Calif., who lost their homes decades ago, are preparing to receive a multi-million dollar settlement from the city.



On Nov. 14, the Palm Springs city council approved a $5.9 million settlement for families whose homes in the Section 14 neighborhood were violently destroyed by the city in the 1950s and 60s in a manner resembling the Tulsa Massacre of 1921, according to The Los Angeles Times.

According to the settlement terms, families of Section 14 residents will be paid based on the current value of the property they lost due to the citys actions. The city council also approved a day of remembrance honoring members of the community, The Times reports.



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Section 14 was a square mile of land on a Native American reservation in Palm Springs. Many Black and Latino families made homes there as housing policies put in place by the city in the early 1900s prevented them from buying or renting in other predominately white areas of the city.

But as working families of color who built a vibrant community filled with homes, businesses and houses of worship, the city took steps to destroy it in the 1950s, using city employees and private companies to burn their properties down.

In addition to compensating families, the city will invest in housing and business initiatives designed to uplift underserved communities including those impacted by Section 14's destruction. The city of Palm Springs issued an apology to the victims, but this is the first time theyve approved compensating the families.

It is the responsibility of the city of Palm Springs to compensate individuals for the destruction of personal property, Councilmember Lisa Middleton said at the Nov. 14 city council meeting . We broke something that was yours, and now we need to pay for it.

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Many of the victims have passed away, but survivors say the settlement is an important part of the healing process.

While no amount of money can fully restore what we lost, this agreement helps pave the way for us all to finally move forward, said Pearl Devers, who lived in Section 14 until she was 12, in a statement.

Addressing the attendees of Thursdays meeting, Palm Springs Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein agreed that no amount of money can right the wrongs that have already been committed.

What we can do is we can heal and move forward, and we can look at restorative justice, he said.

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  The YMCA is asking for your help in providing a holiday meal for those in need. Its the organizations 30th annual Thanksgiving food drive. They are encouraging local residents to donate nonperishable items. Donations will be accepted through next Friday.

BeWell helping New Mexicans with health insurance during Open Enrollment

They are looking for canned vegetables, fruits, and meats, as well as boxed meals and other shelf-stable food. Those items can be dropped off at the YMCA at Indian School or on Comanche.

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NEW YORK (AP)  A cryptocurrency plant in central New York can continue operating after a court rejected the states effort to shutter the facility over concerns about its climate impact.

The decision was hailed as a victory by Greenidge Generation, a large-scale crypto mine in the Finger Lakes region that has drawn the ire of environmental groups and watchdogs since it began mining bitcoin four years ago.

Like other large-scale crypto-mining operations, Greenidge relies on thousands of electricity-guzzling computer servers that generate bitcoin by solving complex equations. To power those servers, Greenidge uses a former coal-burning plant that was converted to natural gas in 2017 after years of disuse.

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In 2022, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation denied a required air permit to the plant on the grounds that its greenhouse gas emissions ran afoul of the states ambitious climate goals.

In response to a lawsuit by the corporation, State Supreme Court Justice Vincent M. Dinolfo ruled Thursday that the agency had failed to give Greenidge an opportunity to justify its continued operation, an interpretative error under the law.

Transparent political bias lost today, Greenidge said in a prepared statement. The ruling ensures our facility will continue operating and our local employees will not have their careers ripped away by politically motivated governmental overreach that had no basis in law from the first day it began.

A coalition of environmental groups, meanwhile, allege Greenidge is pumping millions of pounds of carbon dioxide into the air, while contaminating the nearby Seneca Lake with daily discharges of heated water required to run the plant.

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The Finger Lakes community has been sounding the alarm on the disastrous impacts of this facility on their water, air, and climate, said Mandy DeRoche, a deputy managing attorney in the Clean Energy Program at Earthjustice. We will continue our fight until Greenidge shuts down for good,

In rejecting the permit, the DEC said the plant had misled regulators about the true purpose of the conversion. Instead of helping to meet the current electricity needs of the state as originally described, the facility is operating primarily to meet its own significant new energy load, the agency said in its letter to the company.

A spokesperson for the DEC did not respond to a request for comment about the decision.

Greenidge has said it is in compliance with its permits and that the plant is 100% carbon neutral, thanks to the purchase of carbon offsets such as forestry programs and projects that capture methane from landfills.

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Yvonne Taylor, a vice president at Seneca Lake Guardian, said the facility was a test case for the states ability to enforce a raft of climate laws. She worried the recent election of Donald Trump, who received billions of dollars from the crypto industry, would further weaken efforts to enforce those protections.

Greenidge being permitted to continue operating flies in the face of our state climate goals and what weve spent generations working for in our community, Taylor said. Its not serving any public purpose or benefit other than making a few people who are already rich, richer.
The New York man's lawyer said in court on Thursday, Nov. 14 that he had significant mental health difficulties

irestock, Inc./Alamy Stock Photo The historic Ballyfin Demesne hotel under a cloudy sky in Laois, Ireland. The historic Ballyfin Demesne hotel under a cloudy sky in Laois, Ireland.

A New York man has reportedly been charged with murder, following the death of his father at a luxury hotel in Ireland.

Irish authorities charged Henry McGowan, 30, with the murder of his father, 60-year-old John McGowan, after he was found dead at the 5-star hotel Ballyfin Demesne located in County Laois, Ireland on Tuesday, Nov. 12, according to The Irish Times, BBC and local broadcast station RTE News.

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John sustained serious injuries following an assault in the leisure center of the hotel and was later pronounced dead, the outlets reported.

Local police  known as 'Garda' in Ireland  told PEOPLE they responded to the hotel at around 8 p.m. on Nov. 12 and found a 60-year-old man deceased." They then arrested a 30-year-old man at a Garda station in the Eastern Region.

The Garda did not release the names of those involved and said the circumstances surrounding the death are still under investigation. They added that the Garda Technical Bureau and the Office of the State Pathologist were assisting on the case.

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Henry  who has a Brooklyn, New York address  appeared before Irelands Portlaoise District Court on Thursday, Nov. 15, where his lawyer, Barry Fitzgerald, told the court that he had significant mental health difficulties, per BBC and The Irish Times.

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Fitzgerald further requested that the man receive a psychiatric assessment while at Cloverhill Prison, where he is being held in custody, which Judge Andrew Cody agreed to.

The Ireland courts service did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment on this case.

Henrys next court date is scheduled for Nov. 18.


NAUGTUCK, Conn. (WTNH)  A New York man was charged after allegedly selling illegal cannabis and THC products at smoke shops and convenience stores in Naugatuck, police said.

On Nov. 13, Saleh Ali, 33, of Bronx, NY was arrested by warrant and charged with illegal manufacture, distribution, or sale of cannabis or cannabis products; conspiracy to commit illegal manufacture, distribution, or sale of cannabis or cannabis products; money laundering in the fourth degree, and conspiracy to commit money laundering in the fourth Degree.

Waterbury police charge Bridgeport man with operating drug factory

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This comes after police said they received multiple complaints mainly from adolescents about illegal cannabis and THC products being sold.

After a lengthy investigation, police executed a search warrant at 92 Convenience at 92 Church Street and a neighboring apartment associated with the business, police said.

Several illegal cannabis and THC products were located as well as other items associated with the packaging and sale of cannabis, police said.

Ali was released on a $100,000 surety bond and is scheduled to appear in Waterbury Superior Court on Dec. 11.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY)  Gov. Glenn Youngkin is ramping up his efforts to try and solve Virginias housing crisis by tying future economic development grants to housing plans.

In an executive order issued Thursday, Youngkin, (R-Va.) directed that the Virginia Economic Development Partnership require housing plans be submitted when a community looks to be awarded funds for economic development.

No longer can the state afford to bring in companies ready to hire people for jobs, but have nowhere for those people to live, according to Youngkin.

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Its estimated Virginia currently has 3.6 million housing units across the state, but there is demand for 4.1 million.

We are growing like crazy with jobs announcements, it seems almost every day, Youngkin said. We also need to pair with it housing initiatives.

Report: Strong economy in Hampton Roads, but region needs affordable housing

Youngkin made the announcement at the 2024 Governors Housing Conference at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. The multi-day event brings together hundreds to discuss issues in the state surrounding housing.

While interest rates and the cost of building materials have helped to make housing unaffordable, the most recent State of the Region report for Hampton Roads revealed we are not building single and multifamily housing at a sufficient pace to meet demand.

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Between 2000 and the beginning of Great Recession in 2008, Virginia developed roughly 60,000 units a year according to Youngkin. Today its 30,000.

We need more houses we need to build, Youngkin said.

While the permitting phase rests mainly in the hands of local governments, Youngkins putting up money to help sway their actions.

Were bringing together agencies and departments that can facilitate and foster more housing development, particularly workforce housing, Youngkin said. And so our workforce housing investment program today, which will unleash $75 million of loans and grants to support $750 million of workforce housing development, will get us started and bring a much needed estimated 5,000 housing units to the workforce thats taking all these great jobs.

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Under the terms of the Workforce Housing Investment Program, Virginia Housing, which is a quasi-government agency of Virginia, will provide loans, loan subsidies, and grants up to $3 million to local governments and nonprofits to develop housing for workers earning 80-120% of area median income, or up to 150% in rural areas according to a release from the governors office.

To be eligible for investment, a locality must be within a 30-minute drive of a business adding new jobs: 100 for a non-distressed locality, 50 for a distressed locality, and 25 for a double-distressed locality, the release states.

On the economic development side, local governments that apply for funds with Virginia Business Ready Sites Program, like Suffolk did with its Port 460 project or Norfolk did with Fairwinds Landing, would moving forward include housing plans to match the job potential for each site.

It doesnt mean that you have to go execute it, Youngkin said. You just have to have a plan and then well work on it together.

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Youngkin has been outspoken on the need to push back on what is often referred to as NIMBY (not in my backyard), an acronym used to describe neighbors who are opposed to development.

Theres a lot of people who are concerned about development, Youngkin said. It needs to be thoughtful. But if were going to grow and have more jobs and want companies to come, we have to recognize that what comes with that is a need to provide housing opportunities for people across Virginia. The private sector can do this. And the reality is weve got to enable it. And that is local government standing up and saying were going to allow development in order to meet the needs. It needs to be thoughtful so communities can come together and have open forums and town halls and discussions and frame a plan. But if you dont want to grow, then you dont want housing.

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The Route 725 bridge in Taylors Valley over Laurel Creek damaged by Hurricane Helene. (Courtesy of Virginia Department of Transportation).

Virginia and federal officials are trying to contact Southwest Virginia residents impacted by Hurricane Helene and urging them to complete their applications for recovery funds dedicated to the region, Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in a press briefing Thursday afternoon.

The governor provided an update on the states continued recovery from the storm, which hit Virginia Sept. 27 and caused serious damage to Southwest Virginia, with the New River rising to 31 feet in one location and three people left dead. Youngkin also shared the states difficulty in getting in touch with storm survivors who need assistance.

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Oftentimes there is an interaction necessary, and that interaction sometimes is around the fact that there are elements that people have filed for that dont qualify for individual assistance, Youngkin said. Sometimes we just need to speak with people and let them know that so that they can get their application correct.

Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin speaks with reporters on Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. (Charlie Paullin/Virginia Mercury)

One example of a request that isnt eligible for recovery funding is the cost of food in a refrigerator that was lost, Youngkin said. Insurance payments that exceed what the Federal Emergency Management Agency aid would cover also nixes federal assistance. Sometimes officials just need more information.

If youre getting a phone call from a 202 number, which is (the area code for) Northern Virginia, Washington D.C. area, and you keep hitting no, chances are it could be an inspector thats trying to call you or an applicant service assistant thats trying to help you get your registration complete, said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Timothy Phiel. If you get a letter, consider that an invitation to come back to our (disaster recovery center). Please come back and see us.

The state has eight disaster recovery centers set up to help with the ongoing response to Helene, which also caused power outages for Appalachian Power customers that peaked at about 282,000 and roadways like Route 58 to be washed away.

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About 10,000 applications for individual assistance have been filed with about $10.5 million paid out already, Youngkin said.

Thirty six localities have been approved for public assistance, which offsets the costs for emergency responses and cleanup, Youngkin said. Roanoke County is working to be added to that list. Some 93 applications for public assistance have been received, with 19 approved and $20 million already disbursed.

Over 270 farmers have been helped through Farm Recovery Centers, which were set up to help with what the Virginia Cooperative Extension said was over $159 million of damage to agricultural producers.

Personal debris will be removed from seven counties starting next week, Youngkin added. Claytor Lake remains a priority; so far, about 10% of the debris has been pulled out of it. The state has received $59 million for flood mitigation and hazard mitigation projects to prevent future damage from future emergencies, Youngkin said.

The aggregate damage from the storm is still to be totaled, Youngkin said. The figure will be shared with the White House and Congress next week to spur additional funding from the Small Business Administration, the Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Nov. 15After Hurricane Helene struck North Carolina, Michael Sanchez began wondering whether the full impact of the storm was being accurately portrayed by public officials and the media.

The owner of A/M Automotive in Youngstown decided to check it out for himself.

What he found was a stark reality, a realization that many residents in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina lost their homes, lost their livelihoods and lost much of what they recognized as their normal, everyday lives when the hurricane swept through their area in late September.

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Sanchez also discovered, weeks after the hurricane had passed through, many North Carolinians continued to struggle while living in tents or without heat or electricity in their homes.

"We definitely just saw devastation," Sanchez said. "It's hard to explain. Everything was destroyed. You look around and you look at people's businesses. We were on one main drag where the businesses, the doors were blown apart, the walls were pushed out. There were semi-trailers halfway on top of buildings and all kinds of rubbish and trees and garbage."

"It's decimated," he added. "It's rough."

The 55-year-old Lewiston resident and his wife, Cheryl, decided to do what they could to help. After conferring with individuals involved in relief efforts, they connected with Jason Seidel, a coordinator overseeing a donation center in North Carolina. After getting a list of items storm victims needed, the Sanchez family began a collection drive, receiving support from their own church, Amherst Baptist, local businesses like Spurback Chiropractic and many of their customers at A/M Automotive.

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At the end of the drive, they secured enough donations to fill a 22-foot car hauler with in-demand items, including heaters, propane, diapers, baby formula, generators and dehumidifiers.

Sanchez drove the trailer down to North Carolina at the end of October, delivering items to Marion, a city just over 35 miles away from one of the hardest-hit communities, Asheville.

Last week, Sanchez returned to North Carolina, this time to deliver a fifth-wheel camper donated by Town of Porter residents George and Maurine Brown. The camper is serving as a temporary home for Audrey Brennan, a single mother of two whose house was destroyed in a mudslide.

"Just to see the smiles and just the looks on their faces, it was something," Sanchez said.

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While they are still dealing with impacts from the storm, Sanchez said he gets a sense that there's still a strong sense of togetherness and community among people in North Carolina.

"Honestly, the mood didn't seem bad," he said. "Granted this was three weeks after it happened, but it seemed like everybody was just coming together and everybody was working together and that everybody wanted to help each other. From what I could see."

But there's still a lot of work to do.

The Sanchez family and others are now working to address one of the biggest lingering issues: a lack of quality housing.

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Mike Sanchez said many residents in Marion and surrounding communities are still living in tents and could use RVs and campers to make their lives easier.

A/M Automotive is now working with Camping World to collect donated trailers and campers for delivery to families in need in North Carolina. Organizers are asking individuals who may have used and still usable RVs or camping trailers to consider donating them to the cause. All donated vehicles will be inspected by Camping World before being delivered to needy families. The effort has been dubbed "Project Your Home."

"My big thing is seeing what I saw, these people, they are not getting the help they need as far as shelters," Mike Sanchez said.

"I have myself and a couple of other people who will tow them down there so that's not an issue," he added. "All we're looking to do is purchase trailers for these people."

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Sanchez said he and his wife intend to keep doing what they can to assist storm recovery efforts in North Carolina primarily because there's still much more work to do. Now that the storm has been over for several weeks and media attention has largely waned, he said there's less public understanding about lingering issues impacting people the storm left behind. He thanked the many individuals, groups and businesses in Niagara County that have helped so far and said he hopes more people will consider contributing to the cause.

"I believe the Lord works in mysterious ways and this is one of those ways," he said.

"I've always given to this and given to that," he added. "I always wanted to help somebody that's down if I could. When I saw this and saw the stories coming out and then I saw these stories firsthand and I talked to these people, I just didn't want them to be forgotten about. That's what they feel too. They feel like they are going to be forgotten about."

If you are interested in assisting the Sanchez family's North Carolina hurricane relief efforts, call 716-219-4067 or send an email to sanch6972@gmail.com.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Youngstown City Council will vote on another 12-month ordinance that would prevent a downtown company from turning tire chips into synthetic gas.

Earlier this month, Councilwoman Anita Davis discussed plans to reintroduce the ordinance at the request of a group calling itself SOBE Concerned Citizens.

The group has spoken out against plans by SOBE Thermal Energy Solutions to build a pyrolysis plant next to its operation on North Avenue.

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The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the pyrolysis plant, but City Council passed an ordinance on Sept. 20, 2023, preventing it.

Currently, SOBE provides steam energy.

The ordinance, which will come to a vote on Wednesday, imposes a 12-month moratorium on pyrolysis or gasification or combustion of tires, chipped tires, plastics or electronic waste.

The ordinance introduced by Davis states that there are concerns about the safety and possible pollution from such an operation. The ordinance states that a 12-month moratorum will give them enohg time to further research these types of facilities.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A man charged in a July shooting death will now have his case heard by a Mahoning County grand jury.

David Tribble, 44, waived a preliminary hearing Thursday in municipal court on a charge of aggravated murder for the July 11 shooting death of Jermaine Tillis, 51, in the 300 block of East Judson Avenue.

The case was bound over to the grand jury after Tribble waived his hearing. His bond was also reduced from $1 million to $250,000.

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Police said Tillis was shot during an argument.

Tribble was on the run for several weeks, but he was arrested last week by members of the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Fugitive Task Force.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Charlotte Graham-McLay

Associated Press

WELLINGTON, New Zealand  New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon made a "formal and unreserved" apology in Parliament on Tuesday for the widespread abuse, torture and neglect of hundreds of thousands of children and vulnerable adults in care.

"It was horrific. It was heartbreaking. It was wrong. And it should never have happened," Luxon said, as he spoke to lawmakers and a public gallery packed with survivors of the abuse.

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An estimated 200,000 people in state, foster and faith-based care suffered "unimaginable" abuse over a period of seven decades, a blistering report released in July said at the end of the largest inquiry ever undertaken in New Zealand. They were disproportionately Maori, New Zealand's Indigenous people.

"For many of you it changed the course of your life, and for that, the government must take responsibility," Luxon said. He said he was apologizing for previous governments too.

In foster and church care  as well as in state-run institutions, including hospitals and residential schools  vulnerable people "should have been safe and treated with respect, dignity and compassion," he added. "But instead, you were subjected to horrific abuse and neglect and in some cases torture."

The findings of the six-year investigation believed to be the widest-ranging of comparable probes worldwide were a "national disgrace," the inquiry's report said. New Zealand's investigation followed two decades of such inquiries around the globe as nations struggle to reckon with authorities' transgressions against children removed from their families and placed in care.

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Of 650,000 children and vulnerable adults in New Zealand's state, foster, and church care between 1950 and 2019  in a country that today has a population of 5 million  nearly a third endured physical, sexual, verbal or psychological abuse. Many more were exploited or neglected.

"We will never know that true number," Chris Hipkins, the leader of the opposition, told Parliament. "Many people entering into state and faith-based institutions were undocumented. Records were incomplete, they've gone missing, and in some cases, yes, they were deliberately destroyed."

In response to the findings, New Zealand's government agreed for the first time that historical treatment of some children in a notorious state-run hospital amounted to torture  a claim successive administrations had rejected.

"I am deeply sorry that New Zealand did not do better by you. I am sorry you were not believed when you came forward to report your abuse," Luxon said. "I am sorry that many abusers were not made to face justice which meant that other people experienced abuse that could have been prevented."

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His government was working on 28 of the inquiry's 138 recommendations, Luxon said, although he did not yet have concrete details on financial redress, which the inquiry had exhorted since 2021 and said could run to billions of dollars.

Luxon was decried by some survivors and advocates earlier Tuesday for not divulging compensation plans alongside the apology. He told Parliament a single redress system would be established in 2025.

He did not, however, suggest a figure for the amount the government expected to pay.

"There will be a big bill, but it's nothing compared to the debt we owe those survivors and it must not be the reason for any further delay," said Hipkins, the opposition leader.

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Later Tuesday, the government introduced a suite of law changes to improve the safety of those in care, including a ban on strip searches of children. Luxon also announced a national rememebrance day on Nov. 12 each year. Work would begin on removing the names of perpetrators of abuse from street signs, he said.

Survivors began to arrive at Parliament hours before the apology, having won spots in the public gallery by ballot. Some were reluctant to accept the state's words, because they said the scale of the horror was not yet fully understood by lawmakers and public servants.

Abuse survivor, Tu Chapman, speaks following New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's "formal and unreserved" apology in Parliament for the widespread abuse, torture and neglect of hundreds of thousands of children and vulnerable adults in care, in Wellington, New Zealand Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Monique Ford/Stuff via AP)

Jeering was so loud during an apology from the country's solicitor-general that her speech was inaudible. Others called out or left the room in tears while senior public servants from relevant health and welfare agencies spoke before Luxon's remarks.

Survivors invited to give speeches were required to do so before Luxon's apology  rather than in response to it, said Tu Chapman, one of those asked to speak.

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"Right now I feel alone and in utter despair at the way in which this government has undertaken the task of acknowledging all survivors," she told a crowd at Parliament.

The abuse "ripped families and communities apart, trapping many into a life of prison, incarceration, leaving many uneducated," said Keith Wiffin  a survivor of abuse in a notorious state-run boys' home. "It has tarred our international reputation as an upholder of human rights, something this nation likes to dine out on."

The inquiry's recommendations included seeking apologies from state and church leaders, among them Pope Francis. It also endorsed creating offices to prosecute abusers and enact redress, reforming civil and criminal law, rewriting the child welfare system and searching for unmarked graves at psychiatric facilities.

Its writers were scathing about how widely the abuse  and the identities of many abusers  were known about for years, with nothing done to stop it.

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"This has meant you have had to re-live your trauma over and over again," said Luxon. "Agencies should have done better and must commit to doing so in the future."

He did not concede that public servants or government ministers who had denied state abuse was widespread when they served in previous administrations should lose their jobs. Luxon has also rejected suggestions by survivors that policies he has enacted which disproportionately target Maori  such as crackdowns on gangs and the establishment of military-style boot camps for young offenders  undermine his government's regret about the abuse.

Maori are over-represented in prisons and gangs. In 2023, 68% of children in state care were Maori, although they are less than 20% of New Zealand's population.

"It's not enough to say sorry," said Fa'afete Taito, a survivor of violent abuse at another state-run home, and a former gang member. "It's what you do to heal the wounds of your actions and make sure it never happens again that really counts."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed outrage at Friday's telephone call between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"In my opinion, Olaf's call opens Pandora's box," said Zelensky in a video message posted on social media platforms.

"Now there may be other conversations, other calls ... and that is exactly what Putin has wanted for a long time. It is crucial for him to weaken his international isolation, Russia's isolation."

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Zelensky said that talks with Putin always "lead to nowhere."

He said he had been told in advance that Scholz would speak with Putin. Their one hour conversation on Friday was the first between them in nearly two years.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed outrage at Friday's rare telephone call between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying such talks always "lead to nowhere."

"In my opinion, Olaf's call opens Pandora's box," said Zelensky in a video message posted on social media platforms.

"Now there may be other conversations, other calls ... and that is exactly what Putin has wanted for a long time. It is crucial for him to weaken his international isolation, Russia's isolation."

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Scholz spoke to Putin for an hour on Friday, the first conversation between the two leaders in nearly two years.

Zelensky said he had been informed of the conversation in advance.

During the conversation, Scholz warned Putin that the deployment of North Korean troops for combat in Russia or Ukraine would be a "serious escalation and expansion of the conflict," German government sources told dpa.

The chancellor also emphasized that Germany's support for Ukraine in its battle against the Russian invasion is geared towards the long term and that Putin cannot count on "time being on his side."

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German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said Scholz demanded that Russia withdraw troops from Ukraine, end the war and urged Putin "to negotiate with Ukraine with the aim of a just and lasting peace."

"The chancellor reaffirmed Germany's continued and unwavering solidarity with Ukraine," Hebestreit said.

Shortly before Friday's conversation with Putin, however, Scholz reiterated to parliament that Germany would not supply Ukraine with the long-range Taurus cruise missiles, which Ukraine has repeatedly requested.

According to the Kremlin, Putin expressed to Scholz his willingness to negotiate - but only under conditions favourable to Russia.

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He demanded that any resolution to the conflict must take into account Moscow's security interests and "be based on the new territorial realities," a reference to Russia's military occupation of significant parts of eastern and southern Ukraine.

Putin's stated conditions also included Ukraine renouncing its aspirations for NATO membership and recognizing the loss of the territories claimed by Russia, according to the Kremlin.

The Ukrainian government has categorically rejected those demands.

In the conversation with Scholz, Putin also noted an unprecedented deterioration in Russian-German relations "as a result of the unfriendly course of the German authorities," the Kremlin added.

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Scholz is seeking to hold a second Ukraine peace conference, this time including Russian officials, following an initial summit in Switzerland last summer. So far, however, there is no date in sight.

Frosty German-Russian relations

Relations between Russia and NATO countries, including Germany, have been severely strained since Putin ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Scholz last spoke to Putin on the phone in December 2022, when Scholz called for a diplomatic solution to the conflict and the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine during an hour-long discussion.

Russia launched its all-out attack on Ukraine in February 2022.

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Scholz travelled to Moscow just over a week before Putin launched the invasion. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the two leaders sat two metres apart at a huge oval table in the Kremlin.

G20 talks in Rio ahead

Scholz will attend a G20 summit in Brazil early next week. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is also expected to attend the gathering of major economic powers.

That meeting may have prompted the discussion between Scholz and Putin. The Russian president had initially said he would attend the summit himself, but cancelled last month, saying he did not want to "disrupt the normal work of the forum."

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Putin is the subject of an international arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, for alleged war crimes in Ukraine. He would risk arrest in Brazil.

Ukraine is not a member of the G20, and Zelensky was not invited as a guest to Rio de Janeiro by the Brazilian hosts.

Scholz is not planning any direct talks with Lavrov during the summit. However, according to sources close to Scholz, he does plan to discuss the Ukraine war with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is considered Putin's most important ally.

Ukraine under growing pressure

Ukrainian forces have faced intense pressure from relentless Russian attacks along the front lines in recent months, and now faces uncertainty over continued support from the United States following Donald Trump's victory in last week's US presidential election.

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Trump, who will take office in January, has repeatedly expressed scepticism about US aid to Ukraine and signalled his interest in talks with Putin.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia senses nervousness in the West with regard to Ukraine, but said it would be premature to speak of changes in stances toward the conflict.

"There are official statements from European representatives who are talking about continuing their general line of providing all kinds of support. And in Russian, that means pumping weapons into Ukraine to continue this war to the end," said Peskov.
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The Canadian province of Ontario is tapping SpaceXs Starlink to deliver satellite internet to residents out of reach of high-speed broadband networks.

The deal will subsidize Starlink access at 15,000 underserved homes and businesses located in rural and remote communities starting in June 2025.

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In a press conference, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure Kinga Surma said the province is spending nearly $100 million CAD on the project. What the province will be doing is we will be paying for the installation and equipment fees, she said, meaning eligible residents will still need to pay the monthly internet fee for Starlink.

Details about how residents can apply for subsidized Starlink will be announced next spring. In an email, a spokesperson for the Minister of Infrastructure elaborated on the program, saying, "the province will provide up to $92 million to cover capacity reservation from Starlink for Ontario, hardware and installation costs, and the Indigenous Engagement and Participation Plan."

"The agreement between the Province and SpaceX will ensure that service remains accessible," the spokesperson added. "SpaceX has agreed to reserve capacity in its low-earth orbital system, guaranteeing service availability for Ontario customers regardless of global demand on SpaceXs network."

So it looks like some of the funding will go toward preventing network congestion for Starlink users in the affected areas. In Canada, the standard dish Starlink hardware currently costs $499.99 CAD ($355 USD) while the monthly internet fee for residential subscribers is $140. The Ontario government selected SpaceXs Starlink following a bid process that also solicited proposals from Xplore Inc., a provider of rural internet services.

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"As part of the partnership with the Province, Starlink will directly engage with Indigenous communities to ensure all eligible households and businesses within these communities have equal access to the program," the spokesperson for the Minister of Infrastructure also said. "Additionally, Starlink will support socio-economic development within these communities by offering employment, contracting, and training opportunities where feasible."

The Starlink partnership is part of the Canadian governments plan to spend almost $4 billion to expand high-speed internet across Ontario by the end of 2025. The province is the latest local government to harness Starlink as a way to improve internet access in remote areas. Last month, Maine announced a similar program to buy Starlink dishes for eligible residents in locations without access to cable, DSL, or fixed wireless.

In contrast, the US Federal Communications Commission denied $886 million in funding to SpaceX two years ago to subsidize Starlink in rural areas across the country. The agency cited the high cost of a Starlink dish, which cost $599 at the time. But its possible the commission may revisit the issue, following Trumps re-election. Republican Commissioner Brendan Carr, a vocal supporter of SpaceX and Starlink, is expected to lead the FCC under Trump.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said this week its pressing criminal charges against X (Twitter) in France related to a Kremlin disinformation campaign that used the nonprofit as a prop to spread fake news. The organization said legal means are its last resort in its fight against the bogus stories, designed to foster pro-Russia and anti-Ukraine sentiment, that festered on the platform. Xs refusal to remove content that it knows is false and deceitful  as it was duly informed by RSF  makes it complicit in the spread of the disinformation circulating on its platform, RSF director of advocacy Antoine Bernard said in a statement.

These legal proceedings seek to remind X, a powerful social media company, and its executives that they can be held criminally responsible if they knowingly provide a platform and tools for disseminating false information, identity theft, misrepresentation, and defamation  offences punishable under the French Penal Code, RSF attorney Emmanuel Daoud wrote.

RSF published an investigation in September detailing how a fabricated video was planted and spread by Russia on the Elon Musk-owned social platform. The fake clip was made to look like a BBC-produced one, including the news organizations logo. It made the erroneous case that RSF conducted a study that revealed a large number of Ukrainian soldiers sympathizing with Nazism.

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False claims that Ukraine is a pro-Nazi nation have been a common propaganda tactic used by Russia since its 2022 invasion. The narrative is designed to engender support for the Kremlin-initiated war, which is estimated to have killed a million or more Ukrainian people.

RSFs investigation revealed that an account called Patricia, claiming to be a translator in France, planted the seed for the disinformation. However, the report discovered that the accounts profile picture was found on a Russian website featuring photos of blond women designed to make avatars.

RSF says that even the accounts name seemed to have been automatically generated by X. In addition, the organization says Grok, Xs AI chatbot with access to live data about the platform, claimed the account has very strong opinions, often in support of Russia and Vladimir Putin, while severely criticizing Ukraine and its supporters in Europe.

The investigation found the video then took off, spreading through a chain that included a pro-Kremlin Irish entrepreneur living in Russia, a Kremlin propagandist with a large following on Telegram and even Russian officials. It was also shared by highly influential bloggers known for unflinching support of Vladimir Putin.

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In this story, the Russian authorities have acted a bit like they were laundering dirty information, an RSF representative said in a video about the investigation (translated from French) in September. They took false information, they laundered it through official channels. And then, this piece of information that wasnt actual information was reintroduced into public discourse to make it look credible.

Russias bogus video was widely shared on X and Telegram. Reporters Without Borders says the clips viewership reached half a million combined views by September 13. To capture its frustration with the blow to its credibility, the nonprofit cited the quote (of unknown origin but often attributed to Mark Twain): A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes.

RSF says it filed 10 reports with X of illegal content through the social channels reporting system required by the EUs Digital Services Act (DSA). After a series of rejections from X and requests for additional information  which RSF provided  none of the reports resulted in the removal of the defamatory content targeting our organisation and its advocacy director, RSF wrote.

In July, the US Justice Department said it uncovered and dismantled a Russian propaganda network using nearly 1,000 accounts to push pro-Kremlin posts on X. The DOJ claimed the accounts posed as Americans and were made using AI. In October, The Wall Street Journal reported that Elon Musk held multiple private calls with Vladimir Putin from 2022 into this year, describing the contacts as a closely held secret in government.

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Xs refusal to remove content that it knows is false and deceitful  as it was duly informed by RSF  makes it complicit in the spread of the disinformation circulating on its platform, RSF director Bernard wrote in a statement. X provides those who spread falsehoods and manipulate public opinion with a powerful arsenal of tools and unparalleled visibility, while granting the perpetrators total impunity. Its time for X to be held accountable. Pressing criminal charges is the last resort against the disinformation and war propaganda that RSF has fallen victim to, which is proliferating on this Muskian network.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TMSC) is the first CHIPS Act awardee to get part of the money that the government has promised. The Biden administration has finalized its grants for TSMC, which expects to receive $6.6 billion in grants as part of their agreement to grow semiconductor production in the US. TSMC will also loan another $5 billion from the government to fund the expansion of its planned $65 billion three-factory complex in Arizona. According to Bloomberg, it's getting at least $1 billion from the total before the year ends, since it has already met a certain set of requirements.

In October, a Canadian research firm discovered that Huawei was using TSMC chips for its artificial intelligence accelerators even though that violates US government sanctions. TSMC denied having any working relationship with Huawei, and it stopped shipping to the client that may have been illegally sending its chips to Huawei. It also decided to stop producing advanced AI chips for its Chinese clients, reportedly because it wanted to show the US government that it's "not acting against US interests."

"Todays final agreement with TSMC  the worlds leading manufacturer of advanced semiconductors  will spur $65 billion dollars of private investment to build three state-of-the-art facilities in Arizona and create tens of thousands of jobs by the end of the decade.... The first of TSMCs three facilities is on track to fully open early next year," President Joe Biden said in a statement.

Other companies, like Intel and Samsung, are still waiting to get their grants. Business groups are reportedly urging the government to finalize their CHIPS Act deals before Biden leaves the office. While they're not worried about the new administration killing the CHIPS Act, which enjoyed bipartisan support, they apparently want to avoid the possibility of having to renegotiate with the government.
The government will raise the amount of housing support, with tax preferences, employers may offer their workers, Gergely Gulyas, the head of the Prime Minister's Office said at a regular press briefing.

Tax preferences on the employer housing support will apply to a monthly HUF 150,000 per employee, or HUF 1,800,000 per year, on top of the HUF 450,000 annual sum allowed under existing rules, Gulyas said.



Employees under 35 are eligible for the support for rent or home loan repayments, he added.



He noted that the tax preferences on the HUF 150,000 of monthly housing support would be equivalent to those for employer top-ups for the SZEP voucher card.



Gulyas said the measure would support government efforts to ensure housing affordability.



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Roughly 6,300 foreign citizens bought residential units in Hungary in 2023, which is 1,700 fewer than a year earlier, but in some districts of Budapest, one in five apartments sold went to a foreign buyer.

Last year, foreigners accounted for 5.9% of home sales by total, and 7.6% by value.



With the exception of the Vietnamese and the Russians, there were fewer home buyers from all countries than in the previous year.



Most of them were Germans, who accounted for nearly 25% of all foreign purchases, buying 1,473 homes.



They were followed at a large distance by Slovak, Romanian and British buyers, each with purchases of 600-700 apartments.



The largest non-European group was the Chinese, who bought a total of 588 homes, mostly in Budapest.



Vietnamese buyers came second with 267 homes, even more concentrated in the capital.



Some 22-23% of German and Dutch buyers  and 33% of buyers from Switzerland  were over 65 years old.



Half of the units purchased by Germans were in Somogy or Zala county.



The most active buyers in Budapest last year were the Chinese, who bought more than 500 homes.



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The student hostels Budapest needs could be built in the city's 9th district, the minister of culture and innovation told commercial broadcaster TV2.

Balazs Hanko said the number of freshmen at Hungary's colleges and universities has exceeded 100,000 for the second consecutive year, and the growing figure indicated an increasing demand for accommodation.



Actual accommodation caters to 46,000 students nationwide as opposed to demand for 120,000 places, and Budapest itself currently has 17,000 places for 57,000 applicants, he added.



Hanko said the brownfield area in the 9th district would be an ideal location for a "student town", with potential accommodation for 12,000-20,000 students, including "units that could help young people start a family as early as possible".



The minister said the project was in the financial planning phase, adding that the government was seeking to find private sources of financing for its implementation.



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Serbia is the most important country from the point of view of Hungary's security, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said after a meeting of the Hungarian-Serbian strategic cooperation council, listing further joint investment projects in crude oil and gas transit, transmission lines, gas trading and storage and a border crossing upgrade.

Orban told a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic that thanks to developments in recent years more and more of Hungary's energy supplies have come through Serbia.



"The Russia-Ukraine war closed off the other direction, so Serbia has become a country that provides first-rate security and a guarantee. There is no other country more important to Hungary ... and [its] security than Serbia," Orban said.



He noted that existing investment projects were reviewed at the meeting and new ones have been decided on in crude oil shipping, gas transport, transmission line construction, natural gas trading and storage. He said a joint electricity exchange will be operating from the end of this year.



He confirmed that the Budapest-Belgrade railway project will be completed by 2026, and it was agreed that the Roszke-Horgos border crossing will be made into Europe's "most modern, fastest and most civilised" border crossing, thanks to a large joint investment project.



Hungary, like Serbia, "is on the side of peace", and that commitment has strengthened Serbian-Hungarian friendship, Orban said, adding that Hungary had taken on the burden of conflicts in order to avoid "being dragged into the Russia-Ukraine war"."We stayed away from that: it is not our war; we are on the side of peace and will remain there," he said.



During its presidency of the European Council, Hungary had been able to "provide material help" to Serbia by speeding up its EU integration, Orban said. "Europe must grasp that it is not Serbia that needs Europe, it's the EU that needs Serbia."



The EU is mired in problems, and growth, new momentum, dynamism and energy "can only come from new members", he said. "Serbia is the best candidate for this, and Hungary will continue to do everything in its power to ensure that it becomes an EU member as soon as possible."



"The US elections and the appearance of a party group of patriots and sovereigntists in Europe has brought about a new reality," Orban said. "The future belongs to sovereign, independent nations striving for success, and everyone in Europe must adapt their fate and politics to that," he said.



Hungarians and Serbians have responded to that "new reality" by deepening cooperation, Orban added.



Further, "the two countries will have to cooperate in security more closely as the issue is gaining importance in the new reality," he said. "With Europe suffering from high electricity prices, we need better cooperation on electricity, and if blocs threaten to form in Europe, or Europe responds to the new situation with protectionism, we must strengthen connectivity and we must connect with each other all the more," Orban said.



He thanked Vucic for being the "engine" of high-level Hungarian-Serbian relations in the past decade. Serbia and Hungary "are two ambitious nations that refuse to resign to the fate the 20th century dealt them, and want to be successful, large and rich."



Serbia's success also raises Hungary's value, he said, and "we have an interest in Serbians being as successful, satisfied, balanced and prosperous as Hungarians in the coming seven years."



The Hungarian-Serbian strategic cooperation council on Thursday met for the second time, and representatives of the two countries signed seven agreements after the meeting, on legal aid in civil litigation, cultural cooperation, on a letter of intent on cooperation between their ministries of innovation, on renewing Hungary's plan to provide expertise on EU integration, and on cooperation between the foreign ministries.



Orban and Vucic also signed a common declaration regarding the meeting.



Source:

MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881.

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New Delhi: Union Minister for Power, Manohar Lal on Friday jointly inaugurated the flow of power from Nepal to Bangladesh through the Indian grid along with Md. Fouzul Kabir Khan, Advisor, Ministry of Power, Bangladesh and Dipak Khadka, Nepals Minister of Energy, in a virtual event hosted by Nepal's Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.

This historic occasion marks the first trilateral power transaction which has been carried out through the Indian grid. The start of this power flow from Nepal to Bangladesh through India is expected to boost sub-regional connectivity in the power sector, according to an official statement.

"Nepal's power will now reach Bangladesh via the Indian grid, marking the first trilateral power transaction," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) posted on X. "This landmark development strengthens sub-regional connectivity and sets a new benchmark in the South Asian power sector," it added.

The Government of India had announced its decision to facilitate the first trilateral power transaction from Nepal to Bangladesh, through Indian grid with an export of up to 40 MW of power during the visit of the former Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' to India from May 31 to June 3, last year.

During the visit, both sides had expressed their commitment towards greater sub-regional cooperation, including in the energy sector, which would lead to increased inter-linkages between the economies for mutual benefit of all stakeholders.

Subsequently, a tripartite power sales agreement between NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam, Nepal Electricity Authority and Bangladesh Power Development Board was signed in Kathmandu, last month.

As per the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) officials, the rate per unit of electricity has been fixed at 6.4 cent. Nepal is expected to make an annual income of around $9.2 million from the export of electricity to Bangladesh via the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur 400 kV transmission line, with the metering point in Muzaffarpur.

In December last year, Bangladesh's Cabinet Economic Affairs Committee had approved the import of 40 megawatts of electricity from Nepal. The pact was earlier scheduled to be signed in July but was postponed due to political turmoil and a change of government in Bangladesh.
Jamia Millia Islamia is one of the prominent universities in Delhi. The university often finds itself in controversies - sometimes related to Diwali or sometimes related to anti-national protests. Now, Zee News has claimed to have uncovered a significant controversy involving Jamia Millia Islamia University, centred on allegations of discrimination and threats against Hindus studying, teaching, or working at the institution. The report alleges the existence of a group within Jamia that pressures Hindus to convert to Islam, threatening them with consequences such as rape or academic failure if they refuse.

An NGO named Call For Justice has made these serious allegations, stating that Hindu students, faculty, and staff face systemic bias and coercion at the Jamia Millia Islamia University. According to the NGO, Hindus are reportedly forced to recite the Kalma and are pressured to convert to Islam. Following complaints from Hindu students, teachers, and employees, the NGO formed a six-member fact-finding committee to investigate the claims. In today's DNA, Zee News exposed the racket running in the prestigious university:

The committee included retired Delhi High Court judge Shiv Narayan Dhingra, senior advocates Rajeev Tiwari and Purnima, former Delhi Police Commissioner S.N. Srivastava, former Delhi government secretary Narendra Kumar, and Assistant Professor Dr. Nadeem Ahmed from Kirori Mal College.

The committees findings reportedly revealed alarming instances of religious discrimination. Hindu students, professors, and staff were allegedly subjected to threats of acid attacks and rape for resisting conversion. The report also claims that Hindu students are deliberately failed in exams to coerce them into conversion. Muslim faculty members and students were accused of perpetrating these acts.

The investigation further alleged instances of love jihad and claimed that Hindu SC/ST students and girls were given preferential admission to manipulate their beliefs. Some Hindu students have reportedly left Jamia due to these incidents. The report also pointed to the influence of radical Muslim organizations on campus, accused of brainwashing individuals.

The allegations have sparked outrage and demand for a thorough investigation into the matter. Jamia Millia Islamia has yet to issue an official response to these claims.
New Delhi: Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced on Friday that the chowk outside the ISBT bus stand in Delhi's Sarai Kale Khan will now be named after Bhagwan Birsa Munda. The declaration came on the occasion of 'Janjatiya Gaurav Divas', that is also the 150th birth anniversary of the tribal independence activist.

"I am announcing today that the big chowk outside the ISBT bus stand here will be known after Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Seeing this statue and the name of that chowk, not only the citizens of Delhi but also the people visiting the International Bus stand will definitely be inspired by his life," ANI quoted Manohar Lal Khattar as saying.

The Union Minister announced that they renamed the chowk to honor freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda, aiming to inspire visitors to learn about his life and legacy.

Earlier today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alongside Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Delhi LG VK Saxena, unveiled a statue of Bhagwan Birsa Munda in Delhi, marking his 150th birth anniversary.

Khattar added that such an inspiring figure should be remembered in Delhi too, He should continue to be a source of inspiration, especially for our youth. A large statue of him has been inaugurated, and our Home Minister Amit Shah has done the honors. The major square near ISBT has also been renamed in honor of Bhagwan Birsa Munda."

Birsa Munda, a key figure in Indias tribal freedom movement, inspired the tribal communities of the Chotanagpur region to rise against British rule. He led the historic armed rebellion, "Ulgulan" (The Rebellion), which became a symbol of resistance. Birsa was a member of the Munda tribe from the Chotanagpur Plateau.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully concluded the flight tests of its Guided Pinaka Weapon System, marking a significant milestone in the weapon systems development and validation process.

These trials, conducted as part of the Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR), assessed the system's performance across key parameters, including range, accuracy, consistency, and rate of fire for multiple target engagements.

The successful completion of these tests paves the way for the induction of this advanced weapon system into the Indian Army.

Phased Flight Trials and System Performance

The flight tests were carried out in three phases at different field firing ranges, providing a comprehensive evaluation of the Guided Pinakas capabilities. A total of twelve rockets were tested from each production agency, using two upgraded in-service Pinaka launchers.

The results confirmed the weapon system's readiness for deployment, meeting stringent criteria for precision strikes, targeting multiple objectives in a salvo mode. The Pinaka Mk-II rocket, with an enhanced range of 60 km, was also part of the trials.

Indigenous Development and Collaboration

The Guided Pinaka is a fully indigenous system developed by a consortium of DRDO laboratories, including Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Research Centre Imarat (RCI), and Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL).

The production of the ammunition was handled by Munitions India Limited and Economic Explosives Limited, while Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Larsen & Toubro were responsible for the design and manufacturing of the Pinaka launchers and associated equipment.

The system represents a major leap in India's "Make in India" initiative, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers and enhancing national defense capabilities.

Key Features of the Pinaka System

The Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) is a versatile and highly effective artillery weapon designed to deliver rapid and devastating firepower over extended ranges. Named after Lord Shiva's divine bow, the Pinaka system was initially introduced to replace the aging Russian Grad BM-21 rocket launcher in the Indian Army. \

With the introduction of the Guided Pinaka, the system now features precision-guided munitions that can significantly improve targeting accuracy. These rockets are equipped with seekers that enable precision strikes, making the system more effective against well-defended, high-value targets.

Global Interest in the Pinaka System

The Guided Pinaka has already attracted attention from international defense markets, with France and Armenia among the countries expressing strong interest in acquiring the system. Armenia, facing ongoing tensions with Azerbaijan, became the first country to purchase the Pinaka in 2023.

Similarly, France is reportedly in advanced discussions with India to bolster its own artillery division with the Pinaka system, and tests are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.

The Pinaka system is seen as a worthy counterpart to global systems like the HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) used by the United States. Indias growing defense manufacturing capacity is evident in this export success, as the Pinaka has become Indias first major defense export in this category.

Strategic Role in Indian Defense

The Pinaka system has already proven its worth in combat situations, particularly during the 1999 Kargil War, where it was instrumental in targeting and neutralizing Pakistani positions at high altitudes.

Today, it serves as a key asset for the Indian Army, deployed both along the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan and the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. Its role in modern artillery warfare continues to evolve, with ongoing development aimed at extending the range to over 100 km, and potentially beyond 200 km, to counter long-range artillery systems deployed by adversaries like China.

Future Developments

DRDO is continuously working to further enhance the capabilities of the Pinaka system. Future upgrades aim to increase its range to more than 120 km, 150 km, and even 200 km, giving the Indian Army a strategic edge in long-range artillery engagements.

As global defense demands rise, the Pinaka systems technological advancements, coupled with Indias growing defense manufacturing expertise, are set to cement its place as a leading artillery system on the world stage.
Despite the October agreement on border row and disengagement, India continues its deployment in Ladakh with forces gearing up for yet another winter. Somewhere deep, the Indian side still believes that China cannot be trusted in the hostile territory. A recent video shared by the Indian Army showed soldiers pulling a 12,000kg gun to top of a mountain at 17,800 feet height. India is also boosting its capability of cruise missiles and combat helicopters to help the army in difficult terrain like along the China and Pakistan border.

This marks the Indian Army's fifth consecutive winter deployment in Ladakh, highlighting its sustained strategic emphasis on safeguarding the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The challenging and unforgiving landscape, combined with harsh winter weather, necessitates thorough preparation and specialized gear. With temperatures plunging to -40 degrees Celsius, soldiers face freezing conditions, reduced oxygen levels, and hazardous terrains, demanding both exceptional physical strength and strong mental fortitude.

Saluting the gallant soldiers of the Indian Army, deployed in the world's harshest terrains and extreme weather conditions. Their grit and determination turn challenges into triumphs achieving the impossible. Where others struggle to survive, they thrive, moving mountains with pic.twitter.com/GtTT2XdzhN  @firefurycorps_IA (@firefurycorps) November 10, 2024

State-of-the-art weaponry and cutting-edge technology form a vital part of Indias defence strategy along the LAC. Recent visuals reveal troops armed with anti-aircraft guns, showcasing their preparedness to address aerial threats, including the rising menace of drones in contemporary warfare.

To ensure constant vigilance, the Army employs advanced surveillance tools like drones, thermal imaging devices, and satellite imagery, enabling real-time monitoring of activities along the LAC, said reports.

China's ongoing efforts to reinforce its forward military positions, along with the construction of 'permanent defences' and infrastructure across the 3,488-km LAC, strongly indicate that the PLA is getting ready for skirmishes along the LAC as they are habitual of invading the Indian territory.

According to reports, the Army continues to uphold a high state of operational readiness, repositioning troops and ensuring sufficient reserve forces and logistical support in every sector of the LAC to address potential contingencies effectively.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the Maiden Flight Test of Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha on November 12, 2024, from a mobile articulated launcher. During the pic.twitter.com/wmvDYtOFj9  ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2024

On the other hand, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been testing several advanced weapons to boost the Indian Army. Recently, DRDO conducted the Maiden Flight Test of Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha on November 12, 2024, from a mobile articulated launcher.

The induction of the 'Prachand' Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) into the Indian Army has significantly enhanced its combat capabilities. Recently, its firing drills in high-altitude, challenging terrains left everyone impressed. This helicopter is specifically designed for effective operations in difficult and inaccessible regions.

The Indian Army tested 'Prachand' for firing in high-altitude tough terrains, showcasing its precise and lethal firepower. According to military experts, the firing capabilities of 'Prachand' will further bolster the Army's strategic edge. The helicopter can operate at altitudes of up to 5,000 meters while carrying heavy weaponry and fuel. Designed especially for operations in mountainous regions, it is capable of delivering powerful aerial strikes against adversaries.

India has successfully concluded the flight trials of the guided Pinaka weapon system as part of validation exercises. These tests evaluated key Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR) parameters, including range, accuracy, consistency, and the system's ability to engage multiple targets in salvo mode, through rigorous rocket testing.
Kerala Lottery Results Friday 15-11-2024 LIVE Updates: The Kerala Lottery Department, on behalf of the Keralan government, announces the "Nirmal NR-406" Lucky Draw Result today Nirmal NR-406, November 15, 2024. The draw will be held at Gorky Bhavan near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram. The Kerala Lottery Result 2024 for "Nirmal NR-406" will feature 12 series, with changes in series possible each week. A total of 108 lakh tickets are available for purchase weekly. The ticket prices may vary. Check the Nirmal NR-406 results right here to see if youre the first-place winner of 70 Lakhs. Stay tuned to this website for the live update of Kerala Lottery Nirmal NR-406 results today.

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(For The Tickets Ending with The Following Numbers below)

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LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE: 0007 0133 0229 0301 0352 0416 0429 0621 0727 0737 0738 0795 0808 0818 0995 1004 1013 1102 1128 1143 1193 1316 1541 1547 1608 1656 1957 1974 1975 2000 2072 2090 2100 2113 2255 2288 2318 2449 2755 2767 2830 2906 2990 2993 3069 3103 3287 3421 3427 3433 3464 3529 3548 3551 3677 3692 3955 4038 4098 4198 4458 4468 4488 4505 4509 4558 4967 5078 5103 5274 5309 5337 5349 5385 5417 5545 5588 5632 5918 5945 5962 6009 6047 6056 6060 6230 6750 7041 7047 7089 7296 7303 7325 7455 7468 7498 7665 7846 7949 8032 8119 8125 8211 8273 8391 8578 8616 8665 8708 8835 8852 8975 9129 9161 9201 9202 9307 9423 9426 9470 9659 9737

KERALA LOTTERY RESULT TODAY 15-11-2024 November: NIRMAL NR-406 LOTTERY PRIZE DETAILS

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(NOTE: Lottery can be addictive and should be played responsibly. The data provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as advice or encouragement. Zee News does not promote lottery in anyway.)
Jhansi Medical College Fire: A massive fire broke out in the pediatric ward of Jhansi Medical College in Uttar Pradesh, prompting urgent evacuation efforts. Firefighters and hospital staff broke windows to rescue patients and children trapped inside. While the exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined, reports suggest that several children have sustained burn injuries while at least 10 killed due to the blaze. Multiple fire brigade vehicles are on the scene, working to bring the situation under control.

Sachin Mahor, Chief Medical Superintendent said, "There were 54 babies admitted in the NICU ward. Suddenly a fire broke out inside Oxygen concentrator, efforts to douse the fire were done but since the room was highly oxygenated, fire spread quickly. Many babies were rescued but 10 babies have died...Injured babies are undergoing treatment."

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken cognizance of the incident and expressed condolences to the families of the deceased children. He directed district officials to expedite relief efforts and ensure the injured receive prompt and adequate medical care. "The death of children in an accident that occurred in the NICU of the medical college located in Jhansi district is extremely sad and heartbreaking. The district administration and concerned officials have been instructed to carry out relief and rescue operations on a war footing. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to provide salvation to the departed souls and speedy recovery to the injured," said CM Yogi on X.

      NICU              



                   



          Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) November 15, 2024

The Chief Minister also extended his prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured and instructed the district administration and fire department to intensify rescue operations at the site.

In response to the devastating fire, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak and Principal Secretary of Health to immediately proceed to Jhansi. The CM has also instructed the Jhansi Commissioner and DIG to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and submit a detailed report within 12 hours.

Efforts are underway to ensure swift relief and rescue operations, with authorities working to address the situation and provide necessary support to affected families.
Delhi Drug Bust: The crackdown on drugs by central agencies continued in the national capital on Friday. In the latest action in the series of drug seizures, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) confiscated more than 80 kg of cocaine worth around Rs 900 crore from parts of Delhi.

Two people, residents of Delhi and Sonipat, were arrested in the case, according to news agency PTI. Giving information about action against drugs, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday asserted that the government's hunt against drug rackets will continue "ruthlessly."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweets, "The back-to-back major breakthroughs against illegal drugs in a single day demonstrate the Modi government's unwavering resolve to build a drug-free Bharat. The NCB today confiscated 82.53 kg of high-grade cocaine in New Delhi. The massive pic.twitter.com/4aRVV3wp08  ANI (@ANI) November 15, 2024

Briefing about NCBs strike against narcotics, the central agencys Deputy Director General (Northern region) Neeraj Kumar Gupta said that the "high-grade" party drug was seized from the Janakpuri and Nangloi areas of the national capital on Thursday.

The back-to-back major breakthroughs against illegal drugs in a single day demonstrate the Modi government's unwavering resolve to build a drug-free Bharat. The NCB today confiscated 82.53 kg of high-grade cocaine in New Delhi. The massive drug consignment worth approximately Rs November 15, 2024

The latest cocaine seizure came on a day when a joint operation by the NCB, the Navy, and the Gujarat ATS led to the confiscation of about 700 kg of methamphetamine along the Gujarat coast. This operation on the sea also saw the arrest of 8 Iranian nationals.

Hailing NCBs action against drugs in the national capital, Amit Shah said, "The back-to-back major breakthroughs against illegal drugs in a single day demonstrate the Modi government's unwavering resolve to build a drug-free Bharat. The NCB today confiscated 82.53 kg of high-grade cocaine in New Delhi."

The "massive" drug consignment is worth about Rs 900 crore, and it was tracked down by a "bottom-to-top approach" after a quantity of drugs was seized in a courier centre in Delhi, he stated. "Our hunt against drug rackets will continue ruthlessly," the minister further stated.

He congratulated the federal anti-narcotics agency on this major success of seizing the cocaine consignment. Gupta said the latest crackdown came after the agency worked on the "leads generated" from two earlier recoveries of the same drugs made from Delhi in March and August.

The initial recovery of cocaine (in the earlier months) was made from a courier shop in Delhi, and these drugs were meant to be sent to Australia, he said. The persons involved in the latest case of seizure of cocaine are mainly Hawala operators, and they did not know each other, the NCB officer said.

(With agencies inputs)
Islamabad: Two security personnel, including an officer, were killed in a recent terror attack in Balochistan, Pakistan publication the Dawn reported on Friday, citing officials.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces were mobilized under Major Muhammad Haseeb on Thursday in Harnai district, Balochistan, after intelligence suggested that terrorists were planning to target civilians, the Dawn reported.

During the operation, the forces engaged the terrorists, killing three of them. However, an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near the leading vehicle of the security forces, killing 28-year-old Haseeb, from Multan, and 38-year-old Havildar Noor Ahmed from Barkhan, as reported by the Dawn.

The ISPR statement stated that the Pakistani security forces, alongside the nation, remain committed to preventing attempts to destabilise Balochistan and that the deaths of those soldiers only reinforce their determination in their attempt, the Dawn reported.

In a separate incident in Ziarat's Mangi area, unidentified armed men intercepted a vehicle, abducting two individuals. Later, the victims' bodies were discovered in a hilly region near Mangi Dam, with signs of torture. The victims, identified by their national ID cards as being from Punjab, were found after locals alerted the authorities.

Levies personnel retrieved the bodies and transported them to a nearby hospital. The identities of the deceased have not yet been confirmed. Security forces have launched a search operation to apprehend those responsible for the crime.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Jamui district in Bihar on Friday, where he launched development projects worth a total of Rs 6,640 crore. The occasion marked the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, a revered tribal freedom fighter, and was celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.

Commemorating Birsa Munda

During the event, PM Modi unveiled a commemorative coin and postal stamp to honor Birsa Munda's legacy. Munda is celebrated for his role in India's tribal freedom struggle and is an iconic figure in the fight for the rights and dignity of tribal communities.

Housing for Tribal Families: Grih Pravesh Ceremony

The Prime Minister virtually participated in the Grih Pravesh ceremony for 11,000 houses built under the PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN). These houses are part of a broader initiative aimed at providing dignified living conditions for tribal families in remote areas.

Healthcare Initiatives: Mobile Medical Units (MMUs)

To enhance healthcare accessibility in remote tribal regions, PM Modi launched 23 Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) under PM-JANMAN. Additionally, 30 more MMUs were launched under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA), further strengthening the healthcare infrastructure in these underserved areas.

Education and Livelihood Support

In a bid to improve education and livelihoods for tribal communities, PM Modi inaugurated several key initiatives:

- 10 Eklavya Model Residential Schools aimed at providing quality education to tribal children.

- 300 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras, designed to promote entrepreneurship and improve livelihoods in tribal regions.

Preservation of Tribal History

The Prime Minister also inaugurated two Tribal Freedom Fighters Museums in Chhindwara and Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh), as well as two Tribal Research Institutes in Srinagar and Gangtok. These institutions will work towards preserving and documenting the history, culture, and contributions of tribal communities.

Infrastructure Development

As part of the infrastructure push, PM Modi laid the foundation stones for various key projects, including 500 km of new roads, improving connectivity in tribal areas and 100 multi-purpose community centers, which will serve as hubs for tribal communities.



Additionally, he laid the foundation for the construction of 25,000 new houses under PM-JANMAN, 1.16 lakh houses under DAJGUA, and 370 hostels for tribal students to ensure better accommodation and educational opportunities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aircraft experienced a technical issue in Deoghar, Jharkhand this afternoon. The plane will remain at the city's airport until the fault is repaired, delaying the PM's return to New Delhi. Later, the Prime Minister left on an Indian Air Force flight.

Ahead of the second phase of polling in Jharkhand on November 20, on Friday the prime Minister addressed two rallies in Jharkhand on the occasion of tribal icon Birsa Munda's anniversary, which is celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas.

He was in Jamui to attend a function marking the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, celebrated as 'Janjatiya Gaurav Divas'.

"The PM has been at the Deoghar airport for more than an hour now. What would be the alternative arrangement for his return to Delhi is being discussed," an official said, PTI reported.
Mumbai: Just five days before the November 20 state Assembly elections, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray released the party Manifesto, but with a difference, here on Friday.

Waving the inaugural copy of the new poll Manifesto, entitled 'We Will Deliver', Raj Thackeray said that all parties are promising what they will do, but the MNS is also saying how it would fulfil its promises, if elected to power.

Besides, he released a booklet on 'What We Did' in the nearly 19-year-long history of the MNS founded on March 9, 2006, after Raj Thackeray had quit the (undivided) Shiv Sena.

Several points included in our Manifesto are picked up from our 'Blueprint for Maharashtra' released in September 2014. Ten years later, the issues are the same, the peoples' problems remain the same and we continue discussing them even today, said Raj Thackeray.

The MNS Manifesto speaks of four different phases that would cover all aspects of the state and its people, he added. The first phase will include all basic needs, quality of life, adequate food and water, law and order, women's security, sports, childcare, primary education and jobs.

The second phase comprises communication, electricity, water planning, networking of cities across Maharashtra, solid waste management, sanitation, open spaces, environment, and biodiversity.

The third phase will encompass a state industrial policy, trade policy, administration and industrial control, agriculture, tourism and vocational education.

The fourth phase will cover the Marathi pride, identity, promotion of Marathi language, Marathi in daily use and in business, Marathi in the digital world, and in global business, preservation of historic forts and monuments, plus traditional sports, etc.

Fielding media questions, Raj Thackeray conceded that the ruling MahaYuti's 'Ladki Bahin' scheme of Rs 1,500/month is good as the women are getting some money but cautioned that there should not be hurdles in the future.

Taking a swipe at his cousin, former CM and Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray, the MNS chief said that instead of building temples in memory of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, we need more temples of learning (schools-colleges).

In a sharp observation of the prevailing political scenario in the state with defections, party-hopping, break-down of parties, etc, Raj Thackeray said that this is the most unusual election ever in the state's history -- in which the MNS is contesting around 128 seats, the highest among all political parties in the MahaYuti and Maha Vikas Aghadi alliances.

If someone is here today, he will be there tomorrow Nobody knows who is where or with whom. The people should bear in mind that those who they voted for last time (2019), where they are today. What's the value of your vote when someone's here today and elsewhere tomorrow, said an irked Raj Thackeray.

Touching upon the jobs crisis confronted by the youth, the MNS chief said, There are many employment opportunities available in this state, but our own boys and girls are ignorant about them or lack knowledge of how to go about getting jobs, and hence 'outsiders' bag these jobs depriving our people. The reference was to the MNS' past campaigns targeting 'outsiders' mostly from north India, who - the party claimed - were cornering all jobs that the Maharashtrian youth were entitled to.

He said that the state was always at the top in global investments and demanded that whenever investments come from anywhere in the world, Maharashtra must get priority.
Mumbai: As the 'Batenge toh Katenge' slogan has taken centre stage in the Maharashtra assembly polls, Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar said that he does not endorse the slogan and backed PM Modi's 'Ek hai toh Safe hai" slogan.

The slogan has been widely condemned by the opposition leaders, claiming communal overtones in it.

"I have expressed my disagreement on this (Batenge toh Katenge) in a public rally and media interviews. Some BJP leaders have also expressed the same. 'Sabka saath, Sabka vikas' means together with all, development for all...Now, 'Ek hain toh safe hain...I see it from this angle," Ajit Pawar said in an interview with ANI.

Expressing his displeasure with the slogan he said, "We immediately said that this is not Uttar Pradesh, it must be going on in the North, not in our Maharashtra."

Earlier, in an interview with ANI, BJP leader Fadnavis, who is in alliance with Ajit PAwar's NCP under Mahayuti banner said that there is nothing wrong with the slogan.

"I don't see anything wrong in Yogi ji's slogans. Look at the history of this country. Jab Jab bate hai tab gulam bane hai. Whenever this country was divided into castes, into states, divided into communities society we became slaves. The country was also divided, and so were the people. That's why if we divide, we will be cut. This is the history of this country," Fadnavis said in an interview with ANI.

"And I don't understand that if someone says don't divide, then what is the point of objecting to this?" he added.

The campaigning has intensified for the 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra, with both the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) making efforts to woo the electorate. The Maharashtra assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, and counting will be held on November 23.

Ajit Pawar further highlighted the campaign ahead of state assembly polls on November 20 said that his party's intention is to get as many votes for the Mahayuti alliance.

"I am a member of the alliance and we are involved in it. Our intention is to win as many votes as possible for Mahayuti, and we are going according to that," he added.

"The work we have done, the plans we have brought, you must have seen that in about 2-3 months, I am going to Maharashtra through Janh Samman Yatra........ we have only one goal, the Mahayuti government should come back," the NCP leader stated.
New Delhi: At the recent music launch for his upcoming film I Want to Talk, Abhishek Bachchan opened up about the transformative experience of playing a character with a significantly different physical appearance. Pointing to a movie poster featuring himself with a noticeable belly, Abhishek humorously remarked, Im not in this shape anymore. But its been a learning experience. Its been life-changing. And I hope that weve managed to make a bit of a difference to your two, three hours that you spend in the cinema or watching the film.

The actor, known for his versatility, candidly shared the disadvantages of gaining weight for a film role, Dont ever put on weight for a film again. Trust me, at my age, it gets very difficult to lose it after a while, he joked. However, Abhishek also emphasized the importance of embracing different experiences and trying something new, particularly in his collaboration with director Shoojit Sircar.

What Id like to thank Shoojit Da for is, and I hope you all can find some sort of parallel in your own life, you know, were all stuck in the rut of life," the actor continued. "Were doing what were doing, were enjoying it. Some of us have got a corporate job, some of us are artists, some of us do whatever we do. Life dictates to you what you should be doing and how you should be doing it.

Reflecting on the creative process, the actor expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to break out of his routine. Whats nice about working with Shoojit Da and doing a film like this is once in a while you can just talk and say, Hey, you know, I can do something different and maybe I should try something different. And when that works out for you, theres nothing more rewarding.

I Want to Talk is directed by Shoojit Sircar and produced by Ronnie Lahiri and Sircar under Rising Sun Films. The film features Abhishek Bachchan in a lead role alongside Johnny Lever in a pivotal role. The film is scheduled to release in cinemas on November 22, 2024.
New Delhi: As the nation celebrates Guru Nanak Jayanti, actor Lakshay Khurana, who plays Aditya in Sun Neos show Ishq Jabariya, opens up about his personal connection to the festival and his cherished childhood memories. For Khurana, the occasion is a time to reconnect with his spiritual roots and honor longstanding family traditions.

In a heartfelt conversation, the actor fondly recalled his younger years, when he would visit the gurudwara with his mother for langar seva, "On Guru Nanak Jayanti, I look forward to visiting the gurudwara for prayers. Its a beautiful day for us, and my wife will be making khada prashad at home, which is my absolute favourite. I have so many cherished memories from this festival. When I was a child, I would go to the gurudwara with my mother for langar seva, and I enjoyed every moment of it."

Reflecting on a particularly memorable experience, Lakshay shared, One year, we were fortunate to visit the Golden Temple for Guru Nanak Jayanti, and I was truly mesmerized by the beautiful decorations. The experience of having langar there is unforgettableit was simply the best.Alongside his spiritual observances, Lakshay continues to captivate audiences with his role in Ishq Jabariya, airing every Monday to Saturday at 7:30 PM on Sun Neo. The show, which tells the heartwarming love story of Gulki, an ambitious young woman, features a talented cast including Kamya Panjabi, Siddhi Sharma, and Lakshay Khurana.

For fans of both Ishq Jabariya and the spirit of Guru Nanak Jayanti, Lakshays reflections offer a poignant reminder of the importance of family, faith, and tradition. Tune in to Sun Neo at 7:30 PM to catch the latest episode of Ishq Jabariya.
New Delhi: The application window for PM Internship Scheme 2024 offering Rs 5,000 monthly stipend ends today (15 November 2024). Prime Ministers Internship Scheme (PMIS), was launched as part of the 2024 Union Budget. With a goal of providing internships to 10 million youth over the next five years, this scheme represents a transformative approach to bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical industry skills.

Under the leadership of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, the PMIS aims to place young individuals in 12-month internships with Indias top 500 companies, offering them hands-on exposure to real-world business environments.

PM Internship Scheme 2024 Registration Or Application Fees?

Candidates should know that there are no registration or application fees to apply for the PM Internship Scheme.

Monetary Assistance Under PM Internship Scheme 2024

This PM Internship Scheme operates independently from other existing skill development programs, focusing on enhancing employability through practical experience. The initiative offers a Rs 5,000 monthly stipend, with support from both the government and corporate sectors through CSR funds, ensuring that interns from diverse backgrounds can participate. Additionally, the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) model, which includes a one-time Rs Rs 6,000 grant for incidental expenses and comprehensive insurance coverage, makes the scheme financially accessible to a wider audience.

Eligibility To Apply For PM Internship Scheme

To apply for the Scheme, candidates should have passed high school or higher secondary school, have a certificate from an ITI, hold a diploma from a Polytechnic Institute, or must be graduates with degrees such as BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BCA, BBA, B.Pharma, etc.

Where To Apply For Apply For PM Internship Scheme

Candidates can register themselves on the portal through https://pminternship.mca.gov.in.

Schemes Launched By Government For Skilling Indian Youth

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has spearheaded multiple initiatives under the Skill India Mission to enhance employability and skill development. Key programs include the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), offering short-term skill training, and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras (PMKK), which standardize quality training across India. Other initiatives like Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) target non-literate and rural populations, while the Pradhan Mantri YUVA Yojana promotes entrepreneurship. The launch of Skill India Digital (SID) introduces AI-driven tools for job matching and continuous learning.

Additionally, the PM Vishwakarma Yojana supports traditional artisans by modernizing their skills and integrating them into global markets, ensuring sustainable livelihoods. Together, these initiatives are shaping a more skilled and employable workforce in India.
New Delhi: Telugu cinema fans have reason to celebrate as Pragya Jaiswal is set to star as the lead actress in the highly anticipated film NBK 109. Following her successful collaboration with Nandamuri Balakrishna in Akhanda, where their on-screen chemistry was widely appreciated, NBK 109 marks their second outing together, sparking even greater excitement among fans. Directed by Bobby Kolli and produced by Naga Vamsi, the film is expected to be an action-packed drama featuring Bollywood actor Bobby Deol as the antagonist.

Pragya Jaiswals casting in NBK 109 is another milestone in her flourishing career. Known for her dynamic presence in Telugu cinema, she has become a recognized Pan-India star, with notable hits such as Akhanda and Kanche. Her performance in Akhanda not only earned her critical acclaim but also contributed to the film's status as one of the highest-grossing films of her career. As she joins NBK 109, anticipation for her role has only grown, adding to the buzz surrounding the film.

In addition to NBK 109, Pragya is expanding her career across industries. She recently made her Bollywood debut in Khel Khel Mein, starring alongside Akshay Kumar, Taapsee Pannu, and others. With her versatility and proven track record of working alongside top stars, Pragya is poised to continue captivating audiences and further solidifying her place as a leading actress in Indian cinema.
Tel Aviv: Israeli agency COGAT (Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories: Judea and Samaria and towards the Gaza Strip) on Friday said they facilitated 1,000 units of blood in Gaza in coordination with an international organisation. COGAT said the blood units were designated for the Nasser Hospital in Southern Gaza.

In a post on X, COGAT said, "1,000 units of blood entered Gaza yesterday (Nov 14) in coordination with an international organization. The blood units are designated for the Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, to support hospital operations and ongoing treatments. Over the last few months, over 6,000 units of blood were facilitated into Gaza. We continuously facilitate medical and humanitarian responses for the civilian population in Gaza."

Shimon Freedman, the International Spokesperson for COGAT, said, "The IDF through COGAT is continuing to expand our capacity to facilitate humanitarian aid to all parts of the Gaza Strip. Over the past several weeks, extensive efforts have been made to establish a new, 5th crossing between Israel and Gaza- the Kissufim crossing. The preparations included paving roads on both- the Israeli and Gazab side of the border, to ease the entry and increase the flow of aid to Southern Gaza and the humanitarian zone. Today the first convoy of trucks carrying food, water, medical supplies and shelter equipment entered through the new Kissufim crossing. Following the successful pilot, we will be expanding the amount of trucks per convoy in the coming days. The opening of the case of crossing is a part of Israel ongoing commitment to facilitating the entry of aid to whenever it is needed, because we know that our war is with Hamas, not the people of Gaza."

On November 12, the Kissufim crossing was opened by COGAT. In a post on X, it stated, "A new humanitarian aid crossing Into Gaza - the Kissufim crossing - started operating today. This is part of our effort and commitment to increase the volume and routes of aid to Gaza. The aid enters Gaza after security checks at the Kerem Shalom Crossing."

Kissufim is a small border crossing into southern Gaza near Kibbutz Kissufim, one of the sites attacked by Hamas in its terror assault on Israel on October 7, 2023 that sparked the crisis, VOA reported.

The opening came as the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in a letter delivered on October 13 gave Israel 30 days to boost its humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza or face the possibility of cuts in US military aid, as per VOA. The letter called for Israel to enable a minimum of 350 trucks a day to enter Gaza through four crossings and to open a fifth humanitarian entry point.
As reported by The Economist, When Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election, he was a former TV star, not yet a former president. He handled the White House transition in a way that felt like he was putting on a season of his reality show, "The Apprentice." His approach to organizing the shift into office seemed more like producing a show than following typical government processes, emphasizing dramatic moments and high-profile decisions.

People interested in joining Trumps cabinet (in 2016) visited Trump Tower in New York, passing by TV cameras as they entered. This selection process was lengthy and had a bit of a showbiz feel, with notable appearances from celebrities like Kanye West.

Kanye West, a well-known rapper and music producer, rose to fame in the early 2000s. Hes also recognized for his ventures in fashion and outspoken personality. Although he met with Trump in 2016, Kanye was never part of Trumps cabinet and has held no government position.

This time around, Trump is running a more controlled process, making decisions from his Mar-a-Lago estate, away from the cameras. Hes announcing his picks more quickly, often on social media. However, the results arent necessarily more stable or reasonable.

Mar-a-Lago is a private estate and club in Palm Beach, Florida, owned by Donald Trump. Originally built in the 1920s, it serves as both a luxury resort and Trumps personal residence. The property has gained attention as a place where Trump often conducts political meetings and makes public announcements.

Pete Hegseth

One of the most surprising decisions happened within just 24 hours. On November 12, Trump announced that Pete Hegseth, a Fox News commentator with a background in the National Guard, would be appointed as Defense Secretary.

The National Guard is a reserve military force in the United States that operates at both the state and federal levels. Members serve part-time, usually training one weekend a month and two weeks a year, and can be called upon to assist in emergencies, such as natural disasters, or for military missions overseas.

Hegseth is one of the few who stood by Trumps remark in 2017, saying there were fine people on both sides during protests over a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The rally, called Unite the Right, was organized by white nationalist groups opposing the removal of a Confederate statue (a monument honoring leaders from the southern states that fought to keep slavery in the U.S. Civil War), sparking violent clashes with counter-protesters that led to a death and many injuries.

He is focused on the issue of wokeness (an awareness of social issues like inequality and discrimination) in the military but lacks any government experience.

Tulsi Gabbard

Trump also announced that Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democrat who became a Republican and has supported conspiracy theories, would be the Director of National Intelligence. Gabbard, known for her independent views, even met with Syrias dictator Bashar al-Assad and stated he was not the enemy of the United States.

According to TOI, Tulsi Gabbard, now 43, began her political career at 21 in Hawaii's House of Representatives. She was the youngest woman elected to Hawaii's legislature and the first Hindu member, taking her oath on the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Hindu scripture.

Interestingly, although Tulsi Gabbard is a Hindu American, she doesnt have Indian ancestry. She was born in American Samoa and grew up in Hawaii. Her parents are Mike Gabbard, a Hawaii State Senator, and Carol Porter Gabbard, who was born in Indiana (in the United States) and raised in Michigan.

Inspired by her mother, Carol Porter Gabbard, who was a practicing Hindu and a former member of the Hawai'i State Board of Education, Tulsi Gabbard began practicing Hinduism in her teenage years, according to Pacific Edge media. Tulsi's father, Mike Gabbard, who was originally a Roman Catholic, also embraced Hinduism later in life, as reported.

Matt Gaetz

According to The Economist, things got worse when Trump chose Matt Gaetz, a bold and attention-grabbing congressman from Florida, to be his Attorney General.

The FBI, which falls under the attorney generals supervision, had investigated accusations that Matt Gaetz was involved in sex trafficking a minor. Although no charges were filed, Matt Gaetz was later investigated by the House Ethics Committee. He denies any wrongdoing. He is a strong supporter of Trump, and last year, he declared that if the FBI and other agencies don't follow orders, they should be shut down or have their funding taken away.

Trump's Unconventional Choices May Backfire

These are all important roles where Mr. Trump felt he had been let down before. His previous attorneys-general acted too independently, not like his personal advisors. Top intelligence officials angered him by investigating his connections to Russia. His past defense secretaries and senior generals blocked his ideas.

With these choices, Mr. Trump shows that he wont tolerate any disagreement this time. Anyone seen as disloyal or having views that don't align with his own is not welcome.

These unusual choices may have trouble getting approved by the Senate, even with a Republican majority. Maybe thats exactly what Mr. Trump wants.It would only take four Republican senators to reject these picks, but rejecting all three would be an unusually bold move.

The United States Senate has a total of 100 members, with each state having two senators, regardless of its population.

Trump's Appointments Reflecting New Foreign Policy Focus

Trumps other appointments, for departments where he doesn't feel personally betrayed, are more typical and conventional.

Marco Rubio

Marco Rubio, a senator from Florida, has been chosen as Secretary of State. This would be a reassuring choice for America's allies (countries and nations that have strong partnerships and cooperative relationships with the United States).

The Secretary of State is the U.S. government's top official responsible for managing foreign relations, handling diplomatic matters, and representing the country in dealings with other nations.

Rubio supported a bill that made it more difficult for the president to pull the U.S. out of NATO. As the Republican Party changed, he also shifted, backing Trumps views but keeping some of his own.

He has spoken in support of Ukraine, though he voted against the latest bill to send it weapons, saying that border security should be a priority. Mr. Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, has a strong anti-communist stance that is now focused on China.

An anti-communist stance means strongly opposing communism, a political system where the government controls everything. People with this view believe communism harms individual freedom and economic growth.

Other foreign-policy appointments share similar views and qualifications.

Mike Waltz & J.D. Vance

Mike Waltz, a former congressman from Florida, is set to become the National Security Adviser. Like Senator Marco Rubio, he supports the "prioritizers" (those who believe the U.S. should focus on more urgent threats, like

China, and reduce involvement elsewhere) in the MAGA movement (the political movement led by Donald Trump, standing for "Make America Great Again"), including incoming Vice President J.D. Vance. They argue that to properly address the threat from China, the U.S. should scale back its commitments to European security and its support for Ukraine.

Elise Stefanik

Elise Stefanik, a congresswoman from New York, has been chosen to be the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, making her the sixth woman in a row to hold this role. She is known for being one of Donald Trumps strongest supporters in Congress. Stefanik gained attention for her tough questioning of college presidents during hearings on antisemitism (hostility or prejudice against Jewish people) at universities.

So, Elise Stefanik has the right experience for a government that is cautious or doubtful about working closely with other countries through big international organizations, like the United Nations.

Department of Governmental Efficiency: Serious or Not

Elon Musk & Vivek Ramaswamy

Then there are the more unusual appointments, for positions in departments that haven't been created yet.

Trump revealed that he would appoint Elon Musk, the worlds richest person, to lead a new commission alongside Vivek Ramaswamy, a businessman and former Republican candidate. Their goal would be to reduce government waste and simplify regulations (or cut red tapisim).

Elon Musk has mentioned a goal he calls the "Department of Governmental Efficiency" (Doge). It's unclear how serious he is about this idea, as he named it after Dogecoin, a cryptocurrency that started as a joke and is one of his favorites.

The plan to cut $2 trillion from federal spending, which is nearly one-third of the entire budget, is quite ambitious. However, it conflicts with Donald Trumps promise to protect Social Security and Medicare and to avoid raising the retirement age. Elon Musk has voiced support for these massive cuts, but making them a reality would be difficult without affecting these key programs.

Even before Congress gets involved, its clear that this new cabinet will look very different from Donald Trump's first one. In his first term, former Vice President Mike Pence played a key role in selecting cabinet members, many of whom were traditional Reagan-era Republicans.

They competed for power with Trump loyalists who dismissed traditional conservative values like small government, strong international alliances, and free trade.

The fight for power wasnt always clear, and both groups had some successes. One former Trump adviser said Trump was more of a moderate in the MAGA movement. But now, the hardcore supporters are in charge.

(Girish Linganna is a Defence and Aerospace Analyst based out of Bengaluru. He is also the Director of ADD Engineering Components, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. The views expressed in this article are of the author only.)
A Pakistani Hindu pilgrim, who was going to attend 555th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev in Nankana Sahib, was shot dead by robbers, police said on Friday.

A native of Larkana city of Sindh province, Rajesh Kumar was going to Nankana Sahib from Lahore by a car along with his friend and a brother-in-law when three robbers intercepted them on the Mananwala-Nankana Sahib Road, some 60 kms from Lahore.

The gunmen snatched PKR 4,50,000 from the trio and also PKR 10,000 from the driver. After Kumar resisted, the robbers opened fire on him and fled, police said.

After the robbery and firing incident on Wednesday night, Kumar was shifted to a hospital in critical condition, where he succumbed to his injuries on Thursday.

A case has been registered against unidentified men on the complaint of Kumar's brother-in-law under relevant sections of the Pakistan Penal Code.

On Friday, the main event of Baba Guru Nanak birth anniversary was held in Gurdwara Janamsthan Nankana Sahib, in which over 2,500 Sikhs from India and a good number of local and foreign pilgrims participated.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) On Thursday night, Israel Air Force fighter jets, operating under the guidance of the IDF's Intelligence Division, targeted and struck weapons storage facilities belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization in the Dahieh neighbourhood of Beirut.

All of the targeted terrorist infrastructure was situated in the centre of a civilian area.

"This is another example of the cynical exploitation of the terrorist organization Hezbollah of Lebanese citizens, who are used as human shields in the city centres," IDF said, adding, "This attack is another part of the ongoing effort to damage the infrastructure of the terrorist organization Hezbollah in the Beirut area."

Before the attack, the IDF took numerous measures to minimize the risk of civilian casualties, including issuing advance warnings to the residents of the area.

(With ANI Inputs)
Iran's government has announced plans to open a controversial new facility aimed at 'treating' women who defy the country's compulsory hijab mandate. This move has sparked outrage among human rights activists and women across the country, who see it as a further escalation in the regime's crackdown on women's freedoms.

The clinic, which is positioned as a "treatment center," will reportedly offer psychological and scientific counseling to women who choose to remove their hijabs or fail to comply with the law.

Governments Announcement of the Hijab Removal Treatment Clinic

The announcement came from Mehri Talebi Darestani, head of the Women and Family Department at Tehrans Headquarters for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. Talebi revealed plans for a new facility that would provide "scientific and psychological treatment" to women who remove their hijabs or choose not to wear one in public.

While the Iranian authorities have framed the facility as a voluntary space for women, Talebi emphasized that it would specifically target young women, teenagers, and those struggling with their "social and Islamic identity." According to the regime, the center would serve as a way to address issues of "psychological treatment for hijab removal."

The facility will be presented as an alternative for women, especially young adults, to "reconnect" with Islamic dress codes and social norms, Talebi stated. However, the language of the announcement and its broader context have raised concerns that this initiative could be more of a coercive tool than a voluntary treatment option.

Controversy and Public Backlash

The news has been met with widespread condemnation. Critics argue that the facility will serve as a prison-like institution, where women are subjected to forced psychological interventions in a bid to enforce the government's strict dress code.

"It wont be a clinic, it will be a prison," one Iranian woman told The Guardian. "We are struggling to make ends meet and have power outages, but a piece of cloth is what this state is worried about." She urged fellow women to return to the streets in protest, warning that failure to act now could lead to widespread detention.

This announcement follows the case of a university student who was arrested for removing her clothing on campus in a protest against harassment from the morality police, who had previously targeted her for violating the hijab law.

After the incident, the student was reportedly transferred to a psychiatric hospital, reinforcing fears that the regime is increasingly pathologizing women's resistance to the hijab mandate.

The new clinic is a direct extension of the Tehran Headquarters for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, an institution responsible for overseeing Iran's adherence to Islamic law and enforcing public morality, particularly in relation to women's dress.

The group operates under the authority of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and plays a pivotal role in regulating and enforcing the hijab mandate.

This initiative comes at a time of heightened unrest in Iran, particularly after the 'Woman, Life, Freedom' protests erupted in late 2022. These protests, sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in the custody of the morality police, have become a symbol of defiance against the state's oppressive policies.

Women, in particular, have been at the forefront of the protests, demanding the right to control their own bodies and reject the forced hijab law.
Sri Lankas newly elected Marxist-leaning President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has secured a parliamentary majority, official election results confirmed on Friday, reported AP. The victory grants Dissanayakes party a strong mandate to push forward his economic revival agenda.

According to the Election Commissions partial results, Dissanayakes National Peoples Power Party secured at least 123 seats out of the 225 seats in parliament. While the opposition party Samagi Jana Balawegaya, also known as the United People's Power Party, led by Sajith Premedasa, managed just 31 seats.

Elected on September 21, Sri Lankas President Anura Kumara Dissanayake won amid widespread dissatisfaction with traditional political parties that have led the country since independence in 1948.

While he received only 42% of the vote, raising doubts about his party's performance in the upcoming parliamentary elections, his partys support surged soon after he took office. In a surprising shift in Sri Lanka's political landscape, Dissanayakes party not only won in the Jaffna districtan ethnic Tamil stronghold in the northbut also gained significant support in other minority-dominated areas.

The victory in Jaffna deals a significant blow to traditional Tamil parties that have held sway in the region since Sri Lanka's independence.

In Sri Lankas 225-member parliament, 196 seats are contested under a proportional representation system, where districts allocate seats to parties based on their share of the votes. The remaining 29 seats, known as national list seats, are distributed to parties and independent groups based on their overall vote percentage across the country.

(With AP inputs)
In a concerning development for air quality across South Asia, several cities in northern India and Pakistan are facing alarming levels of air pollution this November. Lahore, the capital city of Pakistans Punjab province, has recorded the highest air pollution levels globally, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring to nearly 1600 on Friday.

The hazardous air quality continues to pose serious health risks to residents, triggering emergency measures across the region.

Lahore Hits Record AQI Levels

On Friday morning, the CERP Office area in Lahore reported an AQI of 1587, according to Swiss-based monitoring organization IQAir. In total, four different areas of Lahore had AQI readings above 1000, with Syed Maratib Ali Road, Pakistan Engineering Services Offices, and VTS also experiencing severe air pollution.

An AQI reading of 1600 is considered extremely hazardous, posing a risk to everyone, even those in good health, and significantly increasing the risk of respiratory issues.

The average AQI for Lahore on Thursday stood at 1300, making it the worlds most polluted city for most of November 2024. Despite efforts by the government to combat the rising pollution levels, the situation has only worsened, with the AQI gradually increasing every day.

Health Crisis: Respiratory Infections Surge

The hazardous air quality in Lahore has taken a severe toll on public health. In just a 24-hour period, over 15,000 cases of respiratory and viral infections were reported. As visibility continues to diminish due to thick smog, local hospitals are overwhelmed with patients suffering from conditions aggravated by air pollution.

The health crisis has led to a dramatic increase in the number of people seeking treatment, with over 70,000 individuals visiting clinics daily for smog-related issues across Pakistan.

Emergency Measures to Tackle Air Pollution

To protect public health, the local government in Lahore has taken several drastic measures. Schools, parks, and museums have been shut down until the end of the week, and offices have been instructed to operate at reduced capacity. Authorities have also mandated the use of face masks in public spaces and are considering further restrictions if the air quality does not improve.

In response to the ongoing air pollution, the Pakistani government has announced a temporary ban on weddings for the next three months, aimed at reducing outdoor celebrations and the pollution associated with them.

Additionally, the transport department has issued new guidelines to curb emissions from vehicles, and the Punjab provincial government has closed schools and colleges for the time being.

Causes of the Smog Crisis

The air pollution crisis in Lahore and other Pakistani cities is largely due to a combination of factors. High emissions from vehicles, industrial activities, and construction work contribute significantly to the smog. However, the problem worsens in winter, as crop burningespecially from wheat plantingreleases vast amounts of particulate matter into the air.

This yearly cycle of pollution and smog has become a major environmental issue for Pakistan, with the winter months seeing a sharp rise in airborne toxins. The dense blanket of smog drastically reduces visibility and worsens air quality, leading to increased health risks and environmental degradation.
US President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday picked anti-vaccine activist Robert F Kennedy Jr as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), reported AP. The nomination for this top Cabinet position is subject to confirmation by the US Senate. RFK is known for his controversial public health views, his new role will now be responsible for overseeing drug and vaccine safety, food regulations, medical research, and social welfare programs. However, the US Senate must approve the nomination for this high-level Cabinet position.

"I am thrilled to announce Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS)," Trump said in a post on X. "Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!," he added.

On the contrary, Washington Senator Patty Murray, the Senate's third-ranking Democrat, warned that confirming Kennedy would be nothing short of a disaster for the health of millions of families, reported AP.

Robert F Kennedys Key Stances On Healthcare Subject:

Kennedy Jr., nephew of the 35th US President John F. Kennedy, is the founder of the Waterkeeper Alliance, the worlds largest organization focused on clean water advocacy, where he also served as chairman and attorney for many years. RFK Jr. is known as one of the worlds leading anti-vaccine activists. He has promoted the discredited belief that vaccines cause autism, even calling vaccines a holocaust, and has spread misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic globally. Kennedy has also recommended removing fluoride from drinking water, despite fluoride levels being regulated by state and local governments. Additionally, he has taken strong stances against processed foods and herbicides like Roundup and has been a vocal critic of large commercial farms and factory-style animal operations. He advocates for ending the revolving door between government agencies and the pharmaceutical industry, where employees move between the two sectors. He has also proposed firing 600 employees from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which oversees vaccine research, and replacing them with new personnel. Trump highlighted that protecting Americans' safety and health is a top priority for any administration, noting that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will be crucial in safeguarding people from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, drugs, and food additives contributing to the nations severe health crisis. "For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health," Trumps post read.

(With AP inputs)
China has built a land-based test version of a nuclear reactor for a large warship. The development is the clearest sign yet that Beijing is moving toward producing the countrys first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. This information comes from a new study of satellite imagery and Chinese government documents provided to the Associated Press.

Why is this development important?

There has long been talk that China is planning to build a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. But the recent research by the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California is the first to confirm the country is working on a nuclear-powered movement system for a carrier-sized surface warship.

Chinas navy is already the worlds largest in terms of numbers.

China's navy has also been developing quickly. Adding nuclear-powered carriers to its fleet would be a major step in realizing its hopes for a force capable of operating around the globe.

Nuclear carriers take longer to build than conventional carriers.

But once nuclear carriers are in operation, they are able to stay at sea for much longer because they do not need to refuel. In addition, there is more room on board for fuel and weapons for aircraft. Nuclear carriers are also able to produce more power to run advanced systems.

Right now, only the United States and France have nuclear-powered carriers. The U.S. has 11 in total, which permits it to keep multiple strike groups deployed around the world at all times, including in the Indo-Pacific area.

But the Pentagon is increasingly concerned about Chinas modernization of its fleet, including the design and building of new carriers.

China currently has three carriers, including the new Type 003 Fujian, which was the first both designed and built by China. Officials have said work is already underway on a fourth ship.

But the government has not announced whether that ship will be nuclear or conventionally powered.

How did the researchers arrive at their conclusion?

Middlebury researchers were at first investigating a mountain site outside the city of Leshan in the southwest Chinese province of Sichuan. They had suspicions that China was building a reactor to produce radioactive materials such as plutonium or tritium for weapons. Instead, the researchers said they determined that China was building a test version of a reactor for a large warship.

A number of sources, including satellite images, project tenders, employee files, and environmental impact studies, led researchers to their conclusion.

The reactor is housed in a new structure built at the site known as Base 909, which is under the control of the Nuclear Power Institute of China.

Documents show that Chinas 701 Institute, which is responsible for aircraft carrier development, got reactor equipment meant for installation on a large surface warship.

The projects national defense designation also helped lead to the conclusion the sizeable reactor is a test version for a next-generation aircraft carrier.

What does China say?

Chinese President Xi Jinping has tasked defense officials with building a first-class navy and becoming a naval power as part of his plan for the country.

Chinas most recent white paper on national defense, dated 2019, said the Chinese navy was changing due to strategic requirements. The goal was to speed up the transition of its tasks from defense on the near seas to protection missions on the far seas.

Im Mario Ritter, Jr.

David Rising and Didi Tang reported on this story for the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English.

________________________________________________

Words in This Story

conventional  adj. of traditional design

advanced  adj. greatly developed beyond an early stage

tender  n. an invitation to present an offer or bid (for a project)

install  v. to set up for use or service

transition  n. a change or shift from one state or place to another
In 1781, German-born British astronomer William Herschel made Uranus the first planet discovered with a telescope. But, 243 years later, we still do not know much about this cold planet, the third largest in our solar system. And some of what we thought we knew about it turns out to be untrue.

Much of the knowledge about Uranus was collected when NASA's robotic spacecraft Voyager 2 flew past it in 1986. But scientists have since learned that the craft visited at a time of unusual conditions. An intense solar wind event at the time led to misleading observations about Uranus, and especially its magnetic field.

Observations in a solar wind event

The solar wind is a high-speed flow of charged particles coming from the sun. The researchers took a second look at eight months of data from around the time of Voyager 2's visit and found that it flew near Uranus just a few days after the solar wind had reduced the planet's magnetosphere to about 20 percent of its usual size.

A magnetosphere is an area of space surrounding a planet that is controlled by the planet's magnetic field. The magnetosphere protects the planet from solar and cosmic particle radiation.

The Voyager 2 observations led scientists to think Uranus magnetosphere lacked in plasma and had very intense belts of highly energetic electrons.

Plasma is often called the fourth state of matter after solids, liquids and gases. In the night sky, plasma gives out light in the form of stars, nebulas, and even the auroras above the north and south poles. Plasma is a common feature in the magnetosphere of other planets, so scientists did not understand why there would not be much of it observed around Uranus.

Jamie Jasinski studies space plasma at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He is the lead writer of the study published recently in the publication Nature Astronomy.

"We found that the solar wind conditions present during the flyby only occur 4 percent of the time. The flyby occurred during the maximum peak solar wind intensity in that entire eight-month period," Jasinski said. "We would have observed a much bigger magnetosphere if Voyager 2 had arrived a week earlier.

Such a visit would likely have shown that the Uranus magnetosphere is like those of Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune, the solar system's other large planets, the researchers said.

Future exploration

Uranus looks blue green because of the methane contained in its atmosphere. The planet is big enough to fit 63 Earths inside it. Among the solar system's eight planets, only Jupiter and Saturn are larger.

Uranus orbits almost 20 times further from the sun than Earth does. And it has 28 known moons and two sets of rings.

Data collected by Voyager 2 had suggested that its two largest moons - Titania and Oberon - often orbit outside the magnetosphere. But the new study shows that they usually stay inside the protective space, making it easier for scientists to magnetically detect possible subsurface oceans.

"Both are thought to be prime candidates for hosting liquid water oceans in the Uranian system," Jet Propulsion Laboratory planetary scientist and study co-writer Corey Cochrane said.

Scientists want to learn whether subsurface oceans on moons in the outer solar system have conditions that could support life. So, on October 14, NASA launched a spacecraft on a mission to Jupiter's moon Europa to try to answer that question.

"A future mission to Uranus is crucial to understanding not only the planet and magnetosphere, but also its atmosphere, rings and moons," Jasinski said.

Im Caty Weaver.

Will Dunham reported this story for Reuters. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English.

___________________________________________

Words in This Story

nebula  n. a cloud of gas or dust in space that can sometimes be seen at night

aurora (_ borealis, or Northern Lights)  n. large areas of green, red, blue, or yellow light that sometimes appear in the night sky in far northern regions

occur  v. to happen

peak  adj. at the highest point or level

detect  v. to discover or notice the presence of (something that is hidden or hard to see, hear, taste, etc.)

prime  adj. most important

crucial  adj. very important

What do you think of this story? Write to us in the Comments Section.
Cookie banners have become a pervasive feature of the modern web, frustrating users who seek a seamless browsing experience. In Europe, consent banners are mandated by an old directive from 2002, the ePrivacy Directive 2002/58, which requires websites to obtain informed consent before storing or accessing information on users devices. While the intention behind these regulations is to enhance privacy protection, the actual impact on user privacy is insignificant, as most cookie banners are used to facilitate web analytics, understand user behavior, manage ad efficiency, or keyword traffic. Moreover, actively tracking a user beyond their visit to a website is difficult or borderline impossible for website owners, as it would require a court order.

Understanding the true cost of these consent prompts in the European economy is therefore necessary. Our calculations reveal that collectively, Europeans spend over 575 million hours annually on consent prompts. At a time when the European economy faces significant challenges in competitiveness compared to the US and China as recently highlighted by President Macron, it is crucial to examine the data and the legal framework that underpins these requirements.

The Productivity Cost of Cookie Banners

To grasp the profound impact of cookie banners on European productivity and the economy, we need to break down the calculations. Starting with the total population of the European Union in 2024, which is approximately 449.2 million people, we assume an internet penetration rate of around 90%, resulting in 404.28 million internet users.

On average, a user visits about 100 websites per month, totaling 1,200 websites per year. With about 85% of these websites displaying a cookie banner, a user will encounter about 1,020 cookie banners every year. Assuming it takes an average of 5 seconds per interaction with a cookie banner, this amounts to 5,100 seconds per year per user, or roughly 1.42 hours per year.

Multiplying this by the total number of internet users in the EU, we reach the following total time: 404.28 million users  1.42 hours/year  575 million hours/year.

Below is an estimated distribution based on population and internet usage rates:

Country Population (millions) Internet Users (millions) Annual Hours Spent (millions) Total Cost ( Billion) Germany 84 75.6 107.35 2.68 France 68 61.2 86.85 2.17 Italy 59 53.1 75.37 1.88 Spain 47 42.3 60.04 1.50 Poland 38 34.2 48.57 1.21 Netherlands 17 15.3 21.73 0.54 Belgium 12 10.8 15.34 0.38 Sweden 11 9.9 14.07 0.35 Austria 9 8.1 11.50 0.29 Other Countries 104.2 93.78 134.18 3.35 Total 449.2 404.28 575.0 14.35

Note: Other Countries encompass the remaining European Union nations.

To translate the lost time into economic terms, we can assign a monetary value to the hours spent on cookie banners. With an average hourly wage in Europe of 25, the total economic cost can be calculated as 575,000,000 hours  25/hour = 14.375 billion. Considering the EU Annual GDP (2024) of approximately 15 trillion, the economic cost of cookie banners represents: (14.375 billion  15 trillion)  100  0.10% of total EU GDP.

To grasp the scale of the productivity loss, we can consider the number of full-time employees (FTEs) that represent the lost hours. Assuming a full-time worker dedicates approximately 2,000 hours annually, 575,000,000 hours  2,000 hours/FTE = 287,500 FTEs. This means the overall cost of clicking on cookie banners is equivalent to a company of 287,500 employees spending an 8-hour workday clicking on cookie banners.

Do Cookie Banners Really Improve Privacy?

Contrary to popular belief, cookie banners were not introduced by the GDPR but by the ePrivacy Directive 2002/58, at a time when cookies were just becoming known to the public. In response to fears of global surveillance, regulators imposed a general principle of consent before any data could be stored on a users communication devices:

Art. 5.3: Member States shall ensure that the use of electronic communications networks to store information or to gain access to information stored in the terminal equipment of a subscriber or user is only allowed on condition that the subscriber or user concerned is provided with clear and comprehensive information in accordance with Directive 95/46/EC, inter alia about the purposes of the processing, and is offered the right to refuse such processing by the data controller.

The ePrivacy Directive was intended to be updated, but the project never materialized.

Today, most cookie banners are used by organizations to:

Facilitate web analytics and understand user interactions with their websites.

Improve user experience by analyzing what content performs well or poorly.

Manage the performance of advertisements.

For the most part, small businesses use cookies efficiently without precise user identification. Identifying users typically requires a court order to process IP addresses, which is rarely pursued. Therefore, cookie banners primarily serve to mitigate theoretical legal risks rather than enforce extensive user tracking.

It is not to say that some businesses do not use cookies to operate user tracking on a massive scale. Some companies relying exclusively on advertising do share user data with very large pools of partnerssometimes hundreds of ad partners. In that case, cookie banners do offer privacy protections for users.

However, looking at the general scale of the internet, only a very small fraction of websites use mass-scale partnerships as their main economic model.

For users, repeated interactions with cookie banners lead to significant frustration and complete loss of vigilance. The consent fatigue results in users mindlessly accepting terms without proper consideration, thereby undermining the very intent of the regulations. The constant barrage of consent prompts not only reduces productivity but diminishes user satisfaction and erodes trust in online platforms.

Conclusion

The realization that Europeans spend 575 million hours annually clicking on cookie banners highlights a significant, yet often overlooked, economic and productivity drain. These processes deliver minimal privacy benefits and little enhancement to business performance.

In contrast, regulations like the GDPR impose IT security obligations that, while seen as burdensome, contribute to long-term business robustness by ensuring the security of IT systems.

This situation calls for an urgent revision of the ePrivacy Directivepotentially transforming it into a regulation to ensure swift adoption. Exemptions from cookie banners for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) using analytics, tracking user interactions on their websites, and managing basic advertising are imperative to mitigate unnecessary economic and productivity losses.
SPE Capital Partners, a leading private equity firm, has finalized a strategic investment of MAD 450 million in Dislog Group. This milestone includes an initial investment of MAD 350 million through its AIF I fund, complemented by an additional MAD 100 million co-investment from an international financial institution. This substantial funding will empower Dislog Group to accelerate its development and growth initiatives over the next few years.

A partnership rooted in trust and growth

Nabil Triki, Managing Partner and CEO of SPE Capital, expressed his enthusiasm for the renewed collaboration:

 We are thrilled to invest alongside our partner in Dislog Group. As former shareholders of H&S between 2019 and 2021, weve witnessed the remarkable evolution and growth of the group. Together, we aim to achieve new milestones, including a successful IPO on the Casablanca Stock Exchange within the next two to three years. 

Moncef Belkhayat, CEO of Dislog Group, echoed this sentiment:

 This significant investment reflects the trust we have built with leading investment funds and international financial institutions. Thanks to the dedication of our management and teams, Dislog Group continues to strengthen its governance and attract partners of the highest caliber. We are delighted to welcome the SPE Capital team back to our board. 

Strategic guidance and expert partnerships

The closing of this operation involved top-tier advisory support. Dislog Group was advised by Maitre Rachid Hilmi from Hilmi Law Firm, while SPE Capital worked with DLA Piper. Deloitte FA, Deloitte Consulting, Deloitte Morocco, and IBIS also provided key financial and operational advisory services.

To solidify this strategic alliance, Nabil Triki and Tarek Lababidi have been appointed to Dislog Groups board of directors as representatives of the investment consortium.

A roadmap to IPO and beyond

With this infusion of capital, Dislog Group is well-positioned to achieve its ambitious goals, including an initial public offering (IPO) on the Casablanca Stock Exchange within the next two to three years. This partnership with SPE Capital marks a pivotal step in the groups journey towards sustained growth and market leadership.
Airbus Helicopters, a division of European aircraft giant Airbus and the worlds largest helicopter manufacturer, has launched its new China headquarters in the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. According to China Daily, this move signals Airbus Helicopters strong commitment to expanding within Chinas burgeoning general aviation market.

Airbus Helicopters stated that the new headquarters, located across the sea from Macau, demonstrates its dedication to developing Chinas general aviation sector, particularly in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The company also sees this as a step toward supporting Chinas low-altitude economy. This announcement was made during the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as the Zhuhai Airshow, which started Tuesday and will continue through Sunday.

In a related development, Airbus Helicopters signed a contract with China Southern Airlines General Aviation (CSAGA) to provide two H175 helicopters for offshore energy missions. CSAGA, which currently operates three Airbus helicopters, is expected to receive the new H175s in 2025 and 2026. Additionally, CSAGA signed a letter of intent with SKYCO International Financial Leasing Co., Ltd., a state-owned enterprise specializing in aircraft financing, to lease six Airbus H175 helicopters. SKYCO plans to purchase an additional six H175s from Airbus Helicopters, intending to use the aircraft in offshore energy operations.

CSAGA, a subsidiary of China Southern Airlines Group Co., Ltd., is one of the countrys leading providers of offshore oil and gas operations and emergency rescue services. Known for its high standards in operational safety, CSAGA holds the record for the longest safety hours in Chinas general aviation sector.

China Daily reports that these agreements mark a significant milestone for the Chinese aviation industry. For the first time, a helicopter developed in China and completed in Europe will enter Chinas energy market. Colin James, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in China, remarked on the importance of collaboration to drive the low-altitude economy forward: Now more than ever, it is of critical importance for the development of the low-altitude economy, and all stakeholders to work together on pro-Chinese solutions to promote the low-altitude economy, he said.

As of the end of 2023, Chinas registered general aviation fleet reached 5,016, reflecting an increase of 160 from the previous year, according to a recent report by the China Air Transport Association (CATA). General aviation in China includes a broad range of activities beyond commercial air transport, including agricultural and forestry protection, industrial patrols, emergency rescue operations, and the use of drones. General aviation refers to all civil aviation activities other than commercial air transport, said Sun Weiguo, General Manager of the general aviation department of CATA.

In 2022, Chinas general aviation sector set records for flight hours, aircraft numbers, and operating companies. Traditional general aviation aircraft recorded 1.37 million flight hours, up by 12.4% from the previous year. By July, China had 465 general aviation airports, with Heilongjiang, Guangdong, and Jiangsu provinces hosting the largest numbers. Additionally, 712 general aviation companies were operating in China.

Airbus Helicopters operates over 340 helicopters in China, accounting for 34% of the countrys civil helicopter market share. Since entering the Chinese market in 2006, Airbus Helicopters has established multiple branches in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and several other major cities across the country. Other major players in Chinas helicopter industry include Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. of the U.S., Italys Leonardo SpA, and Russian Helicopters.

The 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, commonly known as Airshow China or the Zhuhai Airshow, opened on Tuesday in Zhuhai. This years show includes air displays by the PLAs latest stealth fighters and Russian military aircraft. The event has drawn 1,022 companies from 47 countries and regions, with the number of foreign exhibitors increasing to 159 from 78 last year. The six-day exhibition showcases advanced aerospace and military technologies from around the world and will conclude on Sunday. PC
The Macao Catering Industry Association is calling on the government to regulate takeout platform charges.

Aeson Lei, president of the Macao Catering Industry Association, pointed out that fees charged by takeout platforms have skyrocketed from 18% in 2016 to between 30% and 50% today, placing immense strain on local businesses.

From 18% at the beginning, the charge now ranges from 30% to 50%. This alarming figure has made it very difficult for restaurants in the district to operate, said Lei, speaking on the sidelines of the 9th iFood Award ceremony yesterday.

Lei shared that local firms are frustrated over the lack of effective government intervention.

We have consistently raised this issue with the officials of the current government, and they have been proactive in engaging with the platforms. However, despite initial improvements in the first one or two months of communication, the situation inevitably returns to what it was before, he said.

Lei lamented that the absence of a dedicated e-commerce law in Macau leaves food delivery platforms unregulated, and urged the new government to prioritize legislation addressing these issues.

In light of next years fiscal budget, which promises ongoing measures to benefit the public, the association president was optimistic about potential impacts on the industry.

He expressed hope that government policies would strengthen the foundation of the catering sector, cultivate talent, and effectively address the challenges posed by takeout platforms.

Lei said that this arguably would create more opportunities for local restaurants and encourage new investments.

The 9th iFood Award saw the participation of nearly 3,000 restaurants, garnering over 80,000 votes across various categories.

A total of 133 awards were presented, celebrating the resilience and creativity of Macaus culinary scene despite ongoing challenges. Staff reporter
The government has projected gross gaming revenues (GGR) of MOP240 billion for 2025, an increase of approximately 11% compared to the current years budget estimate of MOP216 billion.

This forecast is detailed in the 2025 fiscal budget submitted to the Legislative Assembly (AL).

The government anticipates continued recovery in the integrated tourism and leisure sector, expecting an uptick in visitor numbers. However, it acknowledges that the tourism and consumption model may change.

In 2025, the government plans to invest MOP25.78 billion in various initiatives aimed at enhancing the well-being of the population. This includes a pecuniary participation plan and an extraordinary distribution of budget surpluses amounting to MOP7,000 under the non-mandatory central pension scheme.

The2025 budget proposal includes a cash sharing plan, estimated at MOP8.564 billion, which will provide direct financial support to the people.

Additionally, the government has allocated resources to medical subsidies and residential electricity subsidies, intended to alleviate the financial burden on households. This budget places an emphasis on investing in the long-term growth and development of the local population, with a significant allocation of MOP13.94 billion towards the continuing education development plan.

The budget also includes provisions for free education subsidies, tuition fee subsidies for Macau resident students, study supplies subsidies for college students, and support for private education institutions. In addition, the budget seeks to address the needs of seniors and the disadvantaged within society, with seniority allowances, pensions, disability pensions, disability allowances, and special subsidies for three types of disadvantaged families, as well as regular assistance.

The proposed budget law for next year retains a range of tax deduction and exemption measures totaling approximately MOP4.8 billion. Estimated budget expenditure for the Investment and Development Expenditure Plan (PIDDA) is set at MOP19.7 billion for the economic year 2025.

Overall, the budget is projected to yield a surplus of MOP7.7 billion, with anticipated revenues of MOP121 billion against expenditures of MOP113.3 billion. Contributions from gaming taxes are expected to reach MOP84 billion.

Budget execution rate at 53%

The Follow-up Committee for Public Finance Affairs of the AL yesterday reported that the fiscal reserve balance stood at MOP602.47 billion as of June 30, reflecting a 3.8% increase of MOP22 billion from the end of 2023.

Committee chairman and lawmaker Wong Kit Cheng reported that actual revenue from the budget in the first half of the year was MOP57.22 billion, with an implementation rate of 53.4%.

Expenditures totaled MOP46.32 billion, achieving an implementation rate of 43.7%. This resulted in a budget execution surplus of MOP10.9 billion for first half of the year, as revenues surpassed expenditures.

Wong noted that there were 233 projects during this period, with 26 projects reporting a budget utilization rate of zero. The Cultural Affairs Bureau, Financial Services Bureau and University of Macau each had four projects lacking utilization, while the Public Works Bureau (DSOP) had three. Victoria Chan
The fifth major storm in three weeks slammed into the northeastern Philippines yesterday, prompting more largescale evacuations and a United Nations call for emergency funds to help the government address the plight of hard-hit rural villagers.

Typhoon Usagi had sustained winds of up to 175 kilometers (109 miles) per hour and gusts of up to 240 kph (149 mph) when it slammed into the coastal town of Baggao in Cagayan province at the northern tip of Luzon, the countrys most populous agricultural region. Locally named Ofel, the typhoon was barreling northwestward and was forecast to blow away overnight toward southern Taiwan.

Another storm was brewing in the Pacific and may hit the northern Philippines this weekend, according to forecasters.

The countrys weather agency warned of life-threatening tidal surges of more than 3 meters in coastal areas of Cagayan and seven other nearby provinces and clusters of islands, and urged all ships to remain in port or immediately take shelter.

Typhoon Toraji blew away from the northern Philippines just two days ago after unleashing floods, knocking down power lines and forcing more than 82,500 people to evacuate their homes.

The government has struggled to deal with the impact of the last four major storms, which left at least 160 people dead, displaced millions and devastated farmland and infrastructure, mostly in the northern Luzon region.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.s administration has spent more than 1 billion pesos ($17 million) for food and other aid for hundreds of thousands of storm victims, Welfare Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, who oversees disaster-response efforts, sought the help of neighboring countries, including Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei, in providing additional aircraft to transport food, water and other aid to villages isolated by the storms. The United States, Manilas longtime treaty ally, deployed cargo aircraft with food and other assistance.

The U.N. Humanitarian Country Team in the Philippines said it was raising $32.9 million to help the government provide assistance to about 210,000 people in critical need of aid and protection, especially women, children and people with disabilities, in the next three months.

The Philippines is facing an exceptionally challenging tropical cyclone season, with successive cyclones reaching unprecedented locations and scales, the U.N. team said in its emergency plan. Local authorities, who are often impacted themselves, are overwhelmed as they simultaneously respond to the crisis and coordinate rescue efforts for affected families.

The Philippines is battered by about 20 typhoons and tropical storms each year. It is often hit by earthquakes and has more than a dozen active volcanoes, making it one of the worlds most disaster-prone countries.

In 2013, Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest recorded tropical cyclones, left more than 7,300 people dead or missing, flattened entire villages and caused ships to run aground and smash into houses in the central Philippines. JIM GOMEZ, MANILA, MDT/AP
Indonesia is considering transferring Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipino death-row inmate, to a prison in the Philippines. Veloso has been imprisoned in Jakarta after she was arrested and eventually convicted on drug trafficking charges in 2010.

The announcement came following a meeting last Monday in Jakarta between Philippine Ambassador Gina Alagon Jamoralin and Indonesian Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra at Indonesias Coordinating Ministry for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correction (Kemenko Kumham Imipas).

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Indonesia respects the request from the Philippine government to consider the transfer of Mary Jane Veloso in the interest of law enforcement in the Philippines. However, the Philippine Government is obligated to acknowledge and respect the legal process regarding Mary Jane, including the verdict issued by the Indonesian court, the Indon official said in a statement.

Minister Mahendra proposed two possible approaches for facilitating the transfer: direct bilateral negotiations between Jakarta and Manila, or the development of a comprehensive policy framework in Indonesia for prisoner transfers.

The proposal has already been brought to the attention of President Prabowo Subianto, according to Mahendra.

Our nations sovereignty in prosecuting crimes committed by foreign nationals must be fully respected. However, if a foreign national prisoner has been returned to their home country, the responsibility for their rehabilitation rests with that country, including decisions on whether to grant remission or clemency, all of these decisions are handed over to the respective country, he said.

Once Veloso is transferred, the minister said, she will have to continue serving her remaining sentence in the Philippines subject to the conditions determined by the Indonesian courts ruling.

The Philippines is also expected to recognize this decision and enforce the sentence as determined in Indonesia. This policy serves as part of a reciprocal cooperation between the two countries to respect and strengthen international law enforcement, the statement said.

In January this year, the Indonesian government then under President Joko Widodo had committed to reexamine the case of Veloso in a meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Jokowi was then on an official visit to Manila. At that time, Velosos family had written letters to both Presidents appealing for clemency for Veloso.

Editors Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline Indonesia may allow Veloso to serve rest of sentence in the Philippines.
On November 14, UNITA, Angolas largest opposition party, announced its decision to oppose the proposed 2025 State Budget, arguing it neglects the needs of the people and fails to address hunger and poverty.

This is not a budget for the people or in their interest; it reverses priorities and violates the Constitution, which mandates poverty eradication, hunger elimination, and universal access to free primary health care, said Liberty Chiyaka, head of UNITAs parliamentary group.

Chiyaka presented UNITAs objections at the start of the parliamentary debate on the budget, which sets revenue and expenditure at 34.63 billion kwanzas (around 35 billion euros) and allocates nearly half to debt servicingan issue UNITA strongly opposes.

The party argues that the budget promotes corruption, embezzlement, and impunity, while worsening structural deficits that facilitate money laundering and jeopardize public financial stability. This is not the budget of a democratic state committed to popular sovereignty and the welfare of Angolans, Chiyaka said, accusing the government of hindering local governance and deepening regional inequalities.

Highlighting what he called 50 truths about the 2025 State Budget, Chiyaka confirmed that UNITA would vote against it, claiming it fosters social inequality and enriches the ruling elites. He further alleged that the budget is a tool for the MPLAdubbed friends of Frelimoto finance electoral fraud and constitutional violations in Angola and Mozambique.
Politics is a fascinating and intricate art form, but it can quickly turn toxic in the hands of the wrong individuals. As COP29, a crucial climate conference in Azerbaijan, moves forward seamlessly, it was clear that certain adversaries, unwilling to acknowledge the country's positive efforts, would attempt to create distractions for the international community. One prominent figure leading this charge is Nikol Pashinyan, a divisive, bipolar leader of the South Caucasus. Armenian Prime Minister's accusations against Azerbaijan have ignited a storm of geopolitical intrigue last night. Claiming that Azerbaijans Constitution covertly challenges Armenias territorial integrity, Pashinyans statements venture deep into the historical labyrinth of the region.

Pashinyan's Allegations

Nikol Pashinyan contends that Azerbaijans constitutional reference to the 1918 Declaration of Independence harbors covert territorial claims. His argument hinges on historical maps submitted to the 1919 Peace Conference, which included substantial portions of modern-day Armenia, such as Syunik and Vayots Dzor. These references, Pashinyan warns, undermine the fragile peace process and contradict Azerbaijans professed respect for Armenias sovereignty. By framing these historical nods as active threats, Pashinyan portrays Azerbaijan as exploiting its legal framework to justify future ambitions. Yet his acknowledgment of the peace treatys clause barring territorial claims hints at a complex strategy: condemning Azerbaijan while avoiding explicit provocations that could derail negotiations.

Azerbaijans response, delivered by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada, dismantles Pashinyans claims with a cascade of historical and legal arguments. Hajizada dismisses the accusations as a "futile balancing act," aimed at diverting attention from Armenias own constitutional references to Western Armeniaan evocative term encompassing parts of modern-day Turkiye. Citing pivotal moments like the Soviet-era reassignment of Zangezur (Syunik) to Armenia, Hajizada reframes the narrative: Azerbaijans references to the 1918 declaration are not territorial claims but affirmations of historical truth. He underscores Azerbaijans adherence to good neighborly principles, contrasting it with Armenias persistent claims over Garabagh and its surrounding regions.

Quick historical context

The contentious issue of territorial claims dates back to the early 20th century, when administrative boundaries in the South Caucasus underwent significant changes under Soviet rule. Regions like Zangazur (Syunik) were assigned to Armenia despite their historical association with Azerbaijan. Let us be clear that Armenia's actions in exterminating the Azerbaijanis from the Syunik and Tavush territories were deliberate. This was a calculated move to facilitate their brazen actions while deliberately suppressing the truth. Pashinyan's reluctance to address these claims reflects a calculated effort to maintain progress in the peace process, but Azerbaijan views its stance as a legitimate assertion of historical and legal rights. The Soviet Unions arbitrary redrawing of boundaries, particularly the transfer of Azerbaijani territories to Armenia, remains a sore point for Baku. Meanwhile, Pashinyans restraint in pressing territorial claims suggests a precarious balancing act: leveraging history to undermine Azerbaijan without sabotaging peace talks. This calculated ambiguity leaves room for both deniability and maneuverability, ensuring Armenias position remains fluid in a volatile geopolitical landscape.

COP29: An Opportunity Lost for Armenia

Amid this war of words, Armenias decision to skip COP29 casts a shadow over its diplomatic strategy. Initially signalling interest in participating, Armenias withdrawal raises questions about its willingness to engage on global platforms where dialogue and collaboration could bolster its international standing. However, Armenia expressed its intention to participate in the event weeks beforehand. Despite this, no decision was made to allow its involvement. It was clear that the official government of Yerevan would ultimately refuse to participate. Furthermore, the absence of FranceArmenia's close partnerfrom this leadership role underscores the ineffectiveness of official Paris. This point is reinforced by the active participation of leaders from the member countries of the organization, including Charles Michel, the President of the Council of the European Union, at COP29. In stark contrast, Azerbaijan has used COP29 to assert its leadership on climate action, showcasing its ability to balance domestic priorities with global responsibilities. Armenias absence is more than a missed opportunityit reflects a deeper disengagement from constructive dialogue. By stepping away, Armenia forfeits the chance to challenge Azerbaijans narrative on neutral ground, leaving Bakus version of events to resonate unopposed. As this day's theme: Energy / Peace, Relief and Recovery Day, it could have been the time when we marked a big step towards dispute between both nations.

In conclusion, The escalating discourse between Armenia and Azerbaijan reveals the enduring power of history to shape contemporary politics. While Pashinyan portrays Azerbaijans constitutional references as veiled threats, Azerbaijan views them as a bulwark against historical erasure. This clash is not just about maps or declarations; its a battle for legitimacy in the eyes of both domestic and international audiences. Armenia's decision to withdraw from COP29, in contrast to Azerbaijan's proactive diplomacy, underscores a widening gap in their approaches to global engagement. As Baku asserts its historical rights and territorial integrity, it simultaneously signals a commitment to peacealbeit on its terms.
Sudans sovereign council has announced the extension of the Adre border crossing with Chad, ensuring continued humanitarian access to regions facing severe food insecurity. This critical decision affects over 25 million people experiencing acute hunger, with several areas at immediate risk of famine.

The crossing, initially closed in February before a temporary reopening in August, has facilitated the delivery of essential supplies to more than 1.3 million people through 300 aid trucks. Recent deliveries included crucial nutrition support to the famine-affected Zamzam camp.

Despite government concerns about potential weapons trafficking benefiting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which controls most of Darfur including the crossing, humanitarian necessity has prevailed. The United Nations has welcomed the three-month extension while emphasizing the need for additional access routes.

The decision follows high-level diplomatic engagement, including discussions between Sudans army chief and the UN Secretary-General during the COP29 summit. Aid organizations have stressed the crossings efficiency compared to alternatives through Port Sudan or al-Tina.

While initial aid delivery faced challenges during the rainy season, the extension provides critical time for humanitarian organizations to maintain supply chains. The UN emphasizes that multiple access routes, including cross-border and internal pathways, remain essential for addressing escalating humanitarian needs across Sudan.
Angolas GDP grew by an average of 4.1% over the first two quarters of 2024, the Government announced on Thursday November 14, while also committing to launch the National School Meal Plan in 2025 with a budget of 450 billion kwanzas.

Minister of State for Economic Coordination Jose de Lima Massano, delivering the Presidents message to parliament on the proposed 2025 General State Budget (OGE), described the first half of 2024 as encouraging for economic growth. He noted that such positive performance, with 4.1% GDP growth, has not been seen in Angola since 2015.

The Angolan parliament is set to discuss the 2025 OGE proposal on November 14. The budget projects revenues and expenses at 34.63 billion kwanzas (about 35 billion euros) and allocates almost half16.5 billion kwanzas (17 billion euros)to debt servicing, including 12.45 billion kwanzas for debt repayment.

Massano highlighted that the 2025 budget includes measures to support families and drive economic growth. The government will expand the School Lunch Program by implementing a National School Meal Plan with a 450 billion kwanza (463 million euro) allocation. This plan aims to progressively cover all public elementary schools, including preschool classes, to combat child malnutrition and encourage school attendance.
Russia has enhanced its African military footprint by deploying approximately 200 military personnel to Equatorial Guinea, focusing on presidential security and elite guard training in Malabo and Bata. This deployment, part of the newly rebranded Corps Africa initiative, represents Russias continued strategic expansion across the continent.

The arrangement with Equatorial Guinea, led by the worlds longest-serving president Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo since 1979, follows increased diplomatic engagement between the two nations. The country has pursued military and resource exploration agreements with Russia and Belarus while maintaining existing Chinese partnerships.

This development occurs amid broader regional shifts, as several West African nations pivot from traditional Western allies toward Russian military cooperation. The trend particularly affects countries experiencing recent political transitions, with some explicitly criticizing former colonial powers counter-insurgency efforts.

Equatorial Guineas leadership, including Vice-President Teodoro Obiang Mangue, has faced international scrutiny over human rights concerns and financial controversies. Human rights advocates warn this military presence could affect U.S. strategic interests in the region, particularly as American investment in the countrys energy sector diminishes.

The deployment exemplifies Russias expanding influence in Africa through military cooperation and resource diplomacy, particularly in nations seeking alternatives to Western partnerships.
On November 14, the Guinea-Bissau Government affirmed that it has fulfilled its obligations and that conditions are in place for RTP and RDP Africa to resume broadcasts, which were interrupted nearly ten months ago. Free-to-air broadcasts from the two aluese networks stopped in January, initially due to an alleged equipment issue and later following a fire at the Nhacra transmission center.

Since the interruption, these channels have only been accessible in Guinea-Bissau via cable TV or internet. However, the Guinean Government insists that local infrastructure is not the issue. Minister of Social Communication Florentino Dias told media that the Nhacra transmission center has been fully restored, and that the networks are making the necessary arrangements to resume broadcasts.

The minister clarified that the timing for the return of broadcasts depends on the Portuguese stations, not the government. The government has completed its part; the generator at Nhacra has been operational for months, and the center is functional, he assured.

While some recovery work continues at the center, Dias confirmed it is equipped to support any broadcaster, noting that it already hosts Guinea-Bissaus national radio and television services. He also highlighted the governments dedication to improving media infrastructure, citing the recent resolution of a national radio issue that had halted its broadcasts until this week. The necessary conditions have been created, and national radio has resumed operations, he concluded.
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DNA, which has a double-helix structure, can have many genetic mutations and variations. Credit: NIH

Research that was carried out by Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital doctors has led to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granting Orphan Drug Designation to a treatment for developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE) due to syntaxin-binding protein 1 (STXBP1) mutations.

The treatment was developed by Capsida Biotherapeutics and called CAP-002. DEE caused by STXBP1 mutations is estimated to affect up to one in 26,000 children globally. It is associated with treatment-resistant seizures, severe developmental delay and intellectual disability, motor abnormalities, and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).

"Receiving Orphan Drug Designation is an important milestone for our program, and for the patients and families affected by STXBP1 developmental and epileptic encephalopathy," said Peter Anastasiou, Chief Executive Officer of Capsida Biotherapeutics.

"There are no disease-modifying therapies available for this devastating disorder, and FDA's granting ODD signals the significant potential that CAP-002 demonstrates based on non-clinical data.

CAP-002 is a novel, first-in-class IV-administered gene therapy designed to achieve brain-wide neuronal expression of the STXBP1 protein while significantly detargeting the liver. It is currently in IND-enabling studies.

In adult mice lacking one functional copy of the STXBP1 gene, IV administration of the gene encoding STXBP1 rescues key phenotypic defects including seizures, motor deficits, and cognitive impairments, in a dose-dependent manner with long-lasting effects.

Studies conducted by Capsida and Dr. Mingshan Xue, associate professor of neuroscience, molecular and human genetics at Baylor, as well as a member of the Cain Foundation Laboratories and the Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, showed that the dose-dependent rescue of these neurological phenotypes was dependent on supplementation of STXBP1 in neurons throughout the brain and at levels not achievable by wild-type serotypes, such as AAV9.

"This milestone moves us one step closer to our goal of transforming the lives of people living with STXBP1 developmental and epileptic encephalopathy," said Swati Tole, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Capsida. "We are committed to advancing CAP-002, with our IND filing in the first half of 2025, and bringing novel gene therapies to people with high unmet medical needs."

The FDA's Orphan Drug Designation is intended to encourage the development of treatments for rare diseases, defined as those affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the United States.

ODD may shorten the clinical development path through closer FDA collaboration and potential qualification for expedited development programs. This designation also provides the company with certain benefits, including tax credits for qualified clinical trials, exemption from user fees, and potential seven-year market exclusivity upon FDA approval.
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Dr. Cornelia Peterson calibrates a piece of equipment used to measure intraocular pressure during an ocular toxicity study in animals. Credit: Noah Moss

Dr. Cornelia Peterson is dedicated to finding treatments for cancer by researching tumors that develop in Meibomian glands, the specialized oil-secreting glands of the eyelid. She joined Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University's faculty a year and a half ago as an assistant professor of anatomic pathology in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology, establishing her own lab at Cummings School to advance research in comparative ocular pathology.

Four articles highlight the findings of her work, in the journals Orbit, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Frontiers in Veterinary Science and Topics in Companion Animal Medicine.

Peterson's lab research concentrates on genes that cause tumors in the Meibomian gland. These tumors form when particular genes are uninhibited or overexpressed, and cells can become cancerous and metastasize. Her research is focused on better understanding these tumors and finding therapies to treat them effectively.

She explains, "My research efforts seek to elucidate mechanisms of eye diseases and visual system diseases, particularly neoplasms of the ocular surface and adnexa, with comparative tissue-based approaches."

Two of the four published manuscripts involve human Meibomian gland tumors, and two describe unusual cancer presentations in companion animals.

"The studies are all based on interesting features of cancers. The overall goal is identifying unique features of cancers to see if they can be exploited for more comprehensive treatment," says Peterson.

In collaboration with investigators she worked with during her postdoctoral fellowship in the Brain and Eye Tumor Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University, Peterson co-authored the case study, "Ocular adnexal sebaceous carcinoma in a patient with Li-Fraumeni syndrome," published in the July issue of Orbit.

A male patient at Johns Hopkins was diagnosed with ocular adnexal sebaceous carcinoma, a cancerous tumor of the Meibomian gland that often recurs and metastasizes, and multiple tumors in other parts of his body. Through subsequent testing, he was also found to have Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), a genetic disorder caused by a mutation of the TP53 gene that increases the risk of several cancers.

This collaborative group had previously published a study in 2021 regarding a cohort of thirteen patients with ocular adnexal sebaceous carcinomas evaluated by similar genetic sequencing approaches. When this special case was presented at Johns Hopkins, the team decided to further examine the drivers of the tumor on the eyelid.

The patient's eyelid tumor was diagnosed as a tumor of interest, surgically removed, and submitted for genetic sequencing, revealing the mutation of the TP53 gene, a tumor-suppressor gene. He was treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy and referred for genetic counseling. Several family members were also found to have various forms of cancer.

In terms of the significance of the case study's findings, Peterson explains, "From a clinical perspective, for ophthalmologists who see patients with tumors on the eyelid, if there is any history of prior or concurrent cancer elsewhere in the body, it should lower the bar for referral for genetic sequencing and counseling.

"It may not just be an isolated ocular cancer, but it may be arising because of a more systemic genetic syndrome. This has implications for the patient and their children as far as passing the mutation."

Publication of the study in Orbit will help raise awareness of their findings to the journal's audience of oculoplastic surgeons and other ophthalmologists. Peterson and her fellow investigators are continuing to test a cohort of tumors for TP53 mutations, and if any are found, they will pursue a case series with subsequent testing.

Featured in the September issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, an issue dedicated to new cancer therapies, the research article titled, "Establishment and Characterization of Three Human Ocular Adnexal Sebaceous Carcinoma Cell Lines," co-authored by Peterson, was similarly a collaboration with her Johns Hopkins colleagues following up the 2021 study regarding ocular adnexal sebaceous carcinomas.

According to the report, "The pathology of this tumor remains poorly understood, and few models exist suitable for preclinical testing. The aim of this study was to establish new cell lines to serve as models for pathobiological and drug testing."

In the earlier study, the team analyzed fixed and stained patient tumor samples collected for clinical diagnosis. For this study, the investigators derived cell lines from tumor samples before clinical diagnosis to create cell lines (cell cultures that can be grown and last for an extended period of time for repeated testing) through a series of tests and genetic sequencing.

The investigators established three cell lines from the patients' ocular tumor tissues. In the 2021 study, the investigators found many tumors related to a dysregulated MYC gene, often associated with cancers. In this study, all cell lines showed significant amounts of MYC protein, indicating dysregulated expression of the MYC gene.

"The goal is to add to the literature," says Peterson. "Prior to our study, there were only two cell lines of this type of tumor anywhere, and now we have added three additional cell lines. We characterized genetic signatures within the tumors and cell lines and saw how they respond to different chemotherapeutic agents in culture.

"We established cell lines from the patient tumors, and we can treat those tumor cells with different agents in a dish before we treat animal models and then move on to human patients."

The investigators treated the cell lines with a form of chemotherapy that involves a glutamine metabolism inhibitor used previously to treat other tumors with high MYC expression, including pediatric brain tumors. In the cultured cell lines, this treatment decreased proliferation and increased death of the tumor cells with high expression of MYC, indicating a possible role for MYC-inhibiting therapies in these types of tumors to augment traditional chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Peterson notes that if a tumor in a patient looks benign, that may delay diagnosis and treatment. Tumor cells may be located all around an eyelid, not only as part of the primary tumor mass. And while traditional chemotherapy is somewhat effective in this type of cancer, a mix of standard care chemotherapy with chemotherapy targeting MYC expression may be more effective.

Peterson is furthering research into the causes of increased MYC expression and how these cells survive, proliferate, and cause tumors. This work is ongoing in her lab at Cummings School, under the mentorship of Dr. Cheryl London, associate dean for Research and Graduate Education, Anne Engen and Dusty Professor in Comparative Oncology, and professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences at Cummings School, and Dr. Charles Eberhart, co-author of these two papers and professor of pathology and oncology and associate professor of ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Peterson's next two research studies derived from collaborations with students and faculty at Cummings School. While training students on rotation in Cummings School Veterinary Diagnostic Lab (CVDL), Peterson necropsied an animal with a curious presentation.

The patient came into the emergency room at Henry and Lois Hospital for Small Animals (FHSA) at Cummings School in respiratory distress, not an uncommon occurrence, but usually associated with primary heart muscle disease.

"Not every patient has what we expect it to have. This cat did not have primary heart muscle disease, he had lymphoma in the heart. Presentations don't always have a classic cause, sometimes there's a weird zebra," says Peterson. "This was also true for the fourth paper. The dog presented with neck pain, which is not what we would typically expect of a liver tumor with widespread metastases."

Two veterinary students were primary authors on these studies, "Case Report: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma presenting as congestive heart failure in a cat" and "The peculiar clinical presentation and diagnostic results of a case of widely metastatic cholangiocellular carcinoma in a Siberian Husky dog," published respectively in the September issue of Frontiers in Veterinary Science and the November-December issue of Topics in Companion Animal Medicine.

Dr. Jake Johnson, V24, now a rotating intern at North Carolina State University Veterinary Hospital, was the primary author of the former, and Dr. Hannah Reichert, V24, currently a first-year anatomic pathology resident at the University of Pennsylvania, was the primary author of the latter.

"Increasing awareness that cardiac lymphoma and cholaniocellular carcinoma can present in unexpected ways can be helpful to clinicians and for guiding clinical research questions," says Peterson.

While Peterson's passion for research began as an undergraduate, her fascination with eyes and vision started early. She was born six weeks premature and was farsighted, so saw optometrists regularly from infancy and had corrective eye surgery when she was four years old. "I was always interested in how people could make my vision so much better."

Born and raised in Wyoming, Peterson earned her bachelor of science degree in zoology and later her D.V.M. at The Ohio State University. In her science courses, she always gravitated towards the wet labs. The summer before veterinary school, she worked in a lab investigating heat shock protein in a measles model, and while earning her D.V.M., she was a veterinary biosciences research assistant. She describes both experiences at Ohio State as very formative.

Peterson interned in small animal medicine and surgery at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, before returning to Ohio State's College of Optometry to pursue her Ph.D. in vision science and physiological optics. While earning her doctorate, she also worked as an emergency room veterinarian for six years to keep up her clinical skills.

She was offered a post-doctoral fellowship and residency in anatomic pathology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where she initiated the work related to the first two of the aforementioned published research studies.

In March 2023, Peterson established her own research lab at Cummings School. At the time, Cummings School was restarting the anatomic pathology service and looking to hire an anatomic pathologist with a clinical appointment. Peterson reached out to the chair of the Department of Comparative Pathobiology at Cummings School, Dr. Andrea Varela-Stokes, to express her interest.

"The fact that she heard me and took action showed that Cummings School does what's best for the people they want to bring in," says Peterson. "I have a lot of people on my sideresearch mentors, grant mentors, the department chairfostering me to develop the independent research program."

This past summer, two Cummings School veterinary students in the Summer Research Program worked in her lab investigating various facets of her research on the MYC gene on the Meibomian gland in the eyelid.

Xiaochen (Sean) Yuan, V26 assessed the upstream drivers of MYC gene activation and the effects. Isabella Boyak, V27 studied how the increase or decrease of MYC expression impacts cell survival.

"When there's decreasing MYC expression, cells are more stressed and die. If increased expression, cells proliferate. We're looking at how that mechanism is working," Peterson explains.

Peterson recently connected with researchers at the University of Massachusetts to investigate similar signaling pathways in mouse models of breast cancer. "We have a whole group of veterinary pathologists here at Cummings School, and it's the beginning of a collaboration with medical doctors and researchers on the human side involved with animal models."

More information: Chia W. Hsu et al, Ocular adnexal sebaceous carcinoma in a patient with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Orbit (2024). DOI: 10.1080/01676830.2024.2382268 Su-Chan Lee et al, Establishment and Characterization of Three Human Ocular Adnexal Sebaceous Carcinoma Cell Lines, International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.3390/ijms251810183 Jake Johnson et al, Case report: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma presenting as congestive heart failure in a cat, Frontiers in Veterinary Science (2024). DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1467448 Hannah Reichert et al, The peculiar clinical presentation and diagnostic results of a case of widely metastatic cholangiocellular carcinoma in a Siberian Husky dog, Topics in Companion Animal Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.tcam.2024.100923 Journal information: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The pulse oximeter, a device that measures the degree to which red blood cells are saturated with oxygen, is one of health care's most fundamental tools.

So when Dr. Noha Aboelata learned that research stretching back decades showed that the devices routinely failed patients with darker skin tones, she took action.

Aboelata, the founder and chief executive of East Oakland's Roots Community Health Center, urged the Food and Drug Administration to require makers of pulse oximeters to test their devices on people of color, and to warn consumers about the risk of false readings.

Attorneys for Roots wrote to companies that made or sold pulse oximeters in California, asking them to improve their products and disclose their limitations. When none responded, the clinic filed a lawsuit to force a change in practices.

A year later, Roots and Aboelata are celebrating their first wins.

Minneapolis-based Medtronic, a leading provider of the devices to hospitals, reached a settlement with Roots last month.

Medtronic agreed to provide brochures and advisory labels on pulse oximeters sold to California hospitals, informing users that the devices can artificially inflate blood oxygen estimates on patients with darker skin. In exchange, Roots dropped its claims against the company.

Three other companies that sell directly to consumers also agreed to place informational labels on their products.

The suit is proceeding against CVS, Walgreens, GE Health care and five other defendants that have not settled, Roots attorney Jonathan Weissglass said.

CVS and GE said they wouldn't comment on pending legislation. Walgreens didn't immediately respond for comment, but said earlier this year that it also would not comment on pending litigation.

The settlements are a step toward resolution for a pervasive yet frequently overlooked problem that has haunted medicine for decades.

"This pulse ox issue should never have been allowed to happen, and once it was known, it should not have been allowed to continue," Aboelata said. "I'm still talking to people every week who don't know about it."

A pulse oximeter shines a light that passes through the patient's skin, blood and tissues, and then measures how much light comes out the other side. They're typically clipped on a fingertip.

Before pulse oximeters were widely adopted in the 1980s, the only way to gauge a patient's blood oxygen saturation was to draw blood from their arterial vein, a painful procedure that had to be followed by immediate laboratory analysis.

Oxygen-rich blood absorbs more infrared light. So does melanin, the pigment that helps determine skin, hair and eye color. As a result, patients with darker skin tones are more likely to get pulse oximeter readings that show their blood oxygen saturation to be higher than it actually is.

As early as 1990, researchers noted that Black patients were more likely to get deceptively high "pulse ox" readings when hypoxic, or suffering from low oxygen.

In 2005, UC San Francisco's Hypoxia Research Laboratory found the devices were more likely to overestimate oxygen saturation in patients with dark skin than in those with light skin, results the lab confirmed in a follow-up study two years later.

Yet many providers  including those like Aboelata, who focused on addressing racial inequities in health care  were unaware of this data. This became a matter of life and death during the COVID-19 pandemic, when pulse oximeter readings became the primary metric hospitals used to determine who should get care.

CDC guidelines instructed providers to start anyone with pulse ox readings below 90% on oxygen therapy.

A 2020 study of thousands of patients at the University of Michigan found that Black patients, compared with white patients, had nearly three times the rate of "occult hypoxia"  low blood oxygen that goes undetected because pulse oximeter readings are in the normal range.

After reading the study, a pharmacist and cardiologist from the University of Michigan looked at 204 patient records from their hospital.

In a study published in February, they found that Black patients' blood oxygen readings on pulse oximeters were on average 6% higher than the actual blood oxygen levels measured in their arterial blood samples. In contrast, pulse oximeters overestimated white patients' blood oxygen by just 1% on average.

Artificially high blood oxygen readings could lead physicians to underestimate how much blood is pumping from a patient's heart or overestimate the degree of resistance in the patient's vascular system, the researchers said.

"Those sorts of measurements can impact how we care for patients with heart failure, and can impact their candidacy for more intense treatment options like heart transplants and heart pumps," cardiologist Dr. Scott Ketcham said.

Currently, the FDA recommends  but doesn't require  that pulse oximeter makers ensure that in their clinical trials, either two participants or 15% of total participants are "darkly pigmented" people, a definition open to interpretation.

In February 2021, the FDA issued a safety notice cautioning users that pulse oximeters can be thrown off by a number of variables, including skin pigment.

In February, an agency advisory panel recommended that the FDA require that new devices be tested on at least 24 people whose skin tones collectively span the Monk Skin Tone scale, a 10-color palette often used to train artificial intelligence to recognize people of different colors.

The proposal would divide the scale into three parts, with each part represented by at least 25% of study participants.

Though the FDA indicated that it would issue new guidelines for pulse oximeter manufacturers by Sept. 30, it has not done so yet. The agency is working to release the updated guidance "as expeditiously as possible," a spokesperson said.

A study at UCSF's Hypoxia Research Laboratory was conducted to better understand the relationship between skin pigment and pulse ox accuracy. The research team is preparing its results for publication now, said Dr. Phil Bickler, director of the UCSF lab and an investigator on the study.

Until then, making sure their devices work equally well for users of all skin tones is optional for manufacturers.

When Manhattan Beach-based BodiMetrics, a maker of wearable health monitors, sought FDA clearance for its most recent smart ring fitness tracker, the company opted to broaden the range of skin tones represented in its study population. One-third of its study population had darker skin pigment, compared with the FDA-recommended minimum of 15%.

"It's a lot more money to do the clinical studies [to] prove that we didn't have a pigmentation problem," BodiMetrics founder and chief operating officer Neil Friedman said. "But that was our goal . . . to make sure that people had a device that properly measured their blood oximetry and prevented them from being misdiagnosed or potentially dying."

2024 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The housing crisis is pushing more and more people onto the streets. More than one in 10 Canadians report experiencing some form of homelessness in their lifetime.

Forced to camp out, homeless people are increasingly victims of the not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY) phenomenon. Governments are dismantling encampmentsand some are willing to use the notwithstanding clause to circumvent court rulings on their actionsas well as banning supervised drug consumption sites near day-care centers and schools.

Now involuntary treatment is seemingly on their radar.

The rise in involuntary treatments

It is currently possible to forcibly treat someone anywhere in Canada. Provincial mental health legislation allows involuntary admission and involuntary treatment.

Criteria vary from danger to a lack of capacity for consent and the need for treatment. But involuntary admission and treatment should only be used as a last resort.

The rights of citizens to decide what happens to them is fundamental. According to the Supreme Court of Canada, the right to self-determination outweighs other interests, "including what physicians may think is in the patient's best interests." Psychiatric diagnoses or substance addictions have no legal impact on the right to consent to care.

No data is systematically collected in Canada on the use of involuntary admission and treatment. Available studies suggest there's been a steady increase for more than a decade in the use of mental health legislation being used to detain people in Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia.

This increase is similar to the situation in other western countries, suggesting that coercion is now an integral part of mental health treatment. Racialized and Indigenous people and people living in precarious conditions are over-represented among those forced into treatment.

Research shows structural violations of the rights of people who are involuntarily admitted or treated. Class-action lawsuits have been won or are underway in several Canadian provinces for abuse of rights in psychiatric wards.

Quebec will have to compensate people detained illegally.

The New Brunswick ombudsperson concluded that patients at Restigouche Hospital Center in Campbellton were "victims of negligence, abuse and unacceptable treatment."

British Columbia had to set up a service of rights advisers following the alarming findings of its ombudsperson in 2019. He reported a systematic failure by health care institutions to comply with the procedural safeguards required by the Mental Health Act, including consent to treatment, and by the Ministry of Health to adequately monitor institutions' compliance with the procedures.

Yet the B.C. government has announced that it will expand involuntary care to keep people and communities "safe."

Baseless arguments

The arguments made by advocates for involuntary treatments aren't supported by science.

First, they often suggest homelessness is due to mental health issues or addiction, while research shows that financial difficulties are the primary cause of homelessness. Rising housing and living costs and low incomes are behind the unprecedented rise in homelessness.

The situation was predictable.

Economic inequality has been on the rise since the 1980s. Housing affordability has been declining over the same period. Homelessness is a structural problem, not an individual one.

Second, involuntary treatment proponents make an association between mental health/addiction and public safety, suggesting that people with mental health problems or drug users are violent.

Research has long since disproved this association in terms of mental health and the situation is nuanced for addiction. Nonetheless, involuntary treatment advocates argue that treating people against their will is necessary because they are unable to make decisions for themselves. This assumption is also disproven by research, which reveals a much more complex reality.

In addition, risk assessment and incapacity evaluation tools are controversial and primarily target marginalized and racialized people.

The focus on public safety also perpetuates prejudices and fear, which increases popular support for coercive measures like involuntary treatment. Nearly 70 percent of Ontario residents, for example, support legislative changes to facilitate forced treatment.

Third, some politicians argue that involuntary treatment works. Current data do not support a strong causal link between involuntary treatment and treatment adherence, relapse prevention or social functioning. On the contrary, they show adverse effects associated with coercion.

Expanded access to community-based services, the use of experiential knowledge from the people concerned and a trauma-informed approach seem promising and more respectful of human rights.

Changing the language

Proponents of involuntary treatments, like Patrick Brown, the mayor of Brampton, Ont., claim "the old approach isn't working."

Because the term "involuntary treatment" has a negative connotation, they talk now of "compassionate care."

This change in terminology aligns with the CARE program implemented in California in 2022. Homeless people with certain psychiatric diagnoses can be subjected to involuntary treatment through "a compassionate civil court process." CARE's compassionate approach is presented as a paradigm shift.

But is it?

Making it easier to confine homeless and marginalized people is, to say the least, not a new or original idea. Rather, it's a very old approach dating back to the Middle Ages.

Involuntary treatment is claimed to be necessary because people would not enter therapy voluntarily. Yet mental health and addiction services are difficult to access across Canada thanks to decades of under-funding. It's tough to justify violating people's rights to engage them in involuntary treatments when voluntary treatments are inaccessible.

Compassionate care, in fact, is nothing more than a smoke screen intended to hide coercion, structural inequalities and governments' lack of social responsibility.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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T cells are removed from the patient's body, engineered to fight disease, then infused back into the patient's bloodstream. At the point of infusion, and at various time points after, blood is drawn to monitor the efficacy of the T-cell therapy. Credit: Duke-NUS Medical School

A novel test developed by Duke-NUS researchers enables real-time monitoring of T cells that have been engineered to fight cancer after re-introduction into the body of a cancer patient. This simple and innovative test provides clinicians with the ability to track the function of these cancer-fighting cells over the course of the treatment.

T cells are a type of immune cell that seeks out and destroys cells infected by viruses, bacteria as well as tumor cells. Originally designed to detect SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells, this technology has now been adapted for use in cancer immunotherapy applications.

The test, which uses less than a quarter teaspoon of blood, works by stimulating the target T cells in the blood to release chemical signals, called cytokines, through which the quantity and quality of the target T cells can be measured.

In this proof-of-concept study, which was published in Immunotherapy Advances, the research team introduced fragments, called peptides, that stimulate the T cells engineered to fight Hepatitis B virus-related liver cancer present in the treated patients.

Using their test, they assessed whether the engineered T cells remained in the blood and continued to function properly after infusion into the patient.

Assistant Professor Anthony Tan, from Duke-NUS' Emerging Infectious Diseases Program and first author of the study, commented, "Our innovative test enables us to swiftly detect and analyze engineered T cells in patient blood samples. Its simplicity and speed could have a significant impact on the clinical field, helping to make advanced treatments more accessible."

With engineered T-cell therapies becoming more widely used to treat malignancies, including Hepatitis B virus-induced liver cancer and a range of blood cancers, being able to accurately and easily track how these engineered cells behave in the body over time will be crucial in monitoring the effectiveness of these therapies in individual patients.

(From left to right) Assistant Professor Anthony Tan, PhD student He Shan and Professor Antonio Bertoletti monitor the effectiveness of T-cell immunotherapy using their newly developed test. Credit: Duke-NUS Medical School

At the same time, this plug-and-play concept can help accelerate the translation of new T-cell-based therapies from the laboratory to the patient's bedside. The research team has already demonstrated that the test can be adapted for use in numerous viral infections, but this is their first foray into cancer therapies, where the test can be harnessed for T-cell receptor (TCR) engineered T cells, as well as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies.

Professor Antonio Bertoletti, from Duke-NUS Emerging Infectious Diseases Program and senior author of the study, added, "Tracking the functionality of adoptively transferred engineered T-cell products could provide important information on treatment efficacy over time, an assessment which at the moment remains largely unexplored.

"We hope that with this proof-of-concept, we can help accelerate research into other CAR and TCR T-cell therapies as well as support clinicians on the frontline caring for patients receiving these novel therapies."

In collaboration with Lion TCR Pte Ltd, the test has been deployed in a Hepatitis B virus-TCR T-cell therapy clinical trial, called the SAFE-T-HBV trial, evaluating the effectiveness of a novel therapy in two patients and demonstrating the test's impact on improving the precision of immunotherapy outcomes.

The team is now looking to advance this proof-of-concept through larger clinical studies.

Professor Patrick Tan, Senior Vice-Dean for Research at Duke-NUS, said that he sees potential in the new test. He added, "This innovation isn't just a step forward in cancer therapy, it's a significant advancement in patient care that could extend across multiple diseases.

"By offering clinicians real-time data on the functionality of these engineered T cells, we are paving the way for highly personalized treatment strategies that could significantly enhance patient outcomes."

More information: Anthony T Tan et al, A rapid method to assess the in vivo multi-functionality of adoptively transferred engineered TCR T cells, Immunotherapy Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1093/immadv/ltae007
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PRDX6 is a critical regulator of ferroptosis surveillance. As a selenium- acceptor protein, PRDX6 aids in intracellular selenium utilization for efficient selenoprotein biosynthesis, including GPX4, the guardian of ferroptosis. PRDX6 deficiency reduces brain GPX4 expression levels and increases tumor sensitivity to ferroptosis, underscoring its physiological significance. Credit: Molecular Cell (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.10.028

Researchers at Helmholtz Munich, in collaboration with colleagues at Tohoku University, have identified a specific redox protein as a critical regulator of ferroptosisa form of regulated oxidative cell death. Ferroptosis has garnered strong interest due to its therapeutic potential in addressing therapy-resistant and metastasizing cancers, and its involvement in neurodegenerative diseases.

While sensitizing cancer cells to ferroptosis offers a promising anticancer approach, preventing neuronal ferroptosis may help slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis (MS). Consequently, research is focusing on novel cellular mechanisms that ultimately determine ferroptosis sensitivity.

The team found that peroxiredoxin 6 (PRDX6) serves as a critical regulator of ferroptosis and acts as a selenium carrier protein, playing an essential role in cellular defense against oxidative stress. Their findings suggest that PRDX6 could become an important target for treating cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

The study was published in Molecular Cell on November 14, 2024.

The team was led by Dr. Eikan Mishima, Senior Scientist at the Institute of Metabolism and Cell Death at Helmholtz Munich and Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, and Professor Marcus Conrad from the Institute of Metabolism and Cell Death at Helmholtz Munich.

PRDX6: A selenium carrier protein and ferroptosis regulator

Selenium, named after the Greek goddess of the moon, Selene, is an essential micronutrient crucial to human health and integral to various selenoproteins. Among these, the selenoenzyme glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) stands out, playing a key role in preventing ferroptosis by protecting cells against damaging (phospho)lipid peroxidation.

The team focused on PRDX6 due to its known peroxidase activity, similar to that of GPX4. Although PRDX6 has a comparatively weaker peroxidase function, cells lacking PRDX6 showed significantly increased sensitivity to ferroptosis, particularly in cancer cells. Inspired by this unexpected finding, the researchers discovered PRDX6's crucial function in cellular selenium metabolism.

Beyond acting as a peroxidase, PRDX6 serves as a selenium carrier protein, essential for efficient intracellular selenium trafficking. This selenium-transport role facilitates the incorporation of selenium into selenoproteins, thus regulating GPX4 levels and influencing ferroptosis sensitivity.

Mishima explains, "PRDX6 is a selenium carrier protein whose molecular identity had long been hypothesized but not identified."

PRDX6 deficiency reduces tumor growth and lowers selenoproteins in the brain

The researchers further investigated the importance of PRDX6 in mice, showing that PRDX6 deficiency suppressed tumor growth.

Additionally, mice lacking PRDX6 showed reduced selenoprotein levels in the brain, underscoring the importance of PRDX6 in selenium transport and neuroprotection. These findings highlight the significance of PRDX6 in cancer biology and brain health.

Potential for anti-cancer and neurodegenerative disease therapies

This discovery opens exciting possibilities for new therapeutic approaches. Since therapy-resistant and metastatic cancers are particularly susceptible to ferroptosis, inhibiting PRDX6 in cancer could increase ferroptosis sensitivity, offering a new route for cancer treatment.

"Additionally, with the new role of PRDX6 in maintaining selenoprotein levels in the brain, it holds promise for neurodegenerative disease therapies," Conrad explains.

These novel insights into PRDX6's function will be featured alongside a companion study by the Friedmann Angeli laboratory at Wurzburg University, published in the same issue of Molecular Cell, underscoring the significant scientific interest and potential impact of these findings on future cancer and neurodegenerative disease research.

More information: Junya Ito et al, PRDX6 dictates ferroptosis sensitivity by directing cellular selenium utilization, Molecular Cell (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.10.028 Zhiyi Chen et al, PRDX6 contributes to selenocysteine metabolism and ferroptosis resistance, Molecular Cell (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.10.027 Journal information: Molecular Cell
By Akbar Novruz





Within the COP29 framework in Azerbaijan, a Ministerial Meeting on the SPECA Climate and Innovation Dialogue took place, highlighting the role of SPECA (Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia) in regional climate cooperation.

Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov emphasized SPECAs value and noted that it had become a vital platform fostering economic growth, environmental sustainability, and innovation among participating countries.

Our countries are strengthening their economies with the support of SPECA, as well as building a future-ready for the challenges of climate change, he remarked.

The dialogue aims to help SPECA member states achieve the goals set by the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Jabbarov explained that through the exchange of knowledge and expertise, regional nations can formulate strategies addressing climate changes social, environmental, and economic impacts. The initiative will particularly focus on boosting low-carbon transitions, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and the shift toward a circular economy.

The SPECA Multilateral Trust Fund, discussed during the event, was presented as a flexible mechanism for tackling shared issues like climate change, sustainable development, and economic integration. Armida Salsiya Alishahbana, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), and Tatiana Molchan, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), underlined the significance of regional cooperation for impactful climate action. They noted that the SPECA Dialogue could enhance innovation and sustainability efforts, highlighting that effective use of innovation is crucial for impactful climate action, sustainability, and prosperity.

The Deputy Ministers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan also spoke, underscoring the importance of regional and international collaboration for climate resilience. The event concluded with the signing of the Baku Joint Ministerial Statement on establishing the SPECA Climate and Innovation Dialogue, alongside the official announcement of the Dialogues and the Trust Funds launch.
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Graphical abstract. Credit: iScience (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.111055

mRNA vaccines saved lives during the COVID-19 pandemic, but older people had less of an immune response to the vaccines than did younger adults. Why? Boston Children's researchers, led by Byron Brook, Ph.D., and Ofer Levy, MD, Ph.D., have found some answers, while providing proof-of-concept of a new system that can model vaccine responses in a dish.

The test system, described in a paper out today in iScience, is called MEMPHIS (Modular Evaluation of immunogenicity using Multi-Platform Human In vitro Systems). It analyzes whole human blood from people of different age groups and applies both proteomics and targeted assays to measure the production of cytokines (immune signaling proteins) induced by mRNA vaccines.

"Our excitement here is the ability to model responses to mRNA vaccines outside the body in an age-specific fashion, which we demonstrate for the first time," says Levy, who heads the Precision Vaccines Program at Boston Children's. "Our model gives us insight into vaccine activity in vulnerable populations." This, in turn, could help expedite the search for more effective vaccines.

Multi-pronged monitoring

The team collected blood samples from people in different age groups and added the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID mRNA vaccine to the samples. Extensive tests, including proteomics and systems biology approaches, then measured immune activation in response to the vaccine.

This approach identified muted innate immune responses in people over age 60 as compared with those age 18 to 50. In particular, older adults showed an impaired ability to support TH1 immunity, with diminished early inflammatory responses, and lower levels of four key cytokines (CXCL10, IL-1RA, IFN-g, and CCL4), biomarkers that signify generation of a larger immune response.

"The early innate response to mRNA vaccines is critical in instructing the adaptive immune system, triggering maturation of CD4 T cells and supporting downstream cellular and antibody responses that are long-lived," explains Brook.

The lower initial response associated with advancing age, also seen in mice, may explain why immunity waned more quickly in older adults, the researchers say.

While mouse studies have traditionally been considered a gold standard for research, they are expensive, time-consuming, and don't always accurately capture human immune biology. In 2022, Congress passed the FDA Modernization Act 2.0, which allows for alternatives to animal testing, including human cell and organoid models alongside systems biology approaches.

Levy emphasizes that their MEMPHIS test system, for which they've filed a patent, is an exemplar of this new approach. The system provides a nimbler way to predict age-specific human vaccine responses, allowing multiple vaccine doses and vaccine adjuvantscompounds that boost the immune response, of particular interest in Levy's labto be tested simultaneously in samples from the same person.

"If we could elicit a young-adult-like innate immune response in an elder, we might be able to provide more protection," says Brook.

De-risking vaccine development for infants and elders

Brook and Levy are now planning a similar study in newborn infants, who have distinct immune systems and vaccine responses. They also want to use their assay to find biomarkers in the blood that predict which mRNA vaccine is most likely to be effective.

"We want to accelerate and de-risk vaccine development using human in vitro systems and eventually be able to select which vaccine and adjuvant are optimal for each population," says Levy.

More information: Byron Brook et al, The BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine demonstrates reduced age-associated TH1 support in vitro and in vivo, iScience (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.111055 Journal information: iScience
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

At 7:15 a.m. Nov. 6, just hours after Donald Trump was declared the winner of the presidential election, the mood in a Washington Square West yoga studio felt heavy.

"Folks were sobbing throughout class," said Callie Kim, founder of Tuck Barre & Yoga. Students expressed a variety of emotions: "Sadness, frustration, overwhelmed, feeling very tired, exhausted, physically and emotionally."

But all 18 of them17 regulars and one newcomershowed up to the sold-out class.

It was the start, Kim said, of a busy week at Tuck's three locations across Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's most Democratic city and one of few areas in the swing state where a majority of voters rejected the president-elect in his third bid for the White House.

At the Washington Square West, Northern Liberties, and Point Breeze studios, there was about a 15% increase in attendance, Kim said, and a noticeable influx of new faces. Was it a coincidental rush of people choosing to ramp up their wellness routines all at once? Feedback in the studio suggests not, Kim said.

"It's about finding some way to regulate their emotions," Kim said, "and for a lot of folks, it's movement."

Other movement- and mindfulness-related businesses said community members have turned out in similarly robust numbers over the past week. Not only are anxious residents signing up for yoga, barre, and pilates classes, but they're also booking private meditation sessions, joining group nature hikes, downloading mindfulness apps, and seeking out therapy.

If the trend continues in the coming weeks, and then during the next four years of a second Trump presidency, it could provide a small but meaningful boost to business owners. At Tuck, for example, first-timers get one free class, then a month of unlimited classes for $99. After that, sessions cost between $18 and $28 apiece, or regulars can opt for additional unlimited packages, which come with a greater discount per class but a larger up-front cost.

Others turned to meditation apps, such as Headspace and Calm, which cost $13 and $15 a month respectively. On election night, Calm paid for airtime to run silent 30-second ads during CNN and ABC's live coverage, and at times sponsored CNN's "Key Race Alerts." Headspace saw spikes in interaction with its "Politics Without Panic" collection.

Overall engagement was up across both apps. Downloads of Calm, which has limited free content, increased 30% compared to the prior week, according to a company spokesperson. In the week after the election, Headspace saw a 13% increase in subscriptions and free trialsincluding a 11% rise in Pennsylvania and a 24% jump in New Jersey.

Jon Kole, Headspace's senior director of psychiatry and medical director who is based in Pittsburgh, noted particularly high engagement the day after the election, including a 1,700% rise in use of the app's "Pause with 5 Calming Breaths" exercise.

"People just wanted to be in the moment," Kole said, "not in the next four years."

Meditation centers see people seeking more calm

Dominique London has spent more and more time at the Black Lotus Holistic Health Collective over the past two years. First, it was once a month, then a couple times a month, and recently it's been at least once a week.

The week of the election, London, a 39-year-old master's student, spent parts of several days at the Germantown space, a cooperative that includes therapists, meditation teachers, yoga instructors, and other mindfulness professionals. London was one of dozens of people who took part in the collective's free two-day "Grounding in Calm" event, which included meditation and yoga and took place on Election Day and the following morning.

"Leading up to the election, I was really disassociating a lot. I didn't want to engage in social media. I didn't want to feel the anxiety of others," she said. When she learned about the election events at Black Lotus, "I was like this is exactly what I want to be spending my time doing."

The meditative time made the emotional weight of the days feel a little lighter, London said, and it allowed her to go on with her day with less paralyzing anxiety than she felt in 2016. She wished that she had such an outlet back then.

Since the election, Cassandra Renee Bolding, founder of Black Lotus, said she's received a flood of emails, asking what the collective can do next to help a stressed community.

"There have beenoh my goodnessrequests for me to come out, for us to come out, to provide similar services as 'Grounding in Calm,' requests from different agencies and companies," said Bolding.

She usually takes Saturday off but ended up going to two different events the Saturday after the election to provide sound therapy and other wellness resources. In her work as a licensed professional counselor, she said she has responded to five crisis sessions in the past week, and other patients have requested to increase the frequency of their appointments to cope with the election.

As for the collective, she said she's hoping to keep providing regular programming at a "nominal" cost, such as $16 for a yoga session or $1-a-minute for a massage. She said she often asks herself: "How do we share this burden?"

At the Veda Den in Cherry Hill, founder Nicoli Rena Sinclair said she started getting emails within hours of the election results coming in. Most were from women wanting to book $300 to $500 private meditation sessions with friends or partners. She did one of those three-hour sessions last Sunday, and another on Monday.

"One in particular was really struggling and they vocalized it," Sinclair said. "It was the fact that she couldn't control that Trump is now in office. So now what?"

Sinclair said she stresses that acceptance is different than complacency: People can still protest, participate in activism, and take other actions as an engaged citizen, while accepting a fact that they cannot change.

She added, "It causes friction in the body when you can't accept things."

2024 The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has strongly criticized President William Rutos government, accusing it of fostering a culture of lies and failing to deliver on promises to the Kenyan people.

Archbishop Maurice Muhatia, speaking on behalf of the KCCB in Ruaraka, Nairobi County on Thursday, condemned the administration for allegedly using state machinery to suppress critics, neglecting public concerns, and reversing democratic progress in Kenya.

Archbishop Muhatia noted that many Kenyans have lost trust in the government they elected two years ago.

The culture of lies is replacing the integrity and respect Kenyans deserve, he stated, adding that truth now appears to be solely defined by government narratives. He urged Kenyans to reject political deceit and instead demand accountability and transparency.

The bishops raised concerns over the Kenya Kwanza administrations economic and political policies, calling out the recently introduced Tax Amendment Bill 2024. They argued that it effectively reintroduces the controversial Finance Bill 2024, which was previously rejected.

It seems to be a hidden way of reintroduction the rejected Finance Bill 2024, we should listen to the cry of Kenyans, they said.

In addition, the clergy denounced a proposal to extend the presidential term from five to seven years, viewing it as a rushed and unnecessary move.

A two-term limit of 10 years is sufficient, the KCCB emphasized, stressing the need for caution in such political shifts.

The bishops called on political leaders to focus on more urgent issues facing Kenyans, such as the crises in education and healthcare, as well as the high unemployment rate among young people.

They also highlighted a troubling rise in femicide, with police reports indicating that 97 women and girls were killed across the country in the past three months as of October 30. The KCCB urged the government to address these critical issues that affect the well-being of ordinary Kenyans.
A group of Mathira residents, led by constituent Samuel Ngari, has initiated a recall effort for their Member of Parliament, Eric Wamumbi, accusing him of neglecting their interests.

The campaign, which began on Wednesday afternoon, aims to gather at least 31,000 signatures from the constituencys 104,000 registered voters to meet the constitutional threshold of 30%.

The residents are primarily motivated by Wamumbis recent vote in favor of a motion against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. They also cited several other reasons for the recall, including alleged abuse of office, misappropriation of CDF funds, bribery during public participation on Gachaguas impeachment, and the unlawful dismissal of constituency office employees.

Also Read  Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi Links Gachagua to Coffee Scandal, Delays on Bill Passage

Even though we know there is no IEBC at the moment and there is a court case, we expect the court to resolve it next year. Once that is done, we want the first person to be removed to be Wamumbi, Ngari stated.

Ngari plans to maximize the December holiday when most residents return home to boost the number of signatures collected.

Meanwhile, MP Wamumbi has dismissed the recall effort on his Facebook page, labeling it as a retaliatory move by the former Deputy President. Despite this, Ngari and the residents remain determined to continue their push for Wamumbis removal.
The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), taking place in Baku, highlights the significance that the nation places on addressing environmental challenges at a global level, Azernews reports.

This large-scale event is also significant in terms of promoting the ancient and rich historical and cultural heritage of Azerbaijan.

During this period, attendees can anticipate a variety of cultural festivities and presentations organized by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry. These initiatives aim to create an enriching atmosphere that melds environmental discourse with cultural appreciation.

As part of the conference proceedings, there will be a display of unique, centuries-old carpets alongside other exquisite weaving artefacts.

Carpet weaving is one of the oldest types of decorative and applied art in Azerbaijan.

The origins of Azerbaijani carpets can be traced back to the Bronze Age.

Known for their high-quality and vibrant colours, they are often characterised by geometric patterns, floral motifs, and symbolic representations. Each region in Azerbaijan has its own distinct style and design, reflecting the cultural diversity of the country.

In 2010, Azerbaijani carpet weaving was included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

These exhibits embody the artistry and craftsmanship that have flourished in Azerbaijan for generations.

The venues also showcase an extensive array of fine and decorative arts, national costumes, and various handicrafts that reflect the country's rich artistic heritage.

Particularly fascinating are the handicrafts created by talented representatives of Azerbaijani fine arts.

These beautiful art pieces showcase the country's enchanting landscapes, diverse flora, and vibrant fauna.

Such exhibits are designed to ignite interest and admiration among conference participants, fostering a deeper understanding of Azerbaijans cultural richness while addressing the pressing issues of climate change.

COP 29 stands for the 29th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), a landmark international treaty agreed in 1992, and parent treaty to the 2015 Paris Agreement.

The 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 29) is taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan on November 11-22.

The event has gathered world leaders and negotiators from the member states (or Parties) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to further global progress, with business leaders, young people, climate scientists, Indigenous Peoples, and civil society sharing insights and best practices to strengthen global, collective and inclusive climate action.

Among the key priorities of COP 29 are securing a new goal on climate finance, ensuring every country has the means to take much stronger climate action, slashing greenhouse gas emissions and building resilient communities.
Political activist Morara Kebaso has accused major political parties of plotting to absorb all Gen Z leaders, claiming that these parties aim to teach them the corrupt practices of traditional politics.

In a statement posted on Thursday, November 14, 2024, Morara said that a concerted effort is underway to bring Gen Z leaders into mainstream political parties. He argued that this plan is designed to redirect these young leaders into the old, corrupt style of politics that he believes is detrimental to the country.

However, Morara made it clear that he would not be part of such a scheme. He assured his supporters that he has no intention of joining the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), or the Wiper Democratic Movement.

Further distancing himself from these established parties, Morara revealed that he had founded his political movementthe Injection of National Justice, Economic and Civic Transformation (INJECT) party. He explained that he anticipated the plan to absorb Gen Z leaders into mainstream politics and undermine their efforts for change, which is why he formed INJECT.

There is a very serious concerted effort to swallow all Gen Z leaders into mainstream political parties to teach them the old corrupt style of politics. That is why we formed the INJECT Party. We will chart our own path. I will not join UDA, ODM, or WIPER; their time is over. It is our time now. Consistency to the end, Morara wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Hanifa Denies Joining Wiper Party

Moraras statement follows reports that political activist Hanifa Adan had joined the Kalonzo Musyoka-led Wiper party. These rumors began circulating after Hanifa attended a press conference hosted by Kalonzo on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at the SKM Command Centre.

However, Hanifa quickly denied these claims, clarifying that she is not affiliated with Azimio, the opposition coalition, or any other political party. She explained that her presence at the event was solely to present an award to the former Vice President.

Hanifa further clarified that she was unaware that the event would be a press conference. She had been invited by the National Community-Based Organization to present the Peace Ambassador Awards to Kalonzo and only learned of the press briefing after being asked to speak.

Whuuuueh Githeri media. I was called by the National community based organization to present the peace ambassador awards to his excellency and didnt even know it was a presser, this was after I spoke. This looks like Im in Azimio or something and I would like to categorically https://t.co/p9Wjw3kWxU pic.twitter.com/jcHxwf8Dxe  Hanifa   (@Honeyfarsafi) November 13, 2024



She emphasized, This looks like Im in Azimio or something, but I would like to categorically state that Im not affiliated with Azimio or any political party. This was my speech as well!!! I said peace goes hand in hand with justice, and we want justice for every one of us that has been mercilessly killed!

Kasmuel McOure Joins ODM

The unfolding developments also include the recent move by activist Kasmuel McOure to join the ODM party.

Kasmuel announced that ODM is focusing on revitalizing youth and student leagues across the country. He called on young people to join the party, positioning it as the only political movement that truly advocates for a country where everyone can live with dignity.

If youre willing to join a substantive political movement for a fair, democratic Kenya where everyone can live with dignity, consider @TheODMparty  the largest pro-people party in East and Central Africa! Kasmuel said.

Were revitalizing the Youth and Students Leagues and are calling on passionate young Kenyans to help shape our future. Stand with us! Thank you, party chair @gladyswanga, for your faith and for hosting us this weekend, he added.
Parliament has launched an investigation into the Body by Design clinic following a botched surgery that led to the death of Lucy Nganga. The clinic, operating under the name Omnicare Medical Ltd, has since been shut down by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) for failing to meet the required operational standards.

Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi has called for the National Assemblys Health Committee to investigate not only the circumstances surrounding Ngangas death but also whether other clinics offering similar services are properly licensed.

Elachi wants the committee, chaired by Endebes MP Robert Pukose, to verify Body by Designs registration with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council and to clarify the specific services it provides.

RELATED  Court Orders KMPDC to Submit Evidence against Body by Design Cosmetic Clinic

She also requested an investigation into the qualifications of the doctors who performed the procedures on Nganga, the quality assurance measures in place, and how clinics across the country ensure compliance with medical standards.

Furthermore, Elachi wants to know what actions are being taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.

This is not the first time a woman has lost her life due to a surgical mishap. Many clinics engage in this practice and attract clients through online ads showcasing a range of services such as breast augmentation, leg shaping, and hair restoration, Elachi noted.

The Health Committee is expected to present its findings within two weeks.
Police have arrested Collins Kipchumba Kemboi, a 23-year-old suspected of orchestrating widespread cheating in the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams.

Officers apprehended Kemboi on Thursday, November 14, in the Kiamunyi area of Nakuru. Known for operating under the alias Dorothy Jerop Kiprono, Kemboi allegedly gained infamy among exam fraud circles, amassing a following of over 78,000 on his Telegram channel and more than 8,500 members across WhatsApp groups seeking leaked exam materials.

In a joint operation, DCI officers and Nakuru County detectives stormed Kembois residence, catching him with various tools he used to distribute leaked exam content. Authorities seized an Infinix Hot 10 Lite phone, which he allegedly used to operate his fraud network, along with several SIM cards, multiple national IDs with varying names, and a drivers license.

Investigations revealed that Kemboi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management and works as a salesperson for an international firm.

Originally from Kaseta, Sacho in Baringo County, Kemboi now faces charges of fraud and unauthorized possession of examination materials. He remains in custody at Nakuru Central Police Station and is scheduled to appear before the Nakuru Law Courts on Friday.

Also Check out  Police Capture Administrator of Telegram KCSE Exam Leakage Group in Kisii
When Greta Thunberg was 11 years old, she developed depression. She stopped going to school, eating, and socializing with friends. Her problems were exacerbated by classmates, as she was different from the others. Doctors diagnosed Greta with Asperger's syndrome, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), and selective mutism, a condition that prevents a person from speaking in certain social situations, even when required.

Now, this girl, who once needed constant medical care, has become the face of a political project. While she is formally recognized as an eco-activist, in reality, she has long been used for political purposes. Recently, the Thunberg project has intensified its activities in the South Caucasus, starting with her appearance in Tbilisi.

In the capital of Georgia, Thunberg appeared alongside those eager to plunge the neighboring country into a state of controlled chaos. By doing so, she demonstrated that she is not an environmental activist at all, but a political pawn. Her handlers are those who seek to impose a subservient, vassal-like model of development on Georgia, trampling on the nation's sovereignty and interests.

What is most ironic, however, is that while physically in Tbilisi, Greta Thunberg attempted to discredit Azerbaijan, making prepared statements about the COP29 conference in Baku. From there, she declared she would boycott the UN Climate Change Conferencethe worlds most significant environmental event of the year. Thunberg, who calls herself an eco-activist, chose not to attend the very event that addresses climate change on a global scale. After that, who can still call her an eco-activist?

Further confirmation of this lies in the fact that Thunberg has long demanded that the Swedish government adhere to the Paris Climate Agreement. Yet, despite the grave challenges the agreement faces, including the looming threat of record-setting temperatures in 2024something discussed at the COP29 conference in BakuGreta chose not to attend. If she were truly concerned with climate change, she should have been in Baku. But, as we can see, she chose a different path: that of primitive provocation.

Thunberg predictably found herself in Armenia, further distancing herself from environmental causes. If she were truly an eco-activist, she would have visited the outdated Metsamor nuclear power plant, which continues to pose a significant environmental risk to the region. This is not just my opinionAntonia Venisch of the Austrian Institute of Applied Ecology in Vienna, in an article for National Geographic, called Metsamor "one of the most dangerous nuclear power plants still operating."

But no, while in Yerevan, Thunberg chose to make politically charged statements instead. She declared that "the world community should have addressed the issue of political prisoners, prisoners of war, and other detainees in Azerbaijan long ago." By "prisoners of war," she was referring to the former leaders of the Karabakh junta, responsible for numerous crimes against the Azerbaijani state and people, and who are now awaiting trial.

One of these individuals is Ruben Vardanyan, a Russian-Armenian millionaire. It would not be surprising if it turns out that Thunberg's tour of Georgia and Armenia is being funded by him. This would explain her unfounded claim that "the Armenians of Artsakh fought for their rights, for the right to live and exist." It is clear that Thunberg lacks a basic understanding of history. She seems unaware that it was Armenia that occupied and held 20% of Azerbaijans territory for more than a quarter-century, not the other way around.

Furthermore, Thunberg seems oblivious to the fact that four UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions called for the withdrawal of all Armenian forces from Azerbaijan's occupied territories. She also doesnt seem to know that Armenia caused enormous ecological damage to Azerbaijan during its years of occupation.

For example, precious tree specieswalnut, oak, Eldar pine, persimmon, and other protected specieswere cut down for wood and exported to Armenia to make furniture, barrels, and rifle butts. Thousands of hectares of forest were destroyed due to new mining operations, pushing many tree species to the brink of extinction.

The Armenian media have also reported on the large-scale environmental crimes committed in the temporarily occupied territories of Azerbaijan. The Hetq publication, in December 2019, noted that between 2014 and 2018, more forest was cut down in the unrecognized "NKR" than in Armenia itself175,300 cubic meters in Armenia compared to 404,800 cubic meters in Nagorno-Karabakh. In 2017 alone, 102,488 cubic meters of forest were cut down in Karabakh.

Additionally, there are over 160 deposits of valuable metals in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan, including gold, mercury, copper, and coal, all of which were looted and exported abroad during the years of occupation. Yet Greta Thunberg has remained silent on all of this. She is a political project, used to amplify only what her sponsors and handlers dictate to her.
The head of the German delegation to PACE, the outspoken Azerbaijan critic Frank Schwabe, is at it again, repeating his tired tirade about the "terrible human rights situation" in Azerbaijanthis time, all in the context of COP29. Not long ago, he made the same accusations word for word, but focused on the claim that Baku should never be reinstated in PACE.

This, despite the fact that Azerbaijan has never shown any real desire to rejoin PACE. One might think that the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry is calling PACE every week to request re-admission, but of course, thats far from the case. Schwabes statements are simply ill-informed and misleading.

Unfortunately, this isnt the first time Schwabe has spread such misinformation. He regularly makes false claims about Azerbaijan, often with no basis in reality. At one point, he even called for a boycott of COP29, and more recently, he spread lies about the "imprisonment" of economist Gubad Ibadoglu, who was at home at the time. There are countless examples of Schwabe targeting Azerbaijan with baseless accusations, with the reason behind each attack changing, but the lies remaining the same.

Whats even more surprising is how Schwabe, whose political career in Germany falteredhe once aspired to be chancellorhas sought refuge in European politics. But even there, his successes seem limited to lobbying for military interests. This was the case three years ago and remains true today. Schwabe has become so entangled with Armenian interests that he now seems more Armenian than some Armenians themselves. His corrupt Armenian allies are sure to appreciate his efforts and will continue to support his efforts to tarnish Azerbaijans image in every possible way.
On a crisp morning, members of the Emory  and wider Atlanta  communities gathered on the Quad to pay respects to those who have served in the nations uniformed services during the universitys 16th-annual Veterans Day Ceremony.

At Emory, we talk a lot about in the service of. In the service of our students, in the service of scholarship and in the service of humanity, of course. But today, we recognize those who have given so much to the service of our country, said Ravi V. Bellamkonda, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.

Andrew Nelson, Army sergeant and president of the Goizueta Business School Veterans Association, served as this years emcee. Nelson welcomed attendees and initiated a moment of silence for all those who have served.

In addition to emphasizing the service and sacrifices veterans and active duty members have made, Bellamkonda shared the history of the Emory Unit. In 1917, as the U.S. entered World War I, the U.S. Army Surgeon General asked for medical personnel to assist. The unit consisted of 24 officers, 65 nurses and 154 enlisted personnel who had ties to Emory.

The Emory Unit was formed, as they were called, and operated a 500-bed hospital and treated more than 9,000 patients, Bellamkonda explained. We are proud of our service members, those who have answered the call both then and now.

At the event, Bellamkonda also announced a new position: the executive director of veterans initiatives. The role will work directly with veterans in Goizueta and will support veteran initiatives at the university level, ensuring they are supported across the entire institution, regardless of their academic program.

This years keynote speaker was Vonetta Daniels, president of the Emory Alumni Veterans Network, a U.S. Air Force veteran and a 2002 Emory College graduate.

Daniels has remained connected with Emory since graduating and has advocated for veterans and their experiences here.

Its important to understand how veterans in the Emory community, whether they be student, alumni or staff, embody the mission and principles of Emory, said Daniels, a fifth-generation veteran.

The Air Force core values are integrity first, service before self, excellence in all we do, and we carry those values into the community. These complement Emorys mission to create, preserve, teach and apply knowledge in the service of humanity. The distinct purpose of thinking beyond oneself is foundational to the military experience, said Daniels.

Now, Daniels is working to engage groups across Emory and the Atlanta metro area to build a community of veterans and a university experience of choice for veterans. Were all very committed to this work because we know this hallowed place has a unique opportunity and responsibility to do so.

Service and gratitude

Ceremony attendees encompassed a wide range of lived experiences  but they shared the common thread of service and gratitude.

Felicia Warren, who graduated from Oxford College in 1999, Emory College in 2001 and Rollins School of Public Health in 2008, is now a commander in the U.S. Public Health Service and works at the CDC

My parents are Army veterans and my grandfathers were both in the Army, too, says Warren. Service was part of my upbringing and I wanted to serve in a way that made sense for me. Being a public health practitioner and combining that service was ideal for me.

Warren explained she also attended the ceremony to support Daniels as a fellow Emory Alumni Veterans Network board member.

For current students, the ceremony offered community in more ways than one, including support from non-veterans, the chance to bond with those having similar experiences and the opportunity to connect with more experienced military members.

I enjoyed meeting the older officers and getting to know them and hear about their experiences, said Christian Coon, a junior in Goizueta Business School. Part of ROTC and a participant in this years Honor Guard, Coon leads the third squad and is cross enrolled with Georgia Tech through the ROTC program.

This years Honor Guard included veterans from the School of Business, School of Medicine, Emory College, the Public Health Service, Army ROTC cadets from Emory and Georgia Tech, and NROTC midshipmen from Morehouse College and Georgia Tech.

Raymond Posey is a midshipman 4-C and a first-year student at Morehouse College. Right now, weve been learning about the Morehouse Battalion and attending our classes as well as preparing for being commissioned as an officer in the Navy or Marine Corps, Posey said. This ceremony means a lot and it was nice to see other folks across the service branches in roles wed like to be in someday, too.

While Goizueta MBA student Nate Lundquist did not participate in the days Honor Guard, he was happy to attend the ceremony. An Army captain O3, he was most recently a company commander at Old Guard, the U.S. Armys ceremonial unit, which oversees ceremonies in Washington, D.C., and funerals at Arlington National Cemetery.

My reasons for joining the Army were two-fold, Lundquist explains, saying he grew up around the military despite his family not being directly involved. I grew up at Fort Drum in New York, which was one of the most deployed units during the Global War on Terror. I saw both my friends parents and my parents friends deploying in service. It was a calling from there.

When I was looking at MBAs to apply for, I was astonished at how military-friendly Emory is and the organizations that Emory employs to both recruit veterans and provide resources, said Lundquist, who has been in the service for just over seven years.

This ceremony is a unique and amazing opportunity for bringing the Emory community at large together. We dont often get to have gatherings like this so its a really cool opportunity to see all the people who serve across the Emory community.

Resources for veterans

Many resources are available to veterans across Emory University.

The Yellow Ribbon program supports post-9/11 veterans by providing funding to supplement educational expenses beyond what is covered by the G.I. Bill.

Army or Air Force ROTC are options for undergraduate students interested in military careers. The cross-enrollment agreement with Georgia Tech allows students to complete their undergraduate degrees at Emory and military training at Georgia Tech.

Emorys Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing was selected to participate in the Veteran Affairs Nursing Academic Partnership (VANAP), an elite program through which undergraduate and graduate nursing students gain valuable training in providing quality healthcare for our nations veterans.

In May 2024, Goizueta Business School officially welcomed the first cohort to the new MBA program designed for veterans. Across programs, Goizueta celebrated a record number of veterans and service members joining as students at the school this year.

Veteran employees across Emory University are welcome to participate in the Emory Veterans Employee Network (EVEN), designed to promote a sense of belonging by Emory veterans through organization, recognition, networking and resources.

The Emory Healthcare Veterans Program offers free, confidential mental health treatment to eligible post-9/11 veterans and service members across the United States, regardless of discharge status, deployment history or length of service. The program features a two-week intensive outpatient treatment program addressing post-traumatic stress disorder, military sexual trauma, substance use disorders and other invisible wounds of war.

Photos by Avery Spalding, Emory Photo/Video
PRNewswire Cyberjaya [Malaysia]/ Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], November 15: UST, a leading digital transformation solutions company, has opened a new office and state-of-the-art Generative AI Experience Center in Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia. This facility will act as a hub for innovation and collaboration, bringing together leaders and thinkers at the forefront of the Generative AI space to drive digital transformation in Southeast Asia and beyond. The new Cyberjaya facility is UST's third delivery center in Malaysia and will develop cutting-edge AI solutions for use in a diverse range of market sectors, including banking, manufacturing, retail, O&G, telecom, and education. The GenAI Center of Excellence in Malaysia will elevate customer experiences across Southeast Asia to improve both the engineering services and the digital portfolio of UST. A key focus area will be developing custom Large Language Models (LLMs) tailored to specific business needs. Additionally, work conducted at the Center of Excellence will empower cloud, infrastructure, and cybersecurity applications, automating backend tasks and digitising front-end user experiences, benefiting both engineering and GBS teams. The facility was formally opened on November 11, as part of a ceremony featuring notable tech industry leaders and government officials including: Y.A.B. Dato' Seri Amirudin Bin Shari, Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) of Selangor state; Wan Murdani Wan Mohamad, Senior Vice President of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC); Puan Nor Suhaila Binti Saat, Director, Sepang Municipal Council; Kamarul Ariffin Abdul Samad, Chief Executive Officer, Cyberview Sdn Bhd; TS Koay, Managing Director Dell Technologies Malaysia, Chai Ping Chua, Country Site Leader Experian Malaysia, Sunil Balakrishnan, CVO & Global Head of Center Operations, UST; Gilroy Mathew, Sr Vice president, UST; and Amar Chhajer, Vice President & Country Head Malaysia, UST. "The opening of this advanced new delivery center will enhance our ability to support the growing Malaysian and Southeast Asian markets and positions us for further growth in this dynamic region. UST's focus on Generative AI aligns with the current digital landscape and will empower businesses to harness the potential of AI and automation to drive digital transformation. We're grateful for the support of our partners and stakeholders, who has been instrumental in fostering a strong tech community here in Malaysia. UST's focus on Generative AI aligns with the current digital landscape and will empower businesses to harness the potential of AI and automation to drive digital transformation," said Amar Chhajer, Vice President & Country Head - Malaysia, UST. "UST is a key partner in our mission to develop digital infrastructure and nurture local tech talent. The UST Gen AI Center of Excellence is exactly the type of forward-thinking initiative that will help propel Malaysia into the next phase of digital evolution. It will be a catalyst for research and development in AI, helping to unlock new opportunities and insights across a wide range of sectors. UST's commitment to Malaysia's thriving tech ecosystem has been instrumental in helping transform this sector of our economy. Over the past decade, UST has invested in developing over 10,000 engineering professionals in Malaysia, contributing to the creation of a dynamic and resilient digital ecosystem," said Y.A.B. Dato' Seri Amirudin Bin Shari, Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) of Selangor state. UST began operating in Malaysia in 2006, opening its first center in Penang in 2011. This location also became home to UST's first Infinity Lab in 2020, supporting innovation that has helped UST expand operations throughout Southeast Asia. UST Malaysia has grown to become one of the company's biggest delivery center locations in the world and there are currently over 1,500 USsociates in Malaysia. UST Malaysia has two delivery centers in Penang. UST is certified as a 'Great Place to Work' in Malaysia. About UST Since 1999, UST has worked side by side with the world's best companies to make a powerful impact through transformation. Powered by technology, inspired by people, and led by our purpose, we partner with our clients from design to operation. Our digital solutions, proprietary platforms, engineering expertise, and innovation ecosystem turn core challenges into impactful, disruptive solutions. With deep industry knowledge and a future-ready mindset, we infuse innovation and agility into our clients' organizations--delivering measurable value and positive lasting change for them, their customers, and communities around the world. Together, with 30,000+ employees in 30+ countries, we build for boundless impact--touching billions of lives in the process. Visit us at www.UST.com Media Contacts, UST: Tinu Cherian Abraham+1 (949) 415-9857 Merrick Laravea+1 (949) 416-6212 Neha Misri+91-9284726602 Roshni Das K+91 7736795557media.relations@ust.com Media Contacts, India: Adfactors PRust@adfactorspr.com Media Contacts, U.S. S&C PR+1-646.941.9139media@scprgroup.com Makovskyust@makovsky.com Media Contacts, U.K.: FTI ConsultingUST@fticonsulting.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1422658/UST_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
The trade war between US and China under Trump 2.0 may subside if China agrees to shift some of its manufacturing units to the US says a recent report by Jefferies. It said, "the return of the Donald to the White House offers an opportunity for Beijing to negotiate a new deal with Washington, which would probably include China indicating a willingness to move some production to America". On the continued war between Russia and Ukraine, the report noted that a deal could have been signed in the past on an agreement that Ukraine would not join NATO. It said "a deal could have been done at any time in the past two years and nine months on a simple commitment that Ukraine will not join NATO, though clearly Russia will now want to negotiate on the basis of the territory it now occupies". However, the report also highlighted that the situation has now become more complex, with Russia likely wanting to negotiate based on the territory it currently occupies in Ukraine. Additionally, the possibility of a deal regarding Ukraine could influence global markets, particularly by driving a "risk-on" sentiment, potentially lowering oil prices. The report also warned that if tensions in the West Asia escalate, particularly about Iran, this could impact global stability and energy prices. It said "Any expectation of a deal on Ukraine will certainly help the risk-on move, in terms of lower oil prices, unless escalation resumes in the West Asia. On that issue, Trump's approach seems less clear-cut than on Ukraine's" The report noted that Trump's position on the West Asia remains less clear than his stance on Ukraine, especially in light of recent developments, such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to remove Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on the day of the US presidential election. This move is seen by some as a precursor to heightened tensions with Iran, which could further complicate international relations. (ANI)
VMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 15: 'Dead Dead Full Dead' (DDFD), a standout murder mystery by writer-director Pratul Gaikwad, has been drawing praise worldwide for its offbeat style, intriguing plot, and excellent performances. Produced by Saadho Motion Pictures, this mystery takes audiences on a journey blending suspense, supernatural twists, and quirky humor, making it a refreshing addition to the genre. Plot and Characters Following a style somewhat reminiscent of Agatha Christie, 'Dead Dead Full Dead' offers a humorous and chaotic journey with unique characters, sharp dialogue, and constant surprises. The story revolves around an eccentric group of characters whose hidden secrets and unpredictable behaviors keep the audience guessing. Yug Italiya shines in the cast, giving a performance that captures the character's quirky personality and draws viewers deeper into the unfolding mystery. His timing and natural portrayal add layers to the story, helping to create a world that's as humorous as it is mysterious. Each actor, however, brings something valuable to the ensemble, contributing to the film's vibrant atmosphere and keeping the audience engaged and curious until the end. Achievements and Festival Recognition Official Selection: Yellowstone International Film Festival 2024. The film will screen on November 15 at Cinepolis, Andheri West, Mumbai. International Acclaim: Premiered at the prestigious Fantasia International Film Festival 2024. Critics praised its fresh approach, praising the storytelling and the cast's strong performances. The film's unusual mix of layered characters and a surreal storyline has made it a fan favorite, earning recognition across several platforms and film festivals. 'Dead Dead Full Dead' stands out for its playful approach to the murder mystery genre, giving audiences a memorable experience that lingers well beyond the credits. About Saadho Motion Pictures Saadho Motion Pictures is a production company that focuses on creating fresh, unconventional stories that explore varied human experiences. Known for its artistic approach and innovative techniques, Saadho is dedicated to delivering content that challenges norms and captivates viewers through rich visual storytelling. Its projects, like 'Dead Dead Full Dead', reflect a deep commitment to originality and audience engagement, often exploring themes that provoke thought and inspire conversation. Saadho's work spans feature films, short films, and advertising, marking its impact in the industry by staying true to authentic, boundary-pushing narratives. Catch 'Dead Dead Full Dead' at Upcoming Festivals Don't miss your chance to see 'Dead Dead Full Dead' at the Yellowstone International Film Festival this November. Join the film's cast and crew as they celebrate a remarkable journey into surreal comedy and witness the remarkable performances that bring Pratul Gaikwad's vision to life, especially Yug Italiya's unforgettable turn in this thrilling tale. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) cementing the long-standing partnership towards sustainable and inclusive urbanisation in India, the global body said in a release on Friday. The agreement emphasises the need for shared prosperity with social, economic and environmental integration of cities, city regions and rural areas, recognising India's ambition to grow from a USD 3 trillion economy to a USD 5 trillion economy within the next few years.The move is likely to address the disparities in the cities's resilience to face social, environmental and economic shocks, with some more prepared than others, and some better financed than others. Cities must be smarter than ever about how they position their development trajectory to respond to affordable housing and reduce inequalities manifested in slums and informal settlements, the global body said explaining the need to reduce inequalities. Other areas of cooperation cover, the circular economy of water, wastewater and municipal solid waste catalysed and embedded in planning and investment in cities; enhanced action to respond to the crisis of pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss in cities and human settlements; and strengthened capacity of local and sub-national governments and public institutions for planning, management and financing in cities and human settlements. Katikithala Srinivas, Secretary, MoHUA and Kazuko Ishigaki, Regional Representative, Asia and the Pacific region, UN-Habitat along with the respective delegations met to sign the agreement marking this momentous milestone at the Twelfth World Urban Forum in Cairo, Egypt. Through this cooperation framework, UN-Habitat and MoHUA will collaborate through knowledge, policy advice, technical assistance and collaborative action for inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable development in urban areas and human settlements in India. Demonstrating the potential of this collaboration with immediate results, Srinivas and Ishigaki launched the Urban RAASTA (Resilient and Accelerated Advancement with Sustainable and Transformative Actions) framework. Urban RAASTA is developed for local stakeholders and actors, especially in India's intermediary cities, to endeavour towards a healthy, sustainable, and green development pathway which is rooted in India's traditional ways of conservation and moderation. The framework emulates a T-shaped approach, i.e. multi-sectoral horizontal integration and intra-sectoral comprehensive vertical deep dive, which is necessary to develop "fit for purpose" recommendations for urban development instruments and financing, as per the release. Urban RAASTA is jointly developed with MoHUA, national and subnational partners, with four cornerstones, namely, spatial equity, SDG localization, climate resilience, and inclusive economy to inform urban planning and local financing, the release added. (ANI)
NewsVoir New Delhi [India], November 15: The Cloud & Data Centre India 2024 10th Annual Conference was organized by Bharat Exhibitions on the 14th of November, 2024, at The LaLiT, New Delhi. Where innovation met opportunity in the heart of India's digital revolution at an event for a transformative gathering that brought together most influential players in the data infrastructure ecosystem. From leading banks and private equity firms to cutting-edge cloud service providers and construction experts, the event united the entire value chain under one roof. From exploring actionable insights, forging strategic partnerships, and driving growth in India's dynamic data landscape, with unparalleled networking opportunities and thought-provoking discussions, this event placed itself as the perfect gateway to success in the thriving digital economy of the country. The flagship summit is highly prominent that annually brings together industry experts, stakeholders, policymakers, technology providers, and business leaders to discuss and explore the latest trends, developments, challenges, and opportunities related to data centers, its deployment and its impact on various sectors. This edition was no different! Plus, it was the perfect platform to gain the insights and guidance to create an effective pathway to the future and network with peers. In today's data-driven business landscape, data centers enable businesses to manage, store, and analyze their data efficiently and securely. Data centers fulfil a fundamental role in supporting many daily digital activities, providing a range of essential services to organizations of varying sizes and from differing sectors. This growth in data is further stimulated by adoption of emerging technologies such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence, internet of things etc. After the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, Shashi Dharan, MD, Bharat Exhibitions in his welcome speech said, "India's data center market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8%, reaching US$ 8B by 2025. This is indeed a huge growth for India. The key drivers behind this growth are the increased mobile data consumption, rise of Industry 4.0 tech, rapid adoption of 5G and IOT solutions. Indian Govt's role on Make In India and Data Center Incentivization Scheme are also boosting the data center scenario in India. Cities like Mumbai, Delhi, NCR and Bengaluru have become data center hubs in recent past, accounting for over 55% of the country's capacity." Special Guest of Honour, Shri Arvind Kumar, Director General, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) was heard quoting, "Digital economy is going to be double soon. To achive the target set by Govt of India is soon going to be a reality in our country. AI, ML in cloud, flexibility and scalability, multi cloud, interoperability and integration are pivotal pillars on which data center business and deployment are based upon. AI integration with cloud, edge computing have potential to create jobs". He also added, that the new trend of multi cloud is emerging where everything has to become interoperable for its success. Sinha also added that with increasing demand for digital services, the collective focus on expanding and streamlining data centers is more critical now. "Big data analytics are driving unprecedented demand for data centers in India now", he stressed upon. Guest of Honour, Shri Atul Sinha, DDG (BTU), Department of Telecommunications, Govt. of India, "India's digital journey has nothing been short of extra ordinary. We are emerging as a digital economy in fast paced manner. This conference today has great significance in building the digital seocity we all aspire for. Data centers are like backbone for our digital economy. Every aspect of our lives now is dependent on data centers to a great extent. 1 trillion dollar is the number we all are looking for. Data security, skill gap are major hurdles we need to overcome. We can make great strides in making India digitally secure and self reliant. India has all the potential to become a data center hub." Dr S. N Gupta, Broadband India Forum, in his Introductory Address said, "Hail Govt's aim to make India a digitally empowered society. Internet penetration is the highest. India will soon become a major data center hub." Prashant Oberoi, Director, India & SAARC, Norden Communication in his Keynote Address stated, "We have exponential growth today in data centers. Digital payment and 5G proliferation will intensify this growth in the days to come. Localization of data centers is a major concern in India. We need to see all the emerging trends and see how the progress is made a successful one." Bishakha Bhattacharya, Head - Public Policy, AWS India & South Asia in her Industry Address said, "One region for one data center is our motto. We are more than 130k partners around the world. Our commitment is long term; we have multiple clusters of data centers. Lot of innovations is happening. Finally the application analytics is the area where we specialize upon. Certifying standards is also an area where our focus lies in priority. Amazing development in mathematics, where AI is being collaborated with multiple sectors." Brig. Anil Tandan, Director General, Broadband India Forum delivered the Vote of Thanks during the Summit, where he thanked all the dignitaries present for expressing their valuable inputs on the data center scenario within the country and also worldwide. The Summit was spread across 4 Sessions including two Technical Sessions and concluding with a Panel Discussion Shri Vivek Dua, Sr. General Manager (Corporate Office), Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, Sumit Agarwal, Global Manager - Presales, Norden Communication, Suresh E. Bulusu, Director Pre Sales, Astrikos.AI, Prem Rodrigues, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, IMEA, Siemon, Saurabh Agarwal, CEO, TechBridge, Kirtikar Ojha, Head of Government Sales, L&T Data Centre & Cloud Services, Harkaran Singh Sachdev, Founder & CEO, Ekaga Group, Diwakar Jaiswal, Joint Director, Software Technology Parks of India, Mayuresh Shingore, Lead, Connected Business, Digital Blanket, Dr. Debabrata Nayak, Director, PwC India, A.S. Pandey, GM (IT) & CISO, Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd., Shri Manoj Tandon, Director - Projects, Operations & Maintenance, RailTel, Amit Sehgal, Senior Vice President, Technology Head, HDFC Bank, Shri Subhash Chandra Kesarwani, Director (Tx and NGS), NTIPRIT, Prashant Oberoi, Director, India & SAARC, Norden Communication and Satyanarayana Reddy Erla, Technical Manager, India & SAARC, Siemon were some of the other eminent speakers during the sessions. Next-Generation Datacenters: Cloud Transformation Aligned with Emerging Business Models, Cybersecurity in Cloud & Datacentres: Mitigating Risks in a Hyperconnected World, The Evolution of Data Centres in the Age of AI and Automation were the pertinent topics discussed during the technical sessions. The summit was partnered and supported by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Norden Communication, AWS, VP Group, Astrikos.Ai, Siemon, TechBridge Consultancy Services, Ananta STPI Cloud Services, Ekaga Group, L&T-Cloudfiniti, Techspire Services, Communications Today, Digital Infrastructure Providers Association and Broadband India Forum. (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)
The long-running legal dispute between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie over their French winery, Chateau Miraval, is set to escalate, with the case now heading to trial. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge recently ruled against Jolie's efforts to have the case dismissed, allowing the feud to move forward in court, and potentially lasting until 2026, as per Page Six. The former couple, whose relationship has been marked by both passion and turmoil, has been entangled in a bitter fight over the ownership of the USD 500 million vineyard ever since Jolie filed for divorce in 2016. Page Six reported citing sources that both Pitt and Jolie will be deposed as part of the trial, meaning they may be forced to give testimony about their personal lives, possibly revealing more details of their troubled relationship. Despite attempts to resolve the case through negotiations, insiders believe that a settlement remains unlikely at this stage. Page Six cited a source close to the proceedings in commenting, "Eventually Angie and Brad will have to sit with depositions, there's now no way out as they move towards trial." The case, which began as a business dispute, has only become more complicated as personal issues between the two stars have come to light. The winery was purchased in 2008, during the couple's more harmonious years, when they were raising their children together. At that time, Pitt and Jolie jointly owned Chateau Miraval, with Pitt holding 60 per cent and Jolie 40 per cent. But just before their wedding at the estate in 2014, Pitt transferred 10 per cent of his share to Jolie, making them equal 50/50 partners, as per Page Six. The conflict began when Jolie sold half of her shares in Chateau Miraval to the Stoli Group, the wine division of the Stoli Group, without consulting Pitt. The actor responded by filing a lawsuit, arguing that their agreement gave him the right of first refusal to buy her shares, which he claims she violated. He is now seeking to reverse the sale of her shares to Stoli in court. In retaliation, Jolie has accused Pitt of trying to impose a harsh non-disclosure agreement, which she says would have silenced her about past alleged bad behaviour. Jolie's legal team further contends that Pitt's actions have been driven by personal motives, not just business concerns. This has only intensified the drama, with both sides exchanging increasingly personal allegations in court filings. Pitt's legal team, however, has insisted that the case is fundamentally a "straightforward business dispute," despite the personal elements that have become entangled in the proceedings, as per Page Six. "The other side has consistently introduced personal elements which have exposed the weaknesses in their case and complicated and lengthened the proceedings," said Pitt's representatives. Meanwhile, the Stoli Group, which purchased Jolie's shares, is also seeking to have the case dismissed. A hearing regarding their request is set for March 2024, after which a trial date could be scheduled. Legal experts suggest that the complexities of the case--both in terms of legal arguments and the personal history between the two stars--could push the trial into 2026, according to Page Six. At the heart of this legal dispute lies not only a vast fortune but also a symbol of the couple's once-united family. When Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie purchased Chateau Miraval, it was a romantic gesture to raise their children in a vineyard, surrounded by the beauty of Provence. As per Page Six, the couple was also expecting twins at the time. But what began as a shared dream for the two Hollywood stars has now become an expensive and contentious battle that may continue for years to come. (ANI)
Actor Margot Robbie recently shared a nostalgic and "surreal" memory from the set of 'The Wolf of Wall Street', where she used the emotional power of Titanic's iconic score to help her prepare for an intense scene. The Australian actress, best known for her role as Barbie in the 2023 hit film, revealed the unusual method she uses to evoke real tears in her performances -- and it involved some unexpected company. As per People magazine, Margot Robbie recently discussed her acting techniques in an interview. One of the standout moments in the interview was when Robbie discussed her go-to trick for bringing genuine emotion to her roles: listening to music from the 1997 blockbuster 'Titanic'. "I can even just hear the theme music of 'Titanic', and I'll be bawling," Robbie confessed, adding, "And so that's what I do on set if I need to cry in a scene." Her method proved effective during her role in 'The Wolf of Wall Street', where she portrayed Naomi Lapaglia, the wife of stockbroker Jordan Belfort, played by Leonardo DiCaprio. In one emotional scene where Robbie's character demands a divorce, she turned to the 'Titanic' soundtrack to stay in a sad, teary mindset, as per People magazine. However, the scene took on an added layer of surrealism when Robbie realized that she wasn't alone in her 'Titanic'-inspired reverie. "There was the big, crazy scene after I asked for a divorce and stuff. And Kate Winslet came to visit the set, to visit Leo that day," Robbie recalled, adding, "I was in the room next to them, listening to the 'Titanic' soundtrack trying to stay in sad, teary mode. And then I saw Kate Winslet and Leo walk past. It was very surreal." The moment was an uncanny blend of reality and nostalgia, with Robbie drawing inspiration from the music of 'Titanic' while sharing a set with two of its most famous stars: Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. The 'Titanic' soundtrack, composed by James Horner, was a massive global hit, featuring Celine Dion's iconic ballad "My Heart Will Go On." The emotional resonance of the music, combined with Robbie's acting experience, made for an unforgettable moment on the 'Wolf of Wall Street' set. (ANI)
Comedian and actor TJ Miller opened up about returning to the 'Deadpool' universe with Ryan Reynolds after previously publicly stating that he would never work with the actor again, as per The Hollywood Reporter. "We talked a little while ago," said Miller about his relationship with Reynolds. "I think him asking me, I think he's just been such a good friend right now that I think it would be really, I think that would be awesome," he added. The actor played Weasel, Reynolds' Wade Wilson's best friend, in 2016's Deadpool and 2018's Deadpool 2. However, he didn't return for 'Deadpool & Wolverine', which starred Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. In 2022, Miller accused Reynolds of being "horrifically mean" one day on set at the Adam Carolla Show podcast On the Adam Carolla Show podcast in 2022, Miller accused Reynolds of being "horrifically mean" one day on set. He also called Ryan "an insecure dude" at the time, adding that he "would not have done Deadpool 3 if they came to me and were like, 'We want you to do Deadpool 3, and we're going to pay you twice as much.'" However, a few days later, Miller shared that Reynolds had reached out to him, "It was a misunderstanding," said Miller regarding their previous on-set moment. "So I emailed him back, and now it's fine," according to The Hollywood Reporter. 'Deadpool & Wolverine has thrilled audiences and made history by overtaking 'Joker' to become the highest-grossing R-rated film ever. This film showcases the immense popularity of the franchise and the star power of Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. The storyline kicks off with Wade Wilson, played by Reynolds, grappling with a mundane civilian life after hanging up his mercenary cape. However, when an existential crisis threatens his world, Wade must don the Deadpool persona once more, persuading a very reluctant Wolverine to join him on this chaotic adventure. As Wade humorously notes, "synopses are stupid" -- so fans will have to watch to uncover the full story! Directed by Shawn Levy, the film features a stellar cast that includes returning favourites such as Morena Baccarin as Vanessa, Brianna Hildebrand as Negasonic Teenage Warhead, and Jennifer Garner as Elektra. Also reprising their roles are Wesley Snipes as Blade and Leslie Uggams as Blind Al, among others. New faces joining the franchise include Emma Corrin as Cassandra Nova, Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Paradox, and Channing Tatum stepping into the shoes of the long-awaited superhero Gambit. (ANI)
Emmy Award-winning TV host, writer, producer, and comedian Conan O'Brien will be the sole host for the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025, according to Deadline. Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang announced that this will mark O'Brien's first time hosting the Oscars. "We are thrilled and honoured to have the incomparable Conan O'Brien host the Oscars this year," said Kramer and Yang in a joint statement. "He is the perfect person to lead our global celebration of film with his brilliant humour, love of movies, and live TV expertise. His remarkable ability to connect with audiences will bring viewers together to do what the Oscars do best-honour the spectacular films and filmmakers of this year." "America demanded it, and now it's happening: Taco Bell's new Cheesy Chalupa Supreme. In other news, I'm hosting the Oscars," joked O'Brien. While O'Brien has never hosted the Oscars, he previously hosted the Emmys to critical acclaim in 2002 and 2006, as well as the MTV Movie Awards in 2014. He is known for his ability to inject life into awards shows, even when not hosting. In 2021, he went viral for his antics at the Emmys, where he was nominated for Outstanding Variety Talk Series. "Conan is a preeminent comedic voice, whose decades-long success is marked by his distinctive humour and perspective," said Craig Erwich, President of Disney Television Group. "He joins an iconic roster of comedy greats who have served in this role, and we are fortunate to have him centre stage for the Oscars." "Conan has all the qualities of a great Oscars host-he is incredibly witty, charismatic, and funny, and has proven himself to be a master of live event television," said Oscars executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan. "We are excited to work with him to deliver a fresh, exciting, and celebratory show for Hollywood's biggest night." O'Brien is best known for hosting the late-night talk shows Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien, and Conan. He currently hosts the podcast Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend. Over his career, he has won five Primetime Emmys and received 31 nominations. The 97th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC starting at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT and in more than 200 territories worldwide. The official live red carpet show will air at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT, as reported by Deadline. (ANI)
By Alimat Aliyeva

The Iranian authorities have announced their intention to open special clinics to assist women who, in violation of current regulations, appear in public without wearing the hijab, Azernews reports.

These "Hijab Removal Clinics" will offer women "scientific and medical treatment assistance," according to Mehri Talebi Darestani, head of the Department of Women and Family Affairs at the Tehran Headquarters for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vices, an agency directly reporting to the countrys spiritual leader, Ali Khamenei. According to Darestani, the clinics will primarily serve teenagers and young women. She assured that participation in these clinics will be voluntary.

However, many women's rights activists and human rights advocates have already expressed concern. "It won't be a clinic. It will be a prison," a young woman, speaking anonymously, told The Guardian. "We are struggling to make ends meet, dealing with power outages, and yet the state is only concerned with pieces of cloth."

Observers note that the announcement of these clinics comes shortly after an incident in which a student from Tehran University, in protest against harassment over improper hijab wear, stripped down to her underwear in public. According to local media, she was initially arrested and later placed in a psychiatric clinic.
The keel laying ceremony of the first of the five Fleet Support Ships (FSS) was held at Hindustan Shipyard, Limited, Visakhapatnam on Thursday. The ceremony was presided by Vice Admiral B Siva Kumar, Controller Warship Production & Acquisition in the presence of the Chairman and Managing Director, Hindustan Shipyard, Limited (HSL) and other senior officials from Indian Navy and HSL. "The ceremony was presided by Vice Admiral B Siva Kumar, Controller Warship Production & Acquisition in presence of Chairman & Managing Director, HSL and other senior officials from Indian Navy and HSL. Indian Navy had signed a contract with HSL for acquisition of five Fleet Support Ships in Aug 2023. The ships are scheduled to be delivered to Indian Navy, commencing mid-2027," as per a Ministry of Defence release. On induction, the Fleet Support Ships will bolster the 'Blue Water' capabilities of the Indian Navy through replenishment of Fleet ships at sea. "The ships, with more than 40,000 Tons displacement will carry and deliver fuel, water, ammunition and stores enabling prolonged operations without returning to harbour, thus enhancing the Fleet's strategic reach and mobility," the release read. In a secondary role, these ships would be equipped for Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief operations for evacuation of personnel in emergency situations and quick delivery of relief material at site during natural calamities. With indigenous design and sourcing of the majority of the equipment from indigenous manufacturers, this shipbuilding project will boost the Indian Shipbuilding Industry and is in consonance with GoI initiatives of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India and Make for the World. "The Fleet Support Ship, with 80 per cent indigenous content and 44,000 tons displacement, is the first of its kind. It will play a crucial role in replenishing the fleet at sea with fuel, water, ammunition, and stores, extending the Navy's operational capabilities and strategic reach," Defence PRO Vizag. As per the Defence PRO Vizag, the project would generate employment to 169 lakh man-days over eight years to skilled workmen in the shipyard and also support 550 associated MSMEs, promoting India's self-reliance vision. (ANI)
According to an official release, She has served onboard a Naval ship and on the United States Navy Hospital Ship Mercy.

The other appointments held by her include Commanding Officer INHS Kasturi, Fleet Medical Officer and Officer-in-Charge of Fleet Medical Centre at both the Eastern and Western Fleets, the release mentioned.

In another development, 'Keel Laying' ceremony of the first of the five Fleet Support Ships (FSS) was held at Hindustan Shipyard, Limited, Visakhapatnam on Thursday.

"The ceremony was presided by Vice Admiral B Siva Kumar, Controller Warship Production & Acquisition in presence of Chairman & Managing Director, HSL and other senior officials from Indian Navy and HSL. Indian Navy had signed a contract with HSL for acquisition of five Fleet Support Ships in Aug 2023. The ships are scheduled to be delivered to Indian Navy, commencing mid 2027," as per a Ministry of Defence release.

On induction, the Fleet Support Ships will bolster the 'Blue Water' capabilities of the Indian Navy through replenishment of Fleet ships at sea.

"The ships, with more than 40,000 Tons displacement will carry and deliver fuel, water, ammunition and stores enabling prolonged operations without returning to harbour, thus enhancing the Fleet's strategic reach and mobility," the release read.

In secondary role, these ships would be equipped for Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief operations for evacuation of personnel in emergency situations and quick delivery of relief material at site during natural calamities.

With indigenous design and sourcing of majority of the equipment from indigenous manufacturers, this shipbuilding project will boost the Indian Shipbuilding Industry and is in consonance with GoI initiatives of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India and Make for the World. (ANI)
Congress General Secretary and party's candidate in Wayanad, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra hit out at the central government over refusal to declare Wayanad landslides a national disaster. In a post on X, Priyanka called it a "shocking injustice" to the victims and criticised the central government for "denying essential relief to those in dire need." The central government has reportedly refused to declare the landslides in Wayanad a national disaster, as requested by the state. https://x.com/priyankagandhi/status/1857058623509115354 "Despite the landslides that devastated Wayanad, the BJP govt refuses to declare it a national disaster, denying essential relief to those in dire need. This isn't just negligence; it's a shocking injustice to those who have suffered unimaginable loss," Priyanka said. Drawing parallels with the alleged negligence towards Himachal Pradesh, Priyanka dubbed the "singling out and lack of support" unprecedented and unacceptable. "The people of Wayanad deserve better. PM Narendra Modi visited Wayanad at the time of the tragedy, he witnessed its effects firsthand, yet his government is playing politics and withholding crucial aid. The same was done with the people of Himachal Pradesh at a time of great distress for them. In the past, tragedies of this magnitude were not politicized in this manner. The singling out and lack of support for victims of these tragedies due to political reasons is unprecedented and totally unacceptable," she said. Earlier this month, Communist Party of India (CPI) MP P Sandosh Kumar, in a letter, sought urgent intervention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi towards the rehabilitation of landslide victims in the area of Wayanad including Chooralmala. Along with the letter, he also sent a photo of the little girl Nysa who lost her father and siblings in the landslide, saying, "to remind you, Nysa Mol is a little girl with whom your image had gone viral when you visited the landslide-affected areas of Wayanad including Chooralmala on the 10th of August 2024, 10 days after massive landslides wreaked havoc in the region." Kumar who visited Nysa's residence two days back, claimed in the letter to PM that, she is still living in a rented accommodation provided by the state government. The CPI leader further added that coming back to the life of little Nysa Mol, she is living in a rented accommodation provided by the Government of Kerala with her mother and grandmother. The family is getting Rs 300 per day from the Kerala government for their needs. Your meeting with the little girl inspired hopes not just for her family, but for thousands of others who were crushed under the natural calamity but to no avail. While the Kerala government, with assistance from many voluntary and civil society organisations, is doing its level best to provide relief and rehabilitation, assistance, as required from the Union Government, has not reached Kerala in the way it should have. Little Nysa Mol got Rs 1 lakh in two instalments from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund while the Kerala government gave her Rs 6 lakh after she lost her father and siblings. A series of landslides in Wayanad were triggered by torrential rainfall that killed hundreds of people in the state in June this year. The landslides had occurred in Punjirimattom, Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Vellarimala villages in Meppadi panchayat, Vythiri taluk in Wayanad district. (ANI)
As the Maharashtra election inches closer there has been a huge debate on UP CM Yogi Adityanath's slogan of 'Batenge to Katenge' calling for Hindu unity. While some members of the BJP led Mahayuti alliance have voiced their reservations, state Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that he does not see anything wrong in the slogan, stating that this has been the history of our country. The slogan has also been widely condemned by the opposition leaders, claiming communal overtones in it. However in an interview with ANI, Fadnavis says there is nothing wrong with it. "I don't see anything wrong in Yogi ji's slogans. Look at the history of this country. Jab Jab bate hai tab gulam bane hai. Whenever this country divided into castes, into states, divided into communities society we became slaves. The country was also divided, and so were the people. That's why if we divide, we will cut. This is the history of this country," Fadnavis said in an interview with ANI. "And I don't understand that if someone says don't divide, then what is the point of objecting to this?" he added. Asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's allegation that the opposition was dividing the OBC community, Fadnavis said that Rahul Gandhi's statement during the latter's visit to the United States has revealed their intentions. "Rahul ji has already given an indication of this in America. I feel that Rahul ji has made a mistake. They didn't know that the media followed them everywhere. So, when they went to America and made statements on the Constitution and reservation, their mentality was revea;ed. Secondly, you can see the manner in which they are trying to divide into different castes. The Prime Minister is right. There are 350 castes in OBC in Maharashtra," Fadnavis said. The BJP leader said that there are 350 and 54 subcastes among the Other Backward Class and Scheduled Tribes communities, respectively, making them a pressure group. If these communities get divided, Fadnavis said, then they will not be able to form that pressure group. "If these 350 castes form an OBC community, it becomes a pressure group. If these 350 castes are separated, then their pressure will be reduced. If we talk about STs, then 54 different tribal communities form an ST group. There are 54 castes and sub-castes. If we separate them, then they will not remain a pressure group," he said. In a dig at the Congress party, Fadnavis said that a 'Bharat Jodo' community has surfaced and the work of the group is to spread anarchy. "The activities of a community called Bharat Jodo are carried out by anarchists. They want to spread anarchy. These people are not Bharat Jodo. They want to divide and destroy India," he stated. Fadanavis has also been campaigning extensively in the poll-bound State claiming that the Congress was indulging in 'Vote Jihad' through its policies of selective appeasement, a claim he stands by. "What did we see in the Lok Sabha? In the Lok Sabha, we saw the Vote Jihad. From their religious points of view. They will put up banners which state that if we don't vote for Maha Vikas Aghadi, then it would be dishonesty towards Allah. They will put up banners like this. I ask all the secularists who believe in themselves, What kind of secularism is this? Will they make people swear? And what is the purpose? Defeat Modi?" he questioned. "I would like to give you an example. The Ulema Council has just announced their support to the Aghadi. They had given 17 demands. They have given a regular document that they will accept these 17 demands. I don't have a problem with that. What are the demands? Let me tell you one of the demands. One of the demands is that the riots that took place in Maharashtra from 2012 to 2024, all the cases that were filed against the people of the Muslim community, will be removed and taken back. Now, I want to ask a question. What kind of politics is going on here?" The BJP leader said that if a party wants to fight with the rioters and we remain divided, then we will be destroyed. "In this way, if a party wants to fight with the rioters and we remain divided, then we will be destroyed," Fadnavis said. The campaigning has intensified for the 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra, with both the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) making efforts to woo the electorate. The Maharashtra assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, and counting will be held on November 23. (ANI)
Congress leader and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi on Friday paid tribute to Sikh's first guru, Guru Nanak Dev on the occasion of his 555th birth anniversary and extended greetings of Guru Purnima to the people. Rahul Gandhi said that his life is a symbol of sacrifice, penance, service and goodwill and his teachings will always guide people. "Tribute to Guru Nanak Dev ji on his birth anniversary. His life is a symbol of sacrifice, penance, service and goodwill. His teachings of 'Sarbat da Bhala' always guide us. Happy Guru Purnima to everyone," Rahul Gandhi posted on X. https://x.com/RahulGandhi/status/1857271739421540772 Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as 'Gurpurab', is a sacred festival that marks the birth anniversary of the first guru of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev. It is a significant day in Sikhism since it commemorates the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first of the 10 Sikh gurus and the founder of Sikhism. The celebration is notable for its fervent devotion, spiritual gatherings, and the recitation of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhism's holy scripture. Every year, the auspicious occasion is held on the full moon date of Kartik month, also known as Kartik Purnima. Parkash Utsav is also observed on this day. Guru Nanak Dev, who had been devoted to the Divine since boyhood, was a man of peace who spent his entire life promoting equality and tolerance. He was born in 1469 in the village of Rai Bhoi di Talwandi, today known as Nankana Sahib, near Lahore, Pakistan. On Gurpurab, prayers are held in Gurdwaras throughout the day. The many components of the festival continue until late at night when devotees indulge in the langar. As this day marks the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also paid "respectful tributes to the tribal great hero." In another social media post on X, Gandhi wrote,"Respectful tributes to the tribal great hero, Dharti Aba Bhagwan Birsa Munda ji on his birth anniversary. His struggle for tribal identity and his sacrifice to protect water, forests and land will always inspire us." https://x.com/RahulGandhi/status/1857260543192584448 The hero of the Indian tribal freedom struggle, Birsa Munda played a pivotal role in inspiring the tribal community of the Chotanagpur region to fight for their independence. He led the armed revolution known as "Ulgulan" (the rebellion) against British rule. He belonged to the Munda tribe in the Chhotanagpur Plateau area. He spearheaded an Indian tribal mass movement that arose in the Bihar and Jharkhand belts in the early 19th century under British colonisation. (ANI)
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday tried their hands on a traditional dhol in Delhi as they paid tribute to Bhagwan Birsa Munda on the occasion of 'Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.' The day marks the recognition of the contributions and achievements of tribal communities in India, with a special focus on Bhagwan Birsa Munda, a prominent freedom fighter and tribal leader. The two leaders participated in the celebrations by playing the dhol, part of the cultural heritage of tribal communities. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Jamui, Bihar, on Friday to commemorate Janjatiya Gaurav Divas and begin the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. According to the Prime Minister's Office, Modi will unveil a commemorative coin and postal stamp in honour of Bhagwan Birsa Munda at around 11 AM on Friday. In addition to paying tribute to the tribal leader, the Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth over Rs 6,640 crore. These projects aim to uplift tribal communities and improve infrastructure in rural and remote areas. Modi will also participate in the Grih Pravesh of 11,000 homes built under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN). The Prime Minister will also launch 23 Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) under PM-JANMAN, along with 30 more MMUs under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) to enhance healthcare access in tribal areas. In a further boost to tribal welfare, Modi will inaugurate 300 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) to promote tribal entrepreneurship and create livelihood opportunities. He will also open 10 Eklavya Model Residential Schools, worth Rs 450 crore, to provide quality education to tribal students. Additionally, the Prime Minister will inaugurate two Tribal Freedom Fighters' Museums in Chhindwara and Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, and two Tribal Research Institutes in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, and Gangtok, Sikkim. These museums and institutes will document and preserve the rich history and heritage of tribal communities. PM Modi will also lay the foundation stone for 500 km of new roads to improve connectivity in tribal regions and 100 Multi-Purpose Centres (MPCs) to serve as community hubs. He will also lay the foundation for 25 more Eklavya Model Residential Schools, worth over Rs 1,110 crore, and announce various other development projects, including 25,000 new homes under PM JANMAN and 1.16 lakh homes under DAJGUA. The Prime Minister will also sanction 66 new hostels under PM JANMAN and 304 hostels under DAJGUA, along with 50 new MPCs, 55 Mobile Medical Units, and 65 Anganwadi Centres. These initiatives aim to improve the quality of life and services in tribal areas, improving education, healthcare, and infrastructure. (ANI)
Days ahead of the Assembly elections in Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has accused the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi of dividing society to gain votes stating that if their political opponents continue to cheat, then, they will be forced to respond with with an equal or stronger response "Eent Ka Jawab Patthar Se." Citing a Sanskrit shlok, Fadnavis reacted to his 'Dharmyuddh' remarks and said that the Mahayuti was fighting for 'Satya' to counter the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi's fight for 'asatya'. In an exclusive interview with ANI, Fadnavis said, "What is the concept of Dharmyuddh? "Yato Dharmastato Jayah" which means "Where there is Dharma, there will be Victory". This is our Dharmyuddh. They are fighting for 'asatya' and we have to fight for the 'satya'. We haven't ever asked Hindus to fight for Dharmyuddh, we said, we will fight for Dharmyuddh. There are only a few days left for the elections, who will go to the Election Commission, that will happen later." "These people (MVA) have divided the society to gain the votes. So that's why, when we fight in elections, then this is a fight, without any weapons or missiles and if the opponent continues to do cheating, then we will give answers to them. 'Ent ka Jawab Pathar se'. Look, we believe in Gandhiji a lot. We also believe in non-violence a lot. But we don't accept the fact that the people in front of us keep hitting us and we will keep watching it. We don't believe in such non-violence. If the person in front of us hits us, then they will give a befitting reply with stone" he said. Fadnavis also reacted to AIMIM's chief Asaduddin Owaisi's remarks on changing the name of Aurangabad to Sambhaji Nagar and affirmed that this land belongs to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and not to Razakars and hence the city is named so. When asked why politicians keep bringing Aurangzeb into the election rallies, he said, "It is Owaisi, who during his speech, said, how did you give the name of Sambhaji Nagar? What is the relationship of Sambhaji? When they say this land belongs to our Razakars, then I have to remind them that this land belongs to our ancestors, and this is not the land of the Raza-karas. The land belongs to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The land belongs to our ancestors. Raza-kars had taken over this land after committing atrocities against them." Fadnavis reiterated that "this is Sambhaji Nagar" and everyone was aware of the sacrifices Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has made and the atrocities that were committed against him by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. "We have to remind them. Everyone knows the history and the sacrifices Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has made. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was tortured by Aurangzeb for weeks, he asked him to change his religion but Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj did not accept to change his religion. He became a martyr. This is Sambhaji Nagar. If you come and say that we will make Sambhaji Nagar back into Aurangabad, how will you make it?" he said. Reacting to the opposition's remarks on the BJP's loss in the Ayodhya seat, Fadnavis said that losing an election on a mere seat of Ayodhya doesn't make any difference as people still want the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. "Losing and winning an election doesn't decide anything and Ayodhya is a mere seat of an election. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. What difference does it make? Does it mean that if we lose in Ayodhya, the people of Ayodhya do not want Ram Mandir? Does it mean that the people do not want the Ram Mandir? No. You can ask even today," Fadnavis said. "I would like to ask a question again. How we will remain silent if Maha Vikas Aghadi will accept such demands of Ulemas that too by just accepting letters? This has been the mentality of the Congress to divide the country," Fadnavis said while referring to the purported letter allegedly written for support from All India Ulema Board to Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Campaigning has intensified for the 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra with both the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) making efforts to woo the electorate. The Maharashtra polls are scheduled for November 20 and counting will be held on November 23. (ANI)
The Sabarimala temple is likely to open on Thursday afternoon for the Mandala Makaravilakku festival. The reopening will mark the beginning of the two-month-long pilgrimage season. The temple's chief priest, PN Mahesh Namboodiri, will light the ceremonial lamp at 4 PM. The new chief priests of Sabarimala and Malikappuram will also take charge. Last month, in response to the opposition's demand to reinstate spot bookings for the Sabarimala pilgrimage during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season, Kerala's Devaswom Minister, VN Vasavan, clarified the government's decision. Speaking in the legislative assembly, Vasavan explained that the state government had opted for an online booking system to regulate the number of pilgrims and ensure a smoother pilgrimage experience. Opposition Leader, VD Satheesan, raised concerns about the online booking system, urging the government to reconsider its decision. He argued that many devotees, especially from other states, may not be familiar with the online system and that limiting entry to only online reservations would prevent thousands of devotees from fulfilling their 41-day vow and having darshan at the temple. Satheesan also pointed out that before 2018, all pilgrims were allowed entry to Sabarimala, and the lack of spot bookings now could lead to dangerous overcrowding. In response, Minister Vasavan explained that a virtual meeting, chaired by the Chief Minister, had discussed the issue and decided to limit the number of daily pilgrims to 80,000. The Minister added that past experiences showed that spot bookings led to overcrowding and made it difficult to manage the pilgrimage. This year, the government will rely on the virtual queue booking system to ensure safety and a better experience for all pilgrims. The Minister then assured that necessary infrastructure and crowd management measures would be in place to handle the flow of pilgrims.(ANI)
Stepping up his attacks on the Congress party and its leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari on Friday said that the Congress is desperate in Maharashtra and Jharkhand because no one wants to listen to Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge. Bhandari questioned the motive of the Congress party behind "supporting" infiltrators, even as if the "Supreme Court has said in its ruling that supporting infiltrators is equal to external aggression." Speaking to ANI, Bhandari said, "The Congress party should answer why it is trying to destroy the Constitution of India. Why is the Congress party talking about giving Muslim reservations? The Congress party should answer why it is talking about giving cylinders to infiltrators. The Supreme Court has said in its ruling that supporting infiltrators is equal to external aggression. What is the Congress party trying to do today? The Congress party wants to change the demography of this country." Bhandari stated that such moves by Congress show that the NDA government is going to be formed in both Maharashtra and Jharkhand. "I want to tell the Congress party that today you are going to the same Election Commission which you curse after every election and raise questions on the democratic system. All these moves of Congress are showing that Congress is desperate in Maharashtra and Jharkhand because no one wants to listen to Rahul Gandhi and no one wants to know Kharge Ji. That is why this move of Congress shows that the NDA government is going to be formed in both Maharashtra and Jharkhand," he added. Earlier today, BJP leader Anurag Thakur hit out at the opposition INDIA bloc and said that in order for Jharkhand to progress and become a developed state, it must rid itself of both -- infiltrators and the political influence of the Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). The former Union Minister accused them of capturing the state's resources -- including water, land, and jobs -- to the detriment of the local population. "Infiltrators have captured water, forest and land and have also captured the jobs of the youth. If Jharkhand has to move forward towards development, then it has to be freed from infiltrators and Congress, RJD and JMM," Thakur said. Voting for the first phase of the Jharkhand assembly elections concluded, with voting taking place in 43 out of the state's 81 seats. Elections on the remaining 38 seats will be conducted on November 20. Voting for the Maharashtra's 288-member assembly is scheduled to be held on November 20. The counting in both states will be held on November 23. (ANI)
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai informed KV Thomas, Special Representative of Kerala in New Delhi that under the existing guidelines of SDRF/NDRF, there is no provision to declare any calamity as "national disaster". In a letter to KV Thomas, MoS Rai stated, "Refer to your DO letter dated August 2, 2024, addressed to the Prime Minister, inter-alia, requesting to declare disaster of landslide/flash flood during July 2024 in Wayanad as "National Disaster". In this context, I would like to say that the primary responsibility for disaster management rests with the State Governments concerned. The Central Government provides requisite logistics and financial support to the efforts of the State Governments." "The State Governments provide financial relief to the affected people in the event of 12 notified natural disasters, which include floods and landslides, from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), already placed at its disposal, by approved items and norms of the Government of India (GOI)," he added. The MoS stated that the financial assistance provided under SDRF and NDRF is by way of relief and not for compensation "However, in the event of a disaster of a severe nature, additional financial assistance is extended from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), as per laid down procedure, which includes an assessment based on the visit of an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT). The financial assistance provided under SDRF and NDRF is by way of relief and not for compensation. Further, under the existing guidelines of SDRF/NDRF, there is no provision to declare any calamity as a "National Disaster"," he added. MoS Home Nityanand Rai further emphasised that an amount of Rs 388 crore has been allocated to the Kerala government, and the first instalment was released on July 31 this year. "I would also like to say that an amount of Rs 388.00 crore (Rs 291.20 crore Central Share + Rs 96.80 crore State share) has been allocated to the State Government Kerala for the financial year 2024-25 in SDRF. The first instalment of Rs 145.60 crore of Central share has been released on 31.07.2024. The second instalment of Rs 145.60 crore of Central Share has also been released on 01.10.2024 in advance to the State. In addition, the Accountant General, Kerala has reported a balance of Rs. 394.99 crore in its SDRF account as on 01st April 2024. Thus, sufficient funds are available in the SDRF account of the State for the relief operations," the letter stated. Rai also highlighted that in the wake of landslides and flash floods in Wayanad, Kerala in July. 2024, Prime Minister Modi accompanied by the Chief Minister and Governor of Kerala undertook an aerial survey in the landslide-hit Chooral Mala, Mundakki and Punchirimatoom hamlets in Wayanad and also visited the landslide-hit areas. "The Hon'ble Prime Minister also attended the Administrative Committee meeting at the Collectorate and discussed on the response and relief activities with the Ministers and senior officials of the Government of Kerala. DG, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) also visited the affected area from 07.08.2024 to 10.08.2024. Further, 04 teams of NDRF and 03 teams of Indian Coast Guard (ICG) with necessary equipment were deployed in Wayanad for search & rescue operations and relief activities. 14 Columns of the Indian Army, two Indian Navy helicopters and four helicopters of the Indian Air Force were also deployed in the state for rescue and relief operations. NDRF has rescued alive a total of 30 persons, evacuated 520 persons, 11 livestock and retrieved 112 dead bodies till 11.08.2024" he stated. Rai added "You may also be aware that given this incident of landslides and flash floods, an IMCT was constituted on August 2, 2024, to assess the loss of immediate nature, without receipt of any formal memorandum from the State Government. The IMCT visited the affected areas of the State from August 8 to 10, 2024. Based on the report received from the team, action is taken by the Central Government, as per the established procedure." MoS Home Rai assured that the Centre would continue to extend all possible support to the State Government in their endeavour. (ANI)
The day marks the recognition of the contributions and achievements of tribal communities in India, with a special focus on Bhagwan Birsa Munda, a prominent freedom fighter and tribal leader.

Earlier today, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar and Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla tried their hands on a traditional dhol while they paid tribute to Birsa Munda.

The two leaders participated in the celebrations by playing the dhol, part of the cultural heritage of tribal communities.

Mean while, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Jamui in Bihar on Friday to commemorate the Janjatiya BirsGaurav Divas and begin the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Birsa Munda.

PM Modi will unveil a commemorative coin and postal stamp in honour of Bhagwan Birsa Munda at around 11 AM on Friday.

In addition to paying tribute to the tribal leader, the Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth over Rs 6,640 crore. These projects aim to uplift tribal communities and improve infrastructure in rural and remote areas.

Modi will also participate in the Grih Pravesh of 11,000 homes built under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN).

The Prime Minister will also launch 23 Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) under PM-JANMAN, along with 30 more MMUs under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) to enhance healthcare access in tribal areas.

Additionally, the Prime Minister will inaugurate two Tribal Freedom Fighters' Museums in Chhindwara and Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, and two Tribal Research Institutes in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, and Gangtok, Sikkim. These museums and institutes will document and preserve the rich history and heritage of tribal communities. (ANI)
Devotees at the Shiva Hanuman Temple in Himayat Nagar, Hyderabad offered prayers on the occasion.

A large crowd of devotees was seen in Varanasi while taking a holy dip in the Ganga River on the occasion of Kartik Purnima.

People in Jabalpur offered prayers and took a holy dip in the Narmada River early morning on Friday.

The full moon day or the eighth lunar month, is referred to as Kartik or Kartik Purnima.

The festival falls on the full moon of the Hindu month of Kartika and takes place fifteen days after Diwali.

The day of the full moon is called by several names throughout the nation according to the Hindu calendar, including Poornima, Poonam, Pournami, and Pournimasi.

Kartik month is referred to as Damodar month in the Vaishnava religion. One of the names of Lord Krishna is Damodar. Kartik Purnima is also celebrated as Dev Deepawali and marks the fifteenth lunar day of the Hindu month of Kartik.

The festival is linked with Prabodhini Ekadashi and it marks the end of Chaturmas, a four-month period when Lord Vishnu is believed to sleep.

In Odisha, the water bodies across the state came alive as lakhs of devotees gathered to celebrate Kartik Purnima marking the historic Boita Bandana ritual.

Every year, on the occasion of Kartik Purnima, people in Odisha celebrate the traditional maritime and naval festival, 'Boita Bandana', also known as 'Danga Bhasa.'

The festival serves as a reminder of Odisha's historical ties with other maritime civilizations and promotes a sense of cultural pride and unity among the people. (ANI)
A rally has been organised in Agartala on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, which is celebrated as Janajati Gourav Diwas throughout the nation. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia was present in the celebrations along with other leaders of the party and government officials. Vishal Kumar, the District Magistrate of West Tripura, said, "We are celebrating the birth anniversary of Birsha Munda as Janajati Gourav Divas today in Agartala. There are a lot of schemes for the development of Janajati people and the benefits of those should be received by them." Bipin Debbarma, State Secretary of Tripura BJP said, "We are taking out a rally on the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda on the day of Janjati Gourav Divas today. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia is also in state to join the celebration in our state while PM Modi from Bihar will virtually inaugurate the celebration today. We are happy that Janjati Gourav Divas is being celebrated." Birsa Munda, the hero of the Indian tribal freedom struggle, played a pivotal role in inspiring the tribal community of the Chotanagpur region to fight for their independence. He led the armed revolution known as "Ulgulan" (the rebellion) against British rule. He belonged to the Munda tribe in the Chhotanagpur Plateau area. He spearheaded an Indian tribal mass movement that arose in the Bihar and Jharkhand belts in the early 19th century under British colonisation. Munda rallied the tribals to fight against the forceful land grabbing carried out by the British government, which would turn the tribals into bonded labourers and force them to abject poverty. He influenced his people to realise the importance of owning their land and asserting their rights over it. He founded the faith of Birsait, a blend of animism and indigenous beliefs, which emphasized the worship of a single god. He became their leader and was given the nickname, 'Dharti Aba' or the father of the earth. He died on June 9, 1900, at age 25. November 15, the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, was declared 'Janjatiya Gaurav Divas by the Central Government in 2021. (ANI)
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday refuted the opposition's allegation of the Maharashtra losing projects to Gujarat and said that his state under the BJP leadership has secured 52 per cent of the total investment in the country. Taking a hit at the oppositon, Devendra Fadnavis stating that Gujarat is fortunate because it doesn't need to advertise - the MVA does it for them. "No one praises Gujarat as much as Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Nana Patole do. They have become the ambassadors of Gujarat," said Devendra Fadnavis while taking a shot at the MVA alliance. In a sharp response to the critics, Fadnavis highlighted the state's economic growth, asserting that Maharashtra has consistently outperformed other states in attracting investment. Fadnavis recalled that when he took office as Chief Minister in 2019, Karnataka was ranked number 1, and Maharashtra had slipped to number 4. By 2021, Gujarat had taken the top spot, with Maharashtra still languishing at number 4. However, Fadnavis claimed that with the formation of the new government, Maharashtra quickly regained its position at number 1. Citing the latest RBI report, he pointed out that Maharashtra now accounts for 52 per cent of the nation's total investment, far surpassing Gujarat and Karnataka, which collectively accounted for only 48 per cent. When asked about the claims made by Uddhav Thackeray regarding neighboring states Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh -- specifically, that businesses are leaving Maharashtra for Gujarat and that a "Berlin Wall" has been built between the two states -- Fadnavis responded by refuting the assertions. In an interview with ANI Fadnavis said, "I sometimes question myself that how do these people (opposition) have the confidence to lie so much? I was the Chief Minister. In 2014-19, I was the number one investor in the FDI in Maharashtra. In 2019, I became the Chief Minister. In 2020, In number 1 was Karnataka. Maharashtra went to number 4. Then in 2021, number 1 was Gujarat. Maharashtra went to number 4." "As soon as our new government came, Maharashtra went to number 1 again. In 2022, in 2023, and in 2024, the current RBI report that has been published, 52 per cent of the investment in the country has come from Maharashtra. There is no competition between Gujarat and Karnataka. The entire country is in 48 per cent and Maharashtra is in 52 per cent. I say, how fortunate Gujarat is. They don't even need to advertisement. The MVA advertises for them," said Fadnavis. "Even the investor who are going to come here will feel the same that there is something wrong in Maharashtra, we should go to Gujarat. They have become the ambassadors of Gujarat. Sharad Pawar ji, Uddhav Thackeray ji, Nana Patole ji. No one praises Gujarat as much as they do," said Fadnavis. Fadnavis also responded to the allegation.about Rahul Gandhi's recent statement, where he claimed that due to industries moving to Gujarat, the youth of Maharashtra, particularly tribal youth, would be forced to leave the state and work as "slave laborers" in other regions. Taking a direct swipe at Rahul Gandhi, Fadnavis said, "I want to ask Rahul Gandhi, your government is in Karnataka. Look at how much investment is flowing there--it's not performing well. Karnataka's ranking has dropped. When our government was in power, Maharashtra was at the top. Now, with the opposition in charge, it's fallen behind. Rahul Gandhi, please show us at least one government that's performing well. There's not a single one." Fadnavis criticized the Himachal Pradesh government, stating, "Today, the Himachal Pradesh government has implemented a rule that if you want to make a payment of more than Rs 10,000, you will need permission. This is their new condition. And the most ironic part is that Maharashtra is now learning from the governance style of Karnataka." Fadnavis further took a jibe and said Maharashtra's politicians are so infamous that they can't even feature in their own advertisements. He remarked saying that in Congress ads, there is no mention of Maharashtra's leaders; instead, the focus is on Karnataka and Telangana. "In the advertisement of the Congress, there is no mention of Maharashtra's politicians. They are the advertisement of Karnataka and Telangana. By publishing the advertisement of Karnataka and Telangana. Are Maharashtra's children going to get a job? Are you going to give them a job in Telangana or in Karnataka? Rahul Gandhi talks nonsense. His party doesn't take him seriously. You also shouldn't," Fadanvis told ANI. The 288 Maharashtra Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on November 20, with the vote count happening on November 23. Campaigning has intensified for the 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra with both the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) making efforts to woo the electorate. (ANI)
As the nation celebrates the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday said that the aim behind celebrating this day as 'Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas' was to inform the future generations about the sacrifices of Birsa Munda. Union Minister Joshi said, "Today is Tribal Pride Day. On the auspicious occasion of the birth anniversary of Lord Birsa Munda, PM Modi announced to celebrate this day as Tribal Pride Day. Its purpose was to tell the coming generations about Lord Birsa Munda and the sacrifices made by the people of the tribal family under his leadership..." Earlier today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah along with Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Delhi LG VK Saxena, unveiled a statue of Bhagwan Birsa Munda in the national capital city on the occasion of his 150th birth anniversary. Union Minister of Urban Development, Manohar Lal Khattar announced that the Sarai Kale Khan Chowk will now be known as Birsa Munda Chowk. The decision was announced on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of the freedom fighter and tribal leader Birsa Munda. "I am announcing today that the big chowk outside the ISBT bus stand here will be known after Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Seeing this statue and the name of that chowk, not only the citizens of Delhi but also the people visiting the International Bus stand will definitely be inspired by his life," Manohar Lal Khattar said. Birsa Munda, the hero of the Indian tribal freedom struggle, played a pivotal role in inspiring the tribal community of the Chotanagpur region to fight for their independence. He led the armed revolution known as "Ulgulan" (the rebellion) against British rule. He belonged to the Munda tribe in the Chhotanagpur Plateau area. He spearheaded an Indian tribal mass movement that arose in the Bihar and Jharkhand belts in the early 19th century under British colonisation. Munda rallied the tribals to fight against the forceful land grabbing carried out by the British government, which would turn the tribals into bonded labourers and force them to abject poverty. He influenced his people to realise the importance of owning their land and asserting their rights over it. He founded the faith of Birsait, a blend of animism and indigenous beliefs, which emphasized the worship of a single god. He became their leader and was given the nickname, 'Dharti Aba' or the father of the earth. He died on June 9, 1900, at age 25. November 15, the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, was declared 'Janjatiya Gaurav Divas by the Central Government in 2021. (ANI)
In a big declaration, the Union Minister of Urban Development, Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday said that the Sarai Kale Khan Chowk will now be known as Birsa Munda Chowk. The decision was announced on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of the freedom fighter and tribal leader Bhagwan Birsa Munda. "I am announcing today that the big chowk outside the ISBT bus stand here will be known after Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Seeing this statue and the name of that chowk, not only the citizens of Delhi but also the people visiting the International Bus stand will definitely be inspired by his life," Manohar Lal Khattar said. The Union Minister asserted that this decision was taken to honour the freedom fighter so that people visiting the area could know about him and get inspired by his life. Earlier today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah along with Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Delhi LG VK Saxena, unveiled a statue of Bhagwan Birsa Munda in the national capital city on the occasion of his 150th birth anniversary. Birsa Munda, the hero of the Indian tribal freedom struggle, played a pivotal role in inspiring the tribal community of the Chotanagpur region to fight for their independence. He led the armed revolution known as "Ulgulan" (the rebellion) against British rule. He belonged to the Munda tribe in the Chhotanagpur Plateau area. He spearheaded an Indian tribal mass movement that arose in the Bihar and Jharkhand belts in the early 19th century under British colonisation. Munda rallied the tribals to fight against the forceful land grabbing carried out by the British government, which would turn the tribals into bonded labourers and force them to abject poverty. He influenced his people to realise the importance of owning their land and asserting their rights over it. He founded the faith of Birsait, a blend of animism and indigenous beliefs, which emphasized the worship of a single god. He became their leader and was given the nickname, 'Dharti Aba' or the father of the earth. He died on June 9, 1900, at age 25. November 15, the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, was declared 'Janjatiya Gaurav Divas by the Central Government in 2021. (ANI)
As the 'Batenge toh Katenge' slogan has taken centre stage in the Maharashtra assembly polls, Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar said that he does not endorse the slogan and backed PM Modi's 'Ek hai toh Safe hai" slogan. The slogan has been widely condemned by the opposition leaders, claiming communal overtones in it. "I have expressed my disagreement on this (Batenge toh Katenge) in a public rally and media interviews. Some BJP leaders have also expressed the same. 'Sabka saath, Sabka vikas' means together with all, development for all...Now, 'Ek hain toh safe hain...I see it from this angle," Ajit Pawar said in an interview with ANI. Expressing his displeasure with the slogan he said, "We immediately said that this is not Uttar Pradesh, it must be going on in the North, not in our Maharashtra." Earlier, in an interview with ANI, BJP leader Fadnavis, who is in alliance with Ajit PAwar's NCP under Mahayuti banner said that there is nothing wrong with the slogan. "I don't see anything wrong in Yogi ji's slogans. Look at the history of this country. Jab Jab bate hai tab gulam bane hai. Whenever this country was divided into castes, into states, divided into communities society we became slaves. The country was also divided, and so were the people. That's why if we divide, we will be cut. This is the history of this country," Fadnavis said in an interview with ANI. "And I don't understand that if someone says don't divide, then what is the point of objecting to this?" he added. The campaigning has intensified for the 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra, with both the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) making efforts to woo the electorate. The Maharashtra assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, and counting will be held on November 23. Ajit Pawar further highlighted the campaign ahead of state assembly polls on November 20 said that his party's intention is to get as many votes for the Mahayuti alliance. "I am a member of the alliance and we are involved in it. Our intention is to win as many votes as possible for Mahayuti, and we are going according to that," he added. "The work we have done, the plans we have brought, you must have seen that in about 2-3 months, I am going to Maharashtra through Janh Samman Yatra........ we have only one goal, the Mahayuti government should come back," the NCP leader stated. (ANI)
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Ajit Pawar, on Thursday defended his decision to offer a ticket to Nawab Malik to contest from Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar, despite the serious allegations against him. Malik was arrested in 2022 on charges of having links with Dawood Ibrahim's associates, but no court has proven these allegations yet. Speaking exclusively to ANI, Pawar stated, "The allegation against Nawab Malik has not been proven, so why not give him a ticket?" He compared Malik's situation to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who faced accusations during his time in office. "Many allegations were made against Rajiv Gandhi, like Bofors, but that doesn't mean he is an accused. This is a democracy, we can't blame anyone without evidence," Pawar said. Pawar then emphasized that allegations must be proven in court before anyone is declared guilty. "Allegations are easy to make, but they must be proven in court. Right now, these are just accusations. We are not accusing anyone without solid proof," he said. The NCP leader also addressed the practice of making allegations in politics, noting that it happens frequently but does not always have solid backing. "In a democracy, anyone can make accusations against anyone," he added. He mentioned that even allegations against figures like Rajiv Gandhi did not lead to a legal conviction. Pawar also responded to Maha Vikas Aghadi's allegations that the current Mahayuti government is influenced by industrialists, especially regarding business magnates like Adani. "This is 101% wrong. In Maharashtra, it doesn't work like that. There are very big industries in Maharashtra, but they do their work separately, and the Maharashtra government looks after the state's affairs. Now, they (the opposition) throw such allegations during the election," he added. He continued, "So, you see, all the Chief Ministers who have been made till date, all the Chief Ministers. One (Eknath Shinde) is from Shiv Sena, and only for 5 years did Devendra Fadnavis of BJP become the Chief Minister, Uddhav was also from Shiv Sena,... and the rest are all from Congress. Everyone works with them (the industrialists). So, which Chief Minister decided after listening to the industrialists? They should say." Earlier in the interview, Pawar also explained why all candidates of the NCP had not attended Prime Minister Modi's rally in Mumbai. He stated, "On that day, there was a rally in Pune. There were 21 candidates from the Mahayuti alliance. But 5-6 didn't come, and only 15 attended. No one questioned why they weren't there. But when Zeeshan, Sana, and others didn't attend, it became a point of discussion." He added that the absence of certain candidates was due to scheduling conflicts.(ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled a statue of Bhagwan Birsa Munda in the national capital today, on the occasion of his 150th birth anniversary and hailed his contribution for societal reforms and the courage to stand against 'religious conversion.' On this occasion, Delhi LG VK Saxena and Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar were also present during the ceremony. The Home Minister said that the nation will always be thankful to Birsa Munda for his movements for independence and against religious conversion. Shah added that when the entire country and two-thirds of the world were ruled by the British, at that time, he showed courage to stand against religious conversions. "Birsa Munda spoke against the religious conversion while taking his secondary education. In 1875, while getting a secondary education, he raised his voice against religious conversion. When the entire country and 2/3rd of the world was ruled by the British, at that time, he showed courage to stand against religious conversion," Shah said addressing the event. Praising Birsa Munda for his contributions, Shah said Birsa Munda was a saviour of Adivasi tradition and culture. He also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to declare his birth anniversary as 'Janjatiya Gaurav Divas'. "On this occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, I would like to congratulate Lieutenant Governor Vinai Saxena that Bhagwan Birsa Munda's statue was unveiled here. Our PM Modi, on this day in 2021, announced that India will celebrate this day as 'Janjatiya Gaurav Divas', as on this day, Birsa Munda was born in a remote village of Jharkhand. Bhagwan Birsa Munda not only became saviour of tradition and culture for Adivashis, but also he set an example for all citizens of a country that how life should be, in his 25-year short life. Bhagwan Birsa Munda was definitely one of the great heroes of independence," Shah said. The Home Minister further added that the nation will always be thankful to Birsa Munda for the societal reforms he brought. Shah stated, "At that time, Birsa Munda brought several reforms into the tribal society. He opposed alcohol consumption, zamindaars and British Raj. The nation will always be thankful to the Birsa Munda and the tribal society for the societal reforms. The nation will be thankful for his movements for independence and against religious conversion." Birsa Munda, the hero of the Indian tribal freedom struggle, played a pivotal role in inspiring the tribal community of the Chotanagpur region to fight for their independence. He led the armed revolution known as "Ulgulan" (the rebellion) against British rule. He belonged to the Munda tribe in the Chhotanagpur Plateau area. He spearheaded an Indian tribal mass movement that arose in the Bihar and Jharkhand belts in the early 19th century under British colonisation. Munda rallied the tribals to fight against the forceful land grabbing carried out by the British government, which would turn the tribals into bonded labourers and force them to abject poverty. He influenced his people to realise the importance of owning their land and asserting their rights over it. He founded the faith of Birsait, a blend of animism and indigenous beliefs, which emphasized the worship of a single god. He became their leader and was given the nickname, 'Dharti Aba' or the father of the earth. He died on June 9, 1900, at age 25. November 15, the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, was declared 'Janjatiya Gaurav Divas by the Central Government in 2021. (ANI)
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday highlighted the importance of schemes like the Ladli Behna Yojana, which aims to transfer money directly to women's accounts, while also slamming the Congress, claiming they did nothing when they were in power. He also underlined other initiatives benefiting citizens of the state, such as the Ujjwala scheme, which has provided free cylinders to 52 lakh beneficiaries in Maharashtra. The Deputy CM, while discussing the political landscape exclusively with ANI ahead of Maharashtra's upcoming elections, defended the Mahayuti government's record of helping people, stating that Congress had failed to deliver similar promises during its rule. Speaking about whether the MVA could outplay Mahayuti's Ladli Behna Yojana through the promise of more money, Pawar said, "Congress ruled for so many years and never considered such schemes. They never gave anything. The record of Congress is clear--they never gave anything, not even a rupee. Now they're trying to give it, but we know their track record. In 2003, when Sushil Kumar Shinde was Chief Minister, they promised free electricity before the election. But after the election, Vilasrao Deshmukh took over, and they withdrew the promise. That's how Congress works." Earlier in the day, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told ANI that he had witnessed the positive impact of the BJP government's "women-centric" policies in the state. "I have toured the whole of Maharashtra, and I see a very positive feeling. Especially because of our women-centric policy, I see a lot of positivity among women voters. Earlier, 75 percent of men and 25 percent of women attended our rallies; now 50 percent of women's participation is seen. I think because of this positivity, we have an edge, and we will form the government with an absolute majority," Fadnavis said. Meanwhile, Pawar rejected the notion that he was a "kingmaker" or a potential spoiler for Mahayuti in the upcoming elections. "I am very straightforward. I am a part of Mahayuti, our party is involved, and we intend to ensure that Mahayuti wins as many seats as possible," he said. Pawar also focused on the coalition's achievements, including the successful implementation of welfare programs through the Jan Samman Yatra, during which he travelled across Maharashtra alongside Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and former CM Devendra Fadnavis. Responding to questions about the party's performance in the 2019 general elections, Pawar acknowledged that Mahayuti had faced challenges but emphasized that every state has its political dynamics. "Every state has its political dynamics. The thinking in the North is different from the South," he noted, adding that despite losing by a narrow margin in 2019, Mahayuti was determined to learn from its mistakes and work toward ensuring a successful outcome this time. In his interview, Pawar also addressed concerns about the impact of migration in Maharashtra, especially in Mumbai. He denied that Bangladeshi migration was significantly affecting the state's voting patterns, despite reports suggesting an increase in migration in certain constituencies. Pawar reaffirmed Mahayuti's stance against divisive politics, adding, "We all opposed that slogan (Yogi Adityanath's 'Batenge toh Katenge'), not just me, but my party as well." He also mentioned that some BJP leaders had opposed it. The campaigning has intensified for the 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra, with both the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) making efforts to woo the electorate. The Maharashtra assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, and counting will be held on November 23. (ANI)
All India Congress Commitee's Mahrashtra in-charge, Ramesh Chennithala, on Friday questioned the turnout at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent rally, claiming that public support was stronger for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. "There were fewer people in PM Modi's rally, but a large number of people attended Rahul Gandhi's rallies in Nanded and Nandurbar," Chennithala said. He added that the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which includes Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP-SCP, is united. He added,"Our Maha Vikas Aghadi is capable, we will move forward together, no one controls anyone. There is a big fight in the Mahayuti. No one accepted the issue of 'batenge toh katenge' in Maharashtra." Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut added to the debate with claims that there will be no Mahayuti government after November 23, the vote-counting date. "The people of Maharashtra do not trust the Prime Minister's statement. This is Maha Vikas Aghadi. We three are together. We are one and we are safer in Maharashtra than you," he said. Raut also questioned the ruling coalition's stability and the future of Eknath Shinde's position as Chief Minister. He said, "After November 23, there will be no Mahayuti because there will be no CM. They will not make Eknath Shinde the CM or LoP. They will not get the majority. We are forming the government." Meanwhile, on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi targeted Congress, accusing the party of exploiting the poor under the pretence of poverty alleviation. Speaking at a rally in Panvel, he said, "Congress always worked on the agenda of keeping the poor, poor. Generation by generation, they have given the false slogan of 'gareebi hatao.' Congress looted the poor in the name of poverty elimination." Amidst the intensified campaigning, Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge highlighted the BJP's aggressive approach. "I have 53 years of experience (in politics), and I have contested 13 elections and won all of them except one in 2019. Following this, I became a member of the Rajya Sabha and became the Leader of Opposition there. Given the assembly elections of Maharashtra, big leaders of the BJP including the PM, Union Home Minister, and CMs of BJP-ruled states are campaigning in Maharashtra. I have never seen the Prime Minister or Union Home Minister campaigning in every segment in the state assembly elections." As the November 20 election day approaches, the 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra have become the centre of a high-stakes political contest, with both the ruling Mahayuti and opposition MVA alliances making last-minute appeals to voters. The results on November 23 will reveal if the MVA's unity or the Mahayuti's efforts will sway Maharashtra's electorate. (ANI)
President Droupadi Murmu on Friday paid floral tributes at the statue of Bhagwan Birsa Munda on his 150th birth anniversary, Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, at Prerna Sthal in Parliament Premises, an official release said. On this occasion, Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman, Jagdeep Dhankhar, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and other dignitaries also paid floral tributes. In her message the President said, "As the nation begins the year-long celebrations of the 150th birth anniversary of this iconic figure in the history of modern India, I bow in gratitude to his blessed memory. Here I also recall how, during my childhood, hearing the legends of Bhagwan Birsa Munda made me and my friends feel very proud of our legacy." "In a short life of only 25 years, the boy from Ulihatu in today's Jharkhand became the hero of people's resistance against colonial exploitation. When the British authorities and local landlords were exploiting tribal communities, grabbing their lands and committing atrocities, Bhagwan Birsa rose against this social and economic injustice and led people to fight for their rights. Known as "Dharti Aba" ("Father of the Earth"), Bhagwan Birsa organised the "Ulgulan" or the Munda Rebellion against British oppression in the late 1890s," she added. Earlier, OM Birla in a message on X wrote, "On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda, the pride of tribal identity and culture, and the architect of the Ulgulan, I offer my humble tributes. The 150th year of Bhagwan Birsa Munda's birth begins today. On this Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, I extend my best wishes to fellow citizens. Bhagwan Birsa Munda was a great hero who dedicated his entire life to the nation, society, and culture. His life and ideals will always continue to inspire us. #BirsaMunda150." Since 2021, November 15 has been celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas to honour the sacrifices of tribal freedom fighters. Tribal communities played a crucial role in India's freedom struggle through various revolutionary movements. The day honours the history, culture, and heritage of tribal communities, with nationwide events promoting unity, pride, and recognition of their significant contributions to India's freedom and progress, a release said. Bhagwan Birsa Munda, who led the Ulgulan (Revolution) against British rule, became symbol of resistance. Bhagwan Munda's leadership inspired a national awakening, and his legacy is deeply revered by tribal communities. Welcoming the dignitaries, tribal folk artists from various states performed on the occasion at Prerna Sthal in Parliament premises. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Thursday sought a response from the West Bengal government on a contempt petition alleging the continued use of sharp spikes and burning mashaals (fire torches) to drive away elephants in the state. A bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan issued notice to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, West Bengal. \ The petitioner contended that the West Bengal government has failed to effectively address human-elephant conflicts and has violated Supreme Court orders dated August 1 and December 4, 2018. In these orders, the court had directed the state to remove spikes and desist from using fireballs to manage elephants. Prerna Singh Bindra, counsel for the petitioner, cited incidents involving the use of spikes and burning torches to drive away elephants in West Bengal. She added that despite assurances given to the court to stop such practices, the state has not explored alternative methods for managing human-elephant conflicts. The counsel informed the bench about a recent incident from August 15, when a group of elephants entered the Jhargram Raj College Colony in West Bengal. A pregnant female elephant was chased by a Hulla party--a group of locals armed with iron rods, spikes, and fire torches--and was attacked, which ultimately caused her death. The plea pending before the apex court highlights the use of cruel and torturous methods to manage human-wildlife conflicts in states like Karnataka, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha, with a specific focus on human-elephant conflicts. (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav paid obeisance at a Gurudwara in the state capital Bhopal on the occasion of Sri Guru Nanak Jayanti on Friday and extended greetings to everyone on the occasion. "On the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti, I extend my greetings to the people of the state and the country. A great man who followed the basic principles of humanity in his life and lived an ideal life not only for the country but also for the world. Today, I came here at a Gurudwara in Bhopal to pay my obeisance on the occasion and I extend my greetings to everyone," CM Yadav told reporters. Meanwhile, in a post on X, CM Yadav said that the teachings and ideal life of Guru Nanak Dev ji would always inspire and guide us for human service. "Today, on the occasion of Shri Guru Nanak Jayanti, I paid obeisance at a Gurudwara in Bhopal and prayed for the welfare of the world. The teachings and ideal life of Guru Nanak Dev ji will always inspire us and guide us for human service," CM Yadav wrote. Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as 'Gurpurab', is a sacred festival that marks the birth anniversary of the first guru of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev. It is a significant day in Sikhism since it commemorates the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first of the 10 Sikh gurus and the founder of Sikhism. The celebration is notable for its fervent devotion, spiritual gatherings, and the recitation of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhism's holy scripture. Every year, the auspicious occasion is held on the full moon date of Kartik month, also known as Kartik Purnima. Parkash Utsav is also observed on this day. Guru Nanak Dev, who had been devoted to the Divine since boyhood, was a man of peace who spent his entire life promoting equality and tolerance. He was born in 1469 in the village of Rai Bhoi di Talwandi, today known as Nankana Sahib, near Lahore, Pakistan. On Gurpurab, prayers are held in Gurdwaras throughout the day. The many components of the festival continue until late at night when devotees indulge in the langar. (ANI)
In a joint operation, Assam Rifles, alongside the Excise & Narcotics Anti-Narcotics Squad in Aizawl, seized 55 grams of heroin valued at Rs 35.75 lakh from Mizoram's Aizawl district. The operation led to the arrest of three individuals: two Indian nationals and one Myanmarese national. According to the official statement from the Assam Rifles, The raid took place in the Electric Veng Sec-3 area of Aizawl district, based on a specific intelligence input. Authorities reported that the seized heroin was packed in a transparent white polythene bag carried by the suspects. During the arrest, officials also seized a Suzuki Burgman scooter, believed to be linked to the smuggling activities. All items, along with the three suspects, were handed over to the Anti-Narcotics Squad in Aizawl for further legal action. Assam Rifles, known as the "Sentinels of the Northeast," continues its efforts to counter smuggling in the region, particularly in Mizoram. The Assam Rifles added, "Ongoing smuggling of contraband items is a major cause of concern for the state of Mizoram and India. Assam Rifles, rightly christened as the 'Sentinels of Northeast,' have continued their efforts against illegal smuggling and have also doubled their efforts to nab the kingpins of the smuggling of contraband items in Mizoram." This recent bust highlights the persistent smuggling challenges facing Mizoram and reflects the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to tackle the issue. Meanwhile on Thursday, Assam Rifles in collaboration with local law enforcement agencies seized a substantial cache of Heroin No. 4 and illegal Areca Nuts with a total value of Rs 1.5 crore in Aizawl and Champhai district, Mizoram and apprehended five individuals in four different operations from November 12 to November 13, said Assam Rifles. On November 12, acting on specific intelligence, Assam Rifles personnel intercepted and seized 113 grams of Heroin No. 4 worth Rs 84.75 lakh at Melbuk Road Junction and apprehended three women, residents of Khawzawl, added the statement. In the second operation, which was carried out by a combined team of Assam Rifles and Special Narcotics Police Station, CID (Crime), Aizawl in general area Zemabawk Kawn Veng II, Aizawl district, 34.5 gms of Heroin No 4 worth Rs 24.15 lakh was recovered and apprehended one individual (H Vanlalmuanpuia, 27 yrs, resident of Chanmari, Aizwal). On 13 November 2024, a joint team of Assam Rifles and the Customs Preventive Force, Champhai, seized 4900 kgs of illegal Areca Nuts valued at Rs 39.30 lakh in New Champhai and in another operation which was carried out by a combined team of Assam Rifles and Excise & Narcotics, Anti Narcotics Squad, Aizawl, Mizoram in general area Edenthar Veng, Aizawl district, 11 gms of Heroin No 4 worth 7.15 Lakhs was recovered and apprehended one individual (Joseph Laltlanjima, 22 yrs, resident of Edenther Aizwal), read the statement further. The entire consignment along with apprehended individuals was handed over to the Police Department, Zokhawthar, Customs Preventive Force, Champhai, Excise & Narcotics, Anti-Narcotics Squad, Aizawl and Special Narcotics Police Station, CID (Crime), Aizawl, for further legal proceedings. The ongoing smuggling of drugs and contraband items is a major cause of concern for the state of Mizoram and India. And the series of operations have once again shown the resolve of Assam Rifles in curbing illegal activities along the Indo-Myanmar border. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that it was the BJP's fortune to make Droupadi Murmu, the first tribal President of India. He credited President Murmu for the initiation of "PM Janman Yojana," saying that she frequently discussed about the most backward tribal population and today under the scheme, tribal families have got 'pakke-ghar', water and better road connectivity. Addressing a rally in Jamui, the Prime Minister said, "I consider it a good fortune not only for the BJP but also for the NDA that we got the opportunity to make Droupadi Murmu the President of the country. She is the first tribal President of the country. I remember when NDA decided to make Droupadi Murmu the President, our Nitish Babu had appealed to the people of the entire country that Droupadi Murmu should be made the President by a huge margin. The credit for the PM Janman Yojana under which many works have started today also goes to President Droupadi Murmu." PM Modi emphasised that the PM Janman Yojana worth Rs 24,000 crores, assured development in the villages of most backward tribal families, as it gave them 'pakke-ghar', water through 'Har Ghar Nal Yojana' and infrastructure work which is in progress to connect their villages to other major areas. "When she was the Governor of Jharkhand and became President, she frequently discussed about the most-backward tribal population. The previous governments did not care about these very backward tribal communities. The PM Janman Yojana worth Rs 24,000 crore was started to reduce the difficulties in their lives. Development is these communities are assured through this scheme. Today, this scheme is completing one year. During this one year, we have 'pakke-ghar' to thousands of most backward tribal families. The infrastructure work is in progress to connect their villages with other major areas of the district. In their villages, every house is getting water through 'Har Ghar Nal Yojana'. The one was asked by none of the governments, I worship them," he said. Counting the number of museums and tribal research centres opened during his regime, the Prime Minister further said that the BJP-led NDA central government has taken several steps to preserve tribal heritage. "Our government has also taken many steps to preserve tribal heritage. Many people dedicated to tribal art and culture have been honoured with Padma Awards. We started a huge museum in the name of Lord Birsa Munda in Ranchi...Today, two tribal research centres have also been inaugurated in Srinagar and Sikkim... The NDA government has established the National Institute of Sowa Rigpa in Leh, The North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Folk Medicine Research in Arunachal Pradesh has been updated. WHO's Global Centre for Traditional Medicine is also being built in India. This will also help the traditional medicine system of the Indian tribal reach the country and the world..." Prime Minister Modi arrived in Bihar's Jamui on the occasion of 'Janjatiya Gaurav Divas' and paid tribute to tribal leader 'Bhagwan Birsa Munda', marking the commencement of his 150th birth anniversary celebrations. He unveiled development projects highlighting the government's commitment to tribal welfare with plans to improve infrastructure, provide training, and create employment opportunities for youth, all aimed at the holistic development of tribal communities. Prime Minister unveiled development projects worth Rs 6,640 crore on the occasion of the commencement of the 150th birth anniversary celebration of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. He also released a commemorative coin and postage stamp at the event. Birsa Munda, the hero of the Indian tribal freedom struggle, played a pivotal role in inspiring the tribal community of the Chotanagpur region to fight for their independence. He led the armed revolution known as "Ulgulan" (the rebellion) against British rule. (ANI)
Taking to his official handle on X, Director General of Police, Punjab, Gaurav Yadav said, "In a major breakthrough, Amritsar Commissionerate Police busts trans-border narco smuggling and arms cartel and apprehends 2 persons and seizes 8.275 Kg Heroin, 6 Kg opium, 13.1 kg chemical, 4 pistols, 17 cartridges."

"An FIR under NDPS Act registered at PS Islamabad and Investigations on-going to establish backward and forward linkages. Punjab Police remains unwavering in its commitment to creating a safer, drug-free Punjab for all citizens," read the post by DGP.

Earlier on Thursday, Jalandhar Rural Police dismantled two separate criminal gangs, including a UK-based extortion syndicate, and arrested 10 hardcore criminals after recovering seven pistols along with 18 live cartridges and 10 magazines from their possession.

Police teams also impounded a car, a scooter, a motorcycle and a scooter being used by the arrested persons to carry out criminal activities.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigations have revealed the syndicate's complex cross-border operations, with key figures in the UK, Greece and Manila directing extortion and shootings in Punjab.

Additionally, Jalandhar Rural has also uncovered a weapons procurement network operating from Madhya Pradesh, he said.

"With busting of two modules, Punjab Police has successfully traced at least 14 cases of extortion and shootings, significantly disrupting foreign-backed crime in the state," he said.

The DGP said that further investigations were underway to establish backwards and forward linkages in this case.

Earlier on November 14, Ferozepur police intercepted two suspects carrying a significant cache of weapons, including 11 pistols and 21 magazines. When stopped, the persons abandoned their motorcycle and fled, but swift coordination led to major leads. (ANI)
After giving a rousing speech in the Mahagama assembly constituency in Jharkhand, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi's helicopter was unable to take off on Friday due to not having the clearance from Air Traffic Control (ATC). Earlier today, in his speech at Mahagama constituency in Godda district of Jharkhand, he condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi for attempting to give Mumbai's Dharavi to Adani. Calling PM Modi a "puppet of billionaires," he said that the PM has taken money away from poor people. " We are not scared of Narendra Modi, the 56-inch chest man and Mann ki Baat. Narendra Modi is a puppet of billionaires. Whatever the billionaires say, Narendra Modi does the same. Modi ji has waived off Rs 16 lakh crore of billionaires by snatching the money of the poor. Dharavi's land worth Rs 1 lakh crore in Maharashtra is also being handed over to Adani. The truth is that- Our government in Maharashtra has been toppled only to grab land," Rahul Gandhi said. Further hitting out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he said that the party does not care about Backward Classes, as they had reduced their reservation and taken away their land. "In Jharkhand, BJP had reduced the reservation for backward classes from 27% to 14%. On one hand Narendra Modi gives a speech saying- I belong to the backward class. On the other hand, they reduce the reservation for backward classes, snatch away your land and make you unemployed through demonetisation," he added. He further invoked the name of Ambedkar, Birsa Munda, Buddha, Gandhi and Phule, saying that the "soul of India is in the Constitution." He added, "Our Constitution contains the thoughts of Ambedkar ji, Birsa Munda ji, Lord Buddha ji, Gandhi ji and Phule ji. The soul of India is in this Constitution. Today, the rights you have got to water, forest and land are from the Constitution" He also highlighted the promises made by the Congress, including giving 28 pc reservations for Scheduled Tribes (ST), 12 pc reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC) and 27 pc reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBC). Voting for the first phase of the Jharkhand assembly elections concluded, with voting taking place in 43 out of the state's 81 seats. Elections on the remaining 38 seats will be conducted on November 20. The counting will be held in November 23. (ANI)
NDA candidate from Maharashtra's Worli assembly constituency in Milind Deora on Friday invited sitting Worli MLA and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray to have an open debate with him on Mumbai, Worli and Maharashtra.' Aditya and Deora are contesting against each other from Worli in the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls. In a post on X, Deora posted a video where he said, "Aditya, it's been already 24 hours since I invited you to debate me on Worli, Mumbai, and Maharashtra. The people of Maharashtra deserve to know, in which direction Maharashtra is headed economically and in terms of law and order, where is Mumbai headed towards infrastructural development, and where is Worli headed in terms of local issues like the Mahalaxmi race course." On reacting to an earlier post of Aditya Thackeray where he stated that anyone who is scared of a rival candidate is not worthy of any public forum, he urged him to choose any journalist of his liking and have a debate on MVA's and Mahayuti's track record. "During the Lok Sabha election in 2024, you said someone who is scared of a rival candidate is not worthy of any public forum. I urge you to choose any journalist of your liking and let's have a debate on MVA's track record and Mahayuti's track record. On MVA's vision for Worli, Mumbai, and Maharashtra vs. Mahayuti's vision for Worli, Mumbai, and Maharashtra," he said. "If you really believe in the democratic ideals that you profess, I invite you to have a debate," Deora said to Aditya through his video message. Earlier on May 12, this year, Aditya Thackeray said in an X post, "Someone who is scared of an open debate with rival candidates is not worthy of being in any public forum, the Parliament being the highest." "Between yesterday and today, two events where citizens (part of 2 ALMs/RWAs/citizen associations) could have watched South Mumbai candidates debate face to face and be asked questions by the citizens have been cancelled. The cancellation was last-minute, apparently by the police, one in the name of 'fear of political workers clashing' and the other for the timing of permissions," he had said. "Has it come to this that civil debates won't be allowed by agencies? Their duty is to prevent untoward incidents, not prevent debate. South Mumbai MP Candidate @AGSawant ji was ready and is ready for the debate and open questions. Guess who is using agencies to cancel these debates?" he had said. "Someone who is scared of an open debate with rival candidates is not worthy of being in any public forum, the Parliament being the highest. Chalo, let's have another go at it. This is South Mumbai's tradition of debates. Will it happen again, or will the police be told to say it is worried about clashes? We promise absolutely no clashes," he had added. The campaigning has intensified for the 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra, with both the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) making efforts to woo the electorate. The Maharashtra assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, and counting will be held on November 23. Earlier on Wednesday, Milind Deora, directly challenged Aaditya Thackeray to a public debate. Referring to Aaditya's earlier comments, Deora posted on X (formerly Twitter), "Aaditya, considering you think 'someone who is scared of an open debate with rival candidates is not worthy of being in any public forum,' I invite you to have an open debate about the future of Worli, Mumbai & Maharashtra." Deora proposed discussing issues such as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) alleged "30-year misgovernance," delays in the Mumbai Metro, and the economic impact of the Sachin Vaze scandal on Maharashtra. "Worlikars should decide whether 'speed breaker politics' or 'progress without speed limits' is the best way forward for our city & state," he added. (ANI)
The Uttar Pradesh government has agreed to the demands of protesting aspirants and will now hold the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) prelims examination on a single day, December 22. The examination will take place in two shifts: the first from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, and the second from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Reportedly, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed the commission to address the grievances of the protesting students, leading to the decision to revise the examination schedule. Initially, the exam was planned for December 7 and 8, following its postponement from the original date of October 27. The decision has been praised as a step to alleviate students' travel concerns. "In view of the nature of the Combined State/Senior Subordinate Service Examination, the Commission has decided in principle to conduct it on a single day, as was done earlier," stated the UPPSC in an official statement. Hundreds of aspirants had staged protests outside the UPPSC office in Prayagraj, demanding a change to the exam format. They argued that the previous format, which extended across multiple days and shifts, was unfair and susceptible to discrepancies. Following the protests, opposition parties supported the aspirants' demands, criticising the UP government's initial response as "insensitive." Over 10 lakh candidates are expected to appear for the Review Officer/Assistant Review Officer (Pre.) Examination. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak assured students of the government's commitment to their welfare. "The problem has been resolved. The state government is prioritising students' interests. Their demands have been met, and we will ensure they face no further issues," Pathak stated. BJP MP Dinesh Sharma echoed these sentiments, lauding the Chief Minister's decision. "This is a significant step in the students' interest. The opposition is merely politicising the issue. A committee has been formed by the Commission for the RO/ARO (Pre.) Examination-2023 to evaluate all aspects and submit a detailed report soon," Sharma said. (ANI)
As Diwali celebrations illuminated the nation, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) rose to the occasion, facilitating travel for over 4.42 million passengers in October 2024. This festive season witnessed a significant surge in both domestic and international traffic, as travellers flocked to celebrate the festival of lights. CSMIA catered to over 3.16 million domestic passengers and more than 1.25 million international passengers during this period. "CSMIA continues to soar to new heights, thriving as a premier travel hub with unique efficiency and excellence," stated Mumbai International Airport Limited in a press release. On October 26, 2024, CSMIA recorded its highest number of air traffic movements (ATMs) with 939 flights in a single day, marking the busiest day of the month. The Airport witnessed a remarkable rise in ATMs during October, with 19,848 domestic and 7,222 international ATMs, driven by an expanded array of travel options for passengers, according to the release. CSMIA maintained strong performance in key destinations. In October, the top three domestic destinations were Delhi, Bengaluru, and Goa, with Delhi leading the way, recording passenger traffic of 0.58 million. On the international front, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and London emerged as the top destinations. CSMIA's connections to these key locations underscore its status as a critical gateway for both business and leisure travellers, the press release noted. International passenger traffic at CSMIA was dominated by the Middle Eastern, Asian, and European regions. The Middle East accounted for the highest share, with 51 per cent of the total international traffic. Asia ranked second, contributing 23 per cent, while Europe held a 17 per cent share. These figures reflect the prominence of CSMIA as a gateway to key global regions. The growth in Asian and European traffic was further supported by flight additions from Nok Air to Don Mueang, Thailand, and Virgin Atlantic to London, United Kingdom, as per the release. Throughout October, particularly during the Diwali weekend, CSMIA showcased its efficiency in managing high passenger volumes, ensuring a smooth and seamless experience for travellers. With a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of service and safety, the Airport continues to provide world-class facilities for a delightful passenger journey. As it enters the final quarter of 2024, CSMIA remains steadfast in its position as a premier international hub, offering unparalleled connectivity to destinations worldwide, the press release concluded. (ANI)
He will be reviewing the implementation of central welfare programs and engage with local stakeholders.

During the visit, the Minister will hold discussions with the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) and district officials to assess the progress of flagship schemes, including the National Oil Palm Mission.

The itinerary includes interactions with residents of Samelangso Block, an aspirational area under the Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana as well as visit to healthcare and educational facilities in Diphu and Howraghat.

The Minister will also meet NGOs working under the 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan' and interact with divyang children at the Sarsing Teron Memorial in Diphu. (ANI)
In the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the state-level celebration of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas was held in Ahwa, Dang. The event featured the inauguration and foundation laying of 37 development projects worth Rs102.87 crores and the distribution of benefits totalling Rs 234 lakh to 568 beneficiaries. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel emphasized the nationwide celebration of Lord Birsa Munda's 150th birth anniversary under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He extended greetings and paid tribute to Lord Birsa Munda--a revered freedom fighter and social reformer. The Chief Minister recounted the leader's inspiring childhood and remarkable story offering a glorious perspective on his journey to becoming a revered Mahatma. The Chief Minister noted that tribal communities, despite their significant role in India's independence, had faced developmental neglect for decades. However, transformational initiatives introduced by then-Chief Minister Narendra Modi have positioned Gujarat as a leader in tribal development, with advancements in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic empowerment, he said. The Chief Minister affirmed that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gujarat has pioneered efforts to uplift tribal families, steering them toward development while preserving their dignity. He stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has exemplified how clear policies, a decisive mandate, and a commitment to inclusivity can pave the way for the successful development of tribal communities. The Chief Minister further highlighted that in 2007, then Chief Minister Narendra Modi launched the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana, aimed at the comprehensive development of the tribal community. This initiative, built on a ten-point framework, has resulted in the creation of essential infrastructure such as road connectivity, home education, healthcare, electricity, and water systems, the Chief Minister said. He noted that the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana has greatly enhanced educational opportunities, raising literacy levels within tribal communities. Furthermore, tribal regions now benefit from access to higher education, with engineering and medical colleges, including eight medical colleges in areas like Valsad, Dahod, Banaskantha, and Godhra. Building on this legacy, Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana 2.0 has been introduced with a budget exceeding Rs 22,000 crore, ensuring financial support for ongoing tribal development projects. The Chief Minister reaffirmed Gujarat's resolve to contribute to the Prime Minister's vision of Viksit Bharat by ensuring inclusive growth for tribal families. He emphasized that the empowerment of tribal communities is integral to achieving this vision. Under the Dharati Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, over five crore tribal people across 63,000 villages will benefit from a historic initiative aiming for 100% coverage. The Chief Minister also lauded the PM-JANMAN Yojana, which has integrated tribal families into mainstream development, providing essential facilities such as roads and electricity to over 30,000 families in Gujarat. State Tribal Development Minister Kuber Dindor, along with Deputy Chief Dandak-v-Dang MLA Shri Vijaybhai Patel, also addressed the program. Kuber Dindor honoured the contributions of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and shared insights into the state-level planning of the celebration. He emphasized that history bears witness to those who dedicated their lives to preserving and enriching the eternal Hindu culture, as well as those who worked selflessly for the betterment of the tribal community. Vijaybhai Patel spoke on the nationwide observance of Tribal Pride Day, highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to accord the tribal community the respect it rightfully deserves. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel provided an overview of the district's development projects, including the long-term solution for Dang's water issue, and expressed the people of Dang's gratitude to the state government. Various benefits from tribal welfare schemes were distributed to beneficiaries during the event. In the presence of the Prime Minister, attendees participated in the live broadcast of the national program from Jamui, Bihar, via audiovisual means. The book "Modi with Tribals", written by Valsad-Dang MP Dhavalbhai Patel, was released by the Chief Minister and other dignitaries. The dignitaries also flagged off the 'Vikas Rath,' organized by the district administration. The public had the opportunity to visit the exhibitions and demonstration stalls set up by various departments at the event. Beneficiaries shared their success stories on the public stage. Local leaders presented the Chief Minister with a souvenir in the form of a replica symbolizing the tribal community. The program began with a welcome address by State Tribal Development Commissioner Shri Supreet Singh Gulati, followed by a vote of thanks from Dang Collector Mahesh Patel. Valsad-Dang MP and Lok Sabha member Dhaval Patel, Dang District Panchayat Chairperson Nirmalaben Gain, along with members of the royal family, religious leaders, public representatives, and tribal society leaders were in attendance. Additional Chief Secretary of the Tribal Department JP Gupta, Central Government Nodal Officer Pradeep Singh, District Development Officer Raj Suthar, Superintendent of Police Yashpal Jaganiya, and numerous tribal families were also present at the event. (ANI)
Calling Kashi "unique," Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on the occasion of Dev Deepawali on Friday, said that the city has preserved its tradition and culture while transforming remarkably over the past decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. "In the last 10 years, we have witnessed a changing India, and the people of Kashi have been part of this transformation. Kashi has preserved its tradition and culture while emerging anew. Ten years ago, experts wouldn't even recommend using the water of the Ganga here for bathing due to pollution," CM Yogi said during an event marking Dev Deepawali in Varanasi. He further highlighted the cleaning of the Ganga under the Namami Gange project, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Under PM Modi's leadership, the river has been cleaned as part of the Namami Gange project. Today, its water is so clean that it can even be used for drinking," he added. The Chief Minister praised Kashi as a magnificent spiritual and religious centre. "Our Kashi is unique across the three worlds. It is the sacred abode of Baba Vishwanath, with the uninterrupted flow of Mother Ganga and its holy pilgrimages presenting Kashi as a magnificent spiritual and religious hub for India and the world," he said. He also noted the improved infrastructure at Kashi Vishwanath Dham, which now accommodates large numbers of devotees. "Five years ago, if 50 devotees arrived together, it was difficult for them to have darshan. Today, even if 50,000 devotees visit simultaneously, they can have darshan with ease. During the month of Sawan, this number reaches into the lakhs," he remarked. On the occasion of Dev Deepawali, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, CM Yogi, Governor Anandiben Patel, and Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri lit earthen lamps at Varanasi's Namo Ghat. Dev Deepawali, often referred to as "the Diwali of the Gods," is celebrated on the full moon night of Kartika. The festival transforms the ghats of the Ganges, from Ravidas Ghat to Rajghat, into a spectacular display of over a million glowing earthen lamps. (ANI)
The arrested person has been identified as M Mohammed Ali Jinnah, proprietor of Poombarai Palace, who had given shelter to absconder Shahul Hameed in his cottage.

As per the NIA, Shahul remained in hiding in the cottage for a considerable period of time before NIA, acting on credible information, searched the property, located in Kodaikanal area in Dindigul district.

After extensive investigation, NIA had charge-sheeted 18 accused, including five absconders, in the case on August 2, 2019 before the NIA Special Court, Chennai.

Besides Shahul, the other Proclaimed Offenders or absconders are Abdul Majith, Bhurkanudeen and Nafeel Hasan. NIA has announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh against each for information leading to their arrest.

The case relates to the brutal murder of Ramalingam, who was hacked to death on February 5, 2019 in Paku Vinayakam Thoppu, Thanjavur, by members and office bearers of the Popular Front of India (PFI).

The proscribed outfit had conspired to kill him for intervening in the dawah work or proselytization carried out by the PFI dawah team, which had come from Arivagam, Theni, to forcibly convert underprivileged persons in Paku Vinayakm Thoppu.

"Investigation established that the violence was unleashed to strike terror among the opponents of the PFI outfit," said the NIA.

"NIA investigations to track the absconders are continuing," added the agency. (ANI)
Amritsar Commissionerate Police has busted trans-border narco smuggling and arms cartel with the arrest of two persons and seized 8.27 kg Heroin, 6 kg opium, 13.1 kg chemical and 4 pistols including one sophisticated 9MM Glock along with 17 cartridges from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav on Friday. Those arrested have been identified as Aditya Pratap alias Kaka (23), a resident of Bhalla Colony in Cheharta, Amritsar and Shambhu Kabir (35), a resident of Prem Nagar, Kot Khalsa now Bhai Manjh Sahib, Tarn Taran Road in Amritsar. DGP Gaurav Yadav said that both the arrested accused persons have criminal histories as cases pertaining to the NDPS act and Arms Act registered against both of them, while, accused Shambhu Kabir is also wanted in a murder case. He said that further investigations are going on to establish backwards and forward linkages in this case. Commissioner of Police (CP) Amritsar Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that following reliable inputs about the involvement of accused Aditya alias Kaka in smuggling of weapons, police teams from Police Station Islamabad laid a trap and arrested him from Band Bhatha at Prem Nagar Road in Kot Khalsa, Amritsar and recovered two pistols-- including .32 bore and .30 bore, and 13 live cartridges from his possession. He said that during follow-up investigations in this case, the name of the other accused Shambu Kabir was also cropped up, following which, police teams immediately nominated him and launched an operation to nab him. Accused Shambu Kabir was arrested from Old Gas Godown at Guru Ki Wadali Road in Kot Khalsa, Amritsar. During the course of the investigation on the disclosure of accused Shambu, police teams have recovered 275g Heroin, 11.1 Kg chemical (used to mix with heroin) and one .32 bore pistol from his possession, he added. The CP said that in further course of investigation on the disclosure of accused Aditya alias Kaka two parcels of 5 kg and 3 kg Heroin each, 2 kg Chemical, 6 kg Opium and one 9MM Glock Pistol along with one live cartridge were recovered from him. More arrests and recoveries are expected in the coming days. Meanwhile, three separate cases including case Fir No 240 dated 6/11/23 under section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station Islamabad, FIR No. 247 under sections 18 and 21-C of the NDPS Act and section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station Islamabad and FIR No. 246 dated 13/11/24 under section 21-C of the NDPS Act at Police Station Islamabad have been registered against them. Earlier today, DGP Punjab police Anti-Narcotics Task Force and inaugurated the new Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) Support Services Unit (SSU), equipped with cutting-edge tech to boost intelligence and combat drug trafficking, marking a major step toward a drug-free Punjab. (ANI)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia on Friday offered prayers at Gurudwara Shri Rakab Ganj Sahib on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti and said that he prayed for peace and harmony among the society. "I extend my wishes on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti...I prayed at the gurudwara for the well-being of everyone and peace and harmony among the society," Sisodia said. Meanwhile, the Golden Temple was illuminated with colourful lights on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti. Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as 'Gurpurab', is a sacred festival that marks the birth anniversary of the first guru of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev. It is a significant day in Sikhism since it commemorates the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first of the 10 Sikh gurus and the founder of Sikhism. The celebration is notable for its fervent devotion, spiritual gatherings, and the recitation of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhism's holy scripture. Every year, the auspicious occasion is held on the full moon date of Kartik month, also known as Kartik Purnima. Parkash Utsav is also observed on this day. Guru Nanak Dev, who had been devoted to the Divine since boyhood, was a man of peace who spent his entire life promoting equality and tolerance. He was born in 1469 in the village of Rai Bhoi di Talwandi, today known as Nankana Sahib, near Lahore, Pakistan. On Gurpurab, prayers are held in Gurdwaras throughout the day. The many components of the festival continue until late at night when devotees indulge in the langar. (ANI)
Nagaland Governor La Ganesan attended the 555th birth anniversary celebration of Guru Nanak at Gurudwara Sri Singh Sabha in Dimapur, Nagaland, on Friday. Speaking at the event, the Governor expressed his deep reverence for the first Guru of Sikhism, describing him as a spiritual figure who "left an indelible mark on the sands of time." "Guru Nanak's philosophy emphasised 'Ik Onkar'--the belief in one God and the recognition of the divine presence in all of humanity. His teachings urge us towards a society founded on justice, tolerance, and harmony, paving the way for peace and unity in our diverse world," he said during his address at the Gurudwara. Advocating for the adoption of Guru Nanak's teachings, Ganesan added, "By aligning societal structures with Guru Nanak's principles, a more equitable, peaceful, and sustainable world can emerge. Such a foundation not only enriches individual lives but also strengthens communities globally, creating an interconnected, compassionate human society. In essence, Guru Nanak's teachings provide an eternal framework for building societies committed to justice, peace, and unity, echoing louder than ever in an era punctuated by both extraordinary potential and profound challenges." The Governor also acknowledged the contributions of the Sikh community across India. "The Sikhs have consistently shown a remarkable spirit of enterprise, service, and sacrifice. They have been instrumental in nurturing India's cultural, technological, and agricultural growth. Sikh soldiers and citizens have bravely defended our nation and contributed significantly to national security. Their courage and dedication are sources of inspiration for all Indians," he said. He further praised the Sikh community in Nagaland for their seamless integration into the state. "In Nagaland, the Sikh community has seamlessly integrated into the cultural and economic ecosystem of the state and has contributed actively and vibrantly to its development. Through initiatives in trade, education, healthcare, and community service, they have supported the economic and social fabric of our beloved state. Their Gurdwaras, serving as community centres, are not just places of worship but symbols of unity and service where everyone is welcome with open arms," he noted. He concluded by calling upon all to continue drawing inspiration from Guru Nanak's teachings. "Let us reaffirm our commitment to fostering a world rooted in love and mutual respect, fulfilling the higher ideals of selfless service to humanity," he urged. On behalf of the people of Nagaland, the Governor extended heartfelt appreciation to the Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee and the Punjabi Committee of Dimapur for organising the event and providing an opportunity to reflect on Guru Nanak's teachings and enduring legacy. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that Bodoland has witnessed a wave of development after signing of peace accord and it has opened avenues to many more peace accords. Inaugurating the 1st Bodoland Mahotsav here, the Prime Minister said that the Central Government has given a special package of Rs 1,500 crore for the development of Bodoland, Assam government has also given a special development package and more than Rs 700 crore has been spent to develop infrastructure related to education, health and culture in the region. "In the last four years, the development of Bodoland has been very important. After the signing of the Peace Accord, Bodoland has witnessed a wave of development. I feel very satisfied after looking at the positive and encouraging results of the Peace Accord," PM Modi said. "The Bodo Peace Accord hasn't just benefitted you, it has opened new avenues for many more peace accords. Had it remained on papers only, others wouldn't have trusted me. However, you imbibed the accord in your lives," he added. A Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) was signed in January 2020 with Bodo groups to resolve the long pending Bodo issue in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah. A special development package of Rs 1500 crore was provisioned and 1615 workers of NDFB factions laid down their arms following the agreement. The two-day Bodoland Mahotsav is being organised on November 15 and 16. It is a mega event on language, literature, and culture to sustain peace and build a Vibrant Bodo Society. It aims to integrate the indigenous Bodo people residing not only in Bodoland but also in other parts of Assam, West Bengal, Nepal, and other international border areas of the North East. The theme for the Mahotsav is 'Peace and Harmony for Prosperous Bharat' with focus on the rich culture, language and education of the Bodo community along with other communities from the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). It aims to capitalise on the richness of cultural and linguistic heritage, ecological biodiversity and touristic potential of Bodoland. The Mahotsav is also about celebrating the journey of recovery and resilience ever since the signing of the Bodo Peace Accord in 2020 under leadership of PM Modi. The peace agreement not only resolved decades of conflict, violence, and loss of life in Bodoland but also served as a catalyst for other peace settlements, according to an official release. PM Modi also witnessed a traditional Bodo dance performance. He also tried his hands on Sarinda - a stringed musical instrument used by the Bodo community of Assam. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attended the event virtually. Bodos are one of the aboriginal and indigenous communities living in Assam for thousands of years, and they are the largest tribal community in the state. Bodo as a language is listed in the 8th Schedule of India's Constitution and also is recognized as the Associate Official Language of Assam and medium of instruction up to Class XII. Earlier in his remarks, PM Modi extended best wishes to the people on the occasion of Kartik Purnima, Dev Deepawali and 555th Prakash Parv of Guru Nanak Dev. "Today is the holy occasion of Kartik Purnima. Dev Deepawali is being celebrated today. I extend my best wishes to the people across the country on this festival. Today is also the 555th Prakash Parv of Guru Nanak Dev. I congratulate the entire nation, especially the Sikh brothers and sisters spread across the world on this occasion. Today, the entire country is also celebrating the Janjatiya Gaurav Divas," PM Modi said. The Prime Minister said that earlier in the day, he attended the programme marking the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda in Jamui, Bihar. (ANI)
Karnataka Minister and Congress leader G Parameshwara on Friday said Maha Vikas Aghadi will get the support of people in the assembly polls and form the next government in Maharashtra. "Ashok Gehlot and I have been incharge of Mumbai and Konkan. My observation is that people are going to vote for us, Maha Vikas Aghadi. We are going to form the Government," Parameshwara told ANI. Reacting to PM Modi's statement on Congress in-charge for Jharkhand affairs Ghulam Ahmed Mir, Parameshwara said that if there are specific cases on which the PM makes a comment, the party will definitely look into those. "If there are specific cases on which the PM makes a comment, we will definitely look into those. If there are any specific cases - how many people from Bangladesh have been issued (facilities), how many people are misusing these kinds of facilities or benefits, all these things have to be given in terms of numbers," he added. On Thursday, PM Modi attacked Ghulam Ahmed Mir after he stirred controversy with his pre-poll promise of providing LPG cylinders at Rs 450 to "infiltrators," and said that the Congress is playing with the future of children for the sake of votes. "Their (Congress) one leader is openly declaring that they will give infiltrators, Rohingyas, Bangladeshi - gas cylinders at cheaper rates. It's the example of how they are playing with the future of your children's future for the sake of votes," PM Modi said. Parameshwara dismissed BJP's claims that funds from Karnataka are being used in the Maharashtra elections and said that the allegations are "baseless." "That is not true. They have no proof. They are making these allegations only for political reasons or political gain and there is no truth in it," he said. Maharashtra will go to the polls on November 20 with the votes to be counted on November 23. (ANI)
Calling the Bhagwan Birsa Munda the "pride of India's tribal communities," Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday said that his life and legacy continue to inspire strength, unity, and resilience. "Bhagwan Birsa Munda, the heroic revolutionary and pride of India's tribal communities, symbolises self-respect, sacrifice, and courage. His life and legacy continue to inspire strength, unity, and resilience. On his birth anniversary, we honour his role in uniting tribal societies against British colonial rule, embodying the spirit of self-reliance and inclusive growth for generations. To commemorate the great sacrifice made by the tribal communities for the cause of nation-building, the whole country has joined to celebrate Janajatiya Gaurav Divas on this pious day," Sonowal said. The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways joined the PM Narendra Modi from the playground of Dinjoye Tea Estate in Chabua. The PM virtually inaugurated, and laid foundation stones and dedicated projects worth Rs 6,900 crores for the welfare of tribal people of India. The event also witnessed a cultural performance by dance troupes from Mising, Sonowal Kachari, Mechkachari, Moran, Matak, and Tea tribe communities adding colour and vibrancy to the celebration of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas here. Sarbananda Sonowal further said that this day holds great significance for India as we celebrate the rich heritage and invaluable contributions of tribal communities to nation-building. "Since 2014, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, millions of tribal people have benefited from welfare initiatives, addressing long-standing demands and fostering dignity and honour for all. The legacy of Birsa Munda, marked by patriotism, sacrifice, and courage, remains an enduring source of inspiration. Guided by this history of resilience and commitment, I am determined to work toward an inclusive, self-reliant, and prosperous India," he said. Highlighting the key role the Modi government is playing in empowering the tribal communities of the country, Sonowal in a significant effort for tribal welfare, Prime Minister Modi initiated the 'Dharti Aaba Tribal Village Excellence Campaign', focusing on delivering essential amenities to remote tribal areas. "Key achievements include the allocation of Rs 79,156 crore to improve infrastructure and services for over 5.338 crore tribal individuals across 63,843 villages in 30 states and Union Territories. Under the campaign, tribal communities have benefited from initiatives such as constructing 20 lakh homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural), electrifying 35 lakh houses, promoting off-grid solar energy solutions, and installing solar power systems. Healthcare has also been prioritised, with 1,000 mobile medical units deployed under the National Health Mission. Additionally, various agricultural and welfare projects have been implemented, alongside the development of 1,000 tribal homes under the Swadesh Darshan scheme. These efforts symbolise a holistic approach to improving the quality of life and empowering tribal populations," Sonowal said. "Under the BJP-led NDA government's effective governance, significant progress has been made in tribal welfare. Achievements include the construction of 29,462 tribal villages under the Water Supply Department, 11,539 villages benefiting from Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, and 1,000 hostels built under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. Additionally, 5,000 villages have been connected through Telecom Technology Development Capital, and 1,000 skill centres for tribal youth have been established," he added. He further said that these initiatives have brought transformative changes, addressing the longstanding neglect of tribal communities under previous administrations. "Prime Minister Modi's leadership has restored respect and dignity to the tribal population, empowering them to thrive," he said. The Union Minister was joined by the Ministers of the Government of Assam, namely, Jogen Mohan, Bimal Borah, and Sanjoy Kishan along with the MP (Rajya Sabha), Rameswar Teli and MLAs, namely, Prashanta Phukan, Ponakan Baruah, Chakradhar Gogoi, Terash Gowalla, Binod Hazarika and other prominent individuals. The event was organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs with support from Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways as well as the Dibrugarh District Administration, Government of Assam. During the event, Sarbananda Sonowal ceremonially distributed Bhumi Patta and Ayushman Health Insurance Cards to many tribal beneficiaries. The celebration featured vibrant participation from various ethnic tribal communities, showcasing their rich arts and cultural heritage. Bhagwan Birsa Munda, who led the Ulgulan (Revolution) against British rule, became a symbol of resistance. Bhagwan Munda's leadership inspired a national awakening, and his legacy is deeply revered by tribal communities. (ANI)
The flight took off from Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati, and landed on the Brahmaputra River at Pandu Ghat in Guwahati.

The event aimed to showcase the potential for seaplane operations, which are expected to enhance tourism prospects in the state.

Assam Tourism Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah, along with other officials, were on board the demonstration flight.

"For the first time in India, a seaplane has successfully landed on a river," said Assam Tourism Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah.

"I believe this will give a significant boost to Assam's tourism sector. It will take at least six months to one year for operations to begin in the state," he added. (ANI)
"I thank the prime minister and congratulate everyone. It's a proud day and a momentous decision for the entire country," said CM Dhami.

Earlier in the day, Union Minister of Urban Development Manohar Lal Khattar announced that Sarai Kale Khan Chowk would henceforth be known as Birsa Munda Chowk.

The announcement coincided with the 150th birth anniversary of freedom fighter and tribal leader Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

"I am announcing today that the prominent chowk outside the ISBT bus terminal will be named after Bhagwan Birsa Munda. The sight of his statue and the chowk bearing his name will inspire not only Delhi's residents but also visitors to the International Bus Terminal," said Khattar.

The Union Minister emphasised that the decision was made to honour the freedom fighter and ensure that people visiting the area learn about his life and draw inspiration from it.

Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with Manohar Lal Khattar and Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, unveiled a statue of Bhagwan Birsa Munda in the national capital to mark his 150th birth anniversary.

Birsa Munda, a hero of India's tribal freedom struggle, played a key role in mobilising the tribal communities of the Chotanagpur region to fight for independence. He led the armed movement known as "Ulgulan" (The Great Rebellion) against British rule.

Belonging to the Munda tribe of the Chotanagpur Plateau, he spearheaded a tribal mass movement across the Bihar and Jharkhand regions during British colonisation. Munda galvanised the tribal population to resist the British government's land-grabbing policies, which led to the dispossession of tribal lands and their forced conversion into bonded labourers. He encouraged his people to assert their rights and reclaim their lands.

Birsa Munda also founded the Birsait faith, blending animism with indigenous beliefs, and advocated for the worship of a single god. Revered as a leader, he was affectionately called 'Dharti Aba' or 'Father of the Earth.' He died on June 9, 1900, at the age of 25.

In 2021, the Central Government declared November 15, Birsa Munda's birth anniversary, as 'Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.' (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav participated in a state-level programme organised in Shahdol district on the occasion of birth anniversary of tribal leader Birsa Munda and Tribal Pride Day on Friday and unveiled development works worth over Rs 229 crore. Speaking on the occasion, CM Yadav said that rights to water, forests, and land are the fundamental rights of tribal communities. The British wanted to take away these rights and Birsa Munda fought against the Britishers. "Rights to water, forest and land are the fundamental rights of the tribal communities. The British wanted to snatch it from them. Bhagwan Birsa Munda raised the tribal society against the atrocities and misdeeds of the British and fought against the British. He protected the basic rights of the tribal society and also foiled efforts at conversion of our tribal people. Today on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, I remember him and pay tribute to him from the bottom of my heart," the CM said. He said PM Modi launched a campaign to bring the history of the tribal society before the country and took the decision to celebrate Tribal Pride Day on November 15 every year on the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda across the country. "Today Bhagwan Birsa Munda Jayanti is being celebrated across the country. The life of Bhagwan Birsa Munda is a path finder for all of us," CM Yadav said. "Continuous efforts are being made to restore tribal pride in Madhya Pradesh. Today, a museum of great tribal hero Badal Bhoi and Shankar Shah Raghunath Shah has been inaugurated. Tantya Mama Bhil was a great freedom fighter of Malwa region. A new university of Khargone in the state is being named as Krantiveer Tantya Mama University. A railway station near Mhow has also been named after him. Rani Durgavati Yojana is being run to promote Kodo, Kutki in the state," he said. "The tribal community has kept our culture and traditions alive even today. The tribal people supported Lord Ram during his struggle against Ravana. Lord Krishna used to wear peacock feathers, the tribal society also wears peacock feathers. "By remembering Lord Ram, Krishna and Birsa Munda, we get a chance to connect with the roots of our culture," he added. He further stressed that no stone would be left unturned in the development and welfare works of the tribal community in the state. (ANI)
The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) aspirants supported the decision of the state government to conduct the examination in a single day. The aspirants called off their protest over the UPPSC prelims after the government's decision. The UPPSC exam will now be conducted on December 22. Pankaj Pandey, an aspirant told ANI, "We had submitted 4 memoranda earlier but no decision was taken. Following this, we called a major agitation on 11th November. The agitation has continued since then. Students were creating. Finally, the government took cognisance of this and we thank them for this. The government took a decision in our favour. We had two demands, for PCS and for RO/ARO. 100% of demands regarding PCS have been accepted. But there was a little confusion regarding RO/ARO. They then formed a committee for it. When the decision of the committee comes, we will decide our further course of action. As of now, we have called off our protest..." Another aspirant, Narendra Tiwari said that he is "satisfied" with the government's decision. "We are satisfied with the decision of the Commission, Administration and Government. One remaining demand, regarding one shift exam for RO/ARO is yet to be received by us. A committee has been formed for it. We hope that the committee will decide in our favour... The students in my area believe that we need not protest there anymore. The protest has been completely called off.." he added. Rajkumar Verma, a third aspirant highlighted that the District Magistrate and the Secretary visited them too. "DM and Secretary came here yesterday. They decided to conduct the PCS exam on one day, and RO/ARO exam has been postponed. They have formed a committee for RO/ARO exam. We will decide the further course of action as per the decision of the committee...The PCS exam is scheduled to be held on 22nd December," he said. Earlier, the Commission's release said that the exam will be conducted in two shifts: the first from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, and the second from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM. "In view of the nature of the Combined State/Senior Subordinate Service Examination, the Commission has decided in principle to conduct it on a single day, as was done earlier," stated the UPPSC in an official statement. (ANI)
Noting that the Bodo community has faced many challenges but has shown immense resilience and committment to peace, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that coming to the Bodoland Mahotsav is a very emotional moment for him and the affection from the Bodo community is something he greatly cherishes. PM Modi today inaugurated the first Bodoland Mohotsav, a two day mega event on language, literature, and culture to sustain peace and build a vibrant Bodo society. PM Modi said the government is committed to ensuring progress and prosperity for the vibrant Bodo community. He said the Bodo community has also shown violence can never solve any problem. "You cannot imagine how emotional this moment is for me. Maybe, these people sitting in air-conditioned rooms in Delhi, those who give different kinds of theories have no idea how big this opportunity is. Fifty years of bloodshed, violence for 50 years, youths of three-four generations lost their lives to this violence... after so many decades, Bodo is celebrating a festival today.," PM Modi said. "I don't know if people sitting in Delhi know the importance of these things. And this has not happened just like that... you all have created a new history today by untying every knot very patiently. My Bodo brothers and sisters, in the year 2020, I got the opportunity to visit Kokrajhar after the Bodo Peace Accord, the love and affection you gave me there, it felt like you treated me as one of your own. I will always remember that moment. After so many decades, Bodo community celebrating 'utsav', you have scripted new history," he added. PM Modi said that after the Bodo Peace Accord, Bodoland witnessed a new wave of growth. "In the last four years, the development of Bodoland has been very important. After the signing of the Peace Accord, Bodoland has witnessed a wave of development. I feel very satisfied after looking at the positive and encouraging results of the Peace Accord," PM Modi said. He greeted the citizens of India on the auspicious occasion of Kartik Purnima and Dev Deepavali. He greeted all the Sikh brothers and sisters from across the globe on the 555th Prakash Parva of Sri Gurunanak Dev. He added that the citizens of India were celebrating the Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, marking the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. The Prime Minister underlined that a strong foundation has been laid for the bright future of the Bodo people. Shri Modi remarked that the development undertaken in the last four years in Bodoland was extremely important. "Bodoland has witnessed a new wave of development after the peace agreement," he said. He said Bodo Peace Accord had opened new paths for many other agreements and noted that more than 10 thousand youths in Assam alone have given up weapons, deserted the path of violence to return to the mainstream of development as a result of the peace accords. He added that it was beyond the imagination of anyone that the Karbi Anglong Accord, the Bru-Reang Accord and the NLFT-Tripura Accord would become a reality. Highlighting the priority accorded by the Central and State Governments to the needs and aspirations of the Bodo community in the Bodo Territorial Region, PM Modi noted that the Central Government has given a special package of Rs 1500 crore for the development of Bodoland while the Assam government had granted a special development package. He added that more than Rs 700 crore had been spent to develop the infrastructure related to education, health and culture in Bodoland. The Prime Minister remarked that the Government had taken decisions with utmost sensitivity towards the people who have given up violence and returned to the mainstream. He said that more than 4,000 former cadres of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland had been rehabilitated while many youth had been given jobs in Assam Police. He noted that the Assam government had given assistance of Rs 5 lakh to each family affected by the Bodo conflict. The Prime Minister also said that the Assam government was spending more than Rs 800 crore every year for the development of Bodoland. Emphasizing the importance of skill development and availability of opportunities for the youth and women for the development of any region, Modi underlined that SEED Mission meant welfare of youth through skilling, entrepreneurship, employment and development and expressed confidence that the Bodo youth were getting huge benefit from this. PM Modi said he was pleased to see the gun wielding youth in the past were now moving ahead in the field of sports. He noted the two editions of Durand Cup being held in Kokrajhar along with participation of teams from Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan was historic. The Prime Minister underlined that after the peace agreement, the Bodoland Literary Festival had also been held continuously in Kokrajhar for the last three years, denoting a great service to Bodo literature. He also greeted the people on the occasion of the 73rd foundation day of Bodo Sahitya Sabha. He added that it was a day of celebration of Bodo literature and Bodo language, with a cultural rally being held tomorrow. Noting that there is a tradition of weaving in every Bodo family, PM Modi said that necessary efforts had been undertaken to promote the cultural heritage of the Bodo community through Bodoland Handloom Mission. "Assam is a great strength of India's tourism sector, while Bodoland is the strength of Assam's tourism," he said and noted that dense forests of Manas National Park, Raimona National Park and Sikhna Jhalao National Park, which were once used as hide-outs, were now becoming a medium to fulfil the ambitions of the youth. He expressed confidence that the growing tourism in Bodoland would create many new employment opportunities for the youth. Remembering Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma and Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma for their contributions, PM Modi remarked that Bodofa always put forward the democratic method for the integrity of India and the constitutional rights of the Bodo people while Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma united the society by following the path of non-violence and spirituality. The Prime Minister remarked that the entire North East, including Assam, is the Ashtalakshmi of India and the dawn of development would rise from Eastern India to give new energy to the resolve of a developed India. Therefore, he said, the Government was constantly making efforts for permanent peace in the North East by trying to find amicable solutions to the border disputes between the states of the North East. Emphasizing that the golden era of development of Assam and North East had begun in the last decade,PM Modi said 25 crore people have come out of poverty in 10 years due to the policies of the Government. He added that lakhs of people from Assam have also defeated poverty. Highlighting that Assam was creating new records of development during the present Government's tenure, PM Modi said that the government has focused especially on health infrastructure. He added that in the last one-and-a-half years, Assam got four big hospitals, namely the Guwahati AIIMS and Kokrajhar, Nalbari, Nagaon Medical College, which have reduced people's difficulties. He added that the opening of cancer hospital in Assam had given great relief to the patients of North East. PM Modi remarked that the number of medical colleges in Assam has increased to 12 from 6 before 2014. He added that there was work underway to open 12 more new medical colleges, which would open new doors of opportunities for the youth. (ANI)
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday inaugurated the world-famous Bali Jatra festival in Cuttack on Friday This week-long celebration will continue until November 22, in Cuttack. The opening ceremony was attended by a distinguished group of foreign delegates, including ambassadors, high commissioners, heads of missions, and diplomats from 14 countries, along with their spouses. These dignitaries participated in a boat sailing on the Mahanadi River and explored the various stalls set up at the mega-fair. The Jatra witnessed participation from cultural troupes from ASEAN, BIMSTEC, and Pacific Island countries. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, ambassadors, High Commissioners and Heads of Mission of 14 countries and their spouses as well as several other diplomats attended the Bali Jatra Cuttack Utsav 2024. As India marks a decade of Act East Policy this year, the festival also attained an international profile by participation from ASEAN, BIMSTEC and Pacific Island countries including the performances of their visiting cultural troupes during the entire week. MEA (East) Secretary Jaideep Mazumdaar, said that cultural troops from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Slovakia and Bali will perform over eight days of this festival. "Today we are honoured by the presence of ambasadors high commisioners heads of missions and diplomats from 14 friendly countries in addition we also have cultural troops from Bangladesh Bhutan Indonesia Nepal Sri Lanka Thailand Vietnam and even Slovakia and we have a troop coming all the way from Bali. The troops will be performing over eight days of this festival," Mazumdaar said. The inaugural ceremony was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha Pravati Parida, Member of Parliament Cuttack Bhartruhari Mahtab, Member of Parliament Jagatsinghpur Bibhu Prasad Tarai and senior officials of the State Government. Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East), represented the Ministry of External Affairs at the event. Bali Jatra (Voyage to Bali) celebrates Odisha's rich maritime history and commemorates India's historical and civilisational links with Southeast Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific, which have evolved through the maritime journeys undertaken by Indian seafarers over thousands of years, as per the Ministry of External Affairs release. (ANI)
Congress leader Pawan Khera said that he was "sad to hear" about the death of infants in the massive fire at Jhansi Medical College in Uttar Pradesh late Friday evening. In a post on X, Khera said, "Praying for the safety of children affected by the fire in a hospital in Jhansi. Sad to hear about the death of several of them." https://x.com/Pawankhera/status/1857494175651954974 Congress leader and former Union Minister Pradeep Jain Aditya said that the priority should be given to saving the lives of the children who sustained burn injuries. "Many newborn babies died and many are fighting for their lives...biggest issue is that the children who sustained up to 40 per cent burn injuries, they could develop infections. Biggest goal is to save those children," he told ANI. At least 10 infants were killed after a massive fire broke out at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Jhansi Medical College in Uttar Pradesh late Friday evening. According to hospital officials, there were 54 infants admitted to the NICU ward and several infants trapped have been rescued. The officials said that the fire erupted inside the oxygen concentrator and the room being highly oxygenated facilitated the spreading of fire. Speaking to ANI, Chief Medical Superintendent Sachin Mahor said, "There were 54 babies admitted in the NICU ward. Suddenly a fire broke out inside the Oxygen concentrator, efforts to douse the fire were done but since the room was highly oxygenated, the fire spread quickly... many babies were rescued. 10 babies have died. injured babies are undergoing treatment." More details on the fire incident are awaited. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has taken cognisance of the incident and directed the district administration to expedite the relief work. In a post on X, CM Yogi also offered condolences to the families of the deceased infants. "The death of children in an accident that occurred in the NICU of the medical college located in Jhansi district is extremely sad and heartbreaking. The district administration and concerned officials have been instructed to speed up the relief and rescue operations," CM Yogi said on X. (ANI)
The United States strongly condemned the November 9 bombing at a railway station in Pakistan's Quetta. Addressing the US State Department briefing on Thursday, Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel offered deepest condolences to the victims and their families. "We strongly condemn the BLA Majeed Brigade's November 9th bombing at a railway station and we extend our deepest condolences to the victims and their families We have a shared interest in combating these kinds of threats with Pakistan We have a shared commitment to regional security," Patel said. "The US itself has designated the BLA as a Specially designated global terrorist organization. We did that back in 2019 and at the end of the day. we are continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism and violent extremism," he added. A devastating blast at Quetta Railway Station in Pakistan's Balochistan province on November 9 claimed at least 26 lives and injured 62 others. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the blast. During the briefing, in response question of Taliban leaders congratulating the American people for not handing leadership of their great country to a woman, Patel affirmed, "I can't imagine the Taliban are experts when it comes to leadership under a woman or not. but the Taliban are hardly credible voices when it comes to the role women play in their society and the role that women leaders play." "And what you've heard us say time and time again for as long as Taliban continues to essentially hold back 50 per cent of its population from fully integrating in society, fully participating in society. It certainly is not going to be able to reach the international recognition that we know that they're seeking," he added. In the recent 2024 US election, Trump won a second term as President of the United States after securing 295 electoral votes in the presidential election, defeating Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, who garnered 226 votes. This makes Trump the first US president since 1892 to return to office after losing a previous election. Trump's return to the White House marks only the second time in US history that a president has served two non-consecutive terms. The first such instance was Grover Cleveland, who served as president in 1884 and 1892. Trump had earlier served as US President from 2016 to 2020. (ANI)
The two leaders discussed the close ties between their countries, exploring various aspects of cooperation and joint efforts, along with opportunities to advance these partnerships in a way that supports development priorities and aligns with the two nations' vision for progress and prosperity for their people.

During the call, Sheikh Mohamed and King Abdullah also reviewed a number of regional and international issues, with a particular focus on the Middle East situation and recent developments in Gaza.

In this context, they stressed the importance of strengthening efforts to implement a ceasefire in the area and ensuring full protection for civilians in line with international humanitarian law, while also advancing joint humanitarian efforts to address the conditions faced by Gaza's population.

The two leaders further underscored the need to build on the outcomes of the recent extraordinary Arab and Islamic summit held in Saudi Arabia to achieve a comprehensive de-escalation in the region, preventing the expansion of conflict and safeguarding regional security and stability. (ANI/WAM)
A social movement of British Hindus and Indians in the UK, INSIGHT UK, on Friday protested in front of the Oxford Union, the debating society of Oxford University and raised slogans, after they hosted a debate titled "This House Believes in the Independent State of Kashmir." Huge cries of "It is known far and wide, Oxford Union stands on terrorists side" were heard as the protestors condemned the hosting of debate with speakers with alleged links to terrorism. https://x.com/INSIGHTUK2/status/1857152714943148222/video/2 In the protest, outside the Oxford Union, the students holding banners chanted Hindi slogans, "Bharat mata ki jai, vande matram" https://x.com/INSIGHTUK2/status/1857148800428806267 Further, INSIGHT UK shared the post of the protest and wrote, "Jammu Kashmir WAS India, Jammu Kashmir IS India, Jammu Kashmir WILL BE India." On Thursday, INSIGHT UK sent a formal letter to the Oxford Union Society to express concerns about its decision to host a debate titled "This House Believes in the Independent State of Kashmir," raising questions about the inclusion of speakers with alleged links to terrorism and citing potential risks to the integrity of the debate. In their letter, the social movement that works on issues that impact the British Hindu and Indian community in the UK stated that the two invited speakers, Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur and Zafar Khan, in support of the motion had been criticised for their alleged associations with groups linked to violent extremism and terrorism. They stated that Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur had been accused of incitement and hate speech, with links to organisations under investigation for connections to terrorism. INSIGHT UK further emphasised the background of Thakur and his organisation, "World Kashmir Freedom Movement," where he is the president and also "Mercy Universal," which he co-founded with his father. Both entities have reportedly been investigated by the UK's Scotland Yard, the Charity Commission, and the FBI for their suspected connections to terrorist activities. "Muzzammil Ayyub has often engaged in hate speech. A case has been registered against him. for creating fear and alarm among the masses using social media and inclining them to commit offences likely to disturb public order. Muzammil has been charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act," the letter stated. "Muzammil is the president of the "World Kashmir Freedom Movement," which, along with another organisation called "Mercy Universal," was founded by his father and investigated by Scotland Yard, the Charity Commission and the FBI for ties with terrorists," the letter further read. Meanwhile, Zafar Khan, the Chairman of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), was associated with a group known for violent activities that targeted the Kashmiri Hindu community. The JKLF had also been involved in acts such as the kidnapping and killing of Indian diplomat Ravindra Mhatre in the UK back in 1984, they said in the letter. INSIGHT UK is a social movement dedicated to raising awareness, advocating and campaigning for the causes that concern and impact the British Hindu and Indian communities in the United Kingdom. (ANI)
India continues to be a vital partner for the United States, when it comes to Indo-Pacific and global regional stability and the US administration under outgoing President Joe Biden was thankful to have been able to deepen that cooperation over the last four years in office, the State Department said on Thursday. During a press briefing on Thursday (local time), US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel highlighted the ongoing cooperation between the US and India across various sectors, including trade and security. Patel noted that the Biden administration had worked to deepen this partnership over the past four years and that Biden and outgoing US Secretary of State Blinken continue to view India as a vital partner. "President Biden and Secretary Blinken continue to view India as a vital partner. There are a number of areas in which, over the course of the past four years, you have seen tangible ways in which we have deepened that cooperation, whether it be trade issues or security cooperations," Patel said. He added, "India continues to be a vital partner when it comes to Indo-Pacific and global regional stability and we are very thankful to have been able to deepen that cooperation over President Biden's four years in office." When asked about the incoming administration's approach to US-India relations, Patel declined to speculate, emphasising that he was not a spokesperson for the incoming administration. "What the incoming administration may or may not pursue as it relates to their relationship with India, I cannot speak to that. I am not a spokesperson for the incoming administration," Patel stated. Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reaffirmed the importance of India's relationship with the United States, describing the partnership as "very special" and "multifaceted." "As a fellow democracy, India celebrates this expression of people's mandate in the United States. Prime Minister Modi conveyed to the President-elect that we look forward to working very closely, as he had done with him earlier as well to further strengthen the India-U.S. comprehensive global and strategic partnership. Both India and the United States will work for the betterment of the people and to promote global peace and stability and prosperity. So we want to further strengthen our partnership and we look forward to it," MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said following the recent US presidential election. (ANI)
The human rights department of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), Paank, has voiced support for Bibi Ganjatoon who has been searching for her sons for 13 years after being forcibly disappeared by Pakistan's armed forces. Ganjatoon, the mother of Naseeruddin and Muhammad Younus from the Kench district of Balochistan, has been demanding justice for a long time. Still, her voice was curbed by the security forces. In a post on X, Paank stated, "We stand in solidarity with Bibi Ganjatoon, a mother from Kech, Balochistan, who has endured a heartbreaking 13-year search for her two sons, Naseeruddin and Muhammad Younus, forcibly disappeared by Pakistani forces. Despite years of appeals to authorities, from local officials to the Supreme Court, she remains in the dark about her son's whereabouts, with no answers or justice provided." According to Paank, the local officials demanded justice for two sons from the Supreme Court but were denied justice. Paank urged the Pakistan government and the judiciary to listen to Ganjatoon's appeal and said, "No mother should have to beg for the return of her children or face a lifetime of uncertainty and suffering." Paank further highlighted, "Enforced disappearances are a gross violation of human rights, and this cycle of anguish must end. We call on all relevant authorities to locate and safely return Naseeruddin and Muhammad Younus to their family and to put an end to this inhumane practice." The rise in cases of enforced disappearance of the Baloch people has created terror and fear in the region. The Baloch people are facing oppression by the Pakistan armed forces to raise their voices against illegal activities. They have urged the global community to support them in such a situation as the armed forces are intensifying their military operation with violence. Paank stands in solidarity with the victims to end the violation of human rights. (ANI)
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has filed a petition in the Pakistan Supreme Court, urging the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the alleged suppression of his party leaders and workers, Dawn reported. The petition accuses state authorities, in collaboration with "unknown persons," of targeting party members and violating fundamental rights. The petition, filed by PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, requests the establishment of a judicial commission led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi, along with Justices Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Munib Akhtar. The commission would examine political and non-political interference in state institutions, identify breaches of constitutional oaths, and hold those responsible accountable. The petition calls on the apex court to issue directives to safeguard fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution, including the rights to life, freedom of assembly, expression, movement, information, and judicial redress. It also seeks a directive against the denial of a no-objection certificate (NOC) for PTI's planned political gatherings, particularly one scheduled for November 24, reported Dawn. Addressing broader issues, the petition demands the court prohibit local administrations from misusing Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) to curb peaceful assemblies. It further seeks restrictions on the indiscriminate use of detention orders under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance (MPO) 1960, which it claims are being unlawfully applied against political workers, civil rights activists, and opposition figures. The petition highlights alleged violations of fundamental rights, accusing authorities of orchestrating harassment through arrests, fabricated charges, and repeated detentions. It urges the court to restrict sequential First Information Reports (FIRs) against the same individuals and to empower high courts to prevent police or state authorities from misusing arrests to intimidate citizens. The petition also asks the Supreme Court to ensure no arrests occur without prior court notification and to impose checks on the arbitrary application of laws. It emphasises the need to regulate the registration of FIRs against PTI workers participating in peaceful protests, Dawn reported. Pointing to a pattern of state-led harassment, the petition underscores the disproportionate use of legal mechanisms to stifle dissent and erode public confidence in democratic institutions. (ANI)
The Korean Central News Agency cited Kim as saying that the drones, also known as loitering munitions, emerged as "an essential requirement in military aspect nowadays" as per a report in Yonhap.

"The competition for using drones as the main means of military capabilities...is being accelerated in the world," he said.

Kim provided on-site guidance for the tests of various types of suicide attack drones, produced by an affiliated institute of the Unmanned Aerial Technology Complex and related companies, the previous day, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

It also published photos of Kim talking with officials near at least two different types of unmanned aerial vehicles.

As per the KCNA, the "suicide attack drones" to be used within different striking ranges are to perform a mission to "precisely attack any enemy targets on the ground and at sea"

The tests involved the drones precisely hitting the targets after flying along various preset tactical routes, it added.

North Korea first disclosed a performance test of suicide attack drones in August, which was also overseen by Kim on-site.

The development comes amid the recent military exercises of the United States, South Korea and Japan in international waters near North Korea which saw participation by ships and aircraft.

The US Indo-Pacific Command on Tuesday in a statement said the operation dubbed 'Freedom Edge' continues to demonstrate the defensive posture and unbreakable will of Japan, South Korea and the US to promote trilateral multidomain interoperability and to protect freedom for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, including the Korean Peninsula.

Recently Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law, ratifying the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty between Russia and North Korea, which includes a provision committing both nations to mutual military assistance in the event of an attack on either side. (ANI)
The Philippines, under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has enacted two new maritime laws designed to safeguard the nation's contested territory in the South China Sea, the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act. According to the Philippines' Presidential Office, the Maritime Zones Act "aims to establish the nation's archipelagic sea lanes, designating specific routes over its waters and airspace." The laws, which are grounded in the criteria set by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), also seek to affirm the Philippines' maritime zones, strengthening its position in ongoing territorial disputes with China, as reported by Voice of America. Experts suggest that these laws are part of a broader strategy by Manila to counter China's growing assertiveness in the region. Raymond Powell, director of Sealight at Stanford University's Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, described the passage of these laws as a critical step in "lawfare," a strategy of using legal and diplomatic means to contest China's maritime aggression, particularly its ongoing occupation of the West Philippine Sea. According to the report, Powell emphasized that the new laws help the Philippines challenge China's increasing control over critical features like the Scarborough Shoal and the Second Thomas Shoal, both of which are claimed by Beijing as part of its nine-dash line. China, which asserts near-total control over the South China Sea, has consistently dismissed international rulings, such as the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration decision, which declared China's claims to the waters without legal foundation under UNCLOS. In response to the Philippines' new maritime laws, Beijing has expressed strong objections, calling them a "serious violation" and a threat to regional stability. Recently, China summoned the Philippine ambassador to lodge a protest, accusing Manila of taking "unilateral" actions. The report further stated that the enactment of these laws also prompted objections from Malaysia, which contends that the Philippine Maritime Zones Act infringes upon its territorial claims near Sabah on Borneo Island. However, it is China that poses the most significant challenge to the Philippines' sovereignty in the region, with continued military and strategic actions aimed at solidifying its dominance. According to Jay Batongbacal, a maritime expert, China's opposition to the Philippines' maritime laws is driven by its desire to maintain control over the South China Sea, which it views as vital for its military and economic interests. Despite the legal and diplomatic confrontations, experts like Zachary Abuza, a professor at the National War College in Washington, argue that the Philippine laws provide important leverage in challenging China's territorial claims. While these laws may not immediately alter the situation on the ground, they enable the Philippines to assert its sovereignty and create a legal framework to counter China's claims. Abuza warns that Beijing is likely to respond aggressively, as seen in its recent move to draw new baselines around Scarborough Shoal, a low-tide feature that international law deems as not subject to territorial claims. China also conducted military drills in the area, further escalating tensions. The Philippines' push for stronger maritime laws comes amid its growing partnership with the United States. Since President Marcos assumed office in 2022, Manila has reversed the distancing from Washington that occurred under his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte. The two countries have resumed joint naval exercises, and the Philippines has granted U.S. forces greater access to its military bases. The U.S. is also expected to provide advanced defense technology, including mid-range missiles, to bolster the Philippines' military capabilities in the face of China's aggression. However, with the upcoming transition to a new U.S. administration under President-elect Donald Trump, there are uncertainties about the future of the U.S.-Philippines alliance. Vincent Kyle Parada, a former defense analyst with the Philippines Navy, suggests that Marcos will need to engage with Trump diplomatically to reinforce the strategic value of the Philippines in the Indo-Pacific region. While there is strong bipartisan support in the U.S. against China's actions, Parada anticipates a more transactional relationship, where the Philippines will have to offer more tangible benefits to Washington in exchange for its continued support. As tensions in the South China Sea continue to rise, the Philippines' new maritime laws signal a determination to assert its rights and strengthen its legal position in the face of China's increasingly aggressive actions in the region. (ANI)
The FBI and the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) on Wednesday issued a warning that the breach, initially discovered late last month, has since uncovered a wide-reaching and serious cyber espionage operation. Investigators now believe that a cyberattack on US telecommunications systems, initially thought to be targeting American presidential campaigns, is much more extensive. It is likely part of a broader effort by China to conduct widespread surveillance on the United States, as reported by Voice of America. In a statement, the two agencies confirmed that their investigation has revealed Chinese-affiliated hackers infiltrated the networks of several U.S. telecommunications companies, potentially gaining access to a vast amount of sensitive data. Furthermore, the hackers appear to have successfully copied information that was requested by US law enforcement through court orders. "We expect our understanding of these compromises to grow as the investigation continues. We encourage any organization that believes it might be a victim to engage with its local FBI field office or CISA," the FBI and CISA said. The report further stated that the two agencies first revealed they were investigating a breach of US telecommunications systems in late October, just under two weeks before voters across the country went to the polls for the national elections. The announcement of the breach came after a report by The New York Times, which suggested that Chinese hackers had infiltrated telecommunications networks to target the campaign of President-elect Donald Trump, including phones used by both Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance. The Trump campaign confirmed the breach in a statement to VOA. Additionally, a source familiar with the investigation informed VOA that individuals connected to Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign were also targeted. At the time, the Chinese Embassy in Washington rejected the U.S. hacking accusations as disinformation, asserting that the US was "the origin and the largest perpetrator of cyberattacks." On Thursday, embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu dismissed the latest US statements as disinformation. "China firmly opposes the U.S.'s smear attacks against China without any factual basis," he said in an email. "We hope that relevant parties will adopt a professional and responsible attitude when characterizing cyber incidents, basing their conclusions on sufficient evidence rather than unfounded speculation and accusations." US intelligence agencies had been warning for months that foreign adversaries were employing a mix of cyberattacks and influence operations to interfere with the US presidential election on November 5. Furthermore, reports from private cybersecurity firms highlighted a notable increase in activity by groups associated with Russia, China, and Iran. All three countries have consistently denied allegations of interfering in elections. US agencies, including CISA and the FBI, have long cautioned that China-linked hackers have infiltrated US computer systems and networks, sometimes remaining undetected for years. The China-based group, known as Volt Typhoon, has been "setting the stage for potential destructive cyberattacks that could threaten the physical safety of Americans," according to an advisory released in February. "What we've found to date is likely the tip of the iceberg," CISA Director Jen Easterly said in a statement at the time. (ANI)
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has criticised the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for failing to uphold political agreements and showing a lack of respect for the PPP's role in the federal government, The Express Tribune reported. Speaking to the media at Bilawal House in Karachi on Thursday, Bilawal expressed concerns about the PML-N's approach to constitutional reforms, governance decisions, and other key issues. Highlighting discrepancies in policy implementation, Bilawal accused the government of treating Sindh unfairly during constitutional reforms. "During the constitutional reform process, the government made promises but then backtracked, adopting different approaches for Sindh compared to the rest of the country," he stated. Bilawal further criticised the absence of consultation in significant governance decisions, particularly in projects under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). "We had agreed on consultation, but instead, decisions were made without proper dialogue," he remarked, expressing his disappointment. Addressing broader political concerns, Bilawal emphasised the importance of integrity and respect in politics. "Politics is about respect, not resentment. If the judiciary had representation from rural Sindh, we would have demanded equality," he noted, referring to the lack of diversity in Pakistan's Supreme Court. On the recent killing of Chinese nationals, Bilawal aligned himself with the Chinese ambassador's condemnation of the act, terming the murders "unacceptable." He stated, "A murder is a crime against humanity," and stressed the need to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens contributing to Pakistan's economy, reported The Express Tribune. Regarding Pakistan's security challenges, Bilawal called for stronger government action to address terrorism and extremism. "We need less talk and more action to combat terrorism effectively," he said, urging the implementation of a national action plan to address rising threats, particularly in Balochistan and former tribal areas. Bilawal also commented on Pakistan's deteriorating relations with the United States, adding that the recent US presidential elections may not significantly affect Pakistan's politics. "The ties have deteriorated further, and there's a need to improve them," he noted. Criticising the government's internet restrictions, Bilawal pointed out the negative impact on technology access, The Express Tribune reported. "The internet has become so slow, it feels like the 1990s again," he said, describing the outdated state of connectivity. In a separate update, Bilawal shared news about his father, President Asif Ali Zardari, who is recovering after sustaining four fractures in his leg. Bilawal revealed that his father would require several weeks of rest for full recovery. (ANI)
Union Minister for Power and Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, jointly inaugurated the first trilateral power flow transaction from Nepal to Bangladesh through a virtual event hosted by Nepal's Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation on Friday. Kahattar, along with Md Fouzul Kabir Khan, adviser of Bangladesh's Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, and Nepali Minister of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Dipak Khadka, inaugurated the power flow transaction, which had been carried out through the Indian grid. According to a press statement, the power transaction from Nepal to Bangladesh, through the Indian grid, will export up to 40 MW of power. The transaction was announced earlier in June 2023, during the visit of the former Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, to India from May 31 to June 3. During the visit, both sides had expressed their commitment towards greater sub-regional cooperation, including in the energy sector, which would lead to increased interlinkages between the economies for the mutual benefit of all stakeholders. Following the inauguration, Union Minister Khattar said that the move would benefits all the three countries in the region. "The power departments of the three countries have entered into an agreement with each other, Regional Cooperation for Power Purchase Sale and Distribution and Transmission, in which Nepal has signed an agreement with Bangladesh for 40 MW hydro power. The Nepal government has used India's transmission grid to send its electricity to Bangladesh... I think this will benefit all three countries," Khattar said. A tripartite power sales agreement between NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam, the Nepal Electricity Authority, and the Bangladesh Power Development Board was signed back in October this year in Kathmandu. The start of this power flow from Nepal to Bangladesh through India is expected to boost sub-regional connectivity in the power sector, the statement added. (ANI)
Two security personnel, including an officer, were killed in a recent terror attack in Balochistan, Pakistan publication the Dawn reported on Friday, citing officials. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces were mobilized under Major Muhammad Haseeb on Thursday in Harnai district, Balochistan, after intelligence suggested that terrorists were planning to target civilians, the Dawn reported. During the operation, the forces engaged the terrorists, killing three of them. However, an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near the leading vehicle of the security forces, killing 28-year-old Haseeb, from Multan, and 38-year-old Havildar Noor Ahmed from Barkhan, as reported by the Dawn. The ISPR statement stated that the Pakistani security forces, alongside the nation, remain committed to preventing attempts to destabilise Balochistan and that the deaths of those soldiers only reinforce their determination in their attempt, the Dawn reported. In a separate incident in Ziarat's Mangi area, unidentified armed men intercepted a vehicle, abducting two individuals. Later, the victims' bodies were discovered in a hilly region near Mangi Dam, with signs of torture. The victims, identified by their national ID cards as being from Punjab, were found after locals alerted the authorities. Levies personnel retrieved the bodies and transported them to a nearby hospital. The identities of the deceased have not yet been confirmed. Security forces have launched a search operation to apprehend those responsible for the crime. (ANI)
The Western Australian Parliament honoured the crew of the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini for their remarkable journey on the global circumnavigation expedition 'Navika Sagar Parikrama II.' Led by Lieutenant Commanders Dilna and Roopa, the all-female crew is making history as they navigate the globe in an ambitious eight-month voyage. The 2-member crew were seated in the Presidential Gallery whilst the Parliament proceedings were underway, the High Commission of India stated in a post on X. https://x.com/HCICanberra/status/1857257401969516894 The INSV Tarini docked in Fremantle, Australia, marking the first major stop on the journey after departing Goa, India, on October 2 this year. After 38 days at sea, the crew reached Fremantle, where they will stay for two weeks to restock supplies and prepare for the next leg of their journey to New Zealand. Sue Ellery, Member for South Metropolitan and Leader of the House, along with other dignitaries, felicitated the crew during their visit. In a speech at Parliament House, Ellery lauded the crew's achievement, acknowledging their progress in the expedition. "I'm advised that, over the 4,900 nautical miles of their journey so far, they have sailed with humpback whales, encountered high winds, and noticed a significantly cooling climate as they've headed south," Ellery remarked. https://x.com/HCICanberra/status/1857257399968743574 The officers are not only navigating vast oceans but also conducting scientific research along the way, documenting observations related to the marine environment. Ellery further commended the trailblazing women, saying, "Lieutenant Commanders Dilna and Rupa are true trailblazers, and their circumnavigation will no doubt inspire many girls and young women to consider roles in the Indian Navy." The eight-month-long journey will take the crew to several more destinations before their return to India, expected in May 2025. Throughout their travels, the crew is focused on scientific work, documenting their findings while at sea. The occasion also provided an opportunity for the crew to share their experiences with officials in Australia. "Yesterday, President, with you, I hosted Lieutenant Commanders Dilna and Rupa, the Indian Consul General, Mr Amarjeet Singh Taki, senior Indian Navy officials, and consular officials for a morning tea here at Parliament House to hear about their journey. And President, they join us in the President's gallery today," she further said. In addition to recognising the crew, Ellery extended gratitude to the Indian Consul General for facilitating the visit and enhancing diplomatic cooperation. "I also want to acknowledge the Indian Navy officials for their role in empowering women in their Navy and for fostering Navy cooperation between our two countries," she added. (ANI)
President-elect Donald Trump has selected North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum to lead the Department of the Interior. The announcement, made at the America First Policy Institute Gala at Mar-a-Lago, came with a note of excitement, CNN stated. Trump stated, "I look forward to doing the formal announcement, although this is a pretty big announcement right now. Actually, he's going to head the Department of Interior, and it's going to be fantastic." Burgum, who challenged Trump for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, will inherit the Department from Secretary Deb Haaland, the first Native American to serve in a Cabinet position. The Department oversees the nation's public lands, natural resources, and Indian affairs. Burgum's appointment is a significant step as the former Microsoft executive transitions from being a two-term governor to a key player in the incoming administration. While he had previously expressed reluctance to join Trump's Cabinet, telling CNN last August that he would not consider serving as a vice presidential candidate or a member of Trump's future Cabinet, Burgum now finds himself in a pivotal role, reported CNN. "Happy to do lots of other things. I had a fabulous 30 years in the private sector. A lot of opportunities there," Burgum had said when he ruled out serving in Trump's Cabinet. However, following the suspension of his presidential campaign in December, discussions shifted, and Burgum emerged as a potential candidate for several roles, including that of an "energy czar." This position, which would have allowed Burgum to work on advancing Trump's energy agenda while avoiding lengthy Senate confirmation hearings, was a departure from his initial reluctance to serve under the president-elect. As Secretary of the Interior, Burgum will be expected to oversee the stewardship of federal lands and resources, a role that requires navigating the complex balance between conservation, industry, and indigenous affairs. The Department of the Interior's reach includes managing public lands, as well as critical issues like water rights and national parks, CNN reported. Burgum is the latest in a series of controversial picks by Trump, who has named over 20 individuals for high-level positions in his administration. Among these appointments are Fox News host Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defence, former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr as Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz as Attorney General. Burgum's confirmation will need to be approved by the Senate before he officially assumes office. (ANI)
Historian Stephen Wertheim has proposed a revaluation of US foreign policy toward China, with a specific focus on Taiwan, in a recent New York Times article. He suggested that the next US president could "put America first" by pursuing a more cautious stance, particularly by strengthening the "one China" policy while offering Taiwan "stepped-up but conditional aid" as per the historian. However, Wertheim's approach relies on three fundamentally flawed assumptions about Taiwan, China, and the US role in the region, which overlook key historical and geopolitical realities, Taiwan News reported. The first flawed assumption is Wertheim's belief that China has been generally tolerant of Taiwan's self-rule, provided Taipei refrains from declaring independence. Wertheim argues that Beijing was willing to allow Taiwan to maintain autonomy as long as it does not formally separate from China. However, this view ignores the historical context of China's attitude toward Taiwan. While Beijing may have appeared more tolerant during periods when it lacked the means to force a resolution, China has never fully accepted Taiwan's autonomy. Former Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai's willingness to compromise on Taiwan was more about pragmatism in the context of US-China normalisation than a long-term strategy of peaceful coexistence. Moreover, Deng Xiaoping's remark that China was "biding its time" further underscores that Beijing's tolerance was a temporary strategy, not a permanent stance. Today, under Xi's leadership, China has escalated military pressure on Taiwan, signalling its growing impatience. The increase in military manoeuvres, including PLA aircraft incursions into Taiwan's airspace, and China's aggressive actions in the South China Sea demonstrate that Beijing is no longer content with the status quo. The second flawed assumption is that the US is somehow preventing the peaceful annexation of Taiwan by China. Wertheim argues that the US has a responsibility to avoid closing the door on a potential peaceful resolution. However, this assumption overlooks the fact that Taiwan's people have consistently rejected Beijing's overtures for reunification, reported Taiwan News. Taiwan's resistance is not the result of US interference, but rather a deep-seated desire to preserve its democratic values and independence. Proposals like China's "One Country, Two Systems" framework, which promised Taiwan a high degree of autonomy, have failed to gain traction, especially after the erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy in 2019. The US does not control Taiwan's future, nor should it. Any suggestion that the US should abandon its position on Taiwan's self-determination only serves to offer Beijing hope that Taiwan can be coerced into reunification without a military conflict. The final flawed assumption is Wertheim's belief that US-China relations could be reset through a grand bargain, where the US makes concessions in exchange for China's cooperation. This view fails to understand the underlying forces driving China's actions. China's competition with the US is not merely a reaction to American pressure; it is rooted in nationalism, which is integral to the legitimacy of the Chinese Communist Party. Nationalism in China is driven by the belief in its "birth right" to return to a central position in world affairs. China views any US attempt to maintain its supremacy as a direct challenge to this vision. As such, offering China concessions in exchange for cooperation will likely be seen not as a diplomatic victory, but as a sign of US weakness. Rather than bringing China to the negotiating table, such gestures could embolden Beijing to demand even more concessions in the future, Taiwan News reported. While it is essential to approach US-China relations with caution, Wertheim's proposal fails to consider the complex realities of Taiwan's desires, China's growing assertiveness, and the broader geopolitical context. His vision of a grand bargain with China ignores the deep-seated nationalism and strategic ambitions driving Beijing's actions. (ANI)
In a show of solidarity, student groups in Quetta gathered outside the Press Club on Thursday to protest against alleged police brutality, the arrest of Baloch and Pashtun students, and the recent closure of hostels at Bolan Medical College (BMC). The demonstration saw participation from various student organisations, including the Baloch Students Action Committee (BSAC), Pashtun Students Federation (PSF), and Baloch Students Organisation (BSO), The Balochistan Post reported. Protesters claimed that more than 128 students had been detained under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) 3 ordinance. They also highlighted the hardship caused by the closure of BMC hostels, which had left many students without accommodation. Among those attending the protest were political figures such as Ghulam Nabi Marri from the BNP, Asghar Khan Achakzai from the ANP, and Ishaq Baloch from the National Party. Speakers at the rally strongly condemned the police's actions, demanding the immediate release of the detained students and the reopening of BMC hostels, reported The Balochistan Post. They called on authorities to address the grievances of the students and hold those responsible for the alleged violence accountable. This protest follows an earlier joint press conference by student unions, where they condemned the police raid on BMC hostels on Tuesday night. The crackdown, which involved the use of tear gas and baton charges, targeted students - including female students - and resulted in several arrests. The unions accused the police of using a minor incident as an excuse for the raid and criticised them for overstepping their authority while disregarding the cultural sensitivities of the Baloch and Pashtun communities. (ANI)
The MoU was signed by Prof. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy, Chancellor of UoS and Director-General of the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Science, and Technology (SAASST), and Salem Butti Al Qubaisi, Director-General of the UAE Space Agency, at SAASST's headquarters.

The MoU stipulates that the collaboration between the University and the Space Agency will focus on developing research and development (R&D) in the space sector, identifying projects of common interest, promoting the national space sector and space economic zones, and advancing space labs.

The MoU also emphasises collaboration on the space facility-sharing initiative, utilising the existing space facilities at the University of Sharjah, and raising awareness of the risks within space projects.

Prof. Al Naimiy highlighted that this partnership will play a significant role in providing effective contributions aligned with the UAE's strategic directions in the space sector, and will help develop research and innovations that strengthen scientific research infrastructure, benefiting both local and international communities.

Al Qubaisi said, "The collaboration between academic institutions and specialised entities within the country opens new horizons towards developing innovative and sustainable solutions for future challenges in the national space sector and various other sectors."

He added, "Signing the MoU with the University of Sharjah reflects our firm commitment to enhancing the space innovation ecosystem in the UAE, supporting national strategies for transitioning into a sustainable knowledge-based economy, and enabling scientific research, and developing advanced technologies that contribute to comprehensive development over the next fifty years." (ANI/WAM)
Flight operations in Punjab were severely affected by dense smog and fog on Friday, leading to widespread delays and cancellations, as reported by ARY News. According to reports, 11 flights were canceled, while three diverted to alternate airports. A total of 53 domestic and international flights faced significant delays. Notably, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights PK 340 and 341 from Karachi to Faisalabad were among those canceled. Additional cancellations included PIA flights PK 322 and 323 from Lahore to Quetta, as well as an international flight, V739 from Jeddah to Lahore. Furthermore, PIA flights PK 281 and 282 from Muscat to Sialkot were also canceled. Four flights from Islamabad to Gilgit (PK 601, 602, 605, and 606) did not operate, as reported by ARY News. Due to poor visibility caused by the smog, some international flights had to land at alternate airports. Qatar Airways flight QR 616 from Doha to Multan landed in Islamabad and returned to Multan once the weather conditions improved. Similarly, Saudi Arabian Airlines flight SV738 from Jeddah to Lahore also landed in Islamabad. Another international flight, PK-244 from Dammam to Sialkot, was rerouted to Lahore, ARY News reported. Several domestic flights, including OD132 from Lahore to Kuala Lumpur and TG346 from Lahore to Bangkok, were delayed until the following morning. The ongoing smog crisis also prompted the Punjab government to implement stricter measures, including early market closures at 8 pm to combat the air pollution. Authorities sealed 75 shops and several wedding halls in Lahore for violating the early closing hours, and 14 restaurants were shut down for ignoring the outdoor dining ban, ARY News reported. In addition, shops and restaurants in various districts, including Shalimar, City, Ravi, Raiwind, Cantonment, and Saddar Tehsils, were sealed for non-compliance with the regulations. The enforcement of these measures underscores the region's efforts to address the growing smog problem in the region. (ANI)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Russia's shelling of Ukraine, which resulted in widespread terrorization of peaceful cities and communities. Over the past 24 hours, Russian forces launched attacks on multiple regions, including Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia, utilising artillery, drones, and guided aerial bombs, Zelenskyy said. Sharing a post on X, Zelenskyy wrote, "Russia does not stop shelling Ukraine, terrorizing our regions, peaceful cities, and communities. Over the past 24 hours, the occupiers have been shelling the Donetsk region--where a drone strike claimed one life--along with Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Kherson, Sumy and Chernihiv regions, using artillery, drones, and guided aerial bombs." Zelenskyy further said that the attack resulted in significant damage to residential buildings, a heating main, an educational institution, a church, and the port area. "Last night, Odesa suffered a combined massive attack involving missiles and drones. Residential buildings, a heating main, an educational institution, and a church were damaged. The port area was also hit. Tragically, one person died because of terror, and ten others were injured, including two children. Assistance is being provided to everyone in need. I am grateful to everyone involved in rescuing our people and eliminating the consequences," Zelenskyy said. "We are constantly defending ourselves against such Russian attacks, and we constantly need effective protection from this terror. We keep repeating that Ukraine needs more air defense systems, the capability to destroy means of terror on enemy territory, defense packages, and increased sanctions pressure on Russia," the post added. On Wednesday, Russian forces launched a massive attack on Ukrainian cities which involved ballistic and cruise missiles targeting Kyiv. "This morning, Russia launched yet another combined attack on our cities, and our air defense responded effectively. Russian missiles--including ballistic and cruise missiles targeting Kyiv--were shot down, along with drones. In total, around 90 strike drones attacked Ukraine," Zelenskyy had said on X. The Russia-Ukraine conflict, which escalated in February 2022 with Russia's full-scale invasion, has resulted in thousands of civilian deaths. Moscow continues to deny intentionally targeting civilians, despite widespread international condemnation and evidence of airstrikes on residential areas. Attacks have become a near-daily occurrence, especially in Ukraine's eastern and southern regions. Russia has frequently employed a range of weaponry, including guided aerial bombs, missiles, and UAVs, to target Ukraine's cities and critical infrastructure. In response, Ukraine has ramped up its defence efforts with help from Western allies. Yet, the volume and intensity of Russia's assaults have made it clear that more sophisticated and long-range defence capabilities are necessary. (ANI)
The members of civil society gathered at Taus Chowk in Gupis-Yasin district of Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan on Friday to protest against the disappearance of 20-year-old Imran Khan, a youth from Qarqulti who has been missing for the past three weeks. The protesters, including residents, activists, and community leaders, expressed growing concern over the lack of progress in locating the young man. According to Pamir Times, the protesters lamented the law enforcement agencies for not locating the victim for the past 21 days. They warned the authorities and gave them a 48-hour ultimatum to ensure the safe return of the youth. The protesters further highlighted that the authorities take immediate action on small issues of the region but dismiss the cases which involve the missing of their wives and children. "The youths of the region are disappointed and hopeless due to ongoing killings and disappearances," said the protestors. One of the protesters criticised the government and said that the disappearance of the young man and the lack of progress in locating him by the authorities was a clear violation of human rights. Every individual must participate in the protest and raise their voices against such atrocities. The demonstrators emphasised that this case of enforced disappearance, while deeply personal for Imran Khan's family, also reflects a wider issue of concern for the entire community in Yasin. The protesters called on law enforcement agencies to intensify their search efforts and to provide regular updates on the investigation's progress. The protesters shouted, "We want transparency, we want accountability. Our community is in fear, and we cannot rest until Imran Khan is safely back with his family." Imran's sudden disappearance has left his family and the community in a state of deep distress. His whereabouts remain unknown despite efforts by his family and friends to alert authorities and organize a search. The protestors, holding banners and chanting slogans, demanded that the authorities take immediate and decisive action to locate the missing youth and ensure his safe return. (ANI)
Journalist Adnan Yaqoob raised concerns over the recent 26th constitutional amendment, claiming that the government's real motive was appointing judges favourable to its interest rather than legal reforms. In an interview, Yaqoob stated, "The government passed the 26th constitutional amendment act to appoint a chief justice of its own choice. The government toiled hard to pass the amendment in a month." He condemned the act and highlighted that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the chairperson of the Pakistan People's Party held meetings with PM Shehbaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N) for urgent passage of the act. According to him, the act hampers judicial independence. He further added that the act was passed before October 25 to appoint Yahya Afridi, the third-ranking judge in the Supreme Court as chief justice rather than Syed Mansoor Ali Shah. After assuming the office, Afridi has reconstituted the Practice and Procedure Committee and re-inducted Justice Akhtar into the body. He lamented, "After critical decisions by Afridi, the government is preparing to introduce the 27th constitutional amendment bill to reform and control the power of the chief justice. This law will reduce the powers of the Supreme Court." He said that the new chief justice Yahya Afridi has initiated new judicial reforms for efficient and accessible justice. All the judges are on the same page after the arrival of the new chief justice. He explained that the government wanted to appoint a chief justice of its choice to suppress the appointment of Mansoor Ali Shah but the recent judicial reforms initiated by Yahya Afridi have raised concerns in the mind of the ruling party. Meanwhile, Amir Nawaz highlighted that the Pakistani community is divided into two perspectives on the 26th Constitutional Amendment Act. A community supports the act but other communities have condemned the act as it is against judicial independence. The 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill that was passed in the senate, had received pushback from the opposition, mainly from Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party which held various protests alleging that the bill would undermine the judiciary's powers. The bill has 27 clauses and amendments to various articles of the Constitution have been proposed. (ANI)
Thousands of people have joined a nine-day march to New Zealand's capital, Wellington, to protest a contentious bill that redefines the country's founding agreement between the British and the Indigenous Maori people, according to a report by Al Jazeera. Approximately 10,000 protesters marched through Rotorua, New Zealand, voicing their opposition to the Treaty Principles Bill. As they made their way south towards the capital, Wellington, they were greeted by hundreds of supporters waving the Maori flag, the New Zealand police said. The march - or hikoi in the Maori language - is expected to reach Wellington on Tuesday, with participants staging rallies on their passage through towns and cities across the country after the bill passed its first parliamentary reading on Thursday, Al Jazeera reported. The ACT New Zealand party, a junior partner in the governing centre-right coalition government, introduced the bill last week. The ACT party argues that the rights granted to Indigenous Maori citizens under the treaty should be extended to all New Zealanders, regardless of their ethnic background. Sharing a post on X on Friday, the party wrote, "We will not allow New Zealanders to be intimidated, shouted down or silenced for expressing a viewpoint others disagree with. Only through debate and civil discussion will we resolve this country's issues and unite all New Zealanders with the same rights and duties." https://x.com/actparty/status/1857195713387545060 Sharing another post, the party wrote, "Here's what the Maori Party thinks of equal rights and democracy." https://x.com/actparty/status/1856956130192494645 The Maori people, who comprise approximately 20 per cent of New Zealand's 5.3 million population, are opposing the new bill that they believe will threaten racial discord and undermine the rights of the country's Indigenous people. As parliamentarians voted on the bill on Thursday, 22-year-old legislator Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, from the Te Pati Maori party, ripped up a copy of the bill and led her colleagues in a traditional haka dance. Parliament was briefly suspended as people in the gallery joined in, their shouting drowning out debate in the chamber, Al Jazeera reported. Notably, the Treatry Principles Bill was introduced by the government which seeks to define in law the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. The proposed Bill is based on an ACT Party policy as agreed on in its coalition agreement with the National Party, according to New Zealand's Ministry of Justice. The Bill was introduced on November 7, 2024. The Bill received its first reading on November 14, 2024. The Treaty of Waitangi is a founding document of New Zealand and is fundamental to constitutional arrangements. The Treaty Principles Bill aims to provide an opportunity to build consensus around the place of the Treaty principles in constitutional and legal arrangements. The work on this Bill is being led by the Ministry of Justice. The Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 and was an agreement between the British Crown and a large number of Maori chiefs. Today the Treaty is widely accepted to be a constitutional document that establishes and guides the relationship between the Crown in New Zealand (embodied by our government) and Maori, as per the Ministry of Justice. The Treaty promised to protect Maori culture and to enable Maori to continue to live in New Zealand as Maori. At the same time, the Treaty gave the Crown the right to govern New Zealand and to represent the interests of all New Zealanders. (ANI)
The Punjab government declared a health emergency in Lahore and Multan as the ongoing smog crisis severely impacts the health and well-being of millions in the region, The News International reported. For several days, Lahore, a metropolis with a population of 14 million, has been engulfed in smog--a combination of fog and pollutants resulting from low-quality diesel emissions, smoke from seasonal crop burning, and cold weather. Meanwhile, Multan remains the most polluted city in the country in terms of air quality, according to The News International. Today, Senior Minister for Information and Environment Protection, Marriyum Aurangzeb, announced an extension of school closure orders in areas affected by smog across the province. The provincial minister also stated that colleges and universities would transition to online classes to prioritize the safety of students. Lahore, a city of 14 million residents located near the India border and filled with factories, is consistently listed among the most polluted cities globally. However, this month, it reached unprecedented pollution levels, prompting authorities to implement drastic measures to combat the smog. As winter set in, the air quality index (AQI) in Punjab's capital plummeted to a staggering 732 on Friday, before improving slightly to 669 by 1 pm, according to IQAir, a Swiss air quality monitoring company. The ongoing smog crisis has led to the implementation of strict measures, including school closures, a shift to online classes, and a ban on most outdoor activities in eight districts affected by hazardous air, until November 17. Additionally, restaurants, shops, markets, and shopping malls have been ordered to close by 8 pm. Due to the continuing dense smog, school closures have been extended, and a health emergency has been declared. Marriyum Aurangzeb also introduced new operating hours for restaurants in Lahore and Multan, permitting them to remain open until 4 pm and offering only takeaway services from 4 pm to 8 pm The minister announced that a complete lockdown will be implemented in both cities on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, as authorities continue to assess the worsening smog conditions. She added that the government would review the data until Wednesday before making any additional decisions. She also mentioned that the government is enforcing a ban on construction activities in both cities from this Saturday until next Sunday in an effort to curb additional pollution. The severe decline in air quality in smog-affected areas has led to a rise in health problems, including eye and throat infections, as well as respiratory illnesses. The Punjab Health Department reported that over 1.9 million people sought medical care in October due to health issues related to smog. The majority of cases involved respiratory problems, asthma, heart conditions, and strokes. In Lahore alone, 1,19,533 asthma cases were recorded, along with 13,773 heart disease diagnoses. Additionally, 5,184 stroke cases were reported across Punjab. The department has cautioned that if the air quality does not improve, more health complications are likely to arise. Authorities have urged residents to avoid unnecessary outings, keep their doors and windows shut, and wear face masks for protection. Every winter, various regions of South Asia are covered by a toxic haze as cold air traps dust, emissions, and smoke from agricultural fires. This year, Punjab has attributed its toxic air to pollution drifting in from India, where northern regions are also grappling with hazardous air quality. The province has stated that it will raise the issue with India through its foreign ministry. (ANI)
The Ministry of Defence stated that the aircraft, vessels and the ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 am (UTC+8).

According to their post on the social media platform X, "8 PLA aircraft, 9 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 4 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly."

https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1857227017315635441

The Ministry said that it has monitored the situation and is responding accordingly.

China has increased its military activities around Taiwan by deploying aircraft and naval vessels since September 2020. It is using grey zone tactics to achieve its security objective.

The Taiwanese MND reported Chinese military activity on Thursday, detecting five People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, and nine People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels and one official ship.

Taiwan MND further added that nine of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1856864631836610911

"5 PLA aircraft, 9 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 9 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly," Taiwan MND said on X.

Earlier, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te convened a high-level national security conference in which he assured the public about the government's commitment to neutralising any threat to Taiwan's democracy and security after China staged a large-scale military drill around the island.

He made his remarks in response to the Chinese People's Liberation Army's (PLA) announcement of military drills, named "Joint Sword-2024B," in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding areas, which were described as a "stern warning" to advocates of Taiwan independence, according to the Taipei Times. (ANI)
Following the joint inauguration of the first trilateral power flow transaction from Nepal to Bangladesh, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs hailed the development as a significant boost to sub-regional connectivity and a new benchmark in the South Asian power sector. Sharing a post on X, Jaiswal wrote, "Nepal's power will now reach Bangladesh via the Indian grid, marking the first trilateral power transaction. Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs @mlkhattar along with Md. Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser, Ministry of Power, Energy & Mineral Resources of Bangladesh & Mr. Dipak Khadka, Minister of Energy, Water Resources & Irrigation of Nepal, jointly inaugurated the historic milestone in regional energy cooperation." "This landmark development strengthens sub-regional connectivity and sets a new benchmark in the South Asian power sector," the post added. https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1857390280237862944 Meanwhile, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that the initiative reflects India's commitment to strengthening sustainable growth in South Asia. In a post on X, Khattar wrote, "A Landmark feat in Regional Energy Cooperation! Virtually inaugurated the first-ever power transaction from Nepal to Bangladesh via the Indian grid today. This historic initiative reflects India's commitment to fostering regional energy integration and sustainable growth in South Asia. https://x.com/mlkhattar/status/1857367612151542006 On Thursday, Union Minister for Power and Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, jointly inaugurated the first trilateral power flow transaction from Nepal to Bangladesh through a virtual event hosted by Nepal's Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation on Friday. Khattar, along with Md Fouzul Kabir Khan, adviser of Bangladesh's Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, and Nepali Minister of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Dipak Khadka, inaugurated the power flow transaction, which had been carried out through the Indian grid. According to a press statement, the power transaction from Nepal to Bangladesh, through the Indian grid, will export up to 40 MW of power. The transaction was announced earlier in June 2023, during the visit of the former Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, to India from May 31 to June 3. During the visit, both sides expressed their commitment towards greater sub-regional cooperation, including in the energy sector, which would lead to increased interlinkages between the economies for the mutual benefit of all stakeholders. Following the inauguration, Union Minister Khattar said that the move would benefit all three countries in the region. "The power departments of the three countries have entered into an agreement with each other, Regional Cooperation for Power Purchase Sale and Distribution and Transmission, in which Nepal has signed an agreement with Bangladesh for 40 MW hydropower. The Nepal government has used India's transmission grid to send its electricity to Bangladesh... I think this will benefit all three countries," Khattar said. A tripartite power sales agreement between NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam, the Nepal Electricity Authority, and the Bangladesh Power Development Board was signed back in October this year in Kathmandu. The start of this power flow from Nepal to Bangladesh through India is expected to boost sub-regional connectivity in the power sector, the statement added. (ANI)
In a disturbing incident, a seven-month pregnant woman was murdered by her mother-in-law and sister-in-law in Kotli Marlan village in Daska of Pakistan's Punjab, ARY News reported. A police official told ARY News that the mother-in-law, Sughra Bibi along with her daughter Yasmeen killed Zehra (26) and dismembered the body, packed it into bags, and dumped it into a canal. ARY News reported that the victim's mother-in-law cut her limbs off and severed the woman's head to avoid identification and spread rumours that Zehra had run away with someone. Zehra, who hailed from Gurjanwala's village Kot Mand was married to Qadeer of Kotli Marlan in 2020. The police have not yet been able to contact Qadeer, who works abroad. The Daska police have registered a case of murder and other charges, as per ARY News. ARY News reported that Sughra Bibi, Yasmeen, and grandson Abdullah were arrested and are in Daska police custody. This tragic incident follows another crime in which a man threw acid on his wife over domestic disputes, leaving her severely burned in Sadiqabad, ARY News reported. Saira's (35) 80 per cent body was said to be burnt in the attack. According to the area police, the victim's husband lost temper and hurled acid on her when she asked him for money to meet the home expenses. The victim was shifted to a burn unit after initial medical treatment at a local hospital, where she was stated to be in a serious condition. The victim and her father alleged that the father and mother of her husband and the wife of her brother-in-law threw acid and petrol on her and set her on fire. The woman's father complained that his daughter was struggling for life, however, the police were avoiding to register a case against those involved in the incident. (ANI)
The IV Young Scientists Congress is scheduled to take place from November 27 to 29 at the Sirius Federal Territory in Russia. This key event of the Decade of Science and Technology will bring together researchers, and experts, according to a report by TV BRICS, which is the official media partner of the event. The upcoming IV Young Scientists Congress is poised to be a significant event, bringing together researchers, experts, business leaders, and government representatives to discuss the issues in science and technology. Over 500 applications have already been submitted from countries like India, Brazil, China, South Africa, Egypt, Iran, UAE, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and other nations. It is pertinent to note that the event will also host the 9th BRICS Young Scientists Forum and the BRICS Young Innovator Prize. The IV Congress is set to be a groundbreaking event, with the use of cutting-edge technologies to enhance the experience of its attendees. One of the features of the business programme is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for simultaneous translation into four languages: Russian, English, Chinese, and French. Additionally, navigation through the exhibition areas and stands will be made easy through QR codes, providing information in multiple languages, including Chinese, Portuguese, and Arabic. Anton Kobyakov, Advisor to the Russian President and head of the interdepartmental working group on the preparation and holding of the event, emphasised the need for new organisational tools to include the expanded Congress agenda, which now incorporates BRICS events. "Expanding the Congress agenda to include BRICS events requires the introduction and testing of new organisational tools. Successful practices of the event will be scaled to other events for the convenience of our foreign guests," said Kobyakov, as per TV BRICS. To ensure an easy experience for international attendees, over 250 volunteers proficient in languages including Hindi, Bengali, Farsi, English, Arabic, Vietnamese, Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese, Thai, French and several others, will be stationed at the venue to provide assistance. The IV Young Scientists Congress includes business, exhibition, sports, cultural and evening programmes. The business part of the event consists of round tables, expert sessions, panel discussions, as well as events in interactive formats. One of the key elements will be an exhibition of scientific achievements of Russia's regions, where the results of the implementation of regional plans for the initiatives of the Decade of Science and Technology will be presented, TV BRICS reported. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the Decade of Science and Technology from 2022 to 2031. A key event within this framework is the Young Scientists Congress, which is organised by the Roscongress Foundation, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, and the Coordinating Council for Youth Affairs in the Scientific and Educational Spheres of the Presidential Council for Science and Education. (ANI)
The annual "Bhoot Mela," or Ghost Fair, was held on the banks of the Kamala River in Nepal on Friday, drawing thousands of attendees. The river, which serves as a boundary between the Dhanusha and Siraha districts, was crowded with devotees performing rituals from early morning to mark Kartik Purnima. According to traditional beliefs, bathing in the Kamala River on Kartik Shukla Purnima wards off evil spirits, appeases deities, and alleviates various afflictions. On this occasion, shamans conduct rituals to honour ancestral spirits and deities, giving the event its name, "Bhoot Mela." "Taking a bath in the Kamala River on Kartik Purnima is believed to purify the body. All the saints and shamans bathe on this day, making the water sacred. This is why people are encouraged to take dips in nearby rivers. It is believed to wash away all sins committed during one's lifetime," Bechan Das, a religious chanter from Dhanusha, told ANI while performing rituals. The religious chanters sway their bodies and spin their heads to the rhythm of the 'madal', cymbals, drums, and 'pipahi-barrels'. The day also serves as an oath ceremony for these performers, who claim supernatural powers to communicate with ghosts and resolve issues. These performers are considered fully trained and fit to perform rituals only after taking a dip in the Kamala River. The annual fair attracts participants from Nepal's Saptari, Mahottari, and Udayapur districts, as well as from Indian cities like Madhubani, Darbhanga, Samastipur, and Jaynagar. After the ritual bath, devotees and religious performers collect pure water from the Kamala River to take home. Sprinkling this water around their homes is believed to purify the space. Many believe that bathing in the Kamala River on this day frees one from suffering, conflict, and sin. "When Kartik Purnima approaches, we begin preparations. Fifteen days before the full moon, we set aside a 'sarcous' (sacred cloth) for the Kamala or Ganga bath--this can be at any chosen place. Two days before the full moon, we begin fasting, involving all family members. While fasting, we visit the location of the clan deity and perform rituals. On the full moon day, we arrive at the Kamala River with music and bands, then drink the sacred river water. It can also be from the Ganga River. If someone is unable to fast, they can eat fruits. While taking dips in the river, everyone carries the 'sarcous' with them," explained Khusilal Yadav, another religious chanter from Sarlahi district. On this day, new shamans also bathe in the river, believing it grants them spiritual power for their practices. Their initiation as shamans, or "Dhami," is completed when the 'Mooldhami' (master shaman) bestows a mantra upon them. Mithilanchal, the ancient city of Mithila, has upheld its faith in 'Tantravidha' (Tantrism) for centuries. Locally known as "Dhamijhakri," a new apprentice dressed in a yellow 'dhoti' and 'saree' swings an earthen pot with a burning fire in one hand and a cane stick in the other, shouting loudly. These apprentices claim they have come to bathe in the Ganges to perfect their connection with the deity that has come to them. (ANI)
Israeli agency COGAT (Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories: Judea and Samaria and towards the Gaza Strip) on Friday said they facilitated 1,000 units of blood in Gaza in coordination with an international organisation. COGAT said the blood units were designated for the Nasser Hospital in Southern Gaza. In a post on X, COGAT said, "1,000 units of blood entered Gaza yesterday (Nov 14) in coordination with an international organization. The blood units are designated for the Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, to support hospital operations and ongoing treatments. Over the last few months, over 6,000 units of blood were facilitated into Gaza. We continuously facilitate medical and humanitarian responses for the civilian population in Gaza." https://x.com/cogatonline/status/1857385064683761882 Shimon Freedman, the International Spokesperson for COGAT, said, "The IDF through COGAT is continuing to expand our capacity to facilitate humanitarian aid to all parts of the Gaza Strip. Over the past several weeks, extensive efforts have been made to establish a new, 5th crossing between Israel and Gaza- the Kissufim crossing. The preparations included paving roads on both- the Israeli and Gazab side of the border, to ease the entry and increase the flow of aid to Southern Gaza and the humanitarian zone. Today the first convoy of trucks carrying food, water, medical supplies and shelter equipment entered through the new Kissufim crossing. Following the successful pilot, we will be expanding the amount of trucks per convoy in the coming days. The opening of the case of crossing is a part of Israel ongoing commitment to facilitating the entry of aid to whenever it is needed, because we know that our war is with Hamas, not the people of Gaza." https://x.com/IDF/status/1856364346697236635 On November 12, the Kissufim crossing was opened by COGAT. In a post on X, it stated, "A new humanitarian aid crossing Into Gaza - the Kissufim crossing - started operating today. This is part of our effort and commitment to increase the volume and routes of aid to Gaza. The aid enters Gaza after security checks at the Kerem Shalom Crossing." https://x.com/cogatonline/status/1856301748954050795 Kissufim is a small border crossing into southern Gaza near Kibbutz Kissufim, one of the sites attacked by Hamas in its terror assault on Israel on October 7, 2023 that sparked the crisis, VOA reported. The opening came as the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in a letter delivered on October 13 gave Israel 30 days to boost its humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza or face the possibility of cuts in US military aid, as per VOA. The letter called for Israel to enable a minimum of 350 trucks a day to enter Gaza through four crossings and to open a fifth humanitarian entry point. (ANI)
The United Nations Human Rights Office expressed regret over the conviction and sentencing of human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and his wife, Xu Yan and called for their "immediate and unconditional release." Notably, Chinese authorities on October 29 sentenced Yu Wensheng to three years in prison, while his wife, Xu Yan, received a one-year and nine-month sentence. The couple was detained while attempting to meet with European Union officials in Beijing. Sharing a post on X, the UN Human Rights wrote, "We deeply regret conviction and sentencing of prominent human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and his wife, Xu Yan, to respectively 36 and 21 months of imprisonment on charges of 'inciting state subversion." "We urgently reiterate our calls for their immediate and unconditional release," the post added. Earlier on November 13, Amnesty International also called for the urgent release of human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and activist Xu Yan. In a statement, Amnesty International said, "We, the undersigned civil society organisations, are deeply concerned about this case and call for the immediate and unconditional release of Yu and Xu, as they have been sentenced solely for the exercise of their human rights including the right to freedom of expression." "We believe that the sentence creates a chilling effect both on the work of human rights defenders in China, as well as on the important and constructive interactions between defenders and civil society groups and diplomatic representatives in the country," the statement further said. Notably, Yu and Xu were first detained in April 2023 on suspicion of "picking quarrels and stirring up trouble," a charge often employed against peaceful critics of the Communist Party, while they were heading to a meeting with European Union officials in Beijing. Brussels filed a formal complaint regarding the incident. The court convicted the couple of "incitement to subvert state power" after their trial on August 28, which was attended by diplomats from over ten countries, Radio Free Asia reported. The charge was subsequently elevated to the more severe offence of "incitement to subvert state power." (ANI)
He said India is committed to developmental partnership and long-standing friendship with Paliestine.

"Warm felicitation to the Government and people of State of Palestine on their Declaration of Independence Day. Committed to deepening our developmental partnership and long-standing friendship," Jaishankar said in a post on X.

The post said India supplied 30 tons of medical supplies comprising essential life-saving and anti-cancer drugs to Palestine in October this year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas in September this year on the sidelines of the Summit of the Future in New York.

Prime Minister had expressed deep concern at the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza and the deteriorating security situation in the region and reaffirmed India's unwavering support to the people of Palestine, including continued humanitarian assistance.

The Prime Minister reiterated India's time-tested principled position on the Israel-Palestine issue, and called for ceasefire, release of hostages and return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy. He stressed that only a two State solution will deliver enduring peace and stability in the region. Recalling that India was one of the first countries to recognize Palestine, he conveyed India's continued support to Palestine membership of the UN.

The two leaders held constructive discussion on various facets of India-Palestine bilateral relations, including India's support to Palestine at the United Nations and ongoing assistance and support to Palestine in the field of education, health, and other capacity building efforts. Both leaders had reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen India-Palestine bilateral relations. (ANI)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday held a telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Scholz further emphasised the need for Russia to demonstrate "willingness to engage in negotiations" with Ukraine, to achieve a lasting peace. Sharing a post on X, Scholz wrote, "I spoke to President Putin on the phone and called on him to end the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and to withdraw his troops." "Russia must show willingness to negotiate with Ukraine - with the aim of achieving a just and lasting peace," the post added. Earlier, the two leaders had their last conversation in December 2022, with the discussions focused on various aspects of the situation around Ukraine. The Kremlin had said, "Vladimir Putin again explained in detail Russia's fundamental approaches to the special military operation and pointed out the destructive policy of Western countries, including Germany, pumping the Kyiv regime with weapons and training the Ukrainian military. All this, as well as their comprehensive political and financial support for Ukraine, leads Kyiv to reject any idea of negotiations. In addition, it encourages radical Ukrainian nationalists to commit more and more bloody crimes against the civilian population." Notably, today's telephonic conversation between Scholz and Putin comes at a critical time, as Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine. On Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Russia's shelling of Ukraine, which resulted in widespread terrorization of peaceful cities and communities. Over the past 24 hours, Russian forces launched attacks on multiple regions, including Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia, utilising artillery, drones, and guided aerial bombs, Zelenskyy said. Sharing a post on X, Zelenskyy wrote, "Russia does not stop shelling Ukraine, terrorizing our regions, peaceful cities, and communities. Over the past 24 hours, the occupiers have been shelling the Donetsk region--where a drone strike claimed one life--along with Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Kherson, Sumy and Chernihiv regions, using artillery, drones, and guided aerial bombs." Zelenskyy further said that the attack resulted in significant damage to residential buildings, a heating main, an educational institution, a church, and the port area. Earlier on Wednesday, Russian forces had launched a massive attack on Ukrainian cities which involved ballistic and cruise missiles targeting Kyiv. "This morning, Russia launched yet another combined attack on our cities, and our air defense responded effectively. Russian missiles--including ballistic and cruise missiles targeting Kyiv--were shot down, along with drones. In total, around 90 strike drones attacked Ukraine," Zelenskyy had said on X. The Russia-Ukraine conflict, which escalated in February 2022 with Russia's full-scale invasion, has resulted in thousands of civilian deaths. Moscow continues to deny intentionally targeting civilians, despite widespread international condemnation and evidence of airstrikes on residential areas. (ANI)
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A series of cultural exchange events between China and Latin America took place recently in Peru and Brazil, enhancing mutual understanding and deepening cultural exchanges.

On Nov. 6, the 2024 Forum on Dialogue between the Civilizations of China and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) was held in Lima, Peru. More than 150 political leaders, scholars, and business representatives from China, Peru, Argentina, and over 10 other Latin American countries gathered to discuss the theme "Civilizational Heritage and Modern Development."

The forum aimed to promote cultural exchanges, preserve and develop heritage, provide intellectual support and explore cooperation for modernization.

On the same day, the launch ceremony of the China Hour TV program and China Audiovisual Month was held in Lima.

The program will feature a variety of high-quality Chinese audiovisual programs, including The Three-Body Problem, Minning Town and The Tale of Rose.

The event also included the Latin American debut of the Spanish edition of The Three-Body Problem, a live dubbing performance of the series, the international debut of A Bird's Eye View of New Chongqing, and a video exhibition titled "New Chongqing in Light and Shadow."

On Monday, the photo album and photo exhibition "Beautiful China, Beautiful Brazil" was launched in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, showcasing the natural beauty, history, culture, economic ties, cultural exchanges, and collaborative achievements between China and Brazil.

On Tuesday, an exchange activity took place at the University of Sao Paulo, where over 200 students, teachers, and guests engaged in discussions on strengthening people-to-people exchanges between China and Brazil.

The university also hosted an exhibition focusing on Brazilian youths' views on China.
Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Heads of Mission of 14 countries and their spouses as well as a number of other diplomats on Friday attended the Bali Jatra in Odisha' Cuttack. The festival, inaugurated by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday, will continue till November 22. Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (East) Jaideep Mazumdar welcomed the delegates and hailed the arrangements of the Bali Jatra. Mazumdar reflected that Odisha's culture, history, civilisation and relationship with Southeast Asia have been explained "very well" in the festival's celebrations. Speaking to ANI, Mazumdar said, "About 14 heads of missions of different countries have come from Delhi. Very good arrangements have been made here for everyone. Odisha's culture, history, civilisation, and relationship with Southeast Asia--everything has been explained very well. We arrived on a boat to the Bali Jatra festival." Mazumdar told ANI that delegates become "emotional" after learning the commonality between their culture and Indian culture. "Special cultural and civilisational elements have been displayed through performances, music and dance. Our ambassadors have become emotional to know the commonality between their culture and Indian culture. Thailand ambassador has said that a similar festival is also celebrated there," Mazumdar said. The foreign delegates received a grand welcome in the traditional way as they recreated the voyage to Bali by taking a boat ride along the Mahandi River, celebrating Odisha's rich maritime history. As India marks a decade of Act East Policy this year, the festival also attained an international profile by participation from ASEAN, BIMSTEC and Pacific Island countries including the performances of their visiting cultural troupes during the entire week. Baliyatra Festival in Cuttack is an auspicious festival celebrated on "Kartika Purnima" every year. The seven-day festival, held in November, is observed as the largest trade Fair in Odisha. The literal meaning of Baliyatra is "Voyage to Bali" which celebrates the rich maritime history of Odisha and commemorates India's historical and civilisational links with Southeast Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific that have evolved through the maritime journeys undertaken by the Indian seafarers over thousands of years. (ANI)
Two wounded patients were killed after police officers and vigilantes attacked an ambulance in Haiti, humanitarian group Doctors Without Borders said on Wednesday.

The alleged executions in the capital Port-au-Prince are the latest reported act of heinous violence in the restive Caribbean nation, which has been plagued for years by rampant gang warfare and political turmoil.

Doctors Without Borders, also known as Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), said law enforcement officers stopped one of its ambulances as it was transporting three young people with gunshot wounds to an MSF hospital in the Haitian capital on Monday.

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Police then diverted the vehicle to a public hospital, where officers and members of a vigilante group surrounded the ambulance, slashed the tires, and tear-gassed MSF staff inside the vehicle to force them out, the organization said in a statement.

The officers and vigilantes then took the three wounded patients outside the hospital grounds and at least two of them were killed, MSF said.

MSF Head of Mission Christophe Garnier told CNN that staff members heard gunshots after the patients were taken away, but they couldnt confirm who carried out the executions.

The third patient was not killed, Garnier said. Authorities suspected the patients of being gang members, but MSF had no information to support that claim, he added. Garnier also said the officers were wearing protective gear but its unclear what police unit or agency they belonged to.

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CNN has reached out to Haitian police for comment.

MSF condemned the attack, saying its staff were threatened with death and held against their will for more than four hours before being allowed to leave.

This act is a shocking display of violence, both for the patients and for MSF medical personnel, and it seriously calls into question MSFs ability to continue delivering essential care to the Haitian people, which is in dire need, Garnier said.

MSF is organizing a high-level meeting with Haitian police to address the matter, he added.

This is the latest deadly ambulance attack that MSF has reported in Haiti. In December last year, the organization said armed men stopped an MSF ambulance, dragged a patient out and killed him.

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The MSF report comes just two days after three US-based planes were struck by gunfire in Port-au-Prince, forcing the suspension of flights and closure of the citys international airport.

Garnier told CNN the flight suspensions will likely affect MSFs operations in Haiti, but said the organization still has enough supplies to last a few more weeks.

Haitis transitional presidential council blamed armed gangs for the gunfire that struck one of the flights, accusing them of aiming to isolate our country on the international stage. The plane shootings happened on the same day the council swore in a new prime minister, businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aime, who pledged to restore democracy and security in the country.

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The Ohio Senate on Wednesday greenlit a measure that would ban transgender students from using locker rooms and bathrooms associated with their gender identities.

Senate Bill 104 passed 24-7 on a party-line vote.

If signed into law by the states GOP governor, the Republican-backed legislation would require primary and secondary schools, as well as institutions of higher education, to designate separate bathrooms and changing areas for males or females based on gender assigned at or near birth. Multi-gendered facilities would be prohibited.

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The ban would not apply to school employees, people with disabilities and children under 10 who need assistance from a family member or guardian, according to the legislation. Family restrooms and single-occupancy facilities are also permitted.

The bill, titled the Protect All Students Act, would amend Ohios existing college credit program for high school students. It is now awaiting approval from Republican Gov. Mike DeWine.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine - Carolyn Kaster/AP

DeWine is inclined to sign it but will conduct a legal review first, the Associated Press reported. We have no new comment, DeWine spokesperson Dan Tierney told CNN on Thursday. While the bill has passed, it has not been delivered to our office yet for signature.

In 2023, DeWine vetoed a bill to ban gender-affirming surgery for transgender minors, but the veto was overridden by the legislature.

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LGBTQ advocates have for years worked to combat similar bathroom bills, blasting them as an unnecessary and harmful attack on transgender students humanity.

Senate Bill 104 is a cruel invasion of students rights to privacy, which could result in unwarranted governmental disclosures of private, personal information, Jocelyn Rosnick, policy director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, said Wednesday.

Ohios Center for Christian Virtue is among some advocacy groups backing SB 104 and has urged DeWine to sign it.

Today is a huge victory for children and families in Ohio, said the groups policy director David Mahan in a statement Wednesday, calling it common-sense legislation.

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SB 104 is the first piece of legislation to pass following the November election, state Senate Democratic Leader Nickie Antonio said, adding she sees it as marginalizing students.

I am in disbelief that this is a top priority on our first session back from recess, said Antonio said in a statement Wednesday. This bill is not about bathrooms. Its about demonizing those who are different, and our children are watching and listening to the fearmongering.

In 2023, Republican-led legislatures in several states passed similar bills in what the Human Rights Campaign  the largest LGBTQ advocacy group in the US  slammed as the biggest year for bathroom bills.

These bills will not accomplish anything other than to further alienate and stigmatize those already on the margins of life in this state, the groups state legislative director and senior counsel, Cathryn Oakley, said in a statement following legislation in Idaho passing in 2023.

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The French medical charity Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres said Wednesday that at least two patients at its Haiti hospital were executed and its staff violently attacked after one of its ambulances in Port-au-Prince was stopped on Monday by Haitian police officers and members of a vigilante group.

The ambulance was about 100 meters from the medical missions hospital in the Drouillard area of Port-au-Prince carrying with three young people suffering from gunshot wounds when it was stopped, the medical charity said. Police attempted to arrest the patients and fired shots in the air before escorting the ambulance to Hopital La Paix, a public hospital in the capital.

Once at Hopital La Paix, Haitian police officers and members of a so-called citizens self-defense group allegedly surrounded the ambulance, slashed its tires and tear-gassed the medical charitys staff inside to force them out. They then took the wounded patients a short distance away, outside the hospital grounds, where at least two of them were executed, the charity said in a statement.

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This act is a shocking display of violence, both for the patients and for MSF medical personnel, and it seriously calls into question MSFs ability to continue delivering essential care to the Haitian people, which is in dire need, said Christophe Garnier, head of the MSF mission. Our teams and our patients need a minimum level of safety to continue providing medical care.

MSF staff was insulted, tear-gassed, threatened with death, and held against their will, the mission said. The ambulance was damaged and unable to be driven.

A spokesperson for the Haiti National Police did not respond to a Miami Herald request for comment.

Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres is one of the few humanitarian aid groups in Haiti providing assistance to people increasingly without access to hospitals and doctors as gang violence escalates.

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The alleged extrajudicial police killing coincides with increasing uncertainty in Haiti, as the country grapples with a new political crisis after the firing of its latest prime minister and Port-au-Prince sees an escalation in armed gang violence. The United Nations said there were at least 20 armed clashes on Tuesday as armed groups fanned out across the capital, erecting barricades and terrorizing residents.

The latest wave of violence has led to a temporary shutdown of the countrys airspace and a 30-day ban by the Federal Aviation Administration on U.S. commercial and cargo carriers flying into Haiti. The FAA decision came after three U.S.-based air carriers  American Airlines, JetBlue and Spirit  were struck by gunfire on Monday while flying over Port-au-Prince.

The U.N. has announced a temporary suspension of its own humanitarian flights, which will limit access to aid at a time when 5.4 million Haitians are struggling with increased hunger and pockets of famine are popping up in the displacement camps housing 700,000 Haitians who have been forced to flee their homes.

The movement of 20 trucks of critical food and medical supplies to the south was also postponed, Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told reporters in New York on Tuesday. The southwestern city of Les Cayes reported at least one death and one disappearance after heavy rainfall flooded rivers and farms in the south.

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The seaport remains open from the sea, but road access to the port is currently not possible, he said. Our partners report that all schools in Port-au-Prince have been closed. Additionally, operations providing cash assistance to 1,000 people in the Carrefour area had to be canceled amid the ongoing violence.

Grave violation of human rights

William ONeill, the U.N.s independent human-rights experts on Haiti, who has been increasingly concerned about extrajudicial police killings and the deteriorating human-rights situation, said the attacks against Doctors Without Border/Medecins Sans Frontieres are unacceptable.

Attacking an ambulance, threatening and physically abusing medical staff and executing people seeking medical care is a grave violation of human rights, he told the Herald. The Inspector General of the police must take immediate action including referring the case to prosecutors. Impunity is a grave threat to Haitian society. Those involved in this heinous crime must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law regardless of their status.

Earlier this week, a video purportedly taken by a drone belonging to a gang leader showed Haitian police in a black armored car shooting a man after stopping him in the Grand Rue area of downtown Port-au-Prince, and then running over his body. The vehicle had the control number, COB-9, which is used to identify police vehicles, emblazoned on its top. The shocking video of the shooting by an alleged hooded police officer has raised concerns in foreign missions and is currently under investigation by Haitis police internal affairs bureau.

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This is the second time in two months that Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres has said its efforts to provide care to a critical patient ended in death at the hands of police.

In September, an MSF ambulance carrying a patient in critical condition was stopped by police in the capital and held for more than an hour, preventing him from receiving care for an open fracture. The patient finally died before reaching a hospital, MSF said at the time.

We call on the authorities... to uphold the right to access medical care without discrimination or hindrance, and to ensure the protection of patients, as well as respect for medical personnel and healthcare facilities in the face of increasing violence, MSF said.

Since Monday, gangs have been ramping up attacks in neighborhoods, invading homes and setting fire to buildings. Among the victims: one of the countrys few urologists. Dr. Deborah Pierre was killed when she and her father were shot in their medical clinic in an area of downtown Port-au-Prince.

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Pierre was one of only four urologists in the country, Patrick Moussignac, the owner of Radio Caraibes, said after announcing her death and featuring a video of her being honored by Miami urologist Dr. Angelo Gousse. Pierre spent six months in South Florida as a fellow in Gousses Bladder Health and Reconstructive Urology program. At the time, she was his fourth fellow, Gousse said, in a program aimed at bringing young graduates in Haiti to the U.S. to work with him in order to support Haitian urologists.

I am devastated, Gousse, a urological surgeon, told the Herald about the assassination of Pierre, who was like a daughter and was present with her husband at the birth of their first child after her fellowship.

The increase in violence has coincided with the weekend ouster of Garry Conille as prime minister and the installation of entrepreneur Alix Didier Fils-Aime as the countrys third prime minister in a year.
A holiday update from mountain farmers

North Carolina Christmas Tree Association / Matt Powell Productions

One of my favorite Christmas stories as a child was The Year of The Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston. An Asheville, North Carolina, native, Houston published the Southern Christmas tale in the late 1980s; its gorgeously illustrated by the Caldecott medalist Barbara Cooney and it tells the wartime story of young Ruthie and her mother and the pairs quest to deliver their small Appalachian town the perfect Christmas tree. Its a story of hardship and hope and community, and it gently illustrates the same regional grit and heart that weve witnessed in the people of Western North Carolina in the devastating wake of Hurricane Helene.

It was the regionality and subject matter but also the steel underneath the quiet tale that called it to mind when I spoke to Jennifer Greene, the Executive Director of the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association recently, inquiring on the impact of Helene on area tree farmers. Were WNC Mountain strong, she says of the group and its attitude and outlook after Helene. We push on and do what we have to do. We find a way. Its ingrained in our heritage.







"Were WNC Mountain strong. We push on and do what we have to do. We find a way. Its ingrained in our heritage. "

Jennifer Greene







A Leader in Christmas Tree Production

North Carolina is second only to Oregon in national Christmas tree production, and it grows 96% of the countrys beloved Frazer firs. Native to the Southern Appalachian mountains, theyre the perfect Christmas tree with that beautiful blue-green color and full shape, Greene says. They have good branch structure with pliable yet strong branches that can support the weight of heavy ornaments. With proper care, they also have excellent needle retention.

The Impact of Hurricane Helene

The bulk of the prized trees come from just six Western North Carolina counties: Ashe, Avery, Allegheny, Watagu, Jackson, and Mitchell. Four of the six were heavily impacted by Helene, which made its ill-timed arrival just a month before harvest. And though a handful of farmers saw significant losses, ranging from two thousand to five thousand trees, most were spared large scale crop losses thanks to the unique growing conditions of the Frazer fir, which thrives at high elevations.

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They grow at 3,000-feet and above, Greene says. These trees grow on the sides of mountains, generally not in low-lying areas around creeks and streams. And although landslides caused some damage, the sweeping flooding that devastated much of the region did not affect most crops. As such, Greene does not expect a serious impact on the supply of North Carolina Frazer firs.

Related: These North Carolina Towns Are Open And Need Your Business

Infrastructure Challenges Post-Storm

Instead, in the days since Helene, the biggest challenge has been infrastructure. Christmas tree farms are in the nooks and crannies, and we had a lot of washed out roads and culverts, which made farm access difficult, even completely inaccessible initially, Greene says. Working with the Department of Transportation to restore that access ASAP has been our big focus.

As progress is made, growers are returning to work and the harvest has been able to begin largely on schedule, though a few farmers have had to adjust their typical schedule by a week or two. Greene notes that even the hardest hit farmers are finding a way to make it work: Incredibly, I havent had a single member say that they will not be able to harvest or open for choose and cut.

Support Western North Carolina Tree Farmers

To support these WNC farmers in-person, visit the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association website for an updated map of open choose and cut farms. Greene advises calling ahead to ensure you dont need to make changes to your route due to road damage. If you cant make the trip, no problem: North Carolina farmers ship their trees to all fifty states and abroad.

This year, the Christmas tree at the White Housechosen months ago by industry peersis a North Carolina Frazer fir, and while its always an honor to be chosen, this year feels extra special, Greene says.


NEW YORK  A man who aided Daniel Penny while he restrained Jordan Neely in a lethal chokehold aboard a subway car in May 2023 recalled telling the former U.S. Marine he could safely release his grip from Neelys neck in trial testimony on Tuesday.

I said, I will grab his hands, so you can let go. That, I remember, Eric Gonzalez, 39, a room manager at a casino, testified in Manhattan Supreme Court. If I held (Neelys) arm down, (Penny) could let go of his neck.

Penny did not let go, Gonzalez said. Gonzalez later recalled telling Penny again, You can let him go. I am holding on to him, to no avail.

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The Bronx man, seen wearing a black cap in widely circulated footage of the incident, said he wasnt on the uptown F train on which the incident began after Neely boarded at Second Avenue.

Gonzalez said he became involved after the subway pulled into the Broadway-Lafayette station, and he saw passengers acting panicked and Penny restraining Neely, whom Gonzalez described as a vagrant.

Everyone was saying call the cops on a specific individual, and I see Mr. Neely being the one being restrained by Mr. Penny, he said.

Footage of the encounter captured by journalist Juan Alberto Vasquez shows Gonzalez coming to Pennys aid while Penny struggled with Neely on the train car floor. The jury watched the video in slow-motion Tuesday as it showed Penny tightening his grip around Neelys neck.

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In the video, a silent Neely, eyes wide, appears to seek help at one point by tapping the leg of a passenger  a German tourist who has refused to cooperate as a witness  before Gonzalez pins down Neelys arms.

He wanted to be released, Gonzalez said.

After a minutes-long struggle, a witness, Larry Goodson, who testified last week, shouts at the two men to let up, warning they could kill Neely.

At some point, Jordan Neelys body goes limp, and then I let go  and shortly after, Daniel Penny (let) go, Gonzalez said. He later said he then tried to shake Neely for a response, turned him on his side, felt for a pulse, and walked away, scared that a person could die.

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Neely was later pronounced dead at Lenox Hill Hospital. Pennys defense has challenged the city medical examiners determination that the cause was homicide by compression of the neck.

Penny, 26, has pleaded not guilty to second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. His attorneys say he acted reasonably to protect terrified passengers when a man who appeared to be mentally unstable started screaming about being hungry and ready to go to jail.

Neely, 30, was unarmed and has not been accused of touching anyone before Penny took him down from behind. His loved ones say he struggled with acute poverty, drug addiction and mental illness and was derailed by his mothers brutal murder when he was 14 years old. He found joy as a street performer singing Michael Jackson songs in better days.

Prosecutors say Pennys initial intentions were appropriate, but that the potential threat only lasted for the 30 seconds it took the train to travel between stops. They argue that, once passengers fled to safety, Penny recklessly spent 5 minutes and 53 seconds choking Neely.

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Gonzalez admitted that he lied to prosecutors when he initially spoke with them, claiming hed been on the train for the entire incident, that Neely had struck him, and that Penny then took him down.

I was trying to justify my actions for me having my hands on (Neely), he said.

Gonzalez, who received a non-prosecution agreement, said he also lied about Neely being alive when he left the scene because he was scared of getting pinned for a murder charge.

When you say alive  conscious? Assistant District Attorney Dafna Yoran asked.

Breathing, Gonzalez said.

And was that true?

No.

_____
Penny has been charged with manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide following a May 2023 incident

Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images, Andrew Savulich/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images Daniel Penny, left, and Jordan Neely Daniel Penny, left, and Jordan Neely

The trial of Daniel Penny, the former Marine charged with killing Jordan Neely aboard a New York City subway, featured testimony from a man who helped the defendant restrain the victim.

Eric Gonzalez testified during the trial on Tuesday, Nov. 12, that he hoped that by assisting Penny, the former Marine would remove the chokehold he had on Neely, The New York Times reported.

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I said, Im going grab his hands so you can let go, Gonzalez said, according to the Times. If I held his arms down, he could let go of his neck.

Penny, who is White, was charged with manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide, according to court records, after a 2023 incident that was captured on video. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.



Related: Jordan Neely's Family Says Daniel Penny 'Needs to Be in Prison' After Subway Chokehold Death

Footage shows Penny, a Marine veteran who was 24 at the time of the incident, in a struggle with Neely, a Black man who was experiencing homelessness at the time, the Times reported.

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Neely, 30, boarded a northbound F train on May 1, 2023. In a news release announcing Penny's charges, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said that Neely began verbally threatening passengers once on board.

The Times, citing witnesses, reported that Neely  a once noted Michael Jackson impersonator  said he didn't mind going back to jail and complained of being hungry.

Gonzalez was called to testify by prosecutors, according to the paper. He further testified that he told Neely that they would not let him go until police arrived.



The man told the court that even after helping Penny hold Neely down, the suspect did not release the victim, who eventually went limp. Gonzalez said he eventually let go before Penny eventually did too.

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I tried to shake Jordan Neely to get a response out of him, Gonzalez reportedly testified.

Gonzalez said he then felt the then-unconscious Neely for a pulse before adding that he began to fear "that a person could die, according to the Times.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Prosecutors say that Penny approached Neely from behind and put him in a chokehold for several minutes, the outlet reported, adding that eventually Neely's body stopped moving and he was pronounced dead at a hospital.

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Penny was indicted by a grand jury on June 28, 2023, after the video of the incident went viral, leaving many in N.Y.C., as well as those across the country, outraged while others protested.

In a statement to PEOPLE, Neely's family said that they believe Penny "needs to be in prison."
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Beau and Jackie Shroyer felt they had found answers in their Christian faith. After becoming active church members as young adults, they said they were pulled in their early 40s to make a big move from rural Minnesota, where they lived with their five children.

They sold their 8-acre property in 2021 and traveled to Angola to spread the word of Jesus as missionaries. For the next three years, the couple would share the familys adventures in Africa on social media, with recent posts about working on an agricultural plot and supporting vocational training.

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It abruptly came to a halt on Oct. 25, when Beau Shroyer was fatally stabbed inside a car, according to the state-owned Angola Press Agency, citing Angolan police. His belongings were still inside when police arrived, and authorities noted his wife appeared distraught, the outlet reported.

But two weeks later, investigators would point their finger at Jackie Shroyer as the mastermind of her husbands killing in a press conference reported by local news outlets. Manuel Halaiwa, a spokesperson for Angolas Criminal Investigation Service (SIC), reportedly said detectives suspected that Jackie Shroyer, 44, and the familys bodyguard, 24-year-old Bernardino Isaac Elias, were romantically involved.

The two have now been arrested on suspicion of conspiring to kill Beau Shroyer. One man who was allegedly hired to carry out the killing has also been arrested, while another reportedly remains on the run.

The developments shocked people who had known the couple, including leaders of their former church and SIM USA, the mission organization theyd worked under.

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SIM remains committed to supporting the ongoing pursuit of justice for Beau and has taken steps to ensure that Jackie has appropriate legal representation, the organization said in a statement.

Its unclear if Jackie Shroyer has a lawyer yet, and SIM didnt immediately respond to a HuffPost request for comment.

But the couple detailed in their own words how they took their family from Minnesota to Angola  and local police described how they believed it went wrong.

From left: Jackie and Beau Shroyer LakesTV3

The couple met in college, when they both were part of a party crowd, they said in a 2021 video posted by Lakes Area Television. They eventually got married, but each felt as if something was missing from their relationship.

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I mean, we werent even really living as a married couple, Jackie Shroyer said. We loved each other, certainly, but we were individuals. We were still just having fun doing whatever we wanted.

She said she began going to church again around the time of her first pregnancy. She didnt yet have a deep relationship with God, but the couple hoped to surround their growing family with people they believed were good.

In the early years of their marriage, Beau Shroyer was a police officer, but he hung up his badge and became a real estate agent.

All those years working on the night shift as a police officer had me miss out on WAY too many moments like this, he said in a 2018 Facebook post with a picture of him reading to his two daughters.

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The couple became more involved with church through Sunday school and youth groups. In the Lakes Area Television video titled Why I Believe in Jesus, Jackie Shroyer said she had previously felt an emptiness until faith became the foundation of their marriage. It led them to Angola.

We just want to make him known so much that actually we now are in the process of leaving the Detroit Lakes area, leaving, actually, the USA. Were heading to Angola, Africa, because we heard kids there dont even get to know Jesus, and theres nobody there to tell them about Jesus, she said in the 2021 video.

These kids are living and dying without ever knowing that he exists, and theres no one there to tell him. So we were like, Well do it, God. We dont care what it costs. We need to make you known, she continued.

The Shroyers sold their home in Callaway, Minnesota, for about $300,000 in October 2021, according to a real estate listing.

Beau Shroyer, left, had been working on an agricultural plot in the days before his death. Facebook

For the next three years, the couple shared their missionary work and family life on social media, posting photos of the groceries in their kitchen or the teenage shoeshiners theyd led in a Bible study class. But in the days leading up to the killing, police said they fought about whether to leave Angola, according to the Angola Press Agency.

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Authorities said that Jackie Shroyer lured her husband to a secluded area in Humpata under the pretext of a manual transmission driving lesson, Ver Angola reported. But she had allegedly instructed Elias to hire two men he knew, Isalino Kayoo, 23, and Gelson Ramos, 22, to kill her husband, promising them $50,000, the Angola Press Agency reported.

The men rented a car and drove to the scene, where they pretended to break down, according to the outlet. Police reportedly said Kayoo and Ramos proceeded to kill Beau Shroyer while his wife went into the woods to urinate.

A knife from the United States was seized during the investigation and is believed to be the murder weapon, according to the outlet. Police reportedly said the knife had previously belonged to Beau Shroyer, but he had given it to Elias.

Beau Shroyers violent death was met with shock and disbelief in the U.S. SIM USA, the North Carolina-based Christian organization sponsoring the Shroyers mission, said they were shocked and devastated to learn of Jackie Shroyers arrest. The group added it would not comment further out of respect for those grieving and the ongoing investigation.

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SIM is grateful to Angolan law enforcement for their diligence in investigating this matter and encourages patience and respect for all involved as the legal process unfolds, their statement said.

Troy M. Easton, the lead pastor at Lakes Area Vineyard, where the Shroyers worshiped, said he was heartbroken and in shock about the news surrounding Beau Shroyers death.

Today, our grief and sadness has deepened immeasurably as weve learned that his wife, Jackie Shroyer, has been arrested in connection with his death, Easton said. Im so sorry and simply do not have words to express my disbelief and sorrow about this news.

Easton continued by saying the couples children would be well cared for and that he could not comment further.

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Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page has started raising money to return Beau Shroyers body to the U.S. as well as cover any legal costs his family might face.

Beaus passing has left an unimaginable void in the hearts of his family and friends where he was a source of inspiration and support, the page said. The circumstances surrounding his passing remain unclear, and his family is working tirelessly to seek answers and justice.

Related...
State Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg, speaks on the House floor during a meeting of the Legislative Management Committee on Nov. 14, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

North Dakota lawmakers voted Thursday to reimburse Sen. Janne Myrdal for the nearly $50,000 the senator spent defending herself after a constituent sued her for blocking him on Facebook.

The motion was brought by Senate Majority Leader David Hogue, who said lawmakers should not have to suffer financially because of frivolous legal attacks.

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I think its appropriate that we as legislators protect one another from these forms of harassment, the Minot Republican said during a Thursday Legislative Management meeting.

Myrdal was sued in May 2023 by Park River resident Mitchell Sanderson, who is in her district. Sanderson said in legal filings that Myrdal had violated his First Amendment rights by blocking him from her Facebook page  and that Myrdal had only done so because she disagreed with his political beliefs. He asked for $100,000 in compensatory damages and $100,000 in punitive damages, as well as for Myrdal to be ordered to unblock him.

A state district court judge dismissed the lawsuit earlier this year, finding that the Edinburg Republican had acted as a private citizen, not a representative, when she blocked Sanderson and therefore had not violated his rights. Sanderson was ordered in December 2023 to reimburse Myrdal for $4,975, the majority of which came from attorneys fees. That order came before Sanderson appealed the case to the North Dakota Supreme Court.

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The higher court last week upheld the district courts decision.

Myrdal said Thursday that the case cost her exactly $48,000.

In North Dakota, were part-time lawmakers. Were not on a salary. We make per diem when we show up here, and then we go back and we live like everybody else, Myrdal said, adding that $48,000 is a large amount for her family.

Hogue said Thursday if Sanderson pays the $4,975 judgment, that would be deducted from Myrdals reimbursement from the Legislature.

Myrdal asked to be recused from voting on Hogues motion. The motion passed by a 10-4 vote, with the four Democrat members of the committee voting no.

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Senate Minority Leader Kathy Hogan, D-Fargo, asked during Thursdays meeting if the Legislature has ever done anything like this before, or if there are any relevant policies or procedures lawmakers could look to for guidance.

Hogan also asked whether or not this action would violate language in the North Dakota Constitution that forbids the gifting of public money.

Im concerned about this as precedent, and where it may lead, she said.

Legislative Council Director John Bjornson said he did not have an immediate answer to Hogans questions, but that he would look into the matter.

Hogue said he did not believe the payment would violate the state constitution because the Legislature would be reimbursing Myrdal for expenses incurred in her position as a lawmaker.

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House Majority Leader Mike Lefor, R-Dickinson, also supported the motion.

Its difficult to recruit people to serve in the legislative assembly, and if we have the opportunity to defend our branch of government, we should do so every time, Lefor said during the hearing.

Sen. Josh Boschee, D-Fargo, said he was conflicted about the motion. He questioned whether it should be the states role to defend Myrdal if the courts found she had been acting as a private citizen, not a lawmaker, when she blocked Sanderson from her page.

As someone who may have found themselves in this position, Id certainly be asking for reimbursement, too, Boschee said. But if the legal argument was I was acting in my personal capacity, not as a lawmaker, why would I as a lawmaker be able to  reimburse for the cost of the legal expenses associated with it?

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Lefor replied that if Myrdal was not a senator, she wouldnt have been sued in the first place.

North Dakota Senate Majority Leader David Hogue, R-Minot, speaks in front of House Majority Leader Mike Lefor, R-Dickinson, on the House floor during a meeting of the Legislative Management Committee on Nov. 14, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

Hogue said North Dakota should have done more to defend Myrdal from the outset. He referenced a similar case where a Missouri lawmaker blocked a critic on Twitter.

The different part about her case is that the state stepped forward from the outset and defended her with state resources, Hogue said.

North Dakota did not provide that same support to Myrdal, he noted. Hogue said the state eventually intervened in the case and provided partial representation to Myrdal, but that she incurred roughly $48,000 before that happened.

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Emily Thompson, legal division director for Legislative Council, said the money will come out of the Legislative Assemblys existing funds.

Hogue said he has taken the issue up with Attorney General Drew Wrigley.

The legal system is not in place to be abused by those who would weaponize it against public servants acting in their private capacity, Wrigley said in a statement to the North Dakota Monitor on Thursday. Where deemed appropriate to do so, the state of North Dakota will vigorously defend officials and state employees against such abuses.

Michael Achterling contributed to this report.

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Article first published: Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, 4 p.m. ET

Article last updated: Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, 10 p.m. ET

The National Hurricane Center's 10 pm Wednesday advisory reported that the potential tropical cyclone is 215 miles east-northeast of Cabo Gracias A Dios On Nic hon Border and 380 miles east of Isla Guanaja Honduras, with maximum sustained wind of 30 mph. Its moving at 9 mph to the west.

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"The disturbance is expected to stall and meander near the north coast of Honduras late Friday and through the weekend." meteorologists observed. "The system is forecast to become a tropical storm on Thursday and continue strengthening, if it remains over water."

CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

The government of Honduras has issued a Tropical Storm Warning from Punta Sal eastward to the border with Nicaragua and for the Bay Islands.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:

- Punta Castilla to the Honduras/Nicaragua Border

- The Bay Islands of Honduras

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A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

- Punta Sal to the Honduras/Nicaragua Border

- The Bay Islands of Honduras

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:

- Honduras/Nicaragua Border to Puerto Cabezas

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

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Interests elsewhere in Honduras, and in Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula should monitor the progress of this system.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND:

RAINFALL: Through early next week, rainfall amounts of 10 to 20 inches with isolated storm totals around 30 inches area expected over northern Honduras. This rainfall will lead to widespread areas of life-threatening and potentially catastrophic flash flooding and mudslides, especially along and near the Sierra La Esperanza.

Elsewhere across the rest of Honduras, Belize, El Salvador, eastern Guatemala, and western Nicaragua, Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen is expected to produce 5 to 10 inches of rain with localized totals around 15 inches through early next week. This will result in areas of flash flooding, perhaps significant, along with the potential of mudslides.

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For a complete depiction of forecast rainfall associated with Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen, please see the National Weather Service Storm Total Rainfall Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov/refresh/graphics_at4+shtml/205755.shtml? Rainqpf#contents

WIND: Hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area by Friday. Tropical storm conditions are expected in the warning area and possible in the watch area beginning late Thursday.

STORM SURGE: Storm surge could raise water levels by as much as 1 to 3 feet above normal tide levels along the immediate coast near in areas of onshore winds along the northern coast of Honduras. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.

Source: National Hurricane Center

This article was generated by the Sun Herald Bot, artificial intelligence software that analyzes information from the National Hurricane Center and applies it to templates created by journalists in the newsroom. We are experimenting with this and other new ways of providing more useful content to our readers and subscribers. You can report errors or bugs to mcclatchybot@mcclatchy.com. Full hurricane coverage at sunherald.com/news/weather-news/
You are here: Arts

A dance show depicting the unique intangible folk culture of the Miao ethnic group was performed in Changsha, Hunan province, on Wednesday to a packed audience.

The show, called "Dance of 24 Solar Terms", vividly depicted the lives of Miao people as it worked its way through different solar terms  starting with winter and ending with autumn. Audiences could appreciate the unique lifestyle, history, intangible techniques and heritage of the Miao.

The production, which lasted 100-minutes, required two years of preparation. It incorporated 33 items of intangible folk culture.

The dancing was creatively choreographed and directed by national-level director Li Shibo. Twelve representative inheritors of intangible cultural heritage from Xiangxi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture also participated in the creation and performance.

The dance drama takes the 24 Chinese solar terms as its time axis and refines six important terms related to Miao festivals  Winter Solstice, Beginning of Spring, Awakening of Insects, Summer Solstice, Major Heat and Beginning of Autumn.

The Ganqiu Festival, a traditional Miao celebration of the approaching autumn, was added to the UNESCO intangible culture heritage list in 2016.

The dances appeared in the Hunan Arts Festival, which is held every three years.

By depicting historical stories of the Miao, the show presents a unique view of the universe, time and fate, emphasizing that Chinese civilization is diverse and integrated.
Since President-elect Donald Trumps victory last week, Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick  the states top two elected officials  have signaled a new willingness to potentially scale back the states historic spending on border security.

On the campaign trail, Trump vowed to crack down on illegal immigration by reimplementing policies from his first term while starting new ones, like mass deportations.

Abbott told reporters last week that Texas will have to continue its border security measures as a stopgap effort during the time it takes Trump to implement his border and immigration policies. But once they are in place, Abbott said, Texas will have the opportunity to consider repurposing the state money it has plowed into Operation Lone Star, the multi-prong effort Abbott launched in 2021 shortly after President Joe Biden took office.

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To date, OLS has cost $11 billion, and Abbotts office had asked lawmakers to approve another $2.9 billion in the upcoming legislative session. Abbott now says OLS money could be used for things like property tax cuts or education.

President Trump will provide a more secure border than any president in the history of the United States of America, Abbott said a day after the election. Ive had private talks with the president, and hes going to be stronger and better at securing the border than he was in his first term, which was very strong and effective.

Meanwhile, Patrick also said that Trumps victory could mean shifting spending priorities for the state.

We had to do everything we could to protect our citizens, Patrick said in an interview with WFAA-TV in Dallas published Sunday. Were going to be able to take a lot of that money now and put it back to our taxpayers, for roads, for water, for education, for health care, for all the things that we need that Joe Biden forced us to spend because he was letting millions of people cross the border.

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It is unclear exactly how the states border spending breaks down, but the money has been used to surge Texas Department of Public Safety troopers and Texas National Guard troops to the border; send busloads of migrants to cities run by Democrats; and bolster local governments that have joined the OLS effort through grants  including sheriffs offices that used the money to hire deputies.

Even as the states spending on border security has increased, polling has shown that Republican Texans feel the state could spend even more to secure the states 1,254-mile border with Mexico.

Trumps victory provides an enormous amount of political cover to reduce spending now, said James Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project at UT Austin. And with an initiative so expensive, it's hard not to feel like there's room for some reductions, he said.

When you spend government funds, constituencies develop among those funds, and that's one of the reasons it's hard to cut back on spending, Henson added.

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Other legislators have also indicated it might be time to cut back on border security spending at the state level.

I don't know that we've gotten a great bang for our buck on some of it, state Rep. Gary VanDeaver, a Republican from New Boston who has supported the border clampdown, said this week during a Texas Tribune event. I believe it is time for us to scale that back, start using those resources for infrastructure and needs within our state and I believe we need to send Congress a bill for the money we spent.

Two public policy experts told the Tribune that it seems unlikely Texas will be reimbursed by the federal government for its border spending, even with Trump in the White House and Republican majorities in both chambers of Congress, because Trump also promised to cut government spending  and money is always tight in D.C.

Abbott has credited the states efforts for a drop in illegal migration into the country through Texas this year; but people who study immigration say multiple variables contribute to migration patterns, like violence and poverty around the world.

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The bigger losers of any spending reductions on border security will be DPS, the National Guard and local agencies that often come to rely on this additional money, said Tony Payan, director of the Center for the United States and Mexico at the Baker Institute, a nonpartisan policy research organization based at Rice University in Houston.

It's an opportune moment, I think, for the Abbott administration because obviously the Republican trifecta in Washington means that now Washington will invest additional resources on the border, Payan said. So if it goes away, it's a penny saved for all of us in Texas who pay taxes and saw it more as political grandstanding.

Disclosure: Rice University has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
Tropical Storm Sara could bring life-threatening and potentially catastrophic flash flooding to parts of Central America, the National Hurricane Center has warned.

The 50mph storm made landfall in Honduras on Thursday, with up to 30 inches of rain forecast in isolated parts of the region over the coming days, and between 15-20 inches elsewhere. The storm is also expected to impact Guatemala, Belize and Mexicos Yucatan Peninsula over the weekend.

This rainfall will lead to widespread areas of life-threatening and potentially catastrophic flash flooding and mudslides, especially along and near the Sierra La Esperanza, the National Hurricane Center said. Sierra La Esperanza is a mountain along the northern part of Honduras.

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Storm surge could also raise water levels by as much as three feet above normal tide levels along the northern coast of Honduras and the same amount above ground level near and to the north of where Saras center crosses the coast of Belize.

Tropical Storm Saras Friday forecast track is shown on a map. The storm will move over Honduras and other parts of Central America over the coming days (National Hurricane Center)

After initially reaching Honduras on Thursday, Sara moved back out into the Caribbean overnight and by Friday morning was located just south of the island of Roatan, a small-scale tourism destination. Forecasters say it will continue its path across multiple Central American countries in a north-westerly direction over the weekend.

In its latest update on Friday afternoon, the hurricane center said the storm was located about 170 miles (270 kilometers) southeast of Belize City and was moving west at 2 mph (4 kph), with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 kph).

A tropical storm warning is in effect from Belize City to the Belize-Guatemala border, as well as for the Bay Islands of Honduras, the Caribbean Sea coast of Guatemala, and the north coast of Honduras. Guatemala and Belize will see tropical storm conditions starting on Saturday.

Streets flooded by rains from Tropical Storm Sara in La Lima, Honduras. The storm moved through the Caribbean and doused Honduras with rain on Friday ((AP Photo/Moises Castillo))

A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area.

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As long as Sara stays offshore, the hurricane center said slight strengthening was possible. The storm is expected to shift northwesterly and drench Mexicos Yucatan Peninsula by late Sunday into Monday morning.

Mexican authorities have warned that the storm could cause intense rains over the resort-studded Yucatan Peninsula.

Sara has led to heavy rains in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. The tropical storm is moving to the west and will reach Belize by Sunday, forecasters said ((AP Photo/Moises Castillo))

However, the United States may be spared the impact of the storm. While the hurricane center and other forecasters had previously warned Sara could potentially impact Florida, now it is believed the weather system wont reemerge into the Gulf of Mexico after crossing the Yucatan.

What remains of the system when it emerges into the Bay of Campeche in the Gulf of Mexico is not very favorable for redevelopment, the center said.

With reporting from The Associated Press
Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Two Somali pirates were sentenced to three decades in prison over the kidnapping of an American journalist held in captivity for nearly 1,000 days, the U.S. Department of Justice announced.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced Abdi Yusuf Hassan and Mohamed Tahlil Mohamed were both given a 30-year prison sentence for capture of a hostage, terrorism and firearms offenses related to the kidnapping of American journalist Michael Scott Moore in Somalia.

Mohamed, 43, is from Mogadishu, Somalia. Hassan, 56, is a naturalized U.S. citizen of Minneapolis, Minn., who served as Somalia's Minister of the Interior. They kept Moore for 977 days. In addition to a prison term, both were sentenced to one day of supervised release.

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For nearly the three years Moore was held hostage by Somali pirates, he was "beaten, chained to the floor, and threatened with assault rifles and machine guns," U.S. Attorney Damian Williams of the Southern District of New York said.

According to the Justice Department, Hassan and Mohamed were "key players" who played "significant roles" in the hostage-taking.

Hassan, a senior government official and Mohamed, an ex-Army officer, kept Moore in order to "satisfy their own greed," says Williams.

A New York jury convicted the two of the related offenses in February 2023 following a three-week trial in a sentence handed down by U.S. District Judge Allyne R. Ross, who had presided over the trial.

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The U.S. government contends Hassan's government role as Interior Minister made him responsible for police and security forces in Somalia's Galmudug province where Moore was allegedly being held in captivity.

Moore, then a 45-year-old U.S.-German dual citizen was kidnapped by an unspecified armed group in January 2012 while conducting research on piracy for a book on a grant from the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting.

He is the author of Sweetness and Blood, a 2010 about the history of surfing, and The Desert and the Sea, his 2018 memoir about his captivity in Somalia.

He was driving in the Galkayo vicinity when his vehicle was "suddenly surrounded by a group of heavily armed men carrying assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenade launchers," officials say.

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Hassan, the federal government claimed, served as "overall leader" of the group of Somali pirates to extort ransom money from Moore's elderly mother. He also directed production of "proof-of-life" videos that Moore was forced to take part in to prove he was still alive.

Moore reportedly got pulled from his vehicle, beaten with weapons, and drove away in another vehicle to a secluded area where he was held with two Seychellois fishermen abducted in October 2011 off the Somali coast.

Meanwhile, Mohamed was a Somali Army officer and a supervisor of the group of pirates holding Moore who moved their hostage multiple times around the plagued nation on the East African continent. He was held in various locations in the vicinity of Hobyo, Somalia for roughly three months

He was held along with 26 Asian sailors later freed and returned home to their native Vietnam, Taiwan, Cambodia, Indonesia, China and the Philippines.

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Moore was forced to witness things such as torture and had been under constant threat of bodily injury. The kidnappers provided Moore with next to no information. His only access to the outside world was limited to just a radio.

But in court proceedings, Moore reportedly requested the court be lenient when in Mohamed's sentencing. "'Gentle" was a word Moore supposedly used to describe Mohamed, according to Mohamed's lawyer.

"Mr. Moore confirmed that Mr. Mohamed was kind to him throughout his ordeal," Susan Kellman, an attorney for Mohamed, told The Hill in an email.

Following a random payment, Moore's Somali captors did release him in September 2014. The effort to obtain Williams' release was an interagency government effort between the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI and its various branches.
NEW ALBANY, Ohio (WCMH)  Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) is set to become vice president for Donald Trumps second term in January. Where does he stand on the CHIPS Act?

The CHIPS and Science Act is slotted to provide around $52 billion in incentives for U.S. semiconductor chip makers, including Intel, which was promised billions in funds. Intel planned to use the funding in part to support construction of a new computer chip facility near New Albany, a highly-anticipated project transforming parts of Licking County and central Ohio.

However, Intel still has not received the funding amid layoffs, restructuring and diminishing stock value. The delay is increasingly difficult for Intel as Trumps presidential term nears, with Trump calling the act so bad and indicating he will impose tariffs to encourage American production instead of continuing the legislation. On Nov. 1, Speaker Mike Johnson said we probably will repeal the act that was expected to add $2.8 billion to Ohios annual gross state product, according to Gov. Mike DeWine. Johnson later walked the statement back.

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Central Ohio billionaire tapped to join Trumps cabinet

Vance, 40, was selected as Trumps running mate two years into his first term as a Senator, a position that DeWine is currently considering replacements for. A former venture capitalist executive, Vance expressed support for Intels plant and the CHIPS act before becoming Trumps vice presidential pick. According to a release from Columbus Region, Vance celebrated in March 2024 when Biden announced billions in funding to Intel.

Todays CHIPS announcement isnt just great news for Intel. Its a well-deserved victory for Ohio and Ohio workers, Vance said of the announcement, per the release. Our state is playing a central role in revitalizing the critical industries that were developed here in America but lost to decades of offshoring.

Amid delays in July 2022, Vance told Axios that the death of the CHIPS Act is a terrible indictment of our do-nothing leadership. He blamed Democrats for tanking the act and said the stalled legislation may have cost Ohio thousands of jobs.

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Anti-trans bathroom bill passes in Ohio Senate, heads to DeWines desk

On the campaign trail, Vance responded to a CHIPS Act question from reporters and said Trump believes in returning manufacturing to America, specifying that includes semiconductors like those made by Intel. He did not specifically say if he was for or against continuing the Act, accusing Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden of politicizing funding for manufacturers under the program.

Vance has said this before. In October 2023, Vance spoke on the CHIPS Act at a Senate Commerce Committee meeting where he raised concerns about mandated diversity hiring policies in the act. The Act has over a dozen sections aimed at supporting minority groups, including requirements for companies seeking CHIPS funding to present plans for combating discrimination and diversifying recruitment.

Amid questions of the Acts survival, businesses in Ohio and three other states wrote to Biden requesting his administration make the federal funding under the CHIPS Act available in the next 30 days. Of the 18 organizations behind the letter, 11 were Ohioan organizations, including the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
A Lynchburg City Council discussion on whether people who willfully discharge a firearm in a public space should be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony turned personal when a councilman spoke about gunshots in his neighborhood.

At Tuesdays city council meeting, At-large Councilman Larry Taylor talked about hearing gunshots near his home at 2 a.m.

In one instance, Taylor said he called the Lynchburg Police Department to let them know if officers didnt come to stop the shooting, he was going to get his gun and go outside. In the phone call, police said, Please dont do that Mr. Taylor, the councilman recalled.

Taylor and his fellow councilors were discussing what items to include in the citys 2025 legislative agenda. One of the items encouraged the citys representatives in Richmond to push for legislation to make it a felony offense to willfully discharge a firearm in a public place, whether or not someone is injured.

Under current Virginia law, a person who willfully fires a gun in a public place but doesnt injure anyone can only be charged with a misdemeanor.

Taylor emphasized to his fellow councilmembers that city leaders and policymakers in Richmond need to consider the real world where someone who willfully discharges a firearm without injuring someone else is often not engaging in harmless behavior.

I live in a neighborhood where they use guns  they shoot in the air, they shoot in the street just to intimidate people, Taylor said in response to comments by Ward III Councilman Jeff Helgeson and At-large Councilman Martin Misjuns, who oppose changing state law to make it a felony to willfully discharge a firearm in a public space.

Taylor said the gunshots he sees and hears are not people engaging in the potentially harmless act of shooting into a body of water or a tree. The councilman said hes had to pull out bullets that were shot and ended up getting lodged in the sides of houses.

When you shoot a doggone gun out in public, youre doing it to intimidate people, he said. So charge them.

At the meeting, Lynchburg Police Chief Ryan Zuidema said the item was included in the proposed legislative package because LPD deals with cases where people shoot their guns multiple times in the citys streets and they can be charged only with a misdemeanor if no one is injured.

This is another tool that would try to address some of these individuals, Zuidema said.

After the discussion, council voted 5-2 to keep the item in the 2025 legislative package. Helgeson and Misjuns were the two who voted in favor of removing the item.

In response to Taylors comments, Misjuns said he agrees with Taylor on charging people with felonies who fire guns to intimidate people.

What Misjuns said he doesnt want to see happen, for example, is a woman getting charged with a felony who reached into her purse and accidentally discharged a gun that she kept in the bag.

Mayor Stephanie Reed interjected the scenario described by Misjuns would not be the willful discharge of a firearm.

It just depends on whos looking at it, Misjuns responded, implying that other police departments or prosecutors in Virginia may not view the womans actions as accidental. Were talking about [a law] for the entire state.

Vice Mayor and Ward IV Councilman Chris Faraldi said that reaching into a pocket and unintentionally shooting a firearm is the antithesis of willfully.

If you go into my streets in this city and willfully are popping off, as was described by Larry Taylor, you need to be sent away for a long time, Faraldi said, in support of including the item in the legislative package. And you need to be identified as a felon.

With Republicans often viewed as being tough on crime, Faraldi said he was surprised by Helgeson and Misjuns choosing not to support the item. He said refusing to support it sends a message that if you are going to screw around in this town, youre just going to get a slap on the wrist.

Faraldi, Reed, Taylor, Helgeson and Misjuns represent the Republican majority on council.

I like our police officers to actually go after criminals that are intentionally trying to harm somebody, Helgeson, who opposed including the item in the legislative agenda, said at the meeting. Whether they harm them or not, that were focusing those resources on those people, not if somebody fires into the ground or they accidentally discharge.

By voting 5-2 to include the item in its legislative agenda, council is hoping Del. Wendell Walker, R-Lynchburg, and state Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, will support legislation to make it a felony to willfully discharge a firearm in a public place, whether or not someone is injured.

The item was one of dozens included in the citys 2025 legislative agenda, a document designed to highlight areas of importance to the city.
TOKYO, Nov 15 (News On Japan) - The Ishiba Cabinet announced its appointments for vice ministers and parliamentary secretaries on November 13th, selecting Akiko Ikuina and Eriko Imai, both former idols and current members of the House of Councillors.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba emphasized a commitment to humble and action-driven governance. The selections notably excluded lawmakers involved in political funding scandals.

Ikuina, a former "Onyanko Club" member, was named parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs, while Imai, a former member of "SPEED," was appointed parliamentary secretary for the Cabinet Office and Reconstruction. Both expressed their commitment to fulfilling their roles, despite Imai having faced past criticism over a controversial SNS post.

Public reactions to the appointments were mixed. Some criticized the choices as favoring public recognition over political expertise, while others viewed them as a way to increase political engagement among younger audiences.

Political analysts noted that the Ishiba Cabinet had limited options due to recent election losses and the exclusion of scandal-linked lawmakers. This led to a narrower selection pool, with some appointees themselves acknowledging their lack of experience.

Source: ANN
Visitors admire a replica of a gold mask from Sanxingdui at an ongoing exhibition at the Inka Museum in Cuzco, Peru. The exhibition, titled Light of the Sun: A Dialogue Between Ancient Shu and Inca Civilizations, runs through Nov 20. [Photo/Xinhua]



Paul Becerra is among the many visitors who have been captivated by the stunning reproduction of artifacts from Southwest China's Sichuan province on display at an exhibition at the Inka Museum in Cuzco, Peru.

"I have never seen such impressive artifacts before," said Becerra, a reporter with News Cusco, adding that he was thrilled to discover the similarities between the ancient Shu civilization  a remarkable culture that thrived in the region of present-day Sichuan  and the Inca civilization.

The exhibition, titled Light of the Sun: A Dialogue Between Ancient Shu and Inca Civilizations, features 16 replicas and 3D-printed imitations of representative artifacts from the Sanxingdui Museum and the Jinsha Site Museum in Sichuan, along with seven sets of Inca cultural relic items. It opened on Nov 5 and runs through Nov 20.

Although the two civilizations thrived thousands of miles apart in different eras with different customs, the ancestors of both regions shared similar spiritual beliefs and common material pursuits, the event's organizers said.

A large number of artifacts made of gold and belonging to the ancient Shu civilization have been unearthed from the Sanxingdui and Jinsha archaeological sites, both dating back more than 3,000 years. Many of these cultural treasures are objects of veneration, indicating the practice of sun worship among the ancient Shu people.

In the Inca Empire, which was one of the largest in pre-Columbian America, the king was seen as a descendant of the sun god, and gold was used to adorn palaces and make artifacts.

The organizers expect the exhibition in Cuzco, which was the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, to further enhance cultural exchanges between the two civilizations.

An exhibition on the Inca civilization was held at the Jinsha Site Museum from January to April, and it showcased 168 pieces or sets of exhibits from 14 museums in Peru, attracting over 600,000 visitors.

Wang Fang, deputy director of the Jinsha Site Museum and Chinese curator of the ongoing exhibition in Cuzco, said the replicas of the priceless artifacts from the Sanxingdui and Jinsha sites include items made of gold, jade, bronze and wood.

A replica of a gold and bronze mask from Sanxingdui is on display at the Inka Museum. [Photo/Xinhua]

"These items are displayed together with precious artifacts from the Inca civilization, with the aim to enable visitors to appreciate the extraordinary wisdom and creativity of the ancestors of both regions," she said.

Wang said the Peru exhibition is using digital technologies such as naked-eye 3D displays to create an interactive viewing experience that allows visitors to feel they are transcending time and space.

Mohenir Julinho Zapata, director of the Inka Museum, said he hopes the exhibition will serve as a window into Chinese cultural heritage for the people of Cuzco, and deepen exchanges and mutual understanding between Peru and China.

He added that he sees the event as an opportunity to promote long-term exchanges and dialogue between Sichuan and Cuzco.

An international academic forum was concurrently held on Nov 6 at the National University of Saint Anthony the Abbot of Cuzco.

Experts and scholars from China and Peru delivered keynote speeches and held dialogues on topics such as the latest archaeological achievements, experiences in cultural heritage preservation, and the values and characteristics of the ancient Shu and Inca civilizations.

The Inka Museum exhibition is guided by China's State Council Information Office, the Chinese Embassy in Peru, the Ministry of Culture of Peru and the Regional Government of Cuzco. It is organized by the Sichuan Provincial Government Information Office, the Sichuan Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics and the National University of Saint Anthony the Abbot of Cuzco.
SAPPORO, Nov 15 (News On Japan) - A one-year-old boy tragically choked on daycare food in Sapporo, Hokkaido, on October 23rd, leading to his untimely death, daycare officials confirmed in a press conference on November 15th.

The child, aged one year and one month, was attending Ai-Grand Takuhoku Nursery School when the incident occurred. During lunchtime in the 0-year-old class, he choked on food described as "baby food resembling stir-fried barbecue." Despite being rushed to the hospital, he was pronounced dead.

At the press conference, the daycares representative director of Ai-Grand expressed profound apologies to the bereaved family, stating, We deeply regret the loss of this precious childs lifea tragedy that should never happen in a daycare setting.

The daycare, known for its in-house meal preparation by a dedicated nutritionist, provided homemade meals and snacks. On the day of the incident, the menu reportedly included meat-based dishes. It is believed that the boy choked on the meat.

Parents voiced concerns, stating that serving meat to such young children was inappropriate. One parent shared, I thought it was too early to serve items like meat or spinach, even if labeled as baby food.

Concerns over daycare safety were not new. Some parents reported past instances of children facing danger, including one parent mentioning a child being left unattended in the yard due to insufficient supervision.

The daycare acknowledged the criticisms, stating, We understand the lack of explanation has caused frustration, and we aim to rebuild trust through sincere efforts. An ongoing investigation by both the daycare and law enforcement seeks to determine the cause of the incident.

Source: FNN
By George Oshogwe Ogbolu

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated that there is nothing wrong in building houses for judges.

Recall that human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), had in a recent interview, stated that the construction of houses for judges and justices by the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was unconstitutional and an embarrassment to the judiciary.

Naija News reports that in September, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the construction of 40 housing units for judges and justices in the FCT. Of the 40 units being constructed in the Katampe District, 20 will be allocated to the FCT High Court, 10 to the Federal High Court, and 10 to the Court of Appeal.

This had drawn criticism, with Falana claiming that such action was capable of influencing the judges, you cannot be seen to be giving cars or houses to judges who are going to determine your cases.

Reacting in a statement on Friday, Wikes Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, described Falanas position as patently wrong and a mere display of emotions and sentiments against the FCT Minister.

He insisted that there was nothing wrong in the Federal Government providing accomodations for judges as well as officials of other arms of government.

Olayinka said even though there is separation of powers in a democracy, there is also what is known as checks and balances, meaning that there can be no absolute separation of powers among the three arms of government.

He said that there is nowhere in the world where one arm of government is completely independent of the others.

Olayinka asked; Wouldnt there still be need for land from the FCT Ministry if the houses were to be built by the judiciary? And if it is about exercising influence over the judiciary, is allocation of lands not enough?

Also, the money to build the houses will still have to be appropriated by the National Assembly, peopled by politicians who also have cases before judges. Should we also say that bringing the budget of the judiciary to the National or State House of Assembly for passage will influence judges if cases involving the lawmakers are brought before them?

Police and other security agencies provide security for judges and they do have court cases too, is Uncle Femi Falana also saying that the security agencies will influence the judges?

Anti-Corruption agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) investigate and prosecute judges, will Oga Femi Falana also say that investigation and trial of judges for alleged corruption should not be done by the anti-graft agencies so as to avoid influencing the judiciary?

May be too, judges should create their own hospitals so that doctors, especially those in public hospitals wont influence them. After all, medical practitioners too do have cases in court.

Finally, may be judges should stop having friends and family members. They should be operating in seclusion so that no one will influence them. Or they should just create their own world so that they wont be influenced by anyone.

Olayinka, who advised Falana and others, to be more concerned about making the judges comfortable and secured to do their jobs rather than dissipating energy on the executive arm of government doing its own duties.

He said that even in the United States of America where Supreme Court justices are seen as affiliated to political parties, right things are still done by the justices.

He pointed out that apart from the fact that the U.S. Supreme Court justices are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, the names of potential nominees are often recommended by senators or sometimes by members of the House who are of the Presidents political party.

The Judicial Conference of the United States, and the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts do not play any role in the nomination and confirmation of the justices.

The justices are even known by their political leanings and today, the U.S. Supreme Court has a 6-3 conservative majority, meaning six for the Republican Party and three for the Democrats. Yet, the justices do their jobs without anyone accusing them of being influenced by the President and members of his party in the Senate and House who appointed them, he said.
By Enioluwa Adeniyi

The National Judicial Council (NJC), on Friday, suspended Justice G. C Aguma of the High Court of Rivers State and Justice A.O Nwabunike of the Anambra State High Court from performing judicial functions.

Naija News gathered that the judges were both suspended for a period of one year without pay and placed on the watch list for two years thereafter.

The decision was taken at the 107th Meeting of the NJC chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun on 13 and 14 November 2024.

The Council sanctioned a total of five serving Judicial Officers for various acts of misconduct.

NJC also recommended two Heads of Court for compulsory retirement over falsification of age.

The duo of the Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka and the Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Hon. Kadi Babagana Mahdi, were recommended for compulsory retirement for falsification of their ages.

The Council equally considered the Report of its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee, which considered a total number of 30 petitions, and empanelled 6 Committees for further investigation. While 22 were dismissed for lacking in merit, two were sub judice.

The Council also enacted a committee to investigate all complaints and petitions against Hon. Justice O. A. Ojo, Chief Judge, Osun State.

A statement signed by Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, Esq., NJC Deputy Director (Information), on Friday reads, The Council equally considered the report of its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee, which considered a total number of 30 petitions, empanelled 6 Committees for further investigation. While 22 were dismissed for lacking in merit, two were sub judice.

The Council also empanelled a Committee to investigate all complaints and petitions against Hon. Justice O. A. Ojo, Chief Judge, Osun State.

The Councils findings revealed that Hon. Justice G. C. Aguma, committed acts of misconduct by aiding a litigant who obtained a judgment at the FCT High Court, Abuja, and filed a garnishee against judgement debtors in Bori Division of the High Court, Rivers State.

The Council finds that Justice Aguma failed to raise any query as to why the garnishee proceedings were brought to his Court in Bori for a money judgment that could effectively be enforced in Abuja.

That the judgment was delivered on 15 July 2020, at the High Court of the FCT, while the certificate of judgment was registered at Bori Division of the High Court of Rivers State on 16 July 2020.

The Council further finds that the speed with which the Hon. Justice Aguma took and granted the order absolute against the judgment debtors showed that he had an interest, especially as he failed to take into consideration the stay of execution of the judgment granted in favour of the judgement debtors by the Bwari High Court, which had been brought to his attention.

On the part of Hon. Justice A. O. Nwabunike of Anambra State, the Council found him to have breached the provision of Rule 3.1 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2016.

He also failed to adhere to the principle of stare decisis from his different interpretation of the word aspirant and abused his judicial powers by granting ex parte orders without a Motion on Notice filed along with the Originating Summons.

Hon. Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka was recommended to the Governor of Imo State for compulsory retirement with effect from 27 October 2021, while all salaries and allowance received in excess by His Lordship from 27 October 2021 till date should be refunded to the Council.

The recommendation was pursuant to the findings of the Council that His Lordship has two different dates of birth; 27 October 1956 and 27 October 1958. However, 27 October 1956, appeared to be the consistent date of birth, but in 2006, the Chief Judge swore to an affidavit changing the date of birth to 27 October 1958.

Similarly, Council finds that Hon. Kadi Mahdi has 3 different dates of birth (10 December, 28 January and July) all in 1959, while his actual date of birth was 1952.

The Council held that Grand Kadi Mahdi committed an act of misconduct in violation of Rule 02908 (i) and (ii) of the Public Service Rules, 2021 and ought to have retired from service 12 years ago.

The Council, therefore, resolved to recommend Hon. Kadi Babagana Mahdi for compulsory retirement to the Governor of Yobe State and that he should refund all salaries and allowances received for the past 12 years.

The Council at its meeting, also issued letter of caution to Hon. Justice I. A. Jamil of Kogi State to be more circumspect in handling sensitive matters in the future.
By Ruth Nwokwu

A South Korean court has convicted opposition leader Lee Jae-myung on Friday for violating election laws, sentencing him to one year in prison and suspension for two years.

If the ruling is upheld, it could threaten his chances of running for president in 2027.

After the hearing, Lee said that he would appeal the verdict.

I will be appealing. Beginning with the basic facts, it is a conclusion that is difficult to accept, he said.

If his appeals fail and the prison sentence becomes final, Lee would be stripped of his parliament seat and his eligibility to run in any elections for the next five years.

Lee, who is the head of the main opposition Democratic Party, narrowly lost to President Yoon Suk Yeol in the 2022 election.

He is faced with at least four trials after being indicted on several criminal charges including bribery and corruption.

Lee was found guilty of breaching the election law by making a false claim during a parliamentary audit in 2021 while running as a presidential candidate about a land development project in Seongnam when he served as mayor, the court said.

In a statement explaining Fridays ruling, the Seoul Central District Court said spreading false information during an election process prevents voters from making the right choice and could harm democracy.

Prosecutors had sought a two-year jail term, though the suspended sentence he received means he will not go to prison even if it is upheld.

Lee is widely expected to seek to run in the 2027 presidential election.

In January, he survived a knife attack when he was stabbed in the neck by a man during an event and underwent surgery.

His party then went on to score a landslide victory in a parliamentary election in April, dealing a blow to President Yoon and his ruling party.

Lee, who will face another sentencing hearing later this month over charges he abetted perjury, and his party, have accused prosecutors of pursuing a politically motivated case against him.
By Matthew Atungwu

An erstwhile Director of the Department of State Services, DSS, Mike Ejiofor, says the now dreaded insurgent group, Lakurawa, causing mayhem in the North-western part of the country is not new.

DAILY POST recalls that the Defence Headquarters last week announced the emergence of Lakurawa as a new terror group operating in Sokoto and Kebbi States.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, said the terror group is worsening insecurity in the North-West region, stressing that the Nigerian military was already containing them.

Speaking, however, on Channels Televisions Sunrise Daily on Friday, Ejiofor maintained that the group has been in existence before now.

The former DSS director, who noted that members of the terror group are not Nigerians, traced their origin to Niger Republic and Mali respectively, giving a brief history of the origin of the insurgents.

I was taken aback when I heard that Lakurawa was a new terrorist group. The truth is they arent new.

The group was initially formed by Ibrahim Bare Mainassara, the former Nigerien military Head of State, as a vigilante group that was working with them, but after his death, the Nigerien government neglected them, and they now scattered.

One of the district heads in Sokoto State invited them to help them with good intentions, not knowing they had their agenda, Ejiofor said.

According to him, in 2018, the Sokoto State government became worried when the group started showing their true colour and decided to expel them from the country through negotiations.

He added that part of the group from Mali left after the negotiation but the other part of the group from Niger stayed behind and continued the operation.
The Tianjin Juilliard Orchestra is embarking on its first ever China tour, presenting concerts at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing on Wednesday as part of the NCPA's Spring and Autumn Achievements showcase of performing arts from art institutions, and at the Hong Kong City Hall as part of the Hong Kong Generation Next Arts music festival on Nov 24. On Tuesday, it will present a pre-tour concert at the Tianjin Juilliard concert hall.

The Tianjin Juilliard Orchestra was established in September 2020, and soon after, plans for a tour began. The 2024-25 season marks the school's fifth anniversary. It is the first overseas campus of the New York-headquartered Juilliard School. The tour is part of the celebrations.

"We have been planning the tour for quite a while. We are eager to have our students go out and demonstrate their artistic talent, while presenting a successful teaching model to our peers. To me, the Tianjin Juilliard Orchestra is the best representation of our school's educational philosophy of 'focusing on collaborative musicianship'," says He Wei, the CEO and artistic director of the school.

The orchestra is made up of students from two graduating classes, meaning that every September, it experiences a major turnover, with around 50 percent of its members changing each year. As He says, it's an orchestra that never gets old. This tour is the orchestra's third concert of the 2024-25 season.

It has prepared a program that is musically rich and deep. It opens with the Rite of Passage by Zhou Tian, a demonstration of the orchestra's commitment to performing the works of contemporary Chinese composers. Viola professor Hanna Lee and cellist He Sihao will then join Max Bruch's Romance in F Major, Op 85, and Tchaikovsky's Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op 33, the Russian composer's first composition for cello and orchestra, as an illustration of the high artistic level of the school's resident faculty.

The second half will include Paul Dukas' L'apprenti sorcier (The Sorcerer's Apprentice), Adagio from Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian's Spartacus, which is known for its lively rhythm and energy, and Russian composer Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov's Capriccio Espagnol, Op 34. These three classic pieces, with their varying styles and solo segments, provide a great challenge for the students, while also giving them the opportunity to demonstrate their talent.

"Indeed, the programs present a challenge, but the orchestra always enjoys that. The students want to push themselves by embracing different challenges and achieving growth," says Ken Lam, resident conductor of the orchestra and also conductor on the tour.

Lam says that a successful tour helps increase the visibility of students, faculty and the institution itself and is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their talent on a wider stage, potentially attracting attention from professional ensembles and artistic directors. The exposure to music during the tour helps students broaden their repertoire and explore different genres and styles, and encourages flexibility and adaptability as they must quickly adjust to different performance settings and demands.

South Korean violist Hanna Lee, who joined Tianjin Juilliard as a faculty member this September, says: "Collaborating with the students on performances is something that brings me great joy. Their sincerity and passion for music are truly moving. I started getting involved with the teaching and performance activities here in the spring, and we've had many opportunities to perform alongside students. The faculty is deeply involved in student rehearsals and performances, truly embodying the concept of teaching by example. In my 10 years of teaching, this has been a unique experience."

Taysia Petersen completed her undergraduate studies in the United States before coming to China to study. The 23-year-old is the principal oboist on the tour. Last year, she performed Richard Strauss' Serenade in E-flat Major, Op 7, with her wind faculty, and had the opportunity to closely observe the playing of her colleagues, and to gain firsthand performance experience, something, she says, she can't get in class.

"This will also be my first time participating in an orchestra tour. Performing in different cities and concert halls is a new experience for me, and Tianjin Juilliard has created many unprecedented opportunities for us," she adds.

According to Lam, it is a student orchestra but quite professional. He refers to it as "an orchestra in the early stages of a professional career". The Tianjin school has produced graduates who are highly sought-after by professional orchestras. Over the past few years, it has sent over 30 young musicians to Chinese and international orchestras, including the China NCPA Orchestra  the resident symphony orchestra of the NCPA  the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, and the Suzhou Symphony Orchestra.

The Tianjin school has a series of other important events to mark its fifth anniversary. In January, its annual Festival Connect will focus on one of the most revolutionary composers of the 20th century, French-born American composer Edgard Varese. The festival will invite percussion students from countries including Singapore and South Korea to perform the Chinese premiere of Varese's Ionization along with Tianjin Juilliard students. The groundbreaking composition presented unique ideas and problems for percussion orchestration when it was written. In February, the faculty will travel to New York to collaborate with colleagues on the New York campus for a faculty concert.

As a highlight of the fifth anniversary program, the school will also hold an orchestra forum during graduation season next May. Teachers and students from the world's leading music conservatories will gather in Tianjin to discuss topics related to classical music education, and form a student orchestra to rehearse and perform together.

"As a cooperative educational institution between China and the US, cultural exchange is embedded in the DNA of the school. We will host over 200 concerts this season, with numerous faculty and student performances. Almost every week, musicians and professors from around the world come to Tianjin to perform, or give master classes, bringing the best performances and educational resources here," says He. "With our tours, forums and other events, we hope to launch the school into a broader public sphere."
The authoritarian Algerian regime is in a state of panic and anxiety since announcement by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump of the nomination of Republican senator Marco Rubio to lead the State department.

While announcing the appointment, Trump said Rubio, 53, would be a strong advocate for our nation, a true friend to our allies and a fearless warrior who will never back down to our adversaries.

Rubio has served in the Senate since 2011. The Florida senator serves as vice-chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee and sits on the Foreign Relations Committee. He ran for president in 2016 before dropping out and endorsing Trump.

Hard and very painful times are awaiting the feckless and corrupt Algerian junta (de facto rulers) with the return of Trump to the White House, the first President of a superpower that has recognized the Moroccanness of the Sahara before several others follow suit.

The Algerian authorities nightmare is becoming a reality as Senator Marco Rubio, who had called for sanctions against the tyrannical Algerian regime, becomes Americas next top diplomat. Rubio takes hard-line positions against Algeria, Iran, Russia, China, Venezuela

In 2022, Rubio sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling on U.S. government to impose sanctions against Algeria, one of the top global purchasers of military equipment from the Russian Federation.

In his letter, the Vice-Chairman of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence voiced great concern regarding the ongoing defense procurement between Algeria and Russia.

Russia is Algerias largest military supplier. Algeria is also among the top four purchasers of Russian arms worldwide, culminating with a $7 billion arms deal in 2021. Influx of money from any source to Russia will only further enable Russias war machine in Ukraine. Yet, sanctions available to you have not yet been utilized, said the Senator who rallied several congressmen pushing for sanctions against Algiers.

The Algerian authorities have launched smear campaigns against Washington following the U.S. recognition of Moroccos full sovereignty over its entire Sahara territory and Rubios call for sanctions against Algeria.

Now with the return of Trump, the Algerian regime is in shock-and-awe. After suffering a series of international diplomatic setback over the Sahara, some experts say that their worst days are yet to come!
On High Royal Instructions, Morocco demonstrates its active solidarity with the Spanish people by mobilizing extensive logistical resources to support relief efforts in the areas affected by the recent flooding in the Valencia region, Moroccos ambassador to Spain, Karima Benyaich, said.

Following the floods that devastated several regions in Spain, King Mohammed VI had instructed the Interior Minister to inform his Spanish peer of Moroccos full readiness to dispatch rescue teams and provide all necessary assistance to Spain to deal with this natural disaster.

Morocco was thus one of the first countries to offer aid, pledging to send trucks and operators to support the cleanup and recovery efforts.

A Moroccan convoy, comprising 24 vacuum-pump trucks and 70 operators, arrived in Spain on Wednesday to assist with relief efforts in the Valencia region, which was severely impacted by Storm Dana.

The Moroccan teams will be tasked with the arduous work of removing and transporting vast quantities of mud and debris from affected areas.

This support testifies to Moroccos firm determination to actively contribute to the rescue efforts in a spirit of mutual aid and fraternity with Spain, Benyaich told MAP.

Through this royal move, Morocco reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the values of respect, friendship, and active solidarity that form the very essence of the deep ties between the two nations, the diplomat stressed.

Benyaich also recalled that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had swiftly taken action to assist Moroccans living in the flood-affected areas.

According to the Moroccan diplomat, the outpouring of national solidarity with Spain was mirrored by the Moroccan community in Spain, which responded with remarkable mobilization to participate in relief efforts in the disaster regions.

Benyaich took the opportunity to commend the Moroccan associations and countless volunteers whose tangible support and visible solidarity have strengthened the bonds of fraternity between the Moroccan and Spanish peoples.
Across Africa and particularly the Sahel region, Russia-backed disinformation operations, a key part of the hybrid warfare, seek to prop up repressive regimes and harm civilians, reveals a new analysis published in the latest edition of the Africa Defense Forum (ADF) magazine.

Russia is linked to 40% of all disinformation campaigns across the African continent, AFD reported, describing these operations as cognitive warfare run by the Russian Ministry of Defense. Disinformation is a key part of the hybrid warfare that Russia unleashed in Africa in a growing effort to expand its influence and gain control over the continents natural resources. The AFD report points out that central to the Russian campaign was the African Initiative, an online outlet with deep ties to the late Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, who built a shadowy network of mercenary, disinformation and mining operations in Africa. After his death in a mysterious plane crash in August 2023, the Russian Defense Ministry took over the Wagner Groups operations on the continent and rebranded it under the name Africa Corps.

Russia identifies and inflames local grievances to use them to its advantage, the ADF said. For example, one large social network that has been orchestrating a coordinated French-language propaganda anti-Western and pro-Kremlin campaign  called Russosphere (Russian Sphere)  is helping Russia expand its influence at the expense of France in some of its former colonies in Africa. Its typical posts accuse France of modern-day colonialism, eulogize Vladimir Putin, and call the Ukrainian army Nazis and Satanists, echoing the official Russian line. Experts say that such misinformation drives mistrust between African nations and the West, and contributes to a lack of support for Ukraine on the continent. The Kremlin thus exploits Africas history of colonialism to whitewash Russias own account of civilian massacres, human rights violations and other atrocities committed in Africa.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has approved a financing of 200 million euros to support the desalination program of Moroccos phosphates group, OCP.

The loan will finance the construction of two OCP seawater desalination facilities, at its key industrial complexes in El Jadida (Jorf Lasfar) and Safi, the bank said in a statement.

These new facilities, with a capacity of approximately 35 million m3, will support the production of fertilizers, essential for global food security, enabling OCP Group to meet the increasing demand for sustainable agricultural solutions, it said.

The two projects are conducive to Moroccos water security strategy as it will help OCP to further reduce its use of freshwater in water-intensive industrial processes.

OCP is also expanding the desalination capacities to supply drinking water to the cities of El Jadida and Safi; and the water previously allocated to OCP will be repurposed to improve drinking water availability for communities in the Oum Er Rbia basin.
In a latest measure to spur the defense industry, the Moroccan government adopted a decree exempting investors from corporate tax.

The tax break will benefit manufacturers of defense equipment, weapons, and ammunition, the spokesman for the government said following a cabinet meeting.

In June, the government approved a bill to set up two industrial acceleration zones dedicated to the defense industry, as the country seeks to reduce its dependence on imports.

Morocco has also adopted a law to spur the defense industry which requires that the majority of the capital be held by Moroccan investors.

The defense industry enjoys high priority in Moroccos investment charter which offers incentives and state aid, while requiring technology transfer.

The Moroccan government increased the budget allocated for defense to 133 billion dirhams ($13.5 bln) as it prepares to promote defense industries and upgrade equipment, as shown in the draft budget for 2025.

From a balance of power perspective, Morocco is forced to make sure it has the latest technology to stay at pace and ensure it has efficient deterrence capabilities amid a surge in war rhetoric among Algerian officials.
The EU said it will not renew a fisheries deal with Senegal, whom it accused of non-cooperating on illegal fishing.

The EU delegation in the West African country also accused Senegal of failures in monitoring, control, and surveillance systems on Senegalese ships in extraterritorial waters as well as on foreign vessels in the port of Dakar.

Awaiting encouraging developments, the agreement between the EU and Senegal will not be renewed, the delegation said in a statement.

The fisheries deal will expire this Sunday. The current deal agreement signed in 2019 allows European vessels to fish in Senegalese waters but has been criticized in the country due to overfishing.
The Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University (AADTHU) held a celebration at the academy's Visual Art Center in Beijing on Nov. 8, marking the 60th anniversary of its industrial design major. The event, themed "ID 60 Years: Retrospect and Prospect of Industrial Design Education in China," consisted of an opening ceremony, exhibition and seminar. It also commemorated the 40th anniversary of the department of industrial design's renaming.

Guests attend the opening of the event themed "ID 60 Years: Retrospect and Prospect of Industrial Design Education in China" at AADTHU, Beijing, Nov. 8, 2024. [Photo courtesy of AADTHU]

Zhang Lei, director of AADTHU's department of industrial design, presides over the opening of the event themed "ID 60 Years: Retrospect and Prospect of Industrial Design Education in China" at AADTHU, Beijing, Nov. 8, 2024. [Photo courtesy of AADTHU]

The event served as a retrospective of the developments and achievements of the industrial design major over the past six decades, while also looking forward to future design innovations. Through a series of celebratory events, AADTHU's department of industrial design showcased its outstanding accomplishments and influence in design education, academic research, creative practice and social service.

Jiang Peixue, vice president of Tsinghua University, speaks at the opening of the event themed "ID 60 Years: Retrospect and Prospect of Industrial Design Education in China" at AADTHU, Beijing, Nov. 8, 2024. [Photo courtesy of AADTHU]

At the exhibition's opening, Jiang Peixue, vice president of Tsinghua University, praised the exhibits for showcasing the achievements and strong foundation of AADTHU's industrial design department in teaching and research. He highlighted the department's successes in cultivating talented designers and advancing industry development, with a teaching philosophy that has consistently kept pace with the times, actively responding to the demands of both socio-economic development and practical needs. Jiang expressed his hope that it will continue to lead innovation, cultivate more outstanding talent, and elevate both Chinese and global design to new heights.

Ma Sai, dean of AADTHU, speaks at the opening of the event themed "ID 60 Years: Retrospect and Prospect of Industrial Design Education in China" at AADTHU, Beijing, Nov. 8, 2024. [Photo courtesy of AADTHU]

Ma Sai, dean of AADTHU, credited the department's rapid development to the hard work of generations of teachers. He highlighted the academy's steadfast commitment to its founding principle of "art for life, design for livelihood," emphasizing the integration of art and science. Ma also noted that the alumni exhibition showcases the department's achievements, reflecting years of academic and innovative progress while setting an example for students. He encouraged alumni to share their valuable industry experience to support teaching development and expressed hope for further contributions to the department's future growth.

Lu Xiaobo, distinguished professor of arts, humanities and social sciences at Tsinghua University and former dean of AADTHU, speaks at the opening of the event themed "ID 60 Years: Retrospect and Prospect of Industrial Design Education in China" at AADTHU, Beijing, Nov. 8, 2024. [Photo courtesy of AADTHU]

Lu Xiaobo, a distinguished professor of arts, humanities and social sciences at Tsinghua University and former dean of AADTHU, reflected on the department of industrial design as one of the pioneers of industrial design education and practice in China. He stressed that the department has consistently maintained a leading position in the field and achieved numerous remarkable accomplishments, particularly on the international stage, where it has garnered many honors. "In the face of a new era marked by significant global changes, the rapid development of technology has brought both unprecedented opportunities and numerous challenges. I believe the department of industrial design is at a critical juncture in its historical development and will continue to thrive and improve in the future," he said.

Liu Guanzhong, distinguished professor at Tsinghua University and former director of the department of industrial design, speaks at the opening of the event themed "ID 60 Years: Retrospect and Prospect of Industrial Design Education in China" at AADTHU, Beijing, Nov. 8, 2024. [Photo courtesy of AADTHU]

Liu Guanzhong, a distinguished professor at Tsinghua University and former director of the department of industrial design, emphasized that design is not just about sensory satisfaction but is deeply connected to cultural heritage and basic human needs like food, clothing, shelter and transportation. He stressed the need to educate students with systematic, logical thinking and promote the department's long-term development through cultural and spiritual enhancement. Liu also highlighted the importance of talent cultivation. "Chinese design must promote a philosophy with Chinese characteristics, draw from advanced global experiences, and offer unique Chinese perspectives and wisdom to contribute to the community with a shared future for mankind," he said.

Liu Ning, president of the China Industrial Design Association, speaks at the opening of the event themed "ID 60 Years: Retrospect and Prospect of Industrial Design Education in China" at AADTHU, Beijing, Nov. 8, 2024. [Photo courtesy of AADTHU]

Liu Ning, president of the China Industrial Design Association, noted that over the past 60 years, AADTHU's department of industrial design has closely aligned its development with national needs, sharing in the country's socio-economic transformation, cultivating generations of top designers and scholars, and making significant contributions to industrial design in China. He specially stressed in today's challenging era, there's an increasing demand for higher education and sci-tech talent, that his association will continue to strengthen its collaborations with the department and contribute more significantly to the nation.

Deng Chengbin, former president of AADTHU's Shenzhen Alumni Association, speaks at the opening of the event themed "ID 60 Years: Retrospect and Prospect of Industrial Design Education in China" at AADTHU, Beijing, Nov. 8, 2024. [Photo courtesy of AADTHU]

Deng Chengbin, former president of AADTHU's Shenzhen Alumni Association, compared attending the celebration to "coming home." He reminisced fondly about his time studying in the department of industrial design, saying that these courses not only sparked his deep exploration into the essence of design but also nurtured his innovative thinking in cross-disciplinary design work. Drawing on his experiences, Deng emphasized that design requires social recognition and value affirmation. "My past experience in the department of industrial design pushed me to constantly explore how to respond to societal needs through design," he said.

Hao Ninghui, dean of the School of Design at the Central Academy of Fine Arts and alumni representative, speaks at the opening of the event themed "ID 60 Years: Retrospect and Prospect of Industrial Design Education in China" at AADTHU, Beijing, Nov. 8, 2024. [Photo courtesy of AADTHU]

Hao Ninghui, dean of the School of Design at the Central Academy of Fine Arts and alumni representative, emphasized that AADTHU's department of industrial design has undertaken the important mission of cultivating Chinese design talent over the past six decades, producing countless outstanding designers. He expressed his deep respect for the predecessors who silently contributed to the field of industrial design, the hardworking faculty on the front lines, and the design students who continue to pursue their dreams. Hao stated that the department's teachers have always inspired students with the spirit of "actions speak louder than words." He then encouraged younger students to bravely pursue their design dreams and wished the department continued success in nurturing more talent to make greater contributions to the design industry.

Wang Mingzhi, former vice president of Tsinghua University and former dean of AADTHU, speaks at the opening of the event themed "ID 60 Years: Retrospect and Prospect of Industrial Design Education in China" at AADTHU, Beijing, Nov. 8, 2024. [Photo courtesy of AADTHU]

Wang Mingzhi, former vice president of Tsinghua University, former dean of AADTHU, and distinguished professor of arts, humanities and social sciences, was thrilled by the alumni achievement exhibition themed "Actions Speak Louder Than Words." He expressed his pride in the professional products on display and delight at the department of industrial design's accomplishments. Recalling the founding of the Central Academy of Arts & Design, now known as AADTHU, he paid tribute to its key founder, Zheng Ke, for his outstanding contributions to industrial design's early development in China. Wang also honored the academy's first design graduates for their pioneering work in Chinese design, and expressed respect for the past leadership and faculty for their innovations in industrial design. He closed by wishing the department continued prosperity and officially declared the opening of the exhibition.

AADTHU, formerly the Central Academy of Arts & Design founded in 1956, pioneered China's industrial design education system. In a seminal move in 1964, professor Zheng Ke, who had returned from studying in France, initiated with others the "Industrial Art Design Class" at the academy. He led students in designing vehicles, including buses, trucks and diesel locomotives, which had a significant social impact. This marked the start of industrial design education in the early stages of industrial development in the People's Republic of China.

In 1975, a group of pioneers established China's first department of industrial arts, launching modern industrial product design education. In 1984, the department of industrial arts was developed into the industrial design department at the Central Academy of Arts & Design. This transformation set the stage for a structured design education framework and methodology. This year, the department also celebrates the 40th anniversary of its renaming.

Documents from the department of industrial design on display at the alumni achievement exhibition marking the industrial design major's 60th anniversary at AADTHU, Beijing, Nov. 8, 2024. [Photo courtesy of AADTHU]

In 1999, the Central Academy of Arts & Design merged with Tsinghua University to become AADTHU, embracing the academic banner of art and science integration and beginning the exploration of interdisciplinary development. During the AADTHU era, the department of industrial design further expanded its role and influence in interdisciplinary integration, achieving comprehensive development in areas such as design theory, foundational design education, research-oriented talent cultivation, and industry-university-research cooperation. The department's faculty team has guided numerous emerging designers in their efforts and forging ahead, contributing many outstanding design professionals to the rapid development of China's industry since reform and opening up. At the same time, the department has maintained its leading position in design education in the nation.

Guests visit the alumni achievement exhibition themed "Actions Speak Louder Than Words" marking the 60th anniversary of the industrial design major at AADTHU, Beijing, Nov. 8, 2024. [Photo courtesy of AADTHU]

After the opening ceremony for the department's 60th anniversary celebration, guests toured the alumni achievement exhibition, themed "Actions Speak Louder Than Words." The exhibition was divided into three sections: product design, transportation vehicle design, and display design, showcasing the department's decades of expertise in design education and the remarkable achievements of its alumni.

The product design section featured nearly 200 works across fields such as cellphones, home appliances, cultural and creative products, and industrial equipment. The transportation vehicle design section displayed over 20 vehicles, including cars, motorcycles and aircraft. Meanwhile, the display design section highlighted major projects led by faculty and alumni, including large-scale exhibitions, public spaces, museums and national-level celebrations.

Experts take part in a roundtable discussion during an academic seminar marking the 60th anniversary of the industrial design major at AADTHU, Beijing, Nov. 8, 2024. [Photo courtesy of AADTHU]

An academic seminar with the theme "Design  Dream  Future" followed, attended by around 300 teachers, students, alumni and guests. It began with a roundtable on industrial design education and talent development. A panel of eight experts discussed the legacy, innovative practices and future trends in design education, focusing on adapting to societal and business needs, maintaining innovation amid rapid technological change, and fostering collaboration between industries, universities and research institutes to enhance the impact and application of industrial design.

In the alumni session, eight industry leaders shared case studies, exploring how design drives product innovation, brand development and business benefits. Drawing on their experiences, they examined the applications of design in business, social innovation, display art, smart technology, user experience and entrepreneurship. The seminar reviewed the achievements of industrial design education in China and encouraged young designers to embrace limitless possibilities through innovation.
Photo: Lev Radin/Pacific Press/Getty Images

In June, Governor Kathy Hochul shocked the New York political world when she asked the MTA to delay the implementation of its planned congestion-pricing program, arguing that the planned $15 toll would be too much of a burden on the average New Yorker. But this week, the governor officially revealed a revised version of the plan just weeks before Donald Trump, an ardent opponent of the program, is set to return to the White House. Now, the question is whether the federal government will be able to kill it after January 20.

On Thursday, Hochul announced a new iteration of the congestion-pricing program with a $9 toll for drivers traveling at or below 60th Street in Manhattan, one of the citys most highly traversed and congested regions.

Hochul said that while the reduced toll marks a 40 percent reduction from the initial $15 figure, it will still generate $15 billion in revenue allotted to back MTA capital projects. (Drivers coming into Manhattan after 9 p.m. will be charged even less, and drivers making less than $50,000 will qualify for a 50 percent discount after they rack up ten tolls in a month.) The federal government will have to approve the amended toll figure and sign an agreement, which is expected to happen next week, with two months left in President Joe Bidens term.

Hochuls announcement came days after Trump secured a second term in the White House. (There was also persistent speculation that the delay was intended to move the controversial issue off the board prior to the November election, something Hochul has denied.) Trump has been a consistent opponent of congestion pricing and once vowed on social media to TERMINATE the program during his first week in office. In a statement, Trump blasted Hochuls decision but did not preview any potential moves that he might take once in office. It will be virtually impossible for New York City to come back as long as the congestion tax is in effect, Trump said. It will hurt workers, families, and businesses, but in particular, anything to do with jobs.

During his first term, Trumps administration showed a tendency for halting transit and infrastructure projects that were already in the works. As noted by Curbed, Trump dragged his feet on providing federal funding for the Gateway Tunnel project, which involves building new Hudson River tunnels and replacing crucial rail infrastructure between New York and New Jersey. The Biden administration ultimately approved funding for the project, which is now in progress, but questions remain about whether future aspects of it could face delays during a second Trump term.

Congestion pricings opponents arent limited to the incoming White House. As reports emerged that a congestion-pricing revival was imminent, several New York Republicans issued a letter to Trump urging him to stop the program from taking effect. The House members accused the Biden administration of allowing the MTA program to skip a thorough environmental-review process and alleged that the agency manipulated the Federal Highway Administrations tolling pilot program to get congestion pricing approved.

And the plan will continue to have its opponents in neighboring New Jersey. Governor Phil Murphy, who filed a lawsuit challenging congestion pricing earlier this year citing potential impacts to the state, said in a statement that he is firmly opposed to any attempt to implement the program ahead of the new administration taking office and will continue to fight against the matter in court.

Hochul told reporters that her decision to revive the plan in this manner was unrelated to Trumps past threats against congestion pricing and that shes not concerned about any actions he might take once in office. Theres threats every day of the week; I dont worry about anything. I really dont, she said.
Photo: John Lamparski/Getty Images

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Youve probably heard the news: The resistance is dead.

Its demise was predicted even before Donald Trumps victory on November 5. In January, Ian Bassin, the founder of Protect Democracy, told Politico that if Trump were to win a second term, the civil-society, pro-democracy, grassroots movement will feel incredibly defeated and deflated. Sure enough, days after Trumps win, at a rally in Washington held by the Womens March, a woman told the New York Times, I didnt even want to come down  I was on the metro and Im like, you know what? This might actually make us feel worse. Why bother, especially now? Pucks Dylan Byers wrote that the liberal-left media was bailing on its anti-Trump coverage in an article titled The #Resistance Is Futile. And on Saturday Night Live, comedian Bill Burr crowed, Alright ladies, youre 0 and 2 against this guy, suggesting that future female presidential candidates should ditch the pantsuits and learn to whore it up a little.

Burrs joke channeled some ambient postelection frustration with the women who had come together angrily after 2016 to march and lead the hashtag resistance, women often caricatured as pussy-hatted, hard-brunching dilettantes. His ire was particularly potent given signs that they were about to rise again. There were reports of white women on TikTok donning blue bracelets as signs of racial solidarity. There were rumblings of a Peoples March, with permits sponsored partly by the Womens March, an organization long since distanced from its founders. On X, reporter Dave Weigel predicted that any such event would pale in comparison to the 2017 turnout and provide a check-up on how much less protest/direct action energy there is compared to eight years ago, saying he had observed a not doing that again, didnt work vibe.

In the face of a devastating rout in which it appeared half of white women had again voted for Trump, and with every political commentator in possession of a suit jacket asserting their surety of what had gone wrong, the last thing anyone wanted to hear about was stupid blue bracelets or a chunky-pink-knit reunion tour. As Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said in the weeks before the election, I dont want to do four more years of resistance nonsense under Donald Trump. Good god! Do we remember what it was like waking up every day and there was some shit going on?

I do remember. I didnt want to do it again either.

Yet on the morning after the election, Ocasio-Cortez herself woke up and got on Instagram Live, looking exhausted but determined as she took stock of what had just happened, talking about misogyny, the Democrats inattention to class issues, and the voters in her own working-class multiracial district swinging toward Trump. She noted that there have been mass movements of people that mobilize to protect one another in times of fascism and authoritarianism and this is the era we are poised to enter. It wasnt just the big-name public faces of the earlier resistance who woke up on Wednesday ready to go back to work. Less than 24 hours after the race had been called, a friend in Maine, who had worked nonstop during the election and whom I expected to be holed up nursing her wounds somewhere, instead forwarded me an invitation to a virtual event about White Peoples Work After a MAGA Win. Six thousand people were on the call. Theyre telling us, Focus, this is real, and we have to organize now. Pull it together, she told me.

That Thursday, a call co-hosted by Indivisible and Working Families Party drew more than 137,000 people. That went for hours, said Fatima Goss-Graves, the director of the National Womens Law Center. I dont think I spoke until 10 p.m., and people stayed on and attendance grew. People are seeking not only community but ways to engage.

As election results came in, Id been texting despondently with Amanda Litman, co-founder of Run for Something, a resistance-era organization that supports young progressive first-time candidates for state and local office. She hoped, shed said, that her organization could carry on doing consequential work even without a resistance 2.0, which I do not expect to see. Seven days later, 7,000 people had signed up with Run for Something, seven times the number it had drawn the week it launched on Trumps first Inauguration Day. I was shocked, to be honest, said Litman. Im so glad to be wrong.

While the guys on television were expressing their Big Feelings about everything everyone had done wrong and the bleak future we face because of it, the women I was seeing on Zoom screens looked flinty and clear-eyed, like they had simply vomited and slept and were now ready to discuss legal, medical, electoral, and fundraising strategies. As Indivisible co-founder Leah Greenberg observed to me with wonder after the 137,000-person call, Its been 72 hours. At this time in 2016, people were mostly just crying in bed and buying Hillbilly Elegy.

The resistance is dead. Long live the resistance?

Any theory on the future of The Resistance depends on how you understood it to begin with. For some, it refers to the constellation of groups that put fanatical faith in liberal-democratic institutions  media, government, the judiciary  to hold Trump to account or even oust him from office. These were people who wore Mueller-Time T-shirts, carried Democracy Dies in Darkness tote bags, and posted on Facebook a lot. Adjacent to this was the more explicitly feminized social-media activism, women with bedazzled Nevertheless, She Persisted sweats, and In This House, We Believe signs on their lawns. Like a terrible haircut from not that long ago, these earnest, faddish signifiers have come to haunt resisters, understood now as the hollow messaging of people very new to political engagement.

But derision of the merchandized detritus of first-stage resistance organizing often worked to obscure the seriousness of what was happening among many Americans who had never before been politically active and who had been both appalled and galvanized by the defeat of Hillary Clinton. The first big public gathering, the Womens March, wasnt just an Instagrammable party. It was spiky and contentious, bringing together Hillary heads and Berners, leftists and moderates, hard-core activists and wide-eyed newbies, as well as the grifters and profiteers who adhere to any mass movement. It was at the time the largest single-day protest in the countrys history, built to encourage intra-movement communication and a messy move toward solidarity. Plus Pussy Grabs Back signs.

From there, women broke in a dizzying array of organizing directions. Some helped drive the wildcat teachers strikes that spread in 2018 across Oklahoma, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Arizona. Others disrupted Republican-lawmaker town halls, helping to save the Affordable Care Act from repeal in Trumps first year in office, and harried administration officials responsible for the family-separation policy. The shared fury of women led to the Me Too movement, which resulted in powerful and abusive figures losing positions of institutional authority, and to sexual-harassment walkouts at companies including McDonalds and Google. A historic number of women ran for office, flooding candidate-training groups like Emerge and Higher Heights. Others got to work organizing on their behalf in municipal and local races, creating Democratic infrastructure in places that the party had left unattended for generations.

This organizing produced material results all over the country. This iteration of the resistance was the force that flipped the House to Democratic control in 2018, staved off a red wave in 2022, and won majorities in Michigan and Minnesota, where laws were subsequently passed to protect abortion access and LGBTQ rights and ensure free school lunches. It helped secure State Supreme Court seats in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania and a streak of ballot referenda on abortion rights post-Dobbs, including in blood-red Kentucky, Ohio, and Kansas  ensuring that, for a while at least, tens of millions more Americans have had access to health care they would otherwise not have had. Litman told me that Run for Something has helped to elect 1,500 millennial and Gen-Z leaders across the country, its alumni beating hard-right Moms for Liberty candidates for school boards and city councils, ending single-family zoning in Berkeley, winning meals for students in Virginia, and fighting anti-trans legislation in West Virginia. Even in last weeks terrible election for Democrats, young Democratic candidates flipped red seats in Kentucky, Iowa, Washington, and North Carolina.

Indeed, last week, while the country swung away from Democrats pretty significantly, said Lara Putnam, a University of Pittsburgh historian who has been studying the flow of people, especially women, into local organizing in Western Pennsylvanias Allegheny County since 2017, in many places, down-ballot Democrats  not just congressional, but state legislative races  did pretty well, citing races in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. Putnam sees the results as evidence of on-the-ground infrastructure that is a sequential consequence of resistance organizing. It got us to the point where Harris could lose Pennsylvania roundly yet Democrats could maintain control of the statehouse. Thats insane!

The women shes studied, Putnam went on, were much more ideologically diverse and flexible than some of the national groups like Run for Something or Sister District, often getting behind candidates who fell to the right of their center-left sensibilities just to build a normie, centrist Democratic Party pipeline. There was no such thing in so many places, she said, and over the course of 2017 to 2018, they went from zero to 60 in their understanding of how many electoral offices there are in Pennsylvania. The thousands of people she has tracked, she said, may be a small portion of the electorate, but a huge number to be very active in terms of doing hands-on super-boring unpaid political work, the housekeeping of politics.

To me, this is an amazing story, said Putnam, and its definitely not a story about blue friendship bracelets. As Putnam noted, many of the women she studies are over 40 and not on TikTok or Instagram, and none of them think politics is about performative allyship.

The urge to demonize and dismiss these women, despite their impact, is strong from both party and press, neither of which has ever been eager to take seriously  or sometimes even notice  the nation-shaping political activation of women, unless they are of the right-wing Moms for Liberty variety. There has been little acknowledgment that the almost entirely volunteer efforts of regular-degular women in communities around the country  not just the recent exertions of previously disengaged white women but the electoral labor performed unrelentingly by Black women for generations  has done more to preserve and repair the broken Democratic Party at state and local levels than the efforts of the well-paid, expensively dressed, smooth-brained Democratic consultant class or the political press, both of which tend to obsess over the shiny highest offices, forget local- and state-power building, fly quadrennially into local communities about which they know nothing, and advise candidates against embracing issues that turn out to be more popular with voters than the candidates who listen to consultants advice.

Heading into the earliest days of the Trump Two era, its striking that it turns out not to be burnt-out women on the ground who are waving a white flag but some of the best-resourced men at the top, including those who have been most dismissive of womens efforts.

Dmitri Mehlhorn, adviser to billionaire Democratic donor Reid Hoffman, has argued to donors that they should not encourage Democrats to run on abortion and after November 5 announced his retreat from politics. For the last nine years, wrote Mehlhorn wearily, I threw everything I had into defending America, but now that fight is done. Bemoaning the end of the Second American Republic, Mehlhorn declared, Im heading back to the private sector.

Mehlhorns capitulation came on the heels of billionaire Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos, steward of the Democracy Dies in Darkness brand, stopping his paper from endorsing Harris a week before Election Day. And Bezoss premature submission itself recalls the swiftness with which senior Democratic officials were willing to throw in their towels after Bidens bad debate in June, after which one senior House Democrat told Axios, Weve all resigned ourselves to a second Trump presidency.

This from these powerful people, all while resistance-style affinity groups immediately dove in and raised millions for the fledgling Kamala Harris campaign. And no. It did not work. But, you know, at least they tried.

This story for us doesnt end with we lost that one time and gave up, said Goss-Graves, who is also a civil-rights lawyer. That is just not how the story ends. This is a particularly tough period in our nations history but its actually not the worst period for Black folks or for women in this country. I dont want to sound glib when I say this, but I never thought the fight for our freedom would be easily secured or durable without further fight.

There is no question that the loss of the White House and Senate will make every aspect of organizing harder, especially for those on the ground, who will be further underfunded. The big-money top dogs walking away with their tails between their legs are going to further hurt those already struggling after a presidential contest that soaked up a gobsmacking number of dollars. On November 13, the day after sign-ups for Run for Something crossed the 7,000 mark, the organization reduced its staff following two years of fundraising shortfalls.

On-the-ground organizers have had gaps in the tens of millions, Litman told me. Fundraising was so dire that to ensure long-term sustainability, we are restructuring now. It was alarming then, and its even more horrifying now, how much the ecosystem had to contract in the year leading up to the most consequential election of a lifetime.

This is the thing: The presidential race ate up all the money  one billion dollars  and there wont be another one for four years, but the work at the municipal, local, state, and legal level is never-ending. Filing deadlines are just around the corner, said Litman, noting that the organizations restructuring will permit it to continue to support the rush of young people into elected office and that she is hopeful that once donors lick their wounds, they will come back.

Greenberg said that she doesnt mind watching the resistance being written off as dead, at least for now: It is a very funny instance of overwhelmingly D.C./male pundits and reporters rushing to declare that things they arent personally paying attention to are not happening, while the actual work happens in a thousand homes across the country. She acknowledged that there are real questions about strategy moving forward. But our folks are not like Dmitri Mehlhorn, she said. They dont give up.

The legacy of the past eight years is not simply a gutting presidential loss. There are tools and mechanisms in place: shield laws and sanctuary states. People new to engagement now have had practice at losing and getting back up again; that is crucial. The muscle memory has kicked back in as the grief and shock has worn off, Litman told me. It feels more clear-eyed about how hard this will be. But there is also a history of winning against him.

There is a history of winning, even this fall, on abortion. Seven out of the ten state ballot initiatives protecting access to abortion passed in 2024, and in Florida a significant majority  57 percent, more than voted for either Trump or senator Rick Scott  favored abortion protections; it just wasnt enough to cross the 60 percent supermajority threshold needed for it to pass. David Leonhardt of the Times has pronounced the Trump-abortion split evidence that the election was not a referendum on abortion and that Democrats who emphasized the issue were engaging in wishful thinking that it could deliver a victory. But not only were these referenda tangible victories for the women who will now be able to access reproductive care (a fact Leonhardt doesnt deign to acknowledge, instead depicting abortion-rights proponents as naive ideologues who dont understand politics), they were also some of the only aspects of the election the Democrats got right.

The Resistance has now experienced both the overturn of Roe and the electoral victories that followed in its wake; they have learned about abortion funds, read Project 2025, and have some idea of what might be coming next. Nothing has to be the same this time because we are not the same.

I think the 2016 resistance is dead and thats a good thing, said Nelini Stamp, director of strategy for the Working Families Party. That style of resistance was an on-ramp for a lot of people, and a lot of people took it. Now, it is more like, Lets get to work. Ive seen nothing but action. Not people being reactionary and saying Resist or Not my president; theyre taking time to plan, talking to their communities. Theres an advocacy infrastructure thats grown, an electoral infrastructure, a legal infrastructure.

Or as Litman put it, This time we can all jump right in without building the plane while we fly it.
Photo: Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images

Donald Trump has been steadily rolling out the names in his new administration, featuring a mix of typical Republican politicians such as Representative Elise Stefanik and Senator Marco Rubio as well as more wild-card choices like Fox News commentator Pete Hegseth and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. But no nomination has sparked as much fervor on both sides of the aisle as Trump naming Florida representative Matt Gaetz as his U.S. attorney general.

Gaetz, a loyal Trump ally, was an immediately contentious pick, due to his significant lack of legal experience compared to past attorneys general as well as his penchant for antagonizing his congressional colleagues, regardless of party affiliation. The Florida congressman has long been embroiled in numerous ethics investigations including a Justice Department probe into whether he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old and traveled out of state with her, which could constitute sex trafficking. Though the federal government ultimately ended its inquiry without bringing any charges against Gaetz, the House Ethics Committee revived its investigation in 2023 after deferring to the agency.

But the news that Gaetz intended to withdraw his name from consideration has put the release of the committees final report even further into question. The panel, which also looked into whether Gaetz used illegal drugs or misused campaign funds, was set to vote November 15 on whether to publicize its report on the congressman. But that decision was quickly disrupted as Gaetz officially submitted his immediate resignation from the House last week, removing himself from the panels jurisdiction. The rescheduled meeting for Wednesday left more answers about the reports fate than it answered. The Associated Press reports that the Republicans on the committee voted against releasing the report, pushing the issue back to a future meeting in December.

Though the committee can no longer enforce penalties on the now former member, many in Congress have urged the group to move forward with releasing the report, citing its increased importance now that Gaetz is Trumps attorney general pick. Others argue that the committees findings are no longer relevant now that Gaetz has left the House. House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters Friday that hes not in favor of releasing the report and he intends to relay his stance to the committee. Im going to strongly request that the Ethics Committee not issue the report because that is not the way we do things in the House, and I think that would be a terrible precedent to set, he said, per CNN. Johnson has also denied discussing the report with Trump and insisted that his comments against the reports release arent at odds with his earlier refusal to discuss the report because the panel works independently of the speaker.

Gaetzs withdrawal has changed the situation for some in the chamber. Senate Judiciary Committee chair Dick Durbin, who pushed for the reports release, indicated his stance has shifted since Gaetz dropped his bid. My interest in him, in his political future, our governments future, is diminished dramatically by this decision. So there are lots of other things we need to do, he said, per Politico.

However, Democratic Representative Sean Casten of Illinois, who filed a resolution intended to force a vote on the reports release, said that Gaetzs withdrawal doesnt change anything. While I welcome the news that Matt Gaetz is withdrawing from consideration for Attorney General, it remains important that the Gaetz report be made available to the American people, he said in a statement.

While the committees final decision remains unclear, there is no official rule barring the release of an ethics report on a member that has resigned. Previously, the committee publicized reports on former representative William Boner in 1987, as well as Representative Donald Lukens in 1990. Its also possible that the report will be leaked if the committee decides not to release it.
23 items in this article 6 items on sale! Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers

As exciting as pregnancy can be, it can also be uncomfortable, anxiety-filled, and completely discombobulating. The body goes through so many changes that it can be difficult for the mom-to-be to feel like herself for nine-plus months, which is why a gift that pampers and puts her at ease can go a long way toward making this new stage of life more enjoyable. To help you shop for the pregnant person in your life, I rounded up a bunch of ideas from a handful of pregnant (or recently pregnant) people, including from Strategist staffers and yours truly, about the gifts they swear by  or wished they had gotten. Whether shes struggling with morning sickness or restless-leg syndrome, hunting for maternity clothing that actually fits and looks good, or craving all the snacks, heres 23 gifts that will soothe, amuse, and get her ready for her due date. For gifts for the baby, check out 100 of the Strategists favorite baby-registry picks here. And for everyone else on your list, head to our holiday-gift-guide hub.

Update on December 10, 2024: Added new products; updated prices and checked stock for all products.

Gifts $25 and under

The Big Fat Activity Book for Pregnant People, by Jordan Reid and Erin Williams $12 $19 now 37% off $12 When I was pregnant with my first kid, a friend sent me a care package that included ginger chews, anti-nausea pressure bands, and this cheeky activity book that celebrates the absurdity of pregnancy with quizzes, fill-in-the-blanks, and journaling prompts. Instead of peddling the usual hyperpositive, mama-centric musings on what its like to have a bun in the oven, this pop-culture-reference-filled book lets you laugh at all the unpleasant things about growing a human inside of you, like the constipation, bloating, and epic mood swings that come with it. $12 at Amazon Buy $12 at Amazon Buy

Papier Daily Wellness Journal Diary $32 $35 now 9% off $32 If the activity book feels a little too irreverent, a guided journal like this one from Papier might be more their speed. While this wellness-themed one isnt specifically for pregnancy, the prompts are relevant. They can track their daily energy levels, movement, and sleep goals, all of which are important to be mindful of when theres a bun in the oven. $32 at Amazon Buy $32 at Amazon Buy

Kodak FunSaver 35-mm. Single-Use Camera $17 $20 now 15% off $17 Another way to capture moments during pregnancy is on film. Strategist senior writer Liza Corsillo used disposable cameras to record her growing belly when she was pregnant. I wanted to document this period of time, but I also felt a little self-conscious in photos, so these disposable cameras made it easier to record certain moments or bump evolution without the immediate self-judgment that comes with hormonal shifts, she said. Plus, I always think film photos are more flattering. $17 at Amazon Buy $16 at B&H Photo and Video Buy

Gifts $50 and under

My Neighbors Tallow Bambino Balm $32 $32 Heres another all-natural moisturizer made with beef tallow that Mouzon Wofford loves for how safe and hydrating it is, both in pregnancy and beyond. My husband and I both use the tallow specifically on our dry hands, she says. With a new baby you are constantly hand washing after a million diaper changes, and you get really dry. The tallow is nourishing and protecting. This particular formation is fragrance-free, so its great to use on baby skin, too. $32 at My Neighbor's Tallow Buy

Officine Universelle Buly Baby Brush $31 $31 Buying things for the baby-to-come is always a nice gesture, too. Creative director Katie Merchant, who writes the Substack Thank You, OK and just welcomed her first child, loves this sweet baby brush from Officine Universelle Buly that can be monogrammed with the babys name. [Editors note: The brush is currently on backorder, but you can sign up to be notified by email when it is restocked. Officine Universelle Buly lists all prices in euros, so the price shown is an approximate conversion in U.S. dollars.] $31 at Officine Universelle Buly Buy

Bae Me And You Nursing Tee $54 $54 Finding comfortable, actually cute maternity clothing is harder than it sounds. Yang was looking for an alternative to formfitting tops with ruching on the sides when she came across this not tight T-shirt from Bae at the beginning of her third trimester. I liked that first one so much I bought three more a week after I had the baby, she said. I wore these almost every day for five months straight. Its really good for nursing; I like how it keeps my midsection covered and drafts out when Im pumping. $54 at Bae Buy

Bokksu Gift Bokksu Snack Box From $50 From $50 Pregnancy cravings can run the gamut from shaved ice to spicy foods (and everything in between), and having an assortment of snacks to satisfy your current urge is really nice because it changes so often and is really the most random things, like marshmallows! says Jones. Japanese snack-subscription company Bokksu ships between 20 to 24 snacks, candies, and tea pairings directly from Japan, so you can gift the pregnant people on your list a snack for each of their sweet and salty whims. Every box comes with a little magazine that details each items origin, flavors, and potential common allergens, so theyll know exactly what theyre biting into. Single boxes start at $65, or you can get them a three-, six-, or 12-month subscription. From $50 at Bokksu Buy

Gifts $100 and under

Quince Mongolian Cashmere Sweatpants $100 $100 Heres something a little more luxe. Home and lifestyle editor Elyse Moody bought these 100 percent cashmere joggers when she was pregnant with her second child and promises that they would make an excellent gift. $100 at Quince Buy

Lanshin Massager by Acera $60 $60 This porcelain massager can be used to target specific problem areas during pregnancy and postpartum, too. Strategist contributor Fiorella Valdesolo relied on it to combat carpal tunnel when she was pregnant (the condition is sometimes called mommy thumb) but also to alleviate clogged milk ducts when breastfeeding. To use, fill the porcelain vessel with hot water, cap it with the silicone lid, then pass the bumps across any sore spots. Its glazed with crushed tourmaline crystal, which is supposed to have soothing, infrared properties. $60 at SSENSE Buy

Bombas Womens Everyday Compression Sock 3-Pack $84 $84 Pregnant people can experience swelling, too, but good compression socks like these from Bombas can help. Corsillo wore them all throughout her third trimester and in the hospital, and while she said she still got really swollen anyway, they made it more comfortable because they were so soft. She adds, I was also just nice to have warm socks that made me feel less stressed out about taking long car rides and also didnt make me look like a grandma from 1950. They also come in a merino wool blend, for colder climates. $84 at Bombas Buy

Storq Easy Button-up $98 $98 For something slightly more formal than the Bae tee, consider this flowy button-up from Storq that I wore during both my pregnancies (and postpartum, too). Its made of the softest, wrinkle-free, woven modal-blend fabric and can be worn as a shirt or a cover-up, pairing equally well with leggings or over a dress. Its also roomy and long enough to cover your butt, but still manages to make you look put together. $98 at Storq Buy

Parachute Down-Alternative Body-Pillow Insert $80 A body pillow to support sleeping on your side is another item that will help a pregnant person get a more comfortable nights sleep. Yang purchased this down-alternative one after striking out with other pillows shed tried during previous pregnancies. This pillow is exactly what I had hoped for: soft, lofty, airy, and cooling when I feel overly warm; warm and comforting when I feel a little cold; and easy to maneuver into place, she wrote. They can pair it with this lovely linen cover. $80 at Parachute Buy

Gifts $150 and up

Toast Collage Floral Cotton Nightdress $160 $160 Both Merchant and Mouzon Wofford agree that a flow-y nightgown can also be a nice, versatile alternative to traditional maternitywear. Mouzon Wofford particularly likes this cotton one from Toast that will grow with your belly. $160 at US.Toast Buy

Caraa Baby Changing Kit Nylon $150 Caraa makes some very stylish diaper bags and baby accessories that dont scream baby, including this changing kit that could easily pass for a clutch. Made from a cloudlike padded and waterproof nylon, the portable diaper station comes with a removable memory-foam changing pad, pockets for diapers, wipes, and more, and a stroller strap. $150 at Caraa Buy

Yinova Treatment Gift Card From $175 A gift card from the Yinova Center, an acupuncture and Chinese-medicine practice based in New York, topped Corsillos pregnancy wish list. I started going to Yinova on a weekly basis for fertility-focused acupuncture. When I was pregnant, I would go for help with anxiety and all the little aches and pains I had been getting as my body changes, she says. It was a calm oasis that I looked forward to every week. From $175 at Yinova Center Buy

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36 items in this article 13 items on sale! Photo-Illustration: Photo-Illustration: Stevie Remsberg; Photos: Courtesy of the retailers

While it might not seem like much, at least from an adult point of view, the difference between a child who just turned 3 and one who just turned 4 can be enormous. According to Jeannette Corey, director of the Bank Street Family Center, 4-year-olds continue to engage in pretend play, but that play becomes more sophisticated and is more dependent on their expanding language skills. They are also more physically mature and able to use more advanced techniques when drawing, painting, or sculpting a hunk of Play-Doh. As a result, their art becomes more representational, Corey says.

In practical terms, that means they might experiment with telling jokes and be interested in adopting words and phrases they hear adults say. They are endlessly curious, oftentimes goofy, and creative enough to invent their own games and play scenarios. To help you find gifts that encourage this curiosity and creativity, we asked child-development specialists like Corey, toy experts, and discerning parents to recommend their favorites. Weve organized the 37 toy recommendations below by price range, so if you have a budget in mind, you can use the table of contents to jump right to that section  or read all the way through to get a full picture of the best gifts for 4-year-olds.

Meanwhile, if youre also shopping for kids in other age groups, we have gift guides for 1-year-olds, 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds, 5-year-olds, 6-year-olds, 7-year-olds, 8-year-olds, 9-year-olds, 10-year-olds, 11-year-olds, and 12-year-olds plus the meticulously curated Strategist Toy Store, filled with all our greatest hits.

Update on January 31, 2025: Replaced a sold-out LEGO building set with a slightly different one; updated prices and checked stock for all products.

Under $25

Richard Scarrys Busytown Board Game $29 now 21% off $23 My older son, who is a huge fan of Richard Scarry books, loved playing this game after he received it for his 4th birthday, reports Strategist writer Lauren Ro. Its basically the world of Busytown in board-game form  interactive, silly, and super fun. Players work as a team to race to the island on a ferry before the picnicking pigs eat all the food. Depending on what you spin, you either advance or go on a scavenger hunt to collect different objects on the six-foot-long game board. Its actually pretty challenging, even for adults, Ro says, since theres so much ground to cover and the illustrations are quite detailed (just like in the books). But Augie relishes the challenge and gets really excited each time he plays. $23 at Amazon Buy

Play22 Take Apart Racing Car Toy $19 $32 now 41% off $19 Open the box, and youve got the basics of an auto-body shop, says Jason Feifer, editor-in-chief of Entrepreneur magazine, podcast host, and dad of two. Theres a big plastic drill that spins at non-dangerous speeds as well as the disassembled parts of a car  chassis, roof, wheels, bumpers, and a bunch of screws. At first, a very practical parent might assemble the car and think  Thats it? But to kids, it becomes an endless experiment: Theyll spend hours mastering their screwing technique, changing the wheels around (or screwing them into the roof or front bumper), and generally just re-pimping this ride over and over and over. $19 at Amazon Buy

Peaceable Kingdom Dinosaur Escape Cooperative Memory Game $20 now 15% off $17 Ros son is also a fan of this dino-themed cooperative game where kids have to work together and use their memory to get the dinosaurs to safety before the volcano explodes. Augie loves the many interactive components involved: rolling the die; flipping over tokens to try to find the matching dinosaurs; and even building the volcano in the center when you get unlucky, she says. $17 at Amazon Buy $18 at Walmart Buy

Creativity for Kids Create With Clay Dinosaurs $19 $20 now 5% off $19 Speaking of dinosaurs, this clay-dinosaur craft kit makes kids feel like one part artist, one part paleontologist as they mold their own prehistoric beasts, using little tools and bright clay to cover up faux fossils. $19 at Amazon Buy

Melissa & Doug See & Spell Learning Toy $20 $28 now 29% off $20 Before they actually start to learn to read, children work on pre-reading skills like letter forms, storytelling, and spacing, among other things. According to Lori Caplan-Colon, a speech and language pathologist at Montclair Speech Therapy, this set of wooden letters with corresponding pictures and word guides simplifies the process by letting kids focus on the simple act of building a word. The directed, goal-oriented play helps children celebrate each win as they gain mastery, learning important sight words and improving fine motor skills all the while, says Caplan-Colon $20 at Amazon Buy $28 at Walmart Buy

UCEC Decorative Paper Edge Scissor Set $7 $7 Corey recommends stocking a play space with age-appropriate art supplies that support process over product, and scissors are a superlative tool for honing fine motor skills and improving hand strength. The wacky edges on this easy-to-grip, child-safe set come in six different shapes for wavier, more interesting borders. $7 at Amazon Buy

At this age, many kids are starting to experiment with personal style and fashion. And lots of 4-year-olds love accessorizing their bold style choices with temporary tattoos. You can find tons of great options on Amazon, but Kelly Harris Smith, founder of the Boston-based Minni art space, recommends Tattly temporary tattoos because the company supports working artists, and the unique designs are more exciting. The brand has a huge selection of tattoos so you can tailor the theme to your childs interests, whether thats Richard Scarry characters, outer space, unicorns, or pizza slices.

For the animal lover, speech-language pathologist and mom Ellice Kim Lacerda recommends figurines from Schleich, the German toy company thats been around since 1935. In general, we love the Schleich figurines. We always add a few different animals to every holiday and birthday wish list, she says. They are pricier than other figurines, but they look realistic and are very durable. (And for eco-conscious families, the brand has a new line of fully recyclable figurines; once youre done playing with them, you can send them back to the company where theyll be used to make new toys.) Whether your kid prefers dinosaurs or wild animals, theres something for everyone.

Miniland Newborn Baby Doll $25 $28 now 11% off $25 If kids only see dolls without private parts, says Caitlin Meister, founder of the Greer Meister Group, an educational consulting practice in Brooklyn, they could be getting a message that theres something about those body parts that is shameful or bad. Instead, she thinks its important to give children dolls that accurately represent the human body, like Minilands baby dolls, to help counter any unintentional negative messaging. The brands dolls are all anatomically correct and represent a range of different races. $25 at Amazon Buy $35 at Maisonette Buy

And once youve selected a doll, gifting clothing and accessories to go along with it will help encourage imaginative storytelling. Harris Smith says her preschool-aged students love to dress up their dolls and stuffed animals. They have even gone so far as designing and creating miniature outfits for them, she says. Miniland makes lots of different outfits for its dolls, but I particularly love this 80s-inspired raincoat and boots. And for kids who take their baby doll everywhere they go, this adorable, shrunken-down Ergobaby doll carrier will help them do so hands-free.

Barbie Dreamtopia Mermaid Doll $14 $17 now 18% off $14 But not every doll has to be educational. Meister suggests that kids should play with a mix of realistic dolls and dolls that dont shy away from fantasy, like this Barbie Dreamtopia Mermaid doll. Strategist senior editor Jen Trolios two daughters own three of the colorful finned Barbies and love playing with them in the bath at home or taking them to their community swimming pool in the summertime. $14 at Target Buy

Create a Story Cards: Mystery in the Forest $12 $13 now 8% off $12 I love this little gift for vocabulary and language development, says Dr. Alexandra Figueras-Daniel, an assistant research professor at the National Institute for Early Education Research. The set of 36 illustrated storytelling cards can be arranged and rearranged into different stories and scenarios, allowing kids to create a new narrative every time they play with it. Its inexpensive, Figueras-Daniel adds, and great to carry in a bag for waiting at a restaurant or taking on a trip. For kids who are especially interested in making up elaborate situations when they play pretend, its a wonderful way to put their creativity to work. $12 at Amazon Buy $13 at Barnes & Noble Buy

LEGO Classic Creative Suitcase 10713 $14 $20 now 30% off $14 Many 4-year-olds are ready to graduate from Duplos and move on to playing with full-size Lego bricks, which Dr. George Sachs, a child psychologist and founder of the Sachs Center in Manhattan, says allow children to develop their own creative ideas and foster spatial awareness. Theyre incredibly engaging and will often keep kids busy for longer than youd think possible. Joanna Faber, co-author of How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen, recommends them for their open-ended nature. This set is specifically designed for children 4 years and up, and comes with beginner-friendly instructions for simple builds. $14 at Amazon Buy $14 at Amazon Buy

Melissa & Doug Pet Vet Play Set $26 $38 now 32% off $26 A large part of every childs education is social-emotional  learning how to interact with other children and process feelings. For that reason, Caplan-Colon suggests giving this age group a toy that encourages empathy and pretend play, like this veterinarian kit that lets them treat and care for a plush kitten and puppy. $26 at Amazon Buy $29 at Walmart Buy

Doublesix Dominoes in Bucket $24 $30 now 20% off $24 These dominoes are especially good for preschoolers because they are sturdy, brightly colored, and plentiful (because you will lose some to mysterious corners of the house). Lining them up for the big knockdown is a great parent-child activity, and 4-year-olds have just enough focus and motor control to create some basic trails themselves. The hardest part will be teaching your kid the willpower to not send the tiles toppling while youre only a handful deep. $24 at Amazon Buy $24 at Walmart Buy

Gigglescape Cash Register Set $20 $20 Cash registers are an excellent toy option, says Helen Sadovsky, a pediatric occupational therapist who runs Toy-Ideas.com, because they teach counting and money-management skills and can be a great part of imaginative play as your child sets up their very own store or restaurant. This sweet little register from Targets in-house brand Gigglescape comes with 31 pieces, including pretend cash, sundry items, a small grocery basket, and a credit card. $20 at Target Buy

Under $50

Custom Super Hero Cape with Mask $36 $36 Milk Teeth co-founder Catherine Newell-Hanson is a repeat buyer of these personalized superhero capes that have been a hit with the kids in her life. Youll need a bit of lead time, but the result will definitely make the recipient feel very special. The Etsy seller who makes them can also include a matching mask, she notes. $36 at Etsy Buy

Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope $34 $34 This entirely kid-friendly microscope has a dual eyepiece, so theres no need to close one eye to use it. I love the Geosafari Microscope for my curious preschooler, says Andrea Scalzo Yi  founder of RaisingDragons.com and author of 100 Easy STEAM Activities. It allows him to explore the world around him in a unique way and encourages learning through play, which is so important. $34 at Amazon Buy

Kid Made Modern My First Arts and Crafts Library $36 $36 Art supplies are endlessly appealing to kids at this age, who are beginning to master the fine motor skills needed for more complex drawing, painting, and sculpting. And to satisfy a 4-year-olds penchant for variety, Tze Chun, founder of UPRISE ART, recommends this beginner craft library that she says contains enough of a mix to keep little kids busy but is curated enough to motivate them to use their supplies carefully. She also likes that it works as a perfect self-contained activity and can be easily brought on a trip. $36 at Dick Blick Buy

DJECO Role Play My Picnic Playset $48 $48 Sachs stresses that this is the age when kids are doing a lot of pretend play. They are also more creative with the scenarios they invent. This picnic set offers everything needed to stage a lovely outing with real, fake, or imagined snacks. $48 at Nordstrom Buy

Fat Brain Toys Plip Kit $33 $35 now 6% off $33 Heres a fun new building toy that helps little kids perfect their fine-motor skills  I had the chance to test it this fall and like that it feels like a fidget toy kids can use to build unique sculptures and patterns. But most of all I like that the pieces make a satisfying pop when pulled apart. $33 at Amazon Buy $35 at Macy's Buy

Under $100

Little Live Pets Mama Surprise $60 $60 If healing cats and dogs is old news, heres a toy that lets children play midwife  sort of  to a rabbit. When you first open Mama Surprise (and a grown-up sets it up with batteries), she is alone in her hutch. But after feeding her some carrots and comforting her with a few head pats, she is ready to give birth to three babies. Trolios 6-year-old daughter has the previous Guinea-pig version of this toy and loved re-creating the surprise over and over again. But she easily figured out how it worked, so Trolio suggests giving it to kids around 4 years old instead. $60 at Amazon Buy $60 at Amazon Buy

Melissa & Doug Pilot Dashboard $110 now 25% off $82 This pretend-play pilot dashboard from Melissa & Doug was first recommended to me by James Zahn, senior editor at the Toy Insider, and I later got a chance to test it myself at the New York Toy Fair. The wooden toy has the feel of an arcade game while still being totally screen-free  kids can fly the plane to a handful of different locations depending on which of the three double-sided windshield cards they choose, and the scrolling dashboard, buttons, and levers all trigger lights, sounds, and real-sounding in-flight alerts. $82 at Amazon Buy $82 at Amazon Buy

Couch Swag Car Wash Play Panel for Kids Play Couch $40 $55 now 27% off $40 Jocelyn Greene, founder of Childs Play NY, emphasizes the importance of imaginative play for 4-year-old kids, because kids start to get the most cognitive and social benefits from this kind of play around age 3 and beyond. She says pretending to be someone else  whether its a race car driver, makeup artist, firefighter, or surgeon  is not only fun, its critical to a childs development, as they explore how to navigate the world in someone elses shoes. This play couch add-on turns your kids Nugget into a car wash, complete with a fringe-adorned entrance and exit. $40 at Amazon Buy $40 at Amazon Buy

Crate & Kids Plush Campfire Set $79 $79 Another toy that taps into the fun of make-believe is this plush campfire set from Crate & Barrels kids line. Although my kids got it for Christmas years ago, they still play with it to this day, says marketing manager and mom of three Irene Kwon, who notes it makes for a particularly good cold-weather activity. During wintertime, when were mostly indoors, my kids rely on their creativity to get them through those long hours at home. This toy really sets the stage for a cozy, relaxing, warm winters night  sans fireplace. To make it even more like the real deal, Kwon suggests giving your child a cup of hot cocoa to enjoy with their faux marshmallows. (And real ones  if theyre lucky.) $79 at Crate and Barrel Buy

The Big Dig and Roll Special Edition Sandbox Sand Digger Excavator Crane $220 now 73% off $60 Kids who like playing in a sandbox will have even more fun doing so with this swiveling excavator crane, according to Lacerda. She told us the toy keeps her daughter very occupied for long stretches of time and it is always a hit when friends come over. Simply set it up in the sandbox  or at the playground or the beach  plop your kiddo on the rotating seat, and watch them dig and dump to their hearts content. $60 at Wayfair Buy

$100 and up

Plan Toys Modular 3 blocks Wooden House $180 This beautiful and gender-neutral modular wooden dollhouse is perfect for small spaces since its three rooms can be expanded and arranged in multiple ways, then slide together for easy storage. It also comes with a design-y chandelier and furniture for a bedroom, living room, bathroom, kitchen, and dining room. Plan Toys sells half a dozen different dollhouses, most of which I have seen in person and all of which foster hours of open-ended imaginative play and are built to last for generations. I love that this one can be separated into parts and rebuilt as children see fit, and that all of the brands doll furniture can be used for any of the dollhouses it makes. We previously featured a similarly open-plan (but not as portable) dollhouse from Plan Toys in our story about the best dollhouses. $180 at Nordstrom Buy

Though they are admittedly expensive compared to other bikes for kids, Woom bikes have developed a loyal following of happy parents and happier mini-cyclists. Stroll through Prospect Park on any given sunny day, and youre guaranteed to spot at least a handful of kids racing around on their Wooms. I recently named this Woom bike one of 15 expensive toys that are actually worth it and Ro agrees. Its a beautiful, well-made bike that feels robust, with every component thoughtfully designed and considered, she says. A lot of made-for-kid stuff feels ticky-tacky, but this bike is hefty, like an adult bike but shrunk down. The company offers six different models for ages 18 months to 10 years. Ros son Augie rode a Woom 2, a 14-inch bike designed for kids 3 and up, for 2 years until he turned 5 years old. Now that hes a taller kindergarten kid, hes graduated to the 16-inch Woom 3. The ride is so smooth, says Ro, noting that braking is easy, too, thanks to the ergonomic and designed-for-small-hands levers. Woom also makes kids helmets in three sizes that are incredibly lightweight and feature a pinch-free clasp that makes it easier for kids to put it on and take it off on their own.

Hape Outdoor Kitchen | Mud Kitchen Wooden Toy Playset $188 $269 now 30% off $188 If youre willing to embrace mess, Lacerda loves how mud kitchens encourages creative play. Her daughter enjoys grabbing sticks and leaves from the garden and adding them to the removable sink on her mud kitchen, where she also likes to wash and clean her toys. This outdoor kitchen from Hape comes with a sink, burner, oven, shelving, and a set of stainless-steel pots and pans, plus a ladle, making it easy to whip up mud pies  or whatever else is on the menu. $188 at Amazon Buy $188 at Amazon Buy

Additional reporting by Lauren Ro and Steven John.

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9 items in this article 2 items on sale! Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photo: Getty

(Youll notice that most of our regular buy buttons have been swapped out for Google Shopping links; these will take you to Google Shopping pages, where you can shop at the retailer of your choice.)

If youre like us, youve probably wondered what everyday stuff famous people add to their carts  like hairspray or an electric toothbrush. We asked Maddy DeVita, the private chef behind the TikTok account Hand Me the Fork, about the moisturizer, lightbulbs, and bamboo sheets she cant live without.

Farmacy Honey Halo Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturizer From $48 From $48 I have sensitive skin and never change products. Whenever I try something new, I break out. This is the only skin-care product Ill buy at Sephora, and I go through it quickly. Its super hydrating, and unlike other nonprescription skin-care products, wont make me break out. Ive been using it for three years after my cousin turned me on to the brand. Ive gone through about 20 tubs. From $48 at Google Buy

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask From $26 From $26 This is a face mask that I use as a hand cream. I hate, with a burning passion, the feeling of dry hands when going to bed. That sensation is so grating to me. I keep this mask next to my bed. I travel with it and use it on airplanes. I like how thick it is. I originally included it in a birthday present to my boyfriend, who, as a guy, didnt have a skin-care kit, and then I ended up stealing it. From $26 at Google Buy

GE Relax LED Light Bulbs, 40 Watt, Soft White, A19, 4 Count From $14 From $14 Besides dry hands, the second thing I hate most is harsh overhead lighting. The house I cook at in the Hamptons  a few other people work in it and theyre always turning on the overhead lamps, and Im like, Stop, I just want to cook in natural light. In my own apartment, Im super particular about lights and love having lots of lamps with these bulbs. Even in my bathroom, I have a little lamp. I use it instead of the blinding bright overhead bathroom lights, which are headache-inducing. I think soft lighting lowers my blood pressure and keeps me calm. From $14 at Google Buy

Manduka PRO Yoga and Pilates Mat From $138 From $138 I got this one seven years ago, but you would think its brand-new. The quality is fantastic. I got into yoga in college and went to a few different studios, but they all had these Manduka mats. During the pandemic, I subscribed to a bunch of home Pilates classes and I unrolled this mat every single day. From $138 at Google Buy

Nest Bedding Bamboo Sheet Set and Pillowcases From $112 From $112 These are so soft and cooling, and they stay cool. I love getting into a cold bed. I think thats a universal love. I visited a friend in L.A. and we stayed at her moms house, and her mom had these sheets on the bed. I was moving into a new apartment and buying a new king-size bed, so I texted her mom when I came back and said I need these sheets. I have two sets of them in plain white. From $112 at Google Buy

Sonos Roam 2 $179 now 22% off $139 This was a Christmas gift when I was moving into that new apartment. I love having something on, whether its music or a podcast. I live in a one-bedroom in New York, so its not a big space. These speakers come in a set of two, and I have one in the living room and one in the bedroom. You can walk across the whole apartment and never be without the podcast or music youre listening to. $139 at Amazon Buy

Tajin Clasico Chile Lime Seasoning From $4 From $4 Its perfect for summer, whether youre drinking a margarita or something else. It always makes me super excited at a restaurant to order something with a Tajin rim. I love sprinkling it on any type of fruit, like cantaloupe or watermelon, with a little squeeze of lime. I have every form of Tajin that they sell  mini-bottles, the one packaged for easy glass rimming. From $4 at Google Buy

White Bark Hand Me the Fork Apron $120 $120 Its the only apron I use out in the Hamptons, and Im truly doing everything in it: going outside and grilling, back inside and working over high heat, wiping my hands on it, staining it with oil and blueberries. It washes out so nicely. Working eight- to ten-hour days, the cross-back design is so great for shoulder relief as opposed to something that goes around the neck. The pockets are nice and deep, and I shove so much random stuff in there  my wallet when I go grocery shopping, my sunglasses, my tool kit. Ive loved White Bark aprons for years, then met founder Charlie Pennes, who made a Fork-branded apron for me. $120 at Google Buy

Vitreluxe Salt Bowl $18 $18 Im a massive fan of Big Night, and I have a lot of products from them. My most basic one is this. I always have a little bowl of salt on my table. This one is such a gorgeous little statement bowl. I grew up in a salt-loving household, and my mom always had a salt shaker on the table, but having a bowl is a little more elevated. I got this one about eight months ago. Theyre also great for cheese or to hold fig jam or a piece of honeycomb on a charcuterie board. $18 at Google Buy

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The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
John my boy...

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I was surprised that John's request for an apology to Lisa got downgraded to "Do you feel you should apologize to my wife for using the F word?" If he had stuck to the original narrative of Justin allegedly getting aggressive, then I could see them continuing this false narrative that Lisa was somehow the victim. But Lisa was dropping FUCKS left and right so I don't get why they were acting like Justin did this horrifying thing of saying the exact same word. The weird thing is that when he said it, he wasn't directing the word at Lisa. If he had said, "Lisa, you fucking bitch" or "Fuck you, Lisa" then I could see John and Lisa clutching their pearls, but all he said was "Don't call my wife a fucking liar." How is that something that requires an apology?

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It does not.

They're trying to play this "big guy threatens tiny woman narrative" when she came AT him, yelling insults about his wife



And the thing is, for all her fault, Whitney came very calmly at Lisa, and she asked a question, and Lisa, in classic Lisa, went off, without listening to anything

Like she did with Angie, like she did with Bronwyn, like she did with Meredith...



I'm convinced these women all hate Lisa, but since she's the one who brought the franchise to SL they have to bow to her every whim.



Like she is a bad mom, she is a terrible friend and an overall terrible human being.

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Lisa is actually the worst. That dinner table chatting with Bronwyn and then throws side dig at Whitney and completely changes course, ugh. That whole coach business is beyond ridic.

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Also Mary is on a whole other journey I feel

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the scene with robert jr and his girlfriend/maybe wife was dark. as awful as mary's past is, i do feel for her in this moment because she clearly is scared and doesn't know what to do besides have him at home and not on the street.



not sure how this scene falls in the timeline, but there are several articles starting that he was or currently is in rehab. addiction is really scary especially for someone that young

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oh that is sad

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When it comes to Todd/Bronwyn, I keep going back to "This is how this man acts when there is a whole film crew around and probably multiple takes. I can only imagine what it's like when they are in truly private moments"

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I had to bail tbh this episode felt so negative and my patience and tolerance for it is so low. But RHONY also pushed my buttons this week so maybe Im just in a space.



Lisa, I used to love you. What the hell. Seth? Cmon.



I am really sad that Todd snapped at Bronwyn. Why do I root for men only to be disappointed every time?

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Bronwynn and Todd are Kelsey and Camille Grammer 2.0. Trust. This season was totally a pitch for her to have something to do while he travels the world and their marriage falls apart slowly. Overly expensive gifts at their 19 year wedding anniversary party in front of people he doesnt even know. Please. Its clear he bosses her around and may even be emotionally abusive to her. It upsets me when these things are clear as day on national tv. I only hope Bronwynn can win the hearts of people enough that we see her Divorced rich phoenix rising storyline.

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The way Bronwyn absolutely shrinks when her husband speaks is awful. She like becomes a different person.



Poor Mary. You can see how helpless she feels about her son's substance abuse. Also when we first saw the girl/wife with Robert Jr going upstairs, the girl/wife says "Love you Mary" and Mary replies "I love you too,baby." You can tell she really means it. Ugh broke my heart.



Heather needs to be worried. Didn't even notice we didn't see her once and she was not missed at all.



Edited at 2024-11-15 07:45 pm (UTC)

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not liking how the husbands are getting involved in the drama, i was physically squirming in my seat watching that dinner hopefully moving forward it's only drama between the women

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Whitney is such a nincompoop. While she's accusing Lisa of spreading lies about her jewelry coming from Alibaba (and by lies, I mean facts), she's providing no proof whatsoever other than saying she trusts her source (her "source" who is as desperate for fame as Whitney is to find an MLM that'll actually make her some $$$), yet she demands that Meredith provide proof that Shawn actually said what she's claiming he said. I guess her hilling journey couldn't fix stupid or hypocrisy.



Do we actually believe that Todd spent $4 million on that anniversary gift or was it just on loan for the night? Bronwyn strikes me as the type of person who, despite the surface extravagances, is deeply sad and lonely. While Todd's off making lots of money, she spends her time buying expensive things simply because they're expensive and then leaves them to gather dust in the boxes they came in on the same floor her dogs use as a bathroom.

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even tho john lennon was trash, imagine whirled peace was goated



anyway, fuck israel, fuck unilever

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smores is my current fav and i miss marsha marsha marshmellow anyway b&j has always been super supportive of causes like this, right? like this isnt an unexpected move by them so i doubt it hurts their sales, so idk why the suits are upset? team b&j

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Sue those assholes! Also, bring back Wavy Gravy because that shit was God tier.

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I wish their ice cream wasn't so expensive! Maybe I'll indulge here and there to support the cause.

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It sucks when a ethical company is so expensive but it's expensive for a good reason.

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Milk & Cookies is also my fave but I like the dirt cake flavor and the tonight dough flavor too tbh. Love me some Ben and Jerrys ngl and their social stances make me feel less guilty about the nights I eat ice cream for dinner

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I hope theyre successful. I am a Phish Food girlie.



I got into a massive fight with my mom about Palestine and it did not end well. Im basically at the point I was at in 2020, where I was realizing that if I kept trying to voice my mind, wed end up ending our relationship. Last time, we didnt talk for 9 months. I dont know what will happen this time.



My only comfort is apparently my brother is in the same place, and is so disappointed with her that she feels compelled to lie. Its wild to choose a political party who will act in your worst interest over your kids.



I also got confirmation that the rest of my family out there voted conservative despite them all privately telling me how much they hate Trump last time I saw them. Im never going to forgive them for being part of the reason WI went red.

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Of all the mega corporations, it's amazing that B&J continues to be on the correct side of history

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Imagine if more companies were like them

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SUE HA



my favorites ar phish food, chocolate fudge brownie and chocolate therapy. not all together tho

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Let me go real quick and stock my fridge with some B&Js. I love them even more for this.

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I went to the Ben and Jerry's factory in Vermont last month. I got to pay respects to flavors of the past at the flavor graveyard.

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I went for my 40th birthday a few years ago. It was slightly underwhelming but definitely a bucket list item checked off.

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I'd like to go and pay my respects to my dearly departed former fave Bovinity Divinity

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IT'S BEEN 22 YEARS AND I'M STILL IN MOURNING FOR THE LIL CHOCOLATE COWS

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Shout out to my beloved Dublin Mudslide

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Every since I was a little kid and learned of the flavor graveyard, I have always wanted to try this. I hope they had some funky flavors you got to taste!

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Anything that takes Unilever down a notch is fine by me.

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I hope they're successful! Chunky Monkey is my absolute favorite flavor from Benjamin and Jermaine but where the fuck can I get Marshmallow Sky?? I had it when I went on vacation this summer and it was SO good but I haven't been able to find it in stores.

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This company never misses truly, B&J for life. Wish I wouldn't have by that "Everything But The..." pint back at the grocery store last night tbh!



Edited at 2024-11-15 06:08 pm (UTC)

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Phish Food is my life

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U.S. oil and gas giant, Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE:XOM) announced on Wednesday it has reached 500M barrels of oil produced from Guyana's offshore Stabroek block, just five years after it kicked off production at the location. The Exxon-led consortium which includes Hess Corp. (NYSE:HES) and China's Cnooc (OTCPK:CEOHF) have set a target to reach production of at least 1.3M bbl/day of oil by year-end 2027, a feat it hopes to achieve when six approved offshore projects come online. According to Exxon, the first three projects--Liza Phase 1, Liza Phase 2 and Payara--are already pumping more than 650K bbl/day.

Data by the Guyana government has revealed that the consortium's agreement generated $6.33B for the partners last year, with Exxon netting $2.9B, Hess earning $1.88B, while Cnooc amassed $1.52B from Stabroek. Exxon Mobil owns 45% of the Stabroek block; Hess 30% while Cnooc owns a 25% stake.

Exxon will soon start generating natural gas at its Guyana assets. Netherlands-based SBM Offshore (OTCPK:SBFFF) (OTCPK:SBFFY) has just completed the $1.23B sale of its fifth floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) unit to Exxon for use in offshore Guyana. With a production capacity of 250,000 barrels of oil per day, the FPSO Jaguar has a daily associated gas treatment capacity of 540 million cubic feet and a water injection capacity of 300,000 barrels per day. ExxonMobil is progressing with plans to build a Gas to Energy Project in cooperation with the Government of Guyana, with start-up expected by the end of 2024. According to Exxon, the project will significantly reduce the cost of electricity in Guyana. The proposed project would bring associated gas from ExxonMobil Guyana-operated projects offshore (Liza Phase 1 and 2) via pipeline to onshore gas processing facilities. The pipeline would transport up to ~50 million standard cubic feet per day of natural gas to the facilities.

Related: Europes Natural Gas Prices Jump to 2024 High



The three oil majors have completely transformed the economy of the tiny South American country. Whereas, historically, Guyana's GDP per capita was among the lowest in South America, extraordinary economic growth since 2020, averaging 42.3 percent over the last three years, brought GDP per capita to $20,360 in 2023, up from $6,477 in 2019. Guyana is now considered an upper-middle-income country.

Source: OilNOW

Deepwater Investments Outpacing Shale

There are growing signs that the U.S. shale boom could be close to a peak. Whereas overall output is close to record levels, the amount of oil recovered per foot drilled in the Permian Basin of Texas fell 15% from 2020 to 2023, a pace of decline on par with a decade ago. Thankfully, this is happening just as the global offshore oil boom is taking off.

Recent big deepwater discoveries off the coast of Guyana, the Gulf of Mexico and Namibia are bringing back interest to the offshore sector. To sweeten the deal further, deepwater projects come with qualities that modern energy companies desire: lower costs, greater resource potential, longer production periods and lower levels of carbon dioxide emissions.

According to Norwegian global energy consultant, Rystad Energy, the market of the equipment for underwater oil production will grow at a 10% annual clip between 2024 and 2027. Over this period, investment into flexible tubing, subsea coil tubing and valve assemblies will grow from $32 billion up to $42 billion, compared to $23 billion in 2021.

Slightly over one third of these amounts will be invested into super-deep-water projects implemented with floating production, storage and offloading systems (FPSO). Such systems are used at Exxon Mobil's Stabroek license block, where step-by-step commissioning of Liza Destiny, Liza Unity and Prosperity FPSOs allowed for growing oil production outputs from zero up to 650 k barrels per day (kbpd). Output from the block is expected to exceed a million barrels per day in the latter half of the current decade, mainly by launching new FPSOs at Yellowtail, Tilapia and Redtail oil fields. Meanwhile, massive investment will also cover the existing super-deep-water projects, such as Argos in the US, Trion in Mexico and Egina in Nigeria.

Deepwater production remains the fastest-growing upstream oil and gas segment with production expected to hit 10.4 million boe/d in 2022 from just 300,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) in 1990. Wood Mackenzie has predicted that by the end of the decade, that figure will pass 17 million boe/d. Deepwater oil and gas production is set to increase by 60% by 2030, to contribute 8% of overall upstream production, according to a new report from Wood Mackenzie, as cited by Rig Zone. Meanwhile, ultra-deepwater production is set to continue growing at breakneck speed to account for half of all deepwater production by 2030.

Deepwater is defined as water depth greater than 1,000 feet while ultra-deepwater is defined as depths greater than 5,000 feet.



By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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Climate activists are using COP29 to highlight the need for increased climate finance and to criticize carbon markets.

Some participants at the COP29 climate conference in Baku are giving it high marks for organization and appearance. The proceedings themselves, however, have been tumultuous.

Several attendees have noted the presence of a legion of omnipresent young volunteers who are polite, smiling, and always ready to help. The pristine cleanliness of the venue, another adds, feels a bit excessive. The biggest hassle, some say, is connected to getting to and from the venue, which is sealed behind a vast security cordon. The options for non-VIPs arent plentiful. Taking public transport is time-consuming and tight security around the venue means that participants have to walk a half-hour or more before they stand a chance of finding a taxi.

Inside the Blue Zone, the conference area where the hard bargaining occurs, COP29s Azerbaijani hosts have lauded a provisional agreement forged November 11, the conferences first day, that fleshed out guidelines on how countries can pursue voluntary cooperation to reach their climate targets. But others say the rules governing carbon credits were pushed through without due process, thus raising questions about their acceptance and durability.

Closed-door negotiations over the carbon-credit system stretched well into the night on the conferences first day, forcing repeated delays of plenary sessions. The supervisory body charged with implementing and overseeing the carbon credit mechanism has taken some heat for developing rules while bypassing the chain of command within the COP system. The COP presidency ended up accepting the supervisory bodys plan but told its members to keep on refining the carbon-credit system, leaving open the possibility that it could undergo substantial revisions down the road.

Brazil was the country supposedly most opposed to the supervisory bodys proposed mechanism, but the COP presidency managed to defuse Brazilian displeasure so provisional rules could be adopted.

Tumult has marked the ensuing days of the conference. On November 13, Argentinas delegation withdrew from the proceedings. Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports that the head of the Brazilian team had become ill injected an additional element of uncertainty.

Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev also caused a furor by using a speech at an event for island nations to continue a long-running feud with France, castigating Paris for its colonial rule in French Polynesia.

The crimes of France in its so-called overseas territories would not be complete without mentioning the recent human rights violations, said Aliyev, referring to a French crackdown on protesters in New Caledonia that resulted in more than a dozen deaths. He directly implicated French President Emmanuel Macrons regime in the deaths.

Aliyevs jab prompted Frances Ecology Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher to announce she would not travel to Baku as originally scheduled. She called Aliyevs comments beneath the dignity of the [host] of the COP.

Non-governmental participants planned to stage several activist events on November 14 in connection with COP29s Finance Day. One of the planned actions was to involve a flash mob coming together just outside the Blue Zone to call for more robust funding commitments to address global warming. A separate action was planned to highlight the hazards associated with carbon markets.

Perhaps the most controversial moment during the early action at COP29 was Polish President Andrzej Dudas decision to skip the events family photo because of the presence of Belarusian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko. Poland and Belarus are on opposite sides of the Russia-Ukraine war.

By Eurasianet.org

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An animation artist recently shared insights about Disney's much-anticipated animated feature "Moana 2" in an interview with China.org.cn.

A Chinese poster for "Moana 2." [Image courtesy of Walt Disney Animation Studios]

"The audience will see a fantastical scene that has never been shown in any other movie," teased Benjamin Huang, who served as the environment look supervisor for the production. Huang led the team that created surfaces and textures for environments in "Moana 2," which will premiere in China on Nov. 29.

"I was responsible for presenting the film's visual effects on the final screen, transforming 2D concept designs into 3D rendered images, from assets to lighting, through to the final display," he explained.

Huang confirmed the sequel features more fantastical elements developed through extensive concept design and close collaboration with the director. Like the first movie, "Moana 2" is heavily inspired by Oceanic culture and visual style.

Though he remained tight-lipped about specific details, Huang expressed satisfaction with the visual elements of "Moana 2." He emphasized that audiences should get ready to see an amazing scene unlike anything they have seen before, noting the film's extensive special effects and dramatic ocean sequences.

Huang revealed that the new film advances Moana's journey from self-discovery in the first installment to a quest for her future.

"It's a sublimation or extension of her character, including more adventurous plots in 'Moana 2,'" he said. "Together with Maui, they experience more adventures, different scenes and different characters. I think it's a significant upgrade compared to the first installment in terms of visuals, storyline and music, which audiences will definitely feel in the cinema."

Walt Disney Animation Studios' epic animated musical "Moana 2" reunites Moana (voiced by Auli'i Cravalho) and Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson) three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey into the dangerous, long-lost waters of Oceania for an adventure unlike anything she's ever faced.

According to director Dana Ledoux Miller, the story of "Moana 2" was inspired by the Pacific Islands communities themselves. There are old legends within the Pacific of meeting points for navigators from different islands, and the filmmakers were intrigued by the idea that people would travel to find each other, she said.

A photo of Benjamin Huang. [Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Animation Studios]

Raised in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province of China, Huang studied at Tiangong University in Tianjin and later at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. He joined Walt Disney Animation Studios in 2006 as a lighting artist on "Meet the Robinsons" and subsequently worked on "Wreck-It Ralph" and "Frozen."

He became a look development artist for "Big Hero 6" and continued in this role for "Zootopia" and "Moana." Huang was promoted to supervisor for "Ralph Breaks the Internet" and served as environment look supervisor on "Raya and the Last Dragon" and now "Moana 2."

Huang described Disney Animation Studios' collaborative culture as unique in the industry. "Every artist strives to do their best work or elevate it to the next level," he noted.

"So, the director just needs to communicate her ideas to us. We're responsible for providing her with different options and presenting the final result," he said. "This company has a culture of collaboration unlike any other. You can see this in our new film, where the visuals are truly the best."
Carbon credits enjoyed significant popularity a few years back, but a media investigation revealed that most fail to deliver on the promises of conservation and emission reduction. Nevertheless, many continue to push for expanded carbon credit trading, touting it as a win-win solution. However, this argument may be both flawed and costly.

Earlier this week, the COP29 parties agreed on standards for a global carbon credit market backed by the United Nations, aimed at expanding trade in emissions with a view to providing much-needed funds for the energy transition.

A week earlier, voters in Washington opposed a bill proposing to do away with the states carbon credit market. And why wouldnt they, when the state wrote that This measure would decrease funding for investments in transportation, clean air, renewable energy, conservation, and emissions-reduction. Any voter would vote against less money for transportation, clean air, and conservation, after all.

These aren't going away, and why would they? These carbon 'cap-and-trade' programs are capitalist, free-market solutions that allow companies to hedge and monetize their energy transition, a portfolio manager at a carbon market ETF told Reuters columnist Ross Kerber in comments on the Washington vote.

Related: Europes Natural Gas Prices Jump to 2024 High

There is a certain capitalist aspect to the carbon credit market. Buyers are free to trade them as they see fit. The fact, however, that supply is decided by the government rather than by the market itself shows that carbon credits are not an entirely capitalist product. Indeed, in places serious about their energy transition, the idea for carbon credit markets is to curb supply gradually in order to motivate emitters to reduce their emissions. Incidentally, this would interfere with the financial goal of carbon markets.

This goal is, of course, to raise money for a faster transition away from emission-producing hydrocarbons. As Washington state said, carbon credit trade funds renewable energy and emissions-reduction. So does carbon credit trade in Europe, which is pinning some serious hopes on this particular revenue as a source of money for the transition.

What nobody seems to be paying attention to is the inherent paradox.

The first idea of carbon trade is that the government issues a set number of carbon permits to be bought by emitters, who can then sell them at a profit in case they have reduced their emissions and dont need all the permits. The second idea of carbon trade is to stimulate buyers to reduce their emissions by making them pay for them. That second idea is a powerful motivator  so what happens when everyone starts cutting their emissions?

What happens is what happened in Europe just this year: carbon prices took a dive when everyone in Brussels was expecting them to rise higher and higher, and generate money for more wind and solar. The EU authorities apparently wanted to have sort of a hybrid, market-based-but-centrally-planned product and then forgot the market part of the equation. That part says that when demand falls, supply quickly turns excessive and prices drop. This is precisely what happened as large emitters in Europe found it increasingly hard to afford the permits and simply shrank their operations to cope. On the plus side, emissions went down.

Carbon markets are, then, good at doing the job of reducing emissions. However, if they do that, then the money these markets generate would decline along with the emissions as demand wanes. In other words, carbon markets two stated purposes are mutually exclusive. This might seriously compromise their success as a tool for both raising money for the transition and reducing emissions. When you have a cake, you can either keep having it or you can eat it, but never both, except in your dreams.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Israel launched deadly strikes on military targets and Islamic Jihad headquarters in Damascus on Thursday, killing 15 people in the Syrian capital. Israel also continues to bombard Lebanon, with any ceasefire deal with Hezbollah highly

Yemens Houthi rebels targeted two U.S. Navy destroyers this week as they were departing the Red Sea. No damage was reported, though the Houthis launched some eight drones, five anti-ship ballistic missiles, and three anti-ship cruise missiles.

While foreign operators are returning to Libya with a renewed zeal and oil is again flowing, another protest this week highlights how fragile the situation is. Protesters on Tuesday shut down oil distribution valves in Zintan over the abduction of a general attached to the Central Security Department. Protesters accuse the Tripoli government of Dbeibah and the Presidential Council of being behind the abduction. That would suggest the general abducted is an ally of the Haftar clan and the rival eastern government in Benghazi. Additionally, allies of the Haftar clan, which controls the oil facilities in the country, are typically the only forces with the capability of shutting down the flow (while the Tripoli government nominally has controlled the oil revenues through the Central Bank). The valves that reportedly have been closed connect the countrys largest oil fields (Sharara and El Feel) to the Zawiya refinery, which process some 350,000 bpd.

Politics, Geopolitics & Conflict

While foreign operators are returning to Libya with a renewed zeal and oil is again flowing, another protest this week highlights how fragile the situation is. Protesters on Tuesday shut down oil distribution valves in Zintan over the abduction of a general attached to the Central Security Department. Protesters accuse the Tripoli government of Dbeibah and the Presidential Council of being behind the abduction. That would suggest the general abducted is an ally of the Haftar clan and the rival eastern government in Benghazi. Additionally, allies of the Haftar clan, which controls the oil facilities in the country, are typically the only forces with the capability of shutting down the flow (while the Tripoli government nominally has controlled the oil revenues through the Central Bank). The valves that reportedly have been closed connect the countrys largest oil fields (Sharara and El Feel) to the Zawiya refinery, which process some 350,000 bpd.

Yemens Houthi rebels targeted two U.S. Navy destroyers this week as they were departing the Red Sea. No damage was reported, though the Houthis launched some eight drones, five anti-ship ballistic missiles, and three anti-ship cruise missiles.

Israel launched deadly strikes on military targets and Islamic Jihad headquarters in Damascus on Thursday, killing 15 people in the Syrian capital. Israel also continues to bombard Lebanon, with any ceasefire deal with Hezbollah highly unlikely in the face of an Israeli force that is now further emboldened by a Trump victory and administration appointments that will likely give Israel carte blanche to move ahead with its final plans in Gaza and further afield.

In Germany, a cargo of Russian LNG shipped to the Brunsbuttel terminal was refused, with German industry sources suggesting it was a PR stunt designed to test Berlins response. The shipment came from Russias Yamal LNG facility in three tankers, and violates Germanys policy of rejecting Russian gas. It remains unclear who arranged the shipment, which would amount to a very expensive PR stunt.

Discovery & Development

Turkeys Abdulhamid Han drillship has begun operations at the Amasra-4 well, aiming to expand the country's Black Sea natural gas production, which has already reached 8 mcm/day. Most of this comes from the Sakarya Gas Field, producing 7 mcm/day, enough to supply 2.8M households. Turkeys domestic natural gas output, coupled with international partnerships in Iraq, Russia, and Azerbaijan (40,000 bpd combined), is reducing its import dependency, now down to 85%. Meanwhile, Turkey is advancing exploration abroad and eyeing nuclear power projects, with talks underway for new plants in Sinop and Thrace, focusing on low-cost electricity and job creation.

ExxonMobil (XOM) and its partners Hess (HES) and CNOOC have produced 500 million barrels from Guyanas Stabroek block since 2019, with current output exceeding 650,000 bpd from Liza Phase 1, Liza Phase 2, and Payara. Production capacity is set to surpass 1.3 million bpd by 2027 with six approved projects. The block is a key focus in Chevrons (CVX) $53B acquisition of Hess, with Exxon and CNOOC disputing the deal via arbitration over first-right purchase claims. In 2022, the Stabroek block generated $6.33B, including $2.9B for Exxon, $1.88B for Hess, and $1.52B for CNOOC.

Equinor and partners discovered between 12.6 million and 28.3 million barrels of recoverable oil equivalent in the Rhombi wells (35/11-30 S and A) in Norway's North Sea. Located in PL090, awarded in 1984, the discovery builds on significant recent exploration in the Fram area, which routes production to Troll C for processing and export. Reservoirs in the Sognefjord and Fensfjord Formations showed very good properties, with a 43m gas column and 6m oil column in the primary target of 35/11-30 A. While the wells were plugged and abandoned, licensees are exploring tie-ins to existing or future infrastructure in this prolific region.

Pantheon Resources (AIM) has begun drilling the Megrez-1 well in Alaskas Ahpun field, targeting an area that is thought to hold an estimated 609 million barrels of ANS crude and 3.3 Tcf of natural gas in 2U Prospective Resources. Predicted superior reservoir characteristics, younger and shallower than previous wells, add to the prospect's appeal, though resources remain classified as high-risk prospective. Success could significantly impact Ahpun field plans, complementing Pantheons existing 1.6B barrels of contingent resources and aligning with Alaskas broader gas development ambitions.

Angola is actively inviting investors to capitalize on its diminishing exploration and development opportunities, notably in four blocks with over 500 million barrels of discovered yet undeveloped resources. This initiative is part of a series of reforms initiated since 2018 under President Joao Lourenco, aimed at revitalizing the upstream sector and fostering a conducive environment for various E&P stakeholders. The current auction seeks partners to develop 10 discoveries across shallow water Block 4 and deepwater Blocks 14, 15, and 18, all strategically positioned for tie-backs to existing infrastructure.

Deals, Mergers & Acquisitions

Abu Dhabi's Masdar and Albanias Kesh signed a joint venture to develop gigawatt-scale solar, wind, and hybrid renewable projects, with potential battery storage integration, aiming to supply Albania and export to neighboring countries. Albania, heavily reliant on hydropower, imports coal-generated electricity from neighbors but targets 54.4% renewable energy by 2030. Masdar, which operates in 40 countries and plans to expand its capacity from 20GW to 100GW by 2030, views this project as a key step in advancing the global energy transition. Separately, Masdar is developing a 1GW wind farm in Uzbekistan, further bolstering its renewable portfolio, which includes recent acquisitions and projects in Spain, Greece, and Serbia.

QatarEnergy is purchasing a 23% stake from Chevron (CVX) in the North El-Dabaa (H4) block in Egypts Mediterranean waters, leaving Chevron with a 40% share. The block, located 10 km offshore with water depths ranging from 100m to 3,000m, is also co-owned by Woodside (27%) and Tharwa Petroleum (10%). This deal aligns with QatarEnergy's strategy of expanding its global oil and gas presence, with recent acquisitions in Guyana, Lebanon, Namibia, and South Africa.

Impact Oil & Gas has sold a stake in Namibias offshore blocks 2912 and 2913B to TotalEnergies, receiving $99M to cover pre-2024 costs. Africa Oils increased shareholding in Impact (39.5%) translates to an indirect 3.8% interest in the blocks, which include the massive Venus oil field discovered by TotalEnergies in 2022. Venus has seen four successful wells, with development plans targeting completion by late 2025.

Russia is reportedly considering merging Rosneft, Gazprom Neft, and Lukoil into a single oil giant, which would become the worlds second-largest producer after Aramco, pumping nearly triple ExxonMobils output. The potential merger aims to boost revenues by leveraging pricing power with major buyers like India and China, while better managing the impact of Western sanctions. Significant hurdles remain, including executive resistance, shareholder payouts, and concerns over consolidating power in one entity. The Kremlin and Rosneft have denied knowledge of or dismissed the report.

Coterra Energy (CTRA) announced $3.95B in acquisitions of assets from Avant Natural Resources and Franklin Mountain Energy, marking its first deals since the 2021 Cabot-Cimarex merger. The purchases, funded with $2.95B in cash and $1B in stock, will boost Coterra's Permian Basin inventory by 25% and add 60,000-70,000 boepd to its output by 2025. The deals are expected to close in Q1 2025, reinforcing Coterra's shift toward oil-heavy operations amid low natural gas prices.
Chris Wright, founder and CEO of fracking services company Liberty Energy, is a top pick among shale industry executives to lead the U.S. Department of Energy in the coming Trump Administration.

Wright, who advocates for better human lives by expanding access to abundant, affordable, and reliable energy, does not have political experience, but is being endorsed by his peer executives to be the next U.S. Secretary of Energy.

Chris is an excellent choice for Secretary of Energy, Thomas Pyle, president of the American Energy Alliance, told Bloomberg.

Pyle led Donald Trumps Energy Departments transition team in 2016.

Moreover, Harold Hamm, the shale tycoon and the founder of Continental Resources, is also supporting Wright to be energy secretary.

Wright is Hamms top choice for the role in the new Trump Administration, Hamm told Hart Energy in an exclusive interview this week.

Colorado-based Chris Wright is the founder, CEO, and chairman of the board of Liberty Energy. He says he is a self-described tech nerd turned entrepreneur and a dedicated humanitarian on a mission to better human lives by expanding access to abundant, affordable, and reliable energy.

Wright completed an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering at MIT and graduate work in Electrical Engineering at UC Berkeley and MIT.

In 1992, he founded Pinnacle Technologies, whose innovations helped launch commercial shale gas production and created an industry in hydraulic fracture mapping.

Wright was also chairman of Stroud Energy, an early shale gas producer, before selling to shale pioneer Range Resources in 2006.

Other names circulating as the next energy secretary include Trumps second Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette and the Governor of North Dakota, Doug Burgum, according to Reuters.

At the end of October, Brouillette stepped down as president and CEO of Edison Electric Institute (EEI), the association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies, saying he was leaving the role so that I can spend my time engaging directly with world business and policy leaders on the challenges facing the global energy landscape.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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As more equipment is sent into space, experts are concerned about the quantity of debris being left behind. To this end, companies are attempting to create more sustainable satellites and better regulate the sector. A 2024 UNDP report entitled Hope for responsible technological progress - CONGESTED SPACE explains, Competition is intensifying to explore and understand space  and mine its resources. The global space economy grew to $546 billion in 2023. Like the oceans, space has been exploited with little care for its sustainability. From satellites launched by over 90 countries to ideas for manufacturing in space to asteroid mining, space is a zone of increasing competition.

The report emphasizes that space is becoming increasingly congested, with 10,125 satellites in orbit in June 2024, with an increase of around 30 percent every year. While governments once had control of most of the satellites, private companies are increasingly launching their own equipment, with more than half of all satellites actively orbiting Earth falling under SpaceX. Due to the rising number of satellites in space, around 30,000 pieces of space debris have been left behind. Experts are now concerned about what this pollution may do to the Earths ecosystems.

In addition to using satellites, several public and private companies are looking to tap into resources found in space. For example, while the European Space Agency is exploring the potential of beaming solar electricity from space to Earth, others are assessing the possibility of asteroid mining to access valuable metals. However, if new projects such as these continue unchecked, there is no telling what impact they might have in the years to come.

Several initiatives are now being launched to tackle some of the issues associated with increased space activity. In 2023, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) imposed its inaugural fine for space debris violation, aimed at decreasing space pollution. The FCC levied the fine against the American satellite television provider Dish Network for breaching anti-space debris regulations. Once the company completed its mission, it was supposed to move its EchoStar-7 satellite to a graveyard orbit, 300 km beyond its previous location, to avoid interference with other satellites. However, Dish instead put the satellite in a disposal orbit, far below the required elevation. The company was therefore fined $150,000.

Loyaan A. Egal, the FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief, stated, This is a breakthrough settlement, making very clear the FCC has strong enforcement authority and capability to enforce its vitally important space debris rules. Egal added, As satellite operations become more prevalent and the space economy accelerates, we must be certain that operators comply with their commitments.

In Europe, the European Space Agency is aiming to develop reusable spaceships to reduce waste and debris. PLD Space, a Spanish start-up, successfully launched the first private reusable rocket manufactured in Europe on 7th October 2023. Miura 1 is a suborbital 12.5-metre micro-launcher capable of lifting 100-kg payloads. The start-up used technology from Elon Musks SpaceX.

Raul Torres, the launch director and co-founder of PLD Space, stated, This launch is the result of more than 12 years of hard work, but it is only the beginning of what is to come. Torres added, Thanks to this experimental flight, we will be able to extract a large volume of information that will allow us to validate a large part of the design and technology that will serve as the basis for developing our orbital launcher, Miura 5. Miura 5 is expected to launch around 2025 to enter service in 2026.

This month, Japan launched a satellite primarily made of wood, in a bid to explore more sustainable equipment options. LignoSat arrived at the orbiting lab at the International Space Station on November 5, after launching from Cape Canaveral aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule a few days before. The satellite is a 10 cm cube, packed with advanced electronics and sensors. Unlike conventional satellites that are made from aluminium, it is crafted out of wood. Aluminium satellites release aluminium oxide particles into the upper atmosphere upon re-entry, which can have a detrimental impact on the Earths temperature balance, as well as on the ozone layer. The idea is that once no longer needed, wooden satellites could fall back to Earth safely.

Meghan Everett, the deputy chief scientist for NASA's International Space Station programme, stated, While some of you might think that wood in space seems a little counterintuitive, researchers hope this investigation demonstrates that a wooden satellite can be more sustainable and less polluting for the environment than conventional satellites," Meghan Everett, the deputy chief scientist for NASA's International Space Station program, said in a press briefing on Monday.

Greater regulation is needed to ensure that we do not pollute space in the same way we have polluted the Earth. In addition, investment in research and development into reusable and more sustainable satellites could help reduce the impact governments and private companies have on space, to keep it safe for the future.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

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Last week, we saw Hungarys MOL sign a unilateral deal with Russian Lukoil. And this week, we saw Slovakias SPP (the countrys main gas buyer) sign a short-term gas purchase contract with Azerbaijans state-run SOCAR. An extension of the Ukraine transit deal is highly unlikely to materialize because at this point it would be political suicide for the EU, though pro-Russian sentiments are that a Trump presidency could throw a spanner in the works that is favorable to Moscow. He wont take office until January, however, and the deal expires at the end of December, so the scramble is on in full force. Slovakias move this week to cut another alternative supply deal further indicates that the country believes there will be no extension of the Ukraine transit deal. SPP has also entered into gas supply contracts with BP, Exxon, Shell, Eni and RWE to further diversify, but it comes at a high cost (almost $150M more than it would have spent on Russian gas).

With the current transit contract for Russian gas through Ukraine expiring at the end of this year, its now a desperate scramble for Slovakia, Hungary, and (to a lesser extent) Austria to secure new deals for alternative gas, while the rest of the European Union watches from the sidelines, simply hoping that new deals dont disrupt the market. The only silver lining is that EU gas storage is pretty much full for the winter, and meteorologists are predicting a mild one.

With the current transit contract for Russian gas through Ukraine expiring at the end of this year, its now a desperate scramble for Slovakia, Hungary, and (to a lesser extent) Austria to secure new deals for alternative gas, while the rest of the European Union watches from the sidelines, simply hoping that new deals dont disrupt the market. The only silver lining is that EU gas storage is pretty much full for the winter, and meteorologists are predicting a mild one.

Last week, we saw Hungarys MOL sign a unilateral deal with Russian Lukoil. And this week, we saw Slovakias SPP (the countrys main gas buyer) sign a short-term gas purchase contract with Azerbaijans state-run SOCAR. An extension of the Ukraine transit deal is highly unlikely to materialize because at this point it would be political suicide for the EU, though pro-Russian sentiments are that a Trump presidency could throw a spanner in the works that is favorable to Moscow. He wont take office until January, however, and the deal expires at the end of December, so the scramble is on in full force. Slovakias move this week to cut another alternative supply deal further indicates that the country believes there will be no extension of the Ukraine transit deal. SPP has also entered into gas supply contracts with BP, Exxon, Shell, Eni and RWE to further diversify, but it comes at a high cost (almost $150M more than it would have spent on Russian gas).

Brussels is increasingly nervous as natural gas prices are now surging. European nat gas prices spiked 5% on Thursday (their highest this year) after Austrias OMV warned of the disruption that would follow a halt of Russian gas supplies. In the UK, prices soared 3%. But the market is easily confused, keeping in mind that Europes gas markets are presently highly sensitive, and the Austrian warning stems from a secondary issue with Gazprom. This week, OMV won a court ruling for some $240 million in a supply contract dispute with Gazprom. Gazprom, of course, isnt going to pay up, but OMV is planning to halt payments to Gazprom to recoup the award. In turn, Gazprom is likely to halt deliveries.

Austria isnt as desperate as it seems, and its gas storage is largely full. A halt to Russian supplies would cause price disruption (beyond the market reaction to the news), but it wont be devastating. OMV says it can meet its supply obligations through 2025 (as reported by Bloomberg).
The United States is looking to keep its LNG flowing to Europe in the long term when the EU will have standards for methane emissions for all imported fossil fuels.

The EUs methane regulation will require imports of oil and gas, including LNG, to have equally strong or more stringent requirements of thresholds for these emissions than the European Union, starting in 2030.

These requirements, yet to be deliberated and announced in detail, would mean that U.S. LNG developers and exporters would need to clean up their operations to ensure their product would be EU-emission compliant by the end of the decade.

U.S. Seeks Methane Regulation Alignment

Days before the U.S. presidential election, the Biden Administration sought to begin discussions with the EU to ensure that LNG supply compliant with U.S. methane rules would automatically be considered compliant with the EU regulation. The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) co-signed a letter addressed to European Commission Director-General for Energy Juul Jorgensen, requesting a determination of equivalency for U.S. exports of LNG to Europe.

The letter was signed by DOE Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, Brad Crabtree, and the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air & Radiation, Joseph Goffman.

We understand that this process will take time. However, we would like to begin discussions as soon as possible, to ensure the continued reliable and stable supply of natural gas from the United States to Europe, they wrote in the letter dated October 28.

Related: US LNG Exports Poised to Hit 9-Month High

We are confident that the United States extensive domestic regulatory regime to monitor, measure, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (especially methane) from the oil and gas sector is consistent with the goals of the EUs regulations, they noted.

With an alignment of methane emission standards, the U.S. is looking to keep its now largest LNG export market well into the next decade. It is also seeking to have methane regulation on U.S. LNG regardless of what President-elect Donald Trump would do with U.S. environmental protection requirements over the next four yearsmost likely repeal most of them.

U.S. LNG Exports to Europe

The United States, the worlds top LNG exporter last year ahead of Qatar and Australia, continued to export two-thirds of its LNG volumes to Europe, including Turkey, in 2023, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Similar to 2022, Europe and Turkey remained the primary destination for U.S. LNG exports in 2023, accounting for 66% of U.S. exports. Asia, the top destination of Americas LNG before the Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, now trails Europe with about a quarter of U.S. LNG going there.

Moreover, the U.S. remained the largest LNG supplier to the EU and the UK in 2023, accounting for nearly half, 48%, of total LNG imports. Qatar and Russia remained the second- and third-largest LNG suppliers to Europe last year, with market shares of 14% and 13%, respectively.

As the EU seeks to ditch Russian gas, it could consider replacing imports of Russian LNG with U.S. LNG, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggested last week.

We still get a lot of LNG from Russia and why not replace it by American LNG, which is cheaper for us and brings down our energy prices, von der Leyen told reporters.

LNG Supply with the Methane Regulation

The EU methane regulation has yet to determine how and when methane rules in a country outside the bloc would be considered equivalent or stronger to the methane emissions legislation in the European Union.

In view of this regulation, a lot is at stake for both the United States and Europe in terms of LNG supply in the medium and long term.

Europe needs U.S. LNG as it severs ties with Russian gas, while the EU, the UK, and Turkey combined is the top export market of U.S. LNG producers and developers.

U.S. trade groups, including the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, have expressed concerns that the EU regulation could undermine the EUs energy security by depriving the bloc from U.S. LNG supply if it is found to be more polluting than the EU requirements.

President-elect Trump will likely target for immediate repeal or rollback the methane emissions fees finalized by the Biden Administration, while also lifting the current pause on new LNG project permitting.

However, regardless of any U.S. rollbacks on methane fees and emissions requirements, and a possible boost to LNG export developments under Trump, Americas exporters will be closely watched for emissions reporting and emission profiles over the next few years.

The EU hasnt decided how exactly these methane regulations would actually work. It may have to juggle between its energy security and climate goals in finalizing the methane requirements for fossil fuel imports.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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China could become the leader of the global fight to slow down climate change if the United States backs down under President Donald Trump, South Africas Minister of Environment, Dion George, told Bloomberg Television in an interview on Friday.

Thats the big debate that is going on, George said, referring to Chinas reluctance so far to finance climate change mitigation measures in poorer countries. China has said that as a developing country itself it shouldnt be held accountable for climate finance.

However, The developed economy countries certainly believe that China should be contributing, the South African minister told Bloomberg.

If its going to be the superpower, the global superpower that it may aspire to be, then it needs to show some leadership, he added.

China is the worlds biggest polluter and the global fight against rising temperatures depends a lot on Chinese energy and climate policies.

The pace at which China will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions will be critical to reaching the global targets to fight climate change, Germanys climate envoy said earlier this year.

Germany has recently established a Climate and Transformation Dialogue with China to work on ways to accelerate the energy transition to keep the 1.5-degree target within reach.

China is a global leader in renewable energy investment and capacity installations. But it is also the worlds largest greenhouse gas emitter and continues to approve coal-fired power generation to meet its rising electricity demand without compromising energy security.

China has yet to see its carbon dioxide emissions peak as it is a developing nation and has a massive population.

We should not forget that China is still a developing country, pursuing modernization for a huge population, the head of law and institutional reform at the National Energy Administration (NEA), Song Wen, told media at the end of August.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Refinery run rates in China fell for the seventh month in a row in October, shedding 4.6% on an annual basis, data from the countrys statistics agency showed, as quoted by Reuters.

As a result of the series of monthly declines, average refinery run rates for the first ten months of the year booked a 2% annual decline, for a daily average of 14.14 million barrels.

The Reuters report cited a Chinese consultancy as saying the decline was related to maintenance shutdowns and bankruptcies at three refineries owned by Sinochem. Whats more, independent refiners, the so-called teapots, operated at much lower than average rates in October, at some 58.7% versus 77% a year ago.

The lower refinery runs could be connected to softer factory activity in the country last month. According to fresh data cited by Reuters, Chinese industrial output grew rather robustly in October, at a rate of 5.3% but that rate was a dip on September, when activity grew by 5.4%. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected growth of 5.6% for October.

On the flip side, retail sales in the country booked a 4.8% increase in October, up substantially from the 3.2% growth rate registered in the previous month.

None of this could stop the decline in oil prices, however, as it was fueled by fresh demand projections from two of the most closely followed forecastersthe IEA and OPECwhich both had bearish news for traders this week.

Even so, the outlook for Chinas growth remains positive, with a spokesman for the national Bureau of Statistics saying that government stimulus was already having a positive impact on growth.

Changes in economic operations in September and October have strengthened China's confidence in achieving its 2024 target for economic growth, Fu Linghui told Chinese media as quoted by Reuters.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Russias Gazprom PJSC has decided to play its favorite game: pipeline politics. Starting November 16, Austria is off the guest list for Russian natural gas, following a 230 million ($242 million) arbitration spat between Gazprom and Austrias OMV AG. OMV, refusing to let that cash slip away, decided to withhold payments to Gazprom.

As one might have guessed, that ended poorly.

Unsurprisingly, European gas prices didnt take the news well. Futures climbed 2.7% to 47.49 per megawatt-hour, as traders braced for yet another disruption in a continent thats seen enough energy drama already. Europes gas supply has been teetering on a knifes edge since the 2022 energy crisis, with any whiff of trouble sending markets into a frenzy.

To OMVs credit, theyre keeping calm and carrying on. The company has proffered assurances that it will still be able to meet supply obligations through alternative sourcesclear evidence that Europes increasingly interconnected gas network means that Austria is no longer entirely at Gazproms mercy.

Still, the timing stings, with winter breathing down Europes neck. Even the mere hint of a supply squeeze has governments nervous about heating bills and energy security.

Gazproms move is a reminder of Russias waning-but-still-potent energy influence in Europe. Sure, the continent has spent the last two years diversifying its energy sourcessnapping up LNG cargos and tapping alternative pipelinesbut Gazproms ability to cause a stir is alive and well.

As Europes heating season kicks off, this spat between Gazprom and OMV highlights just how fragile the energy landscape remains. If nothing else, its a timely reminder for Europe to keep working on those contingency plansand maybe stockpile a few extra blankets. Winter is here, and with it, more geopolitical games.

The news comes as Gazprom raised in October its 2024 investment plans by 4% to $16.9 billion, and as Europes benchmark natural gas prices surged on Thursday to the highest levels since last November.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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Crude oil prices looked set for yet another weekly loss, pressured by the perception of softer-than-expected demand in China.

The decline comes in spite of the International Energy Agencys recent upward revision of oil demand growth for this year. That could be because the agency also revised its 2025 demand growth projection, but downwards.

For this year, the IEA sees demand growth at 920,000 bpd, while for 2025, it forecast growth of 990,000 bpd. Neither figure is impressive for oil traders, and the prediction of a supply surplus for 2025 did nothing to inspire bullishness in market players, especially after OPEC, too, revised its demand projections lower. Even so, however, PECs demand projection remains substantially higher than the IEAs, at 1.82 million bpd for 2024.

Brent crude was trading at $71.63 per barrel at the time of writing, and West Texas Intermediate was changing hands for $67.82 per barrel, both down from the opening in Asia.

The latest pressure on prices came from the Chinese refining sector: processing rates in October fell by 4.6%, state statistical data showed, as quoted by Reuters. October marked the seventh month of demand declines in a row. The latest decline was the result of temporary shutdowns and lower rates at some independent refiners.

The U.S. Energy Information Administrations latest weekly inventory report did not help oil prices, either, even though it featured a sizable decline in gasoline and middle distillate stocks. Crude oil, however, added an estimated 2.1 million barrels in the week to November. Gasoline stocks shed 4.4 million barrels and distillate inventories fell by 1.4 million barrels but traders ignored that data.

Separately, the surge of the U.S. dollar following Trumps victory in last weeks elections also served to dampen demand for crude oil on international markets as it made all dollar-traded commodities more expensive.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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A special screening showcase featuring Taiwan films opened Wednesday at the 2024 China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival in Xiamen, Fujian province.

A cross-Strait cinematic cultural dialogue takes place at the 2024 China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival, which opened on Wednesday in Xiamen, Fujian province, Nov. 13, 2024. [Photo courtesy of the China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival Organizing Committee]

Films such as "A City of Sadness," "Flowers of Shanghai" and "Millennium Mambo" by director Hou Hsiao-Hsien, along with the new film "BIG" by Wei Te-Sheng, are being shown during the festival. Organizers said the screenings display the unique charm of Taiwan cinema and stimulate further reflection and dialogue about the common cultural roots of cross-Strait cinema. The festival partnered with ticketing platform Taopiaopiao to organize the screenings.

A cross-Strait cultural dialogue followed the opening, featuring Zhang Ji, a mainland screenwriter, director and vice chairman of the China Film Association, alongside renowned Taiwan sound designer Tu Duun Chih, director Wei Te-Sheng and other industry professionals from both sides of the Strait.

"I first came to the mainland to film in Xiamen," Wei recalled, "and I have developed a deep connection with the city. Taiwan and Xiamen share similar language and cultural aspects. I look forward to collaborating in environments with similar cultural backgrounds, which could be the perfect beginning."

"Our understanding of culture is fundamentally the same; we share many common symbols that we intuitively understand," Tu added. "Together, we can find better ways to express ourselves in Chinese-language films."

"The market is changing, and so are young audiences. We need to respond proactively to these changes," Zhang said. "In terms of subject selection and narrative pacing, we must be inclusive and open-minded while respecting the essence of film art. Only by respecting tradition can we truly innovate and preserve its core."

Taiwan films have consistently performed well on Chinese mainland, with this year's standout being "The Pig, the Snake and the Pigeon." With Alibaba Pictures' marketing support, the film emerged as a surprise success, earning 665 million yuan ($92 million) in the mainland market  an exceptional achievement for an off-peak season release.

Li Jie, president of Alibaba Pictures, said his company is committed to meeting audience demands by delivering diverse, high-quality films. "We will leverage good content, effective marketing and our platform to build more bridges for cross-Strait film and cultural exchanges, helping Chinese-language films become a major force in global cinema and share our stories with the world," he said.

Zhang Chi, who oversees international film screenings for the Golden Rooster festival, expressed hope that filmmakers from both sides of the Strait will collaborate on more quality productions, creating shared memories and experiences. "We aim to continuously break new ground for Chinese-language cinema, establishing deeper domestic roots while expanding globally, showcasing diverse creative expressions on the world stage," he said.

The Taiwan film screenings are part of broader cross-Strait cultural activities at this year's festival. Given Xiamen's proximity to China's Taiwan region, organizers have invited nearly 100 filmmakers from Taiwan to participate. The festival is also hosting other themed activities, including exchange programs and a cross-Strait and Hong Kong-Macao youth short film event.
European benchmark natural gas prices continued to hover on Friday around their highest level in a year amid soaring demand in colder weather and an imminent risk to Russian gas supply to Austria.

Dutch TTF Natural Gas Futures, the benchmark for Europes gas trading, were trading on Friday around the highest level so far this year. This level was reached on Thursday, when prices soared by nearly 6%.

At 11:02 a.m. in Amsterdam on Friday, the front-month futures were at $48.32 (45.70 euros) per megawatt-hour (MWh) amid concerns about supply from Russia and high demand for heating and power generation with colder weather settling on most of Europe.

Earlier this week, Austrian energy firm OMV said it was awarded $242 million (230 million euros), plus interest and costs, in an arbitration case against Gazproms irregular German gas supplies and takes the necessary next steps to enforce the arbitral award with immediate effect.

In light of the arbitration award, OMV warned that It is expected that there may be a deterioration of the contractual relationship under the Austrian supply contract of OGMT with Gazprom Export, including a potential halt of gas supply.

Payments are usually due by the 20th of every month, so the market is likely to be on edge at least until then, Warren Patterson, Head of Commodities Strategy at ING, said in a Friday note.

Forecasts for colder weather next week have only provided further support to prices, the strategist added.

Analysts at ANZ Research noted that natural gas from EU storage sites is now being drawn down at the fastest clip in more than five years. Storage is 92% full at the sites, according to data from Gas Infrastructure Europe, down from 95% two weeks ago.

The threat of an imminent cut to supply comes as the strain of the heating season emerges, ANZ Research said, as carried by the Wall Street Journal.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The transition team appointed by president-elect Donald Trump has set its sights on the $7,500 EV tax incentive implemented by the Biden administration and plans to axe it as soon as possible, Reuters has reported, citing two unnamed sources.

Trump has repeatedly showed an absence of soft spots for the EV industry and has signaled a radical change in the attitude of the federal government to that industry if he wins. Now that he has, the radical change will soon be underway.

The EV incentive axing will be part of a broader tax reform, the Reuters report noted, adding that the move has been discussed by members of Trumps transition team including Continental Resources CEO Harold Hamm and North Dakota Governor and new Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.

Shares in EV makers dropped on the news, including Teslas, even though Tesla representatives have spoken in favor of the removal of the subsidy. That favor probably has to do with the fact that Tesla is a best-selling EV maker while the Big Auto carmakers are struggling to make a profit on their own electric vehicles. Indeed, per Reuters, Tesla representative said that the removal of the federal subsidy would destroy Big Auto giants.

The removal of the federal tax incentive will likely deal the fatal blow to EV uptake in the United States after demand began to slow down organically amid increasingly complicated rules for carmakers that made fewer of their cars eligible for the incentive in the first place.

The complications stemmed from an attempt by the Biden administration to reduce reliance on foreign component suppliersread Chinaobliging carmakers to source their batteries locally in order for their EVs to qualify for the incentives.

These complications added to already existing problems such as lack of enough chargers and prices, which even with incentives are above those for internal combustion engine cars.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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The UKs energy regulator Ofgem on Friday awarded a $2.5 billion (2 billion) funding package for a subsea and underground cable between Scotland and northern England that would give North Sea wind farms additional access to the grid.

Eastern Green Link 1 (EGL1) will be a high voltage electricity superhighway able to transport 2 gigawatts (GW) of UK wind-generated electricity between Torness, East Lothian and Hawthorn Pit, County Durham. Most of the 196 km (122 miles) cable will be under the North Sea, with the remaining cables underground linking the cable to substations and converter stations in Scotland and England.

The project will reduce Great Britains reliance on volatile international gas markets by further harnessing the power of homegrown North Sea wind, the regulator said in a statement.

The new project is expected to deliver annual saving of over $1.1 billion (870 million) by reducing the need to compensate wind generators due to lack of grid capacity. Currently, the system operator has to often compensate UK power generating companies when they are asked to turn off production during times of high wind due to lack of grid capacity.

Eastern Green Link 1 is the second of 26 critical energy projects, worth an estimated $25.3 billion (20 billion), to successfully complete Ofgems new fast track Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) framework, the regulator said.

The first of these project to reach the milestone was Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2), a subsea and underground cable project between Scotland and Yorkshire in England that could power up to 2 million British homes. Earlier this year, Ofgem approved a $4.3 billion (3.4 billion) funding to the EGL2 project.

At the end of last year, National Grid, the UKs power systems operator, said it is accelerating the connection of up to 20 GW of clean energy projects to its electricity transmission and distribution networks in England and Wales as part of a collaborative UK plan to speed up and reform connections.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State has won all the National Assembly seats declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the presidential candidate of APC, Muhammadu Buhari, also won the presidential election with 402,961 to defeat his closest rival of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, who scored 138,484 votes.

In the National Assembly elections, APC won the three senatorial and seven House of Representatives seats.

In Gombe Central Senatorial District, Danjuma Goje retains his seat after securing 110,116 votes to defeat his closest rival of PDP, Nasiru Nono, the incumbent Speaker of the state House of Assembly, who scored 39,760 votes.

Also in the Gombe North Senatorial District, Saidu Alkali of APC won with 152,546 votes to defeat PDPs candidate, Ibrahim Dankwambo, who scored 88,016 votes to come second.

The APC also won the election in Gombe South, with its candidate, Amos Bulus, securing 80,549 votes to defeat his closest rival of the PDP, Binta Bello, who got 63,312 votes.

The defeated PDP candidate is the member representing Kaltungo/Shongom Federal Constituency.

In the House of Representatives election, APC candidate for Yamaltu/Deba, Abubakar Ahmed polled 45,315 votes to defeat the candidate of PDP, Inuwa Garba, who scored 30,420 votes.

The defeated PDP candidate was a former Speaker of the state Assembly.

Also, Aishatu Jibril-Dukku of APC won the election in Dukku /Nafada Federal Constituency with 40,122 votes to defeat her closest rival Saidu Adamu Jodoma of PDP who had 21,474 votes.

In Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency, APCs Victor Mela was declared winner with 45,112 votes to defeat PDPs Isa Ali, a serving member.

Similarly, in Akko Federal Consistency, APC candidate, Usman Belle, was declared winner with 57,490 votes to defeat Aishatu Ahmed, a former Commissioner for Education, who scored 28,631 votes.

The result for Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency also went to the APC, where its candidate, Yahaya Tango, polled 173,466 votes to defeat his closest rival, Abubakar Durbi of PDP who scored 57,365 votes.

(NAN)
This is shocking. A man has lived after a steel rod speared through his head. The sad incident happened after he fell down a well. The construction worker identified as Sanjay Bahe, 21, was doing some repair work at a construction site in Balaghat, India when he fell.

He was rushed to B.J Hospital after the iron rod pierced him from the right temporal region of his brain to the left frontal region.

At the hospital, medics reported that Sanjays blood pressure suddenly dropped.

So the team led by Dr Pramod Giri began a 90-minute surgery in a bid to remove the rod. Sanjay was resuscitated with blood and blood products and was taken for surgery at the Neuron Hospital.

Miraculously, the rod was removed safely with hardly any bleeding or injury to the surrounding area.

Doctor Giri said Sanjays main venous sinus to the brain was preserved by just millimetres.

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A middle-aged pregnant woman was on Tuesday burnt to death in a ghastly motor accident which occurred along Omi Adio, Ibadan, axis of the Ibadan- Abeokuta expressway, leaving several others with varying decree of burn injuries.

About eight people were said to have sustained severe injuries when they were trapped in the liteace commercial bus coming from Apata to Omi Adio, along the one-lane expressway.

The ill-fated commercial bus, according to eyewitness account developed mechanical problem when its shaft pulled off, causing the driver to lose control and ran into a ditch after somersaulting several times.

However, the confused passengers numbering about ten were in the process of finding their way out of the wrecked bus when it went up in flames, and trapped the occupants.

As dozens of sympathisers struggled to rescue the victims, the pregnant woman who was said to seat in the front became unconscious and was unable to escape from the inferno which also caught other passengers in the bus.

A team of officers from the Apata , Ibadan unit of the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC), and police officers from the traffic section of the Omi Adio, Ibadan Divisional Police Station were seen assisting sympathisers to evacuate the victims of the accident from the deep valley where the bus pugged.

As at the time of filing this report, the wreckage of the commercial bus was yet to be retrieved from the deep valley, in thick smokes as the bus is still burning.

The injured, with burns, have been rushed to a nearby medical facility, Alaafia hospital, Apata where they were receiving medical attention , while the deceased pregnant woman was said to have deposits at the Adeoyo state hospital morgue , Ring road, Ibadan.

A police source from Omi Adio Police Station, Ibadan attributed the accident to over speeding and lack of maintenance culture among commercial vehicles by operators.

It will be recalled that last week Thursday a similar accident occurred on the same area when the front shaft of a commercial bus went off, while the vehicle was on a high speed, and ran into a deep valley on the Ibadan- Abeokuta expressway.
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This photo taken on Oct. 4, 2024 shows the European Commission building in Brussels, Belgium. [Photo/Xinhua]

The European Commission on Thursday fined U.S. tech giant Meta 797.72 million euros (837.61 million U.S. dollars) for breaching European Union (EU) antitrust rules and abusing its dominant positions in the markets.



"The Commission has fined Meta ... for breaching EU antitrust rules by tying its online classified ads service Facebook Marketplace to its personal social network Facebook and by imposing unfair trading conditions on other online classified ads service providers," the European Commission said in a press release.

Facebook Marketplace is an online platform for classified ads, allowing users to buy and sell goods.

The Commission argued that by linking Facebook Marketplace with its social network, all Facebook users are automatically exposed to Marketplace without a choice. This integration gives Facebook Marketplace a significant distribution advantage, making it difficult for competitors to compete fairly.

It also stated that Meta imposes unfair trading conditions on other online classified ad service providers who advertise on Meta's platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. The practice enables Meta to use ad-related data from other advertisers solely to benefit Facebook Marketplace.

Meta's antitrust case goes back to June 2021, when the Commission began investigating possible related conduct by Facebook. In December 2022, the Commission accused Meta of distorting competition in the online classified ads market, to which Meta responded in June 2023.

Meta responded quickly after the EU's ruling, saying that the Commission's conclusions were based on a "hypothetical potential to harm competition" rather than concrete evidence of damage to competitors or consumers.

The company stated that the decision overlooked the "realities of Europe's thriving online classifieds market" and favored incumbent players.

Meta announced that it will appeal the decision.
People visit the 26th China Hi-Tech Fair in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 14, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

The 26th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) kicked off on Thursday in south China's tech hub of Shenzhen, attracting more than 5,000 enterprises and international organizations from over 100 countries and regions.



During the three-day event, more than 4,300 new technologies, products and achievements will be released, including a number of advanced intelligent robots, artificial intelligence digital avatar products, and intelligent terminal applications, according to the organizer.

Enterprises and institutions from the United States, France, the Republic of Korea, Australia, Canada, Denmark and other countries and regions have organized groups to participate in the exhibition, bringing their latest cutting-edge technologies.

The annual CHTF, inaugurated in 1999, is the largest and the most influential science and technology fair in China.
Representatives from Sichuan Haite High-Tech and the Civil Aviation Flight University of China sign a cooperation agreement at the 15th Airshow China in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, Nov. 13, 2024. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]



An intended strategic cooperation agreement focusing on industry-education integration in the low-altitude economy was signed between Sichuan Haite High-Tech and the Civil Aviation Flight University of China (CAFUC) on Nov. 13 at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China.

The event is taking place in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong province, from Nov. 12-17, and serves as a platform for showcasing cutting-edge developments in the aviation and aerospace sectors.

This partnership aims to establish a long-term cooperation mechanism that integrates industries, universities, research institutions and end-users in the low-altitude economy sector, creating a pioneering model for university-industry collaboration.

According to the Civil Aviation Administration of China, the size of China's low-altitude economy as of the end of 2023 was estimated to be more than 500 billion yuan (about $70 billion), with its scale expected to rise to 2 trillion yuan by 2030.

Under the terms of the agreement, Haite High-Tech and the CAFUC will jointly establish a cooperation platform centered on industry-education integration and the low-altitude economy. The platform will focus on advancing key technologies related to the aviation industry and low-altitude economy while cultivating a highly skilled workforce with expertise in both research and production.

Wan Tao, president of Haite High-Tech, noted at the signing ceremony: "Haite High-Tech and the CAFUC will seize the opportunity presented by the ongoing industrial development to deepen cooperation in areas such as talent cultivation, the application of research achievements, the construction of innovation platforms, and the expansion of industrial scale."

The cooperation will facilitate resource sharing and foster enhanced communication between Haite High-Tech's research teams and the CAFUC's academic staff, thus improving research capabilities. Both parties will also work to ensure that practical production needs are addressed through joint initiatives and promote the application of research outcomes in real-world scenarios.

Ma Jianxin, vice president of the CAFUC, emphasized the importance of using this new agreement as a stepping stone to deepen cooperation across multiple fields and levels, in line with national strategic needs and global technological trends. He also expressed his hope that the collaboration would open a new chapter in strategic partnerships between universities and enterprises, contributing to their mutual development.

Founded in 1991, Haite High-Tech has grown to become China's leading private company for comprehensive aircraft overhaul, complete aircraft painting, passenger-to-cargo aircraft conversions, and the repair of aircraft components.

In addition to its partnership with the CAFUC, Haite High-Tech also signed a ground support equipment procurement agreement with U.S.-based Advanced Ground Systems Engineering (AGSE) on Tuesday. This agreement will enhance cooperation in the provision of ground support equipment and services, crucial to meeting the growing demands of the aviation industry.
1. England

" " England flag. visual7 / Getty Images

The national flag of England displays a bold red cross on a white background. The design comes from Saint George's Cross, which dates back to the early Middle Ages.

As England's patron saint, Saint George represents bravery and the fight for justice, ideals that have become synonymous with the English spirit. This emblem is also incorporated into the Union Jack, uniting British flags under one overarching design and symbolizing the historical union of nations.

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2. Georgia

" " Georgia flag. Kryssia Campos / Getty Images

Georgia's flag, also known as the Five Cross Flag, features a central red cross with smaller red crosses in each white quadrant. The red cross symbolizes Saint George, the patron saint of Georgia, whose courage and strength have long inspired the nation.

This red cross flag is a proud emblem of Georgia's Christian heritage and national identity, often displayed during celebrations and official events.

3. Tonga

" " Tonga flag. Zoonar/A.Mijatovic / Getty Images/Zoonar RF

The flag of Tonga has a red cross in the upper left corner on a white background, with the remaining space colored red.

This flag is unique among the Pacific islands and represents Tonga's strong Christian heritage, with the red cross emblem symbolizing faith and sacrifice. The red background highlights the importance of these values to the Tongan people and their culture.
Animal welfare organisation Soi Dog Foundation is delighted to announce the recent adoption of one of their rescued dogs into the Thai royal family. Her Royal Highness Princess Aditayadornkitikhun kindly adopted the three-legged dog, named Popcorn, from the foundations shelter at the end of August.

Popcorn was rescued from the streets of Surat Thani by the foundation in 2022 after sustaining severe injuries to one of his front legs. He was rushed to their shelter in Phuket where his injured leg was amputated and he began the search for a home.

After more than two years at the shelter, Popcorn is now receiving the highest level of care and affection under the watchful eye of Her Royal Highness, alongside her other beloved dogs.

The Thai royal family have long been known for their dedication to animal welfare, and HRH Princess Aditayadornkitikhuns decision to adopt Popcorn is a continuation of their noble commitment to animals in need.

We are deeply honoured that Her Royal Highness decided to adopt from our shelter, said Soi Dog Foundation CEO Louise Rose. Her compassion for animals is inspiring, and we hope her kindness encourages others to consider adoption as a first option when looking to welcome a dog or cat into their family.

Popcorn is thriving under Her Royal Highnesss care, and we have no doubt that he will bring her much joy in return, Louise added.

The Soi Dog Foundation shelter is currently home to more than 1,800 rescued animals like Popcorn  some recuperating from illness and injury in their dedicated dog and cat hospitals, others recovered and residing in the sanctuary while waiting to find a home.

In addition to rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming efforts, the foundation also educates communities and schoolchildren about animal welfare, campaigns against the dog and cat meat trade in Asia and operates the largest spay/neuter and vaccination programme in the world. As part of this programme, the foundation has been honoured to collaborate with Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Krom Phra Srisavangavadhanas Disease-free Animals, Saving Humans from Rabies project, which is moving Thailand towards becoming a rabies-free nation.
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Examining protein changes at the molecular level in mice. Credit: Osaka Metropolitan University

With the worldwide population aging at an unprecedented rate, the prevention of age-related diseases has become a prominent issue. It is important to comprehensively and quantitatively evaluate the changes that aging causes at the molecular level in the body. By doing so, it may be possible to pinpoint specific aging factors and suppress age-related diseases.

Addressing this problem, previously conducted research established an atlas of changes in major tissues from aging by determining the extent to which mRNA was produced within living cells. However, there has not been an atlas of changes in proteins associated with aging.

To fill this gap in research, a team led by Lecturer Masaki Takasugi and Professor Naoko Ohtani at Osaka Metropolitan University's Graduate School of Medicine constructed a highly comprehensive database called the Mouse Aging Proteomic Atlas. The findings were published in Nature Communications.

They analyzed the proteomes and transcriptomes of brain, artery, heart, kidney, liver, lung, skeletal muscle, and skin tissues of 6-, 15-, 24-, and 30-month-old mice, as well as extracellular matrix-enriched fractions of major tissues. Through this, it became possible to analyze the characteristics of protein groups affected by aging in major tissues and reveal proteins in the extracellular matrix that increase with age.

"By clarifying the changes in various tissues due to aging in detail with regard to the number of proteins that are directly linked to gene function, we have dramatically improved our understanding of the overall changes on the molecular level," said Dr. Takasugi.

Professor Ohtani concludes, "The results of this research are expected to contribute to a better understanding of the changes that occur with age."

More information: Masaki Takasugi et al, An atlas of the aging mouse proteome reveals the features of age-related post-transcriptional dysregulation, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52845-x Journal information: Nature Communications
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Distribution of distinct volcanic episodes on the moon's farside. The remote sensing image highlights the Chang'e-6 landing site along with nearby mare and cryptomare basaltic units. Credit: Yang Muhan

Basalt samples returned by the Chang'e-6 mission have revealed volcanic events on the lunar farside at 2.8 billion years ago (Ga) and 4.2 Ga, according to research conducted by Prof. Li Qiuli's lab at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Their work is published in Nature.

"Unraveling the volcanic history of the lunar farside is crucial for understanding the hemispheric dichotomy of the moon," said Prof. Li.

The asymmetry between the moon's nearside and farsideencompassing differences in basalt distribution, topography, crustal thickness, and thorium (Th) concentrationhas long been a mystery. However, China's Chang'e-6 missionthe first to return samples from the lunar farsidehas created a unique opportunity to explore volcanic activity in this hemisphere, with the 1,935.3 g lunar soil sample it retrieved.

Led by Prof. Li, postdoctoral researcher Zhang Qian conducted systematic radioisotope dating on 108 basalt fragments from this sample. Of these, 107 fragments revealed a consistent formation age of 2,807  3 million years ago (Ma), indicating the eruption age of local basalts at the Chang'e-6 landing site. Notably, this 2.8 Ga volcanic episode has not been observed in nearside samples.

The remaining fragment, of high-aluminum basalt and dating to 4,203  4 Ma, is thought to have originated from a cryptomare region south of the landing site. It is the oldest lunar basalt sample yet returned whose age has been precisely determined.

These data indicate that volcanic activity on the lunar farside persisted for at least 1.4 billion years, from 4.2 Ga to 2.8 Ga. Initial lead isotope analysis suggests that these basalts derive from distinct mantle sources: The 4.2 Ga basalt came from a KREEP-rich source, i.e., one with abundant potassium (K), rare earth elements (REE), and phosphorous (P), while the 2.8 Ga basalt came from a KREEP-poor source.

The close alignment between the 2.8 Ga basalt age and crater-counting estimates suggests that the cratering chronology model, established based on nearside observations, is also applicable to the lunar farside. The radioisotope ages of the Chang'e-6 basalts provide an essential calibration point for refining lunar crater-counting chronology, thus enhancing its accuracy, according to Prof. Li.

More information: Lunar farside volcanism 2.8 billion years ago from Chang'e-6 basalts, Nature (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-08382-0 Journal information: Nature
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Credit: Pixabay, Jan Marczuk

How do you stop marine organisms from colonizing a tanker? Creative answers are needed to solve this problem, such as from the field of chemistry.

What does a tanker care if barnacles colonize it? Well, given the gigantic dimensions of such ships, you would think: nothing at all. "However, the colonization of ship surfaces by marine organisms is a huge problem," says Professor Axel Rosenhahn. "It's been calculated that they increase the flow resistance so much that the ship's fuel consumption increases by up to 60%." Not to mention CO 2 emissions.

This is why the head of the Biointerfaces research group at the Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, has set out to make life on the ship's hull as uncomfortable as possible.

This idea is not new, of course. Algae, bacteria, mussels and barnacles have accompanied ships since time immemorial. "In the past, they were kept at bay with biocidal coatings," says Rosenhahn. The active ingredient tributyltin was particularly popular: a broad-spectrum biocide that, when released slowly, killed off anything that tried to colonize the surface of the ship.

However, it then turned out that the active ingredient acts like a hormone and accumulates in fish, thus entering the food chain. "Tributyltin therefore disappeared from the market in the early 2000s," says Rosenhahn. "Attempts were then made to find less toxic methods to prevent biofouling on ships."

It is true that coatings still exist that release toxic substances, such as copper, which also occurs in nature. But the introduction of strict regulations in many ports means that the use of such coatings is on the decline.

Water rinses off biofouling

What's needed are alternativesand when coming up with ideas, the sky's the limit. Rosenhahn's research group relies on biofouling release technology. The aim is not so much to stop living organisms from attaching themselves to the ship in the first place, but to weaken their grip. In that case, they will simply be rinsed off by the flow of water as the ship travels.

"The problem is that it's not just one species that sticks to the ship, but a whole community of different organisms, each with their own specialization," explains Rosenhahn. The candidates include various bacteria and diatoms, for example. Both form biofilms and hide inside. Algae, barnacles and mussels are the largest species that make their home on ship hulls.

"For a while, people thought that some of them came first and prepared the ground for the others," says Rosenhahn. "But that's not the case. Each species arrives separately and attaches itself in its own unique way."

Different forms of attachment

Many bacteria and algae secrete a gel-like matrix that first dries out the substrate and then sticks to it. "It's a fascinating technique that has developed over the course of evolution," says Rosenhahn, "considering how difficult it is to get anything to stick under water."

In their larval stage, larger sea creatures such as barnacles move around in search of a place where they can settle. Their metamorphosis only begins once they have attached themselves. "Once this process has started, it can no longer be reversedwhich means there's definitely a risk involved in choosing the right spot," explains Rosenhahn.

"We observe that the barnacle larvae first test the location of their choice by walking over the surface and testing the grip. They walk on two legs, so-called antennae, which are covered with tiny hairs, similar to those of a gecko. Depending on the nature of the surface, the feet come off more or less easily; this is also what they test to determine whether they will stick."

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NO deters bacteria

To make life as difficult as possible for these attachment specialists, Rosenhahn's team relies on polymers in a wide variety of thicknesses, shapes and compositions. "You want the surface to be as slippery as possible," he explains. "Preferably a little bit fluffybut not too thick, of course."

Tests with hydrogels such as those in baby diapers failed, because fine sand particles from the seawater clump everything together. In general, a thickness of around 130 micrometers must not be exceeded for a marine coating: Otherwise the coating would simply be too expensive.

The researcher is currently taking a particular interest in hybrid polymers made from natural sugar compounds and so-called silanes as cross-linking units. They are compact and form thin layers, are themselves highly inert and easy to clean. They can also be additionally equipped with amino functionalities so that they release nitrogen monoxide (NO).

NO is a naturally occurring molecule that is released by, for example, bacteria when their habitat doesn't meet all their needs so that they come under stress and the biofilm dissolves. "NO acts as a kind of messenger for bacteria not to settle here," explains Rosenhahn.

Another strategy is to incorporate molecules with two simultaneous chargesso-called zwitterionsinto the coating. They bind water particularly well and make it more difficult for the surface to dry out, which in turn makes it more difficult for organisms to stick to it.

In its labs, the research group is conducting tests with various coatings of this type and specifically cultivated bacteria and diatoms. In order to mimic marine conditions as closely as possible, the potential colonizers are always released onto the coated surfaces in moving water and, for the sake of comparison, onto uncoated surfaces as well.

After a set interval, the researchers count the number of bacteria respectively algae adhering to the samples under the microscope. If there are significantly fewer on a coating than on the control, i.e., if it proves itself to be effective in the lab, tests are carried out on rotating disks in the sea.

"Our aim is for such a coating to retain its functionality for around seven years before it needs to be renewed," says Rosenhahn. "More frequent dry docking times would be too expensive."
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University of Arkanas School of Social Work professors Mark Plassmeyer and Kim Stauss. Credit: Whit Pruitt/University of Arkansas University Relations

In 2021, the University of Arkansas School of Social Work partnered with the Fayetteville Police Department to pair officers with social workers trained to help people suffering mental crises. Initially, the officers were supportive of the effort but also somewhat hesitant. Now that the co-response teams are fully established, the officers say the program benefits the community and helps them carry out their duties.

The officers' changing attitudes to the program were reported in the Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology. The paper was written by U of A social work professors Mark Plassmeyer and Kim Stauss, who helped launch and continue to work with the Fayetteville Police Department on the co-response program.

Melissa Gute, who completed her Master of Social Work at the U of A and now works for the police department, was also an author.

The Crisis Intervention Response Team in Fayetteville launched with a single intern from the U of A School of Social Work. Today the police department has two teams that pair a full-time social worker with an officer and is in the process of hiring social workers for two more teams.

"I think you are seeing the co-response programs expanding and growing, because people are seeing that not only do they help their community but also support the individual police departments in accomplishing their missions," Stauss said.

In Fayetteville, officers told the researchers the program reduced their workload while helping them better serve people suffering a mental health crisis. The intervention of the social workers also cut down the number of "high utilizers," people who officers might encounter weekly or even daily.

"Their retention has increased, which is a huge thing for police departments. Frustration has gone down," Stauss said.

The officers said the progressive culture of the Fayetteville Police Department and the strong support of their chief helped the co-response program succeed.

Plassmeyer and Stauss next plan to study how people who have received services from the Crisis Intervention Response Team view the program and how aware the Fayetteville community is of the work.

Police departments around Arkansas have expressed interest in creating their own version of the Fayetteville co-response teams. Plassmeyer and Stauss also spoke about the work at a recent conference of the Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police.

"People are trying to get these off the ground in rural areas, urban areas, suburban, you name it. I've noticed that a lot of people are struggling to find clinicians," Plassmeyer said.

Next semester, the lead social worker at the Fayetteville Police Department will teach a class at the U of A on practicing in a law enforcement environment. The School of Social Work's online advanced-standing master's program could also train students around the state who want to work with police departments.

More information: Mark Plassmeyer et al, "We Need to Not Fear You": Essential Factors Identified by Sworn Officers and Civilian Staff for Implementation and Expansion of a Co-Response Program, Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s11896-024-09706-6
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Women inherited power: Here, the lords of Brittany acknowledge the duke and duchess. The image is from the chronicles of Froissant, 15th century. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The Middle Ages were not all about tyrannical rulers and power struggles. Cooperation, compromise, and women in power were also common, according to a historian at the University of Oslo.

When historian Erika Graham-Goering checked the number of women who were in power worldwide five years ago, she was surprised. The proportion was the same as it was in France in the 14th century: 1 in 5.

Graham-Goering's area of expertise is power, who held it, and how it was exercised in the late Middle Ages. She focuses particularly on France in the 14th century, a period that constitutes the first half of the Hundred Years' War (13371453).

"For historians, it often seems that you either research women in the Middle Ages or you research the upper class and the power elite. I believe these topics are interconnected and cannot be separated because women had considerable influence," Graham-Goering says.

Local self-governance and different languages

In the early 14th century, the monarchy belonged to the "House of Valois," which ruled from their seat in Paris from 1328 to 1589. The map of France looked different than it does today; for example, the eastern part was under the rule of the Holy Roman Empire.

"Paris has been so successful in taking over the French national history that the importance of local and regional power is overlooked," says the historian, emphasizing that the era was characterized by diversity.

"Some areas were directly under the king, while others had a lot of self-governance. Not only different dialects but also different languages were spoken throughout the country."

The king's power increased during the Hundred Years' War

The French kingdom was hierarchical and feudal, which was common in Western Europe during the Middle Ages. Most political, economic, and even military power was in the hands of the aristocracy, where positions were inherited. Farmers typically did not own land themselves but were tenants working for the local lord.

"France was one of the most populous countries in Europe, with 15 million inhabitants."

The country was at war with England during the Hundred Years' War (c. 13371453).

"During this period, the monarchy in Paris strengthened, and the idea of France as a nation began to take hold. There is nothing better than an external enemy for a king who desires power," Graham-Goering says.

The king was regarded as sacred, possessing supernatural abilities.

Had to be able to negotiate

Graham-Goering focuses on how society was organized. An important finding is that the exercise of power was much less authoritarian and more productive than the impression created in later times. It was about finding practical solutions to situations that arose in the moment.

"It is true that the ruling elites fought for power and control. But compromises and peaceful negotiations to reach agreements were equally important."

For the local elites to maintain power, they had to be flexible and adapt to conflicting demands: from the monarchy, from other principalities, and to some extent from the people.

"Co-lordship," meaning that two or more lords shared power in the same area, was a common form of governance throughout the country.

Map of France, year 1350: The crown estates (blue) were more directly subject to the king's influence, while the fiefs (red) had more autonomy. The yellow areas show areas that England had conquered during the Hundred Years' War. Credit: University of Oslo

"Historians have long assumed that such fragmentation of power was disadvantageous. Instead, I have concluded that it led to fewer conflicts and better cooperation. For the peasants, it was beneficial to have more players to negotiate with, and for the lords themselves, it allowed for more political and economic flexibility."

The record is a village where as many as 20 lords shared power. The one with the least ownership only held 1/400 of the land.

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The local lord most important for ordinary people

Power and land ownership went hand in hand.

A powerful lord had a lot of land and also power over the people who lived there. In some smaller places, the only thing that might distinguish the lord from the average farmer was the ability to afford a two-story house.

"What does power look like for the ordinary woman and man living in a village?"

"The local lord had a lot of influence. But it was not without limitations; they couldn't just make new laws and rules, or, for example, decide that someone should be executed."

Laws and regulations were based on customs, and much of it was about finding practical solutions to everyday occurrences. "Your pig went onto the neighbor's property and ate the carrots, what do we do about it?"

The king began to demand taxes

The local lords could collect taxes, but only in exceptional cases, such as during war and other crises. The idea was that they should manage with the income from the land they owned. This changed in the 15th century when a system of regular tax collection was established, and taxes were paid to the king.

"An important point, even when it came to taxation, is that although there was no democracy, a lot still depended on collaboration and negotiations. If the king wanted the local lords and dukes to collect taxes, he relied on their goodwill."

There were only 4,000 people working in the king's administration, while the total population was 15 million. Therefore, the king needed the loyalty of the local lords and often granted them significant autonomy over their areas.

Women and men had similar roles

Graham-Goering's research is largely based on original archival materials, such as letters, charters, accounts, and legal texts. One of her sources is Christine de Pizan (13641430), known as Europe's first paid female writer.

"De Pizan writes about leading women in the aristocracy and how it was expected that they could do pretty much the same things as men. They needed to know everything from laws and regulations to how to lead an army."

In Brittany, for example, it was Jeanne de Penthievre who held power. She was 15 years old when she became Duchess of Brittany after inheriting the position from her uncle. She and her husband waged a war that lasted 24 years for her to retain her position.

"Women were somewhat more vulnerable to coups, but nonetheless, one in five of those in power were women. When Jeanne married, she remained the legitimate owner of the land."

Noblemen and women performed many of the same leadership tasks, although few women went to war. An important exception here is Joan of Arc (14121431), now a saint in the Catholic Church. For a period during the Hundred Years' War, she led the French army in the war against England.

"It's a thought-provoking fact that women lost power after the French Revolution and the introduction of democracy. They could neither be elected nor vote themselves. Whereas when positions were inherited, they actually had a reasonably good chance of being at the top of the hierarchy and in power," Graham-Goering concludes.
China and Peru have signed a protocol to upgrade the bilateral free trade agreement in Lima, the Peruvian capital, according to China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC).

The protocol was signed on Thursday by Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and Peru's Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism Ursula Leon Chempen, representing their respective governments.

Based on the original free trade agreement signed in 2009, the protocol aims to optimize provisions in various areas, including rules of origin, customs procedures and trade facilitation, intellectual property rights, and trade in services.

The protocol also introduces five new provisions, which cover cooperation on standards and compliance assessment, competition policy, e-commerce, global supply chains, and environment and trade, said the MOC.

The signing of the protocol will help unleash the potential of bilateral trade and investment cooperation, create a better business environment for companies of both countries, better protect and promote two-way investment, and deliver more tangible benefits to businesses and people of both countries, according to the MOC.

Following the signing, the two countries will undertake their respective domestic legal approval procedures to expedite the protocol's entry into force and implementation, the MOC said.


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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Graphene has lived up to its promise in the lab. Now, EU researchers are working on supporting its wider adoption in high-end electronics, photonics and sensors.

Dr. Inge Asselberghs has been closely involved in advanced graphene research over the past decade. Today, she's at the forefront of efforts to bring this "miracle material" out of the lab and into society.

Asselberghs is part of an international team of researchers that set up a prototype manufacturing facility for graphene and other 2D materials at Imec, a leading global nanoelectronics research institute based in Leuven, Belgium.

The team pools expertise from 11 universities, research institutes and companies in six European countries as part of the 2D experimental pilot line (2D-EPL). Their aim is to advance the production and integration of graphene in prototypes for use in high-end electronics, photonics and sensors.

Graphene has the potential to fundamentally transform many areas of technology. Consisting of just a single layer of carbon atoms, it is extremely thin.

Graphene is exceptionally strong, light and flexible, and able to conduct both heat and electricity. This makes it highly adaptable for a wide range of products, from next-generation batteries to advanced aeronautic and space applications.

"The hype started as soon as graphene was discovered. It was much stronger than initially anticipated," said Asselberghs.

Recognizing the economic potential of graphene and other 2D materials, the EU launched the 10-year Graphene Flagship initiative in 2013, bringing together 178 academic and industrial partners with a budget of 1 billion to boost research in this area. 2D-EPL is part of this wide-ranging initiative.

Experimental prototypes

The aim of the experimental pilot line, set up in multiple locations, was to accelerate the use of graphene and other layered materials in the manufacture of new prototypes for electronics, photonics, sensors and optoelectronics. This will be a crucial step before 2D materials can be integrated into full-scale chip manufacturing.

"Our first goal was to figure out how to make graphene devices on a wafer scale by modifying existing processes so that they can be handled in automated fabrication facilities," said Asselberghs.

Wafers are thin round slices of material for use in electronics and other industries. Reaching the stage where graphene can be routinely included in sophisticated devices would be a major milestone.

Flawless manufacturing

One drawback is that the thinness of graphene and other 2D materials can make them tricky to manufacture flawlessly. It takes only a speck of dust, or even a few unwanted molecules, to cause defects in graphene.

During the manufacturing process, graphene must be protected by a thin polymer layer and then transferred to a silicon base. These thin layers need to be handled extremely carefully. Figuring out how to do this in an automated process was a challenge.

"Your room and your tools need to be super-controlled and clean to avoid any particles on your device," Asselberghs said.

An assembly line was set up in Imec's special fabrication facility to process wafers with graphene that are 200 or 300 mm across, a standard size used in silicon fabrication facilities and therefore familiar to industry.

Other research partners added tools, machines and knowledge to help "cook up" the perfect graphene recipe, as large-scale manufacture remains delicate.

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Exciting potential

Europe has been a global leader in exploring the potential of graphene and other 2D materials.

"We are in a pretty strong position in Europe with 2D materials because we've had consistent long-standing funding for this research," said Harm Knoops, a Dutch researcher with Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology from Bristol, UK.

His company specializes in the use of plasma technology for the creation and manipulation of matter with atomic-scale accuracy and contributed to the manufacturing process in 2D-EPL.

The excitement among researchers and industries around 2D materials is not focused only on graphene. The researchers are also interested in other super thin materials that canlike siliconact as semiconductors and be used in advanced manufacturing.

The potential of these materials has attracted interest from many areas of industry. Potential customers have already been in touch with the research team with specific design requests.

On the cusp

A big advantage of graphene is that it consists of carbon, one of the most common elements on Earth. The hope is that the integration of graphene will support the cheap and large-scale manufacture of advanced electronics and sensors, and allow the development of devices that haven't even been invented yet.

Although it is not yet ready for industrial roll-out as part of advanced electronics, graphene and other 2D materials are certain to reach the market eventually. They could lead to better devices with super-fast transistors or sharper sensors, said Knoops, whose company was part of the Graphene Flagship.

"It could mean data centers use less power, or your internet is faster, or you can have a special sensor or medical device connected to your phone."
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

From hot flashes to hysteria, film and TV have long represented menopause as scary, emotional and messy.

Recently, celebrities have been sharing their personal menopause experiences on social media, helping to re-frame the conversation in popular culture.

We are also seeing more stories about menopause on television, with real stories and depictions that show greater empathy for the person going through it.

Menopause is having a moment. But will it help women?

The change onscreen

This is not what we're used to seeing on our screens. Countless sitcoms, from All in the Family (197179) to Two and a Half Men (200315) have used the menopause madness trope for laughs.

Retro sitcom That '70s Show (19982006) used mom Kitty's menopause journey as comedic fodder for multiple episodes. When she mistakes a missed period for pregnancy, Kitty's surprise menopause diagnosis results in an identity crisis alongside mood swings, hot flashes and irritability.

But the audience is not meant to empathize. Instead, the focus is on how Kitty's menopause impacts the men in her family. Having to navigate Kitty's symptoms, her veteran husband likens the experience to war: "I haven't been this frosty since Korea."

Even when male characters are not directly involved, women are determined to reject menopause because they see it as a marker of age that signals a loss of desirability and social worth. In Sex and the City (19982004), Samantha describes herself as "day-old bread" when she presumes her late period signifies menopause.

This is a popular framing of menopause in post-feminist TV of the 1990s and early 2000s. While the menstruating body is constructed as uncontrollable and in need of management, the menopausal body requires management and maintenance to reject signals of collapse.

These storylines erase the genuine experiences of confusion, discomfort and transformation that come with menopause.

A cultural moment arrives

Since 2015, stories of menstruation have increased in popular culture.

Series like comedy Broad City (201419) and comedy-drama Better Things (201622) directly call out the lack of menopause representations. When Abbi in Broad City admits she "totally forgot about menopause," a woman responds "Menopause isn't represented in mainstream media. Like, no one wants to talk about it."

Similarly, in Better Things, while watching her three daughters stare at the TV Sam laments: "No one wants to hear about it, which is why nobody ever prepared you for it."

And lack of preparation becomes a key theme for perimenopausal Charlotte in the Sex and the City reboot, And Just Like That  (2021) when she has a "flash period."

Fleabag (201619) included a groundbreaking monologue about menopause delivered by Kristen Scott-Thomas, playing a successful businesswoman. She describes menopause as "horrendous, but then it's magnificent."

"[] your entire pelvic floor crumbles, and you get fucking hot, and no one cares. But then you're free. No longer a slave. No longer a machine with parts."

Scripted by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, this celebrated monologue critiques the post-feminist notion of striving to be the "idealized feminine body". Through this new feminist lens, menopause is acknowledged as both painfulphysically and emotionallyand necessary for liberation.

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Today's menopause on screen

Alongside more recent series like The Change (2023), multiple documentaries including The (M) Factor (2024), and arguably even films like The Substance (2024), social media has become a prolific space for raising awareness about menopause.

Celebrities use social media to share tales of perimenopause and menopause, often in real time.

Last year, actor Drew Barrymore experienced her "first perimenopausal hot flash" during her talk show.

And ABC News Breakfast guest host, Imogen Crump, had to pause her news segment, saying, "I could keep stumbling through, but I'm having such a perimenopausal hot flush right now, live on air."

Both Barrymore and Crump shared clips of their live segments to their social media pages, to challenge stigma and create conversations. Crump even posted to LinkedIn to raise awareness in a professional setting.

In a podcast interview clip shared to Instagram, writer and skincare founder, Zoe Foster Blake describes perimenopause as a "real mental health thing," because of the lack of awareness. Recalling conversations with other perimenopausal women, Foster Blake says "We all think we're crazy. We don't know what the fuck is going on."

Feeling "crazy" is a constant theme in these conversations. As actor and menopause awareness advocate Naomi Watts points out, this is largely thanks to Hollywood. Despite the stigmatizing media stereotype of "crazy lady that shouts," Watts argues that with "support and community," women experiencing perimenopause and menopause "can thrive."

In fact, Watts believes menopause should be celebrated: "We know ourselves better, we're wiser for our cumulative experiences."

Medical professionals like American doctors Marie Clare Haver and Corinne Menn have been well-positioned to share their expertise and experiences via social media. They are catching and helping fuel a wave of advocacy and awareness for midlife women's health.

Building community

After watching the menopause madness trope on our screens for decades, we are now seeing perimenopause and menopause depicted with more empathy. These depictions allow viewersthose who menstruate, who have menstruated, and who know menstruatorsto feel seen and be informed.

By sharing their experiences on social media and adding to these new screen stories, celebrities are building a community that makes the menopausal journey less lonely and helps those on it remember their worth.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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P65 walks with her kittens. In a UC Davis study, female mountain lions were generally more active during the day and closer to sunrise, perhaps because they are constrained by avoiding male mountain lions and not able to respond as strongly to recreation. Credit: National Park Service

Mountain lions in greater Los Angeles are proactively shifting their activity to avoid interacting with cyclists, hikers, joggers and other recreationists, finds a study from the University of California, Davis, Cal Poly Pomona and the National Park Service.

The study, published Nov. 15 in the journal Biological Conservation, found that mountain lions living in areas with higher levels of human recreation were more nocturnal than lions in more remote regions who were more active at dawn and dusk. The authors said their findings offer a hopeful example of human-wildlife coexistence amid a large, dense human population.

"People are increasingly enjoying recreating in nature, which is fantastic," said lead author Ellie Bolas, a Ph.D. candidate in the UC Davis Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology. "This flexibility we see in mountain lion activity is what allows us to share these natural areas together. Mountain lions are doing the work so that coexistence can happen."

Mountain lions prefer to avoid people, but in a metro area of more than 18 million people, natural areas inhabited by mountain lions and other wildlife are also heavily used by recreationists. To learn whether and how lions were adjusting their activity in response to recreationists, the study authors monitored the movements of 22 mountain lions living in the Santa Monica Mountains and the surrounding region between 2011 and 2018.

The lions were captured and fitted with global positioning system (GPS) and accelerometer collars as part of a long-term study conducted by biologists at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service. The authors analyzed the collar data and quantified human recreation in the area using a global database of GPS-tracked activities that users opted to make public.

"These results are really important in that they show how humans may be affecting wildlife in less obvious ways than killing them with vehicles," said Seth Riley, branch chief for wildlife at the park.

"The study also continues to drive home the amazing fact that a population of a large felid predator persists in one of the largest urban areas in the world. That would not be possible if mountain lions weren't able to adjust to human activity in ways like this."

Ellie Bolas, a Ph.D. Candidate at UC Davis, uses radio telemetry to locate research animals in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Credit: National Park Service

How mountain lions respond to more humans

The study showed that Griffith Park hosted the highest levels of recreational activity, while the Santa Susana Mountains and Los Padres National Forest were least active. How did mountain lions respond?

The least nocturnal mountain lion was female P13 in the central and western Santa Monica Mountains. Females, in general, were found to be more active closer to sunrise and during daylight hours as compared to males. The authors say this may be so they can avoid overlapping with male lions, who pose a threat to them and their kittens.

The most nocturnal were two male mountain lions living in small, isolated natural areas with many trails, high levels of recreation, and surrounded by intense development and freeways. Both individuals occupied two of the smallest home ranges ever recorded for adult males. P41, the study's most nocturnal lion, lived in the Verdugo Mountains, a small mountain range spanning several cities.

The famous "Hollywood Cat," P22, preferred to stay out of the limelight. P22, who managed to cross two busy freeways as a young lion to earn fame, hearts and a home in active Griffith Park, was the second most nocturnal lion studied. He died in 2022 when he was roughly 12 years oldone of the oldest cats in the study.

The authors said the urban experiences of P41, P22 and others in the study illustrate how, when faced with increased human activity, mountain lions actively seek to avoid people rather than becoming habituated to them.

P41, the most nocturnal mountain lion in the study, lived in the Verdugo Mountains near Los Angeles, an area with high levels of human recreation. Credit: National Park Service

One of P13's kittens enjoys a sunrise meal in the Santa Monica Mountains near Los Angeles, California in 2014. P13 was among the least nocturnal lions studied. Credit: National Park Service

P22, the well-known "Hollywood Cat," was among the mountain lions of Los Angeles who shifted his activities to be more nocturnal in response to humans. Credit: National Park Service

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How people can help

Still, the authors note, this doesn't mean mountain lions should do all the work. People can help protect themselves and mountain lions by being aware that dawn or dusk is prime time for mountain lion activity. They can also be extra cautious when driving at night, when mountain lions in populated areas are more likely to be active.

Mountain lions in the Los Angeles area deal with many challengesbusy roadways where they're often killed, wildfires, rodenticide exposure, low genetic diversity and fragmented habitat.

"Even something as innocuous as recreation can add to these other stressors we're bringing into their lives, potentially by altering the amount of energy they have to expend for hunting and other needs," Bolas said. "But we can feel a sense of optimism that they are flexible in the timing of their activity. Coexistence is happening, and it's in large part because of what mountain lions are doing."

More information: Ellen C. Bolas et al, Human recreation influences activity of a large carnivore in an urban landscape, Biological Conservation (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110812 Journal information: Biological Conservation
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A flock of pelicans flies over the Hula Valley in northern Israel during their winter migration from Europe to Africa.

Across northern Israel's lush, green nature reserves, the ecological toll of the war between Israel and Hezbollah militants is laid bare: wild boar hit by shrapnel, trees reduced to ashes and swathes of charred vegetation.

In the Hula Valley, home to a unique migration sanctuary for birds, a flock of common cranes and their cacophony of calls fill the airbut smoke billows in the distance and their sounds soon compete with the whir of Israeli military helicopters overhead.

The impact is particularly clear at the Agamon Hula Valley Nature Reserve, where all that remains in some areas after more than a year of Hezbollah rocket fire from Lebanon are burned plants and cinder-strewn soil.

Inbar Rubin, field director at the reserve, worries about the war's effects on birds.

"The noises of war, the sounds of interceptions, of (rockets) falling and the loud boomsthese are the sounds that birds hear," Rubin said. "It's a huge source of stress."

The war has driven visitors away from the reserve, which sits approximately 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the border with Lebanon.

"People say to me, 'Wow, the birds must be happier because there are no people,' but the damage the war does to nature is a million times more than the damage visitors do."

Inbar Rubin says the impacts of the war on the local wildlife far exceed those of visitors to the Hula Valley reserve.

The reserve is an internationally known resting spot for hundreds of millions of birds migrating from Europe and Asia to Africa and back during the spring and autumn seasons.

It is home to pelicans, ducks, eagles and other birds of prey, as well as flamingos, which Rubin said is "a fairly new phenomenon".

But she noted that fewer birds were stopping at the sanctuary than in previous seasons, adding there was "much less nesting than in normal years" and reduced mating.

Paradise lost?

Hezbollah began launching low-intensity attacks on Israel last year, in solidarity with its ally Hamas following the Palestinian militant group's October 7, 2023 attack.

After nearly a year of trading cross-border fire with Hezbollah, Israel widened the focus of its operations from Gaza to Lebanon, launching a massive aerial campaign and sending ground forces across the border.

Around 50,000 cranes came to the reserve last winter, but that number has dropped by 70 percent since the war broke out, says one ornithologist.

The bombing has devastated villages in Lebanon, especially areas along its southern border with Israel, where Hezbollah holds sway.

Around 50,000 cranes came to the reserve the previous winter, said longtime ornithologist Yossi Leshem, "and for them, it was really paradise".

But after the Israel-Hezbollah war started, he added, the number of birds arriving dropped by 70 percent.

"It is a real threat," said Leshem, also the founder of an international bird migration research center. The fighting and fires have also caused food resources for the birds to dwindle.

"Even if the war will stop in a year nowand I hope it will stop as soon as possible... the impact can be felt for many more years," he told AFP.

In the long term, however, the conflict would not ultimately change the birds' pattern of migration, Leshem said. The birds passing through will be "less successful and so on, but finally, when the war stops, it (migration) goes on".

An parks authority employee inspects a burned tree following a rocket attack at the Tel Dan nature reserve.

The damage is not limited to the reserve.

Israel's nature and parks authority has assessed that since the October 7 Hamas attack, around 92,400 acres (37,400 hectares) of nature reserves, national parks, forests and open areas have been burned across the country.

"The damage to nature is of course extensive and in numbers we are not used to," said Amit Dolev, an ecologist for the authority's northern district.

Israel's military has said nearly 16,000 projectiles, including exploding drones, have been fired into the country from Lebanese territory, many sparking wildfires.

Others, shot down by Israel's military, have sent shrapnel flying into open areas.

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Nature's resilience

At the nature reserve of Tel Dan, adjacent to the Lebanese border, around 17 acres (seven hectares) out of 400 have been devastated by fires ignited by rockets.

Ornithologist Yossi Leshem worries the toll of the war on wildlife will 'be felt for many more years'

On the banks of the burbling Dan stream, beside the silhouette of a burnt-out blackthorn tree, Ramadan Issa, who manages the reserve, said he had spent the last year putting out fires and rescuing animals injured or distressed by the fighting.

He pointed to suffering wildlife including porcupines, snakes and wild boars injured or killed by missiles or shrapnel, as well as the destruction of ancient trees.

But on the charred earth where he stood, small green blades of grass and vegetation were already sprouting.

"Nature is strong," Issa said. "It can grow back very fast and after the first (winter) rains, a lot will start to come back."

 2024 AFP
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Debate continues to swirl nationally on the fate of a practice born of an 86-year-old federal statute allowing companies to pay workers with disabilities subminimum wages: anything below the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, but for some roles as little as 25-cents-per-hour.

Those in favor of repealing this statute highlight assumptions about reduced productivity along with the unfairness of this wage leveloften used elsewhere to pay, for example, food service workers who typically make additional wages in tips. Those against repeal have voiced concerns that, without subminimum wage laws, employment opportunities for workers with disabilities may dwindle.

However, one new study has found no significant negative impacts in states that have already ended the practice, according to researchers at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine.

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The findings, published in JAMA Health Forum, include important policy considerations for lawmakers to consider as a new Congress takes shape.

Researchers studied two statesMaryland and New Hampshirethat had phased-out the practice, created in 1938 as part of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to incentivize businesses to hire disabled soldiers, who were thought to be less productive in the mainstream workforce.

Currently, employers paying subminimum wages to people with disabilities must receive a 14c certificate that is approved by the Department of Labor (DOL). Many do so in what are known as sheltered workshops, often separating these employeesa majority of whom have intellectual and psychiatric disabilitiesfrom their co-workers who do not have disabilities.

In the study, there was increased labor force participation of people with cognitive disabilities in these states after repeal of this law, with varying effects at the individual state level.

"We know that employment and wages are important determinants of health," added Atheendar Venkataramani, MD, Ph.D., associate professor of Health Policy and Medicine and senior author.

"This builds on previous studies that have shown employment and financial stability to be key drivers of health disparities among people with disabilities. Among people with intellectual disabilities, studies have found integrated employment to be associated with better psychological well-being and self-esteem and job satisfaction."

Labor force participation rose in both states following repeal, indicating the "inclusive nature of repeal, as it brings people with cognitive disabilities previously not connected with employment resources into the labor force," added lead author Mihir Kakara, MBBS, MSHP, formerly a Neurology fellow with Penn, and now assistant professor of Neurology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

"This points towards the fact that these people are able to work in equal paying, fully integrated jobs as their peers who do not have a disability, given the right resourcessomething that was perceived not to be the case when this law was first drafted."

The team also underscores the importance of state-by-state solutions should the use of 14c roles be repealed nationally, including the utility of funding for integrated employment into more typical workplace environments. But taken together, the results are an important first glimpse at a future where workplace dignity is valued differently, while still ensuring a net benefit to the economy.

The future of the practice is likely to be made clearer soon: a bipartisan bill to phase out subminimum wage roles and creating more inclusive jobs was introduced in the previous Congress, while the Biden Administration is currently conducting a comprehensive review of the 14c program, with a decision anticipated soon.

More information: Repeal of Subminimum Wages and Social Determinants of Health Among People With Disabilities, JAMA Health Forum (2024). DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2024.4034 Journal information: JAMA Health Forum
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A rescuer carries a young resident during a forced evacuation operation in the northern Philippines ahead of Typhoon Usagi's landfall.

Typhoon Usagi blew out of the Philippines early Friday as another dangerous storm drew closer, threatening an area where scores were killed by flash floods and landslides just weeks ago, the weather service said.

As Usagithe archipelago nation's fifth storm in three weeksheaded north to Taiwan, rescuers worked to reach residents stranded on rooftops in northern Luzon island, where herds of livestock were devastated.

The recent wave of disasters has killed at least 159 people and prompted the United Nations to request $32.9 million in aid for the worst-affected regions.

On Thursday, flash floods driven by Usagi struck 10 largely evacuated villages around the town of Gonzaga in Cagayan province, local rescue official Edward Gaspar told AFP by phone.

"We rescued a number of people who had refused to move to the shelters and got trapped on their rooftops," Gaspar added.

While the evacuation of more than 5,000 Gonzaga residents ahead of the typhoon saved lives, he said two houses were swept away and many others were damaged while the farming region's livestock industry took a heavy blow.

"We have yet to account for the exact number of hogs, cattle and poultry lost from the floods, but I can say the losses were huge," Gaspar said.

Trees uprooted by flooding damaged a major bridge in Gonzaga, isolating nearby Santa Ana, a coastal town of about 36,000 people, Cagayan officials said.

A weakened Typhoon Usagi (top L) is headed for Taiwan even as tropical storm Man-yi (bottom right) develops over the Pacific en route to the Philippines.

"Most evacuees have returned home, but we held back some of them. We have to check first if their houses are still safe for habitation," Bonifacio Espiritu, operations chief of the civil defense office in Cagayan, told AFP.

By early Friday, Usagi was over the Luzon Strait with a reduced strength of 120 kilometers (75 miles) an hour as it headed towards southern Taiwan, where authorities had downgraded the typhoon to a tropical storm.

But the streak of violent weather was forecast to continue in the central Philippines, where Severe Tropical Storm Man-yi is set to reach coastal waters by Sunday.

The weather service said it could potentially strike at or near the heavily populated capital Manila.

A UN assessment said the past month's storms damaged or destroyed 207,000 houses, with 700,000 people forced to seek temporary shelter.

Many families were without essentials like sleeping mats, hygiene kits and cooking supplies, and had limited access to safe drinking water.

Thousands of hectares of farmland were destroyed and persistent flooding was likely to delay replanting efforts and worsen food supply problems, the report added.

About 20 big storms and typhoons hit the Southeast Asian nation or its surrounding waters each year, killing scores of people and keeping millions in enduring poverty, but it is unusual for multiple such weather events to take place in a small window.

The weather service said this tends to happen during seasonal episodes of La Nina, a climatic phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean that pushes more warm water toward Asia, causing heavy rains and flooding in the region and drought in the southern United States.

 2024 AFP
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Mandibular right first molar: (a) buccal view, (b) lingual view, (c) occlusal view. The complex morphology of pseudo-cusps and ridges are due to interruptions to enamel formation during growth (enamel hypoplasia) and are commonly referred to as Fournier or mulberry molars. Credit: PLOS ONE (2024). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306432

A new study led by the University of Aberdeen has provided greater understanding of Scotland's final deadly brush with the plague.

Research published in the journal PLOS One has confirmed for the first time that the bacteria responsible for bubonic plague was present as far north as Aberdeen in the late 1640s and has revealed a surprising care for the dead at a time when the Scottish population was being decimated by civil war as well as disease.

The interdisciplinary team, made up of archaeologists, osteologists, historians, and ancient DNA specialists, identified the presence of the ancient DNA of the bacterial agent Yersinia pestis in human remains associated with a plague pit in Aberdeenthe first time direct evidence of the plague has been identified, using state of the art aDNA techniques, in Scotland.

Often referred to as the "Black Death" in reference to the so-called second global pandemic in the mid-14th century, the Yersinia pestis organism was responsible for numerous visitations of the plague over the centuries, with the last devastating outbreak in Scotland occurring from 1644 to 1649.

The team, led by Professor Marc Oxenham, mapped the spread of the plague in Scotland during this last six-year-long epidemic and examined remains excavated in an industrial compound at York Place, Aberdeen, in 1987. The site was associated with the general location of plague pits that were established on the Queen's Links (a Scots term for coastal sand dunes) during the 164748 outbreak of the plague.

Professor Oxenham said, "This final Scottish outbreak was thought to have started as a result of infected Scottish soldiers returning from the siege of Newcastle in October 1644.

"Initially in the Borders it spread north over the following years through Central Scotland, Perthshire and Angus.

"We can see from an entry in the Council Register of the Burgh that by April 1647 Aberdeen was steeling itself for the return of the plague, which had spared the city since the last outbreak almost 100 years previously in 1545, as it was noted that the 'plague of pestilence was raging in Inverbervie,' just 26 miles to the south of the city."

By this period, Scottish cities and towns were well experienced in fighting the plague, usually in the form of measures to limit the mobility of the population, and the research focused on the "human response" to the final Scottish outbreak.

"This was a particularly desperate time to have been alive in Scottish history," Professor Oxenham added.

"In many regions, the populations were facing the ravages of war, economic hardship, and the additional complications of a terrible epidemic. In Brechin, for example, some 600 individuals, or half of the population of the town, are reported to have died within a few months of 1647.

"And so we were interested in the human responses to the rampages of the plague and, in particular, if there was a general fear of the plague victims during this last epidemic."

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The team examined the bones and teeth from recovered skeletal remains to confirm they died between 1647 and 1648 and that the Yersinia pestis organism was present. They then looked at the practices associated with their burials to gain new understanding into the treatment of those who died from the plague.

Dr. Rebecca Crozier, who directs the osteoarchaeology program at the University of Aberdeen, said, "The plague is generally associated with the digging of plague pits to dispose of the dead but what the team found was numerous instances of normal burial and memorialization of plague victims within church grounds.

"Clearly, some of these individuals must have been known to be victims of the plague by their mourners whom, it would appear, may have been less afraid of contracting the plague from their dead as we might assume.

"This suggests we are not seeing a loss of humanity in the face of the terrible vista of the plague, but rather we are witnessing care and compassion for the dead, despite the very real risks to the bereaved."

More information: Jenna Dittmar et al, The final plague outbreak in Scotland 16441649: Historical, archaeological, and genetic evidence, PLOS ONE (2024). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306432 Journal information: PLoS ONE
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Pumpjacks operate in a milo field, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, near Hays, Kan. Credit: AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

Cities in Asia and the United States emit the most heat-trapping gas that feeds climate change, with Shanghai the most polluting, according to new data that combines observations and artificial intelligence.

Seven states or provinces spew more than 1 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases, all of them in China, except Texas, which ranks sixth, according to new data from an organization co-founded by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and released Friday at the United Nations climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Nations at the talks are trying to set new targets to cut such emissions, and figure out how much rich nations will pay to help the world with that task.

Using satellite and ground observations, supplemented by artificial intelligence to fill in gaps, Climate Trace sought to quantify heat-trapping carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, as well as other traditional air pollutants worldwide, including for the first time in more than 9,000 urban areas.

Earth's total carbon dioxide and methane pollution grew 0.7% to 61.2 billion metric tons with the short-lived but extra potent methane rising 0.2%. The figures are higher than other datasets "because we have such comprehensive coverage and we have observed more emissions in more sectors than are typically available," said Gavin McCormick, Climate Trace's co-founder.

Plenty of big cities emit far more than some nations

Shanghai's 256 million metric tons of greenhouse gases led all cities and exceeded those from the nations of Colombia or Norway. Tokyo's 250 million metric tons would rank in the top 40 of nations if it were a country, while New York City's 160 million metric tons and Houston's 150 million metric tons would be in the top 50 of countrywide emissions. Seoul, South Korea, ranks fifth among cities at 142 million metric tons.

"One of the sites in the Permian Basin in Texas is by far the No. 1 worst polluting site in the entire world," Gore said. "And maybe I shouldn't have been surprised by that, but I think of how dirty some of these sites are in Russia and China and so forth. But Permian Basin is putting them all in the shade."

China, India, Iran, Indonesia and Russia had the biggest increases in emissions from 2022 to 2023, while Venezuela, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States had the biggest decreases in pollution.

A motorist drives past the CHS oil refinery Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in McPherson, Kan. Credit: AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

The datasetmaintained by scientists and analysts from various groupsalso looked at traditional pollutants such as carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and other chemicals associated with dirty air. Burning fossil fuels releases both types of pollution, Gore said.

This "represents the single biggest health threat facing humanity," Gore said.

Climate talks wrestle with fossil fuel interests

Gore criticized the hosting of climate talks, called COPs, by Azerbaijan, an oil nation and site of the world's first oil wells, and by the United Arab Emirates last year.

"It's unfortunate that the fossil fuel industry and the petrostates have seized control of the COP process to an unhealthy degree," Gore said. "Next year in Brazil, we'll see a change in that pattern. But, you know, it's not good for the world community to give the No. 1 polluting industry in the world that much control over the whole process."

Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has called for more to be done on climate change and has sought to slow deforestation since returning for a third term as president. But Brazil last year produced more oil than both Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

At a press conference Friday by the Alliance of Small Island States, it's Chair, Cedric Schuster, said the negotiating bloc feels the need to remind everyone else why the talks matter.

"We're here to defend the Paris agreement," Schuster said, referring to the climate deal in 2015 to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit). "We're concerned that countries are forgetting that protecting the world's most vulnerable is at the core of this framework."

 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Relative risks were calculated by multiplying vessel densities with humpback whale densities. Credit: Ocean & Coastal Management (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2024.107419

A new study led by Griffith University researchers has found that current risk assessments of vessel strikes on large whales, such as migrating humpback whales, may be underestimating the threat of smaller vessels, particularly from recreational vessels, not represented in Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) data.

The study, conducted in Moreton Bay, Australia, highlighted the need for more comprehensive data to protect humpback whales from vessel strikes.

While AIS data has been essential for understanding patterns in marine traffic and assessing vessel-strike risk, it only captures certain classes of vessels, such as commercial shipping vessels and ferry operators.

Recreational vessels, such as small fishing boats, tinnies (aluminum boats), charter boats, sailboats, and yachts, were not legally required to use AIS and therefore presented a significant and largely unaccounted-for risk to whales.

The study, published in Ocean & Coastal Management, found that 93% of recreational vessels in Moreton Bay were not equipped with AIS, meaning their contribution to vessel strike risk was currently underestimated.

"In Moreton Bay, over a 10-year period from 2008 to 2018, 67% of reported vessel strike incidents are from small vessels (<15m) with the remainder from smaller commercial vessels, and so including these smaller, recreational vessels in our assessments gives us a clearer picture of the full scope of vessel strike risk," Australian Research Council Post-doctoral Research Fellow Raphael Mayaud said.

Two study areas were surveyed within the Moreton Bay regionthe sheltered waters of the bay between the mainland and Moreton (Mulgumpin) and North Stradbroke (Minjerribah) islands up to the Sunshine Coast; and east from these large sand islands into the offshore waters of the Coral Sea.

The first included many marinas, boat ramps, and mooring grounds that supported recreational boating, whereas the second area was primarily accessible by crossing a coastal bar between Moreton and North Stradbroke islands.

The researchers conducted surveys of recreational vessel and humpback whale sightings in the bay, building density surface models to estimate relative vessel-strike risk based on spatial co-occurrence.

The results showed that vessel strike risk varied spatially depending on vessel type (commercial vs. recreational). Larger commercial ships traveling at slow speeds were confined to major port shipping channels and offshore waters with no known whale strikes, whereas recreational vessels traveled at higher speeds and had a broader coverage, posing a threat in key whale habitats, including shallow resting areas and coastal migratory corridors.

The study also supported growing evidence that all vessel types, regardless of size, had the potential to cause whale mortality.

Mayaud said the findings could inform future conservation efforts and marine park management in Moreton Bay, ensuring that mitigation measures, such as seasonal speed limits and targeted monitoring, addressed the full spectrum of vessel traffic.

"By capturing previously unrecorded data, the study enhances our ability to protect vulnerable whale populations, improves human safety by increasing awareness to recreational boaters about their own safety when enjoying these areas, and supports maintenance of the ecological balance within Moreton Bay Marine Park," he said.

Professor Susan Bengtson Nash, project lead, further emphasized the value of this novel dataset in informing the planned review of Moreton Bay Marine Park zoning, as well as industry, and traditional owners within the region.

More information: Raphael Mayaud et al, The need to consider recreational vessels in risk assessments of vessel strikes to humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), Ocean & Coastal Management (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2024.107419
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Credit: National Institute for Astrophysics The Southern Pinwheel, a spiral galaxy about 15 million light-years away, imaged by the Vst. Credit: Inaf/Vst-Smash/C. Tortora et al. 2024

The National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) has released images of five galaxies in the local universe, taken with the Italian VST ( VLT Survey Telescope) managed by INAF in Chile. The new images show these iconic galaxies in great detail, immortalizing their shape, colors and distribution of stars up to great distances from the center.

Two of them, the irregular galaxy NGC 3109 and the irregular dwarf Sextant A , are located on the edge of the so-called Local Group, which also includes our galaxy, the Milky Way, and are about 4 million light-years away. Two other galaxies, the splendid spiral galaxy known as the Southern Pinwheel (but also NGC 5236 or M 83) and the irregular NGC 5253 are located, respectively, about 15 and 11 million light-years away from ours, while the fifth and most distant, the spiral galaxy IC 5332 , is about 30 million light-years away.

The observations were made in three filters, or colors, as part of the VST-SMASH survey (VST Survey of Mass Assembly and Structural Hierarchy), a project led by Crescenzo Tortora , a researcher at INAF in Naples, to understand the mechanisms that lead to the formation of the many different galaxies that populate the cosmos.

The five galaxies are part of a sample of 27 galaxies that the team is studying with the VST, a telescope with a 2.6-meter diameter mirror, built in Italy and hosted since 2012 at the ESO Observatory on Cerro Paranal, in Chile. These galaxies were carefully selected in the portion of the sky that, over the next few years, will also be observed by the European Space Agency's Euclid satellite (ESA) to provide a more detailed optical counterpart (up to blue wavelengths) to the space data collected by the VIS instrument (at red wavelengths) and the NISP instrument in the near-infrared.

The group presented the survey in a paper published in The Messenger journal.

The irregular galaxy NGC 3109, about 4 million light-years away, imaged by the VST. Credit: Inaf/VST-Smash/C. Tortora et al. 2024

The irregular dwarf galaxy Sextans A, about 4 million light-years away, imaged by the Vst. Credit: Inaf/Vst-Smash/C. Tortora et al. 2024

"We are trying to understand how galaxies form, as a function of their mass and morphological type. This means asking how stars form in situ, inside galaxies, but also how they are accumulated (ex situ) through merging processes, that is, fusion, with other galaxies" explains Tortora, who leads an international team that involves many researchers from various INAF sites.

"To do this, we need to trace the colors of these galaxies up to the peripheral regions, to be able to investigate the presence of very faint structures belonging to these galaxies, and populations of dim galaxies orbiting around them. This is useful to be able to trace the residues of galactic interactions, and therefore constrain the hierarchical process of cosmic structure formation."

The irregular galaxy NGC 5253, about 11 million light-years away (left), and the spiral galaxy IC 5332, about 30 million light-years away (right), imaged by the VST. Credit: Inaf/VST-Smash/C. Tortora et al. 2024

The analysis of the collected data is still in its early stages, but the observations have already proven effective, allowing the team to examine the galaxies down to very low surface brightnesses, which until a few years ago were difficult to observe.

The VST telescope, with its large field of view of one degree squared, equal to about four times the area of the full moon in the sky, was the key instrument that allowed these images to be made in a relatively short timeobserving the field around these galaxies, in the three filters, with 10 hours of observations per degree squared. In comparison, making just one of these images with the Hubble Space Telescope would have required many consecutive exposures.

"This is the first time that all these galaxies have been observed in such a deep and detailed way, and with homogeneous data," adds Tortora. "In the years to come, only Euclid will reach our optical depths, but it will not be able to count on the vast coverage in the optical lengths of the VST.

"The Vera Rubin Observatory, on the other hand, although observing in spectral regions similar to ours, will reach similar depths only after many years of observation. This makes VST an instrument that can still have its say, and gives hope for interesting results within our survey," he concludes.

More information: Crescenzo Tortora et al, VST-SMASH: the VST Survey of Mass Assembly and Structural Hierarchy, The Messenger (2024). DOI: 10.18727/0722-6691/5366

Provided by National Institute for Astrophysics
China welcomes more foreign financial institutions and long-term capital to invest and operate in China, Vice Premier He Lifeng said in Beijing on Thursday.

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with HSBC Group Chairman Mark Tucker in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with HSBC Group Chairman Mark Tucker.

The vice premier said that China is making efforts to deepen the reform of its financial system, steadily expand institutional opening-up in its financial sector, and create a transparent, stable and predictable institutional environment, providing greater convenience for foreign enterprises to expand their business in China.

Tucker said that HSBC Group is confident in the prospects of China's economy and financial market, and will continue to expand its investment in China.
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Nanotexture of monoclinic V 2 O 3 . Credit: Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-53726-z

Researchers at Universita Cattolica, Brescia campus, have discovered that the transition from insulating to conductive behavior in certain materials is driven by topological defects in the structure.

Specifically, a study published in Nature Communications shows that so-called "Mott materials"a type of insulator fundamentally different from conventional insulators, capable of switching from an insulating to a conductive state (a process known as "resistive switching")can change state precisely due to topological defects in their crystal structure. This study, conducted specifically on a particular vanadium oxide (VO), reveals that these defects trigger this transition.

The study was coordinated by Professor Claudio Giannetti, director of the Interdisciplinary Laboratories of Advanced Material Physics in the Department of Mathematics and Physics at the university. The study was carried out in collaboration with IMDEA Nanociencia, KU Leuven, SISSA, and Diamond Light Source.

Vanadium oxide VO is a material that is studied for its ability to rapidly change its electrical and optical properties under the influence of temperature or an electric field, a phenomenon known as the "Mott phase transition."

It is mainly used in smart windows to control transparency and regulate sunlight; advanced electronics and resistive memories for high-speed memory devices and switches; optical devices such as lenses and filters that respond to light and heat. Vanadium oxides show promise for applications in power electronics, energy-saving technology, and neuromorphic computing devices.

Using advanced X-ray microscopy techniques, the researchers observed the formation of metallic channels at the nanoscale under electrical tension.

Topological defect. Credit: Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-53726-z

"Resistive switching is the fundamental process behind the sudden change in electrical properties of solid-state devices under the action of intense electric fields," first author of the work Alessandra Milloch, Universita Cattolica in Brescia explains.

"Despite its technological relevance, this process was previously thought to be stochastic in nature, driven by local and uncontrollable fluctuations. We decided to delve deeper and investigate the true nature of this phenomenon in planar devices consisting of two metallic contacts deposited on a thin VO film, which is one of the most celebrated examples of a Mott insulator."

"Mott insulators are fundamentally different from conventional insulators, since their poor conductivity is determined by the strong interactions among the electrons moving throughout the lattice," adds Ignacio Figueruelo, IMDEA Nanociencia, Madrid.

"In this class of materials, comprising many transition metal oxides, a small change of the external parameters, such as the applied voltage, can induce a dramatic change of the electric properties and the release of a number of conducting electrons of about 1 per unit cell, which is many orders of magnitude larger than what can be achieved in conventional semiconductors by means of doping.

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"This intrinsic non-linearity triggered a huge interest to address the possible use of these materials as building blocks for a novel family of devices, thus leading to the development of a new field dubbed Mottronics."

Experts found that these transitions are not random but depend on defects in the structure's topology.

Mariela Menghini, one of the coordinators from IMDEA Nanociencia, explains, "In previous experiments we discovered that the insulating ground state of this material is inherently inhomogeneous and forms a spatial nanotexture of stripy nanometric domains, whose boundaries follow well defined mathematical rules. When these constraints cannot be respected at some peculiar intersection points, nanometric topological defects are formed.

"Indeed, it is at these specific points that the insulator-to-metal switching takes place when a well defined threshold voltage is overcome. The observation of this peculiar nanotextured Mott insulating state was possible thanks to the high-quality V 2 O 3 samples grown by the group of Prof. Jean-Pierre Locquet at KU Leuven."

"This discovery required a state-of-the-art experiment combining nanometric microscopy, sensitive to the nanotexture of the material, with the ability to apply an in-situ voltage during measurements," Professor Giannetti, full professor of Physics at Universita Cattolica explains.

"We conducted this experiment at the Diamond Light Source laboratories in the United Kingdom, where it was possible to capture images of the formation of a metallic channel while applying an above-threshold voltage across the device. This discovery is important because it sheds light on the mechanism behind the transformation from insulator to metal in these materials.

"Our experimental results are well-supported by a theoretical model developed by Professor Michele Fabrizio from SISSA. With the new knowledge that the transformation is triggered by topological defects, we can design new experiments to pin down these defects and control the resistive switching process, with the goal of achieving complete control over the process and engineering devices that operate at unprecedented speeds and with extremely low power dissipation."

Thanks to this discovery, for example, it may be possible to develop different types of innovative devices, including resistive memories (ReRAM)devices that store data by changing their resistance, using topological defects to switch between insulating and conductive states. These would be faster and more energy-efficient than traditional memories.

Neuromorphic devices could also be developed, mimicking human synapses for use in artificial intelligence, as well as low-energy electrical switches to reduce energy consumption in various types of electronics. These devices could improve the efficiency and performance of computing and memory systems, with applications ranging from computers to advanced artificial intelligence systems, the study concludes.

More information: Alessandra Milloch et al, Mott resistive switching initiated by topological defects, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-53726-z Journal information: Nature Communications
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West Columbia, SC from Richland County; includes the Congaree River and the Gervais Street Bridge. Credit: Wikimedia Commons Dr. Blazer Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

High amounts of a toxic chemical are being discharged into the Congaree and Cooper rivers from plastics factories in South Carolina, but state and federal regulators are doing little to control the pollution, a new report says.

A study by the Environmental Integrity Project, a national public interest organization, found that of eight similar plastics plants it studied, factories near Columbia and Charleston had some of the highest releases of 1,4- dioxane, a chemical tied to an array of health ailments, including cancer.

An Alpek Polyester plant in the Gaston area near Columbia released 23,728 pounds of 1,4-dioxane to the Congaree River in 2022, ranking it second in total releases behind only a plant in West Virginia that discharged 29,960 pounds. Alpek's plant at Moncks Corner near Charleston released 9,756 pounds to the Cooper River, the report said.

But according to the report, there are no federal limits on how much 1,4-dioxane can be released from plastics plants. West Virginia only recently added state discharge limits for the plant in that state, the study said.

"This toxic pollution from plastic production is unacceptable," Congaree Riverkeeper Bill Stangler said in a statement released by the Environmental Integrity Project. "Our federal and state agencies need to step up and protect our river and the downstream communities."

Efforts to reach someone who could speak for Alpek were unsuccessful. The company, formerly known as DAK Americas, is part a corporation that employs nearly 4,000 people worldwide. At one time, the plant in the Gaston area had about 400 workers.

The S.C. Department of Environmental Services did not respond to questions on Thursday from The State, saying it could not discuss the 1,4-dioxane issue until a later date.

Stangler said the releases in the Columbia area are near Congaree National Park, a preserve filled with wildlife and the state's only national park. The Alpek discharges to the Congaree River are below drinking water intakes in Columbia, West Columbia and Cayce, but Stangler said they are upstream from several drinking water pipes in the Santee Cooper lakes area southeast of Columbia.

The Environmental Integrity Project report, released Thursday, took a broader look at various discharges in wastewater released from 70 petrochemical and plastic plants that produce plastics across the country. The group focused on plastics because the industry is growing across the country. The plants were those that produced plastic materials for other plastic products.

Most of the plants studied in the United States have few, if any, government limits on the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, 1,4-dioxane, dioxins and other harmful pollutants discharged to rivers, the report said. The group's study included data from the federal Toxics Release Inventory, an annual report that lists what the U.S. government considers legal pollution discharges.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says exposure to high levels of 1,4 dioxane can result in liver and kidney damage. Although the EPA was criticized for not doing enough to control discharges to rivers from plastics plants, the agency has said 1,4 dioxane is a probable human carcinogen.

In addition to concerns about 1,4-dioxane in South Carolina, the report questioned the environmental impacts of "nurdles," tiny pellets used to manufacture other plastic materials. It said discharges of these materials into waterways are common. In 2021, a pellet packaging and shipping company settled a lawsuit for $1.2 million over nurdle releases to Charleston Harbor.

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Environmental Integrity Project officials and others said the EPA needs to establish rules overseeing plastics pollution to rein in the environmental threat to rivers and drinking water across the country. They specifically called for requiring modern wastewater pollution controls at plastics plants, tightening rules for the release of plastic pellets and requiring better monitoring for 1,4-dioxane in water. The report also called on the EPA and state agencies to step up enforcement.

Whether any of that will happen is a big question.

The report took President Joe Biden's administration to task for not doing enough about plastics discharges, but Biden has generally had a favorable environmental record. President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to cut environmental regulations he says are hampering businesses.

During a news conference Thursday, Environmental Integrity Project director Jen Duggan said the government is mandated to enforce the Clean Water Act. Her organization maintains the federal government has not updated standards to limit water pollution from the plastics industry, as is required by law. She said courts generally have been unsympathetic to agencies that don't follow the law.

"What's important here is no matter what Trump's plans are, Trump can not unilaterally waive away these kinds of mandatory, statutory requirements," Duggan said. "This is a must-do under the statute and courts have generally had little patience for agencies that don't comply with these kinds of mandatory obligations. The Clean Water Act has a very clear mandate to update these water pollution standards to keep pace with technology."

She and others at the news conference suggested that more citizens' lawsuits could be filed against the EPA. A citizens' suit is a legal action that a person or organization can take if the government is not enforcing environmental laws.

"During the first Trump administration, we did see a pretty significant dip in the amount of enforcement cases that the EPA brought," Duggan said. "So we do think that it will be very important for (environmental) groups ... to fill that gap and hold these polluters accountable."

The group's findings about 1,4-dioxane being released in South Carolina aren't isolated to plants along the Congaree and Cooper rivers.

Separately, a non-profit legal service has sued Fiber Industries LLC, a polyester manufacturer, over discharges of 1,4 dioxane to Black Creek, a well-known river in Darlington County east of Columbia.

The Southern Environmental Law Center, which represents four environmental organizations, is trying to stop what it says are excessive discharges to the creek. Reports examined by law center attorneys show the plant has discharged 1,4-dioxane into Black Creek at amounts 25,000 times higher than a safe drinking water standard, records show.

The Environmental Integrity Project report's look at the Alpek factories in South Carolina said plastic plants, particularly those making a type of material known as PET, produce ample amounts of 1,4-dioxane. The PET material, formally known as polyethylene terephthalate plastic, is used to manufacture bottles and polyester fibers, the study said.

Overall, of the eight similar plastics facilities the report looked at, four of them produced 98% of the 1,4-dioxane pollution, including the plants in the Columbia and Charleston areas. Another plant in South Carolina, located in Spartanburg, was eighth on the list.

2024 The State. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Where do we stand when the ground underneath us is shifting? What if the ground doesn't stop shifting and an acceptable "new normal" never emerges?

In the context of the recent U.S. presidential election, Harvard Business Review (HBR) commissioned Laura Empson, Professor in the Management of Professional Services at Bayes Business School, and Professor Jennifer Howard-Grenville, Cambridge Judge Business School, to write an article that spoke directly to the world's prevailing mood of uncertainty and anxiety. "How to Lead When the Future Feels Unpredictable" has now reached No. 1 in HBR's "hot list" of most-read recent articles.

In the article, Professors Empson and Howard-Grenville explain that the U.S. election is just one strand of what is coming to be known as the "Age of the Polycrisis."

The article explores the concept of liminality. Liminal experiences involve a prolonged separation from normal ways of being and doing, and represent a break from the familiar without fully replacing it. Instead, they are both disturbingly different and confusingly similar at the same time.

When liminal experiences come to an end, they leave a mark of change on those who have survived them forever.

"Many of the leaders I speak to describe feeling helpless and confused, uncertain what to do but knowing they are expected to do something," Professor Empson said.

"Their organizations need them to provide clarity in troubling times.

"A good place to start is with three basic but very big questions: 'What do we value?', 'Where do we stand?', and 'How can we move ahead?'"

A liminal experience gives leaders a chance to question their own assumptions about the way the world is and should be, and to ask whether those assumptions are still serving them. When leaders are clear about what they and their organizations stand for, they can help their colleagues identify common ground and negotiate liminality together.

"Now is not the time for grandiose and vapid purpose statements," Professor Empson continued.

"Instead, leadership must focus on reaffirming the core purpose of (and indeed all) organizations, which is to deliver something that customers value and to provide a place where their employees feel they belong. The leadership challenge looks a little simpler if individuals stay focused on those two fundamental goals and encourage the people they work with to do the same."

As the article explains, people tend to adapt to prolonged liminality by withdrawing into helplessness or lapsing into cynicism. But although liminal times are unsettling, leaders can usually have more agency than they realize.

"We can gain confidence from thinking back to 2020, when we suddenly found ourselves confronted with the pandemicand surprised ourselves with our resourcefulness and resilience," Professor Empson added.

"The pandemic was an extreme time of liminality. If we are struggling to feel hopeful right now it is worth remembering what we can achieve when everything around is uncertain."

More information: How to Lead When the Future Feels Unpredictable. hbr.org/2024/11/how-to-lead-wh  P-hero-latest-text-1
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Emerald Swamp, Three Hummock Island. Credit: Simon Haberle

Some of the first human beings to arrive in Tasmania, over 41,000 years ago, used fire to shape and manage the landscape, about 2,000 years earlier than previously thought.

A team of researchers from the UK and Australia analyzed charcoal and pollen contained in ancient mud to determine how Aboriginal Tasmanians shaped their surroundings. This is the earliest record of humans using fire to shape the Tasmanian environment.

Early human migrations from Africa to the southern part of the globe were well underway during the early part of the last ice agehumans reached northern Australia by around 65,000 years ago. When the first Palawa/Pakana (Tasmanian Indigenous) communities eventually reached Tasmania (known to the Palawa people as Lutruwita), it was the furthest south humans had ever settled.

These early Aboriginal communities used fire to penetrate and modify dense, wet forest for their own useas indicated by a sudden increase in charcoal accumulated in ancient mud 41,600 years ago.

The researchers say their results, reported in the journal Science Advances, could not only help us understand how humans have been shaping the Earth's environment for tens of thousands of years, but also help understand the long-term Aboriginal-landscape connection, which is vital for landscape management in Australia today.

Tasmania currently lies about 240 kilometers off the southeast Australian coast, separated from the Australian mainland by the Bass Strait. During the last ice age, however, Australia and Tasmania were connected by a huge land bridge, which allowed people to reach Tasmania on foot. The land bridge remained until about 8,000 years ago, after the end of the last ice age, when rising sea levels eventually cut Tasmania off from the Australian mainland.

"Australia is home to the world's oldest Indigenous culture, which has endured for over 50,000 years," said Dr. Matthew Adeleye from Cambridge's Department of Geography, the study's lead author. "Earlier studies have shown that Aboriginal communities on the Australian mainland used fire to shape their habitats, but we haven't had similarly detailed environmental records for Tasmania."

Dr. Matthew Adeleye, University of Cambridge (left), and Professor David Bowman, University of Tasmania (right), co-authors on the current Science Advances paper. Credit: Simon Haberle

The researchers studied ancient mud taken from islands in the Bass Strait, which is part of Tasmania today, but would have been part of the land bridge connecting Australia and Tasmania during the last ice age. Due to low sea levels at the time, Palawa/Pakana communities were able to migrate from the Australian mainland.

Analysis of the ancient mud showed a sudden increase in charcoal around 41,600 years ago, followed by a major change in vegetation about 40,000 years ago, as indicated by different types of pollen in the mud.

"This suggests these early inhabitants were clearing forests by burning them, in order to create open spaces for subsistence and perhaps cultural activities," said Adeleye. "Fire is an important tool, and it would have been used to promote the type of vegetation or landscape that was important to them."

The researchers say that humans likely learned to use fire to clear and manage forests during their migration across the glacial landscape of Sahula paleocontinent that encompassed modern-day Australia, Tasmania, New Guinea and eastern Indonesiaas part of the extensive migration out of Africa.

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"As natural habitats adapted to these controlled burnings, we see the expansion of fire-adapted species such as Eucalyptus, primarily on the wetter, eastern side of the Bass Strait islands," said Adeleye.

Burning practices are still practiced today by Aboriginal communities in Australia, including for landscape management and cultural activities. However, using this type of burning, known as cultural burning, for managing severe wildfires in Australia remains contentious. The researchers say understanding this ancient land management practice could help define and restore pre-colonial landscapes.

"These early Tasmanian communities were the island's first land managers," said Adeleye.

"If we're going to protect Tasmanian and Australian landscapes for future generations, it's important that we listen to and learn from Indigenous communities who are calling for a greater role in helping to manage Australian landscapes into the future."

More information: Matthew Adeleye, Landscape burning facilitated Aboriginal migration into Lutruwita/Tasmania 41,600 years ago, Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adp6579. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adp6579 Journal information: Science Advances
While pursuing his career in education, Kevin Turner always dreamed of becoming a children's author along the way.

On Tuesday, the principal of Neil Armstrong Elementary School in Bettendorf held a live reading of "Empowering Eloise," his debut published children's book.

Through playful rhymes and vibrant illustrations, the story follows Eloise, a third-grader, on a heartwarming journey where she learns to navigate her feelings, confidently face challenges and build resilience through positive affirmations and a growth mindset.

"A lot of this book is for those 'internalizing' kids," Turner said, citing his 12 years in elementary education. "Those students who kind of struggle with what to do when they feel their feelings."

He said third grade can be a hard academic transition for students, especially for those starting the year at a new school or transferring in later.

"It's not always easy to be the (new) student in a building, with all the eyes on you," Turner said. "I hope it helps those kids going forward."

Anther goal is that "Empowering Eloise" helps the classmates of new students put these daunting feelings into perspective, so they may feel more empowered to support new peers.

The book's main character, Eloise, is loosely based on his now 3-year-old daughter, the "real" Eloise.

"This is sort of a projection into the future if you will," Turner said, as his Eloise was only one when he started writing the book. "The illustrator (Charlotte Harwood) did a great job (depicting) what she might look like someday, and I definitely used some characteristics from the real Eloise."

Most of his writing, though, was inspired by his own time and relationships with students.

"This is year four of being a principal," Turner said. "So I kind of took all the experiences I've had with trauma-informed training, social-emotional training and all the kids I've worked with."

"Empowering Eloise" was published by Challenge to Change, a Dubuque-based organization that develops and delivers social-emotional programs to schools, businesses and other community entities. Turner's wife, Jordan, directs the organization's Mindful Education in Schools program.

Challenge to Change sought to expand its library of school-based material  placing a focus on resilience and empowerment  roughly two years ago, landing him the opportunity to write his first book. Turner said Challenge to Change gave him some general guidelines, like making Eloise a third-grader, but he otherwise had "quite a bit of freedom" when writing the story.

"I really wanted it to rhyme, so that part took a while, as you can imagine," he said.

Still, Turner's biggest focus was telling a tale of resilience and empowerment  one that translates to parents, too. In the book, for example, Eloise receives mindfulness advice from her mom in the form of positive affirmations.

"In a world (filled) with so many negative things, the sooner we teach our kids that they can be their own biggest advocate, the better," Turner said. "They can utilize positive self-talk and those (affirmations) for themselves, but it all starts from within  and I hope parents catch onto that."

One parent, Loni Lee said she did catch onto that during Tuesday's reading.

"It was very empowering," she said. "It's really hard to raise children in this generation. Obviously, (raising) girls, it's important that we empower them to be themselves."

Lee's daughter, Neil Armstrong kindergartener Qhloe, said she liked Turner's book and would read it again sometime.

"It's great, it's good and I liked it," Neil Armstrong second-grader Aryan Bourne said of "Empowering Eloise."

Eloise's affirmation, "I am brave, I am smart," was Aryan's favorite part of the book.

"My favorite color is pink, and I saw a lot of pink in there," she added.

After Tuesdays reading, Neil Armstrong school counselor Ami Ventris led families through a mindfulness activity focused on those two topics. Families also participated in a craft about positive affirmations to take home.

Turner said he and Jordan use positive affirmations with the real Eloise, and they plan to do the same for 1-year-old Reagan.

"There's more than one way to stand up for yourself, I think that's important," Turner said. "Affirmations are a real thing, you know?"

He's working to promote these positive social-emotional strategies throughout Neil Armstrong, too, as it helps build trusted relationships between students and faculty.

"It's never been harder to be a student, and it's also never been harder to be a teacher," Turner said, adding it's important that educators are intentional in deciphering students' needs. "We have to put these social-emotional needs first before asking (demanding) academic requirements from our kids, and a lot of that has to do with trust and relationships."

To him, social-emotional development is a "rock solid" way to ground these relationships, and, thus, boost students' academic confidence and success.

"When they build that self-esteem, resilience and empowerment within, they can start to see themselves having success  and eventually, feel more comfortable taking chances in reading, or asking questions in math," Turner said. "It all just builds off one another."

Moving forward, he hopes to write more children's books and continue to promote empowerment and resilience as both principal and parent.

Those interested in buying a copy of Empowering Eloise should visit tinyurl.com/5bchnpfp.
Apiqroo to install high tech security cameras at ferry terminals

Cozumel, Q.R.  The Quintana Roo Port Authority (Apiqroo) says they will reinforce security and surveillance at the ferry terminals with high-tech cameras. The state agency will start the bidding process before years end to launch the program.

The General Director of Administracion Portuaria Integral de Quintana Roo (Apiqroo), Vagner Elbiorn Vega, says the surveillance system will allow for better monitoring at the ferry terminals.

According to Vega, Cozumel will be the states first ferry terminal to be outfitted with the cameras. He says Apiqroo is preparing the corresponding bidding processes to launch the program as soon as possible, which will provide video surveillance equipment that will be linked to C5.

The entire study of the topic of the latest generation cameras that even have facial detection has already been done. The tender is being prepared and this year all of these cameras must be installed.

Right now, in a first stage, it will be in Cozumel which is where the governor asked us to start. Later, we will go to the other municipalities where we also manage maritime terminals.

It is important to remember that we do not have influence on all the docks and the investment amounts have not yet been set until the tender is done. Once it is done, we will announce how much will be allocated, he said.

Vega says the more than 200 high-resolution video surveillance cameras that were supposedly installed in 2019 by then-governor Carlos Joaquin, need to be replaced. He said those cameras were installed in the terminals of Isla Mujeres, Puerto Juarez, Punta Sam, Puerto Morelos and Cozumel during his administration.

Also installed were the metal detector arches and X-ray security equipment for baggage screening.

Vega says it is essential to be able to offer better security conditions to those who use maritime transport, especially because Quintana Roo is one of the most visited destinations.

We have almost 9 percent more passengers than last year who have moved between the ferry terminals and who have arrived on board cruise ships. This has been a very good year which is why we have the responsibility to offer better security. This year we are improving, a very good year is coming, he said adding that the indicators confirm this.

He added that as a result of this, they are also working on maintenance and improvement work at port facilities, as well as having new infrastructure.
Dredging Chetumal Bay studied to replace canceled Zaragoza Canal project

Chetumal, Q.R.  The dredging project of the Zaragoza Canal has been moved to Chetumal Bay. While the actual dredging project for the Canal has been canceled, authorities are now looking into dredging Chetumal Bay instead.

The Director of the Administracion Portuaria Integral de Quintana Roo (Apiqroo), Vagner Elbiorn Vega, says the Canal project was abandoned because it was considered unfeasible due to the environmental impact it would have.

Now, Apiqroo is looking to the state capital as an alternative. The Quintana Roo Port Authority (Apiqroo) says they are considering Chetumal Bay a place where larger vessels can reach the south of Quintana Roo.

According to information provided by Elbiorn Vega, bathymetry and environmental impact studies are currently being carried out to determine whether dredging will be feasible in this case. Since project studies are still being done, the project is considered to still be in the evaluation stage.

He says the purpose of the dredging project is to promote nautical activity to strengthen the economy of the southern part of the state through the maritime sector. He says Apeqroo is hoping for favorable study results so that the capital city can be taken advantage of.

The dredging of the Zaragoza Canal has been an on-again-off-again project since 2020. It wasnt until 2023 that the project was finally scrapped altogether due to environmental concerns.

Vagner Elbiorn says Apiqroo has contacted specialists in Dubai in order to learn about the most up-to-date technologies that would allow dredging in the Bay with the least possible environmental impact.
President Sheinbaum reacts to U.S. ambassador Salazars security criticism

Mexico City, Mexico  Mexicos President Claudia Sheinbaum made her position known Thursday regarding the recent statement of the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar.

Sheinbaum reacted after Salazar held a press conference where he criticized former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors strategy of hugs, not bullets.

Salazar made the critical security strategy comments Wednesday aimed at Lopez Obrador saying throughout his six-year term he did not accept help from the Government of Joe Biden.

According to Salazar, the U.S. government offered Lopez Obrador $32 million USD to combat arms and drug trafficking between the two nations. He says Lopez Obrador declined the offer.

When we talk about republican austerity, in the matter of security, it is the same thing as saying it in English: Dont put the effort into supporting the police, so what happens? The police turn to corruption because they are not given enough to live on () That is what scares one, that there will not be the investment that is required here in Mexico to truly reach a time when the insecurity that exists will be resolved, Salazar told the media.

It is worth saying that there are differences between what the U.S. ambassador says one day and what he says the next; such was the case with the reform of the Judicial Branch. On one occasion he said that he thought it was good and a week later he said that it was going to be very bad for Mexico, Sheinbaum said Thursday.

During her press conference, Sheinbaum asked her team to project the statements that the diplomat offered in April when he celebrated the actions carried out in collaboration with the Mexican authorities, the same actions that led to the arrest of wanted criminals including Rafael Caro Quintero, Joaquin Guzman Lorea and Nestor Isidro Perez Salas.

So, which statement did we hear, the one from yesterday or the one from a few months ago? There must be consistency, there must be logic in the statements that one makes, one cannot not declare one thing first and then declare another, she said.

Sheinbaum said she regretted the statements made by Salazar but recalled that Mexico is a free and sovereign country.

Salazar made his critical remarks Wednesday.

Mexico is a free, independent, sovereign country. We coordinated with President Biden. President Lopez Obrador had a high-level meeting which they called the bicentennial dialogue on different issues: drug trafficking, arms trafficking because it is on one side and the other, migration, security.

There is coordination and there will continue to be coordination because it is very important, because we have a common border. There has to be high-level talks () in addition, we are commercial partners but not subordination, no, Sheinbaum said to the press.

During her conference she stressed that both countries share many things, not only culture, trade or even families, but also problems, so it is up to these two nations to coordinate to find a solution.

On Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a note sent to the U.S. Embassy regarding Salazars statements.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs that it has sent a diplomatic note to the Embassy of the United States in Mexico, regarding the statements made by Ambassador Ken Salazar during the press conference held on Wednesday, November 13.

In the note, Mexico expressed its surprise at the messages issued by the current United States ambassador in our country.
Urban growth of Bacalar moving forward with land dispute settled

Bacalar, Q.R.  Authorities have reached an agreement for the recovery of 30 hectares of land invaded in bad faith in Bacalar. The recovered 30 hectares is part of a 100-hectare legal battle ongoing since 2016.

The land, granted to Quintana Roo by the Federation, was designed to facilitate the urban growth of Bacalar. However, the ejidos argued that part of these lands overlapped its territory, given that its constitution predates the federal allocation.

Alberto Alonso Ovando, the Director of the Strategic Projects Agency (Agepro), says they have begun the legalization process of those 30 hectares. The lands in dispute are located in the coastal area and are being legalized in collaboration with the College of Appraisers of the State of Quintana Roo.

According to the head of Agepro, this conflict has allowed authorities to see an opportunity to plan the orderly growth of Bacalar. Currently, work is planned to convert up to 5,000 hectares of common Bacalar ejido lands to full federal ownership, which will allow for the urban development of the area under a regulated and sustainable plan.

In 2016, a judge issued a precautionary measure that prevented any intervention in the disputed lands paralyzing development, however, this encouraged people to invade these lands in bad faith, with false titles and documents.

Alonso Ovando confirmed that false titles and illegal documents have been detected, but many owners, in good faith, have begun to regularize their properties. He says this process will also put an end to more than eight years of uncertainty, allowing Bacalar to grow in an orderly and legal manner.
A new book challenges the all-too-common trope that the Wests accomplishments were informed by uniquely racist and supremacist assumptions, which prevail even to this day. But what if among those accomplishments was the end of tribalism itself?

John M. Ellis A Short History of Relations Between Peoples: How the World Began to Move Beyond Tribalism is an important book. It defends the values and history of Western civilization underlying the political and economic systems that have produced the prosperous and multifaceted world Westerners currently enjoy.

But it is also a controversial book. It rebuts the progressive lefts widespread charges of racism against the historical foundations of the modern Western world.

Consequently, this is a courageous book. It will no doubt be attacked by the left as a defense of racism, colonial imperialism, and white supremacy. But anyone who reads A Short History of Relations Between Peoples fairly will understand the falsity of these attacks, as well as the reasons underlying them.

John Ellis begins with the Latin phrase gens una sumus, meaning that we human beings are all of one family. The vast majority of people, at least in the Western world, now profess allegiance to this principle. That the worldand again, at least the Western worldhas moved beyond the prejudices and tribalism of the past to embrace gens una sumus attracts widespread acclaim. It is here, however, that the agreement ends. The manner in which gens una sumus came to its prominent position in the modern worldview is the subject of much debate and accusation.

The progressive left claims that only a wholesale and vigorous assault against the racist intervention of white supremacists could return the world to its natural state of gens una sumus. Ellis, on the other hand, argues that the moral, intellectual, and scientific advances of the Western world paved the way for an end to the historic conditions of tribalism and separatism. To Ellis, the West ended systemic racism and prejudice and was not its cause.

As Ellis explains, the Western world embraced the commonality of all human beings not through a gradual and universal drift in that direction but rather because of specific events and developments that happened at particular times and places. Ellis outlines these specific events and developments, all the result of advances in Western thought and culture. In doing so, he reveals how deeply the progressive left misunderstands, or misrepresents, the history behind the monumental change of how the world came to the idea of our common humanitygens una sumus.

In demonstrating the falseness of the lefts depiction of history, Ellis debunks numerous myths promulgated by the left. One such myth involves the claim that gens una sumus is now threatened by an ideology of arrogant white supremacy and unearned white privilege. According to this, whites enjoy economic prosperity only because they have stolen it from others and that European explorers like Christopher Columbus and their later colonial administrators were evil usurpers who oppressed native peoples and looted their cultures.

Prior to 1500, as Ellis demonstrates, the attitudes held by different ethnic and national groups toward each other were not free choices, in the sense that they could have been anything else, but rather were inevitable attitudes given the conditions that prevailed in those timesconditions that were never compatible with the ideology of gens una sumus. The universal human attitude in 1500 saw outsiders as a constant threat; consequently, gens una sumus would have been a suicidal policy in the 16th century.

And yet, when leftist scholars criticize the racism of earlier times, they essentially assume that our modern belief in gens una sumus is quite simply the natural onethe basic, expected standard, whatever the era under consideration. But as the author explains, exactly the opposite is true. An attitude of hostility and suspicion toward other groups was the norm throughout all prior human history.

Ellis argues that the transition from the tribalist ethos of 1500 to the gens una sumus of today constituted one of the most important developments in human history. But it could never have happened overnight. Essential to this widening perspective was the Age of Discovery, during which European explorers ventured beyond their known world and initiated contact with heretofore unknown (to them) peoples and societies. Another major event was the advent of the printing press and the spread of literacy, which made available an increased knowledge about different peoples living in faraway lands.

The Age of Discovery set the world moving toward the multi-racial societies that characterize the modern Western world. It was also an age during which nearly all peoples of the world pursued empire. This empire-building, based on the conquest of other territories, became a rational response to a world in which every society was constantly in danger of being conquered itself. In the short term, the initial contact with new people only reinforced the discoverers sense of tribal identification. Finding solidarity with the native people they encountered, seeing them as fellow human brothers, was never likely to be the first response. The spirit of gens una sumus was not yet a part of the worlds outlook or mentality. Thus, a charge of racism against Europeans of that time is purely anachronistic, as it would have to be leveled equally at everyone. As Ellis notes, what we would now call racism was nothing but the tribal practicality that was ubiquitous in these early times.

In 1500, no society or country had any objection to empire, which became a means of defense in a dangerous world. The only difference between countries, as far as empires were concerned, was not that some countries deemed empires morally acceptable while others did not, but that some were able to create an empire and some were not.

Another major development influencing the adoption of a gens una sumus conviction was the spread of literacy, made possible by the invention of the printing press. The European Renaissance, the growth and popularity of European writers, the development of newspapers, the prominence of Enlightenment thinkers, and a steady expansion of the reading public all contributed to a more literate and knowledgeable society. This literate society began exploring ideas related to human rights, public morality, political structures, liberty and equality, and principles of governanceideas that ran counter to the prevailing notions of tribalism. Indeed, the development of a philosophy that discarded tribalism for the beginnings of notions of human commonality was the greatest achievement of the British Enlightenment.

It was not that the British at long last stumbled onto the correct values, as their modern detractors want us to believe; instead, the British actually created these values. And having done so, they then gave them to the rest of the world, though not without considerable resistance from people beyond the Anglosphere. In fact, the British Empire became a powerful force in promoting the philosophy of gens una sumus, which at that point was the most anti-racist idea in world history. This became possible owing to the rising literacy of the English public, from 35% in 1600 to 60% in 1700, which made possible the dissemination throughout the sprawling British Empire of the enlightened political discourse generated by writers like John Milton and John Locke. Such works addressed liberty, equality, sovereignty, and the moral and social obligations owed to all human beings. As Ellis notes, Edmund Burke pushed the House of Commons to impeach Warren Hastings (the Governor-General of India from 1773 to 1785) because he had trampled on the rights of the Indian people.

The British, through the reach of their empire, led the world in opposing slavery, which had historically been a worldwide phenomenon. Based on their evolving anti-slavery morality, led by such thinkers as Adam Smith and David Hume, the British affirmatively moved to abolish slavery globally in the 18th century. An English court in 1772 declared slave-holding to be illegal, and by 1804 England had succeeded in convincing all northern states in the U.S. to abolish slavery. Despite opposition from the African slavers, the English ended the slave trade on the western coast of Africa, with the British navy stopping and searching any ships departing from West Africa suspected of carrying slaves.

As Ellis argues, the universal norm of racism receded only after the English created and spread a universal civilization of gens una sumus. Thus, modern radicals work within the tradition of a value systemgens una sumusinitiated and developed precisely by those they vilify. Indeed, modern radicals in their assault against Western civilization seem to want to take the world back to one of tribalism and separatism. Indeed, in those parts of the world where gens una sumus has not taken holde.g., many areas of the Middle Eastracism and tribalism still exist if not prevail.

As a summary of Ellis arguments, the concluding paragraph of the book is worth repeating here:

The story I have told in this bookof the origin and development of modern attitudes to other peoples and racesis at odds with everything that the political radicals who now control our colleges and universities believe. They think that modernity is riddled with racism; the truth is that modernity has rescued us from racism. They think that capitalism is heavily implicated in racism, but history shows that it was free markets that gave us anti-racism. They think that Europeans are the villains of the story, but history tells us that they are its heroes. They think that the world would be sweetness and light without the corrupting influence of Western society, but the truth is that the world was a swamp of racism and nastiness until it was led out of those evils by the Anglosphere. They think that they, the radicals, are leading us to a more just and anti-racist world, but the truth is that they are returning us to racist chaos.

In their false depictions of racism, leftist radicals not only misread history but ignore the centuries of progress that have moved world societies beyond those based on racism and tribalism. This misreading of history, despite its obvious fallacies, may serve a much bigger and even more devious purpose. Their continual accusations of a society overrun with greed, racism, and racial injustice steadily undermine the health and confidence of that society. And, as Ellis observes, only an unhappy society will consent to radical transformation, which in fact may be the real goal.

Ellis has provided a valuable intellectual service by taking on the lefts empty denunciation of Western history and civilization. Ellis, for instance, comes to the defense of Bruce Gilley, who in 2017 was notoriously vilified and censured by academic leftists for his politically incorrect research showing that colonialism did, in fact, produce certain benefits.

Only by confronting false depictions of the origins and perpetuation of racism can Westerners begin to protect their culture and history from a radical deconstruction. In undertaking the monumental task of defending Western civilization from manufactured charges of racism and imperial oppression, Ellis obviously opens himself to a barrage of criticism, especially given the brevity of his book.

Critics could also list a wealth of historical data omitted from Ellis short but extremely readable polemic. A particular criticism might point to the absence of a greater discussion of how slavery in the American South resisted the momentum of the British Enlightenment. Yet Ellis focuses his book not on America but on the British Empire. Nonetheless, and despite potential reprovals, Ellis book might best be seen as an early volley in what is hoped to be a spirited intellectual rebuttal of the historical misrepresentations inherent in the lefts attack on the West.
 Flash

A rescuer works at a residential building destroyed in Israeli airstrikes in the Mazzeh neighborhood of Damascus, Syria, on Nov. 14, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Israeli forces on Thursday conducted airstrikes on residential buildings in Syria's capital Damascus and its vicinity, killing at least 15 people and injuring 16 others, according to the Syrian Defense Ministry and state TV.

The ministry stated that around 3:20 p.m. local time (1220 GMT), the Israeli army launched an air attack from the direction of the occupied Golan Heights, targeting several residential buildings in the Mazzeh neighborhood west of Damascus and the Qudsaya suburb northwest of the capital.

The airstrikes "led to the martyrdom of 15 people and the injury of 16 others, including women and children," as shown by initial estimates, along with significant damage to private property and civilian buildings, the ministry said.

Meanwhile, state TV reported Israeli airstrikes on three buildings in Mazzeh and another strike on a building belonging to an educational complex, situated in a residential zone in Qudsaya.

Following the strikes, loud explosions echoed across the city, with thick plumes of smoke rising from targeted sites. Ambulances and emergency services rushed to the scene to tend to the victims.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also confirmed that residential buildings in Mazzeh and Qudsaya were pounded.

The Israeli military, in a statement, said its warplanes bombed command centers and infrastructure sites belonging to the Islamic Jihad militant group.

Israel asserted that Islamic Jihad participated in a Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 people and led to the kidnapping of around 250 others.

The Israeli military added that it would continue to act against Islamic Jihad "wherever necessary."
Care and Feeding is Slates parenting advice column. Have a question for Care and Feeding? Submit it here.

Dear Care and Feeding,

I am 38, 7-weeks pregnant with twins, and have one 2-year-old. I had a complicated pregnancy and delivery with my son. I live in a blue state where abortion is legal at all stages of a pregnancy. My parents live in a bordering state where abortion is banned at 6 weeks. Its a 3-hour drive to my parents from our city and about a 1.5-hour drive from their house to the border with our state. Im supposed to visit them for Thanksgiving (my brother and his family are also flying in from another state) when I will be approximately 12 weeks pregnant. I also have my company holiday party in December in a state across the country where abortion is banned at 15 weeks. I will be exactly 15 weeks pregnant at the time of that trip.

In both cases, Im terrified of traveling to states where abortion is prohibited during a high-risk geriatric pregnancy with twins. From my parents house, my husband could drive us to the border quickly (within 1.5 hours) if theres an emergency. From the state Im flying to, its a 2.5-hour drive to the nearest state with no abortion bans. Im not sure if were getting a rental car yet. Should I even go on these trips? Am I being overdramatic? Im just concerned if I have a medical emergency, I wont be able to get the lifesaving care I need.

Pregnant and Scared

Dear Pregnant and Scared,

You arent being overdramatic at all. With the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the rise of restrictive laws on the state level, women are dying due to a lack of access to reproductive health care. As far as your holiday party goes, I would definitely skip it. Anything can happen, and the abortion ban in that state can prevent you from getting the treatment you may need, even if its not a matter of terminating the pregnancy. With regards to your trip to see your parents this Thanksgiving, they may live 1.5 hours from the border, but how close is the nearest hospital once you cross? And what kind of reputation does that hospital have? I think you should factor that into your decision. Your parents might be four or five hours away from the sort of institution youd need to go to for care. Carrying multiples is already higher risk than being pregnant with one child, and youve already had a complicated pregnancy before. I think the best thing for you to do for your piece of mind, and the health of you and your babies, would be to stay put until after you give birth. Perhaps your parents can come visit you this year instead.

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Get parenting and family advicesubmit a question! Please keep questions short (<150 words), and dont submit the same question to multiple columns. We are unable to edit or remove questions after publication. Use pseudonyms to maintain anonymity. Your submission may be used in other Slate advice columns and may be edited for publication. Thanks! Your question has been submitted. Dear Care and Feeding, * Your letter signoff Your pronouns Your email (optional and confidentialplease include if you're open to Care and Feeding following up) Submit

Dear Care and Feeding,

I am a 14-year-old girl who is struggling with eating and body image. I cant stop worrying about my weight and calories, and it is starting to interfere with everything in my life, from my grades to my friendships. I cant concentrate on tests, and I miss out on socializing because I am skipping lunch. I am also bulimic. I feel lost and shallow for caring about something so superficial when people in this country are facing real, terrifying issues. I care about school because I want a career where I can do something with my privilege and contribute to society, but now I cant picture a future. How do I get rid of this potentially dangerous obsession? I am seeing a therapist, but it isnt helping. I havent told my parents.

Worried

Dear Worried,

I can relate to your letter because I have battled disordered eating and body image issues since I was a little younger than you; I binged and purged for at least 15 years. Ive always known that Ive had a problem, but Ive refused to get help for any number of reasons, such as worrying that I would gain weight if I got better. There are few things I regret more than not telling my parents when I started to struggle. You must talk to your family, because you cant get past this on your own. You wont just wake up one day and feel okay with yourself; youre going to need to do serious work and you need support for that. Are you being fully honest with your therapist? When I was 16, I spoke briefly with a school guidance counselor about my bulimia, and then convinced her that after just a couple of sessions, Id stopped purging. Therapy can only work if you are completely transparent with your provider; if you have been and youre not seeing an improvement, then she may not be a good fit for you.

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In any case, the first step is to tell your parents so they can help you. Tell them everything; they need to know how these issues have controlled your life. You also have to decide that you dont want to live this way anymore. You have to prioritize your health, your happiness, and your future over what you think youre supposed to look like. These should be some of the best years of your life. You dont deserve to struggle like this. Please, tell your family whats going on so they can support you.

Catch Up on Care and Feeding

 Missed earlier columns this week? Read them here.

 Discuss this column in the Slate Parenting Facebook group!

Dear Care and Feeding,

My 10-year-old daughter is on the autism spectrum and has ADHD. She is very intelligent and, according to her psychiatrist, has a high IQ, but low emotional intelligence. She has a lot of anxiety and challenges making friends but otherwise does okay. Most people dont even realize she has autism, but was nonverbal by choice up until two years ago. Due to complicated issues, we switched schools last year. She had her heart set on the private school her best friend goes to; however, because of her anxiety, she couldnt complete the test required for entrance. We decided to go to a private homeschool tutor instead, with her brother. A LOT of her anxiety disappeared! Shes a different child! Instead of crying every day and having multiple meltdowns a week, shes been a very happy child. Everyone has noticed a difference. We do playgroups, therapy, and social activities like drama and art classes in the afternoon. 90 percent of our challenges disappeared or became more typical 10-year-old issues.

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My problem is this. She wants to try the test again and attend that private school next year. I have concerns. Her friend was bullied badly this year, and I was NOT impressed by how it was handled. Her friend is a typical kid. They dont have any programs for kids working ahead, and I think her school is behind. My daughter is working on multiplying fractions, and her daughters class is still on basic multiplication. Im worried shell be bored. Not to mention, Im concerned about all of the anxiety and how they would handle it if she had a panic attack. I wasnt impressed with their response during the test. Their response was Shell have to figure it out. What do I do? She doesnt want to go anywhere else and we looked at all the local schools this year. She said its that one or shed rather home school.

School Decisions

Dear School Decisions,

While its important to take your childs desires into consideration with regards to school, sometimes you simply have to do what you think is in their best interest, even if they disagree. It doesnt sound like this private school is a good fit for your daughter, and youll have to explain that to her honestly. Her friend may not want her to know that she was bullied, but you can tell her that you have heard stories about kids getting picked on there and that the school didnt handle them well; speak to her friends parents and see if she would be willing to talk to your daughter about her experiences. You can also let her know that you dont believe the school is equipped to handle her anxiety issues, and that its important that she is in an environment where she is fully supported. Offer to let her consider other schools in the area if shed like, but put your foot down about this one.

 Jamilah
Last week, the Wisconsin Supreme Court heard oral arguments in one of a pair of cases that will determine access to abortion in the state. The case also illuminates how feticide laws, which are on the books in the vast majority of states, can be transformed into abortion bans by conservative prosecutors and courts.

The Wisconsin case centers on an 1849 law that dictates that any person, other than the mother, who intentionally takes the life of an unborn child is guilty of a felony unless a life exception applies. When the Supreme Court overruled Roe in 2022, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul asked the state courts to clarify that this law was not an abortion ban but a feticide lawand thus did not apply to consensual abortions. Indeed, thats what the Wisconsin Supreme Court had suggested in a previous case in 1994. A conservative county prosecutor, Joel Urmanski, countered that Wisconsins law was in fact an abortion ban that applied throughout pregnancyand that none of the many abortion restrictions the state has passed over the years implicitly repealed the 1849 ban.

A trial judge bought Kauls argument, and now the case is before the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which has a new liberal majority since the 2022 election of Justice Janet Protasiewicz. The court also agreed to hear a separate challenge to the constitutionality of the 1849 law. Both lawsuits underscore the importance of the upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court election in 2025, which could hand conservatives a majority on the court again.

If the court is going to weigh in separately on the statutes constitutionality, then the question of whether an 1849 zombie law is a feticide statute or an abortion prohibition may seem like a meaningless technicality, but the opposite is true.

Feticide laws, which are on the books in well over one-third of the states, are being used against women and other patients to criminalize a variety of pregnancy-related conduct. A story from Nevada, recently reported in the Washington Post, illustrates this risk. Patience Frazier, a financially struggling mother of two, had recently found a more stable housing situation after living with her children in her car, when she learned she was pregnant. Abortion was legal in Nevada until 24 weeks, but Frazer didnt have the money to pay for a procedure or an easy way to get to the nearest clinic, so she decided to take steps to induce miscarriage, consuming large quantities of cinnamon, which she believed would end her pregnancy (as medical experts would later testify, there is no evidence that such a strategy could work).

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Related From Slate The Next Frontline in the Fight for Reproductive Rights Read More

Several weeks lateraccording to medical examiners, not long after the 24th week of pregnancyFrazier had a miscarriage. A woman who babysat for Frazier told the police that she suspected that Frazier had gotten rid of her baby. Jac Mitchum, a police deputy, became convinced of Fraziers guilt, but because law enforcement werent sure they could charge her under the states abortion statute, prosecutors turned to a 1911 feticide law governing the consumption of drugs during pregnancyFrazier had consumed marijuana and methamphetamines during her pregnancy. Frazier was later convicted and sentenced to up to eight years in prison before the Nevada Supreme Court reversed her conviction in 2023, reasoning that she had ineffective assistance from her lawyer at trial. Prosecutors have refused to close the case and are reserving the right to retry her.

In some ways, Fraziers story seems remarkable. Nevada has protected legal abortion since 1990 and just passed a constitutional amendment on reproductive rights that will become effective after a second vote in 2026. How can prosecutors go after Frazier in a state that theoretically doesnt criminalize abortion?

The Nevada Supreme Court didnt weigh in on the constitutionality of the 1911 law, reasoning that their ruling on Fraziers assistance of counsel claims made it unnecessary to even address the question. So there have been few rulings on the critical question of whether feticide laws can function as abortion bans, criminalizing women who have miscarriages. While the issue in the Nevada case came down to a technicality, policymakers and judges may have been reluctant to clarify feticide laws because they view them differently from abortion bans.

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The organization Pregnancy Justice has established that 38 states have feticide laws, which authorize homicide charges against anyone who causes a miscarriage or stillbirth. These laws are on the books in blue as well as red states for a simple reason: In theory, there should be no conflict between protecting access to legal abortion and criminalizing the conduct of those who assault or kill pregnant patients and end their pregnancies without their consent.

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But in the aftermath of Roes reversal, these laws are being put to different uses.

For the anti-abortion movement, the past 50 years was a struggle to reverse Roe v. Wade. The next chapter is a fight to establish fetal personhoodthe idea that the 14th Amendment of the Constitution recognizes rights to equal protection and due process of the law from the moment of conception. Anti-abortion lawyers argue that a decision recognizing fetal personhood would make liberal state abortion laws or other forms of government support unconstitutional. At least at the moment, the Supreme Court doesnt appear imminently likely to recognize fetal personhood, and so the anti-abortion movement has developed a long-term plan: writing fetal personhood into as many other areas of law as possible, and reading personhood into old laws, to create a precedent for recognizing constitutional personhood that the high court eventually wont be able to ignore.

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Reinterpreting or expanding feticide laws is part of this strategy. Most already on the books explicitly or implicitly protect pregnant women from prosecution, but in some cases, the protections are incomplete or missing altogether. Thats what Fraziers case highlights: If states believe that rights and personhood begin at fertilizationand more importantly, if they believe that the only way to honor those rights is to impose harsh criminal punishments against anyone who violates those rightsthen prosecutors opposed to abortion will be tempted to repurpose any feticide law to criminalize conduct related to pregnancy. Prosecutors like those in Wisconsin will read a feticide law that may have been intended to protect pregnant women from domestic violence as a law criminalizing the conduct of doctors who provide abortions.

This is why the Wisconsin Supreme Courts forthcoming decision in Kaul will be consequential even if the justices later rule the law to be unconstitutional. The more abortion opponents equate justice with the criminalization of conduct related to pregnancy, the more important it will be to distinguish feticide and abortionand to understand how laws that seem to have nothing to do with punishing pregnant women can have a far darker purpose in our post-Roe world.
We are now engaged in what we in the press like to call a spirited debate about the confirmation prospects of one Matt Gaetz, the galactically unqualified and credibly accused sexual predator, to be the chief law-enforcement officer of the United States. During Donald Trumps first term in office, Gaetz was embroiled in a lengthy sex-trafficking investigation involving a minor girl, opened under Attorney General Bill Barr. He has now narrowly avoided learning the results of a House Ethics Committee probe over those same allegations including sexual misconduct. (ABC News has reported that a woman testified before the committee that Gaetz had sex with her when she was 17.) All that considered, of course it makes sense that this would come down to an Apprentice-style nail-biter as to whether he can garner the votes necessary to be confirmed to the job of running the organization that was once investigating him. And since Gaetz has not a scintilla of expertise or experience necessary to run the massive law-enforcement agency, it stands to reason that the only urgently important question facing the nation is whether four Republican senators might dig deep and find it within themselves to say as much.

If you care about such things, there are loads of senatorial quotes to be mined for meaning. There is this one, from Alaskas Lisa Murkowski, showing open contempt for the nomination: I dont think its a serious nomination for the attorney general. We need to have a serious attorney general. And Im looking forward to the opportunity to consider somebody that is serious. We have the gauzy hand-waving of Texas John Cornyn: Im still trying to absorb all this. I dont really know him, other than his public persona. And we have the two faces of Oklahomas Markwayne Mullin, who concedes that while he and Gaetz have had our differences in the past, I completely trust President Trumps decisionmaking on this one.

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A year ago, the very same Mullin told CNN that as far as Gaetz was concerned, we had all seen the videos he was showing on the House floor  of the girls that he had slept with. Hed brag about how he would crush ED medicine and chase it with an energy drink so he could go all night.

Given that Gaetz was openly showing photos of young women to his House colleagues, at his job, one might find it odd that 2024 Mullin believes that in order to get the job, Gaetz has to come to  the Senate and sell himself. Theres a lot of questions that are going to be out there. Hes got to answer those questions. In a sane and normal world, there would be no prospect of any such sale to be made. But we are not in a sane and normal world; we are in the world in which Sen. Lindsey Graham says, Im telling my Democratic friends: Elections have consequences, whether you like it or not.  You are accusing Matt of doing the very thing that you did. Matt Gaetz didnt lie under oath, Matt Gaetz did not sign FISA warrants that were based on Russian disinformation, so were going to give the president a chance to put his people forward.

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We can talk in stentorian terms about whether the august body that is the U.S. Senate in fact plans to confirm an insurrection performance artist, someone whose chief qualification for the law-enforcement post is, as Politico reported, his willingness to go over there and start cuttin fuckin heads. But its worth recalling that the GOP senators are not exactly models of augustness themselves; these areindeedsome of the very same august body that actually cheered on the insurrection. It is true that others deplored the insurrectionbut they then went on to vote to acquit the president after he was impeached for it. Mitch McConnell even announced at the time that theres no question, none, that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day, before he voted to acquit. Newly minted Senate Majority Leader John Thune voted to acquit, while announcing: My vote to acquit should not be viewed as exoneration.  What former President Trump did to undermine faith in our election system and disrupt the peaceful transfer of power is inexcusable.

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We could talk about the same august Republicans in the Senate and their votes over Brett Kavanaugh, but again, why bother?

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Related From Slate Trump Thinks Putin Is His Friend. The Russians Just Issued a Humiliating Statement to the Contrary. Read More

Maybe they really will rally and protect the institution from being rolled again by Donald Trump. Its possible, sure. But the final data point that has been missing from this conversation are the words of Mitt Romney, in his searing interview last year with McKay Coppins in the Atlantic. Reread it this week as you pick your way through all the promises that Senate Republicans have made claiming to be opponents of MAGA chaos agents. Just a few choice excerpts to guide your thinking (the me in what follows is Coppins).

On Jan. 2, 2021, Romney sends a text to Mitch McConnell:

In case you have not heard this, I just got a call from Angus King, who said that he had spoken with a senior official at the Pentagon who reports that they are seeing very disturbing social media traffic regarding the protests planned on the 6th. There are calls to burn down your home, Mitch; to smuggle guns into DC, and to storm the Capitol. I hope that sufficient security plans are in place, but I am concerned that the instigatorthe Presidentis the one who commands the reinforcements the DC and Capitol police might require.

McConnell never responds.

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A very large portion of my party, he told me one day, really doesnt believe in the Constitution. Hed realized this only recently, he said. We were a few months removed from an attempted coup instigated by Republican leaders, and he was wrestling with some difficult questions. Was the authoritarian element of the GOP a product of President Trump, or had it always been there, just waiting to be activated by a sufficiently shameless demagogue? And what role had the members of the mainstream establishmentpeople like him, the reasonable Republicansplayed in allowing the rot on the right to fester?

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Retirement was death. The men and women of the Senate might not need their government salary to survive, but they needed the stimulation, the sense of relevance, the power. One of his new colleagues told him that the first consideration when voting on any bill should be Will this help me win reelection?

Perhaps Romneys most surprising discovery upon entering the Senate was that his disgust with Trump was not unique among his Republican colleagues. Almost without exception, he told me, they shared my view of the president. In public, of course, they played their parts as Trump loyalists, often contorting themselves rhetorically to defend the presidents most indefensible behavior. But in private, they ridiculed his ignorance, rolled their eyes at his antics, and made incisive observations about his warped, toddlerlike psyche. Romney recalled one senior Republican senator frankly admitting, He has none of the qualities you would want in a president, and all of the qualities you wouldnt.

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One afternoon in March 2019, Trump paid a visit to the Senate Republicans weekly caucus lunch. He was in a buoyant moodtwo days earlier, the Justice Department had announced that the much-anticipated report from Special Counsel Robert Mueller failed to establish collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia during the 2016 election. As Romney later wrote in his journal, the president was met with a standing ovation fit for a conquering hero, and then launched into some rambling remarks. He talked about the so-called Russia hoax and relitigated the recent midterm elections and swung wildly from one tangent to another. He declared, somewhat implausibly, that the GOP would soon become the party of health care. The senators were respectful and attentive. As soon as Trump left, Romney recalled, the Republican caucus burst into laughter.

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Theres so much more. Nothing in Coppins account signals a Senate inclined to hatch a backbone. But here is the section that has haunted me in the year since publication:

Some of the reluctance to hold Trump accountable was a function of the same old perverse political incentiveselected Republicans feared a political backlash from their base. But after January 6, a new, more existential brand of cowardice had emerged. One Republican congressman confided to Romney that he wanted to vote for Trumps second impeachment, but chose not to out of fear for his familys safety. The congressman reasoned that Trump would be impeached by House Democrats with or without himwhy put his wife and children at risk if it wouldnt change the outcome? Later, during the Senate trial, Romney heard the same calculation while talking with a small group of Republican colleagues. When one senator, a member of leadership, said he was leaning toward voting to convict, the others urged him to reconsider. You cant do that, Romney recalled someone saying. Think of your personal safety, said another. Think of your children. The senator eventually decided they were right.

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Thats it. Thats the whole ballgame. That is the category error we continue to make when we hold out hope that Republicans, or the institutions in thrall to Republicans, might choose this precise minute to break free from the miasma of violence and lawlessness and vengeance and stupidity. We forget that they arent merely self-interested careerists willing to whisper home truths while they trumpet lies; they arent just willing to sacrifice themselves to the collective-action defense holding that if bravery were necessary, someone else ought to be brave. They are also, at bottom, genuinely terrified: They are afraid that their families and their children will be physically harmed by a movement that has proved that if they lose under the law, they can win with a stick. Whether those fears are genuine or pretextual we may never know. But it shouldnt surprise anybody should we discover that all the GOP senators making harrumphy noises about needing to ask the tough questions of stunt-nominee Gaetz will ultimately buckle when they weigh the hardships of yet again serving as a doormat for Donald Trump against the real, visceral, chilling threat of getting themselves on the wrong side of the guy who is being nominated only because of his commitment to lawlessness and revenge. If GOP senators were too afraid to vote publicly to impeach Donald Trump for fear that their children would be collateral damage, what possible reason would they have to vote against Matt Gaetz as AG, who genuinely stands solely for raining down collateral damage?

Weve entered the stage of Trumpist collapse in which people who seek to harm those seen as insufficiently loyal are being promoted over those with actual skills, or vision, or politics. Matt Gaetz is the open threat of violence and targeted prosecution that follows a refusal to take seriously the veiled threat of violence and targeted prosecution. They broke it; they bought it. Far too late to suggest they can choose to return what he will be selling.
Of all the people in the United States, the president-elect has settled on Mike Huckabee as his nominee for ambassador to Israel. Huckabee, a Southern Baptist, has said he does not believe in the West Bank as a concept and that it is Judea and Samaria (the biblical name for the region) and that Palestinians as a people are not real. He has also put on campaign events from the West Bank. After Donald Trumps announcement, Huckabee was asked whether West Bank annexation was possible during the coming presidential term. Of course, he replied. (Huckabee is a Christian Zionist, which is to say he believes that Jews should be in Israelan area he deems to include the West Bankso as to trigger the Second Coming, after which Christians can inhabit the land.)

Huckabee is but one part of a larger story: In the week or so since he won reelection, Trump has announced a series of people who either explicitly support West Bank settlement or annexation or bristle at the slightest suggestion of criticism of Israel.

As Galen Jackson, an associate professor of political science at Williams College, put it, To the extent that Israel plans to hold on to the settlements that it builds in the West Bank, then almost by definition annexation has been proceeding for decades on a gradual basis. The main difference with Trump, in that case, is that he doesnt even protest Israeli settlement expansion or deem it in violation of international law, whereas all other U.S. administrations have.

Trump also intends to nominate Fox News host Pete Hegseth to be his secretary of defense. Hegseth, a veteran of the National Guard, suggested in a 2018 speech in Israel that a temple could be reestablished on Temple Mount. There are a couple of issues with this: First, Temple Mount, the holiest site in Judaism, where the First and Second temples once stood, is believed to be so holy that Jews should not pray there (though Jews have increasingly been doing so in recent years). Second, it is also one of the holiest places in Islam; for centuries it has been the site of the sacred Al-Aqsa Mosque. Additionally, Hegseth has seemed to all but endorse Israels annexing the West Bank, saying, Thats why going and visiting Judea and Samaria and understanding that sovereigntythe very sovereignty of Israeli soil, Israeli cities, locationsis a critical next step to showing the world that this is the land for Jews and the Land of Israel. After all this, it hardly needs to be said that he also opposes any two-state solution or equality between Israelis and Palestinians on this land.

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The appointments are actually worse than I thought they would be, said Khaled Elgindy, director of the Middle East Institutes Program on Palestine and Palestinian-Israeli Affairs. Being pro-Israel can mean a whole spectrum of things, but Huckabee and Hegseth are the farthest fringe of the far right, according to Elgindy.

They are joined by people like Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trumps pick to represent the United States at the United Nations, who rebuked Sen. Chuck Schumer for being insufficiently supportive of Israel when he called for Israeli elections earlier this year. (Stefanik has also pushed the great replacement theory as well as conspiracy theories about Jewish Hungarian-born billionaire philanthropist George Soros, but no matter.) Sen. Marco Rubio, Trumps choice for secretary of state, compared Israels right to carry out a ground operation in Rafah with the Allies war against Adolf Hitler in World War II. Also in the mix is Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, who was allegedly with the president-elect this week when a Netanyahu aide told them that Israel was trying to advance a cease-fire deal in Lebanon so as to give an early foreign-policy victory to Trump. Kushner reportedly served as co-director of a foundation that donated tens of thousands of dollars to build a Jewish seminary in the West Bank. And he observed earlier this year that Gazas waterfront property could be quite valuable.

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Meanwhile, Benjamin Netanyahu has chosen Yechiel Leiter to be his countrys next ambassador to the U.S. Leiterwho was born in the United States and was, in his youth, a part of the militant nationalist Jewish Defense League founded by Meir Kahanepreviously was the prime ministers chief of staff. He has also served as a senior fellow at the Kohelet Policy Forum, which was behind Netanyahus and his allies antidemocratic judicial-reform push that sparked mass protests in Israel in the months prior to Oct. 7. Leiter, too, has been actively supportive of West Bank settlements; as Haaretz noted, he lives in the West Bank settlement of Eli and has openly advocated for its annexation by Israel. Netanyahus far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who was detained in 2005 for allegedly seeking to block Israeli disengagement from Gaza, said this week, I intend, with Gods help, to lead a government decision that says that the government of Israel will work with the new administration of President Trump and the international community to apply Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria. The State Department saidwith bone-dry or perhaps chilling understatementthat such comments were not conducive to building an enduring peace.

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That department, though, has also spent much of the past year doing things like defending Israel as not having violated U.S. law in failing to meet the countrys criteria for humanitarian support and taking actions that have instead worsened the civilian situation on the groundblocking access to food and medicine, for instancedespite human rights groups assertions that the nations government and military have done so. The Biden administration, despite issuing an executive order sanctioning some violent West Bank settlers, declined to sanction Smotrich and his fellow far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who also called for annexing the West Bank after Trumps election and has continually campaigned for Israel to resettle Gaza. (More than 80 congressional Democrats implored the White House to sanction the pair shortly before the election.)

Related From Slate What Trumps Victory Means for Israel and Gaza Read More

All of this together ought to be a stark warning about whats ahead for Palestinians, and about what the next American administration will support or even sponsor. But whats coming from the TrumpNetanyahu partnership is building on a reality that has been worsening for Palestinians in the West Bank for many years. Even without de facto annexation, settlements in the West Bank have expanded, and settler violence in the territory continues, with little domestic or international consequence. As Jackson observed, With the exception of the first Bush administration, no U.S. president has put serious pressure on Israel to stop expanding settlements really since 1967.

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And to some, looking at the West Bank as under a separate threat than Palestinians within Israel or those in Gaza misses the point. BTselem, an Israeli human rights group, rejects the perception of Israel as a democracy (inside the Green Line) that simultaneously upholds a temporary military occupation (beyond it). BTselem reached the conclusion that the bar for defining the Israeli regime as an apartheid regime has been met, said Shai Parnes, a spokesperson for the group. One organizing principle lies at the base of a wide array of Israeli policies: advancing and perpetuating the supremacy of one groupJewsover another: Palestinians.

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Still, there are reasons to think that full de jure annexation might not happen. I cant say how Trump would respond to such a request, Jackson offered. He thought it might depend in part on the broader regional context. For example, the U.S. could try to further bolster the regions coalition between Israel and several Arab states that has developed to counterbalance Irans power, and West Bank annexation would be likely to deeply threaten that alliance. The move might give the White House pause. It seems pretty likely that Trump is going to take a very hard line against Iran again, so thats a major consideration.

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But its also important to remember that the difference is between not only de facto and de jure annexation, says Elgindy, who served as an adviser to the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah in the early 2000s. I think Gaza has taught us that whenever you think things couldnt get worse, they do. I would not take anything off the table. The issue is not just the possibility of annexation, he says, but the ethnic cleansing that could be coupled with it. Whatever we think could not possibly happen very well could.

And the reality is that, for all that American foreign policy toward Israelis and Palestinians has been, Trumps current constellation of nominees is not only less likely than their predecessors to do anything to meaningfully stop Israel from settling Gaza and annexing the West Bank. They are more likely to actively cheer Israel on as it does so.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241115/abkhazia-ready-to-revoke-investment-agreement-ratification-after-protesters-storm-parliament-1120895419.html

Abkhazia Ready to Revoke Investment Agreement Ratification After Protesters Storm Parliament

Abkhazia Ready to Revoke Investment Agreement Ratification After Protesters Storm Parliament

Sputnik International

The administration of the Abkhazian president is preparing a document on the withdrawal from the parliament of the ratification of the agreement with Russia on investments to stabilize the situation in the republic, the press service of the president's office said on Friday.

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The announcement followed protests where demonstrators broke window grates at the parliament and stormed the building.In response, security forces threw several smoke grenades into the crowd, a Sputnik correspondent reported from the scene.Clashes between security forces and opposition supporters began earlier in the day outside the parliament building.Protesters used a truck to break down part of the fence and hurled flares, bottles, eggs and wooden planks at the police cordon.Gunfire-like sounds were heard near the building. The unrest later spread to the nearby presidential administration, where opposition supporters rammed the gates with a truck.Security forces blocked access to both the parliament and the presidential administration. A large crowd of protesters remained gathered but did not attempt to storm the parliament again.The demonstrators waved Abkhazian flags, with Russian tricolors were also visible among them. Responding to accusations of anti-Russian sentiment, protesters chanted "Russia!" on cue from a megaphone.According to Aslan Djopua, the head of Sukhum's ambulance service, two people were injured in the clashes.Abkhazia's highest legislative body was scheduled to discuss the ratification of an intergovernmental agreement with Russia on investments on Friday, but the session was canceled by the deputies.The presidential press office later announced that the administration was drafting a document to withdraw the ratification of the investment agreement with Russia in an attempt to de-escalate tensions.The main reasons for the opposition's discontent and the ongoing protests in Abkhazia were:The protesters' demands include:President Aslan Bzhania argued that without an investment agreement with Russia, the republic faces significant risks.Alkhas Bartsyts, head of the parliamentary committee on international relations, said Abkhazia would be unable to independently secure the funds needed to restore critical sectors of its economy.

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